hrmarciano

Colorado Anniversary Trip

5 year anniversary trip to Colorado summary bc we crushed it && think you need to hit up this trip too!

Restaurant Recommendations:

– Daylight Donuts Breckenridge: Josh recommends the glazed (he’s a purist) & I recommend the chocolate cake with peanut butter & Oreos

– Downstairs at Erics: we recommend the pizza sticks & the pizza

– Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar: pulled brisket & banana cream pie…need I say more?

– Torchy’s Tacos: the tacos are bomb, the burritos are tasty && the queso is SO spicy (recommend getting it without cilantro, unless that’s your jam)

– The Walnut Room: some of THE BEST pizza at such a hole in the wall place. Good drinks, great cheese bread (on wheat) && even better pizza (thin crust is my jammm).

– Voodoo Donuts: 10/10 recommend, but we’ve realized that we are more a donut for dessert person bc these are SO sweet to eat in the early morning — Josh says get the maple bacon

– Improper City (Brewery): spiked kombucha on tap makes this MY KIND OF PLACE, but the other drinks are great too & they almost always have a food truck so you can grab some grub while you are at it.

– Insomnia Cookies: just go for the original chocolate chunk — it’s the move.

– In & Out: get the burger && share the fries (unless you’re like us and haven’t eaten in hours, then get your own dang fries & maybe two burgers). Josh got a shake & said it was good (but not as good as Chickfila), but be prepared to wait. The line moves quickly but stretches on into eternity

Adventure Recommendations:

– Snowmobiling: the drive is a little long from Breck, but the opportunity to go off on your own, but stay on well labeled paths is perfect for the adventure junky. The guides are super sweet & knowledgeable and you can rent additional gear if you need it. We didn’t rent the goggles, but Josh got windburn, so we recommend renting the goggles instead of just using sunglasses. Also bring a neck gaiter to keep your nose & neck warm. Probs a necessity.

– Red Rocks Amphitheater: the views are STUNNING! I’ve heard they are the best at sunrise, but we drove from Breck to Denver for the day, so we weren’t waking up that early, but the rocks were just as gorgeous in the afternoon. It was a gorgeous day and we had such a nice walk around to explore & take pictures.

Accommodations:

– Cozy Login Alma: although it was a bit of a drive from Breck, we loved the location of this cabin. It was perfection to walk outside and basically see just snow & mountains. The balcony off the master upstairs was gorgeous and I enjoyed a cup of cocoa out there in the mornings. It was a quick 15-20 minute drive into downtown Breck each day and the roads were well plowed, so we didn’t mind. The only disadvantage was that we did need to plan ahead for meals & such. The first night we wanted sweets after I made stuffed shells for dinner at the cabin so we drove to the Alma Mart & grabbed some Ben & Jerrys.

– Mountain Thunder Lodge: in the heart of downtown Breck, this lodge feels like you are staying in your own little cabin, but is close to everything you need. If you aren’t looking to make the drive into town each day, this is the stay for you!

A few other tips:

– If you are looking to get some groceries, you’ll need to drive into Breck and go to City Market — this is a Kroger based store so if you have a Kroger number, you can use your number to get all the good deals.

– If you are going in the winter, don’t cheap on warm clothes. A very warm jacket can make all of the difference. Also snow boots (or at least water proof shoes) & something to keep your ears warm is a necessity. Us Florida people suffered a little bit, but are very thankful for friends who lent us their winter clothes.

Can’t wait to share where we go next!

XOXO,

Hil (& Josh)

How to Start an Etsy Shop

*Adapted from our Marc & Barb blog, but the info is just as true as when I wrote it first

I’m sure if you are reading this post that you came here looking for really solid advice on the steps to take to start. Well, we are first going to give you the best piece of advice for starting – JUST DO IT. Not to push you into something you aren’t ready for, but no matter how many blog posts you read or how many people you talk to or how long you spend prepping – you still won’t know it all. You’re not setting yourself up to fail, you’re just taking a leap without seeing every single step you would’ve taken to get there.

All 3 of us (our dad, Marc & Barb) had considered selling our handmade goods at some point over the last two years, but we didn’t for various reasons – too busy, too nervous, not creative enough, “what if it fails?” or even “what if it flourishes & is overwhelming?” Any of those reasons are good enough to hold you back from opening one, but are they really how you want to live? A little afraid of trying something new?

If you haven’t heard our story before, I will give you the brief rundown. Barb & her husband lived in Virginia while he was in medical school. In March, they found out that they were placed in South Florida & would be moving to the Tampa area for the next 3 years (at least). Once we found that out, they spent a lot of time down in Florida looking for a place to live and putting their roots down here. One day in May, we were sitting around the kitchen table & Barb says, “lets just launch the Etsy shop!” We can commute back & forth or meet in the middle to do business, but let’s try it. She picked the date June 1st & the rest is pretty much history.

