Your New Vest Friend

World cultures are either energetic or hesitant about house guests. Some of them hide under beds. Some perform welcome dances.

We aren’t suggesting you do a jig, but it’s helpful to remember:

That’s a tall order, but we’re giving you some tips to make your next house-guest content and comfy. But, also:

• Good news for Postpartum Mamas

• Free Gift for Mamas of Hungry Kids

• Fall Decor: that won’t make you gag on the pumpkin spice

• In-Vest in your Fall Wardrobe

• Your Marriage Dos and Don’ts

GUEST ROOM: Put your service to the test. Create a guest room that’s well prepared, comfortable, and clean. I had the pleasure and privilege to stay with a friend who did just that. The gracious host gave us permission to rest without words: a bathrobe in the closet, candles and matches on the nightstand, and curated books on a cozy reading chair. Every room had extra blankets and fans for comfort control. The fridge was fully stocked with chocolates at the ready and an invitation to enjoy.

Still hyperventilating? Relax. Clean sheets, a vacuumed room, a vase of fresh flowers and a clean bathroom go a long way. Don’t forget the caffeine. ☕

HOME DECOR: It’s fall tacky ya’ll. Pumpkins will soon be dancing in our dreams. But we don’t have to embrace all the kitsch. Instead, elevate with texture, like this sherpa blanket, these velvet throw pillows, or this woven lamp shades. Try a few branches from your yard in a distressed vase. Animal print is always in style, but this feels especially fall-esque, right? These colorful glass candlesticks easily outshine your brass ones. Now that’s some hygge I can fall into.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: Unbearble Blues, meet Encouraging News. A new postpartum depression (PPD) drug has hit the market. Zurzuvae is a synthetic form of the hormone allopregnanolone, which, along with progesterone, makes you happy during pregnancy and takes a dramatic dip after labor.

What’s all the hype? Well, it’s the first FDA approved PPD drug. (It’s about time, FDA!). And, relief comes right away- compared to most anti-depression meds that take 10 days to work. It only lasts 45 days, so more moms will get longer care. And any increased tending in a tender time is always a good idea.

If you aren’t ready to hop on a new drug because it’s, well, new, fear not. Progesterone has worked for years. It’s natural and immediate treatment for women with PPD. Like, within an hour, effective and immediate. So, why don’t more OBGYNs know or utilize it?🤷🏻‍♀ More info, here.

Even if this topic isn’t on your radar, it’s pressing. Because mamas need mothering, too. 💞

 FALL FASHION: The incredible, versatile vest. Think of it as your fall-transition staple. Pair it with a skirt or over a dress for those summer days with a crisp edge. Before long, you’ll be layering it over a turtleneck with a pair of trousers. Our top picks: this asymmetric button, a knit button vest, and this sweet cashmere and sustainable option.

And don’t forget your man.

We asked; you answered. Below are our favorite subscriber tidbits on marriage from a past issue. I kept them anonymous, but special thank you to all who commented!

• There’s a new crater on the Moon with Putin’s name on it.

• Miracle in the ashes ⛪

• Small kitchens with BIG personalities

• ✒How Keats writes a poem 

• The New England Foilage vacation plans 🍁

• Free Gift for all you perpetual chefs

Special thanks to the special woman who inspired today’s “guest room” space. You know who you are. 😉

And thank you to all of you women out there who, inevitably, are a shelter to other’s souls.

Enjoy your week, and see you back here Wednesday,