Three FREE Resources to Help Avoid the COVID-19 Nineteen

I’m not sure if that title conveys exactly what I am hoping to say, but basically, I’ve found some free resources that have helped me not gain any weight during our quarantine and I’d like to share them with you. I’m not saying I’ve lost any weight, because let’s all be honest and admit that those of us not going to work everyday are definitely snacking more and baking things we wouldn’t normally bake. And of course eating those things! So here are three resources that I’ve found helpful that can all be found on YouTube.

How I Single-Handedly Won the Iron Bowl

I’ve never been a big believer in superstition. Sure, I’ll knock on wood or throw salt over my shoulder, but when it come to sports, I know it’s completely out of my hands. Until last night.

Thursday Thoughts: When God is Quiet

Have you ever felt like you and God were on a break?

I know that’s a bold statement and might make some people stop and say, “Huh?”, but that’s what happened to me when we moved back to Greenville. I was very strong in my faith in Louisiana, and I had a very close relationship with God. I was involved in a church, I had excellent, Godly friends and coworkers that were speaking life into me everyday. I even turned our extra bedroom closet into a prayer closet where I kept prayers taped to the wall and where I spent nearly an hour every morning with Jesus.

Then we moved.

3 Things that Helped Me Survive the First Week of School

Yes, that’s right. School is officially in full swing. Excuse me while I go cry and mourn the end of summer.

And I had the flu, so that was fun. It seriously threw in some serious chinks to my chain, and I was not at all prepared like I had hoped to be for going back to school.

What I’m Watching and Reading this Summer

Summer is here! That means I tend to slow down, watch some Netflix and read a few books. I compiled a few lists of things to watch and read for this post. But I want your input. Look through the lists and tell me if it’s worth my time. Let me know if you’ve seen some of these shows or read some of these books.

Simplified Planner Review

On January 1st, my mom surprised me with a last-minute Christmas present of a planner. She knew I was on the hunt for one similar to the one I used in 2018 but wasn’t having luck finding it or anything comparable. I also wasn’t looking to spend a lot of money, so my options weren’t that great.

Two Lane Hi-Way at the Ritz

Greenville is full of insatiable talent. You would never believe that most of the people on that stage came from small town Alabama.

I always enjoy when Greenville talent puts on a show for the community. I’m sure many of you have been to see Puttin’ on the Ritz over the years and seen for yourself what great performers we have here. If not, you’re seriously missing out! Continue reading “Two Lane Hi-Way at the Ritz”

Our Trip to Waco and Magnolia Market

A while back my mom suggested that she and I be the ones to take a vacation this year. My dad and brother travel often to some pretty great destinations, but my brother is going to Ireland this year without my dad and on his own dime. So Mom pitched the idea of Waco and Magnolia Market with the understanding that Dad might come too and Paul was invited. Well, Paul declined pretty quickly, and my dad got a new job which meant that he couldn’t take the time off. Thus began the mother-daughter road trip to Waco, Texas Continue reading “Our Trip to Waco and Magnolia Market”

Favorites of 2017

FAVORITES OF 2017

Happy New Year, y’all! I’m pretty excited about the year 2018. I don’t normally get very excited about the new year, but there’s something in my soul about this year. I have a real sense of hope in my heart, and I believe that just means the best is yet to come.

But before we look ahead, let’s reminisce. Here’s a look at some of my favorite posts from 2017.

The First Post

Home Again– This was my first ever blog post. I was terrified to post it and put myself out there, but I have enjoyed so much of this journey of blogging. This will forever be one of the most special posts I’ve ever written. Even with all the non-decorating of the apartment. It’s fun to go back and see how far we’ve come from those first few months in our little loft.

Earrings

Crafty Earring DIY– I’ve never had a pair of earrings be so popular. And when people who don’t know I have a blog find out that I made them, they always want a pair. I wish I could make them for everyone. They are still so cute and fun to wear.

Mothers

Happy Mother’s Day– These two ladies are so special to Paul and me. We couldn’t do life without them. Like I said in the post, “Mother’s are extraordinary beings.”

Home Improvements

There were two really fun posts to share about decor changes in our apartment. When we first moved in I was still so in love with our blue ikat rug (still am), but it really didn’t fit, so I was thrilled when it dawned on me to swap the rug for the other one I loved that we had before the blue one. (Thanks to a little inspiration from none other than Joanna Gaines.) You can read about it the post entitled New(ish) Rug.

You can see even more of the rug in the Leopard Curtains post. Man was I proud to have made those myself, and I still love them. I realize they aren’t for everyone, but I definitely am not tired of them yet.

Celebrating 17, er, 7 Years of Marriage

That’s a joke between Paul and myself. We hit the 7 year mark in 2017, but we joked that it felt like 17 years together. That picture up there shows we were already acting 7 years married on our wedding day when we had a little tiff taking pictures in the 100° July heat. Despite a wedding day spat, we are still in love and still happily married. I was able to share a very photo-filled post about our wedding and how we were doing 7 years in.

