The first two weeks going back to school feel like a freight train coming straight for me. Early morning routine, new schedules, sports practices, nonstop new arrivals, and super busy hours at the store (for which I'm so grateful) all seem like a lot after a laid-back summer. I try to be organized but find myself crazed and often feeling two steps behind. So it was no surprise to me that I got a nice note from the Stylebook editors saying I was past deadline on a post I didn't even realize I was scheduled for. Scrambling on what newest, adorable arrivals to write about, I decided to bag it and focus on two discoveries I've had recently that are helping me feel less frazzled, which will hopefully lead to fewer missed deadlines. This past week I went to a chakra cleansing and sound bath, and I got my first (and I'm telling you incredible) taste of Umbrella Dry Drinks.

For a friend's birthday, five couples went to see the Mystic Chics for a chakra cleansing meditation followed by a sound bath. I'm a big believer in meditation, but this was new for me and my friends, and no one really knew what to expect. Essentially, a chakra cleansing is a practice that uses breathwork to help you work through emotional blocks and blocked energy. It's supposed to help you push past whatever may be holding you back. You have seven chakras along the midline of your body from the top of your head to the base of your pelvis, thought to be swirling wheels of energy with different colors that correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. When one is blocked, your energy can't flow properly. Our guide, Mary, did a 30-minute meditation to open each chakra. Then when that was over, she did about 30 minutes of playing different sounds, using crystal bowls and other instruments to further relax the body and calm the mind. We had a skeptic or two in our group (I'm married to one of them), but the consensus afterward was that it was unbelievably relaxing and very much worth the visit. I LOVED it. I felt relaxed, more grounded, and so much lighter than I did an hour before. I highly recommend it and can't wait to do it again. We did a group session, but all kinds of options are available. The Mystic Chics will be at The Seedling Collective this weekend, and I encourage you to pop in and say hello! If you have any questions about our experience, let me know! 

I hate to admit it, but following this amazing experience, we went to the Japanese Steakhouse and celebrated my bestie's birthday hard. We had a long, really fun night filled with more cocktails than needed, and I paid the price for it the next day, big time. I just can't process alcohol the way I used to. Well, a few days later, I teamed up with Umbrella Dry Drinks for a back-to-school celebration at the store, and I could not be more excited to be her newest #1 fan. Owner Sam Kasten is a genius. She brought real champagne that had the alcohol extracted and made the most incredible cocktails – she could make them dry (no booze), wet (with booze), or damp (splash of booze). I had three of her different dry drinks, and they were some of the best drinks I've ever had…and…ding, ding, ding… they won't give you a hangover! She told me about the different options she sells that are great for bedtime, containing adaptogens made from calming herbs to help you sleep better but taste like your nightly cocktail. Umbrella Dry Drinks has a new Pop Up in the Mint Condition space and will be selling its sophisticated nonalcoholic options. I'll be stocking my bar accordingly. And recommending to all my friends – and every pregnant mama-to-be that comes through my store door (Sam does baby showers and other events!).

Here's to feeling calmer and energized this new school year! Next month, I'll be back to my regularly scheduled kids' clothes content.