September 2026 // A List

1. Oh, September. It was another busy month, especially in the second half of the month. It was a month full of appointments and meetings. But there were also a lot of celebrations and fun events.

2. We celebrated John's birthday, and since his birthday was actually on a weekday, we did a lot of celebrating over the weekend. But we kept the celebration going all month long. We also did our usual birthday traditions, which are always a blast. How lucky we are to celebrate another year.

3. We also celebrated my niece's birthday and had a pool party on Labor Day. It was so nice to spend time with family and see the kids all together.

4. I found so many new-to-me products that I absolutely love. Some are treats like Dandies marshmallows (and they're vegan!), Miils (my absolute favorite right now), and CVT soft serve ice cream. 

5. There were many trips to the farmers market for crimson apples and apple cider. I went to a new-to-me indoor market, the Upper West Market, which was recommended to me by one of my favorite vendors. 

6. I celebrated fall's official arrival by lighting a candle in the morning, making a pumpkin spice latte, and completing some physical therapy exercises before the boys woke up. 

7. Although most of the month was extremely hot, fall is definitely coming out to play. The mornings have been so much cooler, which has been much appreciated. 

8. I devoured an outrageous amount of s'mores in September. It was my go-to dessert for the month.

9. Raphael and I have been reading so many fall and Halloween-themed books. We still have a bunch more on hold at our library. I can't wait to get them all. 

10. Physical therapy has been incredibly helpful. I still can't believe I waited so long to actually go. 

11. Fall break was great, and I was so happy we didn't have to go to work or school. Although Raphael and I were feeling under the weather during the weekend, it was still a great week. 

12. This month was full of good food. I made a fantastic rice bowl with pork loin strips and veggies. It was so good. Mami also made us a feast when she realized that Raphael and I were sick. There's nothing like Mami's homemade food.

13. The state of the country and the world is still frightening. My heart is breaking for the young female student at Cornell. I'm at a loss for words and don't even know where to begin. My heart goes out to this young woman.

14. We went to check out Halloween costumes, but we still don't know what we'll dress up as. I think this Halloween will be a little bittersweet. My older sons don't really want to trick-or-treat this year (they're teens, so I guess that makes sense), but still...it hit me a bit hard at the realization that they really are growing up.

15. So long, September. You were an eventful month. A month full of lessons. There were a few rough days, but the good days definitely outweighed the bad. Hello, October. I'm so excited for you. I have such high hopes. May you be a month of peace, healing, and all things cozy. 

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This was such a great week, especially since we were on fall break. I'm so sad that we have to go back to school and work tomorrow. 

1. It's officially fall! I celebrated the first day of fall by lighting a candle, making a homemade pumpkin spice latte, and doing some of my physical therapy exercises before the kids woke up. 

2. I've been devouring s'mores. It's been my dessert after dinner for a few days. Also, I highly recommend using Hershey's milk chocolate bars with caramel candy to make s'mores. They are amazing!

3. "Librarymaxxing: The Secrets Librarians Wish You Knew." This was such a great article. 

4. Sometimes social media (Instagram) can be useful. I discovered a new-to-me artist, Cheryl Andrey, and love her work. 

5. On repeat: Catch Me If You Can by Allegra Jordyn

6. I kept hearing about Fat Bear Week and had no idea what in the world this even meant. After Austin Kleon mentioned it in his latest Substack article, I finally looked it up and was surprised it's a competition. You can learn more about it here.

7. Current Favorite: SmartSweets Candy Salad. This was an impulse buy at the grocery store, and I don't regret it. I love the mix of sweet and sour candy. It was a nice little pick-me-up.

8. We went to Spirit Halloween to check out costumes. We're all not sure what we're going to dress up as, but I was pleasantly surprised to see more costumes this year than last year. 

9. Must-watch: Air Wick Mexico's Día de los Muertos commercial had me in tears. 

10. It's almost October, and I'm so excited. It's going to be a very busy month, but I'm so excited for all the fun events we plan to attend. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Hà Nguyễn on Unsplash

Fall 2026 Bucket List

Happy Tuesday and First Day of Fall! As always, I'm so excited that fall is officially here! This morning, I started my day with a pumpkin spice latte and some physical therapy exercises before the kids woke up. I also lit a candle and played some fall and Halloween-themed songs.

We're on fall break right now, and I'm so excited for our plans(and the fall season). I plan to watch a couple of spooky movies or a show, finish one of the books I'm currently reading, and go to the fair. I plan to start decorating our home for fall, and I need to switch out my mugs.

In honor of the first day of fall and continuing with one of my favorite fall seasonal traditions, it's time to share my fall bucket list. As always, I've kept my usual fall favorites and traditions on the list, but there are a few new things I've included. I can't wait to start crossing things off my list, and I may just return to add some things to the list. 

