tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60955097684479415292024-03-13T22:05:11.421-07:00texasweetteatexasweettea is a lifestyle blogger based out of Houston,Texas, bringing you a mix of boho fashion, college Greek life + vegan recipes.texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-86108396703539210632023-07-10T08:00:00.001-07:002023-07-10T08:00:00.272-07:00Amazon Prime Day 2023<p> Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>While it may be a million and one degrees outside, it's time to start shopping for Christmas - right? Kinda, sorta, maybe?? 😅 </p><p><br /></p><p>Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/primeday" target="_blank">Amazon Prime Day Deals</a>. Prime Day is Tuesday, July 11th, and Wednesday, July 12th, 2023. It's Amazon's deal event exclusively for Prime members, featuring personalized deals and top brands.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you don't already have an Amazon Prime Membership, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6095509768447941529/8610839670353921063#" target="_blank">you can sign up here for a 30-day free trial</a>. Because we all know you can't miss out on Taylor Swift's music featured in the newest season of <i>The Summer I Turned Pretty</i> on Prime Video.</p><p><br /></p><p>And for my current and soon-to-be students, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6095509768447941529/8610839670353921063#" target="_blank">you can sign up here for a free 6-month trial</a>. When you're looking for a tie-dye t-shirt the night before your next date party, you'll be happy you can just Prime ship it overnight. (And yes, that's an emergency situation!!!)</p><p><br /></p><p>I’m on the hunt for some Christmas gifts for E - he’ll be almost 2 which is CRAZY! We need some new clothes, practical home items, and a few fun toys. Also books, because even though HE can't read, I can. And mom is getting a little tired of reading <i>The Little Blue Truck</i> 15 times in a row...</p><p><br /></p><p>I’m also hoping to pick up some new kitchenware for our home. We bought a house last year, and our kitchen has SO. MANY. CABINETS. I’m ready to ditch the spaghetti-stained Tupperware and replace them with grown-up glassware and storage. </p><p><br /></p><p>So here are some of my favorites AND things I'm keeping an eye on! (PS - I'll be adding some day of deals to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/texasweettea/" target="_blank">my Instagram Story</a> so be sure to follow along there too!)</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglsugTF_pKK1g2b7C4J2TcG0Q3allalr9A9U_6Nyv00EFhCd0cW7_XmtGCL-Rf11UsJjDRzmsxq4jMTVE3pJixMa7KvwjuY9-YEJ_vEnWBoYTVEz7-4TwQu4TLxsufOkZZPF28Nxfk525nZcLB9YrwsXQ_f4xajGaRhT5mE8XKCh9syqV4djn1glAu7abo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglsugTF_pKK1g2b7C4J2TcG0Q3allalr9A9U_6Nyv00EFhCd0cW7_XmtGCL-Rf11UsJjDRzmsxq4jMTVE3pJixMa7KvwjuY9-YEJ_vEnWBoYTVEz7-4TwQu4TLxsufOkZZPF28Nxfk525nZcLB9YrwsXQ_f4xajGaRhT5mE8XKCh9syqV4djn1glAu7abo=s16000" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p><b><u>Kids</u></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/439b29K" target="_blank">Bentgo Kids Lunch Box</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/46FfqA6" target="_blank">DASH Multi Mini Waffle Maker</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3D4AVwI" target="_blank">Learn to Talk Board Book</a></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Health & Wellness</u></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3CZUhDg" target="_blank">Liquid I.V. </a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NJIn5y">Mighty Patch for Acne</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NF7Ixh" target="_blank">Kindle Paperwhite Bundle</a></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Home</u></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3JK4eZa" target="_blank">Pyrex Glass Food Storage Container Set</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3O4AqcD" target="_blank">Immersion Blender</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3O3pWtN" target="_blank">Corelle Vitrelle 18-Piece Service for 6 Dinnerware Set</a></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Some more deals to look out for:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Save up to 40% on select Bose headphones, speakers, and soundbars.</li><li>Save up to 50% on select floorcare from Bissell and iRobot.</li><li>Save up to 40% on Peloton Bike, Bike+, Guide, accessories, and select apparel.</li><li>Save up to 40% on select kitchen appliances from Ninja, Keurig, Vitamix, and Breville.</li><li>Save up to 35% on select beauty and skincare products from Anastasia Beverly Hills, Lancôme, IT cosmetics, and Urban Decay.</li><li>Save up to 30% on select, Amazon-exclusive kids' and baby fashion from Amazon Essentials and Simple Joys by Carter's.</li><li>Save 20% on select products from Chamberlain Coffee by Emma Chamberlain.</li></ul><div><br /></div><b>Back-to-school Deals to look out for:</b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>up to 55% off select mattresses and beds from Zinus</li><li>30% off select lunch boxes from Bentgo</li><li>30% off select shoes from Hey Dude</li><li>Prime members can also stock up and save 20% off $30 of select school supplies and everyday essentials</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What deals are you shopping for? Leave a comment down below!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-70896329394619859862022-06-10T09:55:00.002-07:002022-06-10T10:02:14.457-07:00What I Packed in my Hospital Bag (And What I Actually Used!)<p>Hey y'all!<br /><br /></p><p>I'm so happy to hear all of the positive feedback from <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2022/05/baby-es-positive-birth-story.html" target="_blank">sharing my birth experience</a> with y'all! It took me a long time to write, but I didn't want to leave out any details. I think a lot of the scary part of birth is the unknown, so I hope that it will continue to serve as a positive birth story for other mamas!</p><p><br /></p><p>My type A personality had me packing my hospital bag at 32 weeks. I'm glad that I did because it gave me time to think and replace stuff as I researched more. There are SO many hospital packing lists out there. I looked at quite a few and picked what sounded right for me.</p><p><br /></p><p>I figured I'd share what I brought and what I actually used. Since I did have an induction AND checked out a little over 24 hours after having bubs, my experience was a little different than most moms. BUT I did still stay a total of 2 nights since I went in early for the prep. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 16.5px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">When shopping these links, I may earn a small commission from your purchases. This is no charge to you </span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 16.5px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">but helps me pay for all things texasweettea. Thank you for making my dream possible!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 16.5px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p>I personally didn't bring my own pillow or towels. Neither did my husband. I think if you're really particular about that stuff, then it could be worth it. But we felt completely fine without them.</p><p><br /></p><p>We used <a href="https://amzn.to/3xDA5En" target="_blank">this travel-sized carry-on suitcase</a> for our stuff. I had my clothes/items on one side and my husband had his things and baby E's stuff on the other. It made it way easier on him to take up to our room and down when we were leaving. It's also totally worth it to pack a reusable tote bag for extras that the hospital gives you. Take allllllll the things they offer!</p><p><br /></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC6rtDmovxFtbKuuS4YzwjucZZ5fptwEZb23J2gV2DF1-fJvoirHuszEgAI_xNy6l-i7nLfRzKl4anbXEJPruXVUyiSwH_xKmJilMrN_BnoVzy4amHiCsYFvd7-W_z-T-U9joo03O-5oBxlIKeUa_vEv2ofwNp_FnRZef4IK8W1kqopfjfx16RDs6Zhg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC6rtDmovxFtbKuuS4YzwjucZZ5fptwEZb23J2gV2DF1-fJvoirHuszEgAI_xNy6l-i7nLfRzKl4anbXEJPruXVUyiSwH_xKmJilMrN_BnoVzy4amHiCsYFvd7-W_z-T-U9joo03O-5oBxlIKeUa_vEv2ofwNp_FnRZef4IK8W1kqopfjfx16RDs6Zhg=s16000" /></a></b></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><b><br />For Mama:</b><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://bit.ly/3GKEzgt" target="_blank"><b>Cozy Robe</b></a>: I didn't wear this until after delivery because I didn't want to have to worry about it getting dirty. Birth is pretty messy so I recommend just using their gowns when laboring and switching to your own stuff after your first shower!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://bit.ly/3mfqAFO" target="_blank">Button-Down Pajamas</a> (3x)</b>: I brought 3 pairs, but only wore 2 of them. If you're planning on breastfeeding, definitely recommend that you get a button-down pair for easy access! <a href="https://bit.ly/3mfqAFO" target="_blank">These ones from Target</a> are my absolute favorite and I have them in 3 different colors. I like that they're long pants and short sleeves because hospitals are cold but giving birth had me sweating haha.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Fuzzy Grip Socks (3x)</b>: Most hospitals will give you grippy socks, but I was really glad I brought my own. Way softer and made me feel more like a normal person and less like a patient.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3xfVX9z" target="_blank">Slide on Slippers</a></b>: Although I mostly wore my socks during my hospital stay, I was glad I had the option of my slippers. I ended up wearing them home from the hospital too!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3xBzhAN" target="_blank">Sleep Mask</a></b>: It's hard to have your room be fully dark, especially with all the equipment. I'm really glad I had my mask to help me block most of it out so I could attempt to get some shut-eye!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Hair Tie/<a href="https://amzn.to/3tty7VD" target="_blank">Hair Clip</a></b>: I was REALLY hot during labor, so I definitely used a hair tie to help keep my hair up and off my neck. I do wish I had packed a <a href="https://amzn.to/3wNqf3s" target="_blank">portable fan</a> to attach to the side of my bed. We have <a href="https://amzn.to/3wNqf3s" target="_blank">this one</a> for our stroller and it would have been perfect!<br /></li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3mf7DmW" target="_blank">Hatch Sound Machine</a></b>: If you don't already have this on your registry, add it NOW! We've used it every single day for E's naps and bedtime routine. I swear by it! But it's also something super easy to pack in your hospital bag. Hospitals are LOUD and you're constantly being checked on by nurses. This helped my husband and I sleep easier through the night and also helped E sleep once he came into the world!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Essential Oil Roller</b>: When I was having contractions, it was really helpful to have something to smell to help distract me. I didn't use it on my body, but I liked waving it back and forth under my nose while I took deep breaths.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Personal Toiletries</b>: I took my own travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, and moisturizer. It felt good to use my own things and smell like myself. That after-labor shower is EVERYTHING!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3MhSRGD" target="_blank"><b>Frida Peri Bottle</b></a>: IF YOU BUY ONE THING FROM THIS ENTIRE BLOG POST, LET IT BE THIS! Y'all, the hospital peri bottles freaking suck. This one is a total game-changer. If you don't know what a peri bottle is, basically you fill it with warm water and spray it on yourself while you pee. It helps with the burning and makes cleanup a lot easier. You. Need. This.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/39XZwrH" target="_blank"><b>Laxative Gummies</b></a>: I'm a baby who can't swallow pills so I took these instead. Trust me, you will want to take these for the first week at home. Better safe than sorry!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3zgC6sb" target="_blank">Boppy Nursing Pillow</a></b>: I took a travel boppy (which they don't make anymore) to help support my arms while feeding E. It was really helpful to not have to use a million hospital pillows to try to prop him up. If you're breastfeeding and have room in your bag, I think it's worth taking it. I just wrapped it around the handle of our bag.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Affirmation Cards</b>: I highly recommend checking out one of <a href="https://mommylabornurse.com/birth-prep-packs/" target="_blank">Mommy Labor Nurse</a>'s pregnancy packs. They're all free and sorted by Natural Birth, Epidural Birth, and C-Section Birth so you can choose which one works for you. Inside the Natural Birth Prep Pack, she has a set of affirmation cards. I had my husband read them to me while I had contractions. It was really helpful to have something else to focus on.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/395d5FT" target="_blank">Nipple Butter</a></b>: I brought a vegan one since I figured the hospital one wouldn't be vegan-friendly. I love this stuff!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NgGuvy" target="_blank"><b>Water Bottle</b></a>: I have both a <a href="https://amzn.to/3NgGuvy" target="_blank">HydroFlask</a> and the <a href="https://bit.ly/3zu8rMz" target="_blank">TikTok Famous Stanley Cup</a>. I took both with me. One for water and one for Body Armor. It's really important to stay hydrated during labor so I was glad I had two options to choose from.</li></ul><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgohI9bRvc3GhLjSJBHL_y2Z3_trbxPOgbWol0NP0h0DyGhaTPH7Om74sRasb9LGnJ8LT7diPRiE5l_yC0bMHJiwcTGdaxz3pmRFDQX6WrqufRJ6wF1SGphJ4T8CvsOK0bjGUiuEPCRfmUomFPbc2oCCjs3eLKxUFCV5V7ax4-tO8LxlolwbpNWwWsQ-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgohI9bRvc3GhLjSJBHL_y2Z3_trbxPOgbWol0NP0h0DyGhaTPH7Om74sRasb9LGnJ8LT7diPRiE5l_yC0bMHJiwcTGdaxz3pmRFDQX6WrqufRJ6wF1SGphJ4T8CvsOK0bjGUiuEPCRfmUomFPbc2oCCjs3eLKxUFCV5V7ax4-tO8LxlolwbpNWwWsQ-w=s16000" /></a></div></div><p></p><p><b>For Baby:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3xgrMzh" target="_blank"><b>Electric Nail File</b></a>: Babies have teenie tiny fingernails! And when they're born, they've got some pretty long ones! Instead of trying to clip them, I highly recommend getting an electric file. It's way more gentle and practically impossible to cut their fingers. I'm glad we had one in the hospital because our little dude loved having his hands by his face, so we were able to avoid him giving himself scratch marks.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3mgiX25" target="_blank"><b>Zip Up Swaddle</b></a>: I had my dad bring us this swaddle from our house because we were tired of wrapping and unwrapping him in the hospital blankets. It's WAY easier to change them if you just have a simple zip-up or velcro swaddle.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3Nguw4Z" target="_blank">Bamboo Pajamas</a> (2x)</b>: Most of the time, we just had E in his diaper, but at night we put him in pajamas! I recommend bringing 2 of these just in case of an accident or spit-up. E basically lived in zip-up pajamas for the first month of his life. The bamboo ones are the best because they're super stretchy for little baby bodies. He's 24 inches long now at 9 weeks and still fits in the newborn size we used in the hospital!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://saranoni.com/collections/mini-bamboni-blankets/products/taupe-bamboni-home-throw-blanket" target="_blank"><b>Baby Blanket</b></a>: Our friend gifted us this from our registry. It seems really small but it's the perfect size for a newborn! It's a really similar feel to the Barefoot Dreams blankets but at a way more affordable price.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://bit.ly/3xcXzzY" target="_blank">Going Home Outfit</a></b>: A lot of people use tie-up gowns which are cute for pictures. But remember that you can't safely put baby in a car seat while they're in it. We went with a 3 piece matching set that's adjustable for longer use.<br /></li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3GQdGaI" target="_blank"><b>Car Seat</b></a>: We have the Chico KeyFit 30 that a family friend gave us second-hand. We love it! Really easy to install using the bases. I'd definitely recommend it.</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Things I packed but didn't use:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nursing Bra</b>: I packed a few but didn't end up wearing one at all! Your milk doesn't fully come in until a few days after giving birth, so I didn't have to worry about leaking. If you're bigger chested, you may feel more comfortable having one with you.</li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Preppy Pops</b>: I had these left over from early in my pregnancy so I threw some in the hospital snack bag. I didn't end up feeling nauseous so I just never got them out of the bag.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Gum</b>: Again, this could help you out with nausea but I just didn't need it!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Portable Charger</b>: I actually didn't charge my phone the whole time I was at the hospital! So many lists recommend using an extra-long charger. But if you're not close to an outlet (or are clumsy with cables), a portable charger is an even better option because you can have it next to you in bed. If I cared about charging my phone, I probably would have used it!</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Breast Pump</b>: I'm glad I took this one even though I didn't use it. My plan was to have the lactation consultant at the hospital help me find my proper flange size and how to use the pump. She ended up being so overrun while we were there that we only got to meet with her one time only an hour after I gave birth. If you plan on pumping, I really would try to bring your pump and meet with the LC.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>I hope this helped some of my mama friends out! I'm sure I'm forgetting something on this list, so let me know what you used or didn't use at the hospital. Everyone's experience is always so different! I'm loving writing again so expect to see lots more content real soon.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div><p></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-64405270256892716592022-05-25T13:17:00.006-07:002022-06-10T09:55:55.493-07:00Baby E's Positive Birth Story<p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey y'all!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow, I haven't written a blog post in almost an entire YEAR! The whole ~world shutting down and never being the same~ really puts a damper on creativity...or at least it did for me. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In case you don't follow me on Instagram, you probably missed out on the fact that I recently had my first baby, Emmitt! He's 8 weeks old today!</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't believe I didn't post any pregnancy blog posts. Even though I really had an <i>almost perfect</i> pregnancy, I didn't feel like sharing too much about it. I have lots of postpartum and baby product recommendations that I can't wait to share soon though!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to write down my birth story with my sweet baby boy so I can share my positive experience using <b>hypnobirthing</b> and <b>having an induction</b>. This might be a long one, but I'm so excited to write it!