“I admit it, I’m a neat freak,” writes Diana Park. “Messes give me anxiety. I like my house to look nice. I prefer for everything to be in its place and put away. And when my kids were younger, it went beyond making them clean up their own messes. I wanted their bedrooms to be decorated and kept a certain way. That meant I picked out their bedding — vetoing the John Deere set that my son really wanted for his first bed — and made sure everything was organized and matching.”

Well, as they got older, she backed off. And today, she’s admitting why that was a BIG mistake.

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

We know that between school drop-offs, playdates, and work, those small moments for yourself can make all the difference. Enter: Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum by MERIT— the brand’s very first fragrance designed to bring a touch of elegance to your everyday life. Crafted in Paris by master perfumer Fanny Bal — a fellow mom and the creator behind some of the world’s most loved fragrances — Retrospect weaves together vintage-inspired notes like bergamot, rose, and vanilla for a rich, timeless scent that stays with you through even your busiest days. With nearly 30% fragrance oil, this extrait de parfum ensures a lasting impression, while its custom glass bottle adds a touch of luxury to your space. The notes strike a perfect harmony of fresh, floral, and earthy, delivering a scent that feels effortlessly sophisticated yet completely approachable. It’s the kind of fragrance that will have people asking what you’re wearing, and it gives you that ‘put-together’ feeling, even on the days when life feels anything but.

“One of the best things about the spooky season is how sensory it all is. Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch — every single one gets engaged in such a heightened way this time of year, which just makes you want to immerse yourself entirely. And, really, what better way to immerse yourself in those bewitching vibes than by taking a trip somewhere that leans all the way into Halloween?” writes Julie Sprankles. And she has got some amazing suggestions!