Tea Readings Tag #2

Tea Leaf Reading #2: 12 Spring Must Haves

When Spring approaches it feels like it brings with it new beginnings, which is just what we need after a year of navigating through a pandemic and scary politics. As I write this, the sun is shining bright and we still have a bit of chill in the air. The bulbs I planted are showing that Spring has nearly sprung. It is both a pleasant time of year, and also leaves me with a sense of being unprepared. It can be disappointing when I step out into Spring still wearing winter colors, like I’m missing out on something spectacular. Not this year!

The first day of spring is March 20th and I’ve learned to have Spring rituals to celebrate it! First, I need to:

  • Switch out my closet with bright spring colors and warmer weather clothes. I like to buy a few items to freshen up my wardrobe.
  • Get a professional facial (although this year might still require an at-home facial and that is ok because I’ve discovered Curology. I skip the dermatologist appointments and have the MD mail me exactly what I need. No affiliate program just a great mail subscription.)
  • Detox from the holidays and get bikini bathing suit ready :P,
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  • Splurge on a deluxe pedicure package! During the pandemic my friend introduced me to ColorStreet – they launch their Spring collection today! Now weeks after my mani or pedi I can freshen up the color and add fun patterns! (You can buy yours at the link above),
  • And, buy all the things that make for a great Spring!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

March brings St. Patrick’s day and my son’s birthday, so I want to be prepared. This year skip the “kiss me I’m Irish” t-shirt and keeping with something more subtle (most of us are still not vaccinated so it’s best to not tempt a pinch. Wear your green, it’s socially responsible.)

This is one of my favorite tops. It’s cotton, loose, lightweight and comes in beautiful colors and patterns for St. Patty’s day (or Spring), from $19.99. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

This past Christmas I bought my son a kayak and we were planning to buy my husband and I a two seater so that we can go with him, but the logistics aren’t working for carrying two on my car, however, I think I’ve found a solution. Two-seater inflatable kayak, from $139. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

Or do we switch it up get something to offer us options, like an inflatable SUP, from $229.95. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

April showers remind me I’ve always wanted but never found rain boots that would work for me. They are typically heavy and hot (not great in humid/hot Florida). But I hate the feeling of soggy shoes. I think I’ve found the solution with this new modern rain shoe. These are quick drying water shoes which would come in handy during a rainy day, kayaking or many other watersports.

DLGJPA Women’s Quick Drying Water Shoes for Beach or Water Sports Lightweight Slip On Walking Shoes, from $32.99. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

Speaking of hot and humid, nothing bothers me more than the heat these days. A friend of mine just recommending peppermint essential oil as the solution. She said, “you put a dab behind your neck and on the bottom of your feet and you will be a degree cooler. And I’ll take every degree cooler I can get during the warmer months in Florida! She said, “you can also add a drop in your water and feel like you are breathing in Alpine air.”

Cliganic USDA Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, 100% Pure Natural Undiluted, for Aromatherapy | Non-GMO Verified, from $7.99. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

And, we can’t forget that April 1st is April Fool’s day. I made the mistake of really getting into gags for my son when he was in elementary school and for the year following he got back at me every chance he had. Now a days, I do something that is less “got’cha” and more silly. Sitting around reading this series of books with your kids is a hoot! Nothing is better than hearing your child laugh! Enjoy!

Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids, from $4.24. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

May flowers might have you tip-toeing through the tulips but why tip-toe when you can walk in with these orthopedic support flip-flops. I became a fan of Vionics after training for my last run. They correct your feet to align your whole body relieving aches throughout your whole body, or at least they do for me.

Vionic, Orthopedic Support Flip-Flops from, $35.99 (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

Remember my list of to dos for Spring? I just found one of my old favorite products for cleaning and reducing pores at an amazing price. That solves this year’s dilemma of sitting face-to-face with a Esthetician.

Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Starter Kit – At home microdermabrasion machine – Skin Exfoliator with Glycerin – Skin Firming, Pore Minimizer, Age Spot Remover, from $16.98! WOW! (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

And after you clean your skin, you’ll want to protect it out in the sun. My favorite SPF is a tinted moisturizer.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Facial Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Vitamins A, C, & E, Lightweight, Sheer, & Oil-Free Coverage, from $10.45. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

Everyone needs a motivating book to read each Spring/Summer and this book will be out right in time. Pre-orders are available now and it is release in May (I pre-ordered 4 because her sales pitches are just THAT GOOD! I plan to keep one and start a giveaway for clients). After learning about Rachel Rogers on the Drew Barrymore Show, I have been obsessed. She is an amazing leader for women and isn’t afraid to throw out the stats and follow it up with how we can change them to achieve what, as of now, has been unachievable. She is definitely someone to watch if you want to achieve big things!

We Should All Be Millionaires, by Rachel Rodgers, from $24.64. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

And if you don’t want to think business poolside, I picked this book because it combines my love 70s/80s music with my love of a non-fiction book or biography. I can’t wait to hear more about how Rickie Lee Jones lives her life full of artistry, creation and passion.

Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Toubadou, by Rickie Lee Jones, from $24.99. (Click the photo for purchasing details through Amazon.)

This tea reading tag is one I love and so perfect for Spring. It says, “The creation of a thousand forests is in the acorn.” It reminds me of a conversation I had years ago with my husband about seeds and all of the energy that must be in a tiny seed to have it spring forth and produce so much. Randomly soon after that I watched a video on YouTube about a man that was against our “seedless” genetically modified versions of fruit. “You lose all of the vital natural goodness that the fruit has to offer.” From those words and on, I cherished seeds – what they have within them and what can become because of them. Similar to the ripple or butterfly effect. There is great power in the smallest elements of nature, one small act of kindness or one action of self care.

Tea Leaf Reading #1: Unapologetically Self-Full

A Blog Series by J. Lacey Taylor

In an attempt to connect us, while going through this pandemic together, I am starting something new. I miss networking with local businesses -in person, so I am making this interactive and opening up for comments below the post. My hopes are that long term it will help with connecting with all of you, not only locally but internationally as well.

My idea is to let tea tags inspire tea leaf reading blogs. This is where business meets serenity. Where lady bosses are reminded to pause and redefine their definition of what success is to them. This is were we will find balance together, or at least that is my goal and intention.

Tea Leaf Readings aka Tasseography is a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves. However, I feel a tea bag with a motivational tag is a sweet modern extension to those earlier gypsy readings.

Before we begin, grab a cup of tea. And if you don’t have a great selection of tea, I have a few recommendations:

For tea tag sayings, try Yogi Tea. Winter flavors? YUM! For the best medicinal tea: Nettle is great for sinuses! Or the best medicinal tea in a bag: Best benefits for your $! And, for the best flavor: Remember fireballs? Try H.C.S.!

Let’s begin…

The first tag reads,

The Universe has Your Back

“Empty yourself
and let the universe fill you.”

Tea Tag

Let’s break it down…

  1. Empty yourself:

    One would have to be “full of themselves” if they were asked to empty themselves. The wise tea isn’t saying we have big egos but rather we are filled with our problems, our worries, our self sabotage, etc. And the tea wants us to …get rid of it, toss it out, and let it go. The tea has something better for us…

    Wait a minute. That’s oddly familiar. Remember the nursery rhyme? I’m a little tea pot short and stout. Here is my handle, here is my spout. When I get all steamed up, hear me shout. Tip me over and pour me out. Woah! All these years I thought the rhyme was an instruction manual not ancient wisdom and advice! We are all a little “steamed up” this year wouldn’t you say?
  2. Let the universe fill you

    When I read the second portion of the tea tag the first thing that came to mind was my new found connection to the universe and how much it has served me. Where casual knowledge and awareness lived, a stronger bond and relationship now exists all because of the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401946550/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1401946550&linkCode=as2&tag=jlaceytaylo00-20&linkId=0428bfd4af8148b28ead32c3e3165161">The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to FaithThe Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabby Bernstein. We have all been through so much recently with the pandemic. Isn’t it soothing to think that the thing bigger than life has our back?

    Tea Leaves say, distinguish between being selfish vs self-full. When we fill ourselves with all the beauty and mysteries that the universe has to offer we are whole/full. The wise tea is telling us when we let go of ego and focus on just how small we are in this vast universe, our troubles can melt away as we marvel.

Predicting 2021

It’s fitting to start tea leaf reading, which use to be a form of fortune telling during a time when our lives have the most uncertainty. Don’t you think?

This T.L.R. advice – to give up worry, frees our minds to think clearer to move on actionable progress in our lives. Filling ourselves with the Universe also means collaborate with it. We may not know what is around the corner but with a teammate like the Universe (that has our back) we can move forward with confidence. I’ve created a Grow and Launch your Business guide that you get when you subscribe, and here are business preparations we can make for 2021…

Action Steps to close out 2020:

  • Ask, what will our target market need from our business during and after the pandemic? In the freebie guide I mentioned above, I offer suggestions on how you can get your unique solution to your market
  • Hone-in on your vision!
    If you have more time for your business, your vision for it may have changed since the last time you checked in with it. Get real specific about what you want for your business. Have you seen anyone do what it is you would like to do? Study them.
    Vision board it! Pinterest is a free virtual space for vision boarding. Simply create a board (your goal), then use Pinterest’s search to find images or information specific to what you are trying to achieve and pin it on your board!
  • Can your brand live up to your new vision?
    Often we start a business with the bare necessities and low level design work. Contact me for a free review of your brand and logo to find out how you can elevate your brand and get you closer to your vision.
  • Update your website to handle an influx of new business.
    Is your website experiencing glitches? My last website job was simple, change an address. However, the business owner hadn’t made the necessary updates over the years (if it wasn’t broke, he wasn’t going to fix it), the website wasn’t secured and it was running on an old version of the platform. Needless to say that simple change turned into 4 hours of updating and troubleshooting. Keep your website fully functioning by having a professional check on it routinely.
  • Engage!
    Just like the tea leaves mention, our customers are a part of our universe. While our goal is to work on OUR dreams, by removing our ego from what we do and making our work about serving others and help them achieve their dreams, we in fact do exactly what we set out to do.

While there are some outlandish predictions (I know, I’ve scoured the internet.) I feel the tea tag that I wrote about above says it all. We can not go wrong, if we take this pandemic and the state of our world as a message to find our spirituality and connect to something bigger than ourselves.

Connect with readers of this month’s tea leaf reading in the comment section below. Don’t forget the book I mentioned, it can be purchased at the link above. Sign-up for a free consultation, if you are in need of J. Lacey Taylor’s digital design and marketing services. And, subscribe to get your free Steps to Launch and Grow your Business pdf!