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Favorite Non-Blogging Apps

March 28, 2016 | 18 Comments

We all love our phones, am I right? Instant access to anything – shopping, pictures, communication and even the rare actual phone call. Social media has taken over most of our lives – for both personal and blogging use. Besides those apps, there are a number of other apps that I use so regularly that they’ve made my favorites list.

Goodreads

I often think a book looks great, thinking I would really like it, only to find out (multiple chapters in) that I’ve already read it. Goodreads keeps track of every book I’ve read, as well as books I want to read. I love that I can connect with people to get ideas on new books to read, too!

Ibotta

I like this app because it gives me cash back on my normal grocery shopping. In just over a year I’ve earned $85, which isn’t bad for not doing anything! With this app, you can join your friend’s team and earn extra cash with team bonuses. Pairing this app with the next on my list saves me a lot of money…

Target Cartwheel

This is a no-brainer since I do most of my shopping at Target. Pairing Cartwheel with coupons and Ibotta, I’ve saved $470 in less than three years.

Ref Guide 4EO

This is a referral guide for essential oils – right at my fingertips, all of the time. I can search by oil or ailment. It’s not free, but for $7 it’s really a great resource as we are trying to move towards being more natural in the way we take care of ourselves.

Zulily

Discount children’s, women’s and home items, updated every day? Yep, sign me up. I have notifications set for my favorite brands so I don’t miss out – there are often a limited number of each size. I get the girls Tiny Toms every year for a fraction of the price in even Nordstrom Rack. I’ve loved Zulily since I was pregnant with E, which was (gasp!) six years ago.

Ebates

Of course, I’m no stranger to shopping. I always, always, always check Ebates before purchasing something online. I often get cash back on items that I would be purchasing anyway. Since I joined I have earned over $900, which was either paid out by check or Amazon giftcard.

RetailMeNot

Speaking of shopping, I also never shop either in store or online without first checking RetailMeNot. There is almost always a coupon available for any store I am shopping at. I can either use the code online or pull up the coupon to be scanned on my phone.

So there you have it. Besides the standard Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – these are the apps that I am checking the most often. What are your favorites? I love finding new-to-me resources!

Two Years Ago (+Giveaway)

March 14, 2016 | 68 Comments

March, 2014. I had an almost one year old in addition to my almost four year old. I was working, maintaining a home, thinking about what would make me happy. I was losing myself in “mom” and “homemaker” and “wife”. Who was I? What could I do that made me happy, all while not taking me away from those roles too much? What emerged from that time was this, All the Joys.

This month is my blogiversary and I’ve been reflecting a lot on this little space of mine. Two years ago I created a blog and jumped in. I had no idea what things like blog design, coding, SEO or link ups were. To be honest, most of those things I still don’t know! I didn’t know how to use Twitter, or that Pinterest would become more than just my favorite way to pass the time.

What I did know is that I quickly met people that are a part of an awesome community, and I fell in love with blogging. I thrive on sharing my favorite moments, highlights of my days and products that help me get through them. Two years have passed, and as I blow out the candles on my pretend blogiversary cake, I wish that there are many more to come.

I thought it would be to take a look down memory lane – so here are my top 10 posts, of all ~~two years~~ time!

12 Gender Neutral Grab Bag Ideas

Stitch Fix – October 2015

It’s A Choice

101 in 1001

Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

The celebrating doesn’t stop there! I decided to thank you, my readers, for making this space so enjoyable for me. Enter below for your chance to a $25 giftcard of your choice! *Giftcard must be able to be emailed or shipped online.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Twenty vs. Thirty

February 23, 2016 | 40 Comments

This year, I will be greeting my mid-thirties – and I’d be lying if I said I was really excited about it. Turning thirty was fun, but each year after that has been a little less fun. Why? Not because I’m getting older (age comes with wisdom, money and knowledge, right?!), but because my lifestyle and interests have drastically changed from when I was younger. I thought it would be fun to take a closer look at my life differences between twenty and thirty years old.

In my 20’s, A great night consisted of lots of friends, drinks, and climbing in to bed long after midnight.

In my 30’s, A great night consists of my couch, my husband, a Diet Coke, my dog and Netflix with a bedtime long before midnight.

In my 20’s, my favorite drink was anything fruity with Rum.

In my 30’s, I appreciate a good glass of wine.

