This week on Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa chats with Rebecca Smith, founder of Better Life Bags and the author of the brand new book A Better Life: Slowing Down to Get Ahead. Rebecca and her husband live in Michigan with their four children and their dog Mojo. Together MacKenzie and Rebecca talk about building a business, podcasting and writing a book, plus so much more. (Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Rebecca shares a little bit about her “Problem Solved” podcast episodes with Emily Thomas
• Rebecca talks about how she came to write this book, from starting a blog in her college days to getting asked by Zondervan to publish the story of her business
• What Rebecca hopes readers will glean from A Better Life
• How Rebecca and her husband met and had to let God lead their relationship
• Learning the cherish the life you are living right now, instead of always looking ahead to the next thing

I think I have an idea of where my life is going, but God is the One who is making the decisions, and it’s kind of an adventure for us.

Rebecca Smith

• How Rebecca’s vision and mission for Better Life Bags grew out of a desire to have certain boundaries in place
• Recognizing our limitations and bringing other people on board to balance out our weaknesses with their strengths
• Giving our children more responsibility for things around the house
• Being willing to turn around and get back on track when we have stepped out of God’s plan
• How Rebecca’s business has been affected by the pandemic
• A typical day in Rebecca’s life now in contrast to before the pandemic

Current Lovelies-

Rebecca: relaxing in a hammock in the backyard

MacKenzie: dressing up for her birthday at home

Resources Mentioned-

Podcasts:

Mom Struggling Well – Problem Solved

That Sounds Fun

10 Things to Tell You

Young House Love

Crime Junkie

Find Rebecca-

You can find Rebecca on her website Better Life Bags. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by True Botanicals. CTL Listeners can get 15% OFF their first order from true botanicals.com/lovely and use code LOVELY at checkout.

Want a little extra loveliness in your life? Join our Patreon community this month and enjoy the camaraderie with other ladies who are trying to do more than just survive in these crazy days. We can’t wait to see you there!

Today on Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa talks with Joy Eggerichs Reed, founder of Punchline Speakers. Joy and her husband Matthew live and work in Paris, France with their daughter Millie. MacKenzie and Joy just have a fun chat covering a wide range of topics including Joy’s fun Instagram stories, home birth and living in France during the pandemic. So sit back, relax and enjoy this lively conversation! 

Want a little extra loveliness in your life? Join our Patreon community this month and enjoy the camaraderie with other ladies who are trying to do more than just survive in these crazy days. We can’t wait to see you there!

• Joy talks about how she and her husband ended up in Paris and what life is like there
• MacKenzie talks about her experience being a single working mom while doing school at home as well
• Joy shares how the quarantine has affected her family in Paris
• How Joy has navigated not speaking French and having her babies in France following a more natural approach
• MacKenzie shares a little about her own birth experiences and how she decided to have home births

If you don’t move to a place and have a posture of trying to laugh at things or try to understand them, then you will go crazy.

Joy Eggerichs Reed

• Joy talks about making up an alter ego and voice for her daughter
• How and why the Reeds chose to announce pregnancies later than most
• The way the pandemic has changed Joy’s working life
• How the Reeds ended up in their fantastic location

Current Lovelies-

Joy: spending time with Millie and making funny videos with her

MacKenzie: enjoying the flowers dropped off by her friends on May Day

Resources Mentioned-

Affiliate links are used in this content.

Movies:

Hook

Little Women

Podcasts:

The New York Times The Daily

Find Joy-

You can find Joy on her website PunchlineSpeakers.com. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Little Passports. As a CTL listener, you can get 15% OFF the price of any subscription when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is also brought to you by Literati. For a limited time, go to Literati.com/lovely for 25% OFF your first two orders.

This week on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa and Chelle Bruzas sit down and have a little real talk about how to have a better Mother’s Day in this season of lockdown by setting realistic expectations. We want to encourage you during this challenging time in your parenting journey to be gracious with each other, look outside of yourself and find the bright side.

• Talking to your family about what you would like for them to do
• Making your own backup plans for food and treating yourself
• Prepare yourself with realistic expectations of behavior
• Celebrate your children’s efforts to do things for you
• Chelle shares her heart for women for whom Mother’s Day is painful

The most perfectly worded Hallmark card will never hold a candle to personal words from someone.

MacKenzie Koppa

• Some idea for gifting yourself and the other mothers in your life:
  • Flowers, of course!
  • Gift cards
  • Printed photos
  • Candles from a small business
  • Locally roasted coffee
  • Support small business
  • Books
• Making time to say and write about your love for your mom
• Plan for lighthearted fun and not take yourself so seriously
• Be encouraged!
• Giving and receiving forgiveness

The special deal to get in on all the online Patreon goodness for only $5/month is still going! Join now and enjoy being part of our rich, supportive online community!

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on @chelle_bruzas.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Embr. Save $70 off your own Embr Wave when you go to EmbrWave.com/lovely.

CTL is also brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service.Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

On today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie talks with her good friends Katie Duckett and Chelle Bruzas about clinging to celebrations and loveliness amidst the coronavirus crisis. This is a grace-filled, honest conversation that we hope will help you see the lighter side of life in a challenging season.

• Katie shares honestly how she is doing amidst coronavirus struggles
• Chelle talks about what it is like to parent with transparency during this season
• MacKenzie shares the challenge of being forced into schooling at home again
• Katie shares the analogy of a pot boiling over to talk about stressors and emotions
• MacKenzie talks about dealing with “parenting whiplash”
• Making the intentional effort to pull out of your own emotion and love on your family
• The kindness of communicating your needs with each other as a family

We have to be creative, but those small efforts pay big dividends in the hearts of our kids.

