I have a feeling this weekend will thrust us into full-on fall mode over here because we’re hitting the road for Banner Elk, a small mountain town located in the western mountains of North Carolina. I cannot wait to see the changing leaves and explore one of our favorite areas of North Carolina with my family.
Before I go into vacation mode, I wanted to pop in this morning and share a short roundup of a few things that made me smile this week. Please feel free to chime in and share a few of the things you are loving in the comments section of this post!
Have a great weekend!
MY LATEST VIDEOS
Things I’m Loving Friday
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(Code)Word Hats (The Hat That Gives Back)
I’m sure my local Charlotte friends will recognize our 704 area code on the hat my friends at (Code)Word sent my way, but the hat I’m wearing is about way more than sporting some Queen City pride. (Code)Word was created with a goal of giving back to the community and 30% of profits from the sales of their hats go back to the children’s hospitals that serve each area code. (You may search for your area code here!)
In Charlotte, this means 30% of the profits from all 704 hats help cover the expenses of vital programs and services that are not reimbursed through insurance at Levine Children’s Hospital.
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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Have you guys heard of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? This program is AMAZING. We received a flier about it in the hospital after Ryder was born and my book-lovin’ heart soared. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school. We just received our first book — The Little Engine That Could — and I knew the program was something I had to highlight on the blog because I am such a firm believer in the importance of reading to children from a young age.
One of my friends who is a teacher showed me this infographic that I found fascinating and it further reiterated in my mind the importance of reading to kids:
(Note: The data refers to reading to children for 20 minutes a day once they begin kindergarten but why not start early!?)
Anyway, back to The Imagination Library! The program works by partnering with “Local Champions” (businesses, schools, large or small organizations or even individuals) who help bring the program to cities, towns and communities around the world. To see if it’s available in your area, you may visit the Find My Program page of The Imagination Library website.
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American Eagle Sweaters + Sweatshirts
(Plush Hometown Sweatshirt — available in 8 colors! I think this one will be perfect for top knot days with a cozy blanket scarf! // Cloudspun Sweater — available in 8 colors and crazy comfy! Planning to pair this one leggings or distressed jeans and ankle booties or my leopard mules… Yep, I ordered them. I couldn’t resist this pair when I saw them for 40% off + an additional 15% off with the code RMN15 I found through RetailMeNot!)
Chalk one up to Instagram targeted marketing! I had an ad for American Eagle sweaters and thermal tops pop up as I was scrolling through Instagram earlier this week and thought everything looked so darn cute that I was inspired to pop into the store late yesterday morning when I was making a return at a nearby shop. Ryder slept through my fashion show (Chase was at preschool) which worked perfectly because I was able to try on a bunch of different tops and was very impressed with both the flattering fit and the comfort of most things I tried on.
I’m actually slightly annoyed because when I went to link to the sweaters to share with you guys, I saw that I could’ve saved some money if I would’ve purchased my sweaters online versus in the store (the code FALL4U gets you $20 off purchases $75+, $30 off purchases $100+ and $40 off purchases $150+ online) so keep that in mind if you are hoping to do some shopping before Sunday when the code expires!
Oh! And if you’re sporting a baby bump, check out the City Sweatshirt. They restocked it this fall and I lived in mine last winter when I had a growing belly!)
This roll-on eye brightener feels so incredibly refreshing and cooling and does a lot to help me feel more awake in the mornings. It doesn’t eliminate dark circles but if you feel like you wake up with puffy eyes, I think it’s worth a try! It seems to help me look more awake and alert after sleepless nights and I apply it first thing in the morning and also before bed at night.
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Friday Flashbacks
5 Meatless Meals (A short roundup of 5 meatless meals we loved. Check this one out if you’re looking for some delicious vegetarian dinners to add to your weekly meal plan!)
Paleo Oatless Oatmeal (A voluminous and filling bowl of oatless oatmeal that’s naturally sweet and Paleo-friendly.)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile in your life right now?
Love the imagination library!! So happy it expanded to NC! And that infographic is astonishing. Thanks for sharing. I too was a victim of Instagram advertising and bought some of AEs sweaters. They really are fabulous. And the city trend sweatshirt has been one of my
Favorites both for pregnancy and after.
Jennifer Whitworth(Quote)
Today’s smile: Jeans Day for United Way! Love that I can wear jeans to work and do good at the same time!
