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Welcome to Happily Ever Beauty
Hey Pretty! Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Ashley and I’m a lot like you! I wear a lot of hats every single day. I’m a busy wife, mom, bonus mom and dog mom! In my day job I’m a High School Counselor. I’m on a mission to encourage women, especially busy mama’s to “Fill Your Cup.” I believe as women, we spend the majority of our time pouring into the lives of others leaving very little if anything for ourselves at the end of the day. I believe we can all fill our cups with self care.
How do you know if you need to add self care to your life? It’s pretty simple, my guess is… you do.
Does this sound like your typical day? You wake up early, before anyone else. You walk to the bathroom with your eyes barely open to brush your teeth and wash your face. You head to wake up the kids for school and give morning snuggles. You pack lunches, fix breakfast, sign the forms that the kids forgot to show you last night and find the missing sock the dog grabbed. You also are reminded that you forgot to put the laundry in the dryer from the washing machine so your precious cherub must now go to school not wearing their favorite pair of shorts. You and your hubby make the coffee and have a quick conversation about when the grass is getting cut and weekend plans and he’s off to work. Time is slipping away quickly and the hustle is starting to rush as you get in the car, coffee in hand to do the morning carpool duty. Back home to get ready for your day. And just like that you’re off to work! Getting all the things done, wait did you still forget to put the laundry in the dryer??? Oh gosh, did you take something out for dinner???? It’s time for school to get out and one kid has practice and the other needs to go to friends house to study for a test. You and the hubby divide and conquer. Maybe you will just eat out tonight. Everyone makes it back home, eat dinner. The kids finish homework, bath time and a little family time before it’s time to head off to bed. It really is a beautiful life, the life you prayed for. But each night you are dragging yourself to bed absolutely exhausted. Finding it difficult to fall asleep because your brain is still firing on all the things you need to get done and worried about making sure you get everything done on the to do list tomorrow. UGH…you are going to have to rewash those clothes that never made it to the dryer. You finally fall asleep, but wake up to the exact same routine.
Friend if this describes your day, it’s time for some self care. I know, I hear you. You don’t have 10 seconds to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer, how in the world will you find time for self care? I’ve got you! I’ll be your self care coach. I’ll teach you easy ways to sneak self care into your routine.
Self care isn’t one size fits all. For you it may be taking bubble baths and baby snuggles. For me, I fill my cup by leading others towards easy and affordable everyday self care solutions for busy moms just like you💖
Fun face: I’ve been addicted to all things cow print since before it was cool 🤣
I can’t wait to get started on this amazing journey of self care with you!
XOXO,
Ashley
https://taplink.cc/happilyeverbeautyhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/happilyeverbeauty
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Tell Me Your Weirdest Perimenopause Symptom—I’ll Go First.
Ladies… we need to talk.
Not about the kids. Not about what’s for dinner. Not even about that never-ending laundry mountain that somehow regenerates overnight.
We need to talk about perimenopause—a little hormonal plot twist that no one really warned us about. I’m talking about the time in our lives when our bodies throw the ultimate surprise party… and not the fun kind with balloons and cheese dip. This one comes with night sweats, rage-cleaning, and the sudden need to pluck chin hairs in the car mirror.
So let’s make this a safe space, mmkay? A no-judgment, pajama-wearing, mimosa-sipping kind of space.
Because I’ll go first… and then I want to hear from YOU.
Here’s What Perimenopause Looks Like in My World:
- I’m wide awake at 2 a.m. Not because the house is on fire, but because my brain decided now is the perfect time to relive a 7th-grade math test I failed.
- I cry during commercials. Dog food? Cue the sobbing. I used to be made of steel. Now I’m made of… whatever tissues are made of.
- I break out like I’m 16 again but with the fine lines of someone who’s very much not 16.
- My period ghosted me for 3 months then came back with a vengeance like an ex who never got closure.
- My joints make noises. That’s it. That’s the sentence.
