Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

We are officially on summer break!!! The kids wrapped up school on Tuesday, and we welcomed them off the bus with water balloons and super soakers – it was chaos in the best way.

Now we’re easing into our new summer rhythm with less structure, fewer routines, and a big shift in how I spend my days (especially when it comes to work hours). I’m so grateful for more time with my kids, but it also means my Carolina Charm hours shrink, which can be tough. In this weird corner of the internet, consistency matters – a lot. The more I show up and share, the better my content performs…and the longer I’m away, the harder it is to bounce back. So, I’m trying to figure out that balance of showing up here and soaking up summer with my family!

Announcement!

Speaking of showing up, I’ve got a fun update! I’m kicking off a weekly newsletter starting this weekend! I’ll be sharing exclusive content, my weekly meal plans, and a roundup of everything I posted that week—perfect if you’ve missed anything. I’m also moving away from Flodesk (RIP to all the newsletters lost in spam folders) and switching over to Substack! Everything will still be free, and you’ll even be able to browse the full archive anytime. If you’re already subscribed, you’re all set. And if you’re not, you can subscribe HERE!

In Case You Missed It

This week I shared…

• A few free Summer Bucket List printables as well as some of my favorite tips for making your bucket list for summer!
• Mabel turned TWO and celebrated with a puppy piñata party—yes, really. Watch the puppies bust open the carrot and tennis-ball filled piñata HERE!
• A reminder if you made Mosquito Buckets of Doom that it’s time to replenish the dunks and bits!
• The easiest (and most fun) Spritz Bar I set up for my summer mahjong pool party with girlfriends, and honestly, it was such a vibe and everyone LOVED it.

Recipe Spotlight: No Bake Oreo Layer Dessert

You’ve got to make this oreo treat at least once this summer – it’s so good. With layers of crushed Oreos, fluffy cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and Cool Whip, this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker was a huge hit at Mabel’s pawty.

It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for cookouts, pool parties, beach weeks – basically any summer gathering. Chill it overnight and thank me later.

Top 5 Reader Favorite Items

Your most loved picks this week…

1. The swim goggles I buy every summer for the kids (multiple pairs, actually). They fit perfectly, don’t leak or fog up, and the best part is the clip for quick releasing without getting tangled in hair!
2. The Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is still topping the charts!! I am so obsessed with this self tanner. I love the shade dark and it’s honestly the prettiest tan I’ve ever had—super natural, glowy, and even (zero streaks, zero orange vibes). Use code CHRISMAR15 for 15% off and don’t skip the mitt!
3. These quick-dry shorts for Thomas are the MVP of his summer wardrobe – great length, durable, and are comfortable for camp and also nice enough to be dressed up with a polo.
4. This 2-in-1 tan remover + primer makes scrubbing off your old tan a breeze and preps skin for the next glow-up.
5. For the second summer in a row these platform sandals have been a huge hit. They check all the boxes: cute, comfy, supportive, and bonus — they are water friendly too, making them perfect for the pool. They come in a handful of really pretty colorways.

1. Re-Sharing A Fun Summer Gift Idea

Bringing this one back because it was such a hit last year – a bottle of Pool Boy wine (I grabbed mine from Whole Foods) makes the cutest summer gift. Just add a gift tag, and you’ve got the perfect little hostess gift for backyard BBQs, pool parties, or any summer hangout. It’s simple, fun, and always gets a laugh.

To download a copy of my gift tag below, just right click it and select “Save Image.” Make sure when you go to print, you change the photo size to 3.5 x 5 inch and select the “shrink to fit setting” otherwise it will print as a huge 8×11 photo.

2. Pepperoni Bites (AKA The Crowd Favorite App at Mabel’s Pawty!)

This is another fun little appetizer from McKinsey’s family recipe stash, and we made them together before Mabel’s party – they were a huge hit! These cheesy, savory bites are tucked inside crisp pepperoni cups and are SO good dipped in a little marinara. These travel well, sit out perfectly, and are a great app to have in your back pocket for summer gatherings.

Bonus: they freeze beautifully, making them perfect to prep ahead and keep on hand for parties or last-minute snacks.

Ingredients (makes 48 pepperoni bites)

• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 16 oz ricotta cheese
• 12 oz grated Parmesan cheese
• ~48 large thin-sliced deli pepperoni (about 2 lbs)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• Optional: ⅔ cup chopped mushrooms or olives

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix spinach, ricotta, parmesan, oregano, salt, eggs, and optional add-ins.
3. Gently press a slice of pepperoni into each cup of a mini muffin tin to form a little shell.
4. Spoon filling into each pepperoni cup.
5. Bake for ~15 minutes or until the pepperoni edges are crisp and the filling is set.
6. Remove gently and serve warm. Optional: serve with warm marinara for dipping!

To Freeze:
Assemble the bites in your mini muffin tin, then pop the whole tin into the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the bites to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve, return them to the tin and bake as usual.

3. Date Night at Mazi

Matt and I were recently invited to try out Mazi in South End for a date night, and the atmosphere was so fun and lively. The highlight of our meal? The lamb shank – it was insanely tender and full of flavor. If you go, definitely don’t skip it!

4. A Keepsake Tip for the Busy Months

We live by the wall calendar on our fridge—it tracks everything from sports and school events to pet meds and parties. I always go with a simple, lined, academic-year calendar (pro tip from a reader!) so it starts at the beginning of summer and doesn’t run out during the busiest part of the year.

I just swapped in a fresh one for the year, and it’s already filling up fast. Also worth mentioning: this magnetic hook actually holds the calendar and doesn’t scratch the fridge—highly recommend.

Anyway, before I toss the calendar in the trash, I rip those wildly full calendar pages off (looking at you May and December!) and tuck them into the kids’ keepsake bags. One day, they can look back and see all the swim meets, field days, class parties, and orthodontist appointments—and realize their mom (and dad) was basically a party planner, Uber driver, and cruise director rolled into one.

5. The Best Pool Loungers

I just restocked our favorite pool loungers for the pool seasson after Mabel popped all of ours from last summer! They are on sale for $16 right now, which is wild because I swore they were way more expensive last year. These are the BEST floats because you don’t have to fully lay down in the water, they’ve got cup holders, and they’re actually comfy.

June Promo Codes

• Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. Love using this subscription for summer or vacation dresses I wouldn’t normally splurge on.
• Coco & Eve: I am so obsessed with the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam. I love the shade dark and it’s honestly the prettiest tan I’ve ever had—super natural, glowy, and even (zero streaks, zero orange vibes). It smells good, gives a little instant glow when you apply, and develops into a deeper, gorgeous bronze over the next few hours. Tip: You must use a mitt—I usually skip it, but trust me, you’ll regret it if you don’t. Use code CHRISMAR15 for 15% off if you wanna try it!
• Dagne Dover: Matt loves his Monaco Garment Duffle for traveling with suits, and I’m a huge fan of my Dakota Backpack and Landan Carryall for travel! Use code CHRISTINA20 for 20% off full price items.
• 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!
• Avaline: My favorite Rosé! It’s made with organic grapes and free from unnecessary additives such as sugars, colors, and concentrates. And it tastes delicious – very light and refreshing, not too sweet. Save 15% off with code ROSEALLDAY.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off! I just scooped up a new set of gorgeous towels in this fun color…