</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9XoGk-Nnh5FSOMDRs9L7h3WxvBuLrUIty2y6S9qRLV4fFFD9IZ18WGMGj-397kd0Gu97q4IW0Q5y0D9kDkOQQjsvntyoUJ1QL9LDAvyEU0culqF8LNugSoO6dy1zEzHD6Eagoper0LDwof0nb6svSKg3IA8JRNoK34jEaG78dxIl_zQVHR9eHjxNQeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9XoGk-Nnh5FSOMDRs9L7h3WxvBuLrUIty2y6S9qRLV4fFFD9IZ18WGMGj-397kd0Gu97q4IW0Q5y0D9kDkOQQjsvntyoUJ1QL9LDAvyEU0culqF8LNugSoO6dy1zEzHD6Eagoper0LDwof0nb6svSKg3IA8JRNoK34jEaG78dxIl_zQVHR9eHjxNQeg=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I became pregnant, I said I wanted to get an epidural. But once I was realistically considering my options, I decided I wanted to try to do a medicated free birth. I was still very much open to the idea of an epidural but wanted to see what my body could handle.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my "mom groups" on Facebook, I had heard a lot about hypnobirthing. No, it’s not about being hypnotized but rather using breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation. After doing some research myself, I decided to purchase </span><a href="https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/digital-pack" target="_blank">The Hypnobirthing Digital Pack by The Positive Birth Company</a>. I will say that it's a UK-based course so some of the information isn't exactly relevant or accurate for the US healthcare system. I've heard really great things about the Hynpobabies course, but wanted something more affordable!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My husband, Michael, and I watched the video course while I was in the beginning of my third trimester. It's got a lot of great printable resources as well. I really felt like taking the course helped prepare me mentally. One of my favorite mantras I pulled from taking the class was:</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Birth is natural and my body is MADE for it!</p></blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For my birth plan (or as I like to refer to it as "birth preference" since you can't really exactly plan birth), I used the free <a href="https://mommylabornurse.com/how-to-make-a-birth-plan/" target="_blank">Mommy Labor Nurse Birth Plan Template</a>. I found it the easiest to use since I could just check off what I wanted while in labor. She's a great resource for all things birth so definitely <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mommy.labornurse/" target="_blank">give her a follow</a> if you're pregnant!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My preferences were pretty straightforward. I wanted as natural of a birth as possible but was open to any medical intervention deemed necessary. So with that in mind...</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I somehow made it to 41 weeks and made the decision to be induced. I had tried EVERYTHING starting at 38 weeks to get my body to go into labor naturally, but nothing worked. Seriously, I ate 6 dates a day, drank multiple cups of red raspberry leaf tea daily, curb walked, completed the miles circuit, used my pump...</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It felt discouraging since my OBGYN had told me at my 37-week appointment that she thought I'd be in labor soon. Even at my 40-week appointment she had said she was shocked that I was still pregnant! Baby boy was so low my entire pregnancy and everything seemed right, but it just wasn't happening for me.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I had been having on and off contractions for a few weeks. I even had a few "tonight is the night!!" moments, but everything would die back down in the morning. I felt frustrated and disappointed because I really wanted to let my body do its own thing. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">At my 40-week appointment, we ultimately decided to book an induction date. I had 5 days to try to get my body to go into labor, but again, baby boy was staying put.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My induction was booked for Tuesday, March 29th. Since this was my first baby and I was only dilated to a 2, they had me come in on Monday night to start prepping my cervix. It was kind of nice knowing what was going to happen because it allowed Michael and I to enjoy our final night together as just us.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We got Chuy's for dinner, came home and showered, then headed into the hospital. I felt relaxed and reminded myself that tomorrow, my baby would be in the world! </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyhu1OFyb2Zd4T4eTUb3F6LGcJViqbi1oRWLAt3nEve2ufJuzijm-j1NvOEtUbA0bqa2fiFZWWYcCEngpR5MsKzZ-2vtQcJYXELaFwn0gQFQOodCp7JZ3Jtq54l2GWPfd3lm-E98G-KNTNpjbUb-mGGxXi4s3c19qT4UAyqrOBM4kXaTJKeqS8gSF4tg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyhu1OFyb2Zd4T4eTUb3F6LGcJViqbi1oRWLAt3nEve2ufJuzijm-j1NvOEtUbA0bqa2fiFZWWYcCEngpR5MsKzZ-2vtQcJYXELaFwn0gQFQOodCp7JZ3Jtq54l2GWPfd3lm-E98G-KNTNpjbUb-mGGxXi4s3c19qT4UAyqrOBM4kXaTJKeqS8gSF4tg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Once we had checked in, they had me take a shower and use a medicated wash on my body. Then I had an IV inserted, blood pressure cuff on, a monitor on my belly and we began using Cervadil to ripen my cervix. I slept pretty horribly because the blood pressure cuff would take a reading every 30 minutes. But it was also sweet since we got to hear baby boy's heartbeat all night long on the monitor!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the morning, I was dilated to a 3 and they started me on Pitocin. Around 9:00am, my doctor arrived to break my water and get labor started! She said she'd see me in a few hours. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Right away, my contractions went from a 3 to a 10 on the pain scale. Thankfully, my mom arrived just in time to help Michael support me through the intense surges. I knew that labor would be uncomfortable, but people who compare contractions to period cramps are definitely wrong!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I used the <a href="https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/freya-hypnobirthing-app" target="_blank">Freya App from Positive Birth Co</a> to listen to meditations and remind myself of breathing techniques. It was really hard to focus on anything but how my body was feeling. I moved out of the bed to try and walk around but found it most comfortable to be on my hands and knees. I actually couldn't even sit down. I think I might have been sitting on his head because the pressure was so uncomfortable!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The worst part was being hooked up to the IV and Pitocin so I was setting off alarms from the position of the tubing. I was also extremely hot and asked for an ice pack to put on the back of my neck as I knelt on the ground. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One piece of advice I would give to people going through labor is to have your partner study pain relief options to offer. Michael was amazing at applying counter pressure to my back when I asked for it. Basically, he pushed down and in on my hip bones to help relieve back labor.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After about 40 minutes of being on the ground, I had the urge to push. Being my first birthing experience, I figured this is just what it felt like. There was no way that I was going to give birth that quickly! </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My contractions kept coming in waves, and I was definitely feeling primal. I let myself yell and moan as much as I needed. My husband said it scared him a little but it really helped me get through them! </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Since the pain was so intense at this point, I asked (honestly I kind of begged) for an epidural and also mentioned that I felt the need to push. My mom called my nurse to let her know I wanted medication and that I was having an urge to push. (Later, my mom said she looked at Michael, doubtful that baby was on its way so soon haha!)</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I had my eyes closed and was just listening and waiting for the epidural to come through the door. My nurse came to check my progression and said, I was dilated to an 8 which meant no epidural, <b>it's baby time</b>!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My doctor was juuuuust about to go to a cesarean, so another doctor stepped in to help. I honestly could not tell you who was in the room while I was going through delivery. I had my eyes closed with an ice pack laid over them the entire time. Again, I just tried to focus on my meditation app, but it was really difficult.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thankfully, my doctor made it in time when I was able to start pushing! When I was delivering, it was important for me to listen to my body, not someone telling me when and how to push. I was grateful my doctor was able to make it since the first doctor was stressing me out the way she was instructing me.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Baby boy was ready to come out, and I was pushing with all my might. I think pushing was worse than the contractions because you just so badly want to see your baby. We did have a short moment where his heart rate dropped since I was struggling to push him out, but hearing that was enough to encourage me to push my hardest.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After about an hour of pushing (it honestly felt like hours and minutes all at the same time), sweet baby Emmitt was born into the world! My first thought when I saw him was "oh my goodness he's BLONDE!" He was an 8lb chunky boy and he's so so perfect.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDMLrP4peOz6dnprM8RDZ1PD0PcYL4xTq9dO9rF3c_CQeuvPfiLc-ibyTg74Y09_6Z38oxQer-OIHZ5F__2qAW3jWnRvQ2iRwk9XgGLx2eJ4usarXN2W9jxqT7Gat6WoGi-j894JSrZssbYg1gXC6kVgmtyb3sEtwxzhdYGavVBlASK9YmRA105jOh6Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDMLrP4peOz6dnprM8RDZ1PD0PcYL4xTq9dO9rF3c_CQeuvPfiLc-ibyTg74Y09_6Z38oxQer-OIHZ5F__2qAW3jWnRvQ2iRwk9XgGLx2eJ4usarXN2W9jxqT7Gat6WoGi-j894JSrZssbYg1gXC6kVgmtyb3sEtwxzhdYGavVBlASK9YmRA105jOh6Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I was nervous to deliver the placenta, as I heard it could be painful as well. But honestly, I was on such a high from seeing my baby that it felt like a relief when it was delivered. I only had a small tear, so stitches were minimal.<p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our golden hour was magical. He snuggled right up to me and latched pretty well right off the bat. I am so so in love!!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Within a few hours of delivery, I was able to get up and walk around. I truly am grateful that I didn't get an epidural since it made recovery so much easier. In fact, a few of the nurses commented that it didn't even seem like I had just had a baby haha. We even got to leave the next day (they usually keep you 48 hours after birth, but we only stayed a little over 24) since both bubs and I were thriving.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUFnlkJ70TuNRPrGZf_IpoMg2-ETVmNRLWkxpOs-Cik7m6LUBlJy3JKvkWM7TLnECKYcftHRN8IIkjeYfjC390JGbkyeB8uV7F11pnII7nCrF3jMMId1HLmQNyv-WYQM5qsVTuS5xMIkbRIJpoXv9AJ3A4Q0xWwOwP3nik8bw0dZNnhvbIKcd5Mft12w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUFnlkJ70TuNRPrGZf_IpoMg2-ETVmNRLWkxpOs-Cik7m6LUBlJy3JKvkWM7TLnECKYcftHRN8IIkjeYfjC390JGbkyeB8uV7F11pnII7nCrF3jMMId1HLmQNyv-WYQM5qsVTuS5xMIkbRIJpoXv9AJ3A4Q0xWwOwP3nik8bw0dZNnhvbIKcd5Mft12w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He has been the perfect addition to our family. Peanut (our dog) was great with him from the start and I cannot wait to watch their relationship grow stronger for years to come! Denny (our cat) is still curious from a distance, but we know they'll be buds eventually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're going to be pretty selective about how much we share about our sweet baby E. Navigating social media as a parent is hard! Thank you for letting me choose what we post and for enjoying the information we do share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>If you have any other questions, especially about inductions, please feel free to DM or email me! You can do it, mama. Birth is tough but so are YOU!<p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">xo,</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Sarah</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-89126727639421195082021-05-19T08:30:00.003-07:002021-05-19T10:58:56.537-07:00Journal Prompts for Your Highest Self<p> Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>Let's do a check-in here. How ARE you? You feeling okay? I hope you are. Times have been tough, but I want you to know that I love each and every single one of you that stumbles across my blog. I will always be here for you if you need a friend.</p><p><br /></p><p>As for me, I've been feeling a lil bit 'meh'. I think I'm hitting a roadblock and feeling some real burnout in the creative areas of my life. Your girl needs a vacation and thankfully has one planned real soon.</p><p><br /></p><p>Blogging for me has always been one of my favorite ways to push through the hard parts of life. So here I am!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Today I want to talk about showing up for your highest self. And I know you're thinking "<i>Sarah, I don't even show up for my right-now-self</i>". To that, I say, "<i>same girl</i>." But that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't strive to become the gal (or guy) we know we can be.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's time to get out your trusty journal and favorite pen and think. Imagine your absolute highest self. What does that feel like? Who is she/he/they? Below is a list of questions to ask yourself as you journal.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bXgnevWJZ5k/YJ18nKbSmTI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/UzenbQlQGLcaXjrZL0wzHhMzsmzulfYngCLcBGAsYHQ/highest%2Bself%2Bjournal%2Bprompts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bXgnevWJZ5k/YJ18nKbSmTI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/UzenbQlQGLcaXjrZL0wzHhMzsmzulfYngCLcBGAsYHQ/highest%2Bself%2Bjournal%2Bprompts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vRoew4KKqI/YKVRq1klOyI/AAAAAAAAN6I/vMRF6fHehN44JgtOgP93nv06iIB028GagCLcBGAsYHQ/highest%2Bself%2Bjournal%2Bprompts%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vRoew4KKqI/YKVRq1klOyI/AAAAAAAAN6I/vMRF6fHehN44JgtOgP93nv06iIB028GagCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/highest%2Bself%2Bjournal%2Bprompts%2B%25281%2529.png" /></a></div><br /></div></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><br />As you journal about your highest self, really dig deep into what feelings having these things would bring. Would you be at peace? Would you be full of love and abundance? You should know that you can be happy as you are now, but it's always good to set goals and expectations for where you want to be in x amount of time.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>So now you know what your highest self really craves. Let's focus on how to get there. What areas of your life do you feel are holding you back? Are there ways you can fix that? Start with the end goal and work your way back with reasonable and attainable goals.</p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe the pandemic has made you realize you thrive in an at-home work environment. Now that the world is "reopening", you want to make a career change but find it difficult because you're also comfortable where you're at. (Speaking for a friend, duh 😉)</p><p><br /></p><p>So using seeking a career example of your highest self. You want to be a full-time remote graphic designer for a health and wellness company making $65,000 by December 2021. Here are some steps you could take. Reminder: start with the final goal and work your way down. By breaking it down into easy and manageable steps, your goal starts to seem a lot more attainable.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Final Goal for December:</b> Remote graphic designer making $65,000 in the health and wellness space</p><p><br /></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>November:</b> Feel confident in your abilities as you try your best and believe that all your previous months of research and hard work will pay off. Don't give up on yourself! (And if you got a job before this point, you freaking go girl!!!)</li><li><b>October:</b> Continue applying for positions. Leverage yourself by attending online job fairs or other social networking opportunities for remote applicants. Seek out people who inspire you or can help you achieve your goal.</li><li><b>September:</b> Ramp up your applications and try to apply for 5-10 jobs a day for 5 days out of the week. Build on your former connections with Zoom or coffee meetups to ask for advice or references.</li><li><b>August:</b> Aim to apply for 1-5 jobs a day for 3 days out of the week. Begin forming LinkedIn connections with people who have similar roles to the job you are seeking.</li><li><b>July:</b> Start updating your resume and cover letter. Research classes and certifications you can take or add to your skillset.</li><li><b>June:</b> Begin looking into jobs within the health and wellness space. Update your website and portfolio to reflect your highest quality of work. </li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I hope all of that made sense. Your girl had a little case of word vomit in this blogpost, but sometimes it really do be like that. Anyway, I love you all so much and I want you to achieve your wildest dreams. I believe in you. And you should believe in yourself too! Feel free to chat in my inbox!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">xo,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sarah</p><p><br /></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-42106421220605506542021-05-12T07:00:00.000-07:002021-05-12T07:00:07.329-07:00Beach-Ready Amazon Finds<p> Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm so excited to FINALLY go on a vacation! The past year has been so hard on everyone, and I know we're all feeling the travel bug. Since we're all vaccinated and enjoying #ShotGirlSummer (because getting vaccinated is your duty as a good/kind/caring human being), I'm going to South Padre Island with my in-laws next month!</p><p><br /></p><p>Since I haven't been to the beach in what feels like 100 years, I stocked up on some new things. Everything linked is under $40. I guess this is also a great update to add to my <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/search/label/capsule" target="_blank">capsule wardrobe series</a> since they're all basic items I can easily rewear and reuse. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALFYTNiX8dw/YJvZsPq3UFI/AAAAAAAAN5E/IkzpjypIDVoQgAgEfRuvsN6nX81fgFKJwCLcBGAsYHQ/beach%2Bready%2Bamazon%2Bfinds.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALFYTNiX8dw/YJvZsPq3UFI/AAAAAAAAN5E/IkzpjypIDVoQgAgEfRuvsN6nX81fgFKJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/beach%2Bready%2Bamazon%2Bfinds.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/33GSOjq" target="_blank">Stud sandals</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/33z621U" target="_blank">Bikini </a>| <a href="https://amzn.to/2R6NyDo" target="_blank">Hexagon sunglasses</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3oikdC4" target="_blank">White coverup</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3oad3PY" target="_blank">Sun hat</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3oa7ktC" target="_blank">Layered necklaces</a></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>Can we talk about bathing suits for a second? I feel like they've become so expensive! I remember when I could get a top and bottom for under $30 at Target. In my closet, bathing suits usually only last a year or two. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but the padding falls out and won't go back in or something else weird happens. </p><p><br /></p><p>Then you also run into the "is this fast fashion?" It's a hard line to walk. I struggle between affordability and cutting down my environmental impact. Buying a bathing suit second hand is a hard no for me. Also buying a $100+ bathing suit is really hard for me to justify when I only wear it for a limited amount of time. I looked around and couldn't find anything that I felt was both ethical and affordable. If you do know of a brand I should look into, please let me know!</p><p><br /></p><p>But for this season, I ordered <a href="https://amzn.to/33z621U" target="_blank">this bikini</a> in both 'Army Green 2' and 'Red' for something a little ~different~. I typically just buy a pair of plain black bottoms and fun tops, but your girl has been working out and wants to show off a little bit! If you want to see how they fit, <a href="http://instagram.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">follow me on Instagram</a> for the upcoming beach content.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've also been eyeing <a href="https://amzn.to/3vShy4y" target="_blank">these great dupes</a> for the Steve Madden studded sandals. I feel like they always come back in style every spring/summer. I probably won't wear them on the actual beach just to keep them sand-free, but I'm already picturing the cute summery outfits I can wear them with for dinners out!</p><p><br /></p><p>One of the blogger gals I follow shared <a href="https://amzn.to/2RcIuNG" target="_blank">these sunglasses</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3f79Uwo" target="_blank">hat</a> from her recent travels and I immediately added them to my cart. The hexagonal sunglasses are a great RayBan dupe for a waaaay more affordable price. I don't like bringing my nice sunglasses to the beach just in case I lose them in the ocean or accidentally sit on them. But eye protection is a big deal, so I'm picking them up! </p><p><br />As for the hat, your girl has got some really long hair that's gotta go in a bun or it will cause her to have a heat stroke. Most hats don't allow for buns, but <a href="https://amzn.to/3f79Uwo" target="_blank">this one is perfect</a>! Not only will it protect my face and shoulders, but I don't have to worry about having my hair up or down. I'm very very excited about this purchase!</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you have any other beach recommendations for me? I'd love to know!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">xo,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sarah</p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-59131285407131132352021-04-27T07:30:00.001-07:002021-04-27T07:30:00.227-07:00Spring Roundup: Top Vegan Shoe Picks<p> Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm so happy the weather is finally warming up here in Texas! We still occasionally get a chilly morning, but so far, my husband and I have been able to get lots of use out of our backyard. My day feels complete once I get to stretch out on a blanket and read a book.</p><p><br /></p><p>The warm weather also brings a whole new level of <i><b>#shoegame</b></i>. I usually buy a new pair of sandals each year that I wear the heck out of all throughout spring and summer (and honestly sometimes into the fall because Texas weather is weird, y'all). </p><p><br /></p><p>Here's a great roundup of some vegan-friendly shoes for spring and summer!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GBHtSAZXYdg/YIckkKdXCDI/AAAAAAAANpM/ljj3lVmf7Tkyb20mkTccV3jmpdvD6IyKACLcBGAsYHQ/spring%2Bsandals.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GBHtSAZXYdg/YIckkKdXCDI/AAAAAAAANpM/ljj3lVmf7Tkyb20mkTccV3jmpdvD6IyKACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/spring%2Bsandals.png" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click the images below to shop the post!</div><p></p>
<div class="shopthepost-widget" data-widget-id="4445380"><script type="text/javascript">!function(w,i,d,g,e,t){d.getElementById(i)||(element=d.createElement(t),element.id=i,element.src="https://widgets.rewardstyle.com"+e,d.body.appendChild(element)),w.hasOwnProperty(g)===!0&&"complete"===d.readyState&&w[g].init()}(window,"shopthepost-script",document,"__stp","/js/shopthepost.js","script")</script><div class="rs-adblock"><img onerror="this.parentNode.innerHTML="Disable your ad blocking software to view this content."" src="https://assets.rewardstyle.com/production/d9025262862cbd974ae789dfa57b6fdd159f1694/images/search/350.gif" style="height: 15px; width: 15px;" /><noscript>JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.</noscript></div><div class="rs-adblock"><br /></div><div class="rs-adblock"><br /></div><div class="rs-adblock"><br /></div><div class="rs-adblock"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<span><a name='more'></a></span>There are tons of great vegan-friendly sandal options available to shop. Synthetic leathers have come a long way! In fact, a lot of the upscale trendy brands already sell their shoes made of faux leather so you don't even have to worry about sacrificing a specific brand you may love. <div><br /></div><div>If you're looking for more vegan options, try looking up a specific brand + style of shoe you love followed by "dupe". Usually, the lower the price, the less likely the shoe will be to have been made with animal products. I'm all about being cute without hurting our animal friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>What's your go-to sandal for the warmer months? I'd love to know in the comments below! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-26928451341363288352021-02-12T09:57:00.001-08:002021-02-12T09:57:17.025-08:00What I Read in January 2021<p> Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>My Goodreads goal for 2021 is to read 52 books. So far I've read 9 books which means I'm 4 books ahead of schedule if I keep up with this pace! (PS <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">add me as a friend on GR</a> so I can see what you're reading!)</p><p><br /></p><p>As always, I read all of these books on my <a href="https://amzn.to/2MEjmNp" target="_blank">Kindle Paperwhite</a> which I cannot recommend enough. They're waterproof, have a dark mode, and have a glare-free screen so you can easily read in the sun. Totally not sponsored but a gal can dream!!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C9IdhhL2n9w/YCa-Ff5b0qI/AAAAAAAAMm8/Ch4W8-hDSgoFNnGS0P9dun2Rc07sbRmWACLcBGAsYHQ/What%2BI%2BRead%2Bin%2BJanuary.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C9IdhhL2n9w/YCa-Ff5b0qI/AAAAAAAAMm8/Ch4W8-hDSgoFNnGS0P9dun2Rc07sbRmWACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/What%2BI%2BRead%2Bin%2BJanuary.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Another thing to check out if you're into e-books is the Libby app. You can link up your library card to rent e-books and even send them straight to your <a href="https://amzn.to/2MEjmNp" target="_blank">Kindle device</a>. It's saved me tons of $$ because I don't have to buy the books myself. You may have to be more patient, especially with popular books, but to me, it's worth the wait!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bkm0GnMZ5jQ/YB2Jjv1HEPI/AAAAAAAAMlU/8H4_mvek6PAXJeiqVjPy7ngxWWAtljdHwCLcBGAsYHQ/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bkm0GnMZ5jQ/YB2Jjv1HEPI/AAAAAAAAMlU/8H4_mvek6PAXJeiqVjPy7ngxWWAtljdHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3toTkhM" target="_blank">The Versions of Us</a> - 2/5</b></p><p>This one was haaaaard for me to get through. It's similar to the butterfly effect in that one small decision can alter the course of your life. In this book, a girl might or might not crash her bike after almost or almost not running into a dog. If she crashes, she meets a boy. It sounds interesting, right?</p><p><br />Well, it was honestly a chore to try to keep the timelines in place. It switched off every. single. chapter. between the 3 different storylines. They have similarities and obviously have the same-named characters, so I found myself having to go back and remind myself what was happening which on an e-reader isn't ideal.</p><p><br /></p><p>So all in all, if you like books that make you think hard, then this one may be up your alley. But when I read novels, I want to be able to escape and enjoy, not feel like I'm suffering from brain fog. I was so close to putting it down, but I have yet to not finish a novel haha.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>TLDR: Three different storylines featuring the same characters.</b> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8HKx5fn-bL0/YB2Jq3YDm5I/AAAAAAAAMlY/Pl8TQVM2EvAcF5iAYhpA73knvK_uKILUACLcBGAsYHQ/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8HKx5fn-bL0/YB2Jq3YDm5I/AAAAAAAAMlY/Pl8TQVM2EvAcF5iAYhpA73knvK_uKILUACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3aGtYDo" target="_blank">How to Be an Antiracist</a> - 5/5</b></p><p>Another part of my 2021 goal is to focus on reading more books about antiracism. Educating yourself is one of the most basic ways to change your thought patterns and make a difference. It really is the bare minimum of what you can do to be an ally to BIPOC. </p><p><br /></p><p>This book was really really good. The author encourages you to do research into the policies you support and explains that "racial inequity is a problem of bad policy, not bad people." When we blame others for their own problems instead of looking into the programs and laws that keep them down, we are denying racism.</p><p><br /></p><p>One of my favorite quotes from the author: "Being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination". It takes work and accountability but working towards equality is something we all must do. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>TLDR: Insightful about the policies and beliefs that keep BIPOC from being seen as equal.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVrj7v9ngYM/YB2JvHEsMuI/AAAAAAAAMlc/9zCJo2epWy8RCf242cXOdp4CjN3aaGwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVrj7v9ngYM/YB2JvHEsMuI/AAAAAAAAMlc/9zCJo2epWy8RCf242cXOdp4CjN3aaGwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/3.png" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3ttcbZ7" target="_blank">The Girl on the Train</a></b> <b>- 5/5</b></p><p>I love a good thriller/mystery type book and this one did exactly that for me! It kind of has "Gone Girl" vibes, so if you liked that book, I'd add this one to your list for sure.</p><p><br /></p><p>While commuting to work via train every day, Rachel is able to look onto a porch of an attractive couple. She lets her imagination run wild with the romantic perfect life they must have and even invents names for them. One day while passing by, she sees something she shouldn't have and gets involved in a whole new way.</p><p><br /></p><p>I really had no idea what was going to happen and felt pretty satisfied with the ending.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>TLDR: The girl on the train can't help but get involved when something goes wrong in a house she passes by every day.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sUTTLcQKLCU/YB2J2XO1xtI/AAAAAAAAMlk/rCWI1iACKwke-e2X-jFr5u6waILS3Oo9wCLcBGAsYHQ/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sUTTLcQKLCU/YB2J2XO1xtI/AAAAAAAAMlk/rCWI1iACKwke-e2X-jFr5u6waILS3Oo9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/4.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3jkA9Bf" target="_blank">Verity</a></b> <b>- 5/5</b></p><p>Another good and creepy book. This one had lots of uncomfortable moments and probably would not recommend it if you're currently pregnant. If you enjoy books where you love to hate characters, this is a good one.</p><p><br /></p><p>A not-so-famous thriller author, Lowen Ashleigh, gets an offer to finish a popular series by a famous author, Verity Crowford. Verity was in a car accident and is unable to talk, let alone write, but has years' worth of notes in her office. Her husband offers Lowen to stay at their home so she can take her time combing through the pages of writing.</p><p><br /></p><p>While looking through her files, Lowen stumbles upon an autobiography by Verity. What she uncovers will SHOCK you. (Sorry that was totally cheesy but also true)</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm conflicted about the ending and I won't spoil anything, but WOW. It's also available for free with <a href="https://amzn.to/3cLQIVA" target="_blank">Kindle Unlimited</a>. If you don't already have it, you can <a href="https://amzn.to/2MZtW1y" target="_blank">sign up here for a free month</a>!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>TLDR: A thriller author gets the deal of a lifetime to finish a famous author's series. But at what cost?</b></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><br /></p><p>I didn't want to list out a review for every single book I read, so below is a list and rating of the other things I read in January. Some goodies and some baddies, but as always, I recommend checking them out for yourself!</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Other books I read this month:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3rnBY32" target="_blank">Turtles All the Way Down</a> - 5/5</p></li><li><p><a href="https://amzn.to/2MS978F" target="_blank">Always and Forever, Laura Jean</a> - 4/5</p></li><li><p><a href="https://amzn.to/2Zb3eFX" target="_blank">The Last Mrs. Parrish</a> - 4/5</p></li><li><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3agf7ke" target="_blank">See Me</a> - 3/5</p></li><li><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3pgmvjY" target="_blank">The Tattooist of Auschwitz</a> - 3/5</p></li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you read any good books lately? Or any really bad ones that I should avoid? Let me know down in the comments! I'd love to chat about it.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-66862631265443137632021-01-21T08:00:00.020-08:002021-01-21T08:00:00.937-08:00Building My Capsule Wardrobe<p>Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>Last week, <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2021/01/5-money-mantras-for-new-year.html" target="_blank">I shared that a big goal of mine in 2021 is to save more money</a>. Although I'm not the type to drop big bucks on clothing, I definitely find myself scrolling on Instagram boutiques in my free time. (Speaking of - shoutout to my bestie girl, Julia, for opening her own shop <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shopmylumina/" target="_blank">@shopmylumina</a>)</p><div><br /></div><div>I don't buy myself new clothes very often <a href="https://posh.mk/erknvX9pbdb" target="_blank">thanks to Poshmark</a> always having good deals on secondhand clothing (use my code SMORRISONN to save $10). But I found myself becoming overwhelmed with the amount of clothing yet lack of outfits in my closet. I've always been intrigued by the idea of a capsule wardrobe, so I thought 2021 would be a great year to build one!</div><div><br /></div><div>So what is a capsule wardrobe exactly? According to Wikipedia...</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>Capsule Wardrobe: The term has come to refer to a collection of clothing that is composed of interchangeable items only, to maximise the number of outfits that can be created. The aim is to have an outfit suitable for any occasion without owning excessive items of clothing. This is usually achieved by buying what are considered to be "key" or "staple" items in coordinating colours.</blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>My aim is to only own pieces that I love and actually enjoy wearing. Goodbye itchy tight sweaters, hello oversized comfy chenille! I also thought it would be super fun to share my journey of picking out the pieces to build my capsule wardrobe.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Snp2NSkRHpo/YAdH_vPXUTI/AAAAAAAAMdA/BcluT0kvFUgvFl2nhUFuUJbiB2Uj8dylACLcBGAsYHQ/Capsule%2BWardrobe%2B%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Snp2NSkRHpo/YAdH_vPXUTI/AAAAAAAAMdA/BcluT0kvFUgvFl2nhUFuUJbiB2Uj8dylACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Capsule%2BWardrobe%2B%25282%2529.png" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: justify;">When shopping these links, I may earn a small commission from your purchases. This is no charge to you, </span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: justify;">but helps me pay for all things texasweettea. Thank you for making my dream possible!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2M60BC8" target="_blank">Cotton Rib-Crewneck Tee</a> (black + grey) | <a href="https://bit.ly/3qzUqFo" target="_blank">Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee</a> (white) | <a href="https://bit.ly/3bT5Yzf" target="_blank">High-Rise Skinny Jeans</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3bY7HDt" target="_blank">Dr. Scholl's Wander Up Sneaker</a> | <a href="https://bit.ly/3bT6Io1" target="_blank">lululemon Align Pant 25"</a> (black) | <a href="https://bit.ly/38YHNxD" target="_blank">The Invisible Bra</a>* | <a href="https://bit.ly/3p1fRP5" target="_blank">Waffle Oversized Crew Sweater</a>* (oatmeal) | <a href="https://bit.ly/2KyysTQ" target="_blank">Chenille Oversized Sweater</a>* (olive thermal) | <a href="https://amzn.to/35S2xoI" target="_blank">Double Ring Belt</a></div></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: center;"><i>* these items are next on my purchase list!</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A big part of a capsule wardrobe is having a few <b>basic pieces in neutral colors</b> that can be dressed up or down with accessories. The <a href="https://bit.ly/38WzUZm" target="_blank">three tops I picked up at Madewell</a> are super comfortable and were a major steal at 3 for $45! </p><p><br /></p><p>I also recommend investing in <a href="https://bit.ly/38YYHfz" target="_blank"><b>real denim</b></a>. Although jeggings are super comfy, I find that denim lasts far longer in between washes and doesn't wear out in the knees. If you're looking for a distressed pair, <a href="https://bit.ly/3p1KLH0" target="_blank">these are my all-time favorite jeans</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>For my birthday in December, my mom got me my first pair of ~new~ <a href="https://bit.ly/3bT6Io1">lululemon leggings</a>! I've had a pair of cropped and flare yoga pants from Poshmark, but never brand new! I've heard such good things about Aligns for everyday wear, even though I know they will eventually pill. <b>Solid black leggings are a great staple</b> in any gals closet, and lulus are just the ultimate goal. I plan on wearing them for lounging and to my office job - yay business casual with an emphasis on casual! If you're looking for a more affordable option, <a href="https://bit.ly/3bUXQhN" target="_blank">these are supposedly super similar</a>!</p><p><br /></p><p>Did you know that the average lifespan of a bra is between 9 months to a year? Maybe it's time to finally toss my bras from highschool...😅 Another part of my closet revamp is new bras. I hate anything with heavy padding or underwire. I've heard great things about <a href="https://bit.ly/3nXjsws" target="_blank">these bras</a> and for the price tag, I'm definitely going to try them out for myself!</p><p><br /></p><p><u>So what's next on my list? Here are some of my ideas!