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{Life and Links} is a new feature here at Figs and Flights. A few weeks ago I shared my tips, tricks, and favorite products for Falling into Halloween. I loved it and it seemed that you readers did, too.
The motto here at Figs and Flights is "life fueled by food and travel." {Life + Links} is how I'll share my lists for creating a calm, happy, fulfilling life between the food and travel adventures. It will focus on day to day life. The themes will vary seasonally, include tips and tricks and my favorite items aka the stuff that's so good I need to share it with you. Some of the links that I provide will take you will connect you to Amazon while others will not. Here's what I want you to know about the things I'm recommending to you:
Mornings are a peaceful and productive time for me. It wasn't always this way, though.
I caught a small glimmer of myself as a morning person in college on days when I had a test. My routine was to get up EXTRA SUPER early and camp out in a coffee shop. I'd spend several hours there cramming, fueled by plenty of caffeine and a bagel with cream cheese, before a test. I'd take the test, go to my other classes, then head home and nap like a true college champ. Other than those really productive test-day mornings I didn't really do mornings back then. Mornings began to feel like a ticking time bomb as soon as I started working full time. I'd run out the door with wet hair, without eating breakfast or having packing a lunch, feeling totally disheveled and unprepared for the day. I really admired people who showed up to work looking and seeming ready for the day rather than being smacked over the head by it! How did they do that? I didn't set out to find the key to mellow mornings but I did! Here are a few ways I learned to make a better morning routine for myself. 
My favorite morning one-two punch: The Daily Stoic Book & Notes from the Universe on Abundance Cards.
Read All About It.
My mornings began to change when I read the book What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam.
The book taught me a few BIG tips and tricks for making use of those early hours before your time is given away to your family, employer, commute, etc. I love a plan, a list, and a strategy to make something happen. This book gave me the tools and motivation to change my morning routine for the better. I started getting up earlier and making time for myself before I allow anything else to take control of my time. I use the morning now to write blog posts, fold laundry (it's actually my favorite chore), make and eat breakfast, pack my lunch, and slowly get ready for the day while enjoying my coffee. What is that that you've always wanted to do but never had the time to? Maybe you get up 5 mins earlier to read, 15 minutes earlier to drink coffee or tea before your kids are awake, or 30 minutes earlier to practice yoga, stretch, or just sit still in the quiet moments before the chaos of the day. This book is a great way to begin.   
This is the book that changed my mornings!
The Daily Stoic and a Card for Every Day.
My favorite part of a mellow morning is when I sit down for my little daily reading. I pour my coffee or fill up an ice water, grab my book and cards, and settle in for a just a few moments of insight and inspiration for the day.
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday is great. Every day of the year has a short quote from the an ancient scholar and an easy to digest paragraph of how the wisdom of old still translates to today's world. I love moving the ribbon onto the next day and savoring the calming and strengthening words before heading into the daily madness. Notes from the Universe on Abundance by Mike Dooley come in the form of 60 cards. Every morning I shuffle the cards and draw one for myself. It's a super quick and happy little read to remind me that life is abundant, the universe will provide exactly what's needed, and to be HAPPY! This one-two combo is quick and such a good way to set the tone for an amazing morning. These are also a great pair for Christmas this year: the book under the tree and cards in someone's stocking! 
This daily combo is one that I love: a page and a card for each morning, just for me.
Use the iPhone Bedtime Feature.
The iPhone's bedtime feature is a huge improvement over the standard alarm. It's not an app you need to download it's built right into your phone just next to the alarm clock feature.
With bedtime you set the time when you get to bed and the time you plan to wake up. From that you're shown how much sleep you'll get at night and your morning alarm is set. You're sent an alert when your bedtime is approaching! I LOVE being reminded to get ready for bed it's become a welcome reminder to hop in the shower, brush my teeth, and get comfy. The best part is that the alarm sounds with bedtime are so much more calming and gradual than the standard blaring alarm. Do be careful that you turn bedtime off or change the settings on the weekend! 
Give your iPhone's Bedtime Feature a Try!
Create a Morning Soundtrack.
Make the sounds of your morning ones that make you happy whether you're listening at home, in the car, on the bus, or at your desk.
At home in the very early morning I listen to music. Usually it's movie or musical soundtracks or the Bucket List Family's Spotify playlist. You do you, boo! Once I get to work I tune into my favorite podcasts from my desk. I love Before Breakfast, The Skinny Confidential Him & Her, and Oprah's Super Soul Conversations. All three are linked in their photos, below. I just realized that Before Breakfast, the podcast, is the SAME AUTHOR/CREATOR as the book I read. I guess I love you, Laura Vanderkam! 
I've learned to really enjoy my morning before the day gets into full swing and I hope one of these tips or tricks works for you!
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Hello, I'm Angela.Figs and Flights is all about traveling near and far & eating great food both at home and away. 
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