// My Top 5 Uses for Witch Hazel

One thing we always have on hand at home is witch hazel. Holy moly you can use it for any and everything it seems! Natural Living Ideas explains witch hazel like this: "Witch hazel is a topical astringent derived from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana, the common or North American witch hazel shrub. Native Americans have long recognized the medicinal properties of witch hazel and used a decoction of the boiled plant parts to treat skin irritations and tumors." Chances are likely that if you're at all into natural remedies, you have a bottle on hand in your own medicine cabinet. I first started using witch hazel back when I was around 19 and getting tattooed on a very regular basis. I found that witch hazel helped relieve some of the swelling and burning that tattooing usually caused. It also helped take the "sting" out of the tender areas. Now I have a bevvy of uses for the witch hazel we keep in our house. Today I'm going to share my top 5 uses!

My Top 5 Uses for Witch Hazel

1. Diaper Rash! This totally has to be my number one because it is the most useful thing for when L gets a red bottom. In the past I would blot a paper towel or thin FST (flour sack towel) with witch hazel and apply it to his bottom to help ease the uncomfortable burn. Now I have the Dickinson's witch hazel towelettes that I keep stocked in his diaper bag. It really helps me when I need something on the go. If you have a kiddo in diapers, get some of these things! And thank me later ;)

2. Tattoo Relief! Like I mentioned in the paragraph above, I've used witch hazel for relief during and after tattoo appointments for years. Sometimes my skin just can't hang with the burning and swelling, so I'll wipe down the tattooed area with a witch hazel towelette and boom! Instant relief! I never go to a tattoo appointment without it. I don't always use it while I'm getting tattooed, but I think the reassurance that I have it handy really helps. It super comes in handy the morning after getting a new piece though!

3. Itch relief! Y'all Tennessee's state bird should seriously just be the mosquito. I'm not even joking. I love living here, but I hate the mosquitos. It's not uncommon for us to go sit on our deck for 10 or 15 minutes and then come back in with half a dozen or more new bites. We've tried so many different concoctions and potions to help ease the itch, but we always just dab the bite with witch hazel before bed. Usually by the time we wake up in the morning the swelling has gone down completely and there's no itch whatsoever. Just in time for us to go get 5 or 10 more... haha

4. Soothing Razor Burn! Okay, so maybe I don't use it for this purpose a ton (um hello, it's cold. I'm not shaving ha!) but I'll admit I have a habit of buying the cheap razors at the store. I'm not sure why, but that's where my hand gravitates while shopping haha! And cheap razors typically mean razor burn. If I don't cut off part of my leg and then bleed out, I'm usually nursing some bumps and irritations. (When will I learn?!?!) I do appreciate how witch hazel can soothe without burning though. Two thumbs way up.

5. Cure Under Eye Bags! Being a parent sometimes means forgoing sleep for a bit. And being a parent in the middle of juggling five businesses and a career shift also means skipping sleep. I've been feeling the effects of it lately and so has my face. This isn't actually something I've done for long - I didn't even know witch hazel could be used for this purpose. But ever since using these towelettes I've found so many new ways to implement witch hazel into my routine. My face thanks you, Dickinson's!

So how about those little yellow packages up there? Dickinson's says this about their witch hazel products: "Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel has been an all-natural American Beauty Favorite since 1866 (whoa!) and is the best kept beauty secret for radiant, selfie-ready skin." Alright, cool, yeah? Dickinson's definitely markets their witch hazel towelettes as beauty products, but you can see from above that there are so many ways to utilize them in your daily life. If you're looking for something to add to your beauty regime, you can use the witch hazel towelettes to help remove makeup and excess oil and dirt (without drying out your face!) You can get them in the towelette pack (think baby wipes!) or individually wrapped. I usually have a couple thrown in my purse or diaper bag for using on the run but I always keep the cleansing cloth pack in the diaper bag. It fits perfectly in with Linden's Boogie Wipes. That way I'm never without them when I need them.

You can get the pack of cloths for $6.99 and the On-The-Go towelettes for $5.99 at various retailers like Walgreens, Duane Reade, and even Walmart. Once you start using them you'll likely realize you've been missing out all this time haha! Seriously, you can use them for anything!

The vanity pack cleansing cloths come in a ready to use pack which is perfect for home or daily use. They don't leave behind any icky, sticky residue, and they're soap and fragrance free. (I totally expected a scent... Not sure why. I appreciate that they don't stink up the place haha) The towelettes are actually gentle spun lace cloths which are formulated with 100% natural witch hazel. Nothing weird or questionable in them. If you're keen on these, be sure to check out Dickinson's Facebook and Instagram for a special offer coming soon! They're on Twitter, too.

