I’m always looking to “tinker” and subtly rearrange spaces in our house, and when it comes to adding an accessory or two I’ll usually reach to H&M Home, CB2, Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn and even Amazon.
So I wanted to round up some things that I’ve either had my eye on or that I’ve actually purchased over the past six months or so. First up, I’ve had my eye on this little kids table and chairs since before Hudson was born. I knew he would love it, and I have loved seeing how much he loves to sit and have his snack or color. The chairs are still a little tall for him at 15 months, but I will help him up to the chair and he can hop off easily by himself. I know he will use it for so many years to come… and I also love that it’s not an eye sore.
This rattan tray is so chic and I wish I had need for it. And I’ve almost bought this candle so many times because I know the glass jar would be so beautiful to repurpose once the candle is burned.
Have you bought any home items from H&M Home or Amazon yet? You know I wanna know. Thanks so much for reading and sharing! XO –
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A few weeks ago I posted this post about “happiness hacks,” and the responses I got from you guys sent me over the moon. So many simple yet thoughtful actions that can boost a mood or funk.
The first two are mine (hence the lengthy explanations), and the rest are all you guys. And in case you needed to hear it today, you guys are freaking brilliant. These posts are truly some of my favorite that I’ve written in a long time. So thank you so much for blessing me with these submissions!
I know they will bless thousands of women all over the world. Let’s go –
1 ) His/Her Cooking Nights. After Hudson was born, my desire to cook plummeted. It felt like I had enough on my plate managing my new roles of being a mother and home owner to my already fairly full plate. So spending the time to research recipes, meal prep, cook and clean? It’s gonna be a no for me dawg.
So I told Christian he is in charge of one weekday dinner. That includes finding the recipe, putting the ingredients on our shared grocery list, cooking, cleaning, the works. And sometimes that could mean calling in a pizza. If you call it in, pick it up and clean up the aftermath!? It totally counts.
And I’ve been unsurprised to find that the meal I’m not in charge of is hands down the one I enjoy the most.
2 ) Listening to classical music while I work. I’ve been working on my classical favorites playlist and I was excited to share it yesterday! Christian has always loved classical music, but our visit to Vienna a few years ago is what really got me into it. I love it, and something about it being instrumental only I find very therapeutic while I’m at my desk.
And if you’re new to classical music, I think a great introduction is the Vitamin String Quartet. They cover top 40 hits in a string quartet and it is a VIBE. Example here, which was actually featured on Bridgerton. This cover is a favorite of mine!
3 ) Special lunch or after-lunch drink. For many it was a Diet Coke with lunch and for one girlfriend it was a Diet Dr. Pepper after lunch.
4 ) Friday night takeout or comfort food. It signals slowing down for the weekend and gives the end of the work week more of an “end.”
5 ) Manicures make me feel like I have it all together (read: I never have it all together).
6 ) I say daily affirmations to myself during my morning routine.
7 ) I have one day a week that I treat myself to lunch no matter what!
8 ) As a teacher and mom of two I treasure weekend morning walks to myself.
9 ) I keep a note on my phone of happiness hacks. When I need a mood boost, I pick one to try!
10 ) Taking a drive by myself, rap music turned all the way up!
11 ) Stepping outside no matter the weather and taking a BIG, deep breath of fresh air.
12 ) Go on a walk without my phone or headphones. Similarly, another gal said she does this and it’s amazing how many more people she connects with on her walk. I love that!
13 ) I pick a day on the weekend for breakfast in bed!
14 ) Using my china for everyday meals.
15 ) Nespresso on the weekends and drip coffee during the week.
16 ) Throwing my blanket in the dryer on cold days.
17 ) Gua Sha session and dessert while watching my favorite shows.
19 ) I light a candle at the beginning of the work day and blow it out when I’m done for the day. And for another gal it was the opposite, lighting a candle to symbolize the end of the work day.
20 ) A face mist at my office desk for a spritz mid-day!
21 ) Fancy cocktail napkins… just cause.
22 ) Two words: frothed milk.
23 ) Putting the baby to bed and a long hot shower while watching Real Housewives of any city. And yes, in the shower.
