PDA is annoying, but...

I'm not a fan of PDA. But displays of affection are allowed on anniversaries and on this day of love we Westerners fondly (or not so much) refer to as VALENTINES DAY.

Valentine, I think this is our 11th or 12th Valentines day together. Isn't it ridiculous that I've lost count. We getting OLD. Over the years we've learned how to drive each other absolutely insane with annoying quirks and poorly honed habits - yours being that you prefer to carry on a conversation with me whilst brushing your teeth. Mine being, well, nothing, because we both know I'm perfect and can do no wrong. ;)

Valentine, when we're ancient and gray I'm still going to want to hold your hand and occasionally make out with you. And I'm still going to opt for staying in to watch Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightly version, duh) in our jammies instead of going out on the town in uncomfortable (though albeit, showstopper) high heels. And yes, I'm still going to want that Thai takeout because, no dishes.

Valentine, even though we are tired all the freaking time these days, I still want to spend all my free time with you. Sometimes I wish we could take off with just our backpacks and the voracious appetite to explore the world like we did back in the day before we had little people relying on us for, you know, food and shelter and undivided attention.

But when I look at you, Valentine, I see the guy who led me all around Europe on trains, planes, automobiles and Spanish-speaking sexiness.

I see the friend who drove with me across the entire United States in my old Honda while we chugged bottled Starbucks frappaccinos from the gas station and dreamed of our future together. We thought we were going to be musicians, remember that?? We wrote a lot of music back then, music that no one ever heard.

When I look at you, I see the man I followed to Boston to pursue his unlikely dream. That same man who, in turn, took me to New York to pursue my even more unlikely dream.

I see the partner who dove headfirst into parenthood with me, the one who moved once again with me back to where it all began in our shared hometown. Because when I became a mom I really needed my mom, and you got that.

You are the love I bought a house with, planted a garden with, killed a garden with, and built a life with. There is no one better in my life, than you.

Thank you for being my Valentine for the 11th or 12th year in a row.

PDA ALL DAY. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.

Recapping the City of Refuge Hygiene Kit Drive!

Hi Friends! I hope you are having the HAPPIEST day!

I want to share a few photos and say a big THANK YOU to all of you who were a part of The City of Refuge drive we did at the end of 2017. I know it's taken me a while to share about this, but I actually kept receiving items for the kits through January, so the final set was finally delivered this week. Hooray! This drive was really close to my heart, and I am so excited that you guys were so connected to this initiative as well. I am honestly STILL overwhelmed by how many of you gave, especially in the midst of the busiest and most expensive time of the year - you guys are rock stars!!

Behind the "Why":
I originally read about The City of Refuge drive in my church bulletin back in late November. My church, Bethel Atlanta, was collecting items to be compiled into hygiene kits for mothers who were coming out of crisis situations - either abuse or sex trafficking.

I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved and leverage my online friends (YOU!!!) because I've seen how powerful and wonderful and kind-hearted everyone is in this community is. My first thought was to collect enough items to fulfill 20 kits, but I immediately felt God nudging me out of that "comfort zone" and pushing me to to do something that felt impossible. Something that required faith, and not just my own ability. So I said, alright, let's try for 25!

The "What":
Each kit needed to contain the following: 2 in 1 shampoo + conditioner, deodorant, lotion, lip balm, tampons + pads, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I created a Target registry for these items because I wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to give. Based on my estimations, each kit cost just under $25, so I knew going in that I was going to have to cover some portion of the $625 investment if I couldn't get enough items donated. Hence the leap of faith.

The Execution!
I shared about the initiative here on the blog and also on my Instagram, and I was so thrilled at how excited you all were to get involved and make a difference! After several weeks of many Target deliveries, I was flabbergasted to receive enough items to compile 35 kits - 10 more than my original goal! Seriously, you guys are heroes. I wish I could send you all DoTerra oils aplenty (aka some of my favorite things) as a thank you!!