Do you have any handy uses for witch hazel? What else have I been missing out on?!

xo KB

This post is in partnership with Single Edition Media and Dickinson's. All thoughts, words and opinions are my own! As usual! 

// Lite Brite

I'm starting to find more ways to do my hair now that I don't have the added length and volume of my extensions, but I'm just not loving anything quite yet. It has been a total learning curve, y'all. My hair feels so thin and limp now, but I'm trying my best to give it some va va voom! I'm probably going to break down and get new extensions dyed to match because I miss having longer hair already. It's nice to have the option, you know? Anyway, while I didn't pay much mind to color coordination with my hair and outfit on our Lucky Ladd outing, I ended up loving how my hair, dress, and sling all coordinated in a fun, bright way. This outfit is my tried and true favorite for Autumn. I've worn it half a dozen times already, and it's typically my "go to" when I need something quick and easy. No fuss! This honey colored Eshakti dress is one of my favorites, too. I have it in cobalt blue as well, but I love the way the yellow fits so seamlessly into the season. When I was pregnant with Linden I started wearing this chambray shirt tied up like this and now I just can't stop. It makes the outfit feel a little more "down home" haha! My LuLu*s boots are in heavy rotation right now. But the true star of the show: this Vienna Springs silk ring sling (the color is called Barcelona!). Ah! I just love that thing! Linden is pretty content being worn on my back now, so this ring sling is always in our diaper bag. The double layer silk really helps make L feel weightless (and look at that chunk... he most definitely isn't!) So much love for this thing, seriously!

I bet I won't share another outfit post for like three weeks because I'll just be busy wearing this over and over and over again. Creature of habit, y'all! Do what works, right? haha Hope you're having a great week so far, friends!

xo KB

Eshakti dress (get $40 off here!)

Old Navy chambray shirt

LuLu*s boots

Vienna Springs sling in "Barcelona"

// Lucky Ladd Farms - Eagleville, Tennessee

We headed over to Lucky Ladd Farms a couple of weekends ago, and we spent an entire Sunday afternoon tromping around and having a fun, family day. Lucky Ladd Farms is up in Eagleville, Tennessee - about halfway between Franklin and Murfreesboro. Some of our good friends live down the road from it, so it was the perfect opportunity to do two things in one day. The boys had an absolute blast. You can totally tell how zonked Linden was in these photos. About halfway through he was tapped out so I tossed him on my back in my Vienna Springs ring sling and let him chill while Toby ran around. We took Linden's mini cooper with us because we knew he'd be more likely to stay put than if we brought him in his stroller. So many kids climbed into his car while he was out and about. I'm pretty sure we had a small train of children following us at one point and then taking turns in his car when we were chasing him. It was hilariously adorable. (I'm telling y'all - best $100 spent EVER!) I was honestly pretty impressed with Mike's ability to drive that far and enjoy a day at the pumpkin patch because he had been awake for over 24 hours, and had just come home from a 12 hour night shift. He's kind of Superdad to us. Anyway, we had an absolute blast, and these photos speak for themselves. It's so fun getting to do these things together. Also, can I just say that those boys of mine are absolutely precious (!!!) in their rain boots?! I can't wait to go puddle jumping with them.

xo KB

Toby's wearing:

Old Navy tee

H&M shorts

Target vest

Stonz rain boots

Linden's wearing:

Baby Truth tee

H&M bibdana

Handsome Pants leggings

Stonz rain boots

// Things I Love Thursday v.241

♥ this! i love this so much! ♥






♥ these photos by emile hussell ♥

♥ this is the best thing ever. #feelthebern ♥

♥ this gorgeous, badass babe just signed to bridge models! ♥

♥ this powerful statement ♥

♥ this is totally my attitude some days #noshame ♥

♥ these new collections: cupcakes and cashmere, free people, canada goose ♥

♥ this would be the best camping trip ♥

♥ this piece on early feminism in the philippines ♥

♥ this embroidery ♥

// 21 insanely creative Halloween costumes for you and your friends.

// Have you heard of Bullet Journaling? I love the simple concept!

// Are you following me on Pinterest and Instagram? Leave your links below!

// Karen Walker's new "Poolside" collection just launched and I am in LOVE. Where were these fun glue sunglasses earlier this summer?!

// Speaking of sunglasses, I recently signed up for DITTO's Endless Eyewear subscription and it is the bomb dot freaking com. You can basically "rent" designer sunglasses. Talk about perfect for a vacation, style posts, photoshoots, etc. I'm wearing Karen Walker this week ha! (If you want to try it out, you can get your first month free with the code KAELAHBEE)

// 45 adorable toddler Halloween costumes.

// My wife's postpartum body is beautiful.

// This Harry Potter stop-motion short film builds Hogwarts from the pages of the book. WHOA!

// ShopBop's huge Friends and Family sale is happening RIGHT NOW! But it ends tonight at midnight (Eastern Time!) so you need to act fast. Grab anything on the site and use the code: INTHEFAM25 (see here for a list of exclusions)

// 18 very sweary British words you need to be using right now.

// Wishlist Wears: this dress is inspired by the northern lights // love this dress too! // this turquoise necklace // these laurel hair pins // holy moly this is my dream dress // this tote has a message we all need to hear // i am obsessed with this lilac bag // teal lace for the win! //

// Photographer removes phones from his images to show how addicted we've become.

// 35 ideas to turn your baby carrier into a great Halloween costume.

What are you loving this week?

xo KB

// White After Labor Day

Because rules were made to be broken. Or something like that. This outfit has pretty much been my style staple since the beginning of May. As soon as the weather broke, I was donning this white eyelet dress (it's on sale!) and printed kimono. This was basically the only outfit I wore in Mexico. It's just so simple and care-free. I realize it's now October and I'll soon have to retire this pretty-short dress, but I have no shame in wearing it out for the time being! I picked up the dress at Old Navy back in the Spring, and I bought it in navy, too. It's such a great babydoll type dress. My only complaint is that the sleeves and waist are nowhere near proportional. I'm wearing a large here, but the medium actually fit way better everywhere but the arms. Even the arms on the large are tight. Then again I'm not exactly proportional there, either. Old Navy's sizing can sometimes be a bit weird in their dresses, but it's usually worth the extra effort because they're inexpensive and pretty cute. The kimono was scored at Target in the Spring, too. I love the watercolor-type pattern, and it made for the perfect cover up in Mexico. I like how it adds a bit of length to this outfit; that way I don't feel self conscious when I'm chasing Linden around. The boots are some of my favorites from LuLu*s several years ago. I love how they jingle when I walk haha! The necklace is a gorgeous handmade piece from Natalie at Bright Star and Buffalo. I get so many compliments when I wear it out and about. I love that it matches my hair now, too! So many good things to say about it. The grey felt hat was a recent purchase from Target. I've never been a hat person, but I'm finding myself drawn to them more lately. Maybe all this change has me going a bit kooky?!

Thanks for all of the kind words on yesterday's blog post and on social media, too! It was such a treat to read all of your congratulations and comments. Some of you may have noticed I've been a wee bit slow on the freelance side of things lately. I've had a lot of design projects that have sort of stretched out, so I'm trying to finally finish all of those up. I've also taken a bit of a break from sign painting 24/7. Now it's just more like 12/7 haha! I'm gearing up to do one big #KBsigns sale before the hoildays, and then after I finish the few design projects I've contracted lately I'll be putting a tentative hold on everything. I really want to make sure I'm able to ease into Music City Doulas and the holidays without too much stress and commotion. I've sort of burnt myself out on a lot of freelance stuff lately, so I really do need to reprioritize. I've also had so many things happen outside of the internet and my freelance work lately - Life is getting in the way all over the place! Of course I'm always so so incredibly appreciative of my clients' patience. I just think a little vacay to recharge is in order.

Currently I'm doing something I didn't think I'd do for a long, long time: I'm hunting for a reliable and consistent babysitter / childcare provider. Since doula work can be all over the place in terms of hours and all that jazz, a traditional daycare isn't really an option. I have so many thoughts and concerns about all of it, and honestly it just makes me nervous! I've never willingly left Linden in the care of someone who isn't either a grandparent or our neighbor, Amy, so it's a whole new world for me. Any advice to help me get over the hesitation? Or suggestions on where to look for a reputable person? I'm thinking about trying Care.com since I've heard good things, but I'll take any recommendations you can give!

xo KB

Old Navy dress (currently 50% off!)
Target kimono
LuLu*s boots
Target hat
Bright Star and Buffalo 'Speak the Truth Mala' necklace (c/o)