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The following podcast is a Dear Media Production.
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Welcome to Balance Black Girl. My name is Les. I am your host and I appreciate you tapping in. If you follow me on Instagram. You know, I had a really hard time deciding what this episode was going to be and I asked you all for suggestions and I actually got a lot of really great suggestions. However, I was just not in a position to fully execute any of them. But there was a variation of idea that was given that I was like, okay, I can do that. A lot of people were asking me to do a recap of like, my favorite media from 2024. So, like favorite books, favorite movies, favorite TV shows, and I was like, I don't know about that. I don't watch tv. I also don't watch movies. I love my books, but I didn't read as many books as I wanted to in 2024. Also, my memory is horrible. And second, I finish a book, most details about it leave my brain. However, I thought about mother who inspired me to get into Media, and that is Ms. Oprah Winfrey, and how every year she used to do her Favorite Things episode and how being the daytime talk show junkie that I was as a child and teenager loved watching her Favorite Things episode. And I was like, okay, favorite things across all categories I can do, and I can touch on a few books that I did like this year, but I can also talk about my favorite wellness things, I could talk about my favorite beauty things, I can talk about my favorite fun things. And I just thought that that could be a cute, fun, light way to wrap up the year. Because as I mentioned in my Investing in Ourselves episode earlier this fall, I spent a lot of money this year investing in myself and trying new things and really stepping up my routines. And I figured it's time for me to share the love and to share some of what I loved in 2024. Now, first, I did want to start with books. As I mentioned, my memory is terrible, so I don't necessarily have full detailed descriptions of all of these books, but I wanted to share five books that I loved in 2024. I also don't want to share too many details because I don't want to spoil it for y'all, because what fun is that if you want to read them, I don't want to tell you everything that happened. So let's start off with five of my favorite books that I read in 2024. First up, and I think this might be my number one favorite read this year, is A Love Song for Ricky Wilde By Tia Williams. Now I love me some Tia Williams. Love her down. Her book Seven Days in June is what got me back into reading back in 2021. And I know so many of us love that book at this point. It is becoming kind of a classic romance novel, although it's. It is romance, but it also has some weight to it. It is just a really beautifully written book. But that was the first romance novel I had ever read, and it's what really got me back into my reading habit as an adult. So I love Tia's writing. I've read Seven Days in June. I've also read the Perfect Find, which I also loved the book. We're not going to talk about what Netflix did to that book. We're not going to talk about it. We're not. We're not going to go there. However, A Love Song for Ricky Wilde, I think, is my favorite book by Tia Williams. And I think some of her best work. The book is beautifully written. I absolutely adore, adored the characters. And I love the creative risks that Tia took when writing this book. She has several, you know, romance novels under her belt. But in this book, she incorporates a little bit of fantasy. She also incorporates a little bit of historical fiction, but the book still has romance at its core. And I just thought that she blended those genres really, really beautifully. And I could tell that the book was. Was a bit of a departure for her. It was her trying something new and leaning into a different creative idea. And as a creative, I just felt so inspired by that. To see someone who has already found success in their craft in one way, who is kind of taking a departure from that and trying something entirely new and different and having this really beautiful result is super, super inspiring. I will also say the book takes place in February 2024, like, during the last week of February 2024 is when the book takes place. You understand what I mean? When you read it. And that was literally when I was reading the book was the last week of February 2024. So I, you know, it tells you what day it is as you're reading the book. And I was literally reading the book as the characters were going through these experiences on the actual day. And it just made it so much more fun. I'm so sorry you can't time travel and go back to February 2024 and read it that same time. But you should still read it now because it is a beautiful book. If you like historical fiction, if you like romance, if you like fantasy, it is all tied up there. So beautiful book. A Love Song for Ricky Wilde. Read it, Add it to your list. I think it was my number one favorite book this year. Number two favorite book, I would say. The Davenports. The Davenports by Crystal Marcus, I believe is her name. Such a cute book. This one is less of a romance. It's more of a coming of age. And it's also an ensemble book that centers a group of young women in the early 20th century who are living kind of this wealthy life in this community post Reconstruction era. So they're kind of the first generation of black people post slavery to have a bit of wealth. Their family moves to Chicago and they live this kind of socialite lifestyle while we start seeing kind of the undercurrents of the beginnings of the civil rights movement brewing. And these young women are kind of torn between these two worlds where they see this privilege that they have, but these greater things at large still happening for black people in the US at that time. But it's also still cute and it's also funny and there are elements of like young romance. But, you know, the characters are young, so it's not anything too spicy or too wild because these are teenage girls. We keep it cute, we keep it appropriate. But it is just such a fun book. It is a book where you love and you root for every single character. Also, the sequel just came out. At the time that I'm recording this, I haven't read it yet, but I'm so, so excited to dig into the second book of the series because when I read this book earlier this year, I thought that the second part was already out yet. So imagine my devastation when I read this book in March and come to find out the sequel wasn't being released until November. Devastation. But read the Davenports. It's really cute. Also, if you like historical fiction, it just is a really great read. Okay, next book is the Partner Plot. So the Partner plot is the sequel to the Neighbor Favor by Christina Forrest. I loved the Neighbor Favor. Last year I went through a period of time where I wasn't reading any romance books. I was only focusing on, like, personal