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Take a Deep Breath with Exhale Spa Dallas

August 18, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

All this back to school talk already has me in a tizzy and it’s not even started yet. However, when the schedule begins to weight on you, your breathing starts to turn into panting, and you feel like it’s a mad sprint everyday just to get the basics done – it’s time to take a time out. And breathe. And Exhale.

While sleeping probably sounds like the right plan, it’s actually a little mix of R&R with a twist of exercise that can get you on the road to restoration. A recent moment of OMG had me stop in my tracks and take a trip to Exhale Spa at The Highland in Dallas.

Tucked away in the busy, upscale hotel (where you’ll also find John Tesar’s Knife), you can escape all the mess with several options to just get away (even if only a few hours.) And surprise – just because it caters to visitors, you can definitely find a home at this place!

My day started off with one of the most amazing yoga classes I’ve ever taken (and yes, I’ve taken a lot.) Not only did I feel like I should be in the middle of India, we worked through postures and a small dab of meditation that brought me back to my center space and stretched some things that I forgot I had. Thank you, Kristen for that Power Yoga class! (Believe me, you should dust off your well-being even if you don’t have time to do the living room table.) However, if you don’t feel inclined to downward dog, you can hit the barre!

Only seconds after the class feeling about 10 years younger and my brain actually caught up with the rest of me, I shimmied to a fantastic brightening facial with a technician that I should share her name with you, but I choose not to so I can still get into to see her! She not only got my skin back in shape, but gave me the rundown of all the things I should be doing to keep me feeling like I’m in my 30s and not looking like I’m twice my age. Remember, taking care of your skin isn’t something you should think about…it’s something you should be doing every day.

Afterwards, a little time at the pool gave me the perfect trifecta to make my day (and my well being) complete. And that was only three hours!

Do yourself a favor and make sure to open that agenda and make time for yourself now. Not after you already needed it six months ago. Your body (and your family) will be shouting namaste with you.

Make sure to take advantage of this month’s special at Exhale Spa:

Save $10 with your first-time fitness friend

You’ll both get a card for $10 off your next fitness class purchase when you check in for your class together.

And save 25% with your spa buddy!

You’ll both get 25% off a 60-minute spa therapy upon in-spa checkout when you visit together.

What Would You Do With an Extra Hour? #MY60

August 4, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 22 Comments

To say that time flies is an understatement. No, it’s not only flying, but moving at lightning speed, waiting for no one and almost mocking all of us as it ticks away. One moment we’re saying “Happy New Year,” and the next moment we’re getting ready to send the kids back to school.

It’s hard.

And it seems like the to-do list never ends – make the lunches, buy cookies for the school bake sale, turn in report to boss, drop off kids at soccer practice, help your eldest with their science fair project, cook dinner, do laundry … how do you make time to get everything done?

More than 93 percent of families in this country requiring a dual income also find it more difficult to achieve a real work-life balance, and 66 percent of those surveyed believe they are only somewhat successful or not successful at all with their time management. “Me Time” gets put on the back burner for the needs of everyone else.

Don’t fret. You’re not alone.

In fact, a recent survey by Safeco Insurance found that more than four in five respondents agree they need an extra hour in the day and 70 percent admitted they would use the extra time to do something for themselves. It’s frightening, but it doesn’t have to be.

These last few weeks of summer are really the best time to re-focus your energy, do what you actually enjoy and reconnect family and friends. Long summer nights provide the perfect opportunity to get much-needed rest and relaxation before the demands of the school year begin.

And to help us achieve these goals, Safeco Insurance is launching the #MY60 campaign to encourage people to take back 60 minutes of their day over a 60-day period. You don’t need some carefully planned Pinterest-inspired activity to do. It’s the simple things in life that often bring us the most joy.