</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Utility jacket</li><li>Shacket/Blazer</li><li>Cardigan</li><li>Matching Sweat Set</li><li>Basic Pullover</li><li>Longneck Tees</li><li>Tanks/layering tops</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>I plan on posting a blog post every month or so to update you on my capsule wardrobe purchases. I have already found myself finding a trendy piece of clothing and knowing it won't be versatile enough for my closet. It's so much easier to say no now that I have a plan. I also love knowing that all my options will match effortlessly some day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know - where is your favorite place to buy basics from? As much as I love online shopping, I love personal recommendations even more!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div><p></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-49289788480201604242021-01-11T07:10:00.001-08:002021-01-11T07:10:46.462-08:005 Money Mantras for the New Year<p>Hey y'all!</p><p><br /></p><p>A new year always brings around new goals. My goal for this year is to make and save some major $$$. Being financially responsible isn't always easy at a young age, but my parents really enforced good money habits in my sister and me. </p><p><br /></p><p>My husband and I are really lucky to say that we only have one "debt" of his car payment. We never carry over a credit card balance and I make it a priority to save a large portion of our paychecks each month. It makes me confident for our future knowing that if something were to happen, we would be okay financially.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've talked about the <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2019/01/how-to-create-vision-board-to-help-you.html" target="_blank">law of attraction</a> and <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2019/01/stop-settling-for-less-than-you-deserve.html" target="_blank">manifestation</a> on the blog before. Basically, the more you see/talk/think about something, the more likely you are to bring it into reality. It's like passing Starbucks every day on the way to work...you can't help craving a Venti Coldbrew. You see it. You crave it. You want it. But if you started going the other way and avoiding the Starbucks line altogether, you may save yourself some money and avoid the caffeine jitters. Thank U, next.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since my goal this year is focusing on abundance and money, I thought I'd share the mantras I'll be using, as well as some tips to help you manifest the big bucks for yourself.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Y6nd9U-0ro/X_TvOnAHmPI/AAAAAAAAMRc/KcJUAgyR9kQhswqt1WAFgcAysPdDBFbdgCLcBGAsYHQ/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Y6nd9U-0ro/X_TvOnAHmPI/AAAAAAAAMRc/KcJUAgyR9kQhswqt1WAFgcAysPdDBFbdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LdSi5ujbMl4/X_TvQ3KQ_YI/AAAAAAAAMRk/ZX7sPDiosKEr5q6qPDuWNXSwclcFm70sACLcBGAsYHQ/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LdSi5ujbMl4/X_TvQ3KQ_YI/AAAAAAAAMRk/ZX7sPDiosKEr5q6qPDuWNXSwclcFm70sACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/5.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yWf_ZnJK37o/X_TvQ3ruWvI/AAAAAAAAMRo/W8I6ANTUCKY4ulz0WE9TCyJGPkCCXPWPwCLcBGAsYHQ/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yWf_ZnJK37o/X_TvQ3ruWvI/AAAAAAAAMRo/W8I6ANTUCKY4ulz0WE9TCyJGPkCCXPWPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/4.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9fMLRtJbSjw/X_TvQ3GBwEI/AAAAAAAAMRg/HbG3xgDJEaYvvvtJC7Vh8UZACVxnuLp6QCLcBGAsYHQ/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9fMLRtJbSjw/X_TvQ3GBwEI/AAAAAAAAMRg/HbG3xgDJEaYvvvtJC7Vh8UZACVxnuLp6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbeBRWvRNP0/X_TvQ1HdCdI/AAAAAAAAMRs/i91JMADXxosrzjjamSFtQL8cDBW5cGiJQCLcBGAsYHQ/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbeBRWvRNP0/X_TvQ1HdCdI/AAAAAAAAMRs/i91JMADXxosrzjjamSFtQL8cDBW5cGiJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My ~abundance~ tips</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>Donate when you can:</u> How do you show the Universe that you're grateful for everything you have? You give back to those with less than you. And you do it OFTEN. Find something you're passionate about and set up a monthly donation. Or switch it up and pick a new one every time. Just remember that what goes around comes back around!</li><li><u>Know when to say no (and yes):</u> Life is about enjoying yourself! It's good to set long term and short term financial goals, but don't let the fear of money control your mindset. You could die tomorrow and money is useless to you in the afterlife (probably). Always turning down things that might cost you some money may cause you to miss out on an experience that would have brought you so much joy. A treat every now and then can keep you happy, healthy, wealthy, and most importantly - thriving.</li><li><u>Get financially literate:</u> I'm always working on this one because I feel like I never received a basic economic education while in school. But I really recommend readings books and following people online that align with your goals. Some people believe that credit cards are evil. Others believe that living in frugality means you can retire by 35 (aka F.I.R.E.). My personal favorite follow is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrsdowjones/" target="_blank">Mrs. Dow Jones</a> who keeps it real with memes and velour tracksuits. </li><li><u>50-30-20 rule:</u> The basic rule is to divide up after-tax income and allocate it to spend: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and sending 20% right into savings. </li><li><u>Open a High-Yield Savings account:</u> If you're a person who spends every last cent in your bank account (and honestly, even if you're not that type), look into opening an HYS account. Having an account separate from your checking account can be a great "out of sight out of mind" situation. As the ever so fabulous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h8XTbkqfuo&ab_channel=MrsDowJones" target="_blank">Mrs. Dow Jones explained in one of her recent videos</a>, an HYS account can be used to help diversify your portfolio. It's great for emergency funds, short-term goals, or large purchases you see yourself making in 5 years or less. </li></ul><div>Have a money mantra that you love? Or a hot finance tip that I can benefit from? I'd love to continue this conversation with you in the comments. Let me know what your thoughts are!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div></div></div><p></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-12328476453456971752021-01-04T09:40:00.004-08:002021-01-04T09:41:04.076-08:00My Favorite Reads of 2020<p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Hey y'all!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I won't be bold and claim that 2020 was my year. Although I got engaged (and <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2020/10/im-married-and-heres-tea.html" target="_blank">recently married</a>), my year kinda sucked too. But with quarantine, I have fallen even more in love with reading!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was originally just using my phone with the Kindle app, but it gave me anxiety when I saw notifications pop up while I was reading. I usually ended up scrolling on <a href="https://instagram.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">Instagram</a> when I had set aside time to read.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the beginning of quarantine, I knew I wanted to get <a href="https://amzn.to/3m6QwkC" target="_blank">a Kindle</a>. But it was also hard to justify that much money on something that's only for reading. My sweet momma of mine sent me a surprise gift and told me to get one for myself when it was on sale.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXoRC8C1zZY/X9zhvmG-OcI/AAAAAAAAMHU/lkF_voU9-9Y-iPtoIMmx2LJKPtljiwr7QCLcBGAsYHQ/best-reads-2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXoRC8C1zZY/X9zhvmG-OcI/AAAAAAAAMHU/lkF_voU9-9Y-iPtoIMmx2LJKPtljiwr7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/best-reads-2020.png" /></a></span></div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I got it, it has barely left my sight! I purchased the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3m6QwkC" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Kindle Paperwhite in Plum</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (closest they had to pink, hehe). I do have Amazon Prime but not Kindle Unlimited. If you have a library card, I really recommend checking out Libby! Most libraries now have e-books you can check out and download to your Kindle. </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll admit that when renting from the library, it can take a few weeks (or even months..) so you'll have to be patient if you don't want to drop $$$ on new books.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlaYNAgT0O8/X_NEW2zwSbI/AAAAAAAAMQg/r5Iiyd28OnEhgMheqeQ25kPgBWZngyK7ACLcBGAsYHQ/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlaYNAgT0O8/X_NEW2zwSbI/AAAAAAAAMQg/r5Iiyd28OnEhgMheqeQ25kPgBWZngyK7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/1.png" width="640" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3qNNqp0" target="_blank">Find Layla</a> </span>by Meg Elison</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I chose this book as one of my free books from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/firstreads" target="_blank">Amazon first reads</a>. You can sign up to get a new free Kindle book each month if you have Amazon Prime. They usually have a handful of options with different genres to pick from. Definitely recommend signing up for it if you have Prime!</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So back to the book review. I will say the provided description didn't do it a ton of justice, but I loved the cover so much that I selected it to read in August. I really loved it! </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Layla lives with her brother and unstable mother in a neglected apartment. She enters a school competition on biomes and films the mushrooms and mold growing in her home. The video goes viral, and people are worried about their health and safety. CPS gets involved, but not before Layla can run away - prompting #FindLayla. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TLDR: A neglected girl shares her home biome for a science project but is overwhelmed by the response and runs away. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mem2Iq_sSKc/X_NEjpqC0YI/AAAAAAAAMQk/y6ML6SZGXiAY9me6YaNaEMV_GvMl5-K2gCLcBGAsYHQ/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mem2Iq_sSKc/X_NEjpqC0YI/AAAAAAAAMQk/y6ML6SZGXiAY9me6YaNaEMV_GvMl5-K2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3n6hMRH" target="_blank">Big Little Lies</a> by Liane Moriarty</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The book that inspired the big hit HBO show, Big Little Lies! Can I just say that I am not into that show at all? I read the book first (which was way better, obvi) and LOVED it, so I expected big things from the show. But it was almost painful to watch through the first season. I tried getting into the second one but gave up after a few episodes. I do love Reese, though!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A single mom, Jane, and her son, Ziggy, move to a new town where he starts school. He's accused of choking a girl in his class on the first day, even though he swears it wasn't him. There's also a murder at a school party, an abusive relationship, and lots of schoolyard drama. It had me wanting to know whodunit, and I couldn't put it down!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">TLDR: Three women's storylines collide between an abusive relationship, bullying, and suspicious murder.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fBSxE2KVII4/X_NEzXr_ANI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/WpzUlfjaFjkAEOuhWMrqhGqFW0FIb8hqACLcBGAsYHQ/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fBSxE2KVII4/X_NEzXr_ANI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/WpzUlfjaFjkAEOuhWMrqhGqFW0FIb8hqACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2LkvGkV" target="_blank">Small Great Things</a> by Jodi Picoult</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I've never read a Jodi Picoult novel that I didn't like. This one had me in my feels (yep, I definitely cried). I read this book at the very beginning of the year before the racial tension in America came to a boiling point. Even though it's written by a white woman, I felt like I gained some perspective about what Black women may face in their day-to-day lives. (I have since read more books from actual Black women and obviously found it much more intuitive - this just felt like a good basis that I wasn't intentionally seeking out).</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A Black labor and delivery nurse, Ruth, is told by a White family that she cannot touch their baby because of her race. The baby ends up passing away while she is in the room with it. The parents are furious and take her to court. Ruth receives a white lawyer, Kennedy, and is advised that using race in the courtroom would negatively reflect on the case. This book is from different POV's, and it's very insightful to the internal struggle that the many different characters face.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TLDR: A Black nurse is taken to court after a white baby dies but is told not to mention her race in the courtroom as it may distance herself from the jurors.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5G41Ffjiy5s/X_NE9RE56xI/AAAAAAAAMQ4/U4dkHUqZ6yIFXdI6l39VsG9GyRdcRgMTACLcBGAsYHQ/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5G41Ffjiy5s/X_NE9RE56xI/AAAAAAAAMQ4/U4dkHUqZ6yIFXdI6l39VsG9GyRdcRgMTACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/4.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3mbbu1z" target="_blank">What Alice Forgot</a> by </span>Liane Moriarty</b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I obviously really liked Liane Moriarty's books this year, huh? This book came out in 2009, but I saw one of my favorite influencers, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jacimariesmith/" target="_blank">Jaci Marie</a>, had it listed on her to-read list on her Instastory. The plot sounded so interesting to me, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable read!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">A 39-year-old mom hits her head at the gym and loses the last 10 years of her memories. She wakes up thinking that she's still pregnant with her first child (even though she actually has 3 kids...) and has to piece back her memory of failed relationships, raising her children, and her new lifestyle choices. It was unlike anything I've ever read, so I think that's why I enjoyed it so much!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">TLDR: A 39-year-old mom hits her head at the gym and loses the last 10 years of her memories. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qT6gllmHpw/X_NFF6zJwyI/AAAAAAAAMRA/xwEtG_BGuuIYNMAJ_2ROApTyg-Ky35a8gCLcBGAsYHQ/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qT6gllmHpw/X_NFF6zJwyI/AAAAAAAAMRA/xwEtG_BGuuIYNMAJ_2ROApTyg-Ky35a8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3qMNc1G" target="_blank">The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes</a> by Suzanne Collins</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I'm sure you've read the OG Hunger Games Trilogy, and if not, you should. They're great young adult novels that I thoroughly enjoyed even as an adult. This book was released this year and is a prequel to the Hunger Games books. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This book focuses on President Snow's upbringing and his involvement in the early versions of the Hunger Games. He's 18 years old and has been chosen to be a mentor in the 10th Annual Games. His family is no longer proud and wealthy, but they try to keep up the facade. This could be his only shot at glory, but he gets stuck with a girl tribute. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Some people said the book was boring, but I thought it was great. I will say that I think it's a little more graphic vs the original books, but that doesn't personally bother me. </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TLDR: A prequel to the Hunger Games Trilogy that focuses on 18-year-old Snow as a mentor for the 10th Annual Games.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nHVePxuinoo/X_NFMmghfUI/AAAAAAAAMRE/wubr_IWeLyIMKlbqlfcHmb-vejeOt1QUQCLcBGAsYHQ/6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nHVePxuinoo/X_NFMmghfUI/AAAAAAAAMRE/wubr_IWeLyIMKlbqlfcHmb-vejeOt1QUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/6.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3qKwu2J" target="_blank">Such a Fun Age</a> by Kiley Reid</b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One of the last books that I was able to finish in 2020 (I read this one within 24 hours, oops). It's got a lot of crazy twists and turns so I'm going to try to keep this review on the short side so I don't accidentally spoil anything.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A young Black babysitter picks up a White child from her home when the mom calls for an emergency pickup late at night. The babysitter takes the child to a nearby grocery store and is questioned by a security officer. The book focuses on racism, privilege, and good intentions turning into questionable actions. I definitely recommend picking it up!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">TLDR: A Black babysitter, a White woman employer, and a connection that could wreck their strange bond.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><hr /><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Honorable Mentions:</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3bfcmQW" target="_blank">Crazy Rich Asians</a> by Kevin Kwan</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3hEsrkC" target="_blank">1984</a> by George Orwell</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3pHbkRQ" target="_blank">The Testaments</a> by Margaret Atwood</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3pLUnWv" target="_blank">Educated</a> by Tara Westover</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/2L42fDX" target="_blank">To All the Boys I've Loved Before</a> by Jenny Han<b> </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I've set my <a href="goodreads.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> goal for 2021 to be 52 books, so fingers crossed I can meet (and maybe even beat) that goal! If you want to keep up with what I'm currently reading or see more recommendations, friend me on GR so we can chat!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-29912964345298534482020-12-07T08:03:00.000-08:002020-12-07T08:03:16.857-08:00Holiday Gift Guides for 2020<p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey y'all!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">December is always my favorite month of the year because it's my birthday month AND Christmas! Two of the most fun things to celebrate if I do say so myself. Everyone's holiday plans will probably look a little different this year, and so will shopping for gifts.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was able to get all of our Christmas shopping done early this year because we did it all online. It's a good and a bad thing because you find yourself adding to cart more online vs in-store. If you're looking for some ideas (or are maybe a little last minute), I've got you covered with some basics.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: inherit;">All of the items below are from Amazon. When shopping these links, I may earn a small commission from your purchases. <b>This is no charge to you</b>, but helps me pay for all of my Christmas shopping! Thank you for making texasweettea possible.