What I learned from a Global Pandemic
Hey y’all! Guess who? No, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth. Although, it felt like it. I missed y’all and finally feel like I’m in the right headspace to write and share again.
So let’s go back a year. COVID-19 hits and the world shuts down. And here I am … a mom and a blogger. I tried to be postive and make the most of the bad situation. Sharing the paint colors we finally had time to use on all the house renovations we’ve been saving for when we had free time.
“Hey y’all look at these new floors, here’s all the info”
“Three Ways to Tye-Dye at Home”
“Who needs homeschool tips? Let me tell you how I get through a day of schooling”
“Let’s try-on all these fun stay-at-home comfy sets I just found”
Helpful for some, sure. But I just felt so ridiculous and small when so many other bigger things were happening. Like millions out of jobs, loosing people to sickness, whole lives flipped upside down. Did anyone really care what I ordered from the Target curb-side pick-up?
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Tie-Dye Fun
While COVID-19 has us all stuck at home, a lot of us have been looking for things to keep us busy, whether that’s house projects (don’t worry that post is coming too), organizing, or arts and crafts. One super fun project we did was tie-dye! Which also happens to be a MAJOR trend this season. So, yea, I jumped on it!
Continue readingValentine’s Cocktails
Y’all! We just uploaded our first YouTube video! Four Valentine’s Cocktails for you to try this week! Check out the video for our thoughts and find the recipes below.
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My Top Ten Golden Globes Looks (and How to Get the Look in Real Life)
Alright, I’m gonna admit it, I didn’t watch the Golden Globes. Hollywood is way too political now and it just irritates me. I saw Ricky Gervais’ monologue and it was pretty hilarious and that was about it. But I do love the red carpets and fashion so I always check out the looks.
This year I thought I’d do a round-up of my Top Ten looks and, as a fun twist, use them as inspiration for getting their look in real life. All my every day pieces are from SHEIN so they’re all super affordable ( and they have a ton of options). We’ll go from my #10 to #1.
Continue readingThe Hair Dyer Everyone Can’t Stop Talking About
I’m sure you’ve seen it everywhere but I couldn’t help myself. I had to talk about this Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer.
First, as a disclaimer, I left the hair in it on purpose. I wanted y’all to obviously know I use this product. This is in no way sponsored (where you at, Revlon?), but I always want to be authentic with y’all. I’ve been using this hair dryer since February. I wash my hair two times a week, so yea, it get a lot of use.
There’s a reason why bloggers everywhere can’t stop talking about this dryer. Because it’s amazing. My review is glowing. Here’s what I think :
- It does what it says. Volume for days. My hair is naturally very flat and very thin and any volume I get is due to this hair dyer.
- Easy to use. I got this the week I chopped my hair, so I didn’t get to use it on my long hair. In all honesty, it’s probably a little more difficult to maneuver with a long mane but that kinda comes with the territory. For short hair, it’s a dream. Glides smoothly and quickly.
- Cuts down drying time. Speaking of quickly, it legit takes me like 5-8 minutes to dry my hair now. That is all! Worth it just for that.
- It gets hot. Like really hot, it has a low setting and a cool setting that work well too but I like the high. Because of the heat, I definitely recommend using a heat protectant and watch your fingers because it will burn.
- Long Cord. I love that the cord is long. That may seem like an afterthought but I am a fan of it reaching all the way across the bathroom. Makes moming while drying much easier.
I’m going to link it up to three different stores for you. That way you can shop it from your favorite place. I know I’m finicky about that sometimes. Right now, Amazon has the best price.
Go check out my Instagram stories to see how I use it.
Also going to link my bathrobe here for y’all. Tim and the kiddos got it for me for Christmas and I am obsessed with it.
All the love,
What 2019 Brought and What 2020 is About
2019 was something. Lots of ups (which we’re gonna talk about) and lots of downs which we’ll talk about too). I truly believe God tested me in 2019; and honestly I’m not sure I passed all of those tests. My word for 2019 was Hope and I think to an extent, that word served me well. I maintained hope and pushed through the hard times but boy where there some times I did not want to be hopeful. I’m going to recap 2019 here a bit and then we’ll talk about 2020.
The year started out great! Our Clemson Tigers won (another) National Championship! In dominating fashion I might add. The 2018 Alabama team was lauded as the best team ever and “lil’ ol’ Clemson” wasn’t ready. Well, I guess they were because Clemson won that game 44-16. Dabo and the team are getting ready for another Natty appearance in a couple weeks so let’s hope for a similar start to 2020.
On Valentine’s Day I made a drastic change to my look. Backstory, I’ve had long hair for forever. I loved it and vowed to never be short again. Then I was diagnosed with Lupus and between that and all the meds, my hair started coming out at an alarming rate. I didn’t really have much choice but to chop it; long, stringy hair isn’t such a good look. Thankfully, my wonderful friend, Leslie, knocked it out of the park and I loved it (although I think extensions will be a part of 2020). Lupus kicked my ass in 2019 but this haircut was one small victory in that battle.
