Simple Things To Do To Increase Your Happiness

In life, we are given two choices each day: make the most out of every situation that is thrown your way, or decide to be overwhelmed with each situation & focus on the negatives. Now, life does not come with a manual and every emotion is valid. However, even when you have a bad moment or day, you can start fresh again, to make the next moments much better! How do you do that? The best and easiest way to start is by focusing on simple things to do to increase your happiness. Life is short and I believe that we need to make every minute of it count. What can you do today to improve your overall happiness? Here are some simple things that you could incorporate: 

Make sure you are taking care of yourself

Before anything else, you absolutely need to prioritize your health and wellness: both your physical health and your mental health. It can feel necessary to keep up with the fast-paced nature of how the world operates now, but doing so will cause you to get burnt out very quickly. Instead, approaching each day with a slower mindset that allows you to put your needs first, will benefit you and your happiness greatly. Wake up each morning and focus on what your body and mind need, to take on the day with ease. Sunshine? Coffee? A nutritious breakfast? 30 minutes of exercise? A shower? Figure out how to fit it into your daily schedule! I understand that life gets busy and that it can be challenging to fit everything into each day, but prioritizing what your body wants and needs will help you get everything else done throughout the day, instead of feeling majorly sluggish and burnt out once that first cup of coffee wears off.

Get sunshine

How many of you sit in front of a computer all day long? Getting outside to soak up the sun and fresh air is very, very important. The sun especially has a huge impact on your happiness and health, too. Think about it: do you feel happier sitting inside, or when the sun brings warmth to your body and when you can feel the crisp wind on your face? Personally, I feel so much better when I am outside regularly. Even if this means just taking a break from work to stretch my legs and get some sun. Huge bonus if you can take your work outside! 

Downsize

Do you ever feel like you have too much and it is weighing you down? This looks different for each person, but maybe it is too many things, too large of a home, or too many things on your schedule. If this sounds familiar, consider downsizing. Get rid of things that you don’t need, in order to make more room in your life for fun and growth. Buy a smaller home that is not taking all of your money and that you do not need. Figure out what it is that you need, and only keep that - the things that bring you joy and happiness. If you do decide to downsize, it will be an undertaking, but it will also be so worth it. Get help along the way and use services to help make the process easier. Consider it Moving can help if you do not want to tackle a move on your own. They help with residential moving and Commercial Office Moving Long Island, too.

Photo by Krystal Pratt

Exercise

Moving your body is a sure way to improve your mood and overall happiness. Need a simple thing to do to increase your happiness? Here you go! Find time to exercise. This can mean a one-hour weight lifting session, or it can mean taking a walk, jogging in the park, jumping on a trampoline, or taking a 30-minute yoga and stretching class. As long as you are moving your body in a way that makes you feel good, that is all that matters!

Make sure you have a job that you like

Doing something that you love (work-wise) makes such a huge difference when it comes to your overall happiness levels. Most people spend so much of their time at work and around co-workers, and it truly does affect how you are as a person. If you do not have a job that you like right now, find a way to improve your work situation, no matter if it is finding a new job, or addressing whatever is holding you back at your current position (if possible). Life is too short to spend 8+ hours each day at a job that you dread.

Consider therapy

Therapy is a pretty taboo topic with a lot of people, but having someone to talk to who isn’t connected to a situation can help you see your situation(s) from an outside point of view. It allows you to really dive deep and work on improving yourself and your happiness, which is a great thing. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, your relationship, or anything in between, you might want to at least consider going to therapy! You never know - it might just make a huge, great difference in your life.

Thank you to MoversBoost. MoversBoost offers a list of the best moving software for relocation movers in America.

Son Jung Wan Spring 2023 at New York Fashion Week

Son Jung Wan Spring 2023 at New York Fashion Week is inspired by the "Swinging '60s", reinterpreting the unconventional and free spirit of that era, featuring bright colors and graphic patterns in a collection that is both modern and classic with fun, playful vibes. 

The collection features natural draping, voluminous pleating and dramatic collar detailing with sophisticated yet rhythmical colors and textures. 

- Kim Weling

The Makeup Show NYC 2022

Nick Lujan, Director of Artistry and Education at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

 One of my favorite shows I look forward to each year is The Makeup Show NYC! This year it took place May 1-2 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. It is the perfect place to check out the demos for some inspiration, attend artistry classes and pickup some tips and techniques, and walk the show floor to see new product launches, see your favorite brands and explore new ones,  and pickup must-have beauty items you may need for your kit or just for your own personal use! 

