Monthly Roundup: March Favorites
Well, we made it.
The end of Q1 2023.
On one hand, it feels like 2023 has been such a long year already; yet, it also feels like we just rang in the new year and I’m in disbelief that APRIL starts next Saturday.
I’ll be the first to admit that March isn’t usually the most exciting month. It’s technically still winter yet we’re itching for spring to make its arrival. There aren’t any exciting holidays to look forward to (unless you count my birthday 😉) so the month feels especially long.
However, there were a few things that made this month really memorable for me, so I’m excited to share this month’s roundup of a few favorites.
{ONE} AllyDayDreamer on Etsy
I received the cutest and most perfect package in the mail this month from AllyDayDreamer on Etsy. She sent me an adorable Delaware Sunset sticker, Pink Strawberry Drink earrings, and two custom Starbucks pens. The pens write so smoothly and are black ink, which I prefer over blue ink. I’m a sucker for adorable stationery and jewelry, especially when they’re coffee-inspired, so these are the perfect additions to my desk and wardrobe!
Ally makes custom pens, mugs, stickers, and more. I love her shop and featured her in my Blogmas Gift Guide for Coffee & Book Lovers back in December. She was so generous to offer a special code for Coffee With Keri readers, so use the code COFFEEWITHKERI to receive 10% off items in her Etsy shop! I know you’ll love her items just as much as I do.
{TWO} My 30th Birthday
I turned 30 this month, and I wrote all about my thoughts on this in last week’s blog post: 30, Flirty & Thriving.
My birthday week was a special one and included a few of my favorite things including a family dinner, a cake baked by Luke, a hot pink mani/pedi and free Starbucks (of course!), dinner and dessert at my favorite local Italian restaurant, a surprise flowers and balloon delivery from Luke, a birthday twin dinner with my friend Katie, shopping and visiting local bookstores with my Mom, and hanging with the happiest baby girl in all the land.
{THREE} Bloom Planners’ Poppy Meadow Vision Planner
I mentioned in my 10+ Things On My Mind This Week post that Bloom Planners launched their academic line recently. I love Bloom and if you’ve been here for a minute, you know I’ve used their Vision Planner for 5+ years now. I love the to-do list-style layout and the month-at-a-glance view to map out everything. I know we have a few more months until July, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I purchased the Poppy Meadow Blue Vision Planner for the 2023-2024 academic year and it’s SO cute. I asked you guys on Instagram which design to go with and Poppy Meadow won (Eucalyptus was a close 2nd).
{FOUR} Book Lovers Mug
I had to give this Book Lovers mug a shout out. I received it as a birthday gift from my parents and it’s perfect for, you guessed it, any book lover! It’s not only cute but it’s also dishwasher and microwave safe, which are HUGE bonuses in my opinion.
{FIVE} Vienna is 3 months old (AKA, my maternity leave is ending)
Where do I begin? Vi is 3 months old, which means 1) my newborn is suddenly an infant who sleeps for long stretches, smiles and giggles all the time, and is growing up before my very eyes, and 2) my maternity leave ends this week. These past 12 weeks have gone by SO quickly. I truly can’t believe we’re here already.
I had 0 expectations for what maternity leave would be like. I couldn’t wait for it, to spend time with my baby getting to know her, recovering myself, and finding our rhythm together. It hasn’t always been easy — I do not want to come off like this was a vacation, because it definitely was not — but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. During the first days at home, the end of March felt like an eternity away. Fast forward and those were the fastest 12 weeks of my life.
I’m so thankful for a job that allows me to work from home, family that’s close by, an amazing babysitter, and just the overall support system we have, especially as I prepare to start this next chapter of being a working mom. What a joy and privilege it has been to have these last few months to solely focus on my daughter. Here’s to the next chapter of figuring out how to “balance it all” (which doesn’t exist, but a girl can dream).