it's holiday season and we're feeling the vibe. so we're switching things up with melanie's holiday gift guide and cristie's favorite christmas things. 

melanie's holiday gift guide

gifts under $50 (teachers, secret santa, colleagues, holiday hosts!)

cristie's favorite christmas things  

• this might fall under traditions, but i always have my gift wrap reflect some portion of my year. for example, the year i went to africa on my honeymoon i used this gorgeous wrapping paper. last year i was obsessed with my recent trip to japan, so i used some christmas washi tape i bought there with a bunch of fun stickers. this year, i am obsessed with my doggies, so you better believe the gift wrap will reflect!

hi september! we're gearing up for season. especially the holidays. and working on staying alive and positive through all of it. check out our new 'about us' video, shot by the amazing sisi smit. this company has evolved so much over the past few years and i finally feel like we're onto something. stay tuned for big things to come and thank you for following along, always. 

xx

melanie is currently…

obsessing over

• audio books: especially in the car. BUT it has to be the right "author" reading the book (i would research whether the author is good enough). i'm 85 and didn't realize this but there's an 'ibook' app on your iphone that allows you to purchase them directly to your phone and it's been a lifesaver! 

• feng shui: i want to bring an expert into my house and our workspace. apparently the right energy in your space brings about better creativity, better moods. and we all know i'm all about anything woo woo. listen to this podcast if you want to learn more. 

• my new workout schedule: i made one! i've been attending pilates every tuesday and thursday morning at 6:30am with one of my amazing friends, nicole. and i'm happy to say it's consistent and i'm feeling so much better about myself. TBH having her go at that time holds me so accountable to the regimen and if i had to do it alone, i'm not really sure i'd go as often. i have an amazing/terrible knack for craving early AM's in my house to work on emails and other computer work before the kids wake up and i would very easily opt out of working out if i were given the chance. so if you're looking for a regimen, my advice is to find a friend to go with. it makes you so much more willing to actually get your but up and go. i also try to make it to buddha shack yoga in the gables for jenna's buddha burn class whenever i can because it's SUCH a good class cardio wise AND meditation wise. i literally sweat and stretch the stress and worry out every single class - it's exactly what you think yoga should be. 

• organization: this is very much interconnected with my feng shui topic above but i'm a huge believer and proponent of "everything has it's place." my house is pretty organized and i'm always looking for ways of throwing old things out and making space for clarity and new items. but there's always ways of making organizing easier and i'm into finding those things - bins, baskets, etc. 

• wellness: you're going to LOL but for those that don't know, my brother is graduating with his naturopathic medicine degree next year and he's my go-to for anything holistic. he prescribed ashwaganda and eleuthero for me to boost my energy levels (which have been low) and my immune system. it takes about two weeks to start working - i'm only a week in but feeling so much better about myself already. if you're into herbs and natural healing, i'd totally recommend them. i'm also thinking about and eyeing these vitamins from goop - i'm giving myself to the 15th of the month to pull the trigger. 

watching

• RHO Dallas: this has to be my favorite housewives series. the women are hilarious and their interactions are priceless. think 'i'm really trying to be a good person but i honestly can't stand you so i'm going to be a royal b*tch on TV and i don't care what anyone thinks." it fills my small quota of unnecessary drama for the week. i've been slacking on the other housewife series' because i've been reading like a crazy person! see below. 

• netflix movies!!!!!! to all the boys i've loved before, the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. there's also one titled like father that i want to watch. some other suggestions by friends: grace and frankie, the staircase (if you're into creepy documentaries). 

 wanting

• a haircut: will get one by the next currently. i'm going short and low maintenance. 

• this home base binder for my new obsession with home organization: i mean do i really need it? probably not. will it add value to my life? of course. hopefully permanently. chances are temporarily. but i'll take it. am also giving myself until the 15th of the month to pull this trigger. 

• a quip: i use an Oral B electronic toothbrush and am 100% CONVINCED it's messed up my gums. i was told by my dentist that i might need gum surgery (they're starting to recede?!) at some point soon and the amazing revelation only came to be after i started using it. in the toothbrush's defense, i'm sure i was using it incorrectly and being too rough on my teeth and that mixed with subconscious stress biting has led to my gums hating every ounce of me. pray for me. anyway, the quip is supposed to be amazing and one of the best and most gentle electronic toothbrushes on the market right now. 

listening to

• audiobooks: all business related but i love a good self-help book: Built to Sell, The Third Door, and Good to Great.  the Third Door is a must read/listen-to because it shows you that to really make it in life requires grit and perseverance and a lot of patience. 

• podcasts: goop and second life are really doing it for me these days.  goop is always featuring leading edge thinkers and professionals that talk about everything from spirituality to nutrition to sex. it's such a good way to educate yourself on a relevant topic. and second life host, hilary kerr, co-founder of who, what, wear, is always interviewing female entrepreneurs who embarked on a second life (second career) to find their true calling. both make me feel much smarter at the end of the week and that's a win, win. 

eating

• a lot of Miami's Best Pizza. because for anyone that's local, they're back after closing for about 2 years. and back with a vengeance - they're using the same oven that's renown for making their dough so good. please go and try their meat lovers. it's everything.  

reading

• the journey of souls. 

