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Happy Friday! Here's our picks for this week's Fashion Friday!   Rachel has been scratching through her bucket list and has been exploring Australia and New Zealand with her husband for the last week! It looks like she is having an incredible time, doing everything from climbing the Sydney Bridge, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and feeding a kangaroo! She will be sharing many more details about their trip, tips for flying internationally and the excursions that are a must in the weeks ahead! For now, here's a look at some of her favorite pics so far. Be sure to follow her here for daily updates!  Queenstown, NZ  Snorkeling with the hubby at The Great Barrier Reef  Feeding a kangaroo in Australia  The 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road Tour Aren't we all loving the newness and freshness of spring? Here in Texas the windows are wide open and the daffodils and tulips are blooming. The extra hour of daylight we gained this week has given us a chance to eat dinner on the patio and enjoy evening walks. Spring is by far my favorite season ... all the winter gear has been packed away and it's time to wash the windows, fill the flower pots with fresh colors and decorate Easter eggs.  No matter what time of year it is though, I enjoy a beautifully set table that reflects the season without being too seasonal. Some of us enjoy the hunt and creative processing of taking design ideas from our head to the table, while others feel ill-equipped before they every start and simply dread the idea of decorating anything! Table decor doesn't have to be fussy or expensive and a table that transitions well from season to season saves time and money. For instance, as soon as the Christmas decorations are stowed away, pull out a muted pink tablecloth or table runner for Valentine's Day and it can be used right thru Easter just by changing out the napkins or centerpiece. By mid-April, switch over to a white or ivory tablecloth or table runner and add touches of red and blue for Memorial Day and 4th of July. Between the middle of July and the end of September, it's a free for all and that's when I use whatever strikes my fancy. But when October arrives, it's all pumpkins, acorns and the beautiful colors of falls! To simplify, I'd suggest using a green or gold tablecloth or table runner that can be used right thru Thanksgiving and Christmas with a few changes to represent the season. Grace and I made a stop this week at Home Goods to pull together some simple table linens to get the creative juices flowing. First, we chose this plaid table cloth just because it's fun! We paired it with a sweet embroidered table runner (aren't the white pom poms adorable?), blue basket weave placemats and white napkins with a little blue checkerboard detail. This tablecloth makes a statement all on its own so no need to add lots of decor, just a simple wooden box filled with greenery (like the one below) would be perfect. Your table will be saying spring has arrived! Maybe even stick a few colored eggs around the the base of the greenery for Easter dinner.   Next we found a pretty white tablecloth and added a table runner with delicate gray vines and a hint of yellow. We also found some natural colored placemats that had just the right amount of gold shimmer and they paired beautifully with a neutral napkin and charming yellow napkin rings. The same simple wooden box of greenery would work with these table linens or a couple of white or gold accessories would be a pretty finishing touch.  We also spotted this black and white checkerboard tablecloth and, like a little black dress, it can pretty much stand alone for a casual table or be dressed up for a more elegant affair. Here we added round charcoal placemats and a smaller black and white checked napkin along with a tall white pitcher and a wreath filled with small yellow florals. Some ideas for the vase - 1) add a few branches and hang Easter eggs with ribbons at varying heights 2) use plastic eggs to fill the pitcher, then add a bag of chocolate Robin Eggs candy on top 3) fill it with greenery or your favorite flowers There are so many ways to make your centerpiece personal to match your budget, time and personality.  And our last great find was this turquoise tablecloth paired with a gorgeous beaded table runner, dark placemats, simple white napkins and turquoise napkins rings. While treasure hunting, we went gaga over these sweet little ivory plates with Easter eggs that could go right on top of each place setting for added color, but could also be used as a bread and butter plate or dessert plate. And, at just $4.99 each, how can you resist?  If you've ever shopped at Home Goods, you know that these items are very reasonably priced from just a few dollars to about $30. So if you already have some pieces you love and you just need a few items to freshen up your table, find a Home Goods near you and stop in ... preferably with a list.
