things i love // back to school

Summer is flying by so quickly I feel like I hardly even had a chance to buckle up for the ride. Our district’s early out (pre-Memorial Day) + early back (pre-Labor Day) school schedule means that in just a few short weeks, my babies will become 4th and 6th graders (eek, middle school) and another harried year will begin. I’m so thrilled + grateful to be back to fun activities and time with friends and SCHOOL in a real building, so I’ll *try* not to complain about the nutty scheduling of it all and just enjoy the ‘normal.’ You lovelies will keep me in check, right? In preparation for a new year, my big kid just picked out a rad new lunchbox and some Stasher Bags. I have rounded up some other awesome Back to School stuff this week to get you thinking about what’s to come, whether you have a kiddo headed off to their first day of preschool or a too-cool middle school veteran. And wherever your kiddos land, enjoy your last weeks and days of summer. It just goes SO dang fast. xo

Oh my goodness, if you have teeny tinies heading off to school or even just to the park across the street, these We Might Be Tiny Snackies are just the cutest. All of this Australian company’s products, from Plates to Placemats to Cups, have my design-loving heart. And, in addition to being the MOST adorable tableware I’ve maybe ever seen, all of their products are designed to encourage independent eating and are made from super durable food-grade silicone that’s free from gross chemicals, so you can feel doubly good about serving up your sweet littles’ delicious snacks in the world’s cutest container. So, would it be cool to send my middle schooler to class with one? I mean, he’d be ok with that, right?! Or… maybe it’ll just be my go-to toddler gift.
// WE MIGHT BE TINY SNACKIES $29.95 //

You guys already know that my big kid loves a good fidget. He just needs a little something to keep his hands busy, especially when it’s time to sit and focus. I’m new to this whole middle school mom thing, but I’m just *guessing* that a wildly distracting [annoying] fidget toy that pops or whirls or splats might not cut it in class anymore. So, I ordered him Calm Strips. They’re a ‘sensory adhesive’ designed to ground fidgeters while they drag their fingers on the sandy or pebbly surface or peel up the corner over and over. They’re subtle and satisfying and they can be easily removed from any surface and stuck again somewhere else. They’re now also selling Carry Tags that you can stick your Calm Strip to so you can bring it anywhere or attach it to a backpack. They come in a bunch of cool designs, some of which earn a portion of proceeds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Human Rights Campaign and several other super worthy causes. Don’t you love it when something you want anyway has the added bonus of contributing to an organization you’re super happy to support?! Middle School here we come.
// CALM STRIPS $12.99 //

If you have a kiddo that doesn't want to totally blend in at school, consider letting them customize their gear with a set of Posca paint markers. We have several sets (regular, glitter, 'flesh tones' and fluorescent; the metallic are on our list) and my guys LOVE them. My older son used them to customize the Swooshes of his plain white Air Force 1s with a cool design and both boys went totally Shrinky Dink crazy for a good while (we have a whole medieval army and the entire population of Springfield cast in tiny plastic 😂). Because they write on almost any surface, you can use Poscas on notebooks or binders, phone cases, water bottles, skateboards, cleats or sneakers, helmets, bikes…you get the idea. And if you’re not into marking up their stuff, you can also use them for Kindness Rocks or other fun art projects. They also have a super inspiring Instagram feed that might just spark your kiddo’s creativity. I even used them to draw on the ends of my weights for Boot Camp so they don’t get mixed up with the others. Nerdy? Totally. But at least I won’t blend in.
// POSCA PAINT MARKERS from $15 //

School is hard enough to navigate for t[w]eens without having to worry about things like getting their first period. If it’s a subject on the mind of your growing gal [or you!], Lola’s brilliant First Period Kit will give you both a sense of confidence and calm that might take at least one thing off your list. Lola is a female-run brand dedicated entirely to women’s reproductive and sexual health and wellness. Their products are all non-toxic and dye-free and are a score for mamas, too. The First Period Kit comes with a complete sampling of all of the tools your t[w]een will need (organic tampons and 3 kinds of pads) to examine ahead of time and experiment with when the time comes, including a little carry pouch you can stash in her backpack or locker. The Kit also includes period-tracking stickers and access to a super helpful pediatrician-authored e-book with honest and straightforward advice and answers to their period questions [including the ones they didn’t even know to ask]. It could be invaluable at demystifying this rite of passage and is a fantastic way to start a conversation that might otherwise be awkward. So let them worry about their math homework or when practice starts and scratch this off the list.
// LOLA FIRST PERIOD KIT + GUIDE $34 //

So… you getting tired of packing the same lunch every. single. morning? I mean, I LOVE a good routine, but if your kids are getting bored of the same old, Catherine at Weelicious has all of the inspiration you need to earn yourself a gold star for school lunch making this year. A trained chef and mama of 3, she started posting healthy, kid-friendly recipes when her oldest was little and has grown her blog to include amazing food for the whole family (she also makes my guy’s hands-down favorite special treat). Her school lunch photos + ideas are super inspiring and are a fantastic reminder of the huge variety of things we *could* be packing for our kids. You can even search her site by dietary need, which is SO helpful if you have restrictions in your household. Check out her Insta for the adorable videos she makes with her daughter and some excellent cooking tips. And, now I’m hungry.
// WEELICIOUS //

Hey! Just a heads up that this post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that I stand by all product recommendations 100%. Questions? Reach out, I’m always here for you. xo

things i love // just add water

The sun was out this week and it felt so good I had trouble getting anything done. I had to get out my warmer weather clothes and start putting sunscreen on my arms each morning (I’m REALLY trying to do my hands when I’m out hiking). Of course, in typical Colorado fashion, there’s snow in the forecast for next week, but it doesn’t bother me one bit because I know there are LOTS of sunny days ahead. And with that in mind, everything I’m sharing with you this week is perfect for those glorious sunny days, a few are even designed to share with friends and family as the prospect of gathering becomes more realistic (YAY YAY YAY!). So check it all out and then GO OUTSIDE and enjoy all of the glory of spring. But don’t forget the sunscreen, lovelies. xo

+ If you ever have questions about any of my recommendations or just want to chat, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out. I’m totally here for you.