• Read 8 books
• Read 5 spooky books by October 31
• Participate in a Fall or Spooky book challenge
• Read 2 books on my TBR list
• Watch a new-to-me scary movie
• Go to a Fall festival
• Donate clothes and other items
• Document fall
• Go to the fair
• Make s'mores
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Work on 1 crafty project
• Make caramel apples in a cup
• Go to the farmer's market
• Go to the Upper West Market
• Make a fall simmer pot
• Publish a photo essay
• Drink apple cider
• Go for a walk on the Silver Comet Trail
• Visit Oakland Cemetery
• Buy Halloween costumes
• Carve a pumpkin
• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Go to the spooky festival
• Decorate the house for fall
• Go see the I SPY! Walter Wick's Hidden Wonders exhibit at the High Museum of Art
• Visit a pumpkin patch
• Watch The Haunting of Hill House
• Go for more evening walks

What is on your fall bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday. This was a busy week filled with meetings, appointments, trainings, and a massive to-do list. This weekend, I wanted to just relax, and I'm happy to say I did. And now, we are on fall break, which I'm super excited about.

1. I finally found the Poppi sour apple flavor, and it's so good! This will probably be another go-to fall drink for me. 

2. Currently Reading: I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of  Love & Frida Kahlo: An anthology of art and poetry, edited by Cheryl Robson, and I'm really enjoying it.

3. A new cat species was discovered in Bolivia

4. This game of Duck, Duck, Goose. I used to love this game when I was a kid.

5. On repeat: See You Again by Roosevelt

6. I was so excited to find crimson crisp apples at one of my favorite vendors at the farmers market. I bought a medium-sized bag, and I'm pretty sure the woman gave me a few extras, which is much appreciated. I plan to snack on these and maybe use a few in a recipe.

7. I've been drinking RYZE Pumpkin Spice lattes all week, and I love it! I think this may just be one of my fall go-to drinks this year.

8. Homemade food made by Mami. Raphael and I were feeling a little under the weather, so Mami made us all a feast. Comfort food is the best, especially when it's made by Mami.

9. Fall is almost here! It was a cool 70 degrees this morning, and it felt glorious! I can't wait for fall to officially arrive this Tuesday.

10. Did I mention Fall break is here, and I'm so excited? We don't have any big plans, but it'll be nice to have a week off work and school. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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September 2026 Goals

Happy Monday! How are we already halfway through September? August flew by, and September seems to be doing the same.

August marked the start of the school year and the return to a routine. Although we had to go back to school and work, summer is still in full swing. We are continuing to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer. We went to the pool a few times and the Marietta Square to check out some shops and go for a walk around the area. Throughout the month, I went to a few different farmers' markets, tried new drinks and treats, and shopped at a few small businesses. My favorite Barnes & Noble bookstore permanently closed in mid-August, so I made a few trips to take advantage of the amazing sales before the last day of business.

This month, I'm looking forward to a slower month. So far, it's been less hectic than August, but I did have a couple of busy days. This month, I'm looking forward to celebrating John's birthday, going to a few fall events, reading a few books on my TBR list, trying a new recipe (or two), and eating so many different seasonal foods.

Since it's a new month (and we're halfway into September), it's time to share a quick recap of my August goals and check out my goals for September.

Recap of August Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read You & a Bike & a Road by Eleanor Davis and thought it was an interesting read. It also made me want to read more graphic/comic style books. Raphael and I also read a lot of books together, and we are currently reading lots of fall- and Halloween-themed books.

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read Safe Harbor by Nicola Yoon, and it was a nice, quick read. I love a good novella, but I think the book would have been better as a novel. Safe Harbor reminded me of The Breakfast Club film, which I loved. The novella is also part of a short story collection called The Edge of Everything.

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe: I didn't try a new recipe. To be honest, I've been stuck on which recipe to try. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. 

• Work in my journal/art journal: So this didn't happen (I know, I know). I blame it on how busy the past few weeks were. I'm really hoping to work in my journal soon. 

• Watch or stream a movie or show: I didn't watch a movie or show in August. I honestly couldn't decide what I wanted to watch. Although I have a ton of shows to catch up on, I'm on the hunt for a really good movie or series. So please feel free to share your recommendations.

September Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Try 1 new-to-me recipe
• Watch or stream a movie and a show
• Work in my journal

What are your goals for September? How did you do in August?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Mia Baker on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! This week flew by thanks to Labor Day. It was nice to have a day off from work and school. However, I always get thrown off when we have a four-day week (I promise I'm not complaining). 

The week ended with the 25th anniversary of September 11. I don't know how to put into words my feelings about September 11. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. 

This weekend we're going to celebrate John's birthday. It's going to be nice to celebrate all weekend long and throughout the month. We plan to go to a few places and spend time with family. 

1. We celebrated my niece's birthday on Labor Day. It was great seeing my nephew and nieces. The boys had fun, and it was a great way to unofficially end summer. 

2. I tried the Little Debbie X Crumbl cookies, and they were so good. The Zebra Cake was delicious and tasted exactly like the Little Debbie snack cake. It was also a bit on the sweet side, so only eating about half of the cake was more than enough for me.

3. Catching Shadows by Anna Brones. I'm still in this weird creative block. I have so much creative energy, but I've been stuck on what projects to work on. I love the idea of tracing shadows in sketchbooks. I plan to do this soon.

