A Touch of Southern Grace

I have fallen completely in love with this clothing line. The hand-stitched embroidery on each piece of clothing is basically wearable art. Mi Golondrina is still considered a store that falls under the ‘shop small’ category, and what better time to support a small company than now? Pssst… the Soledad Short Dress is one of my favorite Mi Golondrina pieces 

Two// Opi Big Apple Red Nail Polish

It has been a good few numbers of years since I have actually paid attention to the name of nail polish colors. I usually just go into a nail salon, select a color in preparation for a mani/pedi. At the start of lockdown I desperately missed those… Over the years I have turned into a red nail polish person. It’s just such a classic look and goes with pretty much everything. From having to buy nail polish, for the first time in years I actually have a favorite polish color! Big Apple Red!

Three// The Queen’s Gambit

I had to watch two full episodes before I was fully sucked into this series, but it is just so well done with such an interesting storyline. If you haven’t watched this show yet, I highly recommend it! The two episodes are a little weird, but after that the series is just fantastic.

Four// Sarah Flint Natalie Flats

I was invited to be a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint back in the fall and I honestly cannot say enough positive things about this company. Even after my time as an ambassador for them is up I will be a loyal costumer for them. All of their shoes are just so beautifully made and are such great quality. The Natalie Flats are overall my person favorite. They are so classic, go with pretty much everything, and can be dressed up or down! Use code SARAHFLINT-BALAURENK at checkout to receive $50 off your first Sarah Flint order

Five// Ina Garten Chicken Piccata

This is honestly one of my favorite Ina Garten Recipes to make, and it is pretty easy to pull off as well. During the summer months I like to serve the chicken piccata atop a bed of greens with some freshly grated parmesan cheese. And for those chilly winter night it taste so good set on top of some pasta covered in tomato sauce and cheese. 

Six// The Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah

Call me crazy, and maybe it is because of the age I was, but back in the early 2000’s I read Firefly Lane and I wasn’t a huge fan of it {I need to give it another chance}… Fast forward to January 2018 – after hearing so many amazing reviews of The Nightingale I give Hannah another go and her writing for that book was completely amazing! The Great Alone was one of the first books I read for 2019 and different store, but the write and storyline and the character were just fantastic. Strongly recommend this book!

 

Seven// Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing BB Gel

I’m just going to say it – I am not usually a big fan of Clinique products. I feel like a lot of their creams are a little too greasy for me and their lipsticks never seem to stay on very long. I saw this product used in an Instagram video and thought I’d give it a try and I am so glad I did! It is so easy to apply, very lightweight, extremely moisturizing, and it really does color match to you skin. It’s honestly probably my favorite beauty product of 2020.

 

Eight// Tuckernuck Tan Stripe Florence Dress

I love the texture of the fabric and the flow. It’s the perfect dress: can be worn in the summer, be a transitional piece for the fall with a navy top pulled over it, and can be pulled out again for the spring. In my opinion, it is a wardrobe must have. 

 

Nine// Supalonely

Starting back in April I began walking/running a ton. It’s a way for me to keep my sanity. Supalonely was a song that would come on Pandora all the time I just love it. It is such a fun song, and the tune oddly matches a running pace

 

Ten// Audible

For years I was so opposed to listening to books on Audio, but since I was going on soooo many walks I thought I would give it a try, and now I like it better than listening to music. Audible is such a great service too. With the membership I have {I think it is just the basic free membership} you get one free book of your choice each month and Audible has so many great books that are available for download that are included with any membership

 

Eleven// Tom Hanks Narrating The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett

I have been meaning to read They Dutch for the longest time, and when a friend told me that Tom Hanks I was the narrator I downloaded it right away. I can honestly say that if I had just read this book, it would not have been the same experience. Tom Hanks does an amazing of telling this story and keeping the listener/reader actively engaged in the book. Even if you read the physical version of this book. I highly recommend downloading the audio, Tom Hanks just adds a little extra something. 