And don’t even get me started on the hot flashes, brain fog, and the sudden why-am-I-so-angry-at-everything moments.
But here’s the kicker—some symptoms are so weird, we don’t even realize they’re related:
- Phantom smells (yes, that’s a thing)
- Itchy skin for no reason
- Heart palpitations that make you think WebMD is about to deliver bad news
- Dry eyes… like, desert-level dry
- Sudden food sensitivities (bye-bye, wine night 😭)
You’re Not Alone (Even If It Feels Like It)
So let’s create a little roll call of realness. Share your weirdest, most surprising, or just plain annoying perimenopause symptom in the comments, or send me a DM. I’ll be over here with my collagen water and a fan, trying not to melt.
Let’s laugh about it, cry about it, and normalize the absolute rollercoaster that is womanhood over 35. You’re not broken. You’re not crazy. You’re just entering a new chapter—and guess what? We’re all in this wild book club together.
Want to support your hormones naturally? I’d love to share my routine and help you find one that’s perfect for you! Think natural products, easy steps anyone can take to reduce the effects of the Peri Fairy
Fill out my form and I’ll contact you!
Got a weird symptom you’re brave enough to share? Drop it below 👇
Let’s laugh and learn together.Love ya, mean it. 💕
xo,
Ashley#Perimenopause #PerimenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseSupport #WomensWellness #NormalizePerimenopause #HormonesBeCrazy #ThisIs40Something #MidlifeWomen #NotLosingItJustHormonal #FillYourCupChallenge #GreenCompassWellness
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Sleep Like a Boss: Why Deep Sleep & REM Are the Ultimate Glow-Up Duo” 😴✨
Let’s talk about sleep—the real MVP of self-care. We all know we need it, but do we really understand why? Sure, crashing into bed at night feels amazing, but what’s happening while we sleep is where the real magic happens. And if you’re not getting enough deep sleep and REM sleep, your body and brain are missing out on some serious benefits.
So, grab your cozy blanket and let’s break it down!
Before we go into why sleep is so important, let’s talk about how I used to sleep. I started taking jellies for one reason—SLEEP. Or better yet, the complete lack of it. 😩 For years, I averaged about 5 hours a night, waking up between 1-3 AM no matter what I tried.
I went through it all:
💊 Prescriptions (left me feeling like a zombie)
🛌 OTC sleep aids (took forever to kick in and didn’t last)
😳 Even CBD from a vape shop—which sent my heart racing to 177 BPM. I was terrified and swore off CBD forever.Deep Sleep: The Body’s Overnight Repair Crew
Imagine your body has its own personal cleaning and repair crew that only clocks in when you’re asleep. That’s deep sleep. It’s the stage where your body goes into full recovery mode, fixing up all the wear and tear from your day.
🔧 Muscles and tissues repair—so all that effort at the gym (or, let’s be real, lifting laundry baskets) actually pays off.
🦠 Immune system boost—because nobody has time to be sick.
📉 Lower heart rate & blood pressure—your heart gets a much-needed break.
💆♀️ Growth hormone release—hello, anti-aging and faster recovery!Without enough deep sleep, you wake up feeling like you fought a bear in your dreams (and lost).
REM Sleep: The Brain’s Reset Button
Now, while deep sleep is all about repairing your body, REM sleep is when your brain puts in the work. This is where your mental and emotional health get a much-needed tune-up.
🧠 Memory storage & learning—so you don’t forget why you walked into the kitchen.
💡 Problem-solving & creativity boost—ever woken up with a genius idea? Thank REM sleep.
😌 Emotional regulation—aka fewer mood swings and way more patience.
⚖️ Hormone balance—which impacts everything from stress levels to metabolism.Skip out on REM, and suddenly you’re more forgetful, foggy, and moodier than a toddler who missed nap time.
I did use 2 different sleep trackers (I had a Fitbit originally, but recently switched to an Apple Watch)…but you can still see the metrics of how the quality of my sleep shifted!
The Bottom Line: You Need Both!
