Oops and Daisies

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My 10 Favorite Books From the 59 I Read in 2025

January 1, 2026 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

Favorite Books of 2025

I almost hit my Goodreads reading challenge in 2025: 60 books read in 2025! (I was only one shy, and I blame the fact that I typically read two to three books at a time). Even so, as usual, I read a huge variety of books, from middle-grade fiction with my kids to lengthy fantasy books based on incredible worlds.  So, out of these 59, which were my favorites? Keep reading for a round-up and why … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Uncategorized, Writing & Creativity Tagged With: book reviews, books, historical fiction, inspiration, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction

Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Interview with Author J.M. Guilfoyle

December 3, 2025 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

J.M. Guilfoyle

A supportive writing community can make a world of difference in an author’s journey, and that’s precisely where I met Jenn, who publishes under J.M. Guilfoyle. Our local writing group hosts more than just educational monthly meetings; the group features a number of “paths,” based around interests. From a critiquing group to a tech path (which Jenn leads), there are an incredible amount of ways to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Interviews with Creative Moms, More than Mama, Writing tips Tagged With: author, creativity, interview, interviews with creative moms, j.m. guilfoyle, types of writing, writing advice, writing community

5 Gift Ideas to Encourage Creativity in Kids

November 28, 2025 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

5 Gift Ideas to Encourage Creativity in Kids

One corner of our house is bursting with art supplies, the drawers full of colored pencils, markers, beads, pipe cleaners, construction paper, and oh so many odds and ends. The kids use all of our random art supplies when they just want to explore and experiment. That alone can be an incredible way to encourage creativity in kids.  But sometimes kids just want a project to play with, or to test … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: art set, arts and crafts, Christmas, creativity, drawing, gift guide, gift ideas, life with kids, sensory kits, stem kits

Network Marketing was a Mistake… But I Don’t Regret It (Completely)

November 7, 2025 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

I used to sell makeup through network marketing.  Oof, that felt a bit hard to admit! The industry as a whole is controversial, and I get that. To some, it seems scammy and annoying. To others, it feels empowering and a great way to earn financial freedom on your own terms.  It was that second part that got me. When my first was born, money was tight. I had gone from working full-time to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Inspiration, Journaling, Network Marketing, WAHM Life Tagged With: creativity, direct sales, energy, freelance writing, journal, mindset, network marketing, work from home, work from home jobs

Oops, Daisies, & Dreams: An Interview Series with Creative Moms

October 30, 2025 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

When the kitchen is overflowing with dishes, the toys are everywhere except put away, and the calendar is jam-packed with work, school, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to imagine doing anything other than ‘surviving.’  But there are moms who have carved out a creative space for themselves in this world.  Maybe they’ve incorporated their creativity into their own … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Interviews with Creative Moms, More than Mama, WAHM Life Tagged With: creative moms, creativity, inspiration, interview, mindset, mom life, more than mom, oops daisies and dreams, self-doubt, wahm

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authorlizsanfilippohall

Multi-genre author. 📚BECOMING CHARLOTTE CORDAY, a YA historical fantasy coming 4/27/2027 from Apprentice House Press

Looking for a spooky read? Or love stories about h Looking for a spooky read? Or love stories about hidden histories and the stories we tell ourselves about our fears? I adored this book, and not just because I learned stories about Scottish witches. This book is about memory, legacy, and why it’s so important to listen before we act. And it had me guessing what was real until the very end. The Lighthouse Witches by @cjcooke_author #WitchyReads #HistoricalFiction #Scotland #LizReadsALot
Writing and creating can be such a mindset game. W Writing and creating can be such a mindset game. We need to be our own cheerleaders AND advocates. You have something you want to write and create? You’ve got this… but if you need some more cheerleading, please know I’m here - ready to cheer you on. #CreativeSpark #BookCoaching #WritingLife #MindsetMatters
Another incredible way to learn about history? By Another incredible way to learn about history? By asking people about their stories and their experiences! And surprise surprise, I’m advocating for interviewing the people in our lives first and foremost. Our stories are powerful… they shape us. But only if we’re willing to ask and listen. #Storytelling #OralHistory #WritingTips #FamilyStories
Time to shout out our writing goals! Speak them ou Time to shout out our writing goals! Speak them out loud, schedule time for them, make them happen. This week: going strong with edits!! These characters have been directing things lately. #WritingGoals #AuthorsOfInsta #Creativity #GoalSetting
Other than books, how else can we dive into histor Other than books, how else can we dive into history and learn about our past? Through museums… and I’m not just talking about history museums either. No, they don’t always have “virtual reality” experiences but I promise you’ll feel “immersed” in totally different cultures and spaces. What’s your favorite museum or historical site? Shout out to @geoffreybaerwttw for his wise words about local history. #LearnHistory #CoolExperiences #PeekInsideMyBrain #HistoryLesson
Want to learn more about history? Don’t start with Want to learn more about history? Don’t start with the internet or AI. Today I’m sharing how I start the process of learning about a culture, civilization, or topic before I start writing… all without typing into Google search. What random fun facts have you learned without the use of an internet search? #HistoryResearch #WritingLife #ReadABook #KnowYourHistory
I focus on only one “big” creative writing project I focus on only one “big” creative writing project a week, and only have, maybe, 4 hours max to work on it at the computer…. It can be hard when it looks like the word count doesn’t change much. But hey, this is the editing life! And I’m making progress… currently one scene at a time. #WritingLife #WorkInProgress #AuthorsOfInsta #WeeklyUpdate
I talk a lot about finding joy in the creative pro I talk a lot about finding joy in the creative process… but can you find joy in trying to get published? In sending query after query? Rejection is hard, but it’s a fact, and it’s one we need to try to get comfortable with if our goals include publishing. In my latest Substack, I share my experiences with querying, rejection, and how we can build resilience even when we hear “no” again and again. I promise: we can do hard things… you got this.Link to the full story in my bio/story. #Publishing #Rejections #WritingGoals #MindsetMatters
Once upon a time, I struggled to share my writing Once upon a time, I struggled to share my writing with others. Yes, I was (and am!) a professional writer and editor, and I’ve written for what feels like countless industries and publications over the last 20 years... but my fiction? Hah! But I’ve long dreamed of becoming a career author, of publishing my books and my stories with the world... and I needed to step out of my own way. In 2025, I did just that, and it took some DEEP mindset work to get past some pretty big self-limiting beliefs. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way, and so I wrote an ebook: Your Permission Slip To Chase Your Writing Goals. It includes creative nonfiction based on my own journey to “claim” my identity as an author, plus writing prompts to help you think deeply about WHY you want to write. The result? Progress with your writing!Link in my bio/story. #SelfLimitingBeliefs #TheStoriesWeTellOurselves #WritingGoals #Creativity
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