• just finished: a place for us (1000% recommend), and next on the list: twelve lives of samuel hawley, grit and work party. also want to read: next year in havana, shoe dog. 

working on

•  detachment to everything. and not trying to force certain outcomes and leave things to faith. 

cristie is currently…

tired AF. just came home from my best friend's bachelorette in casa de campo and i am SPENT but also gloriously tan. also, no ifs buts about it i am getting global entry. hell is a place called customs in mia airport and i am just NOT going to take it on anymore! next week i am headed to tulsa, oklahoma for a wedding in which the invitation states there will be man eating anacondas and helicopters with a full music festival so looks like no rest till TULSA (in beastie boys beat). more on that next currently... also, i just read melanie's currently and i am so stressed with her new organization phase which has apparently really taken a hold during this labor day weekend. who knows what tomorrow will bring to me in my new feng shui's office - no day is every the same in HOL!

obsessing over

• what am i obsessed with, i feel like i am obsessed with everything and anything i come across but right now it just isn't coming to me (vacation brain still on). i guess i am obsessed with *currently* being in my pajamas in my own bed with the AC on 68 degrees tucked in with my computer on my lap.

• wait scratch that, i am obsessed with serena williams. i watched being serena on my plane ride back from portland, oregon and WOW - serena, you are my true idol in life. she has the mind of a champion and will never give up, never starts working on her game and her overall mental attitude and deep feminism really resonated with me. needless to say, i am rooting for her at the us open with all the #fangirl i have in me. she is the greatest female athlete of all time, no question! 

• nike - again, this comes from being in portland aka nike hq and just loving the brand. serena williams (my girl) is a brand ambassador too and i love the campaigns they do praising her. and my obsession with this campaign is unmatched - so on point & current. really shows what a big message advertising can carry and i am so glad nike uses its brand voice to communicate big messages. 

 watching

• every netflix romantic comedy possible. i love them all but especially - all the boys i have loved before because peter kravinsky is a total babe, angel sweetie. also loved - the gurnesey literary and potato peel pie society (not sure if thats the correct name because 0% chance i get that right when i say it outloud). netflix, please keep giving me these movies!

• felicity - because i am living in 1999. also, i don't have cable so the way i watch tv is truly bizarre but leads me to discover gems like felicity, which fun fact was produced and written by jj abrams before he was JJ ABRAMS. it's such a time capsule to the turn on the millenium - i love it.

• crazy rich asians - i loved this movie (and book series!) so much. take me to singapore ASAP please and thank you!

 wanting

• a thunderstorm and a good nap during it. can you tell i am tired? maybe i should just go to sleep.

• an essential oil starter kit. i want to embrace this wellness trend but i am overwhelmed to start. would love if someone gave me a tutorial... just going to put it out there....

listening to

•  podcasts, npr and howard stern - this area of currently really doesn't change. once a talk radio girl, always a talk radio girl. 

eating

• like a savage. it's time to make #betterchoices. off to trader joes i go!

• also, let me point out that i have tried to do miami spice 2 times this season and have ended up spending more than 200$ for 2 people with miami spice. how does this happen to MEEEE

reading

• still getting through A Place For Us, which i am loving. 

• from my trip to portland aka nike land, i was inspired to pick up Shoe Dog and i am 50 pages in and obsessed. its like a really fantastic How I Built this episode but so much more too. phil knight is my hero. could not recommend this book enough to the point of when i landed from casa de campo in the FLL airport this afternoon the first thing i did was text melanie to get this book & read it. 

working on

•  having a good attitude, being a good wife, friend, sister, daughter, aunt & coworker! helping melanie and house of lilac grow to the next step (always exciting!!!!). 

hello from the end of summer at house of lilac (wow). it's been a summer of big plans and changes for us (to say the least) and i've been able to really dissect the details that make this company run day to day (the benefits of a slow season). we're getting ready for a rebrand over the next few months along with some other really amazing exciting growth plans so we're just bracing ourselves for lots of new and exciting projects. i'll one day write a whole email on how this time has transformed me as a human being but i've really learned that everything in life is perspective. how you look at a situation, how you handle it, what you do with it. what action you take. i've come to appreciate myself more over the past few months, especially my ability to take challenging situations (or what could appear as such) and completely transform them into learning experiences or into an opportunity. because everything is the way you look at it. and when you choose to look at life like a miracle every day (good or bad) everything is a silver lining. EVERYTHING. 

melanie is currently…

obsessing over

• the mercury retrograde we're in right now. don't roll your eyes if you just did because it's a real thing. and if you're a leo, it's going to affect you more because the sun is currently in leo. read more about it here but all i've gotta say is, don't schedule important conversations during this time. dani beinstein, the astrologer, said it best in this instagram post: 

"Summer of retrogrades. People are stewing, spinning their wheels, unable to gain traction. What once may have felt complete is now up for review. The past is resurfacing. We’re questioning our choices and our stations. Though it may be uncomfortable or painful, it’s purposeful. I know I write that all the time and I know it can feel old and tiring but who ever said life isn’t without its roadblocks and challenges? Or that clarity is the norm? We do the best with what we have in the moment and we take it from there. Allow it to move through us is the best offering I have here. At the end of the day, we’re energy and sometimes the current just needs to flow through."

