1. Cheer

Starting watching this show after I heard Ellen raving about it, and to say I'm obsessed would be an understatement. Since binge watching this six episode docs-series, I've started following the cast on Instagram, learned all the gym lingo, and I've been practicing my herkie to show Monica (the head coach) one day. 

2. Urban Decay Eyeshadow

I still have my OG Naked pallet from probably five years ago, but unfortunately the color "Naked" was one of the first ones to go because I used it so much. Luckily, Urban Decay offers singles of all of their eyeshadows. At $20 a pop, the singles are a little pricey, but this matte nude shade is the perfect everyday color. 

3. Power Slim Straight Jeans

The perfect jeans for spring. Love the fit, the color, the length, and the distressing.

4 Jeweled Sandals

Bought these last year and wore them all summer long! They go with everything and are the perfect amount of glitz. So happy they've been restocked this year!

5. Bombshell Perfume 

Been wearing this fragrance since smelling it on a classmate in college (and immediately purchasing it after she told me the name). I recently had someone tell me how good I smelled and ask me what I was wearing, and it reminded me of how much I love this scent! It's feminine and flirty without being overpowering. 

6. Utility Jacket

An olive green utility jacket it a must for spring in my book! I love layering it over more feminine styles like white lace or florals to really balance out a spring look. 

7. Nightfall album by Little Big Town

For some reason, I love listening to country music the most in the spring and summer. This new album is the perfect blend of fun and melancholy and is a great way to ring in the spring season. 

8. Massager

Somebody brought one of these to the break room at work recently, and now the entire OR staff has purchased one! 😂

9. Star Sneakers

Significantly cheaper than some of the designer brands out there and just as cute! 

10. Filigree Earrings

A perfect spring accessory that's under $10. 

11. "I Hate Winter" sweatshirt

Because once all the holidays are over, I'm really just counting down the days till spring. 

12. Matrix Miracle Creator

I spray this on my damp hair before combing it out. It works wonders! Moisturizes my hair (especially after getting it highlighted) without weighing it down. 

13. White Lace Dress

I just love white lace in the springtime. This sweet little dress is only $30 and would be perfect for Easter or any bridal/baby showers you may have coming up. 

14. Wine Bottle Opener

After finally getting fed up with the janky wine bottle opener I bought forever ago, I splurged on this bad boy. It's seriously legit. And so much fun to use!

15. The Betchelor Podcast

I've touched on how much I love this podcast before, but it really is so funny. I almost look forward to it more than actually watching The Bachelor. Friendly tip though: probably not appropriate to listen to with kids in the car. 

XOXO, 

Abby

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*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

Say what you will about Valentine's Day being invented by the candy companies, but I LOVE IT! I've always been a sucker for cutesy gifts and romantic gestures, so Valentine's Day is right up my alley.
And even more so than Valentine's Day, I love GALENTINE'S DAY! 

If you're not familiar, Galentine's Day is a holiday made up by Leslie Knope (not a real person) on Parks and Rec (TV show that you must watch). It's usually celebrated on February 13th and spent with all of your best gal pals. I don't know about you, but I've honestly always gotten WAY better Valentine treats from the women in my life than I have from any men - nothing surprising there. I specifically remember a year in college when I and most of my roomies were single. We got each other more gifts - cards, flowers, dinner at The Cheesecake Factory - that year than any of our coupled friends got, and I enjoyed every second of it. Until I almost threw up from eating too many chocolates...

Today, I'm partnering with The Pink Lily Boutique to share two cute and casual looks that would be perfect for a Galentine's Day date. And I'll also give you some fun ideas on ways to spend G-Day with your BFFs!

