Weekend Reading #69
Early Black Friday sales, life updates, a little drama, and a mindset shift
Happy Weekend and happy our kids are home from school for the next 9 days to those who celebrate! I’m actually really looking forward to having the girls home all week. I miss those lazy summer days, and I’m sort of ahead, so I can slow down this week.
Before I dive in, I rounded up my top picks from what I think are the best Black Friday sales, and I updated my Amazon shop, too.
And a reminder that my gift guides can be found here.
At the risk of sounding really annoying (sorry guys), if my content has resonated with you at all, would you please take a moment to leave my podcast a 5 star review in the Apple Podcast app on your phone? That really helps the podcast. I’d be so grateful.
Let’s start with my top 10 early Black Friday sales (that I own and love)
Use ZIIPMOSS for 20% off the ZIIP HALO and 30% off gels.
My oura ring is 30% off. I use it to track movement, stress, my cycle, and sleep.
My favorite jeans are 25% off. Size down a full size. (I have both washes)
The best (clean) holiday candle is 20% off.
Our portable power station (great for outages) is 39% off!
My new scarf coat is on sale!
Get 20% off our foldable, travel car seat.
Our Litter Robot is on sale. It’s a game-changer for cat owners.
My must-have wet vac is almost 50% off!
The Hearth Display is on sale and has changed our lives. (more below)
And a bonus link. The girls’ new puffer is 30% off.
I want to share more about the Hearth
We were having to stay on top of the girls to put their stuff away after school, but I set up an afternoon routine, and if they do everything, they get a star, and they each have an option to get an extra star with their morning, afternoon, and evening routines. The three routines give them three chances to feel like they really did it! The display isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every penny. I mounted it by the back door and just over a week in everything feels a little less chaotic. I have three kids so it’s still insane, but backpacks and shoes are put away, and I haven’t had to ask Margot to do her reading once.
Ok, let’s get to it.
Thanksgiving Break.
It will be so nice not to have to do our usual morning routine. Rushing the girls out the door Monday - Friday isn’t my favorite. We have some fun plans this week, too. We’re seeing Wicked: For Good this weekend and Zootopia next week, and we’re getting together with some of our best friends. The girls actually call the kids in both families their cousins—it’s really sweet.
We’re seeing Stacy and her girls tomorrow. She is such a special friend who came into my life when Margot was sick, and was there for me every step of the way after having gone through the same thing with her daughter. Her husband got sick last year, and I was able to be there for her, too.
And we’re getting together with my friend (and our family photographer) Katie and her boys in a few days. This is your reminder to book some holiday pajama, movie, craft nights with friends, and that you can create your own family. We’re doing this again at the start of winter break. Our first babies met when Margot was just a few days old.
This girl has been saving me this week. She is the sweetest and most snuggly cat.
A holiday surprise.
And in more good news, my sister just booked a flight to come out and see us (yes, again) the day before the girls start winter break. We’re going to keep it a surprise and have her either pick them up after school, or I’ll take them out and have us run into her. Maybe I should put her in a box like we did with Estelle when she came to visit from France? Both of my sisters don’t have kids, and they are the best aunts to their nieces and nephew. We FaceTime both of them A LOT, and Jack is constantly calling Shelby to see her new rescue kitty Lucy. Jess has way more flexibility than Shelby with work, so she’s able to come out a few times a year. I can’t wait!
And onto how I’m doing.
I’ve had to be more in my body than ever before. Throughout hard things in my life, I’ve always been able to distract or reframe the story. I would dive into making it better — sharing the hard thing, raising money for pediatric cancer, and helping others. But this has been inescapable, and that’s ok. I will never forget the kindness and love that hundreds of people showed me the last two weeks. The endless messages, stories about your dogs, . How they changed their lives, and how hard it was saying goodbye.
And now, something that got to me this week.
But don’t worry, I got back up again. Because it’s ok to let something get to you. Feel it, remember who you are, and don’t give bullies any power.