Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving filled with good food and company, and that those of you who did Black Friday had successful shopping.

Our Thanksgiving was a mixed bag. We started the day with my parents, which was great. The food was good, and we enjoyed spending time with family. Then, on our way home, something triggered Alexis's asthma and she had a really bad attack. So bad that we almost ended up at the emergency room. She was already taking a steroid for a cough that had developed earlier in the week, so this basically re-inflamed everything and made it worse.

We managed to get her calmed down enough to eat dinner with my in-laws, including Chris's brother and his family. So more good food and visiting, even if I did spend pretty much the entire time riddled with worry.

My birthday was Friday, but it definitely was nothing like we'd planned. We started our day at the pediatrician's office. Then we went to Lowe's, where it took us 15 minutes to get through the parking lot! Alexis wanted to get me some plants for my birthday, so that's what we did...and hopefully I will not kill them like I do pretty much every other plant I ever get.

We put up our Christmas tree on Saturday while watching the Iron Bowl. Well, I didn't really watch it, but it was on in the background.

Then on Sunday we surprised my mom for her 60th birthday. My dad took her camping for the weekend down at the beach, so my brothers and I decorated the house and got her a cake. Somehow she had no idea it was happening, which is crazy. It was a successful little party.

Today, we're sending the December magazine to press. Holiday months, especially when the holiday is at the end of the month, are always weird with deadlines. I have absolutely not done anything with the website that needs to be done for December, so that'll be my focus today and tomorrow. Then I'll be jumping right into January's content because the holidays will have us scrambling at the end of the month again.

I've also not planned a single piece of content for the blog for December, so I've gotta get on that this week, too.

I hope you all have a great week!

35 Things You Might Not Know About Me

In two days, I will officially be in my mid-30s.  And boy did the last year of my early 30s fly by. This has been a whirlwind of a year to be sure, but I can't say I'm not looking forward to the rest of my 30s.

I saw a meme on Facebook that I really related to. It talked about how your 20s are a time of self-discovery so that your 30s can be the start of living life as your true self. Man, I felt that.

In my 20s, I was so focused on fitting in and finding my tribe, which I’m happy to report I did, but it truly took the entirety of that decade for me to figure out who I am on my own and how to be comfortable in my own skin. Now that I’m mid-way through my 30s, I can confidently say that I embrace who I am as a person.

In honor of my 35th birthday, I wanted to kind of reintroduce myself. So here are 35 things you might not know about me.

1. My star sign is Sagittarius.

2. I met my husband on a dating site. Our first date was January 26, 2010. We got married September 15, 2012.

3. I was my high school salutatorian.

4. I won a national speaking competition my senior year of high school and had to speak in front of 4,000 people.

5. In addition to having a degree in Print Journalism, I also have a degree in Spanish. I rarely use it.

6. I did a study abroad in Costa Rica the summer of 2009.

7. I knew I wanted to be a journalist in middle school.

8. I worked on my high school newspaper every year I was eligible and served as editor for several departments.

9. I started this blog for a class assignment in one of my last college journalism courses. Back then it was called Journalistic Musings.

10. I had a stalker situation my sophomore year of college.

11. I showed hogs as part of 4-H and FFA from elementary through high school. I placed the highest in showmanship and class competition my senior year with a little Hampshire gilt. Her name was Ruthie.

12. I was on the cheerleading squad, softball team, and tennis team.

13. I was fired from my first job three times. The first time was because the schedule was changed and no one informed, so I didn't show up.

14. I write poetry. Or, I used to. I haven't written anything new in awhile.

15. The first band I saw in concert was Poison. Cinderella was their opener.

16. My favorite concert was Taking Back Sunday.

17. My drink was roofied in a bar once.

18. I graduated from college with honors in 2009.

19. I got my first real journalism job on accident. That accident turned into nine years at a television news station working my way up to executive producer.

20. Deciding to leave the TV station was one of the scariest choices I've ever made!

21. I currently publish a monthly parenting magazine.

22. I sell hair care products on the side.

23. I'm lactose intolerant.

24. And allergic to smoke of all kinds.

25. Favorite drink: Mountain Dew

26. Favorite color: yellow

27. Favorite book: too many to list here!

28. Favorite show: Supernatural

29. I became a mom on April 7, 2015, after a long, hard pregnancy. She will be our only child.

30. I'm only 5'2", which means I'm too tall for petite clothes but too short for regular sizes.

31. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.

