Parenting, Real Life, Self Improvement

Lessons I’ve Learned as a Mom

A while back, I reached out and asked if there were any specific blog posts that you'd like to see. When someone suggested: "Can you share some of the lessons you've learned as a mom?" I grabbed it and ran with it. As you know, I love to share any realness that I can with you all, in hopes that you see that life's not always perfect online, no matter what is perceived on social media. (In case you missed me sharing the raw details about my own life, you can read that HERE.) Lessons I've Learned as a Mom When it comes...

Breakfast, Desserts, Food + Drink, Main Dishes, Parenting, Real Life, Review

Our School Lunch Routine: Packing Lunches

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Our school lunch routine is full of easy lunch ideas that are fun and that make fixing a school lunch a breeze and something my kiddo actually looks forward to! Our School Lunch Routine I will always remember the nostalgia feels of taking a Jif® Peanut Butter and Smucker’s® Strawberry Jam sandwich in my lunchbox as a kid. So, as a mom, as we parents tend to do... I love sharing parts of my childhood with my own kids, and...

Real Life, Self Improvement

“Self Retreat” Highlight Video: What It Is + Why You Need One

Self Retreat: What Is It + Why You Need It: Time away, a little or a lot, can be just what we need as busy gals, to feel recharged and ready to tackle the areas in life that we love and care about. Oh friends, as you saw on Facebook and Instagram a couple of months ago, I took a "self-retreat". Self Retreat - What Is It Exactly? Well, it's a term I decided to use to describe some time away for myself. Time where I'm alone (hello introvert heaven) and where I can catch up on the things that I love...

Real Life, Review, Self Improvement

My Sanity Saving Phone Hacks + My Life Saving Walgreens App

My Sanity Saving Phone Hacks + My Life Saving Walgreens App This post is sponsored by Walgreens and SheKnows Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Phone tricks and hacks are life and sanity savers as a busy mom on the go, especially when it comes to filling prescriptions for my family, getting the necessities, and capturing memories in the process. What in the world did we do without our smart phones years ago? I'll never forget when I unwrapped my first cell phone on Christmas morning, about 15 years ago. You should have seen this thing - it was huge and...

Family + Friends, Kids, Real Life, Stitch Fix, Style

Stitch Fix for Kids Unboxing – July 2018 Review: 1st Box for my Boys

Stitch Fix for Kids Unboxing - July 2018 Review: 1st Box for my Boys... So I thought they'd like this, but it turns out that they love it! My little guys are always game for creating videos for YouTube! Stitch Fix for Kids Well who knew when I posted my very first Stitch Fix review, that I'd be doing one for my boys a few years later. They are killing me with their antics and typical boy behavior in their first Stitch Fix Kids unboxing video review. So on July 11th, (just yesterday... or at least at the time of writing this post)...

Real Life, Self Improvement

Removing the Mask – The Hypocrisy

If you've followed my blog for a while, then you know that occasionally I'll share a personal story, rather than a quick and easy recipe, a new room makeover, or the cute little dress that I just scored at Target. Sometimes it's because other's request it or because I think my story may help others through a hard time. Today, I'm sharing a personal side of things because JESUS told me to. "I See You Lookin' At Me" Yesterday at church, my pastor gave a message that was absolutely incredible. Watch the message from my pastor, Bryan Mills, HERE if you have 20 minutes. You...

Food + Drink, Travel

Beach Picnic Food Ideas – Healthy and Easy

Beach Picnic Food Ideas - Spending a day at the beach or pool means there will be hungry bellies. Here's a list of light and healthy options for your picnic basket! Hey there! Kelly from Trial and Eater here, sharing beach picnic food ideas that I think you love! Summer beach days – is there anything better? As long as I pack enough food and drink to keep me full and hydrated during the day, there is nothing like soaking up the sun all day long by the ocean. Getting together at the beach with friends over good food and great conversation...

Blogging Q+A – #6 Answering Your Blogging Questions

Blogging Q+A – #6 Answering Your Blogging Questions: Tips to get noticed by brands, besides Wordpress what blogging websites do you recommend, and what tools do you use? I'm answering all of these for you today! Hey blogging friends! If you've been around here for a while, you know that I love to occasionally answer YOUR blogging related questions. Remember that I'm always leaving the submission form open, in case you think of new questions to ask, so feel free to do that anytime, HERE! Today, I've selected three of the questions from the submissions bank, and I'm hoping they can...

Health + Fitness, Real Life

3 Mom Workouts You Can Do at Home

3 Mom Workouts You Can Do at Home: As a busy mom, being able to leave the house to go to the gym may be as rare as going on vacation. Here are 3 workouts that are PERFECT to do at home, with little to no equipment and in 25 minutes or less! As a stay-at-home mom, I know exactly what it's like trying to find even a LITTLE bit of time to take a shower. So trying to find time to head to the gym can be even harder. When I chatted with my friend Lian, with WorkGrindFly™, I asked if...

Blogging, Review

Is a Blog A Good Business to Start with Little Money? – With Regions Bank

A big “thank you” to Regions Bank for sponsoring this post. I'm often asked, “Jessica, does it cost a lot of money to start a blog?” So I knew it was something I needed to share with you, to help clear up any uncertainties or questions you have, by dropping a little realness with a side of "behind the blog" details, to answer this more in depth for you. And since this post touches on one of the most POPULAR topics around on the internet today... MONEY... I knew it was the perfect fit to work with Regions Bank on this post! Who...

Working with Brands: How Much to Charge for Blog Posts

How Much to Charge for Blog Posts: When you're not sure what to charge, how to charge, and where to even begin, when it comes to writing a sponsored blog post for a business or company. What started out as one blog post, quickly turned in to two. (Possibly even three, maybe four. The more I tell you, the more I think there's just ONE more thing that you should know, when it comes to blogging and working with brands.) So if you missed my first blog post, "What you Need to Know About Working with Brands", I recommend...

What You Need to Know About Working with Brands as a Beginner Blogger | Influencer

What You Need to Know About Working with Brands as a Beginner Blogger | Influencer: From free products, to being paid for items you already use and love, I'm giving you a roadmap of what to say to brands from the get-go! It has been on my heart to share a certain couple of blogging related items with you lately, and over on Facebook, I polled you asking which one you'd like to see first. You all were so kind to contribute, and... "Tips for Working with Brands" it is! Tips for Working with Brands YES! Brands will pay you to use something...

Blogging, Real Life

VIDEO: Inside Look as a Work-at-Home Mom + Blogger

VIDEO: Inside Look as a Work-at-Home Mom + Blogger - Target Shipment, Current Open Tabs on my Laptop + Airbnb Photoshoot Sneak Peek for upcoming photoshoot! Inside Look as a Work-at-Home Mom + Blogger Ok, so now THIS was fun. While "working" the other day, I decided to have you join in to get a behind the scenes look at what it is that I actually do during the day while I'm working at home as a blogger/mom. I've had people ask me recently, Ok... so WHAT is it, that you actually do? It makes me chuckle when someone asks that, because I totally...

Blogging Q+A – #5 Answering Your Blogging Questions

Blogging Q+A - #5 Answering Your Blogging Questions: In today's laid back, informal video, I'm answering more of your questions that will hopefully help take your blog to the next level! Today's questions: How do you tag the business in your blog? I use Wordpress. What is a meta? How do you gain followers and subscribers? Hey you! I'm tickled to be back with another blogging q+a video, answering YOUR blogging questions! If you've watched the previous 4 blogging q+a's, then you know that I adore sharing tips and tricks for blogging, whether it's for those of you that are thinking...

Blogging: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Blogging: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - The reasons why I love blogging so much, the reasons that make me want to pull my hair out, and the flat out "ugly" side of blogging. Blogging: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Although blogging is by FAR my favorite hobby AND business, there are things associated with it that aren't my favorite, and some things that flat-out get the "ugly" label. So I wanted to share all of this with you in case you've found yourself asking, "Is blogging right for me?" "Should I start a blog, and would I even like it?" or...

Printables, Real Life, Review, Self Improvement

Tips to Avoid the Afternoon Slump + Gratitude Worksheet

This post has been sponsored by Coffee-mate® Creamer. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Tips to Avoid the Afternoon Slump: Whether you're at home with the kids, or in the office and need an afternoon pick-me-up, here are a few tips to help you overcome that dreaded slump and a free gratitude worksheet download! Growing up, I always heard my mom and dad talk about "the slump" that they'd feel right in the middle of their afternoon. Then it wasn't long after I reached my early 30's, that I knew EXACTLY what they were talking about. I get sleepy, unmotivated,...

Organization, Real Life, Review

Busy Mom Sanity! From Running Errands to Managing Your Finances

A big “thank you” to Regions Bank for sponsoring this post. Running errands, cashing checks, paying bills….and the list goes on. Yuck, right? There are SO many other things that I'd rather be doing, but when you're a busy mom like me with an ever-growing list of "don't forget to pick-ups", (or maybe the one who does most of the errands in your house), daily chores are just not at the top of my list of favorite activities. Anything I can do to get organized and make life easier is important to me, which is why I’m excited to be...

Printables, Real Life, Self Improvement

Finding Your Tribe of Gal Pals

Finding Your Tribe of Gal Pals: Sometimes it takes a tough time in life to discover your true friends, but who says you can't look for them ahead of time? Here are tips for how to explore and build those friendships! If you're a Fantabulous Insider, then you know that I share some of my deepest thoughts and real life-behind the scenes stories with you in those weekly love notes. In a recent email, I shared with you about how a few people in my life stepped forward during a really hard time, and how much that meant to me. ...

Parenting, Real Life

“You’re a Cool Mom If…”

"You're a Cool Mom If" - From the Eyes of a 4 and 6 year old. "You're a Cool Mom If..." So I asked my boys, What makes me a "cool mom"? I mean, I've read a ton of articles about how it's important to be a parent, and not a friend... and I've even watched videos on how it's cool, to not be "cool". But have you ever participated in one of those Facebook questionaries where you ask your kids the list of random questions, just to see what they say? They're a ton of fun, and their answers can be a hoot! So...

Blogging, Real Life, Self Improvement

How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media

How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media: If you allow it, the online world can diminish your thoughts on self worth and value in minutes. Let's get in to your faith toolkit, and help you overcome these tough roadblocks in today's world. How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media Have you ever fallen victim to a social media “crap-storm”? I can tell you from experience that being on the receiving end is not fun, but maybe not for the reasons you might guess. Now, before you go thinking that this is a rant about how unfair the world...

The Importance of Blogging Relationships, Even as an Introvert

The Importance of Blogging Relationships, Even as an Introvert: Building blog relationships was and IS vital in growing my blog and I'm sharing how I build them, even in my yoga pants at home! Hey introvert... so good to see you here! Not an introvert? That's totally ok. You can keep reading because the tips I give in the video on building blogger relationships are critical for you too. I just call out introverts, because I've found that so many of us have found joy in blogging because we can communicate and be social, all while sitting in our yoga pants,...