Here are a few ways you can use the hour of your time these next two months:

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR KIDS – It doesn’t take a stack of money to make memories with your children. Grab one of their favorite books, toss a football in the yard or simply just have a conversation with them about their day, their summer, heck life in general. Grab a snow cone or a slushy during Sonic Happy Hour and enjoy a cool treat.
READ A BOOK – Your elementary school teachers are still right. Books can take us to faraway places. They allow our imagination, yes even as adults, to be free from the stresses of life.
COOK…TO ENJOY IT – Before you turn up your nose at the thought of cooking. Consider that dish you pinned weeks ago that you’ve always wanted to try. Use this hour to make a new recipe, bake a cake with friends or maybe just enjoy a glass of wine and slice of cheese. Whatever you do, don’t stress over it.
SLEEP 8 HOURS AND NOT FEEL ASHAMED – Sure, you sleep 4-5 hours every night, but are you really resting or are you rehearsing everything you have to do the next day, week or potentially year? When was the last time woke up feeling refreshed? Take an extra hour and sleep. Don’t set your alarm clock. Let your body wake up when it’s ready.
TURN OFF YOUR PHONE – GASP, You read correctly! Turn off your phone – not just airplane mode, swipe, click and disconnect from technology for one hour. Make sure you tell important tell so that no one gets worried when you can’t be reached. Take these 60 minutes away from technology and connect with the people around you. Engage in some of the activities recommended above. We live in a society today where people spend more time liking and less time living. Let’s change that.
GO ON A WALK – Exercising and connecting with nature? Why not!

If you’re thinking to yourself, “I barely have time to complete the above to-do list. When will I have time to make more time,” you’re already setting yourself up for defeat.

Overeating, withdrawing and becoming angry with others are among the most popular negative behaviors people use to cope with not completing their to-do lists. Who wants to be around that?

They say it only takes 21 days to develop a habit. Moms are pretty amazing people, but just for kicks, Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author of the book “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days,” says to give yourself one more week.

The #MY60 challenge is just one step is finding true harmony in life. Start this program on the right foot and remove any negative comments that are sure to keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Empower yourself to think “can” and “will” instead of “can’t” and “have to.”

Track how you spend your time for one week and determine which activities are necessary and which “tasks” are optional. Making everything a priority only makes us feel like a failure when we are unable to achieve these tasks. Set yourself up for success and make a realistic schedule of your day.

It’s one hour – 60 minutes out of your day built for you to find true happiness and peace. Take the challenge, take charge of time and enter the next half of the year ready to be productive instead of dreading what lies ahead.

For more information or to find tips on how you can do more in an hour, visit www.safeco.com/MY60.

Best Lines from Bravo’s new Odd Mom Out

June 9, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

Last night’s debut of Bravo’s new scripted comedy, “Odd Mom Out” may have made you laugh out loud, but it was the jokes between the lines that sent me to the potty more than once before I wet my pants…

Here’s the Cliff Notes version: Jill (bet you can’t figure out which one she is above) has an interesting perspective into the crazy world of the Upper East Side—where money is no object to her peers and normal every day issues consist of how to get your child into the best private school, which elite cycling class you should attend, or when to add a “Von” to your name to move up a class. Jill navigates the social scene; one awkward moment at a time.

Now that you’re up to speed, here’s a few moments that will have you clicking over any minute now to the online episodes (they already have three online) or at rewatching if you didn’t catch them the first go around!

Your New Anatomy Lesson…Because I bet you didn’t know that’s was it was called.

Before you had kids you probably had thighs and a nice derriere, but as moms know, you sacrifice a lot – on the inside and the out – when you have kids. Sometime after birth, these two once-prominent regions merge together to be your Thass. While this is funny, make sure to wait to laugh big or you’ll miss the next reference to the Holland Tunnel… and that’s definitely one I’ll let you find on your own. [Watch it now]

Get ready to get your “SoulWheelz on” to support the newest Upper East Side charity, N.A.C.H.O… or not…

Beyond the irony of the fundraising efforts called “N.A.C.H.O. happening at a trendy cycle studio, there’s the fact that the acronym stands for “New Yorks Against Childhood Obesity.” Before you spend too much on that – watch to see how Brooke defends why the Y is missing from the name. [Watch it now]

“Sometimes I walk around and it sounds like someone is stirring mac n cheese”

Probably my favorite line from the show took me a few moments after the episode ended to realize what she was talking about and then to laugh about it only as mom would. I don’t think I need to go into this too much (but if you need to ask me, feel free to tweet me) but give yourself a second to snicker, laugh loud and then realize “you aren’t the only one.” [Watch it now]

[Tweet “What do they mean about Mac N Cheese on @BravoTV’s new #OddMomOut? #spon https://ooh.li/7b18ac8”]

And make sure you follow each week until June 29 to learn the secret hashtag, tweet it at @BravoTV and you could win $20,000 with the Tune it to Win Sweepstakes!

