The dupe of all dupes! This Walmart bag is back in stock. Shop the original style from Rue de Verneuil, (which is the smaller check bag above) here. This new smaller Walmart one is so fun, too!

I got my favorite Amazon pants in a chocolate brown color to wear into fall!

After a month in the sun, salt and chlorine this is the only thing that has helped hydrate my skin again. It’s seriously magic!

I discovered my new strategy for birthday party gifts, I’m going all-in on gift cards and have zero guilt about it. I paired them with a small trinket and packaged them up in these little tote bags. It will be my new stress-free formula going forward!

This hoodie from the new Scenario line at Walmart is my favorite! It gives me Loeffler Randall vibes for a fraction of the price.

The new Xtremely Quenched hydrating moisturizer from YISE Beauty is amazinggggg. My dry skin soaks it up and it’s designed to be layered under makeup, providing the perfect base for your skin. I’ve loved everything from this brand, especially the exfoliating pads for travel and the Skin Glow SPF Primer.

I loved this set on my 6th grader so much that I had to buy it for myself, too! I got the olive green stripes! Mock Neck Sweatshirt & shorts.

Willies!! You know I’ve talked about and tried lots of THC products at this point. My current go-to is this Social Tonic from Willies. I treat it like it’s any other liquor like vodka etc. and use it to make mocktails. You really can’t taste it and it is the perfect way to wind down or chill out instead of my usual glass of wine.

Books: In August I only read two books, June Baby which I was delightfully surprised by and Whistler which I’m just finishing up. At times I felt like Whistler was a little slow but now that I’m almost finished I’m finding myself not ready for it to be over. As usual, Ann Patchett is such a talented author and the way she allows you to feel you really know the characters is a rare gift.

Here’s our menu & what I’m prepping.

Baked Crispy Chicken & Creamy Pasta: I’m using the recipe in this post as a guide but subbing boursin cheese for the pasta “sauce”.

French Bread Pizza With Sausage (and hot honey for the adults): This recipe is also from the post above and looks so good!

Air Fryer Salmon Bites With Bang Bang Sauce: Trying a new salmon bowl recipe I’m pretty excited about!! My kids love salmon cooked in the air fryer.

Turkey Burger Bowls: We love a bowl recipe in this house, especially one that includes waffle fries!

Meal Prep: Kind of aggressive this week!!
Mini Muffins (subbing sprinkles for the chocolate chips)
Snack Mix - to use for school snacks instead of pre-packaged options. These are the bags I use.
Nutella Twists
Cottage Chicken Salad for my lunches
Pie Crust Pop Tarts with Smash Jam - I literally just rolled out pie crust and put a spoonful of jam inside. I put a powdered sugar glaze on top.
Bean & Cheese Taquitos- I prepped these for the airfryer. I mixed a little bit of salsa with refried beans and shredded cheese and used a toothpick to hold them together. When someone wants to eat one they can just pop it in the airfryer and use sour cream and or guac for dipping.

Here are my top finds and the most clicked items I shared this week:

• Walmart girls fleece in 3 colors and these $25 winter coats.

• This new line from Walmart is full of Madewell & Doen inspired items, but I’ve been wearing this eyelet hoodie and this crew neck nonstop!

• These velvet flats stopped me in my tracks - and they are only $17 ! I ordered immediately.

• My favorite H&M sneakers are now available in the prettiest colorway for fall!

• No-mess glitter sticks perfect for crafting and these air dry Halloween clay kits, these fall beads were a HUGE hit (my girls have gone through so many of them already).

• The automatic curling wand my 11 year old has been using non-stop, it makes it near impossible to burn yourself. A few of my friends have purchased it and continue to rave about it to me ! *It’s on sale today for $50
  

Where we stayed: I’ve stayed a few hotels in Paris over the years and they are always cramped and small. I knew that an apartment was the only way to go with our family of 5. This trip I stepped away from Airb&B and tried an ‘apart-hotel’ instead, Beauquartier - Grands Boulevards. Think the best parts of a hotel (no front desk but 24/7 concierge) with the space and layout of an apartment. We were a little off the beaten path, about a 20 minute walk to the top attractions but right by a metro which we utilized the entire trip! And there was AC!

What we did: I pre-booked multiple activities, made a few reservations and then kept the rest of our days open. I had a rough idea of what we wanted to do each day but it never felt stressed or rushed. It was perfect!

Here are the top things we did with our kids:

• Private 2CV tour in a vintage car to see the highlights, landmarks & neighborhoods of the city!

