I swear my wish list stays the same between birthdays and Christmas, year to year. I just remove the things I got in the meantime and maybe add an item or two. While I certainly want some things, I tend to keep it practical. I want less the older I get. And I mostly spend my own money on food or the kiddo. I cut this list closer to Christmas each year, too, oftentimes missing big shopping days like Black Friday - or in the case of this year, Black Friday has come like a week earlier than usual. But whatever. Here are the things I’ve been eyeing that I’m not up to buying for myself. I swear some of these things are less than $20.



I always love comfy outfits, and matching sets are a favorite. They just look so put together. There are cute sets from Aerie and Old Navy or tons of more size-inclusive boutique brands. I particularly like these from Shop Taby or these from Dressed in Lala. I wear a 2X. 

In addition to matching sets, I’m always interested in low-key, subtle accessories, like a new Apple Watch band (series 8, 45mm) or a solid gold anklet that will last for years to come.


Most of what I want tends to fall into the category of “home.” I’m always trying to organize or make the space a more functional place to live.

Right now, my shoes are on a shoe rack in the entryway, but we also need a space to hang bags and jackets. So I’d love to replace the shoe rack with a hall tree, which functions as both things! I think this one is nice and spacious, while also being quite affordable.

We could also really use new food storage. We bought our current set 10+ years ago for cheap on Black Friday, and we’ve certainly got some good use out of it, but they’ve been through it. I like this Pyrex glass set, but I’m open to other options that look nice and have a nice quality.

Also in the kitchen, I would love a Nespresso machine. I used one for several days while staying at a hotel in Toronto a few years ago, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The drinks it creates are worlds better than the Keurig. These small space-saving options are some of the more affordable ones, and come in fun colors.

Outside, we need an extra long water hose, something like 200 ft, since our only spigot is at the front of the house and doesn’t reach around. And boy, let me tell you - true adulting is putting a water hose on your wishlist.

I’d love some fun picture frames, something with character. I typically like to find unique options at thrift stores, but often, places like TJ Maxx have cute options too. I’d love a variety of sizes for pictures of our sweet girl and for family portraits. I’d also love a gift card to somewhere like Framebridge, where I can opt for custom framing options.

Speaking of pictures, I absolutely need a hard drive to store thousands of photos, specifically of our daughter, in case something ever happens to the iCloud. I really like this LaCie option or this one from Samsung, but I’m not hard drive expert, so I’m totally open on this front.

Not quite “home,” but somewhere else I spend a lot of time is my car. I’ve wanted a cargo cover for years, but it seems like such an unnecessary expense, so in the wishlist it goes year by year. I’m not too picky here either, as long as it fits a 2019 Prius.

One of the cheapest things on my list is also the most challenging to find - first edition original Goosebumps books. I’m working on completing my collection of Goosebumps novels, but they can be kind of interesting finds. When I find them, it’s typically at thrift stores or yard sales, and it can take some digging. Online, they’re more often available on resale sites like Mercari or eBay, and can be found on Etsy too. But online, it’s more difficult to confirm the first edition status. I just definitely don’t want the newer reprints of the books. 

 

Breastfeeding is an incredibly special journey.

And a journey it is for sure. For more than 14 months, I had such a strong love/hate relationship with that journey. On one hand, my body was providing nourishment for this tiny human I made from scratch. On the other, it was time consuming, physically and emotionally draining, and total hell on my blood sugar.

I was an exclusive pumper for about 10 months, and had to begin supplementing with formula, then at 12 months, with whole milk. In the hospital after she was born, I had thought she was latching but we quickly realized she wasn’t getting much and was so hungry. So instead of feeding at the breast, we found that pumping worked best for both me and baby.

I wouldn’t say I was an oversupplier, but I definitely produced more than expected. As both a type 1 diabetic and a person with a thyroid condition, I was told I likely wouldn’t be able to produce much milk. But honestly, if I’d kept pumping every three hours all day, every day, and through the night, I would have absolutely been an oversupplier.

I did at one point have a freezer supply, but as I stopped pumping overnight, and moved to pumping every four hours, I was producing just enough milk.

But it was so exhausting. The process of literally being milked over and over again, cleaning pump parts nonstop, and just generally being stuck into this routine of something that was unenjoyable and could be incredibly unpleasant at times - it was all too much. I was always overstimulated. I was tired.

But I was so proud to be producing nourishment, something that so many women aren’t able to experience.

It’s an odd feeling to be so grateful for something and simultaneously just want it to end. And that thing coming to an end came with a whole other slew of emotions. I was so sad for it to be over.