• the facial serum that i need to purchase. i took a poll on instagram and here's what's in the running so far: drunk elephant, vintner's daughter, skinceuticals. i'm pretty sure i'm going to pull the trigger on skinceuticals bc way too many people recommended it and it's only a daytime serum. and i'm so overwhelmed by the below options that i need to research and figure out what i'm going to do.  too many good options! here were the other comments and responses I got below (in case anyone's interested): 

serums

• drunk elephant b-hydra
• little barn apothary
• selah cosmetics
• Obagi
• Caudalie 
• joanna vargas
• rodin 
• skinmedica - pigment correcting

cleansers

• lancer
• glossier jelly cleanser

creams/oils

• lancer retexturizing
• good genes
• creme de la mer
• dermalogica - day time
• dermalogica - night time
• caudalie oil
• skinbetter (with retinol)

toners

• amore pacifica
• i use - palermo

exfoliators

• paula's choice

watching

• RHONY, RHOC, RHOP - that's real house wives of new york, orange county, and potomac because i'm attending the bitch sesh live show this thursday and need to catch up with my pointless housewives knowledge. 

• million dollar listing nyc - because you can't ever get enough of steve gold selling nyc properties. 

• friends reruns on netflix. basically the funniest sitcom of all time and i'm re-enjoying every second of the first season so far. 

• sugar rush on netflix. it's kind of like a wannabe food network baking challenge and im not 100% into it yet. i'll keep you posted. 

• obviously: frozen, moana, PEPPA PIG (kill me), and paw patrol.

 wanting

• all of the skin products above. 

• a workout regimen. need to boost my energy levels. the exhaustion is real. 

• so, this is worth discussing. we got married in 2014, and ill admit have moved 4 times since, but since then my every day glassware and silverware just disappears. like my cupboard looks like a college student's cupboard with mismatched cups (including brewery glasses). and we all know i've moved past that point in my life (bitter sweet). i was really upset at the beginning and then realized being upset (especially when i had no clue where any of it was going) was going to get me nowhere so now i'm focusing on the silverware and glassware i'm going to purchase for the house. i want to go villeroy and boch for the silverware (because i deserve it) and crate & barrel for the glassware (because let's be honest, i have kids and these will break). but i need to go try them out because the "hand holding, in action" is everything. if you have recommendations on this front, please share. 

listening to

• same old podcasts. nothing new to report here on the podcast front. i did listen to an amazing how i built this featuring the slack founder stewart butterfield for any entrepreneurs out there. it took him 2 business failures to actually reach success and his faith story and perseverance are really incredible motivators. 

eating

• went on extensive vacations this month and was not consistent in my eating. and my stomach is still hating me for it. does this happen to anyone else? trying to get back into good eating habits, including home-cooked meals, especially now that school is around the corner. routines for everyone! 

reading

• a place for us - so good so far. SO GOOD. would totally recommend. it's not a super plot driven book but is super engaging. 

working on

•  a million things all at one time. story of my life. but primarily, HOL 2019. that's our main focus these days. 

cristie is currently…

hello from the skies! I am *currently* writing this from my flight back from chicago (thank you gogo inflight services!) but getting on that flight to chicago was a crazy experience due to a classic cristie scenario that occurred earlier today.  I was lunching at Nico - which I totally recommend if you are ever in chicago!! - and went to the bathroom AS ONE DOES and did my business. I got up from the toilet and noticed my ID had fallen into the toilet and BOOM automatic toilet sensors flushed and I saw my ID go into the hole of no return leaving me with NO ID FOR MY FLIGHT IN 4 HOURS. PSA - if this ever happens to you, you have to file a POLICE REPORT that your ID is missing and then go through an extensive TSA security check, where I was violated by 5 different people, and my luggage was dismantled and SEARCHED. But alas, I made it on the flight and I am writing this blog post - WOOO!

obsessing over

• all my travels. I am in the midst of writing an extensive blog post on this because wow, in july I have TRAVELED. The beginning of the month was spent in western Colorado (Durango & Telluride) from there I went to my best friends bachelorette party in the Bahamas. This past weekend I was in Chicago because my husband had a work commitment here and I decided to come with him and experience a Chicago summer (which WOWWW!!!) and in about 2 weeks I will head off to Portland, Oregon. I will finish off the summer (to me end of summer is Labor Day) in the DR for another best friend bachelorette party (sidenote - this meme has never been so true).  So I am #blessed because I am getting around and I love nothing more in this life than traveling!!!

watching

• comedians in cars getting coffee - I love this series. Definitely recommend binging this one on a rainy day (which Miami seems to be getting a lot of!)

•  parenthood on netflix. This show gives me all the feels.

 wanting

• to get a good nights sleep. I have been going, going, going this weekend and I just want to get to my bed and SLEEP. Nothing in this world I value more than SLEEP. So right now all I want is to get off this flight, go home, cuddle with my dog and get a good nights SLEEP. can't wait!!!!!!

listening to

• podcasts all day long. I am *currently* listening to this new one that came recommended called Inside of You that I had randomly downloaded so it’s on my phone and available for me to listen to on this flight. I am really doing A LOT on this flight haha. But basically it’s a classic interview podcast (my jam!) from Michael Rosenbaum, who was Lex Luther on smallville (never in my life did I see this TV series). So far, it’s great and interesting. He is interviewing Jennifer Love Hewitt and I am enjoying hearing from her since she played such a big part of my pre-teen movie going years!

eating

• I ate like a QUEEN in Chicago. Had the most amazing meal at Avec in the West Loop & Nico (RIP my ID). Had deep dish pizza at Lou Manalti’s but also came the realization that I DO NOT LIKE DEEP DISH. Chicago is a total culinary capital of the US (I would put Portland, San Francisco, New York and New Orleans on this list too) and I appreciate that!

