Five on Friday - Carolina Charm

Happy Friday!

The last week of summer always feels like such a turning point, and I can’t believe school kicks off on Monday. As much as I’ve loved sleeping in, slow mornings, a pool full of kids, and the K Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack on repeat, I’m equally excited for the fresh start that comes with a new school year. There’s just something about sharpened pencils, new routines, and the energy of a clean slate that gets me every time. I’m ready for a quiet house, a little more structure, and all the back-to-school traditions that make this season so special.

Introducing Weeknight Winners!

I finally launched my Weeknight Winners ebook! This has been on my heart (and in the works) for SO long, and I can’t believe it’s finally out! I made it with us moms in mind—the ones in the thick of back-to-school chaos, shuttling kids to practice, juggling homework, and still needing to get dinner on the table.

The whole reason I poured my heart into this project was to make evenings easier: simple, family-friendly recipes that don’t require a ton of effort or planning, but still feel like a win when you sit down at the table. It’s the exact system I use in my own house, and now I get to share it with you. It’s the tool I wish I had years ago when I was drowning in busy weeknights, and I hope it makes your evenings feel lighter too.

And finally, a big heartfelt THANK YOU to those of you who have already purchased it. It truly means the world to me. If you make a recipe, please tag me—I’d love to see your dinner!

Download Your Copy!

My Top 5 Favorite Items This Week

Pulling this out after dinner is the easiest way to win “fun mom” points.
Restocked on cute little boxes that always come in handy for making a rainy day or movie night a little extra fun!
These notebook-themed plates and napkins are the cutest way to kick off the school year—perfect for a back-to-school dinner or first day breakfast.
I was influenced by a viral Southern Magazine reel to buy this!
Truly, nothing brings me more joy at the end of the day than slipping into these pajamas—especially at 40% off with code CE-CAROLINACHARM.

Recipe Spotlight: Onion Soup Mix Burgers

We host friends quite a bit in the backyard during the summer and everyone always raves about these classic burgers when we make them this way. The simple combination of seasonings gives these burgers an insanely delicious flavor with minimal work! They come out juicy, tasty, and perfect every time.

If you’re making burgers for Labor Day Weekend, you have to try this recipe!

1. Back-To-School Just Got Clearer

Jonas Paul has been our go-to for frames since Thomas was 3 years old, and now we love them even more with their new bifocal and progressive lens options! He’s rocking the Harvey frames in Glacier Crystal, and not only do they look incredible on him, but he says he can see better than ever. Right now, Jonas Paul is running a BOGO 40% off with code SCHOOL40, which is such a good deal if you’re shopping for back-to-school glasses.

2. Back-To-School Waffle Bar

We closed out summer break earlier this week with one of our favorite traditions—a fun back-to-school dinner! This year, the kids requested a waffle bar, and not only was it delicious, but it was super easy to pull together! Matt whipped up homemade waffles while I prepared all the toppings, and the kids had the best time stacking their plates with fruit, whipped cream, sprinkles, syrup, and more.

To make it even more fun, I set our dinner table in the pool, which they thought was the coolest thing ever. And for dessert, we pulled out the ice cream maker and churned up homemade Oreo ice cream, which was the perfect sweet ending to the night.

And of course, our back-to-school dinner isn’t just about the food. Every year the kids fill out a back-to-school questionnaire (we use this one), and I love bringing out past surveys so we can all laugh at old answers. My favorite part is seeing how their handwriting changes year after year. Once the surveys are done, I laminate them along with our summer bucket list and tuck them into their keepsake bags (my plan is to gift them the full stack at their final back-to-school dinner before college).

To round out the night, we always measure the kids’ height on the wall. The kids love seeing how much they’ve grown, and every new mark feels like such a time capsule. It’s one of those simple traditions that somehow means everything.

Build-Your-Own Waffle Bar Ingredients

waffles (homemade or store-bought)
strawberries
blueberries
bananas
raspberries
mini chocolate chips
sprinkles
nutella
peanut butter
maple syrup
whipped cream

See our waffle bar in action HERE! And you can find all our previous dinner themes HERE!

3. School Calendar Magnet

Charlotte friends, I wanted to give a shout out to my friend @thatmagnetlady for creating the smartest mom hack – school calendar magnets! CMS and lots of other schools offered! Never let those early release days catch you by surprise again!

4. Moxi + BBL at Skin Pharm

I just had my third Moxi + BBL treatment at Skin Pharm, and I have to say—the results just keep getting better. After a few rounds, I’ve seen such a noticeable difference in my skin. My sun damage is fading, my overall tone is more even, and the glow is so real. Honestly, this treatment has delivered more results than anything else I’ve tried (even microneedling!)—and with almost no downtime. I’m planning to film a full before/healing progress/after soon!

I get my face, neck, and chest treated, and while I leave the appointment a little red, by the next morning, it’s completely gone. For a few days, my skin feels a little coarse, but once that layer sheds, my complexion is noticeably brighter, smoother, and so glowy. And let me tell you—the compliments I’ve gotten since starting this treatment are next-level. As someone who has struggled with bad skin for most of my life, having people ask me what I’m doing for my skin is honestly the best feeling ever.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a treatment, this one is so worth it. If you have a Skin Pharm near you, use code CHRISTINA-322793 at checkout for $50 off your first visit! And if you’re in Charlotte, book with Erica—she’s insanely good at what she does and makes the appointment so fun!

5. Viral Dragonfruit Trader Joe’s Refresher

Caroline had a few friends over to swim this week, and I whipped up the viral dragonfruit refresher for them (all Trader Joe’s ingredients, straight from their “viral recipe endcap”). It’s literally just three things: dragonfruit concentrate, coconut beverage, and freeze-dried strawberries—no blender needed! The girls thought they were getting Starbucks poolside, and it was such a hit that I had to make a second round. Honestly, I’m keeping these ingredients stocked all school year for an easy, fun treat.

Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. Love using this subscription for summer or vacation dresses I wouldn’t normally splurge on.
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!
Middle & Main Mahjong: Use code CAROLINACHARM10 for 10% off anything at Middle & Main Mahjong—I’m obsessed with my sunshine tiles!
Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off! Don’t sleep on the pool towels!
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.
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 SIZZLE15..
Seed: The daily probiotic I’ve been using for several years 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.
Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off!