Oops and Daisies

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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

Gift Guide: Educational Gift Ideas (Or Presents that Keep on Giving)

November 24, 2020 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

With learning at home continuing for the foreseeable future, I've been focused on finding activities that not only engage my kids but also teach them a thing or two. In other words: this holiday season, their list includes fun educational gift ideas. After all, learning should be fun... and I'd rather buy them something that they'll use again and again. This list of educational gift ideas … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cool Experiences, Writing & Creativity Tagged With: educational gifts, encourage reading, gift guide, gift ideas, holiday gift guide, math toys, science gift ideas

Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Mom

November 18, 2019 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

Holiday Gift Guide

After I became a mom — or maybe it’s just a part of “growing up” — when someone asked me what I wanted for my birthday or the holidays, I had a standard gift list. I typically asked for things I tended to need, like clothes, socks, underwear -- and last year even curtains -- rather than things I wanted. If you’re looking for something a bit more, shall we say, creative and thoughtful when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cool Experiences, More than Mama, Self Care, Self Care & Beauty Tagged With: gift guide, gift ideas, holiday gift ideas, holiday shopping, self care

4 Holiday Gift Ideas for Busy Moms

November 20, 2018 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

4 Holiday Gift Ideas for Busy Moms

When someone asks me what I want for the holidays, it takes me awhile to come up with things. When I do have a “list” to share, it tends to be really practical stuff: socks, clothes, things to help me organize. This year, with buying a house and finishing renovations, I literally asked my mom for curtains. So what do we moms really want? Trust me when I say we’ll be super appreciative of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Self Care & Beauty Tagged With: busy moms, gift ideas, gifts, holiday gift ideas, holidays, makeup, more than mom, pamper, pampering experiences, self care

7 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for the Busy Moms in Your Life

February 1, 2018 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

I’ll admit it. I like Valentine’s Day. I love that it’s a day dedicated to letting loved ones know that we care about them, and why. I’ll also be the first to admit that one of the top things I'd want as a gift would be to sleep in. But, in addition to sleeping in, what would the busy mom in your life value this year?  If you’re still looking for a few Valentine’s Day gift ideas, here are a few: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cool Experiences, Inspiration, More than Mama, Parenting Tagged With: busy moms, gift guide, gift ideas, me time, self care, valentine's day, valentine's day gifts

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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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