development. And man, was that a sad time. And so last fall I read the Neighbor Favor and it got me back into romance and it had me giggling and swinging my feet. And this year the Partner plot came out, which was the sequel to this book. Now in the first book, it centers around a character named Lily, her having kind of a friends to lovers type of romance. And we meet her family and the series centers around each sister. So she has two sisters. There's Lily, who is the first character in the Neighbor Favor. You have Violet, who is the main character in the partner plot, and then you have Iris, who is their older sister, who is going to be the main character in the third book that isn't out yet. Now I have to say Ms. Violet, who is the main character in the partner plot, could not stand her in the Neighbor Favor. I thought she was so annoying and so immature and just so obnoxious. And so when I started reading the Partner Plot, I was like, is she going to annoy me this whole book? But she had, I think, a really good redemption arc where we learn a lot more about her, about what makes her tick, about why she is the way she is, and she actually became a lot less annoying and I grew to really like her. So it's a really cute second chance romance slash fake relationship trope. Just a nice light little read. If you need to kind of enjoy a little romance, enjoy some very light spice, I would say the spice level in these books. Very tame, nothing too wild, just a little suggestive spice, A cute little romance, little second chance, second chance romance. Then the partner plot will be a good read for you. Next book, I believe. Number four this Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan. And if you have not yet listened to the episode that I did with Kennedy Ryan earlier this year, make sure you do. We will link it in the show notes. One of my favorite episodes of the year. I absolutely adore Kennedy. Not only do I think she's an amazing author, I've read like 10 of her books at this point. But she is frickin brilliant and just the kindest, warmest, most lovely human. And if you haven't read her books yet, after you listen to that episode, you're gonna wanna read all of her books like me because she's just so wonderful. So this Could Be Us is the latest book that she has released and it is the sequel to Before I Let Go. And I know a lot of people have read Before I Let Go that focuses on the love story kind of second chance romance of Yasmin and Josiah. And in Before I Let Go, we are introduced to Yasmin's friend Soledad. And so this I almost said episode, this Could Be Us, the book is all about Soledad. Now in Before I Let Go, you learn a little bit about Soledad. You learn that she has a husband who is trifling, but you don't know why. In this Could Be Us, we learn why, and Soledad basically has the rug pulled out from underneath her and has to rebuild her entire life as a mom of three girls. And Soledad just is that girl. She rolls up her sleeves, she does exactly what needs to be done, and she might find a new boo thing who is so much better than her original husband who honestly really sucked. And it's just such a great book. But what I really loved about this Could Be Us is yes, it's a romance, and yes, there is a central romance, but there's also such a strong storyline about the main character beginning to love herself and also about her willingness to lean into sisterhood, both with her friends, who, you know, we know from the first book as as with her actual blood sisters. There's just such a strong theme of bonding over sisterhood and letting your people show up for you and showing up for yourself. That's really, really beautiful. So this could be asked as a beautiful read, but make sure you read before I let go first. Y'all got to do things in the right order because it's important, okay?
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If you're anything like me, me keeping your skin healthy is a top priority. Let me introduce you to something that has completely transformed my routine, and that is Biosil. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, oh great, another collagen supplement, let me tell you why this one stands out. Here's the thing. After 21, we naturally lose about 1% of our collagen every year, which really adds up. So, like most people, I started exploring collagen supplements. But here's what I learned. Most of them just get broken down in your stomach like any protein. But that's where biosil is different. Instead of just adding collagen, it supports your body in creating its own. It's clinically proven to work wonders for your hair, skin and nails. Think 89% more skin elasticity and fewer wrinkles and fine lines. Plus, it's vegan. Super easy to take just two small capsules a day, and backed by over 30 years of science. And the results speak for themselves. Since I started taking Biosil earlier this year, my skin's been glowing. Seriously, it feels firmer and looks more radiant now at 35 than it did when I was 30. And I'm hooked. If you're ready to naturally boost and protect your collagen, head over to biosil beauty and grab 30 off your first order with my code Balance less. That's Biosil Beauty Code balance less for 30% off. These statements haven't been evaluated by the FDA. BioSil isn't meant to diagnose, treat, use, cure, or prevent Any diseases. Let's be honest, stress is something we all have experience with. Whether it's juggling work, personal goals, or just trying to keep up with everything, it can feel like there's never a moment to truly breathe. That's why calm has become such an important part of my routine. For me, calm is like my go to reset button. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I turn to their guided meditations or breathing exercises to help bring me back to center. Now it's not about spending hours. It's about dedicating just a few minutes myself. And let me tell you, it makes a world of difference. Calm is the number one app for sleep and meditation, giving you the power to claim your mind and change your life. Now at night, their sleep stories are a lifesaver. I used to toss and turn running through my mental to do list when I was trying to go to bed. But now I let their soothing stories and calming music help me drift off naturally. Getting better sleep has made me feel so much more grounded during the day. Now what I love most is how calm gives you tools for whatever you're going through. So if you're feeling anxious, they've got meditations for that. If you need to focus, their expert led talks and grounding exercises are perfect. It's all in one app. And it's been a game changer for how I manage stress and find peace no matter what's happening around me. Stress less, sleep more, and live better with Calm. For listeners of our show, Calm is offering an exclusive offer of 40% off a Calm premium subscription at calm.com balanced. Go to c a l m.com balanced for 40% off. Unlimited access to Calm's entire library. That's calm.com balanced.