We ordered some business cards to tag our items, bought fabric & elastic to make some scrunchies (thanks Youtube tutorials), and listed wooden lanterns our dad had made for our brothers wedding (which was also June 1st). We started an Instagram, created a logo on Canva & read a little bit about some tips to start an Etsy shop. We pulled pretty much all of this together in about 15 days & if we can do it, YOU CAN TOO!

Now I will preface by saying that you can start SO small. You don’t need to invest $5,000 into your shop right away. We started with scrunchies & lanterns that we already had made. The wonderful thing about the Etsy platform is that people can find your shop without a ton of advertising or money spent in sponsored ads. You have a built in customer base because people go to Etsy to find the things they are looking for – which is exactly what you are going to give them! We have lots of friends & family (& even some strangers who have become friends via social) who have purchased from our shop. But we are constantly impressed with the amount of people all over the country who find us & choose to shop at our little corner of the internet.

So basically, all of this information is saying – start with what you have RIGHT NOW! & just take a step & do it. You can figure out the rest when the time comes. But if you are looking for real & actionable steps, here’s what we think you should ask yourself:

1) What is the name of your shop?

2) What products will you be selling?

3) Have you spent time on Etsy looking at the “competition” for your goods? Are you in the right price point? Do you offer something different or better than they do that will attract customers?

4) What is your plan for shipping?

5) What social media are you planning to use? How can you use your personal to promote your shop?

6) Do you have the materials & supplies ready to fill 5-10 orders immediately (just in case it happens)?

7) When are you setting aside time to work on your shop/selling & shipping?

If you have thought through these questions & have answers to them, then go on with your bad self & open up that shop!

If you have any questions or if this post helped you take that step, please let us know! We’d love to visit your shop & support you!

Xoxo,

Marc & Barb

Banana Cream Pie

Another recipe coming in hot from my sister is this banana cream pie! We’re giving you the dEATs here so you can try it out for yourself.

Banana Cream Pie-

For Crust:

25 Back to Natrue Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

1/4 cup melted butter

For Filling: 2 bananas thinly sliced

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

a dash of salt

2 cups milk

3 egg yolks

2 tbs butter

splash of vanilla

For Topping:

8 oz heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon of sugar

a splash of vanilla

sliced almonds toasted 1) For the CRUST: Crush cookie into fine crumbs then add melted butter. Spread evenly in a pie dish and chill for one hour

2) For the FILLING: use sliced bananas to line the bottom of pie dish. Then make a standard custard on the stovetop with sugar, flour and salt. Add in milk and bring to a boil as it thickens. Then stir for two minutes while boiling. Temper egg yolks with the mixture then add the egg yolks into the mixture and stir for two more minutes over the heat. Remove from the heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir to combine. Add the filling to the pie dish and cook at 350 for 15-20 minutes

3) For the TOPPING: whip cream, sugar and vanilla to soft peaks then add to pie. If desired, add sliced almonds (toasted at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until slightly brown and fragrant (check them frequently so they don’t burn!))

ENJOY!

You can download an “easy to print” PDF of this recipe here!

XOXO,

Hil & Gab (pie originator)

Working on My Fitness

So I’ve shared a little bit on here before about what I do for exercise & to keep my body moving. I thought it might be fun to give a good break down on here of my favorite (can’t live without) items for my fitness routine & even share with you some tips & tricks to get your body moving.

Let me start out by saying that I am no fitness guru and that up until college (maybe a little into college), that my “fitness routine” involved soccer, competitive cheer & coaching.

One thing I’ve learned from this broken elbow is how much I CRAVE movement. Post op, I was lucky to walk around the house much. Then I slowly worked my way up to a short walk with my husband. Then longer walks with our dogs. I even braved some miles on a bike. I was so thankful when I got cleared to return to lifting weights or doing HIIT training like I’m used to. This post is sharing a few of my trusty sidekicks here lately as I work back up to my “normal” workout routine. ⁣

• Baby weights & bands for a little resistance ⁣

• Breathe Again Roller on my chest before a workout ⁣

• AirPods to keep me focused ⁣

• Thieves Hans Purifier to kill all the germs⁣

• Sneaks & a Scrunchie because we’re all more motivated to do something when we look good/feel good while doing it ⁣

• Deep Relief Roller because that soreness is inevitable ⁣

During this time where you might have more time than normal, take a family walk or do a little stretching/yoga to ground yourself. Your body needs to move & it’ll be thankful you got up from your desk chair to take care of it. Work will still be there. Take care of yourself, boo. ⁣

How are you moving your body today? ⁣

XOXO,

Hil

Fruit & Nut Energy Bites

I got this recipe from my sister & these are some of my favorite energy bites to keep handy for when I am feeling snacky! She is the queen of these, but I try to make them every once and a while for an easy, on the go snack.

