July 2021 – The Salty Exchange

Shari and Kendall’s Book Recommendations

July 16, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

From Shari:

Reading has always been a favorite of mine. I love getting lost in literature and can appreciate a fiction novel just as much as a non-fiction one. My book club took a little break and as a result, I have been making up for lost time with my favorite series. Here are a few of my favorite books and series!

My top recommendation: The Joe Pickett Series by CJ Box

This series is about a game warden in Wyoming but before you poo-poo the concept, don’t. CJ Box does an amazing job of painting the picture and keeping the reader entertained while also setting the scene for chaos to happen and the main character, Joe, to get caught in the middle.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A classic book that I probably love due to the sweetness of the read, the Scandinavian references, and the reminder to never judge a person because, truthfully, you never know their whole story.

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

In a world where we could use a little bit of bravery and courage… this book (as all of Brene Brown’s books) does an amazing job of guiding the reader on a path to self awareness. Brene gives real life examples to relate on a deeper level to the struggles we can overcome and new achievements we can make.

What I want to read: The Wheel of Time Series

This series is taking words to the TV screen and is rumored to be BIGGER than Game of Thrones…! Apparently the cast will be an “all-star” one. I gotta read this before the race to binge the TV show starts!

I hope you enjoy my small but mighty list of recommendations. What are your favorite books to read?

From Kendall:

Reading is one of my favorite things in the world to do. As I have gotten older, I have had a harder time making the time to read so when I do get to sit down and get lost in the pages of a new story, it is heavenly!

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

This book is so important to me. My sister introduced me to this story while I was in high school. It has become the book I give everyone. The Mirabal sisters were REAL women fighting the reign of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Their bravery and courage are inspiring. When their deaths were carried out, Trujillo had no idea the impact it would have in their country and across the world. November 25th, 1960 marks the day of their brutal assisnation and has become the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Strike Series by Robert Galbraith

Robert Galbraith (really J.K. Rowling) keeps you on your toes. Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin are gritty, determined, and creative detectives. Be ready to be thoroughly delighted.

A Veronica Speedwell Mystery Series by Deanna Raybourn

To continue the mystery genre, we have Veronica Speedwell. These Victorian era books are so much fun and balance mystery and romance in a way that keeps you on your toes!

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness

My favorite books ever. Like, ever. I cannot do them justice. Grab the first book and a good glass of wine and lose yourself.

The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George

Margaret George is a phenomenal writer that merges history and fiction in a captivating manner. Her storylines are rooted in accuracy while the finer details are the stuff docudramas are made of.

Devotions: The Select Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

I am a sucker for poetry. In fifth grade I wanted to be a famous poet. That never happened. Haha. BUT, I love reading poetry. My dearest friend Kate sent me this volume of poetry and I have willed myself to read a bit every week. There is nothing better than making poetry last. Especially good poetry.

The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti

OK, before anyone jumps up my butt about this- let’s clarify. Purity isn’t a bad thing. Purity is subjective and Valenti makes the argument that we use the idea of purity to control women, to limit their sense of accomplishment, and label them to keep them “in line” for fear of being “impure.” She talks about how we have chained a girl’s purity to her father with purity balls and rings. Purity is more than my lady parts. Purity is more than my sexual life. Purity is my heart, my intentions, my authenticity, and my own strength.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Ah, a classic. I love this book so much. It makes me feel adventurous. Frodo Baggins is a lot like me; a little grumpy, likes his meals, his wine, his books, short visits from friends, and routine. Take that all away from the little fellow? You have a hero in the making. Though if you take any of that away from me, I might bite your nose off.

Kendall: Toddler Must-Haves

July 9, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

When it comes to getting things for my kiddo, I am a hardcore researcher. Like, obnoxiously so. I like to have all of the available information organized for me to review before I make any purchase; at least for the big purchases like strollers, cribs, and other misc. kid things. My design and toy purchases are far more laid back and spontaneous. All kids are different and thus, all kids have different must-haves. The biggest rules my partner and I have when it comes to getting things for Rosemary are the need to consider if she really needs it and is it adding to her life? Now, that last part might sound like a little large of a question to be asking when it comes to a toddler, but it really has helped us to not buy things in excess. I like to be thoughtful when making toy and clothing purchases. With that being said, here are our toddler must-haves… for now.

