I AM QUITE SPECIFIC ABOUT MY MORNINGS.
In fact, Michael & I got in a fight the other day because he screwed up my morning. LOL. No joke. Like an actual fight over our mornings. Do you die?
Let me set the scene: I’m in my bathroom getting ready for the day. My music is playing ( Michael Bublé Holiday on Spotify if we’re getting specific ). The tangerine & lemon oil is going. I have a candle lit ( mimosa scent, duh! ). And I’m quietly & calmly listening to a business podcast as I do facial massage.
IN COMES MICHAEL LIKE A BAT OUTTA OF HELL. He starts going on & on about something to do with work. And I snapped. I ran out of the house with my ice roller in hand, fully wearing my lace nightgown & screeched at him: “THAT’S IT! YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO ME ABOUT WORK AT THE HOUSE BEFORE 9 AM.”
( Picture me, I was like that “LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE GUY.” Remember him? If you don’t, watch this video so you can get the full visual of just how horrendous my 8 AM freak out unfolded ).
Anyway, so ya. I had a meltdown. What can you do? I like my mornings calm to prepare for the chaotic day ahead. Like most of you, my days are typically non-stop & I need a gentle morning to start the day. I work late usually. Sometimes until 1 AM so the morning needs to blissful, if you will. Is anyone else like this? Like Michael wants to tell me his whole life story by 8:30 AM. I can’t do a life story until like 10 AM.
( I feel like I will casually send him this post so he can hang this on his whiteboard? ).
My meltdown ( once again! Remember this breakdown? ) inspired this very post: 5 VERY simple & effortless morning routine tips.
SO these are 5 things I do every morning that really set the tone of my day:
1. TEETH: my teeth are tender. This is because I had major, major jaw surgery where a majority of the process involved my teeth. My gums are sore & my teeth are sore so I am pretty picky about the way I brush my teeth. First off: I like to brush my teeth before I drink any water!! I heard through a TSC reader that in Ayurveda the recommendation is to brush your teeth before you drink any water in the morning. The reason for this is because you’re brushing all the bacteria out of your mouth before you swallow a bunch of water. Think about it. It makes total sense. You don’t want to swallow all the bacteria that is in your mouth from a night of sleep. SO yes, I always brush my teeth before water now! As for the toothpaste, I need something that caters to sensitivity. Like I said my mouth is tender. A few months ago Crest sent me their new toothpaste specifically for sensitivity care. I mean the bottle is pink so I liked it immediately. LOL. BUT the real reason I’ve been using it is because this particular toothpaste makes your mouth feel SO fresh & clean every time. I swear there’s something that makes your teeth feel so clean. To be real I feel like Jim Carey from The Mask after every use. You know when he smiles with his huge white teeth. The Active Mineral Complex in the toothpaste contains sodium fluoride ( strengthens the teeth ), silica ( removes stains ), & surfactant ( gives you that fresh feel I’m talking about ). I use an electric toothbrush & then TRY to floss with those stick things…all while listening to a podcast. Ok now time for water!
2. Water with lemon & apple cider vinegar. I always, always, always start my day with this. Especially after interviewing Melissa of Melissa Wood Health on the podcast. Starting your day with lemon water is just the way to go. Cameron Diaz said to think of yourself as a flower when you wake up. You need to be watered to come back to life. SO true. When I hydrate first thing in the morning, it makes all the difference. I also mix it up with this drink too:
♡ TSC Pink Detox Drink:
6-7 cups of water
3-5 tablespoons of organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1/2 grapefruit
Tons (like TONS) of mint leaves
1-2 tablespoon organic cayenne powder (LOL)
1 tablespoon organic turmeric powder
♡ Directions: I add ice to an extra large mason jar. Then on top of the ice, add water but don’t fill it to the top, like leave about an inch of space (I’ve never measured out this recipe, so bear with me ). Then add apple cider vinegar, squeeze half a grapefruit on the top ( being real: I don’t care about the seeds, if you do, strain it ), & as much mint, cayenne, and turmeric as you want. Option: sometimes I add a couple drops of 100% grapefruit oil to speed the metabolism too. This detox drink was adapted from The Suja Solution. I modified the spices, switched up the lemon for grapefruit, & added fresh mint.
