One of the things I’ve come to love the most about creating content is pulling back the curtain a bit. Foster parenting, motherhood, and entrepreneurship can be so intense sometimes—and while I’m always here to support you through the hard parts, I also love sharing the things that bring me joy, comfort, and just a little bit of fun.

So today, I’m kicking off this month’s R.E.P.O.R.T., where I walk you through a few of my favorite things lately: what I’m reading, eating (or drinking), playing, obsessing over, recommending, and treating myself to. These are the things giving me life right now—and I hope they’ll offer you some inspiration, too.

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📖 Reading: The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

I’m a sucker for anything by Elin Hilderbrand, but The Hotel Nantucket has quickly become one of my favorites. There’s something about the way she writes beachy, character-driven stories that makes me want to grab a cozy blanket, sink into a chair with an iced coffee, and not emerge for hours.

What I loved most about this one? The charm of the setting (I mean, who doesn’t want to check into a perfectly restored Nantucket hotel with a haunted twist?!), the slow unfolding of each character’s backstory, and of course, the summer vibes. It felt like a little escape—perfect for balancing out the emotional heaviness that foster care can sometimes bring.

If you’re looking for a light-but-smart read to take to the beach or wind down with after a long day, this one’s a solid pick.

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🥤 Eating (Drinking): Island Punch Spindrift

If you know me, you know I love a good drink that feels like a treat but doesn’t derail my energy or mood—and Spindrift has been hitting the spot lately. Their Island Punch flavor is fruity without being too sweet, refreshing without being too bubbly, and honestly, just fun.

It’s become my go-to afternoon pick-me-up when I need a break between client sessions or a little refresh while I’m prepping dinner with the kids running around. Bonus: it looks super cute in a glass with some ice and a lime wedge. Zero guilt, full refreshment.

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🎶 Playing: 90’s on Shuffle (Pandora Station)

I’m deep in my 90s mom nostalgia era and I’m not mad about it.

This month, I’ve been blaring the 90s on Shuffle Pandora station while cleaning, cooking, driving, working, dancing with the kids—you name it. Think Alanis Morissette, Counting Crows, TLC, Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, Matchbox Twenty… all the angsty, feel-good, moody-in-the-best-way music that raised us.

There’s something about singing “No Scrubs” while folding laundry that just hits different. It’s become an unexpected self-care ritual—reminding me of who I’ve always been, even underneath all the roles I carry now.

Highly recommend throwing it on and having an impromptu kitchen dance party. Your inner teenager will thank you.

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✨ Obsessing Over: Our Upcoming Disney Trip

Okay, I know I’ve mentioned it a time or two (or twenty), but I am so excited about our family’s upcoming Disney World trip! We’ve been planning it down to the minute (because Type A is a lifestyle 😅), and the anticipation is half the fun.

Between choosing our park outfits, strategizing Lightning Lanes, and dreaming about Dole Whip and fireworks, I’ve been fully in Disney-mode.

What I love most, though, is that this trip isn’t just about rides and photos—it’s about creating core memories with my kids. We’ve been through a lot as a family, and giving them a week of pure magic feels like a reward for all of us.

So if you see me posting a lot of Disney content in the coming weeks… you’ve been warned 😉

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🌞 Recommending: B.TAN “TAN AF” Self-Tanner

Listen—I don’t always have time for elaborate beauty routines, but this product? It’s an instant mood booster. I’ve been recommending the B.TAN “TAN AF” Self-Tanner to literally everyone I know because it works so well, so fast, and gives the most natural-looking, non-orange glow.

I’ve been using it before beach days, special events, or just when I need to feel a little more like myself. It doesn’t smell weird, it doesn’t streak, and it dries fast. Win-win-win.

If you’ve been looking for a budget-friendly glow-up that feels a little like summer vacation in a bottle, this is the one.

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🍟 Treating Myself To: Boardwalk Fries, Wine on the Beach, and Fresh Hot Donuts

Our family vacation last week was exactly what my soul needed. We weren’t trying to “do it all” or check everything off a list—we just relaxed, played, and indulged in all the little things that make summer special.

And by “indulged,” I mean I fully embraced:

• Crispy boardwalk fries (extra vinegar, obviously)

• Glasses of cold wine on the beach after the kids were in bed

• Warm, sticky fresh-made donuts for breakfast with zero guilt

Sometimes those are the treats that fill you up the most. Not just physically, but emotionally. And they reminded me that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or Instagram-worthy. Sometimes it’s just eating a donut in your pajamas while listening to seagulls.

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Why I Share These Things

You might be wondering, “Cathleen, what does a Spindrift or a 90s Pandora station have to do with fostering?”

And here’s the truth: Foster parenting is hard. It’s emotional, it’s unpredictable, it can be incredibly lonely. That’s why little joys—tiny treats, cozy rituals, feel-good music, inside jokes with your partner, trips to look forward to—matter.

They’re not just fluff. They’re the lifelines that keep us connected to who we are, outside of our caregiving roles.

The R.E.P.O.R.T. framework gives me a way to pause and reflect on what’s bringing me joy right now—and I hope it encourages you to do the same.

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Want Ongoing Support + Encouragement Like This?

If you’re nodding along and thinking “Yes! I need more of this in my life,” I want to personally invite you to join the Foster Mama Lifeline.

It’s my ever-expanding resource library + cozy community space created just for you.

When you join, you get:

• ✨ Access to every Fearless Fostering resource and product I’ve ever made

• 💬 A private community space to share, vent, and connect with other foster moms who get it

• 📅 Monthly Zoom support calls with me and other like-hearted mamas

• 💗 A space to be encouraged, held, and reminded you’re not doing this alone

All of this for just $129 for the entire year.

Because I believe every foster mama deserves support that’s consistent, loving, and trauma-informed.

Ready to take that next step in your journey?

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You don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to wait for everything to feel “less hard” to get support.

Let this be your lifeline. We’re saving you a seat.