January Favorites | 2023

Hi, friends! It’s been a while since I popped on here. After some time away, two babes, and some encouragement from friends, I feel ready to write again. When I was writing regularly, “monthly favorites” posts were some of my favorite, so I’m jumping back in right there! I always liked to think of it as things I would share with a friend over a cup of coffee (an iced vanilla latte is my current fave, even in winter). Things like a super easy dinner that even my toddler loved, a new organizational find, or a new book I’m reading. It’s like Oprah’s Favorite Things, except this list doesn’t contain a $300 blanket made from hairs of endangered alpacas from South America. I don’t know, I just seem to remember her list having extraordinarily expensive things.

My hope is that you find some not extraordinarily expensive things to try, something to cook, or something to make your every day life more fun! Let’s do it.

These black matte taper candle holders are totally giving life to my mantle post-Christmas decor. I have this mirror on my mantle, and a trio of these candlesticks on each side. They draw the eyes up towards the ceiling (making the room feel taller) and the symmetry on each side of the mirror makes my heart happy. I put these remote control faux taper candles in them and they actually look pretty realistic.

Andrew got me a Kindle for Christmas, and I like to have two books going at any given time: one fun read, and one developmental/educational read. I devoured Atomic Habits this month, and I’m about halfway through a personal finance book called Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Both have been awesome. If you’re curious, my fun reads have been The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Perfect Marriage, and Harry Potter. Yes, I am watching each movie after I finish each HP book to compare them.

Two must-share recipes this month: this whipped goat cheese appetizer that my family raved about at our last dinner. It’s so easy, but looks way fancy. Second, making cheesecakes is currently my new thing (full post coming on this later). This month for my birthday I made this Nutella cheesecake and knocked it out of the park. Pay no attention to the full THREE CUPS of Nutella that go into this one.

It’s January so you know I have to share organization tips, namely this bamboo drawer organizer that I’m loving for our junk drawer.

It took me four months but I finally decided on these blackout curtains for Noah’s vintage sports themed nursery.

Trying to learn to be better at makeup from the youngsters on TikTok. Loving this blush from Target, this lipgloss (smells like vanilla) and this $12 mascara primer that makes it look like I’m wearing false lashes.

I reach for these old navy jeans almost every single day. I sized up to fit my postpartum bod and I’m obsessed. Also, let’s hear it for buying the size clothes that fit your body now – who cares about the number. Do they fit? Yes. Do they make you feel good? Check. Good. That’s it.

Lastly for my local DFW friends: I took our kids to make some keepsakes at Cowtown Clay in Fort Worth, and could not be happier with the finished products. They were pricey, but I know I’ll cherish those little handprints forever.

Thanks for being here. I have so many ideas swirling on relatable content coming soon, so be sure to subscribe for more!