Rainy Day, Don't Go Away

I woke up today to the most peaceful scene outside my window. The skies were gray, the soothing sound of rain gave me the deep breath of fresh air that I have needed these past few weeks. There is something about rainy days that has always given me energy and peace. I have always preferred those deep, gloomy overcast days to open sunshine. I find that rain helps me relax and reflect in ways that balances me out. 

While Texas is certainly known for heat (our summers are brutal), it also has some of the most exhilarating thunderstorms in the country. Fall is our rainy season so naturally, I have been looking forward to these months all year long. 

I got so many things done today. I shipped out fourteen orders, pampered a sick husband and made a delicious batch of chicken soup from scratch. For the first time, too! I felt a calmness all day that nicely complemented my motivation to actually complete tasks around the house. It all seemed to fall in place. Certainly a change from the anxiety I have felt lately. I am just so thankful for today. For cloudy skies and rain. I am thankful for a break.

And tomorrow? There's a 100% chance of rain. I feel alive. As I'm typing, I'm breathing in the cool breeze from our open window and soaking in the booming thunder I hear in the distance. Somehow, life's tiny under appreciated moments make up for everything else.

— B

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Finding Peace During Stressful Times

Back when I was a teenager, I used to tell everyone that I didn't think stress existed. (Boy did that change!) Becoming an adult can be is very challenging. I'm very thankful to have had a good stack of common sense while transitioning but we all face the steep learning curve when we are trying to grow up and enter adulthood. To be completely honest, I never really enjoyed being a child. It seemed like I counted down the days until I could be grown, out on my own and be completely responsible for my independence. I've always been very mature, level headed and strong willed. And I think there are disadvantages to those qualities when you are young, as well. I was always so different from everyone else. I didn't want the same things as others my age. So I feel like I became an adult very early on in life.

With that title change comes many, many responsibilities and sometimes a great deal of stress. Lately, I've been a bit down. The reason for my internet silence, really. Stress doesn't have to be obvious, either. I don't have any big problems that I'm dealing with. It's more little things that just seem to tug at me or the absence of movement in life that can trigger anxiety for me. I got to thinking about things that have always helped me relax when I felt strained so today I'm sharing a few ways that I find peace during stress and pouring emotions.

A Good Read – Sometimes, I need to dive into an epic fictional world just to get out of my head for a while. I always feel refreshed and inspired after reading. /// Currently I'm enjoying Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. Death's Assassin + Historical Romance. Yes, please.

Fresh Air – Simply being outside makes me feel significantly more open, like I can breathe easier. A walk or even just sitting on our porch steps for a while watching nature relaxes me. I don't get out very much but I so appreciate the times that I do.

Conversation – Dan is the most incredible listener. He is my best friend and supporter through it all. He's there when I'm emotional over trivial issues and he's always encouraging without fail. I need his calmness and strength to balance me out at times. I love that man.

Pug Snuggles – It is a fact in my life that nothing makes me feel better than snuggling my sweet pugs. A dog's love is so pure and unconditional. I have such a deep love for those two and caring for them is so rewarding. I feel like they keep me going through everything.

Cleaning + Organizing – I am totally that person who gets kicks from organizing and cleaning my house. I would pick The Container Store over the spa ANY day. It serves two purposes by keeping me busy and offering a great sense of accomplishment at the same time. Not many things beat the feeling of a clean and tidy home.

Baking – Both the process of baking AND enjoying the finished goods, in my opinion, is very therapeutic. Baking is a creative art and I love experimenting with recipes and different flavors and textures.

Dreaming of the Future – This is something that has particularly helped me in recent months. When I take the time to just sit and think about all the things I want to accomplish or experience in the future, I feel comforted. I remind myself that the future holds so much and the journey towards reaching goals is just as important as setting them.

Overall, I think finding activities that inspire you and make you happy cultivate a clear mind and help you to work through feeling tense or overwhelmed. What are some ways that you relieve stress and unwind?

— B

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A Weekend Away

 

This past weekend was exactly what Dan and I needed. We can't even remember the last time we left town simply to take a trip to relax and enjoy being together. That is what happens when you forget to put experiences on top of your important list and let work, saving money and life pile on top of you. Getting away was especially what I needed. And away I went. From work, my blog, our tiny town, cooking, away from it all! 

The hardest part was being even minutes away from our pugs. My mom so kindly offered to watch them while we were away (we wouldn't have left, otherwise) but saying goodbye was emotional for me. We had only left Lucy once when she was little to visit Dan's parents up near Memphis and had never been away from Pippa the whole year we have had her. Absolutely nothing could compare to the feeling of coming home to them.

Aside from being painfully pug-free, those three days that we had back in my home town near Dallas gave us some of the most wonderful memories we'll ever have. Days that would have been spent at home, watching Netflix while eating another roast chicken sitting in pajamas. It is such a welcome change of pace when you can just experience something different every now and then. Even though it was a familiar area for us, it felt completely new since we have traveled so little together.

