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For the past year and a half, I have a confession to make. I spiraled. I’m not sure exactly what spurred it on, but I went down a worry wormhole like none other. Part of it felt like it started at the beginning of pregnancy. As my therapist and I discussed the why over this past year she brought to my attention that it was likely a form of protection like a mama bear would have with her cubs. None the less it got to a point where I felt like I couldn’t go a day without fear arising. Trauma in life can do some crazy things to the brain. It can carve channels that spur fear by creating neurological connections. That’s the science behind it, and the good news is - you can change it. It’s called neuroplasticity. Both prayer and meditation are proven to rewire the brain. Today I’m going to share a few ways you can take your power back and let go of worrying for life.
As we get to the end of January, I realize it’s been a little bit of a tough month for a lot of us. As the new year approached, I was feeling an urge to switch things up. I recently shared in this post it was just time for change. Although the new year has new goals, themes, and milestones planned… I really struggled with thought patterns. Instead of ruminating or brooding, I found myself aching for mental change. Change your environment and you will find that new energy flows. I learned this concept back in Interior Design school and studied Feng Shui. Energy is everywhere and when we need to make a mental or emotional change, look to change the environment. Today I’m sharing five ways to change your daily flow which will, in turn, change your mindset.
I’m a big fan of easy-going outfits for date nights. Whether it be a pretty dress or something more casual like this bodysuit and jeans, having effortless pieces you can throw on so getting ready for a date is all the more fun. This pink bodysuit has been one of my new favorite pieces! You can pair it with a leather skirt for a more dressed-up look or relaxed wide-leg jeans like I did here.
Five months ago Baby Max was born. Getting back into a fitness routine was a journey to say the least! For reference, I am 39 years old and gained 38 lbs in pregnancy. Had a natural birth with no medication or epidural at a birth center and went home the night I had Max. Did not even take ibuprofen...
There’s something special about transitioning out of sundresses and shorts to more structured pieces like this black and white high neck maxi dress or this beautiful square neck black satin bow detailed dress. Both of these beauties are from CupShe and I’m loving what they are offering right now.
This picture was captured by my incredible husband this past week and I truly felt like it captured my essence. I am finally feeling like I have energy again and wanted to share insights to why I’ve been quiet on the blog this year. The past five and a half months brought a whirlwind of things I did not expect. Many of you guys have followed my journey over the years, but for some of the new faces I had a baby five months ago.
If there is one color for this season I recommend adding to your closet it’s Turquoise! Bringing in beautiful shades of ocean blue adds a pop of fun to almost any outfit. I’ve styled this gorgeous faux ostrich print bag in various ways to inspire you. Make sure to load up with lots of turquoise jewelry like this necklace, these earrings, and this statement bracelet. You can shop all my favorite turquoise pieces below!
Living in one of the hottest states in the US, sundresses have become my go-to for the Spring and Summer seasons. They are easy to style and require just adding a few accessories for a quick grab-and-go option. They pack nicely for trips and can be layered over swimwear or worn with strappy sandals for dinner. They also are super comfortable on hot days instead of having shorts ride up and stick to a hot car seat. There are so many cute styles to choose from like a pretty milkmaid dress like this one. Or you can opt for a dress that has a beautiful neckline and a side slit with just the right amount of leg. If you are looking for something more modest, try this pretty floral dress that hits at the perfect midi length. You can shop tons of other options below!
Rounding up a few of my outfits recently. I love wearing shades of pink and thought it would be fun to share them all in one post with you guys. Here are 10 outfits to inspire you to wear this adorable color!
When I find a piece of jewelry I love I usually wear it on repeat. Recently I came across this pair of tear-drop earrings with Bottega vibes and I cannot seem to take them off for anything but to go to sleep. They’ve been worn to meetings, casual Saturdays, photoshoots and even the gym. They seem to go with everything and because they are 14k gold-plated, they don’t seem to irritate my ears. I have really sensitive skin and these babies really do the trick.
The past 6 weeks have been a complete blur. A month and a half ago I gave birth to our son Maximilian Everest Lowy at 8:16pm. It was a complete joy and I’m so thankful he’s finally here. With that being said, I’ve been in the newborn cocoon with my husband in a blur of breastfeeding, a 24-hour schedule, a little sleep deprivation, and a lot of eating. I am so lucky to have my husband as we transition into this new phase in life.
Finally reached 39 weeks today and I cannot tell you how excited I am about meeting my baby boy. The past two weeks have been full of nesting and finishing up a few last-minute things before his arrival. I figured it would be fun to share what I’ve been wearing lately. Not a single item in any of these posts is maternity wear. All of them are regular women’s clothing that I’ve sized up to allow room for the bump. I found that it was more practical for me to stick to a lot of my traditional silhouettes that flatter my body type, but by going up a size I had extra room in the belly. Hope you enjoy this little round-up and stay tuned for our upcoming birth announcement!