24 ) Catching the sunrise or sunset.
25 ) Eucalyptus tied around my shower head for spa vibes every day!
26 ) Saving my favorite podcasts for a Saturday morning long walk with my dog.
27 ) “Alexa, play 90’s R&B.”
28 ) Going one full day without using the Internet.
29 ) I started having tea time right when I finish work and it’s delightful.
30 ) Staying up an extra hour after the husband and baby go to sleep to… watch Housewives.
And a few extra submissions that got me good:
I walk and talk to my grandmother on the phone every day. I feel SO much better after those 30 minutes.
I make a latte in the morning and sit in bed while I drink it before I get started with my day.
Happy hour with my partner at home every Friday after work – I alway send a calendar invite!
Zoom get togethers with my girls! We make cocktails or new recipes and just chat.
Taking a walk until whatever was on my mind is no longer the loudest thought.
I ask Alexa what the weather is in Fayetteville, AR each morning. Moving there in 17 months!
There were a lot about waking up early to enjoy coffee or tea alone before the rest of the house wakes up. As well as making the bed. I think there is a lot of truth that how you start and end your day can be really impactful.
If you have anything to add, please share in the comments! If I get enough to do a third happiness hacks post, you know I’m gonna do it. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
Over the past few years I’ve started listening more and more to classical music. We now play it often with Hudson, and I’ve also found it to be really calming while I work. Because it’s instrumental only, I can still focus on what I’m doing while enjoying the melody.
I love making and sharing playlists, and if you search “playlist” on this site you’ll find many posts including my most frequently listened to, 90’s and Christmas. And because I usually add classical music to any Instagram Story of Hudson, many of you have been requesting a classical playlist. So I finally put one together here!
Some of these songs are top 40 covers but presented in a more calming way.
Let me know if you have classical favorites! My favorites are usually Mozart and Strauss. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
What. A. Week. First off, my heart goes out to any of you caught in this wild winter weather right now. I’ve seen some devastating news about Texas, and it is not lost on me that we are so lucky in Georgia not to have experienced extreme temperatures this week. I hope everyone is safe and warm and if you are using your fireplace to stay warm, please remember fireplace safety.
In our house, Hudson was not himself this week with final molars coming in and winter sniffles, we spent a lot of time together and I was really, really fortunate not to have a packed work week. There is no one on earth who will test your patience as much as a toddler who isn’t feeling great. Top that with a partner who has little to no job flexibility, and I wouldn’t say it’s an ideal recipe. I often think about couples with two non-flexible careers and I straight up do not understand how they make it work. #Respect.
I did use the time to organize all of his toys and remove the ones we no longer play with. We bought our first pair of rain boots (they’re adorable) and some spring/summer shoes for playtime outside. And I’m in the middle of assembling his new table and chairs that is so cute I nearly can’t handle it. I recently moved this chair of his from his bedroom to the main den and he absolutely loves having it there. But I mean… do I also need this one? ADORABLE.
After reading this article and this article with so many kid-friendly decorating tips, it reminded me that toddlers love low-to-the-ground seating. And outside of his room and the basement, I didn’t really have anything. So I wanted to change that. I really believe your home doesn’t have to look like a playroom, it just requires a little creativity. How cute is this shag pouf that I don’t need but definitely want?
And I must ask, who is watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey this year? That first episode? Yowza.
This weekend is supposed to be beautiful and I’m hoping we can get outside more. We’ve taken a few short strolls this week, but I know we are really all happier when we are getting fresh air. I’m ready to be able to get outside again! Is it snowing where you are?
Something I’ve learned about myself is when I need a little mental boost, organizing a drawer or closet can really help me feel productive and satisfied. Maybe it’s a control element, but it makes me feel like I’m spending my time wisely to do something that sets me up for more efficient days ahead.
I also actually have an entire post dedicated to pantry and refrigerator organization here if that interests you!
Today we’re rounding up some home organization items that help me stay neat and tidy… and in control (sensing a theme here?). Drawer inserts are a huge win. These are great too from Amazon. I had always waited to splurge on something like this until we were in a more permanent home, and boy was it worth the splurge.
