I thought it would be fun to create a page where I share what resources I like, from books, to Instagram accounts, podcasts, fashion, music, etc. It’s kind of a fun get to know me page. I also thought it could be a way to share some resources that have helped me as a Catholic, a mom, or with my health.
Books (Religious)
Can you tell what period of my life I’m in by my book selections? Recently I have been drawn to books about motherhood, pregnancy, or anything with a positive message. The season of life I am in is filled with busy days that are not always easy, and I have been wanting books that can relate to the struggles of being a mother to young kids or being pregnant with a baby. I have been enjoying these so far!
Expecting Wonder by Brittany Bergman is such a great book! I finished it in about a week. It was just released this August, and its a great read for all pregnant women, whether you’re expecting your first child or fifth. I found it very relatable and I’m pregnant with my fourth. Brittany discusses her journey- both spiritual and physical with her first pregnancy and has some great insights for motherhood. There are so many inspirational quotes I can take from this book!
Hope Upon Impact by Julie Overlease is also a new release this year. I won a free copy in a giveaway on Instagram. It is a beautiful story about the author’s experience when her daughter has a horrific accident and how her community came together to support her family during that difficult time. It is a great book to read when you want a hopeful story (and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to read a story about hope this year!).
Made for This by Mary Haseltine is a book I found out about through some Instagram accounts I follow and my sister told me about the book too. I just started it, but it is a book about the spiritual journey of pregnancy and how to view it in the religious context and see it for the beautiful miracle it is. I have been nervous this pregnancy and wanted a book to help me feel prepared for having another baby, and this seems to be the right book for me!
Momnipotent by Danielle Bean is a book I am currently reading. In it, she discusses some of her struggles with motherhood and how women can view motherhood in a positive light as a vocation. I sat down one day during naptime after a rough morning and picked this book up and could immediately relate to it. If you are struggling with finding joy in motherhood, this is a great book to read.
Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisiuex is a book that I am also reading. She is my confirmation saint and we named Theresa after her. I have really enjoyed reading her autobiography so far and it has helped me get to know her better.
Consecration to St. Joseph by Donald H. Calloway – I completed this book on St. Joseph’s feast day. I have always wondered about what St. Joseph was like since he is not mentioned many times in the bible. I really enjoyed completing this consecration because the author gives such great insight into St. Joseph and I feel like I know him a lot better now.
33 Days to Morning Glory by Michael Gaitley- I completed this consecration around the same time as I did the Consecration to St. Joseph. Michael Gaitley takes the reader through the 33 days week by week by highlighting 4 different saints who had devotions to Mary, and allow us to get to know her better through them and the life lessons we can learn from them.
Books (non- Religious)
One of my favorite authors is Liane Moriarty, an author from Australia. She has a great writing style and always finds a way to add a twist to her story. My favorite book by her is What Alice Forgot. Some others that I have enjoyed are The Husband’s Secret, Big Little Lies, and Truly Madly Guilty .
I am a fan of the show Gilmore Girls (I may or may not have watch the entire show a few times) and have enjoyed reading Lauren Graham’s (who plays Loreli Gilmore in the show) books, Talking as Fast as I can, and Maybe Someday. The first book I mentioned is an autobiography about her experiences as an actress, and the second one is a fictional story about a struggling actress. They are both really good.
My mom and I share a love for The Pioneer Woman. We would watch her show together when I was still living at home, and both read and enjoyed her autobiography, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels- a Love Story . This is the story of how she met her husband and left the city to become a farmer’s wife. She is coming out with a new book in the fall and I cannot wait to read it!
Books on my reading list:
Of course, it can be hard to find the time to read everything that I want to during nap time, while still getting housework done, or resting, and I have been adding to my list of books I want to read next. These are just a few that are on my list!
