Last week after a week at Disney World we came home to snow, cold, and I immediately came down with a cold. Not just any cold it turns out, but bacterial bronchitis. I’ve spent most of the week in pajamas with my butt firmly planted to the couch when I’m not doubled over coughing up a lung. Thank goodness I work from home where pajamas at 3pm are acceptable attire. (And sorry to the delivery drivers who have witnessed my messy self this week. I’m pretty sure I look like an extra from the Walking Dead.)
It’s nothing a little rest and some medication can’t fix, but it has led to lots more reading time this week, so I have a ton of links, deals, and more to share.
Books to Buy
Naptime with Theo and Beau
I met Jessica Shyba at my very first blog conference many, many years ago. She was lovely and sweet and so incredibly stylish. She’s one of those people you just immediately love because she has such an incredible heart.
I’ve always been a fan of her writing and photography so it was thrilling to see her work and especially her photos of her toddler and their newly adopted puppy became a viral sensation. She captured something sweet and lovely and shared it and the world fell in love with photos of Theo and Beau. This week she launched a book, Naptime with Theo and Beau, that shares their heartwarming story. A portion of every book sale goes to the SPCA where Theo was adopted.
Order now through February 28th and you will get a bookplate signed by Jessica, Beau, and even Theo! Details can be found on Jessica’s blog.
Naptime with Theo and Beau
New book from Harper Lee
This week came a huge announcement in the literary world. Harper Lee is publishing her second book. The author is known for her legendary work To Kill a Mockingbird
. This second novel is a ‘prequel’ and titled Go Set a Watchman: A Novel
. The release is not without controversy, though representatives for Ms. Lee claim they are unfounded. You can read more about how the second book was found and details surrounding the controversy at the NYTimes. I will still be purchasing and reading the book. July can’t come soon enough.
Reads from Around the Web
Making Friends
It’s difficult to make friends as an adult. Busy schedules, kids, spouses, work-they all mean it’s challenging to find time for friends. Whether it’s due to life changes or location I often talk to other women who are having trouble finding new friends or keeping older friendships. Most of my friends I see online-even local friends that live within a 5-15 minute drive. So when I came across this piece from my friend Marci about using a friend matchmaking service I was intrigued. The Toronto based company, Yes New Friends, helped match her with three women. Reading her stories only makes me wish the service was available where I live!
Serial News
Have you listened to the Serial podcast? Big news for the podcast’s fans. Adnan Syad has been granted an appeal! Read all about it on NPR.
Starbucks to offer coconut milk
Non-dairy drinkers, vegans, and paleo/whole food dieters rejoiced at the news that Starbucks will now offer coconut milk. People like me jumped up and down while milk drinkers shrugged at the news. While it appears it’s full of added sugar I’ll consider it a small win since I usually on Starbucks on business trips and vacation.
Living on one income tips
Whether you’re living on one income now or trying to get by on one and save the other you can never have too many tips. Some of my advice was included in this roundup of tips and advice. As a veteran one income family (we lived on one income for 12 years) I am always happy to see pieces like this.
Tipovers: what you need to know
Tipovers are a horrible, tragic, and preventable way that children are injured and killed in this country each year. Simply put it’s when an object falls on a child. It could be a television or a piece of furniture, but the outcome is the often horribly tragic. This piece on Philly.com shares the stories of several area families. Please take the time to prevent these tragedies in your home by securing furniture to the walls.
Survey says: You’re teaching your kids the wrong way about money
Research shares that the best way to teach kids about money is not traditional programs or financial literacy classes, but rather real world experience. Read more at the Wall Street Journal.
Deals
Shoe Sales
Easy Spirit is known for their comfortable footwear. I’m all about comfortable shoes. When we got married I even found the perfect pair of strappy heels at our local Easy Spirit store. They were cute and comfortable-a win-win. Today is the last day to save 20% off-a great deal if you’re in the market for new shoes.
Crocs get a bad rap. They are great for the pool, gardening, creek playing, backyard rock hunting, and more. Find some great deals below.
- Get 2 Pairs of Men’s and Women’s Classic Crocs for $60 + Free Shipping with code DOUBLE at Crocs.com! Ends 2/8
- Get 2 Pairs of Crocs Kids’ Classic Clogs for $45 + Free Shipping with code DOUBLE at Crocs.com! Ends 2/8
The Economist
I’m not much a magazine person, but The Economist is a great magazine. It’s one of the few I enjoy reading, and you can get a great deal on it now.
Favorite Finds
This is a little roundup of my favorite things this week.
Badger Balm
If you have dry winter skin Badger products are amazing! We have sensitive skin so we need hydration, especially for our hands, without a lot of chemicals. Badger Balm fits the bill. They make a variety of products all of which I love!
Vitamin D and B12
Vitamin D and B12 are my BFFs in the winter. While supplements and vitamins aren’t always necessary, I have been diagnosed with deficiencies in the past for both. This is common, especially for women, so if you have an upcoming physical or need one I highly recommend you get checked. In any case the recommended course for me has been to use vitamin supplements to keep a larger deficiency at bay. You can buy vitamins online at LuckyVitamin and get free shipping on orders over $49. Find some other deals below.
- Use code SHOP2 for an extra 20% off 1 item (Exclusions Apply)
- Use code SHOP20 for an extra 20% off your order (Exclusions Apply)
- Use code 25SHOPFEB for an extra $25 off orders over $100 (Exclusions Apply)
The best hair dryer
I’ll tell you a great secret-sometimes high-end doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot. Years ago I went on a trip with a brand and they set me up overnight at the Four Seasons. (I know!) My hair looked amazing on the trip and I totally attributed it to the awesome hair dryer. I asked them if I could buy it and they told me it was only $20! I bought it and brought it home and have used it ever since. Sadly it bit the dust (not because it dies-but because it got goo on it from a home improvement project) and I found you can buy the same one at Amazon for $20! Buy it here.
A lesson on Black History Month
My friend Amiyrah is an amazing writer (and person!) and she’s also a girl after my own heart-when she researches something she loves to share. As a homeschooling mom she decided to research a curriculum for Black History Month and generously put it together in a $5 curriculum you can buy on her site. This is great for parents who want to give their children lessons after school, for teachers, and of course for homeschooling families. Read more and buy it here. It’s designed for kids from 2nd grade and up and covers a ton of history and includes great activities as well.
What do you have to share this week?
Kelly
Share your thoughts!