Tee / Similar Cardigan / Similar Jeans / Similar Booties

Sweater / Similar Jeans / Similar Hat / Similar Booties

13 Galentine's Day Ideas:

1. Head to brunch...preferably somewhere with bottomless Mimosas, obvi!

2. Get massages! I've been dying to go to this spa in Nashville, but Greg will never go. Where my Galentines at???

3. Mani/Pedi's

4. Grab coffee and then go shopping

5. Take a day trip somewhere new

6. Send flowers

7. Pizza and Rom Com Night

8. Get blowouts and hit up happy hour

9. Go to a workout class together and dinner afterwards
10. Get tickets to a concert
11. Visit a winery
12. Catch the latest chick flick at the movies (and share a vat of popcorn)

13. ALL OF THE ABOVE?!?


fun galentine gift ideas

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

Hi, my sweet e-friends! Hope you all have had a prosperous New Year so far. As many of you may know, I took a brief hiatus from social media (particularly Instagram and Facebook) while I participated in 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. This is something that my church does twice a year. We were all encouraged to fast from something in our lives for 21 days and spend the time normally spent doing said "thing" instead communing with God in some way. Up until now, I'd never joined in. 

Thanks to a new women's study group I've also become a part of over the last year, I have been learning more about the Holy Spirit and His presence in my life. During all the excess surrounding the holiday season, I was feeling lead to take a break from the socials anyway. When they announced at church one Sunday in December that 21 Days was coming up, I knew now was my time. 

So, starting January 6th, I deleted my Instagram and Facebook apps. I jotted down some ideas of things to do to when I was stumped on how to fill the time I usually spent online: pray (obvi), read, declutter, call someone, etc. And, I ventured forward with high hopes. 

21 Days later, here's some of the things I learned.

earrings / sweater

I didn't miss it.

Sure, the first few days I caught myself picking up my phone to open the Instagram app an embarrassing number of times. But after a while, I got used to it, and I truly enjoyed the break. I found myself finally finishing things that I'd been neglecting for months. I deleted THOUSANDS of old blog pictures from the cloud that never made it to a post. I finished the PBS docu-series on Country Music that I started in October. I cleaned out my closet a bit and made several sales on Poshmark. I felt more engaged at work. My marriage grew stronger. I slept deeper (as evidenced by the intensely vivid dreams I've had almost every. single. night.) I realized how much I loved my own life and the material things I've been blessed with. I didn't feel near as much jealousy, nor did I envy what others had. I felt less stressed overall, and my spiritual life was refreshed. 

It wasn't a cure all.

About a week into all of this, I was feeling overall more positive vibes in my life. However, while I felt no longing for social media, I also didn't feel like I'd had any Spiritual growth...which was sort of the whole point. I had an epiphany one night in bed (or dare I say the Spirit suggested to me) that I was just filling the time I normally spent on the internet with other stuff to keep me busy. The phrase, "stop being so busy," came to my mind.
I've been trying really hard to be ok with not multitasking. To be ok with just sitting and having a long conversation with someone. Or spending time in God's presence or enjoying His creation and not worrying about the things I think I need to be doing. It's still a work in progress, but I've been trying to intentionally not overfill my plate with things that really aren't important. 

I'm worried about coming back. 

Ok, let's back up...when I first started Abbylish, almost 2 years ago, I honestly viewed it as a potential career change. I had big dreams of leaving the nursing profession and working for myself making six figures, rolling in brand deals and hundreds of thousands of followers. Instagram would have you believe that most other millennials are doing just that!

So while I was preparing for this "big life change," I did offer up a prayer or two because I wanted God to bless this endeavor and to make sure that fashion blogging would be a Christlike career (I went to a Christian college, and in nursing school, they really tried to push the idea that as nurses we were the hands and feet of Jesus. So let's just say choosing a "Godly profession" was heavily emphasized during my formative years...maybe too much so). I took the plunge though, without really waiting for an answer from God, and I gave it my all. 

