(Hard to believe this picture was taken only about a month ago when the world was so different. Photo is of me in my hotel in Cartagena, Colombia)

Here in the shop we are trying to add more *happy* to your life as we all navigate this these unsettled times.  

With that in mind, I decided to do something that I hope sparks just that.

 For the coming days this is what I plan to do: 

* I will post a mini-escape recommendation everyday on Facebook, on Instagram stories and HERE. Scroll below to see the recommendations to date. I hope to share enjoyable and enriching ideas to explore during our "shelter at home" time.

*PLUS everyday I will add TWO or More special artisan treasures marked 25% OFF to help you keep your *glow* on (You can find me daily doing a Facebook LIVE showing these off).

Email recaps will go out twice a week through March 31st. 

Stay Healthy. Stay Glowing. Stay Strong. And let's *Glow Strong* together so we can get to the other side of this crisis. 

Shop the 25% Off "Glow Strong" Collection HERE.

Mini-Escape Ideas. Here we go!

Mini-Escape Idea Day 15

Since we are all cooking a lot more at home, I wanted to share one of my favorite comfort food recipes that is also healthy! It is a turkey and zucchini meatloaf
called "Not Your Mama's Meatloaf." I use to make it all the time for my now ex-husband, and I brought the recipe out today to make for a friend whose birthday is tomorrow (he too loves this meatloaf).

I no longer could find the recipe online so I retyped it out for you here: Not-Your-Mama's-Meatloaf Recipe

Enjoy!

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 14

This day I took my own mini-escape and didn't post an official one. It was Sunday after all.

However, Sunday is also the day that one of my favorite television show airs on TLC, "90 Day Fiancé." It is a show about couples who find love with partners in other countries and are either working to get the K-1 visa to bring them to the USA to marry them or are with their newly-arrived foreign partner in the USA and have started the 90 day K-1 process. 

If you are looking for a little reality-tv drama that also includes some cultural aspects, it is a fun escape. 

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 13

With all the home schooling, quarantined family time, virtual happy hours and just plain old coping rituals going on right now, I am certain you have one or two extra wine corks lying around. :)

With that and my family's tradition to mark events and trips with a Christmas ornament in mind, I went searching for DIY wine cork ornament ideas. Why not *MAKE* an adorable ornament to "mark the moment" of this remarkable time in history...and how you got through it.  

Here were some fun ideas and blogs with pictures I found. If you decide to make one, PLEASE post your creation and tag me!!

https://growingupgabel.com/snowman-christmas-tree-ornaments/

http://www.gottalovediy.com/christmas-cork-ornaments/

http://twenty-somethingblog.com/5-days-of-pinterest-wine-cork-rudolph/

http://www.makeiteasycrafts.com/2014/12/recycled-wine-cork-mouse-ornament.html

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 12

Are you out of Netflix series to binge on (like me)? Than you may love this news! Season 3 of the crime drama, Ozark, was just released TODAY (Friday, March 27)!

Let me recommend adding Reeces Pieces and/or M&Ms to your *hot* salted popcorn. Enjoy sweet melted candy centers with those salty kernels. Trust me, you will thank me.

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 11

*Me* reading a short story on my daily Facebook LIVE. 

I searched all day for a short story to share! It was my first time doing something like this (besides the reading-a-paragraph-out-loud-in-class-era which was circa middle school life)!

The short story I read, "In the Spring" by Guy de Maupassant, plus other short stories can be found here: https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/in-the-spring

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 10

I believe it was when I was in second grade that my teacher would have us sit at our desks with our heads down after the lunch recess to listen to vintage radio mystery episodes. I use to LOVE them. Being nostalgic today I googled to see if there were episodes online and I found this CBS Radio Mystery Theater site that shares a plethora of recorded episodes from 1974.

Make some popcorn, grab the family and gather around the laptop, you're in for a frighteningly delightful treat! 👻

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 9

Go for a hike in nature (it is what got me through today).

The above image is of me trekking in Dogon Country in Mali, West Africa back in 2010.

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Mini-Escape Idea Day 8

Wanna learn some new skills *fast*? Here's an article that shares secrets on how to do learn 18 different skills in 10 minutes or less!

Tips to fold clothes in seconds, comfortably pack everything in your suitcase, pick the freshest strawberry and juiciest orange, unsend emails in Google, keep your pizza crust crispy when you reheat it and fall asleep faster are some of the topics covered.

Mini-Escape Idea Day 7

**It was Sunday, so I took a day off...which I suppose is also a good mini-escape suggestion: Don't hesitate to give yourself permission to *not* do anything.**

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*AWESOME* Mini-Escape Idea Day 6

Mini-Escape Idea Day 5

We are headed into our first weekend of not being able to put on our cutest dresses, most sparkly earrings and hit the town with partners and friends. *sob*

But my girlfriend, Katherine, gave me the idea for today's mini-escape: A Virtual Happy Hour!

Mini-Escape Day 4

One of my friends and photographers, Jenna Lynn (on instagram @jennalynnphotog) shared this on her Instagram story! I haven't signed-up yet, but will totally give it a try. Passing it on to you now too.

"For a 7-day free trial, viewers can log onto BroadwayHD.com and access a wide catalog of classic and new musicals, including Cats, The King and I, and Sound of Music. The platform also features recent performances of shows like Kinky Boots and 42nd Street.

After the free trial, viewers can continue to use the site for a reasonable $8.99 a month. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who saw the recent movie adaptation of Cats to go back to the original Andrew Lloyd Webber stage productions."

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Mini-Escape Day 3

Something I do when I want to relax is go to my favorite meditation guide on YouTube, Pura Rasa. I found her several years ago when I was going through a traumatic break-up and I could not calm my mind, particularly at bedtime. Listening to her sleep meditations at night was one of the important tools that helped me get through it. Since then I continue to listen to her myriad of meditations (usually the ones that help manifest love 😁). She recently recorded a 15 minute stress mediation. She writes:

"This is an effective, quick stress relief guided meditation. Please sit back, relax and just follow the guidance which is simple but very effective. Calm mind means strong immune system, better decision making. Be well and happy, Pura Rasa"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYy3BLhCyWk

Enjoy....and stay strong. Glow Strong. J

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Mini-Escape Day 2

What could be more comforting than the smell of baking chocolate chip cookies 🍪....my mom's Toll House Pie. It is like a big chocolate chip cookie that you get to put ice cream on!

I am sharing the laminated copy she made for me of the pie that I grew up on!

Let me know if you make it...or if you have questions on best practices. I am an expert!

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