Word of the Year 2023

Well-

[ wel ]

adverb

1. in a good or satisfactory manner.

2. thoroughly, carefully, or soundly.

adjective, comparative

1. in good health; sound in body and mind.

How I'm healing my tooth sensitivity with Smile Brilliant + a giveaway!

This post is sponsored by Smile Brilliant. All opinions are my own.

Did you know...? Almost 1 in every 8(!!!) Americans suffer from having sensitive teeth? I am sadly part of that statistic. And it sucks. 

Join me for the Feel Good Pilates Challenge

It's that time of the year again-- The Balanced Life is hosting a free 5-day Feel Good Pilates challenge and I want you to join me! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

5 ways I'm prioritizing my health right now

Quarantine weight gain has made itself known at my house. I have noticed my jeans feeling a bit snug. Not shut-in related but a contributing factor of said weight gain is also the horribly hot weather- we haven't been doing regular neighborhood walks and it just seems everything is adding together to put me in a mood. Instead of feeling sorry for myself (anymore lol) I decided to take action. Here's what's been helping me ditch the blues and feel empowered instead of complacent.

side plank, holla

Little luxuries // self care to prepare for the New Year

This post is sponsored by Nakturnal. As always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links used. Thank you for supporting my blog.

The week between Christmas and New Year is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time where I reflect, renew and recharge; putting to bed Christmas, preparing for the New Year, getting myself into the right frame of mind. 

Boss Babe Podcasts // Listen

I go through "phases" of my podcast listening and have been really digging into business-minded women entrepreneurs who give actionable steps. These Boss Babes are incredibly inspiring!

Welcome Back!

I took the month of September off and I am feeling refreshed and recharged and ready to get back to it! So how the heck are you?!

Recovering from Pneumonia // a wellness update

I didn't realize how sick I was when I found myself sleeping all day on a Sunday two weeks ago. Having now just recovered from the worst sickness I've experienced thus far in my adult life, I can tell you taking my health for granted is now something I have a new perspective about! But I'm getting ahead of myself, let me back up and tell this tale from the beginning.

I joined Beautycounter as an Independent Consultant // Here's WHY

Last week I took a huge leap of faith and said "yes" to becoming a Beautycounter Independent Consultant. I'm not one to jump blindly into anything so this may come as a surprise (I know it surprised me!) but sometimes taking action on something you believe wholeheartedly in isn't that big of a risk. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Who, What, When, Where, Why // My Five W's of Blogging

Nothing like a fresh year to start with the (re)introductions. If you are new here, this is the 101 class, if you've been here awhile, think of it as the refresher course ;)  Here goes, my Who, What, When, Where and Why I blog.

About last month...

My word. Time sure got away from me. I didn't realize its been a whole month since my last post, I apologize! 

Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth // Practicing self care with Smile Brilliant + giveaway!

Self care has been a buzz word lately, hasn't it? I usually would roll my eyes at this notion but since becoming a mom of three(!!), I've come to value its importance. I don't get much "me time" these days so carving out little bits of time to recharge is something I'm working on. And making myself look and feel pretty has slowly become a priority (eye bags for daysss over here) so when presented with the offer to whiten my teeth with Smile Brilliant I was all over it! This post is sponsored by Smile Brilliant. All opinions are my own.

Switching to safer beauty products {Natural Deodorants}

Breast cancer scares me. As the granddaughter of a breast cancer survivor I think I'm justified. I also tend to be paranoid (another “thanks” to aforementioned gramma, ha) so it shouldn't be that surprising that I have been researching natural deodorants for a year now.  A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

My Whole30 journey

I spent the month of January completing my first Whole30 diet reset. The premise is very clear cut- remove all inflammatory foods (grains, legumes/beans, sugar, dairy alcohol and additives and preservatives) eat a high fat, veggie and fruit filled diet and start to feel better inside and out. *This was actually my second time doing a Whole30 but I quit at the two week mark when I first attempted this in 2015. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Tiny Letters // June

Joining Kristin for my favorite letter-writing link up!

Dear House,

Be prepared to get the cleaning of a lifetime. I'm ashamed how long you've been neglected but now I actually have the head space and energy to do something about it! And you know I've already made good on this since I scraped the ceramic stove top and dusted the ceilings for cobwebs (please, someone, anyone tell me this happens to you too?) My only complaint is, why can't you just stay clean?

Dear Brian,

You are amazing. Thank you for bearing all the work on your shoulders so I can stay home with our ladies through summer and beyond. It is such a gift and I treasure it more than I can express.

Dear Kinsey,

You my love are now officially a First Grader. That went by entirely too fast. I'm so relieved you enjoyed your first year in Elementary school. So much so, you are now saying you want to be a Kindergarten Teacher yourself when you grow up (so many feels there!) I couldn't be prouder. Let's have the best summer together ever!

Dear Brielana,

You have all of a sudden grown by leaps and bounds! I can't get over your exploding vocabulary (example A: "That's hilarious. Isn't that hilarious, guys?!" I DIE.) We're counting down the days you're still in diapers (10!)) and until you're the big sister just like Kiki (91! Give or take lol)

Dear Baby Boy,

We are thisclose to naming you and I feel like it has been such a process. Not a bad one but super intense as we try to stake your claim in a huge world. Just know we are all waiting anxiously for your arrival!

Dear Reading Challenge,

I am on fire! I know I lowballed on the number of books I could read this year but being 4 away at the halfway mark feels very encouraging. A far cry from last years disappointment and shame (a bit melodramatic but totally true).

Linking up here.

   

   

Tiny Letters // May

It's been a few months since I last joined Kristin for her Little Letters link up, feels good to be back! But of course I have everything ready to go on Friday and forget to publish. Sigh.