In my 20’s, my favorite places to shop were Forever 21, Express, Wet Seal and Maurices.

In my 3o’s, my favorite places to shop are Homegoods, Target, Crate and Barrel and Loft.

In my 2o’s, a standard meal included pizza, pasta, bread and something fried.

In my 30’s, I have to eat fruit and vegetables to not get a stomachache!

In my 20’s, it was normal to go to bed at 5:00 am.

In my 30’s, it’s normal wake up at 5:00 am.

In my 20’s, I would nap or shop in my free time.

In my 30’s, I blog, read or clean in my free time.

In my 20’s, my best friends were the girls that lived in my dorm, were in my sorority and people I met through them.

In my 3o’s, my best friends are the same girls. I guess some things don’t change afterall!

How are your preferences different than they were five or ten years ago? It’s amazing how we are always changing and evolving!

Rambling On… And On

December 9, 2015 | 18 Comments

As much as I love a good “how-to”, fashion or recipe post (and I really do!), sometimes we all need to just get back to why we started blogging in the first place. For me, it was so that I could have a place not overrun by my husband or children, but a place that was all mine. I could write what I wanted, connect with people that weren’t my husband’s coworker’s wives or E’s classmates mothers. I could have my own space. Something that is so rare for any adult.

I’ve been a little MIA in the blog world lately. Not on purpose, it just sort of happened. Let me tell you a little about me – I am a notorious over-committer. If there is a project to be done, a volunteer needed, or a social event going on – I’m there. It’s always been a “problem”, but I didn’t realize how large until we moved to Texas.

Here I am, missing Chicago – my friends, family, area, everything. In the last three and half months I have thrown myself in to every possible activity and volunteer role available in hopes to establish a new network of friends. I mistakenly thought that since I am not working outside of the home, I would have time to commit to various activities and social obligations. I am (and was) wrong. It also doesn’t help that I have been back to Chicago twice since August and have left in tears both times, swimming up reasons as to why I need to stay there “just one more day”.

I’m worn thin. Emotionally, physically, and with my time. I am making some changes in my many over commitments, to allow more time for just me. I need that. I think we all do.

If you have stuck around long enough to read my rambling thoughts, thank you. Thanks for coming back to my space and for connecting with me. Thank you for being patient while I figure out this crazy thing called life.

34 Life Lessons

June 30, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Today is my birthday (insert party emojis here!) and I am turning 34. Birthdays definitely aren’t what they used to be – no sleepovers, parties at the waterpark or all night bar crawls anymore. Birthdays have turned in to somewhat reflective days for me. So today, I thought I’d share 34 lessons I’ve learned – one for each of my years.

1. Always order dessert.

2. Make time to call your parents. Even if they have mastered texting, a phone call is much better.

3. Written thank you notes are mandatory.

4. Forgive.

5. Never doubt yourself.

6. Don’t be afraid to fall in love.

7. Buy the shoes. You can’t take money with you!

8. Look people in the eye while saying “hello”, even strangers.

9. Make time for your friends. They become family as time goes on.

10. Always have a pet that you can cuddle.

11. Use emojis when appropriate.

12. Emojis are always appropriate.

13. Have a glass of water in between drinks. Or drink vodka/water/soda water with lots of limes.

14. Send or give cards to the important people in your life randomly, just to brighten their day.

15. Take at least one day a month without technology. Turn it all off.

16. Stop and listen when your children want to tell you a story.

17. Never say no to cuddles – soon they won’t want them.

18. Save some of every paycheck – you just never know.

19. Drink water every day.

20. Remember where you came from.

21. Don’t underestimate the power of a good book, bubble bath and a glass of wine.

22. Be grateful, even when it seems there is nothing to be grateful for. (You are alive!)

23. Chocolate is it’s own food group.

24. Cheese makes anything better.

25. Don’t be ashamed of watching those trashy reality shows – everyone needs a little entertainment.

26. Tell the people you love that you love them, and tell them often.

27. Be yourself. Every day.

28. Splurge on yourself every once in awhile.

29. Do nice things for other people – be charitable when you can.

30. Only buy things on sale. If it’s not, wait a week or two.

31. Learn how to cook a “signature meal”.

32. Try to see the other side of an argument, even if you don’t agree with it.

33. It’s ok to say “no”.

Lastly, and more importantly:

34. Find something that makes you happy in every single day. There is always something, even if you need to dig a little deeper some days!