Hey y'all!

It is practically Thanksgiving and while I do enjoy all the pumpkin and apple goodness around this time of year, I think I am equally as excited for sweaters and boots lol.

Have you ever been told that mixing black and brown were fashion "no-no's"? Well I can't count how many times I heard that growing up. I always loved the B+B combo and while it may not be one of the most favorable combos I actually enjoy it!



Styling black + brown can be a fun, risk taking fashion move, especially if your closet is more neutral toned or minimal. However, it can be FUN! I for one love pairing black + brown during the Fall for a few reasons.

#1. The deep tones scream warmth and Fall!
#2. It's simple yet stylish
#3. It's unexpected (but becoming more of a staple during Fall)

When I decided to do a post about this Fall style favorite, I did what I always do, head to Pinterest to do some "research". I looked at several other bloggers, celebs and collages, and while the Black + Brown style was there, it wasn't a very popular search. Sooo, hopefully this quick little style guide will give you some inspiration and courage to try out the Black + Brown combo this Fall!




MY LOOK-

For this look, I just used items I already had in my wardrobe. I pulled some favorite items that were comfortable, warm and of course within the color spectrum of Fall.

MY HAT- My hat came from Old Navy in the clearance section lol. Old Navy has some of the best clearance EVER!! Don't sleep on Old Navy!

MY SWEATER- This sweater was from my grandmas' closet so I have no clue lol. I for one love granny sweaters so if you have some you no longer want... I will gladly accept them lol.

MY DRESS- This is one of my favorite dresses! I got this dress from Target and I love it! The sleeves did take me a little while to get used to and I do wish it was a tad longer. However, the fabric is breathable and the olive color is perfect! I really may have a problem with olive! (I have like 4 dresses lol)

MY SOCKS- These socks were from Target as well! I believe it is a wool blend because they are so soft and warm! I love the little slit details in them. I have large calves (always been my biggest flaw) so it is super hard to find boots or socks that go all the way over them. These socks are so stretchy so they fit perfectly!

MY BOOTS- These boots are from Shoe Carnival! I actually got several pair for under $50 one year for their after Thanksgiving sale! I believe I was able to walk away with 5 PAIRS, including a pair of riding boots that FIT MY CALVES!

MY PURSE- This purse is also from Target! I caught it on sale for ONLY $7! Y'all, make sure you check the ends and bottoms of the shelves, there are always tons of deals! Plus, make sure you use the Cartwheel app for more savings!




I hope you like this look and were able to gain some inspiration for wearing Black + Brown this Fall! What is your favorite color combo? How do you feel about wearing Black + Brown? Let me know in the comments below!

Professional Teeth Whitening

Hey y'all!

So let me just get this out there in the open. Hotel living is NOT WHAT YOU THINK!

Ok, now let me start from the beginning  and fill you in! As some of you may know my family and I have been in the process of relocating back to Dallas ( which we finally made the move on July 8th) and since we still had a place in Kansas City, we weren't keen on signing a new lease.... in a new city and having a whole new set of bills. What if we had an emergency?! We didn't want all of our money tied up into two apartments.

My husband and I have been separated for so long, I told him we just needed to figure something out so we could be together again lol. He moved to Dallas in March so It was just me and the kids... all alone... FOR MONTHS! ( heads up, I may be making a post on how to survive with the husband out of town).

So any way.. to keep this story short and sweet.. husband gone for 3 months, me and kids alone, can't have two houses in two cities so we are now living in a hotel!

When my husband and I first decided that living in a hotel would be the best/safest route, I did what I always do, that's right.. GO TO PINTEREST lol. I found so many hacks that I was actually more excited than nervous! I was really looking forward to this new adventure! Once I started sorting through Pinterest, I was able to have an idea of what I needed to do and also start thinking of things I wanted to do.

So friends! If you are in the process of relocating, needing to cut back on expenses, get financially stable or just like the idea of not signing a lease and being free to roam, then this post is for you! Check out these life saving hotel living hacks!

1. Find an Extended Stay!- No, this post is not sponsored. I honestly love this hotel now! Before, I never really knew much about them and I'm kinda sad I didn't lol. Extended Stay has a full kitchen and even private rooms! I was concerned before about us all being cramped in one room, but when my husband seen that they had private rooms, we knew this was the place for us. They actually have two bedrooms available as well! When we planned our hotel living time frame, we also found out that the longer you stay the cheaper it is! We were able to book our room far enough in advance and for a specific amount of time that our room rates were almost half of what it would normally be. Talk about saving on a hotel room! Of course all hotels are different so I would call guest services or check online first!

2. Pack the essentials- We all know clothes and personal hygiene products are a must, but what are a few more essentials you may need? Well for one, blankets and pillows are a must have! I will say that the blankets and pillows provided are not what I would prefer to be cuddled up with at night. Bringing an extra comforter and some pillows definitely make your stay more comfortable. Especially with the kids! I also wanted them to feel "at home" so they each have their favorite pillow and blanket.




3. Keep a routine- So since we are living in a hotel with kids, it can become messy or feel very crowded very quickly. Our first night we established a routine and we have been doing our best to stick with it! Since the kids are sleeping in the front( until a 2 bedroom opens) the first thing they do is fold their comforters and put the sleeper sofa back together. the big blankets are then folded and stacked in the basket in the closet. Next, we eat breakfast at the table and get ready for our day. There is a single sink in the kitchen so all the dishes are washed, dried and put away after each meal. This allows us to stay on top of any unnecessary mess.

4. Organization-  Organizing your stuff was the second thing I did when we got there. I started to unpack all of our clothes and give all of our cookware a home. To save on counter space in the bathroom, I purchased a hanging shoe divider that goes on the back of the door. I found one at Walmart that cost less than $4. It has 26 pockets so I was able to organize all of our daily personal items. I have our shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and just about anything else you can think of that's in a bathroom in that divider. It saved so much space, kept the medicine out of kids reach and allowed them to grab their daily care items with ease. This way, everyone knows where everything is at all times!




5.Cleaning supplies- While living in a hotel does have the perk of weekly cleaning services, it's best to have your own as well! I have plenty of disinfectant wipes, sprays and everything in between. The first thing I did when we got to the room was disinfect everything we touch. I used a Clorox wipe to wipe down the remotes, light switches, handles and counters. I also got carpet deodorizer! Before we lied in the beds, I sprayed diluted bleach on the mattresses and white sheets, in the tub, toilet and sinks. Gotta prevent germs!




6. Bring that Crock Pot!- If you are in a regular hotel or one with a kitchen, a crock pot is a must! You can make so many things in it and not spend so much time making meals. I have made soups, roast and pulled chicken! Clean up is a breeze and it's one less thing I need to think about during the day.



7. Go green- Getting a suitable plant that doesn't require much attention is definitely a must as well. We all know plants produce oxygen and with windows that don't open, having a plant can keep your room fresh and air clean. When we first checked in, I never thought about opening the windows for fresh air and the stuffy rooms quickly caused a trail of colds. So I researched the best plants and I ended up buying a snake plant for our room. So far no one has gotten sick and our room definitely seems less stuffy!




8.Roku/Firestick- Hotels mostly have basic cable and are usually through a satellite provider. Getting a streaming device where you can add your favorite streaming apps is highly recommended. Our family cut cable years ago and we switched to HULU Live. We found a few other apps that allow us to record certain shows, watch live tv and stream movies at the drop of a dime. This has been perfect for our family!

9.Garment racks- My SIL had a garment rack for me and It has been one of the best things ever! The dressers and perfect for holding all of the kid's clothes as well as the hubby and I's daily items. Hotels have limited closet space so a garment rack is great for your dressy items and don't take up a lot of space.




10. Get out- Kids are just that... kids! They need to get out and about, run, jump and be free. Getting out as much as possible will keep EVERYONE from going stir crazy and will even give you the chance to explore the area you are in. We have found several hidden gems that were very close by that we never knew existed!

There are so many more things I could add to this post to help you enjoy your time living in a hotel but I'm sure by now your eyes are TIRED from reading lol. I honestly have been loving our time in this hotel. I am comfortable, the kids love it and it will definitely help us save some money. I know our current living situation may not be ideal for some people and even after reading this, they may still have a certain opinion or view on it. That's OK! Living in this hotel has allowed our family to relocate back home without the strain on our finances and has even allowed us to start the saving process to purchase our first home! Trust me though.... it's not as bad as you may think!

Have you lived in a hotel before or are you considering it? Let me know your experience or what you are looking forward to (or not) about living in a hotel!

Or, If you want some more tips, just let me know!

Hey y'all!

Well, the end of an era has officially begun! Pause for a second so I can grab my kleenex! Ok, I think I can get through this post before needing a new box lol. My Sweet P has officially entered the last phase of being a "tween". That's right! Phoenix is now 12 years old and I sprouting a new gray hair as I type this lol.

A mere 12 years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to love someone that has no biological or blood connection at all. I'm not going to lie, at first I was terrified! I had no idea what I was going to do or be as a step parent at 18. I was 8 hours away from the first  9-10 months of her life and I was afraid that the time where a child and parent bond was already out of the window.

