Living Well in Golden Isles GIVEAWAY

Living Well in Golden Isles GIVEAWAY

I’m so glad you’re here!! I’ve got a super special giveaway highlighting some of my favorite local businesses 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.

GOLDEN ISLES GIVEAWAY | SUPPORT LOCAL

Bag of Coffee from Wake Up Coffee Co.

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

6-Pack of Mexican Lager Beer from Silver Bluff Brewery

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!

His Pick: Mexican Lager

Her Pick: Irish Stout

Char’s Pick: Honest Juice Box – Fruit Punch

SSI Silipint Cup from SSI Tee Time

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!

10-Class Passes to OMCORE Yoga + Body

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 🙂

“OMCORE is a unique space in which you are encouraged to tap into your core being — physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically — 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.  It’s 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.”

His Pick: Slow Flow Yoga

Her Pick: Barre

Char’s Pick: Halloween Kids Yoga Event

Monthly full moon beach yoga

$50 Gift Card to Indigo Coastal Shanty

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

Char’s Pick: French Fries + Fresh Lemonade

Harvest Basket + Port City Sticker from Mox Shop

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 Van’t 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!”


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Building Our HOMESTEAD in Georgia | Grace Grown Farm

Building Our HOMESTEAD in Georgia | Grace Grown Farm
Photo By Lisa Fortney Photography

Here is the start to building our homestead in Georgia. In December of 2021, we sold most of our things to buy a tiny 660-square-foot house on 14 acres in Camden County, Georgia. Our goals with the homestead include; COMPOSTING, RAISING CHICKENS, GARDENING, SOURDOUGH and so much more. We want to grow our own food, utilize the land the Lord has given us to be less dependent on the system, and ultimately put energy back into this planet through small steps of regenerative permaculture. Keep in mind that we’re just two kids who grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta learning to farm as we grow. We hope you’ll learn how to homestead in Georgia with us!

If you’re not following along on YouTube or Instagram, let’s get you up to date from where it started to where we are now (December-March)

The Start to Our MINI HOMESTEAD | We’re Buying a 660 SqFt House on 14 Acres

This video is the start to our journey – from seeing the land for the first time, to packing, planning and inspection and appraisal day during the home-buying process (lucky for Patrick, I was the Realtor on our transaction).

The very beginning…. BEFORE we moved… the buying process!

The Start To Our MINI HOMESTEAD Part 2 | Buying a TINY house on 14 Acres

We’re downsizing from a 1,350 SqFt townhome with ZERO yard to a 660 SqFt tiny home on 14 acres. This video is part 2 of the purging, packing, buying + MOVING process!

Final prep and MOVE-IN Day!

Clearing Land, Composting + Winter Garden

This video is week one of setting up our “sorta” homestead, including clearing the land, VIVOSUN compost tumbler bin, sourdough starter, putting together the winter lettuce and herb garden (zone 9a) and more!

AFFILIATE LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

Vivosun Compost Bin: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f5r6rgcwdgf

Women’s Work Gloves: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f4d3sbcwdgf

WheelBarrow: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f55niecwdgf

Raised Garden Bed: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f55nqwcwdgf

14-Acre Property Tour, chicken coop plans + Making Bone Broth

This week on the homestead we’re showing the progress of clearing the chicken coop spot, talking about future home plans (BARNDOMINIUM BUILD), making beef bone broth, releasing live ladybugs and more!

AFFILIATE LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

LIVE LADYBUGS: https://rstyle.me/+WEjBmOsKS-YWdhZIIJPWmA

Bringing CHICKENS home to the HOMESTEAD

On this homestead update, we’re putting together a 10ft x 8ft storage shed, staining the front porch, planting a lemon tree, demo on the old barn, putting together the chicken coop AND bringing the hens home!

