Hello my lovely Substack subscribers. Today, I want to share with you all that I am officially closing my paid Substack newsletter. I am so grateful to those of you who participated in book club, who read my articles and commented each week, and who supported my little corner of the internet! It was such a blessing to get to know so many of you through our discussions of literature and to hear your thoughts on a plethora of interesting topics. It’s beautifully poetic: the first book we ever read for book club was A Christmas Carol. The last book we read was Christmas Karol. I didn’t plan it but it feels like the perfect bookends for this venture.

So why am I closing my paid Substack? For a few reasons. Now that I have two children, I need to make sure I’m giving them my full attention. That means cutting back on work to make room for homemaking, cooking, playing, and teaching. And as my Substack grew, it became clear that it was encroaching on the time I needed for my family. As well, I am redirecting my focus to Classically Abby on Instagram, where I can share my thoughts on stories, reels, and posts for you all to see for free.

Is my Substack going away forever? Actually, no! There are thousands of free subscribers here, and there may be times that I want to share some longer form thoughts with those of you who have taken the time to subscribe to my newsletter. So every so often, you might check your inbox and find an email from me - which will now be available for free!

I am excited to see where the next chapter of Classically Abby takes me in 2024, and I hope you’ll follow me over on Instagram for my future content. Thanks again to all of YOU!

RSVP to join our next book club discussion with the AUTHOR!

Join us this Thursday (1/4/2024) at 8:15 PM EST for a Google Meet book club discussion on “Christmas Karol.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to announce that the author of this month’s book club selection, Faith Moore, will be joining us for our discussion! To join next week’s book club, you must RSVP by 3 PM EST on 1/3/2024 to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

I’m Back, Friends!

Hello friends! I’m officially a mom of two under two, and I’m back from maternity leave. I’m so excited to share this new season with you all very soon. I paused your subscription payments for the month I took off, but you will be receiving your monthly newsletters again starting next week - and we will pick up book club next Thursday!

RSVP to join our next book club discussion with the AUTHOR!

Join us next week (1/4/2024) at 8:15 Pm EST for a Google Meet book club discussion on “Christmas Karol.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to announce that the author of this month’s book club selection, Faith Moore, will be joining us for our discussion! To join next week’s book club, you must RSVP by 3 PM EST on 1/3/2024 to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

I’m so excited to share this month’s book club selection! This month we are reading fiction and the book we will be reading is…Christmas Karol! I am friends with the author, Faith Moore, and she will be joining us for our next book club discussion to answer YOUR questions. I can’t wait to discuss it with you all!

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

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Quote of the Week:

“If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” — Margaret Thatcher

Classic Style Inspo

Karrie Locher is a wonderful resource for new moms about babies, breastfeeding, and being postpartum. Plus, she has five kids which makes me trust her even more! One thing I enjoy is her unique laidback style which comes through in the way that she styles her baby wrap. Her baby wraps can be an accessory in and of themselves!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Plastic Glasses

Jacob and I recently decided to replace our glass cups with plastic ones to make it safer for Little Man in our home. I wanted to find cups that looked like glass even if they were plastic, and I came across these! I love them and they are so attractive!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

Slow-Living Is A Better Way: Today’s Homemaking Thoughts

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

Friends! It’s Monday and I feel so close to labor I can taste it. I am just about 38 weeks along, and I have been contracting on and off since Thursday night, so we are on tenterhooks waiting to see when this little baby will join us. But man, am I exhausted! As a heads up, I will pause your subscriptions for about a month while we get our bearings, so you will not be charged for the month I take off for maternity leave. I’m hoping I can hop back into our book club meetings right around Christmas to discuss our latest book club selection!

We had another lovely weekend here in Florida with our friends and family. Sunday was another birthday-heavy weekend and Little Man had such a great time playing with his friends. I even took some professional photos for one of the parties which was great since I don’t always have the chance to flex my creative photography muscles. We finished the day with my parents and then went to bed early because this mama is TIRED!

Today, I wanted to share more homemaking thoughts! It’s been a bit since we’ve talked about homemaking, and one of my favorite elements of this lifestyle is slow living.

We live in the era of hustle culture. The idea that we would choose to live life more slowly often strikes people as unambitious, which has incredibly negative connotations today. Ambition is talked about my most people as an unmitigated good as long as it’s not done at the cost of others, but I have learned so much about life in the last few years that has completely changed my mind.

Life is worth living right now. Not tomorrow, not for the life you could have if you just pushed harder, reached further, and aimed higher, but today. I used to think that pushing forward was the ultimate path to fulfillment and happiness. It wasn’t until I had my son that I realized that the way I live my life day to day was really the best way to be fulfilled and happy! There is nothing wrong with living a smaller life with less but that’s filled with more time for those you love and the things you enjoy. If I can read a book, learn a new skill, and play with my son on an average Tuesday, that seems like a lovely life - far lovelier than pushing, pushing, pushing till I burn out.

Slow living has all sorts of strings attached to its definition these days, but I will simply define it here as recognizing that if you are comfortable (AKA you aren’t lacking in any major financial area that needs to be resolved), you can remain at that level and enjoy what you already have. If my husband needed to work an extra 20 hours a week, for example, in order for us to reach a higher level of income or if I needed to stop being a stay-at-home mom and start working so that we could go on an extra vacation each year, I don’t think that would fundamentally make us happier people. Our lives would not be more full.

We would simply be more prideful.

We would have earned more or gained a certain level of recognition, sure. But what would our daily lives look like? Would they be more or less pleasant when it came down to it?

We don’t need more things to have more in our lives. We just need time. And that is fleeting. So embracing a slow living mentality where you don’t feel the need to be busy all the time, where knitting and crocheting and gardening and cooking are activities to be enjoyed for their own sake, is a better way.

In conclusion, let me share three small ways you can start incorporating a slow living mentality into your life today.

1. Pick up a new hobby just for the fun of it. I recently have been learning how to crochet. I’m so excited to pick up this new skill just because it’s entertaining to me! I used to turn every one of my hobbies into a business, but ever since embracing slow living, I’ve realized it’s okay to just enjoy activities for their own sake. Not interested in crocheting? Try knitting, drawing, painting, or gardening! Pick up a new hobby for the sheer joy it will bring you and use your free time getting better at it.

2. Stop at the library and pick out some new reads. The library is such a good way to ease yourself into a slow living mentality. You can browse for as long as you want without spending one dime and end up leaving with a bunch of books you want to read. Choose a book that’s funny or silly - you don’t always have to read something serious or educational. And then read it on an evening where you have some free time, wrapped in a blanket with some tea.

3. Do one chore at a leisurely pace. As someone who likes cleaning, the act of rushing around to clean is very stressful to me. Allow yourself the chance to do one chore slowly. Put on a podcast and wash the dishes. Turn on a show and fold your laundry. Listen to music while mopping the floor. Turn a chore that you often rush to get done into something you can do with more patience. It’s a nice feeling, not running around trying to get everything finished.

So those are my thoughts on slow living! What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

Leave a comment

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“I do not believe you can have it all, or at least not at the same time in life. First of all, having is a possessive word. When we focus on having a baby, having a marriage, having a great and successful job, and having lots of material stuff we have lost touch with the most important part of life: being. Having a successful career and making lots of money that allows you to buy more stuff doesn’t help you to be more present for the ones we love: children, spouses, family, and friends. Intimacy requires time; giving up your role as a primary caregiver comes with sacrificing physical and emotional intimacy with your child.” — Erica Komisar

Classic Style Inspo

A simple way to look put together is to pin back your hair on either side of your face. I find that even when I’m having a bad hair day, that really gives people the impression I tried harder than I did!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Makeup Case

I love this new makeup bag! The reason? I like to be able to do my makeup wherever is most convenient. Sometimes that’s the bathroom. Sometimes that’s the kitchen where my son is playing. Sometimes it’s the dining room table. But having the portable mirror and light inside of this case makes it so much easier to move from room to room! And it’s great for travel as well.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

My Top 3 Beauty Products Lately!

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

Hello friends! It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day to be neighbors…Mr. Roger’s, anyone? The weather in Florida is absolutely gorgeous as we enter the fall and winter seasons, which of course is the absolute opposite of what most of you are experiencing. But we are so enjoying the weather cooling off so that we can go to parks, go for walks, and generally spend time outside!

Over Sabbath, we had a lovely day including a nap in bed with the whole family - which is always a treat since Little Man will often want to play, not sleep, once we are all together - and spending time with our friends and their children in our neighborhood. Yesterday was supposed to kick off the season of birthdays as we were invited to two parties in one day, but Little Man unexpectedly spiked a fever so we didn’t want to get anyone else sick. We played at home and took care of him, and then my father-in-law came for dinner and spent some time with my husband while I took care of some much-needed ironing and vacuuming. (P.S. Does anyone else actually enjoy chores? When I get to do them on my own without also supervising my son, it’s an opportunity to focus and complete a task that has a beginning, middle, and end. And I secretly love that!)

Of course, last night Little Man spiked his fever at 2 AM, so we spent a few hours together in his nursery as he struggled to sleep, and then we all slept in this morning which was actually lovely! We went to breakfast with Jacob’s father, went for a walk, and now Little Man is down for a nap while I’m sitting at the computer writing out some thoughts. I’m surprised I’m feeling as good as I am with being up in the middle of the night, but I’m doing pretty good! Hopefully that bodes well for the newborn stage coming our way…#37weeks.

In my latest video, I mentioned that I’ve recently started enjoying makeup again! I took a break from it for a while because I felt I didn’t have the time, but I’ve always found doing my makeup to be a creative outlet. I like to share some favorites with you all from time to time, keeping it simple for those of you who aren’t interested in beauty but also offering some suggestions to those of you who enjoy the process of getting ready. So today, I wanted to share three products I’ve been loving lately!

