Power Nap #144
We’ve been working so hard on these!! / sandwich tips / what’s saving Molly’s life
Hello friends!! As this hits your inbox, we are en route to the airport to head back home from our time in California. It has been absolutely incredible. As the kids are getting older, I am realizing just how precious extended time with them is. I also sent a Marco Polo to my college besties, verbally processing how it’s both easier and harder? I don’t mean that as a discouragement, but I am finding that each stage of parenting really does have things that make it easier and things that make it harder. So I guess if you’re waiting, thinking there’s going to be a perfect season where it all feels super easy, I am learning, (and I am guessing more seasoned parents would agree) it doesn’t exist. But there’s so, so, so much beauty mixed in with the hard. I could go on but we really try and keep these short. So, enjoy this week’s Power Nap!
WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!!!!
Introducing…a new way to find old content: Youtube Playlists.
You may not know this, but (almost) every single reel I’ve posted on Instagram since 2020 is also uploaded to Youtube. Trying to find that soup recipe, Christmas decor hack, freezer tip, or #FancyLunch idea you remember me talking about but can’t exactly remember where you saved the video? Instead of endlessly scrolling, you can now head straight to the playlist that matches what you need.
Our team combed through the hundreds of videos and created 39 different playlists so it’s much easier to find what you’re looking for. This was a labor of love and we sincerely hope it helps you!!
I don’t take it lightly that you’re subscribed to this newsletter, especially because many of you who read this newsletter intentionally spend less time on social media or aren’t on Instagram at all. I never want you to feel like you’re missing out on helpful recipes, home hacks, or parenting ideas simply because you’re practicing screen time discipline. These playlists are one more way I’m trying to make Naptime Kitchen easier to access, whatever season you are in. If you’d like to be notified whenever a new video is uploaded, I’d love for you to subscribe to the YouTube channel as well.
To find the playlists, visit the Naptime Kitchen YouTube channel. You will automatically land on the Home tab. Navigate three tabs over and click to Playlists, where you’ll find all 39 collections organized by topic.
I hope this makes it easier to find old favorites and get even more value out of Naptime Kitchen!
While Tuckernuck has been around a while, I only recently discovered them this past spring when I was gifted their sleeveless golf dress (if you live somewhere hot, this is a DREAM! Has a cinched waist; and you know how I love a collar!) and their golf skirt in the same fun pattern. I then realized I had ordered from them last year when looking for book tour outfits. I would say Tuckernuck is more upscale and very well curated. I shop them the same way I shop Anthropologie, I know when I go to their site I am going to find beautiful pieces that feel fun. Their site is massive, with everything from casual wear to cocktail dresses to workout clothes. They recently gifted me The Marina Dress and if you live somewhere where transitioning to fall means finding fall colors in summer clothes, this dress is it! I also chose the Sawyer Blouse (super lightweight, feminine, and again checks the box for transitioning to fall when it’s still hot) and the Wells Chino Shorts. Here’s what I will say about the shorts: they are pricey as far as shorts go, but I also think the fit is top-notch. I love a pleat and the length + the pleat + the higher defined waist—it’s a really, really great short. The Power Nap is free each week, and sponsors like Tuckernuck help make that possible! Thanks for sponsoring this Power Nap, Tuckernuck!
In Case You Missed It
Here are 5 easy Airbnb dinners that saved us on our trip (with few ingredients and few kitchen tools).
Here are 4 tips to save your packed sandwiches.
This lightweight packable travel backpack has come in so clutch for trips. It’s perfect for hikes or bikes rides. It packs up so small and is only $24 right now!
I’ve been thinking a lot about this when traveling with kids…so I wrote a love letter to the ones who keep everyone fed.
"This is how we grow: by being defeated by greater and greater things." - Rainer Maria Rilke
Things Nate Found Interesting
The Incredible Story of the Cartel Olympics. A Mexican athlete said he was kidnapped and forced to compete for his life in a tournament of gangs. But was he actually playing a different game? One of the more gripping essays I have read this year.
What Keeps Max Greyserman in Golf Obscurity? Less Than One Stroke Per Round. Very interesting article on decision-making, uncertainty, and randomness: “a lot of what happens, good and bad, in golf, as well as in life, is random and beyond your control. Stay neutral and analytical.” Reminded me of Nassim Taleb’s wonderful book “Fooled by Randomness.” Also, crazy how much little differences matter in sports (and life!) when compounded over long arcs: “In his rookie season of 2024, his average score over 18 holes was 69.998; if he had improved that by .085 — or less than one-tenth of a stroke per round — he would have passed Rory McIlroy and cracked the top five on the tour.” via Good Reading
Searches for Mahjong clubs grew 4,467% between Sept ‘24 and Aug ‘25 (article pay-walled). I can confirm the play at my house has increased by a greater percentage. via The Friday Update
The remarkable journey of the bar-tailed godwit. “Before it took off, the bird ate parts of its own liver, kidneys, and gut. That was the only way to be light enough to fly. Then it flew 8,425 miles from Alaska to Australia, in 11 days, without eating, drinking, or landing once.” via Marginal Revolution
What’s Saving My Life: Molly
Hi everyone! Here are some things I am really enjoying at the moment!
Food
We all know that the Cuisinart ice cream maker makes, well, ice cream. But did you know that you can pour any juice into it, select the ice cream button and in 15 minutes you have a scoopable slush that is SO refreshing and delicious!? This is THE move for a hot summer day when you need a fun treat to cool down! In the past I’ve gotten the juice from Costco (the passionfruit and dragonfruit are DELICIOUS), but whatever juice is your favorite will work!
I’d seen these Drizzilicious Bites multiple times at Target and never picked them up because I had very low expectations for rice cakes as a dessert. Then one day I was shopping while hungry and grabbed them and oh my…they are sooo good (my favorite flavor is smores). My 2 year old even screams “MORE COOKIES!” whenever the bag is around. I brought the individual bags to the beach this week and would also be a great thing to stick in a school lunch box!
My mom gave me this Red Chef Pan a few months ago because our frying pans were truly terrible and I am truly amazed at how a fried egg slides right off the pan. I haven’t touched my old pans since! Also loved the price point.
Self Care
I had the joy of spending the morning at the pool with my dear friend Megan (also one of Kate’s besties) and amidst talking about a wide variety of topics, she asked me to feel how smooth her legs were. Of course I gave her legs a quick swipe and was honestly shocked. She attributed it all to this Billie bar and I immediately ordered. I just got mine in the mail before we left for the beach and I am not sure how or why this works, but I can tell you it most certainly does! Smoothest shave of my life, even with a dull razor.
On the shaving topic, another friend recommended this for ingrown hairs/razor bumps and I am amazed at how well it works. A MUST for the summer. It does have a slight burn but it is so worth it IMO! And if you don’t struggle with razor bumps or ingrown hairs consider yourself blessed (ha)!
Home Org
I’m not sure about you but I start the summer with the best intentions to keep things organized and it slowly devolves into chaos. I’ve found two very inexpensive plastic storage bins at Target that have been a huge win in our house. This one is perfect for arts and crafts because it has the top layer with dividers and plenty of space below for bulkier items. And this one is perfect for perler beads, rainbow looms, legos, etc. I love the individual containers underneath and the top layer with fixed dividers. Both have lids and can be stacked and stored. Chef’s kiss!
-Molly
Those of us off social media thank you and the team for the archiving work!
I love that you’re helping those of us who choose to stay mostly off the socials!! So thoughtful