Heather(Quote)
In upstate New York, we jumped from summer temps to winter. I have already been cleaning frost off my car in the morning and we had a dusting of snow the other day, not cool. Those fall sweaters look really cute. I need to dig out my warmer clothes since I moved in the summer and have yet to unpack them, but sadly I switched to my winter jacket already.
Alicia @Bridges Through Life(Quote)
I love the stats on reading! I am a 3rd grade teacher and it is so fun to see students who love reading because they were read to early on! I am also loving reading your blog. I just had a new baby (3 months old now) and it is interesting seeing how Ryder is growing and changing a little ahead of my baby boy!
Stephanie(Quote)
Aw!!! Love that our little ones are so close in age. <3
Julie(Quote)
Reading….my passion. I teach high school special education, and to be honest most of my students would not even HAVE an IEP, had they been read to as a child. I seriously want to throttle parents sometimes. It’s so simple. Read your kid. Often.
And no, giving them an Ipad is not the same thing.
Rant over.
Have an awesome time in the mountains! We are currently looking at the possibility of moving from Raleigh to the mountains, so I am all sort of excited!
Heather(Quote)
To be honest, this comment is kind of rude and not needed. As a parent of a special needs child, it’s sad to see a teacher making assumptions and off hand comments on a blog post basically shaming parents. Teaching a special needs child and parenting a special needs child are two completely different things. And it is definitely not “that simple” Maybe try to spread awareness and educate in a more positive manner instead of making assumptions and talking about wanting to throttle parents you “believe” didn’t read enough to their children…
also its “read To your kid” not “read your kid”
Rant over
Krystal(Quote)
Ummm…yeah…totally agree with you, Krystal!! I am a special needs mom to my twin sons and I am really offended by Heather’s comment. Like they say, don’t make assumptions…
Tracy(Quote)
Thank you so much, Krystal, for correcting my trivial error. I greatly appreciate it, and sincerely regret my mistake.
As for my comment, I stand by it. In twenty years of education, I have had the privilege of teaching over 800 students in some capacity. I can assure you that, sadly, many of them were at a disadvantage because their parents did not read to them. This group encompassed groups from the wealthiest children with every advantage bestowed upon them, all the way to disadvantaged families who were not blessed with the same privileges. Most of them, shockingly, simply did not understand the importance of reading to their child.
For both groups, I was surprised at the lack of knowledge surrounding language acquisition. Obviously, you don’t know me from Adam, and have no idea of the measures I take in the school I teach to positively promote literacy, and the success I have had in doing so.
I suspect that this issue hits close to home for because you have a child with special needs. Obviously, I am not lumping all special needs children together, as you appear to be assuming I am doing. I am not comparing a child with, say. Downs Syndrome, to one with a reading disability.
Because you are not a professional in the area of reading, I want to make something clear. Children who are not read to when young struggle with acquiring language, comprehending vocabulary, and basic comprehension skills. These deficits often carry over into later in life, and impact success in later years.
I, too, am a mom. I have been told how it is many times, even when I don’t like it, and I tell it like it is to others.
Read to your child.
Heather(Quote)
This is so rude on so many levels.
D(Quote)
I appreciate your insight as a teacher and the work you provide to these students. However, both your comments are so off-base. My son has an IEP for his speech and language and by no means is it a result of us not reading to him as a baby and toddler. He is read to all the time! Please be mindful of your audience before you make such an over generalization on a blog post.
D(Quote)
Imagination Library sounds like such a great program! Thanks for telling us about it! One thing making me smile this week is that I got some mother-daughter time with my mom, and we went to a book reading and signing with Nicholas Sparks! It was so cool to meet him in person – he was hilarious! I’m also loving the gorgeous autumn weather we are experiencing in Maryland right now!
Colleen(Quote)
I’m excited because fall weather is officially here to stay in Kansas City as well! I’m so excited, we had a few sneak peaks of the nice weather like you all did. We are going to a corn maze this weekend, #allthefallthings :). Cute sweatshirts, I really like the look of sweaters and sweatshirts, but I’m always too warm to wear them.
I LOVE the reading stats, Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain by Dana Suskind, Beth Suskind is a great read about the importance of words. I’m not a parent yet and still found it fascinating.
Jessie R(Quote)
Thank you so much for sharing the information about reading! As a teacher, I’m constantly trying to stress the importance of reading to my families but unfortunately it seems like it falls on deaf ears more often than not.
Brittney(Quote)
Super cute sweaters/sweatshirts! Did you size down or go with your normal size? I have not shopped at AE in probably 15 years 😂 (I’m 36) but those sweaters are making me want to order! Just how sure how everything fits?