• indian food, Thai food, Indonesian food. I am so into all the spices & flavors that come from these regions. Literally if I am craving food, it is probably from one of these categories.

• I am SO BEYOND THRILLED with the return of Miami’s Best Pizza.  I grew up having Miami’s Best every sunday with my family (again #blessssssed). Something about that tomato sauce just feels like home to me! The fact that it has reopened and the same characters work there and the pizza tastes exactly the same (!!!!!!!) is really one of the best things to happen to me in 2018! Welcome back, Miami’s Best!!!!!!!

reading

• the stacks just keeps getting bigger and bigger and I am not reading any of it. I want to read A Place for Us (the next book club book) but I have not even purchased it. I feel like I read the internet all day long but it’s useless wormholes and articles that I do not retain any information from or maybe I do but it serves no purpose in my brain.

working on

•  just having a good attitude towards everything in my life because it’s a game changer. Choosing to have a good attitude just makes life so much more fun.

a little delayed all, but I'm back with a third installment of recipe roundup. I need to report that I fell off the meal planning bus and am no longer going at it like a crazy person. I've actually been experimenting with ingredients and dishes more in an attempt to make life easier and not so overwhelming with a million recipes. that's not to say the occasional recipes aren't super helpful. they totally are. and I cook from them often through the week and they've helped me build an arsenal of go to ingredients (see below) and flavor combinations. but having your own made up go-to recipes is also helpful, be it basic tacos, meatloaf, or even arroz con salchicha (if you don't know what this is, you're missing out on the best cuban cuisine out there). what we're doing now? we've been cooking for so long we know what ingredients we'll typically possibly need. and whatever meat doesn't get eaten, I freeze and it typically gets eaten the next week. and the herbs i don't get to? they're not expensive to buy (about $3) but i'm highly considering starting my own herb garden to have herbs at my disposal whenever i want. but if you need to buy them at the store and don't get to them, it's ok! it's the price to (I) pay for not planning meals out to the tee the weekend before. 

here's what I typically buy: 

1. herbs + veggies: parsley, green onions, carrots, celery, basil, white onions, garlic, ginger, shallots (sometimes).
2. meat: chicken breast (Trader Joe's is great), ground turkey (also TJ), some form of red meat (either ground, skirt, or flank), possibly seafood (shrimp, mahi-mahi, halibut)
3. other needed pantry items: marinara sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chicken broth, panko and normal breadcrumbs, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, fresh block of parmesan cheese (and i'd also buy a block of pecorino).  

then I either find a recipe that uses the ingredients above or I make something up on the spot. the recipes below are our own renditions of simple meals (some recent endeavors) and I hope you love them! if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below. 

curry chicken

ingredients: 

• 2 lbs chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
• 4 garlic cloves and 1 inch grated ginger
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1.5 tbsp madras curry powder
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• I can tomato puree
• 2 tbsp canola oil

in a food processor, finely mix onion, garlic, and ginger. heat oil in a deep pan. add the onion, garlic ginger mixture and cook on medium heat for about 7-8 minutes. add all the curry powder and the bay leaves and cook for one minute until fragrant. then add the tomato puree, the wine, brown sugar, and salt and cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat - make sure you scrape the bottom of the pan while you mix to break up all the yummy scraps.  

now add the chicken pieces and cook until fully cooked. add the coconut milk and about 1.5 cups of water and bring to a simmer until sauce has thickened (about 15 minutes). serve with white rice! 

turkey bolognese

ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 carrot chopped
• 1 lb of ground turkey
• half a can of tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cracked pepper
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 box of spaghetti

add the olive oil to a dutch oven or nonstick pan and let warm for a bit. then add the onions and let cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. add the garlic and carrots and cook for about 2 more minutes. then add the ground turkey. cook the turkey through (won't be too long; about 8 minutes) and then add the chicken broth, wine, and tomato sauce. let simmer at medium/low heat until the liquid has cooked down (about 10 minutes). 

in a separate pot, cook the pasta (add about 1 tbsp of salt to give the cooked pasta extra flavor). once the pasta is al dente, strain the pasta, place back in the pot and add the cooked ground turkey. mix the turkey with the pasta (the pasta will absorb the oil and other flavors of the turkey) and then fold in the grated parmesan. combine and enjoy warm! 

recipe suggestions from around the web: cashew chicken (DELICIOUS). also, really into fettucine alfredo these days. also, this is my go to cacio e pepe recipe from valleybrink road (easy week day meal!). 

melanie is currently...

obsessing over

• the vintner's daughter facial serum. i mentioned this in our video but i'm close to running out of my facial products and am going to make the switch to holistic and all natural. we're been carrying products like that in our gifts since the beginning and the plunge is so worth it. you can 1000% percent see results and your skin feels SO. GOOD. i also recommend this toner which is amazing as first step hydration. 

