In the South, we're lucky if we get a solid month of spring. Usually, we go from winter to summer pretty quickly, so for the most part the spring and summer sections of my closet are the same. Since May is the unofficial kickoff to summer, I wanted to share some of the new pieces I've picked up over the last couple of months. I did miss one dress, this pretty light green maxi dress I shared last week, and I decided not to include this lightweight sweatshirt because soon it won't be cool enough to wear it.

My summer wardrobe is mostly comprised of dresses, because I always feel put together in a dress, but I do wear my fair share of shorts and casual tops. Since we've all been ordered to stay at home for the last month or so, I haven't done any in-store shopping, which is why these picks are limited to Amazon, Old Navy, and ShoeDazzle. Those are the three places I consistently order clothing and shoes from with no issues. I prefer to shop in person at Target, JCPenney, and Walmart, because their sizes tend to be all over the place, and I can't really afford to order more than one size of the same thing.

If you've ordered anything online recently, with maybe the exception of Amazon, you've discovered the shipping delay, so today's post will be in two parts. First, the items I already have in house, and second, the items I'm still waiting on. Let's begin.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and typically wear a medium or size 6/8 in tops and dresses, size 6 in bottoms, and size 7 in shoes.



1. Comfy T-shirt Dress - Yes, this is the same comfy t-shirt dress featured in my 2020 Mother's Day Gift Guide. It's super soft and flowy, not thick and stiff like some t-shirt dresses I've tried in the past. I ordered the purple grey and got my usual size medium. There are 24 colors/patterns to choose from and sizing is XS-3XL.

2. Blue & White Flower Sundress - If you follow me on Instagram, you'll recognize this dress from earlier in the week. It has an elastic waist, adjustable straps, and pockets. It comes in 27 different colors/patterns and sizing is small-XL.

3. Blue Bandana Top - My husband picked out this top. It ties around the neck and about mid-way down the back, so your back is completely exposed. Obviously this won't be an everyday top, but I will wear it to the beach or lake. I got the large to ensure good coverage (re: no stomach exposure). The material is pretty stretchy, and the navy blue at least is not see through. There are 11 other colors to choose from and sizing ranges from small to XL.

4. Strapless Green Leaf Maxi - I absolutely LOVE this dress (seen in this post). The material is so light, making it perfect for a southern summer, and while it's thin it isn't see-through, although I don't recommend wearing dark-colored underwear. The slit in the skirt is about knee-high. The waist is elastic, which is helpful when adjusting the length. I'm wearing my usual size medium and say it's true to size. It comes in three other patterns.

5. Rainbow Striped Dress - Everybody needs a fun dress that can be worn to literally anything. This rainbow dress (seen in this post) is the perfect fit, and as you'll see in the post I linked to, can be dressed up or down easily. The skirt is super flowy and fully lined. The straps criss-cross in the back and are adjustable. I have the medium.

6. White Polka Dot Button-Up - I rarely wear t-shirts, even graphic tees, preferring something a little more structured. What's perfect about this shirt (styled 8 ways here) is that it's made of t-shirt material but looks way more polished because it buttons all the way up the front and has fluttery sleeves. I wear a medium in Old Navy.

7. Blue and White Striped Button-Up - I have this style shirt in several different colors and patterns as it's a style Old Navy keeps bringing back year after year. You can see how I wore this blue and white striped one here.

8. White Twill Shorts - Last year I bought a pair of white denim shorts, but decided that I wanted something a little dressier for when I do magazine delivery. These shorts are mid-rise and have a 5-inch inseam. I wear a 6 in Old Navy bottoms, but could have sized up to an 8 in these and not had any issue I think.


Now for the stuff I'm still waiting on to arrive. The stuff from Amazon should be here within the next week. ShoeDazzle says my stuff should be shipped in the next 3-4 days. Old Navy...who knows? I'm just going to link to everything since I can't accurately review any of it. I'll do a Part 2 post once I've got everything.

