Hey there! A little bit about me – I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for almost 4 years and we have 2 darling tyrants named Xavier, 9 and Olivia, 2 (both lovingly nicknamed #beansandpies, in that order). I currently work in corporate America as a Navy civilian engineer, but will soon be turning in my steeled-toe boots to pursue my passion for wedding planning & design full-time! Very exciting! I discovered my love for serving brides and grooms after having a terrible “planner-bail” moment during my very own wedding and now I strive my hardest to ensure that my couples are 100% stress-free on their wedding day! With that being said – the current balance of family, entrepreneurship, and a full-time job is taxing, and I am constantly brainstorming new ways to juggle it all!
How do you take care of yourself so that you’re physically and mentally prepared to be your best self for others?
I try my best to make sure I get enough sleep. Sleep is so important and I can totally see a difference if I get 5 hours of sleep vs. 6-8 hours. I currently have to get up at 5am to get to my corporate job, so my goal every evening is to finish up as much client work as I can and hit my bed by 10:30pm. It’s not my desired 8, but it’s sure better than 5 or less. With enough sleep, I wake up feeling energized and can last much longer throughout the day to be the best version of me for my family as possible. I am really looking forward to getting more sleep when I work for myself full-time!
What’s your favorite beauty secret?
Hands-down, my Clarisonic brush. My husband bought it for me for Christmas around 3 years ago and I have not stopped using it to this day. I use to clean my face the good ole-fashioned way with my two hands, but this brush really puts them to shame – it’s sad. It leaves my squeaky clean and ready to apply a light moisturizer.
What’s your favorite go-to outfit for a quick polished look?
I’m a sucker for charcoal slacks with a skinny leg, a flowy blouse with some really cute flats. Oh, and who forget a favorite statement necklace? I love statement necklaces! I’m normally not one with a face full of makeup, but I do love a light layer of Clinique foundation, a favorite blush and some tinted lip moisturizer. Now I’m ready to take on the world!
What’s your favorite quick-prep dinner for your family?
Have y’all heard of Tasty? If not, find them on Facebook and thank me later. This page has TONS of quick and easy recipes for family dinners for moms who don’t have tons of prep time. Slowcooker recipes are my favorite because I can just throw ingredients in and go. My husband has a really good one that simply involves placing a pork roast in the pot, covering it with root beer and cooking it on low for 6-8 hours. Once it’s done, shred it, add your favorite BBQ sauce, whip out some buns and you’ve got the best BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches!
Tell us your favorite Instagram account to follow and why?
Oh no! Don’t make me choose! If I had to choose one, I would have to say my dear friend, Jamie of Marigold & Grey. Instagram is, honestly, an outlet for me. Sort of like a favorite pasttime, if you will? I just really like to look at beautiful photos and not have to think so hard! Jamie is so gifted (no pun, intended) at what she does that I could literally sit and look at her feed all day and feel so totally at peace. Everything is so beautiful, so organized, the attention to detail is impeccable. She’s a true artist and I have so much love for her feed.
What tradition or routine is important to you?
I absolutely love to see my kids after a full day’s work. I know they really don’t see it as a tradition but like clockwork, everytime they see me – they laugh, smile and giggle. It makes me feel like, even on the hardest of days, I have plenty to be happy about. Their laughter and faces bring me so much joy.
What’s in your purse?
Scary question – haha. Let’s see – my pouch of pens (I feel like every woman has a pouch of pens in their purse! haha), an iphone charger, Tylenol (always have to be prepared), can’t live without C.O. Bigelow’s lip moisturizer, and Bath & Body Works Peppermint Hand Cream (a remnant of Christmas sales). Oh, and hand sanitizer!
Where do you find your inspiration?
Every single where. I pride myself on being a very good listener and when you actually stop to listen to what’s going on around you, absorb it and meditate on it – you will find that you are able to find tons on inspiration all over the place. I find it when talking with other business owners, clients, my husband, my children. I think that we, as women who wear so many different hats, have a hard time stopping to listen to what’s going on around us and seeing how it can inspire us in different ways. After all of these conversations – I like to brain dump whenever possible so I don’t lose any of it!
We know you’re a busy lady! How do you balance all of your work responsibilities with your personal and home life? Any tips for our readers?
Jesus. I know that that answer won’t resonate with everyone, but Mathew 6:33 (“See ye first the kingdom of heaven and everything else will be added unto you”) has become a settling motto in my life. Life can beat you up and give you a heart attack if you attempt to tackle it by yourself. I stressed myself out a lot years ago by trying to control every single thing in my life -and- make everyone happy around me. But God is able to handle all of these things a lot better than I can. I find that when I find the time to invest into building my relationship with him (praying, reading, fellowshipping with other like-minded people), I find a lot more balance and peace that I ever have when I don’t.
What’s your favorite app (or other tool) for helping you do life?
My daily planner! I do not know how I would adult through life without it. It helps me keep track of all of my meetings, games, etc. and also helps me to schedule out my tasks depending on what I have going on for the week. If it is not written in there – basically, it’s not happening. Haha! Gmail is also pretty awesome. Don’t know where I’d be without it.
Follow along with Lacoya:
Website: http://www.helloloveevents.com
Instagram: @helloloveweddings
