Karen Akins

I don't know about where you are, but it's getting hot out there in my neck of the woods. My dogs and I love to be outside, but it takes some planning and gear to do so safely. (Note: List contains cashback and affiliate links)

I love my dogs, Gracie and Blue, and I love the holidays! (I'm also a devoted cat aunt.) Get ready for the most pun-tastic list of all my favorite pet-centric holiday stuff. So whether you're feline festive or can-ine get enough of the holidays (sorry…that one was a stretch), let's dive in to this pawsitively meow-vilous list. [Note: this list contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through the link, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.]

We adopted our dog Gracie from the shelter, but you would have thought she came straight from the spa, the way she loves to be spoiled. Her pedigree was listed as “hound mix” but we like to call her a beagador to make her feel bougie. Our little pocket beagle Blue was rescued from a puppy mill where she was used as a breeder. She's just beginning to learn what it means to live in the lap of luxury. (Note: this list contains cashback/affiliate links.)

Okay, maybe it's a cliche title, but I'm surrounded by self-proclaimed crazy cat ladies (namely my sister and my mother-in-law). I love cats, too, but my immediate family is allergic to them, so I'm a happy cat auntie instead who loves to spoil my kitty nephews and niece. (Note: this list contains cashback and affiliate links.)

Whenever people find out that I'm an author who's had books published both by traditional publishing houses and indie routes, they usually have questions. Lots of them. So I decided to make a list of helpful resources that I've used along the way. Enjoy! (This list includes affiliate links to items that I love. If you purchase something from my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

I'm a huge fan of picture books, both to read and as an art form. Included in this list are classics that I remember from my own childhood and ones that I read to my children over the years. (This list contains affiliate links for my favorite books that you'll find on my bookshelf. If you purchase through one of my links, I'll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

I've often said that if I could go back and re-do college, I'd be a history major. I love learning about people and events from the past and how they connect to our experience today (and what they can teach us to avoid in the future). “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana, American philosopher (1863-1952) Note Some of the links in this list are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking them, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend things that I genuinely love.

The northwest corner of Arkansas is a beautiful, thriving section of the state. Growing rapidly in population and with more and more visitors coming to check it out every year, it's a neat place to explore if you love the outdoors, art, biking, or just relaxing. Whether you're headed to Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, or a little town in between, this list has something for you and your family.

I'm a beach girl. I love to collect sand from beaches around the world. There's something about the ocean that heals my soul and keeps calling me back even though I'm totally landlocked 99% of the time. Here are some of my favorite beaches (and islands) & a few I haven't visited yet but are definitely on my travel list…. (Note: Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and purchase something, I would receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only post links to things that I actually love and recommend.)

I'm coming for you, world. It's a big, big planet, and I want to explore and experience every square inch of it that I can. (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links)

Cross-stitching is one of my favorite hobbies. Counted cross stitch is a fun and easy craft to learn, and finished cross-stitch pieces make thoughtful gifts to friends and family. Cross stitching is kind of embroidery's simpler needlepoint cousin (although both crafts have their fans). I love that I can pick up my hoop and needle and make progress on a piece with even the smallest amount of down time. (Note: Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through my link, I'll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things that I actually love.)

I love jigsaw puzzles! Puzzling is such a relaxing and fun past-time. There are so many fun, cute puzzles on the market now, whether you like an easy one to just chill out or a huge, hard one to challenge your mind. Here are a few of my favorites! (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links.)

Cross-stitching is usually associated with traditional handiwork and cozy sentiments, but there's a growing movement within the stitching community towards subversive designs and messages. It's a fun juxtaposition, and it's one of my favorite and most relaxing hobbies. I love that my finished pieces make great gifts, and almost anyone is happy to receive a funny, handmade gift of a cross stitch design. Note: this list contains cash back and affiliate links.

I love Christmas and the holiday season! The lights and warm wishes, the focus on giving and sharing, time spent with family as you celebrate. Joy to the world! (This list contains affiliate links to items that I love and enjoy. If you purchase something through one of these links, I'll receive a small commission at no expense to you.)

I love fall. The cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, falling leaves, mugs of warm cocoa or spiced tea, and snuggly blankets. Here's a collection of some of my favorite items to maximize the autumn coziness hygge factor. [This list contains affiliate links for items that I love and enjoy. If you purchase one of these items, I'll receive a commision at no extra expense to you.]

I'm in no way a fashionista. I have three priorities when dressing myself in the fall and winter: Keep it comfy. Keep it warm. (I have Reynaud's). Keep it simple. Enter the following pieces. While not quite a capsule wardrobe, I do like to build my closet around a few key pieces that fit the above priorities. [Note: This list contains affiliate links. If your purchase through one of my links, I'll receive a small commission at no extra expense to you…and in some cases, a discount for you.]

I have so much respect for people who have managed to reduce their waste down to a mason jar of trash each year. Alas, that is not me. But I've embraced “Progress, Not Perfection.” Every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste and single-use items.

I'm not saying I'm lazy, but, well, yes, that's actually exactly what I'm saying. I'm lazy (when it comes to cleaning). I hate cleaning. But alas, I also hate living in filth. What's a girl to do? She's to harness the superpower of her ADHD hyperfocus & research every hack and shortcut under the sun to make the process faster, easier, and less annoying. That's what a girl's to do.

The Bentonville and Rogers, Arkansas area has a lot of transplants from around the world, being the headquarters for Walmart as well as large field offices for quite a few vendors and other businesses. It's daunting to move to a new place. I've got you covered with recommendations.

The neurodiversity runs deep in my immediate and extended family. From ADHD to autism and sensory processing disorder, I've learned to navigate the sometimes wild world of living with my own and parenting other brains that experience the world differently from neurotypical folks. Neurodivergency can come with some amazing positives--creativity and the ability to focus super deeply on interests and passions to name a couple things. But being neurodiverse can also have a set of challenges. Here are some of my favorite tools that I've discovered and used along the way to help me on my journey. (Note: this list contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase an item from my link, I'll receive a small commission at no extra expense to you.)

If you're neurodiverse (or have a neurodivergent kiddo), you know the power of the fidget toy. In somewhat of a paradox, having something to mindlessly or meditatively fidget with can help calm and focus someone who's autistic or has ADHD. Here are a few of my favs. (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links.)

Whether you're a teacher setting up a class space or a parent advocating for your child, being mindful about the classroom sensory experience can help everyone learn more effectively and create a positive learning environment for all, including those with sensory processing issues or who are neurodivergent. (Note: This list contains affiliate and cash back links.)