5 Things To Do During Christmas Break

Thanksgiving break has been amazing and I cannot believe that it has come to an end – it really flew by! Although I love Thanksgiving (and the break) so much, it is almost like a teaser to Christmas break because Christmas just reminds me of so much joy and that gets me really excited. As most of you know, I am a teacher, so for me, breaks not only mean that I get to enjoy myself more, but they also mean that I need to catch up on everything that I have not been able to do while in school. So, my Christmas break to-do list might look a little different than yours, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. Here are a few things to do during Christmas break:

Family Time

The most important part about the holidays is fitting in family time, in my opinion. In fact, I try to fit in as much family time as possible and if you are having holiday guests, that should be easy for you because they will be in your home 24/7. Even if you wanted to escape them at that point, you couldn’t. 😉 Just kidding! Truly – family time is so important, especially during the holidays. As a mom, I want to teach this and the best way to do that is by my actions. Creating traditions with family and showing that family time is of the utmost importance is essential.

Catch Up On Appointments

Next up: catch up on all of your appointments! You are off work and have a little bit of extra time, so why not catch up on your appointments, such as your routine dental cleaning? Or, maybe you need to get a dental filling and have been putting it off. Well, now is the time to get on that! Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is the number 1 dentist in Decatur, GA, so if you are looking for a new dentist, check them out. They are known for their happy clients, innovative technology, and their gentle dentist, Dr. Gary Simms. Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is a full-service dental office inside of DeKalb County. “Dr. Simms has dedicated his professional life to dentistry, both cosmetic and function. Whether you need basic teeth whitening, cleanings, fillings, or more advanced dentures, root canals, bridges, crowns, and veneers, Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is a dentist you can trust.”

Get Festive

Now that Thanksgiving is past us, it is time to get festive for Christmas! Put up the lights, get the decor out of the attic + dust everything off, and pump up the holiday tunes. This is such an exciting part of Christmas and for kids, it makes the holiday so, so magical, which is my ultimate goal. Scenes from this time of the year are some of my most vivid and most favorite memories from my childhood. These days fly by so quickly and making it magical for our children should be one of our priorities during this season. I recommend getting festive as early as possible to make this happen! Holidays with kids can be so wonderful, but also exhausting. The key to making it fun and magical is to prepare in advance, so get started on your holiday decor now!

Relax

I know that during the non-holiday season, I am working hard, so when I have time off, I need to (and I deserve to) relax a bit. To me, this is something as simple as maybe getting an opportunity to sleep in, have a cup of coffee in bed, while reading a book. To you, this might mean having a full on spa day, or going on an adventure. No matter how you relax, make it happen for yourself this holiday season because like I said, you have been working hard all year round and you really deserve the little bit of time to relax and just do nothing.

Give Back

Last but not least, this is the season for giving and there is nothing more important than giving back during these few weeks. Donate your time giving to people in need, or even just pay for the persons coffee in the car behind you at Starbucks. However you choose to give back is up to you, but it’s important to at least consider doing something to help the people around you.

What are your plans for Christmas Break? Anything exciting planned?

Let me know! I always love to hear from you!

Outfit Details

Dress | Belt | Boots | Bag | Sunglasses | Hair Clips

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with Metro Decatur Dental Group PC. All opinions are my own. Affiliates links may be used in this post and I may receive a small commission. 

Mommin’ Ain’t Easy, But it is a Whole Lot Easier with Baggallini: A Review of the 3 in 1 Backpack

Let’s get real for a minute.

No matter how much we love Motherhood and being a mother, it is not always easy. It truly is a job in itself and, while I am happy to take on this job daily, I am always looking for ways to make it just a little bit easier.

Luckily, I know that I can depend on one of my favorite handbag companies, Baggallini, to always have something that is both stylish and functional. They have done it again with the most amazing bag to meet all of my Mom needs.

Now that Vivi is getting older, I don’t have to bring as much stuff with me to meet her needs. She does still require some extra supplies, though, so I needed something that would work as an addition to my outfit, as well as meet my needs as a Mother. The perfect bag for that job was the 3 in 1 Backpack.

I decided to give it a test drive this past weekend on a particularly warm day. We wanted to make the most of the weather so we packed up the 3 in 1 Backpack and headed out the door. For this outing, we decided to head to our local outlet mall to do a little playing at the park, grab a snack, and maybe do a little shopping. In the bag I made sure to pack my water bottle, snacks for Vivi, a change of clothes, wipes, as well as my other handbag necessities. With all of the pockets and zippers, I was able to keep everything very organized and right at my finger tips. The outside pocket was great for easy snack access, my water bottle fit nicely on a side pocket, and the front zipper was the perfect spot to slide in my cell phone.