3. Make the bed while listening a podcast. I have to make the bed. In fact I am quite the freak about it. There’s something about making the bed that starts off the day right. I have made the bed every single morning since I was four years old. No joke. At this point it’s a tick. While I make the bed, my dog Boone has to lay in it ( he has a nervous tick too ) so I have to make it around him every morning. All while listening to a podcast though!
4. Facial massage with a good serum & then sunscreen. Anyway, a few things: there’s a few ways to go about facial massage.
+ You can do it for free! WATCH MORE HERE.
+ You can get an ice roller. I love mine! But it’s very efficient.
+ Lastly, you can also do what I always do: the second I land off a long flight, I haul my ass to the closet spa & get a lymphatic drainage massage. This works like a REAL charm. You go from swollen, Sloth from The Goonies to contoured beauty.
You know I love my ice roller first thing too because with a few rolls, you go from puffy to tight. YES PLEASE. I facial massage with this serum lately & after the whole situation is done, I throw on sunscreen. This whole process takes like 6 minutes. And makes any facial bloat disappear.
5. Fiber, protein, greens, & a little healthy fat. The FAB FOUR SMOOTHIE by Be Well By Kelly always starts the day off right. It’s simple really: fiber, greens, protein, & healthy fat. Easy. Everyone can count to four & each morning this little concoction will fill you up! For hours! No I mean hours though! Like 4 to 6 hours, you’ll feel full & satiated. What a winning combo. I mean no one likes the feeling of hunger. We all know there’s nothing worse than the clock hitting noon & you’re absolutely STARVING. Your blood sugar drops & you’ll pretty much eat anything. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, we’ve all been there. As I’ve said many times about many areas ( beauty, anxiety, relationships, FOOD ): PREVENTION IS KEY! Here’s one of my favorites:
THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL MICHELIN STAR SMOOTHIE:
+ Moon Juice dark chocolate protein
+ 2 heaping tablespoons of magic seeds AKA flax, chia, hemp
+ 1 tablespoon ( or 2 ) of raw almond butter
+ handful(s) of organic greens
+ LOTS of ice & 1 cup-ish of water
+ Optional: probiotics &/or pearl
♡ Directions: combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Pour into your mason jar as you’re running out the door with a silicone straw and you’re good to go. VIDEO HERE.
Always optional: powders- I love mixing in maca ( helps sex drive! ), probiotics, &/or pearl powder. Sometimes I’ll do ashwagandha or goji berry powder too. You could even sprinkle fresh bee pollen on top or add some royal bee jelly.
Oh & you should know vibes are happening while all this goes on: candles, oils, low-volume music, fresh air ( I love an open window ), maybe a podcast, & lots of natural light ( shades are up!! To let the sunlight in ).
** I also really try to resist the phone. Now sure, I like a podcast playing HOWEVER I really try to put e-mails, texts, social media on hold until I get on the Treadmill ( I like to walk for 30 minutes to an hour in the morning while I get e-mails done- GOT TO GET THOSE STEPS IN ). You know it does make a difference. Instead of hopping out of bed & getting bombarded by stressful e-mails I wait until I am clear-headed, fed, & my lymphatic system is FIRED UP ( hello facial massage! ). One thing I’ve found that REALLY works well for me is to turn off notifications. Always. No text notifications. No Instagram notifications. No sounds for calls. Nada. This has helped keep me sane.
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
How do you guys like to wake-up? Are you AS anal AS ME about your mornings?
I am off to go read Tribe Of Mentors by Tim Ferriss ( IT IS SO GOOD), drink some peppermint tea, & eat a green spinach muffin with dairy-free chocolate chips ( get the mega chunks– they’re so good ). This is my version of heaven.
Hopefully Michael will remember he’s not allowed to talk business after 9:30 PM.
X lauryn
SHOP THE POST: white robe | red nail polish| boobie candle
+ this post is in collaboration with Crest. As always all opinions are my own.
+ be sure to listen to the latest podcast with Dr. Dennis Gross- it’s one of my favorites! We talk everything SKIN!
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The Be Well by Kelly podcast is still one of my favs! She changed my smoothies forever.
I include stretching in my routine! I wish I had the time to do like a 15min yoga routine but at the very least I do some sun salutations, neck rolls, touching my toes and it feels so good.
She was SO GOOD. Her smoothie recipe, the freezer fudge, I die.
