10 SMALL BUSINESSES TO SHOP FROM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2021

Gift giving season is upon us! And this year, I really want to shop from more small businesses for gifts. So I thought I would round up some of my favorite small businesses to shop from. Also, a reminder that Small Business Saturday is on 11/27. Many of these businesses will likely have SALES and offer additional discounts for Black Friday/Cyber Week. Make sure to check out their website (linked below) to see full SALE details.

1. Chez Gagne

   Greeting cards, Wine Tags, Drinkware & more. The best gifts for those who appreciate witty humor.

2. Bedwine by SassyConfetti

   Created by fellow blogger @SassyConfetti. Bedwine offers Colorful Wine themed gifts that any wine lover will CHEERS to!

3. Uncommon James

   Created by Kristin Cavallari. Unique jewelry collections that will compliment anyone’s style. Shop online or in-store. Locations: Nashville, Chicago or Dallas.

4. Estelle Colored Glass

   The most stunning hand-blown glassware. Perfect for the cocktail lover or wine aficionado in your life.

5. SLY Beauty

   Beauty Cosmetic bags that are not only functional but beautiful.

6. Beth Ladd Collections

   Give a little sparkle this season with these stunning handmade champagne bottle earrings! Available in several colors.

7. Top Tote by Lindsay Albanese

   Must have travel accessory for the hat loving Jetsetter.

8. Graze Atlanta

   Based in Atlanta, Ga. Graze offers pre-assembled Charcuterie boards & grazing boxes. You can also place custom orders for parties or special events.

9. The Koop New York

   Luxe hand poured soy candles. Based in Brooklyn, NY and black-owned.

10. New York or Nowhere

    Curated lifestyle collections celebrating New York City. Perfect for the New Yorker in your life.

I hope you’ll consider supporting these Small Businesses this Holiday Season. And if you have any others that you would like to share, comment below with their business name. #ShopSmall

XO, Dana Rae

HALLOWEEN INSPIRED CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Halloween is less than a week away. And I thought it would be fun to make a Charcuterie board that you can easily re-create for all of your Halloween gatherings. No party is complete without a Charcuterie spread and this one can also double as a table centerpiece.

For this Halloween inspired Charcuterie board, I used a mix of sweet & salty. Including a few different cheeses, meats, crackers, a blueberry jam, pumpkin spiced pretzels & pralines. All of which I bought from Trader Joe’s.

How to build board:

1. Start with a board of your choice. Choose a size based on how many items you’re planning to use.

2. Then take your largest item(s) and place them on the board first. For this board, I used skeleton hands to be the main focal point and then placed the different cheeses in place around the board.

3. Next, add your meats in place.

4. Then start to fill in your crackers, mixed nuts, candies etc. Keep in mind the layering of each item and choose contrasting colors next to each other.

5. Move around any items as needed until you reach your desired aesthetic.

6. Lastly, add any additional touches ie; spiders for an added SPOOKY(ish) effect.

Remember there is no wrong way when it comes to Charcuterie. You can use any combination of meats, cheeses, dried fruits, crackers, jams, mixed nuts etc. Get creative and just have fun with it!

I hope this was helpful for your own Halloween inspired Charcuterie boards! Make sure to TAG me on INSTAGRAM @reinventingrae if you make one of your own.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 💀

XO, DANA RAE

10 Ways to be Productive on a Sunday

Photo by Rizky Subagja on Unsplash

Note: This article was originally written by me, as a contributor article for AdviceFromAThirtySomething.com and published Sept. 2019. However, that website is no longer live. Therefore I am publishing an edited version of the article here on my blog, ReinventingRae.com

I love a good Sunday Funday. However, the older I’ve gotten, I find that I prefer to take time in between the fun to prepare for the week ahead. I’m sure we all have experienced having spent a few Mondays playing catch up, rather than actually getting anything productive done. So instead of dreading a new week ahead of responsibilities, I’ve started making my Sunday’s a little bit more productive. Which ultimately has  helped me to take on each week with a more positive attitude. 

Here are some things you can incorporate into your Sunday routine to feel better prepared and get ahead of the week. 

1. WRITE OUT WEEKLY TASKS IN A PLANNER

   I always find that if I plan my week ahead and write everything out on paper (or digital planner), my week tends to feel less chaotic. I usually take 30 minutes on Sunday to fill in my calendar including appointments, deadlines, errands, phone calls and any other miscellaneous daily tasks. Get creative; color code tasks,  leave a space to journal your thoughts or write out your favorite quote to give some inspo during the week.  