This past year has amounted to an extreme amount of growth. Almost a year ago, I made the decision to go back to one-on-one counseling to sort out some stuff that was surfacing emotionally in my life. It was so hard, but I finally feel like I’m on the upswing and things are more manageable. It’s easy to make excuses in our lives for behaviors we did when we were not at our best. It’s also really easy to blame others for the things that went wrong. Ultimately, accepting full responsibility for my life has given me freedom and inner power I did not know a few years ago. I’m going to share with you today 10 Things I Learned this Year in hopes of inspiring you to rise above your current state of being into a higher version of yourself.
For the past year, I’ve struggled to feel spiritually challenged. For most of my life, I’ve constantly sought to expand my spiritual knowledge and push myself to educate myself about theology, religion, spiritual topics, and the bible. I’ve studied the Bible in depth for the past 30 years dissecting it, cross referencing, and getting involved in small group Bible studies to understand God better and what his word says. I’ve also studied a plethora of other spiritual practices and viewpoints including angel numbers, numerology, Buddhism the history behind the Islamic religion, and Catholicism practices. I wanted to truly understand the world’s viewpoints on faith, hope, righteousness, and what God had to say about them.
For the past few weeks, I’ve had major baby brain. I’m eight months pregnant and we are counting down to delivery at this point. We’ve elected in this pregnancy to deliver the baby naturally with a midwife instead of a hospital birth. It’s been such a better experience than meeting with an OBGYN. Our midwife has longer conversations with us, explains every single test or procedure, and gives us options. It’s a freedom I did not know was possible! As we prepare this final month I thought I would share a few things that are going to ease the delivery and make the experience the most successful possible.
Cannot believe I am almost 8 months pregnant at this point! It’s been challenging these past few weeks to get dressed but I found a few pieces from a company called Oyoangle that narrowed it down for simple maternity styling. First up is this long-sleeved mocha body con dress with tons of ruching on the sides to give a good fit but flexibility in the growing bump. I love the way it hugs curves and the fabric is a stretchy cotton that breathes nicely. I am still wearing heels but this would look just as cute with a pair of sneakers or ballet flats. Adding pops of pink like this lipstick, purse, earrings, and hot pink pumps gives an otherwise neutral color a nice punch.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it was time to share a few of my favorite pink things! Pink is hands down my favorite color and I never tire of it. I recently did a color analysis and found out I’m a Spring! That means bright pinks are one of my best colors and let me tell you… I receive the best compliments when I wear it. I put together two classy looks for you in this post and then rounded up all the pink things below for you to shop! Most of the items in the list I own are tried and true. I try to only share things on the blog I’ve worn or would purchase for myself so you know you are getting the best of the best!
The past few months seem like a blur. We had such a great time over the holidays entertaining friends and family and then also spending time together on our trips, but I am so glad to be back in my normal swing of things. I wanted to share a few updates about my pregnancy in today’s post and insights into what I experienced in my second trimester. First of all, I noticed a huge increase in my energy levels which is pretty common. I began walking 10,000 steps a day and noticed I felt so much better. I would pace myself, but each morning and evening I walked for about an hour and fifteen minutes. It felt so good to move my body and keep my legs in shape.
Happy New Year! I know we are already over a week into 2024, but I took some time over the first week to set intentions for the year. I hope each of you had an amazing time over the holidays and found ways to celebrate with your loved ones. Before fully moving into the new year I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight last year and share a little about my journey during 2023.
Yesterday I took a little road trip to Waco, TX to visit the incredibly elegant newly renovated boutique Hotel 1928. Designed by Chip and Joanna Gaines! The project was to restore a cornerstone building in downtown Waco, TX, and preserve the turn of the century hospitality. There are so many corners, nooks, and details to awe over as you explore this incredible masterpiece. There’s a library downstairs, lounges on the ground floor, a coffee bar, and a Brasserie where I had the most delicious baked cheese! There’s also 33 rooms and a rooftop terrace. Whether you are looking to stay overnight, spend the afternoon working out of the lounge, or just grab some food with friends you must stop by!
For today’s look, I wore a beautiful cobalt blue Amazon one-shoulder maxi dress which is a total steal. I comes in other colors but this one is on sale for $15. I love how it’s not a maternity dress, but has lots of stretch and room for the bump. I know I’ll be able to wear it at a later point in time. This would also be perfect for a winter wedding if you are attending any this season. I paired it with beautiful Kelly green mules (found an almost identical pair here on Amazon) and gorgeous Emerald green teardrop earrings. One way to make an outfit look upscale is to add a piece of dramatic statement jewelry.
