Jadyn is officially moved back in for the summer! When we first started looking at houses, having a separate area for her was high on our list. With the age gap of the littles, it’s so nice for her to have her own space while she’s home from college for the summer. The previous owners converted the garage into a two-bedroom ADU unit, and it has a full kitchen with a full size fridge, mini appliances, and a living room. Over the summer we’ll source pieces to finish styling the living room and dining area, but getting her bedroom and bathroom finished before she came home was the top priority.

Her room was all white before with high ceilings, and it's a bit narrow with no closet, so we had to get creative with storage and making the room feel bigger. I wanted to surprise her with the styling but wanted to make sure she loved the wall color first, so I asked her which direction she was thinking and she said she wanted something light and airy…

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After months of slowly piecing it together, Poppy's room is finally finished, and I have so many feelings about it! If you followed along in Part 1 and Part 2 of What We've Done to the House So Far, you've already seen bits of the other rooms coming together, but today I'm sharing the full finished space for Poppy.

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The layouts they presented, our design inspo, and the plan we went with continues below for our Substack family. If you missed my other home updates, check them out here:

What We’ve Done to the House So Far Part 1

What We’ve Done to the House So Far Part 2

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When Elliott came along I felt like I had a pretty good handle on things. He was technically my third baby but my oldest was 17 at the time so I was really in the thick of it with two little ones and felt like I knew what I would actually use and what I wouldn't based on everything I learned with Poppy. This time around though it's a completely different feeling. I know which things are good to ignore and which things are worth implementing.

During this pregnancy we’ve had these small moments where Anthony or I would look at each other and go “wait, why are we still doing it this way?” One realization would lead to another and before we knew it we had a list of things we’re handling differently with this baby.

So here are seven things we used with Elliott that we’re either skipping or swapping this time around. The rest of the post continues below for my Substack family:

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I’ve been using Frida Baby and Frida Mom without giving it much thought for years. Then something came across my feed recently that I couldn’t unsee, and I haven’t been able to look at that brand the same way since. It sent me down a rabbit hole researching every product they make and everything I’d replace it with.

The full post is for my Substack family. Every swap, every link, and something I did after Elliott was born that I think is one of the most underrated things a new mom can do for herself in those first weeks postpartum:

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We’ve been chipping away at the house one room at a time and things are finally starting to feel like ours. If you missed it, here’s Part 1 where I shared our design inspiration and first purchases for the house.

A few plans changed along the way (including one decision I’m really glad we made before it was too late). Below I’m sharing room by room updates with photos, links to everything I used, and what’s coming next:

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We've been working on house projects, trying to complete one room before moving onto the next. So far we've focused on Elliott's and Poppy's rooms so we can get furniture set up and clothes organized. Here's the first post in this series where I talk about inspiration for the house design if you missed it. Below I'm sharing what we've done so far with links to everything I used:

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We’re getting the keys to our new house very soon, and I’ve been saving a lot of design inspiration. Instead of waiting until everything is finished, I thought it would be fun to share my ideas as they come together in real time. I’ve been testing paint samples, comparing wallpapers, and studying older English cottage interiors to get a better sense of what feels right for our home and lifestyle.

One thing I already decided is that there will be ZERO white walls. I love rooms with character, warmth, and color and that feel lived in. With that in mind, I’m leaning towards choosing palettes based on how the room should feel rather than what’s trending.

Inside this post I’m sharing what I’m leaning toward for each space, along with photos and notes that have helped me figure out the direction. I’m keeping the rest of this update for my Substack family. The full post continues below:

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BEAUTY:

I love this shampoo. I used to buy it at Erewhon, but since we moved, I was able to find it on Amazon. Just make sure you’re buying from the brand’s official shop and not a third-party seller, since products can sit around longer. The only thing I avoid buying on Amazon is supplements, I always get those straight from the brand’s actual website.

I also love this Versed face wash. I use it at night, and in the morning I just splash my face with water because I don’t want to over-wash and dry it out. That way, the bottle lasts me a long time. Once a week, I use this Argan oil on my hair. I’m trying to grow my hair a few inches, so taking care of my scalp and hair health is key.