AFFILIATE LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

Arrow 10ft x 8ft storage shed: https://rstyle.me/+T66-BlNOZ4zDNZOlNZAZ6g

Chicken Coop Dog Kennel: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/retriever-lodge-expandable-kennel-10-ft-l-x-5-ft-w-x-6-ft-h

Expansion to make it 10 x 10: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/retriever-2-panel-expansion-pack?cm_vc=-10005

Roof: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/retriever-10-ft-x-10-ft-roof-cover-1125406

Planting BLUEBERRY bushes on our Georgia HOMESTEAD | ZONE 9A

Apparently, Rabbit Eye Blueberry bushes are native to Georgia and grow extremely well in zone 9a so we’re giving them a try. PLUS, Char (my little one) can eat her weight in blueberries. Our focus when planting the garden is to grow what we eat the most of so that we do not have to buy those things from the store. I hope you enjoy this beginner gardening video of how to plant blueberry bushes in Georgia – zone 9A. And, planting seed mix for a wildflower pollinator patch. Too bad I think the intense storms the days following this video washed those seeds away. Time will tell!! Keep in mind, I am a beginner gardener and we are learning as we grow…. that’s the fun of homesteading! I simply wish to share our journey and learning experience – even if that includes failures!

AFFILIATE LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO:

WILDFLOWER SEED MIX: https://rstyle.me/+YCGPbwfPeUV2bHuBjA5njg

DUCK BOOTS: https://rstyle.me/+W0h_dMUlR-Au_EvtkPjyOQ

Now that you’re all caught up, be sure to head over to INSTAGRAM to follow along for daily updates. “See” you over there!

Small Business Gift Guide

Y’all know I love Amazon + Target just as much as the next basic girl BUT I also love supporting small + local businesses. Given the circumstances of 2020, they need your support now more than ever.

Yes, I will still be sharing Gift Guides with items from Amazon but I wanted to kick off my guides with a Small Business edition! Some of the items are local to the Golden Isles and some items can be purchased online! I hope you enjoy this guide and if anything, I hope it encourages you to shop small where you can!

House Portrait | I got these done for my parents and my in-laws for Christmas last year + I highly recommend! Mollie is an amazing artist and every dollar you spend supports her sweet little family. The portraits turned out amazing and it’s such a sweet and personal touch that the receiver will cherish forever!

Digital Illustration – Sketches by Tab | Tabitha is another amazing artist that is dear to my heart. With a fast turnaround, these images are the perfect unique gift for family members of all ages! Tabitha will transform your photos into beautiful, trendy photos to use digitally or have printed out!

OMCORE yoga + body gift certificate | Invest in your loved ones by giving them a gift that gives back! With amazing group fitness classes + retail items, you cannot go wrong with this. If you’re not local to the Golden Isles, consider purchasing from your local studio, gym or fitness facility. When you choose a small, local studio, not only are you supporting the business but you’re supporting the instructors as most of them are paid as independent contractors based on class attendance! ??????????

ALO Naturals Bug Spray | Allie is a SSI local and makes amazing products! Her bug spray and hand sanitizer would make for a great stocking stuffer! All of her items are made locally with sustainably-sourced, cruelty-free ingredients. I love her natural and eco-friendly packaging, too!

Wake Up Coffee Co. | This is one of my favorite local coffee companies! If you’re not local but want to support them, you can still order their AMAZING coffee and other merch. Their coffee better be in my stocking this year! And if you are local and don’t know what kind of coffee to get someone else, you can never go wrong with a gift card! With a location on SSI and in BWK it’s a better choice than Starbucks or Dunkin! Our go-to coffee ??

Private Cooking Class at Local Brew | This is another one of my fav local coffee shops, but they offer so much more than that. From juices and coffee to lunch and wine, you cannot go wrong with a gift card to Local Brew. But to take it one step further, Chef Aaron offers private cooking classes for small groups! What an amazing gift for you and your spouse and/or family!

Chicken Salad Croissant ??

Beautycounter | Another way to support small is by shopping all your makeup + skincare needs through me. While BC isn’t a “small business,” when you shop through a consultant you are directly supporting them! ????? plus, they’re running 15% off and free shipping over $50 thru the 11/29!

Dot + Army | Anything from this super cute shop would make for a perfect gift or stocking stuffer! All her sustainable items would also make for cute hostess gifts for Holiday parties! I personally LOVE her handmade bowl covers!

I hope this gives you a few good ideas and encourages you to shop small + local in some way this season!

Click here for my Toddler Girl Gift Guide

Click here for my Gift Guide for Him

Favorite Products for LTK Day

It’s LTK Day which means when you shop via the LIKETOKNOW.IT. App, you get exclusive sales from participating brands!

