2020 year in review
Phew, what a year! At the very least, 2020 was an unusual one, but more accurately it was a dumpster fire.
review posts
12 Random Things That TikTok Made Me Buy
I’ve been wasting a whole lotta’ time on TikTok lately. But to show that my trip down the rabbit hole hasn’t been for nothing, here are some of the amazing, but def nonessential, products TikTok has “made me” buy. Desktop vacuum Love this little vacuum! If you are a snacker...
2019 year in review
2019 has been a year full of changes. We sold our house and bought a new one, moved to Tennessee, started a new job (Aaron), and enrolled the kids in a new school. But the things I’ll remember the most were the smaller moments: Zoe’s weird obsession with drawing “big...
Tech we Love - Rachio
The upside of being married to a tech geek is pretty obvious: lots and lots of gadgets.
Tech in my Life - Apps I Love
A while ago I posted about my favorite apps, but like all things tech that list has quickly become outdated. Here is an updated list of apps that have made my everyday life a little easier.
Modern Map Art
When it comes to decorating our home I favor a clean aesthetic: white walls, minimal furniture and neutral colors. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been someone who can expertly arrange a gallery wall, or seamlessly match bold patterns (e.g., Mondo, Project Runway) in a way that feels both eclectic and...
Loving the Quip Toothbrush
Okay dentist friends or anyone in the oral hygiene profession, please weigh in. Aaron and I recently switched to the quip toothbrush and we are loving it. Honestly, the reason we made the switch has less to do with improving brushing habits and more to do with the sleek wireless...
Rockets of Awesome: The Coolest Kids Clothes - Handpicked and Delivered
I love shopping for Max’s clothes, but at the rate he is growing I feel like I’m constantly trying to keep up with the seasons. That’s why Rockets of Awesome is a subscription service for kids clothing that every parent should know about. Before you stop reading because you think...
Life Lately Today
Nothing is better than when your friend shares a new product or show they are using/wearing and you find out you love it too. So to start the sharing I corralled a collection of shows, podcasts, apps and products I’m loving right now.
Stitch Fix January 2017 Review #13
It always amazes me how quickly the holiday season comes and goes. This one in particular because it was the first year that Max was able to participate in the excitement. Despite being sick for most of it, he had a fantastic time in Chicago opening presents, celebrating his birthday...
Our 2016 mini infographic
Happy New Year! After seeing this mini infographic over at Habitual Homebody I was inspired to create my own.
A little bit of pocket change - my 2016 blogging summary
I started this blog as a way to document my various DIY projects, but it has grown into my little piece of the internet that I love. Initially when Aaron suggested I start a blog as a creative outlet, I brushed off the idea. I thought “who is going to...
Gifts your pregnant friend will appreciate
A very close friend of mind recently found out she is pregnant and I could not be more thrilled. For the first time I found myself feeling nostalgic about my pregnancy (which I never thought I would be!), and actually went back and re-read all my pregnancy posts. It got...
Tech we Love - Capturing memories with Nest Cam
I’m sure Aaron and I aren’t the only parents who have a trouve of videos that go something like this: … (several minutes of uneventful footage) [voice chimes in] well [fill in child’s name] just did the cutest thing … but it doesn’t look like he’s going to do it...
Stitch Fix November 2016 Review #12
I scheduled my 12th Stitch Fix on a day when I was feeling kind of stressed and needed a pick me up. I wasn’t necessarily looking for anything in particular, but was just hoping to be delighted. As always Stitch Fix came through.
Tech we Love - Automatic organization with ScanSnap and Hazel
Aaron and I finally purchased a Fujitsu ScanSnap and we love it. It wirelessly scans receipts, documents and photos within seconds and is small enough to easily store in a drawer. Since buying it, our stack of “need to scan” documents has dwindled down to nothing and completely cleared our...
Crazy Cute Sweatshirts for Boys
I don’t know if it’s the change in weather or the sudden realization that Max doesn’t have any fall clothes, but I’ve been on a sweatshirt buying frenzy. Luckily there are so many cute options out there for boys! This year we are taking Max up to Chicago to celebrate...
