Paper Bat Halloween Decor

I know you’ve seen them! Swarms (or is it flocks?) of bats flooding people’s houses as we count down to Halloween. When I first saw them taking over Pinterest, I thought these sweet, adorable Mommas were cutting out bats one-by-one from sheets of construction paper. Then a friend tipped me off to Amazon where I found a pack (with sticky dots!) and had them delivered straight to my door. No cutting necessary. And they are reusable! If that isn’t a Mommas dream, what is?!

Grab your very own cutesy paper bats here! Prepare to wow your Momma friends! And share the love so they don’t sit for hours cutting out paper bats because NOBODY has time for that.

A Fresh Start + Val Marie Paper

I'm not a morning person. When I wake in the morning I walk around in a zombie like coma and go through the motions quietly and contently. Konner is the same. It's nice because we "get" each other. As we drive to school we jam a few jams, check out the scenery, and start our day with a smile. And coffee. I need my coffee. 

But today...today as we were listening to the radio trying to get our jam on, we were silent. Silent because we caught wind of the terrible news coming out of Las Vegas. I listened to the basics, answered a couple of Konner's questions and then changed stations. The next station was listing out the details of a local police officer that was fatally shot last night. Moving on to another station that was thankfully playing one of our favs, "Clocks" by Coldplay. 

When I arrived to work I pulled up the news on my computer. As I read more information about this tragedy, I got sad. And then angry. And then confused. What is going on?! What is happening to our world?! I looked to October for a fresh start. August and September brought on so much tragedy and heartache that I NEEDED a fresh start. I was couting on October. And then BAM. First day of the month...tragedy. 

But then...as I logged into my email I was reminded of what we need. What this world needs. What I need. Prayer. 

I struggle with this. I struggle with seeing the good when there is so much bad. I struggle with the why's. And the how's. I struggle with keeping the faith when evil is lurking so close. Too close. 

Every year I purchase a new prayer journal from Val Marie Paper. I absolutely love her journals. Do I still struggle with prayer? Yes! But I'm learning. I'm learning to be a prayer warrior. I'm learning to keep my Faith strong. I'm learning to set aside those 10-15 minutes a day even when the world is full of distractions and evil. I'm learning thanks to Val's amazing and simple journals. I want to use it daily. I need to use it daily. It gives me a safe place to write down my thoughts so that they don't overload my mind.  

In my email this morning was a reminder. A reminder that it's ok to be stuck. It's ok to struggle. It's ok to feel discouraged or confused. It's ok to feel a little disappointed in that lost connection. The connection between you and Him. It's ok to need a fresh start. But you have to START! Start now. Turn off the podcast. Close the book. Shut off the TV. Grab the closest paper to you and your favorite pen and begin. Begin with a prayer. 

If you need a little nudge or simple direction to get started, I highly recommend scooping up a Fresh Start Journal. This 31-day devotional on prayer was created to help you know more why to pray and help you create a consistent habit of it in your life.  It's a great way to get started and a great way to get a feel for how Val's journals work. And friends! Fresh Start is $5 off for OCTOBER! Use code FRESHSTARTOCT. Holla!

Another favorite of mine is the Kids Prayer Journal. I purchased one of these for Konner last year and it was a hit! Not only does it teach kids the beginning steps to becoming a prayer warrior, but it gives you a chance to sit with them and guide them through their Faith. What a special time! 

The Family Creed guide is another great addition that I can't wait to start. This guide helps us become more intentional about motherhood. This is something I need and want to do. Something I have to do. I'm tired of going through the motions. I'm ready to set goals for myself and my family to help us thrive and grow as a family. 

There's so many great options with a little something for everyone over at Val Marie Paper. I hope you find something that tugs at your heart. Take time to free your soul and focus on YOU! You deserve it! 

