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lgraves

6 Tips for a Comfortable Guest Room

by lgraves October 10, 2018

written by lgraves

If you’ve been a follower of this blog, you know that Bobby and I get a lot of visitors. We’ve had my parents, Bobby’s parents, Bobby’s siblings, and several friends come to visit in the past year. While we have the 2nd bedroom, we don’t have a formal guest room set up. Meaning, we use the 2nd bedroom as an office and pull out a queen-sized air mattress when people come to visit.

Another thing I forget to mention to our guests is that we live next to train tracks. From about 6am until 11pm commuter and freight trains pass about 100 yards from our apartment. I don’t even hear the train anymore, but I wonder if it bothers our guests.

Lastly, the 2nd bedroom is in the corner and faces the west so it gets a lot of sun. Even with blackout curtains that room can get really warm. Warmer than the other rooms.

Tips for Creating a Comfortable Guest Room

Spend a night in the guest room. Sleep in the bed and use the bathroom available to guests. This is your chance to answer any lingering questions? Is the air mattress comfortable? Is the room too hot?
Have a nightstand with a lamp by the bed. The unknown walk to the bed in the dark after turning off the overhead light is uncomfortable. A lamp within arms reach will allow guests to make their way to bed without any trouble.
Have extra pillows and blankets available. Be sure to have different types of pillows too (firm versus soft and thin).
Make the bathroom guest friendly. Stock up with extra toilet paper, plunger, air freshener, extra toiletries, and fresh linens.
Write down the WiFi information. Put the WiFi login and password in an easy-to-see place.
Finally, anticipate the morning. Before bed, layout morning plans with your guests. Different schedules could result in someone trying to get to the gym at 6am and the other sleeping in until 9am. Make sure morning plans are discussed prior to bed. And don’t forget to set out the coffee beans and brewer instructions.

I try to ask all of our guests how they slept and if they need anything. Most of the time they reply with “I slept well” or “I’m good”. I hope that my initial preparation to create a comfortable guest room has paid off! Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know unless they spoke otherwise.

Good luck!
Lauren

October 10, 2018 2 comments

Beauty

How to DIY Spa Treatment

by lgraves October 3, 2018

written by lgraves

Bobby was out of town last weekend, so I treated myself to some self-pampering by doing a DIY Spa Treatment. I was WAY past due on some “me” time! The past few weekends have been busy so I haven’t had the time to really relax and freshen up. Here’s my list of products and how-tos for a DIY spa treatment.

First, you need to prep! Start by turning on some relaxing music. I like to listen to the “Peaceful Retreat” station on Spotify. Calming music can help adjust your mood and put you in the right mindset. If you’re constantly thinking about stuff you need to do, you won’t feel relaxed. Keep a small pad of paper and a pen with you. When something pops into your head, write it down. Try to focus on the music and relaxing.

Also, make sure you have a fresh glass of lemon water! I struggle with staying hydrated, but I definitely notice a difference when my skin starts to brighten up and my dark eyes go away. Be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your skin will thank you for it!

Bubble Bath

I start with a bubble bath. Fill the bathtub with hot water (not too hot!) and mix in a little bubble bath liquid. I use Dr. Teal’s Sooth & Sleep Lavender Foaming Bath. Spend about 10-15 minutes just resting in the warm water. Let your muscles relax and clear your mind.

Hair Mask

While you’re relaxing in your bubble bath, put some organic 100% pure coconut oil in your hair. Massage it into your scalp and ends and let it sit. Sometimes I’ll wrap my hair in plastic and run the blow dryer on low. The heat helps the strands absorb the oil. Leave it in for as long as you want. I like to let it soak for 30 mins. When you’re done, just wash it out with shampoo and conditioner as normal.

Exfoliate

Before you start to shrivel like a raisin, it’s time to exfoliate! I use a few different products/tools depending on which part of my body I’m exfoliating. For my feet, I use a pumice stone. For my body, I use a scrub (like this one) or a loofah. And for my face, I use a microderm product. I’m really loving the one I got in my January Birchbox!