Our family has A LOT of gear. We have rafting gear, camping gear, ski gear… you get the idea. And most of it has been carefully curated over years of adventures so we’ve amassed some pretty baller stuff. But… I have a massive crush on these Igloo 50th Anniversary Edition Little Playmates. They are just so fun and bright and we def *need* one [or two] for weekend football games, pool days, hot summer car trips and just chillin’ in a friend’s yard. I’m just sure none of our other 17 coolers will do the job. The 50th Anniversary Edition comes in 9 super rad color combos, plus they have a huge range of other special editions that honor everything from The Grateful Dead to Star Wars to Nascar. The whole Retro Collection is just nostalgic and fun. These little guys would make a fantastic gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, your favorite fishing buddy, soccer mom or sports fan. I mean, who wouldn’t love one of these gems? I guess we’d better make more space in the garage.
// IGLOO 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION LITTLE PLAYMATES $29.99 //

Now that the possibility of more far-flung travel destinations is looking just a *bit* more promising, my radar is back to scanning for stuff to make the whole experience more enjoyable. Airline travel isn’t exactly glamorous, especially now that you have to don a full hazmat suit for the duration, so a little forward thinking is key. I always bring lots of nourishing snacks and the whole fam’s reusable water bottles on the plane. I mean, those tiny little plastic cups are like 2 sips (and totally wasteful) and it’s a must to have a bottle on the other end for the journey ahead. In the “before times” I bought a GOpure water filter for my water bottle so that I could feel confident in the tap water wherever we went. It makes filling your bottle in the filthy airport bathroom not feel so bad. The little Pod eliminates a whole host of grody stuff found in municipal water supplies (hello arsenic, chlorine, lead, micro plastics and more….um, GROSS). And it makes your water just taste and smell better. Heck, you don’t need to be traveling to exotic locales to use your GOpure Pod, you can use it in the comfort of your own home everyday and feel confident knowing that the water you’re drinking is safe and clear. It’s designed to filter 246 gallons of potable water and each lil’ Pod keeps 2000 plastic water bottles out of the landfill and ocean. Gulp. That’s a lot. Pair a GOpure Pod with a shiny new water bottle to make a brilliant gift for anyone you love who loves travel, wellness or adventuring.
// GOPURE POD $54.95 a pair //

I’m not sure what I love most about Dabble and Dollop; it might be their commitment to clean ingredients (there are no parabens, phalates, sulfates….) OR it could be their whole unique model, which is designed entirely around kids having FUN and exploring making heavenly smelling concoctions in the bath with their bubbles. They have painstakingly formulated their line’s natural scents with fruity aromas that are meant to be mixed and matched together for a fun and refreshing experience. AND they can be used as bubble bath, body wash or shampoo, eliminating the need for a bunch of products. It’s gentle enough for babies, but also rad for older kiddos who have outgrown baby shampoo both in concept and function; it’s cool AND it’s effective on older kids’ thicker, dirtier hair. Mix any of their Gels with some Vanilla Whip or pop a few Droplets Bath Bombs into the tub just for fun. You can buy each individually or choose a Gift Bundle for variety (they also have a subscription so you never run out). Plus, they support STEAM non-profits and work to inspire kids’ interest in science. Bonus! These bright, fun sudsy bottles would make a seriously adorable gift for any splashy toddler or kiddo you love OR one you don’t know very well - you really can’t go wrong with clean, cute bubbles.
// DABBLE AND DOLLOP BODY WASH + SHAMPOO from $13.99 //

AAAGH! Have you guys seen Estelle Colored Glass’ Stemwear?! You already know that I just CANNOT wait to start entertaining friends and family again. I’m so excited to gather and eat and drink and listen to the kids’ shrieks of laughter. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I also seriously love bright pops of color, so…if those two passions had a refined, fancy love child, it would pretty much look like Estelle Colored Glass. Founder, Stephanie Summerson Hall, was moved to create the vintage-inspired heirloom-quality hand-blown Polish glass by her grandmother’s passion for antiquing and it is exquisite. The Stemmed and Stemless wine glasses are just stunning and I love the Champagne Coupes for their vintage feel. The Cake Stands reminded Hall of her grandmother’s special Sunday desserts and are also such a special vintage nod. All of her pieces come in a gorgeous variety of pastel and jewel tone colors that can be mixed and matched for a more whimsical vibe or kept monochromatic for a more formal feel. Needless to say, anything from Estelle Colored Glass would make a dazzling gift for a wedding, anniversary, Mother’s Day or your very favorite hostess with the mostess.
// ESTELLE COLORED GLASSWARE from $35 //

