JCP FAVS December edition

Current JCP Favs

Hey y'all! Im so excited for todays post as I am sharing some of my favorite picks from JCPenneys. Personally JcPenneys has a big part of my heart as I worked at JCPenneys when I was in high school and in college. As I have always been a fan of high low fashion Penneys is know to have AMAZING essentials and some great trendy pieces! And y'all they definetly never disappoint!!

1. Monochromatic Set

Y'all this set hands down is my favorite piece that I picked up! I have always been obsessed with the monochrome look but I was nervous to try the trend as I wasn't sure of the correct tone. And this set is my absolute fav as it really does highlight my skin tone.

This set is by the brand STYLUS and even comes in this gorgeous charcoal color. I just picked up the "heather grey" today because I really love the camel color.  For the pants and top click here.

2. Pull On Legging

Okay these leggings are so flattering and I consider them my essentials. They go so well with boots and with a dressy top! I wear them all season and they really flatter and hide and highlight in the perfect way!! MUST HAVE!! click here to shop these fabulous leggings!

3. Chic Chaqueta 

This is a new addition, hot off the press as I haven't even had a chance to take blogger photos for this jacket. But I can tell that this jacket is going to be a great addition to an all black outfit as its structure is so chic and understated but still a statement maker! This jacket comes in this beige and black color.

4. Chic Grey Dress

Buttons, extra long and flattering!! Need I say more? This dress is one of my favs and I even got it on sale. buttons on buttons buttons! To shop for this look click here!

And yes these boots are from ShoeDazzle, and I would buy them over and over again as they are the perfect touch of dazzle!! This dress I was able to snag on Clearance this is the link for the online version.

5. Long Sleeve Tees 

This is another essential that I buy every season as I just love the feeling of a soft new basic tee! I usually wear the 3/4 sleeve as the tops are the perfect weight, there are so many color choices and is perfect for layering. its currently on sale for less than $7!! Click here to view this essential top!

Thanks so much for stopping by and let me know what you think of these great buys from JCP!!

Day Three Of Gratitude Challenge

#DayThree

"Take your dog on an extra long walk"

This photo is one of my favs as it has Stella &&& a beautiful sunset 🌅 ! Stella has started to run with me more lately and she has been keeping up  surprisingly and pushing me to cut down my mile time! This run was so great as it helped me alleviate some work stress and Thanksgiving holiday prepping! 

Just one hour with my pup makes such a difference! I'm so grateful Stella likes to be my running buddy 🐶 

My fur babies are such bright lights in my daily life and I know I would be a lot more stressed and a bit more grumpy without they're sweet puppy kisses! 🐶 

Comment below:

A memorable dog walk you've had this past year? Or Comment YES Dogwalk if you plan to setup an intentional dog walk this weekend!

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#TenDaysofGratitude #brightlysoo #karenleisha

Day 1 of #TenDaysofGratitude

💙🤍How bout them, Cowboys, 💙🤍

Today is Day One of the Ten Days of Gratitude Challenge.  And i'm soooooo grateful to have witnessed that kickass game on Sunday!! As I've always been a football 🏈 fan, how could I not be... being a Texan?? But I was married into being a Cowboys Fan!! On Sunday I was nothing but grateful to experience that game as there were so many moments from the game that will make it go down as one of the best of all time!!

What did you experience over the weekend that you're grateful for?

What sports teams do you like yo cheer on?

What sports or any moments of sports brought you joy this year?

Take a moment and savor those memories......

So excited for the next 10 days of the gratitude challenge. I feel like we can all get too busy during the holidays and it's so important to take time, pause and appreciate all of the goodness around us!!

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#karenleisha #brightlysoo

New Month Who Dis #November

Can y'all believe it's already a new month?!! 

Is it just me or does it feel like the perfect month is ahead when the 1st falls on a Monday? 

Y'all this month for me is going to be crazy!! I have a planned trip to Europe and a couple of events planned that I have been working on for the past couple of months! Feeling grateful is an understatement!

Also in honor of Thanksgiving 🦃 this month I'll be doing a Gratitude Challenge. I have found that intentionally practicing gratitude has really been monumental to my energy and mindset especially in the midst of busyness and distractions. This month is a great reminder that we all have sooooo much to be grateful for! So stay tuned!