My sis-in-law Lauren was kind enough to help me deliver the kits on Dec. 20 to The City of Refuge. Lauren, thank you for taking the trek with me! While we were unloading the boxes, I couldn't help but be completely amazed (and distracted!) by the incredible scale of the operation itself. City of Refuge is HUGE, and not only provides a roof for immediate needs to be met through safe housing and meals, but it also provides ongoing education and avenues for self-sufficiency. You can read more about everything City of Refuge does here.

A Story.
The night before I delivered all the kits, I was checking out at Target at around 9pm. The cashier started asking me questions about the items I was purchasing (it was multiples of more deodorant and toothpaste), and I shared with her about the drive and the mission of City of Refuge. She welled up with tears and asked me for the name and number of the shelter. Then she went on to share with me that her daughter had been caught up in sex trafficking and she has only recently gotten back in touch with her - and that her daughter is only 15 years old. She wept as she told me that her daughter was caught up in a really rough crowd, but she hoped that City of Refuge could provide her with the kind of resources that could help turn her life around. I was stunned. For as much as I hear about the ongoing efforts in Atlanta to address this issue of human trafficking, I just never had a touch point with someone who had been affected by it or who had a family member entangled in it. Her mama heart was broken for her little girl and I stood there in line with her, weeping for her daughter's safety. She held my hands at the end of our check out time and she looked me in the eyes and said, "God is good. I know he is good. What you people are doing is good."

The look in her eyes is burned into my memory.

I want to tell you, friends, what you did in assisting with these kits isn't some far-off distant charity work. It impacts the lives of daughters, mothers, sisters and all of their friends and families. It impacts people around you, even if you don't have an immediate touch point. Just know that what you are doing is so, so SO good, and I am proud to have partnered with you in this incredible endeavor. It was my first drive of this kind, but it certainly won't be the last!

Thank you all so much for your support, encouragement and gifts! Your investment, no matter how big or small, made an enormous impact! All my love to you, friends! xx

SNOW DAY!!!

We had legitimate snow last week here in Georgia. It even stayed on the ground for days! Of course, school was cancelled the entire week and things got a little cabin fever-esque over here, but the snow sure was fun. Everett and I made a hideous snow man that just melted two days ago. He was more like a snow lump. And we made snow angels! And then we had a legit snowball fight and I felt like I was living a scene from a New England novel, but nay - we're in Georgia ya'll! It was so fun. It was so cold. I think it hovered around 20-25 degrees on the day this day that the snow fell, so we played very quickly and then got inside to sit by the fireplace. Whole30 didn't allow me a mug of hot chocolate, but that's what I dreamed I was having while I really sipped on flavorless tea ;)

I hope you are having a happy Tuesday, friends! xx

Your Favorite Posts from 2017.

Your Favorite Blog Posts

of 2017!

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It's really fun looking back on the content here on this blog from the past year. I don't spend too much time looking at my blog analytics, mostly because it makes me do crazy thing like compare myself to others and quantify things and then my head hurts because HELLO, I was never meant for math. So I do check in on them, but I make a point not to harp on the analytics for this site. I take cues from reader comments and feedback - it helps me as I assess what kind of content to share here. However, the analytics also tell me which posts are the most popular and which ones you continue to re-visit. So here you go! Your favorites from 2017!

Pork Chops & Spiced Apple Sauce

(A Whole30 Meal!)

1. Pork Chops & Spiced Apple Sauce (a Whole30 Meal!)

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Postpartum Must Haves

For a c-section recovery

2. Postpartum Must Haves for a C-Section Recovery (+ a Giveaway with Earth Mama Angel Baby!)

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High Tea

At the Atlanta St. Regis

3. High Tea at the Atlanta St. Regis!

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My Whole30

Quick Reference Meal Guide

4. Whole30 Quick Reference Meal Guide

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Green Beauty Trials:

  Foundation

5. Green Beauty Trials: Foundation.

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I'm surprised at how many of the recipes that you guys liked this year! I almost phased out recipes from this blog a few years ago because those traffic levels were the lowest. So either you guys are eating more or I'm cooking better - maybe both?! No seriously though - I think you guys really like Whole30 recipes so I'll make sure to continue to include the ones I really vet and love.

