Life updates + Raccoon Cookie Parties

Currently Reading: I have started three books, but have had no focus to read - even while on vacation!
Currently Watching: No focus to watch TV either
Currently Listening: I have been loving the Money with Katie podcast

What I am excited for

Bliss Bin Re-stock!!

Tomorrow or Monday, March 25th at 10 am CST.

I love these little things and always receive so many questions when I show them. I have all of the sizes except for extra small, which re-launches tomorrow. And of course I am going to get some. They also created a bundle where you can try all four sizes for a discount.

The sizes available are below and they are all sold in 2-packs:

• Extra Small - 5"x3"x2" - Like an index card

• Small - 7.5"x4"x2"

• Medium ( my favorite) - 7.87" x 9.84" x 2"

• Large (great for Barbies, games, and toy organization) - 11.81" x 13.78" x 2" - These will fit into 13” cube storage if you have that!

From left to right: Medium, Large (holds about 9 Rainbow High Dolls), Large, Small (8 Matchbox cars), Medium, Small

I think the Medium size is my favorite size, and the most popular size. Since they are a small business, they were sold out for a while because of unexpected volume. They hired a team of supply planners and do not expect to have those issues going forward.

There are two places you can buy them:

• Maple and Lark website: They are cheaper, but you have to pay shipping here. However, you also get 10% off with our affiliate code: MYSISTER10 (automatically applies through this link).

• Amazon website: They are a few more dollars here, but you do not have to pay shipping. However, you have to ensure that the ones you are buying are shipping from the Maple + Lark store.

  

  Weekly Recap

• Met my nephew, Jon Benjamin. He was born March 12th at a whopping 10 lbs 1 oz. A lot of mixed emotions about it, but I am so so so happy for my brother (Ben) and sister-in-law (Kelly). It makes me tear up anytime I think about what great parents they are.

• We got back from a road trip down to Florida (23 hours total) and back (22 hours total) in our Tesla last Sunday. Whew. Tesla road trips that far are INTENSE. But I am glad we went down to visit my Aunt Jan and Uncle Trey. I love them so much and came home feeling like I spent time with my parents.

  • I did get to go to Buccees four times as they have super chargers. But we lost Rebecca in one. However, she is 9 and this is only the first time we had lost her, so I feel like that’s pretty good? But she might get triggered every time she smells hot dogs, barbeque and has to use the bathroom.

• When we picked up Barry (my dog), he was VERY sick. I spent all day Tuesday cleaning up after him. We ended up finding some doggy diapers and that helped, but it all ended up making me feel sad and anxious. I was convinced he was going to die and it also made me feel like I was in the throes of caregiving again - the compassion, the frustration, the exhaustion.

• Food updates: You can Doordash movie theatre popcorn from Cinemark - and get little packets of butter - it was great, the Little Caesar’s Crazy Puffs are crazy good, and I carried Publix Buffalo Chicken Dip across state lines for my brother.

• Raccoons broke into our garage (well, technically they waltzed right in because I left the garage door open) and stole like 6 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Unfortunately, we did not catch their crimes on video. However, we have videos where you can hear the unmistakeable sounds of Samoa packages crinkling in the night.

• I never did hear from the person who used the Starbucks card I posted on my birthday and ordered a 15-shot latte. Hopefully they are still alive.

Products of the Week

Some of my favorite things from the week:

Mango Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $199 - I bought this last month, but just now tried it on. I love my Able leather jacket, but wanted one with silver zippers and buttons. I could not believe Mango had this for $199 and up to size 4X (really a size 22). I bought the 3X, and even though it is a little tight in the shoulders, I am keeping it. XS to XL @ Nordstrom for easier returns | XXL - 4X @ Mango

PhD Hybrid Lip Glaze Plumping Gloss in Persimmon

I love that when I am on vacation, I actually take the time to go into stores. I tried the new Haus Labs PhD Hybrid Lip Glaze Gloss on my hand and loved the texture and color. I purchased the color Persimmon, which is like a reddish brown. OH MY GOSH. So pretty. It is still a little transparent, too. Definitely add this one to your Sephora sale list!

The J. Crew Gauze shirt is still a staple in my wardrobe. It is so soft. It does not wrinkle because it already looks lived in, and just so easy to throw on and look put together, but feel comfortable. It is 50% off right now!

I forgot how much I loved lactation energy bites. I made some for Kelly and kept a few for myself. I always use a food processor for all of the dry ingredients and then add in the liquid ingredients. I added in chia seeds. My favorite recipe.

I love this hair clip. I asked my dermatologist about the hair thinning around my forehead back in November. She said it was probably from wearing my hair up all the time and that if I am going to wear it up, I need to wear it up loosely - like with a clip. The problem is that sometimes clips can be uncomfortable - especially when driving because you can’t put your head back. So I tried these layflat clips from Amazon and love them! They are so comfortable, but please note — it is a loose hold. I will put it over a french twist or a bun and it works great!

My Productivity Struggle

One of the barriers I have to writing a weekly newsletter is what to title it. I have 23 drafts written (really…I do…), but never finish because I do not know how to end (I hate goodbyes) or how to wrap it all up into a catchy subject that will entice you to open the email. The curse of someone with a marketing background (if you know, you know).

In 7 days it will be a year since I left my full-time job, and I have not accomplished anything I thought I would be able to accomplish with all of my “extra” time. I am trying not to feel bad about it because I think the guilt from not getting everything done that I thought I should be able to get done ironically prevents me from getting anything done.

I posted this story this week and 90% of my followers agreed it is something they struggled with - 90%! I have always procrastinated and I think I have finally accepted that I will never be someone who does not procrastinate. As my old boss used to say - “with pressure comes diamonds..” But I also can’t stop procrasti-scrolling.

A few years ago I got tested for ADHD because I could not focus, remember or understand the time it would take to do something, And according to TikTok, it meant I had ADHD. But my therapist and doctor talked about something else impacting my executive function - grief and depression.

Damn it. I thought grief was just supposed to make me sad. And I thought that “time heals all.” Maybe that is the crux of the issue - time heals all, but no one tells you how that the time it takes is undefined and then even if you did know the exact time you would not be able to understand the meaning of that time because you are grieving.

I am trying to go easier on myself in my 39th year of life. Why should I trust my opinion on what I should be able to get done when I can’t even figure out how much time it really takes to do something? Missy and I have both found that we are more productive when we are busy. I still cannot believe I was able to work full-time, home school a kindergartner, take care of my dad and coordinate his care and work part-time on growing my Instagram account and community.

A follower DMed me that brain dumping every morning along with mapping out her day via time slots really helps her, along with pomodoro timing ( I like to use the Bear Focus Timer). I tried this method on Thursday and it really helped me be more productive instead of procrasti-scrolling.

Below is my example:

I had to pick up Rebecca from school around 3. Usually in my head that means I can’t do anything from 1-3 for fear I will get too into it and forget to pick up Rebecca (this has happened twice). So I mapped out my day backwards + set an alarm, and it made me feel a lot less anxious and I was able to get A LOT done before picking up Rebecca.

I realized that the last 8 years of my career were spent in meetings and only getting like an hour (if that) during the day to get things done or answer emails. While it was busy, chaotic and stressful, it helped me focus. I have not had a great opportunity to get a good schedule going for this past year, but I am going to continue to try the following things to see if it helps. If you have any tips - I would love to see them!

• Take the same days off every week - and really take them off!

• Brain dumps every morning

• Scheduling my day out in 20 minute increments

Well I am already getting a warning from Substack that my email is too long. Oops! Would love to hear from you in the comments! Substack comments make my day! Have a great week!

XX Sarah