Do you journal? I do! I use it to help process emotions, list ideas for the future and things I’m grateful for. I’ve been journaling for years and it has completely changed my life and mindset. If you are struggling to journal, that’s okay! Try this to get started…

The mind can be a battlefield. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know firsthand what mental hell is like. In my late twenties and early thirties, I had panic attacks all the time. I mean on the daily and oftentimes multiple times a day. I would freeze and feel like I couldn’t drive my car. I didn’t want to go very many places for fear of getting overstimulated. Being extroverted this felt really difficult. I was torn between what my soul and body wanted to do every day. I needed to bring my body out of fight or flight but being stuck at home to do so in a calm environment was torture in itself because then I was alone with my thoughts. Over time I would get therapy and begin working on training my brain to focus on new things. I would learn different coping techniques that were not full proof but would oftentimes get the job done. It took work. Each day I’d start going down the same worry wormholes and I’d spend time and energy pulling myself out. I figured some of you might be dealing with this, too. Here are three coping tools you can use when you go down a negative mental path:

Summer is almost here and I am so pumped! I love everything about the long days, late sunsets, warm weather, pool and beach time, travel, and generally the vibes everywhere you go. Texas is ridiculously hot so I have a few things I try to keep in stock at my house to help keep my makeup in place and skin clear from sweat. I also have a few new anti-aging body creams that are making a huge difference that I had to share! You can shop all of my favorites below!

Over the past six months, I’ve been taking collagen daily. Although I’ve personally seen results throughout the past few months it wasn’t until last week that I realized just how big of an impact it’s had on my overall physical health. From my hairdresser commenting on how thick the back of my hair has gotten to diminishing cellulite - I’m here as proof that this magic stuff really works. A few months ago I wrote a blog post on the benefits of collagen. You can check it out here for an introduction to what it is and a few benefits. Today I’d like to focus on how it’s specifically impacted me and my own results. Here are three ways my body has transformed since I started taking collagen.

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!

For years I tried on different lifestyles trying to figure out which one was mine. I tried being the housewife, the adventurer, the breadwinner, the holistic momma, the corporate go-getter, and much more. I needed to go through an elimination process to figure out what I wasn’t before defining what I would be. I think that’s okay. Not all of us come out of the womb knowing our life path. Four years ago I began a journey of self-discovery. I spent more time alone than I ever have to learn about myself, other people, noting what I liked and disliked. I explored destinations alone and reflected in a new journal every month. Pages upon pages were written trying to connect the dots of who I used to be to who I am now. I am told that only a small percentage of people are self-aware. I yearned to be a part of that group. The more I discovered about myself the more I became intentional in my choices resulting in more peace and joy than I knew before. If you are at a similar place in life where you just ache to be more of who you are here are a few things that might help.

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!

Can you believe it’s almost February? Goodness! This month has been amazing but flying by quickly. I don’t know about you, but these days I spend a good amount of time cocooning at home. I travel so much that when I’m home, I’m home. One thing that really helps my mental health is having my home in order and full of things that bring a smile to my heart - fresh flowers, my vintage ashtray that holds a deck of pink playing cards from Rosemary Beach, and soft cozy throw blankets. Lighting a single candle on my coffee table or flipping through a stack of interior design magazines are little joys that make it perfect for a cold, rainy day. When you find the right person, snuggling up in the cocoon of a home makes it even better. Here are a few ways to make a stay-at-home date night perfect this Valentine’s Day!

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 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!

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!

As we transition to the end of the summer I’m already reaching for new items that will carry me into the Fall. Dresses are hands down the easiest item for me to throw on and change out my accessories to fit the season. Since I live in Texas, I have to still dress to combat high temperatures until mid-October when it finally starts to cool off. I find lightweight cotton blends in pretty shades of mustard, sage, cinnamon, olive, and chestnut are gorgeous this time of year. Right now I’m pairing them with brown leather slides and straw totes. However, as we move into the cooler days I’ll pair with boots and a floppy hat for more of a Fall feel. Here are a few of my favorite dresses you can grab on Amazon for under $35.

A few years back I went through a period of time where I was really shy. Growing up we traveled all over and I was constantly the new kid. It was so embarrassing to eat lunch alone until I made friends. Later on, I struggled with anxiety and found social interactions intimidating all over again. I started working on better lifestyle habits and slowly gained more and more confidence. Just about that time a friend of mine reached out and introduced me to the most amazing mascara. I partnered with a company and immediately was plugged into a team of girls who really cheered me on! We became fast friends over Facebook and they would give me encouragement when I posted! I had no idea how much I needed that in my life and am forever grateful.

Over the past few weeks I’ve made a major shift in what I eat to include going grain-free. As I’ve mentioned her on the blog I am anxiety prone. Not just a little anxiety, I’ve been diagnosed with full blown panic disorder. These days I rarely get a panic attack, however that is only due to a consistent self-care regimen, therapy and lots of rest. I also practice mindfulness which has made a huge impact on how I process information and worry less. Practicing joy is another intentional element in my life and as we’ve had shorter days I find myself inside more than ever and with that came baking! Baking has been a pastime of mine over the years beginning with vacations at my grandma’s house when I was little. I loved spending hours with her making our family banana bread, cookies and cream puffs. While some of the other kiddos in the family were impatient at a young age, I found I got more attention from her if I baked and therefore spent tons of time doing so. Before you knew it I picked up a lot of information and realized just how much I absolutely love baking!