Think of deep sleep and REM sleep like Batman and Robin—you need both to function at your best. Deep sleep keeps your body strong, while REM sleep keeps your brain sharp. Without them? You’re stuck feeling exhausted, stressed, and running on caffeine fumes.
So if you’ve been waking up groggy, anxious, or just off, it might be time to check in on your sleep quality. Track it, tweak your routine, and give your body what it really needs—because let’s be real, waking up actually refreshed is the ultimate flex. 😴✨
Who else is working on getting better sleep? Drop your favorite sleep hacks in the comments! ⬇️
Wishing you Sweet Dreams!
XOXO, Ashley
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Why I don’t make New Years Resolutions
Hey Pretty! Believe it or not, the Queen of Self Care and creating new healthy habits doesn’t do New Years Resolutions. Are you shocked? I do love New Years. I love the idea of a brand new book filled with 365 blank pages that we get to author. It’s new, exciting and sometimes a little scary.
So why no Resolutions? It’s simple. I used to make a resolution every year. I did the usual ones, lose weight, get healthy, save money… I NEVER ever succeed at one of them. I started a new diet on Jan 1 and was ready to do some sketchy stuff for Chips and Queso in less than 2 weeks. This only lead me to feel like more of a failure than I did before I made the resolution. It was the ULTIMATE, “I failed myself!” Geez we are hard enough on ourselves every single day, why would I want to add to that? But that also doesn’t mean I don’t want to improve from one year to the next. I don’t want to remain stagnate in where I am. I truly believe the New Year is an opportunity to take ACTION!
Rather than a resolution, I decide to LEARN something every year. I’m a natural student. I mean, I do work as a high school counselor. I joke that I’ve been in high school for over 20 years just trying to get it right. By learning something each year, I’m taking action that gives me measurable steps. And when you learn something new, no one (not even YOU!!) expects you to be an expert over night.
Here is my list! What things would you like to learn? Any suggestions for this year?
Give your life an honest review. Write it down. Make a list. What things do you need to leave behind you in 2022 and what areas of your life do you need to make room for MORE? In recent years, not only do I focus on learning something, I also realized I needed more and to make additional changes. But still changes that a resolution just couldn’t handle.
Make a LIST! The Things I Hate vs The Things I Love.
Use the last few days of 2022 to reflect over your year. What did you love? I mean LOVE, like love love love. I’m afraid we toss that word around like confetti and don’t realize the depth and importance of using it. I LOVE fresh flowers, traveling, eating delicious food and I love not cooking (can I get an AMEN!)
What did you hate? Yep, I said it HATE! Hate is a STRONG word, a word I don’t use unless I truly mean it. For example I HATE oysters (any kind, any way – trust me, I’ve tried!) I hate stepping in dog poop (come on who likes that?) And as an LEO wife, I HATE disrespect of our people in uniform or our flag.
I give you these examples so that you can really dig deeply to identify the things in life that you are willing to use those very strong words for LOVE and HATE. Don’t take it casually. This is serious business. This is reflecting on your life and what you need to leave behind and what you need to take forward.
Get Excited!! Your Vision of the NEW YEAR should set your soul on FIRE!
You should be jumping up and down over the prospect of adding more to your life. And better yet, leaving all those things you truly HATE behind you. Ideas to add more JOY to your 2023
Truly anything that you do to add joy to your life can be an act of self care. That’s the beauty of self care, you get to decide! You drive this ship we call life. No matter what you choose to add, subtract, make room for or avoid, please promise me one thing. Each and ever day you will Choose Joy!
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Let’s Connect! Find me on Social here
Always remember to “Fill Your Cup”
XOXO,
Ashley
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The 1 Thing You Should Do This Week.
I’m prepared to say this may be the toughest challenge I ever give you (and me)! The week before Christmas and heading into New Years is notoriously HARD! You have a GAZILLION things to do each day. Between, last minute shopping or package tracking, baking, wrapping, cleaning your house for family gatherings…not to mention you may still be at work, and have all the other responsibilities that you have each day that you would on a random day in March.