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Book number five. This was a hard one for me. For my fifth book I chose a Court of Silver Flames and this is the fifth book of the Acotar series. If you're not familiar with Acotar, it is a court of thorns and roses. It is a series that has been really popular for a few years now. It is a fantasy series and there are five books in this fantasy series and I spent most of my year reading these books because the books are long, they're like Harry Potter thick, you know, 700 plus page books. So it took me about two months to get through the series and I read all five books and I liked some of the books more than others. Everybody always says that the second book is the best in the series and the second book I thought, you know, had goodness to it. It was Definitely, like a fun read and good to follow. But I actually thought that the fifth book was the best in the series, and it's because it follows a different character. So the first three books of the series are about a woman named Feyre and all of her shenanigans in this fantasy fairy land. And, you know, we get to know her. We get to know her blood family and her chosen family. Her blood family, she has two sisters. One of her sisters is named Nesta. And in most of the series, Nesta is absolutely terrible. She is just mean. She is nasty. She is. She is annoying. But I always felt like there was something under the surface that I'm like, I know this isn't just who she is. As I'm reading this character, I know that she is going through a lot, and I want to fully unpack what's there. And what I loved about the fifth book of the series is it did really dive into what was there and why she acted the way that she did and the traumas that she experienced without it feeling super, like, heavy or like a downer. She actually had a really beautiful character arc of releasing it and healing from it and becoming a really strong, like, lovely person or fairy, I should say. She's not a person, She's a fairy. But I just loved the redemption arc and the character growth. It was some of the best character development that I think I've read in a book. Seeing where she started to where she ended up, and the Spice was on point. People say that that series is spicy. And I'm like, do you also think Greek yogurt is spicy? Because the first book, four books are not, but the fifth book, absolutely. Yes, please. Thank you. It Had Some Spice probably is one of the spiciest books that I've read all year. And that's usually what I'm here for. So is what I have for the book section of my five favorite books from 2024. So now I want to talk about my wellness favorites from 2024. And this is going to be a mix of, like, practices that I do, supplements that I take, and just general things that I like that are related to wellness. So the first would be gut health things. I have a couple of gut health things. One is the Hum Flatter Me. Plus, I started taking this earlier this year. It has a probiotic and digestive enzyme and a prebiotic all in one. And so if you're feeling a little constipated, if you're feeling a little bloated, if you're going to eat Some food that you know doesn't really agree with you take the hum, flatter me plus with your meal and it will help you digest it so much better. Another thing that I started doing that has helped so much with gut health and just general like getting fiber in keeping things moving and helping my gut feel better is eating kiwi. Eating kiwi each morning these days, what I like to do pre workout, when I wake up in the morning before I go to the gym, I will eat a kiwi. I will have a half of a better bagel, which is like a high protein bagel with some cream cheese. And then I will either have coffee or caffeinated greens depending on what I have on hand. And that for me is like the perfect pre workout. I've got some good protein from the bagel, I've got a little caffeine from the greens, I've got some carbs and some fiber from the kiwi. And it really helps get my gut going because kiwi is also a really great source of digestive enzymes and fiber and it just has been like kind of my jam lately for my pre workout breakfast. Now I will say when it comes to better bagels, I like them because of the macros. When it comes to the taste, it does not give regular bagel, it's not as good as a regular bagel. Nothing is as good as a regular bagel. And if you want something to be as good as a regular bagel, you just gotta eat a regular bagel and you just gotta be good with it. I'm doing this just for like comfort because I do love bagels but I need protein and it's like my pre workout food, I like to have some protein in me. And of course because we're all trying to eat more protein these days, it also has a lot of fiber in it. So helpful for the gut. But just know if you try a better bagel and you do not like it, I told you, it's not going to give real bagel, you gotta, you gotta take it for what it is. No healthified version of the real thing is ever going to be as good as the real thing. Okay? Sometimes we make choices and you can choose to eat a regular one. You could, you choose to have whatever it is you want to have. Just no, it's not going to be as good as regular bagels. So if you try it and you don't like it or if it doesn't taste how you thought it would taste, don't come to me, don't be upset. I Warned you, I warned you. But that has been my go to like pre workout meal. As far as the caffeinated greens, I have been having the better days caffeinated greens which I actually do really like. They have a few good flavor. There's like the peach greens, there's the juicy lime. I will order it with caffeine and without because sometimes, you know, particularly around my luteal phase, I'm gearing up to get my period. I try to lay low on the caffeine but I do like to have a little bit before I work out. So I find caffeinated greens is just a nice way to do that. So it's a greens powder with a little bit of caffeine in it has really great ingredients. I will leave a link for that in the show notes below if you want to check it out. But it is some of the better tasting greens that I've tried. So I do really like those as a little pick me up pre workout. Next thing that I have been loving this year is Clean Simple Eats protein. If you've seen me like make a smoothie or anything on social media, I'm always using Clean Simple Eats protein. For years I used to use plant based protein powders. I would use pea based protein and brown rice protein but I found that those actually kind of hurt my stomach and I personally digest the whey protein way better. So Clean Simple Eats makes whey based protein which is also just a more complete protein. It tastes really good. It's really easy to digest. I am an affiliate for Clean Simple Eats so I have a code. I think it's less that gets you 10% off your order. I'll leave that in the show notes too. And they have a bunch of really good flavors. Usually the vanilla is my go to. I really like their pumpkin pie which is like a seasonal flavor. I really like the snickerdoodle which has like a little cinnamon vibe. I also really like the Girl Scout cookie or like Thin Mint flavor is also really good. So they have a bunch of different flavors but it's just a really good high quality protein and has also helped me just up my smoothie game and get more protein in this year. I also really like Clean Simple Heats has a lot of products that are really good. So they have the protein, they have energy drinks, they have different protein drinks. There's just like a lot of really great things that they have and they're just a cool, cool brand. Really good company run by really nice people and it's just super solid and has been a really solid addition to my routine. Okay. The next thing that I like, and this is again more on the supplement tip, is the Paleo Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Complex. So earlier this year I read a book called the Glucose Revolution by the Glucose Goddess that is about the importance of having kind of a healthy balance blood sugar. And one of the tips that she gives for keeping your blood sugar balanced is consuming apple cider vinegar before you have a carb heavy meal to reduce the glucose spike in your blood. Basically, apple cider vinegar helps keep your blood sugar more stable if you eat something that is heavy in sugar or heavy in carbs, which is great for you for the long run. I don't love just like eating things with apple cider vinegar on them all the time or drinking apple cider vinegar. I'm really trying to keep my teeth enamel in check and it's very acidic. And so I started taking the Paleo Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Complex, which also has great ingredients. It has like apple cider vinegar, it has cinnamon, great ingredients for keeping your blood sugar balanced. So usually I will take these before I have kind of a carby meal and it does the same thing but is a little bit easier to get down. It doesn't ruin your teeth enamel. So Paleo Valley has sponsored the podcast before. Again, we have a code for them that I will leave below if you want to check out the Apple Cider Vinegar Complex. If you're looking to take care of your blood sugar as you navigate eating all of these fun foods. The next supplement that I started trying this year that I also really like is Armor Colostrum. So if you're not familiar with colostrum, it's basically the substance that mammals produce right after giving birth, including humans. So if there is kind of that like golden fluid that comes out, it's supposed to be the baby's first nutrition and it's incredibly nutrient dense. Armor sources colostrum leftover colostrum from cows and it's a super solid product. I've been using it since the beginning of 2024. I will usually just take a scoop straight to my mouth. They have different flavors. You can mix it into water, you can mix it into any cold drink, but it has a lot of really great enzymes in it is also really good for your gut health and really great for your immune health. As I shared in last week's episode, I started off the year super sick and I started taking armor not long after that and I have not gotten sick like that since, thankfully. So I really like including it in my day. I just dry scoop it for gut health and immune health.
