WOODEN TOYS + WHERE TO FIND THEM

my most asked question on Instagram / in general is by far: “where do you get all Miles’ toys?” or more specifically, "where do you get all of his wooden toys".

I’ve been slowly working on this post and putting it off for a while, mainly because writing a blog post and rounding up links is not easy when you’re a personal assistant to a two foot tall dictator, albeit super cute (lol).

but alas! here we are, on day whatever of quarantine and I’m finding myself with a weird hybrid of more and less time than I’ve ever had all at the same time. So I’m rounding up our favorite wooden toys and sharing where we find them all! 

music set, drum, banjo

When I’m shopping for toys, I try to look for toys that will grow with Miles and last for years to come. 

Before Miles was born, Carman and I talked about and dreamt up our approach to parenting and how we would merge our lifestyle and home with all of the new + fun things that come with parenting (i.e toys everywhere). This included having few, but purposeful and quality toys (and spoiler alert: lots of baskets to corral toys). 

 Beyond the fact that wooden toys are notoriously more beautiful and higher quality than their plastic counterparts - they are also better for your baby! 

Wooden toys encourage imagination + open ended play and they don’t contain the chemicals that most plastic toys are made with. Many plastic toys have chemicals that are linked to things like hormone disrupters, which is a huge reason to avoid them — especially because children learn by putting things in their mouths! (if you do buy plastic, make sure it says PVC free!)

bead maze, ball grasping toy, wooden rattle, pastel stacker (Miles' current fav toy), skwish, peace sign teether, school bus

I love that I’ve seen Miles grow with a lot of these toys since he was born and I love knowing we’ll be able to enjoy them with future babies as well.

Wooden toys can be more of an investment up front, but the same way you look at investing in quality clothes, home goods, etc you should look at toys for your child the same way (especially if you hope to have multiple!).

Think of it as an accumulated collection over time - between birthdays, Christmas, other gift giving times. The point isn’t to constantly get new toys or to have a million - but to slowly gather a collection of toys that are enjoyed and played with now and that will last for years to come. The end goal is to want better, not more (and to teach Miles that as well!). 

shape sorter, school bus

Wooden toys are wonderful and there is always a wooden substitute for a commonly used plastic toy - you just have to look! I also love to keep my eye out when we're in a new place for a locally made option rather than having a house full of cool things that I bought impulsively on the internet. (**when researching and shopping for wooden toys, make sure they’re either raw wood, sealed with a natural sealer like beeswax or coconut oil, and made with safe, non-toxic natural paint.)

SMALL SHOP WOODEN TOYS:

1. montessori bundle - a great starter bundle for the first 6mo (and beyond - babies love to revisit favorite toys)

2. stacking rings - the rings can start as a teether and when they're older, they'll use it as intended.

3. giraffe rolling toy - such a cute alternative to a car

4. heirloom rattle - a classic

5. wooden stacking rocks - we have these and Miles loves them!

6. heirloom wooden animals - these are so fun and perfect for learning, teething, open ended imagination etc. a little pricey, but your baby wont grow out of them. I have a set on Miles' wishlist.

7. classic block set - you can never go wrong with a classic block set. i love this one and we also have this one.

8. wooden cars - Miles loves wooden cars.

9. classic ring stacker - we have a tiny ring stacker (pictured above) - but Miles figured it out pretty early and its so easy for him now - I'm looking to get one a little bigger for a challenge!

10. shaker - Miles has had this toy since he was 3 months old and he still enjoys playing with it and shaking it. 

11. face puzzle - great for older babies and teaching about parts of the face!

12. wooden stacking toy - another version of a stacker - these could also work as blocks! 

some of our favorite wooden toy brands:

Grimm’s: more of an investment than other brands, but these are made to last and will grow with your kids for years. 

Plan Toys: one of our favorites! affordable, good quality and easy to find - Plan Toys is sold at Target, Amazon, etc.

Haba: We liked some of their smaller grasping toys when Miles was a little baby and Miles got their bead maze for his birthday. (shown in a picture above!)

Manhattan Toys: super cute stuff and a lot of great wooden + soft toy options. also affordable! 

