THE DEBRIEF

• New hobby alert: I learned how to play Mahjong this week! My friend Riley invited me to a beginner’s class, and I almost talked myself out of it because I had completely built it up in my head as this impossible, confusing game. It wasn’t at all! The teacher was excellent, I caught on right away, and now I’m already signed up for the 102 class. I was really proud of myself for saying yes and showing up to learn something new. We played with the most beautiful tortoise tiles, and I’ve since fallen down a rabbit hole of browsing sets online. Do you play?! If you’re in STL, I recommend these classes and open play!

• Matt worked on a project for my mom at her school, so we went up there and got to see our nephews. The baby just started, and it’s so sweet to have the two brothers there together. We pulled the older one out of class to eat a cookie together, and then fed the baby a bottle. I’ve spent 25 years loving the people at that school like family — and it never gets old, especially when they actually are.

• The weekend started at a St. Louis Zoo event with my sisters-in-law and girl cousins for a fun night out. We tasted wines around the zoo, saw some animals, and sweated through our outfits. Nothing humbles a cute outfit quite like a 90-degree evening at the zoo. The wine was chilled. We were not. Still a great night for the gals!

• Saturday night we celebrated a friend's birthday with dinner that turned into drinks, which turned into dancing in the living room. My favorite kind of night! I love a homemade karaoke situation — fun fact, I have never actually sung real karaoke. Fun fact 2: Matt can kind of sing? He never stops singing around the house, and he is absolutely a mic hog.

THE FOODIE REPORT

• We got Clementine's this week — I went with salted caramel cookies and cream + coconut fudge, and Matt got salted caramel cookies and cream + tahini chocolate chip. We sat in his truck at the park to eat it on a weeknight, and I just love simple evenings like this. Two scoops of ice cream can sometimes be a better date night than a whole fancy dinner, and I mean that.

• I also made parmesan crusted chicken in the air fryer this week, and it turned out so good that it's already going into the regular rotation.

• Now — as we head into fall, Matt is lobbying hard for me to revive my sourdough starter, which has been sitting in the fridge staring at me for months. Here's the thing: I had actually gotten really good at it. But it is such a mess, and — this may be embarrassing or simply very on brand for me — the few minutes when my hands are covered in dough make me hate everything. So. I probably won't be doing that.

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• You guys! Verity is coming out on October 2nd, and I am so excited. I can't decide whether to reread the book before watching or go in with some distance from it. This was by far my favorite Colleen Hoover book, and I’m already planning a girls’ night to go see it!

• We finished Lucky! Let me know what you thought in the comments. Slight spoiler alert: I personally felt the ending was a little too forgiving. Priscilla let them go and keep the money? No chance.

• We started Killing Eve this week, and it had my attention right away. Very excited that there are a couple of seasons to get through.

• One of my favorite new follows on Instagram is @GrubwLivy. She is such a light on social media. She's on steroids while she kicks leukemia's booty (🥺), and she makes foodie videos while the medicine makes her hungry. Her personality is the absolute best, and I just love watching her chat through her cravings!

IN MY CART

Everything I’m wearing, buying, eyeing, and probably talking myself into lives right here.

• This photo strip frame is SO cool. I have so many photo booth pictures and immediately thought of about five people I could make one for — plus, obviously, myself. Such a fun little gift!

• I am OBSESSED with this necklace. I got so many compliments on it this weekend. It’s so fun!

• The red dress that can do basically anything — dinner, a bridal or baby shower, date night, vacation. The white stitching sold me!

• This white top is one of those inexpensive basics that somehow makes an outfit look way more put together. Wore it tucked into pleated shorts this weekend and loved it!

• Just ordered this dress. The shape! The color! Can’t wait for it to get here!

• Got this scalloped top too. Did I mention I did some shopping this week!? Unfortunately for my bank account, the haul doesn't end there — here is everything I got at Commense! Don’t judge.

• Really excited about my new flats for fall. I’ve always loved the two-tone look of this style, and the square toe is what finally sold me.

• Grabbed this eyelet tank to wear through the end of summer and layer into fall. Love the detail!

• My couch is starting to look more and more like fall, and I'm loving it. Green pillows, printed pillows, and ruffle pillows — making everything extra cute and cozy!

• Looking for a few new dish towels to hang on my stove and loving this one. I also think giving beautiful dish towels as gifts is so fun — eyeing this one for hostess gifts this fall!

