This has been…a month. It’s been a heavy one around here, folks. Mostly all personal/behind-the-scenes stuff with family etc – not to mention, writing a book. Which, turns out, is a freaking TRIP. This work is so important – this message is so important – and I feel wholly unequipped to write it. So when you eventually see it, know that it is solely by the grace of God – ha!
Otherwise, the OG starts Kindergarten SO SOON – and I can’t believe it. So many changes happening.
Change is hard. But hard doesn’t have to mean bad.
That’s my two cents today. Onto some Cool Sh*t. 😉
1.) Dial sulfate-free cocoa butter/orange body wash
This was such a random, delightful find. I try to only buy sulfate-free/cleaner formula products anymore, but it can feel harder to get that at the drugstore without spending something like $12 on a body wash.
Enter, this one.
It’s sulfate and paraben-free and ranked GOOD on the Yuka app…for not even $5. And it smells LOVELY – like a super warm, comforting scent that you’ll lovelovelove if you like the sortof scent family of warm vanilla sugars etc.
2.) Walmart baby boy Nike dupes
Tell me are these not adorable?! They look like Nike, but Lord knows I will never buy designer shoes for my kids…they simply outgrow them too dang fast! These give you the look for less, for under $15 (I actually got them for $6 on sale!).
The best part: they’re easy adjustment with Velcro, but the tongue opens wide so that they’s so easy to get on/off, especially if your little has chunkier feet (like mine – ha!). They’re also memory foam soles, so nice and comfortable for early walkers. 🙂
The theme for this month’s Cool Sh*t is RANDOM SH*T. If you hate mouthwash that makes your mouth feel like it’s on fire, you’ll want to add this one to cart. It’s alcohol-free so there’s no painful burn, BUT it feels, tastes and smells SO fresh.
It forms an anti-bacterial shield in your mouth, prevents gum bleeding, and is clinically proven to reduce the early signs of gum disease! (They so kindly sponsored this Reel, but this is a completely NOT sponsored shoutout…I’m just obsessed!).
4.) Sensory cube
For those stressful (or boring) Zoom meetings when you need an extra sensory input – this thing is wild. It doesn’t feel like a regular stress ball…the best thing I can liken it to is old school silly putty?? But it’s not sticky or messy, and I don’t know HOW, but it always goes back to its original cube shape.
Olivia saw it on my desk when I first opened it and tried snatching it for keeps…girlfriend approves. We have a running deal where she can borrow it for a certain period of time before returning to my desk – I’m gonna have to put one in her stocking this year at thir rate. 😉 It’s wild, and good for grownups and kids alike!
5.) Mommy-and-me matching trek tumblers
I needed another Simple Modern tumbler like I need a hole in the head…but I MEAN COME ON. How was I supposed to resist these?! This pink checkered print is simply fabulous, and I loveloveloved that I could get one for Olivia for a little matching mommy-and-me moment. Easy enought justification, right? 😉
But if YOU need some extra justification, Simple Modern finally hooked us up with our own DISCOUNT CODE BLESS…code ERICA10 will take 10% off sitewide for you at checkout, so whether you need a new tumbler, drinkware, lunch boxes, backpacks for school…whatever whichever, get that discount! We lowkey begged to get a code to offer you. So, I hope it’s put to good use for ya! 🙂
6.) Tandy
Calling all sweet tooths who wish their candy craving could be good for them…it’s your lucky day! These are new in the Target candy aisles, but they’re not actually candy! They’re technically a wellness supplement; you can eat an entire bag to get the full benefit as stated on each bag, from increased focus to gut health or stress relief/relaxation. But my personal favorite part: they’re a completely clean ingredient label. No bad stuff! No artificial crap! No fake anything!
And the true best part: they taste fabulous. Mimi approves of all, and she’s gummy candy’s biggest critic (she hates the Haribo gummy bears…thinks they taste like rubber HA). These have good bounce and great flavor.
7.) Kirkland Egg Bites
We have been HOOKED on the Starbucks egg bites in our house, and they’ve been a Costco purchase for months…until they were discontinued and replaced with Costco’s own Kirkland version. At first, I gasped in the store. How could they?! Would they be the same?! I NEED MY EGG BITES. Turns out…they taste identical. For less money. In Jesus’ name, amen. So another friendly Costco recommendation for your next trip…add to cart!
The bacon/gruyere ones are my favorite!
8.) Scentsationals candles from TJMaxx
Not all TJMaxx candles are created equal, so it became a personal mission to find some that were cleaner burning and non-toxic (ie a coconut or soy wax, beeswax, etc…ideally not paraffin!). The next time you’re in the candle aisle, look for the ScentSationals line…they’re non-toxic, made with lead-free wicks and clean-burning wax blends, and they smell AMAZING. They’re typically about $12.99 for the big 3-wick one, which is around the same size or bigger than Bath & Body works candles, similarly priced to the big B&B candle sales, throw scent similarly, but they’re NOT full of toxic chemicals! We love to see it! 😉
(Because to note, they throw scent GREAT – one candle can fill our entire first floor and go up to the second from our open family room space).
What do you get when you take this and add these? THE PERFECT INDOOR BABY BALL PIT! We bought this portable play yard for the beach – and it worked fabulously for Jonah man. Kept him contained and happy, and the detachable canopy top was perfect in the sun. But it got me thinking about other ways to make it work at home, especially when I just need to keep him in one place for a minute (since Lord knows he’s walking ERRRR’WHERE) – and what better way then to make it a baby ball pit? Just grab two bags of these balls and VOILA! (We have more balls en route now because clearly, we need more…ha!)
I especially lovelovelove this, though, since the sides are tall enough to keep them truly contained/safe without fear of climbing out on their own. I can put him in here with balls and books and toys and go pee in peace, bless (IYKYK – and the mamas said amen).
Plus, since it’s portable/foldable, we can move rooms and set it up or take it down on a moment’s notice – it’s lightweight but sturdy, even when he’s holding or handing onto the sides. Totally recommend!
10.) TikTok neck massager
I bought this because some lady on TikTok was crying saying that it took out ten years’ worth of knots that she didn’t even know she had. I’m personally not a fan of at-home massagers that vibrate or pulsate…they usually just give me a headache or make my skin feel irritated. The deep-kneading rotating balls in this are great.
It has heat to improve blood circulation. It has a place to put your wrists in so that it can stay on your upper back/neck and work while you’re working at desk, sitting on the couch etc. But it’s also flexible for multiple body parts (legs, lower back, etc).
Currently has a 20% off clickable coupon, so carpe diem if you’re in the market!
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!