1. Merit Foundation Stick.

   

   Merit was kind enough to send me a few products to try. If you know anything about me, you know I’m not a high-end makeup girl. I like to buy stuff from the drugstore and only sometimes do I splurge on something more expensive. But these are clean beauty products, and I find that they perform beautifully - a combination that’s pretty rare in the beauty industry. This is so easy to apply to the skin. You draw a few lines on your face, blend it out with a brush, and you’re done. It really does look like skin and it goes on super quickly. Merit happens to be having it’s only sale of the year Black Friday, which begins on Wednesday, 11/22 and runs through Monday, 11/27. The entire site will be 20% off (including our already discounted sets), so now would be a good time to try their products! The link above is an affiliate link, which means I make a small commission if you purchase these products, but I really do stand behind them.

2. Merit Instant Glow Serum.

   

   This was another gift from Merit. It’s a serum that I swear makes my skin look so hydrated and healthy all day. I apply it in the morning before my makeup and it softens my wrinkles and makes me look like I had a big cup of water even if I haven’t. I’m not the best at skincare, but this product does so much for my skin, I plan to repurchase it once I run out!

3. Loreal Lash Primer.

   

   Last but not least, I recently purchased an eyelash primer. I never thought I would need or like something like this, but it totally makes a difference! My mother told me it looked like I had false eyelashes on when I wore this underneath my normal mascara. I curl my lashes, apply this, and then apply my mascara over top of it. I like how voluminous it makes my lashes look!

So those are just three of my top beauty products lately, but I’d love to hear if you’d ever try any of the things I mentioned OR what your favorite products are!

Leave a comment

RSVP to join our next book club discussion!

Join us next week (11/22/2023) for a Google Meet book club discussion on “The Midwife.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join next week’s book club, you must RSVP by 3 PM EST on 11/21/2023 to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

Join us next week (11/22/2023) for a Google Meet book club discussion on “The Midwife.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join next week’s book club, you must RSVP by 3 PM EST on 11/21/2023 to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and we will be reading The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell which was suggested by one of YOU, a premium subscriber! I can’t wait to discuss it with you all.

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.” — Charlotte Bronte

Classic Style Inspo

I have simply fallen in love with these rust colors for fall and winter. I love the way they look seasonally! See if this color works with you skin tone, and if it does, add it to your closet!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: OXO Lazy Susan Turntable

I recently purchased these lazy susans for a couple of cabinets I have that are too deep for me to reach into. They are great! I can place what I need to on them and spin them around to access what’s at the back.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

How To Throw A Fancy Party...On A Budget!

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

Hello classic crew! Today totally feels like a Monday to me, so it’s hard to wrap my head around that it’s Tuesday. I threw my birthday party on Sunday night, so I woke up Monday feeling totally disorganized but still so happy with how everything went. The truth is, the real reason I felt so disorganized was because I had the craziest insomnia after the event and slept only about an hour and a half that night. Thank God for my amazing parents who watched Little Man for a few hours so I could sleep in for the first time in about six months! But the rest of the day I was navigating through a sleepy fog…I guess I’m just revving up for life with a newborn again!

On Saturday, we had over our friends for a potluck Sabbath lunch and then convinced everyone to join us in our pool with their kiddos which was a blast. Something I discovered about myself this weekend is just how much I love seeing everyone else enjoying themselves. It makes me so happy! We hosted and had a great time, but seeing my friends relaxing and socializing was what really gave me joy at the end of the day. And that continued on through Sunday, where we started the day with massages and facials for the women in my family!

My sister’s birthday is only three days apart from mine, so I wanted to make sure she felt celebrated, too. She, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, and my mother joined me at a spa for about half an hour before we all got our separate treatments. Again, simply seeing everyone relax and chat before getting pampered made me so happy. It was lovely to see the women who work so hard getting a little time for themselves!

And that led into my party on Sunday evening. We had the absolute best time, and I wanted to share with you how I managed to throw a fancy cocktail party on a budget. I love party planning - it’s one of my favorite pastimes - and I love doing it within a budget, so I was determined to have a beautiful event without breaking the bank. So keep reading to find out how I did it and how you can do it too!

1. Focus on a few key elements. Something I’ve realized about party planning is that focusing on a few key elements is all you need to make the event feel complete. For example, for this party, I focused on the decorations, the food, and the sequence of events. We held the party in my parent’s backyard which is already beautiful, so it didn’t need much help in the way of decorations. I decided to focus on the tablescape, making my own balloon garland, and the lighting. We hung string lights around the fence and I designed the table as the theme and focus of the party so that people could get a vibe as soon as they walked in. But the backyard did most of the work - and that was great! For the food, I had strict budget for how much I was willing to spend and everyone loved it. You can cook the food yourself or pick up some delicious trays at your local grocery store. It doesn’t matter! Just set it up nicely on a few plates and it will look grand. Lastly, I knew that I wanted the first half of the evening to be socializing and the second half to be dancing. With that in mind, I could navigate the flow of the night and make sure we all got to celebrate together in the way that I had planned. If I had decided to focus on decorating the ENTIRE backyard or getting an elaborate meal planned or hiring a bartender…it would have cost a lot more and the effect wouldn’t have been that different at the end of the day!

2. Find budget finds at Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and Amazon. I love me a budget find. Our local Goodwill happens to have a terrible selection of items, but generally I really recommend checking out your local thrift stores for fabric, vases, and flatware. You can make a really eclectic table setting with all the amazing things you can find at a thrift store! As well, Dollar Tree has a great selection of fake flowers and plastic cutlery, as well as random finds that might just fit your theme. Lastly, Amazon has everything you need in the click of a button, and you can source things that are within your budget for your event. I ordered a few flower garlands, taper candles, and candlesticks for the table which made all the difference for the hosting table and made the event feel perfectly planned. You don’t need to spend a lot to make your party feel fancy.

3. Create a “Make Your Own Cocktail” Station! This was my own idea for this event, and I’m so glad it all came together! I came up with three cocktail recipes that all required similar ingredients, then printed them out and placed them next to the drinks. Then I set out a couple of cocktail shakers, a jigger, and a bar spoon alongside the ingredients and ice for people to make their own drinks! You can choose less expensive alcohol and mixers and give people just a few options to choose from but that will still make them feel fancy as they get to flex their creative juices. It’s much less expensive to choose a few juices and mixers rather than try and create a whole bar, and it still creates a fancy ambience for your guests.

4. Create your own photobooth. I attended a friend’s son’s bar mitzvah where they set up their own photobooth and that inspired me to do the same! I love building balloon garlands, so I chose black, gold, and pink for the color scheme and built a beautiful background for the photos. Then I picked up a giant gold 3-0 filled with helium and tied those in the center for good measure. I set up the photobooth was with my own ring light and phone tripod I use for filming videos and reels and voila! The perfect photobooth. You should be able to find an inexpensive ring light and phone tripod on Amazon. My guests loved this element of our party because they got to take home photos from the event and look good, too!

5. Make your own playlist and use a good speaker. One of the parts of the party that was really important to me was to dance the night away. I didn’t want modern music - I wanted music that I loved, so I chose a playlist spanning the 40’s through the 80’s! Then, I asked our guests to submit two songs they’d like to hear over the course of the evening as well. Once I had the list, I set it up on Spotify, connected it to our speaker, and the evening was complete. I asked everyone to wear cocktail attire and then when the dancing came on, everyone looked and felt their best. It was a perfect night and done for not much money at all!

Let me know if you try hosting a fancy cocktail party yourselves within a budget, and if you have any great tips drop them down below!

Leave a comment

This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and we will be reading The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell which was suggested by one of YOU, a premium subscriber! I can’t wait to discuss it with you all.

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children.” — Charlotte Mason

Classic Style Inspo

How gorgeous is this dress? Would you ever guess it has hidden zippers for nursing? It’s the coolest! I love a beautiful, feminine sundress and the fact that you can wear this even while you’re breastfeeding is so cool.

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Drawer Dividers

Looking for a way to get your drawers organized? These drawer dividers are a great find! They are super easy to install and aesthetically pleasing.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

5 Lessons I've Learned On My 30th Birthday

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

Happy Monday, friends! I am getting so excited because my husband is coming home TODAY after being gone for two whole weeks! It has been such a crazy time and I can’t wait to see him again. But I am so blessed to have family close to me, and this weekend was a great example of that. My mother came to stay with me for Sabbath and helped take care of Little Man since my pregnancy sciatica has really ramped up in the last week. We just spent the day together talking, reading, and enjoying one another’s company.

On Sunday, Jacob’s father came to visit to spend time with me and Little Man and it was such a great day! Little Man has started swim lessons and so we’ve been practicing swimming once a week to make sure he retains everything he learned. We went in our pool with my father-in-law and Little Man is doing so well! He remembered how to kick, how to blow bubbles, and do something called “choo-choo,” which means moving his hands over the wall of the pool toward a step or ledge for drowning prevention. He’s really getting the hang of things!

After that, we headed to the park, where my parents met us and then my father-in-law, my parents, Little Man, and I went to dinner as a family. How cute is that? I am so lucky to have such a wonderful support system and my son is so lucky to be so loved!

In other news…I am turning 30 on Wednesday. What a milestone! 30 feels absolutely huge to me. I can’t believe I’m crossing out of my twenties and into my thirties! I’m keeping the phrase, “Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving” in my mind because I’m so not used to the idea of being in this new stage of life. In a way, I think your twenties are all about figuring out who you are and what you believe, and your thirties are about living out your established worldview with confidence. And even though I am emotional about leaving behind a more youthful part of myself, I know how blessed I am to be entering my thirties exactly where I want to be. So today, I thought I would share with you all five lessons I’ve learned as I move from one decade into the next.

1. Time moves a lot faster after having kids. Before I had my son I felt like I had all the time in the world. Nothing really marked the passage of time in any obvious way except major milestones like graduating from college or getting married. I didn’t notice that a week, a month, or a year had passed. That all changed when I became a mom. Time is now an incredibly obvious ticking clock. I can look at my son and see how much he has grown from one day to the next and I know how quickly time is flying! I had a baby in 2022 and I’ll have a baby in 2023. My family is growing as the minute hand ticks away. Once time has meaning, everything changes. Life is so much more precious when you can see how quickly it moves. And it makes me even more grateful for the days I get to spend at home with my son, for the times I get to spend with my husband, and for the life I get to live in service of God.

