Why You Should Always Grab Glass Jars at Thrift Stores & The Many Ways to Use Them

I know I keep saying that I'm in my thrifting era as if it's a new thing, but I've been a thrifter all my life. I can conjure memories of walking through the Salvation Army with my mom at young enough ages that I don't remember much else. And garage sales were a regular past-time through my childhood. I loved going to them with my Grandma and getting some Tim Horton's while we were out - collecting little treasures for no more than a few quarters. 

The things I look for and the places I hunt have changed over the years, and in all my phases I never used to look at any sort of glassware. Now it's one of my favorite things to find! Partially because it can be quite inexpensive while being either useful or gorgeous (or both!), but also because there's a lot of sweet vintage pieces and even some valuable surprises out there!

In my experience, you can expect to pay anywhere from $.25 to $10 for a piece - the first price most likely at a garage sale, the second at an antique store, and the thrift stores fall somewhere between. Depending on your goals, there's something affordable out there for basically every budget.

So, you might be wondering...

What Types of Things Should I Grab?

My thrifting motto is that if it gives you a little thrill when you see it, that's enough rationale. With the cost being so low, what real damage is a $.99 treat yourself? Especially if you're saving something (that potentially has its own history!) from a landfill and filling a need or want in your home. 

The thing about thrift stores is that they only have one of each gem (usually), and if it's pretty...it won't last. I sometimes see things hang around for a bit, but usually only if they're overpriced. If you love something and don't grab it right away - you might immediately miss your chance. Like...to the cart behind you, even.

I like to grab: 

• the large-sized mason jars (bonus points for the flip top and vintage ones)
• glass canisters that have air-tight lids
• old looking milk bottles
• intricate glass bottles
• unique milk glass (some of the vases are a dime a dozen so I usually pass on those - though they do come in handy for gifting flowers!)
• pretty vases, if they're something I don't already have shape/size/style wise
• kitschy holiday drinkware (because they're fun!)
• while this isn't actually glass: unique mugs. They're ceramic, obviously, but they're usually on shelves together and I'm a sucker for a mug. I'll only grab one for drinking if it's absolutely gorgeous (I just have too many), but sometimes one will scream "I'm a cute little vase!" or "I'm actually a planter!" at me and I'll get it for that.

Even when I put myself on a glassware buying ban, I'm such a sucker for a blue mason jar. I can't help it.

So, what should I do with these?

No joke: the possibilities are endless. There are so, so, SO many things around the house that need a container of some sort, and a secondhand glass piece is more affordable, sustainable, and beautiful than basically any other option out there. It's the trifecta of worthiness!!

I have a big list of the things I came up with off the top of my head, and some of them are quite specific because I plan to do them myself (and bought the perfect glassware for them, of course!) and I will come back to this post and link to the new posts I create as I get around to each one of those projects. Many are already in the works, so bookmark this and come back soon!

In the Kitchen:

• Pantry Organization: dry goods, small snacks, pasta
• Homemade Taco Seasoning (post coming soon!)
• Sourdough Starter Containers (post coming soon!)
• Refrigerator Pickles (post coming soon!)
• Homemade Vanilla Extract (post coming soon!)
• Dish Soap Dispenser (glass oil & vinegar containers are great for this)
• Homemade Jam
• Drinkware: cute vintage glasses, mason jars as glasses
• Homemade Salad Dressing Storage
• Spice/Herb Storage
• Leftovers
• Bacon Grease Storage (you can use it to cook with!)
• Meal Prep Containers

In the Bathroom:

• Makeup brush holder
• Qtip Storage
• Bobby Pin Storage
• Toothbrush Holder
• Hair tie holder
• Homemade sugar scrub container

Around the House:

• Votive Candle Holders (like in a mason jar, or other wide-mouthed glass container)
• Vases
• Loose Change Jar
• DIY Disinfecting Wipes (post coming soon!)
• Desk Pen Holder
• Sewing Notions Container (buttons, pins, thread)
• Homemade Candles
• Store Matches for Candles or Fireplaces
• Start Germinating Seeds in Them
• Catch Fireflies, obviously
• Make a TBR Jar for your Stack of Unread Books
• Water Jar for Rinsing Paint Brushes (or store them in a jar)

I could go on and on because...basically anything that needs to be stored can go in a thrifted glass jar! I'm trying to get away from plastics myself (not entirely - I just don't have the discipline for that, but in every easily feasible way), and I love that thrifted glass jars are less expensive and more unique than anything I could get at a department store or online.

