J had been asking for several weeks to do science experiments, so last Saturday B created an entire day of science experiments.
From floating lava:
To a mad scientist potion:
To swamp juice:
The boys had a blast creating different mixtures and “potions”. The best thing is that all of these can be created with normal household items (and some carefully handled dry ice…by adults only!). It was such a fun day of experiments, and also some tasty treats!
These are some of my favorites and favorite items to request for Christmas. I’m all about leaning into the hygge methodology during the winter seasons and a lot of these are in line with that idea. Cuddle up with a good book, under lots of blankets in warm pajamas with a cup of tea.
1. A collection of Milk make-up brushes in a perfect travel container.
2. Leggings perfect for cold (but not frigid) hiking.
3. My favorite yoga candle.
4. I love that you can pick and personalize Glossier sets.
5. Bow headband for my top knot days.
6. My go to sweater. I can never have enough!
7. Any book from Reese’s Book Club.
8. A muffin tin because mine is rusted out.
9. Sperry boots for the winter that’s apparently going through be super cold.
10. Flannel pajamas, I live for the moment I put on pajamas on work days!
11. These throws are the favorites of the boys during winter.
12. The tea I bring to work in my yeti cup.
13. Seasonal polish.
Happy Veterans Day! Our families are represented by every branch of the armed services, so this is truly a special day to remember all our loved ones who have served and are currently serving in the military. This weekend we went shopping for Operation Christmas Child, and, per our usual, it was a family affair:
Shopping for shoeboxes to send is one of the ways we usher in the holiday season every year. And while the boys are itching to put up all the Christmas decorations, this year I’m taking things a bit slower. We have recently been considering a big step towards building a new home, and while the prospect is exciting, we love our house. With that in mind I’ve been fully embracing our home in each season. Instead of going directly from Halloween to Christmas I’m hanging in the in between, tapping into the Thanksgiving season with lots of gratitude. I’ve been keeping up with my gratitude yoga(J has hopped on the yoga train with me), steadily reading through the Kings reading series, and enjoying the simplicity of our fall decor.
Just a bit on the mantle:
A few touches on the hutch:
And in our plant corner:
Our foyer has a few pops of Fall and a gratitude reminder:
And our Nespresso/Tea station features some perfect mugs:
Even though things are kind of speeding up around here, I’m working really hard to slow down and just take every day as it is. Good for all of us and good for gratitude.
Holy Sephora sale! I ordered all my essentials and I may have hit rouge status when I added a Becca highlighter for my Christmas stocking. This weekend we have big plans to recover from all our illnesses by laying low, watching football, and working on our current mission: de-clutter the garage/attic.
Super satisfying paint pour.
Victoria Beckham’s make-up routine.
Refreshingly minted fall look.
The affect of perception on fashion.
My boys at every sports game, ever.
Improving skin health.
And finally, deep dish pizza.
Sweater, Skirt (Similar), Boots (Similar)
Perfect for a rainy (and chilly) day, the sweater brings a bit of brightness on a gloomy day, sturdy boots help to prevent slipping while walking to class, and a pencil skirt that is fitted, but with small slit in the back for movement ease. Pair it with your favorite rain coat and umbrella and you’re good to go.
Well, it’s officially Fall weather because everyone in our house is under the weather. Ugh! We are hoping for a quick turn around, and in the meantime we’ll be watching lots of movies, football, playing Fortnite, and picking up Mac and Cheese from Chik-Fil-A. I’ve been loading up my Sephora cart for the upcoming sale (already started for Rouge members, starts a Thursday for VIB and Beauty Insiders). Here’s a break down of some of my “Holy Grail” products:
All of these are ones I’m either out of completely, or there is less than half of the product left. These are also products I use almost every single day. So let’s get started!
1. I wouldn’t call this a moisturizer, it’s a lip treatment. I put it on immediately after I wash my face at night and then apply Kiehl’s lip balm right before bed. I’ve found this combination helps to prevent my lips being so intensely chapped all winter.
2. I didn’t think I’d ever find a moisturizer again after Sephora stopped carrying their original formula of my favorite. This one is going to seem really intense, but my skin is pretty dry, so it works. And no oiliness or breakouts, or fragrance.
3. B and I both use this styling creme, and our hair stylist said it’s getting discontinued….hence why I have five in my shopping cart right now.
4. This lip pencil is the perfect pink and it wears so well…I’m super conscious of my lip stick wearing off weirdly when I’m talking while teaching, and this one has never let me down.
5. Living Proof Full Volume Blast. If you don’t follow the directions on this, your hair will be sticky and unmanageable. However, if you follow the directions, your volume will last for days (if you use the Bobby pin bun technique I use to put my hair up at night….I feel like I need to do a tutorial because I keep telling people about it, ha!).
6. I’ve tried other hair sprays, I always go back to this one. Always.
7. Verb conditioner, still my favorite. I trade off using it and Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco conditioner.
That’s a wrap on October! We are officially on the downward slide towards the end of the year festivities with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s in our sites. The boys are already busily circling items in the holiday gift guides as they arrive in the mail. We are preparing for a frigid weekend, so we will be hunkering down to watch some football, finish up our monthly puzzle, and recoup from the busy week!
Easy recipes to switch up our ground beef staples.
Office inspiration.
M&Ms and frosting are the highlights of these copycat Disneyland brownies.
Star Wars bedroom re-do.
Well I guess I need to go get a new bra.
Neutrals versus pops of color.
Slightly annoyed I can’t blame being tired on my age.
Seasonal polish.
Terracotta ornaments.
Similar styles:
It’s full on Fall here! Rainy days and falling leaves, and I’m loving the weight of my striped cardigan. The stripes add interest, while still keeping with the neutral theme. I also love that the colors of the cardigan means you can pair it with a variety of other neutrals. The point of the boot toe dresses up the outfit, and the camisole under the cardigan is perfectly paired!
As soon as there is just a bit of chill in the air, the boys and I jump into baking cookies. One of our very favorite fall cookies is molasses cookies and this time the boys split up the tasks with A measuring and mixing all the dry ingredients and J adding in all the wet ingredients.
Then they took turns dividing out the cookies on the pan:
And then we patiently waited for them to bake:
And they were gone in a flash! This is one of our very favorite recipes and you can find it here!