So besides the obvious, what other benefits does this amazing bag include? Taking a quick peek on the Baggallini website,  I was able to pull this list of amazing features:

• Lightweight, water-resistant nylon or printed fabric
• Removable wristlet has 3 card slots
• Removable wristlet dimensions: 7.5″ W X 4.5″ H
• Interior organization and multifunctional pockets
• Quick access phone pocket
• Fits iPhone 8 & iPhone plus
• Interior tablet pocket
• Fits up to 8″ tablet
• Key loop
• Sleeve for luggage handle
• RFID protection
• 56″ removable, adjustable straps convert from crossbody to backpack
• 4.5″ drop length
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Exterior dimensions: 15.5″ W x 12.5″ H x 4″ D
• Weight: 1 lb. 7.5 oz.
• 1 year warranty against manufacturer’s defects

The feature that I enjoyed most was definitely the fact that this was a 3 in 1 backpack. I literally used every option on our day out and it was so nice! The strap could be easily lengthened or shortened so that I could use it as a crossbody, shoulder bag, or simply hang onto the handles. Perhaps the most unique way to carry the bag was as a backpack. With easy to clip straps and a top loop, the bag quickly and easily became a backpack leaving me hands free to chase Vivi.

This has definitely become our go-to bag for family outings. I love the sleek design, the color literally matches with everything, and you can not beat the ease and accessibility. I cannot recommend the 3 in 1 Backpack enough and I encourage you to add this bag to your collection. As Mothers, we need all the help we can get and Baggallini definitely helps to meet all of those needs.

Outfit Details:

Sweater | Dress | Ring | Headband | Boots

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with Baggallini. I was gifted the bag and will be compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are used in this post and I may receive a small commission.

February Favorites

.

Hello Friends!

It is hard to believe that another month has come and gone, but here we are are already finished with the month of February! January may have dragged, but February definitely flew by at our house!

If you follow me over on Instagram, you probably noticed that I did a small style challenge the week of Valentine’s Day. There was not any specific prompts, just an encouragement to dress for the holiday and build community among everyone participating. It was a lot of fun and I loved seeing everyone’s outfits. If you are interested in seeing everyone who participated, just check out the hashtag #bemrsfowlersvalentine over on Instagram and I know you will feel inspired.

Because of the style challenge, I did not do a whole lot of shopping for the month of February so, instead, I wanted to share with you a few of the outfits that I put together for the week of love. While some of the pieces I already owned, a lot of them were new and were in collaboration with one of my favorite retailers, SHEIN. They had so many amazing pieces available and I was able to put together some truly incredible outfits. I encourage you to check everything out and consider adding some of the pieces to your own wardrobe. They were all super affordable and, if you use the code 1gveras, you can save 15% on your entire purchase!

Red Pleated Skirt | Double Heart Belt | Black Heart Sweater | Leopard Sequin Skirt | Black Elbow Heart Sweater

Platform Crocs

I was gifted a pair of platform Crocs this month and I have to say that I was a bit skeptical at first. I did not know how I was going to make them work in an outfit. I have to say that, after a little research on Pinterest, I gathered some ideas and now I am obsessed. The shoes were incredibly comfortable and the platform was a lot of fun to wear. While I probably won’t be wearing them everyday, they are definitely a great addition to my wardrobe and will be perfect when I have to do a lot of walking. My advice to you should you decide to purchase is just incorporate them into what you would normally wear. For me, pattern-mixing is something that I do a lot so I made that the focus of my outfit instead of the shoes. By doing that, the shoes compliment the pieces and everything comes together for a chic, and comfy, look.

Tiger Midi Dress

One piece that I did purchase this month was this absolutely amazing, tiger print dress from ASOS. I saw it on Instagram on the fabulous @onelittlemomma and I fell in love. Once I saw the price, I knew that I had to add it to my wardrobe. It was such unique piece that I knew I would be able to get a lot of wear throughout the seasons. I paired it with booties this month but I know that it will look amazing with my favorite wedges as it starts to warm up. The sleeves have buttons so they can easily be rolled up for a different, cooler look. The dress looks great with a denim jacket or even unbuttoned as a kimono. The options are unlimited! I encourage you to check out this piece and consider adding it to your wardrobe. It runs a little small so I recommend sizing down.

Hopefully some of these favorites appeal to you as well! There was some truly great outfits that happened this month that would not have been possible without these pieces. I encourage you to check them all out and consider adding them to your wardrobe.

Disclaimer: All pieces from SHEIN I was gifted from the company. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are used and I may receive a small commission.

Getting My Fix with StitchFix

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post through We Are Teachers for StitchFix, but all opinions are my own.

