Tips to Cope When Life Gets Crazy + What's on My Mind

{Blogged with hot tea, Kleenex and the flu}  Life is crazy for me right now, although I imagine this post could be written by any of us.  It is not just one part of my life either— its like everything is going bonkers all at once.  At home, poor Huddy has pneumonia, which is the most awful thing, but because this boy is an absolute angel, it is a lot easier than it could be. He doesn’t complain (EVER), he takes his medicine every time I ask him to and it looks like its going to be okay. You mamas know that there is nothing worse than having to stand helplessly by, knowing our children are sick, but I am hoping in the next week, he will be back to normal.  What won’t be back to normal in a week is my poor hubby.  In May 2017, he had spine surgery.  This surgery was the culmination of 5 intense weeks of extreme, debilitating pain for him, radiating down his neck and left arm, surgeons trying to schedule his procedure, us looking for any alternative to surgery…and unfortunately,  its back.  This time, its his lower back. We are hot on the trail for alternate treatments but  sometimes, when nerve pain is involved, the choices are limited.  On top of this, work is bananas.  I talk about this sometimes on Instagram but the past 15 months or so since leaving my old firm to start my own have been crazy. Like,  non-stop work and while the opportunities are exhilarating,  it is just a lot of dang work!  When life gets extra crazy for me (I also have in the mix Addison’s birthday party planning, family from Chicago coming into town later this week, and girl scout cookie sales. AND I have a cold!) here is what I do to keep sane (and I would love to hear your tips):

Try to grab silence whenever I can. I will forgo phone calls in the car on my way into the office for just blessed…silence.  Maybe I listen to a podcast, maybe just music but for 25 minutes I am wrapped in a solo cocoon and its nice.

Keep copious lists.  I go from old school hand-written lists to Wunderlist (my fave list app) and between them all, I keep everything in mind and it gets done. I think this will depend on your personality, but I tend to fill my plate to overflowing at times, and I don’t say no. I just acknowledge that it will be a rough week/month, whatever, and that realization seems to help. I know the super hard times won’t last forever,  and I just put my head down and push through.

Take baths.  Before kids, I took a bath every night; me, bubbles and a good book. Now, baths are somewhat of a luxury but when it’s crazy, I find even 10 quick minutes in a hot bath, with or without a book, helps. It’s warm, it’s quiet and it’s a stress reliever in some weird way.

I don’t think there is any magic answer for us when times are crazy but managing the crazy is key.  At the end of the day, we will get through it and as long as everyone is healthy and happy, life is just fine, right?! What are some things you do? I would love to hear from you!!

What’s on My Mind: Here are the things I’m currently obsessed with:

1. This book. I just finished it and I’m on the hunt for something new!

2. Anything that is true crime related. (Making a Murderer got us hooked!) We just finished this and this and they were SOOO good!  We are right in the middle of The Innocent Man.

3. Home design.  We want to move (I’ve been saying this forever- our neighbors and our street are just so wonderful that it makes us lazy house lookers.  When THE perfect house comes along, we’ll jump)  but until we do, I want to remodel certain parts of our home to make it appealing (to me and the future owner).  I am knee deep in house stuff and looking for a wall where I can paste this.

4. This mask. Its reasonably priced, and it gives me a rosy, fresh look without any makeup. I use a mask every time I shower and I love this one because its has some texture to exfoliate, too.

5. Blue light rays and standing desks.  I read someplace that sitting is the new smoking. Yikes! So, I ordered this for work and while I was at it, a pair of these too.  (They are from a women owned company, which is pretty awesome)!

6. Sunny destinations. We have our annual Maui trip in October and a few Palm Springs trips booked, but I want to add one more kind of close by, 3-day vacay, like maybe here.

   I remind myself that in the end, everything is going to be okay and you know why? Because it WILL! Thank you so much for stopping by- Sweetly, Michelle

Have A Little Faith?

