2023 MDW Holiday Gift Guide | Self-Care by themoderndomesticwoman

HOLIDAY

Volume 5 | December 2023 | Self-Care

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome, my friends! This season’s Holiday Gift Guide is like no other. Of course, it’s jam packed with items and sentiments for giving, yet the intent is different. As you know, I like to do things differently here at The Modern Domestic Woman (MDW). When considering the theme of this year’s gift guide, I thought about the idea of giving the gift of self-care. But the more I thought about self-care, and how that definition could mean something unique to everyone, the more excited I got to dig deep and explore all the ways we can celebrate others (and ourselves in the process) with a gift that will truly ease a burden, care for our bodies and homes, and bring peace to our daily existence rather than pull from it.

So we start the Gift Guide by LOVING OURSELVES.

Finally, a topic I’m just starting to research, CLEAN LIVING.

From wellness products and establishing healthy rituals to celebrating your body and tapping into the power of a fantastic outfit, it’s crucial that we love all the beautiful nuances that make up our feminine beings.

I’ll introduce you to a few fantastic friends who can guide you on the journey of selecting toxic-free products without losing your mind and direct you to local businesses that sell safe products.

Next, you can tap into suggestions for creating a SAFE HAVEN in the place you call home. I truly believe that self-care can come in the form of happy hosting to a uncluttered and clean space. The next section is GIFTING, which means celebrating the brave souls that host holiday events, selecting books for friends we hold dear, and a new business owner I would like to introduce you to.

Peppered throughout the gift guide are women I know personally. Their wisdom is unparalleled and I am confident the takeaways in their articles will leave you with tools to help make your life a happy and more peaceful place to be.

Elizabeth Rago EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 2

HOW TO

shop the Guide To shop, simply click the adjacent shopping bag icon to be directed to the retailer’s online shop. If a product is not sold online, the shopping bag icon will direct you to the business’s preferred contact page for more information on how to purchase. Please note that shopping small features unique finds and some products listed may not remain in stock. But that’s the joy of shopping local! We hope you enjoy this unique edition of The Modern Domestic Woman Holiday Guide focusing on wellness and self-care.

THE MODERN DOMESTIC WOMAN

HOLIDAY GIT GUIDE 2023

CONTENTS 02

Letter from the Editor

Love Yourself

Article with LaShanda Lewis, Co-Owner of The Irie Cup

16 23

Article with Kelly Jacobson, Founder of Stronger Therapeutic Counseling Safe Haven

Gifting

31 32 37

Clean Living

Article with Tonya Harris of Slightly Greener About MDW

LOVE YOURSELF

ritual, noun [ rich-oo-uhl ] A moment or act done regularly for celebration or self-soothing

How creating a personal tea service can lead to more peaceful living. LaShanda Lewis knows tea. Raised by a passionate, teadrinking, Jamaican family who always seemed to know exactly which tea to prescribe for heart healing and physical ailments, LaShanda’s wisdom around blends translates to a simple mindset: wellness should be complicated and tea is no different. The word “ritual,” which often gets a bad rap, is all about a repetitive or celebrated moment. In terms of tea, the mere act of selecting, steeping, and enjoying a cup can shift from the quick function of beverage making to purposefully taking time to pause from the day, and all the stress that comes from life, and reclaim your focus.

With LaShanda Lewis, Co-Owner of The Irie Cup LaShanda suggests trying these three steps the next time you brew. #1 - Before the steep, tap into your senses. Choose a blend and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of what the tea looks like, and how it smells. #2 - While the leaves release their flavor, take advantage of the 3-5 minutes of steep time to reflect. Instead of scrolling through your text messages, create a mental gratitude list. Between each thought, take a deep breath. For example, “I have a job,” inhale/exhale. “I have people who love me,” inhale/exhale.

#3 - Indulge in a miniaromatherapy sesh. Breathe in the tea’s aroma and close your eyes. See how many elements of the blend you can identify. Teas have valuable oils in them, so when you inhale, the scent molecules travel from your olfactory nerves to the brain, impacting the emotional center of the brain, the amygdala. Creating your own personal tea service does not have to be complicated. Similar to grounding exercises, the power of pairing tea with a cozy spot or a view of nature is sometimes enough to reset your day and bring you back to a place of peace.