These nail polish remover wipes are so convenient and acetone-free, and they actually work. I paint my nails at home sometimes, and the wipes are perfect for travel too. This dry shampoo is amazing as well. I use it sparingly, mostly when I need extra volume after a couple of days without washing. It never makes my hair sticky and keeps it looking fresh..

shampoo | cleanser | cuticle treatment | skin & hair oil | nail polish remover | dry shampoo

BATHROOM:

These magnesium flakes are something I use for the kids every night. I don’t take baths as often, but when I do, I use them too… especially after a tough workout or if I’m sore the next day. Magnesium can help relax muscles and promote calmness, which is why I like adding it to baths.

Traditional dental floss can sometimes contain PFAS, which are long-lasting chemicals linked to health concerns. This brand is PFAS-free, so it feels safer for everyday use. Bug bites have definitely been more of an issue since we moved to Tennessee, and I’ve always gotten them in tropical places like Hawaii. These bug bite patches are convenient and made with safe ingredients. They sometimes sell out online, so I like to stock up when I can.

I try to avoid acetaminophen because some research suggests it can interfere with the immune system’s natural fever response, which helps fight infections. That’s why I like Genexa cold remedies… they use cleaner ingredients and support symptom relief without turning off the immune response.

For the kids’ baths, I filter the water to reduce contaminants, and for toothpaste, we use a fluoride-free option for everyone. Some studies have suggested high fluoride exposure in childhood may affect IQ, but the evidence is mixed and mainly relates to areas with naturally high fluoride levels. Since we filter our water and prefer to limit fluoride, we choose toothpaste without it.

magnesium bath flakes | mint floss | bug bite patches | cold relief | bathtub water filter | risewell mineral toothpaste | boka fluoride-free toothpaste

LAUNDRY:

If you read the labels on traditional laundry detergents, you’ll notice there are so many unnecessary chemicals. I love the Attitude brand… it has a great rating on the EWG site, which ranks how clean and safe products are, so I usually stick with those for our laundry. The silk and wool wash is perfect for my silk pillowcases and wool throw blankets. We also skip dryer sheets because their fragrances can be really strong, and instead use 100% wool dryer balls, which are gentle and reusable.

stain remover | baby fabric softener | silk & wool detergent | laundry detergent | wool dryer balls

KITCHEN:

I prefer wood cutting boards because plastic ones can release microplastics over time, especially as they get scratched from knives. Beeswax wraps are a safe and reusable option for storing leftover fruit and other foods. This dish soap is one of my favorite clean brands… it’s effective but free of harsh chemicals commonly found in conventional soaps.

I avoid dishwasher pods in plastic whenever possible, since some studies show the plastic coating can potentially leach chemicals onto dishes. Instead, I use tablets without plastic coatings.

For frying, I use beef tallow, which has a high smoke point and is stable for cooking at high temperatures, making it ideal for our favorite sourdough donuts (recipe coming soon). To maintain our cast iron pans, we use a quality cast iron seasoning… it helps prevent rust and keeps the surface naturally non-stick.

When making tea, I avoid steeping conventional tea bags directly in hot water, since some bags contain trace amounts of microplastics or other compounds that can leach in. I either cut open the tea bag or use loose leaf tea and strain it. This method also works well for coffee, keeping it free from any plastic contact.

cutting board | bee’s wrap | dish soap | sponges | dishwasher detergent tablets | hand soap refill | beef tallow | seasoning oil | french press

KIDS/BABY:

These are the things I use for the kids for their food… shatterproof, non-plastic, and dishwasher safe, which makes life so much easier. When I was breastfeeding, I always stored milk in glass bottles instead of plastic bags. Glass just feels safer since it doesn’t have the chemicals that some plastics can have.

A stainless steel humidifier is a lifesaver when the kids have a cold, and I use a glass dropper for their supplements. We do vitamin C and zinc after breakfast every day, but I make sure to stick to the right doses for their ages. This rubber non-slip pad is perfect for bath time.

I try to avoid hand sanitizer because it can dry out their skin and mess with the natural microbiome. Instead, I use gentle soap wipes after the park or church class. They clean hands just like washing with soap, but are way easier on the go. And my kids LOVE bubbles…this brand has safe ingredients.

