Ya'll know I love some monograms! I love them so much I'm in a monthly monogram club. 🤷🏻♀️🤣 I get one shirt a month based on the season/holiday and it's always a surprise when it arrives! I only pay $11.95 a month for these super cute shirts! They are also very soft and great quality! I just tell my husband we can never divorce or I'll have to get a whole new wardrobe! 😅 Click here to sign up for your monthly shirt! These are just a few I've received in the past year. 🙃
I've been a vegetarian for almost 10 years and have always looked for ways to get extra protein. I typically have either a protein bar or shake every day. I have tried SO MANY brands of protein bars, but there's always an ingredient in them that hurts my stomach. I finally found one I love! Built Bars have 130-180 calories, low sugar and 17-19 grams of protein. I eat one of these bars almost every morning for breakfast and they come in so many flavors! The consistency reminds me of a mixture between a Milky Way, 3 Musketeers bar and a brownie! It's like eating a healthy candy bar every morning! 😋🍫 I always get the variety box so I can have a different flavor every day. Click HERE and use code 3880 to get 10% off your order! 😁
My third and most used hair tool is the Hoson 1in curing iron. I have always been a fan of the Babyliss Pro 1in curling iron (which I still love and use at work), but this one is half the price and has a longer barrel which is great for long hair.
I part my hair down the back and bring all of it to the front on each side. I start in the back middle with one curl at a time, throwing it back over my shoulder until everything on that side is curled. I alternate which way each curl goes, but keep the front pieces going away from my face. If your hair is fine or silky, I would recommend using a texture spray first to rough it up and give more hold.
I repeat on the other side. Once everything is curled, I lift up my hair at the root and mist it with hairspray. I flip my head over and shake it out, combing the curls out with my fingers.
Flip your hair back over and you've got a messy lived-in curl. If I want it messier, I'll straighten the ends to give it more of a beach wave look! If you have shorter hair, I would recommend a curling iron with a shorter barrel. Don't forget to use a heat protectant! Happy curling!🤪
If you believe in the saying “the higher the hair, the closer to God," then this is the hair tool for you! I have had the VOLOOM volumizing iron for a few years and it never let's me down!
I start by taking a section on one side of my part and “crimping" it at the root. Flip that piece over and continue crimping your roots about halfway down. Flip it back over and boom! You have bigger and better hair! You can see the difference in the last picture below (half normal/half with volume). If you don't want the crimp to show, just leave the top piece straight and it will lay over the rest.
I love this modern day “crimper.” I never would have thought to use something like this for volume. I love using this on my hair after I wash it to create volume and for keeping my hair off my scalp prolonging my wash!
The higher the hair, the closer to God!
I am a hairstylist (if you didn't already know 🤪) and I have had so many clients ask me what I thought about the Revlon hot air brush. I was like “huh? Just use a round brush and blowdryer…” After a while, I started to wonder what was so great about this tool. I gave in and ordered the pretty mint color on Amazon for $40.
My hair is naturally pretty wavy and in the past I have either had to straighten or curl my hair after blowdrying to make it look somewhat decent. I decided to let my hair airdry about 50% before tackling it with this hot air brush.
I started by sectioning off the bottom section and pulling it out straight with the brush. Then moved up halfway through my hair and did a second section. The top 2 sections I pulled up and out to create more volume.
This brush made my hair so silky, shiny, smooth and straight! It was hot so it dried my hair super fast and also eliminated the next step of straightening it! I finally knew what all the hype was about! (Plus it's super hard to blowout your own hair with a round brush and blowdryer.)
My only advice would be to use a heat protectant because it gets HOT! If you have fine hair, I would probably keep it on the low setting and make sure your hair is at least halfway dry and tangle-free before using it to dry your hair. This will eliminate extra tugging, pulling and breakage on fragile wet hair. Other than that, I love the color, price point, end result and convenience of the air brush! It’s my new favorite tool! 🥳🎉
2020 was a crazy year, but for me it wasn't so bad. I got a lot of time off with my little family and puppy and became a mom. I always said I would never have a dog or a baby. I loved my simple come-and-go life, taking naps when I wanted, always having a clean and organized house and not having to worry about anyone but myself. Look at me now….I don't feel complete unless my whole family is piled on top of me!
Our year started out trying to finish putting in a pool. We had discussed either a pool or a baby and decided if we didn't get a pool first, we never would. It was the perfect year to have one and we spent every chance we could out in the sun!
In February, we found out I was pregnant. I was so scared and excited, but felt we weren't ready. I guess you're never really ready!
In March, covid shut down my salon and I was out of work for 2 months. I spent my time just hanging out with my pup Millie Jeter and learning about pregnancy. It was stressful and relaxing at the same time. We were able to reopen in May, but with so many regulations it was hard to get caught up. We spent the summer decorating the nursery, getting mom/dad cars, upgrading to a king size bed and trying to spend family time together.
In September, my parents, my husband and I got covid. I was out of work 2 more weeks. It was scary because I was pregnant and there wasn't a lot of evidence on how it could affect your baby. We all pulled through with mild symptoms, even though I still can't taste or smell (almost 4 months later). In October, we welcomed our sweet baby girl 5 days early. We didn't decide on her name until she was born, but Vivienne (alive/lively) Azalea (flower) fit her perfectly. She's our little wildflower.
It's certainly been a crazy year. I've missed getting together with family and friends, squeezing my 91 year old pappaw’s shoulders and going on trips. I'm a hugger and 2020 wasn’t the year for that, so I've given all the hugs to my sweet little fam. If nothing else, we got more time together, time to reflect on the good things in life, learned not to take the little things for granted and brought our baby girl into the world. Cheers to 2021 and bringing back the hugs!
After this crazy year, all I want for Christmas is to be comfy and cozy with my sweet little family. This outfit definitely gave me all the warm and fuzzy feels!
This super warm beanie is from Amazon and comes in so many colors! It has the softest lining and cutest pom on top! I will definitely be ordering more colors!!
Who knew Sam's Club had such cute clothes! I got this cream colored quarter-zip sherpa for less than $10!
Boots with the fur came straight from walmart.com for $27.99! Walmart has such a better selection online than in-store!
It may not be a white Christmas, but it sure is cold outside! Wishing you a cozy, little Christmas from my family to yours!!
I'm declaring 2020 the year for eyes! I don't know why I bother putting makeup on everyday when half my face is covered with a mask. I guess it just makes me more feel put-together, but it’s only about the eyes this year! They do say eyes are the window to the soul!
At one point I was carrying about 65 lipsticks around in my purse. 🤷🏻♀️ Those days are no more! Hopefully one day I can be all about my lipstick game again, but for now I'll share with you my favorite lash products!
I always start with a lash primer. Primers help condition, lengthen and put a barrier between your lashes and drying mascaras. My favorite right now is Marc Jacob's Epic Lash Primer. I follow with Benefit’s Bad Gal Bang mascara. I love the brush because it separates, lifts and lengthens my lashes and the formula isn't too creamy or too dry (hard to find the perfect consistency!) I finish with Benefit’s Roller Lash or They're Real because both of these have a comb brush that can pull out any clumps that might have formed! Every night I put Babe Lash serum on my lash line for more conditioning and to help them grow!
Here's to having great lashes and bringing back lipstick in 2021! 🤪🥂
Who knew how much a tiny little 7 lb human could change your life before they were even born? One of the first changes for me (other than a big belly) was choosing which room to give up for the nursery. We finally decided to sacrifice one girly room (my shoe and makeup room) for another girly room (Vivi’s nursery). While it was hard to part with, I knew a sweet girl was soon going to rock my world and make it so worth it.
My mom and I had so much fun hanging this beautiful wall mural (from Etsy) and putting our handy man skills to use on everything else! Although Vivi hasn’t spent much time in her room, I hope one day she will love it.
At least she got my long toes and big feet. I have no doubt we’ll be sharing shoes and bringing back the shoe and makeup room in no time!
To party or not to party? That is the never-ending question of 2020! No matter how you are spending your holidays, why not do it in style? Even if you are celebrating with family on a zoom chat, you might as well look cute (at least from the waist up)! I have linked some of my favorite holiday looks below from making a statement to casual to cozy.
**Fashion Nova is having a great sale right now and things are going fast! Get it while you can!
**All of the shoes pictured are old, but if you want a similar pair I’d be happy to send you a link!
This is my favorite statement piece top! It was originally from Fashion Nova but they no longer have it, so I found it on Amazon in a variety of colors!
This sweater dress is comfy and cozy yet stylish! It can be dressed up or down and comes in a variety of colors!
This is my more casual holiday look!
Open Back Sweater - Comes in black, red and mauve!
This one is cute, but casual! I paired this knotted back sweater with a simple black mini skirt.
Knotted back sweater - available in lots of colors!
If I’m being honest, I’ve been in my pjs 99% of the time the last 4 weeks as I’ve been on maternity leave. Actually, I’ve been in them most of 2020! There’s nothing like laying around by the fire in soft, comfy jammies. Get them in a stylish print, throw on your monogrammed initials and you’ll feel cute without even having to get ready for the day! Here are four pieces I have from Shop I Love Jewelry! They make the perfect gift for a girlfriend, best friend or just to treat yourself! They also come in so many different prints! I just happen to have the wine set because…well….2020…. cheers! Scroll down for the links!
Every Thanksgiving, my mom and I wait for the black Friday ads to arrive so we can plot out our attack on the best deals at midnight! We shop until we become delirious as the sun comes up and end the morning with a big stack of pancakes before heading home to nap. This year is a little different and I will be sitting right here at the computer getting in as much Christmas shopping as I can! I have rounded up my favorite deals of the year with links included below (prices may not be discounted until closer to black Friday)! The 6-piece luggage set pictured above is $39 at Belk!! Vivi and I are ready to travel! Hope you enjoy!
Hot Air Brush - I have this and LOVE it!
Ring Camera - We have these at our house….so easy and convenient!
Waffle Maker - My current waffle maker - so easy!
Coffee Pot - Our coffee pot! Great for a cup or a pot!
Satin Pillowcases - Great for skin and hair!
Cosmetic Case - Love this case!
Instant Pot - Makes life easy when you need a quick meal!
$10 and $15 deals start 11/24!
Hi! Thanks for stopping by! Scroll down to shop my Instagram outfit!
If you don’t already know me, I am just a small town girl trying to enjoy all the beautiful things this crazy life has to offer! What a wild year it’s been. It has often been hard to see the bright side of life this year, but I promise there have been positives. While out of work due to covid, I was able to spend more time with my family. When I had covid in September, I became more appreciative of my health. I had a baby during this pandemic and I saw how amazing the human body is. I have come to cherish every little moment, even the hard ones. I am a workaholic and love my job, but I have realized work can wait. You can never get these precious moments back.
I have been in the hair and makeup industry for about 10 years, but have always loved fashion. I’ve always tried to have my own style while sticking to an affordable budget. My mom taught me two lessons about shopping: 1) never take a man shopping with you (words to live by) and 2) never pay full price for anything. We have been shopping partners from the beginning and now that I’m a mom (as of 3 weeks ago), we decided to break in sweet Vivi with her first shopping trip.
So while I am typically a behind-the-scenes kind of girl, always doing hair and makeup, I have decided to venture out. I hope you’ll follow along for budget-friendly fashion finds, hair and makeup tutorials, product recommendations and join me in my journey through this new life of motherhood.