In 2019, the Lucas kiddos competed a lot. Caleb finished out his ninth season of hockey with a league championship. Quick backstory, 3 years ago there was a major split and shakeup in our organization. Some people left and when they did it left Caleb’s age group in question of whether we could field a team. We had 5 boys and a couple coaches. That’s all we knew. Well those boys and those coaches wanted it and made a solid, winning program that all culminated in winning this championship. I can’t express to y’all how amazing and special that championship is to all of us. In 2020 so far, they’re still killing it and just earned a trip to NATIONALS in MICHIGAN. Proudest hockey mom ever.
Chloe had a rough 2019. She closed out 2018 with a pretty brutal elbow injury. So going into her level 5 gymnastics meets for 2019, just having gotten clearance to go back to a full workload, all we asked for was a score-out (a minimum score required to move to the next levels). Thankfully, she did that and she got to move to optionals (which means she gets to have her own individual routines). She’s been working so hard but some mental blocks and a little bit of fear has crept in and she’s struggled. It’s been so hard to watch her deal with it. Trying to help her through it has been one of my toughest challenges as a mother. Going into 2020, she’s finally getting to a more confident place. Her meet season just kicked off and I can’t wait to see her persevere and shine.
Lynie used 2019 to try some different things. My little wild child has the biggest personality and even bigger dreams. She went to an audition for a play (didn’t get it but it ignited a spark in her). She played Girls Hockey. She danced and sang her heart out. She made new friends and lived her best, wild child life. 2020 holds another hockey season, until March, and then she’s decided she wants to start working on those triple threat skills. Well, that’s her plan as of two days ago anyway.
In 2019, Tim and I celebrated fifteen years of marriage. Can y’all believe that? That’s a long time. And trust me, there were times I did not think we were gonna get to this day. God couldn’t have created two people more different. 2019 (& 2018 too) really tried our marriage. In 2020 I know we still have some growing to do. But I know we will do it together and that God is going to strengthen our relationship. Tim is the most fun, talented, crazy person I’ve ever known and life with him is an adventure. Cant wait to see what year 16 brings.
A few more 2019 highlights :
- We went to the Carolina Cup (a South Carolina Kentucky Derby) and had the most fun being fancy for a day.
- I got a tattoo for GISH! I’ve wanted this Harry Potter-inspired tattoo forever and this charity scavenger hunt I do every summer, finally gave me the push to do it. I couldn’t love it more.
- We had another beautiful vacation with our best friends in Destin. Can’t wait for what we decide to do this year.
- We finished our second year of homeschool and began our third. It’s been so good for our family so far. And we’ve all learned so much.
- I got to dress up as Sarah Sanderson for Halloween with some of my girls, and I gotta say, we crushed it.
- We took a family field trip to Washington D.C. and it was such an enriching, fun trip. We did everything and sharing that with Tim and the kiddos, the conversations that were sparked, it was just so special.
Alright now let’s talk about 2020
My word for 2020 is COMMITTED. I have so many goals, I always have, but I usually let the small stuff get in the way and never quite reach them. Not in 2020. This year I am going to be committed to getting shit done y’all. I’ve got a fire in my belly and I’m ready to run at it. Is it going to be hard? ummm YES. Am I going to fail? You betcha. But I will stay committed to these goals and not give up. Some of those goals include:
- Elevating this blog and really pushing my creativity here
- Working out (in away that’s accommodating to Lupus)
- Finally organizing my house
- Being a more present mom
- Reading more (even if it’s via Audible)
- Being a little more adventurous
All that brings me to my verse of the year. I was reminded of this verse on one of those stupid Facebook quizzes. Doesn’t God find us in the craziest ways sometimes? It’s one of those well-known verses that Sunday School kids can rattle off, but when Facebook (i.e. GOD) gave it to me, He said “Stop worrying. We got this.“
Man, that got long-winded. Sorry about that, hopefully you made it to the end. Apparently, I had a lot to say about 2019 and I am ready to bring it in 2020!
Do you chose a word or verse for the year? I’d love to hear them. Leave them down in the comments.
All the love,
Amazon Holiday Decor
Yes, I’m aware it’s November 6th. But we are all thinking about Christmas … c’mon you know you are. I’m getting ready to start decorating because with our hockey/gymnastics schedule, I’m not going to have a ton of time to do it. Our outside stuff hasn’t gotten up the last two years because we’ve been out of town, but now that Caleb can help me (Tim’s schedule is doubly busy right now) I’m gonna get it done this year! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
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Fall Bucket List
October is such a fun month! From welcoming Fall, to pumpkin everything, to sports (I’m partial to hockey & college football), to the best color palettes ever, to Halloween … October is where it’s at.
Continue readingInstant Pot Pulled BBQ
I don’t know about y’all but cooking a delicious dinner for my family can be really time consuming. Time I don’t really have. Enter Instant Pot. I got one for Mother’s Day and its a godsend. Since it’s Labor Day, I’m sharing my favorite BBQ Instant Pot recipe.
Continue readingNORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE
Went through all of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale today and I’m sharing my top picks (i.e. the things in my cart) here! When public access opens I’ll be posting some more of the things I’m loving.
This Serendipity 