Thirty, Flirty, & THRIVING!

She’s thirty, flirty, and thriving! For over a week now already, but…such is life lately with two kids. HA. I can’t believe I’m officially in my THIRTIES. It’s funny, as a kid you see thirty-year-olds as being so “put together” – like real grown ups. Then you become one… 😉 But in all seriousness, I really feel like my 30’s will be my TIME. My era. Just a decade marked by more fully stepping into who God made me to be and more confidence and clarity through it all.

In birthdays past, I’ve shared my favorite songsfun factsthings I know to be truethings I’m grateful for…the list goes on.

Today to commence Chapter 30, we’re talkin’ 30 things I will always recommend. Some are serious, some are fun, some are products, some are ideas…all are recommendation-worthy! 🙂

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses) THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses) THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

Pleated jumpsuit (20% off with code: ERICALIGENZA20)

 

  1. Invest in a professional deep clean of your house. It’s like investing in your sanity, and for us, it’s 100000% worth it.
  2. Before making a definitive judgment on ANYTHING, ask yourself, “is this a feeling or a fact?” When we actually screen our thoughts and question their legitimacy instead of automatically accepting everything as gospel, we stop living liable to temporary emotions and start intentionally removing lies and adding truths to our inner dialogue.
  3. The holy trinity of no-makeup days: This glowy base + this tinted SPF + this illuminating undereye cream. I’m complimented for my “glow” every time! P.S. Code THRIVE20 at DIME and ERICA20 at CRB!
  4. Keep a running “gift list” in your phone of gifts you given your people for holidays, birthdays etc, and also a running list of their favorite things. It makes gift-giving SO much simpler, less stressful, AND more meaningful. (More tips on how to be a better gift giver here!)
  5. Poppi. Jamie and I each drink a can a day. Papa Frank grabs a can from our fridge whenever he’s over. Olivia steals sips of Mommy’s Poppi because she’s the coolest. They taste fabulous BUT ALSO are actually healthy??? They’re good for your gut health without all the added sugar and junk.
  6. Clean up your skincare routine (and really, all body/beauty products). This has been an ongoing journey for me since TTC Jonah. I started deep diving into ingredient labels and learning more about HOW to read them, what to look for, and what chemicals are blatantly bad that are uncomfortably common and widely unknown to the general public as being harmful instead of helpful. It’s no secret I started using a ton of DIME products since they’re certified clean AND work so well (code THRIVE20 will still take 20% off at checkout for you). I lovelovelove this natural deodorant that ACTUALLY WORKS (coming from a lifelong Secret girl, this is big haha).
  7. Learn how to read ingredient labels (+ clean out your pantry). Highly recommend downloading the Yuka app and scanning everything in your cabinets – but be ready to be appropriately horrified at how many god-awful things are in so many of America’s favorite foods. 🙃 Did you know Dorito’s have a “flavor enhancer” that can cause migraines, skin flushing, nausea, and can lead to neurodegenerative and auto-immune disorders? And colorants that have been connected to hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders in kids? COOL COOL.
  8. Learn how to read fabric/material labels. Not only does it help identify what kinds of fabrics feel and lay best on your body, but it’s helpful for finding designer dupes when you know what the specific material makeup of your favorite pieces are. I’ve learned I lovelovelove chiffon for a beautiful flowy dress anyday, linen is a no go bc #wrinkles, and a rayon/spandex blend will feel FABULOUSLY squishy soft for sleepwear etc.
  9. The Tonie box. Our family favorite. The BEST screen-free activity to encourage quiet listening time with all of their favorite characters. Olivia listens to stories + songs on it every single night as she falls asleep! Also fabulous because you can gift characters for “smaller” gifting occasions (stocking stuffers, Easter baskets, etc).
  10. Do movement that you actually enjoy. Stop trying to be a runner if you actually hate running. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done.
  11. 10-minute tidies. Truly amazing how much you can clear up in just ten minutes! 
