Enjoying the New Year

Visiting Mission San Juan Capistrano

A few weeks ago, we visited Mission San Juan Capistrano. The weather was beautiful and we had a lovely time wandering the gardens. The beautiful religious themes throughout were not hard to miss. From the narrow gate to paradise, the gardener so tenderly caring for the grounds, to the thorned bougainvillea that encircled a cross.

See my favorite photos below, shot in 35mm film.

Classic Books for Children

Classic children’s literature and fairy tales have an enduring appeal that transcends time through universal themes and moral depth. These timeless stories explore courage, friendship, and self-discovery, offering children a mirror to their own struggles and triumphs. Rich with imaginative worlds and memorable characters, they cultivate imagination and vocabulary, while intricate plots encourage patience and critical thinking. Classics and fairy tales also anchor readers in cultural heritage, linking them to shared stories that have shaped societal values. Whether through the magical realms of fantasy or the moral lessons of traditional tales, these stories provide a foundation for children to develop empathy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of storytelling. The following are a few that I have collected for my daughter:

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (1926)

The Hundred Acre Wood offers a timeless setting of pastoral England while characters model virtues such as compassion, honesty, and acceptance. Each adventure teaches children to navigate challenges through kindness and community, as seen in Pooh’s support for Eeyore or Piglet’s anxious yet brave moments.

Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M Barrie (1911)

Peter Pan and Wendy explores themes of imagination, traditional gender roles, courage, and the transition to adulthood. Barrie’s work reflects late-Victorian ideals of childhood as a "golden age" of innocence, a concept rooted in the era’s romanticization of youth as a pure, pre-labor phase of life. Neverland, a realm free from societal constraints, symbolizes an escape from the inevitability of growing into labor-driven adulthood, allowing the Darling children to indulge in perpetual play. However, Wendy’s return home and her eventual maturation emphasizes the necessity of embracing responsibility and familial bonds. 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)

Originally written as bedtime stories for Grahame’s son, The Wind in the Willows has endured as a celebration of nature, camaraderie, and the comforts of home. The idyllic English countryside mirrors Edwardian pastoral harmony, where characters Mole, Rat, and Badger teach children the virtues of loyalty, humility, respect for tradition, and stewardship of nature.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (1812)

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected folktales (Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, et cetera) across different regions of Germany in the early 19th century with the goal of preserving Germanic cultural heritage. Woven into the narratives are subtle moral lessons of bravery, kindness, and accountability that shaped societal values of the Victorian era. By highlighting consequences for negative behaviors and celebrating virtues, the Grimms’ stories transcend entertainment, becoming timeless tools for teaching ethical principles and fostering critical thought.

Andersen’s Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen (1911)

Unlike the Brothers Grimm Folklore, the fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen are original literary creations (Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid). Each story offers important moral lessons while inviting children into a whimsical new world. 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)

The Secret Garden follows Mary Lennox, a spoiled orphan sent to her uncle’s gloomy Yorkshire estate, where she discovers a hidden neglected garden. Through tending to the garden’s revival with the help of two friends, Mary undergoes a profound transformation from selfishness to empathy. The garden symbolizes nature’s healing power, paralleling the childrens’ physical and emotional renewal as they nurture it. Through The Secret Garden, Burnett critiques societal detachment from the natural world by framing the garden as a sanctuary where curiosity and care dissolve loneliness and entitlement. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

The tale of Bilbo Baggins was originally told as an oral bedtime story for Tolkien’s children. It soon evolved into a written manuscript in which Tolkien explored new literary ideas by blending Norse mythology with Slavic-inspired elements and medieval motifs. Having witnessed industrialization and horrors of WWI firsthand, Tolkien infused the tale with critiques of greed and a longing for pre-industrial simplicity. 

 

What is in my Toiletry Bag

This post contains gifts and affiliate links at no additional cost to you. 

Whenever I travel, I like to keep my skincare routine minimal but effective. In my Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set, are the following trust-worthy favorites:

Neuraé Harmonie Oil

This face oil is magic for the skin, leaving it soft and dewey. I use it morning and night after each wash and before moisturizer. 

Lesse Refining Cleanser

An easy-go to face wash that offers gentle exfoliation and deep hydration.

Lesse Bioactive Face Mask

If you only ever buy one face mask, this should be it. The Bioactive Mask repairs and strengthens the skin while making it feel fresh and clean.

