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How we're doing in the time of COVID-19 We wanted to check in with each other and listeners to see how everyone is doing two weeks into being at home. We talk about our mental state, how we're coping, and resources for kids that we've found useful. Links we mentioned in this episode: Gourmet Makes Schitt's Creek Audio books through Libby and Hoopla The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Pete...

A quick note: We recorded this at the beginning of the month, before all of our lives were upended by COVID-19. We will be recording a bonus episode (out next Tuesday) about how we are coping. May you all stay safe and healthy in this uncertain time. -S&A Prioritizing reading We discuss when we find time to read, why we have read more after having kids than before, what gets us out of a readin...

We describe our current spaces, share our home related dreams (both the realistic and the not), and what makes us love the space we’re in. Here are the links we mentioned in the episode: Prisms Big Dreams Small Spaces Life lately Sarah is trying to invite people over more often and take the advice of this article on not worrying so much about the cleaning. Abby went from being a no-playdough home...

Marriage--what's working (and what's not) We've both recently passed the decade mark of marriage, and thought it would be fitting to share what's been working, what hasn't, and the relationship advice we hate. Life lately Abby's family purchased a new vehicle (and is soliciting gold-inspired names!). Sarah is reveling in her newly arranged living room. Reading lately Abby read both Shrill and The...

Today, we talk snacking preferences and then detail a week in the life of our snacks. And if you are in need of a sweet snack, we both recommend this recipe for chocolate chip cookies–easy and delicious! Life lately Sarah is tracking all of the things with Habit Bull . Abby offers her commentary on Meghan and Harry. For more along these lines, check out this BuzzFeed article contrasting media cove...

We share what kind of sick people we are, our preferred supplies to get us through, and our most memorable bouts with illness. May we all have a healthy 2020. Life lately Abby gives a sleep training update and Sarah is happy to have (finally) fixed her Kitchen Aid mixer . Reading lately Abby read The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook and Sarah listened to Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of W...

We share what we like about childcare, how we find it, our past childcare situations, and what we see in our childcare future. We fully recognize that as two primarily at-home parents, our perspective is limited. We’d love to hear from listeners with different experiences to expand the conversation. What has worked for you when trying to find daycares, nannies, and/or babysitters? Share in the com...

See you later, 2019! We are not sad to see you go. We reflect on the year that was, set intentions for 2020, and share some of our favorites from 2019. Here’s to a happier, healthier new year. Things we mentioned: Last year’s intentions episode (and our mid-year reflection ) Dance Moms Merge Dragons Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Fleabag To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (and the sequel comes out in Februa...

We take a look back at our reading life in 2019: our challenges, our wins, and our favorite books. Highlights from the year: Fiction: Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, and Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield Non-fiction: Bad Blood by John Carreyou, The Eating Instinct by Virginia Sole-Smith, and The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon Most enj...

Since our last episode about minimalism was nearly three years ago, we thought it was time for an update. We share what’s working (and what’s not) along with our minimalism goals and the challenges we face in making them a reality. Resources we mentioned: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo Minimalism podcasts, including Minimalist Moms , Cohesive Home , and Practical Minimalists Life lately Sarah upgrade...

Travel with kids We explore the ups and downs of life on the road, including what helps us get through long car rides and flights, travel horror stories, and what we love most about traveling as a family. Links we mentioned: Audiobooks, including Frindle by Andrew Clements Sparkle Stories , especially the Martin and Sylvia ones Hoopla Playaways from the library Life lately We share about our recen...

In this episode, we share our many aspirations along with a few tips for how we best make our time work for us. Resources we mentioned: Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam Screentime utility on the iPhone Google Keep Life lately Sarah has been regularly climbing at her local rock climbing gym. Abby was happy to say goodbye to her family’s home-brewing equipment. Reading lately Sarah read The Girl Who...

Moving In honor of Abby's impending move, we explore how moves have gone for us in the past, what we love about them, what we hate, and a few tips we have for making the process as pleasant as possible. We both recommend This Is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick for anyone new to a community and wanting to feel more at home. Life lately Plum is scooting around town on her balance bike. Sarah's fa...

We share how we care for ourselves in hard times, what others can do to best support us, and resources for helping those close to us when they are going through something tough. There Is No Good Card for This: What to Do and Say When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love by Kelsey Crowe and Emily McDowell Emily McDowell cards Option B by Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg Vanessa Zoltan’...

We explore the idea of body positivity, how it's changed the way we see ourselves and others, how it's shifted the way we think about food and exercise, and how it influences our parenting. We are both still learning and recognize that our thin and able-bodied privilege color our perspective. Below is a list of resources we've found helpful on this journey and we'd love for you to share more in th...

We explore how books and reading are part of self-care, including our favorite snacks, our ideal reading experience, and how parenting and reading for self-care intersect. Here are some of our favorite books to reach for when we are in need of a self-care reading experience: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Still Life and other Inspector...

We're back! We thought it would be fitting to check back in with our intentions from January and see where we are as we head into the fall. Reading lately Abby read (and LOVED) Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Sarah read The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. Thanks to listener Kristen for the recommendation! Eating lately Sarah made falafels and strongly recommends adding the sugges...

We give a quick update on what's been happening in our respective families and announce that we'll be taking a break through the summer. We appreciate your support and look forward to being back in your earbuds this fall! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home decor We share our style, favorite pieces, and struggles with home decor. We may not have a lot of tips to share, but we can both wholeheartedly recommend our friend Kady's shop . Life lately We have both been playing family games, including Hoot, Owl, Hoot! , Zingo , and Uno . Reading lately Abby read Kindred by Octavia Butler and Sarah finished There is No Good Card For This: What To Say a...

We share how we view mental health, positive influences on our mental health, our experiences with therapy, and our favorite mental health insights and resources. In this episode, we discuss: Light therapy lamp Calm app for meditation and sleep stories Dooce blog , especially this article Audio companion to Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke Life lately Sarah is seeking advice on the perfect paint...

We share how we plan meals and grocery shop, including what's working and where there's room for improvement. Life lately Abby tried furoshiki to wrap Plum's birthday presents--a success! Sarah is loving attending local theater productions. Reading lately Abby loved Royally Screwed by Emma Chase. Special thanks to listener Katie for the recommendation! Sarah read How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. If...

We share our favorite ways to treat ourselves, when we are most likely to indulge in treats, and frugal treats we love. And we reference this blog post: Treat Yourself: More Like Defeat Yourself by Mrs. Frugalwoods Life lately Sarah shares her distaste for vacation planning. Abby’s cats are feeling cozy in their new heated bed . Reading lately Sarah read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Gree...

We discuss into everything pregnancy related: what we loved, our biggest challenges, cravings and aversions, favorite splurges, and the resources we recommend. Maternity underwear from Kindred Bravely Pregnancy pillow The Longest Shortest Time podcast Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond by Nancy Bardack and the accompanying guided meditations Expecting Be...

We discuss our clothing buying and wearing philosophy, how we shop for clothes for ourselves and our kids, our biggest clothing challenges, and how we feel about the whole enterprise. Links featured in this episode: Buy Nothing groups Poshmark Kidizen ThredUp Stitch Fix Life lately Sarah shares a routine that is working for her family: grocery shopping on Fridays. Abby laments that she is too preg...

Budgeting Many people use the new year as an opportunity to reevaluate their finances and set financial goals, so we thought it would be a good time to explore budgets and how they work in our families. We share our budgeting philosophies, challenges, tips, and resources. Our episode on finances Our Freaking Budget Frugalwoods Frugal Month Home Budget app Personal Capital Life lately Abby is using...