• my new organic cleaning products by branch basics. i feel like i've helped the earth already. and no it's not scented (pretty unscented). but it's all nontoxic and when you bring kids into the world, nontoxic things are always a good idea. and it cleans amazing! (cherry on top). 

• schmidt's rose + vanilla deodorant. i've never smelled better. and i truly mean that. available at whole foods and target. 

• dave ramsey and his financial strategizing. judge me. but i'm a brand new person and i LOVE IT. 

• our new temp space. we totally downsized (it's a temp space) but it turned out SO CUTE. we have shelving and storage (elfa!), the perfect amount of desk space and the perfect amount of workspace. it's just right. it gives us more time to look for a new space that's just what we need (our last one had too many broken up rooms) and helped us PURGE UNNECESSARY ITEMS. that being said, thank you to everyone that purchased at our inventory sale! we sold so many awesome extra product and threw away a lot of other unnecessary items. 

• target. i need to praise their 2 day delivery app (competing with amazon) and their DRIVE UP to pick up your order system. the target guy was waiting for my husband in the parking lot when he got there with my bags. and the only reason i did the drive up in the first place was because i needed everything before our trip this wednesday and the two day delivery option (a great option) would have gotten here the day we left on the trip. their 2 day delivery is FREE and a much better option than amazon when you're purchasing cleaning supplies and diapers/stuff for your kids. amazon isn't the best for those things, not having too much availability, and target's taking over that niche. thank you for making my life easier, target! you've got a customer in me for all of convenience. 

• HOL 3.0. stay tuned. we've got big plans over the next few months. 

watching

• how boring can i get? the kissing booth and set it up on netflix. queer eye (obviously). i watched the hallmark channel recently and you guys, i used to make fun of my mom for watching it but, hi! i am my mother's daughter. and of course, the usual southern charm, MILLION DOLLAR LISTING NYC (YES!). bravo fills my soul in ways many things in my life can't. 

• GLOW on Netflix! currently binge watching the second season. 100% the best. 

* I've been asked a lot recently whether I watch the handmaid's tale on Hulu and ill admit I used to and got so, so, so depressed by the plot line, I had to stop. it really, truly affects me more than the average person. 

 wanting

• to be in the bahamas already (Wednesday!). i seriously fantasize about it. we haven't been on a real vacation (and no, disney world is not a vacation when you have toddlers) since before margot was born so this will be a nice disconnect for all of us. we rented a house and i'm excited to be anywhere but in routine for a whopping 5 days. 

• there are some BOMB sales right now as I write this (4th of july) and i'm not a huge online shopper but jcrew, gap, and target (their app is killing it) are the death of me.  

listening to

• podcasts: my usual lineup - the marie forleo podcast, the life coach school. second life, goop, bitch sesh, almost 30, that's so retrograde. i listened to a really amazing one on defeating your inner critic on goop and one on discomfort in the life coach school. for anyone interested in those topics, i totally recommend them. 

eating

• check out my recipe roundup no. 3 for some new recipes but alex and i actually went out to dinner twice this month! we haven't been on dates so consecutively in a while so it was nice to get out and adult for a little. we ate at upland on south beach which i 1000% recommend. it was delicious and the interior design was outstanding. i am super into hunter green and they did such a good job with the color everywhere (including the tile in the kitchen). i can't wait to go back. and we also ate at zucca where they refunded me for my entree because they didn't include enough clams with my linguini vongole. i appreciated that so they get a good review. 

reading

• tools by barry michaels (more like, would like to start this). 

• leveraging the universe by mike dooley. 

working on

• i'm halfway through the business accelerator course (6 weeks in!) and am alive and well. exhausted. but it's temporary. as is everything difficult in life. and i see the light at the end of the tunnel. and am proud of myself for the work i've done. i need to say that here and now so i can look back and remember that i actually thought these things. 

• not being hard on myself. and allowing myself to work at the pace that is best for me right here and right now in this moment. being present is so important for me right now. present through what's going on in this moment and that each and every bit of it is meant for right now. 

• activities with my kids and enjoying things with them this summer. interacting with them. miami's tough in the summer bc the unbearable heat and the mosquitos make it tough to be outside but i'm committed to being the mom i want to be with them and that means playing like a 3 year old every day after work. this is a great activity resource for parents looking for things to do with their kids! 

cristie is currently...

obsessing over

• the world cup - I am all about a WORLD event where country pride is in full display. my number 1 of all these events is of course, the olympics (summer games) but I got to say, the world cup is really working for me. the question is - who am I rooting for? I myself have no idea. at one point sunday, I found myself rooting for RUSSIA (what?) because they are the hometown team. I can’t commit to my Russian fandom but US, Spain, Mexico & Portugal are out and my husband is half Colombian so Colombia, please don’t let me down! also, I exclusively watch world cup footage on Spanish television because there is nothing like hearing the say GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

• my trip out to southwest Colorado happening over 4th of july. so excited to spend time in non-humid weather, where the highs are in the 70s and lows in the 50s. you can follow my trip on my social media @cristieenriquez.