(The below links ARE NOT sponsored)

Toys:

Melissa and Doug Easel

This is sort of a kid classic. We were lucky enough to grab this from a neighbor who was cleaning out her sons’ toys. This has provided our little one with a lot of fun. She can do so many creative projects with this easel AND it will grow with her for quite a few years. In my opinion, it is a sound investment.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike

Teaching a kid to ride a bike is a hallmark of childhood. Not having to buy a new one with each new step of independence between the ages of 2-5 is even better. This trike is a joy to take on walks or run around with in the driveway.

Apparel:

Carter’s Black Leggings

Whether it is summer, winter, fall, or spring- these are AMAZING. They go with pretty much any top, are comfortable, wash well, and don’t stretch your wallet. Enough said.

Columbia Jackets

Look, we live in Vermont. Weather here is no joke. Buying cheaper outerwear hasn’t worked out well for us. We learned almost instantly to invest in good quality jackets, pants, and base layers. We also learned to shop the sales because outerwear is super expensive. Columbia has great sales and is where we just purchased R’s base layers for winter and her fall rain jacket. We also LOVE LL Bean. Fair prices and good quality.

Books:

The Story Book Orchestra Books

There are several. They are all awesome. They are not only BEAUTIFULLY illustrated but they also take music from some of the most prestigious composers and make them relatable… to a toddler. I mean, come on. Shout out to my sister, Marisa, for gifting these to R. Because of her, we have Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Four Seasons In One Day. Rosemary knows who Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky are. WHAT?

Little People, Big Dreams series

What better way to learn about the heroes of our time than telling their story in a relatable way to kiddos? Rosemary has learned all about Maya Angelou, Coco Chanel, Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, and Anne Frank. Confession: I can’t read the Anne Frank book to her without crying and holding her close. Thanks to Tia Dina and Fairy Godmother Kate, Rosemary has books and flashcards from them that teach her all about these fantastic people. Rosemary is currently OBSESSED with Audrey Hepburn.

Misc.

Pillowfort from Target

SO sweet. SO soft. Doesn’t kill your wallet. Enough said.

Shari: Small Space Living Tips & Tricks

July 9, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Truth be told, I have never lived in a place over 1,300 square feet. In my twenties, I lived in an even smaller (500 sq ft) studio apartment and can confidently say that from childhood to adulthood, I have learned the art of getting creative with the space I have.

After my apartment flooded a few years ago (a blog post for another day), my husband and I were able to move back into a newly-renovated blank-slate of an apartment. We took it as an opportunity to utilize space differently and accommodate kids, sleeping situations, and even creative food organization. I learned a lot through that process and have several tips and tricks to share with you. Here are my top three:

Wall Space: When you don’t have much floor space it is helpful to utilize wall space. You can do this by mounting your TV, adding additional shelving, and creating a dedicated wall display for items that would normally be tucked away in totes. You can even get creative and make your normal toys and misc. items a part of your decor. For example, I’ve seen a kid’s room decorated with a pegboard wall which hung all their squirt guns! So fun and so smart. In our apartment we have our bikes hung on the wall in our bedroom. It works really well to get them out of the way and surprisingly I hardly notice them anymore. We also have a gear wall in the spare room, I won’t go into detail about it because you can read all about it here.

Hidden Storage: When I finally started collecting better furniture (meaning it wasn’t a hand-me-down) I bought new furniture with purpose, function, and multi-use. For example my couch has a chase and under the chase is a hidden storage area. I love having hidden storage and it all started when I was about five years old with the empty space under my bed. You know how much stuff you can cram under your bed when you are in a rush to clean up?! I should have received an award as a child. Typically cleaning my room meant pushing it all under the bed to sort through later. My parents eventually caught on so I moved my messes to the closet (which wasn’t much better). The closet and bed area are great places to store and organize extra items that aren’t used daily. As an adult, I now utilize these spaces to my advantage and tend to put items there that aren’t used daily.

Toss It: Yep you heard me correctly, if you are not using it, just get rid of it. Items quite literally take up space, collect dust, and clutter an already small living area. If you haven’t used it in the last 6-12 months… part ways with it. I have to tell this to myself often. To be really real with you, I hoard clothing. I had a few bad experiences where I regretted donating something and it has plagued me for the last decade. It’s extremely hard for me to part ways with items that “could come back into style” or that I could re-purpose. I have to take my own advice and just toss it when it hasn’t been used in a significant amount of time. Easier said than done, I know.

There you have it- my top three tips and tricks for saving space in your small living situation. Whether you are hanging it on the wall, hiding it strategically, or tossing it there are plenty of ways to maximize your home organization. Get creative! I’d love to hear if you have any other space saving ideas.