The past two weeks I’ve been on a constant rotation of all things red. It started with our trip to Colorado where I pulled out a few of my favorite pieces for the season like this red coat that has been on repeat and this adorable bow embellished sweater. Then, once we returned home I decided to keep the holiday theme going! Red is such a classic and festive color for this time of year.
We just got back from an incredible trip over Thanksgiving and had the best time! I wanted to share a few of the outfits and activities with you in today’s post. Although a lot of our trip was business-oriented, we made time for some fun and relaxation. Toward the end of the trip, Marshall proposed! It was such a sweet surprise and I am so excited we are getting married. I’ll be sharing more about it in an upcoming blog post with the full story but wanted to round up a few looks in case you are traveling this season.
We decided to drive from College Station, TX to Denver over two days so my first few outfits were really comfy-oriented. I found that bodysuits are the perfect item to travel in since they offer support and convenience without having to layer underwear. I added cute leggings and cardigans over to stay cozy in the car. I also wore shoes that I could easily slip on and off for quick road stops. I’ve rounded all of my outfits and details for you to shop in this post! Read on…
Fourth of July is right around the corner which means outdoor entertaining for so many! I wanted to share our backyard with you guys before we move. We are in the process right now of packing up (check out here) and moving our stuff to our new home. So excited! I cannot wait to unfold the design projects that will be coming your way. Today I rounded up some of my favorite things for outdoor entertaining.
My family is originally from the deep south and porches are a thing for anyone who lives in Alabama. Although I call Texas home, there are a few things from my childhood I’ve carried over here, and having a porch to relax on is a necessity. I recently made a few updates to my patio to include DIY paper lantern outdoor light shades. You basically tie a few paper lanterns together with thread and hang over the ugly old light fixture. Also, a fantastic idea for a party! My outdoor sconces are pretty deepest into the porch, so I’m not worried about wind damage. I went ahead and put together a few tips for decorating your patio!
A few years ago whenever I looked in the mirror I saw someone who was a failure. I talked to her that way, too. I’d say things like, “You are not getting things right today.” Or “This isn’t your day.”
I began avoiding mirrors. I saw every single flaw in myself every single day. Then, one day a mentor of mine told me to say one positive thing for every negative thing I said.
Looking back, what I was going through was depression. I was so tired every day. I was angry at how life turned out and I felt like everything was my fault. Depression is a lot of work to manage. It’s a level of fatigue that makes taking a shower feel like an Olympic sport. But I kept going. Each time I said something crappy to myself, I stop and say something positive.
I have been dying to share with you guys my living room for some time now! I moved into this house over the summer and life has been a blur ever since. I did an insane amount of travel the past six months and am finally spending some time at home. I actually decorated the living room right when I moved in, but I didn’t love the layout. After the Christmas decor was finally put away mid-month I configured a better layout for the space. Sometimes you need to spend time in a space to really see the best way for it to be used. I’ve been making it a point to paint more often and finally added a newly finished painting above the TV and entertainment wall. It’s been so therapeutic to play around with color when I’m home. I’ll share a few tips about creating a colorful living room of your own. Not a single new item (outside of the canvas for the painting) was purchased for this space. I actually used things from my last apartment which was very modern and chic - you can see them here for yourself. I added pops of color throughout the space to give this huge open floorplan character. One last thing before we get started, I made no structural or textile changes to any of the surfaces. All tips below are perfect whether you are renting a home or you are a homeowner!
A few weeks ago I made a short trip to Dallas where I visited the Sarah Flint store. My daughter and I were having a girl’s weekend and decided while we were there to see the beautiful decor at the Sarah Flint pop-up shop! I was so impressed when I arrived. It felt like I was stepping into Sarah’s living room. In fact, the decor was inspired by her own home! We were quickly greeted by the sweetest associate who offered us fresh chocolate chip cookies and tea. The recipe was from Sarah’s grandmother! I love to shop but this was a completely different experience in all the good ways! We took a stroll around the store and admired the beautiful floral wallpaper, soft seating to try on your shoes, and the classic gold shelving that displayed all of the Sarah Flint accessories like scarves and barrettes. No stone was left unturned in the store!
