Sunday Prep Vol. 36

The week where we update emergency lists and play would you rather.

Clear one space and maintain it.

Pick a single surface that you’ll keep clear all month long. Reset it each evening. One calm space can create a ripple effect throughout your home.

Something to do today:

It’s the first day of February—a perfect, low-pressure moment to pause. Take a few minutes to look back at last month: what went well, what felt hard, and what you want to carry forward. Then gently review and adjust your goals so they actually support the month ahead. Fresh month, fresh perspective.

Something to do this week:

Take a few minutes to update one emergency or “just in case” list. It could be contacts, kids’ school info, passwords, or pet care notes. Just choose one and refresh it so future you feels a little more supported.

Tomato Soup

Page 89 in The Simplified Cookbook

Ingredients:

• 1/2 yellow onion

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

• 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes, with juices

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

• Goldfish crackers, for topping

Directions:

1. Cut onion into wedges.

2. In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter.

3. Add the onion, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a simmer.

4. Cook on medium-low, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.

5. Add salt to taste.

6. Using an immersion blender, blend soup to desired consistency (either fully smooth or with a little texture from the tomatoes—both ways are great!).

7. Spoon into bowls and top with Goldfish crackers.

Something about February calls for tomato soup. Maybe it’s the chilly weather, maybe it’s the Valentine’s-red color—but either way, now is the moment. Bonus points for heart-shaped grilled cheese on the side.

Get ahead of your week & make time for the things on your agenda!

1. Plan nourishing meals for the week

2. Note February birthdays and send out cards

3. Review work projects and set clear, realistic timelines

4. Block off time to work on taxes or organize important documents

5. Schedule three workouts this week and treat them like real appointments

👇What else are you putting in your planner this week?

1. If you’re going to a Galentine’s party, print a photo of the group in this frame to bring. It won’t cost much but will mean everything!

2. Emily went into Caroline’s room to see the Top Spiral Notebook being put to excellent use! We love a gal with a proper afternoon routine.

   

3. Hosting for the Super Bowl this weekend? These football, very designer-inspired bowls will get to you just in time to put dips on the table!

4. Dusty is LOVING these crackers and now we’re all on the hunt to find them. Grocery store scavenger hunt? Say less!

   

5. Brittany has put one of these on each of the beds in her house for winter sleeping. Great price!

   

6. Cold weather = chapped lips. Laura found this is making a huge difference, and she’s going to buy another color! Liz and Lindsey ordered “clear” while on zoom this week.

   

7. Are you putting together Valentine baskets? This wavy keyboard is such a fun find!

8. Liz found these cute + cozy pajamas. And they have matching options for little ones—precious!

   

9. Make your own box of chocolates with this red snack box. This way, you know you love all the choices.

Each week, we're answering your real-life questions—about routines, meal ideas, work-life balance, favorite movies, and everything in between. Got a question? Leave it in the comments!

Q: “What’s a routine or habit that helps you feel grounded during busy weeks?”

Emily: Walking. Activity is an antidote to anxiety. When my brain feels like its moving too quickly, it helps to move my feet quickly.

Brittany: When things get really busy, I have to set aside a few moments at the end of the day to just “be” and melt into the couch. In this season, that looks like making a cup of bedtime hot tea and reaching for the book I’m currently reading—having even just a few minutes to allow my body and mind to slow down is essential.

Whitney: Lists. When busy, overwhelmed, or just feeling frantic, always make a list! Bonus points for sharing that list with people who can help lighten the load. 💕

Dusty: Stepping away from my desk for a short walk at lunchtime—no phone, no podcast. That quiet reset makes the rest of the day feel more manageable.

Laura: Having healthy, easy, and protein-packed options prepped and ready to go at the start of the week makes that chaos of “three kids in multiple activities” so much better. One less thing out of my brain!

Carly: Keeping my workout routine consistent. I can get serious brain fog if I don’t move my body, so even on the busiest of weeks, I try to hold myself accountable and make some movement happen!

Lindsey: Having healthy lunches ready and still finding time to go to my morning workouts makes my body and mind feel better. These two things help me feel normal and way less stressed when weeks get busy.

Liz: Knowing what’s for dinner takes the biggest load off my mental plate each day. I’m always surprised and how much more stressful my week feels when I don’t have a meal plan for the week.

🩷 Have a question for our team? Leave it in the comments and your Q might be featured next week!

1. We’ve been head-down in the background work of our upcoming Travel Collection, getting all the little details in place so the Launch runs smooth, fun, and easy for you.

2. Whitney worked her magic and photographed the most beautiful Valentine’s Day flatlays this week—truly obsessed. Here’s a little sneak peek!

   

3. Our marketing team spent time mapping out Q2, setting the tone for the content we want to share as we head into summer. We’re feeling really excited about where it’s going, but we still have lots of details to figure out!

Galentine’s Game

Answer fast and feel free to passionately argue your case. This is Galentine’s—fun opinions and snacks encouraged. Have the best time with your friends!

Would you rather ...

1. Chocolate or candy?

2. Coffee date or dinner date?

3. Always trust your gut or always follow a plan?

4. Live near family or live somewhere totally new?

5. Stay in with pajamas or go out dressed up?

6. Sweet or salty?

7. Texting or voice notes?

8. Loud chewing next to you or someone watching videos on full volume?

9. Movie night or game night?

10. Always be early or always be 10 minutes late?

11. Pink or red?

12. Online shopping or in-store?

13. Candle or fresh flowers?

14. Plan the trip or just show up?

15. Lip gloss or lipstick?

16. The fun friend or the reliable friend?

17. Clean as you go or one big clean?

18. Romanticize your life or be super practical?

19. Early mornings or late nights?

20. Your group chat leaked or your notes app read out loud?

21. Jeans or leggings?

22. City trip or beach vacation?

23. Always have your hair done or your makeup done?

24. Sparkling water or soda?

25. Instagram or TikTok?

26. Gold jewelry or silver?

27. Neutral nails or bold color?

28. Read the book or listen on audio?

29. Forget people’s names or forget why you walked into a room?

30. Autocorrect ruin your texts forever or voice-to-text betray you once a week?

Write a list of 10 little things that make you feel cared for.

How can you give yourself more of those?

Get your journal for the season here.

Thanks for reading this week’s edition of Sunday Prep! We hope you have the best week! Can’t wait to chat Wednesday in our next Post! 💕