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- NICU HOLY GRAIL OF PODCAST EPISODES
Listen to this holy-grail list of episodes from all aspects of the NICU! These Cellfie Show episodes will give you insight into your most pressing NICU-related questions as well as a fresh perspective from the point of view of NICU providers, entrepreneurs, and parents. No matter your experience with the NICU so far, I hope you take away something new in these episodes that you can apply to your unique journey! For those of you new to The Cellfie Show we are two nurses talking "Off The Clock," about healthcare, self-care, & the down & dirty in between. You will hear from providers, innovators, brands, businesses, people of interest, health specialties, HOT TIPS, TABOO TOPICS, and a whole new side of the healthcare world you didn't even know existed. Love that for you! Together Tori Meskin & Sam Manassero are bringing you the unfiltered side of the medical world. We have unmatched chemistry with sassy banter & 18 years of combined nursing experience. Together we host the conversations you really want to hear, answer the questions you want to know, and bring our spicy energy to the show. Let's Jump into the Episodes! Nurse Tori's Biggest Secret Revealed! Nurse Blogging, Achieving Your Goals, NICU Nurse, Social Media, Grey's Anatomy #RealTea, Empowering Providers & Patients, Embracing Your Journey, Pushing Through Hardships. Listen to the OG episode of The Cellfie Show all about Nurse Tori’s NICU experiences. Nurse Tori BSN RNC-NIC talks her BIGGEST SECRET YET! Tori reveals her biggest NURSE secret, talks blogging, NICU nurse, NP student, social media, holding yourself accountable, pushing through hurdles, etc. You will want to start here if you’re new to The Cellfie Show! Listen here The Life of a NICU Nurse with Nurse Tori BSN RNC-NIC Hear from Nurse Tori on all things NICU Nursing on this episode. We get specific! Pull back the curtain and spill what it is REALLY like working with the most vulnerable and tiny mighty patient population. Tori drops some HOT TIPS on how to land a job in the NICU, interview tricks, overcoming roadblocks, requirements to become a NICU Nurse, experience, training, etc. If you’re considering becoming a NICU Nurse this podcast will shed some light for you on what it is really like! Listen Here The Nurse Nook! Alexis Nicole. The Nurse Nook! Alexis Nicole BSN, RN. Nurse, YouTuber, Social Media Curator. We talk nurse life. Switching specialties and starting her journey as a NICU Nurse! Alexis Nicole BSN, RN. She is also the founder of the “Nurse Nook,” and the largest Nurse Youtube content creator! We talk Pediatric, Emergency Dept, Mother/Baby, & NICU nursing! She recently made this transition, already announced it so no spoiler alert for you! Alexis holds a very strong presence in the social media space! Her YouTube has 267K subscribers, not to mention her Instagram presence, all while balancing working as a full-time nurse. She vlogs details in her life as a nurse and everything in between. Studying, getting ready for tests, morning routines, well-being. Today we get into all things Nurse life, tips & tricks, switching specialties, social media, taboo topics like CBD, self-care, a day in the life of a nurse… her YouTube channel is so relatable and fun to watch that she has more than ten million views! LISTEN HERE Dr. Amir Ashrafi. NeoHeart Co-Founder. Secrets to Navigating High-Stress Situations, Saving Tiny Lives + Unleashing the Medical Buzz. Cardiac Neonatologist. Entrepreneur. Speaker On this episode we are joined by Dr. Amir Ashrafi. Get ready for a spicy conversation! He is an expert in neonatology and neonatal-cardiac physiology. Dr. Ashrafi’s primary focus is treating newborns with congenital heart disease. He holds the national distinction of being one of the few physicians to receive formal training in both neonatal intensive care and cardiac intensive care. Dr. Ashrafi attended medical school at the University of Utah and completed pediatric residency training at Emory University in Atlanta. He spent time in the Emergency Dept at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles prior to completing his Neonatal Intensive Care Fellowship at UCLA, where he was recognized as the Chief Fellow. Dr. Ashrafi then completed a second fellowship in Cardiac Intensive Care at Boston Children’s Hospital at Harvard University. Dr. Ashrafi is the co-founder of the conference NeoHeart: Cardiovascular Management of the Neonate, an international collaboration dedicated to advancing the care of newborns with complex heart disease. From navigating high-stress clinical situations, sharpening leadership skills, the science behind saving tiny lives, and unleashing your medical buzz. Listen Here NICU Nurse 101. Taylor Ebner BSN RNC-NIC, NICU Nurse Life, Neonatal Insight, NP Grad School, Travel Nursing, Becoming a Nurse, Modern Day Healthcare Perspective. NICU Nurse 101. On this episode, I sit down with Taylor Ebner BSN RNC-NIC. We dive into NICU nurse life, #realtalk NICU nurse perspective, transitioning into the nursing role, and meaningful nurse tips. Taylor gives us a behind-the-scenes look into her unique journey in NICU with a modern take! Listen Here Dr. Kate Rubey NICU Attending. Infant Intensive Care Doctor. Scientist. Lifestyle. Female Dr. Energy! Take a behind-the-scenes look in the NICU with Dr. Kate, Neonatologist! She is an Attending Physician in the Division of Neonatology at a major facility in Philadelphia. In this episode, we get into her life both as a clinical and research-based MD caring for tiny lives. From her 14 years of training, her passion for NICU patients, to her life as an MD-we go all over learning about the ins and outs of Neonatology and Dr. Kate’s journey! Listen Here Phil Martie Founder & CEO of Nicolette. Nico Board! NICU Dad. App Developer. Entrepreneur. Patient Empowerment. Provider Partnership. Phil Martie founded Nicolette based on his experience with premature twins in 2014, with the goal of empowering patients fighting acute health battles to be their own competent advocates. Prior to founding Nicolette, Phil was VP of Operations at Canon’s Business Process Services division. Parents use NicoBoard to view updates and insights about their baby's health, receive curated education specific to their baby, and document their NICU journey with sharable media and journaling. This is Nicolette's first entry into the commercial market. CHOC Children's, a pediatric healthcare system in Orange County, California, is the first organization to implement the technology. Parent Empowerment. Provider Partnership. Listen Here It’s Your Birthday, I’ll Cry If I Want To. NICU Parent Perspective with Former Micro Preemie Mamas Julie + Carol (Part 1) NICU moms are the strongest women you will ever meet... and something we don't talk about nearly enough! So, buckle up… this is going to be a special episode! (Well, actually two episodes). Raw. Real. Wild. Bringing the "health,” back into healthcare. This is a personal episode full of perspectives from two moms who tackled the NICU head-on. This is the vulnerable, sincere, patient's side of the healthcare world. And we get personal today! Unpopular Opinion: as healthcare providers, we almost block out the reality of what this is like for our parents…we cope by moving forward. Well today, we are taking a step back. Really listening, and taking in the NICU perspective from the parent’s point of view. 1 in 9 babies are admitted to the NICU prematurely. That does not account for the surgical admissions, but specifically, prematurity. Babies born before 37 weeks. Listen Here NICU Parent Perspective (PART 2) with Former Micro Preemie NICU Mom’s Julie + Carol PART: 2 NICU moms are the strongest women you will ever meet... and something we don't talk about nearly enough! So, buckle up… this is going to be a special episode! (Well, actually two episodes). Raw. Real. Wild. Bringing the "health,” back into healthcare. This is a personal episode full of perspectives from two moms who tackled the NICU head-on. This is the vulnerable, sincere, patient's side of the healthcare world. And we get personal today! Unpopular Opinion: as healthcare providers, we almost block out the reality of what this is like for our parents…we cope by moving forward. Well today, we are taking a step back. Really listening, and taking in the NICU perspective from the parent’s point of view. 1 in 9 babies are admitted to the NICU prematurely. That does not account for the surgical admissions, but specifically, prematurity. Babies born before 37 weeks. This is a great episode for not only the experiences but for us as providers, future providers, families, etc. to gain insight, perspective, and resources. Listen Here NICU Dad Energy! Adam Wood. Former Military Leader. Author of "Our Preemie Adventure". NICU Meme Creator Adam is a husband, father, retired military leader, and author of 'Our Preemie Adventure.” Adam and his wife, Jenn, spent 135 days with their son, Brady, in the NICU at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Brady was born at 1 pound 4 ounces, at just 25 weeks gestation, with complications from bronchopulmonary dysplasia, apnea of prematurity, pneumonia, and a variety of other respiratory issues. While their journey is far from over, their experiences have become https://amzn.to/3gyQQsP (a children’s book for preemie families), which takes a humorous and heartwarming look at the journey shared by so many. He brings humor into the preemie parent world and opens up about his experience being a father of a 25-week preemie. Adam is also the founder of the IG @preemie_adventures, where he shares NICU parent memes and gives a fun humorous side of NICU life. Moreover, we are thrilled to bring the NICU dad experience and masculine energy today! Like many NICU families, they had many ups and downs in their roller-coaster journey. We love the community he is building with the goal of helping to support NICU families by bringing humor into their lives. Listen Here Dr. Prem Fort, The NICU Doc. Neonatologist, Youtuber, Instagram Curator. A Neonatologist perspective. Overcoming challenges, stress, & saving some of the tiniest most vulnerable patient populations. NICU Attending. The thrill of saving lives for a living. On this episode, I am joined by Dr. Prem Fort Pediatrician/Neonatologist. Trilingual MD. Swiss Peruvian helping to save lives in the NICU. Doctor, YouTube, Instagram Curator and Fun Dad, Platforming topics near and dear to my heart. Health care provider and patient family care, bridging the gap. The NICU Doc talks about things such as NICU topics “Who is in the NICU.” “5 tips for going out safely with your baby” “NICU parents asking the tough questions” and so many awesome topics bridging the gap between provider and parent. We break down the role of a NICU attending, his journey to become a Neonatologist, and developing skills to care for medically complex patients. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best! It is NICU awareness month, and what better way to celebrate this week than to bring on an expert in the field, someone who lives this every day with me. Listen Here BEB ORGANIC Founder Kim Walls, Entrepreneur, NICU Skin Care, Health and Beauty Brands, Strong Female Figure, Starting a Business, Business Strategy, Product Development, Fair Trade Products BEB ORGANIC Founder Kim Walls @beborganic -We sit down with Entrepreneur, Innovator and Founder of the FIRST NICU skincare line BEB Organic. Daughter of a renowned skincare founder Kim originated a Bioactive complex designed mindfully for the most delicate patients in the world! Understanding the power of touch. Texture, consistency, aromas etc. How skincare can help your mind and overall health. Studying brands and understanding how to build a business from scratch. Creating fair trade products from the sourced ingredients to consumers. From brain and body development to improved sleep and a sense of calm, Kim’s NICU skincare line is working to provide a lifetime of great health for these preemies! I am a skincare buff. Specialty products for a very niche part of the world. Skin is in the forefront of our healthcare. Food for thought about skincare as a whole. Becoming an active and knowledgeable consumer. Listen Here Diaries of a NYC NICU COVID front lines nurse, Windy BSN RNC-NIC, COVID-19, NYC Experience, Travel Nursing, New Frontiers, Moving across the country during an unknown time, Emotional Journey Diaries of a NICU COVID front lines nurse, Windy BSN RNC-NIC - NYC perspective in the thick of it! Wendy is a NICU nurse, Travel Nurse, and worked front line during this pandemic in the sickest city in the nation. Love in a Time Corona. Learning to say “YES,” and take journeys as nurse. Exploring new frontiers. Hear her emotional account of being a NICU NYC pandemic RN. The beauty of New York City and its citizens. We dive into her experiences moving across the country, hearing her personal account of New York in its sickest moments. Special Time in history to be a nurse. Hear her positive message to the world about Windy’s experience. Listen Here Danielle Maltby RN, The Womed Podcast Founder, Bachelor in Paradise, Nurse Entrepreneur, Social media curator, We talk #realtea nurse experiences. A different side of the NICU. Modeling & taking opportunities , ups & downs of NICU, dynamics of NICU nurse The WoMed founder Danielle Maltby - Former NICU RN turned Nurse Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Social media curator, we talk #realtea nurse experiences, a different side of the NICU, modeling, ups, and downs of NICU, dynamics of NICU nursing, burnout and shifting into new roles. We talk about overcoming tragedy, crafting a life you love etc. Nursing role first. Leading with kindness and going the extra mile in your career. Trusting your gut. Taking care of ourselves as nurses, work-life balance. Creating a platform for the female representation…a space for women to talk about their stories through medicine. Talk about her experiences with Bachelor in Paradise. Taking opportunities, living your life for yourself, platforming the Woman’s voice and how social media can change your life for the good and bad is all discussed on this episode. Listen Here Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 101, Karen Rapoport, MSN, RNC, NNP-BC, Level IV NICU, Scope of Practice, Work Flow, Nursing Tips, Nursing Life. Keys to success, Bedside vs. Practitioner, working in a boutique patient population, the real deal. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 101, Karen Rapoport, MSN, RNC, NNP-BC. We talk all things NNP life! Level IV NICU provider perspective. Qualities of a good NNP, scope of practice, workflow, Nursing Tips, Nursing Life. Keys to success, Bedside vs. Practitioner, working in a boutique patient population, the real deal. etc. We go micro on what it is like to be an NNP, saving tiny lives! Listen Here "Mommy Labor Nurse" Liesel Teen BSN-RN, Founder of "Birth it Up", Online Birth Courses, Podcast, Blog, Entrepreneur, & Brand Builder We get behind the mic with Liesel Teen BSN-RN, a labor and delivery nurse, mom of two, entrepreneur, brand builder, and founder of “Birth it Up,” (a series of online birth courses for expecting mothers). She is on a mission to help empower new moms to give birth and care for their newborns with confidence. Liesel started Mommy Labor Nurse in 2017 and currently holds a HUGE presence on IG with over 380K followers, has created an amazing brand, blog, and podcast as well. Over 20,000 expecting moms have taken her courses and transitioned into motherhood with her resources. She has been featured in BabyList, Verywell family, Happiest Baby, The Tot, and has truly created a community where the number one goal is to support women. You can use code CELLFIE10 for 10% off all MOMMY LABOR NURSE BIRTH COURSES. Listen Here Check out some of these additional episodes for bonus NICU content that I think you’ll find valuable! With every NICU experience being unique, there is truly no shortage to the amount of content you can find in the podcast world. I encourage you to keep listening to leaders in this space with an open heart and mind! XO Nurse Tori BONUS PODCASTS & EPISODES TO CHECK OUT HERE Welcome to The Incubator A platform dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in neonatal care Created by three NICU docs (Rune, Daphna and Ben), we have launched a series of initiatives aimed at disrupting the status quo in neonatology and improving access to evidence-based practices, creating connections within our community and providing frameworks for mental wellness for our colleagues and the families we serve. Listen Here Supporting Infant Mental Health in the NICU- Empowering NICU Parents Podcast Have you ever heard the term infant mental health? On this podcast episode, they discuss how you, as a parent or caregiver of an infant, can positively shape and support a baby’s early social and emotional skills so they are able to build long-lasting connections in the future! You will not want to miss this episode if you are a NICU parent or member of the NICU care team! Hear from Katie Ross, a Certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life. They discuss infant mental health, what it actually means, and how it applies to our high-risk NICU population. We as NICU caregivers in close collaboration with the parents have the ability to positively change the trajectory of the developmental outcomes for our NICU babies. They discuss tips and offer words of encouragement for parents and NICU care team members on ways we can support, educate, and empower NICU parents to become actively engaged in their infant’s daily cares including skin-to-skin care! Plain and simple, parents of a NICU baby need to be involved, they are the therapy for their infant! Tune in to learn ways we can all work together to foster and encourage parental support and involvement! Studies have shown that parental engagement actually influences the neurobiology of the infant’s brain and promotes physiological changes in the parents as well - meaning, with parental contact during skin-to-skin care, levels of oxytocin increase which reduces stress and facilitates increased feelings of comfort and attachment, and leads to positive physiological stability in both the baby and the parents! So please, do not underestimate your role as parents, even if your baby is in the NICU! Continue listening as we educate, guide and empower you to work through your grief, trauma, and fear so you can simply love on your baby. Listen Here Safe Staffing in the NICU- NANNcast Understaffing puts patients at increased risk of missed or rationed care, medical incidents, disparities of care, and morbidity and mortality. In September 2021, NANN released the RN Staffing in the NICU position statement with staffing recommendations based on the acuity of the population served. Dr. Lori Armstrong and Karen Kopischke, the authors of the position statement, join Jill Beck on NANNcast to break down the position statement and share how nurses can advocate for safe staffing in their units. Listen Here How NICU Babies Communicate: Featuring Dr. Heidelise ALs PhD- NICU Care with NIDCAP NIDCAP is short for the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program. In each episode, we bring to you Healthcare Professionals, Parents, and others to discuss best practices to support the health and development of infants and their families, and those who care for them, in intensive care hospital settings and beyond. In this episode, Heidelise Als, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Director of Neurobehavioral Infant and Child Studies at Boston Children's Hospital discusses all things health and development of infants in and out of the NICU. Listen here Let me know in the comments your favorite NICU episodes so I can check them out! XO Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top-notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Branding & Social Media Tips & Tricks
Branding, marketing, and content creation aren’t just for mommy bloggers and the fashion industry! Today I am revealing why everyone should invest in their personal brand and share my latest tools, apps, tips, and strategies to create a personal brand. ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ Marketing and branding have been a part of every industry and are something that touches all points of our lives. Athletes, musicians, actors, artists, the food industry, pop stars, social media content creators, and of course, those of us in healthcare. For SO many reasons, we should be bringing our creative Medical presence to various platforms. This is how I see it... The BIGGEST MISTAKE many of us in healthcare do is say: This Isn't For Me. We become mentally typecast as healthcare providers and often miss the BIGGER picture. A Personal Brand is your Insurance Policy! An opportunity to grow, learn, network, build a community, and pivot in your life when you need to. Your personal brand is an extension of who you are, what you believe, what is important to you...even an extended resume! Investing in your personal brand can come in several forms! Social Media (Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook), Podcast, Pinterest, Linkedin, creating a blog/website/videos/audio landing page where you share who you are and what you are bringing to the world. If Not Me, Who? If Not Now, When? The world is rapidly changing, and I love it! There are so many opportunities to take ownership of your life in new ways. Branding is relevant to us in healthcare in more ways than you think! ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ Key Note Speaking Developing a niche product/course/resource Cosmetic Surgery / Pediatricians / Dentists / Dermatologists RN. NP. PA Practices (Aesthetics, Holistic Care, Specialties) Becoming an Author Features in Media Creating a Start-Up Company Medical Pioneers Healthcare Social Media + Content Creation Conference Founders & Creators Job Applications Friends and Family with Small or Midsized Businesses Each of these benefits from a personal brand. To create credibility, opportunities to share education and knowledge, and utilize a community in your own personal adventure. Creating a community and developing your personal brand (BEFORE) you dive into new avenues is KEY!!! Community and consumers want to see the process, get to know you, and understand who it is we are supporting and WHY we should support you. This is becoming more and more important in today's society. It can be a little weird to move into this whole new world, but we are leaning into the discomfort!! Let’s dive into the secret sauce of how I handle my social media and digital brand building! Social media should be an extension of your personal brand and a place where you express yourself while providing value to your target audience. It doesn’t matter if you have a hundred followers or a million, you should show up for your followers just the same! Aesthetically pleasing content will only get you so far on Instagram, Websites, Podcasts, TikTok, Pinterest, etc., SOOO bring forth your best tips, resources, experiences & passion to build a strong connection with your audience. I know that the people I love to follow more intently are those I feel like I can relate to on a deeper level. I am sharing my BIGGEST TIPS, Apps, Photo Editing, & Social Media Strategies to help build my brand, blog, and podcast! TORI’S SOCIAL SECRETS ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ The Most Important Ingredient: PASSION Stick to what you are passionate about and develop content around that. I have 5 content pillars/topics that I work from when creating content for my niche. This allows me to speak to what I love and know and lets my community know what to expect from my page. Be Genuine Authenticity is how you will build real connections with your followers. Don’t just show a highlight reel of your life. Nobody can relate to that! Think about your content before you publish it… ask yourself if your content will bring value to someone’s life. Rome Wasn’t Built In a Day!! It takes time to build a brand on social media and everyone’s growth looks different. It may take one person a year to reach a certain milestone and another person two months. Celebrate the small wins and use them to fuel you to keep going! Success doesn’t happen overnight and is best earned not bought. It can be hard to be patient but you absolutely do not want to ruin your engagement by buying followers or utilizing engagement pods! Build a Website I decided to use a Wix template to build out my blog and other resources (www.tipsfromtori.com). I love how user friendly Wix is and how my website is a great connecting point to link back to from all of my different social channels (Instagram, Podcast, Facebook, Pinterest). I also utilize the Wix shop feature for my podcast merch. Email Signature Establish your credibility with a professional-looking email signature! Your signature should contain your full name, logo, website, and best way to contact you. I like to send out monthly email newsletters to stay in touch with my community and let them have an inside peak into what I have been working on, best discounts for products I love, and to link a helpful blog, podcast or other resource in it. BRAND IT UP!! Invest in a professional-looking logo for your brand and use that everywhere! You can use your logo for inspiration for your color palette as well. If you are creating a lot of original content, it is smart to watermark your photos with your logo so it can be traced back to you as the creator. Be consistent so your brand can be