I have more picks on my LTK profile. You can also access them on this website by clicking the menu bar in the upper left corner and selecting “shop my Instagram.”
I had a mini Q&A on Instagram Stories earlier this week, and some of the questions prompted some “best of” type of product recommendations that I thought would be worth resharing here!
Below each graphic, you’ll see some more details about the items –
These are the most loved and most used towels in our house – guests and children included. They are so thick, cozy, and absorbing… five-star hotel towels night after night.
Hudson used the Lalo high chair and he now uses it in our wishbone chair as a booster seat. It’s been a really great, well-made, transitional chair.
The Stokke I got more recently and Theo currently uses it as a high chair. It’s been great so far and I plan to use it as a booster seat to the table as the next step when he’s a little bit older!
This week’s wishlist is spring-filled because the groundhog was wrong this year (at least in Georgia!). It has been sunshine, warm and bright the past week or two and it feels like spring might be here to stay.
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage –
I love wearing dark colors but in spring and summer, I like to pivot. Like most, I love a beautiful dress that works for work, church, dinner, etc. I discovered this dress and this one and thought they looked so high-end. Love that the belt can be worn with or without.
Love the easy style and price point of this classic sunhat. I know I’m only going to be outside more and more having two little boys, so I should be wearing hats all summer. Coastal grandmother energy and functional = win/win.
It has been a really sweet and peaceful week. And I even had a 24-hour bug on Tuesday, so that’s saying something!
I’ve had a work decision to make that has been looming over me. A decision on whether to start a second business opportunity or pause it for now (update 2/24: this is not referencing this website or my social media, this is a second, separate business I’m referencing). After praying about it and thinking about it for a while, I made a decision to put it to the side. I was a little bummed, but ultimately felt it was the right choice in my gut.
When you choose your family or your peace over career and money – the world will make you feel like that’s the lazy or weak way out. However, when I happened to share my choice with my small group this week, I was unexpectedly met with so much encouragement and support. And I don’t know that I had any expectations when I shared it, but then was so touched that these people who know me personally and my heart and values – they were proud of me for not following the world’s view of success and instead choosing my own view of success.
It’s really stuck with me because while I felt I was being true to myself, I was also a little disappointed that I didn’t seem to have the drive and ambition that I used to. But I think it’s because being a mother changes your priorities. All of a sudden you see how incredibly fast time moves by you, and if you don’t have the time to stop and enjoy it, you’ll miss it. There’s no rewind button on your life.
If you are a person of faith or have any interest in Christianity, I highly recommend John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. It was given to me by my dear friend and fabulous co-founder of Grace & James Kids. When she gave it to me she said, “I wish I had been able to read this when I was a new mom,” and now I absolutely understand why she said that. Ever since I read that book, I view my choices and how I spend my time differently. It’s a game-changer.
That’s the spill of my heart this week – thank you for reading this novel! Appreciate my blog readers so much. This is a special and unique community, unlike social media. It’s deeper. Thanks for checking in and I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend – XO –
This week’s wish list is full of the pieces I’ve stumbled upon, bought myself, or have my eye on. I love these kinds of hodge-podge posts because it feels so realistic to how we all shop, right?
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
I bought these black/white hair clips and these fun clips a few months ago and love both. I wouldn’t say they’re as strong of a hold if you have super thick hair, but for a half-up situation or loose pull-up, they’re fab.
I loved these sunglasses so much I bought them in 3 colors – olive, pink and light blue.
I was shocked that when I put it on, it really amplifies any curves you have. I do have some curves and hips, but I’m talking Coke bottle hourglass. So I can clearly see why it has so many amazing reviews from women of all body shapes!
I was about to purchase the long-sleeved SKIMS version, but then I discovered this Amazon dress. So I purchased it in two colors to see what I thought. And it’s a great grab! More of my thoughts broken down into sizing, materials, cost, and the biggest differences that I noticed below.
I think both dresses run true to size. I ordered my usual dress size in both.
One thing to note is that the SKIMS dress is definitely a true maxi dress. The Amazon dress is listed as such, but if you’re 5’7″ or taller I think it’s going to fit more like a midi dress.
MATERIAL
At a touch, the material feels nearly exactly the same. Both are machine-washable and super soft.
I think both prices are fair for the product quality and fit.
BIGGEST DIFFERENCES
The SKIMS dress somehow does really cinch your waist in this hourglass, Kim K curves way. The Amazon dress has a great fit, but the waist isn’t quite as snatched as the SKIMS dress.
The SKIMS dress is definitely to the floor. So in that way, the SKIMS dress feels a little bit easier to style versatility-wise because it can lean casual (could be paired with a sneaker) more easily.
I also shared a video of each dress and how I would layer it on Instagram.
