Happy Monday, friends!
It’s the THIRD EDITION of 10 RANDOM THINGS!
You know the drill, there is no rhyme or reason to this post…I have random topics below with 10 things about each one.
10 RANDOM THINGS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER) ABOUT:
My in-laws:
1: I won the lottery in the in-law department. We’ve all agreed that if something happens between Andrew and me, I’m keeping them (and they’re keeping me). Well, maybe Andrew hasn’t agreed to this, but trust me, his parents like me more than him. (Andrew is free to keep Sean though.)
2: My in-laws are amazing, wonderful, not on the internet kind of people, so I always try to respect their privacy, but they live on a gorgeous farm and my father-in-law is what you would call a “gentleman” farmer. He has a career as an engineer but farms as well. My mother-in-law is amazing with children and was a nanny for many, many, many years.
3: If the movie isn’t in black and white, they’re probably not watching it.
4: My mother-in-law is an incredible cook and baker, but her chocolate chip cookies are out of this world amazing.
5: I love, love, love shopping with my mother-in-law! You know how some people are just more fun to shop with than others? She’s that person. She’s a great shopper and always excited to stop for a Starbucks while doing it. I don’t care if we’re shopping at Hobby Lobby or the mall, she’s fun.
6: Smith is Andrew Jr. in so many ways except he’s a perfectionist like my father-in-law (which is fine because my father-in-law is the smartest human I know and does EVERYTHING right the first time)…and yet Smith is musically inclined like my dad. I love seeing qualities of all three men in my son.
7: My in-laws LOVE to travel! They are always off and gone on amazing vacations.
8: They really like to eat dinner early, and we really like to eat dinner late and if you don’t think that’s not a conversation we have at every meal, you’d be mistaken.
9: My mother-in-law is an artist! Her favorite medium is paint, and she’s truly very talented.
10: They both love Jesus BIG TIME, and I’m incredibly thankful for how they share that with everyone they know.
Holiday Trader Joe’s finds I’m excited to see in stores soon:
1: This bar mix here is MY FAVE and last year, they brought it back in a spicy version. I always pick up several cans each holiday season because they’re easy little gifts, the perfect nibble and snack for cocktail hour or munching with a movie. I LOVE THESE!
2: Thank goodness they make these g-free as well as regular because they’re a holiday staple at our house.
3: A few of these after dinner make me happy. Speaking of which…
4: Trader Joe’s bark is way more affordable and equally as delicious as some of the more expensive peppermint bark you find in stores. These tins make super cute (and easy!) holiday gifts or sweet treats for your household.
5: I buy these every year for my holiday charcuterie boards.
6: One year Kensington said something to the effect of that this is what heaven tastes like…clouds of peppermint deliciousness.
7: ‘Tis the season for Panettone! Thank you Trader Joe’s for also having this g-free version!
8: A few of these with my afternoon cup of coffee at my desk is one of my favorite holiday joys when I’m working.
9: I love adding this to my charcuterie board too! It’s a seasonal item.
But my VERY FAVORITE TRADER JOE’S HOLIDAY ITEM IS…
10: Jingle Jangle. I would be lying if I didn’t say last year, I think I bought 8 tins. We gift them, we eat them, we love them.
My current makeup routine:
1: For a primer, I’m loving and using this Vitamin Enriched Face Base (after my moisturizer but before my foundation).
2: I love, use and swear by this foundation. I cannot even tell you how many I’ve purchased over the years. It is the holy grail of foundations for me. I use the shade Light Beige.
3: Speaking of things I swear by, this concealer has been my go to for years and years. Not only do I use it but my mom and my daughter do too. I use shade 29n.
4: I only use one blush and have been using it for years and years. I find it flattering year around and (read the reviews!) it works on every skin tone too. The color is called orgasm.
5: I love this eyeliner in black!
6: The In Bloom Eye Shadow palette is really just universally perfect for neutral shades.
7: My go to mascara in mega black never lets me down.
8: I’ve been wearing this fall lip color in Vixen just about every day.
9: I keep this lip gloss in Oyster Girl in my purse, in my desk and in my makeup drawer.
10: And I currently smell like fall and winter in my favorite seasonal cologne 🙂 .
My must have cozy morning companions:
1: My Bible
2: My Bible Recap
3: Coffee
4: A Bible study
5: A journal (or two)
6: An extra book to read (or two)
7: My robe
8: A cozy blanket
9: Flair pens
10: A dog (or two or three)
This Monday:
I only have one thing to say about this Monday…I’m on an airplane!
I’m packed, I’m off, I’m heading somewhere I’ve never visited…and I’m super excited!
I’ll be back tomorrow with hopefully some pics and deets, but in the meantime, I hope you have the BEST Monday!
If you have any 10 Random Things topics for future posts, please leave them below.
Happy happy start to your week! xx
Elspeth says
These posts are so fun to read! The Trader Joe’s foods look so fun and festive and delicious! Yum!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Emilee says
Trader Joe’s shines at holiday time!
Sheaffer says
Fun post! That rosemary nut mix is one of my very favorite things as well.
Erika Slaughter says
Eeeekkkkk!!!! Can’t wait to see pics of your
trip! Have so much fun!!
sandi says
Oh, Shay… I teared up at your in-law ten random things. My inlaws have both passed away. My father in law was a bear of a man and very hard on his boys growing up. They got jobs early in life (had paper routes by age 12) had to play sports and do well academically. He taught them how to buy cars for cash at auctions, how to save and the value of money. He was tough. But man did he have a soft spot for his daughters in law! My mother in law was a gem among gems. She loved her grandkids fiercely and championed her daughters in law. Goodness, she loved us well. We played spades and bridge with them frequently and vacationed together with my parents at my family’s lake house.
A funny and embarrassing story… when we had our third baby (our first was born after four years of infertility) there was a time my father in law and I were in my hospital room by ourselves. He was holding our daughter as I walked slowly to the bathroom. His chair was outside of the bathroom door and when I was done, I had to walk past him back to my bed. As I climbed into bed I realized the entire backside of my hospital gown was tucked into those lovely mesh undies. When our eyes met he just shrugged and we never mentioned it again.
I told my father in law I loved him ALL the time but he never said it back. In 2008 he was diagnosed with cancer. A few months before he passed away (January 1, 2010) they were over for dinner. The evening ended like it always did on my end, a big hug and a “love you pops”. But that night I finally heard the words “I love you too sweetie, I love you too.” That was the only time he said it and I’m glad I have the memory.
I struck gold with my inlaws and they are both missed dearly.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh, Sandi! This story just warmed my heart. In-laws are such a gift.
Sarah Madsen says
I am tearing up at my desk…thank you for such a sweet story. Your father-in-law is smiling up in heaven right now. Have a great week 🙂
Natalie says
When will we get to see your Christmas decor Shay? Have fun on your trip! 🤩
Mix and Match Mama says
Probably December. I feel like if I shared pics right now, my sweet blog friends who don’t love Christmas before Thanksgiving might riot. 😉
Laci L Murray says
I am a boy mom and I so appreciate that you speak highly of your in laws. I pray my DIL loves me one day, and I do have one daughter and I pray her husband loves us too.
Mix and Match Mama says
I pray for that too with Smith. My mom loves her daughter-in-law and I love my MIL, so I hope that’s the same with my son too.
Irene Kelly says
Hi Shay. You told me you wore a Louis Vitton fragrance and when I looked it up it was $320. That’s a lot to just try out a new scent. As I said my Lauren is discontinued so need to search out a new fragrance. I am not a mall walker or shopper I am a buyer so now I must go on line buy new scents to try out. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this ?
Mix and Match Mama says
So many scents come in travel sizes now. If you look on Sephora’s website, they have a smaller size to almost every scent and so many variety packs too (where you can get 8 to 20ish) very small samples of different colognes (broken down into categories). This might be the best way for you to try a wider variety in small doses before making the purchase. That’s what I would do!
Jennifer says
Dare I say I have never tried Jingle Jangle? But I can sense a TJs trip in my VERY near future. You had me at the nut mixes.
K.K. says
My favorite list was the one about your in-laws. I love that you are so close with them!
Faith says
I love these posts! I want to leave work and go straight to TJ! Are these items typically in the store now?
You need a “Where’s Shay today?” game! Can’t wait to see where you’re off to!
Mix and Match Mama says
I should have done that! I would say these items start popping up mid-November and are fully in store by the week after thanksgiving.
Joyce says
I am commenting for the first time. You hit the jackpot with your in-laws! Your MIL is strikingly beautiful and together they are a handsome couple! Of course they are lucky to have you. As retirees, we would love to hear about their travels.
Mix and Match Mama says
I did hit the jackpot!! They’re fantastic 🙂 . They travel a lot both internationally and domestically. They love, love, love Hawaii (so they go there often), but they love Europe a lot too, they like cruises and land vacations, they’ve been to Israel and done the Holy Land tour…they’re basically my favorite travel clients because they love to go everywhere all the time.
Elizabeth says
A big THANK YOU for the shout out to your in-laws. It is such a hard place especially for the mother of the man!
Pam Brown says
Love love love your black dress and shoes in the pic with your in-laws! Can you post links to both? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
My dress is a linen dress from Abercrombie and my shoes were purchased at a shoe store on Nantucket.
Sandy says
I am so happy you shared Andrew’s parents with us! I knew they had to be special to have raised such a special son as Andrew. Your mother-in-law sounds like fun and is gorgeous.
Mix and Match Mama says
She is a BLAST!
Ann says
I think Kensington looks so much like your mother in law.
Mix and Match Mama says
I think so too!
Julie Psurny says
Have you had the maple struesel bread from Trader Joe’s? (Not sure if there’s a gluten-free version.) It has become my favorite TJ item of all time, so good!
Mix and Match Mama says
I had it pre-GF life, and it was AMAZING!!! It’s great for breakfast casseroles too!
Tish says
What do you write in your journals? And do you keep a prayer journal? If so, can you share how you organize it? I love the idea of it but haven’t found a good way to keep one. Like do I re-write same requests each day or just keep one massive list? Thanks for always being such an inspiration! Happy travels today! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I feel like I should do an entire post on my Bible studies and journals. I have two journals right now. One has been for this entire year. I’ve written the day’s date and then a prayer/praise/thought each morning (many times multiple). The other is my “main” prayer journal where it’s kind of organized but kind of a mess. I have pages and pages of prayer requests from blog readers in one section, a section just for people with cancer, a section for each of my kids, a section for friends and family, etc.
Tish says
Thank you! And yes, I would love a blog post for examples! Enjoy your trip, Shay!
Alison says
I enjoyed reading the little snippets about your in-laws. It is so evident through your blogs that Andrew was raised very well by wonderful people. May I ask what your kids call them? I know they refer to your parents as Lovie and Papa Jay but do they have other names for Andrew’s parents or simply the affectionate and classic Grandma and Grandpa?
Mix and Match Mama says
I should have mentioned that! They are PawPaw and Nanny 🙂 .
Lyndsey says
Love the random posts! Question, how do you pick out of the shades for your makeup? In store, just guessing online? I’m always so clueless!
Mix and Match Mama says
A little of both! Sephora in particular has “shade finder” with all of their foundations where you can plug in the shade of one brand, and it will list all of the other brands with corresponding shades based on what you entered.
Ashley says
Did you see that Trader Joe’s release their holiday items and one is a “Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie”?? I am so curious about it!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did not?! I am going to have to buy that and give it a try!
Hope says
I love reading about your in-laws! They seem so sweet.
My father-in-law was a sweet, kind and loving man. He unfortunately passed at a young age from ALS. His kids all fought over who would get to take care of him and all wanted him to move in with them.
Enjoy your trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a blessing though that you were close. What a gift.
Karlee says
Thank you Shay for the sweet and heartwarming comments about your in-laws. So often, we only read and hear negative comments about in-laws, especially mother-in-laws. That is not the way the Lord meant it to be! Sadly, my mother, long deceased, had two daughters-in-law who never took the time to get to know and love her. Thank you for providing an example for young women of what a loving in-law relationship is supposed to be. Thank you also for being open about your faith in the Lord. May you walk in His Grace and Be blessed❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
I adore my mother-in-law. It’s one of my favorite relationships. Thank YOU for your kind words. xx