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One of the best things about this time of year is giving gifts to the people we meet love. It's great when you can get someone a thoughtful gift, they may not treat themselves to that little bit of luxury that they don't know they're missing. And for quality gifts at an affordable price, my go to is Quince. Quince lets you treat your loved ones and yourself to everyday luxury at an affordable price. Something everyone needs in their closet in my opinion is Quince's iconic Mongolian cashmere sweaters which start at $50. Now I live in my Quince cashmere sweaters all winter long. They are so comfy, stylish and warm and I always get a ton of compliments on them. But if you're looking for more year round gifts, you can check out their 14 karat jewelry, their Italian leather handbags and European linen sheet sets. Whatever you're looking for, all Quince Items are priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands, which is why Quince is usually my first stop when I'm doing shopping. Now they do that by partnering directly with top factories and cutting out the cost of the middleman which passes savings on to you.
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Quince is on the nice list.
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They only work with factories that use ethical and responsible manufacturing practices and they use premium fabrics and finishes for that luxury feel in every piece. Now I have so many staple items from Quince from my luggage to my winter coats. I'm usually using something that I got from Quince every day and I know it all makes amazing gifts. Gift Luxury this season without the luxury price tag. Go to quints.com balanceless for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U I N C E.com balanceless to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com balanced less how we feel about our bodies and our relationship with food shapes so much of our well being. It's a huge part of leading a healthy, balanced life. But let's be honest, that journey isn't always straightforward. Struggles with food and body image are more common than you might think. And the good news is that help is available. With the right support, it's absolutely possible to break free from the harmful cycles of disordered eating. And that is where Equip comes in. Equip is a virtual eating disorder treatment program designed to help you heal your relationship with food and your body, all from the comfort of your home. Their Care team is made up of experts, think a therapist, dietitian, medical provider, mentor, working together to provide you with personalized evidence based support. Equip serves all ages, works with your schedule, and is even covered by insurance. Now what makes Equip so impactful is their tailored approach. They understand that recovery is deeply personal, so they meet you exactly where you are with tools and guidance that make you feel seen and supported. Equip is here to help you regain a sense of peace and control, all in a safe, judgment free space. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, Equip is ready to help. You don't have to navigate this alone. They're here to walk with you every step of the way. You deserve to live free from the stress and shame tied to food and body image. Take the first step today by visiting Equip Health Balanced Black Girl. That's Equip Health Balanced Black Girl.
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Okay, now I'm going to get a little bit more into the wellness items or wellness practices that I really loved this year. First off, I recently got an acupressure mat and I'm like, where has this been all my life? I've actually known about them for a while, but it kind of scared me. But lately I've been so stressed that I'm like, I will lay on this spiky thing if it will help me calm the F down. I actually got it at Walgreens of all places. I got a heated acupressure mat with a pillow. It's basically like a big heating pad with the acupressure spikes on it. And when you lay on it, it uses kind of the spikes to touch the different acupressure points, you know, on your back or your neck, however you're laying. You could also lay kind of stomach down too, but I prefer it on my back and it just calms me down at first. It does hurt a little bit, but you get kind of used to it. And I love laying on it in the morning when I do my morning meditation or at night when I read for a few minutes before bed. And I find that it just calms and centers me so much and I wish that I would have gotten one so much sooner. I haven't seen a lot of heated ones out there, but that's what I have and I love it. Especially now that it's like winter, it's a little chilly. It actually feels so good to have like the heat on my back and then just the acupressure points, like relieving Tension. It is kind of my favorite part of the day and I'm now addicted to it and cannot recommend enough. If you are also an anxious girly. Okay. The next thing I would say, my favorite from this year is having a gym membership at a nice gym. So I for about a year worked out in my apartment gym, which was fine. That was what I had. That was fine. But it had really limited space, it had limited equipment. It was hard to like work out in there if there were many other people in there because we're all trying to use the same stuff. And I just felt like I was really plateauing with my fitness and I wanted to push myself a little bit more. So for my birthday I ended up treating myself to a membership at a nice gym. And I will be honest, it's not cheap, it's not like a budget friendly item is definitely a splurge. And so you better believe I'm up in there five to six days a week getting my money's worth. But I have really enjoyed it and it has been really worth it for me. So I love that I have access to nice equipment that truly anything that I would need for a workout is there. The space and facility is really clean. I have towels and there's products in the bathroom and it has amenities. All of the classes that I would want, like studio quality classes, it has a sauna, there's pools, there's like everything that I would need. So lately I've been on more of a tip of just taking classes. I've been really liking strength training classes. I've been taking like strength and conditioning classes and then I've also been taking mat pilates and yoga classes all at the same gym. And it has been really, really great for me to build a routine, for me to get familiar with the instructors, for me to make friends, for me to start building community. It's just been nice to have somewhere to go consistently. And I will also say it is the only place I go where I consistently see men who are fine as hell. Listen, I don't know about you, but if you don't like what you see, most places you go. That's me going to a nice gym where people are taking their fitness seriously. Great place to see something that you might like. Every time I go, I've never gone to this gym, not one time and seen something I didn't like. Very hopeful. I walk, I look around and I say I would, I would, I would. And now listen, I'm a picky girl. I don't say that About a lot. I don't say that about a lot. But that seems to be where they all are now. That's not why I'm there. But that's a perk. It is a reward for my consistency and dedication to my fitness. So listen, even if maybe like a membership to a place like that isn't where you're at right now, girl, if you want to get a part time job at the front desk, I mean something, something, Listen, I'm telling you it is something to consider and has been some of the best money that I have spent this year because I'm getting a lot stronger, I'm in better shape. I'm actually using the amenities and there's something to look at. Okay? It's giving me hope.
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Hope is giving me hope.