Favorite books for a toddler
It has been so fun watching Max discover books. When there is a particular one he wants us to read he comes running over, waving the book in the air and sits on our lap. Even if we are standing, he still backs his little bottom up against us and...
Stitch Fix September 2016 Review #11 and a Giveaway
I go through periods where I stick to the same basic ensemble, lately it has been these total mom jeans (which I love and Aaron hates), with a tucked in tee and these Sperry Top-Sider sneaks. It has felt like the quintessential laid back look for those scorching summer days....
Favorite Wall Decor for Kids’ Rooms
The pictures on the walls can have a major impact on setting the tone of a room. Establishing a kid friendly space can be tricky because you want the space to be able to evolve over time as your child gets older, which means finding budget friendly pieces that can...
Tech we Love - A totally unedited look at my Phone usage
A few weeks ago Aaron introduced me to an app called “moment” that tracks your iPhone usage. Admittedly, I was a little nervous to find out exactly how much time I spent on my mobile device. Before Max was born, Aaron and I agreed that we didn’t want to be...
Tech we Love - Alexa
Aaron loves all things home automation and is always coming up with ways to make our smart home even smarter. Most recently, he has been trying out different ways to control things using voice commands. At first, the system required some pretty lengthy commands to do anything and was sufficiently...
Stitch Fix July 2016 Review #10
Sometimes the best clothing items are the ones you didn’t know you “needed”, until your Stitch Fix stylist sent it to you and realized its value. This was a welcome but unexpected Stitch Fix shipment. Here are the contents of my 10th Stitch Fix box.
Gear Up for Summer
Memorial Day signifies pool season, which means the unofficial start to summer isn’t far behind. To gear up for the long days lounging pool side, here’s what we’ve been stocking up on.
A Cost Breakdown of Baby’s First Year
Having a child is expensive, but it’s difficult to wrap your head around that until you experience it. Aaron and I have always been thoughtful about our purchases, but one of the best decisions we made was hiring a financial advisor. It’s not that we make tons of money, but...
Stitch Fix May 2016 Review #9
In an effort to become a smarter shopper, I did a major closet purge to get rid of items I no longer wore or was hanging on to for purely sentimental reasons (ahem those cut off shorts from college that were still stashed in my closet!). It helped to edit...
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Most days I forget that Max won’t always be so little and cuddly. I can only hope that as he grows up he’ll always love me as much as he does now. But I was a teenager once, and depending on who you ask a bratty one at times, so...
Styles I’m Loving Now
There are plenty of fashion trends that I have skipped out on (i.e., culottes, joggers) and others that took me a long time to jump on (pointy-toed shoes, skinny jeans). Lately I’ve started loving high waisted jeans, floral prints and jumpsuits even though I’d sworn them off a while back....
FREE Same Day Amazon Delivery
Amazon just got better! If you live in Richmond or one of these other 26 metro areas then you can get FREE same day delivery (on qualified orders over $35).
Tech in my Life - Apps I Love
When it comes to technology I am not an early adopter, but I’m married to one. Actually, before I met Aaron, technology was barely on my radar and my DVD player was plugged into the front of my TV. I’m pretty sure he was horrified by my TV setup when...
Stitch Fix March 2016 Review #8 and a Giveaway
Richmond has been hot lately, and during unseasonably warm spells, the temptation to break out my summer clothing skyrockets. Part of the reason is that towards the end of any season my wardrobe tends to feel drab and boring. That’s also why I rely on Stitch Fix to inspire my...
Easy and Affordable Retro-Fit Soft Close Cabinets
When Aaron and I were house hunting, our real estate agent (hi Christina!) introduced us to soft close cabinets. They were a feature we had never seen before yet immediately knew we wanted. There was something elegant about closing a cabinet and having it softly shut behind you. The only...
Eat Smart Now - A New Way to Cook at Home
Since Max’s arrival, one of the most dramatic shifts in our daily schedule has been to our meal planning approach. The casual decision over what to eat has given way to whatever is easiest and most efficient. Needless to say, we enjoy a fair bit of take-out. While we’ve tried...