Before I set you loose to hunt for glassware at the thrift stores, here's a quick price guide:

$.10 - $1 for a thrifted Mason jar

$.50 - $2 for a small jar with lid/flip top

$1 - $3 for a bigger jar or glass container

$.50 - $3 for vintage/older glassware

$.50 - $3 for a pretty vase

$1 - $4 for a lidded/flip top glass container
$.25 - $2 for a mug

Keep in mind that your location and the type of place you're shopping will change this a bit, but this is *about* what I pay. Never go above $5 unless you're at an antique store! There are few exceptions. $6 or $7 isn't awful (especially at Goodwill - they are far more expensive than other thrift stores or garage sales), but only pay that if you truly love it and it's in very, very good shape. Don't settle at that price!

I have a lot of projects involving glass jars on my to do list (haha), so I'll see you soon with some of them! Happy thrifting! xo

Here's a pin so you can come back and see the projects I use my glass pieces for!

7 New Summer Romance Books to Devour Over a Long Weekend

Admittedly, I've been awful at keeping up with reading this year. There's just so much happening, man!

But summer is coming, and I usually get a lot of pages under my belt with the kids off from school and a more flexible schedule. I'm keeping my TBR and my goals low, though, and limiting myself to the newest books that sound the most exciting.

You know - the ones that will make me dump all of my responsibilities and let the dishes pile up while I stay up way past my bedtime getting all twirled up in a sparkly romance.

Ya with me? Wanna start over this long weekend?

Here's what I'm eyeing for my summer reading:

all photos sourced from GoodReads, I don't own them obvs ;)

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

I don't even really need to know what this is about - all of Ali Hazelwood's sciencey infused romances with their broody love interests are so, so binge-able and delicious and I am here for it and alllll the way signed up for another helping. But what I know is this: the main character, Elsie, is a professor that needs a side hustle because we all know that educators get paid beans and it's a crime against humanity. So she part-times as a fake girlfriend and you know what...that's it, that's enough for me. Fake dating that will OBVIOUSLY turn real with someone grumpy and seemingly unreachable is all I need. Say less. Add to cart.

Available June 13, 2023

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

I read a book by Melissa Ferguson last summer that totally whisked me away, so she's been on my radar since then. This is her newest, and it sounds like so much fun - a social media influencer escapes to the middle of no where to outrun paparazzi and the media when her business ends up under scrutiny. Her entire life is different in this new arrangement, and of course there's a handsome rugged park ranger for her to feel all twirly about. Know what's wild? This is so similar to the plot of the story I'm writing for my newsletter (The Cozy Chronicle). I'm sending out a new chapter each Saturday (starting tomorrow, actually!) and it has a really similar vibe - girl who is used to luxury adjusting to the simple life and the mysterious, somewhat grumpy local handsome guy. What are the chances??? I just discovered this book existed yesterday, but now I'm reeeally excited to check it out!

Already available! Released May 16, 2023

Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder

I have a lot of guilty pleasures when it comes to romance novels - the fake dating turned real, friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers tropes get me every time despite their relentless predictability. But another one is celebrities and Hollywood. Maybe because it feels so frivolous and like such a stark escape from what normal life is like for me, but you can convince me to read basically anything that has a famous character. In this one, Lilah and Shane are actors on a hit TV show, and their characters are everyone's OTP. In real life, though, they don't get a long. So much so that Lilah left the show for a while to get away from Shane. Angsty tension on a television set? Yes, please. This is the kind of fun read that will engulf me and get me to binge away!

Available June 27, 2023

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monoghan

I haven't read anything by this author before, but this sounds like such an angsty dream of a summer story! Sam is thirty, and planning her wedding to her doctor of a fiancé. When she goes to look at a venue near her family's beach house, she runs into her ex, Wyatt - the one that broke her heart as a teenager. Despite her life feeling happy and on track, memories of her relationship with Wyatt flood her thoughts and bring up memories that she hadn't thought of in years. I'm not sure what else goes down, but this is sure sounding like it will end up in a "make a choice" scenario that could be as exciting as it is heartbreaking. Almost a hint of The Notebook vibes, yanno?

