What to Buy a Bookworm for Christmas

As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I feel like I'm an expert when it comes to buying for my fellow readers. Truly, it doesn't matter if the bookworm in your life is into romance or sci-fi, mystery or historical fiction, we all love showing off our love for the written word. So I've rounded up 20 gift ideas under $50 sure to put a smile on the face of those who read books like others breathe air.

1. Book Light - Every bookworm needs a book light for those nights they stay up past their bedtime to finish a good story. I especially like this one that you wear around your neck. It's rechargeable and has three light settings.

2. Cozy Blanket - Is there such a thing as too many blankets? You can take this gift one step further with a blanket that represents your bookworm's favorite book from Litographs.

3. Mug for Tea/Coffee - There's nothing better than sipping a warm beverage while you read, and I love these personalized reading mugs.

4. Kindle Gift Card - Does this one need an explanation? 

5. Book Art - I love quirky artwork that represents my interests, especially when it comes to decorating my home office. This line art print of a woman reading would be a nice addition.

6. Literary-Themed Clothing - A couple years ago, my mom got me a really cool book scarf that I love. This year, I've got my eye on these quirky library card socks. I also love just about everything on Out of Print's site.

7. Personal Library Kit - This is perfect for those bookworms who like to loan their books out.

8. Reading Journal - I really like the idea of a reading journal. This one by Write It Down! is a guided journal to help you not only keep track of what you've read but also your thoughts about it.

9. I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf - This fun collection of comics by artist Grant Snider is the perfect addition to your favorite bookworm's bookshelf. The comics are insightful, funny, and sprinkled with a grain of truth.

10. The Book Seat - This little gadget is a must-have for any reader. It's like a little bean bag for your lap that molds to any surface and prevents your arms getting tired from holding up your book or Kindle.

11. Bookends - A bookshelf just isn't complete without them! I'm particularly fond of these agate stone ones.

12. The Book Lover's Cookbook - This is filled with recipes inspired by literature and the passages that mention them.

13. Bathtub Tray - Who doesn't love to read in the bathtub?

14. Nightstand Book Holder - Tired of keeping up with paper bookmarks? Don't want to dogear your pages? This is for you!

15. Unique Bookmark - Speaking of bookmarks. There are so many cool ones out there. These Sprouts ones are super cute, or you can customize one with a quote from their favorite book.

16. Library Card Coasters - How adorable are these coasters? I would absolutely use these in my office, which is also my library.

17. Library Card Phone Case - I feel like this one doesn't need words.

18. Miniature Book Necklace - Even bookworms like jewelry, especially if it's book related.

19. Reading Glasses - These were actually recommended by Oprah, so I had to check them out. They're blue-light blocking glasses, which is perfect for those of us who use a Kindle, and you can get them with or without magnification.

20. Literary Insults Poster - This is exactly what it says it is: a poster filled with insults from literature. I kind of love it.

*This post contains affiliate links.

7 Casual Fall Outfits

Real Outfit Roundup is a twice-monthly post sharing outfits I wore in real life, along with links to shop exact or similar items.

I think, though I'm not certain by any means, that fall might be sticking around my neck of the woods. Our weather pattern has been trending in that direction at any rate. Our daily highs have been firmly in the 70s for the past several days, and our overnight lows have been dropping.

In a reflection of this change, my daily outfit choices have started to include more long sleeves, ankle boots, and even the occasional jacket. Exciting stuff!

*Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh around 150 lbs. I wear size S/M or 6 in most clothing and size 7 in shoes.

Shirt / Jeans (similar) / Shoes

I was so excited when I found this t-shirt on a random Target trip to kill time. I was even more excited when the medium was too big, and I bought a size small t-shirt for the first time in years. Super Mario has always been my favorite console game, especially the Super Nintendo version.

Dress / Shoes

I love this dress. I like the understated, almost faded colors of the paisley print. I'm a fan of this style bodice, too. They're so romantic. This is also a size small.

