It’s officially Spooky Season and the weather is even starting to feel a little bit like Fall outside – now if someone could just notify the mosquitoes and deer flies that their time is up, lol. Although I wish we had a more colorful Fall here in the Golden Isles {Brunswick, Saint Saint Simons, Kingsland, Saint Marys}, I absolutely love what the Fall season brings – cozy foods, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, football + more! So, I’ve compiled a list of local happenings in the Golden Isles, Georgia area and I’ll add to this list as more pop up.
As we move into a new season and start to prep for Holiday visitors, I wanted to share my fall home maintenance list for all of my homeowners!
Be sure to save this post and keep checking back as I contonue to edit it throughout the fall season. I have a feeling some local Trunk or Treats and Fall Festivals will hit the calendars soon!
Looking to FALL in love with a new home? Search here!
I’m so glad you’re here!! I’ve got a super special giveaway highlighting some of my favorite localbusinesses that I want to share with you as a THANK YOU for my first year and a half as a Realtor, serving the best community. It’s with your support, business and referrals that I’m able to help families find home in our sweet little coastal community.
Wake Up Coffee Company is a people shop that loves coffee. If you’re looking for delicious coffee, yummy treats and a great ambiance to study, work or have a coffee date then Wake Up is your spot. With 3 locations – one on Saint Simons Island and 2 in Brunswick, the convince of good coffee is at your finger tips.
His + Her pick: We buy their ‘Whistler Blend’ bag of coffee bi-weekly for the house and LOVE their no-bake energy bites while in the shop. Their flavored scones and muffins are also to die for. We are both black coffee drinkers but others love their specialty drinks! Oh, and their Moroccan mint tea with local honey is spot on, too!
Char’s Pick: Blueberry Muffin or Dulce Dough Donut Hole
Silver Bluff Brewing Company is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Brunswick. Their unique brewing facility contains two brewhouses and a canning line, and the production facility is connected to a taproom and beer garden.
With delicious beers, close proximity to local restaurants, a turf area for the kids to play and a diverse mix of food trucks throughout the weekend, this is by far my family’s favorite date night spot. Charlotte, our 4-year-old, actually begs to go here because the vibe is great for all ages!
We have so many Silipint cups and love them. They are easy to take on the go, light weight for kiddos, easy to clean, and, this one comes with a lid and straw. These are also perfect for nights on the porch, beach days and afternoons by the pool!
SSI Tee Time is the official lifestyle brand of St Simons Island, Georgia. They sell a variety of SSI branded apparel for men, women and kids. You can find everything from koozies, hats, bags and shirts at this cute and local shop!
I might be biased since I teach here but it truly is the best place to exercise in the Golden Isles. With this 10-class package, you can attend a wide variety of classes no matter your skill level. Selfishly I hope you’ll join me for one of my Barre, HIIT or Yoga Sculpt classes đ
“OMCORE is a unique space in which you are encouraged to tap into your core being â physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically â so that you may genuinely radiate your very best self to the world. Our class sizes are small enough for individual attention, yet large enough to promote a sense of camaraderie and support. Itâs the ONLY boutique studio in the Golden Isles area to offer HOT YOGA, BARRE, INDOOR CYCLE, and our totally unique OMCORE METHOD classes. We intentionally offer a wide variety of classes to bring ultimate strength, flexibility, and balance to the body, mind, and heart.”
One of our favorite dinner spots in Downtown Brunswick. It’s great for both family night and date night. It’s a unique and relaxed vibe with AMAZING food, great drinks and delicious dessert.
Start with the plantains – they are served with fresh guacamole for dipping and they are a MSUT,
His Picks: Bahamian Chicken Curry or Oven Roasted Chile Relleno
Her Picks: Bahamian Chicken Curry, Pac-Rim Noodle Bowl or Jerked Tostadas
Easily the cutest shop in Downtown Brunswick and filled with mostly local finds. This harvest basket can be used in the garden for a bountiful harvest or in the home as a decorative/organizational piece. Either way, it’s beautiful!
“Mox shop is a carefully curated home goods and lifestyle shop based in the coastal town of Brunswick, GA. Founded in 2021, the goal has always been to source quality handmade and small batch items that you will want to bring into your home.