In the UES, that’s enough to get a on the waitlist for a Birkin, right?

Watch the episodes now – including the not-yet-aired Episode 3!

5-Minute Mama: 3 Steps to Morning Makeup

May 26, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 22 Comments

Weekday mornings are a mad sprint in our house. I’m happy if I can find the kids clean clothes to wear, a little food in their tummies and to school before the tardy bell rings (and that’s on a good day!) While the kids look presentable, I dodge eye contact with anyone at morning drop off because of the way I look. I normally in Pjs or yoga pants, my hair is pulled back and not a lick of makeup, especially under my eyes where it already looks like I haven’t slept in about two weeks. In other words, I look hot. But how can I do it any other way? I mean how do I squeeze in anything else in the morning if I can’t even get what I need to done?

In other words, I look hot.

But how can I do it any other way? I mean how do I squeeze in anything else in the morning if I can’t even get what I need to done?

All you need is five minutes. That’s right, with the help of my lovely friend at Blushington, in five minutes and only three steps, not only can I cover those dark circles, but get a look that says, “I’m a mom that not only has it together, but feels good about herself and looks good.” And now I”m going to share how I learned to do your morning makeup in five minutes.

So unfortunately, this beautiful studio isn’t my house, but is the fantastic Blushington location in Dallas. With two other hotspots in California, Blushington is your answer for making you look your best whenever you need it. Besides being able to create a beautiful look on your special day or occasion, Blushington also provides makeup classes or Makeup 101 to help you with perfect tips just for you like this:

Five Minute Makeup for Moms

1. Lighten up!

Smile at yourself and then with a clean face (a little exfoliation can actually create a natural glow without makeup!) Then apply a little concealer with a peach/yellow hue so it looks natural, but also is able to help get rid of the dark circles and other discolorations in your face. I’m a huge fan of Laura Mercier, but I was introduced to Becca Cosmetics (affiliate link) at Blushington and it worked like a champ on my undereye circles!

2. Hi Eyes! Once you have a smooth, natural look, then it’s time to open your eyes! My consultant said your

Once you have a smooth, natural look, then it’s time to open your eyes! My consultant said your eyelash curler and filling in your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil (affiliate link) is your best friend to make those eyes open. You don’t have to put on the whole Kardashian look in the morning either…just a few seconds to curl those lashes and fill in the spots where your eyebrows aren’t quite perfect and you’re set!

3. Master the Multitask!

Moms already know how to do 100 things at once and with makeup you get a time and cost break with a lip and cheek stain! This one from Becca (affiliate) worked like a charm to give cheeks and lips the right amount of natural color that make it look like you just have that “glow” that normally people only say when you’re pregnant! (This time you don’t have any of the swelling or sleepless nights to go with it!)And that’s all you need to get up and go!

You can use this for school drop off, quick trips to the store or those days you just want that natural look! I had so much fun while I was at Blushington during my one-hour Makeup 101 and learned so many things I had been doing wrong to my face! You can even bring your own products so you can learn to use what you have the right way! After almost 30 years of putting on makeup, I was appalled how much I learned, but just take a look at the finished product!

Blushington Dallas (conveniently located next to DryBar)
4218 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219
214.521.9200
Website

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Night Out

May 7, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 16 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calvin Klein. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #IC #euphoria4moms

I don’t intentionally mean not to make time for date night, it just happens. We’ll it actually doesn’t happen and that’s the problem.

