A quick note on how these lists work. Everyone will see the images of all items at the beginning of the post and paid subscribers will see the ideas of what I would do with each item, the search terms, the listing links so you can train your own algorithms. A little reminder that you don’t have to live anywhere near me for this list to be useful. In fact, I hope you use these posts as more of a Marketplace treasure map than a traditional list of links.

If you see something you love, you can obviously click through and buy the exact piece (if you beat me to it) if it’s still available but if you’re nowhere nearby, steal the search terms! Search ‘wicker telephone bench’, ‘apothecary cabinet’, or whatever catches your eye but in your area to see where Marketplace takes you.

You can also click on the things you like, even if you have no intention of buying them, save them, browse similar listings. It’ll learn what you stop for and, over time, we’ll have similar algorithms!

And, as always, you can browse my Etsy vintage saves too at any time right here.

Let’s get into it!

01. The Mailbox That Deserves a Holiday Moment

$100 · Trinity, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
I look at this and instantly think “how I can incorporate it into some sort of childhood tradition for Christmas?” The cast iron, shingled roof, horse detail… the “LETTERS” all have so much personality and, for some reason, it feels like it has Christmas heirloom potential.

What I’d do with it:
Okay, so many ideas. I’d either use it for an Advent tradition where a little note or activity would appear inside each morning for the kids or make it a letters to Santa mailbox of sorts? Wrap it with berries, cedar, add a red velvet bow. Whatever its purpose is, I think I’d lean into this aged green paint, keep it painted as is, and either tuck it into landscaping near our front walkway surrounded by ivy and bushes or put it on the front porch during Christmas time.

Try searching: vintage cast iron mailbox · antique mailbox on post · vintage horse mailbox · cast iron letter box · vintage outdoor mailbox

View the listing.

02. The Wicker Hutch Made for A Screened In Porch

$300 · Mt. Olive, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
If you’ve seen my latest porch DIYs, you know I have a thing for lattice. So that caught my eye along with the arched top and the 72” height.

What I’d do with it:
So many possibilities for this… but I would absolutely put it on our screened-in porch and use it as storage for hosting outdoors (serving pieces, lanterns, pots, baskets, garden books) along with a few gardening tools. And for the holidays, I’d tie tiny wreaths onto the lattice. I don’t know why I’m so holiday themed today... I need to chill. There does appear to be some damage on this though so it would need a bit of work to remove that first shelf.

Try searching: vintage wicker hutch · wicker shelving unit · rattan hutch · vintage wicker storage · wicker étagère · lattice wicker shelf

View the listing.

03. The Cabinet That Could Basically Become a Room

$700 · Salisbury, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
It just keeps… going… the enormous size made me pause for sure. Over 8 feet wide?! It would feel like an architectural installation in a room rather than a piece of furniture.

What I’d do with it:
Dining room china storage is the obvious answer but I’d actually want to figure out a way to transform this into a media cabinet with a tv hidden behind the center doors somehow. Or I can see myself using it as a massive linen cupboard in the upstairs hallway (if it would fit) and if I had a mudroom… coats, shoes, backpacks, dog supplies. I really love this thing and, if it were in my city, I would be getting it.

Try searching: antique French cabinet · carved wood cabinet · French armoire · oversized antique cabinet · antique linen cupboard · carved wood wardrobe

View the listing.

04. The Console Table I’d Immediately Take Outside

Want to keep hunting with me?
Paid subscribers can keep scrolling through the full list with ideas, links, and search terms for finding similar pieces near you.

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in my 20’s:

in my 30’s:

Charleston has always held a special place in my heart. It’s where I took at least 10 trips when I was trying to figure out who I was and what I was doing with my life. It’s also where we got married back in 2017. But looking back at that time now, it almost feels like we were living a completely different life. Or rather like I was a completely different version of myself.

These were also the years that anxiety started to show up heavily in my life. Panic attacks on the drives to work, in conference meetings, grocery stores, really everywhere except… home. I remember driving down to Charleston for our wedding and having to pull over at a rest area because I was so dizzy and panicked. At the time, I don’t think I understood what was happening to me.

I’ve learned so much about myself in the nearly decade since. Years later, we pulled into the same city with two car seats behind us and a life that I couldn’t have pictured back then.

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But even now, I don’t have everything figured out. I still have career questions, my anxiety still pops up, I still think about what our life will look like 5 or 10 years from now. But I think that is one of biggest differences between that version of me and this one. In my mid-20’s, I assumed there would be an age where I could feel completely settled and have every question answered. I’d know what I was doing, where were going, and what came next. In my mid-30’s, I still think about that all but I don’t expect myself to have all the answers anymore. There is much more contentment in the everyday. In the present. Maybe growing up isn’t finally having all the answers but it’s becoming more comfortable without them. Being back in Charleston had my thinking about what else I’d tell my mid-20’s version of myself if I could.

What I’d Tell The Mid-20’s Version of Myself

You don’t need to know what comes next.

I wish I could somehow convince her of this one. I spent so much time comparing myself to others who I thought “had it figured out”. Where would we live? What would my career be? Would I ever stop being terrified of having kids? When would we have kids? I wanted certainty before life even had a chance to unfold. And I think I imagined life in chapters of “once” we figured out things. Once we figure out where we’re living. Once our career reaches this point. Once we have kids. Once the house is completed. Once I make this much money. Once things calm down. Except the finish line keeps moving. And meanwhile, this is the life. At 35, I still wonder about the future. The difference is that I don’t expect myself to know exactly what it holds anymore.

Feeling anxious doesn’t always mean something is wrong.

In my 20’s, if I felt unsettled, surely something in my life must be unsettled too. I’ve learned that isn’t always true. Sometimes anxiety is just anxiety. And don’t be afraid to go talk about it to a therapist or a doctor. Once you do, it’ll change your life.

You are allowed to change your mind.

About where you live. About how many kids you want. About what your career looks like. About what kind of house you want. About what matters most to you. About what you thought you wanted 10 years ago. I used to think changing my mind meant that I had gotten something wrong. Now I think sometimes it just means I’ve changed. And evolving is normal.

There are things ahead you don’t even know to hope for yet.

Maybe this is the one I’d want her to know the most. Because if you had asked me at 25 to describe my life at 35, I’m almost certain I would have gotten a lot of it wrong. There are some details I probably would have predicted but there are also cities we’d call home that I never would have guessed. Jobs that would surprise me. Two little people I couldn’t full imagine yet. Which brings me back to our stay in Charleston.

Once we arrived on our recent trip, we checked into a longtime favorite, The Charleston Place. I’m learning that seeing my kids’ eyes light up at hotels is oddly a favorite thing of mine. It makes the homebody in me love traveling even more. They get so excited to explore and almost don’t even want to leave the hotel which has only made choosing the right hotel even more important than it used to be. My ideal hotel? Family friendly but still luxurious, walkable to restaurants, shops, and parks, and hospitality that makes you feel like you’re home when you’re not. Thankfully, The Charleston Place is all that and more.

We eventually headed out for an early dinner at Farfalle, a very good Italian option if you’re looking for a recommendation. My 4-year old wanted two things that day: spaghetti and meatballs and to jump into the hotel pool.

The next morning, we headed out early to explore before the heat became too much. We stopped at a local children’s boutique, Under the Almond Trees, walked through a new-to-me park, American Gardens, and did my favorite Charleston activity: just strolling around and admiring the architecture.

Except this time, I was doing it with a 4 yr old beside me and a baby in a stroller in front of me. There were little moments like that throughout the trip. A familiar city, but experienced from a completely different vantage point. Eventually the heat won, so we headed back to the hotel pool, ordered lunch from The Perch rooftop grill and floated around for the afternoon.

The hospitality at The Charleston Place is top notch. The rooms are stunningly beautiful, decorated to perfection, the details are dreamy, and somehow it still feels incredibly family friendly. Later that afternoon, The Charleston Place hosted us for family tea at their restaurant, Thoroughbred Club, complete with tea for kids! It was adorable. And sitting there with them, I started thinking again about the 25 year old version of myself who came to this same city years ago. She wanted so badly to know what came next and to have it all figured out.

I wish I could tell her that at 35, she still wouldn’t know everything. She’d still have questions about her career and she might still experience the occasional anxiety. She’d still change her mind and second-guess herself and wonder what the next 5 years would look like. But she’d also be sitting in Charleston having afternoon tea with two little people she couldn’t even picture yet.

