As my son made his Christmas list he put a $160 Lego kit (!!!) on the top of the list. I said, well that could be the only thing you get and he looked at me in shock. "No," he said, "Grandma and Poppy can get me that and you can get me..." as he started writing again. We have a serious gratitude problem in our house! Thank you for this note on gratitude for my kids (and me!!)
GRANDMA AND POPPY TO THE RESCUE -- I CAN'T! This sounds so hilariously familiar. I don't know the right answers, but man these kids!! I am going to DM you something that I think you will laugh at.
I’m grateful for you, Traci! I love your blend of wisdom, honesty, humor, kindness, and kickass style!! Those buttoned up cardigans? My goodness so good. Also what are your family jobs? We need to start this with my crew!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Right back atcha, friend! I'm so glad you enjoy this silly little newsletter. The party cardi was truly bumpin' last week. I am so grateful for your kindness throughout this entire journey from the start—the way you've championed me and my work with such a genuine heart! I APPRECIATE you.
Wow such an incredible post! I always find myself smiling when I read your work. Growing up we had a green room which was where we had family meetings and it meant serious business. We also had Saturday projects AKA pick the leaves and sticks out of the grass and rocks (no joke haha)
You're the best, Kate! I am so ridiculously grateful we hit it off here on Substack. I am FOREVER a fan of yours! That sounds SO official, "everyone enter the green room, NOW!" Then Tam comes in with a serious face?! Am I visualizing this right?!
It’s SO hard to teach gratitude to kids! Okay, mine might be a bit young, but we’ve been trying something new with our daughter since a few months ago when she also said something like, “I want that, let’s go to the store and buy it.” After story time, we each say at least one thing we’re grateful for about our day — and no cheating with something too general (that rule was created specifically for my four-shirt partner).
I looove the idea of the paper chain, and I’m keeping it in mind for when they’re actually able to write, lol.
And I’m so thankful I met you here! It means a lot to feel cheered on by you on every post, or just knowing I’ll have a good time (laugh) reading your newsletter. You’re the best!
It sure is hard! I love that idea — the four-shirt partner 😂! Yes, writing is definitely a prerequisite for this activity… unless you scribe, lol! I am beyond thankful to have met you here!! I remember when you put out your first newsletter — you are incredible, and we’re all so lucky to share this space with you. BIG hugs!!
Hahahaha. As is my daughter- who has eaten a Nutella sandwich everyday for lunch for the past 4 years. 🤣 I am also very Hugh-coded. Recently I shared that I hate when people sniffle (???) even if they’re sick. So unfair lol.
Thank you for including me in this. I loved reading the final cloud.
Something that I have started doing since becoming a parent is saying a prayer out loud with my son before he goes to bed. It feels meditative and I appreciate the daily moment of quiet and presence with no other distractions. But rather than praying for material things or events/circumstances that I want to happen, I try to focus on verbalizing the things that I am thankful for. One thing that I always say after naming our immediate family members is “thank you for all of the people who love and care about us, and thank you for all of the people we love and care about.”
Thank you for contributing! What a WONDERFUL routine! I love the way you are instilling gratitude in such an intentional way! Thank you for sharing, Christina xx
Loved this one Traci. I’ve come to a similar realization about my students and their relationship to things around them. We have had so many things broken by students(both intentionally and unintentionally) this past semester and they have a similar attitude…oh just buy us another one. Excuse me? With what money? So we decided to put them to work painting walls, coming up with creative solutions to fix the things they broke, even if it’s with duct tape and hot glue and doing their own fundraising by selling bracelets and baked goods. I wish I knew about gratitude chains before we took our holiday break! When we were sharing what we were grateful for during our “family circle” yesterday most kids said things like video games and my phone 😬.
Aw, Caitlin -- thank you for the kind words! YES I definitely see this within a school environment as well! I LOVE the strategy you guys put into play-- that is so smart! One of my favorite HS memories is senior year I had a teacher who gave us class jobs. I can't explain it, but 17 year old me took my class job as "technology coordinator" SO SERIOUS. At one point I was also the "blinds operator" and I still giggle over the way I would report for duty when it was too sunny.
