No excuses · all heart

Gritty.
Glowing.
Most importantly, grateful.

Gritty.
Glowing.
Most importantly, grateful.

Gritty.
Glowing.
Most importantly, grateful.

honest finds, dog-mom chaos, and gratitude in real life.

honest finds, dog-mom chaos, and gratitude in real life.

Hi, I'm Kayla. This is where I share what I'm loving, what's making life easier, and the people, places, and moments I'm grateful for. I'm still figuring plenty out as I go, but if something makes it onto this page, it's because I genuinely use it, love it, or learned something from it. Hopefully you'll find something here that makes your day a little brighter, too.

Hi, I’m Kayla. This is where I share what I’m loving, what’s making life easier, and the people, places, and moments I’m grateful for. I’m still figuring plenty out as I go, but if something makes it onto this page, it’s because I genuinely use it, love it, or learned something from it. Hopefully you’ll find something here that makes your day a little brighter, too.

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hi, i’m kayla 🤍

CURRENTLY LOVING

The things I’d recommend to a friend without thinking twice.

salt air, soft picks, happy soul

SHOP ALL MY FAVORITES

HONEST PICKS ✦ HAPPY & GILMORE APPROVED ✦ MIDWEST GRIT ✦ EAST COAST PACE ✦ GRATEFUL, ALWAYS

HONEST PICKS ✦ HAPPY & GILMORE APPROVED ✦ MIDWEST GRIT ✦ EAST COAST PACE ✦ GRATEFUL, ALWAYS

HONEST PICKS ✦ HAPPY & GILMORE APPROVED ✦ MIDWEST GRIT ✦ EAST COAST PACE ✦ GRATEFUL, ALWAYS

Kayla coastal collage with beach and dog-mom details

a little grit, a lot of gratitude

Kayla coastal collage with beach and dog-mom details

a little grit, a lot of gratitude

My story

Hard work got me here. Gratitude keeps me human.

Hard work got me here. Gratitude keeps me human.

These days, I wear a few hats: wife, dog mom to two Aussiedoodles (Happy & Gilmore), and a full-time leader in the Tech/SaaS world. I spend my days helping growing companies build strong customer relationships, uncover opportunities, and create strategies that help businesses and their customers succeed together.

Getting here has been an adventure.

I've changed careers, moved across the country from the Midwest to the East Coast, chased big goals, started over more than once, and learned that gratitude is a lot easier to talk about when things are going well than when they're not.

That's a big part of why this space exists.

As much as I love my career, this little corner of the internet gives me a chance to slow down and focus on something different. Not perfection. Not productivity. Just real life.

This little corner of the internet gives me a chance to slow down, try new things, share what I'm learning, and connect with others along the way. Sometimes that's a product I can't stop recommending. Sometimes it's a lesson learned the hard way. Sometimes it's simply a reminder to appreciate what's already right in front of us.

Because at the end of the day, grit might get you through hard seasons, but gratitude, curiosity, and connection are what make the journey worthwhile.

100%

tried in real life

4

real-life lanes

0

0

scripted hype

Shop the picks

Things I’ve actually used, loved, or warned my friends about.

Things I’ve actually used, loved, or warned my friends about.

APPRECIATION ZONE

Pausing for gratitude

A small space for something I’m grateful for, a quote I’m carrying, or a little reminder worth sharing.


“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”


— Maya Angelou


“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”


— Maya Angelou


“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”


— Maya Angelou


“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”


— Maya Angelou

Pass the Light Along ❤️

Send gratitude to someone

Send gratitude to someone

Keep it simple: tell me who it’s for, what you want to say, and whether you want your name included. I’ll take it from there.


*A quick promise from me: The information you share here is only used to send your gratitude message. No spam, no marketing lists, and no selling your information. Ever.

Keep it simple: tell me who it’s for, what you want to say, and whether you want your name included. I’ll take it from there.


*A quick promise from me: The information you share here is only used to send your gratitude message. No spam, no marketing lists, and no selling your information. Ever.

Partnerships

Let’s work together.

Let’s work together.

I share the things I genuinely use, test, and keep reaching for — across beauty, home, tech, and dog-mom life. If your product fits real routines, honest opinions, and everyday storytelling, let’s explore a collaboration that feels useful to the people following along.

Honest

sponsored or not

Hands-on

actually tested

Built to grow

Space for future UGC examples, brand-fit stories, audience notes, and campaign recaps.

VIDEO REVIEWS + SOCIALS

See what I’m testing, wearing, using, and actually recommending in real time.

See what I’m testing, wearing, using, and actually recommending in real time.

Go to shoppable links

Scrolls to my ShopMy and Amazon storefront links below.

Watch the reviews in action

Tap a social channel to see real-life demos, quick opinions, and longer-form review context.

Let’s stay connected!

Let’s stay connected!

New finds, honest notes, and the occasional reminder to notice what’s already good.

New finds, honest notes, and the occasional reminder to notice what’s already good.

Join

No spam. Unsubscribe whenever. Promise.

Let’s stay connected!

New finds, honest notes, and the occasional reminder to notice what’s already good.

Join

No spam. Unsubscribe whenever. Promise.

GRITTY & GLOWING

GRITTY & GLOWING

Honest picks, real life, and learning to slow down — on purpose.

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