Lauren Toppe Thomas Blog

05/30/2025

Completely different post than my usual content, but hear me out.⁣
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I know a lot of you have been following my coloring journey, well let’s be honest obsession.⁣
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As someone who thrives off of routine, when I recognized my addiction to alcohol and stopped drinking, my evenings felt completely out of whack. Over the last year I of course have filled it with filming and editing dinners, and recipe content. ⁣
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Content creation is an amazing creative outlet for me. But I was craving more. That’s when I came across coloring on social media. How ridiculous does that sound at 34 years old?⁣
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But when I tell you, this has been one of the best forms of therapy for me. I am not a reader. I am ashamed to admit that, but it’s never been my jam. I love to color, write, draw, use my hands.⁣
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After the kids go to bed, I put on my headphones and either listen to music or binge a Netflix show and well, color.⁣
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It is extremely relaxing and feels like a form of meditation. (my therapist has been extremely proud of this hobby by the way 😂).⁣
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All this to say, meditation, therapy, etc. Doesn’t have to be something intense or that requires a lot of time and effort. Find a hobby that you genuinely enjoy to help ease your mind and relax your body. This has truly transformed my evenings and furthered my mind from thinking about alcohol.⁣
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I have a highlight with my coloring pages! Well two, since there are so many at this point.⁣
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Comment COLOR below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/54vcz ⁣
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05/08/2025

Disney Drop⁣
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Well that was an experience. Everyone who braves Disney World, I consider you a champ. Because WOW was that a lot of work. ⁣
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Long story short, my grandma wanted our core family, my parents/brother, aunt/cousins to all come. My cousin is currently working at Disney World. ⁣
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Yes, there were some magical moments and it is fun to immerse yourself in a world away from your normal 9-5 and chores around the house. But I would be lying if I said I’m dying to come back soon. We are more of a lay around at the beach, take a nap, laid back dinner, listen to the ocean sounds and crab hunt at night kind of family (hence why we go to Destin/30a every year).⁣
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But that’s what makes each and every individual family their own. Everyone has their thing. ⁣
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I think Cooper and Collins are not quite at the right ages yet. And we totally messed up by making Pirates of the Caribbean Collins’s first ride. ⁣
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Tips from someone who is INEXPERIENCED and had NO IDEA what they were getting themselves into:⁣
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•Pick the top 2-3 rides, top 2-3 experiences/shows and top 2-3 food finds before you enter the park. ⁣
•Magic Kingdom is quick to get around and the most kid friendly (IMO) while Epcot is way larger and Hollywood Studios is also not quite as simple to navigate. ⁣
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•Guardians of the Galaxy absolutely 1000% yes.⁣
•If you can do it, lightning pass absolutely.⁣
•I don’t think a ‘planner’ (personal preference, don’t come for me) would have done better because the kids right now are so unpredictable. I never felt unorganized. But I wish I would’ve researched the layouts of the parks earlier on. ⁣
•What’s your goal. Does your family want to go all out on rollercoasters, do you want to take pictures with characters, are food and snacks a priority, etc.⁣
•If you’re a Frozen fan, I loved Frozen Ever After. Maybe even teared up 😅⁣
•DOLE WHIP: specifically I loved the orange vanilla swirl Fanta float from Sunshine Tree Terrace.⁣
•If you’re traveling with extended family, make sure your apps are fully loaded with everyone’s bar codes linked together ahead of time. GET FAMILIAR WITH THE APP.⁣
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cont. in comments

03/11/2025

Decided after 15+ years of bleach it was time to go to my roots. ⁣
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Throughout my health journey this past year, I’ve taken a big hit to my hair health as well. From the 35 lb weight loss, to malabsorption of nutrients, and medications, they all affected the strength and quality of my natural hair. ⁣
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I added extensions last year and immediately felt a confidence boost. My hair had broken off from all of the forementioned reasons. I wore clip in extensions forever. But always loved my natural hair as well. As time went on, clumps were falling out from the methotrexate and immunosuppressants. ⁣
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You know what does a heck of a lot of damage to hair? Bleach, baby. Even the tiny little baby lights. So my amazing friend and hair stylist , took me to my natural color today and we went back long with the extensions. ⁣
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Chronic illness has taken so much from me. I’m tired of taking it lying down. I’m ready to continue pushing, advocating, fighting for answers and treatments. Why not look and feel confident while doing it. ⁣
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I am all about making changes if it gives you a little glimmer and pep in your step. You do you. Make yourself happy. Take life back. Even if it’s something as silly as a hair makeover. If it brings you even a tiny bit of joy in your life, it’s worth it. I needed some joy. I’m so glad the sun is out, spring is around the corner, and God is on my side to continue fighting my health journey along side me. ⁣
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If you are looking for a hair colorist or extension specialist in the Houston area, is a queen!⁣
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Cheers, yall. ⁣
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02/25/2025

