How to prank your siblings (Joy Boost #3)

Plus, a matching set that'll make you look like you slept and showered, a super ugly but highly effective calendar, and change-your-life, perimenopause podcasts.

One of my sisters, Jill, has THE BEST fashion sense, but, historically, has been pretty mum about where she gets her finds because she’s not into matching. (She may still be traumatized by the fact we dressed her and my sister Molly up like our own personal American Girl dolls from years 1 to 10? But, they were so cute!)

So, when I “happened” to gain access to Jill’s Amazon account (whoops!), I did what any self-respecting sibling would do and bought a bunch of matching outfits that I proceeded to change into throughout the day at a family party.

I was making up all kinds of excuses for why I needed to keep changing - hot flashes, spills, the waist was too tight. And Jill couldn’t get over how crazy it was that I kept wearing the exact same outfits she had. What are the chances?!?!?

I guess we’re just cosmically linked, fashion-wise. 😂

She finally caught on when I came down in this dress, which was way too small so I styled it over a black cat suit, making me look like I was going to a rave hosted by Martha Stewart.

The funniest part was what gave it away wasn’t so much that she recognized the dress, but that she was thrown by how bad I looked. She was like, “Why are you wearing that terrible outfit and what is actually going on?”

All of this is to say, three things. One, you should always torture your siblings if you have the chance. It’s fun! It’s satisfying! It keeps them on their toes!

Two, Jill is an excellent sport and pretty sure she’s going to want to match with me EVERY DAY OF HER LIFE moving forward.

Three, she really is a top-notch shopper, and she found us the only matching set you’ll ever need (linked below). Thank you, Jill, for your excellent recommendation!

Hope you’re finding some summer fun!

Love, Kara

Okay, here it is!

This matching set looks very expensive in person and fits like a dream. It was super flattering on all of us and it’s so nice to have an easy outfit you can throw on without thinking about it and still look put together. I say buy it in two colors and call your summer wardrobe good.

I’m officially in summer reading mode and I just want to be romanced. Enough books that make me think (ha!) and more books that make me yearn for the days when Chris and I would smolder at each other all dinner long.

Abby Jimenez’s new book “Say You’ll Remember Me” ticks all the boxes and a few more. It’s has angsty love, hot looks, but is also a lovely reminder of what it really means to love and take care of the people in your life.

As a summer read: 5 STARS.

Okay, I know I told you about Goblies last week as a perfect summer distraction. I actually bought several sets for my son’s birthday and then the whole extended family had an epic battle. (See: my mom who got pummeled by MY HUSBAND. Way to tank our family ranking, babe!)

Tell me she’s not the cutest mom EVER!!!!

Then, my sister gave my son this gel blaster and it’s EVEN BETTER! The kids played outside with it for hours and we’ve already given them as birthday gifts a couple of times, which lead to more playing outside. #summerwin

Feel free to skip this one if you’re not in the perimenopause phase of life (and bless you, my child!).

But, if you’re feeling all the things, I have to make sure you’ve heard these two podcast episodes because they changed my perspective completely on what’s happening with my body (and helped me talk to my doctor more succinctly about it).

This one blew my mind for lots of reasons, for example, did you know frozen shoulder can be a menopause symptom?!??! Me either! And this one goes deep into HRT and what to know so you can make informed decisions.

I broke down and bought this very unattractive, huge, 3 month calendar to write down all of our summer plans because I want to make sure they happen.

In the past, I’ve written the ideas on paper and posted it on the fridge where I stop seeing them. Or I’ve put them in my calendar where I’ll scroll past them. Or I kept them in my brain, which is a sieve and we didn’t do any of them.

But, this puppy you can’t miss. Plus, the kids love seeing what is coming and then reminding me what we have scheduled. It’s ugly, but it’s working!

I launched “One Small Thing” on Monday where we’re going to make one tiny shift a week for a joyful life that lights you up.

And it was…good? I’m proud of myself for putting it out there and as soon as the email went out, I was like: I DID THAT ALL WRONG. I wish I would have x, y, and z’d.

But, I think that’s the nature of doing new things. You have a first draft and then keep revising to make it a little bit better each time. You can’t get to a more polished version, though, without the first try!

👉 Perhaps this is your sign to put out a messy first draft? Wink, wink!

Have a great weekend!!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I get a tiny amount of cash when you buy something (and it costs you nothing). I only feature things that I have, love, and use and would berate you into buying if I met you in real life.

Also, I’m trying to not buy so much Amazon in my life, but I’m still going to occasionally link to it for ease and because it’s where a lot of brands get started (Hi Beth!) and find a larger audience. Books, though, I’ll use Bookshop because authors make more there and they support local bookstores!