10 Things I Love About America (and I Bet You Do Too!)

Happy almost July 4th! It’s been a busy week around here at ENB International HQ 😂! Beth and I worked like crazy women on the comprehensive Best Memorial Day Weekend Sales post. Not only are the sales good this year, but I’ve also reached out to brands I work with, and several are offering exclusive deals just for ENB followers. It’s pretty exciting stuff! Be sure you check out the post HERE.

Bob and I are so looking forward to this long holiday weekend! We’ll be doing some shopping online, of course, and we’ll be packing for some upcoming trips! On Monday, we’ll have my son and daughter-in-law over to swim—with baby (toddler!) Lily over, too, of course. Be sure you watch my Instagram and Facebook Stories for some cuteness!

Under $15 Walmart Empire Waist Dress (Comes in other prints!) | Tory Burch Pink Patent Miller Sandals | $13.99 Pearl Apple Watch Band (Such a steal!)

It’s been a wild couple of months here in the good old USA! Emotions are running high, and between crazy weather, trials, and protests, there is a lot going on! I thought it might be a good time to remind ourselves why we live in the greatest country in the world! So today, I’m sharing 10 things I love about America. ❤️🤍💙

10 Things I Love About America

1. It’s Small Business-Friendly

I’m all about supporting small businesses and will choose one over a big business any day of the week. If you hang out here a lot, you know I’m such a fan! Here are a few of my favorite small businesses (and the deals they’re offering this weekend if you want to check them out):

• Joy Creative Shop — Started by my pal Steph, who basically dreams in color! Her goal is to help people find unique ways to express gratitude throughout their day! How much do we love that? (This weekend, take 15% off sitewide with code STOCKUP15.)
• Allie+Bess — Started by two BFFs (Allie & Bess!), I adore their jewelry! It’s turned me into a bracelet-wearer! I love the fact that they employ refugees as artisans to handmake their designs, and they put a black bead in every bracelet to represent their kids and how important they are to them. (This weekend, take 30% off sitewide with exclusive code SITEWIDE30.)
• AVARA — Started by my friend, Emily, who spent 20+ years in corporate America and decided to take a leap of faith and start her own clothing brand! She’s such a boss babe. (This weekend, take 40% off a huge selection of styles. The discount is automatically taken at checkout.)
• JUDE CONNALLY — Jude Connally was a working mom with a job in the fashion industry, but couldn’t find what she was looking for in fashion. She started the brand as an answer to her quest to find clothes that were comfortable and easy to care for yet stylish, polished, and affordable. (ENB followers get an exclusive 15% off  sitewide with code SUZY15.)
• Empty Nest Blessed—Did you know that ENB is a small business? Yep! It’s true. You can read more about how it works HERE.

2. It’s Beautiful

A few weeks ago, my 27-year-old, Becca, and I took an epic three-day road trip. We drove from Dallas to Bozeman, Montana! She’s working up in Big Fork, Montana this summer (See if you can find her on THIS page under “CAST.”), and she wanted a car there for the summer. So we drove and drove and drove. We also listened to lots of show tunes, ate junk food, had the best talks, and reveled in the incredible scenery. (So different from what I see daily in Dallas and her in New York City!)

My Pink Bike | Similar Dress: Denim Shift Dress (Just $22.49 this weekend!) | Similar Sneakers: Easy Spirit Caren Laceup Sneakers (40% off + 20% off with code ENB20)

From the beaches of Sanibel Island to the mountains of Montana, I love it all! I’ll do anything to get out in the great outdoors. (Wearing sunscreen, of course! You know I love my Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop (20% off this weekend) for my face, but La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen (also 20% off this weekend) is the one Consumer Reports found was the most effective of all of the sunscreens they tested.
SUZY’S PRO TIP: Add a few Isle of Paradise drops to your sunscreen for a natural-looking self-tan. (Also, trust me on this one, start with the “light” drops.) It’s infused with good-for-you skincare ingredients to visibly even tone, brighten dull skin, and leave you with a healthy-looking glow. Look for me to share these on my next SO in the KNOW.