Ok, so “nourishment” may be a bit of a stretch for a boozy drink, but Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest has jammed such gorgeous fresh ingredients into this Frozen Blueberry Paloma that I’m totally running with it. It’s a super refreshing blend of fresh grapefruit juice, blueberries and fresh lime that are so yummy with or without the tequila. This will be such a stunner for guests, especially with the addition of those beautiful edible flowers. I mean, nothing says welcome to the sunshine like a pretty frosty cocktail. And a mocktail version will make the kids feel super special, too. So, if you need me, I’ll just be outside with my face to the sun sipping one of these. Who’s in?!
// HALF BAKED HARVEST FROZEN BLUEBERRY PALOMA //

things i love // easter

Hi lovelies. Happy Easter. It’s so nice to see the bright sun and feel the warmth. My guys are SO excited to hunt for eggs and eat too much candy and to finally get to spend the day with grandma + papa IRL. But I feel like I’d be remiss not to recognize on this day of rebirth and renewal the unspeakable horror that my beloved hometown endured while our little family was away for break and that other communities continue to face with each passing week. My heart is so broken.

We did have a lovely break, tromping through the Utah desert in the sleet and snow and rain, but there was an unshakable cloud that hung over the adults in the group as we tried to forge ahead and enjoy the moment despite the suffering of our community. The kids were blissfully ignorant of the news until we got home and they had the best time on our trip, fully unplugged with no TV, tablets or laptops to distract them from the company of their friends and the goats and weather systems moving in and out of the stunning valley where we stayed. It was wonderful to hear their easy laughter and see the relaxed bliss on their faces.

So, the only thing I know how to do in the aftermath of what happened in my favorite place on earth is to even more fiercely celebrate life and love and the living the best I can, knowing that other families no longer have that privilege. I’m making Confetti Pancakes with Sparkle Syrup for breakfast and am taking LOTS of big, deep breaths outside with my face to the glorious sunshine. I’m stealing lots of hugs from my guys and trying harder to be present for them. Hug your own babies extra tight today and all of your loves and send just a little stash of your good Easter vibes and healing mojo to Boulder for the journey ahead. Thanks, lovelies. It means a lot. xo

In the very first Things I Love post, I introduced you to Lisa Congden’s new book, You Will Leave a Trail of Stars. Well, I finally got my copy this week and I’m here again to tell you just how awesome it is IRL. It’s a book full of GORGEOUS, whimsical, colorful and downright stunning illustrations, yes, but it’s also jammed with such profound wisdom. There are excellent quotes from some expected places, but also Lisa’s own sage advice and reminders (like “Embrace the Suck”) from lessons learned by overcoming her own adversity and challenge. This book would be a truly gorgeous and heartfelt gift for any grad, teacher, friend, sister, daughter or really anyone you know who is facing a transition, a challenge or just needing a bit of encouragement as they make their way. I can see myself using it as a super helpful parenting tool as well when my own words fail me as they did last week. Her words are concise and not fluffy, but meaningful and impactful and could bring about a true change in perspective for someone ready to receive it. Plus, it’s so beautiful to look at. You Will Leave a Trail of Stars will def be a new go-to gift for me.
// YOU WILL LEAVE A TRAIL OF STARS $15.95//

Ok, and while I am having a Lisa Congdon love fest, have you guys seen the new Mondo Llama line of art supplies at Target?! AAAAGH! I had to exercise my most severe restraint to keep myself from pulling at least one of each thing into my cart. It’s SO FUN and so reasonably priced and they have an exceptional variety of materials and kits for kids and adults alike. AND Lisa Congdon designed the rad packaging (and you might as well just throw some of her crazy adorable Method hand soap in your cart while you’re at it). You could put together a seriously bonkers gift from their awesome selection. I made off with the Paint-Your-Own Wood Pets Kit for an upcoming school give-away and the Give it a Swirl Tie Dye Kit for a fun sunny day activity for my boys (plus LOTS of white tube socks to dye). The Kickin’ Kaleidoscope Paint Pouring Kit and Paint By Number Canvas Kit would be amazing for older kids or t(ween)s. I had to back away super slowly from the 3D Multi-Surface Paint (really ALL of the amazing paint) and Bright Glitter Washi Tape, but will def be back for my little’s birthday. From beads to chalk markers to glitter glue, you could never go wrong making a seriously RAD gift out of anything in this line for any aged artists you love.
// MONDO LLAMA ART SUPPLIES from $2//

Oh you guys, this HOKA x Cotopaxi collab makes me so happy. I’ve been wanting to try a pair of Hoka’s forever and this might just be the push I need. The colors are so happy and fun and summer-ready. And I’ve admired Cotopaxi for years, drawn to their colorful aesthetic, but after listening to the How I Built This episode about their founder, Davis Smith, I liked them even more. The company’s “Do Good” creed is executed at every turn. One of the tenets of Cotopaxi’s super thoughtful and impactful business model is to give their employees full creative control over the pieces they sew; the employees get to choose the colors they use from the remnant fabric for every single piece they put together so that no two are the same, which I love. So if you order this Cotopaxi x HOKA ONE ONE Batac Del Dia Pack, you won't know exactly what you’re going to get, but you can be sure it’ll be colorful and so fun. Plus a portion of the proceeds from this collab are going to Big City Mountaineers, an organization committed to getting kids from disinvested communities into the outdoors. Both pieces from this drop are unisex and would be a fantastic Mother’s or Father’s Day gift for the outdoor lovers you love who appreciate a rad pop of color. This stuff will be gone in a flash, so think fast and bring ON those summer adventures.
// HOKA x COTOPAXI from $65//