BE WELL

with Elizabeth Rago

I’m so excited to share suggestions for discovering wellness. From PMS-lifting remedies to at-home yoga, these five self-care suggestions are some of my personal favorites. Elderberry Syrup from The Irie Cup Level up your immune system with The Irie Cup’s all-in-one elderberry syrup kit. Paired with powerful echinacea root and ginger this is a must-have for every household to combat the cold and flu season. Virtual Yoga Class with Sarah Pomaro of BreatheGrowChange It’s often difficult for busy women to get to a yoga studio (I’m referring to myself), so how about a virtual yoga class from the comfort of your own home? Led by the wisdom and knowledge of yoga teacher, Sarah Pomaro, relax and feel more vibrant during an engaging virtual yoga session. Red Maca Root from The Maca Team Maca root can be helpful for improving skin health and mental clarity, and has long been associated with aiding women in keeping a regular cycle. My PMS has greatly improved since adding red maca root to my daily tea. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab Meet your go-to guide for establishing boundaries. Nedra helps readers discover techniques that help identify and express our needs clearly and without apology. Infused Bath Soak with Pink Himalayan Salt from Crybaby Wellness Pink Himalayan Salt is known to help reduce inflammation and detoxify, is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. Made with premium full-spectrum CBD oil and pure essential oils.

PODCAST PARTY

There’s nothing better than finding a podcast where you connect with and learn from the topic. Try these four podcasts, all hosted by local women!

subscribe here

Coming in 2024! 8

Celebrate your

BEAUTY

“I take pride in being able to show women how to celebrate their bodies, their battles, and the victories they've been through.” -Taylor Cross MDW is all about body positivity

in St. Charles/Elgin. Taylor

while honoring all it’s capable of.

professional makeover, expert

and rooted in loving your shape One of the ways you can gain

self-confidence is by capturing

gorgeous images of yourself with

the guidance of a trusted female. Taylor Cross is a photographer 7

and owner of Wild Roses Boudoir

provides each client with a

posing guidance, and most importantly, a fun and

empowering experience. Learn more about Wild Roses Boudoir below.

thrive, verb [ thrahyv ] To prosper; be fortunate or successful, to grow or develop vigorously How to foster a true work-life balance by creatively fostering mental health With Kelly Jacobson, Founder of Stronger Therapeutic Counseling Is it possible to thrive in all areas of life? Therapist Kelly Jacobson believes it is - when you tap into positive support systems that help keep you in check and provide gentle reminders that you matter. We spend a considerable time at work. Nearly 100,000 hours over a lifetime, in fact. So if we are working diligently to keep mental health a priority in our personal lives, it only makes sense to focus on mental health at work. As the owner of Stronger Therapeutic Counseling in Batavia and West Dundee, Kelly manages a staff and understand the importance of fostering a healthy culture at work. “Workplace challenges like the “biggest loser” are quickly being replaced with more

sustainable challenges that can actually move you into real lifestyle shifts,” shared Kelly. Why the shift? Because mentally healthy teams = more productive employees. A creative approach to provide effective solutions and prevent stress leading to a toxic workplace culture or burnout, it’s possible to experience more balance as we ebb and flow from work to home. “It’s about establishing foundations of mindfulness that leave team members feeling more present and able to connect to their lives outside of work,” explains Kelly. So, how can you start thriving at work? People only know what they know. If you’re struggling at home and it’s impacting your work, it might be time to disclose basic information about your

situation and tell your manager what you need. Establish boundaries around work hours. Work-life balance slips off-kilter because of the convenience of technology. Talking to a therapist can help you identify what you need to feel secure at work and how to better segue to your personal life. Tap into the positive benefits of technology. “We have all this technology at our fingertips. Let’s use it to revive and revitalize us,” said Kelly. Discover health and wellness apps like Virgin Pulse which provide meaningful engagement and education to help you find tailored wellness solutions. It’s possible to thrive in life,” said Kelly. “You just have to find the right tools to support your unique needs.”

BYE, BYE BURNOUT. HELLO, PEACEFUL LIVING. How tapping into the “Pulse” of mental health can help you discover a better work-life balance.