2. Aches and pains compound after a while…and that’s okay. When you’re young, aches and pains tend to come and go. You heal and the bump or bruise goes away. You can look at little kids and it’s very clear: they’ll scrape their knees or bump their heads, and within a few minutes it’s as if nothing ever happened. As I am getting older, I have realized that the aches and pains don’t always go away. That sometimes they stick around a little bit. And that’s normal. Of course, if there’s something serious you should check it out and see your doctor. But sometimes, your hips are just going to hurt or your back is more sensitive or your feet will ache and that’s just part of aging. For example, when I had my first son, I got a little bit of numbness in my feet. It never went away! I went to a few different doctors and we couldn’t find a solution. It’s possible if I see someone else I’ll be able to solve the problem, but it’s also possible that I just have to live with this. And since it doesn’t bother me for the most part, that’s okay. Accepting the fact that our bodies do age is part and parcel of maturity.

3. Staying healthy is about you feel, not how you look. When I was in my twenties, most of my concern with eating well and exercising was about how I looked. I wanted to appear my best, and that’s normal, especially when you’re looking for a partner in life. Nowadays, though, I find that my motivation for staying healthy is a bit different. Of course, I still care what I look like, but I find that an even better motivator for me is feeling good. I need to stay strong and healthy for my family, so taking care of my body is a top priority for me. I want to be strong so that I can be around for as long as possible and able to chase around my kids with ease. I want to be able to stand in the kitchen for long periods of time while I cook without getting back pain that takes me out for a couple of days! As I enter my thirties, I think it’s important to recognize that feeling healthy is the most important part of taking care of myself. I owe that to myself and to my family.

4. Living slowly is the best way to experience life. I am so grateful that I get to live a slower life. I used to buy into hustle culture, thinking I needed to prove myself at every turn. But I’ve learned in the last year and a half that living life on your terms to your full enjoyment is the best way to live. Now, I want to clarify that I don’t mean “live your life” in the sense of doing whatever you want, whenever you want, to the detriment of others and completely for your own entertainment. What I mean is, it’s okay to want a life that is slower, more contained, and less showy just because it’s enjoyable. It’s okay to live a life that has time for reading, or taking walks, or playing with your kids even if it comes at the cost of a higher paycheck. And I am grateful that I have embraced that philosophy as I enter my thirties.

5. Reading is SO important. I have been reading a ton lately, and a huge reason for that is our Substack book club, but another part is wanting to educate myself on parenting, motherhood, and homemaking. And what I’ve learned is how important it is to read. Reading is the best way to learn and inform yourself, and it gives you the power to know more about any topic that’s important to you. I have loved learning all about different education and parenting methods, and I am so grateful to audiobooks for giving me the chance to read while I’m accomplishing other tasks! If you’ve been struggling with reading, I highly recommend starting with audiobooks while you’re driving, doing chores, or taking walks. You will learn so much, and in turn, you will feel so good about yourself!

Are you approaching any milestone birthdays? What lessons have you learned in the last year? Drop them in a comment down below!

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This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and we will be reading The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell which was suggested by one of YOU, a premium subscriber! I can’t wait to discuss it with you all.

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

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Quote of the Week:

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give, which is everything." — Katharine Hepburn

Classic Style Inspo

I love Ivy City Co’s clothing and I’ve always wanted to wear one of their dresses, so I was so excited when they reached out to collaborate! They are modest, feminine, and have matching outfits for moms and their minis. Plus, everything is amazing quality. They’re a bit of an investment, but I think it’s worth it!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Spice Jars

We just installed a new drawer in our kitchen that had room for all of our spices and I was so excited because that meant I could finally organize my spices in these aesthetically pleasing jars! They are also alphabetized and organized by number, so I can find whatever I need when I need it. What a great addition to my cooking space!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

3 (Toddler-Friendly) Recipes I’ve Been Loving Lately!

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

How are you all doing? It’s been a wonderful and crazy week for us over here at the Roth household. Jacob is traveling for work and will be gone for a total of two weeks which means I’m getting quite a bit of one-on-one time with Little Man! I feel like it’s been a blessing in disguise because I know that soon enough, I’ll be splitting my focus between my two babies. Now, I can give Little Man my undivided attention! The only drawback is that I’m also just about 34 weeks pregnant, so this mama is feeling all the pain and exhaustion. My back is starting to hurt and I’m getting some round ligament pain, but thank God baby #2 looks good and all is well.

Yesterday, I took Little Man to a park we enjoy which also happens to be connected to a little science center which he loved! Then we went to brunch together before driving home for his nap while I did some chores. We followed up his sleep by going to Costco for some bits and bobs and TJ Maxx to pick up a little costume for him to wear trick-or-treating…and he’s going as a Dump Truck! I don’t know if he’ll wear the costume, but it made me laugh. Since he’s so obsessed with trucks right now, I’m hoping he’ll let me put it on him.

And that brings me to the topic of today’s article. I’ve been working really hard lately to make sure Little Man eats as he should so that he can stay emotionally regulated and sleep well when he goes to bed. Unfortunately, this is the age where kids get obsessed with snacking and if his friends have snacks he likes to get in on the action. So I’ve been developing meals that are both balanced and tasty and avoiding snacks at all costs. And I’ve seen major improvements! So today, I want to share three recipes I’ve recently come up with that my toddler loves - but that I think adults would love too. So let’s get into it!

Cinnamon French Toast

Does this have a little bit of sugar in it? Yes. And does it serve well with maple syrup, which also has sugar in it? Yes. But since my son doesn’t currently enjoy eggs, French Toast is a great option to get some protein in his belly in the morning, and by adding in the cinnamon element, he’s been eating every single bite! I don’t have an issue with a little bit of sugar in my son’s diet, although I try to keep away from processed sugar. And since I bake the bread myself, this is a fully home-cooked meal! Plus, literally any adult will love this breakfast, too.

Ingredients:

• Bread

• 1 egg

• A splash of whole milk

• A few dashes of cinnamon

• A splash of vanilla

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• Ghee for frying

Instructions:

1. If you can, start by baking the bread from scratch. I have a bread machine that makes it so easy to bake all our bread at home, and I use the best recipe every time. Check it out here.

2. Cut one thick slice of bread.

3. Mix together the egg, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar on a plate. Combine well.

4. Soak the bread on both sides.

5. Set up the pan to heat up to frying temperature, about 350 degrees. Fry in ghee on both sides.

6. Serve with maple syrup!

Tasty Rice

I was talking to my friend about how hard it is to get my son to eat protein because he’s not a fan of chicken or beef. She recommended a rice dish with black beans, so I took her idea and ran with it! It came out delicious and my son LOVED it. He ate it up last night and then slept for 12 hours. I mean, is that the dream scenario, or what? Try this as a side for adults at your next dinner and give some to your kiddos and see if they like it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice

• 2 cups water

• Olive oil

• 1/2 onion, sliced in strips

• 1 1/2 stalks of celery, minced

• 1/2 can of black beans, rinsed

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• Turmeric

Instructions:

1. Start by setting up the rice. Rinse rice, then add rice and water into a small pot. Bring to a boil then simmer until water is completely absorbed.

2. In the meantime, chop the onions and celery. Set a pan on medium heat, and pour in plenty of oil to fry the vegetables. Fry until the onions are soft and pliable. Add rinsed beans. Stir.

3. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric to taste. I used less turmeric than the other two spices and it came out great.

4. Once the rice is cooked, add to the pan and mix together.

5. Enjoy!

Schnitzel Nuggets

Last but not least, try these schnitzel nuggets! I’ve found that the trick to getting my son to try these is to call them chips. Because they’re crunchy and delicious, he will initially give them a taste and then discover they taste great and finish the whole thing. And adults will love them, too!

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts sliced finely (in half) and then cut into chunks

• Eggs

• Flour

• Breadcrumbs

• Sesame seeds

• Paprika

• Salt

• Garlic powder

• Avocado oil or another oil with a high smokepoint

Instructions:

1. Begin by slicing the chicken breasts in half from top to bottom. You want to make sure the meat is thin enough that when you fry it, the inside cooks at the same rate as the outside. Then cut into small nuggets.

2. Get out three plates. On one, mix 1-2 eggs. On the next one, pour out some flour. On the the third, combine breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, paprika, salt, and garlic powder to taste.

3. Dip chicken breasts into egg, then coat in flour, then dip back into the egg, and then coat in breadcrumbs. This creates the best crust on the chicken.

4. Set up the oil to heat in a pan to between 350 and 375 degrees. Once it’s hot, add chicken nuggets. Fry for 3-5 minutes on each side or until it looks crispy. Feel free to use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature until it’s 165 degrees.

5. Serve with any sauces you prefer!

Let me know if you try anything and share your own favorite recipes down below!

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This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and we will be reading The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell which was suggested by one of YOU, a premium subscriber! I can’t wait to discuss it with you all.

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

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Quote of the Week:

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” — Albert Einstein

Classic Style Inspo

There is nothing more fun than getting all dressed up! We live in a day and age where everyone thinks about comfort first and foremost, and even though that’s nice much of the time, it’s always exciting to do you hair, put on a beautiful gown, and enjoy the femininity of a beautiful outfit. If you love getting dressed and ready for a night out, you’re not alone! I love it, too!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: L’oreal Lipstick

I was recently recommended this lipstick color and I’ve gotta say - I love it! It’s a really pretty shade and goes with pretty much any makeup look I’m wearing.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

How To Celebrate Halloween The Cute And Spooky Way!