One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler
Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes by Allison Auth
Momoir: A New Mom’s Journey to Embracing Her Not-So-Perfect Motherhood by Alyssa DeRose
Clothing Websites
http://hisglory.storenvy.com/Or, follow @hisgloryco on Instagram and find the link in the profile. I am a brand ambassador for this Christian company, and own a shirt, tote bag, and a pro-life sticker from them so far. I am very happy with the products I have received (the shirt is so comfy and I have received a lot of compliments on it). If you want to find some nice clothes and products and support a Christian business, check them out! If you use code Michelle20, you will also receive a 20% discount at check out.
Another Christian store I really like is www.brickhouseinthecity.com . You can also follow the Instagram account @brickhouseinthecity or Facebook page, Brick House in the City. Lauren Winter is the woman who runs it, and she not only sells Christian clothes, but also makes so many inspirational Catholic posts! I have a shirt and sweatshirt from her store and also got the “Mary’s Mantle Swaddle” for Theresa when she had her surgery.
There are a few other accounts on Instagram that I like to follow that are specifically thrifting accounts. If you are looking to find clothes that are ethical and are on a budget, check out @thriftingjune , @everthrift, and @modesteverafter.
Instagram Accounts
A little fact about me- I refused to get an Instagram account for the longest time. My sisters had been asking me to get one. My husband and I decided to start a joint account last year so that we could see some posts that our gym was making. So it started off just following our gym and a few other accounts. Then my older sister found out I had finally gotten an Instagram account, and told me about @manyhailmarysatatime. This is an account run by a woman and her sister that pray a live rosary every morning at 6:45 AM CST with a new guest to help pray and interview after the rosary. This is how I started praying the rosary more frequently this year, and it is also how I found a lot of other Catholic Instagram accounts to follow.
If you do not already follow @manyhailmarysatatime, go check them out and pray a live rosary with them one day. You will find a great prayer community and want to join in every day. If you cannot make the time, they post the recording of the video so you can view it later!
If you are in need of a rosary, look up @endlesslovedesign! She makes beautiful rosaries and you can choose to have one customized. I ordered one from her for myself and customized it so that every decade is made with beads that represent each of my kids patron saint, and the last decade is made with a bead that represents St. Anne, one of the patron saints of motherhood. I love it and it’s a great way for me to pray for each of my kids when I pray the rosary. I ended up getting one for my mom as well and customized her so that each decade represents the confirmation saints my siblings and I chose.
Another great Catholic resource that can be found on Instagram, Facebook, or through their website is @blessedisshe_ . They come out with Catholic planners every year, have different study guides available, and have an email subscription with a reflection on the gospel reading for the day every day.
Podcasts
Writing all this makes me look like I spend all my time reading, shopping or listening to podcasts…that’s definitely not the case! It can be hard to find the time to even sit down and read a book during the day, and most of these things I have listed have taken me time. One of the things I enjoy about podcasts is that it allows to me multitask. I can listen while I’m folding laundry or cooking dinner or even just resting. Here are the ones I enjoy:
Heart Home Faith- Podcast by Olivia, a Catholic mom. She just started this podcast this year and just finished up season 1! This podcast is where I heard about some of the books on my reading list. Go check it out!
Girlfriends by Danielle Bean- Can you tell I’m a fan? She has so many great topics she discusses and her voice is so soothing to listen to as well. She also co-hosts another podcast, “Catholic Momcast” with Lisa Hendey, that I enjoy listening to as well. Go check out these two podcasts!
The Catholic Feminist is a podcast that I just discovered recently by Claire Swinarski, and she has some great episodes where she talks about topics that are not always discussed in our faith. I have really enjoyed the episodes that I have listened to so far!
Magazines
I only subscribe to one magazine and that one is The Pioneer Woman. They come out quarterly with each new season and are filled with recipes, fashion, and new happenings on the ranch. I always look forward to getting it in the mail!
Of course, if I am in a bookstore, I enjoy browsing the magazine section, and looking at all the cooking or baking magazines.
What are some resources that you find helpful or enjoy? Comment below!