My personal favorite posts this year were... all of them! No seriously, its hard to pick favorites. I really loved sharing about the Little Barn Apothecary products, because they are like the best thing I've ever put on my skin. And I was nervous to share about my struggle with postpartum anxiety, but I'm so glad I did, because so many of you responded by sharing your similar experiences. The Milk Friendly series was really fun to put together and I am loving the Green Beauty Trials, which will continue in 2018.

Let me know in the comments if there is certain content you want to see more of in 2018! Love you friends! xx

Favorites from 2017.

I didn't think it would be proper to dive into new content without taking a good look at what 2017 really was. 2017 was the most emotionally stretching year of my life! I can't believe it's already over, because it flewwwwww by. Like, hi and bye, 2017. I think having two little ones rocking my world has caused the social media mama prophesy to be fulfilled - "the days are long but the years are short." That phrase perfectly encapsulates how I feel about 2017. Perfectly.

I'm taking this week to share some of my reflections here on the blog. Want to take a walk down memory lane with me?

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2017

My Favorite Moments!

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1. Bringing Daxton home from the hospital.
I know that this technically happened at the end of December 2016, but whew, the Christmas holiday was marked by c-section recovery and caring for a newborn, so it definitely melted into January (and February and March and April...) It was intense, but he was so, so worth every hard moment. I will never forget looking over my hospital bed and staring into his little lucite baby bed, sleeping so serenely. So big and so serene, my little sweetheart. I still get choked up when I think back to those first few weeks.

2. 10-year Anniversary with Stevie!
Stevie and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary on June 23! We had THE BEST TIME ever at Bacchinalea, this ridiculous restaurant in Atlanta that I have always wanted to try. It is a total tasting experience, and for someone who cooks a lot, I felt like I had such a deep appreciation for how special this meal was. I could never cook up something that fancy! It was kind of an epic experience, and he gave me a beautiful piece of jewelry and I just felt like such a grown up woman. 10 years with this man! TEN YEARS. I love him more than ever. Marriage is the craziest experience. No wait, having kids is. Okay, THEY BOTH ARE.

3. Disney World!
I can't say enough great and grand things about this trip - I just wanna re-live it over and over again! We sooooo got bit by the Disney bug!
See more from our Disney trip here and here.

4. My 30th Birthday!
I lovvvvved getting to celebrate my 30th with my favorite girls! I felt really loved that they all took the time out of their busy lives to spend 24 hours with me - it's a big deal in this stage of life! And I always loved getting away to Serenbe because it's just mega lovely and inspiring and I always come away from the place feeling refreshed.

5. Tea time with my Mom & Sis!
I have a weird obsession with high tea. Please let me try all the high teas everywhere! Tea time at the St. Regis Atlanta with my mom and sis is something I will always treasure. I just love the whole experience and I wish it was "a thing" to do tea on the regular. Those Brits. They really know how to party. TEA PARTY.
See more from our tea party here.

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2017

Least Favorite Moments
(to keep things real)

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My Least Favorite Moments of 2017:
1. Recovering from the c-section.
It took longer than I could have ever imagined. It took longer than anyone I've ever heard of. The pain was with me throughout almost the entire year. And still, if my kids jump on me while we play on my bed and accidentally land on my stomach, my gut wrenches in pain. I've seen my doctor about it and it is healing, but the whole c-section healing experiences was incredibly sluggish and unexpectedly AWFUL. I have a new appreciation for medical doctors and what they do - I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that c-section. So as awful as it was, I am here and my baby boy is here! Bless God.
More about recovery here and here and here.

2. My experience with postpartum anxiety.
I've talked about it here, and I won't harp on it too much now. But it's a black hole and it requires lots of communication and tools to overcome it. I'm grateful for the people in my life who continue to check in with me to support me - it's been a long road! But life is too short to live with anxiety - if you battle with it, let this be the year that you seek help! Sidenote - getting help for this was probably my best decision of 2017, truly.
More about postpartum anxiety here.

