Life at a "Swell's" pace

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tape.

A metal tape dispenser is just what I needed.

2. This rain.

The rain this week is relentless, it seems. I love the rain, so I can't complain...

3. This sunset.

... because the rain sometimes brings beautiful sunsets here on the west coast.

4. This illusion.

Kitty in a jar. (for the worried, she is sitting behind it, not inside of it)

5. This rain.

More rain to be had here. I am hoping that it will turn to snow one day.

One last thing:

We are going to be watching all the holiday movies this weekend. I like this time of year, because it is chilly outside, warm food and drinks are the norm, and you can cuddle up with a blanket and watching a lot of movies that are holiday-themed. Freeform has a lot of the good ones on their streaming platform. I'm definitely going to be watching Home Alone every day it's on.

Positive affirmations this week:

It really is okay.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice day.

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These cookies.

I have been baking cookies lately. Probably being in full holiday mode tricks my brain to think cookies much be baked. I've been using some of my own recipes that I have perfected to our taste over the years.

2. This runner.

Our table is long and always welcoming to anyone wanting to sit at it with us for dinner. A lot of times we are feeding Skylar's friends, and sometimes coworkers, but over all, it's always a place we gather at once a week as a family. This table runner I found this week at TJ Maxx and I can't wait to add it to the tablescape this holiday season.

3. This kitty.

I washed all the quits this week and Eleven was the first one to take a nap on them before I added them back to everyone's beds.

4. This syrup.

We needed syrup, but half the reason I bought this one was for the bottle. Okay, mostly the reason I bought it was for the bottle.

5. This subscription.

This week my monthly subscription to Birchbox came, and I love that a full-sized bottle of Paul Mitchell Hair Mask was included this month. I love anything hair mask related that helps hydrate my hair. Skylar has enjoyed using the hair masks, too, because the city water dries our skin and hair out a lot more than it should. I have extremely sensitive skin and Skylar got my sensitive skin, as well. We love to hydrate our hair, skin, feet, and everything in between. Birchbox has been coming through for us on this for a few months in a row now.

One last thing:

These two new items are now in the shop.

These Sardines Match Box contain 18 wooden matches in a matchbox that looks like a pack of sardines. They are perfect for small gifts, or just laying out on a table for decor. These Watercolor Rainbow Greeting Cards are blank inside for your own personal message. They are hand painted by an artist in Hawaii and come with a cardstock envelope. Both of these items are under $7.

You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

You deserve everything that gives you joy, slowing down and enjoying the moments that matter to you, and to smile at the things that bring you comfort. No matter the people in your life that try to take that joy away from you, you deserve to have a happy life. When people try to still that joy, they themselves have no found theirs. Focus on what makes you happy, and don't let people take that away from you.

You can do this!🌈

The image below is from Amber Fillerup Clark's company Dae.