We stayed with my Granminnie in Fort Worth and I will forever treasure the wonderful visit we had. She is undoubtedly the most positive influence in my life. I think you can never be thankful enough for the people you encounter that lift you up instead of being a hovering cloud. 

We spent our weekend shopping, delighting in non-paleo foods at wonderfully non-paleo restaurants and enjoyed an overcast day at the Fort Worth Zoo on Sunday. Other highlights included getting to spend half a day with a dear friend I hadn't seen in years, Italian fine dining one night out with my hilarious aunt and uncle and befriending the most darling cosmetics consultant on the Boots brand aisle in Target. The whole weekend, with the weather to our events just felt peaceful. It felt like a giant exhale we had been holding in from just waiting for a chance to experience something new.

And as most of you know, no matter how exciting a vacation can be, you are always happy to be home and to sleep in your own bed (in our case, a bed with pugs). I have a lot of work to catch up on and I am so looking forward to our Texas weather finally getting cooler!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend, as well. Goodnight! :)

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6 Fall Drink Recipes to Try

1. Apple and Pear White Sangria // 2. Cider Rum Punch // 3. Pumpkin Pineapple Cocktail // 

4. Apple and Pear Cider Cups // 5. Mulled Wine // 6. Cider Jack Cocktail //

One of the greatest joys in the Fall season are the festive drinks that come with celebrating the holidays. Whether it's a warm cider or a refreshing cocktail, drinks bring people together. And I don't know about you but I love drink making! It's always fun for me to experiment with different cocktail recipes especially because quite honestly, it's a challenge to find something that pleases my taste buds. ;) I cannot wait to try #1 on this list because Moscato would definitely by my drink of choice. I strongly considered adding a hot chocolate recipe to this list but I think I will save those for a post this Winter.

Which drinks do you enjoy during the Fall season? And feel free to share your own cocktail recommendations for someone who's slightly sensitive to the taste of alcohol. ;)

— B

Currently Loving: Beauty

We love natural products in our home. We made the big switch a few years ago and purged all of our chemicals and "iffy" products. So naturally, this extended to my beauty products, as well. Granted, not everything in my beauty routine is completely natural but I certainly try to choose natural and organic products over those that aren't. In my experience, most products made with natural ingredients from the earth or come from organic sources are sold by companies much more respectable than those mass produced across the world.

Here are a few products that I am loving lately:

1 // Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner: This is a super recent find for me. I've actually used this shampoo/conditioner only three times so far but this stuff is what dreams are made of. I've always swooned over anything coconut (beauty-wise or food-wise) and this set doesn't disappoint. And at roughly $5.00 a piece, they are super affordable. Best of all? A little goes a long way. I use nearly 1/3 of what I would normally use in the shower and it lathers up beautifully and gives my hair body and fragrance. ($5.00)

2 // Origins - A Perfect World Moisturizer: I have had a lot of trouble over the years finding a great moisturizer. I had really bad acne in high school and after going through Accutane treatments, my skin is completely different today from how it used to be. This moisturizer is perfect for complexions that are more on the dry side. It has a very pleasant, subtle fragrance. It's easy to apply and my skin still feels hydrated the next morning. While slightly on the expensive side, I've used so little that it seems like this little bottle will last me a year! ($41.00)

3 // No. 7 Mascara: It's so hard to find a good mascara, right? This is a great basic mascara and an inexpensive backup if you prefer pricier brands. I find that this mascara is easy to apply and easy to clean up when you smudge. It's also very cooperative when layering. I don't use waterproof so I love that this mascara dries quickly enough to get out the door right after putting it on. ($8.00)

4 // NYX Powder Blush: I received this blush in a lovely rosy color in my last Ipsy Bag and loved it! Blush tends to make me very indecisive but I can see myself using this one for a long time. It blends well with my foundation and looks very natural. ($5.00)

5 // Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner: I've tried a lot of eyeliner throughout my life and I'm always frustrated with how difficult it is to apply or how easily it smudges, etc. Not this one. It glides on so smoothly, feels thick and sturdy and lasts as long as you want it to! ($11.00)

6 // Lavilin Natural Deodorant: Okay, let's talk deodorant. After switching over to natural products years ago, I quickly said capital NO to natural deodorant. Because clearly, I don't like sweating. Or stinking. For some reason, I felt like a natural deodorant could never do the job that the regular stuff could. I was so wrong. First, I tried Tom's of Maine natural deodorant, only to be disappointed with effectiveness and it left redness under my arms. So after several weeks of research, I felt confident trying Lavilin. Oh baby, $17.00 is a bargain for this stuff. While natural deodorant doesn't keep you from sweating (your body needs to sweat to release toxins) this product works by essentially counteracting the bacteria that causes odor under your arms. Even better? It lasts for seven days! Using a cream by hand was certainly a learning curve but it comes in a tiny little UFO container making it easy to apply. ($17.00)

