Mitch here!
The best parenting advice I ever received was this:
Don’t forget to do you while parenting.
And if you clicked on this post, I think we’re in the same boat.
Survival Guide for Restaurants with Toddlers + Kids: 5 Tips
10+ Things, 10/19
Corduroy Skirt (This year’s version. This one is also cute!) / Perfect Striped Tee / Plaid Scarf / Cardigan in Extra-Soft Yarn (Newer version.) / Riding Boots / Leather Bag (Newer.)
Here are the first 10+ things that come to mind this morning:
Snaps from California
Our walk from our airbnb into the the Village of La Jolla! This was taken on our first time, and we were all in AWE!
I rounded up some of my favorite (mostly) iPhone snaps from our trip to California!
San Diego was/is gorgeous. The rolling hills, seaside cliffs and surrounding desert really made me feel like we were in another country. We stayed in the La Jolla neighborhood, which I highly recommend if you’re considering staying in the area. Our AirBNB was nestled between “The Village of La Jolla” (more of a downtown feel) and the “La Jolla Shores” (more of a beach town feel), and there were paths from the house to each. Mitch and I are big walkers, so we loved being able to walk to coffee/breakfast in the morning and dinner at night. Above, you can see the walk into The Village. Crazy beautiful, right?!
Stock The Kitchen for Fall
We recently stocked our kitchen for fall with Great Value products, and were astounded by the total bill considering how much we got!
Madewell’s Best-Kept Secret: The Ottoman Rib Collection (40 Percent Off)
Ottoman Top (Use code “GOSPREE” to take up to 30 percent off! Part of the Ottoman Rib Collection. I also love the Ottoman Cardigan Top!) / Skinny Jeans (Newer.) / Frances Loafers (Use code “GOSPREE.” Mules here. Skimmer version here.) / Leather Montauk Tote (Mini version here. All Montauk totes here.) / Utility Jacket (Newer. Take up to 30 percent off with code “GOSPREE.” Also LOVE this current Downtown Quilted Field Jacket in the same color, though. Another great option is this Quilted Cocoon Coat or the Quilted Lady Day Jacket, which is 40 percent off with code “GOBIG.”) / Dana Rebecca Necklace (Also at Nordstrom.) / Sunglasses / Gorjana Bracelet
Forgot to throw my camera in my tote today, so please excuse the iPhone photos. 😉 But I’m obsessed with Madewell’s Ottoman Rib line—specifically the top I’m wearing here as well as this cardigan top—and the brand is currently offering up to 30 percent off with code “GOSPREE”!
I recently realized that my favorite day-to-night tops are made out of the same Madewell material: something called “nubby ottoman ribbed fabric.” Far more substantial traditional tops but not quite as heavy as a sweater, it’s crazy comfy. And everything can be dressed down or up. Simply slip on a pair of black heels or booties and you’re good to go for girls’ night/date night!
DIY Gingham Pumpkins Tutorial
A few years ago, Mitch and I made gingham pumpkins and our photos started showing up all over the place! It was really fun. And since it’s somehow the middle of October already, I thought I’d re-publish my most-loved fall post, shot on our first block in Chicago. ♥️
Let us know if you have any questions; it’s pretty easy!
The Best Affordable Amazon Halloween Decorations
One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven / Eight / Nine / Ten / Eleven / Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen / Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen / Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty / Twenty-One / Twenty-Two / Twenty-Three / Twenty-Four / Twenty-Five / Twenty-Six / Twenty-Seven / Twenty-Eight / Twenty-Nine / Thirty
Mitch here!
This might be the single-most blogger-like thing I’ve ever done. (Keep in mind that I’m a dude.) I used Pottery Barn, West Elm and Crate and Barrel—some of Kelly’s favorite brands for holidays—as inspiration to find inexpensive decor on Amazon. Turns out that you don’t have to drop and arm/leg (or wait the long shipping times) to have your home looking cute for Halloween. Unless you’re Frankenstein. Because he drops arms and legs all the time.
Dad Joke. Ba-boom.
15+ Things, 10/11
Caught in the rain.
Quilted Puffer Lady Jacket (40 percent off today with code “GOBIG.”) / Silk-Blend Sweater T-Shirt (Also 40 percent off today with code “GOBIG.”) / Jeans (The Roadtripper line is the BEST.) / Leather Tote (Mini Crossbody here.) / Leather Ballet Flats (On sale! In “Soft Beige” here. In black here.) / Dainty Dana Rebecca Necklace (It’s also on Nordstrom.com.)
Today is a special day!
37 Lessons Learned in 37 Years
Oversized Jean Jacket / RAILS Shirt / Leather Tote (Newer) / Faux Leather Leggings / Loafers / Sunglasses
Well, whaddaya know?! I’m 37 today. In some ways, the number feels crazy. Name nearly any chapter of life, and I instantly transport myself back to that time, the imagery and colors so vivid I feel like it was just yesterday.
My family often jokes that I have a freakish ability to recall details from the past. A few years ago, I directed Mitch without a map through a Sacramento subdivision to a home I’d left when I was the ripe age of two. He claimed sorcery. 😜 Sadly, this skill never translated to anything actually useful; heck, I still can’t remember my times tables.
But I digress! Today Mitch and I are sitting down and sharing 37 lessons we’ve personally learned in our 37 years, because Mitch turns also 37 on Monday! ♥️ These don’t apply to everyone, and per usual, they’re just what first came to mind. (So we definitely missed some obvious ones. 😆) Nonetheless…
Iron Mountain Hike
lululemon Swiftly Tech T-Shirt (Tank version here; long-sleeved version here. Sizing: If you’re new to lululemon, the sizing is a bit weird. I normally order a size small in other brands’ t-shirts, and I order a size 4 or 6 in lululemon. Wearing a size 6 here. Hope that helps!) / lululemon Align Leggings (Best and softest leggings on the market.) / Rothy’s Washable Sneakers (They were all I had in my suitcase. 😆) / MZ Wallace City Backpack (Also available via Bloomingdales.) / ACK Hat / Ray-Ban Sunglasses / Mitch’s Orvis Backpack / Mitch’s Favorite Polo T-Shirt
While in San Diego, we loved hiking Iron Mountain, which was recommended by the bride! (Thank you, Gabby. ♥️)