Tag Archives: experience

Nov24

How To Succeed With Your Dental Practice

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How To Succeed With Your Dental Practice

If you are keen to try and make sure that your dental practice is as strong as possible, there are lots of things that you might want to bear in mind. The truth is that you can always improve your dental practice, and it’s the kind of business that is open to being quite flexible. What are some of the areas that you might want to focus on to help you with this? Here are some ways to help succeed with your dental practice as much as possible in today’s world:

Build A Personal Patient Experience:

This is one of those things that will make a huge difference and can be relatively simple to achieve. If you want people to come back – which can be tricky when it comes to the dentist – then you should aim to build a personal patient experience that each individual patient will appreciate. That means that scheduling is made smooth and flexible, you have trained your team to greet patients by name, and you follow up after significant procedures. Patients notice these small touches!

Use The Best Equipment:

There is a lot to be said for making sure that you are using the best possible equipment you can. As long as you are doing this, you are going to find that you are much more likely to succeed, and that the experience your patients have is so much better too. For instance, you might want to think about making use of dental-grade soft reline material where possible, as this is going to be much more resilient and effective than any other grade.

Pexels Image

Keep Your Team Aligned:

If you want to run a successful practice, you need to make sure that everyone is on board at all times. Your staff is your brand in motion, so make sure that you have strong practices and that you are investing time in clear workflows, regular team meetings, defined roles and recognition for good performance.

Streamline Operations:

If you can streamline operations through the tracking of key metrics and using the right systems for everything from billing to inventory, you are going to find that it makes for a much more efficient dental practice overall. You will notice, your staff will notice, and your patients will definitely notice, so it’s something you’ll want to invest in.

Happy patients will continue to come back and these tips can certainly help!

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Aug29

Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

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Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

Live performances are among the most unique and exciting adventures you can have. No matter what you enjoy, from stage plays to rock concerts, no streaming channel can match what being there offers. From sensory engagement to unpredictability, here are some examples:

Adventure and Experience:

With the rise of streaming services, it’s easy to forget the unique experience of attending a show. What’s better, relaxing on the couch and pressing a button, or planning, booking with Broadway.com, and venturing out on a trip? The convenience of streaming has its benefits. But there is nothing like experiencing a live performance, even if you do it only once. Nothing compares to the overall adventure of seeing musical idols, stunning plays, and comedians right before your very eyes.

Engaging the Senses:

Just being in the same space as a performer you love creates a tangible experience that brings the senses to life. The sound, sights, and even smells of a packed auditorium are like nothing you can get at home. Adding to the excitement is the energy of the crowd, which makes a significant contribution to the experience. Through light, sound, and smell, your brain creates powerful memories connected to emotions that will typically last for the rest of your life.

Live Performances Feel More Connected:

In 2024 alone, Ticketmaster sold 637 million tickets. It’s safe to say live performances are alive and well, and whether you enjoy stage plays like Hamilton or want to rock out at an AC/DC concert, you can only get the connection you crave from a live show, and not a TV channel:

  • Performers will usually interact with the audience in a direct manner.
  • The experience feels more personal and conversational because of this.
  • Being among an excited crowd provides more energy and electrifies a performance.

Unpredictable and Organic Performance:

While stage shows and artists might tour with a set of performances, every show is unique. There are many variables that can impact a show directly, making each experience different from the last. Improvisation, audience participation, and surprising moments can make a show memorable. Singers might begin to sing in a different key than usual, actors can bring an audience member on stage, and an unexpected event can cause the show to change to a once in a lifetime memory.

The Emotional Impact:

The vivid sensory experience of a live performance is unlike anything else. Because of this, the emotions attached to it while you are there become much more pronounced, and this forges solid memories. More than a studio production, a live show has the power to evoke an even deeper emotional response due to the unfiltered energy that a band, singer, or actor exudes over the crowd. What makes it even more special is that that moment will never happen again.

The adventure and experience are why live performances deliver something no streaming platform can. Go to a show and have the time of your life!