Available June 6, 2023

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren is (are) one (two) of my auto-read author(s). Man, that whole two people one name thing gets complicated, haha. Before this post, I haven't even looked to see what this one is about - it's just on the list automatically!

This book puts a previous side character from The Soulmate Equation (so good) at the front of the action this time around. Fizzy (short for Felicity) is a romance novelist that finds herself as the subject of a reality show about falling in love. There's a hunky filmmaker involved, and so...we know where this is going, and I'm super here for it. (Sounds like Hollywood and an "unexpected" pairing that didn't go according to plan to me! Delish.)

Already available! Released May 16, 2023

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

I've been looking forward to this One! I originally thought it was a sequel to Every Summer After (that was so good, btw - def read it!), but it doesn't seem to be. Fern is running a lakeside resort (already sounds like a perfect summer read!) and needs help. A somewhat mysterious man that once let her down after spending an intense 24 hours together nearly a decade ago steps up to help her, and it sounds like there's a big helping of drama and secrets wrapped up in everything they do. Hints of romantic vibes mixed with intrigue and an idyllic summer setting sound like a perfect formula for a warm weekend!

Already available! Released May 2, 2023

Happy Place by Emily Henry

This one is already on my nightstand, and I'm a couple of chapters in! The fact that I haven't entirely devoured it whole has everything to do with my overly ambitious calendar and nothing at all to do with the book - I'm SO excited for a slow moment to really dig into this one! Emily Henry is yet another auto-read author for me - her witty banter riddled romances are everything! In her newest book, the main character, Harriet, finds herself on vacation with her friends - and her ex-fiance (or is it ex-boyfriend? Now I can't remember!). Only their friends don't realize they're ex's...they never told them that they broke up! So they have to spend their time together faking it, and as I've already made abundantly clear....I love a good fake out and all the hijinks that come along with it. I can't wait to get more into this one!!!

Already available! Released April 25, 2023

So tell me: which one are you devouring first?? 

Or is there another that should be on this list that I missed? With the way my schedule is and my attention span being spread thinner and thinner by the day, these exciting, angsty stories are the only things capable of grabbing hold of me right now! 

Here's a pin so you can come back to this list all summer!

This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you! This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. It's seriously teeny-tiny, but costs you nothing extra (promise!) and every little bit helps me support my blog - I'm so grateful!! xo

The Allure of Lilacs: A Blossoming Journey into the Enchanting World of Lilacs

In gardens around the globe, there exists a flower that transcends time - captivating hearts with its delicate petals and intoxicating scent.

This is the lilac - a beloved bloom that has bewitched generations with its ethereal beauty and nostalgic allure. They won me over as a child, and have had a hold on my heart ever since! From taking home fluffy blooms from my Great-Grandma's house, to one of my best friends bringing me bunches of lilacs to scent our locker with in high school, to growing my own lilac bush in my yard as an adult, lilacs have brought me so much happiness over the years.

But you know what I've never done before? Researched them. Beyond their beauty and smell, I've never dug into the incredible details of all things lilac, and realized I should remedy that ASAP!

Embark on a fragrant journey through the origins, history, symbolism, and wonders of these enchanting blossoms with me! (And I'll show you allll the lilac spam from this year's yield!)

Origins and History

Lilacs, with their captivating beauty and intoxicating fragrance, trace their origins back to the ancient lands of Persia (modern-day Iran) and surrounding regions. From there, they began a journey - spreading their beauty and fragrance across continents and captivating the hearts of people worldwide.

Lilacs found their way from Persia to the gardens and courtyards of ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, who appreciated their beauty and even incorporated them into their culture. The Greeks associated lilacs with the nymph Syringa, and the name "syringa" eventually became a botanical name for lilacs.

In the 16th century, lilacs made their way to Europe, brought by Ottoman Turks who gifted the plants to European diplomats. Lilacs quickly gained popularity in the royal courts and gardens, particularly in France, where they became a symbol of love and beauty during the reign of King Louis XV. I just started reading a book about Floriography, so this was super interesting to learn!

Symbolism and Sentiment

Lilacs have long been associated with love and romance. They symbolize the passion and intensity of deep love, making them popular in wedding bouquets and romantic gestures. In the language of flowers (Floriography!), lilacs convey the message of love and affection.

