This past year I’ve made it a goal to visit as many National and State Parks as possible. They house some of the most beautiful scenery! This season alone I visited Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Padre Island National Sea Shore, Hot Springs National Forest, and Davy Crockett National Forest. It’s so refreshing to get away from most people and wander the trails of nature. I’ve been able to experience things you just don’t get in the city around people. From driving 50 miles off-road to getting lost in the Fall foliage National Parks are the way to go!
Read MoreOver 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.
Read MoreSometimes I have to do a little reality check on myself. This week was one of those times. After a whirlwind of ten days of non-stop travel and then the joys of Thanksgiving I rolled right into this last week with fatigue. Not only fatigue, but my sister spent Friday getting a metal rod out of her leg in surgery. She had an injury five years ago and decided to get the hardware taken out this past week. I didn’t realize just how much all of these blessings would also add extra stressors into my life. I drove into Houston on Friday and let me tell you my anxiety was at an all-time high. Once I returned home I made a decision to do everything I could to clear my calendar for Saturday and just decompress. Anxiety never goes completely away, but I have managed these past few years to get it in a manageable state. I thought it would be wildly appropriate to share what I experience and how I cope with amounting pressure in hopes that it helps you, too.
Read MoreIn this post, you will find a pretty legit list of my favorite homebody items. I put together a mix of pricepoint and styles for men, women, children, and items for the home. Whether you are a single girl in her twenties or a bachelor male in his forties… there is something on the list below for you. My favorite items include the neck massager (I bought for myself during Christmas last year), plush towels for getting out of a long soak, and this pair of satin jammies. A good coffee cup never hurts and if you’re just not sure what to get someone - go with a cozy blanket in a neutral color.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that I love Amazon. From their incredibly streamlined delivery and return policy to the quality of the Amazon the Drop collections that highlight influencers, time and time again I am impressed by what they have created in the retail space. To think that they single-handedly changed the book and printing industry! I’m overjoyed day after day with my Audible subscription, endless tv options on Amazon Prime, and getting packages regularly that have that little smile icon on them. With all of the amazing sales and deals happening I had to share my favorite Amazon finds. I’m dating things back over the past year with each item being something I’ve either used, purchased for someone else, or currently have on my own wish list.
Read MoreLast weekend I made a trip to East Texas to check out the last of the beautiful Fall foliage that we have here in Texas before the gray of Winter sets in. I stopped at the sweetest little city in Sulphur Springs where I found the prettiest building which is their courthouse. It immediately made me feel like I was standing in front of a castle! Small town Texas is known for it’s beautiful architecture like this. So much European influence from Germany, France and Spain! Sulphur sits between East Texas and Dallas. If you get a chance to stop through there, I highly recommend it! So much boutique shopping and places to eat. There’s a beautiful park in the center of the town square you can stroll!
Read MoreBlack Friday is finally here! I have rounded up some of my favorite sales happening so you can easily shop and use discount codes for the best savings. Make sure to bookmark this so you can easily reference!!
Read MoreCan you believe Thanksgiving is in just two days? I absolutely cannot. After a whirlwind of a weekend traveling, I just got back to my house and was thinking a lot on my drive home about mental health and the next six weeks. Holidays are a time where schedules seem jam packed, the to do lists are endless and there are so many social events that leave a person drained at the end of the day. Furthermore, many companies are closing out their year with inventory counts, end of year sales and crunching budget numbers. As much as the season brings me joy, I also find so much of it to include a lot of additional stressors. When stressors amount life can get really overwhelming and the season can loose it’s luster. Here are a few ways I’m focusing on my mental health this season.
Read MoreThis gift guide is probably my favorite of all the gift guides I will be publishing this year! As an avid traveler and total wanderlust at heart, I hold every item on this list close to my heart. Now that the world is opening back up, my weekends and free time have been spent either on the road or plotting my next adventure. Whether it’s a weekend of backpacking or a lavish trip to a boutique hotel in the city, I know a thing or two about traveling prepared. Here are a few of my recommendations and you can shop the full list at the bottom of the post!
Read MoreMy daughter and I took a brief trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas a few weekends ago to stay at the Arlington Hotel. This iconic location was filled with the most beautiful marble staircase, vintage elevators, and high ceilings. The hotel dates back to the roaring ’20s when people would flock to the area for the Bathhouses. Nestled on federal land right across the street from Hot Springs National Park it’s a prime location! We stay for the entire weekend being able to walk to restaurants, shops, and the park. The hotel is also dog friendly which made it even more appealing.
