July | 2016
What a whirlwind of a month.
Oh, you too?
Those summer days, I tell ya. Especially July.
First off, let me share with you some of my current favorites:
This super cheap dress was the first item of clothing I've ever ordered off Amazon and I am super happy with it. If you check out my photos below, I'm wearing it in blue by Lake Michigan at our friend's rehearsal dinner. It's also on my Instagram.
The clock I pictured, isn't the exact one we own, but it's practically the same and it has added such a perfect minimal piece to our kitchen area. See this post for a photo of it in our home.
blogs to explore
I am totally crushing on Warmth & Whimsy which is a blog I recently discovered and I just can't get enough of! Katie talks about the importance of dating your spouse, gardening, confidence, etc.. a wide array of topics that I am finding so relatable.
Brunch on Chesnut is a larger blog, but her photos are so stunning and I adore how they're styled.
Boulevard House. Admittedly, I've hardly had a moment to read her posts in their entirety, but just based on the fact that she writes about making your house your own, I am bookmarking it to return!
latest adventures
We had a really fun July. Between being outside with friends for play or for the holiday, and a packed week in Wisconsin, we are pretty pooped. There were lots of memories made and laughter with the best people. I'm just going to give a winded synopsis of what went down this month...
- Spent the 4th with the best // Alex and her husband from The Berger Bungalow #bloggingbudsforlife! We also ventured north and went river tubing as couples and had a blast.
- Mooched off our awesome friends' pool // gosh, could we love them any more? Haha!
- Discovered this adorable hidden gem of a town near our home, that has an pretty lake and sweet locals.
- Grabbed a quick lunch with one of my best friends from college and her sweet baby girl // love!
- Spent a couple days with my sister and her family in their new house in Wisconsin, and finally got some cheese curds.
- Had a very adventurous long weekend north of Milwaukee for a wedding // and somewhere in there acquired THIRTY-THREE bug bites on my feet/ankles/lower calves alone. So itchy.
- We stayed in two different Airbnb's and, as usual, had some great experiences. Our host lived in the first one we stayed in, and she was a total delight to have talked to and been hosted by. Don't forget to use my code the first time you book an Airbnb for $30 off!
- Finally saw my all time favorite band play live in Chicago at the Bears Stadium // Coldplay! It was so incredible and a dream come true.
Here's a little photo tour of our month (click to enlarge):
The amazing thing about Coldplay's concert were the wristbands you were given upon entering. They changed color, blinked, etc... along with the beat of the songs. It was so magical to look across the expanse of this massive stadium and see the colorful lights in sync with the songs. Of course, during their song "Yellow" everyone's wristband turned yellow, which was fitting. Fireworks would shoot up behind the band on beat with some songs, and they had these giants balloons being tossed around the entire arena. In a word it was just incredible. Very, very fun concert. Check out my Instagram for another short video from the concert, and note the wristbands when the song picks up.
What have you all been up to this month?
You Don't Have To Be Friends With Everyone
It sounds sort of mean and/or aggressive, I know.
But hear me out, and don't misunderstand. This doesn't mean you shouldn't be friendly to everyone, just that the reality is that some personalities don't mix, and that's okay.
I'm sure at some point in your life, you've felt like the odd-ball-out. The black sheep.
Maybe somewhere out there, there is someone who has never felt this way - how nice to be them! But as one who has often been the black sheep, I have to admit... I'm grateful.
I'm grateful that the disconnect from my peers early in life taught me to be introspective, grow a thick skin, and still treat people with respect even when they didn't offer the same to me.
Why do we feel so different sometimes?
For me, it was a lack of shared morals, values, or interests. I wasn't popular or good at sports (never have been!) and I didn't feel good about disobeying my parents. I was the token "goody-goody" and I only knew a handful of peers who felt the same. In college, things changed when I was surrounded by a myriad of people in a setting where you could essentially choose your friends. Again, this is not to say I wasn't kind to everyone or didn't show respect to people who were different than me - just that it was great to surround myself with a group of people I clicked with. Enter: adulthood. It's hard, isn't it? You move, you get married, you start a new job, you buy a house, have a kid (or several), and often without being surrounded by people who "get you."
Somewhere in the transition to adulthood, you begin to feel this overwhelming pressure to befriend anyone. Making friends becomes a painstaking process that often leaves you feeling insecure or unsure of whether or not the feelings of friendship are reciprocated. It's very awkward. It sometimes feels like a repeat of those tender middle school years, when you never knew if you were "cool enough" to hang out with certain people. However, when I think back to how crummy it felt to try and try, or believe that I was someone's friend when they didn't see me as one, I would offer myself one freeing piece of advice that I hope I can remember as an adult:
You don't have to be their friend.
When you don't "click" with someone, move on and don't dwell on it. There's a power in realizing that something may never happen. It's sort of like moving on from a break-up, right? There can be a million little reasons why two people don't click, and trying to force it every time will land you in some terrible, unhealthy relationships.
Choosing not to be friends with someone also doesn't have to look ugly. You don't need to talk bad about anyone behind their back, you don't need to poignantly avoid them at every passing turn, in fact you should be gracious and respectful to them as they too are God's children. We are called to love.
But loving someone and liking someone isn't always synonymous.
Take it from your parents. I bet they didn't always like you! I bet you didn't always like your siblings. Dare I say, sometimes you may not even like your spouse (such as when they're right...). But you always love them. In the same way, we're called to love our enemies.
(Of course, I'm not alluding to "people who are not our friends, are our enemies," but we should love each other just the same)
All I'm saying, here, is that it's okay not to be friends with everybody. We don't need to feel bad when we don't "click." You don't need to shun someone, or act cold, but you do get to choose who you spend your time with. And actually, if you look up Bible verses regarding friendship, you'll hear a lot of warnings about hanging out with the wrong crowds. Try this list. It's important to have a tribe that challenges you to be a better person and is there for you in need.
As humans, I fully believe we are made for relationships and community. Some are meant for smaller, more intimate communities of close-knit friends, while others are meant for far-reaching circles. But the beauty is that we were all made different, and some people "get" someone more than another. It's something to celebrate!
In my adult life, I've spent far too much time mourning the loss of friendships I thought were deeper than they really were. Instead, I'm going to choose to cultivate and nurture the ones I already hold dear, while still keeping the door open for new ones - I may be surprised who walks through that door!
Hair Tutorial : Messy Waves
In case you didn't hear, I got my hair cut.
As in, ten inches *snip snipped* and I am absolutely loving it. Check out this post to see the before and after photo.
With all that length and no layers (which is what happens when you don't get your hair cut regularly over the course of SEVEN years) my hair had absolutely no body and eventually gave up trying whenever I went to curl it. Like I swear I would put some effort into making my hair look nice and it replied with a completely lachrymose, "nahhh... I'm good. I'mma just lay here and be flat."
So imagine my happiness after my haircut, when I curled it with a flatiron and it held up all day and freely bounced along on my shoulders. It was literally like weight-loss for hair.
It's crazy to think that among my friends in college I was the hairstylist for everyone. I had been the go-to for weddings, nights out, bachelorette parties, date nights, etc... and now only four years out, I feel like I can hardly handle a hair dryer! Over the last couple years I have become extremely lazy in terms of hairstyles, so I'm easing myself back into the habit of primping it more and more. Anyway, I'm now thrilled with the fact that it takes me about fifteen minutes (or less) to put a little texture into my hair via some messy curls. All without the help of a curling iron. My hair is rarely straight anymore! So I thought I'd share with you how I do this easy look.
1. Add some dry shampoo to dry hair.
2. Situate your hair so it's laying naturally. Take various pieces of your hair and begin to curl them with your flatiron so that the curls turn away from your face. Turn the flatiron 90 degrees while letting your hair pass through. As you near the ends of your hair, let your hair out of the iron before the ends pass through. This leaves your ends straight and gives your waves a more "messy" texture.
For this hairstyle, don't worry about curling every single hair. I didn't divide my hair on purpose because I wanted some straight pieces mixed with wavy pieces. You can do this however you want, but this is just how I did it this time!
Continue this throughout each side and don't forget the back.
3. Once you've curled everything you wanted to curl, spritz a little hairspray on everything, tousling a little as you go.
4. Then, run your fingers through your hair, separating curls and bringing the body of your hair together.
5. If you want to / need to, give it a little tease wherever you might need it. My hair is fine and thin, so it can always use a little 'oomph' here and there.
...but teasing can sometimes turn out a little crazy!
6. Gently comb away the mess and fly-aways, and give it a finishing spritz of hairspray throughout. Voila! So easy.
Not only is it cute when it's down and styled this way, but even when I pull it up a little, it still looks textured and fun.
Seem easy enough? Let me know if you try this and have any luck with it!
June | 2016
Today,
I want to share with you all the little pieces behind the scenes. As much as I love a well framed photograph and a picturesque street, life doesn't always look like that. So since this community is about authentic truths, once a month, I'd like to fill you in on what else may be happening that doesn't necessarily make it to the blog - just for fun - and because that's real life!
These monthly posts may be a little wordy, and they may contain different content depending on how busy or slow a month had been, or what's been taking up top real estate in my mind as of late. I might include favorite posts or blogs from around my networks, playlists, videos to see, places to check out... who knows! I'm not going to box these posts in to any theme in particular because I want them to serve as a recap and a little monthly inspiration for you. Maybe you'll learn some thrifty date night secrets (hint: you're about to hear one) or embarrassing stories. There are no rules for these posts, so you'll just have to open them up and be surprised!
And if there are any topics you'd like to see more of please share them with me in the comments. Seriously - I'd love to know what kind of inspiration you may be looking for each month!
If you're entirely new to Joy Lynn, welcome! There have been some lovely new faces on my social media as of late, and I'm thrilled you're joining us. Stop by my about page or explore the different categories in the menu. This is a community where we share real stories, experiences, triumphs, and failures... but we keep in mind that our lives are filled with blessings, if only we take a moment to acknowledge them. We strive for grateful hearts amidst life's constant ebbs and flows.
latest adventures
Our thrifty date of the month was... *drum roll* ... to an event at our bank! I am definitely not joking. And you may be laughing, but our bellies were filled with free food from the various restaurant vendors, and we might just win $500 from the raffle (doubtful). They had free tacos, guys! The best part is, we almost showed up exactly on time, and we would have been the first ones there (awkward), so we went to Home Depot and looked at plants for a half hour, which was obviously super romantic.
Also this month, you may have seen a post on social media regarding our last minute camping overnight. During our dinner conversation on a Friday night, we suddenly decided to just head towards the mountains with our tent and an air mattress, and that's exactly what we did. I am constantly amazed that we can find such beauty only an hour north! And the next morning we may have had Waffle House for the first time since moving here.... and then unashamedly returned the morning after that. Who knew their pecan waffles were so amazing?!
- Have any of you ever tried a Drybar? They basically just wash and blow-dry your hair into a nice style that could last you several days. I had the opportunity to act as a guinea pig for a new girl, and my hair was so dang long it took her an hour just to dry it. Then she had to curl everything twice and it still went flat the minute I left. It was a fun little spa-type treatment, but my hair isn't a type that holds curl for very long. So, the next day... I chopped it off! I ended up donating ten inches. Georgia is too hot and humid for long, straight hair like mine anyway, so getting it cut makes me feel so much cooler.... literally.
- We tried a cute little donut shop one morning before church, because who can resist those sprinkles?! And because we rarely get donuts, so it was a treat :)
- Estate sales are all over the place down here in the South. We don't usually find anything worth the prices, but a few weeks ago, Tom found the full Les Miserable 10th Anniversary concert on CD for fifty cents. Guys, I seriously sing Les Mis every.single.day. without the CD... so you can bet there is an extra amount of singing going on in my car lately, and I like to think the people at the stop lights are my fans (haha). If you have never listened to Les Mis, step away from the Hollywood version and Youtube the 10th anniversary concert right this second. Those are the greats.
Probably the most exciting part of June, though, was getting the kitchen finished and new appliances added. You can see the post on the kitchen reveal here. We finished it right around our one year hous-iversary (when we closed on our house) and I must say, I'm pretty impressed with the amount of work we've managed to squeeze into one year in this place! Thanks, those of you who followed along and offered some virtual high-fives in support. It feels amazing to be done, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host various travelers in our awesome new space.
Currently, I'm pouring over decor (specifically coffee tables, side tables, and accent chairs) to give our living room a more cohesive feel. Since our living room, entryway, kitchen, and dining are all essentially one big room, everything really needs to work together. My living room Pinterest board and entryway Pinterest board may give you some idea of what styles I'm looking for. These pieces from Amazon have been catching my eye because I think we may DIY our coffee and side tables.
blogs to explore
- Poppy Anthology
- Stay Gold Autumn (who is actually a real life friend of mine!)
- A Short Blonde
- Little Dove
How was your June? Anything you want to share? Comment below - I love hearing your stories.
Stay tuned for the July edition - it may look entirely different from this one which is half the fun!
Being Neighborly
Growing up in a small town, your neighbors weren't just the nice folks next door, they were friends. The "I need a cup of sugar" kind of relationships. The place where your kids were free to roam, and you knew there were eyes keeping extra watch (and not calling you in to CPS). Where people often barged right in, knew all your business, and had you covered when you needed an extra hand or had something great to celebrate. I carry such fond memories of wandering over to the neighbor lady's house to play cards and get a popsicle (without mom even knowing), running through the yards and alleys in my bare feet, or racing the neighbor kids on a pink and white bike.
Since moving off to college, I've lived more of a city life. Sadly, many cities are prone to giving you a hard edge because you have to be observant and a little cold so as not to be taken advantage of. That's not to say all people in cities are careless jerks, but when you hear about the things that happen to well-meaning people, you learn to watch your back and make fewer friends out of strangers.
Though you'd assume the opposite, apartment living is usually very "keep to yourself" in nature. Partly because you may have a secret annoyance with the people above, below, or around you and the noise they make or the smells they emit... so it's better to remain in a "hellos only" sort of relationship. Frankly, you're already sharing enough in terms of walls, that sharing more of your life seems like an invasion of privacy. Yes, I'm aware of how cold and hands-off that sounds, but isn't it true? This is not always true - there are certainly exceptions (which I have also experienced), but for the most part, apartment-neighbor relationships are mostly passive at best.
After living in apartments like that for years, being a grown adult and having actual neighbors in a neighborhood can be an awkward transition. Still in a very populated city-scape, I must admit, it's hard to create a comfortable bond with the strangers nearest in proximity to us. They've all been extremely friendly and welcoming, and even gave us a lovely sunflower plant (which I promptly killed.. poor things didn't know about my extreme lack of a green thumb). But after the initial "hello, nice to meet you, tell me about yourself, goodbye" interaction, where do you go from there?
Well, here's a good place to start...
It was a simple gesture, but a little love and thoughtfulness went into it. Some homemade banana bread (because when do Tom and I ever eat an entire bunch of them?) with a note, fresh tulip, and little wooden box to tote them in. All in all, this probably cost around $5 a box.
So often I am guilty of overthinking even the smallest of gestures.
"What if they're allergic? What if they don't like bananas? What if they already have too many boxes or vases like these and don't want more?" ... and on and on. Maybe that sounds silly, but as someone who doesn't show or receive love through gifts, it's really hard for me to be thoughtful in that way. But then I realized how much I love to bake and how easy it is to share that joy with others and I decided to put my what-ifs aside and just do it. They can throw it away if they want, but at least I could offer a kind gesture of friendship to the people next door, with a note thanking them for being a blessing to our life.
And you know what? It opened up conversation and community.
For $5, I'd say this neighborly gesture was worth it. If even just for the smile.
The More of Less | by Joshua Becker
"Minimalism is about what it gives, not what it takes away. It's the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them. It's a new way of living that fills us with hope." Page 20
Out of the innumerable blog posts and books nowadays that cover the subject of minimalism, I am so glad I have the opportunity to review this one in particular.
Joshua's minimalism mantra had me nodding along, page after page. Yet, for those who are not pursuing minimalism, this book gives such incredible insight as to how we should view our "things." Not only as human beings of this world, but even as Christians. I very much appreciate his excerpts on how his faith has had such an impact on the choice to become a minimalist, because it's one of many reasons I too am aspiring to adhere to minimalism.
I believe that minimalism is a completely misunderstood ideal to some. It's viewed as a cult of followers who pretentiously snub the audacity of owning anything at all. But as Joshua so markedly reiterates throughout these pages, less isn't the same as none.
The point of minimalism is to guide your relationship with things and help you find more in less (as the book title so aptly clarifies). It forces you to take a look at (and even pick up and touch) each individual item you own and think about the importance of the items you may feel buried under. Sadly, many of us do not even realize the stress our things are putting on us. We don't realize that our stacks of mail, and boxes of decor, and endless amounts of books are actually putting a strain on our relationships and time spent doing the things we value most. We're left endlessly cleaning massive homes and fancy cars. This book forces you to explore what should feel normal in terms of ownership and consumerism.
Think about it.
In college, for example, I was surrounded by equally as poor peers. We all owned very little, so sharing became a norm. When we needed to dress up for events, instead of buying new clothes, we often raided one another's closets. Those who bought new clothes a the drop of a hat were an exception, not a rule.
Enter adulthood. My peers were suddenly in differing age groups than me. I was in an entry-level position, planning a wedding, and living with a roommate 45 minutes from my job. The endless lunches out with colleagues started to become straining to me financially, and my social standing seemed to fall because I couldn't keep up. I tried to keep up with this by buying fewer clothes and eating next to nothing for dinner so I could handle the expenses of constant lunches out, but it was futile and I grew increasingly embarrassed. Joshua hits the nail on the head:
"... most of us choose to spend our personal time with people who are similar to us. We feel comfortable and accepted among them.
But when you are pulled from your regular social circle, you may begin to feel self-conscious about things you wouldn't normally think twice about."
This was exactly the position I had found myself. I enjoyed being with the people I cared about, but not at such a financial expense. It weighed on me and for two+ years I struggled to fit in. It felt like middle school all over again! Lunches out were not of any value to me and made me feel inferior.
What Joshua pointed out next was such a breath of fresh air:
"What if excess became the cause of embarrassment? And responsible living that championed generosity became the norm?"
What a world that would be, wouldn't it? In a world filled with excess, it's hard to imagine, isn't it? You get to create your norm. And I can tell you, that even in my short journey in minimalism, the incredible freedom and joy I feel when I walk through a store and want nothing is incredible. My definition of enough is very different from many around me, but I sincerely hope others can soon find the contentment I have found in less... and this book is a great place to start.
Minimalism, at its core, is not about perfectionism. This is a common myth. To many, it can seem synonymous with beautifully manicured, tidy homes and only enough dishes for the amount of people living in the home. It's about only keeping the things that actually add value to your life. I recently bought another entire set of dishes. Why? Because we hope to cultivate friendships in our community and host others under our roof. Important conversations happen around the dinner table, and it is of great value to us to be able to serve others in that way. We're in the stage of distinguishing what items are of great importance and what items will distract us from our values. That looks different for everyone - there is no "one size fits all" in terms of what you keep and what you get rid of.
You see, we are all selfish beings (something Joshua is sure to point out). We hoard our possessions and let sentimentality become the running factor of our excess. Read what King Solomon discovered about excess (and selfishness) in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. In the later chapters of his book, Joshua offers challenges and experiments. Like boxing up a number of your possessions for a set amount of days, and if after that amount of days you didn't miss those items or need them - donate them! Another beautiful part of minimizing, is the generosity you find in it. The items you have been holding on to, could be well loved and used by others who may need them more (like those baby clothes!). It's an exercise in giving and it feels good.
Joshua covers just about every question you can think of regarding becoming a minimalist. Even what to do when one person in a household is drawn to minimalism and the others are not. This is a lifestyle change and it takes practice. I highly, highly recommend The More of Less as a wonderfully encouraging resource for those who are curious about adopting this practice or need a boost in the right direction. I hope you'll continue to join me on Joy Lynn for more posts regarding simple living and minimalism! Also, check out Joshua's blog: Becoming Minimalist.
For the sake of transparency with my readers, I will always tell you when I've received something for a discounted price (or free) or could potentially receive a commission off a purchase made through one of my links. Thank you for understanding the benefits these sponsorships bring to your favorite bloggers!
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this honest review.
Nothing to Compare
What is there to compare in this life, really? Bodies? Budgets? Belongings? Business? I'm rolling with the B's.
But really.
Think of all the genetic mixtures of each and every person on this earth. Think of the differing skill sets and minds. Think of the values that differ from one person to the next. Think of the freckles, scars, shapes, and hearts of the bodies that carry each marvelous soul. Think of the unique, God-given capabilities of the people around you.
Now what is there to compare?
Answer: There is nothing to compare.
Isn't that the beauty in this life? That even in all the similarities and commonalities that we find with those around us, we still have nothing by which to hold one another up to and say "Ugh, I wish I had your _____."
Comparing brings with it conceit, envy, or covetousness. It's ugly and sinful and rears its head with insecurities and self righteousness. And for what? So that every now and then you can find comfort in the fact that you don't have to live the rotten life of your neighbor? Or so that you can look at your life in all its messes and flaws and wish you had the body, skills, and budget of your other neighbor?
Friends, leave room for inspiration instead of envy. For humility and generosity instead of conceit. For confidence and content instead of covetousness. The second nature we have to make split-second comparisons can be broken. It's a lifelong habit many of us have unknowingly contracted. But like so many habits or addictions, we can break it. Not without failures and slip-ups, of course, but by diminishing our susceptibility to its constant stream and crippling effects, we can find freedom.
We can celebrate the joys and triumphs of others, gain satisfaction and gratefulness for the life God has given us, and turn our comparisons into a platform of thankfulness and praise for our lives and the lives of others.
The path God sets before each of us differs immensely from one to the next and leaves no room for comparison. He says it best in a couple of verses:
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
2 Corinthians 10:12
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Not only do the materialist things of this earth not matter, but by comparing one another based on the things of this earth, we're making ourselves out to be complete fools.
From those verses, I get a vision in my head of a situation I've witnessed many times over. Working in daycares, I would watch two or three children playing peaceably together, until suddenly, one particular toy became the apple of all their eyes. It didn't matter if there was a toy that was exactly the same nearby... it was the color of that particular one that had them all clambering, yanking, and screaming to have it. As their teacher, I tried to remind them of sharing, and did my best to help them see that the only thing they were fighting about was a color. But it made no difference, because in comparison, nothing matched the draw of that green one.
Eventually, the toy would be taken away all together while they all three whined and cried, and I'd roll my eyes at how ridiculous and silly they were acting. I'm sure you read that and know full well, too, how pithy it looked.
But what do you think we're doing when we see someone's dreamy vacation on Facebook and wish we could have the same? Or when we see someone's make-up or svelte body and begrudgingly look at our imperfections? We may not have the exact same things, like the toy above, but when you take a good look at your life, I bet you can find more blessings than not.
Here's to losing the comparison game and reveling in the freedom of finding joy and inspiration instead of envy and self-pity. Here's to knowing full-well, that God's blessings are plentiful and comparing those blessings only lessens their worth.
And finally, here are some lyrics to an old favorite that suits my meaning perfectly:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
Welcome to Joy Lynn
If you've been a reader of my previous blogs For the Love of Tuna or The Accidental House Blog, (I hope) you've been anxiously awaiting this elusive announcement. At long last, here I am! Rebranded with a new name and entirely new feel.
If you were not previously a reader of my blogs, a warm welcome to you! You've joined us at an exciting time!
There are some pretty obvious changes going on in this new space, but let me explain what exactly has changed and why.
For the Love of Tuna (which focused solely on life, marriage, and travel) and The Accidental House Blog (which followed our homeownership adventures) are no more. They've been put to rest, and replaced with a fresh face and different angle: Joy Lynn.
You see, I came to realize that the things in life that I love, should not be compartmentalized. I love marriage, travel, house renovations and DIY, and all the bits and pieces in between. Trying to keep those pieces in separate, precise niches felt unnatural. It forced me to love one more than the other one day, and less the next. Why can't I love them and talk about them as one all-encompassing joy of my life? That is what they add up to, afterall. The passionate, hard, beautiful, creative pieces of my life. They deserve to share a space online in the same way they share space in my everyday life.
This is my lifestyle. This is Joy Lynn.
Joy Lynn is a lifestyle blog centered around living simply, adventuring daily, strong marriage, home improvements, and creating a life filled with lessons learned and grateful hearts.
Why did I choose my own name? Because a bunch of other people do it? Because I'm a narcissist?
I chose my name for several reasons. One being that I do actually think my name is rather melodic and pretty. And don't take that as me being full of myself -- I didn't name me! Secondly, if you haven't noticed, this thing called life ebbs and flows. It pushes and pulls. It stretches you and gives you times of peace. There are few things that don't change with time... but names are usually one of them. My name is Joy Lynn, and it always will be. Even if my interest in travel becomes a thing of the past. Even if I lose my love for baking. Even if my house burns down. I am still going to be Joy Lynn.
I would strongly encourage you to visit my about page to familiarize yourself with this new community and find out the best ways for you to stay connected with what we have going on at Joy Lynn.
You'll find some content from both my previous blogs, but as a whole, the content has been whittled down to the well-knowns and my personal favorites. I've made space for so much more room to grow!
You'll also see some of my favorite Amazon products listed in the sidebar of my blog post pages. They'll change from time to time, but they are all items I own and love and thought you might love too! Plus, I'll always have very affordable items there because I'm incredibly thrifty.
If you'd like to just say hi, approach me about a guest post or collaboration, or talk about sponsorships and advertising on Joy Lynn, visit my contact page and shoot me a note. I'd love to hear from you!
Things to come...
Finally, as the weeks go on, you may see more fun items launch on the Joy Lynn community. This blog was designed by me entirely (in fact, my Joy Lynn logo is my actual signature) and it wasn't nearly as intimidating as you'd think. I use the platform Squarespace, and I feel so strongly about the benefits it offers to people of all skill levels to be able to start their own blog, website, or online business. I've designed a large handful of websites using this platform and I want to lead others down this path as well. It may not be for everyone, but as an extremely tech savvy person with experience in coding and web design, Squarespace is my absolute favorite between the "biggies" - Wordpress, Blogger, and Squarespace. Keep an eye out for more info, or reach out to me in the meantime if you'd like to talk website design.