10 Things Mindful People Do Differently

1. Nourish your body - Fuel your body with what it needs - sleep well, eat well, love well.

2. Don't always listen to yourself - Don't believe everything you think and don't ever take your thoughts too seriously. On that same note it's okay to listen to that inner voice, just don't let it hold you back from living.

3. Challenge your mindset - Don't get stuck in a rut. Try new things, do crosswords, read books, try to learn a new language. Keep your mind active and always be willing to listen to new ideas.

4. Laugh at yourself - It's okay to be ditzy, it's alright if you tripped in public... things happen. Mindful people know this and they let it go and learn to laugh, even when it's hard.

5. Don't avoid emotions, share your feelings and work through them - While mindful people laugh at their mistakes, they also own their sadness, their anger, etc. Be sure to voice your frustrations, hurts, and other emotional feelings in a productive way and work through them.

6. Listen with concentration to those around you - Intently listening will open so many doors, whether it's a new friendship or a business adventure - be sure to listen to those around you and be present.

7. Slow down and absorb information - Instead of rushing through life, checking notifications constantly, and speed reading each book you check out from the library - take some time to "smell the roses" as it were and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy life.

8. Stay curious - Spend time outdoors, do science experiments, and be a silly amount of curious at all times. Life should be fun so go down the less taken path and enjoy it.

9. Be aware that all things come and go and accept that fact - This may be the hardest part of being mindful for me. Knowing that things come and go allows you to accept life as it is and this makes living mindfully so much easier.

10. Allow yourself to take a break - While living mindfully is important, so is taking a break. It's okay to check out, turn your phone off, try not to think of anything, and just spend time in a quiet room meditating... it's actually what mindfully living is all about.

So tell me, do you live "mindfully"? I'd love to hear your intentional behaviors that help you to leave a more mindful life! Let 'em at me in the comments below!

*This post does contain affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed above are my own.*

$15 Gift Card Giveaway - Storming into Giveaways Hop

Welcome to the Storming into Giveaways Giveaway Hop
brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers!

Hosted By: Mama's Geeky & Women and Their Pretties

Who else is amped for summer? With the beach nearby, pools at all our buddies houses, and unlimited amounts of parks to explore - D and I are totally ready for some summer fun! I've been looking at living social deals and daydreaming about

With that said, we want to spoil one of you with $15 to go out and have some fun! So use the giveaway tools form below for your chance to win and leave me a comment telling me how you'll spend that $15 if you feel so inclined!

 $15 CASH (Paypal Gift Card) Giveaway

Entry-Form

Each giveaway has a value of a minimum of $15, however some are worth much more. Be sure to enter to win all of them because there is no limit to how many you can win. GOOD LUCK!

If you’re a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today! If you’re a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!

Summer Fun with Mama Mocktails - 3 Delicious, Non-Alcoholic Party Drinks from Ocean Spray!

This post is sponsored by Ocean Spray, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Summer is officially here... and you know what that means, backyard get togethers, little pool parties, and sunset shindigs will be on the agenda! While I'm looking forward to the fun, this year I'm rocking a new title and well, that's MOM! I'm so lucky that Delainey loves me so much... and it's pretty precious that it's her one and only word. It really does mean the world to me to hear her call for me.

While my new title this year is the sweetest, it also means that I'm not going to be participating in the adult beverages served at the previously mentioned events. I mean, maybe one here or there, but as a breastfeeding mama, I'm holding back on my alcohol intake and former party animal antics.

With that said, that doesn't make me a total party pooper either... or at least I don't think so. I love to go have fun with friends and family still... I just do it without adding alcohol - just like delicious Ocean Spray Mocktails!

What's that? You have a baby shower coming up and you can't figure out a fun drink to serve? I've got you covered!

Maybe you've been craving your favorite cocktail, but you're also expecting a baby in a month...? Here's a drink for you and it tastes so delicious - just like that drink you were craving!

That's right, you can have your "cocktail" and drink it too... without any alcohol, that is. Made with real fruit juice and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives?! Count me in... and I'm fairly certain Delainey is thinking the same thing.

Want to have fun in the sun this summer without involving alcohol? Check out these three delicious mocktails from Ocean Spray & find out all about the taste that takes you away - I mean, picture it, you're in paradise sipping on a delicious coconut full of Tropical Citrus Paradise. The sweet flavors washing over you as you feel the breeze and hear the waves crashing against the shore. Well, I mean, that's how I feel as I'm sipping on this deliciousness anyways.

If you're craving something a little less tropical, pair the Cranberry Sangria with a pinch of sparkling water for a taste you'll love! Also, you can add in some fruit and place the delicious mixture in pitcher for a gorgeous addition to your next get-together! This Sangria not only looks the part, it tastes equally as delicious as the adult variety and hey, you can share the fruit with your kiddos now too!