32. Getting my daith piercings legitimately changed my life.

33. My biggest irrational fears are snakes and escalators.

34. I can't sleep if my elbows or knees are touching.

35. And we'll end with a controversial one...I don't like pumpkin spice lattes.

15 Affordable Beauty Gifts You'll Actually Use

Beauty gifts are the perfect go-to for stocking stuffers, Secret Santas, the girls at the office, small thank-you's for your clients...and the list goes on and on. The good news for those of you with beauty gifts on your shopping list, there's an endless supply of beauty products to choose from. Unfortunately, that's also the bad news.

With so many products on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Never fear! I've rounded up 15 super affordable beauty tools from Amazon that will work for literally anyone on your gift list, and they'll actually use them!

Leopard Print Claw Clips - Can you ever have too many hair clips? I use them to hold my hair back while I'm putting on my makeup, taking a bubble bath, or just want my hair off my neck while I'm working.

Bow Hair Band - These are so cute and fun! Perfect for a spa day or everyday use to keep your hair off your face while putting on your makeup. I really like these patterned ones and these solid-colored ones.

Microfiber Hair Towel - These are good for literally everyone on your gift list.

Crave Detangling Brush - These detangling brushes have too many positive reviews to count. The best part? They're good for all hair types and can be used on wet or dry hair.

Makeup Brushes - Everyone needs a good set of makeup brushes. This is the exact set that I use, and I love them. They are great quality, easy to clean, and come with a handy little how-to guide.

Hershey Kiss Eye Shadow - I love fun makeup, and it doesn't get much more fun than this quirky eye shadow pallet.

Winged Eyeliner Stamp - Why did I not know this existed? I need this in my life to perfect my cat eye and not look like a panda.

HAN All-Natural Cheek & Lip Tint - This multi-use cream blush will simplify your makeup routine.

Color Matching Lipstick - These are so intriguing to me, especially since it's very hard for me to find a good nude lipstick. Both this one and this one have good reviews.

So Cool Eye Stick - This under-eye stick will help reduce puffiness and dark circles, and how cute is the container?

Makeup Brush Cleaner - I use this brush cleaner every day.

Makeup Sponge Washing Machine - Make those beauty blenders last a little longer.

Jellyfish Silicone Exfoliating Brush - This cute little guy will make washing your face every day so much fun!

Dermaplaning Tool - Keep those rogue facial hairs in check with this easy-to-use razer.

7 Way Nail File - Keep your nails on point with this all-inclusive nail file that'll have you feeling like you just left the nail salon.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Monday Motivation

How is it the week of Thanksgiving already? I feel like we were trick-or-treating just yesterday! This month has flown by, that's for sure.

With this being a holiday week, it means I've really gotta hustle these first couple days of the week. So my number one priority for this week is to finish up the December issue of the magazine before Thanksgiving.

I want to do less ... I honestly don't know. Housework? Ha! I've already cut back so much on chores that if I were to do less it would be practically non-existent!

I want to do more ... cooking at home. Seriously, we've fallen off the eat-at-home wagon, and it's been really hard to get back on it.

This week, I want to feel accomplished. To feel this way, I will not give up. If I get stuck, I'll remember that even though I'm not where I want to be right now, I'm miles ahead of where I was this time last year.

Alexis has a short school week, if she even goes at all this week. I haven't made up my mind. Then, of course, we've got Thanksgiving, and my birthday. My mom and I had our yearly birthday girls day this past weekend. We did some shopping, ate way too much at Olive Garden, shopped some more, and ended with Dunkin.

No matter what you guys are getting up to, I hope you have a wonderful week. Happy Thanksgiving!

25 Days of Christmas Movies 2021 Edition

I don't know about you, but I love a good holiday movie. There are a handful that I watch every year without fail, and now that Alexis is getting into more non-animated movies we're adding to that list. She is a big fan of Home Alone.

To help you plan your holiday movie nights, I've rounded up 25 Christmas Movies I love or that are on my To Watch list this year. What's your must-watch holiday movie every year?

Meet Me in St. Louis - This is hands-down my favorite Christmas movie. Judy Garland is fantastic, as always, but so is the rest of the cast.

White Christmas  - This is one of those movies that I'm going to watch at least once every holiday season. It is such a feel-good movie, and I love all the singing and dancing.

Home Alone & Home Alone: Lost in New York - Alexis has really gotten into the original Home Alone movies.