4. A pumpkin spice latte in a pumpkin. I'm going to try this at home.

5. On repeat: Hyperreal by Trafton

6. These powerful words by Michael Massaroli Jr., the son of Michael Massaroli, who lost his life during the September 11 attacks.

7. "When Is It Ok to Give Up on a Book?" It was interesting to read other people's opinions on DNFing books and which books they gave up on finishing.

8. On the wishlist: GoNanas limited edition Apple Cider Donut Banana Bread & Muffin Mix

9. Looking forward to: There are so many books I need to finish reading, but I just put The Nightingales by Emil Wilson on hold at my library. I can't wait to read it. 

10. I was so excited to see a massive pumpkin display at my grocery store. I can't wait to buy one so we can carve it and roast the pumpkin seeds. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Diana Light on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! I'm so grateful for this three-day weekend. It is much needed and so appreciated. We're still soaking up the last weeks of summer and plan to go to the pool. We are also going to celebrate one of my niece's birthday. It'll be fun to spend time with family. 

1. I'm so glad it's September. The 'ber months are here, and I am so excited for fall. Although it's still incredibly hot outside, I've been embracing fall and all things cozy. 

2. John's birthday is coming up, so I've been preparing for it. I can't wait to celebrate his day with the kids. We'll also probably go out for dinner and maybe a movie. 

3. Devouring: The Galactic Brownie Cake bundltets from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

4. I'm getting back into meal planning, and it feels so good to use the ingredients we have in our fridge. Recently, we've tried to be creative with what we have before we go to the grocery store, and it's been fun coming up with ideas and altering recipes so we don't waste food.

5. On repeat: Headlock by Imogen Heap

6. Raphael and I picked up a ton of fall and Halloween-themed books from our library. I'm so excited to read them with him. I'm also on the hunt to read a really good spooky book this fall, so if you have any suggestions, please share them.

7. I made a really good bacon and cheese bagel sandwich. I used bagels I bought (and froze) from a local vendor at the farmer's market. So good! Will definitely make it again.

8. Currently Reading: I'm slowly reading No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood

9. I went to the farmer's market and was excited to find apple cider available this week from one of my favorite local vendors.

10. I recently discovered Jenny Doh and her really cool journal pages. I really love the idea of compartmental journaling and plan to try it soon. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Duong Ngan on Unsplash

August 2026 // A List

1. August was an incredibly busy month. The first day of school...and work, all the errands, a mile-long to-do list...it was a lot. Many stressful days, but sprinkles of everyday joy and magic made their appearance.

2. I've been going to physical therapy, and it has been so helpful. I can't believe I put this off for a few years now. Please, please remember to listen to your body and take care of your health.

3. I finally got to try the Coquito Iced Latte from Cafe Coquí, and it was delicious.

4. My local Barnes & Noble was going out of business, so I went about three times during August. They had an amazing deal that was too good to pass up. I had several books I wanted to read and got them for a steal. I also went on the last day of business and felt so sad that the store was really closing.

5. While at Target, I was approached by two women in the small, tragic book aisle. One of the women saw I had a trenta-sized strawberry refresher and asked me how long it usually takes me to drink it. That question eventually turned into an entire conversation about random things. We talked about books, careers, and just general life stuff. After a long and incredibly awful day, that conversation made my day. Women really are amazing.

6. A timer was going off at work, and my colleague and I were looking for it. I remember clearly saying, "It's getting louder. I just can't see it." Friends, the timer was in my sweater...and I was wearing it! I still laugh about this.

7. I went to a new local boutique and bought a really cute top. It will be perfect for fall, and I think I may even be able to use it for part of my Halloween costume.

8. It was (and still is) incredibly hot. I was (and still am) dreaming of fall.

9. John, the boys, and I were really trying to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer. We went to the pool. We also went to the Marietta Square to check out a few stores and order some pizza from one of our favorite pizza shops.

10. Dolly Parton passed away, and my heart broke. I absolutely love how everyone loves Dolly. I loved reading so many different things people had to say about Dolly. 

11. I borrowed quite a few books and have a long list of holds at my library. I'm really hoping they don't all arrive at the same time.

12. I feel like I'm bursting with creative energy, and I'm trying to find the best way to release it.

13. The summer-to-fall transition has been a strange one this year. That being said, I need fall to arrive. I am in desperate need of cooler weather.

14. Mother Earth is trying to tell us something, and I think we really need to listen.

15. So long, August. You were a lot. However, I'm thankful for the lessons. Hello, September. I hope you're a slower month. A month of growth and becoming. Please be kind to me.

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This was a rough week, so I was especially happy when the weekend finally arrived. I didn't have any major plans for the weekend, which is just what I needed.

1. I've been slowly decorating our home for the fall season. I also bought a new loaf pan, and I'm excited to make all the homemade loaves, especially banana bread.

2. The I SPY! Walter Wick's Hidden Wonders exhibition looks amazing! I foresee a trip to the museum in the near future.

3. I was so incredibly saddened to hear of Dolly Parton's passing. I absolutely love how much everyone loved her. For the past few days, I've been reading so many different things people had to say about Dolly. I also love how the younger generation is taking an interest in Dolly and the work she did in her lifetime.  

