In our monthly column, “The SB Hot List,” StyleBlueprint staffers share the hottest thing (or things!) on their radars right now. This month, we are sharing a glimpse into our morning routines. From meditation apps to sweat sessions to the beauty tools we cannot live without, here are our morning must-haves!
APPS + PRODUCTIVITY + INSPIRATION
Morning tunes
The “Discover Weekly” playlist! I chip away at it every morning when commuting to work throughout the week.
– Jesse Gillenwalters, SB Data Analyst
Bullet Journal
After years of trying to use many of the online apps for keeping my to-do list and projects straight and online calendars for appointments, I have tossed most of them in favor of the Bullet Journal after reading this blog post by none other than [StyleBlueprint Cofounder] Liza’s husband, Jay Graves. Now I start every morning “rapid logging” and have my own system of symbols and pages to track all kinds of fun things. You can design yours however you want, which is half of the fun. Just Google “Bullet Journaling” to see how creative people get with theirs. The bottom line is this has changed my life in terms of productivity. I’m on my sixth journal and will never go back to an online system. Read Jay’s blog on Medium that inspired me to make the change here, and watch this quick video to get the concept. Have fun with it!
– Linda Reeve, SB Social Media Director
Positive affirmations
I started using a daily affirmation app that helps me keep my positivity, forgiveness, self-love and gratitude in check starting first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I just started and am still tweaking the customization options, but the little popup reminders throughout the day are surprisingly grounding and help me keep a healthy perspective.
– Lauren Helmer, SB Regional Editor
May Cause Miracles
My morning must-have is New York Times Bestseller, May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein. This is a 40-day guidebook of subtle shifts for radical change and unlimited happiness. This is a great way to start your morning with mindful affirmations and quick morning meditations that will guide you to living each day to your highest potential.
– Ashley Holt, SB Birmingham Account Executive
Sleep Cycle + Flash Briefing
In an effort to create more of a morning routine, I’ve been using the Sleep Cycle app to slowly start waking up earlier. It wakes you up, gently, during your lightest sleep. It also tracks/records your night, so I love looking at it each morning to see how long I slept and what times I woke up … and, yes, listening to any time I snored. While getting ready for the day, I ask Alexa for my morning Flash Briefing where she gives me a few quick news stories from the outlets I’ve selected, as well as the projected weather in Nashville for the day.
– Annie Reeves, SB Marketing and Editorial Assistant
MORNING ROUTINES
Movement, bagels and more
My must-have routine is an early walk on Percy Warner’s Red Trail with a stop by Bruegger’s for a coffee and one half of a cinnamon sugar bagel. The other routine I have is a quick splash of Witch Hazel (one of the best toners around) before I put on my face cream.
– Elizabeth Fox, SB Cofounder
Meditation, skincare and more
My best mornings start with the following routine: meditation (I aim for 10 minutes of combined meditation and stretching); movement (a walk, run or visit to The Pilates Garage); a hot shower (with RAHUA + Little Seed Farm soap); skincare routine with my must-haves: jade roller + Lemon Laine facial oil, Little Seed Farm deodorant, Drunken Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum and Mermaid Hair Oil; and, of course, breakfast (avocados and eggs are currently on rotation).
– Alex Hendrickson, SB Nashville Lead Writer/Associate Editor
RELATED: We’re Obsessed with The Jade Facial Roller — Here’s Why
Workout, podcast and more
In my ideal world, my favorite way to start my day is with a morning workout outside or at Orangetheory, followed by listening to The Daily podcast while I’m getting ready. If I’m lucky, I also have time to squeeze in 10 minutes of meditation with the Headspace app before heading to work. In reality, about half of my mornings turn out that way. The other half consist of hitting snooze an absurd number of times while convincing myself that sleep is just as important as exercise.
– Megan Casey, SB Director of Marketing
Always, coffee.
The only thing that never waivers is that I have to have my coffee and a hot shower. This is my new favorite K-Cup coffee for my relatively new Keurig.
– Cindy Acuff, SB Nashville Account Executive
Sweat sesh
As much as my coffee and skincare regime is part of my morning routine, so is my early morning trip to Orangetheory Fitness. I have been a member for six years now, and I am still amazed by the way that this one-hour workout continues to give me a completely different class every day, motivate me on my initially slow mornings and challenge me in (sometimes painful) ways. The orange lights, upbeat music, themed days and fun coaches always put me in a good mood when I walk out the door!
– Peyton Haecker, SB Nashville Client Success Representative
PRODUCTS
BURST Toothbrush
I absolutely love my BURST toothbrush! My gums feel so much better. As it runs for two minutes, I’ve started doing air squats, and I’m getting in 50 each morning and each night. Healthier gums, cleaner teeth, stronger booty! Oh, they also send a new toothbrush head every three months for $6 so that you never have to remember to switch it out!
– Liza Graves, SB Cofounder
Face scrub
I just discovered Trader Joe’s Blueberry AçaĂ Facial Scrub, and I’m in love. It’s a gentle scrub that definitely gets the face clean, but doesn’t feel like a Brillo pad on your skin. Second to the delightful smell is the affordable cost. You can get it for $5.99. It’s amazing.
– Ashley Haugen, SB Managing Editor
RELATED: Our Top 30 Items at Trader Joe’s
Haircare
Color Wow DREAM COAT spray — absolutely OBSESSED! It seriously makes your hair look like you just got a blowout, and it lasts for up to three washes!!
– Amanda Stanfill, SB Memphis Account Executive
Dry shampoo
I am a proud non-morning person and a dry shampoo connoisseur. After trying several brands, I fell in love with Aveda’s Shampure Dry Shampoo. It smells amazing, lasts all day and helps add volume and texture to my fine hair. I’m also a (faux) redhead, and it really helps extend the life of my hair color by limiting washes. Bonus points: All Aveda products are cruelty-free!
– Lacy Green, SB Traffic Manager
Sunless tanner
I’m going on a cruise soon, and I’m one of the palest people you’ll ever meet — but no one knows because I love spray tans and feel naked without one. The problem is that chlorine and salt water eat a spray tan right off, so if I get in the pool or the ocean, it’s game over. That’s why I’m taking this little bottle of magic with me. I can reapply as much as I need to, and my tan looks really natural. I would never go on vacay without it!
– Wesley Ware, SB Louisville Client Success Representative
Natural deodorant
I recently made the switch to natural deodorant. After some trial and error and spending way too much time reading reviews, these are working for me: Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant and Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant — Sport Luxe. Both go on smoothly, which is important to note because some brands felt like sandpaper, and neither has an overpowering scent. If you’re considering making the switch, the cooler months should help with the transition phase.
– Connie Prince, SB Nashville Account Executive
Oil-Free Moisture
This stuff is my LIFESAVER. Under $10 and helps control my super oily face. I use it every single morning.
– Katelyn Caughron, SB Memphis Client Success Representative
We hope you found something that will make your morning a bit brighter!
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