Katie Duckett

• Setting healthy boundaries for ourselves and our kids
• Celebrating birthdays amidst social distancing
• Join in celebrating with us #lovelypandemicbirthday
• Katie's new family tradition and how it came to be
• The simple luxury of taking a flower bath or pedicure
• Other simple ways to bring some loveliness into your day
• Share how you are doing to celebrate the little things with us #cultivatingthelovely

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Affiliate links are used in this content.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Find Katie-

You can find Katie Duckett on Instagram @may_these_arrows_fly.

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on @chelle_bruzas.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Embr. Save $70 off your own Embr Wave when you go to EmbrWave.com/lovely.

This week on CTL, host MacKenzie Koppa has a fun chat with Leeann Dearing and Michelle Fortin, the dynamic comedy duo known simply as Leeann & Michelle. Both wives and mothers having backgrounds in acting and television, Leeann and Michelle are passionate about using comedy to bring a smile to the faces of those in their audience. We think their conversation with MacKenzie will do that for you, as well!

• How Michelle and Leeann met and immediately formed a deep friendship
• How they started turning their parodies and sketches into a business
• The way their backgrounds helped them have success
• What got Leeann and Michelle into doing Enneagram type comedy
• What it is like playing their own types as well as the others
• How they each handle filming in public locations
• Michelle talks about how they divide up the work

• MacKenzie talks about the fun she remembers from her time in a theatre troupe
• Michelle and Leeann try to narrow down their videos to one favorite
• Leeann talks about what it is like doing live shows
• What it has been like creating content during the corona crisis
• The value of getting feedback in creating content
• A typical day for Leeann and Michelle in their own families and work

Current Lovelies-

Leeann: having an impromptu “distance picnic” with Michelle and their kids

Michelle: painting rocks with her kids and placing them around the neighborhood for others to find

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

(Amazon affiliate links are used in this content.)

The Road Back to You by Ian Crohn

The Honest Enneagram by Sarajane Case

Movies:

Gone with the Wind

The Sound of Music

The King and I

Dumb and Dumber

Podcasts:

Typology

Jen Hatmaker

The Popcast

The Dearing Studio

Find Leeann and Michelle-

You can find Leeann and Michelle on their YouTube Channel Leeann & Michelle and their website LeeannandMichelle.com. You can also follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Theragun. Try Theragun risk-free for 30 days with this special offer for CTL listeners. Go to Theragun.com/lovely to get up to $150 off your device.

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Literati. For a limited time, go to Literati.com/lovely for 25% OFF your first two orders.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa talks with Jennifer Fulwiler about her new book Your Blue Flame. Jennifer is a wife, a mother of six, and also stays busy hosting a radio talk show, doing stand-up comedy and writing! Together MacKenzie and Jennifer talk about embracing your amazing gifts to bless those around you. This is an encouraging and fun conversation, so sit back, relax and enjoy! (Amazon affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Jennifer talks about what a “blue flame” even is and why she wrote this book
• How the concept of finding your blue flame is a blessing to others
• Each of us has a gift that we can use to brighten someone else’s day
• How using your blue flame can free your ego
• Be willing to take risks and embrace your failures
• Jennifer talks about what it is like doing stand-up comedy

You have this God-given gift, and you have a duty to give it back to the world.

Jennifer Fulwiler

• Your blue flame is not about you, and you have a duty to share it with the world
• How the Enemy tries to attack when you are using your gifts
• You weren’t meant to do this alone
• What Jennifer’s current typical day versus what is a normal day

Current Lovelies-

Jennifer: watching YouTube makeup tutorials and playing with new looks

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Your Blue Flame

One Beautiful Dream

Movies:

Office Space

Galaxy Quest

Podcasts:

Starting Greatness

Find Jennifer-

You can find Jennifer on her website JenniferFulwiler.com. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by YogaSleep. Go to YogaSleep.com/LOVELY to get 20% OFF your next order of a sound machine for your family.

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Laurel Springs School. Cultivating the Lovely listeners, register your child today at laurelsprings.com/lovely to have the registration fee waived.

On today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie talks with her good friends Katie Duckett and Jenny Wilcox about holy habits. Together they explain what that means and why they are so important, especially in challenging or uncertain seasons of life. We think this will be an uplifting conversation, so sit back, relax and be encouraged! (Amazon affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Katie introduces the topic of holy habits
• MacKenzie talks about the difference between legalistic habits and making lifestyle changes out of real desire
• How the habits Jenny and Katie cultivated grounded them in their faith
• Jenny talks about the joy of self-sacrifice and the goodness of having a God who is the caring Creator
• The great value in being faithful and consistent with a discipline

One of the things that creating healthy habits requires of you is that every day you die to self. You start to say “yes” and do something you don’t want to do.

Jenny Wilcox

• Jenny talks about habits as tools that help us re-center our souls
• Sourdough as an illustration of a practical holy habit
• Katie talks about the value of doing something slow
• MacKenzie is tapping into her homemaking skills again
• Jenny and Katie tell about how they got their special sourdough starter
• The value of making something beautiful with your hands
• How beholding beauty points us to God
• Being present in the small things is so crucial in these times

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Mudhouse Sabbath by Laura F. Winner

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot

Mother Culture by Karen Andreola

Find Katie-

You can find Katie Duckett on Instagram @may_these_arrows_fly.

Find Jenny-

You can find Jenny Wilcox on @philovesjen.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Sustainable Home starter set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping and FREE 60-Day VIP trial with your first order.

