Currently Obsessed

{bag charms}

I'm loving the bag charm trend right now. Such a fun way to add some color + texture to your bag - whether it's a mix like this on a large tote, or a single charm for a smaller bag. My cherry and tassel charm comes as a set from amazon, and I added a bead bracelet Jack made me to one of the extra hooks for some extra dimension and personalization.

Galentine's Day Brunch

Yesterday I hosted a Galentine's Day Brunch for some of my closest friends and co-workers. We had the best time celebrating girlhood! We spent hours yapping and laughing! Definitely plan to make this party an annual tradition.

Greg was a huge help by taking Jack out of the house for a few hours so we could have some girl time. The attire was pajamas or loungewear, and I got a dozen pairs of Valentine's socks for everyone to wear when they came in so we were all comfy + cozy.

I served small bites for a brunch spread - complete with a charcuterie board, hummus + tzatziki, deviled eggs, donuts & muffins, etc. The drink station had bottles champagne and la croix, and carafes filled with cucumber water, espresso martinis, and juices for mimosas - orange, cranberry and the crowd favorite: strawberry lemonade.

On the invite, I requested all the girls to bring a wrapped gift of one of their favorite things ($20-$25) to do an exchange. We drew numbers and each picked a gift and opened it. Then we played a round of a white-elephant type dice game to pass left, pass right, and swap until we ended up with our final gift. There were such good items: lipstick + gloss, perfume sets, gua sha tool, coffee mug, and a sex toy to name a few!

My heart is so full, and I feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing women in my life.

Chocolate English Toffee Bars

My dear co-worker's birthday was yesterday, so I looked on Pinterest for a sweet treat to bake for the Buying Team. Knowing her favorite candy is Heath English Toffee, I landed on a toffee cookie bar. I made a few tweaks to the original recipe, as I typically do. Sharing my version below.

ingredients

1.5 cups butter (3 sticks), softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3.5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 cups chocolate chips
1 cup toffee bits

directions

{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease/spray a 9x13 inch pan and set aside.
{2}
In a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
{3}
Add flour and salt. Dough will be very thick - if needed, use a wooden spoon to mix until just incorporated.
{4}
Spread dough into the prepared baking dish. Use clean hands to press down and ensure it is even, especially the corners.
{5}
Bake for 22-25 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
{6}
Immediately after removing from oven, sprinkle the dough with chocolate chips. Return to the oven, bake 1-2 minutes to just soften the chips.
{7}
Using a rubber spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the entire surface. Top with toffee bits.
{8}
Cool completely before cutting into squares. Refrigerating helps speed this up. Enjoy and store leftovers in an airtight container.

35 Things I've Learned in 35 Years

Today is my 35th birthday, and I'm sharing 35 things I have learned in my many trips around the sun. 

{1}
Don't wait for a special occasion..
...to drink that nice bottle of wine, light the fancy candle or wear the amazing shoes - every day is worthy of celebration.

{2}

You can't pour from an empty cup.
Self-care is a priority so I can show up mentally, physically and emotionally for my family, work, friends, etc.

{3}

My parents are two of the best people on the planet...
...and any one in their orbit knows this to be true.

{4}

Progress over perfection.
As a Type A person, it's natural for me to get hung up on everything being "perfect" but sometimes "good enough" is just that.

{5}

You can disagree with someone's opinions...
...and still love and respect them as a person.

{6}

Dream really big, and have the courage to follow through.
I had dreamt of moving to LA for years, and when I landed my "dream job" after college in California, the thought of moving across the country alone was scary but my dream was bigger than my fear.

{7}

Have a signature drink.
Know how you like your coffee, your go-to cocktail order, etc.

{8}

Establish family traditions.
Jack may roll his eyes when he is a teen but he will appreciate them some day, just like I do of my childhood traditions.

{9}

A walk is good for the soul.
Never underestimate the power of getting some fresh air.

{10}

My favorite marriage advice:

"just remember, you're annoying too"

{11}

Find a hobby...
...and make time for it. Reading is my not-so-guilty pleasure.

{12}

Quality over quantity.
Especially true in friendships. I have my core girlfriends that are like sisters and I value them over all the peripheral acquaintances. 

{13}

Sometimes the best thing is from the kid's menu.
Chicken tenders & fries never disappoint.

{14}

Travel whenever possible.

Nothing expands your perspective more than seeing other parts of our world.

{15}

Don't worry about trends.

Wear what you like and what fits/flatters you best.

{16}

Communication and compromise...
...are the keys to a healthy relationship.

{17}

Find movement that you enjoy.
You're more likely to stay consistent. For me it's yoga, pilates, walking and weightlifting.

{18}

Invest in a good mattress and bedding.

You spend a third of your life in bed.

