Halie Manley
Halie is a Vermonter born and raised, with a passion for travel, beauty, style, and life. She currently resides on the eastern side of the state with her husband and two kids (a hockey-focused son and a ballet-loving daughter.) She attended Colby-Sawyer College and Philadelphia University, then returned to Colby-Sawyer where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Her family has a running joke that Halie was on her own version of Amazing Race (selecting a college edition.) While she loves to visit cities, she discovered that she can’t live in one! She best describes herself as quirky and sometimes awkward, constantly looking to learn, a makeup and skincare enthusiast, and also an avid lover of coffee, tea, local craft beers, ice cream, HGTV, and basically anything that sparks joy! She is ridiculously comfortable in her own shoes (probably because she ditched heels!) You can find more about her on her blog, Our Small Life Home.
Santa Claus: Man, Myth, or Legend. The Santa Debate in My Home
Do you ever feel like a fraud when it comes to Santa Claus? I sure do. I came from a household where Santa Claus was celebrated and carrots and cookies were placed on a...
Multipurpose Makeup: Getting The Most Out Of The Beauty Products You Own
I have a lot of requirements when it comes to my makeup, but being multipurpose is my number one requirement. To know that I’m truly getting my money’s worth is key, which also helps...
How Fire Safety Week and a Tiny Kitchen Fire Impacted My Entire Family
Fire Safety Week happens every fall at our local elementary school. I would assume most schools do something similar, but fire safety certainly is a big deal at our school and rightfully so.
For...
Fall Fashion: What’s On My Must Have List
Fall fashion is my jam. Yup, I just said that. I actually don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud and only ever thought it with a certain level of self-consciousness. Can moms say...
Parenting Lies: The Things I Swore My Kids Would Never Do
It’s true. The pre-kid version of me had this laundry list of things that my kid would never do. My first foray into parenting lies. People told me that my list wouldn’t hold up,...
Vermont Life: I Never Thought I Would Put Down Roots in Vermont
I didn’t always love Vermont. Writing those words, I realize how odd that may sound to people. But the truth simply is, I didn’t love Vermont.
You see, I’ve lived in Vermont since I was...
Putting the Brakes on Driving: My Driving Anxiety Story
Driving. Windows rolled down, breeze blowing my hair, perfect music on the radio (80s hair band genre, preferably) and maybe a destination in mind. I used to yearn for moments to take a drive....
Starting Kindergarten: Excitement, Fear And All The Emotions In Between
Starting kindergarten isn’t new in our household, but we sure do get a refresher this year.
Our youngest is starting kindergarten, and I’m amazed at how different my approach to this milestone is compared...
Which One Is Your Favorite Child? The Unfathomable Question
The moment my husband and I decided to have our second child, I was prepared for the inevitable question of, “What if you have a favorite child?”
It just seems to be the question...
Our Happy, Healthy Kids in Our No Birthday Party Household
Birthday parties are almost a childhood rite of passage. I understand that. I truly do. And while you might expect a mom to post about “Top Birthday Party Themes,” this isn’t what I’m here...
Sunscreens We Love: My Family’s Top 10 Sunscreen Picks
My family has many favorite sunscreens. Yes, that’s plural. And my guess is you are thinking- how in the world can someone have a list of 10 favorite sunscreens?
We just do. Partly because we’ve...
Plan Free Summer: Our Family is Taking the Summer Off from Schedules!
You read right! Our family is taking the entire summer off from scheduling! We have opted for a plan free summer.
Intrigued? So was my family when I told them about the idea. This isn’t...
Traveling Alone: Losing the Guilt of Taking Kid-Free Trips
“Traveling alone is NOT for me.” I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve said that to myself and others.
I can’t even sit in a café or restaurant alone, so how...