Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

Debt Payoff Tracker Printable: A free printable to help you grasp the big picture and breakdown of your current loans! Digital version also available!

If you’re like me, the words “finances”, “loans” or “bills” can make you cringe. I mean, who loves getting a bill in the mail? Or even more… thinking about what is owed on something?

But that’s part of life and we have to face it, right? Right. So we might as well make it as easy on ourselves as we can and do the best that we can to make it a little more enjoyable.

Have you read my post or watched the video on My Home Finance Routine and the Tools I can’t Live Without yet? You’re sure to find tips to help make your home finance life a little easier there too!

Debt Payoff Tracker Printable

The other day, I asked you all on Facebook and Instagram what printable you’d LOVE to have next and I have to tell you… you all have some AMAZING ideas!

So now I have a whole list of printables to have created for you and I’ll be rolling them out as soon as they’re finished! (But feel free to keep messaging me, letting me know what you’d like to see. I’m a printable junkie so I’m always happy to add to the list!)

One Fantabulosity reader suggested that we create a “debt payoff or loan payoff” printable and I thought that was GENIUS!

Being able to see the “big picture” of what is owed, all across the board, reduces my stress level and anxiety, like crazy! Because not knowing exactly what is owed, by when, and how much, can create this panic feeling that is so unnecessary!

So having a debt payoff printable to help keep track of this is exactly what I needed and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all too!

How to Use the Debt Payoff Printable

This printable is designed to focus on one loan, so you can keep track of it for months!

There are sections on the printable to also help with quick-reference items, like:

• creditor
• account number
• starting balance
• interest rate
• credit limit
• minimum payment
• interest rate
• target payoff date

I don’t know about you but I often find myself needing those items, whether it’s for tax purposes or updating documents… so having them handy on this printable is something that I can quickly check and refer to as needed! (Rather than digging in my file folders, trying to find the original loan paperwork.)

How to Use the Free Version:

If printing this free copy, simply save and print out as many copies as you need, for as many loans that you want to keep track of.

Have a finance binder or file folder?

Simply 3-hole punch the copies and insert them in to your binder or slip each copy in to your folder.

Then, each month you can turn to, or pull out the printable and add to the list!

Fillable PDF Option

If you’d prefer a digital version immediately, where you can save it to your computer and TYPE in your info every month instead, then you’ll want to get your hands on the “Fantabulous Home” Home Management Binder that also includes 50+ printables to help you organize your life and home!

Where do I even begin?

Let me channel my inner Sophia from Golden Girls…

“Picture it. Montana. May, 2020.”

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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 we’d never leave home and usually, when someone is making a big life change like this, it gets talked about quite a bit… at least for a while, before it happens.

Well… not us.

We pretty much kept our plans of moving out west, on the down-low.

A Quick Video of Our Story, in a Nutshell

In case you prefer listening, instead of reading!

→ Did we stay in Montana? Update on Living in Montana

Why the Move?

It’s the question we’ve been asked the most since spilling the beans, and well… the answer’s not a simple one, but it IS an interesting one, to say the least.

A Hellacious Three Years

Before I start to give the details on why we moved, I think it’s important that you know that the last three years of our lives have been, well, hell.

Why didn’t I say anything?

Well I kind of did, but in a private, “heads up” kind of way, because I love to be transparent and real with you all… but telling you everything that was going on, just wasn’t something I was ready to do.

In today’s world, it’s so easy for your private life to suddenly become “everyone’s” business if you let it (and honestly, even if you don’t let it… sometimes it can still feel like everyone is in your business) and, as I’m sure you would in the same situation, I wanted the one place I had online to be a place of joy and inspiration where I could escape, rather than be a dark, uncertain and scary place like our life was at that time.

And honestly…

I’m still not ready to talk about that dark and scary time. Mentally, I’m in a good spot, and going back to dredge up any details of the insanity that was taking place in our lives, may allow my emotional state to go backward… and that’s not something I’m willing to do today.

Will I share the details in the future? Maybe. Because I think a lot of GOOD can come from the bad and the EVIL that lirk upon us in today’s world and sharing those things may just help explain why we as humans can start to feel so low, attacked and defeated… and it also may allow for a chance for us to connect and relate to one another in some way and even play a role in the part of the healing process for everyone involved.

I Would Have Rather Poked my Eyeballs Out…

In high school, my husband and I (boyfriend at the time of course) spent some time visiting my husband’s favorite place on earth…a ranch in Montana that the family of his childhood best friend, owned.

Fast forward a few years in to our 20’s, and we were making more and more trips out to big sky country for long weekends.

And although I LOVED the views… I just wasn’t in love with Montana. To be honest… I despised going to Montana.

Why? There are a few reasons, but I blame it mostly on the time in our lives and our immaturity at the time, rather than the state itself.

But although my horrible feelings toward Montana were all self-inflicted… I still felt so strongly that I didn’t want to visit much and definitely didn’t want to live there. Actually, I would have rather poked my eyeballs out.

My husband? Well, it was a place where he could go and feel like he could leave the hustle and bustle, get back to his roots, and was a place where he actually felt “home” and happy.

So needless to say, he would just about give his right-arm to live there, at least during the summer and fall, so it was always something he dreamed about… but knew that I’d never be on board with moving there, so he pretty much let the dream go.

He Said “Mountains”

And then… God.

Man, you know it’s going to be a good story when it begins with “And then… God”. Am I right?

During the three years of awfulness, I found myself on a roller coaster of emotions.
(My husband did too of course, and I might as well tell you now that he’s going to share his story one day too, so just know that this is MY viewpoint, which does NOT take away from how my husband or boys suffered or may have been feeling during this time too. It definitely affected our entire family, but they’ll be able to tell their stories one day.)

Anywho, back to “And then… God.”

I Felt Like I Was Done. Really Done.

I couldn’t get out of bed. I didn’t want to get out of bed. What was the point? If I stayed in bed, I could ignore that “life” was actually happening outside of our home and no one could see me in there.

I even made it to where the boys could hang out in the bedroom with me most of the day and we’d watch their favorite tv shows, just so I could lay in bed and hope the tv kept them entertained for me.

Some days I managed to get up and feel like I could actually make dinner, but the fear of someone looking in our windows (not that people were actually doing that… it just felt like everyone was watching) would send me right back to my “safe place” (the bedroom) and then it would turn out to be another pb&j night for the boys because that didn’t take as much time or effort.

Some of the days would be so dark that I’d even find myself wondering if everyone around me would be better off if God would just take me right then and there.

I mean, I had a blog that could generate income without me so they’d be taken care of, and maybe my boys would no longer have to deal with a stressed-out mom who didn’t know how to live life anymore.
Looking back, I know that’s not the case at all, but if you’ve ever been so “low”, those are the types of thoughts that go through your head and it’s a scary, scary feeling.

5-Minute Closet Prayers

During these roller coasters of emotions, I found a few things that would help drag me out of the darkness… at least for a little while, and one of those things was my “5-minute closet prayers”.

Some days, the pain and hurt would be so overwhelming that I’d physically get up and go hide in my son’s closet (so the boys couldn’t see me) and just cry. I’d cry out to God… beg Him… plead for his mercy and ask Him to just take all of the bad away.

During those moments, I wanted to “hear” God speak to me like so many had claimed He had done before but I found myself getting really frustrated, wondering what “hearing” God actually looked and sounded like.

I mean, would it be like in the movies where God’s voice sounded like Morgan Freeman and the message would be clear as day?

I even asked my pastor what it was like… and what he said didn’t click for me. But I was longing for it. Begging God to speak to me, and to open my heart and ears so I could hear whatever He wanted me to hear.

I’m not going to lie… some days, it felt like I was just talking to the clothes hanging up in that closet, and some days it felt like God was actually listening because I felt some sort of peace come over me; at least enough peace to make me feel like I could go back out and put a fake smile on my face so the boys could have some sort of normalcy.

But then one day, I heard it.

I heard…and I FELT… God speak to me.

What Does That Feel Like?

Well I’m not sure if everyone feels this way, but for me… it was a sense of calm. A sense of peace… and a sense of feeling in my heart and even a feeling of goosebumps.

Is this how everyone feels? I have no idea. But it was a feeling so strong that I can’t deny and can’t explain HOW it could be anything different.

So What Did He Say?

He simply said “mountains”.

“Mountains?”

It was a random thought that came to my mind and left me asking,

“Where did that come from?” and “What in the world do ‘mountains’ have to do with anything right now?”

And that right there was another sign to me that it was God because it was the most random thought I’d ever had and it made no sense whatsoever to me at that moment.

I also felt like it was a very private thought and that I wasn’t supposed to say anything about it to anyone.
(Maybe that’s because as an imperfect human, I would have felt “silly” for telling someone that I felt like God spoke to me. In a closet. With a random word. Or that maybe it wasn’t the right time to say anything to anyone.)

So, naturally, as I feel any person would do… I shoved the word “mountains” and the feelings down inside and went about my day.

Well, that was until God kept putting the word “mountains” in front of me and it was completely undeniable.

It was everywhere!

The word “mountains” was in a song that I heard over and over again in the car… (“Do it Again” by Elevation Worship)

A 4-week message at church during this time had the theme “Moving Mountains” that spoke so deeply to the situations that we were dealing with.

