I am a gmail addict and have a huge system worked out. I have a few email accounts. An AOL one (I know, so 1990s) that I use for pretty much everything, my Georgetown address, and a few gmail accounts. (Speaking of email addresses, you can reach me at carly [at] thecollegeprepster [dot] com) Before I…
2023 Personal Reading Reflections Before I get into my favorite books of the year, I thought I should reflect a little bit on my reading journey in 2023. 2023 was one of the hardest years for myself and reading, as always, was my personal escape. When I experienced a miscarriage at the beginning of the…
I hope you don’t mind how much I post about books. To be honest, books have really been the best kind of “therapy” for me in terms of what relieves stress and reduces anxiety. I get most of my inspiration from books, my motivation from books, my entertainment from books. I find friends within the…
As we get closer to Christmas, the window for shopping online is closing! A lot of retailers won’t guarantee delivery unless you upgrade the shipping. One thing that you can buy pretty much up until a few days before the big day? BOOKS. Whether you pop into your local bookstore or shop with Amazon, you can’t go wrong with giving a book for the holidays.
There is a book out there for every recipient. This year two people on my list are getting books (they definitely don’t read my blog, so I’m safe saying that 😉). I’m rounding up some crowd-pleasing options:
I read some amazing books this summer. I love to read year round, but there is something extra great about sitting down with a book during a slow summer day. (Probably only second best to a snow day spent reading.) In today’s post, I’m going to share books I read, what I’m currently reading, and a…
I am fully aware that a) I have mentioned these tips sporadically already through other posts and b) that audiobooks are considered controversial by some. To address these two things really quickly: – Because I share my reading experiences on my Instagram (personal, and now my bookstagram), I have been getting a ton of questions about…
I blew threw three books last week– special thanks to long commutes and a vacation for that! In college I used to read at least a book a week and I miss that steady pace. I miss meeting new characters every week and being able to transport myself somewhere new. It was nice to have…
There are times when I read a LOT, and there are times when I get a few pages in every day. And then there are times when books collect dust on my nightstand. It can be frustrating to fall into a reading rut, especially because it’s something I really enjoy. I also love discussing books…
Earlier this week I shared some of my tips for reading more and today I wanted to share some of the books I read over the past few weeks. During my week off from blogging, I spent so much time on the couch with the dogs reading. It was exactly what the doctor ordered! (In fact,…
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like;
- it’s easy to put on!
- it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!)
- the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
