– heading to my childhood home in Mississippi for some R&R –
– visiting my sister in Alabama and impromptu photographing her adorable fam –
– my mom’s Playbill collection… and this isn’t even all of them, she just ran out of space! –
– snuggle time with the newest family (and attention-loving) pet, Piper –
– loving all my mom’s birdfeeders and missing ours on our OC patio –
Happy Friday from Mississippi! It’s been a year since I’ve visited and I’ve been in the South for a week so far. I’ve already made it to three states and six towns. I love making my rounds when I’m home. When you split up a week or two and visit many spots… it often ends up feeling like a much shorter trip than it really was. Clearly, I’m going to have to come back!
Christian was here last weekend and was sent back to San Francisco. I know he’s jealous of all the good Southern livin’ I’ve been doing, but I know Bailey and Lula were so happy to see him. I’ve been requesting daily photos as if he’s the temporary caretaker, and it appears all is going well. Ha!
This weekend I’m in Oxford, where I went to college (and where I met Christian!). I’m looking forward to going to a basketball game and seeing all the updates on campus – it’s wild how so much can change over the years! My parents also went to the same school, so they have a home there and are at a lot of the University activities. There’s always so much going on in a college town which is really fun for them.
Other than that, I’ve really been trying to enjoy utilizing all the free laundry, home-cooked meals and easy living. I’ve been watching my Bravo! TV shows from the treadmill, sleeping in and trying to keep myself motivated to work along the way because honestly I just want to be lazy by the fireplace and read a book. I think I’m almost too comfortable… thriving in my #backhomeballer life.
Are you like that when you visit home? I think because of the nature of my job, I’m actually the most relaxed when I’m home and not traveling. This is like the ultimate vacation for me – no responsibility, no stress over shooting photos, no stress. I’m already thinking I need to come back and visit in March!
I was trying to think of a theme for this week’s wish list, and I realized Valentine’s Day is actually around the corner… which feels WILD! I still have my Christmas twinkle lights up around the windows in SF and usually leave them up until Valentine Day… I don’t feel ready to take then down!
I saw some cute things – big and small – that would be sweet V-Day treats. I love these lipsticks with mini hearts, and I use my ReFa roller almost everyday so if you’re not rollin’, #treatyoself.
Love this art for a little kid’s room, and I can’t have enough fuzzy slippers. My girlfriend has this bag and says it’s one of her most worn pieces, and I’ve had a little record player for around 7 years now and still love it!
I’ve seen sooo many girls lately on Instagram that have been raving about this $15 travel makeup case, so now I clearly think I need one as well. The design is pretty amazing, but I’m wondering if it’s too bulky/big to travel with? Verdict is still out… will keep you posted!
And if you’re trying to save dollars or you’re not a big Valentine’s gifter (to be honest, we don’t usually exchange gifts), you can take on my in-laws idea. They have a $5 spending max for Valentine’s Day and really get creative. One year my father-in-law bought flower seeds, a Hershey’s kiss and a card… so technically it was a card, flowers and chocolate!
Would love to hear your Valentine’s tradition if you have one! Thanks so much for reading – will share some gift ideas for the dudes next week – XO –
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You guys have heard me chat about YSL products before (most recently here), and today we are taking a deeper dive into all things YSL Beauty at Nordstrom.
My first introduction into the brand was with their fragrances. Not only do they have gorgeous packaging and branding (no surprise there), but they also have the most lovely, feminine scents. They’re crisp, fresh and ladylike – which is exactly what I would expect from this iconic brand. My favorite would be this one.
I recently bought this lip stain in singular taupe and it continues to be one of my weekday favorites. It’s neutral, yet enough color to remind me I put in some effort, you know? If you’re a matte girl, you’ll LOVE this matte stain. If you prefer something lighter with shine, this oil-in-stick lipstick is just that, not to mention the most gorgeous packaging of any lipstick I’ve ever seen. The shades I have are listed below – great for spring!
Have you ever worn anything from YSL Beauty? I’d love to hear which products you loved and why. You can check out Nordstrom’s huge collection of their beauty products here.