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Simplified Launch Week 👏

• Friend’s birthdays 👏

• Wearing the first long sleeve of the season 👏

• Lifting a heavier weight than usual 👏

• Posting 2 TikToks 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

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THESE ARE THE DAYS

Tomorrow is Launch Day at Simplified, and it is always one of my favorite work days of the year. Our 2027 planners are available to shop tomorrow, and my new favorite item is the desktop calendar — so adorable, and the perfect gift. I also can’t wait to get the new pocket planner into the hands of several people in my life who have been asking for it for quite some time (looking at you, Grandma!!).

The fact that I work at a planner company is genuinely the least surprising thing about me. I love to make a plan, keep a memory, and organize the schedule — and I think that’s exactly why this little corner of the internet feels so right. It’s all just one big way of paying attention to the good stuff. One big way of remembering that these are the days.

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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There’s something about this time of year that feels like a reset. The structure of fall — the routines, the rhythms — reminds me of going back to school. Fresh notebooks, new pens, and the cutest tennies in school. Just thinking about those first few weeks back makes me genuinely giddy. (And I haven’t been in school in a long time, which I think says something about how deep that feeling runs.)

There will be plenty of time for all of that, though. Before I completely move on, I wanted to give summer its moment.

I went back through my camera roll and pulled together some of my favorite outfits from the last few months. Some were for dinners out, trips, and actual plans. Others were just outfits that made me happy when I put them on. Apparently my summer formula this year was lots of color, easy dresses, stripes, cute shoes, and anything that didn’t require too much thinking.

A few warnings before we get into it: the dog loves to be in photos, I love to repeat outfits, and sometimes the mirror is dirty. We listen and we don't judge.

Best “I Tried” Without Actually Trying

LOVE this red set and it will be coming into fall with me! It’s so lightweight and feels put together for dinner or just bopping around. Couldn’t find my exact beaded bag anymore but there are so many adorable options out there – this one is adorable. I see them at T.J. Maxx all the time, too!

Most Likely to Make It Into Fall

This might be my favorite go-to outfit this summer. I can’t wait to wear this shirt with jeans too!

Best Throw-On-and-Go

I have this adorable shirt in green and white – and it’s only $12 right now?! I definitely paid more than $12 for mine! The jean shorts I can’t stop talking about. I love how they flare out a bit. This was a more distressed pair, but they still have another style for only $32!

Most Likely to Still Be Worn in 2036

Are these quite possibly the best jeans ever? I have them in every wash they come in, so I think we know my answer. I’ll also never give up a black top with jeans #Millennial. Top is old Anthro (sorry, I’ll get better at this!!) and shoes are Antonio Milani, but I’ll link similar options for shoes and top!

Most Compliments From Strangers

It feels like you should always have a lobster dress at the ready! 🦞 This one makes me happy every single time I put it on.

Most Likely to Survive a Closet Clean-Out

Navy and white polka dots just speak to me. This dress comes with removable straps and a boost of confidence. So cute with a sweater too! Here’s another polka dot option and one in red while we’re at it!

Best Bow Moment

Striped dresses on repeat! The bow straps were an immediate yes for me. This is exactly the kind of dress I love in the summer — throw it on and you're done!

Most Likely to Be Seen Twice in One Week

Another striped dress for the win! Love the buttons. If you know me in person, you’ve seen me wear this multiple times. And these are my Gucci dupe sandals, but I linked a cuter pair for you.

MVP of Summer

The dress I’ve worn way too many times. It’s truly the best, and I know what brand you think it looks like, but it’s Amazon! It looks like the green has already sold out, sadly.

And now that I have properly appreciated summer dressing, I feel like I have full permission to move on to deeper colors and jeans.

Fall outfits, I’m coming for you. 🤎

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no cost to you. I only share things I actually love-love-love.

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THE DEBRIEF

• I had coffee with a friend to swap work ideas, and it was one of those conversations that leaves you feeling genuinely energized. We work in similar spaces, so it was really fun to talk through what we're each good at and help each other find inspiration — both professionally and personally. Since we both work from home, we decided we need to make this a regular thing. Most of my friends are in healthcare, so having a buddy who also lives online is something I'm really excited about!

• Since it's perpetually 1,000 degrees in St. Louis, Matt and I snuck away to the lake for the weekend! Our options were pretty slim — spend the weekend inside or spend it in the water. The sunshine usually wins for us! We had a really great, easygoing weekend with our nieces and Matt's parents, and we're so grateful to have somewhere to escape to like that.

• Our washer is broken. ChatGPT confirmed I can’t use it until it’s fixed. Oh darn!

• We live in an old city house with minimal closet space — I repeat, minimal. This week an idea popped into my head about how we could optimize our upstairs closet space, and now I can't stop thinking about it. I already have numbers for a few contractors to come tear down some walls. Is it in our budget right now? Unclear. But I've convinced Matt it will help our “resale value” — which we're not doing for a while. I'm just using buzzwords to get him on board! Stay tuned, and if you see me pinning closets on Pinterest, now you're in the loop.

THE FOODIE REPORT

• A question for the group: would you be interested in seeing our weekly meal plan on a budget? Things are staying healthy and delicious over here, but I’ve been working on bringing our grocery bill wayyy down. Let me know if you’d like to see how I’m doing it — and please drop any tips you have in the comments!

• We’ve been loving these Aldi bagels lately — 22 grams of protein, perfectly crunchy on the outside, and still chewy on the inside. We top them with avocado and eggs for a little breakfast sammie. Highly recommend.

• Chicken fajitas on the Blackstone have been on heavy rotation lately, and they couldn’t be easier. Chicken, onion, and whatever peppers you have — we make a big batch so lunches are taken care of too.

• Our friends inspired us to try a homemade smoked salsa, and it has completely changed the at-home sauce game. Smoke onion, garlic, tomatoes, and jalapeños for a few hours until they're soft and smoky. Toss everything in a blender with lime juice and a *generous* amount of cilantro, and blend until smooth. That's it! Perfect alongside the fajitas if you make those too — and trust me, you should!

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• My friend Carly from Team Simplified got to see Olivia Dean in New York this week, so I channeled my jealousy the only way I knew how — by playing her music on repeat all weekend. Ugh, love her.

• The Greatest Showman LIVE has completely taken over my TikTok feed, and if you didn’t already know, I am the front row, biggest fan there is. For my 21st birthday, my parents got me tickets to see the show live because everyone thought it was heading to Broadway much sooner. It still hasn’t happened, but I am waiting to cash in that gift the second it does. In the meantime, I suppose a rewatch or two of the movie will have to do.

• We are all caught up on Lucky and very excited for a new episode Wednesday night. It’s getting so good!

IN MY CART

• Some boots on the ground journalism for you today — two dupes I'm wildly impressed by! This one is giving trending Coach, and this one is giving Longchamp. I'm obsessed with all the color options for both and can already picture so many different outfit ideas!

• I am beyond excited about my new dress. A new stripe on repeat for sure!

• Trust me when I say these are the jean shorts you need to replace the ones you've had since … too long. Appropriate, tasteful, flattering, and comfy — and on major sale right now.

• My phone case makes me so happy every single day — especially for something I use constantly! You can customize your own or make one for a friend — honestly one of the best gifts out there. This colorway is on sale!

• Just ordered a couple of these mugs to keep on hand for upcoming gifts. I will fill them with a small bouquet of flowers to try to match the mug!

• P.S. I’ve been starting to shop for lots of fall things if you want to take a peek.

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Ten weeks of Tuesday Updates 👏

• Finally getting TSA PreCheck renewed 👏

• First days of school 👏

• Last days of summer 👏

• Friends starting new jobs 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

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THESE ARE THE DAYS

Vol. 10 felt like the right moment to share where the Tuesday Update actually came from. In college, every Tuesday I would share an update on Snapchat. I’d open with a very dramatic, very singsong “Tuuuuesdaaaay Updateeee” and then just dive right in — usually to talk about the 12-page essay I hadn’t started yet, the big exam looming at the end of the week, or that I was out of money. People started telling me they looked forward to it, and I loved making it.

When I graduated, I just stopped. Life got busy and the routine faded. But when I started on Substack, bringing it back felt like the most natural thing ever.

The updates look a little different now — married life, home projects, and budget meal plans instead of procrastinated essays — but it feels like a full circle moment. It all started in school, where I was learning how to be a writer for work. And here I am, years later, writing for fun and for work all at once.

Ten weeks in, and this has become one of my favorite things. I’m so excited for everything still to come — the Tuesday Update is just the beginning. Thank you for being here. And a very special thank you to the original Tuesday Update followers who followed me all the way from Snapchat to Substack. I’m grateful for every single one of you who has cheered me on along the way.

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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THE DEBRIEF

• Girls weekend!!! It was so much fun, and it's something I look forward to all year long. Six of my best friends from college — the people I truly cannot imagine life without. We get together at someone's house and basically chat and catch up for 48 hours straight. We all live in seven different places now, so prioritizing time together two to three times a year is at the top of our list. We laugh until we cry, (appropriately) tease one another, ship each other dresses to borrow, were in each other's weddings, and are now throwing baby showers at almost every gathering. This circle of friends is something I thank God for every single day.