Maybe that’s the part I wish I could tell her the most. There are things ahead of you that you truly don’t even know to hope for yet. So much of what you’re trying so hard to figure out will eventually become a life you’re simply busy living. And maybe growing up isn’t finally having all of the answers but its realizing you don’t need them all yet.

-Shelby

Thank you to The Charleston Place for hosting our stay and such a special afternoon. We will absolutely be back.

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My Etsy Saves

This week’s finds seem to have a theme: carved wood, lattice, leaded glass, and things that would absolutely require hiring professional electricians.

Here’s what I’d happily bring home this week…

01. Thomasville Chateau Provence Armoire

$300 · Graham, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
The carved detailing! and something this size typically doesn’t go for this price. I love an armoire because 1) it instantly makes a room feel collected-over-time… plus it’s such a statement piece and 2) you can use it for storing anything - not just clothing or blankets.

What I’d do with it:
I’d probably either use it in a bedroom for clothing instead of a standard dresser or even add it to a living room for blankets, pillows, maybe some games or toys for the kids. Or convert it into a hidden tv cabinet… my online friend Faith did that and it’s so charming.

View the listing.

02. Vintage Velvet Bench

$75 · Raleigh, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
I don’t know if it’s the warm textured velvet fabric, the curved wooden arms, or the fact that it’s $75, but I immediately started thinking of where I could put this. I actually love the upholstery… it’s a little more bold than most colors I typically gravitate towards for furniture but I love it paired with that shade of wood stain. You could never find something with this much character at this price point at a big box store.

What I’d do with it:
I wouldn’t change a thing about it… the fabric makes a statement and the wood is the perfect amount of worn… feels like it’s been around forever. I’d probably put it at the end of a hallway, in an entry, or at that top of the stairs landing we have under neath a tiny gallery wall.

View the listing.

03. Oval Wood Gallery Tray

$100 · Raleigh, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
The tiny spindle railing on this one got me. I love finding pieces that are technically practical (you could use this anywhere) but still have SO much detail.

What I’d do with it:
It’s also a lot larger than it looks so I’d probably use it on top of a large ottoman or coffee table with a stack of books, a tiny vase with a dried hydrangea stem in it, and a candle. I could also see myself using it on top of my kitchen island just to organize napkins, salt/pepper shakers, all of the tiny kitchen things that get scattered across the island.

View the listing.

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04. Vintage Rattan Wine Cabinet

$60 · Marston, NC

Why I stopped scrolling:
This one is technically listed as a wine cabinet but… I see it being used for so many purposes. The lattice back, the tiny drawers, the woven details! That little bamboo-style railing across the top… there is so much good stuff happening for $60.

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Sometimes, I actually know what I’m looking for but more often than not, I am just habitually and curiously seeing what is new. I’ll open it for a quick scroll and 20 min later I’m trying to figure out whether an antique pine cabinet located a few cities over could fit in a room that I had no intention of changing.

The problem is that there are way too many good things out there that I have absolutely no business bringing home. And rather than continuing to send screenshots to friends and family who did not ask for them, I thought maybe I should start sending them to you. So let’s take a treasure hunt together, shall we?!

First of all, I am always saving things to my Etsy Vintage Saves folder which you can always find here.

But today I want to focus on Facebook Marketplace because it’s been exceptionally good. I love that the best pieces aren’t necessarily the ones with the best photos or detailed descriptions.

For these Found Lists, I’ll be sharing the pieces that made me stop scrolling and consider rearranging my entire house for: antiques, vintage furniture, art, things for the garden, strange little objects with no practical purpose. I’ll tell you what why it caught my eye and what I’d personally do with it. Some might require a little imagination! Some might be more obvious.

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I’ve been wanting to share more of the actual ‘making’ behind our home projects/crafts/DIYS for a while now. Not just the finished photo or the 30-second reels w/ music, but the things I figured out halfway through, and all of the small decisions that eventually make a space feel more complete!

So, welcome to the first Behind the Details.

I couldn’t think of a better project to start with than the trelliage-inspired fretwork we recently added to our screened-in porch. I am heavily inspired by all things outdoor living. I have a growing collection of coffee table books that are solely focused on porches, sunrooms, gardens, backyards, etc. So when we created this screened-in porch, it instantly became my favorite and most used ‘room’ of our house.

The porch was technically finished construction-wise, but ever since before this renovation even started, there were details that I knew I needed in the end whether I hired someone or chose to go the DIY route.

When planning the porch, I kept coming back to trelliage, particularly the decorative latticework you see in old garden rooms, conservatories, and porches. I loved the idea of adding just a bit of it to add character without covering the entire porch in lattice.

We ended up adding small framed fretwork panels above each screen opening and despite doing this on what felt like the most humid weekend of the summer, I am so really happy we ended up doing it ourselves. It’s one of those details that you might not immediately be able to pinpoint when you walk onto the porch but somehow the entire space feels more finished because it’s there.

What We Used

For the panels:

• Lattice/fretwork panels

• 2” x 2” pine boards

• 1” x 4” pine boards

• ¾” PVC decorative trim moulding

For cutting/installation:

• Miter saw

• Handheld miter shears

• Nail gun

• 1½” brad nails

• 2” brad nails

• Exterior caulk

• My favorite paint brush set

For painting:

• Sherwin-Williams WeatherShield Paint in Greek Villa

• Paint sprayer

• Spray tent

• N95 mask

• Protective goggles

One thing I would absolutely recommend is spraying these rather than attempting to paint with a brush if you have the option. There are so many little intersections in the lattice that painting everything by hand would have taken forever. Spraying made this part of the project surprisingly quick.

I included a 9 minute long DIY-with-me video so you can see exactly where the panels sit within the screen openings, how we layered the trim, and how everything came together.

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I have a confession. There are people I’ve wanted to invite over for months. Not acquaintances but friends! And neighbors. People I genuinely enjoy and would love to spend more time with. Sometimes I’ll even picture the whole evening in my head. I’ll imagine everyone around the table, the kids running through the yard, one more cup of tea after dinner...

And then I never send the text.

I could definitely blame my baby’s nap-time and bedtime schedules conflicting with theirs, or convince myself the house needs to be cleaner, but deep down, I know it’s something else. In fact, I don’t think it has much to do with hosting at all. I think it has everything to do with people pleasing.

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Somewhere along the way, I started believing that inviting someone over was asking too much of them. Like my invitation was somehow an inconvenience instead of an opportunity.

What if they’re tired? What if they’ve had a long week and just want to stay home and watch tv? What if they don’t really want to get in the car? If they have kids, is that too complicated for their schedule? The more I thought about it, the stranger it became because when someone invites me over, I never think… “I can’t believe they’re asking me to drive 20 minutes”.

I think… “That sounds wonderful”. I feel included and thought of. So why do I assume everyone else experiences my invitation differently?

I’ve actually been wondering if this started decades ago. As a kid, I’d nearly cry if I inconvenienced the teacher. I was pretty sensitive looking back and never wanted to disappoint others. As an adult, I think that instinct evolved into people pleasing. Without realizing it, I became someone who was always trying to make sure everyone else was comfortable before I considered what I wanted. Even if what I wanted was simply to spend time together.

Living in New York a few years ago almost hid this part of me. Now this was pre-kids so life in general looked so very different. Community felt almost automatic. Maybe we’d walk. Maybe we’d take the subway. Maybe everyone was already out doing something anyway. Now almost every invitation feels like asking someone to get in their car. And for some reason, my brain translates that into asking too much.

But if we want community, someone has to make the first move. Someone has to send the text. Someone has to say, “Would you like to come over? Go on a walk? Have coffee? A playdate?” and for some reason, that has always felt vulnerable to me. Because getting in the car somehow feels like asking more than walking a few blocks ever did. My people-pleasing brain translates a 20 minute drive into a burden.

But lately, I’ve been asking myself more and more… “is it really though?” When I drive 20 mins to a friend’s house or a restaurant, I don’t think about the transporting there. I think about the conversation we’ll have and the catching up we’ll do.

So why have I convinced myself everyone else is measuring the inconvenience instead of anticipating the connection?

