Let’s get something straight—if you’re looking for someone who has it all together, keep scrolling. Grit and Grace isn’t about the highlight reels. It’s about the stuff you don’t see on Instagram: the ugly cries, the dumb fights, the times I go to bed mad at my husband and secretly pray the house doesn’t burn down in my sleep. It’s about laughing at the messes we get ourselves into and the ridiculous situations that hit us through no fault of our own. It’s about finding humor in the chaos and realizing that the laundry pile can wait, but a good story can’t. 

I’m Leah, the voice behind the mess, the musings, and the moments that make you shake your head and murmur, Oh, honey, no! I’m a proud Texas girl who took a two-decade detour in California before finding my way back home. I’m a woman figuring out what it means to live with grit, grace, and a tendency to laugh at those ridiculous, deeply uncomfortable, and sometimes heartbreaking situations life throws at us. 

I’ve got fake nails, a fake tan, Botox, and bleached hair. I’ll own every bit of it because why not? Oh, and I might be the only woman in Texas who’ll admit to taking Ozempic. I’ve got three sizes of black pants in my closet because life—and my waistline—is unpredictable. And while I might say I’m eating healthy, my 23,777 McDonald’s loyalty points tell a very different story.

I’m the friend who’s loyal to the end. I show up when it counts—whether it’s with a pep talk, a bottle of wine, gas money, or a kick in the butt. (And yes, I’ll help you concoct a questionable alibi or bring bail money if necessary.) I’ll laugh with you, cry with you, tell you when you’re being an idiot, and listen when you tell me the same.

I consider these my good qualities. But I’ve also got some less good ones. For example, I’m petty. I yell at people in traffic like I’m auditioning for a reality show, then smile sweetly at them at the next light.  

I try hard to be nice, but I know I’m really good at being mean. Words are my superpower, and while I love using them to build people up, I also know how to use them like a scalpel when needed. Sometimes I regret it. Other times I figure they had it coming.

Am I occasionally jealous of my friends’ successes? You bet. Do I still want the best for them? Absolutely. Life’s complicated, and so am I. 

The point is, I’m not here to pretend I’ve got it all figured out. I’m here to share the messy, hilarious, and sometimes ugly truth of what it’s like to just be human. I’ve seen the good and bad in people—including myself. I try hard to be the kind of person I’d want to have in my corner. Sometimes I fail…but I keep trying.

Stop by regularly if you want my take on life, some advice that might help, a few laughs, and maybe a reminder that you’re not the only hot mess in the room. Whether we’re talking about relationships, self-doubt, or what it means to show up authentically, my goal is to share stories that connect us in the middle of this messy, unpredictable journey.

Along the way, you’ll meet my husband, Will, and our shih-poo, Murphy—who unapologetically runs the household. Life has thrown me some curveballs: caring for aging parents, beating breast cancer, navigating insecurities, and figuring out how to show up for others without losing myself. You’ll probably hear about that stuff, too.

So grab a coffee—or a cheeseburger—and join me as we navigate life with grit, grace, and maybe a little too much sarcasm. We’ll celebrate the highs, laugh through the lows, and remind each other that the best stories come from embracing it all.