JaxKelly handcrafts delicate, pretty and super affordable gemstone jewelry and candles out of San Diego. I picked up a pair of their Clear Quartz Mineral Points at Favor the Kind in Crested Butte a few months ago and have been wearing them a lot lately. They’re almost invisible on my ears from a distance, but I love how they refract the light and Quartz is said to have cleansing properties, which just feels right for me these days. I’ve been waiting patiently for them to restock their Mineral Points in other stones and they finally have, but… now I’m having trouble choosing. The Amethyst (healing), Amazonite (hope) and Rose Quartz (love) all look so pretty and I love the mojo they’re putting out. I also love the simplicity of these little Minimalist Hexagons and Moons. JaxKelly’s Crystal Candles are hand-poured in their studio and have different stones embedded in them that each carry a different intention, like Inner Peace (peach quartz), Calming (blue chalcedony) or Balancing (Dalmatian jasper). Just lighting a simple scented candle is said to have therapeutic benefits, so adding some intention and earthly energy might just kick it up a notch.
// JAXKELLY MINERAL POINTS $34//

If you have space in your heart and your wallet, please consider donating to the Colorado Healing Fund. This nonprofit was founded in 2018 by victim advocates and the Colorado AG’s office to give people a safe and efficient way to support victims of mass tragedy. I’m just so sad that their important work continues to be relevant over and over again. The CHF provides both immediate and long-term support to victims and their families, including their financial, emotional and physical needs. They work with community partners to effectively disperse the funds, so you can feel confident that your donation will get to the people who need it most.
// COLORADO HEALING FUND //

All images via @bouldercolorado

Hey! Just a heads up that this post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that I stand by all product recommendations 100%. Questions? Reach out, I’m always here for you. xo

things i love // spring forward

Happy Daylight Savings, lovelies! I love the ‘spring forward,’ it’s just so hopeful. It feels like we have more and more to feel hopeful about with each passing day, which is such a nice change from the chaos and uncertainty of the last year. The prospect of having a semi-’normal’ summer with friends and family being able to gather + more relaxing travel is almost too exciting to process. I just can’t wait to have everyone over for a big BBQ and to be able to HUG the people I love. I’m going to be running around like Scott Campbell’s Hug Machine just as soon possible, so look out, you might be my next unknowing victim.

And on another note, I just got my Runamok Sparkle Syrup in the mail and it’s even better and more sparkly IRL. It looks like there’s still availability from their limited release, so if you were hoping to glam up your breakfast, there’s still a chance. They also just released two brand new infusions that sound incredible.

I hope you’re all feeling the same optimism this week that comes with the changing season [and the prospect of mass vaccination]. The light is near, we can totally make it. xo

When I was a single gal, dinner for me was whatever looked good in the Whole Foods prepared case that night or maybe, if I was feeling ambitious, a pot of spaghetti. When my husband and I met and started to merge our lives and then grew into a family, my cooking repertoire slowly started to grow, too. Cooking is now obvs an everyday part of my life (more like 3-5x a day) and probs fueled 70% by love and 30% by necessity depending on the day. I’m super passionate about food and health and want to share that with my family, but I’m for sure still learning how to be a ‘good’ cook. I’m not a creative chef or adept at adding just a little pinch of this and a splash of that to whip up something amazing. But I can follow a good recipe and am a FIRM believer that having the right tools for the job is key, be it your go-to kitchen supplies or the best ingredients you can get your hands on. It’s something I’ve been slowly and intentionally honing over the years, swapping out big piles of mostly useless gadgets for a few of the RIGHT ones. It’s the reason I buy organic when I can and the inspiration for finally splurging on some truly gorgeous Brightland Olive Oil.

I’ve honestly always just bought a simple, inexpensive olive oil believing that anything coming from the Mediterranean was probably pretty good and basically all the same. Um, no. It turns out I could NOT have been more naive. When you dig in, you find out that much imported olive oil sold in the US as ‘extra virgin’ is actually nothing of the sort. It can be [and often is] rancid, moldy, contaminated with larvae and filled up with a bunch of other super junky types of oil. EEW. GROSS. It’s apparently a massive global scandal and actually super fascinating (I now want to read this book for the juicy details). The oil I was buying may not have even had the powerful polyphenols and other awesome health benefits that I was using it for in the first place. So I took the leap to something SO MUCH better. If I’m super honest, my leap started more like a casual wander fueled entirely by Brightland’s stunning branding (I’m like a barracuda drawn to shiny objects), but after learning more, I didn’t hesitate to jump and will never look back.

Brightland produces small-batch, high quality, gorgeous olive oils with only locally-grown fruit straight from the rich Cali soil. They source all of the little gems from a family-run farm and know exactly what they’re putting into their final product. So you can rest knowing that you’re not putting mold or larvae into your Taboule. And the flavor is spectacular. It’s bright and herbaceous and so super delicious. I started with their ‘basic’ oils, Awake and Alive plus pretty Spouts for both (quickly now some of those ‘right’ kitchen gadgets). I have been using them each for different recipes and have noticed such a difference in the flavor. I use Awake for soups and chicken and Alive for all the veggies. I am now coveting Rosette (garlic), Ardor (chili pepper) and Lucid (lemon), especially as the weather gets warmer. They also make two gorgeous vinegars, Parasol (champagne) and Rapture (balsamic) made with the same high standards. And they have stunning sets that would be truly spectacular gifts for anyone on your list who loves to cook or eat fabulous food. I know it seems like eons away, but Mother’s Day will spring up before you know it and a set of Brightland oils would be gorgeous.

