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Streamline Your Morning Routine

June 2, 2019 No Comments

Just a heads up: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thanks for supporting me!

If you’re anything like me, getting out of the house on time can be a STRUGGLE. Check out my top tips to streamline your morning routine.

1. Stop hitting that snooze button! I know it’s tough, and I’m [very] guilty too, but research shows that hitting the snooze button too many times isn’t good for you! Instead of hitting the snooze button 5 times *cough, cough, like me, *cough, cough*, try going to sleep 30-60 minutes earlier the night before. Also, there’s a lot to be said about having the conscious thought that you will wake up on time -seriously! Try getting a louder alarm clock, or placing it further from your bed if this is really a problem.

2. Pack your breakfast/lunch the night before. I work in a hospital, so there is always a cafeteria available if I forget or don’t have time to pack my lunch. But the downside of that is that I’m spending no less than $7 per day on lunch alone! (not so nice to the wallet). I’ve found that if I pack my food the night before, and my lunch box is just a “grab and go” in the morning, it’s much quicker than trying to pack it in the mornings. I eat both breakfast and lunch at work, so I pack it all the night before. Also, its SO easy to pack your lunch when you’re putting away leftover dinner from the night before! (I love these glass tupperware dishes from Amazon – Because I’m weird about microwaves and plastic…)

This also applies to coffee prep – I don’t function well without my cup of coffee in the morning, but plan for a quick (K-) cup, or set the timer on the coffee pot the night before so you’re ready to pour and go in the AM!

3. Pick out your outfits for the week or the night before. OK ladies, we’re generally indecisive. (Unless you wear a uniform) How many mornings have you gone in your closet to look at a mountain of clothes and ended up with the rationale “I have nothing to wear!”. YES you do! Mornings are the WORST time to try and make decisions like this, especially if you’re trying to hurry out the door early-morning! So to streamline your morning routine, my solution is to put together outfits for the next day, if not for the entire week, prior to the morning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not always super on top of this one, with the exception of doing it at least the night before. And sometimes I do change my mind, but If I’m really struggling, I at least have several outfit options I’ve already paired together to choose from vs going into a closet with too many decisions to make.

4. Have a plan for any ongoing morning activities (dogs, kiddos, other pets, etc). First and foremost I would like to announce that I am not a mama- I have no idea what the hustle is like getting the family out the door in the morning – especially for school! You mamas really do have super powers! However, I am a dog mom, and I have a husband who travels a lot… I get it’s not the same, but they still require my time in the morning too, and I have to plan for it! Usually the hubs & I have a very brief pow-wow in the evening about who will handle the dog duties in the AM. This really adds an extra 20-30 minutes to my morning routine, so if you have something like this in your life, it seems pretty obvious, but be prepared!

5. Traffic you say? Well, plan ahead for that time commitment or leave earlier in the morning. My commute without traffic is about 15 minutes. And I know that my commute with traffic (between 7:45-9:00 am) so my goal is to plan to leave my house before hitting that 7:45 am rush. Trial a few routes, different timelines, etc, on your morning commute, and you will learn the best schedule to avoid traffic!

Ultimately, there may still be something standing in your way of getting to work early / on time / or even only a few minutes late. For example, you do everything right, and there is a car accident on the interstate, or you have everything planned, and then a kid or a pet gets sick. Allow yourself a little grace, and hopefully your supervisor will also! But following these simple tips can help you get out the door on time!

What other strategies do you guys use to get out the door on time?? Especially interested in feedback from any hard-working mamas out there!

Family, Future

Embracing your Inner Amazon Woman

May 29, 2019 No Comments

OK. Full disclosure. When people used to tell me I was “like an Amazon woman” it hurt my feelings. I had this terrible vision of a bulky non-feminine, giant lady!… from the Amazon (in South America – you know, like where the Amazon river is…) Unbeknownst to me at the time that an Amazonian women were actually in reference to a Grecian matriarchal society, of strong, (mostly gorgeous) warrior women – i.e. Wonder Woman.

I’m 5’10”. I’m long. Proportionally, my arms and legs are “too long” for my torso. I’m lanky and awkward and uncoordinated. Dressing this body is rough, especially with regular shirts becoming crop tops and denim jeans that should brush the floor (thank goodness for ankle pants the last few years). Did you know there’s an ideal physiologic “attractiveness” hip:waist ratio of a women’s body? Well, my ratio doesn’t fit the bill. I’m V-shaped, and probably should have been a professional swimmer, but honestly I’m just not that competitive.

It took me YEARS to become comfortable with my shape and size. Honestly, there are still moments I am doubtful, especially when I want to wear cute new styles, that just don’t fit my body proportions quite right.