Dear Podcast App,

I know we just got acquainted two days ago but I can already tell this is the start of a beautiful relationship. You've added joy to my work commute and for that alone I am thankful.

Now spam me with your favorite podcasts. Please and thank you.

Currently queued:

The Parent Normal

The Popcast (thank you, Kristin!)

Dear Kinsey & Brielana,

We are thisclose to summer vacation and I can taste it! Thank you for making this year back at work not feel like a struggle, you are angels. And with that said lets make this the best summer ever! 

Dear Students,

It's not you, it's me. I'm already in summer vacation mode so forgive my vacant stare and slow responses. I promise these last two weeks together will be fun!

Dear Self,

I have to keep reminding myself to be kind and gentle on you. You are in the throes of growing a life and sustaining your own and it's marvelous, sorry for being hard on you.

Dear Baby Brother,

Only 17 more weeks until your arrival! We're all so very excited to meet you! What will you look like? Or should I say, who will you look like? Just know you are loved and that two big sisters are anxiously waiting to cuddle you.

Dear Starbucks Happy Hour,

I'm a week late but now that I know you're happening I feel like making up for lost time. Starting with the S'mores frapp. Naturally.

Linking up here.

   

   

Tiny Letters // February

Let's just dive right in, shall we?

Dear February,

For being such a short month, you sure are b-u-s-y. I guess you gotta pack it all in, huh?

Dear Brian,

You have been my rock these past few months and I am so lucky you are mine.  

Dear Kinsey,

You are now 6 years old. I'm going cliche but I seriously do not know how it happened so fast? I will forever cherish the moments I held you as a newborn and watched you sleep, just because I could. How painful it was to go back to work after two short months of maternity leave. How you were born practically bald and with huge blue eyes and have always looked only like yourself. We are so much alike and yet you are you. And I love you all the more for that.

Dear Brielana,

You are my wild child and the 'Terrible Twos' have found you. Of course, it's hard staying mad at you because you look like an angel. This parenting gig is full of contradictions and you are full of tenderness and love and a touch of naughtiness. 

Dear Rain,

Don't get me wrong, I love you and California really needs you, but (you knew it was coming) you do funny things to my hair and I just can't take it anymore. The frizz and general disarray of the bangs makes me look rather poodle-y and that's just not the look I'm going for.

Dear Toys,

I understand that toys are a part of childhood and it isn't your fault you get played with maybe you could also learn how to pick yourself up? Because we all know only mom can do it "right" (insert eye roll emoji). A self-cleaning toy really needs to be invented...

Dear Old Navy pajama pants,

You are like my new best friend. Not only were you only $8 but you're so comfy I just can't help but get back into when the moment I step foot in the house I come home from work . 

Dear Shelved Books,

I'm sorry I lost steam. Especially since January was so productive. I guess I'll just blame the short but extremely busy month of February and move on.

Linking up here.

   

   

Survey Says {Blog Questionnaire Results}

First off, thank you so much for taking the time to do my blog questionnaire! I have been in a bit of a creative slump so reading your feedback has been so refreshing! And a little surprising...

Question One:

What do you like to read about?

1. Book Reviews

2. DIYs

3. Fashion

4. Preschool Activities/education

5. Product Reviews

6. Recipes

There was a tie- Book reviews and Fashion got the most votes. And I have to say that really makes me happy. You can most definitely see more book reviews with What We're Reading Wednesday and I will be adding more style posts.

Question Two:

What could you do without?

Now this was where things got interesting. I had several people say "no book reviews and no DIYs" a couple "Day In The Life posts", a "no DITL posts" and a "no guest posts" with some saying they couldn't think of anything they didn't like (bless you) and a "no preschool posts as their kids were past that age."

Let me be super honest- I'm not a DITL type of girl. It takes a long time to document, I will forget to take pictures and I'm not a very exciting person. I may do one just to see how it goes but don't expect more than that. Thanks :)

Question Three:

What do you want to see more of?

I was surprised to see that my Preschool classroom was a hot topic. I swear my education posts get the least pageviews and yet, that's what everyone seems to want to see more of(?) Which is also a bit confusing lol. And that was also one of the first things I was ready to drop so I will compromise and do a few seasonal class tours. And the preschool activities are pretty much a cornerstone of this blog so those won't be going anywhere.

Question Four:

I recently started sharing fashion posts. What do you want to see?

1. How-to style

2. Flat lays

3. Roundup collages

4. Collaborations with other bloggers

5. Every day style  

And Every day style was the winner! Which completely tickles me as I am not a fashion blogger by any means, nor do I spend lots of $$$ on my clothes. But I do feel like I finally know exactly how to dress my body and am having fun playing with my personal style. And I love being able to share that with you!

Question Five:

And how often?

Responses ranged from "once a week" to "once a month". I think once or twice a month is my sweet spot- it actually takes a lot of coordinating photographing clothes (who knew, right?)

Question Six:

I don't get them often but, Sponsored content- how much is too much? What frequency is "acceptable"?

Now I asked this because I do not want to turn off people with too many sponsored posts. I never had intentions of being a for-profit blogger and actually find it a bit tacky when people start blogging just to make money. So rest assured, if I do make sponsored content it is because I really believe in the product. Getting paid is just a bonus.

Question Seven:

Any thoughts/ideas/concerns? I'm all ears!

This was my favorite category to read through! There was no negative feedback and everyone was so sweet! Thank you!

Question Eight:

Care to Share? Leave your name, how long you've been reading my blog, and a fun fact about yourself.

Well, the funny thing is, I'm horrible at fun facts so I was hoping you could inspire me! But turns out no one is good at naming a random fact without warning, haha.

This was so fun! Thanks again for the inspiration!

Linking up here.