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Embr. Save $50 off your own Embr Wave when you go to EmbrWave.com/lovely and use code PODCAST at checkout.

In this special bonus episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa continues the conversation with her friends all about flower/flour therapy. Katie Duckett, Chelle Bruzas, and Becca Lux chat more about the health benefits of sourdough and gardening and why they feel so passionate about both. If you missed yesterday's chat, you can visit boldturquoise.com/161/ to see and hear what you missed. 

• Re-thinking the idea of flowers and beauty as not having any real purpose
• Becca’s reading recommendations:
  • The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdelena
  • The Dirt Cure by Maya Shetreat-Klein, MD
  • The Enchanted Hour by Megan Cox Gurden
  • The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
• Katie talks about the health properties of sourdough
• The need to slow down and do these intentional things to reconnect with each other and with God
• MacKenzie talks about reading the first Harry Potter book with Roman
• Becca, Chelle and Katie talk about making flower crowns
• Floret Flower Farm seeds
• The ladies talk about their gardening hopes and plans for this year

On today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa sits down for a fun chat with three of her real life friends: Becca Lux, Katie Duckett and Chelle Bruzas. They tell us all about two different kinds of therapy that we can all be taking part in during these challenging times using flour and flowers! And they had so much fun doing it, that we have a bonus episode with even more goodness coming out tomorrow, so be sure and check back to get in on the fun! (Amazon affiliate links are used in this content.)

• A little about what “flour therapy” is and why you should join the Patreon group and get in on all the doughy goodness
• The ladies share how they got the idea for “flower therapy” in the first place
• Katie talks about her intense love for flowers and how she always stays prepared to gather flowers wherever she goes
• Becca shares some information about why gardening is actually physically, mentally and emotionally so healthy
• Check out the Flower Therapy playlist on Spotify

I do think that adding beauty to your life, in whatever form, gives your soul hope.

Katie Duckett

• Chelle shares a little about what to expect from the seed “club” if you are part of the $15 Patreon level
• Katie and Becca talk about starting seeds and taking chances with what will work and what won’t
• MacKenzie highlights the value of accountability in keeping up with these habits of loveliness
• How being out in nature and noticing the change of the seasons helps us cope with these trying times
• Becca and Katie point out the spiritual significance of these practices
• Jenna Fischer’s bread-making journey on Instagram
• Check out the Flour/Flower Therapy wishlist on Amazon

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

CTL is brought to you by YogaSleep. Go to YogaSleep.com/LOVELY to get 20% OFF your next order of a sound machine for your family.

CTL is also sponsored by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

Find Becca-

You can find Becca Lux on Instagram @wanderluxstudio.

Find Katie-

You can find Katie Duckett on Instagram @may_these_arrows_fly.

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram @chelle_bruzas.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa talks with author Sara Hagerty about her newest book, Adore: A Simple Practice for Experiencing God in the Middle Minutes of Your Day. Sara is a wife and a mother to 7 children, 4 adopted and 3 biological. MacKenzie and Sara talk about what it means to adore God in the middle of our busy lives, plus so much more. We hope this conversation encourages you in the midst of this chaotic time in all our lives.

• Sara talks about the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with the Lord
• Seeing this time as a gift because we have been given a new perspective on our lives
• Coming to God with your real, raw emotion, asking Him to speak back to you
• We have to go to God and be vulnerable with Him in order to allow Him to work in us
• Adore is really about finding God when you are weak

Adoration is the nexus of my raw emotions and the truth of Who God is.

Sara Hagerty

• Learning to feel our emotions and still go to God for what you are supposed to do with them
• Join the Patreon group to get in on the upcoming book club walking through Adoretogether
• Our misconceptions about adoration and looking at God’s character and how we can adore Him
• The power of worshipping God in the midst of hard times
• Sara’s typical daily routine now, and what it was like before the world turned sideways

Sign up for our brand new interactive “Random but Lovely” e-newsletter on Substack! Just visit Mackenziekoppa.substack.com to subscribe today! 

Current Lovelies-

Sara: getting outside and noticing the world around us

MacKenzie: grounding outside whenever possible

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Adore by Sara Hagerty

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Movies:

The Trouble with Angels

Pride and Prejudice

Clueless

Podcasts:

At Home with Sally

And Sons

Ransomed Heart

The Emotionally Healthy Leader with Pete Scazzero

Find Sara-

You can find Sara on her website SaraHagerty.net. You can also follow her on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Literati. For a limited time, go to Literati.com/lovely for 25% OFF your first two orders.

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

On this week’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa and her dear friend Chelle Bruzas sit down for a casual chat about how they are dealing with the current situation due to the corona virus. They share some encouragement, ideas and resources for you and your family to weather these uncertain times. We hope it will be a helpful and uplifting conversation! (Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Chelle shares some thoughts from the Psalms
• Jennifer Dukes Lee’s ideas for being the light
• MacKenzie talks about how the lessons she learned over the last 2 years have prepared her for the present
• MacKenzie and Chelle’s Amazon Corona Survival Kit
• Health tips for staying healthy
  • Vitamin C
  • Alka Calm
  • Vitamin D
  • Care/Of Quick Sticks (use code LOVELY for discount!)
  • Fresh air and exercise
  • Epsom salt baths
  • Cold plunging
  • Throat lozenges
  • Colloidal Silver nasal spray
  • Green Juice powder
  • Collagen peptides
  • Grounding

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1 (NLT)

• MacKenzie’s plan for working around having her kids at home
• Some books and audio resources for joy and survival
  • Find The Same Page podcast archives
  • Beside Still Waters audio book
  • The Together Journal
  • Don’t Overthink It
• Playlists for lifting your mood
  • Flower Therapy
  • This Is How I Fight My Battles
• Chelle talks about beauty and flowers and how they uplift us
• Being an extrovert and being stuck at home due to social distancing
  • Using Voxer and Marco Polo
  • Using social media for good
  • Writing letters and cards to friends and family
  • Just reaching out and checking on others

Sign up for our brand new interactive “Random but Lovely” e-newsletter on Substack! Just visit Mackenziekoppa.substack.com to subscribe today!

