Amy Villarreal

My Five Favorite Gift Ideas of 2020

We may be less than 15 days from the big day (Christmas), but there’s still time to find some perfect gifts. Or, save these in your browser for next year…

Best Stocking Stuffers

Modern, Non Damaging Pony Tail Holders

Have you heard of the Pony-O? This little magical ring is so much more than a hair tie, it’s a piece of art. These little rings come in several different styles and colors, but essentially hold up a classic pony tail with more volume and less hair breakage than a normal hair tie. They are the perfect stocking stuffer because they’re small, affordable (less than $10 USD for each band), and usually there’s some sort of deal for buying more than one.

Visit PonyO.com

Luxury CBD Bath Bombs

One of my absolute favorite gifts are those that bring little bits of mindfulness and joy to others. So, this CBD bath bomb set is a great stocking stuffer for any family or friend that enjoys a nice bath and some relaxation. The combo pack is the best because you can get all 4 scents in one shipment for less than $15 USD each. That’s four gifts for under $50!

Shop CBD Bath Bombs

Best Gifts for Anyone

The Bullet Journal

I’m a big fan of organization, but the Bullet Journal notebook takes it to a whole other level. In fact, there’s a whole method to it. So, not only does this gift give the magic of better note taking and tracking, but it also comes with a whole system to learn how to use. Bullet Journaling is something of an art actually. If you know someone who is both creative and enjoys keeping things very tidy, then this is definitely a gift they will appreciate. If you’re feeling really giving, you can also add the Bullet Journal Method book to the mix.

Shop the Bullet Journal

Cocktail Courier’s Finest Mixes

The holidays are festive and expensive, why not give someone the gift of pre-crafted libations? These drinks are expertly curated and come with all the necessary ingredients to make a no-fuss specialty cocktail. The gift recipient doesn’t need to be a bartender to get these right, and impress their holiday guests… or their Instagram feed! My personal favorite is the Cinnamon Smash, which looks wintry and festive, oh and very boozy!

Shop Cocktail Courier

Fulfill Someone’s Travel Dream

It’s still going to be a while until traveling is back to where it used to be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help someone start collecting the cash to get to that next destination on their travel list. Share optimism and hopefulness by giving a flight gift card to your favorite travel buddy. I bet you may not have even known you can give away a flight gift card, but it’s possible. And, they have no expiration date, so it makes it perfect to hold on to and use whenever the time is here to travel once again!

Shop AA.com Gift Cards

Happy Holidays and enjoy the gift giving!

Dallas Breakfast Restaurant Review: Ascension at Cypress Waters

*Pure opinions expressed in this blog. Not a paid ad.

Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden gem of a restaurant and thought to yourself, “I could come here every morning for the rest of my life.” That’s what I like to call a true restaurant relationship. And, I’d rank Ascension at the top my list of places I’m committed to. In fact, if this was a relationship, I’d say we’re pretty serious.

So, what is it that made me fall in love with it? Let’s start with my favorite topic, the ambience.

Ascension Coffee Food & Wine - Cypress Waters — Outside Ascension Cypress Waters with Iced Americano (Original Photo)

Ascension Dallas Vibes

As you walk through the beautiful surroundings of Cypress Waters, you’ll stumble upon a brick building with bright red awnings. There are about a dozen or more patio seats situated just beside a beautiful bell tower structure that is more art than anything. It overlooks a small lake that’s grassy edges are littered with art sculptures.

It looks more like a marketplace from first glance. But it’s a picturesque boutique of a restaurant that seems unassuming. When you enter the building there’s a sense of a neighborhood hangout. It feels warm, the staff is friendly, and you’ll find that everywhere you sit is comfortable.

As you pass the small pastries counter and the blackboard that gets handwritten chalk updates daily with new specials, you’ll find a mural wall with the word “community“. I think it was this word that really made me feel like I was in a good place while I sat there one morning sipping on coffee and studying. It really does embody the neighborhood feel that you want out of a local breakfast hangout.

