things i love // settling into fall

Now that we’re a few weeks into the new school year, a nice [busy] routine is starting to set in. It feels comfortable and welcome after the fun seesaw of summer days and the hubbub of starting a new year. The weather in Colorado is still hot and dry, but shouldn’t be for long and the first signs of fall are cropping up. It’s my favorite season by far for the crisp air, the changing colors, the launch of football season and the shift into heartier, slower cooking. This edition is all about helping you ease into your new routine and enjoy each moment of this glorious shoulder season. xo

Part of settling into any routine with littles means regular bath time, which can be a bit of a struggle if your babes don’t totally love the water. Well, fret no more. Bubbles & Joy is THE cutest little box of happiness that delivers a surprise package full of splishy bath time fun to keep your tinies excited about swimming around. There will be no more begging and pleading for them to hit the showers. And in addition to being SUPER fun and exciting, they’ve partnered with top notch brands to deliver the best non-toxic and natural goodies so you don’t have to worry about what else is swimming around in the tub with your little fishies. Everything they send is non-toxic, cruelty-free and has no gross chemicals. Plus all the toys are hermetically sealed so you don’t get that super grody layer of mold that grows inside most squirty kinds of bath toys. Choose from one of their adorably themed Single Boxes or a Subscription to keep the fun surprises coming. They even have a special edition Birthday Box that’s so stinking cute. Bubbles & Joy would be a super adorable gift for any little fishy [enthusiastic OR reluctant] that you love. Now go wash behind your ears.
// BUBBLES & JOY BATH BOX from $39 // Use code ALLAFLUTTER 10 for 10% off your whole order (that means if you prepay a subscription you’ll get 10% off the whole thing!)

Settling into a routine for me includes settling into meal planning. Summertime gets a bit loosy goosy in this department with the fun flow of spontaneous BBQs, travel, dinners out and a more general ‘flying by the seat of our pants’ attitude that’s super fun for a while. But now that we’re in a rhythm, it’s time to buckle down and plan out some dinners. Like. Every. Single. Night. Which can get tiresome and boring really fast, right? Well I found a solution for at least some of those nights and it is anything but boring. Omsom has paired with well-known chefs to create a variety of Asian meal starters that are super flavorful and equally easy to use. They tell you the exact ingredients you need [basically just protein + veggies] and how to easily prepare the dish and then supply ALL of the flavor you need to make a fantastic, SO not boring meal. I mean it couldn’t be easier and more delicious. We had the Larb the other night and I have Yuzu Misoyaki salmon on the menu for this week. I am so thrilled to have something new and easy to throw into the rotation. And Omsom has beautiful packaging and great sample sets that would be an awesome gift for any foodie or busy home chef you love.
// OMSOM STARTERS from $12 //

My middle schooler asked me for more body wash so I grabbed him the whole set of Boulder-based Alpine Provisions Castile Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner. Yes, I LOVE the absolutely gorgeous aluminum packaging, but I also love what’s inside (and what isn’t). Their products are not only plastic-free, they’re also organic, cruelty-free, vegan and sustainably produced and distributed. So there’s no weird stuff getting slathered on my precious little dudes. And the smell. AHHH. That’s the clincher. It’s bright and fresh and a touch masculine in the best earthy and natural way, not a ‘cloud of Axe Body Spray’ way. It truly is like a breath of fresh forest air. My husband was so jealous of the boys’ new kit I had to go get him a set, too. We have just about all of the scents in some combination and they’re all lovely. The Rosemary + Mint has a little fresh tingle to it, which my husband likes (is that TMI? Sorry, babe). They also make Deodorant, Hand Sanitizer and Lip Balm that we haven’t tried yet, but are also plastic-free and I’m sure equally lovely. And because it IS so beautifully packaged and gentle, it would make a really gorgeous gift for just about anyone, even the most sensitive littles.
// ALPINE PROVISIONS BODY + HAIR CARE $19 //

Fall in our house means football. My boys both play Flag and all of my guys love to watch the real deal any chance they get. And football watching ALWAYS means popcorn eating. It is by far the snack of choice with a little nutritional yeast sprinkled on top. MMMMM. And as passionate as my guys are about football, they feel even more strongly about their popcorn and nobody is willing to share their bowl. Which is where W&P's new Personal Poppers will come in super handy. You can microwave straight kernels in individual 4-cup servings in a cute little silicone bowl. It’s plastic-free and waste-free and that weird toxic microwave popcorn dust-free. Then the whole thing can be ‘popped’ into the dishwasher, collapsed for easy storage and used over and over again. If your crew IS willing to share, W&P also has a larger original size Popper with the same awesome benefits and 9 delicious cups of popped corn. Sko Buffs!
// W&P PERSONAL POPPER $17 //