Do you have either of these dresses? I’d love to hear what you think. I don’t regret either purchase, and I know they’ll be great vacation dresses that don’t take up much space.
Thanks so much for reading. If you have any ideas or requests for future review posts, let me know in the comments! XO –
Last week I had a Q&A on my Instagram, and one of the questions I got and loved was about coffee table books. I’ve never really thought about what are my “favorite” coffee table books, but after walking around the house and looking at my collection – here are my top picks!
I was first introduced to the Vogue Living collection when it was given to me as a wedding gift from my cousin. They are gorgeous. I’ve since snagged another one I found at HomeGoods. You can never go wrong with Vogue!
I asked for this for Christmas and while it’s smaller than your traditional coffee table book, it’s really fascinating to thumb through. I think it would make a great gift.
I actually got this as a surprise for Christian for his upcoming birthday. We have so many happy memories of road-tripping along Highway 1 when we lived in California, I know he’s going to love it. And I can say that here because I know he doesn’t read my blog! 😉
Thank you so much for reading! More home content in the “home & lifestyle” section of this site, as well as home tour-related content under “house tour.” Have a great week – XO –
It was a full but great week! I naively thought January and February were going to be these sweet, quiet months. LOL. Not exactly, but I’ve still managed to check myself, say no where I can, and try to intentionally plan chill time.
The more children we have, the faster time seems to slip away. And I know that will never change. But I desperately don’t want my life to be moving past me in fast forward. And that will only happen if we consistently evaluate our schedules and how we spend our time. So when I feel like I’m breezing by my own life, it’s time to step back and see what I can drop.
I watched Blondeon Netflix for the first time last weekend, and wow. I knew Marilyn Monroe’s life was kind of sad but if even 85% of that movie is true… it’s really depressing. Have you seen it? I’d love to hear what you thought.
I’ve been chatting with Christian and we’ve decided our Valentine’s plans are going to be to eat takeout or something easy and then get in bed early to watch Your Place or Mine. Guys can’t argue rom com’s on Valentine’s Day, right!? We’re getting dolled up tomorrow night for a black tie fundraising gala, so I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect weekday night than elastic waistbands in bed. Maybe there will be a box of chocolates involved – assorted always. A box of chocolates that are all the same is a real buzzkill in my book.
Some Valentine’s inspiration here and here, and my favorite Valentine’s movies here! Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
Valentine’s Day is next week so I hope everyone has some fun plans! I am hoping to grab lunch with some girls and then have an easy night at home. Dinner or takeout in the dining room… maybe in pajamas? Or dinner in bed with a movie sounds amazing.
I did already get some goody bags for the boys and am excited to give them to them. I love that Hudson is at an age where he somewhat understands holidays. It’s super sweet.
Sharing some date night outfit picks below – shop by clicking directly on the item or finding its associated number below the collage –
I have a skirt from this brand and it was worn on repeat in the fall. I’ll be getting it back out when the weather warms up. It really is machine-washable silk!
I have these heels and have loved them so much. They look great with everything and the kitten heel makes them easy to wear all day and/or night. I’m tempted to get another color now that they’re on sale!
For a “holiday” like Valentine’s, I also love the idea of a pajama party – with girls, your s/o, or even yourself. Something like this and this would be so cute with a loose blazer.
I have these jeans and love them. Abercrombie has the best jeans for curves. I love their ultra high-rise styles.
This was a really fun taste test that I can thank you guys and tik tok for.
A gal I discovered on Tik Tok, Danielle Zaslavskay, is always sharing how she eats caviar (I think her family works in the industry?). I didn’t have much on my Christmas wish list this year, so I decided to ask for a small container of good caviar. I don’t think I’ve had any since before Hudson was born.
Christian surprised me with a small jar from Caviar Russe, and here we are!
I had a few gals over for dinner last week, and I wanted to bring them in on the taste test. We popped it open and tried it three ways:
with créme fraise and chopped chives on a Cape Cod kettle chip (CBL girl way)
on a fried mozzarella stick with or without créme fraise (CBL girl way)
VERDICT –
We all love the nostalgia of a Dorito… but the Dorito flavor is overpowering and therefore not the winner.
The créme fraise with chives on a kettle chip was the #1.
I thought the mozzarella stick was a close second when it’s warm. Once it fully cools down it kind of loses the magic.
Overall – it was such a fun experience and I would definitely do it again. My family loves doing taste tests. The Coke vs. Pepsi challenge, wine taste tests, whiskey tastings, tequila tastings, etc. One time Christian and I put together a sparkling water taste test so we could fully understand the difference between sparkling water, tonic and soda water. You always learn something!
If you’re a caviar consumer, I’d love to hear how you prefer to eat it. Or if you have a favorite taste test, tell me what was on the agenda. Thanks so much for reading! More food and drink recipes here. XO –
