Moments of Musing

My 2019 Goals

Filed Under: 2019 goals, life, new year goals //

It’s back to work for me today after two weeks off! I almost feel the first day of work jitters.. My office was fortunately  closed for a week and a half in honor of the holidays and to give time for self care before jumping back into the new year. (Yes, I’m fortunate  to be working there!) Then I took a two extra days because family was in town from Michigan. 

I also took quite some time off from my blog and social media. That’s because I wanted to soak up my time with my husband, kids and family. Since I’m back to the grind today, it seems fitting to also publish my first post of the new year. 

Let’s dive right into what last year taught me and what my hopes are for this year!

2018 taught me that life is a precious gift, to appreciate my loved ones and to value their presence.

I’ve taken those lessons with me into 2019, playing close mind to them as I set my goals (instead of resolutions):

PERSONAL 
  • Be more present, which includes no/very limited cell phone use in front of the kids in the evenings and on weekends.  
  • Take time for a self care activity at least once a month. 
  • Vacation more this year (ideal # is 3). 
  • Be more patient, enjoy the little moments and snuggle my boys everyday. 
  • Have more fun! Do more activities that bring myself and my family joy. 

PROFESSIONAL
  • Grow my audiences on my blog and Instagram. 
  • Make X amount via content creation. 
  • Improve my photography and videography skills. 
  • Shoot with my Nikon at least once a month. 
  • Attend a blogging event and network with NYC/ Long Island creators.  

I am in a state of wonder about what the year will be like — it feels like a year is so long and yet somehow every December we’re wondering how it went so quickly — but also very intent on enjoying the moments as they happen.

2019, please bring peace and joy and good health to us all!

Do you set new year goals or resolutions? What are some of yours? 


Favorite Blog Posts of 2018

Filed Under: favorite posts //


I have decided to make it a tradition to share my favorite blog posts with you at the end of each year. Last year, I shared my favorite posts of 2017. In 2016, I walked you all down memory lane with my Through the Years post. 

This year, my blog and my Instagram, especially, continued transforming. My Instagram has brought me greater income than I ever thought it would. In fact, it actually helped financially support our family during my maternity leave. My community also helped to sustain my blog while I was on leave by offering guests posts for my Maternity Leave Guest Series.

Needless to say, the love and support has been wonderful. It has been a year full of ups and downs, high highs (the birth of our second son) and low lows (the passing of my younger cousin). This space helped me in more ways than I could precisely articulate. 

So, thank you. For reading, commenting, sharing, and liking my posts. I know time is precious so the fact that you take time out of your day to come here or visit my Instagram means a lot to me.

Without further ado, here are my favorite posts of 2018:

Thoughts on my Second Pregnancy + a Bumpdate

On Stepping Away from a Role

Do Authentic Mom Blogs Still Exist?

Sprinkled with Love

Lessons from Abby

To My Firstborn

Baby #2 is Here!

Love Your {Postpartum} Body – Pt. 2

Life With Two Under Two

Boss Baby Birthday Party






Our Christmas Card – 2018

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

When it comes to Christmastime, some of my favorite activities are getting Christmas cards photos taken and ordering our Christmas card. I’m not even kidding when I say I have been designing (choosing a layout and which photos to include) our cards for a month. Lo and behold, I chose the original design I liked, Basic Invite’s Country Club Christmas. 

We used Basic Invite to create our card again this year because we’ve used it for so many other special occasions —  our 2017 Christmas card, our Save the Date and First Married Christmas cards. I’m happy to have used them again this special holiday season.

I just started mailing our cards over the weekend so I am hoping everyone receives theirs by Christmas!

Some of Basic Invite’s unique features are:

  • Almost Unlimited Colors – Customers have almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. 
  • Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes – You can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes. A big bonus is that all of their envelopes are peel and seal so no licking required!
  • Address Capturing Service – Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses.

Basic Invite has over 500 Christmas and holiday card designs. It offers custom holiday cards for business, as well as vintage holiday cards. 

I know it’s late in the month but don’t worry — if you didn’t order a Christmas card, you can still get a holiday card wishing family and friends a happy new year!
Right now Basic Invite is offering 30% off with coupon code: holi30 

Without further ado, here is our 2018 Christmas card:

 

The Perfect Present for a Picky Person

Filed Under: christmas shopping, fragrances //

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I was paid for this post and received the included fragrances and perfumes as compensation.

When shopping for others’ Christmas gifts, I’m sometimes at a loss. Some people are harder to buy for than others. Some don’t like certain clothing, jewelry, shoes and so on. Buying for picky people is a bit stressful and can take the fun out of Christmas shopping.
One way to alleviate said stress and still keep shopping fun is to buy beauty products, such as fragrances. I’ve almost always given someone a fragrance for the holidays and it’s always been a well-received zero-complaints gift.
This year, I am excited to gift two family members two great fragrances I got from Kohl’s: 
•       Calvin Klein Obsession — this is a classic cologne. It’s one my dad has had so I know it smells nice. This will make a great gift for a special guy in your life, whether it be your dad, partner or in-law.

 

• Gucci Bamboo — Gucci perfumes never disappoint so I know this smells great, too. I am excited to gift this to a special lady in my life.

Kohl’s has fragrances from other great brands, such as Lacoste, Philosophy and Hugo Boss.
Merry shopping!
My blog may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies.
Any affiliate links are not associated with Kohl’s.

HoHoHome Sweet Home—Christmas Decor

Filed Under: Christmas decor, home, home decor //

This post is sponsored by Christmas Tree Shops but all opinions are my own. 

I’m starting to think I should begin decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. It feels like Christmas is so soon and I’ve only just put the final touches on our indoor decor, which I take the reigns on. (I leave most of the outdoor decor for my husband to do.)

This past weekend, we finally decorated our tree and added some festive touches around the house with Christmas Tree Shops decor. It’s a night I look very forward to because our tree decorating night has become a bit of a tradition filled with Christmas music and movies, hot cocoa or coffee and with the kids placing (more like attempting to place)  the star atop the tree. 
OH CHRISTMAS TREE

         

I hadn’t unveiled our real Christmas tree yet because we hadn’t decorated it yet. We picked up poinsettia pins and ornaments at the Christmas Tree Shops. Christmas Tree Shops has so many ornament and tree decor options. We, however, kept it simple this year to keep R from getting hurt when he grabs at the tree. 

It might come as a surprise that the poinsettia pins were my husband’s idea! Admittedly, I was hesitant at first but I actually love how they look. I actually think they really dress it up and it’s pretty much my favorite part of the tree decor. 



SANTA CLAUS  IS COMING TO TOWN


 We believe in Santa in our home! It never really was a discussion between my husband and I because we both figured we’d stick to our childhood traditions of believing. Playing Santa will be fun! 


I get giddy setting out Santa’s cookies too because I can’t wait to see S’s face when he sees the cookies we’re eaten! Also… I love cookies so there’s that. We’ve set out this cookies plate from Christmas Tree Shops as decor for now but S knows what it’s for come Christmas! 

HOT COCOA WITH MY HUSBAND

         
When my husband saw a hot cocoa and s’mores set featuring Nutella he brought it to my attention. And I brought it home with us! It’s all yummy. Plus, we love coffee so the mugs will last us way past Christmastime- so it was a win-win. It’s hard to sneak in moments alone so sometimes a quiet morning sipping our coffees will do just fine. 

Believe it or not, Christmas Tree Shops don’t only sell Christmas decor and items. They offer an exciting, changing seasonal assortment of affordable and stylish decor year-round. I’m talking furniture, wood signs, items for pets and even a variety of foods! So don’t hesitate stopping in even after Christmas!