SO in the KNOW | What I Learned & Loved in July

Whelp! Sometimes, I get to it in the actual month, and sometimes, I have to write these posts in the past tense! 😬😀😂 July was full of fun travel! Most notably we traveled to Montana to see our daughter for 10 days. Our son and daughter-in-law were with us for a part of that, which, of course, means our grandbaby (er, grand-toddler!), Lily, came along too! Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see a post about our trip!

Still, there was so much to learn and love in July. I’m always learning new things, and it thrills me that you let me share them with you! Let’s jump right in!

As always, click the pink text links or any image (including the collages above or below) for more information.

What I’m Learning

#1 Exercise to Do as You Get Older

If you only have time for one exercise, make it…squats! According to AARP Health, it’s the top exercise for aging bodies. Why? Squats strengthen all of the muscle groups in your legs, including your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, as well as muscles in your lower back and core. Those muscles provide the foundation for most activities of daily living, including getting into the car 🚗 and even using the restroom 🚽! They can also help protect your joints, improve your balance and help to prevent falls. If you don’t do them well, it affects the way you live!

Here’s how to do a proper squat:

1. If you’re a squat newbie, start next to a counter or table you can hold onto for balance.
2. Set your feet shoulder-width apart or a little wider. Toes should face slightly outward.
3. Keeping your back straight, chest up and heels planted, push your hips back like you are sitting in a chair.  
4. Keep your weight evenly distributed on both feet, with your weight mostly on your heels. Do not extend forward over your toes (that can hurt your knees).
5. PLEASE NOTE: If you have knee or hip issues, you don’t need to do a deep bend. The coming-up part of the exercise is what really builds strength.
6. Aim for two sets of eight to ten, at a tempo of two seconds down and two seconds up. Inhale on the way down and exhale on the way up.
7. As your body tires at the end of the set, avoid hunching over or letting your knees cave in. 
8. Repeat two or three times a week.
9. Once you get stronger, move away from the counter/table, and bring your arms parallel in front of you on the downward part of the squat, then drop them to the sides when you stand up.
10. Once you can do two sets of 15 without feeling much fatigue, add resistance by holding a pair of dumbbells (or soup cans or full water bottles!). Start with low weights and build up.

Send a Voice Memo

My daughter, who is working in Montana this summer, sends me a voice memo/text almost every day! Sometimes they’re 2 minutes, and sometimes they’re 20 minutes! It’s a great way to stay in touch. Do you know how to record and send a voice text to someone? Here’s how to send one on an iPhone.

1. Open your messages app, just like you’re going to send a text.
2. Tap the + sign just to the left of the text box (image on left).
3. From the list, select “Audio” (image in the middle).
4. Your phone will start recording immediately, so start talking! When you’re finished, tap the red button on the right (image on the right).
5. Tap the send button on your text, just like you would on any other text message.
6. Note: When you play a voice text that someone sends you, it will automatically delete after 2 minutes, to save storage space on your device. If you want to keep it, tap the word “keep” underneath it.

What I’m Streaming

I’ve been watching a delightful, faith-based series on Amazon Prime called The Baxters. It stars Roma Downey and Ted McGinley as the Baxter parents and a bunch of talented young actors as their kids, their kids’ significant others, etc. (Fun trivia: one of the young actors in it is Cassidy Gifford, daughter of Kathie Lee Gifford!) The series follows John and Elizabeth Baxter and their five adult children, Kari, Ashley, Luke, Erin, and Brooke as they go through life’s ups and downs. The series is based on the Redemption series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury. There are three seasons so far, and I’m hoping they make more!

Ready to Downsize? Buy a House on Amazon! 🤣

Well, now we’ve seen it all. 🫨 You can actually buy a two-story house on Amazon! Yep! This thoughtfully designed tiny home has a sleek design, ergonomic amenities, and an upper deck complete with an outdoor spiral staircase.😀 It includes two bedrooms, one living room, one fully equipped kitchen area, and one separate wet and dry bathroom. Plus, it comes equipped with both electricity and water, so it’s completely move-in ready once it arrives on your doorstep. Click HERE to check it out!

What I’m Loving

1. Spirit Bracelet Stack

Here at ENB, Beth and I are gearing up for our annual Empty Nesters’ Guide to Game Day! We’ll have all the cute outfits, accessories, and more you need to cheer your team on for all you’re worth! As I shared in THIS Instagram post, Bob is studying the scouting reports and I am shopping! Haha!

My pals at Allie+Bess have released their Game Day Collection, and it’s BE-AUTIFUL! I’m wearing their green & gold Spirit Bracelet Stack in this video! (See the full video HERE.) You can use code ENB20 for 20% off your entire Allie+Bess purchase! See the full Game Day Collection HERE.

2. Kitten Heel Slingback Pump

This is the last weekend of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I’ve been purchasing last-minute items (mostly beauty items) and just this morning decided I needed three sets of THESE for my girls for their Christmas stockings! My daughter and my two daughters-in-law all have gorgeous long hair and I think these would be a fun, splurgy gift they wouldn’t buy for themselves!

But I digress! If you haven’t shopped the sale yet, or if you happened to overlook THESE kitten heel slingback pumps, I’m boldly (!) suggesting you reconsider or take another look. They are an easy-to-walk-in kitten heel style (SO trendy) and they’re a great price. I think they’re so versatile, and they’d look great with pants, skirts, or dresses this fall. They come in several colors, are still well-stocked, and the quality is great! Check them all out HERE.

