Are Stanley Tumblers Worth It? My Honest Opinion

I finally did it… I jumped on the Stanley Tumbler bandwagon. The 40oz Stanley Tumbler cups are the “it” accessory at the moment and seen everywhere. But the big question is, are they worth it? In my opinion, yes… and no. Let me explain. | This post is not sponsored but contains affiliate links and an honest opinion of products |

| 40oz Stanley Tumbler in "Flint" |

First, I’ll share the reasons why I think you should *not* get one:

• You already have a straw tumbler. So many of us already have another brand tumbler and we really don’t need another one just because this style is popular at the moment. If your current tumbler is doing it’s job just fine then don’t bother jumping on this bandwagon and save your money.

• It’s HEAVY. Really heavy. At 40oz when this tumbler is full it is super heavy - it’s really not practical to carry around all day like you see those influencers on Instagram doing.

Now why I think you *should* get one:

• You're in need of a straw tumbler. I actually was in need to upgrade my old tumbler. My old straw tumbler was 10(!) years old and not insulated... I was tired of it leaving condensation marks on our coffee table and it never kept my water cold for long.
• You like your beverages cold (or hot). While I haven't tried my new Stanley Tumbler with hot beverages yet, I'm very impressed how it keeps things cold super long. I'll take a sip of water the next morning and it's still nice and cold from the day before!
• You keep your beverage at your desk or in your car. The large size isn't an issue if you tend to leave your cup in the same place for long periods of time. I typically leave my tumbler on the kitchen counter or on the coffee table and constantly sip it throughout the day so the large size wasn't a problem for me. This cup also fits nicely in our car's cupholders.
• You're trying to increase your water consumption. If you're looking drink more water, this large cup definitely helps get it done.

Overall - I am happy I jumped on the Stanley Tumbler bandwagon. I don't condone buying the "it" thing everytime if you don't need it, but if you are actually in need of a straw tumbler I have been very happy with my Stanley one.

Maine Rope Mats

We’ve been long-time fans and customers of Maine Rope Mats - they are rugged, functional, and add some New England nautical flair to your home. Our mats have held up beautifully to years of harsh New England weather - sun, snow, and mud. Maine Rope Mats was kind enough to send us a few of their new products for us to style and share about.
| This post contains an honest review of product provided by Maine Rope Mats |

At Home in the Woods as well as on the Seacoast

Maine Rope Mats definitely have a nautical vibe to them (they are made from lobster-style ropes after all), but nevertheless they fit right in at a cabin in the woods as well as at a cape on the cape.

We love mixing and matching the mats with other accessories too - like their Maine Rope Baskets. These rugged baskets would be perfect for holding a potted plant, gardening tools, or flip flops and towels for a walk down to the lake.

Wipe Your Paws

These mats also hold up well to our four-legged friends too - just make sure to wipe your paws before coming in the cabin! (PS - Maine Rope Mats also makes awesome dog leashes from soft but strong yacht braid rope. Those are definitely next on our wishlist.)

Perfect for Play Too

Maine Rope Mats are also the perfect addition to a child’s play house - or a Hobbit’s house ;)
They add the perfect touch of whimsy and help keep sand and mud from getting tracked inside.

Here’s a pro-tip for all you campers out there: pack a Maine Rope Mat to put in front of your tent door. It really makes a huge difference in reducing the amount of mud and wood chips that get tracked into the tent. It also makes a great spot for the pup to hang out too.

We’re long-time fans of Maine Rope Mats are looking forward to many more years enjoying our rugged and stylish mats!

KEEP UP WITH MAINE ROPE MATS

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- I received these items for review from Maine Rope Mats but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -   

Teaching Our 4-Year-Old How to Read

Just wanted to hop on here real quick and share about this book we have been loving for teaching our 4-year-old how to read! | This post isn’t sponsored but does contain affiliate links |

Our 4-year-old has been asking us to learn to read for a little bit now. She sees her older sibling reading and wants to join in too… after researching around I decided to try this book "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons", which came highly rated.

The book and its format took a little getting used to at first, but we quickly caught on and our little one is EXCELLING at it. The program starts small, and builds on letter sounds one-by-one. They start with the predictable sounds and add annotations to help differentiate different letter sounds and minimize letters that are silent. Your little one builds confidence and knowledge and slowly starts to decipher how words, sentences, and paragraphs are made. Our 4-year-old is now sounding out and reading small paragraphs all on her own, and we’re only a little more than 1/3 through the book! Her comprehension/recall still isn’t quite there (she often needs to be reminded about what the beginning of the paragraph was about by the end of the paragraph), but she is honestly enjoying being able to decipher words all on her own. She’s even starting to read and recognize words and sentences in other books that don’t have the sounds broken down like this book does.