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**Contents of this post may contain affiliate links. I buy it, I love it, I share it, you buy it, you love it, we all win.**

Inkwell Press Planner : Review + Coupon Code

I love planning, and "to do" lists, and schedules, and feeling like I have my life together, and getting ish done. You know...adult things. As a Mom, wife, business owner, and all around #bossbabe, it's important for me to keep my ducks in a row at all times.

Ok...so I don't always get things done, and I rarely have my shit together, but I like to pretend I'm a full functioning adult by owning a decent planner. Over the years I've tried so many planners that I even found a couple of brand new, unused 2015 planners hanging out in my home office the other day. The shame y'all! SHAME! Maybe I'm a planner addict? Or maybe I struggled to find a decent planner to help me take control of the chaos. Or maybe it's a combination of the two. That's a good possibility!

Really though...I've tried everything from the fancy Day Designer, to a personalized Erin Condren, to the new and seemingly popular (but way too time consuming) Passion Planner and even a simple Target planner this past year. Honestly, out of all of my previous options, the Target one was the best option for me. It was simple and to the point. Not too fancy and didn't require a ton of work on my end. I never really understood those planners that required you to do work before you can actually do work. You know...the ones that you have to fill in the dates, use fancy colored pens, and doodle your clients family in curved stick figure form next to their appointment date. Zero time for that. None. I like simplicity. 

Last year my friend Amy posted about her new inkWELL Press planner and I was intrigued. Unfortunately I had already committed to the simple Target planner and was determined to make it work for me. You know...that whole unopened planner thing that we talked about earlier?! I was determined not to let that happen again. So I stayed strong and waited until the 2017 release and snagged one for myself! 

One of my woe's about the planners I've used in the past is that there was too much going on. The Day Designer has hourly breakdowns for each day and while that seems like it would be beneficial to someone like me, it actually stressed me out. (Yes...I'm weird.) As a photographer and business owner, I also felt that so much was missing for badasses like myself. Let's be real...I work 7 days a week. I need a full planner day for weekends too. That's one of the things I love about the inkWELL Press planner! Not only does it have a full day for every day of the week (No divided weekends!) but it also has two different layout options, the Classic and the Flex. I chose the Flex so that I can divide each day by personal and business and have them side by side to compare. Total personal preference! Either option is great! 

The most important thing though...is the quality. Y'all! This planner is amazing! The quality is top notch with so many amazing details!

The paper quality is the best I've laid my hands on. It's thick, soft, and very durable. This is super important to me having been a victim of pen bleed. Ugh! The worst!

I'm also very impressed with the gold coil binding. Again...very durable. This is super important for someone like me who literally throws her planner in the car, on the floor, on the desk, and well...everywhere. Like I said...I'm not good at adulting. 

Quality aside, the layout and features on the inside are so perfect! Not only do I need organization to try and stay sane, but I also need a good kick in the pants from time to time. I am in love with the monthly and weekly "top priorities" sections as well as the yearly and monthly goal tracking sheets. This will help me tremendously with my Young Living team and business. #goalsongoalsongoals I especially love the daily habit tracker. Most people will probably use this for water intake, exercise, etc. but I'm thinking this would be a good place for me to track my coffee and chocolate intake. It's all about balance right?!

I especially love the extra "notes" pages at the end of each month. Maybe this will alleviate all of the sticky notes that I have covering my desk. And life. Let's be real. They're everywhere! Can we talk about that pocket in the back? You know what it's for? It's to hold extra goodies like...the planner sticker sets! Stickers! That match my planner! This is Heaven! Ok...back to adulting. 

This thing's a beauty guys! And it's super efficient. I definitely see myself ordering an Inkwell Planner every year. I mean...it matches all of my other super cute "let me try to be an adult" stationary and accessories from the Target dollar spot. So perfect! Can I get an AMEN?!?

I was so antsy to use it and now it's officially a part of the family. I penciled in my first newborn session for the new year! So fun!

If you're thinking about getting your own fancy schmancy inkWELL Press planner, you can use my affiliate link to get yourself $10 off! It's good for any purchase over $50, which means your new planner will only be $44! Say wha?!? Enter your email here and the coupon code will be sent straight to your inbox. And don't forget to grab your matching stickers. Because...we all need a little fun in our life! 

Starbucks Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato

So here's the thing...I'm a creature of habit. When I go to dinner with my family or a group of friends, I always order the same thing. Planning to take me to a new restaurant? I will stare at the menu FOR-E-VER and then order under pressure and more than likely regret my choice. I wear black and grey and maroon (when I'm feeling spontaneous) and black and army green and black and dark grey and black. I like to live on the wild side. Clearly. When I go to Starbucks (Starbs...if you're one of the cool kids) I always order the same thing. Grande Java Chip Frapp with coconut milk, no whip. It's my drink. It's my life line. It's what my barista starts making as soon as I walk through the door. 

That is...until June 11. It was a typical Monday. Boring as hell. If I had to guess, it was probably raining that day. #Louisiana

So I headed to Starbs to grab my usual. (This has recently become a daily thing. More on that later.) When I opened up the app to check my Gold card balance (Yes, the addiction is real) I am greeted with an announcement about a new drink. Normally I ignore those announcements because...yep...I'm a creature of habit. I don't venture out of my comfort zone. Ever. But I see it..it's sucking me in...the magic words "coconut milk". I love coconut milk! It's in MY drink. The one I get every.single.time. 

I click on the details of this new drink and it sounds amazing. Coconut milk, white chocolate mocha, espresso, caramel drizzle, mocha swirl. HEAVEN! So against my own will...I decide to order it. I almost chickened out when my barista asked "The usual?" but I remained strong and uttered the words...

"Nope! I'm going to try something new today!"

GASP!!!

I'm pretty sure her jaw hit the floor. But she flashed me her usual smile and made my drink. My new favorite drink. Yep. I said it. I have a new favorite.  I am now the proud coffee addict that orders the drink with the most complicated name on the menu. And to make it even more complicated, I add extra white mocha. #YOLO

There it is! My new best friend! We have a bond like no other. You know what makes that bond even stronger? TARGET!

ICMM + Target = Heaven on Earth. I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing next to the mustard.

So about that addiction. Well...it's real. Starbs used to be my Friday treat. I headed there after a long week of work to reward myself for staying sane. Then life got stressful and I slipped a couple of drinks in during the week. Then life got hectic and I headed there almost every afternoon. Then I got an email from Starbucks inviting me to "compete" in a challenge. I'm pretty competitive so I accepted with open arms. So this week, against my will, I HAVE to go to Starbucks everyday before noon to earn 80 Bonus Stars. I mean...what else is a girl supposed to do?

See that sweet smiling barista? She spells my name correctly AND draws cute pictures on my cups. Oh...and did I mention that they have potato chip chocolate? It really is heaven. 

Did I mention that I love Starbucks?

Jimmy the cat

These last couple of months have been hella busy on our end. My family thrives on routine so the summer months kick our butt until we are begging for school to start back up. Then school starts and we are crying because...homework. And OMG! As I'm typing this I'm realizing that school starts in less than a month. Insert panic mode. 

But enough about that...we got a cat! (Just call me Dr. Seuss)

Jimmy the cat graced us with his presence for Konner's birthday back in the beginning of June. I never thought I would be a cat person but he has stolen my heart. Even when he's an ass hole and bites my ear in the middle of the night. 

I thought long and hard about adding ANOTHER animal to our already too small house, but I just couldn't say no when I saw his cute little face on my friends Facebook. She found him at her complex and was highly allergic so he needed a home. Now he's a member of our family and he fits right in with the craziness. He was super shy and a little hesitant the day we brought him home, but after a few days he fell right into place. 

As every photographer would (and should) I documented his arrival with a newborn session. I'm definitely thinking #kittenwhisperer should be added to my resume. 

Find me on Insta to follow Jimmy and his shenanigans! @eryn.mcbride