2. PRIORITIZE YOUR TO DO LIST

   After I write everything out in my planner, I’ll go through my list of daily tasks and projects to accomplish for the week and prioritize them all. This can look different for everyone, but generally I like to list my top three tasks for each day and top three goals for the week overall. This helps me stay focused throughout the week while also working through the rest of my daily tasks.

3. SET YOUR ALARM TO GET UP EARLY

   I’m usually not a morning person unless I set an alarm ahead of time to force myself to wake up early. Setting your alarm for the same time each day is key especially if you want to schedule in some gym time or a few extra minutes to grab a coffee on the way to work. Even though early mornings aren’t my favorite, I do feel more accomplished getting that extra hour or two ahead ahead of my day.

4. PLAN OUT YOUR OUTFITS

   There is nothing worse than scrambling in the morning trying to find an outfit to wear. Laying out your clothes the night before can help you feel more confident and prepared for the next day. It may take up a bit of your time initially, but it will be one less thing that you have to stress over while your half-awake in the morning. Even if this just means doing your laundry on Sundays, to ensure you have clean clothes for the week.

5. TIDY UP YOUR HOME

   Try setting a timer 15 or 30 minutes and use that time to clean up around your home. Pick up any clothes lying around, put fresh sheets on your bed, clean any dishes in the sink, clear any clutter on your counters (anything that you can tackle quickly that will help you feel more relaxed and organized). You can even go a step further and tackle an organizing project you may have been putting off lately.

6. PRACTICE SELF CARE

   Sundays are a great day to do self care. Whether that looks like grabbing coffee with a friend, taking a workout class, getting a mani + pedi or just taking an hour to read a book. Self care is so important for our well being. And taking the time to care for ourselves can often help us feel our best.

7. CONFIRM ANY PLANS WITH FRIENDS AHEAD OF TIME

   Life gets busy and plans can change in a moments notice. So I always like to reach out to friends to confirm any happy hours, dinner dates or concerts a few days ahead. This way if plans change, I know ahead of time and have the option to make other plans without feeling stressed last minute. And if plans are confirmed, I have something fun to look forward to in the midst of my busy week.

8. MEAL PREP

   It’s easy to get caught up during a busy week and end up surviving off of wine and take-out. To avoid this, I like to make a trip to Trader Joe’s so that I can stock up on the essentials and also plan my meals ahead of time. Not only do I save money, but I also feel better eating healthier throughout the week.

9. LIMIT TIME SPENT ON YOUR PHONE

   We are all guilty of scrolling our phones for hours on end. Sometimes it’s nice to just put our phones away and take a break. Even just taking 24 hours off social media can be a great way to refresh before a new week ahead.

10. REST & RELAX

    Lazy Sundays are THE BEST! The kind of day where you sleep in, drink coffee in bed and binge watch Real Housewives or Netflix movies all day. A day to fully relax and recharge with no plans in sight.

What are some things you like to do on Sunday to be more prepared for the week ahead? Comment below.

XO, Dana Rae

AMAZON KITCHEN FINDS

Is this what life in your thirties has come to?! You wake up one morning excited because you get to cook breakfast using all of your favorite kitchen tools? Honestly, I feel like I am living my best domesticated self now that I’m in my late 30s. And I’m not mad about it.

In fact, I think I enjoy cooking more now than ever. Especially since I’ve acquired proper cookware and have discovered that cooking good meals doesn’t have to be complicated.

And probably my most loved kitchen item that I‘ve purchased for myself, is my Nespresso machine. I used to buy coffee out all the time when I lived in New York. But now that I have my own place again, I wanted to be able to enjoy coffee from the comfort of my home. Since I started using my Nespresso, I can literally count how many times I’ve been to Starbucks. Also, get the milk frother! It takes your basic latte to the next level.

In today’s blog post, I’ve rounded up all of my favorite Amazon Kitchen finds. Everything from cookbooks, my holy grail Nespresso machine, to kitchen gadgets you didn't even know that you needed. Everything is linked below.

Drying Rack | Spice Organizer | True Comfort Cookbook | Wine Glasses | Pasta Strainer | Avocado Saver | Meat Masher | Nespresso Machine | Defined Dish Cookbook

What are your favorite kitchen finds from Amazon? Any kitchen gadgets you can’t live without?!

XO, Dana Rae

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links provided at no additional cost to you.

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2020

Mother’s Day is coming up and although we may celebrating a little differently this year, Mom still deserves to be showered with LOVE and GIFTS. And being that you most likely will have to ship presents to her, I rounded up some gift ideas any Mom will be sure to LOVE. I chose a variety of items for whether it’s your own Mother, your Best Friend, Sister or a New Mom to be that you’ll be buying for this year. Happy Shopping!

