Lifestyle

I’m back with my favorite post! My top 10 favorite things from the month of February!

1. Rhea Lana’s. Look up to see if there is a Rhea Lanas in your area! It is such an easy way to make money AND to buy kids’ clothes at a discounted price!
2. Rollercoaster Tycoon. Okay, y’all are going to laugh at me for this one. But im obsessed with this app. I started playing it when I took some time off social media in January. It takes me back to when I played when I was a kid. It’s so much fun and I check my theme park all throughout the day. Not even kidding.
3. This jungle gym. One of the best gifts that Santa has brought us!
4. This gymnastics bar. Speaking of Santa gifts, he brought us this gymnastic bar and it keeps both kids entertained for hours!
5. My recipe board on Pinterest. I have been posting a lot of new meals and the majority of them come from Pinterest! Most are so easy and husband-approved. Which is a huge win!
6. Fin & Harris. I obviously had to add this one in! I have so many new designs coming so make sure to follow on Instagram!
7. Alyssa’s reading list. I did not read as many books this month as I had planned. I started with Gone Girl and it took entirely too long to read 2/5. The Women in the Window 3/5, November 9 5/5, The Choice, 1/5, Midnight in Delta County 5/5, The Girl Who Was Taken 5/5, The Couple Next Door 4/5, It Starts With Us 4/5.
8. Stitch Fix. Shameless plug. I actually do not get compensated for this but you can use this link to get $25 off your first Fix! It is such a great way to update your wardrobe as we head into the spring season!
9. My fav spring headband. It’s only $7 and versatile enough to wear with almost any outfit!
10. Favorite sneakers. These are pricey but 100% worth the investment. I wear no other shoes as much as I wear these shoes. I wear them with many different types of outfits, on different occasions, and in all four seasons. I wore them our whole Disney trip and they were so comfy!

I hope y’all had a fun month of February! I cannot believe it is almost March!

xoxo, Alyssa

Yes, you read that right. I am doing no spend ’24. Yes, there are exceptions. I buy the essentials, but in general, I am not shopping in the year 2024.

Here’s why:

It is a personal goal that I have set for myself this year. I am so used to going to Target or HomeGoods and filling my cart with things I do not need, especially when I am bored or the kids are at school. Yes, it’s fun and yes, I miss it. But not spending money on things I do not need has started changing the way I think. I want to be a good steward with what God has blessed my family with. So, instead of spending money on things I do not need, I have started saving. It’s already been a month and we have saved so much! Some exceptions are birthday parties, date nights, and outings with friends. Investing in relationships is so important.

Here’s how:

I have just stopped going to Target, HomeGoods, etc, and roaming the aisles looking for things that I do not need. Not going to these stores when I’m bored has helped so much. I’m not tempted to buy something if I don’t see it. I used to have the mentality that me and my kids needed a new outfit every time we had an event, party, or holiday. But the truth is, we have so many clothes that have only been worn once. So, this year we are getting use out of all our clothes instead of buying new ones! I also purchased a zoo membership and a science museum membership last year so those events are “free” this year. Girl Math. But really, going there three times and it pays for itself. Such good investments. The question I get asked most frequently is if Ryan is doing this with me. The short answer is NO. lol He thinks I’m crazy 😂

Free things to do with kids:

Zoo (if you have a membership) and pack a lunch so you don’t have to buy food.

Science museum (also, pack a lunch because you can literally spend the entire day here)

Living Spaces (yes, the furniture store. They have a free play place inside their store and my kids love it!)

Library (I don’t know why it took me so long to take my kids here. They love it! The one by our house has puzzles, legos, iPads, and computers. We are going to start exploring other libraries in surrounding cities as well. You can only check out books from the library in your own city, but you can go to any location to play and read)

The park (This one is an obvious one but I had to include it. Especially with the weather starting to warm up!)

Splash pads (This is another obvious one. OKC is filled with free splash pads so we will frequent these a lot this summer!)

The Gathering Place (This is a bit of a drive from OKC, but it is a huge park that can take all day to explore)

Myriad Botanic Gardens (They have a fun kids play area that is great when it warms up)

Museums (check your local museums because some offer free admission)

Thank y’all for taking the time to read this! I will post an update later on this year on how it went!

xoxo, Alyssa

One of my favorite posts is back! Here are 10 of my favorite things from this past month!

