A few months ago I started taking inventory of my closet with a focus on building for the current season + pieces I'll reach for year-round. Over the last several weeks, as the weather has turned warm, I’ve noticed a big gap in my spring and summer footwear - specifically casual footwear. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of summer sandals, but very few are ideal for running to the grocery store or chasing a toddler around the park. I wear my Birkenstocks 90% of the time, and while I love them and expect them to have a place in my wardrobe for a good long while, they simply don’t work for every outfit or occasion.

When I reviewed my spring/summer Pinterest board, I noticed a good number of women in the photos were wearing thong sandals - and specifically thin, classic black thong sandals. I’ve also seen them time and time again on some of my favorite fashion follows, like Emily Schoen and Meg Strachan, and recently read an article in favor of the tried-and-true style. It feels like a versatile item that is timeless and elevated yet casual. I mean, how chic, right?

Now there are a LOT of black thong sandals on the market - and I probably looked at 50+ different pairs. My criteria were that they had to be minimal (no extra unnecessary details), functional, and comfortable. I was willing to consider leather or rubber and didn’t want a long break-in period or to be battling blisters (who does?). Below are the most promising options I found - plus what I ultimately ended up ordering.

Rounded-toe styles

To me, the rounded toe is the most timeless and versatile shape. There are quite literally endless options when it comes to round-toe black thong sandals, ranging in style, material, and price point.

If I had to pick a rounded-toe front-runner, I’d go with the Reformation Jessie. The strap shape is simple yet special enough to feel genuinely elevated.

For a strappier, more understated vibe, Madewell’s Iggy Thong Sandal is a great option (which is probably why I’ve been seeing it everywhere).

Very similar to the Iggy, but at a friendlier price point, these Gap Flip Flops.

And because a roundup wouldn’t be complete without an option from The Row, the Dune Classic Leather Thong Sandals (if money is no object, of course).

Squared-toe styles

Squared-toe sandals are having a moment, and with good reason - the squared-off design feels a bit more intentional and sophisticated than its rounded-toe counterparts.

If I were going with a squared-toe, the Tony Bianco Kimbas would be my pick - simple, minimal, almost utilitarian (in a good way), and less expensive than they look.

In a close second, I love the simplicity and shape (it’s a very good square toe) of the TKEES Square Toe Lily.

The A. EMERY Kinto is essentially the squared-toe answer to the Reformation Jessie.

And at a very accessible price point is Old Navy's version.

Platform

90s fashion is back, and so are platforms. While today’s styles are a bit more subtle, they still elicit a very specific type of nostalgia (Delias, The Spice Girls, Steve Madden, Doc Martens, I could keep going) that makes me want to lean into the trend.

The platform height of Reformation’s Eden is the real draw here, and the unique strap is more interesting than your standard thong.

For something a bit more chunky, the Ginza Leather and Suede Platform Flip Flops from The Row are worth a look (I think they'd pair perfectly with a baggy trouser).

The RAYE Chris Sandal is simple and clean in a way that feels effortless and cool.

And if they weren’t sold out in my size, I’d have a very hard time resisting the Ancient Greek Sandals Charys Slides (so. good.).

Rubber

Havaianas are the gold standard of rubber flips flops and their Slim and Slim Square styles check all the boxes. Not just for the pool, in my opinion.

What I ordered

My criteria were simple: thin, classic, minimal, and comfortable enough to wear on a walk or to the grocery store. I also wanted to be intentional about what I was actually adding - I already have several pairs of more elevated black sandals, like my TKEES Jo Lace Up Sandals (they are surprisingly versatile) and a pair of Banana Republic woven slides (similar style here) and didn’t feel the need to add more, at least right now.

That’s why I landed on the Slim and Slim Square Havaianas - exactly what I was looking for, and I won't be surprised if I end up keeping both.

Hi! How are you? I hope you had a great week. We made it! The boys and I are officially settled in at my parents’ while my husband is away on his work trip, and we’re finding our rhythm for the next week and a half. The boys are having a blast, and I will say - having someone else handle the cooking and laundry feels like such a little luxury.

In case you missed it, I launched a new Substack series earlier this week: The Closet Rebuild. I hope you’ll follow along - rebuilding a wardrobe is such a process, and I’m excited to share it as I go.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• A Nutritionist’s Guide to Spring Produce.

• Shop Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep’s looks from The Devil Wears Prada 2. Have you seen it yet?!

• Let’s talk about the health benefits (and risks) of marriage.

• The $35 Target barrel-leg pants that the internet is already going crazy for (reviews suggest sizing down).

• The prettiest snack tray!

• If you’re looking for a new vitamin C, this is it. My friend Laura recommended it, and after just a few weeks, my skin already looks brighter, clearer, and more even. A must try!

• American Girl’s Most Beloved Prints Are Getting a Hill House Makeover.

• Possibly the chicest pool bag I’ve seen.

• The audiobook my husband and I listened to on our drive (talk about nostalgia!).

• A super cute hat for all the readers.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Welcome to the Closet Rebuild series

After posting about my closet revamp “project” last summer, I heard from a lot of you that you’re in a similar boat - staring at a closet that no longer feels like you or fits your current life - and that you wanted to see it as a formal series. I always love a good behind-the-scenes, and sharing my process felt like a natural fit. After a healthy amount of overthinking (naturally), here we are.

The backstory

We had our second baby in June, after nearly 5 years of trying to get pregnant, being pregnant, breastfeeding, or in that seems-to-last-forever postpartum period. With all of the physical and emotional changes over that half a decade (!), the dedication to my wardrobe, maybe unsurprisingly, fell by the wayside.

I’ve always been someone who loves clothes and getting dressed. I generally enjoy developing my own sense of style and like investing in pieces I know I’ll wear again and again. But when I went to start buying post-baby, I was totally and completely overwhelmed - I don’t know if it was the algorithm or because I had been out of the game for so long, but I was buying things that were decidedly not me. I didn’t feel like myself, wasn’t inspired, and certainly didn’t want to keep spending money on things that I didn’t love. So I decided to turn my purchasing into a process - and I’m excited to share it with you here.

The intention

If you know me, you know I’m THE most type-A, so naturally, I wanted to be very intentional about this rebuild. A few reasons: 1.) as I mentioned, starting from scratch feels very overwhelming, 2.) I want to invest in the right quality pieces I’ll actually wear for a long time, and 3.) a girl needs a budget.

The reality is I’m a WFH mom of two small boys, which means I dress pretty casually most of the time. That said, I still want to look and feel put together - which just isn’t happening right now. I also need some variety for things like date nights, networking events, drinks with friends...you get the idea. Hopefully this helps provide a bit of context as to how I’m approaching the process.

Where to start

First things first: I’ve spent the last several months taking inventory of my closet (it’s bare bones these days). I’ve tossed or donated anything that was overly worn, no longer fits, isn’t in line with my current life, or I’m just not reaching for. Some holes became immediately obvious (jeans) while others I’ve noticed as I’ve gone about my days - like needing a few more pairs of spring/summer shoes I can throw on for a quick walk or a trip to the park. This helped me build an initial list in my head, but I knew I wanted to get really specific and hone in on my particular style. Enter Pinterest.

The process

I knew I wanted to purchase items for the current season (spring/summer), so I took to Pinterest and reviewed my saved images. I created a board titled “Spring 2026” and saved images that I felt reflected my style and how I’d like to dress this season. It was also important that they aligned with my lifestyle as a city mom who works from home. Here are a few of the images I pulled:

From there, I reviewed my board for patterns and consistency, but with so many gaps in my wardrobe, it was hard to even know where to begin - so I turned to my techy bestie, Claude, for help. I imported my images into a project I titled “Closet Rebuild” and entered the prompt below. (In case you are new to Claude like me, Projects is a feature that lets you create a dedicated workspace where Claude retains context across all conversations so you’re not starting from scratch every time. Amazing!)

Based on my images and prompt, Claude generated a full list of items, a suggested color palette, and even priority suggestions. This saved me so much time, research, and mental energy, and I was honestly amazed at how thorough yet clean the list was. It was exactly the jumping-off point I needed.

Below is the initial list that Claude generated - pretty good, right?! Next, I reviewed the list and started making some adjustments. For example, I prefer a more tailored trouser to a drawstring pant, so removed drawstring pants from my list. Likewise, I’ve been eyeing fitted square-neck tanks, so added that as a potential item. Once I had my final list, I copied and pasted it into Evernote (my preferred note-taking app) for easy access and reference.

I also took it a step further, adding a few extra sections to help sharpen my focus: my 3 Word Method words (mine are currently: relaxed, effortless, polished), priority items, and a catch-all for things not on the list that I want to keep an eye out for - like a fun dress for a family wedding in August.

Now that I have my list, I'm ready to shop. I'm starting with the foundational building blocks I think will be the real workhorses in my wardrobe this season and beyond - think black thong sandals, white fitted tees and tanks, and Bermuda shorts. Every two weeks I'll be sharing a new item or category from my list, including the research, what I'm personally buying, and the options worth considering. First up: black thong sandals.

Hi and happy Sunday! What are you up to this weekend? We’re deep in prep mode over here - my husband is heading out on an extended work trip and the boys and I are spending two weeks at my parents’ while he’s gone. We leave this week, so our weekend has been full of list-making, cleaning, laundry, and packing. He’s never been gone this long, and we’ve never been away from home or out of our routine for this long either - I’m curious (and a little apprehensive) to see how the boys do, but looking forward to the family time and very grateful for the extra hands.

Also this week! I’m launching a fun new series: The Closet Rebuild. Last summer I shared that I was rebuilding my wardrobe after welcoming our second baby (and years of closet neglect), and a lot of you said you wanted to see the process. I love a good behind-the-scenes, so the first and third Wednesday of every month, I’ll share where I am with the process - the research, the decisions, and what I’m buying. If this resonates, I hope you’ll follow along!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, and here is what to cook.

• One of my favorite kids’ brands is doing a collab benefiting the National Park Foundation, and it’s the cutest.

• A beginner’s guide to using Claude, plus Your Claude MBA.

• The Part Nobody Tells You: After My Facelift.

• We recently introduced screens on roadtrips for our toddler, and he’s obsessed with his wireless headphones.

• Tips From Parents of Large Families.

• If you, like me, are a bralette devotee, this is my favorite underwire bra (especially for summer tanks and tees).

• Eyeing these beautiful garden beds - the kid’s version is so cute too.

• I’ve made this Crispy Greek Beef twice in the past two weeks (the relish is really the star!).

• And Emotions That Can Co-Exist.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! Spring has officially arrived in Chicago and we are taking full advantage - everyone says it all the time, but it really is amazing what a little sunshine can do.

Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is small joys - and how to actually carve out space for them in a life that already feels very full. It’s so easy to let the weeks slip by without stopping to notice the little moments of happiness or to be intentional about creating more of them. And that extends beyond just me - I want our kids to learn that joy is an important, and attainable, part of life too.

So I’m trying something: each week, I’m going to pick one small joy and actually put it on the calendar. This week, it’s cooking with intention - good music, a recipe that makes the whole house smell amazing, and maybe a spring-y drink. Food was always central to how I grew up, and I want that to be true for our family too. But, as I’m realizing, that doesn’t just happen - I have to make it happen. And, with practice, I’m hoping the days of me in the kitchen with a good playlist on becomes more of a ritual and less like something I have to plan. All in good time.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• I Stumbled Across My Boyfriend’s ChatGPT and It Ended Our Relationship (gah!).

• This Is the Rich-Looking Pant Trend Dominating This Season (I own and love these).

• A pointelle tank that won’t break the bank - the navy is great too.

• Effects of Magnesium on Long-Term Brain Health.

• What’s really on my Mother’s Day wish list (and how cute are the California and NYC ones!?).

• Easy Rituals to Reset Your Home’s Energy This Spring.

• I did a big summer haul for our toddler this week and, in addition to our favorite basic tees (on sale!), I snagged this pullover, some super affordable shorts, and a Paw Patrol t-shirt I can actually get behind.

• A new era of book clubs is reshaping how we read.

• My lunch on repeat (plus a fried egg when I have an extra 5 minutes).

• Rifle Paper’s Buy 5 Cards, Get 5 Free sale is happening and I’m stocking up - cute, cute, cute!

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi, hello! I’m back! How are you? It’s been almost 10 months since our second son was born (wild!) and I feel like I have so much and so little to fill you in on. Isn’t it funny how everything and nothing can seem to change all at the same time?

Baby boy arrived in mid-June, and between the sleepless nights, the rollercoaster that is breastfeeding (omg), and a big adjustment for our toddler, we enjoyed a summer of porch hangs, midday trips to the park and coffee shop, and lots of newborn snuggles. Fast-forward, and we are full-on back to our usual routine - and I’ve been feeling the pull to get back to the newsletter. How fun, right?! My hope is to get issues out weekly, but we’ll see how it goes :)

And hello and welcome to all the new faces! I appreciate all of you sticking around and look forward to catching up in the comments.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The Insider’s Guide to French Pharmacies.

• A thoughtful guide to planning family trips.

• My new favorite fashion follow (although based on her follower count, you probably already know her!).

• What I’m buying from the Sephora sale: a calming face mist, exfoliating buffing bars, and my ride-or-die shampoo and conditioner.

• Applications for the US Open ball crew are officially open.

• After obsessing about all things Artemis II at our house, I’ve added this book to my reading list.

• The most classic summer baseball cap.

• 4 Stylish Rain Shoes to Wear Instead of Rubber Boots This Spring.

• How good does this sheet-pan dinner look?!

• And in honor of The Masters this weekend, Books for Little Putters.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? Happy long weekend and kickoff to summer! The end of the month truly snuck up on me, and this is the last newsletter before we welcome baby #2 in a few short weeks. I can hardly believe it! As I've mentioned, I'm not totally sure how long of a break I'll be taking - it could be a few weeks after the baby arrives, it could be longer - but I'll be back soon enough. In the meantime, make sure you are following along on Instagram. I'm anticipating it will be easier to share over there in real time until I can get into a good groove with the newsletter again.

As always, thank you for your continued support - it means so much to me to have this space and even more so that you are all here with me.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The cutest rattan tissue box.

• A great linen tote for the farmer's market or just out and about.

• It's peak strawberry season, and this recipe would make such a special (and simple!) dessert.

• What sales are you shopping this weekend? I might snag a few baby things from Lewis (how cute is this swaddle blanket?!) and possibly a larger size in our favorite summer towel.

• Trying to embrace more of this.

• A note on true friendship.

• What to Do If You Hate Your Job.

• The Amazon dress I ordered for postpartum baby days.

• 30 Things I Learned at European Cooking School That Changed the Way I Cook Forever.

• And in celebration of the holiday weekend, an ice cream sandwich taste test.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? It feels good to be back (albeit for only a few more weeks!). Thank you for your patience last week while I took some time off from the newsletter - most weeks I can get it together, but last week (sick toddler, lots of work) was not one of them. But it's a new week, and my parents are in town! We have some fun stuff planned (like celebrating my dad's birthday and going out for ice cream) and some very practical things planned too (like planting our flowers and prepping some freezer meals for when the baby comes). Having an extra set of hands - or two - makes such a difference, and I'm looking forward to getting a lot checked off the to-do list. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• Pool season is almost here, and I'm eyeing this cover up for our son and these shorts for myself.

• Nothing beats Northern Michigan in the summer - here are the best places to eat.

• How to Build a Literature-Rich Home.

• I'm a sucker for a striped tablecloth - and a scalloped edge.

• The perfect snacky lunch or lunchy snack.

• What's the Deal with Quince? (This was a good read!)

• Sister Parish's new raffia wallpaper is so good.

• Need a new hobby? (I think sea glass collecting sounds lovely!)

• I have been seeing these sandals everywhere, and I love them so much.

• Next up on my reading list.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi and happy May! Can you even believe it? I feel like we're going to be halfway through the year before we know it! The brighter nights and warmer weather have me dreaming about all things summer - walks to get ice cream, summery cocktails, patio dinners. I'm determined to make the most of it (which probably means I should write all of these ideas down before the season slips away). I’d love to hear, what’s on your summer bucket list? I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• Adding this magnesium body rub to my post-baby wishlist.

• The cutest quarter zip for littles.

• Did you watch the Derby? This is next on our watch list.

• How to be like a cool, hip fisherman.

• Yum!

• I want to be a fun mom.

• Butter yellow is having a moment, but what about a butter candle?

• I feel like these could be a summer staple in my closet.

• Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, and here are the best wines to drink with tacos.

• The sketch artist we should all be following.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! Happy weekend! Any fun plans? Our son has soccer (which has quickly become one of my favorite times of the week), and I'm continuing to get organized for the baby. This week I pulled out our storage bins with all the bottles, nursing supplies, and clothes for the hospital (it honestly felt a bit like a time warp), which means a good portion of this weekend will be spent washing and laundering and slowly packing and getting things in order. I've been feeling pretty unprepared, and this feels really good! On a more fun note, we are planning to grill out as much as possible (truly the easiest of dinners) and catch up on Top Chef, and I also have a bit of work to squeeze in somewhere. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• This ring would make for a very sweet and chic Mother's Day gift. I think I'd get it for my pinky finger (hint hint, hubs).

• The prettiest pocket journals.

• How Neuroscience Is Shaping the Future of Mood-Boosting Scents.

• A genius dinner hack.

• You're Probably Thinking About Boundaries All Wrong.

• Such a cute spring craft for little ones! Would also make a great Mother's Day gift for grandmas.

• Very tempted to get these lamps for our nightstands.

• 11 elegant courtyard gardens (so dreamy!).

• A great alternative to the bag I've been eyeing for over a year now.

• And the poppy seed dressing I bookmarked to make all summer long.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: jorddanbaker

Hi! And Happy Easter to those who celebrate! What are you up to this weekend? We are dyeing Easter eggs and going to brunch at my in-laws for the big day (I'm making this pasta salad - to me, there’s nothing springier than peas and fresh asparagus). Our son has off of school on Monday, and my husband is taking off work, so it's also a long weekend for us. The nesting continues in full force, and I'm hoping to check a few big to do's off the list - like rearranging our son's closet and planning a list of things we need to buy (newborn diapers, postpartum essentials for me, etc). It's kind of amazing how much you forget (any other second/third/fourth time moms?), so there's a healthy bit of Googling being done over here as well. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The prettiest tulips!

• 12 Best Nude Nail Polishes for Every Skin Tone (mine seems to be this pretty rose pink Hermès shade).

• Should you be using a retinoid?

• In love with this family room (that couch!!!).

• Joining the waitlist on this dreamy dress.

• How to eat 100g of protein a day.

• I'll be living in loungewear for the first several weeks after the baby comes and this cute pajama set caught my eye.

• Is it Perimenopause or Is It Aging?

• We’re Looking at Friendship All Wrong.

• Maybe I'll toss out my entire to do list this weekend and make these cookies instead.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? I hope you had a great week! I mentioned last week that my mom was in town, which was so nice - we did lots of organizing, prepping, and general nesting because (exciting update!), we are expecting a new baby in June!

I'm generally a pretty private person (maybe surprisingly?), and it feels nice to finally share this with you. Believe me when I say it's been so hard not to share all the cute (and, of course, necessary) baby things and prep we've been doing! We're soaking in all the excitement and also enjoying our last few weeks as a family of three.

I’ll be taking a break from The Weekly starting at the end of May while we wait for the new babe to arrive. I’m not sure exactly how long the break will be - maybe a few weeks, maybe a little longer - but I’ll be back when the time feels right.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The cutest striped tote for summer.

• Making the most of your snacks.

• This is so smart!

• I recently polled a few girlfriends in search of the best white button down and their favs were: Sezane, Gap, and J. Crew.

• Why do some marriages last, when others don't?

• My mom brought these quinoa cookies this week, and I swear I could have eaten the entire bag in one sitting. We thought they tasted just like this classic.

• She also brought me this book - have you read it yet?

• The cutest addition to an Easter charcuterie board.

• Simple and Affordable Skin Care.

• A chic summer short.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to the week ahead. Any fun plans? My mom comes into town in a few days to spend some time with our son and to help with a few projects around the house. I was telling my husband earlier this week, it feels like every room in our home is a little bit of a disaster at the moment - there's a mysterious leak in my closet, which means all of my clothes and shoes are spread across the house, the entry to our building has been under construction and basically unusable for the last few weeks, and we are generally feeling overrun with STUFF. We actually got a new storage cabinet for our basement that my husband is installing this weekend, and I'm hoping it will help corral all of the extras (toys, Costco surplus items, etc). Needless to say, my week will be full of organizing, which, if you know me, is one of my favorite favorite things. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• Inside Meghan's Real Kitchen.

• Dreaming of summer dishes like this one.

• If I were a dress...

• 30+ Books for Kids to Celebrate Spring.

• The top I added to my wishlist this week.

• A holistic approach to aging (from my former acupuncturist).

• Hate cooking? 3 mindsets to make it less of a chore.

• Zac Posen launched his new collection at The Gap and I'm into this tank and this dress.

• The Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families of All Ages.

• And the cutest carrot gift boxes.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? This week flew by! I can hardly believe we're coming up on April - seriously, where has the year gone!? I feel like spring will go by in a blink, and we'll be full-on into summer. I secretly can't wait. Any plans on your spring bucket list? We want to make a trip or two to our local farmer's market (which starts next weekend!), visit our favorite garden center to get some ideas for our outdoor planters, and dye Easter eggs with our son. His top ask from the Easter Bunny this year is a pair of marching cymbals (yes, the marching band obsession continues). Here are some other items I'm adding - or that are simply too cute not to share. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• My parent's recently redid their bathroom, and my mom found such a great mirror.

• The new frozen waffles we tried (and loved!) this week. They are also loaded with fruits and veggies, which is such a win.

• How Does She Do It All? (spoiler: she doesn't.).

• What a fun summer bucket bag!

• 12 Women on Living Alone.

• How to Spring Clean the Outside of Your Home.

• I can see myself living in these pants this summer.

• Have you watched yet? I'm so intrigued!

• Cute, cute.

• And a refreshing perspective.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? Any fun plans this weekend? We’re getting together with some friends to watch a few of the basketball games, sans kids (who are we?!). Rarely do we have daytime plans with just adults, and it's always so nice when we can make it happen. I'm also going to make this pulled BBQ chicken recipe as a way to will the warm weather to stick around. Any favorite sides worth trying? I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• A smart solution for organizing shoes.

• I really enjoyed this podcast about rethinking mealtime with littles.

• A quick and easy olive tapenade (yes, please!).

• The Best Restaurant Soaps & Candles.

• If you're going on spring break and need a great dress, this is it.

• And if you're not going on spring break, this is also a great dress.

• Do You Have a Favorite Child?

• 5 subtle signs your body needs more rest (this spoke to me this week).

• Love when a traditional room feels fresh.

• My summer motto.

PS - In case you missed it, I shared a few neutral pieces I’m eyeing for spring earlier this week on Instagram. Seriously considering these pants, plus my favorite claw clips.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! What are you up to this weekend? We cleaned out our garage (and by ‘we,’ I mean my husband) and finished the most recent season of Full Swing. Something that my husband and I have started doing on Sundays, which has been such a game changer, is sitting down for an hour during nap time to talk about our upcoming week - appointments, priorities, work commitments, to dos. It’s helped our weeks go so much more smoothly and is also such a nice way to connect before the weekday craziness. Do you and your partner do something similar? I’d love to hear. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• 7 tips for getting shit done when you have young kids (or are just really busy).

• How pretty!

• I love a striped sweater (honestly, who doesn't?) and think this one is great for summer and especially the Fourth.

• A classic wine coaster.

• This 10-minute lunch may not be the healthiest, but it looks SO good.

• What Do You Like About Where You Live?

• Up next on my reading list.

• Is this going to be the year I finally give into the woven flat trend?

• A sweet gold bracelet (that also comes in a necklace version).

• And a pretty, springy pasta.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

Photo Credit: Unknown

Hi! How are you? I hope you had a good week! Ours flew by, and I can hardly believe we're back to the weekend (not that I'm complaining!). We're enjoying lots of sunshine in Chicago, which means family walks and playing in the yard. We’re also cleaning our oven (thanks to The Weekly reader who shared this tutorial!) and starting to prepare for potty training. Any tips?! I feel like we're kind of winging it which hopefully doesn't backfire. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• The prettiest tortoise earrings.

• A major wishlist item.

• I've always loved watching Giada on The Food Network and loved this podcast interview just as much.

