Category: Crumbs

Tuesday Things.

1. How did I not know that some of this perfect September weather is called princess Diana weather? I love it even more now. 2. I said it last week! September is a better reset month. 3. Sourdough scones?! Okay I think these are happening today! 4. Fall snack season = almond butter toast with […]

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1. How did I not know that some of this perfect September weather is called princess Diana weather? I love it even more now.

2. I said it last week! September is a better reset month.

3. Sourdough scones?! Okay I think these are happening today!

4. Fall snack season = almond butter toast with a swirl of pumpkin butter. Can’t get enough.

5. TV things!! Oh my gosh, I absolutely LOVED The Perfect Couple. I thought that quality was excellent. I am also so excited for Tell Me Lies to be back! The characters are the worst but it’s so good.

6. Also loved this article on Elin Hilderbrand’s change of pace.

7. Fall reading list is coming soon!!

8. 15 items to declutter in 10 minutes. The mismatched socks are my fave.

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A Week In The Life, Vol 37.

Another week! It was such a good one too. Loving school so much. He tells me the most colorful and wild stories that “happen in school” – and I later learn they never happened. It’s hilarious. Blooms. Need major snugs after school. Sports week! Cross country. Entertainment at tennis. Hockey. More cross country. Going to […]

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Another week!

It was such a good one too.

Loving school so much.

He tells me the most colorful and wild stories that “happen in school” – and I later learn they never happened. It’s hilarious.

Blooms.

Need major snugs after school.

Sports week! Cross country.

Entertainment at tennis.

Hockey.

More cross country. Going to his siblings activities are his activities.

Baby BFFs.

Kids request sourdough pizza.

Hello.

Emilia and I baked cookies at Eddie’s request.

We went to the James Taylor concert!!! So good.

Wild siblings at hockey.

Best big brother!!

Best big sister.

Emilia and Max are in different age groups – she runs first!

He runs second.

HERE FOR THE SNACKS.

I love her little running strides.

They crushed it!

Finished the day with a dress up movie and popcorn night. Perfection.

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Tuesday Things.

1. Who else feels like September is the best time to start anew?! I love it so much more than January. I will never think otherwise! 2. How to make exactly 4 big chocolate chip cookies. YES. 3. I also had my very first pumpkin cream cold brew which meant I instantly started planning my […]

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tuesday things

1. Who else feels like September is the best time to start anew?! I love it so much more than January. I will never think otherwise!

2. How to make exactly 4 big chocolate chip cookies. YES.

3. I also had my very first pumpkin cream cold brew which meant I instantly started planning my Thanksgiving table this year.

4. Motivation to minamilize! I did lots of closet clean outs this weekend.

5. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I am a maximalist. I cannot help it!!

6. See also: I’m stalking all my favorite sites to find the cutest holiday clothes for the kids. Already!

7. For a Tuesday that feels like a Monday: diane keaton cooking in a turtleneck.

8. TV things!! So freaking excited for The Perfect Couple this week!

9. Okay I am now convinced I have to try a chopped cheese.

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What I Read In August 2024.

I can’t believe we’re winding down on summer reads! I feel like I still have so many to get through. But I loved what I read this month. So many great books. I shared my giant summer reading list a few months ago – you can find it here. Let me know what you’re reading below. I do […]

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august 2024 books

I can’t believe we’re winding down on summer reads! I feel like I still have so many to get through. But I loved what I read this month. So many great books.

I shared my giant summer reading list a few months ago – you can find it here.

Let me know what you’re reading below.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

WHAT I READ IN AUGUST 2024

Not Another Love Song – 4.5 stars

Loved this one! So I was hesitant at first because this author can write some DARK characters. In her previous book, the guy was just so dark. This guy starts out like that but it gets a lot better. The story follows two people who are musicians and play in the manhattan pops. I loved this storyline so much – the author is extremely detailed in the musical world and it was fascinating!

The God Of The Woods – 5 stars

Loved the one so so so much! Ooooh it is perfect for a misty summer day. This story is about a camp set in the 70s, run by a wealthy family. A camper goes missing who happens to be from the family, and a decade earlier another child from the same family had gone missing. This is very good and does have some twists – I saw a few coming but in the best way possible. I loved how this ended even if it was a little heartbreaking!