Lastly, check out the Cranberry Peach Bellini if you're looking for a sweet, sophisticated drink.It's the sweetest of the three and also my favorite. Imagine yourself in Italy, enjoying a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, sipping on one of these delicious beverages... or at your bestie's baby shower nursing your new baby. Wherever you drink this yummy mocktail, I'm sure you'll love the refreshing treat as much as I did.

So, if you're in the same boat as me and not exactly partying this summer but still wanting to be a part of the fun - check out the Ocean Spray Mocktails line! If you give them a try or have already tried them, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these creative blends in the comments below.

Make Your Own Puppy Dog Pals Puppet & more FriYAY FUN with Disney Junior!

Today's discussion is sponsored by Disney Junior; regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

My baby girl is my side kick, my shadow, my mini me... She seems to love the same things I love and well, that's just heartwarming. While she shares my sassy side, I love already knowing that we also have common interests. From being a total foodie (who loves to occasionally watch cooking shows) to being a little fashionista who loves the camera, she's pretty much my twin - in a tiny, adorable form!

Here's the thing, if my daughter and I have one thing absolutely identical about us, it's our love of animals. She is absolutely gaga over birds and staring at dogs is probably her top favorite activity. I have a feeling she and I will likely surprise her daddy with a little puppy pal in the years to come, but for right now - we are savoring the time with the dog we already have and looking forward to adding to our family, someday! With that said, we have a not-so-little doggy visitor this week and she is loving the extra company!

Her and I are always admiring other doggies, whether it's at the park, on TV, or dog sitting - we love the company of puppies! So after catching an episode of Puppy Dog Pals a few weeks ago on Disney Junior, we are BIG TIME Bingo, Rolly, Hissy, & Bob fans!

And if I'm being frank, I suppose I can be a little bit of a "Bob" at times with my crazy schemes and ideas. Luckily, my little gal pal loves me as much as those puppy dog pals love their owner, so she just goes along with my crazy shenanigans just like Bingo & Rolly do with Bob!   

While we try to limit the amount of TV Delainey watches, I'm pretty sure we can count Puppy Dog Pals as "her show" now... she smiles and laughs when her favorite Puppy Dog Pals are playing and when they get into trouble, you can see her trying to help figure it out! It's just precious... and on that note, I'm fairly certain that D daydreams about the adventures she can get into with our dog. From plotting future mischievous deeds her and Pow can do, to dreaming of riding the visiting bear of a lab, Barkley, around the room - I can see the wonder in her eyes each time she looks at dogs.

Doggies really are her best friends and it's sad but this is the real world and our dog, the dog we are dog sitting, and even Puppy Dog Pals can't come with us all the time. So I decided to get crafty with my sidekick and make us some adorable little canine companions that we can take along with us everywhere from the library to the doctor's office!

It's super easy to make a little puppy puppet and the best part is you can customize them however you want, so your puppy pal will be your very own design and your best friend! While it may just be a piece of paper - I know Delainey loves our new little companions and while it isn't the same as taking our pups on adventures, I think she's pretty happy with her mama made paper pups.

For this project you will need:

Scissors
Printer paper or cardstock in a variety of colors
Markers

Tape (optional)

To start you'll want to fold your paper into a perfectly even square by bending one corner into the paper and making a giant triangle, cutting and removing any excess.

Next, gently fold the triangle into a smaller triangle, creating a mid-line for you to follow. Unfold and lay the "giant triangle" on the table.

After that fold the lower (open mouth) point over onto itself, leaving about a 1cm gap at the top.

Once you've completed that step, unfold and separate, laying the two pieces on top of each other and folding the top piece down slightly, creating what will be the nose area.

Following that step, flip the piece of paper over and fold the two edges in, creating tiny triangles down at the bottom and a "winged" looking piece of paper.

Again, fold those two piece into themselves, creating what will resemble a fox like shape.

Finally, fold the fox ears one more time to make them either more puppy or kitty like, leaving the ears pointy for a kitty like Hissy or folding the ears over and making them less pointy like Bingo and Rolly.

The last but most important step, decorate your pup! Add a nose, eyes, spots, and more with markers! Make a collar out of paper, maybe even a leash or like Bob, you could even try and make an "invention"?! Use your imagination and have fun!

And that's it, you have created the perfect puppy puppet, with your own two hands!

If that was too much to try and follow via photos and text, I decided it'd be easiest to show you how to fold your puppy puppet! Check out the video below and give this super easy origami puppy fold a try!

Once your puppy is completed, I made a super special Puppy Pal Certificate you can personalize and print, making each and every Puppy you create a real member of your pack!

After all that fun, I'm sure a break is on order! Want to catch the next episode of Puppy Dog Pals? Tune into Disney Channel  on FriYAY morning for new episodes... and if you miss those, check out our new favorite show on Disney Junior!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Disney Junior.