Louisa from Living Lou is here with an amazing recipe. My mouth was watering when she sent over the draft and I absolutely can’t wait to try it out myself. I am really making the commitment to cook more in the kitchen, but I’m not the best chef out there. When in doubt, call in…
Growing up, I was never the biggest fan of peanut butter. Sometimes I’d have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but it wasn’t something I was head over heels about. Over the years, it’s grown on me… and now I’m basically addicted. Especially recently. It’s at an all-time high. (I blame the Reese’s Valentines Day hearts…)…
I may have conquered my fear of the oven in my apartment in NYC, but the oven is absolutely terrible. It takes forever to heat up and it’s so small that a regular size cookie tray doesn’t fit. So I can use it, yes, but it’s so much of a hassle that I just don’t. Which…
This and yap 🤍 Don’t forget to create holiday magic for yourself too! I can’t tell you how nice it was to do some gingerbread decorating without having to follow a three year old’s vision (or fight the sugar battle)! It’s fun to do it with kids, too, but sometimes you just need coffee, baked goods, and little bit of kid-free catch up time with your mom friends! Thank you for hosting @blueskyehouse!!
I wrote down a list of things I wanted to do for fun in 2024. I crossed off exactly zero of them (having a baby will do that to ya) and my only hope of accomplishing one would be to host a cookie exchange! I wanted to SO bad but I was also feeling exhausted after a long year (losing a dog, having a baby, running a business, etc.) and I didn’t know if I had hosting a party in me. I sent out the invitations and told myself I’d figure it out. There was no going back! It was SO FUN though and I will be doing this again. I feel like so much of the holidays as a mom is spent making the magic for kids. It’s Santa meet and greets, Christmas shopping, holiday pageants…. And then seeing Santa again (and again and again). THIS party was for us! 🥂
🎧 Five 5-Star Audiobooks I Listened to This Year ✨
Audiobooks have been my secret weapon for fitting reading into a busy life. Whether I’m folding laundry, driving to preschool drop-off, or squeezing in a solo walk, I can dive into a story at the touch of a button—and @Audible makes it so easy. Eligible new subscribers can sign up for a one month free trial of #Audible Premium Plus anytime! #AudiblePartner #amazoninfluencer @amazoninfluencerprogram
This year, I listened to some incredible audiobooks, but these five stood out as absolute favorites:
📚 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: A beautifully written coming-of-age classic. I didn’t want it to end and could absolutely see myself re-listening in a few years.
📚 None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: A psychological thriller with unreliable narrators that kept me guessing the whole way through.
📚 Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter: Part mystery, part family drama—flawed characters, a gripping storyline, and a chef’s kiss ending.
📚 All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: A masterpiece of storytelling that starts as a serial killer mystery and evolves into something much bigger.
📚 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: A stunning exploration of sisterhood, grief, and imperfect people. The ending left me in tears (happy ones!).
#sponsored Bedtime with two little boys can be hectic to say the least! 😅 But I try to do what I can to make the transition smoother and help my baby get the best sleep possible. 💤 Desitin Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Cream is the #1 pediatrician-recommended choice for diaper rash relief. The rich, thick formula creates a protective barrier on Rory’s skin, working for up to 12 hours to treat, heal, protect, soothe, and prevent diaper rash. And after bathtime, we use @aveenobaby Calming Comfort Lotion. This nourishing lotion, made with prebiotic oat, keeps my baby’s skin soft and smooth for 24 hours. Plus, the calming scent is perfect for winding down before bedtime. A little prep goes a long way in making bedtime easier for everyone! 🍼💤 Both are available on Amazon
Holding on for dear life this December ❤️ I have had SO MANY conversations this week with my friends near and far and we are *all* struggling. I have to say, just knowing it’s not just me feeling the pressure of “end of year-holiday magic- cold/flu/stomach bug season-darkest days of the year,” has made it a little easier to handle. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too 😮💨 (Telling myself this because I could use the reminder too!)