After months of frustration, self doubt, comparison, self-induced stress, and a little bit of fun here and there, I came to the realization that Abbylish is just a hobby for me, and I'm most definitely better off. Full time influencers are LITERALLY full time. Like 24/7 full time. They are subjected to some of the cruelest comments I've ever read. I even started thinking about how I would manage my time if I worked for myself. I can't imagine it going well. 😳

On top of all that, all of the things you have to do to "grow" your online presence and therefore gain more business, is baffling to me. You need lots of followers, but you also need followers who are engaged. So you better engage with others to get them to engage back! Comment! Like! Save! Share!

I can't tell you how many times I've created a post about something very heartfelt, and all of the comments are "cute shirt, babe!" It's nobody's fault, really. Unfortunately, it's just how the game is played. But the disingenuousness and inauthenticity of it all was just starting to wear me down. 

All that being said, I'm a little hesitant to return! I'm concerned about promoting consumerism and materialism. I've always enjoyed fashion and shopping, but you don't need the shoes, and I'm tired of telling you that you do. I'm also concerned about protecting my marriage. I realized how selfish I've been in practically forcing my husband to take part in my hobby. He's been so helpful since Day 1 with taking all of my photos and building my website. But he doesn't enjoy it. And, I'd rather spend our weekends doing something together that we both love instead of gallivanting all over town to take outfit pics. And finally, social media itself, although not an inherently bad thing, yields to feelings of discontent. I love our home. I love the clothes in my closet. I love the trips we take. But when I see what others have, even others I know and love, I somehow feel like mine's not enough.

.

In the end, I will always enjoy fashion, styling outfits, and sharing where I got cute pieces. 

 I enjoy sharing blog posts like these with the ten of you who read them. 😉 I enjoy using social media to express creativity and to connect with people in my own city and in cities all over the world. I like taking pretty pictures and encouraging others to try something new.

I'm still on the fence about it all. I'm wary of jumping back in but also fearful of walking away completely. Prayers are appreciated while I work through some of these emotions and thoughts. Just wanted to give you all an update and be as transparent as possible! 

I also encourage every singe one of you to take a break from social media every so often. Whether it's a week, a month, or a year, I guarantee you will emerge from the experience refreshed and renewed. Let me know if you try it!! 

XOXO, 

Abby



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*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

So I realize I'm a little late...Oprah always shared her favorite things before Christmas. But that's like literally the only difference between me and Oprah. 

Anyway, I had an idea the other day to share some of the things (clothing, beauty products, home goods, etc.) that I'm currently loving. I was initially just going to share five (as that's my favorite number), but once I got started, I realized I actually have a few more things that I think are really worth your time. Fourteen to be exact!

Keep scrolling to see the things I'm obsessing over at the moment. Best part: everything is $100 and under, and most items are less than $50!

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

Last year, we went to a 90s cover band concert in Nashville and then had breakfast at Monell's after midnight. The year before that, Greg and I got in the worst fight we've ever been in 😂 (story for another day), and the year before THAT, we had a pajama party at our house. 

All of the NYEs before that are a bit of a blur, but I know they've always been spent surrounded by friends and family. 

I can't remember how I rang in 2010, the first year of this decade. But I'm excited to start the new one, even if it's on the couch in my jams. Maybe it's the fact that I'm in my late 20s, but starting a whole new decade seems to carry a lot more weight than it did in 2010.

Praying for a prosperous and blessing-filled decade, for myself, and for each and every one of you! Can't wait to see where we're all at this time in 2029!

XOXO, 

Abby



more great ideas

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*

I LOVE dressing for the holidays, but I've found that there's a fine line between a little holiday glitz and looking like Kat and Garth.

Subtlety is usually best. 

Luckily, Maurices is killing the holiday attire game. They have pieces to fit everyone's style, size, and budget. And the best part is, a ton of it is on sale today for Cyber Monday!

Keep scrolling to check out some of my favorite holiday looks from Maurices.
And don't forget to check out the Holiday Fashion tab on my blog that I'm consistently updating with more great holiday styles.

*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

However, I simply promote the brands and products that I love, and all opinions are my own.*