It’s not just ALL.THE.THINGS that need to be done, it’s also the perfection that we put on ourselves to get it done just so. Stop comparing yourself to all the highlight reels. So what if you didn’t bake cookies from scratch this year. Didn’t make it to Christmas Light Display or had to wrap up a coming soon picture of a gift because well… the post office!
And now, I’m going to ask you to do something else? To do 1 more thing? Really? What possibly could be added to your list of Must Do?
That’s right you read it correctly! I want you to do NOTHING! (read it again if you need the reminder)
I can already hear you, possibly shaking your head or even rolling your eyes. You think I’m crazy. I just listed all the things you need to do in a day. Crazy Lady! There “ain’t no way” I can sit and do nothing.
Let me guess you are multi-tasking right now. Where have you brought me? In bed before falling asleep? Are we in the bathroom? On a quick break at work? We squeeze in as much as we can in the shortest amount of time. It’s almost like we have been trained to believe that if you sit, relax and do nothing you are LAZY, useless, spoiled or down right WRONG!
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//forms.aweber.com/form/55/1809954755.js”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, “script”, “aweber-wjs-mx3dhz1xv”));And so this is Christmas, what have you done?
~John LennonMost would think John Lennon’s quote refers to what you have done for other people. But my challenge to you is to think about what you have done for yourself. Self Care isn’t selfish.
Christmas is about giving, not perfection. You know what most people really want of you? Your time, your presence! Through perfection out the window. It’s ok if your family doesn’t have a matching PJ picture by the Christmas tree. (Do you know how hard that mom worked to get everyone in jammies and smiling for that snapshot. I bet if you asked her the stress and convincing it took wasn’t even worth it!)
So this Christmas, try not to get your TINSLE in a TANGLE. Sit back, relax and ENJOY these precious moments and make memories!! I encourage you to find 5 minutes a day to sit and do NOTHING! You have worked so hard all year. You are the magic maker of this beautiful holiday season. No doubt, you will get it all done. I believe in you. Done is better than perfect. Let someone help you and for goodness sake, stop and smell the freshly baked cookies!
3 responses to “The 1 Thing You Should Do This Week.”
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I do take time for myself in the early morning each day. I get up an hour before I need to start getting ready. I sit in the quiet, think about things I love and the ones who have gone, pray for my people & maybe play a little game on my tablet. I love this time of mine, I encourage everyone to take a little time! So worth it ♥️
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Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings of the new year!
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Ideas to De-Stress during Christmas
Does this look like you during the Christmas season?
It’s ok to feel how you are feeling! Those feelings are yours girl, you do you boo boo! When you start to feel yourself ready to lose the “Holiday Cheermeister” completion, there are some strategies you should implement. Try these simple things to help bring you back to neutral, because Mrs. Claus, the SHOW must go on!
I love Christmas. I love the twinkling lights, the smell of cookies baking, knowing when I found THE PERFECT gift for someone. I believe in the magic of Christmas.
I also believe that “THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR” is also one of the most STRESSFUL times of the year. Ah remember just a few years ago, back before you were married or had kids. You got away with buying a few gifts, show up at the Christmas festivities and eat the food that was provided for you. No one really expected anything out of you. And then you had the nerve to get married and have babies! Now you must become some version of Martha Stuart, Paula Dean and Donna Reed but you are feeing more like Lucy Ricardo or Deb from Everybody Loves Raymond!
Suddenly when you have more to do, more is expected of you! You now have a husband to keep happy, children to keep alive, a job you don’t want to lose. a dog to walk, church obligations, school plays, parties, friends you are expected to form actual connections with. You are supposed to do all these things while passing out reindeer cookies and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. But you may be starting to feel a little Grinchy. You can suddenly symathize with Scrooge.
Let’s be honest no matter what, you are going to dig in your heels and get it done because that’s what YOU do! And you do it willingly because at the root of it all, you believe in the MAGIC of Christmas. We believe that it’s bigger than us. How blessed are we to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus every single year.