#HappyNovember y'all 🍁

til next time,

Key Pieces to Transition Summer to Fall Effortlessly 2021 Edition

Key Pieces to Transition Summer to Fall Effortlessly

Hey y'all today on the blog I'm sharing several fashion pieces that are essential for your wardrobe as we navigate this summery fall season! 

#1 Leather Jackets

Leather jackets are my go to. I wear them over summer dresses and even pair with tall over the knew boots! 

Also paired with my blue jeans it's a great combo for a night out!!

I prefer differently textured and color jackets while a classic brown and black instantly warms up any outfit!

#2 Hats, Hats, Hats,

Wearing a fall hat in a neutral color is a perfect add-on to any summer outfit. 

HAT ADDED = INSTANT FALL LOOK 

#3 Cardigan

Adding a cardigan to a summer slip dress is perfect for fall! 

I have a couple of cute silky slim dresses that are going to be so easy to dress up for fall!

#4 Layered up!

Adding additional layers to summer styles can make a summer slip dress or top look more fall! 

#5 Blue Jean Jackets

Being a Texas Girl I love big blue jean jackets! They are what I usually search for immediately when I go thrfiting! The bigger the better lol!

FYI: This photo above takes me so far back to the beginning of my blogging journey! It's crazy because I started the blog 10 years ago as a part of a blogging assignment and it's absolutely incredible to think about the whole journey! I truly can't believe what a blessing this blog has been for me! To be able to pour out my heart and express myself creatively and authentically is all that I could ever ask for!

 

Thank you for checking out my post! 

COMMENT BELOW if you have another essential you like to add to your summer wardrobe to make it instantly  fall!

Til next time, 

🏡 WE BOUGHT OUR DREAM🏡 HOME

                            

We have waited long enough and are sooooo ecstatic to announce that we have bought our forever home last month.  

We have been working on renovations and I will unveil them soon!! This was the craziest summer and we are just so grateful that we were able to purchase our dream home especially in this current market!  

As soon as we went under contract we couldn't sleep that night as it was totally surreal.

This home has been a dream of both of our families. My daddy told me that when he was a kid his mom my grandma would tell him about the homes in this neighborhood.  Feeling so blessed and just grateful is an understatement. 

I'll be sharing updates on the renovations and what we plan to do with our previous home soon!  

It was so overwhelming with renovations and the house closing and I truly can't believe how much we were able to tackle so quickly. 

I'll be sharing updates of the journey as I know I was overwhelmed with the positive news and I had a myriad of complex emotions in regards to achieving this dream. For me, it felt like such a summation of me and Michael's efforts for the past year but also the summation of our parents and parents' hard work ethic and dreaming. As a realtor, I never would have thought of a home having such depth and meaning as it has felt this past month as I wasn't the guide but I was in the driver's seat!

What a blessing it has been and thank you for all of the support and following along of my journey.

#TuesdayThoughts Rolled Ankle 😔🙄

#TuesdayThoughts August Edition

What a week! I had another planned post for today but I wanted to keep my feed real and genuine and have it truly reflect my life. 

Soooooo last week was a total shell shock as my clumsy self went and rolled my ankle. 

And yes I did have these amazing killer heels on BUT that doesn't mean I deserved that fall 😂 

😫 I truly didn't know that an ankle sprain could hurt so bad and it was a BIG test of my mental strength and toughness. And I can graciously say I have definitely developed a tougher mindset this year because it was extremely tough to not be able to walk around let alone do my job this past week. But  I am so grateful for the amazing epiphany I experienced as an entrepreneur as there truly was no other way I could have learned this lesson. Grateful that today was a semi-normal day and I was able to do a house 🏡 tour and am grateful that I have my health. I Truly have a new perspective on the little things in life and can say I am grateful to be able to walk even if I look like a stumbling giraffe 🦒.

"Every setback is a setup for a comeback"

2021 Summer Essentials

2021 Summer Essentials

Hey yall it has been a looooooong minute since I have posted a blog post! And yall the summer has been so crazy with good things that I haven't had a chance to catch up! This summer alone I feel like I have been outside more often than the previous 3 years combined and for some reason, it seems like it's much hotter than normal as well. This is what inspired me to do today's post as I have been sweating my 🍑 off and I knew I had to implement some new strategies to stay feeling fresh and polished.  Because as an entrepreneur and realtor you never want your competition to see you sweat!