My daughter saying Nutella did cause me to cackle inside, but then when it was followed with random objects I was like okay this is not helpful, lol!
You’re the heart of Substack and this slice of the internet and myself is beyond grateful for you and your friendship. Giving me all the feels and now all I wanna do is create a paper chain with my loved ones on Thursday 💕. Happy Thanksgiving, Traci.
Heart of your Substack title truly has me in my feelings. 😭 I’m grateful we got to meet IRL before the great NYC departure — and even more grateful that the kindness and intelligence that radiate through your writing were somehow even stronger in person. Spending time together meant more than I can put into words.
We are actually forcing all of our house guests to add to the chain (lol) - thank goodness everyone has been very polite. My daughter's big blue eyes are tough to turn down, haha!
I am grateful for your footnotes! The first time I read “Rambling in Style,” I thought the Four-Shirted Husband™️ wore four shirts at once. (I was impressed with what I assumed was a masterclass in layering!)
Truly, I am grateful that there are such interesting people on Substack. I’ve started drafting my very first post, and it’s because the rest of you have inspired me.
Oh - and I’m living for a cardi moment right now! Love your styling!!
Can’t stop laughing over this. HE WISHES! He is not a layering expert by any means. You are the best, Megan. Thank you for making me smile!!! Please know that as soon as you hit publish, I (and the rest of the troops) are READY to support!
I missed your posts - finally catching up after a whirlwind of a november! Absolutely adore your more cold weather outfits & LOL at your most frequently used gifs. Need to adapt the Randy Jackson one asap
Love the paper chain idea, Traci! I feel like this is something I might have to do with my kids, too, because they’ve definitely said similar things about money before. Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving! x
Thanks Maria!! They were sad when we said goodbye to the chain (Christmas decor time) - so I think it had value! TY for the kind words!! Thankful for you!
Obsessed with the first three looks 😍. I think you're doing more of a wonderful job at everything than you give yourself credit for. Kuddos to the gratitude journal and meditation. They're game changers for me 🙌🏻 I've been meditating more and doing less of social media and can't say I'm too upset lol.
So grateful for you Traci! Hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family 💙
Thank you, Ana!! I’m so glad you enjoyed. I am trying to stay consistent with my journaling, but not exactly thriving. I think less social media is HUGE!
The j crew boots are toooooo gooood! And why did the gratitude chain make me choke up a little bit? I love how colorful and sweet it is! But yea I can totally relate with the kids who did/do not know the value of a dollar. That’s improved as they’ve gotten older, but sheesh. Ok I love all of your outfits, as always, and seriously I have no less than three pairs of tall black boots and now I want the ones you have! I will not buy them. I will not buy them.
I did immediately buy your gray socks and the space cowboy eyeshadow just arrived. Guess who’s gonna be sparkly today??
LOL! They are good, but yes— you do not need them! The things they wrote were too cute. I think taking all the leaves may be in my kids’ future 🤣 (with me giggling from the window). I hope you love the socks and shadow!! I will wear my shadow in solidarity!!!!
Always grateful for your relatable tone and outfit inspo! My whole fam is “huddled up” at my parents house and also planning to don my most comfy jeans and a cardi with my slippers most likely!
As my son made his Christmas list he put a $160 Lego kit (!!!) on the top of the list. I said, well that could be the only thing you get and he looked at me in shock. "No," he said, "Grandma and Poppy can get me that and you can get me..." as he started writing again. We have a serious gratitude problem in our house! Thank you for this note on gratitude for my kids (and me!!)
GRANDMA AND POPPY TO THE RESCUE -- I CAN'T! This sounds so hilariously familiar. I don't know the right answers, but man these kids!! I am going to DM you something that I think you will laugh at.
