Kat Kurdziel

These are the toys my 4-year-old actually plays with. Not just once…like again and again, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for an entire peaceful hour while I reheat my coffee and pretend to clean. They’re open-ended, creative, and don’t require screens, apps, or 87 batteries. Some are classics, some are budget wins, some are worth the splurge. If you're looking to refresh your toy rotation, build a gift list, or just want fewer “but what do I doooooo” moments - these are our go-to favorites.

We lived in the eastern Hudson Valley for years, and still visit regularly -and these are the spots we still talk about, miss deeply, and always recommend to friends visiting or moving to the area. From shaded playgrounds and kid-friendly hikes to diners we dream about and the best bagels you’ll ever eat, this list is our personal love letter to Poughkeepsie, Wappingers, Fishkill, Pleasant Valley, and beyond. The places we went weekly, the trails we walked, the bagel shops we cried over when we moved. If you’re local or just visiting with kids in tow, I hope this list helps you find your new favorite too.

If you’ve been thinking about showing up online more - sharing your life, your routines, or just the stuff that’s actually helping right now - this list is for you. This is to help make making content doable - while you’re still living your regular mom life. These are the real tools and digital systems that help me show up online without burning out or needing a fancy setup. Whether you’re just starting to share more or thinking about affiliate links, this list is your gentle nudge to start messy, but start.

These are the picture books my 4-year-old asks for over and over…and the rare gems I don’t mind reading 47 times a week 🙃 From classics like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to underrated treasures like Animalia, this is our forever stack: warm, silly, a little weird, and full of rhythm, repetition, and beautiful art. If you're building your little one's library or looking for a perfect gift book, these are our tried, tested, and tantrum-free favorites.

Whether you're just learning to sew or looking to upgrade your setup, this list has the best sewing tools I use every day… from fabric scissors and notions to machine add-ons and workspace must-haves. All tested, loved, and beginner-friendly!

These are the actual board and card games we’ve played (and replayed) with our 4-year-old. Most are classics you might remember from your own childhood, with a few surprises thrown in. We love screen-free games that are simple enough for preschoolers but fun enough for the grown-ups too. If you’re looking for gifts, family game night picks, or ways to survive rainy days - this is the list.

I’m not a dermatologist or influencer… just a 30-something mom trying to take care of her skin without spending a fortune or doing 9 steps every night. This is my real skincare routine: gentle, affordable, and totally beginner-friendly. I use barrier-supporting basics, a little glow-boost when I remember, and just enough active ingredients to feel like I’m doing something for my future face. Bonus: a mascara that survives a meltdown, an acne spot treatment that works, and the brow product that makes me look slightly less tired.

These are our real favorites in and around Rensselaer, East Greenbush, Troy, and the wider Capital Region of NY - perfect for families, or weekend wandering. From kid-friendly hikes and playgrounds to our go-to restaurants and hidden gems, this is the list I wish I had when we first moved here (or when I just need fresh ideas for a weekend plan!). Want to see more of what I'm loving? Check out my other lists too!