I am sure that it is no surprise to all of you that I absolutely love shopping. I love the feel of the bags in my hand, I love the smell of the fabric, and I love the way that a new item makes me feel. What I don’t love is driving into town, fighting the crowds, and trying on clothes in a very unflattering dressing room. With my schedule being so busy, lately I have just not even bothered with clothes shopping.

What is a girl to do?

Well, I have found the answer to get my shopping fix and its name is StitchFix! StitchFix is a personalized styling service that sends a box of clothes and accessories to your house with free shipping and returns. While there is a $20 styling fee, that price is applied to any items, should you decided to buy. You are only charged for the items that you decide to keep. Mailing back any items that you decide not to keep is very easy. Simply place them in the enclosed mailer and place them in your mailbox. So easy!

When you first sign up for StitchFix, they will have you fill out a Style Profile Quiz. You will fill out your sizes, any styles that you may not like, as well as any colors and prints that you may not want to wear. It was very thorough and I was impressed by all of the styles that they took into consideration. The fact that the Style Profile Quiz is so thorough is great, especially for teachers. As a teacher, we have a required dress code and image to present I was able to put in my job’s dress code requirements so that I could get a lot of great things for work. After filling out my profile, I just had to wait for my box to arrive.

As soon as I got my box, I opened it up so that I could try everything on. You do have a time limit to mail everything back so it is important that you open the box as soon as possible to make your choices. If not, you will be charged for all the items.

Upon opening the box, the first thing  I noticed was the Outfit Suggestion cards. There is a card for each item that was shipped with your box and two ways to style the item. This is a great feature, especially for those who struggle with how to put outfits together.

The first item that I received was the Golda Faux Wrap Midi Skirt by Le Lis. This was probably my favorite item in the box. I loved the styling suggestions and immediately thought of quite a few ways to style it with items already in my closet. It was the perfect length for teaching so I knew that my stylist had read through my questionnaire answers to give me exactly what my wardrobe needed. I absolutely kept this piece.

I took the time to style it with pieces that I already owned so that you could see the versatility. It can easily be dressed up or down and would be a great addition to my existing wardrobe.

The next item that I received was the Kaydin Dot Stitch Pullover by Teeberry & Weave. This was a great sweater and I think it would be an essential basic in most closets. The fit was great and it could easily be styled many different ways with multiple things in my closet. My only problem was that it was very similar to things that I already owned. I could not justify having two, almost identical cream sweaters. Unfortunately, this one had to go back.

Another favorite in the box was the Jacqueline Skinny Pant by Liverpool. I had never heard of this brand before but I am so glad that I have discovered them. The fit is amazing. This particular pair was dressy enough for work but it could easily have been dressed down for the weekend. For pictures, I paired them with the Kaydin Dot Stitch Pullover from my order, but they could literally be paired without almost everything in my closet. I decided to keep these pants because they fit perfectly and matched my style exactly. I am glad that one of the questions that was asked on the Style Profile was how do you like the fit of your pants because these are the perfect addition to my wardrobe.

The final clothing item that I recieved was the Mayven V-Neck Blouse by Skies are Blue. This top was absolutely adorable. Just like my other pieces, the fit was great and it pretty much matched my style. I really considered keeping this item but it was quite similar to a few tops that I already owned. I loved the colors and knew it would have been a great addition, but in the end, I was not completely sold.

My final item was not clothes, but rather a necklace. It was the Peony Fringe Pendant by Bay To Baubles. It was a great necklace that could be worn with almost everything and was gold, my favorite color to wear in jewelry. The only problem was that it was very similar to other items I owned. This was my biggest problem with the items that I received in my box and I feel like that was a good problem to have. The stylist did such a good job of styling my box that she practically gave me items that I already owned.

In the end, I only decided to keep two things from my StitchFix box.. I wish that everything had worked because you get a 25% discount on your order if you decide to keep everything in your box. There was so many great pieces, but in the end, I couldn’t justify keeping items that were so similar to items that I already owned. Even if you don’t keep all items, your $20 styling fee is applied to your order so that your money goes toward building your closet. Most of the items in my order were around $45 so I technically ended up getting one item for about half off. I was just grateful that my styling fee was applied to my order so I never felt like I was wasting money. I honestly enjoyed the experience and am currently waiting for my next box. You can choose the frequency that you receive your boxes and are welcome to cancel at any time. Feel free to check on my highlight reel on my Instastories to see my actual try-on videos and hear more about my experience.

The only question that I have left unanswered is how do you let StitchFix know which items you decided to keep or send back so that they do not charge your account. Well, the have an app for that!

Once you receive your order, your StichFix app will update with all of the items that you have received. After you make your selections, your will scroll through the items marking which ones you decided to keep and which ones you decide to send back. You can also mark how each item fit so that they can make sure your next box is all of your correct sizes. It is so easy and they walk you through the entire process. Once your selections have been made, you can update your style profile to fit your current needs and sizes, leave a note for your stylist and, of course, schedule your next fix!

Overall, I really enjoyed this experience and I encourage you to try it out, at least once as well. It was such a nice surprise to receive in the mail and I really enjoyed trying on what my stylist picked for me. To encourage you to try out the service, We Are Teachers and StichFix are offering all of my readers and followers a waived styling fee!  Just click the link (StitchFix) and the waived fee will be applied to your order! This means that you are not charged anything unless you decide to keep items! That is something definitely worth trying! If you do decide to try StichFix, I would love to know what you get in your box. Just share below in the comments or tag me over on Instagram!

Happy Shopping!

Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post with StitchFix and We Are Teachers. Affiliate links are used and I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Mom Bossin’ with Baggallini

My life has been incredibly busy these last few months. From work, to events, to vacation, and holidays, we have been going non-stop!

While my life may be sheer chaos, one thing has remained a constant: my handbag!

I was recently gifted the Metro Backpack from Baggallini. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first. I am not much of a backpack girl but I really wanted something that could carry both mine and Vivi’s things, while still looking chic. Over the summer I potty trained Vivi so there was no need for a big, bulky bag. I found myself shoving a pull-up, extra pants, and snacks into my already full handbag. Something had to change.

Upon receiving the bag, I switched everything over from my own handbag, downsizing a few items, added Vivi’s things, and I was set. I made a vow to carry the bag for the entire month of October so I could form an honest opinion. I would change my bag for date or girl’s nights, but then it was right back to my Metro Backpack.

Since I was carrying this bag for the entire month of October, I packed it up to take it with me on my recent Disney trip. This was, by far, where the bag was most useful. With all of the compartments, pockets and zippers, I had everything I needed, remained organized, and stayed looking chic. I got so many compliments on this bag while in the park. I think people expect backpacks to be bulky or kid-oriented so the fact that this bag possessed both style and function was definitely something worth noticing. With the adjustable straps, hooks and zippers, I was able to carry it as a crossbody, a one-shoulder pack, a backpack, AND a handbag. Talk about a versatile bag! Even my husband didn’t mind holding it for me!

Here are all the amazing details that this backpack features:

• Lightweight, water-resistant nylon
• Removable RFID phone wristlet included
• Interior organization and multifunctional pockets
• Quick access phone pocket
• RFID protection
• Adjustable strap & key Loop
• Wristlet interior has 3 card slots

Curious about RFID technology? I was too! RFID-blocking wallets are designed to help insulate you from a very particular brand of electronic pickpocketing, called RFID skimming. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification, a technology that uses tiny computer chips smaller than a grain of sand to track items at a distance. Essentially this means that as long as your cards are inside the RFID protection pouch, your card information cannot be stolen using this technology. That is pretty nifty if you ask me!

All of the pockets and pouches kept me very organized while in the park. I was able to quickly find everything that I needed, which is crucial when you have a very busy three year old in when of the busiest places in the United States. I used the outside zipper to quickly access my phone, the mini zipper pouch to keep my money and cards both safe and accessible, and the back zipper to house our room keys and park tickets. It truly helped me to keep my sanity while in the park and helped me to stay very organized. I cannot recommend this bag enough, especially if you are the Mom of young children.

So just what all was I able to fit in this backpack, besides random receipts of course? More than you would think, that is for sure!

I had: a change of clothes and pull-ups for Vivi, wipes, a few toys, sunglasses, snacks, iPad with charger, pouch with essential female items, chap-stick, hair ties, handsanitizer, cellphone, and, in the little pouch, my card wallet and change purse. I was honestly surprised at home! We are heading back to Disney in December and the first thing that I will be packing is my Metro Backpack. It was seriously a very chic lifesaver!

I encourage you to check out Baggallini’s Metro Backpack as well as their other chic and versatile bags. I can promise that it will be so functional, you will not want to change your bag!

Disney Outfit Details: Tee | Shorts | Shoes | Ears | Watch | Bracelets | Nail Polish

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post and I was gifted the Metro Backpack from Baggallini. All opinions expressed in this post are my own

Making the Best of the Rest of My Summer

Summer is just moments away from ending and school seems like it is approaching so quickly, but I am all for living in the moment and only accepting the fact that summer is over when it is actually over. You have to live with the glass half full perspective because if you don’t life can too often seem boring and almost depressing and I want to make sure that I am showing my daughter that living a happy, full ‘glass half full’ life is very, very important. So, with that being said, today I want to share with you how I am making the most of the rest of the summer! I thought it would be fun and productive to create a list of five summer goals to accomplish. I urge you all to do the same, in order to get the most out of these next couple of weeks. Here is my list:

Soak in the summer

I want to do all things summer related. So, you will probably find me eating watermelon, going to the pool, wearing all of the summer clothes, and playing with chalk outside. If you have already knocked out your summer to do list, I highly recommend making another one. Be creative and think outside the box – there really are so many fun things that you can do in the summer! If you hop over to Pinterest and type in summer bucket list, you are sure to find many fantastic lists. A few ideas that you can find on Pinterest are playing in the sprinkler, having a picnic, going to an outdoor concert, watching a movie in a drive-in theatre, dancing in the rain, and making frozen hot chocolate.

