Category: My Favorite Products

Embrace Cottagecore: A Return to Simple Living

by Mom by Design
A rustic kitchen shelf displaying jars of pasta, sugar, and flour, alongside a coffee maker, a plant in a terracotta pot, and a wire basket with utensils. Below, a yellow cabinet holds books, bowls, glasses, and dishes, complemented by a patterned wallpaper.

I wouldn’t say I’m a “trendy” person. I’m not really a fan of the word. It makes me feel like whatever I’m liking at the moment will be gone soon and what a waste of time and money right?

While “Cottagecore” might be a trending hashtag on social media and considered a “style” nowadays, it’s the sentiment behind the trend that I’m really onboard with and have always been prone to. This idea of getting back to a simple, slow-paced lifestyle. Focusing on the home, a return to our roots, and an escape from modern technology. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

A vase of bright sunflowers on a wooden table in a cozy kitchen with a light-colored wallpaper and shelf in the background.

I really think the shift happened for me this past year when I watched the show “Back to the Frontier” on the Magnolia Network. I could write an entire blogpost about this show, and I probably will, but the general concept was these families trying to live out a summer “on the frontier” the way they would have in the 1880s. They learned all about homesteading, growing and preserving your own food, even churning your own butter. While definitely a harder life, you saw these family units coming together with no time (or access to) their screens or modern technology. The result was this beautiful connection and appreciation for each other, the coming together to work as a team in order to survive and thrive.

A family of four, including a boy and three women, gathering around a wooden table in a rustic kitchen, preparing food together with bowls and ingredients.
Back to the Frontier on HBO

Cottage Life and Homesteading

I’ve taken some of these concepts from the show and tried applying them to my 2026 lifestyle. I’ve learned to can and preserve food, which I actually used as my Christmas presents this year. I made baskets with homemade applesauce, jam, and cookies for a few close women in my life. I’m even getting a sewing machine for my birthday this year, so that learning process should be interesting.

A woman in a white sweatshirt prepares lemons on a wooden kitchen table, surrounded by a bowl of fruit and kitchen items.
Screenshot
A jar of cinnamon-flavored applesauce with a decorative label reading 'Applesauce' and a ribbon around it. The jar is set on a table with various background items.

Cottagecore Decor for my home

Decor wise, I just love the simple and nostalgic style that “Cottagecore” brings about. For these items, I think of anything that sparks a memory, happiness, and serves a purpose. I think of gingham, cafe curtains, and cute moments throughout the house. The cafe curtains are actually what I will be attempting to make with my new sewing machine (fingers crossed). This type of decor is popping up all over the place, but I grabbed all of these options from Target.

Collage of cottagecore decor items available from Target, featuring a green checkered chair, decorative vases, a wooden cabinet, and artwork.
All links to products found here

Round 3 Baby Must-Haves

by Mom by Design

My final Baby Must-Haves Post! This is our last little bundle of joy! And as always, it’s super fun to shop for them! Seems like only yesterday I posted about my must-have’s for when Logan was born. I’m still a huge fan of all those items, but since we already have them, this list is just a few little things for Baby #3.

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Everything You Need to Know about Double Strollers

by Mom by Design

I’ll start this post on a positive note. All children are precious gifts from God and it is truly a blessing to be gifted with not one, but three sweet girls.

However, every time we add another child to our family, our simple, zippy little life becomes a bit more…frumpy. Does anyone feel me on this?

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Holiday Gift Guide: For the Kiddos

by Mom by Design

Holiday GIft Guide (2)

Yay for my favorite people to shop for!! My kiddies! I think I’ve decided this year that planning, purchasing, and hiding presents for my kids is way more exciting than getting presents myself. There’s so much excitement in all of it! I finally had to find an actual hiding place to store the goodies because my oldest daughter is totally old enough to snoop. I’ve rounded up some super cute gift ideas for the youngsters in your life. So grab them while you can!

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