Tag Archives: technology

Tech Gift Ideas

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Tech Gift Ideas

Hi hi! Another gift guide? Coming right up! Everyone uses technology every single day of their lives, making tech gifts an extremely viable option for holiday shopping. This is an easy category to overlook as we often think of technology as being expensive. That isn’t always the case so let’s explore a few gifting options that will be gentle on the wallet while still delighting your giftee:

Literally every app has some type of Plus or Premium membership to purchase. If your giftee is using an app every day and maintaining a strong streak, this could be a great way to go. I personally know that this makes an awesome gift because Johnny got me a membership to Duolingo Plus for a year a few Christmases ago and I was ecstatic! Not only do these subscriptions get rid of annoying ads but it unlocks content you can’t use without it. It will make their app experience even better!

Phone cases, charms, screen protectors, earbuds, chargers, tripods, and ring lights are all handy gifts that can be used immediately. Your content creator friend (Like me!) will be thrilled with some shiny new equipment as much as your friend who is constantly losing their phone charger will love a backup. This sentiment is especially true for yours truly as our bunnies once pulled a Houdini and chewed through our phone charger! New earbuds will be ideal for your gym bunny bestie. Simple, practical, done and done.

At this day and age, who doesn’t have at least one streaming service? We have several so I say the more the merrier! A month subscription to a new streaming service or one your giftee already has can either save them some moolah or introduce them to a brand new favorite show. If there is a show on a service that they would love to watch without the commitment of signing up, this is your sign. I definitely feel that way about a subscription to Apple TV!

We’re not talking the kind from the library – we’re talking EReaders and audio books! If you have a literature enthusiast on your list who prefers to read their Kindle or listen to a book on the way to work, why not throw some credits their way? Reading more is such a popular New Year’s Resolution so you can help them achieve their goals or just indulge in their favorite hobby. No matter how you read, there is nothing better than a good book on a cold winter day. Add a big mug and some teabags or K-pods to create a perfect afternoon.

Got a gamer to gift for? How about some gift cards for the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation if you aren’t sure of a new game they would love? Don’t forget to explore accessory options like new controllers, a headset, or travel cases. You could also go the experience gift route like a night at an arcade bar or a trip to a VR cafe. Game on!

These tech gifts won’t break the bank but they will for sure make your giftee break out in a smile!

What is on your Christmas list? Do you have anyone that is difficult to gift for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

5 Modern Travel Hacks You Shouldn’t Skip

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5 Modern Travel Hacks You Shouldn’t Skip

There are entire blogs filled with modern travel hacks that you can use to ease the stress of a vacation. However, there are some things that everyone should take note of that can really help things go more smoothly. From using packing cubes to first aid kits, here are some suggestions:

Your phone can be your best friend when traveling. You have all the apps and web access you need for traveling easier with a smartphone. With a phone you can check transport times, flight info, and accommodation availability in seconds, and you have access to advanced features like GPS for getting around more easily. You may not have access to your usual network, but you can save on roaming costs while travelling with an eSIM designed for easy access anywhere.

The laws of physics seem to go out of the window when trying to cram in as much clothing as possible into a suitcase, you know, that is too small! So what can you do? Fortunately, there are these handy inventions called packing cubes. Packing cubes are like mini travel bags you can place in your luggage. What makes them so useful is that they make it easier to use the limited space inside your suitcase much more efficiently as you fill the cubes and arrange them perfectly.

Around 1 billion people per year travel to other countries. From the most beautiful places to visit in the fall to summer vacations, everyone has their idea of the best getaway. Something as simple as your clothing can ruin the best day, though, so always stay prepared:

  • Check if there are local storage lockers at stations or near tourist locations.
  • Always pack spare clothes and underwear just in case of an unfortunate accident.
  • Pack the opposite for the weather (such as a jacket if it’s sunny), as it can change.

