Life Update + Answering Your Questions

Ohhhh, my friends! It’s been a hot second since I’ve done one of these life update posts, and I just decided IT. WAS. TIME! I feel like things have been a whirlwind lately, and I can barely keep up with my own life, let alone keep you all in the loop! Do you ever feel that way? I have to admit, I didn’t think I would feel this way in the empty nest, but here I am! 😊 Repeat after me…busyness is a blessing…busyness is a blessing!

Amazon Pink Ladylike Cardigan | White Crew Neck Long Sleeve Tee | Talbots Patch Pocket High Waist Jeans | Ruched Handbag | SUZY Necklace | “S” Earrings

When I run into ENB followers, I get the most thoughtful and sweet questions! From how the grandbaby is (I can hardly believe she’s one! 🎂) to if we’re finished remodeling the Waco loft! (Yes!) I love it so much, and I’m grateful that you care! I didn’t realize I was so behind with updates, but when I reflect on the past couple of months, I feel like everything has been a bit of a blur! So let’s dive in and get this update underway!

Waco Loft

It’s finally finished! I was actually there for several days recently, and I FORGOT 🫣🫤 to take the photos I needed for a post with all the details. I promise I will do it this coming week and get a full post to you within the month. Meanwhile, here’s a little sneak peek. This is our bedroom and my bedside table! I used a designer to help me with furnishings, so I don’t have details on everything, but I linked what I sourced myself!

Bed | Cooling Sheets (WE love these affordable Amazon best-sellers!) | Temper-Cloud Mattress | Navy Ladder Stitch Duvet Cover | My Bedside Humidifier (SO high maintenance! 😂) | Pink White Noise Machine (Again with the high maintenance!🤣) | White Phone/Watch/AirPods Charging Station | Cotton Rope Woven Medium Basket with Handles

A quick rundown: Our tiny little loft is just 853 sq. feet! It’s super cozy and adorable. I wanted it to look very different from our home in Dallas so it would feel like a refreshing getaway every time we visited! Since it’s a small space, I used a navy/pink/white color scheme throughout for cohesiveness.

Sanibel Island Condos

If you’ve been hanging around here for a while now, you probably remember that we own two condos in Sanibel Island, Florida. When Category 4 Hurricane Ian hit the island on September 28, 2022, our condos sustained significant damage. Because they were on the second floor, they didn’t flood, but the storm surge knocked out power and a/c to the resort, and without power and a/c for nearly a year, the contents are full of moisture. (Thus, a total loss.)

SOoooo, I’ve been working on that reconstruction and redesign project as well as the Waco loft. 🫤 It’s been…a lot.😧 The condos should be finished by late summer this year, and we’re so ready to get back to our beautiful beach!

Babylove

Our sweet grandbaby, Lily, is one! I can hardly believe it. I don’t see her nearly as often as I would like because she lives almost an hour away. I DO get to see her next week, and I’m so excited! She’s starting to walk and talk. She has yet to say “LouLou,” but trust me, training will commence next week! 🩷

Health News

Y’all, you know we’re old when I have to include a special section on health updates in my life update post! 🤣

Honestly, I almost left it out. But I knew I had to include it.

I’ve noticed when I meet ENB followers, they tend to think my life is kinda perfect.😕Not true, my friends! Listen to your friend Suzy! At our age, everybody has something, and I’m no different!

The biggest thing I deal with is that I have an auto-immune disease called lupus, and it affects pretty much everything in my life on a daily basis, from my exercise and diet to my need for a daily nap. Nobody wants to have a disease with its own non-profit organization 🤣, but there ya go!

This January, I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. (YES! Another disease with its own non-profit organization! 🤣) At 58, I’m young to be diagnosed with it, but being caucasian, small-boned, and immune-compromised does pre-dispose me. I’ve always taken calcium and vitamin D and done lots of weight-bearing exercise, but because up to 85% of the risk is hereditary, it can often happen anyway. We tried one daily injectable 💉 treatment 🙄, but I had an allergic reaction, so now I’m going to try an injection that is administered every six months.

I don’t share any of this to ask for sympathy, but rather to remind you that photos and videos (or in-person meetings, for that matter) don’t show everything! I think we all tend to “fill in the blanks” when we look at other people’s lives, and I don’t know about you, but somehow I always fill in those blanks by thinking their lives are way better than mine.

My friends, everyone is struggling with something, whether it’s a prodigal child, a troubled marriage, a mental health issue, or a scary diagnosis. I know that nothing comes my way that doesn’t first pass through the hands of the One who created me and loves me beyond measure. We can choose to live lives of joy and gratitude, despite living with our something (or, more likely, somethings). And if you have a non-profit organization to turn to for support and encouragement, all the better! 😂

What I’m Watching & Reading

After getting so frustrated with the offerings out there, I finally signed up for a FREE 7-day Trial of Pure Flix! I liked it so much that I subscribed. I’m really enjoying the content! I love knowing that nothing I see will offend me. They not only have Hallmark-style movies but also other content. Right now for example, I’m watching best-selling author and investigative journalist Lee Strobel talking about the evidence he found for the afterlife. It’s based on his book, The Case for Heaven (which I loved so much). The movie about his book, The Case for Christ, is a personal favorite!