Lainie(Quote)
I went with my normal size. They all fit a little large/loose though which is what I was looking for since I wanted a cozy look and fit!
Julie(Quote)
As a kindergarten teacher in a low socio economic area I can truly vouch for those reading stats. It makes me sad when I have to explain to some kids things I take for granted that they might know (like a zebra, or a watch). Luckily they are like little sponges and absorb so much!
I’d love to hear how you travel so we’ll w babies. Im such a nervous mama traveler. We’re planning a couple of trips this summer and my baby will be in by then and I’m still.nervous about traveling w him!
Jen(Quote)
Just stopping by to say that I totally bought all three clothing items you recommended today (aka both sweaters and the mules OOPS!). I haven’t given AE a second thought really since my high school/maybe college years and whoa they secretly have a ton of cute things! Thanks for sharing.
Brittany(Quote)
Right!? I thought the same thing but their Instagram marketing is clearly on point!!
Julie(Quote)
American Eagle’s targeted marketing totally got me too! I hadn’t shopped there in YEARS but the handful of things I ordered were super affordable, cute, and comfy. 🙂
Randi(Quote)
I thought one of those hats might be a good option for my husband for Christmas but when I looked at the website the 618 (southern IL area) is only available in camo trucker. Ugh. Hope they’ll be adding some more colors!
Emily Reising(Quote)
We love Dolly!! (Fellow TN girl!) We’ve been doing the imagination library for 3 years now and the books are wonderful!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles(Quote)
I forgot about American Eagle for a few years – I guess I thought I wasn’t their demographic anymore? But they do have really cute stuff. I love their sweaters and jeans.
Have fun in the mountains! Are Leslie & Ross going to be able to make it to the trip? Or are they still with little miss Callie in NICU?
Caitlyn(Quote)
I thought the same thing — I pictured it mostly being for late teens/early 20s and their IG marketing totally got me!
And unfortunately Leslie and Ross won’t be making the trip and my parents will be missing a few days as well. I’ll definitely share more on the blog next week with regard to this (including a Callie update — though I am trying to be respectful of their privacy as well) but when we booked the trip, we knew it might be hard Leslie & Ross to make it with a newborn but they encouraged us to book the trip thinking they’d make it if they could. Callie is still in the NICU (and she’s doing amazing!) so they won’t be making it. We’re hoping she’ll be able to go home soon. She’s such a strong little girl and Leslie and Ross have been incredible and so, so positive. <3 She's a lucky little one with them as parents!!
Julie(Quote)
Did you size up on the city sweatshirt when you were pregnant? I’m due in May so will be getting pretty big this winter.
Danielle(Quote)
I did!!
Julie(Quote)
so jealous of your weather right now – LA is supposed to hit near 90 today!! and omg I am so in love with AE/Aerie – I think their marketing is brilliant but their clothes are also SO cute and for such great price points!!!! have a fab weekend, lady 🙂
jordan @ dancing for donuts(Quote)
I wish that reading program was in my area! I have a little one on the way and would love to participate. Have a great time in the mountains, it’s the perfect weekend for it!
Steph(Quote)
I literally have 2 sweaters in my cart for AE right now and was not sure whether or not I should pull the trigger. Thanks to you, I used the coupon code I didn’t know about until you shared and saved myself 20 bucks! Thanks!! 🙂
Emily(Quote)
Awesome!! I’m so glad the coupon saved you some $$!!
Julie(Quote)
Going home for the holidays!! 🙂
Meagan McCrane(Quote)
I love that hat company that gives back!! We need a 205 for Birmingham, Alabama! Those are cute! 😁
Emily(Quote)
Ooo excited for the eye brightener recommendation. The one I have just isn’t erasing these nighttime baby feedings. Though, a tinted moisturizer has been my new saving grace 🙂
Have a fun weekend!
Melissa(Quote)
I hadn’t heard of that imagination library before but it sounds awesome!
Suchot(Quote)
OMG I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS HAT!!!! I searched 504 (New Orleans area code) and they have them in black and gold (GO SAINTS!) and purple, green and gold for Mardi Gras. I am obsessed. AND they support Children’s Hospital, which is near and dear to my heart. I’m so grateful you mentioned them, Julie!! I’m ordering some now!! – Kaitlyn McQuin | IG: @kaitlynmcquin
Kaitlyn McQuin(Quote)