Kay Wilson Custom Creations

A couple weeks ago, I received an Instagram friend request from a "jewelry account." I visited the page, KayWilsonCreations, and immediately fell in love with what I saw. It sounds so strange and even now I can't quite explain it, but I was just so drawn to her creations! Lots of Aztec/Bohemian/eclectic designs featuring really cool, eye-catching pieces like arrowheads, tassels, tusks, and of course quatrefoils! (I later discovered that Kay is a Phi Mu from Ole Miss as well, so the love for quatrefoils is real!)

I began commenting on photos like crazy!
 "I want this!"
"Send me this!"
"How much is this?!"

And speaking of that last part, one of the most appealing things about Kay's designs: price. Just glancing through some of her designs, I would have guessed the prices would be upwards of $50-$60 per necklace... But her prices are so reasonable, AND she includes shipping in the price!

I knew right away that I had to have these three pieces: two of her beautiful tassel necklaces (seriously obsessed with tassels right now) and a pair of gold quatrefoil earrings (it's a Phi Mu thing).

I emailed her these pictures and asked her to just make one change to the quatrefoil earrings.

She responded almost immediately, and that's when I had the fabulous idea to barter a little (blogger life). "Hey, how bout a small discount in exchange for some publicity?" Win for her business and win for me too!

I'm so glad that Kay was willing to allow me to feature her on my blog and Instagram today in exchange for a discount on her beautiful pieces! She PayPal-ed me the invoice, and I had my jewelry within a couple days! She is absolutely fabulous! Below is a little more about Kay and how she began her jewelry-making business!


"I am a wife and stay-at-home mom (to two precious children, Hannah and Hayden) and thus always trying to find a creative outlet, whether it be art projects with the kids, renovating houses with my husband, or designing and creating jewelry pieces.

When the children were younger I would sew their clothes and had a small monogram/appliqué business from home. Mostly making clothes and baby gifts for friends and family. As my children outgrew the appliqué clothes, I searched to find another way to express myself creatively while being able to make extra income for our family. Jewelry designing has become "my thing". I love creating new pieces and sharing those designs with my friends and family. Currently I am inspired by the natural elements in jewelry making: arrowheads, horns, antler tips, and natural stones and gems. Everything has such a bohemian feel to it right now, which I love!!!

I have had such wonderful feedback from my customers thus far and I can't wait to see what this next adventure holds for me and my family."

I am personally so glad that Kay friended me on Instagram. I absolutely love her pieces and am definitely going to be ordering from her in the future! Visit her Instagram page by clicking here!

LOVE this black tassel necklace Kay created!

My custom jewelry from Kay!

Fried Chicken and Beer//Salads and Water

Sometimes I go to events and eat fruit and cheese and sip water and behave myself. Sometimes I drink four glasses of wine, three cups of beer, and inhale five pieces of fried chicken tenders. It's called balance.

One thing I love about the way I live healthfully is that I readily and happily and proudly admit that I don't do it perfectly.

And there are times that I don't do it at all. I never put on this façade that I'm super healthy all the time. I don't make a show about making healthy choices in front of others, and I certainly don't condemn others for the way they choose to eat or live their lives. Because I'm human, I understand that we're all entitled to eat and fuel our bodies the way we see fit, no pun intended. Should we always strive for healthy choices? Duh. But it's not necessarily reality.

You may have seen me at Panera Bread with a friend a couple of weeks ago. I ordered a half salad with a side of fruit and sipped water and fed my baguette that came with the salad to my son. I worked out that night and had a protein smoothie afterwards.

                                         

Or you may have noticed me at my cousin's wedding last weekend balancing two plates of chicken tenders and burger sliders on my arm, yelling at my husband to get me another beer, and carrying a roll in my mouth on my way outside to eat in peace, away from the crowd. 

                                        

Yep, it's called balance.

I love that I can be honest about my journey and my life with you guys. I love that I can be honest with myself, too. I eat healthily roughly 80% of the time. Sometimes I'm a little better, sometimes I'm a total slacker. Lately? I'm right in between. I'll have a few super healthy days, then a day of French fries and ice cream. 

                            

I'm working out 2-3 times each week, running at least once a week, and am tracking my weight every few days.

 I am super busy right now with work at Amy Head and building my team with ItWorks Global. I'm honestly happy just maintaining right now. Really soon I'm going to get "serious" again and working on the 10-15 pounds I'd like to lose by summer. For now? I'm enjoying a full sugar, full fat frappucino. I'm having a salad for dinner.

It's called balance.

I've had some time to calm down.

When I wrote the post about quitting my job as a teacher more than a month ago, I was extremely emotional. I literally sat in a corner in Starbucks writing the post with tears rolling down my face. I was so sad and so relieved at the same time. Although I got numerous messages about the post supporting my decision to leave my job, I can't help but feel that my thoughts on the blog were a little scattered and unorganized; I felt like I was rambling at some parts, and I totally was.

Well, I've had some time to clam down. And think. And reflect.

My decision to quit my job is probably the best one I've made so far this year. Yes, I know we're only a few months into 2016, but I feel in my heart that I did what was truly best for me and for my family. I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted from my shoulders, like the elephant is finally off my chest.

Looking back, I don't really know how I made it as long and as far as I did. I knew by October that this wasn't what I wanted to do, and I really didn't think I would be returning after Christmas, but I did, hoping and praying that things would be better and for just a moment, they were.

 

For nearly four years, I gave teaching everything I had. When I was slacking, I knew it. I addressed it and vowed to get better. I went to trainings, took rigorous notes, stayed consistent, or tried to at least, and took in all the advice and constructive criticism I could handle... until it all became too much.

I remember my first year as a teacher, not entirely fondly. There was criticism after criticism after criticism. It wasn't always helpful; it was rarely kind. I had just turned twenty-two; I was practically still a child fighting hard to grow up and be an adult in a cruel world. There is absolutely no shame in admitting that I am soft and sensitive, something that surprises a lot of people, for some reason. I'm not easily bothered, but I am easily upset. I wear my feelings on my sleeve, and I let people get the best of me. I am kind and compassionate, two qualities that are also mistaken for weakness.

I used to hate that I was that way, and I'm only just now coming to terms with being okay with it. It's who I am, it's how God made me. I shouldn't have to apologize for it or try to make up for it. And now, I don't. I finally decided to listen to this nagging feeling in my heart that I was not where I was supposed to be. I couldn't ignore it any longer.

So I set out to do something that more closely aligns with who I am as a person. I wanted to do something where I could be soft and compassionate and empathetic all at once. Luckily, I've found that in the two jobs I now hold: as an independent distributor with ItWorks Global and as a makeup artist with Amy Head Cosmetics.

I've had some time to calm down and think about the decisions I've made in the past few weeks. I'm proud of what I've done, guys. I absolutely hated to leave my sixth graders... As a matter of fact, if there is one hurt I still have, it's for them. I love them and think of them daily. But I did what I felt in my heart was best, and I am happy.

And that, my friends, is what matters.

Footwear & Feelings

When you start calling your inventory of shoes "your collection," it's possible you have a bit more pairs than you really need. But nevertheless, women everywhere love adding some fancy footwear to their closets.

It's no wonder we crave them. Usually they're one of the funnest parts of your outfit. And even when you're feeling low about how a dress looks or how a top fits, you can bet your favorite pair of shoes will still look amazing. As someone with decades of experience wearing shoes, I've come to the conclusion that there are a few different types guaranteed to give you just the boost you need to raise your confidence and then some. For example, let's say you want to feel sexy. There's no question that a pair of pumps can quickly do the trick, which isn't that surprising seeing as to how heels were scientifically proven to boost confidence.

When it comes to shoes, they're the height of femininity. A bright color can make you feel bold, sexy, and completely in charge of yourself. They can make your legs look amazing and nearly any outfit look sensational. To satisfy the latest trends, try a pair of solid-colored, closed-toe platforms. You can also amp up the femininity with bow or lace accents.

Or, let's say you'd rather feel cute than cunning. To feel like the fun and relaxed girl-next-door, you're going to want to reach for a pair of ankle boots. Knee-highs can look a little formal at times, and thigh-highs are a bit too seductive. Ankle boots give off a carefree air of comfort and charm. As you can see from the women's shoes available for the season, they're certainly one of the most popular styles for this time of year. Not only can they make you appear warm and approachable, they'll also keep your toes from freezing with the temperature drops. Leathers and animal prints will add a bit of an edge, so try to stick with softer fabrics like suede to enhance your cozy and comfortable persona.

Finally, let's say you want to feel invincible. There's nothing better than a pair of sleek sneakers. We've all left the gym feeling a little dejected when the person next to you is going double your speed on the treadmill. If a similar instance has left you unmotivated and discouraged, lacing up a new pair of sneakers can be just what you need to get back on the workout wagon. Plus, thanks to the ever-rising athleisure trend, you can wear them even when you're not heading to a workout but still want to feel like you could kick butt at a moment's notice. Take the look to the next level and try a pair that zips-up in the front, or trade classic laces for trendy bungees.

A shoe isn't going to solve all your problems. But sometimes, at least for a little while, a great pair of shoes can certainly lift your spirits. The next time you're feeling low, give a new pair of shoes a try. At the very least, you'll have another pair to add to your ever-growing collection.

Oh, hi.

Well, hey there. Remember me? I'm that girl you know or at least feel like you know, Kate. I blog from time to time, and I've found that I'm pretty good at it.

But I have not been a good blogger as of late. I gloat just a little about owning my own time, yet I've stayed so incredibly busy! I've got so many posts in my drafts folder that I promise to publish really soon!

Here's what's happened lately...

February 12th was my last day as a 6th grade English teacher. The next day, I did drinks and lunch with some of my best friends in Oxford.

Then I stopped by Amy Head Cosmetics to grab some new makeup essentials. And I asked Claire, the manager and one of my good friends, for a job. Yep, I sure did.

A week and a half later, I got the job, and I began working at/for Amy Head on March 2nd. I have more on that coming really soon!

My best friend, Cheslin, who's been stationed in Alaska with her husband, came to Mississippi at the end of February, so I got to meet up with her for lunch last week. I hadn't seen her in nearly two years, and she finally got to meet Vaught!

I blocked in for a Ruby promotion with ItWorks at the end of February and am so close to getting it! I am absolutely loving being a part of this company and helping my team reach their goals! I was so excited that I interrupted my upline's family dinner on a Saturday night to get her help with charting my team!

I'm Matron of Honor in my cousin/best friend's wedding on March 19th, and this past weekend we did her bachelorette trip in Birmingham, AL. We stayed at Ross Bridge Hotel and had a spa day on Saturday; it was fabulous! It was seriously so relaxing--just what I needed!

I did her makeup before going to dinner Friday night!

I have totally slacked in the fitness department, I admit. I've been working out only twice a week, and my diet has not been too healthy in the past few days! I was doing a great job counting carbs a couple weeks ago, and I lost eight pounds! But then I stepped on the scale yesterday morning to find that I'd gained almost all of it back, so I'm regrouping this week and taking my ItWorks vitamins!

Eric and Vaught are doing great! My home life has greatly improved since quitting my job. There's a lot less tension, a lot less stress in our home!

We made it to church yesterday!

I am going to try my best to get some posts scheduled this week and catch you guys up on my life. Thank you so much for the endless love and support; love you all!