Rise of the Guardians - This movie technically takes place at Easter time, but Santa Claus is one of the main characters, as is Jack Frost. It's such a great movie about believing and not giving power to the Boogeyman.

The Santa Clause - Is it even possible to make it through the holiday season without watching this classic?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - This is the only National Lampoon's movie that I actually like. It's relatable and so funny.

The Holiday - This is one of my favorite movies ever. An LA movie trailer producer and British wedding columnist agree to swap houses for the holidays to escape from failed relationships.

The Christmas Chronicles & The Christmas Chronicles 2 - Who knew Kurt Russell would make such a cool Santa?

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey - If you have not made time to watch this Christmas musical yet, you're missing out. Decades after being betrayed by his apprentice, Jeronicus Jangle finds new hope when his granddaughter arrives on his doorstep.

Klaus - After graduating at the bottom of his class, postman Jesper is assigned to a desolate northern town where he meets a reclusive toy-maker. The two team up to bring some happiness to the townspeople.

Holidate - This one is on my To Watch list. Fed up with being alone for the holidays, two strangers agree to be each other's date all year long.

Noelle - This is another one on my To Watch list. Kris Kringle's daughter wishes she could do something important like her brother, Nick, who is soon to take over Christmas. When Nick is about to crumble under the pressure, Noelle suggests he get away for awhile, but when he doesn't return she has to find him and bring him home to save Christmas.

Last Christmas - Nothing ever seems to go right for Kate, who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop in London. Then she meets Tom.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - I love this little short film. It's a great way to teach the true meaning of the season to little ones.

Elf - This movie has become a Christmas staple.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms - This is a different spin on the traditional Nutcracker fairy tale. On top of that, the film is beautiful.

The Knight Before Christmas - A medieval knight is sent to present day by an old crone where he meets a high school science teacher who doesn't believe in love anymore.

Bridget Jones's Diary - I love this movie but always forget that much of it happens around Christmas. As such, it's never actually made it onto my holiday movie list...until now!

Batman Returns - This is my favorite of the Tim Burton Batman movies. It's set during Christmas and is filled with old-school Tim Burton craziness.

RED - I've decided to officially retire Diehard from my Christmas movie list in favor of RED. It, too, is set around Christmas, and I like it much better.

The Nightmare Before Christmas - I've got to include this cult classic. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween, has grown bored of his life so decides to take over Christmas and things do not go as planned.

The Family Stone - Everett brings home his girlfriend, Meredith, for Christmas with plans of asking his mother for her grandmother's ring to propose. Things go south quickly, with Meredith calling in her sister for support and checking into the local inn.

Just Friends - When Chris unintentionally ends up in his hometown for Christmas, he decides to finally cross the friends barrier with Jamie, his one who got away.

All I Want for Christmas 2021

I remember as a kid how exciting it was when the Sears holiday catalogue came in the mail. Us kids would go through it for each grandparent and mark what we wanted for Christmas.

As adults, we don't really get to do that. Instead, we text the people we'll be exchanging gifts with ideas and links to the things we'd like to receive.

But for me there's something special about sitting down and making an actual wish list. I have several on Amazon that I use to save ideas all year long not only for myself but for anyone I might ever buy a gift for. You can also create gift lists to share with your friends and families. Such an easy way to keep up with who wants what and who's buying what, especially if you've got kids.

Anyway, I wanted to share my Christmas list for 2021 with you guys in the hopes it'll give you ideas for yourself or someone else on your list.

As always, friends and family please check with me to make sure I haven't given certain ideas to other people!

1. Chelsea Boots - I've been holding off on getting a pair of these, but lately I've been finding myself wishing I had a more casual pair of ankle boots. I think I would wear the black more but honestly wouldn't say no to having both.

2. Black Slip-On Converse - I absolutely love my navy blue slip-on Chucks, but sadly they just don't go with everything. But black does!

3. The Book Seat - I really want this. I get so tired of holding up my book and/or tablet while reading on the couch or in bed.

4. Floor Pillows - This one may seem a little silly, but Alexis spends more time in the floor than she does on the furniture, so a couple of these (in either of the gray tones) would be perfect additions to our living room.

5. Storage Cabinet for my office - I legitimately have stacks of magazines that need to be archived but nowhere to actually store them. I like this floor cabinet that's more bookshelf in appearance and also this three-drawer cabinet.