• Mastered how to ride the Metro

• Took the best macaron baking class and left with dozens of macarons to eat all week!

• Taught my tween how to navigate a French pharmacy and picked up some fun beauty products

• Ate the best frites

• Saw a cabaret show created JUST for kids!

• Made charm bracelets with Parisian charms for the perfect souvenir

• Went to 2 museums

• Took a sunset boat ride on the Seine

• Climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Paid subscribers can snag our exact itinerary below - and if you want me to plan a custom trip for your family just send me an email!

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Baaaaaack to our routine! School finally starts for our family on Monday and since I’m out of town for a soccer tournament I prepped our menu ahead of time!

Oven Baked Crispy Tacos: An easy meal my kids love for the first day of school! I’m using ground turkey instead of chicken.

Korean Beef Bowls: A staple that we haven’t had in a while! I serve them with cucumber slices, carrot ribbons & avocado.

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps: We all love these, I’m still nervous about eating bagged salads so I got dressing and romaine and fresh parm to grate.

Mini Chicken Pot Pies: Using leftover chicken from our wraps to make these.

Pizza Friday: I promised homemade pizza since it’s been a while!

Others additions for the week:
Protein Sausage Muffins for me ( I reheat them in the air fryer)
Crescent rolls baked with chocolate chips (i.e “chocolate croissants”) for the first day of school
Protein Pasta Salad for my lunches

Kids lunches:
Aside from our norm, I’m getting mini naan breads for DIY pizza lunchables which they love to pack!

1. Command station. I’ve really wanted something like this for a while but always felt we didn’t have any spot for it. Enter these peel and stick tiles that create a bulletin board anywhere, any size. I put a giant one in our hallway that we all walk past a million times a day. Each week I plan to write out “OUR WEEK” with the details for each day, who is going where, and what’s for dinner. Stuff that lives on digital calendar - just put on paper so my kids can read it. They have already utilized this. I just need to keep up with it!

2. Meal prep!! I usually start the school year strong and my motivation begins to fizzle but I plan to prep as much as I can on Sundays. I also updated my master list of easy dinner ideas (right here) which will make my Sunday meal planning so much easier!

3. Shared phone notes. I made a shared note with my husband that outlines ALL of the information for our sports. What apps each team uses, where the practices are etc. This way we can easily glance at it to see everything we need since we don’t have our schedules memorized yet, I’ve already referenced it a million times since I made it a few weeks ago. I also started a second shared note with FAMILY TO DOs. This will hopefully allow me to share the mental load a bit better.

4. Planning MY outfits. I’m making an attempt to wear outfits I love this fall, I am more productive and happy not to mention my closet is bursting at the seams. I love finding fashions and sharing them. I just need to get out of the workout clothes and wear them! I made a big matrix in Canva of easy outfits I can wear so I don’t have to think. I linked everything here!

   

   Here’s to a happy & stress-free fall!

Target sweater

Velvet Mary Janes & Mesh Flats

Hill House Home striped pants

Amazon set & Bauble Bar necklace & Kimberly James gold chain link necklace.

The best cozy sweats!

Brown dress, scarf & ballet flats.

Walmart mini skirt

Quince small bucket bag

New Balance sneakers

Quince jeans (size down), Bauble Bar necklace, Amazon top, ballet flats.

Grey set, New Balance sneakers, Blue set, Bauble Bar Tote, socks.

Is it bad that I secretly want all of these clothes for myself? That hot pink barn jacket with heart pockets? Eyelet trim mary jane sneakers? A pointelle striped cardigan? Yes to it all! Here are all the links.

We’ve tried a lot of different summer reading ‘systems’ over the years to encourage more reading in our house. This year I’ve landed on something that’s working out incredibly well so far!

1. I got these cute bookmarks on Amazon that my kids can use as they read and then fill out as they complete a book. These bookmarks are their currency!

2. They can save them up and decide when they want to turn them in to redeem for a prize.

3. I made this reading reward chart (you can print it off for free below) that outlines the various prizes.

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Here is an exhaustive list of travel gear that we’ve used and loved over the years as a family of 5 ! Everything is linked HERE !

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• My mac daddy of all suitcases - has held up so well and you can’t beat the price!

• These colorful backpacks are the perfect carry on size for kiddos.

• A tiny sound machine that comes with us on each and every trip.

• My favorite packing cubes in the prettiest floral pattern!

• The stroller we used for years, it’s compact, lightweight and easy to push.

• The inflatable booster seat we’ve used for 5 years- so many of my friends have bought this since I’ve shared it!!

