Keep reading to find out my thoughts on the new Barbie movie, my new travel hack that will save you lots of luggage space and how to win my new kid's book!

So, I’ve just returned from a mother-daughter trip, the first I’ve ever taken with my sweet Caroline. She’s going to be 16 in September, so we did a little early celebrating in Charleston, SC. It was epic. I can’t believe we’ve never taken a mother-daughter trip like this, before! 

Thank you for all of your Charleston recommendations, by the way! You can see them HERE. 

When we weren’t shopping and eating our way through the city, we were back at our AirBnB watching Jane Austen movies. Or, going to the movie theater. And, I’d like to tell you about one movie, in particular. 

BARBIE. 

I’m not really sure what I expected, considering I wasn’t even expecting to see it. I was never a big Barbie fan, growing up. I only had a few and wound up cutting their hair too short or drawing on them. (If you’ve seen the movie, I created “Weird Barbie” LOL.) 

Anyway, the movie was BRILLIANT. And, here’s why: it tackled how harmful our culture has been to BOTH men and women. Yes, women are marginalized in a million different ways. But, men are dealing with their own toxic messages…”Be a real man, or be a good man. Two different things, right? Provide for your family, or you’re a failure.”

Kudos to the men who are seeing this movie, by the way. There were some moments that understandably made them squeamish. But, the way this movie tackled toxic masculinity, the patriarchy, and how it hurts men AND women was simply genius. Also, I love Ryan Gosling even more, now. 

Here’s the deal: we can’t move the needle on gender equality without men… (I write a lot about this in Chapter 8 of “You Don’t Have To Carry It All”, how men aren’t the enemy.) If we can first understand that men enter the conversation on gender equality already feeling inadequate, that’s the first step in inviting them to the conversation.

Who’d have thought Barbie could be a spokesperson for gender equity? Admittedly, not me! 

Anyway, school is just around the corner. My kids start school NEXT WEEK. And, don’t judge me, but I can’t wait for them to go back. Bless all their teachers :) 

Wherever you are, whatever you’re in the thick of, I hope this encourages you. Always rooting for you…

TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE

I loooooove these — what's the craziest thing your kids have ever said? I want to know! DM me to share. 

FARIS FAVORITES

1. The Best Way to Pack

After I witnessed my daughter fit her ENTIRE WARDROBE into a tiny suitcase 🧳 for our Charleston trip using packing cubes, I’m officially a fan. If you’re traveling and want to keep your clothes organized, save room and pack MORE THAN YOU NEED (ha), give them a try! There are thousands of different kinds and they’re relatively cheap. These get 5-stars on Amazon — let me know what you think.  

2. $25 Quality Sunglasses

My favorite sunglasses 🕶 sunk in the lake last week and you know what I did? I ordered a new pair. That’s the beauty of $25 sunglasses! If you’re not a fan of GOODR, y’all….do yourself a favor. Almost all their sunglasses are $25 or less. So, when you lose them in the lake or your son tries wrestling you and accidentally knees you in the head, breaking your second favorite pair (also, true story), you don’t lose your ever-loving mind.  

3. Treat Your Favorite Teacher

Here’s a chance for you to send an autographed copy of my upcoming kid's book to your favorite teacher! “Who Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up” comes out on September 12th…that’s just 48 days!! But, if you buy the kid's book in the next 24 hours and DM me via Instagram, I’ll send an autographed copy to your favorite teacher’s classroom!

If you're a working mom, make sure you're getting THE CARRY™ ALL, the newsletter by and for working moms! I founded CARRY™ in 2022, to create load-lessening content for working moms and to help carry their many burdens.Here's what you missed in last week's THE CARRY™ ALL:1. An all-call for people pleasers to please themselves

2. One mom’s mission to teach financial

literacy to her kids3. 

A letter from the mom who doesn’t feel fun this summer