The other day, someone asked me how I've stayed so positive after being laid off from my job in July. My initial response was, "I HAVE NO FREAKING CLUE," but after giving it some thought, I realized they were right. There's been a shift in my attitude and perspective on life ... for the better. Crazy, huh? Let me explain. A recent auction find. 🔮 I'm writing this post four months after losing my job. If you want to know all the juicy details about that, there aren't any. The company I worked for decided to scale back and focus more on family and less on business. If there were a way to keep me there forever, they would have. We were (and still are) extremely close ... like family. There are no hard feelings between us at all . I was given a generous severance and have felt well taken care of, considering the circumstances, for which I'm incredibly thankful . But yeah, as many of you know, I spent over nine years living and breathing A Beautiful Mess . I loved my job and felt like I was "set" for life. Maybe it was naive thinking, but that's how I felt—like the brand itself was completely indestructible. After getting the news that I was laid off, I panicked and spent the majority of the day in bed. I also had a big surgery planned a couple of weeks later, so my mind was shifting back and forth. Everyone's situation is different, but knowing that I didn't have to cash out my retirement fund to pay my mortgage and bills was a HUGE sigh of relief for me. I had a little buffer. Once I had recovered from my hysterectomy, I began the job search. Looking for a job at 40 is A LOT different than when you're 30. I have way more "boxes to check." I would describe the process as mind-numbing with small bursts of encouragement. Considering everything that's happened this year, I haven't completely lost my mind. In fact, I have a positive spark inside of me that I didn't know existed. Here are a few things that have helped me in the past four months: I started this blog. I never intended to write a blog. Ever. My goal has never been to become an influencer or make it big— I just wanted to have a creative outlet other than Instagram. I soon realize d how therapeutic it felt to write blog posts, check comments, start an Amazon affiliate program, and share my photos on Pinterest. These are all things I did at A Beautiful Mess, and I can still do them. I had no idea how much I needed this until I started doing it! Branching out. Having severance pay has made a huge difference in this situation for obvious reasons. But the idea of running out of money has always been at the back of my mind. Initially, I didn't think about doing freelance or part-time work. Still, after sharing my situation on Instagram, I had two friends (who own local businesses) reach out to me about occasional work. The balance between looking for jobs and working a little has been beneficial for my mental health. Networking. Yes, we hear the term "networking" all the time, but I realized I needed to take it to the next level to make things happen. The first thing I did when I started looking for a job was update my decade-old resume. Never in my life did I think that I would put my photo on a resume, but here we are. I'm proud of the resume I put together (with the help of some smart friends), which I shared on social media, first on Instagram and then on Facebook. I had over 40 people re-share it on Facebook, and it resulted in several job interviews. Changing my surroundings. I make it a point to leave my house every day and surf LinkedIn from a coffee shop. It has made me realize that I didn't get out of the house enough while working remotely for ABM. Like, at all. Making a simple change, such as adjusting   my surroundings, has made me feel better. Staying busy. I know this might sound annoying, but I rarely get bored. Perhaps it's because I'm not good at sitting still, but I try to keep my days busy. Currently, I have more free time than I'm accustomed to having, and life will eventually return to being really busy, work-wise. I try to remind myself every day that this is temporary , and I should make the most of the extra time I have. Embrace hobbies. I have been buying and reselling vintage decor for over 15 years, and it's truly one of my favorite hobbies. It m a kes me happy. So, while this isn't a new hobby for me, I've been listing more items than I usually do (on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy , and IG stories) to make extra money. I also started a series on this blog called 10 Favorite Things. Yes, this is exactly what A Beautiful Mess does weekly, but I enjoyed writing those posts. Lol. I make a little extra money from commissions between the blog posts I write and the things I share on Instagram. I don't care if I make $5.00 from it— it's fun for me regardless. Moral support. This is the most important thing on my list. The advice, support, and encouragement I've received from my family and friends have been my biggest ga me-cha ngers. Listening to what someone says is one thing, but believing them changes everything. Everyone I've talked to during this big transition in my life has told me the same thing. "We aren't worried about you at all. You're going to find something even better than you had before!" Wait. What? I guess I'm trying to say that if you hear something enough, you will start to believe it. I've been surrounded by positivity this whole time. And I can feel it. I hope this post is helpful if you're currently facing a similar situation in life. I tell myself that things will work out and be OK every day. That doesn't mean I don't have bad days. Trust me . It’s time for a change, and I can’t wait to find out where I land. Until then, chin up. Let's be happy while we're here. xoxo, Jacki