I’m currently reading the sweetest book my daughter gave me for Christmas! It’s called Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak, by Shannon Bream. I’m also using Thirty-One Days of Praise by Ruth & Warren Myers in my quiet times in the mornings, and it’s brought such wonderful joy to that time.

Up next:

1. Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America’s Future by Jean M. Twenge
2. The Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse – My friend, Beth (not to be confused with my assistant Beth), told me I needed to read this book. When a friend tells you that you need a “Dopamine Detox,” you listen! 😧🫣

Empty Nest Blessed

After spending November and December on mostly holiday content, it’s been so nice to share other types of content with you! Personally, I always like to refocus and regroup a little in January! Do you?

I’ve loved sharing posts on fitness, makeup, and skincare, as well as a post on how to use the LTK app (because people ask me about it all the time!) and a SO in the KNOW, of course! This year, for the first time, we also created a full-scale Guide to Valentine’s Day, with ideas for Valentine’s fashion, decor, gifts, and even date night ideas! I hope you’ve enjoyed it all! Let me know in the comments if there’s something you’d like to see me write about in the upcoming months, okay?

In the works right now: ENB’s Spring & Summer Style Guide! We’ll be sharing posts on the trending colors, styles, shoes, and accessories you’ll see everywhere this year! (Also, a post on my Waco Loft post! I promise!) See a sneak peek at some trending styles from the Spring & Summer Style Guide below!

One hot trend for spring: the Ladylike Cropped Cardigan! This pink one has the prettiest trim, and I love the pearl buttons! It’s right on Amazon, and it comes in other colors. It looks very high-end! I’m wearing an XS.

At first glance, you might think of pairing a ladylike cardigan with a full skirt and kitten slingback pumps, but the freshest way to wear it is to pair it with straight leg high waist jeans! How fun is that?

Oh, and BTW, the kitten heels (especially slingbacks) and cap-toe shoes (especially cap-toe ballet flats!) are also trending for spring!

Stay tuned for more, and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss a bit of the spring style scoop, okay?

January Best Sellers

LEFT: Amazon Ruffle Neck & Wrist Button-Up Sweater (Lots of color options on this + it’ 37% off right now! I own it in three colors.) Fits TTS. Watch the Instagram Reel HERE.
MIDDLE: Talbots High Rise, Wide Leg, Patch Pocket Jeans. (25% off through Sunday!) These are super cute and flattering, and they fit TTS. My Instagram followers went crazy over these this week! Watch the Instagram Reel HERE.
RIGHT: Amazon Cropped Flannel Shacket (Lots of different color/plaid options + a 15% off coupon is available on it right now.) Fits TTS.

Best Weekend Sales

AMAZON | Swimsuits are currently trending on Amazon, and they’ve got lots of them on sale! Browse HERE! A few to note: This best-selling one-piece has a high waist and a supportive top. I also really like THIS one-piece. It’s a swim dress but doesn’t look old-ladyish🤭.)

LOFT | Up to 40% off all full-price styles + tops & sweaters starting at $25.

NORDSTROM | Up to 50% off in their Winter Sale! Use the left sidebar to filter for size, brand, color, etc. Always FREE shipping/returns.

NORDSTROM RACK | Up to 50% off premium brands like Veronica Beard, Stuart Weitzman, rag & bone, Vince, and more!

OLD NAVY | New arrivals from $6! I don’t usually link to them, but if you’re wanting in on the wide-leg pants/jeans trend without committing too much $$$, they have so many at really good prices! Browse HERE.

TALBOTS | 25% off regular price items + extra 60% + extra 15% off markdowns! Also, 3x points for Classic Award Members. (That’s their free-to-join loyalty program.) Ends Sunday, 2/11.

TARGET | Save up to $150 on Apple Products! These Wild Fable sweatpants are the best-selling item at Target right now! Plus, FREE $5 gift card with $25 beauty purchase. This Fat Oil Lip Drip has gone viral! Just added it to my cart in “Newsfeed!”

ZAPPOS | SO much on sale HERE. Use the left sidebar to filter. Always free shipping & returns.

Are you going to watch the big game this weekend? Bob and I always order in, spread out a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth, and have a picnic on our bed while we’re watching! 😂 It’s our little Super Bowl tradition! 🏈❤️

It’s supposed to rain all weekend here in Dallas, but Bob and I have errands to run, so we’ll be out and about! Be sure you’re following me on Instagram & Facebook so you can watch my Story and see what we’re up to!