Over the last several weeks (I've lost count how many), I've seen several friends on Facebook ask for easy snack ideas. We usually have a pretty decent supply of Little Debbie snacks and cheese sticks, as well as peanut butter and jelly, but we've cut out pretty much all of our special after-school snack stops. So I've been trying to find ways to make snack time fun and not monotonous. Here are 10 ideas that I have either done or plan on doing.

Apple Slice "Cookies" -- This has become one of Alexis's favorite afternoon snacks. All we do is slice up a couple of apples, removing the core, and then spread peanut butter on top and sprinkle with chocolate chips. I like to do peanut butter and honey, and Alexis has recently started asking for cinnamon.

Yogurt Parfaits -- This is a family favorite. Start with plain or vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt, then add granola (we like the one with almonds and honey clusters), your favorite fruit, and drizzle with a little honey.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie -- Alexis loves smoothies, and they are so easy to make. All you need is ice, a banana, a few scoops of peanut butter, and milk.

Banana Sushi -- Similar to the apple slice cookies, cut your banana into two pieces, like sushi, coat it in peanut butter and then sprinkle on your favorite toppings.

Fish in the River -- This is such a cute idea, and I have no idea why I've never thought of it. All you do is fill your celery sticks with cream cheese and then press Goldfish crackers into it.

Graham Cracker Banana Cake -- These are kind of like a fruit s'more, in my opinion. Spread Nutella or chocolate spread on a graham cracker and top with sliced bananas.

Pizza Crackers -- Is there anything you can't do with a Ritz cracker? All you need for these is sliced pepperoni, a little pizza sauce, and some shredded cheese. Broil for a couple of minutes, and you've got a crunch mini-pizza.

No-Bake Granola Bars -- These granola bars use only five ingredients and are easily customizable to your family's tastes, and if your kid(s) is anything like mine they'll love helping make this one.

Rainbow Banilla Bites -- All you need for these are round vanilla wafer cookies, sliced bananas, and rainbow sprinkles.

Strawberry Yogurt Bark -- This is literally two ingredients. Yogurt and strawberries. All you do is put it in a wax paper lined pan and freeze for a few hours until it's solid. Easy peasy and you can use any fruit you want.

What are some fun and easy snacks your family loves?

I'm pretty sure this quote speaks for itself, and it fits perfectly with the attitude I've chosen to adopt for this strange season of life. In keeping with that theme, I wanted to share some products that are making my life easier these days.

1. My Instant Pot - I enjoy cooking, but with the whole family being home all the time, me still having to work, and Alexis now having school work, our days are so much busier. Thank goodness there are literally hundreds of recipes for the Instant Pot out there, so instead of spending 30 minutes to an hour at the stove, I can dump in dinner, set the timer for 5 minutes and voila! Dinner is served.

2. Cantu Natural Hair Curl Stretcher Cream Rinse- Okay, so technically this product makes my life easier all the time but I find myself using it a lot more often here lately. It helps keep my curls intact between shampooing and doesn't require a follow-up conditioning. I use it probably 2-3 times a week.

3. My JLab Headphones - I use these whenever there are people home while I'm working, but they are especially helpful right now. I'm pretty sure the ones I use are the kid size, but I linked to the adult ones.

4. Kindle Unlimited - To be fair, this is a subscription I've had for at least five years, but I've never relied solely on it for my reading. I like to mix in printed copies of books from the library or bookstore, but with neither the library or bookstore being open at the moment, I've been 100 percent reliant on this subscription to keep my inner bookworm satisfied.

5. Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Pad - I never said all of the products would be for me 😉. Alexis's school packets have included several cutting activities, but we didn't have any safety scissors at the house. In my search for some to order, to avoid going to a store, I found this activity pad. Everything she cuts out creates a second activity so it keeps her busy for a good bit.

What products are making your life easier these days? Share them in the comments!

Wow, what a challenging couple of months. From canceling Alexis's 5th birthday celebration to starting school at home and not being able to see friends, there have been so many ups and downs in terms of parenting. I'm lucky to have already been accustomed to working at home, and last summer prepared me for working while Alexis isn't in school, but add in school work, a husband who's been home for several weeks (with pay, thankfully), and the inability to do our favorite out-of-the-house activities, and I've discovered a whole new world of frustrations.