• We’re all overwhelmed. But what does that even mean?

• I'm a sucker for a shell top, and this is a good one.

• A homemade tea that sounds delightful.

• If you're also watching White Lotus (so good, as always), I really enjoyed this house tour.

• This wallpaper is a dream.

• How to build wealth in your 40s.

• Dermstore is having their Beauty Refresh Sale, and I'm stocking up on my favorite hair oil, body oil, eye cream, and others.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

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Hi and happy March! I'm so happy to (almost) say 'hello' to spring - how about you? We had a warm weather week in Chicago, and it's been truly life-giving. It has also got me in the mood for all things spring cleaning, literally and figuratively. This weekend we have been living in spreadsheets - preparing taxes, budgeting and planning for the year (we're a bit behind!), and generally checking off a lot of life admin. And you know what, it feels GOOD! There's something about clearing out these big - and sometimes daunting - tasks that frees up a little headspace and brings a sense of peace. If you also have the spring cleaning itch, I loved the checklist that Geri Hirsch shared earlier this week - it's worth a look! I hope you have a good one.

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• Americans Need to Party More.

• The quintessential spring sweater.

• Did you know this about walking?

• Love these splatterware mixing bowls (with lids!).

• I've been trying to simplify our dinners, and what I made this week was a winner.

• Costco favorites from a mom and dietician.

• A cute and classic umbrella.

• The dreamiest bouquet.

• Added these scalloped notecards to my wish list.

• And the book I've been seeing everywhere - if you've read it, I'd love to hear what you think!

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

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Hi - how are you? We had a bit of a weird week, recovering from visitors, a bout of sickness, the three-day weekend, and my husband's birthday. When I wasn't working or wandering aimlessly around the house, wondering where to start to get our life back in order, I was making lists (something I'm VERY good at). Lists of chores, house projects, clothes I want to buy for the spring, Easter basket ideas, random to-dos like scheduling haircuts and doctors appointments, and on and on. While I LOVE a paper list, we have so much going on that I actually re-downloaded one of my favorite productivity apps in an effort to keep myself more organized. My head is still kind of spinning, but I'm slowly feeling more settled (it also helps that I've vacuumed and knocked out about six loads of laundry this weekend already!). I hope you have a good one!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• This breakfast looks like a hug.

• Wondering if our son can fit into these little Birks this summer (too cute!).

• Time's Women of the Year and how they were selected.

• The perfect denim shorts.

• 6 Winter Margarita Recipes to Shake Up Your Weekend.

• Considering this linen button-up for spring.

• The chocolate chip cookie dough I made and froze this week (one of our favorites!).

• How to pack for a work trip.

• J. Crew is celebrating The New Yorker's 100th anniversary with a collection of heritage pieces (I love this!).

• And A Simple “Life Audit” To Help You Get Unstuck.

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

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Hi! How was your Valentine's Day? Ours was eventful, in a very unromantic way, with my parents coming into town and a sick kiddo (also partially why the newsletter is a few hours late!). In the midst of the crazy, I was actually thinking about Valentine's past - trying to snag a great dinner reservation, anxiously awaiting for flowers to arrive at the office (doesn't that feel like a lifetime ago?). That is just not the phase of life we're in right now, and that's ok. I'm at least hoping to squeeze in a coffee date with my main man sometime this week or weekend. Regardless of how you spent the big day, I hope it was full of love!

In other news, here's what caught my eye this week:

• My husband's birthday is this week, and I bookmarked this Peanut Butter Pie to make for him.

• How many books do you read at once? I usually have two going, one on audio and one physical. Here, and here's what I started this week.

• A cute denim vest for spring (currently on sale!).

• Sweet and fun 'thank you' notes from littles.

• Millennials are facing a parenting paradox.

• Well, this looks like a dream.

• The perfect fluted tealight holder (you'll never believe where they're from!).

• How fun are these?!

• A lot of great wardrobe basics in Mally Goldman's recent post.

• 60 Journal Affirmations and Prompts to Improve Self-Love.

P.S. - Did you see that I shared your top purchases of 2024 over on Instagram this week? You can check them out here, in case you missed it!

This post may contain affiliate links. Rest assured, I only include items that I am eyeing, trying, and buying. Your support is appreciated!

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