 

Twelve// Tuckernuck Dove Fair Isel Wren Sweater

I am such a sucker for a Fair Isle sweater.., but than again, who isn’t? This is one of my favorite sweater of all times. I love sleeves, color, and the fact that the sweater is long enough to wear with either pants or leggings.

Thirteen// Ina Garten Fried Chicken Sandwich

Who can resist a fried chicken sandwich? Not me! Any recipe that Ina Garten comes up with is basically garneted to be amazing. This one does take a little time, but so worth it! 

 

Fourteen// Lulu Lemon YouTube Yoga Video

I haven’t been to a Yoga class since like the first week of March and I miss them so much, especially hot yoga. Until covid I had never really tried an at home workout video, but there are so many great options out there, and this one is a free YouTube video! I was completely in the dark that Lulu Lemon has a YouTube channel complete with workout videos. This is my favorite yoga workout that I have tried of theirs and I love this instructor.

 

Fifteen// Say So, by Doja Cat

I heard this song so much back in the spring, and now it is officially one of my favorite songs, ever. It’s just so bouncy and happy, and I think it’s safe to say that we could all use a little bounce of happiness in our lives.

 

Sixteen// Anything Blue

Going into 2020 I thought it was going to be the best year yet. It was just such a pleasing number sequence to look at, I had a few big things on the horizon, and blue was the color of the year, I mean what could go wrong… a lot, apparently. I feel like some force pored gas on everything and tossed a lite match over their shoulder. But I still love the color blue!

 

Seventeen// The Girl in the Blue Coat, by Monica Hesse

I think this book actually falls under the Young Adult category, but it is so well written, loved the main character, and the storyline. The author just did such a great job of pulling the reader in – I was really invested in the outcome of the book and the emotional journey of a few of the characters.

 

Eighteen// Emily in Paris

Netflix was pretty on point this year with the show they came out with. Emily in Paris is just such a great distraction, the main character is adorable, and it’s set in Paris – need I say more? If you need an escape I highly recommend this show.

 

Nineteen// Sanctuary Pants

I bough my first pair of these at Anthropologie and now I am just in love with them. Technically a pant, but feel like leggings… I’m going to call that a win. They come in solid colors and fun plaid and hounds tooth prints 

 

Twenty// Louis Vuitton Neverfull

I have wanted one of these bags for years, and years, and years. I had a really rough and disappointing start to 2020 so I justified the purchase and finally treated myself to a Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag and I am completely head over heels in love with this tote. 

 

What Are Some of Your Favorites From 2020?

First thing first, don’t go to twitter in a panic and send a tweet out asking for help. Doing this only acts as a beacon for other hackers to take advantage of you. I got directed to so many different accounts that could “help” and all of them were obviously spammers. 

After I finished crying, I started researching via the Instagram help center and everything I came across on reporting a hacked account I reached a dead end because so much of my information had been altered on my account. So, when that didn’t work, I reached out to a few Instagram friends to see if they have ever encountered a similar experience and what steps they took. In the mean time my dad started researching YouTube to see if there were any ‘what to' videos out there. By the end of all the research I tried two tactics, and thankfully had my Instagram account a day and a half later. I’m not sure which one worked so I’m sharing them both.

 Before I explain them though, just know that you have to preform both of these actions multiple times. Instagram is so hard to get ahold of and you have to let them know that you are serious about regaining control of your account/need your account back, and preforming these actions multiple times reflects that and eventually grabs the attention of the Instagram help center.

One Instagram friend had a similar experience a few years ago and pointed me in the direction of messaging Facebook business. Facebook and Instagram are two in the same now, and luckily, I have my Facebook business page and Instagram hooked up to each other so I was able to message Facebook business. When I sent Facebook Business a message I was sent through a series of prompts and at the end I was able to state what the issue was with my Instagram account. Once I sent the message I received an automatic response back saying, “We’re sharing your issue with our support team. If they can provide you with more assistance, they’ll reach out to you”. I preformed this action about four times. {Again, persistence is key when trying to contact Instagram}. 