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you don't have Amazon Prime yet, you can <a href="https://amzn.to/346A7Xp" target="_blank">sign up here for a free 30 day membership</a>. Included in the membership is unlimited FREE two-day shipping, the ability to borrow Kindle books, and watch thousands of TV shows and movies. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hcrqeYZbvlA/X85QbFhlHZI/AAAAAAAAMAs/F9RU4Dal38chqyeVK_DDnPdj8gkYWgXewCLcBGAsYHQ/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hcrqeYZbvlA/X85QbFhlHZI/AAAAAAAAMAs/F9RU4Dal38chqyeVK_DDnPdj8gkYWgXewCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/1.png" /></a></div>My Wish List</span></div><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3qAGdso" target="_blank">Ring Video Doorbell</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2IldsyP" target="_blank">Smart Light Bulbs (Color Changing)</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2JTmqUf" target="_blank">Memory Foam Slippers</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2VL1qlf" target="_blank">Pajama Set</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2JJO2LV" target="_blank">Stasher Bag Set</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2JVfcPA" target="_blank">2 Pack of Belts</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3lN9cWw" target="_blank">Living Proof Dry Shampoo</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/37K8aFw" target="_blank">Barefoot Dreams Blanket</a></p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7iClpdpYW4k/X85QtOQ5ogI/AAAAAAAAMA4/VKQ05Sg_FUYidgIVlAx3IQ2M9hlLhU_IQCLcBGAsYHQ/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7iClpdpYW4k/X85QtOQ5ogI/AAAAAAAAMA4/VKQ05Sg_FUYidgIVlAx3IQ2M9hlLhU_IQCLcBGAsYHQ/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aNcef7aMFic/X85Re5LnLII/AAAAAAAAMBM/SiBq-zwentg3aAywr-6k4ehSHg36DgDXACLcBGAsYHQ/christmas%2Bgift%2Bguides%2B2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aNcef7aMFic/X85Re5LnLII/AAAAAAAAMBM/SiBq-zwentg3aAywr-6k4ehSHg36DgDXACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/christmas%2Bgift%2Bguides%2B2020.png" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">For Her</span></div></div></span></div></div><p></p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3mRBIr4" target="_blank">REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer Brush</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3ggXPoB" target="_blank">Rattan Essential Oil Diffuser</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ijzpy4" target="_blank">Cubic Zirconia Ring</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3mUGO64" target="_blank">Polarized Hexagonal Sunglasses</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2VKXHEn" target="_blank">Bluetooth Karaoke Mic</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2IjMuHI" target="_blank">Hydro Flask Water Bottle</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3gjJ2tb" target="_blank">Scrunchie Pack</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3mRrYgy" target="_blank">Pom Pom Beanie</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2IoyVH8" target="_blank">Weighted Blanket with Cover</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3mPaFwB" target="_blank">Barefoot Dreams Socks</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aZGMIUId5-w/X85SGY9CRcI/AAAAAAAAMBY/PZwyz8FFUQggPdPqq8YApG-DMKNLqvJ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/christmas%2Bgift%2Bguides%2B2020%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aZGMIUId5-w/X85SGY9CRcI/AAAAAAAAMBY/PZwyz8FFUQggPdPqq8YApG-DMKNLqvJ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/christmas%2Bgift%2Bguides%2B2020%2B%25281%2529.png" /></a></div>For Him</span></div></span></div><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3lNOGF5" target="_blank">Kindle Paperwhite</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3ggBIyD" target="_blank">Amazon Smart Plug</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2VJNqsb" target="_blank">Vegan Leather Wallet</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3lPmFwP" target="_blank">PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3onE9SG" target="_blank">Carhartt Beanie</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3gkwF03" target="_blank">Wyze Cam Pan</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3mQTHhA" target="_blank">Beard Bib</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3ggPEbX" target="_blank">Fire TV Stick</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2VRMnGl" target="_blank">No Touch Door Opener Tool</a></p><p><br /></p><p>I'd love to know - What's on your wish list this year? What are you planning on picking up for your friends and family? Comment down below!</p><p style="text-align: center;">xo,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sarah</p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-64125607624160834262020-10-29T08:00:00.011-07:002022-10-25T08:14:52.082-07:00I'm Married!!! (And Here's the Tea)<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey y'all!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you've known me for even 5 minutes, you will have known I have been waiting to say I'm a wife for 6.5 years. Well, I can officially say, I'M MARRIED!!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hbwsfbj97ig/X5nnBBzNQaI/AAAAAAAAK48/sBMOe-20BSI-EKfJxh7QwnOnRiQnt4IOwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_2353.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hbwsfbj97ig/X5nnBBzNQaI/AAAAAAAAK48/sBMOe-20BSI-EKfJxh7QwnOnRiQnt4IOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2353.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">COVID definitely threw a wrench in our original plan of getting married in Maui. In case you didn't know, there was a mandatory 2-week quarantine if you visited Hawaii. There was an option to get a COVID test done 72 hours prior to arrival, but that option kept getting pushed back. We made the really hard decision to cancel everything on August 17th. BUT we didn't let that stop us from still becoming husband and wife!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We kept our original date of October 20th (yes, that was a Tuesday but 10/20/2020 just sounded so cute) and decided to do a wedding in Texas! Now, let me start by saying that planning a wedding under 65 days wasn't easy. There were days when I wanted to throw in the towel and say we would just postpone for Hawaii. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also won't lie and say that I didn't continuously compare everything back to the fact I was going to get married in Hawaii. That had been my dream wedding ever since I was little. I shed a few tears over that, but in the end, the wedding is only the celebration - it's not the marriage. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm also so happy to say that I LOVED my wedding. It was so special being surrounded by our immediate family only. I felt no stress the day of. And even if it wasn't Maui, it was still so amazing.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>OUR WEDDING DAY</u></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Michael and I made the decision early on that we didn't want to do a "first look." The first time we saw each other on the day of our wedding was when I was walking down the aisle, which was soooo special (even if he didn't cry..). </p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After the ceremony, we took family photos, followed by our romantic photos. It was our first time ever getting professional photos done together. Bruna (our photographer) made it so stress-free and easy. She was great at posing us and telling us what to do. You can see some of her gorgeous shots further down in this blog post.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After photos, we heard speeches from our dads, and Michael's sister surprised us with one too. I definitely cried a little at that one! Then we moved on to dinner, aka my favorite thing to talk about. We had vegan nachos and a hummus plate for appetizers, followed by a caesar salad. We gave the caterers our own recipe for pea pesto pasta, and it was good, but honestly, I think we make it better!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then for our cake, we ordered a vanilla coconut cake, but I don't think that's what we ended up getting. It definitely didn't taste anything like coconut and had a ton of cinnamon and maybe even jam in it?? I'm not a dessert person, so it wasn't super upsetting; just kind of weird. Everyone said they really liked it anyway! Also worth noting, they charge you for boxing up leftover food - including the cake.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, we ended our night at the venue by playing cornhole and giant Jenga. It was so relaxing and fun to just spend time with everyone! Once our time was up at the venue, we went to my parent's <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/c/sarahm48275?referral_share_id=38c7f2e1-ea59-4959-a8f0-f09555e79d28" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> and partied the night away by singing karaoke. 10/10 recommend!!</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>OUR VENDORS</u></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now for our vendors...I'll list them all below. I loved my photographer, videographer, and hair/makeup artist! If you're getting married in the Dallas area, I highly recommend reaching out to them for their availability. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our guitar player was next level. He is so talented and was one of the most affordable options. If you like country and rock - he's your man. We had him play Humble and Kind for my walk down the aisle and Crazy Little Thing Called Love for our recessional. He was singing and playing during our photography sessions which also put everyone in a great mood. One of the most common things we were told by our family was how great he was!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As for the venue, I personally would not recommend it. It's such a beautiful place, but I constantly struggled to get responses from the owner. Even just waiting for them to send over the contract took a week. When you're short on time, that's very stressful! There were some other issues that I won't list out here, but if you're nosey like me, send me a dm, and I'll fill you in 😂 If we had more time to look, I probably would have figured out another option.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">The caterer was in the middle. We are vegans, so we knew we wanted to have only vegan food at our wedding. The food itself was so yummy! But again, they lacked communication, and I had to follow up multiple times with them to get a response.</p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photographer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brunakitchenphotography/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">Bruna Kitchen Photography</span></a></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Videographer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/noblfilmhouse/"><span class="s2">Nobl Film House</span></a></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HMU: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hairandmakeupbymichaela/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">Michaela Paskell - @hairandmakeupbymichaela</span></a></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Venue/Florals: <a href="https://www.houseofdirt.com/"><span class="s3">House of DIRT</span></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Guitar player: <a href="https://www.thebash.com/acoustic-guitar/riley-wilson" target="_blank"><span class="s3">Riley Wilson</span></a></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Catering: <a href="https://www.livetribal.com/"><span class="s2">Tribal All Day Cafe</span></a> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>OUR ~LOOKS~</u></b></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**The following links are commissionable**</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My dress: <a href="https://bit.ly/3e9IYeI" target="_blank">BHLDN - Willowby by Watters Hearst Gown</a> in color ivory/blush</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My necklace: <a href="https://bit.ly/2HPS7N2" target="_blank">Pear Pendant Necklace</a></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">My shoes: <a href="https://amzn.to/31SsOBt" target="_blank">White Platform Ankle Strap Sandals</a></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">Michae's suit: <a href="https://bit.ly/35I2ISN" target="_blank">Bar III Men's Slim-Fit Suit</a> in Chambray</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">Michael's tie/pocket square: <a href="https://amzn.to/3e7fSwk" target="_blank">Solid Necktie and Pocket Square Set</a> in Antique Blush</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">Michae's shoes: <a href="https://bit.ly/2TCFqIo" target="_blank">Alfani Men's Adam Cap Toe Oxfords</a></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">Michael's socks: <a href="https://gopupsocks.com/" target="_blank">Pupsocks</a></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #dca10d; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FdETzLYrOso/X5ng6UKZ2wI/AAAAAAAAK4s/7XsFldxhywwTLe1URq_qpu95-Y_8ataRACLcBGAsYHQ/%2523LegallyTheLarsens%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FdETzLYrOso/X5ng6UKZ2wI/AAAAAAAAK4s/7XsFldxhywwTLe1URq_qpu95-Y_8ataRACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/%2523LegallyTheLarsens%2B%25281%2529.png" /></a></span></span></div></div><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so excited to finally be married to this sweet man of mine, and I can't wait for our many adventures to come. Oh, and don't worry! We'll go to Maui next year. We've got tons of points to make it happen.</span></span><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div><p></p>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-47228011002785286942020-08-10T09:05:00.001-07:002020-08-10T09:05:42.783-07:00My Favorite Vegan Recipes You Have to Try!<p> Hey y'all!<br /><br />I have been vegan for a looooong time now. It's still just as easy as ever! My fiance, Michael, says I used to be one of the pickiest eaters that he had ever met (I'll admit that I was the girl who got chicken tenders at every single restaurant we went to).</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awfZuOPwHYk/XzFsVN8Oe2I/AAAAAAAAJAk/7_7P57FgZAERgLS3NcRxl1DuCMyQBoeEACLcBGAsYHQ/d/vegan-recipes.png" /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I get asked a lot if I miss certain foods. Honestly, it's pretty fun to figure out how to recreate a dish vegan style! Obviously, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/texasweettea/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and cookbooks are always there to help guide me. But the cooking adventure that I have been on since going to the green side has been an enjoyable one. In fact, there are very few meals that I have made in the past 4 years that I would say I ~hated~. Pretty crazy, right?</p><p><br /></p><p>So here is a round-up of my top 4 favorite vegan recipes from <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/texasweettea/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. Let me know if you decide to make any of them! And also share with me YOUR favorite recipes down below! I'm always looking to try out new things.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1. <a href="https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-baked-ziti/" target="_blank">Vegan Baked Ziti by Nora Cooks</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Y'all, this stuff is ADDICTIVE! I personally like using Trader Joe's Vegan Mozerella shreds and I make my own parmesan to put on top. It's so easy and makes a lot. Big big fan!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Parm recipe:</b> Blend together 2/3 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast & 1 tsp sea salt. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2. <a href="https://passtheplants.com/vegan-crunchwrap-supreme">Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme by Pass the Plants</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">If you follow me on <a href="instagram.com/peepmyplants" target="_blank">my vegan Instagram account</a>, then you will have seen me making these a lot! They can be a little bit time consuming, but the end result is so worth it! The nacho cheese recipe makes a good amount, so we will typically have the crunchwraps one night, then follow up with the macaroni skillet recipe listed down below. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. <a href="https://wellvegan.com/dinner/creamy-spicy-sausage-pasta-with-spinach" target="_blank">Creamy Spicy Vegan Sausage Pasta by Well Vegan</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Do you ever make a recipe so often that you end up getting a little sick of it? Well, that's kind of how I feel with this one. It is a super easy peasy recipe. My family is OBSESSED with it and was on a kick of making it once a week for a few months. It really is that addictive! That's why I'm sharing it with you. Just be warned to not eat it 4 times a month. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>4. <a href="https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2016/2/23/macaroni-skillet/" target="_blank">Macaroni Skillet by Hot for Food</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Everything by HFF is amazing. Seriously, <a href="https://amzn.to/2DBPE7e" target="_blank">pick up their cookbook sometime</a> (their Pea Pesto is our favorite thing in the entire world). This macaroni skillet tastes 100x's better than hamburger helper! Like I said above, we typically will use the nacho cheese recipe from our crunchwraps for this meal. Lifehack to try out to great recipes at once!</p><br /><hr /><br /><div>And so, my friends, those are some of my all-time favorite vegan recipes on Pinterest! Again, please let me know if you make any of them. And share with me your faves too!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-85215433379700693752020-06-04T09:19:00.000-07:002020-06-04T09:19:10.455-07:00It's Time to be BetterHey y'all!<div><br /></div><div>I'm embarrassed to say that I've never used my blogging platform as a way to fight racial injustice. I have a pretty decent (and very loyal 💓) following, so why wouldn't I use my voice?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKjOowRbjns/XtkeCKV1E5I/AAAAAAAAIns/KNnccbNXkykIkw7KiAKufVoUtT2Tp27bgCK4BGAsYHg/w640-h640/instagram.png" width="640" /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Because I was scared.