In October, I was gifted a Mirror workout system (also called the “Mirror Home Gym”) to try and share my experience with over Instagram. I’ve been sharing little bits about it here and there (all of which are saved in the “fitness” saved stories on my Instagram profile), but I still receive lots of direct messages and emails about my experience with this unique fitness device.
SO, I wanted to answer all of the most commonly asked questions in one place that could serve as a resource for you guys!
I will also be sharing my personal experience with this machine and the kind of person that I think this type of workout is really built for.
How much does the mirror cost? How much does the monthly subscription cost? What kind of workouts are offered?
For all costs-related questions, click the “shop” page of the site and at the bottom you’ll see Q&A’s they have listed. They share the monthly subscription is $39 a month and comes with a one year commitment. You’ll see tons of other helpful questions and answers there as well.
You can get your first 3 months of your subscription free with the code KATHLEEN3!
For workout related questions, click the “workouts” page of the site.
What was the installation like?
It was so quick and easy! A man and wife couple came to my apartment and set it up, white glove service, so polite. They unpacked everything, helped me choose a spot, made sure it was working, showed me how to use it and took all of the trash with them.
I mean… it doesn’t get better than that.
What is your favorite class?
I have actually only taken the pilates and yoga classes so far. I take a lot of Rachel’s classes!
Christian really likes the strength classes. And I’ve watched him do some of them and they look really tough. The great thing about the class subscription program is that the classes are broken up by level 1-4, so you can pick how intense you want your workout to be.
Do you have to take a class at a certain time or can you take them on demand?
Great question! You can do BOTH. I’ve actually never taken a live class because the best part of an at-home workout for me is being able to do it whenever. I also like being able to pause the workout if a package is being delivered or someone calls, etc. But if you want to tune in live to keep yourself accountable, that’s totally an option!
The live classes do not cost any extra!
Do your downstairs neighbors complain about the noise when you workout?
This is one of the reasons that I stick to the yoga and pilates classes. I’m not going to be kicking and jumping when I know three sweet girls live beneath me! We also have each other’s numbers, so I tell them to text me if we’re being obnoxious. I do NOT want to be that neighbor!
Can it be transported?
No. I mean… I guess I can’t technically say no, but it’s very heavy, requires an outlet and is mounted so it stays in place. I would definitely not recommend transporting it, wherever you have it installed is going to be where you want to keep it.
I mean, think of like a legit piece of heavy exercise equipment. You could move it if you need to, but it’s not ideal. It’s best to have an idea of where you want it before you have it installed.
When it’s not turned on, can it act as a normal mirror?
100% yes. When it’s not turned on, you would literally have no idea that it’s actually a fitness machine. It still blows my mind! You can see what it looks like as a normal mirror in the photos.
Can you still access the workouts when you travel?
To my knowledge, no you cannot. It’s like a Peloton – you have to have the machine. I think a YouTube workout would be better for travel!
Can you compare it to Peloton or Melissa Wood Health?
I’ve only used a Peloton once at a hotel gym and I’m unfamiliar with Melissa, so I can’t really speak to this. I liked my Peloton class I took and it’s very similar in the vibe that you’re solo, using WiFi to connect with a teacher teaching in a class-like setting. Except this is not spin, it’s at-home workouts that don’t require much equipment.
How much room do you need to do the workouts?
I’ve found that I need as much space as I need in any at-home yoga or pilates workout. You can watch an example class under the “workouts” page of their site to get a better idea!
Someone specifically asked if a hallway was enough room and my answer would be… no, I don’t think so!
Is it easy to see the workout videos in person?
Yes, very easy! I know it’s hard to tell in the videos I’ve shared because of glare from natural light, but if you watch the example class under the “workouts” page of the site, you’ll see exactly what it’s like.
I’ve found the music to be good and you can adjust both the volume of the instructor and the music volume in your app that controls the workout classes. BUT if you wanted to mute the music altogether and play your own music, you can do that too.
Does it automatically turn off?
The screen will eventually black out after a class but there’s an on/off switch at the base of the mirror (easily accessible) that you’ll want to turn off when you’re done with your workout. The installation team will also walk you through this when it’s being set up.
Are you really using it? What’s your real opinion on it?
I have shared with y’all many times that I like working out from home. I also love a spin or lagree pilates class, but I’ve been doing workout dvd’s (my favorites shared here) from my apartment or house since I was like, 17.