We both know that it’s important to spend time together away from the kids to concentrate on celebrating parts of our marriage. But it seems so counterintuitive that the thing that is supposed to be a treat – something to look forward to that doesn’t require me to cook, clean or work, but instead have a good time, shouldn’t be so much work to make it happen. Finding the time, a babysitter, what to wear, what to do, where to go, and making sure things are good for the kids, etc. is a lot to coordinate and that’s just to get out the door. But I made a commitment that this time we wouldn’t let it just pass by on the calendar, we would go, experience something new, put on some fancy perfume, and do it when we never go out – a weekday.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we would celebrate with a night on the town to FINALLY go to one of the “bucket list” restaurants we had been eyeing, Clark Food & Wood Co. And I would make it a point to dress up, wear something new, instead of something I had owned for years, and feel good about myself – you know, like you would have done when you first started dating and a date was a really big deal.

Ironically, when I went to look for a dress at Dillards, I was surrounded by young girls, having their makeup done, their hair done and beautiful dresses…it was prom season and I was smack dab in the middle of the beauty portion. However, it kinda added to my preparation period to and now I also wanted to make our night memorable, too. While our evening didn’t call for sequins, I wanted something when I slipped it on it made me feel alluring, sexy and make my husband drool – just a little. A few sprays of euphoria Calvin Klein, with its exotic florals and hints of mahogany wood, was exactly the right touch to make this day the “every day special occasion.”

The night at Clark Food and Wine Co. on Lower Greenville was ideal with the perfect patio temperature to enjoy eating outdoors and taking our time to exploring the menu that’s designed for sharing. Starting with craft cocktails including roasted bone marrow with truffle, grilled Texas Bobwhite quail, and a mind-blowing charcuterie with a rabbit and pork pate that I couldn’t stop eating and a buttermilk bleu cheese with honeycomb combo that could be dessert within itself.

We tried things we don’t normally eat and best of all, there were even options for those are gluten-sensitive so we didn’t have to make big exceptions to the dining experience. Kinda like a song, the evening was right, the food was right and the delicious Sangiovese we enjoyed down to the last drop made the night one for the books. While we bit into the bites of housemade picked and caper berries, we actually had the opportunity to talk about things that weren’t work or kid related, but us – the ones we met when we first met and decided to create a family together.

[Tweet “Celebrate #MothersDay w/ a Night Out! @Dillards, @clarkfoodwineco & #euphoria4moms #IC #ad”]

While I’ll love the Mother’s Day cards the kids will give me on Sunday with the breakfast of Pop Tarts they’ll make, this Mother’s Day it was nice to celebrate a night out with the other part of me that made me a mother…my husband.

Make your Mother’s Day mean more when euphoria Calvin Klein. Now through Mother’s Day, purchase a large spray from the euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection at Dillard’s and receive a complimentary live orchid.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Foodies

May 4, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 26 Comments

Have you ever gotten something for Mother’s Day that was a nice gift, but didn’t exactly make you jump for joy when it came as a gift that supposed to show love and appreciate for all you do? Although a vacuum or a new washer and dryer are items you might need, sometimes you just want something you like, right?

For a foodie mama, I have a few ideas for you to send to your husband with an email that says “I want this” or buy for yourself and let your family know “this is my Mother’s Day gift.”

Personalized Wine Glasses and Cutting Board Set
I love this gift set I actually got this gift for MY mama (shh!) This beautiful set includes four personalized wine glasses and a beautiful bamboo cutting board, also personalized. With several design options for the cutting board and wine glass design, you can create a classy set she’ll be happy to use!

Dinner and a Movie of the Month Club
Every month Mom gets a gourmet pasta dinner you can prepare for her in just minutes along with a Redbox movie card so you can have family movie night!

Breakfast of the Month Club
Make Mom smile each month with breakfast in bed! She’ll get a different gourmet breakfast you can prepare in no time!

Variety of the Month Club
Can’t figure out which one works best for mom? Combine any of the 38 different gourmet gift of the month clubs into one that’s customized just for Mom! Wine, Cheese, Olive Oil, Chocolate, BACON- the possibilities are endless.

Still looking for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day?