We do this to see our children’s eyes light up when they see the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. We love surprising our mom with “THE GIFT” that is sure to make her cry. We love the pat on our backs when we found that present for dad, who happens to be the hardest person in the world to shop for. We want our children to take presents to their teachers and we ant to give cookies to the mail man. We want to bake a turkey so perfect and juicy that it doesn’t even need gravy….WOAH girl, ok maybe that is hoping for too much!
How do you get it all done without losing your MARBLES!?!?!
- Wear your favorite Christmas shirt or sweater. We only get to do this once a year. If you love Christmas gear, break it out! It’s the only time during the year you can wear a giant candy cane on your chest and no one thinks twice about it. If it makes you smile, wear it! Want to add matching earrings, a headband. Those are great too! And don’t forget Christmas socks or slippers. Be cozy and festive all while brining a smile to your face. Guaranteed, others will be smiling too.
- Say NO! Believe it or not, “NO” is a complete sentence. You are going to be asked to do a million extra tasks during the holiday season, on top of the important things you already have on your To-Do List. It’s absolutely ok to say “No” to baking the cookies for the office Christmas party or not attending a friends Cookie Exchange. If you don’t find yourself jumping for JOY at the invitation, just say “NO.” It doesn’t mean you are saying “Bah-Hum-Bug.” It just means that you have other priorities that need to come first. And it’s ok if one of those is watching Christmas Vacation for the 3rd time this year and sipping Eggnog.
- Ask for help! Other than saying “No” this one is probably the most difficult. We think we have to do everything by ourselves so that it gets done right and in a timely manner. Guess what, that is absolutely not the case. Others are totally capable of stepping up and lending a hand. Do you have no idea what to get your father-in-law and it’s stressing you out, delegate that task to your husband. I mean other than you, who does he really shop for? Are you running out of time to decorate, wrap presents or bake? Pull in your kiddos or best friend to lead the charge!
- Drink PLENTY of water. The holiday season is one where we are all known to over indulge just a bit. We drink more alcohol becuase there are more parties and it’s festive to have a cranberry mimosa at the Ornament Exchange with your Book Club. We are eating more sweets and treats because our offices and kitchens are both overflowing with these tasty sugary morsels. Be kind to your body and drink all the water you can. This will help flush out some of the sugars and alcohol. Plus if you are full of water, you might be less tempted to snack during the day. Bonus if you are drinking so much water and running back and forth to the bathroom, you might not find yourself in the office breakroom where all the goodies are.
- Pamper yourself! Your version of pampering might look different than mine. Here are some ideas:
- Do an at home facial or mud mask
- Read a book for 10 minutes a day
- Go for a walk during lunch
- Allow yourself to sit quietly when you get home before jumping into tasks.
- When the kiddos go to bed, enjoy the glow of your Christmas lights
- Go get a massage
- Get your hair, nails or toes done (or all of the above!)
- Hire some one to clean your house
- Watch your favorite movie
- Listen to your music too loud and dance in the kitchen
- Pray
- Listen to your favorite podcast
- Sit by the fire and roast marshmallows
Asking for help is hard. But it can be really fun! I’d love to share with you one of the most beautiful trees I’ve ever ever had the pleasure to help decorate!
My best friend called and said between her many jobs and her full time baking she did not have the time or the energy to put up her beloved “Sweet Treats” Christmas Tree. So I volunteered to help her. I got to spend 90 minutes with my best friend, just the 2 of us, totally uninterrupted. How often does that happen? I was able to love her by serving her and our friendship.
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Thank you for your response. ✨
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What you Consume, Consumes You.
Hey Pretty! I’m an 80’s baby and grew up in the generation when our parents taught us that too much TV would rot our brains, listening to heavy metal music would make us homicidal and rap music would turn us into gangsters. Here I am living proof that you can love Outkast and Metallica without killing anyone.
But maybe our parents weren’t all wrong.
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