• We use this foam bed rail when traveling by car - I always worry about my kids rolling out of strange beds when traveling and this gives me peace of mind!

• This inflatable toddler bed was a hit for many years and helped when we were short beds. It creates a cozy little nest all of my kids fought over!

• A pill case that I swear by, I also fill one with hair ties and clips to organize my kid’s stuff.

• The handheld fan that works wonders on hot days.

• A wet/dry bag that has backpack straps and is a godsend for beach trips!

• The universal adapter that we always use.

• The tiny washcloths that I use anytime I travel anywhere to keep breakouts at bay.

• Headphones with a jack that my kids can use to watch in-flight entertainment.

• Silicone grips that you can slip on toiletries to prevent leaks.

• Steripods for alllll the toothbrushes (always)!

• My favorite makeup bag! It fits so much!!

• The peel pads I use every few days after flying to keep my skin from breaking out.

• Mini wipes that fit perfectly into any pocket or bag - perfect for the phase of life when you no longer have a diaper bag but still have kids who spill and get messy!
  
  

What I Have & Love That Is On Sale Today:

The best ice packs for coolers that stay cold! We just replaced all of ours with this style.

These aloe face masks feel so nice after a day in the sun, pop them in the fridge first!

Lots of goggles! We just got this fabric strap pair and we love how easy this style is to adjust.

All of the sunscreens we use are on sale. My kids keep this SunBum stick in their camp bags, this Supergoop lotion is what we use for everyday pool/beach/camp and my tween loves this Glow Screen on her face (I do too). This La Roche-Posay melt-in milk sunscreen is MY personal favorite and sometimes I’ll use it on my kids if I’m feeling generous.

Lots of Bentgo gear including the glitter collection we have, the style with a built in icepack and the classic cases we’ve used for years. Piper’s middle school Stanley lunchbox is 40% off! Stasher snack bags are a STEAL today. And the PackIt brand lunch bags that you freeze and we used and loved all school year on sale!!!

THE spinner lunchbox that everyone went crazy for when I shared it last year is on deal! I’m guessing it will also sell out again.

This Stanley is only $21, I got it last year during this sale and saved it to use as a teacher gift!

The self-adhesive floral letter patches I use on everything!

These mini-hand wipes are in any and every bag I carry and only $8 today.

The travel booster seat we have used all over the world for the last 5 years and swear by.

What I Bought On Sale Today!!!

Toiletry stock up! My kids alternate between this Pantene shampoo set & this Monday shampoo set. The pump style works well for my younger girls and I only ever purchase them when they are deeply discounted as they are today! I also got this leave in conditioner spray and this post-chlorine shampoo that we use every summer. And our go-to body wash for 30% off.

I got Piper this Summer Fridays lip oil (30% off!!!) and this Summer Fridays blush for her 11th birthday.

I got myself this travel size mascara for 40% off to use on our summer trips.

This gingham mini skirt to wear with a button up shirt and sandals.

These new girls underwear sets have the cutest prints and we need a refresh.

And this new craft kit for a friend!

Walmart kicked off the deals today and most of the summer clothes I purchased my kids are all marked down. You can find all of my Walmart sale finds right here.

Amazon Prime Day officially starts tomorrow but there are some early sales worth noting. The hair dryer I got last year (on sale) and love, this cooling towel I got for summer sports/camps, lots of Owala water bottles in pretty color combos. The swim goggles my kids love are on sale too! Shop all my early Prime Day sale picks right here.

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Passport Holder: This one can fit all 5 of our passports, which are labeled on the back with our initials. I put them in backwards and it makes finding them much easier.

Overnight Kits: I made these for each of my daughters to use during our red-eye flight. I’ll give them as gifts before we head to the airport!

Walking Sandals: The quest to find summer shoes that can withstand 10-20k steps a day in the heat was a hard one. I landed with the sandals I wore all over Croatia last year in a new color, my Beeks which are so comfortable and my black Croc sandals.

Disposable Toothbrushes: I stocked up on these single use toothbrushes to use for overnight flights.

Girls Clothes: I found the cutest sets for my girls - they quality is excellent!! I also got these striped dresses and these adorable pale blue bubble dresses for a few matching moments. Otherwise I’m packing clothes for them we already have!

Compression Socks: I needed a new pair of socks for the long haul flight and this option has a ton of good reviews !

A Kids Guide Book: I love reading old school travel books before trips and it seems my 8 year old is following in my footsteps. I keep finding her reading this Paris Kids Guidebook !

Handheld Fans: I’m anticipating hot weather during our July trip to Paris and we all fought over this fan in Croatia. I ordered another one and we also love this compact fan.