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie- 

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Sustainable Home starter set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping and FREE 60-Day VIP trial with your first order.

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by  Laurel Springs School. Cultivating the Lovely listeners, register your child today at laurelsprings.com/lovely to have the registration fee waived.

CTL is also brought to you by YogaSleep. Go to YogaSleep.com/LOVELY to get 20% OFF your next order of a sound machine for your family.

Today on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie sits down for a chat with her good friend Rebekah Sacran. They spend some time just catching up with each other, sharing some things they are loving here at the beginning of spring, and more. So sit back, relax and listen in on this fun, random conversation! (Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• What’s new in Rebekah’s life and why her life feels like everything is in transition
• How MacKenzie is dealing with the new parenting plan and other changes post-divorce
• MacKenzie’s ideas for automating her healthy eating plan

If I can get the planning in place, then I think I can follow through.

MacKenzie Koppa

• Rebekah’s current favorites in skin care:
  • Teddie Organic Rose Hip Oil
  • Ole Henriksen Vitamin C serum
  • Rodan and Field Redefine Eye Cream
  • Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
  • Using frankincense essential oil for blemishes
• MacKenzie’s current favorites in skin care:
  • Paula’s Choice Vitamin C serum
  • Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant
  • Trying out the Gua Sha technique

• MacKenzie talks about cold plunging and her current showering method
  • Angie Green on Instagram
  • Goop Lab on Netflix
• Rebekah talks about trying oil pulling sachets
• Learning when to give yourself grace about what to add into your routine
• Books MacKenzie and Rebekah are reading:
  • American Royals
  • On the Bright Side
  • Little House series on Audible
  • Caroline by Sarah Miller
• MacKenzie’s recommendation for watching The Office, Season 2, Ep. 12
• Why MacKenzie is loving her ClearlyFiltered water bottle
• Rebekah and MacKenzie chat about their hopes to see the new Emma film

Resources Mentioned-

Podcasts:

The Big Boo Cast

Office Ladies

Find Rebekah-

You can find Rebekah Sacran on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie- 

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Care/Of. Get 50% off your first order when you visit takecareof.com and use code LOVELY50 at checkout.

CTL is also brought to you by BioClarity. Right now you can save 15% off everything at BioClarity.com when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa sits down for a chat with Anne Bogel. You probably know Anne from her blog Modern Mrs. Darcy or her podcast What Should I Read Next. Today's conversation centers around Anne's newest book Don't Overthink It. This is book about more than just decision-making, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this chat that has a little something for everyone!

• How and why Anne came to write a book about overthinking things
• Why MacKenzie loves Anne’s tips about how to stop overthinking everything
• How overthinking derails us when we have to deal with small problems
• The crucial connection between our physical bodies and surroundings and our ability to think clearly

Sometimes if we don’t know what we really need, we can actively sabotage ourselves.

Anne Bogel

• The concept of tending the garden of our thought lives
• Talking about overthinking in terms of trauma
• Every day decision fatigue and the little things that drain our mental energy
• Thinking of outsourcing as more than the obvious tasks that you can hire out
• Being willing to ask for and receive help from others

Current Lovelies-

Anne: getting ready for the daffodils in the spring while keeping the cozy lighting going indoors as much as possible

MacKenzie: enjoying listening to Les Mis music with her daughter

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Affiliate links are used in this content.

Don’t Overthink It

The Body Keeps the Score

Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life

Find Anne-

You can find Anne on her website ModernMrsDarcy.com and listen to her podcast, What Should I Read Next. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by the new FAM: For All Momspodcast. This Audioboom original is available wherever you find your favorite podcasts, so go subscribe now!

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Clearly Filtered. You can enjoy a 20% OFF discount on a filtered water system by visiting ClearlyFiltered.com/LOVELY and using code LOVELY.

CTL is also brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa interviews Melanie Shankle, co-host of The Big Boo Cast and author of several books, including her newest title On the Bright Side. Together MacKenzie and Melanie talk the new book, podcasting, skin care and more! (Amazon affiliate links are used in this content.)

• MacKenzie shares how she first heard about Melanie and what she loves so much about her podcast
• Melanie and MacKenzie do a little breakdown of their Outlander addiction and the new season
• Melanie talks a little about her book On the Bright Side and why it needed to be written
• Returning to a culture of civility and being kind to others with opposing views

We’ve lost sight of what matters most. We’ve forgotten how to be decent human beings. We’ve lost the art of looking on the bright side.

Melanie Shankle

• The importance of finding a few friends who can be your tribe
• Watching out for comparison and insecurity in friendship
• Trusting God with our own lives and with our children, as well
• Guiding our children through disappointment and helping them learning from failure
• Melanie and MacKenzie talk all about skincare
  • Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Serum
  • Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
• Melanie’s current typical daily routine

Current Lovelies-

Melanie: knowing when to say “no” to things and making the most of her daughter’s time at home

MacKenzie: cutting her own hair after a bad haircut and rocking it

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

On the Bright Side

Movies:

Gone With the Wind

Find Melanie-

You can find Melanie on her website thebigmamablog.com and listen to her podcast, The Big Boo Cast. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Clearly Filtered. You can enjoy a 20% OFF discount on a filtered water system by visiting ClearlyFiltered.com/LOVELY and using code LOVELY.

