3 REASONS MINIMALISTS NEED PAPERLESS POST

40 invitations sent out with the click of a button...I could get used to this!

A few weeks ago, Paperless Post asked to collaborate with me.  I had never heard of them before, but after checking out their website and creating an account, I saw that I've actually used Paperless Post twice without knowing.  Once was when I RSVP'ed to a baby shower last year and another time was when I RSVP'ed for an upcoming wedding.

I was invited to Jennifer's Baby Shower
through Paperless Post!

It took me a while to choose my own invitation because there are so many cute options, but I finally made a decision, loaded my friends' email addresses and sent out 40 invitations to a Sip & Scan that I'm hosting at my place.  FYI, a Sip & Scan is basically where we eat tasty treats and get scanned with my iTOVi scanner to see where our bodies are out of balance and find out what Young Living Essential Oils and Products may help.  It's fun!  If you want to come and bring a friend, reach out to me and I'll send you an invitation through Paperless Post (since I'm officially hooked).

Here's why I LOVE Paperless Post already:

1.  One and done.  I loaded my friend's email addresses and now they're in my account, saved for next time I want to send out something cute through email, which will save me loads of time.  Now I'm thinking of all the parties and events I may want to host since the inviting part of it all doesn't seem so daunting anymore.

2.  No Post Office visit.  "I love going to the post office" said no one ever.  Paperless Post makes it so easy to pick a cute card, type up the invitation details, and click the button to send it off without driving to the post office or paying for stamps.  Saves me from having hoards of stationary and stamps laying around.

3.  Quick and easy.  People are on their phones using email, text and social media to keep in touch.  Although snail mail is thoughtful, sending a quick email invitation through Paperless Post makes it easier for people to RSVP and leave notes.  Just since sending out my email invitation and starting this blog post, I've heard back from four friends about my Sip & Scan event!

Photo by Emily Lynn Photography

So far, I'm impressed and looking forward to using Paperless Post more in the future.  Not only will this help me planning events with family and friends, but I can already see how this can help me in my small business to provide more support for my customers.  I'm always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder, while making sure that my team feels included and encouraged.

If you often find yourself hosting and you want something quick and easy, with no paper trail, you should check out Paperless Post!

HOW I LOST 30 POUNDS IN TWO YEARS

Yep, two years.  It wasn't quick and easy, but I like that I did it my way (and slowly) because it's been sustainable.

My friend Emily Christopher at Emily Lynn Photography took these photos (above).  The one on the left is in 2016, the center photo is 2017 and on the right is last week.  That outfit that was uncomfortably tight in 2016 is now too big to wear, including the shoes!

Although I lost several sizes -- including a shoe size, weird -- the biggest improvement has been my overall health.  I'm more comfortable in my clothes, I have more energy, my blood pressure is back to normal and I feel more like myself.  It wasn't just that I wanted to lose weight.  I wanted to simply feel good again.

So, on May 4th, 2016, when a friend canceled last minute, I chose to go to Barre class alone.  Going to the gym alone is my worst nightmare, but something clicked and I made the decision to exercise daily whether I had a workout partner or not.

I stuck to it and began to build confidence and improve other areas of my health also.  Two years later, I now feel the best I've ever felt...even better than how I felt in high school!

Honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed to share these progress pics (above).  So, why am I sharing anyway?

I want to show you that it doesn't have to be some expensive trainer at the gym, or a crazy-hard 6-week challenge.  You can get healthier over time, taking baby steps along the way.  Just get started and make the decision to stick to it. 

We want what we want right now and without making any sacrifices.  That's just not reality.  Instead, decide to make small changes and improvements over time.  Eat better.  Move daily.  Listen to your body.  Do a little better each day.  Let it take time.  After all, it took time to get to where you are right now.

If you aren't feeling your best, I hope that me sharing my story can encourage you that you can do this!  I've gone from being a Cinnamon Sugar PopTart lover and an exercise hater, to a person who makes better food choices and gets moving a little each day because I want to.

Don't tell yourself you have to do all or nothing...just do something.  Simply choose one thing to work on today.  Keep it up until you've got that down.  Then add one more thing.  Keep it up until it's easy.  Then add one more thing.  Keep this cycle going until you've reached your goal, even if it takes two years.

I'm here to tell you, it's worth it.

33 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR ON MY 33RD BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to me (tomorrow)!  The years are flying by and I'm finding that it's not the grand gestures or expensive gifts that make me happy, but the little things.  After all, it's those little things that make up the majority of our lives!  Sometimes, though, they get overlooked.