• On our way to girls weekend, we stopped in Columbia for some Mizzou nostalgia! We introduced my friend’s baby to the columns, and we all got a buffalo chicken wrap from Heidelberg. It felt like we should've been walking to class the next morning. I miss it!!

• Thursday was my mom's 60th birthday, and we have had so much fun celebrating her. She looks incredible — and yes, she's taught me the art of skincare. She's also taught me a lot of other things if you want to read about that here! What a special milestone! If you're new here because of that post, I'm so glad you're here. This is a fun little corner of the internet where we chat about finding things to celebrate, even when you don't feel like it.

• And while I was gone, Matt powerwashed every inch of concrete at our house. I noticed immediately when I got home — which means it must've been looking a little too dirty before! He loves projects, and I love leaving lists of things to do. I'd call that a win-win!

THE FOODIE REPORT

• It was Libby's turn to host, and she did such a fabulous job. When everyone came to my house, I ordered pizza. When everyone went to Libby's house, she cooked every single meal for us. What a treat! She made her grandma's homemade carrot cake — 10/10, chef's kiss. She also made a corn dip that I can’t wait to make – stay tuned for the recipe!

• I also discovered the art of an Aldi pickup order this week. Hello?! Incredible. I last-minute added these Chocolate Coconut Almonds to my cart, and they might've changed my life. I keep grabbing one every time I walk past the snack drawer.

• Help! 🤓 I'm in a bit of a summer rut when it comes to cooking healthy (but still yummy) dinners. If you have any favorites, drop them in the comments — I'll try them and report back!

  Leave a comment

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• We started Widow's Bay this week and I am SPOOKED. I love a suspenseful show, but dang, this is getting me. I am pleasantly surprised by how funny this one is though. We're on episode four and fully hooked.

• It also became very obvious over the weekend just how much I reference TikTok videos and sounds in regular conversation. I work in social media, so it comes with the territory — but it was a good reminder to touch some grass. I love scrolling TikTok and learning from other creators, but I might need to cut back on my screen time this fall. Time to hit the books, folks!

IN MY CART

• Reporting back: I wore this pink dress to the baby shower, and it was so adorable! Highly recommend!!

• This striped shirt looks a lot like another brand that costs a lot more money. And I predict this will be a trending style this fall. You're welcome!

• A cute hat can level up any outfit — and save time on doing your hair! I'm definitely a hat girl and this one is next on my list.

• My friend Jenna had this white tee on over the weekend (with the cutest jean shorts and bubble necklace!!) and we are convinced it's the BEST. We all ordered it right there on the spot!

• These are such great workout tops! I love how soft and compressing they are with the square neck. #ad

• Trying to decide which bow collar to get Penny for fall! I love this one. I also love this ruffled bandana, but bows usually win for me.

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Completed work projects 👏

• Big birthdays 👏

• Girls weekend 👏

• End of summer 👏

• Not swiping a credit card 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

Leave a comment

THESE ARE THE DAYS

The beauty of girls weekend as we get older is how much there is to learn from each other. Some of the girls are moms already, so there is a wealth of knowledge to share and bounce around. But we also talk about how each of us is thriving at work, what we’re making for lunches, laundry hacks, and date night ideas. The list goes on and on. It’s really cool!

I feel like I leave every girls weekend with something new to try at the grocery store and something I want to do differently at home. There’s something genuinely motivating about surrounding yourself with people you love who are also doing really well.

I’ve loved every season of this friendship — the crazy college years of getting dressed up and going out, and now this one, of sitting at someone’s house, holding babies, and talking about dishwasher detergent. I think this one is my favorite so far!

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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My mom turns 60 today, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to put into words what she means to me. Sixty years of her being exactly who she is — warm, fun, endlessly generous, and the kind of person who makes everyone around her feel like the most important person in the room. Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful for her, for our relationship, for the family we have, and for the community she's built around us. I'm so excited to celebrate her today — and while words will never be enough, they're my favorite way to try.

So I made her a list. Because if there’s one thing she taught me, it’s that a good list gets things done. Here are 60 things I’ve learned from her — some silly, some serious, and some I didn’t even realize she taught me until I sat down to write this. All of them true!

60 Things My Mom Taught Me

1. She taught me girl math. Trust me, she pioneered it before it had a name.

2. She taught me to be kind. And to be even kinder when someone isn’t. I used to hate when she said this. Now it’s helped me in more situations than I can count.