Water Bottle Lids: These no-spill bottle spouts work perfectly for kids who have problems with the giant disposable water bottles found in Europe.

And the fashions!!
I am obsessed with this perfect linen/cotton blend dress. It’s very flattering and you can dress it up or down! I also got this brown maxi which looks so high end, this H&M set and this fun striped dress. I also got another major look-a-like bag in black to use as a market bag, I have a cream version that I used so much in Croatia last year.

The 4th is right around the corner and I've been on a mission to find the best activities and outfits for us all 🇺🇸 My Walmart picks are linked here and my Amazon favorites are here — hope they make your planning so much easier!

A $7 4th of July parade skirt.
New cute PJs for summer from Walmart (I got the pink cotton nightgown).
THE Target LEGO cart! Comes in pink and blue!
A Walmart bag that looks a lot like a $400 one when you add your own patches!
A new denim top from Target that I couldn’t pass up.
My last Amazon order!

Have a great weekend :)

I’m talking things like:

• Fish stick tacos

• Sheet pan nachos

• Pasta salad

• Burger bowls

Nothing groundbreaking. That’s kind of the whole point. The magic isn’t in having exciting meals — it’s in not having to think.

If you want to try it: grab a piece of paper (or your notes app) and just write down every dinner your family will reliably eat without complaint. Don’t overthink it. You probably have more than you think. That’s your whole summer dinner plan. You can also download my list of 35 ideas right here!! Happy cooking :)

I love reading posts like this! I hope you find this random assortment of crap I have ordered in the last few weeks enjoyable :)

Welly First Aid Wipes: I realized the other day my on-the-go first aid kits are running low on just about everything. I found these first aid wipes that work for cleaning cuts and scrapes and thought they would be perfect to toss into my bag for summer.

Green Pashmina: When I saw that my favorite pashmina wrap was 50% off and only $10 I bought a second color! They quality is soooo nice and I always get a million compliments when I wear it. I plan on using it for airplane travel this summer.

No-Spill Water Bottle Tops: I’ve tried a lot of these over the years but got them for our trip to Paris next month. They will work great for the kids with the giant plastic water bottles we always use in Europe!

Cropped Workout Tee: I’m always on the hunt for slightly cropped tees. I think this will work well for exercising but also to pair with high waist skirts & shorts this summer. You can’t beat the price!

Book Review Bookmarks: I got these for my kids to use this summer. I plan to have them turn them in after they complete a book for a reward.

Terry Cloth Coverups: I’m very impressed with these affordable coverups. They are substantial and really absorb water to dry you off.

Bead Painting Kit: Have you seen these yet? They are all over Amazon and so intriguing, I ordered this one to try out with my kids this week!

Dove Clinical Care + Deodorant: Forever on the quest for a gentle deodorant that works all day…. let’s see how this new arrival does!

New Compression Socks: With 17k reviews and a pretty pattern! I swear by these on long haul flights.

Multi-Passport Holder: I’ve been on the hunt for a cute passport holder that will fit 5 passports for a while. We had an ugly bulky one but I’m excited about this find!

The Background: I shared last week that we are going to Paris in July with our 3 daughters - to say I’m excited would be an understatement! I agonized for months last year about where to travel with our family this summer. After our big (pricey) trip to Croatia last summer I knew something similar wasn’t in the cards this year. I had my heart set on The Dolomites in Italy but just couldn’t pull the trigger on such an expensive trip again.

So I booked nothing, except family trip with my parents to Martha’s Vineyard in August. There’s something magical about going to a different country with young children, their excitement and wonder is contagious. It’s one of my favorite feelings. That nag kept pulling at me, I knew I had to figure out a way to make a trip happen this year.

I announced a few weeks ago that I’ve been working to become a travel advisor and am going to be specializing in mother/child trips - with Paris being my first destination. So naturally I’m eager to take my own kids again for some on the ground research. You can get on the launch list here!

Our Plan: I kept this trip very simple & straightforward. A direct flight. No rental cars. One apartment for the entire stay. A chance to really explore Paris like we haven’t before!

How I Did It: My goal was to keep this trip under $5k - not including costs once we are in Paris.

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I made a free giant summer calendar and I’m sharing it with you all! It's big, it's pretty, and it'll actually help you see your whole summer at a glance. Your kids will love it as much as mine do!

Click here to download the file.

Then head to Office Depot (or a similar store) and print it off as a 24x36 engineer print. This part is key, you want the matte paper that is easy to write on and it only cost me $6 !