Here’s the thing, and I hope you’re reading this at a younger age rather than an older one–but the important part is that you’re reading it. LOVE yourself. It’s that simple. Own it. Learn to love you. Learn who YOU are. Be Yourself.

The message here, is to have faith in yourself in who you are, and what you want. Do you know who you are? Way deep down on the inside? I like to think I do (most days).

I can tell you about a distinct moment around the age of 21, that I realized that I was the only one fighting to make me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I grew up in a loving family, with parents still married who support me always. But I knew that I was going to have to pave my own way into the future.

It’s so important to captain your own ship, and I hope that you are able to find some empowerment in this! Be YOU. Love YOU. Until you love yourself, are you open to actually loving another? WAY existential – don’t answer that.

Back to tall girl problems….where this all started! Embrace the you that you have now, every day. If you’re not a big fan of her, change the things you don’t like. (Example – I’m currently weighing in at least 10 pounds heavier than I would prefer, so I’ve begun eating healthier & exercising regularly). Ultimately you have to live with yourself, and I hope so much that you know her & love her.

I would love to hear if this post inspired you in any way. I believe every woman has the gumption to become everything she wants to be!

Family, Food, Her Brew Review

LPB – Launch Pad Brewery

May 20, 2019 No Comments

Cheers! When you get to Launch Pad Brewery be sure to check out one of the amazing 28+ craft beers!

Friends, I’d like to introduce you to Launch Pad. Charlie and I happened upon this brewery by chance. We live nearby-ish, and as new folks to town ~4 years ago, we stumbled upon a new brewery via several positive Yelp reviews.

(I like beer…. Did I mention that?) If you’re a beer aficionado, Colorado will be 100% the craft beer scene you’re excited to explore.

Anywho, Charles and I wandered over to Launch Pad Brewery (LPB) on a random weekend in the summer of 2016. Since our first trip, we’ve been so enamored with their brews. I’m accepting generally of any type of beer, but a little apprehensive about IPAs… I just can’t handle the bittery hops finish… My favorites at LPB are the derivations that they cook up with Belgian beers, anything sour, and the Soyuz collection. Every month they do a “custom” Soyuz stout beer! How creative!

I asked for a beer from a friendly bartender, Casey, specifically in reference to whether this particular beer “tasted great or not”…. and his response was “Well, which of our beers don’t taste great?” And he’s totally on point. ALL of their beers – forever – have tasted great!

The head brewer, Paul, is spot on with his beer recipes (not even sure if that’s the appropriate way to phrase that?) But the beer offerings at LPB are 100% authentic and 100% amazing. If the beer is supposed to taste like raspberries, it tastes like raspberries. If it’s supposed to taste like shnoz-berries it tastes like shnoz-berries… (WW anyone?)

Additionally, LPB is so supportive of local first responders and veterans, that we’re thrilled to help support our hard-working, civil service men & women. The Okie in me wants to point out there’s a patch on the wall behind me (cover photo) that is from the air medical service base in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (GO Pokes! *my alma mater – Let me know if you find it!)

You will not be disappointed with a visit to LPB whether you are from Denver or just visiting!!! Tell them Marge & Charlie sent you! 😉 Cheers!!

Had to take a selfie with my handsome husband because the lighting was so great! — #craftbeerisourrocketfuel

Family, Future

This is 32….

May 15, 2019 No Comments

Oh hey guys,

Welcome to 32. I took a selfie the morning of my 32nd Birthday. Thirty two?! How on earth did I get here?? 32 was a particularly rough birthday for me because my husband was on day 4 of 10 on an out-of-town trip, and my family lives 10 hours away. It was a Monday, which was bad enough without the lonely birthday piece.

I actually washed and styled my hair (which, let’s face it, only happens like, 1.2 times per week), and put on my expensive makeup, and decided something had to change. Day in and day out for the last few years, I have been going to work, coming home, and pressing the repeat button for the next day. There’s been this lingering feeling that I am missing some part of the bigger picture, or some part of an opportunity that awaits me. I don’t want to be reliving scenes from the moving Groundhog Day until I check out… Full disclosure, the thought I had was, “I’m 32 today, and what do I really have to show for it?”. I mean really, by the age of 32, Alexander the great had conquered the known world.

I wanted and needed something more, which led me here — to margeswearin.com. My decision was that I needed a creative outlet to grow. I hope you find this blog inspiring and somewhat amusing, occasionally facetious….which will probably be more often than not. My goal is to inspire women to be strong, independent, and to always stay ambitious. I hope that you will stick around and grow with me through this journey!

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