Monday, July 22, 2019

A Few of My Fa-vor-ite Things

Ready for a fun, all-over-the-place, random list of things in my life I am LOVING these days?!

My sister over at Doc Momma always does a good job of checking in with lists of what she's loving lately, and I decided to jump on board!  So without further ado, and now that the Sound of Music song is likely stuck in your head, here are a few of my fa-vor-ite things!

*Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew.  Officially obsessed and my new favorite coffee drink ever ever!

*Dry Shampoo.  This one is my favorite because it works well and doesn't turn my hair powdery white like most versions.  I order three bottles at a time because I use it that much.  #dontjudge

*Rae Dunn.  Have you heard of her?  You've probably seen her work around stores like TJ Maxx... She is the inspiration for my classroom this year and I cannot get enough of her simple, pretty, eye-catching designs.  Give me alllllllll the Rae Dunn, pleaseandthankyou.

*FabFitFun!  Ahhhh!!  So, this is totally out of my comfort zone because I don't typically "treat" myself or buy myself a lot of things -- honestly, I get excited when it's time to buy a new deodorant because it feels like a "treat" to pick out a new scent.  HA!  But.  I know several people who love getting FabFitFun boxes in the mail and I decided to give it a go!  You get a somewhat customizable box full of surprises four times a year... You fill out a profile about yourself so that your box is tailored toward your likes/preferences.  I have a couple free starter boxes I can send a link for, if you're interested!  First-come, first-served!!

*Juice Plus vitamins and protein powders.  Y'all.  I'll try not to get on my soapbox, but these vitamins have been life-changing for me.  And I mean that in the most non-dramatic way that my dramatic-self can be.  These vitamins have positively affected my digestion, energy level, overall health and bloodwork, autoimmune issues, food cravings, etc etc etc... They are GAME CHANGERS.  And I'm equally obsessed with the protein powders - I make smoothies, put it in my yogurt/oatmeal, make energy bites, etc.  I also have my kids on the gummy vitamins (which come free when you get the adult vitamins!) and I'm seeing changes in them, too!  Ok, off my soapbox.  BUT.  If you want to know more about it, I'd be happy to share.  I have a nutritionist friend who has helped me out and I can connect you with her!

*The One Line a Day Journal.  I love the convenience of this, and how it is not overwhelming... but gives me the chance to write one brief sentence/detail about our days.

*Salted caramel anything.  Especially these (from Aldi, of course - another one of my favorite things!)

*Essential oils!  I use essential oils in our lives every.single.day.  I roll them on for aches/pains/headaches/tummy troubles/sleep, I supplement my water, I use them to clean my house (helloooooo Thieves for allll the things), and I diffuse like crazy - in my den, in my room, and in all the kids' rooms.  In fact, I just bought a new diffuser for my classroom!  This, like Juice Plus, is another favorite that has been a breath of (good-smelling) fresh air for my life.  If you have any questions, again, I can connect you with an oil expert!

*theSkimm!!  Y'all, if you're not using this, you are missing out.  I get an email sent to my inbox daily that gives me a watered down (and often funny) news briefing on everything going on in the world.  BUT.  GET THIS.  They now have their own podcast that will TELL YOU the news brief instead.  Because finding time to read the email became daunting (sad, I know).  Anyway!  Now, every morning while I get ready I listen to the 10-minute podcast episode and learn all about headlines, current events, etc.  Subscribe asap!

*Another podcast you need right this minute [if you're a mama]: Mr. Chompers.  It's a podcast you play for your kids and it walks them through brushing their teeth, ensuring that they (a) brush all the teeth in all the correct ways, and (b) brush for the actual recommended amount of time.  And it's entertaining for kids because it tells them jokes, gives fun facts, etc.  We love it!

*Rakuten.  What is that, you ask?  Well you've heard me go on and on about Ebates before, and they changed their name to Rakuten.  And seriously, if you're not clicking that link and then clicking on the name of a store before you online shop, YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON FREE MONEY.  There is no gimmick.  I've gotten hundreds and hundreds of dollars back from online shopping, simply by clicking into the Rakuten website first.  Dooooooo it.

*My two favorite shows this summer?  Game of Throwns (could.not.stop.watching) and Parks and Rec (so close to finishing this one and I laugh out loud, alone, throughout every single episode).  It's time for a new binge-worthy show - give me all the recommendations!