This device is for the person who doesn’t have the time or desire to go to fitness classes, but still wants variety. If you love trying new workouts and mixing it up but you’re a busy working gal, mom or you work unique hours and classes won’t work with your schedule (this is Christian), this will be your new best friend.
If you like doing the same kind of workouts from home, then I don’t know that this is worth the investment for you. The subscription allows you to have access to so many different teachers and classes, so if you’re going to take advantage of it, then you are saving so much money vs going to classes. That can cost 2-300 a month which annually costs over twice as much as this device.
Is it worth the price?
Based on the information above, the answer is going to vary person to person. For someone people, it’s 100% worth the price and more convenient and less expensive than packages of classes. For others, if they’re not going to use it regularly, it would definitely not be worth the investment.
Knowing your workout preference and style is what determines if this device is right for you!
I hope this Q&A helped! Again, there’s a TON of info on specifics of this device on their website, so be sure to check that out thoroughly if you’re considering purchasing! Thanks so much for submitting these questions, and for more fitness-related content, just search “fitness” on this site. XO –
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I thought this week’s spin on my weekly wish list could be the 10 pieces I reach for most often in my closet. And guess what? None of these pieces are designer!
When I asked you guys for feedback on what you would like to see in 2019, a lot of you asked for more affordable pieces. The term “affordable” really is different for every person, but I took that as less designer items. I’ve always loved splurging on the occasional luxury piece, but it’s definitely not the majority of my closet.
So let’s get into the pieces I wear most frequently and why –
1 | Classic Blazer – I have many blazers, both patterned and solid, and they really look great with everything. You can wear them over a turtleneck, tee or camisole or with a bodycon dress to cover up. You can’t go wrong adding a classic blazer to your closet, especially if you’re working in an office. Layer it over a spaghetti strap anything and you just became office appropriate, sister!
2 | Ray Ban Sunglasses – my mom gave me these for my birthday and I’ve loved them even more than I thought I would. I wear them with everything and the larger 53mm is so much flattering on my face than the 50mm.
3 | Teddy Coat – I got a short camel teddy coat on major markdown on Black Friday and I wear it so much that even Christian is like, “are you wearing the same thing every day?” The answer is… yes. It’s like wearing a hug.
4 | Black Slip Dress– I have many posts dedicated to my love of the classic slip dress (like here, here, and here), but I think a slip dress is an extremely versatile and non fussy piece to have in your rotation.
5 + 6 | Slip On Loafers – I wasn’t sure if I would wear these a lot when I bought them, but then I wore them constantly and bought these dupes in two different colors. Now that I’m walking around the city so often, I wear them nonstop!
7 | Turtleneck Sweater – I have a black cashmere turtleneck sweater that I wear with everything in the winter. I always travel with it on trips, and sometimes I even wear it too much. I can’t have enough turtlenecks, and I really love this chunky camel one.
8 + 9 | Graphic Tees – I clearly have a graphic tee obsession (see how I styled themhere and here), and having a few cute tees on hand can dress down any skirt or blazer.
10 | Sneakers – I have a few pair of Tretorns and I wear them almost every day. I keep this pair by the front door and they’re what I walk Bailey in every morning. Soooo comfortable. I want to buy another pair when I leave the city (there’s no telling what is on the bottom of my current pair, #citylife).
11 + 12 | Levi’s Mom Jeans – I’ve dedicated so many posts to my love of this style of jean (like here and here), but once you high waisted mom jean, you don’t go back. I love them. Now when I wear skinny jeans it feels so… not me!
13 + 14 | Gray Joggers – As much as I’d like to be the person that gets dressed and puts on makeup everyday…. let’s be honest, I’m usually putting on joggers and a tee with a sweatshirt or a teddy coat.
And that’s my list! Was it what you expected? I don’t know if this is the San Francisco influence on me or what… there are no heels or faux fur or sequins on this list. What is happening to me?
What are your staple items on heavy rotation? I’d love to hear. Maybe I need to add to this list! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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I’ve been going to therapy for the past few months, and while I’m fairly new to it… I’ve really had a great experience. I shared on social media that I had chosen to venture into therapy, and since then I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how I found my therapist, what made me decide to go, what I thought about it, etc.