Yesterday the chilliest of cold fronts blew in. A drastic change from earlier this week when I was frolicking in a dress without even a cardigan. That’s Texas for you. One minute hot and one minute cold. I decided it was time to bust out the new scarf I picked up over the holidays from Nordstrom. It’s the coziest thing ever! Seriously! I rounded up a ton of plaid, pastel, stripe, and printed scarves below. I find a little pop of color on a dreary day does wonder for my mood. A cozy scarf can also be layered indoors over a long sleeve t-shirt or blouse if the house is drafty or you just seem to struggle to warm up as I do. I am usually cold so that extra layer really helps! Here are two ways I wore this scarf yesterday.
I’ll be honest. I’ve been in mostly knits for the past 10 days. Ever since I made it back from my trip to Colorado, I’ve been a complete hermit. Yep, snuggled up on the couch with my dog and journal morning and night. It’s been incredible and much-needed. I’ve been working all year so far out of my house. Each evening doing little projects around the house and during the daytime working with clients. My uniform looks the equivalent of what I wore when I was in Amarillo which includes this incredible sweater that is the softest material ever and these snuggly pants. If there is one outfit you need in your life right now it’s this one. I’ve been wearing several pairs of sweater pants like these joggers, this pair of wide-legged and I’ve featured these several times on the blog over the years. They are a great alternative to sweat pants and you can lounge, walk or run errands in them.
I love getting into cozy clothes in the evenings and sitting around the glow of the tree. From working on a new painting to journaling being at home is even more fun when you have a comfortable environment. For years I went with mismatching pj’s or I wore my athleisure clothes to bed. Over the past few seasons, I make it a point to take a nice long shower or bath and slip into something comfortable and elegant to sleep in. I love a good pair of satin pajamas. I paired these lace embellished shorts with a cozy sweater and then added festive slippers. I plan on wearing the same slippers on Christmas morning. They are really comfortable and add a touch of glam. Gifting pajamas are also a favorite of mine!
I put together two looks wearing my new Sarah Flint Jay 100 Pumps. I love the tortoise heel and how it contrasts against the beautiful triple-dyed navy suede. I love the arch support! Usually, heels don’t have that kind of comfort but these can be worn all day or all night depending on the occasion. For the first outfit, I paired them with a silk camisole and silk skirt. A simple nude envelope clutch and gold earrings make for an elegant party or New Year’s Eve look. The second look includes a pleated navy floral dress. You can add a blazer or cardigan daytime and then switch to a scarf or a shawl for an evening look. The pumps are the perfect finishing touch for both looks. Use the code SARAHFLINT-BATHREEHEELCLICKS for $50 off your Sarah Flint order!
Over Thanksgiving break, I took a quick trip to Dallas for a few days. While I was there I made sure to stop by the Royal 38 Christmas pop up restaurant which is decked out in everything Christmas-related. I thought it would make a fun evening to merrily kick off the holiday season. When you walk in you are immediately greeted with a leg lamp like the one found in Christmas Story. The exterior is has a beautiful canopy of lights over the patio and each table is individually wrapped like a present. Even the cocktails carried the theme by being served in Santa mugs. If you are in the area and are looking for a fun spot, check them out. I recommend making reservations before going since it’s a pretty small venue. Also, the menu is done by scanning a QR code and ordering yourself so when you sit down you can immediately get things moving for your table. It was such a fun place to be for the evening and the food was incredible.
After being down and out for a week I’m easing back into the swing of things! I spent the weekend giving myself a little rest and recovery after coming down with a case of Covid-19 but I’m happy to share that things have improved! Although I am not back to full capacity, I was able to get a bunch of work done today and feel like a much better woman. I ordered this adorable pair of mary janes in a pretty cranberry color and this velvet black. I have to say, if there’s only one shoe to purchase right now this is it! Plus, it’s at a ridiculous price point. Oh, and did I mention super comfy? Yes, you’re welcome. I paired it with the softest leggings and a classic baby doll tunic for a really simple Monday look. You can shop more of my favorites on my Amazon Shop here!
Whether you work from home or have returned to the office, mental health concerns are still on the rise. Things are just different than they were pre COVID. There’s no denying we live in a different world than two years ago. However, no matter what shape things are in, we can still find ways to connect with our coworkers, create a space and environment we love working in, and enjoy our time doing the things that pay the bills. Although I am a work-from-home employee, in recent months my company has been pushing more face-to-face meetings and company events. Our home office employees have returned as have many of my friends. In a very uncertain time, I find it’s best to stay positive and realistic. Understanding that things are going to remain dynamic as we continue to navigate a pandemic and just take it one day at a time because nothing is set in stone. Here are a few ways I’m managing my sanity as I go back to see people face to face.