Osea Blemish Balm

A key product in my skincare arsenal that prevents and treats breakouts. 

David’s Charcoal Toothpaste

A gentle and refreshing toothpaste that cleans and whitens. Made from natural ingredients and is fluoride free.

Dans Le Jardin

Time spent in the garden is time well-spent. My girl and me, shot on 35mm film.

Trovata Hildie Dress (similar here) and Artipoppe Ring Sling in Monogamy Maiden

Celebrating Mother's Day with Artifact Uprising

This post is a paid partnership and contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

Motherhood has been my greatest adventure and biggest joy. For my first Mother’s Day, I partnered with Artifact Uprising to create keepsakes of my favorite film photos. For myself, I chose the Everyday Photo Book and filled it with images from pregnancy up to my daughter’s six months of life. For my mother, now an Isoäiti, I had enlarged a photo of the three of us and chose the elegant walnut Banister Wood Frame, which was expertly printed, matted, and framed.

It’s incredible how fast time flies. These beautifully printed photos serve as a daily reminder of this life I’ve been given. And I appreciate the little moments of motherhood all the more.

For 15% off your order, use code TAYLORKRISTIINA15.

 

Maternity and Nursing Wear with Longevity

Much of traditional maternity wear is temporary and mass produced in synthetic fabrics. Designed and made to be worn for a few months, then forgotten. But I believe clothing should last. Which is why during my pregnancy I had refused to purchase marketed “maternity” wear. Rather, I invested classic pieces in natural fabrics with loose and expandable silhouettes. Button up cinch dresses, expandable waistbands, and oversized blouses gave me room to grow and shrink. 

Now that I’m nursing, I continue to wear the same pieces that carried me through pregnancy. I have been particularly fond of oversized tees and button ups as they are easy for quick nursing and provide enough coverage to remain modest if I forget my cover.

Shop my maternity style collection here.

Wearing Zii Ropa Nella Dress

Wearing Ozma of California All Day Pants

Wearing Trovata Hildie Dress (sold out, similar here)

 

My Favorite Baby Brands

This post contains gifts and affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

 

The Pehr Bunny Hop Quilted Blanket (similar here), Haba Kringelring Clutching Toy (Anja’s favorite!), and Nanchen Doll with Wooden Teether 

Anja and I soaked in the evening sun in the garden. We listened to the birds and watched the bees as the sky turned to dusk. She enjoyed her favorite toys and experienced for the first time the curious soft green spikes growing out from the soil.

It has been seven months since my daughter arrived earthside and in that time, we’ve discovered a lot of great brands that make our favorite products. Below is a small curated list of brands and websites that we love and enjoy. 

Photos shot on 35mm film.

TO WEAR:

Pehr 
Organic Zoo
Maisonette
Magnetic Me

TO PLAY:

Bella Luna Toys
The Mulberry Tree
The Nestling Co.
Toki Kids Mat – Receive 10% off your order at tokikids.com with this link.

TO CARE:

Motherlove –Receive 15% off your order with code TAYLORKRISTIINA15.
Summer Solace – Receive 10% off your order of $25 or more with code TAYLORKRISTIINA.
Ecoriginals – Receive $20 off select diaper packs with code TAYLORKRISTIINA

TO ACCESSORIZE:

LALO
Artipoppe

Anja is wearing the Pehr stripe bucket hat and Magnetic Me onesie (similar here)

Meadows Book Club: 2025 Reading List

I am a month late on releasing this year’s reading list – my apologies! It’s going to be a hectic year and truth be told, I am still catching up on the list from last year. For 2025 I just have three great novels for your consideration, all of which are relatively short. The Screwtape Letters will be the most philosophical of the bunch. Pro tip: prayerfully request wisdom before embarking on each chapter. Happy reading!

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

“Comrades!' he cried. 'You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.”

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

“He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.”

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (1942)

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts… Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.”

 

Pregnancy Project Throw Quilt

This handcrafted heirloom throw quilt was made for my daughter. The second quilt in my portfolio and I am thoroughly in love with how it turned out. The uneven stitches, off-center blocks, and the graphic backing created from the extra fabric. The entire quilting process has been a complete joy.

I have another “sunshine red and yellow” quilt that I am working on and it will be for sale (at this rate) towards the end of the year.

For now, baby quilts can be purchased in the shop - tonal cream with a pop of color in the hand-stitching.

Bespoke quilts handmade upon request.