Be forewarned (from personal experience), this place can suck you in like no other place on earth and before you know it, you will be wanting to ditch everything you already have in favor of a whole new set of table linens and decor. I absolutely love everything about this place, so I set a budget, go in knowing what I'm looking for and try not to get distracted (but if I do, I try to resist an impulsive purchase knowing I can think about it and always come back. Hope you've enjoyed tagging along with me and Grace today and we pray you have a blessed Easter with family and friends. Jeannie (Rachel’s mom & Grace’s MIL) TGIF! We hope you had an awesome week and have fun plans for the weekend! Rach is sharing her fav athleisure wear and I'm sharing a sweet spring date outfit! Have a wonderful weekend!   Last week I traveled to San Jose, CA to attend the Unleash the Power Within Conference by Tony Robbins. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if I would be totally aligned with all of it. But I had an incredible experience, despite some differences in beliefs. The entire conference is about pushing yourself to go further, faster. To stop living with limiting beliefs and to recognize what you truly want out of life and then going for it. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. We have so conditioned ourselves to live with limited expectations that life can only be ____ (fill in the blank). We already tell ourselves that we can't have this or that without even trying. So this past week was all about recognizing those limiting beliefs and doing something about it.  Did I mention that I went with my coworkers? Lucky for me, most of the employees at Scout are also believers, so at the end of the day we were able to process what was presented and our interpretations with how it aligned with biblical principles. I believe my experience was much richer because of the people I was surrounded by. Their insight and our discussions were deep, thoughtful and very helpful. My eyes were opened to what God wanted to teach me during the conference and I was able to see more clearly where I have let sin creep into my life and places of doubt of His goodness. Oh, and, by the way, you should know before you go that you will be standing or dancing most of the time. Creating physical energy for yourself is huge and we often allow ourselves to be tired or lazy. The conference pushes you to show you that you can do so much more than you think. So we danced and danced and danced some more! The music was so good though that we wanted to dance and it felt like a party. I was amazed at how quickly it woke me up when I was getting tired.  Tony Robbins is truly gifted and has helped change many lives. He quoted scripture throughout the conference and even though I didn't agree with everything he said, I really appreciated this. I believe his work has an intention and if you have ever heard his story, you would really understand why.
So, if you are thinking of going, here's a few tips: 1. Dress Warm: They crank up the A/C to keep you awake ... dress in layers! 2. Wear comfortable shoes: You stand and dance and jump A LOT. 3. Go in asking God what He wants to show you: During the meditation times, I prayed and it was amazing what God spoke to me about. 4. Take notes and lots of them: You learn so much in such a short amount of time, you'll want your notes as reminders. 5. Bring your vitamins and stay hydrated: You will be awake for long hours and in contact with so many people. As I type this, I am sick as a dog, but I'm convinced it could have been much worse without my vitamins and tons of water. If you've every considered attending a Tony Robbins conference, I hope you will and that this has helped tip the scales in favor of making the investment in yourself. For me, I consider this an invaluable experience and one that I hope will help me evaluate and overcome limiting beliefs and clearly set and achieve goals. Thanks for reading and have a great day! XOXO Grace Happy Friday! We hope you have fun plans for the weekend! It's still chilly out in Nashville & Kansas City, so Grace is sharing her favorite travel outfit with a cozy cardigan, and Rach is rocking a sweater dress at work.   - R&G
Happy Wednesday! Got a big trip coming up anytime soon? I learned a lot last fall when I was heading out on a two week trip to Europe and my only luggage was a backpack! I definitely learned some dos and don'ts and that packing light is really challenging when you also want to look fabulous. But let it be known, you CAN pack light AND look fabulous at the same time! So here are my packing tips and tricks to help make your next big trip a lot easier to pack for. 1. Carry on I don't care what anyone else says, I think carry on is easier and safer when you’re going to be making multiple connections. We found a really good backpack on Amazon and decided to make the investment (even though we already had a nice set of luggage). It was rated one of the top backpacks of the year and it's amazing how much we were able fit in it. Travel tip - fold and roll your clothing items, then stack them in your luggage. They take up far less space this way and arrive with fewer wrinkles.  2. Makeup You do not need as much makeup as you think you do. Less is better. Because we were constantly on the go in Europe, it was nice to have easy makeup routine so I was always ready to go and, best of all, ready on time. Plus, if you will be walking a lot, you most likely will sweat some of it off anyway. Pick your absolute “can’t live without it” makeup and leave the rest behind. Also, consider getting a spray tan before you go. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like I need much makeup when I have a little extra color.  3. Comfort is key Dresses and your favorite (COMFORTABLE) shoes are a must. If you are traveling overseas, you will be walking a lot and you do not want blisters to keep you grounded. Because we went in the summer, I packed lots of dresses. They are easy to pack, can be dressed up or down and always look good with a cute pair of kicks. If you are going during a cooler season, one or two pair of jeans MAX! Add a staple cardigan, a few interchangeable tanks and tees and you’ll be set. Remember, you do not need to pack as much as you think.