3. She taught me that a walk can solve a lot of problems. Before we get worked up, let’s go on a walk.

4. She taught me to wrap gifts beautifully. The tulle bow may seem simple, but it matters.

5. She taught me to care about other people — to spoil them, to feed them, and to show up for them when they need you.

6. She taught me to be early. Not because she is, but because I spent my whole childhood showing up late with her.

7. She taught me about “old lady naps.” Shut the house down at 3pm, close the blinds, take a little rest, and regroup for the evening around 5pm. One of her greatest gifts to me.

8. She taught me to get the fun and fancy plates out whenever the heck you want!!

9. She taught me that getting gifts for people doesn’t stop at birthdays and Christmas — and it doesn’t have to be expensive to be special.

10. She taught me to take a deep breath before reacting — and to listen before questioning. There might be a reason someone did something differently.

11. She taught me to cook and to love it. She’s much better at it than I am, but she showed me how enjoyable it can be to actually love what you’re doing in the kitchen — and to not be scared. That girl has never followed a recipe in her life, and if you like a meal, well good, enjoy it — because it will never taste the same way again.

12. She taught me that if the windows are down and the music is really loud, no one around us cares and we won’t get in trouble.

13. She taught me to slowly bring the shopping bags in if Dad’s home. Never all at once!

14. She taught me that clean sheets and matching jammies make you sleep better.

15. She taught me that missing out or not being invited isn’t always a bad thing. It might be a blessing in disguise.

16. She taught me that working while being a mom is the coolest thing ever. She showed me what it looks like to do both and still show up fully for the people who mattered most.

17. She made my brother and me sit in a room together when we got in trouble — and I’m convinced that’s why we’re best friends today.

18. She taught me that you don’t have to wait until someone asks for help. If you see what needs to be done, you simply step in and do it.

19. She taught me that friendships are something to pour into and take care of — and they're supposed to bring joy to your life.

20. If my brother and I were whining, she would say “I can whine louder than you” — and we would instantly stop. It helps me rethink complaining even to this day. We’d always end up laughing instead.

21. She taught me that when you clean your house, you don’t have to cook that night. Because why would you dirty the stove you just worked so hard on?

22. She taught me that family vacations make big memories and the scary world feel a little smaller. They are important and worth it. Go!!

23. She taught me to stand up for the people you love — even if that means telling the concrete to be nice. When I was little and would fall down, she'd look at the ground and say, "Mr. Concrete, you be nice to my Lindsey." I think about that more than she knows.

24. She taught me to treat everyone with respect and to look them in the eyes. I used to think that if my head was pointed in someone’s direction, they couldn’t see where my eyes were actually looking. They could!

25. She taught me that getting older isn’t scary. Life just keeps getting better with the right attitude. Things change, but they grow and evolve — don’t be afraid of a new season.

26. She taught me to always have a brownie mix in the house. Always!!

27. She taught me that genuinely loving people and truly wanting the best for them is so much more fun than being competitive or jealous.

28. She taught me to try by myself before asking for help. We can do it!

29. She taught me that worrying is “stinking thinking” — and to move your body instead of your mind when things feel too big in your brain.

30. She taught me that the taller the Christmas tree, the better.

31. She taught me that the people you love deserve a spot on the calendar — not just the leftover time.

32. She taught me to say “Thank you for calling the Goddard School, this is Lindsey, how can I help you?” — and when I got to say that for the very first time, it was magical. I wanted to answer the phone just like her. Give tours just like her. And that’s what we’ve done together for a lot of years.

33. She taught me that messes clean up. I’m still learning this one — but I can hear her in the back of my head every time.

34. She taught me that if you have a migraine, a new pair of shoes and a Coke will help. I told my second grade teacher this as true advice.

35. She taught me that caring for people who work for you and with you like true friends and family is so much better than being a big mean boss. Everyone is a team when you work together!

36. She taught me to pray before meals and to be grateful for your day out loud.

37. She taught me that marriage can be fun and wonderful — and that there might be hard days, but that’s just life.

38. She taught me to stand up for what I believe and fight for what I want.

39. She taught me that when my kids go to college, I don't need to send them with as much stuff as she sent me with. And that they come back home — so don't freak out (like she did).

40. She never made me clean my room, which taught me to care about my things on my own. The messes you create are yours to clean up. (Yikes on my end!)

41. She taught me that no party has too many details — and that you're never “too much” for being creative or going the extra mile.

42. She taught me that Mass is important. She used to ask what we got out of the homily to make sure we were listening. Apparently I wasn’t listening … a lot.

43. She taught me that laundry will shrink in the dryer — by shrinking some of my favorite clothes — which is why I air dry everything.

44. She taught me that time with grandparents is treasured time. She talks about hers every single day.

45. She taught me to find a good hairdresser, because she also gave me the genes for gray hair before college.

46. She taught me to care about my own grades by asking “did you try your hardest?” — and man, did I care.

47. She taught me to trust people — and to trust my own instincts when they tell me I shouldn’t.

48. She taught me that driving really fast does, in fact, get you somewhere faster.

49. She taught me that helping in your community and at church is a wonderful part of life.

50. She taught me that there’s nothing better than snuggling a baby. And definitely don’t sit down if they’re happy — keep moving!

51. She taught me that hard and stressful times happen — and honestly, I can’t think of many from growing up, because she stayed so positive on the outside. It showed me that you get through them. And that a positive outlook actually does make it better.

52. She taught me that when really special people pass away, they can live on with you and through you. Pick something you loved about them and make it important to you.

53. She taught me that my life inside my four walls matters more than what anyone else thinks of it — and that’s okay.

54. She taught me to parallel park a Suburban so I’d never be stuck anywhere — and came to get me from school one day just to practice driving in the rain so I’d be confident in any weather.

55. She taught me to be humble. To not need the credit, the recognition, or the loudest voice in the room. To just do the good thing and move on.

56. She taught me that reading books and watching shows just for yourself is so fun — and leads to the best conversations.

57. She taught me that you can do it all — but accepting help isn’t a bad thing.

58. She taught me that the dogs need cute collars for every season.

59. She taught me to never hang up the phone or say goodbye without saying “I love you.”

60. She taught me that no matter how far apart we are, we’re always looking at the same moon. That’s one of the most comforting things in my life.

If you’ve gotten this far, you already know how much I love her.

28 years in, and I’m still taking notes. I don’t think I’ll ever stop! There is so much more she has to teach me, and honestly, I can’t wait. About motherhood, about patience, about how to make a room feel like home, about all the things I don’t even know I don’t know yet.

Thank you, Mom. For every single thing on this list and everything that didn’t make it. For making hard things look easy and ordinary things feel special. For showing up, every single time, in every single way.

You are my best friend. And the older I get, the more grateful I am that you’re mine.

Happy Birthday!

THE DEBRIEF

• I had a girls' night planned on Wednesday and was so excited — until Matt texted all the husbands and spontaneously joined us with two babies in tow. So it was more like family night? Ha! It was so fun. We went to Oliva on The Hill, which has an antique shop attached — dangerous after a glass or two of wine. The boys came out of the shop with nothing. All the girls came out with a full bag each. No further questions!

• I got a lot done at work last week, which always feels amazing. Working from home can be tricky because I get distracted by other projects as they come in, but I was able to finish a few things that had been hanging over my head. I'll call that a win — especially as I see a busy few months ahead.

• Matt and I spent the weekend helping my mom get some things in place at her school. He built shelves, we planted flowers, and we organized closets. Fun, productive, and a good reminder that showing up for the people you love matters.

• And on Friday night, Matt and I had a date night at home. I cooked a full recipe — something I hadn't done in a while — and we had so much fun just the two of us after a lot of time lately with friends and family. We ended the night playing Monopoly Deal, of course. I won three games in a row. But who's counting! (I am most definitely counting.)

THE FOODIE REPORT

• Friday night's recipe had absolutely no element of health whatsoever, and I leaned into it completely. We talked about our Italy trip over dinner, so I wanted to cook something that felt like it belonged there. Fair warning — if you don't like bacon, this is not for you. Also, hot take: I love peas in my pasta. Are you a pea lover or a hater? Drop it in the comments.

• I made this peach cake for my mother-in-law's birthday celebration! It was fun to make, but honestly not my favorite. The icing hardened and reminded me of a brown sugar Pop-Tart (those are way better than this!).

• Hack of the week: I've been adding Premier Protein shakes to my coffee as creamer, and it adds the perfect amount of flavor plus a little extra protein. Game changer for the morning routine.

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• We saw The Odyssey in the theater this week, and I cannot recommend it enough. Somewhere between buying my ticket and sitting down, I realized that whatever I read in freshman year of high school, I clearly had no idea what was going on. Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway were incredible. It was long, and I never once checked the time. See it on the big screen if you can.

• I Will Find You gets a 10/10 from me. We finished it over the weekend, and it kept me on my tiptoes the whole time. Highly recommend!

• We finally finished Cape Fear, and I am so glad. It was a little too scary for me, and Max Cady was starting to annoy me. I now know the ending and feel satisfied with the watch.

IN MY CART

• I really, really want these barrel jeans for fall! The red caught my eye first.

