Laura Tucker

How We’re Celebrating Holiday Traditions When Family is Far Away

December 15, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

Thank you to The UPS Store for sponsoring this post. Make the holiday to-do list a little easier this season with The UPS Store!

We’re all still grinning from ear to ear over getting to host my family in our brand new home during Thanksgiving this year. It was so nice having all of my siblings and their families in one place, and it was amazing being able to finally sit down and relax in our brand new home after a full year of construction. Now that we’re heading into Christmas, things have gotten a little bit quieter around here as two out of my 3 siblings and their families will be celebrating the season with other family members far away.

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Cranberry-Avocado Chicken Salad

December 12, 2017 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SimplyAvocado #CollectiveBias

These few weeks that are nestled right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas day are always the busiest weeks of the year for our family, no doubt about it. Just when I think I can’t squeeze anything else into my calendar, one more event pops up that I really want to attend, so I buckle down, shift gears and do everything I can to make sure our holiday season is a holly jolly one! But it often comes at the price of feeling a little lackadaisical by mid-morning each day, and my creativity tends to tank when it comes to preparing meals for my family that are quick, delicious and simple.

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5 Ingredient Creamy Potato Soup Bread Bowl

December 5, 2017 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

I have been compensated by DairyPure to bring you this recipe for 5 Ingredient Creamy Potato Soup. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Anyone else already starting to feel a little bit exhausted from all of the holiday hustle and bustle already? My calendar is packed pretty full of parties and events that celebrate the season. I’m excited about all of them, because I love seeing the joy and excitement on all of my friend’s and family’s faces, but I’ve definitely been battling my inner introvert that wants me to just go put on a pair of fuzzy socks and curl up on the couch at home with a big bowl of soup. …

How I’m Working Smarter (and Not Harder) as a Work at Home Parent

December 4, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveYourPC #CollectiveBias

When I had my daughter 2 1/2 years ago, I decided to leave my full time job and stay home with her. I had always dreamed of being able to be at home with my children during their early years, and I knew if I had the opportunity to leave the workforce then, I needed to take the leap and do it. Parenthood opens your eyes to so many things that you never know about yourself. I learned very quickly that Mom-in’ ain’t easy, and that I was actually way more busy staying at home with her than I was working full time! I uncovered strengths I never knew I had, and dreams for myself and my children began to quickly unfold. Just 6 months into being a stay-at-home mom, I started my own business and began the transition from stay-at-home mom to work-at-home mom.

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Cast Iron Skillet Cooking: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Alabama White BBQ Sauce

November 30, 2017 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

I have been compensated for this post in the form of product and gift card in exchange for my honest review and opinions. All thoughts expressed are 100% my own.

Chances are, you may have stumbled across this little slice of the Internet known as Southern Made Simple because you found a yummy recipe that you just had to try, or you searched Pinterest high and low for a cool DIY project or home decor inspiration post and decided to give one you found here a try. Perhaps you decided to swing by because you, too, have a love and appreciation for the unmatched beauty and charm of the southern lifestyle that only grows larger by the minute. No matter how you got here, welcome! I’m tickled that you decided to stick around and share a smile with me. You just sit right there and make yourself at home, and I’ll pour you a glass of sweet tea!

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Celebrate Giving Tuesday with Swap!

November 28, 2017 by Laura Tucker Leave a Comment

I received shopping credit to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed within this post are 100% my own. Referral links are included. I only promote what I truly love!

What’s your go-to online shopping destination to find your favorite brands and cutest clothes for yourself or for your little one? Earlier this year I placed my first order with Swap.com, and since that first order I’ve been completely hooked! I’ve placed numerous orders on Swap.com, which is an online consignment store that not only sells brand name women’s and kids gently used (and sometimes brand new) clothing, but also men’s clothing, maternity, toys, shoes, and more!

This Tuesday (November 28th, 2017) Swap.com is joining forces with Cradles to Crayons and giving back in a really big way, and you can be a part of it! (Scroll to the bottom for more details!) Here’s a peak at what came in my most recent order:

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Southern Pecan Pie Cookies

November 26, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

I have been compensated by Bob’s Red Mill to bring you this recipe for Southern Pecan Pie Cookies, and all opinions expressed are 100% my own. I only promote what I truly love!

Growing up in the south, it was instilled in me at a very early age that there is more than one way to tell someone you love and care about them. In fact, it’s always seemed like the language of love has multiple dialects spoken within it, and hospitality is a common thread that holds our love and care for one other together.
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Food, Family and Fun in our Brand New Home + Special Contest!

November 24, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

This post was sponsored by T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

They say there’s no place like home, and this week that phrase has taken on a whole new meaning for myself and my family.

If you’ve been following for a while, you may know that we’ve been building a brand new home for the past year. My husband took on the role of contracting much of the work out himself, and he and his father spent countless hours and long days after work going over to the construction site and working to the point of near exhaustion. It’s been the busiest and most hectic year of our lives, but it was also a year full of blessings (and a ton of learning, too!)

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Caramel Coffee Brownie Trifles

November 22, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GrabHolidayHappiness #CollectiveBias

This month has been the busiest month of my entire life. The only other time I can think of that I was almost this busy was the week leading up to my wedding, but I’m feeling pretty certain that this month takes the cake. To keep a long story short, we’ve been putting the final touches on the home that we’ve been building for a whole year now, and we’ve been busting our tails trying to get everything in operating order before Thanksgiving Day when my family will be staying with us for a few days. We’re cutting it down to the wire, but we’re making it!

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Mini Ultimate Breakfast Trifles

November 21, 2017 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

This post is written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc.. All opinions are entirely my own.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been going a little bit crazy over the past few weeks. My mind has been on overdrive as my family and I have been putting the final touches on our brand new home that we’ve been building for the past year. I’ve been packing up all of our belongings and trying to embrace the chaos that is my current living situation for quite some time now. All of my family will be coming over to have Thanksgiving dinner in our new home, and I’m not so sure that we’ll even be in the house by then!
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