Melanie Hall

There is nothing sweeter than a family photo shoot in the fall. Cozy sweaters and colorful leaves make this the best time of year to capture your family. Here are some outfit ideas for a family of three. I'm going to choose my own family photoshoot outfits from this list! I think coordinating, not matching, is the move for family photos.

These are the best soup and stew recipes. I start making these in September as soon as I feel a chill in the air. I also love picking 3-4 of these recipes and hosting a soup party. A lot of these recipes call for chicken or other broth. I recommend buying Better Than Bouillon instead. It is more flavorful and less expensive than boxed stock. For me, soups and stews are all about the toppings and accompanying carbs. I always serve these with tortilla chips, crusty bread, flatbread, or a sandwich.

I shopped for your toddler so you don’t have to! I like to choose a cohesive color palette each season so everything is easy to mix and match.

I am a toddler mom with a master’s in english literature, so we read a ton of books in my house!

I'm reading all of the books on motherhood so you don't have to! I am a first-time mom with a master's in English Literature searching for the very best books about pregnancy, childbirth, and raising children.

I wear an oversized button down everyday as part of my mom uniform. Throw one over leggings and a tank top, pair one with jeans and sneakers, dress it up with trousers and black flats. Here are the absolute best button down shirts!

I lived in Salt Lake for 10 years and drank a lot of coffee while I was there. Here are my favorite coffee shops in town!

These are the items I tell all of my friends to add to their registries! I am a mom to a 16-month old and was a nanny for over 10 years, so I know which products are worth the money.

We all need a little screen time now and then. These are the shows I let my toddler watch. These shows are fairly slow and calm. They do not have bright flashing colors or quick scene changes. I don’t mind watching these shows with my toddler!

I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks. These are the ones I always recommend sorted by genre.

I am a Hell’s Kitchen local on a budget. This list features delicious meals and coffee that won’t break the bank!

I am a toddler mom on a budget who prioritizes natural fabrics. I put together small capsule wardrobes for my son every season. All of the clothes on this list are 100% natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Of course, some clothes will work for multiple seasons, but here are the summer items I'm buying for my son this year. Make sure to shop major retailers during sales and download their apps for even more savings!

I’m a toddler mom in Manhattan. This list is focused on free or low-cost toddler activities. A few tips: 1. New York residents can pay-as-you wish to enter many museums. Visitors from out of state will pay regular entry prices. Children under 3 are free at many museums. 2. Most of these locations are on subways stops that might not have elevators. Make sure to bring a lightweight stroller that you can fold down if necessary. 3. Regarding public transit: I actually prefer taking buses to subways when possible. You will need to fold your stroller down to get on but you will avoid all of the stairs in the subway stations. 4. If you are out walking around and need a restroom, walk confidently into a hotel and find their lobby restroom.