Last week I did a massive closet cleaning. I decided to discard anything I haven’t worn in two years unless it was a special occasion worthy. It was so freeing to remove dead weight in my closet. I feel like my clothes can breathe again. After I finished discarding, I made a list of things to add to my closet. I’ve had more client and business meetings as of late and knew I needed to revamp my work wardrobe (see this post and this post). Building a capsule wardrobe for the season makes it easy to grab and go when you are in a hurry. I added cotton shirts like this one from Hill House Home and these from Amazon. Then, a beautiful blazer is perfect for a meeting over coffee. Finally, adding some basics like dress shorts, a new pair of jeans, and don’t forget a few pairs of shoes.
Statement collars are here for the Fall and I’m so happy about it. It’s an instant way to give character to an otherwise basic blouse. I’ve rounded up a whole bunch of options below but really love this rich brown eyelet top. I plan to pair it with a pair of overalls for a fall activity like apple or pumpkin picking. For a dressier look or work outfit, I plan to pair it with skinny black pants. Today I decided to wear it with a pair of curvy white jeans as we transition from Summer to Fall with an olive green purse and woven pumps. As we get into the heart of the season I'll be switching it up with deeper tones. Even though it’s not really cool here yet, I can still get in the fall mood by adding autumn colors like burnt orange, mustard, olive and walnut. As the season gets colder I’ll start layering trench coats, sweaters, jackets, over-the-knee boots and rain boots.
Every Fall I make sure to do a quick inventory of my denim, corduroy, and pants so I have exactly what I need for the cooler months. This year I’ve been really leaning towards ankle flared jeans, straight legs, and a solid pair of tan corduroys. Denim really never goes out of style.
The past few weeks I’ve been in a state of unpacking, organizing, and decorating my new home. I moved in about three weeks ago with a plan of action that unfolds more and more every day. I absolutely love getting to decorate and design spaces. In fact, I love it so much that’s what I went to college for! Funny how much I’ve used the degree in my regular life over the years. I’ve been sharing glimpses of the new place over on my Instagram (see this post and this post) but today I wanted to roll out a really simple idea for a blank wall or hallway on the blog!
It’s been a place full of growth and discovery. A home filled with peace and love. I believe we are products of our environment and I sought to create a place for Skyler and myself to flourish in! From Covid to working from home to homeschool This is where all the magic happened that created the life we have now I will be forever grateful for these memories and the life we created one day at a time. The apartment is three beds and two full baths with high ceilings and beautiful granite and stone textiles. I love how much light is throughout the day! Although the space evolved over this past year, I tried to carry the same look and feel throughout the space - whimsical, chic, and feminine.
Many of us wait for the big things in life - weddings, school dances, new jobs, or moving to feel the excitement. This past year taught me so much about learning to appreciate everyday moments. Last weekend my daughter and I decided to do just that. We decided to have a spread like none other to celebrate absolutely nothing. Grabbing a variety of non-dairy cheeses, gluten-free crackers, dark sea salt caramel chocolates, fruits and olives paired with the most delicious sparkling cider and non-alcoholic wine to create the best snack ever (those were her words).
Confession - I saw this nap dress when it launched a while back and I wish I had bought it sooner. Hill House Home has created capsule collections in limited batches of the softest most coziest nap dresses. So what is a nap dress? It’s a lightweight cotton dress than can easily transition from night to day worn as both a nightgown and day dress. After getting this pink and white version a few weeks ago I fell in love and ended up getting two more. The swiss dot pattern of this slightly sheer dress makes it both feminine and whimsical. I plan to wear this over the summer as a swimsuit cover up, a day dress for working around the house and add a belt and wedges to take myself to dinner. The pink and white stripe is not sheer at all, but the white version I’d recommend adding a slip underneath if you are wearing out.
Every now and then I love doing a refresh on my bedroom and bath. Being that I sleep and get ready in these areas every day I try to replace items that get worn over time. I recently refreshed my bedroom by purchasing a new floral quilt for my bed. I love the pretty blue and white pattern with the scalloped edge. I also refreshed my towels with these super soft striped turkish towels (which were such a steal I might add). Finally, I’ll be putting these floral wall decals up on the wall behind my bed in leu of paint. Sometimes a few changes make a really big difference!
Since I was a little girl books provided me an escape. We moved a lot growing up because my dad was in the military and spent tons of time in transit. I remember being six years old and when we arrived in Germany we had three tv channels that spoke English. Similarly when I was in High School we moved to Asia and there was limited tv. My sister and I grew up playing countless hours of board games and dolls together but when we were exhausted from that I would sneak of to my room and pull out a good book. Hard back binding and crisp pages with printed lettering took me away from the concrete walls of military housing and provided an outlet for my imagination. To this day, whenever I feel lost or down I pull out my favorite books and am instantly transported out of my current environment.