So how have I been making the most of these weird times? A lot of caffeine...

I'm only half joking about that. My caffeine intake has doubled, at least, as I deal with a lot of stuff I'm not used to. Otherwise, I'm nearly constantly listening to music so that the background noise of an active household isn't super distracting when I'm trying to work. I'm still reading every night before bed, although there's not as much time during the day to do so. I finally caved and bought a bottle of wine, which has gone a lot faster than I anticipated. I've dedicated more time to my blog and have been having a lot of fun coming up with relevant content for what's going on as well as playing with my closet.

Mentally, I decided pretty early on that not only do I need to focus on the good in each day, but that I also have to do my best to put a little good into each day. Most importantly, I'm giving myself, my husband, and my daughter a little grace. None of us have experience navigating what's happening right now, and we're all allowed to feel uncertain and frustrated, just so long as we don't crawl in that head space and stay there.

I've also found that dessert makes everything a little bit more bearable, so I wanted to share this easy-peasy cool whip pie recipe that my mother-in-law shared with me.


Ingredients

• 9" No Bake Graham Cracker Crust
• 8 ounces Cool Whip
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 large can Pie Filling (in the flavor of your choice)

Being a mom comes with a lot of challenges, and those challenges are being magnified this year, as nearly all of us are now mandated to stay at home until states are better equipped to handle the coronavirus. As I've said a few times over the last five weeks, working at home isn't some new adventure for me, but I was not adequately prepared for working at home while my husband isn't working and my daughter isn't going to school and without being able to do much to break up the days. Since pretty much all of our Mother's Days are going to look very different this year due to the pandemic, I wanted to put together a list of gift ideas that would work for a variety of moms. And the best part? You don't have to leave the house to get any of these items.

1. Slipper Booties - Is anyone actually wearing shoes right now? These come in three colors and have hard bottoms so you can wear them outside without worrying about anything soaking through to your socks/feet.

2. Stackable Measuring Cups - Since I've been cooking more these days, I've come to realize that my measuring cups just aren't stacking up (see what I did there?).

3. Wearable Nail Polish Holder - For the mom that needs to touch up her manicure.

4. Cocktail Recipe Book - For the mom who needs a pick-me-up after a long day of working from home while their children are in the same house.

5. Selfie Light Ring - Use this not only to take the perfect profile pic, but also to get your lighting just right for that Zoom meeting.

6. Comfy T-shirt Dress - Perfect for the mom who wants to get dressed but still feel like she's wearing pajamas. Comes in 25 colors.

7. LED Book Light - For the mom who's finally tackling her to-be-read list.

8. Gardening Tools - For the mom who's spending her time at home bringing that garden back to life.

9. Bathtub Caddy Tray - Perfect for when mom needs to lock herself in the bathroom for awhile to avoid screaming at the rest of her family.

10. Desk Organizer Set - For the work-at-home mom who's suddenly found her home office invaded by little people and constant background noise.

This 'storm' we're all living in at the moment is dragging on. I've had several discussions in recent days about how this pandemic doesn't mean we all have to stop living and enjoying life. I firmly believe that none of us has to stay cooped up inside our homes for weeks on end. Of course, there are responsible ways to do everything in times like these. For example, I will continue to avoid overly-crowded stores (I'm looking at you, Walmart and Lowes), and we will continue to keep Alexis's contact limited (she has asthma, so duh). But when outdoor spaces begin to reopen, we will be taking advantage of the change of scenery, while still practicing social distancing.

In the meantime, I've been doing my best to focus on the good in every day. Some days are harder than others, but I thought it would be fun to share 5 things I'm loving that are helping me dance, so to speak.

1. The Holderness Family videos - I follow a lot of family-oriented social media accounts, and they're all doing such a good job of offering up positive content for these weird times. While I enjoy all of them, the Holderness family has been posting daily funny videos specifically for the pandemic. It's a guaranteed way to add laughter to your day, and I am 100% here for that, pandemic or not.