Hello friends. As I continue to post my regular content, please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Jacob and I actually enjoyed a mini-babymoon with his parents at a hotel down in Miami and we had the best time. We visited the aquarium, enjoyed the pools and the beaches, toured the local restaurants, and I even got a prenatal massage and manicure! Jacob and I went out and had some lovely date nights together while his parents watched Little Man as he slept, and overall it was a wonderful chance to reconnect before our new addition arrives in December! Little Man did get sick which was no fun, but he still had a good time and loves the water.

On Sunday, we all went to my niece’s bat mitzvah which was so lovely! What a huge milestone in a young woman’s life. I am so proud of her and I can’t believe she’s already twelve years old! I mean, how old does that make me? 😂

Today, I want to share a few ways to celebrate Halloween the fun and spooky way! Now, I know for many people Halloween is a questionable holiday, so I wanted to share my perspective on it. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, though, so make sure to drop your thoughts!

If you’re interested in the history of Halloween, here’s a post I found on History’s website that explains the transition from Samhain to All Saint’s Day to All Soul’s Day and finally Halloween as we know it today. Many people feel that Halloween is a pagan holiday, while others feel that because it was absorbed by a Christian holiday, it isn’t as much of an issue. But I thought this passage in the article was particularly pertinent:

In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes.

Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything “frightening” or “grotesque” out of Halloween celebrations. Because of these efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.

As a resident of America in the present, I find that Halloween is mostly a fun commercial holiday for children where they can dress up, meet their neighbors, and collect candy. Of course, there’s a whole other side of Halloween that I personally HATE: the scary, bloody, demonic element that is not fun and is not child-appropriate. I do not like walking around my neighborhood and seeing dead bodies hanging from trees, or bloody carcasses strewn on people’s lawns. I do not like watching horror movies. I do not like haunted houses that are really, truly scary. And I do not like adults’ costumes that are just an excuse to wear as little clothing as possible. That is the part of Halloween I can’t get behind.

But there’s another part of Halloween that I think is so cute! For example, Disney World’s Halloween parties are just the kind of spooky, fun energy I think kids can enjoy. Halloween classics are such fun to listen to, and carving Jack O’ Lanterns is such a sweet activity with kids. I personally love the vibes of October and always call it Spooktober just because the silly version of Halloween is so adorable to me!

So today, I want to share a few ways I think you can celebrate Halloween in a sweet way and get out of it what you want to get out if it. I think there’s a fun way to celebrate Halloween - by making it family-oriented rather than an adult scare-fest.

1. Put on a “Halloween Classics” playlist. I love classic Halloween music. Songs like Monster Mash and Spooky, Scary Skeletons get me in the mood for some Spooktober fun! I love putting on a Halloween playlist with old classics which cater to children and dancing with my son, spinning around and getting goofy with it. Find a playlist you enjoy and set it up to play throughout your home as you get in the Halloween spirit!

2. Buy candy to hand out to children and take your own children trick-or-treating around your neighborhood. It is so sweet seeing little children dressed up and ready to collect their candy haul! I love handing out candy to children and seeing their costumes and happy little faces, and I love trick-or-treating because it forces neighbors to get to know one another and really embrace the vicinity they are in. It’s nice to remember the number of kids that live around you and to see how many nice people are in your neighborhood!

3. Wear a family costume. Get into the cute, spooky mood by all dressing up together! There’s nothing that brings a family together like a family costume. Find something everyone enjoys and hand out the parts accordingly. There are so many fun options and it makes everyone feel included! Plus, getting the parents in on the fun gives kids such joy and makes them feel like you are just as into the whole process as they are.

4. Bake a “spooky” treat. I love making chocolate cupcakes and decorating them with colored frosting and spooky sprinkles, but find something that your whole family can participate in! Everyone can bake together and then you get to enjoy the treats at the end. What a fun way to celebrate!

5. Play a Halloween board game! Last but not least, find a spooky board game you all enjoy. Of course, there are games that are more on the haunted, scary side but if you’re looking for something more family-friendly, check out The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits board game. I’ve never played it myself but I’ve heard good things.

What do you all think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie

Classic Style Inspo

There is nothing more satisfying as a mom than when you have a few minutes to actually get ready! This morning, I woke up about 40 minutes before my son and was able to throw on some makeup, do my hair, and put on a cute outfit. By the time he woke up, I was totally ready to go! Although I don’t always get up before my son, I do recommend trying to find some time to put on clothes that make you feel good, run a brush through your hair, and at least put on some sunscreen every single day.

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Pantry Storage Containers

I just bought these to organize our pantry and I love them! They are the perfect height for our pull-out shelves and the lids are see-through, so you can actually see everything from above. Hooray!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

5 *Attainable and Modest* Fall Fashion Looks!

Hello friends. As I mentioned in my Instagram stories, I will be returning to posting my regular content but please know that nothing is normal for Israel and Jews around the world. Please continue to keep the people of Israel in your prayers.

This past weekend, we got to spend time with both family and friends which was lovely. On Saturday night, we attended a friend’s birthday party - it has been such a long time since Jacob and I have gone out on our own, and it was nice to have some adult time with people from our community! Especially since in just a couple of months, everything will be different again with the new baby in the house.

Sunday was entirely different since we spent it with Jacob’s father who was visiting us! We went to a local petting zoo since Little Man is just reaching the stage of showing a ton of interest in animals. It’s so fun to see him recognize birds, dogs, goats, and bunnies when he sees them. We also got dinner as a family and in the evening we watched the new Elvis film. Have any of you seen it? I had quite a few thoughts on it myself!

In today’s newsletter, I want to share five attainable and modest fall fashion looks. And as it is actually 63 degrees out in Florida today, it feels like a real fall day! I wore boots and everything! So I am definitely feeling excited to talk about autumn style, even if today’s weather is fleeting. Let’s get into it!

1. Satin Midi Skirt and Boots.

   

   I love this look for fall. It’s such a mixture of hard and soft and it’s so lovely on. I think often people think they need to pair a satin midi skirt with strappy sandals, but actually, ankle boots or sock booties look amazing! Simply finish off the outfit with a sweater tucked up into your bra or taped up with fashion tape (which defines your waist), and voila! You look beautiful and feminine.

2. Oversized Sweater and Leggings/Skinny Jeans.

   

   The easiest fall look is an oversized sweater and leggings/skinny jeans! All you have to do is throw on a cute sweater you love - there are about a million options on Amazon! - and something slimmer on the bottom to balance out the volume on top. As a pregnant mama, this look is an absolute go-to for me. Wearing something easy and comfortable is important for me as I’m chasing around a toddler and carrying around another human inside me! But even when I’m not pregnant, it’s nice to have a cute and easy outfit to put on at a moment’s notice and still feel fashionable and modest. (Of course, make sure that your sweater covers your bum if you’re wearing leggings!)

3. Fall Dress and Jean Jacket.

   

   I love me a fall dress, but sometimes when it’s a bit cooler out, you’ll want to wear something to keep you warm. A jean jacket is the perfect solution and it looks good on everyone! Jean jackets are an amazing staple in anyone’s wardrobe because they make your outfit a bit more casual, yet look nicer than a sweatshirt or zip-up.

4. Chelsea Boots and Wide-Legged Pants.

   

   This is a bit more trendy, but I’ve got to say, I’ve been loving this look. Wide-legged pants are very in and if you find the right cut for you, they can be incredibly flattering and modest. Pairing them with a Chelsea boot is a great way to stay comfortable, warm, and on trend. Just make sure if you wear a flat Chelsea boot that the hem of your pants touches the top of your shoe, otherwise it has the potential to make you look shorter than you are.

5. Sweater Vest over Dress.

   

   Looking to transition your summer clothes into fall? Throw on a sweater vest! You can find cropped sweater vests, oversized sweater vests, button-downs, or just standard sweater vests. Choose whatever works with your body and is most flattering to you, then accessorize your outfit to your heart’s content.

Vote On This Month’s Book Club Selection!

This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and we are going to do a poll to choose our selection! The first book is The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell which was suggested by one of YOU, a premium subscriber. The second option is The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. Choose the book you’d be more interested in reading this month, and I’ll announce our selection next week!

“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more ‎violence. If the Jews put ‎down their weapons ‎today, there would be no ‎more Israel.” — Benjamin Netanyahu

The Truth About What’s Happening In Israel

If you want to stay informed about what’s happening in Israel, I highly recommend following Stand With Us on Instagram. They are giving up to date information about everything going on.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

The Feelings of an American Jew Watching Her Israeli Brothers and Sisters Under Attack

Over the weekend, Israel was mercilessly and horrifically terrorized by Hamas in what people are calling “Israel’s 9/11.” 700 Israelis have been killed, 2100 have been injured, and 150 hostages have been taken into Gaza by terrorists. This includes women, children, and elderly. The videos circulating from the terrorists of murdering, raping, and kidnapping innocents are so horrifying, they should be required viewing for anyone who questions who is on the side of evil here. But my goal isn’t to explain the history of this conflict nor to report the news as it happens. If you want more information about that, I recommend following Stand With Us on Instagram and reading this article in The Free Press.

Today, I just want to share with you what it feels like as an American Jew to watch my Israeli brothers and sisters under attack.

The attacks began over the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret. That means we couldn’t look at our phones or computers or TVs. We were off our electronics. We didn’t know anything was wrong until we got to synagogue and heard from others who had heard from their non-Jewish friends that something was going in Israel. All of a sudden, a day of celebration, a day of community, a day of rest became a day of horror. Who in our families or communities was still in Israel? Who had family there? Who do I know that could be in danger? And even those I don’t know - what will happen to the innocent civilians of Israel, my Jewish family, who were unprepared for this mass invasion of terrorists into our homeland?

We spent the next two days getting bits and pieces of information, hearing of indescribable horrors to small children, to babies, to mothers and wives and families who were unarmed and unable to protect themselves. We heard of the deaths of hundreds of people and the critical injuries of many more. We heard there were hostages being taken across the border. And all this while we tried to celebrate our Torah, our people.

