WOMAN'S MARCH

HERE'S TO STRONG WOMEN!

May we know them.

May we be them. 

May we raise them. 

SIMPLY READ: ARTICLES

{photo from pinterest}

Dutch kids are ranked happiest in the world -- (Treehugger)

7 ways to teach kindness to children -- (Mind Body Green)

The modern day dad -- (Good Men Project)

New guidelines for waiting to cut baby's umbilical cord -- (Medical Daily)

Parents of healthy kids have these things in common -- (Business Insider)

BEBÉ SHOWER

Our beautiful french country-side inspired shower we had with close friends + family for our sunshine girl. May we always remember this day with love + joy. A day filled with so much beauty. We are so grateful. 

SIMPLY WATCHED: MINIMALISM

SIMPLY WATCHED is another series here on the blog where I would like to share with you all documentaries that we watch that have brought forth interest and purpose. 

{MINIMALISM- THE DOCUMENTARY} 

Everyday I look around for ways to simplify and create space that will eventually continue to bring peace and harmony into our home and expand outward. This documentary, starring two inspiring men, speaks about applying minimalism + the global impact of our consumer culture. The alternatives to this that they present in this film is to try living with a life of less stuff + space to then find a life with more meaning and happiness. 

In our home, again, this lifestyle is very much sought after.

Here are some ways we implement them into our everyday:

1. GET RID OF UNNECESSARIES:  we go throughout our home on the regular to look to see what is and has not been used in quite sometime. We try to remember that not everything that once served a purpose, or marked an occasion, remains forever useful. When these objects are collected we simply put them together, box them up and dispose of them in our most preferred ways which is donating or reselling on either craigslist or eBay. 

2. KEEP THE JUNK OUT OF THE HOME: by this I mean we as modern day humans collect trash. And tons of it! Be mindful of what you bring into your home + what you let stay in your home. For example things like: junk mail, half empty paint cans, mixed up art supplies, empty shampoo bottles, etc. The best way to avoid it all is to be mindful of what you bring in + how much you really need of each item. 

3. REPETITIONS: this goes for all those things we acquire that we have multiples of and let me tell you this happens way more than you think. For example: the four extra pairs of the same sandal, the second set of mixing bowls, the forty-seventh knick-knack, the winter jacket that is only wearable in sub-zero settings when you live in a climate where that never happens, you get my point. We live in such places where we are surrounded by our own subconscious "needs" that creates a space of such redundancies. 

Check out this film as it will give even more insight into the world of less and how it can create more. 

2017.

HER.

SIMPLY READ: INA MAY'S GUIDE TO CHILDBIRTH.

Reading is something that I hold dear to my heart. I am in love with learning and books allow me to continue to do so at my own pace + through my own interests. 

I wanted to have a series here that I could highlight books I have read, whether pertaining to motherhood, homemaking, spirituality or beyond. I wanted this to be a little space to share, grow + perhaps expand insight from one another. 

{Ina May's Guide to Childbirth}

I chose to highlight this as the first book in this series because it truly has been a current must read for me. After hearing nothing but stunning revisions, I knew this had to be the first book to pick up after finding out we were parents-to-be.

This book gives a clear-eyed look at what birth has become and how we can regain a sense of the wisdom and nature. The book beautifully starts out with dozens of short birth stories from women to potentially show the possibilities available to women for a joyous birth.  Each + every story brought me closer and closer to what giving birth might entail, which only enticed me further.

Ina May addresses in this book the clear fear today's young women have of childbirth and its capacity for pain. With this she also explains many a way to counter this picture by describing how labor has potential to be delightful. She does so best in her chapter titled: "The Pain/Pleasure Riddle."  Some of her more simple remedies include: familiarity, autonomy + privacy. 

My favorite understandings of her book is that she reminds us that we must keep in mind that mother + baby are a bonded unit. What happens to one happens to the other. Without a mother who is healthy in her mind, body + spirit, there cannot lie the best of health in her baby.

With this I took away all that I could and hope to implement into my own birth. 

{which a birth story will be on its way soon}. 

Pick this book up for a beautifully written, heartwarming + connective approach to childbirth and/or pass it along to anyone you know who is approaching childbirth. This is an important gift Ina May has given to our generation to continue + learn the best possible path for the health of both mama + baby. 

SIMPLY HOME: LAVENDER LAUNDRY SOAP.

For those of you who know me, I am frugal and earthy. I tend to gravitate more towards objects + products with sustainability as well as with an affordable price tag. When all else fails- I make my own. This Natural Lavender Laundry Soap is one of those. After making it just one time + seeing just how easy and effective it is, I knew I had to share. 

Ingredients: 

+ 1 cup super washing soda 

+ 1 cup baking soda

+ 1 bar Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap or any Castile Soap option

+ 1/2 cup kosher salt

+ 20 drops Lavender Essential oil 

+ an old glass jar for storing

+ start by grating the bar of soap into a large mixing bowl - or better yet cut soap into chunks and throw it in your food processor until pieces are small or almost to a powder. 

+ measure out washing soda, baking soda and salt and combine with the grated bar of soap. Then add 20 drops of lavender essential oil. 

+ Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated and if you like add a pinch of fresh lavender to top it off and transfer to prepared glass container. 

This recipe has been a full proof recipe for me and I couldn't be happier with it's results. Hope you enjoy it too!

{BITS + MOMENTS} WEEKLY.

six little things i captured with gratitude this week.

1. s's first baby book.

{because it's the one that says exactly how i am feeling}.

2. this belly butter.

{because when slathering this on i am reminded to be thankful for brands like these}.

3. these wild flowers.

{because in california they are all year round}.

4. this growing belly.

{because wow, otherworldly}.

5. our christmas tree + topper.

{because getting into the christmas spirit}.

6. this favorite bowl of pho.

{because it made for pre-hospital tour goodness}.

WINTER.

we are over the moon to share with you that we are bringing a beautiful baby girl into this world

come early February 2017 xx