Shirt / Pants (similar) / Boots (similar)

This tunic is from last year, but still available. It's thicker than a t-shirt but not as thick as a sweatshirt. The side twist is a nice feature. My pants are the Stevie from Old Navy. Unfortunately, it looks like they're not continuing the style, which is a shame. These wear like leggings but have the structure of a pant. They're fantastic.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Shoes (similar)

Have you jumped on the straight-leg jeans wagon yet? If you're looking for a pair to try, I definitely recommend these $23 pair of Signature by Levi Strauss from Walmart. These are the softest, stretchiest pair of jeans I own. 

Jacket / Tank / Joggers / Shoes

I had no intention of wearing this ensemble anywhere other than school drop-off and pick-up, but we actually ended up going to a store and out to eat. These joggers are from Fabletics and they are super comfortable. They're thick, but I didn't feel bulky. I paired them with a plain white spaghetti strap tank and threw my vintage Levi's jean jacket over the top and finished it with my silver star sneakers.

Tunic Dress (similar) / Leggings / Shoes (similar)

You can trust this combo to show up multiple times a season. This denim dress that fits more like a tunic has been a staple in my closet for years. I always layer it over a pair of leggings, then choose my shoes based on what I'm doing that day.

Shirt / Jeans / Boots (similar)

This tunic is so cute! It's a t-shirt material so it's thin. It's got two cute little pockets on the bottom. I'm wearing the small, and it's plenty big enough to cover my butt. My boots are also new, and I had honestly given up hope on them ever being delivered. This was the first day I wore them, so they were a little stiff but not uncomfortable, and by the end of the day I could tell they'll wear in nicely. Unfortunately because they did take so long to get to me, they're no longer available.

*This post contains affiliate links.

10 Non-Candy Options for Trick-or-Treaters

Are you guys ready for Halloween? Will you be taking your little ones trick-or-treating or handing out treats to the neighborhood kids? We'll be going door-to-door in our neighborhood, but I've done my fair share of handing out treats over the years as well.

Did you know that one-in-thirteen children has some type of food allergy? Many others is impacted by some other type of intolerance or condition that makes traditional trick-or-treat handouts not ideal.

Whether you have a child that fits that category or just want to be more inclusive with your treats this year, the Teal Pumpkin Project has you covered. It is a grassroots effort to raise awareness of food allergies while making Halloween more accessible for all children. Their website has a ton of resources, including a map of houses in your area that participate in the project.

While we don't have any allergies or other intolerances to worry about while trick-or-treating, I'm also not the biggest fan of having a pound of candy at the end of the night. We're not the type of parents who deny all sweets all the time, but we do try to keep Alexis's sugar intake on the lower side.

In spirit of that and the Teal Pumpkin Project, I put together a list of fun alternatives to Halloween candy. These are all things that Alexis loves and would be thrilled to find in her treat bucket. Bonus: none of these things costs very much.

1. Bubbles

2. Temporary Tattoos

3. Stickers

4. Glow Sticks

5. Bouncy Balls

6. Bead Necklaces

7. Kazoos

8. Stamps

9. Slap Bracelets

10. Silly Straws

Happy Halloween!

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! We had a good weekend. My mom and I took Alexis to what I believe is our area's best pumpkin patch/farm. It was ridiculously hot so we didn't do everything there was to do, but we had fun in the sunflowers. Then we decided to see The Addams Family 2, which was a lot of fun.

This week is Red Ribbon Week at school, which means every day is a dress-up day. I normally dread these weeks because I always feel like I don't have enough time to prepare, but thankfully all of the themes this year are fairly simple and won't require much. Whose idea was it to schedule a dress-up week the week before Halloween anyway?

Speaking of Halloween, we'll be trick-or-treating on Saturday. Alexis requested that we all dress up like Scooby Doo characters, with her claiming Scooby of course. I found a really cute costume for her and there are a surprising number of Daphne-esque dresses out there so my costume wasn't difficult to put together at all, and we didn't even have to buy anything for Chris to dress like Shaggy (although we did briefly consider getting him a Shaggy wig, lol!).