The more I think about this too, the more I realize that nearly all of the changes we’ve made to our home so far have been about creating places where people can belong. Maybe that's why I've been so drawn to porches, breakfast nooks, big dining tables, and corners made for lingering. Maybe I wasn't just designing a house but maybe I was trying to design more opportunities for connection.

But as beautiful a screened-in porch can be, it doesn’t build community. An invitation does.

Community feels more precious than ever but our lives are busy. Calendars are full. It’s easier than ever to just stay home and scroll or choose a Netflix series instead of reaching out. It makes me wonder how many friendships are waiting on one person to be brave enough to send the first text.

Sometimes my Dad will show up at the door completely un-announced and it is one of my favorite things ever. I never once thought, “I wish he had texted first.” I just feel incredibly happy he’s here. He just bypasses that step and it’s the greatest thing ever.

Maybe that is what courage looks like in this season of life. Not hosting the perfect dinner party. Not waiting for your dream house projects to be completed first. Maybe courage looks like risking the possibility that someone might say no because you believe the possibility of them saying yes is worth it.

So, this week, I’m going to give myself the permission to be the one who invites. Permission to believe that people don’t come to inspect my home but to spend time together. Permission to believe that what makes people feel the most welcome is never the house but me willing to open the door.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, maybe we can try something together. If there is someone you’ve been meaning to invite over, send the text this week. Coffee, a walk, popsicles with the kids, dinner. Community has to start somewhere. Maybe all it’s waiting on is one person willing to make the first move.

Shelby

Share In Between the Pines

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To celebrate the sweetest (and somehow fastest) year, we kept things simple: a little DIY berry-themed birthday party in our dining room with a handful of family members who have loved Evvie Lou since the very beginning.

There’s something fitting about celebrating a milestone this big in the room where so much ordinary life happens. It’s where we eat breakfast in pajamas, plan the days over coffee, build puzzles and towers, wipe tomato-sauce covered hands, and always end up sitting for longer than planned. It felt like the right place to celebrate a year built on some of life’s most precious tiny moments.

But a baby’s first birthday is about so much more than just turning one.

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The first two weeks of Evvie’s life were spent in the hospital. I remember wondering if we’d ever get to the “normal” part of bringing home a baby. NICU time feels 20x longer than real life time. The day that we finally did get to take her home will forever be one of the best days of my life… an experience that taught me so much about what matters most, and changed me in the process. I tihnk that’s why this birthday felt so emotional. It wasn’t just about celebrating her first year but about celebrating our first year as a family of four. Our health! Our village. Our first year learning how to divide our attention as parents without dividing the love that our kids feel. Watching Brooks become the sweetest big brother. Learning that your heart really does grow bigger, even when you cannot imagine how on earth that’s possible.

What I didn’t expect was how much having a second baby would push me deeper into the motherhood role itself. TJ and I fell into a divide-and-conquer rhythm almost without realizing it. He’d scoop up Brooks for the park or bath time and I’d be with Evvie for long stretches alone. I didn’t anticipate how much one-on-one time that would mean but I think that’s exactly what let me settle so fully into being her mom this year. And because it’s my second time around, the confidence also let me enjoy being a mom so much more deeply.

The Little Details

If you’ve followed along for any amount of time over the past 12 years, you know that I love homemade details. This summery berry theme ended up being one of my favorites because it was cheerful, inexpensive, and surprisingly easy to pull together:

• Vines from the porch, mixed with biodegradable balloons I found from a small business on Etsy.

• White “seed” spots hand-drawn onto the balloons

• Our DIY “restaurant” built for Brooks a while back that we repurposed as the drink station w/ this triple beverage dispenser

• Hydrangeas cut from the front yard for a simple centerpiece

• Gingham tablecloths and a really great birthday playlist

Together, the natural decor from the yard and the small handmade touches made our dining room feel like a berry farm stand.

Some of the pieces we used, linked below if you’re planning something similar:

• Balloon Kit

• Gingham Ribbon

• Gingham Tablecloth

• “1” Balloon

• Air Pump

• Helium Tank

• Happy Birthday Felt Garland (for the drink station)

• Triple Beverage Dispenser

• High Chair Garland

• Custom Baby Birthday Hat

• Birthday Hats for Guests

• Paper Strawberry Plates

  
  

  

  The Homemade Smash Cake

I wanted Evvie’s first birthday cake to be something she could enjoy without too much sugar (I know, I know… I’m that mom)… the homemade buttercream frosting was a different story. So, I made her a banana birthday cake. I didn’t have mini pans, so I used a 10 inch pan and a wide-mouthed mason jar to cut 4 small circles and layer them.

Banana Smash Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1/4 cup melted butter

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-in round baking pan (you’ll cut this into 4 small layers later)

2. Whisk flour and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla.

4. Combine all ingredients (I used a stand mixer) and pour into the baking pan.

5. Bake for 30 minutes (or until toothpick is clean after sticking in cake).

For icing, go as sweet as you’d like: Buttercream (sweetest), Greek yogurt based (lightest), or a cream cheese frosting (somewhere in the middle).

I ended up making this cake 3 times because Pearl, our Newfoundland, snuck into the kitchen gates (yes, we have to gate our kitchen because of her) while it was cooling and ate the entire thing 45 minutes before guests arrived.

For everyone else, we ordered a cake from Sugar Euphoria and it was a 10/10.

The No-Skip Party Playlist

I put together 4 hours of music you simply cannot go wrong with… birthday parties, Sunday dinners, cooking in the kitchen. It’s a great soundtrack for making memories.

A Home Design Thought

I’m often asked about how I decorate our home… and lately, I find myself coming back to two things:

1. Making sure the space evolves to meet our family where we are. (ex: our former formal sitting room now acts as a playroom)

2. Making rooms built for memories - the backdrop for family dinners, birthday candles, enjoying music, baking a cake for the 2nd time because the dog ate the first one. These are the things I hope my kids remember and this is quickly becoming the foundation of how I decorate and design our home.

This year has truly felt like the sweetest one yet, despite sleeping through the night maybe 3 times in 365 days and surviving three cases of mastitis among other infections that popped up scar-related. I couldn’t imagine life with Evvie before her and now I cannot imagine life without her. It’s wild how much personality can be packed into a 1 year old baby who was born 6 weeks early. This year has also reminded me that the seasons we wish would slow down never really do so sometimes the best we can do is make them feel worth remembering.

Cheers to many, many years of birthday candles!

Partly whimsical, partly practical, and an unexpected piece of home decor that feels extremely personal.

Instead of the usual back and forth of “what’s for dinner?”, I simply glance at the menu (usually on Sunday’s and loosely plan ahead) and choose. It removes the daily decision fatigue and replaces it with something that feels more intentional… kinda like running a very tiny cozy restaurant.

Our first month was a success. We ordered out far less, ate more balanced meals, and had a better variety of nutrients throughout the week. For this month, I took it a step further and leaned more into seasonal produce… broccoli, asparagus, spinach, arugula, lots of early hints of spring coming!

I used Canva to grab this menu template and if you’d like to use the same one, I’ll link it here!

Think of this menu as a fairly basic restaurant… nothing too fancy is in here because I wanted meals that felt familiar, seasonal, quickly achievable, but tasty enough to curb my DoorDash cravings for weekdays. I know this will change throughout different stages of life too.

Apps & Salads

We don’t always have appetizers at home, especially on weekdays, but if we’re having people over or just want to have a fun dinner at home on the weekend, we do have some go-to’s.

TJ has a really good version of a salad we order at a restaurant, Poole’s Diner, which is a bibb lettuce salad with a champagne vinaigrette topped off with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Another app inspired by a restaurant (Academy St. Bistro) is just baked brie with crackers topped with some sort of berry jam.

Will we make all of these this month? Maybe not. But having the list is what removes the mental load and keeps me from ordering online!

- Bibb Lettuce Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
- Chips with Guacamole & Salsa (personally, I love the mild guac that Whole Foods sells and buy it weekly)
- Baked Brie
- Veggies & Ranch
- Caprese Salad (cannot wait for tomato season)
- Olives, Cheese, Nuts combo

Main Courses

We kept a few staples on the menu this month: chicken enchiladas, homemade pizza, a classic spaghetti night, etc.

Friday night pizza has quickly become a tradition in our house to kick off the weekend and I included a few of my pizza night essentials here.