And even “little” things like fortune cookies mentioning moving mountains or seeing commercials on tv talking about the mountains… it was as if God was using modern-day ways to keep reminding me of what He told me in the closet that day.

He Said “Mountains in Montana”

Then, during one, very unromantic evening while watching LIVE PD with my husband (I know, I know) it was as if God knew it was the perfect moment to speak to me again and He said,

“You need to be in the mountains in Montana.”

The feeling was so real, it was as if someone walked up to me and slapped me in the face.

“Ex-queeze me?”

“Um… I don’t like Montana.”

I could feel my self arguing internally with my thoughts, and resisting any type of suggestion that I was supposed to be in the cold, mountain air, in a place that I despised.

But it was a feeling so strong that I couldn’t keep it quiet or to myself any longer.

So I looked over to my husband and said,

“You’re going to think I’m crazy… but I think we’re supposed to live in Montana for a little while.”

It was as if those words fell out of my mouth without any control over what I wanted to say and what I didn’t want to say.

He looked at me like I was a crazy person because he KNEW how much I despised Montana and wondered what in the heck was going on.

But it was at that moment that I explained to him about hearing God talk to me about the mountains and how I had a feeling we were supposed to be in Montana, in the mountains, for some reason.
I wasn’t sure why we were supposed to go but it must be God’s plan because there was no way on earth I’d be willing to go, let alone have it be my idea to move to Montana… if it wasn’t God giving me the peace to do so.

Needless to say, my husband beamed with light.

You see, during these last three years, his favorite place on earth (the ranch that he grew up loving so much) actually sold and a little piece of his heart went with it. He knew that there was no way he’d ever be able to go back to that place that he dreamed of spending more time at one day… but he made peace with the idea that he would just hold on to the memories and would hopefully find a new place in Montana to visit.

So with the excitement and quite honestly… the “shocked” feeling… my husband picked up the phone and called a friend (who was actually still the manager of the ranch in Montana) and said,

“Well, I don’t believe I’m saying this… but my wife said she wants to live in Montana for a little bit. Maybe this summer when the boys get out of school? Do you happen to know of anyone renting out a house for the summer in the area or know of something we may be interested in? We just want to be in Montana, doesn’t really matter where.

to which his friend replied,

“Well as a matter of fact I do. The new owners of the ranch (my husband’s dream place) asked me last week if I knew of anyone that may be interested in renting out the main house on the ranch this summer.”

(Keep in mind that this is the ranch that my husband thought he’d never get a chance to see, let alone, stay at again.)

What?! How is this even possible? Why would they even want to rent this out? This was a new thing. They’ve never done this on the ranch before!

But it was as if almost every question we had, there was a logical answer.

It was as if God drew a road map out and guided us along the path that we were supposed to take.

And considering the life that we had been living the last couple of years at the time, we just knew that this opportunity was too good to be true and that it could (and probably would) slip away from us.

So we knew that if we just kept our heads down and kept listening to God and following His plan for us, that this dream may actually become a reality.

Soon, not only did I have peace about going to Montana… I had an excitement about going to Montana. A feeling I had never had before. I just KNEW that He was making all of this happen for some reason; a reason that I didn’t know…but I knew it was because He wanted us here.

So What is the Reason?

Well, at the time of writing this post, we’ve been here 2 weeks now, and you know what? I have no idea yet.

I’m not sure if it’s to help someone here specifically…

Or if it’s to reach out and help others online and being here will give us a better opportunity to connect with others more easily…

Or even if it’s just to use this time to reflect and rebuild our lives and get it to a place that will make us stronger than ever to help others.

No matter the reason, I feel strongly that it is to help someone, in some way, and being here has only magnified that we are right where we are supposed to be.

It just feels right and although I find myself wondering,

Jessica, why WOULDN’T it feel right? You’re on a beautiful ranch, in one of the most beautiful places on earth…

…that’s not what it is. Sure, it’s beautiful and so far the experiences have been insanely dream-worthy… but the feeling of being right where we are supposed to be, has never felt so clear.

Are We Crazy?

Well, it depends on who you ask, I’m sure.

Trust me… we’ve heard everything from,

“Wait… you don’t know how long you’re staying in Montana?”

“You don’t know where you’re going to go after the summer is over?”

“You don’t really even know why you’re there?”

And to be honest… my type “A” personality would normally question the same things and even rebel in what we’re doing.

But for some reason, I’m just going with the flow and seeing where God takes us and leads us.

Because if I can hear him so clearly in that little bitty closet that day… I can surely hear Him, a little closer to heaven, high up on a mountain top.

Want a Closer Look in to Our Story?

I’d LOVE to have you in our free, Fab Society Facebook group where we talk about all things, marriage, life, parenting, meal planning, and ALL the things. Plus, I tend to share a little more over there in our private group because… well… you’re my gal pals!

Want to be Part of the Fab Family?

If you don’t want to miss our story, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter where I’ll email out all the details when it’s time!

How to prepare for a spray tan: Tips and the ins and outs about how it works, how long it lasts, how much it costs, airbrush vs. machine and more!

How to Prepare for a Spray Tan

I LOVE a good spray tan. I have pale skin and there’s something about instantly glowing and feeling so much better about how you look in shorts and a swimming suit. (Speaking for myself of course… not saying that this determines someone’s beauty.)

I wanted to write this post to share all of the things I’ve learned over the years about spray tanning because I’ve heard from so many of you that you want to know more about how it works, how long it lasts, what’s the best way to make it last and so much more.

And although I’m no tanning connoisseur by any means, I did work in a tanning salon in high school, have tried the spray tanning machines, and have also tried the “by hand” technique. Now, I by FAR, prefer the “by hand” technique, but no matter if you’re using the machine or if you’re going for an airbrush spray tan soon, these tips will help you prepare for it and hopefully result in a longer-lasting glow! Then, make sure to see my favorite beauty treatments!

Spray Tan Tips

I’m going to break down the tips in a “what you need to know”, “before”, “during” and “after” format, so you’ll be prepared for it from the get-go!

What to Know Before You Go…

• After your tan, you’ll notice a darker color and you should continually get darker after a few hours. So know that you’ll be REALLY dark until you shower off that top layer of tan, 6 hours later.
• Try not to schedule anything afterward, but if you do… it’s ok to go out and about (unless it’s raining!), just be cautious of what you touch/sit on, etc.

• When you do shower, you’ll see brown/black wash off in to the shower/tub. Don’t worry! This is normal.
• Spray tans fade quickly with activities like massages with oils, swimming in pools/lakes/hot baths, etc. So if you’re looking to really extend the life of your tan, it may be best to avoid what you can. But ideally, we get spray tans for when we are going to spend time in places like pools/ocean, etc.
  Just know that the tan may not last as long as it would without partaking in those activities… but it won’t remove it all at once and color the water or area around you or anything like that, so don’t let that be a concern!
• Still use sunscreen! The spray tan will not protect from sunburns!

Pre Spray Tan Tips

When you make an appointment, make sure to think ahead of time (a couple of days) so you can plan and do a few things to help make the best of your spray tan. For instance,

• Do the spray tan 2 days before your event/trip/etc. This gives the tan time to settle in and give that natural glow. (Although I even love the look of the tan, the day after!)
• Do not apply makeup, lotions, or anything beforehand on the day of but DO moisturize the night before and even days before if you can. No deodorant (or the spray may react with it and turn your armpits purple).
• Exfoliate within 24 hours with an exfoliating scrub (not oil-based), gloves, or even just use brown sugar!
• Moisturize the rough areas beforehand and exfoliate! (Heels, elbows, etc.)
• Shave the night or morning before, just try not to use an oil-based shaving cream. If you wax, do so at least 24 hours prior to your tan. If you’re currently undergoing laser hair removal, you should refrain from spray tanning all together!
• Do you get manicures and pedicures? Do them at least a day in advance. Rubbing, exfoliating and other services can remove the spray tan from the areas they focus on if you do them after your tan.
• Still feel unsure? Call and talk to someone at a spray tan location if needed. They are usually super helpful!
  If you’re in the St. Louis area, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Vegas Tan. But we just moved to Montana so I’ll be trying out some new locations and hope to have some reviews soon!

Tips When Going to Spray Tan

• Wear loose clothing and try not to wear a bra afterward! So lose/baggy and dark clothing is ideal. I’m a goof and wore tight yoga pants on my first visit. It turned out to be ok, but I was a nervous wreck.
• Don’t wear jewelry… but if you do, take it off before the tan.
• Is it raining that day? Park close if you can, take an umbrella, and wear clothes covering your skin! (Long sleeves, pants, full-covering shoes, etc.) My husband and I went when it was raining and we had a few raindrop spots on our arms that weren’t horrible, but still showed and we wished they hadn’t.

