A few days ago I shared copycatchic’s most popular daily finds of 2023. Today, I wanted to share the most popular posts that aren’t our look-for-less finds.
lifestyle
Top Finds of 2023
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a nice break with some time off and quality time with friends an family.
Here are the most popular daily finds from 2023! It’s always so interesting to see what products you guys like the most ๐ Stay tuned for the most popular posts in other categories!
- Arched Wood Cabinet Dupe
- Malibu Woven Bench
- Blue Woven Accent Rug
- Wood Frame Chair
- Wood Spindle Chair
- Cane Armchair
- French Seamed Armchair
- Glass Sphere Table Lamp
- Metal & Wood Modern Dining Chair
- Wooden Pedestal Coffee Table
- Upholstered Corner Storage Daybed
- Velvet Club Chair
Gift Guide | 16th Anniversary Gift Ideas
My husband and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary today! I’m still in awe that it’s been that long. I looked up what the traditional gifts are for your 16th wedding anniversary. It turns out that it’s wax. That’s an interesting, one right? There’s also a more modern list which has silver holloware as the gift to give. What’s holloware? Good question. I had to google it and it turns out that it’s silver serving pieces that aren’t flatware. Also, the gemstone for 16 years is Peridot and the flower is Statice. Here are some ideas I came up with if you need some inspiration!
We usually give each other experiences, like a staycation, a trip somewhere fun or to see a performance of some kind. What about you guys? What has been your favorite or most memorable anniversary gift?
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.
- This is definitely the big splurge on the list. This Dior candle and silver snuffer is so luxe.
- This set of candle holders would be so gorgeous as a centerpiece. Just add your favorite tapers and it will set the scene perfectly.
- Want some bubbly to celebrate the occasion? Who wouldn’t enjoy a nice bottle, especially when it’s in this elegant champagne bucket ESPECIALLY when it’s on sale?
- If the first candle holders aren’t your style, these ones are definitely more whimsical and fun.
- This bouquet of dried Statice will last for years, much more than a bouquet of fresh blooms. And the look is so modern and sophisticated. Love it.
- Want to make your own candle? I love these refillable candle kits! And the scent and wax is all natural so burning it won’t harm you or your family.
- If you’re looking for something more classic, this elegant silver platter should do the trick.
- I love a good accessory to remind me of the date and this Peridot coin necklace is perfect for every day or to dress up.
- This isn’t your parents’ Waterford. Well, maybe it is, but the design of these crystal candle holders will stand the test of time.
- This footed silver plated bowl with handles is a beautiful statement piece and can be displayed year round.
- How chic is this candle care kit? So eye catching!
- These silver-toned salt and pepper mills are definitely more on the practical side, but they are such amazing quality. We received a pair for our wedding and have used them daily since then and 16 years and STILL going strong.
15 Camp Packing Tips & My List of Must-Haves
So your kids are going to summer camp, theyโre excited, youโre excited…but before the fun begins, we have to pack those bags first ๐ I’ve been packing my kids for overnight camp for about five years now, so I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve. The camp’s packing lists usually cover the basics but most parents like to go a little bit beyond that. A quick browse on google for packing lists can be quite intimidating with pictures of Pinterest-worthy camp trunks, but take a deep breath. I’m here to help!
I. First things first, your camp’s packing list is your starting point. If it’s your kid’s first time at this particular summer camp then I would follow it faithfully. If it’s your 2nd or 3rd summer, you’ve probably learned what items work for your kids and what don’t. For example, even though the camp asks you to bring a full set of sheets, I never pack the top sheet…we don’t use them at home, so why use them at camp? For packing, I keep a running list on my phone (in either apple notes/reminders). In that list I can mark off what I’ve already packed, as well as a shopping list of items that I still need to buy. It’s handy to keep on your phone because you never know when you’ll be able to do a little camp shopping.
II. Next, you’re going to need a quality bag or trunk to put things in. Follow your camp’s directions on what works best. Some recommend trunks, others want duffels, some might even recommend suitcases with wheels. In our case, my kids have been to three different summer camps and none of them recommended trunks. We’ve had this durable duffel bag (#1) for five+ years and it still looks brand new, I highly recommend it.