In a food processor mix:

15 pitted dates

20 dried apricots

1/2 cup mixed raisins

until a large sticky “dough” forms

Remove from the processor and set aside

Back in the food processor add:

1/2 c raw almonds

1/2 c raw sunflower seeds

1/2 c unsweetened flakes coconut

1/2 c rolled oats

1/2-1 teaspoon of cinnamon

2 tablespoons of chia seeds

& blend together until coarsely ground

Add the sticky fruit mixture back into the food processor and blend until the two parts come together and the mixture hold shapes when squished between your fingers.

Roll into balls. Store in the fridge and ENJOY!

You can download an “easy to print” PDF of this recipe here!

Enjoy!

Hil

Top Essential Rewards Purchases

So what is Essential Rewards?!

Essential Rewards is an optional program that members can choose to enroll in at any time. Each month you can choose what you want in your wellness box (think: whatever you are running out of at home or new products you want to try!). It’ll deliver the products you NEED right to your door, so you’ll save time and have natural products in your home! benefits

You get reward points on each order that you can use to get FREE products!

The longer you are in the program, the MORE you earn!

Months 1-3: 10%
Months 4-24: 20%
Months 25+: 25%

So over the course of your first year, if you spend the minimum 50 PV each month, you will have spent 600 PV($600 or so) and you will have earned 105 PV back(or basically $105 worth in discounts). Here is a breakdown of 12 months to nontoxic living using a 50 PV order each month.

Free gifts for staying in Essential Rewards:

3 consecutive months: Peppermint Vitality 5 mL
6 consecutive months: Thieves® Vitality essential oil blend, 5 ml
9 consecutive months: Melaleuca Alternifolia essential oil, 15ml
12 consecutive months: Loyality, a special blend formulated by Founder of Young Living and the modern-day essential oils movement D. Gary Young specifically for Essential Rewards members!

There are no commitments or contracts. You can opt out at any time!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What will come in my order? YOU CHOOSE! You can change your order as many times as you want until your processing date.
What do I get billed?You can set the date for your order to process every month. If you don’t change it, it will be the same day each month.
How do the points work? They will show up in a box entitled Rewards Points Balance. Each point = $1 and you can save them or use them as you go. You can redeem up to 375 points each month (if you cancel ER, you’ll lose your points) and they expire after 12 months.
How much do I have to spend? You must spend at least 50 PV (which is about $50) for Essential Rewards.

To sign up, log in to youngliving.com, go to Virtual Office and click Essential Rewards.

What are my FAVORITE ER purchases after grabbing my starter kit?!

Satin Mint Facial Scrub: gently lifts and removes dry, dead skin cells to reveal bright and even-looking skin
Sulfurzyme: a MSM supplement that supports the immune system, the liver, circulation, and proper intestinal function
Charcoal Bar Soap: pulls out dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier
Believe eo: encourage feelings of strength and faith
Orange eo: uplifting burst of liquid sunshine that beings about a sense of peace, harmony, and creativity
NingXia Red: a daily supplement that includes juices and extracts from superfruits such as aronia, plum, blueberry, pomegranate, and Ningxia wolfberries & infused with essential oils
CBD Calm Roller: creates a peaceful environment that helps relax and quiet your mind
CBD Muscle Rub: the hot and cold sensation of menthol infused with essential oils
Thieves Whitening Toothpaste: pure and safe ingredients combine to whiten teeth, fight plaque, support healthy gums, and remove stains without damaging enamel
Thieves Household Cleaner: a concentrated, versatile solution that gives you a deep clean when cleaning all the things in your home

10/10 recommend any of these products to add to your next ER order! Have you tried all of these? If not, what are you grabbing?

XOXO,

Hil

Low Tox Hair Care Products for Curly Hair

Growing up, I always wanted my hair to be straight. I dreamed of the day that I could get it permanently straightened so I didn’t have crazy fly always & weird kinks in my hair.

I would always either straighten it or pull it up or attempt to diffuse it, but I just didn’t like my hair. Then somewhere along the line in college, I was too cheap to pay for a haircut & my hair started growing out. Fast forward to being a first year teacher, planning a wedding, coaching two sports & pursuing a full time masters degree…I was too busy to do my hair so I started letting it be natural.

Over time, I started noticing that people would compliment my natural hair. People liked my curls. & slowly, I started to realize that I liked them, too. I had just been told by society that straight & tamed hair was beautiful & I believed them.

The pressure to always have perfectly straight hair in the Florida humor was truly too much for me, but I did it because I thought I needed to. The #curlygirl movement made me start to realize how much I love my hair the way that God gave it to me. I also realized that spending less time focusing on my hair gave me more time to do things I loved. It’s a win win.