I recently bought a few laundry bags like this one and this one to hold Hudson’s toys. And I love using these in our pantry. It may sound crazy, but I actually enjoy looking into my pantry and seeing everything so prettily displayed.
I don’t have anything like these stackable basket bins but I love them. I also love these. Mental note!
If you have any little things like this that help you stay organized, I would love to hear. I’m always looking for ideas! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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It’s been a long time since I shared my usual go-to’s from Trader Joe’s here, so I wanted to revisit some of the items that consistently make it into my cart lately. Let’s break it down –
1 ) Flowers, specifically hydrangeas. I almost always grab the white or green hydrangeas from the floral section. At $6 for three large flowers, I can often get them to last over two weeks using these tips.
2 & 3 ) Bars – lots of bars. I love these bars not only for Hudson, but also for myself. Some of the ones I always purchase are the ABC bars, peanuts & date, coconut chocolate & date and the pb&j bars. I usually keep a few in Hudson’s diaper bag and some in my car.
4 ) Applesauce pouches. We don’t do a lot of pouches, but these are so great for a little power snack. If Hudson is grumpy because he’s hungry and it’s almost meal time, these will hold him over for another 20-30 minutes.
5 ) String cheese. I don’t know who eats more string cheese – myself or the child. A string cheese is my power snack. Easy to grab, not messy and not bad for you.
6 ) Jumbo cinnamon rolls. Speaking of healthy, these are not. Ha! BUT they are delicious, and I’ve made them for guests before and been asked numerous times if they were homemade. Similarly, we always have a few boxes of their frozen almond and chocolate croissants on hand. We make them every Saturday morning!
7 ) Pre-packaged pulled pork. I actually read about this from an article about Trader Joe’s toddler snacks. I don’t buy a lot of pre-made food like this, but I can sneak English peas, green beans or steamed carrots into this and Hudson will woof it down. We also use it to make bbq nachos that are so easy and SO good!
8 ) Lightly salted edamame. I usually keep at least two bags in my freezer because it’s a great snack, can be warmed in the microwave or air fryer quickly and it’s a healthy snack grab.
9 ) Southwestern chopped salad. I will have this for lunch at least once a week and will add chopped cucumber, bell peppers, fresh lime or lemon juice, almonds – anything I have. Adding some fresh chopped veggies and citrus to it makes it taste like the entire salad is super fresh. An easy “semi-homemade” hack.
10 ) Cheese tortellini. One of Christian’s favorite meals is tortellini with pesto and shredded chicken. If I have time, I will add fresh parmesan, pine nuts and basil. It’s hearty, easy to eat and something that I’ve usually managed to get toddlers to eat also.
If you have some classic items that always end up in your cart, I would love to hear! You can find more food & drink recipes and picks in the “food & drink” category under “home” at the top of this site.
– loving this desert cheetah fabric so much from The Inside –
TGIF, my sweets! This week was a busier-than-usual week, but it sure does have me excited about happily slowing down a little bit this weekend. It has been so dim and dark here the past few days that even at noon it looks like it’s 4:30PM. I think it’s messed with my head a little bit!
I was able to grab dinner with a few girls, and it was really the little boost I didn’t know I needed. I get so much energy and advice from other women, and I know I really missed that during an isolated year like 2020. So much so that I helped to coordinate a little mid-day 4-way facetime call with some of girlfriends for today that I’m looking forward to!
Who else caught the first part of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City this week!? I mean… for a first-ever franchise reunion I think my jaw was on the ground the entire time. I actually watched it twice because they were all talking over each other, so I needed to watch it again to catch everything that was said. Whew! It is not a good week to be Lisa. Would love to hear what those of you watched thought!
I also read this article this week and it really hit my heart. It was yet another reminder that you really don’t know what someone is going through. As challenging as it can be sometimes, if we could all make an effort to be kind and attempt to stretch ourselves to be generous, you could really make a signifiant difference in someone’s life. An important read and reminder.