So, prior to this experience, I would’ve absolutely found it weird and maybe disgusting to have a piece of jewelry made from literally a bodily fluid. Instead, having gone through that experience, I wanted something to commemorate this experience I may never have again.

I found several DIY brands of to make your own breastmilk jewelry but I really wanted something that felt finer, that could be an heirloom piece for years to come.

I found Milk Couture Co, and reached out to the owner and jeweler, Cait, to discuss what I was wanting. We discussed a few different options and she answered my million and one questions, so I was able to make sure I was ordering a piece I really loved.

I scoured the site for literal weeks before deciding on a piece. I knew I wanted a ring in solid gold, but there were so many beautiful options. I found that I kept going back to the Goodnight Moon ring, over and over again. Maybe it’s because my daughter was really loving that book at that time, or maybe it was the simple, timeless silhouette, but I ended up choosing that one because it was the one I looked at the most. And I think it’s a pretty perfect piece. I like that you can even choose between bezel sizes. I ended up going with the 8x10. It may be the one thing I would’ve done differently if I ordered it again from scratch. I have pretty chunky fingers, and the 8x10 is gorgeous, but I wouldn’t have regretted the larger 10x14 size that I was worried initially would be too big (it wouldn’t have). I’m certainly glad I didn’t go with the smaller 6x8 option.

The color green is significant to our daughter, so I knew I wanted to incorporate that into the stone. I didn’t love the way that the November citrine birthstone would look in a milky setting, so I ruled that out pretty quickly. Cait and I talked about different dried flowers, fruits, and vegetables that we could incorporate into the piece, but overall decided to go with the beautiful and subtle crushed peridot.

But I also just adore my sweet girl’s curls and wanted to add locks of her hair to the piece, too.



This is what I sent over as an example of what I was wanting:




This is what I got:



I’m just super thrilled with this piece. It gives me this precious piece of my life to hold onto in such a tangible way, which is just so, so special. I’m glad I went with Milk Couture Co. Cait was really just so easy to work with, and I ended up with this piece of jewelry I’ll treasure forever.

 

 I love birthdays! I always have. It's such a fun thing to celebrate, both for myself and others that I care about. Each year, I try to highlight my birthday wish list - often things I've been wanting but just can't bring myself to purchase for whatever reason. I feel like my list really shrinks from year to year. I want less stuff, but what I do want is usually fairly practical, and I'm always here for experiential gifts - things that may make life a bit more enjoyable. So, without further ado, here is my thirty-fifth birthday wish list.

 

A new Apple Watch band. I have one I really like, but I had one like this in the past that I thought felt really fashion forward and less sporty that the one I currently wear. I have the Series 8, 45mm watch, for reference.

 

Another new thing I need, a case for my Tandem t:slim x2 insulin pump. Mine is broken and uncomfortable to wear. I like that this one comes in fun colors and has a space to wind up the tubing - so practical!

 

This item's been on my list for a while: a trunk space cover insert for my 2019 Prius. This covers up the trunk space for more car privacy, and to protect said items from sun damage. 

What's up next is a little trickier, and more silly than practical. I really want a fun "mom" vinyl car decal. There are so many options - overstimulated moms club, cool moms club, anti-social moms club, tired moms club, the more traditional cool mom, or the Mean Girls-esque "I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom." My big requests here - I like shades of pink, white, or holographic for these decals, and the space I want to put it is around 5 inches in height, so it should be small enough to fit there.

 

I'm annoyed that Air Forces 1s have gotten more expensive. They chilled out for a while, but thanks to inflation, everything is super pricey these days. My current AF1s, I got on super sale, but I've about worn out the heel as much as I wear them. I love these Nike Air Force 1 Shadow styles - they're a bit more stacked and a little more like a platform sole. I prefer a sneaker like this that's all leather, because they're great in all kinds of weather. I'm in a women's size 10 in sneakers. I also wouldn't say no to matching adult Sambas in black with the kids version (size 5). I love to match with my tiny twin.

I love a comfy-yet-cute outfit. If I have to go to work, let me feel like I’m wearing pajamas. This plisse set from Shop Taby is so cute! I wear a size XL/1X.

I’m pretty minimalist when it comes to jewelry, but I do like to have a few meaningful pieces that I wear regularly. I’ve been wanting a tennis bracelet for a while, but that can be a pricey piece. I’d love to replace diamonds for citrine (Baby O’s birthstone), and if it can’t be solid gold, sterling silver is best (I say no to any type of plating). I like the box clasp on this sideways oval citrine tennis bracelet or this oval citrine tennis bracelet (both in sterling silver). This paperclip chain bracelet is also a cute alternative. My wrist is right around 7 inches, so anything between 7-7.5 should be a good fit.