There are a few other really notable companies that are part of this small-batch [gorgeous packaging] California movement. Both Wonder Valley and Pineapple Collaborative also have a line of olive oils that are super high quality and likely equally as delicious. Wonder Valley also makes luscious skin care that would be a stunning self-care gift (the Hinoki Body Oil is on my short list of ‘mama wants’). So, while I still have plenty of days when I’d rather just grab something from the prepared case at Whole Foods, on all of the other days when I’m excited to chef it up, I’m so happy that I made the leap to something better.
// BRIGHTLAND OLIVE OIL from $37//

About four days *before* we went on lockdown last year I finally decided that it was time to tackle my multiplying gray hairs and found the exact product I wanted to do it with. And, about 4 days *after* we went on lockdown, my first Hairprint delivery arrived at my doorstep. I was like “oh, great, just what I need” and shoved it under my bathroom sink. I mean, I didn’t see the point. A few months later, when the sun started to shine, I found the rejected box and pulled it out. I didn’t want it to go to waste and figured being stuck in my house with only my family was actually probs a good time to practice coloring my own hair. I got some advice from a friend, gathered all of my supplies, watched a SUPER helpful Youtube video and set to work. I’m not gonna lie, that first go was long and messy and I was super hangry at the end, but OMG was it worth it.

My hair is thick, dark and naturally curly [frizzy] and I don’t have tons of grays, but the ones I do have are wiry and stick straight up at the crown of my head like a lighthouse on a hilltop. I have so much love for women who choose to embrace the transition and let it come in naturally, but I’m just not *quite* there yet. I need those wild suckers to lay down. I’ve never dyed my hair before (except that one time in college, but we don’t talk about that) and I didn’t want a bunch of grody chemicals. I also didn’t want to start going in with full dye coverage that will grow out and leave me with roots, because that sets you up for a years-long commitment and I’m bad at commitment. So, when I put all of those criteria together, it lead me gracefully to Hairprint.

Hairprint is NOT a dye, and as such it doesn’t provide complete coverage; I still have some grays after treatment, which is okay with me (the extra step in Hairprint Plus makes a HUGE difference). But there are significantly fewer and they lay down much more gracefully. Hairprint IS a [miraculous] formula that encourages a chemical reaction that restores pigmentation of grey hairs to their innate light brown, brown or black hair color; it’s not covering anything up, it’s actually reverting hair to its original state. It was developed by an esteemed green chemist and I don’t want to make your eyes roll to the back of your head, but suffice it to say, Hairprint is totally free of ALL the stuff that you don’t want in/on your body (dyes, PPD, PTD, coal tars, fragrance, gluten, sulfates, PEG, silicone, parabens, high levels of ammonia or peroxide). And it’s cruelty-free. PHEW! Plus, it REALLY works for me, so there’s that. It also improves the health of your hair, making it stronger and shinier and all around better.

Now, before you hit “buy” on their site, take a deep dive into their FAQs to make sure it’s a good fit for you because it doesn’t work with ALL hair colors. For example, my beautiful blond and redheaded friends are out of luck, likewise those who’ve gone full white. BUT… everyone can enjoy Hairprint’s line of luscious natural shampoos, oils and hair regrowth products specially designed to give your hair the royal treatment that it deserves. I haven't tried them yet, but given my recent beauty product shopping bender, they might be next on my list [HIDE my credit card, please, it’s getting serious]. If you want to get serious about blending those grays into your natural hair color and you don’t love the idea of using a bunch of toxic chemicals to do it, check out Hairprint. I’m going in for another round, but this time I’m so bringing snacks.
// HAIRPRINT TRUE HAIR COLOR RESTORER from $42//

I was a SUPER girlie girl. I was all about clothes and makeup and Barbie and princesses. I took ice skating lessons just so I could have a Dorothy Hamill dress. I paraded around the house in my sequined dance costumes. And I would have thrown my best friend to the wolves without second thought for some Super Smalls bling. It’s shiny and stylish and adorable and made just for kids who like to rock the hardcore sparkle.

Founded by a legit fashion industry veteran and certified girl mama of three, Super Smalls mimics the look, feel and presentation of serious luxury jewelry and accessories, but is made just for all-out fun. It’s intended to spark the imagination, power up the the play and straight up wow its wearers. They make over-the-top adorable jewelry, accessories and hair bling that all take glitz and shine to the next level. It’s just plain fun and would make a seriously SHOW-STOPPING gift for any little or t(w)een that’s dazzled by sparkle. Their BFF Twin Stars Necklace Set comes with matching blingy necklaces, one for each pal, along with a super sweet guide that explains what each colorful stone represents about being a good friend. It’s so stinking cute, especially now when it’s tough to see our BFFs as often as we’d like.

And if you’re searching for wowee Easter basket filler, Super Smalls has you covered. Honestly any of their beautifully packaged goods would take your basket to the next level, but they also have Super Bundles that would make you MVB [bunny] for life. Grandmas and cool aunties take note, this would seriously BLOW your cutie little’s mind. The Easter Bunny will get mad props for delivering the blingiest loot your little could ever dream up.

So if you love a little that’s super wowed by big time sparkle, Super Smalls is a serious no-brainer AMAZING gift option. I guess it’s a good thing for my elementary school best friend that it wasn’t around when we were kids.
// SUPER SMALLS BFF TWIN STARS NECKLACE SET $43//

I have sort of a depressing [embarasing] confession. Though our beloved old dog passed away in December, his dog beds are still scattered around the house. It feels a bit like their absence leaves a bigger hole than absentmindedly tripping over them everyday. I’m used to seeing them there in the middle of the floor and not seeing them feels much more conspicuous. I know I need to get rid of them (and soon), but I’m just not quite ready. I’m glad all those years ago, I decided to buy handsome beds so that, ratty as they are now, they’re at least not a complete eye sore.