Also a sincere moment of gratitude for YOU. I know I aggressively say it to you all the time, but you know how I feel... and thank you ❤️❤️
I’m grateful for you, Traci! I love your blend of wisdom, honesty, humor, kindness, and kickass style!! Those buttoned up cardigans? My goodness so good. Also what are your family jobs? We need to start this with my crew!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Right back atcha, friend! I'm so glad you enjoy this silly little newsletter. The party cardi was truly bumpin' last week. I am so grateful for your kindness throughout this entire journey from the start—the way you've championed me and my work with such a genuine heart! I APPRECIATE you.
Wow such an incredible post! I always find myself smiling when I read your work. Growing up we had a green room which was where we had family meetings and it meant serious business. We also had Saturday projects AKA pick the leaves and sticks out of the grass and rocks (no joke haha)
I’m thankful for you Traci 💙
P.s you’re slaying in your holiday looks!
You're the best, Kate! I am so ridiculously grateful we hit it off here on Substack. I am FOREVER a fan of yours! That sounds SO official, "everyone enter the green room, NOW!" Then Tam comes in with a serious face?! Am I visualizing this right?!
It’s SO hard to teach gratitude to kids! Okay, mine might be a bit young, but we’ve been trying something new with our daughter since a few months ago when she also said something like, “I want that, let’s go to the store and buy it.” After story time, we each say at least one thing we’re grateful for about our day — and no cheating with something too general (that rule was created specifically for my four-shirt partner).
I looove the idea of the paper chain, and I’m keeping it in mind for when they’re actually able to write, lol.
And I’m so thankful I met you here! It means a lot to feel cheered on by you on every post, or just knowing I’ll have a good time (laugh) reading your newsletter. You’re the best!
P.S : Looks 3 and 5 were my fave 👌🏻👌🏻
It sure is hard! I love that idea — the four-shirt partner 😂! Yes, writing is definitely a prerequisite for this activity… unless you scribe, lol! I am beyond thankful to have met you here!! I remember when you put out your first newsletter — you are incredible, and we’re all so lucky to share this space with you. BIG hugs!!
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I am Hugh Grant but I am also grateful for Nutella!
Hahahaha. As is my daughter- who has eaten a Nutella sandwich everyday for lunch for the past 4 years. 🤣 I am also very Hugh-coded. Recently I shared that I hate when people sniffle (???) even if they’re sick. So unfair lol.
Has she tried Nutella on an Eggo waffle for breakfast? Next level if I do say so myself!😆
ON IT! 🤣🤣
Thank you for including me in this. I loved reading the final cloud.
Something that I have started doing since becoming a parent is saying a prayer out loud with my son before he goes to bed. It feels meditative and I appreciate the daily moment of quiet and presence with no other distractions. But rather than praying for material things or events/circumstances that I want to happen, I try to focus on verbalizing the things that I am thankful for. One thing that I always say after naming our immediate family members is “thank you for all of the people who love and care about us, and thank you for all of the people we love and care about.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for contributing! What a WONDERFUL routine! I love the way you are instilling gratitude in such an intentional way! Thank you for sharing, Christina xx
Loved this one Traci. I’ve come to a similar realization about my students and their relationship to things around them. We have had so many things broken by students(both intentionally and unintentionally) this past semester and they have a similar attitude…oh just buy us another one. Excuse me? With what money? So we decided to put them to work painting walls, coming up with creative solutions to fix the things they broke, even if it’s with duct tape and hot glue and doing their own fundraising by selling bracelets and baked goods. I wish I knew about gratitude chains before we took our holiday break! When we were sharing what we were grateful for during our “family circle” yesterday most kids said things like video games and my phone 😬.
Aw, Caitlin -- thank you for the kind words! YES I definitely see this within a school environment as well! I LOVE the strategy you guys put into play-- that is so smart! One of my favorite HS memories is senior year I had a teacher who gave us class jobs. I can't explain it, but 17 year old me took my class job as "technology coordinator" SO SERIOUS. At one point I was also the "blinds operator" and I still giggle over the way I would report for duty when it was too sunny.
