2016 Blog Recap

I'm 100% copying this idea from Kayla Blogs. I loved the idea and decided that even though January is almost over, I wanted to sit down and recap my 2016 year of blogging. It will be fun to look back on in the future.

 

BLOG STATS

Although I'm really not too concerned about numbers (I've been blogging for 7 years and don't make a million dollars a year, so... maybe I should be! Ha!) but I do like to track it at least once a year. I always seem to lose the paper I write my stats on though, so hopefully this will help!

Number of posts published in 2016 // 73

Number of sponsored posts // 27 (wow, almost half of my posts came from sponsored posts/review posts. No wonder I was starting to feel burnt out! I'm looking forward to some fun content this year and still sharing the occasional sponsored post of things I love!)

All time pageviews // 555,095

Twitter Followers // 1,717

Instagram Followers // 2,110

Facebook Likes // 769

Bloglovin Followers // 541

Pinterest Followers // 847


MOST POPULAR POSTS

30 Quick Love Note Ideas //

This post is the Energizer bunny. It is evergreen content that continues to get 8,000+ views a month, which is big for me!

Let's Talk About Anxiety- My Story //

I opened up in this raw and honest post about my mental disorders and how I'm dealing with them, I've had so many people reach out in love with of this post and MUAH! I love you all!

Home Salon Gallery Wall //

I did a collaboration with Deseret Book and created a gallery wall in my home salon. It turned out beautiful and their gallery art pads make it so easy!

Grand Legacy At the Park Hotel Review //

I was SO LUCKY to be able to partner with Grand Legacy when I went to Disneyland in July. We stayed a night and I wrote up this review about it. Since then, we've had many friends and family book at that hotel and they've all loved their stays. Seriously, we love it there.

LipSense Review from a Non-Distributor //

I did a review of LipSense from Senegence back when it was just starting to blow up. I think having an unbiased review made this post so popular. Plus, everyone was curious about it. And... my collection has grown to like 15 colors since. Whoops!


 MY FAVORITE POSTS TO WRITE 

Let's Talk About Anxiety- My Story //

This one makes the list again. It felt so good to write it all out and click PUBLISH even though it was also terrifying.

My New Favorite Hair Care //

This is when I announced my Monat biz launch and it has been a blast ever since! I've seriously found the holy grail of hair care!

What I Hope My Young Women Know //

I loved writing this post. I had some amazing young women's leaders, but these are some of the things I wish someone had told me when I was a teenage girl.

When People Leave //

This post was far from popular, but my heart needed to write it. I was feeling so down because of so many people leaving the church I love, and I wanted to throw my thoughts out there.


MY FAVORITE COLLABORATIONS

Cariloha //

I worked with Cariloha on a few different posts in 2016 and I am OBSESSED. They have the best customer service ever. Here are my reviews for:
Towels
Blankets
Bedding + Blanket 

Deseret Book //

It was a dream to decorate my home salon with Deseret Book! POST HERE. 

Basalt Day Spa //

They were the best! My massage and facial were so relaxing and they were the best hostesses ever. Read my review HERE. 

Rescue Run 5K //

I loved being on the Blog Squad for the Rescue Run 5K! It was the greatest day and they raised a TON of money for Operation Underground Railroad.




So there you have it! May there be many more exciting and wonderful things in 2017!

February Goals // 2017

January was good. Some of my goals changed a little bit as the month went by. For one, I canceled my membership at the gym where I was doing yoga. Honestly, as much as I love yoga it was not my favorite gym to go to. So I switched  to a gym my husband would start attending with me and we have been way more consistent since. If a goal isn't working, CHANGE IT! Goals are supposed to inspire you, not bog you down. I've changed my workout routine a bit which you'll see below. 

So I completed my February Powersheets prep last night and figured while I had some time I would share my February Goals. 

MONTHLY GOALS

+ Schedule next 2 dentist appointments. (This is something that has been in my mind for MONTHS. I need to make this happen so I'm just going to schedule my next two to get it over with.)

+ Set phone to be on "Do Not Disturb" from 9 pm - 8 am each day. 

+ Turn off social media "dings" (I've been meaning to do this for awhile, so I figured I may as well make it a goal!) 

+ Read 2 books

+ Write Monat Thank You's (I've been so blessed by support in my Monat business and want people to know how grateful I am for their support!)

+ CPR/First Aid Certification (This is a specific step toward Foster Care licensure. We are getting closer!)

+ Brainstorm sesh for my secret project (Ahhh I'm so excited. Stay tuned for more info)

+ Temple Date Night

+ Clean Out Closet 

+  Plan March Powersheets

WEEKLY GOALS 

+ Write & Post a Blog Post 

+ Journal (I've been slacking at my Sunday journal writing and want to get back into this habit) 

+ Write Colten a love note 

+ BBG 1 (I'm doing the Kayla Itsines BBG Workouts, but I'm modifying just a little bit to respect my body. I'll be doing 2 of the workouts each week!) 

+ BBG 2

+ Prayer Warrior Journal (I really want to spend some more time in quiet and prayer. I've been wishing I could do more to help the world, and while I know praying doesn't solve anything, I do believe that God has so many blessings waiting for us, we just have to ask! I'll also be asking for prayer requests each week, so watch for those!) 

DAILY GOALS 

+ Greens (Green smoothie, It Works Greens, Actual Green Veggies, Terra Greens from Doterra I don't care! I've just gotta do it.) 

+ Scriptures 

+ Skincare Routine (Still trying to make this a habit!) 

+ 10 Push Ups ( I have the weakest upper arm strength so I'm hoping this might at least help a little!) 

+ Biz Post (Monat, Salon, Doterra or Blog. Just something that spreads the word of the things I love!) 

+ Talk to God 

+ Kiss Colten 

Now tell me, what are your February goals! If you blog, leave me a link below so I can come read! 

Why I Joined Monat- Even Though I Previously Hated MLMs

A little over a year ago I read about Monat on another bloggers post. I was intrigued, because as a hairstylist I had tried everything. I was using top-of-the-line, incredibly high-end, expensive hair care. I thought it was making a big difference on my hair, but I entered her giveaway for free product just in case. I didn't win, and I mostly forgot about it. 

I watched her continue to work her biz. Occasionally she shared posts about the products and also about the business. I kinda just sat back and watched, but the more I watched, the more interested I became.

When I finally took the leap to try the products, I did it for one reason only: 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. I knew that if I did not like the products I could return them and get my money back, it was risk-free! 

After my first wash I was hooked. I immediately signed up as a Market Partner. I figured, worst-case scenario I was going to get an amazing discount on these products. And best-case scenario I could make a little extra money to help my little family as we started foster care.

I honestly hated MLMs before this. I had purchased products from a few, and had many that I liked. I hated them because I felt like the selling of an MLM product consumes the life of the seller. I felt like they try so hard to sell that they come across as really insincere and pushy.

I promised myself when I signed up that I would not be cold-messaging people. Is that a way to grow a MLM business quickly? Yes! But it wasn't my style. I've taken a more hands-off approach and even though I'm not making $10,000/month I AM making money and making enough that it is worth it.

I saw the beauty of MLMs as I did my research. Instead of paying for millions in advertising, Direct Sales companies pay that advertising budget out to their consultants/Market Partners/sales people. It's not a scam, it's not a pyramid-scheme. In fact, often times Market Partners can outrank those they signed up under.

We have a great product. I've never used anything on my hair that actually helped solve my hair traumas. My mother, my friends, people I met on the internet are USING this product from ME and love it! People I thought would never buy from me, people I did not pressure, but I allowed them to make the choice.

I am here to educate not sell. If you have questions about hair products I will answer them, even if they are not about Monat. I love talking about Monat because I believe in the company, I believe in the ingredients, in the clinical trials, and in the before & afters that I share. I call it magical shampoo because it has transformed my hair.

If you have been watching and are interested in trying the product and/or joining this booming business, email me at brooklynjolley@hotmail.com with Subject Line: "Monat Love". I would be happy to see if this would be a good fit for you!

SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium >> Review

If you live in Northern Utah, you've probably heard of SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium in Layton. It's conveniently located in the Layton Hills Mall, and I've finally had the opportunity to check it out. 

In exchange for a review post, SeaQuest has given me a free annual pass, but don't you worry because I always keep it honest here! 

First of all, SeaQuest has a Fiiz Drinks station at the entrance of the aquarium! That is seriously one of my favorite things about going! Plus, with each drink purchase you get a free token to do an activity (or purchase some small trinkets in the gift shop) which normally cost about $2.50. So it basically makes your drink free! (Or at least that's what I tell myself LOL!) 

