Faith

Social Media: We Need Boundaries

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on Social Media: We Need Boundaries

I have studied myself. I have observed those around me. There is a clear smartphone takeover underway that make me very uncomfortable and concerned. We are trading in person giggles and heart to hearts  for the constant feed of content. The pressure to share, post, watch, wait, and respond is insane and quite frankly – I am overrrr it! I have been asking the Lord to make my life so enjoyable in the real world that Instagram becomes an after thought and an overflow of the abundance I am experiencing in the real physical world. The Lord has heard my prayer. My life is becoming fuller and fuller – the favor of the Lord, guiding of the Holy Spirit, and self control (a fruit of the Spirit) – has sponsored this movement in my life.

To be clear – I still have to lean on the Lord to help me overcome the desire to pick up my phone when I get stuck on something, when I get bored, or when I just want to do what I want to do – because I am grown. Despite everything I have written in this post – I repeat – I still struggle! That is why I tell those around me and look to set myself up to succeed against the struggle. Prayer, Accountability, and Boundaries – make an amazing trio!

For quite some time I have been kicking around  the idea of establishing

Social Media Office Hours

Continue reading “Social Media: We Need Boundaries” →
Faith, Thrift

Taking Time for a Slow Spring

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on Taking Time for a Slow Spring

Welp! Spring is just around the corner and I am soooooo ready for it! I want to sit outside, lean my head back, and close my eyes while I listen to the voices of my boys in the background. Step back into the early 90s where time seemed to move slower. Where you could go out and play freely without a device attached to you and you lived by the rule of “Come home before the street lights come on.” There was an element of faith that we had back then that seems to be disappearing today. The faith that you could go out safely into the world and be unreachable for just a few hours – while you climbed trees, caught tadpoles in the nearby pond, and rode your bike letting the wind hit your face until tears streamed down (the steep hill legs up kind of a thrill ).

I am now 30 years old and getting back in touch with the more childlike version of myself. The child who existed before the harsh realities of the world started to really sink in and tell you to “Grow Up & Get Ready.” Now I am letting those painful scabs that have gotten quite scaly and crusty just fall off –  in the stillness of being with God, loved ones, and myself. One of the ways that I enjoy being in the moment the most is with flowers. Scooping up beautiful blooms from my local grocer, finding a suitable vase, and slowly snipping each stem. Pushing through the fear of not knowing what you are creating, but trusting that a different view of beauty will slowly begin to form as you arrange with intention.

I hope you enjoy my two latest arrangements. I call the one with the yellow Daffodils the “What The?” arrangement. That’s the look my husband gave it when he saw it and I gave it the exact same look! bahahaha , who cares !?! My inner child made this and she is still beautiful to me in her own way.

Thank you for reading this post. My hope is that you take time to live a slower spring, in whatever way suits you.

Introducing: What The?

  • Blooms Used: Daffodils, Wax Flower, Eucalyptus
  • Tulips & Wax Flower
  • Blooms & Boys

Blessings,

Lo

Thrift

Trader Joe’s Yellow Rose Arrangement

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on Trader Joe’s Yellow Rose Arrangement

Hi Friends! A ray of sunshine is conveniently located on my kitchen table!

I understand that “sharing is caring” so I have done my best to capture the beauty for your enjoyment.

I hope it makes you smile.

Items Used:

  • 2 dozen yellow roses $11 (Trader Joe’s)

  • 10 filler stock stems $4 (Trader Joe’s)

  • 1 Pitcher $2 (thrifted)

    • When arranging flowers please don’t feel that you have use an official vase. Arranging is an art. To bring structure to the arrangement I used tape to make grid boxes .

Blessings,

Lonisa

Faith, Family, Thrift

Luxury Laundry: Managing the Household Load

by Mrs. Lo Johnson2 Comments on Luxury Laundry: Managing the Household Load
Having the ability to do everything does not mean that you should. Whew – glad that’s finally out and in the open!!!
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed take a look at your to do list and ask yourself:

Do I have to do this?

If the answer is No – then delegate it or completely get rid of it.
If the answer is Yes – I challenge you! Are you absolutely sure you have to do this? Does it have to be done at a specific time?
Let me explain.
In my household – I handle the laundry.

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Continue reading “Luxury Laundry: Managing the Household Load” →

Family, Thrift

Overpacked Living & Oversized Jacket

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on Overpacked Living & Oversized Jacket
Overpacked Living & Oversized Jacket
Mother celebration month is officially here! When I think of the woman balancing motherhood alongside all her other responsibilities the first word that comes to mind is:

Pressure

This is probably not the word you wanted to see, but I am just being honest. There is always something that a Mother has to do!  Personally, I have this underlying pressure to fit everything in, to make sure everyone under my roof is pleased, and to make sure my individual identity remains in tact. It is a lot & that is before extending to the responsibilities and expectations outside of the home!!! Over the past few weeks I have reflected on this struggle and have determined that some of this pressure may be:

Continue reading “Overpacked Living & Oversized Jacket” →

Money, Thrift

The Must Have Flower with Lasting Power

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on The Must Have Flower with Lasting Power
There is nothing like a vase of fresh flowers! Colorful blooms brighten up any space and if you are living somewhere where it is still snowing in April –

The Flowers Bring Hope!

Ever Saturday my fam bam takes a trip to Trader Joe’s and I sooo look forward to the trip. My husband focuses on getting the food, I ooh and ahh over the floral section, and our kids secure the snacks! My one and only responsibility is to secure the bouquet (maybe 2 or 3 –  if I am willing to sacrifice a snack 😀 )! That is my kind of grocery trip!

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As much as I looooooooove flowers – I refuse to break the bank to secure them and those petals better not fall off for some days!!! The cut flowers have to last. A few weeks back I was soooo “stressed” out about what flowers to select because every bouquet was saying “Take me home”! I would put a bouquet in the cart, wheel it around, see a lady with a different  bouquet, talk to her, switch my bouquet out so we could be twinsies, & repeat! Finally as we were nearing check out I talked to a fellow Mom club member –  who had the flower lover scent all over her and some kids! I asked her 21 questions about the flowers she had in her basket and she gushed about how they were the best in the land! So I got two bouquets of the flowers she had!!!
Let’s just say – I am a forever fan of these budget friendly flowers! If they can survive a photoshoot of being flung to and fro – they are a definite keeper!!! 🙂

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Bam!!! Here are the long lasting blooms and the thrifted Kaftan that better last a lifetime!

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Hanging flowers upside down helps them to open up and last longer !

Just Kidding!

It’s simply an extra AF pose that will cause others to laugh hysterically and question your sanity! & if you’re lucky they may ask you where you snagged your shoes from!

I promise this is not an ad – these clorox white sneakers are Nike and were snatched off the DSW clearance rack. I tip toe around town trying to stay clear from all signs of dirt 😉 . 

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Do you know what kind of flower this is?

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This is the ” Lily of the Incas”. 

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The scientific name is “Alstroemeria” & they come in a plethora of colors.

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*Abrupt  Pause* 

 The detailed print on this Kaftan needs proper acknowledgement.

Let’s stare and admire the wardrobe art.

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Originally I thought I’d only wear this $4 gem at home, but it makes me feel like royalty – so I’ve ventured out of my palace and into the supermarket with it on!

My new fashion motto is to: Standout & Wear Whatever I Want!

If someone has something to say – I am prepared to slide them my Reseller Stylist business card and offer to hook them up with some royal threads 😀 .

*Back to the Blooms* 

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Alstroemeria “Lily of the Incas” has lasted as long as 3 weeks for me!  I typically pick up 2 different colored bouquets for $8. Once I get them home, I sit down at the kitchen and let my mind drift while I prep them for the vase. The ends get cut and the leaves on the lower portion of the stem get snipped. I also clip off any leaves that look beat up. Then – in the vase they go.

As time goes on – the water will obviously need to be changed and I just keep cutting the stems down.

These flowers are so easy to take care of and truly have a 

“long lasting beauty”.

 

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Be on the lookout for these blooming beauties and a kaftan to elegantly sashay around in!
Do you have a favorite flower with some staying power – do tell!

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Peace & Blessings,
Lo Johnson

 

Thrift

Festival Fashion

by Mrs. Lo JohnsonLeave a Comment on Festival Fashion
It is time to start getting ready for those art & music festivals! The extremely popular Coachella Valley Festival (aka BEYONCE concert 😀 ) is just a few days away! If you are looking for that last-minute stand out outfit – your local thrift store might just have your back.

Check Out The Scarves! 

 I love an item that can be worn an unlimited amount of ways and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Thrift stores are overflowing with this versatile accessory! Find a large square scarf with a fun bold print pattern – and make it into a trendy top!
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Simply  fold it into a triangle then tie the ends around your back!

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The larger the scarf the more dramatic the tie in the back!
If you think you would dance right out of a halter top – which is entirely possible – then there are a few other options:
  • Take the scarf (in its square shape) – tie one set of ends around your neck and the other set of ends around your waist. This makes for a well supported top.
  • Make the scarf into a fun statement head wrap or headband
     –  Perfect option for covering up that sweated out hairstyle!
  • Wear the scarf as a belt to accent your outfit

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Bam! You have one item and multiple styling options!
The best part is that scarves can typically be thrifted for less than $3! The one I am wearing cost me 2 dollars – which means less money needed to shop and more money available to have a good time with friends & family! Cheers to the non budget breaking – stand out – be kind to the earth and reduce waste fashion find – YASSSSS! Isn’t that the hippie way!?!

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I can almost guarantee that no one will have that same scarf pattern!
Which is something to smile about! 
Just make sure you don’t wear heels to get your festival groove on – that is a sure way to get awkward stares and have yourself crying in a field somewhere 😦 ! Wear comfy sandals or sneakers. The goal is to look effortlessly cute and unleash that free spirit!

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For the chilly mornings or evenings – search your local thrift store for an oversized lightweight jacket! The one I have pictured above happens to be my favorite color and matches my scarf color palette – it only cost me $5. I would also wear with a fun oversized denim jacket!
If you are like me and looking to attend Summer festivals like Lollapalooza or Afropunk  – you have a lot more time to prep and have pre-loved fashion shipped right to your door!  My poshmark closet is filled with festival friendly pieces and is constantly getting new inventory.  A few of my offerings are pictured below – keep in mind there is only one of each ;)!

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Wishing you the best of luck in building up your budget friendly festival wardrobe!!!
Have fun & much love ❤ !!!
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Peace & Blessings,
Lo Johnson