It definitely felt like a larger conversation, so I thought I would round up some of my most commonly asked questions surrounding it!
What made you decide to go?
I’ve lived in seven different cities in my life. And four of those were since I’ve graduated college, so moving is nothing new to me. That being said, I’ve never had such a tumultuous, inconvenient, frustrating yet extremely expensive move as this past one. It rocked my world and took me completely by surprise.
I was definitely feeling blue and unlike my usual self, so I made sure I was taking care of myself. Eating right, exercising, making plans with people to get out of the apartment (when you work from home sometimes you’ll realize you haven’t done anything social in days).
I gave myself three months to attempt to turn things around on my own. If I wasn’t feeling better after three months I would pursue therapy. The months went by… and I felt the same. I would still have emotional meltdowns which would occasionally trigger anxiety attacks, and it wasn’t pretty.
Afterwards I felt embarrassed of my behavior. In my brain I knew this was a temporary situation and that a year from now everything would be different, but my emotions and my brain were not connecting.
So onto therapy we went.
How did you find your therapist?
I chose to go to the mental health division of my health insurance first. From there I was provided a website where I could find options of counselors and therapists in my area.
I called six different people before I found someone who would take me. Keep in mind each therapist I attempted to connect with had about 30 minutes of background work. I would first research therapists near me that were walkable. Then I would do additional research on their training, therapy styles, reviews, etc. Then I would take the plunge and call. The website would say the person was accepting new patients and then when I called, they would tell me that the website must not have been updated because they were full. Or no one would answer or call me back. It took several hours over many days, and it wasn’t an easy search for me.
Honestly… I wasn’t surprised as it felt perfectly appropriate and totally represented what the past six months of my life has been like… a time consuming struggle.
BUT on my sixth attempt I found someone who not only would accept my insurance but also was willing to accept a new patient, so we scheduled our first session and took it from there. Hallelujah!
If you have recommendations from people in your city, definitely look into that route!
How much does it cost?
I’ve heard of therapy costing $150 per session and up. It can definitely get pricey and fast. I really wanted to find someone who would accept insurance and try that first, and thankfully my copay is only $35 a session.
What is it like?
I had no idea what to expect other than what I’ve heard from friends or seen in the movies. But when I walk into her office, I sit on a loveseat and she sits across from me in a chair. There’s a clock beside her so I can always see how much time we have left together.
One thing I have learned and my biggest piece of advice: use the time before your session to think about what you want to discuss and what you hope to gain from your session.
The first time I went, we did the whole introductory session, in which I was a total cliché and got teary, grabbing a tissue from the box placed next to the sofa. I mean… what is happening.
The second session, I went in with nothing in mind specifically, and I felt like we shot the breeze the whole time. On my walk home I realized that I was going to get the most out of our short time together if I went in with a few bullet point topics in mind.
Now when I visit her, I spend the 30 minutes before my appointment thinking about what I want to take away, and I walk in the door with themes in mind to discuss.
How long do appointments last?
My appointments last 40 minutes.
How often do you go?
I try to go every other week but sometimes I go less when I am traveling a lot.
And during those times I often think… I wish I had therapy this week!
Any tips for someone trying therapy for the first time?
I’ve always been interested in talking to someone, but I never felt a strong reason to go. There wasn’t something happening in my life that necessarily made me want to hash it out with an unbiased person like that.
I knew it was time when I moved to a new city that I didn’t really jive with and was feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, frustrated and sad that these feelings were being projected onto Christian. He is following his dreams and passion and is doing his best to work hard to provide a great life for us. When I left my corporate job to pursue this blog, he was the one who pushed me to do it and supported me the entire way. Now that it’s his turn to be supported, how am I doing that for him if I’m having these uncontrollable meltdowns? That’s not the kind of person or partner I want to be.
I needed to discuss all of these feeling with someone who could help me seek healthier, logical and calm ways to react to my frustrations, so that I can be a balanced, happy and supportive wife to the man who has been by my side for the past 11 years.
SO, all of this to say, know why you want to go and what you want to get out of it. I am not ashamed to be in therapy and I am happy to share my journey if it helps someone else gain the courage to look for help. It’s there for you, and no one should feel guilty or embarrassed to seek it.
