Courtney Witmer

Apples are such a quintessential symbol of fall, I can’t help but be drawn to them when the season changes. From decor to linens to clothes, you can find sweet apple accents sustainably for less by shopping secondhand online.

Why buy the copy when you can have the original? Everything you need to decorate your house in fun vintage style already exists! Shop online thrift stores like eBay and Etsy, or pop into your local flea market or antique store to find beautiful fall decor at a fraction of the price. Bonus? It’s fully sustainable—everything already exists and there’s no excess packaging to throw away!

As an elder millennial, Practical Magic was one of my early fashion inspirations. Truly, when you re-watch it now, you can tell the clothing is of the time, but it also looks timeless. Now that I’m an adult who can dress however she wants, I try to pick up a few pieces that help channel Practical Magic Witchcore vibes into my fall wardrobe every year.

Love Anthropologie holiday decor, but can’t pay Anthropologie prices? Get the look with the ORIGINAL items Anthro bases their designs on. Bonus—it’s more sustainable in addition to being more cost effective!

As a mom of a 3- and 5-year old, here are the items I bought or received as gifts that I actually found useful!

I used to get my nails done with gel every two weeks, religiously. Increasing prices and decreasing time availability led me to stop cold turkey and switch to doing my own nails at home with regular polish, and I’ve never looked back! I regularly get compliments and it acts as my little self-care, no-phone, me time ritual a few nights a week.

As a size 10/12, M/L, 185 lb 5’5” 40 year old mom of 2, these are my FAVORITE options from Free People and Anthropologie. Easily purchasable, thriftable, and/or rentable through Nuuly!

Dress up your sink or dresser with these glamorous and practical touches to corral your lotions, potions, and accessories!

I have two daughters, and these are the toys they go back to again and again above all others, whether when they’re playing together or independently.

I’ve been collecting vintage and antique broooches since my wedding in 2011, when I wore them in my hair instead of barrettes or pins. Now I love them because they’re something that most people don’t wear, so they feel unique to me, they’re fun to collect, and they’re generally very inexpensive!

As a hybrid employee, here are some of my favorite quick and easy lunch and snack options that are tasty, high in protein, and filling.

With 250+ classes under my belt and over a year of membership, here are my must haves for my every day studio visits.

As a card carrying member of the “always earned the Pizza Hut pan pizza” club who never met a summer reading program she didn’t set out to “win”, here are some of my favorites from my childhood I’m re-reading with my own kids.

Whether you’re coming for a game, a campus tour, or to explore some of our area’s natural beauty, as an alumnus and townie, these are the best places to eat and shop if you visit State College, PA, the home of Penn State University 🤍🦁💙

As a slow (12:30 pace), long-distance (currently training for my 4th half-marathon), midsize (size 10W foot and 10-14 in clothes) mom runner, these are the items and gear that get me through my miles each week!

As a working mom on a hybrid schedule (3 days at home, 2 days in office), I need a streamlined makeup routine that’s not too much but makes me look and feel put together and polished, whether I’m dropping off at daycare, sitting in my cubicle, or taking a Zoom meeting from my home office.

Once you start adding up the miles, music playlists can get old, fast. Instead of clicking “next” on repeat, I queue up a lengthy list of long podcast episodes to keep my mind occupied while my legs do the work! A mix of options on different topics, as well as lengths, this list of podcasts is sure to have something new-to-you.