These times are so crazy… full stop. CRAZY!

A few months ago I was flying to LA, and Chicago, and Minneapolis. My husband was traveling back and forth between NJ, PA, MD, and ID.

Now we are working from home, in one space (ALL day and ALL night!! 😳), on laptops and cell phones trying to stay out of each other’s ways. Not to mention, hoping we will be able to get grocery delivery in two weeks so we can limit the spread of Covid-19 and protect ourselves and our at-risk family members from getting sick. I have never in my life tried to plan out what we need to eat as much as I do now, and my laundry now consists of endless underwear, all the lounge clothes and pj’s we possess and a million towels. Gone is the need for the dresses, slacks, dress shirts and blazers I used to wear daily.

I have been cooking all meals at home, let me repeat… ALL OF THE MEALS AT HOME! In a tiny ugly and non-functional kitchen!

Holy crap!! We went from getting pizza for dinner 1-2 times a week (I FREAKING LOVE PIZZA!) and lunch out 2-4 days a week at work to me cooking everything. I will say it again, HOLY CRAP people! And the last thing on my mind is doing mine or anyone else's makeup and hair. Long live the messy bun and simple skincare routines!!

We are in survival mode, all of us. As much as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, or celebs want us to think its all fun and games… they all make staying at home seem easy and relaxing. Maybe this time is allowing you to do some home design or organizing… I am willing to bet that’s not your life and it isn’t mine either. If you let it, this new “life” can be very stressful.

BUT, I am in a unique position, I have a career, aside from doing hair and makeup. My husband also has a career. At the time of posting this we are both fortunate enough to work from home. I also do not have kids, so I can use my time to do what I need to for work and get the cooking and cleaning done (is this the 1950's again? I’m not made for this! Sheesh!) and put a few food pics and recipes on insta to help give friends and family new meal ideas. Because I assume many people have the standard go to recipes and also pepper in a fair amount of takeout, dine-out, or drive through. Unless you are used to cooking all meals every day, in that case you are a unicorn!

Many people, including many of my loved ones do not have the luxury to just stay home and sit back and relax. Some are working at home with kids they also need to educate, some are without employment, some have been furloughed, some are small business owners and are not able to be open to serve their customers to make money or even pay bills.

I want to try to help you.

I am NOT an expert, but I have been doing a lot of reading and research for my “other" job that may help those of you who are in tight spots right now, or who own your own businesses.

I will be posting a series of blogs with explanations of resources available for grants and help with the pandemic. Some fun stuff, recipes to help you manage and add variety the millions of meals we are cooking at home, and anything else I can think of.

The first topic I will be sharing will be for women business owners and resources available for them right now. This is near and dear to my heart as all of the women in my family have or have had a small business they have run.

I hope this helps you and I hope you can get back on your feet and to your new normal. If there is something you need help with, please leave me a comment so I can connect with you or try to connect you with the right resources.

Love,

Cristin