Other than that, I've got yoga later today and a doctor's appointment later this week. Chris is on vacation for the next 16 days, so that's kind of exciting. The November issue is all but done (just waiting on a few last-minute things to come in today), and I'll be shifting gears to December and January.

I can't believe it's time to start thinking about the holidays already. My first gift guide will be published this week, and it's one I haven't done before so I'm excited to share it with you all. My annual Working Mom's Gift Guide will go live next week, and then I'll have my last-minute gift guide after Thanksgiving. In addition to my other holiday content, I've got some birthday stuff planned, as well.

That's about it for me. I hope you all have a wonderful week, and if you're celebrating, a Happy Halloween!

My Top 5 Hair Tips

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it a thousand times more, but having wavy/curly hair is a bit like being a mad scientist. Since I made the decision to ditch my straightener and embrace my natural texture back in 2018, I've learned a lot about the dos and don'ts of how to treat your hair. And while there are some things that I do that specifically target my 2c/3a curls and waves, there are some basic hair rules that I think everyone should live by regardless of hair type.

Disclaimer: I am not a hairdresser or by any means an expert on hair care. Use this tips at your own discretion.

My Top 5 Hair Tips for All Hair Types

1. Only shampoo your scalp. I know it's hard, but resist the urge to scrunch all of your hair up onto your head. This will help prevent breakage, while removing build-up from your scalp. Also, look for shampoos with no sulfates, phthalates, or parabens to prevent build-up in the first place. If you don't know where to start, I can help with that!

2. Use conditioner on your ends only. I squish mine in from the bottom. Let it sit for at least two minutes so that your hair has time to absorb all the goodness. I typically do my hair first in the shower, that way the conditioner can sit for an extended amount of time. Rinse with cool water. This is the hardest one for me to follow, but it's important. The cool water will help seal your cuticle, keeping all that moisture locked inside.

3. If there is only one tip you choose to follow from today's post, let it be this one: Do not use a regular, terry-cloth towel on your hair. No matter how soft your towels feel, I promise you they are too coarse for your hair. I recommend a microfiber towel like the Turbie Twist or the Perfect Hair Care Towel (my favorite). Also, don't rub your hair dry as this will result in frizz, split ends, and other damage. Instead, gently squeeze your hair to remove the excess water

4. Apply leave-in conditioner immediately after showering to wet hair. Then "plop" or wrap up in microfiber towel (or a t-shirt) for approximately 10 minutes until hair is damp.

5. Apply styling products to damp, towel-dried hair. Let sit for 10 minutes before applying heat. This gives the hair time to absorb the products.

What hair tips do you live by?

Five Things I've Loved October 2021

Happy Friday, loves. I do hope you've all had a wonderful week. I, for one, am looking forward to the weekend. So long as the weather cooperates, we'll finally be visiting the area's best (in my opinion, at least) pumpkin patch.

I can't believe there's only a week left in this month. The holidays will be here before you know it, and then poof! 2021 will be over.

This month has been kind of a mixed bag in terms of everything. There was a lot going on, and then there was a lot of catching up to do, and then I finally got to rest. There were some exciting moments, too, especially when it comes to finding some products to make life just a little bit better, and I'm sharing those with you today!

Five Things I've Loved This Month

Mellow Brow Powder Duo in Auburn - This is the perfect shade for my brows. Everything I've used before is either too light or too dark, and you can always tell I'm wearing it. This, however, blends so naturally and matches my natural shade, so my brows are fuller and more distinct but don't look obviously filled in. Another thing I love about Mellow is that all their products are Vegan!

Neutrogena Flawless Matte CC Cream - I've always liked the idea of a CC cream but they've never worked for me. Then, I saw an ad for this one, which is formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, and had to try it. I love that it has a matte finish, which leaves my skin looking like just my skin. It doesn't clog my pores or irritate any blemishes I might have, and it lasts all day. It comes in 34 shades. I use the lightest, Shell.