And when we’re not watching a bunch of huge dudes crash into each other on purpose, we have found the best new family show. Bake Squad. It’s awesome. Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar and author of the Milk Bar: Kids Only cookbook [heart emoji] , has a new Netflix hit where 4 insanely talented bakers ‘compete’ to have their dessert served at a different special event for each episode. For anything from a kids’ birthday party to a wedding to a ‘you kicked cancer’s butt’ party, the Bake Squad turns out the most creative and mind blowing desserts and then the party’s host has to choose one to serve at the big event. It’s super fun to watch these incredible artists at work and as an added bonus, the whole Squad is super kind and encouraging and supportive of one another, which is really refreshing. It’s just fun and positive and appropriate for any age. My guys are completely hooked and so impressed with the Squad’s talent, especially after having watched many episodes of Nailed It! It’s equally entertaining but with a VERY different vibe and results. And if you love a baker who’s totally inspired by the Squad, Milk Bar: Kids Only would be an awesome gift.
// BAKE SQUAD ON NETFLIX //

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

gifts i love : super smalls

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. Super Smalls also has a massive collab with Disney and the MLB so you can really personalize your special li’l person’s gift to their passions.

GRANDMAS AND cool aunties take note, 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. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

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gifts i love : brightland

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 I started to grow my family, my cooking repertoire slowly started to expand, 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 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 use Awake for soups and chicken and Alive for all the veggies. Then I added Rosette (garlic) and Ardor (chili pepper) to the lineup and they’re both delicious. Ardor is SO good on roasted broccolini, potatoes and chicken. They also make two gorgeous vinegars, Parasol (champagne) and Rapture (balsamic), made with the same high standards. And they just launched a new line of raw, unfiltered honeys. California Orange Blossom and Kauai Wildflower are both made by small-batch farmers in the US and are gorgeous. Brightland has stunning sets that would be a really beautiful gift for anyone on your list who loves to cook or eat fabulous food.

SO, WHILE I still have plenty of days when I’d rather just grab something from Whole Foods, on all of the other days when I’m excited to chef it up, I’m so happy that I have the right tools for the job. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

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gift idea : origami

fold me up, fold me down

ISN’T IT so fascinating how two kiddos born of the same two parents can be so vastly different? My guys are both kind, funny, bright and loving, but their similarities pretty much end there. My little guy is most frequently found in a fantastical world of his own making. He has a GiGANTIC and wondrous imagination and could spend days fully entertained by a single twisty tie. My older son on the other hand, is firmly rooted in reason. His equally active imagination has never been to The Land of Make Believe, but instead is stirred by Rube Goldberg-style machines, elaborate Danny MacAskill tricks and epic ski lines. When he was little, he asked me in all earnestness if Santa was going to come into his room and watch him sleep. He was super creeped out. I mean, it makes sense. The jolly man’s already in our house, the logical next step is that he might go for a wander. And my guy is ALL about logic. He has always busied himself with tinkering and building and engineering and solving problems. He builds elaborate bike jumps and epic race car tracks. He assembles the big Lego sets so that his little brother can actually play with them. He has folded probably close to one million paper airplanes of every possible combination to test their speed, distance and accuracy. And when he discovered origami in second grade, it was true love at first sight.

IN MY observation, LOTS of kids go through a serious origami phase, often starting around age 7 or 8, and it’s easy to see why. The paper is bright and colorful and sometimes has really cool patterns. And, of course, it’s so satisfying to follow the complicated series of steps and end up with something recognizable. My son would then attempt to make a giant version or a teeny tiny version or a whole family of his latest creation (the frogs might’ve been my favorite). He still loves the Art for Kids Hub videos that teach origami in super understandable steps. He learned the hard way that not everyone on YouTube knows what they’re doing, but Rob does and he makes it fun and sets the kids up for success (also an AWESOME and inexpensive subscription, which you know I’m all over).

