8 Things we learned buying our first home

My husband and I recently bought our very first home! And let me tell you, it feels like a really big deal! We have been married for 11 years now and have rented apartments the whole time. Of course, a lot of them have been very nice, and we have been very thankful for them. But there is just something about living in a house that is actually YOURS. Where you can do whatever you want to it! (within a realistic budget of course!) I have been excited for this moment for literally my entire life. I always looked forward to the day where I could have a house where there were no limitations, and I could make it look exactly how I wanted. It feels amazing to have finally made that dream come true!

That being said, there were things throughout the whole process that were a bit unexpected and we had to adjust our expectations several times throughout it. Since I am obsessed with all things Househunters and Realtor.com and I are basically besties, I assumed I knew most of what went into buying a house. But as it turns out, there were still a few things I didn’t know I didn’t know! And now I’m here to share those things with you…so YOU will know! 🙂

Here goes: 8 things we learned buying our first home!

8 Things We Learned buying our first home Continue reading “8 Things we learned buying our first home”

Ways I save money, so I can splurge sometimes

The other day I was thinking about how I’ve posted about a few higher end, more expensive items that can be definitely be categorized as “luxury”. (my handbag, makeup brushes and I plan to do some posts on some higher end green beauty items I’ve invested in recently)

So, lest you get the impression that I just spend money willy nilly, (I don’t!) I thought it would be helpful to do a post about some of the tips and tricks I have used over the years to be able to justify getting nicer things sometimes! If you try to save money in as many areas as possible, then it is easier to spring for some of those splurge items that truly feel worth it to you!

8 ways I save money so I can splurge sometimes

First off, I am someone who definitely tries to be as frugal as possible. I really try to stretch a dollar as far as I can, because then you get the most for your money! Being a good steward of our resources is really important to me! Continue reading “Ways I save money, so I can splurge sometimes”

7 Things that cheer me up when I’m having a bad day

You know those days where everything seems to be going wrong, the dumbest things make you want to cry and you are overall just discouraged about life? Maybe its bad news from a friend or family member or you are disappointed about something that didn’t work out the way you wanted it to, or, I don’t know…a million other reasons.

7 things that cheer me up when I'm having a bad day

This post contains some affiliate links. For more information, see my full disclosures here.

Those days where the book title: “Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” just seems like the most accurate description ever?? Well…I have those days sometimes. And I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but for me, I have found a lot of things that seem to consistently cheer me up when I’m down. Maybe they will work for you too? I hope so! Anyways, here are some things that usually work to turn my bad days around! These are the 7 things that cheer me up when I’m having a bad day. Continue reading “7 Things that cheer me up when I’m having a bad day”

My List of Goals for 2017

my list of goals for 2017

My list of goals for 2017

Isn’t a new year such an intoxicating thing?? A fresh start, the slate wiped clean, a new page just waiting to see what will be written on it. It’s all up to you what you will make of it! Obviously life kind of happens to us and takes us down detours along the way, but still, I just love fresh beginnings!

I’m really excited about what this year will bring. I have some pretty ambitious goals! I recently made a vision board to really help me visualize my hopes and dreams in a way that makes it seem real. I highly recommend doing it! It really helps you remember what you are trying to achieve.

I love reading other blogger’s lists of goals too, also their “word” of the year. I love that idea. I’ve recently started focusing on one main theme, or concepts for each year too. In the past few years they have been things like being intentional, simplifying, boundaries and authenticity. Continue reading “My List of Goals for 2017”

10 Things I wish I had known before I adopted my cats

The 10 things I wish I had known before I adopted my cats

Last year we adopted 2 shelter kittens and it completely changed our whole lives! It is absolutely a change in the best way possible, since we love them more than anything and they have brought a crazy amount of joy to our lives! We would definitely do it again, but I thought it would be helpful for people thinking about getting kittens/cats for the first time to be a bit more prepared mentally for exactly what they are signing up for! So without further ado, here’s the 10 things I wish I had known before we got our cats.

1. It will be like you instantly have 2 toddlers in your house. Not even like bringing home a new baby, but immediately skipping that phase and going to the “getting into everything at all times” phase.

