Boudreaux's Keeps My Babes Hiney Healthy

*This post is in partnership with Moms Meet and Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% my own.

I have to say that we are hopefully nearing the end of being in diapers. Teddy will be two in Decemember and I think that Wesley was potty trained around three, OK nevermind, we are going to be in diapers for the next year at least. Something that has happened a lot with Teddy has been diaper rashes and yeast infections. Yes, a glamorous life I lead, let me tell you. It's been tough to find a diaper cream, or in this case butt paste, that really works and lasts through the night. Moms Meet was nice enough to send me a very generous package from the team at Boudreaux's, including the Rash Kicking Kit. When looking at the quality and performance, while also taking into consideration the ingredients, I have been very pleased with the Boudreaux's line of baby care products. The Rash Kicking Kit especially, since they have the applicator in there! Anyone who knows diaper cream knows that it is not something that is fun to apply with your bare hands-- the applicator does the dirty work and the bum still gets covered! This kit is, like the perfect, baby shower gift. Since having small children, I am of the mindset that gifting things that new Moms need is much more practical then giving them cute baby booties that we all know won't stay on the baby's feet. Just call me Practical Patty over here!

There are a lot of different options out there for discerning parents but this brand is not to be looked over. The quality is on point, a little goes a long way and you can buy different sizes (for home and for diaper bag) You can find the entire Boudreaux's product line on Amazon, so that makes it super easy, am I right? I'm thinking baby shower gifts, holiday donations to local shelters, and of course, stocking up in my own home for this sweet little bottom.

Have you tried Boudreaux's for your baby?

What's Wowing Me in Wellness: Spray My Face

I didn't realize it until just recently, but Mama is a face spray hoarder. I have various itterations of face sprays from rose water to toners, to hydration sprays and beyond... and I kinda love them all. I have been very fortunate to be able to try a lot of different sprays without having to buy them (grateful for this!) so have built quite the collection, all with their own purpose and place. I thought I would break down some of the reasons you'd want to invest in a toner or hydrating spray (or both!) so that you can begin to make an educated purchase with my opinion in there to boot ha!

Not all facial sprays are created equal nor do they have the same purposes. The difference between Toner & Astringents-- Toners help to remove any traces of oil, perspiration or makeup from your skin. An astringent, however, may be alcohol- or chemically-based and is used to clean the skin and close pores. I don't personally use an astringent unless it's that time of the month and my skin is acting wacky. It helps to clear my skin up in those dark times but in other scenarios will dry me right out so I use astrigents sparingly. Toner however, I use that on the daily. The most important purpose for a toner, and I've been told this by estheticians as well as clean beauty experts, is to restore your skin's pH balance. Using a toner can also prevent in grown hairs and act as an additional layer of protection from the elements. Hydrating mists? I have those around to feel fancy and have something on hand to freshen up on the go and quickly!

Hydrating Mists: Some of my favorite hydrating mists are very simple in their ingredients but are perfect sprays for a quick pick me up and also for setting your makeup. I have a small travel sized bottle that I'll pop in my purse or the diaper bag to keep on hand for those moments when life has me dried out (which is most of the time) My Top Picks: Kaliks Collective Revive Lavender Hydrosol, Josh Rosebrook's Hydrating Accelerator, Beautycounter Rosewater Mist, OY-L Hydrating Mist,

Toners: Toners are part of the building blocks to a fantastic skincare regimine. I always use a toner right after I've washed my face or left the shower and to be honest, have use a toner once or two by accident when I just wanted a spritz of hydration. I have dabbled in different toners but my favorites come in all shapes, sizes and price points. My Top Picks:  Face/Food Flower Power Healing Toner, Shamanuti Seaweed Toner, Wildcraft Geranium Orange Blossom Toner , 

Astringents: I personally don't dabble in different astringents, I just know what works for me and since I use it so infrequently, it doesn't make sense to buy something that I don't need. The Thayer's Witc Hazel Astringent is simple and easy to find, like I'm talking even at Target, CVS and sometimes even Marshall's. It works to cleanse, get rid of grime, and tightens up the skin after I've had a big breakout. My Top Pick: Thayer's Witch Hazel Astringent

No matter what you're spraying on your face, be sure to do ingredient checks. There are some stores and sites where you can be sure that they've done the work for you (Detox Market, Follain, Credo Beauty, Pretty Pure Beauty) but when shopping at Target, CVS, Marshalls etc, you'll have to do your due dilligence. You don't want harmful chemicals being spritzed refreshingly about.

Do you have any recommendations for hydrating sprays, toners or astringents?

Fall Festivities with Wilson Farm, Lexington MA

*This post is in collaboration with Wilson Farm in Lexington, MA

This month, I had the opportunity to take Teddy to Wilson Farm in Lexington, MA for a tour, some Fall goodies and ZOMG the best flowers. I had first heard about Wilson Farm from my friend Elizabeth, who has been visiting for years. She had nothing but nice things to say about them and I was not disappointed by this local destination for everything from Farm fresh vegetables (legit right off their farm), cheese x 100000, baked goods and the upcoming Fall festivities for the whole family.