- Homemade Pizza Night (super easy if I can find a little time earlier in the day to make the dough)
- Stuffed Peppers (usually will ground turkey)
- Sheet Pan Veggies & Potatoes
- Grilled Steak (or rotisserie chicken) Salad
- Chicken Caesar Wraps (again, rotisserie chicken for the win usually)
- Baked Fish with Orzo or Couscous (tilapia, cod, halibut, chilean sea bass if I’m really feeling fancy)
- Salmon/Rice bowls
- Lettuce Wraps with Ground Turkey
- Spaghetti Night
- One-Pot Spring Veggie Pasta
- Garlic/Lemon Angel Hair with Tomatoes (Ina Garten’s Summer Pasta is my go-to)

my most used dishes

I’ve also been trying to incorporate more bean salads into my days as we get more into spring… it’s just the most refreshing, nutrient dense thing to keep in the fridge. I’ve also been big on roasted broccoli, asparagus, sweet potatoes, baby potatoes as a side!

As mainly a reminder to myself that sweet treats can be had at home without needing to get something decadent, I added a simple dessert section too:

- Fresh strawberries with whipped cream
- Dark chocolate covered pretzels
- Yogurt with honey and berries
- a bowl of cereal
- Frozen yogurt bars

When I’m ordering groceries, I look at this menu. When I’m planning ahead, I look at this menu. When I have no idea what to eat, I look at this menu. When I’m 6 seconds from ordering frozen custard with m&m’s to be delivered to my door, I look at this menu. And it’s actually broken a lot of bad habits of mine!

If you find yourself standing in the kitchen at 5:30 with no plan and no desire to make a decision… this has been a fun and surprisingly effective little change. With a little added structure and a bit of creativity, my DoorDash spending has been cut by probably 80% and dinner now feels a little more special at home.

Click here for the template I used!

Details linked here.

xo, Shelby

Somehow, we’ve arrived at the last Sunday of the month?!

I know most of March is technically still winter, but in my mind, it’s fully spring (even with a little snow). I’ve already spent the last week of fake spring with the kitchen windows cracked, making recipes I probably have no business making yet, and reuniting with my front porch. I’ve added fresh topiaries throughout the home, adding touches of live greenery wherever I can. We even had outdoor margs with neighbors Friday night, and once that happens, there is simply no going back to winter for me.

I’ve realized I only “thrive” in spring because of how serious I take my “wintering”. Winter is for hibernating and recalibrating to me. Slowing down enough to take note of what matters, what needs changing, and how I’m actually going to make things happen.

This winter has been especially sweet and cozy with our July baby, though it hasn’t been without it’s fair share of sicknesses slowing things down. There were multiple weeks where I kept saying “next week will be my fresh start to the new year” well into February. But entering this year at 35 felt different than previous years… it felt like a big nudge. A nudge to get serious about what matters to me, my family, my health, my relationships, the way my days actually feel.

For someone who can be somewhat chronically hard on herself, I actually think I’ve done a great job so far this year setting the tone for what I want the rest of it to look like.

If you follow along on Instagram, you know I’ve been making my February “Craftuary”. Fourteen small projects (nothing groundbreaking), just things that had been sitting on my mental wishlist. That list kept growing while my screen time kept climbing, so clearly I needed a realignment. Less doomscrolling, more doing and more blank space in the calendar.

As a mom, that space can feel indulgent. There is always something like laundry or cleaning that can be done but I also want my kids to grow up seeing my learn and try new things!

So, in honor of the final Sunday of the month, I thought it would be fun to rank some of these things I’ve made this month:

1. The embroidered sweatshirt. Watching my husband open something with our son’s actual handwriting (still don’t understand because wasn’t he just born?!) stitched into it felt like preserving time in thread. Hard to top that one! If you’re curious, I highly recommend starting with a simple beginner’s embroidery kit and learning a few foundational stitches while watching your favorite show. Supplies linked here.

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2. The crib canopy. Still in progress because I made mine too short and it now needs a skirt + pelmet. BUT, there is something deeply special about creating something that will join me through late-night feeds and be a constant in the room while my baby grows. Supplies linked here.
   

   

   
   

3. The pinboards. This one was practical but beautiful and I now have a home in our “art room” for my kids’ tiny masterpieces. Supplies linked here.
   

4. The pleated lampshades. A surprisingly simple way to breathe new life into leftover fabric. A lot of the rechargeable lamps are fairly simple so friendly reminder that you can add fabric and trim to make it your dream lampshade! Supplies linked here.
   

   

5. The plate stands. Instead of thinking “I wish I had the full set”, I made my mismatched plates tea-party ready and turned them into tiered cake stands that feel very personalized. Mixing patterns is one of my favorite things to do so putting together different old plates to make one beautiful centerpiece was so fun and surprisingly easy. Supplies linked here.
   

   ---

   This month, I’m:
   

   Designing:

   After a long process of getting city permits, we’re finally starting on a screened in back porch this week, something I’ve been dreaming about since the first summer at our house. We live near what can only be described as mosquito HQ so the idea of a breezy, protected space feels like adding an entirely new living room to our lives only this one surrounded by fresh air and trees. I’ve also started a subtle bedroom refresh to make it calmer and a bit more elevated.
   
   Oh and an ever-evolving playroom:

   

   Sofa, Wooden Climber, Rug

   
   
   Learning:
   Embroidery and homemade pizza baking have been my hyper-fixations this month. Embroidery, especially, has become my favorite way to end the day, propped up in bed with a good show playing in the background.
   
   Soaking Up:
   Being a mom. I don’t know what it is about a second child but I feel so much more experienced and like I’m able to enjoy it in a more carefree way? I also don’t know if we’ll have more kids so the not knowing really makes me soak up every single second.
   
   Letting Go Of:
   Indecision and procrastination. Turning 35 has made me really want to destroy habits that waste time. If something matters, I want to start it and stop thinking about it. No more overthinking.
   
   Watching:
   Love Story on Hulu. I love having a weekly ritual that isn’t productivity-related and I’ve loved how beautifully New York in the 90’s is shot in this show.
   
   Wearing:
   I’m slowly editing my closet as my body and routines evolve. Letting go of pieces that belonged to a past version of me and keeping what I’d actually reach for on a typical morning.
   

   

   
   Cooking:
   Comfort food that still feels fresh and nourishing. Warm rice bowls with roasted vegetables, big salads with steak or shrimp. Anything that feels like winter and spring sharing the same bowl. Highly recommend making a seasonal “house menu”, printing it, and hanging it up somewhere near your kitchen to help with decision fatigue! Oh, and this gorgeous newest Le Creuset color could not be more perfect.
   

   

   
   
   Spring is just around the corner, but I’ll be taking advantage of winter’s slowness for as long as it lingers. Happy Sunday!

   

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   Browse my monthly vintage saves here:

   

   
   

I have a list of 14 small projects I’d love to work on through this month in an effort to doom-scroll a little less while creating a little more.

For the first craft, I’m making DIY pinboards. These can be used for giant vision boards, family calendars or artwork displays, mini ones as jewelry organizers, the list goes on! They’re also super customizable: choose your size, choose your fabric, choose your frame!

(ALL SUPPLIES LINKED HERE)

I’ll include a list of supplies (most of which you might already have) below. I have a fairly large pinboard in my office that lives behind a desk and it holds calendars, fabric/wallpaper samples, reminders, moodboards, etc. It’s become one of those unexpectedly functional pieces that also feels like a giant piece of decor.

One day Brooks (my 4 yr old) came to me holding a piece of artwork and asked if we could hang it on my pinboard. I said yes, of course, but it sparked an idea to make him his own. He has a giant empty wall space above his art table and I realized how fun it would be for him to have his own artwork display pinboard.

Since I had already made one before, it felt like the perfect way to kick off Craftuary and document the process again.

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Supplies I Used

Corkboard Tiles (my personal favorite but any corkboard cut to size works)

Pegboard (or something sturdy to attach the cork to)

Pine Boards & Screws (to connect pegboards if making a giant one)

Ornamental Trim & Stain (for the frame)

Upholstery Stapler (for fabric) - electric or manual

Brad Nailer (for attaching frame pieces)

Sawtooth Picture Hangers

Mitre Saw or Handsaw Box (to cut trim pieces)

Existing Picture Frames (if making a smaller one)

Fabric

Step 1: Build the board.

The first step is attaching the corkboard tiles to the pegboard. The cork pieces I used come with adhesive strips, which makes the part super simple. Each pegboard is 4x2 ft and each cork tile is 1x1 ft, so it took 8 tiles to cover one pegboard. I did this twice and then attached the two pegboards.

For this board, I wanted a 4x4 size, so I connected two pegboards together using 3-4 pine boards as connector pieces.

All of this is very flexible depending on the size you want and whether or not you’re simply using an existing frame.

Step 2: Add Fabric and Trim

Once the pegboard was assembled, I moved on to the decorative portion. You can use old curtains (I used this one for our first), or fabric of any kind. I will say that using stripes makes is much more challenging because then you have to worry about them being perfectly straight. Using a floral pattern was much more forgiving.

The key here is pulling the fabric tight so nothing feels loose or saggy. I stapled it to the back and once the fabric was attached, it was time for the frame! I stained ornamental trim in dark walnut and then measured each side of the pegboard carefully. Again, if you’re doing this with an existing frame - don’t worry about this step!

Step 3: Cut, Attach & Hang

After the stain dried, I cut each piece of trim at 45 degree angles using a mitre saw. A simple handsaw box works great too if you don’t have an electric saw. Using a brad nailer, I attached the trim to the pinboard.

Once the trim was secure, we held the board up to the wall to determine placement, added hardware, and up it went!

With leftover materials, I made a few mini ones that will make cute gifts. I even ended up using one as an earring organizer on our bedroom mantel. You can make this using almost any existing picture frame by just cutting the cork material, attaching the fabric tightly using fabric glue or staples (pin in place if using fabric glue).

If you’re joining Craftuary in your own way this month, I’d love to hear what you’re making. Whether it’s sewing, painting, baking, or building… I hope this month you’re able to find a bit of joy through it all!

Not because I dislike discovering new ones (I do! and I’ll spend months doing it) but because certain colors feel like old reliable bffs. The kind I’ve already spent a lot of time with, watched through different light, and paired with different fabrics and furniture. The kind that just work without overthinking.

Paint Color: Bone

Depending on what you layer with them, they somehow feel fresh every time. So today, I’m sharing a few things:

• My most re-used, never-gets-old paint colors

• A short list of supplies that I keep on hand whenever I’m in the beginning stages of repainting a room.

• A chance to win 6 gallons of paint, primer, and a colour consultation from Farrow and Ball

The Paint Colors I Always Come Back To

I always start with this paint deck, whether I end up using F&B or a different brand. This is my process in a nutshell: start with the paint deck at home, use Samplize to order even larger swatches, and research by brand on Match My Paint Color. Quality-wise, I love Farrow and Ball; however, we do not live near a store location so I either need to order online and patiently wait or find a similar color in another brand by using the Match My Paint Color site. Sometimes my impatience gets the best of me but ultimately this is my process. The Samplize swatches will arrive a couple days later and I’ll hang them on the wall until I feel ready to commit.

1. French Gray
   This is my all-time favorite paint color. I’ve used it on a wardrobe system, in a kitchen, on a dresser. It just works in so many areas and it’ll never get old to me!

   

   

2. Treron

   This is a green that feels timeless. I’ve used on shelves and in a small kitchen. If you’re wanting a mid-tone green, this is a good one to test out! Old White is also shown below on the cabinets.

   

3. Slipper Satin
   My go-to white that still feels warm. My sunroom looks nothing like this anymore but I had painted Slipper Satin on these walls in the photo below…

   

   Others worth mentioning:

   

   Ceilings/Doors: Green Smoke

   

Sulking Room Pink

My “Where To Start” Paint Supplies

Supplies Linked Here.

Like I mentioned before, I cannot tell you how many times I reach for this paint deck. It’s well-curated without being overwhelming, and it’s such a great place to start when you don’t know where to start. Even if you don’t end up using the brand, you can research similar colors and it gives you a good idea without having to run to the hardware store immediately. I also LOVE this brush kit… it’ll make painting a lot quicker.

Once I select the general color I like, I’ll order larger swatches on Samplize. They arrive quickly, give you even more suggestions based on what you’ve already added to your cart, and I love being able to stick a big swatch on the wall, live with it for a few days (or months) to see how it shifts throughout different hours/lighting.

Paint has always felt like one of the simplest ways to shift the entire mood of a space. After sharing my home decorating adventures online for over 10 years, I’ve decided to kick off a year of thoughtful, tangible gifts each month over on Instagram as a small way of saying thank you for being here.

If you haven’t entered yet, you can find all of the details over on my Instagram this evening.

Happy February!

-Shelby

It’s a rainy 35 degree Sunday and the house is a rare level of quietness.

Normally when that happens, I’ll slip out to the porch and curl up on the porch swing, even just for 5 minutes to regroup and collect whatever brain cells are still floating around. But one, it’s freezing, and two, I’ve felt unexpectedly inspired sitting in my new cozy craft corner instead. So consider this a virtual porch sit. A place to catch-up, reflect on the month, and revisit a few highs and lows.

Welcome to The Sunday Sit.

The last few weeks have felt like a bit of whiplash. We went from full-speed holidays and birthday prep to slamming on the breaks and becoming one with my KitchenAid stand mixer and then trying to dodge the flu in our house while simultaneously ramping back up with new year tasks.

During the slower days came a bit of space to reflect. I’ve always been a New Year person. I love a new planner. I love planning. I love dreaming up trips, home projects, etc. For most of my adult life, I’ve filled every inch of my planner, leaving very little blank space. But as I look onward to 2026, what I think I actually need is more blank space. Space to sit on the porch. To stare at my baby or to play pretend with my 4- yr old. To cook the meals I’ve been craving instead of immediately DoorDashing them. To take a 30 minute walk break in the middle of a weekday without the strange guilt that has somehow stayed with me since my corporate job days. To learn something new simply for the joy of it. Space to just live.

I’ve decided that I’ll ease into my personal “new year” tomorrow, the 19th. After all of the sicknesses that have made their way through our house over the last few weeks, it feels right to start fresh then. I never fail to end the year completely burned out, and just as motivation and creativity were beginning to peek back in, bam, winter sicknesses. I’m hopeful this coming week will be a healthy re-entry into routines, routines that feel calm though instead of rushed.

This month, I’m…

Learning: knitting (I actually attended a local in-person class last week so TBD on how that journey will go but it was very fun), delegating, new routines with a six-month-old, ways to simplify our home so that clutter isn’t everywhere, and learning that blank space in the calendar is where life actually happens.

Letting Go Of: perfectionism tendencies, processed meat, ordering Goodberry’s (frozen custard) to be delivered multiple nights per week.

Finding Comfort In: moments with my family, creating simple traditions like homemade pizza on friday’s, the reminder that not everything needs to be shared online.

Reading: The Family Home

Wearing: easy everyday things. I recently admitted to myself that my closet was starting to feel like a museum of my past years so my wardrobe is under construction currently (being majorly sorted and donated) until I edit it down to a capsule-wardrobe-situation-of-sorts that gives me back more time in my mornings.

Eyeing: I told myself to not buy new clothes this season but this collection is everything.

Cooking: a version of this soup

New Year Reflections

2025 rearranged my priorities in ways that I didn’t really expect. I started the year in my first trimester with my now-healthy baby girl. Throughout the pregnancy though, each appointment brought more scary news and I’m endlessly grateful to be on the other side of it all. But when you quietly think about the “what-if’s” of not making it through, your priorities shift quickly.

It honestly reminded me of how much I simply love living. This sounds very ‘Live Laugh Love’ of me, I know. Especially during a time where the news is almost always heavy and the world feels extremely overwhelming. It’s also impossible to ignore how much time technology has taken away from us… outside time replaced with scrolling, boredom replaced with highlight reels, so many hours lost each day without realizing it. Social media definitely has it’s place but I think many of us are craving a better balance heading into this new year.

Looking ahead, nearly every decision I make this year will be with my family in mind but I also want to protect small pockets of time to explore hobbies that have lived on my wishlist for years. Sewing, painting, improving photography, embroidery, cooking… Carving time out for myself to do these things in turn always makes me a happier and better parent.

I don’t feel the need to cram this year full outside of that though. Of course, I’d love to take my family on a few fun trips (these recommendations were so much fun to read last week) but I want my days to have more breathing room and I want to leave room for the moments that don’t necessarily fit neatly into a planner.