3. Getting Slapped in the Face by my Son.
It was either get bangs or a tattoo, because I needed something to look different. So I got bangs! And when I went to pick Everett up from school, he FREAKED. He slapped my head and said, "Get them off, get them off!" Then he melted on the floor into a panic and silenced the entire school with his precious self. I have to say, one of my least favorite moments of the year. P.S. He likes them now. He even told me he wants to get bangs :)

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2017

Favorite Travels!

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Favorite Travel of 2017:
1. Disney World!!!
We had such a complete blast at Disney and I never ever want to forget the look on my kids' faces as they met characters and experienced the magic. And the meal plan - no cooking for a week! SIGN ME UP AGAIN.
More about this trip here! (Don't forget to scroll and see Dax's face when we meet characters - priceless.)

2. New York City at Christmas!
It was kind of stupidly cold, but it was absolute magic from start to finish. I got to see so many dear friends, I got to take my boys on amazing adventures all over my favorite city, and I got to feel what it would be like to have kids in that city. I've wondered ever since we moved away. Plus, we didn't lose a week of Daddy time just before Christmas, since Stevie needed to be up there for work. This trip was an unexpected and gleeful surprise! Plus, I SAW THE FONZ.
More about this trip here!

3. Beach trip with friends!
We had our first beach getaway with our buds Elliot & Lena and Elizabeth & Garrett this year. It might seem weird that we've never really done a friend vacation, but we realized we usually travel alone or with our extended family! We haven't done a lot of friend travel so our time in Perdito Key with our friends and their kiddos was so much fun and weirdly NOT stressful at all.
More from this trip.

4. Visiting my BFF in Mobile!
After spending a year talking about it, we finally made our way out to Mobile, Alabama to see my girl Natalie and her husband in their element. They run a Chick-fil-A business there, and it was so much fun seeing their life and getting time with her on her turf. I miss my friendships so much, because it seems be the thing that I have the least time for, day-to-day in this season of life. Do any of you mamas feel that way? But when I get friend time, I savor it so!!
More from our time in Mobile.

4. Family Vaycays.
We did our annual trek down to the beach in Florida with Stevie's family, and it was just so low-key and wonderful. I love this trip every year and really look forward to it as a time to rest together as a family. We also did an adults-only trip to Asheville in the fall - and I CANNOT WAIT to go back. The Biltmore is mesmerizing. And just last week we spent time with my side of the family in the Blue Ridge mountains! I am so grateful for that time, because it's not often that I get to see my two sister at the same time! So so special. It makes me want to plan more intentional sister trips in 2018!
More from our Beach trip here.

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2017 Goals Accomplished.

Because it's good to celebrate, even the small things.

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Personal Goals Met.
1. Date Nights!
Stevie and I have tried to be better about going on regular dates this year, and there are a lot of them that I remember and cherish. Once we went out to dinner in our sweats, and I loved how we were so under-dressed compared to everyone else in the restaurant. We didn't care, we were child-free and comfy and it was awesome! And another time, about 2 months after Daxton was born, we went out and it was pouring rain, so we stayed in the restaurant for like 4 hours! We did dinner and dessert and 2 cups of coffee and kept talking until the rain lightened up - I will always remember that one, too. And of course, our coin jar date night! We laughed so hard that night. This is something I want to continue in the new year - having regular date nights, even if we just stay home in our jammies!

2. Getting help for anxiety.
Like I mentioned above, I struggled hard during the first half of the year with postpartum anxiety. It manifested in lots of ways and I was having trouble coping with simple, simple tasks. I am so glad that I got help early on  - it was super humbling having to get on medication, getting babysitters so I could go to counseling sessions, asking my mom to come over for extended amounts of time while Stevie was on the road for work, etc.  It was hard to admit that I had needs that I couldn't get met on my own. But looking back, that challenge is also my biggest victory of 2017. It took time to overcome that one, and I still have moments that tempt me to go back down that road of stress and worry, but I've learned over the course of this year what my triggers are and I am empowered with more tools to help quench a panic attach before it fully develops. It's been a mega victory and I am so grateful to feel better!
More about getting help with anxiety here.