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Jun16

A Discussion With Lisa Jewell

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A Discussion With Lisa Jewell

Hello! Libraries are such an amazing, beautiful, wonderful thing and the ones in my neck of the woods astound me. Every day, there is always some kind of event going on. Whether it’s story time for the kiddos that my nieces love to attend, cooking classes, crafts, concerts, and anything in between they are completely free and open to the public. My family and I frequent library events and have a jam packed schedule this summer to go to as many as we can. In fact, I just attended one this past week.

My sister recently sent me a link to a talk with Lisa Jewell through the Library Speakers Consortium. In this series, authors are interviewed and will do a question and answer session with the questions that viewers submitted. We simply couldn’t believe that Lisa Jewell was on the docket because we are such avid fans of her books! We have read countless thrillers by Jewell and have, for the most part, loved everything we have read. And, as luck would have it, her talk was scheduled exactly during my break time on Tuesday so I could join in.

During the discussion, Lisa filled us in on her new book, Don’t Let Him In, which will be released this month on the twenty-fourth. She guided as through the plot sans spoilers and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it because it sounds like a doozy! Lisa also answered at least ten audience questions and it was so fun and interesting to hear her on the spot responses. I was especially fascinated by her writing process. She does zero research for her books, she limits herself to writing one thousand words per day, and the most mundane encounters sometimes inspire a whole novel. It truly felt that she writes for the pure joy of writing and that really resonated. There is nothing better to me than taking my talons to the keyboard and seeing what happens!

It sounds silly, but it was just so cool to hear Lisa speak. Her accent and infectious laugh were simply charming and I was on pins and needles to hear what she was going to say next. Like her books, the way she speaks and the words she chooses are handled with such care. She delighted in the questions she was asked and I loved to hear how much she enjoys interacting with her fans on social media. Throughout the discussion, Lisa seemed like the woman you would love to grab a coffee with and chat away. She was so truly herself, didn’t put on any kind of airs, and it was evident that she enjoyed this talk just as much as the audience did. It was wonderful!

I am so happy that I got to attend this virtual discussion with Lisa Jewell! After way more years than I care to admit of reading her books, this was an awesome experience from start to finish. I wonder which author will be next in the series!

What is your local library like? Does your library host fun events too? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

AC/DC Concert

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AC/DC Concert

Hello! Wednesday the 28th was a fantastic, wonderful day because Johnny and I went to see AC/DC in Cleveland at Huntington Bank Field!! AC/DC is one of Johnny’s all time favorite bands and he has wanted to see them live ever since he was just a little guy. When I learned that they would be playing their last show in America in Cleveland for their Power Up tour, I decided to make his bucket list dreams come true with tickets for our birthaversary. While the opening act, The Pretty Reckless, sucked eggs lol, AC/DC delivered with over two hours of nonstop, high voltage rock. It was absolutely astounding!! Check out these pics of all of the ultra cool lighting and be sure to stop by my TikTok for videos:

When Johnny and I arrived at the stadium, The Pretty Reckless was already playing and as I was saying, they sucked eggs. And, as I told Johnny, they are REALLY trying hard to be The Dead Weather and failing miserably. Anyways, we were basically ignoring their portion of the show because we had more pressing matters to tend to. We were in the nosebleeds. And, when I say the nosebleeds, I mean that to the fullest extent because we were in the literal last row at the top of the stadium. We climbed the mountainous stairs up, up, up and all the while, I was deep breathing and refusing to look down because it was terrifying!! When we made it to our seats, I was panicking – we were up SO high!! It took me a phat minute to calm myself down and then I could actually appreciate our view. We were looking right down on the stage!