Drumroll please…It’s finally here. Opulence lipsticks are back in stock after months and months of waiting. Not only are they back in stock but come in six glorious shades. From bold pink to soft matte rose there’s just nothing I mean nothing more glam that swiping on a bold shade of lipstick to tackle the day! I am so excited to share our newest holiday bundle with your choice of three shades for under $60. These babies are not for the faint of heart. They have lasting power that exceeded all of my expectations!
I spent this weekend nestled up reading books and baking delicious sugar cookies for the holidays. I love this time of year and try to fully immerse myself in as many festive activities as possible. Although this year is already looking different than last - no large holiday parties or gatherings, I’m determined to make it count. I’ve been adding little touches all over the home to bring a cheerful atmosphere no matter how cold it is outside. From sequin embellished pillows to colorful tiny bottle brush trees the space is filled from ceiling to floors in sweet holiday decor. You can have a beautiful home no matter what your budget may be if you are thoughtful and creative. Surprisingly many of the little trees I’ve picked up over the years were found at dollar stores or discount stores. Keep your eyes open and look at new ways to use items.
Every year my daughter and I decorate gingerbread houses. We’ve been doing this since she was five and it’s become a really fun tradition over the years. Most years we use a gingerbread kit. To date my favorite one came from Sprout’s which you can see in this previous post where we also mad our own wrapping paper for the season. This year I went ahead and braved doing one from scratch. Although it ended up being a little wompy the memories of making it will forever reside in my heart. Sometimes it’s not about being perfect it’s about the process.
Isn’t there something magical about sitting down at a beautiful table? Each season I set our table with a different theme. You can scroll back to this post for a Autumn Inspired table for this week’s Thanksgiving preparations or this previous post where I show you how to come up with a theme! But tablescapes are a fun and easy way to add a little decor to your home. This year, we’ve been pulling out all of the soft green, white and pinks for our holiday decorations. I decided to carry the same color scheme I use all year round and just add a few touches that are winter themed to our living and dining room. Little bottle brush trees are scattered throughout the place (37 in total) and a few containers filled with ornaments add so much sweetness to the area this year. Since we are spending more time here than usual I decided to make the space feel warm and inviting.
One of my favorite ways to welcome the changing of the seasons is to create a beautiful tablescape. I’ve always been the one in my family to set the table for holiday dinners. I love mixing and matching textures to create a beautiful visual for the whole household to enjoy. Layering different textures and shapes is a fun and creative way to transition your home into the new season. Today I’ll share with you guys how I created this beautiful Autumn inspired Fairytale pumpkin tablespace!
I love decorating! Who else? Are you one of those who is constantly rearranging things inside your home? One of the easiest ways to get in the fall spirit is to add few touches to your home. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or be a big hassle - but a few embellishments go far! You don’t have to stop at decor, think about creating an experience when you walk in your door. We are spending so much more time indoors these days it’s nice to have a place that’s welcoming and warm as the months get cooler.
I shared a little about past fourth of July experiences in my post the other day. Let me tell you how much I absolutely adore family holidays. The smiles, the loud talking over one another and all of the fun food warm my heart every time. Although I’ve had my fair share of dramatic holidays - trust me - it isn’t always puppies and rainbows over here (unfortunately) but for the most part I try to look forward to celebrating life occasions whether I have friends and family near or not. What about you? Are you one who also looks forward to holidays like the fourth of July?
The past two years I’ve struggled on social media. As each of my profiles gained followers, comments and received more and more direct messages I found myself combatting a lot of mental things. I deeply desire to connect with people and love how incredible the interactions can be but I found myself drained each time I opened Instagram and Facebook. After several conversations with my husband, I made a choice to take a 90 day Facebook break.
A while back I started thinking about how I wanted to change some things in my life. I felt like after I had Baby Max I had some massive shedding of old thoughts, actions, and habits that I no longer wanted to have in my life anymore. I started a Pinterest board for this year labeled 2025 and towards the end of last year I began pinning images of the direction I wanted to go. I chose the word “Elegance” as theme for life to move forward and the Pinterest board encompassed not only elegant styles, locations, and snapshots, but it also serves as a reminder of the character I am moving towards. To me, the word “Elegance” is full of grace, patience, compassion, understanding, and most of all forgiveness. None of those virtues are easy. Not a single one. They aren’t virtues a human is just born with, but virtues that are developed will skill, practice, failure, and intention.
The past six months of my life have been emotionally challenging. Postpartum combined with several joyful life changes left me feeling like I had new roles to step into and the pressure was high. Right before my husband and I had our baby we made the decision to start a new business. From the outside it looked like I had it together, but the next few months would unveil a completely different side of me that I wasn’t prepared to deal with.
