COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE – Monthly Favorites, July 2023

JULY – what a month. The absolute, obvious highlight and numero uno favorite goes to our cutie patootie, Jonah James. Birth story to come. 😉 But man oh man, the month has been a hot, dizzying blur of little sleep and many snuggles. I don’t even know what day of the week it is – and I’m kinda okay with that. He’s been the biggest little blessing and cutest little lovebug, and the whole fam is smitten. 🙂 

Other favorites in the running include some baby gear favorites, Spanx on sale, the best nursing bras I’ve found, green juice that doesn’t totally suck (HA), and the viral, miracle-working Incommon Magic Myst…let’s hop right into it.

2.) Free People dress

This month’s closet mission was to find a few pretty pieces that feel equal parts chic + comfortable on my postpartum bod. I’ve had the good sense to avoid trying on jeans like the plague and to focus on wearing things that *actually fit me now* versus vainly (+ unnecessarily) trying to squeeze into things. I had gotten this Free People dress from StitchFix (side note, you can take their style quiz for free here!), and upon trying it on I never wanted to take it off. It’s made so well and just makes me feel so freaking pretty – which was exactly what I was looking for in shopping. It’s still nursing-friendly and ultra-comfortable given the smocked top, and the body of the dress is flowy, feminine, and flattering, giving that looser coverage over my midsection that feels a bit friendlier while everything is still changing. 

Ultimately, I’m obsessed. And Olivia Grace said I look like a princess so I’LL TAKE IT.

Free People Bluebell Maxi Dress - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses Free People Bluebell Maxi Dress - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

3.) Wheeled bassinet

One of the first things I did in prepping our house for baby J was making a few first floor “baby stations” and easy-access areas to have him – and everything we’d need for him – as handy and as readily accessible as possible. I knew I wouldn’t want to be going upstairs for every diaper or outfit change or naptime, especially shortly after my C-section. This bassinet on wheels was an obvious yes for us, and so far, it’s been one of our most-used baby things. We just wheel him around with us room-to-room, whether I’m working in my office and want an eye on him or we’re all hanging out around the kitchen island and want him included. It’s also worth nothing, Jonah actually naps decently in this – which is more than can be said for how he sleeps in the bassinet we have in our bedroom. We had invested in a Halo for Liv which she barely used, but we kept “just in case”…turns out, Jonah man doesn’t sleep that well in it, either. So. We’re about to bring this one upstairs for nighttime use, too, to try as a much more affordable alternative since so far it’s doing the trick during the day!

I will say, there are buttons on it for “motion,” music, etc…the motion doesn’t actually do much of anything. I think it just lightly vibrates? If you want/need a bassinet for some sortof movement in itself, this wouldn’t be the best one. But for the wheels and moveability of the entire thing, it’s a win for us.

Delta Children bassinet - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

4.) Soma Enbliss nursing bra + Spanx Bra-llelujah

This month’s other mission was finding nursing bras that I actually loved. I had pulled out what I had left over in my maternity box and they just weren’t cutting it; turns out, removable pads in nursing bras are kindof the worst. Without fail, every single time I’d be done nursing, the pad would be folded up on itself and a hot mess express in the bra, and it just wasn’t cutting it in the “ease” department. 

Out of the maybe 7 different brands I’ve tried so far, this one + this one are my VERY clear top two choices. The former is really no surprise to me seeing how much I’ve loveloveloved its non-nursing wireless version – I’ve only sung its praises for years. 😉 Turns out, the nursing version tops the charts, too – it’s just supremely comfortable without the hassle of removable pads moving all over the place. It’s still lightly padded, it’s just within the cup itself versus anything removable. This makes flipping a side down to nurse so much smoother. Then this one does still have removable pads, BUT they’re done just so much better and smoother where they’d not lumping up with every feed and needing constant readjustment.

P.S. You can get 10% off the Bra-llelujah with code ELGXSPANX at checkout!

 

 

5.) Spanx cocoon cardigan (discount code: ELGXSPANX for spanx.com)

I KNOW, I KNOW – I’ve already sung Spanx’s AirEssentials praises from the rooftops. But the cocoon cardigan gets an extra shoutout today because I’ve been wearing it on repeat in the AC – the fabric is truly unlike anything I’ve seen before. It gives new meaning to “buttery soft” – the fabric almost feels cooling on, making it a *perfect* piece to have on your chair in the office in case of AC or to just have on hand for quick layering.

I gifted Mimi one for Mother’s Day and she’s equally obsessed – she’s got most of the AirEssentials line on her wishlist now because every single thing just feels that fabulous. But even more, they’ve got a bit of stretch to them, so it’s truly the most fantastically comfy, luxurious piece that any lady would lovelovelove. This piece in particular makes a perfect giftable since sizing is so flexible – I’d honestly stock up now for Christmas.

