Happy Friday the 13th, Ambitious Fam! As if that isn’t enough of an omen, there is a harvest moon tonight and the weather is strangely a mild temperature after yesterday’s 90+ degree day. Y’all be safe out there.
Here are five things that gave me all the feels this week:
Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai Concentrate
I finally found a home chai that I like! I actually have been using this spiced chai concentrate from Trader Joe’s for a while, but I couldn’t get the mixture quite right. The instructions state to use about 1 part concentrate to 2 parts milk (or milk substitute) but it was always way too strong for my liking. I finally learned to ditch the instructions (not atypical for TJ products) and decrease the amount of chai concentrate that I add to my oat milk. Voila! Delicious home chai at a fraction of the price of Starbucks (under $4 a bottle for 4 12-ounce servings!). Speaking of Starbucks, my favorite fall drink their pumpkin spice chai latte. I am currently working on a recipe for an at-home version so that I can have some delicious pumpkin goodness for much cheaper. I’ll let y’all know if I am successful!
Hollis Co. Update
Time to spam y’all with the latest Hollis Company news! With this year’s Last 90 Days Challenge rapidly approaching, Rach and Dave Hollis decided to release a special Last 90 Days edition of the Start Today Journal. IT IS GORGEOUS! The cover is pink, gold, and white, so naturally I was sold. This version of the journal contains a 5 to Thrive tracker and more information about the challenge. In addition, there are exactly enough pages in the journal to complete the challenge. Bonus: if you sign up for the Last 90 Days, they send you a coupon for $10 off the journal! I can personally say that I loved participating last year and I am ready to finish the year as intentionally as I began.
In other news, Rach is also on track to realize her dream to have her own products in Target! In December, the Start Today brand will be available in stores and I am so happy for her. Even more so after hearing her testimony about why selling at Target is so important to her. In her speech to the Target team, Rachel spoke about how she always wanted to go back to school shopping as a little girl, but her family couldn’t afford it. One year, they got to go to Target for a single outfit and it’s one of her most precious memories. Now she’s going to have her product in Target stores. You go, Rach!
Budget Tip
Idk about y’all, but finances are an area of my life that I’m constantly working to improve. I kind of like this budgeting idea suggested in The Everygirl! Basically, it suggests having 4 separate accounts labeled A (activities), B (bills), C (crisis), D (dreams). Read more about that budgeting technique here. What’s your favorite budgeting tip?
September 11th
This year was the 18th anniversary of September 11th and it hit me particularly hard. As a collective, we all remember what we were doing when we found out the tragic news. On Wednesday a radio tribute left me in tears. Images floating around depicting people falling through the air as they flung themselves from the burning buildings left me deeply disturbed and broken-hearted. As much as I get that there are thousands of conspiracy theories surrounding September 11th, that doesn’t change the fact that so many people lost their lives in a horrific way and the ripple effect that it had on the US. Not only for the victims and families involved. The events of that date also marked the rise Islamophobia and xenophobia, as well as the death of many more in the armed forces and overseas. It’s a tough day in history, and this year, in particular, it gave me all the feels.
Mega Poshmark Sale
On a lighter note, I’m hosting a MEGA Poshmark Sale! What exactly does that mean? On the weekend of September 20th-22nd, I will be posting a large number of items to my Poshmark account. I’m hoping to give my items a new home, so most items will be priced at $15 or less! This includes some of my LOFT faves, J Crew, and some items that were barely even worn! Mark your calendars and follow my closet for updates and more information!