Weekend Dispatch

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

After a crazy busy (with impromptu plans) weekend last weekend, I'm looking forward to something a little more relaxing this weekend. After hitting the gym together on Saturday morning, The Hubs and I drove an hour each way to the closest IKEA to pick up a dresser for Harper. While that was as uneventful as it possibly could have been (the staff at IKEA's customer pickup were very efficient and quick), I still had the long road of assembling the dresser ahead of me. Assembling anything is not my husband's cup of tea, so I put most of it together with a little help from Harper. Let's just say that I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid putting together anything this weekend. But here's what I do plan to do:
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Tips For Living Comfortably On One Income

Monday, February 26, 2018
Sometimes making the decision to be a one-income family is yours, and other times it's made for you. When you make the decision for yourself, it can be a long and hard one as to what works for you and your family. When Emma was born, we knew I would stay home with her. I was a software consultant who traveled 2-3 weeks out of the month, and that kind of travel schedule wasn't conducive to having a newborn at home. It was always my intention to pursue my career at some point after starting a family. But once we did the math, we determined that in the short term, it was a better option to have one income after having children.

But living off one income doesn’t have to mean that you can’t enjoy things in life. It just means making certain changes and sacrifices and cutting some unnecessary costs. Start by recording all your expenses. Evaluate those that are the highest and determine ways you can save on those expenses. Here are some additional tips and tricks to help:
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, February 22, 2018

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Should you shower in the morning or at night via The New York Times.

2. The most stressful jobs via Real Simple.

3. A look inside Olympic village via Cosmopolitan.
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Weekend Dispatch

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

We've been spoiled with spring-like weather the past two days, and I never want it to end. It's been glorious to have this short-lived taste of spring, and it's making me crave outdoor activities. Unfortunately, by the time the weekend arrives, we'll be back in the throes of winter weather, albeit mild, but still. We'll have to endure several more weeks of chilly temps and indoor activities, and here are few suggestions for the weekend to kick off the countdown to spring.
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Playing Favorites

Monday, February 19, 2018
Playing Favorites is a monthly series where I share my latest obsessions, favorite finds, and any kind of entertainment (books, movies, TV, podcasts, and magazines) that I am loving. Here's what I am loving this month.

1. Word Connect - It's not often that I download game apps on my phone, but Word Connect is challenging because my mind doesn't work the way the game is designed. But the more I play the game, the better my mind becomes at unscrambling letters to create words. I don't play it everyday, but I like it as a distraction when necessary.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, February 15, 2018
The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. The dessert Ina Garten made her husband for Valentine's Day via kitchn.

2. How restaurants actually feel about Instagram via Refinery29.

3. Another reason to travel to Scandinavia this summer via Condé Nast Traveler.
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Weekend Dispatch

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

It's been a busy week between work obligations, preparing for and celebrating Harper's birthday, and gearing up for the long President's Day weekend, which has been cut slightly short due to a snow makeup day. :-(  There's still plenty of time to squeeze in all the things we want to do. Here's a rundown on how I'll be spending my time this weekend.
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How You and The Litter For Good Program Can Help Save Shelter Cats

Monday, February 12, 2018


Everyone knows I love cats. From spoiling my own two cats to feeding neighborhood strays to donating to local shelters, I'm all about helping cats in need. Five years ago, we adopted our two cats, Sam and Jade, from a local no-kill shelter, and I couldn't imagine our lives without our precious little bundles of fur.


https://ooh.li/36a6211

Operating a cat shelter is no small feat. From the thoughtfulness of the volunteers to the generosity of donors, it takes a village. Together, we can all make a difference.


But in our busy lives, we may not have the time to donate our help to a shelter and we may not have the financial resources to give a large donation. That's where the Litter For Good™program comes to the rescue (no pun intended!). Every time you buy a green jug of Cat's Pride® Fresh & Light® litter, Cat’s Pride will donate a pound of litter to an animal welfare organization across the United States. It's as easy as that! No need to visit your local shelter to help out.



It's as simple as picking up a green jug of Cat's Pride® Fresh & Light® litter on your next grocery store run. There's no need to adopt another kitten or cat (in case you're like I am and already have three!!).



I remember the first time we visited our local shelter to choose a cat. It didn't take long. There was a little black one who kept sticking her arm out and reaching for the girls. They asked if they could hold her. They loved the black kitten, and she loved them. They didn't want to hold any other cats. She was the one for them. I completed an application and learned a few days later that we had been approved.


By 2020, Cat’s Pride hopes to donate 20 million pounds of litter to shelters across America. You can help Cat's Pride reach its goal by purchasing Cat's Pride® Fresh & Light® littereach time you re-stock your cat's litter.



Click here to learn more about the Litter For Good™ program and to find a store near you. You can also visit catspride.com/litterforgood and sign up for the free Cat’s Pride® Club to nominate a shelter to receive litter donation.
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How To Accessorize Your Favorite Dress

Saturday, February 10, 2018
photo via
If you’ve fallen in love with a dress that you bought to impress, you might be wary about wearing it time and again. However, if you love it, you're definitely wanting to wear it over and over again. The art of accessorizing makes any outfit look completely fresh and new every time you wear it. No need to worry about getting bored with your look, and chances are nobody will notice it’s the same dress you wore last week!

Hats create a focus away from your body. They are certainly the best and easiest distractions for the eye if you’re worried about repeat-wear. So how can you wear two or three different styles of hat with the same dress? Choose two very different hats. One can work to offer a more casual, fun look, like a fedora. The other can offer a softer, more feminine look. Something wide-brimmed would offer a different overall structure to your outfit.

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How To Become A Minimalist

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Now that the holidays have passed and spring is around the corner, it’s time to think about decluttering and deep cleaning. 

It’s been scientifically proven that clutter can cause us mental strain and stress. Have you ever found you can’t concentrate on work until your kitchen is cleaned or the clothes picked up off the floor?

But how do you know what to get rid of and what to keep? And where do you even begin!
PSECU created this infographic with five baby steps to take towards decluttering and organizing your life. You don’t have to become a full minimalist to reap the many benefits of tidying up.

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What I'm Watching On Netflix

Monday, February 5, 2018
There's only one good thing about winter (IMO), and it's the fact that you have a good excuse to stay in and unapologetically binge watch Netflix. I am not too proud to admit that lately that's pretty much how I've been spending my weekends. Here's what I've been watching, and I wholeheartedly recommend each and every one.


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Happy February ~ Letter From The Editor

Friday, February 2, 2018
February is finally here! I have to say there were days in January that felt as if they were dragging on for weeks and others that felt like they flew by in an instant. Although I'm not fond of the February weather, I do love the month overall. It's short, which means spring is all the closer, and it's the month of my youngest daughter's birthday. So, we always have something fun to look forward to in the month.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, February 1, 2018

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Forty-two hidden gems on Amazon that will change your life via Bustle.

2. Here's what to do when social media depresses you via MindBodyGreen.

3. The best places to see wildlife up close via Condé Nast Traveler.
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