• getting rid of stuff - it really is liberating. also, selling aforementioned stuff on websites like let go and offer up is so beyond easy, I can’t believe I have waited so long to do it.

watching

• the kissing booth - the movie of the summer! I dare anyone to watch this movie and tell me you weren’t absolutely delighted by a classic, beyond cheesy teen romance. does this movie basically copy every teen romantic comedy there ever was? yes & that is what makes it so great. also, the main guy is a giant and the main girl is tiny which for some reason really entertained me. this movie makes absolutely no sense but damn, I loved it!

• set it up - clearly netflix is my one stop nowadays and I love what they are doing with the classic romantic comedy. apparently they have a bunch in the pipeline for this summer and I AM HERE FOR IT. this was another absolutely cutie movie that I took in on a thursday night with some takeout pad Thai. living my best life everyday!

• queer eye - YAAAAAS queen!

 wanting

• so much athleisure, probably because i am going to colorado & oregon in the next two months. lots of aventures ahead for me! i just got these outdoor voices pants in the mail and i don't hate them! 

listening to

• same podcast all the time. whatever is on npr, which i didn't realize and was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a great tool for staying up to date on local news. 

eating

• trader joes cauliflower fried rice the best thing ever. add in some pancetta, a fried egg & avocado top with some sirracha sauce and BOOM easiest, most delicious at home meal ever. 

• just a big fan of bowls, which actually on my wanting list - i should add these year & day bowls , because this is how i eat my food. for dinner lately i have been roasting brussel sprouts & sweet potatoes, adding in chicken sausage and topping with a fried egg and avocado. another great easy meal for a quick week day dinner.  

reading

• did i read my book for book club? no. but i do read the new york times newspaper on sundays so that's gotta count for something. 

working on

•  streamlining my life always!

I was toying with writing an article about grief for some time (and I swear I'll still write it one day) but I feel like I need to write about fear and how I cope with it - maybe for the person reading this or maybe just for my own venting. whatever it's for, it will help at least one person and that's more than enough for me. I've been thinking about this topic for some time because I'm dealing with, yes, a lot of fears. and it's crazy, they're extremely subconscious. meaning that, I didn't realize they were around until recently, as we've started growing the company. fear of failure, of loss, of lack, of things being taken away from me (yes), of losing it all. taking risk, growing as a person, going the extra mile involves fear. that's a fact. you wouldn't be human if you didn't sense fear. it's instinctual and there are countless sources and therapists that accurately state most of your fears come from some event/happening/belief in your childhood (the age of 1-12 is EXTREMELY FORMATIVE FOR CHILDREN. check our lacy Phillip's work to learn more) that gets really insanely dug inside your subconscious, i.e., you don't know it's there. and sure, figuring out where it comes from is great but all in all, just being aware that the fears exist is the biggest step. 

the next step (for me), is feeling through them. like actually feeling like the fear is happening. this is the most bizarre thing in the world but feeling your fear in that moment makes it seem SO INSIGNIFICANT. you realize it wasn't as bad as you thought and that the biggest fear is actually the emotion caused by the fear and not the fear itself, i.e., the feeling a certain way from a certain happening. so, for example, if you have a fear of failure or a fear of starting a business, feel what it would be like to fail generally or fail from starting a business = you might feel defeated, awful, like you suck, disappointed, you'll have to figure out a plan b. so on and so forth. write them all down. exactly how you'd feel. terrible, stupid, I can't do this, I'm dumb, I can't believe I did this. I wasted all of this money. everyone is disappointed in me. and THAT'S IT. literally, that's it. sit with those emotions. hash them out. once you feel the disappointment, the sucking, the defeat, you'll first realize, 1) ok this isn't as terrible as I made it out to be and it's a pretty fleeting emotion, meaning it ends at some point; and 2) the chances of going down that failure rabbit hole are actually pretty slim - while you might be disappointed for some time, your family won't be disappointed in you, you KNOW you're not stupid and it definitely wasn't a waste of money because you learned from the entire experience. the entire fear is literally a made up belief in your mind that you can either let control you or you can become aware of it and actually control it yourself by giving it really little importance (and understanding it's part of the process). 

the most inspiring thing I ever learned was that your fears are actually there to serve you and show you where it is you need to grow and learn. your fears are the reason you came to earth to live this life and grow as a soul and a human. they're mirrors of your "made-up" limits, and if you fall for them, they'll keep you small your whole life. they're the part of you that's almost like a "small child" in need of extra love and guidance - it's just trying to protect you and quite honestly, doesn't know any better. so when you're faced with fear, stop and think: what is this showing me? where am I playing small? if it's a fear of failure, what is that actually doing for you? probably stopping you from a great career or a business idea that will help you evolve as a soul and quite possibly change the world (even if your "world" is within a one mile radius from your home). what if you decided to look at that fear and say, ok I understand where you're coming from, but I got this. and if I fail, it's not terrible. it will all be ok. because honestly, what if you never tried? 

melanie is currently...

obsessing over

• these madewell jeans (thanks, cristie for the recommendation)

• these jcrew pants (the best summer pants!)

• the half baked harvest cookbook. do yourself a favor and purchase it for your home. we've made a few recipes from here and love it!

watching

• the worst cooks in america, celebrity addition. i DIE of laughter watching this, because a good chunk of them are comedians. 

