Before I had ever really committed to launching a blog, I would scribble down “fake blog posts” in the back of E’s old football notebooks.  I have “fake blog posts” laying around the house that date all the way back to 2015.  So in true “I’m just going to write this down and save it for later” fashion, the day this post was written was actually a month ago, on Valentine’s Day.  My birthday balloons were floating in the living room, I had wheat toast and Belaire Rosé for breakfast, and there was a hole in my sock, ha!

Anyway, as a recovering introvert (see post here), I thought I would give y’all a lil inside scoop into my favorite things!  In addition to my faith, my family, and my friends these are top of my list:

1. Passion Planner

Remember when I told y’all I was a little Type-A in my study habits?  Well to this day I don’t function without a planner or a to-do list.  So when my friend Brittany told me about this planner that combined my love for organization + my love for manifestation, I had to have it!  With inspirational quotes on almost every page, tips for assessing your goals, and vision maps, this planner is so me!  It has also helped keep my goals for the year right in front of me- like a mobile vision board!  Most importantly to date, it helped me get this entire blog up and going.  I ordered the rose gold blossom for me and the vintage brown for E.

2. Lululemon Leggings

All leggings/tights are not created equal. I repeat: all leggings/tights are not created equal. Because what we’re not going to do is walk around with our panties showing through our pants.  No Ma’am, Pam!  I like the Lulu brand for many reasons.  These leggings basically fit you like spanx, but are thick like pants.  The compression is a true gift!  They lift you up and smooth you out.  They also have these super deep side pockets for easy access to your phone and chapstick because who TF can live without those?  See them here.  I’ll be adding pics of my favorite styles so check back later!  (Hack: Ivy Park leggings also have a built-in extra layer that help keep your panties from showing- essential, not optional.)

3. Hair Mister

I’m not sure of the official name of this product, but it is the Bentley of spray bottles.  I bought mine from a local beautician and you can see a photo of one similar here.  Why do I like it?  Instead of shooting out a quick spray of water like regular spray bottles, this bottle provides a long, heavy mist as you slowly squeeze the handle.  This works so much better for my dense, thick hair and I use this several times throughout the week to remoisturize (except when I’m wearing my hair straight or in roller sets).  When I’m rocking my natural texture, I like to remoisturize my hair with water and then apply a leave-in and a sealant every 3 days.

4. Madewell Medium Transport Tote

Stylish, not too big, not too small, and the genuine leather burnishes with wear….basically we were meant to be!  In my adulthood, I have developed a strong affinity for spending good money and buying things that will last.  In my college years I would buy those little purses from stores in the mall and in three months the “leather” would be peeling off ‘n shit.  Unh, unh!  Not no more!  Quality > Quantity

I have this transport bag in colors english saddle and petal pink suede, which I don’t think they make any more.

5. Wine

Adulthood brought me the gift of wine, before that it was way too much vodka and way too many wine coolers (college days, sheesh).  I first started going to wineries when E was playing for the Raiders.  He worked and I didn’t, so I had a lot of time on my hands + Napa was way too close.  Now weekdays are for wine and weekends are for tequila, but this isn’t a tequila thread, so anyway.  I’ve done a ton of wine tasting, but here are a couple of my favorites:

My favorite wine tasting: Lunch in a cellar beneath the oldest synagogue in Rome.  We visited this restaurant as a part of an amazing walking food tour in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood (we spent most of our time in this neighborhood- it was my favorite by far!).  This cellar was built 150 years before the Colosseum!  Incredible!  It was very dim inside, so sadly most of my personal photos came out very dark.

Waiting on my tastings like…

Walking down the stairs into the cellar.

Looking up from inside.

Inside. Photo belongs ristoristorantespiritodivino.com

If you get the chance, you have to check this place out!  In my regular, less fabulous life, my favorite affordable wines are Ste Chateau Michelle Riesling and Belaire Rosé.  What are yours?  I’m taking suggestions, lol!