• Just bought this cutie dress for my friend's baby shower this weekend. She's having a girl, so it was an obvious excuse for pink. Can't wait to tell you guys about it next week!!

• Reordered my iron supplement and really hoping this is what you learn from me! Get your labs done, folks!

• Wore this adorable top on my Substack LIVE to talk about the best planners ever this week! Can’t wait to wear it again.

• Uh oh, I might've found another new set for all of us. I ordered it to test for the team. Stay tuned!

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Strong workouts 👏

• Friends closing on their first house 👏

• Shopping with my mom 👏

• 8-year workiversary at Simplified 👏

• Time with nieces and nephews 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

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THESE ARE THE DAYS

When we bought our house, some good friends had an extra lawn mower and passed it along to us. It was one of those gestures that meant more than they probably realized — buying a house comes with so many expenses all at once, and that kind of practical kindness is something you don’t forget. Matt still uses that mower every week.

Our other friends just closed on their first house this week, and we happened to have an extra trimmer and blower sitting in the garage. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to pass them along. Full circle in the best way. I love that kindness like that keeps moving — that someone showed up for us, and now we get to show up for someone else. There’s nothing quite like having people in your life who are always willing to help. Good friends are everything, and we are so grateful for ours!

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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THE DEBRIEF

• We didn't do much this week, and that was entirely the point. We walked to the park a few times, opted to make food at home instead of going out (very proud of this), and I got a lot of work done. Productive, quiet, and exactly what I needed!

• Something “new” did happen, though. I got stuck in the bathroom. Let me walk you through it: Matt decided to finish a show downstairs, so I headed up to get ready for bed and stopped to brush my teeth on the way. The bathroom door was a little tricky to close, but I didn’t think much of it — until it was completely stuck. The door handle wasn’t budging at all. I yelled that I was stuck and stayed not one bit calm. After three attempts and various tools that didn't fit under the door, I lifted the pins and we got the door off the hinges. Matt was just as surprised as I was that I could do that. Anywho, I made it out after some forced self-reflecting in the bathroom, which now doesn’t have a door. While I was in there, I decided the baseboards needed cleaning…

• Which leads me to the other big, wild event of the week — our Sunday reset. Matt and I spent the whole day at home acting like people were about to unexpectedly stop by. I did things like washing and ironing the shower curtain, scrubbing the baseboards, wiping down the window sills. If it caught my eye, it wasn't safe. It felt so good to get it all done and spend the day refreshing everything.

THE FOODIE REPORT

• My favorite donut has always been the blueberry cake donut from Krispy Kreme — and while they haven't had it in several years, it still holds the top spot on my list. So you can imagine my excitement when Krispy Kreme announced the blueberry donut for four days only last week. I was in line first thing Friday morning after my workout. They don't surpass the cake donut, but they were so good. Full 10/10 for taste and nostalgia.

• Fun fact: Matt and I used to get donuts as a date night. We'd go to one of the only local spots open late, which ended up being right by the house we bought a few years later. And the night before our wedding, after the rehearsal dinner and before Matt dropped me at my hotel, we went there together to pick up fresh donuts for everyone in our wedding party. We wanted to start our wedding morning treating the people we love to the sweet we love.

• We also made our own Mediterranean bowls at home this week! I marinated chicken in lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, and Matt grilled it on the Blackstone before it hit 350 degrees outside. We did rice, chicken, hummus, tzatziki, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncinis, and feta. I usually hate buying a lot of ingredients for just one meal, but this was such a win — we've already made it again!

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• I don't usually watch weekly release shows — but somehow I'm in the middle of two of them right now. We are completely caught up on Cape Fear and I am not so patiently waiting to find out what happens.

• We also started Lucky, and just as we agreed to stay up and watch another episode, we found out there isn't one until Wednesday. Loving this series so far. I read the book last year and pictured the dad as Danny DeVito the entire time, so I'm having a little trouble adjusting to the actual character. No offense to Timothy Olyphant.

• And while we were waiting for more episodes of those, we started I Will Find You on Netflix. Ooooh, it's soooo good. Start it!

IN MY CART

• Wore this cutie dress to mass on Saturday night and already can't wait to wear it again! The style looks designer, but the price sure doesn't! (Looks like the green in my pic above is sold out but now I want this print too!)

• I apologize for continuing to talk about planners, but at least you know I'm being honest about how excited I am to finally start using my new one! They are 25% off right now with code AUGUST.

• My brain is wired to get new school shoes. But I'm not in school? Tell me I don't need these.

• I don't really need new cookware but this set is so beautiful. In my cart for the anni sale!