Thanks to Yoga Sleep for sponsoring this episode of CTL. Go to YogaSleep.com/LOVELY to get 20% OFF your next order of a sound machine for your family.

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Sustainable Home starter set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping with your first order.

On this week’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie and Chelle continue their conversation about the enneagram. Today they are going to do a deep dive into the first three types on the enneagram, and they hope it will help you get a little more clarity. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode on the resources Chelle and MacKenzie love and will refer back to today, you should definitely go do that first!

• Chelle and MacKenzie share a little more background info on the enneagram
• An overview of Type 1s, including core fears, core desires and more
  • Why MacKenzie and Chelle admire Type 1s
  • The common mistyping of Type 1s as 3s
  • Some famous people who may be Type 1s
• An overview of Type 2s, which is Chelle’s type
  • What MacKenzie loves about her Type 2 friends
  • Why being a Type 2 is uncomfortable for Chelle
  • Ways to love on the Type 2s in your life
  • Some famous characters who could be 2s

I think it is helpful to be able to look at the different types and see the similarities so that you can relate to one another.

MacKenzie Koppa

• An overview of Type 3s, which is MacKenzie’s type
  • How MacKenzie feels about being a Type 3
  • What Chelle loves about Type 3s
  • The special difficulty of being a Type 3 recovering from emotional abuse
  • Some famous characters who could be 3s

Resources Mentioned-

YourEnneagramCoach.com

Books:

(Affiliate links are used in this content.)

Mirror of the Soul by Alice Fryling

Becoming Us by Beth and Jeff McCord

The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Huertz

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

CTL is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Aurate fine jewelry. For 15% off your first Aurate purchase, go to auratenewyork.com/lovely and use promo code lovely!

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Laurel Springs School. Cultivating the Lovely listeners, register your child today at laurelsprings.com/lovely to have the registration fee waived.

We have all kinds of exciting things going on in the Patreon group. Head over to Patreon.com/cultivatingthelovely to check it out and join in the goodness!

Today on the CTL podcast, MacKenzie Koppa and Chelle Bruzas sit down and chat all about the enneagram. In this episode, MacKenzie and Chelle start covering the basics of the enneagram and how to find more resources to learn more yourself. Be sure to check back next week for more specific discussion about each of the enneagram types!

We have all kinds of exciting things going on in the Patreon group this month. Head over to Patreon.com/cultivatingthelovely to check it out and join in the goodness!

• How Chelle and MacKenzie first figured out their own numbers
• Tips for finding your own enneagram number
• The benefit of having a close friend who balances our your strengths and weaknesses
• The power of the type songs from Ryan O’Neal from Sleeping At Last
• Using the memes from instagram to see what characteristics resonate with you

If you don’t have a strategy or a plan for how to love people well, then it doesn’t happen.

MacKenzie and Chelle

• Listening to podcasts to learn about all the different types
• Identify celebrities who are the same type as you are
• Looking at the triads to help narrow down your number
• Taking a test is a good place to go after you have learned some basics, and MacKenzie recommends Your Enneagram Coach
• Getting to know about the latent types that can affect how you react in certain circumstances
• How it can help to work with your teens to type themselves
• Find MacKenzie and Chelle’s favorite enneagram resources below

Resources Mentioned-

Affiliate links are used in this content.

Books:

The Road Back to You

Becoming Us

The Sacred Enneagram

Enneagram Type Journals

Self to Lose and Self to Find

Podcasts:

Sleeping at Last

CTLP Episode 131 – Enneagram Deep Dive with Beth McCord

Typology

That Sounds Fun

The Popcast

Sandals Church Enneagram Series

Websites:

Your Enneagram Coach

CrystalKnows.com

The Enneagram Institute

Instagram Accounts:

@EnneagramandCoffee

@EnneagramReposts

@GinaGomez.co

@YourEnneagramCoach

@LeannandMichelle

@LetteredbyHan_

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Visit Our Sponsors-

CTL is brought to you by Imperfect Foods. Go to ImperfectFoods.com/LOVELY through February 16, 2020 and enter code LOVELY to get $10 OFF your next 4 orders!

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BioClarity. Right now you can save 15% off everything at BioClarity.com when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Sustainable Home starter set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping with your first order.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa talks with Sasha K. Shillcut, M. D. about her new book Between Grit and Grace: The Art of Being Feminine and Formidable. Sasha is a cardiac anesthesiologist, a wife, a mother of 4 and founder of Brave Enough, a community for female professionals. This conversation is for ALL women, not just those who work in or out of the home, so regardless of your season of life, we hope you will get something out of this episode!

• Why Sasha started Brave Enough and her goals for helping women be their true selves
• MacKenzie’s perspective as a work at home and stay at home mom
• Why “leadership backlash” happens when women speak up and assert themselves
• Sasha pushes back on the idea that women are hardest on each other
• Our struggles as women in different arenas are actually remarkably similar
• Recognizing our deep need for friendship no matter what season we are in
• God has made us unique, so we don’t need to fall into the comparison trap

When you become brave enough to step into your own identity, the women around you oftentimes start to compare.

Sasha K. Shillcut, M. D.