{Blogged over the Greatest Showman soundtrack} Happy Wednesday! I am not sure why I made the effort today to come to the blog and write. Its been a while. #lifeisabsolutelycrazy Writing always makes me feel better, calmer, more focused and a little more centered.   Last night, I stumbled upon a news story that involved horrific abuse to a 2 year old boy by his mother and father. Unmentionable, heart-breaking, soul-crushing abuse that, 36 hours after injury, when his parents finally brought him to the hospital, he ultimately died from.  2 years old, and probably very little of that time filled with any sort of love or joy.  We see so much tragedy on a daily basis that I sometimes feel like we become immune to it. 

But not this story. Not this time. 

This tragedy- and the picture of the smiling tow-headed boy that accompanied it- stayed with me. I raged and cried to my husband, I cried helplessly while trying to sleep, I cried when I woke up this morning.  At the best of times, I am a highly empathetic person who tears up at the drop of a hat, but this has weighed so heavy on me. Being a mother of a 20 month old little boy myself might have something to do with it, but it occurred to me today- as it has so many times in the past- that children are excruciatingly vulnerable, and there is nothing more than a dice roll that determines the parents we get. Are you the unfortunate recipient of a mother who spends her money on her nails (or drugs) instead of diapers? Or a dad that is short-tempered or cruel or disinterested?  Everyone I know takes parenting so seriously- from the food we feed our children, to schoolwork, to their activities-- that we forget there is a whole world out there of emotionally and physically neglected, abused children.  I want to scoop up every child (and dog!) and bring them to live with me in a loving home.  

I wasn't sure where to turn, so I turned to God and I prayed. It still didn't feel like enough and I have to admit that here is where my faith is always tested the most-- because how can we believe in a benevolent loving God in a world where terrible things are allowed to happen to innocents?  It bothers me, this.  But I prayed about it and here I am, feeling a bit better but wanting so much to roll up my sleeves and help somewhere.  I lead a life that is as busy as everyone's and finding time to volunteer seems daunting. Donating money doesn't seem like enough.  I am going to find a path for good here and just TRY to do something.  I think we live in a world where people constantly proclaim themselves blessed, but so much of those basic blessings are things beyond our control.  I think I want to count my blessings, yes, always, but also try to give to those who don't have these same blessings. 

This is a heavy post, but I hope that's ok.  The world is a heavy place and there are times when it feels good to turn to this beautiful community, because its a reminder that good people are still out there.    Sending love and brighter days to us all- Sweetly Michelle

Floral set (similar) Here, Here, Here  Here and Here

Purses (similar) Here

Shoes (similar) Here and Here

How to Look Tan-Tastic

{Blogged after a visit to the genius bar with my laptop :/} Ok, so I do not claim to be an expert on anything, let alone self tanners.  But I have used them for a long time because I am rarely in the sun (and I have the pale legs to prove it!) and I have developed some tricks over the years.  I think most of us feel better when we have a little color to our skin, but we also know that getting that tan from any way besides a bottle is really bad for us.  Enter my friend the self-tanner.   Since warmer weather is (or should be- dang June gloom) upon us, I figured I'd give you my thoughts on the best way to get that tropical tan --without the plane ride... or the tropics :(

1. Professional Spray Tan- This is by far my preference.  If I can have someone spray me all over with a nice bronzey mist, I am a happy girl.  But this is pricey and scheduling can prove a challenge and I normally reserve this for special events- a wedding or some fancy event I am going to.  So long as you follow the guidelines (e.g., don't shower or sweat or sit on any white couches for at least 6 hours), this is almost idiot proof.  

