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Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

This week has felt so heavy, and my heart aches with all the devastation in Western NC caused by Hurricane Helene. It’s everywhere I turn — donations are being collected in our neighborhood/school/church/etc., my Instagram feed is filled with heartbreaking stories, and yet, amidst the sadness, I’ve also seen incredible acts of kindness and generosity. The efforts to help Western NC have been nothing short of inspiring, showing the goodness in people during such a difficult time. Even in the midst of destruction, there’s hope and resilience, and that’s what keeps lifting my spirits.

In case you missed it, I shared a post yesterday on How to Help in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I highlighted Save Our Allies, an organization with boots on the ground in Western NC that’s making an impact, as well as a handful of small businesses that have operations in Asheville and Charlotte that could use your support the next time you’re grabbing a meal, a beer, a cup of coffee and more in Charlotte. Every little bit helps.

The days have gone by slow and fast this week too. The kids were out of school on Monday due to continued power outages in Charlotte from Hurricane Helene. And then they were out again yesterday and today for Teacher Work Days!

Anyway, tonight we are taking the kids to the Ben Rector concert.

Tomorrow we’ve got 2 golf lessons, flag football practice followed by a flag football game, and Caroline has a birthday party to attend — all pretty much around the same time.

Tomorrow night, I’m hosting some of our neighbors for happy hour and then we’re going to compete in couples pickleball! And on Sunday, Caroline has Nutcracker rehearsal. So we’ve got a lot going on but I’m looking forward to most of it!

Alright, let’s get down to it!

In Case You Missed It

This week I shared…

Pumpkin Dip

My Top 5 Favorite Items This Week

This was an easy round-up as most of these were my birthday gifts!

  1. Red Light Mask: This has been on my wish list forever and Matt got it for me for my birthday!! I actually requested the men’s version after reading a few articles about how this one is a little strong. And now, we’ve both been using it every night!
  2. High-Rise Leggings + Tank Top: My in-laws surprised me with this cuuuuuuute workout set in the most gorgeous color (legacy green). I got several compliments at the gym when I wore it this week!
  3. Magnetic Bats: The lowest effort Halloween decoration with a huge impact, this 24-piece set of bats is perfect for the garage door! I will say, the are smaller than pictured in the listing photo but still great!
  4. Apron: Would it surprised you to know I actually did not own an apron until Caroline gifted me one for my birthday?! I absolutely LOVE it!
  5. Gold Plated Sideways Cross Necklace: The prettiest, daintiest under $10 necklace!

1. Ohio Wedding Weekend

Last weekend one of Matt’s very best friends got married and we traveled to Ohio to celebrate. The hurricane rain arrived the day before their backyard wedding and proceeded to downpour the entire time but we still had fun. One of my favorite things is watching Matt reunite with all his high school friends. It’s such a great group of people and they all pick up right where they left off everytime they get together.

Also, the day we flew out of Charlotte, a tree took down our power line and my mom was a total rockstar taking care of the kids (and dog!) for more than 2 days without air conditioning, iPads, light, or a refrigerator!

2. Block Puzzle

IYKYK. And if you don’t know, do NOT download this game!!! It’s more addicting to Candy Crush if you played that back in the day. My brother and I have been competing with one another in Block Puzzle for almost 2 years now. Every time one of us gets a high score, we obviously need to rub it in the other’s face. Last week we both hit new records — and his is INSANE.

3. Thomas Got Braces!

This week Thomas got braces and an expander from Lineberger Ortho! He’s been such a trooper trying to figure out how to eat (and talk) with his new hardware and only wants soft foods – I’m running out of ideas of what to feed him!!! This kid has been surviving off smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, soup, etc!

4. Creamy Tomato and Bacon & Soup

Speaking of soup, my Creamy Tomato Basil & Bacon Soup was Thomas’s request for dinner after he got his braces on. This soup is SO good and I paired it with the bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches (find the recipe in the tomato soup post)! I LOVE SOUP SEASON!

Bacon and Tomato Soup

5. Caroline’s ULTA Trip

Caroline has been begging all week for a trip to ULTA or Sephora, swearing she knew exactly what she needed and that we’d be in and out in 5 minutes, tops. So, like any trusting mom, I finally caved. Naturally, 25 minutes later, we’re still wandering every aisle while I’m giving her the “5 more minutes” warning on repeat.

When I posted about our little adventure on Instagram, I got several messages asking “Well? WHAT did she end up buying?!” Fair question, and here’s the anticlimactic answer: the main item she was on a mission for—Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Travel Set —was sold out! Apparently, it’s the must-have right now, and our local stores are wiped out. So, we resorted to ordering it online from Sephora. But, not to go home empty-handed, we did pick up the trendy pumpkin tini hand sanitizer for her friend’s birthday gift.

So, heads up: if you’re shopping for a tween girl this Christmas, snag that perfume set NOW before it’s gone everywhere!

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