Say More This Mother’s Day with Euphoria Calvin Klein

April 29, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 21 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calvin Klein. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #IC #euphoria4moms

What’s the best gift you’ve been given for Mother’s Day?

Some moms may receive a piece of jewelry. Others might unwrap an appliance like a mixer or a vacuum. And others, well we don’t necessarily get anything at all.

Ironically it’s not that we expect something huge or extravagant. However, something like flowers or something that makes us feel good about ourselves goes a long way to say “thank you,” “I love you” and “you’re special.”

This Mother’s Day say all of that and more with one purchase for euphoria Calvin Klein.

Now through Mother’s Day, buy a large spray of euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection at Macy’s and Dillard’s and you’ll also receive a beautiful live orchid with your purchase.

Many women work to find a fragrance that personifies them and gets people to notice when they walk into a room because the scent is intoxicating and calls for attention in addictive way. With a long day of diapers, dishes and making dinner, it’s an incredible feeling of escape with just a few drops of euphoria Calvin Klein to make you feel mysterious, sexy and feminine.

With creamy notes of pomegranate, persimmon touched with rich black orchid and the champaca flower, euphoria Calvin Klein is a unique scent featuring seductive florals and exotic fruits. The signature of the scent is based with a sexy liquid amber and mahogany wood.

The heart of euphoria Calvin Klein is captured in the unique bottle inspired by the sophisticated design of the sensuous orchid with an amethyst color with a sleek silver top.

Best of all with this special coupling Mother’s Day is taken care of for you and him…

Connect with Calvin Klein

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Face This: Daired’s New Facial with UltraLuxe BB Oil Reduces Aging

April 9, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

After a very LONG March, I was feeling like I aged about 20 years. And unfortunately when I looked in the mirror, I looked liked it, too. I needed some relaxation. I needed some TLC. I needed to do SOMETHING to get back to normal…actually to make me look and feel better than my normal would be even better.

Too bad I only had an hour to make magic happen.

However, with the NEW UltraLuxe BB Oil which launched nationally exclusively this month at Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa in Arlington, an hour is all you need to reduce the appearance of age spots, wrinkles and pores and makes skin glow without the use of makeup.

Just the experience at Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa is a treat with its 18,000 square-feet of beautiful spa and salon space. Walking into the beautiful glass doors, I was whisked into a calming environment, free of phone calls, people wanting things and just a moment to take a breath. After slipping into the ultra plush robe (that I found out you can and I will be buying soon), I was able to relax and let the stress take a backseat while I took care of me (which as moms we are TERRIBLE at doing.)

After a few moments, I was invited to lie down in a room and cozy bed, while my service began. In just about an hour, I had a therapeutic facial complete with extractions, recommendations for how to take care of my skin’s problem areas and a little mini- massage on my arms, scalp and neck. My esthetician was so good to give me guidance about my skin and how the addition of the UltraLuxe BB Oil can do to decrease the signs of aging.

From reducing the appearance of age spots, wrinkles and pores to hydrating, moisturizing and plumping the skin, this cure-all luxury oil speeds up the healing process and calms skin with its potent aromatherapy and antioxidant properties. Six essential oils, including cranberry, lavender and rosemary, combine to make skin look and feel youthfully radiant from the inside out. UltraLuxe BB Oil is all-natural and vegan, as well as paraben and sulfate-free.

Inside Daireds Salon and Spa in Arlington

And when I was done with my one-hour of zen, I did feel refreshed and my skin did, too. But you don’t just have to wait for a facial to experience the results of the new UltraLuxe BB Oil, you can also purchase a bottle from Daireds and reap the benefits of continued use as part of your own, at-home daily skin regimen. If you don’t have one, then the trained staff will be happy to assist you in creating the right plan just for you.

To book an anti-aging facial with UltraLuxe BB Oil treatment, please call 817.465.9797.

Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa

I-20 & Bowen Rd. in Arlington

www.daireds.com

Inside Spa Pangea at Daireds in Arlington

Your Nose Knows: Spring Into a Good Mood Right Now

April 5, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 118 Comments

The calendar may have changed from winter to spring, but are you still feeling like it’s the dead of winter inside? Are you ready to your internal clock to start hearing the birds chirping and enjoy the sweet smells of Mother Nature?