4. One Pair of Nice Shoes One pair of nude or black heels is all you need. Forget having all kinds of options. Simplify! Besides, it’s one less thing to think about when you’re getting ready for a night out on the town. Also, for me, being dressed to the nines was second to everything else ... I was there to relax and enjoying the company. One pair of dressy shoes was all I needed!  5. Neck Pillow You will regret it if you don’t have a neck pillow on a long flight. And, make sure you do your research. My favorite one is from Amazon and the neck support was perfect. It looks a little goofy, but it works!  I discovered that even though I thought I packed as light as possible, I still didn’t wear everything I took. In the end, you’ll be glad you packed light and you probably won’t even miss that extra outfit. So to recap - get a good backpack, simplify your makeup bag, only pack essential clothing and shoes and remember to bring your neck pillow. There’s a big, beautiful world out there filled with fascinating people and exciting adventures just waiting for you to discover them. Hope these tips help make packing for your next destination a little easier. Safe travels!  - Grace
I love sharing my favorite things with you all and this week I’m sharing my favorite place for all things beauty - The Glam Room. I can’t say enough about my love for this urban salon located in the heart of River Market and their super talented professionals. This is my go to place for everything ... nails, hair, facials, massages, waxings, etc.  Nails Nothing beats a fresh manicure with a pop of color, right? Maoggie at the Glam Room is wonderful. She might be the sweetest, most creative and hilarious person I've ever met. She is always cracking jokes and making everyone around her laugh out of loud. She takes her time, gives attention to details, gives me a manicure that lasts several weeks and doesn't just stick with the plain jane, same old same old. There's always a new design style that she wants to try out. Most of the time, instead of picking a color, I just ask her what she wants to do and I'm never disappointed. Follow Maoggie on Instagram with more designs and you’ll want her to get creative with your nails too!
MassageAlright, this is my all-time favorite service offered at The Glam Room. Angela and Tony are both phenomenal. Angela is strong and she really listens to understand exactly what I need to relax. I see her for a Swedish massage and add hot stones. Tony is courteous, attentive and always makes sure I am comfortable. He specializes in sports massages and deep tissue. I've never had a male massage therapist before, but his professionalism and talent are incredible. They offer a variety of services and all are top notch. I always walk away feeling at ease, rested and relaxed.
Brows & Lashes Recently, I went in for a brow tint and WOW! The number one thing I’ve always wished I could eliminate from my morning routine is doing my brows. The struggle is real when trying to fill them in evenly, but this brow tint is a game changer! It's fantastic and it's only $10. Trust me, you want this! Okay, let's talk lashes now. My lashes have always been small so I wear fake lashes daily. The glue is tough to remove, they destroy my real lashes and they are a pain. So I met with Angela and she gave me volume! Before and after photos below. Aren’t these lashes stunning? Plus, it is a huge time saver since I don't have to worry about gluing on fake lashes. Angela on Instagram with more looks.
HairAlison can work wonders! She takes my drab hair and makes it beautiful. When I arrive, she sits down with me to discuss what I'd like done. I’m never 100% sure what style or cut I really want to go with so I ask her for advice and her suggestions. She’s super talented, creative and she always comes through with a great look! Alison on Instagram with more cuts and colors.
I also visit Payton before big events to get cute up-dos. Typically, I give her an idea of what I'd like and let her just run with it. She does amazing work! Check out Payton on Instagram with more styles.
Like I said, I love everything about this place and I think you will too. Give it a try and show the photo below to get $20 off of a $50 service. Enjoy, friends! 
- Rachel
You guys, I did something this past weekend that I have been wanting to do for YEARS. I finally got my eyebrows microbladed! If you're like me, filling in your eyebrows every morning is a nightmare and time consuming. I got to the point where I finally stopped because I was never fully content with the end result. So this year, I told myself I was going to put on my big girl panties and take the plunge. After what felt like forever trying to find someone who was amazing AND affordable, I finally found Jesse! Jesse is the owner of Microblading TN located in the Green Hills area. As soon as I saw her Instagram and website, I was SOLD. It's true, a picture speaks louder than words and the pics of her clients beautiful brows convinced me I could have the brown of my dreams. I scheduled a consultation and asked her every little question I could think of.  The consultation was a breeze and she addressed all my questions and concerns (or should I say fears!) and made me very comfortable and eager to give it a whirl. She said I had amazing brows and they just needed some extra oomph! I was flattered, because I've been unhappy with the shape and fullness for a long time., but she made me feel beautiful even before we started. Luckily, she had an opening that afternoon, so I booked it. She sent me home with numbing cream to prepare for the microblading and, thank goodness, because there is some slight pain during the procedure. When I arrived, she put 3 different shades on my skin to decide which color would be best. Honestly, I typically trust the expert when it comes to this and she chose the one that matched my skin tone and brow color the best.  She then meticulously drew in the shape of my brows to make sure they were perfect before starting the microblading. I am seriously amazed at how artists can do this so precisely! Once the brows were drawn to my liking, she started microblading. Seriously though, the pain was slightly more that I had anticipated, but was bearable and she reapplied the numbing cream halfway through. Ladies, if you're like me, we take our beauty game pretty seriously, so in the name of vanity, I'm ok with a little discomfort. The finished product? Well, let's just say I would absolutely do it again! The results were immediate and left me feeling confident that my brows are on point. I will go back in 6 weeks to get touch ups and to make sure my brows are exactly how I want them. Keep in mind, they will fade about 30% after a few weeks so don't be alarmed if they appear a bit dark initially.   I'm so pleased with my brows, how natural they look and how much they brighten my eyes. Whether you've over plucked or just need to cover gaps, define or fill-in your brows, Jesse is your girl! She will not disappoint! The video below is from the night of out with some girlfriends. Let's just say I was feeling like a boss ;) XOXO
Grace This weekend the weather in Kansas City was absolutely beautiful! We had some friends visiting, so we hit the town on Friday night. We headed to the Plaza to grab drinks and dinner at JJ's Restaurant where they have one of the best wine lists in the city and an upscale atmosphere.   From JJ's Restaurant's Facebook Page We ordered a bottle of wine for the table and enjoyed delicious steaks, brussels sprouts and a side salad with a dijon vinaigrette. Sorry, I wasn't able to get a photo of our fabulous meal because, well, we all basically inhaled our food, it was so good!  The next day, we finalized plans for our upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand! It's getting closer and I’m so excited! By the way, any traveling tips? Let me know! We started packing Saturday morning, and now our living room is covered with clothes, shoes, rain jackets, everything we need for our trip. That afternoon, we visited the City Market and strolled through the shops and vendors tables. Then we stopped at Blue Line for lunch. Blue Line is Kansas City's Hockey Bar. It is decked out in hockey memorabilia, every TV is tuned to a hockey game, and they have some amazing food! We started off with chips and salsa, along with some Bloody Mary's and finished by splitting the burger and waffle fries. Yum!
Saturday evening, we popped over to a friend's house ... drank some wine and caught up on life. Love time spent with good friends. It nourishes the soul, doesn’t it? On Sunday, my husband hit the golf course, so I took some time to relax at the spa. I headed over to The Glam Room for a sports massage to work on my still sore muscles from my Friday class at Health House. It's a slower massage, focusing on specific muscles with more pressure and it sure helps recovery. Tony, my massage therapist, is a true professional from start to finish and does an amazing job. The Glam Room goes above and beyond to ensure that the experience is always comfortable and relaxing. They definitely get 5 stars!  And if you’re ready to schedule some relaxation time for yourself, be sure to show them the image below to receive $20 off your massage!  It was a great weekend! What did y'all do this weekend?
- Rachel |
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- Grace & Rachel
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