2022 Favorites
Here is a fun recap of some of my favorite things that I found or continued to love in 2022. Nothing deep here just frills!
First Up- Podcasts! In my Spotify Wrapped this year, I was not shocked to see that I spent significantly more time listening to podcasts than listening to music. My top favs are listed below with links to their shows if you want to listen along as well!
Number 1: Go and Tell Gals
You do not have to know me for very long to know that I am a fan of everything Jess Connolly. This year the podcast started featuring more members of their team, they started asking more questions that their audience might be wondering, and they shared more fun moments than in the past and I was here for all of it! This is a podcast for women who need encouragement to keep going in their God-given mission. When I tell you I have listened to every episode more than twice… 🙊🙈
Number 2: Behind the Bliss Podcast with Rachel Awtrey
This was a new podcast for me this year after hearing her speak on how she started her podcast and tips she would give to a gal who wanted to start her own. Something I love about Rachel is that she genuinely loves being behind a mic. She doesn’t sound nervous, she is honest, lively, joyful, and keeps it real. I love that her interview style is conversational but you also get to hear what she thinks. So many podcasters do interviews and you learn nothing about what they think too, Rachel balances this tension so we’ll. She introduces awesome guests and has a sweet balance of letting the listener also know what’s going on in her world. Would recommend this show for the gal who could use a light encouragement in her faith.
Number 3: Back Porch Theology with Lisa Harper
This was also a new podcast for me this year. Danny introduced me to Lisa Harper when we first started dating and she has quickly become one of my favorite Bible teachers. This podcast uses hilarious real-life stories to introduce deep theological ideas that are important for a believer to understand but might have a difficult time accessing someone to explain them easily. This is one that you can listen to on a commute or while folding laundry, I personally like listening to it with my Bible open. I very rarely take notes on podcasts but this show is the exception. I find myself laughing along and also met with heaps of empathy.
Next up; Products
Historically I have not been a product girly, meaning I am not the gal pal that you go to for recs on the next make up brand or tech gadget but this year I have invested a tiny bit more energy into paying attention to the things I use and what I actually enjoy! Here’s a round-up of a few of those items 🦄✨🎉
Olive and June. If you have not tried their at-home manicure system, you need to. I love having my nails done but I also live in Nashville where manicures average more than my budget allows. I have been painting my nails at home with O&J and it lasts at least a full week and often longer. Huge fan of their colors and their top coat is my all-time favorite. Love even more that Target has started carrying their colors. Momma Lantis and I trade colors when we are back together and it has been the perfect ballin’ on a budget solution.
This Lavender Candle. My ideal way to clean my house, to relax at the end of the day or literally just to exist in any space is to have a candle burning. This candle has been the candle I have gone to most lately. It’s airy and not too strong. Also loving the wood wick crackle for background noise. Also for my writer friends, if lighting a candle helps get in a writing flow for you, this is the one.
Pop Shelf. I didn’t know that this store existed until I moved to the South. Think if the Target Dollar spot and Hobby Lobby had a child, it would be this store. Again, a ballin’ on a budget hack- It is my new go-to for last-minute gifts, holiday decor, or finding something to add to a youth group theme night on a whim.
Natural Cycles. I know birth control can be a whole thing to talk about online and I am only here to share what’s working for me these days. If you are looking for a non-hormonal birth control option, this one might be worth looking into. I have been using this for about three months to track my cycle before I get married so that the algorithm can predict fertility. I was on the pill in college to help cramping and I had really funky side effects. When looking into birth control options this one seems like the best option for what I need and the season of life I’m in. I have learned SO much about how my body works through Natural Cycles and I am grateful for this non-invasive, non-hormonal option. This is not medical advice and you should always do extensive research into any BC method you decide to use! If you have questions about how it works or want to know more feel free to shoot me a message!
Daily Grace Co. I have often struggled with Bible studies for women because far too often they aren’t theologically deep. This company may not explicitly state this as a value but it’s pretty clear from their products that they believe you can have beautiful things without throwing out biblical depth. I appreciate their excellence in this area and have bought many Bible studies for both myself and as gifts. They also have products for men and many studies formatted to do with a spouse!
Midliner Highlighters - I’m a pen snob and these highlighters hands down are all I will use now. I love the dual end; the fine tip is perfect for using in my Bible. Why are they the best? They don’t bleed through my thin Bible pages and aren’t so bright that you regret highlighting a section later.
Nashville is a crazy creative town. Country music doesn’t just thrive here. The dreamers, writers, entrepreneurs, artists have a pretty noticeable presence too. One of the best things I did this year was invest in relationships with people who push me to be obedient to the things God has called me to. I’m so grateful there are people in this crazy talented town who I can call when I have questions about blogging, web design, social media, publishing, and anything else in between. These friends believe in the call of God on my life. We fight comparison with celebration and mutual vulnerability. We aren’t people who hoard resources but are generous with connections.
If you have a dream in your heart, find people doing what you want to be doing and celebrate them. I want to write a book one day, but before that day comes, I practically cheer on the gals going first. I join book launch teams, go to my friends writing conferences, sign up for their newsletters, and actually text them when I read their blogs. I buy copies of their books to give as gifts. I pray boldly for theirs message to reach the people it was intended for. It’s been one of the best parts of 2022, something not a lot of my immediate people are doing, and something I pray I model well.
I hope you carve out some time to think about this year. The good, the lessons, the fruit, the hard, the grief- all of it. I pray that you see the Lord’s hand on it all.
Praying for your dreams as you walk boldly into 2023 ✨🫶🏼🤍