We brought home our kitten Milo first, and adopted our 2nd kitten Chester about a month and a half later. We had placed a hold on Milo at the shelter to give us a day to make sure he was the right one, get some cat supplies and cat-proof our house. The funny thing is I thought we did a pretty good job cat-proofing, but when we brought him home we immediately saw that we had a lot more stuff to think about. He is a little explorer and loves to get into everything and he was brave enough to jump up on all our counter tops and things up high, including being able to jump onto our refrigerator and all the top shelves! Continue reading “10 Things I wish I had known before I adopted my cats”

Reflecting back on 2016

Reflecting Back on 2016

It is officially 2017! Wow, I don’t know how it crept up so fast, but here it is just the same! The fresh beginning of a new year brings so much excitement of endless possibilities and a renewed energy to pursue new goals. And hope..always hope. Somehow even though there are so many ups and downs, there is always the hope and promise of beautiful new things.

I try to look at all things recently as a chance for growth and lessons learned. I have ALL sorts of awesome and lofty goals I am aspiring to this new year, and will be sharing those very soon! However, before I just go on with my new goals and dreams for 2017, I wanted to stop and take a look back at all the things that have happened in the last year. Both the joys and the sorrows. I have spent a lot of time reflecting recently on how short life is, what I want to accomplish and just trying to soak up every good and beautiful moment so those can carry me through the inevitable bumps along the way. Continue reading “Reflecting back on 2016”

The Honest Co. Cleaning Supplies Haul

The honest company essentials bundle: some of my favorite cleaning products

If you have read my Honest Company Review before, you will already know that I am a big fan of The Honest Company! I have tried quite a few products of theirs over the last year or so, and have liked almost everything so far.

Today I wanted to pop on here and share my latest Honest Haul! This time I just needed a bunch of cleaning supplies, which I would say is the main thing I usually order from them. I really like all their cleaners, and this time I tried several new things which I am liking so far!  Continue reading “The Honest Co. Cleaning Supplies Haul”

32 Lessons I’ve learned in 32 years

32 Lessons I've learned in 32 years

Shifting gears today from pretty things in life, to a more introspective topic: lessons I have learned over the years. I figured I would share life thoughts every now and then so you get to know the person behind the blog a little better!

You might be wondering if it is my birthday because of the title of this post: but nope, it was actually back in January! I started working on this list waaaayyyy back then but never got to finish it until just recently. Better late than never though, right?!

These are just the highlights of some of the most poignant and life-changing things that I have learned over my lifetime so far, especially in the last 5 years or so! I have been very fortunate to have many wise and godly people in my life to glean things from, and have come across a lot of really helpful resources from sermons, podcasts, books and blogs too. Hopefully you can find some nuggets that inspire you as well! Enjoy. 🙂 Continue reading “32 Lessons I’ve learned in 32 years”

Empties: Household Cleaners

Empties: household cleanersMore empties, now onto household cleaners! I go through countertop cleaners like crazy because I am pretty obsessed with wiping everything down all the time! I think this many bottles only lasted me like a month and a half or something, I feel like I buy a new one every other week or so. I am pretty sure that isn’t normal, but it’s ok with me since I love having clean kitchen and bathroom countertops all the time. And I have 2 little crazy boy cats who tend to get tons of dirt and hair everywhere! Continue reading “Empties: Household Cleaners”

My Latest Vitacost Haul

My latest vitacost haul: things that were on my wishlist for a while

So if you have spent any length of time in the natural health and beauty world, you have probably heard of Vitacost. If not, let me introduce you because you are missing out! Vitacost.com is on online retailer that carries the same type of food, home and beauty products you might find at a health food store like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and now Target etc. Except the prices are SO much better on almost everything. To give an example, my favorite Acure Argan Oil Wipes are $6.99 at my local Target where I pick them up if I need them last minute. On Vitacost they are $5.89, and right now on sale for only $5.01. That extra buck or two on each product really starts to add up! Another staple I need at all times is the Acure Argan Oil which costs $12.99 at Target (and that’s the price I have paid at Whole Foods too before) and only $10.19 on Vitacost, right now on sale for $8.19! See the kind of price difference I am talking about? To save even more money, I like to shop through Shopathome or Ebates links to get cash back, and usually try to only order when I need at least $50 worth of things so I get the free shipping. Which is fast, by the way! I am always impressed with how fast I get it. All the things I got this time were items I have been thinking of getting to try eventually, based on what I have heard about them and I finally took the plunge. Continue reading “My Latest Vitacost Haul”