You never know what can happen when traveling, and your adventurous side can get the better of you. Perhaps you feel like a Segway ride in a forest at 65 years old. It’s not the best idea, but heck, you’re on vacation. But alas, you realize you really shouldn’t have done that as you tumble off your ride like a drunken toddler. Maybe you are pretty far away from a local clinic, but you remembered to pack a little first aid kit. No more bleeding and an expensive bill avoided. Yay!

Traveling can be stressful, and the whole transportation industry doesn’t help. Delays, cancellations, and hackers are pretty common these days. Knowing your travel times is essential for organizing your day and making sure you never miss a departure. Things can change, and when they do, your plans need to as well. Make sure you stay up to date with travel info by using official websites or travel apps that can alert you ASAP when something changes.

Smart preparations for your vacation will ensure a stress free time in your dream destination paradise!

Featured Image By: Freepik

Tamagotchi App

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Tamagotchi App

Howdy! I absolutely love being a bunny mom and am a fan of all things cute and cuddly whether IRL or with substitute pets. Of course I’m talking Animal Crossing and most recently the Tamagotchi app! I have been using Finch regularly for a while now and have grown pretty bored with it. There’s literally just nothing to do on the app although I appreciate the mental health aspect of it. I needed a substitute pet with more interaction and after browsing around on the app store, I found the Tamagotchi one and have been obsessed!

My most fond virtual pet memories are racing my siblings home from school to see who could check their Neopets account first. I was addicted to that game and it really was the ideal substitute pet platform with games, shopping, exploring, and decorating. Nothing will ever trump Neopets in my opinion, but this Tamagotchi app is delightfully reminiscent of it and I am loving it! I have always wanted a real Tamagotchi to fit in my pocket and this app is the next best thing. Better, in fact, as you can see all of your activities on a bigger screen and in color.

The premise of Tamagotchi is the same as any other substitute pet. Feed it, clean it, keep it happy. However, there is so much more to it than that. In the Tamagotchi app your pets can get jobs, go to school, and land an apartment. You can dress them up, decorate your house, and add fun things to the areas surrounding the shops like water fountains, picnics, and mini golf. Earning points to shop with is as simple as going to the arcade that has about fifteen games to pick from. I am especially partial to the Candy Crush style game as well as the ice cream scoop one. It reminds me of the Coney Island mini game in Mario Party!

This app is kid friendly and clearly just as amusing to adults too. My Tamagotchi app is exactly what I wanted Finch to be and I look forward to playing and leveling up every day. I have found myself growing incredibly weary of social media as of late and wanted something to do on my phone other than doom scrolling. The Tamagotchi app has been the perfect substitute and it sure beats getting depressed on Facebook every hour lol. Highly recommend. 🙂

Looking for a virtual pet of your own or simply to kill time? Download the Tamagotchi app – it’s a blast!!

Did you have a Tamagotchi growing up? What is your favorite virtual pet? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Eliminating Common Challenges In Your Pest Control Business

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Eliminating Common Challenges In Your Pest Control Business

Running a pest control business is not an easy thing to do, with even minor issues quickly snowballing into major setbacks if they are left unaddressed. From customer satisfaction to staying on top of regulations, pest control companies face various hurdles at every turn. Early identification and resolution of these problems is important for smooth operations and long-term success in this industry. In this post, we will look at ways to address some of these pain points:

One of the biggest hurdles pest control businesses encounter is disorganized scheduling and poorly planned service routes. A poorly organized schedule or ineffective routing could waste fuel, time, and customer patience. Investing in modern scheduling software and route optimization tools is a great solution to this problem, streamlining appointment bookings while decreasing travel time as well as providing real-time traffic updates for better productivity and increasing customer satisfaction with prompt services.

From routing plans to paperwork, a disorganized approach can really put you in a jam. The most important thing is prioritizing efficiency. Perhaps the software you’re using could benefit from an upgrade and that could make a huge difference. When standard solutions fall short of your specific requirements, custom bespoke software solutions can be tailored precisely to your business needs, offering the flexibility and functionality that off-the-shelf options often lack. A change like this will promise immediate results.