Wellness at work means more than offering an employee assistance program Kelly at Stronger Therapeutic Counseling has partnered with Virgin Pulse to help business owners and their teams feel seen and heard. Designed to create an inclusive and empowering culture at work, the Virgin Pulse app is more than a reminder to breathe or a handy tool to track your heart rate. It’s an opportunity to connect your staff and help them access digital tools around specific mind, body, and community support. As a certified mental health professional, Kelly helps businesses design a strategy that will optimize the health, culture, productivity, and happiness of their organization. Human Resource professionals have a lot on their plate recruitment, onboarding,

“retention, learning, and performance management...” said Kelly. “My job is to support leadership identifying areas of growth and in build out a customized plan using the Virgin Pulse app to create a thriving and happy workforce.” Kelly helps companies reduce the stigma around mental health by bringing a therapist into the work day to normalize stress, create strategies to combat burnout, and foster a healthy work life balance. A personal mental health concierge, Kelly provides expert care to lead wellness initiatives like: Investing in the long-term health and well-being of employees Promoting a true “culture of well-being” by providing local resources that support your employees’ mental health

Addressing company culture and determining underlying factors that contribute to poor mental health An innovative and valuable approach to workplace wellness, Kelly will maximize mini health assessments to help employees access and interact with real-time and local resources that matter to them. “It’s time to stop isolating people in their mental health,” shared Kelly. “Companies and leadership can ignite conversation, forge connections, and ultimately transform lives.” For more information about partnering with Kelly and learning more about the Pulse app, reach out on the Stronger Therapeutic Counseling website.

Boost your

CONFIDENCE Gain self-awareness, live unapologetically, and tap into your feelings with these three products from Tammy Helfrich, The Perch, and CatTalpa Manor.

Unapologetic by Tammy Helfrich “Living unapologetically starts with loving who you are, what you bring to the world, and refusing to apologize for it. Join me on the adventure towards living as an unapologetic you.”

Top: Self-Awareness Deck from The Perch Bottom: Your Feelings Are Valid Guided Journal from CatTalpa Manor in Batavia 12

THE POWER OF A GOOD LOOK FROM

If you squeal a little, buy it. It may sound silly, but listening to your gut can apply to fashion just as much as it applies to your boundaries.

COAT

CREWNECK

City Plaid Coat

Gather Me Swearer

The city plaid coat is a super soft brushed plaid made with blue and gray tones and a quilted lining.

A classic crewneck sweater with a twist. Featuring a cutout twisted sleeve, this sweater is one of the softest sweaters we've ever had. The fit is slightly oversized with a drop shoulder.

CASHMERE Cashmere Blend Sweater Dress This camel cashmere blended midi dress features a crew neck, high waisted functioning drawstring and the softest material ever. A closet staple!

All the

FRILLS Frames from Blinka Optical in Geneva

Earrings from WILD Apothecary & Market

Etnia Barcelona Frames Gilded Arch Earrings Tartan Satchel from House of Charlemagne

Chestnut Blue Tartan Satchel

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Get ready to

GLOW

All natural, plant-based, and vegan skin care made in small batches to ensure freshness and potency, Chanla Chau Cosmetics delivers vibrant skin. MDW is proud to be a brand ambassador for Chanla Chau Cosmetics, so we may earn a small commission when you purchase through links in this gift guide. All commission goes directly back to MDW community initiatives like Moms Support Group, Saturday Expert Series presentations, and donations to local women's organizations.

Camu Camu Moisturizer

4 Piece Discovery Kit Frosted Sugar Cookie Scrub 15

SAFE HAVEN

Mi casa es

SU CASA How do you make your house a home for guests? Take a moment to assess what will make your house more comfy and available to you and all the special people you’ll be hosting this holiday season.

Breu Resin Incense Parcel Collection from Caroline

Multicolor Wine Glasses from The Pep Line

Tree Embroidered Pillow from The Pep Line

Professional House Cleaning Services from Best Day House Cleaning

8 18

A Home Away From Home: The Historic 1841 Dunham-Hunt House Did you know the historic Dunham-Hunt House in St. Charles is an Airbnb? This charming pre-civil war residential home has newly restored bedrooms and bathrooms - and simply perfect for a staycation, a weekend getaway, or a place to land when guests visit the Western Suburbs. Originally built by Bela T. Hunt, the house was heated in the 1840s by a single fireplace, the kitchen was in the basement, and the bathroom was outside.

