Category: Life

My New Project – The Wood Reserve!

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Several months ago, my husband and I decided that we were ready to take the first step towards starting our own business. This has been a goal of ours for years and we figured there was no time like the present to try and make it happen.

So what became the fruits of our labor? A lovely little online store called The Wood Reserve.

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Specializing in a unique variety of wood products, we’ve chosen to stock the store with items that you don’t usually think of when you think of wood. Things like:

Wood Bow Ties
Wood Watches
Wood Jewelry
Wood Sunglasses

And so much more!

This has been an exciting ride for us, and now that the site is officially live, it’s been so much fun seeing people check it out and fall in love with our products the same way we did.

So if you’re in the market for a unique Christmas gift or 5th anniversary present, be sure to check us out!

Our Nation Lies in Darkness…When Will We Find the Light?

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I’m scared. I’m scared for myself, my loved ones, my community, and this nation in general.

This beautiful country of ours is meant to be a safe haven throughout the storm. We are supposed to be the ones that rise against negativity and oppression to offer our people, all of our people, the chance to hope and dream for the kind of life they yearn to believe in.

Unfortunately, however, the goal of freedom and equality seems to have fallen away and in its place, we have found a country being overcome by a state of perpetual darkness.

This blog post is not a statement on race, it is a statement of love and respect. Where did we go wrong in the world? Where did this upper-handed mindset step in to tell one person that they are better or more than someone else?

We are all united by a common goal for a better, more beautiful life, yet no one seems to be taking the steps to get us there. Instead, we are weighed down by the ignorance that obliterates our tv screens, computers, and social media outlets on a daily basis. There is no room for growth when we continuously take steps backward.

Until we realize that we are all one people of flesh and blood, no matter our beliefs, sexual preference, skin color, or financial status…I fear there is no hope.

Love one another. Seek kindness and respect in your day to day life. Uplift your neighbor with gratitude and a lending hand. It’s time for a change.

It’s time to stop pointing fingers and look within ourselves. Fault can be found anywhere and everywhere. Making the choice to overcome it will make all the difference.

Aloe Vera Ice Cubes…How Have I Never Thought of This?

Are you feeling the summer burn?

Down here in Florida we have officially entered the dog days of summer. It is hot…like fry an egg on the sidewalk hot. Despite this fact, however, we still find ourselves loading up the car, ordering some Publix subs, and hitting the local beach or pool.

Since we were little, people have drilled the value of sunscreen into our stubborn heads. Yet somehow, we forget to put it on, forget to reapply, or forget that baby oil is still not a valid alternative. We end up burnt.

For days following these burns we barely survive while doing the following things:

Taking ice cold showers

Walking around saying “Ouch” at every step

Peeling and itching like a mad man

Claiming that we’ll never go into the sun again (until next weekend)

And finally, slathering ourselves in aloe vera

Ahh, aloe vera. A delectable nectar bestowed upon us by the plant gods. A frequent user of the stuff since childhood, you can imagine my surprise when I realized I’d been missing out on a pretty incredible summer life hack all this time. Frozen aloe vera cubes! Continue reading “Aloe Vera Ice Cubes…How Have I Never Thought of This?”

Prayers for Orlando

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Last night’s shooting at a nightclub in Orlando is a complete tragedy for our state, and our nation. The only word that I think truly depicts the way I feel is – why? Just why.

I can’t comprehend how an individual, any individual, can find themselves with the choice to do right or wrong, and find themselves choosing so terribly wrong. How does a person have such little consideration for the severity of their actions? How does that same person determine that they have the right to exercise an act of such extreme terror against a group of undeserving, innocent individuals?

Because of one man, dozens and dozens of families will wake up today to the realization that their loved ones are gone. All we can do is hope that they find some sense of peace and comfort in the days to come. There is no justice to be found in a situation like this.

Something needs to change, but at the end of the day, no constitutional amendment will make a difference if we as people don’t change ourselves first. So I leave you with this plea.

As Ellen DeGeneres would say – Be kind to one another.

Focus on love and respect rather than hate and disgust. Race, ethnicity and sexual orientation should carry no weight in our perception of other people.

At this point, don’t you think it’s time we started to figure that out?

My thoughts are with each person that has been affected by this horrifying situation. Orlando is in my heart today.

The “Me Before You” Controversy

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So I’m sure by now, you’ve all been hearing about the amazingness that is Me Before You. What started as an incredible book, has become a highly anticipated movie that finally hit the box office this past weekend. Despite my love and adoration for the book, though, a disgusting barrage of germs and sickness has kept me homebound and unable to experience the film for myself quite yet. Take that as a PSA and keep in mind that this post may be slightly uninformed. But anyways…here we go.

I have a huge distaste for spoilers, so no worries; this post will not give anything away. Suffice it to say, however, the male lead in this book/film pairing is a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic who has a very negative point of view on his injury. This has been striking a lot nerves amongst wheelchair users and other disabled individuals. They’re concern over the book’s message is that it seems to say that this group of people can’t possibly live happy, fulfilling lives. That an injury, such as the one suffered by the man in the story, leaves you with nothing to look forward to.

Being that I can look at the situation with a touch of personal experience, I thought I’d offer up my own perspective.

Continue reading “The “Me Before You” Controversy”

Our Transitional Twenties

By legal standards, they tell us we become adults at 18. While we may have had the esteemed honor of registering to vote and buying lottery tickets, I think it’s safe to say the majority of us were a far cry from “adults” at that age.

Then we enter our early twenties and by all accounts that should, in and of itself, make us adults. At this point, however, a decent number of us are still focused on late night cram sessions and scoring big in the next beer pong tournament. There are a couple of blasé years in the middle where we’ve graduated college and are edging our feet into the water that is first jobs, new apartments, and sophisticated drinking aka cocktail hour after work.

Then suddenly, if you’re anything like me, you are on the cusp of thirty and realize you still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. At this point, many of us are married with at least one child, and it suddenly hits us like a ton of bricks. Over the past couple of years, something changed and we really did become adults. Continue reading “Our Transitional Twenties”

Roasted Stuffed Pepper Casserole

So the plan for dinner tonight was stuffed peppers. Then I remembered my sweet husband is not a huge fan of them…crap. Luckily for me, however, he is a big fan of mixing random ingredients together in one pan and then smothering them with cheese. I started concocting and came up with my own version of a stuffed pepper casserole.

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Inspired by my deep adoration for roasted red peppers (I mean really, is there anything better?) I started to mentally piece together this dish. The result was quite fabulous. The husband and child were quite pleased and are looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow. This feels like a total mom win!

Interested in this cheesy, red pepper goodness? Check out the recipe below!

Continue reading “Roasted Stuffed Pepper Casserole”

12 Months, 52 Weeks, 365 Days

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Today is a day that I’ve been anxiously awaiting and dreading all at the same time. Today is the day that our little girl turns one! While watching her grow, learn and change has become the greatest thrill in my life, it breaks my heart to see her moving further and further away from that little baby we brought into the world a year ago. It really does happen in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, however, all sadness is erased when I realize how extraordinary that daughter of ours really is.

I know all parents think their child is perfect and wonderful and brilliant, but I swear Haddie is spectacular. She has the brightest smile and sweetest personality. She is incredibly smart and amazes me day to day with the things she’s capable of.

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While I was pregnant, I can remember thinking – what if I don’t like this kid? Yes, that’s a terrible thing to even consider and I should have known better, but it was a serious concern. Everyone tells you what you’re supposed to feel, and I had an overwhelming fear that something would be missing. From the moment she came into the world, high pitched screams and all, I knew there was nothing to worry about. Within seconds of seeing that gorgeous face, gravity had shifted. Everything before that moment was the gone with the past and this incredible creature was all that mattered for the future.

Hadley Sutton, you are my life, my love, and my unwavering happiness. I vow to do everything in my power to protect your dreams and give you the most beautiful life possible. Things will not always be easy. There will be scrapes and bruises, bullies, and break-ups, but I will use every ounce of my strength to build you up and help you through…kissing away your tears and reminding you of the possibilities. I want you to live the life that brings you joy, and I promise to always be your biggest fan and cheerleader.

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Each day, you remind your daddy and I just how blessed we really are. You truly are our miracle.

Happy First Birthday, Haddie Girl.

5 Years Since We Said “I Do”

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Today marks five years since the first day of the rest of our lives. No matter how much time goes by, I still can’t believe how lucky we are to be living such a beautiful life. While we’ve certainly had the ups and downs that couples are so accustomed to, I still live each day knowing that I have the best possible partner by my side.

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I’m forever grateful that we found each other and I can’t imagine a more caring, compassionate and supportive person to call my husband.

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This excerpt is from my favorite book “Jane Eyre.” It was read during our wedding ceremony and every line still rings true today.

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you. You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.”
—Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

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Ryan is my rock and from now until forever I will continue to vow my love and loyalty. Happy 5th Anniversary to my sweet husband! You make Haddie and I’s world such an extraordinary place.