• How the Brave Enough community grew out of Sasha’s own need to recover her femininity and find a tribe
• Learning to be both bold and gracious
• How Sasha made time to write a book while being a doctor and a wife and mother
• The importance of knowing yourself and your uniqueness
• Sasha’s advice for unplugging and being in solitude
• Cautions against having a martyr mentality
• Being a good model for your kids of taking care of yourself
• A typical day in Sasha’s life

Current Lovelies-

Sasha: enjoying using her brand new massage chair for some relaxation

MacKenzie: taking her kids and some friends bowling at the start of the weekend

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Between Grit and Grace

Podcasts:

Alli Worthington

Jen Hatmaker

How I Built This

Movies:

Legally Blonde

Find Sasha-

You can find Dr. Shillcut on her website becomebraveenough.com and listen to her podcast, The Brave Enough Show. You can also follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

CTL is brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Wickbox. Get $10 off your first box, go to Wickbox.co and use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

We have all kinds of exciting things going on in the Patreon group. Head over to Patreon.com/cultivatingthelovely to check it out and join in the goodness!

Hey, ladies! MacKenzie is popping into your earbuds with a short bonus episode featuring a sneak peek at a new Audioboom original podcast, FAM: For All Moms. This podcast is literally for all moms living through the madness that is parenthood. Join hosts Susan Yara and Sharzad Kiadeh every Wednesday as they share their sometimes embarrassing experiences, while also providing advice from experts and friends. FAM: For All Moms premieres 1/29. Subscribe to FAM: For All Moms on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fam-for-all-moms/id1494037915

Today on Cultivating the Lovely podcast, host MacKenzie Koppa talks with Seth Haines. Seth is a lawyer, a photographer and the author of The Book of Waking Up: Experiencing the Divine Love That Reorders a Life. He and his wife, along with their four boys live in the Ozarks. MacKenzie and Seth chat about addiction, recovery, pain, and waking up to the life God wants you to have.

• Why this book is for everyone, not just someone struggling with addiction
• Misusing God’s good gifts to numb ourselves to pain
• The power of meditating on God and finding His divine love

Every created thing is a gift from God given to us to use and to enjoy Him.

Seth Haines

• Learning to recognize God’s quiet voice amidst painful circumstances
• Allowing ourselves to sit in the pain and wait on God to show up
• Seeing emotional pain as a signal that we need to tend to something
• Making the most of community and the tools God has provided for us to address our pain
• Seeing relationships differently once you wake up
• Being willing to see a different identity for yourself to move forward
• Waking up and recovering is a day-by-day process, not a one-time thing
• Why Seth internalized a message of scarcity and lack and how he is dealing with that today
• Seth’s routines for building in habits that will refresh and renew him
• A typical day in Seth’s life

Current Lovelies-

Seth: practicing his photography skills and working on a new book idea

MacKenzie: journalling on a daily basis and getting back in the habit of writing

Resources Mentioned-

Affiliate links used in this content.

Books:

The Book of Waking Up

Coming Clean

Movies:

O Brother, Where Art Thou

Almost Famous

Find Seth-

You can find Seth on his website sethhaines.com. You can also follow him on YouTube,Instagram, and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Wickbox. Get $10 off your first box, go to Wickbox.co and use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

CTL is also brought to you by ClassPass. Get your first month FREE at ClassPass.com/NEWYEARS.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa interviews Rebecca Bender, author of In Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant. Rebecca is a survivor of human trafficking and is now a wife and mother with a busy speaking and advocacy schedule. She is passionate about teaching and about helping others realize that their stories matter. MacKenzie and Rebecca cover a variety of topics surrounding trauma, abuse and recovery, including:

• How much MacKenzie identified with Rebecca’s story and why
• Realizing that this kind of thing can happen to anyone and having grace for other people’s stories
• How our brains are built to adapt to and cope with trauma
• The gift of using different modalities in recovery from trauma
• What it was like for Rebecca going back to Las Vegas and being in places she had been when she was trafficked
• How trauma causes us to forget and block out memories

While we might not be able to 100% relate with each other’s stories, all of us have this root of desiring to love and be loved.

Rebecca Bender

• Rebecca’s new life and passion for helping people know that their stories matter
• Teaching our children to see the warning signs and take their time in relationships
• Why Rebecca decided to start a podcast
• The importance of training up our boys to be men of honor
• A typical day in Rebecca’s life right now
• Donate to Rebecca Bender’s Initiative campaign

Current Lovelies-

Rebecca: making time to be at with her daughters during a busy season

MacKenzie: taking time out to be extra present with her kids heading into a challenging season

Resources Mentioned-

(Affiliate links are used in this content.)

Books:

In Pursuit of Love

Podcasts:

T. D. Jakes

Bethel Sermon of the Week

Expression 58

Movies:

Gladiator

Find Rebecca-

You can find Rebecca on her website rebeccabender.org and listen to her new Hood to Holy podcast. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

CTL is also brought to you by the Future 1-on-1 training app. Go to TryFuture.com/LOVELY for 50% OFF your first month!

Today’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Imperfect Foods. Go to ImperfectFoods.com/LOVELY through February 16, 2020 and enter code LOVELY to get $10 OFF your next 4 orders!

