Make Your Own Mala Beads with Satya Jewelry Plus the Propah Prosperity Project!

You all know I was super excited about the Make Your Own Mala Beads session at the W.E.L.L. Summit. I pretty much talked to anyone about it who would listen. Obviously, the breakout with Satya Jewelry was not a disappointment. I didn't know what to expect except to know that I would be, of course, making my own Mala Bracelet. I was far more satisfied with the overall experience than I thought I would be. Actually, satisfied is totally the wrong word, because I was inspired (more about that later!)... The session started with Satya herself telling us about her journey and where jewelry making has led her, her charitable efforts and what she's currently doing. To say that she is a positive creative force would be an understatement. She's already donated over a million dollars to charity in her career, which speaks for itself plus her jewelry is gorgeous and to be treasured. You can call me crushing over here and it would be accurate. In addition to learning about Satya and her brand, she led us in an interesting (new to me) meditation which was meant to center the mind but get the creative juices flowing. Then when actually making our bracelets, rather than rushing through the experience, we concentrated on breathing which each bead. This was kind of a struggle for me but also forces me to making each bead purposeful and important. I would love for Satya to bring one of her Mala Making events to Boston in the coming year, so I can experience what making a full mala necklace would be like because I think it would be an excellent exercise in centering, meditation, mindfulness, and bringing purpose to what I'm doing. If you're lucky enough to be close to one of her events, I would very much recommend it! But since, it doesn't look like I'll be able to partake any time soon, I was inspired to create a project at home, which I think will prove useful in keeping me as "on track" and "grounded" as I can be until this babay comes....

It's called the Propah Prosperity Project and today is Day One of me sharing (technically I started last week.). Here's the details, all most of which came to me during the Satya session. I worked out the rough edges when I got home from the WS and got to work on myself and spreading positivity. When Satya was talking, she mentioned making magic through mala beads and also the significance of an experience she had at an intensive yoga training years ago. She also mentioned the significance of 40 days in a lot of different journeys so I have decided to launch this project that combines the following: mindful meditation every day, making magic through mala and spreading positivity to those in my world.

For 40 days, I will make it a priority to wake up early or make the time at lunch to meditate and create with positive vibes. Taking the inspiration from my mala making session, I will meditate on my purpose for the day while also focusing on positive energy and the things that I am grateful for (which isn't always easy for me). Since I love the energy of "good vibes", I obviously want to share them with others, so for the 40 days of this practice, I will create a mala bracelet a day, focusing on what I love about them/how I appreciate them and send a note of positivity on to that specific person (and also literally using the USPS). I will also share with my readers about that person and in short what it is about them that I admire. My goal is to bring Prosperity, as in the state of good fortune, comfort and well-being to both myself and my people.

To start the project, I did mass produce the handmade note cards by whipping out my watercolors and creating a few different variations to use when writing my notes each day. That exercise in itself was a relaxing one that I hadn't done in awhile. Already it began with positive energy, am I right? I ordered some special beads that had meaning and also decided to incorporate ones that I have been collecting over the years from vintage vendors, flea markets and the like. I wanted these to be special and personal, so that if the recipient did want to use them as prayer beads or worry beads (more likely my use), they'd have something special to hold.

For Day One, I chose to honor Gianne of both The W.E.L.L. Summit and Organic Bath Co. It may seem obvious that since I was inspired by a session at the summit that it would make a lot of sense to start with Gianne. Not only was The W.E.L.L. Summit her brainchild but she has built both this event as well as her brand from the ground up with some sass, hustle and hard work. She has amazing ideas and a creative energy that I adore. I've only known Gianne a little less than two years (I think we physically met Summer of 2015?) but I think that it's been wonderful to get to know her and now call her a friend. Heck, I was able to give Gianne her bracelet in person, because we ate some dinner together, which as you know, is something that friends sometimes do. ;-) I've loved watching The W.E.L.L. Summit grow and am so excited to see what she has in store for us, wellness-wise. I used mainly Earth Jasper for Gianne. Known as the “Supreme Nurturer,” Jasper is a stone of grounding and stability, providing comfort and security, strength and healing. Its presence balances the aura to a level of wholeness and peace, and acts as a reminder that one is not here on the physical plane simply for oneself, but to bring joy and substance to others. Kind of perfect, right? 

Will you follow me along in this journey? I'd sure love the company!

W.E.L.L. Summit 2016

If you follow me on any of my channels, you'll know for sure that I attended the 2nd Annual W.E.L.L. Summit last weekend in New York City! You might also remember how much I gushed about last year's summit and get ready, this year is a lot of the same. Spending time with friends from last year excited me. Making new friends was a goal as well. There were things I was super excited to take part in (Making Mala sesh with Satya Jewelry) but there were sessions that I signed up for that I did not know what to expect, and that's what I love. Really taking stock of where I'm at personally and trying to find the right "track" when choosing what I'll spend time doing. I did not regret one step that I took, except maybe walking to the wrong room a couple times!

Despite the pouring rain and my "delicate" state, I made it in one piece to the Friday VIP lunch with Dig Inn and Steaz, which obviously did not disappoint. I was ready and open to receiving some great messages while also kabitzing with my "tribe"! The ever wonderful and exuberant Sara Divello made sure that we left the lunch with a great outlook on what we could do, because this isn't just a one chapter journey. We can be open to new experiences and people, we just have to let ourselves be. I love her positive attitude and it really set the "mood" for me to allow myself to be open to all that the W.E.L.L. Summit had to offer over the course of two days. It's the type of message you'll need to receive in order to really get the most out of your time with like-minded people.

The opening keynotes were awesome. There was a clean beauty panel as well one on Fair Trade (which were both spot on and thought provoking) but it was Dr Drew Ramsey, who was a complete surprise... but the best kind. He's the type of guy that you'd probably have a laugh with but is so super smart that you can't help but take what he's saying to heart and be encouraged to make changes. I bought his book, Eat Complete and have the goal to make out with him our family healthier, more well-rounded eaters, one meal at a time. He's also suuuuuuper cute, so that didn't hurt things one bit. ;-) He was my "new find" from the W.E.L.L. Summit, hands down.

The second day of the WS was chock full of sessions that it was literally hard to build my schedule. There were certain time slots where I had to flip a coin because I just couldn't decide on my own what would be best for the goals that I had in mind. What I chose ended up being perfect for me. Like I said, I don't regret one step I took. One of my favorite sessions from last year, the wonderful Sacred Beauty Salon with Rebecca Casciano, yet again did not disappoint. I love open discussions about how we view ourselves, what we can do to be more positive and what we can do to uplift one another. I was so blessed to connect with Khaki of Khaki's Bomb Balm in what was another great exercise that Rebecca put out to us. The W.E.L.L. Summit really is all about connecting with people and finding our similarities while celebrating our differences all in the pursuit of personal wellness. I think that making the most out of your time with your people includes taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether it's opening up in a session like Rebecca's or attending a Tea Time Chat solo, you really have to put yourself out there to discover more about yourself. I hit up said Tea Time Chat on my own but I had the opportunity to chat with a couple of different fabulous ladies about life and wellness all while looking silly with our Josh Rosebrook facial masks. It really was one of those things where, sure, I could have gone to bed early, because it had been a long day. Instead, I put myself out there and did what I went to NYC to do. (Shout out to Emily of True Moringa for taking a face mask selfie with me and Rishi Tea for giving me all the samples of Blueberry Hibiscus!)

I took some major inspiration from my two days away from the norm and hopping around NYC. You'll see some of it manifesting in the coming weeks because it's really my goal to take the positivity that I harnessed at The W.E.L.L. Summit and spread it around if at all possible. It's tough to keep on a "high" but I'm as determined as ever to keep it going.

Oh and also, sure, the WS swag is great too! Shout outs to Eco Diva Beauty, Organic Bath, Steaz, Rishi Tea, Thoughtfully Magazine , Navitas Naturals and the list goes on because a little swag is always worth mentioning; it's part of the fun isn't it? All this combined makes for one wonderful and worthwhile weekend spent away. I can't wait to gear up for next year, where I'm going to try to recruit family and friends to experience it all with me!

Follow along on the W.E.L.L. Summit Blog to keep up with all the people that are involved with the event, whether they're sponsors, speakers, attendees or even people like me; it truly is a community!  Their social media is a great place to keep updated as well, so be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Will I see you next year?

From Where I Stand- Hush Puppies Fall

Honestly, it's been hard for me to adjust to being pregnant this time around AND feeling "cool" because dude, I got big, fast and still have two months left to go. When I was welcomed to the Hush Puppies brunch earlier this month, I was totally stoked but admittedly felt a little out of place with all the local girls with their gorgeously put together ensembles. Here comes Mama with her blanket scarf! LOL but truly, once I started really getting the opportunity to style my Hush Puppies suede booties, I was "stepping" up my Fall fashion game without sacrificing the comfort that I so desperately need this Fall/Third Trimester. No matter where I have gone this busy October, I've really been able to work these booties into nearly every scenario and weather condition (even the rain, hello Worry Free Suede)!

We went shopping to pick out our Fall decor, mums, pumpkins and all the things we'd need to make our Home in New England, one that is festive for the Autumn colors and seasonal flare! We ventured out in the rain to run errands but I still looked cool! We hit the park and the library on a chilly Saturday morning and I was the "Bomb Mom". Headed to another blogger event, I wore these booties with a simple black dress from a local brand. I was pretty much able to work these booties into every aspect of my Fall life, as you can see. There's nothing like getting a pair of shoes that are super versatile for an on the go Mom who wants to look fashionable, for real.

You can find your very own Hush Puppies online, and check out their socials on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! Let me know what you pick!

Swap It Like It's Hot Fall 2016

It's Swap It Like It's Hot time mutha effaaaaahs! Can you tell that I love this? It's only my second time around (check out my first one here) but I was super stoked when I got that special email from Charlotte over at Ciburbanity. Sign me up, sistah.  I love a good excuse to craft and this is such a special situation, where there's the challenge of not getting to pick what you're going to create with! Here's the sitch: Everyone runs around and shops their favorite thrift store/ flea market/ yard sale. Once you’ve found a cart load of stuff for yourself (hypothetically), find a few items (spend no more than $10) that have real makeover potential. Pop in the mail and call it a day. Eagerly await your own goodies to arrive... and GO!

Karen of Copper Dot Interiors shipped me this go 'rounds goods! She picked out an orange mirror, a music box base (that still works and plays the theme from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel") and this cute little basket with yarn stitching. I had grand plans to make a hanging planter using just the base of the orange mirror and the basket but I'll be damned, whoever glued that mirror together really took pride in their work, because I couldn't for the life of me get that sucker apart without breaking it... sooooo change of plans. Where's that gold spray paint and painters tape when I need it?

OK new plan is to make a decorative raised tray using the mirror and music box base. I wanted to play a little with mixed metallics so grabbed some silver and dark gunmetal paints in addition to my gold spray paint. Snagged some wooden buttons from the craft store and some metallic thread and I was ready to begin my vision/ creative work in progress. I used a gun metal gray for the buttons and base and gold spray paint for the mirror. Once dried, I took some silver craft paint and light brushed both the buttons and the base to give it a more weathered look/feel.

With the help of a little E6000, I glued the base to the mirror and affixed the painted wood buttons around the top. Zig-zagging some metallic wire thread seemed like a good idea (and hid a little bit of my gluing mistakes)...I'm fairly pleased with the outcome and my love of a good can of spray paint has certainly been reaffirmed. The new addition fits nicely in our living room, right above where it looks like a toy factory exploded (not pictured). What do decor and design bloggers always say? You just have to clean up one corner to photograph? That's what I did folks. Check out the afters and let me know what you think!

So the Propah Toddlah and I took a trip to the Goodwill in NH (because it's super big and I wanted a selection, yo) and I was actually super handsy grabby when it came to picking out stuff for Thea of It's a Sweet Tea Life! I was actually getting inspiration when perusing, which is why I picked these items. Thea told me that at first, she was admittedly stumped with what to do with her new treasures but then, aren't we all?  I'm super excited to hop over there to see what she did; check out what I sent her below... I mean, couldn't you polish off some of this dust and make a go of it?

Check out the rest of the participants this week! I've loved seeing all the transformations from what one creative mind sends to another. It's really such a fun thing to take part in!

MONDAY

Ciburbanity

Windgate Lane

Vin'yet Etc.

Casa Watkins Living

One Mile Home Style

TUESDAY

Reinvented

ConfettiStyle

Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer

Addicted 2 DIY

Restoration Redoux

I Am a Homemaker

Maggie Overby Studios

PMQ For Two

WEDNESDAY

Two Thirty-Five Designs

58 Water Street

Create & Babble

Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Gourley Girl and Guy

The Charming Farmer

THURSDAY

This is our Bliss

Southern State of Mind

Two Purple Couches

My Life From Home

FRIDAY

Erin Spain

Copper Dot Interiors

Prim and Propah

Sweet Tea Refinishing

Eveys Creations

On Fern Avenue

Have you "hopped" around? What are your favorites?

JORD + Mr. Propah

Do you think I always blog just for myself? Not allllways. Sometimes, I like for the hubs to reap some of the benefits of the great blogging relationships that I have. When JORD offered us the opportunity to choose a super cool Wooden Wristwatch for my man, well, we didn't hesitate. He has been wearing the same watch for a few years now and I would love to see him accessorize a little more (a girl can dream, right?) and he actually took great interest in choosing his new and really unique men's watch (he went with the Delmar in Zebrawood and White Carbon). Is it wierd that I take such pride in him wearing it? Like, it's legit a really cool watch, really well made and comes in a totally awesome box that is perfect for gift giving (just sayin').

Sometimes it's hard feeling "cool" as a parent so we gotta take our chances to up the "hip game" whenever possible. That's not to say that our attempts always work but a Mom and Dad have got to try, you know what I'm saying? I'm thinking that I need to snag one of the women's watches so we can have coordinating wrist candy... and the Propah Toddlah has already expressed interest in wearing Dad's watch (a big Hell No for now)! We are now a JORD family, if there is such a thing. JORD believes that a watch is more than just about telling time but rather appreciating the time we have. Moments are bigger than minutes... and your watch should tell more than time. I love that.

Wooden Wristwatch

I'm really excited for you to check out what they've got going on. Their watches combine extremely excellent craftsmanship, modern design and quality that will last you years. You know that when you purchase (or WIN) a JORD watch, you're getting the best and wearing time well. You can catch up with JORD wood watches on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

Do you want to win $75 to shop for a JORD watch of your own (either Women of Mens?) Enter to win HERE! Psst. It's super easy to enter!

“This post was sponsored by JORD Wood Watches, The contest will close 11/6 at 11:59pm"

5 Reasons Why We Visit the Library

This past weekend, the Propah Toddlah and I stopped into our local library to set Mom up with a library card. Yeesh, I've been living in our town for three years now and have never stopped in to take advantage of one of the great things about living in a town like ours. After our Saturday visit, I left with a renewed (get it?) outlook on spending time in our local library with my growing family. I think it's important for a few very good reasons...

1. It's a Tradition. That alone isn't always the best reason to continue to do something but I can remember my Mom taking us to the library to pick out books. I would always borrow the same Shel Silverstein books of poetry. The pictures were funny and so were the rhymes. We loved reading them on long trips and even short one. One tradition I would like to break in regards to library books is returning them late.. I'm going to be the one to break that cycle!

2. We're Supporting Our Community. This seems like a given but I know that it took me forever to visit our local library so I'm willing to be there are more out there like me. When the librarian was breaking down how there are basically no late fees until you've basically had the book overdue for about 5 months, I knew that our town isn't trying to nickle and dime us, they're trying to provide a service and a community center where people can visit, learn and grow. My supporting our local libraries and parks departments and community centers, we are doing not just our towns a service but ourselves as well!

3. We're Keeping Our Minds Sharp, Duh. We read with Wesley all the time, or at least we try to. He loves books and it reminds me that I need to reignite my love of books as well. It's not so much that I don't read, I actually read a lot, but I don't sit down to enjoy a work of fiction, with a cup of coffee, uninterrupted by life's daily distractions. I can foresee us spending some quality Saturday hours logged at the library, enjoying some quiet time, reading and focusing on the learning and loving involved with reading.

4. Disconnecting. I mean this literally. We spend so much time as a digital culture, focused on our devices. I can already see my son asking for the phone or the ipad and while I'm not the type of mother who is like "Absolutely No Screentime For You!", I'm also concerned that he's going to grow up to be out of touch with some important things, like going out to experience life, instead of living it attached to his phone or tablet. Reading a good ol' fashioned book at the library after you spent a morning at the park is exactly what we need to do sometimes.

5. It's Inspirational. Sometimes, browsing Amazon isn't the best way to get inspiration. When you're in the stacks of the library's non-fiction section, you can find all sorts of cool, old and even out of print books that you might not have ever seen if you were browsing on the internet. I borrowed a whole slew of books to browse on my train rides this coming weekend. I'm especially excited about The Art of Tassel Making and plan to leave a project for my husband while I'm gone (build me a "warping board", directions in the book!)... You never know what you'll be inspired by if you have a little time to browse.

Do you frequent the local library? What's your favorite reason?

Satya Jewelry + The W.E.L.L. Summit 2016!

One week from today, I'm hopping on the train and headed to NYC to the 2nd Annual W.E.L.L. Summit! I'm pretty stoked because I had an amazing time last year, as you probably remember and this year, I've been fortunate enough to a Brand Ambassador for their team (YAY!) so have truly been getting involved! I love the community so I'm looking forward to seeing my friends again and of course, making new ones. We are all of like and open minds when it comes to attending the summit and I am so grateful for that!

As an ambassador, I have been keeping an eye on the brands that are involved, because as you may know, the W.E.L.L. Summit team are really doing a fantastic job curating only the most wonderful people to bring on board to support. One particular particpant is Satya Jewelry. I am pretty much SO stokes to meet them next week for a couple of reasons. #1 their jewelry is gorgeous and that's enough just to have that foundational crush on them! Satya Jewelry is created with simplicity, style and global consciousness. Semi-precious gemstones renowned for their ancient healing properties are combined with 18kt gold plate, sterling silver and sacred symbols to create jewelry that brings peace and hope to its wearers. Rooted in its mission to inspire each person’s own individual truth. Satya Jewelry is designed for your own individual journey. #2 Satya, the founder and creator, is leading a workshop which you KNOW that I signed up for! We will learn the sacred art of Mala making and how Malas are used in daily practice with meditation. Swoon... creating and making and spending time with people doing those things! I am excited to meet Satya, a philanthropist, yoga teacher and Reiki healer. She lives a lifestyle dedicated to giving back to the world community so I am sure she has some nuggets of wisdom to share with us! 

There are so many sessions that I am looking forward to taking part in. I know that I am going to learn a lot over that wellness weekend and cannot wait to share with you all that I experienced and those that I met. If you're in the NYC area, there are still a couple days to grab your W.E.L.L. Summit ticket and be spontaneously WELL!

Are you going to be at W.E.L.L. Summit? Be sure to say Hi! 

Apple+ Pumpkin Party: No Bake Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bites with Caramel Drizzle

Photo Credit: Domestikated Life

I meant to share some of this yumminess weeeeeeeeks ago but you know how life goes and those weeks just passed me right by! I was invited to a Apple and Pumpkin party and it was just as delicious as it sounds... I hit the road with the #PropahToddlah in tow to party down at Domestikate's house with my pumplin cream cheese bites ready to nosh and chat and have a great Sunday afternoon!

I'd made these No Bake Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bites before and they are certainly delicious but what I learned from this particular venture out is that when something needs to be chilled or even frozen, an hour plus in the car on a warm September day is probably not going to help. You live and you learn folks! I have altered this recipe a couple of times to my taste so I'm going to give you the low-down on what I make! I hear through the grapevine that they are gluten-free so, that's a plus if gluten makes you all itchy and irritable!

Bites Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese
½  cup pumpkin purée
6 tbsp  to 8 tbsp sweetener of choice (to taste and for coating-I used fancy white granulated sugar)
1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup crushed pecans (for light coating)

Caramel Drizzle:

1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of heavy cream (or half and half)
5 tbsp of butter
1 tbsp of vanilla extract
a dash of salt

Let's start with the bites themselves! Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a mixer, combine cream cheese, pumpkin puree, 4-6 tbsp of sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract until blended well. Pop the mixture in the freezer until firm enough to mold, about 30-45 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine crushed pecans and 4 tbsp of sugar for coating. Using a spoon, cookie scoop, or your hands, form bite sized balls using thepumpkin and cream cheese mixture. Roll each ball in the pecan mixture until lightly covered. Place on your baking sheet. Refreeze to keep for longer or pop in the fridge to firm them back up. Make sure they are in a covered container.

When ready to drizzle in caramel, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan on your stovetop. Over medium heat, whisk for about 5 minutes until all ingredients are combined. Let cool completely before lightly drizzling over completed (and cooled) bites. Caramel mixture can be stored in the fridge to form a thicker consistency to apply as well.

Serve for all your friends! Yum!

My Pumpkin bites aside there was ALL sorts of deliciousness. My personal favorite was Kate's Apple Gruyere Flatbread... I'm pretty sure that I ate half of what she made on my own (I blame the baby!). Plus Elizabeth made some amazing apple bunt cakes that were like too good to be true.

I loved spending time with Kate, Elizabeth, Jessica, Julie, Emily, Becky and my little buddy, eating and chatting the afternoon away. I can't wait to see what kind of themed party that Kate thinks up next! I love a good theme and I love a good party, and, well, you know that I love eating so it's pretty much always going to be my ideal afternoon.

Do you have any apple or pumpkin recipes that you always have to make each Fall?

Fall Into Luxury with The Paper Store + a Giveaway!

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend yet another awesome event with The Paper Store this time celebrating Fall Fashion! I'm a big fan of The Paper Store as you are probably aware, because I love me some Alex + Ani, Hallmark cards, Star Wars toys etcetera and so on... I'm stoked to be doing some guest posting on their blog and have some Fall posts lined up that I will surely keep you updated on. I love the store and the relationship that I've built with them. At their most recent event, they were highlighting their Fall line, dressing in luxury without the hefty price tag. They showed us all the great clothes, shoes and accessories that they're carrying for Fall. I brought my sister and we might have spent a lil' bit of money on some pretty cute things!

A lot of people don't realize that you can get more than just greeting cards or stationary at The Paper Store. They've got entire sections dedicated to jewelry, clothes, shoes, handbags and super cute accessories and none of them are going to break the bank. Pom pom hats, blanket scarves, gloves and more are currently stocked on their shelves for your shopping pleasure!

I had a great time and wish you could have all been there with me. The Paper Store feels the same way! Do you want to feel like a VIP antendee of a fabulous Fall into Luxury party with The Paper Store? They are really an amazing group of peeps who want to give three Prim and Propah readers the opportunity to win the same "swag bags" that we all took home from the amazing shopping evening. These aren't your regular ol' gift bags, these are legit full of awesome things you'll need when there is a chill in the air but you want to look fiiiiiine! The bag is worth over $100 so you're in for a treat!

What You'll Get: Pom Pom Keychain, $10, Oversized Geo Blanket Scarf, $25, Dogeared Let's Makeup Bag, $25, C.C. Faux Fur Pom Pom Beanie, $20, Limited Edition Water Lokai Bracelet, $20 + a coupon and fashion book from The Paper Store

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What You Need (and What You Don't) for Baby #2 (or 3 or 4 or 5)

*This post was sponsored by Diapers.com as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I'm due with number two, didn't you hear? Some days, it's kind of surreal. I'm like, keeping a toddler alive on the daily and that's a pretty much full time job. Then I feel the child within kick me with such furvor that I know I have another "spirited" child readying himself for arrival. HA! I'm in for it so I had better start preparing for those first few months where things are pretty hairy. Last time, I only had one child to worry about and it was calm and serene (for the most part) but this time around is going to be different. When Wes was born, my friend Jess bought me a Diapers.com gift card and said "they'll be your lifesaver, 2-day shipping FTW"... she was right. I really had no idea what I would need until I needed and it was daunting as a new mom to take my newborn out, especially after my husband went back to work and the family left.  Sure, people had bought me some of the baby necessities but I had way more onesies and blankies than I had diaper cream and nursing supplies. It's not sexy to gift nipple cream when you can buy a fancy swaddling cloth instead. Of course, everything was appreciated but when you're in the trenches, those basics are what keep you alive! OK, OK, I'm being a little dramatic but with the new baby coming, I need to stock up on what's going to be important to have on hand, especially in those early days where things are going to be touch and go.

I thought I would put together a "must-have" list for myself and those looking to get gifts for a family expecting their second, third, fourth etc child. I, myself, might just send Diapers.com gift cards to those who are far from me, but if I'm headed to visit a new addition or invited to a sprinkle, I know what I can stylishly put together for that family who appreciates all gifts but will most definitely appreciate the basics of baby rearing. I also know what I will get to have on hand for my new bundle of joy. Diapers.com is a great resource for all the brands that I've grown to love and are safe/non-toxic for my family. Check it...

So what am I stocking up on for #PropahBaby2? These are the things I KNOW that I'll need and I'll want to have on hand before baby arrives!

California Baby Calming Shampoo & Body Wash

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Sensitive Skin Baby Diapers

WaterWipes Baby Wipes

Weleda Baby Diaper Rash Cream

gDiapers gPants gPants Starter Kit

American Baby Company 100 % Organic Terry Washcloth Set

SheaMoisture Baby Head-to-Toe Ointment

Avent Soothie Pacifier 

OXO Tot Bottle Brush with Nipple Cleaner & Stand

Medela Breastmilk Bottle Set

Burt's Bees Hand Crème - Almond Milk

You can stock up too, not to worry! If you've never tried Diapers.com, you really should. They are as great a resource as you can find, one stop shopping for those hairy days in the beginning and on. First time buyers can get 20% off their first order: Enter code: TRYUSLOVEU and they even want you to come back again, your second purchase you can get 10% off ... it's really a great opportunity to try something new without any risk. You get all the product you know and love, at a discount, to your door in a matter of a day or so. Win-Win-Win.

What are your recommendations for "new baby necessities"?