Etsy: one of my favorite sources for handmade wooden toys! love supporting independent makers and there are so many wonderful options. I'm a big fan of everything from Heirloom Toys - they have great bundles that include all you need! 

Melissa and Doug: easily accessible and we’ve liked a few of their things. Miles has their music set and he loves it. 

Lovevery: an affordable subscription plan that sends toys based on your baby’s age and development! Our first play kit is on its way and I love fact that each toy has a purpose and is right on track with what he is interested in. This would be a great subscription to have to keep you from over-buying - meaning each toy gets played with! (and as a parent, my favorite part is the set of cards each kit comes with that gives you ideas on how to play with and engage your little one!)

YOU CAN SHOP MOST OF OUR FAVORITES ON MY AMAZON FAVS HERE. 

(I even have a section for older toddlers / kids where I save things we are interested in for Miles when he gets bigger!)

xo, 

SK

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on getting dressed while at home

CONTROVERSIAL OPINION - I’ve seen the memes about wearing jeans at home, but hear me out. 

whether you’re newly working from home or you’re a seasoned stay-at-home parent, these are weird times for all of us! while being home and living in your cozies is a welcome change for a lot of people, I’m making the case for getting dressed (almost) everyday. 

Getting dressed has been super helpful for us in our house to get our day started, separate day/night, keep some normalcy and all around feel less like a potato. The days are dragging out and my mood surrounding all of this uncertainty ebbs and flows from optimistic to the latter - but getting dressed and putting in a little effort has helped balance that out (and made my reflection less alarming when I casually pass by a mirror eating yet another snack).

so I’m sharing some of my go-to tips and outfits that I’ve been wearing on all my trips from the fridge to the couch (and afternoon walks!).

top: Mate The Label (similar), jeans

denim shirt, (i also like this one) jeans 

GO MONOCHROMATIC ~ with everything else there is to think about, keep it simple by going monochromatic. all denim, all cream, all white, all black etc. or non-neutrals, but lets be real, I don’t own those. 

mate the label top + bottoms (also love all oddbird for lounging)

LUX LEISURE WEAR ~ change out of your stained pjs and throw on a loungewear set that you’d be cool with the mail man seeing through the window (as you wave to the only real face you’ve seen other than your family) and one that makes you feel put together but still comfy. 

top (actually a sleep shirt so bonus for extra comfy), vintage levis (similar)

WRINKLY FABRICS WELCOME ~  long time linen lover (say that 5 times fast) over here! the wrinklier the better in my opinion, which is perfect because Lord knows no one is pulling an iron out during these times. 

vintage sweater from greece (similar here and here), jeans, tee

TRIED AND TRUE SWEATER ~ I don’t know about where you live, but the weather has been all over the place here - ranging from 80 and sunny to multiple chilly days of rain. for those days we call on our trusty, coziest, oversized sweater. pair with jeans (or leggings if you’re feeling the urge for elastic waistbands) and make some tea*. 

*and if you’re a mom like me, set your tea down somewhere while you entertain your boss, I mean child, and then discover it hours later when the mood has passed, take some sips of room temp / cold tea and move on with your day. 

BONUS TIP ~ throw on some hoops and wear your baby 

no matter what you're wearing during this time, the most important thing is that you're staying inside and staying safe. not just for yourself - but for others! so shift for mindset from "stuck" inside, to safe inside, wash your hands again and stop hoarding toilet paper and flour. 

xo, 

SK

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gift guide for mama

As a new mama myself, I had to share some of my favorite and most used items this year! Any new mama will love these and use them daily!


