How was your Halloween? I know it feels years ago already, right?
We had such a great night, even though the pizza we ordered for the neighborhood showed up THREE HOURS late and the kids were feral, candy beasts, running on sugar highs and oh-so many sugar lows. 🤪
Our skeletons were a huge hit and we’d have 20 - 25 people in front of our house, laughing and chatting at all times. Then I’d go into the house and it was full of people, getting to know each other and hootin’ and hollerin’. There were kids slamming the screen door while chasing each other through the house, and, at various points in the night, strangers wandered in for a drink. IT WAS PERFECTION.
And it reminded me, about 20 years ago, I did a visualization session with my then coach (hi, life-changing Mary Ann! 👋) and saw a Victorian with kids running in and out, people dancing in front of the house, and myself and my (imaginary) family smack dab in the middle of it, giving hugs.
This was before I knew Chris or the kids, but it felt so real and visceral that I cried when I came out of it because it was so beautiful.
Well, Halloween, it came full circle. I feel like all of the hard work we’ve put into building a community and a home paid off and I’ve been reveling in its goodness all week because it’s not every day that your dreams are so fully realized (except for the pizza! DAMN THE PIZZA! 😂).
And this is cheesy, but let yourself dream, kay? It’s easy to get so caught up in the everyday that we forget to let ourselves even imagine what it would feel like to build a life that reflects exactly who we are. To take the steps to move towards it. To look up from the hustle and bustle to make sure we’re aiming for what feels true.
We’re going to do the work anyway, might as well work towards something that feels like us. ❤️
Here’s to whatever lights you up this Sunday! xx. Kara
Every time I read Catherine Newman I feel better about aging, obsessing about my kids, basically, showing up as a human being with our many foibles and imperfections.
And, her interview with Oldster Magazine this week as pure magic. She talks about everything from friendship regrets to vaginal estrogen to how much she misses her kids and it’s LOVELY. Please, make your day, and go read it!
👉 I have a copy of her new book “Wreck” to give one lucky person! Comment below with one thing you’re looking forward to in November and I’ll randomly pick one person to send it to!
I’m truly amazed at people’s goodness.
Yes, there are CRAZY things going on, but there’s also light in the darkness and people are showing up for each other.
First, super proud of my state! Colorado funded free breakfasts and lunches for all students by taxing earners making more than $300,000 a year and so many people that’ll end up paying more voted for it because PEOPLE WANT TO HELP.
Secondly, people and businesses are stepping up to help folks affected by the SNAP cuts! Our school district is holding a huge food drop off this Saturday; if you’re a Ridwell member, they’ll pick up pantry items with your regular pick up for the next few weeks; local fave Kyle Clark has directed over $65,000 in funds to Weld County Food Bank.
The kids and I dropped off a bunch of baby supplies yesterday and, let me tell you, taking action feels fantastic. 10000 / 10 stars!
If you want to help (or need help), Feeding America has a tool where you can find your local food bank!
We have a lot of acne going on in our house because this place is busting with hormones (perimenopause and puberty are a FUN mix!).
I bought the kids Norse Organics Acne Killer and have been regularly stealing it because, holy smokes, it works. Like overnight. TOP NOTCH STUFF.
(Also, they’re having a big sale right now with code VIP10. I’m not an affiliate - just super into them!)
After many years, I’ve figured out breakfast and we hobble through dinner, but lunch? Good Lord.
Most days, I completely forget and then around 2pm I hustle to the kitchen and stare longingly into our cupboards, willing something healthy to appear, before eating a box of Cocoa Krispies.
Well, not the past couple of weeks! I’ve been getting these salads from Inspired Go delivered and it’s a total game-changer. I’ll grab one on my way out the door if I’m going to the office, the kids eat them as snacks, and Chris had one the other night with salmon when the rest of us were too sick for dinner.
They’re delicious, easy, and fairly reasonably priced.
Now, could I make them? Sure. Will I make them? See: Box of Cocoa Krispies.
(I got some crazy deal through Instagram where they were like $6 each to start? Maybe sign up for emails and see if they send a great code?)
‘Tis (finally) sweater weather here in Denver!
I’ve been leaning in hard to my sweater game and I’m really into this new one from the Future Collective Collection at Target (it’s small designers getting a big break!).
You can wear it open, as a cardigan, which is very handy, OR you can button it all the way up and pretend it’s a long shirt like all the cool kids. VERSATILE! And warm! But, not too warm, because it’ll probably be 85 tomorrow! Wear it with shorts! Or jeans! Or open over a skirt / t-shirt combo! Could I add any more explanation points! MAYBE!!!!!!!!!!!
You know all the Instagram ads you get? Well, I’m the sucker they were made for because I always buy from them! So, rather than berate myself on another bum purchase, I thought I’d share them with you so we can all benefit from my optimistic purchasing.
I was so excited about this one! We have a very adorable, very hairy, white fur dog, who sheds EVERYWHERE.
I feel like I’m constantly buying “miracle tools” to clean my couches and none of them are up to the fight.
In fact, this latest model didn’t even try. Oh, they were talking big all day at school, all “meet me at the bike racks because you’re GOING DOWN”, but when push came to shove, they took off like they were Charli xcx fans being chased by a group of Swifties high on Ophelia.
In the videos, people swiped their hairy couches once and heaven! Bring those black pants on over! Instead, it literally does NOTHING. I kept thinking, “Maybe there’s a secret compartment I’m missing?”, but, no, it just doesn’t work.
Verdict: -9 / 5 stars (send it to the dog house!)
I’m sticking with my ChomChom hair remover, which is slow, but actually works!
PS: Don’t forget to sign up to win the book!!!
PPS: Did you see my breakdown of make up I wear every day? Sephora’s sale ends in two days and all of it’s on sale! 👇
I'm looking forward to colder weather.