If you know me, you know that I am a sucker for fresh veggies, for all the things you can get at farm stands and of course, for shopping locally. While taking the tour of Wilson Farm's grounds, I was absolutely blown away by everything that they are doing on property. It's truly awesome what they have built here since the late 1800's. They've got their own chicken coops, goats, massive greenhouses (where they're currently growing poinsettas), garden center, on site bakery and gosh, he cheese selection is what my dreams are made of!

The events that we talked about on the farm all year long sound awesome. They have chefs that work with them on farm to table dinners as well as working locally with restaurants and stores to share their goods. Fall is in full swing so if you dig caramel apples and apple cider donuts then you'll want to stop by any weekend in September and October for all that goodness ... and the Propah family is headed back in October for their well known hay maze.

Details on the hay maze, you ask? --> Free and open to the public, find the exit and you'll be rewarded with an apple! It's open October 6th through October 31st, including Columbus Day and Halloween. They are accepting donations for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts/Rhode Island. Last year, through the generosity of their community, the farm raised over $15,000 and made two wishes come true!

Saturdays and Sundays, Starting October 6th: 11:00am - 5pm
Thursdays, Starting October 11th: 12:30pm - 5pm
Fridays, Starting October 12th: 3pm - 5pm
Columbus Day (Oct 8th): 11am - 5pm
Halloween (Oct 31st) 3pm - 5pm


I think that when the kids are older, they are really going to dig the potato blasters! Open weekends in October, you can launch a spud and try to hit one of the targets in the Wilson Farm field! The Potato Blasters are the exciting way to wrap up a trip to the farm. Just $2.00 for 3 shots! The Potato Blasters are open during HayMaze Hours in October.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship-- I'm bummed I missed the Spring and Summer growing season as well as their open air nursery but I am looking forward to seeing all the kids at the farm enjoying the hay maze and picking out pumpkins... and I am most certainly looking forward to visiting my little poinsettas to see how they grow up for the holiday season... and of course, I will be back to stock up on some cheese, yes please!

You can follow Wilson Farm on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

Block Printing Up in Here

I've been really getting serious about my block printing over here. In my (very little) spare time, I have been designing and carving away, trying to create the coolest prints that I can imagine... so far it's some leaves but they aren't half bad looking, right?

As fun as it is to carve, it wasn't something I was super comfortable doing just by winging it. I wanted to properly as possible train myself and looked to the book that inspired me (I saw a small piece on it in Better Homes and Gardens).

I borrowed Jen Hewitt's new book from the library, Print Pattern Sew, and it's really a great, hands on book for those who are just starting out in the block printing realm. I mostly read the begininng of the book, which was instructions, but for those looking to replicate Jen's awesome patterns, she provides templates for you to follow. It's most defintely a great beginner's book that gives you a great set up to start block printing. I bought my other supplies on Amazon for about $40. I started with a block printing kit and added a barren, more linoleum blocks and screenprinting ink.

I've created a couple of different blocks at this point and I am pretty pleased with the process, especially this split leaf that I modelled after one of my favorite plant babies. I did some modest printing onto cards that I did actually mail to friends this week! I am actually inspired to keep working on this so that I can eventually do all my Christmas cards and maybe even start printing on fabric for some really interesting designs/ messes to make.

What are your thoughts on my beginner block printing?

A Saturday in Kennebunkport: Away from the Day to Day

I want to start writing on the blog again, just telling the people who still check in, well, tell them what I am up to once in awhile. This past weekend, I took a day trip to Kennebunkport with some of my blogger gal pals, a trip that's been on the books since at least May-- and we made it up there for some weaving, eating and beauty business!

Kerin of Cape Porpoise Trading Co. invited us up to her home studio in Kennebunkport, ME to learn to weave doormats using lobster rope rescued from fishermen along the coast. She set up and adorable brunch for us and her chickens (mostly Big Momma pictured above right before she stole a danish) while we all took turns weaving our very own mats. It was a ton of fun and I love having something tangible to take home from crafty endeavors!

Kerin, pictured below, was very patient with us (mostly me) as we learned the ropes (heyoooo) but it was just so amazing to see this woman, taking an art, a craft and making it a business that works for her and her family. I find this to be utterly crushworthy and therefore, I proclaim that I am now crushing on Kerin of Porpoise Trading Co.

As you can see, we all smiled and did some weaving and made rugs and it was a joy to begin a day that way. We moved on to lunch in Kennebunkport proper. Eating, eating, eating, nom nom nom... The Boathouse was delicious and accomodating, right on the water- would recommend!

Our last stop was with the girls with SaltyGirl out of Biddeford, just a short drive away. These ladies are some of my favorites that I've met through WELL Summit. They are sisters who have not only started a business, but it's a business with a huge heart. They wrote a great recap post on our visit, which should fill you in our silliness, but suffice to say, it was such a lovely and beauty-full way to end our day.

Check out my girl Elizabeth's post for a different take on our day, yo!