I don’t mean to be all gloomy (gah, sorry!), but it’s a good reminder that you have to look at the things your dog uses every day, so you might as well choose gear that you like. Fortunately, there are so many options for just about any style you fancy. If last week’s pretty floral and modern motifs aren’t really your thing, The Stately Hound’s elevated style might be just your jam. It’s a fantastic company out of the UK that hand-makes stunning collars, leashes and soft wool blankets for your pups.

The Stately Hound’s leather collars are handmade from Italian vegetable-tanned single grain, so there are no toxins used in the tanning process and it allows for a wide range of true bright colors that are all really stunning. All of the beautiful brass hardware comes from one of the oldest foundries in England and adds such a noble touch. They also make the collar with your own dog’s measurements, so you know it’s going to be a perfect fit. You can add a matching leather leash in varying widths to suit your preference for a beautiful set befitting a best pal. And if you need something a bit more rugged and waterproof for your pup, they also hand-make awesome, colorful webbing collars and leashes, as well as marine-grade rope leashes. And lastly, they make awesome dog blankets from super soft recycled Welsh wool. You can use it in a basket, on the couch, in the car or for travel to keep your pup cozy and protect your surfaces. All of this shipped FREE from the UK. And if you need some ridiculously cute dog porn in your life, check out their Insta feed, it’s a truly beautiful tribute to [hu]man’s best friend. If you love a dog lover, The Stately Hound’s gorgeous handmade line of products would make a stunning gift.
// THE STATELY HOUND LEATHER COLLAR $57//

As we mosey past the one year mark with this whole “safer at home” thing, we’re starting to lap some quarantine birthdays. A few of my peeps are coming up on COVID birthday number 2 and it’s just a bummer. Somehow a standard text to mark the day doesn’t feel like enough, no matter how many cake and balloon emojis or partying cat giphys you add to the end. If you want to get serious about making your special people feel REALLY special, you need Punkpost. For about the same cost as a blank letterpress card, you can have a super talented real-life handwriting artist personalize a card for your special person and deliver it snail-mail style from you. It’s absolutely brilliant.

Punkpost has 400 different insanely clever card designs to choose from for literally ANY occasion. Some are hilarious, some are sweet, some are straight up dirty, but they’re all incredible and exclusive to Punkpost. And they have more than 150 handwriting artists around the country who will handwrite your personal message on the card you choose. You can even add photos, gift cards or a confetti bomb to your card with a simple click. You choose the card + type style you like best, type up your special message and that’s it - the handwriting artists do the rest and have your completely personal, amazingly creative card in the mailbox and off to your special person within 24 hours. It will completely blow their mind and def make them feel SUPER special.

Plus any company who’s most popular product says “Just wanted to remind you that I love you and your butt is perfect” is tops in my book. So, whether it’s another trip around the sun or some encouragement or “just because,” find an excuse to send someone a Punkpost card today and spread some serious joy. And if you’re already an amazing handwriting artist, find an excuse to make your OWN dang amazing card and send it off to someone who could use a little pick-me-up this week.
// PUNKPOST CARDS $7//

things i love // let's hear it for the girls

This week I ignored the National Day of Unplugging so that I could help honor International Women’s Day instead. It felt like a decent trade-off to me; I’ll get to unplug in the Utah desert soon enough. So, all of the awesome companies featured in this edition of Things I Love are powered by inspiring and creative women (and a few of their husbands) who have followed their passions and built something beautiful. So many of the brands and products I’m drawn to happen to be woman-owned, so it was hard to choose just a few, but these are stand-outs and you’ll see many, many more amazing women-owned companies here as the weeks go by. I hope it inspires you to follow your passion too, even if just for an afternoon. I’m following mine right here with you, lovelies, so thanks for being part of my dream. xo

And just a little update on another super RAD woman that I introduced you to a few weeks ago… amazing process art teacher, Meri Cherry, just announced her latest Virtual Pop-Up Class or Kit and Class combo and it looks so GOOD. But, ‘hop’ to it so you don’t miss out.

And lovelies, if you ever have any questions about products or anything else that I share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can leave a note in the comments below or email me. I’m here to help.

After one oddly long [very nerdy] text string with some lady loves about dental hygiene, I decided to really *try* to be more diligent about my flossing. I guess the years of being educated [shamed] by my dentist didn’t sway me, but one friend’s passion for it got me stoked. I mean, I obvs know in my mind that it’s super important, I just never really felt enough fire in my belly to make it a habit. Well, apparently all it takes to stoke that passion is a little peer pressure and some really fantastic branding, because I have found the fire and I’m IN. Cocofloss has been Insta-Stalking me forever and I finally totally took the bait. I’m SO glad I did. I mean, I know it’s a *little* dorky to get so jazzed about dental floss (okay, a lot dorky…), but let’s be honest, that’s never stopped me before. And when I dug in, I quickly discovered that Cocofloss has SO much going for it besides its top notch branding. It’s a fantastic company started by two sisters in California; Dr. Chrystle Cu is a dentist on a mission to fight tooth decay and her sister, Cat, is an artist who converted to flossing later in life and now helps spread the gospel with her phenomenal vision.

The sisters set out to develop a better floss to get people pumped and I guess I’m proof that it worked. Their floss is made in a small family-run factory in Italy, woven with 500+ textured strands to give it a great feeling and structure that really gets in between your teeth and drags out all the yuck. I usually like the ropy kind, not the flat slippery kind, and this has that same quality but it doesn’t come all unraveled while you’re flossing. It’s formulated with coconut oil, naturally aromatic fruit oil (also from Italy) and vegan wax, plus it’s completely non-toxic and Leaping Bunny certified. The floss comes in compostable refill packs to reduce waste and you can swap out the flavor for any of their 9 different appealing options any time you want to try something new. I started with good ol’ Delicious Mint and the flavor is super subtle. If you need to entice your kiddos to take up the habit, their new Tropical Trio offers exciting flavors, including Limited Edition Summer Watermelon, that taste like a gorgeous summer day and will make the job so much more fun.

And if that’s not enough to get you excited about what they’re doing, Chrystle Cu also raises money and volunteers her time helping school children in their parent’s native Philippines where debilitating tooth decay, even among the littlest kids, is rampant. So I totally DON’T feel like a dork getting excited about Cocofloss. I’m on day 13 of the 21 Day Challenge they sent with my first order (along with a ridiculously cute reminder sticker) and loving the new addition to my nightly routine. My boys are next up for the Challenge and I’m excited to see them develop what I hope will be a life-long habit. Because it’s SO well packaged and is such a fantastic company, Cocofloss would be an excellent self-care gift for anyone you love who’s already totally on board with flossing or who could use a little nudge like me. It would also be an adorable addition to an Easter basket, right next to the Peeps and Kinder Joy eggs. Time to nerd out, lovelies.
// COCOFLOSS DENTAL FLOSS from $9 //

My meal planning success is pretty varied. Some weeks I’m super inspired and I crush it like a lady boss. Some weeks it’s all spaghetti + meatballs or whatever I can throw together from my freezer. I obvs prefer the former because I don’t like to feel disorganized, but even on a good week, I sometimes forget what the abundance of produce in my refrigerator is actually for….like I make a plan, make a list, buy all the ingredients [most anyway, I seem to always forget one REALLY important thing] and then by Tuesday I can’t remember what I was going to make. I will occasionally write it down, but I’m just not in the habit. So, when Moglea, one of my favorite design studios, came out with a Meal Planner Notebook, I totally jumped on it. It just arrived today and is truly GORGEOUS; *almost* too pretty to use.

Moglea [pronounced moh-glee] is a letterpress and design studio in Des Moines, IA run by a visionary husband + wife team. They paint and dip-dye their whole range of stunning paper goods by hand before printing them on antique presses. So each and every piece is completely unique depending on which part of the larger sheet it came from. They make so many gorgeous things, from hand-painted cards and notebooks to wall clocks and gift wrap (not hand-painted, but printed in the US with their original artwork). I have one of their beautiful phone cases and get compliments on it all of the time, it’s just happy and lovely and feels special. They also have so many options for magical gifts for so many people on your list (love the fabulous playing cards). HINT: Mother’s Day will be here before we know it. And they’ve just launched some really pretty new designs for spring.

My Meal Planner Notebook is so beautiful that I’m sort of sad to write all over it, but I know it’s just what I need to help me remember what those turnips are doing in my produce drawer. The pages are printed with simple boxes for the days of the week and leave one space to write your meal and one for ingredients or notes. I can’t wait to start filling it up. If you’re an over-the-top detailed planner, Erin Condren has some next-level tools to help you nerd out. There are also some pretty options on Etsy or a big notepad version from Rifle Paper Co. Really any dedicated notebook would do, but I love the way the Moglea one is set up to keep me on track. Now I just need their beautiful Project Pad to keep the rest of my brain organized. Wait, what was I just talking about?
// MOGLEA MEAL PLANNER NOTEBOOK $16 //

While we’re actively, desperately trying to avoid one kind of fever from hitting home, there’s another type that I’m ALL IN for... yep, PUPPY FEVER has hit our little community hard. There are bumbling, trotting, exuberant little fluffballs everywhere you look and it’s so fun. As lots of you know, we lost our beloved old pup in December and while my heart isn’t quite ready to adopt a new fur baby of my own, I am loving all of the cutie K9s I get to see around. I have two besties “expecting” sweetie pups in the spring and early summer and I just can’t wait to smell their puppy breath and spoil them rotten (and then send them home to chew up someone else’s slippers). In honor of all of you new puppy parents (and old ones, too, love those sweet old buddies) I’m going to share a few awesome dog-loving companies with you in the coming weeks.

The Foggy Dog in San Francisco was founded by a clever dog mom with a mission to bring fabulous design to everyday poochie products. After all, you’re the one that has to look at that puppy bed in the middle of your living room everyday, so you might as well make it both comfy for your pooch AND a gorgeous part of your decor. I mean, who wants to look at a ratty old pile of stuffing when you could be staring at stunning Modern Mud Cloth instead? They also make completely adorable Bow Tie Collars, gorgeous Bandanas (you can have a matching mask if you’re jealous), darling Squeaky Toys (crazy cute felt toys for your kitty, too), pretty Marine Rope Leashes in tons of colors and gorgeous Waste Bag Holders for picking up puppy poop in style. The quality fabrics all come in a wide variety of really stunning prints and colors, some designed exclusively for The Foggy Dog by talented artists like Margaret Jeane.

And just in case you’re getting caught up thinking that The Foggy Dog is JUST about gorgeous aesthetics, let me assure you that they also have an equally stunning business ethic. All of The Foggy Dog’s products are made by hand in the US (almost entirely in their hometown). They partner with family-run businesses and pay the super skilled craftspeople fair wages for their work. They use recycled materials whenever possible, including for their bed + toy stuffing that diverts plastic bottles from the landfill. They practice low waste manufacturing and use natural fabrics all in an effort to reduce their footprint. AND for every purchase made, they donate ½ a pound of food to rescue shelters across the country. You can bet that when I’m ready for a new fluff ball, I’ll be headed straight to The Foggy Dog for the little tyke’s bed. Just *after* they grow out of that fierce slipper-chewing stage. If you’re local to Boulder, you can find a few of their things at Wildflower Nation downtown. Lucky dog.
// THE FOGGY DOG BED from $55 //

When my little guy was younger, he had a really hard time transitioning to bedtime. He has a VERY busy mind and it was [is] tough for him to shut it down for the night. So our OT suggested we spend some time coloring during the process; it’s something he loves to do, it grounds him and centers him and it turned out to be an excellent way to calm his mind a bit for sleep. Because we didn’t want to dive into a big project before bed, we started out coloring just one little sticker or I’d find a coloring book that had cool patterns and cut the pages into little bite-sized squares. Sometimes I’d find a package of tiny coloring pages. I was always on the hunt for something new and fun. And then I stumbled upon Omy’s Giant Posters.

Omy is a French company founded by two super clever artistic directors. Someday, when we’re allowed to go to Paris, their shop will be on my must-see list, right above the Eiffel Tower. They just create such whimsical + fun illustrations and their posters are epic. Because they’re so big, the poster allowed my little and I to color just a little section at a time. We would each choose a small area that we wanted to tackle for that session and when we finished, we were done for the night. The two of us went through TONS of markers (Omy has those, too!), but it was so much fun. The posters have themes that would inspire just about any kiddo [or adult], including t(w)eens.; everything from Video Games and Music to Pirates, Super Heroes and Dancers, plus a collection of maps of cities and countries both in the US and Abroad.

But Omy’s super creative line doesn’t stop there. You can also construct a big 3-dimensional mask of a Unicorn or Dinosaur that’s so colorful and fun it would bring a smile to anyone’s face. They have Small Posters, XXL posters, placemats, treat bags AND if you’re really ready to make their whimsical illustrations part of your decor, they just released Stick-it! temporary wallpaper that you can COLOR. What?! It’s awesome. You just peel, stick and color your way to super wowee walls and when you’re tired of looking at them or your kid starts shaving, you can just peel it right off. I love it. Just about any of Omy’s magical products would make a spectacular gift for the artistic littles [or bigs] in your life. Pair a Poster with a set of Felt Pens or Pencils and watch their clever eyes light up.
// OMY GIANT POSTERS from $16 //

If you follow along, you might already know that breakfast is my favorite meal any time of the day. I’ve always loved going out to breakfast or brunch, though I have a REALLY tough time deciding between savory and sweet and choosing just one fluffy breakfast carb that I can drown in syrup. So I usually end up with a truly ridiculous selection of This and That and walk out of the restaurant with my pants unbuttoned. Fortunately for me [and my pants], I don’t go out often (or ever in the last 12 months), but I do make pancakes, waffles and french toast at home on a regular basis because my boys love them, too (and I can hide all kinds of collagen and flaxseed and good stuff in them). I have always bought + loved organic pure maple syrup to top our treats and cook with, but I have discovered something two steps beyond.

Runamok Maple is a Vermont-based husband + RAD wife team that produces super delightful Pure Organic Maple Syrup and then infuses it with gorgeous botanicals, fruits and other interesting ingredients to makes creative, delicious new flavors, like Ginger Root, Cardamom, Smoked Chili Pepper and Hibiscus. They also barrel-age some of their pure maple in Whisky, Bourbon and Rum barrels to create something totally sophisticated and new. And they produce maple-based cocktail mixers and bitters, like Smoked Old Fashioned and Ginger Mule that are equally unique and would make REALLY beautiful gifts for the craft cocktail makers in your life.

I picked up a beautiful bottle of Strawberry Rose Infused Syrup on a whim at my local Whole Foods and it’s so delightful. I was a little afraid that the strawberry infusion might be too sweet, but it’s really just a lovely subtle hint and truly divine. I’ve been pouring it over my Banana Oat Blender Pancakes and extra toasty Birch Benders Paleo Waffles and it's so yummy. And this week, Runamok will start shipping their Limited Edition Sparkle Syrup. Yes, you heard me correctly, but just in case, I’ll say it a bit louder; SPARKLE SYRUP. It’s a batch of their perfect pure organic maple combined with an edible mica that makes it shimmer like a mermaid’s scales. They produced it with the sole goal of making people smile and it for sure will. I’ve already pre-ordered mine, because… well, sparkles. I’m going to save it for a fun birthday morning surprise for my little guy and I can’t wait. Runamok Maple also holds themselves to the highest stewardship standards, sticking firmly to the belief that protecting the land is their first priority. Their passion for the land, the process and the product is evident and admirable. So until I can go out to a giant restaurant breakfast, you’ll find me at home happily drowning my pancakes in one of Runamok’s gorgeous infusions. And even when I can go back, I might just bring my own syrup.
// RUNAMOK MAPLE SPARKLE SYRUP $16.95 //