But don’t worry! Owners Amanda Miladinovich and her husband Dan have tirelessly worked to revitalize and thoughtfully modernize the Dunham-Hunt house. With a newly renovated and spacious full bath for guests and a central heating/cooling system, the Dunham-Hunt House is conveniently located in downtown St. Charles. Just steps away from restaurants, shops, the Arcada Theater, and the Fox River 19

Declutter Your Life & Create A Soulful Space Being perfect is exhausting. If you’re ready to pull yourself out of the never ending loop of perfectionism and need a guide, Kate Evans of Soulful Space Coaching is happy to support you. Kate has spent twenty years empowering women to see the true self that is hiding under their fears, shame, and unrealistic expectations. With a Masters in Professional Counseling at Argosy University, registered yoga teacher, and Certified Life Coach from The Integrative Wellness Academy,

Kate has a unique perspective around the topic of decluttering. “Your journey will be unique to you, and one of my goals as a Decluttering Coach is to save you the hours of podcasts, books, and YouTube and help you find your path to care for your mind, body, soul, and space.” Kate has graciously offered a free discovery call and 15% coupon for MDW community members who mention the Holiday Gift Guide. 20

Step aside hygge. It’s time for

KOSELIG

It’s time to start thriving through winter instead of simply surviving.

Koselig, pronounced koo-szeh-lee, is a Norwegian term for intimacy, warmth, and an overall feeling of contentment.

The best way to describe the idea of Koselig is to imagine all the cozy things you can think of.

Whether it’s blankets, candles, soft sweaters, or hot beverages, it’s up to you. But the most crucial element of Koselig is to surround yourself with the people you love and invite them into your happy circle.

Discover ideas on the following page to help create Koselig in your home this season.

Candles

Blankets Golden Glow Tea

Family And beautiful pictures of family

Clockwise from top:

Warm Blanket Candle from Ritual Candle Company

Family Photo Shoot with Lola + Lilac Creative

Golden Glow Tea from The Irie Cup

Solstice Faux Fur Throw from Caroline

GIFTING

Celebrate the

HOSTESS

UNIQUE GIFT GIVING AT

Holiday gatherings can be invigorating and exhausting, so why not bring your favorite hostess a memorable gift? House of Charlemagne is THE spot for chic and unique momentos. Shop in store at 221 West Main Street in St. Charles, Illinois.

Faux Fur Wine Bag

House of Charlemagne custom coffee blend by Crescendo Coffee Roasters

Window Shop online!

Potluck by The Editors of Food & Wine 25

My weekend is fully

BOOKED Books need no introduction.

Here are our favorite female authors...

The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock The Foundling by Ann Leary The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

The Wild Between Us by Amy Hagstrom

My Father’s List by Laura Carney Don’t You Dare by Gayla Turner The Elephant Chaser’s 8 Daughter by Shilpa Raj

It’s a holly, jolly

CHRISTMAS

A VERY MERRY MANTLE AT

Mantles aren’t reserved for the fireplace. In fact, any ledge or shelf can don a pretty display. The Pep Line’s got a collection of trimmings for home that will knock your holiday socks off.

Orange Slice Spray, $14

Antique Brass Winter Pots Collection, from $28

Gold Holiday Tree, from $34

Antique Brass Taper Candle Stand, from $38

Up and coming

ENTREPRENEUR Meet Elizabeth Whittenhall, owner and herbalist of Anne Oak Apothecary. A budding business owner, Elizabeth creates herbal teas inspired by life and tarot, intended to relax, ignite energetic centers, and help create balance and opportunity.

Lavender & Sage Bundles

Meet Elizabeth at the Fox River MedSpa Artisan Market on December 9th 10 AM - 4 PM @ 1543 Randall Road Algonquin, IL Loose leaf tea blends

Follow Elizabeth on Social

8 30

CLEAN LIVING

Living Green(er) featuring Tonya Harris of Slightly Greener

If the thought of detoxifying your home is overwhelming, you’re not alone.

understand how toxic chemicals affect the body.

Tonya Harris, a Campton Hills resident and mom of three purged her entire home once she started researching the long-term effects ingredients in food and products she used on the regs could potentially have on her family's collective health.

Further inspired by her own health journey as a childhood leukemia survivor, Tonya founded Slightly Greener, a podcast and online community offering women simple tips to reduce toxins without turning their family’s lifestyle upside-down.

And when her children began to experience attention issues and learning disabilities, Tonya was driven to learn more and educate herself about using nutrition to help the body heal.

In Tonya’s book, the Slightly Greener Method, she offers readers a practical approach to detoxifying our homes without losing our minds and our budgets.

Like any driven mama on a mission to make life better for her kids, Tonya went back to school to get a Master’s degree and Board Certification in Holistic Nutrition so she could

A pressure-free way to create a healthier home, Tonya’s approach is - “it’s not about perfection. It’s about creating a lifestyle that works for you.”

