As if Back To School season wasn’t stressful enough for a family with 2 educators AND 2 school-aged children…..
As if we didn’t have enough going on with selling our house and buying a new home….
We decided to do it AT THE SAME TIME!!

Okay, so we didn’t really choose for it to be this way. We’re grateful that we sold our home, and that we were able to find a new one very quickly.  The problem was the timing; starting school on August 3 just seemed to come too quickly for us. We have kids in different schools, and my husband works in a different school system than we do.  This year, it’s back to school like a boss, thanks to Walmart. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This is a Fashionista Event Opportunity, and is hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic.

Living in east Tennessee comes with the distinct advantage of wearing ORANGE every fall.  You see, the UT Vols are also known as “Big Orange,” so it’s a prominent color from September through December.  When the seasons change, the trees in our backyard turn to brilliant shades of orange, gold, and red.  It’s a sight to behold!  So naturally, when it was time to select the Colors of the Seasons item, I went with orange.  And naturally, my go-to source for the best fall fashions is Monroe and Main.  Any time I wear one of my Monroe and Main wardrobe essentials, it gets compliments throughout the day.  The Mix It Up Tunic is sure to sizzle with comments, too!

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Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

For all those times when you wished you could explore the English countryside, Downton Abbey style, and come across an age-old mystery that just begged to be solved……I introduce you to Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor. Yes, it’s just as austere and romantic as it seems.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Opinions shared are mine. Well, we’re almost there!  This week we close on our current home, close on our new home, and move our whole lives to a new town.  We’re on pins-and-needles, hoping that everything works out the way it’s supposed to.  We’re grateful for the chance to serve in a new community, and hope that we can make this new house our home.  Since school started a couple of weeks ago, I won’t have time to devote to decorating the home the way I want.  My sister has provided some much-needed assistance, but we haven’t been able to get into the new house to really plan it out yet.  I recently heard about Homepolish interior design, which is an affordable, accessible way to get an interior designer’s advice for perfecting your home’s space.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review. Opinions shared are mine. Click here to follow the rest of the book tour!

When you’re a teenager, you are sort of expected to have some meltdown moments. More than a few bad decisions that could take place during those tender years. For our heroine Mercy, things just got a little bit tougher to deal with.  Into the Dark is like a dark Freaky Friday. Teens and young adult will love the heated intensity of the story, which only gets better with the turning pages. This book earns four stars from me!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I will receive product coupons. Opinions shared are mine.

Some mornings, I stop on the way to work and treat myself to a “big drink” to keep in my classroom.  In August, Krystal has an even better offer than just a drink!  The Krystal Company is launching the Coca-Cola® “Rev Up to a Roadie” Sweepstakes now through August 31st. At participating restaurants, guests can enter for a chance to win one of hundreds of instant-win prizes like Advance Auto Parts gift cards, Carmike Cinemas movie tickets and Krystal meal coupons. There are also two Coca-Cola® grand prize trips-for-two NASCAR Experience to one of six upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ races.  To celebrate the sweepstakes, Krystal is offering one lucky reader a prize pack that includes a Krystal T-Shirt, cap, can koozie, and  two #1 Combo meal cards.  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received these books to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Now that school is fully in session, I’m craving a good book like a fish craves water.  Since my time with my kids is limited during the school year, it’s wonderful to be able to read books together.  The Believe Storybook is a great way to wrap up the day with a quick Bible story just before bed. Gentle and gracious, these stories are kid-friendly versions of biblical favorites. The illustrations are lovely, and I liked that the stories were short enough to enjoy several before it was time for lights-out.  The only drawback is my routine-fixated children want to read the entire book (256 pages, if you must know) because they think that’s how you’re supposed to read a bedtime story.  The book’s format is pretty enough for gift giving. It’s a hardback book with glossy, pretty pages. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Pantene. Opinions shared are mine.

In my younger days, my hair was dark and thick, with a  lot of volume.   When I was very young, my parents kept my hair long and straight.  It was nearly to my hips when I finally cut it shoulder-length in my teens, then in a pixie cut as a college student.  Two kids later, hormones and age have wreaked havoc on my mane.  High-end products can help to hold my hair loss at bay, but it’s pricey and hard to justify on a regular basis.  For everyday hair maintenance, I turned to affordable Pantene products. Check out the great deal I got at Walmart on this shampoo/conditioner duo!  [Read more…]