October is National ADHD Awareness Month and it’s no secret that I’ve lived a life up against this disorder.

I hate that word: disorder. The dictionary defines “disorder” as a “state of confusion.” But I do not feel confused at all. Sure, sometimes I may feel confused but I do not live in a constant state of disorder just because I have ADHD. It really frustrates me that we call ADHD a “disorder.” However, in medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body is considered a disorder. I suppose my mind does not function “normally,” but I am okay with that.

It’s always feels a little daunting to me when I up in a “Things I’m Afraid To Tell You” type of post. When I sit down to write these, I cannot help but think about the troll who is convinced that I have bi-polar disorder. I’m sure it’s the same person writing this message to me over and over again. Or, perhaps is coming from a few different people. I can assure you that I do not have bi-polar disorder {which by the way is very difficult to diagnose}. I have been seeing doctors and therapists my entire life. For some reason when I open up on social media about my mental illness struggles, I always get a spectator or two who is simply here to judge, poke at what may seem like my weaknesses and try to get a rise out of me.

I am here to tell you one thing: ADHD is not my weakness. It is my strength.

It really annoys the heck out of me that people have shamed others and look at people with ADHD as if we have some sort of plague. The moment I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child I was immediately pulled into a special learnings class, took tests alone in the hallway outside the classrooms, put on medication and was told I was “different.” What was I supposed to think? That this was a good thing?

When I first met Grant he was aware of what ADHD was and he thought he knew what it meant. But it wasn’t until living with me for many years for him to really understand the daily nuances and little ticks that make life with ADHD, and life living with a person who has ADHD, quite the struggle. But what I love most about Grant was that once he started to realize what those little struggles were, he started to point out all of the many strengths that also come along with having ADHD. My hyper focused brain is like superwoman on days I’m “firing” with ADHD. I’m able to get more work done in a day than most do in a full week. Grant also pointed out that I have very high energy, I’m creative and intuitive. I had been so wrapped up in the many negative traits that are associated with ADHD for so long that I failed to see the positive ones.

Luckily I have had amazing resources in my adulthood that have helped me understand ADHD and ways I cope and manage it. I have shared a lot of social posts and blog posts about how I’ve learned to live with ADHD. However, I have shared very little about the things that I really struggle with. So, in light of National ADHD Awareness Month and bringing more awareness to this disorder, I thought I would share more about my story below.

I Hate Medication

I no longer take Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, Lexapro, or any other type of stimulants. I have never liked the way medication makes me feel and always knew in my gut (gotta trust that intuition) that medication was not the best route for me. Over the years, I’ve found that if I work out daily or at least move my body with a walk, that it really helps calm my mind and keep me feeling stable.

People with ADHD are “Hyper”

This one really crawls under my skin. “You have so much energy!” is something that I have heard a lot of people say to me. Honestly? I don’t have that much energy. But it really seems like when I’m excited about something or I’m working really hard on a project, that I get labeled as having “high energy” ADHD. I can actually be downright lazy when I’m not interested in something. I hate the stigmas that attach to ADHD. The minute you tell someone you have it is the minute that automatically slap you with labels of “high energy.”

No, You Do Not Have ADHD

Doesn’t it seem like everyone and their dog has ADHD? I don’t know when it became so popular to just rattle off “oh ya I have that too” when someone opens up about their neurobiological disorder. Don’t get me wrong, I love that people want to relate and make those of us with ADHD feel a bit more “normal,” but it can also feel a little undermining at times when everyone says they have ADHD.

The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor, or two, or three.

I’m Exhausted

Sometimes my hyper focused energy is so exhausting. On days, like today, I’m sitting in my pajamas at 2pm, teeth unbrushed, face unwashed and I’m feeling a little sick. I will continue to push myself to work for another hour and then maybe take a 30 minute break before dragging myself to the grocery store. What I really need is rest. I need to recharge. But my mind won’t let me. It’s a weird rush of energy I get when I’m working on something I am passionate about. So, I continue. This is probably my least favorite thing about ADHD. There are simply some days that I cannot turn it off. The only thing that helps me on these days are taking a nice, deep breath and knowing that this day will not last forever. This moment will pass. This is just a tough day.

The Things That Help Me

A lot of yoga, working out and mindfulness have been my saving grace to helping with my ADHD symptoms {click here to read more about my symptoms}. I have also been seeing my therapist for over 6 years steadily. I am constantly reading about and learning more on ADHD and try to stay up to date on new studies and findings. Incorporating my ADHD into my every day life with Grant so I’m less afraid to talk about it has also been helpful. We continue to point out moments that I’m “firing” and the frustration and/or annoyance lessens as a result.

Do you struggle with ADHD? How do you cope/manage? Leave a comment below and continue to help spread awareness this month!

I cannot believe it’s October 1st!

We headed up to the Lake Arrowhead house last weekend in hopes of catching a little bit of pre-fall. While there were a few leaves changing and a nice crisp bite to the air, I think we were a touch too early. It was still an amazing 3 day trip. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that we have this nice hideaway to retreat to that’s only a 1.5 hour drive from Los Angeles. Spending time there with June is always so memorable and I know that the home will be a place we build even more memories for years to come.

Here are a few snapshots from our trip. Happy October!

(in the feature image I’m wearing a very old DemyLee sweater and June is wearing a dress by Doen)

(Both wearing Doen dresses + June is wearing my Amazon Sunglasses)

We’re in that in between fall phase in California.

One day you’re met with a chilly morning, incredibly hot afternoon, and chilly night. I never know exactly how to dress and investing in an all new fall wardrobe feels weird since we don’t really get a full fall experience here.

That doesn’t mean that I’m not trying to bust out some autumn essentials though. My friends at MatchesFashion asked me to put together a little post featuring a few favorites. By the way, if you aren’t familiar with MatchesFashion then please click here. I was talking to someone the other day who had never heard of it and I about fell over. MatchesFashion is one of my all time favorite places to shop!

What I’m Wearing: Loewe Basket Bag + New Balance Sneaker + Totême Sweater + Cat-eye sunglasses

Sarong >> Scarf

What I end up doing at the beginning of every fall is strive to use pieces in my closet that I already own to layer up with. You probably saw me wearing Totême Sarong a lot this summer. The colors are perfect for fall and this would make for an amazing scarf as a layering piece under a denim jacket or over a sweater.

Button Down Under Sweater

One of my all time favorite fall looks is wearing a classic white button down shirt underneath a sweater. This is especially great when you aren’t 100% sure what the weather will be doing that day. This way if it gets a little too warm you can take the sweater off and wear it around your shoulders. It’s a really strong preppy and cute look for fall.  I really, really love finding cute button downs to wear under sweaters that have a special collar. This one by Ganni is adorable! And I love this sweater!

Dress It Up

So, you have all of these adorable dresses in your closet for summer but now that the temps are dropping you don’t know what to do. Layer those girls UP! Find a sleeves dress like this one and pop a long sleeve shirt on underneath. You can also very easily throw a cropped sweater on over the dress like this one or this one to layer up those cute summer dresses you have.

My Only Fall Investment

Fall feels like such a brief transitional period that it feels weird to invest in too many pieces that scream fall. Well, at least that’s the case for Californians. For me, I usually only invest in one key jacket that I can toss on with a dressed down look like sneakers, or throw on over a dress. Something that’s versatile like this cropped jacket or this longer shell jacket.

More favorites for fall: Flutter Khaite Dress + Over the knee boots + Sea Removable Collar Cardigan Sweater + Sleeveless Sweater

Special thank you to MatchesFashion for partnering on this post.

Sometimes it’s just absolutely needed to give a brand that I love a little organic {read: not sponsored} love on my blog.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you this gift: Alex Mill.

You may or may not have noticed me wearing a few of their pieces on my Instagram but I thought I’d leave a little post here on the blog just in case you missed it and this way you can always reference it. I am having a huge love affair with all things Alex Mill. I first discovered the brand quite randomly at I think American Rag Cie or was it Nordstrom or maybe another boutique. I honestly can’t remember but I’m so happy that I found them.

I’m wearing the Nico Chunky Cardigan in this post along with Mara Hoffman Shorts + Tory Burch Flats + June is wearing her Keds Sneakers and a dress by Doen.

Raise your hand if you have a hard time easing in to sleep at night?

I don’t know if it’s the stress of the pandemic, crazy worries about raising a toddler, running our various businesses or just the typical grind of life. But sometimes I just have a really hard time winding down at the end of the day.

Insert: The slumber-inducing sleep and stress-melting calm cbd+ gummies new from dosist health have been a game changer for Grant and I. I’m so obsessed and beyond excited to share with you a code for 20% off!

Use Code: JACEY20 (expires 11/30/2021) off your cart

No THC

100% Vegan

100% Natural

Child Resistant Tin Container

Special thank you to our friends at dosist health for partnering on this post.

I have never felt more ready than I am this year for a change of season.

Did I tell you about the Lake Arrowhead house?

I don’t know if you remember, but last summer Grant and I spent quite a significant amount of time at Lake Arrowhead. After really studying the area the Leavitt family invested in a property here.

I just realized that I never really made this announcement on my blog {only on Instagram}! Sorry guys! This last year was absolutely insane and between our choice to move our Los Angeles house and start work on this Lake Arrowhead house, I kind of dropped the ball on posting about it to my blog and not just Instagram.

While our new house is wrapping up on construction, we have been hiding up here in my little slice of heaven. I cannot begin to tell you how much I absolutely love coming up to the lake. It’s a quick drive from LA and I envision us bringing June up here for many, many years to come.

One of the most exciting things about this gorgeous house was that it needed a little bit of a facelift and Grant and I were put in charge of the entire project from start to finish! We immediately enlisted in our girl, Martha Mulholland, to wave her magic wand over the main floor.

Over the winter season, we remodeled the kitchen and gave the living room spaces, dining room and master bedroom a face lift. We also added in a “bunk room” which is my absolute favorite room in the house.

As we are slowly wrapping up on furniture deliveries, light fixture installations and putting the finishing touches on our lake house project, I’ll be sharing more reveals here {starting on Monday!}. In the meantime, I wanted to share a few photos and inspiration photos for the space.

Can’t wait to share more soon!

Martha Mulholland designed the below schemes for each room in the house. I cannot wait to show you the full reveal soon!

It’s no secret that I am pro-therapy.

Hell I even have an entire “Mental Health” category on my blog. I used to be very ashamed of my struggles with ADHD and postpartum, but then I found that the more I talked about it the less alone I felt. Many of you have shared your stories and it truly helps to feel less isolating when you share.

I was first introduced to therapy in the 5th grade when I developed a fear of going to school. Without diving into the true ins and outs of everything, I later learned through my therapist that I was nervous something bad was going to happen to my parent’s while I was at school {we had a few deaths in the family that year}. Together with my therapist, we created a toolbox that I later used to conquer my fears.

Managing my mental health became a top priority later in life during my marriage. You’ll read more about this in my book, but in order to save my marriage and myself, I dove into a weekly session with my therapist and here I am six years later.

This is the longest, most consistent therapy I have done in my entire life and I’ve never felt better.

Even during my postpartum depression I felt as though I was able to handle it better because I had a support system in place.

Sadly, not everyone has this type of support in place. Which is why I am so proud to partner with Jo Malone London today. For almost 10 years, Jo Malone London has supported those struggling with mental health through their UK charity program, empowering people to recover, reconnect and grow. Today, they are extending their mission to North America with the launch of the White Lilac & Rhubarb candle.

For each White Lilac & Rhubarb Charity Home Candle sold in the U.S. between May 13, 2021 and May 13, 2022, Jo Malone London will donate 70% of the purchase price, less tax, to Fountain House, a leading mental health organization that empowers people to live and thrive in society. The donation will support the growth and expansion of the Fountain House youth initiative and College Re-Entry program, helping students achieve their educational and vocational goals.

What really makes a house a home?

Is it the walls, the roof and the floors? The furniture you bring in to cozy up the space? Some may think it’s the  color of paint you select for the walls or the way you bring your personality into a house with decorations, art and rugs. In many ways, the way we decorate and furnish our homes embody how we live and see ourselves.

But our spaces can, and will, evolve as we do as people. When Grant and I purchased this home, we were pregnant and moving from a house project that we had completely gutted and renovated from ground up. We were drawn to this 100 year old house because of its historic architecture, cozy feel and the community of the neighborhood it belonged to. A lot, and I mean a lot, has happened in our lives in the past three years. And a lot of life happened in this house: A pandemic, a pregnancy and the loss of our sweet Polly dog.

Grant and I both grew into new versions of ourselves while living in this home as we became parents. We also shed aspects of ourselves from the year’s leading up to life in this house. It’s hard to say that any “house” will be a forever home for us. As a couple who works and makes a living off of the real estate market and development, I can’t see us sitting still in one house for too long. But that doesn’t mean that this beautiful house didn’t feel like a home to us. It took care of us during some of the most challenging, and happy, years of our lives.

I think what makes a house feel like a home is the love that you pour into the space. We truly loved this house and it will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Mother’s Day has quickly become one of my favorite holidays.

It’s not because of the amazing fact that my sweet husband and daughter spoil me rotten with breakfast in bed, extra snuggles and home-made cards {that doesn’t hurt!}. It’s because it’s a beautiful day to stop and truly savor the progress that I have made as a new mom over the past few years. It’s also a great moment to truly appreciate the journey of motherhood.

When June was born, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. As I celebrate my third Mother’s Day this year, I can honestly say that I still have no idea what I’m doing {ha!}. However, I am more comfortable in admitting that now than ever before. Do I have all of the answers? Absolutely not. Do I have days where I break down in tears, feeling like I’m doing a terrible job? You betcha! Would I trade anything in the world over being June’s mom? It’s honestly my favorite thing in the world.

I am so proud, happy, thankful, humbled and incredibly grateful to be celebrating today as June’s mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my fellow mama’s out there… to all of the mom’s, grandma’s, mother’s who have lost children, those who have lost mother’s, those yearning to be mother’s and to mother’s in strained relationships with their child – wishing you all love, peace and happiness today and always.

I am all about breaking that “no white” before Memorial Day rule.

How about you all?

Love me some linen.

And obviously love me some neutrals too.