Monat Rejuvenique Oil - Did you guys know that I'm lactose intolerant? I'm so sensitive to dairy, that if I eat too much of it (because let's be honest, I'm not giving up cheese 100%) I get really bad breakouts. They're like a cross between a hive and a zit, painful and super itchy, and they can take up to a month to fully heal. I've been dealing with one of these breakouts recently and decided to put this so-called miracle oil with 100+ uses to the test, since people swear that it works on skin issues. Honestly, I've been blown away by the results. After the initial test run, my dairy breakout was less inflamed, less itchy, and noticeably smaller. After three uses, they're almost cleared up completely. Miracle oil, indeed. (If you'd like to try it, let me know, and I can get you a sample.)

Levi's Straight Leg Jeans - I randomly found these at Walmart for $23, and I've been wearing them almost non-stop. They are so soft and stretchy, and surprisingly the rips are right at my knees (that never happens because I'm so short). I got them in a size 6 but I'm fairly certain the 4 would have worked, as well.

Cross Logic Mobile Game - This game makes me think. You get a series of clues to figure out what matches up with what.

10 Ways to Wear Leather Pants & Leggings

Have you joined the faux leather leggings fan club yet?

I got my first pair several years ago off a $5 clearance rack at Forever 21 just to see what all the fuss was about. I wore those things until they literally fell apart. Then I went a few years without a pair because I just couldn't bring myself to pay close to $100 for a pair, especially since we get maybe two months a year that it's actually cold enough to wear them.

Then last year, I found a pair of faux leather pants on major sale at Express that I just had to have, and last month I ordered these under $20 faux leather leggings from Amazon. The leggings are decent quality and have nice compression. The only issues I have with them is that they're made for tall people so I have to roll the legs under, they do not breathe at all, and they make a weird rustling noise if you move around too much (My husband says they sound like a garbage bag). But for the purpose of this post, they work.

Leggings vs Pants: What's the difference?

Okay, so there are some key distinctions between leggings and pants. For one thing, the pants have a button and zipper and pockets. They're also a thicker material than the leggings and in my opinion look a little more dressed up.

The biggest difference, though, is in how you pair them with tops. Leggings should be paired with tops that cover your butt, while leather pants can be paired with shorter tops.

Let's break down some outfit formulas for both!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Leather Pants

Leather Pants + Solid Sweater + Statement Boots

This outfit feels so edgy, but it's so simple. All you need is a solid-colored sweater in a bold color like rust, which is very trendy this year. You want it to be a more fitted style that doesn't go over your hips. The goal is to be able to see the button of the pants to elongate your leg line. Then add in some clunky boots, like my buckle moto boots (that my mom hates), and you've got a chic outfit with a little bit of bite to it.

Leather Pants + Graphic Sweatshirt + Skate Shoes

I love a good graphic sweatshirt (this is one of my faves from last year). They are so versatile and easily add a laid-back vibe to your outfit. The leather pants keep everything elevated so it feels intentional instead of sloppy, but the skate shoes keep that casual vibe going strong.

Leather Pants + Structured Blouse + Classic Flats

A structured blouse paired with a pair of classic black flats instantly creates a stylish outfit that you can wear to the office, date night, brunch with the girls, etc. I love the chicness of a black and white ensemble.

Leather Pants + Girly Plaid + Colored Flats

Let's keep that polish going with a girly plaid blouse. The key is to look for something that isn't a button-up. Take my blouse for example: it's got a peplum hem and trumpet sleeves. Those girly, almost fancy details keep the outfit feeling polished, especially when you finish it off with a pair of colored flats.

Leather Pants + Embellished Sweater + Heels

This is absolutely my favorite sweater from last year. It instantly elevates any outfit it's a part of, especially leather pants. Paired with classic black heels, and this outfit is ready for the office or your next holiday party.

Leather Leggings

Leather Leggings + Oversized Thermal + Skate-Style Shoes

An oversized thermal is the perfect in-between top when you're wanting to be comfy but not too casual. It's got enough structure to look purposeful, but it's comfortable enough to pretend you're in loungewear. I like the 90s vibe these skate shoes give the outfit.

