Hi friends! Happy Sunday. It’s hard to believe it’s August (until you step outside). School starts here in just a few days and we’re all ready to get back into the routine of it all. Brady’s starting tenth grade and Caroline and Tyler are starting sixth. It’s wild to think the elementary years are behind us. I hope this post finds you curled up somewhere cozy enjoying the morning before the week kicks off.
Have you ever heard the adage, “buy it nice or buy it twice” or “buy once, cry once”? This post explores the concept of “buying for life” (spending good money on high quality) and gives suggestions for making items last a life time. I loved it.
Do we have have a 2026 book of the summer??
I’ve known the adorable Ashley Brooke for a long, long time and just love her content on Instagram and Substack. Her reflections on motherhood, productivity, and finding time for delighting are absolutely worth the read!
Okay I know the “things that are worth it” trend on social media has come and gone but I wanted to make a few more additions: this actually comfortable bra, this short sleeve cashmere sweater I legitimately wear once a week, this puff sleeve polo, the Ninja slushi machine (especially if you have kids), and this dress that I swear looks good on everyone!
If you’re a social media and digital strategy nerd like I am, you’ll enjoy this deep dive on the six principles behind why things go viral. I know a lot of people roll their eyes at Instagram and TikTok (and sometimes I do too!) but there is a lot of social science behind the scenes that I find genuinely fascinating.
Beautiful reflections on what your 40s teach you (that your 20s and 30s don’t!)
Just saw one of my favorite purchases of the summer is on sale for under $200 (I own it in madras and chambray, it’s that good!)
We instinctively know how to show up for a friend when they're sick or when they have a new baby, but what about when they’re walking through a divorce? This essay from a newly divorced mom is a beautiful guide on how to show up for our people, even when we don’t know how.
Teaching out kids financial literacy is something our household takes pretty seriously. Since our kids were little we’ve talked openly about money, saving, how credit cards work, etc. If your teen has a job or has recently started earning money, these are some good tips on how to help them manage it. Out of 160,000 high school students surveyed, 60% said they felt unprepared to set up and follow a basic budget and 57% said they were underprepared to manage a basic checking and savings account without overdrawing. I know talking about money can feel intimidating, but it’s so important. (More on how we’re raising financially literate kiddos here!)
I recently discovered Elisabeth Edelman — she’s a writer and single mom by choice, currently traveling with her 19 month old daughter in France. I love her honesty and vulnerability, plus her short stories on Substack are a delight!
It’s that time of year, friends — the Annual Family Meeting returns for another installment. Every August the Leys gather to build our school year structure together. This year’s meeting will be our biggest shift yet: we’ve got a sophomore who’s driving and twins heading into middle school. Next week I’m sharing how the meeting has evolved, where we landed on chores, allowances, screens, and bedtime, plus templates included, as always!
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