While I was home, I was glancing at my desk. I have some RANDOM books. Then I started laughing at how much my taste in books varies. Each book brings back so many memories from when I first read them. And then I was thinking, this would make a really great post for College Prep….
Sydney Buchanan used to be THE place to get presents in South Tampa. You practically couldn’t go to a birthday party without bringing a Sydney piece as a present. “Sydney’s,” is always the response when asked where you got your necklace (or bracelet or earrings, etc). When the shop closed down, everyone was sad, but…
Need a new skin routine for the new year? Here’s mine! Over Thanksgiving break, Soccer Mom bought me the Clarisonic Mia. Um. Amazing. Literally like a toothbrush for your face. My skin feels like I just got a facial every single night! The directions say to use it morning and night, but my face seemed…
Baking is the best. And I can finally get around to it while I’m home! Which I’m not anymore 🙁 (I’m off to Columbia, SC for a training trip. Yay.) First up, maple cupcakes. With maple buttercream frosting. The cupcake recipe is from a Martha Stewart cupcake book and the frosting was found online when…
No resolutions for me. Goals instead!!! I’ll preface my goals with this: WHAT WAS I THINKING STARTING ANOTHER ONLINE ENDEAVOR? Okay, now that I have that off my chest… I just want to successfully manage everything…. It is going to be a challenging balance act…. but if I didn’t love it, I surely would not do it…
The PREP RALLY starts right now! Give me a P Give me a R Give me a E Give me a P Give me a T Give me a A Give me a L Give me a K Prep Talk is going to be a weekly e-newsletter! Every Sunday night, you’ll receive the newsletter complete…
1) Macarons. It all started after my trip to New York City. I’ve had macarons before, but after enjoying a few on the top of The Classic tray I just knew they would take over the world one day. No really, I’m convinced they’re the new cupcake (….. are you listening Georgetown Cupcake?). I…
VALORIE arts & accessories is the source for these fantastic ornaments. Soccer Mom has been giving them to Sporty Sister and me and we’ve conjured quite the collection! SS’s new sorority one! SS’s high school one My super cute Georgetown rowing one!!! My high school rowing ornament- love it! How great is this! A HENLEY…
A reader sent me a suggestion on tumblr, and it was just TOO great of an idea!!! I asked readers to send in pictures of their “stacks.” I have just LOVED seeing everyone’s stacks. They’re all so beautiful. But my favorite part??? Seeing the meaning behind their bracelets. A stack is something that you carry…
Lately I’ve been letting my inner child take the lead and it’s been so healing. I signed up for tap dancing (yes, really!!!), started to play more games (like mahjong- in person and virtually too), and I’ve started baking for fun the way I used to with my mom. I used to embroider scraps of fabric while my sister played soccer, now it’s needlepoint during nap time and sewing whenever I feel inspired for a project that energizes me to stay up late into the night.
Adulthood comes with a lot of mental tabs open (anyone else?), but there’s something magical about chasing the things you loved before life got so full of responsibility.
So this is your permission slip: be a little frivolous, a little nostalgic, a little playful. Let that younger version of you come out and dance a bit. She might just know the way. 🙏🏻
GRWM while I chat about aging naturally, embracing low-maintenance skincare, and skipping the needles. Spoiler: the @omniluxled red light mask has been a game-changer for me. And in the spirit of upcoming Mother’s Day and treating ourselves with love... I’m SO excited to be giving away TWO Omnilux Contour Face masks!!! This is hands-down my favorite at-home skincare tool, and I can’t wait to gift one to you or a mom that you love. To enter: Follow @carly and @omniluxled, comment “MOM” below 👇 and I’ll DM you a link with how to enter! (You must submit your email + phone number via the landing page to be eligible to win! Two winners will be chosen on 4/27/25) 💌 BONUS: Everyone who enters will also get early access to Omnilux’s Mother’s Day sale!! Let’s celebrate moms, ourselves, and the beauty of getting older 🫶🏼💗 #ad
Here are some of the outfits I’ve worn recently as a mom of two young boys (Jack is 3.5 and Rory just turned one.) 👩🏻 🧥 👖 🥿 Lately, I’ve been leaning into outfit formulas that just work. I’m in a season of life where I need to be able to chase after my kids at the playground, get on the floor to build Magnatiles, and still feel like myself when I pass a mirror.
Comfort is non-negotiable... but so is feeling put together. I’m prioritizing jeans that actually fit and move with me, sweaters and tops that go with everything, and comfortable shoes so I can keep up with my boys.
For me, right now, it’s not about being trendy. It’s about feeling good, being present, and making life just a little bit easier.
If you’re in that same stage, juggling a million things and still wanting to look cute, this one’s for you. 🙌🏻 Swipe through for some of my go-to, real-life mom outfits that are comfy, practical, and pulled together... because we all deserve that! If you want links to specific things I’m wearing (like the investment coat I’ve worn for over 10 years, the ballet flats I swear by, or the jeans I rotate through the most), comment “WARDROBE STAPLES” below and I’ll send you my current wardrobe staples!
A wild Saturday night as a mom of two young boys with timestamps! I try to maximize the evenings. A little bit productive and a little bit for me! Tonight I folded laundry, cleaned the playroom, showered and blow dried my hair, prepped sourdough bread, needlepointed, and played some mahjong online!
I turned 35 last summer and, honestly, I’ve never felt more confident in my own skin... even without injectables! I love finding products that enhance my natural beauty without covering it up, and the new Just Enough Tinted Moisturizer from @jonesroadbeauty does exactly that. I used the shade “Ivory”! It’s lightweight, easy to apply (no mirror needed!), and gives me that effortless “your skin but better” look– perfect for busy mom life. 🙌🏻 #ad
Our town just got the sweetest, chicest little bakery! Sourdough everything with a side of immaculate vibes 🤍 🥐 ☕️ 🥖✨ Be back soon @thebakernj!
These April showers better result in the best May flowers we’ve ever seen… ☔️ 🌷 ☀️ in the meantime, comment “BUTTER” and l’ll DM you my outfit 🧈
I’ve been playing mahjong every week with some girlfriends and I brought some candy salad treats for everyone to take home. 🀄️ 🍬🩷 I definitely have a “mahj-or sweet tooth” 😉 (I live for a good pun!!!) I found these watercolor illustrations on @etsy by @lilas.hills and I will be personalizing everything with them from here on out!