I hope all of you will have a lovely weekend and will treat yourself to something a little special this Sunday on Valentine’s Day. Even if it’s just a nice, long bath and a glass of wine. You deserve it!
Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and for those of you looking for some red and pink picks, I’ve got you covered in this post.BUT, some of us might be looking for heart-shaped pizza and joggers, and I love those kind of plans too! Sharing some of my favorite chic sweats and sets.
Top shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage –
I have this sweatshirt and sweatpant, and I love them. The sweatpant actually has side and back pockets, which is perfection.
I also have this sweatshirt and sweatpant in black and cut the hem off of the sweatshirt, giving it more of a crop style. Together it’s like, under $20 and still very put together. Layer a trench or puffer with sneakers and you still look like you have it together at drop-off.
If you’re talking crazy soft, a set like this or this is your winner.
While I don’t have this set, the price and color variety is amazing and the reviews are so good!
Who has Valentine’s Day plans? I need to come up with something to look forward to. Last year we had a formal dinner in our dining room and actually stayed at the table and talked over candlelight for hours. Which I call a win.
I started doing this a little less than a year ago. I use my Yeti mug on weekdays but on the weekends, I always use my Berry & Thread cup and saucer. It feels special, and it means I take the time to sit and enjoy the cup while it’s hot.
It sounds kind of silly, but it makes me happy and I’m always happy to see that cup and saucer on Saturday mornings.
2) Look forward to a special breakfast or coffee day.
On a similar note, I recently declared Saturday as “croissant day.” I just buy the Trader Joe’s frozen ones, but I set an alarm Friday night to take them out of the freezer and let them rise overnight.
And on Saturday morning, we all have almond and chocolate croissants together. And I love it.
3) Special “night time” drink that isn’t alcohol. Ex: sparkling water, tea, etc.
In covid times, I found myself having alcohol more often than I’d like. I realized it wasn’t really about the alcohol, but more about having something “special” to drink in the evening.
Since then I’ve poured sparkling water in a wine class with fresh lime. I’ve made lemonade I’ll add fresh lemon slices or berries to. I’ll have a cup of tea and add some half and half. It’s just about treating myself to something that’s not water.
4) Listen to loud music in the shower.
Every now and then, I’ll play my Spotify playlists on FULL blast. And dance by myself in the shower. And it’s GREAT.
5) Don’t be so predictable.
This one is really hard for me. I’m a creature of habit, very organized and being spontaneous can be stress-inducing.
BUT, think about some of the most memorable times of your life. For me, they are times when we did things that weren’t the usual. When you decided to grab dessert at the bar of a restaurant on a whim. When you planned a last minute getaway. Having a “theme night” during the season of a global pandemic.
Those are the things you remember fondly. It’s important to off-road at times!
6) List 3 gratitude moments daily, even better if you say them out loud!
I recently heard someone recommend actually saying them out loud, and I loved that.
I try to say three things I’m grateful for that day when I’m in the shower or when I’m bathing Hudson. It feels good to be grateful.
Or we will play a cool nature video on silent and listen to music. Hudson actually really enjoys watching the fish. Christian will sometimes put on a beach video and it’s nice too.
8) Be intentional about getting at least 10 minutes of fresh air or sunshine on your face.
I can forget to do this, and it’s really so important. I remember our night nurse telling us that babies who get at least 5 minutes of fresh air a day sleep better.
And I thought, “I bet I would sleep better too!”
Bailey will be 14 this spring so while she can’t handle long walks anymore, I’ve started trying to walk her down to the end of the street and back whenever I get the mail. She loves it, I get the fresh air, and it’s a win-win for everyone.
9.) Put on real pants.
I know this isn’t going to be popular, but sometimes you just have to put on jeans or real pants. Put on a bra. Fix your hair (even if that’s just a neat ponytail). Maybe even a little swipe of lipstick.
When you wash your hands or catch your reflection, it will give you a little mood boost. You’ve still got it, girl!
10.) Put your phone in a drawer after 5PM.
Since becoming a parent I’ve done this a few times just because I’ve spaced out, and it’s so freeing. Technology-free moments are so refreshing for your mental space.
