Five on Friday - Carolina Charm

Happy Friday and happy Maycember!

This week has been packed with non-stop fun and (the good kind of) chaos—and I’ve loved every minute of it…even if I’m running on caffeine and to-do lists.

We kicked things off with a cheer competition for Caroline’s friend Finley. I took Caroline and six of her girlfriends, and it was peak tween energy in the best way. On the way there, Caroline tossed clipboards, paper, and markers around the car so the girls could make the cutest homemade signs to surprise Finley. It was such a blast watching them cheer their hearts out and support their friend so proudly.

I also had the opportunity to attend a beautiful dinner this week (celebrating Bobbi’s visit to Charlotte!) with some incredibly inspiring women in the influencer space, and it was such a treat. There’s something so refreshing about being surrounded by other creatives who just get it—the hustle, the joy, and the constant pivoting this job requires. It left me feeling so encouraged, energized, and grateful for this community.

Our Community Group wrapped up the spring semester with the sweetest final gathering before we break for summer—we made custom jewelry together, and I’ll be sharing more about that soon (highly recommend if you’re looking for a unique group activity!).

And I also managed to squeeze in Cinco de Mayo-themed mahjong with friends (tacos, 4-3-2-1 margs, and the new 2025 card—yes, please!).

But the biggest thing on my mind this week? Caroline’s birthday party prep is in full swing. I’ve been working so hard behind the scenes getting everything ready for her neon glow dance party this weekend. This backyard bash has been months in the making, and I cannot wait to see it all come together. I’ve got an incredible lineup of magic makers helping me pull it off (can’t wait to share more about them), and I’ve got lots of fun surprises planned. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates!

So yeah… it’s been one of those full, fun, exhausting-but-in-the-best-way kind of weeks. And now we’re rolling into a big birthday weekend!

Alright, let’s get down to this week’s five…

What You May Have Missed This Week

This week I shared…

Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes: I updated this longtime reader-favorite with new photos and step-by-step instructions—perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
Xcaret Hotel Mexico: Our Honest Family Review: Our full family-friendly breakdown of Hotel Xcaret—including all the highlights and a few tips!
Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Recipe: This reader-favorite copycat recipe just got a refresh so you can recreate this nostalgic favorite at home.
Cinco de Mayo Margaritas: A roundup of some of my go-to margarita recipes—just in time to celebrate the holiday with a festive sip (or two).

Top 5 Favorite Items This Week

Wide Strap Crop Top: See it in #5! Y’all loved this top! This wide strap crop top is insanely flattering, holds everything in without feeling tight, and is hands-down one of my most-worn wardrobe staples right now.
Dehydrated Sourdough Starter: This has been the reader favorite gift from my Mother’s Day Gift Guide! This authentic, heritage sourdough starter has a history dating back to 1786! Purchased by the seller’s mom from a famous San Francisco bakery in 1951, it’s been lovingly maintained and passed down for over 230 years, creating delicious bread, pizza dough, cookies, and more. A truly unique gift for any mom who loves to bake.
Hummingbird Feeder: The second most popular gift from my Mother’s Day Gift Guide!
Skin Pharm Face Whip: Another jar down and refilled! This lightweight moisturizer is ultra-hydrating, silky smooth, and gives your skin that dewy, glowy finish without feeling greasy—truly lives up to the hype.
Personalized Stationery: For Mother’s Day, I’m gifting both moms personalized stationery from Minted! I picked this gorgeous hydrangea print for Matt’s mom (since she loves hydrangeas) and this fun palm tree print for my mom (since she lives in Florida). You can use my code ChristinaMom2025 for 20% off!

1. Tween Girl Craft Idea: Bikini Boxes

So apparently “bikini boxes” are the thing right now with the tween girlies—and honestly, I’m here for it. It instantly took me back to my scrapbooking days with my girlfriends. Caroline had a friend over last weekend and they spent the entire afternoon painting wooden boxes to store their bikinis for summer. It was the perfect mix of creative, low-key, and actually useful. Highly recommend for a weekend playdate or girl group hang.

2. A Minecraft Movie: 5 Blocks Out Of 5!

We saw the Minecraft Movie last weekend and it was 10/10. Genuinely funny, super entertaining, and way more clever than I expected. The kids were glued, and I was laughing right along with them. Definitely worth the trip to the theater to see it!

3. Party-Prepped Planters

Nothing like hosting a party to light a fire under you and finally swap out the dead fall plants from your planters. I scooped out all the crunchy leftovers and added some fresh spring blooms—and now they’re bringing me so much joy every time I walk by. Highly recommend the “impending party” method for getting it done.

A little before and after…

4. Bobby’s 40th Surprise Party!

Just like when he turned 30, Matt and a few friends showed up bright and early to surprise Bobby with a round of golf—and he was totally caught off guard (he thought he was headed to the soccer field for a morning of games!).

While the guys hit the course, McKinsey was busy pulling off the second part of the surprise: a backyard hibachi dinner using Let’s Hibachi—the same crew we used for our back-to-school dinner last year. It was an absolute blast and Bobby LOVED it. We ended the night playing Quip Lash, laughing way too hard, and staying up way too late. Such a fun way to celebrate one of our favorite people!

5. My Go-To Hostess Gift

I’ve shared this before (many times, actually), but it’s always worth resharing. One of my girlfriends brought this incredible Kosterina Olive Oil to our 2021 Favorite Things Party, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s a constant repeat purchase for our kitchen, my go-to hostess gift, and included on almost every gift guide I make. The quality is chef’s kiss and the bottle is so beautiful it doesn’t even need wrapping. I’ve gifted more bottles than I can count, and it’s a hit every single time.

P.S. — Outfit details are linked HERE!

May Promo Codes

Skin Pharm: My go-to for skin treatments, but my absolute favorite? The Moxi laser. I just finished a series and WOW—it’s completely transformed my skin. My complexion is brighter, smoother, and more even, and I’ve been getting so many compliments! If you’ve been thinking about a treatment to refresh your skin, this one is so worth it. Use code CHRISTINA-322793 at checkout to get $50 off your first visit!
Seed: The daily probiotic I’ve been using for more than a year now! Seed initially stood out to me with their capsule technology which protects the probiotic from stomach acid so it makes it all the way down to your lower small intestine where it provides the greatest benefit.
ShopMy: The affiliate platform I love for linking products. If you’re a creator looking for an affiliate platform, I have a referral link that can help get you in the program!
Greenlight Card: The debit card we use for Caroline! If you’re interested in getting a Greenlight Card for your tween or teen, I’ve got a referral link that earns you $30.
Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. Love using this subscription for summer or vacation dresses I wouldn’t normally splurge on.
Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off!