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So take with that information what you will. Next thing I will say Class pass. I do still use Class pass, but I don't use it as much for workout classes now. I mean I've had Class pass for years and for a long time I was using Class Pass to do workout classes. Now that I have a gym membership, I did still keep my Class pass because I actually really like using it for beauty treatments. I got pedicures on Class Pass. I've gotten facials, I've gone to acupuncture, you can get massages, you could even order like food, kind of like a door, doordash type of thing. And it is actually significantly cheaper for me to use it to get, you know, like a pedicure and a facial and acupuncture each month. I can usually do like those three things with my points each month. It's actually a lot more affordable to just pay for it through Class Pass than it is for me to pay for it out of my pocket. So whether you're using Class Pass to take workout classes, which is what I did for years, or you're using it to do more self care and wellness services, both things work. I've gotten my brows done with it. Like literally I've done it all over the years with Class Pass. So if you want to try Class Pass, I do have a link to it in my bio where I believe you can get two weeks free, maybe even up to four weeks free in January depending on when you're listening to this episode. So you can try it out in your area. Now I do think if you do the free trial to Class Pass, you can only use it for workout classes while you do the free trial. And then if you decide to become a member, that's when you can use it for the self care services. So just as a heads up there but I still think it is totally worth it. And if I do ever want to pop into a workout class with a friend who's maybe not a member of my gym, I like knowing that there's a strong chance that the studio is on class pass and it's easy for me to just pop in and out. So like forever Wellness fave. Okay, Next thing that I have been loving this year has been factor meals. So over the past few months I just Cooking hasn't been a thing for me. I think that I did it for so long and I used to create food content and there was even a while where I was like linking to recipes in my sub stack and it was just so much pressure to like find recipes that I thought other people would like and cook and I just haven't had the bandwidth for it and so I've just been ordering meals off a factor for the past few months and it has been so helpful. One, the food is actually really good. Two, I love that they have a lot of high protein options and I find that I'm actually eating more and I'm eating better and I'm actually actually eating enough protein when I use factor than I would if left up to my own devices. Factor is also a lot more affordable than a lot of other meal prep services. So if you're in a season where you're just like I can't cook right now or I need help with lunches, factor can be a really great option for that. I've loved it. I've been paying for it with my own cash monies. I love getting the meals delivered to me every week. I do the eight meals that get delivered every week and that's usually what I will eat for lunches and dinners throughout the week. And then I will like order some groceries online for breakfast, whatever breakfast I decide to make that week. And that has been really helpful for me and it's freed up so much brain space from doing traditional grocery shopping and cooking because I just haven't had it in me to do that. The balance Berry is gone. The version of me that loved cooking. I don't know where she is but she's not here and I haven't seen her in a really long time. I don't know if she will ever return. I'm sure she might eventually but she's not here right now. Next thing, my hatch alarm clock. So I got my hatch alarm clock for Christmas last year so I've Officially been using it for all of 2024 and I love it, especially during the winter. Now that it's winter again, now that the mornings are really dark, I just find having the sunrise feature and the light is so helpful for helping me get up in the morning. I love that I can create different routines with it. I especially love using it as my night routine. I set an alarm to help remind me get ready at night and it has made waking up in the morning and getting ready for bed so much easier because I'm able to create routines that don't require me looking at my phone, which is a win. Now the next thing. And I believe this is my final wellness favorite. And I've talked about it a lot, but I had to give it one more shout out. That is the Invisalign. I put this under wellness because I did truly get Invisalign because I was having some dental issues. My dentist really recommended it, but it is kind of like wellness beauty. Like it's. It's wellness. Yes. Taking care of our teeth, but there is like a beauty vanity aspect. I'm still on my Invisalign journey. However, it has been so worth it. I am loving the progress that I've made with my smile. It has fully transformed my smile and honestly my face. In some ways I saw some content of myself from earlier this year before I started. And even just like my face looked so different and I feel like I look so much better and I look how I am supposed to look and it has just been such a worthwhile investment. Yes, I'm hoping to be done soon but it has absolutely been worth it and is the best money that I've spent in 2024. Okay, next, let's get into the beauty favorites. Now listen, your girl one's puffy. I'm a puffy girl. I just have a puffy face. I'm aware. So I've incorporated ice rolling into my morning routine and it has been really, really helpful. I have the mint roller from the Skinny Confidential. It's like a two sided roller. One side has like a contour side and the other side has a traditional ice roller side. And it feels so good when you wake up in the morning and you have like a puffy face. It wakes you up. It's really easy to travel with and it's just like a great part of my skincare routine. I also have been using the Nuface consistently and I've also found that that's helped me so much Depuff and just have a face that is a little more snatched. I don't know if I'm ever gonna have, like, a super snatched face. But compared to how my face looked before, which was straight puff, puff, I feel like I'm getting a lot better using those two things consistently in the morning. Okay, next favorite. So I want to talk about eyebrows, because my eyebrows have been an issue my entire life, because I have eyebrows that are very coarse and very curly and grow downwards. And so finding solutions to help me take care of my brows has been a lifelong battle. And I think I've settled on what works for me. So what works for me is to maintain an eyebrow lamination in tint. And I sometimes get it done professionally, sometimes do it myself. I will do it myself most often. And then a couple times a year, I'll go in to get it professionally done just to get some tips and tricks to see, you know, what they do and any changes that they may make or recommend to how I do my brows. But I found that that helps so much because my eyebrows are usually so curly and crazy and, like, grow downwards that it does nothing for my face. But having a lamination helps lift my brows up and kind of give me an arch and help helps lift up my face a bit. And then I also tint them just so that I don't have to, like, fill them in every day so that I do every six to eight weeks. Now, the other thing that I like for daily brow styling is the Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel. That is a mouthful, but it's very specific. Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel. Not the Anastasia Brow Freeze, not the traditional Anastasia gel. The Brow Freeze gel is the best brow gel on the market. Take it from somebody who has coarse, curly eyebrows. Okay. My eyebrows are the same texture as my natural hair. It's hard to get them to lay down. And this is like the best brow gel. You put them on and they will not move all day long. It is a little pricey, but it actually works and I think is super worth it. People have been asking me lately all the time what I use on my brows. And I always say the Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel is the best one out there. I will continue repurchasing that product because Anastasia put her foot in it. I will also say for everything that I'm mentioning in this episode, it will all be linked in the show notes below. And I'll also create a post or a shelf specifically on shop my for this episode where every single thing will be. So we will have my shop my linked in the show notes below below directly to the shelf where you can find everything that I'm referencing here. Just just so you know to make it super easy for you.