If you have any small life hacks that make you a little bit happier, please share with the class! I love incorporating small changes that bring a positive impact to my day-to-day.
Could you do an art tour of your home? You have so many beautiful pieces!
Thank you so much! My mom and sister both paint, so I’ve had a love for art from a young age.
I’ve been asked this a few times but when I don’t show much of something, it’s usually because the pieces aren’t available online. So I try to limit sharing things that can’t be easily found.
However in this Q&A I shared some of my favorite sources for art and I’m happy to share them again!
It’s just a console table that is between the sofa and the wall, and I have the lamps sitting on the table.
Can you show a photo of your roman shades again? Did you get the liner?
I did get the blackout lining and if you search “roman shades” on CBL you’ll find a photo of them in the Friday’s Five post that comes up!
What’s the paint color on your walls?
Many of the walls in this house we left the same they were when we moved in (foyer, bedroom, upstairs bedrooms and hallway). But I detail my favorite white pants and what we used (Benjamin Moore White Dove) in this post.
Yes! I have someone helping me with errands, meal prep, house tasks. We’ve been working together for about a month and so far it’s been really helpful.
Do you have advice for making friends as an adult?
Yes! I dedicated a blog post to it actually and you can find it here.
Where is your coffee table from? The one that changes shapes.
I have lots of easels that I’ve found from all over – Ballard Designs, Amazon, the attic of my parents house, Hobby Lobby, Home Goods.
Linking some options below!
Can you share what a bride these days should put on their registry?
I was engaged 9 or 10 years ago, so I’m a little rusty. But I did share a blog post on what I’m glad I registered for here.
And you can also find it by searching “registry” on this site!
Can you share your bathroom organization?
I’ve yet to do a master bathroom renovation reveal because I’m still finishing up a piece of art for it (!!), but I just have little tray inserts that I have placed throughout the drawers.
You can find similar drawer organizers here and here.
What is a day of meals like for you? Favorite recipes?
Most of my favorite recipes can be found under the “food & drink” category of this site. But by popular demand, I did share a typical day in this post!
I actually did a full YouTube video with 7 different ways to tie a scarf. If you search “neckerchief” on this site, you’ll see many styled outfits with neckerchiefs that might give you some inspo!
Where are Hudson’s booties from?
$11 on Amazon! You can find them here, we have them in a few colors and they’ve been great for winter.
What is your favorite book to read Hudson?
Ok sweetest question of all time. There are so many, but lately we have been reading Babar’s Guide to Paris and we love the Mr. Magee series. We have so many sweet and tender ones, but we read them less often because I end up tearing up. I want reading time to be fun! Not Mom crying… again. Ha –
What are things you don’t need for a baby and things you do?
I find this relative to each person, but I did share a few posts you might find helpful:
Would you share a blog post with your favorite places to buy Hudson clothes?
I get asked this from other little boy moms and honestly… we wear a lot of hand-me-downs from our 7 boy first cousins and gifted clothing.
However, when I do buy him new clothes they are typically from H&M, OshKosh, ZARA, Old Navy or Feltman knit sets from Grace & James. My tip would be to try to stick to solids with the occasional print being a stripe or something classic. Their clothing is already so small that I find the printed pieces to be a little overwhelming. Some pieces I love below!
How do you keep Hudson from touching all of the decor you have? Books, lamps, trays, etc.
When he was a newborn, everyone loved to tell me all the baby proofing and rearranging I was going to have to do. You know, the “you just wait” kind of ladies.
But we have baby-proofed three cabinets (we use these), the outlets (we use these) and the corners of the den coffee table (we use these). We also have a hand-me-down iron gate at the top of the stairs. And that’s it for now.
When he reaches for a lamp or a breakable item, I will say “no no” if it could be dangerous (like a lamp falling on him). Otherwise, I just say the word, “gentle, gentle, gentle,” and he gently touches it, explores it and moves on.
I found that if I let him gently explore items, he usually does just that. I had NO idea how the Christmas tree situation was going to work out. But I let him explore the ornaments gently, touching the tree limbs, and that was that. The only person who happened to break ornaments this year was actually… me. Ha!
