Reading Lately

It's been a while since I've shared what I've been reading and I'm so excited to share today because I've had some awesome reads lately.

Last month, Shay invited me to a book signing and then dinner with author Sally Hepworth and it was EVERYTHING!  Sally was lovely and kind and personable and so much fun!  It was so neat to get to hear about her process and how she started writing and a little about her family.  I was 1000% charmed.  We decided that when she moves to Texas we're all going to be besties ;)  I'd read her book The Mother-In-Law and loved it and this month read a couple more of her books and loved them both!

I read her new release The Younger Wife and couldn't put it down!  It's been a while since I've sat and read an actual paper book (I typically read on my kindle or listen to audiobooks) and I forgot how much I loved turning the pages.  I was hooked right off the bat and the wedding prologue had me instantly intrigued.  It's told from three point of views (the two sisters and then the younger wife) and I may have audibly gasped at one point.  It was a delightful "familial thriller" full of drama and suspense and just overall disfunction which is way too fun to read about. 

Butterfinger Ice Cream Cake

 Sharing an oldie but a goody today because I feel like this is the season of celebrations and everyone needs a super simple, no-bake, crowd pleasing dessert in their back pocket.  

Weekend Happies

Happy Monday, friends!  This weekend was a fun one with lots of fun and friends. 

Griffin's volleyball team played in a tournament Saturday morning and after losing the first game fought their way back and made it all the way to the championship!  They lost it in the last second of the game and were semi-devastated but it was such a fun morning and we couldn't be more proud of these cuties!

Friday Favorites

 Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

I'm baaaaack!!! I still can't believe that this time next week I'll have wrapped up another school year!  TIME FLIES, y'all!  The end of the year hustle has been warp speed this year and it's kind of kicked my tail a little bit ;). Speaking of end of the year things - Mason had his 5th grade reception on Monday night and it's probably my FAVORITE school event I've ever attended.  Luke didn't have an end to his 5th grade year so this was our first time to attend and it couldn't have been more precious.  It was all student-led and sentimental and darling.  I could tear up just thinking about it.  

Mother's Day Weekend 2022

 Happy Monday, friends!!!  I hope y'all had a great weekend - ours was super sweet and surprisingly low key which was AWESOME!  There was napping and puzzling and reading and a little bit more napping thrown in for good measure.  It's been crazy busy and the next two weeks are super full so it was nice to have a weekend just to recharge.

First up was a Mother's Day surprise delivery on Friday from Mason ;)

Friday Favorites

Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

First up on my list of FAVES are  these smiley shirts that Griffin has been LOVING! She asked for "smiley shirts" for her birthday and these fit the bill.  They're almost a "comfort colors" type t-shirt which we love and the colors are so cute.

Treehouse Project

Today I'm resharing one of my favorite posts EVER because #MAY ;) hahaha  This little craft project we did last year turned out so cute and ended up being such an accurate depiction of each of my kids personalities.  I was even able to convince Luke to hang with us and incorporated some writing which is always a plus.   Pin and/or bookmark this for a summer activity!

Ravioli Skillet

My family LOVES this ravioli skillet meal and I love it because it's ONE PAN!  It's quick and easy and you can mix it up a million different ways.

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide

  Mother's Day is just around the corner and today I'm sharing a few last minute gift ideas for the moms in your life and/or to email to someone as a hint for yourself :)

I just got a couple of  these night shirts and am in absolute LOVE! The quality is awesome, the patterns are so pretty and they're incredible soft.  They're 100% cotton and don't have any stretch but have that "clean sheets" feel which I love.

I recently threw out all my bathrobes because they were all "pilly" and just worn out looking and also made me super hot so I just cut my losses and ordered this beauty...

 

... it has fantastic reviews and I'm hopeful it will be a cozy layer without being fleecy and hot.

I LOVE getting perfume as a gift because it can be expensive and not always something that feels like a priority when shopping for myself.  I started wearing  Bright Crystal a couple of years ago and I love it so much!  It's bright and summery and not "too much" while still being noticeable. 

A couple of years ago I got a few hydrangea plants for Mother's Day and this year I got a few new viburnum bushes.  I love the idea of having a gift that is a gift year after year.  Mine are way smaller than this but I hope they look like this in years to come! (photo)

Along these lines would be a beautiful flower pot with flowers or a fern in it.  Those can be SO EXPENSIVE and building a little collection of beautiful pots year by year could be a really sweet and special tradition.

These pots are stunning....

... be still my heart!

Y'all know how much I love an Allie and Bess bracelet :)  Mother's Day would be the perfect time to add a couple of pieces (or start a collection).  How sweet would it be to get a matching bracelet for you and your mom, or you and your daughter.  Their bracelets are such amazing quality and are ones that I reach for daily.  Don't forget you can use the code ANDREA20 for 20% off!

Since we're talking jewelry... I get asked about this necklace ALL THE TIME.   The chain and all the charms are by Waxing Poetic and I've had them for years and LIVE in them and they still look perfect.  They also have GORGEOUS earrings that would make a really special gift as well.  I wear a few pairs from there all the time.

While nothing can beat a "real massage" I can personally attest to the magic that is  this massage gun :)  A have a co-worker who's a chiropractor and he recommended this to me and it has been everything he told me it would be plus more.  It's incredible powerful, charges with a USB and is teeny.

A linen pillow from Sugarboo would be a fun item to get/gift.  There are lots of special patterns and they're super unique.

If you're local and need to order flowers for your mom, mother-in-law, friend, etc. I can't say enough great things about  Abundant Floral Design!  She can do any scale project and she grows and/or locally sources everything she uses.  Their family is PRECIOUS as well!

For the last several years I've been collecting  dessert/side plates from Anthropologie.  I love it because Dave can take the kids to Anthro (my FAVORITE!) and let them each pick a plate that they think I'll love (or that they love!) and it kind of reins them in a bit with their selections :)

The best part is that now I have this mismatched set of plates that we use daily for breakfast, dessert, etc.  I also love pulling them out when I entertain and having a pretty assortment. 

Other easy ideas are a game/puzzle to play/complete as a family, a day of family fun that's already planned/organized, a Bogg bag (if you can track one down) and a large framed photo or canvas. 

I'd love to know what special gifts you've given/received on Mother's Day!  Let me know in the comments!

HAPPY Thursday, friends!!!

PS - this post contained affiliate links... thank you so much for reading/supporting my blog!

Celebrating Griffin

 We wrapped up the birthday celebrations this weekend with Griffin's birthday party.  She requested a "smiley" theme at a local gymnastics gym and it couldn't have been easier or more fun.

Friday Favorites

Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

I can't believe it's Friday ALREADY!  I say this every week but time is FLYING right now!  First up on my list of FAVES are thes photos I got back from the photobooth company that I used for the semi-formal ;)  Mason and G tested it out and LOOK HOW FUNNY!!!

Go-To Cupcakes

With it being birthday month at our house I felt like it was only appropriate to share my all time favorite cupcakes.  I've made these for YEARS and they're my go-to for parties and other occasions.  They're easy and taste AMAZING!!!  Plus, you can customize them with sprinkles, food coloring, toppers, etc. to fit your theme and you're good to go!