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The holiday season is here and with it comes the joy of festive gatherings, endless to do lists and maybe a little stress. Now it's all fun and games until the colder weather and busy days start to take a turn toll on just about everything, including our hair. That's why I added Neutropol to my routine this year and it's been a big part of my hair glow up. Nutrafol is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over 1 million people. See thicker, stronger, faster growing hair with less shedding in just three to six months with Nutrafol. I've been taking Nutrafol for about a year and my hair is healthier than it's ever been and I love that you can really tailor it to what you need. They've got different form formulas based on where you are in life, whether that's postpartum, menopause or even if you're plant based. Nutrafol clinically tests final formulations to ensure their efficacy. In fact, 86% of women who tried it reported improved hair health after taking Nutrafol Women's hair growth supplement for six months. Now the cold, dry air of winter can be really unforgiving, but your hair doesn't have to suffer for a limited time. Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter the promo code Balanced Less. Find out why over 4, 500 healthcare professionals and stylists recommend Nutrafol for healthier hair. Nutrafol.com spelled n u t r-a f o l.com promo code balanced less that's nutrafol.com promo code balanced less us let's be real. Finding shoes that are equal parts stylish and comfortable feels like winning the lottery because too often we end up having to choose between one or the other and our feet often pay the price. But not anymore. With Bionic, you don't have to compromise. They've mastered the art of creating footwear that's as chic as it is supportive. So you can feel good and look good no matter what your day holds. Lately, I've been loving the Alameda Mary Jane flat. Now this isn't just a flat that has no support. It is a total game changer. It has a polished, versatile design that's perfect for work, errands or even a night out that's paired with VOM motion technology, so it has unbeatable arch support and cushioning. Now I've worn mine everywhere from running all around town to catching up with friends and my feet felt great weight the entire time. It also has an adjustable strap which is perfect for all day comfort. And here's the kicker. Bionic lets you try their shoes risk free for 30 days. Wear them, really put them to the test, and if they're not for you, return them for a full refund, no questions asked. If you're ready to upgrade your everyday footwear and to feel more comfortable than ever, head to vionication shoes.com and use the code bbg for 15% off your first order. Now just a heads up, it's a one time deal, so don't wait too long. That's vionic shoes.com code bbg for 15%.
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Off YOUR first order. Okay, next beauty favorite that I loved is the L'Ange. I believe that's how you say it, the long blow dryer brush. And I have it in the 65 millimeter size. I believe there's also a 75 millimeter size. So this is basically a blow dryer brush that's like a round brush, although it's shaped a little bit more like an oval. That helps you get a good blowout. I got that brush because it was recommended to me by my hairstylist. She said not to use a Revlon brush brush because it will make your hair break and that it's just too much on your hair. So I ended up ordering this one. Literally while I was in the salon chair, she told me what to order. So I ordered it. And I love it because I love that bouncy blowout look. But I don't have the coordination to be having a blow dryer in one hand and a brush in another. I have too much hair for that. That's just so stressful. That's why I love blow dryer brushes. But I found the other blow dryer brushes that I was using, like the paddle brushes didn't really get my roots good. Like they would get the length of my hair dry and straight, but they wouldn't get my roots straight. And so what I love about the round blow dryer brush is that I can hold my roots taut and it actually gets my roots straight. It gives me good volume, it gives me good shine. So if I can use it, anybody can use it. I also have a lot of hair. My hair is also really long. It's very easy to use, very easy I also have some videos of me doing my full hair routine online where you can see me using it in real time. But if you do want to take better care of your hair, you want a little bit of healthier heat, this is a better way to do it. Now, when I use that brush, I love using the Amica the Wizard heat protectant spray. This is a heat protective spray designed so specifically for blow drying. So it helps detangle your hair and provides heat protection. And it gives me a really smooth, shiny, bouncy blowout. And I also just got a shout out to ama. That brand Amica is really that girl. I am not currently affiliated with Amica, but I would love to be because I buy their products and those are some of the products that work the best on my hair. I love the wizard as a heat protectant. I love their dry shampoo after I work out. I love their shine spray. I love their deep conditioner, the one in the blue tube. Phenomenal Amica is that girl. And I'm seeing more people on Tick Tock be hip to it. And I love it because Amika has great products. Now, another hair product that I really love, the Ouai Detox Shampoo. Baby. I'll go through some bottles of the Ouai Detox shampoo. I think it's one of the best shampoos out there for clarifying without stripping your hair. And I do think that having a nice clean hair in a clean scalp is the key to a good press. So if you are participating in silk press season this year, a good clarifying shampoo is the way to do it. To get any dirt, to get any sweat, to get any product out. When you don't have a bunch of gunk kind of weighing down your hair, that's when you can get the movement. And that is when you can get kind of that fluffy, voluminous press. If that's the look that you're going for. That's the look I'm going for. I really like it. It really starts with clean hair and a clean scalp. And the way Detox shampoo is one that I'm constantly going back to because it's. It just gets my scalp and my hair so clean without stripping it or drying it out. And it also smells amazing. Another hair product that I love, and this one is controversial, but if you follow me on Instagram or if you follow me on TikTok, you see me use it, and that is the Heatless curlers. But here's the thing, here's where people go wrong with the heatless curlers for us. For us. Us, we need heat. I don't think the heatless curlers work very well for us without heat. Unless maybe if you have, like, extensions or something, I think that it can work well on that. But if you have, like, natural hair and you're trying to use heatless curlers without heat, it's not going to work as well. So what I like to do is I will go in and I will curl my hair with a curling iron. While my hair is still hot from the curling iron, I will set it in the heatless curlers, and then I will leave that on overnight, and I'll continue to sleep in it throughout the week. And it makes the curls that I created from the curling iron stay. So you use the heatless curlers to help your hair set so it stays curled. So you only put heat on it to curl one time and then use the heatless curlers to maintain what you did with heat throughout the week. That is how the heatless curlers work for me. When I just do it on straight hair, no heat, it doesn't really work. It'll look good, like, the second I take it out, and then it'll fall 30 seconds later, and it won't last. But it. The key to heatless curlers is a little deceiving. You need a little heat. You. I use