recognizable by sticking to a color palette, select font styles, and overall vibe of your content. If you want to get really fancy, you can purchase presets so your Instagram feed blends together aesthetically. I encourage you to be creative and stand out, don’t copy anyone else’s vibes and persona! Simply show up as your signature self. Recruit People Who Are Better Than You in Different Ways I had to bring help in to be able to continue to work and create content full-time. You can’t be good at everything! What are your weaknesses? How can you improve them? If you need to scale it back then stick to what you are good at! If you are a strong writer- then blog. If you are a talker- then start a podcast. You don’t have to do it all to be successful with social media. It is worth the investment. Find Your Niche Starting with a niche helps a lot! I started in NICU blogging and then it sparked from there to include more of a lifestyle focus. When creating educational content the number one thing to remember is to be sure that it is backed with verified sources! From there, I have expanded my content to lifestyle, sharing our podcast, expanding here on the blog, etc. If you used information from another creator or source it is not enough to just paraphrase what they said and push post. Make sure to site all of your sources, medical or not! Learn to Say No! My motto is that if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. Don’t say yes to anything that isn’t a perfect fit for your brand and beliefs. When you get into this space you may find yourself approached by companies. Do these companies bring value to you? Is it worth sharing? f you believe in a product promote it. The money a brand wants to pay you to promote their product isn’t worth it unless you stand behind their brand and personally love to use it. Be selective! If you say yes to every brand and push products onto your audience all the time, they won’t respect your endorsements anymore. Know your brand. If you test and review products, then this may be a different rule of thumb for you. Always try out the products before agreeing to create content for a brand. Others Peoples’s Agenda For Your Life...Burn Out Make time for rest and prioritize unplugging! Taking a break from social media will help you feel more inspired and productive when you get back on. Don’t let the negativity of other’s affect how you show up. Restrict the haters on Instagram and move on! They aren't worth your time. I LOVE A GOOD BLOCK MOMENT. Very CHIC if you ask me. HIPPA COMPLIANCE If you are a medical provider (goes without saying), make sure you are HIPPA compliant. Be mindful of the pictures, information, & content you share. Make sure you are sharing information in your scope of practice and expertise. In addition, if you are using google pictures, make sure you have rights to share the picture. I see a lot of healthcare providers sharing these pictures, be mindful of this. If you re-share a picture from a family or patient, obtain their consent and add the sourcing information (with a tag or name). Be smart about your content. I get it, people want to see what we do. So, get creative with your content! Seek Out Knowledge From Others ♡ Success Leaves Clues! Nobody knows it all, and there is always something new to learn even if you consider yourself an expert in a certain field. Here are some ways to keep learning in order to develop your brand on social media and continue to provide meaningful content! ♡ Learn from those around you ♡ Follow inspiring accounts and blogs ♡ Read more books ♡ Study others in your field ♡ Listen to more podcasts ♡ Take online courses and earn certifications! (Our podcast team uses Skillshare) HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR PROMOTING YOUR CONTENT… Whatever you are trying to market/sell, make sure you are cross-promoting your content in creative ways for maximum exposure! Here is a list for a starting point for you! XO ♡ Write an informational blog post about it ♡ Promote through an email to your list ♡ Add your affiliate link to your email signature ♡ Pin to Pinterest using your affiliate link ♡ Tell your friends, family, and peers about it ♡ Add a banner to your website ♡ Promote it in the announcement bar on your website ♡ Create a roundup post of your “favorite items” and include it …GET CREATIVE! ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ My Most Utilized Editing Websites & Apps WIX: Website Builder You know I am the BIGGEST advocate for creating content (THAT YOU CONTROL). I have created my website on WIX. Here you can create a professional website and curate your own professional web presence — exactly the way you want. You can choose a customizable designer-made template and add the features you need. This allows you to get online with a stunning, professional and functional web presence. Whether it’s your first time creating or you’re a long time expert, you’ll find the features and solutions you need to build a professional website with true creative freedom. Lightroom Photo Editing App My most utilized phone App! This is an amazing photo editing app to help you brand up all of your pictures. All the tools you need to curate and find your best photos. Lightroom is the cloud-based service that gives you everything you need to create, edit, organize, store, and share your photos across any device Canva Canva is a graphic design platform used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content. I use this for some of my Instagram posts with branded NICU posts, Pinterest posts, branded CELLFIE Nurse Products, etc. The app includes templates for users to use. Create with custom templates and design with a team. Share designs anywhere and get it professionally printed anytime. Splice Video Editing App This is the BEST video editing app for Instagram & TikTok. I was skeptical at first, but holy smokes this is the best app for video editing. Simple yet powerful, Splice makes it easy to create fully customized, professional-looking videos on your iPhone, iPad. Just tap to trim clips, adjust transitions, add slow-motion effects, and create beautiful videos you’ll love to share. It’s never been easier to edit like a pro on the go. FaceTune Yes, Facetune! No shame in the game, I use this app. However, I try to limit the "facial" editing, as I really like to keep this authentic. But, if I want to edit out backgrounds, smooth areas of the photo, etc. this is the app for me. This is a photo editing application used to edit, enhance, and retouch photos on a user’s iOS or Android device created by Lightricks. The app is often used for portrait and selfie editing. Whitagram Formating App This is the best hidden secret for formatting my instagram photos. This is the easiest way to use the original size photos to fit the instagram square. Landscape and portrait photos can be uploaded to instagram and I play around with sizing, and formatting photos to match my instagram feed. Email Marketing Klaviyo I send emails monthly and this is something I can control (WITH NO ALGORITHM). I create branded emails, sell products, and make it easy for people to find me from a single platform. Whether I am launching an email marketing campaign to engage my community, uploading merch to the Cellfie Show Shop, or generating awareness on social media, they have all the tools & guidance you need to achieve the results you want one place. Asana Scheduling App I discovered this app 7 months ago, and we are never turning back. This is the BEST app for project management. Whether it is just for you or a team of people, this is a great website and app to help you keep track of daily, weekly, monthly projects. We used to rely on texting, the iPhone Notes App and emails, BUT this is so much more streamlined. Asana is the easiest way to manage team projects and your individual tasks. From the small stuff to the big picture, Asana organizes work so you and your teams are clear on what to do, when to do it, and how to get it done. Asana is customizable, and allows users to break down projects into tasks and set clear goals for teams. Asana also has integration with hundreds of other apps that businesses use, like Google Drive and Outlook. Skill Share Skillshare! This is truly my newest favorite tool to help me (and my team) grow. This is an American online learning community for people who want to learn from educational videos. Here you can explore social media tips & tricks, create marketing skills, learn from experts in their field and get lost in creativity. We focus on social media and market branding but the skills are endless! The main course categories include creative arts, design, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and technology. Calendly Booking and Scheduling App Keeping track of schedules, podcast interviews, zoom or google meet meetings, etc. can be a nightmare. This app has helped streamline not only my calendar but also our little team, Cellfie Guests, Sam, husband etc. Calendly helps make scheduling faster and more efficient. Be notified when someone books, reschedules, or cancels, explore upcoming appointments, and review form responses so you feel prepared for your meeting. The best feature of Calendly for our use is having our team sync and coordinate multiple event types in my calendar. You can also set up automation around your events, such as emails and text notifications. It is seamless and we have been loving this one to help keep my GOOGLE CALENDAR schedule on point. MIND YOUR BUSINESS COURSE This is probably my most valuable tip to help put this all together! I recently took this course after discovering the founder on the Dream Bigger Podcast. I can not recommend this course enough. (I am not affiliated, just know this is a course you will love and learn soooo much from!) Not only did I confirm a lot of the things I already knew, but I also gained so many take aways that I will be implementing moving forward. So let me tell you a little about the course. Nitsan is the founder behind the creator crash course, Mind Your Business, which provides all the tools, secrets, and strategies to turn your social media into your business. She is the founder & CEO of Mind Your Business™, with over 7 years of social media industry experience and 3+ years working brand-side in the beauty industry. Nitsan has built a community of 500K+ followers across platforms and has turned her once “side hustle” into a 7-figure business. Nitsan created MYB to share all the information she wished was available when starting out as a content creator, taking the guesswork out of turning your social media into your business. This is the ultimate creator crash course revealing what everyone wants to know - but no one talks about, on securing brand partnerships, building your personal brand & becoming your own boss. She also talks on how to monetize content creation, strategies for enhancing content creation on multiple platforms, time management, tips for engaging and building a community, and so much more. Investment: US$267.00 How to reach out to brands & actually get PAID Step by step guidance to shooting content, establishing your personal brand & developing your aesthetic Specific tactics to organically grow your audience + increase engagement When & exactly how much to charge brands for Instagram partnerships Strategies to make every partnership a success & keep them coming back for more! If you are someone interested in the social media / content creation side of things, this is the best investment I can recommend! It is bite-sized, provides so much insight, and helps streamline the crazy world of becoming a content creator. When I first started creating content, I was deeply inspired by Lauryn Bosstick and her Skinny Confidential brand. Her strategy is to aim to be 1% better every single day and do bite size things so as to not get burned out. Her brand-building wisdom has always stuck with me and something I remind myself of daily! Throughout your social media journey, be sure to do just one thing better each time and before you know it you will have a flourishing brand and open opportunities you never knew were possible. Cheers to you and this Brand Building Energy! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Top Female Medical Bloggers & Innovators