I think this is a great jumpstart to reading if your child is ready and willing. I know it will definitely give our child more confidence and a jumpstart on learning to read before starting Kindergarten. We’ve been taking our time doing the lessons (we only do them 2-3x a week), but I’m really looking forward to see how well she reads by the end!

SHOP: "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons"

Etsy Sale Through June 3rd

We’re joining the spring Home and Living Sales Event over on Etsy, everything in our shop is 10-20% off now through June 3rd! Happy Shopping :)

Secondhand September

Did you know it’s Secondhand September?

We’re personally huge fans of consigning and shopping secondhand - in fact everything I’m wearing today is secondhand and name brand (blouse and jeans are Ann Taylor and the leather mocs are M.Gemi, which is a fancy Italian luxury brand I could never afford new). Right now I’m putting together a bag of winter consignments to bring to M&C Clothing and Gifts in Amherst, NH, one of our favorite consignment shops.

We love consigning because the money we earn from reselling our items can be spent at the consignment shops we use for new-to-us clothing and other items - it’s like trading up what we don’t want anymore for what we do. Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.

If you’ve been thinking of giving consignment shopping/selling a try, check out my past blog post where I share some tips on the process:

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Getting Ready for Back to School 2021

We’re getting ready to send our oldest back to school in person for the first time in about 18 months and I don’t know who’s more nervous - me or her. Nevertheless, we’re trying hard to be positive and prepare her as best we can for the return to school. I thought I would share some of the things we’re packing in the event it helps other parents think of things to pack too. | This post contains affiliate links |

Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice… please consult the CDC, your doctor, etc for what supplies your child should need for themselves and their school situation.

Some Ideas for Back to School Supplies 2021

• Sturdy Backpack - We're huge fans of L.L. Bean backpacks. They're built to last so we buy a size bigger than our kids need in order to last them many years to come. Since our school does a lot with computers we made sure to pick a backpack that also has a built-in laptop sleeve. (Side note: We always add some added visibility to our kids' gear with Gear Aid Reflective Patches.)
• Hand Sanitizer - We got some small "key chain" hand sanitizer dispensers to attach to both her backpack and her lunch box so cleaning her hands whenever she needs to will be easy, especially important before adjusting or taking off masks and before eating/drinking.
• Covered Water Bottle - This was a small upgrade we thought might be useful this year. In the past our daughter always used reusable water bottles with an exposed spout, however we thought it might be a better idea to have one that keeps the spout covered when not in use to help keep it cleaner.
• Good Masks - We did our best to try to find better masks for this year that are supposed to have better filtration. We have some child-sized "M95" ones as well as some cloth masks that have special filters that go inside of them.
• Mask Cases/System - I have no idea if this system will be practical, but we're going to give it a try! I ordered these clear mask cases from Amazon and cut labels for them on my Cricut. We'll be packing one with extra clean masks, and the other will be empty for dirty masks to come home in. Since we invested in some better quality masks I wanted to make sure they stay in cases when not in use to keep them in good shape.
• Breakaway Mask Lanyard - These can be handy during times when masks come down (lunch/snack, mask breaks outside, etc).
• Label Everything - Pandemic or not, it's important to label all the things when kids go to school. We love this label maker for making quick and easy labels for water bottles, cases, sports gear, etc.

I hope that gave you some ideas of things you may want to pack for your children too, I hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy school year!

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New England Maker: Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England. It’s been a little while since I’ve done an interview on the blog in our New England Maker Series, but I’m excited to get back into it with Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn! I first came across Suzanne’s work in my friend Marie’s shop (Here Today Emporium). I loved Suzanne’s colorful and whimsical house portraits, so I bought one of them for our daughter’s room and have been a fan ever since.

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.

My name is Suzanne Carroll Korn and I am an early American painter and folk artist. My inspiration springs from the folk art landscapes, designs, and motifs found on New England’s historic paint-decorated walls. Over 20 years ago, I began researching, studying, and writing about these large and amazing remnants of American folk art… painted in New England between the years 1800-1860. This research allowed me to view and document both landscape muraled and stenciled walls, many of which were the original works of itinerant folk artists like Rufus Porter, Jonathan D. Poor, and Moses Eaton. Through this research, I became a “student” of these iconic American folk artists, and eventually, I began to paint landscapes in the style of Rufus Porter.

