Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

We’ve got a fun and busy weekend ahead! Let’s get right down to it!

Recipe Spotlight: Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

From this week’s dinner line-up, this one-pan meal combines sausage, potatoes, brussels sprouts, apples, and carrots — all roasted to perfection. You only need one pan, you can prep ahead of time, everything cooks simultaneously, and clean-up is easy – the perfect recipe for busy weeknights!

Holiday Gift Guides

Getting your holiday shopping done early? I’ve got you covered with gift guides for everyone!

On to the 5…

1. How Not to Get Your Real ID

Well, I finally did it. After putting it off for way too long, I got my Real ID. And by “got it,” I mean I spent 8 hours at the DMV earlier this week. In North Carolina, appointments are booked 3 months out (which I learned the hard way), so when my license officially expired, I had no choice but to go as a walk-in. I arrived an hour before they opened at a location 45 minutes away that I purposely picked for being “less busy” and still ended up being number 98 in line. Eight hours, zero snacks, and one questionable chair later, I walked out with a new license. The moral of the story? Make the appointment before your license expires, or bring snacks. Lots of snacks.

2. Lemme Sleep

I think these sleepy gummies might be my favorite Prime Day purchase, and they’ve quickly become part of my nightly routine. They help me fall asleep faster and stay asleep without that groggy morning feeling. Plus, they taste like candy, which makes remembering to take them a little too easy. If you’ve been struggling to turn your brain off at night, these are 10/10 worth trying.

3. Pop-Tarts with the Principal

Thomas was selected by his classmates as this month’s CEO award recipient…and my heart just about burst. Each month, the students vote on a classmate who best represents a specific character trait, and this month it was empathy. As part of the celebration, we got to have Pop-Tarts with the principal, and I smuggled in Chick-fil-A for him for lunch.

4. Festive Halloween Puzzle

I grabbed this 500-piece Halloween puzzle covered in pumpkins and ghosts, and it’s the perfect mix of festive and fun. I can’t wait to start working on it! Fingers crossed Mabel doesn’t steal the last piece of this one too.

5. Amazon Creators Summit

This weekend I’m heading to California for the Amazon Creators Summit, and I can’t wait! I’ve been before, and it’s always such a fun mix of learning, connecting with other creators in real life, and soaking up all the inspiration. I’ll be sharing snippets over on Instagram if you want to follow along!

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!