1. So excited that today for a limited run my pistachio cookie butter is back in stock! This is SO good and sold out instantly last year. Get some get some! P.S. the code JESSICA10 gets you a discount if you’re a first time buyer.

2. Valentine’s is easily my favorite holiday to decorate for because everything is hot pink and red and throwing hearts in my house everywhere does something to my forever 9 year old soul.

3. Just FYI my new BFF is this red light lamp.

4. The benefits of boredom. I love when my kids are bored.

5. TV things! Even though I still just want Heated Rivalry on a loop (comfort show!), we are finally caught up on Landman and loving it like last year. Ali Larter is just so excellent (and hilarious) in it.

6. I love looking at the golden globes dresses and was stunned by Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez and Ayo Edebiri!! And Robin Wright! 

7. Kind of intrigued by the idea of junk journaling even though I have absolutely zero time in my life for something like this.

8. We watched the US figure skating championships alllll weekend (my kids are obsessed) and it makes me want to reread The Favorites! What are you reading right now?

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Getting back into the swing of things!

Cold winter walks.

This is what I mean when I ask for extra foam.

Hockey practice.

A great braid to go back to school.

And the prettiest sky!

More hockey.

And more hockey!

With a little basketball sprinkled in.

Cuddles between hockey.

More cuddles!

Is literally never not snacking.

Waiting on the game.

Cute cute cute.

So naughty.

Watching for Max!

And scheming.

Post game.

Favorite post game meal!

Okay enough hockey!!

This crispy chicken cobb!

Annnnd we’re on to a new week. Yay.

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 2. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. Majorly craving this chocolate banana bread! Yum.

2. Really wishing we were winter outdoor sports people basically because I just want to sit in a ski lodge by a fire with snow falling. Pretty sure I say this every year.

3. How to take care of your mental health in 2026.

4. Not even exaggerating that cold winter walks are saving my mental health! Why haven’t I always been doing this?!

5. TV Things! I just started Run Away last night. I’ve just been rewatching all six episodes of Heated Rivalry over and over again for weeks! Like I don’t want my best friends to be done this season.

6. Kind of tempted to make a kitchen sink spice mix! Also scared.

7. I need some winter snow boot recs! Like, for me. Preferably black because… why wear anything else!

8. How to manifest what you want.

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I’m currently in such a sad state that our break is over! We all need more routine and structure, but it’s always so sad for the holiday break to come to an end. It’s like the completion of my favorite season, favorite holiday and the anticipation of the last few months. Major sunday scaries right now!

Started the week off with friends.

Emilia left this note for Eddie on the treadmill. To make sure he came home early to watch Wicked. Haha.

Then new years party!!

We do a mid-day celebration and it’s very fun.

All about the kids!

The accessories are their favorite part.

And the confetti poppers were a hit!

Baby BFFs!

He loved it.

More friend time!! Can you tell my kids love babies.

Cuties!

Cousin love.

Emilia was ready to adopt this one.

We have played 9184 games of monopoly.

And cuddled by the fire! There is a lot of struggle in this pic. The banner. The candle falling over. My garland on the floor. My dead plant. LOL.

More hockey.

Practically took a nap!

Happy face.

Proud little sis.

Pizza after.

And celebratory ice cream.

Cutest.

And ended the weekend with more hockey!

Now back to real life and routine tomorrow – wah!

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Here’s all the books I’ve been loving the last two months!

It was all about the holiday books these last few weeks – those are some of my favorite cozy reads of the season. And I will still read some into January too. Overall I read a bunch of great ones.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2025

An Academic Affair – 4.5 stars

Oh how I loved this one! It was such a good story and full of tropes that I love. Here, we follow two people who have been academic rivals forever! There is fake dating, so much tension, a ton of of witty banter – all things I love in a story. It moved pretty quickly and I didn’t want it to end!

59 Minutes – 4 stars

This was in my book of the month box and normally I don’t think I would have read it, but I’m so glad I did. I needed a thriller and this was different – not murdery or anything. The premise of this book is a nuclear attack hitting england and the characters only having 59 minutes to figure out how to survive. It felt super real and suspenseful. I definitely recommend it. Loved the characters in this one.

Good Spirits – 4.5 stars

LOVE this author’s books and this was so cute. I am usually not a paranormal fan but in this book we’re talking about the ghost of christmas past and and how he haunts. It is so good! I loved it so much more than I expected and it was perfect for a cozy read in the holiday season.

Where He Left Me – 3 stars

Bouncing back to another thriller! I knew I wanted to get through one more once I read alllll christmas books. This was another book of the month for me. The story follows a wife whose husband goes missing and she is left alone in a house where he grew up. I liked the mountain setting but it moved just a little slow for me.

Before I Forget – 4.5 stars

This was soooo wonderful. I was initially afraid this would be a hard read for me. The story follows a daughter who decides to care for her father with alzheimer’s – moving back in and repairing their relationship. This is so heartwarming, heart breaking and incredible. The characters are so wonderful and the ending is just lovely.

