January Gratitude Giveaway

Enter giveaway HERE!

Hi friend! Welcome to a brand new week! I hope everyone is staying safe and warm with all the freezing whether we’re having/expected to have. Our school cancelled classes for Tuesday and we’ll see how Wednesday plays out.

Yesterday was the Houston Marathon and Austin and I ran the half marathon. It was COLD, but not as bad as it could have been. And, like many of you predicted, I did shed a layer (this vest) after a couple of miles, but my headband and gloves were perfect.

I know it’s all relative, but I consider myself a slow runner. This was our fastest half marathon time yet though. I finished in 2:21 and Austin finished at 2:28. Also, I felt pretty good for most of the run and didn’t stop to walk at all. I’m really proud of us.

This is a training pitstop on our way to 26.2 on March 2. Really excited and nervous for that race! It’ll be here before we know it!

Austin accidentally got the marathon medal, and when he tried to exchange it at the race, they said he’ll have to talk to the committee later. ;

January Gratitude Giveaway

Every month, as a THANK YOU for reading and subscribing to my blog, I do a giveaway for you. It’s a way to show my gratitude for you showing up here and taking time out of your day to spend with me. I appreciate you so very much!

If you’re not subscribed, you can sign up here, and I will pick a winner at random and announce at the end of the month.

If you’re already subscribed (THANK YOU!), you don’t have to do anything – you’re automatically entered to win!

*If you win, I always give you the option of all of the items OR the cash value!  Most people choose the cash value and I send them money via Venmo!

UGG Lounge Set & here • Towel Set • UGGS • Stanley Tumbler • Vuori Joggers • Eye Patches • Nugget Ice Maker • Necklace

UGG Lounge Set & here • I’m wearing this lounge set right now and it’s so good! It’s on the lightweight side, and I love the flat elastic front joggers and how it’s actually the top that has a drawstring tie. They fit petites perfectly too – I wear XS.

Towel Set • I’ve had these towels since my mom gave me them for my birthday last year. Since then, we’ve switched to them in every bathroom of the house. They have a diamond texture and are absorbent from the first wash. And they’re from Walmart, so you know the price is right.

UGGS • With the frigid temps among us, I’m happy to gift a pair of cozy UGGS!

Stanley Tumbler • I really like my Simple Modern tumbler, but I saw this pretty pale pink Stanley and thought I’d give it a try and compare. I just ordered it, so it’s not here yet.

Vuori Joggers • IYKYK!

Eye Patches • I’ve heard great reviews about the Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Hydra-Gel eye patches and I’m excited to try them. I’m back on my before 6am wake ups and feel like my under eyes could use a bit of extra hydration and moisture.

Nugget Ice Maker • I don’t have this, but I know people are really passionate about their nugget ice, so I’m excited to give one away in this giveaway! Is it something you’d like to win?

Necklace • This delicate triple layer necklace caught my eye and I like how there’s just one clasp and three pretty layers.

What I’m Enjoying This Month

Fresh Start Home Decor – I’m really enjoying the clean slate that comes when you take down your holiday decor. I have added a few decorative things here and there, and it feels really fresh and clean.

Meal Prepping – Per usual, I overate on desserts in December and entered January feeling like a slug. I’m working on eating less sugar and getting in lots of protein. You can read about that time I quit sugar here.

Single Tasking – With a brain that’s constantly buzzing from one thing to another, I’m trying to be conscious of focusing on one thing at a time – doing one thing at a time. That is, if I’m editing photos, I don’t have the tv on in the background – half watching. If I want to watch a show – I sit and actually watch it. Not watch it while doing something on my phone. My little dial timer helps me focus on one task at a time, especially when I’m working at my desk.

ARO Box – I was influenced to buy an ARO Box when I watched a video about it. It helps me put my phone away and then I realize I’m SO MUCH LESS STRESSED when I’m not tied to it. Especially while I’m cooking dinner or cleaning up. I used to be trying to watch a video and cooking/cleaning, and I would end up frustrated.

The Aro Box can charge your phone while it’s in the box and multiple devices can use it at once. You are forced to purchase the app with the box (bummer), but I don’t use the app. If I had to do it again, I think I’d just put my phone away in a drawer – although the hidden charging feature is very cool and the box is aesthetically pleasing.

My kids put their phone/iPad in “the box” at mealtimes and Jordan will forget about her iPad. I’ve left the house without my phone when it was in “the box” and it’s actually quite freeing when you get over the initial panic. Elliott and I often go out to eat and leave our phones behind and it’s so pleasant.

The Aro Box is the white box with the bamboo lid on top of our kitchen. *Not sponsored and not an affiliate link.

And let’s remember a true hero on this special day.

“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”

MLK, Jr.