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 //

things i love // spring break

Even though it’s still weeks away, I am getting SO excited for Spring Break. Airplanes and beaches and glamorous cities were off the table this year, so we set our winter-weary sights much closer to home and we’re taking a little road trip to the Utah desert. It’s a place we’ve been to many times, but that could absolutely never get old. It’s one of my hands-down favorite landscapes on the planet and I have found in the past couple of years that my bones and very soul crave being there. The jaw-dropping scenery, the energy, the shadows, the flora and fauna...I love it all and it’s been too long since we’ve made the trek. So we’re packing up the truck and making our way West to take it all in with our BFFs slash most epic travel buddies. I’m giddy just thinking about it. So this week, I’m sharing with you my most tried and true travel gear; the things I never set out on adventure without (at least not on purpose). I hope it helps you prep for your upcoming adventures, near or far. And PLEASE tell me where you’re headed, I LOVE some good travel inspiration for daydreaming and future getaways. xo

I’VE TRIED just about every type of stainless steel water bottle out there. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m a sucker for brightly colored powder coating [I am] or what, but I’ve given almost every major brand a solid test run and my little fam has settled on a hybrid combo of Hydro Flask (sksksks - are VSCO girls still a thing?!) and Yeti. We have Water Bottles, Tumblers, Mugs for hot drinks and Can Insulators for keeping drinks icy cold. I’ve given the Wine Tumblers for gifts because nobody wants warm Chardonnay, even out in the woods. Um, yeah, when I say that out loud it does sound like an awful lot of 18/8 stainless, which is why I felt like a bit of a heel spending $65 on yet ANOTHER bottle. BUT… the Hydroflask 64 oz Wide Mouth I bought last summer is hands-down one of the best travel purchases I’ve ever made. My husband first visibly rolled his eyes at me, but now is first to fill it up when we’re headed out.

WE USE this big boy on road trips short and long to refill all of our water bottles when they go dry. The water stays super cold, even in summer, especially if we fill it to the brim with ice. We’ve even come off of days-long river trips, all dry and hot and parched, to find cold, fresh water still chillin’ in the car. Those moments are life-changing and worth their weight in gold (or 18/8 stainless). This thing is HEAVY when it’s full, so not ideal for air travel or dragging around Paris, but for road trips, picnics, days at the beach or pool, kiddo sporting events or any other activity that gets your crew thirsty, it’s everything. And Hydroflask just keeps releasing awesome new colors, which just may be my excuse to buy another biggie so I don’t have to share.
// HYDROFLASK 64 OZ WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE $64.95 //

ONE OF the best things about Colorado is our gorgeous weather. We have 300 days a year of glorious sunshine and the brightest blue skies. But it’s also super unpredictable. It can be show-stopping 65 + sunny one day and fully snowing the next. Which makes camping and travel a constant crapshoot; you have to be prepared for just about anything. To that end, each member of my cutie family got a Rumpl Puffy Blanket for Christmas to take care of the possible chilly part of that equation. They call them ‘sleeping bag blankets’ because they’re basically just that. And like a sleeping bag, they pack down super tight into their own stuff sack, so they’re easy to drag along wherever we might be headed. They’re cozy by the campfire on a chilly night or wrap you up in warmth as an extra layer while you sleep. My guys hug them in the car on a long drive up skiing and at home on the couch. Even if you’re just hanging in your yard to socially distance with friends, Rumpl Puffy Blankets are super comfy. My boys have the Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon blankets from the National Park Collection, which felt special to them since they’ve visited both. But there are all kinds of cool prints and solids that would appeal to just about everyone. And this week they launched a really gorgeous new collaboration, called Teton Dreams, with Montana-based artist Rachel Pohl.

RUMPL is also part of 1% For The Planet, which means they donate 1% of their profits to environmental causes. They use 100% post-consumer recycled materials to make their blankets, diverting 5 million plastic bottles each year from the landfill. And they’re carbon neutral, offsetting their entire footprint with credits. So not only will you feel warm and toasty in your puffy blanket, but your heart can feel warm and toasty knowing that you’ve supported a company that’s passionately responsible for taking care of the planet.
// RUMPL PUFFY BLANKETS $99+ //

EVEN BEFORE I had kids, I always carried a giant “mom” bag. I’m just kind of a Boy Scout and like to have everything that I could *possibly* need right at hand. After I had kids, the collection of things I *had* to have to leave the house was more like a packing list for Semester at Sea. Then, the pandemic. The day I learned that we weren’t going anywhere for a while (who could’ve imagined how long), I took everything out of my gorgeous mom bag, put it away and pulled out the Aloha Collection Mini Hip Pack that I’d bought the summer before for hikes. And I never took it off. Seriously. I wore that thing for 8 months straight and couldn’t have been happier about it. It was like an extension of my body. I only reluctantly took it off in October because it started to look super weird with a jacket.