All items are linked! Click the SHOP button and it will direct you to the site of that item.

Martha Stewart Dutch Oven 6-Qt.

For the Mom who loves to cook. Currently ON SALE for under $75!

SHOP

Crate and Barrel Edge Square Wine Glasses

Every Mom deserves a set of chic wine glasses to drink from.

SHOP

BRUMATE WINESULATOR & TUMBLERS

For the Mom on the go, who likes to keep her Coffee, La Croix or Wine cold.

SHOP

Uncommon James Mommy Bar Necklace

Perfect piece of jewelry for the Momma to be.

SHOP

KENDRA SCOTT ARI HEART GOLD EARRINGS

These earrings would be the perfect gift to say I LOVE YOU, MOM!

SHOP

LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

A self care beauty treatment any Mom would appreciate.

SHOP

SLY BEAUTY COSMETICS BAG

This cosmetic bag is great for Moms to store their beauty products or use as a makeup bag. Currently ON SALE for under $20!

SHOP

Drybar Double Shot Dryer Brush

For the Mom who loves blowouts. Now she can achieve this salon look at home. Currently ON SALE FOR 15% OFF!

SHOP

TOCCA MINI PARFUM SET

Give Mom the gift of a signature scent. Under $50!

SHOP

Chatbooks Custom Photo Book

Personalized photo book that will be a keepsake for years to come.

SHOP

Made For Motherhood Tank

For the Mom who loves to keep it cute & casual. Under $25!

SHOP

MARK & GRAHAM Travel Jewelry Case

Perfect for travel or storing baubles. Comes in several colors & can be monogrammed with initials.

SHOP

Wine Glass & Coffee Mug Gift Set

For the Mom who loves a good pun. You can choose from 3 different sayings for each item.

SHOP

TARGET WINE DOORMAT

A fun gift that would look great on any doorstep. Under $15!

SHOP

I hope these gift ideas are helpful. And to all the Mommas out there, HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY! 💕

XO, Dana Rae

WHOLE 30: HOW TO PREP + WHAT TO KNOW + WHY IT WORKS

I'm not usually one for diet fads or meal plans, but after seeing several friends give Whole30 a try and find success. I became intrigued. Two years ago, in preparation of being MOH in my best friend’s Wedding, I did my first round of Whole30. I remember it being hard in the beginning and feeling frustrated 1/2 way through. I realized that I was maybe carb loading too much on bananas, sweet potatoes etc. I also made the mistake of thinking that I could substitute meals for Whole30 approved Rx Bars and Larabars.. When they are supposed to only be used for “emergency snacks”. I stopped eating protein bars all together and substituted eggs and berries instead for breakfast. And in the very last week of my first round, I started to feel GREAT. I had more energy, I was sleeping better and I lost 8-10lbs total. But most importantly, I just felt good overall. I looked at food differently, I started to be more conscious of reading labels and I even adopted some of the Whole30 habits into my lifestyle well after I had completed the 30 days. It was definitely the first time I felt that I had found a program that worked for me.

I have always struggled with my weight. And I’ve done all the diets, taken all the pills, drank the shakes and starved myself through the years. But Whole30 isn’t a DIET. It’s a reset for your body. And in the end, you learn how your body reacts to certain foods by reintroducing them after the 30 days. For me, I realized that dairy was a huge culprit for making me feel bloated and causing my skin to breakout. Although I haven’t gone completely dairy free, I have eliminated a lot of it from my diet. And I feel so much better without it.

Last year, I completed another round of Whole30 and found it to be a little easier the second time around. And I’m now currently on Day 14 of my third round of Whole30. So far, this round has been the easiest. I think due to the fact that I know more of what foods I can eat, which brands to buy and I now have some go to recipes that I love. However, I’m still learning daily on what foods are best and how my body reacts to the changes. I’ve learned to have patience with the process while completing the program and to pay more attention to what I’m putting in my body.

So with having done a few rounds now, I wanted to share what I’ve learned and give a little insight on what to expect if you’re wanting to try Whole30.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING WHOLE30:  

• It will require you to make multiple trips to the grocery store each week.

• You will need to read labels on EVERYTHING until you get familiar with brands/items that are Whole30 compliant.

• You don’t have to be a master chef, but you will have to cook often.

• You will feel worse before you feel better. Give your body time to adjust and detox the sugar. It’s 30 days for a reason.

