Where to stay:

If you have the option, I highly recommend renting a house on the beachside of the alphabet streets. We always stay in the same house on D street (ironic because our last name is Dilbeck) and we’ve found that renting through Sunset Realty (rather than VRBO) is a better experience. There is a boardwalk to directly access the beach and because you can drive on the beaches of St Augustine Beach, its easy to tote stuff back and forth. We’ve really enjoyed this unique attribute of St Augustine beaches especially with toddlers.

I’ll admit I was a little nervous about the “driving on the beach” aspect of St. Augustine the first year we went there but I’ve found the positives outweigh the negatives. The beaches are blocked off and patrolled by the coast guard to keep everyone safe. The only time you might be close to the cars is when the tide gets really high but even then there is not much “traffic.” You do need a 4WD vehicle to drive on the beach. It opens as early as 8am (even though the signs say 9am) and there are several beach access entrances. We love that we can keep a big cooler in the car for drinks, and load and unload all of our beach toys, chairs, towels and tents as needed. It makes getting to the beach each day so easy.

Where to eat:

We’ve tried dozens of places over the years and these are our top recommendations:

• Island Donuts: A morning favorite for our whole family. We’ve tried all the flavors and none disappoint. My favorite continues to anything with the blueberry cake base.

• Beachcomber: We love walking here (beach or sidewalk) for lunch. There is beach seating and every item on the menu is delicious. We love the trigger fish tacos and the fish of the day sandwich, along with their house margaritas.

• Saltwater Cowboys: This is a tried and true dinner and date spot on the south side of St Augustine (in fact, they are only open for lunch on the weekends). Its located on the intercoastal marshes and so beautiful. They serve up their own brand of fresh seafood, BBQ ribs, chicken, steaks, gator tail, and frog legs.

• Collage: I’m still speechless over how good this dinner was. Ty and I went here on a date and every single thing was amazing: the service, the dinner, the desserts, the wine. YUM! Still not over it. I had the lobster ravioli which came with an entire lobster tail on top and Ty had the Black Grouper. We also enjoyed a dessert that even let Ty “the never eats dessert guy” impressed. This is a great fancy date night option and is one of the top 100 places to eat in America. Def need a reservation because the only walk-in space is a one, 2 top table.

• Seafood Kitchen: Where the locals go! We order from here most nights and have to-go around the dinner table at our rental. I recommend ordering early and before you go to pick up - it gets backed up fast! The staff is so friendly and this is definitely a local secret. The ambience is lacking - picnic tables in sand overlooking the parking lot but the food is delish. We love the blackened shrimp, the fried oysters, shrimp scampi and the seafood pasta are all ridiculously good. This place is what I think of when I think of good fried seafood at the beach - delicious, affordable, casual and fried.

• Coneheads ice cream: We loved this place! All the ice cream was so yum and they even had many dairy free options for our DF kiddo!

What to do:

• Beach: As I mentioned before, many of the beaches allow you to drive and park on the sand. This makes transporting coolers and beach supplies super easy. From March through September, cars pay an access toll of around $10 a day. There are also dune walkovers (like a boardwalk) which is how we access the beach from our rental house by foot. Lastly, there are opportunities to park and walk in a variety of places. The beaches are also well patrolled by coast guards and because St Augustine is on the Atlantic the waves are big enough for surfing and body boarding.

• Downtown: Historic St Augustine reminds me of a combination of New Orleans and Gatlinburg. There are nice art galleries and historic buildings dating back to the 1700s with beautiful architecture on the outside but inside those buildings sometimes you find the typical touristy stores as well as art galleries, ice cream and wine shops.

• The Alligator Farm: We take the whole family here every year and it continues to be a hit. You can use your local zoo membership for an extra discount or google coupons before you go! There are crocodile and alligator feedings almost every hour. There are also other reptiles, mammals and wildlife presentations. We generally spend about 1.5 hours here and bring the stroller because its can be really hot and its a big facility. Don’t miss seeing the humongous crocodile, Maximo!

• Castillo de San Marcos: This is the oldest structure in St Augustine. I haven’t personally been here but my family says its a great spot to go on a day trip and explore. On the weekends they do cannon firings too!

• Fishing on the pier: Ty and his brothers spend at least one morning each trip here. You can get everything you need to fish straight on the pier - license, bait and fishing rods.

How to get here | Travel:

• Drive your own car: We’ve done this several times. From Nashville with toddlers it took over 12 hours. Because you risk hitting Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Jacksonville traffic it can be quite variable.

• Fly into Jacksonville or Orlando: We flew into Jacksonville via Southwest this year. We then rented a car with car seats (highly recommend) and drove to the beach which took about 1:45 with traffic (we arrived right during peak rush hour). Fair warning, the car seats are not very nice but they do the job and we felt safe for the week.

What did I miss? What else would you like to know about St Augustine Beach?

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Happy Birthday Banner | Red + Blue Balloons | Patriotic Plates, Napkins and Silverware | Red + Blue Snack Packs | Red + Blue Chip Packs | Patriotic Pull-Apart Cupcakes | Number Candle | Paperless Post Captain America Birthday Invite (editable)

Here are the general rules of the kid birthday party road that work well for our family:

• Pick a general theme (Patriotic vs Captain America) or go to the dollar store and allow the kids to pick any of the available themes (dinosaurs, princess, and gaming are almost always available)

• Friend Parties every OTHER year

• Parties are at home (this keeps costs low and planning minimal)

• Invite the same number of kids as age of the child (Tommy is 5 so we invited 5 friends plus grandparents). I stole this from Busy Toddler and love it so much!

• I time my monthly house cleaning with the party to make it easy on myself

• No party favors

• Cater one thing at a low cost (either the cake or the food/snacks) - This year I’m picking up a patriotic pull-apart cupcake-cake at Publix.

Party Decor + Food Formula

I love the idea of a Pinterest perfect party but I also know it will leave me exhausted and the reality of setting up for a party with two littles running around is laughable. So these few thing have helped me keep it simple while still festive and fun:

• Amazon or Dollar Storage plates, napkins, candles and balloons in the colors of the party. I try to focus more on the general colors rather than the specifics of a theme (see little mermaid versus coastal example). For example for this Captain America Party, we picked out red, white, blue and anything flag for decor.

• Order a balloon pack in theme color, birthday banner, and cupcake toppers from Amazon.

• Food:

  • Snacks in red and blue, Fruit salad

  • Patriotic Cupcakes

  • Juice boxes

• Invite: I find an instant download on Etsy and use Paperless post blank invite to upload and send via text to our friends and family

Party Itinerary:

This is by means the exact schedule we followed but I always think its helpful to know what other people plan for and do at kids parties. I always have a moment before the party where I’m wondering “what are we going to do for two hours?” but the truth is that it goes by super fast.

• 2-2:30: Guests arrive/kids play (we rented a bounce house for $210)

• 2:30-2:45: Eat snacks/food

• 245-3:00: Sing Happy Birthday + Eat Cake

• 3:00-3:15: Open Gifts

• 3:15-3:45: Kids Play

• 3:45-4:00: People start to leave

Price breakdown for Tommy’s Patriotic Super-Hero Party:

• Invitation: $10

• Sending invite: $3

• Amazon decor + snack packs: $73

• Cupcakes: $36

• Fruit + Juice Boxes

• Bounce House: $210 (optional)

  TOTAL: $137

I hope this will help you plan your next kids birthday party with less stress.

Happy Birthday Banner

Red + Blue Balloons

Patriotic Plates, Napkins and Silverware

Red + Blue Snack Packs

Red + Blue Chip Packs

Patriotic Pull-Apart Cupcakes

Number Candle

Paperless Post Captain America Birthday Invite (editable)

I love the idea of a hostess gift. It is so easy to bring a bottle of wine but lately, I’ve wanted to be more thoughtful and conscientious in what I bring. Here are 6 thoughtful and unique hostess gifts for your next party:

1.Nice Olive Oil

This one was recommended to me recently and I’m excited to bring it to an upcoming Croquet x 10th Anniversary party we are attending this weekend. I love the idea of pairing it with a kind thank you note and a pretty ribbon around the neck. Not to me

ntion, the wine bags I already own can contain this well if needed. A friend brought me some delicious olive oil back from a recent trip they took and I thought that was another great way to stock up on a hostess gift too (plus might give a story to tell with it!)