4. Ella Frances Sanders' latest newsletter post, No. 288. I really love the Sheila Heti quote she included. *Random fact: I just picked up Sheila Heti's Motherhood from my local library, so I was excited to read the quote.

5. On repeat: When They Come for You by TENDER

6. Austin Kleon shared his paper roll dispenser (?), and now I want to make one. One of my colleagues also has a large sticky easel pad in her office for taking notes and presentations that would make a decent alternative to making my own paper roll dispenser.

7. Currently Reading: Bookish Nanny for the Lycan King by Elara Haze

8. I tried the Iced Banana Bread Latte from Starbucks, and it was actually pretty good. There was a perfect hint of banana, and I was surprised it didn't overpower the drink. Would I try it again? Yes.

9. We've had a few days of cooler temps in the mornings, so I'm getting even more excited about fall's arrival. 

10. I'm really excited for September and already made some plans. I'm hoping it's a better month than August. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Jen P. on Unsplash

Atlanta Mom Blog

Happy Tuesday! I'm over at Atlanta Mom with a new post. Summer is still here, but fall (and winter) will be here before you know it. So I'm sharing a list of fall and winter family-friendly movies. Feel free to check out my post and tell me what you think. You can check out my previous posts here.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! It was a rough week, so I was very excited for the weekend. It's also still odd to think that we just finished the third week of school. These past few weeks are flying. It's been so busy, and we're starting to get used to our routine. 

1. At the book aisle in Target, two women approached me. One of them saw my trenta-sized strawberry refresher and asked me how long it usually takes me to drink it. What ensued was a lovely conversation that really made my day after having an incredibly rough day...actually, the entire week was rough. We talked about books, career goals, and just life in general. It was so refreshing. I swear women are truly amazing.

2. Lin-Manuel Miranda's acceptance speech from the Disney Legends Award Ceremony.

3. We went to the pool and had so much fun. We also bought pizza from the Marietta Pizza Company for dinner. It was nice to not have to worry about cooking after a long day at the pool.

4. I've been watching Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's series documenting her journey of egg freezing and fertility preservation. This was incredibly interesting to watch, and I appreciate AOC sharing her story. Check out her stories for updates.

5. On repeat: Willing and Able by Noah Kahan

6. I went to my local Barnes & Noble final day of business and found some more books. I actually found several good books. I found a couple of Elizabeth Strout's books, including Olive Kitteridge. I'm planning to read this book before I watch the series.

7. Currently reading: You & A Bike & A Road by Eleanor Davis

8. A crowd celebrating a woman's 100th birthday. This was so beautiful and heartwarming.

9. I went to a new boutique and found a really cute sweater for fall. I think I may even use it as part of my Halloween costume. I also bought a chicken tortilla soup mix, and I can't wait to try it. I also went to a few of my favorite local boutiques and came up with an idea for a blog post.

10. It was such a wonderful weekend. We went to the Marietta Square, went for a walk around the area, and stopped by a few shops. The boys enjoyed some strawberry refreshers. I picked up a few treats from various shops and a coffee from Tuesday. This weekend was just what I needed.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! I can't believe we're already halfway through the month! This month really is flying by. This week was another busy one. There were definitely ups and downs. Friday didn't even feel like a Friday, but I was so grateful for the end of the week. 

1. I had a Barnes & Noble gift card, so I decided to pop in again to take advantage of their buy 5 books for $25 deal. I was lucky to find Wreck by Catherine Newman.

2. Kelcey Ervick's latest piece about creative seasons was so interesting.

3. I celebrated Bookstore Romance Day by going to Sincerely Yours Bookstore. I also grabbed a s'mores latte and two bottled lattes from Tee + Coffee Studio's pop-up at the bookstore event. I love supporting my favorite small businesses.

4. On repeat: Break Your Heart Worse by Crimson Apple

5. I got some more decluttering done and was able to get a massive amount of the boys' clothes to either sell or donate. 

6. I received my snail mail from Haley Weaver and loved all the little surprises. 

7. Currently Reading: Ava Enters the Group Chat by Emma St. Clair.

8. I got my first batch of Honeycrisp apples at the farmer's market. I was beyond excited, especially since I've been daydreaming of fall.  Also, buying apples and other fruits at the farmer's market is just so much better than buying them in a grocery store. 

9. I was finally able to try Café Coquí's Coquito Iced Latte and a mojadito cake! The lines are usually so long at the Smyrna market, but I thankfully arrived at the best time. The wait wasn't long at all, and the drink and treat were well worth it.

10. After making a big decision this week, it was nice to relax during the weekend. This weekend was everything I needed.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Julia Kicova on Unsplash

August Goals

Happy Tuesday! How is it already August, and how are we in the second week of August? Before we know it, it'll be December. It's been a busy month already...I mean, I'm sharing my monthly goals post eleven days into the month. But better late than never, I suppose.

July went by fast. There were some busy days spent back-to-school shopping and preparing for the first day back to school and work. Thankfully, we didn't have to buy too many supplies since we still had a bunch at home. 

John and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. We celebrated the entire week. We went on a lovely date. Later in the week, we even stopped by Marietta Pizza Company, which was one of the first places we went to when we first started dating. 

We celebrated Mami's birthday. It was nice to spend time with family, eat good food, and have all the kids together for the day. It's amazing how fast the kids grow. I can't believe my oldest nephew will be an adult in just a few months. It seems like yesterday he was just an infant.

July was an eye-opening month. I tried something and quickly realized that it wasn't for me. I definitely needed to take care of my health, and I'm so proud that I took the steps to do just that. I finally started physical therapy after putting it off for way too long, and after just one session, I felt so much better. I'm looking forward to seeing how I progress.

This month, I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine. I already knew it would be a busy month, but so far it hasn't been too bad. However, I'm certain it will get busy in the next week or so. 

I'm looking forward to something big happening this month, and I admit I'm really nervous. I took some time this weekend to have some me time and to prepare as much as I can for what is to come. 

Since it's a new month and I'm a bit late with my monthly goals, it's time to finally share a recap of last month's goals and check out my new goals for August. 

Recap of July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next book in the series. Raphael and I also read several books together. We read Deep Blue: Swimming in the Big Blue Sea by Dashka Slater, Just In Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano, This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen, and a couple of Pete the Cat books by Kimberly and James Dean.

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I didn't finish reading any of the books I've received from NetGalley, but I did continue to read a few of them.

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe: I made two new recipes in July! I made a teriyaki chicken meatball bowl and a lemon pasta dish. I've been really inspired by Melissa's recipes and have enjoyed switching a few things here and there. 

• Work in my journal/art journal: Unfortunately, I didn't work in my journal. I will honestly say I was too busy and didn't make time to work in my journal. 

• Watch or stream a movie: I watched Voicemails to Isabelle and Remarkably Bright Creatures. They were both amazing! I haven't watched a romcom in years, and Voicemails to Isabelle was perfect! Remarkably Bright Creatures was amazing, and Sally Field did an amazing job in the film.

• Enjoy the rest of our summer break: I was determined to enjoy the rest of our summer break as much as I could, and I'm glad I did. It was a busier summer than usual, so I'm glad I was intentional with the time we had left before the start of school and work.

August Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

• Work in my journal/art journal

• Watch or stream a movie or show

What are your goals for August? How did you do in July?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Jiawei Zhao on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! The first week of school and work has passed. I'm happy to say the boys are adjusting well. I am incredibly grateful that it went well, especially after the awful and stressful week I had. I felt it was so important to remember the little things that gave me joy, and I'm so glad that I've made it a habit to document those small moments.

1. Things to Do When You're Standing Inside of August by Megan Minutillo

2. Barnes & Noble Haul. I mentioned this before, but my local Barnes & Noble is unfortunately closing. Supposedly, a gas station will be built in its place, which is incredibly unfortunate. My local Barnes & Noble is gorgeous. The architecture is amazing, so it's so sad to know that it's going to be torn down to make way for a gas station. As the store nears its final weeks, the sales have been amazing. Books are now 50% off. They also have another sale where you can buy any 5 books in the store for $25 (the only exclusion is books priced at $50 or more). I even found the book that I had been looking for weeks! I may or may not have let out a little squeal of excitement when I found it.

3. A drone captured a humpback whale giving birth to a calf in what was possibly the world's first.

4. I think I may have found my fall drink for this year. Cove's Blood Orange prebiotic soda is so good!

5. On repeat: Lonely Touch by Sarah Kinsley

6. I went to Sincerely Yours Bookstore and bought a new candle and a mini embroidery kit.

7. Currently reading: I've been catching up on some Substack newsletters, and I'm still slowly reading Austin Kleon's Don't Call It Art. 

8. I recently learned about the Tiny Art Show, and it's so cool. I really hope there's a pop-up one day near my city.

9. After the horrible week I had, I'm so glad this video randomly popped up on my feed.

10. I went to the Smyrna Handmade Market and bought some peaches (the last one for the season), some plain and Mexican cheese bagels, some baked goods from Bonnin's Bakery, and some drinks from Soul Food Holistic Healing. I'm set for some meals and desserts for the week. I absolutely adore shopping local and helping support some of my favorite small businesses. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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July 2026 // A List

1. July was a month full of surprises. Some good and some not so good. As usual, good days (mostly thank goodness) and, of course, some not-so-great days.

2. The clock ticked away as the end of summer break neared and preparations for school and work began. Sadly, today is the end of our summer break. We'll be back to work and school tomorrow. 

3. I'm still blown away that my middle child, Gabriel, will be in high school this year. Michael and Gabriel are really excited to be going to the same school again, which has helped settle my nerves a bit. I'm looking forward to how much my sons will grow this school year.

4. The end of July and the month of August always feel odd. It's still officially summer, but the hints of fall begin to trickle in. Although I'm sad summer break is ending, I'm so excited for autumn. I'm ready for cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes, all the baked goods, and all things cozy.

5. I dove into recipes and really liked this chicken meatball bowl recipe and lemon pasta recipe. Even better, the boys really loved it too!

6. John and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 13 years since we got married, and we've been together for 18 years. Time truly flies by. It was so great. We went to the Marietta Square and ate at one of our favorite restaurants. We also stopped by one of my favorite little coffee shops afterwards. We celebrated the entire week, which was so much fun.

7. We celebrated Mami's birthday, and I got to see my nephews and nieces. I'm always blown away by how much they seem to grow. We all had a blast spending time together. I can't wait for the next family event.

8. July was the month for movies. I watched Remarkably Bright Creatures and Voicemails to Isabelle. 10/10, highly recommend both movies. 

9. I learned a lot of lessons in July, and some were very much-needed and ultimately incredibly appreciated. Again, this summer was a summer of lessons, and I'm grateful for it...even though some of them were hard. I truly think everything that happened needed to happen. 

10. In July, I found myself really taking care of my health and making it a priority. If there's anything you can take from reading this, it's to please, please, please remember to take care of yourself. Stop putting off going to the doctor or ignoring what your body is trying to tell you. Protect yourself and your future.

11. I love that my little sister and I have been bonding a lot more. It's been a while since we talked for hours on the phone.

12. As I think about August, I hope that it's a smooth transition and we get used to going back to a routine. I really hope that there are no "surprises" in August. May the next month bring consistent creative energy (it seemed to slip a bit in July) in whatever form or medium it arrives.

13. So long, July. You were truly an experience. Hello, August. I'm equal parts excited and nervous. Just like July, I think you're going to be a month full of lessons. There's going to be some major changes, and I'm trying to be hopeful. Please be kind to me.

Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash

Just Four Things

1. I recently watched Voicemails to Isabelle and really loved it. I haven't watched a rom-com drama in such a long time, but I'm so glad I listened to everyone who recommended this movie. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. 

2. I've been reading Allie Sullenberg's Substack newsletter, The Museum of Small and Important Things. I love a good listicle, and she started a new series, Mind Museum, which I thought was pretty cool. She also has an excellent series called Tiny Desk Tour, where artists give tiny desk tours of their creative spaces and share their creative processes.

3. I'm planning to sell a few books on Pangobooks and possibly reopen my Etsy shop, and realized a label printer would be useful. So I recently bought a Munbyn thermal label printer, and so far it's been great. It was fairly easy to set up (John helped a lot), and now I can print labels. I love that it doesn't use any ink.

4. I really wanted to try more recipes this month, and I'm happy to say that I did. I've been saving some recipes I've found on Instagram and finally made time to make them. I also love that some of the recipes I've been trying are things or flavors that I normally wouldn't even try. And surprisingly, they have turned out well. 

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Vladimir Mokry on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Now that school will start again soon, it seems like the weeks are flying by. John and I are planning to continue celebrating our wedding anniversary, and I'm really excited for our date.

1. This was a strange week, but also a very interesting one. A lot of things happened, and I'm looking forward to what the next couple of weeks bring. I'm trying to stay hopeful and taking things one day at a time. But so far, so good.

2. Costco. We've saved so much money on food and gas. The gold star executive membership is definitely worth it.

3. Jenna O'Brien's documentation of colors that feel like summer made me want to make my own. Maybe I'll include one in my journal.

4. On repeat: something like this by Cil

5. I tried two different recipes, and they came out really good. I made a teriyaki chicken meatball bowl using this recipe, but changed a few things. The boys really loved the teriyaki chicken meatballs, which made me excited since Raphael can be a picky eater. I also tried a lemon pasta dinner. This was an interesting meal. However, I'm not sure if I'd try to make this recipe again. It wasn't awful, but I think the lemon flavor was too intense for a pasta dish.

6. I went to a different nearby farmer's market, and it was nice. I ended up buying some peaches and apples. Now I'm dreaming of baking so many treats.

7. Must-watch: Remarkably Bright Creatures. Make sure to have a box of Kleenex nearby.

8. This made me laugh. 

9. As of today, there are 99 days until Halloween, and I can't wait. I'm so excited for fall.

10. John and I went to the Marietta Square and decided to go to the Marietta Pizza Company. The slices of pizza and calzone were huge! They seemed way bigger than normal. We ended up taking some of our food to go. Then we went for a walk and grabbed some coffee and BonBon candies at Tuesday Coffee & Shoppe.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! I hope you all are enjoying the rest of the weekend. We're still trying to savor the last few weeks of summer before school and work start again. So we've been out and about this weekend. It was nice not having a set plan and just going wherever we wanted. Also, John and I have been celebrating our wedding anniversary. I can't believe it'll be thirteen years of us being married! 

1. Millennial English Teachers vs. Gen Z Students. I laughed way too hard at these, especially the one about Macbeth.

2. I have been dealing with back pain, especially when I wake up, and I learned about putting a pillow between my legs when I sleep. It's been a game changer. 

3. The boys have been in a hot chocolate phase, and I love it! They've been asking for hot chocolate at night, and it's making me excited for fall and winter. 

4. We went for a walk near our downtown square and checked out the farmer's market. Although it was nice, it was also incredibly hot. 

5. On repeat: Track 10 by Charli XCX

6. A/C. Although we've been going on a few adventures here and there, we have definitely loved staying home where it's nice and cool.

7. Currently Reading: Don't Call It Art by Austin Kleon

8. So relatable. I felt seen...and at least I'm not alone?

9. It's National Ice Cream Day! We stocked up on a few of our favorite ice cream treats. 

10. A lot of big things are coming in the next few days and weeks. I'm excited, but really nervous and a little stressed. Fingers crossed that everything works out.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! This week went by pretty fast. I'm excited for this weekend. I'm hoping to spend some time at the pool and possibly watch Remarkably Bright Creatures or Off Campus.

1. I won a Goodreads giveaway and received my copy of What If We Get It Right? by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. I'm excited to read it.

2. I tried Trader Joe's S'mores Clusters, and oh my goodness, they are so good! I definitely plan to buy another bag or two.

3. Currently reading: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

4. I finally bought some really big storage containers and can't wait to put them to use. I'm still decluttering, and these containers are going to make things so much easier to organize a couple of spaces.

5. On Repeat: "Cherish You" by Mikky Ekko. I first heard this song while watching Voicemails for Isabelle. The soundtrack for this movie has some really fantastic songs.

6. We started back-to-school shopping (I know...I'm so sad summer break is almost over) and I'm so happy with how much we were able to save. We still have a bit more to do, but I'm excited to see how much more we save. 

7. Inspired by: This journal by Magdalena, Ammie's Hobonichi Cousin daily pages, and Karenliz's art journal pages.

8. On the wishlist: Have you heard of the Buddha Board? This thing looks so cool. I love that you can draw something and then it vanishes depending on how much water you use. This seems like such a useful art tool.

9. Random afternoon storms. One of my favorite things about summer is the storms that come out of nowhere. Pair it with a favorite candle and a good book...and it's perfection.

10. I have a better idea of what my next steps are for my career, and I'm excited (and a little nervous). The past few weeks have been very eye-opening. Although there were some stressful days, I think everything that happened needed to happen. I'm feeling a bit more at ease, and I'm so thankful for that.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash

July 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! We're eight days into the month, and I'm just now sharing my monthly goals. This month is going by so fast already.

June was unexpectedly busy and at times incredibly stressful. We were busy with home repairs, and we also had a ton of appointments. I'm glad we got all of the appointments for June out of the way before school starts back again. 

Even though June didn't go as planned, there were some great days. One highlight of the month was celebrating Father's Day. We spoiled John with some gifts. John and I also went out on a date. I got to see my youngest niece and nephew. They have gotten so big, and it was nice to see the kids all together. I participated in my first online focus group, and it was so interesting. 

This month, I'm really hoping for a slower month. I'm a little sad that summer break is almost over, and I'm determined to have a less stressful month. I'm looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary and going on a nice date with John. I'm looking forward to more decluttering around the house. I'm impressed with how much I've gotten done. I'm also looking forward to continuing my low-spend summer. I really like that I've been intentional about my purchases this summer, and I'm hoping this continues after the summer as well. 

I'm planning to continue to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have more time this month to work on my goals, I don't want to stress about it. Since I've mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals and check out my goals for July.

Recap of June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: Raphael and I read several books from the Pigeon series by Mo Willems. I also read Love Poems by Rupi Kaur.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Cloud Runner by Jo Harjo. I absolutely enjoyed this collection of poetry. The way Harjo put her grief into words was powerful, sad, and at times heartbreaking. I also read Bad Bunny by Lexi Davis. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I did not make any layouts or anything crafty. June was an insane month, and I was so busy with a bunch of things that I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on any crafty projects. I'm glad I didn't forget to make anything; I just simply did not have the time. 

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe: I completely forgot about this goal. Honestly, even if I did remember, I did not have the energy to even try a new recipe. I mainly stuck to our favorites, but we also had takeout a couple of times. 

July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

• Work in my journal/art journal

• Watch or stream a movie

• Enjoy the rest of our summer break

What are your goals for July? How did you do in June? 

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Can you believe it's already July! We're already five days into the month! It seems like this month may just fly by as well. I hope you all have been enjoying your summer. However, you decided to celebrate the holiday and long weekend, I hope you were all safe and had fun. 

1. We celebrated Mami's birthday. It was nice seeing my sisters, nieces, and nephews. The kids have gotten so big. 

2. I read Julia at the Drive-In by Rainbow Rowell and really enjoyed this short story. This story is part of the Edge of Everything short story collection.

3. It was strange to even think about celebrating the Fourth of July. We kept it low-key, but John and I did go on a little day date. We even snuck in some errands too. 

4. I put a few books on hold at my local library, and I'm so excited because Austin Kleon's latest book, Don't Call It Art, is finally in transit to my local library. I should be able to pick it up in the next few days. 

5. On repeat: Angels by Khalid. Love the entire album, American Teen.

6. John and I finally went to The Salty. We bought the Boston Cream Pie and Traditional Glazed donuts. The donuts were massive and so good. 

