Valerie Curnutte

Even though I’m 30, the only makeup I ever wore for years has been mascara, lipstick, and eyebrow pencil. That’s pretty much it. Over the past few months, I’ve been experimenting with more makeup as a form of mama self-care so I don’t feel and look like a homeless person lol. I’m starting with these basics, which are super affordable, accessible, and versatile. These are the staples in my makeup bag that I recommend for anyone just starting out with facial beauty products! Go have fun and get creative with it! 😉

I love everything coconut, from coconut milk and oil to coconut desserts. So, naturally, coconut is my signature scent. I’m also a sucker for cocoa butter—who doesn’t love the smell of chocolate? These coconut- and cocoa butter-scented body products are my top faves! What other products should I try? Let me know in the comments!

If you have sensitive skin, this list is tailor-made for you! I tend to gravitate toward fragrance-free body products because artificial fragrances often irritate my skin and can even trigger my asthma. I’m a big fan of all these skin and hair care products and hope they work for you, too! (I include 3 products from The Ordinary that I’m trying soon. I suspect I’ll love them, though!)

I’ve always had oily skin and a greasy scalp, but postpartum I’ve developed patches of dry skin postpartum. I love all of the following products and use them regularly! My top favorite skin care brands are The Ordinary and CeraVe. I organized my recs by type and the order in which I apply them.

Moisturizing is a delicate balance when you have a sensitive oily/combo skin type. I love and have used all of the following moisturizers in my skin care routines! My favorite moisturizer brands are CeraVe, Burt’s Bees, O’Keeffe’s, and Vaseline. I organized my recs by face, lips, body, and hands and feet.

Browse my favorite skin, hair, body, and lip care products for summer! I include everything from sunscreen and after sun to tropical-scented shaving essentials and summery lip colors.

These products were a lifesaver before, during, and after childbirth! Browse the essentials that helped me practice self-care and heal after vaginal delivery.

I’m a first-time mom with experience in breastfeeding, pumping, and formula feeding. No matter your choice, you can still nourish and bond with your precious little one. I recommend the following supplies, including a few products I did not personally use that would benefit moms with a healthy milk supply.

My husband and I became new parents in June 2024. I want to share with other new and expecting moms what I think every nursery needs, regardless of gender! Browse the sleeping gear, diapering products, and health, wellness, and feeding supplies that are staples in our little girl’s nursery. These products are suitable for ages 0-12 months.

Browse my favorite baby products and gear! These are 0-12 month items I have used or am currently using for my little miss, born June 2024.

If you’re a parent of a preemie or underweight baby, you’ll find that many products designed for full-term and healthy-weight babies aren’t practical and won’t fill your newborn’s needs best. These products worked wonders for our preemie girl. I hope they’ll work for yours, too!

I love baking recipes from scratch—pastries, breads, cakes, cookies, you name it! Check out my favorite, most-used baking supplies that are staples in my kitchen. I even include the Ooni oven and accessories we use to make the best homemade pizzas! Which products have you used and liked? Let me know in the comments!

Cleveland’s park system is one of the best in the country! These are my favorite parks, gardens, hiking spots, and outdoor venues in the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area of Northeast Ohio.

I love all things sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopia with an air of adventure and a touch of historical fiction. I want my curiosity piqued, my feels unleashed, and my imagination running wild! Sound like your kind of read? Welcome to my personal library of my most-loved novels and short stories. Enjoy literary works of art from my top favorite authors: Ray Bradbury, Scott Westerfeld, Lisa See, Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Mary E. Pearson. Happy reading!