Hey Samantha Tingey

I can’t get over how gorgeous this milk glass vase is! 😍 It’s just so classic and dreamy! Flowers are from , vase from .thrift.finds

I used to have a recurring dream when I was a child. It was dark, and although I couldn’t see, I could feel that I was trying to carry something. It started small, then grew. As it grew, it began to have sharp edges, and every way I tried to hold it, it dug into my hands and chest until it was too painful to carry. And yet I couldn’t let go.

I can still remember the feeling of that dream all these years later. What was it I was trying to carry? Why did it hurt so much? Why couldn’t I set it down?

There are so many times in my life that I’ve felt like I’m too big or too sharp to hold onto. Like I’m just an inconvenient object that gets in the way, and if I could just be LESS. If I could be less, then maybe I could be loved.

For so long I walked through life utterly convinced that I always took more than I could give, and I needed to make up for my own inconvenience. Like just existing was a burden to those around me. It’s a hard thing to overcome, and re-wiring my brain is exhausting.

But I’m trying.

And I want you to know that if there’s one thing I do know, it’s that you are not a burden. You are not too sharp to hold. You deserve love, and you add so much value to the lives of everyone around you. You are singular in the world, and the world needs you in it. And if you need a reminder of that-let this be it.

💕

I figured everything out, and now you have to go watch the premier! 😂

Ugh. The saga continues!!

I have so many new faces around here, so I thought I’d introduce myself a little bit!

I’m Sam, and this is my little corner of “the socials”. A few years ago when the world turned upside down, I got through by doing deep dives into skincare, trying on more clothes than anyone has any right to, and did makeup tutorials and reviews. You can find pandemic Sam in my hilights!

These days we chat about home renovating (just redid the whole main floor of my house!!), finding the right outfit for a night out, commiserating about the injustices of trying on pants/swimwear/etc, and at one point I was even a little bit naked on the internet.

It’s a weird, wild ride and I’m glad you’re here for it!

Today I ditched “should do” And went with “wanna do”. Was it cold? Yes. Did it fill my soul? Also yes. Spring is slowly coming around!

Going through my makeup and skincare routine in stories today! It’s been a while, and it feels so good to get ready with you again!

Mom and Dad had a night out for the first time in a long time! It was so nice to get dressed up and feel fancy for a few hours!

Thanks for helping pick my fit for the evening, it’s always more fun with your help!

Piece by piece my vision is coming to life!

These countertops were a labor of love to choose. I agonized over the best material, choosing installers, finding the perfect slabs, etc. And it was so worth it! They are exactly what I hoped.

Slabs: White Lux Quartzite from
Fabrication and Install:

This photo feels a lot like a metaphor for my life at the moment. Completely torn out but becoming something more beautiful as it’s slowly rebuilt.

Halloween going up! Including who unknowingly made this whole season a lot more fun this year!

Hey! How are you? It’s been a while! It feels a little weird to post after all this time.

Can I be honest? I’m not sure I’ll ever be back to the same level I was. I’ve been learning a lot about myself and my motivations for being on this platform over the last few months.

*coughthankstherapycough*

I’ve realized that many of the things I’ve been doing (Instagram, blog, boutique) are actually elaborate schemes to feel like I’m contributing to my family in some way.

I felt that regardless of the ways I was ALREADY contributing to my family, I needed to add to our income in order to justify buying skincare. Or clothes. Or anything, really.

I felt that I wasn’t enough. That being a partner, mother, homemaker, homeschooler, etc wasn’t enough. (WOW SAM. WOW.)

Although I still have a long way to go, I realize more every day that it’s okay to take care of myself without feeling guilty. Without needing to atone for it! And I feel like that’s something a lot of us are working through.

So…. Where does that leave me here? I truly enjoy being here, and without the pressure to make it a business I think I could have even more fun!

What’s do you think? Are you up for the next adventure?

-Sam💕

I did promise to tell you which vitamin c serum I tried next…

And here it is! I picked this up on a whim after checking the ingredients, which were surprisingly few, and even more surprisingly super great! I’ve been using this Liftactiv vitamin c serum for about a month now. I really do think it’s a great serum, and especially great if you want to try a sample size before committing to a large bottle. This size was $20, and is probably about a two month supply.

Have any questions about vitamin c in your skincare routine? Drop them in the comments!

The French Tuck-Pear shapes everywhere rejoice!

Who knew that casually tucking a few inches of your blouse into your waistband could be so revolutionary?

For those who want to define their waist, create balance, or turn a boxy silhouette sleek-look no further! Just tuck and go. 😉

This little “beauty corner” my husband made for me two years ago has turned out to be so much more than just a place I do my skincare and makeup routines.