34. Lots of mixed emotions today. Everyone close to me knows I love birthdays. And well, especially mine. Always have. I love celebrating people. I remember my mom always throwing me the best birthday family and party celebrations growing up. Birthdays have always been extravagant in some type of way for me. Not just the presents. But the experiences and people I’ve celebrated with each year. ⁣
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Sobriety (oh here she goes again, but really) has given me a lot of clarity and mental maturity. It’s allowed me to start thinking and processing differently. ⁣
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Even though I was just in the hospital and have been going through well, absolute hell, with my health the past year and a half. I also have to continually weigh the factors in my life that I am blessed by. Not everyone has access to healthcare. Not everyone has a career that, over the last 12 years, has allowed me to become knowledgeable in the healthcare environment and build connections to allow me to see doctors quickly, get referrals, testing, etc. And honestly, not everyone has the personality to fight doctors and advocate for themselves when they know something isn’t right.⁣
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Not everyone has a fruitful career, a loving stable home environment, a husband who has been by them every step of the way, and kids who think their mom placed every star in the sky just for them. Parents who drop everything to see their grandkids, friends (old and new) that support me in the wildest most amazing ways, a creative mind that let’s me have fun in the social media world whether it’s cooking, coloring, making new ‘internet friends’, etc. ⁣
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And most of all, a persistent curiousity. To learn, explore, grow. The biggest of all, curious in my relationship with God. I’ve always been a Christian. But being led to our church home, friends, and family through Him. It’s been extremely powerful. I still have a lot of questions. I’m not all the way there. But wow are we surrounded by the best people to be on the journey with. (cont. in comments)

02/02/2025

I was reflecting back on a post I made on July 8, 2023. Reading the words. Looking at the photos. Realizing, wow. A lot has changed in a year and a half. ⁣
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In those photos I looked happy. With my babies, the bright lighting, a tan and bright blonde hair. ‘Proving’ to ‘the world’ that I was ‘that girl’ and validating myself with my own words. A facade.⁣
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In theory, what I was saying wasn’t (at the time) to be in a negative tone. I thought I was ‘standing my ground’ and ‘being inspirational’. But now, I see those words and can feel how broken my spirit was when I typed them. I was hurt. I was a hurt person. A broken soul. Fulfilled by things that weren’t truly fulfilling. I had always been a Christian. But I wasn’t living like one. I was anxious, depressed, in the depths of alcoholism. Complete. Destruction. Mode. I wanted to destroy everything. Friendships, my marriage, my career, motherhood and ultimately myself. I had zero faith. It’s sad because in this moment, I truly can feel the hurt behind my eyes in that post and behind the words that I wrote. ⁣
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I wanted to recreate those photos. The littles not so little anymore. Pale (hey it is January, give me a break). Not feeling my ‘prettiest’ per say. But rejoicing in the new will God has provided me. The grace He has shown me. The strength He has given me to overcome addiction and start one by one facing my inner battles head on instead of shielding them with fancy things, nice dinners, false relationships and craft cocktails. Admitting, I am broken. Acknowledging my faults instead of pushing them on everyone else (I was a rockstar at projection). I want to grow. I want to be a better version of me. ⁣
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Last year was one of the hardest years of my life (especially health wise, we will leave that be for now). But it was also one of the best in some ways. I became raw. I let myself feel emotions. Stopped thinking of emotions as weakness. I opened myself up to new friendships. I let go of anger and resentment. I’m simply healing. It’s only just the beginning. ⁣
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cont. in comments

12/25/2024

‘A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices’⁣
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Merry Christmas to you and yours ❤️ ⁣
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-The Thomas Family (Isaac, Lauren, Cooper (5), and Collins (2) December 2024)

12/22/2024

12/02/2024

You know me. ⁣
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A few quick words to describe me and who I am. Although we all know I could talk/type for hours. ⁣
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Welcome to all the new faces and hello to those of you who have been here awhile. ⁣
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Excited to finish 2024 strong and make 2025 even better. ⁣
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Love you all. 30k giveaway coming soon!

11/28/2024

There is nothing I am more grateful for than these three people. Without them, I am nothing. They push me every single day to be a better mom, wife, friend, and follower of Christ. ⁣
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May your day be blessed with family, love, and of course delicious food. ⁣
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Happy Thanksgiving 🤎⁣
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📸:

11/26/2024

2024 has been an interesting year. After stopping drinking in October of 2023, I thought I was at rock bottom and there was no where to go but up. ⁣
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That’s when all of my health issues started. First the migraines, then the body/joint/muscle aches and pains, the rashes, GI issues, extreme fatigue, etc. The brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain. I’ve had to start keeping a journal to document all of my symptoms, appts, testing. ⁣
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I thought this year was going to be my most transformative year. Unfortunately I’ve been met with road blocks. At least that’s how I’ve seen them. But possibly, it’s purely my viewpoint. Maybe these road blocks are actually answers I’ve needed for years, decades even, regarding my health. Or life in general. And I am finally in a place to tackle them head on. With a support system and a clear mind. ⁣
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Maybe it has been a transformative year after all. Or at least maybe I’m in the beginning phases. I know one thing for certain. I have never felt more at peace with my church family, my workplace, my friends, my family and who I surround myself with. Wow has that made a world of difference. ⁣It’s insane what that can do for your soul.
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I’m trying to give it all to God. But that’s tough. Giving up control. I’m learning. I don’t have all of the answers. I need to stop ruminating. (I hate that word; but it describes my personality and brain well). I need to be ok with that. ⁣
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My time will come. Prayer never stops. I will get answers. And I will restore my hope. ⁣
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Here is a pop of purple on your feed. Happy Tuesday, friends. ⁣
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💜💟🦓🚑🩺

10/29/2024

I wanted to share this screenshot from my notes app a couple of months ago. I was jotting down my feelings. A lot of which are still lingering. Sometimes I feel like I ‘don’t have the time’ to process my thoughts so I type them quickly. ⁣
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Illnesses such as mental health are invisible mostly to the outer world. When inside, people are crumbling. I feel like I’m crumbling a lot.⁣
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Couple those feelings with being lost in the medical system fighting for answers for additional invisible illnesses, well, the past few months have felt bleak. No light. ⁣
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It’s lonely. No one can actively SEE what is happening. Of course they can see I’m exhausted, losing weight, etc. But the pain. Mental and physical. And the fight for answers. The unnerving experience of being referred to specialists for scary bloodwork and possible scary diagnoses. It’s all…invisible. You’re isolated. ⁣
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Coincidentally, this past Sunday our pastor told a story that made so much sense for where I am at. He spoke of zebras. (Which is also ironic because there is a foundation called ‘life as a zebra’ which is about education, prevention and treatment of invisible illnesses).⁣
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He said zebras travel in herds because their stripes make it difficult for predators to identify them as one. The zebras appear to be one giant animal that the lions, etc. cannot attempt to go after. They go after the elderly, the sick, the ones that are away from the pack. The lonely. ⁣
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And that is what the enemy, the devil, wants to do to you. And what I feel like has been done to me. He wants you isolated. Away. Alone. To get into your head. Take over control of your thoughts and body. Turn you away from God. ⁣
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You have to find your support system. Find your ‘herd’. Protect yourself. Whether that’s finding the right doctors, the right therapist, the right friend group, the right church family. Life alone, life isolated, is too hard. I know I can’t do it alone and need God to help me push forward. ⁣
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If this resonates with you, know you’re not alone. And that hopefully, this is a chapter. And guess what, being a zebra is cool. It’s ok to not be able to do it by yourself. ⁣
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🦓🦓🦓

10/18/2024

Hi, I’m Lauren.⁣
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October 18, 2023 was one of the worst days of my life. I know, I know. I’ve told the story a million times. ⁣
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The last night I drank alcohol. It’s crazy to think about still. And I truly can’t believe I don’t drink anymore. It wasn’t until 10/18/23 that I realized I was addicted to alcohol and in a downward spiral. ⁣
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Cannibalizing my marriage, not focusing on my mental health, being a horrible example for my children, saying things I didn’t mean. Oh and I would drink anything. If I was out of tequila (my preferred vice) I would chug kahlua, triple sec, whatever I could find hidden. I would wake up the night after, you know a casual Tuesday where I hid in the pantry to drink. I would scroll through my text messages to see what I said, who I talked to. If I watched a show the night before, I would have to rewatch it. ⁣
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If we were having take out, I always offered to get it. Because guess what, that meant I could go by a liquor store and chug three, four mini bottles before I got back home. Only to crack open a bottle wine or a seltzer (x3).⁣
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It’s kind of twisted though. I’ve struggled mentally lately because I stopped drinking and realized that all of these symptoms I had been having, weren’t from alcohol after all. Which is when I embarked on trying to find out what’s wrong health wise.⁣
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A diagnosis here and there (meh), but nothing that’s really made me feel like this, THIS is why I’m so sick; let’s fix it. I’m still pushing. Still advocating. Still looking for specialists, considering other medications or treatments. ⁣
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I got rid of one toxin only to find so much frustration in our healthcare system. The gaslighting, lack of answers and lack of you know what, freaking compassion. ⁣
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I’m still working. A never ending project; Lauren Toppe Thomas. Some days I want to give up. A lot of days lately especially. But I’ll get there. The addiction is over. And that’s an accomplishment in itself I have to remind myself. Can’t wait to celebrate tomorrow.