Weekly Startup

It’s 10:44 pm on Sunday night, I just got Krew down, and I’m sitting down to write this with some ice cream and wine (perfect combo). Plus, I’m writing this from my phone because our MacBook is currently broken, so here we go!

Goodmorning, good afternoon, good evening (depending on when you’re reading this) and happy Monday!!

Krew has Monday vibes on lock. But seriously, it’s a new week with new goals. Make it great.

Holy moly I feel like this week flew by faster than I could blink! Anyone else?? But we’re one week closer to Halloween, then shortly after is Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and before we know it we’re gonna be in 2020! Time needs to slow down, but man am I excited for holiday festivities as a little family! This is mine and Brandon and Krew’s first holiday season together because he was deployed last year. It’s also our first holiday season in our own home, so decorating for Fall was fun and we’re super excited to decorate for Christmas! We’ve decided to decorate small this year and add to it each year!

Brandon worked this Saturday until 3:00 pm, so I did some stuff around the house (and realized how desperately we need to reorganize our drawers and closet when I was putting clothes away). I also received a package from Overnight Oats that I cannot wait to try and let you guys know all about them! We didn’t do anything fancy Saturday night, just some take-out wings and Toy Story 4. We ain’t complaining because we all love low key chill family nights! Toy Story 4 was good, but I personally didn’t think it was as good as the other three, but it was still enjoyable and Krew liked it! What’d y’all think of it? Sunday we ran a few errands and visited a pumpkin patch, so that was a fun “Fall-y” day!

I did get some exciting news at the beginning of this weekend, which was getting accepted into LIKEtoKNOW.it. I’m going to post a blog post or hop in Instagram and show you guys more about how to use this!! This means you can shop all my looks, items I use and love, or Krew and Brandon wear/use all in one place! I linked the photo below to the app for easy access! You can download the app, follow me (cassgammons) and click on photos I post, where I will have all the items in the photo linked for you to be able to shop! I can also post sales and fun things like that, which is perfect for holiday shopping! I’m so so excited and grateful that I get to do this and it’s because of all of you guys’ support. I literally screamed when I got the email that I was accepted! Thank you times a million!! Love all of y’all. Seriously.

This week or weekend coming up I’m going to do some Halloween themed desserts, and another pumpkin craft with Krew. Oh, that reminds me, with holidays coming up, I’m going to be creating a ‘Holiday’ tab under the menu section here on the blog for all things holiday (recipes, crafts, outfits, gift guides, decor). I’ve got some super exciting ideas and things coming for all of that!

So now that I’ve rambled my heart out, let’s jump into this Monday with full force!

Some Quotes to Get You Through the Week:

“There’s always something to be thankful for.” // Seriously, think about this. No matter what the situation, there is always something. Drinking water, able to move, able to shower, coffee in the morning, you have a car/house, food to eat, clothes on your body, laundry to do, dishes to eat off of, a dog that loves you, family, a job, the list goes on and on. Think about what you’re grateful for.

“Visualize your best self. Start showing up every day as her/him.” // This one is powerful because I truly believe in speaking about goals and dreams as if they’re already happening. For example, you can say “I want to start a business.” Or you can say “I’m starting a business.” Whether you are or not, words have power in them and when you speak it, it makes it become more real. Do the same as yourself. Think about yourself in the best way you can and start being that person.

“Be kind, ridiculously, radically, endlessly kind.” // This is a no brainer but has so much power behind it. Be kind. It’s not hard to compliment someone, flash a smile, hold a door for someone. Be a part of someone’s good day.

“Hocus pocus, I need coffee to focus.” // Don’t we all?? I’ll leave you with this quote because approaching Halloween, it is perfect!

Random Thoughts and Tips

So I mentioned how this is mine and Brandon’s first holiday season together, and this tip is saving us! When you’re out and about, start picking up random items you will need for the holidays. This goes for cooking or decorations! Pick up some extra sugar, canned items, butter, extra drinks for the guest, hand towels, candles, decor you like, literally anything that you can randomly pick up, do it! This saves money from taking a hit all at once, and stress/time on you if your decorating, cooking, hosting, or any of it!

I’ve been thinking about Thanksgiving more and more this week and I’m thinking of putting together a cheaper and less fancy version of a cheese board. *cue me spending hours on Pinterest looking at all the cheese board inspo* + I also want to make a fun festive punch for the holidays! I’m open to all the advice and recipes for these!

Today, (and everyday if you want) look in the mirror and say mantras to yourself. “I am kind. I am strong. I am beautiful. I am sweet. I am loved. I am a good mom. I am a good wife. I am smart.” This goes back to how powerful words are. Use them right and they are so strong guys!

The lip combo I’ve been wear so often has been a drugstore combo! It’s the NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner in the shade softspoken topped with the NYX Butter Gloss in the shade creme brûlée.

With the holidays coming F A S T, I have a super important piece of advice. Eat the damn dessert. Yes, I said it. Do not starve yourself or deprive yourself of the yummy joys of the holidays. Also, don’t stress it!! You will probably miss some workouts and eat some bad stuff at this time of year coming, and it’s okay. You’ll get back to working out and eating clean, but don’t rob yourself of enjoying those things in life. Pick back up and get back on track the next day, that’s the key, don’t indulge every single day, but a few days in the holidays won’t make or break you. It’s called balance.

Quick + Budget Friendly Dinner Ideas

• Cauliflower stir fry from Trader Joe’s
• Rotisserie chicken, buns, cheese or toppings if you want // this makes about 6-8 sandwiches for the fridge and you can eat on them for a few days!
• 3 chicken breast, salsa, cheese, tortillas // boil and pull apart the chicken, mix the chicken and a jar of salsa in a pot on the stove, build chimichangas, (sprinkle cheese and chicken mixture in a tortilla and roll them) and bake them! This makes 10-12 and are also good for days!
• Quick spaghetti (noodles and jar of sauce) always works
• Frozen pizza and bag salad // this is simple and could be fun for family or kids if you want to add your own spin to pizza night by adding your own toppings!

Sales and Finds

QVC // different deals all the time + great gift options

Overnight oats // they gave me a code for you guys! code: CASSIDY10

Shutterfly // great gift options, personalized gifts, always running great coupon codes and sales

Billie // not a sale, just a great deal and item I LOVE

Target // 50% off select costumes

American Eagle and Aerie // 60% off clearance, $20 off $75+, $30 off $125+, $40 off $150+ code: NEWNOW

Okay, we’ve got a busy week ahead. Krew has his first dentist appointment today and then his one year check up appointment later this week. Also, I’m going to be picking up ball pit balls, and magnets all day today because they’re in every nook and cranny of this house! If you have a baby or toddler, a ball pit is a great gift option as well!! I can’t believe Halloween is next week!! Whew, time is flying and it doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to slow it down y’all. We might as well hop on and enjoy the ride each day.

I’m just a mama sending out good vibes for your Monday.