01. nursing pillow - this has been so much more than a nursing pillow for me. while I don't think a nursing pillow is a total necessity, we use this pillow every day with Miles. he sits up on this, it barricades him from rolling off the bed, etc. it's also the most stylish nursing pillow and its 100% organic so nothing nasty is coming into contact with you and your precious baby.
02. mate the label - I am not exaggerating when I say I LITERALLY wear something from Mate the Label every single day (I am wearing the remi thermal as I type this). organic cotton pieces made sustainably in LA - the dreamiest fits and colorways. you'll feel put together even when you're covered in milk/spit up/ who knows what (and you will be).
03. bra - I asked for another one of these Shop Arq bras for Christmas this year. also organic cotton and a great nursing bra without being a "nursing bra".
04. face oil - this plum face oil from Vitruvi is one of my favorites. I used it every day post-Miles to keep my tired skin looking alive and didn't have to worry if any got on him / near him. 100% clean. (you can use my code 'SAVANNAH' for 20% off your order!)
05. cleaning products - as a new mom, you're pretty paranoid about everything that comes into contact with your baby. they're fragile systems are sensitive and Branch Basics is the cleanest thing I've come across. this one product makes every cleaning product you need in your house and its nontoxic and 100% baby / everyone safe. it's all we use in my house and I'm working on converting my mom.  (watch Stink! on Netflix and follow Branch Basics on Instagram for more info on why you should toss the toxins that are in all of the products in your house!). gift the new mama in your life some Branch Basics and then offer to clean her house!
06. carry-all backpack - this unisex backpack from Storq is our everyday diaper bag! plenty of room for all the essentials while still being small enough to not bump everything in your vicinity. I love that it looks great on Carman and I and that it can eventually just be used as a regular backpack!
07. slippers - really self explanatory here. mama = at home = needs slippers = snuggly.
08. scrunchies - these silk scrunchies by Silk are the best! a little pricey but they're the only scrunchies that don't leave a crease in my hair - and when you have limited opportunities to shower / wash your hair / get ready for the day, you want to preserve it for as long as possible when you do.
09. Public Goods - you're not getting out to the store much in the early days - enter Public Goods. all the sustainable basics you need in one place! you can use my code "SAVJAYDE' for 25% off your first order!

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let's talk diapers

  

       

What was once not a hot topic of conversation in my world, I now find myself researching, talking, and laughing about. As parents your life starts to revolve around diapers. Did we pack enough? Did he blow out? Do we need to size up? Diaper rash? etc etc etc. There’s a lot that goes into finding the right diaper for your baby and right brand for the family!

Every diaper brand claims to be the perfect diaper and I can attest that no diaper is 100% perfect. Babies come in all different shapes and sizes and grow at different rates and that all changes how the diaper works for your individual baby! On top of that, as a parent you decide what matters to you in a diaper and in the brand on top of just its functionality.

While we try to be as low waste, nontoxic and adhere to a “slow lifestyle” in our household, we chose not to use cloth diapers for now (it was the one thing Carman wasn’t down for in the low waste department. wasn't down to wash poop. and I get it ha!). So with that being said, I set out to find the best “clean” diaper for Miles. 

Choosing a “clean” diaper helps reduce the risk of irritations, allergic reactions and exposure to harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. 

We’ve tried out quite a few diapers in the nontoxic market and have liked and disliked things about each one. We wanted a diaper made with safer materials - TCF (totally chlorine free), fragrance free, VOC free, phthalate free, paraben free among other things. 

Some of our favorites in the beginning were:

Parasol: super soft, TCF, adorable prints, but the shape and fit didn’t work for Miles.

Seventh Generation: easily available at store like Target, mostly clean but I did find them a little rough on his skin. 

Honest: well made, use mostly good ingredients, were absorbent and the fit was the best. We ended up sticking with Honest Diapers for a bit.

We were pretty happy with Honest until I found Miles peeing through his diaper almost every night. This happened at the same time as a growth spurt so I decided to look for a new brand instead of just sizing up. Back on the diaper hunt! 

ENTER COTERIE.

The new kid on the block in the diaper market and we couldn’t be more impressed. We’ve been using Coterie for almost two months now and we absolutely love them. First impressions: they are SO soft, inside and out. I mean these are truly the softest diapers I have ever felt. They are also impressively absorbent. With Miles sleeping longer stretches, he’s going through the night with one or less changes and NO MORE PEEING THROUGH HIS DIAPER !!! No more taking the sheets off the bed in the middle of the night like a zombie! They are made to wick moisture away from baby’s skin in 16 seconds, faster than any other diaper, which has been great in this humidity. They have stretchy panels on the side which help give a snug fit which is great for us, because even though Miles is getting bigger, his waist is still so tiny. 

Coterie diapers are free of fragrance, lotion, latex, rubber, dye, alcohol, heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, TCF, VOC’s, optical brighteners, animal testing and there are no harsh chemicals. I feel so good knowing these diapers are free from all of the nasties. They also are committed to making big strides in sustainability! They help offset the environmental impact of diapers that are going out into the world - helping you and other parents offset your carbon footprint re diapers! They also donate unused or returned diapers to families in need so no diaper is going to waste, which I love. 

There are no prints (something we ended up having fun with from other brands), I personally love the simple aesthetic these diapers have — there’s nothing cuter than a baby in a simple white diaper and the packaging aesthetic is also A+. I also love that via the website you can stock up on diapers in whatever amount fits your needs the best (1, 3 and 6 pack increments and the price per diaper gets cheaper in larger quantities)! Diapers range from Newborn to size 6 and their size finder helps recommend the perfect fit if you’re on the fence which I think is so helpful because I always go back and forth when trying a new brand. 

All in all, I couldn’t recommend Coterie more - Miles has had considerably less blowouts (still a few here and there, no diaper is perfect!), never pees through the diaper, and I really love how soft they are since he’s in a diaper all day and night. Not to mention how “clean” they are which is a big deal for me!

    

* this post is in partnership with Coterie but all opinions are my own! *

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Mother's Day gift guide

Its crazy to me that I am celebrating my first Mother’s Day as a mama to my sweet boy already! Our Miles has been with us for just over a month and I can’t imagine life without him. 

He is the sweetest little baby and I am forever grateful to be his mama. It’s not always easy - being a mama is a full time job - but it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had and I am proud to join the club of mama’s who are all working hard and loving these babes so well! 

So in honor of this special day and the special moms in your lives - I’m rounding up a few things on my wishlist for Mother’s day that I think any mom in your life would love! 

- Mama Necklace from Vrai and Oro : this special pendant necklace is a beautiful reminder of the new title “Mama” - something I don’t take for granted. It’s a limited time design by Vrai and Oro and they describe this necklace as “an empowering reminder of the unconditional love and relentless strength mothers bring to out lives”. As a mother myself, that description is humbling and as someone who has the most incredible mother, it couldn’t be more accurate. 14K gold with a round brilliant diamond - top quality for every day wear and an every day reminder!

- Anything from Able : this by women, for women brand has every staple a mama could want and the mission behind the brand is something every mama would want to support!

- The First 40 days : this book breaks down the importance and the need to slow down and care for your body in the first 40 days postpartum. It dives into different culture’s customs when it comes to caring for the mother during this precious time. It gives recipes, advice, etc. Every mother (or partner) will benefit from reading up on this! I got this book during my pregnancy and loved reading through how to care for myself during this time and looking at the recipes for healing! My current favorite recipe as I’m nearing the end of my first 40 days is the ginger fried rice! 

- Spa / Massage day at your local spa (for me, its Milk and Honey!): I don’t know any woman/mother/person who doesn’t want a day (or even hour) at the spa. best gift ever. 

- Mama gold band by Elisa Solomon: another pretty piece of Mama jewelry! this pretty little every day ring is the perfect gift for any mama in your life. A quality, solid gold piece you can wear every single day! 

- Storq kit bag : this cutie kit makes diaper changes a breeze with everything you need packed into one adorable pouch. diaper changes aren't glamorous  but spice it up with this adorable block printed changing mat and pouch! Definitely on my wishlist - I love it in the rust color!

- Storq Caftan dress: this dress was on my wishlist during pregnancy and it still is! My favorite thing about this Storq piece is that it goes beyond pregnancy and works perfectly for nursing once baby gets here. 

- Everlane Tread sneakers : to chase around that sweet baby in (ethical!) style + comfort. 

- Aesop body balm: because as a mom it’s hard to justify spending this much on something like this, but it’s a little luxury that she’ll enjoy! 

