6 Best Amazon Alternatives

I was a huge Amazon buyer. In fact, I was lucky enough to be accepted in their influencer program. Which is basically where I could recommend various products and get commissions from the sales. But with all the happenings from this past year and Amazon getting too big for their britches, I left. (That topic is for another day.) So I searched out the top 6 online stores that are comparable or even better than Amazon.

  1. Shop Local. Most local stores today have an online presence. So if there is a store in a nearby town or in another state, be sure and shop from their website. I try to shop local whenever I can but sometimes it can be difficult to find certain specialty items in small town stores. So instead of searching Amazon, I’ll do a special search on google and usually I’ll find online businesses that carry the product I’m looking for. Another tip is to search Amazon, find your product, and then go to the seller’s main website to purchase. This way the seller keeps all of the profits, you’ve found your item and helped a small business too. Here are a few of my favorite online small businesses. Hive and Home Tyler Candle Store
  2. Zappos. Zappos sells shoes, clothing, and accessories but they are known for their customer service. Most of the time my order will arrive in two days (faster than Amazon) and they offer free returns. You can also earn rewards for future purchases which is a win win for me. Zappos
  3. Barnes & Noble. This is by far one of the best online stores to purchase books. They sell other items as well such as ebooks, music, and games. They have coupons and specials listed on their website and have a great shipping record. Barnes & Noble
  4. QVC. This has become a new favorite. QVC is a home shopping network that you can find on your tv and online. They have tons of different products from fashion, gourmet foods, to household products and beyond. Some items have flexible payment options and returns are allowed within 30 days. QVC
  5. Ebay. Ebay is an auction site where you can sell or purchase items. You can find almost everything under the sun. Collectibles, clothing, jewelry, household items, and just about anything can be found here. Just be sure to look at the reviews of the seller before you purchase so you’ll know you have a reputable seller. Ebay
  6. Etsy. Etsy is my favorite and the one I use the most. Most of the sellers here are artists and creatives that sell handmade items and are small businesses. You can find vintage items, clothing, wood arts, glass arts, and even supplies and materials. I have an addiction to sewing fabrics….my husband doesn’t understand. Etsy

Online shopping was a blessing for so many of us this past year and will continue to be a popular resource for all of us. So let’s support our small businesses online and local and help them grow.

The One Bible Verse That Will Help You This Week!

Bible Verse

Let me begin by saying that I am no where near a Bible expert. I try to read the Word on a daily basis but sometimes I fail, miserably. But, I do find myself reaching for it more frequently when life gets a little harder or when the outside world gets exhausting. One thing is for certain, the Word will calm you, help you see the bigger picture, and will reassure you that whatever the circumstances, the Lord is control of it ALL.

There will be no question that this week will be filled with lots of unknowns, anxieties, and fears. I’ve been struggling with these emotions myself. And this verse helped calm some of my fears. So if you feel overwhelmed this week or anytime the events of the world seem out of control and hard to comprehend, remember this verse…

Just remember that He created it ALL and He is in control of it ALL. The government, our leaders, and the election. Everything that comes to fruition will be for His purpose and glory. So if this week gets a little hard, keep this verse in mind and have faith. If you find yourself needing more reassurance, open your Bible and seek Him out. He will comfort you. I hope this gives you some encouragement for whatever happens this week.

xoxo, Angie

5 Bible Verses That Will Help You Get Through The Week.

As we begin a new roller coaster ride into another month of 2020, we still have so many uncertainties facing us. Work, school, and everyday living are still up in the air for many. But there’s no better place to turn than the Word of God to help us get through difficult times. Here are 5 of my favorite bible verses to encourage you through another week.

Feel free to save these verses at your screensaver. Just click HERE to download your favorite. I hope these verses help you not only this week but everyday.

xoxo, Angie

Favorite Summer Reads!

Favorite Summer Reads!

summer books

Hey y’all! Can you believe that we’re already thinking about August? I’ve tried to avoid thinking about all of the unknowns with a few good books. They’ve been a good distraction and have given great inspiration too. So since summer is almost coming to an end, here are some great books that will help distract and encourage you for the upcoming months!

Dumplin

Dumplin by Julie Murphy- This is definitely one of my favorites. Self discovery, self confidence, with a little bit of Dolly Parton thrown in and you’ve got a read that will encourage you. The Netflix movie is a good representation of the book, but I highly suggest reading the book.

Girl, Wash Your Face

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis-This has been out a few years so I’m sure a lot of you have read this or heard about the author. If you’re looking for a great self help book that will inspire you to put down your struggles, this is for you. She is very relatable in telling of her struggles with self confidence. So if you’re constantly worrying what others think of you, I highly suggest this book. You will reach for this book over and over, I promise.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han-This is primarily for teens, but I love books like this. This is a 3 book series and two have been made into movies. I’ve read all three and am excited about the third movie coming out this year. If you’re wanting just a good distraction from 2020, these are great reads.

Live Fearless

Live Fearless by Sadie Robertson- Who doesn’t love Sadie Robertson?? Her books are always on my go to list. And are always great repeat reads. If you feel like fear is holding you back from doing something, read this book. Sadie talks about her fear, how she overcame it by loving herself and her faith in the Lord. It’s just a great read for helping you grow and trusting in who God made you to be.

These are just a few of my favorites and ones that can be read over and over again. So whether you’re wanting a little escape or encouragement that will inspire and help you grow, these are just few that are great to begin with. I’d love to know what you’re reading too! Be sure and comment and tell me some of your faves!

5 Tips for Vacationing in 2020

beach

5 Tips For Vacationing in 2020

We made it to summer my friends! And it looks NOTHING like our summers before….vacationing at sandy spots, standing in line for delicious food, or shopping at favorite stores has changed. But with a little planning and common sense, our summer can still be safe and full of wonderful family memories. So if you’ve booked your summer getaway, here are a few things our family done that helped us stay safe while still having a great time.