1. Goodreads. I have spent more time off social media this month and it has been so refreshing. I have more time to do other things, such as reading. This is a great app to keep track of books you’ve read and books you want to read.
2. This devotion by Lisa Harper. Lisa is a great author and she’s hilarious! This devotion is a quick read for 100 days.
3. Ugg Tasman slippers. Finally, slippers that are acceptable to wear out of the house!
4. Apple workouts. There are so many to choose from and they have quick 10-minute workouts that are easy to fit into your busy schedule. 10 minutes doesn’t sound like much but after a 10-minute HIIT workout, I am sweating and sore the next day. They are quick enough so I don’t dread doing them. They are great workouts and easy to do anywhere and any time!
5. Fit4Mom OKC Blog. I started writing for the Fit4mom OKC blog this month. I wrote about how Fit4mom changed my life when we moved to OKC. Check it out!
6. Libby App: A virtual library! I found this app when I wanted to check out a new book but the library was closed. You just input your library card number and you can check out books virtually!
7. Music time at the library. Our library offers free story times and music classes for kids. Check out your local library for free family fun!
8. Alyssa’s reading list: Watching You 5/5, Verity 4/5, Invisible Girl 2/5, Just Another Missing Girl 5/5, The Girl on the Train 4/5, Something in the Water 3/5, I Found You 4/5 and Zero Days.
9. My fav headband. This is my favorite brand for headbands and this specific one can be customized! I have one with my kids’ initials on it and it is so special!
10. Happy Everything. This is my new favorite piece of decor for my home. I have wanted to start my collection for years but never took the plunge. My mom gave me this plate for Christmas with this attachment which is perfect for winter. They have small bases and large bases. They have small attachments and large attachments for every season, holiday, and event. I just bought this attachment for Valentine’s Day.

I hope you all had a wonderful January!

xoxo, Alyssa

I’m coming to you this week with my fav top 10 things right now! These are some of my favorite posts to do! These are just some of the things I’m enjoying and want to share with you!

1. The Guest List and The Last House Guest. I’ve read a lot of books lately and these two were by far the best ones I’ve read. I love a good page-turner and an ending that is unexpected. These books check both of those boxes!
2. Fit4Mom. This is such a wonderful way to meet other moms while also working on bettering yourself physically. I joined for the workout but I stayed for the community.
3. OKC Mom. I just became a contributor and it has been such a fun way to get connected in our new city! It is also a place to read some wonderful posts from some incredible women. So whether you live in OK or not, you need to check it out.
4. Scrunchies. Yes, you read that right. I’m so glad these are back! They are such a fun accessory when you don’t want to do your hair! This one is my favorite!
5. Stitch Fix. Okay, I know I’m biased because I work here. But hear me out. They have a new Freestyle feature where you can go and shop looks directly by yourself! So you can search through inventory yourself or you can have a stylist send you five surprise items!
6. IVL leggings. My favorite workout gear is from IVL Collective! They have so many fun prints and styles! And yes, I like them just as much, if not more than Lulu!
7. Fort Worth mug and Tea Towel. I love Evelyn Henson’s designs. She has a map collection of various US cities. I love these FW designs because they remind me of home.
8. This swimsuit. Looking for the perfect swimsuit? Look no further! I love this one so much and it’s so flattering! Going on two years of wearing it and it’s still my favorite!
9. Golden Goose. It’s no secret that I love these shoes. I know that they are a little pricey but holy moly they’re worth it. I get so much use out of them and they’re so comfy! They pair well with so many different outfits!
10. This thermal jug. This is my go-to cup for drinking water. 1) it holds a lot of water and 2) it’s super cute!

I hope you had as much fun going through this list as I did writing it! I’ll be back next month with another top 10!

xoxo, Alyssa

As promised, here is my list of Fort Worth restaurants that I want to visit! This has been an on-going list for about a year now. I am constantly adding to it. I have not crossed off all of them yet because we usually just eat at the same places. However, one of my goals, before I am 30, is to try them all! (The ones with a dash next to them are the ones I have eaten at already.)

• Press cafe-
• Woodshed-
• Social house-
• Pacific table-
• Righteous foods
• Winslow’s Wine Cafe
• HG Supply-
• Joe Ts-
• Mesero
• Bar taco-
• Hopdaddy-
• Local foods kitchen- 
• Taco heads-
• Heim-
• First Watch- 
• Food Hall- 
• Mash’d
• Doc Bs 
• Yogis-
• Dutch’s- 
• Mamas pizza- 
• The lunchbox- 
• McKinley’s-
• Little red wasp- 
• Rodeo Goat-
• The bearded lady 
• Panther City BBQ
• Austin city tacos-
• Enchiladas Ole 
• Lily’s bistro 
• Cannon 
• Ol’ South-
• Spiral Diner
• Esperanzas-
• Cafe Modern-
• Snooze
• Velvet Taco-
• R Taco-
• Taco Diner-
• Fred’s Texas Cafe-
• Olivela’s
• Fortuna-
• Campisi’s
• Texas De Brazil-
• Torchy’s-

Let me know if there are any more I should add!