III. Having an organization system is a must AND make sure your kids know it too! One year I put complete outfits each into separate ziplock bags for my daughter. She came home so frustrated because she ended up wearing the same outfit all week but had trouble finding socks and underwear since they were all in separate bags! Now hopefully your kids aren’t doing the same thing, but we’ve learned by trial and error that my kids like to pick their own outfits. Now I group things together in the same bag. You can use ziplock bags if you like or try packing cubes (#2) if you think your kids are ready for them (aka won’t lose them). I also pack my kids shoes in a plastic grocery or trash bag – those things are filthy when they come home and you don’t want all that dirt and sand getting in their duffels.
IV. We went with these laundry carry bags (#3) this year since it doubled as a bag to store their sleeping bags and linens for the flight there. If you think your kid will have a lot of wet clothing though, you’ll definitely want to go with a mesh bag. My daughter used to use a pop-up mesh hamper, but disliked it because she felt like it took up too much floor space and made her feel like her dirty clothes were too visible.
V. Go as minimal as possible when it comes to toiletries. Kids spend as little time as possible in the bathrooms. For my son, I end up not packing things like lotion or chapstick, because I know he just won’t bother with them. In fact, I pack a shampoo/conditioner/body wash in one for him and that helps save even more space. I also pack single-use wipes if I can, that way they don’t need to bring an entire bottle and end up wasting it. For example, I packed bug repellant wipes this year – so much easier for them to apply (and pack!).
VI. As for the toiletry bag itself, there are plenty of great options out there, but the one thing I highly recommend is that it’s made of mesh. It helps everything dry out between uses. We like these toiletry bags as they’re a bit smaller and easier to handle. You can also hang it by the loop if needed. This is another one we have and love – we use it for misc. items like headlamps (#11), fairy lights (#18) and cameras. A lot of kids use this type of shower bag so that they can carry their towels (#12).
VII. This bunk bed organizer (#5) is a tried and true summer camp must-have. It acts like a nightstand and can be a handy catchall for everything they need within arms reach – especially if they’re on the top bunk.
VIII. Put their names on everything that you want to come home. Even then, there’s no guarantee! I use a mix of these clothing stamps (#6), name stickers, white paint marker and good ole’ sharpie.
IX. Pack inexpensive jackets (#10) and shoes (#9). That way you don’t worry if they don’t make it home. And don’t forget a pair of shower shoes (#8) – these were only $3 from Old Navy.
X. These stationary books with pre-addressed stamped letters make writing home a breeze. We’ve used the same one for each child for years. I make sure to pre-address and stamp them, that way they don’t need separate envelopes, an address book or stamps. All they need to do is write a letter, fold it, seal it with a sticker and put it in the mailbox.
XI. I always send them with a variety of brand new books to read, including one that might be a little more advanced than they’re used to. They much more likely to read it at camp, than they are at home ๐
XII. Also, super important: don’t forget to pack a family photo! I usually pack an extra copy of our last holiday card. One year I forgot and one of my kids was so homesick. They said it was worse because they couldn’t picture our faces and that made them even more upset – broke my heart.
XIII. In the last care package I send my kids, I include calling cards. Old fashioned, I know ๐ but it really comes in handy for kids that don’t know their email address or phone number. You can include mailing address and even usernames to Minecraft or Roblox. This year, I punched a hole and attached a friendship bracelet to each card.
XIV. In that same care package, I send a return packing list for my kids. I think it helps for them to have a checklist to reference so they know if they’re missing something. I don’t list every little thing, just the VIP items I hope make it home.
XV. I know lots of parents clean everything after camp and put it all back in the bag/trunk for next summer. We use our camp duffels year-round, so I have a storage bin the garage that I put all of our camp essentials in for next summer: bunk organizers, stationary, activity books, bug repellant, etc. It definitely speeds up the packing process for next summer!
You can watch what I packed for my kids this summer on my TikTok account here!