2. Reed Diffuser

I love a reed diffuser as opposed to a candle for a hostess gift. Some of my favorite scents are the Moroccan Amber by Nest and ever-classic Volcano scent. You could choose something you love too or play it safe with the above scent options. I'm linking a bunch of options at a variety of price points - many which are available on Amazon for fast shipping.

3. Cocktail Napkins (personalized)

If you have a little warning, I love to order a customized set of cocktail napkins with family name. If you are running short on time, these Amazon ones with just the last initial are another great option that show a personalized touch.

4. Himalyan Sea Salt

Another kitchen staple, this is a great addition to any kitchen. Like the olive oil, I like the idea of finding these in places we visit and stowing them away for hostess gifts. If you are looking locally, Williams Sonoma has a great staple Himalayan salt. You could even pair it with a pinch pot if you are looking for an upgraded hostess gift option.

5. Wooden Pinch Pot

Like I mentioned above, a pinch pot is a great stand alone item as a hostess gift or could be paired with a chunky spice like the Himalayan salt. I love this one in wood for under $30 and there are also some great marble options.

6. Salad Tongs

Last but not least, an elegant set of Salad tongs is both a practical and memorable hostess gift. If you know your host well, this gift can be personalized to their style and aesthetic too.

Shop any of these hostess gift ideas here:

What is your favorite hostess gift to bring to a party? I hope this list will relieve the mental load of trying to figure out what to bring to your next party.

XX

Caroline

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PART 1 | MY MORNING ROUTINE

I should start by saying that I’m an early to bed, early to rise person. Its the way my body is wired. I’m also a 9-10 hour a night sleeper - and my body needs every minute of it so that does dictate some of my schedule. Since my kids were little I’ve gotten up without an alarm - my kids are my alarm or I wake up naturally around 6AM because for (almost) seven days a week for 4+ years that’s what I’ve done. I actually like not waking to an alarm most mornings.

My kids use the hatch light and if they wake up before its “green” they play in their rooms - either together or separately. This isn’t without interruption but it does give me a minute to drink my coffee while its hot, scroll my phone, and have a brief quiet time before starting the day. Fitz is my early bird and usually comes to get Ty or I around 6AM to help him go potty. Then he will play in his room until Tommy wakes up.

Our newest iteration of our morning routine looks like alternating who gets up with the kids. This helps so much with ensuring that we each have a few mornings a week with no interruptions and/or that we can sleep a little longer if we need it. This is especially helpful on the weekends so each of us has one morning to sleep in.

PART 2 | 7AM to LUNCHTIME

Once the kids are up, its go-time until lunch. First we eat breakfast. Note, I’m still not dressed yet. I usually make scrambled eggs with toast, blender pancakes or eggs in a blanket with fruit. Then I clean up from breakfast while the kids play. If they are still playing well together, I go ahead and get dressed. If not, I get them dressed and we brush teeth and hair. I usually try to get out of the house in the morning. We might do something as simple as go pick up groceries or go toa swim lesson or gymnastics class.

Just like my working days, I do my best work in the morning so if we have things like dental appointments, errands, or new and stressful scenarios I try to prioritize in the morning time because that’s when I’m most patient and adaptable. I’ve also learned the hard way about what not to do when the kids are around. For example, I don’t make phone calls, do scheduling or do meal planning. These require my focus and brain power and I can’t navigate that and kids at the same time. I use my MDO days and weekends with Ty’s help to do those things.

I try to have one morning a week where we don’t have anything planned. Often this is Saturday morning and the kids will watch a show and eat cheerios and fruit in front of the TV while Ty sleeps in or hunts. I usually work on a blog post while drinking coffee. We might not eat breakfast until 830/9AM and days like those.

On mornings when we have MDO, I make the kids something simple like oatmeal, cereal or toast with peanut butter for breakfast. They get dressed and brush teeth and I throw on some clothes for drop off. If I have to be somewhere after drop off, I generally get mostly dressed before they wake up/leave their rooms. I make their lunches the night before so I put those in their lunch boxes while they eat and pack their back packs. This whole routine usually takes 1 hour from breakfast to the car for MDO.

Around 11AM, the boys eat lunch. I usually meal prep my own lunches for the week on Sundays and Thursdays to make this easy for me. I let them play outside until they are ready to lay down for naps/rest time. This is also new and helps them use that last burst of energy while I’m able to tidy up the house. I have so much trouble resting when the house is a mess and so this lets me rest almost immediately when the boys go down. Usually they play until about 1230PM.

PART 3 | NAPTIME

Both of my kids still nap most days but even on days they don’t, we use the hatch light to show them when rest time is over. This usually gives me around 2 hours to myself. Often, I still nap or rest while my kids rest. Sometimes, like today, I will use the time to blog or catch up on computer work tasks like following up on emails or online scheduling. I feel like my best days are the ones I just rest and allow my body to unwind. I am often so overstimulated by this time of day that its nice to sit in the quiet of my bedroom. I noticed a huge change in my afternoons once I started doing this.

PART 4 | LATE AFTERNOON 2-4PM

Once the kids wake up from naps, they sit at our kitchen counter and eat a snack. TBH this is the hardest part of the day for me - that time between naps and waiting for Ty to be home. We often spend it outside playing if the weather is right. If not, we will do something like kinetic sand, coloring or playing cars in the playroom.

PART 5 | DINNER + EVENING

Around 4pm, its TV time most days. This isn’t a hard and fast “rule” - like if they are playing happily outside we just keep playing. And if there are friends or family over, we don’t usually do TV. My favorite part about this TV time is that Ty gets home around 430PM and we use this time to catch up on our days. I love that we get this time to transition to him being home (I stink at transitions) while the kids also get to do something they want to do. Right now, we watch a whole lot of Blippi on the weekdays, and Paw Patrol on the weekends.

We eat dinner around 545-6PM. Ty is the chef in our house. I’m in charge of procuring all the ingredients and meal planning for the weekdays. He cooks while I chat with him, watch a show or read. Its a really nice time in our home. We eat at the dinner table most night (except taco Tuesdays!).

After dinner, I clean up from the meal while Ty spends time with the boys. Often this looks like giving them a bath. And I hop in to help getting them in their PJs once I’m done cleaning up. I feel like we really have this down and its made evenings much more enjoyable. We’ve gone through seasons where I will do baths and Ty will clean up - usually its me who says I need to change it up and it always helps. We’ve also found in the late spring and summer its fun to play outside until bedtime.

I read to the kids most nights before bed and then around 645/7PM we start their wind down routine. The whole charade of a million questions, prayers, singing and in and out of bed 5 times takes about an hour. Ty and I usually do a quick house pick up while we are navigating the kids bedtime routine too.

PART 6 | BEDTIME WINDDOWN

This part of the day varies for Ty and I. We usually check in to see what each of us needs. Sometimes we will watch a show together (most recently we loved Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Netflix), sometimes one of us will go to bed early and sometimes we will each need alone time and venture to our separate TVs or books to veg out. I have a whole skincare routine I do and then I will read for 10-15min (maybe longer if I’m reading a good book!). We’re usually both asleep by 9/930PM.

That’s what a day in the life as a mother of two boys looks like. We have tantrums and missed appointments and days we are late to MDO and spills and pajama days and ones we stay up way too late too but this is the general framework for our life in this season. Obviously some days look different - like days when my kids are at MDO but that’s for another post. Maybe I’ll write about what I do while my kids are in MDO if y’all like this post. Be sure to pin and share what you loved in the comments.

xo

Caroline

Today I’m sharing a few surprising tips for shopping at Wayfair and some other great deals going on during the sale. I’m a big fan of the annual Wayday sale over at Wayfair where you can find 1000s of furniture pieces for so much less. In fact, its my go to store for finding home decor. Here are my tried and true tricks for finding the best price on designer pieces for a whole lot less at Wayfair:

1.Use Google Image Search

This is where I always start and how I found my ever popular modern home look alikes as well as some great classic deesigns from other popular home decor stores. There are only a handful of manufacturers in the world so they may sell the exact same item under a different name and price. That’s how I found these black leather recliners.

To do google image search, make sure you are using chrome browser, right click on the item’s image and select “search image with google”. You will see the same or similar images of the same item across a variety of sites including Wayfair.