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal  – 3 stars

Ah! This was a hard one for me. I read last year’s version of the book which was a funny take on the grinch. This one threw every possible line/plot from Home Alone into the book that it could. It takes place after the first book, but it could be stand alone. The characters are cute and it’s an enemies to lovers story, but the constant references to the movie were a little too cringe for me. And I love Home Alone everything!

Merry Little Kissmas – 4.5 stars

Another cute one! I love a good holiday book. In this story, our female main character tries to find a date for her brother’s best friend to the hockey gala (haha). Enter fake dating, grump/sunshine and so much christmas fun. It’s adorable and was a little deeper than a quick little romance read. Loved it.

Sleighbells and Snowstorms – 4 stars.

Also loved this one. It is SO christmasy and cozy and fun, with a little bit of crime thrown in. Our main male character is looking to catch a jewel thief and finds love where he least expects it. There is forced proximity, great tension and it’s so cute. Apparently there are other books with these characters and set in this town, but this was the first I’ve read and it was great.

Cowboy Casual – 3.5 stars

This was cute! I read a few different cowboy/ranch romances last year and they all seem sort of similar – but I don’t mind. A little predictable, fun and light. This one follows a couple who reunite when one of them moves back to the hometown (and one never left). I love a second chance romance (my fave trope!) so I enjoyed it.

Heated Rivalry

I feel like I can’t even give these fair ratings because I am *so* obsessed with the tv show. It’s one instance where I’m glad I read the books after the show, because I love the actors in the show so much so I could picture them! There is a whole series of these books based on gay hockey romance – and this one follows two rivals who are drafted during the same year. It almost spans ten years of their life and it’s so good.

The Long Game 

This is the follow up to Heated Rivalry and I loved it just as much, again for the same reasons! I have to say that I’m not sure I would have loved these books as much as I do without watching the show. I think they would’ve just been a cute quick little romance read. But the show gives them so much more depth and the books gives the show the background you need. I highly suggest both!!

The post What I Read In November & December 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. I really truly AM having a hard time remembering what day it is. I sort of love it.

2. How incredible does this cookie butter cake look?!

3. Still going strong with nightly hot cocoa and quick homemade whipped cream – with my milk frother!

4. Love these end of year journal prompts for 2025/2026.

5. TV things! Um, the finale episode of Heated Rivalry might be the best episode of TV I’ve ever watched in my life?!

6. My kids are super into monopoly right now and it is SO fun.

7. I don’t love ins and outs list for the new year. But I do sort of want to make a list of what is in for me!

8. What’s on your NYE menu?!

9. In the worst ending to 2025, I lost my oura ring! So much for finishing the last few days strong. So bummed.

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While sometimes it feels like my entire life is made up of “favorites,” (it’s true), I went through and really looked at what I’ve absolutely LOVED this year. What I bought that I thought was worth it, things I’ve repurchased many times through the year and items that I wouldn’t want to be without. I combed through all of my favorites posts as well as my purchases and these are the best of the best of the year for me.

I’d love to hear your favorite discoveries from this year!

My Top Discoveries of 2025

Oura Ring. I bought my oura ring early in 2025 and it has pretty much changed my life. It’s no secret that I hate to sleep but I know that is horrible, and the oura ring really helps keep me motivated, on track and see where I need to improve sleep wise. I absolutely love it.

Greek Freak seasoning. I’ve put this on everything for months, but especially grilled chicken, salmon and roasted vegetables. Delish.

Sourhouse Doughbed. I’ve raved about the goldie for years – it’s the single reason my starter has survived this long. When the doughbed was released I instantly bought it and I use it almost daily. It’s so nice to have a dedicated bowl for only sourdough. And if you bake it three/four times a week like I do, it’s more than worth it.

Nike Vomero Plus running shoes. These shoes are so insanely comfortable, they are like walking on clouds. Great for workouts, walking, just lifestyle in general. I love them.

Frame le Slim Palazzo Jeans. I discovered these jeans in the spring and have got a few different washes since. They are super stretchy and fit so nicely.

Varley Half Zip Sweatshirt. This cocoa bean color is my absolute favorite and I could wear this everyday. It’s so cute, feels amazing and can even be dressed up a little.

Tory Burch Banana Chelsea Boots. I bought these boots at the start of fall and I have worn them at least 3 to 4 times every week. I LOVE them. They work so well and look amazing with jeans. Also are super comfortable.

Aritzia Super Puff Mittens. I usually prefer a glove over a mitten, but these are so form fitting and warm. I wear them on our morning walks and nothing keeps my hands as warm as these. They are also very secure on the wrist.

Haruharu Barrier Essence. This has been the year of skin flooding for me, and this has been my favorite product for it. I love how milky and moisturizing this toner is. I swear it helps my skin barrier.