What an incredible post! Thank you so much for breaking down your morning routine. Being a night owl that perpetually oversleeps I am always in a mad rush to get to work in the morning. Your deliberate and uplifting routine sounds like heaven. I love the recipes you provided for the smoothie and detox drink. I am definitely trying the detox drink this weekend, I’m sure the mint makes it super refreshing.
Speaking of Ayurveda, I’m not sure if you have heard about this, but they recommend tongue scraping in the morning to help eliminate bacteria. You can buy a tongue scraper on Amazon for pretty cheap too. It sounds like something you’d be interested in 🙂
Love this robe. So cute. Love the boob candle. What kind is it? I have seen it in a couple pictures and am not sure what candle it is. It is so fun!
xo, Meghan | http://tanlinesanddaisies.com/
Hey Meghan! It is this candle that we got with the TSC boob logo on it. Smells soo good.
Lauryn, love hearing about your morning – mornings are my favorite part of the day and I relish my peace before the hubby gets up.
The fab four smoothie is legit. It seriously works wonders – can’t recommend it highly enough to everyone! Used it religiously while i was #shreddingforthewedding last month. : )
xo,
Catherine
Right?? Love that quite time. xx
Your morning routine sounds a lot like mine! Lemon water with ACV is seriously the best. I’ve been doing it for years and can’t live without it. I pack lemons when I travel because I’m so obsessed. I need to get better about not checking my texts, emails, and social media right away in the morning. I love the treadmill idea, so that will be happening asap. Love all the pics in this post by the way!
Your morning routine sounds a lot like mine! Lemon water with ACV is seriously the best. I’ve been doing it for years and can’t live without it. I pack lemons when I travel because I’m so obsessed. I need to get better about not checking my texts, emails, and social media right away in the morning. I love the treadmill idea, so that will be happening asap. Love all the pics in this post by the way!
Lol you just inspired me to start bringing lemons with me, thanks Lauren. xx
love this robe!
http://www.theeyetraveler.com/yayoi-kusama-festival-of-life/
SO cute. xx
I loved these suggestions! What great simple ways to elevate what is often viewed as a mundane part of our day.
Love how you understand that, thanks for the support Erin. xx
You’ve hooked me onto ice rolling! <3
BlondieintheCity.com
Its the best Hayley! x
It is THE best. xx
Would loveee if you do a video on your morning routine! like acting it out lol .. I’m behind on podcasts but cant wait to hear the Dr. Dennis Gross one! Its next on my list <3
Hi Lauryn! New follower here. I’m not much of a blog reader but I absolutely fell in love with yours. To the point where I’m actually taking notes on new habits I want to develop for this new year! LOL. I’d love to incorporate these things into my morning routines, but I’m usually running late as it is. I wake up at 6AM and it’s literally non-stop until 4PM (I’m a high school teacher). Any suggestions for us people who don’t have a lot of time in the morning? Can I make the Pink Drink and Smoothie the night before? Thanks!
somehow I am wicked late to the game and just discovered you because I am in LOVE (no seriously though like IN love with Melissa Wood…pretty sure approaching stalker status). I love your whole brand though and am complete fangirl over it! I just subscribed to your youtube and email chain and would LOVE to hear what podcasts YOU listen to. I am new to the podcast world and am obsessed! Thanks for being real girl..you are a shining beam of light! I am a nurse practitioner and a super wellness/healthy lifestyle/beauty junkie…basically the prime skinny confidential audience haha thank you for ALL that you do!
Do you have a recipe for spinach muffins?
YES! EMAIL ME! asklauryn@theskinnyconfidential.com. XO
I’m in love with your robe!! Where’s it from??
Love this bathrobe! I’m looking for something like this for my wedding. Do you remember where you got it? Thanks for all of your clothing/skincare/life inspiration, it’s keeping me sane through grad school and wedding planning. Keep doing what you do!
I always do my ACV, lemon, a drop of pure organic honey with water before bed. I need to try the morning. Love the smoothie, I can’t afford the powders (supplements) just yet but I ALWAYS do my Social Media on the treadmill as well. I make my bed 1st thing as something my grandma instilled in me. I love your tips you beautiful chick! Thank you for sharing ??
Hi love! If you have sensitive teeth, which OMG I do with 1349032 years of wearing appliances and invisalign to beauty up my smile, whitening toothpaste are the worst! They are too sassy on your pearlies due to the whitening chemicals and polishing agents that are in them. Try using a sensitive toothpaste without whitening and see the diff!
Happy brushing xo
LM