On today’s episode of CTL, we continue the conversation with MacKenzie and Chelle all about their reading lives. They recap more of their favorites from 2019, and they also look ahead to 2020 and talk about what kinds of books they are excited about in the coming year. (Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• MacKenzie’s fastest reads from 2019:
  • Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
  • A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
• Chelle’s favorite audio book of the year:
  • The Magnificent Story by James Bryan Smith
• Chelle’s most thought-provoking books of the year:
  • When to Walk Away by Gary Thomas
  • Boundaries for Your Soul by Allison Cook and Kimberly Miller
• MacKenzie also recommends All My Friends Have Issues by Amanda Anderson
• A book MacKenzie read with Roman:
  • No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
• MacKenzie’s most researched book of 2019:
  • The Gown by Jennifer Robson
• Chelle’s most researched book:
  • Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
• The kinds of books Chelle is looking forward to reading in 2020
  • Adorning the Dark by Andrew Petersen
  • Adore by Sara Hagerty
  • There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk
  • The Almost Nearly Perfect People by Michael Booth
  • The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
  • Where the Light Gets In by Kimberly Williams-Paisley
  • A Chance to Die by Elizabeth Elliot
  • Stay by Anjuli Paschall
• The books that MacKenzie is look forward to reading in 2020
  • Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel
  • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle
  • Stand all the Way Up by Sophie Hudson
  • The Book of Waking Up by Seth Haines
  • Jane Austen’s Emma or Persuasion
  • American Royals by Katharine McGee
  • Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
  • Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Look out for our seasonal book giveaways coming up throughout 2020!

Resources Mentioned-

CTLP Episode 141- Dealing with Toxic People with Gary Thomas

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram and Goodreads.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by  BioClarity. Right now you can save 15% off everything at BioClarity.com when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

CTL is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Sustainable Home starter set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping with your first order.

This week on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa and Chelle Bruzas sit down and talk about the books they read in 2019 and what their favorites were, as well as why they love Goodreads so much. This is only the first part of the conversation, so be sure to check back next week for part two in which MacKenzie and Chelle look ahead to their reading goals for 2020! Now, get your Amazon cart and TBR list ready, and sit back and listen in to this fun conversation! 

(Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Why MacKenzie and Chelle love Goodreads
• Find and friend MacKenzie on Goodreads
• Find and friend Chelle on Goodreads
• Chelle’s favorite fiction books from 2019:
  • The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  • Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
• MacKenzie’s favorite fiction books from 2019:
  • London Celebrity Series by Lucy Parker
  • The Winston Brothers Series by Penny Reid
  • The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
• Chelle’s favorite non-fiction of the past year:
  • Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot
  • A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
  • A Light So Lovely by Sarah Arthur
  • The Crosswick Journals by Madeleine L’Engle
• MacKenzie’s favorite non-fiction of the past year:
  • A Love Letter Life by Audrey and Jeremy Roloff
  • In Pursuit of Love by Rebecca Bender
• MacKenzie’s favorite humorous books from 2019:
  • Home is Where My People Are by Sophie Hudson
  • The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson
• Chelle’s favorite humorous books were family read-alouds like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
• MacKenzie’s favorite memoire of the year:
  • The Actor’s Life by Jenna Fischer
• Chelle’s longest read from 2019:
  • Victoria The Queen by Julia Baird

Resources Mentioned-

CTLP Episode 141- Dealing with Toxic People with Gary Thomas

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to our Sponsors-

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

CTL is brought to you by Away Travel. Visit AwayTravel.com/LOVELY20 to buy your own new favorite Away Suitcase.

Also, be sure to check out boldturquoise.com/thelovelymarket for our new Cultivating the Lovely merch! New products and designs will be added throughout the year, so come on over and do a little shopping!

Welcome to 2020 and a brand new decade! Today on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa sits down with her good friend Chelle Bruzas to talk all things goal setting and New Year’s! They approach things from a different perspective, so this is a great conversation to listen in on as you start off your year! 

• How Chelle and MacKenzie approach goal setting and planning differently
  • Chelle tends toward spontaneity and focussing on people over plans
  • How Chelle thinks of Jesus carrying her through her days amidst chronic illness and exhaustion
  • MacKenzie has to approach her days with more structure and planning to provide for her family
  • She feels more fulfilled and energetic when she is working toward her goals with purpose
• Assessing where you are before you start setting new goals
• Why Chelle uses notebooks instead of a specially designed planner
• Looking at smaller time periods for planning instead of really long-range goals
• Changing habits to aim more at the type of personal you want to become
• MacKenzie gives some examples of her specific health goals and action steps to reach them
• Removing the obstacles to starting and keeping up with habits
• Keeping your habits and plans in front of you so that you don’t forget them
• Having someone to keep you accountable and cheer you on
• Replacing a habit you want to quit with a better alternative
• Chelle’s outdoor walking habit and the difference it has made for her
• Embracing our differences and helping each other through our strengths
• Chelle and MacKenzie share their Word of the Year for 2020

Cultivating Groups are now open to register for this quarter! Become a Lovely Tribe Level supporter or higher on Patreon to sign up!

Affiliate links are used in this content.

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Podcasts:

Amy Porterfield podcast episode #295 with James Clear

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Cultivating the Lovely is sponsored by Blume Hug Me deodorant. Get 25% off your first stick, plus free shipping, when you visit Blume.com/Cultivate.

CTL is brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

Also, be sure to check out boldturquoise.com/thelovelymarket for our new Cultivating the Lovely merch! New products and designs will be added throughout the year, so come on over and do a little shopping!

This week on Cultivating the Lovely the Podcast, MacKenzie Koppa has her dear friend Chelle Bruzas back again to chat about all things Christmas. They share some of their favorite simple ways to celebrate the holiday even when there isn’t the time and energy to do All. The. Things. This is a fun, encouraging conversations, so grab your favorite hot beverage, prop up your feet, and enjoy! (Affiliate links are used in this content.)