CRATE + BARREL ASTRID COUNTER STOOL, $449 EACH

WAYFAIR AMIYLA COUNTER STOOL (SET OF 4), $118.75 EACH

2. Shop within Wayfair too for the best price. Often a very similar item item will be a different price under a different manufacturer or name.

• See this example below “leather task chair” and the color: “vintage whiskey” are consistent. I hope that will help you in searching to find the best price!

3. Check the measurements before you purchase and measure against your space. Some of the lowest reviews are about the size of the item but this information is available before you purchase. Take the time to measure. Wayfair also has some great size guides here if you need help. Here are some good rules of thumb for a space:

• Mirrors + Art: Make sure your mirror diameter is 1/2 to 3/4 the width of the table or sofa its above.

• Dining Chairs: Leave room for seats to pull out on your rug if you are shopping dining, tables, chairs and rugs.

• Rugs: When in doubt, go bigger rather than smaller. An 8 x 10 or 9 x12 is appropriate size for a standard sofa (80”).

• Coffee Tables: A similar rule of thumb to mirrors and art. Coffee tables should be 1/2 to 2/3 width of sofa, and there should be 15-18” between the seating and the table for a livable space.

• Chandeliers: Hang 32-36’ above your dining table. Again, the diameter of your chandelier should be about a half to two-thirds of the length of your table

• Drapery: Tall, high and wide is your friend.

Wayfair also has some great size guides here if you need help.

4. Read Reviews: Before making a purchase, read reviews from other customers to ensure the quality and satisfaction of the product. And don’t just read the highest reviews, read the 1 and 2 stars as well.

5. Be Aware of Return Policies: Familiarize yourself with Wayfair's return policies, especially when buying large furniture items or decor. Make sure you understand the return window and any associated fees. I’ve found Wayfair to be extremely helpful in recent years if there’s been a problem with my order. For example, we were missing a piece of our outdoor sectional and they express shipped a new one. I’ve also had things damaged in shipping and they’ve been happy to reship. I will say that refunds are rare and if you just don’t like something you will pay a premium to ship it back and restocking fees.

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This was a slower month for me and I blame it on having a blast with visiting cousins, (another) sinus infection and one book that I can’t quite get through (maybe I need to call it quits). You can always catch what I’m reading in real time and other book ideas on Instagram. I save everything in my “books” highlight and share as I finish books too. You can see what I read in previous months here. Here’s what I read this month:

April Books! What I've read this month.

The Housemaid

This is the prequel to the Housemaid’s Secret which I loved. I don’t think it matters which order you read them in. I stayed up way too late reading this psychological thriller about a housemaid with a deep secret who discovers her employer isn’t who she thinks. Fun and exciting read.

The Secrets We Buried

This is my first time reading Becca Day and I really enjoyed this one. Its about a death among a group of friends wher ehte husband is the suspect. Years later, he moves back to the neighborhood and they don’t know whether to trust him or be scared of him. A terrific whodunnit with so many twists and turns you’ll be guessing through the epilogue.

All Good People Here

The story of a small town murder that was never solved and one reporters quest to solve the death of her childhood friend. Jaw dropping ending. You won’t be able to put it down.

ICYMI March Books

The Last to Vanish

There is totally a story here but it was didn’t pick up until about page 80 and then again at page 190. Ending left something to be desired.

The Golden Couple

Could not put this down. Its about a picture perfect couple (on the outside) who goes to an unconventional counselor who swears she can fix anyone in just 10 sessions. Wild ride. So many twists and turns, and a terrific ending.

The Wife Between Us

Very Trippy and clever. Well-written. A recently divorced woman tries to prevent her ex-husband’s second marriage from happening - and she’s not the crazy one! You won’t be able to put this down.

The Unhoneymooners

This is a predictable beach read. I found the banter between the boy and girl who “don’t like each other” to be immature and annoying in the first half. But the second half is MUCH improved and did not disappoint with a plot twist. Good, easy and light love story read.

Love Theoretically

This is a super cute story of a nerdy physicist trying to find her way in the male-dominated STEM professor world. About 1/8 of the book has strong language and some steamy scenese which I felt took away from the book. Overall a great read and would recommend.

The Pilot’s Wife

This is an old one but aged so well. I loved reading this! Its about a pilot who is killed in a plane crash of a plane he was piloting. As the wife is dealing with fallout of that, she begins to uncover his secret life. Full of surprises and very emotional. Oprah’s book club in…1999! Apparently this was a soft trilogy and Fortune’s Rocks and Sea Glass are the two prior books. They are both on my list for future reads.

The Housemaid’s Secret

Holy smokes this was a page turner and so incredibly good! This is actually the second book in a series - the first book is called the Housemaid. I will be reading it in April although this book stood fine alone. Its about a girl with a felony record who has a hard time finding work and is looking to get hired as a maid in rich person’s home. She has a history as a social worker and is known for helping women escape domestic violence situations. When she starts working for this family, she has an eerie feeling but you will never guess what’s actually going on. So many twists and turns and a great ending.

Up Next…

Kristen Hannah, The Women

Ashley Elston, First Lie Wins

Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

ONE

This first look has my favorite layering piece for spring: the trench coat. This year I upgraded my classic mid thigh coat from Jcrew to this longer length one from Mango. I love how lightweight this jacket it is but most of all that its weather proof and great for this season. It really elevates an otherwise boring outfit. I’m also wearing my go-to top for this season, a white button down. This chain necklace is old JCrew but luckily it came back around and they are now selling a similar one linked here. These Levi’s Ribcage have been a favorite for the past several years (in fact, I ordered a pair in white for late spring/summer). And I’m still crushing on these under $30 black slingbacks from Target. Super comfy and the heel-height is manageable.

Mango Trenchcoat | JCrew White Button Down | Jcrew Chain Necklace | Madewell Black Leather Bag | Levi’s Ribcage Black Denim | Target Slingbacks

TWO

This classic designer look alike sweater was a favorite this winter and continues to be this spring. I love wearing this for cooler spring days and the millennial in me can’t resist putting a tank underneath to stay warm. This is paired with my splurge (and FAVORITE!) denim for spring the Agolde Wide Leg Jean in Disclosure. These are TTS and wow! just look so so nice whether dressed up or down. A really versatile pair of nice jeans that are already getting lots of wear on my end. I’m again wearing my Target Black Slingbacks and carrying this cutie handbag from Madewell.

Classic Striped Sweater (another option) | Wide Leg Denim Agolde in Disclosure | Target Slingbacks | Madewell Black Leather Handbag

THREE

This look is probably my most seen for on the go as a mom of two boys under 4. I love that the Quince cashmere sweater is an easy add on a cool morning but I can take it off and throw over my shoulders as the day warms up. Also wearing this white tshirt underneath (availble for $10 - I have three!) and my Agolde Wide Leg Denim in Disclosure again with classic Reeboks. Lastly, I think minimal jewelry adds so much elegance even to an outfit just for running errands. I’ve really tried to remember to wear it more this season. Here I’m wearing this Amazon Diamond solitaire (read CZ!) necklace and a mix of bracelets including this one from JCrew.

Quince Cashmere Sweater in Gray | A New Day White Tshirt | Agolde Wide Leg Denim in Disclosure | Amazon CZ Solitaire Necklace | JCrew Paper Clip Bracelet | Reebok Classics for Women

FOUR

This is probably my dressiest day time look for spring and I love that it can transition to a date night as well. I’ve worn this to everything from parent-teacher conferences to girl dates at RH Cafe to meeting with an attorney about creating a will (ugh! I feel old!). Besides the trench, a black blazer is a great layering piece for many seasons. The black blazer I’m wearing over my white button down is also JCrew Factory and I love the its lined. I’m also wearing my favorite Amazon woven bag and a pair of super comfy nude heels by Naturalizer. The heels were a bit of a splurge but the comfort has made it so worth it and I wear them more because of it. I’m also wearing my white button down again, as well as my favorite versatile wide leg trousers by Agolde.

JCrew Factory Black Blazer | JCrew White Button Down (Sized up for comfort) | Chain Necklace | Agolde Wide Leg Denim in Disclosure | Paperclip Bracelet | Nude Pumps by Naturalizer

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I didn’t realize how many books I read this month until I looked back to pull together this post! You can always catch what I’m reading in real time and other book ideas on Instagram. I save everything in my “books” highlight and share as I finish books too. Here’s what I read this month! You can see what I read in January here.

March Books! What I've read this month.