It’s still on sale at Nordstrom for a few more days – 25% off! – but you can also grab it directly from Spanx and get 10% off with code ELGXSPANX. 🙂

Spanx AirEssentials Cocoon Cardigan - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

 

6.) Baby Bjorn bouncer

This was one thing on my baby wishlist forever, and sure enough – it’s just as good as I expected. It’s a super lightweight, ergonomic baby bouncer, and little man loveloveloves. It’s safe as a bouncer up until 20 pounds and at that point the fabric seat can be simply turned around and used as a children’s chair until 29 pounds. The fabric is soft, cleanable and breathable. And for us it works especially well since I can lightly bounce it with my foot and keep Jonah calm and comfy while I’m working at my desk or doing other things with both hands.

DEFINITELY recommend adding to your baby registry or grabbing as an essential for bebe!

Baby Bjorn Bouncer - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

7.) Tarte Juicy lip plump gloss in Primrose (discount code: ERICA)

It’s no secret I’m a big big fan of Tarte lippies. I have one of these in every bag. This lip liner lasts all day. This treatment/tint balm gives beautiful, light color while being super hydrating, and this

Now, when it comes to anything “plumping,” I’m PICKY…I really don’t like plumping products that are super tingly and definitely not painful.

This one? Color me impressed. It gives you a *light* tingle upon first applying, but ultimately, it just feels really GOOD, smooth, not sticky. It’s full of fabulously hydrating, good-for-you ingredients + vitamins loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging properties, and above all, it’s just SO DANG SMOOTHING. I mean, look at the before-and-after!

So for me, I like it more for the super smooth effect beyond anything plumping, even. And again, you’ll get 15% off anything + everything at Tarte with code ERICA at checkout. Woo! 🙂

Tarte smoothing lip gloss in Primrose - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

Tarte smoothing lip gloss in Primrose - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses Tarte smoothing lip gloss in Primrose - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

8.) Names book stack (discount code: ERICA)

The sweetest small shop hooked us up with an updated bookstack in time for Jonah’s arrival – and man oh man, it’s so sweet seeing his name added to our crazy crew. 🙂 HIGHLY recommend – there’s just something so special about a personalized piece of decor. Plus, it makes a *great* gift idea, be it to celebrate a new addition to the fam for the holidays or as a housewarming or birth announcement present! (You can also pretty easily add another book to your stack if/when need be – you can untie the twine!).

BONUS – the sweet shopowner passed along code ERICA to get you 10% off at checkout! YAY FOR SHOPPING SMALL!

Family name bookstacks Etsy - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

9.) Suja organics cold-pressed juices

I got a box of theses juices in the mail from PR, and holy moly…I think I drank three in one day. They’re organic, cold-pressed fruit + vegetable juices with probiotics, no added sugar, and other good stuff, made fresh in San Diego and pressed cold to preserve flavor + nutrients. Suja juices are also USDA certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten and dairy-free. I can’t even pick a favorite flavor – nothing beats sipping something yummy and knowing you’re also loading up on essential vitamins and all sorta good-for-you goodness. 

Really, if it’s between eating kale or drinking my greens…there’s no contest. 😉

Suja Organics juice - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

Suja Organics Juice - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

10.) INCOMMON Magic Myst (discount code: EricaL20)

By now you know I’m ALL ABOUT a good multi-tasking product. Give me skincare that does seven things while I sleep, supplements loaded in energy-boosting antioxidants and body-boosting vitamins – the more the merrier. So naturally, when I saw this stuff all over my Instagram, my interest was piqued. I mean, it’s not often you find a product that does all the things, has SOLID 5-stars from 500+ reviews and is literally dubbed “magic” – yet the INCOMMON Magic Myst is exactly that.

Color me curious, I jumped at the chance to try a bottle once it restocked. This stuff is a detangler, smoothing balm, heat protectant AND leave-in considitioner in one. It can go on wet OR dry hair and has ingredients to strengthen your hair, seal and smooth the cuticle, calm frizz + flyaways, AND *also* protect against heat damage and UVA/UVB damage. It’s a suuuuper fine, lightweight mist so it doesn’t weigh you down or make your hair flat or greasy.  If you use heat styling products at all, you HAVE TO use a heat protectant, and this stuff is such a multi-tasking product…it does that and then some.

An added bonus – it smells PHENOMENAL. I’ve been using the INCOMMON Magic Myst on Olivia’s hair, too, and it makes *such* a difference in overall maintenance and manageability.

P.S. The brand so kindly passed along code EricaL20 for you to get 20% off your own bottle if you want to give it a try!

INcommon Magic Myst - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE, Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

 

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!