I actually love to be in conversation with someone and be all, “try not to worry about things you can’t control, it will take away from what could be a really special and memorable experience… or at least, that’s what my therapist would say.” I don’t feel the need to keep it a “secret” that I’m talking to someone.
I think I’ll be the kind of person who will always be in and out of sessions when big life changes happen. I actually strongly dislike change, so I think God has really be challenging me by constantly shaking me up and moving us around, forcing constant change. I can’t wait for the day we commit to a location and have more stability. And I’m a-ok with seeking guidance from licensed professionals along my journey.
If you have any questions that I didn’t answer, please let me know in the comments! I’m happy to help in any way I can. Thank you so much for reading and sharing – XO –
I don’t know where exactly I was, but I recently saw someone rocking a pink wide brim hat, and I was like, “oh ok, yeah I must have one right now.” I started googling up a storm and found this one. When I put it on, I felt like I needed an intercom to announce, “paging Lady Gaga circa Joanne.”
I’ve talked about this before, but sometimes I’ll buy something thinking I can wear it with everything… and then I’ll realize I’m having a hard time styling it. My solution for this is to put the item where I can see it. That way I’m constantly aware that the goal is to incorporate it into my daily closet choices. Over time, I get a little more daring, a little more bold and am more likely to find ways to make it work.
If you’ve been watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, you’ll see how much she talks about holding onto the items that bring you joy. I LOVE this mentality. So if something brings you joy, find ways to make it a staple in your closet! When you’re wearing it you’ll feel happy, confident and inspired… or is that just me!?
Is there something in your closet that you LOVE but you’re not actually wearing!? I want to hear what it is. And let’s fix that! Pull that piece out, put it on your dresser and challenge yourself to find ways to make it work.
And while you’re doing that, don’t think twice about tossing something that doesn’t bring you joy. This mentality really helps to make your closet an inspiring and positive place for you to walk into. I’m all about that.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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I must confess this isn’t the first time I fell in love with a velvet pant suit (as dramatic as that clearly sounds). I shared a post last year here, and this one is similar… yet totally different!
There’s something so powerful about a woman in a chic pair of pants. Who else went nuts over Julia Roberts on the Golden Globes red carpet!? FIERCE.
Whenever you can buy things in a set, my advice is always to go for it. You can wear them as separates for a less “styled” look, or pair them together for a killer outfit that is sophisticated, office appropriate and straight #boss.
This velvet suit is unique in that is has a vertical crinkle-like texture that makes it ideal for travel, no steamer necessary! For any corporate gal who travels a lot and wants to put her best foot forward without worrying about ironing or steaming… a velvet suit in the fall/winter is totally for you. In the colder months I always reach for velvet because it’s a no-brainer to travel with.
What are your thoughts on pant suits or velvet? Are you looking for more office-inspired looks? I’m trying to cater more to the gals with work dress codes because I’ve been there and I FEEL YOU, girl.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! XO –
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How many of us have a fitness goal on our resolutions list this year? I always have some kind of health resolution – whether it’s trying different eating habits, exercising more or drinking more water – you know the drill.
I know everyone feels differently about resolutions. Some love them, others not so much. I find it hard to remember them quite frankly, so I usually set little “January challenges” instead. Last January I went vegan (and documented the journey weekly here, here, here and here) and actually ended up eating around 80% vegetarian in 2018. That surprised both Christian and myself! Yesterday I recapped some of my favorite CBL posts to keep you motivated through the month here.
This year I’ve set a challenge to exercise at least 20 minutes every day unless I’ve walked 3.5+ miles that day (which could get me off the hook on Saturdays and Sundays if I’m adventurous enough!). There’s nothing that gets me more excited about fitness than adding some fresh workout clothes to my closet, and you absolutely can’t beat the prices and patterns at Old Navy.
I recently bought this marled hoodie and absolutely love it for lounging around the house, but I wanted to get some leggings and sports bras for my pilates and yoga classes. I fell in love with the big floral patterns they have right now like these and these, and some even have matching sports bras!
Do you have any fitness goals for January? I would love to hear! I plan to keep up with mine on Instagram and insta-stories so if you want someone to keep you accountable… I’m your girl.
