What I’m Lovin’ in August

Does August always feel like summer’s Sunday? It’s still summer-level-hot where I’m at, but that doesn’t mean I’m not giddy that fall is just around the corner!

Ch-ch-ch-chaaaannnnggeess

Did that make you start singing?! 

I realized while constructing this month’s post that most all of “what I’m lovin’” fall into one of two buckets: Sewing/Creativity or Motherhood. In true Type A fashion, I’ve decided to start organizing my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts into sections. Because some things I’m lovin’ may not fit into either of those 2 categories, I’ll start the list with my un-categorized loves (aka: the random things I’m lovin’). After I share those, I’ll separate the things into 2 sections: Sewing/Creativity & Motherhood.

As a follower of many blogs (and many blogs whose content evolves along with the blogger…like this one), I was hoping this would help you – as the reader. Whether you are following this blog for sewing content or my ramblings about parenthood, now you can hop-skip-jump right to the section you’re interested in when it comes to reading all about what I’ve been lovin’ that month.

This will be the first post organized into the sections so please share your feedback!

Random Things I’m Lovin’ this Month

1. Adopting Zero Waste Habits

I ran across these 10 Zero Waste Habits that will save you money a few weeks ago and found them really helpful! There are several I’m working to adopt – like storing my leftovers in glass jars (and reusing glass jars more often instead of tossing them carelessly into the recycling bin) and using a safety blade razor.

2. This friend and all the work he is doing around body positivity

Kelvin {aka Notoriously Dapper} and I attended the same high school. Following his blog over the past few years and watching his status in the male-modeling-world grow has been really refreshing. He is doing some really incredible work around body positivity and I love reading the messages he shares on Instagram.

3. This diffuser

I’ve had this diffuser for three years (still love it!), but I have found myself recommending it a lot recently so I thought I’d share it here 🙂

Dare I say: I like it better than the super expensive version that came with my oil subscription. I admit that I haven’t been using essential oils as much as I used to, but I have a ton and reach for them often. Diffusing is definitely my preferred use.

If you are looking for diffuser-blend-inspiration, my sister & I have some idea saved on our Pinterest board. My favorite is lavender – plain and simple. It’s my very favorite oil for everything.

Motherhood

4. No longer saying or listening to someone say “oh, you just wait”

Earlier this month I shared a post (rant?) about why I will not be saying “you just wait” to anyone. Shortly after, a friend shared this article with me – apparently I’m not the only one who finds this saying annoying.

And whether you are running a marathon, doing yoga or taking a walk down the street – I can assure you you’ll have zero regrets you ignored the nay-sayers of the world and did your thing.

Live in the moment… in YOUR experience (don’t let someone else’s experience cloud your view).

5. These reasons why no mother should ever feel guilty about having a Cesarean Birth

This was my favorite quote from the article:

C-section mothers should be extra proud of themselves. When offered the choice between risk to their unborn baby and risk to themselves, they chose taking on the risk in an effort to protect the baby. If that isn’t the essence of motherhood, I don’t know what is.

I do not feel guilt about how Andy was born. The shame and stigma around C-sections / Cesarean births / Belly births needs to go.the.fluff.away.

No matter how I got there, I’d made it to the finish line of my pregnancy, and won the real prize: A healthy baby.

6. This article about rebranding motherhood

I found so.much.truth. in this article! Like the author, I have found myself in quiet moments confessing to myself that I am enjoying this journey. Parenthood is so different than what I expected (and different in the best way).

Sewing / Creativity

7. This post about doing something [sew / knit / quilt / eat eggs] for the joy of it

Without space and time and joyous freedom, my work as a human, not just as a mother, is substandard.

I felt like I could really relate to Felicia’s message in this post. We are so often stretched thin with tasks we “must” do.

Over the past few weeks I have felt a little shift. One Sunday I found myself sewing into the evening finishing a quick little project to be gifted to a coworker. I should’ve been getting Andy ready for her nightly routine, but instead she was rolling around under her baby gym – having a great time entertaining herself. My husband was upstairs cooking dinner. My dogs were taking their thirtieth nap of the day somewhere in the house. And I was downstairs lost in the process of sewing – feeling pure joy in the process.

I had to stay up a little late to get my things ready for the week, but it was worth it.

Sometimes we need a little reminder that being lost in our own moments of joy is worth the sacrifice of all the “shoulds.”

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What have you been lovin’ this month? Let me know in the comments so I can jump on your bandwagon!

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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}