2021 You were the year I experienced Abundance. Abundant joy, financial success, business growth, parental growth, and fitness. I set out with the intention at the beginning of the year to experience Abundance in my life. That word carried a theme all year long in every aspect of my environment and, mindset. I experienced the joy of getting out of debt, immense gratitude for the responsibilities I have, and abundant peace in my life. I learned that true joy comes from making little choices daily to make room for it in your life. I learned about how money and energy can compound to increase abundance. I learned that opportunities will present themselves in your life so you can be more of who you really are. But most of all, I learned that to get anywhere you have to make a choice and be obsessively grateful for having the opportunity to execute in real life the decision made in your head. Below is a round-up of my favorite 30 posts from 2021!

How many times have you thought to yourself… I really should have taken that trip? I’m in a phase of life where I am holding nothing back. I have no reason to anymore. In the past, I came up with reasons I couldn’t do something or go somewhere. Maybe it was the cost. Maybe it was asking for time off from my job and I didn’t think they couldn’t manage without me being there. Maybe it was because my ex-husband didn’t show interest or even complained about it. Maybe it was the fact that you have three kids and now you have no idea how to even begin to make that happen. When was the last time you did something that made you feel the most you?

Let’s talk about creating the life of your dreams. A few years ago I started pinning things on Pinterest for the life I wanted to create. I was at a low point and unhappy with the current state of my everyday affairs. If you’ve ever been through depression, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It was really hard during that time to feel excited about anything. Everything lost its luster and I felt like I couldn’t afford to do anything. I was pinching pennies on the daily and worrying about whether or not basic bills would be paid. During that period of time, I worked really hard to just make it through the day one hour at a time. I began during this period of my life to collect and save ideas of things I wanted in my life. One of those items was a pink Christmas tree.

This is now my third Christmas in a row of being sober. I can tell you that although my twenty-something self would have looked at me like I had two heads if I had told her she would be completely sober through a pandemic and into the year following a global shutdown. Yes, this person right here used to love her wine and champagne. Especially on a holiday. A few years ago I made the decision to stop drinking in hopes that my life would find purpose and I would stop having panic attacks. Both happened and here we are ordering mocktails instead of martinis. So little is really talked about in the drinking world outside of being either a drinker or someone who doesn’t. I love going to a good party. I also love fancy drinks. What I don’t love is alcohol. It just doesn’t agree with my anxiety and I feel like a happier human being without it. If you are also in the same boat and alcohol just doesn’t do it for you right now I’m here to tell you a few ways I still have fun without having a hangover.

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!

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.

Sometimes 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.

In 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.

It’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.

Last 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!

Black 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!!

Can 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.

This 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!

My 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.

Is there anything more luxurious than the soft thick texture of velvet? I think not! As soon as cooler temperatures hit, I bust out velvet time and time again. I love how classic it feels and immediately dress up almost any outfit! I shared a round-up of my favorite holiday dresses yesterday but thought velvet needed its own post so it could sit front and center. I recently ordered this beautiful skater-style fit and flare dress from Amazon. It is super affordable and comes in so many colors! I opted for a soft champagne shade that could transition from the holidays over to NYE. I paired it with a velvet blazer I’ve had for years and simple black patent heels. A tiny beaded handbag is just the right touch to store your cell phone and lipstick.