Friday Five #128

On a podcast I'd re-listen to, itchy eyelid cures, Yellowstone + more!

Photo by Liza Pooor on Unsplash

Hi Friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week. I hope you’re enjoying what’s left of August and your summer vacation, and letting yourself stay in the sun a little longer. I myself do not want to hear anything about pumpkin spice baruhoaha, or back-to-school shopping, or what anyone is doing for Halloween. I want to still go to the beach, and go for walks after dinner, and let ice cream be its own food group.

But hey, that’s just me.

This week marks the conclusion of CAMP (eek!), so it’s Camp Mama from here on out. And while that may seem anxiety-inducing to some, I’m looking forward to it. Blank space on the calendar is such a rarity these days it almost feels like a luxury. (And maybe it is!) Now, Camp Mama will be full of library trips, and park trips, and visiting the grandparents’ pool — but it will also come with an understanding that I cannot do all the things. And sometimes the laundry will pile up. And my kitchen floor will most certainly remain a little messy.

But we shall survive.

Now here’s this week’s Friday Five:

1. My husband and I like to watch a show together at night, and drink our herbal tea like 80-year-olds, and it’s one of my favorite parts of my day. We recently started Yellowstone (I know we’re a little late to this), and let me tell you — I’m only two episodes in, and OBSESSED. The writing is phenomenal, the acting is a masterclass in storytelling, and I am absolutely intrigued by ranch culture and all that comes with it. Have you watched it? Do you love it? Tell me what you think in the comments — but please, no spoilers!

2. If you’ve been here long enough, you know that I’m a big fan of Emma Grede. I’m also a big fan of Erin and Sara Foster — and so, when the sisters were on Emma’s podcast (Aspire with Emma Grede), I knew I was in for a treat, but that’s an understatement. This particular episode was something extraordinary. It’s a class in business, in branding, in trying to figure out where you fit in this crazy world. They talk about their careers and their failures. They talk about IVF and what it means to endure the heartbreaking moments of life. They talk about sisterhood, and collaborating, and how every twist and turn in their life has led them to this point. The entire episode is like having a long girls’ dinner with the wise older sister you wished you had. I cannot recommend it enough. I stream it on Spotify, but it is available on most streaming platforms.

3. I have been STRUGGLING with itchy eyelids. I don’t know why. Doctors attribute it to eczema, makeup, or sunscreen. Who knows. But these cleansing pads have been a life changer. LIFE CHANGER.

4. I recently picked up this red dress (it also comes in black) while I was on a girls’ weekend trip (sometimes girlfriends are the best people to remind you that it’s ok to treat yourself) and I’m obsessed. Z SUPPLY is one of my favorite brands, and I have trouble finding dresses that are a) flattering and b) something I like wearing, and so, when I tried this on and didn’t want to take it off, I knew I should buy it. It’s not a cheap dress by any means, but I have several pieces of Z SUPPLY clothing, and they endure the test of time. And kids. And the washing machine.

5. One of the hardest parts for me in being a mother is watching my child deal with their own shortcomings, and knowing that they need to work it out on their own. (ie — playing a sport, writing the “S” in his name, dealing with kids on the playground who are just mean, etc.) As a parent, you want to give them the world. But sometimes, you need to take a step back, let them fail, and then, of course, be the hand to help. In her latest on The Sunday Setup, Amy Shoenthal talks about her daughter’s swim test, and how passing it hasn’t come easy for her. It’s a beautiful reminder of how sometimes, the best things in life don’t come easy. That failures are a part of how we learn and grow. That being a good mother doesn’t mean taking away a child’s struggle, but standing beside them as they try, and try again. It’s a reminder for adults, too — that showing up is half the battle, even when it’s hard. Especially then. You can read the whole Sunday Setup here, and Amy has plenty more wisdom for you to dig into, too!

That’s it for this week!

xo,
Megan

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