Whew…what a season. It’s been a FULL one, that’s for sure. Full of commitments, full of laughs, full of tears, full of favor.
This is the first time EVER that I missed getting a Monthly Favorites blog post up – and also the first time ever that I’m giving myself grace on missing a self-set deadline. Not like I had anything else going on behind-the-scenes, right? 😉 Being pregnant with a human baby while launching a book baby has been a trip, truly – and one I’m so, so grateful to be on.
Calendars and hearts are both full.
Consider this making up for lost time. We’ve got TWENTY (yup, 20) favorite things from the past two-ish months or so, all of which I have been loveloveloving + recommending to my best gals behind-the-scenes…so you know I have to be a pal and recommend to you, too. 😉 Without further adieu…
I mean, obviously numero uno. 😉 I have been truly overwhelmed by the feedback on TJNT so far…in the very best sense. What a gift to finally see it out in the wild, in your hands, being shared with your friends…what a GIFT. And to hear how it’s been positively impacting your life and changing your perspective has been nothing short of surreal.
It’s meeting women where they’re at and leaving them better than it finds them, and that is an answered prayer.
If you’ve already gotten a copy and started a reading…thank you. I hope you’re thoroughly enjoying. And if you haven’t yet…what are you doing?!? Ha! 😉
2.) UGG-inspired Amazon slippers + moccasins
I’m all about the cozy UGG look but also all about a good look-for-less. And man…these are a gooooood look-for-less. They’re indoor/outdoor, so I lovelovelove throwing them on quickly for fast errands. My go-to school drop-off shoe! I have the chocolate brown with a slighter chunkier sole, and these in the black!
Also grabbed these moccasins from the brand and they’re SO warm and cozy…stay true to size in them!
Strike that. Make that new favorite tee…period? Y’all. This tee is GOOOOD. And I would know, because remember when I was on a mission to find the best white t-shirt? This one’s so good I immediately added to cart in two more colors. And one girl in the review section (of which there are over 3,700+ FIVE-STARS ratings) said she’s up to her 13th tee because it’s just that dang good.
Slightly oversized fit (I wear a Medium while pregnant now), with a side seam angle to give you the perfect drape and front tuck look, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen a brand consider in their design before! Made to hit right at your hips, with the *slightest* bit of distressing for a perfect lived-in look. It just feels + fits fabulously, and I find myself reaching for it weekly and styling regularly because when they call it an “everyday t-shirt” they ain’t kidding!
Also, 100% cotton! Which we lovelovelove for sustainability! I’m getting in black and pink because of course.
4.) Nuuds pajamas
Same brand, different pick…but MAN. These feel fabulous. You know I’m a sucker for good squishy-soft pj’s, and these are the squishiest, softest, most luxurious-feeling pajamas. They’re cooling and breathable (two must-haves in my pajama book!), so I know I’ll still be living in them postpartum, too.
Would be a great gift for her that she’ll actually use!
We lovelovelove an affordable bestseller at the drugstore! This stuff is viral for good reason. I’ve raved about the brand before (and their body lotions + moisturizers specifically!), so I’m really not surprised at how much I like this new drop, too. I’m a sucker for a good warm pistachio/vanilla scent combo, so it’s a perfectly cozy smell for the season (it’s notes of toasted pistachio, vanilla toffee, and blonde woods).
24 moisture thanks to 7 nourishing oils + butters, like Shea Oil and 100% natural shea butter, and it’s free of parabens, phthalates, etc.
It feels deeply hydrating on your skin – nice and thick without being greasy or sticky – and the scent does last!
For my glowing girlies who lovelovelove a good skincare find…this is so stinking cool. It’s an award-winning skincare wand that visibly softens fine lines, boosts your overall radiance, and refreshes tired skin (hello, motherhood), using 4 advanced technologies and only 12 minutes.
In testing over 8 weeks, it visibly reduced fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, AND also evened out skin tone while increasing glow for brighter-looking skin.
The wand has a rotating head and built-in timer, so you don’t have to think about anything…you just focus on each area (which it shows in a super easy how-to picture that comes with your wand) until it lightly vibrates to signal moving onto the next section.
It uses red light therapy, therapeutic warmth, galvanic current, and facial massage…totally gentle, painless, and non-invasive.
Also portable! Lightweight! Angles perfectly to every contour on your face! Just one of those products that I use and think to myself, “Wow…what a treat.” Totally makes your morning!