Five months ago Baby Max was born. Getting back into a fitness routine was a journey to say the least! For reference, I am 39 years old and gained 38 lbs in pregnancy. Had a natural birth with no medication or epidural at a birth center and went home the night I had Max. Did not even take ibuprofen...
This past year has amounted to an extreme amount of growth. Almost a year ago, I made the decision to go back to one-on-one counseling to sort out some stuff that was surfacing emotionally in my life. It was so hard, but I finally feel like I’m on the upswing and things are more manageable. It’s easy to make excuses in our lives for behaviors we did when we were not at our best. It’s also really easy to blame others for the things that went wrong. Ultimately, accepting full responsibility for my life has given me freedom and inner power I did not know a few years ago. I’m going to share with you today 10 Things I Learned this Year in hopes of inspiring you to rise above your current state of being into a higher version of yourself.
Happy New Year! I know we are already over a week into 2024, but I took some time over the first week to set intentions for the year. I hope each of you had an amazing time over the holidays and found ways to celebrate with your loved ones. Before fully moving into the new year I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight last year and share a little about my journey during 2023.
Insecurities are something we all have. Many of them were formed in childhood and then reinforced throughout our teenage and adult lives. For some of us the insecurity lies in our physical looks (here is a great post for how to have a better body image) but for others, our insecurities lie in feeling loved in our relationships. I’ve been going through intense therapy this year and we’ve been digging deep into my childhood, doing shadow work, and healing my inner child. I’ll share a few ways that therapy has helped me over this past year and what I’m currently working on.
First and foremost, I wanted to begin by thanking all of you for your sweet comments and encouragement. Each DM and comment you leave has truly filled my heart and I’m so thankful for you. The past couple of months have been beautiful and have also been a little bit of a roller coaster. We found out very early on in July that we were pregnant and it was a true shock for both Marshall and I. We are in our late thirties (I am 38 years old) and I did not see this coming. You can read more about our pregnancy announcement in this post but I wanted to share more insights for what I’ve actually been going through. It wasn’t easy. This is now my second pregnancy (I have a beautiful 14-year-old daughter) and it has been drastically different than the first time around.
Years ago I struggled with having an unhealthy viewpoint of my body. I grew up in an environment where I was oftentimes criticized about my body shape by one of my major role models and was told things like… “you have full thighs,” “if you keep eating cheese you’ll be fat…”, and “your derrière is big.”
Looking back at my pictures I was NOT ever at any point overweight as a child but I did have a different body shape than my younger sister. Of course, I would be different, I’m adopted. However, the critical words I heard regularly throughout my childhood burned into my mind and shaped an unhealthy thinking pattern.
Nothing in my life has been a product of chance. God gives us free will to walk the Earth and if we make a decision it has consequences one way or another. On March 22, 2019 I kissed alcohol goodbye for forever. I was at a place in my life where I was lost, miserable and completely heartbroken. It was at least a year of turmoil or more and I was in deep depression. Some of my friends will tell you I was a wreck. Others will tell you that they just couldn’t figure out what was going on. All I knew is that no matter what, the alcohol had to go. At that exact same time, I was in a relationship with someone who regularly drank and partied. I knew that I was on a path to sobriety but I had no idea the things I would be giving up when I made that rock bottom choice. Including that relationship and many more as the years would pass by.
A shirt designed to remind you that the best kind of party is a party you can remember. Slip this baby on for your next event or girl's night out and feel immediately empowered. This top is tight-fitting but still incredibly comfortable, and it hits just above the navel. Fits true to size.
Last weekend we met in Salado, Texas at Greenfield Coffee to catch up and shoot these incredible dresses from friends at Wneedu on Amazon. They sent us each a dress to share with you! We both picked out our colors to fit our own personalities. I chose a bold leopard colorway and Tiffany went with a beautiful shade of deep mauve. Great style is available for everyone. No matter what your age or body type you have when you walk with confidence in your own skin a new sense of style seems to follow. That’s one of the things I love about our conversations!
After a grueling weekend last week, I made a decision Saturday afternoon to do a 48-hour social media detox. Being a blogger and influencer comes with the price of constantly being on social media through posting content on multiple platforms, engaging with followers, and then responding in direct messages. It’s such an incredible way to create a space in the world but sometimes we all need a break. I desperately did. I started feeling a little out of touch with myself. I felt like I had a million things tugging at me and I was struggling with mindfulness. I put a quick plan together and then alerted my boyfriend and kiddo that I would be offline and intermittently checking my phone for the weekend. Here’s what I did in hopes to inspire you to take that much-needed downtime.