It’s an odd thing to celebrate a once-a-year festival with your community while crying for your nation. We show that the Jewish people survive and thrive through any tragedy, any destruction, by holding one another close and celebrating the things that make us who we are. We stand hand in hand, side by side, singing our insistence that We. Are. Still. Here. And praying, endless praying, that our nation will stay safe halfway across the world.

As the second part of our holiday, Simchat Torah, drew to a close, we pulled out our phones and began to the see the news ourselves. Bombarded with videos, with newsflashes, with Twitter threads, with articles. We see stories of Hamas parading a dead, naked Israeli woman around the streets of Gaza, spitting on her body; pictures of a mother holding her two red-headed children as she is shepherded away by terrorists; stories of families with young children murdered.

And I see, for the first time, a video of toddlers in cages, held hostage by Hamas in their absolute utter hatred of Jews. We don’t know what will happen to them, but we know what we can fear will happen.

That’s when I broke down, crying and shaking. Because my son sleeps safely in his bed only because I’m here and not there, because I didn’t happen to be in Ashkelon or Sderot when the terrorists crossed the Israeli border. And these babies are separated from their mothers, caged like animals, scared and helpless and alone.

All because Hamas hates my people for existing at all. All because Jew-hatred is condoned by enough people in the world that Hamas isn’t even afraid to commit these heinous acts because they will still be given moral equivalence.

Even though I feel helpless, I know I’m not. We can donate. We can pray. We can call our friends and offer our support. We can protest. We can fight the disgusting lies that condone the conduct of barbarians who would do this to innocent civilians.

I want to share a few places you can donate and I hope you’ll pray for Israel.

Friends of the IDF

The Jewish Agency For Israel

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Mark Your Calendar: Book Club Is TOMORROW

Join us tomorrow (10/10/2023) for a Google Meet book club discussion on “Take Back Your Family.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join tomorrow’s book club, you must RSVP by 3 PM EST on 10/10/2023 to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

Hello friends! Last night, based off the number of RSVPs in my Google Form, I decided to cancel book club because of low attendance. When I checked back in at 9 PM EST, I saw that many of you had wanted to join but simply hadn’t RSVPed in time! I have decided to reschedule our book club to discuss “Take Back Your Family” - I’m glad you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Join us on October 10th at 8:15 PM EST for a Google Meet book club discussion on “Take Back Your Family.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join this month’s book club, you must RSVP to get access to the exclusive link! Please RSVP by 3 PM EST on October 10th so I know how many people are planning on attending. (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Classic Style Inspo

Ladies…do we need to start embracing hair bows?? I always thought they were a little juvenile, but I’ve been seeing more and more women wear them and they look so whimsical. What do you think? Leave a comment down below!

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Things I’ve Been Loving: Lumineux Whitening Strips

I’ve been using these Lumineux Whitening Strips and really enjoying them! I am about five days in, and I’ve definitely seen results but the biggest thing for me is that they don’t hurt my teeth. I have tried many other whitening strips in the past and the pain is just unbearable for me. These don’t give me any pain at all!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

Four Ways I Deal With SUDDEN Anxiety

Hello lovely ladies! I can’t believe it’s Monday. The Jewish holidays have been back to back, so we are a bit off schedule-wise. Normally, we have Sabbath from Friday night through Saturday night. This year, the Jewish holidays overlap with Sabbath and then continue through Sunday. Having that day off between Sabbath and the start of the week to go out, explore, take care of chores, etc. is the typical state of affairs, but going right into the new week is a different kind of challenge! This coming weekend is the last Jewish holiday until Chanukah, so it will be nice to get back into a routine as things even out.

We are currently celebrating the holiday of Sukkot, or the “Festival of Booths,” and we had a beautiful first couple of days. Now we are in what we call “Chol Hamoed” which basically means the intermediate days when we can still work but we are simultaneously celebrating the festival. We built a beautiful Sukkah and decorated it, but yesterday just as we were about to have some friends over for a little snack, the wind completely took our Sukkah out! One of the legs BENT and the whole thing started to collapse. Unfortunately, we don’t know what we are going to do next, but for the moment we can stop by our friends’ homes and use their sukkahs as needed.

In other news, last night as I was climbing into bed, I found myself immediately hit with a swell of anxiety. I almost thought I was going to have a panic attack! I rarely feel this way anymore and when I do, it’s usually situational, but this came out of nowhere. I have dealt with this in the past, so I was able to stop my physical reaction in its tracks by taking deep breaths, looking around the room and naming the objects around me, and having my husband put his arms around me to have someone to physically touch. But it was so random and odd that I thought I would share a few techniques I’ve come up with over the years that really help me to STOP an anxiety attack before it overtakes me.

Anxiety is an interesting emotion. I think we have come as a society to view it as something to take ownership of - “MY anxiety” - rather than like any other emotion we experience as human beings. We wouldn’t really think of saying “MY sadness” or “MY happiness.” We would just say, “I’m feeling sad,” or, “I’m feeling happy.” I remember the first time I started looking at things this way and stopped calling my anxious feelings “MY anxiety,” I felt instantly lighter. It wasn’t something that lived on my back, always waiting in the shadows to surprise me. It was like any other emotion - situational, fleeting, and natural to the human state.

So last night when I felt anxious all of a sudden and felt the physical attributes of anxiety (heart racing, quickening breath, etc.), I didn’t lean into it like I used to, ready to go along for the ride. I tried my best to stop it. Now, I’m not a doctor and everyone is different. I know that the experience of anxiety and anxiousness is hard to control and I’m not saying that my suggestions will work for each person. But if I can help even one of you in a moment of sudden anxiety, that’s great! So let me share my tools.

1. Don’t explore where the anxiety came from at that moment. There’s a book I love and that I’ve recommended multiple times called, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” It’s a small book for your bedside table that I read periodically when I’m starting to get in my own head too much. One of the chapters in the book talks about anxiety and recommends not trying to analyze where your anxiety is coming from in the moment that you’re feeling it. Instead, let it pass like a breeze over you. Don’t get into the nitty-gritty of the emotional root of your feelings. Let the anxiety pass first. I found this mind-blowing when I first read it. As someone who is always trying to find the root of my feelings, I used to try and delve deep while I was in the throes of anxiety and it always made my anxiety worse. I wasn’t able to think clearly and I was searching so hard for an answer in the hopes that it would solve the physical and emotional discomfort I was feeling. Once I stopped trying to search for the root while I was feeling anxious, I was able to let the emotions pass and revisit the root of it later. I wasn’t extending the period of time I was mired in this uncomfortable state. Instead, I could recognize the feeling, accept it as being there for the moment, and try to figure out what caused it later. This has saved me so much grief and I highly recommend keeping it in mind for the future!

2. Get into your physical body and the physical space you are in. As I mentioned above, there are some real physical actions you can take to ground yourself when you’re feeling yourself spiral into anxiety. Anxiety is all in the mind, so it’s really important to get out of your head and put yourself back into the present place. I always start by taking some deep breaths to feel my lungs and my chest raising up and down. The next thing I do is to name the objects that surround me, reminding me of where I actually am, not where my head is at. So last night, for example, I was lying in bed. I opened my eyes and named my dresser, the ceiling fan, my lamp, my windows, and my drapes. Naming things is sort of like counting sheep - it’s boring and simple and forces your mind to slow down a bit. Lastly, asking my husband to hold me steadied me as well. I knew I wasn’t alone and I had the grounding presence of Jacob to keep me in my body and out of my head. I could feel another person breathing, existing, right next to me so I knew I wasn’t going to slip into my anxious thoughts.

3. Think of mundane and happy things. My next trick is perhaps something that just works for me, but I always find that it helps. When you’re in the throes of anxiety, it’s easy to start imagining everything being out of control, scary, and larger than life. The easiest way to ground my thoughts is to think of the most mundane and happy things that surround us. Perhaps that’s watching a show like The Office where people are living normal, boring, happy lives and nothing is too out of control. Perhaps that’s thinking about your next family trip and planning a simple little itinerary. I find that thinking about the beautiful, boring parts of life reminds me that the big scary stuff is really very rare and the simple small stuff is what life is made of.

4. Pray to God about what your grateful for. Lastly, once you’ve calmed down a bit, I recommend thanking God for all the things you’re grateful for. Praying to God for help can be helpful as well, but sometimes when anxiety is sudden we can cry out desperately which makes us feel even more out of control. Handing over the reins to God and expecting Him to erase all of our negative feelings can be overwhelming when the feelings don’t immediately dissipate. Instead, I try to thank God for all He has given me in the moments where I’m definitely not focused on being grateful. It would not be my first impulse to thank God in the middle of a panic attack, but doing so gets me out of my head, where things are gray and awful, and reminds me of reality - all the beautiful things I do have and all the wonderful things God gives me. Getting out of my head - where the real danger is - is the key to moving out of sudden anxiety and allowing the feeling to move on by rather than settle in place.

Have you ever struggled with anxious feelings? What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments down below!

Mark Your Calendar: Book Club Is TOMORROW!

Join us tomorrow (10/3/2023) for a Google Meet book club discussion on “Take Back Your Family.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join tomorrow’s book club, you must RSVP to get access to the exclusive link! (Once you respond, the form will admit you. If you need to find the link again, you may have to “edit your response” - just input the same RSVP info and you’ll get access to the link again.) If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Book Club and get access to your EXCLUSIVE link here!

This month we are reading nonfiction (we switch up month-to-month) and the book we have chosen is…Take Back Your Family! I took so much from this book, and I’d love to encourage you all to enjoy it alongside me. I look forward to rereading it! Our next meeting will be on October 3rd at 8 PM EST.

Subscribe now

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“Lay hold of today’s task and you will not depend so much upon tomorrow’s.” — Seneca

Classic Style Inspo

What is it about an easy T-shirt dress that never goes out of style? I love this one from Amazon because it’s so easy to throw on, and I can wear it before, during and after pregnancy. You can dress it up with a cute pair of wedges and a jean jacket, or you can dress it down with a pair of sneakers and a baseball cap.