The best part of buying product at The Makeup Show are the discounts, gifts with purchase and show exclusives! My advice, know in advance who the exhibitors are and have a checklist of who you want to visit and what products/shades you need. Even though I always have a list, there's always more there that catches my eye! Every year at the show I learn new things and meet new people, but it's also a reunion and great to see familiar faces! Here's a look at this year's show highlights!

Kevin James Bennett, Educator & Industry Expert

Model, Danessa Myricks Stage

Ada Lip Beauty with lipsticks pigmented from vegetables such as beets, radishes and chili peppers

SUVA Beauty intensely pigmented UV Primaries Hydra FX Palette

TZOL'SKIN Lluvia 72 Hr. Moisturizer

Love the entire line, including the Youth Igniter Eye Gel!

B3 Balm

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation 

MAKE UP FOR EVER has been my go-to for foundation for years!

CōTZ Face Prime & Protect mineral sunscreen with SPF 40

Jones Road Beauty What The Foundation Tinted Moisturizer Balm

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner, Tropical Lemon Scent

Rebels & Outlaws Sacred Ceremony candles with different fragrances, herbs and crystals

Baseblue Cosmetics - Framed art that doubles as a palette 

Beautélanin Skincare Golden Honey Micellar Cleansing Oil

Narené Beauty Magnificent Matte Lipstick

Beauty Creations x Luis Torres Beauty Palette

NUDESTIX Tinted Cover Skin Tint Foundation

- Kim Weling

Recap: Design on a Dime NYC 2022

Jordan Hilton Interiors

So exciting to See Design on a Dime benefit back for its 17th year, April 20-23, 2022! Last year there was a limited amount of vignettes spread out across the Housing Works store locations in NYC but this year it was back at the Metropolitan Pavilion. It's always inspiring to see what the designers come up and then be able to shop their vignettes during the event! Proceeds from Design on a Dime fund Housing Works' groundbreaking programs and lifesaving services for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS including housing, healthcare, and a supportive community.

Here's are some highlights of my favorite designer vignettes.

Check out the reel here

Elissa Grayer Interior Design

Anjali Pollack Design

Get Decorated

The Rath Project

Peter Sandel Design

Young Huh Interior Design

Brittany Marom Interior Design

KD Reid

Josh Minter Design

Katie Lydon Interiors

- Kim Weling

IV Vitamin Therapy Session at Drip Medi Spa

Are you familiar with IV vitamin therapy? I'm here to break it down for you! I recently booked an IV vitamin therapy session at Drip Medi Spa (2011 Lemoine Avenue, #201), Fort Lee, NJ and couldn't wait to share my experience, as I know several people who were considering trying this out. 

For my visit, I made my way to the Drip Lounge, where you can choose your spot for the next 45-6o minutes. As I got comfortable, Sarah, Lead Nurse Injector & Manager, created a special 'IV Cocktail' with really high doses of Vitamin C and Zinc to ramp up your immune system, B Vitamins - B12, B-Complex, B5, B6 for lots of energy, Magnesium for your muscles and Tri-amino acids for brain function and stimulation. This mix of vitamins was just what I needed!

Before injecting my 'IV Cocktail' into my IV bag to start my drip, Sarah painlessly hooked me up to the IV with just a little needle prick. I can tell you right now I cringe at the sight of needles, and always look away whether it's a shot of getting my blood drawn. I was pleasantly surprised at what an easy experience this was. Sarah had also previously worked in an ER which explains how she did this so effortlessly and immediately put me at ease.

Once my drip started, I was all set with water and and a large TV screen to watch Netflix (in which I finally started watching Love is Blind - highly recommend)! I did get a fruity pebbles taste in my mouth from the drip (perfectly normal) and I just continued to take sips of water during my session. My drip session was about 50-55 minutes long, and it was very relaxing, just as if I was watching TV at home. Towards the last 10 minutes of my drip I started to feel like I really needed to use the bathroom, and I ran to there as soon as my session was done. A few tips: wear a short sleeve or sleeveless top, or long sleeves that you can easily roll up and use the bathroom before your session starts because you will definitely need to use it after. Also, make sure you are close to a bathroom for the rest of the afternoon, as I was peeing every 15-30 minutes. 

How did the IV vitamin therapy make me feel? So this was my second session I've ever experienced, with my first experience at a fashion week lounge two years ago. That first time I tried it, I felt energized right away. This time I felt vitalized gradually within the next few hours. I really found this session to be effective for me because I am always dehydrated and immediately felt rehydrated after my session. I also do not get a lot of sleep (usually 4-5 hours per night) which combined with stress takes a toll on my immune system. I had very low level energy before my session and afterwards I felt like I had gotten all the rest and vitamins I needed to tackle the rest of the week, and the travel show I had attended that afternoon. This revitalized and energized feeling lasts about 7-10 days, and really kept me focused on staying hydrated as I wanted to keep the momentum going as long as possible. 