So, here’s to more blank space!

Thanks for sitting with me. And if you’re having a quieter, delayed entry into your new year, easing into it is sometimes the best move and you are not alone.

Shelby

Now that we’ve lived in our house for two full years, I’ve found myself quietly building a wishlist of changes I’d love to make. Some feel farther away and others feel slightly more urgent.

Our house is not a fixer-upper by any means. It’s a 1980’s home and has solid bones. The previous owners did such a great job making it feel like a home. It’s somewhat of a Father of the Bride/Home Alone combo and I knew I wanted to buy it within the first 10 minutes of seeing it but a handful of spaces feel outdated or no longer quite work for how we live now. We’ve never taken on a major renovation in this house so this next chapter feels both exciting and a little daunting.

When we were house hunting after our time in NYC, I was very intentional about wanting a home that didn’t need immediate changes. I wanted breathing room and a place that felt safe for kids to live in right from the start. A house we could live in as-is without sinking money into it right away (minus buying the house itself, obviously).

In those early days, we kept changes fairly light. Some upstairs carpet was removed and some floors were refinished but everything else was mostly aesthetic and for fun… to make it feel like ours. I fell in love in with wallpaper, added a partial wall to break up an open floor plan, and poured a lot of love into our outdoor spaces. Nothing structural though, nothing urgent, and nothing that required any sort of permit or survey.

And over time, life happened. We haven’t used our primary bathroom shower in over 6 months due to grout issues that caused leaking into the kitchen below. And finally, it’s time!

So, here’s the list. The changes that slowly rose to the surface after living here for 2 years:

A Screened-In Outdoor Living Space

One of the first home changes we’re planning for 2026 is rebuilding our deck, extending the roofline, and creating a screened-in living area that I truly plan to live in daily. My hope is that it’s used more than the actual indoor living room.

After two summers here, the mosquitoes, whom I despise, have made it clear they are not going anywhere. A screened-in space would let us actually use our outdoor living area all year long without being eaten alive. I picture summer dinners, slow mornings, hosting friends and family, truly just living out there instead of running back inside every 5 minutes or reapplying mosquito repellant each time.

I know this will be a major quality-of-life upgrade so it’s also the one I’m most excited for… the one that will change our day to day life the most I think.

A Dedicated Craft Corner

The slow accumulation of art supplies has officially become a problem. It’s time for a dedicated craft corner. I recently put together a 2 part video of cozy creations in 2025 and it made me realize how much of a certified arts & crafts girly I am.

This space will be partly for me and partly for kids crafts. One designated area where mess can exist freely and creativity doesn’t need to be cleaned up right away. I’ve actually already started this one and I’ll share an update on Instagram tomorrow!

Turning One Large Bedroom Into Two

We moved my son’s bedroom a couple of times since moving here, especially after welcoming our baby girl, and he landed in what was once the playroom, the largest bedroom in the house.

After living with that setup, it became clear that splitting the space makes more sense for our family. Creating two rooms will give him a proper cozy bedroom again and bring back a dedicated playroom that both kids can eventually share.

A contractor recently confirmed this would be a relatively simple and smart change, which instantly made it feel doable instead of intimidating and questionable.

Renovating Our Primary Bath and a Guest Bath

These officially have fallen into the required category. Our primary bath is outdated, and the leaking grout situation has made this future renovation unavoidable. The guest bathroom we plan to tackle is on our attic floor and currently has a jacuzzi tub/shower situation that’s quite difficult to step into for our aging parents (our most frequent guests) and even my 35 yr old self. It’s impossible to use for bathing a baby too. At this point, it’s less about aesthetics and more about safety and function. I tried a temporary no-reno makeover last year but it’s time for the real deal.

A Small Office Tucked Into the Attic

We have a fairly large upstairs guest room that was once unfinished attic space but, after living with it, I realized how many possibilities were hiding!

By adding a single wall, we can carve out a small, cozy office overlooking the trees. I’m imagining a desk, books, and the long window bench that’s already there. It’ll be a quiet retreat at the tip-top of the house.

Painting Our Bedroom

This one feels simple but meaningful. I already removed the wallpaper that we installed as soon as I moved. It was the only wallpaper that I questioned after installing and I’m craving even more calm in our bedroom. A fresh paint color feels like a good reset… a small change that’ll make a big impact in how a space feels at the beginning and end of every day.

Time has a way of revealing what matters and what truly needs fixing. I’m so excited for some of these and for how they’ll affect our everyday life so we’ll see how many we tackle in 2026.

I’m sure I’ll share more updates on Instagram… you can follow along here.

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One of my favorite ways to begin a new year is by dreaming about where we might go next. I love mapping out places that feel possible for this season of life, building a wish list of a little cozy, a little aspirational, maybe adventurous destinations. I’m totally a homebody but there is something about traveling that gives me a lot of inspiration to take home with me and, as long as I have my family with me, it feels like home. I love getting lost in all of the planning too. Traveling with kids looks nothing like it did before but it’s still one of the most meaningful parts of our lives and something that I try to prioritize. I just have to go into it with realistic expectations. Getting to show the world to your child, watching them wander, notice things, explore with fresh eyes and excitement, it’s a type of joy that I didn’t fully understand until I became a parent. Our travels were limited last year due to a high risk pregnancy scare so this year I’m feeling more motivated to get something on the calendar!

There are so many places I still hope to see someday, but this year I wanted to pause before jumping into all of the travel daydreaming and hear from other parents first. So, on New Year’s Day, I posted a little question box on Instagram and the responses were so fun to read. Different places, different seasons, different stages of parenthood, but a few clear patterns were definitely noticed!

A few takeaways: most parents definitely value ease and nature over luxury or novelty, Europe is far more kid-friendly than many US parents expect (slower pace, public transit, and playgrounds all help), calm beach towns are the universal crowd pleaser (and predictable in the best way), mountain towns and cozy trips are the most nostalgic for people (less activities, more togetherness), and nature-based trips create some of the strongest memories. These were the themes I saw. When travel feels simple, families enjoy it so much more.

The Top 25 Most Frequently Mentioned Family Travel Picks

1. Disney (parks and cruises)

   As someone who didn’t go to Disney until high-school age (for a school trip) and has never been on a cruise, I was a little surprised by how many people mentioned this! I think I’m missing out and need to enter the Disney world in the near future. This was the most mentioned by far and was repeatedly described as the easiest option with young kids.

2. Hawaii

   Specifically, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Big Island, and Aulani (a Disney resort, shocking) mentioned by a lot of repeat visitors and praised highly for beauty and kid-friendliness!

3. Italy

   Lake Garda and Sardinia were frequently mentioned! Taking road trips throughout with stops in cities and the countryside, all of it! Italy was frequently described as welcoming to kids, slow, and family-friendly.

4. National Parks

   Yellowstone, Zion, Tetons, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Banff. These were commonly associated with core-memory trips. Personally, my son is peak wildlife-obsessed right now (thanks to Wild Kratts, the only show he wants to watch) and some of these are definitely on my mind for 2026.

5. Switzerland

   Playgrounds on mountains, scenic trains (my boy’s dream)… one of the most recommended European options I came across! I mean… what a dream this would be.

6. Costa Rica

   Nature and wildlife focused, adventurous in a non-overwhelming way and manageable with kids.

7. Aruba

   A lot of parents mentioned loving the quiet side of Aruba and repeatedly recommended it for toddlers.

8. London

   Walkable, parks everywhere, holiday magic, museums.

9. Portugal

   Specifically, Lisbon and Algarve resorts were noted for family-centered culture and relaxed dining. We’ve been here with our son and I totally agree! Portugal was such a fun trip and we split our time between a rental home on the ocean in Algarve and a city apartment in Porto… the perfect balance.

10. 30A/Rosemary Beach/WaterColor

    Walkable, calm beach towns - highly recommended.

11. Hilton Head/Sea Island/Amelia Island

    Even though these are all in different states, I’m lumping them together since they were mentioned equally and all in the same general US region. These were suggested as a classic, reliable, and a multigenerational favorite.

12. Mexico

    Cancun, Cabo, all-inclusive resorts all recommended for the ease and value!