Human resources are at the basis of any pest control business, yet many companies struggle with underutilized or overburdened staff members. Proper staff management and training is important in solving this problem. Clear roles should be assigned based on expertise while offering continuous education on new techniques to empower employees to work efficiently. Businesses should use team communication apps or workforce management software to enhance coordination and transparency among staff members.

A pest control business that’s failing to draw customers often comes down to ineffective marketing. Relying solely on word of mouth alone no longer suffices in the digital world. Outsource your pest control SEO to a marketing agency to increase your online presence and attract potential customers. Use social media such as Facebook or Instagram as platforms to showcase services, customer reviews and promotions. Investing in paid advertising such as Google AdWords or local directories such as Yelp can be additional ways of reaching out.

The pest control industry is heavily regulated, making staying compliant with local, state, and federal laws an ongoing challenge. Failure to do so can incur heavy fines while damaging your company reputation if noncompliance continues. Businesses should use compliance tracking software in order to keep on top of changing regulations as well as consult legal specialists or consultants who specialize in pest control to make sure their practices, products, and documentation meet all necessary standards.

Using outdated tools and techniques not only slows down operations but can fail to meet modern pest control standards. When you invest in advanced equipment and eco-friendly pest management options, your business demonstrates their dedication to quality and sustainability. Staying on top of technological advancements will make your business become an innovator that draws in customers who prioritize effective and eco-conscious solutions for pest management needs.

Attention to detail and dedication to excellence will position a pest control business as a trusted partner in solving customer pest issues while guaranteeing long-term business success!

Featured Image By: Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

Burn A Pancake, Not Your Focus

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Burn A Pancake, Not Your Focus

Morning in your kitchen is a whole soundtrack: The kettle sighs, a timer nags, a voice asks where the left shoe went, and someone is definitely humming Baby Shark again. You’re flipping pancakes while triaging notifications and trying to remember who needed money for lunch today. It’s a lot. And when the soundscape gets crowded, focus is the first thing to burn:

You’re not “bad at mornings.” You’re managing a sensory pile-up. Competing sounds make it harder for your brain to sort what matters, like a quiet “Mom?” over a loud extractor fan. When your ears work too hard to catch the words, your brain borrows energy from focus. That’s how a simple recipe turns into guesswork, and why multitasking feels like walking through fog. Reduce the fog and you reclaim attention, without needing an extra hour or superhuman patience.

Here’s the sneaky truth: Aven a small drop in hearing clarity can feel like a big drop in attention. Your brain does overtime to fill gaps, predicting words, stitching context, reading lips, and that effort shows up as fatigue and distractability. You know that end-of-day “I can’t listen to one more thing” feeling? That’s cognitive load talking. When you make hearing easier, everything else gets lighter: You follow directions the first time, the joke lands, and the pan on medium actually stays on medium.

You don’t need to redesign your kitchen. Start with micro-wins:

  • Lower the loudest thing first (usually the extractor fan or TV) to lift voices out of the noise.
  • Use a visual timer for cooking so your brain isn’t babysitting beeps.
  • Create a “call corner” away from clatter; two steps to the hallway can turn chaos into clarity.
  • Ask for one-at-a-time talk during hot-pan moments. It’s not fussy; it’s safety.
  • Keep the same soundtrack for breakfast (a short playlist) so your brain isn’t decoding new noise every day.

Modern hearing solutions aren’t just about volume; they’re about control. Directional microphones help you lock onto the voice right in front of you. Rechargeable cases mean you stop hunting for tiny batteries during the school run. And many models now include bluetooth connectivity so you can take a quick call from school, hear a timer or podcast clearly, or switch to a “kitchen” program, without juggling your phone while you’re juggling hot pans.

You want features that match your actual life, not a spec sheet fantasy:

  • Comfort first. If it doesn’t feel good by school pickup, you won’t wear it. Ask for soft domes or custom earmolds if you’re sensitive.
  • Programs that fit your day. A “quiet conversation,” “noisy restaurant,” and “outdoors” set will cover 90% of parenting life. Bonus points for a “speech in noise” mode that you can tap on quickly.
  • Moisture resistance. Kitchen steam. Look for devices rated to handle humidity and sweat.
  • Easy controls. A physical button or simple app beats labyrinth menus when a pancake is mid-flip.
  • Trial the real world. Bring your phone to the fitting, test calls, stream a timer, and stand near a whirring kettle. If it works there, it’ll work anywhere.

