Samantha

Since the pandemic, I’ve been refining my work from home space with products that truly make a difference. This list includes tried-and-true items like my standing desk, plus new remote work essentials that help me stay productive, healthy, and balanced at home.

Discover the must-have kitchen essentials that make cooking easier, faster, and more enjoyable. This curated list includes durable cookware, versatile utensils, storage solutions, and time-saving gadgets that every home cook should have. Whether you’re setting up your first kitchen or upgrading your tools, these tried-and-true items will help you prepare meals with confidence. Perfect for everyday cooking, family dinners, and entertaining guests.

These are the gardening tools and supplies I personally use and recommend after seasons of planting, pruning, and harvesting. Every product on this list has earned a spot in my garden shed for its quality, durability, and ease of use. If you’re looking for gear that truly works, these are my tried-and-true favorites.

We're passionate about finding toys that spark creativity, build skills and bring joy to children of all ages. All of the toys recommended below are ones our children either used when they were younger or still currently play with. Only the tried and true make this list.

Looking for the best books for 10-year-olds? This list is filled with my daughter’s favorite reads—complete with reviews written by her. From adventurous stories to page-turning series, these books are truly kid-approved and perfect for young readers.

We kicked off the school year feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready to shine! My daughters and nieces had a wonderful time being pampered by their aunts, great aunts and grandma. They got to enjoy a charcuterie lunch, manicures and a couple of spa treatments. While those were fun, I think the biggest hit of the party were the flower pillows my aunt got each of them. This list is everything we used for a back-to-school spa party.

The games our family goes to for game night

Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. This list features our favorite kid-approved activities, from hands-on museums and science centers to local parks, aquariums, and zoos. You’ll also find fun indoor play spaces for rainy days, outdoor adventures for sunny weekends, and family attractions perfect for making memories together. Whether you’re planning a day trip in Detroit or exploring Ann Arbor with kids, these family activities are tried-and-true favorites our family loves.

These are the products in my bag that I use for my go-to looks. I like to keep things simple with barely there makeup.

These are all of the skin care products I love and most likely have a subscription for so I never run out. And now a story about why I have multiple snail mucin products on this list. Once upon a time I worked for a cosmeceutical company (these are the types products usually sold at a med spa or dermatologist office) as a marketing assistant. While I only worked there a short time, I got to learn a lot about snail mucin which was the active ingredient on their crown jewel product. This product worked so well and had great clinical trial result. Years later when I started seeing K beauty brands popping up and they they had snail mucin product I knew I had to try them. Guess what, they are just as good, if not better, than the one that company sold for over $100. Granted, I was in my early 20s when I worked there and had the skin of a baby already, but still I could see a more glowing and even skin tone when I used them. The moral of the story is quality effective products don't have to cost a lot.

A collection of my tried-and-true hair care favorites — the products I keep coming back to for healthy, shiny, and manageable hair. Each one has earned its spot on this list through real results and consistent performance.

Set at the enchanting Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan, this wedding vision radiates timeless elegance and prestige. Ivory-and-greenery florals (placeholders shown; real blooms to be sourced from a local florist), golden accents, and candlelit details create a romantic, refined atmosphere. Guests will enjoy exquisite décor, couture attire, and gift bags while the couple receives heirloom gifts that honor their love story. Every detail ensures the celebration is remembered as both iconic and unforgettable.

Welcome to the ultimate fridge, pantry, and snack drawer tour where food allergies and cravings collide. Mom is gluten free. Dad is soy, dairy, and gluten free. The kids eat everything in sight. This list has a little bit of it all: gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and the occasional “regular” mac and cheese box. We have nailed the art of cross-contact management, so no one misses out. This is how one family keeps everyone fed and still sneaks a cookie or two.

Discover the best of autumn in Michigan with this curated guide to the season’s must-see destinations and traditions. From breathtaking fall color drives like the Tunnel of Trees and roaring Tahquamenon Falls, to cozy cider mills, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions, and home décor picks, this list captures everything that makes fall in the Mitten unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, decorating your home for the season, or seeking spooky thrills after dark, you’ll find inspiration here to make the most of Michigan’s golden season.