Alright, y’all. I don’t know if it is because I am an enneagram 3 or just because I love this idea, but checking off 30 goals before I am 30 sounds so exciting! I have accomplished so much in my 29 years and I’m not “afraid” to turn 30. I am looking forward to accomplishing as many, if not all of these goals! Here we go! (P.S two are marked out because they’re secret)

1. Cross off all the restaurants on my list 
2. ****** **** ****
3. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight 
4. Start my own business 
5. ***** ** *** ******* 
6. Go to the New Mexico balloon festival 
7. See the Christmas tree in NYC
8. Read all the books on my reading list 
9. Grow my hair out, cut it, donate it 
10. Go to an escape room 
11. Go to a drive-in movie 
12. Cook all the marked recipes in my recipe books
13. Buy a plane ticket to a random place
14. Get all 11 cousins together again 
15. Romantic getaway with Ryan
16. Run a 5K
17. Go paddle boarding 
18. Be consistent with my blog
19. Create a capsule wardrobe 
20. Be in 4 states at once 
21. Take a cooking class
22. Take a pottery class 
23. Write a book
24. Complete our family 
25. Create a will
26. Spa day 
27. Write a letter to myself and open it on my 30th birthday
28. Learn to sew matching dresses for me and Finley
29. Learn more about my ancestors 
30. Get a massage 

Many of these items are things that I have always wanted to do but have never gotten around to it. So, here’s to the last year in my 20’s! Here’s to a year full of new adventures!

I have probably tried every diet regiment ever made. Tried and failed. Over and Over. It’s frustrating. And exhausting. The only thing that I have found the most beneficial is Whole 30. It’s hard, but it works, yall. I have completed two full rounds and I will start round 3 in January.

I know I know…why wait and start my weight loss in January? Cliche. However, I feel like there is something fun and motivating about starting in the new year!

I went ahead and made a meal plan to make it a little easier. One hard thing is trying to meal plan each day/week. So, I eliminated the stress by going ahead and creating a month-long meal plan. I am also intermittent fasting, so I will only be eating from 11:00 am-7:00 pm. On the meal plan below, you will see that I have not planned breakfast because of the fasting. However, I have put some breakfast ideas below the meal plan so you can have some ideas if you are not fasting. (I am going on vaca in the middle of the month and I will not be doing Whole 30 during that time. I am going to go ahead and start in January though, because I do not want to postpone it!)

*Disclaimer*

My in-laws east at Rosas every Saturday so I incorporated it into my meal plan. I get a taco salad wth ONLY fajita chicken and lettuce. I get a side of salsa and I bring my own plantains. The fajita meat is not compliant. Here is the thing: when I go out to eat I got food that is compliant, however, I do not ask how it is cooked (I do not like being THAT person). So while the food itself is compliant, how it is cooked might not be. I lost 20 pounds my first whole 30-so I am okay with it. Also, the Trader Joes plantain chips used to be compliant but now they are not. I still east them because all of the ingredients are compliant. I eat them with salsa for a snack! Whenever I eat at home all of my meals will be compliant. In N Out, Chipotle, Zoe’s, and Snap Kitchen all have whole 30 certified meals.

I also do Fit4Mom, so I am going to try my best to go Monday-Friday. When my Bible study starts back on Thursdays, I will probably skip and go for a morning run!

I am excited to start a healthier lifestyle for my family!

xoxo, Alyssa

I am a little late with my back to school post because we started school much later than everyone else! But better late than never! This was our first year at school so there was much excitement! Finley started preschool at our church’s preschool.  I had so much fun preparing all of her back to school items and I have linked everything below!

Back to school traditions

I’m a big fan of transitions. First, we started by getting her new back to school PJ’S and reading this sweet book. This book was read to me right before I geaduated high school by my theatre teacher. We will read it to Fin the night before the first day of each school year. At the end of the year, we will have her teachers sign the book.

 Next, I made this back to school breakfast as a fun way to kick off the school year! I simply added sprinkles to the pancake mixture for confetti pancakes! I threw up dome decor in the kitchen to make it more festive!