Things I’ve Been Loving: Erasable Pens

Does anyone else remember erasable pens? When we were kids, they were AWFUL! They barely erased the words on the page and if they did, they ripped the paper at the same time. These are totally different! They write pretty cleanly and erase beautifully. I love these for my planner because it allows my schedule to change without filling my calendar with x’s and cross-outs.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

The Beauty Of Repentance: Yom Kippur

Happy Monday, lovely classic crew. This newsletter is going out as Jews everywhere are fasting, praying, and turning to God on the holiest day of the year: Yom Kippur. I am writing this on Sunday, before the fast has begun and before we go on radio silence to participate in the holiday. My husband, son, and I went to breakfast this morning and spent all of Sabbath relaxing together, and now my son is sleeping while I get my work done and my husband takes care of some important tasks around the house. Our dishwasher, for example, just officially kicked the bucket and so he is ordering a new one for us. Thank God for paper plates in the meantime!

I hope you checked out my second trimester recap on my channel - I am definitely feeling the third trimester coming at me fast! My sciatica has kicked up in the last few days and I am feeling all the extra weight on my body hurting my joints a bit, but it’s all worth it when I feel those little baby movements inside my belly. It’s funny - even though being pregnant isn’t easy, I actually really enjoy it and it makes me sad to think it will be over soon! Of course, I love getting to meet my little babies - but having them inside my body is such an amazing, Godly experience that I never want to take for granted.

Yom Kippur is an important time for self-reflection and repentance. "Repentance?” you might ask. In today’s day and age, repentance seems like such a heavy word. Like we have to beg or grovel to find forgiveness in our actions. But I don’t think that’s an accurate representation of what the word means - and I think there’s a lot of beauty in learning how to really, truly repent.

When I think of the word “repentance,” I view it as an opportunity to reflect and grow. We can see what actions we did this year that we don’t want to repeat, that we feel badly about, or that we simply think we could improve upon, and change ourselves moving forward. And yes, that requires us to feel a level of regret. In the same way that physical pain in most cases teaches us to stop whatever we are doing, spiritual pain and regret teaches us the same thing. We get a burn on our hand if we touch the stove so that we know to pull our hand away and not damage the skin further; we get a feeling of regret when we act in a way that hurts ourselves or others so we know that we must redirect our future choices.

Repentance allows us to make a sincere effort to change, because without truly repenting we can’t accept the full responsibility for our prior mistakes or deliberate actions. We can’t take any real steps in a different direction if we don’t first acknowledge that what we did is worthy of feeling sorry for. There is beauty in repentance because there is beauty in owning up to our flaws.

So today, I want to share three ways you can repent, reflect, and grow in this season. And I’d like to add — none of this has to be done in a guilt-ridden, anxiety-filled fashion. We can accept our past while moving brightly ahead to our present and future. I used to beat myself up for the things I’d done wrong; now, I know it’s indulgent to spend so much time focusing on what’s already happened rather than making steps towards improving myself as I move forward. The guilt is only helpful initially; beyond that, it’s a hindrance to our self-growth.

1. Assess your past actions thoroughly. Sit down with a pen and paper. Write down the things you did this year that you wish you had done differently. This can range the gamut from time management goals to being there for friends and family to your relationship to God. You’ll likely want to improve in the big three areas of your life: what you owe yourself, what you owe others, and what you owe God. Break it down into three columns and be really honest. Did you hold yourself responsible to accomplishing your goals this year? If not, write it down. Did you make enough time to take care of yourself so you could be kind to those around you? Did you go out of your way to help your friends even when you weren’t in the mood? Did you read your bible, pray, and lean on God on a regular basis? Write down all the ways you feel you fell short this year. Don’t make it about your guilt — instead, think of it as a fact-finding mission.

2. Ask why you struggle with certain behaviors so you can address the root of the problem. Look at your list again. Do you spy a pattern in any of the choices you’ve made this year? Perhaps you procrastinate often and put yourself and others in stressful situations. Maybe you do this because the anxiety of planning pushes you to wait till the last moment. Now you can make a plan to improve in this area knowing the real reason you struggle with procrastination. Perhaps you don’t go to church as often as you should. Maybe you do this because you’re afraid of people judging you. Now you can grapple with that fear and either recognize that it’s inaccurate or find a better church for your needs. Finding the underlying reason for your actions can lead you to make better choices in the future instead of sticking a band-aid on a deeper wound.

3. Make actionable goals for how you’d like to improve. The last step of the repentance process is to actually change your behavior moving forward. This requires you to make actionable goals rather than vague ones. Instead of saying, “I’m going to go to church more often,” for example, you might say, “I’m going to make cookies for the people at church on Saturday so I can bring them on Sunday morning.” That way, you’ve created a system wherein you have given yourself a commitment that is actionable and that forces you to follow through. Another example might be if you want to be kinder to your spouse when you’re feeling tired. Instead of saying, “I’m going to be nicer,” you might say, “I’m going to go to bed fifteen minutes earlier each night so that I have more energy at the end of the day.” Or even, “When I feel like I want to lash out, instead I’m going to give my husband a hug or squeeze his hand.” Physical touch can be a stress reliever, so turning a tension-filled moment into a love-filled one is a wonderful alternative. By asking yourself to take real actions, you can improve in small ways that eventually turn into big ways.

What do you all think? Share your thoughts down below! And if you celebrate, have a meaningful Yom Kippur!

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This month we are reading nonfiction (we switch up month-to-month) and the book we have chosen is…Take Back Your Family! I took so much from this book, and I’d love to encourage you all to enjoy it alongside me. I look forward to rereading it! Our next meeting will be on October 3rd at 8 PM EST.

Subscribe now

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

“Well done is better than well said.” — Benjamin Franklin

Classic Style Inspo

Jennifer L. Scott is a great content creator and author if you aren’t already following her! I love her classic sense of style, and this outfit is so relaxed, cute, and put-together. The leather tennis shoes, the cropped wide-leg pants, and the striped top are all so summery but perfect to transition to cooler weather.

Things I’ve Been Loving: Dryer Balls

I love wool dryer balls! My family can’t use scented laundry detergent or fabric softener because we have sensitive skin, so I like to drop some essential oils onto these and throw them in the dryer. It spreads the scent, which is all natural and doesn’t irritate our skin, and it makes our clothing dry faster.

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

Time Management and the Homemaker: Today's Homemaking Thoughts

Friends! It’s good to be sitting here writing at my computer again. This past week was really difficult, but we ended on a high note and I’m grateful to be back in the swing of things once more. If you weren’t following along on Instagram, last week I contracted the flu. That would have been hard enough, but then my son came down with something completely different - he had a cold and was waking up throughout the night spiking 104 degree fevers. What with us both being sick, I didn’t sleep for about four nights while trying to recover. I had three engagements I had to cancel plus Rosh Hashana to prepare for, which meant I ended up leaving ALL my cooking for Friday. Thank God for my mom, who came over to help with Little Man and helped me in the kitchen so we could get everything prepared for the holiday!

With God’s help, we are all doing better and we actually had a beautiful Jewish New Year. It’s amazing what a good night of sleep will do for you! Jacob’s parents were with us for the whole holiday, and I was able to attend synagogue and hear the shofar. It was a really meaningful and beautiful few days! Plus, the food I made alongside my mother turned out great. We ate brisket and mashed potatoes, tacos and salad, beef and lamb koobideh, and on the last day a simple lunch of bagels with egg salad and tuna salad. That last lunch was much needed after all that heavy food!

Today, I wanted to talk to you all about time management as a homemaker. I think there are two common misconceptions about a day in the life of a full-time homemaker:

1. You have nothing but time and can spend hours pursuing hobbies, reading, or shopping.

2. You have no time at all and you can’t possibly get anything done.

I think both of these views are wrong. The truth is, with some aggressive time management, a routine and schedule can make a world of difference. On a regular day when things are going to plan, you should be able to get much of your to-do list done - maybe not all, but most.

The problem is, most of us are not good at creating our own deadlines. We wonder why when we are in an office environment we are able to get things done but at home we are not. It’s simply a matter of not having someone standing over you to keep you accountable. You are the only one who knows how you spend your time, and even though your family will suffer when you don’t take care of things, they also don’t know if you are using your time wisely. They will assume that you are doing all you can and give you the benefit of the doubt.

But are you giving yourself too much benefit and too little doubt?

Look at how you spend your day and ask if you are being efficient and timely. If the answer is no, that’s okay! There’s always room for improvement. There are days where I let time slip through my fingers because I’m not staying on top of my tasks. But as a homemaker, it’s my responsibility to hold myself accountable and get myself back on track. So today, I want to share some time management tips that I think could come in handy for keeping your home in order and checking tasks of your to-do list. So let’s get into it.

1. Make a realistic to-do list at the beginning of each day, and list out your top three tasks. Every day, I pull out my planner and list out every single thing I need to get done that day. Sometimes, I include things that I’d like to get done later in the week. Sometimes, I include tasks that I’d like to get done generally but don’t want to forget. Then, I highlight three tasks that are my top priority. If those three tasks are done by the end of the day, I can look back on my day and feel good about it. For me, my top three includes one work item (e.g., write my Substack newsletter, record a video, edit a video), one cleaning item (e.g., vacuum, do the laundry, clean the bathroom), and one random task that comes up in a day (e.g., pay a doctor’s bill, cook dinner because there aren’t leftovers, respond to a specific email). You will know what your top three tasks are because if they don’t get done, something important will slip through the cracks. If nothing gets done but those three things - hooray! You prioritized. And that’s the first step to time management.

2. Make a schedule for your week. The next part of effective time management as a homemaker is to look at your week holistically. It’s very difficult to schedule one day at a time without taking into account the next few days. If you don’t get to laundry on Monday, but you have a number of important engagements on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday that will prevent you from getting laundry done, you will have to make laundry a “top three” task on Monday to make sure there are clean clothes for your family. I also find that being able to look at the week as a whole keeps everyone’s plans on track - I can remember that my son has a class on Tuesday morning and that my husband has a doctor’s appointment on Friday, for example. Approaching the week with confidence will allow you to make better informed decisions and reduce the chaos as the days progress.