Blessedly, The Pretty Reckless wrapped up shortly after we were settled and we waited on pins and needles for AC/DC to take the stage. And, when they did, it was the best. Yes, it was cool to see them but it was even better to see Johnny’s reaction. He lit up like a kid on Christmas day! The show opened with If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) and the hits just kept on coming. The set was filled with all of the crowd pleasers like Thunderstruck, Back in Black, Stiff Upper Lip, Shot in the Dark, Hells Bells, Have a Drink on Me, and the list goes on and on. The lighting was nothing short of spectacular and, my god, did they sound good too. Brian Johnson simply nailed it and Johnny and I were in awe that his vocals still sound SO crisp after all of these years. We also just adored his little dances lol. And, of course, seeing Angus Young duck walk will never be forgotten. That man can shred like no other and seeing his iconic moves IRL really was a dream come true for my main squeeze.

The set continued with banger after banger (IE: Shoot to Thrill, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Whole Lotta Rosie, Rock ‘n’ Roll Train, and You Shook Me All Night Long) and it was truly one big party. To be in such a huge crowd of fans, sing along to every word, and dance like crazy was intoxicating. And, when it got darker outside, it was even more special. The sea of concert goers was lit up with devil horns a la Angus Young and it was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, Johnny and I began making our long trek back to the parking garage at the beginning of their last song pre-encore, Let There Be Rock. However, we could still hear them playing as we made our way to the car. We walked to the beat as we reveled in the high of one of the best shows we have ever seen.

What a night it was at Huntington Bank Field!! Being able to see AC/DC with Johnny was a once in a lifetime experience and we cherished every moment! ❤

What is the best concert you have ever been to? Are you seeing any concerts this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May26

Don’t Knock It!

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Don’t Knock It!

Hello!! Those of you who have been long term readers of lifewithlilred will know that I absolutely despise going to the dentist due to a horrible oral surgery gone wrong. For those of you who are just tuning in: I absolutely despise going to the dentist due to a horrible oral surgery gone wrong lol. It took a lot of time for me to feel even remotely comfortable going to routine cleanings and I am proud to say that they are a lot easier than they once were. Part of it definitely has to do with where I go for my cleanings: Aspen Dental.

I know, I know – Aspen Dental isn’t the most well reviewed dentistry practice in the world. In fact, I know several people who vowed to never step foot in one again lol. However, it is affordable and I love my oral hygienist who has been taking care of me since I started going a handful of years ago. She is well aware of my dentist phobia and does her best to accommodate anything that I need to make me more comfortable. This includes explaining everything she’s doing as she does it as well as providing ample time for me to take breaks. It might not seem like much but it has transformed my appointments into a more positive experience and encourages me to keep trying to do better with my oral health.

I had an appointment at Aspen Dental this past week and as I was waiting for the dentist to check in on me after my cleaning, I couldn’t help but snap this picture of my X-Rays. It always makes me laugh to see my piercings show up:

^^^ Lol so cool!

As I waited, I also pondered all of the ways that Aspen Dental has helped me. Regardless of if the practice as a whole might not be well received, the people who work at mine are phenomenal and their expertise is crystal clear. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is Don’t Knock It! I began going to Aspen Dental because they were able to get me in immediately for a chipped tooth. That experience alone told me everything I needed to know because I was upset and in pain and they took excellent care of me. I scheduled an appointment for a cleaning that very day, kept every single appointment since, and have no regrets. I feel fully confident in their team and I hope this instills confidence in you should you ever need to get dental help ASAP!

My appointment went great this week and I feel so good about the strides I have made in tackling my phobia and improving my oral health. I can’t believe I’m saying it but… I’m actually looking forward to my next cleaning!

What are you scared of? What helped you get over your fears? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

We’re Going To The Zoo!

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We’re Going To The Zoo!

Howdy!! The Akron Zoo simply blows my mind. It is the most wonderful place right in the heart of downtown Akron and every year it just gets better and better. It’s wild to think that this park and all of the amazing animals are literally right in the middle of the city lol. Every visit to the Akron Zoo is a fun one and it’s the perfect size because you can do and see everything in one afternoon. I recently took a trip to the zoo with a friend and I had no idea that I was going to be walking into Jurassic Park! Check it out:

When we approached the entrance to the zoo, we were greeted by a gigantic T-Rex and it was like “Wait, what?” lol. Little did we know, the zoo was setting up for an animatronic dinosaur adventure. Unfortunately, the dinosaurs weren’t moving when we visited but there were an abundance of them in all of their massive glory scattered throughout the park. It was definitely a different experience to be greeted by a Brontosaurus at the turn of a corner! Our visit turned into a scavenger hunt to find all of the dinos and it turned our outing into a unique adventure.