Another piece of jewelry I’d really love is a solid gold chain anklet. I’m not too picky here. This is another cute one. There are lots of options, as long as it’s at least 10 inches, solid gold, and not too dainty (I wouldn’t want it to break too easily). 

My last request jewelry-wise is for flatback earrings for my upper cartilage in my ear. I like these solid gold flatback earrings from Musemond. I like the 20g 6.5 post length, one earring with a 2mm stone and one with a 3mm.I want these in different sizes because they’re side-by-side on my ear, so they’d be purchased as two singles instead of as a pair.

 

*Sidenote: I also have been wearing a broken wedding band for several years. My fingers had swelled up pretty badly and I had to get the ring cut off. I just never got around to fixing it. I did go in for a quote to one shop and they told me they had to send the rings off first, which I felt funky about, so I didn't follow through. I do prefer an in-house jeweler, which is harder to come by these days. So long story short - I'd also be interested in getting my ring fixed.

Next up is a bit of a shift in direction - electronics. I really want a hard drive to store photos. I don’t know exactly how much storage I would need as a mom who takes a thousand pictures of her kid every month, but I figured I should start with 1TB. I found both a Samsung and a LaCie option that seem to be big favorites for photographers. I like that they’re both more “rugged” and won’t easily be damaged. I just really want to make sure I have these photos forever, just in case they get lost somewhere in the big scary cloud.

For home wares, I’d love a hall tree for our entryway. There’s currently a shoe rack there, but the hall tree would also provide a place for bags and jackets instead of the dining room table and chairs, where everything seems to collect and pile up.

 

Another home item that just seems really neat and useful is a stove-top spice shelf. This goes directly on the top of the stove to provide additional storage space (and off the countertop!).  

The most broad wish on this list is more books to add to my collection of first-edition Goosebumps books. I have 19 of the 62 books released between 1992-1997. I'm very particular in wanting the first editions because the newer ones are slightly different sizes, with really ugly covers. You can check this within the first couple of pages of each book. The list of the ones I have (and don't have) can be found here.

 

Another wish in terms of practicality - a new phone case for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. These are less custom than I'd like because, somehow, the 13 is now an older model. But my current case has broken (specifically around the camera), so a new case would come in handy right about now. 

The last physical wish on this list is an extra long water hose. I actually really like the one we have now because it shrinks up when not in use, and I'd like a similar option. I just need at least 200 feet, so the hose can reach the back of our house, since we somehow only have a spigot in the front. I'd love to spend time with Baby O in an inflatable pool this summer, but only in the backyard, and we need a hose that will reach the pool.

 

I'd also love a gift card to Framebridge to add some additional prints to our hallway upstairs. 

 

Non-tangible gifts

What I've come to find I enjoy and want more of each year are experiences. These are some of my favorite types of gifts, because even though they aren't tangible, they're so heavily needed.

 

Something that's been gaining traction lately is the head spa. I just think of how good it feels to get a massage, but also I recall how incredible lice checks felt back in the day - the teacher would just kind of move your hair around with a pencil, and it was so relaxing. I'd love to go in for a head spa massage and a facial. A couple of hours of relaxation are very much needed. 

In the same realm, and general bodily area, I would love to get a lash lift and tint. I don't often wear makeup anymore, and when I do, it's kind of uncomfortable - especially around the eyes. A lash lift and tint would let me look and feel put together for several weeks without having to really do much of anything. I'd really like that.

 

Next up - a new tattoo! It's been years honestly, but more importantly, I want to add a tattoo in honor of O, my greatest accomplishment and the most incredible human. I'd love to add a little work of art to my body in honor of my big (and getting bigger every day) work of art that my body created. 

Speaking of O - last year for my birthday, I asked for family pictures. They turned out great, and I absolutely adored getting those more tangible pieces of life in that moment. I would love for this to be an annual tradition, and I'd love to get more family pictures this year!

 

Lastly, something I want so badly and haven't had the chance to do yet, is an animal encounter at the Georgia Aquarium. I would love so much to get to interact with the sea lions, but I'd settle for really any of the encounters.

Alright, so there's my list. Things I'm really interested in as I enter my next year of life. The things that may add joy, comfort, or convenience to my life. What would you add to your birthday wish list this year?