Ascension Coffee Food & Wine - Cypress Waters in Dallas — Inside Ascension Cypress Waters (Original Photo)

But of course, you can’t miss the beauty of the lighting at this place. A mixed array of wooden chandeliers decorates the sitting area. With matching wood accents and a natural bohemian vibes throughout, there’s a feeling of warmth and comfortability that is just so necessary in the morning.

My favorite touch is the little red accents that peek out around the restaurant. Subtle cups, signage, and flowers round out the branding.

The Coffee & The Food at Ascension Cypress Waters

I’m a coffee snob… I will admit. So, it’s a real deal when I can say that a restaurant truly has amazing coffee. Ascension does coffee well. It’s always the perfect temperature, it’s creamy, bold, and made with a perfection that is true of any real coffeehouse. They even put the pretty designed leaves in every latte.

This is why it amazes me that their food is so delicious as well! My go-to order is the Poached Eggs + Hippie Toast, it’s always perfectly cooked and comes with a sweet potato and yukon potato mix that is the perfect side. You can pretty much call this a healthier option, not just a regular potatoes and eggs meal. The bacon is perfectly crunchy and the toast is thick. But, it’s the jam that really rounds this out. It’s preserves with real fruit, which makes it not too sweet and just tangy enough to be different.

But, don’t be fooled by the seemingly posh provisions, the portions are well done. It’s not too overwhelming to make you feel gluttonous, but not too small as to be pretentious.

Shamelessly, I will say that the Espresso Cruffin is something of a magical delight. Sweets aren’t always my go-to morning dish, but when in need… The cruffin combines the flaky, buttery texture of a croissant with the structure of a muffin. It’s esspresso flavored cream filling reminds me a bit of a boston cream donut, but with the perfect amount of sweetness.

For the person who maybe is missing that morning Croissant and Jam like you get when you travel through Europe, take a little mental vacay while nibbling on quite possibly the best croissant in Dallas here. Flaky, buttery, perfection. I’ve had my best mornings sitting on the patio, watching the lake and enjoying a Croissant.

Although I’ve never tried it, the Sunrise Bowl sounds like a delicious treat with coconut yogurt and passion fruit puree. The real callout is the edible flowers! This is certainly on my to-do list.

And, did I mention they have amazing coffee? My go-to is an Oat Milk Latte, but can vouch for the Iced Americano as well.

Overall Review Rating Score of Ascension at Cypress Waters in Dallas, Texas

9/10

Overall, for the environment, the quality, the service, and the food and drinks, I’d give Ascension a 9 out of 10. It’s in a great location, as well, especially for families. I highly recommend giving this place a try.

Enjoy your next meal! Don’t forget to give thanks for it…

CBD Oil: Myths and Facts

I’m a CBD lover… I swear by it. Other people are not so convinced, but there is a real truth to the powers of CBD oil. Here are a few of the myths and facts behind the magic.

Top 3 Myths About CBD

1. CBD Oil Doesn’t Work

Before you go too far down this road, let me explain something… CBD is not THC. If you’re hoping you’re going to try it for the first time and feel instant effects of CBD oil, then you’re doing this all wrong. CBD is what I like to call a therapy. Therapy works over time and usually you’ll start to feel better with several doses/treatments. When you’re not getting your therapy, you’ll notice the effects.

2. CBD Will Make You High

Well, I can’t even explain how very wrong this is. Again, THC is the chemical compound that’s attributed to immediate effects of feeling high. You’re not going to feel any sort of psychosis with CBD oil. Some products do help with sleep as it is a calming therapy, but CBD is not a known sleep aid.

3. CBD is Unregulated and Unsafe

The only comment I’ll make on this is you get what you pay for. It’s not recommended to purchase CBD from unknown sources, or try to find it for cheap online. There are plenty of companies that are safely creating high-quality CBD. When you’ve found a good company, they will provide lab results and certifications such as these here. Find yourself a good, quality company to source your CBD from and you’ll be fine!

Top 3 Facts About CBD Oil

1. CBD is Helpful for Anxiety

If you carry a lot of worry and stress, then CBD is the saving grace you may need. As I like to say, I got 99 problems, and CBD solved like 84 of them… The calming effects of CBD go a long way. Over time, it can help you cope with major life events, deal with your anxiety, and get better rest because of it.

2. CBD Can Help Your Pets

Yes, even pets need relief from anxiety and stress too! I’ve heard stories about dogs that get anxiety when their humans are away during the day, causing all sorts of messes and constant stress. CBD oil sprays and drops can have very similar effects on dogs, cats, and other animals.

3. There’s More to CBD Than Calming Effects

Not only has CBD really come out strong as a wellness and overall calming product, but we have also discovered the positive effects it has on skin, cell regeneration, immune system function, digestion and even energy and blood sugar levels. CBD has a lot of power to help overall wellbeing and to help you get on track to reach your fitness and lifestyle goals (especially as we head into a new year).

My Top CBD Products

Can’t decide on which CBD oil product to try? No problem! I’ve got some excellent choices for you to check out. My personal top choice is this 300 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil. It’s a great product for anyone who is just looking for some calming effects. I notice it’s especially helpful come time for “that time of the month” and ladies, it does help tremendously with cramps and pains.

300MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil Drops by CTFO

Buy Now – $49.97 Wholesale

Want something with a little more “oomph”? If you’re looking for something to help with intense pain, like that from arthritis, or severe anxiety, then this 10x Pure product is definitely worth it. Sure the price tag is a little more, but the 10x Pure product is 10 time more effective than anything else on the market right now.

10x Pure 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil Drops by CTFO

Buy Now – $99.97 Wholesale

For relief of things like joint and muscle pain, this healing relief cream is infused with CBD and emu oil to provide deep comfort.

500 MG CBD Ultimate Healing Relief Cream with Emu Oil

Buy Now – $79.97 Wholesale

Want to take your bath time to another level? I especially love this product when I’m feel achy or sore. These bath bombs also make for an amazing Christmas gift idea! You can also purchase them indvidually for $14.97 each.

CBD Bath Bomb Combo Pack – Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus & Grapefruit

Buy Now – $49.97 Wholesale

Want to chat more about CBD and what products are available to help you? Send a message to the CBD Babe on Instagram or find me on Twitter @IntentlyAmy.

Be well.

Finding Balance

Well hello last month of 2020…. we’ve been waiting for you! If it wasn’t bad enough that this year brought on a whole new level of public health fears and political anxiety, there was a lot of personal life struggles that came with it too. There are probably very few people that could say 2020 didn’t have some sort of personal life rattling event.

So now, we’re all about this “new normal”, whatever that means for you. Hence why I thought I’d share a little bit about finding balance in this crazy, hectic life because now more than ever we need to find harmony.

How do you juggle all the chaos without pulling out your hair and losing your mind? I’d say a lot of deep breaths, anti-worrying techniques, and intentional movements through it all… But, here are some practical ways you can start attracting a balanced lifestyle.

Identifying the Imbalance in Your Life

First, let’s start off by pointing out that not everyone knows exactly why their life feels out of sorts. Maybe you wake up with anxiety or go to sleep with worry and you can’t pin point exactly where it’s coming from. After all, isn’t EVERYTHING a reason for worry? Trust me, I know from experience that the minute you start thinking about the things that cause you anxiety, it all starts pouring in and you can’t stop the noise.

The first thing to do in this situation is to start listing all the reasons you actually have to worry. Truly identify the reasons and put them on paper. Take a moment to do this now…

… do it.

Now, hopefully after writing down these things you notice that there isn’t actually a whole lot on the list that either a) you can control, b) will impact your life significantly, or c) is long-term. In fact, looking at this list, I hope you realize that worries are sometimes over dramatized in our minds. When we actually sort them out and identify them, they become much much smaller.

Only Focus on What You Can Control

Here is your opportunity now to really take things into your own hands. Find those things on the list that are in your control. These should be things that can be stopped, helped, or avoided by taking an action.

For example, if you have a lot of anxiety about an upcoming test, then that’s in your control. To eliminate anxiety about the test, you can study and that will give you the confidence and tools to do well so you don’t have to worry about it.

Highlight all the things on that list that are actionable…. you can also circle them, put stickers next to them, write them out even bigger. Whatever you choose to do, call it out and separate it from the other things that you cannot control.

Prioritize Actioning your Anxieties Away

We’re at our final step. This is where you actually put your anxieties into check. You have all the power now… do you feel it?

In this step, I want you to put down in your agenda or calendar, whatever you use, time to action those things you highlighted above. Make time for it in your calendar because when you prioritize working on these things that means you are cleansing yourself of the anxiety associated with not taking action.

Most people would say, Amy, this is stupid because it’s too simple. But, I’d argue that the most simple things do not come easy to people. It’s really difficult to plan in time to address your anxiety and most of the time it’s because it takes doing things we probably don’t want to do.

Back to my example, studying doesn’t always feel like a whole lot of fun. Planning in time to do this is a discipline, and that’s where a majority of people will fail. They will not take time to be disciplined in their actions and to do the things that aren’t the fun things to do.

So, as we end this year with a solid effort to make it as great as possible, I encourage you to plan in those anti-worrying activities. Change your habits and make an effort to do the things no one else will do. A great benefit will be getting some better sleep going into 2021. End this year with peace and balance.

Namaste (<that felt right),
Amy

“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.” -Darren Hardy

How To Write Your Vision Statement

In my last blog, I explained what vision casting is and how to use it to guide your life path. In this post, I’ll share exactly how to create that vision statement and what the process takes.

As I mentioned before, this is a pretty creative process. Writing a vision statement takes reflection, brainstorming, and a lot of critical thinking. If this isn’t something you’re used to doing, then it may feel a little uncomfortable at times.

Be willing to take a risk with your vision statement. Step outside of your comfort zone and really dig deep for what it is you want out of your life. So, as you get started, preparing to write your vision out, be sure to think about the basics of a vision.

I’ll write these out in question form so you can come back and ask yourself these questions along the way.

What are the emotions and sentiments you would like to feel about your life and your journey? ie. “I am proud” or “I am amazed“
What impact do you want to make on the world?
Where do you imagine yourself being and who are you surrounded by?
Is there a certain thing you want people to remember you for?
What is life like for you in 15 – 20 years?

The Steps of Vision Casting

To vision cast properly, you need to be prepared to look beyond your present situation. Remember, that a vision is something you aspire to create. It’s a place you want to be, not something you already have achieved. That’s what so magical about a vision. You have to believe that anything is possible.

To think through your personal vision, there are three simple steps. Each step in your vision process can be done throughout your day, or at an optimal time when you feel you have the most peace.

The important part of this is being sure that you have time to clearly think through what you actually want. You need to be able to spend time with yourself in an uninterrupted space, even if it’s just for 10 – 15 minutes.

Let Your Creativity Flow
Let Your Ideas Settle
Write it Down and Reflect

Let’s dive deeper into each step.

The First Step of Vision Casting

The first step to crafting the perfect vision is the exploration phase. Some people consider this brainstorming or ideation, but it doesn’t matter what you call it. The only important part of this phase is that you write down every possibility of what you want for your future.

You see, most people don’t really know what they want. They want everything. Sure, it all sounds good. But, that’s not realistic. You need your version of the best possible outcome, so that it’s clear in your life path.

If you’re uncomfortable writing statements, or don’t have a lot of experience writing, then just bullet point out your answers. Be as specific as possible and write every single idea down, even if at the moment you know it’s not right. You’ll have time to sort that out later.

The Second Step of Vision Casting

After you’ve written down all your thoughts, the next step is let it all sit for a while. Yes, that means leave all your thoughts on that piece of paper or notepad or document on your laptop and move on for a bit. The most critical thing you can do in your process is to allow your brain to really process it all.

Processing your vision will give your brain time and space to clarify. I highly recommend meditating on the ideas that you brainstormed. Take time to sit in a quiet space, close your eyes, and reflect on the ideas you have for your future.