*Though honestly, I didn't watch a ton of tv this summer, because I rediscovered my love of reading.  One of my favorite summer hobbies was reading on my back porch after the kids went to bed, just me and my sweet sidekick Laney (sweetest dog ever... actually, she should be listed as another one of my current favorite things in life!).

*This may seem like a shameless plug, but I don't care because I'm always up for a good face mask and y'all know I'm over six years into being in love with some Rodan + Fields... so when they came out with their new masks?  I was a sucker for them all.  And after using them all?  I've moved beyond being a sucker, to actually looking forward to my self-designated "mask mornings." #skincarenerd I've also got a way for you to get a free sample of one of them if you want, just let me know!  And once again, first-come, first-served!!

*Good ol' Original Jergens lotion.  I know this seems silly, but hear me out.  My granny used this her whole life.  And now my mom uses it.  And I've been feeling a little alone/lonely/homesick/missing my family lately -- so when I saw this at the store one day, I threw it in my cart on a whim.  And the very first day I wore it, Everette exclaimed:  "YOU SMELL LIKE BAMMY!"  Mission accomplished.  Now everyday, when I put this on, I feel a little nostalgic and a whole lot of love fills up the empty spaces in my heart. <3

That's all I have today in this exciting edition of Jessie's current favorites.  What are you loving/obsessing over?  Please share!  I need all the what-makes-life-better recommendations I can get!!

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

BLOMPS Beach Trip 2019

You know that feeling you get when you're about to be part of something that is guaranteed to be full of memories, moments of the best kind of happiness, times when you'll be taking so many mental snapshots because it's all just so good.

That was this year's BLOMPS beach week... and on the drive there I was filled with joyful anticipation, knowing there would be smiles and laughter and beautiful chaos and I just couldn't wait to see what kind of memories we'd drive home with...

We've been taking this treasured trip for years and years, and this one was -- by far -- the absolute best trip yet.  There were 25 people (the majority who are under the age of ten) in one house on Topsail Island.  And the entire week fed my soul far beyond what I had hoped for...

I tried very hard to disconnect from my daily reality as much as possible, and it felt so, so good.  Just as my "word" of 2019 in intentionality, I wanted to be more intentional on this beach trip than I'd ever been before.  I broke up with social media for the week, often not even knowing where my phone was (or letting it die on purpose).  I soaked in my 7-, 4-, and 2-year-olds because I knew this was the only time in my life I would ever be at the beach with my 7-, 4-, and 2-year-old.  I tried to be purposeful in how I spent time with my nieces and nephews, in my conversations with my incredible siblings, in my moments with my parents... and I felt so lucky to have J be there for part of the week, too, to get his true first taste of what BLOMPS is all about... and also so the BLOMPS could get a true taste of what my J is all about. <3


We soaked in every minute on the beach that we possibly could... splashing and swimming and jumping waves and flying kites and building sand castles and finding shark teeth and playing beach sports and having races and eating slushies from the passing truck and drone fishing (our drone even snapped some pics!)...

When we weren't at the beach, we were splashing in our own, backyard, oceanfront pool!

And when we needed some down time inside, there were board games and 499/500 pieces of a puzzle put together and snuggles and karaoke and even the cousins putting on a "show" for us grown-ups...

One of the highlights of the trip?  The kids found a treasure map and followed it to find buried treasure!!  Their faces and excitement were priceless.  A huge thanks to J... have I mentioned how amazing he is?


One day we needed a little beach break, so we broke out of the BLOMPS compound for some (hot!) putt-putt and the cutest ice cream shop...



This is the first time we've been on our trip for the 4th of July!  That day at the beach was SO fun, all day long.  And then that evening we ordered steampots full of the best seafood and watched beachfront fireworks.  Everette was my only kiddo who would stir from his sleep to watch the fireworks with me!


My girl and I had our annual evening beach walk, one of my most special memories of the entire week.  Our conversation that night - wow.  It left me breathless at times, and I will forever keep it in my heart, between her and me.
And each night, after the mini-BLOMPS went to bed, us adults would gather on the beach or around the fire pit talking and laughing, laughing and talking...


When it comes to family, I hit the jackpot.  And I will never, ever take that for granted.

It was a week I will never forget.

Until next time...