My Wish For You in 2019

A lot of us are tired. The holiday season is filled with late nights and New Year's Eve is no exception. New Year's Day is always a strange one to me. January is strange if I'm being honest. We wake up to not just a new day but a new month and a whole new year. I always find that a bit more than my tired brain and body wants to handle. I don't want to feel pressure to be awesome and so amazing all at once, but isn't that what so many of us feel? That we need incredible goals and plans and for them to start RIGHT NOW? Quite frankly it is unrealistic. It sets us up for failure. Instead, think of this new month as a pause, if you need to. View today, this week, as a time to reflect without the pressure of resolutions and do the things you need to start the year with intention. … [Read more...]

12 Things I Love- More Things to Love This Holiday Season

First up this week is the Archipelago 'Peppermint Bark' candle.  I picked one up last year while getting a massage and still had half the candle leftover for this Christmas season.  It smells slightly sweet but not cloying with a fresh but light peppermint.  I love it.  It makes an excellent hostess or teacher gift too. Kerax are the UK's largest wax manufacturer, and you can browse their entire product range if you click here. Second, is another all-time favorite of mine and is two products from one company, Skincando.  I met the founder, Sara, a few years ago while getting a facial.  She makes her own organic products and they are amazing.  They work, they last, they are pure and feel good to use too. The Miracle Cream goes with me everywhere and is perfect this time of … [Read more...]

A Gal’s Complete Guide to Prepping Her Car for Winter

Driving is one of those things we do every single day that has the power to transform our mood. Depending on the way you look at it, sitting behind the wheel of your car can either be a stressful, or infinitely enjoyable experience. You simply put your favorite tunes on, and you watch as the road unfolds before you – a truly calming sight. That said, come wintertime and driving can prove to be a stressful task with numerous perils waiting on the road ahead. Avoiding car accidents in winter becomes more and more difficult as the temperatures get colder and the show starts to cover up the dormant ice on the roads. Here to help you have a safe and fun time driving in winter is your complete guide to prepping your car just right! Change the tires and check the … [Read more...]

Home Repairs Made Easy: Tackling Garage Door and HVAC Repairs

Owning a home comes with the responsibility of maintenance and occasional repairs. Two common areas that may require attention are your garage door and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. Let's explore some tips on how to tackle these home repairs effectively. Garage Door Repairs: 1. Inspection: Begin by inspecting your garage door. Look for loose or damaged parts, unusual sounds, and any signs of wear and tear. Pay attention to the springs, cables, and rollers. 2. Safety First: Before attempting any repairs, ensure your safety. Disconnect the garage door opener, and if the door is stuck, do not force it open. It's best to consult a professional if you're unsure. 3. Lubrication: Regularly lubricate moving parts like rollers, hinges, and tracks to reduce … [Read more...]

12 Days of Things I Love

Happy December! This month I'm doing 12 Days of Things I Love.  Each week I will share a few more items until we hit that magic number 12. I've done three items this week so far.  Let's get started, shall we? I featured this item to kick off the event.  It's a darker take on holiday nails and since Essie is one of my favorite nail polish brands I had to share it. You take Essie Wicked and apply it over your base coat.  Then layer on Essie Bordeaux and finish it off with a top coat.  It's a deeper burgundy that glows with depth.  I love it this holiday season and through the new year. Next, my can't go a day without my cozy shearling-lined slippers from Lands End.  I have a Josie Blue pair from last year and they held up well all year long.  This year you can monogram … [Read more...]

Cyber Monday Deal From Me to You

Welcome to Cyber Monday! This is me. Healthy. Fit. Full of life back in September when H and I went to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic with NO KIDS! Despite all my health issues from Lyme and tick co-infections the best thing I have done in 2018 was to fix how I was eating and starting working on feeding my body the right way and getting it stronger than ever. It's working, don't you think? I would have never posted that picture before. So, how are you feeling about 2019? Are you like, "Ugh, Vicky. It's the holidays. I'm not there yet." That's fine. I get it. I totally understand. We don't often want to think of the things we need to do for ourselves to be healthy until it is too late or already January. BUT.... Maybe you just want to see me before when I was … [Read more...]

Be Merry, Be Bright: Gifts for All Budgets

Are you a Black Friday or a Cyber Monday kind of gal? Me? I love being able to cozy up to my laptop with a mug of tea or coffee and whizz around Cyber Monday finding deals and just the right gifts for all budgets. This week Shopbop is letting us all start early with their latest sale and it is a big one! Sale Begins: Tuesday 11/20/18, 7:18am Eastern Time Zone (New York) Ends: Sunday 11/25/18, 11:59pm Pacific Time Zone (Los Angeles) CODE: MORE18 •             15% off orders of $200+ •             20% off orders of $500+ •             25% off orders of $800+   Want to see my favorites?     BaubleBar Torrie Resin Hoop/Ban.do Play Nice Yoga Mat / Shashi Solitaire Ring/Free People Big Sky Slouch Beanie Yosi Samara Flats/ Cloverpost Chain Bracelet/Rebecca … [Read more...]

Are Excuses Holding You Back?

All my life I was told I was too small, too weak to do so many things. I was picked last for everything from preschool to high school. I once dated someone who told me that his hitting me, torturing me and scaring me was his way of making me better and stronger. He was "toughening me up" because I was weak. I wasn't capable of being strong. When I decided to run my first 5k someone told me that I wasn't a runner. I wouldn't be until I had been doing it at least six months. WTF, right? I believed it all. I used them as reasons to dictate my life and keep me from trying things. It kept me scared and immobile and afraid to try anything physical or new. In the end, they were all excuses. Excuses I held on to because it felt safer that way than trying something new and possibly … [Read more...]

A Glam Guide: Décor Ideas for a Lush Home

Sometimes the most stylish and glamorous homes are those that feature a simple, tasteful design. If you want to add a touch of glamour to your space, you should find different ways to make it sparkle, without creating a kitschy look. You just need to introduce the right elements and let style dominate your space. For example, using tools like sandblasters can help you achieve sleek, refined finishes on surfaces, adding a polished edge to your decor. Colour it glamorously Colors are always a great place to start when decorating your home. A beautiful, glamorous color scheme for your living space can feature simple and neutral hues. Beiges, creamy whites, soft greys, and lovely blush hues are all inherently elegant and sophisticated. If you use them for your home, you’ll create an open, … [Read more...]

Are You Living a Reactionary Life?

My worst nightmare. Are you living a reactionary life or are you putting habits and practices into place that can change your life? I capital 'H' hate spiders. 🕷🕸🕷 I don't even like them in emoticon form. They cause me to react. So I guard my house against them throughout the year. Small steps but it works. Every day you have a choice to change your life with the steps we take, the words we speak, the thoughts we have. All if that is in our control too. What we think becomes how we speak. How we speak becomes how we act.👇 Do you think, "I'm a terrible mother" and then find yourself reacting that way and the being filled with regret? Do you think negatively about your spouse, home or job and then spew words of anger and discontent towards them or about … [Read more...]