The Last to Vanish

There is totally a story here but it was didn’t pick up until about page 80 and then again at page 190. Ending left something to be desired.

The Golden Couple

Could not put this down. Its about a picture perfect couple (on the outside) who goes to an unconventional counselor who swears she can fix anyone in just 10 sessions. Wild ride. So many twists and turns, and a terrific ending.

The Wife Between Us

Very Trippy and clever. Well-written. A recently divorced woman tries to prevent her ex-husband’s second marriage from happening - and she’s not the crazy one! You won’t be able to put this down.

The Unhoneymooners

This is a predictable beach read. I found the banter between the boy and girl who “don’t like each other” to be immature and annoying in the first half. But the second half is MUCH improved and did not disappoint with a plot twist. Good, easy and light love story read.

Love Theoretically

This is a super cute story of a nerdy physicist trying to find her way in the male-dominated STEM professor world. About 1/8 of the book has strong language and some steamy scenese which I felt took away from the book. Overall a great read and would recommend.

The Pilot’s Wife

This is an old one but aged so well. I loved reading this! Its about a pilot who is killed in a plane crash of a plane he was piloting. As the wife is dealing with fallout of that, she begins to uncover his secret life. Full of surprises and very emotional. Oprah’s book club in…1999! Apparently this was a soft trilogy and Fortune’s Rocks and Sea Glass are the two prior books. They are both on my list for future reads.

The Housemaid’s Secret

Holy smokes this was a page turner and so incredibly good! This is actually the second book in a series - the first book is called the Housemaid. I will be reading it in April although this book stood fine alone. Its about a girl with a felony record who has a hard time finding work and is looking to get hired as a maid in rich person’s home. She has a history as a social worker and is known for helping women escape domestic violence situations. When she starts working for this family, she has an eerie feeling but you will never guess what’s actually going on. So many twists and turns and a great ending.

Up Next…

The Housemaid and The Secrets we Buried

ICYMI February Reads:

Its Always the Husband

This was a little slow in the middle but a GREAT ending. It takes you back and forth in time over a span of twenty years with three friends with very different backgrounds. I also loved the Woman in Cabin 10 by this same author.

Back in the Burbs

Cute and quick read. I picked it up because it was set in New Jersey. I was hoping for Janet Evanovich vibes but its more of a beach read, coming of age and love story with a side of New Jersey.

Everything After

The small choices make the big choices… unless you are the main character in a love story book. Good, relatable ending. with a messy, uncomfortable “what are you doing with your life?” middle.

The One by John Marrs

The One is by far one of my favorite books I've ever read - but don't watch the TV show. It doesn't do the book justice. This book follows six different people who all are looking to find ‘the One,’ but not in the traditional sense. In the future a DNA test can find your perfect match. Would you want to know?

What are you reading this month?

XO

Caroline

Plus don’t miss the major discount happening on the last day of the sale - details below! You can also see the DEAL OF THE DAY here during the Target Circle Week.

Target Spring Sales 4/7-4/13:

Click any sale category to hop straight to the sale items

• 30% off Swim Wear + Sandals for the Family

• 20% off Skin, Hair, Nail and Sun Care

• 30% off Tees, tanks, shorts and dresses

• 30% off outdoor living

• 30% off bedding and bath

• 20% off grocery faves

• Up to 40% off floor care items

Target Spring Sales on Gift Cards:

• $15 gift card when you spend $50 on Home care items

• $15 gift card when you spend $50 on Ulta Beauty

• 10% off Target Gift Cards - 4/13 ONLY (Teacher Appreciation Week and End of Year Teacher Gifts!!)

Also, don’t miss the deal coming on Saturday 4/13 ONLY!

**10% off Target Gift Cards**

Think upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day and End of Year Teacher Gifts.

ORGANIZING

I have personally used and owned all of these products! Target is a great option for affordable organizing products. In fact, I have a whole YouTube video comparing The Container Store products to the ones available at Target. Brightroom is a great brand for organizing products available through Target. Some of my favorite and most used organizing are the three tier cart which I’ve given as a baby shower gift, used as an art cart, workout cart and postpartum nursing cart in my own home. I also use these storage trays which are super affordable at only $2 per pack to organize not only the tiered cart but also for easy drawer storage. Target is also my go-to place for decorative hooks. A hook is one of the easiest ways to get things up off the floor and better utilize vertical space. Lastly, Targets woven basket (this one’s my favorite!) game is hot! If you’ve got to store things in the open, make it pretty.

• Brightroom Grey/White Woven Storage Bin

• Coiled Rope Storage Basket

• 3 Tier Utility Cart (Nursing Cart, Art Cart, Work Out Cart!)

• Black Modern Hook

• Y-weave bins

• Fabric Cube Storage Foldable Bins (only $4 each)

• Storage Trays (only $2 per multi pack!)

• Clear All purpose bins

• Two Bar Jewelry Organizer

• Acrylic Slim File Box (Magazine Holder)

• Dry Erase Storage Labels

• Braided Seagrass Crate (fits in 13” Brightroom cube storage)

• Stackable Shoe Shelf

• Studio McGee Blush Rattan Basket

• Woven Aseana Large Round Market Basket

• Curved Y-weave bin

WOMEN’S FASHION

Below I’ve linked my favorite fashion items from Target. As most of you know from my capsule wardrobes, I love to mix high and low items with a focus on the basics. These are some of my favorite finds from the recent seasons. In particular, I love the basic tshirt - I have it in so many colors and its only $10.

• Ribbed racer back tank (Great closet basic!)

• Basic White T-shirt (comes in many colors)

• Slingbacks

• Cognac Slide Sandals

• Quarter Zip Pullover

• Tech Gloves

• Suede Aggie Dress Booties

• Crewneck Sweatshirt

• Ballet Flats

• Hair Barrett

• Suede Ankle Booties

• Cropped Racerback Tank

• Levi’s Ribcage Straight Jeans

BABY

You can find everything you need to build a postpartum nursing cart as well as most of my favorite baby registry items at Target. Many of those items are on sale during the Target Spring Sale. For that full list of items go here.

GIRLS CLOTHING

Great core pieces for toddler, tween and teen girls all from the girls capsule wardrobe. You can check out the full Girls Capsule Wardrobe for Spring here. Take a look at the Girls dresses marked down up to 30% during the sale here.

• Knit Shorts

• Eyelet Top

• Short Sleeve T-shirt

• Long Sleeve Basic T-shirt

• Ruffle knit shorts

BOYS CLOTHING

Great core pieces for toddler, tween and teen boys all from the boys capsule wardrobe. You can check out the full Boys Capsule Wardrobe for Spring here.

• Short Sleeve Basic T-shirt

• Woven Solid Shorts

• Jersey Joggers

• Henley Short Sleeve

• Long Sleeve Basic T-shirt

HOME + DECOR

Just like clothes, I love mixing high and low pieces in my home too. These are all pieces I have purchased and loved. Some of my favorites include the large Studio Mcgee Off Center Frames (FINALLY back in stock!) that line my hallway with family photos, as well as the peel and stick wallpaper that I’ve used to line drawers in multiple houses. I also really love my gold silverware for special occasions and hosting, as well as the Studio Mcgee outdoor stool (we have two!).

• Clear Bathroom Wastebasket

• Valencia Desk Lamp in Brass (a great designer look alike)

• Wood Gallery Wall Picture Frames

• Studio Mcgee Off Center Large Wall Frames

• Aruba Blackout curtains

• Southport Patio Pair of Chairs (Rattan and Metal)

• Studio Mcgee Round Bamboo Basket with handles

• All purpose acrylic tray

• Stone Agate Coasters

• Woven Hyacinth Tree Collar for Christmas

• Metallic Peel and Stick Wallpaper (love this for drawer liner!)

• Speckled Dot Peel & Stick Wallpaper

• Gold Silverware

• Studio Mcgee Round Ceramic Indoor/Outdoor Stool

• Cute Doormat

BEDDING + BATH

I have THREE of the easy care duvets in a variety of sizes. They wash well and stains come out so easily! I’ve loved them for my boys and for myself over the last 10+ years. The Cuyana blanket feels so luxurious and our guests always comment on the weight and look of it! Lastly, you can’t beat these twin sheets for under $10 per set. We bought 4 sets for our toddler boys beds and they are still a favorite 3 years later!