My daughter saying Nutella did cause me to cackle inside, but then when it was followed with random objects I was like okay this is not helpful, lol!
You’re the heart of Substack and this slice of the internet and myself is beyond grateful for you and your friendship. Giving me all the feels and now all I wanna do is create a paper chain with my loved ones on Thursday 💕. Happy Thanksgiving, Traci.
Heart of your Substack title truly has me in my feelings. 😭 I’m grateful we got to meet IRL before the great NYC departure — and even more grateful that the kindness and intelligence that radiate through your writing were somehow even stronger in person. Spending time together meant more than I can put into words.
We are actually forcing all of our house guests to add to the chain (lol) - thank goodness everyone has been very polite. My daughter's big blue eyes are tough to turn down, haha!
All of this and more. Now you are making me cry. TRACI!!! Love that you are keeping the chain going. So fun and so thoughtful.
I am grateful for your footnotes! The first time I read “Rambling in Style,” I thought the Four-Shirted Husband™️ wore four shirts at once. (I was impressed with what I assumed was a masterclass in layering!)
Truly, I am grateful that there are such interesting people on Substack. I’ve started drafting my very first post, and it’s because the rest of you have inspired me.
Oh - and I’m living for a cardi moment right now! Love your styling!!
Can’t stop laughing over this. HE WISHES! He is not a layering expert by any means. You are the best, Megan. Thank you for making me smile!!! Please know that as soon as you hit publish, I (and the rest of the troops) are READY to support!
I missed your posts - finally catching up after a whirlwind of a november! Absolutely adore your more cold weather outfits & LOL at your most frequently used gifs. Need to adapt the Randy Jackson one asap
The Randy one is POSSIBLY my MVP gif! Thank you for reading, Kaye! xx
Love the paper chain idea, Traci! I feel like this is something I might have to do with my kids, too, because they’ve definitely said similar things about money before. Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving! x
Thanks Maria!! They were sad when we said goodbye to the chain (Christmas decor time) - so I think it had value! TY for the kind words!! Thankful for you!
Obsessed with the first three looks 😍. I think you're doing more of a wonderful job at everything than you give yourself credit for. Kuddos to the gratitude journal and meditation. They're game changers for me 🙌🏻 I've been meditating more and doing less of social media and can't say I'm too upset lol.
So grateful for you Traci! Hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family 💙
Thank you, Ana!! I’m so glad you enjoyed. I am trying to stay consistent with my journaling, but not exactly thriving. I think less social media is HUGE!
Such a fun, wholesome read! Loved every bit of it ♥️
Thank you, Ritika!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Loved this Traci. Def have an ongoing conversation with my kids and the value of the dollar. They still don’t understand! But we have time.
So glad you enjoyed! Someday it will stick, lol! Probably when they have their own jobs and bills! 🤣
The j crew boots are toooooo gooood! And why did the gratitude chain make me choke up a little bit? I love how colorful and sweet it is! But yea I can totally relate with the kids who did/do not know the value of a dollar. That’s improved as they’ve gotten older, but sheesh. Ok I love all of your outfits, as always, and seriously I have no less than three pairs of tall black boots and now I want the ones you have! I will not buy them. I will not buy them.
I did immediately buy your gray socks and the space cowboy eyeshadow just arrived. Guess who’s gonna be sparkly today??
LOL! They are good, but yes— you do not need them! The things they wrote were too cute. I think taking all the leaves may be in my kids’ future 🤣 (with me giggling from the window). I hope you love the socks and shadow!! I will wear my shadow in solidarity!!!!
Haha! I love that image of you too giggling from the window 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Always grateful for your relatable tone and outfit inspo! My whole fam is “huddled up” at my parents house and also planning to don my most comfy jeans and a cardi with my slippers most likely!
Thank you, Anna!! I absolutely adore your writing (you know this!!)— Wishing you a cozy and loving Thanksgiving! Rock that cardi, sis! Xx