Family + Friends, Real Life, Self Improvement

Joy is Essential

Keeley McKay Photography For years we were “doing” life, not LIVING life. We’d wake up, chase the things that we thought brought us joy, would go to bed... exhausted, feeling like the day was a blur. A few years ago we faced some of the hardest situations that left us angry, scared, stuck, uncertain, powerless, desperate and so many other “opposite of joy” feelings. As I mentioned in my "We Moved. To Montana" post last month, I felt like life...

Family + Friends, Real Life, Self Improvement

We Moved. To Montana.

Where do I even begin? Let me channel my inner Sophia... "Picture it. Montana. May, 2020." It was a pretty big surprise to our family and friends a couple of months ago when we told them we were leaving "home" and I think an even bigger surprise to others when I announced one morning on Instagram and Facebook that we packed up everything and moved that very morning. I think people thought...

Family + Friends, Real Life, Self Improvement

A Letter to My Friends: I’m Sorry I’ve Gone Missing

This post has been sitting in my drafts since July of 2017 and I never published it because it didn't feel right. I couldn't explain why at the time, why I didn't put it out for the world to see... but looking back now, in 2020, I totally get it. It wasn't the right time because I wasn't the same person back then as I am now and it would have been published for the wrong reasons. It was written with a whole different mindset than...

Makeup + Beauty, Real Life, Self Improvement, Style

Laser Hair Removal St. Louis

Laser Hair Removal St. Louis: An inside look at the BEST place for treatments and why. Plus a sneak peek at what just ONE visit did! This post has been sponsored by Milan Laser Hair Removal, where I have also received services in exchange for this post. HOWEVER, all thoughts and opinions are my own... as always. Friends, I have been anxiously waiting to tell you about a new, life-changing service that I have started and have fallen in LOVE with. Laser...

House + Home, Organization, Printables, Real Life, Self Improvement

What is a Brain Dump? Plus a Free Template Worksheet!

Brain Dump: How a brain dump works and a free template worksheet to help gather those loose thoughts and how to take action. Brain Dump Whether it's in my blogging business or in my personal life, creating a brain dump can SAVE me. It saves my sanity and helps out so much with organizing and launching new projects. What is a Brain Dump? Well if you're like me and can relate to the saying, If...

House + Home, Organization, Real Life, Self Improvement

Importance of Time Management

Importance of Time Management: Whether in your personal life, home, or in the workplace, this is why time management is so important! Importance of Time Management I have a lot of faults, but I will say that time management and organization come very naturally for me, and I swear I get it from my mom. That woman is an amazing individual and I grew up learning from the best. You May Also Love: 6...

Organization, Self Improvement

6 Ways to Make Your Desk Work More Productive

This post brought to you by LastPass. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Fantabulosity. 6 Ways to Make Your Desk Work More Productive: A quick list of tricks to try when you need more focus and productivity in your work space. 6 Ways to Make Your Desk Work More Productive There are times, no matter where I'm at in my home working, that I consider it "desk work." This time is set aside for those...

Gift Ideas, Holiday, House + Home, Organization, Real Life, Review, Self Improvement

“Celebrations Binder” with Cultivate What Matters

"Celebrations Binder" with Cultivate What Matters - If you've been craving a simple system and a place to keep it all together, THIS is the answer, in one beautiful product! Celebrations Binder We all know how I feel about parties, and entertaining, right? And you KNOW how I feel about making time for what matters too... I introduce (or reintroduce, if you've already been lucky enough to hear about it) the Celebrations Binder. After chatting and working with the Cultivate What Matters team a few weeks back in the Ask a Cultivator series, where I shared how I prioritize celebrating those I love each and...

Real Life, Self Improvement

Photos on Social Media Are Not Windows, So Stop Treating Them Like They Are

Photos Are Not Windows, So Stop Treating Them Like They Are. - A peek into how we as women can let the image of other women, rip our self-worth apart in a matter of seconds. This Photo Isn't What You Think See that girl? Boy, she must have it all together huh? Beautiful scenery, cute shorts, big smile. Man... if only my life looked like hers. Wait a minute. That's me up there in that photo. Sure, the photo is great (thanks to a fantastic photographer friend), but there's so much more behind this "perfect" photo you're looking at. The Reality? The girl in this photo...

Marriage, Parenting, Real Life, Self Improvement

50 + I Love You Because… Ideas and Thought Starters

"I love you because" ideas and thought starters for greeting cards, for kids or for a husband or wife to say at the right time! When creating the printables for the post "Open When Letters", I realized how difficult it can be sometimes to say what we truly feel when we really want to say it. Especially if you're a man or woman of a few words, trying to find the right thing to say can be difficult. But no one said you had to think of everything from scratch, right? There's absolutely nothing wrong with looking online to help you get...

Real Life, Self Improvement

How Saying “Yes” to the Wrong Things Could Be Stealing Hours from Your Day

Are you Saying "Yes" to the Wrong Things? How to say "no" with emotion and "yes" with a plan instead of the opposite when planning your days. Busy mama or busy gal, I want to talk about a little something called "time management". Woah. Did your stomach just turn a little? I've been listening, and I get it... "Jessica, I just don't have enough time to spend with my family." "There aren't enough hours in the day. I'm working, running the kids to all of their events, cooking dinner, doing the laundry and the list goes on! I can't manage it all!" "I'm...

Real Life, Review, Self Improvement

7 Ways I Get Motivated on the Daily

This is a sponsored post. But of course all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always! 7 Ways I Get Motivated - As a stay-at-home mom, and a work-at-home mom, it's so easy to stay in yoga pants and let the couch be your best friend. Here are a few ways to motivate you to get up and tackle the day! Alright, let's just get right to my number 1 and favorite way that I stay motivated, to get.things.done. Shall we? 7 Ways I Get Motivated on the Daily 1. Coffee. For Real. It's literally what I think about to help me roll...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

Real Life, Self Improvement

Finding Your Purpose in Life – “Something Is Missing”

Finding Your Purpose in Life - Have you ever felt like something is "missing" in life, even if you feel like you shouldn't? The guilt of feeling like something is missing, yet having so much to be thankful for, is a real struggle with so many women! I love today's topic so much. As women, sometimes we feel like there has to be "more," but we have a mental conflict of guilt. You may find yourself saying... "Why should there be more? I have a great marriage, wonderful kids, and a great life. But why do I feel like something is...

Real Life, Review, Self Improvement

Time with Friends + “Check Out” for a Day of Rest

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Special K. All opinions are 100% mine. Check Out for a Day of Rest: Usually once a week, I'll "check out" and get off the map with my husband and kiddos for some mandatory distraction-free time. "Check Out" for a Day of Rest I've mentioned quite a bit lately on Facebook that we've spent an abundant amount of time on my parents farm. It's funny—when I was a little girl, I didn't appreciate the serenity of the country and farm life. I thought it was SO awful that I missed out on...

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