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- February 11, 2025
February 11, 2025
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Hey mamas, we survived another Super Bowl Sunday! Whether you were actually watching the game or just there for the commercials and snacks (same), the real headline was Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show. He didn’t just bring the energy—he threw more fuel on his long-running feud with Drake by performing Not Like Us (minus one particularly spicy lyric), making it clear the beef is still sizzling. Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson made a surprise cameo because… why not? What was your fave part—Kendrick’s mic drop moment or the return of the Clydesdales?
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More Than Candy: Sweet Ways to Spread Kindness This Valentine’s Day
Closet Clutter? Try Renting Instead!
Supporting a Newly Single Mom: What She Really Needs to Hear
PARENTING
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Love notes and kindness goals.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy hearts and flowers—it’s the perfect time to teach kids about love and kindness in ways that last all year. Looking for meaningful ways to celebrate? We’ve got you covered.
💌 Send a Little Love
Turn your Valentine’s Day party into a kindness mission! Gather friends, grab some craft supplies, and create heartfelt cards for those who could use a little extra cheer. Whether it’s veterans via Soldiers' Angels, kids facing illness through Letters of Love, or older adults via Love for Our Elders, a simple note can make someone’s day.
🎨 Color Outside the (Love) Lines
Feeling artsy? Color A Smile provides Valentine’s Day templates that you and your little ones can decorate and send to brighten someone’s day.
🏡 Kindness at Home
Make kindness part of your daily routine with fun traditions:
✔ Kindness Notes: Use printable “What I Love About…” sheets to leave sweet messages for family members.
✔ Lunchbox Surprises: Slip a note of encouragement into your child’s lunchbox.
✔ DIY Family Mailboxes: Tape the sides of a file folder shut and let everyone drop in notes of love and appreciation.
📚 Read, Reflect, Repeat
Stories teach empathy. Check out this list of picture books that inspire everyday kindness, and spark a conversation:
How can we tell when someone needs extra kindness?
What’s one way to brighten a stranger’s day?
🌟 The Kindness Jar
Start a Kindness Jar! Each time you witness or do a kind act, jot it down and drop it in. At the end of the year, relive the love and positivity.
FASHION
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Buy less, wear more.
If you’ve ever bought a dress for a wedding, wore it once, and then let it collect dust in your closet, you’re not alone. Enter clothing rental services—a budget-friendly, sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe without the long-term commitment (or guilt). But is it the right move for you? Let’s break it down.
👛 The Perks of Renting
✔ Save Money & Space – Renting costs a fraction of the retail price (typically 10-20%), and no more closet cramming!
✔ No Dry Cleaning Hassles – Most services include cleaning, so you just wear, return, and repeat.
✔ Try Before You Commit – Test out trends without the regret of a one-time-wear splurge.
✔ Convenience – Browse, click, and get a curated wardrobe delivered to your door—no mall trips required.
⚠️ The Downsides
✖ Temptation Overload – Subscription models can make it easy to overspend.
✖ Fit Issues – Size charts aren’t foolproof, so there’s a chance your rental won’t be a perfect match.
✖ Wear & Tear – While items are cleaned, some may arrive needing a little extra TLC.
RTR vs. Nuuly: Which One’s for You?
👗 Rent the Runway (RTR): Best for formal wear, work outfits, and designer staples. Offers 5, 10, or 15 rentals per month, with unlimited swaps and a pick-up service via the app. Plans start at $94/month.
👖 Nuuly: Great for everyday fashion, trendy casual pieces, and Urban Outfitters lovers. Get 6 items per month (no swaps) for $98/month. Bonus: More inclusive sizing than RTR.
Not sure which to pick? This review breaks it down even more. Ready to rent? Check out RTR and Nuuly and start refreshing your wardrobe—without the buyer’s remorse!
AND ALSO
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What she actually needs to hear.
Navigating single motherhood is tough, and while well-meaning advice flows freely, what a newly single mom truly needs is support, validation, and a little help (sans judgment). Here’s how you can be there for her:
✔ “You don’t have to do this alone.” Encourage her to find her people—whether it’s friends, family, or a support group that truly gets it.
✔ “It’s okay to accept help.” Many single moms feel like they have to do it all. Remind her that accepting help isn’t weakness—it’s survival.
✔ “Your feelings are real, and they matter.” Grief, stress, guilt—it’s all valid. Let her process at her own pace.
✔ “Your family is perfect just as it is.” Families come in all forms, and hers is just as whole and worthy.
✔ “Want me to watch the kids so you can take a break?” Sometimes, the best gift is a few hours of guilt-free me-time. 💕
TRENDING
![]() | Sleep divorce = relationship doom? Not so fast. TikTok is up in arms after influencer Matt Howard revealed he sleeps in a closet—for his mental health. But experts say separate beds don’t mean separate hearts—many couples do it to avoid snoring, restlessness, or clashing sleep schedules. In fact, 1 in 4 couples sleep apart, and research shows it doesn’t hurt romance. |
SNIPPETS
New research suggests people generally feel their best early in the day and worst late at night. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, tackling emotional challenges in the late morning may lead to better problem-solving and emotional resilience.
Dove & Sports Illustrated launched Sports Reillustrated to combat harmful body talk in sports and boost young girls' confidence. Featuring inspiring athletes like 10-year-old Honor Smoke, the special edition spotlights those breaking barriers and redefining what it means to compete.
OpenAI’s Deep Research just identified 20 jobs at high risk of automation, with tax preparers topping the list at a 98% replacement probability. As AI rapidly advances, industries dependent on repetitive tasks may be the first to see major disruptions.
DID YOU KNOW? February 9–15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week, aka the perfect excuse to sprinkle a little extra joy into the world. Whether it’s leaving a sweet note in a lunchbox or paying a compliment to a stranger, small acts can make a big impact. Need ideas for the kiddos? Here’s a list to get them started!
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This Zuppa Toscana recipe is everything you love about Olive Garden’s cult-favorite soup—minus the bottomless breadsticks. Packed with Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and a creamy broth, it’s a hearty, soul-warming meal perfect for chilly nights. Bonus: It’s quick, easy, and made in one pot. Soup season = officially on.
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🎽 Closet chaos? Time to channel your inner Purge Queen and ditch those "what was I thinking?" outfits.
🥕 Veggies, but make them French. This simple trick turns sad greens into ooh la la deliciousness—every time.
📺 Super Bowl ads > th2e actual game? Relive Sunday night's commercials ranked from best to worst.
📚 2024’s must-reads, according to readers. Because your TBR list can always get longer.
🎬 Awards season binge list = unlocked. From “The Brutalist” to “Wicked,” here’s where to stream the biggest contenders.
❤️ Valentine’s Day, but make it edible. From heart-shaped ravioli to pizza, here’s what to snack on beyond chocolate.
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✨ Annalee and Karin ✨
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