Here’s why those plugins, candles and melts are much more important than you realize to your well being. Of all your senses, the olfactory system is the most dynamic. It doesn’t just allow you to enjoy the smell of a rose,

Of all your senses, the olfactory system is the most dynamic. It doesn’t just allow you to enjoy the smell of a rose, it also immediately connects you to a memory attached to the smell, like when your first boyfriend gave you a rose AND the way you felt when he did. It’s the connection between your smell receptors, your memory and your emotions that make the power of smell, well, so powerful. Of course, for me and my huge love of food, I choose to surround myself with all things that smell like food, not just because I like sugar cookies, but because I’m transported to a time when I enjoyed making Christmas cookies with a loved one at Christmas time and how they made me feel.

[Tweet “Did you know? Companies are working on a way to ID you not by your SSN but your unique smell? #smellsclean #ad”]

So if you’re looking to get out of your funk AND get the housework done, then go light up a candle. Yep, it can be that easy.

Recently my grandfather passed so my I’m not exactly feeling sunshine and flowers lately, but I’ve got to get moving on all my mom/wife/boss lady tasks. While the idea of jumping a plane to a tropical location to sip a pineapple-filled with pina colada did seem to be a quick way to happiness, budget, time constraints and all that jazz kinda kept that from happening. However, burning a Tiki Colada candle from Walmart’s exclusive 719 Walnut Avenue that smelled like the sweet, creamy concoction did a pretty fantastic number on improving my outlook and got me to wash the dishes, too.

If you’re looking to get a SPRING into the season, it’s just as easy as finding the right scent to match the idea of spring. A five-minute run through the air freshener aisle at your neighborhood Walmart might actually be actually what the doctor prescribed for a little picker-upper.

Several brands are featuring springtime scents just to get us all in the right state of mind (cue a little Jay-Z):

If the idea of a Hawaiian getaway sounds right up your alley, but isn’t in your schedule, consider Air Wick’s Life Scents Turquoise Oasis Scented Oil. With driftwood, sea spray and warm breeze, you’ll be whisked off to a hammock in paradise just a few minutes after you plugin that warmer plugged in.

Don’t need to getaway, but want to just enjoy the smell the sweetness of a mid-afternoon rain? Sunshine Showers from Glade is the right combination for you with the aromas of daffodil and dew.

Looking for a fresh clean smell that doesn’t resemble plain-ole soap or remind you of the big heap of laundry waiting for you to do? Then Febreeze’s Ginger Verbena combines an outdoorsy-meets-spicy-woodsy-with-citrus-love. Yes, that’s how I describe it. Kinda like wine, you get what you want out of a smell and this scent is pretty clean, but it a good, not sterile way.

If you’re more of a Dorothy gal that likes the idea of walking through a pasture of poppies (and your nose isn’t going to hate you later from the allergies), then the mild-sweetness of Poppy Grove will get you in the mood without your ruby slippers ever having to leave home (except for the quick drive to the store to get it.)

And since it’s always good to pass on the favor of feeling good to another person – let’s call it Smelling it Forward, then I’ve got a $5 giftcard for Walmart for one reader so you can go pick up any of these seasonal scents to get you in a great mood for spring!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Ways to Improve Your Life in the First 5 Minutes of Your Day

March 27, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 114 Comments

Does every day seem like you’re just catching up with the day before? Do you feel like nothing is getting accomplished and you’re just bigger a bigger hole with no chance of getting out?

While we might not be able to make an immediate change there are a few things in the morning before you even start the day to ensure it gets going in the right direction or at least you can mark one thing off your list even if nothing else gets done that day. Here’s five ways to improve your life in the first minutes of your day.

1. Don’t Get on Your Device.

I need to practice what I preach here, but many of us find ourselves checking email, Facebook and Instagram before we even get out of bed. Somehow that five minutes turns into 10 and then next thing we know we are 20 minutes deep into Facebook, the kids aren’t up yet and you have to move into mom mode on superdrive to get everyone out the door and hopefully before the tardy bell rings or your boss starts looking at your empty desk.

