Blog Posts
Best & Worst: My Former Clients & Employees
Have you ever done the "rose and thorn" activity? It is sometimes called "peak and pit" or "high and low." It's one of my favorites to do around the dining room table. The activity goes like this: each person gets a turn sharing the best part of their day and the worst part of their day. My favorite thing to happen during this activity is the realization that you didn't have a "worst part" of your day. This is also a good activity to do after milestone events like at New Year's, the end of the school year, or the end of a vacation. Today, I am going to share the best and worst moments with my former clients and employees.
How To: Use Canva & LinkedIn
Recently I have started volunteering with a new non-profit in Wichita called Work 4 A Living. They are currently located inside City Life Church downtown and they work to "empower people with the job skills and entrepreneurial skills to support themselves and their families." I came in a couple times to take headshots for the class and I thought it was really awesome that the program thought to offer that. I have written before about the importance of social media and your personal brand - and my #1 tip is to have a good photo of yourself in place!
Dear Entrepreneur, Protect Your Heart
My first stage of entrepreneurship can only be described as an intensely focused drive. It was a balancing act that ultimately resulted in growth for our business. I was able to enlist support both in work and at home. In the moment, all I could see was the business success and I saw the fact that our family was holding it all together as a success as well. Looking back now, I can’t help but wonder what I missed out on during the time I was burning the candle at both ends…
Small Town Spotlight: Mulvane, Kansas
We live in a crossroads section south of Wichita where we are conveniently located near a few different small towns including Derby, Rose Hill, Douglass and Mulvane. Recently, we have discovered Mulvane to be a closer outlet for quick outings. Read on to hear about our favorite places!
Wichita Adventures: Holiday Edition
It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since we've lived in Kansas. Before this year, every Thanksgiving we would make the ten hour drive up Interstate 35 from Texas. It was such a treat this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with family without being totally exhausted from that drive!
How To: Get Married On A Budget & Why You Should
A couple weeks ago I got to see one of my oldest friends in the whole world marry the man of her dreams in a beautiful backyard farm wedding. I couldn't help but be reminiscent of my own wedding and wanted to share our story. More importantly, I want to share how we got married for just over $3,000 and why that's a big deal.
Recap: Boutique Benefit Fashion Show
Let me start by saying that I am not a fashion blogger. That being said, just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of walking in my first ever fashion show. Are you wondering how in the world that happened? Keep reading…
7 Life Lessons I've Learned From Jurassic Park
I am mama to two boys who have each gone through extensive dinosaur phases. It's safe to say I have seen the Jurassic Park movies roughly 65 million times... each. There are a handful of lessons I derived from the movies that have become part of our daily jargon. I am finally ready to share those lessons with you so, read on if you dare!
How To: Start A Blog
Last month I went home to Texas to visit some of my very best girlfriends in the whole world. While I was visiting, three different girlfriends told me that they had thought about starting a blog at some point. One girl is a millennial marketing student getting ready to conquer the world, one girl is a busy wife and mommy running her own business, one girl is a top notch nurse balancing work and family. I don't know about you, but I would love to read about even just one day in the life of any of those fascinating ladies.
Summer 2018 Affiliate Programs
Since blogging full time I've had quite the demand for affiliate programs. This month, I am going to give you a run down of my new affiliate programs. But first, what the heck is an affiliate program anyway? This is when a brand provides me with either a special shopping link or a discount code to pass onto my subscribers. I will get a small commission on any purchases made through these links.
Wichita Adventures Part Two: Day Dates
In my last blog post I shared about some of our favorite kid/family friendly places in Wichita. Now, on to adult adventures.
Wichita Adventures Part One: Kids & Families
My family and I recently moved to the Wichita, Kansas area. While finding all new places to go and things to do might seem like a stressor to some, I moved around a fair amount when I was younger so this part of the process is an invigorating challenge to me. I had some suggestions from friends and family, and I was able to connect with a few key local Instagram accounts who were super helpful. Without further ado, read on about our first go around of Wichita adventures.
Why Homeschool?
If you follow me on Social Media then you know that last month our family attended our first ever homeschool convention. Big thanks to the Teaching Parents Association of Wichita for hosting a great event. By far the most impactful thing for me was seeing that the overwhelming majority of homeschool families are doing so to glorify God - and raise children that will do the same. While this was not the original reason we chose to homeschool, it will absolutely keep us going.
My Personal Redemption Story
I recently did a bible study through If:Gathering called, “Redeemed.” This study was all about looking at how God has impacted your life, writing it out, and sharing a story that will glorify God. So, here goes…
Introducing... LOXLUX Jewelry! (Also Farm Update + Note On Wood Chips)
I have to admit that I am historically not one for too many accessories. For example, I used to only buy bags and shoes in black or brown. My thought process was that if I am going to spend money on an accessory, it might as well go with everything in my closet. Nowadays whenever shopping for accessories I ask myself, "can I wear it with at least 3 pieces I already have?" In my opinion, this is a great question to ask yourself, especially if you are on a budget.
Favorite Brands For Your Hair, Skin, & Spirit!
When my gal pal from church first gave me samples of Monat, they were mostly from the "volume system." Unfortunately, volume is the last thing I need. I have thick, naturally curly hair (that I have come a long way in embracing). As most curly-haired girls will agree, I just need to combat frizz and do so without getting those dreaded "crunchy" curls. I am so glad my "market mentor" asked for feedback and provided me new samples of the "hydration system." I have been using the system for about 2 months and I have been very pleased with my hair. It feels lighter and has more defined curls without crunch!
Happy Homecoming: Derby, Kansas
A few months ago, I shared my family's heartbreak at a real estate deal gone wrong that shattered our dreams of homesteading. Since then, with the help of our friends at church, we turned to the Lord and asked him to reveal his will to us. It only took a couple days of intentional prayer before my husband said to me, "I believe the Lord is redirecting us, and telling us that it's time to move closer to our family in Kansas."
Tech Tips For Busy Families
As you read last month, my family is on a mission for a simpler life. This past year we let things get so incredibly hectic that we had major breakdowns in communication. As I am sure you're aware, it's very hard for any relationship to function without communication. For the past few months we have been working hard, both together as a family and with professionals, on effective ways to communicate. It may sound totally counterintuitive, but we have utilized some great technology to help keep our family running smoothly.
City to Homestead: A Family's Dream Stalled
This is not the post I thought I'd be writing. I thought I'd be writing to tell you that in a just a week's time, my family and I would be moving out onto our own perfect piece of the Texas Hill Country to begin our next stage of life. I wish I could tell you all my feelings about the real estate deal that fell apart...but for now I will just share those thoughts with Jesus (and my therapist) in hopes that they subside.
Vacation Series: Mexico Momcation
I got to kick off this year's traveling early and in a very special way. My best friend was getting married at an all inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! It was determined early on that my husband would stay home with our two boys. While I was originally bummed out about going solo, I eventually decided to turn the trip into the ultimate "momcation."