Shop owner, Jenny Vanât Land, first started Moxie Craft Fest- a local, modern handmade market, before taking the next step to open Mox Shop. We hope you enjoy browsing our beautiful selection of goods as much as she has loved curating it for you!”
ENTER TO WIN
One lucky winner will be chosen on Sunday, 9/18 at 10 AM EST. The winner will be contacted via the email provided to arrange pick-up!
Local entries only – no shipping. Must be 21+ to enter.
Want an EXTRA ENTRY? Follow along on the social channels below and send me a DM on the platform so I can mark your name!
Property Photos Property Details LIKE NEW!! This recently built 2020 home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1,572 square feet of living space. Built by Readdick Construction, the Blakely floorplan boasts 9 ft. ceilings, granite countertops, solid wood cabinets and energy-efficient features to include 2×6 framing for the exterior walls! Enjoy quiet living with your […]
TIS’ THE SEASON for family gatherings, holiday events, gift-giving, cozy couch snuggles, extra coffee + warm meals shared together. It’s one of my favorite times of year and although it can get busy, I hope you find time to slow down, to reflect with gratitude on this past year and pray for the Lord’s provision […]
Don’t miss the opportunity to own this move-in-ready and updated townhome in Brunswick, Georgia! This home is centrally located to all that North Glynn County has to offer – including nearby access to I-95, FLETC, Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, restaurants and shopping. Property Photos Property Details With 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this single-story […]
??SURPRISE?? I launched a YouTube channel! My first ever video is the beginning of a series called Bake w/ Char! In case you’re new here, Charlotte is my 2 & a half year old who LOVES to bake + take foodie photos with me, so naturally she had to be in the launch of my channel. I plan to share short recipe videos, workout videos, workout wear hauls, maybe some travel vlogs + whatever else y’all want to see! Let me know in the comments what you want to see!
In this first video we are making our favorite PB + Oat Energy Bites. With only 6-ingredients, this recipe takes less than 10-minutes and is the perfect snack to have on hand during the week. I love to have one or 2 bites before an afternoon workout or after dinner for a sweeter, healthier treat!
Mixing Bowl (I like that these have grippers and they’re pourable) + Wooden Spoon (This one has a corner scrapper!)
Now, onto the recipe!! Click HERE for video, but you’ll want to save this post for written instructions! PSâplease hit the thumbs up and subscribe if you like the video! ??
In your kitchen aid or mixing bowl combine the following:
-1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 Cup Nut Butter
1/8 Cup Ground Flax Seed
2 TBSP Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Craisins (can sub any dried fruit or nut options)
Mix until well combined. Form into balls and align on baking mat, plate or parchment paper. Let sit in fridge for 30 mins-1 hour to set then enjoy! Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for 5-7 days!
Donât forget to follow along on social + LTK.IT to keep up with us daily… and now, on YOUTUBE!
Thank you for your love and support, it means so much to us! ?
I was never a reader growing up, I mean yesâwhen I was younger I liked to read, like most children, but after that, it never kept my interest. I was the kind of person to read a full page and completely check out while âreading,â get to the end of the page and say, âwait, what did I just read?!â And donât get me wrong, that still happens at times and thatâs when I just close the book and come back to it later. 2020 has been different for me though. My mother-in-law gave me the book Redeeming Love (which Iâll get into below) and I was obsessed. Since then, Iâve read these other books and can happily say I actually enjoy reading! Whaaaaaaatt?! Obviously as a blogger and someone fully involved on social media both for F+F and my actual job, I would say I am heavily addicted to my phone, so itâs a refreshing break from the screen to just sit and read.
Iâve included the 5 books Iâve read so far in 2020 with the general description + affiliate link (all via Amazon)! You can shop the full post on LTK.It HERE. I cannot say enough good things about ALL these books, and theyâre all available via prime and super affordable! Happy reading, loves!
“From the acclaimed author of How to Be Lost and Close Your Eyes comes a beautiful and heartrending novel about motherhood, resilience, and faithâa ripped-from-the-headlines story of two families on both sides of the American border.
Alice and her husband, Jake, own a barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas. Hardworking and popular in their community, they have a loving marriage and thriving business, but Alice still feels that something is missing, lying just beyond reach.
