Ways To Spoil Yourself On A Budget

Wednesday, February 26, 2020
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There is no shame in spoiling yourself every once in a while. Especially when you have kids, you need to find time to focus on you. Forget about everything else and relax and unwind, even if it is only for a few hours. You deserve it. After all it is your life too and without a little ‘me time,’ who are you? Pampering and treating yourself doesn't need to cost a fortune. Here are some ideas when you are on a budget:

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How To Make Your Home More Appealing To Potential Buyers

Tuesday, February 25, 2020
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Selling your home can be nerve-wracking and exciting all at the same time. There’s a lot to think about and do as you prepare to put your home on the market. The faster it sells, the quicker you can move on and into your new home.

If you want the process to be quick and painless, take time to make your property more appealing to potential buyers. Focus on updates and features that will draw potential buyers in and spark their interest in wanting to buy your home. Work with your realtor to take care of any finishing touches before it’s time to show it off.
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Weekend Dispatch

Monday, February 24, 2020

Is it just me or is this month flying by? I know it's a short one, but February seems to be whizzing by. Last week was a whirlwind. We celebrated Harper's 14th birthday, and while I was out running errands to pick up a few things for her birthday, I ran into my boss when I wrote for Meridian Momtourage. What a fantastic surprise it was! I hadn't seen her in forever. It was so serendipitous. We ran into each other at a Starbucks that neither of us ever goes to. We ended up chatting for two hours. It was so great to catch up with her and was a wonderful reminder to enjoy a spontaneous run-in rather than let it stress me out thinking about what I had planned to do in the time I was enjoying our chat. Anyway, I miss seeing her regularly, and since we live so close, we have committed ourselves to getting together regularly.

Other than that, here's what else I've been up to:

I've been listening to the podcast The Daily  from The New York Times practically since its inception two years ago. When I recently did a Google search to find out more about the team behind The Daily, I found that The New York Times has a spinoff TV show on hulu called The Weekly. In the same vein as The Daily, The Weekly is a narrative documentary series that examines a hot topic for 30 minutes each week. Topics range from Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and whether it contains asbestos to Rudy Giuliani's rise to popularity and fall from grace.


When you are in the mood for a short podcast (under 10 minutes) that seems like a quick chat with a friend on a pop culture topic, The Hottest Take podcast is your go-to. It's like an op-ed in podcast form. With topics such as children on airplanes to breakfast to the tradition of bridesmaids, The Hottest Take touches on movies, food, TV, the internet, and life in general. We all have opinions, and chances are one of the host shares yours. Listen here.


Do you journal? The topic of journaling came up in a private Facebook group that I belong to. I've always expressed myself more effectively using the written word than the spoken one, but those written words have always been for others. When you journal, those words are for you. Many people in the group use journaling as a means of self-care and as a release. Others use it as a way to preserve memories. Whatever your intention is, journaling can be very therapeutic. I've recently started journaling and bought this journal as a guide. It includes prompts for times when I want to journal but am at a loss for something to write about and included a guided format to keep you on track.


Each week I've been trying a new recipe. Some weeks it's been a dessert. Other weeks it's been a breakfast item. And others it's been a vegetarian recipe. This weekend I'm going to try this olive oil cake. I recently met a friend at her house for tea, and she served a variation of this cake (she made an orange olive oil cake), and it was delicious. Very light and airy and pairs exceptionally well with tea.

So, tell me. What do you have planned this weekend?
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5 Fab Finds Under $50

Tuesday, February 18, 2020
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Spring is coming. I promise! Be ready for it with a few items that are either on trend for spring or will help you make a seamless transition from winter to spring. This week I'm sharing 5 fab finds under $50 to help you prepare for spring's arrival.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, February 13, 2020

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

1. Six things about the bloody Mary that you should know via Liquor.com.

2. How to plan a trip around someone else's wedding via Condé Nast Traveler.

3. Forty facts about "The Bachelor" you may not have known via Marie Claire.
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5 Fab Finds Under $50

Tuesday, February 11, 2020
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This week's fab finds has a little bit of everything from workout to night out. That cute bag up there? Yeah, you're going to want to buy that before it sells out!
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Small Ways To Make Motherhood Easier

Monday, February 10, 2020

The hardest job in the world is that of parenting. It’s grueling, exciting, tedious, exciting, and tiring - all rolled into one. You don’t get breaks, you work around the clock, and you attend the needs of small and very demanding little humans. Yep, motherhood in a nutshell.

We know, you love your kids, you don’t need to clarify this! It is more than okay to want a break from your children while still loving the bones of them! You are a very tired, very overworked superhero, and everyone knows that mothers have it very hard. It’s for this reason that you need to do everything possible to make life easy for yourself. With our four tips below, you can make life far easier than it has been in a while and change the way you think about how you live, too!
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What To Wear On Valentine's Day

Friday, February 7, 2020
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I'm not big into celebrating Valentine's Day, but I do love the idea of wearing something festive that isn't over the top, covered in hearts. This year, I'll be wearing this cute top, but in my search to find something fun to wear, I also found a few other red and pink items that are cute without going overboard.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, February 6, 2020

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

1. How to clean out your closet via Wit & Whimsy.

2. Five things you need to clean every single day via Health.

3. I think this concept is totally hilarious and clever AF via Bustle.
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Weekend Dispatch

Monday, February 3, 2020

Last week was rough after Sunday's news about Kobe Bryant's untimely death. I tend to do two things when I am upset: clean and exercise. So, on Monday morning, I went to the gym for my usual workout but hopped on the treadmill and ran for a whopping seven miles. I never run that far, but I was so jacked up and emotional that I just released it in the form of a good, solid run. I felt great afterwards and am going to try to make it a regular thing. Unfortunately, I expended all my emotional energy during my run that I had none left for cleaning. So, there's that. This week I am trying to finish up a book I am reading, and I'm trying to knock You off my viewing list, but this season has been difficult for me to get in to (anyone else?), and it's taking me a while to watch.

Here's what else I am up to this week:

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