After Spray Tan Tips

Aftercare of your spray tan can be just as important as the pre-care if you really want to extend the life of your tan. Here are my tips for after…

• Wait to shower, workout or do any activity that will cause you to sweat, until at least 6 hours after the treatment. (Unless your salon recommends a different time. Different tanning solutions and procedures can make this vary, but this is what I’ve commonly found.)
• Try not showering AS much. I know that may sound “gross” but just don’t take a hot bath, just for the heck of it, if you want you tan to last longer. Or, even if it comes to your normal, regular showering… just taking care of the areas that need it may be a trick to getting around feeling clean, without scrubbing off the tan.
• Try not to scrub or use rough cleansers or a loofah. Hand wash is ideal!
• Stay moisturized after the spray tan to extend the life of your tan. Use an unscented moisturizer or moisturizer designed to prolong the life of your tan. Lotions from places like Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret are not ideal and can break down the spray tan.
• After your shower, don’t rub the towel super hard against your skin. Pat drying is best!

I sure hope this helps you if you’re preparing to go for a spray tan soon! If you’re scared (or still scared) to go try it, just remember that it doesn’t last forever and if you’re thinking of getting it done for a major event or trip, maybe go once a month or so before, to make sure you like it and want to have it done before something special!

Have you Had a Spray Tan Before?

Do you love spray tanning? What tips do you have that I haven’t mentioned? I’d love to hear! DM me on Instagram HERE!

How to Remove Peach Fuzz: Using a face deffuzer I had to see for myself if this thing would remove peach fuzz and now you can too!

How to Remove Peach Fuzz

It really took me a while to get the guts to try this face defuzzer out.

I had a friend gift one to me at a recent favorite things party and I was a bit nervous to try it, even though she was VERY convincing when telling me why it was her favorite.

Will I Regret Doing It?

Why was I nervous? Well, I was afraid if I did it once, I’d have to keep doing it because it would grow back dark or grow in thicker.

But after asking around in the Creating Your Happy Facebook group, so many of you said that you use something similar too and swear by it!

It was just the push that I needed to give it a try.

So in true Fantabulosity fashion, I propped up the camera and filmed my first try so you could see exactly what it was like and hopefully it will help you decide if you want to try it too!

VIDEO: Using the Face Defuzzer

In Case You Can’t Watch Right Now

I know what it’s like to be somewhere and you just want to know what happened, but you can’t hear or watch the video right this second.

So I thought I’d recap what happened in the video, in case it helps.

• How to use the face defuzzer: In a downward motion, gently slide the blade down your face.
• Dry or Wet? My friend wets her face when she uses the tool or she gets little scratches and lines. However, the Revlon packaging says to use on dry, clean skin. So defuzzers may vary.
• Do I like the face defuzzer? I do!
• Does it remove peach fuzz? Oh yes, and it’s gross. But kind of nice to see what all is coming off of my face.

• Is my face smoother? To be honest, I didn’t really feel THAT much of a difference, but I’ve heard so many people say that they can tell it helps with exfoliating and removing dead skin as well as peach fuzz. But to see all of the peach fuzz come off, I’m now a fan.
• Did I get a 5 o’clock shadow? Not yet at least. 🙂

Revlon Face Defuzzer Tool

So what do you think? Is the Revlon Face Defuzzer something you’ll try too? Do you already use something like this? Tell me all the things. I’m curious to know if I’ve been hiding under a rock and this thing should have been in my makeup bag for years now.

Where to Buy a Face Defuzzer

I found the Revlon Face Defuzzers on Amazon HERE, but they can be found at Walmart or Target too!

You’ll Also Love:

• Laser Hair Removal
• Applying eyelashes for the first time
• See inside of my makeup bag

Heavens no, this is NOT the eyelash tutorial you’ve been looking for. However, if you’ve been intimidated by applying eyelashes, this may ease your concern!

You’ll also want to check out:

• Laser Hair Removal
• My Favorite Makeup Products – VIDEO
• How to Get Beach Waves in Your Hair – VIDEO

Applying Eye Lashes as a Beginner

So I did it. I’ve been wanting to try applying false lashes for the first time but was super intimidated by it so I kept putting it off.

“Will I rip my real eyelashes off?”

“Will it fall off, mid-sentence, while I’m having coffee with a friend?”

Those were real thoughts I had going through my head until I decided to just grow a set of … ahem… and pull my big girl panties up and roll with it.

Eyelash Video

So in Fantabulosity fashion, I couldn’t do this alone. I knew that I had to get this on video so I could share the hot mess attempt with you, and in turn, hopefully encourage you to attempt it too if you’ve been putting it off.

After the video, you can see the list of items I used and the links of where to buy them in case you’d like to try what I used too!

Eyelashes, Glue & Tools

Now, although I had no idea what in the heck I was doing when applying them, I DID do my research on products by asking my makeup stylist what to use (You know, the one who showed me how to cover the dark circles under my eyes?) so I at least started on the right foot with that. But other than that, I was winging it!

Here’s what I used:

• Ardell Eyelashes  (I used the “wispies” but plan to use the “natural” next time to see how I like those!)
• Callas Eyelash Glue
• Ardell Eyelash Applicator
• Eyeliner
• Mascara

So Tell Me…

Are you well experienced in applying eyelashes? What are your favorite products? I’d love to hear and try them out!

Or are you a beginner too? I’d love to hear if you’re going to try it now!

Drop me a note in the comments or email me and we’ll chat about it! I love making new friends!

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 kind of goes hand in hand with my “God, I’m exhausted and I’m done trying to fix it” post.

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 I have now and I’m so incredibly thankful to be aware of this.

However, I felt it is appropriate to publish now because although it has the same words… it has a new meaning. I’ll explain more below.

So What Was the Wrong Reason for Writing This Letter in 2017?

I wrote this originally as an apology to my friends (or who I thought were my friends – but more to come on that later) in hopes that they’d forgive me for not being the Jessica that they were used to…a redeemed chronic people pleaser here.

I even had an editor look over the blog post back in 2017 to make sure it was written “ok” and that it wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings when I published it.

Now don’t get me wrong… I’m all about doing things for your friends and being there for them and being a kind person… and not being someone to hurt others.

But that’s not what this letter was about. This post that I wrote was about making sure I still looked “good” to them and so they (hopefully) wouldn’t talk bad about me behind my back anymore… since I had supposedly “changed”.

So with that said, let’s dive in to my 2017 post and then at the end, I’ll share more about what I’ve discovered since and I’d LOVE to hear from you how you can relate.

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2017 – Post/Letter to my Friends

You could put my face on a milk carton.  When it comes to describing my current stage of life in regards to my friendships with even my closest of gal pals… you can say “I’ve gone missing.” I promise it’s not an act of being unkind. It’s a season.

This Season of Life is Full

I’m in my thirties, a mom of two littles, and my oldest is getting ready to start kindergarten.  The closer it gets to August. The pit in my stomach gets bigger and bigger, thinking about how our days are limited of when we can come and go as we please on any day of the week. I find myself spending countless hours each day, trying to diminish the pit by squeezing in as much play, and laid back activities as we can before the next stage of life hits.

For the last year or so, my husband and I have been so incredibly dedicated, focusing on reaching a level of connection that some marriages unfortunately never reach.  We attend marriage counseling once a week to set aside dedicated time to discuss important topics and to build a state of love and respect for one another that we never realized we could reach.

I’m a working momma, running my own business at home.  Emails, deadlines, hand-on creative projects for brands, and dreams of my own that I’m working towards fulfilling.

I’m a major advocate of spending time with friends.  The connections, closeness, and relatability that can come from girl time is so good for the soul.

But lately, I’ve been silent with texts and checking in. I’ve missed birthday parties. I’ve fallen short on planning that girls dinner that I’ve been saying I want to have for weeks now. I’ve slacked on planning the annual girls night party in my home. (And other ridiculous things we women tell ourselves that defines “being a good friend.” But more on that at a later date.)

Owning the Season

So if I feel so strongly about the importance of girl time, why do my friends probably think I’ve gone missing?

Because I’ve decided to take the reigns of my current season of life and control how I fill each and every day:

— I’m being intentional about spending time at home with my “babies” before sending them out the door with a backpack.

— I’m taking advantage of every moment to nurture my marriage.

— I’m wrapping my arms around every incredible opportunity coming my way, to grow and improve my business.

After being able to put my current state of mind in to words, I couldn’t help but journal my feelings about my absence, in a letter to my friends…

A Letter To My Friends:

Dear Friends,

I’m so sorry I’ve gone missing.  It’s not anything you’ve done.  It’s something I have done.  You’d be so proud of me, really. I’ve taken the reigns on items in my life that are priceless and that long for my attention.

Unscheduled days of fun with my kids before school starts; Intentional time to work on my marriage to reach a deep connection that I never knew could exist; and capturing a turning point in my business that could be something incredible for my family.

This doesn’t mean that you’re not important to me. You’re so very important to me. I cherish our friendship, deep heartfelt chats, and hilarious stories when we spend time together.  So please don’t take my absence as a hidden message of some horrible meaning or change of heart.  Please understand that this is good.  When I spend time focusing on the items that can benefit from my dedicated attention, you’ll see the love overflow in to the other areas of my life and flourish beyond measure. Know that I adore pollinating our friendship when I’m fueled on this end.

It’s a season, and I can’t wait to be there for you when you go through a season.

Signed,

Your friend that’s still here…”

Who’s There on the Flipside

So although my friends are incredibly important to me, it’s a season. It’s a season in life that I’ve chosen to be intentional about and focus on the items that are super important to me. This doesn’t mean that my friends aren’t important. This doesn’t mean that “I’m putting my friends on the back burner.”  But it does mean that it’s a time in my life that I’m going to be intentional about, that may leave my friends saying,

What in the world is going on with her?