And if you don’t have the time to go to the gym or pay for an expensive class – I hear you. If I know a workout is going to take a lot of time out of my day, I’m not going to make it. I usually exercise at home and I’ve shared some of my favorite at-home workouts here!
Because it’s January, there’s no time like the present to get some encouragement and motivation to stick to some of our 2019 goals! I was thinking of a post I could put together, and then realized I have so many posts already on CBL over the years that might be helpful to you guys.
If you’re challenging yourself with Whole30 – I’ve got you covered! I covered it two times on CBL (see below).
If you want to go vegan for a month, I got you! I covered that last year (see below).
If you’re stuck inside because it’s 10 degrees and want some at-home fitness motivation and TV shows and podcasts to binge while you’re at it? I got you, girl (see below)!
If you’re looking for motivation in a certain category, I’d love to hear and I can work on bring more encouraging posts this month! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
Thank you so much for the sweet words on yesterday’s home tour video! We filmed this a few months ago, but I was waiting until after the holiday madness to share it so it could have its own time to shine. I’m absolutely dedicated to creating more video content in 2019 but putting together one video is probably the same expense/effort that 5+ photo blog posts take, so I definitely want to be intentional with the themes and topics we cover. If you have any subjects you would like to see covered in video, please let me know in the comments and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to get the heads up on all future videos!
Yesterday’s post was a quick walk-through of the space, so today I’m sharing photos of all the little nooks and crannies so you can see the detail, as well as product links for most everything at the bottom of this post.
We went from about 1200 square feet (not including a garage and patio) in our Orange County townhouse to around 1000 square feet in San Francisco (we do have a garage spot but no outdoor space). For two 5’7″ and 6’3″ adults, an 88 lb. labrador, three legged cat and home office… we are cozy, ha!
We definitely look forward to having more space in the future (particularly storage as we essentially have one small coat closet as this year’s storage), but we also know that there will be times we’ll look back at this small apartment fondly. Christian and I joke that we’ll probably never be able to get from the bedroom to the kitchen for a glass of water as quickly ever again (it’s like… 10 steps).
If you see anything else that is not linked, it’s either because I don’t know the source or it is no longer available for purchase. Thank you so much for reading this novel! It’s wild to think that in only 5 more months we’ll be packing up this space and moving onto the next (city and state TBD)… but I am manifesting that it has a yard and no shared walls. I’m saying that jokingly… but also not at all. I’ve been sharing walls with strangers for 7 of the past 8 years and I’d really like my own walls!
Thank you so much for reading today – and it’s such a privilege to share this little space with you guys! You can find all home-related content in the “home” category of this site, including our home tour video in OC. Big hugs and have a beautiful weekend – XO
I’m SO excited to finally share a video we filmed this fall of our San Francisco apartment! Truth be told, we finished it before Thanksgiving but I wanted to wait until after the holiday madness to share it!
Christian and I filmed this together (our first video to work on together… (nervous laughter)), but I wanted to capture our little place and how we’ve downsized for our short year in the city.
Another post will be coming tomorrow with photos of each room and details on where pieces are from, so stay tuned for that.
You can see all CBL videos in the “video” category of this site, and you can also see our previous townhouse video tour here. All home-related content will also be in the “home” category of this site!
If you would like to see more videos in 2019, please let me know in the comments! And if you would be a doll and subscribe to my YouTube channel it would be next level amazing. I really want to work on growing this little video channel this year so I can create more regular videos for you guys and bringing you guys the topics and videos you want to see is a top priority.
Lastly, it cannot go unsaid that I am completely humbled and thankful for the responses in Tuesday’s blog post. Wow. Usually when I write about personal, vulnerable subjects I mull over it for a few days to make sure I’m comfortable putting it on the Internet. However I wrote that on New Year’s Eve and hit publish hoping I wouldn’t regret it later.
Boy do I NOT regret it. I was literally in tears reading some of your comments about your own struggles in 2018 and how you plan to start fresh this year. All of you continue to amaze and inspire me in ways I can’t even describe. Thank you for showing up, offering your stories, your hearts and your time. You are never alone. I’m not alone. Because we share and learn from each other and I know that this blog and the conversations we have are some of the best gifts I could ever be given. So thank you. Thank you x a million.