• Being intentional about being present instead of making a huge list and setting expectations too high
• Why MacKenzie is so thankful that she felt prompted to decorate and start celebrating early
• MacKenzie talks about the unique Crescent window displays in downtown Spokane
• Keeping a select few traditions that you always do with your family
• MacKenzie’s family recipe for Popcorn Balls:

• 2 Cups Sugar
• 2/3 cup white corn syrup
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 cup uncooked plain popcorn (3 quarts popped)
• food coloring, if so desired

Pop plain popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave 1/4 cup at a time. Pour popped popcorn into a bowl to separate out any unpopped kernels, then transfer to a large bowl or roasting pan. Keep popcorn warm in slow oven at 300 degrees.

Stir and cook corn syrup, water, butter, and salt until sugar is dissolved. Cook until 270 on candy thermometer for a hard candy shell, or 260ish for a chewier ball (what we prefer). Add vanilla and food coloring after removing from heat.

Pour candy over popcorn while stirring with a large spoon as you go to coat the popcorn evenly. You can place the roasting pan over low heat to unstick any syrup that might stick to the bottom and fully incorporate into popcorn.

Coat hands in butter to form into balls, or leave loose for easier eating. You can also coat candy molds with butter and make suckers out of the syrup.

• Chelle’s family’s favorite homemade Christmas candy- Almond Roca:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup chopped almonds or pecans
• 1 cup semi sweet or dark chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Line a 9 x 13 cookie sheet or glass pan with parchment paper and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts.
2. Mix the butter and sugar, vanilla and salt in a sauce pan and cook over medium/high heat for around 5-13 minutes.
3. Continue to cook, stirring constanly until the candy thermometer reads “Cracked Stage” or 300 degrees F on candy thermometer or when it's dark and caramel colored and starting to smoke. This is known as the hard crack stage (about 13 minutes in). I don’t actually own a candy thermometer so I test the candy for doneness, by dropping a small amount of candy into cup of very cold water, when it’s ready it should separate into hard brittle threads.  This step will take your full attention and is the trickiest and most crucial part of the recipe.
4. Pour the caramel mixture into the cookie sheet with spatula.
5. Let it cool a just a bit and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top, it will melt and you can spread it until smooth with a spatula.
6. Top with finely chopped almonds or pecans ( our personal favorite ).
7. Let cool completely and once the chocolate has hardened on the top, ( Some times I put the pan in the fridge or freezer to speed up this part ) use a knife to cut into small pieces.
8. Share with your family, friends, teachers, neighbors, mailman and well pretty much anyone else not already mentioned, liberally.

• Favorite Christmas music and playlists:
  • Chelle’s Spotify playlists
  • Michael Buble Christmas
  • The Grinch soundtrack
• Favorite Christmas movies:
  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • White Christmas
  • Little Women
  • The Polar Express
  • Home Alone
  • The Santa Clause (1 and 2)
  • National Lampoons
  • The Holiday

• Chelle’s favorite Christmas books:
  • The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
  • Watch for the Light by various authors
  • WinterSong by Madeleine L’Engle
  • Nancy and Plum by Betty MacDonald
  • The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
  • The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlin
  • Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
• MacKenzie’s favorite Christmas books:
  • Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
  • Bartholomew’s Passage by Arnold Ytreeide
  • Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
  • Father Christmas series by Robin Jones Gunn
  • Unafraid: Mary by Francine Rivers
  • The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber
  • One Day in December by Josie Silver
  • The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
  • The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
• Decorating for Christmas in a way that really reflects your tastes
• Letting go of things that might drain your life this Christmas, like Elf on the Shelf!

Also, be sure to check out boldturquoise.com/thelovelymarket for our new Cultivating the Lovely merch! New products and designs will be added in the coming year, so come on over and do a little shopping!

Find Chelle-

You can find Chelle Bruzas on Instagram.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

Today’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BioClarity. Right now you can save 15% off everything at BioClarity.com when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout.

CTL is brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

Cultivating the Lovely is also sponsored by Honey, the smart online shopping assistant. Get Honey for free when you go to joinhoney.com/lovely.

On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie interviews Tina McNeilly, author of the new book, La La Lovely: The Art of Finding Beauty in the Everyday. Trina is also a speaker and founder lifestyle blog, La La Lovely. She and her husband, Stephen, and their four children make their home outside Chicago, Illinois. In today’s conversation, MacKenzie and Trina talk about how to survive, and even thrive, during a hard holiday season.

• Trina shares a little of the behind the scenes of how this book was created and designed
• Why beauty is important and something we should seek
• What looking for loveliness during holidays has been like for Trina in different seasons
• Helping our children walk through hard times and finding the good things with them
• How Trina keeps the holiday season simple and keeps her faith central
• The value of small beginnings
• Giving yourself grace in how you choose to celebrate instead of sticking to some arbitrary rule
• Trina’s new resource “When the Holidays are Hard”
• You have permission to grieve and to have joy in the same season
• A typical day in Trina’s life
• Letting go of the things that are outside of our control and being flexible

Current Lovelies-

Trina: getting outside in nature and noticing the beauty around her

MacKenzie: listening to The Office Ladies podcast with her son and watching the episodes together

Resources Mentioned-

Books:

La La Lovely

Podcasts:

Deliciously Ella

Rhythms for Life with Rebekah Lyons

10 Things to Tell You with Laura Tremaine

Growing Big People with Paul Scanlon

Movies:

You’ve Got Mail

Find Trina-

You can find Trina on her website trinamcneilly.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely. 

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

CTL is brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Their big 50% OFF sale is coming November 29, 2019! Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial.

Today’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Mrs. Meyers cleaning set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping with your first order.