3. Designer-Inspired Belt

Okay, this almost deserved to be in the “What I Learned” section! If you’ve been hanging out here at ENB for a while now, you probably know that Avara is my favorite Dallas boutique! Recently, I attended their Fall Preview Collection Luncheon here in Dallas (You can check out the photos HERE.), and I had a blast with their women-owned and operated team and some of my favorite fellow content creators/influencers.

While I was there, one of my pals clued me in on something amazing! She said the “Accessories” section on the Avara website is an absolute goldmine of designer-inspired pieces! It’s true, y’all THIS $38 Avara belt is a dead ringer for THIS $790 Celine belt! It comes in black, camel brown, or white, AND you can use code SUZY15 for 15% off your entire Avara purchase! While you’re at the site, be sure to browse the handbags too. THIS $58 one is inspired by THIS $325 Marc Jacobs bag!

4. This Reimagined Empty Nest: Stories and Poems for Moms Embracing New Chapters

I’m an author! (Well, kinda! I DO have an author page on Amazon now!) I wrote a chapter in THIS new, just-launched compilation book for empty nesters. The book is full of wisdom for new and long-time empty nesters, and it’s available in paperback. Since it just launched, it’s also available for FREE on Kindle until Monday, August 5! My chapter starts on page 143!

5. Chromatic Water Lip Tint

If you’ve been looking for a long-wearing lipstick that won’t DRY OUT your lips, or feather or fade throughout the day, I’ve found it! Check out the 🆕 Chromatic Water Lip Tint from Laura Geller Beauty. It’s a water-based formula that has long-lasting pigments and weightless moisturizers to hydrate and tint your lips without DRYING them out! It really is the holy grail of lipstick we’ve all been waiting for! It’s on SALE right now for just $10.50 (plus use code CW10 for an extra 10% off), and with FREE 30-returns, your purchase is risk-free!

Want to see me try on each of the colors? Check out THIS Instagram video! (And please follow me on IG if you’re not already!)

6. Case Study

If you have an iPhone with MagSafe (iPhone 12 and later), I think you’ll love this grippy suction thingy! 😂 You attach it (it’s magnetic) to the back of your phone (or MagSafe-compatible phone case) and it lets you stick your phone onto windows, mirrors, or cabinet doors. (Think video calls while you cook, etc.) If you don’t have a MagSafe-compatible phone case, be sure to check Casely for some cute ones! I just ordered THIS fun one!

7. City Lips Line Therapy

One thing I love about City Beauty is that they don’t mess around when it comes to targeting problem areas. (I’m addicted to their Lid Lifting Treatment for drooping upper eyelids.) Now they’ve tackled those pesky vertical lines we all have around our lips. (Straw-drinker right HERE!🙋‍♀️) Yep! City Lips Line Therapy uses ingredients like Copper Peptides, Ceramides, Niacinamide, Jojoba, and Geranium Flower Extract to help smooth those wrinkles. Will it give you the same results as Kardashian-style lip injections? Nope. But if that’s not the way you want to go, it’s worth a try. I’m loving it!

I’ve got an exclusive ENB discount code for you too! Use code ENB to get 15% off your entire City Beauty order. There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not seeing the results you want.

8. Retinol Body Lotion

We all know how good retinols are for our faces. (To check out the brand I use and see my full skincare routine, click HERE.) Now there’s a gentle retinol for your body. I’ve been using this Retinol Body Lotion and my skin looks and feels amazing. I use it every few days on the day before I exfoliate and apply my self-tanner.

9. Side-Tie Swim Dress

I recently ran across this side-tie swim dress at Old Navy, and I couldn’t believe the price! It’s available in SO many colors and patterns (at various price points) and it’s perfect if you still have a beach vacation or cruise coming up. (We’re headed to Baha Mar in a few weeks!)

10. Goodnight, Texas Sleeper

Goodnight, Florida Short Pajamas Set | Goodnight, Texas Sleeper

Like all good grandmas, this LouLou loves to buy things for her grandbaby! I recently gifted Lily THIS adorable Goodnight, Texas sleeper and THIS darling two-piece Goodnight, Florida Short Pajamas Set from the cutest small business called Smaller Things. (I love supporting small businesses!) They make ethically and sustainably made 100% organic cotton baby sleepers and children’s pajamas! The designs feature your favorite states and special places, and they’re designed by artists from around the world. They get softer and softer with every wash!

Check out THIS video where I shared the two pieces I gave Lily!

11. Fast Healing Hydrocolloid Gel Bandages

While working in the yard recently, I cut myself. 🙄 Thanks to these fast-healing gel bandages that my Sunday School gal pal turned me on to, I was better in no time! Now they’re the only bandages we use! The seal is 100% waterproof and they stay on for days and days. According to the brand, you’ll heal up to 2x faster because they provide a moist wound environment to facilitate the healing process. I believe!

12. Tortoise Sunglasses

It’s tough to find a chic, inexpensive pair of sunnies 😎, so when I saw THESE $22 tortoise sunglasses on the expertly-curated (and usually $$$) sunglasses selection on the Tuckernuck website, I knew they were worth a second look. Mine are on their way!

By the way, if you’re on the Tuckernuck site, be sure to check out their sale section. That’s where the bargains are! I just ordered THIS dress in Chartreuse! (It’s giving all the Jackie-O vibes!)

13. Cotton Short Pajama Set

I’m always looking for cute and modest sleepwear, and I fell hard for this cotton short pajama set from J.Crew Factory. It’s a total dupe for a luxe set from Printfresh, dontcha think? Having a set like this was ideal on our multigenerational Montana trip. In the mornings, I could go right from my bed to the living room floor to snuggle and play with Lily without having to worry!

I hope you feel SO in the KNOW! As empty nesters, we’ve got to keep learning and growing. Thanks for letting me share my finds with you!