How to get the Best Price on Amazon
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as when you get a good deal on an item. That’s why the Amazon price history tracker, Tracktor, is an awesome (and free!) and geeky tip that you need to know about.
Baby Stuff We Like from the First Year
It’s amazing how much trial and error is involved with finding the right baby products! While there is no guarantee the products we love now will still be loved next month, there are certain products that we definitely couldn’t have done without this first year. Here are a few of...
How to Get Amazon Prime for $73!
If you LOVE Amazon Prime as much as I do then you will be glad to hear the $73 Prime discount that Amazon is offering to “New Prime Customers” only this weekend (Friday, January 15 at 9 pm through Sunday, January 17 at 11:59 pm PST) can actually be applied...
Stitch Fix Review #7
One of the reasons I love winter is for the opportunity to wear thicker layers. While I typically favor more simple basics, Stitch Fix has helped expand my style to include a few trendier items. With an 11 month old baby at home, I asked my stylist to send me...
2015 Favorite (Non-Baby) Buys
Every home requires a lot of things to make it functional. Unfortunately, not all things are winners—there’s a lot of junk out there. When I do come across a product that, not only does what it’s designed to do, but exceeds my expectations, it’s a very satisfying feeling. Here’s a...
Stitch Fix Review #6
My 6th Stitch Fix box just arrived and it’s the best one yet! Although my style isn’t usually governed by trends, I asked my Stylist to send me a few trendier fall pieces (aka anything plaid!). And she didn’t disappoint.
Stitch Fix Review #5
The mornings are chillier, the days are shorter and my 5th Stitch Fix box just arrived! Now that we are officially into fall, I asked my stylist to send some warm weather pieces. While I typically prefer monochromatic outfits, the zappo printed mixed material top is a refreshing change to...
Birchbox review #2
My day to day beauty routine is fairly minimal—if I use any make-up at all, it’s a dab of foundation and a bit of eyeliner—but my make-up minimalism doesn’t mean that I don’t like to occasionally indulge my girly side and experiment with new beauty products. And that’s where Birchbox...
Stitch fix review #4
My 4th shipment from Stitch Fix just arrived! I was especially excited about this box for two reasons. First, I loved the Margaret M. Emer high waisted cropped pant from my last fix and requested them in a different color but, to my disappointment, they were out of stock. Second,...
Birchbox Review #1
I wasn’t a tomboy growing up, but I also wasn’t really into make-up. I never experimented until the last few years, at which point I discovered that I love testing out new and unique products. So when Ashley got me a subscription to Birchbox for my birthday, I thought this...
Stitch Fix Review #3
My third shipment from Stitch Fix just arrived and I’m excited to share the five pieces in my box. Lately, I’ve been uninspired by my current wardrobe and feeling adventurous, so I asked my stylist to send me some fun/colorful pant options and casual shirts.
Stitch fix review #2
My latest shipment from Stitch Fix just arrived and I’m so excited to share the five pieces in my box. It has been a while since I could wear most of the items in my closet so this package was extra special.
Arm Wire Jewelry on Etsy
I met Jess my first year in grad school and we instantly became friends. We bonded over science and sweets, and have stayed in touch since. After years of being focused on research and science, she recently reclaimed her artsy side and started making jewelry.
My Favorite Products to Pump at Work
I thought that the first week back at work would be a little overwhelming, especially with Max being in daycare, but surprisingly it’s been nice to get back in my regular routine. It has taken a few days to settle into what Max needs for daycare and what I need...
Two Month Must Haves
Last month, I wrote about my first week must-haves for having a new infant. Since that post, I have modified that list as our routine with Max gets more established. Here are the items that help keep Max calm and keep our sanity in check.
First Week Must-Haves
I know some women love being pregnant, but I wasn’t one of them. My entire pregnancy was basically a countdown until I wasn’t pregnant and I’d feel more like myself. But now with Max in our lives for just over a week, I can’t imagine life without him.
Stitch Fix Review
I haven’t been doing a lot of shopping for myself lately, mainly because I haven’t felt very attractive and I don’t want to add clothes to my wardrobe that I might not wear again.