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was scared that I didn't know enough. I was scared that I would be told I couldn't just join the fight when it felt convenient to me. I was scared that people would tell me that because of my past prejudices, I couldn't be an ally to Black people. </div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past four years, I have had the biggest self-awakening. You can very much see the transition when I went from ~preppy~ to compassionate hippie. I have challenged myself to look deeper into my thoughts and beliefs. I didn't want to continue having the same opinions that I hadn't even researched myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I listened and believed other people. I let THEM form my opinions because it was easier to join in than it was to be different. I said things that I knew in my heart were wrong, but I wanted to fit in. I believed stereotypes because if everyone around them said it was true, then they had to be true, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was so completely clueless and naive. I couldn't (and still can't...yet) vote because I am not a US citizen, so I didn't care to look deeper into issues that run so very deep in this country. Police brutality is not something new. If you even do a simple google search, you will see the almost TWO THOUSAND people who were killed in 2019 year alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>George Floyd's death has made White people wake up to Black people's everyday real life. White friends, can you imagine being SCARED of police officers? Can you imagine getting a flat tire on the side of the road alone at night, and not feeling safe enough to call a police officer in fear of being killed? </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're not mad, you're not listening. We have to do better for our brothers and sisters. We have to do better than being "not racist". We have to be anti-racist. I have been having a lot of conversations with friends and family members about what is not okay to say. I have been having these conversations for a long time, but I'm hoping that George Floyd's death will really show them my point.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a White person, we have privileges that other races don't. And to the people who worked really hard to get where they are, it can be hard for them to see their skin color as a privilege because they've had ~struggles~ too. My sister put it in a simple way to me the other day. She said "Yes, your life can be hard. The color of your skin shouldn't make it harder."</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems so absolutely simple. But it's not just a simple case of recognizing that your life has had advantages over POC. It's DOING something about it. White friends, we have to be a part of this movement. Your children will learn about Black Lives Matter and the year 2020 in school. Do not be on the wrong side of history.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here are some educational resources. This is not an exhaustive list, but it's a start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Places to Donate: (<a href="https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More comprehensive list</a>)</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Lives Matter</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Floyd Memorial Fund</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/9v4q2-justice-for-breonna-taylor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Justice for Breonna</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Run with Maud</a></li><li><a href="https://www.innocenceproject.org/donate/?f_src=FY20_web_x_gen_nmat_campTop000Button_Main" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Innocence Project</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Petitions to Sign: (<a href="https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More comprehensive list</a>)</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/national-action-against-police-brutality-and-murder" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Action Against Police Brutality</a></li><li><a href="https://action.justiceforbreonna.org/sign/BreonnaWasEssential/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fight for Breonna</a></li><li><a href="https://www.runwithmaud.com/#petition" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Run with Maud</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Organizations and People to Follow:</div><div><span> Organizations:</span><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/blklivesmatter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@blklivesmatter</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/colorofchange/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@colorofchange</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/naacp/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@naacp</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/civilrightsorg/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@civilrightsorg</a></li></ul></ul><span> People:</span><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gabbywhiten/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gabbywhiten</a> - blogger</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sequinsandsales/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@sequinsandsales</a> - blogger</li><li><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/iamtabithabrown/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@iamtabithabrown</a> - vegan actress </span></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theebouffants/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@theebouffants</a> - artist</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mkoby_/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mkoby_</a> - artist</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Things to Read: (please buy from a Black-owned bookstore if possible!)</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn</li><li>The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson</li><li>How to be Anti-racist by Ibrahim X. Kendi</li><li>Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis</li><li>The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander</li><li><a href="https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#educate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">List of things to read to educate yourself online</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Things to Watch:</div><div><span> Netflix</span><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span><span>13th</span></span></li><li><span><span>American Son</span></span></li><li><span><span>Dear White People</span></span></li><li><span><span>See You Yesterday</span></span></li><li><span><span>When They See Us</span></span></li></ul></ul><span> Hulu</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>If Beale Street Could Talk</li><li>The Hate U Give </li></ul></ul><br /></div><div>Questions to ask yourself:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>What can you do to support POC in your community?</li><li>What are your local politicans' policy on ending police brutality?</li><li>When were you taught about race and culture?</li><li>How can you be actively anti-racist instead of simply "not racist"?<br /></li><li>What do you want to learn more about?</li></ul><br /></div><hr /><div><br /></div><div>Speak out against racial injustice. Even if you don't have the right words to say, you can share resources to your friends and family on social media. People are dying. Please DO SOMETHING. <b>It's time to be better.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-42164340811864211972020-05-29T09:42:00.000-07:002020-05-29T09:42:47.107-07:00Sit Down with Sarah | Vol. 9<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hey y'all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been OVER A YEAR since I did a SDWS!! Not to mention, I haven't posted anything since September....<i>Oops</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj9uREP36Ic/XtE5cbbEyTI/AAAAAAAAImM/FnxctrwSsAoI1waen0-vXi_sHbTUGnOHgCK4BGAsYHg/d/SDWS-10.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
I've got quite a few things to update you on. So whether you're just curious about what's been happening in my life, or if you're an ex-bestie creeping to see how great my life is, here's the scoop!<br />
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<b>1. I'M ENGAGED!!</b></div>
Say it with me, friends, "<i>finally</i>". On January 24th, Michael asked me to be his wife. Of course, I was a sobbing mess but managed to get out a yes. He asked if I had any idea and I replied "yes, you idiot" while wiping away my tears. That's love!!<br />
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FYI, we've been together for 6 years. That means we started dating when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. Very weird and very cool. Yes, we have a date. Yes, I'll post more about wedding stuff soon. <br />
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<b>2. I'm employed!!</b></div>
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I'm a communications specialist at a church in the Houston area. It's been so fun getting to be creative in my career. I have made so many cool designs that I'm really proud of. Christmas was amazing because I really got to see the mass effect my work has on people. </div>
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It's also been really exciting to start really seeing an increase in our savings. It makes me really feel like a grown-up now that we are investing in our future! We are saving for a house right now which makes me so so happy!!</div>
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<b>3. I'm back in Texas</b></div>
I'm assuming you kind of figured this one out since you read #2. But yes, I'm officially living back in Texas! Living in Alabama for the past 4 years really was an amazing growth opportunity. I just couldn't see myself there permanently.<br />
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I think being a 10-hour drive away from my family really put things into perspective. Since Michael and I have plans in the near future to start a family ourselves, I really wanted to be close to my mom and dad. Raising babies takes a village, and I want my kids to grow up with their grandparents actively in their lives.<br /><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klAysvGE7To/XtE4aCKAu7I/AAAAAAAAIlw/nLqSjdm7AqUGXn-qYwxYhf8y6NlbIPbnACK4BGAsYHg/w400-h400/IMG_8738.jpg" width="400" /></div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Quarantine Routine</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quarantine has been good for me honestly! My skin is looking so good because I've been chugging water and keeping up with my skincare routine. Even though I am staying up later, I still have been getting enough sleep each night. (I used to go to bed at 9:30/10 PM, so anything after that is late to me!!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also have been reading soooooo much. I have been finishing books in a few days, and it feels amazing. I finally got around to reading <a href="https://amzn.to/2TMFNjW" target="_blank">Where the Crawdads Sing</a>. What the heck at that ending, am I right ladies?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've also been making huge strides in my fitness routine. As you saw above, ya girl is getting married, and I want to feel and look my best. So it's nightly dumbbell Youtube videos since I'm not risking getting sick for the sake of swole arms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lastly, I have been going on a lot of walks with my dog and making sure I am getting some sun. In the beginning, it was easy for me to not go outside because I didn't ~need to~. But getting in that vitamin-D does the body and soul good. Don't worry though, I always wear my SPF!!</div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5. Working on my Highest Self</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This kind of goes along with #4 but I needed more space to explain what this means. Michael and I have started calling each other out on things that will better us in the future. For example, if I've been lazy all day and <i>still </i>don't want to work out, then he'll say "highest self!". It's basically an accountability check. How are you going to be your highest self if you keep being lazy? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, I'm not saying that you can't ever skip a workout or a night washing your face (but please don't sleep in makeup). But what I am saying, is once you skip ONE day, it's easier to start making excuses in the future. It's also really satisfying to count back the days that you've been consistent in your routine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So figure out what would your highest self do. Make a list and get specific. What would she wear? What would she eat? What does she drive? What does she do in her free time? The only way to start being who your highest self really is, is to define WHO she is. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;">Honorable Mentions:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'm obsessed with Animal Crossing (just like everyone else honestly)</li><li>I've gotten into doing digital designs -- peep my designs tab on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/texasweettea/" target="_blank">Instagram highlights</a></li></ul><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's all for now, sweet friends!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-19914688395872824112019-09-12T10:39:00.000-07:002019-09-12T11:00:35.459-07:00What I Read in August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey y'all!<br />
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I mentioned in my May favorites post that I've been a total bookworm lately! I personally love thrifting my books because it's so exciting to finally stumble upon one of the books on your "must-read list" for only a buck.<br />
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But in the month of August, I actually purchased a book to read along with my thrift finds. I love getting new suggestions so here are just a few of mine!<br />
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<b><a href="https://amzn.to/2N9Rm2O" rel="" target="_blank">Red, White, and Royal Blue</a> - 3/5</b></div>
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I saw this book on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaylavblogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kayla Blog's Instagram story</a> and based on the pink cover alone, I was intrigued. I looked into some more reviews and they were all glowing! </div>
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<b>TLDR summary of the book</b>: The First Son of the United States has a rivalry with the Prince of Wales. Somehow they end up having a secret love affair. </div>
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The idea of it sounded like a modern-day rom-com, so I picked it up at B&N. It was hard for me to get into because I prefer reading first-person novels. I also did get a bit confused with character names because they were very basic (<i>coming from the girl who's name is Sarah...</i>). It was an easy summer read, so if that's what you're into, definitely go for it! I think it just lacked a bit of the depth of a ~romance~ novel that I was expecting! Overall, not bad, not great.<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2NZDaJt" target="_blank"><b>The Lovely Bones</b></a> <b>- 4/5</b></div>
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I have had this book on my bookshelf for ages. But I finally got around to reading it. I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect.</div>
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<b>TLDR summary of the book: </b>Girl gets murdered and no one really knows who did it. Her dad has some suspicions and tries to solve the case. The story is told from the POV of the girl, looking down from heaven. </div>
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I really really enjoyed it! With true crime being such a hot topic for podcasts and tv shows now, I was all in on the crime part of it. I also will say that there were certain parts of the book that had me choked up, and I NEVER get emotional when I read books! </div>
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I will put a disclaimer and say there was a really weird part near the end of the book (you probably know what I'm talking about if you've read it), but I'm just trying to erase that part from my memory. Anyways, if you've never gotten around to reading this book like I did, add it to your list! </div>
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<b><a href="https://amzn.to/2NabnGC" target="_blank">Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus</a> - 4/5</b></div>
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Sorry, I don't have a picture of this one, it's not currently in my possession! But if you've ever been in a thrift store and looked at the book section, I guarantee your eyes have glanced over this book's spine. I believe there's an updated version now, but I have the one from the 90's because I'm cheap! </div>
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<b>TLDR summary of the book: </b>Advice on how to communicate with the opposite sex.</div>
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We can all improve our communication skill when it comes to our relationships. I found myself pausing while reading the book and asking my boyfriend, Michael if he really felt a certain way about the way I communicate with him. 99% of the time, he agreed with what the book was saying! </div>
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I never thought about framing a question as "would you" instead of "could you". And I never thought about the way that I express myself isn't the same as he expresses himself. It's not wrong, it's just different! I passed it on to Michael to read next and I really recommend it to any couple. An oldie but a goodie.</div>
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<b>Any good books you've read lately? Let me know down below! Next on my list is <a href="https://amzn.to/34JgFhN" target="_blank">Where the Crawdads Sing</a>!</b></div>
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-25014439711790050702019-08-30T11:38:00.002-07:002019-09-09T15:38:27.497-07:00My Favorite Skincare Products for Acne-Prone SkinHey y'all!<br />
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I used to know nothing about skincare. Although I'd pick at my skin in the mirror, I never really took care of my skin in a way that would have helped heal it.<br />
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I've done a few posts on skincare routines<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2015/12/how-i-got-rid-of-my-acne-and-how-you.html" target="_blank">Must-Try Skincare Routine For Acne-Prone Skin</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2016/10/my-updated-skincare-routine.html" target="_blank">My Updated Skincare Routine</a></li>
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But the skincare world is always changing, so it's fun to try out new products!</div>
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I would describe my skin as acne-prone, sensitive and combination. I have some scarring and redness from previous acne. Now that I treat my skin as the precious gem that it is, I really only get one or two small breakouts at a time on my face. And they seem to go away within a few days! </div>
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I thought I'd share with you some of my holy grail skincare products for acne-prone skin!<br />
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Let me start out by saying I use a lot of Mad Hippie products. They're vegan with clean ingredients. The line itself is targeted towards older skin, so the anti-aging effects are AMAZE for even our 20-year-old faces. You can also <a href="https://www.madhippie.com/collections/skincare/products/6-pack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">grab a kit here</a> with all the goodies and save some $$ while doing it.</div>
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<b>1. Cleanser - <a href="https://amzn.to/2zvm1yL" target="_blank">Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser</a> (AM+PM)</b></div>
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Cleansers should leave your face feeling clean, but not tight. If you're currently using a product that makes you feel like you just got a face-lift, then you're probably stripping some of the good oils that your skin needs. Try switching to something a little more gentle!</div>