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It’s no secret I like to pamper and get myself dolled up. In my twenties, self-care was a non-existent term in my vocabulary but now that I’m in my mid-thirties and a single mom it’s vital! I love being able to take a few minutes to give my body the love it needs after a long day at work or being able to swipe a beautiful red lipstick on for a date. I’ve put together my ultimate list of beauty favorites. Everything below is tried and true been used for years. If you are looking for the best skincare options try the brightening mask which helps wrinkles and discoloration. The cleansing balm is will melt your makeup right off leaving a fresh eucalyptus scent behind. I also love using the anti-aging serum and then beauty oil at night to help my skin stay as youthful as possible.
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A few weeks ago my daughter and I took a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas where we stayed at the beautiful historic Arlington Resort and Spa. The hotel sits on federal land and flanks one of the ends of Bathhouse Row. Packed with history and architecture we spent the weekend exploring sights of the past. I wore the most beautiful shade of rust with pretty pleat details paired with suede grey boots. Being from the South, we have warmer fall and winter months so I usually resort to picking seasonal colors and textures instead of tons of layers. This dress is gorgeous and comes in a variety of shades from magenta to black.
Read MoreWhat is fall without a little plaid? I don’t know about you, but I legit wait for autumn to roll around this time of year so I can bust out all my cozy pieces. Plaid is such a classic print (actually one of the few prints you’ll find in my closet) and as soon as the cool weather hits I pull out all of my plaid pieces. This blazer has some history to it - it was given to my grandmother by her sister. Then, it was passed down to my mom who then passed it to me. I absolutely adore and cherish it! I paired it with a bigger plaid print and my new favorite jeans for a very classic look. Add on navy booties and you’re ready to go. Below is a round-up of more of my favorite plaid pieces and a few plaid looks I’ve shared in the past!
Read MoreGift guides are launching today! I am so excited to share these with you! With all of the stuff happening at the ports, I figured it would be best to publish these early so you can get goods while they are still in stock! I’ve rounded up my favorite items under $25 below for men, women, and kiddos. I’d love to get your feedback as you order things on what your favorite items are for gifts this year! Also, holiday beauty bundles dropped yesterday (see this post). Makes for the perfect stocking stuffer and has limited edition items!
Read MoreStart with a festive pop of color from one of our limited edition MOODSTRUCK lip stains. This all-new formula is packed with the nourishing power of vitamin E and boasts a natural aromatic fragrance. Its sleek packaging features a slim bullet that allows for clean and easy application—a single swipe is all it takes to deliver bold, striking, full-coverage color with a matte finish. Plus, it’s long-lasting and smudge-resistant, leaving your pout looking picture-perfect even after turkey dinners and mistletoe meet-ups.
Read MoreI cannot tell you just how excited I am that it’s finally sweater season here in Texas. For those of you who live in more pleasing Fall climates, we do not experience a drop in temperatures until late October/early November. About halfway through Fall I am finally able to pull out my favorite items like knee-high boots, cozy jackets, and of course, sweaters. I recently did a complete overhaul of my wardrobe. I weeded out all of the items that really didn’t suit me and decided to bring in some amazing new favorites. This grey and white sweater isat the top of my list! I love it! I also love that it’s on SALE FOR $15 and comes in a variety of colors. The relaxed fit hits at the perfect level on the waist and it has a beautiful neckline that doesn’t look frumpy or overwhelming on my petite frame. I give it a 10/10 and it would make the PERFECT Christmas gift! Shop a bunch of my favorite sweater picks below!
Read MoreAfter having long hair for about a decade I decided it was time for something fresh. About a month and a half ago I started seeing an acupuncturist who kindly suggested that my headaches might improve if I shed a little hair. Having long hair was kind of my signature and at the time I was resistant to the change. Low and behold I would keep getting a little more and little more interested in the idea each day that passed by. Fast forward to now where I finally pulled the plug! I chopped off about 10lbs of hair and feel incredibly refreshed! I love that new look it brings and cannot wait to try different styles with it! As far as the headaches, well it immediately improved! Maybe I should have done this a little sooner…
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