Living – Page 50 – Unlikely Martha

Living

Marriage Goals + Nautica Life Gift Set / $4K Cruise Vacation Giveaway

I don’t speak much about my husband except in passing. Not because I don’t think he deserves the recognition but because everything can’t be in the open, some things have to be kept for self and my marriage is one of those things that I like to keep underwraps….except for times like his birthday or Father’s day or when he buys me something really nice!

As Father’s Day nears, I do want to shine some light on this amazing man that asks for little but offers so much in taking care of our little family. September 2 will mark our 10 year wedding anniversary and I must admit this has been the hardest year yet as we journey forward into our next decade together. My husband takes his role as a father and provider very serious. I would venture to say he takes our finances a little too serious but at least we’ll retire with something in the future instead of settling for instant gratification right now. In fact, the flashiest thing he’s probably ever bought himself is the Omega watch from https://www.watchshopping.com/omega that he got himself with on his last birthday because “I deserve it”.

I digress.

My husband is one of those extremely likeable people that can easily fit into a crowd, and is very hard to dislike. We are both energetic and full of life but lately we’ve really been putting taking care of “us” on the back burner in exchange for long work hours and dumping all of our energies into our children, home etc. I’ve put my foot down and the time is now for us to really get back to nurturing one another and our marriage because it is so important to remember why you fell in love with your spouse even when life gets hectic. As the journey begins for us into the next decade of marriage I would love to see us really get back to the things we like, and treat ourselves because life is really no good if you aren’t living.

One of my husband’s favorite things is cologne. Over the years he’s slowed his collection down to halt, but I’m encouraging him to start seeing what’s new on the cologne market. I recently ventured out to Macy’s at Lenox Mall to pick him up a Nautica Life Gift Set to jump start his new collection. The scent is so amazing, like him. It’s cool, light and laid back, and overall likeable. Nothing better than a good smelling man.

The plan is for us to get out together more, you know make date nights a priority and really focus on us now that the children are getting older. I’m looking forward to “dating” a good smelling man again!

You can purchase this gift set at Macy’s online. Nautica has tons of new offerings so be sure to check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Now for the fun part, Enter to a Giveaway where:

1 Grand Prize Winner will win a $4,000 Cruise Vacation Package

5 Second Place Winners will win a Nautica Men’s Fragrance Gift Package

Winners must be 18+

Nautica for Dad

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Living

Can You Be Lazy and Driven at the Same Time?

A few days ago I came across a post on Facebook called 17 Things That Happen When You’re Very Overdriven Yet Also Extremely Lazy At The Same Time that handed me my whole entire 36 years of living in a little under 17 succinct bullet points. I mean, I was really thinking that Brianna, the author somehow knew me in a never met me kind of way.

I spent the better part of the last two weeks with the poorest attitude ever. Nothing new but the usual..you know what am I doing with my life etc… and then the whole Mercury retrograde thing I’m sure wasn’t helping the situation at all. I’m sure my husband wanted to pack my things up and send me on my way……to the spa I hope.

One of the issues I was dealing with during those weeks was comparing myself to others and how they do things and why I couldn’t seem to complete things in the same manner. Yes, I know all about the comparison and thief of joy analogy thing…yet and still I found myself studying peoples behaviors and wondered why I couldn’t get my act together and color code my planner, and dust my floors and keep a spotless house.

Then this post was shared to my timeline as if the person that shared it knew that I needed to give myself a little break and be amused that someone knew that my quirks and idiosyncrasies were worth writing about, almost as if to tell other people that I’m not off or lazy but really driven and my behaviors are somewhat normal?

Here are a few that really hit my personality and behaviors nail on:

You’re incredibly indecisive, and the things you’re usually choosing between are what’s best and what’s easy. You always find yourself caught between the more expensive item you really want, and the more affordable one you know it would be smarter to choose. Caught between wanting to work more and make your product perfect and knowing you need time to recoup and relax. It’s always a matter of what’s best vs. what’s easy, and it’s a war you’ll be fighting within yourself until you create your own middle ground.

You’re either doing everything, or you’re doing nothing at all. There is no in-between. You’re working 14 hour days and meal prepping organic, vegan dishes for you and your coworkers and planning your latest lifestyle reinvention or you’re laying in bed watching Netflix not moving for a week. No matter what it is, you epitomize the “all or nothing” “A-Z” personality (for better and for horribly worse.)

You’re either dressed to the nines or you haven’t changed your sweatpants in days. When you deem it appropriate, you know how to craft yourself into an avatar of stylish, fashionable, groomed, suave perfection; but the rest of the time? You wear leggings. And postpone any clothes with structure for as long as you can manage.