Leather Leggings + Tunic/Dress + Sneakers

This is one of my favorite way to wear leggings, period - underneath a short dress or tunic. Case in point: this was a dress that shrunk in the wash. True to my love of 90s era grunge, I had to finish this out with sneakers.

Leather Leggings + Chunky Sweater + Statement Boots

This is the ultimate basic outfit, am I right? Just swap out your regular leggings for a pair of faux leather ones, grab your favorite chunky sweater (I love this green leopard print), and finish it out with some statement boots.

Leather Leggings + Oversized Button-Up + Classic Flats

Is it just me or does this outfit have a 50s vibe to it? Maybe it's just me... Anyway, I would absolutely wear this to an office job. It feels so polished to me. You can pull this off with any oversized button-down, really, but there's just something about this barely-there pink paired with all black everything else.

Leather Leggings + Graphic Tee + Long Cardigan + Sneakers

This is a modified work-at-home momiform. This entire outfit is all about comfort and movability. You can wear it while working in your home office, running errands, or just hanging out. The long cardigan makes up for fact that my graphic tee doesn't fully cover my rear. 

Which outfit is your favorite?

15 Spooky-ish Books for Halloween

Do you guys like reading spooky books? I'm not really one for scary, nightmare-inducing stories, but I am down for a good mystery or thriller. Since Halloween is coming up fast, I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorite spooky-ish reads plus some others that are on my TBR list.

Nine Spooky-ish Books I've Read

Ghosts of Gotham - This is still one of the best books I've ever read. Lionel Page is an investigative journalist who's built his career on debunking the supernatural. But when he's hired to authenticate a never-before-seen Edgar Allan Poe manuscript, things quickly take a turn for the irrefutable. This book has witches and, as the title suggests, ghosts. It's not scary, but I feel like I should warn you about one particularly gory scene that may get readers with weak stomachs.

Verity - This is a book I keep revisiting, especially the ending, and I still don't know which version of the truths presented is the right one! A semi-successful author, Lowen, is hired to finish writing a mega successful series when that author, Verity, is gravely injured in a car accident. While going through Verity's office, Lowen discovers an autobiography that reveals some very dark family secrets. When she witnesses the supposedly comatose Verity up and about, Lowen decides to present her evidence to Verity's husband, and things take a wild turn.

All the Pretty Monsters series - This is such an interesting series. It's about half a dozen old-blood Gypsy families who traded their humanity for immortality, becoming the world's first monsters. Idun is the worst of them all, but she and her family, who somehow give her her power, have been trapped underground for a thousand years. Then, Violet comes along and shakes the very foundation of these monsters' society.

The Seventh Bride - Fifteen-year-old Rhea finds herself the unwilling fiancé of a mysterious nobleman. When Lord Crevan summons her to his home before the wedding, Rhea learns she will be his seventh bride, and that all the others are trapped. Lord Crevan is a sorcerer who has managed to corrupt marriage contracts so that in exchange for marriage, he receives something from his wives - their magic, their sight, their voice, even their life or death. Sometimes he keeps the "gift" for himself, other times he gives it away. Now, he's got his eyes set on Rhea's youth, but she won't be easy prey.

Haunts & Hotels - First, let me start off by saying that this was surprisingly more intense than I was prepared for, especially since I decided to read it before going to sleep. I won't say that it's scary, but it was super creepy and ghosts rank very high on my scare meter. Anyway, Brea is a successful, semi-famous ghost hunter. She, along with three other teams, are invited to a competition at a haunted hotel that was once owned a serial killer. The serial killer, whose name is Dudley by the way, along with the spirits of his victims are still on the grounds. There is a LOT of creepy ghost interaction. Think those ghost hunter shows but multiple it by 10.

Circus of the Dead series - This book has voodoo and zombies and is set in the Louisiana bayou. Of course it's going to be spooky! Callie is sent to spent the summer with her uncle at the circus where he works, but this is no ordinary circus. All the workers are trapped, even those who are dead. Now, Callie's trapped, too, but she's not one to just accept it.