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I like this product because it has a pump and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.</div>
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<b>2. Serum - <a href="https://amzn.to/2ZGm19Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum</a> (AM)</b></div>
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Vitamin C Serum can be used to help protect from premature aging. So if you don't have wrinkles yet and don't want them, add this cult favorite into your skincare routine. It can also aide in diminishing dark spots and hyperpigmentation. </div>
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I apply in the morning after cleansing and press the product into my skin. Then if I'm feeling really boujee (which I usually am, let's be honest), I'll follow up by using <a href="https://amzn.to/34nlcXg" target="_blank">my rose quartz roller</a>!</div>
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<b>3. Toner - <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/7uZs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution</a> (PM)</b></div>
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Don't let the cheap price tag throw you off. This stuff ROCKS! I've only been using it for a week, but I already notice a difference in my skin. This product is great for exfoliating, so if you have pesky little bumps that aren't quite pimples, but never really go away, RUN and get this product!</div>
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I also use <a href="https://amzn.to/2MTw0XJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these re-useable rounds</a> when applying this to my face. They're super affordable and come with a cute little bag that you can just throw in your washer!</div>
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Make sure you wear sunscreen every day when you use this product! It's no joke.</div>
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<b>4. Moisturizer - <a href="https://amzn.to/2HuRd5R" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mad Hippie Face Cream</a> (PM)</b></div>
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I'm only recommending a PM moisturizer because I have yet to find a lightweight one for day use that I love, so leave me a recommendation if you have one!</div>
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This cream leaves my skin feeling dewy and glowy when I wake up the next morning. If I forget this step, there's always a noticeable difference! If you were to try one product out of all of these, this would be my recommendation!</div>
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<b>5. Eye Cream - <a href="https://amzn.to/2L9p0Uq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mad Hippie Eye Cream</a> (PM)</b></div>
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I recently used up the last of my bottle, so you know it's a goodie! This was my first time using an eye cream, and I can now say that I understand the hype. It feels like I'm at a spa when I lay in bed with it under my eyes! </div>
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I'm considering trying out <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/7uYN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ordinary Caffeine Solution</a> next, so if you want an update on that, be sure to let me know!</div>
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
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texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-14759511899249367572019-08-14T09:05:00.000-07:002019-08-14T09:05:53.513-07:00Feeling the BurnoutHey y'all!<br />
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I've always been a creative type. Whether I was doodling in a notebook in first grade, or scrapbooking my life away at age 10, I would tell my mom that I was bored and "<i>wanted to do some crafting</i>". I also started making <a href="https://bit.ly/2Ehdph8" target="_blank">YouTube videos</a> when I was in 5th grade, and since then, the creative content has pretty much been nonstop. From creating a blog to trying a million different <a href="http://instagram.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">Instagram ideas</a>, I've really dipped my toe in the pond of most platforms.<br />
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But one of the hardest things I frequently experience is lack of inspiration. I feel like I'm failing myself if I'm not posting a photo once a week or uploading a video every-so-often. I LOVE when I'm in the zone and just creating new content. So why do I feel so disappointed when the content I publish doesn't receive the engagement I expected?<br />
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The longer I waited to post, the more it felt like the audience I worked so hard for was losing interest. I didn't want to post the wrong thing and lose myself even more. I shouldn't seek validation from the number of likes or comments I get. But when your posts aren't resonating with your audience, it's time for a break.<br />
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So that's what I did.<br />
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I took a break from my blog to allow myself to figure out what exactly I want from it. Since I'm no longer in college, it feels wrong to write about "<a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2016/03/fg2c-9-things-you-will-actually-need-in.html" target="_blank">9 Things You Need for Your Dorm</a>". I want my content to feel genuine without being boring. I want my excitement about my posts to jump off the page. I want to be in love with my blog again to the point that it feels wrong if I'm not posting once a week.<br />
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2019 has been a toughie for sure, but it's allowed for me to grow. So I'm coming back with my sassy and witty sense of humor to deliver the big sister content that I love to create. I hope you'll stick around!<br />
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
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ps here's a photo of how I've kind of been feeling lately ft my dog, Peanut.<br />
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<br />texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-20895740829750490592019-05-31T12:40:00.000-07:002019-05-31T13:00:22.792-07:00My 2019 May FavoritesHey y'all!<br />
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I've recently been binge-watching monthly favorite videos on YouTube. I miss the good ole days where you could expect at least 3 of these types of videos in your subscription box. Not only is it a great way to discover new products, but it might also remind you of your favorite lip gloss that you used to use.<br />
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I figured it was time to do a little throwback here on the blog too, and share my favorites from the month of May!<br />
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<b>1. Mad Hippie Skin Care</b></div>
So if you're new here, then you wouldn't know I have acne-prone skin. It's gotten a lot better as I've grown up, but I definitely still get breakouts, especially around<i> that time of the month</i>. But for the past few months, I've been using the <a href="https://www.madhippie.com/collections/deals/products/6-pack" target="_blank">Mad Hippie Skin Care line</a>, and let me tell you that obsessed is an understatement. I linked to the full 6-pack set that I use, but feel free to mix and match!<br />
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My skin has never felt sooooo soft in my entire life. My skin is CLEAR! Even those tiny annoying little bumps that aren't pimples, but you can never seem to get rid of....they're gone! I will admit that I can get lazy after a long day of work and just use my makeup eraser (another monthly favorite) to do a quick clean. But I notice a huge difference in the morning of the ~glow factor~ of my skin if I use my night creams and serums. Invest in your skin care people!!!<br />
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<b>2. Thrifting Books</b></div>
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In high school, I was not a "reader". Maybe it's because I hated being told what I had to read, so I refused to even open up the assigned reading books. <i>Oops. </i>But now, I read about 4-5 books a month. The key is to thrift your books!! I have a list of books I want to read on Amazon so that I can have an idea of the books I want to pick up if I see them at the thrift store. It saves me so much money, and I don't feel bad just reading them and re-donating! (If you don't like going to thrift stores, consider checking out thrifty book websites!)</div>
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This month I read: all three of the hunger games books, Eat Pray Love, and The Secret.<br />
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<b>3. Dr. Scholl's Slip On Sneakers</b></div>
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If you didn't see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nzX9WBmH5A&t=3s" target="_blank">my Atlanta vlog</a>, then you would have missed seeing me gush about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074N8XZT7/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=texasweettea-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B074N8XZT7&linkId=e845ef5240b620a8f036aedddcaa3d0a" target="_blank">these shoes</a>. I got these in April, but they've definitely been a staple in my May outfits. Since they're Dr. Scholl's, they are EXTREMELY comfortable. I work on my feet for 8-hour shifts, and although I still feel a little sore after, it's definitely minimized thanks to the inserts. My only comment to make on them is that they run a little big, so I'd go half a size down!</div>
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<b>4. Show Me Your Mumu 'Fits</b></div>
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I'm basic and I don't care. I looooove all my <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/33Te" target="_blank">SMYM pieces</a>! Now that it's officially summertime, I get to start wearing my all-time favorite Carlos Shorts and patterned rompers. Not only are all of their pieces "wrinkle-proof", but they are so breezy and flowy. I personally hate tight constricting outfits so all of their bohemian-esque pieces are right up my alley. </div>
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<b>5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate</b></div>
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So maybe I'm not a "gamer girl", but I have been having a blast playing super smash bros with my boyfriend lately! I actually can stay on the screen for more than 30 seconds!! We've been crushing through the spirit board, and it's so fun to work as a team. It also has a certain level of nostalgia since my sister and I used to play this game at our cousins' house on their game cube when we were kids! </div>
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I had a great month of May and can't wait to see what June has in store!! </div>
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
<br />texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-48975412140920199032019-05-08T10:54:00.000-07:002019-05-08T10:56:38.081-07:0010 Easy Feng Shui Tips to Try in Your HomeHey y'all!<br />
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I looooove home decor. But between you and me, I also think I'm bad at decorating. I find myself at thrift stores and TJ Maxx grabbing everything that's "cute" just because it's cheap. And that's such a bad habit to have!<br />
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Not only does my house become cluttered because I didn't buy things with the intention of having a space to put them, but sometimes my decor just looks like a pile of junk. I get overwhelmed and eventually end up donating most of my "great finds", only to start the cycle over again.<br />
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But recently, I've become more interested in the art of Feng Shui.<br />
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So what exactly is Feng Shui?<br />
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Feng Shui : the Chinese art or practice of creating harmonious surroundings that enhance the balance of yin and yang, as in arranging furniture or determining the siting of a house.</blockquote>
Thanks, Dictionary.com!<br />
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Basically, we all want good energy around us, right? We want all the ~good vibes~ we can get, especially in our homes.<br />
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A few of the books I've been reading have all discussed a few simple ways to make use of Feng Shui in your own home, so I figured that I would share them with y'all!<br />
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1. Clear out the junk from under your bed so energy can circulate freely. Do you really want to be sleeping on top of problems? (And if you're still sleeping on the floor, <a href="https://amzn.to/2DUEGa8" target="_blank">buy a bed frame</a> already).<br />
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Side note: If you love something, would you really keep it on the floor? You're de-valuating your items by keeping them there. Find a new storage solution, or just get rid of the junk!</div>
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2. Do you have that loving feelin'? Grab pairs of pink or red objects and place them in the back right corner of your bedroom in relation to the entrance. Or if you're worried about your Tinder hookup stealing your stuff, place something red or pink under your mattress. Think about them (or look at them if they're on your nightstand) to give yourself a reminder that you're open to allll the love. </div>
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Examples: two rose quartz crystals, <a href="https://amzn.to/305NYcD" target="_blank">two Himalayan salt lamps</a></div>
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3. Your bedroom should be a place of relaxation, so skip out on the TV and computer. No more distractions, lady! If you really need to watch the latest episode of GOT, then watch it in the living room like a normal person.</div>
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4. While I'm talking about the bedroom, also avoid any ~water~ elements. That means no fountains, fish tanks and preferably not even pictures of water. It's said that this can cause money problems and robbery. Hard pass.</div>
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5. Avoiding mirrors in your bedroom is also a great idea. They can amplify energy, which can disrupt your R&R. If you can't move them, place a dark cloth over the mirror when it's bedtime. </div>
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6. Sorry to the crazy plant ladies out there, but if you're really trying to create the best energy in your home, leave your plants out of the bedroom. They have too much yang energy which can throw off the balance you're trying to maintain. If you absolutely cannot live without them, just make sure that they're not in sight when you're laying in your bed. </div>
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7. Layout a <a href="https://amzn.to/2YhvzaW" target="_blank">welcome mat</a> to make guests (and good energy) feel welcome into your home. Consider adding a water feature, like <a href="https://amzn.to/2H7LIKC" target="_blank">a fountain</a>, to represent the flow of wealth into your home. You want to make sure that everyone feels invited to really help the good vibes flow!</div>
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8. Adding lights, mirrors and crystals will help to stimulate the fame and acknowledgment aspiration.</div>
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9. If you're wanting to increase wealth in your home, consider purchasing a <a href="https://amzn.to/2YeeUFh" target="_blank">money plant</a> and placing a gold coin in the soil. </div>
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10. The best incense for creating a loving atmosphere: <a href="https://amzn.to/2YmJY67" target="_blank">patchouli</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3055PR5" target="_blank">musk</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2Vfa7BS" target="_blank">ylang-ylang</a>, or <a href="https://amzn.to/2VQg24p" target="_blank">jasmine</a><br />
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If you this sparked your interest at all, let me know! I'd love to share how to find your element, ideal sleeping position and even helping calculate grids for your home! And if it didn't get you feelin' like you want to move every item in your home, then don't sweat it. If it's not meaningful to you, then don't do it. Your home should reflect your authentic self, so do whatever makes you happy!<br />
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
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texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-6258255648588379742019-03-21T09:20:00.000-07:002019-03-21T09:20:21.501-07:00Instagram: The Thief of JoyHey y'all!<br />
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At one point or another, I'm sure we've all felt the negative effects of social media. We wake up in the morning feeling on top of the world, then you log into <a href="http://instagram.com/texasweettea" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Your sorority sister is engaged! Your cousin is having a baby! A model is exploring Costa Rica with a skimpy bikini, flat tummy, and not a single pimple in sight! Meanwhile, you're laying in bed, wondering why YOUR life can't be that amazing.<br />
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I know we all know this, but here's a quick little reminder: COMPARISON WILL KILL YOU. It can be difficult to keep in mind that an Instagram feed is not someone's real life. It's typically curated content. It takes hundreds of shots to post just ONE good one. And as much as it looks like a girl is having the time of her life frolicking in the mountainside flowers, in reality, she probably ended up getting a crap ton of mosquito bites and a possible case of poison ivy.<br />
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People are editing their mistakes and flaws out. They are putting their best selves out into the world, not necessarily their true authentic selves. If someone makes you feel insecure or a little "off", then UNFOLLOW THEM! If they're your friend and you want to avoid the awkward "<i>why did you unfollow me???</i>" then just mute them! I promise that you will feel so much better after.<br />
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Now I'm not saying that every single person on your feed isn't actually loving their life and wanting to share it with the world. Some people truly do use Instagram as a quick "btw here's what I'm doing ok bye". And I think that's great!<br />
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I also think it's great that people use Instagram as a platform to share their artwork. I think photography is cool, whether it's lifestyle, fashion, high-end, I love it all. I'm not saying people CAN'T or SHOULDN'T post these things. What I'm saying is stop comparing yourself to those people. Because here's a little secret...<i>you aren't them!</i><br />