These wipes are 100% cotton and perfect for just about everything. Use them dry for little noses or wet as a gentle wipe…. they are super soft and kind to their skin. Same with this bath soap, it’s very gentle and comes highly rated on the EWG clean list, so I feel good using it every day.

stainless steel plates | stainless steel utensils | milk storage bottles | humidifier | ear/eye medicine dropper | stainless steel bowls | magic bubble solution | bath mat | hand wipes | cotton dry wipes | 3 in 1 soap

MISC:

Here are some miscellaneous items that didn’t fit neatly into other categories but are all things I love. The Prima bars are the cleanest protein bars I’ve found and my kids love them. Sprinkles without artificial flavoring and baking cups without bleach are little swaps that make a difference. I love using 100% beeswax taper candles… they look beautiful and burn clean.

These are the red light glasses I wear if I want to watch a movie after sunset at home. They help block blue light so it’s easier to fall asleep afterward. I switched back to wired headphones because wireless ones emit more EMF. It’s also kind of nostalgic and takes me back to my iPod days in the early 2000s. Many iPhone bands have been tested for PFAS, so wearing a cotton one like this is a safer swap than plastic or silicone.

This is the water bottle I use when I travel. It filters out contaminants and microplastics. We never drink from disposable plastic bottles, which can make travel tricky since they are everywhere, but this makes it easy to stay hydrated while avoiding plastic. I also use stainless steel straws instead of the plastic ones that come with my Stanley bottle.

protein bars | sprinkles | baking cups | tapered candles | headphones | blue light glasses | watch band | purifying waterbottle | metal straws

xx Brittany

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As I got off the phone with her today, she said her roommate setup a cute desk bookshelf that she just ordered, that’s something we didn’t think of beforehand but it added more height that gave more room for storage and areas to decorate.

She’s going to Lynn University in Boca Raton Florida and when we were moving her in I felt like I was on vacation, she’s down the street from the beach. Her inspo for decor was light blue and coastal feeling, with white accents because the dorm has wood furniture, it all came together so cute! Here’s everything she has for her dorm:

DORM DECOR/ORGANIZATION:

The bedskirt really elevated the space and covered all the storage underneath, so it looked really clean. She has the white headboard setup, but loved the wavy one also! I love the Avocado mattresses for organic cotton and they have a dorm (Twin XL) size mattress topper that we got in the 3 inch.

Another rule in the dorm was no candles with flame, but candle warmers are allowed, this one is so chic! We’re big on air purifiers at home and this one has a really good rating on the Oasis app, which shows me which air purifiers filter out the most particles, and for a small space this one was of the top ones:

This skirt is for their bathroom to cover the open storage underneath, it’s also a cute idea for a laundry area too and has self stick adhesive. She has the rolling cart below in white and has that in her bathroom as storage. Once she has her desk bookshelf setup she wanted to do a TikTok walkthrough so you can see the final version on her channel!

candle lamp warmer | dorm bed skirt | organic duvet cover | ledge | daily planner | sticky note set | 3-tier rolling cart | vanity mirror | stackable makeup organizer | overdoor accessory storage | 8-pocket purse file | wall mounted headboard | piped wall mounted headboard | cozy wedge pillow | sheet set | natural frame | scalloped wood frame | wavy over the door mirror | heavyweight picture hanging command strips | lumbar pillow | cream puff microfiber quilt | rattan table lamp | inkless portable printer | surge protector power strip | eco organic mattress topper | cabinet curtains | air purifier | clamshell table lamp | duvet insert | microbead table lamp | jewelry display box | hanging closet side sling shoe storage

I’m writing a post more in depth next week, with all the feelings of how it was moving her into college, still can’t believe she’s a college girl now!! I’m so excited for her!

xx Brittany

Poppy has been in her crib way too long… I initially wanted to switch it out last year- but before we moved she was in our bed for every nap and every night, so the crib just turned into a piece of furniture where all her stuffed animal dogs stayed. She was adamant that she needs to keeps all her dogs in there because that way Elliott can’t climb in and grab them, so it morphed into a stuffed-animal storage unit instead of a bed. I then gave up on the idea because our move to Tennessee was happening soon and I wanted her to feel like she had all the items of her old room in her new one.

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