13. Outer Banks, NC

    A Carolina beach is always on my must list for every summer but these were mentioned quite a bit, especially Corolla, for quiet beaches, rental homes, and a slower pace of life.

14. Various US Mountain Towns

    Park City, Telluride, White Mountains, Boone, several CO towns all were favorites! Cozy, scenic, and restorative.

15. France (Paris, Provence, Nice all mentioned)

    For cities: parks, carousels, walkability, and family-friendly.

16. Lake Trips

    Lake Tahoe was a favorite, Lake George, and lakefront cottages or cabins all over are a summer favorite!

17. Scotland

    Countryside explorations and castles. This one is on my wishlist.

18. Puerto Rico

    No passport, easy logistics, great beaches.

19. Canada (Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Tofino)

    Another nature-forward favorite, clean, calm, and family-friendly. Banff is one of my favorite places and I’d love to one day take my kids but it is a lot of time in the car in my experience.

20. Spain (Barcelona, San Sebastián, Mallorca)

    Loved for walkable cities, playgrounds, late dinners that work for kids!

21. Greece

    Frequently mentioned alongside family resorts.

22. Bermuda

    Compact, calm, easy with kids supposedly!

23. Jamaica

    The resorts and beaches made this one a repeat mention.

24. Belize

    Specifically Secret Beach and low key nature-focused stays were mentioned.

25. Ireland

    Lots of green space, castles, and friendly culture.

    I feel like these trips fall into 4 categories: easy, adventurous, cozy, and aspirational and it’s really about choosing what supports the season of life you’re in. Personally, with an almost 6 month old and a 4 yr old, I like the idea of somewhere my baby can nap (even if its on hikes and I’m wearing her) while my son can endlessly explore and get a lot of energy out while making memories.

    
    My personal wishlist if I were to fill each category:

    Adventurous - Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

    Cozy - a familiar Carolina beach town with extended family & NYC (NYC is familiar & cozy to me since we lived there and I am way overdue for a NYC food fix)

    Aspirational - Switzerland, Scotland, or Spain

    Easy - Mexico? Aruba? FL? some type of easy resort with kid-friendly amenities

    

    
    I had so much fun reading about all of these favorite family travel spots and it’s something I’m sure I’ll revisit each year as I’m dreaming of where to go next. If anybody has any travel agent suggestions, please let me know! I’ve never used one before but am starting to realize how much easier that would make traveling as a family.

    

    
    I hope you’re having a great start to the year and I’m excited to share more on my Substack in 2026!

    -Shelby
    

For my first baby, I waited until the last possible minute to throw together a hospital bag. I truly didn’t overthink it and, in the end, didn’t end up needing much of what I packed but also wish I had brought more things to help with nursing.

This time has felt entirely different.

I mentioned this before but this pregnancy is considered high-risk, and I’m preparing for a planned c-section (a month-ish early c-section & possible c-hysterectomy). There’s a lot more uncertainty and I’ve found peace in doing whatever I can to prepare. Small things like packing my hospital bag well ahead of time have felt grounding. A way to take back a little bit of control over something that often feels out of my hands.

I want this hospital stay to feel as calm and homey as possible. My doctors suspect Placenta Accreta on top of Complete Placenta Previa. There’s a 50/50 chance I roll out of the OR saying bye to my uterus. I’m hopeful that might not be the case but gotta stay mentally prepared either way.

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It’s been a challenge balancing this with caring for a very energetic 3.5 yr old. My husband has truly been the MVP of our family these last few weeks… stepping up in so many ways to help me take things slower. I haven’t felt the same mentally since my 20 week anatomy scan and I am just really ready to be on the other side of this. I know so many women can probably agree if you’re in a similar boat.

If this is your first pregnancy, the truth is that the hospital provides most of what you’ll need. But if you’re like me, navigating nerves, planning for multiple (possible) surgeries, or just wanting a few things that make the experience softer, here’s everything I’ve packed in my bag this time around.

Suitcase, Tote was a secondhand RL find

Postpartum & Recovery Essentials

• Frida Mom C-Section Recovery Kit - not a necessity since the hospital will likely have most of this but it covers a lot of bases and has more “elevated” versions of what the hospital might have. For ex: an upside down peri bottle, shower wipes, abdominal binder, disposable underwear, non-slip socks.

• Comfy Nursing Bras - I packed some of these and these.

• Silverettes - hoping these help with early breastfeeding (which was a challenge for me until I got home last time)

• Nursing Pillow - for better positioning and comfort right away.

• Haakaa - a manual pump just to make things easier, earlier. Also heard great things about this one that just sits in your bra and collects milk.

• Wearable Breast Pump - I’ve heard great things about this one and look forward to using it vs. the stationary pumps.

Comfort & Cozy Things

• Extra Socks & Slippers - I like both these slippers and these clogs.

• Robe - this one is so soft but I’ll also be bringing this one.

• 2-3 Button-down nightshirts - helpful for nursing and nurses having access to whatever else they need. I also LOVE these cotton nightgown shirts - Macy’s Black Friday Sale is happening & their over half off now. #MacysPartner

• Throw blanket or mini quilt

• My own pillow and pillowcase (did not bring this last time and regretted it)

• Eye mask

• Soft Cardigan (although I’ll probably be sweating at all times but just to be safe)

• Flameless candle (this randomly brought so much peace last time & was great as a nightlight)

• a loungey outfit (for when I get tired of pajamas/hospital gowns)

• something loose and comfy for going home in that makes me feel like a human

• high-waisted underwear

• a small personal fan

Tech & Practical Extras

• noise machine

• headphones

• extra-long phone charger

Baby Items

• a baby blanket

• a baby outfit (for going home) - also a baby short-sleeve onesie just in case it’s too hot for the other

• a soft swaddle blanket

• infant car seat!

Toiletries & Personal Care

• Toiletry Bag - contacts, glasses, lip balm, skincare, toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, facial towelettes, etc. Last time I actually treated myself to a elemis discovery gift set lol and I felt like a queen in that hospital bathroom. Also saved me time from packing a lot of this type of stuff.

• Water Bottle

If you’re prepping for your own delivery, whether it’s your first or your third, I hope this gives you a little guidance or peace. Packing this felt like a quiet reminder… I can’t control everything but I can bring a little bit of coziness and intention with me.

Sending lots of love to anyone navigating the unknown right now!

Love,

Shelby

Sometimes when you’re told you can’t do something, it really just makes you appreciate that thing so much more. I touched on this before but, at my 20-week anatomy scan, my doctor let us know that traveling just isn’t safe for my pregnancy condition right now. Thankfully, we were still able to enjoy a long weekend at the nearest beach over Memorial Day Weekend which was so appreciated, but now it’s time to stay put for a while. As much as I’ve always been a homebody, I’m finding myself missing travel more than ever this time of year. Even just the idea of hopping on a quick flight to NYC… not being able to go has made me appreciate the privilege of travel even more. What a gift it is to step into a new place and let it shift something in you.

My top favorite international places I’ve ever traveled to in the summertime have to be: the South of France (both the French Riviera and the quiet, lavender-filled corners of Provence), Portugal’s golden coastlines, and the winding villages of Italy.

I still get asked weekly about the Airbnb we stayed at outside of Nice (we’ve stayed at this exact Airbnb twice now because we loved it that much), a picturesque retreat with shuttered windows and climbing vines, tucked into the hillside not too far from countless villages to explore. It was peaceful, and simple, and full of charm. Plus, the owner had dogs! Love when an airbnb has pets. And although it’s been a few years, I’ve been holding tightly to the memories of those moments lately, trying to bring those feelings here, even if I’m not hopping on a plane anytime soon.

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So here’s how I’ll be recreating that magic at home this summer…

FOOD. & not just the food itself but the slower dinners outside. The experience! Recipes inspired by summers in these places. Lots of Mediterranean-inspired dinners and salads. I’ve been leaning into fresh, simple flavors: juicy tomatoes with flaky sea salt, fresh basil and mozzarella, bowls of chilled watermelon with mint & feta, lemony desserts, herby grilled chicken, and maybe even homemade focaccia if I am feeling energized (energy seems to be running low these days - why am I currently 28 weeks pregnant and feeling like 38?). There is truly something about cooking seasonally that can transport you - like putting a little cafe in your own kitchen. I’m always saving recipes I plan to try each weekend to this Pinterest board…

SCENTS. I’ve been a little picky with candles lately but I’ve mainly gravitated towards scents that remind me of summer travel: orange blossom, linen, fig trees, salty sea air. This Provence candle is a current favorite.

TEXTURES & COLORS. Crisp linens, striped beach towels, woven baskets, & lots of blue and white patterns that remind me of Portuguese tile. Even if it’s just dinner napkins or a tablecloth, these touches go a long way. What I recently packed for the beach…

EVERYDAY RITUALS. Slower mornings with coffee on the porch, eating dinner outside even if it’s something simple like a lemony buttery pasta (I’ve told you that Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta is my craving lately & that has not changed), & keeping doors open when there’s a summer breeze! I’m trying to create more frequent small moments that feel like a vacation, even if I’m just in my backyard watering the hydrangeas.

ANTIQUE SHOPPING. I’ve been browsing vintage Etsy shops a lot more lately for home decor that’ll add charm and I update this vintage collection weekly. One of the things I miss most about France in the summertime are the early morning village brocantes. Spotting treasures with a croissant in hand, finding hand-painted ceramics, or brass candlesticks that look like they’ve lived multiple lives. It wasn’t really about what I brought home but more about the thrill of the hunt, the slow wandering and conversations with vendors (actually now would be the perfect time for me to take more French lessons). This summer I’m wanting to recreate a bit more of that feeling by browsing local antique shops and flea markets close to home (there are SO MANY), taking my time, and letting myself get lost in the charm of it all.

And of course, I’m still daydreaming about future trips I’d love to take! Overall, my plan for this summer to is stay local, take it easy physically and mentally, and find small ways to bring the magic at home. Whether it’s a recipe that takes me to that backyard patio at my favorite Airbnb, an antique find that feels like it belongs in a French cottage, or a slower evening dinner on the porch with family or friends… those little details add up to really special moments!

A few things I’ve been loving lately…

With very few travel plans this summer other than the already planned for almost a year beach weekend with close friends, I’ve really been focusing on making the most of our life at home and that includes making the most of our backyard.

The latest look at it except this was post-Great Dane zoomie destruction so I’ll likely need to figure out a gravel or mulch glue of some sorts:

Stone benches, gravel, stone squares & more linked here

We’ll need a lot more gravel and stones, will be adding a border around everything, and have more planters to add to but it’s slowly becoming a spot I like to spend time in every single morning.

Some of the planters get more sun than others so there are definitely some “hoping for the best” plants in some of them:

I obviously don’t expect everything to thrive but it’ll be a fun learning experience. I was surprised to find so many flowers that DO actually tolerate shade or prefer some shade but I had to say no to some that were potentially dangerous for our dogs to eat (like foxgloves, sadly). I don’t fully trust the dogs with not eating plants yet so trying to eliminate the super toxic ones as a newbie.

OTHER THINGS BLOOMING THIS MAY:

My bump. It’s rather large lately and I’m just hoping to keep her in me for as long (and safely) as possible. I’ve already packed my hospital bag (super unlike me but, with a high risk situation, I’m trying to check everything off the to-do list sooner rather than later). I’ve put together a spring pregnancy capsule wardrobe to help me with getting dressed each day though and it’s a mood booster for sure.

A beach trip on the calendar. I’m looking forward to a few days spent just a couple hours away but with out of state friends at Wrightsville Beach later this month. We’ll all have walking children this time around and it’ll be a fun time! Need to stock up on some beach things for the family though! My current favorite mineral sunscreen being on the “add to cart” list.

My love for comforting old TV shows. I’m over 20 years late to this but I started watching Grey’s Anatomy this week and I fear I must finish all 28018 seasons at this point. I don’t know why hospital shows are weirdly comforting to me.

The home project wish list. Always. But there are a few things I’m considering having done before we have a newborn: screening in a huge section of our back porch. I’m also having quotes done for adding a fence/gate to our front yard to be able to let our dogs out front and prevent kids from running straight to the street. Nursery completion would be ideal & some little refreshes in our own bedroom.

My secondhand shopping cart. There is truly nothing that adds more charm to the home like something old and well-loved. I’ve been adding to this etsy collection over the past few weeks and love what I’m finding so thought I’d share!

The local rose garden. I had a picnic with a friend last week and the Raleigh Rose Garden was in full bloom. Such a magical spot so close to home.

Happy May!

-Shelby

I’m 23 weeks pregnant on Sunday but my “approaching 23” currently feels more like approaching 33 (is that a 2nd pregnancy thing?) so my overall energy level is slowly dwindling. However, since I won’t be able to do much traveling this summer (due to some doctor’s concerns), I plan to spend a lot of time at home which has inspired me to: get working on my garden plans (I know I am very late seasonally to this), plan out a nursery, refresh our own bedroom because, realistically, that’s where a newborn spends the first few months at least, and create some of my comfort spring meals at home.

We live very close to a city where large lots are not the norm (but after living in NYC, it’s plenty of space so I need to not complain) so I am determined to make the most of the yard we do have and find ways to get the most out of it gardening-wise, enjoyment-wise, and visually keep it from looking too cluttered.

A look at what we’re working with:

I ordered some quite massive L-shaped cedar garden beds and TJ only requested that I don’t take up his limited grass space so this is the spot I landed on. Ideally, it’d get even more sun but I think we’ll still have some success.

The plan this weekend is to lay out weed barrier landscape fabric/paper, find some pea gravel, add some rounded stone benches in front of the big tree, and find a border material to shape in all 4 garden beds. I also want to fill in the garden beds asap…. an activity that I think will be fun with Brooks. I’m also craving some sort of lemon pasta so that’s also on the weekend agenda. If you’re local, my favorite antique festival is happening which I completely forgot about, Liberty Antique Festival - about an hour from Raleigh.

A few things I’m loving lately:

Everything linked here

Happy Weekend!

Wearing Lately

Instead of talking my husband's ear off with my worries, I thought I should explore other activities… maybe writing? maybe joining a FB support group like I did when I found out my dog had cancer?

During my first pregnancy (in 2021) I was blissfully unaware of any sort of pregnancy complication. I thought that there was surely no way that I could have a c-section, so I skipped that chapter in all of the books. Turns out, I shouldn’t have because I did end up having one at the last minute.

Fast forward to today and my new *high-risk* doctor told me that my placenta could be growing into my old c-section scar. I immediately googled “Placenta Accreta”, the term he used for what he thinks I “most likely have” and… well, it’s not a great place to be! People often times have to have their uterus taken out at the time of birth (a c-section turns into a c-hysterectomy), a surgery that is scheduled quite early and can be somewhat life-threatening if not planned at the right time with an experienced team of doctors and nurses.

That appointment definitely put a lot of things in perspective… how important my family & my health is to me, how thankful I am to live so close to so many great doctors/hospitals and family/friends, and how thankful I am for this otherwise healthy baby.

I was on my porch today and looked over to my star jasmine trellis and saw a massive pink rose. I remember planting an extra rose plant last spring in the same planter as the jasmine but thought “that’ll never probably grow” so to see a huge blossom today in the sea of jasmine vines felt like a sign to have hope that things will be okay.

A few things that have helped me in the past with any sort of health-related worrying:

• making a list of things I’m grateful for today

• finding a community of others going through something similar (the only reason I still have facebook other than FB Marketplace of course)

• taking care of everything that I actually do have control over - calling doctors, scheduling appointments, etc.

• writing thoughts out in a journal

• walking outside, sitting outside, being outside with my family

• ordering penna alla vodka takeout & watching a cozy movie with my dogs beside me

Cheering you on like this pink rose if you’re going through something similar. Sending lots of love!

But, while I’m here, what else is new? Sharing a few things I’m loving lately…

UP TO: creating a garden in the backyard, cooking at home, endless home projects but easy ones (this window bench was really one of my favorite house additions but it was a LOT of learning and kinda stressful), spending time in the yard with my 3 yr old who is hilarious at this age :)

LISTENING TO: Simplicity Parenting - audio book version before I go to bed

WEARING: lots of stretchy or flowy dresses (& always sharing them here)

EXCITED ABOUT: new neighbors, nursery designing, good doctors, warmer weather & grilling dinner every night

COOKING: salmon bowls, Ina Garten’s Summer Garden Pasta, arugula salad with this Dijon Vinaigrette

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