• SOUTHERN CHARM. on bravo. is everything. 

there isn't much to report here because i'm actually 25% through a fiction novel and really proud of this. 

 wanting

• for cristie to sell all of my old clothes on poshmark so that i can buy myself golden goose sneakers (lol)

• to get to my harbour island, bahamas vacation in July! me, the beach, and a nice cold kalik. I CANNOT WAIT. 

listening to

• podcasts - the usual: bitch sesh, how i built this, second life, that's so retrograde, the life coach school AND MY NEW OBSESSION the goop podcast. new podcast ads i've fallen victim to? lola tampons. because who doesn't appreciate organic hygiene?  

eating

• had whisk way too many times over the past week. and with reason - it's one of the best restaurants in the somi area. 

• Trader Joe's 'hold the cone!' ice cream cones. because they're less than 200 calories and worth every bite.

reading

• I'd like to report that I JOINED A BOOKCLUB. so now I'm being held accountable on finishing a book and I am halfway through The Last Mrs. Parrish. I'll let you know how it is once I finish it - I have mixed feelings about it (it's very gone girlish but the characters are a little bit frustrating and they're currently giving me anxiety). 

working on

• as if I had a lot of time on my hands, I also started a business accelerator course almost two weeks ago (I'm laughing right now because only me). wish me luck. I have 10 weeks left!!

cristie is currently...

obsessing over

• selling all my belonging and purging/organizing my life in the summer. i spent my memorial day weekend in miami (which btw, i will never do again because it was raining like crazy & my cabin fever with everyones traveling instastories was real) and due to the aforementioned rain, i decided to marie kondo my whole house. literally i put my whole closet on my floor and decided what to keep, donate and what to sell. i have collected so much clothes throughout the years, it' outrageous. anyways, now i am side hustling like crazy selling my items - check out my poshmark store here (lol). this is just the tipping point - i plan on taking my talents to tradesy, pinecrest market, ebay, craigslist and any other place i can sell sell sell! i feel so productive and hopefully RICH! 

• the ROYAL WEDDING. not over this, will never be over this. i was committed to the royal wedding. i had the justin timberlake concert the night before (epic) got home at 12:30am, went to sleep, woke up at 5am put on my tiara and headed to a viewing party. waking up to my instagram proclaiming THE QUEEN OF AMERICA HAS ARRIVED with a picture of Oprah just makes my world go round. also the ceremony was absolutely beautiful. this rendition of stand by me brought tears to my eyes. the carriage ride + the royal family waving them off at the church... just everything!!!! i am an anglophile and proud of it. 

watching

• okay, so ever since i decided to cut the chord (no cable - just basic + streaming services) i watch tv totally differently and just binge the most random things. my latest was happy endings. wherever hulu leads me - I GO. 

• ibiza - movie on netflix, which is a romantic comedy taking place in ibiza (duh) with gillian jacobs, vanessa bayer and my new obsession richard madden (cinderella + game of thrones). this movie made me want to PARTYY with my best friends but also fall in love with a DJ that looks and acts exactly like richard madden. maybe i should have included him in my obsession category because i truly am - something about his arms and back on that dj booth that i REALLY responded to plus his eyes, smile, accent... i can go on and on and on. he passed the hemsworth brothers as my number 1 hunk right now. 

• david letterman - my next guest needs no introduction with howard stern. howard stern is my guy and this is a fantastic interview of him! he really changed the world. 

 wanting

• to travel to ibiza and party. or just to travel in general. i am going to bahamas and portland this summer but i need more more more!

• jenni kayne shoes  in the pony hair mule. they have a campaign out called "whats your uniform" and i totally want to incorporate these into my uniform once i sell all my old clothes (goal - reward).

listening to

• newest podcast obsession: the goop podcast. yes, i am a disciple of gweneth paltrow (sue me!) and everything she does! love this podcast and i learn something new from it every week. 

eating

• it feels like three chefs and a chicken everyday for lunch. god, i love that sweet potato stacker. 

• my favorite thai place, asian thai kitchen, which is located inside a kwik mart on grand avenue. their tom yum gai soup is incredible and i get it thai hot!

• madruga bakery egg sandwiches. this is what my saturday morning dreams are made of - best egg sandwich in the game (sorry mom, i like yours too).

reading

• i am now in a book club with melanie and we have to read this book called "the last mrs. parrish" in three weeks. i have gotten to the step that i ordered the book on amazon and it arrived in my mailbox yesterday. i have a feeling this is going to take me back to my academic years of cramming a book in 2 days before the book club meeting. 

working on

• grounding myself. i am all over the place with my ADHD (diagnosed since a youngen people!). apparently, i need to meditate and improve my focus. so i got the app headspace and i was on a roll for like 6 days and now i have taken a 4 day break BUT i am WORKING ON THIS. i credit this to oprah's interview on goop podcast - damn, that woman is evolved. 

melanie is currently...

obsessing over

• the seventeen cookbooks i just bought. this one. this one. this one. this one. this means i'm really old, right? and no i didn't purchase them on amazon. i purchased them at books & books, our local bookstore! support local, people! 