• You will have to make adjustments to your social life in order to be successful on this program.

• You will also need to allow extra time in your day/week/month to plan and prep for meals.

WHY I THINK IT WORKS DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER PROGRAMS:

• It changes your way of thinking about food. Making you more aware of what you’re putting in your body.

• You will gain more energy.

• You will get better sleep.

• You will feel less foggy and more focused.

• You will crave less sugar overtime.

• Your body will get a chance to reset / detox.

• You don’t have to count calories or keep track of food.

• Weightloss (although this is not the main reason to complete this program)

• It helps you to make concious changes to your eating habits longterm even after you complete the 30 days.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST ROUND:

• Clean out your fridge and pantry of any non Whole30 approved foods to resist temptations.

• Search Pinterest or Whole30.com for recipes to start meal planning.

• Find recipes that will keep you interested and that you’ll commit to making.

• Read up on the program on Whole30.com. There are tons of recipes and resources.

• Make a grocery list of Whole30 items you plan to purchase from local grocery store, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (It may require you to shop multiple stores)

• Notify Friends/Family for added support and accountability.

• Plan ahead for any social events you have upcoming. (Work dinners, Travel, Girls Night, Baby/Wedding Shower etc.) Make sure you can stay on track but still enjoy being social.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED AFTER DOING 2 ROUNDS OF WHOLE30: 

• Your body needs 3 proper balanced meals a day. (I’m still working on this.)

• Don’t substitute Rx and Larabars for a meal. Only use as needed for snacks.

• HYDRATE. Drinking water is important.

• NO alcohol + less eating out = saving money $

• Cooking meals doesn’t have to be complicated.

• Change up your meals weekly so you don’t get bored.

• The more you plan ahead, the easier it will be to maintain every day.

• If out with friends who are drinking, order a sparkling water in a wine glass with a lemon/lime wedge. It helps a little to feel like you’re not missing out. And you won’t have a hangover.

• After the first round, it gets easier. You now know what to buy, what to cook and don’t feel like you’re constantly craving certain foods as much.

• The amount of weight you may loose varies. Don’t get caught up on the weightless part of it.

• Don’t compare others results to yours. Everyone’s BODY is different. Finish out strong and I promise you will notice a difference by the end.

A few challenges I faced in the beginning, was having to give up my sugary coffee creamer and having to cook most of my meals. I now use an almond milk/coconut cream based creamer all the time. And when ordering coffee out, I always order with almond milk or coconut milk. Sometimes I’ll add 1 pump of Sugar Free vanilla or seasonal flavor. Cooking has actually become something that I enjoy. And I’ve learned that meals can be simple and yet really delicious. The other thing I was afraid of having to “give up” was condiments. I love condiments and I cannot lie! But to my surprise, there are lots of Whole30 approved condiments that taste just as good, that I keep in my fridge even when I’m not on Whole30.

So even if you think that you will miss out on certain foods, know that overtime you will adjust and find healthier options to feed your body. It’s all about creating better habits. And that is the biggest takeaway for me.

WHERE TO SHOP FOR WHOLE30:

• TRADER JOE’S

• WHOLE FOODS

• THRIVE MARKET

FAVORITE SNACKS / CONDIMENTS:

As a reminder, make sure to do your own research and read up on all the guidelines of WHOLE30 on their direct site Whole30.com.

If you’ve done Whole30 OR thinking about trying it out, I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

XO, RAE

20 THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

After living in New York City for 4.5 years now, I  have learned a thing or two when it comes to everyday life in the city. Overall, I’ve had pretty good luck here. But that’s not to say that there hasn’t been hard days in between. Living in New York City requires you to accept the good with the bad.  And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Prior to moving to New York City, I read countless articles and blogs about what to expect when living in the city. And I even got some advice from my best friend. Although I did find some of my research to be helpful. It’s one of those things where some people will only share the lows living in New York and others will ONLY share the highs. But the reality is, nothing can prepare you more than experiencing it for yourself.

So, if you’re considering making the move to NYC, or maybe just curious about what it’s REALLY like to call this city home. Here is some insight on living in New York City. 

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

1. Your apartment will NOT be like the ones you’ve seen on tv shows. It will be small, very small. Think full size bed up against a wall, small. 

2. You will always be running 15 mins late. Train traffic is a real thing.

3. During your commute, you’ll learn how to master walking, texting & eating a meal all at the same time. You will master ‘on the go’ life.

4. Everyday is an adventure on the Subway. Whether it’s a homeless person begging for money, Showtime performers or drunk people yelling at you. Honestly, some days you don’t even notice it as much.

