Five on Friday

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween!!!!

We have a busy weekend ahead, and I am counting down the minutes until all the Halloween festivities kick off tonight! Caroline has a few girlfriends coming home with her so they can get their group costumes ready for trick-or-treating, and they’re all spending the night afterward. On Saturday, you’ll find ALL of us at the football field, Starbucks in hand, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm for Thomas’s flag football tournament (I ordered this the second I saw the forecast), and then it’s his turn to have a few friends spend the night afterward. On Sunday, Thomas has basketball, but we’ll otherwise be posted up on the couch with soup simmering on the stove.

Wishing you all the best weekend and a fun, safe Halloween!

Recipe Spotlight: Whipped Feta with Honey

With lots of football on this weekend, this Whipped Feta with Honey is the perfect snack to have out. It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor…and if you’re feeling festive, serve it in a pumpkin! It comes together in just a few ingredients and 5 minutes.

Holiday Gift Guides

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

GIFTS FOR THE MAHJONG LOVER (NEW!!!!)
FAVORITE THINGS GIFT IDEAS (NEW!!!!)
TWEEN GIRL GIFTS
TWEEN BOY GIFTS
GIFTS FOR HIM
GIFTS FOR HER
GRANDPARENTS + PARENTS GIFTS
LITTLE BOY GIFTS
LITTLE GIRL GIFTS
PRESCHOOLER GIFTS

On to the 5…

1. Exciting Family News!

Matt’s family has officially moved to Charlotte, and we could not be happier. His sister moved here from D.C. about a month ago, and last weekend his parents arrived from Winston-Salem, which means, for the first time ever, we have family living in the same city as us, settling into their new homes just 11 and 24 minutes away! We feel so grateful and honestly still a little shocked at how perfectly it has all worked out. Neither Matt nor I have lived near family since college, so having them at the kids’ games, being able to run soup over in 11 minutes, or even shopping at the same grocery store feels completely surreal in the best way. They’re all coming over tonight to see the kids off for trick-or-treating and pass out candy, and I’m not sure who’s more excited, the kids or the grandparents.

2. Caroline’s Spooky Nails

Caroline’s nails are always cuter than mine, and this Halloween set might be her best yet with the tiniest little ghost! I’m a short-nails kind of girl, because long ones drive me crazy (they get in the way of everything, and I cannot handle doing my skincare at night with any length to my nails). I’m also not brave enough for wild designs, so I live vicariously through Caroline. I never thought I’d be the mom saying yes to acrylic nails, but here we are. I love treating her to a nail appointment for special occasions, and if she wants acrylics, she’s on the hook for the difference (and she’s always happy to cover it)!

3. The Perfect Pen Exists

My favorite recent purchase? These gel pens! I’m a sucker for good office supplies, and these write like butter: .5 mm tip, smooth ink, no smudging, 10/10 recommend.

4. REMINDER: Best gift card hack for Visa gift cards!

I had a handful of Visa gift cards hanging out in my drawer, so I recently used my favorite little hack and wanted to re-share it! Add the Visa as a new payment method on Amazon, then reload your Amazon gift card balance for the exact amount left on the Visa card. Easy way to use those leftover gift cards without wasting a cent.

5. The Latest Tween Hobby

Caroline has been completely obsessed with this bedazzling kit lately and insisted I add it to the Tween Girls Gift Guide. She and her friends have been spending hours with these jelly rhinestones, bedazzling everything from their skincare bottles to their hairbrushes. It’s also our current go-to birthday gift for friends, which honestly makes my life easier. It keeps them entertained, and I have to admit, the bedazzling is pretty cute.

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!