Carla is a strong-willed young girl whoâs had to grow up fast, acting as caretaker to her six-year-old brother Junior. Years ago, her mother left the family behind in Honduras to make the arduous, illegal journey to Texas. But when Carlaâs grandmother dies and violence in the city escalates, Carla takes fate into her own handsâand with Junior, she joins the thousands of children making their way across Mexico to America, facing great peril for the chance at a better life.
In this elegant novel, the lives of Alice and Carla will intersect in a profound and surprising way. Poignant and arresting, The Same Sky is about finding courage through struggle, hope amid heartache, and summoning the strengthâno matter what dangers awaitâto find the place where you belong.”
“Californiaâs gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.
Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Fatherâs heart in everything. Michael obeys Godâs call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angelâs every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.
But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husbandâs pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael doesâŚthe One who will never let her go.
A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of Godâs unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.”
“Build your business on Instagram – today’s hottest social media platform
While other social sites are declining in popularity, Instagram is hotter than ever?and shows no signs of cooling off any time soon. But it’s not just users that are flocking to the site, marketers love it too. With more features and marketing capabilities than ever, Instagram is a channel that smart marketers can’t afford to avoid.
Filled with proven strategies from leading Instagram experts this updated edition of Instagram Power walks you through the steps of setting up your account, actionable monetization methods you can use, and how to integrate the social media platform into your complete marketing approach. With 15 new chapter subsections and revisions throughout, the book shows you how to leverage all the new features, including Insights, IGTV, Shop-able Posts, Stories, and Instagram Ads.
You’ll discover how to: *Leverage Instagram to build and strengthen your business or personal brand*Design an effective marketing plan for the platform*Sell directly on Instagram with Shop-able posts*Avoid common pitfalls, and much more If you’re serious about marketing, you need to tap into the power of the world’s most popular photo-sharing platform. This guide offers a road map to achieving Instagram marketing success. “
“Why do some wellness entrepreneurs find freedom, flexibility and a healthy income online â while others get stuck spinning their wheels, never finding clients or making sales?
Itâs not about who has the best website, or who spends more time on social media. The secret is in the system.
Wellpreneurs who find clients online have a system in place that others donât. This system brings more of the right people to your website, and turns them into paying clients. Itâs this proven, step-by-step system youâll learn in this book.
Wellpreneur is a guide to nailing your niche and finding more clients online, written just for wellness entrepreneurs. If youâre a health coach, yoga teacher, personal trainer, nutritionist or other wellness professional, youâll:
Get total clarity on your target market, so you know exactly who youâre serving (and why).
Learn the proven five-step Organic Growth System to attract ideal prospects to your website and turn them into paying clients.
Peek inside the businesses of successful wellpreneurs, to learn how they grew profitable wellness businesses online.
Streamline your online marketing, so you can spend less time marketing, and more time doing work you love!”
“Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Is irrational anxiety your constant companion? Let God help you win the war on worry and receive the lasting peace of Christ. We all encounter anxiety, but we donât have to let worry and fear control our lives. Anxious for Nothing, from New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado, provides a roadmap for battling with and healing from anxiety. Anxious for Nothing invites readers to delve into Philippians 4:6-7âthe most highlighted passage of any book on the planet according to Amazonâ âDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.â In this book, Max will help you: Celebrate Godâs goodness Ask God for help Leave your concerns with God Meditate on good things Stop letting anxiety rule the day. Join Max on the journey to true freedom and experience more joy, clarity, physical renewal, and contentment by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Whatever your passion is, I truly hope you dive in with more reading. Whether itâs leisure or educational, I hope you enjoy these recommendations! Let me know if youâve read any of these and/or what recs you have for me!
It’s #MuffinMonday and what better way to celebrate than with Paleo Chocolate Chip Pancake Muffins! These muffins are toddler, husband and mama-approved. They make for an easy grab-and-go breakfast, snack or even a little treat throughout the day!
While we don’t follow the Paleo diet, or any “diet” for that matter, all products used are certified Paleo! My daughter doesn’t tolerate dairy, and I’m learning that my body doesn’t like it much either so that’s why I love the Paleo Birchbenders Pancake Mix and Enjoy Life Foods Chocolate Chips… they’re both dairy-free!
