Good morning friends! At the risk of sounding lame by talking about the weather… How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? We are soaked here, but safe. If you were in the way of Matthew yesterday (or at all last week), I hope you were spared. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were not.
Anyway, I’m off bright and early this morning to a women’s retreat and am looking forward to a night out with my sister tonight to see The Girl on the Train (anyone else?!?). In between those two things, I’m going to clean out mine and Sam’s closets. No, seriously, for real this time. I hope your weekend is equally as exciting. 😉
Before you get going though, here are my links & likes from the week:
Links:
“Raising Race-Conscious Children” – great advice from two multi-racial moms who created the website raceconscious.org (And this follow up list of children’s books with characters of color)
“More Work, More Love” from Mama Needs Coffee – a great post, and a great blog name 😉
“I’m Not a Great Mother” – Man, I’ve never thought about it this way, but I LOVE it.
“On Your Mark, Give Birth, Go Back to Work” – a very informative read from NPR on parental leave in America
And on a related (but much more positive) note, did you see the Chicco ad about working moms circulating the web this week? SO good.
I love this guy’s strategy for getting a job in the very competitive Bay area. #creativitycounts
Likes:
Ada Twist, Scientist – this is mentioned in the links above as one of the children’s books featuring kids of color, and it’s also the latest in a series by Andrea Beatty and David Roberts that our family LOVES. I’ve added this one to our Christmas Gift List for Sam & Nora, and – with themes about hard work, creativity, and girl-power – the entire three-book set would make an AWESOME birthday or Christmas gift for the littles in your life.
I’ve been exercising three/four times a week for several weeks now. (Maybe finally taking it OFF of my list of goals did the trick? Who knows. I am weird). Anyway, it was obviously time for me to invest in some decent looking workout clothes ;), so I signed up for Fabletics (so many people rave about it) and claimed my first outfit for only $25.00. Some of the styles were a bit “out there” for me (and I’m still confused as to why the models are wearing heels), but I loved that this shirt was longer and the pants were fun without being super revealing. I don’t know how much I will use the “VIP membership,” but I’m excited to try it out. (I’ll, of course, let you know how it goes.) *Shameless plug alert* If you’re interested or – like me – just want one inexpensive outfit – I’d love if you’d use my referral link (http://www.fabletics.com/invite/samandscout/) to sign up!
And, because I can’t wear fancy/expensive workout clothes all the time, I also ordered a couple of these from Target. Hooray for bottom-covering workout shirts!! (FYI: These were delivered yesterday and might actually “run big.” I like baggy, so I’m good with it; but I could probably have gone down a size from my normal one.)
I’m SUPER excited about the new Koolaburra brand by UGG. Have you heard of it?!?! They call themselves the “little sister” to UGG, and it’s designed to be more versatile and – BEST – budget-friendly. I got rid of my UGGs last year after ten+ years of wear because they were just gross, so I’m definitely saving my pennies for a pair of the Koolaburra Classic Short boots this winter!!!
This coat has it’s own Instagram account (and I totally followed it).
I’ve read some rave reviews of these Old Navy jeggings lately. I’m tempted because… elastic waist… but, also, jeggings?!? Can anyone vouch for them?
Anthropologie is offering an additional 40% off their sale this weekend. I’m totally into this tunic and this cardigan (both less than $30).
Finally, I got a WONDERFUL surprise last night when a copy of Emily Ley’s new book Grace Not Perfection showed up on my doorstep (with a beautiful print and her happy stripe pen no less)! It officially releases on Tuesday, but you can pre-order now, and it’s only $7.99 for Kindle on Amazon, but I absolutely suggest paying the $4 extra for the hardcover. It is one to keep on the coffee table (or nightstand if you have little hands that threaten to destroy it) for SURE! I can’t wait to dig in, and will – of course – share my thoughts here!
Have a restful Saturday!
E
P.S. Um… It’s the Pumpkin Spice Latte’s 13th birthday. To celebrate, Starbucks has added PUMPKIN WHIP to their menu THIS WEEKEND ONLY. You can have it added to ANY drink FOR FREE. Friend, this is it… RUN, don’t walk.