• Something random in my cart: these sweatshirts for Matt! A while ago I bought him a few from Abercrombie that were $90 — big mistake, because these are just as nice and only $20. He wears them all the time, so I'm grabbing a few more colors!

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Productivity 👏

• Nice neighbors 👏

• Spontaneous dinner with friends 👏

• Full tank of gas 👏

• Clean house 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

Leave a comment

THESE ARE THE DAYS

One of my very best friends and I started working out together in high school. Then in college. Then she moved to Kansas City after graduation, and that was that for a while. But she recently moved back home — and we’ve been meeting up in the mornings to work out together again, just like we always did.

It’s been a lot of years and a lot of one-hour classes that we’ve gotten each other through. There’s something so special about having someone who will meet you early, push you to show up, and make the whole thing genuinely fun. It’s half because we love to work out and half because we just love chatting through our pushups! High school Lindsey would be so happy to know this is still going strong.

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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THE DEBRIEF

• FINALLY met baby Hadley! I drove by myself to Kansas City to visit my best friend's new baby! I stayed at their house and we had a completely normal girls' night — except with a four-week-old added to the mix! We ordered pizza, stared at her every single move, and gave her a bath. I got to pick out her jammies before bed. Pink, obviously. It was all just so sweet, and I already miss them.

• Then I drove to meet up with Matt and Penny at the lake for Penny's annual swim. She is obsessed with the water — genuinely cannot keep her out of it if she can see it. She’s been napping even more than usual since we’ve been home. Can’t blame her because same, girl!

• After a few weeks of back-to-back travel and busy weekends, Matt and I are finally home for a while. We’ve had the best time this summer, but we are so ready for some workouts, a vegetable, and to put a credit card in the freezer. I want to read my Kindle and sit on the couch for a hot minute. That's it, that’s the whole plan.

THE FOODIE REPORT

• I meal prepped buffalo chicken bowls for our lunches this week and made a homemade ranch with cottage cheese for a little extra protein. It was a bit too garlicky, but I'm excited to try it again and get it right.

• I also made a pasta salad over the weekend and it was SO good. My mom has a very established pasta salad that is her go-to — it's on the sweeter side and we all love it. This one was much saltier with the olives, so I told her maybe this will be my go-to and we'll both have different ones to make and share. I love that for us!

• Writing about my week made me realize I was completely lacking a yummy sweet treat. Now I'm in the mood to bake something. I'll keep you posted!

CURRENTLY CONSUMING

• We're still watching Cape Fear and I'm still scared. That's all I have to say about that.

• I'm still reading Our Perfect Storm too. You can tell I'm running on empty when I sit down to read and fall asleep immediately. I'm so excited for my time at home to finish lots of books!

IN MY CART

• Since "worth-it" lists are trending, please just know this eyelash serum would be on my short list every single day. You're welcome!

• My new planner — I cannot even wait to start using it on August 1st, and I am obsessed with the green stripes. It might be my favorite cover ever? The layout sure is! If you've been on the fence about a paper planner, this is your sign! And if you haven’t ever thought about using one, come talk to me and I’ll convince you otherwise.

• I have my eye on this necklace set. It lays so perfectly, and I really want to wear it with a white t-shirt!!

• My promo emails caught me in a weak moment and I ordered a fresh pair of delightful jammies. The short sleeve and pant combo will always be my favorite.

WORTH CELEBRATING

• Routine 👏

• My friend getting an amazing new job 👏

• Dogs living their best lives 👏

• HOME 👏

• Rainy afternoon naps 👏

What are you celebrating this week? Big or small, it counts.

Leave a comment

THESE ARE THE DAYS

I have felt the pull to be home for a while now, but I’m so proud of myself for continuing to show up and genuinely enjoy every plan we had already made. If I’m being honest, there are times I’ll talk myself into canceling, or I’ll be physically present somewhere but mentally halfway home — tunnel vision locked in on getting back to my routine. This will be our first weekend home in about five weeks!

I’m so grateful for new experiences and a job that lets me open my laptop anywhere. But I also know that I haven’t always been able to compartmentalize that pull toward home, and I’ve let it get in the way before. The “these are the days” mindset is what keeps me present — it’s the reminder that home will be there, the routine will be there, but this moment right here won’t be. So I better be in it.

These are the days. See you next Tuesday!

xo, Lindsey

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Happy long weekend, friends! I’m leaning into my full Americana era and digging out every red dress I own for the next few days and into our family vacay next week!

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Summer is my favorite season ever. I look forward to it all year long so I’m giving myself (and YOU) permission to make things a little more fun, a little more whimsical, and a little less practical.

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