You can find everything you need for these muffins linked HERE on my LTK.IT (minus the maple syrup).
PS–this post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a tiny commission when you shop through them. As always, it doesn’t change the price you pay, but I truly appreciate you helping to keep Figs + Freedom up and running!
Alright, let’s get to the recipe for these moist, fluffy and SUPER easy muffins! This recipe makes about 12-15 muffins.
INGEDIENTS:
-2 Cups of Birchbenders Pancake Mix (I used Paleo Banana)
-2/3 Cups of Almond Milk (any milk or substitue will work here)
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup of Pure Maple Syrup
1/3 Cup of Chocolate Chips (I used Enjoy Life Foods)
DIRECTIONS:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Mix together all ingredients in your Kitchen Aid or by hand.
-Pour mixture about 2/3 full into lined muffin tin (link to reusable muffin tins above)
-Add additional toppings if desired
-Bake for 14-15 minutes
And wala! ?? You have mess-free pancake muffins ready for the week…if they last that long. I suggest storing these at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
I hope you enjoy, and as always, follow + tag me on social when you make them, @figs.and.freedom!
Who else absolutely loves the 4th of July?! ??????? Itâs always been a family-friendly fun Holiday that allows for BBQ, cute themed outfits and of course, sparklers! ?
Since I love it so much, I decided to share my favorite Target picks for a Mommy + Me 4th of July!
Ranging from casual tanks and bathing suits to cute dresses, this is the perfect look for you and your little. Whether youâre out at the beach or on the mainland, youâll be cute and comfy. As a mama in this 100 degree weather, comfy is ALWAYS my top priority.
Please note, when using my affiliate links, I earn a tiny commission. While the price you pay doesnât change, I greatly appreciate you choosing to shop online and pick up in store to use my link and financially support Figs + Freedom! ?
Patrickâs FAV Hawaiian shirt is linked on LTK.IT
Patrick is unfortunately working this 4th of July, but Char and I are heading down to stay with my family in Valdosta so Char can play with all her cousins…It’s only a little over 2 hrs, so not too bad for a one-night trip!
Alright, friends, I wanted to share a bonus 4th of July themed recipe and saw this AMAZING one by my girl Traci from Live Well by Traci. If you don’t already follow her, you should! You can check out the recipe for her yummy flour-less, dairy-free monster cookie bars HERE!
DROOL WORTHY photo via @livewellbytraci?
I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July! Keep up with me over on IG to see daily life full of food, fitness and how I live a healthy (ish) lifestyle! ?
Any other last minute shoppers out there? Well, in case you haven’t remembered yet, Father’s Day is THIS Sunday! Cue the Amazon search, lol.
Most of these are guaranteed delivery by or before Sunday, but I encourage you to double check before ordering.
Disclaimer–this post contains affiliate links for which I may receive a tiny commission when you purchase using the links. This doesn’t change your price but I do appreciate you helping to keep Figs + Freedom up and running!
Alright, let’s get these dad’s some killer Amazon gifts!
And Iâll leave you with one final recommendation, although this will NOT make it in time for Fatherâs Day, it is one of Patrickâs FAVORITE items weâve ever ordered.
The first ever, Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. We discovered these last year and order them monthly. Well, now more often because he takes them, I take them and even Char (our 2-yo) takes them! You can use this link with code âFIGSANDFREEDOMâ for a discount at checkout!
These are the $30 sunglasses linked above!
Let me know if you guys are curious about the ACV gummies and Iâll put together a full blog post on them! I love that theyâre safe for the whole family, super yummy and 2 gummies=1 shot of ACV! ?
I hope that this gives you a few last-minute ideas to add to dad’s coffee, breakfast or maybe even lunch-date on Sunday! We’re taking Patrick and his dad down to Amelia Island for the day to walk around the cute shops, eat a nice lunch and just hang by the waterfront! đ
If you’ve been following along then you know I’ve been loving PEACH SEASON. I never want it to end. Not only do I enjoy peaches plain but I love them baked, grilled, for breakfast, lunch, dinner AND dessert. The options are endless.