During times like this, it’s so incredible to see who’s there after a season we have in life. Who’s there to say “Hey I’ve missed you. Tell me all about it.” And most importantly “I understand, and don’t judge you one bit.” Those are the little golden nuggets in life that can make a friendship something to cherish.

End of Letter – Now Present Day 2020

The words in the letter that I wrote are still true. I still believe them and feel like they have merit.

But you see, when I wrote that letter, those words were meant to be “excuses” in hopes that my friends would still like me, even though I chose my family over them in that moment. I’d even go so far to say that I felt “bad” that I was choosing my family over them. It’s like you could almost feel me saying,

“Please don’t forget about me and forgive me. Please still be my friend when I’m done putting my family first.”

Today, I’m ashamed I felt that way.

After going through such a difficult time these last 3 years (more to come on that later, as soon as I can figure out how to tell the long story) I’ve realized what’s important:

God, my husband, my kids, and my family.

Don’t hear what I’m not saying (my favorite quote by my favorite pastor, Bryan Mills) friends are important. In fact,

“God has created us to need people.”

Erwin Mcmanus

But real, true, genuine friends are important.

I encourage you today to really look at those you’re investing your time with… and what priorities you have set for yourself.

Now, today, I could write the same letter and send it out to my friends… but it would be to the friends that would read it and think:

“We get it. You’re going through a season and doing what’s important right now. We’ll be here on the flipside and during it if you need me.”

And you know what? I have those friends now. I’m so thankful for those friends and will NEVER ever let that go unappreciated.

It is my mission to also be that friend for them and to be understanding even when it doesn’t make sense.

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.

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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, and has become one of my favorite beauty treatments!

Laser hair removal.

I know that some of you have considered laser hair removal or some of you WILL consider laser hair removal after reading this. Here's an inside look at my first visit and why you'll want to hear all about it!

Plus, keep reading to find out how you (yes, YOU!) can get 60% off of your own laser hair removal services, just for being a Fantabulosity reader!

For years I have thought about and have wanted to try laser hair removal.

I even went for a consultation years ago and decided to move forward with it, but the business closed shortly after and I was never able to take advantage of it.

Laser Hair Removal in St. Louis

Well if you’ve been around here for a while, you may know that I live in Missouri and close to the St. Louis area. I tend to find myself going to St. Louis for my hair appointments, shopping at the mall, and having a date night with my husband.

So when it came time to consider a company that specializes in laser hair removal, St. Louis was a no-brainer.

Milan Laser Hair Removal

Let me introduce you to my new friend… Milan Laser Hair Removal. I’m dead serious when I say “friend”. I have fallen in love with their team, their services and most importantly… their values.

Milan Laser Hair Removal has (at the time of this post) over 70 locations in the United States. So even if you’re not in the St. Louis area, odds are you may have one near you (or worth the trip) and they’re STILL growing and expanding into new markets.

Why do I love them so much already?

Because from the moment I talked to Stacey, at the Town and Country location here in Missouri, I felt so welcome and heard.

I told Stacey about my areas of interest, and she communicated with me in such a way that I was counting down the days until my consultation and first appointment.

Fast forward to the day of my first visit and I was greeted with the friendliest staff.

I was the only one in the foyer/lobby at the time (which I later found out that they try to do this on purpose… how cool is that?) and I immediately felt like I was home.

No nervousness and no awkward feelings like I didn’t belong. I felt like family.

First Laser Hair Removal Treatment

I mentioned earlier that I spoke with Stacey on the phone about my areas of interest for laser hair removal when setting up my first appointment.

Those areas of interest were the following:

• legs (half or full)
• Brazillian
• Bikini
• Armpits

They do offer more body areas, but those were the top picks for me on the day of my visit, I told the staff that I had decided to get the Brazillian treatment and let me tell you… if anyone would be anxious about getting laser hair removal, let alone a BRAZILLIAN… it would have been me.

But I never once felt awkward, scared, or out of place with Milan.

What to Expect at Milan Laser Hair Removal on Your First Visit

Upon walking in the door, Milan was CLEAN, bright and super welcoming.

Stacey took me on a tour of the clinic, explained the process and welcomed me into the consultation room where we chatted about how laser hair removal works, why it works, Milan’s background and payment options.

After the consultation, it was time for my first treatment!

Before and After Photos of Laser Hair Removal Treatment

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I could show you the before and after of my first treatment of the Brazillian, but let’s get real… anyone and everyone can come visit me here on Fantabulosity and showing that area off to anyone and everyone really isn’t my cup of tea.

HOWEVER, Stacey is a genius and she asked if I’d be willing to do a treatment on one armpit so I could see just how well it works for those, even after one visit.

I’m so glad she did this because now I can show you a before and after of my armpits.

Now, do know that Stacey said the armpits tend to show bigger results after the first treatment, more so than the Brazillian does.

So what are you looking at below?

I had my treatment on January 7, 2020. I did not shave either armpit until after I took these photos on January 24th, 2020. (Yes, my husband kept asking me when I was going to shave it, but I had to keep watching it because it amazed me with how much different it was than the other, haha!)

Honestly, in the armpit with less hair… was what my armpit used to look like a day or two after shaving, not 17 days after shaving.

What about the Brazillian area?

Well I can tell you that I do already notice a difference down there. It’s a little spotty, (some areas not growing back as much/as fast) and the hair that has regrown is MUCH softer. I can’t wait for the next treatment, so I can see how much more of a difference it has.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

I’ll admit… I was totally afraid that it was going to hurt like crazy, but I told myself,

"Jessica, you’ve had two babies… one being without an epidural. You can do this."

But you know what? My first treatment wasn’t bad at ALL! And it didn’t last long enough to even complain about it! Here’s more about “Does laser hair removal hurt?”

What does it feel like?

The Milan staff told me before we started that it would feel like the snap of a rubber band. I agree with that, and I’d even go to say that it feels like a “small” rubber band snap.

But you know what else? Before we started, I thought it would feel like a rubber band snap on each little hair follicle at a time. This is probably why I thought it would take so much longer than it did, and I thought I’d be pretty tired of that feeling after getting each individual pore treated down there. BUT THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS!

The tool that they use covers an area about the size of a quarter, so it gets multiple hair follicles at one time! I was so excited about this, and it made such a difference.

How Often and How Many Treatments are Needed?

They told me at Milan to expect 7-10 treatments, and that each treatment would be about 5 weeks apart.

After the initial visit with the consultation, the appointments don’t take very long at all!

As a matter of fact, if I know I’m going to be in the St. Louis area, I could easily call and see if they have an opening for a treatment, and I could pop-in and go about my day, running my other errands.

It’s definitely not something that you have to plan your whole day around, and you could feel free to run errands before/after, or like me… do some shopping since there’s a HomeGoods and Target right next door to my location! Hallelujah!

Lifetime Guarantee + Unlimited Package

So if you’ve heard or have been to other laser hair removal companies, you may be familiar with the “packages” that some offer. For instance, you buy per session or say, buy a package of three treatments at a time.

Well, not with Milan.

With Milan, you pay one price for the body area that you want, and it’s an unlimited, lifetime guarantee on that body area.

So say a few years from now, your body goes through some changes (hormones, etc.) and you notice one little hair grow back where you had a treatment.

You can call Milan, let them know and they’ll be glad to bring you back in, (at any location) at NO additional charge, and treat the area again! (Opposed to other companies where you may pay for 3 treatments in one area, and have to pay AGAIN and again to be treated.)

60% OFF for YOU! Yes… YOU!!!

Friends, I don’t know HOW this is possible, and I honestly didn’t expect this kind of discount for you when I first started talking to them, but you may want to take advantage NOW in case they change their mind! Haha!

Milan has offered to give you 60% off of your laser hair removal service, for any body area of your choice…. at any Milan Laser Hair Removal location. So when you call to schedule your consultation, just make sure to give them the code: FANTABULOSITY60 so they know to put it in the system for you!

Stop Putting Yourself on the Backburner. I did, and it Feels Amazing Already.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been THIS excited to share something with you. You know when I believe in, or fall in love with something, I don’t want to keep it from you. Well, Milan is no exception, and I can’t WAIT for you to do laser hair removal along with me. With 60% off, I’m hoping it either gives you the push to finally do this for yourself if you’ve been kicking it around, or I hope it’s something new that you’ve found that you can do for YOURSELF.

I know what it’s like to put yourself on the backburner, saving the time and money for your kids and husband.

But I can’t tell you how refreshed and GOOD I felt even after my first treatment. It wasn’t just because of the thought that I’ll never have to shave again… but because I finally did something for myself again. I want this for you too.

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 you ever want to know what a woman’s mind is like, imagine a browser with 3,241 tabs open. All.The.Time.

Someecards

then you know that you can have a gazillion thoughts going through your head every minute.

The kids. The House. Your marriage.
Work. His work. Bills. The list goes on.

So when a “brain dump” comes in to the picture, it means we take all of those swirling thoughts in our heads and jot them down on paper!