Be intentional

Because summer is ending so quickly, I want to make the most of it by being intentional. I believe that it is important to be intentional with what you do on an everyday basis, but in our generation with social media, technology, and other distractions, it can be very hard to actually accomplish this each day. If you have trouble staying intentional throughout the day, you could help yourself out by setting guidelines. Maybe set times where you can check social media, or talk on the phone, wake up early instead of sleeping the day away, and maybe even plan some rest time for yourself.

Make time for myself

I know I touched on this a bit above, but I wanted to talk about it more. Being a mom is a really amazing job and I am so lucky to do it each and every day, but what a lot of moms forget to do is to actually make time for themselves. Our kids are constantly relying on us and our health, mindset, and strength should be constantly taken care of. Having time for yourself is important so that you can re-charge each and every day. This may look different from person to person, but a few ways that you can make time for yourself is by taking a bubble bath, scheduling a massage, reading, watching your favorite TV show, or even going to workout.

Start dreaming of our new house

As some of you know, we are currently building a home in Savannah, Georgia and I am so excited about it! I’ve already been dreaming about it for a while now, but all of the progress that has been made in the past couple of weeks has gotten me so thrilled for the move! Searching for home decor has never been better and it is just so much fun. One thing I am considering is adding window films to our windows. Apparently, they are used for a few different reasons. For starters, window films add a decorative effect to ‘normal’ windows, which would be nice. They can take an ordinary window and make it look extremely unique by adding a textured look. This also adds more privacy in your home! Another great bonus of window tinting is the fact that it can help prevent excessive heat and cold, and it can also prevent harmful UV rays from entering your home. According to UHS Window Tinting and Blinds, “Since 2003, we’ve been helping residential home owners get the best protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Radiation from the sun is divided into three components: light that we can see, and infrared and UV rays that we can only feel. As the sun strikes glass, the window film acts as a shield that blocks harmful UV rays, as well as regulates the amount of heat that passes through the glass. In turn, the interior of your office or home will have a more comfortable temperature, even without increasing the cooling or air conditioning capacity in the room. By simply having a window film on your glass doors and windows, you can be protected from the sun and reduce your energy costs at the same time.”

Focus on health

It is easy to get off-track health and nutrition goals in the summer. It has been so hot in Georgia lately and all it seems like I have been wanting is ice cream and refreshing drinks such as sugar-filled sweet tea. You just cannot get more refreshing than that! In these next couple of weeks, I hope to get fully back on-track when it comes to my health and I am very excited to start the next school year off strong and healthy!

How are you making the best of the end of your summer? I would love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below!

Also, in case you wanted, here are the links to shop my outfit or similar styles:

Top | Dress | Shoes | Hat | Bag | Earrings

Photography courtesy of Midnight in Georgia Photography.

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used in this post and I may receive a small commission.

 

Pink Hues and Life Updates

Hello my Beautiful Friends! Life has been so absolutely crazy lately and I just wanted to take the time to fill all of you in!

First up, I am done with school for the summer! Teaching is hard and definitely a stressful job so I always look forward to those few weeks in the summer when I can take some time for myself. We have a family vacation to Disney planned in just one short week, we are planning to go to Charleston for my birthday, and I am hoping that we can squeeze in weekend trip to Gatlinburg. I will also be majorly catching up on my blog, all 11 drafts that I have in progress, and planning out new centers for my classroom. I may have 7 weeks off, but I will be busy for most of those!

Another exciting change is that we sold out house! We are currently living with my parents while our dream house is being built. We will finally have some extra, much needed space, and I will have a closet room! Stay tuned for some fun updates on the house and full post on how I edit and organize my closet room. As of last week the foundation had been poured and the frame had been built. Next step is insulation and dry wall! We meet with our builders the first week of June and I we will hopefully find out our closing date. This is such exciting time in our lives and I cannot wait to see what exciting things are still coming in our future.

Vivi is growing like a weed and has developed the cutest little personality. She is very particular about what she likes and is not afraid to tell you “No!” She has an obsession with all things tiny so at any given time our floors are covered with Shopkins, Hatchimals and LOL Dolls. She has also discovered “Cookie Swirl C” videos on YouTube. Those videos are both annoying and extremely addicting! I find myself being sucked in wondering what Shopkins she is going to get in her blind bag or if her LOL Doll will be a limited edition. Clearly I missed my calling in life and should be making videos of unwrapping Shopkins my profession.

It is also getting so much warmer here in Savannah. I feel like we went straight from Winter to Summer. We are already seeing temperatures in the nineties so I know that it is going to be a long, hot summer. The plus side is that I have been able to pull out all of my cute dresses, off the shoulder tops, and fun sandals. I am loving all of the trends for this spring and summer. They are making my inner 90s girl so happy. Give me all of the wide leg, high waisted jeans and platform sandals!

This outfit was from earlier in the spring before the temperatures got significantly higher. I love this light-weight Members Only jacket and feel like it will be great for cooler summer nights. The fact that Members Only is still around making classic jackets also makes my inner 90s girl so happy! The pink color is a fun touch and I love how it gives a more casual vibe to my outfit. I paired it with one of my favorite pairs of jeans, the cutest blush mules, and a comfy tunic. To finish off the look, I added sunglasses, a pair of fun earrings, and my absolute favorite clutch from the Studio DIY Can’t Clutch This subscription. I mean a Toaster Pastry Clutch? Yes Please!

I am really hoping to get on a schedule, or at least catch up, on my blog this summer so if there is anything that you want to see or hear about, please do not hesitate to let me know! I always love to hear from you! I will also have a series of posts after my Disney trip so let me know what you want to hear about and I will be sure to snap the right pictures or uncover the right secrets! I am also planning my first video tutorial so if you have any filming or video tips, please let me know!

I hope you all have a great start to your summer and that you are making the most of every moment! Thank you for being such amazing followers! I appreciate all of you more than you know!

Outfit Details and Similar Styles:

Jacket c/o | Top | Jeans | Shoes | Sunglasses | Earrings | Clutch

Field Frolicking and Planning for the Future

Whether your retirement is a couple of years or a couple of decades away, it is never too early, or too late, to start dreaming about and preparing for it. Traditionally, retirement planning has focused on saving money and building financial security. However, studies have found that having a vision for the future and planning for that vision are as important as money in achieving a fulfilling retirement experience.

Retirement satisfaction is typically linked to several factors: having a clear vision of retirement goals, early financial planning, continued engagement, and activity throughout retirement, financial preparation and professional advice.

The importance of planning for a meaningful retirement has increased as life expectancy has improved. According to an Actuarial statistics study*, the baby boomer generation is expected to live longer than any previous generation. In fact, it is anticipated that over half of the people alive today will likely live to be 82 years or older. When you consider even further advancements in modern medicine that will affect Generation Xers and Millennials in their old age, it is likely that people will be living a lot longer than previously thought possible. Unlike their elders, many people can look forward to living for several decades – as opposed to several years – in retirement.  (*Source: Life Tables for the United States Social Security Area 1900-2100. Actuarial Study No. 116 by Felicitie C. Bell and Michael L. Miller.)

While most people would agree that envisioning their retirement dreams is an important part of planning for the future, many of us may not know where to start or how to do it. One often overlooked suggestion involves writing down your vision for the ideal Retirement. It is based on the premise that those who write down their goals are much more likely to achieve them.

Written goals are much more concrete and tangible. In order to write them down, you are forced to think through the details. And, the simple act of writing down your goals adds a certain level of accountability. This is a technique that has been used by entrepreneurs from Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich) to Daymond John from NBC’s Shark Tank. Once your goals are on paper, they are out there for the world to see, and there is no going back.

By answering thought-provoking questions about your individual vision and passions, you will uncover the attitudes, values and aspirations that drive your unique goals. This can help you develop a “retirement roadmap” in order to prepare both emotionally and financially for your future. During retirement, you can use these same questions to re-envision and re-evaluate your goals as you consider your experiences, challenges and worries as a retiree. The questions below can help you get clarity around your goals and dreams, and ultimately allow you to identify the necessary steps to get you there.

• What do you look forward to doing in retirement? – Possibilities to explore include spending time with family and friends, going back to school, doing volunteer work, starting a new business, staying healthy and fit, and traveling.
• Where do you dream of going? – Consider possible destinations and activities, how you would like to travel, how much traveling you would like to do and who you would like to travel with.
• Where do you see yourself living? – Where you live significantly impacts your costs in retirement. Do you want to be part of a community? Do you want to try a new climate or lifestyle? Do you want to live in multiple locations? Consider whether you want to stay close to your current home, move closer to family, or relocate near activities you love.
• How do you want to make your lasting mark? – Your legacy is what is important to you and what you want to pass on to others. Leaving a legacy can mean many things including passing on your assets, your values or the lessons you’ve learned. Consider what gives you a sense of satisfaction and how you can have a lasting impact.

After you have explored your dreams for retirement, you will want to consider how to turn those dreams into reality. Working with a financial planner can help you with your retirement vision. Research has shown that people who seek help from an advisor are generally more positive in their outlook for retirement. Having a written financial plan is one of the likely reasons for this.

Fulfillment in retirement is not just about getting the money right; it’s about having a vision, remaining connected to community and living your dream. Consider working with the Atlanta Wealth Management Firm of Benedetti, Gucer & Associates. They can help you envision your retirement lifestyle and create a financial plan to attain that goal. 

With all of that taken care of, you can do less worrying about the future and more frolicking through the fields. I don’t know about you, but I would choose field frolicking any day over worry!

Outfit Details:

Dress | Jacket | Boots | Sunglasses | Earrings

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with Benedetti, Gucer & Associates. Affiliate links are used and I may receive a small commission.

DISCLOSURES

The views expressed represent the opinions of Benedetti, Gucer & Associates and are subject to change. These views are not intended as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. The information provided is of a general nature and should not be construed as investment advice or to provide any investment, tax, financial or legal advice or service to any person.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on Benedetti, Gucer & Associates’ Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

The use of the term “RIA” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

The Five Star program is the largest and most widely published wealth manager award program in North America. The research process for the Five Star Wealth Manager firms and peers nominate award candidates. Award candidates are evaluated against 10 objective criteria to determine the Five Star Wealth Managers in more than 40 major markets. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the adviser by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.

Walking into Summer with Kendra Scott

t feel like I say this with each new collection, but Kendra Scott has seriously out done herself with her Summer 2018 collection. Vibrant colors, geometric shapes, and fun tassels will have your jewelry shining brighter than the sun all summer long!

For this release, I decided to team up with some of my favorite Blogger Babes to share our favorite pieces. Kendra Scott has always made beautiful jewelry but I feel like when you are able to see it with an outfit, instead of just on a shelf, it makes so much more of a statement. The pieces come to life and you are able to start thinking about how you would style them in your own wardrobe. You go from wanting a piece of jewelry to needing to add that statement to your own collection. Together with my friends, we tried to bring the pieces to life. To show their movement, highlight their colors, and showcase their versatility. These pieces will become staples in your wardrobe.

So who are these fabulous blogger babes? I am sure you recognize Julia of Glitter & Juls. She is one of my best friends and has made frequent appearances on my blog and Instagram. The blonde cutie is Kailey of Little Miss Payne. She has quickly become one of my closest friends and I am so thankful for her friendship and support. We all met up at the gorgeous Kendra Scott store on Broughton Street, picked out our favorites, and our friend Hilary, of Hilary Hull Photography, captured the magic. I hope you enjoy the pictures. We had so much fun and really fell even more in love with the pieces. I will link all of our favorites and I encourage you to add some to your own collection.

Denise Rose Gold Statement Earrings in Lilac Mother of Pearl

These earrings are amazing because you can change the earring to fit your style. Choose one, two, or three tassels to achieve your desired link. You can also by pairs in multiple colors and mix-up the tassel colors for a completely different look.

Elisa Rose Gold Pendant Necklace in Lilac Mother of Pearl

Cristina Rose Gold Statement Earrings in Lilac Mother of Pearl

Ro Long Pendant Necklace in Gold

Graham Choker Necklace in Gold

Cristina Gold Statement Earrings in Aqua Howlite

Betsy Gold Long Pendant Necklace in Red Mother of Pearl

Cristina Gold Statement Earrings in Pink Agate

Cassidy Gold Pendant Necklace in Red Mother of Pearl

Denise Gold Statement Earrings in Red Mother of Pearl

Dove Gold Statement Earrings in Red Mother of Pearl

Julie Gold Stretch Bracelet in Pink Agate Mix

Elton Gold Cuff Bracelet in Magenta

Elaina Gold Chain Bracelet in Magenta

Sophee Matte Drop Earrings in Magenta

Elora Rose Gold Hoop Earrings in Lilac Mother of Pearl

Augusta Gold Long Necklace in Pink Agate Mix

Kristen Gold Statement Earrings in Red Mother of Pearl

Denise Gold Statement Earrings in Aqua Howlite

Megan Cocktail Ring

This beauty definitely came home with me! Her name is Megan! How could I leave without her? She comes in four different colors and adds the perfect amount of glam to any outfit!

Julie Rose Gold Stretch Bracelet in Lilac Mother of Pearl

Elisa Matte Necklace in Aqua Howlite

Betsy Gold Long Pendant Necklace in Aqua Howlite

Shop My Outfit and Similar Styles:

Top | Belt | Skirt | Handbag | Shoes | Bracelet | Earrings | Lip Color | Ring

I hope you were able to find something that you love. All of the pieces are beautiful and I know that you will love them in your collection. Let me know what pieces are your favorite! I always love to hear from you!

Photography courtesy of Hilary Hull Photography.

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used in this post and I may receive a small commission.

Serenity at Spa Bleu: The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift

Last year for Mother’s Day, I told my sweet husband that what I wanted more than anything, was a day of pampering. He asked me where he should book the appointment and I knew right away that I wanted to go to Spa Blue.

Nestled off the corner of Broughton Street in Savannah, GA is the home of my favorite spa in the city. A short elevator ride to the second floor and I am immediately at peace. A calm, quiet atmosphere just washes my stress away, and I am immediately relaxed, if only for a few hours.

While my husband did get me a package for Mother’s Day last year, a series of unfortunate events, and the ever busy schedule of a Mom, caused me to have to continually reschedule my appointment. I was finally able to visit on my Thanksgiving Break last year, hence the Christmas decor, and it was exactly what I needed to de-stress over my break. The reason I am writing this post now is because I cannot imagine a better gift to give the mom’s in your life than a spa package. Whether they have a day job or stay home, the job of a mother never ends. There is always a dish to be washed, a lunch to be packed, laundry to be folded or a nose to be wiped. We give hugs, wipe tears, kiss boo-boos, and finally drag ourselves to bed well after the rest of the house. We deserve a day of pampering! I am not complaining. I love my life as a Mom, but it is nice to take a step back and focus on myself, if only for a few hours.

Honestly though, a spa package is a good gift for the Mom in your life on any occasion. Whether it is for Christmas, birthday, or just because, I encourage you to spoil the ladies in your life! I can promise that they will thank you!

Now that you have the perfect gift in mind, let’s get back to my spa of choice. I love Spa Bleu because it is a locally owned business that takes cares of all of your pampering needs. They are always offering some sort of special package and that is exactly what my husband took advantage of last Mother’s Day. My package included an hour massage, a facial and a pedicure. I was able to have a few hours to myself to just enjoy my services and finally relax. Besides the service that I mentioned, they also offer manicures, body wraps and scrubs, waxing, spray tanning, hair and makeup. They also have a variety of products available for purchase so you can continue your treatments even after your services have ended.

All of the staff that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting has been super helpful and knowledgeable. The took the time to talk to me, let me know about the services I would be receiving, and address any concerns that I had. I have almost always gone home with samples of products to try and I have always left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

For Mother’s Day this year, Spa Bleu is offering two packages. The first is the Mommy Dearest package. This is a 2 hour treatment package that mom is sure to enjoy. Mommy Dearest will have her choice between a one hour Swedish Relaxation Massage or Organic Skin Specific Facial. This delightful package also includes her choice of Organic Aromatherapy AND a Spa Pedicure. Mom is welcome to spend as long as she likes in the relaxation lounge after her treatments and enjoy some tea or coffee. Includes a fresh flower and spa treats!

The next package is the Mom & Me. I love this package because it is treat that you can enjoy with your Mom.  The base package allows you to relax together and spend some quality time with Mom! Both of you will receive Customized Massages with your choice of Organic Aromatherapy. You will be together the entire time. After your massage, you are welcome to take your time together in the relaxation lounge. It also includes fresh flowers and spa treats! With this package you also have the option of adding Organic Skin Specific Facials, Organic Dead Sea Salt Scrubs and a Light Lunch & Tea Service, for an additional charge.

Spa Bleu is also proud to offer a variety of products from many local businesses. You can shop products from the Savannah Bee Company, Little Barn Apothecary, Morgan Taylor, Mable Rose Candles and Votivo. Any of these options would be a perfect additional gift to add with Mom’s spa treatments!

Whether you are hoping to treat a special Mom in your life, looking for gift ideas for yourself, or just looking to treat yourself to a little pampering, I strongly encourage you to consider Spa Bleu. From the atmosphere, to the people, to the services, I enjoyed every aspect of my visit and will definitely be back. I think I may even ask the Hubs for another day of pampering this Mother’s Day. I could really use a little rest and relaxation and I know that Spa Bleu will take care of all of needs.

Let me know if you decided to book an appointment! I always love hearing from you and would love to learn about what treatments you received! Make sure to tell them that Being Mrs. Fowler sent you!

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. I truly love supporting local businesses and enjoyed every aspect of my visit. I will definitely be visiting again and I hope that my posts encourages others to visit as well!