- Mama body stone by Kate Mcleod : this mama loves a good bath, so after that bath, gift your mama/wife/friend the gift of this all natural body stone. Perfect for moisturizing any and everything, including baby! It also comes in a cute reusable bamboo container!

- Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser: I’m so in love with the new collection of colors Vitruvi put out of their diffusers, and I think the mom in your life would be too. This is a practical luxurious gift that she’ll use every day and it benefits the whole family! (use 'vitruviXsavannah to save 20%!)

- Buffy Comforter: speaking of practical gifts! a new comforter to make what little sleep she’s getting count! Buffy just put out a new comforter designed for people who run hot! This temperature regulating comforter is made out of eucalyptus fibers and helps keep you cool in the night AND is hypoallergenic. As a new mom, you’re constantly running hot, whether its from hormones or holding that little space heater of a baby on your chest to soak up those snuggles - this is the answer to all those problems! 

Other ideas: anything Mate The Label, Caudalie, Valentia Skincare, Lively bras/undies, a new plant instead of flowers, etc! 

There are so many ways to show the moms in your life that you care - but a little quality time and words of appreciation go a long way (more than any gift!). So celebrate the moms in your life this Mother's Day and every day - after being a mom, I appreciate all the hard work the moms in my life have done even more now!

xx,

SK

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Hospital bag checklist: how to pack it, and what’s in it.

For some reason I can’t stop thinking about my hospital bag these days. Maybe it’s the fact that we only have a week left. Or maybe it’s just all a part of pregnancy and nesting and your brain hyper-focusing on everything else because you don’t have a lot in your control right now. 

Either way, I’ve found myself googling and asking other moms around me what they packed in their hospital bags, what’s necessary / not, what they wish they had and what they could have done without. 

The first step: the actual bag. 

Somehow I didn’t own a weekender bag all this time and I knew I didn’t want to bring a rolling bag as that would take up more room and tempt me to overpack it. We wanted something we could easily grab and go with. 

Enter: the Catalina Deluxe Weekender by Lo and Sons. This bag is the perfect size for any and all quick trips, including, but not limited to our trip to the hospital! This bag is lightweight and has a very convenient bottom compartment to store shoes, or easy access things (I’m going to pack baby stuff in the bottom!). It fits way more than you think it does which is great because I was able to pack for me, baby, and dad all in one bag. 

Next: packing the bag

As obsessive over the hospital bag as I have been, I really didn’t want to over pack it. I’ve tried to use my accumulative knowledge from friends and the internet to really nail down what we will and won’t need. But — it’s also our first kid, I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw in an extra thing or two just in case. 

For MAMA:

01. robe + nightgown - I’m packing my Coyuchi organic robe and a James Perse cotton dress to use as a nightgown. Both in black, both providing easy access for nursing and both good for when we have visitors and I want to feel a little ‘together’. 

02. pajama set - I love a good pj set and want to throw one in as an option in case it’s too cold for the dress or I need an extra change of clothes (because who knows what could happen). 

03. socks / slippers - I’ve been told a million times how cold your feet get at the hospital, even though I’ve been so hot this entire pregnancy, I’m packing a pair of non-slip socks to keep my toes warm.

04. toiletries - paring down my toiletries to the bare necessities. toothbrush / paste, face spritz, cleanser, moisturizer, chapstick, scrunchies, dry shampoo. and maybe throwing in my quick every day makeup which consists of: RMS un-coverup, a tinted balm and mascara to freshen up and give my face a little life for those first photos (but let’s be real, I’ll probably be makeup free with a bun on top of my head holding the sweetest boy ever and not caring one bit)!

05. nursing items -  reusable nursing pads, lanolin free salve and a nursing bra

06. going home outfit -  joggers, tee, sweatshirt combo! the weather has been so unpredictable, I’m throwing in the extra layer just in case it’s a little chilly that day. 

07. pillow - I’ve never been great at sleepovers, so bringing a comfort from home to help me relax is always a good idea. I hear you don’t get much sleep anyway, but I’m bringing my own pillow to help. 

FOR BABY:

01. carseat - you can’t take baby home without it! 