them basically as, like, rollers. It's just a little bit easier because you roll bigger sections of your hair at once, and it's, like, more comfortable to sleep in than rollers would be. But it's kind of the same concept. Okay. I want to go into a few makeup and skincare finds. First of all, for skin care, I've been using kind of stuff all over the place, and I find that, like, I like most skin care products, my skin doesn't really react super strongly to most things, and so I can swap out different skincare products and generally be good. But one skincare product that I've tried this year that I really liked, it's a SkinCeuticals PTO Serum. And it's basically like Botox in a bottle. Like, I am pretty sure that that serum reactivated the Botox that I got in my forehead, because I can, like, not move my forehead as well as I could a few months ago. I got Botox in my forehead in April of 2023. Haven't had it since, and it was long gone. And then I started using that serum again, and I feel like if there was any Botox, little bits of Botox still left it, like reactivated it because I can't really move my forehead anymore, just the way I like it. So I'm continuing to use it because I'm curious to see what the results are like over time. I will say it's pricey for a skincare product. I think it's maybe like 150, 15 or like $120 for a bottle of it, but that is way cheaper than Botox. So it's like, you know, six of one half dozen or the other. I don't know. It's not a cheap product, but Botox isn't cheap either. And it's giving Botox in a bottle. And I like it. I like not being able to move my forehead. That's. That's. I like that. So, you know, do with that what you will. Now, as far as body care goes, there are a couple of favorites that I love. 1ocia body oil been that girl will always be that girl. Another favorite, Shea Moisture deodorant. Shea Moisture really did their big one with that deodorant. Now, I tried to be a natural deodorant girly for years. I spent about 10 years trying to be a natural deodorant girly. And the thing about natural deodorant is it works until it doesn't, and it waits until the worst possible time to stop working. And it will humor humiliate you? It is always when you have a big presentation, when you're trying to be cute, when you're outside trying to move around a little bit. That natural deodorant you use that did well for the past three weeks will pick the fourth week to humiliate you. And after years, I just said, you know what? I'm. I'm just. My wellness is going to have to come another way. It's just going to have to come another way because I need. I need some aluminum. I need conventional deodorant, but I want a conventional deodorant that would still had a little skin care in it, a little moisturization. And I've been really loving the Shea Moisture deodorant. They smell good, they keep me protected even through a hot New York summer. Keeps me from sweating, keeps me from being musty, but also just has that little skincare element. So if you do have given up on natural deodorant, maybe try the Shea Moisture one. Next thing, makeup faves. I love the Maybelline mascaras and the Big Lift lip liner. So is that what it's called? The lip vinyl lip liners? Those new lip liners from Maybelline Carry. They're so good, they will last you all day. The color payoff is phenomenal. They're creamy, they're amazing. And then the Maybelline mascaras are that freaking girl. The Falsies, Surreal. Excellent. The Colossal Excellent. The one in the hot pink tube. I'm blanking on the name. Excellent. I've never met a Maybelline mascara that I didn't like. Maybelline has been really carrying this year. So if you are wanting to refresh your makeup bag but you don't, you're ain't got Sephora money. It's okay, I get it. Go to Ulta, go to Target, go get you some Maybelline. Because they've been really doing their big one, particularly with the lip products and with the mascaras I think are some of the strongest out there and better than some of the high performing ones. Ones last beauty favorite is Russian manicures. Now with my nails, I have been all over the map. I have talked a lot about budgeting and how a big part of my financial experience was I had a few years, you know, really during the pandemic through like 2022 where I was very frugal. I lived very minimally and part of that was painting my own nails at home. And if you are on a budget and you have a tight budget, I still stand by that. And if you have a little more wiggle room in your budget and you want to get your nails done, Russian manicures are phenomenal. I was all over the map with it. I used to paint my nails at home and then for a while I was on the press on wagon because I really wanted to resist having a nail salon habit. I really, really did. But I'm on camera all the time, I'm outside all the time. And like having nice nails is something that I like and I just me doing them at home, I wasn't able to keep up. And then me having press ons became really impractical because first of all, press ons and Invisalign don't mix. Literally first day I had Invisalign, I had some press ons on and I was trying to take my aligners out. And this is also before I was like comfortable taking them out. Child. That press on got stuck lodged under the Invisalign and I was like, I'm not doing this while I have Invisalign for the next year. This is not going to work. I also found that like the nails will pop off Even with the really strong glue. And then I would always have like one or two nails that I could not get off no matter what I did. And earlier this year I was at a brunch with some like really amazing successful women and I had two friggin nails because I couldn't get the press ons off. And I said, you know what, I can't do this anymore. I can't do this any more. And I started getting my nails done again, but I started getting Russian manicures because they last so much longer. I like having nice nails, but I'm pretty simple when it comes to nails. I don't need a lot of designs, I don't need a lot of crazy things. I'm usually either a light neutral girly or like a deep red in the fall and winter like I have right now. I keep it cute, I keep it minimal, I keep it single color. And Russian manicures have worked really well for me. They are pricey, but what I found is you only have to get them done every like six weeks as opposed to every two to three weeks. Weeks like regular gel because they don't chip, they don't lift, they do grow out. And then once your nails kind of get too long, then it's time to redo them. But they are meticulous, they last forever, the quality is way better. And I actually spend less money getting my nails done than I did doing regular gel manicures because I now spend like a hundred dollars every six weeks as opposed to like seventy dollars every two weeks. So again, this is something if you have a little more wiggle room in your budget and it's important to you to do, maybe not if you're on like a stronger budgeting journey, if you're on your debt payoff journey, if you're on your personal finance journey, or if you just don't care, then don't do it. But if you do like to get your nails done and you're more of a simple nail girly, highly recommend Russian manicures for efficiency because you get them done once and then they're good for like six plus weeks. And even when I get them redone at six weeks, like the polish still looks good. It's just because my nails have grown out a lot, so very good for the efficiency girlies. So next I'm going to get into my last category and that is fashion and fun. Mostly fashion and a little bit of fun. So if you have been following me for a while, if you've been listening to the show for a while. You know that I am not a big fan personally of alcohol. I have been essentially living a pretty low alcohol lifestyle since my