7 // Julep Pomegranate Body Scrub: I love a good surprise so every now and then I purchase the Julep Mystery Box and a few months back I received this delicious body scrub. I'm not typically into scrubs and lotions but this one is a great exfoliant. Since it's more practical than pampering, I ended up loving it! And it truly smells edible. ($6.00)

8 // South of France Shea Butter Bar Soap: I don't use any other bar soap in the whole world. I discovered this brand at Whole Foods years ago and have stuck with it ever since. While there are many different fragrances to enjoy, my favorite is shea butter. This is often times what I use to wash my face with, too. I also prefer bar soap to body wash because it lasts a good year longer. ($6.00)

9 // Origins Well Off Makeup Remover: A dependable makeup remover is an essential part of any lady's stash. This one is particularly easy on the eyes. It's sold as a "gentle" makeup remover and is ophthalmologist tested. I love the Origins company so this was an obvious purchase for me. Works wonders. Smells lovely. Win. ($18.00)

10 //  OPI Natural Nail Strengthener: I've always had really thin, brittle nails. I always see other people's hands and I'm so jealous! Nail strengthener to the rescue! I apply this a few times a week and it at least keeps my nails from breaking. A lifesaver in my book. ($8.00)

I would love to know which products you are loving lately! I'm always looking for new natural products and ways to support the honorable companies out there. :)

— B

A Glorious Fall Welcome

The arrival of Fall is so much more than a day on the calendar for me. Aside from being my favorite time of the year, it symbolizes togetherness, reflection and a spirit of giving. September is the month where I start getting those warm fuzzies knowing that Fall is almost here. I start thinking about fresh baked pumpkin loaf, Halloween, leaves changing and the all around coziness that comes with cooler weather. I feel like my soul is lifted when Fall arrives, like I can breathe easier and that the universe is demanding relaxation and time by the fireplace. This past week, I haven't been able to stop thinking about going to bed wearing pajama pants! I've been checking the forecast daily just waiting for the temperature drop that will give me the green light to pull out all the winter pajamas in storage. :)

And this year, Fall is going to be pretty exciting for us. Dan and I have a trip back to Dallas planned this month for a wedding. While we're in town, I'll be able to catch up with a dear friend I haven't seen in years and get some shopping done for the holidays. Sometimes, we get a bit discouraged living in such a small town and feel like there isn't anywhere to go or anything to do. But it just makes our trips away that much more special. 

We have done a bit of talking lately and have agreed that we need to make getting away more of a priority. We are in a transitional phase in our lives right now. Dan works all week and also spends a lot of time on school work while he's getting his teaching certification. On my side, after becoming a one car family and making the decision to start working from home, it's made having a life outside of our house a challenge. So we spend a lot of time at home falling into routines too easily. We take turns reassuring each other how different things will be when we move to Austin in a few years. We talk about becoming home owners, becoming parents, eating from a food truck (which we have never done!) and being part of a community that values art, individualism and being weird. :) We try to remember that these memories are special, too. Everything we're experiencing now is setting us up for all our dreams to come true later. 

So this Fall, we are slowing down and taking the time to create memories together. We want to start traditions that will last the rest of our lives. There is so much to look forward to! We'll be enjoying our first road trip in years. This season will be filled with marshmallow roasting, cider drinking and pumpkin eating. No coincidence that all of those things are food related. ;)

What are some of your Fall traditions? I'd love to hear about them!

— B

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October Shop Promotion: Halloween Treat Bags!

Happy October, everyone! My shop has officially been open for six months now. And what an amazing six months it has been. I remember starting out with just a few listings for twine and carnival tickets and today I've had over 950 sales! I feel so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have my own shop, my own space with complete creative freedom. For many years, I had dreams of leaving my retail job and working for myself. It's actually quite surreal that it has happened so soon.
 

 

As a thank you to my wonderful buyers that have made my shop so special, I'm having an October shop promotion. From October 1st - 10th, all orders placed in my shop for $15.00+ will receive a mystery Halloween themed treat bag! The treat bag will include several different types of packaging supplies that I sell in my shop, all Halloween related! :) Orders must be $15.00 before shipping. This promotion is open to all buyers worldwide! And as a bonus, two (US) buyers will receive an extra special black treat bag that includes $15+ worth of packaging goodies! 
 

 
I've been so excited the last few weeks planning this and looking forward to finally sending out these gifts. You will surely love the surprises you receive! 

Ready to shop? Visit Thatch & Thistle Supply Co.
 

Today is also the official launch of my new blog! Welcome! I hope you will continue to read and follow along. You can follow this blog feed via Bloglovin' here.

Please comment with any questions you have about this promo or questions in general. :) Thank you, everyone!

— B