THERE ARE TONS of awesome resources out in the world for learning and practicing origami and they make excellent gifts for kids or adults that would enjoy the zen process. It’s such a great activity for busy minds and fidgety hands. Taro’s Origami is an excellent resource for learning all about the art form and the paper-making process. They make some of the best paper you’ll find and the studio even offers live online classes with Taro’s professional folders for all levels, which would be a spectacular gift. And if your folder would be wowed by cool patterns, Aitoh is an authentic brand that has an endless offering of super cool paper to delight. So if you love an analytical little and need a good gift or rainy day distraction, check out these fun origami activities and watch their pride swell as they create something dazzling from a humble sheet of square paper. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

origami gifts for folders of all ages

> Jumbo Origami Paper is a fun BIG variation on the standard origami paper and it comes in 30 colors >

> Djeco Origami Kits come in fun themes, perfect for learning new shapes >

> Learn to fold 15 different animals with this Origami Zoo Kit that also includes a fold-out map of the zoo and stickers for adding the finishing touches >

> My First Origami Kit is the perfect starting place for beginners with 22 different projects to practice with, plus stickers >

> You can’t actually fold this Origami Boat, it’s a super cute Oli & Carol natural rubber bath toy, perfect for little siblings of avid folders >

> Make 20 different customized paper airplanes with this cool Paper Airplane Squadron Kit >

> Oh man, I loved making Origami Fortune Tellers when I was little and this bright, colorful set comes with lots of different themes >

> There are 200 brightly colored, double-sided sheets in this Rainbow Colors Origami Paper Pack to keep the imagination running wild >

> This Kusudama Origami Book has stunning, elaborate folds to make traditional Japanese paper spheres >

> Learn to fold 30 different origami designs using a single dollar bill with The Dollar Bill Origami Book >

> This Star Wars Origami Kit is a must for any Star Wars lover. Learn to fold all of your favorite characters >

> Foldology is an origami puzzle game for more advanced folders with 100 brain-teasing challenges from beginner to expert >

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heartfelt support gifts

OH MAN. There are just some gifts that you wish with all of your heart that you never have to give. And a dear friend starting chemo is def on that list. But those times that are the most difficult in a friend or family member’s life are some of the most important times to show up with your most heartfelt support and a thoughtful gift that screams “I’M SO SORRY THAT YOU’RE SUFFERING AND I’D DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY but I can’t, so here are some soft + lovely things that I hope help you feel deeply loved instead.” Or something like that, right? It can be so hard to know what people need or want or what to say, but there are a few really nice, pampering things that are just about always welcome when someone is struggling.

BLANKETS ARE such a fantastic gift for almost any occasion, but are especially nice when someone is feeling unwell. Faherty makes crazy soft, serene and soothing organic cotton ones that are lightweight enough not to bother any super sensitive spots, but that have enough heft so you know it’s there. It’s just like a sweet hug when you’re all wrapped up and it can be super grounding. A natural fiber like organic cotton is nice for people who are healing and compromised and could do with avoiding additional toxins. Likewise, I love this Zestt Organics Dreamsoft Travel Scarf for snuggling up at appointments or treatments.

LIKEWISE, A cozy pair or two of socks or house shoes keep toes nice and toasty when you’re having trouble regulating your temp. I LOVE these Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks for chilling at home and have gifted them to several people who all agree that they’re heavenly. A pair of Topdrawer's Japanese House Shoes are also so soft and comfy. You can’t go wrong with something super luxurious and squishy to make someone feel a bit more comfortable.

NEXT ADD in a few really lovely self care elements. I generally like to keep things pretty simple for people who aren’t at their best, so not too scented and with clean ingredients. Rebecca’s Herbal Apothocary in Boulder is a fantastic resource for handmade blends that are made simply and intentionally. The Balancing Spritzer is for calming anxiety and the Clearing Spritzer is for moving bad juju out of a space. The Himalayan Salt Massage Stone can be put in the fridge or oven to create a smooth and soothing hot or cold tool for working out angry muscles and detoxifying the body. Just about everyone needs a good lip balm and a friend is obsessed with this French Nuxe Reve de Miel. Homemade body butters or other soothing goodies made ‘with love’ are always a beautiful addition (I so didn’t make this one, thanks RHP!). And mints (these are my favorite, I stash them everywhere) or mouth spray can mask the taste of meds or help with a dry mouth. There are TONS of self care items that your loved one might need along the way, many of which are super useful, but NOT sexy. You should, of course, bring them what they need. BUT just for this beautiful pampering gift, maybe stick with the special, luxurious things over straight utility; both will help in their own way.

A SPECIAL tea blend or other beneficial nourishing foods and drinks (like homemade granola) that promote healing are always so nice. This Yin Time Tea + Slippery Elm mix was specially blended by the expert herbalists at Rebecca’s to help sooth anxious nerves and calm a nauseous stomach. And this World Market Glass Loose Leaf Tea Press makes brewing loose tea super easy and beautiful. Or opt for an electric one that keeps your favorite tea nice and warm so it’s always at the ready.

THERE ARE so many options for spoiling your loved ones when they need a little extra propping up. What’s most important is that the gift is put together and given with the love and support with which it’s intended so that the message is super clear; ‘I’m here for you and I have your back.’ GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

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