Paperless Post

In this ever-growing digital age it seems that we have forgotten the importance of the post. Doesn't everyone get excited when they open up their mailbox and find an envelope waiting for them - handwritten, with a stamp, sent with love?

It feels like pure magic to receive such a letter in the mail. It signifies the thoughtful action of someone who spent some time out of their day to find some paper, write to you, attach a stamp, and send it off. Through a handwritten letter, true communication happens! I often feel like we write much more meaningfully when we pick up a pen and do it ourselves instead of shooting a text or sending an email. Although convenient, it seems rather impersonal. 

That's why I have recently come to love Paperless Post. It takes stationary perfection and the convenience of being digital and combines it into an easy to use site that will have you wanting to send greetings daily! 

All of their beautiful, customizable designs are to die for and you can use them for anything from wedding announcements, to party invitations, and thank you cards. They have done collaborations with some of my favorite stationary companies, Rifle Paper Co. and Kate Spade to provide cards that fit your style and needs. 

Paperless Post makes it easy to make meaningful communication complete with a card, envelope, stamp, and opportunity for response all online which makes you feel like you're getting as close as you possibly can to recreating that opening up the mailbox feeling while being economically friendly.

I can't wait to write more using their website and app and I hope you will feel inspired to send some happy mail too!

Half-Year Update on 52 Books in 52 Weeks

How is it already halfway through the year?! As most of you know, I have been flying through books trying to reach my goal and have been having a bunch of fun doing it!

I wanted to give you a little update of how I'm doing so far. So this is week 26 (exactly halfway to 52) and I have read 36 books. However, only 26 of those books have fit into one of the categories on my checklist.

So, basically that means I'm right on track with the checklist but I will most definitely read over 52 books this year. I am also making a TOP 10 list that I update as I read a new book. I will be sharing that at the end of the year!

Here's my updated list of which categories I've already crossed off! Below is the category with the book I read to complete it.

• A childhood favorite - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A novel that is considered a "classic" - Emma by Jane Austen ⭐⭐⭐
• A mystery novel - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A biography - Shoe Dog by Phil Knight ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book that challenges your viewpoint - This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book you can read in a day - Beyond Basketball by Mike Krzyzewski ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book that has been made into a movie - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle ⭐⭐
• A book chosen solely by its cover - The Temple Mount Code by Charles Brokaw ⭐⭐⭐
• A book on theology - Power to Become by David A. Bednar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A celebrity memoir - Becoming by Michelle Obama ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book with a six word title - The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book set in a country you want to visit - Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book that makes you laugh out loud - Eleonor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book you read in school - Holes by Louis Sachar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book with a green spine - Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book with a character that shares your name - Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory ⭐⭐⭐
• A book published in 2018 - Educated by Tara Westover ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book recommended by a friend - Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly ⭐⭐⭐.5
• A book recommended by a librarian - When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A books that makes you cry - I'll Push You by Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• An e-book - Make Your Bed: Little Things that can Change your Life...and Maybe the World by William H. McRaven ⭐⭐⭐
• A book set in Africa - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A Historical non-fiction book - The Lincoln Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller for more than 10 weeks - A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book about travel - The Road Home by Richard Paul Evans ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A book about a current world issue - That We May Be One by Tom Christofferson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The books I highlighted are the ones that are currently on my TOP 10 of the year. The only one that didn't fit in a category is The Other Side of the Bridge by Camron Wright.

If you have any book recommendations  for the rest of the categories I have left or if you have read one of these and want to share your thoughts, please leave a comment! 

A Few of my Favorite Things

You know those products that you just can't live without? The ones that make your day easier, or make you happier? I've compiled five of my current favorites right now and hope you will just enjoy them just as much as I do!

hello toothpaste - I've been using this toothpaste for about 4 months now and I've been pleasantly surprised. It is a charcoal toothpaste so you have to be careful when you spit or it will get allll over your sink. But it has a good aftertaste, is fluoride-free, and makes your teeth feel CLEAN while whitening them at the same time. It looks like the price has gone up since I've bought it last, but I highly recommend!

thread wallet - this wallet is a TOTAL GAMECHANGER. I've been using it for several years now and I will never go back to another wallet. I am a very simplistic person when it comes to my belongings and purses are just not my jam. But when my keys and wallet were separate, I would always lose one or the other somewhere. Now that they can fit all on the same key ring, I NEVER lose or leave either one anywhere. Problem solved!! They are cute and functional so it's a win-win. The cards never fall out but the wallet does get stretched out over time so I try to keep only the essentials in it.

libby - Most of you know that I am on a reading frenzy this year! Nothing makes me feel more productive than knowing that I have books to listen or read right on my phone! Sometimes a physical book is not conducive to a venue, but I will always have my phone as a back-up for a book! It works through your library card and the limit for books you can have is very high! It is one of the most convenient ways to read.

fawn design - This was by far the best Christmas present! Like I mentioned before, I am not a purse person and hate spending money. We got it waaayyyy on sale so I could somewhat justify it, but after using it for the past few months I AM IN LOVE. This bag is perfect! It can fit up to a 13" laptop in a side pocket, it has an abundance of other pockets and has handles as well as a strap to wear it as a messenger bag. It is faux leather so it wipes clean really easily and has gold hardware which makes it super classy.

hummus - if you like hummus, these individualized packs are a MUST for lunches and snacks. I love eating it with pretzels and carrots. You feel healthy while eating it and the cups are the perfect size! They also last for a good amount of time so I was able to finish the box on my own before they expired.