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Books, Fashion, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Gifts

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – MARCH EDITION

Hello from Spring Break! You can’t even tell from this photo that I’m hobbling on a newly broken ankle. But how could one miss out on this gorgeous weather and perfect snow day! Here are a few of my favorite things…

Clear/Transparent Sticky Notes

These are the coolest. And pushed me further over the edge of being an office supply nerd. They are great for notes in your books, day planners, office, fridge, basically anywhere! They have a ton of different sizes. I love this size for List and Memos, I use the smaller ones for tabs on books that I’m reading but can’t mark up. This bundle is good if you just want to try them all! I just love a clean looking office, and these help a ton! You are going to love them!

Color Wow Raise the Root Thicken + Lift Spray

This root spray is a lifesaver for a morning hair refresher! I always seem to forget it when I’m blowing drying my hair after shampooing, but the times I do remember make for a good hair day! It is not sticky, nor does it leave your hair feeling super “producty”. It’s the amazing lift your hair deserves.

Casserole Crock Pot

My name is Brooke and I am a Crock Pot Addict. I can’t believe I haven’t shared this yet, it’s a casual entertainer’s dream! This guy is perfect for those casseroles and dips best served hot at a party. A casserole dish that you can throw in the oven, cook your casserole in, then pop in the base to keep it hot! This is my newest one, but I also have the cheaper version that is just as good!

Tanti Baci By KC

Talented, creative people just amaze me. A friend of mine recently started this little side business and we can’t quit ordering fun, personalized apparel that she creates! She has such a fun eye for color and cutting edge fashion. You can DM her on her Instagram for a custom order! Everything I’ve gotten from her is so fun!

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Our youngest son decided to play soccer his senior year. I never realized how BRUTAL soccer season weather is. Some of the coldest nights I’ve ever spent in bleachers. These definitely help keep the chill off. They take a minute to “preheat”, but once they warmed up my fingers stayed toasty.

Small Leather Credit Card Holder & Hard Case

This is the perfect size wallet for all the credit cards, discount cards, and gift cards we carry around with us on the daily. I didn’t realize it was a Gucci dupe until my son told me, but whatever. I had a similar wallet for years, until it sadly died. I’ve searched for a replacement and finally found this one on Amazon. It comes in several fun colors!

Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life

This book is a life changer. It’s a personal development, business, and leadership read that is actually enjoyable! What would be possible if you followed through on your best intentions? What could you accomplish if you could stay focused? What if you had the power to become “indistractable?”  5 Stars for this book!

Personalized Vintage Luggage

Girlfriend Vacations are so expensive. Not the actual trip itself, but all the things your friends introduce you to that you have to come home and purchase! Like this adorable luggage! (Thanks Fallon!) I don’t know if I fully trust the airlines to handle these beauties, but we do plenty of road trips that I’ll use these on! There are several sizes; the Full Size Suitcase, Carry on Suitcase, Weekender Bag, plus several more! View the entire Vintage Collection here….

Portable Door Lock for Additional Safety

Clearly I’ve watched too many crime shows, but this helps me sleep more soundly in hotel rooms and Vrbos. In complete transparency, I’ve only used it on one trip so far, but I can report that it works better than knife shoved sideways into the door jam.

Ultra Slim Portable Charger

Shared again per request….This portable charger is my favorite ever. It is always in my purse, and can fully charge my phone up to 3 times before needing a recharge itself.  This guy comes with all the different charger cords tucked into the sides, and a built in wall plug to recharge it when it needs it. It solves the problem of having a charger, but forgetting the cord at home. It’s my best friend.

May March bring you joy, rest, and rejuvenation!

Brooke

Books, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Friendship, Gifts

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – February Guest Edition

If you are a friend of Kyla Dieterich’s, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. We met 13 years ago and have been stuck like glue ever since. She is one of the most thoughtful humans on the planet, the type of friend who would give you a kidney. Literally. Kyla is a devoted follower and champion for Jesus, a full-time-mom-who-doesn’t-miss-a-thing to 3 darlings – Kyson, Kolt, and Kerrigan (aka Brooke’s K-babies), is a near perfect home maker, and leads a weekly women’s bible study. Somehow in her spare time of raising good humans, she is a Platinum Realtor with Kelly Realtors, selling over 12 million last year! The girl is a divine, creative soul, who loves to cross stitch and paint anything sitting still. She will always be a favorite travel companion of mine, whether it’s walking the Bridges of Madison County, getting lost in Madrid, or floating around in a hot air balloon, we’ve done it all, together, with a lot of laughs. Enjoy getting to know my friend while she describes her favorite things!

