*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

This summer I got pretty good at scheduling my days hour by hour. I wasn't a fan of doing this, but I lost a sense of balance and over committed myself. The second week of August was my breakthrough. My summer class ended and detasseling wrapped up, meaning we could move back home! Yay!

I was finally able to enjoy my day and take things as slow as I wanted. I prioritized flexibility and tried to remember to soak in the last few hot days of summer. Then, a crazy week sprung up and there was a couple things that really helped me out.

Last week, we moved into our new apartment, Trey had back surgery, and I was throwing up routinely. It was then, when I put my planner away and asked God to carry us through every morning. Of course you should make a sticky note of any appointments, but other than that, shove it in a drawer. You don't need to worry about wedding gifts and RSVPs right now.

It's interesting how these events unfold. I brought work to his surgery and whenever I finally had everything set up, it was time to move rooms lol. I think this speaks a lot to these kind of weeks though. The constant "go" felt like a tug from God saying, "Just be there. Do the work later." 

I need these reminders. Often, I'm trying to be as efficient as possible, which can appear as being distracted. Putting away my planner seriously helped me see the greater need and enjoy moments I may have missed otherwise.
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I'm about seven months pregnant and that means slim pickings for clothes! Well, or that I'm too cheap to buy a ton more LOL. Combine moving into an apt. with a broken washer and getting puke on half of them, we have arrived at slim pickings.

However, I recently got a pair of Shinesty undies in the mail and my world has changed. They are the most comfortable pair I've ever put on and it feels like you're wearing nothing at all! They'd be perfect for a day of flying or road tripping in the car. For instance, when we were coming home from Trey's surgery and I was throwing up on the side of the road, I would've loved to been wearing these. COZY clothes make gross moments less sucky. 

Now y'all know I like to stay on budget, especially when it comes to clothes. Shinesty has a subscription where you can receive a thong every month for $8.99! Along with that, there’s an option to do every other month or every three, which is totally manageable for my budget. The next thing I might snag is one of their sale swimsuits for under $30! This is also a great place to pick up a trendy Halloween costume. :)

I think the best thing I learned this week was to loosen my grip. Clutching your life tightly in your hands can definitely help you get things done, but then it becomes about the tasks and not the feelings behind them. Once I knew I couldn’t do laundry, I was like well I’m gonna rock Trey’s joggers for two days and hopefully get away with it. 

As I accepted I wouldn’t get any work done or things organized in the apartment, I was able to laugh. Laugh at the fact that I would be sick and seven weeks pregnant when Trey finally got his surgery. Laugh at how bad his memory was waking up and that school started the following week. Laugh at how some people would be an anxious mess and how we just used it as an excuse to watch more Grey’s Anatomy. You will lose your grip on life, but God's grip on yours doesn't disappear. Rest in that. 

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Do you ever book a trip and wonder if you should get a hotel or Airbnb? I've thought this many times and after a little mixture of using both, I finally know what I like. For awhile, I kept thinking, "Which is it Lo? What one do you like better?" Then, I realized I really like using both, but for different occasions. That being said, I'll break down under what conditions I'd chose a hotel and what conditions I'd chose an Airbnb. Let's dive in!

I've decided when I'm traveling alone, I'd much rather stay in a hotel. I like being surrounded by other people and I feel way more comfortable. I have one door to lock and I'm not worried about various windows being broken or doors I didn't know about.

The bathrooms are usually much bigger too and the extra space feels relaxing. At an Airbnb, you don't know the neighbors or area well enough to know it's safe. Lastly, the front desk is a phone call away and most hotels have security cameras!

When Trey and I went to Juneau, we rented an Airbnb. It was a very cute and cozy loft! However, sometimes the app can be a little misleading. Even if you click "entire home," you can still end up with a place attached to the owner's house. It wasn't a huge deal, but we had to be pretty quiet and share the driveway.

In this case, if you KNOW you have the entire place to yourself and the owner lives at a different property, go for an Airbnb! They can make a trip way more affordable and fun, especially abroad. Plus, you can save more by making your own meals if you have a full kitchen. Though, before you go, make sure you know how you both want to spend your time. If sitting by the pool or getting a massage is a major want, then definitely opt for a hotel!

When you're with your family, you might have different priorities. If you're visiting relatives, staying in a hotel might be more comfortable. You can come back and order room service or get a drink at the bar downstairs. This will also be a good idea for a beach vacation, if you don't know the area. Often, hotels have private beaches and restaurants within walking distance.

When we were in San Diego, there was a trolley tour that took us all around town. Keep this in mind, because tourist businesses like that, make pick up spots convenient to popular hotels. We didn't have a rental car either, but the hotel had enough amenities, that we really didn't need one!

If you're heading to a national park, I'd go for an Airbnb. These properties will be cheaper because they are outside of the park. This way, you can pack up lunches in your kitchen and ditch the crowds at the end of the day. Also, Airbnb is the PRIME place to find unique places to stay. Match your national park vibe with a rented cabin!

With a group of friends, I'd almost always choose an Airbnb. You can book these for dirt cheap, if y'all are splitting the price. Did I mention this is the prime time to check out their "Experience" tab? Visit the Bali Swing or take a local cooking class, with a huge group, there's always someone to tag along with you!

If you're looking to do a ski trip, I would definitely check out Airbnbs, before booking a suite at a ski lodge. There's plenty of places you could snag with a private hot tub and great view :)

It's crazy how long I've wanted to write this post. Maybe two years now? Anyway, I know God pushes me to write these when the idea has come full circle. I want the best content for y'all and planning trips can be so fun when you have great advice. I hope you found this helpful!

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