Click HERE to shop the photo and get the promo code for my fav coffee cup + running shorts!

Click HERE to shop the photo and get the promo code!

Click HERE to shop the photo and get the promo code!

Click HERE to shop the photo and get the promo code!

Remember, I do receive a small commission when you shop through my links and I really appreciate you financially supporting Figs + Freedom!

LTK Day is today ONLY! I will update this post with any new finds I come across! You can also search #LTKDay on your app to see what other sales influencers are sharing today! Happy shopping + happy Sunday! ?

The Last-Minute Amazon Father’s Day Gift Guide

The Last-Minute Amazon Father’s Day Gift Guide

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!

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Books. Big Profits) | $16.49

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! | $5.39

Stance Men’s Banner Classic Crew Socks | $14.99

 AmazonBasics Classic Lined Notebook, 240 Pages, Hardcover – Ruled | $10.49

G4Free Tactical Messenger Fishing Tackle Side Bag EDC Sling Pack Utility Versipack | $20.99

Suncloud Rambler Sunglasses | $30.99

Tervis NFL Jacksonville Jaguars Tumbler, 24 oz, Clear | $23.99

AUVON Dual Channel TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator Machine with 20 Modes, 2″ and 2″x4″ TENS Unit Electrode Pads | $35.99

TIJN Blue Light Blocking Glasses Square Nerd Eyeglasses Frame Anti Blue Ray Computer Game Glasses | $14.99

And I’ll leave you with one final recommendation, although this will NOT make it in time for Father’s Day, it is one of Patrick’s FAVORITE items we’ve 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 ‘FIGSANDFREEDOM’ 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 I’ll put together a full blog post on them! I love that they’re 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! 🙂

3-Ingredient Paleo Banana Pancake Bread

This week I am challenging #WaffleWednesday with this super simple Paleo Banana Pancake Bread.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In a Kitchen Aid mixer, add 1/2 cup pancake mix, 1/2 cup water + 1 ripe banana
  3. Mix until blended smooth
  4. Add to small greased cast iron skillet
  5. Top with chocolate chips (optional)
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown

This turned out AMAZING, was super simple and will now be a staple in the Long house 🙂

Let me know if you guys try it out! Don’t forget to head over to my Instagram where I share more of my food diaries for myself as well as Char, my almost 11-month-old…BRB, while I cry over the fact that she’s almost a toddler.

That’s all for now, XO.

3-Ingredient Chocolate Covered PB Stuffed Dates

Happy Hump Day!

I’ve been a little under the weather this week but before that happened I made these oh so yummy, super easy treats. I am so excited t share these 3-Ingredient Chocolate Covered PB Stuffed Dates.

Ingredients:

  • Pitted Dated
  • Nut Butter ( I used Jif Natural Creamy PB)
  • Chocolate Chips (I used Enjoy Life Foods DF)
  • Coconut Oil

Directions:

  1. Peel open dates and stuff with desired amount of nut butter
  2. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 TBSP coconut oil (30 sec.)
  3. Dip PB stuffed dates in melted chocolate
  4. Lay on parchment paper + place in fridge for 30 minutes
  5. Taste test + try not to devour all in one sitting 🙂

These are the best mid day snack and late night sweet tooth craving! Recipe adapted from Lex over at Restoring Radiance–> Click HERE for her Instagram + HERE for her blog.

I hope you guys have a great rest of the week and a very happy start to February!!!

That’s all for now, XO.

6-Minute Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

6-Minute Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

These 6-minute hard boiled eggs are by far the fastest and easiest to make + peel that I have ever made ??

What you’ll need:

  • Desired number of eggs (I did 6)
  • 1 cup of water
  • Bowl of ice water for after
  • Steamer basket for Instant Pot (yours should have come with one)

Directions:

  1. Place steamer basket in Instant Pot + add 1 cup of water.
  2. Place desired number of eggs in pot
  3. Close lid and ensure it is on “SEALING.”
  4. Manual pressure cook for 6 minutes (it will first take a few minutes for it to come to pressure, once it does your timer will reappear and begin counting down).
  5. One the 6 minute timer goes off, use a towel or pair of tongs to move the pressure nob from “SEALING” to “VENTING.” Immediately move your hand away as the pressure will begin to release.
  6. Once all pressure is released, about 1 minute, use tongs or a slotted spoon to move all eggs over to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
  7. Click cancel on Instant Pot to turn off the warming setting.
  8. Let eggs chill until you peel them. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to one week!