The Haunting of H.G. Wells - Famous author H.G. Wells works as a field journalist during World War I. When he's sent to the front, he discovers a no-man's land that's filled with the living, the dead, and those stuck in between. When he returns home to London, some of those ghosts follow and help Wells and a female journalist unravel a plot that could turn the tide of the war.

The Girl in Cabin 13 - Emma Griffin is an FBI agent who's been assigned to investigate a string of disappearances and murders in a rural community.  Not long after she arrives, a body is left on the front porch of the cabin she's renting, letting her know the killer knows she's there, and he's a lot closer than she thinks.

Kings of Miskatonic Prep series - So this series was crazy. Hazel thinks her life is finally looking up when she's accepted into the prestigious Miskatonic Prep school, but things at the academy are definitely not what they appear. Scholarship students like Hazel are handpicked to sacrifice to the monster that lives under the school, and the other students have been stuck there since their parents sacrificed them years before.

Six Spooky-ish Books on my TBR

Echoes - Hannah thinks she's losing her mind when the man she ran over and killed vanishes without a trace. So she desperately searches until she finds him alive and well. Then she learns he's part of an ancient race of immortals, but so is his sister who murders every person who learns his secret.

Mrs. Rochester's Ghost - Jane has lost her job, her mother, her relationship, and her home. At the end of her rope, she accepts an unusual deal from a friend - a cottage in which to live so long as she tutors Evan Rochester's daughter. Evan stands accused of murdering his wife. He claims she committed suicide, and although Jane is skeptical, she begins to fall for him anyway. When Mrs. Rochester's ghost begins appearing, Jane begins searching for the truth.

Bacchanal - Eliza can communicate with animals...most of the time. The residents of Baton Rouge fear her until they need help with their livestock. When the Bacchanal Carnival offers her a job, Eliza eagerly accepts. But this carnival is more than meets the eye. It's home to an ancient demon that feeds on souls.

The Curse of Jenny Greene - On the night Sophie's grandmother was supposed to die, her little brother disappears. Sophie believes he's at the bottom of the pond on Grimm Road and goes looking. Instead of finding Sam, Sophie finds herself face-to-face with a centuries-old witch. If Foster Grimm didn't pull her from the water, Sophie would be lost as well. Now, she's caught Foster's attention and he's caught the attention of the witch.

Girls of Brackenhill - When Hannah Maloney returns to her family's Catskills castle, she's compelled to investigate her sister's unsolved disappearance. Strange things keep happening in the castle, and Hannah uncovers disturbing details about her past. By the time she realizes some mysteries are best left buried, it's too late.

The Wicked Deep - Two hundred years ago, three witch sisters were drowned in the waters surrounding the town of Sparrow. Every summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of weak-hearted girls to lure boys to their deaths. This year, there's a new boy in town who has no idea of the danger he's stumbled into.

Have a Brighter Christmas with Letters from Santa

The countdown to Christmas is officially on! There are less than 10 weekends left before the big day. If you guys know me, then you'll know that I am the last of the last-minute shoppers, which could prove problematic this year with all the shipping shortages we've got going on. But I also know that it doesn't take a mountain of presents to make Christmas special.

It's all about the moments leading up to and on the day itself. The holidays season has always been my favorite time of year because my family does so much together. We have a ton of little traditions that make the season a little extra bright, and this year I'm excited about adding this one to the group.

A special thanks to Groundworks for sponsoring this post.

Santa's Letter Factory is your direct connection to Santa Claus this Christmas. What child wouldn't be thrilled to receive a personalized letter and bag of goodies from Santa?

What You'll Get

• A letter addressed to your child signed by Santa Claus.
• Their very own Nice List Certificate with a gold Santa Seal.
• A map showing directions from the North Pole to your home.
• Santa's Good Boys & Girls List prominently featuring your child's name. You can also add their friends' names to make it even more authentic.
• Santa Letter envelope postmarked from a real North Pole address.

Each thing your child receives will be printed on fine linen paper and embossed with raised seals.