Seamless Bible Study, Angie Smith

Angie Smith is AMAZING at beautifully compacting the ENTIRE Bible into just 6 weeks of study.  Seriously, I’ve done numerous Bible studies over the years, and this is still my all-time fave.  I learned more doing this study than I did reading entire Bible several times.  She has such a gift for “dumbing it down and pulling it all together”.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Redeeming Love – because I’m a hopeless romantic.  Period.  In love with Jesus, above all else, but this book always restores my hope in earthly love, grace, redemption, and acceptance, too.  I’m an avid, snobby reader, and this is the only book I’ve read over and over and over again.  And I’m not done yet.  But if you’re not a reader, the movie just came out.  Do yourself a favor and see it!

Rodan & Fields Dark Spot Corrector

R&F dark spot corrector.  Because when the whole world told me to wear sunscreen in my 20s, I didn’t listen.  Now, I’m playing catch up.  And it’s working.  So glad I didn’t even bother all those year ago.  I like to work smarter, not harder. 🙂

Soft Plush Micro Fleece Bed Sheet Set

Micro fleece sheets because I AM ALWAYS COLD.  ALWAYS. Even in July.  They just make me feel like a swaddled newborn, even at 42.

Heirloom Traditions Furniture Paint

Heirloom Chalk Paint because painting ANYTHING gives it a whole new life, and we all deserve second chances.  Sometimes third or even fourth. With this paint, you don’t even have to prime. Just degloss (they sell that, too), and you’re good to go.  After 30 days of curing, it won’t chip or flake, and it’s so thick and easy to use that it forgives a multitude of sins.

Desert Bronze Self Tanner

Desert Bronze….because it’ll be way too expensive to use R&F dark spot corrector all over my entire body.  Seriously, my fave self-tanner…no one wants to be ORANGE.  It’s the most lovely golden bronze shade I’ve seen, short of hours in the sun.  It’s a foam, so it goes on smoothly to prevent “streaking.”

Quay Sunglasses

Quay sunglasses. They have a million options. They often run sales, and they’re so stylish, but all at a very affordable price.  And let’s face it: I’m a tightwad…unless it’s paint.  I’d rather have 10 pair I love than one pair of “name brand.”

Rodan & Fields Lash Boost

R&F Lash Boost….because eyelash extensions destroyed my natural lashes.  I wanted them longer, but again, I’m a tight-wad. When I use this faithfully, I literally have to trim my lashes to keep them from rubbing my eyebrows.  Real world probs, I know.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. I just bought more today. It’s the ONLY make-up I just won’t compromise.  With a big, thick brush, and a tube that seems to last forever, it’s much cheaper, and less maintenance than extensions.   It doesn’t flake off or smudge.  Yet, it comes off easily with make-up remover. 

Raspberry Acai Wine

Raspberry Acai Wine….I’m a lightweight.  This tastes more juice for mamas.  Probably way more sugar than alcohol, so if you’re the real deal, maybe skip this one.  If you just wanna look cute, bottoms up!

Tyler Candle Co Detergent in Icon

Tyler Candle Co Detergent – a little goes a long way and lasts forever.  Super concentrated and it SMELLS SOOOOO GOOD!  There are several amazing scents, but I chose Icon over and over again.  I wash my sheets, blankets, and towels in this religiously. I’d wash my clothes in too, but I’d catch too much attention.  Or maybe that’s what I’m doing all wrong. 

Books, Clothing, Fashion, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Gifts, Textured Threads

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – FEBRUARY EDITION

Congratulations friend! You made it through all 127 days of January. Why do we always forget how rough January can be? Here is permission to start 2022 now.

Kitsch Pro Eco Friendly Wide Tooth Comb

The best Shower Comb! I love the hook on the handle to hang in the shower. It’s amazing to comb conditioner through your hair. Which leads to less tangles and combing after the shower! I didn’t design a hook in our shower to hang it, which is why I ordered this….