6. Nesting Tables - I love these and would get a ton of use out of them!

7. Pretty Serving Bowls - In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm still updating all of my dishes, and these serving bowls match my new dishes.

8. Reading 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.

9. Vintage Scissors - These scissors are beautiful and functional...and I really need a pair for my office so I can stop stealing the ones from the kitchen.

10. Cicada Wing Earrings - I can't explain why I like these, but I just think they're so pretty.

11. Some Things I Still Can't Tell You - I've had my eye on this book of poetry by one of my favorite actors, Misha Collins, ever since he announced it was coming. The samples I've read are beautiful.

12. Bathtub Tray - Someone please buy me this this year. I've asked for several years in a row. It will get sooooo much use. Just ask my husband how often I take a bubble bath!

13. Yoga Socks - This is probably TMI, but my feet sweat and that can cause a slippery yoga session. These would definitely help.

14. Loungewear - I want the blue set. Size medium.

15. Slippers - My favorite slipper boots are still in pretty decent shape, but they're a little too much for the warmer months.

16. Zodiac Star Sign Socks - Socks are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive, and I especially love these ones from Uncommon Goods.

17. Weekender Bag - My overnight bag's strap broke in a way that I can't repair, so I could really use a new one. I like the pattern I'm showing in this graphic but also the solid gray.

18. Mug for Tea/Coffee - I love these personalized reading mugs.

19. Pan Organizer - Getting a pan out of the cabinet is truly the bane of my existence. This would make it not suck quite as much.

20. Magnetic Measuring Spoons - I cannot keep all my measuring spoons in one place to save my life, and I almost never find the one I actually need.

21. Under Desk Foot Rest - If no one buys me one of these, I really might buy it for myself.

What's on your Christmas wish list this year?

*This post contains affiliate links.

7 Books I Started Reading This Month

I've been finding less and less time to read as we get closer to the end of this year. And, honestly, when I do have time to read, I find myself staring at all the books in my TBR and not being able to commit to any of them. The other night I read the first chapter of at least five books and didn't pick a single one!

That said, I have made it past the first chapter of seven books, although one of them I decided to quit halfway through. I still included it on this list, though, because it did occupy several days of my reading time.

So, here are the seven books I started reading this month.

The Ice Swan
by J'Nell Ciesielski

Princess Svetlana Dalsky flees the Russian Revolution, seeking safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the City of Light is suffering the effects of World War I, and the Bolsheviks are hunting all Russian aristocrats. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding, but a chance meeting with an army surgeon will change the course of their futures.

The Harlequin Crew series
Author: Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

I've read the first four books of this series and am now waiting for the fifth and final book to be released. I really like this author duo. They do anti-hero very well. These guys aren't good guys by any means but they're not what I'd call villains either.

Anyway, Rogue finds herself back in the hometown she was cast out of after her boyfriend tried to kill her. She figures since she's there, she might as well get revenge on the group of guys who tossed her out like yesterday's trash and resulting in her life being less than ideal. Of course, she doesn't take into account the unbreakable bond they all share, and her murderous ex isn't as out of the picture as she'd like.

Before Time Runs Out
by Amy Matayo (author)

Brea is a graduate student who is failing the one class she needs to earn her degree. When her professor tells her the only way to salvage her grade is to ace her thesis, Brea decides to create her own version of Charles Dickens's infamous Ghost Club. What she doesn't anticipate is finding an original copy of one of Dickens's works or being transported by it into one of the original Ghost Club meetings, circa 1870, where she meets Theodore, another transplant from the future.

Crazy for Loving You
Author: Pippa Grant

In the final installment of the Bluewater Billionaires series, Daisy somehow inherits a baby. That baby comes with a by-the-books, no-nonsense retired Marine. Daisy's confident she'll have that baby running the family's real estate empire in no time, but living with her new co-guardian? He needs to go.

Rogue Ethereal series
by Annie Anderson (author)

Max has died a lot. Usually because she was trying to help someone. Now, in an attempt to help a pregnant woman escape a bad relationship, Max finds herself marked by a demon. The only way out of it is to kill the demon, but that's a lot easier said than done.

Clueless Magic (A Witch's Grimoire)
by J.J. Dean

On the eve of her 25th birthday, Livvie, who has no idea she's a witch, drunkenly summons three demons. Then she learns her best friend is a half-demon. Now, she finds herself navigating a world she never knew existed, and her newly acquired magic is being threatened.