3. Sports

You know I love most sports! (Especially college football — but also golf for the outfits! 😂) We love going to Texas Rangers baseball games. (And yes, our kids make fun of us for our matching shirts!) ⚾ Going to sports games has been one of our favorite empty nester date night activities.

4. Great Music

One of my favorite songs this year is Good Day, from Forrest Frank. I also love his song Always. Enjoy!

Whether you like country music, 80s pop, heavy metal, or Christian music, there’s something for everyone here in the good old USA! Bob and I love going to concerts as empty nesters. This year, we’ve seen Lionel Ritchie, Queen, and The Eagles!

5. We Help Others

When there’s a natural disaster or another catastrophic event in our country, Americans turn out financially and otherwise. From Samaritan’s Purse (our favorite place to donate) to the Red Cross and the Texas Baptist Men, you can see empathy and service at work in tangible ways.

6. Small Towns

Caitlin Wilson Designs Floral Pillow Shams (25% off this weekend with code SUMMER)

Maybe you’re a fan of Erin & Ben Napier’s Home Town, or maybe you’re all about Chip & Jo’s Magnolia Network, but either way, the revitalization of small-town America is something we can all get behind. This year, we officially made Waco, Texas, our second home! We gutted, renovated, and remodeled a loft that we love. You can read all about it and take a tour HERE.

7. Cool Parks

Columbia PFG Tamiami Long Sleeve Shirt (with roll-up tabs) | 7″ Stretch Chino Shorts (on sale!) | Similar Allbirds Sneakers

Not only do we have beautiful National Parks like Boise National Forest above and Glacier National Park (where I’m going this summer), but there are also some cool, privately funded parks that are amazing. Here are just a few.

• Little Island in NYC — This 2.4-acre floating island park rises from the Hudson River. It has a 687-seat amphitheater, a plaza with concessions, and amazing views. Bob and I love this spot! Trust me, it’s a must-do on your next trip to NYC!
• Klyde Warren Park in Dallas — This 5-acre park with sustainable landscaping transformed a former freeway into a beautiful urban oasis. The park is even with the street level and still preserves clearance for the highway below. 
• Gathering Place in Tulsa — This 66.5-acre park on the riverfront of the Arkansas River in Tulsa, Oklahoma is bursting with attractions. It regularly makes lists of best places of the best places to visit in America. 

8. Voting

No matter what you think of our current political state, come Tuesday, November 5, you can have a say in the future of our country. Go HERE to learn more.

9. Food

Whether you’re a barbeque connoisseur, a Tex-Mex lover, or a seafood aficionado, there are great restaurants to choose from in the good old USA! 🍖🌮🦞

It’s no secret that In-n-Out Burger is my favorite burger chain! (Yes, I go about once a week!) It’s family-owned and has locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Texas, and Arizona. It features fresh-never-frozen beef with no additives, preservatives, or fillers. The lettuce is hand-leafed, and the tomatoes and onions are hand-cut every morning. I order my burgers protein style, which is about as healthy as you can make a hamburger! (My mouth is watering as I type this!)

My favorite thing about In-n-Out Burger, though, is that they teach their staff to make eye contact and smile at every single customer before taking their order. Yep! Friendliness and kindness before actually doing business— now that’s a corporate culture I can get behind!

10. Our Flag

Amazon American Flag Popsicle Tee – just $17.99 (Click HERE for other colors/styles.) | Similar White Denim Shorts | Amazon Red Skinny Belt | Similar Walmart Red Flip Flops

I think the American flag is beautiful, but mostly, I love what it represents: sacrifice, opportunity, hope, strength, and freedom. Freedom is never free. Most importantly, the flag represents those who died for our freedom. I am so grateful that we set aside Memorial Day to remember their sacrifice.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:3

The flag is also a living piece of history! You probably already know that the 13 stripes represent the original American colonies, and the 50 stars represent the (current) number of states. The colors mean something, too! Red symbolizes hardiness and valor and white symbolizes purity and innocence, Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. I love THIS article with 10 Fascinating Facts About the American Flag.

What do you love about America? Let me know in the comments, okay? (Positive comments only, please!)