As we explored the park on the search for dinosaurs, we got to see so much awesome activity and a lot of napping in the exhibits. It was the first super hot day of the year and all of the big cats were snoozing in the sun! The animals that were up and about were moving and grooving, though. The penguins were swimming, the monkeys were swinging, and the Grizzly Bears were taking a dip in the pool. We were lucky enough to see the brother and sister bears, Cheyenne and Jackson, playing in the water. Granted, their playing looked a lot like fighting but as long as they were having fun lol. We could have stayed and watched them all day to see what they were going to do next. 😀

We were the happiest campers after our Zoo Day and have grand plans to return once the animatronics on the dinosaurs are in full swing. It will certainly be a sight to see!

What is your favorite zoo to visit? What is your favorite animal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr24

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

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Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Howdy!! I had a big day when I went to see Peter Pan at Playhouse Square. Very shortly after I arrived home from the show, it was time to go on the move again for an evening at Canal Park in Akron. My brother, Johnny, our bestie Cliff, and I all went to see our minor league baseball team, the Akron Rubberducks play against the Altoona Curve. Johnny’s work generously offers free tickets to their employees and we were all so excited to attend a game together. I had no idea what to expect because the last time I went to a game was almost a decade ago. And, let me tell you, all of our expectations were exceeded a million times over because we plan on going to as many games as we can this spring and summer!

Going to a minor league baseball game was truly the most fun I have had in ages. Not for the baseball itself but for the pure spectacle that unfolded before us. At least once per inning between the Ducks and the Curve, some type of audience interaction event was peppered in. The Ducks mascots: Astro, Webster, Rubberta, and Homer would amble through the crowd or run around the field. Children were brought onto the field to tip people dressed in inflatable cow costumes. There was an inflatable pony race and the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that a signature catchphrase was repeated frequently to everyone’s delight: “That’s a Luigi’s foul ball!!” One of the most popular restaurants in our neck of the woods, Luigi’s, has been affiliated with the Rubberducks for forever and their namesake is on the loudspeaker Every. Single. Foul. Ball. It’s hilarious!

As we watched the game, we were literally on the edges of our seats for what would happen next. Was the umpire going to scream at the coaches again? Would someone on the Curve get struck out with the prize being five dollar beers for the crowd? Would the children behind us continue to chant “five dollar beers” all night? This was a fantastical mystery of an experience and I wanted to know everything – Including why in the H-E-double hockey sticks it took us this long to go to a game together? Had I known a Rubberducks game was this ridiculous, we would have been season ticket holders. You live and you learn and I can’t wait for the next game. 😀

This Akron Rubberducks game opened my eyes to all of the fun we can have essentially in our own backyard and all I have to say is: Duck em’ up!!

Does your city have a minor league baseball team? What is your favorite baseball team? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar20

Treat Day Birthdays

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Treat Day Birthdays

Howdy! Johnny and I are the proud Fun Aunt and Uncle to five amazing kiddos – four girls and one boy. We value our time with each of them so much and they bring us such an immeasurable amount of joy! Johnny and I coined the phrase Treat Day for our outings with the kids because that is exactly what it is: A day where we get to spoil them rotten. Our typical Treat Day MO is a lunch at whatever restaurant they would like and an outing somewhere fun like the zoo, an indoor amusement center, or trampoline park. We will give options or will go with whatever our little has in mind. This past weekend, we celebrated our niece’s sixth birthday with a Treat Day bonanza and she knew exactly what she wanted to do: Dinner at Chipotle, a Target shopping spree, and a slumber party. It was a blast!!