 

 

If you're anything like me and my millennial heart, you grew up on R.L. Stine novels - Goosebumps, Fear Street. These types of books were my jam. I've always enjoyed horror - Pet Sematary was my favorite movie when I was 4 years old. Both Fear Street and Goosebumps have had a bit of a resurgence lately thanks to Netflix's Fear Street film series a couple years ago, and the couple of seasons of Goosebumps brought to life by Disney+ (season 1 was definitely better). This also reminded me of my love of the books, and encouraged me to start completing my Goosebumps collection - but here's the catch: I only want the original first edition copies. None of these goofy looking new covers. I want the real, original stuff. 

From my understanding, below is the full list of the original titles, 1992-1997. I've crossed through the titles I already own.

 

Original Goosebumps titles

 

Book 1: Welcome to Dead House (1992)

Book 2: Stay Out of the Basement (1992)

Book 3: Monster Blood (1992)

Book 4: Say Cheese and Die! (1992)

Book 5: The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1993)

Book 6: Let’s Get Invisible! (1993)

Book 7: Night of the Living Dummy (1993)

Book 8: The Girl Who Cried Monster (1993)

Book 9: Welcome to Camp Nightmare (1993)

Book 10: The Ghost Next Door (1993)

Book 11: The Haunted Mask (1993)

Book 12: Be Careful What You Wish For (1993)

Book 13: Piano Lessons Can Be Murder (1993)

Book 14: The Werewolf of Fever Swamp (1993)

Book 15: You Can’t Scare Me! (1994)

Book 16: One Day at HorrorLand (1994)

Book 17: Why I’m Afraid of Bees (1994)

Book 18: Monster Blood II (1994)

Book 19: Deep Trouble (1994)

Book 20: The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight (1994)

Book 21: Go Eat Worms! (1994)

Book 22: Ghost Beach (1994)

Book 23: Return of the Mummy (1994)

Book 24: Phantom of the Auditorium (1994)

Book 25: Attack of the Mutant (1994)

Book 26: My Hairiest Adventure (1994)

Book 27: A Night in Terror Tower (1995)

Book 28: The Cuckoo Clock of Doom (1995)

Book 29: Monster Blood III (1995)

Book 30: It Came from Beneath the Sink! (1995)

Book 31: Night of the Living Dummy II (1995)

Book 32: The Barking Ghost (1995)

Book 33: The Horror at Camp Jellyjam (1995)

Book 34: Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes (1995)

Book 35: A Shocker on Shock Street (1995)

Book 36: The Haunted Mask II (1995)

Book 37: The Headless Ghost (1995)

Book 38: The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena (1995)

Book 39: How I Got My Shrunken Head (1996)

Book 40: Night of the Living Dummy III (1996)

Book 41: Bad Hare Day (1996)

Book 42: Egg Monsters from Mars (1996)

Book 43: The Beast from the East (1996)

Book 44: Say Cheese and Die - Again! (1996)

Book 45: Ghost Camp (1996)

Book 46: How to Kill a Monster (1996)

Book 47: Legend of the Lost Legend (1996)

Book 48: Attack of the Jack-O’-Lanterns (1996)

Book 49: Vampire Breath (1996)

Book 50: Calling All Creeps! (1996)

Book 51: Beware, the Snowman (1997)

Book 52: How I Learned to Fly (1997)

Book 53: Chicken, Chicken (1997)

Book 54: Don’t Go to Sleep! (1997)

Book 55: The Blob That Ate Everyone! (1997)

Book 56: The Curses of Camp Cold Lake (1997)

Book 57: My Best Friend is Invisible (1997)

Book 58: Deep Trouble II (1997)

Book 59: The Haunted School (1997)

Book 60: Werewolf Skin (1997)

Book 61: I Live in Your Basement! (1997)

Book 62: Monster Blood IV (1997)

So, here's my question for y'all: where do you find your first editions for kid lit like this? I've mostly thrifted or found these at yard sales, but when looking for specific titles, that can be a bit tougher. Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

 

I’ve never been to Miami, so this is a collaborative post  

If there’s one city that knows how to crank the volume on fun, it’s Miami. My impressions of Miami are favorite shows like S Club 7 or Dexter, so when I think of Miami, I envision a coastal hotspot that’s a sun-kissed playground of neon lights, sultry salsa tunes, and a skyline that basically begs you to take a thousand selfies. Whether you’re a party animal, a foodie, or someone who just really likes pastel buildings (we see you, Insta crowd), here’s your ticket to turning any Miami trip into the stuff of legends.