I’ll be enjoying my eggs plain as well as on salads + toast all week long ?? What’s your favorite way to eat hard boiled eggs?

PS–sharing my favorite tip for peeling hard boiled eggs over on my Instagram, be sure to follow me there for daily eats!

That’s all for now, XO.

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

So I got an Instant Pot for Christmas and y’all, I was so excited. And then I got really overwhelmed with all the settings and didn’t have enough time to really research what they all meant so it sat on my countertop up until 2 days ago. I found a recipe for sweet potatoes on Pinterest and it looked really simple so I decided it give it a try!

Y’all, these were the best sweet potatoes I’ve ever had… seriously, ever.

It was the PERFECT way to break in my Instant Pot because now I feel a little more confident even though I still don’t know what most of it means. You can find the recipe I used here or I’ve also posted it below with my own photos + my sweet potato breakfast bowl ?

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes:

1. Scrub sweet p’s using water + brush

2. Place steamer basket inside your Instant Pot

3. Add 1 cup of water

4. Add sweet potatoes (can do up to 6 at a time)

5. Close top + ensure valve is set to “sealing”

6. Set pressure cook to 15 minutes

7. Once the timer goes off, the Instant Pot will shut off + start counting up from 1. Leave the Pot sealed and let sit for 25 minutes.

When it gets to 25, your Sweet P’s are tender + ready! and tender they were. Y’all, I was able to just peel the skin right off. SO GOOD ?

So far, I’ve had one plain for dinner and one for breakfast. I did a bow of sweet potato, natural peanut butter, banana + ancient seeds + grains.

What’s your favorite way to eat Sweet P’s?

That’s all for now,

xo.

Journey Into Power: Yoga Teacher Training Intentions

Journey Into Power: Yoga Teacher Training Intentions

In just 2 short days I will be in my first training weekend for my RYT-200 certification in Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga + I am so excited to share this new journey with you guys!

During this 200hr training I will learn the following:

  • Anatomy and physiology foundations as they relate to practice and teaching
  • Traditional yoga philosophy
  • Alignment, modifications + adaptations
  • Meditation teaching
  • Sequencing + essential language
  • Hands on assisting
  • 200 hours sounds like a heck of a lot of yoga training but with my stack of 6 books, an empty journal + a brand new mat, I’m sure the time will FLY. The training is set up to be one weekend a month (Friday-Sunday), for 8 months. My particular training will take place from January to August.
  • My personal intentions:
    • I intend to grow my personal yoga practice from a mind, body + spiritual aspect. I want to connect more deeply with the poses–not just take them at physical value, but really strengthen my mind to push past any barriers or limitations I’ve set for myself.
      I want to focus on my drishti, which means gaze, on and off the mat. From the Journey Into Power book, Baron Baptist’s says “Part of drishti is samadhi, which is neutral vision. Neutral vision means to see without judgement, without ego, without impatience. It is to see through a clear lens, rather than viewing your experience through the rear view mirror of your past perceptions.”
      Flexibility–this is something I will have to work at daily for my entire yoga life. I would love to take pictures of my poses BEFORE my training and AFTER.
      Flow–I cannot wait to learn all the poses and how to put them together so that way I can experiment in my own practice with fun flows?????
      The Lingo–I will make flash cards to learn them all, but eventually I won’t have to glance at my neighbor when the instructor says “CHATURANGA DANDASANA” because I will know that she means low push up ?
  • Most importantly, I am looking forward to having this time for myself to work on my own practice, so that in the future, I am able to help others do the same. I’ve always had a passion for health + wellness and I cannot wait to see where this new journey leads. This is only the beginning my dear friends ??
  • I will document my journey on here with a monthly recap of my trainings, so be sure to check back! But for daily updates of my journey, follow me on Instagram!
  • It only feels right to end this post with namaste ??