Favorites
These are a few of my favorite things…a monthly-ish roundup what’s nourishing me at the moment.
Disclaimer: this page includes some affiliate links, and I will receive compensation if you buy the stuff I love at the links I include. Thank you for allowing me to attempt to support my family as a writer!
To Read
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out by Brennan Manning
Upon finishing this book I breathed out a huge sigh; it was just what my soul needed in these anxious times. The meditations at the end were the cherry on top, so make sure your copy includes 19 Mercies: A Spiritual Retreat!
I got my copy on Thrift Books and it came with a little scuff and kind of beat up, which seemed perfectly fitting to me due to the subject matter – but if you like shiny new things, here is the Amazon link.
Between Two Kingdoms By Suleika Jaouad
This was required reading for a recent writing class and I was entirely swept up in it, not only becoming enthralled by the author’s experiences, but by her ability to write about them with such clarity. This book is about major life interruptions, asking what happens when the life you want to return to no longer exists? An impressive, entertaining, and searching story that will stick with me. Buy it at Subtext books and they’ll ship it quick.
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
This is a spiritual memoir about “black dignity in a world made for whiteness”, a truth told in stories from the author’s life. I listened with solemn reverence for the opportunity to learn from such a strong woman of faith and powerful storyteller. Everyone should read this book.
Give it a listen on Audible, it’s read by the author (my fave!).
What If Jesus Was Serious? By Skye Jethani
These daily reflections left me more confident in understanding what it is Jesus wants from us. Spoiler alert: it’s more simple than we think!
Skye’s illustrations illuminate what Jesus said simply in his famous passage (The Sermon on the Mount) thousands of years ago, which we would be wise to learn from today.
I buy this book for so many people. Get a copy so we can talk about it!
To Try
BAR SOAP
We survived another brutal Minnesota winter with hardly any cracked or bleeding hands due to one big change: our family switched to bar soap! While it’s a bit messy, it’s made a huge difference. This is our favorite (made small batch in a kitchen in Toronto) when we can’t pick up our ACTUAL favorite, Mill City Soaps (sold at i like you, which is such a cute NE Minneapolis gift shop).
SOAR CBD
I used to have a discount code for you, but it expired – and yet somehow I’m still talking about SOAR CBD. Use it for stress or pain. Some people experience a reduction in anxiety. I frequently use their patches for sore muscles and cramps; each one contains 72 hours worth of CBD, time-released, which…is TMI about my showering frequency 😉
ONYX Candles
These hand-poured soy wax candles make anyone feel (and smell) like a rich lady! ONYX candles blend delightful scents (my favorite is Cabin Fever!) in several accessible sizes. They’re a women-owned small biz with a recycling program that lets you bring back empties for a refill at a reduced rate. Win for you, win for the environment, win for women in business – SHOP ONYX
The GirlCreative Community
A place online (and off social media) for women to connect, create, and collaborate!
This is the online platform we made for GirlCreative, and I’m proud of what we’ve created to encourage and support women in these isolating times. Every 10th membership funds a scholarship for a woman who wants to join but can’t afford it – and we already have a list of scholarship applicants. SIGN UP!
Truly Acai Your Boobies Boob Polish
Don’t forget to give your chest a thorough check for cancer every month (and your underarms, too — here’s a guide!). Boob Polish is a light and moisturizing product that smells so good, it creates a spa-like experience out of looking for lumps. Firm & tighten, claims the label; who knows, but it does help me remember my monthly self exams! Truly worth the money.