• Clear Bathroom Wastebasket

• Easy Care Duvet

• Oversized Woven Blanket by Cuyana (YUM!)

• Twin Microfiber Sheet Set (under $10 per set!)

What are some of your Target favorites? I’d love to see.

PIN + SHARE

I love seeing what appeals to y’all each month and am especially grateful to one kind follower who let me know the breastfeeding nursing cart links were no longer working. They are up and working again and I’m so glad! If you ever find or have issues and questions, don’t hesitate to tell me. 

You can scroll down to check out the rest of the March best sellers. Don’t forget to visit my Amazon storefront for more of my favorites from Amazon including my Simplified Baby Registry. 

MARCH BEST SELLERS:

Vidalia Onion (Vegetable) Chopper

This little wizard is my favorite kitchen gadget. It makes chopping up vegestables super quick. I use it to make my go-to meal prep salad - the Jennifer Aniston salad.

Conair Fabric Shaver

A great little discovery that is saving my 100s if not thousands of dollars. I tried it on all three of my cashmere sweaters and they all look like new. For $10, you can’t beat this little luxury.

Bissell Little Green Machine

I bought this on a whim when Coden (my black lab) was tossing his cookies two to three times a week. I’ve never used more than warm water and its gotten ick out of cheap carpet and thousand dollar rugs. I’ve also taken it to my toddler-sticky-finger-stained sofa and its worked magic. Wait for it to go on sale for under $100!

UpSpring MilkScreen Strips (from the Postpartum Nursing Cart)

These strips test your milk for alcohol before you feed baby and are on my list for the postpartum nursing cart.

Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners

If you go with a traditional changing pad, these liners are a great option. I actually preferred the Keekaroo changing pad that you can just wipe down each time. You can see my full list of picks for baby here in my Simplified Baby Registry.

Retinol Firming Cream (I have this one at 0.25% )

I recently started my own retinol journey and it appears that some of y’all have too! I’m using this cream and started with the 0.25% as recommended by my aesthetician since I have sensitive skin. I’ve been using it for about 4 weeks and already see a huge improvement in fine lines and the overall smoothness of my skin. I recently bought the 1% for my chest and will let y’all know how it goes!

Lansinoh Breast Therapy Packs

I wish I had known about these when I was breastfeeding. Def a great add on to the postpartum nursing cart, esp if you are breastfeeding.

White Dog Birthday Candles

There were actually several best sellers from Tommy’s 2nd Dog-Pawty! These candles are some of my favorites for kid parties and we used them for Fitz’s Paw Patrol Party too. Another favorite this month was these dog bowls which we used as serving dishes at the big dog pawty!

Burt’s Bees Super Soft Baby Wash Cloths

Another pick from the Simplified Baby Registry. I use these baby wash cloths for my own skin too.

Muslin Burp Cloths

Another pick from the Simplified Baby Registry and part of the postpartum nursing cart.

Check out these blog posts for related items:

Don’t forget to grab your free printable with a list of ideas to help when visiting mom + baby

Your new mom probably bought many of her own postpartum essentials in prep for this time period (plus she will get sent home with a few things from the hospital) but here is the list of items I found most helpful. More ice pads are always welcome, as well as a pack of baby wipes.

• Belly binder

• Pads

• Adult diapers for the first few days

• Ice pads

• Peri-bottle (part of this kit)

• Tucks wipes

• Cooling spray (part of this kit)

• Numbing spray (also part of this kit)

• Baby wipes

• Size-up underwear

• bin to contain it all

NEW MOM GIFT BASKET

Here are a few things I loved or would be fun for that time period

• These lactation cookies are delicious. My mother-in-law made me some eat and some to keep in the freezer and it was perfect.

• A new set of Pajamas (these are great for breastfeeding and stretch enough that you don't need to go up in size)

• A new robe

• Her favorite snacks

• A water bottle with a straw

• Dry Shampoo

• Lip Mask: Lips get so cracked and dry when breastfeeding.

NEW MOM HELPER LIST

But the most helpful thing isn’t a thing at all! I’ve mentioned before that the mental load of motherhood starts before baby even arrives with things like planning what to bring to the hospital, what you will need to bring baby home, sleep schedule, breastfeeding prep and postpartum needs, etc. I’ve found that a list of items that people can help our family with when they stopped by to see baby to be the most helpful. I was so sleep deprived and focused on baby that when someone asked how they could help, I knew there were things to help with but I couldn’t think of what those things were. Print this list for when people ask “how can I help?” I promise people want to help - especially grandpas - and helping is not just “holding the baby.”

PRINT YOUR HELPER LIST (plus a few bonus ideas for ways to help!)

Here are the items we found helpful when visitors came over:

1. Sign up for the Meal Train

2. Drop off a pack of diapers, wipes and/or formula (text mom if you don’t know type/sizes)

3. Take the dog for a walk

4. Light cleaning: wipe down bathroom and kitchen counters, Vacuum the rugs

5. Empty/Fill the dishwasher

6. Ask "What can I get you from Costo/Grocery/Target?"

7. Go grab or make coffee for everyone

8. Check the dryer and/or fold any laundry

9. Empty Trash Cans, take trash out and replace liner

10. Get the mail

11. Offer to watch/hold/listen for baby for a short time AND suggest that mom lie down, take a shower or attend to other tasks WITHOUT interruption

I’d love to know if there are any ideas or items that were helpful for you!

My biggest takeaway when it comes to what you need for the baby years is to keep it simple. The mental load of motherhood starts even before baby arrives and I remember trying to make decisions about what to register for was both fun and overwhelming.

That’s why I decided to make it easy for first time moms by curating just the essentials (what you actually need!) and a checklist to keep you organized.  I’m sharing what worked well for us, a few things that we didn’t end up needing and what I’d get today if I had another baby. Plus I polled my Instagram parents and they shared the items they couldn’t live without (scroll to the end for that list!). Most of the items can be found in my Amazon shop here and I’ve provided details about each item below.

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)

NURSERY ITEMS

All the things you need to get your nursery set up! Remember to keep it simple and prioritize function and comfort when it comes to your nursery - you’re going to spend a lot of time snuggled up here.

• Crib: Obviously you want to choose a crib that goes with the vibe of your nursery. I really loved our Ikea cribs (this one is similar on Amazon). The main priority for us was safety and then making sure the crib could convert to a toddler bed down the road.

• Dresser: Choose a dresser than can double as a changing table. We used two different versions of the Hemnes dresser from Ikea and they did great doubling as a changing station and the drawers were great for organizing baby gear. I also love that they have stood the test of time in our now-toddler bedrooms.

• Rocking Chair and Ottoman: You will be spending A LOT of time in your rocking chair. I had a gal share that she loved the sentiment of her mom’s wood hard rocking chair and kept it for first baby and was MISERABLE the whole. Needless to say, her number one rec for babyhood is a comfy rocking chair and ottoman. We’ve enjoyed both the West Elm Graham Glider and the less expensive DaVinci Rocker and Ottoman combo. I actually preferred the later because it was more petite and cozy for me (but larger dads and grandpas may not agree!)

• Blackout curtains: Creating a calm, dark space for baby is essential to good sleep and for us, sleep was the foundation of sanity in parenthood. We have these curtains in all of our bedrooms and they’ve transitioned well into toddlerhood too. You can double up with the curtains by using a pull down shade (we have this one) if you want an extra layer of protection or if your nursery gets direct sunlight.

• Keekaroo Changing Pad: I loved the keekaroo changing pad for both of our boys. It was so easy to keep sanitary and wipe off messes with a antibacterial wife. In the vain of keeping it simple this was everything. No laundry, no changing pad covers.

• Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail (optional): If you’re a family who takes your trash out daily, I would NOT recommend getting a formal diaper pail. I would place soiled diapers in doggy bags within a normal trash can with a lid. We loved this ubbi diaper pale for our first child because it did not require special bags. BUT it will smell over time when opened up (they all do!). If you live in an apartment, condo or place where you aren’t taking trash out as frequently, I highly recommend this diaper pail.

FEEDING

• Nursing Postpartum Feeding Cart + Storage Trays: Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, the nursing cart is essential for every mom. It makes it so easy to stay organized and find everything you need no matter where you are feeding baby in your home. I loved the convenience of having all the essentials right at my fingertips and it was so easy to put together (makes a great baby shower gift too!). All the details to create your own nursing cart are here.

• Ikea Antilop High Chair: I love this high chair for two reasons: its affordable and its easy to clean. You can literally hose it off outside. I tried the Intaglio fast table chair and another high chair as well, and this was the easiest, most convenient. Can’t recommend it enough. Did I mention its $15?

• Burp cloths: Another essential item. I got a set of plain ones and a monogrammed set for on the go. I loved having both! (4-6)

• Pacifiers: Your choice to use these or not but we had a thumb sucker who didn’t take a paci and one who LOVED his paci. These are the same that we use in the hospital (former PICU nurse here) and they worked really well for us.

• Bottle Grass: This is like a badge of motherhood and they really are great for drying all of your baby stuff including pump parts. Gotta have this!

• For Bottle Feeding moms: bottles, bottle brush and drying rack: If you already know you are going to bottle feed then go ahead and buy the bottle brush and bottles (these are my favorite). But if you plan on breastfeeding, these can wait.

• Bibs: Gotta have a good set of bibs not just for food and eating but also for lots and lots of drool. (5-8)

• Boppy: Again, you need LOTS of places to safely set baby. A boppy is a great option. Its also a great tool for breastfeeding, bottle feeding and propping yourself up in bed.

• Haaka (optional) : If you are breastfeeding mom, this was another game changer for me. It helped me catch any let down from my other breast wild baby was nursing on the opposite side. It also really helped get my supply up. Make sure you get the one with the flower stopper so you don’t spill your milk.

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)

SLEEPING + SWADDLING

• Ollie Swaddle: If I had to buy one swaddle for a newborn, this would be it. In fact, these sell out regularly because they are that good. You can swaddle arms in or arms out and it works on even the best swaddle-escape artist. Plus its super easy to use which means someone other than you can do it! I also love that it helps with the startle reflex so baby is less likely to wake themselves up.

• Velcro Swaddle: I recommend getting 1-2 velcro swaddles as well, in the event the Ollie is dirty or your baby is not Houdini.

• Sound Machine: We placed a sound machine both inside the baby’s room and just outside the door to provide adequate white noise to keep us from waking up baby. We continue to do this in toddlerhood and its worked really well for us. We put this dome in the hallways right outside their room.

• Hatch Light: We’ve LOVED the hatch light and I think its been key to successful sleep for our babies. It acts as a subtle nightlight and sound machine in babyhood. As your child gets older, you can use it as an indicator light for when its time to get out of bed etc. And its easy to control from your phone in case you need to increase or decrease the sound or the light for late night diaper changes without turning bright lights on.

• Muslin blankets (4): These blankets are so soft. I recommend starting with 4.

• Fleece Halo Sleep Sack: I recommend registering for the small and medium sizes in this fleece sleep sack. It does a great job keeping baby warm once their hands are free and their startle reflex starts to go away. I also love the wrap it has to make baby feel secure. Safe for babies who are rolling over.

• Baby Shusher: The shusher is a great adjunct for helping with baby sleep. Plus it can double as an on the go sound machine when you need it too (no need for both1). This tiny little machine makes a shuuu, shuuush, shuuu sound just like you do and really does help with the transition from mom’s arms to crib/bassinet.

• Crib Sheets: These are soft, organic cotton, wash well and come in a variety of colors. Recommend 2-4 sheets.

• Crib Mattress: Don’t overthink this. Your baby does not need the Range Rover of crib mattresses. We bought one from Ikea when we purchased the crib. Here is another one from Amazon that we also liked for our second son. The main thing you are considering is safety - making sure it is the correct size to fit snuggly into your crib so baby can’t slip in between the rail and the mattress. Most cribs and mattresses are standard size so this is not an issue unless you are using a hand me down or unique sized crib.

• Mattress cover: Another MUST HAVE to go with your crib and mattress. The main thing here is you don’t want it to be loud and crinkly because it WILL wake up baby. You also want it to be waterproof because babies are messy! We loved this one for both of our boys.

• Baby blanket: While you won’t be leaving a blanket in the bed with your baby just yet, you will eventually. I loved having a personalized keepsake blanket for each of my boys. We got this one monogrammed and they still sleep with it and take it with them when they travel. Its a great size for mom too if you need an extra layer while feeding at home. Plus, people love giving unique personalized gifts so this is a perfect registry item.

• Magnetic Me Pajamas: You will notice that I’m not including a lot of clothes here. My best recommendation is the Magnetic Me onesies so you are not trying to put together buttons or snaps in the dark. People LOVE to give clothes especially if you’re having a girl so I don’ t like including anything but Magnetic PJs on a registry (plus they are a bit pricey - but so worth it!). Make sure you register for 2-3 each in Newborn through 6-9 month sizes.

BABY GEAR

• Baby Bouncer: If you get one item, get the Bjorn bouncer. I’ve mentioned that you need lots of places to set baby and this is my favorite option. I love that its no frills, collapses flat for stroage when you are not using and washable. It is a bit of a splurge but after two boys and multiple friends borrowing ours, it still looks like new. Such a high quality item. I prefer this over the mamaroo (we had this too!) which is an electronic rocker - babies can be hit or miss on the electronic rockers BTW!

• Baby Carrier: There are lots of great swaddle wraps out there. I enjoyed the Solly Baby wrap for a time UNTIL I got the Bjorn Mini Carrier. It replaced all of my other swaddles. Its easy and uncomplicated to use. Baby can sit forward or backward, super secure and washable. I love that Ty found it usable as well and that I didn’t need to put it on before getting in the car or remember how to use it every time.

• Baby monitor: Most people have strong opinions about their baby monitor set up but bottom line is your need one. We kept it really simple and opted to have a monitor that does not connect to our phones. This was better for us when it came to our own sleep at night too. We loved the Vava system for both of our boys. It has adjustable sound, dual screen and is really simple to use and set up which was also good for babysitters and grandparents when we were not at home. We also bought these inexpensive intercoms for each of the grandparents houses to make sleep easier there too.

• Bumbo: One thing they don’t tell you is that you need LOTS of places to safely set baby. The bumbo is one of those. It also is great for building core strength and learning to sit up (hospital PT/OT uses this with babies) and it doubles as an eating/play surface. Its also super easy to clean. Have I mentioned babies are messy?

CAR + ON THE GO

• Uppababy Mesa Car Seat (+ 2 bases): We love this car seat and its easy compatibility with single Minu Stroller. We bought two bases - one for each of our cars and it worked really well for us. Its also highly rated for safety.

  • WHY I DIDN’T GO WITH THE DOONA: I know a lot of people are going for the Doona Stroller these days but it was newish when we had our first. It also is really heavy and sits very low to the ground. Not to mention it doesn’t have very high safety ratings. A no-go for us.

• Minu Stroller: We are obsessed with this stroller. Not only does the mesa car seat conveniently attach but it also comes with the bassinet (just like the larger Cruz and Vista strollers). The BEST PART is that its built for travel. It is ultra-light at only 14 pounds and folds up into a backpack that fits in the carry-on compartment in the airplane.

• Diaper Bag + Changing Mat: I had this diaper kit for both babes. It was effective and stylish.

• Car Window Shades: You need these. Trust me. Two for each back window (per car you plan to use with baby)

• Stick on Blackout shade: These are great for travel when the blinds or curtains where you are staying just aren’t enough. They are compact for easy packing and simply suction cup onto the window to darken the room. (1-2 shades)

• Intercom: I wish I had registered for these rather than making a late evening dash to Target. We bought one pair of these simple intercoms to keep at each grandparents house so we could hear baby around the house. The simplicity made it easy for everyone to use and set up.

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)

BATHING + HYGIENE

• Baby tub; This tub is lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. It can sit at the base of your tub while baby still needs support. Easy to rinse off and stays put while bathing.

• Sink Insert for baby: I love this collapsible baby tub that inserts right into your sink base. Loved how convenient this was for us especially when baby was very small.

• Baby wash cloths: 4-8 washcloths that are super soft is a must. Love these (and now that the kids are older I steal them for myself!).

• Hooded towel: We still use the same hooded towel we bought for each of our boys (our boys are 3 and 4 now). I bought the monogrammed one from PB and so glad I splurged on this item. I love having a few personalized and special items on the registry - there are always a few people seeking something unique to give and this is one of those items.

• Nail trimmers: You’ll be shocked at how quickly babies nails grown. This makes it super easy to sand down their nails - even while they sleep in your arms. Perfect addition to your nursing cart too!

• Baby shampoo + wash: Keep in mind that babies use SO LITTLE shampoo and body wash. I was gifted a jumbo size bottle of shampoo for Tommy and we never used it all! I recommend making sure you have one bottle of combo shampoo/body wash (and a small bottle of lotion of your choice).

• Baby Lotion: This is my go-to favorite but I like anything with lavender and we included it as part of our evening bath and bedtime routine. The smell still reminds me of those early days.

• Thermometer + Baby Tylenol: A go to in the mommy medicine cabinet. We like this one best - easy to use and touch free.

• Nasal Bulb: There are some newer fancier versions of this like the Nose Frida. I’ve tried both and still prefer this simple bulb aspirator for stopped up noses.

ORGANIZING PRODUCTS

• Name labels: Especially if your child will be in daycare or MDO you will want to start labeling everything now!

• Drawer dividers: I love using these to keep little clothes organized. The best part is you can easily adjust as their clothes get bigger.

• Acrylic Bookshelves: I’ve used these in multiple houses to organize our books. The outward facing method for books makes it easy for kids to see and pick out their favorites.

• Laundry basket: Don’t forget this! You will have lots of laundry. This Serena and Lily Basket is my favorite for baby’s room if it matches your vibe. A bit of a splurge but still enjoying it today (Amazon similar here and here).

• Cube shelving: A staple for organizing kids toys and books. I love pairing is with the mesh zips bags and cube baskets for toy storage. And if you are into the more montessori method of toy set up, this will help you achieve that too.

• Cube shelf baskets

• Mesh zip bags: If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I use them for EVERYTHING from storing christmas decor, to tiny toy pieces, to toy sets, games and more. Grab 1-2 sets of the variety pack to start.

• Y-weave bins: I love using these affordable bins within drawers to corral tiny baby accessories like socks and pacifiers. Start with 4-6 in the smaller size. I also love the bigger bins to stack acorss the tops o fa closet for too big and too small clothes, diapers and blankets.

TOYS+ PLAY

Again really keep it really simple here. Baby’s don’t need much. You’ve heard the anecdote that they will play with the box, rather than the toy - and its true! My favorite toys are the wood Montessori style toys. I’m linking a several of our favorites here along with these list of essentials below.

• Wood Baby Gym for floor play

• Baby Walker

• Baby Pool

• Lovevery Play Kits: These are truly the best and take the thinking out of what baby needs at each stage. The toys are beautiful, durable and will last from kid to kid. I really think this helps simplify and reign in the kid toys too!

• Rattle

• Teether

• Board Books + Soft Books: I recommend registering for 5-10 board books and 1-2 soft baby books plus a few of your favorite books from childhood for nostaligia’s sake. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Kitchen Helper Stool

• Play Kitchen
  

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to get a full list of those items and to help you stay organized.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

• Baby Brezza formula machine

• Bob Stroller (single and double)

• Ollie Swaddle: “Great for swaddle escape artists!”

• Baby Bjorn Bouncer: On my list too!

• Snoo Motion Sensing Bassinet: This dad of twins said it was a “live without” but it makes the early months so much better.

• Doona Covertible Car Seat, Base and Stroller Combo

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few extra bonus tips for you as well!)

What we didn’t end up using or I wouldn’t use again:

• Intaglio Fast table seat (the cloth is too difficult to clean up and keep clean)

• Diaper pail (we had the Ubbi and while I liked it, we took trash out every day and it would have been just fine to toss them in our closed trash can. The steel can ends up smelling and rusting)

• Foam play mat - Ours got torn up so fast between cars vrooming, kitty cat scratches and dog nails. I blanket on the ground especially over carpet/rug works just as well and its easier to wash.

• Wrap Swaddle - Although I love the idea of my Solly swaddle, once I had the mini bjorn I only used it. It was more secure and way easier to use. Not to mention it was something Ty felt comfortable using and navigating too.

WHAT’S OUT | Items that I def think are not worth it: 

• Wipe warmer

• Baby food processor

• A changing table (just use your dresser top)

• An actual diaper bag (Splurge on a beautiful tote bag like this one)

• Pajamas with snaps or buttons: So hard in the dark in the middle of the night. Splurge on and register for Magnetic me Pajamas instead.

• Apnea monitors (unless medically necessary)

• Registering for diapers over gift cards: I explain why in my baby registry checklist. You can grab that here.

• Registering a breast pump (go through your insurance for your first one)

• Registering for fancy clothes

NOT ON THE REGISTRY BUT IMPORTANT TO HAVE:

I share more details, tips and rationale for this in my Registry Checklist which you can grab here.

• For Breastfeeding moms: Breastfeeding is so individual and personal. For that reason, I don’t suggest putting these items on your registry. I do recommend getting the following items if you plan to breast feed:

• Breast Pump: I recommend getting the breast pump that your insurance convers as a starting point. You will have plenty of time to see how breastfeeding goes and add a new/different pump into the mix if needed. Don’t overthink this. Get the storage bags associated with your pump as well as the carrying bag.

• Pumping bra (1)

• Breastfeeding bras 2)

• Breastfeeding tank tops (2-4)

• Diapers

• Onesies + Footie Pajamas for the first few months

PIN + SHARE!

Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few extra bonus tips for you as well!)

In a world brimming with hair care options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose the right products for your locks. Three brands that have been making waves in the industry are Prose, Ouai, and Vegamour. But what sets them apart, and which one might be the best fit for you? I tried three popular hair care products to see if these splurge-y brands are worth it. Here’s what I found:

About my hair: I have medium thickness hair, dry scalp, my hair is frizzy and is wavy but not curly. I’m a red head at heart although these days it’s showing some grey.

Prose: Your Hair's Personal Cheerleader

PRICE: $3.4/ounce

Ever wished for hair care products that felt like they were made just for you? That's exactly what Prose offers. They're all about personalization. You start by taking a fun quiz online, where you spill the beans about your hair type, concerns, your lifestyle habits and exact location where you live. From there, Prose whips up a unique formula tailored to your hair's specific needs. It's like having your own personal hair guru!

One of the things people love most about Prose is their commitment to clean ingredients. They steer clear of all the nasties like sulfates and parabens, and they even offer refillable packaging to help you cut down on waste.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

I started using prose when my dry scalp and frizzy hair was not improving with drugstore shampoo and conditioner. I had tried Not Your Mamas and a few other brands but each time I would either only temporarily get rid of the dry scalp OR my hair would be super oily and weighted down.

I used Prose for over a year and saw improvement in my dry scalp and itching. I also really loved the available scents and that I was able to work with them to tweak my formula. My hair still looked and felt very dry and damaged so I decided I would trial another shampoo and conditioner combo - which led me to Ouai.

Ouai: Effortless Glamour in a Bottle

PRICE: $3.2/ounce

If you're all about that effortlessly chic vibe, Ouai might be your new best friend. Founded by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, Ouai is all about making hair care simple yet stylish. I love that this product ships directly from Amazon and can be set up on subscribe and save.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
I switched to Ouai from Prose. I was looking for something that was easier to access and more affordable. Ouai offered both of these things and I’d heard great things about it. Like most people say, my hair felt so clean after using Ouai. The overall scent was just that - clean but not as appealing as the Prose options. I used the Medium formula which matches my hair type. I found that my hair was immediately softer than when I was using Ouai. The downside is that my hair felt heavy and over-hydrated like it did when I was using drugstore brands. That’s when Vegamour reached out…

Vegamour: Nature's Superheroes for Your Strands

PRICE: $4.75/ounce

If you're passionate about clean beauty and sustainability, Vegamour might be the brand for you.

But Vegamour isn't just about looking good – they're all about hair wellness, inside and out. Their serums, supplements, and treatments are designed to promote hair growth, strength, and overall health. Plus, everything they make is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of any icky stuff you wouldn't want near your precious locks.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

Vegamour reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trialing their products. They asked for me to give an honest review of their products and I did receive free products to trial but I assure you, these opinions are all my own.

They recommended the Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask Complete Repair Kit in HYDR-8 based on my “hair issues.” I continued to have no itchy and dry scalp like with the Prose, but even my husband commented on how great my hair looked after a few weeks. My hair felt healthy and looked more shiny, less frizzy and hydrated. I also used their anti-grey potion but thats for another post! I had never heard of Vegamour before they approached me and I am so glad I did. For my hair type, this has been a perfect fit and I’ve already ordered more (independent of Vegamour).