Suddenly, we can feel relief because we aren’t trying to remember all of the things currently rolling through our minds. Plus, it allows us a place to look back on to be reminded of the things that we need to do or become aware of.

How do you Create a Brain Dump?

A brain dump can be created in different ways. Here are my favorite ways to create them:

• pen and paper (in a notebook, on a post it, in a planner, etc.)
• template or worksheet (see below for your free printable!)
• On the “notes” app or similar app on a cell phone
• On a computer using a Word doc, Google docs, etc.
• On a “mind map” website or something like Trello!

How do you Use a Brain Dump?

Of course you can do a brain dump of anything and everything you want (jot down all of the thoughts you currently have) and leave it at that. That in itself can be incredibly helpful to ease stress, and take a little off of our plate.

But managing or pinpointing what kind of brain dump you want to do, can add a whole other level of satisfaction. I like to divide them in to two different categories; “Feelings” brain dumps and “actionable” brain dumps.

Feelings:

A brain dump can actually be really helpful when it comes to feeling overwhelmed with thoughts.

For instance, if your mind is swarming with negative thoughts, depression, and anxiety, jotting down all of these thoughts can make us feel SO much better!

Somehow, being able to release those thoughts on paper can help release our ties to those feelings in some incredible way.

Actionable:

I like to take all of the items on my brain dump and organize them even more. Some of these “actionable” items can look like this:

Personal Life: School Activities, Doctor Appointments, Date Nights, Birthday Parties, etc.

Our lives can get so busy, between managing school activities, practices, date nights, dinner with friends, paying bills, cleaning the house, family gatherings and so much more… it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with everything we have to do.

Listing these items out can help us be more aware of what needs to be done, or what needs attention and that in itself can reduce the anxiety of the “unknown” feeling.

Work-Life: Creating Products, Preparing Speeches, Event Planning, etc.

For work, creating a brain dump can come in incredibly helpful if working on a big project, preparing for a big meeting, planning a big event… or even when it feels like there are a ton of items that need to be completed by a deadline… sometimes jotting down all of the things to do, ideas and or thoughts, can be helpful.

Plus, do you ever have those spur-of-the-moment ideas or thoughts when driving down the road or while out to dinner with friends? Sometimes it’s hard to remember them when it comes time to actually work on something.
So later, when we can refer to our brain dump that has all of those genius ideas on it, we don’t have to rely on just our memory!

Taking Action and/or Organizing a Brain Dump

Once your brain dump is complete, if you want to take it an extra step, a great strategy is to:

“Feelings” Brain Dump Action:

• talk to someone about the feelings you’re experiencing
• take some time for YOU to reflect on those feelings
• journal about those feelings

“Actionable” Brain Dump Organization:

• prioritize them in order of importance
• schedule the appointments
• list items in a planner, or in/on a calendar as to-do’s on certain days
• take action on the small, doable steps that can be completed easily and right then
• delegate to-do’s to those who can complete them

Free Brain Dump Worksheet

Although a blank sheet of paper will work just fine, I love being able to have a free printable for you to go along with your mind dumping process. Why? Well because I know how intimidating staring at a blank sheet of paper can be.

So when we have a cute printable to guide us or unconsciously give us permission to jot all of our thoughts down, it can make a BIG difference.

I’ve created the free “brain dump” printable for you. I’ve left it blank and have given you plenty of space to write in what you wish.

Get Your Free Template HERE!

To snag this brain dump worksheet, see button below…and then print it over and over, as you wish!

Want more of detailed brain dump worksheet?

I have a desire to create more of a detailed, guided worksheet for you, to help you organize your thoughts and help you pull out those deep ideas that you may be stored inside.

If this is something you’d be interested in having as well, let me know in the comments below and I’ll start working on it!

More Organization and Free Printable Posts You’ll Love:

• Daily Planner Worksheet
• Free Grocery Shopping List
• Importance of Time Management
• 7 Ways to Trick Yourself in to Getting Things Done

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.

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You May Also Love:

• 6 Ways to Make Your Desk Work More Productive
• 7 Ways to Trick Yourself in to Getting Things Done
• Morning Routine for a Mentally & Physically Productive Day
• What I Use to Stay Organized

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I honestly didn’t realize I had time management skills until I became an adult and began working with others and becoming more aware of deadlines.

But please don’t think I’m bragging or perfect with time management. I promise I struggle in many other areas to justify my time management skills and I do slip up occasionally with mismanaging my time. It’s just that time management is one of my strengths.

And since I’ve come to realize over the years just how important time management can be, in MANY different areas in life, I want to share what I know, so it can help YOU!

11 Reasons Why Time Management is So Important

Why is it important? Here are some of my favorite reasons why:

1. Take Control of Your Time and Not Let it Take Control of YOU.

When time management is incorporated into your life, you can take control of your time, and not let it take control of you.

Do you ever feel scattered? Feeling scattered can be what you feel when there are many things going on, and you’re letting them “come at you” freely, without routine or without complete awareness.

Being in control of your time, scheduling, planning and being more aware of what’s coming and/or happening, can really reduce the amount of anxiety and stress that you may feel. Which leads me to my next perk of managing your time.

2. It can Lower Stress

Life can be stressful! I don’t care if you’re someone who has a lot going on, or doesn’t have a lot going on… life can still be stressful. But when you DO have a lot going on, causing you to live a busy schedule, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Busy Schedule + No Time Management = STRESS

So if even a little time management can be put in to place, it can lower stress… and that’s what we all want, right?

3. Procrastination is the Enemy

Rather than managing your time wisely, procrastinating can cause a ton of chaos and anxiety later.

Procrastinating does feel good in the moment, but eventually, things will catch up and everything will be due at once with little time to devote to it.

4. To Be Effective in Everyday Life

Can we get through life without time management? Of course.

But having time management skills can help us be EFFECTIVE in everyday life. Effective with things like tackling items on our to-do lists, managing our homes so things don’t pile up, at the workplace and meeting deadlines, etc.

5. To be Considerate of Others

When thinking of all the reasons of the importance of time management, being considerate of others is at the top of my own list. Meetings, coffee dates with friends, respecting our spouse, and so many other people in our lives!

Others have lives too, so when we’re 30 minutes late to the meeting, solely because of the lack of our own poor time management, it’s disrespectful and can give the impression that we think what we have going on is more important than what they have going on in life.

I don’t know about you, but I never want anyone I care about to feel like I don’t care enough about what they have going on, and that their life should revolve around mine.

6. Can Make More Time for What Matters

I’ve talked about “love languages” quite a bit around here, and mostly when it comes to the subject of marriage.

If your spouse absolutely loves when you make time for them, having time management skills, to where it helps you make time for your spouse… can CHANGE your marriage. (In a good way!)

When my husband was working a ton of hours each day, running here and running there, I felt like I would end up on the back burner quite a bit because he’d often let work and life control his days.

But with a little time management under his belt, using the self-management checklist (that’s a freebie in my printable library, exclusive to Fantabulosity Family) each day, he began to regain control of his time and make more time for me and our kiddos!

7. Financially Beneficial

Time management skills can actually benefit us financially too! If we don’t manage our time with bill paying, we can be late paying bills, that can generate and accrue interest, late fees, etc. So managing your time can actually SAVE money!

8. Freedom for What We DO Want

Quite possibly my favorite reason to discuss the importance of time management, is because it can give us the freedom of time to do things for ourselves and others.

When our time is managed, it can free up minutes or even hours in our days/weeks to focus on things that we’ve been putting off for so long.

Perhaps it’s joining a class we’ve been wanting to join, or taking Friday’s off because we were efficient with our time Monday through Thursday.

If “freedom” is an important value of yours, time management just may be the key to your success with that!

9. Get More Done + Make Things Easier

Get more done, and get it done easier? You bet! When your time is managed and controlled, you can get a lot more done and not necessarily work as hard, completing things!

For instance, if a project is planned out or scheduled, you go in knowing that you are there to work on that project and only that project which can keep you from thinking about all of the other things you need to get done.

Focusing on one thing to do at a time, can mean you’ll complete it faster, efficiently and it makes it MUCH easier to complete when your brain isn’t trying to play tug of war with all of the other things you have to get done too.

10. Clear Thinking

When we feel less scattered because our time is managed more, we have less brain fog, more clarity and the “rushed” feeling tends to subside! It goes back again to having control of your time, rather than letting your time have control of YOU!

11. Workplace Perks

When it comes to the workplace, using time management skills can speak volumes to co-workers, leaders, etc.

Managing your time can be viewed as a great characteristic and can encourage promotions, pay raises and advancements in your career!

How to Manage Time?

So HOW can we manage our time? Well, that post is soon to come. I’ll be sharing my favorite tips and tricks to manage our time, with realistic strategies and techniques to implement into our daily lives!

But here’s a quick note to leave you with.

If you do something for 21 days, it could create a habit. (Unless it’s a BIG change or habit that you’re trying to break/start.)
However, it can take as little as 21 days to make a change.

So start small! What small thing can you implement in to your daily life NOW to try and incorporate more time management skills in to your life?

Remember, baby steps can be the key to success. No step is too small, as long as it’s in the right direction.

Pin it for Later:

Pin this image on Pinterest to remember it later, so you can come back to it to refresh your memory!