Suction Cup Hook for Shower Tile

This suction cup hook works amazing in the shower and has stayed up for months in the shower! *Suction hook doesn’t work great on a textured wall.

The Living Table

A cookbook/devotional fulled with delicious recipes! I’ve made so many of them in the past month. She teaches how to integrate a hospitality-first mentality into our lives, glorifying God at our tables that connects the hearts around it. We were created for community, this book does a great job of helping us do that beautifully. The recipes are easy to create and super tasty!

Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer for Smartphones

This sticker printer is my new favorite toy! I’ve used it a lot this month updating my vision board. It’s adorable and easy to use.

Extra Large Weekly Pill Organizer

All pill organizers are too small for vitamins. I don’t take daily prescriptions, but I do take a ton of vitamins. This is the first weekly pill organizer I’ve found that is large enough to hold my daily dose of vitamins. I’m in love with it’s monotone colors…swoon.

Pura Diffuser

The girlfriends who have visited since I’ve added Pura Diffusers to our home have now purchased their own. One of my closest pals walked around our house for a whole weekend saying, “Why does your house smell so good? I mean seriously, why?” As if she were in shock. I love the Pura app feature, they can be scheduled, or turned on/off at any point from my phone. You can set it up to recognize when you are home and only diffuse the scents then. If you’d like $12 off, Click Here! They have a ton of favorite candle scents!

The Secret Button Shirt

These Shirts are a game changer! They have secret buttons across the chest, which stops the gaping! This means you don’t have to size up in a button down blouse just for the buttons to lay right…winning! I carry these in my store, Textured Threads, enter code “texturedsoul” for 20% off any of the Signature Shirts!

Mirror Desk Clock Large Display

I love anything cute and functional! This digital alarm clock combines with makeup mirror, alarm clock and time display function. I have both the white and gold, haven’t used it for a makeup mirror yet, but…hey, I could!

Happy Valentine’s Friends!

Wishing you a week of love and sweets!

Brooke

Books, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Makeup

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – JANUARY EDITION

Remember me? I use to have a blog, write some words and occasionally share my favorite things? Football season happened, our last boy’s senior season. It was worth putting most extras joys on hold for this…

State Champion Offensive MVP. Just in case you hadn’t heard…we are kinda proud of him and his team.

Now on to FAVORITES!

The Five Minute Journal

I heard about this from Amy Grant when she was a guest on Jen Hatmaker’s podcast. She was talking about how it literally rewires your brain and I was hooked. It’s a daily journal, each page divided to answer a few questions in the morning and a few at night. I am not smart enough to understand HOW it works, but I’m here to tell you, it absolutely makes you think and live differently based on what you are thankful for and what you are striving for! I could not love it more.

Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift® Undereye Treatment Concealer

If you are on Instagram or Tiktok, then you have recently been informed we are doing highlighter under the eyes wrong. I think it is dumb and rude to take this away from us. I still use my favorite, tried and true under eye highlighter under the corners of my eye (like they suggest), but started using this one under the whole dang eye to counteract the purple bags from under my eyes. A national makeup artist from Trish McEvoy is the one who taught me this. I crawled into Nordstroms and said, “Help me.”, so she did. After 4 months of using it daily, I think she is on to something. I really like it! Step 1 – this under the whole eye for purple bags. Step 2 – this highlighter under the corners as every single video on tiktok suggest.

Dishwasher Magnet Clean Dirty Sign

Sadly, there are only 3 people who live in this house full time now, and only two who load and unload the dishwasher. Yet, we never can remember if the dishes are clean or dirty, without a thorough inspection. I was ridiculed when this magnet was purchased, and yet it has been super handy. We depend on it in an unhealthy way now.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom

Everyone I know has been told that Mitch Albom is one of my Top 5 favorite authors. Some people I don’t even know have been told. I love his writing style and feel his stories deeply. I never want his books to end. His new one is just as amazing. When I first started it, I thought, “This is not how I want to read about Jesus, it’s not neat enough.” I like my Jesus stories with super clean lines. Then realized that most Jesus stories aren’t neat, the messy path being necessary to know Him more intimately. Friend, you need this book in your life.