So, to remind myself of all that I have, I wanted to put together a list of 33 things that I'm thankful for right now:

1.  air-conditioner in this South Carolina summer heat

2.  my parents bulldog, Buddy

3.  our king-sized bed

4.  catching up with friends on Marco Polo App

5.  rail trail walks

6.  Netflix binges with Nick

7.  homemade skillet bread

8.  traveling almost every weekend

9.  that God loves me

10.  our gym that has everything I do and don't know how to use

11.  warm, fuzzy blankets

12.  vegan restaurants

13.  my clawfoot tub

14.  homemade cinnamon rolls

15.  my work-from-anywhere-in-the-world business

16.  Hallmark movies

17.  old friendships that have stuck around

18.  our 20s-30s group

19.  parents that are world-changers

20.  riding my bike beside Nick while he runs

21.  camping in the fall

22.  you, my readers, for caring about me and my words

23.  granite countertops

24.  my fluffy, purple, polka-dot bathrobe

25.  cleaning out and giving stuff away

26.  sisters that are my closest friends

27.  the Christmas season

28.  cute clothes that make me feel pretty

29.  books (lots of books)

30.  my front porch when the weather's just right

31.  that I speak Spanish

32.  the freedom to spend my time how I want

33.  my attractive, thoughtful, hard-working husband (saved the best for last)

What's one thing that you're thankful for today?

11 DREAMS THAT FEEL TOO BIG

I always start off big, thinking "wouldn't this or that be incredible?!".  But, as "reality" sets in and I second guess my ability to achieve goals, I backtrack.  I tame my crazy dreams and tell myself that, "I'll just stick with this easier, more attainable idea".

Why in the world do I do this when I'm always challenging everyone else to dream big?

Two reasons:
1.  I don't want people to think bad of me that I want "too much".
2.  I don't want to fail by not doing what I said I wanted to do.

Instead of risk it, I make it all manageable.  How sad.  Aren't dreams meant to be crazy?

While reading Girl, Wash Your Face, I felt challenged by Rachel Hollis to stop making myself small and believing that it's shameful to want too much.

Now I'm wondering if I should even have a Bucket List because, turns out, everything's on my list.

I want to see it all.
I want to do it all (except sky dive or bungy jumping because that's a whole new level of terrifying).
I want the experiences.
I want the memories.
I want a full life.

And I want to stop downplaying that.  I'm sure if you follow me, you know I'm a dreamer.  But, what you may not know is that I still only share my "safe" dreams...the ones I believe that are appropriate and that I might be able to one day achieve.

Want to know my scary dreams that I'm afraid to admit, even to myself?

-I want to visit every state in the USA and every country in the world (even the not-so-safe ones)
-I want to 100% financially support my parents as full-time missionaries
-I want to be a fun, supportive mom to at least two kids
-I want to pack up my home and travel full-time for a season of life
-I want to have have 1 million followers on social media
-I want to complete a marathon
-I want to be a best-selling author
-I want to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail
-I want to get out of debt and live 100% debt free the rest of my life
-I want to hit Royal Crown Diamond with Young Living
-I want to be a fully raw vegan

Fear holds me back and convinces me to settle.  It tells me that I'm too much and yet, not enough.

I'm over it.

From now on, I'm calling it like it is.  My dreams are insane, but that's what dreams are right?

3 THINGS EVERY MINIMALIST WANTS FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY

It's officially my birthday month and I'm all excited, wondering how it will feel to be 33 and what types of gifts I might receive from everyone who loves me...hint hint.

Me at 3

I can't say how much I love my birthday.  I really love it.  But, it's not because of the gifts.  No, it's all the attention.  Let me explain before you start thinking I'm a total snob.  I love that my birthday means I get an excuse to spend special time with all my favorite people.  If I have to choose between gifts and quality time, I'll choose presence over presents.  You see what I did there?

However, I also know that not everyone wants to skip the beautifully wrapped, thoughtfully picked items.  So, I came up with a list of everything that a minimalist could possibly want or need.  If you have a minimalist in your life with a special occasion coming up or want to get on top of your Christmas shopping, keep reading.

Us at Universal Studios for Valentines 2018

1.  Experiences like a lunch date, concert tickets, spa treatment, a weekend getaway, movie tickets, gym membership, or anything that makes a memory, provides quality time or treats the birthday boy or girl to much needed pampering and rest!

2.  Consumables like homemade dessert, a soy candle, loose leaf tea, a bottle of wine, flowers, a bamboo toothbrush or even something as simple as a big bowl of beautiful fruit or their favorite flavor or Kombucha from the grocery store!

3.  Wants and needs like replacing a clothing item for the upcoming season, a trip to the salon for a overdue haircut, a yard or maid service for a break from mundane chores or a book they've been wanting to read.  Just ask if you are unsure!  Most people have a wish list in their head :)

My 31st Birthday!

Some of my favorite gifts have been when my daddy bought me a pair of quality winter socks from Naturally Outdoors, when my momma took me shopping at TJMaxx and helped me pick out a new outfit, when Ironman ran The Color Run with me, when my sisters all took me out to lunch and then dessert and when I chopped my hair off and donated 12 inches and then died it purple!  I loved each of these gifts because it was either time spent with someone I love, or crossing something off my Bucket List or getting something that I honestly needed but probably wouldn't have bought for myself.

So, here's to August...my birthday month.  Let's skip the gifts, ok?  Instead, I want a date with each of my favorite people.  You know who you are and I'm waiting on your text :)