Weekender Newsletter W/ Shopping With Friends 4/4/26
4 | 4 | 26
Life is Getting Back on Track
After spending months feeling various degrees of crummy and isolating
I am so very, very happy to be out and about enjoying everything.
Holy smokes, it feels great to have more warm, sunny days sprinkled between the rain showers.
And best of all, I’m finally heading off this week to my overdue trip to Grandma in person instead of over zoom. Although I am insanely grateful for tools like zoom.
There is nothing better than hearing that our Little Bean points to her momma’s phone and asks “DeeDee?” Oh, my heart!
Where have I been all week?
Organizing & cleaning out my hobby room to make space for a small (for me) sewing studio.
Sidenote: You don’t want to miss a new blog post coming up next week.
(not an organizing post — those are still a ways off, more to do)
I’ve never seen this done. Didn’t know if it would work.
Spoiler alert: IT WORKS!!!
Nursery Walls
This is the nursery for Little Bean (the pending big sister). We love how these wall turned out!
If you love the idea of ombre walls, but are intimidated by the transition. This is a great solution. Embrace the transition, make it a moment.
HINT: This way there is no right or wrong,
We’ll be planning the nursery for Sprout on this trip. Stay tuned. There will be plenty to share!
All the Baby Things!
I knew baby “must haves” had evolved!
Newborn needs haven’t changed a bit. But the essentials for newborns and baby must haves list has grown extensively.
Here is a post of this new Grandma’s honest opinion on ALL the “new” essential must-haves for newborns. What’s changed and what’s worth it.
Mother’s Day Reminder: What She Really Wants
Do you want to get Mom what she really wants for Mothers Day? Read this first: it may surprise you and save you some money, too.
But I wanted to remind you now, because you might want to do a bit of planning.
The links in this post may include affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything using these links, you pay no extra, but I may receive a small commission that helps keep this blog running. I truly appreciate you using affiliate links whenever possible. Please know that I will never recommend a product I do not believe in!
My shopping may look a bit scattered to you.
But really it has a theme, a truly important theme — my favorite sources. Sources that offer great quality for the price AND support small businesses, artisans or giveback to those in need.
For Shoes, I Love TOMS
They are fun, stylish and comfortable, but also prioritize sustainability, the environment and giveback from each purchase to children around the world.
I have two new pairs of sneakers that I LOVE, my neutral pair to wear with just about anything.
And then this pair for when I need an added spark of fun. Both are sooo. comfortable and required zero break-in. (I wore the fun one for 14 hours the first day with no complaints).
If I didn’t already have something similar, I definitely would have gotten these too.
Who remembers Paint-by-Number?
I loved the process, but never the results. Well, that has all changed.
It’s such a stress-reducing activity! Let go and melt into an almost meditative state.
Check out this beginner friendly kit. So fresh and modern.
Or choose this gorgeous Monet that’s more advanced, but oh so forgiving due to the impressionist styling.
Or this one for a custom painting kit from your photo. Just look at the detailing.
See my whole curated collection here.
Are You Dreaming of the Garden?
Do those dreams include a charming little fairy or gnome garden?
As I look forward to planting season, I’m dreaming of perhaps tucking in a sweet fairy garden garden — must be the Grandma in me.
I have curated the cutest of the cute from my favorite source, Etsy.
Everything from precut doors and windows, to a rustic bench, adorable mushrooms and so much more.
Jump over to see what I’ve curated for you. Keep in mind your fairy garden’s location. Will be in a terrarium or indoor flowerpot? In a greenhouse perhaps? Or a protected screened porch? Or will yours be centered around a tree trunk or nestled in its roots, exposed to the weather?
Read the descriptions and choose accordingly.
BTW – those little Mushrooms with Butts (and belly buttons) are the absolute cutest!
Floral Mixing!!!
Do you struggle with mixing florals for a wreath or arrangement? I know I do!
You don’t need to be a flower savant when you know Sheila at Twisted Twigs Decor. She offers sprays of stems in the most imaginative combinations.
All you need to do add a few of her creations to a wreath or basket of greens for a new spring or summer accent everyone will be asking about.
And her prices are amazing!
Now Let’s See What the Other Gals Found For Us
Anna – Sky Lark House
With temps reaching into the 50s and 60s, I realized my wardrobe needed a spring refresh. I am loving all things made by Quince. One of the biggest reasons is because I need a 28 inch inseam for pants. Many of their pants can be customized to certain inseam lengths. Here are some of my favorite online finds for this month.
- This pink sweater says spring but still keeps me warm on chilly days.
- I wear these pants to work because they are still comfortable and affordable.
- I love this cropped cardigan because I can wear it over a t-shirt or tank top.
- These cropped pants are the perfect color for spring and summer.
Lora – Lora Bloomquist
- This time of year calls for a wide variety of jackets! My favorites to have at the ready are a green fringed jean jacket (which comes in many other colors) and a classic yellow raincoat (which is needed today).
- April showers are a great excuse to bring out my collection of vintage umbrellas. I hang them in our entry for seasonal decor, but also to grab easily. I love all their unique details-bake light handles, floral and geometric fabrics. Sometimes I open them up and display them at the top of a tall piece of furniture. You can find a great assortment of vintage umbrellas HERE.
- It’s curbside junking season here, where I drive certain neighborhoods on specific days and find all kinds of great vintage goodies. In a couple of hours, I will amass a whole trailer-full of finds (that usually all need TLC;). On nice days, you’ll find me in the driveway scrubbing up my “new” finds. HERE is my list of Vintage Reviver’s Products to turn the trash into treasure;)
- After scrubbing for hours, my hands ache. THIS amazing lotion helps sore muscles and brings relief. I’ve been using it on my hands and sometimes my feet before I go to bed. It helps me sleep better, too (which is always a bonus).
Lynn – Living Large in a Small House
Some Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
I’ve been asked by my kids what I would like for Mother’s Day, so I have been thinking about it lately. These are some of the things that I would love to have.
- I love my LL Bean canvas bag and I use it for everything. Lately I’ve been using it as a diaper bag for Harrison when we go on adventures. However, it has seen better days. I would love a new one (monogrammed) 😉.
- I love Salt & Stone Deodorant, and I would love to have the gift set that includes the body spray.
- Speaking of nice smells, I have a friend who uses a Pura fragrance diffuser in her home, and it smells amazing.
- This is a real luxury item, but one of my girls has a Lola throw blanket, and it is the softest thing I’ve ever felt.
So little bean is going to be a big sister? Fo tell!
Do tell!
Hi there, I really love your tech tips. Very helpful. I did have trouble shutting off the flashlight. Did you just tap it 3 times again?
Excited to see your Hobby Room and particularly the sewing area!
Thanks Michelle! I am so anxious to have it put together, but I have a lot of other family life that takes priority (new grandbaby coming). So i’m only getting to work on it in fits and starts. But I can now see that it’s going to work.