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Kait Phoenix

@kaitphoenix

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Health Editor @hearst. 👧🏻 👶🏻 & 🐱🐱 mom. ‘cuse alum. alpine skier. deal hunter. carb lover. memoir reader. amateur yogi. city 🐀 with a country 🐁 heart.

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This is the story of my wedding dress, but really it’s a story about my mom, who recently passed away. During the last few years of her life, she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease and it was difficult to watch the vibrant, take-charge mom who raised me change so much. Knowing she didn’t have the capacity to plan a bridal shower or help finalize wedding details like most mothers do, I assumed a long afternoon going from store to store trying on wedding dresses was off the table, too. So I ordered two dresses online and hoped for the best. Then when neither one panned out, my mom eagerly joined me on a spur-of-the moment trip to David’s Bridal. It’s not a lavish bridal shop by any stretch of the imagination, but that 90-minute shopping trip turned out to be one of my most cherished experiences with her.
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To begin with, I had my heart set on a tea-length dress, but the options were limited. I’ll forever be grateful that when I insisted on chopping off the bottom of the full-length gown I fell in love with, my mom never called me crazy. As a longtime quilter, I think she knew any fabric had the potential to turn into something magical. So when the dress arrived a few months later, my mom tagged along and sat patiently as a seamstress pinned up layer after layer. When we returned in a month and the hem was uneven, my mom encouraged me to have them correct it even though it meant an extra trip back to the store. And when the dress was finally ready, my mom beamed. She said she liked it, but I think she was just happy I pushed for what I wanted and made it happen.
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After our wedding, I opted to have the dress preserved and it’s now tucked away in a box somewhere in my parents’ house. Many brides save their dress with the hope that a daughter or granddaughter might wear it one day. I think I saved mine because part of me realized it might be the last big project my mom and I worked on together. Now, as I look at my own daughter, I get sad thinking my mom won’t be here to make her Halloween costumes or more quilts when she reaches new milestones, but I also know she instilled some of that crafty creativity in me and I hope I pass it along to Allie in my own ways.

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Have you tried the 25-7-2 StairMaster Workout? @preventionmag asked for my thoughts on this latest fitness trend. Scroll 👉🏽for some of my commentary and tap the link in bio to read the full article. Let us know if you’ve tried the workout and what you think about it.

Thank you Prevention Magazine, @ardenisperez and @kaitphoenix .

#stairmasterworkout #preventionmagazine #fitnesstrends #readallaboutit #nycfitness #functionalstrengthcoach

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Feeling extremely grateful for 34 weeks of little adventures with this bump 🥰

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✨ringing in ♊️gemini szn✨

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Meet the Phoenixes! ❤️‍🔥 On October 1, Phil and I got married in front of close family and friends. That day was truly special, but today feels like a real-life fresh start with the court’s approval of our new last name. Just as the phoenix represents rebirth in Greek mythology, we’re beginning a new chapter together.

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Holding on to summer ⛴☀️🌮🍻

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What a treat it was to celebrate these two last night! ✨

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We gathered together tonight to celebrate @jamiylachisholmwrites and toast the release of her phenomenal memoir The Community. It’s a powerful story that excavates untold family secrets and the healing necessary to move forward. It is a must read. #colleaguestofriends #formerlyrealsimple

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@thegreystoneinn was the perfect place for us to wrap up our trip with stunning scenery, delicious food, nostalgic campfires, and great company
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@visitnc #visitNC #LakeToxaway #TransylvaniaCounty #blueridgemountains

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Mother Nature sure is busy right now 🌸🏞✨
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@visitnc #visitNC @southern_highlands_reserve #TripleFalls #TransylvaniaCounty #blueridgemountains

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I’ve heard about @artoflivingboone for years and I’m happy to report it lived up to the hype. We cooked, meditated, chanted, strolled, and yoga-ed while soaking up more of these mountain views.
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@visitnc #visitNC #blueridgemountains #artofliving

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Lucky to have coworkers I like so much that I’m willing to spend my weekends with them 🌊 #NewportRI ⚓️

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