3. Stick to some form of daily routine. Lastly, routines are so helpful. Now, when I say a routine, I’m not saying anything needs to be strictly timebound. But having a vague routine for your day allows you to organize your time to your benefit. For example, a day in my life often looks like breakfast with my son, a walk, heading to a class, naptime while I get some work done, tasks and chores around the house, exercising at the gym while my son plays in their nursery, dinner, bath time, bedtime, a quick nightly clean, and time spent with my husband. It’s a full day, but I am able to get everything done because I know what to expect as the hours move forward. You can get more specific with your routine as you look at each segment of time, too! For example, during the morning I am trying to add in some time to read the Torah portion every week. But having structure in your day allows you to feel confident you can get everything done.

How do you approach time management as a homemaker? I’d love to hear your thoughts down below!

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I’m so excited to announce this month’s book club selection! This month we are reading nonfiction (we switch up month-to-month) and the book we will be reading is…Take Back Your Family! I took so much from this book, and I’d love to encourage you all to read it alongside me. I look forward to rereading it! Our next meeting will be on October 3rd at 8 PM EST.

Subscribe now

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What Would You Like To See In My Newsletter?

As we are entering a new season, I’d love to know if there’s anything you’d like to see more or less of in the Classically Abby newsletter moving forward! Do you like my weekly catch-ups? Do you want more style content? What’s your favorite kind of article from me? Please leave a comment down below and share your thoughts!

Leave a comment

What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it." – Edith Head

Classic Style Inspo

I love this outfit because it illustrates something I talk about a lot: modesty doesn’t have to be obvious. This woman is wearing a beautifully modest outfit and you would never think twice about it. It’s casual but put-together and looks comfortable yet still tailored. Definitely some great style inspiration!

Things I’ve Been Loving: Cute Socks

Ever since I started taking my son to classes and play gyms in the mornings, I’ve had to start wearing socks for sanitary reasons. I wanted to get some cute socks to wear, and these fit the bill! They are so absolutely adorable - I’m obsessed!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

It's Time For An Autumn Bucket List!

Hello classic crew. How are you all doing? I’m 27 weeks pregnant and oh my goodness do I feel like time is passing quickly! This baby in my belly is moving and grooving and it’s such a blessing. Seriously - I felt his elbow moving across my stomach today and it made me laugh! I currently have a fall ambience video playing on our TV while I work and I am so in the fall mood even though it’s 90 degrees outside. I WILL bring fall into my home, even if it’s hot as all get out!

This past weekend, Jacob and I spent Shabbat on our own with Little Man. It was very lowkey, but that meant we had energy to spend on Sunday! We started the day by heading to the park and then to Walmart, and then when Little Man napped Jacob and I went to the gym together. We enjoy exercising at the same time, so it was nice to get an opportunity to do so. We spent the afternoon visiting a pedestrian mall about 20 minutes from us and explored while Little Man took it all in. When we got home, we hung out with my parents for a bit before finishing a movie together and going to sleep. It was all in all a lovely Sunday. Honestly, one of my favorite moments was when we had a candle burning, an ambience video on in the background, I was folding laundry, and Jacob and I were chatting while Little Man ran around and played with us both. That to me is so idyllic and perfect - who could ask for anything more?

In today’s article, I’m going to keep it short and sweet. It may not officially be fall, but my goodness am I ready for the new season! I love embracing the warmth of autumn and all of the fun activities around this time of year. Of course, it stays hot for a very long time here in Florida, so we have to invite fall into our homes or else we would never know the season had changed. But in honor of autumn, I made a classic autumn bucket list for all of you! I don’t plan on writing much else because I hope you’ll download the image, print it out, and put it on your wall to inspire you. What’s your favorite part of autumn? Share your thoughts down below!

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I’m so excited to announce this month’s book club selection! This month we are reading nonfiction (we switch up month-to-month) and the book we will be reading is…Take Back Your Family! I took so much from this book, and I’d love to encourage you all to read it alongside me. I look forward to rereading it!

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What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…

Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

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Quote of the Week:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman

Classic Style Inspo

I love the message of this video! There’s no reason not to wear a dress - it’s a beautiful day, why not celebrate being alive?

Things I’ve Been Loving: Paper Towel Holder

I just ordered this and I can’t wait to use it. We have had our paper towel holder on the side of our sink for years, but it always gets grimey and gross on the bottom. I would love to have our paper towels up off the counter, and I think this will be perfect in our kitchen!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

Relationships: Summer Reflections

Hello lovely friends. I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week. I had a great Labor Day weekend spent with family and friends, eating at a neighborhood barbecue while the children played in the water, celebrating my father-in-law’s birthday, and spending time relaxing with my husband. It was so nice to enjoy time with the people we love, and as it begins to feel like summer is drawing to a close, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to write this article about. Then my husband helped me come up with an idea!

I’ve learned so much about my relationships this summer all across the board. I’ve learned about my relationship with my son, my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my mother, and my relationship with my friends. And today, I thought I’d share my summer reflections on those relationships with you all.

Navigating our relationships is not always easy, but when we feel like things are going smoothly, it makes each day feel like a pleasure. I hope you can find something of value in the lessons I’ve learned these past few months, and please feel free to drop your own lessons in your relationships down below!

Relationship: Mother/Son

Wow, has my son grown this summer! I can’t believe the strides he has taken. He’s such a little man now, and I am so grateful for him. As he gets older, I have to take more steps in terms of parenting rather than simply caring for him. I need to teach him lessons; I need to guide him away from bad behavior; I need to make sure he has the freedom to learn while also taking necessary precautions. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned this summer with my son is my goal to teach him through discipline. I try my best not to simply say, “No!” and leave it at that. Instead, I try to explain to him why he cannot do certain things. If he’s climbing on the table, for example, instead of simply taking him down and saying, “No!” I stop and place him on my knee directly afterwards. I explain to him why climbing on the table is dangerous and why I can’t allow him to do it. Even though he’s young and can’t understand all my words, I can tell a major difference in his behavior when I explain to him in a quiet and understanding voice versus if I don’t offer any explanation at all. I love this part of our relationship because I feel that each disciplinary action builds on the previous one until he stops doing things that he shouldn’t or until I can say, “No,” and he’ll remember why.

Relationship: Husband/Wife

My husband and I have had such a crazy summer, and I feel so blessed to spend each and every day with him. As we have navigated this summer, we’ve had some disagreements, discussions, and even bickering that has popped up here and there as it does in any marriage. Especially with the busy-ness of our schedules, my pregnancy, our son growing up, and his work being more involved than ever, I have learned for the umpteenth time the absolute importance of communication. I know that everyone holds up communication as one of the most valuable pillars in a marriage, but they aren’t wrong. Each time we’ve had a disagreement, it has been our communication skills that have defused the situation and allowed us to target the problem between us so we can move forward. Even bickering has not allowed been to sit and fester - we examine why it’s happening and each take responsibility for our own side. I learn every day from my husband the beauty of recognizing our flaws for he is so quick to apologize when he sees his part in a problem between us. It teaches me to jump up and accept responsibility for my actions, too. It’s truly a beautiful thing to know that when you and your spouse disagree you simply will resolve it.

Relationship: Mother/Daughter

My mother is my best friend and my rock. I know that I am so lucky to have her near me, to see her most days, and to depend on her when I need her. Something I learned this summer is how much our relationship has changed and flourished as I’ve become a grown woman. It used to be that my mother and I were on very different planes; I would go to her with my problems as a young woman who needed advice and she could offer guidance. As I’ve matured, gotten married, and started a family of my own, I’ve noticed that we have started to be slightly more like peers. That’s not to say that I will ever actually be my mother’s peer, for she is older and wiser and can always offer real wisdom from a life well-lived. But we are more like friends as time passes. She can tell me some of her thoughts and concerns and problems, and I can try and offer some of my own insights to her. I can tell her of my fears and anxieties, and she can calm me down with her myriad of experiences. It’s beautiful to see how our relationship has grown over time and I love that my mother and I can enjoy one another’s company just because we like each other so much.

Relationship: Friends

Since I have lived all over, I have friends all over. I have friends in Los Angeles, friends in Virginia - I even have friends in North Dakota! And, of course, I have my lovely friends right here in Florida. I used to take friendships for granted, always putting family first. But the truth is, my friends are so wonderful. They offer help when we need it and add variety to my perspective by presenting something different to me than the people I grew up in the same home with. This summer, I have learned how important it is to stay social with your friends. Even if it feels like you’re too tired to spend time with them, you may find that your cup is only empty because it hasn’t been refilled in a bit of time. Just a few weeks ago I hosted cookbook club at my house even though I was a bit tired - and it was so special! And going to our neighborhood barbecue was a wonderful treat. Investing in your friendships will pay back dividends and relying on your friends will teach them that they can rely on you, too.

What lessons have you learned this summer? I’d love to hear your summer reflections, too - leave a comment down below!

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Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

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Quote of the Week:

“Homemaking is a passion you can pass on from generation to generation.” — Elizabeth George

Classic Style Inspo

I am obsessed with these long jean shorts that my friend Sarah Therese is wearing! They are so cute and modest. I literally almost went online to purchase myself a pair before remembering I’m 6 months pregnant and nowhere near able to being able to fit into something like these. But I totally would wear them if I could!

Things I’ve Been Loving: Simplified Planner

I recently purchased this planner and I am loving it! I am paper planner girl all the way, and the simplified way this is organized is exactly what I need. It has daily to-do lists with a simple schedule next to them, and it’s what I would have designed myself - plus it’s aesthetically pleasing!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

Laidback Or Just A Mess? Today’s Homemaking Thoughts

Hello classic crew! How are you all doing today? I hope you’re feeling wonderful about where you’re at and what you’re up to. This past weekend was lovely. On Sabbath, we had over two couples we wanted to get to know better and had a great time. I made a meal that I called “traveling around the world,” which included Mexican taco salad, Italian pasta with “sausage” (AKA spiced ground beef) and broccoli rabe, and Indian “butter” chicken (AKA using dairy-free substitutes). Does anyone else feel ridiculously proud when people enjoy their food? I know that I do!

The children all got in the pool to play, and I got in the kiddie pool with Mr. Baby while the adults sat around and chatted. By the way, I’ve finally decided on a new online name for Mr. Baby! It took some thinking, but his new pseudonym will now be…Little Man! From here on out, if you see me refer to Little Man, that’s my oldest son.

On Sunday, we started off the day by heading to our local gym. My husband currently has a membership, but I haven’t gone because I didn’t know if Little Man would enjoy the nursery there. The gym employs an older woman who watches the children and has quite a few toys for them to play with, but I was definitely nervous to see how he would do. It turns out - he did great! He enjoyed himself immensely, until I made the silly mistake of catching his eye when I was peering through the window to make sure he was still doing okay. That’s when he started crying. But I learned that I could actually sign up for a gym membership and go to the gym more regularly while he plays happily in a nearby room. SUCCESS!

When Little Man went down for his nap, Jacob and I played a videogame together which was quite a bit of fun, and then he had to do some work. So I got to spend some quality time with my parents which was really nice. My mother and I went to the store to buy some snacks for Little Man since I take him out and about almost every day now, and then my father met us to go for a walk over some amazing marshes near us. We finished off the day with my husband playing boardgames with his friends and my parents watching a movie with me. It was an unusual day since Jacob doesn’t normally work on weekends, but it was really nice to get to spend some time with my parents one-on-one.

Over Sabbath, I had a realization after we hosted our friends that I wanted to share with you all. While we were all the table, Little Man was eating some avocado and crackers. We don’t mind if he gets messy while he eats, so it was all over his highchair, his face, and his hair. Both the couples who were with us were a little bit older and had older children and were pleasantly surprised that we were so laidback with our first child.

The truth is, I feel really appreciative when people recognize how “chill” we are about parenting. Often with your first, you’re more high-strung and stressed, worried about every little thing. But whether it’s because I’ve done enough research on my own, watched my siblings raise their children, or it’s simply my personality, I’ve often tried to be relaxed about my parenting style because I don’t think it’s healthy to drive my child, my husband, or myself crazy.

But all of this comes with balance.

I try to treat my relationship to parenting and homemaking as a double-pan balance scale - what you would envision Justice holding in her hand. If I’m laidback when it comes to my son going through my pantry or covering himself in avocado, I am more observant when it comes to keeping my house tidy and my laundry washed and folded. If I’m relaxed about my son learning to climb and falling down sometimes, I am more strict about him throwing toys or yelling “mine” rather than trying to use his words (and while he can’t really communicate effectively yet, I still try to work on this important concept). If I am “chill” about my son getting food on my clothes and taking his nap at the same exact time every day, I am more insistent on him treating other children nicely and learning how to share.

Essentially, I think to be a laidback mom, you should also aim to be sufficiently organized and to keep a well-managed home. For example, I cleaned my home thoroughly before hosting our guests. If my guests had entered a home cluttered and filled with mess and dirt, if I had let my son cover himself in guacamole it would not come as a surprise. It would be part and parcel of what could be perceived as a chaotic household rather than a well-balanced one.

In my view, it’s important to be the kind of homemaker that does prioritize balance. If I’m going to be relaxed about my son getting food on his face and clothes, I don’t want that to be reflected in the fact that my house is a mess. If I’m going to be laidback about my son climbing on my furniture, I don’t want that to be reflected at someone else’s home when they may not feel comfortable with a toddler climbing on their couch. Being laidback and relaxed cannot be a blanket statement - it fits in with some practices within a home, and is balanced with more structure in others.

The beauty of homemaking is the flexibility within it. You don’t need to follow one philosophy with such stringency that you are a walking monolith, an ideologue who can’t engage with multiple perspectives at once. Instead, you can take what works for you in some places, incorporate it, and look somewhere else once it has reached its logical limit. I love Montessori-style parenting, for example, but sometimes when the clock has hit its limit, I can’t have my son in the kitchen helping me because I practically need to get done what needs to get done. I love being a relaxed mom - but that doesn’t mean that there’s no structure within my household and cleanliness is overlooked.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Mark Your Calendar: Book Club Is TOMORROW!

Join us tomorrow (8/28/23) for a Google Meet book club discussion on “A Gentleman in Moscow.” I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I’m so excited to see you all and chat with you LIVE. To join tomorrow’s book club, you must use this EXCLUSIVE link! If you’re having trouble getting into the meeting, leave a comment on this post - I’ll have it open during the call so that I can see your messages if there’s a problem. Can’t wait to see you there!

Join Google Meet Club HERE

Mark Your Calendar: Book Club Is Tuesday, August 29th

This month we are reading fiction (we switch up month-to-month) and the book we will be reading is…A Gentleman in Moscow! I have heard amazing things about this book, so I’m really looking forward to reading it with you all. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 29th at 8:15 PM EST. Looking forward to seeing you all then!

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Sign Up For Personal Coaching!

If you would like to have a one-on-one session regarding dating, leveling up, fashion styling, wardrobe help, makeup guidance, homemaking, navigating career choices, or anything else you’d like my advice on, I will now be offering one-hour sessions for a small extra fee. Only premium subscribers have access to these sessions, and for $75, we can have a really focused conversation about how to get you where you want to be!

If you’re interested, leave a comment down below. Once you’ve booked a session, I’ll send you a questionnaire so we can determine what you want to work on. Then we’ll schedule a time that works for you! I’m so looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you even better.

Leave a comment

Quote of the Week:

"A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own. A gang is where a coward goes to hide." - Mickey Mantle

Classic Style Inspo

When I was traveling with my family for our reunion, I picked up this amazingly soft shawl, and I’m in love! It’s the perfect piece of clothing to throw on for modesty without making me overheat in this Florida summer. I love the embroidered flowers and light fabric. Try a light shawl rather than a cardigan next time you’re looking to cover your arms when it’s hot out!

Things I’ve Been Loving: Hero Sunscreen

I have been on the hunt for a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast and that sits well under makeup. This is my favorite so far! It almost feels like a normal sunscreen, but it doesn’t have nearly as many of those nasty chemicals. I’m a fan!

Welcome to Classically Abby! 

I'm a wife, mama, opera singer, entrepreneur, YouTuber, and your guide to becoming the classic woman you've always wanted to be! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic. 

*Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. Thank you for your support!

The Modern Homemaker’s Dilemma

Hello my lovely friends! How are you all doing? I am so excited to be back in the swing of things, getting into a schedule, and sitting down to write for all of you. We are back from our family reunion and it exhausting but fun! We did a ton of activities for the kids which meant we were all beat by the end of the day - for example, I went to sleep at around 9:30 PM each night. I have had sciatica during this pregnancy, and I must have overdone it during our reunion because one day I woke up and LITERALLY couldn’t walk. It was a little scary, but after stretching my leg and doing some pressure points, I felt so much better. But in my panic, I made a prenatal massage for the day we got home and, WOW, I am so grateful I did. After the craziness of this summer, it was so nice to allow my body and mind to reset and refresh. For the first time in quite a while, I felt renewed rather than burnt out. If you can afford to get a massage and you are in need of one, I highly recommend taking the time for yourself. It is one of the only places I can really turn off my mind and, at the same time, give my body a chance to heal.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we’ve lost the art of homemaking through decades of feminist ideology and thought. We are at least one generation removed from the women who knew how to run a household, who were taught home economics, and who knew having children was an essential part of womanhood (for those to whom it’s accessible).

I look at my own history, and I can see the line of communication was broken years ago. My mother grew up in a feminist world, where everything to do with homemaking was discouraged and relegated to second-class work. Cooking? Too time-consuming for a woman who should be using her time to climb the corporate ladder. Cleaning? A waste of time for someone with an education. Staying at home with your children? “A comfortable concentration camp,” according to Betty Friedan. I’m not saying my mother held these beliefs as her own, but her own homemaking capabilities were seriously hampered by these pervasive ideas. She was a very involved mother and a wonderful role model, but homemaking was at the bottom of her list of priorities.

My grandmother on my mother’s side was not a homemaker, either. Despite the fact that she wasn’t a product of second-wave feminism, my grandmother was a business woman. She cooked as a carry-over from my great-grandmother, but she didn’t pass on the same love of cooking to my mother. Her work was very important to her, and so my mother was raised with a careerist attitude from her own mother and from the feminism of her era.

By the time I came around, homemaking was a thing of the past. Women worked. They hired cleaning ladies to take care of their homes. They brought in interior designers to place furniture and picture frames in the most “aesthetically-pleasing” places. They began cooking for speed and efficiency rather than for the delicious meals that everyone remembered fondly as “mama’s home cooking.” They stopped learning how to budget in favor of earning ever more money, constantly needing to make more so they could have more. They didn’t put their children’s needs first; they put their own self-identity ahead of everything else. They blamed all their children’s outcomes on nature versus nurture and removed the onus of responsibility of parenting from themselves. Managing time for each part of homemaking, the small and big things that make being home warm and inviting, was moved so far down the totem pole that home life became chaotic and stressful.

And now women don’t even know how to make a home at all. Women are lost and fumbling and when they try to make a home they don’t have the tools.

What we need is a homemaking curriculum.

Each day I embrace my role as a homemaker, I am learning how to be the best at my “career.” I take seriously how to be a better wife, mother, and creator of the home that houses the people and things that I love and am so grateful for. I wasn’t raised with it. I wasn’t taught how to do this. But, in the same way no one is born being a lawyer, I am teaching myself my vocation. Perhaps the passed down wisdom of mothering, homemaking, and womanhood is no longer available to us. So now, we must approach these jobs as we would any other. We must learn ourselves.

So here, now, let’s begin. Class is in session. 😊

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