Interested in going slightly greener? Discover three simple and stress-free steps from Tonya on the next page. Follow Tonya on your favorite social or podcasting platform. SlightlyGreener.com The Slightly Greener Podcast

3 WAYS TO GO SLIGHTLY GREENER with Tonya Harris

The 80/20 Rule if you can buy safer products 80% of the time, then you don’t have to worry so much about the other 20% of the time where you don’t have control, or say you’re at an event, or even if you just want to treat yourself. This can also apply to sticking to a budget, or when you’re traveling and you forget something and the store doesn’t carry your favorite safer version of that product. And don’t worry if you can’t do the 80/20. Just start with 50/50 or 60/40, whatever works for you, your budget and lifestyle.

Find Dealbreaker Ingredients The second tip is to find your deal-breaker ingredients. This is my favorite rule because it’s really what made shopping become automatic and easy for me when I first started out. Because a deal-breaker ingredient is just what it sounds like. And in term of toxic ingredients, it means as soon as you see this ingredient name on a label, you know this product is not right for you.

Choose Your Top 2 The third way to detoxify your home without losing your mind and your budget is to choose your top two. This means choosing your top two, or even your top one, most used, most consumed toxic products and replacing those first. I recommend starting in the kitchen, then moving on to your personal care products and cosmetics, and then onto your cleaning products, because I believe that these are the three main areas of your home where you can see the quickest impact. 33

CLEAN BEAUTY

with Zoe Sherwin

Zoe Sherwin, MDW's newest columnist, reports on all things clean living. She focuses on simple swaps to everyday items in your pantry that are organic and additive-free. Zoe's suggestion for living toxin-free? “Start SMALL.. And like everything worth it, this process takes time." Hey Humans Naturally Derived Deodorant - This natural deodorant is paraben, propylene, and glycol-free, aluminumfree, dermatologist-tested, and made with essential oils. Plus the packaging is 99% plastic-free, and made from paper. Ren Jord Renewing Oil Treatment - This certified organic hair treatment is made of biodegradable ingredients that stimulate hair growth, seal in moisture, and improve density and elasticity. Ren Jord uses no additives, fillers, or toxins. Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons - Natracare makes organic tampons without pesticides, phthalates, or dioxins. Natracare products are always plastic-free and all-natural, minus synthetic and unwanted chemicals. Plum + Argan Serum from Chanla Chau Cosmetics - This serum is created with plant-based ingredients, 100% vegan, and hand-crafted in small batches. In fact, every product from Chanla Chau is fresh and effective so you get the most out of the active ingredients in your products. Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream - 100% vegan and cruelty-free, this sheer moisturizing tint hydrates and leaves skin feeling and looking luminous.

Happy and healthy

HOUSEKEEPING Laundry Soap from Magnolia Soap & Bath Co., A custom formulated detergent-free laundry soap that will deep clean your clothes, smell amazing, and not irritate to your skin.

Starter set from CLEAN Inc., Handmade cleaning supplies made from non-toxic products like castile soap, essential oils, vinegar, and baking soda.

8 35

RESTORATIVE SKIN CARE If you’re looking for gentle solutions for your sensitive skin, look no further than Abby Rose Skin Care. Formulated by a local mom who is also a nurse, these organic plant-based products are dermatologist-recommended and National Eczema Association accepted.

Soothe-X™ Soap

Balancing Face Oil for Sensitive Skin

Discover more

Moisture Lock™ A Petroleum Free Moisturizer 36

Meet

Supporting women from all walks of life. The Modern Domestic Woman is a safe space for women in need of mental health, wellness, and professional referrals. From legal help and social services like temporary housing and therapists to positive female communities, mental health, and well-being organizations, MDW is on a mission to help all women move forward toward a peaceful way of living. MDW focuses on 3 pillars of living: MENTAL HEALTH - MDW is a support community of women rooted in making mental health a priority instead of an afterthought. Because nobody can pour from an empty cup. LIFESTYLE - MDW loves creating safe spaces; at home and in the body you call home. We encourage a healthy lifestyle that meets you where you're at. Not where someone else wants you to be. ADVOCACY - At MDW, we go out into our communities and support women in crisis. We actively partner with organizations that support the rights, recovery, and well-being of women. Beyond support referrals, MDW works with businesses and brands to create thought-provoking content in the health, wellness, and women's lifestyle industries. For more information, visit MDWcares.com and follow MDW @themoderndomesticwoman on your favorite social feed. Elizabeth Rago MDW Founder & Editor