Creating scenic and colorful folk art landscapes has given me great joy over the years. When I borrow and blend the early American designs and motifs found on the walls I studied, I like to think that each painting pays tribute to life in the small colonial villages and coastal towns of 19th century New England.

Although I do a lot of painting on canvas, one of my favorite things is to paint on vintage salvage pieces from New England’s past. Old sap buckets, vintage bead board, old cupboard doors, rustic tables, and breadboards from days gone by, all make exquisite “canvases!” There is nothing quite like painting on something wonderfully worn!

In addition to my early American painting, I also enjoy painting in a slightly more modern style that features a bright color palette, minimal landscapes, expressive skies, small cottages, stone churches, farms, and fields of flowers. I love the peaceful spirit of these simple vignettes of rural American life. I am actually looking forward to focusing more on this style in the near future! Who doesn’t need more peace? :)

I just started adding favorite scripture verses to these paintings with the intent of offering scripture cards, note cards, and prints. Hoping such prints and cards will be a source of peace and encouragement for others.

How did you start Early American Painter? Had you been making folk art for a while or was this a new leap for you?

My folk art definitely had it’s genesis in my research and study of early American paint-decorated walls… but the really interesting thing is that up until 11 years ago, I had never painted anything freehand in my life! I had no painting talent at all! - Or so I thought. In 2010, on a whim, I decided to take a class at the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton, Maine... “Painting in the style of Rufus Porter.” Never in my wildest dreams did I suspect that my life would change forever from that one experience! With lots of follow up study of Porter’s methodologies, formulas, and designs, and by studying his original murals in homes all over New England, I somehow got to this place of creativity!

It wasn’t until 2015, when I took an early retirement package, did I have the opportunity to really focus on my folk art. A couple of years after retiring, I was able to rent some space at While Home Collections in Wilton, NH. That gave me so much great experience and I learned so much about running my business. I had my “shop” at White Home for 1.5 years, right up until they sadly closed their doors in December of 2018. It was such a privilege displaying and selling my folk art creations at this beautiful landmark shop. I loved meeting many of my clients and becoming friends with them.

These days, I sell a few select pieces at Marie Fortier’s delightful shop Here Today Emporium in Wilton, NH. I also obtain commission work from Instagram and Facebook. Mostly custom landscapes, folk art house portraits, and some painted salvage. Alas, I’m a little behind the times as far as setting up an efficient payment process - so if anyone sees a piece of folk art on my Facebook and/or on Instagram feed, and they are interested in purchasing, I still require a snail-mailed check! I know… I need to get with the times!

What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?

Creativity is my favorite aspect of the business. When painting a folk art landscape, there is a step-by-step methodology that I use... the same methodology that Rufus Porter documented 200 year ago when he was painting huge landscapes on walls! It’s like putting a puzzle together. After backgrounds are done, the super fun part for me is the “decorating!” This is where I get to build out the painting with all the detail… the colonial houses, the trees, the boats, the flowers, the animals, etc. No two paintings are ever alike!

Something else that I love doing is hand-painting colorful tags for all of my folk art. I’ve always said that if the only thing I had to do each day was sit at my drafting table or porch, and paint little tags, I would be content! I can’t tell you how fun and relaxing it is creating these little works of art!

And if inquiring minds need to know - my least favorite aspect of running the business is determining pricing!

What have been some of the most rewarding moments for Early American Painter since you started?

I have been led to many wonderful opportunities, where I could bless others through my folk art. In 2018 and 2019 I was honored to donate landscape paintings in the style of Rufus Porter to the annual Fall Gala events at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. My pieces were entered in to a silent auction, with all proceeds going towards the continuation of AFAM’s mission to educate and generate enthusiasm about American folk art.

Right here in my town of North Reading, MA, I’ve had several really nice opportunities to give back. At the historic c.1817 David Damon Tavern, I am the “resident” tour guide and Rufus Porter “expert.” When we have Open House at the Damon Tavern, I conduct tours of the amazing second floor ballroom where Rufus Porter, around 1830, painted stunning landscape murals. Also in the Rufus Porter ballroom, I host “Paint Like Porter” fundraising workshops sponsored by the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society. Surrounded by the historic landscape murals painted by Porter almost 200 years ago, adult students of all painting abilities learn about the life and times of Rufus Porter and the basic methodologies and techniques he employed to create folk art landscape murals. Each workshop is so much fun… students love this “getaway” day to do something relaxing and creative, and the paintings they each go home with are truly amazing! Students come from all over New England to attend the workshops. With the proceeds from just two of the workshops, the Historical Society had enough money to refinish the incredible 200-year-old wide pine floors in the ballroom!