3. Keeping my kids alive.
I'm just being real - this counts as an accomplishment right?? It was an intense year, learning how to care for my two boys simultaneously was like WHOA. And I was stressed! But they are alive and happy most of the time, so I count that as a win.

4. Investing in myself.
It was hard to keep a routine this year. It just was. But I did carve out time to get myself to the gym or Pure Barre about twice a week, which was a HUGE accomplishment for me. I also continued to create content here on the blog, which I love so much, and I continued getting educated on essential oils, which was something I was drawn more and more to as I learned about how to overcome anxiety. These things, exercise and creativity, are two major outlets for me, and I am so grateful that Stevie is all for me doing them. He's honestly my biggest fan and I wouldn't have been able to keep up this blog this year without his help - his taking the kids, his helping me time manage, his encouragement to get a babysitter so I could go to the gym while he worked. Truly, without his support, I would be a shell of a woman!

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2017

Work Goals Accomplished!

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Work Goals Met.
1. Keeping this blog going!
It's hard to understand the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to keep this blog going, but it's a goooood bit of work. Writing, editing, photographing, editing some more, pitching, accounting, advertising - it's a lot! I love it, and I will continue to blog as long as it makes sense for me and my family. It's been an amazing outlet for me creatively, but it's also allowed me to connect with brands that I love and share about them with you, people that I love! And like I mentioned, if it wasn't for the support of my family (thanks Stevie & Mom!), I don't think I would have been able to keep my head above water this year, let alone keep investing time here. I'm so grateful that this space is still such a special outlet!

2. Blog & Instagram Collaborations!
I love the opportunity this blog allows me, to work with brands whose products I love and use anyway. And it's allowed me to get introduced to new brands and find new things I love, so it's always a creative and discovery process for me. This year I had some interesting learning curves in terms of working with brands (like, the good, the bad and the ugly), but it's also probably the most fun I've ever had in terms of collaborations, including working with companies like Banana Republic (multiple times! Such a dream come true!), Ergobaby (another dream come true!), Earth Mama Organics, Workman Publishing, OXO, Pinkblush, Little Barn Apothecary, Mama & Little, Lucky Palmtree and more! And others on Instagram, like Halo Top, Dietz & Watson & Kroger. It's been so much fun! I can't wait for what this year has in store :)

3. Writing for 5 Minutes for Mom.
I love this blog for so many reasons, and one of them is the opportunity it gives me to write for others! I have loved connecting with Susan over at 5 Minutes for Mom and writing posts for their site! Those ladies are the sweetest and have given me the chance to write about some really amazing products. If you're interested in checking some out, just type "Kristen Hale" in the search bar.
Visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

4. Launching My doTERRA Business!
This amazing company made such an impact on my life in 2017. If you would have told me a year ago that I would eventually join doTERRA and sell the products, I would have laughed so hard at you. And told you I didn't have the time for that. Life is funny that way. You guys, I AM LOVING IT. I am still figuring out how to manage my time - doing mom life, maintaining and growing this blog and doing doTERRA, but I am feeling more fulfilled than I have in years so I'm going to keep honing in on how to do all these things well. These oils are so precious and I just want to get them in as many people's hands as possible so they can see the difference it can make in their own life. So yeah, you could say I'm pretty amped. SO AMPED. Let me know if you want more information about doTERRA, I'd love to share more with you!
P.S. - Shameless plug - My personal doTERRA site here.

And there you have it, friends! A recap of 2017, some of the best (and some of the worst :) Thanks for hanging out with me here in this little corner of the internet world - it means more than you will ever know! Tomorrow's post is on your favorite blog posts of 2017 (and mine!)

xx Kristen