2. Not Having to Set a Daily Alarm - Despite my preference to get things done early, I'm not really a morning person, especially when an alarm is involved. Since Alexis doesn't have to be at school by a certain time, we're able to wake up a little more organically (even though Alexis gets up earlier than I'd prefer).

3. The Facebook support group I'm a part of. It's filled with moms and women all offering support, ideas, and just general camaraderie. It was created in direct response to the pandemic, but I hope it continues even after things get back to normal.

4. My Cuddl Duds socks. I picked up a pack at Sam's during the holidays because I'd been hearing so much about them, and let me tell you they are totally worth the hype. These are the best socks for just being at home. They're warm but not super thick, and you can get them in all different colors and patterns.

5. Styrofoam/Paper plates and red solo cups. Seriously. Since everyone is home all day long, it means we're having more meals at home than usual, and ain't nobody got time for the uptick in dirty dishes (especially since our dishwasher crapped out right before all this started and we just now got it replaced). The only thing that would make it even better is a pack of plastic cutlery. *adds to grocery list*

Grocery shopping during a pandemic is tough, y'all. Especially if you're the type of person who likes to go in with a list that plans out your next week's meals. We've been making more use of Publix's grocery delivery service, which gives me the opportunity to look up recipes as I add stuff to my cart. That's how I came across this recipe for mock steak in the crockpot.

The steak came out so tender. It was almost like eating little mini roasts. We used the leftover sauce like gravy for our mashed potatoes. We will definitely be making this again, and I'll honestly probably use this marinade the next time I cook a pot roast.

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs. Mock Steak
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 1 large bay leaf (or 1 good sprinkle of the jar from your spice rack)

Original Recipe Here

Working from home isn't anything new for me. I've been working from home for the past two years,  but working from home with two other people constantly in the background is uncharted territory. We've been practicing social distancing for about a month now, and with at-home school activities finally added into the mix, we're finally finding a rhythm that works for our family. That said, being cooped up in the house with the same people for so many weeks, at the constant beck and call of a 5 year old, without being able to escape to Target for an hour has been trying. Since we're all in the same boat, I thought I would share some of the things that are keeping me from losing my cool.

Getting Dressed and Ready Every Day - This may seem crazy considering I barely leave the house these days, but there's just something about that familiar routine of picking out an outfit and doing my hair and makeup that gets my day off on the right foot.

Amazon Music/Pandora - I would not make it through my work day without music playing. Not only does it drown out the background noise of whatever my husband and daughter are doing, it helps me focus on my work and keeps me calm.

Reading - This is probably the biggest one for me. Since I can't escape to anywhere other than the grocery store these days (and let's be honest, grocery shopping is way more of a chore than ever with all that's going on), reading has become my daily escape route.

Grocery Delivery - Speaking of grocery shopping, I'm officially in love with Publix delivery. It's so simple. You shop on the app, approve any substitutions, and then just wait. Of course, like with everything, you can get a bad shopper, but that's only happened to me once, and I left a detailed review so hopefully it won't happen again.

Relaxed Screen Time Rules - As a rule, we try to keep Alexis's day pretty balanced between activity and TV time. School was a big help in that regard, and last summer I made sure to plan several activities a week to keep her occupied. Obviously none of that is happening right now, but instead of suffering through life without television, we're being more relaxed about how much she's getting to watch while still encouraging free play.

Journaling - I recently picked back up the habit of writing in a journal. It's not something I do on a daily basis, but writing about what I'm feeling has always helped me get through tough situations.

Blogging - I may be wrong, but I feel like I've done some of my best blogging during this time. I've been experimenting with different posts, exploring different blog groups online, and interacting with some of my readers.

Focusing on the Good - I made a decision at the beginning of all this to not get bogged down by the negative stories that were sure to flood my timeline. I've been very selective in the types of articles I've allowed myself to read concerning the pandemic and largely avoided social media other than for the purpose of work. I also joined a local support group that's been phenomenal in lifting each other up and sharing inspiring, positive messages daily.

What are you doing to keep your sanity during all this craziness?

I do probably 65 percent of my shopping online. As much as I like shopping in stores and supporting local businesses, I can't deny the convenience of shopping from home. In addition to the convenience, there's often a greater selection to choose from online than at my local stores, and when it comes to clothing both my husband and I need special sizes (tall and petite) that are rarely found in stores.

With the current state of the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become even more common, with many smaller stores finally joining the fray. Many people who have studiously avoided buying anything online now find themselves with no other option. But before you click "BUY," there are some things you should do first.


Shop Familiar Brands
If you have a favorite store that you visit in person, start there first. They'll have all your favorite brands and you won't have to worry about sizing or quality. Even if you're shopping on Amazon, you can search for your favorite brands.

Don't Skip the Product Descriptions
If you decide to try a new or unfamiliar brand, make sure you check out the size chart as well as the product description. There you'll find valuable information like what the item is made of, if the waist is elastic, if the zipper is exposed or hidden, and measurements. All of this will help you choose the correct size and give you an idea of how well it will hold up.


Read the Reviews
Sometimes product descriptions aren't accurate. That's where customer reviews come in, especially the negative ones. The first thing I check is that a majority of the reviews are positive. Even so, I still read the reviews to see if there are any sizing anomalies. If only one person had a sizing issue, it was probably a fluke, but if most of the reviewers say they had to size up, you probably should as well.

Use Coupons/Rewards
I don't buy anything without first checking to see if there's a discount I can apply. From Old Navy Super Cash to VIP programs, there are tons of ways to make the most of your online shopping trip. I also recommend Honey, which will automatically search for the best deals, even on Amazon.

Understand the Return Policy
Sometimes, even after you've consulted the product description and customer reviews, what you ordered just doesn't work. Before you click the buy button, make sure you understand the return policy. Many places offer free returns, but not every item is always included and there are often limits on how long you can keep an item before sending it back.

I hope this makes shopping online a little easier for some of you. Which of these do you already do, and which will you start doing more of? What are your best tips for shopping online?

I've been an avid fantasy reader since middle school. It all started with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. From there I dabbled in the worlds created by Tamora Pierce, journeyed to Mordor with Frodo and Sam, and discovered countless fantastical realms that continue to help get me through day-to-day life. Although I've read hundreds (probably thousands) of books about magic, there are four series that stand out as those I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fellow readers. So if you loved Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, you should definitely check out these series.


The Paper Magician Series - Comprised of The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician, and The Master Magician, this series follows the adventures of apprentice magician Ceony Twill and her mentor, Emory. From saving her teacher's life to discovering a potentially dangerous magical ability, Ceony is the kind of female protagonist I love. She's strong and intelligent and an absolute force to be reckoned with. The fourth book in the series, The Plastic Magician, takes place in the same world as the first three but changes protagonists - although Ceony and Emory do have a cameo. All four books boast mystery, adventure, and romance.


The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy- Comprised of Dark Witch, Shadow Spell, and Blood Magick, this series focuses on three cousins living in the modern world who are fulfilling their ancestors' quest to rid the world of a great evil. The first book is told from Iona's point of view, the second from Connor's, and the third from Branna's. Throughout the journey, they each find love and connect with the original three.


The Inheritance Cycle - Comprised of Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance, this series follows the tale of Eragon, a 15-year-old farm boy who discovers a dragon egg, revealing his destiny as a Dragon Rider. Armed only with an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is swept into an adventure of magic, glory, and power. His choices could save, or destroy, the empire. This series is perfect for LOTR fans.


The All Souls Trilogy - Comprised of A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life, this series is the story of Diana Bishop and Matthew de Clairmont, a witch and vampire who fall in love and defy the laws of the Congregation - the ruling body of all creatures: witches, vampires, and daemons. Set in modern day and 1591, this story weaves together past and future beautifully. I loved how the author incorporated real-life events into the timeline. I thought the first book was a little slow to get going, and the science jargon was a little off-putting at times for me, but once it got going, wow! This series jumped into my 'favorite books of all time' list with ease.