So I wouldn’t say this was my best month of reading in terms of number of books, but I’m happy to report that I read what I believe will be my favorite book of the year (spoiler alert: Betty). I also went into a bookstore for the first time and, ugh, it made me so happy….
Guys… I did it. I found an official Pleasant Company American Girl costume on eBay last December with the full intention of wearing it for Halloween 2020. Yep. Having the real life girl costume was a DREAM of mine as a kid and, yea, whatever I’m no in my thirties, but that childhood dream never…
It was a pretty normal week here and I’m looking forward to this weekend. We are doing a family fun day with outdoor games. Last year we did the same thing and it remains one of the most fun days. I’m also curious to see how Halloween plays out. Our town didn’t cancel Halloween but…
We’ve been having very, very fall-y days and it’s making me so in the mood for Halloween. (I’ve also been watching Sabrina on Netflix and that’s *definitely* getting me into the spooky spirit.) Our mornings have been dark, the days have been drizzly and foggy, and I kind of love it. Normally it wouldn’t be…
Yesterday I did a second post with Factory’s plaid finds and then, naturally, J. Crew refreshed their website at some point during the day and they also released their tartans and plaids. With November officially starting this weekend, I’ll probably whip out my tartans to make this season feel special. It’s going to be a…
As I get my ducks in a row for holiday gift guides (don’t worry I’m waiting until November… otherwise it’s going to be a LONG eight weeks of content, yea?), I wanted to open up space for a post of small businesses owned by blog readers as a gift guide. I know a lot of…
Call me crazy but I feel like everyone is antsy for Christmas to be here. I legitimately keep thinking Saturday is Thanksgiving not Halloween, because the retail world bopped right into the holidays. It’s a little confusing yet… I don’t think I hate it? Usually I wait a bit to put up the holiday decorations,…
These posts have turned into some of my highest viewed ones for the week… I love that you guys love the regular outfit inspiration! TUESDAY It was a mostly work from home day, though I had to go to the orthodontist to pick up my next round of Invisalign trays. My last batch was delayed…
I wanted to share our entire outdoor movie setup. I purchased everything for this summer, but we barely used it because it stayed light out for so long. I had pictured doing outdoor movies all summer long but with my 9pm bedtime it wasn’t going to happen 😆 (#grandma). instead, it’s turning out to be…
(Why has no one been using this song for this trend? Literally all that I hear whenever I see another “ins and outs” trend 😆)
My 2025 Ins & Outs:
IN
More freedom, firmer boundaries
Silver
Red as a neutral
Spontaneous lunch dates
Photography
Redefining perfection
Silk scarves
Going to the movies
Trying new hobbies
Luxurious showers
OUT
Sticking with a book I’m not enjoying
Letting my car be a mess
Guilt around sweet treats
Unnecessary people pleasing
The comparison game
Staying up too late
Over complicating things
Holding in emotions
Yes, I’m an iPad adult now ✌🏻 I have been feeling all over the place with how I stay organized. In a dream world, I’d have a good ole fashioned paper planner, but I need something digital that I can access wherever I am and set alarms and reminders and appointments in my digital calendar. Kicking the new year off with a fresh iPad in the hopes that it helps?? Kind of felt like back to school shopping with fresh school supplies (but more expensive lol)… here’s to an organized twenty twenty five!! 🥂
PS I am trying out @goodmondayspaper on @goodnotes.app and went with an 11” iPad Air!
Not my best year of outfits- but here are some of my favorites! 2024 was all about feeling comfortable in my skin. I was eight and nine months pregnant in January and February- and then freshly postpartum. I wore four different jean sizes (five if you include maternity!), had to start the process of rebuilding my shoe collection (my feet grew 😭), and I’ve been breastfeeding this whole time so lots of buttons. I tried to lean into more colors and elevated everyday styles. I embraced my body no matter where I was on the scale and stayed true to myself the whole time, while still experimenting and trying new things!
Some highlights:
@tuckernuck Callahan dress
@jcrew denim skorts (and staples, as always)
@alice_walk cashmere wraps and gauzy linen shirt
@varley leggings and pullovers
@favorite.daughter hoodie (my emotional support sweatshirt at the moment)
@annmashburn cap toe Mary Janes
@cuyana small pouch + @llbean boat and totes
@oldnavy barn coat embroidered by @bobinettedesigns
@agolde, @levis, and @mother denim
@onequince cashmere fisherman cardigan
@shopdoen Leanne dress
@kiltecollection chic cashmere sets
@warbyparker eyeglasses + @celine sunglasses
Our year can undoubtedly be measured in love 🫶🏻. While 2024 wasn’t without its challenges, it was also overflowing with moments of joy and gratitude. Welcoming Rory into our family in February was the absolute highlight—nothing quite compares to the magic of those first newborn days.
This year was also filled with adventures to some of our favorite places and plenty of meaningful time with friends and family. Rory has grown from a snuggly, snoring newborn into a lively ten-month-old who loves to eat and play with his big brother. And Jack? He’s gone from my baby to a full-fledged kid—a social butterfly with a love for all things sports (and the skills to match).
For me, this year was a whirlwind—a beautiful mix of the magic and monotony of motherhood: pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, and endless caretaking. But amidst the chaos, I found space to nurture myself and pursue what lights me up. I embraced new hobbies (hello, sourdough baking!) and deepened my love for old ones (Rory’s needlepoint stocking is finally complete, and I read 50 books!). I prioritized my well-being with new workouts (@sotomethod has been a game-changer!), dialed in my beauty routines, and even got my colors done.
I also stepped outside my comfort zone, making my first investment in a company beyond my own and hitting a few stretch goals that felt out of reach just a year ago.
Here’s to a year of love, growth, and resilience—and to the excitement of all that 2025 has in store! 💫
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! 🥂
