Happy Friday!
This week has been kind of a doozy, between a failed car inspection (which means a full day at the shop soon), sore throats, and just the general heaviness in the world right now, I’m feeling pretty wiped. There’s more I could share, but I’ll spare you the full rundown and just say…I’m really glad it’s Friday.
Recipe Spotlight: Pumpkin Bread
Two ingredients. One bowl. Zero chance of leftovers. The pumpkin bread you’ll want to eat straight out of the pan.
In Case You Missed It
- I shared a round-up of reader-approved recommendations for the Best All Inclusive Family Resorts, perfect for planning your next family getaway!
- My latest Catch Up With Christina covering my turn with the TV, fall getaway destinations, an amazing pair of jeans, and more!
- What I Made For Dinner This Week
Top 5 Reader Favorites
YOUR favorite items from the week!
- Our current favorite lunchbox snack!
- Spooky season is almost here and y’all are loving these magnetic bats and witch hats!
- These Loose 90’s Jeans! I was fully convinced I couldn’t pull off the relaxed denim look (skinny jeans forever, right?) but these totally changed my mind. They’re loose in the cool way, not the frumpy way, and somehow still feel flattering and put together.
- These slim ice packs for lunch boxes.
- This organizer that turned our Chromebook chaos into a sleek little charging station!
Alright, let’s get down to the 5…
1. My Hip Hurts and I Feel 97
After ignoring my hip pain for over 6 months, I finally got an x-ray this week, and it turns out…it’s hip impingement. Thankfully, it’s nothing too serious, just one of those lovely reminders that my body is definitely not 25 anymore. For now, I’ll be treating it with Voltaren gel, which according to the internet is basically a miracle cream everyone swears by, and (possibly) a cortisone shot in a few weeks if the gel doesn’t work. Fun times—especially right in the middle of tennis season.
2. Complimentary Wine
This velvety burgundy nail color screams “fall is here!” and is a seriously stunning shade for the season! Deep, rich, and slightly dramatic, get ready for compliments with this one! Note: it looks more purple in the bottle.
3. The Shorts I Stalked for 4 Weeks
Not even gonna lie—I saw a girl at my gym wearing these and immediately had to track them down. Fast forward four weeks of obsessive refreshing…and I finally got my hands on the Daily Speed Short 2.5″ in Sunlight and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. The breezy outer short is super lightweight, and the grippy liner doesn’t budge, no matter how much I’m moving. They’re insanely comfy, flattering, and now I want them in every single color. Apologies in advance—these are hard to find in stock, but totally worth the hunt.
4. Soup Sunday is Back!
There’s just something about the start of fall that makes me crave a big pot of soup on the stove—and this week, we officially kicked off our Soup Sunday tradition again!
For our first soup of the season, I tried a new recipe I’ve been saving: Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Stew. It’s basically a warm hug in a bowl and was so incredibly delicious.
Find all our favorite soups HERE!
5. The Most DM’d Photo of My Week
We kicked off our fall Community Group semester with a little lunch and pool mahj at my house last week, and I didn’t expect to get so many DMs about the setup—here’s everything everyone was asking about:
- Clear Cracker Trays: The most popular DM! Aren’t these so cute?! And they instantly make a snack board or appetizer spread feel a little more elevated and fun.
- The $5 vinho verde from Trader Joe’s: I discovered this last year thanks to one of my girlfriends and it’s been a go-to ever since. Total crowd pleaser—light, crisp, and easy to love.
- The dessert my friend brought: She mixed a box of King Arthur gluten-free brownie mix and topped each cup with half a Sweet Loren’s caramel chocolate chip cookie dough ball, and they were insane. She baked them at 325° for about 25 minutes (a little less than the brownie box calls for) and said next time she might use less brownie batter and more cookie dough. It made 20 muffin cups, and she’s already planning to level them up with a marshmallow in the center and a quick broil next time. I cannot wait.
- My square dish set: Inexpensive and from Target! I love the shape, love the size, and I pull them out all the time for hosting and regular family dinners.
September 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.
- Grove: Use code CAROLINACHARM for 25% off order $75+.
- 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!
- 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 FALL15.
- 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: If you’re looking for a perfect cropped tee to layer this fall, this is the one. I wore the white one all summer — and just grabbed black. Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off!