Byoma Nourishing Body Oil. This is the body oil I use every single time I get out of the shower and I love it. It has no fragrance so it’s very nice.

Byoma Phyto Mucin Serum. This is another big part of my skincare, morning and night. It is incredibly moisturizing.

Educated Mess Vitamin C. Best vitamin c I’ve ever used – feels amazing on the skin and doesn’t irritate at all. I actually am on the monthly subscription for this, that’s how much I love it.

Pantene Pro Vitamin Essence. I’ve almost fully switched over to drugstore shampoo this year and my hair has never looked and felt better. This is part of my routine when I get out of the shower and while I know that being gentle with my hair has made a huge difference, I swear this is giving me excellent results too! Less/no breakage has been the biggest change.

Hanni Splash Salve. My shower doesn’t feel complete if I don’t end it with the splash salve. Basically an in-shower moisturizer, it has changed my skin from super dry to very moisturized.

Cyklar Vanilla Verve body wash. The hype is real – this is one of my very favorite scents ever. I have every product and layer them. I adore this scent so much, it’s the most lovely light vanilla that is not overly sweet. It’s a more mature vanilla!

The Maker Dream perfume. I bought this perfume early last year after going through many samples. It’s by far been my most worn scent this year. It is warm and vanilla based but again, not sweet. If you like warm ambery perfumes, you will love this.

Dyson Airstraight. I’ve had the airwrap for a million years, but bought this air straight in 2025. Where has this been all my life? I like it SO much more than the airwrap (granted, it’s doing different things) and it’s super easy to use. Love the results and how smooth it makes my hair while adding some volume and shine at the same time!

The post My Top 17 Favorite Discoveries of 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Christmas week was a packed one.

Started with a very very icy cold walk but it just feels so good.

The kids helping my mom with her village!

Hockey practice!

Play food is one of those things that is still a huge favorite in our house – with all three kids!

Marinated Christmas cheese on Christmas eve!

Before church.

After church!

Cutie cousins!

We love our Lucy.

Only family pic we got.

Cousin PJ pile up.

Late night reindeer food.

And all the snacks for santa.

Merry merry!

Gotta sit on the steps and wait for the santa letter!

These faces are the best.

So fun!

We hosted christmas brunch and dinner… Max put together this candy dish!

Emilia did cookie plates.

And both juiced allllll these cara caras.

We actually blew the motor on my beloved smeg!

Whomp whomp. Still the best ever.

Mimosas!

Then all day family fun.

It included a big wicked soundtrack dance party.

Had to bring Lucy in on our PJ pics!

Hahahahahha.

The cutest!

This is what I did when they all went to bed.

Eddie and I + TV + treats.

Then we celebrated with more family!!

Belgian waffle bar for the win.

Huge hit!

Took a midday break to go watch Max’s hockey game.

These two!

They were so cute banging on the glass for him.

The face of player who scored four goals.

Yay Max!

Then we’ve had lots of downtime and built alllll the legos.

Ending the week with the perfect winter sunset!

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 52. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. I keep forgetting that the olympics will be on in just a few short weeks! This is about to become my entire personality.

2. Speaking of, I’m definitely breaking out all of our red, white and blue.

3. I want to make these churro cookies today!

4. Thanks to tiktok I discovered Agritopia at Christmas and now I’m convinced I must move there.

5. TV things! Still deep in Heated Rivalry land. Also finished the Emily in Paris episodes. Seemed somewhat boring compared to the former. Ha!

6. I made cheez-it chicken cutlets and they weren’t horrible. Still working on this recipe!

7. Put that simmer pot on the stove right now through christmas! Oranges, cinnamon sticks, apples, cloves and water!

8. Today is probably the day I’m going to watch The Family Stone and bawl. Have to do it every year, but this year… oooomph.

The post Tuesday Things. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Last week of school before break!

Which also happened to be christmas spirit week. Gah.

In December I like to make a bunch of charcuterie boxes for the staff at school so I did that this week. Figure it’s a nice change from cookies!

Played in some snow!

Snow playground is the best.

Funny christmas hat day.

The winter skies!!!

Grinch day.

Went in for the kids’ parties which is my favorite thing ever!

Then we had our cookie decorating party with our besties!

Fun fun fun.

Max had to leave for basketball before we got our group pic.

Jordan had a little christmas performance! Pretty sure this is the moment he spotted us.

Then we were free!

No more school for a few weeks.

Time to celebrate.

I don’t want to give up hot chocolate come January!

I made eight loaves of sourdough this weekend.

I am obsessed.

Can’t believe my started is two years old at this point.

Baked all weekend!

And did lots of crafts.

And built crazy play things.

Max made an airport and they’ve been having a blast!

Hockey with this naughty elf.

Love it.

The only sugar cookies worth making!

They taste the best and come out the best!

The kids love to decorate these.

Wrapped a bunch of gifts…

And finished out the week with another game!

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