(No, I'm not suffering a midlife crisis, I promise! haha)

A Whirlwind Summer

Wow, what a whirlwind summer we’ve had! Can you believe it’s almost August? Time has slipped away faster than a Texas sunset, and I’m thrilled to finally sit down and share a bit of what’s been going on with us.

⇧ Summertime sunsets and storm clouds in North Texas are so beautiful.

Finding Balance in 2025

This year has been a wild ride, to say the least. The economic climate has thrown some curveballs at us and our small business, and I’ll be honest — my mental health took a hit, too. After some soul-searching, I decided that 2025 is my year to focus on healing, finding balance, and giving my health the attention it deserves. I’m notorious for being all-in on Forged Flare^® 24/7 — seriously, even when I’m “off,” my brain is still at work! But I’m learning that a healthy work-life balance is key, and I’m determined to make it happen.

Celebrating Doom: The Dark Ages

That said, this summer wasn’t all challenges — it’s been sprinkled with some serious fun, too! If you’re on our newsletter list, you probably know that my husband, Chris, is a rockstar animator. He's at id Software, working on the the iconic video game Doom: The Dark Ages, and in May, they celebrated its release with an epic launch party in downtown Dallas. Let me tell you, we went all out for this one!

⇧ Chris standing in front of the massive billboard at the Doom: The Dark Ages launch party in the AT&T Discovery District, downtown Dallas.

Bold Hair, Big Vibes

Since launch parties are such a rare treat, Chris and I decided to make this one unforgettable. I had this wild idea to dye my hair — brace yourself — bright red and black to match the hardcore vibe of Doom.

⇧ My hairstylist Jen and I running full-steam-ahead on the new 'do (for better or for worse!).

I’m usually a quiet, blonde-haired gal who keeps things pretty low-key, and while I’ve dabbled in fun colors before, this was next-level bold. My stylist, Jen, was totally game for the challenge, even though we were both a little nervous about going that extreme. 

⇧ Finished look. The underneath layers of red really pop when my hair moves.

But oh my gosh, she nailed it — it was a total showstopper! (I had to baby it for a week leading up to the party, but it was so worth it.)

⇧ Such a bold look and so much fun!

Outfitting the Doom: The Dark Ages Adventure

When we tackled our outfits, we started with Chris’s look first (I know, not the usual way it goes!). We found him a killer outfit inspired by Josh Gates from Expedition Unknown — complete with a necklace we snagged when we met Josh himself. It was perfect for Chris’s adventurous spirit!

⇧ Chris sporting his new outfit.

Then, my neighbor Ginger, who works at Chico’s, got wind of the party and insisted on helping me find the outfit. We had the best girls’ day trying on dresses and jewelry, and I landed on the cutest white dress with a bold red floral print — think Lilo’s dress from Lilo & Stitch, but flipped. It was adorable, playful, and totally me!

⇧ A sneak peek at my dress.

Nails and All

To top it all off, I even painted my nails for the occasion — something I never do since I’m always working with my hands at Forged Flare^®. But this was a special moment, so I went for it. I found the perfect red gel polish (Rock the Runway by Essie) and added gold flecks (Summit of Style by Essie) near the bed of each fingernail. The finished look was so cute!

⇧ Not hand model material, but the polish? Adorable.

Rolling Up to Doom: The Dark Ages in a Cybertruck

And then, friends, the cherry on top: Tesla texted me offering a 48-hour test drive of any vehicle. If you know me, you know I’m a total Tesla geek (and well, a geek-geek, too) — our license plate literally says “GEEKS”! I couldn’t resist and booked a Cybertruck for the exact dates of the launch party. Yes, we rolled up to the Doom launch party in a Cybertruck, and let me tell you, we were geeking out hard. We even let it drive us the ENTIRE way on full self-driving (even through downtown Dallas's crazy one-way streets). It was the ultimate geek way to celebrate!

⇧ Getting ready to roll into Dallas like...

A Summer to Remember

All in all, the launch party was a blast, and I’m so grateful for these moments of joy amidst a challenging year. I just had to share a slice of our summer adventures with you — and yes, I’ve got some fun photos to go along with it! The red in my hair has since washed out, and the black has faded to a soft brunette, so now I’m rocking a strawberry-blond look with brunette streaks that’s adorable in its own way (until I can carve out time to get my hair redone). Who knows what’s next for my hair?! Thanks for being part of our journey at Forged Flare^®. Here’s to more sparkle, more balance, and more unforgettable moments!

Chris and I at the Doom: The Dark Ages launch party.

Doom: The Dark Ages launch party event venue.

Doom: The Dark Ages launch party event venue after the sun went down.

This summer reminded me that joy matters — even in chaos. If you’re looking for something joyful, meaningful, and made with love, you’ll find it here.

Shop Our Collection