Drip Medi Spa also has various 'IV Cocktails' on their drip vitamin therapy menu, including Elevate, Fuel, Beauty and Reset. There may be many reasons why you would seek out IV vitamin therapy - maybe you are like me where you don't get enough sleep or drink enough water, or you may not regularly take vitamins, or you feel like your getting sick and just need that extra immunity boost. 

I want to thank Nena Kallopoulos, Owner and Lead Medical Provider, and the entire Drip Medi Spa staff for having me and making my IV vitamin therapy session a great and relaxing experience. I felt very welcomed, and appreciated all the care throughout my session. The team also kept checking on me to see if I needed anything and to make sure I was feeling okay. I would love to go back to Drip Medi Spa for a future session and IV vitamin therapy is definitely something I would recommend trying. I hadn't thought about it at the time but if this is something that is covered through FSA or HSA benefits that would be great news!

Drip Medi Spa also has cosmetic, facial and beauty treatments available. You can learn more about them at dripmedispa.com. Checkout my iv vitamin therapy session reel here. 

- Kim Weling

5 Ways to Change Your Life Around

How many of you are stuck in the grind? The constant to-do list and the never-ending circle of waking up early, going to work, coming home to make dinner, and then doing it all over again? Are the weekends too short and do you feel like you can never catch up on stress and sleep? I know how you feel. If you feel like this, it’s time to change up your life and intentionally make it better! Here are 5 ways to change your life around for the better:

Put an emphasis on your wellness

Life doesn’t slow down for us and unfortunately, we are not getting any younger. While this is not a bad thing, it also means that how we treat our body throughout the years, is going to directly translate into how we feel now and in the future, as well. When you were younger, you probably did not care much about your health and wellness at all. That’s okay and pretty normal for the average person. The good news? You have the ability to change it - to change how you take care of your body now, so that you can start feeling better and continue feeling great for years to come. When it comes to health and wellness, I truly believe that preventative care is more affordable, better for you, and it keeps you feeling as great as you possibly can for years to come.

If you want to change your life around, start with your wellness. There are so many things that you can do to improve your health and wellness - and a lot of things are free! Drink more water, start walking around the block or in a park, meet up with friends and talk, garden, add more vegetables into your diet, switch to higher quality protein, and more. These are just a few ideas - you figure out what you can do individually to put an emphasis on your health and wellness.

Choose to see the good

You have a choice every single day - to focus on the good, or to focus on the negatives in your life. While focusing on the negatives might be easier, what does it really do, other than make you feel down? Does it benefit you at all, to focus on the negative? No, I don’t think so. You have to try to focus on the good - even in the worst of situations. It’s called the glass half full perspective and it makes a huge difference in your mood, your overall happiness and life, and in the people around you, as well.

Take a risk

One of the best ways to change your life around? Take a risk - even a big one. Sometimes, changing your life around means getting out of your comfort zone, which can be tough, but also so good for you. And keep in mind: you don’t have to do it alone. Have friends and family members there to support you, or if you need extra help, hire it out. For example, if your “risk” is moving to new city, like moving from NJ to NY, hire help. Trust me - you’ll be glad you did not tackle it alone. There are plenty of great moving companies out there that can take the stress off your plate. Bluebell Relocation Services is one that focuses on NJ to NY moving, but they also do so much more like packing services, moving within each city, commercial moving, fragile item moving, and more.

Taking a risk - no matter what it is - has the potential to be life changing, in a GREAT way! Get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to do great things, that will make you happier.

Evaluate how you are spending your time

This is a big one - evaluate how you are spending your time. In the scheme of things, our lives go by in a blink of an eye. Do you want to spend hours each day in a daze, scrolling through your Instagram, or would you prefer to spend it with your friends and family, doing the things you love? I don’t know about you, but I want to make the most out of each day. If you feel the same way, consider evaluating your time. A good starting place is your phone: there is a way to see exactly how many minutes or hours you are on it each day, and it even breaks it down into what apps you are using. You could also keep a running list of how your day and time is spent. Do this for a week or two and then go over it and see what you can do to use your time more wisely + improve your happiness. Every person will be different and maybe TV time is one of your biggest priorities. If so, make sure you are getting that in! But, if you are someone who values more connection with family and friends, or outdoor time, evaluate your time and then see how you can add even more of that connection in.

Love the people you are around

This is another big one: love the people you are around hard. So many people have to learn this the hard way, but if you haven’t learned this lesson in life yet, hear me out. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. I know that we are all so busy and life gets the best of us sometimes, but your people (and yourself) should come above everything else. Live life with no regrets and love your people hard.