{19}

Few things in life are better than a chocolate chip cookie.

Grammy's recipe, warm from the oven.

{20}

Soak up the snuggles.

Jack was not a good sleeper as a baby, and I don't regret one second of the contact naps and co-sleeping. Thankfully at 6 years old, he still loves to cuddle mom, but I know it won't last forever.

{21}

Say no.

Know your boundaries and how to respectfully set them with others.

{22}

If you have a sincere compliment, share it.

You just might make someone's day.

{23}

Find your personal style.

Even having a go-to outfit when you feel like you have "nothing to wear" is helpful. Mine is jeans, a button down top, a great bag and weather-appropriate shoes.

{24}

Manners can you take you a really long way.

Not a lot of effort but so important, whether it's a genuine hand-written thank you card or a simple "please."

{25}

Proof-read before you hit send...

...on the email, text, invitation, etc.

{26}

Trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to.

While I don't think everything happens for a reason, I do believe the universe works in mysterious ways.

{27}

Show up.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, keep your commitments. 

{28}

Your intuition is right...

...10/10 times.

{29}

Size is just a number.

The number on the scale or size of your jeans does not define your worth.

{30}

It's okay to change your mind...

...to grow, to evolve, to develop different views and perspectives.

{31}

Take the photo.

Capture the moment forever, as it will soon be a memory.

{32}

Wear sunscreen.

Non-negotiable, especially when SPF is in most skincare/makeup these days.

{33}

Apologize...

...and own up to your mistakes.

{34}

Put on your favorite song.

Music is healing and helps you lean in to what you need - be it a good cry, or a jam-session in the car.

{35}

This too shall pass.

My family's mantra and the quote I used for my college application essay to FSU. The only constant is change - the good, the bad; everything will pass.

Looking Back at 2024

2024 was a very memorable year, filled with girls' trips and family vacations. We experienced a lot of firsts with Jack, including Kindergarten! Quality time with loved ones was definitely the biggest highlight. I can't wait to see what 2025 will bring.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

Dear Jack - Part 6

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy! S I X years with you and they keep getting better. 

This past year held so many firsts: playing a sport (2 seasons of soccer), flying on an airplane & seeing snow in Seattle, graduating VPK and the first day of Kindergarten!

To be honest, the transition from the daycare you had been at for 4 years into a new school was a little rocky in the beginning, but you've hit your stride and are excelling in school and making so many new friends. Seeing you completing homework at the dining table makes me emotional, and the fact that you point out "sight words" everywhere we go amazes me. Soon you will be reading! It's so fun to witness you learning, changing and growing each and every day.

Your love of all things trucks (monster, construction, etc) has evolved into cars - from pointing out sports cars on the road, playing racing games on the Xbox, and creating your own custom cars on your tablet games. You dream of one day owning a Lamborghini (LOL!) 

Your sense of humor and charisma will take you far. Dad and I will continue to challenge you to reach for the stars, while simultaneously keeping your feet grounded. Some day you will realize what a lucky (read: spoiled!) kid you are and hopefully look back on your childhood and know that your parents, grandparents, friends and family love you so much.

- - -

Some things I never want to forget about this age, including a few "Jackisms" I have written down in your Jack Journal:

"Do you know why I like Mustangs? Because they have the DANG!"

While reading a book about space, I asked you to name the planets. You said, "Mercury, Venus, Hulu..."

Jack: "Do you know where my heart is?"
Mom: "Right here" while tapping your chest.
Jack: "no, wherever you go and you feel love, that's where my heart is."

We snuggle most nights after reading a bedtime story. Often it's in a position you lovingly refer to as "baby snuggle" (how you slept as a baby, with me on my back and you with your tummy on mine and head on my chest.) You were being so considerate asking if I could breathe or if my stomach hurt.
Mom: "I'm very comfortable, just don't move."
Jack: "You stop moving."
Mom: "I'm not moving."
Jack deadpans: "Your mouth is."

It was so spunky (and kind of rude!) but I spent the next 30 mins laughing! To this day, I am unable to retell this story without cracking up before your punchline.

One night while reading a book and working on sight words, I asked you to name the letters in a word and when you got to the exclamation point at the end, you made a fist and did an explosion noise!

- - -

I love you to the moon and back, Jackman!

{lover boy}

{happiest at the beach}

{doppelgänger: Kevin McAllister in Home Alone}

{lion blanket Aunt Patty made!}

{VPK grad}

{swinging in Seattle}

{snow at Mt. Rainier}

{cat nap with "River Cat"}

{Home Depot kids workshop}

{first day of Kindergarten}

{homework, wearing the crown from your first birthday!}

{two seasons of soccer}

{cutest pumpkin in the patch}

{Batman for Halloween}

{Go Noles!}