December Favourites
This was all set to be a November favourites post and somehow out of NOWHERE, we’re in December. Mid-December, one-week-til-Christmas-December! Arghhh. Time is flying which is great when your kids want that magical morning to arrive as fast as possible but not when you want to hold on to every day of brown-eyed gazes and double chins from your little babe but they are now pulling up and crawling and leaving a blessed trail of destruction. You can find October favourites here but for now, here are some updates and insights from this month so far.
The past few months have brought some incredibly painful days with a very close friend being in a critical condition in hospital following a road accident. Worship has been so needed to fill spaces of hopelessness and to lift my eyes. These three songs have been on repeat. This one, this one and this one. I’ve taken a few trips to Midhurst these past few months, a must visit for shops full of treasures, Cowdray Farm Shop and Cowdray ruins. I found a lovely shop there called Stuff &Co and came away with a few of these envelopes. I have since appointed one to each member of the family for artwork and special papers (not paperwork). You may have heard we have to move house again so decluttering and organisation has been necessary! I sold my beloved hallway mirror which we’ve had for maybe three years..think mirror in an antique medieval door vibes? It was so unique and something I’d picked up for free from FB marketplace but it’s been SO hard to move with us and store each house move so we decided to sell it in anticipation of this next move. We sold it for £110 (WIN) and I hope it is so well loved.
Books have been slower this month but they are still there in the background and I’m excited to get some time over Christmas to be more intentional. I’ve been dipping into ‘Help, Thanks, Wow’ a book by Anne Lamott on how to pray and ‘The Gentle Discipline Guide’ by Sarah Ockwell-Smith. I’l feedback when I’ve read more on both but essentially prayer is really those three words and okay to be when that’s all we feel like we can offer and on the first page of the discipline book I was humbled reading about whether I am expecting too much from my kids. Am I stopping for a moment before I react? Simple, but with the very broken nights I am finding myself quicker to respond in a way that I know is not the best for anyone and so taking time to once again get on their level, stay inquisitive and work it through with them…yes it takes time but SO worth it.
I’ve been collecting for the kids stockings slowly and intentionally over the past few months and have managed to get the majority of their gifts from vinted. It’s been higher in previous years but it still feels great to know I am not adding to the NUTS hype of Christmas. I find Heppy so unbelievably easy to buy for- everything cute, sparkly and sweet. She has rockahula ear muffs from vinted which were high on her hopes list, the new Atinuke Book (a favourite author in this house) (see below), secondhand pants, a usually forbidden candy cane and a maileg mouse with some accessories I found Secondhand. Moses has been solely vinted but when asked what he wanted this year he simply replied ‘money’. His lack of direction sometimes throws me but I know he will be chuffed with his £4 rocket which you stamp on to set it flying and his £1.50 retractable plastic spiderman. How are you getting on with gifts?
This month I went back to some work after a good chunk of time off with Lazarus and it’s been super fun to film alongside Joseph again and get creative. It’s always fun to work with brands who you already know and love and this month I was able to work with the amazing Fierce Nature. They have just released their new holiday bundle which is SO good you can get 10% off here or with SLOWHOME10. HOLOS is as wild as ever. We have now provided over 300 hours of paid work placements for survivors of human trafficking. Your purchase directly helps make that figure grow so if you are unsure what to buy a loved one this year I can recommend some kombucha or even a brew kit. They have been SO popular! You can find them here with 15% off using code OURSLOWHOME_!
A quick few new brands I’ve discovered: how stunning is this soap company and this homeware store.
I’ve come to the end of the mud/wtr i was drinking which I mentioned last month and while I have loved it, it has disappeared quickly and I cannot justify the refill costs so meanwhile dragonfly teas are keeping me happy. I absolutely love their turmeric blend and the vanilla roobois. I add a drop of cashew/oat milk usually which adds an extra edge. I’m also eyeing up this from cosmic dealer. Lavender cocoa? Yes please (although i don’t think i can have it whilst breastfeeding) but this is on my wishlist for Christmas which I’d love to try as an alternative to caffeine…chicory?! Have you heard of it? You can get 10% off with this link.
Anyway! Tell me some of your favourites from this month!