  • Private Beach-If it all possible, I recommend to find accommodations that have access to a private beach. Being able to visit a private beach will help you avoid crowds and ensure good social distancing. You can also visit beaches that are considered state parks. More than likely these beach park will be mandated allowing decreased capacity for visitors. So if a private beach at your hotel/condo is unavoidable, a state park beach is your best bet for social distancing.
  • Order Your Groceries Online-This is probably one of the best decisions we’ve done and will continue to do this once life is back to normal. I ordered our groceries from the area store online and scheduled for delivery. I would have selected “Pick Up” but there wasn’t an available time for when we arrived so “Delivery” was the best option for us. Just know that there will be an additional charge for delivery and consider tipping expenses for the driver too. It wasn’t an enormous charge for us but each store is different so you might want to check the fees beforehand.
  • Order Take Out- Since I don’t cook on vacation, I’m not going to tell you to do that. But that’s an option if cooking on vacay is your thing. It’s not mine, so instead, we opted for a few pre made meals that we could bake in the condo. Whole Foods has a great selection of pre made meals such as spaghetti and meatballs, orange chicken and rice, and a baked ziti. We purchased a couple of these along with some ready to eat salads for a tasty and filling dinner. We also decided to order pizza one night to change things up a bit. This made the evenings very relaxed and we avoided the rush of getting cleaned up, which was nice. Doing this was a lot cheaper too. That keeps the husband happy.
  • Avoid Restaurant Peek Times- If you do decide to go to a restaurant, be sure and go during less crowded times. Lunch time was a great choice for us one day. It gave us the opportunity to have a great meal and drive to one of our favorite areas. Plus, we were still full that evening and opted for a snack back in the room….saving money equals happy husband. Going for an early dinner is another great option. Eating dinner around 4:00 gave us a way to avoid crowds and waiting in lines. It was still early enough that we were able to go back to the beach or pool for late night swims.
  • The Easiest- Just use common sense, be respectful of businesses and other people, show grace and offer kindness. We are all trying to navigate our way through this and come out stronger on the other side. If we all just did these few things, we would all be better off. Not only with the situation we’re facing right now, but for humanity as a whole.

Summer Travel Essentials

Since most of us have been let out of lockdown (woo hoo) and have our sights on traveling this summer, we thought we’d give you some awesome suggestions of products for your road trip. From packing tips to games, these are just a few of our must haves for those long family road trips. All of these are available on Prime and will definitely make your summer travel plans more comfortable and fun!

Travel Blanket

Portable White Noise Machine

Stainless Steel Tumbler

Travel Laundry Bags

Travel Jewelry Organizer

Memory Foam Neck Pillow

Healthy Care Package

Insulated Water Bottle

USB Power Inverter

Road Emergency Kit

Travel First Aid Kit

Car Seat Organizer

Car Trash Can

Brain Quest

Road Trip Game Kit

License Plate Game

USB Extra Long Cable

Travel Scavenger Hunt Game

Travel Vanity Mirror

Tidy Bands

eBags Packing Cubes

Heated Travel Blanket

These are just a few of our favorite travel essentials. Hopefully these products will make your packing and those long road trips a bit easier, less stressful, and a whole lot more fun! So tell us….what would you add to this list?

Friday Finds

Friday Finds

Another Friday is here and since we’re almost into the summer season, we decided to add a new series to the blog. Plus, it’s a good diversion from everything we’re experiencing right now. So, welcome to our very first Friday Finds!

These blog posts will be focused on products that we love and use on a daily basis. Whether it be fashion, health related, or home based products, these posts will be a compilation of our favorite styles and products. So let’s get this Friday Finds started with a little fashion!

Even with everything going on right now, I’m still hoping for a family vacation this summer. This will be our last chance to get one in before Big E goes off to college in the fall and I’d love to get some more memories in before he moves into dorm. Whether that happens or not, remains to be seen but I’ve still been scouring the web for some great lounge wear and swimsuits. And I think we’ve hit the jackpot!

These cute and comfy little linen shorts are perfect for summer. These would be great to wear everyday, travel, or cover up. They run true to size.

You can dress up or dress down this white tee. Great quality too. If you like a looser fit, go up a size. I’m wearing a small and it’s loose enough to give a great fit without feeling snug or tight. I’m wearing an XS in the shorts and they fit perfectly.

This is the cutest eyelet tee and could be worn with dressy shorts, skirts, or with a more casual look too. The jeans are high waisted with a loose fit. Both of these run true to size.

My white tee is the same as above and comes in a pack of 2. Just a great everyday tee. These pineapple shorts are just so fun for summer. I’m wearing a 2 and they are true to size.

This striped long sleeved tee is super soft and lightweight. This would be great for everyday or would make a great coverup. The denim shorts are distressed and both run true to size.

This is going to be my travel wear if we ever get out of lockdown! The cardigan is lightweight, super soft, and so comfy. I can’t wait to wear it. The lounge shorts are perfect for lounging at home, travel, or would be a great cover up too. Both run true to size.

This is the same long sleeve tee as above, just in another color. Again, this is a comfy little top that’s great for everyday wear.

I love graphic tees. And this one is so cute. It’s great quality, colorful, and perfect for summer. The lounge pants are becoming my favorite. They’re super soft, comfy, and run true to size.

We have found the cutest swimsuits for the summer and on sale! These mix and match pieces are adorable and come in a few colors and patterns.

If you’re more traditional and like matching swim pieces, this one is for you. Both has good coverage and fit true to size.

Unfortunately, the suit Sis is wearing is sold out. But we found a similar one that is just as cute and at a great price!

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