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August 29, 2025

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

We officially wrapped up our first week of school and I still can’t believe I HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOLER. The start to the school year always brings a little boost of energy, and I’m loving the return to routine, a much needed screen time detox, and a fun sports lineup for fall. Both kids are interested in tennis this season, and I’m trying really hard to play it cool and not be too excited. And of course, having a quiet house again to get caught up on work has been lovely.

This weekend we are heading out on our annual Labor Day camping trip, and Caroline and I are counting down the minutes. The boys…not so much. Let’s just say there’s been some strong debate in our house centered around Ohio State playing Texas and the questionable Wi-Fi situation in the woods. But in the end, the camping trip won – though not without a few conditions negotiated.

Alright, I’ve got a long day of packing, grocery shopping, and meal prep ahead to get us ready, so let’s jump into this week’s 5!

In Case You Missed It

This week I shared…

Top 5 Reader Favorite Items This Week

A few of YOUR favorite items I shared this week!

  1. The Halloween bats!!!!! I’m telling you, they are SO good (zero effort, huge impact)!
  2. This product I was influenced by a viral Southern Magazine reel to buy, which apparently MANY of you also swear by (LOTS of DM’s about this)!!
  3. We use these wide, shallow bowls almost every night—cheap, chic, dishwasher safe, and so versatile.
  4. This ice cream maker for whipping a few ingredients together for a magical treat in 20 minutes!
  5. These marble trays that instantly made our very-80s bathroom feel way more chic.

Recipe Spotlight: Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

During the first week of school, I love to cook comforting family favorites that feel cozy and easy after long days. Every meal on our menu this week is straight from my Weeknight Winners Meal Planning ebook, including these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas, which were Thomas’s top request when I asked the kids to pick a few meals this week. They’re cheesy, a little spicy, and absolutely delicious. And bonus: I double the batch to put in their lunch boxes!

1. Teacher Favorite Things Survey

If you want to love on your teachers all year long, I’ve got the perfect printable for you! I made it back when I was a Room Mom, and it’s become one of my favorite little hacks. It’s basically a “favorite things” survey that your kids can hand to their teachers at the beginning of the year—coffee order, favorite candy, restaurants they love, all of it.

If your room parent hasn’t already sent one out, print this and send it in with your kid(s). I promise you’ll thank yourself later (and your teachers will too).

To download, just right click the image and hit Save image as.

2. Never Lie by Freida McFadden

Rating 4.5 Stars: I finally finished this thriller after picking at it all month long (wild season, what can I say)—and it was worth it. A newlywed couple snowed into a remote house with creepy secrets, hidden recordings, and layers of twists kept me hooked even when I could only sneak in a few pages at a time. It’s fast-paced with clever twists and an ending you don’t see coming.

Pictured: the perfect evening wind down…a hot cup of tea, my favorite candy bar, and the softest heavyweight cuddle blanket from Cozy Earth (use code CE-CAROLINACHARM for 40% off).

3. Albertine

Last weekend, me and Stephanie had a girls night out to see Heather McMahan (hilarious!) and grabbed dinner at Albertine beforehand. The vibe was perfect for a girls’ night—stunning, warm, and moody. We split the hanger steak frites with bone marrow bordelaise + seeded chermoula, and it was insane. The potatoes that came with it were perfection, and we added the carrots with hot honey + nepitella, which were just as good. 10/10 recommend for your next girls’ night or date night.

4. Easy After School Snack

I wanted to share one of my kids’ favorite after school snacks—peanut butter and banana roll-ups! They get so excited when they hop off the bus to these! These are also really great for lunches, and are simple and fun to make! This version is just peanut butter and banana, but sometimes I switch it up and add honey or sprinkle in some chocolate chips. Tip: Use extra peanut butter to seal the wrap so it doesn’t fall apart (especially if you’re putting them in lunch boxes.

5. The Hug Journal

We started our Hug Journal tradition back in 2021, and this week we cracked open a brand new notebook (picked out by Caroline!) for middle school. What started as pages filled with scribbles, misspelled words, and colorful doodles has now turned into something a little deeper, and I love that. Journaling has become such a special way for us to connect, process big feelings, and hold on to little memories.

My hope is that whenever the kids open their journals, they feel hugged through the words I’ve written. And as they grow, I pray they’ll see writing to one another as a way to share bigger things too, especially the conversations that can feel harder to start face-to-face. It’s such a simple tradition, but it means the world to us.

August 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.
  • 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!

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