Safety and calm are twins here. Keep alarms audible but not shrill. Put break-in points in your routine: “Flip, breathe, check” before the next step. If someone needs you mid-cook, ask them to touch your shoulder first, visual + tactile beats shouting from the hallway. And remember, kids copy what you model. When you show them how to create a quiet pocket for talking, they learn to do the same.

If your mornings feel louder than they should, get curious about hearing, not guilty. Book a hearing check, bring your daily chaos with you (figuratively), and describe the exact moments that feel hard: “I miss words over the kettle,” “I can’t hear the timer if the TV is on,” “I need to catch calls hands-free while cooking.” The right setup meets those moments on purpose.

Focus isn’t a personality trait; it’s an environment you can design. When you reduce noise, support your hearing, and choose tech that matches your life, you stop burning attention on the basics. Breakfast gets simpler. Voices get clearer. And your pancakes? Golden, not charred!

Featured Image By: Pexels

 

App Obsessed

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App Obsessed

Howdy! I am a HUGE fan of social media and enjoy posting on my Facebook and TikTok so much. As a word girl through and through, I rarely watch TikTok videos and leave my social media intake to scrolling through Facebook. However, let’s be real – Facebook has become a massive buzzkill and it only gets worse by the day considering the political climate in the USA. Scrolling for fun became doom scrolling and I just couldn’t take it anymore. So, I post a bunch of BS, avoid what upsets me like the plague, and call it a day.

Normally, my social media time is when I get home from work and Johnny is playing video games. We’ll do our own thing, chat about our day, and then go on to having dinner and watching our favorite shows. With my usual source of entertainment on the outs in the past couple of weeks, I have been left with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs. It’s hard to cozy up in my favorite chair with a book when video game noises are reverberating throughout the living room! So, I decided to do something different and downloaded a couple of apps called Finch and Flutter. I had seen several ads for both of them when I was on the hunt for funny memes on FB and figured it couldn’t hurt to give them a go. I’m so glad I did because I have been LOVING them!

Let’s start by discussing Finch. Finch is an app that revolves around mental health and well being as you care for a little bird. After you download the app, it does a mental health screening. What are your challenges? What would you like to improve? Then, it creates goals that revolves around that which will help your bird grow, earn points, and go on adventures. For example, if you struggle with focus, one of your goals might be to turn off your phone notifications when you are working. If you are working through anxiety, your goals could include doing some breathing exercises which the app will walk you through. It’s pretty cool!

When I was little, Neopets was the website to be on and my siblings and I were obsessed with it. In fact, I can remember racing each other after school to the computer room to be the first in line to check on our virtual pets. Having Finch is really like having a pocket pet or Tamagotchi and it hits right in the nostalgia. It might not have the best games ever like Meerca Chase but it is still a lot of fun and fulfilling too! It feels good to check off goals as you complete them and I do feel better when I use it. As a caffeine queen, I have several goals a day to drink more water. And when I spend my mornings working on the computer, stretch break or stepping outside goals come in very handy. It’s nice to check in with my little bird every day and I always look forward to when my Poppy comes home from her adventures to tell me about her new discoveries. Highly recommend! ❤

The other app I have been using daily is called Flutter. Long story short, you are in a lovely forest that plays the most soothing music and your goal is to fill it with moths. You can expand your surroundings with the points you earn, decorate it with flowers and mushrooms to attract different species, and nurture your moths by feeding them pollen and leveling them up. There are challenges to complete like missions the wise owl in the forest sends you on, growing mushrooms for the resident ant, and feeding a gigantic frog fireflies to earn flowers.