THE Mini Hip Pack is the best accessory for travel near or far and I found that I actually really don’t need much to be very happy out in the world. It holds my little wallet, keys, phone, hand sani, tissues and chapstick. And as it turns out, that’s pretty much all I need most of the time. It’s awesome for hiking and hands-free grocery shopping. I love it for camping + adventuring because all of my actual essentials are literally strapped to me at all times, so I don’t have to fumble around trying to find a tissue while I’m squatting in the woods (TMI? We’re friends, right?). And all of Aloha’s bags are “splashproof” so it’s ok if it gets super sweaty or you dribble a bit of water on it. Mine is still in excellent condition despite its sincere abuse.

ALOHA is a Hawaiian company that’s all about prepping you for travel with a beautiful, tropical vibe, even if you’re headed to a decidedly less exotic locale. Their awesome pouches, duffles and totes are equally comfortable and useful globetrotting in far flung places or at a park playdate. They’re lightweight, durable and easy to clean, which is everything right now. If you’d prefer a more refined hip pack, by elke’s Veg-Tanned Leather Zip-Top version is stunning and functional. If your t(w)een is in to them, Stoney Clover Lane makes adorable Fanny Packs in a bazillion colors that would wow just about any kiddo.

I WILL never completely abandon my love of giant bags, especially for travel, and have been eyeing Aloha’s giant reversible Holo Holo totes for a someday-soon-I-hope beach vacation or even our neighborhood pool. But for our upcoming desert wander, you can be sure I’ll be busting out my old Hip Pack, just in case I need to duck behind a cactus.
// ALOHA COLLECTION MINI HIP PACK $40 //

HAPPY FART Out Loud Day! JK. Sort of. That’s just one hit single from our family-favorite kids podcast, Story Pirates, because anything to do with bodily functions is obvs funny. My older son gets SUPER car sick (not as funny), so long road trips are kind of torture for him, which is very unfortunate because we take them all the time. Thank goodness, over the years and miles, we’ve found some things that work pretty well to help pass the time while he stares out the window trying not to vomit. We bring loads of fidgets, a whole box of crackers just for him and we listen to fun podcasts to distract from the nausea.

WE DISCOVERED the Story Pirates podcast when it was brand new and the whole lot of us was instantly hooked. It’s a group of improv actors and musicians who take stories that real children write and turn them into hilarious songs, which they then perform. It’s magic. They don’t try to edit the kids’ charming stories to make them more polished or less silly, in fact the more fantastical, the better. Some of our favorite episodes include The Chess Master, Fart Out Loud Day and All 8 Unicorns, but there are countless other just exceptionally fun performances. It’s appropriate for all ages and is so entertaining. I especially love the epic stories written by the littler kids, they’re just so sincerely off the wall and delightful. There’s also some banter and a little storyline that happens with the actors in between songs that’s silly and keeps the pace. You def don’t need to start at the beginning of the series, but some of our favorite episodes are from the early days, so if you have a l o n g road ahead, I’d throw it way back and settle in.

AND IF a silly form of musical theater isn’t really your gig, we also love The Big Fib (now also a show on Disney+). It’s a riff on two truths and lie and it’s also super engaging. Each episode has a theme that ranges from Skateboarding to Dolphins to Caves (so something for everyone) and a kiddo contestant has to try to figure out which of two supposed experts on the topic is telling the truth and which is a liar. It’s entertaining and super fun to try to guess who the liar is along with the kiddo on the show. There’s also a robot sidekick that brings the laughs, keeping the pace so minds don’t wander.

MY SON still feels woozy while we’re driving, but off-the-wall entertainment helps, so we’ll keep it going until the boys say ‘uncle.’ It def beats hearing the same 9 songs repeated on The Pulse for 7 straight hours.
// STORY PIRATES PODCAST //

OK, LOVELIES, I’m going to let you in on one of my greatest mom [and gift-giving] secrets. If you haven’t already met one of my best friends, Plus Plus, I’d like to introduce you. Plus Plus, this is my lovely friend. Lovely friend, this is Plus Plus, one of the greatest [travel] toys of all time and saver of so many restaurant meals I could never try to count. I have been dragging them with us wherever we go for about 7 years and I kid you not, I’ve never seen my boys make the same thing twice. Total strangers approach our table, initially drawn to the spectacular mix of brilliant color, but then they get sucked in to examining the boys’ magnificent creations. Even when we’re out with other kiddos, the whole lot of them get totally engrossed in building, looking up only to trade colors with the kid next to them.

MADE IN Denmark, Plus Plus’ tagline is “one shape, endless possibilities,” and I can totally attest to that truth. They are so simple in concept, but just brilliant in execution. They make sets of varying sizes and “themes,” but we just dump ours all together in a big, colorful mess and have at it. I put a heaping pile + a baseplate in a reusable bag for each of the boys and I ONLY bust them out at restaurants or traveling (that is part of the trick to keeping them exciting for 7 years). My boys have made epic battle scenes, robots, animals, machines, guys and a hundred other things. It’s just awesome to see the magical creations that come out of their expanding brains. They also have a biggie size for little hands. The colors are just so appealing and they’ve also introduced metallic, glittery and glow in the dark pieces, making it nearly impossible to resist buying *just one more* little tube even though we already have SO SO many. They’re a perfect gift, gift topper, party favor, stocking stuffer, Easter basket filler or travel surprise.

PLUS (can’t resist) the Plus Plus factory in Denmark uses 100% wind energy, has a zero-waste facility and both the toys + packaging are totally recyclable. So huge win there. They are also super easy to wash when they get dribbles of soy sauce or ketchup [or germs] on them. So, if you haven’t already met, I highly recommend getting to know my friend Plus Plus before your next adventure or when you just need a few solid minutes of quiet time.
// PLUS PLUS $7.99+ //

MORE IN… things i love

things i love // warm up

Sheesh, Old Man Winter really unleashed some serious shade this week. Wherever you live, I sincerely hope you and yours are all safe and warm. We’ve enjoyed our typical super erratic Colorado weather this week too, which has led us gracefully from gloomy negative temps to dumping snow to warm sunny melting and back again. No boring same-old weather here, we’re always on our toes. My little family finalized some plans for a close-to-home, but worlds away adventure for spring break, which I’m super giddy about (more soon). I’ll be holding on to that bright dream to help me ride out any cold gloom coming our way in the next few weeks. I have some fresh ideas this week for keeping YOUR winter blahs at bay, too. So make a hot cuppa or hug a fuzzy blanket and settle in for a little warming trend for just a few minutes. And take good care of yourselves, lovelies. xo

I realized this week that we’ve been in some form of quarantine for just about a full year now. I know, I know, I DEF don’t need to remind you (gah, sorry!), but I’m *just* now starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. Don’t get me wrong, I am eternally BEYOND grateful for our health, our beautiful home, our ability to access fresh air and the stunning outdoors, the fact that I actually like my little family and a million more things big and small that I thank my lucky stars for each day. Maybe it’s the shot of real winter we’ve had these past weeks or just a craving to get out to see new things, but in any case, it might just be time to mix things up a bit.

Like maybe learn something new? Like maybe punch needling? The super clever sisters at The Modern Crafter in the U.K. make it look so appealing, I think it just might be the answer. They sell ready-made kits for beginners that come with all of the high-quality supplies and tools you need to create something beautiful all by yourself, even if you’ve never even heard the words “punch” and “needle” in the same sentence. And when you’re finished with your project, you’ll have a magical piece of artwork or pillow that YOU MADE. Now, I’m not gonna lie, the shipping charge for kits is a bit eye-popping because they’re sending you super luxe heavy yarn and supplies from across the pond, but if you take into account that it’s hours of entertainment + finished artwork + boosting your mental health, it all seems totally worthwhile. Plus you get to support a beautiful independent maker, to boot.

If you’d rather not have your crafts shipped across the ocean, there’s also this pretty framed Sunrise kit or this Mountain kit that originates stateside and will also impress your visitors (once you can host them). If you want to do a fun indoor (warm + cozy) project with your kiddos, there are lots of options for super cutie themed kits that would be fun for the craft-loving little or t(w)een in your life. So get ready to mix it up a bit and hang in there, the end is on the horizon.
// MODERN CRAFTER SUNSET PUNCH NEEDLE CUSHION KIT $88 //

Pandemic of Love is the absolutely brilliant brainchild of ONE woman at her kitchen table that has turned into a stunning global grassroots phenomenon. Shelly Tygielski is a Florida-based meditation teacher who saw a need last March to help people struggling in her community from the onset of the pandemic. She developed a volunteer-based “mutual aid” system that pairs people who have specific financial needs with community members who are able to help. The idea is that all members of a community should be responsible for caring for one other so that no one member suffers needlessly. Her beautiful movement really caught on and has grown exponentially to include “micro communities” around the world, including Pandemic of Love Boulder.

Like their sister communities, Pandemic of Love Boulder has a unique system that pairs people together directly so that those with financial needs can personally connect with “patrons” who are able to help. For anything from a tank of gas to a single utility bill to school supplies to medicine, any short-term financial gap is eligible for assistance through their network. Patrons can choose to help once or twice or pledge to pay a recurring bill monthly until the need is resolved, creating a safety net of not just funds, but also love + support that’s crucial during this stressful time. And, if making that super personal connection isn’t your thing, you can also either become an anonymous patron, make a one-time donation that will be disbursed as needed or purchase something from the Amazon wishlist that goes directly to the family that requested it.

By the numbers, there are now 100 national chapters, plus 3 dozen internationally, for a total of 1500 worldwide dedicated and compassionate volunteers. Wow. Just since late last March, the Boulder chapter alone has cared for more than 500 families, collecting more than $100,000 in direct support. They also provided winter coats, hats and other cold-weather gear to more than 100 families. How awesome is that?! Pandemic of Love is hoping to keep their powerful mutual aid model going long after the pandemic is over, so please help if you can or reach out if you could use a little supportive love boost from your community.
// PANDEMIC OF LOVE //

I’ve been having my ass handed to me lately (in the best possible way) in an outdoor bootcamp led by my awesome friend, Melissa, of Fit For Me. It has been really nice to get back into working out with other actual people in a fun and supportive environment (she’ll gladly coach you online, too). However, because we’re working out outdoors and in runners, my poor yoga mat is taking a serious beating. It is now an ‘outdoor mat,’ kind of like an outdoor cat, and it’s not welcome in my living room anymore. So, I need a new one for my indoor Bar Method workouts (and my husband’s Asana Rebel workouts).

I have my eye on this Alo Yoga Warrior Mat. It’s a bit more expensive than some others, but it’s loved for its thickness and grip, which is just what I want on my wood floor. Plus, it’s pretty and since it now lives under the couch in our front room as part of our decor, that kinda matters to me. I love the gorgeous, deep Eclipse and Smoky Quartz colors. They’re also PVC-free, non-toxic and are made with ethically-sourced natural rubber, so that’s a win for me. These Liforme Yoga Mats also get amazing reviews and have a cool alignment tool if you’re using it for actual yoga. They’re also free from grody chemicals and will biodegrade when you’re finished with them.

If a bit more budget-friendly mat is best, these Jade Yoga Harmony Mats are also super well-loved and come in some really nice jewel tone colors. These pretty Navajo and Reversible Sun and Moon versions from Gaiam also look awesome. And if you’re going for straight aesthetics, Society6 has a bunch of REALLY pretty yoga mats that will double as artwork in your space. Now if only my shiny new ‘indoor mat’ could instantly transform my body to be able to do so gracefully what’s in those pictures above, we’d really be on to something.
// ALO YOGA WARRIOR MAT $100 //

Do you live where the frigid temps rolled through like a tsunami this week? To help you feel toasty from the inside out, I’m sharing our hands-down family-favorite soup recipe in hopes that it’ll heat you up (assuming you have power and can find anything in stock at the grocery…). This Nom Nom Paleo Watercress & Chicken Soup is so nourishing and delicious, and I make it so often, that my little guy put it down as THE family recipe for his school family heritage project (um, sorry, grandma). Even my super picky one slurps this up, it’s just that satisfying. I add a little pile of cooked rice ramen noodles to the bowl before pouring in the soup for an extra hearty meal and it all just feels like a hug. Her Wonton Meatballs and Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup are also on heavy rotation at our house.

Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo makes beautiful, healthy food that you’ll actually want to eat and can make on an average weeknight. Many (but def not all) of her recipes highlight super delicious Asian flavors and are inspired by her childhood. All of them are healthful and nourishing and I’ve never made anything that I didn’t love. If you eat paleo or KETO, you’ll DEF want to check out her site or her awesome cookbooks (her husband does the illustrations and design) and even if you don’t, it’s just really good food. She shares a lot of recipes or adaptations specifically for Instant Pot, too, if that’s your thing. I have gifted Ready or Not! to several people I love along with a tin of her umami Magic Mushroom Powder (c’mon now, it’s for cooking). It’s a fantastic present for anyone on your list who loves to cook or eat well or for your own rad self. Stay warm and safe and dry, lovelies. Old Man Winter won’t stick around forever, but while he’s here, make a batch of this soup and feel the warmth that I’m sending your way.
// NOM NOM PALEO WATERCRESS + CHICKEN SOUP //

If you’re still chilled to the bone after a workout and a bowl of hot soup, I have one last suggestion this week for warming you up once and for all. Colorado-based Trek Light Gear makes drool-worthy blankets (I’ve been coveting the Gold Peace Blanket for months) and this week they launched their newest design, Halley’s Comet, which is just a lovely breath of fresh air. All of their wares are made for adventuring, near and far, a value super evident in founder Seth Haber’s contagious passion.Trek Light Gear’s mission is to “spread happiness and change the world one customer at a time” and I think they’re succeeding beautifully.

All of Trek Light’s blankets are handmade by artisans in Mexico using excess clothing materials that would’ve ended up in the landfill for the rest of time. The artisans use traditional wooden pedal looms and weave in their own homes, giving them freedom and control over their own work. So what began as a humble venture selling hammocks at festivals, has grown into a truly beautiful company. And in this strange time, they have taken their mission to “spread happiness” one step even further by introducing a “Pay What You Can” system that allows customers to choose from a range of  discounts if needed or pay full price if they can. I mean, who does that?! Trek Light Gear does and it’s just another heartwarming example of people helping people in the best way they know how during difficult days.

If you follow along, you already know that I think blankets make AMAZING gifts for just about anyone and any occasion, especially if you love someone who’s freezing their buns off right now. What better way to warm their buns and their hearts than with a cozy blanket made with the hope of sunnier days ahead.
// TREK LIGHT GEAR HALLEY’S COMET BLANKET $136 //

MORE IN… things i love

things i love // love yourself

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovelies. I hope you’re all feeling the love today, whether from your sweetheart, your kiddos, your neighbor or your favorite pet goldfish. And In case you didn’t get spoiled like you deserve to be by someone else, this week I’m gifting you ideas to spoil your OWN RAD SELF. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a little pat on the back, say “I love you” with meaning and hand over a little something special to celebrate how awesome you are. All of these things would also make amazing gifts for a friend of course, but it’s only fair that you test them out first to make sure they’re worthy, right? I’m all about the “one for you, one for me” method of gifting. So give yourselves a big ol’ bearhug from me and dive in, because you all deserve to be spoiled today and everyday. xo

I got my ears pierced when I was 9 and shortly after that I screwed something up and my cute little holes became more like grumpy ‘meh’ slits for the next 30+ years. It’s such a silly thing to feel self-conscious about, but I could never wear studs in my ears because they drooped down like a melting ice cream cone and just looked sad. So two years ago I went and had them sewn up. It felt very frivolous, but I have to say it made me really happy. Then on my birthday, my husband and I went to the local piercing studio and had my lobes re-pierced and now I can wear studs for the first time in my life. Which is super convenient, because there’s nothing worse than having your earrings snag on your mask while you’re trying to whip it off after escaping the grocery store.

Slantt is a small Austin studio where Jennifer Rodgers hand makes really pretty, very sculptural jewelry. Some is delicate, much is dramatic, but it’s all unique. It has movement and form that is usually reserved for other art forms and I think it’s stunning. Plus her studio is focused on sustainability and uses recycled metal whenever possible, which makes it even cooler. I love these hand-stamped APHERA studs that come in 3 different metals, but if you’re looking for something that makes a bit more of a statement, the SABIA are also gorgeous. I’m totally eyeing her LEGER Cuff, too. All of her designs are super interesting and beautiful. And, FYI, it’s totally ok to buy yourself jewelry. We all deserve a little bling in our lives and who better to spoil you rotten than your biggest fan.
// SLANTT APHERA STUDS $48 //

I was staring kind of wistfully at my closet the other night, lamenting the complete abandonment of my beautiful boots and flats. I’m only just a *wee* bit embarrassed to admit that I put on a pair of suede wedge booties with my dirty old yoga pants and wandered around the house for the better part of an hour, just to remember what it was like to have somewhere to go in clothes that weren’t made for doing squats. I got some looks from the peanut gallery for that one. But the truth is, aside from that little sentimental outburst, I’m really pretty happy in my favorite slippers most of the time. I mean, they’re obvs WAY more comfy than suede wedge booties.

So maybe what I actually need isn’t to mourn my Fryes, but to add a little variety to my comfy slipper wardrobe. Enter these amazing Topdrawer House Shoes. They look like heaven. They’re all hand sewn in Japan, are totally unisex and reversible. Plus you can throw them in the wash after you dribble maple syrup on them, which I totally can’t do with my suede booties. They come in 30 (yes, THIRTY) different color + print combos, so there’s def something for everyone. And they roll up into nothing, so you can bring them traveling. Some are all fuzz, some are just cotton. The only thing that’s kept me from pulling the trigger is choosing THE ones that I love most. Can you help?! Please? Otherwise, it might be back to yoga-pant + wedge-heel walks of shame.
// TOPDRAWER REVERSIBLE HOUSE SHOES $59 //

Ok gals, this is not the sexiest of gifts to express your self-love, but I will tell you that these babies are one of my most-used and prized kitchen tools. And, I’d argue, there’s no greater gift to yourself than the gift of not having to wipe splattered melted butter or marinara from every corner of your microwave. I know they look like cutie little sombreros for your cat, but they are actually Food52’s own line of Airtight Silicone Lids in 5 different sizes to cover just about any bowl you have.

I have an older version that I use for everything from keeping my tea steaming hot while I pack lunch to minimizing splatter to keeping finished food warm. You can also use them to cover prepped grains or veggies or leftovers in the fridge. They basically replace pot lids, plastic wrap and whatever weird old plate you’re using now to keep stuff warm. They can go in the dishwasher over and over again so you can pop that buttery mess onto the top rack and not deal with it again. The lids are also stain-resistant, antimicrobial, airtight, and have no grody chemicals. I honestly use mine just about everyday for something. So, maybe this time leave the sexy gifts to someone else and get yourself something that’s actually super useful and will make your life better.
// FIVE TWO AIRTIGHT SILICONE LIDS $40 //

Wanderlust Creamery is a California-based ice cream shop like none you’ve ever visited. There’s no bubblegum or mint chip to be found, all of Wanderlust’s super distinct flavors are inspired by destinations in the far flung corners of the world. Founders, Adreienne and Jon-Patrick, draw from their childhoods, the places they’ve traveled or places they’d like to visit one day to come up with flavors like Sticky Rice + Mango, Abuelita Malted Crunch (dying for this) and Kashmiri Pink Tea. The Oolong Pineapple Tart also sounds completely outrageous, packing oolong flavored ice cream with house-made pineapple jam and “pieces of buttery Taiwanese style pineapple pastry” into each pint. Um, that’s a big yes, please.

In an effort to keep their business afloat during strange times, they’ve started shipping their ice cream all over the lower 48. If you can’t actually go someplace exotic and far flung right now, you can at least get a sweet little taste of someplace you’ve never been (or maybe feel nostalgic for) and support a really special small business to boot. If you live near one of their 5 California brick + mortar stores, lucky you! Otherwise, you’ll have to order a minimum of 4 pints to qualify for shipping, so… lucky you! Pack some extra spoons and go on a little culinary getaway with friends or family or travel solo, I’ll never judge.
// WANDERLUST CREAMERY PINTS $12 //

Artist, Kerri Rosenthal, is all about the love, so today seems like the perfect day for you two to meet. She’s an artist, stylist and designer with a super distinct style that’s all about spreading happiness, kindness and sunshine in a big colorful joy explosion and it makes me smile. She is ALL about the hearts and her signature imperfect “drippy hearts” have become iconic (apparently we share a love of yellow ones), but she also does playful portraits and abstracts, and often gives meaningful words center stage. In addition to adorning walls, she has created a little empire, putting her original, happy artwork on everything from greeting cards to surfboards to wallpaper in an effort to spread the love as far and wide as possible. She also makes clothing and accessories if you prefer to wear your happy and radiate it wherever you go. If you’re local, you can find a few of her things at Eleanor and Hobbs in downtown Louisville, lucky gals.

If her over the top positive vibe doesn’t speak to you for your own walls (or heads), it’s still totally worth a pop over to her site for a minute to look at the actual artwork that inspires the brand and just take in the happy outpouring of love and color and inspiration. If you love someone who would *love* her kind of sunshiny bliss, there are some awesome gifts to be found for both your happy-loving adults and t(w)eens. And, lovelies, I really do hope we CAN hold hands soon.
// KERRI ROSENTHAL //

things i love // let me entertain you

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! All of my guys are big football fans, but my oldest is also a huge Patrick Mahomes + Chiefs fan (sorry, Broncos!) and my littlest is writing a biography about Mahomie at school, so they are PUMPED. My husband is rooting for Brady as a fellow “old” guy and just to spice things up because my boys are seriously down on the GOAT. I’m making Killer Chicken Thighs (aka Everyone’s Favorite Chicken” in our house - if you make it I recommend cooking it at 425 for about an hour and fifteen unless you have some very petite thighs) and Mushroom Cauliflower Rice, probs with a side of gooey nachos just because. I always love the Super Bowl commercials, of course, and am pretty excited to see The Weeknd perform. Though in my true heart, I desperately wish we could host our friends for our annual(ish) Super Bowl Party. You’ll notice in my selections this week that I’m pining for spring and just dying to entertain friends and family, it’s one of my favorite things to do. But alas, we’ll have to keep our family-only party going for a bit longer (thank GOODNESS I love our family-only party). Whatever you have on the roster today, enjoy it. I’d love to hear what kind of awesome [slash gross] things you make for the big game. I’m glad to have you all on my team, lovelies. xo

Hygge Life in the Vail Valley is everything you’d dream of in a space designed to celebrate warmth, coziness, togetherness and gorgeous Scandinavian design. It’s serious beautiful eye candy and I would basically like one or two of everything they have. But in particular, my eyes keep coming back to these stunning Danish Brass Twinkle Candleholders. Each teeny tiny hole is hammered by hand to create a magical twinkling effect that would be so pretty on a dining table. They have 3 different sizes that could be mixed up into a gorgeous little cluster. I also love these Swedish cast-iron candleholders that have 2 concentric circles that can hold 3 different sized candles depending on your mood or the ambiance you’re trying to create. Or these gorgeous tall solid brass Dome Candleholders that would be super dramatic and beautiful. Um, can you tell that I’m dreaming about entertaining someone in our house besides my cutie boys?!

If you’re ever in the Vail Valley, Hygge Life is def worth taking the small detour to find (it’s tucked away in an industrial strip mall off the frontage road). They also have a truly lovely cafe with coffee and sweets, so you can take a break and thoroughly enjoy the hygge.
// DANISH BRASS TWINKLE CANDLEHOLDERS $44.95 //

In addition to my passion for entertaining, I am also a bonafide cheese lover. And since there’s no better way to get a party started than with a heaping plate of cheese, I am now also a lover of Marissa Mullen and her brilliant cheese-plate-building method. She has developed a sort of paint-by-numbers way to build incredible, overflowing boards of cheese, meat, fruit, veggies, spreads, dips, nuts, herbs… you hungry yet? They’re dreamy and so appealing, but also totally accessible and something you could actually make with her streamlined method. She offers virtual classes + recipes on her site and some of her most popular plate builds to get you started. She even shares some of her favorite serving pieces for inspiration (spoiler alert: they’re super reasonable and not fancy).

That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life is Marissa’s drool-worthy book and it’s just fun to look at her dreamy photographs even if you only ever end up creating a mini plate for yourself (aka what I would *like* to eat for lunch EVERY darn day). So, if you love a cheese-lover or a hostess [or host] with the mostess, think about gifting them one of Marissa’s classes or books. It just might change their life. And when we can have piles of kiddos over again, I’m dying to make one of these char”treat”erie plates. Just fun goodness.
// THAT CHEESE PLATE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE $28 //

I LOVE a cup of hot tea (or two or three) in the afternoon. It feels so good to warm up your body from the inside out and to just take a minute to breathe. I crave it and start looking forward to my little after-school ritual by about mid morning. But I stopped drinking caffeine regularly like 12 years ago when I got pregnant with my first babe and even the mildly caffeinated green tea that I love is starting to mess with my sleep (sigh, getting older). I also have a seriously fussy constitution, so I skip out on some of the more popular herbs like mint and ginger. SO I’ve been on a really dedicated mission to find a tea that I can drink to my heart’s content without upsetting any of my *delicate* little systems. Well, shout it from the South African mountain tops, I have found my true love!

Honeybush is a super delicate, slightly sweet tea that is naturally decaffeinated and is delicious as a single-ingredient brew. It comes from a shrub in a specific area of South Africa and its yellow flowers smell a bit like honey, hence its name. As a happy added bonus, it also has several incredibly beneficial health properties, including polyphenols that help combat heart disease and inflammation. It has been used in South Africa for centuries for everything from coughs to menopause to a digestive aid and I can’t get enough of it (my little adores it too, it’s super mild and has no tannins, so no bitterness). I’ve been really enjoying the Numi Organic Honeybush that I picked up at Vitamin Cottage, and I’m going try this Smith Teamaker version, too, just to mix it up (I know I’m getting super wild over here). If you love a good cuppa, give it a try, it’s divine.
// SMITH TEAMAKERS HONEYBUSH HERBAL INFUSION $12 //

To know me is to know my loving dedication to Baggu Reusable Bags (and to find a least one long strand of my hair in all the food I serve you. Sorry.). I think they’re the bees knees for so many reasons and they’ve just dropped some springy new prints that are so breezy and sunny, I might need to add a few more to my already, um…‘impressive’ collection. In fairness, I do share and before you judge, indulge me for just a sec… For starters, Baggus are hands down the cutest reusable bags you’ll find. So, right there, they’ve got me. I’m such a sucker for a great print + color combo and they continuously just nail it. I get so many compliments when I pull them out and the grocery baggers always pop a big smile (one asked me once if I owned the company because I had so many, which was *slightly* embarrassing, so…maybe do judge).

They’re also the most durable reusable bags around. I’ve had some for like 7 years and they look brand new. They can be machine washed and hung to dry, which I’ve done literally 100 times in the last 12 months, and there’s nary a tear or pull in a single one of them. Also they hold SO MUCH stuff and pack down tiny for travel. They make awesome gifts all by themselves (hello teachers, yoga instructors, galentines therapists…) or as the fabulous and eco-friendly wrapping for another gift. And maybe best of all, I use them all the time when I deliver meals to friends in need. It always makes them feel extra special to find their dinner wrapped up in a bright, happy bag that they can use when they’re feeling better (especially the Yellow Happy print).

See, not crazy, right?! They also have a ton of other awesome goods (I’m eyeing the Puffy Earbud Case and Laptop Sleeve) that would make excellent gifts. So, check out their new prints and you’ll feel just a little warm glimmer of the sunshine coming our way.
// BAGGU REUSABLE BAGS from $10 //

While we’re on the subject of springtime, among all of the other refreshing virtues of the season comes the promise of new outdoor adventures (yay!). VSSL is a very cool outdoor survival kit company with a unique product and they’ve just released their newest must-have gear piece to the lineup.

VSSL kits pack tiny canisters of essential outdoor gear inside a top-of-the-line flashlight and compass unit, creating a sort of Swiss Army Knife of survival necessities. You can either choose from one of their already well-though out versions, like First Aid or Camp or Flask (obvs a necessity for some), or you can customize your own with the tools that are most relevant to your particular adventure. It’s brilliant. I gifted a Camp Supplies kit to my husband for Christmas and he keeps it in the truck for all of the ‘just in case’ scenarios that run through your mind when you’re adventuring WAY out in the boonies. It has things like Fire Starter, Rope + Razor, a Fishing Kit, a mini First Aid kit and tons more that just give you a little peace of mind and are actually useful. It easily moves from truck into daypack and is super lightweight so you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. VSSL kits are waterproof, virtually indestructible and can be restocked so you can reuse it forever.

And now, they can solve all of your pressing (get it?!) coffee emergencies, too. With the new VSSL Java Coffee Grinder, your die-hard, adventure-loving coffee nerd can have freshly ground beans even 15 miles deep on a backpacking trip. It’s a burr grinder with 50 unique settings to get everything just right for your brew. It’s incredibly durable (made with aircraft grade aluminum) and also super lightweight. Pair it with the compact Aeropress GO and a Miir Tumbler and you are set up for a great morning, either in the far reaches of the wild or your backyard. If you’re still looking for a Valentine’s gift for your sweetheart, this could be a fantastic answer.
// VSSL JAVA COFFEE GRINDER $150 //