So This Is War – 3.5 stars

I love a good Meghan Quinn book when I was to numb my mind, and I mean that in a good way! They are all fairly similar and the characters all play off each other. In this one we follow one of the hockey players who ends up living with the coach’s daughter as a favor to him. The premise is kind of ridiculous but it was a quick read and one that moves quickly. I did like the characters!

The Pairing – 4.5 stars

Ahhhh this was so so good. We follow Theo and Kit who are exs and had an awful breakup. They were supposed to take an amazing trip that never happened, so years later (once they are out of each other’s lives), they both decide to take the trip… at the same time! I live for a good second chance romance and this one does not disappoint. The descriptions of the vacation are INCREDIBLE and made me feel like I was there.

The Housemaid – 4 stars

I finally read this!! Both of my SIL’s have been raving about her books. Oh my gosh, this was like a drug. It was such a quick and enticing read. Very fast to read and suspenseful! We meet an ex con who is hired to be a maid for a woman who ends up bonkers crazy. Tons of big twists. I saw a few coming but only because I’ve read similar books – if you have too, you will get what I mean. This books moves quick and I read it in less than 24 hours. Already onto the next ones! I love that they are a mystery/thriller but not scary.

The Rom Commers – 4.5 stars

I love Katherine Center’s books SO much. They are the perfect rom com to me – which is funny considering the title of this one! Here, we follow two screenwriters (a famous one and one who is hustling to make it happen) and they end up working on a project together. Super cute, funny, love the writing and the characters. I love that she can write cynical characters without them coming off as dark or mean.

(This is not sponsored but there are a few bookshop and/or affiliate links above! Thank you for reading!)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 36.

These weeks are just flying by. As soon as school starts, it’s like we’re off to the races. First regular preschool dropoff!! (like, when I don’t walk him in!) Sheet pan lasagna was a winner. Hot as heck for tennis this week! 95 degrees. Those blonde braids. House salad always. I put buffalo chicken on […]

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These weeks are just flying by.

As soon as school starts, it’s like we’re off to the races.

First regular preschool dropoff!! (like, when I don’t walk him in!)

Sheet pan lasagna was a winner.

Hot as heck for tennis this week! 95 degrees.

Those blonde braids.

House salad always. I put buffalo chicken on top of this. It was unreal.

I don’t feel complete unless I have sourdough pizza dough in the fridge, ready to go.

Loving school like a big kid!

In case you think my kids eat gourmet all week… they lived on pizza bagels all summer! Marinara + tillamook mozzarella.

She looks 16.

We celebrated my brother’s and niece’s birthdays and my SIL made these amazing pineapple chicken tacos.

Have moved onto pumpkin iced coffee at home.

Made a huge batch of pesto!

As summer winds down, once or twice a week I will get as much basil as I can and make batches of pesto for the freezer. I like to put in the souper cubes and store in the freezer too.

This is how excited we are for September!!!

These two are the cutest BFFs.

And yay SEPTEMBER!!!

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August Favorites.

A peek at everything I loved in August 2024! FOOD My chickpea pasta salad. A repeat, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have made it this summer. Many, many times! It’s a family favorite and always a hit. Also very customizable! Chocolate covered pistachios. I found these at costco and was […]

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A peek at everything I loved in August 2024!

FOOD

My chickpea pasta salad. A repeat, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have made it this summer. Many, many times! It’s a family favorite and always a hit. Also very customizable!

Chocolate covered pistachios. I found these at costco and was in heaven. Pistachios AND milk chocolate? Hello, I’m in heaven.

Popcorn bar. This isn’t something specific, but more an idea. My kids have been LOVING this for movie nights. A big bowl of popcorn surroounded by add-ins, like nuts, salty snacks (cheese crackers, snap pea crisps), gummy candy and chocolate. So fun! P.S. mix those pistachios above with popcorn too!

HOME

Hulken bags. I cannot get enough of these bags, but especially this time of year with school supplies! They are the best way to drag everything we need into school. These also make such a great gift! They roll so easily that the kids can take them places too.

E. Frances little notes. I just discovered these and I am OBSESSED. I don’t even want to tell you how many I ordered. If you’re a stationary lover, these are a dream. I ordered a bunch for gifts too. All of the rest of the stuff is incredible too!