Thankfully, God assured me that this little girl, so full of love even at a tender age was meant to be in my life! I remember like it was yesterday. My husband and I arrived at her house the day after we moved back to kansas city in 2007. She looked up to me with her large dark brown eyes and just stared lol. I picked her up, gave her a hug and said hello! I smiled and continued to hug her and she just stared. I was so nervous and I think she could tell. After about 30 minutes of holding her and trying to get her to smile back, we ventured outside and looked the tree in her mom's front yard. I grabbed a leaf and pulled the branch down so she could touch it. I looked at her and said "leaf". My Sweet P looked back at me with her dark brown eyes, tried to mimic me with her version of the word leaf and smiled. From that moment on I knew she was ok with me. She allowed me to keep holding her and continued to keep a smile on her face.

I knew I would always love her because she was going to be a part of my life, but in that moment I felt her love and my love form a bond that could never be broken. My little Sweet P continues to this day to be a light in my life and reassure me that our bond is nothing less than special.

So, now that I have dehydrated myself writing this, here in her own words.... this is 12!



Phoenix, you mean so much to Daddy and I! All the things you have overcome, the growth you have made and the pure love and happiness to express is beyond this world! We love you so much and we are so proud of you!!




Did you see what Phoenix thought about 11? Check it out HERE

Hey y'all!

Do you remember what it was like growing up? The awkward phases, the acne, the mood swings... the smell? Well thankfully I didn't have to deal with toooo many of those lol, but I do remember the worst haircut of my life, buck teeth and mood swings.

Well, all those experiences definitely prepared me for this next chapter of motherhood. The "transition"! While we have yet to experience the first visit from "Aunt Flow", there are other things that we have had to deal with when the girls entered the pre-teen phase.

If you aren't prepared for this transition, not only can you be blindsided by the subtle changes... you can go into an emotional state of public sobbing, private sobbing and the realization that your little girls are growing up.... Like. I. Did!

Not gonna lie, Phe and Thai definitely put me through some emotional mind frames lol.

But fear not mamas! There are a few things you can do to not only prepare, but be able to handle the transition from little girl to tween! Here are a few tips!

#1. TALK- One thing I tell my girls all the time is that they can talk to me about anything! I always remind them that I have gone through a lot in my 30 years so I know a thing or two. I want them to feel comfortable enough to express their feelings, concerns and anything else they may think of. Talking to your tween keeps the mother/daughter/best friend relationship strong and open.

#2. Read Up- Books can take away that first awkward moment. I think I was more nervous about confusing them more than anything. Once I started reading from the "growing up" books and putting on a few YouTube videos for them, I felt more at ease. I knew that the books/videos were age appropriate so everything would be easily understood.

#3. Shop Smarter- With their changing bodies, they will need tons and tons of undergarments. Bras can be pretty expensive, especially if they develop pretty quickly. Buying second hand bras can definitely save you a pretty penny. I found my girls the perfect tween bras from the thrift store for only .99 cents! I just washed them extra good when we got them home and they were good to go! I got plenty with out spending much.




#4. Stock Up- Make sure you stock up on feminine products. When your tween is learning how to use them they can get pretty giddy with them. My girls would go through 1/3 of a pack in about 36 hours lol. Little things like panty liners are so cheap so make sure you have plenty on hand!

#5. Let Them Buy It- Well technically you will be buying it but let them pick out their own personal hygiene products. For the most part, I would pick out the deodorant, soap, hand sanitizer and so on. But after having the talk with Thai for the millionth time, we decided that it would be best for her to pick her own items. When kids pick out something THEY want, they are more likely to stay on top of it. So, if you have a tween that doesn't take their personal care as serious as they should, this would definitely be more enticing!

#6. Easy Hair Care- Phe has really been into doing her own hair! She explores new hair styles, she tries new techniques and she watches tutorials. While she isn't there yet with managing her hair, she is able to do simple hairstyles like twists, bantu knots and braids. With practice, she will have it down pat! Thai on the other hand isn't really into hair styles. She just prefers to rock a fro or two buns. She is also starting to get the hang of simple brushing. Having a simple hairstyle that your tween can do on their own will help them boost their confidence and give them a sense of responsibility!

#7. Acceptance- Accepting the fact that your little girl is growing up and becoming a young woman is probably the most important tip on this list! When you refuse to treat them as a growing tween, they start to resent you for only treating them as a little child. You may cry at the mere thought of them growing up before your eyes, but no matter how much you cry, pray for time to slow down or talk about girl stuff, time will never stop and they will continue grow!

As your little girl(s) start to make this transition from little girl to the infamous tween stages, make sure you remember these tips for handling the transition! Did I miss any tips that you found to be the most helpful during your experience with this transition stage? Let me know in the comments below!

Hey y'all!

Have you ever done something literally every day but never noticed until years later that you did it? For years I have been letting my kids sleep in whether it is on a Sunday or during the week since we started homeschooling.