The delicate, colorful blooms of lilacs are often associated with elegance and charm, as well as youth and innocence. The tender blooms and their sweet scent evoke a sense of purity and childlike wonder. They can represent the simplicity and joy of youth, reminding us to embrace our inner child and find happiness in the small pleasures of life.

Lilacs Today

Lilacs have specific growing requirements and are typically cultivated in regions with the right climate and soil conditions. Lilacs thrive in areas with distinct seasons, including cold winters and mild summers. Must be why you can find them all over Buffalo!

Lilacs are widely cultivated and appreciated in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and certain regions of Australia. They can be found in gardens, parks, and landscapes where the climate supports their growth.

In North America, lilacs are particularly popular and can be found in various states and provinces. The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is well-adapted to the climate of the northern United States and Canada. In Europe, lilacs have a long-standing presence, with countries like France, England, and the Netherlands known for their vibrant displays of lilac blooms during the spring season. Lilacs are also cultivated in parts of Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, where they hold cultural significance and are celebrated during festivals.

That Scent!

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time describing the scent of lilacs. It's so unique! There's almost a musky-ness to them, while also being bright and fresh. It's so intoxicating!

I tried to google some ways to describe the scent of lilacs, and what I found was: sweet and floral, with delicate notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, and a hint of spice.

And this: "Lilac has a facet reminiscent of lily of the valley and another of mimosa. It is reminiscent of pastel. Lilac is powdery, soft, creamy, cosmetic, romantic, almondy and green." (source)

Powdery, soft, creamy, romantic. Yes x4.

Cultivating Lilac Magic

I am no gardening expert, and when it comes to my lilacs...I honestly don't do much other than give them some water if it hasn't rained in a long time and wait for blooms to arrive in May. However, there are some things about growing lilacs that could potentially give you maximum lilac happiness.

Lilacs thrive in full sun, so it's advised that you choose a location in your yard that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Weirdly, though, I've had 3 lilac plants on my lot, and the only one that survived (and is thriving!) is one that is actually in partial shade. It gets plenty of sunlight, but shares real estate with a huge maple that sometimes creates a shady environment for it - though usually after peek blooming season.

And apparently - you're supposed to prune lilacs immediately after flowering, usually in late spring or early summer. Oops. I hate the process of pruning - it feels so destructive and dangerous! But the advice I found is to remove spent flowers by cutting just above the first set of leaves beneath the flower cluster. Regular pruning helps maintain the shape of the plant and encourages better flowering, so...guess I'll try it this year!

Blooming Bouquets

Similar to hydrangeas, lilacs don't like to hang out long once they're cut and put in a vase. But I did a little googling and found a few random tips for making them last a bit longer. First, cut your blooms early or late in the day - they are the most hydrated at this point and will have the best chance at survival. Then, wherever you place your bouquet, keep it away from fruit! This is such a strange tip, but certain fruits like apples, bananas, and melons produce a gas called ethylene and lilacs are sensitive to it. Being exposed to it will make them wilt! Who knew!! And finally, you can mist them with a spray bottle to make them happier. They apparently enjoy a little extra humidity.

Beyond the Vase: Lilacs Everywhere!

This is actually new to me - the most I've done with lilacs is bury my nose in them and stick them in a vase. But more and more (probably just because of the content I've been seeking lately), I see people using lilacs in all sorts of ways!

Did you know that lilacs are edible? I didn't. And...I'm weirdly afraid to try them? LOL I love them so much that I don't want to ruin in it by tasting them and not liking it or something. I know, I'm difficult. But people make all sorts of recipes with lilacs - sugar, simple syrups, cakes, teas, cocktails.

It's probably no surprise that you can make all sorts of fragrances and bath products with lilacs, but there's that, too. Things like sugar scrubs, simmer pots, potpourri, and bath bombs would all be amazing with lilacs in them!

There's endless ways to be creative with them, too. Beyond bouquets, you can press them to make art with, create a natural dye or water-color-like paint to paint with, glue them onto projects, or even use the blooms as a stamp or paint brush. And not to state the obvious, but a framed print of a lilac photo you took will never be ugly...just saying!

As we wrap up our lilac-scented journey, I'd love to know your associations with lilacs! Do they ignite memories for you, too? Do you grow your own? Have you ever done something unique or culinary with them??

For me, the beauty, the scent, the symbolism, and the joy of watching lilacs emerge each spring reminds me to embrace the magic that resides in the simplest moments. They encourage me to be intentional and thoughtful just by existing! 

PS - have you noticed that this blog is decorated with them? They have my heart! <3

Here are some of the resources I used to write this post if you want to learn more:

Farmer's Almanac
Upstate Gardener's Journal
Better Homes & Gardens

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Here's an image to pin in case you'd like to hang onto all of this lovely lilac info for later! <3

7 of THE Easiest Lazy Girl Dinner Ideas (Perfect for ADHD Parents!)

I have not been quiet about my disdain for all things meal planning, groceries, and endless dinner making. Whoopsie. I am trying to be a bit more intentional and mindful about the whole process, but one thing truly saving me is working in some of the fastest and easiest ideas ever.

We all know about tacos. And basically anything you can make out of ground meats goes fast. But what I find fascinating is the random combinations different households put together that I never would have thought of, and sometimes they're genius! Let's share those little nuggets, ya know? (Sometimes literal nuggets!)

So, look, these aren't pretty or gourmet or farm to table organic. But they're fast and easy, and that's really what we all need. You can make any of these in 30 minutes or less - some of them a lot less - and most of the time is just waiting for your oven to do the work. That's what I'm talking about.

Grab your menus, friends!

Grilled Chicken Breast, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli & Crescent Rolls

The hardest part is remembering to marinate your chicken, but...do that. About an hour before dinner, poke a few fork holes in your potatoes and pop them on a sheet pan at 375. Grill the chicken 20-30 mins before dinner, and when when you have 10-15 minutes to go, chop up your broccoli and steam it (I often take the extreme lazy route and use the microwave with a ceramic bowl), and pop your crescents in the oven. So, so simple.

Chicken Tender Sandwiches with Kettle Chips & Fruit

So simple, but good! Preheat your oven, get your choice of chicken tenders in there (I like antibiotic free chicken breast tenders), and cut up your choice of fruit while it cooks. When the chicken comes out, just place them on a bun with your fav toppings (I like pickles & Chick-fil-a sauce, but bbq sauce and slaw, or Franks & blue cheese are also amazing!), toss some kettle chips and fruit on your plate and you're done!

Rotisserie Chicken w/ Trader Joe's seasoning, Green Beans & Fruit

Even easier - grab a rotisserie from the grocery store and slice/shred it however you like. You can make it such an exciting thing with just a few shakes of basically any seasoning blend from Trader Joe's! I really like the Chili Lime, Elote, Citrus Garlic...browse their spice aisle and pick something that sounds exciting to you! Then just chop and steam your green beans, cup up your fruit, and it's dinner time.

Chicken Caesar Wrap & Fries

Yeah I know it's a lot of chicken...we eat mostly chicken here, but stick with me because this one is the ultimate in simplicity. Get a Caesar Salad kit from the store (2 if you're feeding a whole fam), a rotisserie chicken, and then just shred up your chicken and mix up your salad. Put some of each inside a tortilla and roll it up. It's really that easy! Stick a bag of frozen fries in the oven before you start putting these together, and then you've got it all set to plate up.

Turkey Kielbasa, Pierogies, Roasted Cauliflower & Kraut

This one might be a little bit regional, but we are v Polish in this fam, so these are staples. That doesn't mean we always have the good authentic stuff, though. I often just go for the inexpensive frozen pierogies because my kids will eat them and turkey kielbasa (I don't like pork, and turkey is better for you). I chop up and season some cauliflower for the oven about 20-30 mins before I cook the rest of dinner, then slice up the kielbasa and brown them on the same large skillet where I cook the pierogies in butter, toss some saurkraut in a sauce pan to warm up, and that's it. So yummy, so easy.

Turkey Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese, Broccoli & Fruit Salad

You can use regular hot dogs, of course, but again...I don't like pork, and turkey is better for you. I also picked having mac & cheese rather than a bun for my hot dog and a half, but you can make the opposite choice, of course! You can even cut and mix up the fruit salad a little while before dinner and have it chilling in the fridge for you.