Treat Days are amazing, but Treat Day Birthdays just hit different. It creates not only a celebratory atmosphere but a day where it is literally all about your little and anything goes. This could be a great option if you have a kiddo, niece, or nephew with a birthday on the horizon so let’s discuss a few key components to make it the best day ever:

Gifts:

For our niece’s Treat Day, shopping was the move so we were able to gift her with whatever her little heart desired. I did, however, make a sentimental gift for her to be able to physically open up: A photo album filled with pictures of me and her, her and Johnny, and all of us together. It was a huge hit! Chances are high that the Treat Day location you end up at will have plenty of opportunity to make purchases there as extra presents on top of the gift of experience. This formula served us well this time around because our niece was able to make her own choices and select toys and crafts that she knew she would play with. It also eliminated the possibility of her parents taking on the task should anything we picked out need returned.

Follow The Leader:

Our eldest niece is such a little planner and she simply comes alive during Treat Days because of that. Johnny and I are literally making her plans happen and use the Follow The Leader approach to solidify that it is “her” day. Whether it is the order in which she wants to do things or changing plans on a dime like an impromptu craft break during a viewing of Moana 2, it’s all good! During the birthday extravaganza, I couldn’t help but utilize the “Yes, and?” model of improv back in my theater days. Kids change their minds, you might end up doing something completely different than what you had in mind, and? You just go with the flow!

Prepare Accordingly:

For our niece’s outing, weather wasn’t a concern because we were simply going in and out of different places. If you are having an outdoor based Treat Day, then I cannot emphasize this enough: Plan it well! This seems like a no brainer, but there really is nothing more disappointing than a plan falling through that you were looking forward to – especially for a kiddo. Schedule your outing on a day with no weather surprises and should the unexpected happen, explain an equally fun Plan B a few days before and the promise of Plan A happening when weather permits. Springing a Plan B after disappointment might make matters worse and we can’t have that.

And, of course, if you are having an outdoor adventure – pack accordingly too! Prep a bag with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snacks, drinks, and items of comfort if needed. Don’t forget to bring some cash too as you might need it to do a wagon rental, photo booth, or activities at the location itself like feeding animals at the zoo!

Johnny and I truly have Treat Days down to the T and we cannot wait for our next adventure with our favorite littles!

What is your ideal Treat Day? How are you celebrating your little’s birthday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan17

Driving Safely In The Snow

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Driving Safely In The Snow

Hello!! In my youth, winters in Ohio were brutal. The snow was extreme, the temperatures were frigid, and school cancellations were frequent. When I began driving over a decade ago, it was so important to be well versed in driving in the snow, even if the weather wasn’t “as bad” as I could recall. In fact, I vividly remember driving an hour home from the dealership in my new car during a crazy snow storm and it was terrifying! As the years passed, winters in my neck of the woods became far more moderate and it felt like we barely got snow at all anymore. Then, winter weather came back with a bang this year. Not just in the AK-Rowdy but all across the country. It snowed in Atlanta where my brother lives and the whole city shut down!

I drive a lot for work and I can tell that so many people on the road now have little experience driving in snow. I have to admit, it took me a good minute or two to shake off the rust once it really started coming down here. So, I thought it would be helpful to compile a few pro tips for driving safely in the snow should it hit your area next:

Tap Those Breaks:

The natural instinct should something unexpected happen while driving is to slam on the breaks. But in the snow, this is the worst possible thing you can do because you’re not going to stop. You’re going to slide and that has the potential to cause accidents. Give yourself plenty of space between cars because that will give you the time to be able to break accordingly. Pump those breaks with a tap, tap, taperoo and keep it in mind every time you are prepping to come to a stop.

Proceed With Caution:

No matter the weather, there is always going to be someone on the road driving faster than you. This can be intimidating when it’s snowing because you might get the urge to speed up too. DON’T. Driving in the snow is all about being fully comfortable in regards to handling the car and your speed. Once you push yourself beyond what you feel capable of doing, panic can quickly set in and that can cause even more problems. DO YOU on the road and anyone who doesn’t like it can go around you.