You deserve happiness. You deserve joy. You deserve to have a life filled with positivity. That’s the entire reason for my GLOW UP course which gives you a 60-day plan and a community of accountability partners to chat with as you continue to affirm yourself into your dream life!
Today I wanted to share the new cropped sweatshirt! It comes in mauve, dusty blue, and black. It’s designed to be lightweight enough for Spring and Summer months but also is the perfect amount of soft and cozy to slip on after a workout or when you are feeling like you need a little lift for your mood. I love the perfect shade of this one and how the cut shows off your hips and waist.
Sometimes we don’t need a long blog post, we just need a quick reminder and that’s just what I’m here to do for you. Remind you that you were created for something purposeful. You were created to shine a light on this world. You were created to shine. So go now…shine bright like a diamond.
Yes, you heard me. This boss babe right here is intentionally going slower in life. For the first time, ever. I’ve put extra time in between tasks. I’ve taken things off my to-do list. I’ve spent the last few months asking myself what is really important. I’ve gone inward to figure out my priorities. I’ve taken tons of time to journal, reflect and pray. The thing I’ve learned is that we can become addicted to anything including activity. Next time you are wondering what you should be doing with an extra five minutes? Breathe. Yep. Sit down and take 5 minutes to just breathe. I promise your entire life will change from implementing this one tactic. Your heart rate will be calmer. Your thoughts will be clearer. You will feel less rushed. You will be recharged.
It may be February and I’m a minute late to the game but better late than never. As I realize the Earth’s energy is going to keep speeding up I’ve given myself so much more grace for emotions to roll in and out. For the first time in most of my life I am allowing every emotion to surface, be categorized and processed and then released. It hasn’t been an easy process but it is leading me to more vitality.
The thing is… sometimes we have to have emotional lows to get back to the highs. It’s a contrast. When we have to let go of something really big in life oftentimes we are left with an emptiness. That emptiness takes time to refill. So what can you do?
I’ve been told my whole life I needed to slow down. A life of 12 cities in my first 17 years as a military brat conditioned me to feel like I always had to keep moving. I kept up that pattern in my 20’s and 30’s.
It didn’t matter where I lived, the maximum I could stay anywhere was 2 years before feeling like I needed to switch… switched companies I worked for, switch positions, switch challenges, switch homes…
Some of you experienced a life of constant movement and chaos. You know the feeling I’m describing. It was a need to constantly take on something more because I felt empty. And I longed to feel at home… but nothing was home. It felt like each job, location, and each overcome challenge felt like I was putting clothes on that weren’t me.
The past few months have been by the far the most transformative months in my life. I wrote a little about the past three years in my last post, but the past few months have grown in a new light. I reached a point where the universe gave me the opportunity to pair up with someone and grow with them. In the course of this healing process, I broke free from generational ties, and limiting beliefs and began doing exactly what I loved every single day. I believe that what we attract, we get. I believe that you can have the life of your dreams. I believe that the universe supports you when you give love. I believe that the greatest of all the gifts we receive is the power to go within. I also believe that you can have, be and do anything given enough time and resources.
It will include how to get your glow back through a variety of methods - nourishing, rest, affirmation, and more. You will walk away with a better outlook and tools to help you roll into the holidays with your inner glow! Cannot wait to see you there
Are you feeling stuck? I understand. I’ve been there several times throughout my life. Sometimes I was facing a blockage that needed to be cleared and other times I had resistance. I’ve found one thing to be true in both situations. If you feel stuck, time to work on yourself. Look to your daily habits, what you are feeding yourself and how much joy you are experiencing. The thing is, we all get off track sometimes. We all have dips and valleys in life. It’s what makes the high points so pleasurable. If you are lacking glow right now, here are five ways to get it back. PS - I recently shared these on Facebook in a quick video!
Three and a half years ago I decided I was willing to give up anything I had to to make my life better. I was no longer willing to let a single excuse get in the way of being the best version of myself. It was like I just couldn’t go on another day being chained to the things I had been chained to. So, I quit drinking alcohol and dove to the depths of my soul to figure things out. I completely surrendered. It was the hardest thing I ever did.
I’ve been on a conquest to get to the root of my being. For the past few months, I took time throughout each day for inward reflection… Constantly asking myself if what I am currently doing is what will lead me to the highest version of myself. I examined forward and backward each small habit, every conversation I would partake in, and each movement I would choose to make. We are a sum of all the little choices we make throughout the day. Our character is a combination of actions we choose. After years of feeling obligated to do certain things, have certain jobs, and run what you would consider the rat race I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. My soul just needed more.
I believe the world is a giant playground filled with magical corners. I believe heaven lies in running through a sunflower field at sunset, floating on the river with people you love, and being able to take long sunset drives with someone special.