Over the years, it has also been a great pleasure working with The Center for Painted Wall Preservation, a 501c3 organization dedicated to the research and preservation of 18th and early 19th century American paint-decorated plaster walls. I currently serve on CPWP’s Board of Advisors, and under their auspices, I will occasionally continue my journeys around New England, visiting homes/inns/taverns in order to document historic paint-decorated walls therein. Often we are called in by homeowners to document painted walls that have recently been discovered under layers and layers of wallpaper! I’m so happy that my field research done over the years has been entered into the SPWP’s Digital Archive of Painted Walls. This is a growing database of hundreds of walls, that at some point in the near future will be accessible to anyone interested in these amazing 19th century walls of folk art. The database will ensure that no matter what happens to these precious walls in the field, there will always be a permanent record of the historic folk art found on them.

Last but not least, I’ve always felt blessed to have the best customers ever. It has been so rewarding creating for lots of clients all across the country. Hearing the excitement and gratitude in their voices after they have received their new piece is priceless!

What advice do you have for people just starting out?

Never stop looking for ways to use your gifts and talents to brighten and enhance the lives of others. God will use your abilities and talents in astonishing ways! Find something that you are passionate about… something that you love… something that makes your heart sing… and the rest will come. You will know when you have found your “calling,” because your “work” will never feel like work, and you will see and experience the satisfaction and happiness it brings to others! If what you do brings a smile to your face, plus enriches the life of someone else, what could be better?

What does the future hold for “Early American Painter?”

I see myself continuing to create custom folk art pieces for my clients. However, I also want to focus on painting more of my “minimal” landscapes, and working on ways to incorporate inspiring scripture verses and messages into them. I’m not quite sure what that will end up looking like, but I do feel a leading in this direction. I see an Etsy shop in my future, and have even started designing it. Time will tell! In the meantime, I will be enjoying the creative life in North Reading with my husband Rich, and canine sidekick, Alice.

Who’s one of your favorite New England Makers?

One of my favorite New England Makers is Raffaella Gutermann, from Dolce Amar Bakery and Cafe in Groton, MA. Raffaella is an artist in the truest sense of the word - only her stunning “paintings” are on canvases of cake and other sweet confections! European designer cakes for weddings and other special events are her specialty. Raffaella’s creations are always the embodiment of elegance, beauty, and exquisite taste!

Keep Up with Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

| Website | Facebook | Instagram | Shop a selection of items in person at Here Today Emporium in Wilton, NH |

All photos courtsey of Early American Painter, Suzanne Carroll Korn

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DO YOU OWN A NEW ENGLAND-BASED BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING INTERVIEW?  OR WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME STYLE, REVIEW, AND FEATURE ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS?  
Please drop me a note.  

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More Interviews from New England Makers:

August Box from The Maineland Co.

As you all know by now I love finding and sharing about New England-based businesses, so I was so excited when I came across The Maineland Co. - a small business that creates seasonal subscription boxes that feature Maine-made products. Maineland Co. was kind enough to send me their August Box a little early to share with all of you. | This post contains an honest review of product provided by The Maineland Co. |

The August Box from The Maineland Co. celebrates fair season and BLUEBERRIES! The curated box comes nicely presented and includes a “When Life Gives you Blueberries” t-shirt from Creation Labs, a “Blueberry Rake” spork from Pieces of Maine Jewelry, and a rustic blueberry box from Crafted Downeast.

“When life gives you blueberries…” you make pie and eat it with your blueberry rake of course! I made sure to put the t-shirt and blueberry rake spork to good use to help me enjoy this big ‘ol plate of blueberry pie ;)

And the rustic blueberry crate has so many possibilities! For now I put some hydrangeas in it to dry (it will make such a cute centerpiece on the dining room table), but it would make a great item for kitchen decor or as a catch-all by the door for your keys, wallet, etc.

Maine is well known for it’s blueberries, so what better gift for the blueberry-lover in your life than these fun items that can be enjoyed for many more blueberry seasons to come? But the best thing about Maineland Co. boxes is they bring a little piece of Maine to the recipient and every season there is a new curated box full of different Maine-made products to enjoy.

Keep Up with The Maineland Co.

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- I received this item for review from The Maineland Co. but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -