Category: Just me being me

That Time I Went a Little Viral on Threads: The Big Bopper

For those of you not familiar with Threads, it was launched by Instagram in July 2023 and allows users to post text, photos and videos, and interact with other’s posts through likes, reposts, and replies. It’s basically a nicer version of Twitter (aka X). I’ve been over there since the beginning and enjoy reading other peoples Threads. Occasionally, I share thoughts. Or longer Thread stories… which are like free-form mini blog posts (I also curse over there, so… sorry). Anyways, I shared a story last week that kind of blew up.

And by blew up, I mean my account had over 295,000 views. I also had over 600 comments on my various posts, which I tried to keep up with over the few days that things were going crazy.

Anyways, one of those comments suggested that I write this all down somewhere, so I thought I’d add it over here on the blog too! I’ve been posting since before I was even pregnant with Jack, so for me it’s a fun little look back at many of the highs and lows over the past 14 years of my life.

So buckle up… here is the story of The Big Bopper.

How to Back Up Your iPhone Photos the Free & Easy Way

It’s time for some tough love and a little PSA. If you’ve been following along, you might remember that my son’s iPhone recently disappeared. And while that was a whole adventure in itself, it really got me thinking: What would I do if I lost every single photo in my phone?

I have both my calendar and my notes app backed up on my Google gmail account, but I refuse to pay Apple to store my photos on the iCloud. However, I’m also not going to chance losing 100 adorable photos of my kid. Or the dozens of mountain photos we’ve taken on our adventures. So, I’m going to do it the free and easy way. Obviously.

I make a note (in my phone, of course) every few months to do a quick back-up on my PC. I just completed this month’s chore, so I figured it was a perfect time to share the reminder (and some quick and easy instructions) with you too.

And guess what? It just took me five minutes to back up 323 photos to my laptop. That’s it. Five minutes. If you’ve got five minutes (which you do), here’s how you can do it too.

Step 1: Grab your iPhone charging cable and connect your phone to your PC. You will most likely have to tap “trust this computer” on your phone.

Step 2: On your computer, open the Photos app (just search for “Photos” in the start menu if you can’t find it. Sometimes my iPhone is an overachiever and it opens it for me as soon as I hit “trust this computer”.

Step 3: Click import. On my PC, there is an “import” button on the top right corner. Just click it and select your device.

Step 4: Pick which photos to import (I usually just select them all and then sort later) and TAKE NOTE OF THE SAVE location. Mine wants to import it to my C drive under Users and then Pictures. You need to know where it’s saving so you can find it once it’s imported!

Step 5: Wait a few minutes while it copies over all your photos. Then, search out that saved location and drag and drop the folder to where you want it to live. I like to drag the new folder onto my desktop and then make smaller folders to file groups of images (ex. 2024 Spring Break, Jack 2025, and Ollie Being Cute).

THAT’S IT.

Now you can go through and delete photos that don’t really have to LIVE on your phone, since you have them backed up elsewhere. While we all hope we won’t ever lose our phones – or accidentally drop them in the toilet – it’s always best to be prepared.

Secondhand Shopping Tips: What I Look for in Sweaters

Thrifting and secondhand shopping are my favorite ways to find high-quality, unique clothing while saving money and reducing waste. And when it comes to sweaters, secondhand shopping is even better – you get a sneak peek of how the fabric has held up over time.

Spring is a great time to look for sweaters because the seasons are about to change, and fewer people are searching for them as they anticipate warmer weather. That means you’ll often find great deals and a wider selection.

Here’s what I look for when hunting for the perfect secondhand sweater:

1. Look for Natural Fibers

The first thing I check? The fabric tag. Lately, I have been prioritizing natural fibers like cotton, linen and cashmere. Not only do they tend to be more breathable and longer-lasting than synthetic blends, they also are less likely to pill quickly, lose shape, or feel scratchy.

2. A Classic Shape and Neckline

Trendy pieces can be fun, but when it comes to sweaters, I like to stick to timeless shapes that look ageless. A good sweater shouldn’t tell you the exact year it was purchased, it should be versatile and easy to wear for years to come.

3. Inspect for Loose Threads and Pilling

A little pilling is normal, but excessive fuzziness or deep pilling can be a sign of poor fabric quality. A good fabric shaver can solve most of your pilling problems (Pro Tip: Buy a Sweater Shaver!), but if it looks overly worn, I usually pass.

4. Feel the Fabric—And Think Ahead

Softness is key, but I don’t just go by how it feels in the moment. I ask myself: Will this still feel cozy after a few washes, or will it turn dry, crispy, or scratchy? Some fabrics (especially cheap blends) feel nice at first but become stiff over time. If I’m unsure, I give the sweater a little stretch test—if it immediately loses shape, that’s a red flag.