Here’s a list of the items we’ve used, packed and recommend, or find everything I packed on my Amazon storefront under “Summer Camp“:
- Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100L
- packing cubes
- laundry bag/backpack
- toiletry bag with 2 handles and toiletry case with 1 handle
- bunk organizer
- clothing name stamp
- water bottle with handle and straps
- shower shoes
- water sandals
- warm jacket
- head lamp
- cotton towels
- waterproof watch
- apple AirTag & waterproof holder
- fun camp sheets
- card games
- 3 in 1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash
- fairy lights to decorate their bunk
- paint by sticker books
- paper airplane book
- Where’s Waldo travel edition
- Camp letters book (so sweet!)
- travel case with makers and a drawing pad
- easy stationary for letters home
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Thanks for reading!
Easter Basket Ideas for Tween Boys
Continuing on with our Easter basket ideas for older kids, here are some ideas for older boys. My son is almost 10 and these are some of his favorites and/or wants.
- This mini waffle maker is key for school morning breakfasts in the morning. We also love this “just add water” batter mix to go with it $13
- How fun does this fidget pen look? $17
- My son gets a kick out of this screaming goat $10
- This smaller Rubik’s cube has got to be easier to solve $7
- A good screen cleaner is a must-have $14
- This funko mando keychain is adorable $15
- This is a very cool looking weather predictor! $17
- A 10 ft charging cable $40
- A good quality basket you can use over again $24 (on sale!)
- A nice wallet that they can use for years to come $35
- A visually appealing wood puzzle is always a good choice $10
- Kanoodle is a kid-fave in my house $13
- A amber-hued book light for night-time reading $15
- An extra game controller is always in demand $26
- These ear hooks help those ear pods stay put $10
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. See more of our Easter posts here! Thanks for reading!
Easter Basket Ideas for Teen Girls
Spring is here, although living in California these days feels like anything but spring! I am ready for the rain to stop and the sun to come out. Easter baskets are always fun to plan as they’re just small items that are fun and playful. And it’s time to explore items I think they’ll enjoy as opposed to the “wishlist only” giving of other holidays. Here are some items that will be in my kid’s baskets this year. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but we bought a couple of bolga baskets for the kids years ago and have used them ever since for Easter and Halloween.
- A fun pair of sunnies in pastel colors, perfect for spring $20 (on sale right now for less!)
- We have wooden easter eggs we use over and over every year. Highly recommend $5
- These pens are my daughter’s current favorites $7
- A fun headband to use for skincare routines or makeup $10
- This fun little maze game is perfect for a little bit of Easter fun $18
- I’ve had my eye on this colorful version of jacobs ladder for a while now. Love the pastel colors $10
- Clean, everyday SPF facial lotion for an affordable price $22
- Steel straws that work in your Stanley tumblers. My daughter hates the plastic straws they come with $11
- Colorful pastel socks made with organic cotton $13
- This 8 pack of small notepads is a favorite around here. My daughter uses them for notes & doodling $12
- A silicone brush cleaning pad $7
- This is a very compact power bank on a keychain that can charge your apple watch, phone or iPad $27
- A sweet little embroidery kit that seems like a great project for beginners $22
- Who wouldn’t enjoy Easter origami $16
- A colorful basket to put it all in and reuse every Easter $20
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. See more of our Easter posts here! Thanks for reading!
Holiday Travels
This post is in partnership with Walmart.
Who’s gearing up for some winter travel? It’s that time of year ๐ Visiting family and friends is definitely on the agenda. I feel like traveling over the holidays is a whole other beast, wouldn’t you agree? I think it’s nice to dress it up a bit for the holidays. Although comfort is definitely a priority (as well as affordablility ofc). Now that we are out of hibernation-mode and out-and-about more, it’s nice to dress it up a bit, don’t you think?
Of course, Walmart to the rescue. I’m really loving their Free Assembly line – it’s filled with quality wardrobe staples at reasonable prices. They make it easy to outfit yourself from head-to-toe at a great price. I’ve found pretty much all I need at Walmart this winter season. I love when they make it easy on us like that!
All of these pieces tend to stick with a classic more traditional vibe, as opposed to trendy. I like to think they’ll last more than one seasons at least ๐ Happy travels!
- Cashmere gloves. Super soft, super warm.