02. swaddle / blanket - bringing one of the swaddles we got from our shower to snuggle with baby and maybe a thicker quilted blanket just in case. 

03. socks - cutie little white organic socks 

04. kimono onesies / tops / leggings - all organic, all neutral and with built in mittens to avoid scratches. I’m throwing a couple of options in to see what works best and what he likes - baby clothes are tiny, there’s room! kimono styles seem like they will be easiest in the beginning and give space for the umbilical cord. 

05. going home outfit - a sweet organic footed onesie and a hat 

baby extras I’m considering: diaper cream + diapers - I know the hospital will provide both, but in case baby has extra sensitive skin like I do, I’m considering throwing in our all natural options for these things. We plan to use Honest and Parasol for diapers and Burt’s Bees all over ointment for any and everything.

FOR DAD:

01. comfy outfit - dad won’t need to change clothes as much as I will, but I want him to be comfy! 

02. bathing suit - weird, but I hear this is good to have in case he has to help me in the shower etc.

03. toiletries 

04. cash for extra snacks and vending machines 

EXTRAS:

important IDs and papers 

phone chargers + camera 

snacks 

re-useable water bottle

And that’s it! It’s all packed up in our Lo and Sons weekender and waiting by the door for whenever little man decides he’s ready to come. We’re so ready and waiting every day to rush out the door to meet him!

** this post is in partnership with Lo and Sons - this bag was gifted but all thoughts and opinions are my own **

xx,

SK

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The Nursery: Sneak Peek

We’re in the final count down! Our family is growing in just a few weeks and we can’t wait any longer! We are so ready to meet our boy. All of the laundry is done, his clothes are folded, we've 'nested' and we're ready to bring him home.

Here is a little sneak peak of the nursery — I’ll post a full reveal soon with all the final touches and links to sources, but we just love this sweet space so much and so many people have asked for photos -  I couldn’t wait to share! I find myself just wandering into this room, looking around and imagining what life is going to be like with him here. Only two weeks left!

xx,

SK

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MY BABY SHOWER(S)

I had my first shower in LA about a month ago, my second baby shower a week ago in TX and both of my showers were so much fun. Carman has been out of town so it was so nice to have something to look forward to while he’s gone and just enjoy celebrating, friends, food and Miles! 

my aunt HANDMADE this cake for my Texas shower

little 'M' for Miles cookies and treats covered the dessert table 

My first shower was thrown in Los Angeles by a group of my closest friends. They created a beautiful nature inspired shower inside at the last minute because LA surprised us with a downpour that morning. They brought the outside indoors with lots of greenery and natural wood accents resulting in a boho shower with indigo mud cloth accents for a pop of blue! 

 My second shower was in Texas and was thrown inside my parent's home (pictured above and below!) which made it super special. This shower was thrown by two of my cousins / best friends and my Aunts! They incorporated all of my favorite things, creating a neutral, natural and organic inspired shower that was absolutely stunning. They used lots of natural elements and textures like branches, baskets, and wood blocks for the decor. It was a beautiful and surprisingly sunny day with light pouring in from all angles of the house - such a special day! 

TX shower (pictured above):

In Texas, everyone wrote a special message to Miles that we'll read to him one day!

LA shower (pictured below):

My friends set up this super cute corner where all of the guests strung a strand of wooden beads to create a wall hanging for Miles’ room (and the branch they're hanging from was taken from a tree in one of my friend's backyards). It's the most special thing in his nursery, I'll cherish it forever! It's a little piece of so many women who love and have prayed over him and I know they'll continue to! He is such a loved little boy already. 

In Texas, we played this hilarious game where everyone had to cut a string to the length they thought my belly was - the person with the string perfectly fitting around my belly won a prize! 

my cousin + best friend who threw my TX shower! 

my sweet mama!

ME AND MY BOY

At both showers I felt so special, loved and surrounded by incredible women who already love our sweet boy so much. We spent both afternoons surrounded by good food, talking, laughing, playing games and ending with me opening presents to bring our son home to. We were truly blessed at both of these showers and I know I will cherish these days forever! 

Hope you enjoyed a little sneak peak into my baby showers! 

xx,

SK

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