August Notes: Little Joys, Thoughtful Finds & Everyday Favorites
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
A few things we loved this month — from family favorites to simple swaps that have become permanent parts of our home.
Some months are filled with big milestones, and other months are made up of the little things that make everyday life sweeter. August was a mix of preparing for baby #3, soaking up the last bits of summer, spending extra time together as a family, and finding simple things that made our routines just a little better.
Some of these finds were just fun for the month, but others have already become permanent changes in our home that we are truly loving.
Here are a few things we loved in August.
The Brain Quest cards were such a nostalgic find for me because I remember loving them as a kid. I wanted to add a little extra learning into the end of summer, but I didn’t want it to feel like “school work” before the school year even started.
These have been such a fun addition to our routine. My daughter thinks they are more like a game than learning, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
They are also incredibly easy to bring along when traveling or waiting somewhere because they take up almost no space. A simple activity that keeps little minds engaged without needing screens — definitely a win in my book.
Toy Story Favorites: A Childhood Classic Revisited
We have been completely obsessed with watching all five Toy Story movies on Amazon Prime this summer.
My kids have had them on repeat, and honestly, I love that they’re enjoying something I grew up with too. We decided to surprise them with these ragdoll pull-string Jessie and Woody dolls, and they have genuinely not put them down.
They have become their little companions everywhere we go, and it’s been so sweet watching them recreate scenes and use their imaginations with characters that have such a nostalgic place in my own childhood.
I finally decided to try Maldon flaky salt this month, and I completely understand the hype now.
It has officially become a permanent staple in our kitchen.
I love that you can use it a few different ways — crumble it between your fingers to make it finer, or leave the flakes intact for that extra little burst of flavor on top of food.
It’s such a simple ingredient, but it really does elevate everyday meals. Sometimes the smallest swaps make the biggest difference.
Another kitchen favorite we’ve been loving are these refrigerated Hail Merry almond butter cups.
I’m always looking for treats made with simple ingredients, and these are such a delicious option when you want something sweet without reaching for something overly processed.
They feel like a little indulgence, but they fit really well into the way we’re trying to eat as a family — simple, nourishing ingredients while still enjoying the fun foods too.
We have always loved our larger YETI tumblers, but I wanted something smaller that was easy to throw into cup holders and practical enough for everyday use around the house.
Enter the 16 oz YETI Ramblers.
I bought everyone their own color, and it has honestly solved a very funny but very real problem in our house — no more arguing over whose cup belongs to who.
If you have kids, you already know how something as simple as a cup can somehow become a major household debate. 😂
I highly recommend these if you have little ones, or even if you and your partner are constantly accidentally stealing each other’s cups.
In the beauty department, I have been loving Dazzle Dry nail polish.
I usually get a manicure about once a month, and this has become my polish of choice. What initially drew me to Dazzle Dry was that it is a more health-conscious alternative to traditional nail polish while still giving that long-lasting, salon-quality look.
I love that it is a system designed to last without needing UV curing like gel polish, and it has been a great option for me as I continue trying to make more intentional choices in the products we use.
I loved it so much that I decided to purchase the mini kit so my daughter and I could paint our nails at home between manicures.
My favorite neutral shade right now is Prima Ballerina, and it comes in the mini kit linked below.
DIY Essential Oil Perfume: A Simple Homemade Scent
I have never been a huge fragrance person, especially as I’ve become more conscious about the products I bring into our home.
This month, I decided to experiment with making my own essential oil rollerball perfume, and I was honestly shocked by how much I loved it.
I purchased empty essential oil roller bottles, a carrier oil, lavender essential oil, and fresh vanilla beans.
My simple recipe:
Fill the roller bottle about ¾ full with your carrier oil
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil
Scrape half of a vanilla bean pod and funnel it into the bottle
Shake well and let it sit for a few days
The longer it sits, the better it smells.
The funny part? The whole family has been using it. 😂
I definitely want to experiment with more combinations and create some new seasonal scents.
A Small Personal Swap: Our Deodorant Alternative
This one may be a little unconventional, but I always want to share what we are personally trying in our home.
We actually no longer use traditional deodorant. Instead, we have been using fresh lemon as a personal choice.
Before anyone panics — this is definitely a “do your own research and decide what works for you” situation. Also, do not use lemon after shaving because it can irritate your skin.
This is simply something that has worked well for us, and I’m always experimenting with ways to simplify the products we use.
The last favorite on my August list is a book I found during my third pregnancy: Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.
I cannot believe I had never come across this book before.
Every pregnancy I usually find myself reading something new, and this one has been such an informative read. It is packed with research and practical information about nutrition during pregnancy.
I would honestly recommend this book as a gift for someone who is trying to conceive or expecting a baby. I’m so glad I found it during this pregnancy.
Monthly Notes
I’m planning to continue sharing these monthly notes because I am always searching for new ways to live more intentionally, create a healthier home, and find things that genuinely make life better for our family.
These are the things we are actually using, loving, and bringing into our everyday routines.
My August Notes Favorites 🤎
The things we loved, used, and incorporated into our everyday routines this month.
Kids + Family
Kitchen Favorites
Beauty + Self Care
Pregnancy + Motherhood
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