ready for some coffee and conversation?

if  we were having coffee, i would tell you how my dieting has been going. and that is nowhere. what i lack in motivation i make up for with my love of food. seriously. i enjoy my nightly half-bowl of popcorn too much.

if we were having coffee, i would tell you to never buy your child a trampoline. it will take you 6+ hours and the instructions aren’t worth a dime. and  and if you’re brave enough to buy one, don’t put it up when the sun is directly on you and its 5,823 degrees outside.

if we were having coffee, i would ask you what good shows you have seen or are watching?  i’m currently finishing up scandal and will be needing to find something new to watch soon during my nightly couch hangs.

if we were having coffee, i would tell you about  my upcoming trip to virginia.  it will be my second time seeing the ocean and my girls first. i’m not sure if i’m more excited about lounging on the beach most of the time we are there, or watching my girl’s expressions when they see how gorgeous the sea can be.

if we were having coffee, i would probably let you do the most of the talking for fear of being awkward. i get nervous around people that i don’t know and start stumbling my words. it’s just easier to be the shy girl.

i’ve made it another year!

today i turned 29 and throughout my 29 years, i’ve experienced a good amount that i’ve learned from. in fact, i’ve compiled a list of 29 things that reflect where i’ve been and to help where i’m going.

a list. in no particular order.

1. you can learn a lot about your own life just by watching your children.
2. if a person doesn’t add any value to your life, cut them out of it.
3. never be too proud to apologize.
4. confidence is sexy.
5. you can’t change people.
6. some things DO taste better than skinny feels. eat the damn ice cream.
7. take pictures. you’ll love looking through those memories later.
8. who you surround yourself with will determine your happiness.
9. say yes to trying new things.
10. stop worrying about things that are out of your control.
11. laundry days suck.
12. go outside. the sunshine will make any mood better.
13. manners never go out of style.
14. listen. people always have stories to tell.
15. trust your gut.
16. popcorn is a perfectly acceptable meal.
17. everyone has a different story.
18. music makes everything a little better.
19. if you let your kids stay up past their bed time, you WILL regret it in the morning.
20. date your spouse.
21. get lost in a good book every once in a while.
22. find something to be passionate about.
23. write. put your thoughts down on paper.
24. spend as much time as you can at wrigley field. you’re guaranteed a good time.
25. work where you feel valued.
26. chipotle is way better than qdoba. don’t let anyone tell you different.
27. don’t take your husband craft shopping.
28. drinking wine can be therapeutic.
29. i’m so not ready for my 30’s.

where you work matters; not just with regards to what’s best for your family and your finances, but for your mental health.

now, i’m not going to go name-blasting anyone here, but where i used to previously worked sucked.  and i mean, SUCKED.  i didn’t mind the actual work that i did, but it was so hard to try and stay positive in a place that was always so negative.

i was always so angry. i came home so frustrated from dealing with the constant negativity that it began to effect my home life. i couldn’t take it and i knew that something had to change.

then began the job searching. i applied, i waited, and then i applied some more.  a few weeks passed and i was given a job offer from a company that i was very familiar with and heard only great things about.  with no hesitation, i accepted and was given a start date.

i’ve been at my new employer for a few months and without a doubt, know that i made the right decision. my life has changed because of it.

don’t be afraid to remove something  from your life that makes you unhappy. take those chances.

Hi there, I’m Shayla and the face behind Simply Shayla Jo!  I’m based out of the Midwest, mama to two spunky girls, and a fur-mom to my mazi lou – a dachshund/pittie mix.

There’s no doubts that I’m a girly girl with a love for clothes and makeup shopping. I have a huge passion for crafting, lettering, and making my house a home. I spend more than my fair share of daydreaming, wandering the aisles of Target, and scrolling through Instagram.

Simply Shayla Jo began as an outlet for my creative expression.  Creativity is a part of who I am and inspiring creativity in others is what I hoped to do through this blog. Writing is a huge hobby of mine and I began to venture to writing about other things as well as crafting, including raising my girls and the adventures of my life. I’m so glad that you stumbled upon my blog and sure hope you enjoy it as much as I do!