Posts from the ‘Things I Love’ Category

Loving: Spring 2023

Below are a few things I am loving during this spring.

1. Stokke Chair — We love the adjustable Stokke chair! Alex loves it, too, along with the comfy seat cushion!

2. Minnow Swim Suit — I love these fun swim suits from Minnow Swim — Alex has been wearing these swim suits, along with the Hanna Andersson swim suits, since she first started swimming in 2019.

3. Summersalt Swim Suits — I absolutely love these swim suits, they are very comfortable, well-made, and flattering!

4. Ranger Rick Jr. — In addition to Highlights High Five magazine, Alex really enjoys her monthly Ranger Rick Jr. magazine, especially with all of the different animals featured!

5. Kindfull Dog Treats  — We recently found these new dog treats, and Victory loves them!

6. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin  — I recently started reading this book, and it is fascinating! The Creative Act is essentially a book designed to guide an artist through the creative journey. The book is 400 pages but its welcoming tone makes it an easy read. The sentences are short, as are the chapters. 

“I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be,” writes Rubin.

The situations he describes will resonate with anyone who has done any kind of creative work for an extensive period. The highs and lows, the roadblocks and self-doubt, and the antenna you have to keep attuned to the universe’s signals.

He encourages experimentation and holding on to childlike wonder. He is against competition and comparison, assuring artists that their competition is only themselves while they are on the path of evolution. “Putting your best effort in at each moment, in each chapter, is all we can ever hope to accomplish,” writes Rubin.  

He advises us to continuously work towards a goal, be okay without everything being perfect, and not letting the voices in our heads dissuade us from making it to the finish line. People often think they need some grand idea before they can start working when in fact, you need to sit down, start working, and while you’re working a grand idea will come to you.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Winter 2023

Below are a few things I am loving during this winter.

1. Yellowstone — We have enjoyed this series. Doug and I began watching Yellowstone when we returned from Christmas. It is a great show, and we have all but watched the fifth season, which we plan to start this week! The horses are beautiful and views are amazing, along with a good plot and storyline.

2. Lululemon Shirt — I love this shirt. It is light weight and very comfortable, a very soft cotton. I have this shirt in several color, and I highly recommend it.

3. Trader Joe’s Beef Jerky Dog Treats — Victory loves these treats from Trader Joe’s! I always try to keep some in the house for our sweet girl!

4. Chunckies — Alex really enjoys these paint stick that we discovered from a friend around Christmas time. She has made some beautiful art with them, and they are much less messy than regular paint, for the win!

5. Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad — This book is one of my favorite memoirs. I love reading memoirs, and this books was so well written, which chronicles Jaoud’s story to battle a rare cancer, along bone marrow transplants, and her reintegration back to living in the world outside of the “bubble” of the hospital. I really enjoyed reading this memoir. It really makes one so grateful for his/her health after reading this memoir. I highly recommend this book, if you enjoy reading about other people’s stories.

6. The Perfect Bar  — We recently discovered the Perfect Bar, and we love them, including Alex. They are 100% made with natural ingredients, they are organic, and delicious. Alex’s favorite flavor is the peanut butter with dark chocolate chips. We love them, and eat them often from our fridge!

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Fall 2022

Below are a few things that I am loving this fall.

1. Star Ornament  — I love this ornament. The quality is very nice and I love that you can list the year and the members of your family along the star.

2. Hana Andersson Leggings — We love the Hana Andersson leggings; Alex wears them through the fall, winter, and spring, and they hold up really well, even after many washings — they are a must have for us!

3. Taharka Brothers’ Ice Cream — We all love the Taharka Brothers’ ice cream — it is the best ice cream I have ever had, and we were lucky enough that one of their ice cream trucks came to our neighborhood for a few events! The honey graham is excellent!

4. Hana Andersson Tops — Similar to the leggings, above, we love the Hana Andersson tops, they also hold up really well and Alex thinks that they are very comfortable, as well!

5. The Watcher — This is a good series, based in part on a true story. This is a mystery-thriller, and if you enjoy those types of shows, you will enjoy this one!

6. The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines  — I enjoy reading memoirs. Gaines wrote down her life story after feeling conflicted. She used writing to process experiences of her first two decades of life. “Fear, vulnerability, intentionality, perfectionism” were recurring themes.  She urges readers to pay attention “to the moments you’ve kept close,” to listen to their own story, and to be open to “a way of living that grows toward change rather than against it.” I found this book as a reminder to be really present in your life, really leaning into and embracing all of those ordinary moments, which are not so ordinary.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Spring 2022

1. Patchology Restoring Night Gels  — I love these Patchology night gels. They contain a dose of anti aging Retinol and Peptides to reduce wrinkles. They are very soothing, and I love them!