5. Summer in the city is hot, humid and sometimes smelly. But we embrace it anyway because we have waterfront views, rooftop cocktails and beaches galore to cool off at.

6. Even in a city of 8.6 million people, there will often be times you feel extremely lonely and isolated. Everyone experiences this at some point and time.

7. You will fall in love with the city over and over again when you least expect it.

8. Doing your laundry is no longer a luxury, but rather a chore. And requires lots of quarters. 

9. Living in a walk-up apartment is fine until you have to go grocery shopping or carry your laundry, or move In/Out. Actually it’s not fine, it’s a lot of stairs and heavy breathing mostly.

10. You will cry on the Subway at least once. Some people will even say that you’re NOT a real New Yorker until this happens.

11. You’ll know you’ve made it when you have an elevator, doorman and laundry in your building.

12. Dating in New York is like playing the lottery. But hey, just think of all the fun stories you can tell your friends and FREE drinks you can consume.

13. Nothing will get you more excited than finding out the NEW Trader Joe’s is opening up in your neighborhood.

14. Friendships are harder to maintain in the city and often revolve around meeting up for brunch or cocktails. Everyone is constantly busy, therefore it takes a little more effort to hang out in person regularly. 

15. You will jump at the opportunity to escape the city at any given chance. However, you will be even more excited to return.

16. Friends and family will frequently give their unsolicited opinion on how they could NEVER live in New York City. But you better believe they will want to stay with you when they come to visit.

17. The Subway is the best way to get around New York. Unless it’s late night, spend the extra money on the cab or Uber.

18. In New York, it’s all about WHO you know. Never turn down an opportunity to network or meet new people. You never know when you might need to utilize that contact.

19. Only in New York, can you feel like you’ve traveled the world by just visiting a new neighborhood or a different borough.

20. NYC will constantly remind you just how expensive it is to live here. (Hello ridiculous rent, overpriced cocktails and expensive groceries) But you’ll do it anyway. Why?! Because you live in the greatest city of all, that’s why.
    

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

I hope this helps gives a little more insight on everyday life in the city. Living in New York really is an experience like non other. Even on the hard days, you’ll look up at the skyline and immediately feel like it’s all worth it, just to call this place home. 

 "Once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough." — John Steinbeck

XO, Dana Rae

Related articles:

5 REASONS WHY LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY IS AMAZING

12 RULES OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 1 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 2 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 4 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALES 2018

Black Friday is HERE! Who’s EXCITED to Shop til you drop?! It’s one of busiest shopping weekends and there are so many good SALES going on IN-STORE and ONLINE. So to kick off Back Friday, I’ve rounded up some of the best Sales happening at your favorite stores. Everything is linked below so you can easily shop and cross off your Christmas list.

updated as of Sat. 12:09pm

Old Navy- 40% OFF ONLINE ON EVERYTHING (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)

M.A.C- 25% OFF ONLINE & IN-STORE| FREE SHIPPING on all orders

DryBar- 20% OFF all products, tools, kits & accessories | FREE ground shipping

LOFT- 50% OFF your purchase w/ CODE FRIYAY

Madewell- 25% OFF your purchase w/ code DEALWITHIT

Pottery Barn- 25% OFF | FREE Shipping w/ code CYBER

Crate & Barrel- 20% OFF Select full-price items | 30% OFF Decor, Entertaining, Ornaments, Kitchen & holiday items. | FREE Shipping on eligible items for orders $49 or more

Anthropologie- 30% OFF Everything | FREE Shipping

Ulta- Beauty Busters (so many great deals/bundles) | FREE Shipping for orders $35 or more

Target- SO MANY GOOD DEALS on Electronics, Toys, Kitchen & Home, Clothing etc. Black Friday Doorbusters extended all day SATURDAY.

Nordstrom Rack- Black Friday Clearance w/ an additional 30% OFF until 11/26 | FREE Shipping Sitewide through Monday

Express- 40% OFF Everything | FREE Shipping on orders $50 or more

Charlotte Tilbury- 40% OFF Beauty Kits | 33% OFF Lip Trios

Sephora- Get 50% OFF select items each day this week for the DAILY WOW Online & In-Store

Tarte- 25% OFF w/ code WEEKEND

Kylie Cosmetics- 40% OFF Lip Products | 30% OFF Face Products

Banana Republic- 50% OFF all regular priced items | Extra 10% OFF when you use your Gap Inc. credit card w/ CODE BRCARD

XO, Rae