Gift Ideas for Toddler Boys: Whether you’re looking for birthdays, Christmas, or just a special present for a little boy, these are our favorite ideas!

With little boys in my immediate family, church family and group of friends… it’s so nice to have a big list of gift ideas for when we get a birthday party invitation or it’s time to buy for Christmas!

More Articles I Think You’ll Love:

• “I wish I didn’t have to tell my toddler…”
• Camping Birthday Party Ideas
• Toddler Lunch Ideas

Gifts for Toddler Boys

So after asking all of you super smart Facebook fans and shopping around online, I’ve compiled this list of AMAZING gift ideas for little guys.

I’m always updating this list and adding new favorites, so make sure to bookmark this page or pin it, in case you need to refer to it for the little boys in your life!

You May Also Love:

• Gift Ideas for Teenage Guys
• Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls
• Gift Ideas for Her
• Gift Ideas for Him
• Gift Ideas for Teachers

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• Cars, Trucks, Emergency Vehicles, Dump Trucks – I’m not sure I know a little boy who doesn’t love playing with these types of toys!
• Pretend Shaving Kit – Just like “dad” he’ll be able to shave his little face too!
• Train Table – Oh the hours of fun a train table provided for my littles! It’s an investment that paid for itself over and over.
• Washable Markers and Crayons – “Washable” is the keyword there!
• Power Car – He feels so big, being able to drive his own car around the house!
• Balls – I love this little variety set of balls, so he can play whatever sport he feels like!
• Keyboard – Not only does this piano let the little one play his favorite music, but it teaches fine motor skills, comes with animal sounds, drum sounds, a record function, and parents… a volume control button! YES please!
• Dinosaurs – Dinosaurs are a little boy staple and the love continues on through childhood!
• Magnets – Count on hours of playtime with magnets like these, while they build their favorite creations!
• Playskool Action Figure Heros – He gets to feel so big by having his own superheroes, but they’re made for little hands!
• Army Men and GI Joes – OLDER TODDLERS ONLY (3 years and older) – The childhood staple! Every little boy needs these!
• Lego Duplo – If you start him on Lego’s young, odds are he’ll still love Lego’s all throughout his childhood. (Or at least that was the story in our house!)
• Lego Junior Sets – OLDER TODDLERS ONLY (3 years and older) – When he gets a little older in his toddler years, he’ll love moving up from Duplo to the “junior” sets!
• Camping Play Set – Not too hip on going out in to the wilderness to camp? Me either! That’s why I love being able to give this camping set so he can camp out in the living room!
• LCD Writing Board – This toy is used on a daily basis in our house, and is by far one of my favorite gifts to give now!
• Character Shirts – Little boys LOVE having their favorite tv show characters on their shirts!
• Backpack – My little guy LOVED having his own backpack like his big brother. He couldn’t wait to pack it when it was time to go somewhere for the day!
• LeapFrog RockIt – This has AMAZING reviews and gives the little guy an opportunity to play on his own gaming device like his siblings/friends!
• A trip to Chuckie Cheese, Six Flags, the zoo, bounce house, movies or somewhere he LOVES to visit!
• Savings Account – Start him off right with a savings account that can sit there while he grows up and learn the importance of setting money back for later!

Did I Miss Something?

I'm sure there are SO many other items out there that a toddler boy would love, and I want to hear about it! Drop a note in the comments and let me know what it is so I can add it to this one to help others out!

Pin it to Remember it!

This list is frequently updated, so “pin” this image below or bookmark it to check back anytime you need a gift for a little boy!

Gift Ideas for Men: For the one that’s hard to buy for, you’re sure to find something here your husband, dad, boyfriend, brother, and friend will love!

I don’t know what happened this year but for some reason, I found it SUPER easy to find gift ideas for the men in my life for birthdays, Christmas, anniversary, Father’s Day and so much more.
Get my favorite gift ideas for her, the teenage girls, teenage guys, toddler boys and gift ideas for teachers in your life too!

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And last year for Christmas, my sister encouraged us to start a new family tradition, by buying small gifts for every member of the family, to fill up HUGE stockings for each of us, and it was SO.MUCH.FUN.

Nothing big. Nothing fancy. Just small gifts that we think each family member will love.

Then, one by one, we go in a big circle and take turns opening each individual gift so we can all see what each person got.

So many laughs, so many memories.

So with this new tradition, this meant that a WHOLE lot of men got added to my Christmas Gift Tracker (get your free gift tracker download here).

Here is a list of all of the goodies I’ve found lately that the men loved and would love and I hope you find some FABULOUS ideas for the men in your life too!

Many of these links contain affiliate links.

Gift Ideas for Men

• "Take it Easy" Gift Idea – Every guy on your list will love an excuse to relax!
• “You’re Red Hot” Gift Idea – Looking for something to give your husband or boyfriend? Tell him you think he’s “Red Hot” with all of these red goodies!
• "Open When" Printable Gift Cards – A DIY option and a heartfelt one at that. This is the gift that keeps on giving!

Featured Items:

• Smart Meat Thermometer – if you’re buying for someone who loves to cook and especially smoke meat, like we do, then he’ll LOVE this smart wireless meat thermometer!
• Gravity Memory Foam Pillow – This pillow will change this guy’s sleeping world! What better gift to give, than the gift of a good night’s sleep? Gift him this memory foam pillow that’s customizable… yes really! The inserts move around to give you the “feel” you need for the night!
• Weighted Robe – After a long hard day, imagine him being able to take a hot shower and cover-up in a weighted robe! YES! The weight of the neckline helps induce relaxation and it’s absolutely GENIUS! 

• Heated Jacket (Weargraphene) – This has to be one of my favorite gift ideas for a man! (Especially my husband who always finds himself outside in the cold when he’s hunting or working on the ranch!) Good news: You can also use code: FB10 to get 10% off, sitewide!

• Supplements for men – From vitamins to pre-workout, the man in your life will love trying something new or getting something he doesn’t have to buy himself next month!
• Does he love being a couch potato? He’ll love this couch potato gift basket idea!
• Yeti Cooler – Whether he spends time at sporting events, hunting or just needs a cooler for a long road trip, he’ll love having a new cooler!
• Yeti Rambler Tumbler – Want to get him a Yeti but a cooler is over your budget? This tumbler is something he can never have too many of!
• A Ball Cap – The trucker hats are in style and he’ll stand out from the crowd with the different styles and colors Patagonia hats have!

• Kabob Grilling Baskets – Have a griller? How easy will it be to secure kabobs now?
• Tickets to a sporting event from Stubhub – It’s the gift that will continue to give after opening! Grab tickets to a football, basketball, baseball or hockey game and watch his eyes light up!
• Cornhole Set – it’s one of the most addicting games out there right now. He’ll love playing this with his buddies and at family functions!
• Concert Tickets from Stubhub – have a music lover? Check the concerts in his area coming up and see if he has a favorite show coming soon!
• Work Boots – A nice pair of work boots will send him back to work in the new year with a smile on his face!
• Cognac Belt– A belt that looks AMAZING on a business suit and is super popular this year!
• North Face Puffer Vest – This vest is a staple in so many closets and one that you can never have too many of!
• Weighted Blanket – This is on so many wish lists this year and for good reason! He’ll be sleeping better in no time!
• Wireless AirPods – For those long car rides or working in the office, he’s going to LOVE having these new AirPods to listen to podcasts or his favorite music!
• 75 Inch Vizio Tv – What guy wouldn’t LOVE to see this under (or heck, beside) the tree this year! 75 inches of his favorite sporting event or tv show? You may just be his new favorite person after getting this tv this year!
• Roku Streaming Stick – Help make it easier to watch his favorite things on tv this year!
• Capital Gains: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff – Chip Gains – Chip Gains is loved by so many and his book is so encouraging that no matter what your guy does for a living, he’ll love reading this book!
• Adidas Cologne – there are SO many expensive cologne options out there, but this Adidas cologne is SO SO good and super affordable!
• XBox – Have a gamer on your list? Feed his gaming addiction with a new XBox this year!
• Nikon DSLR Camera – Has he shown interest in taking photos? This camera a FANTASTIC starter DSLR camera!
• Car Detail Kit – A man and his truck/car/RV… no matter what he drives he’ll love having this on hand to keep it clean!
• Pajama Set – He’ll love lounging in his chair on the weekends wearing one of these pajama sets!
• Watch – A timeless accessory, a watch is always a safe bet!
• Fantasy Football Gear – You’ll be speaking his love language by gifting him with something fun to take to his next fantasy football meeting!
• Leatherman Tool – It’s the tool that can do all.the.things! Something he can keep in his glovebox toolbox, it will come in handy when he needs a little help!
• Wireless Garage Door Opener – I’ve had this and LOVE it! It’s so nice to be able to see if your garage door is opened/closed even when you’re not home. Plus, get notifications if your door opens!
• Jersey for His Favorite Sports Team – Give him a new shirt to wear to support his favorite team this season or to wear when he goes to the game to root them on!
• Gift Certificate for Carwash in Town – A lot of carwashes now have membership options and they run GREAT deals during the winter months. Grab him a gift certificate for when the weather warms up!
• A basket of his favorite snacks/drinks – Do a little research and find out what his favorite goodies are and he’ll be snacking well in to the new year!
• Scratch offs – This is a gift that could give him WAY more! Plus, it’s a great option if you have a specific dollar amount to give because you can get anywhere from 1 to 100 (or more) of these!
• Alcohol – Is he a scotch drinker? Whiskey? Beer? Grab his favorite mixer and he’ll be able to crack in to them right after opening!
• Gift Certificate to his Favorite Restaurant – Once the leftovers are gone from the holiday celebrations, give him a chance to visit his favorite place to get a steak/burger!

