Weekly Roundup: 100k

I missed posting this on Friday, because, well - life. I was out of town starting Thursday for a work retreat with all my San Francisco peeps, and realized I hadn't officially scheduled this to post. Blogging fail. The question was:

If you were given $100,000 with instructions that you could ONLY spend it on yourself and your loved ones, tell me how you'd spend it?

I told them not to say things that are responsible, like saving money. Haha! But, truth be told - that's what we'd do. We're adults now... it's actually a little hard to think of ways I would be with ok blowing money. But, if I was just going to list out some other actions I'd take... here's where my 100k would go.

Ok, this wasn't so hard.

• Tithe
• A couple great deal fixer-upper rental properties in our city - something that could get us started flipping some houses. As painstaking as this process has been with our own home, we'd love to do it again with a house we're NOT trying to move into.
• A family vacation. A Hawaiian/Disney adventure sounds perfect.
• Christmas for the whole family in a huge log cabin somewhere in the snow
• A weekend trip with my girls to wine country
• All the liptsticks in Sephora
• A chunk in the boys' college funds
• A trip to NYC with just my hubby!

How would you spend a free 100k?

instagram.com/stringfellowandco

Shirri: Well, first off, I would have to buy my husband the truck and boat of his dreams. How does that song go? Money can't buy happiness but It can buy you a boat and a truck to pull it right?! I'd make an awesome play room for my boys, and include those cute little tee-pees. We'd also have to take a trip to Sea World: as I was writing this, my oldest son asked me what I was doing so I told him. His exact words were: "Holy crap, mama! You better take us to Sea World!". Finally last, but surely not least, I would get myself a nice little hot tub, a stock pile of wine, a MacBook pro, and a new nightly tradition. That sounds heavenly!

instagram.com/thewholesky

Andrea: Easy. Travel, travel, travel. We had the opportunity to go to Europe twice last year, and I would love to take my family back to Iceland for a few weeks to go hiking, waterfall hunting, and hot-spring soaking. My husband and I went to Australia for our honeymoon five years ago, and while we vowed we would NEVER take that 17 hour flight again, we find ourselves itching to go rent an RV and drive around New Zealand. I think 100,000 should cover both of these trips quite nicely!

instagram.com/sownwithstrength

Courtney: As a wife to a pro-basketball player overseas and full time online fitness + nutrition coach, it’s pretty easy to spend $100,000 on loved ones! First, I would tithe 10% because I believe anything I receive is by God’s grace. Then, I would pay off my remaining student loans. Third, I would put $20,000 as a down payment on a house. Eek! This is so fun! Fourth, I fly my husband’s parents out to visit us in California. He’s originally from Australia, so his parents reside in Sydney. Fifth, purchase several “Jesus Calling” books by Sarah Young to give to friends!

Kelsey: The first thing I'd want to buy is a new car! Honestly, I've learned that there's a reason moms drive mom cars. Have you ever tried doing your monthly Costco trip with two kids in carseats and a stroller in your trunk while driving a 98' Corolla? I pretty much have loaves of bread and fruit snacks on my lap while driving home. It's ridiculous. I love traveling, so I'd definitely want to take a trip to somewhere overseas with my husband and no kids (can I get an amen!?). And of course, I'd put on my "boring adult" hat and make Dave Ramsey proud by paying off some of our debt.

instagram.com/coles_brittingham

Nicole: If I was given $100,000 and I could only spend it on myself and my loved ones, I would put a down payment on a little farm house I have always dreamed about, and send my parents on a nice and luxurious vacation. They have worked two jobs most of their adult life, to support their kids and let us have an amazing life, and I would love to give back to the most deserving people I know. I would also take my girls and husband to Disneyland!

Weekly Roundup: Guilty Pleasures

THE QUESTION THIS WEEK:
As a mom/wife/female... What is your guilty pleasure?

Do you zone out with Dr. Phil every day at 2pm during nap time?

Do you hide candy bars in the freezer?

Do you say you are going to take a shower, but sit on the bathroom floor scrolling Instagram - uninterrupted - for a good 20 minutes?

(I don't do any of these things. Err... Examples from a friend)

Here are this week's responses from some lovely ladies! I hope you enjoy and maybe get a little inspired to INDULGE yourself this weekend/next week - it sounds like a lot of us have the SAME guilty pleasure - food we don't have to share, and TV that isn't animated. This cracked me up!
If you'd like to participate next week, let me know! It's a fun question, promise. :)

instagram.com/allisonwall

Allison: Every day, once my babies are down for their naps, I pour myself a small glass of chocolate milk (like the sophisticated 25 year old that I am) break a couple oatmeal chocolate chip cookies into the bottom of the cup and enjoy it while watching an episode of 'Friends'. There's just something so nice and necessary about being a couch potato for a few minutes amongst my day of toddler chasing and baby wrangling (plus the chance to watch something other than 'Dinosaur Train' and to not share my cookies!)

Ann: As a busy stay-at-home momma of three, it's pretty hard to have any alone time. As far as a guilty pleasure: I would say mine would be getting up a bit early just to enjoys those extra 15-30 minutes, which in my opinion, every momma needs to herself. I try to have a hot cup of coffee and start my day off on a positive note, which helps myself and my littles. My other guilty pleasure is BRAVO TV. Believe it or not, I enjoy my Housewives. I believe some of the drama is staged, and some of it I find pretty comical. Those women definitely give me a reality check on how blessed I am to have my family and a simple life.

Blanca: My guilty pleasure is saying I am not feeling well and want to rest quietly in my bedroom. Once I make my way down the hallway, I am feeling a sense of victory. I lay in bed checking all forms of social media. Once I'm ready, I will come out and pretend I feel better! Haha!

instagram.com/mishafrench

Misha: As a mom/wife/female aged THIRTY EIGHT (gosh, I'm old) I feel like I have more than one guilty pleasure. Is that bad? So, being a parent now for 7 years I've not only realized that we need these guilty pleasures - I've also come to stop feeling guilty about needing them. I really need to get out with the girls 1-2 times a month and have an amazing dinner, and a few glasses of wine. On the daily, I have gravitated towards exercise. There are these really great trails close by my house that make you feel like you're not in the city. I take 45-60 minutes and just run. If I have to go with the kids I take them. It chills them out, too. There is just something about fresh air and exercise endorphins that fix you right up. And Cheez-its. There's always Cheez-its.

Devon: My guilty pleasure as a mother is as soon as Chloe is down for a nap, I turn on Grey's Anatomy and grab some junk food. It's one of my only times I get to watch a TV show that doesn't involve talking dogs, and when I can chow down on chips without a toddler begging me for some. (Devon's IG is: @dbdevonbrownnn)

Brenae: When Silas goes down for a nap, I make myself a chai latte, sit on the couch and watch a show (usually Gilmore Girls or FRIENDS - something I've seen a million times) before laundry and dishes call my name. I'm usually sketching or drawing while I watch, but those 30-45 minutes of being still and relaxing just help make the chaos of the day so much more manageable. Every mama needs some "me-time"!

instagram.com/itsrachelschultz

Rachel: My guilty pleasure? My husband will shake his head at my craziness for sharing this, but I LOVE my fuzzy pink bathrobe. Josh HATES my fuzzy pink bathrobe. It's not really the bathrobe, but what I do while in it. When I slip myself into this robe, I never come out. Seriously. Normally you use a bathrobe after a shower, right? WRONG. I get out of bed, slip it on, drink my coffee, read the bible, do work, clean, blog, Instagram, etc. And what do you know, it's 1 pm and I'm still un-showered and in my fuzzy pink robe! I love it. But husband (jokingly, yet somewhat seriously) hates it. Oh well. It's a guilty PLEASURE for a reason!

Weekly Roundup: All The Fall

Here we go! Our first Weekly Roundup, and it's all about FALL. Basics, unite!

Monica: Fall favorites? Everything! Running through the leaves (like, actual running on fallen leaves on the sidewalk). It reminds me of my old cross country days! I also love the fact that I can now wear scarves, burn candles, have a salted caramel mocha (I'm the one anti-PSL white girl), wear sweaters, Crockpot cooking, boots, slightly less-sweaty workouts, wearing leggings for legitimate reasons... basic girl-ing so hard right now.

instagram.com/loftuslane

Kjerstine, of Loftus Lane:
Behind our home is a walking path, and I've grown to love taking photos of myself and my son there -  especially because of the gorgeous trees and how they change with each season. The vibrant warm hues during the fall are the most romantic to me. Speaking of which, I should probably get out there soon for a quick photo shoot before the leaves disappear! Cheers to fall and all its glory!

Lisa: I am so excited that fall is FINALLY here. Fall is my favorite time of year because it means cooler weather, warm drinks, cozy knit scarves & vibrant fall colored trees! Since moving to Virginia, our favorite place to go in the fall is Colonial Williamsburg. The trees and overall history draws us in & not to mention it is beautiful! Here is a link of last years post when we drove up to Williamsburg for the day!

Colleen: I love all things fall. Food, clothes, makeup, candles, temperatures. But if I had to choose one true favorite, it would be Leavenworth, WA. It represents all things I love about the season. When you drive into town, the foliage takes your breath away. It literally looks like a patchwork quilt of reds, oranges, yellows and greens! Then, upon arrival into town, you have amazing beer, authentic German food and great music! It's so cozy! Make sure to head just out of town about 5 minutes to Peshastin to do a wine tasting at Icicle Ridge Winery, which overlooks the river and the valley. They decorate it SO CUTE for Fall.


Courtney (@wonderfully_wolf on IG): When it comes to fall, I have MANY favorites. The first is - of course - college football! As a former collegiate cheerleader and wife of a former college quarterback (Go Campbell Camels!), football quickly became the staple of my favorite season. There is simply nothing better than cheering on your favorite team on a Saturday Game Day in the south. :) A more recent fall favorite of mine is the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Living in Florida, the weather hasn’t quite gotten the memo that it’s fall yet... so this version of the beloved PSL is essential to get in the spirit.

instagram.com/alysalvesen

Aly: As cliche as it might sound, I love ALL things fall related. I love that I can bundle up and drink hot tea without sweating beads. I love making my home feel cozy with the aroma of cinnamon baked goods and pots of homemade soup. Everything about fall screams home and comfort... and that is what I love about this season!

instagram.com/love.jules

Julie: While I'm not a crazed PSL fan, I still LOVE the idea of Fall. I say idea because it's still 100 degrees here in Southern California! One of my favorite fall traditions is collecting leaves with my son to make a festive fall wreath! I cut the wreath from cardboard and he gets to glue to his heart's desire. It's a fun, cheap, and easy project we look forward to doing every Fall!

Shaun: The anticipation of fall for me is up there with Christmas and my birthday. The crisp air, the freshly fallen leaves. It's amazing. I live in New Hampshire where we are known for Fall. The colors of the trees, apple picking, corn mazes, pumpkin patches... did I mention our amazing foliage? I'm ready to bust open the comfy leggings, the boots, and cardigans. I'm ready for drives up North to immerse myself in colors my mind dreams of. And a hot apple cider along the way certainly doesn't hurt ;) (BLOG: www.drivingmepeanuts.com)

Thanks, ladies, for participating in my first Roundup! Loved your responses; you just made me even more excited for this beautiful season. To close out, I'm just gonna leave this here. This is my new favorite fall anything: Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Latte!