Faked
by A.J. Macey (author)

Audrey is a ridiculously socially awkward bookshop owner. She has a lot of self-esteem issues and just generally wants to go unnoticed in life. Then, she's approached by the Ontario brothers. They're triplets who own some big tech company but are in danger of losing it all unless they can convince their board of directors that they've settled down and can be more adultlike. They decide that the best way to achieve this is for one of them to get married. So they ask Audrey to have a fake relationship with one of them and get married for a specific amount of time. She agrees based on some strange advice from her quirky grandma.

Technically, I just DNF'ed this one. I just could not get into it, so after making it halfway through and still feeling meh about it, I returned it, but I wanted to include it since I did technically start it this month, and it's been on my TBR for a really long time. I was hoping for a romantic comedy, but it really wasn't.

Affordable Gift Ideas for Kids

Without a doubt, I spend more time planning and shopping for Christmas gifts for Alexis than anyone else on my list. First, I have to make sure to provide different ideas for the other family members who are buying for her, while making sure to keep something for her daddy and me to put under the tree. Thankfully, Alexis is pretty easy to buy for and genuinely appreciates everything she's given. But I know that's not always the case for other kids.

So I looked through a ton of holiday toy guides for 2021 to put together this list of affordable gift ideas for kids of all ages.

1. Fisher Price Little People - These are perfect for babies and toddlers, and even preschoolers. These were Alexis's go-to toys up until very recently.

2. Ocean & Sand Sensory Bin - I love gifts that incorporate learning, and sensory bins are great educational toys for younger kids. I especially like this ocean and sand one. It's like a beach day in a box!

3. Mega Bloks - You can't go wrong with these.

4. T-Ball Set - Got a future slugger on your gift list?

5. Squishmallows - There are a ton of these to choose from, and they come in several different sizes.

6. Doodle Mat - Give your little Picasso the gift of a mess-free art. All they need to make their masterpiece is water!

7. Decorate Your Own Wooden Magnet Kit - Melissa & Doug has such fun interactive gifts. Your kids can decorate these cute wooden magnets that you can then use to display their art/school work on the fridge!

8. Vtech Zoo Jams Tiger Rock Guitar - When I was a kid, my brother got a toy guitar similar to this one, and we jammed out on that thing all the time!

9. Crayola Light Board Drawing Tablet - We got this for Alexis last year, and she absolutely loves it!

10. Play-Doh - Is there any kid that doesn't like Play-Doh?

11. Dart Gun - Even your biggest kids will have fun with these.

12. Giant Pop It - These are all the rage right now.

13. LED Light Gloves - You can be the cool aunt/uncle when you give your nieces/nephews a set of these cool light-up gloves.

14. Speed Stacking Cups - Apparently this is a thing, now.

15. Pixicade Mobile Game Maker - Got a kid that loves playing games on your/their phone? This is the perfect gift for them!

16. Twister - This is actually on my list for Alexis, so I figured I'd include it.

17. National Geographic Rocket Kit - This is such a cool gift for older kids. They'll learn about rockets while building their own!

18. Crayola Science Kit - From butterflies to flowers and even the solar system, these STEAM kits make learning fun.

19. Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys starter sets - The Nancy Drew mysteries hold a special place in my heart, and my brother and husband both enjoyed the Hardy Boys when they were younger.

20. Tablet Holder - Not only will this prop up their tablet, but it also unrolls into a sleeping bag...and it glows in the dark!

21. Purse Pet - Alexis wants one of these so bad. It's a purse that is also a pet. I think it's kinda weird, but little girls love them.

I hope these gift ideas were helpful for all the kids on your shopping list!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Monday Motivation

I don't know if I've been this happy for the start of a new week, y'all. Last week was rough. There's been a really bad stomach bug going around, and Alexis caught it, then gave it to me. Fortunately, she only threw up the one time, and I didn't throw up at all, but we were both still pretty miserable for five days straight.

That pretty much sums up our last week. Alexis missed the first three days of school, then they were out for Veterans Day anyway, but she was able to go on Friday. I ended up canceling all of my appointments for the week, and we had to postpone our Peanut Festival trip.

Thankfully, we were able to go to the fair on Saturday. It was the first big thing we've done in two years, and it felt so normal. My parents and oldest brother met us there, and we had a really nice time...until it was time to leave. I'm not sure what was happening, but we got stuck in the parking lot for an hour and a half. It was insane!

This is the last full week before Thanksgiving, so I'll be busy busy busy trying to get everything for the December issue of the magazine wrapped up. I'm also looking forward to getting back to yoga class, and I know Alexis will be excited about going to gymnastics. Otherwise, I've just got my fingers crossed for a normal week.

I hope you all have a great start to your week!

10 Tips for Smarter Apartment Hunting

When I was looking for my first apartment, I didn't have much to go on. I knew where all my coworkers lived, and I had recommendations from friends on areas to avoid, but short of going to all these places I had no way of really knowing which apartment was the right choice.

So one day after work (I was working overnight so I got off first thing in the morning), my mom and I toured a bunch of apartments. It was an experience, and I quickly learned that you can't always trust your friends' recommendations.

I wound up passing on the apartment I liked the most because the management was incredibly rude and ended up in an older one-bedroom unit that was larger than any others I'd viewed but which badly needed new carpet in the living room. Regardless of the carpet, I loved that apartment and lived there for two years before moving in with my husband to a newer complex - where my husband's truck was broken into and we had issues with the maintenance man being a peeping Tom.

Needless to say, you never really know what you're going to get, but there are ways to be a little more prepared before you sign a lease.

10 Tips for Smarter Apartment Hunting

1. Start Searching 60 Days Before Your Move

According to Nationwide Insurance, the best listings go earlier in the month, with the second and third weekends being the busiest. So you should plan to look the first weekend.

2. Search Listings Online

Nationwide says searching for listings online is a good way to start your search and get a sense for pricing and amenities. This is an option that I wish had been around back when I was doing my first apartment search.

There are a ton of places you can search for listings, like Zumper, who graciously teamed up with me for this post. You can use this online resource to not only find your next apartment, but also houses, rooms, and condos that are for rent. You can filter your search by location, price range, bedroom count, pet-friendly, and even amenities. Then when you find what you want, you can apply online.

3. Take the size of the apartment and your lifestyle into consideration.

According to My Decorative, your apartment should have plenty of room for you to move about comfortably. Your apartment should be able to accommodate your lifestyle, like working from home or frequent hosting.

4. Know the Location

Is it convenient for your daily life? If you have kids, is it close to your preferred school? Will you have a short or long commute to the office?

Apartment Therapy says you should consider these five things before you sign:

5. Red Flags
Pay attention to reviews. If there are more negative reviews than good ones, then you should beware. Also be sure to ask about the landlord. If they're non-communicative, that's a big red flag.

6. Negotiate for Upgrades
If you see something you don't like, like dirty carpet or scuffed paint, see if they'll do some upgrades before you pass on the place.

7. Know the Lease Length
You don't want to move in with the expectation it's for a year only to find out it's a six month or two year contract.

8. Familiarize Yourself with What's Available in Your Area
You should have a good understanding of the types of apartments that are available in your area as well as the difference between amenities. For example, a kitchen is not the same as a kitchenette, just like a studio apartment and efficiency apartment aren't the same.

9. Do a Walk-Through
Check for things like low water pressure, broken or unusable windows, and rotting floors.

And last, but certainly not least...

10. Beware Online Scams

You should never have to put down a deposit just to tour a potential apartment.

Real Outfit Roundup

This is going to be a short and sweet edition of Real Outfit Roundup. There's a lot going on this week including but not limited to a stomach bug, so I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. For those of you who are new, this is a post dedicated to sharing outfits I've worn over the last two weeks with links to shop the same or similar items.

On the subject of shopping, I've finally been accepted into the Like To Know It community, so you can now shop my Instagram posts directly. You can follow me on the @shop.LTK app @Mommy_the_Journalist.

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

Dress / Boots (similar)

This dress is so much fun and perfect for fall. It's very thin, so if you live somewhere colder be aware of that. Also, the square neck is very wide, which could be a problem for bra straps.

Shirt (similar) / Pants (similar) / Boots (similar)

This outfit is very similar to one I shared on my leather pants/leggings post a couple weeks ago. The only difference is that instead of leather leggings, I chose my ponte-knit Stevie pants instead. They're like leggings only thicker. Unfortunately, it looks like Old Navy has chosen to discontinue them. There are a few sizes left in the other colors so I linked to them, as well as an almost identical pair at Gap.

T-shirt / Plaid (similar) / Jeans / Boots

Could this outfit be any more 90s grunge? I picked up this Guns & Roses tee at my local Target. It was a little cool and windy, so I grabbed a plaid shirt to layer over it and broke out my brown motorcycle boots. I got these at the end of last winter and really didn't get much wear out of them before it turned hot. Surprisingly, they're still available.

Shirt (similar) / Jeans (similar) / Shoes

If you couldn't guess, this is the day after the Braves won the World Series. I've been a fan my entire life, so it was pretty exciting. My shirt is old so I had to hunt for something close.

Sweater (similar) / Jeans (similar) / Boots (similar)

I didn't realize this, but apparently black washed jeans are having a moment. My pair is old, so I guess I was ahead of the curve on this trend.

Shirt (similar) / Shacket / Jeans / Belt / Boots (similar)

And finally, have you tried a shacket yet? To be honest, I really haven't been all that gung ho about this trend. But I do love a good plaid and light-weight jackets are the standard for where I live, so I decided to give one a shot. This one was recommended on another blog I follow (I cannot remember which one, though). I like the cut of it, and the weight really is perfect. The only thing it's missing is pockets for my keys/phone.

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12 Holiday Activities for Families

It's the most wonderful time of the year! It doesn't really matter where you live, the holidays are a special time for families and friends.

My family has several holiday traditions. We always go looking at Christmas lights, and Alexis gets to pick a new ornament for the tree. Since the holiday season is officially underway, I put together a list of some of our favorite things to do this time of year.

12 Holiday Activities for Families

Look at Christmas lights - There are several neighborhoods in our area that do big light displays synced to music. We also really enjoy walking through the decorations at our local Botanical Garden.

Make Your Own Decorations - This is something that we're starting to get a little more into now that I'm working at home full-time. Try your hand at salt dough ornaments, garlands, paper snowflakes, etc.

Holiday Movie Marathon - Christmas movies are my favorite! Whether it's a cheesy Hallmark movie or a timeless classic like Meet Me in St. Louis, I can't get enough of holiday movies.

Go To a Show - Whether you're attending a local production of The Nutcracker ballet or heading out of town for something a little bigger, attending a holiday show as a family is such a fun experience!

Write Letters to Santa - Make things even more special by arranging for a Letter from Santa.

Give Back - There are tons of ways to give back this time of year. Some of my favorites are the Salvation Army Angel Tree, sending cards to soldiers overseas, Operation Christmas Child, Santa for Seniors, and Toys for Tots.

Make Christmas Cookies - Whether you're making them from scratch or buying pre-made dough, holiday baking is a tried-and-true way to get into the spirit. You could even have a cookie swap!

Decorate a Gingerbread House - This is one of Alexis's favorite things to do.

Make & Send Christmas Cards - Break out the construction paper and glitter glue and send a little cheer to your loved ones.

Go Ice Skating - This is something we used to do in college every year, and I'm very excited that this year our town will have its very own rink!

Attend a Festival or Holiday Market - There are so many of these in our area that I don't even know where to start. We've got plans to attend Whoville and possibly Christmas in Candyland.

Tacky Sweater Party - Make your own or buy one, it doesn't matter. The gaudier, the better!

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends. This week's motivation post is going to be a short one.

Last week started out with a mild case of lice that was thankfully dealt with quickly. I spent most of another day at a car dealership waiting for my oil to get changed. The rest of the week was spent planning the next two month's worth of magazine content and setting things up for November's blog content.

I attended a funeral for one of my aunts over the weekend. We hadn't seen each other in quite awhile, but we kept up with each other on Facebook. She was always fun to be around and a genuinely good person. I got to see some family I haven't seen in awhile, which was nice despite the circumstances.

Alexis got unexpectedly sick Saturday night and it bled over into Sunday, which had us postponing our plans to go to the fair. We'll hopefully get to go later this week. She woke up still sick today, so we’ve been having a fantastic morning in case you were wondering.

Then on Sunday out washing machine broke. Legitimately broke. Flooded the laundry room, foyer, and part of the dining room. So there’s that.

Speaking of this week, Alexis's school schedule is weird. They're closing for Veterans Day, which I support, but requiring them to come the following day, so she's got a random off day in the middle of the week. I'll be distributing the November magazine the first of this week, and hopefully figuring out how to get to at least one yoga session, although at this point I don't see how I'm going to swing it.