Whatever that thing about you is…stop picking it apart. You are SO outstandingly stunning just the way you are, sweet friend. What you think makes you different is what makes you beautiful — your hair. Your freckles. Your height. Your body shape. Your nose. Your eye color.

Stop letting society tell you how to look & just be naturally you 💛

So in an effort to share how I have grown to love my hair, here are the products that I use daily/on wash day.

Shea Moisture Shampoo // Shea Moisture Conditioner // Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (gel) // Shea Moisture Frizz-Free Curl Mousse // Shea Moisture Leave-In Treatment // Nature’s Brands Organic Hair Spray // Mirah Hair Oil // Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Hydrosol

Learn how to make my mermaid hair growth spray in this post!

Let me know if you try any of these products & if you love them!

XOXO,

Hil

My Greens Smoothie

Smoothies have basically always been a staple breakfast item in our household. Living in Southwest Florida, it’s basically hot all the dang time. Smoothies for breakfast just make sense — especially for this girl who doesn’t like eggs.

One vv important thing to keep in mind is that I believe a good smoothie is made from a good blender. There is something about an even consistency when drinking your smoothie that just cannot be topped. I looooooove my Ninja because its a solid price point, but still a great blender. I’ve also heard bomb things about the Vitamix, but it was a little out of my price range (although you can get a refurbished one that still comes with a warranty and everything).

Question. Do you eat 5 servings of vegetables a day? Because I sure as heck know I don’t. I’m somewhat of a picky eater, so greens are hard for me to get in. That’s why I like to start off my day with a double serving of greens to kickstart my servings

So what goes in my every day green smoothie?

– Orgain protein (I just can’t enjoy the consistency of a whey protein, so this one is good for me) — another good option is the vital proteins (linked below)

– Lots of spinach (promise you can’t even taste it, but blend is wellllllll so it’s not chunky)

– Sufurzyme (this is a Young Living supplement that is SO good for hair skin & nail growth and it comes in powder form so its easy to throw in my smoothie

– 1 cup Almond Milk (you can use water or any other liquid; I like unsweetened original almond milk becuase it basically has no flavor)

– 1 cup Frozen strawbs (these just blend sooooo well & are so tasty; I’ve tried other berries, but I dont love the seeds they leave behind)

Stainless Steel Straws $8 // Mason Jars $34 // Vital Proteins $25 // Orgain Protein $20 // Ninja Blender $150

So that’s about it. I love to serve it up in a mason jar with a stainless steel straw just because I drink this every dang day and glass/steel don’t change the flavor of the smoothie at all. You can shop everything I use in the picture above & use the links below the photo.

Start off your morning the right way!

XOXO,

Hil

Favorite Everyday Jewelry

This one has been a long time coming! I was never a jewelry person growing up because it took so much effort to take on and off after sports practices & I was always afraid I was going to lose it.

Well then I got engaged & got a family heirloom ring and I started to enjoy wearing them daily! Slowly over the next few years, I found a few staple pieces of jewelry that I love to wear daily.

Answering a question that I’ve been asked a few times in my DMs — I really only put my jewelry on when I leave the house (& obvi not to go workout). I pretty much take it off as soon as I get home because dogs & dishes & laundry & stuff. So that’s how it stays clean & how it doesn’t drive me crazy.

I also wear my wedding band, engagement ring & a chevron ring I took from my late grandmas jewelry box. Then that other ring I was sharing about goes to the first granddaughter on my moms side so I wear that one on the daily too! Those are a little more bling, but I love how simple and tasteful each of these pieces are & that they literally go with everything — my athleisure or the 3 times a year I dress up.

Okay so now on to it —

MBM Poppy Choker // A New Day Silver Thin Hoops // A New Day Faux Pearl Earrings // A New Day Silver Hoops // MBM Love Disc Necklace // MBM Rainbow Ring // MBM Knot Ring // Pandora Daisy Ring

Make sure to snatch up one of these items & be my twin!

XOXO,

Hil

Favorite PD Books of 2020

Now that we are about a month into 2021, I figured it was a good time to reflect and share my favorite books from 2020. Most of these are professional development books that I read and would highly recommend.

There is something so fulfilling about taking time to read and grow your business. I started reading before bed instead of scrolling social media and it is literally SO good for me. Instead of going to bed playing the comparison game, I go to bed with big dreams about what I’m doing next to further myself & my business.

I’m tagging all of them below so that you can order them off of Amazon. I read more than these, but these ones are definitely some of my favsss. Local friends, hit me up if you want to borrow any of these!

Show Up for Your Life // When Less Becomes More // You are the Girl for the Job // Master Your Mind // Present Over Perfect // Becoming Us // Holy Hustle // Rhythms of Renewal // Nothing to Prove // High Performance Habits // Big Magic // Daring Greatly // Dare to Lead

Happy reading!

xoxo,

Hil