xo

I'm Lisa Kirk, a wife, mama, writer, and founder. Since 2010, Something Pretty has been home to my favorite memories, reflections, and inspirations. Thanks so much for reading!

Love List

Love List

Charlie’s breakfast of choice is overnight oats. He loves them–almost every morning, when he runs into my room with bedhead and far too much energy for the time of day, the first words out of his mouth are, “Mama, did you make me cold oatmeal?!” Usually, the answer is yes, but on Wednesday night, it slipped my mind. While I can often make up for it on days like this with pancakes or toast cut into a fun shape, on Thursday morning, nothing else would do. His three-year-old heart was inconsolable. I wiped his disappointed tears and promise, promise, promised to make it for him the next day.

Fast forward to this morning, I woke up and realized that, for the second day in a row, I had forgotten to make his oatmeal. And I was furious with myself. I made a bowl of normal oatmeal and stuck it in the freezer in the hopes that I could defer another tear-filled morning with an imposter version of his favorite breakfast. It was still warm from the microwave when I heard his footsteps upstairs. I braced myself for another tantrum, more tears, and another morning of feeling like a failure before my coffee was cold.

Do you know what Charlie asked for for breakfast this morning?

Cereal.

I’ve been reflecting lately on the intensity of this season as a parent–navigating the feelings and needs of these precious little people alongside what I feel and need myself. There have been so many days over the past few months when I’ve felt like I was “on” from the moment Azelie woke up till the moment we closed Charlie’s door at bedtime–a stark contrast from the five hours of time I had to myself back in January. I can’t help but wonder if someday, I’ll look back on this–these exact months–as my most demanding season. Even if we have more kids, I assume/hope Charlie and Azelie will be able to entertain each other at least some of the time. I assume/hope this is the one global pandemic of my lifetime. It’s strange, but reassuring, to think that maybe, just maybe, this is the thick of it.

1. I had so much fun taking over the Everyday Mamas Instagram account on Wednesday to show a casual tour of our house. I hadn’t done a video walk-through since we first moved in (saved in my “Home” Story Highlights on Instagram, or, just check out this post for photos!) and really enjoyed sharing what we’ve accomplished so far, along with some inspiration for future projects. You can still see the full tour saved in their Story Highlights under “lisajanelkirk.”

2. Are y’all into mug cakes? I make them probably once a month when I’m craving a baked good after dinner, but don’t have time to make something more intensive. I tried out a new recipe this week in the hopes that it would be worthy of mention here, but unfortunately, didn’t love it. Instead, here’s the link to my all-time favorite mug cake recipe, which never disappoints! I often trade the graham crackers and marshmallows for a dollop of peanut butter on top (added after cooking). I like that the recipe is really easy to halve since there’s no egg in it.

3. I’ve been using a J. Crew gift card birthday present to do a much-needed refresh of my wardrobe basics–the types of pieces that aren’t very exciting to buy, but that I wear constantly. I picked up two classic crewneck tees (I sized up for a roomier fit and longer length, since they run on the fitted side), a comfy gray long-sleeve tee, and two of these relaxed tanks.

4. I finally ordered a fabric mask that came in last week, since it looks like they’re going to be a big part of our lives for a while. I’m not even going to admit how much time I spent scrolling Etsy for one…but it was a long time ;) Linking a few favorite finds from my lengthy search below (and this is the one I got for Charlie, in the rocketship print!).

5. We watched the 2012 version of Les Misérables last Friday during our weekly pizza night and have been on a “Les Mis deep dive” ever since…it’s so captivating! Absolutely worth a watch, especially if you’re like me and haven’t yet seen the musical performed live. (Fun fact: Eddie Redmayne is my top celebrity crush because I think he looks like Dave! I won’t make it my official question for the week, but I would very much enjoy hearing who your celebrity crush is in the comments, since I confessed mine :))

My question this week is still a little bit Les Mis-related, since watching the movie inspired Dave and I to start reading the (massive) book together. It’s been ages since I read a classic, so I’d love to know, what’s your all-time favorite classic novel? Mine is, hands down, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which I’ve read every summer since I was 13. A Moveable Feast and The Great Gatsby are also at the top of my list!

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  1. Happy Friday, Lisa!! I LOVE classic books and re-read my favorites quite often (many every year), and my all-time favorites are Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, Anne of Green Gables, and Les Mis. There are so many more (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is definitely one of them!), but these are my very faves!

    • Lisa says:

      I haven’t read Gone With the Wind in years! That would be a fun one for this summer! :)

  2. Katrina says:

    Little Women! For sure! Everything about it is simply lovely. Another favorite for me, though it may not technically be a classic, is Anne of Green Gables.

    • Lisa says:

      Aww, I haven’t read either of those in years! I definitely consider Anne of Green Gables a classic :)

  3. Alisa Zimmerman says:

    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Great Gatsby are both excellent!

    I love North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and as a result Richard Armitage is my celebrity crush.

    I’m also a big Jane Austin fan!

    • Lisa says:

      I’ve never read North and South! I think my sister (a high school English teacher) has taught it, so maybe I’ll read it and then ask for her notes!

  4. Dana says:

    You are a great mom!!! Maybe Charlie can help make his overnight oats? I’m not sure how hard it is to do measuring related activities with a three year old, but I know he liked helping make coffee for a little while! :)
    Thanks for sharing cute masks! I should probably get a mask that fits. I have a small head so the one that someone gave me I need to twist the straps and I think touching it that much defeats the purpose.

    • Lisa says:

      I think I would need a funnel to let Charlie help, but that would probably be worth the investment :P The ear straps on my mask are too big too–I need to cut and sew them, but haven’t gotten around to it yet!

  5. Mine is the Great Gatsby too!! I’ve read it a couple times, but also like to watch the movie at the beginning of every summer. :) Celebrity crush has been Matt Damon ever since the Bourne series came out ;)

    • Lisa says:

      Which movie version of The Great Gatsby is your favorite? I love the new one with Leonardo DiCaprio but have always wanted to watch the old one!

  6. Tricia says:

    Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite. I won’t admit how many times I’ve read it because it’s an embarrassingly large amount of times ha!

    • Lisa says:

      Rereading a favorite book is so comforting, isn’t it? I’ll admit I’m not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice but I wish I was, haha! I know it’s a favorite for so many people!

  7. Em says:

    I am one chapter into A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (for the first time!) and thinking of you the whole time, haha!

    • Lisa says:

      PLEASE text me anytime you need to talk about or comment on anything in the book–it would make me SO happy, haha!!

  8. Emma says:

    Lisa, I really appreciate the honesty of the opening paragraphs. What is most relatable for me is: “I braced myself for another tantrum, more tears, and another morning of feeling like a failure before my coffee was cold.” MAN that just hits home for me! I always feel like if I can just do everything right, anticipate every need, tend to everything first then I can avoid conflict. Uhm, so therefore I spend a lot of time feeling like a failure because such expectations are not easily met (sigh!). Anyway, all that to say is you’re not alone! :)
    My favorite classic is Pride & Prejudice!

  9. Jennifer says:

    My grandparents only had 1 videotape in their house- Anne of Green Gables. I grew up watching the movie every time we visited and it’s one of my all time favorites. I read the book once a long time ago and fell in love with it! I’d love to spend some time this summer re-reading.

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