Halloween was never a holiday that I cared much about. I stopped dressing up at 11. Never donned a costume in college, and pretty much gave up on Halloween, until I had a baby, and the family costumes appeared.
First, we were Ghostbusters and Sloane was the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The fact that she red faced screamed for half the party just made the costume better.
Last year, we wore Mouse ears and Sloane was Minnie. It was less effort, but Sloane kept asking where Mommy’s costume was all night. So this year, I thought I might try a little harder.
Sloane loves The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, so I thought that would be a good theme. Sloane was supposed to be Cindy Lou Who. Kyle was going to be the Grinch. Stella was going to be Max. And Mommy was going to dress as a Who in a wig and hot pink skirt suit, striped tights, platform boots, big colorful earrings, and some really dramatic eye makeup.
Until this morning, when Sloane informed me that I had terribly misunderstood and that she wants to be the Grinch.7i0p{
So this is the year we learned that Halloween costumes are final sale.
+ Why are everyone’s bra straps showing these days?
+ My favorite lace bra from Soma is currently <$50. My favorite smooth one is <$10.
+ Want to revive American manufacturing? Sharpie is the blueprint.
+ This hand sanitizer makes a great stocking stuffer.
+ For holiday brunch, make birthday cake croissants.
+ Bought these track pants/jeans/sweat pants to wear on the plane.
+ Gen Z isn’t here for your workplace “emergency.”
+ The best layering tank I’ve ever worn.
+ I love this as an alternative to a boutonniere for a groom.
+ Winter skin blahs? Exfoliate, moisturize, use a pH-balance body wash.
+ Move over Astrology — the new thing is “Human Design.”
+ I’m planning Sloane’s “big kid” room; can I base it all around a sconce?
+ Last week, we had a lot of great comments on things that are “worth the money.” This week, I want to talk about little joys. Here’s mine.
I recently stopped eating lunch at my desk. It’s easier because I work from home, but it’s amazing how this one small change has altered my mental health. I walk upstairs. I make lunch. I eat at the counter. I don’t turn on a screen or scroll my phone. And it just feels very restorative.
What thing that you did or do for yourself brings you joy?
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Things that are sparking joy in my life right now:
1. Painting my nails super fun colors that would not be considered professional.
2. Sending cards in the mail to friends for no reason and enjoying their joy when they get them.
3. Early morning workouts and coffee by myself before my house wakes up.
4. Halloween decorations in my neighborhood (Halloween is my favorite holiday!).
5. Leanne Hainsby-Aldis’s weekly newsletter.
6. Weekly taco night with my husband at a local taco shop. Cheap, delcious, easy.
The majority of the adults in my family were either first responders or in healthcare… so when I grew up an got an office job I literally did not understand why everyone was acting like what we were doing was the equivalent of heart surgery. It’s marketing! It’s not that serious! But I had to play along to not torpedo my career. I for one absolutely love to see my younger coworkers enforcing boundaries and work life balance. We can work hard and it can be important but we can also maintain perspective.
Things that bring me joy –
1. Drink the good tea on a normal, not at all special day.
2. Wear the good (expensive) perfume on a normal, not at all special day.
3. Lean into the silly holidays. I’m also not a huge Halloween person, but my kid loves to point out all the skeletons and ghosties and pumpkins. So I bought some (cheap!) Halloween earrings at Target, and she lights up helping me choose whether I’m wearing bats, pumpkins or ghosts.
What is the good tea? I am always looking for tea recs.
Me too! I drink nothing but (mostly black) tea so would be grateful for any recs. I just purchased a shipment of tea from Murchie’s (https://www.murchies.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorVVMScPA0PoLihmXapHZgdP3nizy8t01HCLnh2yuc0UUXddupt) and am enjoying the black tea varieties.
I started two of the most basic things but I now recognize how great they are:
1. Apple picking. I’d never done it but went this weekend with my family and was so delighted by it. Picking an APPLE from a TREE. Omg. And then watching my kids sit and eat apples. I feel the joy again thinking about it.
2. I made my first sourdough last week and it was SO good. I was kind of nervous to get started and felt out of my element but once I got started it was fine, easy even. It was so delicious. Eating fresh bread is a joy and so is doing something that scares you a little bit.
Little things sparking joy:
1. I’m in consulting and new project team is starting; I’m really leaning into starting new cultural norms and ways of working after working primarily solo with just a partner for the past 5 months
2. “supporting my neighborhood economy” by having coffee dates at the bakery down the street
3. Reigniting my bedtime ritual with my cat: we call it “kitty spa” and he lets me brush his teeth. It’s so cute – he usually jumps up on the counter while I’m flossing so we know it’s “kitty spa time”
Kitty spa! I might die from how adorable this is. Thank you for sharing – it’s given me joy as well.
The little joys that I’ve been using to take a break from the crushing fall stress:
1. Sitting down twice a week to read a book in my favorite chair by 8:30 pm. Relief to read for pleasure before I am ready to pass out
2. Remembering to wear necklaces – I had thyroid surgery a couple years ago and am just now able to wear something around my neck
I’ve been reading more and it definitely brings me joy. And also, doing my nighttime routine right after my daughter goes to bed vs. later in the evening has been a game changer. I like doing my skincare, etc. but was skimping on it when I as going to bed later.
Also, love that sconce! I’ve been feeling the lilac and chartreuse combo lately 🙂 I did a mockup for a “big” girls room. It’s available at https://www.instagram.com/p/DPwBSLVCXH6/
I started walking around the corner to the very casual yoga studio for 11:30 40-minute, $10 yoga class during my lunch break about once a week. It turns out turning off my brain and actually taking a lunch break doesn’t really make a difference in what I can get done in a day, and I don’t hit the same afternoon slump at 2:30.
I’m taking dance again! I grew up taking classes but didn’t have a way to continue after graduating from college. A few years ago I saw that a studio near me offered adult classes, worked up the nerve to sign up for a ballet class even though I didn’t know anyone, and I haven’t looked back since. I love every week the moment right before we start plies, standing at the barre with other people (from just-graduated-high-school to people in their 70s) and everyone takes a breath at the same time as we begin the first movement — ack, it’s beautiful.
TL;DR start up that hobby you loved as a kid again 🙂
I am doing the same but with beginner hip-hop and pom classes! There’s nothing more fun than grabbing a set of pom-poms and dancing to “Whoop, there it is!” on a Sunday afternoon.
I may not be able to do a perfect straddle split anymore (humbling), but I can definitely still smile and shake it!
Yes! Totally agree with Kim! I’m a lifelong ballet dancer and have loved getting back into it consistently after taking classes on and off for years. Nothing clears my head more than being in a dance studio. ❤️
Oh my son was the grinch a few years ago too! We did primary brand green pajamas, plus a santa costume, green hair spray and green face paint. Comfortable and so cute! Plus he kept wearing those pajamas. Very cute!