The second tactic I used was reporting my account had been hacked via an Instagram form. I probably submitted this form about thirty times, literally. Here is how you can submit the Instagram form alerting them to the fact that your account has been hacked and request support. 

Step 1: Using your mobile app, make sure you are logged out of all your Instagram accounts. Then go to main login in page and click on “Forgot password?”

Step 2: Click on “Phone” and enter the phone number that is actually/should be associated with your account {even if it has been removed or altered}. Then click on “Need more help?”

Step 3: Located at the very bottom of the page, click on “I can’t access this email or phone number” 

Step 4: On your request support form enter the email used to create the account and enter a contact email. Then select either “Company or brand account” or “personal account with photos of me” {I alternated between the two each time I filled out the form}. Finally select “My account was hacked” and at the very bottom of the page click on “Request Support”.

*** Remember, you need to fill this form out multiple times to be effective 

 

I eventually receive an email from Facebook/Instagram with the instructions to send them a photo while I held up a piece of paper with a code, my name, and user name written on it as proof of my identity and owner of the account. A few hours later I received a second email containing a link that allowed me back into my account and I was able to reset all my information and password. 

 

As far as Instagram hacking prevention goes, I would suggest that you turn on “Two-Factor Authentication” {this can be found by going to your settings and selecting “Security”}. I would also recommend downloading an Authentication app.  The only other advice I would give, which I didn’t think to, is if your account is hacked get your friends, family members, and followers {if they can be contacted} to report your account in an attempt to get your account disabled. This prevents the hacker from having further access to your account. I also learned in my research that a disabled Instagram account can always be recovered, but recovering a deleted Instagram account depends on the roll of the dice. My account was actually deleted by the person who hacked my account and I am so fortunate that Instagram was able to recover everything on my account. 

 

Below I have attached a YouTube video that was the most helpful to me during this whole process  

I love Zoe Sugg as a blogger, a vlogger, and an author. She just always seems to have such a fantastic disposition and outlook on things, even during challenging times. 

Confession, I have read her Girl Online series and loved all three books, so needless to say I was pretty excited to learn the she was coming out with a new series and the first book did not disappoint. Sugg has coauthored The Magpie Society with Amy McCulloch and the two really did a great job with this first book. If you are a fan of Young Adult books and mysteries, this book is a must read!

Nantucket White Christmas, by Pamela Kelly 

I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series of six till after I finished reading it, but honestly, you don’t have to read the first two books in order to enjoy this one. It really is a book that can stand on its own {keep in mind this is coming for a person who hasn’t read any of the other books in the series}, but I definitely plan on reading the other five because this one was just such a fun read!

Growing up an orphan, Angela was never a big fan of the holiday season. This year however, things are about to take an unexpected turn for the better, and her whole life is about to change with one simple letter.

A Christmas by the Sea, by Melody Carlson

I will just go ahead and admit that I love a Melody Carlson book, especially during the holiday season. Granted her books can be a little on the corny, but they just capture the Christmas spirit so perfectly and they always have such a positive over arching theme. 

This particular book is about a Mother, Wendy, and her Son, Jackson, who set out to fix up the family cottage in Seaside, Maine after Wendy inherits it from her Grandfather. Once they are settled, both Wendy and Jackson feel more at home than ever and are torn of whether or not to sale the family cottage or try and make a living in a town that makes its income on a seasonal basis. 

Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman

I loved this book and the writing style of Backman. He added humor to moments and situations that shouldn’t have any humor to them at all, but this oddly just made the book so memorable, in a very good way. All I can say about this book is that everyone should give this book a go – highly recommend!

In A Holidaze, by Christina Lauren

Is it so wrong part of the reason I purchased this book is because the cover so perfectly matched a pair of Christmas pajamas I have? Regardless, this book is such a wonderfully fun read, and even though Christmas has past, it is such a great book to curl up with on a cold night. I honestly might read it again, and I do not say or do that very often. 

In her quest to discover what makes her happy, Mae must figure out how to break free of a time loop she finds herself in, and must get her true love to kiss her under the mistletoe. 

Winter Street, by Elin Hilderbrand

After reading Summer of ’69 I officially love Elin Hilderbrand as an author. Love her writing style and how she uses a series of feature character to break up the chapters. I actually read Winter Stroll {the second book in the Winter Street series} about three or four years ago and I don’t know why it has taken me so long to read the first book in the series. 

Winter Street is the perfect combination of humor, seriousness, the ups and downs of life, and a touch of Christmas nostalgia. Kelly Quinn, the owner of Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn and Father of four grown children suddenly finds himself single at Christmas upon discovering that his second wife has been having an affair every holiday season with the Inns Santa Clause. With three of Kelly’s Children caught in their own bit of Drama, his youngest overseas, and his first wife, a famous news anchor, chaos quickly descends on the Quinn family. 

In the end the Quinn family will pull together to make it through a love triangle, surprise proposal, the ups and downs of love, a financial scandal, and the uncertain of ones future, all wrapped in a holiday tale. 

The Sassy Belles, by Beth Albright

I actually downloaded this to listen to on my walks because it sounded like a fun read and it was free on Audible, but I must admit, I actually ended up liking this book much more than I expected – so much so that I actually downloaded the second book right after finishing the first. 

The Sassy Belles is set in Tuscaloosa, AL, and centers around two best friends and the drama that they find themselves in. Seriously entertaining and light-hearted.

Wedding Belles, by Beth Albright

The Sassy Belles are back and with even more drama and adventures than before! Vivi is seven months pregnant and in the middle of planning her wedding and Blake finds herself caught between her husband and his run for senator and her old high school love, Sunny. 

The town psychic however, gives Vive news that is not what was hopped for, and warns Blake to be careful…

Learn How To Use Reels on Instagram// Is anyone else slightly intimated by Instagram’s Reels feature? I am, but I feel like my Instagram is lacking without utilizing that feature. If you have any tips on how to use reels or know of any great how-to YouTube videos, please leave a link in the comments or email me!

Stay Caught Up on E-mails// speaking of emails… I consistently got so behind on emails in 2020. So many days just honestly felt like a mental hurdle and they would just slip by so quickly, along with my motivation to answer emails, which only made me more stressed. So, this year, definitely staying on top f emails, no matter what the day brings!  

Better Sleeping Habits// I am somewhat of a night owl anyways, but the anxiety that came with 2020 and change of pace would only increase that from time to time. 

Finish Writing A Book// Towards the end of 2020 I started writing a book, and I am actually really excited because this is something I have been wanting to do for years! For this year I hope to finish it by the end of the year or sooner.

Meet Someone Really Nice// I feel like this one is more of a wish than a goal, but I figure writing it down will maybe help to materialize this hope. For the past few years I was with someone and so extremely close to ‘the’ happy ending, but it was like everything just started to fall apart, change, and go wrong, and all I can really say about it is that it was an odd and disappointing situation that just wasn’t meant to be. For as long as I can remember all I have wanted is to be a wife and a mother, so at the risk of sounding like Miracle on 34^th Street’s Susan, who just wanted a dad and a brother, I hope someone who is really nice and just fits comes across my path soon. 

Workout// Working out was a lifesaver in 2020 and something I definitely want to keep up.  

Daily Devotionals// I know some of that some of the same challenges that existed in 2020 will continue to exist in 2021. I’ve been working on being mentally and physically healthier, and it seems like spiritual health would be a good thing to work on as well, and would arch back to mental health. I have heard that One Thousand Gifts Devotional is good – let me know if you all have any other suggestions!

Drink More Water// I think this will always be a goal of mine. There are just so many benefits to drinking water – better mood, memory, sleep pattern, and it is great for your skin!

Blog// In 2019 and in 2020 I definitely did not blog as much as I would have liked or as much as I should, so for 2021 I am aiming to write at least one blog post a day

What Are Your Goals/Resolutions For 2021?