I think I’ve always known my train of thought and demeanor was a little different from others and I’ve always shied away from really explaining to people how my gears work and just tried to fit in but I’m at a point in my life where I just need to be me….unapologetically. Like seriously. I will do me, but for some reason always have the feeling that I need to explain myself to SOME people. When in actuality I owe no one an explanation on how and why I do the things that I do.

That article really tickled me and let me know that I’m good. I just march to my own drummer and I need anyone dealing with me to get with it or beat it. I’m getting there but in the meantime I got a good chuckle out of the fact that I think I am so complex when indeed I was broken down into under 20 bullet points written by a total internet stranger!

Mercury retrograde mess with any of y’all? Ever gone through a period where you felt the need to evaluate every aspect of your life? Are you driven and lazy at the same – – – – time?

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Featured• Living

{Toyota Hybrid Prius Review} Top 5 Things a Mom Needs in a Compact Car

I drive an SUV and my husband drives a gas guzzling classic 1972 Cutlass. Nearly a year ago I was forced to say goodbye to my paid for Chrysler crossover. I had grand plans to transition from that crossover into a car but instead was forcefully upgraded to an SUV. While I love my SUV for travel and transporting kids, I have really been longing for a smaller, gas efficient car.

For a week I had the pleasure of testing out a Toyota Hybrid Prius and all of the reasons why I think our family needs a small, fuel efficient car were verified with the Prius. I fell in love with that little car. Let’s just say it took $15 to fill up….and if you are cruising at a constant speed you can actually almost get 100 mpg.

Yes. Your eyes do not deceive you.

To say I didn’t want to give the car back is an understatement. Here are my top 5 reasons why I think every mom could appreciate a compact car.

1. Fuel: If you’ve ever watched my vlogs you know I spend a ton of time in my car. From lessons, to school, to activities I am always moving and in an SUV moving = $$$. On average I can easily spend $100 a week in gas. I received the car with a full tank and traveled nearly 500 miles before I had to refill it.

The car also runs solely on electric when traveling under 25mph

2. Bluetooth: When you are always in your car there are creature comforts that make a busy life more comfortable. One of those things for me is music. The car allowed Bluetooth connection not just for hands free phone but also allowed you to stream music. This was big for me because I have Rhapsody and I was able stream my playlists through the radio in addition to the Satellite radio option.

3. Trunk Space: I have no idea how I accumulate so much stuff in my daily travels but the short time that I had the Prius I had to transport a few things and believe it or not the trunk space did not disappoint not to mention the seats fold down for additional room. Because the trunk of the car was glass, the cover was able to pull over my items to hide them from plain sight.

4. Keyless Entry: I LOOOOVED this feature. My car is newer but not that “new new” that is keyless entry. With my phone in one hand, a toddler hand in the other while trying to juggle a coffee cup and bags I just simply touched my finger to the handle and voila! Pushed the button and the car started. No digging for keys.

5. Easy on the Eyes: I don’t care how functional a car is if it isn’t cute then what’s the point. That could just be my logic. I thought this was the cutest little car. I loved the color and the small size that allowed me to easily pull into parking spaces and I even was able to snag an electric car only space. I plugged in and went shopping. Going electric has its privileges obvs.

I was a little concerned about the space but the children fit comfortably into the back, Trina and I even took the girls on a day trip and two booster seats fit comfortably.

After my time with the car if financially feasible I think having a small car is a must have in every family. Now if I can just dig up the coins to get myself one I’ll be doing good!

This month all of the Fab Top Five got the opportunity to test out vehicles. Be sure to stop by and see what each lady drove and their Fab Top Five Drives topic!

LaShawn @Everyday Eyecandy

Kita @ Kokoa Mag

Bernetta @Bernetta Style

MJ @ Fab Haute Mama

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Living

Kindergarten Here We Come

My daughter had her last day of school on Friday. While I had been coming to grips with the fact that school was ending that didn’t stop me from finding myself all in my feels Friday afternoon as we said goodbye to the school that was the first place that ever cared for my child after she stayed home with me for nearly 3 years.

Talk about a boo hoo fest. I mainly kept it together until I got in the car. I suppose the tears were really symbolic of the fact that my last child is moving into a stage that seems to move faster than any other and I’m not ready. I’ve really been so emotional lately about a lot of things and her moving on to Kindergarten is not helping…but she must go. I know.

The week before last I enrolled her and she took her assessment. Friday of that same week we attended the Kindergarten round up where the children got a chance to go into an actual classroom while the parents met with the school staff for an overview and we even got to take a bus ride.

She’s super excited about heading to “hell”ementary school (as she calls it.) I suppose her being excited makes me feel a little better. Now it’s time to enjoy the Summer because it will seem like only 2 weeks passed before her Kindergarten teacher is pushing me out of the classroom door, waving me off saying “She’ll be fine Mom”

Ugh.

Anybody else having Pre Kindergarten woes? Anybody?

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