Face Mask

While I prep for my mani and pedi, I knock out a face mask. Depending on my skin’s needs, I have a variety of masks. For dry skin, I use Nugg’s Hydrating Face Mask. For blemished skin, I use SheaMoisture Clarifying Mud Mask.

Mani & Pedi

After I’ve applied my face mask and I’m waiting for it to dry, I trim and shape my nails. I use Julep’s Vanish Cuticle Softener & Remover to take care of my cuticles. After I’m done prepping my nails, I wash off my face mask and apply moisturizer. Now, I’m ready for color! I start with my toes, then follow with my fingers. I use the ORLY Bonder as a base coat which has been a life changer! My nail polish won’t chip for 7 days!

Aside from plucking my eyebrows, that’s it! That wraps up my Do-It-Yourself Spa Day from home! How do you pamper yourself? Leave me a comment below!

Lauren

October 3, 2018 1 comment

Travel

Create Your Own Camping Kit

by lgraves September 26, 2018

written by lgraves

Labor Day weekend marked the beginning of camping season! We are so excited and have already blocked a few weekends to head into the woods.

Some of you are probably thinking, “It’s so hot! Why would you go camping in this weather?” Did you know it’s typically cooler with higher elevation? It’s between 3-7 degrees cooler depending on where you are.

When we go camping, we grab a box of materials and things that are good to have on hand. It makes life WAY easier. We just grab the box and throw it in the car. And after we’re done camping, it goes right back in the closet. It is SO easy! We rarely have to add anything or adjust the contents.

A few items out of our Camping Box

We use a medium-size plastic bin to hold everything in. Here’s what we have in our box:

Heavy Duty aluminum foil (for making foil packs in the campfire)
Trash bags
Gallon-sized Ziploc bags (good for taking on hikes as mini trashbags or preventing items from getting wet)
Sporks with serrated knife edge
Small knife & cutting board
Cooking utensils (spatula, tongs & roasting sticks)
Kitchen Sink
Lightweight mugs, plates, and bowls
Coffee French Press
Water bags
Campsuds
Toilet paper
Dog poop bags
Extra Camping Stove gas
LED lantern
Headlamps
Lighter fluid and/or dryer lint (very flammable and FREE)
Hand warmers
Storm-proof matches
Water treatment
Bungee cords (to keep items secure or help tie down your tent)
Utility nylon cord (to hang food or set up tarps)
Extra carabiners
Multi-purpose tool
Bug spray & sunscreen
Hand sanitizer
Deluxe First-Aid Kit
Hatchet and file
Hand shovel

We are prepared for another easy camping season! Just need to grab our tent, sleeping bags, cooler, and the dog.

What do you keep in your camping kit? Let me know in the comments below!

Lauren

September 26, 2018 1 comment

Personal

Fall Bucket List

by lgraves September 22, 2018

written by lgraves

Fall is here! Although the weather in Raleigh doesn’t agree. While the humidity has finally worn off and the mornings and evening are cool, daytime highs are still in the upper 80s. Last year was our first fall in North Carolina. I remember someone telling me that the week of the State Fair (mid-October) was when the daytime highs started to shift. However, we had an unusually (?) hot fall.

It’s difficult for me to get in the mood for fall when it’s so hot outside. I love opening the windows and wrapping up in a cozy blanket to watch football with a fall candle burning. It’s my favorite season, so fingers crossed it’s “normal” this fall.

In honor of the fall solstice today, I put together a Fall Bucket List. These are all of my favorite things to do in the fall!

Fall Bucket List

What are some of your favorite things to do in the fall? Let me know in the comments below.

Lauren

September 22, 2018 2 comments

Personal

Be Mindful: Reframe your Perspective

by lgraves September 19, 2018

written by lgraves

Back in May I shared one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to be more mindful. I’ve been practicing “Leave Work at Work” and it’s made a big difference in my home life. I’m not bringing stresses home, I don’t feel like I have to work constantly, I’m excited to spend time in the office with my team. Having a job that I love helps!