If you live in a home built before 1950, the nostalgic charm of your bathroom was likely legit, flat-out, 100% destroyed many years ago. Sometime around 1970, people decided to get rid of their pedestal sinks and pink toilets, causing the rest of us a few headaches and the (expensive) urge to renovate our bathrooms back to their original glory. When I bought my 1920s bungalow , it was pretty obvious that the bathroom had been renovated a few times. Did it look horrible? Meh. Was it fixable without spending a fortune? Yes! It just needed a little love. The tile floor isn't bad. It's not original to the house, but I don't mind it. I'm not sure why they put it on the vanity or didn't use any grout, but it's fine . This 1970s bathroom only needed a few tweaks to be a happier space: The wallpaper needed to be removed The wood vanity needed a coat of white paint The room needed a BIG dose of color I was fortunate to have hired someone to remove the wallpaper and paint the walls white before moving in, so I can't take credit for that part. A couple of months after I moved in, I tackled the vanity. Paint can transform a space like pure magic, which did not disappoint in this scenario. It helped so much! Sweet, sweet progress. The last step was to add A LOT of color, which is one of my favorite things to do while decorating. I will say that having a large vanity is nice from a decor and storage standpoint. My brain wants a 1920s pedestal sink in here, but I get why it's not the first choice for people anymore. I found my mirrored tray at a flea market a few years ago. I often come across them, but I had never seen one like this. The colors were my starting point when decorating the bathroom. Links: Salt Lamp Night Light / Vintage Perfume Bottle From there, I added a framed piece of embroidered fabric, floating shelves , and a bunch of knick-knacks. The bathroom is pretty tiny, so I didn't have room to add a cabinet or table. I thought about an over-the-toilet cabinet but opted for white shelves instead. And they were extra fun to decorate. I've been slowly adding to my vintage apothecary collection. Two of my latest additions are the cough drops (still in the box) and a bottle of cough syrup containing chloroform. Nobody truly understands how exciting these things are to me. Lol. Speaking of shelves, it took me almost a year, but I finally put some in the shower. These are the stick-on kind and very sturdy. Oh, and I'm not afraid to show off my Navage . This thing has improved my sinuses for the better, and I will continue to use it twice a day forever. Other links: Honest Face Cleanser / Dae Signature Shampoo The Shining is one of my favorite movies, and the bathroom scene will be permanently embedded in my brain. If you know, you know. I found this art print on Etsy, and it's perfect . I hear that clear orange shower curtains make you happier. Actually, I didn't hear that, but I can confirm they help. Other links: Shower Curtain Rod / Clear Hooks / Vintage Mustard Dispenser (perfect for hand soap) / Similar Mirror / Orange Toilet Paper (lol) Hi, Norman. I hope this post serves as a reminder that you can be happy with what you have without spending a lot of money. I have an old pedestal sink waiting for me in the basement, but I'm not in a hurry to put it in here anymore. xoxo, Jacki More room tours: Vintage Living Room Tour Spare Room + Open Closet Makeover Pink and Blue Bedroom Tour Vintage Dining Room Tour

Do you believe in manifestation? It took me months to write this post because I wanted to let the experience sink in. It has been incredible, and I can't wait to share it with you! I wrote a blog post last year about my connection to The Ozark Mountain Daredevils , which prefaces this story, but it all started after I bought my house and heard rumors that Rune Walle, one of the band members, had lived here in the early 1980s. After I heard the rumor, I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if I could find a photo of the band practicing in my basement?" Or just any photo in GENERAL. I left it at that. Well, for a little while. I went on Facebook to do some "research." I might have sent a few DMs —I have no shame—b ut I didn't get anywhere. A year later, I had pretty much moved on from the idea. Last winter, a woman named Ana Walle commented on a mutual friend's Facebook photo. I recognized the last name but assumed she was Rune's sister. But because "I have no shame," I sent her a message. I figured it was a long shot. But she replied, told me the rumors were true, and left this comment on a photo of my kitchen: As you can imagine, I was completely ecstatic and couldn't believe my eyeballs , especially when she mentioned Munchies. I wasn't around in the Munchies' days, but I heard about them. It was the spot where all the hippies hung out in downtown Springfield in the 1970s. And Ana was a waitress there. She met Rune there, too. They later got married and bought my house. Well, their house. Our house? Ana in front of Munchies I already had two things in my house from Munchies— a set of matchbooks and a framed print of their logo. Cosmic goodness. Related Post: Collections: Vintage Matchbooks From Springfield, Missouri The Ozark Mountain Daredevils : Buddy Brayfield, Steve Cash, Larry Lee, Michael "Supe" Granda, Rune Walle, and John Dillon. To make a long story short (which I'm terrible at doing), soon after our first message exchange, Ana sent me a bunch of old photos, and we talked on the phone for 2 hours . We both felt like we had known each other for decades. I know! I went from thinking about how great it would be to see a photo of the Daredevils having band practice in my house to forming a friendship with an amazing woman. We have sent each other care packages. I sent her a text on Mother's Day. Lol. I feel very close to her and don't care how crazy it sounds! I wanted to share some of the photos she sent me. I hope you feel all the fuzzy feelings I felt when I first saw them. Who am I kidding? I still feel them. Related Post: Why I'm Obsessed with The Ozark Mountain Daredevils Ana and Rune Birthday party in the living room Here's a peek at the kitchen. The WALLPAPER. The orange curtains. 