Ashley S

I'm a Reading Specialist by day and a devoted reader by night — and I take my reading setup seriously. A good reading corner isn't about perfection, it's about removing every excuse not to sit down with a book. This is my curated list of the things that make my reading nook feel like the coziest spot in the house. Warm light, a good blanket, the right mug — it all matters.

I'm a self-taught needlepoint hobbyist who has fallen completely down the rabbit hole — and I've learned the hard way what's worth buying and what isn't. This is my honest, curated starter kit: the exact tools, threads, and supplies I reach for every single time I sit down to stitch. If you're just getting started or want to upgrade your setup, start here.

As a certified Reading Specialist, these are the decodable books I actually recommend to families. Not all decodable readers are created equal. These are carefully sequenced, phonics-aligned, and genuinely engaging for kids who are just cracking the code. Whether you're a parent supporting a beginning reader at home or supplementing classroom instruction, this list is your starting point.

Get them outside and keep them there! 🌿 As a mom of two, I am always on the hunt for outdoor toys that actually hold their attention longer than five minutes — and these are the ones that delivered. We're talking toys that work for toddlers AND big kids, survive the elements, and don't end up ignored in the garage by week two. From backyard classics to new favorites my girls are currently obsessed with, this list has something for every age and every kind of kid — the ones who want to run, dig, splash, build, or just roll around in the grass. Outside time just got a whole lot more fun. 🌞

Finding makeup that actually works for fair skin is harder than it sounds — the wrong foundation pulls pink, the wrong blush looks like a sunburn, and don't even get me started on bronzer. As someone with fair skin myself, I've done a lot of trial and error so you don't have to. Everything on this list is something I've personally tested and loved. Whether you're hunting for a foundation that matches without oxidizing, a blush that looks natural on pale skin, or products that don't wash you out — you're in the right place. These are my honest, tried-and-true picks for fair-skinned girls who want makeup that actually works.