So, Which One Should You Choose?

I recommend starting with Vegamour. Like Prose, they have a quiz to help you determine which formula is right for you. I love that they also have supplements and serums to supplement your hair care routine too. I’ve been using the detangler after I shower and am also going to add in the Weightless Repair oil for my frizz.

Which one will you try?

I love to read and in my new-found time as I’ve reduced my mental load, I’ve found myself reading so much more. Its how I practice mindfulness and relax at the end of the day. I read while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, before bed, while Ty makes dinner and the kids enjoy TV time and sometimes when the kids nap (if I’m not napping myself!). I borrow most of my books from friends - the ladies in my neighborhood and my babysitter-friend and I trade books or I get them for free via the Libby app and read them on my kindle. Here’s what I read this month! You can see what I read in January here.

February Books! What I've read this month.

Its Always the Husband

This was a little slow in the middle but a GREAT ending. It takes you back and forth in time over a span of twenty years with three friends with very different backgrounds. I also loved the Woman in Cabin 10 by this same author.

Back in the Burbs

Cute and quick read. I picked it up because it was set in New Jersey. I was hoping for Janet Evanovich vibes but its more of a beach read, coming of age and love story with a side of New Jersey.

Everything After

The small choices make the big choices… unless you are the main character in a love story book. Good, relatable ending. with a messy, uncomfortable “what are you doing with your life?” middle.

The One by John Marrs

The One is by far one of my favorite books I've ever read - but don't watch the TV show. It doesn't do the book justice. This book follows six different people who all are looking to find ‘the One,’ but not in the traditional sense. In the future a DNA test can find your perfect match. Would you want to know?

Up Next…

The Golden Couple, The Wife Between Us, The Unhoneymooners, and Love Theoretically.

What are you reading this month?

XO

Caroline

For reference when looking at sizing, I’m 5’5” with a 32” inseam and my “normal” size is a 25.

I’ve also created an entire guide to finding the perfect fit for you including these and many of my other favorite jean options. It includes jeans by style, stretch, price point, wash, lengths and more! Grab your denim fit guide here:

New Denim

I love a season change and generally use one pair of new denim to anchor my capsule wardrobe. This season I’ve been super excited about the wide leg styles which are perfect for chasing toddlers and running errands. I love the relaxed look and that they can be dressed up or down. I’ve had my eye on this Agolde style for months! Its a bit of a splurge but I love the fit and durability of this brand.

Most Worn Denim

These are the most worn styles in my closet. For each one I’ve shared which seasons I’d wear it, sizing and price point. If I could only buy one pair of jeans, I’d buy the Abercrombie Ultra High Rise 90s Ankle Straight (Medium). If you follow me on instagram, then you know I call these the MAGIC JEANS. This is a versatile pair of jeans that I’ve seen look great on a variety of body types from petite to curvy. The best part about this cut of denim is that it can be worn with ANY shoe - heels, sneakers, loafers, sandals and booties. I also love that the high waist and little bit of stretch at the hips is both flattering and forgiving. At a modest price point (I’ve seen them as low as $53 on sale), these are a great find and even better place to start if you’re haven’t found a good fitting pair of denim in awhile. I have several other regularly worn pairs of denim in my closet that I think you’ll love too and I’m sharing those below!

I’ve created an entire guide to finding the perfect fit for you including these and many of my other favorite jean options. It includes jeans by style, stretch, price point, wash, lengths and more! Grab your denim fit guide here:

Distressed/Ripped Denim

Other Styles

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Three Tips for Blowout Style with Muli-Styler:

Before I go on, let me start with the most important reminder ➡️ THIS TAKES PRACTICE. Remember the first time you put on mascara or curled your hair? Yeah, it’s like that.

TIP #1: DON’T TURN YOUR MULTI-STYLER POPULAR HAIR TOOL OFF!
1. Keep it on 👍🏼 This was the game changer for me. Keeping the multi-styler popular hair tool on all the time helps it maintain suction and you will notice that it gets hotter too.

🔥 HOT TAKE: I recommend pinning all the hair that goes one direction and doing that side with that attachment before moving completely to the other side so you can keep your machine running.

TIP #2: KEEP TENSION WHILE CURLING

2. Keep tension like you would with a curling iron. Twist, pull, twist, pull until you get tension from your scalp. This will help curl your hair better.

TIP #3: USE < 1.5” SECTIONS OF HAIR

3. I found that if you use larger than 1.5” sections or too thick of sections the multi-styler popular hair tool is not strong enough to effectively hold all the hair and curl.


I’m always on the lookout for things that make my daily routine more efficient so I can create space and margin, like the #capsulewardrobe.
This cuts my hair routine in half and I get #blowout style without having to go to the salon and my hair lasts like this for days. Win-win! For only $33, its definetely worth a try.

Shop the Alternative to the Multi-styler popular hair tool

XO

Caroline

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Keep scrolling for tons of outfit ideas to wear this season!

Which trench coat will you choose?

I’ve had the timeless version of this trench coat (option #1) for years but since having kids its grown a little snug across the chest and I found that I wasn’t wearing it much because it was too small for me. This year, I decided to invest in a new properly fitting trench coat and I went with tailored long trench coat (option #3). I love that its lightweight and tailored at the waist. Which one will you choose?

Ideas for how to wear the trench coat this spring

Find your Trench Coat here:

This is my fourth year doing the capsule wardrobe and its the earliest I’ve ever released the spring capsule. I’m taking a similar approach as the winter capsule and going back to the basics. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years of putting these together and one thing is very clear: if you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, you’re probably missing good basics.

Last season, I had so many clothes I couldn’t wear them all and with a focus on core pieces I’ve really found that I don’t need very many pieces to create tons of outfits. After all, we only wear about 20% of the clothes in our closet. This spring’s capsule wardrobe is composed of only 18 pieces. I hope you will love this capsule as much as I do already!

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Items

WHITE BASIC TSHIRT | CASHMERE SWEATER | STRIPED SWEATER | BUTTON DOWN | BLACK DENIM | WIDE LEG DENIM | CREAM PANTS | BLACK BLAZER | TRENCH COAT | BLACK LOAFERS | COGNAC SANDALS | BLACK SLINGBACKS | SNEAKERS | CHAIN NECKLACE | BLACK PURSE | BLACK CROSSBODY | COGNAC TOTE | SUNGLASSES

Outfit Ideas

Tap any image for more details.

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Items

WHITE BASIC TSHIRT | CASHMERE SWEATER | STRIPED SWEATER | BUTTON DOWN | BLACK DENIM | WIDE LEG DENIM | CREAM PANTS | BLACK BLAZER | TRENCH COAT | BLACK LOAFERS | COGNAC SANDALS | BLACK SLINGBACKS | SNEAKERS | CHAIN NECKLACE | BLACK PURSE | BLACK CROSSBODY | COGNAC TOTE | SUNGLASSES

Outfit Ideas

CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR OUTFIT DETAILS

Spring Capsule Items

SHORT SLEEVE TSHIRTS | LONG SLEEVE TSHIRTS | CASUAL DRESSES | RAIN COAT | DENIM JACKET | PULLOVER/SWEATSHIRT | JEANS | LEGGINGS | SHORTS | FANCY DRESS  | CASUAL SANDALS | DRESS SHOES | DRESS SOCKS | SNEAKERS

Tops

• 5X SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS

• 4X LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRTS

Dresses

• 2X CASUAL DRESSES

• FANCY DRESS

Outerwear

• RAIN COAT

• DENIM JACKET

• PULLOVER/SWEATSHIRT

Bottoms

• 2X JEANS

• 4X LEGGINGS

• 5X SHORTS (RUFFLE)

Shoes + Accessories

• CASUAL SANDALS

• DRESS SHOES

• SNEAKERS

• EVERYDAY SOCKS

• DRESS SOCKS

Outfit Ideas

Spring Capsule Items

SHORT SLEEVE TSHIRTS | LONG SLEEVE TSHIRTS | CASUAL DRESSES | RAIN COAT | DENIM JACKET | PULLOVER/SWEATSHIRT | JEANS | LEGGINGS | SHORTS | FANCY DRESS  | CASUAL SANDALS | DRESS SHOES | DRESS SOCKS | SNEAKERS