TOP FEMALE MEDICAL BLOGGERS & INNOVATORS Whether you’re aspiring to dive into the medical world someday, seeking resources full of value, or looking for inspiration in new spaces, this is a list for you! Check out my list of my favorite women making waves in the social medial space. These are fabulous Medical bloggers & innovators to follow and learn from! I am excited to share these incredible women & their invaluable resources with YOU! Mommy Labor Nurse - Liesel Teen L&D RN Liesel is a labor and delivery nurse, mom, wife and business owner! Her goal is to educate other moms in hopes that more women feel empowered and educated about motherhood, instead of scared and anxious. She has amazing information and resources including birth courses, newborn sleep/care courses, and a helpful blog and Instagram full of tips on all things pregnancy, breastfeeding and postpartum. Educating New Parents On What's To Come She started Mommy Labor Nurse in February of 2018 as a way to educate more moms in the online space about birth and postpartum. After having such a fulfilling birth experience at her hospital, she felt that she wanted to educate other moms in hopes that more women feel empowered and educated about motherhood, instead of scared and anxious. She has always had a passion for educating women and thoroughly enjoy spreading knowledge and awareness about what's to come! Check our her pregnancy, postpartum, & newborn courses! Birth it Up: The Epidural Series Birth it Up: The Natural Series Newborn Basics 101 Katie Duke- Nurse Practitioner | Speaker| Maker of Bad Decisions Katie has been a very special part of my journey in the social media space. A personal mentor and dear friend of mine. Her podcast, Bad Decisions, is a must listen if you’re looking for the real sh** we all think but never talk about. She is a nurse practitioner, speaker, mentor and the host of Bad Decisions podcast! Katie is a Nurse Practitioner who pushes boundaries to explore the life decisions that don’t always turn out as you expect. I love how Katie shifts the conversation to prove the importance of owning your failures as a necessity for growth and success on each episode of Bad Decisions. Check out the "Concept to Creation Course" Have you ever thought about becoming an impactful influencer, blogger, author, public speaker, or starting your own brand or business online? Have you been overwhelmed with thoughts about “WHERE and HOW to start?” Then Concept to Creation: The Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Course is your starting point as your first investment in your future. Founded by Katie Duke and Nicole Thomas, two successful healthcare professionals who have launched second careers in the social media and public figure industries, the Concept to Creation Workshop will TEACH you the foundational strategies and guidelines to begin earning money by building your brand or business. Comfort, Butter and Bad Decisions A 68 page cookbook for people who “live to eat”. It contains a collection of memories, methods, and recipes, and highlights some important tools, gadgets, and ingredients to always have on hand in your kitchen. It’s a great book for any stage of learning and experience. Comfort, Butter and Bad Decisions Cat Golden - RN Nurse Mentor Cat Golden is a highly respected nurse mentor and the owner of the popular Instagram account,@nursesinspirenurses. Nurses Inspire Nurses is a community dedicated to inspiring and uplifting nurses. Her Nurse Mentorship program, @leaplandlive, helps nurses manage their time, take clear action on their goals and live a healthy life that they’re obsessed with. She is an incredible entrepreneur with a heart for teaching others how to form a business mindset and be successful in their nursing careers! Nurses Inspire Nurses ABOUT NURSES INSPIRE NURSES Nurses Inspire Nurses is a community of nurses created to inspire and uplift ourselves and each other. It all began when Cat Golden, our founder, was tired, burnt out, and sick of waiting for external circumstances to change to start feeling better. She started doing things to uplift her coworkers and created coffee talks, a safe space outside of work for nurses to come together, have real conversations, and find support. SHE PROVIDES NURSES WITH A CENTRALIZED COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT AND A VARIETY OF TOOLS THAT PROVIDE STRUCTURE TO THEIR DAY AND THEIR MINDSET. Ashley Kay, Vascular Surgery PA-C Ashley Munns is a Vascular Surgery Physician Assistant. From her ridiculously informative healthcare posts to her chic exquisite aesthetic, I can not recommend her enough. Both her blog & Instagram offer Education, Health, & Wellness. Do you want to learn the process of becoming a certified & licensed PA-C, or experience a day in the life: as a Vascular Surgery PA...look no further. WITH ASHLEY KAY BLOG "I will forever be captivated by the art of surgery. And medicine will be a hunger I crave to know more about. Even in the midst of sleepless delirium after being awake for too long, when a page is called needing undivided attention, Or in the OR gowned + sterile while the rest of the city sleeps... The high does not fade and I love it. The steep learning curve continues, but merely shaping me to be further competent." Follow Ashley as she navigates life as a Vascular Surgery Physician Assistant Lacey Magen - Nurse Mentor BSN, RN If you’re a new nurse, Lacey is your girl!!! She has a passion for helping new nurses build confidence and find joy and clarity in their new nurse life. Her Empower 90 Journal is an incredible resource along with her mentorship program. Her Instagram is full of helpful tips for preparing for the NCLEX, surviving night shifts, and relatable reels that are sure to encourage you in your nursing career. The Empowered Nurse Mentorship Program Lacey is a board certified BSN Registered Nurse with 3+ years experience working as a nurse in Cardiac Care. She also received the Novice Nurse of the Year Award at Morristown Medical Center for her decision making skills and nursing judgement. She is a new mom, former middle school teacher and Nurse Mentor. Are you a new graduate nurse within your first year on the job and you are just feeling a little… Lost? Unsupported? Unsure of yourself? DisEmpowered in Nursing? The Empowered Nurse Mentorship is a 10 week mentorship with a one-on-one and group component that is aimed at helping you build your clinical confidence, strengthen your nursing practice, grow relationships with others both within the profession and outside of it, and improve your happiness & joy through lifestyle balance. A 10 Week Mentorship Program for New Graduate Nurses with Nurse Mentor & Coach Lacey Magen Naematullah This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the American Holistic Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Danielle Maltby and The WoMed No surprise here, I am a BIG podcast fan and love listening to the incredible insight from women in a variety of healthcare positions. The Womed Podcast is hosted by Danielle Maltby, talking all things Women in Medicine and the badass things women are doing outside of the medical community too! Danielle Maltby is a Nurse, TV Personality, Instagrammer, Model and Actor. She best known for his appearances on the reality show The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise. The Womed Podcast She brings valuable conversations, outstanding women in healthcare, and a serious passion for what she does. She discusses self-care, mental health, emerging healthcare trends, education and so much more. You can expect to hear many meaningful conversations Dani has with some of the industry’s biggest experts and thought-leaders. The Six Figure Travel Nurse- Sarah Gaines MSN, RNC-OB Sarah Gaines is a rockstar entrepreneur sharing travel nurse tips to empower RNs to get the freedom, autonomy, and pay they deserve! Her Instagram account, The Six Figure Travel Nurse, is a wealth of knowledge for current travel nurses and those interested in becoming one. If you’re an RN who loves to travel, you will want to check out her incredible Travel Nurse Course. If you’re looking to jump start your travel nursing career then you will want to check out her Travel Nurse Resume Kit to help you get started working less and traveling more! Travel Nurse Course The Travel Nurse Course is an online program designed to empower and educate nurses who want to become travel nurses so they can maximize their income, work less and travel more. Enroll in The Six Figure Travel Nurse Course today! Get instant access to the tools, resources and support you need to become a travel nurse the fastest and easiest way possible.The Travel Nurse Course will give you the answers you've been craving and the tools you need to accelerate your career, Six Figure Travel Nurse! Nurse Nat - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I absolutely love following along with my sweet friend, Nat, on Instagram @natalie_pnp_. She shares quality PICU, PNP and travel nurse tips that are helpful to nursing students, new grads and seasoned nurses alike! If you’re passionate about pediatrics check out her blog and her Pediatric Resources Ebook. Her passion for nursing and learning is inspirational and I think you will find value in her content and resources just as much as I do! PNP Specialty Zoom Course Are you a PNP student who wants more insight on how she picked a specialty after graduating? Would you like insider knowledge of how she secured her first PNP job as a new grad? Join her Zoom class and she will reveal all of that and more! PedsDocTalk- Dr. Mona Pediatrician Need some motivation? Dr. Mona is a pediatrician with a mission to share common sense education for the modern parent. You can find helpful conversations and resources on all things medicine, motherhood and motivation on her Instagram page as well as her incredible podcast, The Pedsdoctalk. This podcast educates and empowers parents in their journey through parenthood Peds Doc Talk with Dr. Mona Amin Episodes include education regarding hot topics in pediatrics, interviews with experts in this field, conversations with fellow parents and insight into her experience as a mother and pediatrician. I love how her content is a mix between evidence-based and experienced "real life" mom tips & tricks. Caroline Pediatric Dietician- Baby Led Weaning Expert Carolina is a Pediatric Registered Dietician and a "baby led weaning" expert. Her Instagram is full of helpful advice for both moms and babies. She wrote an amazing ebook guide to Baby Led Weaning as well as a Starting Solids guide. Her online BLW academy is a fantastic resource for moms with babies under 10 months as well. Whether you work with babies, or have your own- you will love her amazing posts on feeding! Baby Lead Weaning & Making Meals Matter Baby led weaning is an alternative method to introducing solid foods to your baby that skips over purees entirely and allows for your baby to self-feed soft table foods. What you’ll find in this book: • Step by step guide on how to introduce first foods • How to assess your child’s developmental readiness for solid foods • Safe feeding guide – food allergy response plan • Dietitian approved supplements for your baby • Nutrition tips for the breastfeeding mom • Frequently asked questions • Over 50 example first foods and BLW recipes And more! Dr. Lindsay Butzer- DVM Calling all animal lovers...Dr. Lindsay Butzer is a DVM with a passion for creating educational and fun veterinary content. Both her Instagram and Youtube are an incredible resource for diving deeper into veterinary care for all types of animals. Seeing her smiling face and adorable furry friends on my newsfeed always brightens my day. I admire Lindsay not only for her incredible content and passion for medicine but also her overall most positive & uplifting spirit. Dr. Lindsay YouTube Channel Dr. Lindsay is a small-animal veterinarian working in Boca Raton, FL. She graduated from Colorado State University and followed that with a degree from the DVM program at Ross University. Dr. Lindsay did her clinical year at Tufts in 2016 and has been practicing at Clint Moore Animal Hospital since then. She is also a Cancer survivor & HUGE inspiration to me. Dr. Danielle Belardo, M.D. Dr. Danielle Belardo is a Cardiologist in Newport Beach, California. With a presence on Instagram & Twitter, she also hosts a podcast called "Nutritional Rounds". Her podcast is designed for anyone interested in learning about plant based nutrition through an evidence based approach. Whether you’ve been plant based for many years, or are still searching for the perfect diet, Nutrition Rounds will inspire and empower you to live your healthiest life, backed by science. She advocates for comprehensive lifestyle change including nutrition, exercise, stress management, in addition to traditional guideline directed cardiovascular care. Nutritional Rounds Podcast She is an advocate for accurate scientific communication on social media, including both evidence based medicine and evidence based nutrition science. Get personalized, comprehensive, and evidence based cardiovascular care with their team. I hope this list inspires you to get connected on social media with one or all of these amazing medical content creators and helps you expand your healthcare horizons. XO, Tori Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Summer Glow Up Must Haves!
