Happy Friday!
It’s been one of those weird weeks where every morning has felt like Monday. We’ve had extra early alarms for dentist appointments, car servicing, house projects, and flag football practice. But somehow, several days also felt like Saturdays with a mid-week sleepover, a 1.5-day school break (Teacher workdays) with the kids and their friends in and out of the house.
It’s been a good week. A long week. I’m tired and very ready for the weekend.
In Case You Missed It
- My latest weekly newsletter covers a busy season hot tip, falling asleep during scary movies, stalking the DMV and lots more.
- A round-up of our favorite family Halloween costumes over the years (we even won a contest with one of them!
- I shared all the details on our weekend escape to Maine. Spoiler: we ate lots of lobster.
Recipe Spotlight: Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili
If you’re looking for a game day or Soup Sunday winner, this Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili comes together in 30 minutes with lean chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch seasoning & creamy cheese…and it’s even better the next day served over nachos!
September Best Sellers
Your top 5 favorite items from September!
- I knew the acrylic cracker trays were good, but I didn’t expect them to completely steal the show this month.
- This stunning dainty diamond layering necklace my friend wore to mahjong had me fully convinced it was from a fancy boutique…turns out it was an Amazon gem I ordered on the spot.
- I was just as surprised as you when a Southern Magazine reel influenced me to buy the Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray…and now I get the hype. It’s super effective at repelling mosquitoes and smells divine.
- Nothing says “I’m ready for October” like a fresh coat of OPI Complimentary Wine on your nails.
- These magnetic Halloween bats were my favorite $10 decorating trick last year, and apparently yours too…they’re back and flying off the shelves again.
1. A Hot, Humid Nightmare (Finally) Fixed
This one’s super specific, but if you’ve got upstairs bedrooms that turn into saunas every summer, you know the pain. Our kids’ rooms are on the top floor and have been hot and humid since the day we moved in. We’ve replaced their AC unit, added dehumidifiers, and Matt has even DIY’d insulation in every attic nook, and still, every afternoon like clockwork, we’d get a “high humidity” alert from the thermastat.
After multiple HVAC companies couldn’t solve it, Matt mentioned it to a colleague who recommended Standard Insulating Company. They explained how our attic was trapping heat with nowhere to go, basically baking the upstairs rooms all day long. So we had them install a radiant barrier and new insulation. It wasn’t cheap, but the difference was immediate, and we have not received a high humidity alert since the work was done earlier this week!
2. A Backpack I Love + Bracelets I’ll Never Take Off
I posted a travel photo last week and immediately got a bunch of DMs asking about two things: my bracelet stack and my travel backpack.
Let’s start with the bracelets. The heart bracelet is a mommy + me set I gave Caroline for her first day of school last year, and the diamond tennis bracelet was a birthday gift from Thomas! I have been wearing both constantly, and every time I glance down at them, they make me smile.
As for the backpack, it’s the Large Dakota Neoprene Backpack, and it is hands-down the best travel bag I’ve used. Technically the only one, since I’ve never actually traveled with a backpack until now. It has a ton of smart pockets (zippered, mesh, and slip), a laptop pocket, a luggage handle sleeve, and even comes with a shoe bag. The daylight color is currently final sale, but you can still grab other colors 20% off with my code CHRISTINA20. If you want a closer look at the compartments, honestly, the product page does it more justice than my under-the-seat photo.
3. Scary Movie Tradition
Every October, Matt reluctantly agrees to watch scary movies with me…and every October, I fall asleep halfway through while he stays up and finishes the movie, and then can’t fall asleep. It’s tradition. I’m not a fan of gore, but I do love a good suspenseful thriller with a few jump scares (some of my personal favorites are The Descent, Hereditary, and The Strangers). Anyway, I rounded up a list of terrifying reader-recommended picks if you’re also in the mood to scream into a blanket.
Fair warning: some of these are downright unsettling, so definitely save them for after the kids are deeply asleep.
Scary Movie Watch List
1. *The Conjuring
2. *What Lies Beneath
3. The Empty Man
4. *The Shining
5. Silence of the Lamb
6. *Midnight Mass (Netflix series)
7. *The Strangers
8. IT
9. *Halloween
10. Clue
11. *Scream
12. Insidious
13. The Omen
14. Ready or Not
15. Hereditary
16. The Exorcist
17. Kiss the Girls
18. Amity Horror
19. The Signs
20. *Wait Until Dark
21. Saw
22. *A Quiet Place
23. Friday the 13th
24. Candy Man
25. Descent
26. I Know What You Did Last Summer
27. Skeleton Key
28. The Others
29. Perfect Murder
30. The Ring
31. Sleepy Hollow
32. Sinister
*popular recommendation
4. Sweat Stopping Lotion
Matt and I both heard about this sweat-absorbing lotion in the same week (he from a golf friend, me from a tennis friend), so we bought it…and it’s legit! It’s great for hands and feet, especially if you’re lifting weights, playing sports, or just tired of slipping around in your shoes!
Bonus: This would make a great stocking stuffer (for a golfer, gym enthusiast, tennis player, etc.) if you’re the type to start tucking things away early.
5. Product Refill: Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops
A product I’ve been refilling since 2021. I use these tanning drops on my face every three-ish days—just add a generous dropper to your moisturizer and apply all over your face and neck. The color is a really natural, glowy bronze without being orange or streaky. I wear Medium during the cooler months and switch to Dark in the summer.
October Promo Codes
- Minted: You truly can’t beat the free recipient addressing, luxe paper, and beautiful designs. If you’re planning to order your holiday cards soon (or anything else from Minted), I’ve got a promo code for you: CAROLINA20 for 20% off Minted stationery and gifts. Exclusions apply. Valid through 12/31. The code works for everything from holiday cards and gifts to baby announcements, wedding invites, and more!
- 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: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 20% off!
