Well hello hello there friends… more than a week since I dropped by with a blog update and it’s safe to say we’ve been living our very holiday life. From galivanting through Manhattan to spending quiet mornings at home post-Christmas Day, it’s been pure euphoria over here just relishing in the everyday and spending time with those I love most.
But it’s a new week and it’s time to start this year’s roundup of all the recaps… David Letterman style of course! I’ve done this for the past few years on the blog and I enjoy it so much = going down memory lane, sharing what you’ve loved/read/bought the most and maybe showing you something you haven’t seen before.
I have people ask me all the time why I still blog = when there are newsletters, substacks and so many more ways to connect with their followers… and simply put, it still brings me joy. Sitting down to draft content + write from the heart = it’s definitely therapeutic and makes me happy. Plus, I still see it as an online journal of my life, what’s happening in our family and a little highlight for all to use and find helpful… or so I hope. Sharing life’s ups, downs and all the in-betweens here feels like chatting with friends over coffee and I am thankful you’re still here after all this time…
So let’s start off with the TOP 10 MOST READ BLOG POSTS OF 2025:
ten. drugstore beauty buys under $20
No surprise here… beauty was a HUGE category that you all wanted more of this past year. This roundup proved to be one of the most read AND heavily shopped as I shared 10 of my favorite drugstore beauty buys all under $20 = an easy price point for all with some of my daily essentials I absolutely swear by! Including my go-to EOS Body Lotion, Medicube Collagen Mask and Micellar Water.
nine. goal setting… how to make it happen
This one felt like such a good way to kick off the year and clearly it struck a chord with so many of you [which I love to hear!!]. In this post, I shared exactly how I approach goal setting — not just dreaming big, but actually creating a plan to make things happen. From simple daily habits to mapping out long-term goals, it was all about staying focused, motivated and realistic… while still leaving room for loads of joy and fabulous flexibility as well. Can’t wait to sit down and put pen to paper later this week for mapping out my 2026 vision board and goals!
eight. all the essentials to bring to europe
You all were clearly packing your bags right along with me for this one! I rounded up every tried-and-true travel must-have that always makes it into my suitcase when heading overseas — from EU voltage adapters and travel fans to comfortable walking shoes, beauty favorites and the little things that truly make travel smoother. This post became a go-to packing guide for so many of you planning European adventures and be sure to bookmark these fav finds for your next trip across the pond in 2026!
seven. the february organization challenge
For the past few years, you’ve cleaned out the clutter right alongside me and this proves to be one of the most fun posts year after year… a great series to kickoff the year with far less “STUFF” weight us down and I loved seeing how many of you joined in! The challenge breaks down daily, easy-to-tackle tasks designed to help reset your home, routines and mindset after the busy holiday season which is something we all need help with once the hustle is all said and done. It was all about creating calm, clearing clutter and starting fresh — one small step at a time! Should we do this again????
six. our official disney recap, itinerary and q+a
No surprise this one landed in the top ten = our Disney trips always bring SO many questions! In this full on feature, I shared our day-by-day itinerary, answered your most-asked questions and gave all my honest tips for navigating the parks, dining, Genie+, rides and more. It’s basically everything I wish I had when planning our Disney trips and has become such a helpful resource for so many families. Glad to know these travel guides are great for y’all! P.S. we get to go back next month for our school’s UDA nationals and I for one cannot wait…
five. teen parenting talk | when you don’t make the team
This was one of the more emotional posts I shared this year and I’m so thankful for the response it received. I opened up about walking through disappointment with children, what it looked like to not make the team, and how we handled the emotions, growth and conversations that came with it. It was a very real look at parenting through some difficult moments we’ve walked through together and helping our kids build resilience and confidence, all while achieving their goals with hard work!!
four. my 2025 word of the year
Every year I love choosing a word to help guide my mindset and intentions — and for 2025 that word was balance. In this post I shared why this word felt so necessary in our season of life, how I hoped to apply it in my daily routines, relationships and priorities, and encouraged you to choose a word of your own to help set the tone for the year ahead. I definitely think 2025 shifted my focus in many areas of my life and I think I achieved what I set out to do = now I’ve got to start plotting my word for 2026! More to come on this so stay tuned 😉
three. travel guide | best of the best in 30a
30A will always have my heart [as most of you know we have two beach rentals so it’s obviously our go-to for a reason], so I loved putting this travel guide together for anyone heading south! I shared my favorite places to eat, shop, stay and explore — plus some of our must-do spots that make every trip feel extra special. This one quickly became a saved favorite for anyone planning a beach getaway to one of the best beaches in Florida [and for anywhere for that matter!]
two. summer chore chart | keeping them busy + productive
This one definitely became a hit with parents! I shared our summer chore chart and how we keep things structured while still letting summer feel like… summer. From daily responsibilities to weekly tasks, this post gave a realistic look at how we encourage independence, responsibility and routine — without taking away the fun, but getting our girls in line with making money on their own and helping around the house to lessen the load for us mamas!
one. tips for shopping abroad + saving money with VAT
And taking the number one spot this year… everyone apparently wants to know how to shop AND save when traveling abroad! I broke down exactly how to shop smart when traveling internationally, how VAT refunds work and how to save real money when shopping designer + luxury goods. This post has helped so many of you feel confident walking into European shops, knowing exactly what to ask for and how to make the most of your purchases and I LOVE it!
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