Flutter is extremely mindless but incredibly pleasing. Your forest and the music is absolutely charming and it’s nice to watch your moths flit about as you wait patiently for a new one to grow. It’s exciting to continue leveling up because your moths just keep getting better and better and you can learn all kinds of interesting facts as your insect encyclopedia expands. Flutter is definitely not as goal oriented as Finch but I still really enjoy using it. So much so, that I haven’t even tried their butterfly or under the sea expansions because I am so invested in my forest! 😀

If you are sick of doom scrolling during your spare time, I cannot recommend giving Finch or Flutter a try enough. It has been a welcome change of pace from my usual routine!

What is your favorite app? Have you used Finch or Flutter before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Black & White OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Black & White OOTD Bonus Pictures

Howdy everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Black & White OOTD! As any content creator will tell you, some shoots are just better than others. I’ve shot countless OOTDs where I was only satisfied with three or so pictures and others where the options are seemingly endless. I most definitely prefer the latter and was blessed with it when taking these outfit pics. After a little OOTD hiatus, it was the best way to get back into it – a great look, perfect lighting, and a fun day to wear said outfit to!

Can we just talk about how amazing technology is? Lol, random I know – but let me tell you a little story. All along the stairwell leading up to my apartment are bird nests. There is constant activity and almost every time I leave home, a bird flies right in front of my face and it scares me Every. Single. Time. I am always wide awake for wherever I am going afterwards, though! As you can imagine, with all of these birds means a lot of poo poo on the premises. And, I didn’t realize that there was a lot of poo poo that was showing up in these pictures! *Facepalm*

As I was going over the pictures after the fact, I was trying to find a solution to editing out the poo poo problem. And, let me tell you, my mind was simply BLOWN over the “clean up” function on the iPhone! With a simple swipe, the bird crap was a mere memory and the novelty didn’t fade. I’m pretty sure I said “oh WOW” every time I removed one of the offenses. In fact, I was so amazed that I showed Johnny and he couldn’t believe it either!! This just goes to show that there is always a solution to shit and that I should probably get to know my iPhone a bit better because this is a game changer!! 😀

I might be a little late to the party on this iPhone function but I couldn’t have become hip at a better time. The more you know!

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

Remote Career Ideas That Are Here To Stay

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Remote Career Ideas That Are Here To Stay

Working from home once felt like a fantasy. But over the last few years, we’ve all realized that not only is remote work possible, it’s more popular than we could have imagined. Here are a few remote career paths that aren’t just trendy fads but are sticking around for the long term:

If someone had told you ten years ago that you could help patients while wearing your pajamas, you might have laughed. But surprise! Virtual medical assistants are a real thing, provided by companies like My Mountain Mover. These behind-the-screens healthcare heroes handle scheduling, patient inquiries, and follow-ups, all from the comfort of a home office (or, let’s be honest, the kitchen table). Think of it as modern medicine meets the world’s coziest dress code.

Social media managers don’t just lounge around scrolling Instagram all day. Okay, they do scroll a lot, but it’s their job! Whether it’s curating cat memes for a local business or marketing the next must-have gadget, social media managers create content that sparks engagement, conversation, and sometimes viral mayhem. Plus, if anyone asks, you can always say you’re “developing brand synergy,” which sounds fancy enough to silence any skeptic.

Remember the days of chalkboards and overhead projectors? (No? Congratulations, you’re officially too young or you’ve blocked out those memories.) These days, you can tutor students from anywhere with a decent WiFi connection. Whether it’s helping kids conquer math or fine-tuning adult language skills, online tutors are bridging educational gaps from their living room or a sunny patio – no chalk dust required.

Raise your hand if you ever daydreamed about typing away on a beach, sipping something fruity while your keyboard glistens in the sun. Content writing is the perfect gig for wordy folks who prefer to craft witty sentences over dealing with office politics. With countless companies craving fresh blog posts, newsletters, and social media engagement, the demand for remote writers isn’t going anywhere. (Your biggest challenge? Not getting sand in your laptop.)

If you thought planning a wedding was stressful, try organizing a virtual conference with attendees spread across five time zones. Yet, for those who adore logistics and throwing confetti (digitally or otherwise), virtual event planning is a golden opportunity. From hosting epic Zoom parties to coordinating global corporate gatherings, you can orchestrate show-stopping events while sipping tea in your pajamas.

Customer service is one of the top areas embracing remote work. Why? Because irate phone calls are easier to handle with a favorite pet on your lap or a motivational latte at your side. Customer support reps can troubleshoot everything from cable errors to rogue waffle irons, all without stepping foot in a cubicle. Headsets on, meltdown averted—next caller, please.

What are you waiting for? Time to take your career remote!

Featured Image By: Pexels

1500 Day Duolingo Streak!!

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1500 Day Duolingo Streak!!

Howdy!!! As most of you know, I thrive on having a strict routine. It brings me a lot of comfort to know ahead of time what my day is going to look like and I rarely stray far from it outside of the weekend. Knowing that I live for a good schedule, it should not come as a surprise that there is nothing more pleasing to me than a good streak. No, not running naked through the neighborhood, but doing something regularly and tracking the days! My most recent accomplishment for a streak happened this past weekend when I hit 1500 days in a row on Duolingo:

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I always say that if I had a super power, I would want to be fluent in every language in the world. I would love to be able to communicate with people in any language that they are most comfortable with! While I am not there yet lol, I have to say that Duolingo has been a great asset. For over FOUR YEARS now, I have woken up every morning and completed at least one practice session of French. It comes as naturally as my daily early morning Facebook check and I have never forgotten or faltered. Probably because the owl would blow up my phone if I did!

Because of massive time restraints, I don’t get to work on Spanish, Italian, German, and Czech as often as I would like. However, I am always pleased with my recollection when I can squeeze in a multilingual practice. And, I am extremely happy with how my French has advanced over time. I have studied French literally since high school and it has been my dream for as long as I can remember to go to France. Will I ever get there? Who’s to say? But I love that I would feel comfortable with my communication if Johnny and I treat ourselves to a very belated honeymoon. 😀

Thanks to the handy Duolingo app, I get to start my mornings off right with something I enjoy so much. I can’t wait till my next milestone!

Which languages do you speak? Which languages would you like to learn? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Workiversary!!

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Happy Workiversary!!

Hello!! October 29th was an exciting day for me because it marked six whole months of being the social media manager for Tim Misny. For those of you who don’t know, Tim is one of the most prominent local celebrities in Ohio. He is a personal injury lawyer who achieved viral status thanks to his genius billboard marketing and signature catchphrase of “I’ll Make Them Pay”. Literally everyone in Ohio knows who this man is and it is honestly so crazy that I work for him. If someone would have told me six months ago that my days wouldn’t feel complete without talking to Tim, I would have asked if you were on drugs lol.

I met Tim back in November of 2023 as a contest winner to visit his property, Misnyland, for a picnic. The contest was for people to post pictures of themselves sporting Misny Merch for the chance to win. I hate to sound cocky, but I knew I had a victory in the bag with my Misny To The Max OOTD and I was on cloud nine when I got the call to confirm it. At the picnic, I asked Tim if I could conduct an interview and we could have talked and talked all day if he didn’t have to say goodbye to his guests. We kept in touch after the fact and began creating content together in the winter. Then, I attended a spring picnic as his guest in 2024 and got hired shortly after.

Every day since has been nothing short of an absolute blast. One of Tim’s phrases is “Who says we can’t have fun?” and we sure do! I love all aspects of my job and have made so many fond memories already. Some of my most favorites were visiting a Cleveland radio station, assisting with a talk at Kent State University, helping host picnics, and the most recent one of having one of the videos I shot air on CBS. I never know what is in store for me every day, but I always know it will be something fun, new, and exciting. I am such a lucky gal!

We have SO much cool content planned for the holiday season and I cannot wait to get started on it. I also cannot believe I am excited about Christmas when spooky season is barely over lol – I guess a great job will do that to you!

What is your favorite thing about your job? What was the worst job you had? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah