Just Aly

Kittens LOVE Lavender, they HATE Peppermint

I thrive off being busy. I’m more efficient with my time, I get more done, and I have such a feeling of accomplishment because I am so productive.

Getting married within the next year, and with family planning EVER on my mind, I felt the need to start to think “what will I do for extra income when we want to start a family”. My income will continue to grow of course from my day job, but with my student loans, wanting to be able to give my family the best life possible, I feel an extra side income will be helpful for at least the immediate future.

Currently bartending on the side is very gratifying, I love meeting new people, the hustle and bustle of a busy shift and the energy boost that comes from it… But it is also VERY taxing, tiring and takes a toll when I work late and have to get up at 7 am to work out and then work my normal day. While I will continue to bartend for the next very long while, I wanted to find something that could bring in some extra money NOW before the wedding, and help with a house, savings fund, life, pay off my loans a little more… you name it.

Because who doesn’t want to work THREE jobs???

In my search for something extra I could do, without taking up too much of my VERY limited free time, and something that would also benefit my life, health and mental wellbeing, I started to look into the new-age Tupperware parties… ItWorks, Beach body, Roden & Fields, Stella & Dot, etc…

In doing my research, I wanted to find something i truly believed in, could use myself and would feel comfortable “sharing” to my friends, family & strangers.

Initially, I was approached by a girl on Instagram, who I didn’t know, to “try her products, because I’m gorgeous & she wanted me for her profile…” #Flattered – Ok… I’ll bite… So she gave me the spiel, naturally it was a sales pitch to BUY her products which were ItWorks – When she wanted me to BUY the products to then try, to then be used on her profile, I immediately said no… because #BudgetLife – I am on a VERY strict budget…

So then she immediately went into her “distributor life sales pitch” – which knowing the direct sales business very intimately and how MLM’s work I knew how to do my homework, what questions to ask and also knew that company wasn’t right for me…

In doing my homework, I reached out to a VERY old friend, who I knew used to work for ItWorks and also was/is very into the health world.

I asked her what she thought, she told me and also told me what she was into now.

Which is the Essential Oil line doTerra – I did my homework, talked to my council and decided this might be something really great for me, emotionally, mentally, physically and financially.

So I ordered a starter kit… Why not right?

I figured Essential Oils are supposed to be really good for you, and that I can use a little serenity, energy, etc…

When I got my oils, I called my friend, and she told me some immediate things I HAD to try… Lemon in Water…. WHO KNEW that would help with ALLERGIES??? Inhaling Peppermint??? Gives you an IMMEDIATE energy & mood boost! Frankensense & Lavender??? Calms your skin! Lavender?? can HELP relax you, sleep, calm down…

FYI – for those concerned about the kitties... They are my first and foremost thought. These oils are safe for them to be around… They will leave the room if they don’t like the smell, but as long as they aren’t locked in the room, don’t ingest or the oils are used directly on them, they’re A-OK! So far we’ve learned, the kitties LOVE Lavender and do NOT like peppermint, lemon, frankensense.

So I’m giving it a shot and so far I’m SO IN LOVE… I’ve been using oils for a week and couldn’t be happier! If i’m tired? I inhale some peppermint? I feel sick? I take some On Guard! If I’ve have a bad night and need some calm? I inhale Lavender and rub it on my wrists & feet!

The biggest selling point for me? I’ve had these freaking UGLY AS HELL Dry patches of skin around my mouth… Only on one side…. Nobody knew how to help it, or what it was… So that was my FIRST request, “How do i fix this???” Well… after 3 nights of mixing Frank & Lavender in my nightly moisturizer… My face is 90% better!

So there you have it. Proof. Essential Oils are absolutely LIFE. Right now, I am just enjoying the benefits and hoping my stories will inspire others to choose HEALTH, serenity, emotional health, and SO SO SO MUCH more!

November 4, 2017January 1, 2018 by alygrushkin

#OfficeCats every office should have them!

So. I love my cats…. In case you couldn’t already tell… Like I am pretty sure even those on Mars know that Aly LOVES her fur-babies, although,… Read more “#OfficeCats every office should have them!”

September 22, 2017January 1, 2018 by alygrushkin

28 is really close to 30…

I turn 28 on Sunday. Which honestly, I don’t know if I’m super excited for or super scared for.

27, was a pretty crazy year with some incredible Highs and super terrible lows.

The love of my life asking me to *finally* marry him, celebrating our engagement party (this past weekend) with our family and friends, paying off my tax & credit card debt, planning our wedding, making a significant dent in the principle of my student loans (after reading the Total Money Make Over”, major birthday celebrations, a girls trip to Sonoma Valley, making some pretty incredible new friends and bringing home our second fur baby were among the highest of the highs, I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.

The Fab Five

But there were also some of the lowest lows… There was uncertainty, stress, anxiety and depression. There was stress about money (when is there not) and the all consuming thought that I will NEVER pay off my student loans… There was the desire to have a mental breakdown when life & work got to be too much and at points throughout the year becoming a person I didn’t know, nor liked very much at all!

I became a bundle of stress, anxiety and depression – I put on weight, my skin broke out and I was all consumed by life, but mainly the fact that I was just waiting for the next step and had no idea or control over when it came… Wondering all the W’s consumed my thoughts, conversations, emotions and every little ounce of me…

Waiting to get engaged was one of the hardest experiences (yes I’m aware how fortunate I am) I’ve ever had to go through. As a TYPE A – uber planner, not knowing when, where, how nearly killed me… But in the end, it was SO FUCKING WORTH IT.

My best advice to those going through this currently… Hold out… The best guys take their time to truly think things through.

In hindsight, which is a bitch for always being 20/20, I am so very grateful he did it when HE and he alone was ready, because I know in my heart of hearts he wants to spend his life with me, just as much as I want to spend it with him and THAT is where my sureness and calmness comes from, the comfort of it all…

(When in doubt, hug something fluffy)

I am glad I never (truly) resorted to ultimatums (which wouldn’t have worked anyway, nor would I want to start my future as partners like that) and despite the fact that I couldn’t see it then, I am glad things unfolded as they did. Naturally, Organically, and right for US.

The minute we got engaged and A asked me to share the rest of his life with him, all the stress of the past year faded away. People began to tell me I looked “lighter” and was “glowing”… I seemed “Different” and “Calm”…

As a normally chaotic mess of a human, my best friend E, just last week told me I seemed “very calm” and while she didn’t want to question it, was slightly concerned… To which I replied, its a good thing, all feels right…

Which was all 100% true. Having that ring on my finger, hearing the words “Will You Marry Me” and the free reign to plan a wedding… thus taking the next steps towards our future gave me a sureness, certainty and a level of calm I can never explain. I TRULY believe I was meant to be married and having a partner to make life decisions with feels right.

Major Shout out to my Girlfriends, Mom, Aunt & Sisters for dealing with my chaotic self during this period of time. Being on the other side, I thank you for you being my sounding board and calming presence in my life.

Additional and even MAJOR Shout out to A, for whom STILL wants to marry me after seeing me at what I am pretty sure was my worst over the past 12 months… *Insert Rolling Eye Emoji*

So, as I approach the fateful day (June 25th) of turning 28, I say… BRING. IT. FUCKING. ON! Bring it ON! 27 was another year of true adult growing pains, and while at the end of each year, I feel I have a better handle on this whole ADULTING & life thing, I can honestly say after this past year, I’ve got this thing on lock down…. (but seriously though, I have no idea what i’m doing, I’m making it up as I go along… :)) . 28 is going to be the most magical, incredible and LIFE CHANGING year… I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me, other than the one known truth that on 9.8.2018, I will be gaining a husband, another set of parents & siblings and another last name…. Because really, one just isn’t enough sometimes…

June 21, 2017January 1, 2018 by alygrushkin

Friendly PSA… Pinterest tells all. the. LIES

So, you get engaged! YAY!! You set a date! DOUBLE YAY! You plan the entire wedding… TRIPLE YAY!! Your Fiancé agrees to do engagement pictures and you finalize your awesome photographer! Check. Mate. I WIN!

You do TONS of research on the most reliable source for outfit planning… Pinterest. DUH.

You decide where to have the pictures and find the “perfect dress” from LuLu’s (which is the greatest site for dresses… seriously, don’t let my poor choices affect your great fashion!)… You get your hair and makeup done by the ever fabulous Glow Girls and your picture day has the best weather Boston has seen all spring!

Your man dresses in the color coordination you’ve planned, and you set out for a funfilled day of photos in the city!

You take pics in all the traditional poses you’ve sent the photographer from pinterest. You spend the day holding hands and “casually” walking down the pathways in Beacon Hill, you avoid the protests in the city, find the most adorable little streets that depicts Boston in all its glory, you realize that kissing in public is pretty freaking awkward and your guy has the most soulful eyes… which I can honestly say I’ve never spent all that much time staring into!

You get your photos the next day (because your photographer is awesome) and you realize 2 things… One. You made the right decision in picking your photographer, because your photos are gorgeous and Two. that you REALLY MESSED UP in your outfit choice…

FLOWY DRESSES ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!

WHY. DIDN’T. ANYONE. TELL. ME…………

Ok, Fine, Lesson learned… in all fairness the results were pretty adorable and we got some pretty perfect pics for the purpose of the shoot – the save the dates….

Forever I will keep in mind and share for the greater good the following…. DO NOT WEAR FLOWY DRESSES TO A PHOTO SHOOT. YOU WILL LOOK LIKE A BIG PURPLE GRAPE AND WILL HATE YOURSELF COME PROOFING TIME.

On the upside… I’m pretty sure it has finally given me the push over the edge of motivation I needed to get back to the gym!!

Summary:

MAJOR PSA: Flowy Dresses are NOT for Photo Shoots!

Pinterest Poses: Not cute unless you’re like MODEL hot

Photo Shoots: Awakward AF…

Results: Adorbs

Check out how cute we are!!!! More to Follow!