I use this space as an office, a place to care for my children’s scrapes and bumps, a homeschool desk, a filming studio, and so much more!

This space has everything I need-photos of loved ones, a Totoro plush from my hubby, Coke Zero 😉, enough outlets to overload the breaker, and enough storage space underneath to hide my clutter. 😂

Wherever your “home base” is, I hope it adapts to your every need through whatever season you’re in! 💕

Since I know you missed the “standing casually in front of my bedroom window” selfies. 😂😏

So…. It’s been a minute. Took some time to really work on my mental health and revisit why I’m even here (on the ‘gram) in the first place.

Honestly, I was feeling really burnt out. I tried SO HARD to make this space what I thought you needed, and not what I was passionate about.

NO MORE. I’m going to share what I want, when I want. I don’t care about an algorithm, or timeline, or should and shouldn’t. Just what I feel inspired to share.

And today I want to share that if you haven’t made these Rice Krispie treats from with browned butter, you should. Like, right now. 🤤

Honestly, as much as I want to be perfectly consistent with my skincare, I'm just not.

But it's okay! Nobody is perfect. I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve to help myself (and you!) get your skincare in each day.

1. Wash your face right when you get up. Keep a washcloth by the sink to make it easy!

2. Don't wait until you're too tired at night. Wash your face when your kids are brushing their teeth, or right after the baby's last feeding. Then you're free to wait until bedtime to apply the rest of your routine!

3. Give yourself a break! It's not the end of the world if you miss a night/morning. Be gentle with yourself, and know that if you're at a place in life that makes it difficult to have a solid routine, you'll get there before you know it!

I hope this helps you! 💕Sam

Want to play "Age up and change the hair" with me?

There was a guy I dated for a bit who told me it was very difficult to find me in a crowd because I changed my hair so often that he couldn't recognize me from the back. 😂 After going through my family pictures over the years, I understand what he was saying!

Take me back to the pink shirt days! That box color was fabulous! 😬😉

Are you the kind of person who changes up your hair often, or do you tend to keep it the same?

My family is freaking adorable. Thank you so much for the amazing pictures!

Remember that time my face was the same shade as this wall?

Good times. 😂

In other news, it's raining today. I love the rain, but it makes me want to snuggle up and get absolutely NOTHING done. Are you the same way, or are you still productive when it's pouring?

We live in a burnt out world.

Giving everything you have every day is the surest way to feel completely lost and overwhelmed.

Take time to BREATHE. REST. BE.

Allthethings will still be there when you get back. Promise. 😉

Hello friends!

Just here saying that I'm alive, and I have bangs.

Also-life sometimes demands that we set aside everything but the essentials, and although this season of my life is busier and harder and more uncertain, it won't always be that way. I hope you are doing well!

💕Sam

✨"Be Intentional"✨

I feel like the word "intention" has been circulating a lot recently. Living with intention is very "in" right now, you might say. But what does that mean when it comes to self care?

So often we get caught up in doing things the way we have always done them, or the way we've seen others do them. We trudge through our days waiting for the breaks-hoping that meaning will somehow infuse itself into the mundane.

And it can! The daily rituals we curate for ourselves is what builds the foundation of a life well lived. But we can and should frequently evaluate how we spend our time.

Just like a good skincare routine, the routines of our lives can and should adapt when we find ourselves needing something more (or perhaps less). It's not usually as simple as switching moisturizers, but sometimes a change in our daily habits is all we need to feel more refreshed, revitalized, and ready to make the most of what we are given each day.

Recently I have started being more intentional with several things in my life, and I am amazed at how different I feel. I haven't done anything drastic, but I have found that I am more mindful as a result.

What are some things that aren't serving you anymore? Can you find something small that you can do (or not do) with more intention?

We did it! 🌸💕 was one for the books! The weather was lovely, and the company was even better.

The women who attended were from many different backgrounds, had many professions, and we all found so many things to share and connect with. It was truly a stunning afternoon that I won't soon forget!

Thank you for coming with me on the journey of planning this event, and I hope many more will be able to come next year!

💕Sam

We all have different needs, wants, preferences, etc. What works for you won't necessarily work for someone else!

Doing things differently doesn't make them wrong or you right. Let's keep an open mind!

Unless you put pineapple on pizza. Then you're wrong. 😉🍍🍕🙅🏼‍♀️

Say hello to my little friends. I've named them "Sick kids" and "Party Planning". 😂

Do you get occasional breakouts? It's so frustrating! But there are a couple of tips I always really on when this happens.

1. But it hard with the AHAs! Use an exfoliating cleanser at night AND an exfoliating toner in the morning. If your skin is sensitive, do just one or the other, but make it consistent!

2. Retinol. It's truly your best friend! If you don't use it already, try one from and use it every third or fourth day for a few weeks, then every other day for another few, and work your way up to daily application. It's truly a skincare game changer when it comes to healing and discoloration!

So I'm curious-does stress cause more breakouts for you, or PMS? Let me know I'm not alone!!!

Just me looking for the next show I need to binge...

Please leave recommendations in the comments! 😬

My go-to to products for a quick makeup look!

1. Gimme Brow
2. Melting blush
3. Liquid Lash extensions mascara and brilliant eye brightener
4. hilighter

It takes me five minutes, tops! Do you have a quick daily routine, or do you like to take your time getting ready?

I was so surprised last month when this dress showed up in my Stitch Fix] box. I was even more surprised when I loved it!

I have been steadily impressed with the quality and affordability of everything I've received from Stitch Fix] subscription service, and the fact that I don't have to go shopping for hours to find maybe one or two mediocre items has truly been amazing!

Are you ready to try it out? Comment on this post and I'll send you a code for $50 to shop your first box!

You showed up. How you looked when you did is never something to apologize for! We all realize how busy you are, how much you give if yourself, and how much work you put in.

Messy bun or perfect curls, makeup or fresh face, sweaty workout clothes or fancy dress, IT DOESN'T MATTER. We need you just how you are. 💕

"What *fill in the blank* should I buy?"

Well, that depends. What do you need from said product? Do you need a moisturizer for oily skin or dry? An antioxidant serum for day or night? A toner for balance or exfoliation?

Knowing which ingredients you're looking for will really help you narrow down what products you can compare.

For example: Pictured above are two moisturizers. Both have humectants (to draw water to the skin), emollients (to seal in moisture), and ceramides (to pretty your skins natural moisture barriers.

The PM moisturizer is super basic. It does it's job well without any added botanicals (which can cause allergic reactions in some). It also uses some heavier duty emollient ingredients and two separate humectants for overnight moisture.

The moisturizer is lightweight, uses quite a few botanical ingredients, and has less humectants and emollients to give my skin a boost of moisture without feeling heavy.

Neither brand uses fragrance.

So when looking for a moisturizer, I knew I wanted hyaluronic acid and a lightweight emollient. Both of these products fit the bill! Then I could choose which one I wanted based on price point and what time of day I was using them for. I promise it's not as complicated as it sounds...😂😂

As always, feel free to comment down below or send me a DM with any questions!

✨It's okay to not know✨

IT'S YOU!

Not "Mom", or "Wife", or "sister", or any of the other labels you wear. It's just you. YOU are what is needed. What YOU bring to the table. And cultivating a relationship with yourself is so important!

Is there something you've always wanted to do? To learn? To say? Do it. Take a class. Post the words. Do YOU.

Not every move you make needs to be tracked, timed, checked off, or written down to count. Sometimes you just need to LIVE YOUR LIFE!

Are you a "tracker" or do you just go and do? Let me know in the comments!

Once upon a time I lived in Europe and had no idea how to take a flattering photo.

I would also dye my hair in hostel bathrooms. 😂 Bad choice.

Life changes! And so do we. Aren't you glad you aren't the same person you were twelve years ago?

Also, of I ever put up a poll asking if I should go back to dark hair, VOTE NO. 😂

Hey! Hey you! Over there! With the mom bun and smelling like chlorine from the pool! Hey you with the bags under her eyes from late nights and early mornings! You with the extra ten pounds from leftover sandwich crusts and chicken nuggets!

Yeah!

YOU!

You're beautiful.

🌞 Summer Pool Essentials

Summer skin care is so much more than SPF! Keeping your skin glowing and hydrated all summer is a must, and when you know you're going to the pool often it's important to be prepared! I've rounded up some great options for your pool bag that will keep your skin looking great all summer long!

Daily moisturizing face lotion with SPF, and daily body lotion will help your skin reviver and retain moisture. Apply generously after showering off from the pool.

Coconut oil body wash gently removes chemical residue from your skin after a dip in the pool.

leave-in conditioner is a scent-free, dermatologist tested product meant for your kiddos, but works great for you too! Apply a small amount before swimming to keep chemicals from penetrating your hair, and apply after showering off from the pool to detangle and treat any dryness.

With these products (or similar ones!) you'll be pool ready all summer long! 🙌🏻

If your summer is anything like mine, you'll be spending a TON of time at the pool. We all know to wear plenty of sunscreen (and reapply every two hours) but do you know how to care for your skin after the pool?

Well now you do!! 😉

IT'S SOIREE TIME. August 21, 2021!

Link in my bio for an official invitation! 💕