2. Spray Tan Booth- If I can't have someone come over and hose me down with a tan, I will go to a tanning salon and hop in one of those mystic booths.  The important thing here is to choose a color that is complimentary to your skin (like, untan me could not waltz in and ask for the darkest solution they have) and work your way up to a darker tan.   The key to this is the preparation you do before you get into the booth --carefully tuck your hair behind your ears and into a plastic cap. Pay attention as to where the elastic sits on your forehead-- if it is down too far, it will leave a  not-so-charming tan line where one shouldn't be!   Also, use the lotion that is provided as a barrier to those spots that don't need to be too tan- elbows, knees, tops of feet, palms, between fingers and toes, etc.  This takes practice to get it just right,  Then, strip, hop into the machine, hold your breath and follow the poses they suggest.  Once you have been sufficiently misted, you need to carefully wipe off the lotion you applied and lightly pat yourself dry.  This sort of tanning system can be susceptible to drips, so look at the back of your legs, your arms, etc and pat pat pat (no rubbing) until you are dry.  The worst part of this is you have to get dressed when you are still sort of sticky.  Bring loose, baggy, DARK clothes and try not to disturb  your beautiful glow.  I usually try to get this spray tan on a Friday night,   I will go to sleep all tanned up, take a shower Saturday and by Tuesday or Wednesday, I am ready for another squirt. 

3. Self-Tanner- For my daily uneventful, just going to work life, I am a huge fan of the self tanner.  I have tried a TON over the years and I will admittedly try anything new that comes on the market.  Now, I do love the products by Stila and Nars that are meant to be washed off at the end of the night and I will use these (and those brushes filled with glitter) all the time.  But my tried and true favorites are St Tropez for my body and Dr Dennis Gross for my face.  I have also recently started using the Charlotte Tiibury Night Mask but I haven't used it enough to form an opinion.  For the St Tropez- they sell a handy mitt that makes it really easy but I never use it.  The mousse texture goes on perfectly after a shower, when you are nice and dry.  DO NOT moisturize immediately before or after you self tan.   It is a dark mousse that allows you to see exactly where are you spreading it.  You will come to know how much you need to apply, but less is more my friends.   Once you have it on, you will need to SCRUB your hands. Like, maybe a few times- your palms and between your fingers especially.  I will do this before work and by lunch time, I am looking tan.  This usually lasts 2 days, so once summer is in full swing and I am wearing skirts, I will do this twice or more a week.   For my face, I really like the pads by Dr Gross.  There are some skin care products built in, but for these, I will wash my face and apply this tanner maybe an hour or more before bed time.  Then, right before bed time, when I know this tanner is dry and wont smudge, I will add my serum and night cream.

And that's it! I want to hear the tanners that you love ... and I will also do a post about sunscreen (as they kinda go hand in hand), because I have some tried and true too.  I linked these products and my cute romper below-- happy Friday beautiful friends.. Sweetly, Michelle 

photos by @bleudogfotography

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Festival Inspired Florals

{Blogged with Real Housewives of Dallas in the background....YASSS for bad tv!} 

Last year, I was convinced that I would be in Palm Springs for Coachella this year .....What a difference a year and the second trimester does to a gal!!   I really wanted to go because I love live music but more than that, I love events that create memories. It would be so fun to rent a house or two with a bunch of girl friends or couples and just spend all of that time together.  Before we started a family, my husband and I spent a lot of time traveling and getting together with friends for trips or concerts or dinner parties and pretty much all of that stopped when everyone started to have children. But just because I am sporting a baby bump doesn't mean I can't still enjoy festival inspired fashion, right? I mean, I can't fully fully enjoy it because nobody wants to see this mama to be in short, sheer ruffles but maybe I can still  enjoy a little boho floral dress!  

I loved this dress when I saw it and I wish I would've stumbled upon it before Easter because it would have been so cute with a little cardigan to wear to church! I paired it with a cute little pink floppy hat and my little suede booties and it is the perfect weekend look! Speaking of weekend, we are almost to mid-week... Yayyy! Hope your week is a lovely one so far and as always, I so appreciate you stopping by! Sweetly, Michelle

Dress|| Hat ||  Boots ||