Did I Miss Something?

I'm sure there are other items out there that the man in your life would love and I want to hear about it!

Drop a note in the comments and let me know what it is so I can add it to this one to help others out!

Pin it to remember it:

Gift Ideas for Her: Shopping for a sister, mom, best friend, teacher or another gal in your life, just got a whole lot easier!

Gift ideas are sort of my jam, but I’ll admit, I struggled a bit when trying to find gift ideas when I created the gift ideas for teenage girls and teenage guys, so I had to enlist in some help from my niece and nephew.

When creating the list, gift ideas for teachers, it was much easier because I went to Facebook and asked teachers themselves what they’d like to receive as gifts and even better… what they don’t want to receive as gifts.

But this one… gift ideas for her… THIS one was much easier and a lot of fun to put together. I simply “shopped” for myself and found all sorts of goodies that I’d like to receive!

You may also love “Gift Ideas for Him” if you have a guy to buy for this year!

P.S. Did you get my free printable Christmas Gift List download yet? You'll want to get your hands on that pronto!

Gift Ideas for Her

From totes to kitchen utensils, to clothes and cake stands, this ever-evolving list is often updated with the latest finds and gift ideas that gals will love for her birthday, as Christmas gifts, or even Mother’s Day!

What does mom really want for Mother’s Day? You may be surprised!

Simply select the image of the items and it will take you right to the store to snag it!

Many of these links contain affiliate links, and I may have received some products listed here for free, so I can try it out first, so I know what to recommend.

Shoppable Favorites for Women

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More Gift Ideas She’ll Love

If you love more of a DIY gift approach, you’ll love these gift ideas that are easy to create and are reader favorites!

DIY Sangria Kit

So easy to put together, and the drink dispenser can be used again and again! Perfect for housewarming, Christmas gift, or a just because!

Sunshine Gift

A sunshine box is a fun gift to not only give but to put together! Go on a hunt for all things yellow, and surprise someone special with the gift basket!

Spa Basket

A Spa at Home Gift Basket Idea: A box full of goodies for someone special to experience a day of pampering at home when they can't get out to the spa!

Take it Easy Gift Basket

Take it Easy Relaxation Gift Basket Idea for Men or Women: This simple gift idea is perfect for any man or woman for ANY occasion! Who wouldn't love a basket with an excuse to relax!

“You’re Sweet” Gift Basket

This "You're Sweet," gift idea can be used in SO many ways. Hostess Gift, a gift idea for best friend, neighbor gift, co-worker, and so much more.

Gift Ideas for Teachers: Male or Female, Christmas, End of School Year, Daycare, New Teachers, Appreciation and Thank You gifts all teachers will love!

Gift Ideas for Teachers

Each year, I find myself trying to think of gift ideas for my son’s teachers for Christmas, and even other holiday’s throughout the year.

It’s not that I forget to add them to my Christmas gift tracker, but rather I just don’t know what his/her “likes” are, or what they may need.

While giving should be about the “thought that counts”, I still want to give gifts that he/she can actually use or that they’ll actually like. You with me?

More Gift Ideas You’ll Find Helpful:

• Gift Ideas for Teenage Guys
• Gift Ideas for Her
• Gift Ideas for Him
• Gift Ideas for Teachers
• Best Friend Birthday Gifts
• Gift Basket Ideas
• 30th Birthday Gift Ideas for Him
• DIY Gift Ideas

BEST Gift Ideas for Teachers

So what better way to find out what teachers ACTUALLY want, than to just ask them!

On the Fantabulosity Facebook page, I polled teachers and asked them to share the BEST gifts they’ve ever received and any other advice they wanted to give!

After this incredible list of the BEST gift ideas, you’ll also find tips for gifting to teachers and even some VALUABLE feedback from real teachers, sharing what they DON’T want and some important things to remember, whether it’s for:

• A male or female
• School or Daycare
• Christmas
• Valentine’s Day
• Appreciation/Thank you
• First Day of School
• or just because!

Now let’s get to the gift ideas!

Gifts for Teachers

• A DIY gift can be so fun and thoughtful, and this homemade bath salts gift, is something a teacher would love!
• Coffee throughout the year – find out her favorite coffee and sprinkle coffee deliveries throughout the year!
• Alcohol (You wouldn’t believe how many raised their hand for this! Just don’t send it to school WITH your children.) Wine, beer, cocktail mixes, martini set, etc.!
  This Sangria Kit is one of my favorites!
• Gift Cards for Amazon, coffee shop, local restaurant for lunches, massage/spa, or to Walmart/Target for school supplies!
• Heartfelt note about how she/he has impacted your child’s life.
• Books for the classroom
• Have the kids in the classroom make a scrapbook with pictures of themselves and leave little notes about why they loved being in his/her class.
• Tote bag – to carry school items, back and forth from home.
• A movie night gift box – Filled with items like a Redbox gift card with a box of brownie mix, microwave popcorn, drinks, and a blanket. This can be used with his/her whole family.
• Pens/notebooks
• Sunshine Gift Basket
• Teacher Survival Kit
• Spa Gift Basket
• Gift basket of candies/snacks

Advice from Teachers on Gift Giving:

While asking teachers what their favorite gifts from students were, I had a few teachers get real and honest about things and I thought it would be helpful to share those here too!

• No homemade crafts – Teachers, especially elementary teachers have pictures drawn for them all of the time, and run out of room quickly! Although some do love homemade crafts, maybe steer from them unless you know for sure!
• Trinkets get overwhelming – You know what these are. “The best teacher” signs and “#1 teacher pencil organizers”. Although so sweet, maybe opt for a gift card so they can buy their own trinkets!
• Don’t forget special education teachers, office staff, custodial, lunchroom crew, etc.
  Gifts always seem to go to the homeroom teachers but the other teachers can play a big role in your child’s life. If they do… maybe a small gesture or gift would make their day!

Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Hey, I’m right there with you sometimes. The holiday snuck up on you and you totally forgot to get the teachers a gift.

It’s alright because I’m going to help you tackle this!

If you have at least a couple of days, Amazon prime 2-day shipping to the RESCUE! Here are the top-picks for quick, last-minute gift ideas for the teachers in your life.

More Gift Ideas You’ll Love:

• “Take it Easy” Gift Idea
• “You’re Sweet” Gift Basket
• “Open When” Printable Gift Cards

Did I Miss Something?

I'm sure there are other items out there that a teacher would love and I want to hear about it!

Drop a note in the comments and let me know what it is so I can add it to this one to help others out!

Pin it to remember it:

Gift Ideas for Teenage Guys: Instead of giving the guy who has everything a handful of cash again this year, here are gift ideas he may love!

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Gift Ideas for Teenage Guys

Why are teenage boys so hard to shop for?

With two boys of my own, I’m not sure I’m looking forward to gift-buying when they get older. Course, when it’s your own kids, it may be easier than buying for a boyfriend, brothers, nephews, cousins, friends, etc.

So to help those of you out with great gift ideas for teenage guys, I’ve done a little research and have given you a GREAT list of ideas to choose from!

P.S. Did you get my free printable Christmas Gift List download yet? You’ll want to get your hands on that pronto!

Ok, so let’s get to the items I’ve found online for you to help make your Christmas shopping a little easier.

Note that most of these gift ideas are from Amazon, just because if you’re familiar with Fantabulosity, you know I survive on Amazon prime, and I’m assuming you may too.

However, you may also find some items here from Target, Nike, and Urban Outfitters!

Many of these links contain affiliate links.

Gifts for Teenage Guys

• MoonPod – PERFECT for gamers or a guy who loves to relax in his room or in front of the tv on the weekends! Sit, lay, recline… it does it all!

• Bluetooth Beanie Hat – With as many podcasts, YouTube videos and TikTok videos that teenagers are watching these days, this Bluetooth beanie hat will come in handy during the colder months!
• Cornhole Game Set – Cornhole is a game for all ages, but more and more teenagers are playing this on the weekends with their friends!
• Drone – No matter if they want to catch amazing views on the senior trip or if they need a hobby for the weekend, a drone will be the perfect addition!
• Nike White Tennis Shoes – White tennis shoes are HOT this season and so many boys are wearing them!
• Vineyard Vines Tees – As with teenage girls, some guys like to wear this style too!
• Skateboard – Have a vsco guy on your list? If he doesn’t have a skateboard, odds are he’d love one!
• Phone Case – As much as teenage guys use their phones, a phone case is a safe bet!
• Bluetooth Speaker – Make listening to music easier while hanging out with friends with this Bluetooth speaker!
• Under Armour Socks – Whether it’s for football practice or just to wear with his new slides, he’ll love a new pair of Under Armour socks!
• YETI Hopper Sidekick Dry – When he’s going for a long day of soccer games, send him with this YETI bag to keep goodies in, instead of a typical cooler/lunch box.
• Yeti Trucker Hat – Does he love hats? A Yeti hat may just be on his wishlist!
• Personal Charging Hub – Help keep him organized with this charging hub, to charge his phone and all of his electronics!
• Phone Charger – Speaking of charging a phone, no one can have too many phone charges. Give him something that he can actually use!
• Roku Streaming Stick – If he’s going off to college or needs something for the den, this streaming stick will help him watch whatever he loves to binge out on!
• Cordless Electric Shaver – Like it or not, he may be ready to shave! Give him something nice to use, to learn on.
• Apple AirPods with Charging Case – A HOT gift for the last year has been Apple Airpods and almost any guy would love these!
• Gas Gift Card – He’s driving to visit his girlfriend, back and forth to practice or just to hang out with his buds… he’ll love using a gas gift card instead of his savings account!
• Favorite Things – Arrange some of his favorites in to a reuseable container like a tackle box, plastic storage container for his dorm room or a basket! (sunflower seeds, jerky, candy, socks, scratch off’s, fast food gift cards, etc.) Need an idea for your boyfriend? This Red Hot gift basket idea may be your style!

Did I Miss Something?

I'm sure there are SO many other items out there that a teenage guy would love, and I want to hear about it!

Drop a note in the comments and let me know what it is so I can add it to this one to help others out!

Or, this is a great list for toddler boys if you have another little guy to buy for.

What About Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls?

Oh I have that list too! Head over to see the 23+ Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls!

Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls: Shopping for your daughter, niece or friend just got a lot easier with these popular gift ideas!

Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls

Oh how I had fun shopping around online for gift ideas for teenagers! I did have to recruit a little help (ok, a LOT of help) from my niece on this post to make sure I actually recommended gift ideas that the teenage girls in your life would actually like!

Have others to buy for? Here are more gift ideas you’ll love

• Gift Ideas for Teenage Guys
• Gift Ideas for Her
• Gift Ideas for Him
• Gift Ideas for Teachers
• Best Friend Birthday Gifts
• Gift Basket Ideas
• 30th Birthday Gift Ideas for Him
• DIY Gift Ideas

From trending girl gifts to everyday necessities that any girl would love, you’re sure to find something here to complete your gift buying list!

P.S. Did you get my free printable Christmas Gift List download yet? You’ll want to get your hands on that pronto!

Ok, so let’s get to the items I’ve found online for you to help make your Christmas shopping a little easier.

Note that most of these gift ideas are from Amazon, just because if you’re familiar with Fantabulosity, you know I survive on Amazon prime, and I’m assuming you may too.

However, you may also find some items here from Target, Uncommon Goods, and Anthropology!

Many of these links contain affiliate links.

Gifts for Teenage Girls:

• 60Pcs Premium Velvet Hair Scrunchies – Oh I love how scrunchies have made a comeback. This contains 60 pcs and she’ll surely be able to pick a color that she loves with this set!
  
• adidas Women’s Adilette Aqua Slide Sandal – I feel a bit of nostalgia with these too, and the pastel colors are adorable!
  
• Cute VSCO Laptop Vinyl Stickers for Water Bottles – So apparently young girls are loving adding stickers to their water bottles these days, and this set is just one of many available!
  
• Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask – Oh but not just any water bottle! A Hydro Flask is what she wants this year!
  
• Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm – Good ole Burt’s Bees never gets old. She’ll love this as a stocking stuffer or just to balance off another gift you’re getting her!
  
• Fairy Lights – She’ll love these to decorate her room to show off as the background in her SnapChat or TikTok videos!
  
• Crocs Classic Clog – How are these back in style!? I love it. They are and they’re SO hot right now.
  
• Madden Girl Women’s Brando Slide-On Sandal – I feel like a broken record here, but what in the world!? I totally wore these in the 90’s and grinned when I saw teenage girls wearing them with their socks!
  
• VSCO String Wave Bracelet – The string bracelets are HUGE and she probably wants a 100 of them to wear at once on her arm. Pick her favorite color (or get a variety) and surely she’ll be in love!
  
• Bright Fuzzy Socks – Well you don’t have to be a teenage girl to love fuzzy socks. (I actually owe this idea to my teenage nephew, as he likes buying fuzzy socks for his girlfriend for her birthday and Christmas!)
  
• DIY Journaling Set – Girls are loving the DIY things right now, where they can get crafty and create new things. I thought this DIY journaling set was flipping adorable!
  
• Vineyard Vines Tees – I’m sure you’ve noticed the girls wearing the oversized t-shirts, with the shorts, crocs and carrying their hydro flasks… well a popular t-shirt right now for teenage girls tends to be a Vineyard Vines tee and they have super cute styles right now!
  
• Lightess Cinema Light Box – For a little room decor, she’ll love creating messages on these before her friends come over for a visit!
  
• Phone Case – Who doesn’t need a new phone case? Or a backup at least!? Snoop around and figure out her favorite color and see if they have a phone case in her shade!
  
• Charging Hub – How handy is this charging station for her phone and other accessories!?
  
• Roku Streaming Stick – On the higher end of a Christmas gift as far as price, I think is an affordable way to give her the option to watch a TON of tv in her room!
  
• DIY Lip Balm Kit – A mix of the lip balm and DIY ideas above, a lip balm kit would be fun to create favorite flavors and scents!
  
• Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa – Whether she’s staying with a friend, going camping with the family or she needs a quick nap in between soccer games, she’ll love this air sofa!
  
• KODAK Smile Instant Print Digital Camera – Teenage girls are too young to remember our polaroid days, so they’re loving the instant print digital camera!
  
• Apple AirPods with Charging Case – On the more expensive side of gift ideas, I don’t know if there’s a teenage gal out there that wouldn’t LOVE these. Heck, I wish I could get some of these this year!
  
• Weighted Blanket – These are all the rage right now, and even if it’s just a trend, it has been said that they can help with anxiety and help you sleep better!
  
• Starbucks Gift Card – What girl wouldn’t love to be able to hop over to Starbuck’s to get her favorite treat without having to ask mom and dad for money!?
  
• Candy – Don’t just grab a bag of candy off of the shelf at the store. Buy a few different kinds in the same color, or buy her favorites and build a candy basket in a cute container that she can reuse, like a make-up bag or jewelry box!

Did I Miss Something?

I’m sure there are SO many other items out there that a teenage girl would love, and I want to hear about it! Drop a note in the comments and let me know what it is so I can add it to this one to help others out!

What About Gift Ideas for Teenage Boys?

If you also have a teenage guy on your list, you’ll find this list of gift ideas for teenage boys super helpful too!

Christmas Gift List Printable: Keep gift buying organized with a free printable tracker template that has fill-in-the-blank bullet points to manage gifting!

Christmas Gift List Template

Hi there! Pen and paper kinda gal here.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spreadsheet and digital organizer like Trello (actually, I couldn’t survive without Trello) but there is something about writing things out with a fun pen and cute sheet of paper or a printable, which is why I created my home management binder too!

So if you’re like me and love a good pen to paper kind of organization every once in a while, then I want to share my Christmas Gift List with you, to help you manage and keep track of the Christmas gifts you’re buying for friends/family this year!

You’ll Also Love:

• Buffalo Check “NOEL” Printable Decor
• Free Buffalo Check Gift Tag Printables
• Free Grocery List Template
• Daily Planner Printable
• Blank Calendar Printable
• “Open When” Printable Gift Cards

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Gift List Printable

When designing this printable, I wanted to keep things clean and simple, and use my favorite color, coral, to match all of the other printables created here on Fantabulosity!

How to Use the Gift Printable Checklist

Simply jot down all of those that you need/want to buy for, and then list out any ideas that you have.

Once you’ve purchased or gathered the item(s) you’re giving them, mark through it!
There’s something so satisfying about crossing something off a list, don’t ya think?

Christmas Gift List Bullet Journal

I know so many of you are fans of bullet journaling, so I’m hoping that this printable is an easy addition to your own journal if you have a way of including it.

8.5 x 11 Portrait Size

This printable is designed to be printed and used loosely or can be added to a three-ring binder. However, sizing it down should work just fine if you have a smaller binder/journal you’d like to add it to.

Just check your computer’s settings to make these adjustments.

How to Access Your Free Gift List

It’s simple! Just select the button below to get your free gift list printable!

Did You Use This?
Snap a pic and hashtag it #Fantabulosity — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

If Christmas is On Your Mind, Then You’ll LOVE These Other Related Posts Too!

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How to Host a Favorite Things Party

If you’re looking for a fun party (or a low-key gathering with friends) a favorite things party is incredibly fun! Read how I host this party and play the gift exchange game!

Tips for Creating a Holiday Place Setting

I love personalizing a place setting for guests. It can help a guest feel more welcome when things are in someone else’s home, and can help make them feel a little more special! See how I designed this fun holiday place setting for Coca-Cola!

Customizable Place Card Printables

Talk about personalization! With these free customizable place card printables, you can type in your guest’s name, print out and wrap around a cloth napkin! Such an easy way to add a sweet gesture during the holidays! Use the “I’m thankful for” option or the “Welcome” option for your very own table!

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