You also have the option of adding on some additional gifts with Santa's Gold Christmas Package featuring snow, reindeer food, a "Santa Stop Here" door hanger and window sticker, and fridge magnet, or the Santa's Christmas Eve Package which includes an official Santa Bell, cookie plate, and milk mug.

The best part of all? Ten percent of every purchase is donated to Toys for Tots, which is my absolute favorite holiday charity. I've worked with the local chapter in some capacity for more than ten years, and it is absolutely so rewarding to be able to ensure that all children have at least one toy to open on Christmas morning.

To get your very own personalized letter from Santa, visit santaletters.org and click on Order Package. Oh, and did I mention they have a 60-day moneyback guarantee?

So what are you waiting for? Add a little merry and bright to your kids' Christmas with Letters from Santa!

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! We had a full weekend of fall activities. We visited with the scarecrows at our local Botanical Gardens and did a simple fall/Halloween craft.

Our temperatures have finally turned more fall-like with our overnight lows being consistently cooler. It's still not quite sweater weather, but I'll take it!

Alexis is on Fall Break for a couple more days. The school system did it differently this year. Instead of a full week, they wrapped three days around a weekend to give the illusion of having a week off. It's a trick I know well from my tv days when I would do the same thing to get the most out of my vacation time.

This is deadline week so I'll be fairly busy, especially here at the start of the week. I've got several things I'm working on for the blog and holiday gift sets just dropped for Monat so I'll be doing some stuff with that.

I hope all have a wonderful week!

National Pasta Day: 12 Recipes to Try

Pasta is my favorite food group, and what better way to celebrate National Pasta Day than by rounding up some of my family's favorite pasta dishes! The best part? All of these are really easy to make and super delicious.

In on particular order, here are 12 Pasta Recipes to Try.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi - This recipe literally takes 15 minutes to make. The most difficult part is finding the scampi seasoning.

Italian Pasta Skillet - This is like Hamburger Helper but so much better.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo - This is probably the simplest recipe you'll ever find for this. I love a good shortcut and this one is nothing but shortcuts!

Instant Pot Stuffed Shells - Don't expect yours to turn out looking anything like the photo included with the recipe, but man are these yummy!

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup - This is one of those recipes you can make in the Instant Pot or Crockpot. I've done it both ways and both times it was delicious!

Meatball Pasta Bake - This is one of my family's favorite casseroles. You literally just dump the ingredients into the pan and bake.

Baked Tortellini - Tortellini might be the most versatile pasta on the market. This recipe is so cheesy and ooey-gooey good.

Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole - This is the most popular recipe on my blog, hands down, and for good reason! This is my go-to "I don't know what to make" meal, and it's always a favorite.

Instant Pot Chili Mac - Whether you call it chili mac or goulash, this recipe is perfect for kids.

Instant Pot Ham & Cheese Macaroni - This is such a good mac-n-cheese recipe, y'all.

Instant Pot Meatball Lasagna - This was another hit in our house, although I used whatever noodles I happened to have in the pantry to make it.

Instant Pot Taco Casserole - This is a fun alternative to tacos. Serve with sour cream and your other favorite taco toppings.

What's your favorite pasta recipe?

10 Fall Craft Ideas for Kids

I am not crafty. Like, at all. But Alexis loves art and creating things. So I can use all the help I can get when it comes to seasonal projects. Thankfully, there's lots of help out there, like Michaels Kids Club, and we've got tons of places around town that do kid-friendly art workshops.

I try to do at least one craft for each holiday with Alexis, even if it's buying an all-inclusive kit from one of the local craft stores that lays out the instructions step-by-step. This year, I picked up a couple of Halloween-themed wooden cutouts from Target that we're going to paint.

If you're in the market for some easy fall crafts to do with your kids over the next few weeks, I've rounded up 10 fun projects that won't cost an arm and a leg.

Leaf Painting on Rocks - This is such a cute idea! Take your kids on a scavenger hunt for the rocks and leaves, then set them up with paint and let them create.