Oh, The Places You’ll Go book | Back to school pajamas | White Letter Baord| Finley plate 

Back to School Supplies 

Labels (unavailable but I linked some that are similar)| Note cards | wipe case | Bento Box | Nap mat + Lunch Box + Backpack (Bought locally from Initially Yours. They are the Oh Mint brand)

Cookies are from a local baker + I added this ribbon from Hobby Lobby

Finley’s dress (I bought on a buy/sell/trade Facebook page) | Bottom doormat  (Hobby Lobby) | Top doormat (we made it) | L door hanger (Bought locally in FW from Initially Yours)

She had a wonderful first day and we are so excited to see how much she grows this year!

I gained 70 pounds during pregnancy. 70 pounds. At first, my doctor said it was fine to eat whatever I wanted. I had severe morning sickness so I ate anything that did not make me sick. Queue pizza, cheeseburgers, and french fries. I could not eat any veggies at all. Even the thought of anything green made me sick. I started gaining 10 pounds every time I went to the doctor. Well, fast forward to when I was 30 weeks along and my doctor told me that if I didn’t start eating healthy then I would not lose the weight. I went straight to the grocery store to get some healthy-ish food. That didn’t last long because I was hospitalized when I was 32 weeks. The hospital food was awful so, I ate a lot of CFA and McDonalds.  Even after I delivered, I still craved McDonald’s. I never ate it before I was pregnant but there I was craving it every day.

Right after I delivered, I dropped 30 pounds instantly. However, because of my awful eating habits, I quickly gained 4 pounds back. I knew I had to do something or I was going to go down a path that I did not want to down. I was not allowed to work out for 6 weeks because I had a c-section. So, I decided to change my eating habits. See-ya Mcdonalds and hello Whole 30.

I lost 20 pounds on my first whole 30. I felt awesome. My problem is that when I start losing weight,  I feel good so I start having cheat meals. One cheat meal turns into 2 which turns into 3…you get the drift.

Here I am, back to square one. What a terrible feeling. 18 months postpartum and I weigh exactly what I weighed right after I delivered. I am using this blog post as my personal diary on my weight-loss journey. I am viewing this as a lifestyle change instead of a diet. I hope that through this it will encourage you to kick-start a healthy lifestyle as well!

Day 1: July 5, 2019 | 200 pounds

Today I started the whole 30. This is my third round and I’ll be the first to admit that it is hard, y’all. But it works and I always feel amazing. This is what I found to be most effective for me. I will add that I’m doing Whole 30 but not for 30 days. I am doing Whole 30 as a healthy guideline for what I can and can not eat. I did a whole 30 meal plan for 12 days. I did not work out during these 12 days. These 10 pounds were all lost from eating better.

Some of the foods that I really enjoy are:

Turkey, bacon, and mustard on a lettuce wrap (check your labels)

Hamburger with mustard in a lettuce wrap with homemade french fries

Grilled chicken with veggies

Zoe’s chicken kabobs with veggies and potato salad

Chipotle carnitas bowl with just lettuce

Salads with no dressing

fruit

Plantain chips and salsa

almond flour-coated chicken tenders

Taco salad

Day 11: July 15, 2019 | 187 pounds

I lost the first 10 pounds quickly because I had so much weight to lose. I am going to be totally honest. I use to eat ALOT. I would snack throughout the day, eat fast food whenever I wanted too, I would finish Finley’s plate when she was done, I drank a sweet tea daily, etc. It started with a mindset change.

My friend Calen told me that she started “eating to survive”. That has stuck with me. Yes, I enjoy food. However, I only need to eat when my body is telling me that it is hungry. I shouldn’t eat out of boredom or because food is right in front of me.

Is a couple of minutes of indulgence worth a couple of pounds of weight gain? Absolutely not.

I am starting on my next 10 pounds and will keep you updated! I am going to try new ways of losing weight which include different meal plans, intermittent fasting and starting to work out. Stay Tuned!

It is no secret that Finley and I love exploring our City! I am born and raised in Fort Worth and I am so thankful that I get to raise Finley here! It gets hot in Texas, Y’all. So, I have compiled a list of 15 fun play date ideas here in Fort Worth to help you beat the heat!

1.Zoo Splash Pad

2. The Happy Lark

3.Forest Park mini train

4. Waterside

5. The Zoo/Petting Zoo/Stingray Cove

6. Dream Park

7. Sundance Square Fountains

8. Benbrook Park

9. Chick-Fil-A play space

10. Kid Mania

11. Peek N Play

12. Fossil Rim

13. Host a party!

14. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

15. Benbrook Library Story Time

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to beat the heat this summer!