So far, this has worked for us. But I just take it week by week, and know that every kid is different. I kind of view it as Hudson has to learn how to live in our house. This isn’t only his house. You know?
How do you keep having fun with the hubs when Covid is here to stay but marriage ain’t goin’ away? What’s a perfect date night with Barnez?
I love this question! We have started “theme nights,” which has been really fun. More on that here and a short video of how the first one went.
Other times we have prepared a nice meal on our wedding china and shared dinner and long conversation over candles in the dining room. Board games can be a nice change of pace along with watching a pre-recorded concert (you can usually find them on YouTube).
Did you breastfeed your baby? If so, for how long?
I had wanted to keep my breastfeeding experience private, but after being asked so frequently I shared a full blog post with our experience. I will try again with our next baby but will likely keep it private as I find nursing to be extremely personal.
Are you comfortable talking about the blogging side and burn out during these times?
I share more about the “business of blogging” in the podcast interviews I’ve been a part of. You can find those linked in the FAQ page of this site under “About Kat.”
I’ll be honest, 2020 gave me a lot of blogger burn out. It was my first year as a new mom. My first year in a new state, home, and region. Coincidentally my first year being married to a healthcare worker in a global pandemic. And my first year where I was really faced with reassessing what I choose to share and what I choose to keep private. I’m also learning to accept that choosing to keep some areas of my life to myself may not be considered enough for some of my audience, and I have to accept that.
Ultimately, it’s my responsibility to determine where that line is. Now that I’m a parent, I find myself pulling back a little bit more due to the increased toxicity that is so often found on social media.
I’m usually my most transparent on this blog as it feels like a safer, more positive place to share my opinions and heart.
Where would you recommend starting with the Housewives?
I would recommend hopping into the next season of New York or Beverly Hills. I don’t think you have to start from the first-ever episode, but it is helpful to start at the beginning of a season. If you end up loving it, you can dig back into the archives!
A lot of people don’t “get” the fascination or enjoyment of the Housewives franchises, but I laugh more watching these women on my television than I do in any scripted show. And the meme and gif accounts that then create hysterical housewives content… it’s just a real giggle fest.
Thank you SO much to everyone who submitted a question for this Q&A! You can find all the past months Q&A’s in the “personal” category or by searching “Q&A” on this site.
Red and pink are two of my favorite colors to wear, yet I don’t seem to wear either enough. I feel like I wear so much black this time of year that throwing in some cheerful color can really impact my mood. I love this chunky knit cardigan. I think it would be perfect with a solid white tee and denim. Loving this pullover also.
I’ve been looking at this wine chiller for at least two years now. I have this candle in the traditional packaging but this special design is so fun!
Last year Hudson was just a little peanut for Valentine’s Day, but this year I’ve been trying to think of something fun we could do together. Heart shaped pancakes and coloring might be as far as we get… but I still want to do something fun. If you have any young toddler holiday activity hits, I’d love to hear!
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, I wanted to share a BBQ Nacho recipe that is the perfect party app to bring to a gathering (if anyone is gathering right now… ) or make at home for your family. Honestly I just want a snack and beverage to enjoy for the commercials. And halftime show.
And I get it. Nachos are easy. But these are kind of next level delicious. Go on this journey with me –
INGREDIENTS
tortilla chips
shredded cheese – I used a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella
chopped green onions
chopped tomatoes
bbq chicken or pork – I used this package from Trader Joe’s
optional:sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, jalapeños
DIRECTIONS
Layer chips, cheese, onion and tomato. Top with warmed bbq pork. Put in the oven at 375 for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with your additional toppings and serve immediately.
If you have a tried and true appetizer for things like the Super Bowl, game days, birthday parties, etc. I’d love to hear. Outside of nachos, I love a cheese board, cream cheese and pepper jelly with crackers and basically any kind of chip and dip. Literally, I will eat any chip and dip.
Thanks so much for reading, and you can find more recipes in the “Food & Drink” section of this site! XO –