I nanny my nephew 1x a week and I LOVE spending that time with him. We almost always find ourselves at the aquarium to see the "shishies". Here are a few of the things you can see there...

> Amazon Rainforest: Freshwater Stingrays, Caiman Alligator, Iguanas, Snapping Turtle

> California Coast: Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eel, Starfish, Anemones, Moon Jellyfish

> Creatures of Light: Giant Scorpion, Axolotl, Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

> Mayan Jungle: Eels, Coral and Reef Fish, Brazilian Seahorse, River Fish

> The Boardwalk: Macaws, Doctor Fish, Interactive Activities, Exploratory Games

> Shark Lagoon: Grey Smooth Hound Shark, Bamboo Shark, Nurse Shark, Green Moray Eels

> Caribbean Cove: Cownose Rays, Southern Rays, Bat Rays, Blacktip Sharks, Leopard Sharks

> Egyptian Desert: Giant Sulcata Tortoise, Black & White Tegu Lizards, Coconut Crabs, Baby Turtles

> Pirate Ship: Yellow Tangs, Blue Tangs, Emperor Angels, Queen Angels, Lionfish

> Meet the Mermaids

(learn more about various exhibits here) 

And for additional cost you can swim with the Stingrays or get a Fish Pedicure! I totally need to get a fish pedicure soon. 

Another cool option is you can pre-schedule babysitting! For $5/hour you can drop your child off and do some shopping around the Layton Hills Mall while they take your child/children around the aquarium and participate in some super fun activities, just don't forget your Fiiz drink. ;) 

I am so excited to take my husband back to the aquarium and I love taking my nephew each week! My only complaint is that at certain hours of the day it can get REALLY busy, we went over Christmas break and we had quite a wait to get in. But honestly, that's why I would recommend the annual pass, because that way, if it's busy, you don't have to stay as long and you can come back as often as you'd like!

I'd definitely recommend the SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium, it is such a fun family activity, and absolutely worth splurging for the annual pass!  

What Is Oil Pulling? + My Results!!

About a year ago I saw a post about Oil Pulling. Oil Pulling is an oral detoxification through the process of swishing tablespoon of oil (I use coconut oil) in your mouth for 5-20 minutes.

I started to read more about the benefits and last month I decided I really wanted to give it a try. I purchased some organic coconut oil, some Clove essential oil and gave it a try.

Some of the benefits of oil pulling: 

> Whitens Teeth

> Reduces Headaches

> Detoxes the Body

> Keeps Skin Clear

> Reduces Plaque

> Reduces Cavities

> Helps TMJ

After two weeks of oil pulling, here are my results...

I was SHOCKED! I'm so glad I had a before picture to compare it to because holy crap! 

I've been using about a tablespoon of oil + 1-2 drops of Clove Essential Oil, and swishing it around for 5-20 minutes. I'll be honest, when I first started, I GAGGED on it. I gagged the first few times, and I could only swish for a few minutes. Now I am up to about 15 minutes a time and no gagging. It has gotten so much easier. I usually walk around and do other things while I swish or I sit and read on my Kindle. 

Clove cleanses the mouth and gums as well as promotes fresh breath. So it's kind of like you're just taking your oil pulling one step farther! I ended up purchasing a full size Clove and a HUGE jar of Coconut Oil after seeing my results! This is definitely one part of my nightly routine I will be continuing with.

Have you ever tried Oil Pulling?

3 Months Vegetarian- Why I Started Eating Vegetarian

Today is my 3 month mark since I started eating vegetarian. It has FLOWN by. I remember when I first started tossing the idea around over the summer and I was too afraid to take the leap. After reading The China Study it was just the push I needed to give it a try. I've now made it three months and haven't had even a bite of meat and honestly, I'm SO HAPPY! 

Eating vegetarian has done so many things for me.  It has helped clear up most of my IBS symptoms (sorry if that's tmi but it's true! and I'm 100% sure they'd clear up completely if I gave up dairy), it helped clear up my skin, has given me more energy, and has pushed me to try new things! 

I remember when I first got married, my husband randomly purchased clearance black bean burgers and I thought he was a freak. Back then, the idea of being vegetarian hadn't even really crossed my mind. Ever. 

The decision slowly crept in over time, an old co-worker of mine was vegetarian. She didn't ever make a big deal about it, but I remember when we all ordered lunch from Zupas and they forgot to leave the meat off her salad and that was when I learned she was vegetarian. I kinda looked up to her. I didn't know at the time, but about 6 months after, I was gonna become a vegetarian myself! 

There are a few things that led me to research animal products and a few things that gave me the final push. So I figured I'd share a few of those things. 

+ I had been reading and studying The Word of Wisdom. It is a law of health provided by the Lord to help us improve and care for our physical bodies and our spirits. One of the things it says is that meat is to be eaten sparingly. In the average American diet we eat SO MUCH MEAT. Some people can't even imagine "Meatless Monday" or "Vegetarian before dinner", because meat is such a staple in their life. This weighed on my heart and mind for quite awhile and I noticed every bite of meat that went into my mouth and knew it was not eaten sparingly. 

+ I watched "Vegucated" which was my first exposure to the effects animal products have on our bodies. My mind was blown! I learned so much about cholesterol and blood pressure and how animal products affected us. This was a big push towards vegetarian. It also had a few factory farm scenes and... BLAH.

+ I watched Cowspiracy which follows a little more of the environmental side of animal farming. 

+ I read "The China Study" which shows the science behind nutrition, where and why we get so much incorrect nutrition info (Every few pages I yelled, "IT'S ALL A CONSPIRACY MAN!" It took me awhile to get through this book because it's a lot of info. 

+ Following vegan bloggers like Annie helped me see other people who were having great results eating vegetarian/vegan and it made me want to get my own results. 

One day I randomly woke up and said, "This is the day, I'm gonna do it!" And on October 9th, I did. I started eating vegetarian and haven't had a bite of meat since. I honestly don't miss it! The only time I do is if I let myself get too hungry and I want to swing through a fast-food place for a burger or chicken nuggets. I've tried so many yummy foods that I would never have tried (quinoa burgers! YUM!) before going vegetarian, I've started cooking more. I've been meal-planning. I've tried meatless meats and love almost every single one I've tried! I've been enjoying every step of the way.

Each day feels like a victory. Saving animals and my IBS one day at a time. ;)

January Goals

I wrote a post earlier this week about my 2017 goals. They are very broad, long-term goals and each month I plan to zero in on a few of them to really make them come to life! I use the Powersheets from Cultivate What Matters (which have been an amazing tool for me!) and they narrow it down to daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Here are my January goals.

DAILY 

+ Oil pulling

+ SIT time (This is my scripture study/meditation/journal time)

+ Yoga Practice

+ Post about Monat

+ Greens (Right now I'm using It Works Greens from Colleen!)

+ Probiotic (I'm currently taking a probiotic from GNC)

+ Skincare Routine 

WEEKLY

+ Blog

+ Read for 30 minutes straight (I try to read daily but I want to really enjoy 30 minutes of pure, undistracted reading

+ Date night

+ Meal Plan

+ Cook a new recipe

MONTHLY 

+ Create a weekly cleaning routine

+ Buy a vegan cookbook

+ Finish foster care licensure

+ January Monat posting plan to simplify business

+ Temple Date

+ Workout Schedule for January

+ 3 hour "Brooklyn Date"

I am SO excited to continue working on these goals. 2017 is going to be AMAZING!

2017 GOALS

I LOVE FRESH STARTS!! I love celebrating a brand new year every single January. I find so much energy and power in starting over, and while you can make every single day a fresh start, there is something so refreshing about January 1st. 

I've got some BIG dreams and goals for 2017. I spent December filling out my Powersheets from Cultivate What Matters. They really help me uncover what will make my year the most purposeful one yet.

Here are my 10 goals for 2017...

1 // Enjoy daily SIT time (scritpure study, journaling, meditation) for at least 5 minutes

2// Attend 100 yoga classes

3 // Create daily health habits (greens, probiotic, more vegan meals, cook new recipes, meditation, meal planning) 

4 // Finish foster care licensing and become a foster mom

 5 // Tend my marriage well

6 // Continue to work my Monat business & donate 50% of profits to Utah Foster Care

7 // Make home more holy through cleanliness

8 // Get ready head to toe each day (hair, makeup, outfit, shoes, stop biting nails) 

9 // Read 12+ books 

10 // Blog Weekly 

The goals are fluid. I may not work on every single one every single month but they are my long term goals, so I wanted them in writing. My January goals dial in on few of them, and I'll try to share them this week, , but I wanted to share my over-arching views of what 2017 will look like.

So tell me, what does your 2017 hold for you??