🧡 Here's a fairly recent photo of the kitchen. Birthday party in the dining room The large, original window in the dining room had three panels, and you could open them! I'm thankful to have a large, weather-proof version of this window today, but I love seeing how it originally looked. Here's what the dining room looks like now . The living room It's hard to imagine, but the whole house (minus the kitchen and bathroom) was covered in carpet. You can see an old TV in the corner and the original fireplace. Here's what the living room looks like now . This photo is PRICELESS. Apparently, there was a rock BBQ grill in the backyard that matched the house (!!!!). It's sadly long gone, but this photo of Rune and a friend makes me feel slightly better about it. This picture of Rune's parents painting the back of the house really got to me. Due to age, the wood needed a fresh paint job, so I started scraping the paint down to the bare wood last year. I scraped off three layers of paint: orange, brown, and blue. 😢 PSA: I need to finish this project this summer! I snapped this photo on a snowy morning so I could compare it to the one Ana sent me. Remember when Ana mentioned eating smoked lamb on Christmas Eve? Here's a photo of Rune in front of the big dining room window that night. Ana with her daughters Ana told me this house was filled with positive energy, music, and love. People were always in and out, and it was a happy place . I've never been more sure that this is where I am meant to be. My forever home! xoxo, Jacki

My everyday makeup and skincare routine in my 40s is incredibly simple. When I think back to my high school and college days, I have no idea what the heck I was doing every morning, as it took me forever to get ready. Speaking of high school, I had a giant caboodle filled with all the makeup I wish I still had, mainly because the brands and the products are so nostalgic. Scented body glitter gel was a staple for me. I always dabbed some on the outside corners of my eyes. And don't get me started on the Hard Candy black glitter eyeliner I had in 1999—big ole drool emoji. After 40 years, I can confidently say that I've figured out what works and what doesn't . I buy all the products in the post on a repeat basis. I think the cool kids call them "empties." My skincare routine is pretty minimal. Being stone-cold sober for two years has helped my skin tremendously. I also drink a lot of water between the gallons of coffee I drink every day—OK, not gallons, but still. And 95% of my makeup is made with clean ingredients. It does make a difference. I promise. Here are my tried and true favorites: Skincare Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Face Cleanser - It's simple, effective, and made with ingredients that make my skin feel good. Thayer's Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Toner - I recently started using this toner twice a day, and my skin is smoother and flake-free. Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel - This is the best moisturizer I've tried. It's very lightweight and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen Face Oil - I apply a few drops of this face oil to my skin after moisturizing. Gua Sha - I use this tool religiously. It helps de-puff my face and the areas below my chin. Makeup Kosas Skin-Improving Foundation - A clean foundation with staying power, skincare ingredients, and SPF 25. ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer - A medium-coverage concealer with clean skincare ingredients that blend seamlessly. Kosas Cloud Setting Powder - I love this powder. It gives my skin a "blurred" look and instantly removes shine without being cakey. Milani Baked Highlighter - This is the best highlighter in the universe. It instantly makes me look more awake without looking like a full-on disco ball. Pacifica Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow Palette - These budget-friendly, clean eyeshadows are infused with cocoa butter. I use the cocoa and pink palettes. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara - I've tried many mascaras over the years, and this is the best one ever. It has a primer on one side. Maybelline Expert Wear Brow Pencil - This old-school eyebrow pencil is the only one that works for me. I use the shade blonde (it's more like a medium brown). ILIA Color Block Lipstick - My favorite everyday lipstick. It has a rich and creamy texture and is long-lasting. Tower 28 Milky Lip Jelly - A non-sticky, nourishing lip gloss that looks perfect on top of any lipstick. Ready for a before photo? It really shows my age because you can tell that I plucked the heck out of my eyebrows in the 90s. After! Unedited and real as ever. Let me know if you have any questions! This was fun to write. xoxo, Jacki

Buying a house is as rewarding and intimidating as it sounds. I never knew if I would actually do it, but here I am, 14 months later, living in a 100-year-old house that I feel incredibly fortunate to own. I thought I'd give you a little backstory about the whole process! Before I bought my house, my living situation was pretty ideal. My uncle purchased a home in 2013 and asked if I wanted to rent it until he moved back to Springfield from California. I had been living in an apartment for years, so living in a house (and not just any house) felt like a dream come true. My uncle moved to Santa Barbara in 1983 (the year I was born, thanks a lot!), so I wasn't sure when or if he would return to Springfield. It was a unique situation. But we both figured it would be about three years. I ended up living in the house for NINE years. Lol. Those nine years were pretty great. I mean, many good and bad things can happen in your life within a long period like that, but living in a big, incredible historic house on Walnut Street was something I never thought I would be able to do. Like I said, it was a unique situation. It was truly, in my mind, my dream home. The apparent catch was that it wasn't mine. But I didn't care. It felt like home. Fast forward to 2022, a year filled with change and heartbreak. My grandma passed away that January, and I was grieving the loss of my dog Kennedy (who had suddenly passed the December before) at the same time. A few months later, I learned I needed to find a new place to live because my uncle was moving back. Bad timing, indeed. I was given a heads-up and had about six months' notice before I needed to move out. But my brain went into major freakout mode. When it rains, it POURS. But it all worked out in the end. It always does! I felt like I was finally in a place where I could afford to buy a house. However, it was still scary and intimidating, especially with everything else going on in my mind. I started perusing Zillow multiple times a day and realized why people get so obsessed with it. It was my main focus, other than my job. It took about four months of looking to find "the one." It was also a crazy time to buy a house. Not that it isn't now, but homes were being sold left and right, and most of them were only on the market for a few days. It was nuts. Basically, if I saw a house I liked, I needed to put an offer down that day to get it. And I couldn't compete with people who could afford to offer more money and all the things. Yada, yada, yada. Looking back, the houses I thought I wanted to buy wouldn't have been suitable for me AT ALL. I didn't want to settle, but I also wanted to make sure I wasn't rushing to find something right before I needed to move out. My goal was to find something built between 1920 and 1960 with lots of historic charm. There were a lot of boxes to check ... and a conservative budget. I even looked at a big historic house (that needed a ton of work) in a neighborhood I've always loved. I thought it was the house for me and considered buying it. I realize now how massive a disaster that would have been. I needed a home that didn't need a lot of work. One evening, a Zillow alert popped up for a house that appeared to check all the boxes— a fieldstone craftsman bungalow built in 1923. It was also in a great neighborhood with lots of charm. I texted my relator, and she made an appointment for us to see it the following day. I was so nervous and excited! It turns out that I knew the realtor (and local historian) Richard Crabtree, who was selling the home. I figured that was a good sign. I looked through the house for about 15 minutes and decided to go for it. I nervously put an offer down. I forgot to mention that I qualified for a grant with UMB Bank. It was a huge blessing. The requirements weren't demanding to meet, such as being a first-time homeowner and earning less than $100,000 a year. There was a lot of paperwork involved, but I couldn't believe how great of a deal it was. The grant covered my down payment and closing costs. Sold! I put my offer down on the house on a Friday morning and figured I wouldn't hear back until Monday. I received a phone call from Richard the same evening—the seller had accepted my offer! It was a done deal. And the crazy thing is that nobody else looked at the house after I put the offer down that Friday. I was the only one! Maybe it was because I knew the realtor, or perhaps it was a universe thing. Either way, I was elated. It truly felt like it was meant to be. It still does. Moving is highly stressful, and starting over is more difficult for some people than others. I guess you could say I'm one of those people. It took about five months for my new house to feel even remotely close to "home." Now that I've lived here for over a year, I'm so glad I did something that felt impossible and out of my comfort zone. And I did it by myself! That makes me proud to say. I would still live in my uncle's house if I weren't forced to move. I would have stayed there forever. Even though starting over felt terrible at the time, it was necessary for me to move forward. Oh, and if I decide to live in my house until it's paid off, I'll be 70. Grandma Jacki, indeed. xoxo P.S. Here are a few room tours from my house. Many friends have told me that it reminds them of my old home, but it feels more like me. I like that! Vintage Living Room Tour Vintage Dining Room Tour 1970s Bathroom Makeover Pink and Blue Bedroom Tour Spare Room + Open Closet Makeover

Maybe you've noticed that I've grown quite fond of the 1970s rock-country-bluegrass band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils . It's also very possible that you have no idea what I'm talking about. Either way, there's a backstory to share about this “ragtag collection of hippies, bohemians, and musicians of no fixed ambition" from my hometown of Springfield, MO. I remember hearing the song "Jackie Blue" when I was a teenager, and I thought it was cool that my name was in it. It didn't take much to excite me back then. The only other Ozark Mountain Daredevils song I knew was "If You Wanna Get to Heaven" because it was one of my late uncle's favorite songs. So yeah, I basically knew nothing about them. Fast forward 20ish years ... Shortly after I closed on my house last August, I read a Facebook post about the home's history by a friend of mine, Richard Crabtree (a local historian and realtor). I was intrigued by everything he said, but one thing in particular caught my eye: Granted, I didn't know much about their music, but the idea of the band practicing in my basement in the '70s seemed pretty cool . But I soon forgot about it because I was hyper-focused on getting my new house in order. Back in the spring, I went to one of my favorite flea markets, Timeless Treasures. It's filled with random junk and treasures (timeless, even). But really, I love that place. I stepped into a booth with many old records in it ... even though I had lost interest in buying them for quite some time. But for whatever reason, I decided to look. ACTUALLY, there was a reason. I thought to myself ... "Maybe I'll find an Ozark Mountain Daredevils album. That might be cool since they have a connection to my house." I found their second album,   "It'll Shine When It Shines ," and it was a sealed copy from 1974. I was so excited! I listened to the record as soon as I got home. All the way through. I instantly loved this album—it was perfect from beginning to end. I even listened to it twice. Then, I listened to it again the following day while mowing the yard— this time with my AirPods. Lol. I couldn't figure out why I was so into it, but I was. I quickly fell for all their music. Like ... a lot. About a month later, I went back to the same flea market. This time, I was on a mission to find their first album. I knew I could buy it from eBay, but I wanted to see "it in the wild." Honestly, I figured the odds were pretty small. I searched the entire place and couldn't find it. It's not even a record store, so I'm not sure what I expected to happen. About 10 minutes before they were getting ready to close, I quickly scanned a booth with a bunch of random stuff and a small box of records. I am NOT KIDDING when I say that when I quickly flipped through the box of records, I found The Quilt Album toward the back. I freaked out and said something aloud, but I can't remember it. And just like the other album I found at Timeless Treasures, this one looked brand new. There were two more records that I wanted to find, and even though I had great luck the last time I was at the flea market, I doubted I would come across them. Spoiler alert: I found one of them ( Don't Look Down ) with a "promotional use only" sticker on the front. You really can't make this stuff up. I've looked for their records at other flea markets, but I've never found one. And I randomly found 4 of their albums in different booths at the same flea market. What kind of sorcery is this? So, there you have it. I'm not sure if 'obsession' is the right word, but I feel a strong connection to this band. And I think it's extremely inspiring that they are still going strong over 50 years later. Many of the members have changed over the years, but two of them remain the same. If you're wondering, Michael "Supe" Granda is my favorite band member. If you ever feel like listening to some Ozark Mountain Daredevils records, come over to Portland Street. I really can't think of a better place to do it. xoxo, Jacki 2024 update: Supe played a solo show in Springfield this spring, and I finally met him. We talked and talked and talked. I could have talked all night. It was a perfect night, indeed! The Shoe Tree Listening Room, 2024 The Garbonzos, 2024 Related Post: Photos of My House From the 1980s (And the Story Behind Them!)

Sometime between 1970 and 1990, homeowners decided to renovate (AKA ruin) kitchens and bathrooms in old, historic homes. I would give a large sum of money (that I don't actually have) to see what my kitchen looked like before 1979, and even more money to see the original kitchen circa 1923! My kitchen is totally fine—that's how I would describe it. And it feels extremely cozy, like a kitchen you would want to make a Thanksgiving dinner in. However , I recently switched out the kitchen cabinet hardware, and it was truly the easiest (and quickest) way to give the cabinets a makeover! I opted for crystal knobs because I love the timeless look of original door knobs in historic homes. My first thought before swapping out the hardware was, " Do people use this type of hardware on kitchen cabinets? "These look like something you would use on a dresser." My next thought was, "Who cares? " These crystal kitchen cabinet knobs are incredibly versatile and can be used on just about anything (bathroom cabinets, office drawers, and dressers to make a few.) I give them a big ole 10/10. And as part of my frequent cleaning routine, you better believe I sparkle them up with my glass cleaner on the regular. Virgo brains are fascinating. Links : Sassafrass / Baking Yesteryear / The Lebanese Kitchen / Crystal Cabinet Knobs xoxo, Jacki

Do I love collecting things? Yes. Did I ever think I would have a collection of fragile plaster ice cream cone-shaped cookie jars? Nope! My obsession with ice cream cone cookie jars started one day at Goodwill. I saw a vanilla cone on the bottom shelf in the home decor area and couldn't stop looking at it. I almost left without it because I thought it was too big, too random, and ... what would I do with it? Surprising, I know! Spoiler alert: I bought it—and it was only $6.00! After that, the collection started to grow. In fact, many of the jars have been gifts from friends for my birthday and Christmas. I guess it's similar to having a Boston terrier—I've been gifted socks, blankets, purses (you name it) with their goofy little faces on them for years, and I'm all about it. My most recent find was a chocolate ice cream cone. A friend saw it at a flea market and messaged me right away. I'll take that as the highest compliment. I waited a couple of days to run by there to find it (like buried treasure) and ... it was still there! And only $20. I love it. One of the reasons these cookie jars are so much fun to collect is that they're hard to find, mainly because they're homemade . I didn't realize it initially, but when people attended pottery painting classes in the 1970s, the cookie jars were their canvas. A lot of them even have names engraved on the bottom. (Internal squeal). Just for fun, here's a photo of one of my grandma's collectibles-- an ice cream scoop from 1905. It's made of brass and called a "Clipper Disher." Did she inspire my collection? I'd like to think so. ✨ xoxo, Jacki Related Posts: Collections: Vintage Advertising & Packaging Collections: Vintage Matchbooks From Springfield, Missouri Collections: Vintage Printer's Drawers With Miniatures

My memories of Mansfield, Missouri, began when I was little. I loved reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books , which were written in this small farm town during the 1930s and 1940s. I've always been a creature of habit when it comes to rewatching movies, ordering the same thing at restaurants, and ... asking my mom to take me to the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum over and over again when I was a kid. And she did. Thanks, Mom. It had been 28 years (give or take) since I visited the museum and toured the home where Laura wrote her books. I was in the mood for a little day trip yesterday, so I decided to head that way. Only an hour from my house, Mansfield is known as "the town where the Little House books were written." It's 100% worth the trip if you're a history enthusiast. I toured the museum, but I didn't arrive in time to visit Laura's house. Well, technically, I got to see the kitchen. When the tour guide closed up for the day, she let me take a quick peek. It was a cozy yellow and green kitchen straight out of the 1950s. And my dreams. I felt like I had been taken back in time and didn't want to return to the present day. Classic Grandma Jacki stuff. The wallpaper, the appliances, and the little view of the living room I wanted to see in person SO bad (next time) were just too good. I used the old "put your phone against the window trick" to take this photo of Laura's office. The golden hour light was perfect. Here's a little history of Rocky Ridge Farm, the home of Laura and Almanzo Wilder. Laura's writing desk and typewriter I highly recommend visiting the museum. I couldn't believe how many items were saved and preserved over time. OK, so not to completely switch gears here, but here's a hilarious way that someone has tried to profit off Laura's name and legacy ... a good old-fashioned RV park with a sign that once said "welcome Laura fans" that now says "welcome L U A fans. Lol. Like most small towns, there are neat buildings with old signage in Mansfield. You know, it's one of my favorite things in life. Here are a few things that caught my eye: I can't resist a rock building, and this giraffe stone was so darn pretty. The owner of the Friendship House (an Airbnb) was decorating for Christmas when I drove by. Here's an old church from the 1940s. I peeked inside, and this is what it looked like: I stopped by Ava on the way home to take a photo of "the sign." Ava Drug is now owned by Walgreens. The original drugstore soda fountain is no longer in service, but they kept the original red, glittery barstools. I was told that this building would be torn down soon, so I snapped a photo of the old painted Coca-Cola advertisement. Here's another view of Laura's home. It has a certain kind of magic to it, and the view feels serene and calming. Pro tip: Be sure to visit Mansfield in the fall! xoxo, Jacki Related Posts: Time Capsule: Junker Joe's Time Capsule: Freistatt, Missouri

"Rock bottom" is different for everyone. Maybe it's getting a DWI or falling in your driveway immediately after getting out of an Uber and fracturing your ankle. Maybe it's waking up with a hangover once a week for an entire decade. Either way, when your rock bottom happens, you'll know. And to be completely transparent, none of the above were my rock bottom, unfortunately. Without getting into the nitty-gritty details or showing a before-and-after photo of myself, trust me when I say I knew exactly when it was time to press the reset button. Simply put, I woke one Saturday morning feeling absolutely miserable. My first thought was, "This makes me feel bad, and I don't want to do it anymore." To top it off, some chronic pain issues— after years of improvement— magically resurfaced the same day. I wanted to do anything and everything possible to avoid going down that road again. While this approach isn't for everyone, I made a prompt decision to never drink alcohol or do ANYTHING to catch a buzz ever again. Then, I wrote the date on a tiny piece of paper and stuck it on my fridge with a magnet. Was I scared and hesitant? Yes. Did I post an Instagram story about it three hours later? ...Yeah. Let me explain. I'm not shy about posting on social media. Sure, I'm in my 40s now, but I genuinely enjoy doing it. Most of my content is about my house, vintage finds, and my dog, Norman. When I decided to enter the "sobriety realm" three and a half years ago, my brain needed all the accountability it could get. So, I posted—vaguely— about my decision to quit everything. I immediately felt a sense of calm and ease. It gave me the momentum I needed to move forward. This "method" (if you want to call it that) worked for me as a starting point, but I totally understand why it's not for everyone. Fun fact: Once I have something in my head, I'm really good at obsessing over it— good or bad. But surprisingly, I didn't overanalyze sobriety. I just knew that I didn't want to feel bad anymore, and if I changed my mind and made the wrong decisions again, I would, well, feel bad . That was enough to make me stop. Life has a way of testing us when we're already down. The old saying "when it rains, it pours" rings true for everyone. Shortly after I decided to get sober, two of the worst things I could have ever imagined happened. My 5-year-old Boston Terrier, Kennedy, suddenly passed away over the weekend. In front of me in my living room, mind you. “Devastating” doesn’t even begin to cover a loss like that. Two weeks later, my 87-year-old grandma, Joanie , who was incredibly healthy for her age, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. She died 6 weeks later. Again, a gut-wrenching tragedy that's impossible to mentally prepare for. It was awful. Do you know what I'm going to say next? I'm not looking for any sympathy or a pat on the back, but even during extremely dark times, I remained committed to the promise I made to myself. How? I just did. I had to. It taught me that I don't need to "escape" reality to get through hard times. And I quickly learned I was much stronger than I thought. I would be lying if I said the past few years have been easy, but sitting with my feelings isn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. You might be wondering how I've coped or what I've replaced alcohol or other substances with. Welllll... I drink tons of coffee. I drink gallons of sparkling water. I work. A LOT. And the support of friends, family, and my community (the trifecta) has kept me going. Rinse and repeat. I've always been a hard worker, but my habits started to change after my grandma's diagnosis. She spent her last weeks at home with hospice care, and I visited her nearly every day— laptop always in hand, day or night. I realized pretty quickly that work was therapeutic for me because it kept my mind occupied. Have I been called a workaholic? Yes! Does it bother me? Not really. I mean, I can think of worse things to obsess over. I love working, and I love staying busy. You might even say that I feel a constant need to be doing something . My next goal is to find a happy medium between work, my personal life, and resting . To be continued... OK, so the coffee and sparkling water thing. I didn't even start drinking coffee until about five years ago. Isn't that crazy? It made me feel insanely anxious, so I avoided it like the plague. Maybe it's the combination of Lexapro and Wellbutrin, but coffee has the opposite effect on me now. And I like it! Again, finding a happy medium is key here. I know caffeine is addictive, but for now, coffee will be part of my life. PERIOD. 😄 Let's briefly talk about sparkling water. I swear, it's also addictive, but in a normal, hydrating kind of way. In fact, I have several close friends who also swear by it post-sobriety. It's interesting how dopamine affects our brain when we replace an old dopamine source with something as simple as black cherry sparkling water . And guess what? It works . I drink at least three cans a day, and it always feels like a treat. Something else I've poured myself into the past few years? My house. I bought it one year after getting sober, and it has been a huge blessing. HUGE. The projects are endless (in a good way), and my love for decorating and hunting for vintage treasures has only intensified— if you can believe it. Oh, and before I forget, there are two important things I want to mention. When people imagine a life of sobriety, a couple of fears tend to pop up. Things like: "Social events won't be fun anymore." "I will lose my creative side." Big, massive spoiler alert: Those statements are false . Going out to a bar is literally the furthest thing from my mind now. During my first year of sobriety, if someone had asked me to go out, I would have politely said, "No, thanks." But over time, you get so used to it that it becomes normal. These days, it's rare for me to go out, but as long as I have a drink in my hand or nearby, I'm fine. Do I still have fun in social situations? Of course! Do you know why? The longer you stop doing something, the less you think about it, and the easier it gets. Also, it’s worth asking yourself: What does “fun” actually mean to me? You'd be surprised how mundane activities (and things you never thought you would love doing) actually are... fun. This goes back to the dopamine source I mentioned earlier. Let's discuss the creative part for a minute. I can't stress enough how much my creative side has soared since getting sober. Between working on my house and my side hustle (lol— buying and reselling vintage ), I've never felt more creative. Why? Because my mind is clearer. And it shows . Something really encouraging happened a couple of years ago: The Sober Movement . Gen Z has an entirely different outlook on alcohol than millennials did in the early 2000s. Has sobriety become... cool ? I think so. Was it cool three and a half years ago when I made the switch? Not even close. But it's pretty incredible if you think about it. The majority of my friends don't drink anymore. We have a new outlook on life and what makes us happy. It's INCREDIBLE. Did I ever think I'd be saying any of this? No way. But I'm so thankful I get to say it today. Remember when I mentioned accountability earlier? Well, I decided to take it a step further last year: 10-8-21 . ❤️ A lot of difficult things happened after I got sober. But the number of good things that have happened since October 8th, 2021? An abundance . And honestly, I don't think most of the amazing things that have happened in my life would've happened otherwise. And now, here I am—writing this blog post in the backyard of my rock house with Norman sleeping peacefully by my side . I did it. xoxo, Jacki

As a certified creature of habit, I don’t venture out of Springfield very often to go thrifting. Why? I tend to have surprisingly good luck at the two places I frequent, which I won’t reveal here. This is top-secret, confidential information. Did I also mention I'm a creature of habit? Last month, a friend told me about some flea market gold mines in Joplin, Missouri. And if there’s one thing you know about me, it's that I love day trips and flea markets. So, we went! This post is heavily (one hundred percent, actually) inspired by our trip to Joplin. I found a plethora of cool things that I don't usually see at my frequent haunts. And just for fun, I've included Etsy and eBay links under most items in case you don't want to search for them "in the wild" like I did. So, let's start with my favorite find of all time (I made that up, but it's pretty close), which I didn't find in Joplin (lol) but is very worthy of this list. Vintage Y2K Acrylic Tulip Lamp: First of all, the term "Y2K" annoys me, but ... that's the best way to describe this INCREDIBLE lamp. To my surprise, I found this and a matching glitter butterfly lamp in the same flea market booth in Springfield. They were both covered in a thick layer of dirt and dead bugs, but I saw the glowing potential. Did I mention they worked ? I brought them home and meticulously cleaned them with Q-tips, and the butterfly lamp shorted out. Cool. Nevertheless, the tulip lamp is proudly displayed in my dining room and will be forever. F-O-R-E-V-E-R. A few weeks before I found these, a delightful memory popped up on Instagram: Girlfriends LA catalog *Insert internal squeal here* Vintage Light-Up Jack-O-Lantern Blow Mold: I have an evergrowing and everlasting love for my vintage Halloween collection . I add a few things to it every year, so there's no telling how much I'll have when I'm 80. An entire house of Halloween decorations, probably. Blowmolds are the ultimate Halloween novelty item, and if I find a good deal on one, I will buy it. Every time. It's hard to tell in the photo, but this one lights up— and it's in perfect condition! I can't wait to plug it in and bask in the orange glow. Here's the Halloween candy bucket version . LA Times Magazine, Christmas 1974: My vintage Christmas collection has also grown like crazy over the years, and I couldn't resist the cover of this Christmas edition of LA Times Magazine . Here's a peek inside. Art Foam Sculpture Book, 1973: Okay, how could I resist THIS cover ? I knew I needed it for something, but I wasn't sure what. It didn't take me long to realize it needed to be framed and proudly displayed on my dining room wall. I saved the rest of it. I mean, look at the inside! Vintage Glass Owl Jar Candle: This is the quintessential candle of the 1970s . Not only is it in flawless condition, but there's still wax inside. It now lives on my mantel, but it truly belongs in a shag-carpeted stoner basement. Smiley Face Deck of Cards: Two things. Well, maybe three. I made a loud, audible sound when I found this deck of cards . Not only is the smiley face design the epitome of COOL, but the cards are packaged in a gold glitter case . Eeeeee. Vintage Colorama Drip Candles: If you thought I made a loud, gasping sound when I saw the deck of cards, imagine what everyone in the flea market heard when I found these . As an avid vintage packaging collector , I would have been perfectly content with the box alone. But wait. The unused candles were still inside . Get. Out. Of. Here. Right now. I still can't believe it! Porcelain Lard Container: What a hilarious thing to type. This lard container , meant for things that gross me out, quickly became a planter. Vintage Honeycomb Jack-O-Lantern: Here's another Halloween decoration I couldn't pass up— an unopened Hallmark honeycomb jack-o-lantern from the 1960s. There's something very special about opening a 60-year-old package and assembling the contents. *Sigh* I still can't believe I found everything (minus the lamp) in one trip— all for under $100. Flea market dreams can come true. xoxo, Jacki

I have some exciting news that I'm NOT going to share yet. How's that for an introduction? Even though I’m usually that person  who loves sharing life updates online, I’ve somehow managed to keep this little secret *in the vault.* *I will reference Seinfeld, the greatest show on earth, any chance I get. In other news, I've been working on creating a better work/life balance for myself and failing miserably. Apparently, I love working SO much that I barely leave time for anything else. Can you relate? Probably not. Lol. I'll figure it out! I feel okay about it, but there are a few things on my to-do list that need to be addressed, like having a yard sale before it snows and mopping my hardwood floors. Halloween is upon us, and my house is fully decorated and ready for trick-or-treaters (AKA putting a bowl of candy outside because my dog, Norman, is insane). I added some  orange light bulbs  to the mix this year, which are so fun . The living room and porch are undeniably orange and glowy. Speaking of Halloween, I wrote a blog post appropriately titled 'Holy Grail Flea Market Finds' filled with an assortment of happiness. It won't be long before I start using this every night. It's a must-have, I swear. I just ordered this sweatshirt for fall. Does it look familiar? 💀 In my opinion, porch swings should be draped in vintage handmade afghans. I found this one (below) at the flea market last weekend and couldn't resist. I'm hooked on sound bath meditations. They make my brain feel like a combination of rainbows, sunshine, bouncy balls, and a cozy rainy day. If you've never been to one, Shine Yoga Studio  hosts them every month! How perfect are these pillowcases ? Well, I'll tell you. They are pretty perfect. Affordable, available in a wide range of colors.... sold. I have two pairs of shoes ( 1  and 2 ) on my mental wishlist right now: BOTH Keds. I love Keds, and I think they're better than Vans. There. I said it. This is quite possibly the best highlighter in the world. I've been using it for nearly a decade. And now, for the most random item on my list: the Restcloud neck and shoulder relaxer . That's right— my old, feeble body is deteriorating, so I searched the World Wide Web for relief and found this crazy-looking thing. In all seriousness, I love it and use it almost every day— and you should too! xoxo, Jacki P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 favorite things post  :))