7.) Stretchy wideleg flowy pants (non-maternity!)
These are a DREAMY Amazon find, let me tell ya! The crossover waistband is ultra flattering AND comfortable (they work beautifully with my baby bump even though they’re not maternity…so 10/10 recommend there, too).
Loose, lightweight, can dress up or down…listed as pajama pants and pictured as yoga pants, so you KNOW they’re comfy and flexible, but you could literally dress them up as a wideleg soft pant for the office and get away with it.
And they’ve got pockets!!!
On sale right now for under $20. You won’t regret these.
8.) Baublebar minibar for little girls
I got quite a few of these new Baublebar kids for the OG; gifted her a few of the jewelry pieces for her birthday, then gifting her the rest and the two kits (the bag charm kit + shoelace kit!) for Christmas! She loveloveLOVED everything so far. Immediately wanted me to put this necklace on her – and it’s such a sweet personalized piece for a little girl.
If you’ve got a little girlie girl you’re crossing off your Christmas shopping list, 10/10 recommend these.
You already know I lovelovelove these zero-pore pads (along with every other influencer and her mother…they’re just that good). They’re the #1-rated toner on Amazon with over 14,000 reviews, so they’re legit.
I typically use them at nighttime, though, so I wanted to try these Vitamin C pads for daytime. They’re infused with a bottle of 7-day Dark Spot Ampoule to help hit dark spots and blemishes, and then they’ve also got vitamin water and 3 types of vitamins in there. The other side is meant for gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
I’m just impressed. I feel like I feel AND see a difference, and they’re just so much more affordable than other facial pads on the market that I’ve tested without feeling flimsy or ineffective. (I’m PICKY with facial pad texture + thickness…I’ve tried some that felt way too paper-thin, and others that felt like they were exfoliating off an entire layer of flesh LOL)
10.) Bombas dupe No-show sneaker socks
It had been a few years since I tried new no-show socks…and y’all, the time had come. I was down to my last 2 or 3 pairs, so I decided to try these after hearing someone rave on and on about them as so-called Bombas dupes. And now, I sure see why!
They’re a bit thicker (hence why they’ve been compared to Bombas!) and the #1 BESTSELLER in all of women’s athletic socks!!!
Over 64,000 reviews, yo!!!
Breathable (80% cotton), soft and cushioned, and they stay put on your foot. Add to cart.
11.) Homemade whipped cream cold foam
This has been our household’s hyperfixation of the season! Chill your mixing bowl + mixer ___ in the freezer for a bit first; then mix heavy whipping cream on high for 3-4 minutes, slowy adding in a few scoops of powdered sugar (I usually do 2 teaspoons total), and a splash of vanilla extract.
I sometimes mix it up and also add a splash of maple syrup, and/or a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
UNREAL. Even better than a coffeeshop cold foam, and you’ll have it all week for a fraction of the price.
12.) IKEA Billy bookcase system
I had known for awhile that I wanted to change up my piano room to make it more of a cozy home library feel – something that could bring the whole family together to read, sing, and just be creative and relaxed together. So many floor-to-ceiling shelving systems, though, cost an arm and a leg to bring to life.
This IKEA system felt like the perfect solution; I used this system and then did another one of these shelves, plus an extender on top of each shelf to get as close to the ceiling as felt right in the space, and I’m simply obsessed with the end result. (Although it’s not truly an “end result” because I’m nowhere near done styling shelves or adding books…but it’s a work in progress!)
13.) Natural coconut detangler spray (25% off code: ERICA25)
You know it’s a good detangler when your daughter asks for more of it…and keeps sneaking it to use on all of her dollies! Ha!
It’s a true gem of a formula. It’s non-toxic, hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, non-GMO, naturally fragranced, vegan, never tested on animals, made to be gentle on little eyes, scented with natural botanicals and fruit extracts.
The brand is a women-owned US-based business, and all of their products are Leaping Bunny-certified.
A definite re-purchase for me! We lovelovelove the coconut scent specifically. I do have a Grove code to save 25% off sitewide (which is STELLAR), so carpe diem if you wanna give it a try!
14.) Costco dark chocolate
This chocolate is divine. That’s all.
15.) Jonah’s light up emergency vehicle bath toys
The cutest impulse purchase that I simply couldn’t pass up. And man oh man, the absolute JOY these brought my two-year-old son when I threw them in his tubby.
I will say, I’m skeptical how long the lights will last; they claim to be a mold-free design with water sensors so that the lights flash once the vehicles hit the water (which they do!). So TBD on if they lights keep it up!
16.) Trucker hats: Jesus Loves You + The Things that Make you Rich are Free
She’s in her trucker hat era, folks! I recently added both of these to my collection and I could not lovelovelove them more.
Both from small shops/boutiques, too!
17.) Thrive Market chocolate-dipped mango & pineapple
Out of alllll of the chocolate-dipped dried fruit I’ve tried (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot), this brand specifically has come out THE BEST. Each individual piece of fruit is a.) a perfect bite-size so you don’t feel like you’re ripping big awkward chunks with your teeth, and b.) dunked all by itself in the chocolate.
Truly a treat.
And another treat.
Thrive Market so graciously is giving you 30% off your first order AND a $60 FREE GIFT with this link right here, so y’all…GET ON THAT!!!
We’ve been Thrive Market customers since early 2024 and really love it. Essentially, their savings guarantee is that they can get you the *lowest* prices on their entire 100% non-GMO product catalog (they’ve banned 1,000+ harmful ingredients like artificial flavors, high-fructose corn syrup, and dyes, and most things are certified organic, too!). And if you don’t make back your annual membership fee in savings, they will credit you the difference. So you literally CAN’T lose money!
You can use their “Buy it Again” feature which remembers what you buy regularly to save time on repeat purchases, and they’ve got 90+ onsite filters to help you find exactly what you want/need (you can also search by dietary restrictions/preferences!).
I rely on Thrive to stock my pantry for my kids’ snacks especially, since they’ve got all of my (+ their) favorite healthier options, and they’re ALWAYS cheaper than any other grocery store! They also have a Daily Deals page which is great for anyone who loves the thrill.
18.) Jumbo Divi dry shampoo (20% off code: ERICALIGENZA20)
One of my favorite dry shampoos of all time just released in JUMBO, BABY!!! (As seen in multiple Beauty Empties blogs!)
It’s SUCH a solid (+ clean!) formula. It absorbs oil, balances the scalp, and boosts volume at the root, all without benzene, talc, butane, propane, or any other harmful chemicals that are in many other dry shampoo formulas.
Also brushes out cleanly (just let it sit for 1-2 minutes to absorb and massage in or brush out!)…and all the brunettes said AMEN.
19.) Whipped glow sparkling rose body moisturizer
Not my first time raving about this stuff – it’s one of my all-time favorite body moisturizers in a new, limited edition scent, and it’s divine. The texture is the same whipped, light-but-luxe, deeply hydrating and non-greasy formula that I’ve always loveloveloved, and this new smell is just YUMMY. I don’t even know how to describe it well other than the kindof smell you open and go WHOAAA YES.
It’s got prebiotics and hyaluronic acid inside for all-day hydration and a light illuminating glow. Would make a great gift for her!
20.) Maternity wideleg stretchy pants
OK OK SO apparently these are Lululemon alternatives and I didn’t even realize it at first?!? I mean, don’t get me wrong, they are *the most* buttery soft, stretchy, gloriously comfortable. Hence why they’re a dream during pregnancy. (I literally just went and changed pants into them because I wasn’t comfy enough in my maternity jeans – ha!).
But here I am looking up their fabric makeup on Amazon and recognized the percentage combo (because I’m a crazy lady who looks up fabric makeups way too often to find actual dupes/looks-for-less…YOU ARE WELCOME, OKAY).
Sure enough, it’s the same % combo as Lululemon Align. Granted, Lululemon uses a nylon where these use a polyester – very similar fabrics, but nylon is a bit stronger and stretchier while polyester is more water-repellent and dries faster. So. Similar but different but similar?
Lulu comparison aside, they’re just a really, really comfortable wideleg yoga pant (with pockets!) for pregnancy + postpartum. Super soft, stretchy full belly coverage, 4-way fabric stretch, front pockets, and dress up and down well. They’re viral on TikTok and frequently sell out for good reason!
HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF MY MONTHLY FAVORITES YET?
And what have been YOUR Monthly Favorites? Would lovelovelove to know!
P.S. ICYMI and wanna get caught up on or last month’s favorites, just click here!