New Job = New Classroom

Classroom Reveal– I got a new job this year teaching 3rd grade. I was fortunate enough to paint and make this room a space that I enjoy being in. It makes a difference when your environment is pleasing to you. This was one of the more popular posts and one of my top 10 Instagram posts of the year. Thank you for loving my classroom makeover as much as I did.

Beautycounter

2017 marked the beginning of my journey with Beautycounter. If you’re unfamiliar with Beautycounter go here to learn more about it. I signed on in October to be a consultant to help spread the mission of safer beauty. I’m happy to be Leaving My Beauty Mark.

Changes

Changes– I really poured out a bit of my heart in this one. It was a little deep. I know that isn’t for everyone, so I understand that a lot of people didn’t read it. But for me it still rings true. I am still not sure why I feel a season of change is in store for me, but I know that I feel hope now, so I’m expectant and in a good way and feeling like I might not actually be having a quarter-life crisis anymore. And doesn’t John Mayer just speak straight to your soul? I just love him.

Christmas Home Tours 1 & 2

Round 1– I was so excited to decorate for Christmas this year. With my need for change, I did things a little differently this year and couldn’t have been happier with how things played out in the decor department.

Round 2– I found that amazing ribbon for my tree that took it up another notch, and I can’t believe I actually took it down already. I’m sitting here writing this wishing I could glance up and see it. Thank God for pictures.

Thank You

Thank you so much for following along with me this year. I am so blessed to have this little corner of the internet, and the fact that y’all visit me here every now and then means the world to me. I am so thankful for the support from you guys, and I hope you’ll stick around for the fun we’ll have in 2018. I can feel that it’s going to be a good one!

XO,

Elizabeth

How To Set Goals For The New Year

HOW TO SET GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR

I mentioned here that I was a goal setter for each new year. I have been making my list and wanted to share my process in case anyone needed help determining a list of goals.

Multiple Goals

In each of these categories I set multiple goals. I like to set goals that are easily attainable and goals that are a little harder to reach and take a little more work.

This doesn’t mean that I’ll reach all of these goals by year’s end, but I’ll have a list of things I’d like to achieve and can reference the list throughout the year. For example: Two goals I would set for the area of marriage would be to say thank you more often and then to take a trip somewhere we’ve never been. That second goal goes into the finances category as well, but it would be a goal I would have for our marriage because we don’t travel often or take many trips.

Also, if you have a goal in mind for an especially tough area, like health, start with a very attainable goal. If you want to work out but don’t do it that often presently, then make your first goal to do a workout once or twice a week. It doesn’t have to be a crazy hard workout like P90X either. You can just take a walk twice a week. Hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?

Write It Down

Get a notebook or journal you can reference or use easily and often. I always write down my goals for each year. Sometimes I’m discouraged when I go back to see the goals I didn’t achieve. But there are those times I’m pleased with the fact that I did meet my goal.

I am a journaler and have been for years now, so writing is not a new concept for me. I write almost every morning in a prayer journal, and one of my goals this year is to write in a gratitude journal before I go to bed every night. I find that writing things down helps me out and means something to me. I can easily go back and reference the things I’ve written down to see how I’m doing with my goals.

I do recommend starting with a fresh notebook or journal. Write these goals in the front so that you know exactly where the goals are written.

Make A Vision Board

I’ll admit I’ve never done one of these before, but I plan to. My mother-in-law was cleaning out an old closet and found a bulletin board that she didn’t need. I told her I’d love to have it, and she kindly gave it to me. I’ve been wanting to make a vision board out of it for the new year. I’ll share it when I’ve got it all set up.

And I think that you should put it where you can regularly see it and be reminded of what you’ve set out to do. Mine will go in front of my makeshift vanity so I can see it every morning while I’m getting ready.

Don’t Be Afraid To Fail

Let’s be real…chances are, we aren’t going to achieve every goal we set for ourselves. At least not on the first try. And maybe one of your goals is a long-term one that will take several years to achieve. Financial and business goals are often that way. But we know there will be goals that we set that we just won’t make happen. I’ve been there plenty of times. And every year I set those same goals anyway. But this year really give it a chance. For example: I am a Beautycounter consultant. I’ve not put forth much effort this holiday season because I work a full-time job, and it’s super hard to hustle on the side when your full-time job requires so much of you. I’d really like to put forth effort to achieve the goal of making a little extra cash during 2018. I’d like to learn more about the company and figure out how I can spread the mission of safer beauty to the people of Greenville. That’s a tough goal, but it’s something that can be attained throughout the year. However, I’m also realistic in knowing that I may not be successful right off the bat. I might fail, but I can always reevaluate and try again. Don’t be afraid to fail! Just get back up, dust off your pants, and try another way.

How do you set goals? Do you write them down like I do?

Happy New Year!