My Favorite Things | Spring 2021
I love learning from others and following along with those I admire to see what they use and love in their daily lives. It is something that totally excites me! As I look for ways to bring joy to my life or ways to make it a little bit easier, I find myself seeking advice or navigating down the social media channels of those I look up to, to see how they are doing it. I think that finding inspiration in one another is a beautiful practice. And so, as my quest continues daily, I thought I’d start a new series called My Favorite Things. I’ll share some of the things in my life that are my current favorites with you in hopes that you might enjoy them as well! And so, here we go!
I may receive a small commission on some of these items, but that does not change your cost. It is important to me to only share things that I truly love!
The Cloud Cotton Quilt By Parachute Home
Holy, moly. I could write a book on how much I love Parachute Home. I know I’ve mentioned them a number of times in my past posts, but its just plain and simple… Their company and products are pretty much my love language. Coziness, doing good things in this world, beautiful artisan design…all things I’m obsessed with. And, for my local friends, have you heard, they are coming to Seattle!!!! Anyway, their Cloud Cotton Quilt is one of my absolute favorite things. I keep mine folded on the end of my bed on top of my Percale Duvet Cover for additional warmth when needed. Its just so light and fluffy and delicious. It really is like wrapping up in a cloud. Fair warning: it does make it hard to get out of bed because it is so dang cozy.
My Everyday Hat
I’ve become a hat girl. They haven’t been a large part of wardrobe in the past, but the few times I have tried them, I have really loved them. As I find myself in my mid-thirties, I’m really starting to find my own style and my Phenix Wool and Leather Trim Hat has become a go-to. My dear friend Psalm, who owns Love Looks Like Photography, and took all of my branding photos for Haven Illume (including the one of me in this hat) gifted this to me and I couldn’t love it more. It is so easy to throw on and go and works with almost everything. So what if you’ve been too busy chasing kids to wash your hair in more days than you are willing to admit. You’ll still look totally fresh!
Caldrea Basil Blue Sage Countertop Spray
I love fresh scents and clean counters and this Caldrea Basil Blue Sage Countertop Spray is magic! I had heard about it a long time ago on my favorite podcast, Dear Alice. A podcast by the designers behind the incredible interior brand Alice Lane. (PS - if you haven’t listened, you’ve got to!!) I had read glowing reviews about the fragrance and finally got around to adding it to my collection. I can say with wholehearted enthusiasm, it has now become a staple! I really enjoy fragrances that are nature inspired and lasting and this is both of those things. Wipe down counters after a meal with it and you won’t even mind cleaning the kitchen!
Opal Passionfruit + Amber Ceramic Candle
I have a candle obsession. I love the coziness of them, the fragrance they add to the ambiance of a room and when I find one that has a vessel pretty enough to be displayed front and center, it is a win-win. Target is often my go-to for their in-person selection. Candles are something I tend not to order online, unless I know I love it already, because I need to smell them prior to committing. I generally buy a candle every week or two and it is something that really brings me joy. I really enjoy trying new fragrances. This week’s candle is Opal Passionfruit + Amber and is an absolute favorite. I will definitely buy it again. I also love the simplicity of the vessel - ceramic and clean lined with a pretty soft pink/peach color. To make things even better, with three wicks, a 20 hour burn time and only $13, you can’t go wrong! I’m in love!
Harney + Sons Earl Grey Tea with Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel
My cup of Harney and Sons Earl Grey Tea is the saving grace to my 4:30am wake up ritual. The thought of it is sometimes the only reason I am able to pull myself out of the sheets and shuffle into the kitchen. I love spicing up my tea with some good-for-my-body collagen and I fell in love with Primal Kitchen’s Collagen Fuel in Vanilla Coconut when I tried it. I love the citrusy edge of Earl Grey softened with the creamy, sweet vanilla coconut of the collagen peptides. It is heaven in a cup and I encourage you to try it! It makes even the earliest mornings a little more bearable! I grab my tea at Target, where it is far less than on Amazon and my collagen peptides at Whole Foods or on Amazon.
Opal Passionfruit + Amber Diffuser Sticks
As you can likely tell by now, I’m a sucker for good fragrances. Along with my staple of weekly candles, I love a good oil diffuser. Candles make me a little nervous when they are not in plain sight and in main rooms I spend the majority of time in. Enter the oil diffuser. Perfect for a nook in the bathroom or any area that could use a little freshening. I found that the Opal Passionfruit + Amber Oil Diffuser did a great job of freshening my bathroom for a couple of weeks! I also love that it is the same fragrance as the candle and so kept my (very small) house infused with a consistent fragrance. I found these at Target on the shelf with the candles.
Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel
There is nothing worse than wet hair dripping down your back when you are trying to get ready. Ok, there are worse things, but the hair drip is one scenario I like to avoid. I found the Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel a year or so ago and it has been a game changer! No longer do I try to awkwardly balance a towel on my head while doing my makeup. I hop right out of the shower, dry off and wrap my hair up in this baby. With a head full of natural wave and frizz, I also appreciate the fact that this super absorbent wrap also cuts down trying time, eliminating some of the heat damage that comes with it. I love, love, love it!
My Madewell Transport Tote
Everyone needs a good bag and my all-time favorite one is my Madewell Transport Tote bag that was gifted to me by my dear Gather Events gals. I am head over heels for this versatile bag and use it for everything from hauling my laptop to being a fashionable diaper bag. The one I own is the older canvas version that Madewell no longer carries, but this English Saddle Leather version is on my wish list! (…hint, hint, Mother’s Day…) You can also have your initials monogrammed into it for an extra special touch … and so no one steals it of course! I love all of Madewell’s products. They really do live up to their name and are always crafted with such timeless fashion in mind.
Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
I’ve been on a mission to read this year. It has been about 10 years since I really poured through books, maybe even more than that, and I’m determined to change it. Between juggling work, family and life, my reading time has gone by the wayside. Not this year. I’ve got a list and I’m forging my way through it. With the help of Libby and Hoopla apps, I’m listening to audio books regularly and reading a stack of “real” books on my nightstand during naps and in any free moments I carve out. I just finished Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist and it was one of the most important books I have read. As I spend this season of life shifting my focus to the things that really matter, it was the perfect accompaniment and a beautiful compass. Shauna’s writing is so relatable and she speaks so clearly to my heart. If you also struggle with the hustle, the balance and the fear of missing out, please make time to read it. It will help you change your life too.
This is Home by Natalie Walton
I love creating a home. I love helping others create homes that reflect their own beautiful souls. From events to interiors, I believe that unless you design around the heart of it all, it is just a trendy showcase. I think this is exactly why This Is Home by Natalie Walton resonated with me so much. A compilation of Natalie’s journey to many different houses around the world, she examines what really makes each residence “Home”. The common thread throughout is that the spaces are each true creations of the beautiful humans who reside in them. A good reminder that interior design is best achieved when it is centered on the people rather than on trends. This book is an excellent read and a beautiful coffee table book. I appreciate Natalie’s heart, love for design and her tendency to create with natural elements and pieces with meaning.
Well, there we have it! My top 10 favorites right now. I hope you find some things you love in here as well! Let me know if you try any of them and what you think! What are some of your favorite things? I always want to know. Just as designing interiors and events around the people they are for, this space is designed around you and I want to know who you are and what you love!
