Loving Lately - Birthday Loot Edition!

I turned 34 on June 8th, and I was showered with the most thoughtful gifts! I was a little sad that my bday fell on a Tuesday, but I arranged some maternity/at-home pics that morning with my friend Elizabeth, a coffee date with my SILs/BFFs, & an extended thrift trip (hallelujah!) while Jess kept Griffin in the afternoon.

It was a wonderful, low-key birthday! I feel like these gifts perfectly explain who I am right now.

So here’s what I’ve been loving lately, straight from my birthday gifts!

What’s on your gift wish list for your next bday/milestone/or holiday?

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

Megan of The Fresh Exchange referred to this book on her posts on postpartum, and as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted it for my forever collection! This book was from Griffin : ) and it is the resource I have been looking for to inspire me to have a healthful, more positive postpartum experience. Not only is it coffee-table-style beautiful, but the information inside is fascinating, helpful, and informative.

Nootkas Wool House Shoes

Does anyone else feel like they’re always on the hunt for the best house slippers? I love having something on my feet in the house, and the last several pairs I’ve scored at Walmart or Target — low commitment, stick them in the wash, and then toss when they start to fall apart! But I didn’t love them, so I went on a search for comfortable, pretty(-er), durable house shoes. Nootkas totally won out, and I am loving them so far! My postpartum self will especially be thankful (+ I’m totally taking Jess N.’s advice on the value of PP comfort wear!)

Raw Emerald + Gold Ring

I’ve also been on a search for a ring that could substitute as a wedding ring while my hands are pregnancy-swollen. I knew I didn’t want to spend much money, and this beautiful, simple raw emerald option was an Etsy find (at a great price). And I’ll absolutely wear it on one of my other fingers post-pregnancy!

Mesh Reusable Produce Bags

Making my home more sustainable has been a long process, one that I’ve settled into and been very patient with. I’ve found it is easiest to make replacements as things run out or are ready to retire, and I usually have a list going of the next sustainable products I want to invest in. I think they pay for themselves and make my home look beautiful, too. I had noticed that when going to get groceries or farmer’s market goods, I used a lot of plastic produce bags, and found these alternatives which I love! I hang them on my pegboard to inspire me to use them.

Organic Soy Candle in Cedarwood + Rosemary

Y’all, I love essential oils, but they’ll never fully replace candles for me. There is a sense of ceremony to lighting a candle, and I’ll always love the ambiance of a real flame vs. a diffuser. Of course, I try to find coconut or soy wax for a non-toxic output, and if they’re fragranced with EOs, all the better! This beautiful option is on Etsy as well and has been a delight during my evening showers (still going strong!)

Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes

Wind chimes have been on my wish list since we moved into our little cottage 2+ years ago, and I’m so glad I waited for the perfect ones. My MIL took us girls to a beautiful garden gallery nearby and we each got to pick a birthday gift. These are in a mid-high tone range but not at all shrill, and hang on our front porch where I can hear them all throughout the day. I love them.