Today, I’m focusing on perspective.

Start by choosing one thing a day, just one, that you “have” to do. Something you feel negative about and reframe it as something you “get” to do. Maybe you “get” to go to the grocery store. Or maybe you “get” to fold the laundry.

By changing the language used (“have to” versus “get to”), you start to feel differently about the task. For me, I think about the people who aren’t able to do those tasks. Whether they struggle with putting food on the table due to financial reasons, or they don’t have a vehicle to drive to the grocery store. These are all things I take for granted.

How does changing the language help you gain perspective?

Lauren

September 19, 2018 1 comment

Personal

5 Things I Wish I Knew In My 20s

by lgraves September 15, 2018

written by lgraves

My 31st birthday is next week and I’ve been reflecting on my 20s. As I watch family members graduate high school and enter the next phase of life, there are so many things I wish I knew. I’ve shared a few thoughts below for career and financial. If you have any additional advice, I’d love to add it! Just leave a comment below.

Career

Learn as much as you can. And don’t complain. You’ve got a looooooong career ahead of you and you’re working with (believe it or not) people who are much more experienced than you. Coping skills are important so you don’t quit your job every 1-2 years.
Build relationships. Be kind to everyone. You never know what connection you’ll need to leverage in the future. I can’t tell you how many times an old colleague has referred me.
The term “success” is subjective. Each person has their own definition of success. Could be financial. Could be personal awards. Could be 50+ hours a week. Don’t strive to be a success, but rather to be of value. A person of value has ethics, morality, decency, integrity, principles, and honesty. All those things one should strive to attain.

Financial

Invest in a 401k as soon as it is available (or start a Roth IRA). These terms can be intimidating as a non-finance major, but they’re REALLY important for the next 40-ish years. Have you ever heard the story about compound interest? About the 25-year-old who put $1,000/month away for 10 years versus the 35-year-old who put $1,000/month away until he retired. Guess who had more money in the end? Read here. Bottom line: start saving early.
Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. And do not open retail credit cards. In college, I wanted all of the new clothes that my friends were getting. Since I was over 18, I decided to get a few retail store credit cards. Of course, I racked up more than I could pay. Long story short, don’t feel pressured to be on the same page as everyone else. You’ll be fighting that battle your whole life.

There are a few other personal things I’ve decided to leave off of this post. Maybe I’ll share another post with some more advice. If you have anything to add, please share in the comments below.

Lauren

September 15, 2018 0 comment

Personal

Things I’m Loving: September 2018

by lgraves September 12, 2018

written by lgraves

Happy September! Each month I share a handful of my favorite things. I try to share something from each of the categories that I blog about: beauty, food, home, and style. If there’s something I’m really loving, like a book or TV show, then I share that too! Word of mouth is the most powerful form of marketing. I often read blogs about style, food, and beauty to get recommendations on products. It’s my hope that you enjoy reading my recommendations. And don’t forget to let me know if you’ve tried anything on the list in the comments below!

Fresh Sugar Lip

I recently discovered this lip balm/gloss/treatment at Sephora. It glides on smooth like lip balm, shines like gloss, and nourishes like a treatment. It’s so addicting! Plus, I LOVE the color choices. I have Rosè and Coral. Rose is a sheer, neutral color. Coral is well….coral! It’s a great “on the go” color that I keep in my purse. There are a ton of other colors. I’d recommend checking them our at your local Sephora.

Kristen Ess Soft Shine Beach Spray

I’ve been wanting to try the new Kristen Ess line of hair products at Target. I’ve heard so many people talk about Kristen Ess, so I had to test it out! I quickly realized that this wasn’t your typical beach wave spray. It’s designed to be used after your hair dries. I have naturally wavy hair, so this was perfect for me. A little spray with dry hair makes it so soft and shiny. A little goes a long way! I’ve even tried it on my straightened hair to give it a softer and shinier look and it worked great! Just don’t use too much. If you’ve tried any of Kristen Ess’ products, let me know your thoughts.

The Perfect Bar

When I was walking down the dairy aisle at the grocery store, the words “Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter” and “Perfect Bar” caught my eye. This protein-packed power bar is vegan and gluten-free and has to be refrigerated because it’s so fresh. I’ve tried the Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter, and Almond Coconut flavors. They are a bit rich in flavor (thanks peanuts), so I can only eat about half before feeling full. But they’re worth trying if you’re looking for a mid-afternoon or pre-workout snack.

Discbound Notebook Systems

These notebook systems are the latest craze and I’m hooked! The notebooks are bound by discs (hence “discbound”) which allow you to move pages throughout the notebook. TUL, Arc System, Happy Planner and Martha Stewart are all lines of discbound notebook systems. I started using one at work and it’s been a great way to take notes, keep a task list, and then organize those notes for future reference. It’s fully customizable with various page layouts (calendar, college-ruled, graph, task pads, etc). You might see another blog post from me with more details on my discbound notebook. I love it THAT much!

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

This book is a breath of fresh air! Rachel Hollis writes as if we’re best friends chatting on a couch. She opens up about her personal and life struggles, and what she has done (or still doing) to work through them. It’s so inspiring and eye-opening. I’d recommend this book to any of my lady friends. #girlpower

That’s all for September! See you next month!

Lauren

September 12, 2018 1 comment

Personal Travel

Our Summer So Far: June & July Rewind

by lgraves August 20, 2018

written by lgraves

It has been a busy summer for us so far! In addition to having quite a few visitors, I’ve been working on crossing items off my summer bucket list.

Our summer started early this year. Last summer (our first summer in Raleigh), it didn’t get REALLY hot until July. This year, it was in the 90s in June. The NC locals say it has been unusually hot, so fingers crossed this is not the new normal. I might reconsider living in the south if our summer is 3 full months of 90+ degrees.

I just have to mention that the Washington Capitals are STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! It was an unbelievable playoff series. We FINALLY beat the Penguins in Round 2 — which I would argue was a better feeling than winning the Stanley Cup itself. Then we beat the Knights in the championship. It was the best we ever played, I had never seen the team so determined. As a fan, it was the greatest post-season ever. It’s been sad to see team changes in the offseason, but I’m super excited to see what 2019 brings for the Caps!

Bobby and I getting ready for the Stanley Cup championship

Over Memorial Day weekend, we received a phone call that completely stopped us in our tracks. Bobby’s brother went rock climbing outside for the first time and had fallen about 45 feet. When you get a phone call like that, life stops. The unknown of his condition was gut-wrenching. It was one of the longest days of my life. Long story short, Bobby’s brother walked(?) away with a broken ankle and some minor cuts and bumps. He was so lucky. We are so lucky. Bobby has been rock climbing for over 10 years and stories like this don’t end the same. On the bright side, Bobby’s parents and I became much closer. We were communicating in group chats, we were encouraging and supporting each other. In times of crisis, you have an opportunity to step in or step out. Fortunately, Bobby and I were in a place where we could step in. I’m so grateful for Bobby’s brother’s health and for the growing relationships with Bobby’s family.

Since we’re only 2 hours from Carolina Beach, we’ve taken two day trips! And since it’s a dog friendly beach, we took Mowgli! He loves being at the beach and playing in the water. We even invested in some nice Tommy Bahama beach chairs. Our next investment will be a big beach umbrella or canopy. If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

Mowgli loves going to the beach!

A few months ago, when we were in VA visiting family, I found out that Bobby’s littlest sister Claire had never been to a concert. I jumped at the opportunity and decided that I was going to take her to her first concert! We decided to see Luke Bryan at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in July. It felt like the hottest day of the year! High 90s with 90% humidity, but we had a great time! We were dancing and signing at the top of our lungs! It was a great memory to share with Claire. We’re already scoping out our next concert (when the weather cools off)!

Claire and I at Luke Bryan

Bobby’s stepmom drove down with Claire for the concert, so they decided to stay a few days and tour Raleigh and Durham. Bobby and I compiled a list of our favorite places as well as a few places we have yet to see. They managed to see nearly all of the items we listed! They powered through the Triangle! We took them to a few of our staples (Pooles, Videri, Bond Brothers) and tried a few new spots (Pizzeria Faluisi, Blue Moon Oyster Bar). Because Bobby’s family is so large, we rarely get one-on-one time so it was really nice to spend some quality time with his stepmom and sister.

Claire posing at the “All Are Welcome” mural in downtown Raleigh

Claire playing with some kittens at a local rescue

Bobby and Claire grabbing a bite to eat on her last night

Our friend Adam was passing through on his way to Charlotte, so he stayed a night with us. Adam’s older brother Ricky is one of Bobby’s best friends (and our wedding officiant). Adam is like family to us so it was great to see him! It was a short visit, but I think we showed him enough of Raleigh to convince him to come back!

Bobby and Adam

Lastly, a few weeks ago I visited Dorothea Dix’s Park to see the sunflowers fields. SO COOL! Thousands of sunflowers cover several acres. And of course, BEES! There were 2-3 bees on each sunflower. After looking at the sunflowers, as I was walking away, I wondered “what do they do with the sunflowers after this?” I found out that they harvest the sunflowers to create thousands of gallons of biodiesel to fuel tractors and farm equipment. How neat!

Sunflowers as far as you can see!

As you can see, it’s been a memorable summer so far! Our August is packed with trips and more visitors, and there are a few more items on my summer bucket list that I’d like to accomplish, so stay tuned!

Lauren

August 20, 2018 0 comment

Personal

Blogging Lessons: Learning Consistency

by lgraves August 14, 2018

written by lgraves

Hi friends! It has been a few months since I’ve consistently blogged. I’ve been blogging for almost a year and I’ve learned a lot.

First of all, it’s really hard to blog as things happen. I started with weekend recaps, but I found it hard to carve out enough time on Sunday nights. Especially when I’m trying to get ready for my week ahead. I’ve been doing monthly rewinds the past few months and I think it’s been a good balance of recapping our lives without taking away from them.

In March and April, I got into the habit of writing several blog posts at the same time and scheduling them throughout the month. I felt that blocking 1 day a month, was way easier to manage than one or two 2-3 hour sessions a week. There were two unforeseen downfalls to this concept: 1. I forgot to share my posts on Facebook and Instagram. 2. I should have continued to blog and schedule posts while I was ahead.

Lastly, photos. I have a hard time remembering to take photos. If you read my Mindfulness post, you know one of my goals is to be more mindful. So I’m trying to live in the moment while balancing the need to document gatherings and events to share on the blog. Plus, the whole effort of uploading and editing is a major time suck.

I guess where I’m heading with all of this is I want to thank all of you for being patient with me as I find this balance. I promised I’d be transparent with you through this process, so I hope this insight helps! And for my friends who consider starting a blog…think long term. It’s easy to focus on the short-term and stop writing, but I’m not done telling MY story!

Love to all!
L

August 14, 2018 2 comments

Home

July 4th Home Decor

by lgraves July 4, 2018

written by lgraves

Happy 4th of July!!

It’s my favorite holiday! I just love everything about the backyard-barbecue, day-at-the-beach, firework-ending day.

Although, 4th of July is about celebrating our freedom and those who are on the front lines doing just that. Thank you to our armed forces and law enforcement for defending and protecting our freedom!

Today Bobby and I are in Chapel Hill at a family barbecue. We caught some fireworks last night from our deck, so we decided to forego the crowds at the Raleighfair grounds.

How are you celebrating Independence Day?

Check out some of our 4th of July home decor: