Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020

Hello friends and family (and all random strangers reading this!) Happy New Year!! You may have noticed I took a 2-month long break from blog writing, and all for good reason! So much of my life has changed this last quarter of the year since we last spoke, from day to day activities to my love life to my career. I was giving so much to everything else happening in my world that I didn’t have the energy to sit down and blog about domestikated things.

When I started this blog just over one year ago, I was looking for an escape from my life and an outlet to express myself and creativity. My mom had passed away that summer, Nick was working long hours and I desperately missed writing. So Life Domestikated was born. It was so nice expressing myself through recipes I enjoy, sales and steals I found and how a young 20-something was figuring out this new domestikated life in the real world.

As you keep reading below you’ll learn all the things that have changed in my life the past three months and why I haven’t put much focus on this blog. With all that being said, I don’t want to give up on this space and outlet of creativity.

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September’s “Top 10” Amazon Purchases

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T.G.F.A – Thank God for Amazon, am I right!?

Amazon is taking over the consumer world, and I don’t mind it. My Amazon Prime app has become my first stop and ultimately one-stop-shop for home items, food and pantry items, beauty care, tech and even fashion! With two-day free shipping, free returns to Kohls, and a new “try before you buy” program, Amazon is making it easier to shop online for items you may have been hesitant about purchasing in the past including oversized furniture or clothing. While I still appreciate a good brick and mortar store and really try to shop local whenever I can, I can proudly say that Amazon Prime is the my new Target.

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20 Gingham Summer-to-Fall Transition Pieces

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Give me gingham or give me death! In recent years, gingham has taken storm in the fashion industry attracting a variety of styles including rustic country, rock grunge and my personal favorite – classic, preppy. Once appropriate for only milkmaids and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, I love that this iconic pattern lost its “folk country” stigma and re-emerged in present day fashion. 

Gingham, also called checkered, is one of those patterns I believe is appropriate and in style every season of the year. Originally influenced by tartan and plaid, brands have been printing this pattern in a variety of colors on dresses, tops, pants and accessories as well as home goods since the 17th century. While pastel pieces may go out of style after Easter and red and country blue may resemble that summer picnic tablecloth, there’s nothing more classic than the original black-and-white or navy-and-white checkered design. And thanks to Joanna Gaines and her modern farmhouse style, classic black and white gingham is becoming an even more popular design for not only clothing but also home decor and rustic winter holiday decorations. 

I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite gingham pieces that you can easily transition from summer to fall (and maybe even winter for a few!)

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#AmazonPrime: Father’s Day Gift Guide

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Alert Alert. In case you didn’t remember – Father’s Day is this Sunday! Before you head to Kohl’s for the annual tie (that he might wear once), or grab a sporting goods or home improvement gift card, head to Amazon and 2-day Prime ship a gift that dad will actually love this year.

I’ve rounded up 10 gifts for the man of the hour, from tools and outdoor equipment to tech gear that will keep your dad in the 21st century. 

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5 Game of Thrones Inspired Drinks

Can anyone else believe that Game of Thrones officially ends this Sunday? Honestly, I don’t know what we’re going to do with our Sunday nights now that we don’t have these episodes to look forward to. While Nick and I aren’t having a viewing party with our friends, I haven’t stopped thinking about GoT inspired food and beverages that we could make this Sunday as tribute to the series finale. While we may be snacking on character favorites throughout the day, such as Sansa’s sweet lemon cakes or the Hounds classic fried chicken, I wanted to share a few drink recipes you can enjoy during the series finale as a toast to eight great seasons and ten great years.

So cheers to you Game of Thrones with these five inspired cocktails:

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Amazon vs. Target: 10 Last Minute Gifts for Mom

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PSA: Mother’s Day is right around the corner! For those who haven’t found that perfect gift yet, don’t panic. It may be crunch time, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the quality of your gift. While flowers and candles are sweet, give mom a gift that shows you truly appreciate her and all that she does for you.

The key to Mother’s Day shopping is buying mom the gifts she wouldn’t consider buying herself, since she’s always putting the needs and wants of her family first. Say no to “Mom” picture frames and heart shaped necklaces, unless you’re under the age of ten. Instead, treat mom to a sophisticated yet functional gift that matches her lifestyle.

Thanks to 2-day Amazon Prime and the magic shopping spell that Target (and Target online) can put on us, there are hundreds of gifts to chose from, just a click away! To make things even simpler, I’ve shared 10 thoughtful gifts that your mom will absolutely love this Mother’s Day.

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Our First Month with HelloFresh

It’s a no brainer that cooking and “adulting” go hand in hand. Gone are the days of microwaved ramen, frozen meals, and regular take-out dinners. Unless you want to weigh 200 pounds and go broke, something has to change. And rightfully so! As we get older, our food palette changes too. Over the year’s we’ve tried different foods and flavors that we’ve grown to love, but how do we recreate them in our own, millennial budget kitchen? Insert HelloFresh. 

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Amazon Finds: Spring Fashion Under $50

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Spring is finally in the air and I LOVE it! The temperature is rising, the sun is out in full force and everything around me is blooming. Honestly, as beautiful as spring is, it’s my least favorite season of the year due to my horrible allergies, but I love to enjoy the beauty from my window until the wave of yellow pollen passes over our neighborhood. As long as I have enough Claritin and Zyrtec in my system, I can venture outside for a few hours to enjoy a family hike or a round of golf, but believe me when I say I can’t wait for May when blooming season is over!

My favorite thing about spring is being able to wear comfortable dresses, opened toe shoes and bright colors after months of being bundled up in dark, drab clothing. But like clockwork every year, I hate all of my warm weather dresses and tops that have been packed away since last season. Anyone else feel the same way?! I’ve always been a department store gal through and through, but recently I love adding cute, spring pieces to my wardrobe from Amazon! Amazon Fashion can be hit or miss when it comes to sizes, cuts, and the fabrics – but there are hidden gems online that are great additions to your closet! Plus, Prime Wardrobe makes it easy for you to try items at home before you buy! 

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Peanut Butter and Coconut Cream Easter Eggs Recipe

If you know me and have been following my blog, you know I love traditions. I think there is something so special about family traditions for holidays and making memories with your friends and family each year that last a lifetime. While some may say that traditions don’t change year after year, I disagree. You add newcomers to the story. You remember past relatives. As time goes on, you create new memories and family stories that are passed on to new generations. I don’t care what anyone says, but everyone has a tradition or memory connected to each holiday that brings you happiness.

I have many fond Easter memories, from egg hunts at home when I was a kid to even dressing up as the Easter Bunny for the local nursing home as a pre-teen. Easter was always a special time for me because it meant my grandmother and aunt would come out to visit and bring along a family tradition of our own: homemade chocolate peanut butter and coconut cream Easter eggs.

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