Summer glow up time is here! There are so many things that I am freshening up in my personal and professional life between creating healthier daily habits and starting my day off with affirmations that really get me going. I’ve learned that you are responsible for creating your own happiness, so keep it fresh, make some changes, and be proud of what you like and what works best for you. By now you know that I only share things that I actually LOVE and use on a regular basis, so I want to share with you some of my latest favorites that have helped me get my hot girl summer on in full swing. Set your day right and keep it that way with my ride or die summer products! Woo More Play If you listen to the Cellfie Show then you know that Woo is the BEST lube ever. The Woo Coconut Love Oil is the perfect gift to treat yourself. Not only does it make sex better, but it also tastes like a vanilla cupcake. It’s natural and organic, doesn’t mess with your natural PH, and can double as a massage oil. Woo takes it back to the basics with only 4 ingredients and no nasty chemicals that are found in traditional brand lubes. The base is unrefined coconut oil which is PH balancing and it is lightly sweetened with Stevia and vanilla essence to make it absolutely delicious if you eat it. This is something everyone should have sitting on their nightstand for a sexy summer! Keep it spicy!!! Check out Woo More Play Here! Vive Organic Simplicity is key for me this summer as well as saving time so bring on all the tasty organic shots from Vive! Vive Shots were formulated by a doctor and are all rooted in whole body wellness. We all know we need to be incorporating more fruits and vegetables into our daily diet but it can be hard when you’re always working or on the go. Vive Organic wellness shots are the ultimate immune system strengthener that I enjoy drinking daily during my lunch break. When I start to feel my body getting run down I will sometimes take multiple shots a day. Vive’s Energy + Focus Shot (the perfect brainpower and caffeine boost I need) and Immunity Boost are my absolute favorite to spice up my hydration and well-being. I also love the spicy and smooth orange undertones of their Turmeric flavor that makes me feel so good immediately after downing it. Each flavor is full of powerful, organic ingredients that boost your health and are great to keep on hand in the fridge or cooler this summer. Vive prides themselves in sustainable farming practices with no junky additives, dyes or sugars. I feel good knowing I am supporting sustainable farming and treating my body to the highest quality nutrients available. Simplified wellness and a great summer afternoon pick me up? Yes please!!! Beam A true staple in my life! I use all of Beam’s products to help me thrive both mentally and physically. I would have to say my absolute “can’t live without” product is their Beam Dream. Sleep is on top on that immune health list for me this summer as studies show adequate sleep helps T-cells fight off infection. With a constantly fluctuating schedule, it was hard form me to get into a good routine. These past several months, Beam Dream, has become an essential part of my nighttime routine. The Dream powder is a bedtime blend of sleep enhancing vitamins, minerals, nano cbd and more, and when mixed with warm plant based milk or hot water, it becomes the perfect guilt-free, sleep-inducing, delicious cup of cocoa-without any added calories or sugar. Think a hot chocolate treat to help your body and mind wind down for a better night’s sleep. I have also been upping my workout time and making it more of a priority this summer. I like to get my sweat on so it is important to me to refuel my hydration with something more than just water (also can we agree that water is boring...). Elevate Recovery from Beam is made for active recovery. The Elevate Recovery hydration packets work quickly to restore hydration with coconut water and Himalyan sea salt with a slightly sweet and refreshing lemon flavor. This hydrating powder brings your body non-gmo collagen peptides to support healthy joints, skin and hair at the same time, branched-chain amino acids restore tired muscles and help your body fight fatigue, so not only are the packets hydrating, but Elevate can target specific needs: digestive balance, enhanced energy and supportive recovery. Not only is it fantastic for recovering after a sweat session but also for recovering after a night out. Beam is offering subscriptions now and you’ll get 20% off the you subscribe. Code Tori15 at checkout, give you 35% OFF! Just Thrive Real tea? I have struggled with digestive issues for the longest time. I knew I needed to take back control of my gut health this summer which is why I have been taking Just Thrive Probiotics every day for the last several months. It only took 2 months of routinely taking Just Thrive Probiotics before I noticed an incredible difference in how I feel every day. I was intrigued to learn about spore based probiotics and how they are a completely different category of probiotics. The human microbiome project that launched in 2012 helped shift the unique focus of Just Thrive to be spore based rather than Lactobacillus based. In fact, their award winning probiotic is the ONLY product on the market with Bacillus Indicus HU36- a probiotic strain that turns your gut into an antioxidant factory! Most of those probiotics will die off by the time they reach the intestines because of harsh stomach acids making them ineffective. In fact, it has been shown that Just Thrive probiotics survives up to 1,000 times as much as other products on the market. When you swallow the Just Thrive probiotics they are protected and stay dormant until they get to the small intestines. They then stay there and do their magic for up to 21-28 days which is incredible! These probiotics truly work as a perfect tool to restore the gut microbiome’s health. Try out nature’s true probiotic, Just Thrive Probiotic for yourself and start feeling your best everyday. Use code CELLFIE15 for 15%! Lane Change Cute and comfy is the hot girl move this summer. Feel good and look good with Lane Change! They have seriously perfected classy athleisure with their line of loungewear. You know I love a day off where I can relax but still feel my best with clothing that lifts in all the right places (if you know, you know) as well as being extremely soft. I also enjoy putting on a cute loungewear set after my post shift showers. They have the cutest, minimalist packaging with a handwritten note in each order which I am here for! Super high quality for an affordable price. I could live in the white Laguna Tank Top and never want to take it off! I can’t wait to add more pieces to my collection because I am obsessed. I am all about advocating for small businesses, and love that Lane Change is a local business near me, women owned and gives a percentage of proceeds to help fight homelessness in L.A. 8% off all proceeds goes to employing women on Skid Row, making a difference in the future of fashion by empowering, employing and educating women transitioning out of hardship. Spice up your loungewear for a cause and save with my code Tori15! Don’t be shy- let me know what you have been loving lately. I love keeping a running list on the notes on my phone of products to try out and want to know which ones you are obsessed with! Stay tuned for my list of specific things on my Nurse Latest Favorites list! XO Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Love Me Some Bubbly, Bling Wash
Ok be honest, when was the last time you thought about deep cleaning your rings? If you’re like me, you are already OCD about hand washing (comes with the healthcare profession) which does a basic job of keeping your rings clean but doesn’t keep them sparkling like they were when they were slipped on your hand on engagement day. I have tried just about every trick in the book to keep my ring looking shiny and new... toothpaste, vodka, generic store ring cleaners, ultrasonic machines, you name it - I've tried it. I was always discouraged when everything I tried was unsuccessfully in getting that glistening look back until I discovered the BEST homemade concoction for keeping your ring looking like you took it to the professionals at the jewelry store! Then, I discovered this "Bling Wash Tip," and my RINGS were saved. lol. Trust me, save the money on the "pre-made," store bought crap. Honestly, I was always frustrated with the cloudy looking film left on my diamond after cleaning with store bought solutions. Switching to making my own that works (100x) better and saves me money & time, makes me wish I would have been using it all along! I want to save you the frustration so you can keep your bling, bright and beautiful 24/7. Here’s what you need for your BLING WASH! ♡ Glass Cleaner (I prefer Windex but any works) ♡ 3 Drops of Dish Soap (Dawn, Palmolive etc) ♡ Soft Bristle Toothbrush (used is fine) ♡ Microwave ♡ Glass Container It’s really simple. Add about 1/4 cup glass cleaner and 3-6 drops of dish soap into your glass bowl. Stick the bowl in the microwave MINUS THE LID AND JEWELRY for one minute. (This gets HOT QUICKLY so be careful taking it out of the microwave). Then set it on the counter and drop in your precious jewelry to soak while you focus on something else such as laundry, shower & skincare, catching up on work, emails, etc. I like to let my rings sit for around for a few hours, but if you’re looking for a quick clean up wash such as after time in the gym or outside (sunscreen and sweat makes for some gross jewelry) you can leave them in there for as little as 5-10 minutes to see results. You’ll start to notice after awhile that loose residue will sink down to the bottom of the glass dish. It’s so gross but satisfying knowing that is all off your jewelry! The toothbrush is great for scrubbing in between those hard to clean prongs after you have left it to soak awhile. After you brush, rinse in a bowl of lukewarm water. I definitely don’t recommend ever rinsing over an open drain incase you drop it (my nightmare)! Dry your ring lightly with a paper towel and admire your sparkling brand new looking ring! I try to clean my ring at least once a month, sometimes more often depending on how hard I have been on it. It works like a charm and I get soooo many compliments on my bling after I do it!!! HOT TIP: I can't recommend this for faux jewelry. ONLY use on * DIAMONDS + GOLD + PLATINUM + MOISSANITE * Not sure how Faux metals will handle this solution. I have to say, I am still as in love with my ring as the day I found this TIP because I take the time to care for it properly! It’s worth it to give your bling the attention it deserves ;) XO Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Let’s talk Wedding Day Makeup & Hair!