• revamping my wardrobe. i threw out 75% of my closet after i had the kids. not because things didn't fit me but because i wasn't wearing any of it and because i read something somewhere (i might have heard it on that's so retrograde) about throwing out old clothes as a way of cleaning energy. like that portion of my life is gone and this is the new "me" so i'm making way for the new me and my new wardrobe. this purge included throwing out my attorney work clothes, which was freeing. now i just need to buy the new wardrobe. i'm looking for comfy, stylish, every day, "hi i'm a creative", clothes. like madewell, sea, golden goose, topshop?

• target. for my kids' clothes (cat & jack all day!) and the opal house home line. i bought this pillow this past weekend for our home office and love it. 

watching

• the real housewives (always) - potomac - if you're not watching this, you need to, if for anything at all to realize "living in potomac" is an actual thing. and nyc because, it's NYC and it's actually comedy hour. 

• nate and jeremiah by design (you guys, i just realized what i watch is terrible compared to cristie's picks. i'm laughing writing this. lolololol). my life is sad. 

 wanting

• a vacation. (on a beach so my children can run free without my fearing for their safety). 

• cristie's madewell pants. i need some summer pants. i'm really into these sea pants, too (the whole outfit actually - i LOVE the brand). but i'm also really into saving my money? the struggle is real. 

listening to

• podcasts, like cristie. bitch sesh, how i built this, second life, that's so retrograde, the lively show, the life coach school, marie forleo, almost 30. and i, like she, am also a victim of podcast ads. need a great bra? check out third love. cristie has other fantastic recommendations in her april currently post. 

• i'm also listening to latin radio on itunes music. it's my new favorite radio station. especially maluma and his new album. other HOL shop radio stations: hamilton, the musical, greatest showman, the musical, charting now, pure pop, sometimes we listen to cristie's dad's spotify playlist (fleetwood mac, elton john, neil diamond). 

eating

• check out recipe roundup no. 2. but i figured out a rhythm to our meal planning - pasta meals last the longest (obviously), and throwing in one morning prep crockpot meal is ideal. i tried cooking a lot of food on sunday for the week but i had instances where the food didn't taste the best after storing it for 2 days in the fridge. you live you learn. but i'll move on from this adult conversation to spare my younger, more vibrant audience. 

• obsessed with trader joe's and how much money it's saving me. we purchase: bread, fruits and veggies, cheese, butter, milk, cereal, ground turkey, organic chicken, cereal bars, wine, ice cream sandwiches!!! 

• new favorite coffee shop alert! cafe curuba in the gables. would totally recommend their matcha latte with soy milk and their pan de bono with guava. omg. the ultimate. 

reading

• you guys i'm actually getting through a book!!! the intuitive way by penny pierce. it's about connecting with your intuition so if you're into that stuff, i'd totally recommend it. 

working on

• some new transitions for HOL. good ones. growing! stay tuned. 

• a blog post on grief. i feel like this needs to happen. i lost my dog chloe two weeks ago and it's been a rough one. and i have so much to say about it. it's so taboo and people don't talk about it but it's so necessary. missing my pup like no other. but it's life, right?

cristie is currently...

cristie's current state:  living for the start of summer which, to me, is happening right now. love this part of summer where it's just starting and am building my tan and i still enjoy being outside and in the water. it's the best!

obsessing over

• donald glover aka childish gambino aka my angel.... i am obsessed with him! this is all started this weekend when i was watching saturday night live and i laughed so hard i had tears (this sketch & this sketch especially). he proceeded to performed as childish gambino and i was total heart eyes emojis. then i was alerted by the internet to his new music video and i was just shook. he is totally having a moment right now AND I AM HERE FOR IT. also, i just love his dance moves and he's playing simba in the new lion king movie. it's too much!!!!

watching

• okay this is a total random but i am watching the show mom on hulu. i have no cable so whatever hulu presents me i give a chance, and i am here to say whatever algorithm they have on me works because i am loving this show. it is so sweet, great little sitcom! 

• real housewives because i just can't give them up. i love them. 

 wanting

• to travel. but i think this is happening soon! i am making it happen soon. 

• to clean out my whole house and somehow sell stuff i don't want and make money for aforementioned travel. obviously i know there are ways to do all of this, it's just a matter of me doing it and i WANT to do, just can't commit to doing it. ugh. 

listening to

• podcast all day all night! once you go talk radio, it's hard to go back... i have a whole schedule: monday - armchair expert tuesday - anna farris is unqualified thursday - bitch sesh. everyday - the daily and xm radio (howard stern + radio andy). 

eating

• also into trader joe's. best place ever, especially if you are a new cook like myself. they have directions and ideas on all items to inspire you and just practical items! house of lilac loves trader joe's!

• kettle corn. we just got a new kettle corn vendor and they dropped off samples and i have been tearing through that popcorn like nobodies business! it's the perfect balance of salty sweet aka my favorite type of treat ever. 

reading

wait, i've read this month...proud of me!!!!

• crazy rich asians - easy, fun read! fascinating take on the titular crazy rich asians. i am down to be a crazy rich asian, that is for sure!

• halfway through born a crime. trevor noah (daily show) is a born storyteller. he interweaves through stories of his childhood/ his apartheid experience with both comedy and such insightful analysis - i am just digging it. important book to read but also a great book to read!

working on

• still selling my car...

• committing to cleaning and organizing!