Tropical Salmon Bowl (rice, roasted salmon, mango salsa)

This is the most work intensive one of the list, but I promise - still very easy! I like to start with putting my salmon in a roasting pan with some lemon juice, salt, and pepper so that it gives it a little bit of marinating time. Then I make my mango salsa by juicing and zesting a lime (you can make it even easier just using bottled lime juice - I have before) and mixing in some cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil to make a dressing. Then I cut up about 1/2 of a red pepper into small pieces, dice 1-2 mangos, and mix those in with the dressing. Right before dinner is ready, dice an avocado and add that to the salsa. Add a bit of butter to the top of the salmon and pop it into the oven to roast for 20-25 mins, make your rice on the stovetop (which also takes 20-25 mins), and that's it! When everything is done, just mix some of it all into a bowl and it's sooooo worth it! This is one of my favorite dinners, and also just at the threshold of easiness so it's a summer staple around here. I've also added steamed green beans to this before and it's super yummy!

Ugh, now I want that salmon bowl tonight but it's not what I have planned! Going on the menu for the week though, for sure.

Do you have any other insanely simple meal ideas for me? Sound off in the comments if you do - I need them!

Pin these ideas for future meal plans!

Have a Charming Fairytale Summer with a Cottagecore Bucket List

I don't know if it's the warmer weather and all the fresh blooms, or just the call of the thrift stores and this whack economy of ours, but I have been moving closer and closer to wanting to live a simpler life.

You might have noticed a shift here on the blog - all the chats of shopping secondhand, gardening, DIY, and flowers. It's been just the tip of the iceberg so far!

As we come up to summer and have more fresh produce, more outdoors time, and more free time in our schedules (though don't get me started on how impossibly long we have to wait for schools to wrap things up in our area), I'm trying to get organized so that I can make the most of these ambitions during a season when I have the most at my disposal. And it's all very cottagecore.

Maybe you're feeling this vibe, too? 

I made a list of some of the things I'd like to accomplish or try this summer and made it shareable in case you'd like to give them a shot. (Feel free to save it/print it/pin it!)

EDIT 5/21: I realized that depending on the screen you're viewing this post from, the image below might appear slightly blurry! Just in case that's happening for you, HERE is the link to the full image. Enjoy! xo

This list is so exciting to me! 

Some of the things I'd like to make from scratch this summer are taco seasoning, disinfecting wipes, and butter. I just think there's something special about the intentionality of those things, not to mention the economic and health benefits.

There are so many cottagecore books I'd like to read - some that are literally based on the concept, but others that just fit the tone. Some of them are:

The little book of Cottagecore by Emily Kent
Escape into Cottagecore by Ramona Jones
The Cottage Fairy Companion by Paola Merrill
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
The hands-on home by Erica Strauss
Floriography by Jessica Roux
The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz
The Naturally Beautiful Garden by Kathryn Bradley-Hole
The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch
Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai
American Cozy by Stephanie Pedersen 

And no, I will not be able to get through all of them (lol), so we'll see.

The nature loom idea is...going to be a bit of trial and error. But basically, you find some thick branches and attach them into a frame, add small, thin nails to the top and bottom branches, wrap string back and forth between them, and then try your hand at weaving. Who knows how this will go (or even what kind of string to use?? twine? baker's twine? yarn?) or what I will end up making, but it seems like so much fun!

I haven't yet settled on any embroidery projects, so we'll see, but I'm thinking something with wildflowers or strawberries, possibly.

And the nature collection - I want to get a basket (I probably have a perfect one from thrifting already), and fill it with the things we find in nature. Pinecones, cool stones, robins eggs, acorns, etc. It'll make such a sweet hygge collection for the house.

I also have a few local-to-me things I have on my personal list (like, see BPO perform at a park, visit The Frase Farm to pick flowers, and check out a really cute thrift/consignment shop I've heard a lot about lately!)

PS - I'm working on the sourdough starter already, and have a highlight bubble of my updates on Instagram if you're interested! I'm currently working on picking a name for her...I have some pretty good options that make me laugh...let me know if you have any good ones :)

This post contains affiliate links (the list of books!) at no cost to you. This means that if you purchase any of them, I may make a small commission. It's teeny tiny, but every little bit helps me support my blog! I appreciate you!! xo