Amazon lazy susan. This is the BEST lazy susan I have bought. It’s melamine, the sections are removable (so 2 bowls in 1!), it spins so smoothly and it’s pretty enough for any holiday. Oh, it also HAS A LID!!! Best thing ever. I’ve taken it to parties already and have used it for after school snacks. Love.

Rifle paper Halloween platter. I am in LOVE with this rifle paper melamine halloween line! I know it’s early, but in my experience, this stuff always sells out by September or October! I got this, the bowl, plates and towel at the start of August. They are SO cute. If you love to celebrate these holidays for weeks with your kids, they are a must! Everything melamine is an instant win for me.

BEAUTY

Afternoon delight perfume. I can’t get enough of this perfume. I love it so much. Warm and delicious but not cloyingly sweet.

REFY lip gloss in blush. Loving this gloss almost as much as my laneige. The slight tint is so so pretty and flattering.

Pillow Talk Fair lipstick. I have never been able to get on the pillow talk bandwagon – I’m too cool toned and it looks too brown/warm on me. But!! This pillow talk fair shade is SO GOOD for my skin tone. It reminds me a lot of MAC creme cup which is probably my all-time favorite pink.

FASHION

Racerback midi dress. In.love.with.this!!! You know those tank tops I couldn’t stop talking about at the start of the summer? This is like that, but in dress form. Super comfortable too!

Cuyana La Toquillera hat. This has been my savior all summer. I never go in the sun (or basically, outside) without a hat, but I hate regular hats because they make me so hot. I always wear visors, but this find was truly my favorite all summer. The band is so easy and lightweight and it provides more coverage than a visor. It’s really comfortable!

Mini zip pouch. Another cuyana find. In my larger totes, it’s a mess of pouches. I mean, a good mess. I have everything pretty organized and separate in pouches. I grabbed one of these and it’s just as great as you’d thing – that super soft cuyana leather is just so good. I got the deep ocean color. I want all of their items in that gorgeous shade!

MEDIA

The God Of The Woods. Definitely my favorite of the month. I was sucked into this book instantly!

Lainey Wilson Whirlwind album. I love every song on this new album! Have been listening constantly.

Criminal podcast. Okay, still in my true crime era. Loving this one all month!

KIDS

GoBe snack spinner. I also really love the lunchbox, but it is too long to fit in my kids current school lunchboxes!

Kid’s Halloween mug set. Like the rifle paper tray above, I was so excited to find these for the kids. They’ve already been using them (just to even drink water, haha) and I don’t mind, they are so cute!

Animal magnets. I actually got these for the kids for their lockers and they love them – but Jordan adores them too! They are fun magnets to have for kids.

[none of this is sponsored, i just love to tell you what i love every month! there are a few general affiliate links above! xo]

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How to Throw a Taylor Swift Party

graphic for featured imageI’ve been obsessed with Taylor Swift since my daughter was 11 and fell in love with 1989. I threw her a themed birthday party that year and our love of her music and lore has only grown, especially with The Eras Tour and all her new albums. I’ve updated this post (my daughter is now…

graphic for featured image

I’ve been obsessed with Taylor Swift since my daughter was 11 and fell in love with 1989. I threw her a themed birthday party that year and our love of her music and lore has only grown, especially with The Eras Tour and all her new albums.

I’ve updated this post (my daughter is now 19) but have kept some of the old ideas down below. These ideas are perfect for how to throw any Taylor Swift Party, including for a birthday! I’m including food and decoration ideas as well as some editable printable invitations. The Eras tour might be over at the end of 2024 but being Swifties will last forever – have the best day by hosting a themed event!

Table of Contents

Taylor Swift Party Food

Any theme party or birthday needs themed food, obviously, so let’s get fearless in the kitchen!

red velvet cookies with white frosting and blue and purple toppings
4 doughnuts on pink cake plate with sprinkles and candy.
cupcakes with white and chocolate frosting decorated with candy friendship bracelets.

Taylor Swift Drinks

Create some Happiness with some cocktails and mocktails!