The Third Step of Vision Casting

it’s time to start writing your statement out. Keep in mind that your vision statement can change. You can evolve.

The structure of a vision statement is pretty simple. It’s your end state, your impact, your surroundings, and finally your time frame.

In most vision statements, the time frame is not really mentioned, but I really believe a personal vision statement should have an understanding of when it’s occurring. As you get older, you’ll create new vision statements for further in your life. It’s essential to always have a goal for where you want to go.

As you write out your vision statement, make sure it’s clear. Write it down on paper and put it somewhere where you can reference it maybe once a week or if you’re feeling committed, every day. I wrote my vision statement in my goals and gratitude journal. It’s a simple journal where I write my gratitudes and thoughts each day and I have my vision statement bookmarked to reference.

Enjoy the process!

What is Vision Casting for Personal Growth

In the business world, vision casting is a term used amongst organizational leaders. The leadership at a company may go through a time when they are establishing the vision for the company, which involves writing out a vision statement, making sure their values and daily practices live up to the vision, and helping their employees to see the vision. But, this business practice of vision casting serves a lot of purpose in personal growth as well.

As you learn to live your life more intentionally, you’ll need something to root you. A vision can help you establish goals, find the path you need to take, and keep you centered along the way. In this short blog, I’ll share with you why it’s important to vision cast. Then, in a few follow up blogs I will break down how to write a vision statement, resources to help guide your vision, and my personal journey through vision casting.

Why Vision Casting Works

Diligence is the mother of good luck.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.), 2006

There are a lot of debates on the internet about whether success is an outcome of luck or a result of hard work. Many people would agree success is guaranteed with hard work, but some do occasionally get lucky. Others, like Malcolm Gladwell would argue that it’s a little bit of both. You need to be in the right place at the right time. There may even be situations in which that path was just not meant for you.

So, what is it that actually makes someone become out-this-world successful and achieve their lifelong dreams? For me, the perfect summation to the factors attributed to success is vision.

The universe is a funny place. We are all connected in some magical way and the thoughts, emotions, and suggestions we put into the world tend to have a way of nudging things along. I don’t believe that we can alter destiny, but I do believe we choose the path we want to take. And it’s simple, it’s with our thoughts.

When we can tap into our thoughts and use them to direct the choices that we make each day, and develop the experiences that happen, then we are becoming more enveloped in our universe. If you’re up for going down this path a little more and reading about how to become “one with the universe” check out the EOC Institute’s blog on using meditation.

So, vision casting works because it drives the focus of your thoughts.

The Basic Architecture of a Vision

There are a few basic elements that make up the structure for a good vision. Of course, you’ll want to write it down, but it may take a while to develop. So, consider this a creative journey. If you’re someone who isn’t really into writing or being creative, use bullet points, short hand writing, and don’t stress too much about how you say something, but more so what it is you’re trying to say.

Remember that a vision is more inspirational and aspirational than it is actionable. It is meant to guide your future and give you purpose and clarity throughout your journey. You should be able to craft actionable goals based on your vision.

A vision is made up of five elements:

A desired end state, which is more than a feeling but includes the state of being you’re in, perhaps values, health, achievements
Your impact on the world around you, or your ultimate contribution
The environment you see yourself in or the people that you’re surrounded by
The values you project long-term, or who people will perceive you as
It’s long term, so it’s aimed at who you are 10 – 20 years from now

I’ll leave you with this final note. A vision statement can be as long or as short as you want it to be. It can be as simple as:

Each day, I wake up with a feeling of pride for my life’s achievements and my family’s impact on the world to make it a better place to live for our future generations.
Short vision statement example

You can imagine with this vision statement above, that this person has a family that is dedicated to helping their community and contributing to society. That is their form of success.

Start to think about your vision and what success looks like to you in your future. If you could look forward to 20 years from now, what would make you feel successful? In the next blog in this series, I’ll explain how to write your perfect (but ever evolving) vision statement.