Happy New Year! 🌟 Do you make resolutions for the year? I don't make resolutions, but I pick a word for the year. This is something I've done since college and it's a way to define the year ahead for me. This year, my word is a little different. 2022: the year of continued hope is the way I like to look at it. In the past, I've shared my word for the year with you: check out my word of the year for 2018, 2019 and 2020. I never did share a blog post about my word of the year in 2021, but … [Read more...]
How to Make DIY Tie Dye Face Masks
Are you looking for a fun way to update your plain white washable mask? You're in the right place because I've got a fun DIY and I'm sharing how to make tie dye face masks! Groovy, right?! Because of the pandemic, we're all required to wear masks out in public. Obviously, I like to wear cute masks that show my personality - enter my DIY tie dye face masks! We were running into our local Walmart when I saw a pack of white cotton face masks at the front of the store. Instantly, I … [Read more...]
Jalapeño Ranch Dip
There is a Mexican restaurant in town that has the best jalapeño ranch dip. They don't bring it with the chips and salsa though, you have to ask for the special dip. It's so good, I could drink it by the bottle. We go there for the dip. And tacos. Lots and lots of tacos. A few years ago I set out to find a recipe for the jalapeño ranch dip so I could make it at home whenever I wanted. Of course I checked out Pinterest first. A lot of the copycat recipes out there didn't seem to be the … [Read more...]
The Sweet Moda Blog Project: Meet the Bloggers
I've teamed up with a few of my blog friends for a monthly link up project. Each month we will select a theme and share a project in each of our own styles. We will share DIY projects and thrifty ideas you can make at home and more! In order to kick off the challenge, what better way than for you to get to know the ladies behind each blog. So for those of you that are just finding my little corner of the internet, hello! It's so nice to meet y'all! I'm Ashlee, the girl behind Sweet … [Read more...]
How a Rescue Dog Healed My Heart
Squirrel chaser. Heart healer. Personal body guard. Belly-rub lovin'. Rescue dog. Lila Blue. Every day on Instagram, I get messages about Lila Blue. When she's in a picture y'all like it ten times more! Y'all love Lila Blue as much as I do and that makes my heart happy. The people have spoken and they want to see more of Lila Blue. So much so that Lila Blue now makes daily appearances in my stories on Instagram and y'all can see her adorable true spirit. Lila Zoomies and all. I … [Read more...]
2019 Word of the Year
Happy New Year, y'all! At the end of each year, I reflect on the events that happened during that time and what I've learned. Then I pick a word for the new year. My word of the year is something I've been doing since I was in college and it signifies what I want to accomplish each year. It amazes me each year how one little word can challenge and inspire me so much. With each word I pick, I end up learning more about myself. Some years I learn more than others with the word I … [Read more...]
Christmas in Chicago
If you've followed me for awhile, you probably know Mr. Sweet Southern Oaks is originally from Chicago. Last week we took a trip to the Chicago suburbs and spent a few hours in the Windy City. We didn't go to be tourists {although let's get real, I took a ton of pictures!} instead we went to see his best friend get married and to spend time with family. A trip into Chicago to sight see for a few hours was a must! What can you do during Christmas in Chicago? It turns out, there are a lot … [Read more...]
Our House: Two Years Later
Yesterday marked two years since we've moved into our little house! I can't believe it's already been that long. I still remember looking at probably two hundred or more houses like it was yesterday. When we first moved into the house, I was not a fan of it. Mainly because it wasn't my historic house that I've always dreamed of and the poop brown walls certainly didn't help! Well, Mr. Sweet Southern Oaks promised me we could paint the rooms and do some updates to the house. So room by … [Read more...]
Sweet Southern Oaks Turns One!
Today is a happy day because Sweet Southern Oaks turns ONE (well, a few days ago)!! This year has flown by and I can't believe that Sweet Southern Oaks' birthday is already here! Starting Sweet Southern Oaks was something that I wanted to do for a long time. I talked about starting a blog for awhile before I actually ever made it happen. I'm so glad I did because it motivates me to do all the projects around my house. ;) I enjoy getting to be creative and to share things with y'all and … [Read more...]
Pickin’ at The World’s Longest Yard Sale: Part 2
Pickin’ at The World’s Longest Yard Sale was so much fun! Mr. Sweet Southern Oaks and I traveled through breathtaking country sides and mountains. We spent two days at The World’s Longest Yard Sale traveled into three states and made lots of stops. Check out Day 1 of pickin' at The World's Longest Yard Sale HERE and what to bring with you to The World's Longest Yard Sale HERE. On Day 2, we checked out of our hotel and we headed back out for our final day of pickin'. Our plan was to do … [Read more...]