So, I’ve rounded up a few peach recipes from pinterest that I am dying to try đ
I chose these 5 recipes because they are ones I would actually make! They have minimal ingredients, healthier ingredients and do not require a ton of prep work. I mean I’m a mom to a crazy toddler… who has time for crazy recipes, AM I RIGHT? ?
Anywho, I hope you enjoy this round up + decide to make something yummy! I personally am going to start with the peach salsa ?????
First, let me start by saying I was not asked to write this review and it is not sponsored in any way. I am writing this to give my honest opinion in hopes to inform others looking for what Fit4Mom has to offer!
Fit4Mom is a community of women who gather together to workout–usually at a local park. These women come in all shapes, sizes + even different stages of motherhood. Fit4Mom promotes and encourages mamas to come as you are!
The different class options vary based on your location franchise but the 3 most common are Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre, HIIT it mama + Body Back. The group also offers free playgroups + crafts after some of the classes!
Your first class with Fit4Mom is FREE then I believe it is $18/class or you can choose packages which makes it a little cheaper! I chose a 9:30 Stroller Strides class which took place at Neptune Park on Saint Simons Island–here we have access to the entire park and pier (hello pretty water views ??).
Immediately upon arriving I was approached and welcomed by the instructor who also had her littles in a stroller! She proceeded to introduce to me to every mama that came to the class which was such a nice touch + very welcoming.
We started with some stretching and also went around the circle and told a little bit about ourselves. She then explained the format of the class so that I would have an understanding of what to expect.
Here’s a brief overview of how the class went down after stretching + introductions:
Think of this workout as circuit training with different “stations” around the park. You run or walk with your stroller to each destination and then perform a few body weight or resistance band movements. My instructor provided all of the resistance bands for the class as well as told the movement and the amount of reps. We did movements like banded squats, walking lunges, park bench dips, partner push ups, resistance band presses, etc!
We chit chat during the workout but also count with the kiddos, sing songs, etc! The instructor is doing the workout with you but is also aware of your little and will help out if they’re getting a little fussy. After we go through all of the “stations,” we end in a shady spot for some core work + stretching. At this point your instructor offers you to let your little out to play since that is our last stop. Char loved helping me stretch at the end of class. She’s my little copy cat ?
I loved all of the movements and actually felt like a got a great workout not to mention some great community with other mamas! Char did really well in the stroller the whole time because we were moving around and also singing and counting!
We will definitely be back to enjoy another class together!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
I’ll be honest, as a first time mommy, I am constantly googling and searching the Internet for basically EVERYTHING ? SO, as Char is coming up on 15 months, I wanted to share her schedule for those of you who are like me + always looking for inspiration. This is what works for us, but if you’re a momma then you know, what works for one kiddo doesn’t work for all. Just do what works best for you and your family!
We established a schedule for Char around 3 months based on her patterns. We pretty much observed her sleep and hunger cues and just guided them into a consistent routine that also fit into our lives. Obviously her schedule has continued to evolve as she has gone from breastfeeding to just food and from 2 naps to 1 nap. Now that we’ve gotten the hang of this newly adapted schedule, I’m sure she will find a way to switch it up on us–that’s usually how it works ? but really, we will probably have this one for a while because I don’t see her dropping her naps any time soon!
Charlotte really thrives off of a schedule and loves the consistency + routine. However, we are not complete sticklers. I don’t like to stray too far from her normal nap time or bed time because if her sleep gets thrown off then so does mine and momma NEEDS her sleep!! However, there are circumstances where if we’re out past our normal time we just skip bath and push bed time back a little and it’s usually no prob! Adapt or die, right? ?
Anywho, her current schedule is as follows,
15-Month Schedule
6:30 AM: wake up + 1/2 cup almond milk
7:00 AM: Breakfast–usually kite hill almond milk yogurt, vans organic blueberry waffle + fruit of choice (banana, halo or blueberries)
Play downstairs, read books, etc
9:00 AM: snack–crackers + fruit
Play outside, playground, walk the dogs, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc
11:30 AM: Lunch–deli meat or peanut butter sandwich with vegetables and/or fruit and crackers
12:00 PM: Nap ?
1:30-2 PM: Wake + play/run errands/get out of the house–usually has a small snack or another 1/2 cup of almond milk