I love Makeup! & couldn’t wait to get dolled up for OUR BIG Day. BUT, Not every makeup artist & team are created equal. I learned (after 1 failed Makeup trial) not to assume that every Makeup Team is the same. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY MAKEUP & HAIR TEAM APPROACH How many girls or women do you need prepped? And where (Venue, Hotel, destination, home) BRIDAL hair & Makeup can take 2 hours & that’s JUST the bride! If you were like me (with 6-10 people with HAIR & MAKEUP services) You PROBABLY need a team there. We had 5 Makeup Artists to pull off 12 people (with 2 services!) PRODUCTS This was a BIG selling point for me! I appreciate GOOD Makeup Products. Meaning: Makeup that lasts, applies smoothly, doesn’t fade, buttery smooth makeup! In my humble opinion, this is a HUGE factor. TRIAL RUN I used my trial run on my bridal shower day Practicing with eyelashes, makeup & hair timing, & seeing how long the makeup lasts helped ease my makeup anxiety. PORTFOLIO Take a look at the website (and mostly likely INSTAGRAM). You can get a good idea of their (his or her) work & see if it is something you like SERVICES Ask what services they can provide. Airbrush was a MUST for me personally. I LOVE the look of a flawless finish. Also consider hair! Can they accommodate what you (and your bridesmaids) would like for your special day? Updos, braids, curls, extensions etc (Don’t assume...ask!) PRICES Clearly this is a HUGE factor too. Ask about travel fees, price per service, Wedding Day Trial, is that included (or a separate fee?) In General (when the team is traveling to you) Hair & Makeup fees range $50-$100. (Plus Tip). Bridal Hair & Makeup is usually more. COMMUNICATION PROBABLY MY TOP PRIORITY! My Team was IMPECCABLE! From personal phone calls, emailed schedules, detailed questions, ALL BEFORE the wedding....MY Makeup and hair went smoothly and on TIME! Have a pre-set schedule in place for all of your girls and services. Tori's Tips on NICU NURSE 101: See Blog Post Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- NICU Care Takes A VILLAGE
Caring for a NICU baby requires a village! “Who Will Be Taking Care of My Baby?” Often times a NICU admission can be overwhelming to say the least! There are so many different Doctors, Nurses, and ancillary teams who care for our tiniest fighters! I always encourage parents to ask questions one of which being "What role do you do while caring for my baby?" Here is a list of health care providers you may encounter in the NICU! NICU TEAMS CAN INCLUDE: Neonatologist: Doctor specializing in newborn intensive care who heads up the medical team Neonatology Fellows, Medical Residents, and Medical Students All pursuing their training at different levels Pediatric Hospitalist A pediatrician who works solely in the hospital setting Neonatal nurse practitioner A nurse practitioner (NP) with additional training in neonatology care Pediatric Cardiologist A doctor who has special medical training to care for a baby’s or child’s heart. Pediatric Gastroenterologist A doctor who has special medical training to care for a baby’s or child’s digestive system. The digestive system is made up of organs and tubes that digest (break down) food a baby eats. Pediatric Neurologist A doctor who has special medical training to care for a baby’s or child’s brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the body. Pediatric Pulmonologist A doctor who has special medical training to care for a baby’s or child’s lungs. NICU nurses Those most responsible for day-to-day care are Nurses. You might come to know them very well and rely on them for information and reassurances about your baby. Various Surgeons or Specialists Such as a neurologist, a cardiologist, or a surgeon to treat specific issues with the brain, heart, etc. Respiratory therapist Specialty therapists who help manage respiratory care, manage ventilators, administers treatments, intubate, extubate, etc. Anything that helps with breathing Speech-language pathologist Who helps babies with feeding & or swallowing problems Dietitian Who helps determine the babies nutritional needs. (IV fluids, feeds, vitamins, fats, proteins, electrolytes, weight gain etc. Physical therapist and/or Speech Occupational Therapist Who work with the babies developmental needs including feeding, movement, massage, mile stones, etc. with the infants and their parents Pharmacist A person who has special training in how medicines work and the side effects they may cause. People get prescription medicine from a pharmacist. Pharmacists also provide medicines in the hospital. Music therapist Provides babies & their families soft, soothing music therapy in the heeling process to grow with healthy stimulation Chaplain Who can counsel you and provide comfort; chaplains may be interfaith or of a particular religious affiliation, but they're there to support anyone looking for a spiritual/religious connection Social worker Who helps you get the services you need and also lends emotional support by connecting you to other families and therapists, if needed Child Life Specialist A trained professional who helps children and their families during challenging events. Child life specialists can help older children if they have a brother or sister in the NICU. Lactation Consultant A person who has special training to help women breastfeed. I hope you find this helpful! And remember, it is always good to ask who they are! Sometimes they forget to mention that part. :) 51 NURSE JOBS TO CONSIDER: See Blog Post Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- New Years Eve Wedding Tips & Tricks!
Let’s talk WEDDINGS! Wedding planning can be the most wonderful yet stressful time in a bride’s life! After my New Years Eve wedding experience as a "Bride-to-Be," I became inspired to share our New Years Eve Extravaganza with you! Our Wedding Objective?! To Throw a party No One Would Forget! (or REMEMBER) So, What Better Way To Start A New Marriage? RING in The New Year As Man & Wife! New Years Eve Extravaganza Let's face it, New Years Eve is a great holiday! It was always a special time for Jacob & I, however, as we go through life, NYE is full of questions like, "What should we do this year?" "Do we really want to overpay for that party?" "Do we really want to drive, fly, travel for something "Fun" to do this year?" The funny part about this is we realized by crafting our wedding around this New Years Eve, the wedding planning process naturally brought a fun spark & shine around the celebration of it all! Our guests were thrilled to have a "build" in party & event to attend! Naturally, being the bride, I wanted to throw the party of our lifetime! However, planning a wedding around the Holiday time can be stressful. Therefore, I wanted to find ways to keep my happiness up & anxiety down. Here are my Tips & Tricks I used while planning our New Years Eve Wedding! Pick the Venue: This was 1st priority! When thinking of venues you will want to consider amount of time allotted for your celebration & Holidays pricing. Prices can be higher during the holidays. (Including staffing, flights for guests, hotel bookings etc). My main objectives: 1. Party until midnight & 2. Keep pricing down. How did I do this? I strategized my venue pick! Honestly, I didn't pick an overpriced venue or the most "chic," location I picked the venue who accommodated my needs & worked with me. My locations were limited due to lack of venues (and availability). Therefore, I chose to do it at our local country club Saticoy Country Club! Not the most glamorous venue, however, they were VERY accommodating to our needs (great staff, custom Mexican food menu, allowance of outside vendors, and of course the ability to party until midnight!!) Say Yes To The Dress: This was second priority! My advice, find the dress that reflects you AND you future MR (or MRS.) AND a fun party dress! I was the bride who said “Yes to the Dress” and then quickly had a panic attack because I knew it wasn’t, in fact the dress... whoops! I felt pressured into it. And I challenge you to avoid that pressure. Trust me, there are plenty of dresses in the sea! If you are near the San Diego area, I highly recommend (M Bride in La Jolla) where I was able to make the decision without outside influences. Although I did purchase both dresses, Michelle the shop keeper suggested I donate the first one to “The Bridal Garden, NYC). BEST decision I had ever made. I used the dress as a tax write-off and made most of my money back! (Selling online did not work for me) The Wedding Planner: Yes. I did hire someone to help me! I needed it, and after a wonderful referral from a dear friend, I reached out to Holly (Paper Heart events) and knew after one phone call I was in good hands. Not only did she coordinated our wedding day, but she also helped with numerous vendor suggestions (Floral, DJ, transportation, procession and lay out thoughts, color scheme, etc). She was a GOD send! However, I did my homework. I knew after speaking to her once on the phone (and researching her portfolio) she was going to be well worth the money. And yes, she set up ALL of our crazy New Year’s Décor & Personal touches, & packed up for us at the end of the night!!! Pinterest (in small doses) I did some research on Pinterest for inspiration on color schemes, décor ideas, and wedding tips. However, after a while I found myself overwhelmed. So, I made the decision to limit my Pinterest activity after a month or two. Etsy & Amazon! I am a HUGE fan of Etsy and Amazon! Most of my bridal party gifts, parents of the bride & groom, thank you gifts, etc, wedding décor (napkins, personal cups, out of town guest bags, etc) came from these two places. Why!? Well, they are cost effective, have reliable shipping, & offered fun additions to our night, I like supporting small “at home businesses” and personalized touches. And believe it or not, many of the Etsy vendors are also on Amazon. I was diligent when ordering from them & also ordered (pretty far) in advance due to holiday ordering time. (HINT: some vendors are quicker than others.) (I also did research on where they were located and skimmed reviews to make sure they were credible) (TORI'S NEW YEARS EVE AMAZON LIST) Plan AHEAD & Stay ORGANIZED: On that note, The BIGGEST thing I can suggest is PLAN AHEAD. With the help from our planner, I was able to narrow down the things I needed to order vs the things I could wait on. I ordered things like napkins, cups, New Year’s Eve Décor, extra candles, etc way ahead of time. I designed our place setting cards ahead of time & had them printed way before wedding week. Although we hired a planner, I am extremely type A, and kept on top (of most things) and tried to touch base with photographer, videographer, transportation etc as we went. Over Communicate: You can never over communicate! There were so many emails, meetings, & instances where I thought I was VERY clear about something, and then the reply "Oh I didn't know that," from the vendor. Don't assume you said it, verify verify verify. Flare Up Your Bridesmaids! New Years Eve is all about glitz, glamour, and fun! Your girls should reflect the fun of your event! I picked a rose gold, sparkly AF dress for my girls to rock! They were glitzing all night! Although you can't please everyone I tried to find a dress that was fun, flattering, and put out "Glam" vibes. I searched high and low for dresses (this was one of the hardest tasks for me as a bride and finally settled on a cost effective dress on Shein.com. (I don't believe they carry this dress any longer, however here is a great similar version!) Plan for A,B,C for Weather We were married in Southern California. Therefore, snow was (most likely) not an issue. However, rain, cold, overcast day, fires, Santa Ana winds etc. were all factors. Although it did not rain, (and we lucked out with great weather), we had plans! If it were to rain, move the ceremony indoors etc. I also provided inexpensive blankets under $4 (purchased from IKEA) for guests at our 30 minute ceremony (BIG HIT!) Timelines for Bridal Party & Families: 2 weeks before the wedding I created timelines for our bridal party, their guests (yes, they all got a plus one) & families. I mailed them out (snail mail, hard copy) so everyone could be on roughly the same page! We had several factors including two separate areas for Bride & Groom ready locations, transportation we wanted to coordinate, a timely first look, and transportation to the venue. My makeup & hair team also created a timeline for me which I also sent to the girls! All hair & makeup was well organized and well executed with the timelines. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! Really Like Your Photographer! (and or Videographer) This is the ONE Person (or 2) that will be with you ALL DAY! Someone fun & spirited yet able to stay organized & lead your day! This is the one person who really should understand the flow of your day, your Wedding expectations, & VIBE with you and your Husband well. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED our Photographer (And Videographers)! They were "in it" with us! Our photographer truly lead the day (bride, groom, grooms people, family, etc) and she also worked well with other vendors! Recruited Help From Bridesmaids (within reason): As someone who likes to host parties, I was VERY adamant about people NOT working on the day of the wedding. However, a few things I certainly needed help with. Putting together invitations, rhine-stoning name cards, putting together guest boxes (the day before the wedding), organizing décor in boxes (& labeling the bins for our planner), etc. However, I tried to make this all somewhat fun. I usually included dinner & drinks for the bribe. And if some of the girls couldn't make it, oh well! It's life! I focused on the moment and appreciated the moments I did have. Rent the Modern Tux When planning for the Groom and Groomsmen, I cringed thinking of a rental company. However, I discovered "The Black Tux" a modernized way to rent tuxes and we could NOT be more pleased! Jacob and I went into one of their Flagship stores (Santa Monica, CA), tried on a few variations and sizes, created an online profile for the guys and they ordered directly from the site (inputting sizes, payment, and mailing addresses). SUPER easy process, sharp looking suits, cost effective, free sizing exchanges within 48hrs, and 3 day return in the FedEx Box! Yes Please! Picked Vendors Carefully: With the help of Social Media, Personal Referrals, & Wedding Corrdinator, I was able to find Trusted Vendors who not only provided great services, but also SHOWED UP! Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: I took time & energy to enjoy every moment. Remember, You are marrying the man (or woman) of your dreams! So, who cares if the flowers aren't perfect, the wrong chairs are delivered, Makeup & Hair run late, someone forgets your garter, etc. Some things are bound to go wrong. Just focus on the real reason behind the BIG day! CHEERS!!! Cheers to you as a bride & of course your groom! Enjoy your wedding (every moment of it). I know this is said over and over, but the whole event will fly by so quickly. Embrace moments, take time to soak it in, and live it up!! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- 13 Unique Gifts For That Bride To Be!
Getting married can be one of the most wonderful time in a Bride's life! From planning the greatest celebration of her life & being surrounded by friends and family not to mention a heart full of love! Throughout my personal wedding journey, I discovered how special this time was for me. I was (after all) marrying the man of my dreams! As I went through my process, I discovered personalized, unique, helpful gifts were the ones I truly cherished. While gifts off the registry were helpful & certainly appreciated there were a few gifts and treasures I found along the way that made my wedding experience easier & put a flare on my Wedding Day! Unique, Useful, and Unforgettable Gifts for any Future Mrs! 1. HitchSwitch (Help Her Switch Her Name) Part of the wedding process is changing your name! For me, this was an overwhelming thought. From social security, passport, drivers license, open accounts, etc., I didn't know where to start! Fortunately I discovered HitchSwitch! This truly eased my Name Change process! With their help I didn't need to worry about where to start, which forms I needed, how to fill out those forms, which order to submit the applications, what to include when submitting, where to submit, etc. List of HitchSwitch Products! 1. Print at Home ($39): You'll have immediate access to name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information and a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application via an online dashboard. 2. Full-Service Package ($69): Their team will ship printed name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information, a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application, and pre-paid envelopes for any steps that can be submitted through the mail. 3. Platinum ($99): (This is the one I ordered) Their team will ship printed name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information, a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application, and pre-paid envelopes for any steps that can be submitted through the mail. Platinum clients also receive a dedicated account manager and a free passport photo (which will be redeemed through their sister site). ("NewPassportPhoto.com"). Want to gift this but don't know the name the "New Legal" name Bride will choose? No fear! If you would like to gift this, but don't know what the Bride will change her name to, you can opt to order her a gift card! Hitch Switch will mail you the card with a fun printed step by step explanation of how to start her process! I have gifted this several times to my friends and they LOVED it! If you are looking to purchase CLICK THIS LINK CODE: NurseTori for 10% off! 2. The Mrs Box Weddings are all about the details! I loved finding special ways to make my day unique and beautiful! One of my favorite finds was this ring box for my most special token of commitment. Meet the modern wedding heirloom, The Mrs. Box. Choose from 44 colors and countless personalized options to design your perfect match. Their innovative box design features a gorgeous inset metal lid that allows you to customize your Mrs. Box with unlimited options. Choose from over 35 in house monogram designs, three lid colors: gold, silver, or rose gold, and two finishes: polished or matte. List of Mrs Box Products! Classic Box: Their classic single size boxes measure 4 cm on all sides. They feature one slot. with a wider pillow and taller top to accommodate larger rings. Our large size boxes are also big enough to accommodate many men's bands as well as large stone rings or cocktail rings. Double Box: Their classic double size boxes measure 4 cm on all sides. They feature two slots with a wider pillow and taller top to accommodate larger rings and double sets. All of their velvet boxes are individually handmade using the world's most extraordinary velvet featuring custom colors made exclusively for us. This box truly added a special touch to my wedding day. Whether you want to gift this for her engagement, bridal shower, wedding day, or just for fun this is truly a special detail she will not forget! 3. Agata Maria (Unique Garters) There is nothing more special to a bride than her wedding gown! And the last touch being her garter! I searched high and low for the perfect garter. This is such a fun detail and it was important to me to have the perfect detail under my dress! One to Toss and One to Keep! These garters were amazing! I purchased two! One for my shadow box and one for Jacob to toss! These garters are all handmade, fashioned with various materials such as lace, ribbon, Swarovski crystals, plush elastic (with a velvety feel), and provided me a unique iconic touch to my wedding day! Something Blue If you are seeking a way to add her "Something Blue" this is the perfect gift! Agata Maria garters provides several different styles for you to choose from with the perfect little touch for her day! Extra Details! Agata Maria also offers some additional amazing wedding details as well! Not only do they offer Wedding Garters but they also feature Flower Girl Dresses, Bridal Headpieces & Boudoir pieces! Their garters are all hand-made in their bridal studio, AM Couture, in West London. All garters come packaged in our luxurious company box so that all brides-to-be can truly treasure their item forever. 4. Ultimate Skin Spa Help her prep her wedding day skin!! Whether you’re cleansing, treating, beautifying or exploring, it’s time to revolutionize your routine!! For Vanity Planet, beauty isn’t something you add or apply—it’s something you reveal. The first time she washes her face with the Vanity Planet Ultimate Skin Spa she will feel like she has washed her face at an entirely different level. What feels like a year’s worth of dirt and debris will be gently but thoroughly buffed away, Leaving nothing but smooth, soft, glowing skin behind. This dual-speed handheld spin brush works with your favorite cleanser and one of three interchangeable brush heads to customize the perfect routine for your skin type. Use discount "NurseTori" for 70% off at checkout!! 5. Personalized Wood cutting board The one place in any household is the kitchen! This is where memories will be made, family and friends will gather, and the new couple will cherish together. Beautiful and Functional One of the best gifts I received was a personalized cutting board! I have mine out on display in our kitchen and use it for special occasions when family and friends come to enjoy a home cooked meal! Etsy provides so many amazing vendors full of handcrafted wood cutting boards! If you are looking for something creative, personalized with custom engraving, and unforgettable this is an amazing wedding gift! 6. Enso Rings Whether your bride is active, a nurse, teacher, future mother this is a great gift to give! I am a nurse and therefore choose to save my heirlooms away from the hospital setting. Running, climbing, working, swimming, traveling, cooking, showers, holding a child etc, these rings are the perfect answer! Enso Rings are the modern alternative to metal rings. They are silicone rings to help protect your most precious moments and fingers! And also unique wedding and engagement ring gifts. They are the most stylish, versatile silicone rings and silicone wedding bands! If your bride has an active lifestyle, or if she works with your hands for a living, then you know traditional metal bands and unique wedding rings get in the way of just about everything! 7. GLDN necklace Love is personal. Keeping her loved one close with a simple, timeless, pendant she can wear with anything can be the perfect gift! I originally found this company on Etsy before we were married. I purchased a simple gold pendant with our initals engraved and wear it all the time. All pieces are custom made and hand stamped in our La Conner, WA studio. PERSONALIZATION. Whether you are looking for a heart, pendant, engraving, or just a symbol to keep close to her heart this is a unique piece she will cherish! Every piece is made to order. It’s a one-of-a-kind collaboration between their team and you— making it easy for you to create something meaningful for yourself or for a loved one. They read every detail you request and work with you to create something you love. 8. Bridal Shawl or Wrap If your bride was like me, and getting married in the Fall or Winter months this could be the perfect touch to her day! I discovered this company when I was searching for a wrap to top off our New Years Eve Wedding! Gift a beautiful shawl or wrap to complete her gown and she’ll have warm cozy shoulders to go along with her warm cozy feelings. This is a modern version of the vintage fur wrap lined with velvet. And don't worry they are all faux of course, but often mistaken for real! This effortlessly became a glamorous accessory to my wedding day. Royal Scout & Co. is a boutique homegoods business in Northern California, focused on creating beautiful outdoors-inspired accessories for your home (and a few for your closet too). All of their products are designed AND produced locally in the San Francisco Bay Area. 9. JO MALONE LONDON (The Perfect Scent) The last touch to my wedding day was choosing the perfect scent. I wanted something timeless, fresh, and special for our day! I have discovered Jo Malone is one of the best fragrance brands to consider when trying to find the my perfect wedding perfume. With an array of unique scents, pretty much any of their perfumes would be lovely for a special occasion. These are soft, fresh, with light flower and garden scents that will not overpower! 10. Custom Stamp Gift Box Stationery is becoming more and more popular, and so are personalized stationery touches. No doubt your bride will be writing LOTS of thank you cards and what better way to help her than to gift her a custom stamp set?! Not only will she be able to use this for her wedding process but she will be able to use this for years to come! Seasonal cards, thank you's, announcements etc! The Expressionery Giftable Stamp Set includes one stamp mount, one black ink pad, and a redemption code for one custom stamp plate. With our easy-to-follow instructions, recipients can choose from dozens of stamp designs and personalize their favorite. 11. His and Her Relaxing Spa Treatment Let's face it, wedding planning can be stressful! Deadlines, planning, coordinating, pleasing various people, etc. It can overwhelming! One of the greatest gifts I received was a couples Spa Treatment! The week of the wedding we set aside an afternoon to relax, take it all in, and get a couples massage. It truly helped us reconnect and remember the whole reason we were doing this WHOLE WEDDING THING! Double check her planned wedding week itinerary, then gift her and her soon to be Hubby a surprise Spa Treatment before the craze of her day! This will truly help ensure she is relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the big day. 12. Bliss Gift Box Looking for a fun way to congratulate the newly engaged couple? Here is a great idea! Bliss Box, features a stunning Live In Mosaics glass mosaic seashell ring dish, set of two His and Hers champagne flutes by Vow + Vibe, Illume Fresh Sea Salt demi candle tin, an organic cotton Nesta Home hand painted gold 'love' kitchen towel, and a fresh succulent plant. Beautifully packaged in their pine wood keepsake box with fresh greenery and finished off with a bow. I think gift giving {and getting} is pretty awesome. But what happened to actually putting thought and creativity into a gift? Box + Bow® rekindles a lost art by providing beautifully packaged, hand selected items sourced from small businesses, artisan crafters and Etsy sellers. No matter the celebration, their luxe boxes fulfill your need for a thoughtful, unique and memorable gift option. They pride themselves in perfecting every single itty bitty detail, because they want each recipient to feel as special as you truly are. 13. Personalized Beach Hat Personalized beach hats make a cute honeymoon gift for the bride to be at her bridal shower, personalized with her new "mrs" last name - or get them for all your bridesmaids at your bachelorette weekend and really stand out! Each custom sun hat is available in white, blush or tan and customized on top of the brim in a pretty black script font printed with vinyl lettering. Add a pom poms to your hat for an extra flare! I hope you enjoyed this post! I truly loved my wedding process and was so happy to find all of these amazing companies along the way! Unique, Useful, and Unforgettable Gifts for any Future Mrs! Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
- Tori’s Top Tools for Glowing Skin
It’s never too early to start a strong skincare routine! I LOVE trying new things and most of my money actually goes to skincare. My skin is not perfect, and my maskne has been in full force this year, but these tools have helped me feel fab & keep my skin chic. As always all of these recommendations are tried and true- so let’s get to it. CYRx MD Medical Grade Skin Care I like my products to be effective and do what they're saying they are going to do! CYRx MD was formulated by a Mayo Clinic trained Orthopedic Spinal surgeon, Dr. Steven Cyr, who created these incredible medical grade products to help his patients with a wide spectrum of skin disorders. Dr. Cyr has partnered with chemists and skin specialists to formulate a proprietary blend of products ideally suited to inhibiting large, unsightly scars, skin discoloration, and damage from aging, and the effects of hormones and bacteria on skin. MY CYRx PRODUCT FAVES: Collagen Youth Serum feels like youth in a bottle with a formula that gives unequaled anti-aging benefits with high concentrations of key antioxidants to rejuvenate the skin, fight free radicals and provide maximum protection against environmental and UV induced skin damage. Ultra Recovery Cream goes on super silky with no scents! It soothes the skin, removes irritation & reduces redness. Ultra Recovery Cream is further enhanced with four different ceramides to restore skin barrier function which helps the skin maintain its natural structure. Retinol Eye Cream. This is my newest nightly MUST! This is a rich & restorative, all-in-one, anti-aging eye cream contains peptide complexes, a breakthrough Retinoid, and a form of Vitamin K, to reduce dark circles, promote collagen production to improve fine lines and wrinkles, and increase cellular turnover resulting in healthy, younger-looking skin in this delicate area. Tinted Sunblock SPF 44 is light weight and sheerly tinted. Formulated as a chemical-free alternative to sun protection, I am super picky with facial sunscreen because I don’t want to break out, and I have to say I am obsessed with this one. Find out all the juicy deets surrounding CYRx on the Cellfie Podcast- Episode #33. Listen here! Shop CYRx Products Vanity Planet Vanity Planet Forever Young Wand and Ultimate Skin Spa facial cleansing system are my day one ride or die tools. The Ultimate Skin Spa cleansing brush brings washing your face to a whole new level with three interchangeable brush heads to customize the perfect routine for your skin type. Save on the Forever Young Wand CODE: NurseTori gives you 70% off everything!!! I also love the Vanity Planet steamer that enhances the benefits of my skin care regimen, primes skin for exfoliation & product application and accelerates the absorption and effectiveness of applied products. I use these daily during my nighttime skin care routine! Curology Custom Skin Care As a medical professional myself, I truly appreciate expert advice on skin care! Curology is an easy way to clear up your top skin issues with 3 main active ingredients uniquely devised to treat your skin concerns. You start by taking their skin quiz before being matched with an expert who will draw up a customized formula that even has your name on the bottle. I love how hands on their company is throughout your entire journey to clear, healthy skin with routine check-ins by your matched skin care professional who will ask questions, and update your routine as your needs change. Skin is most definitely a long term commitment. Start your Curology Free Trial SDARA ROSE QUARTZ JADE ROLLER AND HYDRATING SHEET MASKS HOT TIP!!! Let yourself literally chill out by putting your Sdara Rose Quartz Jade Roller in the fridge to give yourself a mini refreshing massage to tone and sculpt your face. The cold helps decrease swelling and inflammation in your face and improves lymphatic drainage. Shop my Sdara Faves on Amazon... You can also use the roller to work products into the face. Accompany your facial massage with Sdara’s anti-aging eye masks or with their skin brightening and hydrating face masks that will leave your skin looking revitalized. I love how PETAL-SOFT and dewy my skin feels after using their botanically sourced face masks. It is truly a night and day difference with this intensely moisturizing and refreshing combo! Drunk Elephant Give your skin the total reset it needs with Drunk Elephant. What makes Drunk Elephant a unique beauty staple at my house is how they create all of their products at a skin-friendly PH level and that all ingredients are effective yet recognized by the skin and easily absorbed. I absolutely LOVE how Drunk Elephant’s cleansers and moisturizers leave my skin feeling so smooth and gives me the confidence to go out of my house without makeup. DRUNK ELEPHANT PRODUCT FAVES: -C-Firma Day Serum is a vitamin c serum to help firm and brighten your skin, but you do have to wear sunscreen with it! -Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is a mild, foaming, gel cleanser that takes off makeup phenomenally. -T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a smooth gel that helps exfoliate, resurface, and clarify your skin making it smoother and brighter. -Protini Polypeptide Cream is a moisturizer formulated to nourish, strengthen and firm the skin while reducing fine lines and sun damage. -A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a clean, cutting edge formula that I put on last at night in my “nighttime skin care cocktail”. Find my Drunk Elephant Faves on Amazon... IS Clinical Active Serum! ACTIVE SERUM: AGE-DEFYING, CLEARING, BRIGHTENING By far, one of my MOST used products over the years. This serum is UNREAL. It feels spicy going on, you can really feel the "active," ingredients & moreover SEE the results. This product has helped my complection, brightness, and maskne from my long 12 hour shifts. This is their most popular product. This fast-acting, long-term, results-oriented formula decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, visibly evens skin tone, and is excellent for blemish-prone skin. Touted by physicians as “remarkable” and “phenomenal,” ACTIVE SERUM usually produces results within a couple of days. Potent activity will be noted upon application as evidenced by a cool tingling sensation. Excellent for all skin types and for all ages, this powerful botanical serum leaves the skin moist and smooth. Tinkle Razors These tiny razors work wonders for removing the un-necessary fine hairs on my face. You don’t need to be an experienced aesthetician to be able to safely use the blade and protect your sensitive skin. This razor makes your face soooooo smooth and is small enough to perfectly shape your eyebrows. For best results, I recommend the razor to be single use if used all over your face. Shop Tinkle Eyebrow Razor Sets on Amazon... There you have it! Skin Care Tools that once you start using, you’ll never be able to go without. I am obsessed with these and know you’ll be too. XO, Tori Tori Meskin BSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN student, a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey married life & juggles work, school, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com