I know it’s hard to believe, but the world will wait for your to read Facebook when you start going for the day. However, if you do have the kind of job that expects you to read your social media or at least a few emails, try to build that into after you’ve had your shower or while you’re hard at work on number 4.

2. Make Your Bed.

I hate this one, but it works. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that if there was nothing I could get done that day at least I had made my bed. It’s the first thing you get out of and the last thing of the day you get into, so you should make it kinda special. I let myself slide sometimes, especially on the weekend, but I’ve never regretted walking in after a hard day and seeing that bed made up just for me. It’s like that lovely feeling you get when you walk into a hotel room, but better, since no one expect you to pay for it the next morning.

Need a new mattress? Here’s the tips on how you can find the right one for you!

3. Plan Your Day.

Many people think that getting on their device is helping to plan the day; actually the only thing it does is help you pile on more to-dos without actually getting the ones under it complete. So get out a piece of paper and write down FIRST what you need to accomplish today. Then write down the things you’d like to accomplish, but it won’t kill you if you don’t. And then write down the “I wish…” list, the things you know you won’t get to, but want to and build in just 5 minutes that day to think about how this list becomes the “Must Do” list.

A few years ago my bucket list included a trip to Italy, but it just seemed like it would never happen, but that’s because I wouldn’t sit down and plan it. One day I just decided to put the date on the calendar and that night I would look for a ticket just to see how much they would cost. In two hours (about the time it takes to watch two episodes of Mad Men), I figured out I had enough points to fly for free, I had found a few hotels for super cheap and I had enough time to ask my mom to watch the kids. That quick I was able to make my bucket list happen. All because of five minutes.

4. Move, even if only a little bit.

I’d love to say I start everyday with a workout, but some days just don’t allow for the spin class or even 20 minutes on the treadmill. But getting out of bed to do a few stretches (think sun salutation) to get the blood flowing, will do your body wonders. If you are going to be in the car or at the desk for most of the day make sure to concentrate on the hip and back area. Let them move around since they will be stagnant most of the day. If you don’t take care of your core, you’ll be hunched over and creating many more problems for your body down the road.

Check out The Mom Workout for real exercises to work your body and get your list done!

Or you could be curling your hair while you do squats or a few ab exercises while you apply your makeup. Just because you aren’t sweating doesn’t mean it won’t make a difference. Plus even just a few endorphins will give you the feeling of a happy day…and that’s never bad before the day even begins!

5. Eat Breakfast.

Why is this one so hard when breakfast is so good to eat? However, I never make time for breakfast for me even though I make breakfast for the kids everyday. However, my waiting to eat until lunch actually was making me fatter by slowing down my metabolism and basically sabotaging my own day. While I understand sitting down to bacon, eggs and pancakes isn’t part of the AM schedule, but a delicious hand-held one you can take in the car makes eating a healthy, nutritious breakfast possible.

There’s a lot of things you can do if you’re in a rush:

Smoothies and shakes are always a great quick option with lots of protein
Breakfast Taco Enchiladas can be made in advance, frozen and then warmed up for a hearty breakfast
Healthy doughnuts are a homerun in our house and take no time to cook!

For me, I LOVE the new Jimmy Dean Delights Applewood Smoked Chicken Sausage with egg whites and sharp cheese on English muffin. At 300 calories or less, the entire Jimmy Dean Delights line with flatbreads, sandwiches and bowl choices makes it convenient to get a tasty breakfast with protein (the important part of any meal) in just a few minutes in the microwave. So the next time you go to your grocery store and pick up waffles for the kids consider picking any of the different Jimmy Dean Delights sandwiches for the whole family. (If you can score the maple pancake and turkey sausage griddlers or cinnamon glazed french toast and turkey sausage griddlers, you’ll definitely get high fives from the kids!)

Five minutes may not seem like much but it can make a big difference to your day and your happiness.

Do you have any suggestions or thoughts what you can do to change your life in five minutes?