https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 01:43:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970864 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 20:22:25 +0000 Ornella 970864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many good things here.</p> <p>I don't work at the moment, but it can be manic even now as my son has language lessons at kindergarten early on some days. Plus, from September it will be hectic as we'll need to drive him to a different part of town to a school near our new house (we don't want him to change schools), so I'm trying to come up with some system and practice,&nbsp;practice,&nbsp;practice.</p> <p>The bare essentials:<br />- have everything that can be prepared&nbsp;ready the night before: my clothes, his clothes, breakfast,&nbsp;lunch box, handbag;<br />- have the coffee pot ready just to switch it on;<br />- know where the keys and mobile phone are;<br />- get to bed on time;<br />- wake up&nbsp;on time.</p> <p>What I'll adopt after this thread:<br />- launch pad. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Shevia, you are my hero. I have figured out I would probably be happiest if I woke up at 5am and did&nbsp;everything&nbsp;while the house is still quiet and I actually have time to boot my system</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970459 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 11:40:39 +0000 rute 970459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a quick&nbsp;shower in the morning.<br />I prepar all my clothes, shoes and acessories the night before.<br />I prepar my breakfast and the luch to take with me&nbsp;the night before and keep it in the fridge.<br />I use a simple make up rotine: BB cream, mascara, blush and gloss.<br />I keep the hair simple, I've embraced my curls and that saves me a lot if time! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970365 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 02:08:01 +0000 Keix 970365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The key for me has always been LOTS of sleep. 7 hours absolute minimum, 8-9 hours at least a few times a week. Once I caught up on accumulated sleep debt, I found myself actually waking up before my alarm sometimes. I'm still drowsy and could easily sleep more, but the important thing is being able to function all day.</p> <p>I don't drink coffee or tea regularly, though. My caffeine is natural fructose, i.e., lots and lots of fresh fruit throughout the day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970361 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 02:02:13 +0000 Krista 970361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My advice is to determine a routine that works for you and stick to it. Which sounds so crazy because you're asking for tips, but I think part of the reason you are asking the question in the first place is because you don't yet have a routine that is working. It takes time to create a routine that works and your whole house is going through a big change because you've changed jobs. I mean this in the gentlest of ways - be gentle with yourself through this process. Each day where you do something and that feels like it works, just keep repeating it until it becomes routine. Every time I change schools, I have to tweak my routine a little because there's a new school timetable or location to drive to. But I have basic parts of my routine that have to be there (eg. Walking the dog, drinking coffee) so they get tweaked to accommodate the job change.<br /> The one thing I do in advance that definitely makes mornings easier is to make a pot of oatmeal or quinoa in the rice cooker on Sundays and store it in a container in the fridge for the week. In the mornings, I heat up a bowl and add almond milk, fruit, etc. and have that with my coffee. Keeps me going for a few hours and sets me up for the rest of my routine.<br /> The other thing is to be completely honest with yourself about the time you need to get up and ready. For example, I know that I need at least 1 hour and 45 minutes to get completely ready for work. What can I say, it's a tried and tested routine :). If I try to do it in less time, I am a ball of stress. So knowing that piece of information means that if I want to leave for work at 8, I have to be out of bed by 6:15 at the absolute latest. Knowing that timeline forces me to be disciplined and I know that it means I do everything I feel like I need to do, including fun things like checking YLF and cuddling my dog.</p> <p>Sending you positive vibes for a great morning routine soon to be in place for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970358 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:57:31 +0000 rebekahphoto 970358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not a morning person, and this year had to adjust to an early schedule.....So to keep the chaos down, I have my tote bag and purse ready the night before. lunch in the fridge. coffee ready</p> <p><b>morning routine:</b> get up, make coffee, shower. 5 min makeup. 5 min hair. <br />get dressed....that goes much better if I decide the night before, as I am usually pretty groggy to figure out anything......</p> <p>one thing we did get this winter was a Philips Wake up light Alarm clock.....30 minutes before the alarm a light simulates the sunrise. It is so helpful to have the light slowly go on, especially in the winter!! (the chirping birds are a little cheesy..but there are other options)</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hf3470-Wake-up-Light-White/dp/B003XN4RIC" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Philips-.....B003XN4RIC</a></p> <p>good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips/page/2#post-970346 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:49:03 +0000 hedgiehog 970346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Shevia, I envy you! I have always wanted to be this type of person but my body/brain just won't let me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970345 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:49:01 +0000 MNsara 970345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my gosh, Shevia - I need one of you at MY house!</p> <p>Getting to work anytime before 9 am is early in my book!&nbsp; So, when early duty calls,<b><u> before I go to bed</u></b>, I:<br />Make sure my personal coffee pot is clean <br />Try to have clean hair too<br />Pick out the day's outfit - including underwear, hosiery, shoes, and jewelry<br />Put whatever I can in the car - ready to leave with me<br />Make sure breakfast, lunch, and snack are ready to grab and go</p> <p>If I'm feeling uber organized on Sunday evenings, I'll pack a week's worth of snacks in snack baggies&nbsp;(dried apricots and roasted almonds), or bake an egg/bacon/spinach breakfast&nbsp;dish and divide it up to&nbsp;refrigerate or freeze, or hang together outfits for each day.&nbsp; </p> <p>If there are leftovers after a dinner, I immediately pack them into containers to grab for work lunch.</p> <p>I fully endorse a launching pad!&nbsp; Your son should learn to have one too, if he doesn't already!</p> <p>The microwave is my work&nbsp;friend </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970325 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:27:38 +0000 Jaime 970325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice as I am an extreme morning person and don't feel right if I don't drink a pot of coffee, work out, shower, dress, eat a few breakfasts, get the kids and DH up and ready,&nbsp;and do the dishes by 7am. And I work from home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970306 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:43:15 +0000 Glory 970306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I start work very early,&nbsp;although not as bad as some. I think the key is to organize the items that are the most difficult for you.&nbsp;If it is clothing (shoes accessories etc), then prep them in advance - a full weeks worth if possible. This will ease much of the morning burden. If it is making lunches then try and do them at dinner before cleanup the night before.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970301 Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:38:05 +0000 lyn* 970301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a Launch Pad system similar to MaryK. If it's not on the Pad, it's not coming with me. </p> <p>I also shower at night.</p> <p>I have everything else set up in a similar order and I set things to work in parallel.</p> <p>1. Wash face. While face dries, press kettle to boil (filled the night before)</p> <p>2. Toner and moisturize. Brush teeth while wait for moisturizer to sink in.</p> <p>3. Makeup primer. Get outfit on.</p> <p>4. Foundation and blush. Put teabag in tea, put milk in cereal.</p> <p>5. Check email quickly. Eat breakfast.</p> <p>6. Lip colour. WIW pic.</p> <p>7. Out the door!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970213 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 22:22:21 +0000 Anonymous 970213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am the early bird that's always late so I'll be watching this with interest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970141 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 20:10:35 +0000 rachylou 970141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Omigosh. With the train strike and freeways jammed, I'm back to taking the company bus. Have to walk to the bus stop and be there well before 6:50 am, because otherwise I could get bumped the line is long long long. That's 4 hours of sleep for me, 5 tops. Brutal. I don't do schedule changes well, nor so little sleep. Woozy me lost her nano on the first day.</p> <p>This is what I've been doing: If I take a shower, it's a 5-min wake-me-up (but I prefer the night before). Work bag is pre-packed. There's a checklist of essentials taped to the front door: wallet, badge, cell, insulin kit. I filled a milk bottle of pre-made coffee for the whole week - so no coffee making. Breakfast is toaster oven stuff, and lunch is "German snackies" (cold cuts, cheese, pretzel - zero prep, stuck in a container) and a pudding. And I trained the dog that it's chop-chop in the morning.</p> <p>I get up, get dressed, take my shot, pack up lunch, get out the dog snacks, put breakfast in the toaster oven, and fill a sippy cup with my coffee. When I'm packed up, I put the collar on the dog, take her out, come back, grab my stuff, give the dog her wages, and am gone.</p> <p>I choose my clothes in the morning, but my wardrobe is divided up. I stand in front of the work clothes section and pull from there. Make up, if any, is down to the all-in-one stick.</p> <p>30 minutes is my time allotment. I feel crazed just thinking about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970084 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 19:07:13 +0000 bj1111 970084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>duplicate all essentials for work, purse and car. &nbsp;this includes toothbrush/paste/floss, the minimal makeup i absolutely need, lotion. &nbsp;</p> <p>everything i need i put in my purse and, this is the key, <b>i don't change my purse</b>. &nbsp;i have a few lippies, my dupes in a ziplock baggie,&nbsp;my going to work sunnies (i have duplicates for working in the garden or leaving the house without a purse). &nbsp;i also have multiple plugs for all my electronics so i can power up at work. &nbsp;this is not a morning routine per se, but it prevents me from running around at the last minute looking for the charger so i can power up at work.</p> <p>i hate getting up early with a passion of a thousand suns. &nbsp;my driving commute does not help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970083 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 19:03:07 +0000 catgirl 970083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha! I was thinking of this:</p> <p><a href="http://bacontoday.com/waken-bacon-the-real-bacon-alarm-clock/" rel="nofollow">http://bacontoday.com/waken-ba.....arm-clock/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970079 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:57:06 +0000 Transcona Shannon 970079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Mouth-Toys-Wakin-Shakin/dp/B008X31AQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1372877883&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=bacon+alarm+clock">http://www.amazon.com/Big-Mout.....83&#038;sr</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970075 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:52:35 +0000 annagybe 970075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I shower at night, mostly to get hospital ickies off before bed. Also I'm in bed by 9:30pm every night. Yeah it sucks and it was adjustment but it's the only way I could function at work the next day.<br /> I have a super fancy grind and brew programmable coffee maker, I set up the night before with the timer. Breakfast is literally a protein bar on the bus as I drink my coffee in a huge 20 oz stainless steel tumbler. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970073 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:48:32 +0000 catgirl 970073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally remember that Office! But there is a bacon alarm clock somewhere out there!</p> <p>Mary, a launch pad is a great idea. Also, I am confirming more and more that I am not a bag lady - switching out is too much for me. I did choose the Tory Burch bag that Parsley picked! Will use that to drag files around and may need to find a clutch to throw in there for the rest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970070 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:43:00 +0000 Mo 970070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, yeah, I suddenly have some&nbsp;6am starts at the golf course this week. &nbsp;6am for a bartender may as well be the middle of the night. &nbsp;Ugh. &nbsp;<br />I shower the night before and save the 15 more minutes of sleep. &nbsp;I need half an hour to splash my face, do 5 minutes of makeup routine, attempt a hairstyle,&nbsp;make coffee and breakfast (I will not leave the house without eating my egg and toast every day) and get dressed. &nbsp;<br />Maybe after a few weeks you'll be in the groove.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970055 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:24:12 +0000 MsMary 970055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I get EVERYTHING, from outfit to lunch to anything I need to take to work, ready the night before.&nbsp; Are you familiar with the concept of the "launch pad?"&nbsp; It's a place in your&nbsp;house (preferably near the door) where you put the things you need to take with you in the morning -- in my case it's purse, sunglasses, and anything that is going with me that day (e.g. package to mail, gym bag, items to return to the store).&nbsp; Also, I have a hook next to the door where I hang my keys, and I hang them up each and every time I come in so there is never any hunting around for them.</p> <p>And&nbsp;I don't eat breakfast at home -- I have a stash of protein bars at the office and I eat one with my morning coffee when I get to work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970045 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:07:41 +0000 Anonymous 970045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, see, I had to give up late nights (I am by preference a night owl). I am in bed by 9:30pm every night. If I don't get enough sleep, my brain starts doing poorly, so it's something I have had to make a priority. If I had my druthers, I'd be up until 3am every night and sleep in until 10-11am. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970042 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:00:27 +0000 Anonymous 970042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alaskagirl, I don't know if you're a fan of The Office, but I'm having flashbacks to Michael's solution of cooking bacon on a George Foreman grill while he slept just 10 more minutes. Of course, that ended with him stepping on the grill and burning his foot. :)&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youtu.be/X73lARR9r3Q">http://youtu.be/X73lARR9r3Q</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970027 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:43:00 +0000 catgirl 970027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much! Glad to see I'm not the only one who hates early mornings. And I still can't help being up late at night either.... These are great tips. I'm already giving some<br /> FFBOs a test run! And laying in supplies at the office is my next step - tea, lotion, maybe a mini-flat iron. I am finding that eating out is the only way to take a break from working nonstop, but I need to pack lunch and just go sit somewhere else to eat it so I don't go broke. Thankfully DH has been getting our son up and ready for camp but I do miss seeing my little dude in the morning... Thinking that a bacon alarm clock may be necessary! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970019 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:33:59 +0000 Transcona Shannon 970019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to be out the door by 6:50 a.m. as my hubby and I carpool together and both need to be at work by 7:45 and we live NOWHERE near where we work.</p> <p>I get up half an hour earlier than everyone else so I can shower, put on my make up (moisturizer, Bare Minerals foundation, swipe of blush and mascara), by then my hair is dry (yay for short hair!) so I put a bit of wax in it and shape it, get dressed, feed the cats, put on the coffee and quickly take my outfit pic and post it. Then I wake up hubby and the bathroom is all his. While he's getting ready, I have some breakfast and a cup of coffee. Teenage DS looks after himself in the morning. I take my own lunch every day and make that the night before.</p> <p>I started planning my outfits for the week by trying on various combinations on the weekend and hanging them up in the order I'm going to wear them. This has been a LIFESAVER and actually allows me to eat some breakfast sitting down rather than shoving something into my mouth while running out to the car. And unless the weather has drastically changed, I try not to deviate from the planned outfit.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970013 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:26:11 +0000 Anonymous 970013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I drink most of a pot and take the last cup to work </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970012 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:24:16 +0000 Kristin L 970012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second getting things together the night before. I (try) to have my bag packed and my lunch either ready or almost ready the night before. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970008 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:21:06 +0000 hedgiehog 970008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to be up around 6 and am generally foggy this early in the day. I have to get my two DDs out of bed and fed before school (actually, DH does most of this) so planning is key for me. I generally pack lunch, which I've prepped the night before, and have the lunch bag pre packed with cutlery and drink.<br /> I try to plan a few outfits for the week in advance and pair the accessories as well. If I've done all my laundry and ironing at the weekend I feel like I'm ready for the week ahead. I'm a planner so I feel less stressed if I do it this way. Also, I find that I'm wearing less makeup now that I'm in my 40's so that takes a little less time too.</p> <p>ETA: a giant latte is critical to all this happening! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970007 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:20:33 +0000 Angie 970007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOTS OF TEA. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-970003 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:14:09 +0000 Sarah A 970003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a mess in the morning so have no advice but am enjoying the tips here! Upon thinking about it, I didnt used to be though... when I wasnt overtired I quite liked rising early to swim/run etc before work at 7:30 am. I think getting to bed at a reasonable hour is key. Although now I am guilty of staying up far too late to wind down after the kids go to sleep. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-969997 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:08:20 +0000 ironkurtin 969997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends on your body rhythms.&nbsp; I find I can skip the shower if I bathe the night before and wash my face with very cold water.&nbsp; Then I dress. Usually I figure out generally what I want to wear the night before, but I don't lay it out or anything.&nbsp; While the kiddo eats breakfast and gets ready, I eat a small amount of lean protein (nuked eggs, or some salmon) and pack her lunch.&nbsp; Then we are out the door.&nbsp; I eat a bigger breakfast with coffee after she's off.</p> <p>I also don't wear makeup.&nbsp; This saves a lot of time TBH.&nbsp; If you can do it at the office, I would. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/calling-early-birds-morning-routine-tips#post-969996 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:02:30 +0000 DonnaF 969996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Get as much out and pack as much as you can the night before.&nbsp; And make a list of what needs to be packed in the a.m.&nbsp; If you want to wear accessories, get them out, too, and stick in a baggy which in turn gets stuck on the hanger of what you plan to wear.&nbsp; And if it is a combo you haven't worn before, then try it on before the a.m. to make sure you like it.&nbsp; And per Rae, also get out a fallback outfit, esp. if the weather changes unexpectedly overnight.&nbsp; </p> <p>If getting DS out the door is part of the equation, do the above for him, too.&nbsp; For those with younger kids, DD's preschool teacher used to suggest that kids wear their (clean) next day clothes to bed instead of jammies since it removed that struggle in the a.m. </p>