With a few trips under my belt already for 2020 and a few already planned, I have had travel on my mind. I absolutely hate packing– I’m always afraid I’m going to leave something behind and just wish I could have access to my whole closet wherever I end up, ha! Cute travel accessories can help making the packing process a little smoother– or at least a little more enjoyable– right?
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!
I definitely need to invest on more travel accessories! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
https://mochapolaroid.blogspot.com
Are the Blue Seersucker Travel Set packing cubes? Have you heard of packing cubes?
Here’s a link for pink packing cubes.
https://www.amazon.com/OEE-Luggage-Packing-Organizers-Travel/dp/B07FKPTGT9/ref=sr_1_21_sspa?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqY3zBRDQARIsAJeCVxNudh7lXJNiZMh5T98e7pyQmTpnyXv47rIhbjIQgEfzupyZG-h3a8MaAtS2EALw_wcB&hvadid=323415747344&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061255&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=2915568583763972740&hvtargid=kwd-407712902353&hydadcr=4930_9617616&keywords=amazon+travel+cubes+for+packing&qid=1583580633&sr=8-21-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMU02MFhPVThEVEhaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODM5MzI4MU83OFdGVlFWOE83SSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDI2MDA2M0lCS04wNjRBT1ZMUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
A trench shell is a lightweight rain jacket, made to wear in mild weather or over another jacket. I don’t know what ‘trench girl style” is but if you insist on wearing a trench coat in winter, you should invest in a heavier wool/insulated one.
What are you talking about Nancy?
I’m talking about how Carly wears a shell/uninsulated trench coat in cold weather, when the coat is intended as a rain jacket. Does that help ?
No, that doesn’t help. Why would you make a condescending remark on a jacket when the post is clearly about travel accessories? How utterly rude and classless to tell a stranger what she can wear in certain climates.
Carly – your intro comment in your latest sponsored insta post has a typo in it….pretty sure you mean you “try my best TO #expressthanks…”.
I’ll never understand why you don’t proofread.
Love this! Do you have any tips on how you organize your suitcase? Like do all your accessories go in the clear Truffle? Would love to hear how you do it!
Definitely need to get luggage with my initials! So cute and preppy.
https://petuniaspicks.com/
These are the perfect travel accessories, and I love that suitcase!
https://alexagmarsh.blogspot.com
Hey Carly! I love your recommendations and picks. Just thinking the timing on this one is a little weird with coronavirus on everybody’s mind. My upcoming trip to Italy in April has been cancelled, and I can’t help but think a nod to healthy travel practices and safe travels during this time would have been a good addition to this post!
Glad I’m not the only one who thought this post was a little tone-deaf ; it just reminded me of all my upcoming trips that will probably need to be cancelled 🙁