2. ILIA Serum Foundation — I came across this new line of makeup, ILIA, and I love it! The serum foundation is so wonderful, and it goes on so easily and it does not feel like you are wearing anything on your face; plus, it is a clean makeup. I highly recommend this makeup line!

3. Fromm Wet Dog Food — Victory loves this dog food, which we use in conjunction with her kibble. We have used it for years, and the quality of this food is excellent as well.

4. Minnow Swim Swim Suit — Alex loves these swim suits! They come in unique designs and cuts, and they hold up pretty well for a busy little girl!

5. The Power of Showing Up — This is an excellent book for any parent, especially of young children. I loved this book. I learned how important and crucial is is for parents to consistently show up meaningfully in their child’s life. And the research suggests that this is one of the best predictors for how a child turns out in terms of happiness, academic success, leadership skills, and meaningful relationships. Ultimately, this book is a wonderful guide to cultivating your child’s healthy emotional landscape and wiring.

6. Hanna Andersson Dress  — Alex’s favorite color is orange, and we love Hanna Andersson’s clothing! So, this was a perfect match! The fabric is light and airy and comfortable for enjoying play time!

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Winter 2022

Happy Winter!

1. Maid — We finished this series, recently, which was based upon a true story. It was intense to watch, but it was very well done and interesting, and it follows the arc of the hero’s journey.

2. The Lost Daughter — We watched this film recently, and it was well done. Maggie Gyllenhall is the writer and director of this film, pertaining to how events past and present shape our souls and force us to confront our shadow.

3. Bocce’s Crispies Dog Treats — These are some new dog treats we tried with Victory, and she absolutely loves them, they are similar to crispy training treats!

4. Patagonia Jacket — Alex loves her winter jacket! It is well-made and keeps her very warm, which is important!

5. Osmo — Alex got an Osmo for Christmas, and she loves it! She loves making creative pieces of art, along with her letters!

6. Vivian Maier, Developed — I recently purchased this book over the Holidays, and it is such a great read. Vivian’s Maier’s work was discovered in a very fascinating way several years ago. Her work has subsequently been acquired by and shown in museums. Very little was known about her at the time her work was discovered; however, Ann Marks does a wonderful job sharing Vivian’s story, in conjunction with her work. I learned a lot about this photographer, and it was inspiring to read as well.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Fall 2021

Happy Fall! Below are a few things I have been loving this fall!

1. Patagonia Nono Puff Jacket — I love this jacket. It is the perfect weight for fall weather, without feeling too heavy on your body! I highly recommend.

2. Native Body Wash — I love this body wash! I especially like the lavender and rose scent, it smells so nice!

3. Chick-Fil-A Peppermint Milkshake — It is that time of year, again, that we look forward to, when we can get a Chick-Fil-A peppermint milkshake, for a limited period of time! (I usually do not go for milkshakes, but this one is excellent.) Both Alex and I love them, a special treat!

4. Work Life Podcast with Adam Grant — I just came across this podcast with Adam Grant, and I really enjoy the wide range of topics, and the guests are very interesting to listen to, especially on a long walk outside!

5. You will Leave A Trail of Stars — I really like this book by Lisa Congdon. It offers interesting thoughts, insights, and wisdom.

6. The Serpent  — Doug and I enjoyed this British crime drama, which was based on a true story.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Summer 2021

Happy Summer! Below are a few things I have been loving this summer, thus far! And, we are so happy summer is here!

1. Good Inside Podcast — I really like Dr. Becky! She has a great podcast and blog filled with good and helpful information about raising kids today. Additionally, she has great information on Instagram, too!

2. Gravity Podcast — I also really enjoy this new podcast hosted by Lucy Kalanithi. It is a podcast about how we can look at hardship differently. (I also enjoyed previously reading the book, a memoir about living while dying by her deceased husband, Paul Kalanithi.)

3. The Mess You Leave Behind, Netflix — We really enjoyed watching this series, and it really leaves you guessing until the very end!

4. Crocs —  Alex and I got new Crocs this summer! They are really comfortable and easy to slip on when you are on the go; and they are great for the pool, too!

5. Superglow Glow Screen — I really like this facial sunscreen. It leaves your face with a dewey and glowy finish!

6. Better than Leftovers Dog Treats, Trader Joes  — Victory loves these treats! We have been trying to mix up her treats up this summer, for some variety! She truly loves these dog treats from Trader Joes!

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Spring 2021

Happy Spring! Below are a few things I have been loving this spring, thus far!

1. Magic Spoon Cereal — I love this cereal! In fact, everyone in our house loves it, including Victory! It is a healthy cereal that tastes great, and is very reminiscent of your childhood favorites with no sugar!

2. Lululemon Top — I really love this top from Lululemon that I recently got. It is very comfortable and it comes in a variety of colors.

3. Noto Lipstick — I love this light lip stain, an earthy pink hue, which is perfect for everyday wearing!

4. Loosing Alice —  Doug and I loved watching “Loosing Alice,” a captivating Israeli show.

5. Lake & Skye Perfume — This perfume is a new find, and I really love it! It is sheer, clean, and uplifting with an ethereal vibe.

6. Highlights – High Five  — Alex loves getting her “High Five” magazine in the mail, which was gifted to her by a friend. The content is great, and Alex loves the “find its,” included in each issue.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Winter 2021

Happy Winter! Below are a few things I have been loving this winter, thus far!

1. Spirit Junkie Cards — I love these cards, by Gabrielle Bernstein, that I recently got, which features beautiful watercolor illustrations and empowering messages, which provides great inspiration.

2. Honeymoon Glow Serum — I have been using this serum for about a month, now. It is a night serum that hydrates and resurfaces skin. It is wonderful, with a hint of honey smell — I highly recommend this serum.

3. Hatch Baby — We got this Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise for Alex, and she loves it. It contains all different types of sounds, to select from, and different color lights for night lights, which are all controlled by your phone/ipad. Alex loves the Hatch, and we love it, too, as it helps alert us all when it is time for bed/nap, along with a light color change to alert Alex when it is ok to get up! It is great! And, as an added bonus, we are getting a little extra sleep!

4. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May — I began reading this book recently, after listening to a podcast. May explores how we relate to the painful periods in our lives —and what we can gain from normalizing the need to rest and tend to our wounds. May shares what changed for her when she allowed herself to see sadness as a need and not something to run from. For example, it helped her stop feeling addicted to productivity and busyness and begin to let go of the need to control everything. “We have got to stop feeling responsible for controlling our lives because that attempt is devastating us,” she says. “And it’s a lie—we just cannot do it.” 

5. Boll and Branch Sheets  — I had heard really good reviews of these sheets, for some time, and I decided to get a set for us, recently, and I absolutely love them! They are the best sheets I have ever slept on! I think we are both sleeping better at night, as a result! I highly recommend.

6. Hanna Anderson Unders—  We recently started potty training, and I love these underwear, and so does Alex! They hold up well, just like their clothes line, and they are super soft and comfortable.

You can view other things I love here!

Loving: Fall 2020

Happy Autumn!  You can really feel that fall is here, despite the ongoing pandemic.  Below are a few things I have been recently loving this fall!

1. Caprina Body Wash — I love this body wash!  I discovered this brand while visiting Quebec a few years ago. Alex loves the bubble bath and the lotion is great, too. I really love the orchid scent, it smells really nice.

2. Ebeerjay Pjs — I do not recall exactly how I heard about this brand, but their pjs are fantastic. They are super soft and comfortable!

3. Hanna Anderson Shirt — I get most of Alex’s clothes from Hanna Anderson, and we love this company. I love that they have solid, non-text, non-busy clothes, that are super soft and comfortable. I also get the girls matching Happy Hanna PJs for Christmas!

4. Filson Leash — For Victory’s birthday, we got her a new leash, and we love it! And, it compliments her fur coat nicely!

5. Dirt by Mary Marantz  — I love memoirs, and I really enjoyed reading this memoir by Mary Marantz. It was eye-opening and transformative to read her story.

6. The Osterholm Update: COVID 19 Podcast —  Doug got me started listening to this podcast. He has been an avid listener since the pandemic started. As a result, I started listening to this weekly podcast, and I am hooked. Dr. Michael Osterholm, the Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, provides very informative and honest insights about the current COVID-19 pandemic. The topics are timely, insightful, informative, and interesting each week. I highly recommend this podcast.

You can view other things I love here!

Also, by the way, our Halloween post is updated with new photographs!