late 20s and I just, I don't really love it. I don't really like drinking it. I might have like a few cocktails a year but like, like alcohol isn't a big part of my life. I don't really like getting drunk. I don't like how it makes me feel. However, life is so crazy and the world is so crazy that me just being fully sober all the time was getting to be a little bit much, I have to say. And so I have lately been enjoying the world of garden beverages. And if you spend time on social media, you know what garden is basically like thc bevies. I mean we can say it. And I have been really enjoying those because I don't want to smoke, I don't vape, I don't, I don't do anything that could harm my precious lungs. But a little, a little bevy that has a little CBD and the other letter mix is you know, just a good time for me. So I've been really enjoying those. So things like you know, nowadays or a cycling frog, you know, those are the vibes that I bring to the function every once in a while when I just want to relax or you know, recently I had a little girls night with some friends and I brought some of those and the way we were all giggling up from enjoying the little garden beverages is just like the edge that I personally needed to take off from raw dogging how crazy everything about life is right now. And it was just the little, little bit of peace and relaxation that I have needed and so definitely been one of my fun favorites is me discovering garden beverages this year. And I'm probably late to the game but I just got into them in 2024 and they have been keeping me sane because life is too much and I've been really enjoying them. But drink responsibly, be of age, don't do anything that is going to harm your health. I have to give all. I'm still me, you know, I'm still going to give all the disclaimers. Okay, next I want to talk a little bit more about just shopping favorites, brands that I've loved, particular items that I've loved. So I would say Nuuly has been that girl for keeping me dressed, suited and booted. I love my newly subscription. I will gladly pay the 98amonth with it. You get six pieces to rent super cute pieces from brands like free people and anthropology and good American and really really cute brands. And I love using it for when I'm traveling, when I'm going to events so that I can mix up my wardrobe without committing to pieces long term. I love renting cute coats for winter that I don't want to have be permanent in my closet. It is just really great for anybody who wants to switch up their wardrobe without breaking the bank. Also great for someone who attends a lot of events. I also do a lot of speaking and I don't want to wear the same outfits over and over. But I also don't want to buy a new outf every time I'm going to something. So Nuuly has been great. I've had a newly subscription for years and is phenomenal. Next thing I would say in terms of shopping places that I really love shopping, I would say Sazon is up there. I'm a big fan of Cezanne. I love Cezanne for things like basics, like this black T shirt that I wear kind of all the time but is such amazing quality is from Cezanne. I have shoes that I love from Cezanne. A lot of my sweaters, like my cardigans in particular are from Cezanne. I also get a lot of dresses from Cezanne. I was introduced to them when I went to Paris last year because it is a French brand and is something that like the Parisian girls love. But I just find that the quality is really great. I love it for really simple styles, really good quality, particularly their cardigans and sweaters. And so this time of year I get a lot of good use out of my Saon pieces. They also have a lot of really great dresses too that I wear during the summer. So saon is like my go to for clothing. I also really love Mango as kind of a go to for clothing and cute accessories. I know I can always go into Mango and find something that I like. I also have been really liking FP Movement for workout clothes because I find that cute workout clothes can be hard to come by. I'm not an Amazon workout clothes girly because I don't think that the quality of those or the fit is particularly good. But I've been really liking the quality, the fit in the style of FP movement. I also have some accessories from them, things like socks and my gym bag that I also really love. And I find it to be good quality while also being really stylish and cute. Quince is another one that I really love. So I love going there for cashmere sweaters, I also have some of my winter coats from Quint. They have really great dupes for things like the Super Puff. I got a really great wool coat that is like actual wool, not polyester for a really great price. They have great jewelry, they have great basics. I also have a few purses from Quince that I love that are real leather and amazing quality. So if you're somebody who is into more of like a quiet luxury vibe, Quince is amazing for that. They have great pieces, great prices, and it's just as like a place that I feel like a lot of people don't talk about. But like, if you know, you know that Quince is that girl. I also really love it for winter accessories. Like, I have some really great gloves that are cashmere lined leather gloves that I got at a great price or like a cashmere headband that I use for keeping my ears warm when I walk to the gym. Just like really great quality pieces sourced from good materials that are also really stylish and cute. Now a few shoe items that I love. One, I would say for cute shoes, when I'm getting maybe heels or trying to be a little bit more trendy, I've really liked Dolce Vita for shoes. I have, you know, flats from them, I have heels from them, I have boots from them. And I find that I can consistently find something that I really like. I'm also a wide girly and I have a lot of like foot issues and I really like that they have wide widths for a lot of their styles. So they're shoes that I can wear comfortably. For workout shoes, I've been really loving the Puma Fuse 3.0. I've been wearing them for months and they're my go to gym shoe for when I'm strength training. And then I really love the Nike Motiva for my walks. I know I've talked about that shoe on the podcast before, but it is such a comfy, cushy and then the last thing I'm going to talk about that is a favorite is home decor. I'm still trying to decorate the dorm room. The dorm room is what I call my apartment because it's a small studio and I actually really love checking out H and M Home for good home decor. They have really cute home decor that matches all different styles at such a great price point. So if you're looking to redo your space but you're balling on a budget, check out H and M Home because they have so many cute pieces. Whether it's throw pillows and candles and vases. I just always find something that I really like and cute little accents cents for my apartment at H and M Home. Okay, that is what I have for you today. Those were all of my favorites from 2024, although there probably are more favorites that I'm forgetting. I feel like that really hits the major ones. Again, everything that I mentioned will be linked in the show notes on my Shop My so make sure you check out my Shop My I will have a shelf specifically for this episode and we will link everything that I have mentioned here so that you can check it out for yourself. If you want to do a little post holiday shopping, if you want to do a little New Year shopping, whatever that looks like for you. Thank you so much for supporting Balance Black girl in 2024. I have loved having you all. I really appreciate you tuning in every week and for all of your support. So Happy New Year. Have an amazing restful holiday and I will see you next.
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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.