Colleen Rothschild Intense Hydrating Mask

I finally joined the bandwagon and now fully buy this in bulk when there is a sale. This Colleen Rothchild Hydrating Mask is straight from heaven, maybe made with shed angel wings. I use it 4-5 times a week after all my other nightly skin care. Sleep in it and rinse it off the next morning. Your refreshed skin will thank you.

Gel Infused Memory Foam Queen Mattress 

Family Cult Favorite. And Guest Cult Fav. All of the beds in this house have this mattress topper on them. It’s one way to get our boys to come home often. Just be careful, because their friends usually end up staying as well. (We get the 3″ memory foam.)

Vintage Ink Writech Rolling Ball Pens

I almost don’t want to tell you about these pens. I’m worried you all will buy them up and I’ll no longer have my favorite brown pen. Maybe we can make a deal? You all get the pack and send me the brown ones? I have a soft spot for writing utensils and this is by far my absolute favorite pen every made…how could it not be? Vintage colors? Yes please. (They also have the vintage colored highlighters….now you know all my secrets.)

Happy 2022 Friends!

Wishing you all love, light and health,

Brooke

Family, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Gifts, Organization, Parenting, What is saving your life

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – August Guest Edition

To know Beka Gross, is to absolutely adore her! Beka is a literal walking-talking-smiling-giving-loving-beating-heart ANGEL on earth. There are zero people that would dispute this. She is the kindest, most caring friend who thinks of everything and does anything to make her people feel seen and loved. She loves to connect with people by hosting ALL the parties, whether at home or camping in the country! She is the definition of Happy Homemaker, her favorite role of all. She manages her family with great love and complete adoration of her husband and two precious children. If she sounds like a fairytale character, it’s only because she is….enjoy getting to know Beka and her favorite things!

We will call this Favorite Things “A Day in the Life of a Mama of Littles”, starting with the most important sidekick. COFFEE. Waco friends, do not sleep on this piece of information. Common Grounds bottles and sells their secret sauce. Change your life. Don’t worry, I still drive through and get iced coffee in the afternoon, but in the morning, this baby stays right by my coffee pot. 

Now that I am alive and functioning, time to get “ready” for the day. You know, Mom ready. Do you have a part of your body that gets more attention from you than another? I do. My lips. If you know me, you know I always have something on my lips. No color, just moisture. These two I will take to my grave. 

I also sometimes have irrational fears. One of those being that Blistex will stop making DCT. You all know how you feel when your favorite beauty product gets discontinued. Anxiety level a billion to find another product that will live up. Before the days of our glorious Amazon, I would go into CVS and Walgreens and buy out the entire stock of this stuff. True story, on so many occasions. I keep at least 30 jars in my bathroom *just in case*. 

Want to add a little sparkle? I HIGHLY recommend Beauty Counter Beyond Gloss. I love, love, LOVE it! This is the only color I wear… Quartz Shimmer.

Going somewhere today? Gotta put on a bra. This True & Co. Bra will make you feel like you aren’t wearing one. Try it, I promise you won’t ever feel like you have to throw off your bra when you get home!

Before I leave the house to do anything, I have to go check on my flock (chickens, not children) and check on the garden. I absolutely am the crazy chicken lady. I was gifted this egg stamp when my girls started laying and I just adore it. When I gift fresh eggs, I use this stamp for the cutest touch. It can be found on Etsy

Where are my gardeners at? Anyone? Bueller? Here are 3 things I must have related to my garden. First, Modern Sprout pruning shears. Second, the Bounty Basket. Collecting the fresh fruit and veggies with my two littles NEVER gets old. And lastly, custom made stickers (Etsy) for whatever we are making with our haul. Most often, it’s fresh pickles or salsa. 

Y’all, we are finally ready to leave the house. Here are a couple of my tricks to keep my two sweethearts busy on long car rides or on the airplane. We got back from Colorado last night and every flight attendant there and back commented on their snackle boxes. Such an awesome way to keep them busy and not HANGRY. Total life savers. 

Can be purchased @DotsandDashesbyDani on Instagram


We made it through the day. Time for wine. I’m in no way picky about that… find one and pop it open, girls! We did it! 

See Friends? I knew you’d love her instantly.

Wishing you all love, light, and laughter for the remainder of your summer!

Brooke