Anyway, I've got a few fun posts planned for you this week, so definitely check back in every day for those. But right now, I've gotta run out the door to get this distribution done as soon as possible.

Have a great week!

An Honest Review of Plays.org

Do you remember the first computer game you ever played? I can't remember if the first game I played was Oregon Trail - You have died of dysentery -  or Wheel of Fortune (I had to type in manual commands to start it - picture a black screen with green block text). Flash forward through Age of Empires, The Sims, and lots of other computer-based games, and it's clear that I've been playing computer games for a long time.

So when Plays.org reached out about giving their new site a try, I was excited to see what they had.

Special thanks to Plays.org for collaborating with me for this post.

The website itself is really easy to navigate. It's got an old-school vibe, which my inner 90s kid really loved. There are no ads, so your game play won't be interrupted or obstructed. All of the games are free to play and you don't have to download anything.

There are hundreds of games to choose from, and they're adding new ones daily. There's everything from educational games to old-school arcade-style games and even some that are inspired by your favorite cartoons.

I brought my 6-year-old daughter, Alexis, in to get a second opinion. We played four games: Scooby Doo Word Finder, Penguin Cafe, Neon Invaders, and Incredible Hulk Chitari Takedown. Neon Invaders was my favorite; it had serious Space Invaders vibes.

All of the games we tried were simple. Alexis had no issues with the navigations or controls. Most are controlled by the mouse, but some - like Neon Invaders - use the keyboard.

Alexis had a lot of fun with the four games we played, and I was impressed with the number of educational games they offer. Plays.org has games for literally anyone who likes computer games, even if the only game you've ever played is Solitaire.

The only bad thing I can say about this entire experience is that you might get addicted or find you've wasted your lunch break.

In short, the next time you're bored at the office and need a little pick-me-up or are looking for something harmless to entertain your kids for a little while, head on over to Plays.org. I promise you won't be disappointed.

14 Outfit Ideas for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and not just for the food. This is the only holiday my family celebrates on the actual day. It also helps that mine and my mom's birthdays are always around Thanksgiving, too.

Generally speaking, our Thanksgiving is pretty low-key. No one gets super dressed up, preferring comfort over fanciness. Regardless of if your Thanksgiving is super laid-back like ours or a little more fancy, I've scrounged through my archives for some outfit ideas that would be perfect for the occasion.

Let's start with some warm-weather ideas. If you're like me and live in a part of the country that often skips fall, these outfits are for you. They've got a decidedly fall feel to them without suffocating you with unneeded warmth.

Dresses are most definitely your friend for a warm Thanksgiving. Add a third layer like a denim vest, keep your colors darker, and incorporate fall touches like leopard print where you can.

Dress / Vest (similar) / Shoes (similar)

Dress / Vest (similar) / Shoes (similar)

Dress / Shoes

Another great way to "fake fall" for a warm Thanksgiving is to embrace the fall-est color of them all: orange! Try a pair of orange pants or a pretty orange blouse. Keep your layers light to prevent overheating, and don't forget those fall touches - leopard print flats are always a winner!

Shirt (similar) / Pants (similar) / Belt / Shoes (similar)

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes (similar)

Another pro tip: if you're wearing jeans, go for a looser pair like (my favorite) boyfriend jeans or some OG straight-legged ones. Bonus comfy points if they're stretchy. Pair with a loose blouse, front-tucked of course, and casual shoes for effortless style.

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

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

Nothing says casual fall like a good plaid. Layer a tunic-style dress/shirt over a pair of faux leather leggings for an effortless cool vibe, or throw your favorite flannel over a graphic tee

Tunic (similar) / Tank / Leggings / Shoes

T-Shirt / Plaid Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Boots

Achieve maximum comfort level with a pair of cozy joggers. Pair with a t-shirt, denim jacket, and statement sneakers.

Tank / Jacket / Joggers / Shoes

The easiest way to dress up your Thanksgiving is with black. Throw a stylish tunic over your favorite black jeans; look classically chic in an oversized button down, leather leggings and flats; go edgy with a bold-colored sweater, leather pants (or coated jeans) and statement boots; or tap into your trendy side with a patterned skirt.

Tunic / Jeans / Boots (similar)

Shirt (similar) / Tank / Leggings / Shoes

Sweater / Pants (similar) / Boots (similar)

Shirt / Skirt / Boots (similar)

Which outfit would you wear for Thanksgiving?

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