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As much as a lot of us wish it to be true, we can't be someone else. We can only use the gifts that were given to us to bring our own unique joy and creativity to the world. If you think you have the cutest dog in the world, then share that! Who cares if it's not your ~aesthetic~? If it brings you joy and makes you happy, share it!<br />
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I love following people who are authentically and unapologetically themselves. Not only does it inspire me to live a happier life and truly thrive, but it makes me happy for them too. It makes me happy to see people spreading love and light throughout a platform that could potentially make you hate yourself.<br />
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You don't have to have tan skin, a flat stomach, and flawless skin to share a photo on Instagram. Just take the time to be thoughtful and intentional with your posts. Make sure they are something YOU love, and then just screw everyone else's opinions.<br />
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Instagram doesn't have to be a place that you dread logging into every day. It can be the greatest, most encouraging platform on the planet if you just check who you're following, love what you post, and engage with people who inspire you!<br />
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-76616372372512195562019-03-06T12:23:00.000-08:002019-03-06T12:23:00.697-08:00How to Date Yourself (Even If You Aren't Single)Hey y'all!<br />
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So last week, I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZDPsxDE65/" target="_blank">posted an Instagram</a> saying that I'm my own woman crush Wednesday (yes, that's what #wcw stands for, mom). In the caption, I mentioned how important dating yourself was, and how I was going to touch on it in a blog post soon. Well, here it is!<br />
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Now I know what you're probably thinking when you read the title of this post..."What the heck does <i>dating myself</i> even mean?" It means exactly what you think it means. How would you go on a date with someone you loved? That's your answer.<br />
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If you knew someone was coming over to your apartment for a '<a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2016/06/10-of-most-addicting-shows-for-binge.html" target="_blank">Netflix and Chill</a>' kind of night, you'd probably shave your legs, deep clean your living room, and most importantly, pick out the cutest pair of pj's you have so that you not only look your best, but you feel your best too. So why don't we stop and do that for ourselves? Why do we skip out on showering for the day, stay in our old college t-shirt, and let the mess pile up around us because we know <i>we'll get to it later</i>?<br />
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Now before you say "my boyfriend and I just lay around the house because we're comfortable with being ugly around each other." Ok, ok, I get it because same. But that doesn't mean that I don't get extra excited when we dress up nice and go out of the house for dinner. It feels even more special when we decide to get off our butts for the weekend and do something ~outdoors~. So even if you are in a relationship, that doesn't mean you are always just looking ugly. (And if you are, maybe consider doing something special once a week...spice it up a lil bit.)<br />
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Don't you deserve the excitement that someone outside of ourselves gets? Shouldn't we be so in love with ourselves that we WANT to look pretty and sexy and hot and cool? Now I'm not saying that every single day you have to get up and do your makeup or else that means you hate yourself. I'm just saying, when is the last time you did something for yourself? When was the last time you dressed up for yourself or put on makeup for YOURSELF (not work, not a date, not class) and thought "damn, I look gooooooood"?<br />
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Sorry, sis, but if the answer is anything more than a week ago, then you need to start prioritizing yourself. At the end of the day, you are the only person you have. Even if you are in the most loving, committed relationship that ever existed, it means nothing if you can't look in the mirror and say how much you love YOURSELF. Otherwise, that relationship that means so much to you, it's just a crutch for your own emotional insecurities. And that's the tea.<br />
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Obviously, I'm not an expert on the human mind. But I've dabbled quite a bit in the self-help and self-love section of the book store. So here's my short and sweet version:<br />
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<i>We seek love from other people because we don't deeply love ourselves yet. </i><br />
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Yikes, is that too close to home? Does that make you feel uncomfortable to read? Now you can scoff and roll your eyes and say "she has no idea what she's talking about. I love myself, I really do." And you can believe that!<br />
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But until you start treating yourself with the same love that you would give to your soulmate, then you really can't be in love with yourself. I want women to feel the way I do when I go grab lunch by myself. I think "wow, I am so happy to be spending time by myself!!" Being alone shouldn't be uncomfortable, it should EXCITE YOU!<br />
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If you haven't dated yourself before, it might be a little intimidating. But don't be nervous. Just ask yourself "what do <i>I </i>want to do? What would make <i>ME</i> happy?" And then, do that! There's no wrong way to take yourself on a date, and it looks different for so many people.<br />
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For me, it's going thrifting. I get excited to take myself out every Thursday and search a few stores for some affordable goodies. For yourself, it may be going to get your nails done, or going on a hike. Whatever you do, make sure you are doing it alone.<br />
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Get comfortable with yourself. Get to know the person you are. Because if you can't be comfortable in your own skin and love yourself, then how could you ever expect someone else to?<br />
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
<br />texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-81256445652426696862019-02-25T11:20:00.000-08:002019-02-25T11:23:52.403-08:00Sit Down With Sarah | Vol. 8Hey y'all!<br />
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How the heck is the last time I did a SDWS in OCTOBER?!? In my head, I always think I never go too long without writing one of these posts, but I guess time just flies when you're having fun! I feel like I have so much to fill you in on! I'm officially on the post-grad side of life and let me tell you, it's definitely a lot different than being a college student!<br />
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I've been trying to keep myself busy, and I've sat down a few separate occasions to type out a blog post, but didn't really feel inspired enough to write. Then I remembered one of my favorite posts ever to write is a good ole' Sit Down with Sarah!<br />
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<b>1. I turned 22</b></div>
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*Insert lyrics from Taylor Swift's 22* Can I stop growing up already? I feel like I've been 21 for all of 5 minutes and now I'm a whole year older. Feels wild that most college football players are now YOUNGER than me. Deep breaths, Sarah, deep breaths.</div>
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For my birthday, Michael and I went to Birmingham with my sweet little dog, Peanut. We went shopping around the Summit and even visited a few HomeGoods/TJ Maxx's (Fun fact: you can take your dogs into those stores as long as they are "contained" aka in the cart). We ended the night by watching Alabama win over Georgia. Roll tide forever.</div>
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<b>2. I graduated (with honors, woohoo!!)</b></div>
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Speaking of roll tide forever, I'm now an ALUMNI of the University of Alabama. What the heck?? Ya girl graduated early, with another 4.0 semester under her belt. I have never felt more proud of myself than the day of my graduation. It felt soooo good to here "cum lade" read out after my name in front of thousands of people. Go me!! Here are <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2017/09/study-tips-for-your-best-semester-yet.html" target="_blank">some study tips</a> to help ya out with your own graduation goals.</div>
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<b>3. I went ~blonder~ (as seen in pic above)</b></div>
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Do blondes really have more fun?? I'd like to think so. I've always wanted to go lighter, but thanks to my reddish undertones, it's always been something that I could never accomplish on my own at home. I did get balayage a year ago, but I was ready to spice it up even more. Soooo I went lighter overall and I love it!! I really hope to go full blonde in the future, but we'll see!</div>
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<b>4. vlog life</b></div>
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After so much back and forth on if I should take the plunge and just finally buy a vlog camera, I did it! I purchased the <a href="https://amzn.to/2Xnw9Ez" target="_blank">Canon EOS m6</a> based on one of my fave vlogger's (Sarah's Day) recommendation! Although I've only put up one video so far, I am beyond excited to journey into this new platform! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/idbereily?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">Be sure to subscribe</a> so you can stay up to date with my latest uploads.</div>
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<b>5. ~five years later~</b></div>
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I hope you read that in the spongebob narrator voice because that's exactly how I intended for it to be read. This valentine's day, Michael and I officially celebrated 5 years together!! I'm about to get cheesy fyi. It really hasn't felt like we have been together for a whole 5 years, but at the same time, I can't really remember my life without him. I love being in love!!</div>
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To celebrate, we ordered in some yummy gyros and hummus (our fave) and watched the Lego Movie (inside joke, don't worry about it). Then the Saturday following Valentine's Day, we went to go see the Lego Movie 2 in theatres. We are planning on doing a trip for spring break to officially celebrate our anniversary, but it was fun doing a few simple things for the time being! I can't wait to spend even more time together hehe.<br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">And now some SDWS Honorable mentions:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">I went to Nashville...again... but this time, for Thanksgiving with Michael's family</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Spent Christmas with Michael's family in Ohio</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px;">Read a toooooon of books (future post all about books to change your life!!)</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Life sure is changing, and I'm so excited to share every step of my post-grad life!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">xo,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "crimson text" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Sarah</span></span></div>
texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-43651452186395837772019-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:002019-02-05T13:01:18.468-08:00Valentine's Day Gift Ideas You'll AdoreHey y'all!<br />
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I loooooove Valentine's Day. Even though my boyfriend was extremely lame and asked me to be his girlfriend on vday, I still think it's such a fun and romantic day! This year Michael and I will be celebrating 5 years together, and I'm thrilled to have a day where it's all about US!<br />
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Obviously, it's not necessary to buy things for your SO for valentine's day. I think that if it wasn't our anniversary as well, then we'd probably opt to skip out on the ~gifts~. I put together a list of his and her gift ideas ranging from low-end to high-end! And if you're single, it's still great to <i>#treatyoself</i>.<br />
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<b><u>For her</u></b><br />
1. <a href="https://amzn.to/2tfJiC1" target="_blank">hair dryer</a> | 2. <a href="https://amzn.to/2t5FYZV" target="_blank">gold watch</a> | 3. <a href="https://amzn.to/2GnRnfy" target="_blank">tile</a> | 4. <a class="gr-progress" href="https://amzn.to/2UOglZF" target="_blank">bath bomb</a> | 5. <a href="https://amzn.to/2WJbrig" target="_blank">light up mirror</a> | 6. <a href="https://amzn.to/2t8vKbm" target="_blank">face mask</a> | 7. <a href="https://amzn.to/2MSbX9c" target="_blank">diptyque candle</a> | 8. <a href="https://amzn.to/2GrWcnV" target="_blank">rose quartz roller</a> | 9. <a href="https://amzn.to/2GpCPw0" target="_blank">charm bracelet</a><br />
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I highly recommend picking up the <a href="https://amzn.to/2GrWcnV" target="_blank">rose quartz roller</a> for your gal. I love using mine every morning and night! Not only is it super cute, but it has a ton of health benefits and stops your girlie from getting oily hands during her skincare routine.<br />
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It would be great to put together a little self-care kit with the <a href="https://amzn.to/2GrWcnV" target="_blank">roller</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2t8vKbm" target="_blank">mask</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/2UOglZF" target="_blank">bath bomb</a>! You also can't go wrong with <a href="https://amzn.to/2MSbX9c" target="_blank">this high-end candle</a> that smells like roses! Who needs to buy flowers when you can have your whole room lit up with the scent?<br />
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<b><u>For him</u></b><br />
10. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ss2jPQ" target="_blank">headphones</a> | 11. <a href="https://amzn.to/2DVhVmU" target="_blank">pen knife</a> | 12. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Gq0z2U" target="_blank">why I love you journal</a> | 13. <a href="https://amzn.to/2UDxHYM" target="_blank">firestick</a> | 14. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Gdhuq2" target="_blank">cologne</a> | 15. <a href="https://amzn.to/2GrTkaL" target="_blank">shave kit</a><br />
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The best part about purchasing <a href="https://amzn.to/2Gdhuq2" target="_blank">cologne</a> for your partner is the fact that you get to choose what they smell like (hehe). I love this one! It has a warm spicy scent to it which I looove on a man. I think that <a href="https://amzn.to/2Gq0z2U" target="_blank">the journal</a> is a sweet idea for something sentimental, especially if you are long distance!<br />
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I hope you have a great Valentine's Day! Eat all the good food, snuggle up to your love bug, and enjoy!</div>
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
<br />texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095509768447941529.post-39041919362418596782019-01-28T11:12:00.001-08:002019-02-05T13:14:03.183-08:0030 Journal Prompts for 30 Days of GratitudeHey y'all!<br />
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We're getting real <i>#deep </i>in 2019, and I'm loving every second of it! And by deep, I mean emotionally deep, since ya know, we're only one month into the year. Writing about ways to connect with others and have a deeper understanding of yourself is just so easy and fun for me! In <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2019/01/stop-settling-for-less-than-you-deserve.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I mentioned how being grateful is one of the best ways to show the Universe that you are appreciative for everything that you have. It shows that you are seeing (and grateful for) everything that you are receiving, the big and the small. <br />
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The best way to do this, in my opinion, is writing it down. That's why I'm a big fan of journaling! Not only is it a great way to keep track of your previous thoughts and feelings, but it's great for letting out your emotions. Sometimes it can be hard to open up to an actual person, so writing things down on a piece of paper is a healthy alternative.<br />
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I recommend keeping your journal somewhere that you won't forget about it. For example, if you plan on journaling first thing when you wake up or right before you go to bed, keep your journal on/in your nightstand. If you have plenty of time on the bus ride to work, consider journaling on your way. Make journaling a priority. You might think you're too busy to add it into your everyday routine, but everyone has at least a little free time to sneak in some gratitude.<br />
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Here are some journals that would be perfect for starting out! Don't feel like you need to purchase something fancy though. An old composition notebook will work fine as well.<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2TiVuNH" target="_blank">Celestial Journal</a></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2G3uXA6" target="_blank">Brown Spiral Notebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2WqCJtF" target="_blank">365 Blank Journal</a></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2sRaqH2" target="_blank">Cork Notebook</a></div>
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It's also important to have writing utensils that you enjoy using! There's nothing worse than ending up with ink smudged all over your hand and paper once you've finished. I'll be the first one to admit that I'm kind of a pen-snob, but if you're like me, then you totally get how rewarding it is to finally find a good pen. I personally love the <a href="https://amzn.to/2FT7lyQ" target="_blank">InkJoy Retractable Gel Pens</a> for my planner and journaling needs. There are a ton of colors so depending on what task or mood I'm in, I can switch it up and get creative. I also highly recommend <a href="https://amzn.to/2G6qhJz" target="_blank">Paper Mate Felt Tip Pens</a>. So satisfying to use!!<br />
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Not the kind of person who enjoys sitting down with a pen and paper? You can journal inside of the notes app on your phone! It doesn't matter if you are physically writing it or typing it out, as long as you're expressing yourself in a healthy way, then you're doing what's best for yourself.<br />
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I hope you enjoy these next 30 days of journaling, and may the prompts open your eyes to new things to be grateful for! Be sure to check out my other <a href="https://www.texasweettea.com/2018/01/30-journal-prompts-to-help-make-2018.html" target="_blank">30 days of journaling prompt about self-love</a>.<br />
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xo,</div>
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Sarah</div>
texasweetteahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317505491651758537noreply@blogger.com0