  12. Good wireless bras that don’t show under even the tightest of bodysuits and work for all sizes (actually though). 
  13. Good no-show undies that don’t leave panty lines but also aren’t thongs that feel like a rubber band up your bum.
  14. Good no-show socks that don’t slip under your foot or fall off. These have stood the test of time for me AND so many of you for YEARS!
  15. Go to your annuals. The dentist, the OBGYN, the dermatologist, the eye doc, etc. Don’t be that person who skips their appointments and then gets cancer or cavities down the road because they weren’t caught in time – it’s preventable!
  16. Celebrate more. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. But celebrate your people. Celebrate yourself! No win or moment is “too small” – mail the card because they’re a great friend, buy a bottle of bubbly to cheers the raise, promotion or pivot, or send a box of brownies to the mom whose win is raising small humans (Pamela’s lactation brownies are BOMB DOT COM – and you can use code ERICA for $2.50 off a box at checkout!)
  17. Get rid of your scale. Eat to fuel your body, and when you’re going to “splurge,” enjoy every second of it. (Speaking of brownies…ha!)
  18. A Barefoot Dreams-inspired blanket. The real deal is great, but it’s $150+ and there are absolutely similar options out there for less. It’s the blanket we all would reach for and fight over, but now we don’t have to since we’ve got so many alternatives available!
  19. Once you’ve identified a problem, work to identify potential solutions. Complaining does nothing. You’ve got ten minutes to vent about it, a day to feel sorry about it – then it’s time to get to work about it. 
  20. This stain treater. Gets out ERRR’THAAANG – watch it work like magic on strawberry stains.
  21. Boundaries. Set them. Enforce them. Respect them.
  22. These Lululemon-inspired Amazon leggings that are 1/3 the price of Aligns AND don’t pill or collect hair. 
  23. Invest in these four things: your skin, your faith, your coffee, your relationships. 
  24. Five sips. My rule of thumb for hydration! Whenever you spot your tumbler – grab it and take five long sips. Fill this tumbler with ice, water, + fresh fruit.
  25. Know whatcha got and work with it to wear clothes, products, etc, that bring out your best and make you feel fabulous. Example: If you’re uncomfortable with your stomach, skip low rise denim or itty bitty bikini bottoms – a top with ruching around the waistline will be your best friend. If you’re not the curviest on the bottom, choosing a flowier skirt or fit-n-flare option will add a bit of visual curve for you. 
  26. These dried cherries. 1000% times yummier + juicier than raisins or craisins, no added sugar but hits your sweet tooth, and loaded with antioxidants!
  27. Quiet time with Jesus. Admittedly, I’m not the best at carving aside actual quiet time in actual solitude, and my prayer life is mostly lived on the go; my man JC and I catch up in the car, in the grocery store, in 10-minute tidies of my kids’ rooms…you catch the drift. But retreating in the mountains last month (literally) really reminded me how powerful it is to also carve time aside for the Lord, even if it’s just sitting and staring at a beautiful sunrise or sunset while meditating on His word or giving simple thanks and praise.
  28. Lovevery boxes. We stan the Lovevery brand so hard. They make developmentally appropriate play kits + more that speak to different age milestones…but the toys are actually fun, super stimulating, and made SO well. Things we had in Liv’s boxes years ago still look brand new for Jonah man today! 
  29. Make eye contact and smile. Eye contact is so seriously underrated. Sharing WARMTH is underrated! Just being an open, focused conversationalist goes an especially long way in today’s society, since it feels like more often than not, people have forgotten how to talk without distractions or screens.
  30. Always travel with a pair of black leggings, spare underwear, a toothbrush and a snack. This is a cardinal rule of smart traveling.

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING! - 30 Things I Will Always Recommend (on Coming Up Roses)

Pleated jumpsuit (20% off with code: ERICALIGENZA20)

So there we have it.

A new chapter. A new decade. Same me. 

We’re going on 30…thanks for going with me. 🙂

A walk down birthday lane…

Year 29

Year 28

Year 27

Year 26

Year 25