2 tall glasses with purple drink, lemon and lavender behind.
shirley temple in a tall clear glass with cherries along the top.
  • Grab some bubbly to avoid Champagne Problems and, of course, white wine.
  • Live in the Lavender Haze, a refreshing drink with lavender syrup.
  • We know how much Taylor loves Red, so whip up a Dirty Shirley to get Down Bad, or make a Shirley Temple Mocktail.
  • Meet me at Midnight Champagne Cocktail
rose in clear pitcher with a lemon slices in the glass.
stemless champagne glass with sugared rim and drink inside and twist of lemon

DIY Taylor Swift Party Decorations

While you can find a ton of decorations on Amazon or Etsy, there are also a bunch you can DIY with just a few items. These are a homemade, for a Change.

  • Friendship Bracelet Garland (3D) – while a little time consuming this is very simple to make. You simply need foam circles, ball pit balls, letter stickers, fishing line, and a large needle.
  • Friendship Bracelet Garland (paper) – (see below for a purchase option, but this would be so easy to make!)
  • Paper Rings – wrap fun decorative paper around your napkins or cutlery.
  • Decorate your water bottles with easy wraps – just cut construction paper and tape it around the water bottle. Grab some Taylor Swift stickers to decorate!
  • Photo backdrops – these can get super expensive. To keep the cost down, grab fringe or metallic table cloths and hang them in an open space. Add balloons and your friendship bracelet garland.
  • Buy a cheap white paper table cloth (or white butcher paper) to cover the table with. You can either write your favorite songs and/or lyrics all over or place crayons or makers on the table and have everyone do it themselves.
  • Flowers add so much texture – mix and match bright colors and make your own centerpieces.

Eras Tour Party Decorations

These are some items that would complete your table and decorations – thinks like plates and things that would be hard to make yourself. To save money: mix and match themed items with plain colors you find at discount stores.

Items I Love

stack of disco ball plates.Mirror Ball Platesnapkins with Taylor Swift decals on them.Taylor Swift Napkins4 disco ball cupsReusable Mirror Ball Cupsglass filled with red and white striped paper straws.Paper Straws

These are so fun!

friendship bracelet garland.Friendship Bracelet Bannertinsel backdropTinsel Curtain Backdropcolorful balloon garlandBalloon GarlandTaylor Swift confetti.Table Confetti
heart hand statue with friendship bracelets and heart sunglasses on top.

Taylor Swift Party Activities

  • Friendship Bracelet Making, of course!
  • Make your own Sunglasses (I got mine on Etsy, but here are some on Amazon).
  • Decorate your own tennis shoes – Keds style sneakers were a huge part of the 1989 Era. Just be sure to paint the bottoms red – and use lots of glitter glue!
  • Speak Now! Have a a Karaoke contest or a Shake It Off dance party.
  • Play Pin the Dress on Taylor: Print out a picture of her and get some paper doll dresses for this classic party game.
bingo graphic

Click HERE for the FREE Download

game graphic

Click HERE for the FREE Download

Free Printable Games

  • Play some party games like Taylor Swift Bingo or Match the Lyrics
  • Watch The Eras Tour on Disney+
  • For adults, do a white wine tasting. Pretend to be a sommelier and pour glasses for your friends, or place the bottles in paper bags and do a blind taste test.
  • For adults or kids – do some Bejeweled DIY, either on cardigans or t-shirts, shoes, hats, or anything. Buy some rhinestones and all-purpose glue and get dazzling.
  • Photo Booth – Taylor loves her camera! Since polaroids were a huge part of 1989 and they’ve made a comeback, place one of these instant polaroid cameras near a fun backdrop. (For a cheaper option, they have photo printers you can hook up to your cell phone – I have one and love it!)

Items I Love

cases with rainbow friendship beads and letter beads (graphic showing what comes in kit).Bracelet Kit – Pony Beadscases with rainbow friendship beads and letter beads (graphic showing what comes in kit).Bracelet Kit – Clay BeadsCraft Heart SunglassesBejeweled Rhinestones

Editable Invitations

graphic of invitation

Friendship Bracelet Invitation
Click HERE for Canva Template
(Requires Canva account)

graphic of invitation

Red Era Invitation
Click HERE for Canva Template
(Requires Canva account)

1989 invitation

1989 TV Invitation
Click HERE for Canva Template
(Requires Canva PRO account)

Taylor Swift party invite

Girls’ Night Par-Tay
Click HERE for Canva Template
(Requires Canva Account)

Goody Bag Ideas

Don’t have Bad Blood with your partygoers or their parents – if you’re going to give a party gift, make it something they can use, not junk they’ll just throw away.

Photos from the original post – I can’t delete them! But remember: we only listen to Taylor’s Version now!

Taylor Swift Birthday Party Invitation Idea - a 1989 themed invite! Make this easy with an online editor and a picture.

(Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Okay. I am ready to decorate for fall. I can’t help it! 2. Just a reminder that apple cider is the best fall flavor there is. 3. This lemon ice cream looks absolutely incredible. 4. Have you tried fruit riot grapes?! Just tried them and I am in.love. 5. I haven’t put a lemon […]

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tuesday things

1. Okay. I am ready to decorate for fall. I can’t help it!

2. Just a reminder that apple cider is the best fall flavor there is.

3. This lemon ice cream looks absolutely incredible.

4. Have you tried fruit riot grapes?! Just tried them and I am in.love.

5. I haven’t put a lemon in my dishwasher yet. I want to.

6. TV things!! We watched Twisters over the weekend, it was pretty good.

7. Cannot live without a chopped salad in my life. These salad scissors change the game.

8 Very into making my own giant snack mix. Basically mixing all salty snacks and nuts together (popcorn always) in a big bowl. People go wild.

9. Things we shouldn’t stress over.

10. Hello, I made a page of Halloween favorites.

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A Week In The Life, Vol 35.

Back to school week!! I can’t even believe it. But first, cookies. Earlier in the week I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookie dough for the freezer. I like having this on hand at all times to make for friends, school, etc. I flash freeze like this and then store them in large […]

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Back to school week!!

I can’t even believe it.

But first, cookies. Earlier in the week I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookie dough for the freezer. I like having this on hand at all times to make for friends, school, etc.

I flash freeze like this and then store them in large resealable bags.

A last playground day before school.

So fun!!

We had a teacher meet and greet a few days before school started.

I love this outfit she picked!!

How is this baby going to school?!

Favorite version of my house salad.

We went mini golfing before school started back up too!

They are so fun.

He loved it!

Mini BFFs.

Earlier in the week we had cool temps and it was AMAZING!!!

This is the 4pm “but I’m not tired” couch nap. Ugh.

How we entertain ourselves at cross country!!

They love it. And can’t stand it while doing it. But love it.

A little late night back to school decor.

And I made them blueberry pancakes for the day!

Eeeeep!

How are these kids so huge?!

After school activities and a goal.

Last bath before preschool!

Next day it was Jordan’s turn!!

He was SO EXCITED.

No tears at all!

Loved it!

I didn’t know what to do with myself for those first two hours so I had to get a pumpkin cream cold brew.

First day of school treat from friends!

On friday night we had a movie night with popcorn and cookies.

Weekend birthday parties!

A hockey!

The most colorful girl!

And then today I prepped a few more things! Pumpkin muffins for the freezer, roasted veg, hard boiled eggs and chicken soup. Time for routine!!

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Tuesday Things.

1. My kids would flip over this ice cream sandwich cake! 2. Do you consider Sunday to be the start or end of the week? I’m on team end. 3. I’m just not sure if I can add sweetened condensed milk to red wine. I’d probably like it though? 4. I need your best countertop […]

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tuesday things

1. My kids would flip over this ice cream sandwich cake!

2. Do you consider Sunday to be the start or end of the week? I’m on team end.

3. I’m just not sure if I can add sweetened condensed milk to red wine. I’d probably like it though?

4. I need your best countertop fruit storage ideas! I’ve mentioned before how we go though TONS of fruit. I already have a banana hanger, a large bowl… we still just have fruit hanging out everywhere.

5. Feeling very certain that this pickle holder was made for me.

6. Speaking of, so many of my new favorite kitchen items! How did I not know about these?!

7. TV things!! Emily in Paris was cute. I also finally saw It Ends With Us! Loved it and through it was so close to the book.

8. It’s our last day of summer so I’m surprising the kids with a popcorn bar! Popcorn and a whole platter of treats to add in, like gummies, nuts, mini oreos, pretzels, etc. And a movie day!

9. The benefits of being a patient person.

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