- A classic watch. A solid choice that’ll help you make it to your gate on time.
- A pretty purse. This one is giving me Kelly vibes at a tiny fraction of the price.
- Satin pants. Love the vibe these are giving. Perfect for any holiday party.
- Silver bracelet. This would make a great gift as well!
- A nice coat. You could wear this coat on so many different occassions.
- A classic white button down. A wardrobe must-have.
- Sweater dress. This will keep you comfy and warm and looking good.
- Dressy flats. These have the perfect amount of sparkle.
- Barrel bag. I love this adorable bag!
- A Modern puffer. The silhouette of this jacket keeps you from looking out-dated, while keeping you warm.
- Stylish rain boots. For when the weather is a little too wet for those flats above.
- Versatile PJs. These definitely could be used on the daily.
- A weekender. A versatile bag that could be used for so many purposes.
- Loafers. A classic version perfect for most outfits.
- Watch. A great everyday watch.
- Lowkey cap. Dresses up or down.
- Cashmere beanie. I hate when beanies are scratchy. A cashmere version is just the ticket.
- A fun sweatshirt. This design give this sweatshirt a level up.
- A warm vest. good for all cold weather.
- Bomber. The faux suede updates this classic jacket.
- Boots. This sturdy pair is visually appealing
- Cargo Jacket. A dressier option than the last one and great for weathering the elements.
- A leather duffel. timeless.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Thank you for supporting the affiliate posts and sponsors that make this blog possible!
Snow Day
I hope you’re all enjoying the week of Thanksgiving ๐ We have a lot to be thankful for in our house…we have two birthdays in the family this week, not to mention Thanksgiving! Our schedule is a little busy these days. I wanted to take a little time to sneak away and hit the slopes before the holidays were in full swing.
With kids in the house, it seems like every year we’re always buying a full set of new snow clothes for both kids. I try to buy a size bigger than they need just so they can wear it for two winter seasons, but it’s a fine line between “room-to-grow” and too large ๐ Winter wear is just so expensive to always buy brand new. And it’s hard to swallow spending a lot of money on clothes that the kids will only wear for a couple of months, don’t you think? It would be different if we lived somewhere it snowed, I guess.
I’ve been able to find so many great winter clothing wear options at Walmart – have you seen their snow clothes? Walmart really surprised me, as I never thought to shop there for snow clothes. They have so many options at great prices – with lots of high reviews too! They’ve made it really easy to outfit the whole family for the snow without breaking the bank. And everything we’ve ordered from Walmart this winter season has been on point and perfect for our needs. I highly recommend shopping there this winter.
Here are some of the items we’ve purchased for our family, along with items that I think would be great options for every member of the family:
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Thank you for supporting the affiliate posts and sponsors that make this blog possible!
Holiday Looks for the Family
This post is brought to you by Walmart.
This holiday season really kicked it into high gear as soon as Halloween was over. I swear each year the holidays start earlier and earlier. We’re a bit behind over here in the Broussard household. We still need to get family photos taken and Christmas cards ordered. I’ve been pouring over our closets thinking of what we can wear for pictures this year – seeing if inspiration hits.
I’ve also been browsing websites looking for fun gifts as well as outfits for the family this season. I like to map out what we wear ahead of time for family photos, Thanksgiving and Christmas just to make things a little easier on everyone.
One of my favorite places to find reasonably priced gifts and clothing is Walmart. They always have such a huge assortment of clothing, gifts, and items for the home. I always find what I need and never leave disappointed. I always prioritize natural materials when buying clothing for myself and my family and Walmart has a great selection at even better prices – and you know I can’t resist a good deal.
This year I also found myself drawn to nostalgic prints and traditional cuts & patterns. Who doesn’t enjoy a good fair isle or cable knit sweater? A few hot trends are fun too as long as it’s not too much ๐ But this year I think, we’ll go a little more traditional. Here are some of the looks that caught my eye this season at Walmart! Click on the item below to go to the product page.
Do you plan out your family outfits for the season too? Would love to know what themes or colors were your favorites this year. And just for fun, here are a couple of family photos from over the years – We try to go for a different look each time.