#1 Hydrate....baby

There is no way I could leave this essential off the list as H20 is the tried and true essential in over 100 degree Texas Heat! I personally have a preference for water choices and I have been consuming more Fuji, Smartwater, and Ozarka water. Whenever I start to feel sluggish or tired usually its beecause I'm feeling dehydrated. I encourage you to up your water intake during the summer months. There are some cool apps like Plant Nanny and HydroCoach.

#2 Lighter Colors & Lighter Layers

Personally, I lean towards brighter colors all year round as white and creams are my power colors. But during the summer I have more whites in my wardrobe. They say that the summer shines more on darker colors. Regarding fabrics, I lean more towards lighter-weight fabrics but ones that won't broadcast sweat marks and stains. Nothing like walking into a presentation and having sweaty armpits before the presentation starts. 

DOs

• Linen 
• Chambray
• Bamboo
• Silk
• Cotton

DONTs 

•  Polyester
• Rayon

#3 Stress-Proof & Sweatproof Deodorant

Yall, I have no shame admitting that  I have been searching for years for the best deodorant! My dreams were achieved when my sister Ada recommended this amazing deodorant called.... drumroll, please

Clinical Strength Secret Stress Response 48 Hr Clear Gel

This is definitely my #1 essential. I will not survive an hour outside without this essential. Click here to shop for this game-changing deodorant.  

#4 Primer, Primer, Primer

My tried and true primer is STILL clutch!! Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer. The photo above is the old packaging. The new name is Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating.

This primer hydrates my skin AND allows me to use less foundation. It's as if the foundation melts into my skin. The important step is to not forget to apply the primer after you moisturize.

#5 SETTING SPRAY!!

If you don't remember anything else from this post remember to get a quality setting spray! This is essential not to skimp on as the setting spray combined with this quality Laura Mercier primer this combo helps with keeping your makeup fresher longer. Click here to shop this Urban Decay Deslick setting spray.

#6 Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses cut the UV rays that reach your eyes. They usually cost more but its definitely worth the splurge if you have lighter colored eyes. When your sunglasses are polarized sometimes when you look at your car dash the display can be scrambled but that's the only inconvenience I've encountered. My favorite sunglass retailers are Maui Jim and Ray Ban (Ray Bans that are polarized will have a P on the Ray B logo.)

Click here to shop these gorgeous Ray Ban Aviators

BONUS:

Deodorant Sheets

These sheets have been a lifesaver especially if I'm in need of some refreshing mid-day. My favorite fragrance is the coconut milk by Pacifica.

Click here to shop this inexpensive option.

HATS HATS HATS

Hats are my favorite accessory when the temps rise as it helps me keep my face out of the sun and adds that extra oomph to my outfit! (This is a throwback photo from my early days of blogging!)

Thank yall to everyone who has read til the very end!! Hope this list helps you the next time you are in the grocery store. If you are in Texas best believe we have at least another 2 months of this heat!

til next time,

#TravelBug && Feeling all the Feels

☀️Take Me Back ☀️

Anyone else feeling the travel bug? ✈️ 

I have been given half of the vaccine( dose 1 of 2) and I can already feel the travel bug taking over!

I find it personally so interesting as I didn't feel the travel bug until after I was partially vaccinated. It was like a sense of peace and ease had settled over me as I had to delay the shot because of an unexpected emergency surgery (which I will get into it in another post). As I originally was booked for the first shot on April 1st but I didn't end up receiving the first dosage until the first week of June.

I feel like the discomfort and uneasiness of this whole pandemic has forced me to continually process difficult feelings and truly understand and respect my feelings when they come up. This in turn has caused me to truly feel all of the range of emotions. So when I feel GOOD, I KNOW I FEEL GOOD!! 

This gift of truly feeling was such a wonderful gift from the pandemic!

I also realize that I really really really really miss traveling!  Last year I remember being so anxious about possibly making summer plans as there was no guarantee that travel was possible!

ohhhhh how I miss the sound of an airplane on the runway.....

ohhh how I miss the sound of the refreshment carts wheel going down the aisle of an airplane....

oh how I miss the blissful feeling of the airplane leaving the roadway and taking me into the sky to an unknown place with limitless possibilities.....

Ohhh how I miss the pilot's announcement that we had landed safely at the destination and the immediate tension I felt in trying to rush off the plane and skip the cramped lines when boarding off the plane...

It's incredible all of the little things I miss and appreciate now!

I haven't flown on a plane since March 2020 and I'm truly counting down the weeks, minutes, and seconds until I can fully be transported to an unknown destination with unlimited possibilities!!✈️