7. I'm always inspired by Katie Licht's collage books. 

8. On the wishlist: I need a new bookcase and a couple of storage containers. I'm still in decluttering and organizing mode, so the storage containers will actually be useful. The bookcase is both a need and a want...my current one is broken.

9. We've been eating so much fruit this summer. My favorite in recent years has been Rainier cherries. So good!

10. I'm really thankful this was not such a busy week. It was just what I needed. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

June 2026 // A List

1. June...June was absolutely not what I expected.

2. I spent way too much time sending emails and resolving what seemed to be a never-ending issue. I don't think I've ever spent so much time sending emails in June as I did this year.

3. There's a frog that we hear at night, and we're pretty sure it's in or near our patio area. I absolutely love hearing it. 

4. I'm not a big sports fan, but just like the NBA Finals, I've been enjoying all the World Cup videos and memes. I love how excited everyone is, and it's a nice reprieve from the news and the state of the country.

5. I had way too many appointments this month, but I'm glad we got them out of the way. I'm really thankful that July will be a month with very few appointments.

6. I've been more mindful of my spending and am trying to do a "low-spend summer". So far, it's going great.

7. I love that my Instagram feed is showing recipes and lots of crafty, artsy content. 

8. We celebrated Father's Day and John. We gave John a couple of gifts. John and I went on a date and decided to go to the Corner Taqueria.

9. We've borrowed so many books this summer. I've already completed my local library's summer reading challenge.

10. I highly recommend putting Cloud Runner by Joy Harjo on your TBR list, requesting it at your library, or preordering it. I was so lucky to get an advanced copy and absolutely loved it. 

11. Amy Turn Sharp shared a really great idea on her Substack newsletter, Warm Hands.

12. I wasn't in the best mood in June, and I'm still sad about it. I'm hoping for better days in July.

13. I don't normally watch a lot of movies or series, especially during summer, but there are quite a few I'm hoping to watch in the next few weeks. 

14. I've been dreaming of autumn. 

15. I have a couple of big decisions to make...and I'm a bit anxious and excited about them.

16. May the next month continue to bring this sudden creative surge that I've been looking for and waiting for. Here's to hoping I actually work in my journal.

16. So long, June. You were a month. Hello July. Although I don't associate you with lazy days, I'm really hoping for a much more peaceful and less stressful month. 

Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Can you believe we're at the end of June? I can't believe we're just days away from July. This week was incredibly busy and at times very stressful. In fact, the entire month has been busy and kind of stressful. I'm glad this month is almost over. Although the month has been...a month, I've been making sure to think about the things that made me happy every week. Doing this has really helped me remember that good things still happen, even if it's something small.

1. I think my creative block is going away, and I'm so excited. I think decluttering definitely helped bring that creative spark back.

2. This made my heart smile.

3. Decluttering! I am still decluttering a room/area almost every day. I've donated so many bags of stuff and tossed out a lot of things, too. I shredded so much paperwork and was honestly shocked at how much stuff I had saved that we no longer needed. I may reopen my Etsy shop and sell some of the crafty things I no longer use. Maybe I'll make some ephemera kits? If you're interested, please let me know. I have way too much stuff. 

4. On Repeat: Another Brick In the Wall, Pt 2 by Pink Floyd

5. Malaka Gharib's Summer Worksheet. I plan to fill mine out soon.

6. On the wishlist: Don't Call It Art by Austin Kleon 

7. I found a new-to-me New York Times series called Metropolitan Diary. I'm enjoying this series a lot.

8. Currently Reading: I'm slowly reading What Are You Waiting For?: An Anthology, edited by Kathy Curto. I've also been catching up on a lot of Substack newsletters by my favorite writers and artists.

9. "If I am being honest, the only people I listen to are women." - Amy Turn Sharp

10. I looked at my July calendar and am happy that I don't have a lot planned for the month. I'm hoping for a less chaotic and less stressful month.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Tetiana Padurets on Unsplash

Summer 2026 Bucket List

Happy Monday! Yesterday marked the first day of summer! Although it's felt like summer for weeks, there's just something about the official start of a new season that makes me excited. As always, I love to mark the beginning of a new season with a seasonal bucket list. Although I usually don't cross everything off my list, it's always fun to make one. Of course, my bucket list includes a bunch of my traditional must-do activities, but I also included a few new things. I may or may not update this list in a few weeks if I come up with anything new. Check out the list below.

• Read 8 books

• Read the Edge of Everything short story collection

• Try 3 new-to-me recipes like this one

• Publish 1 personal essay or micro-memoir

• Drink more water

• Watch 2 movies

• Create a photo essay

• Participate in a creative class

• Declutter a room or area a week

• Collect things to donate

• Start a new TV series 

• Complete my library's book challenge

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Make 2 layouts

• Order photo prints

• Make s'mores

• Eat Rainier cherries

• Go to Food Truck Tuesday

• Play more board games and card games

• Learn more about my library's resources

• Spend less

• Go for more walks 

• Visit more local events

• More afternoon naps

• Make a mini book

• Work on meal prep

• Take more photos

• Look into selling books on Pangobooks

What's on your summer bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Matthew Brodeur on Unsplash