Paper Cup Jack-o-Lanterns - These would make adorable table toppers for a Halloween party!

Paper Plate Witch Hats - Paper plate crafts are my favorite!

Beaded Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins - This is another craft that doubles as a keepsake decoration.

Witch's Brew Halloween Soap Foam - Got kids that like slime? This should be right up their alley.

Coffee Filter Bats - These are super cool and would be easy to turn into magnets for the fridge or clip onto a line for a spooky garland.

Paper Bag Turkey Craft - Can't forget about Thanksgiving!

Yarn Wrapped Mummy - These guys are adorable.

Milk Jug Ghosts - These are a fun way to decorate inside or add some spookiness to your front porch.

Turkey Popsicle Stick - Would this really be a craft list if it didn't include at least one idea that uses popsicle sticks?

9 Casual Fall Outfits to Copy This Week

We've had a couple of weeks of typical fall weather for our region: cool in the mornings, warm-to-hot during the day. That means I've been able to more comfortably wear jeans and have even busted out boots a couple of times without dying.

For all you newbies, Real Outfit Roundup is exactly what it sounds like - a roundup of all the outfits I wore in real life over the last two weeks (that I remembered to take a picture of) with links to shop exact or similar items.

I don't have a whole lot of lead up for things this go 'round, so let's just dive in!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 150 lbs. My typical size is 6 or S/M in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans (similar) / Shoes (similar)

This is one of my favorite shirts for fall. I know it looks red in this picture, but it's really a burnt orange. What makes this one so good is the material. It's structured but not thick, so it's easy to tuck or front tuck but also works left out. Unfortunately, it's from several years ago so no longer in stock, but you can find this style of shirt pretty much everywhere. They're a good staple to have in your closet.

Dress / Shoes

This is one of the best dresses I've bought from Amazon, and it's only $10! It's partially lined and the skirt is slightly tiered. It is a little on the short side, but a size medium worked well for me.

Dress / Vest (similar) / Shoes (similar)

This is my favorite dress that I've bought this season. It's so versatile and just a lot of fun.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Shoes (similar)

Everyone expects a striped shirt to be black and white, but I love how understated this olive green striped blouse is for the season. What's great about this top is that it works equally as well for fall as it does for spring. Unfortunately, it's also a couple of years old so I'll link to something similar for you.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Shoes (similar)

This is one of my favorite color combos for cooler months. There's just something about this deep purple paired with black that speaks to me. This blouse is so old I don't even remember where I got it from, and my jeans are technically a size bigger than I usually wear but they're so worn in and comfortable that I can't bear to get rid of them.

Shirt / Skirt / Boots (similar)

This is probably my favorite outfit from this roundup. I felt so good wearing it. My shirt is from last year but it's still available. It can be worn on or off the shoulder, and I know you can't see it but the bottom is banded. It's super stretchy and soft, which was surprising. My boots are from last year, but this style is still pretty popular this year so I'm linking to a really similar pair for you guys.

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes (similar)

I've already sung the praises of this shirt multiple times, so I'm going to focus on these jeans instead. I found them randomly at Walmart for only $23. They're Levi's high-waisted, straight-leg, and I haven't had a pair of Levi's in years, so I had to grab them. I got my typical size 6, but I feel like I probably could have sized down to the 4. Anyway, these jeans are so dang good. They're ridiculously soft and stretchy. I don't typically go for high-waisted, but these aren't uncomfortably snug and cutting off my breathing. Also, the placement of the knee rips is perfect, which never happens for my short legs. I've literally been wearing them non-stop since I bought them.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Shoes

Yes, these are the same jeans. I told you - non-stop. I really liked the way this outfit turned out. Nice and crisp without feeling stuffy or overdressed. If you're looking for a good pair of black flats, this pair is on point and won't break the bank.

Shirt / Jeans / Boots (similar)

And we're ending with this simple but classic combo. This eyelet top is a little big on me, but I'm not sure the small would work since the material has no give at all, so keep that in mind if you're ordering. My jeans are Wranglers from a few years ago, but they'll never go out of style.

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