Practice Makes Perfect:

Honestly, I’m pretty lucky to have more years of experience than I care to admit driving in the snow. Many people can’t say the same so don’t let your first trial run be on the road itself. If you are not familiar with driving in the snow, find yourself an empty parking lot as soon as snow starts to fall. Practice breaking, turning, slowing down, speeding up, and anything else you need to get a feel for it. Then, it’s a good idea to take some drives through your own neighborhood or residential areas so you can get experience on less busy streets before hitting the major roads.

It Sounds Silly:

For those who live in snowy areas: How often do you see people inquiring about the conditions of the road on social media? In my neck of the woods, our talk of the town page is always exploding with them! Now, ninety-nine percent of the time, people are happy to let you know. The other one percent is someone saying you’re stupid and they’re a hater! Anyways, if you do find yourself questioning driving conditions – just make a post because the chances are high that you are going to almost immediately get a real time update. If your question has been answered and you’re uncomfortable driving because of it, just stay home until the plows come through. And, yes, you are sure to get an update on that too!

I have driven in some NO joke snow storms this winter and it was scary even with my experience. There is no shame in pulling to the side of the road or hibernating the day away. Your safety is the most important thing!

What is winter weather like where you live? What is the worst weather you have driven through? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Holiday Gift Brainstorm

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Holiday Gift Brainstorm

Hello! The winter holiday season is fast approaching. For those last minute shoppers, this is no big deal. However, it definitely feels like crunch time for the people that like to get their shopping done early. I fall under the latter category and have been diligently pecking away at my to buy for list. I have to admit that I have been feeling pretty uninspired during my shopping so let’s do a Holiday Gift Brainstorm! Then, we can all sit back and enjoy the holiday season stress free:

Gifts of Experience:

One of the most popular options for gift giving falls under Gifts of Experience. This is a great way to go if you are shopping for someone who has everything! Experience gifts could be anything from movie tickets to a pottery class or a few sessions at a yoga studio. The point is for your giftee to try something new or, perhaps, learn more about their favorite hobby. Gifts of Experience are nice for adults and children alike. If you have some kiddos to shop for, ask their parents if something like swim lessons, sports camp, or an art class would be a doable option. The last thing you want to give parents is more work so bonus points if you will be the transportation!

Just Ask:

While on the subject of asking people about gifts, there really is something to be said for asking in advance about what your giftees would like. This eliminates the potential for them not liking what you purchased and you can give them what they actually want or need. For example, families with small children might appreciate supplies like diapers, formula, or clothing as opposed to even more toys! Pet owners (like myself) could prefer a Chewy gift card over something for themselves. If you don’t ask, you will have no idea. If you are still wanting an element of surprise, try talking to someone close to your giftee for the inside scoop.

Favor Gifts:

The best prezzie of all could be taking something off of your giftee’s plate, which brings us to Favor Gifts. Maybe you will clean their house a few times, volunteer to be a date night babysitter, or even pay for their next oil change. These gifts are designed to make an aspect of adulting easier and we could all use a little less stress. I know I would be thrilled if my gift was a cleaning session at my apartment! 😀

Homemade:

There is no rule stating that you have to be an Etsy shop level crafter to give a homemade gift. Although, if you are, then that’s great too! Knitted scarves, socks, or baby booties will be welcome gifts during the winter. How about a photo collage? Maybe a mini portrait of your giftee or their beloved pet? You could put all of the dry ingredients for soup or cookies in a Mason jar, seal it with a bow, and call it a day. Or if you have a giftee that would like to learn your craft, offer a couple tutorial sessions and get them some of the basic essentials needed for a beginner level. And, as a bonus, you will have quality time together.

The best part of the holiday season is sharing it with the ones you love. No one’s saying the gifts aren’t nice, though! 😀 Happy shopping!

How is your holiday shopping going? Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah