The Creative Nest

Everyone remembers their first car, but not everyone can say theirs was born the same year they were. Mine? A 1971 Ford Maverick —white on the outside, lime green on the inside. Yep, my car and I were basically cosmic twins. I bought it in the late ’80s from an older woman who had purchased it new and babied it ever since. When I slid behind that wheel, it still looked showroom fresh, like it had been waiting all those years just for me. A Car With Personality Now, let’s talk about that interior. Lime. Green. Interior. Not avocado (though it was the ’70s), not a subtle mint. Full-on lime, like someone upholstered the seats in citrus zest. Sitting inside was part disco, part Jell-O salad, and a whole lot of fabulous. I couldn’t have blended in if I’d tried—and honestly, why would I want to? More Than Just Wheels That Maverick was more than just a ride. It was independence on four tires, my ticket to late-night drives, blasting music with the windows down, and the thrill of being in char...

Chronic pain is the plus-one in my life that I never invited but somehow can’t get rid of. Mine shows up in ways that shift from day to day, sometimes quiet in the corner and sometimes front and center, stealing the whole show. Regardless of the type, one thing is the same: it is exhausting. It isn’t just the pain itself — though that’s bad enough — it’s the way it drains me. A shower can feel like I climbed Everest. Making a meal? That’s an Olympic event. By the end of the day, I’m not just tired; I’m wiped out in a way that goes deeper than words. And yet, no two days are the same. Some mornings I wake up and think, “Okay, I can work with this.” Other mornings, my body smirks and says, “Not today, sweetheart.” That unpredictability is brutal — but it also means there’s always a chance tomorrow will be different. That’s the piece I hang onto: tomorrow could bring less pain, more movement, a breath that feels a little lighter. When I get those moments, I appreciate them fiercely. T...

Who needs Sephora when you’ve got Dollar Tree and a sharp eye for dupes? I decided it was time to take my curiosity (and a few crumpled bills) on a full-on beauty treasure hunt. The mission? To uncover the latest and greatest Dollar Tree makeup finds that TikTok can’t stop buzzing about. Walking in, it’s like a mix of is this really going to work? and please let me find that viral bronzing drop . You know the feeling—it’s the same rush as scratching off a lottery ticket, but instead of numbers, you’re scanning the shelves for tiny tubes of magic. Here are the hot contenders I’m hunting for: B Pure Bronzing Drops — the famous dupe for Drunk Elephant’s bronzy glow . $1.25 to look sun-kissed? Yes, please. LA Colors Eyeshadow Palettes — fun little trays of pigment that let you play with colors you’d never pay $20+ to “just try.” Beauty Benefits Silky Blush — rumor has it, it “slaps” (translation: it’s really, really good). Supposedly pigmented enough to pull double-duty as e...