Momma Must Have: The Vintage Honey Shop

I received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Because I'm way too opinionated to do it any other way ;-)

I've written before about the postpartum depression I have been experiencing since shortly after the birth of the twins.  In addition to the biological predisposition and the crazy hormone soup that floods a woman's brain after delivery, new moms have to adjust to a whole new identity.  Their body is permanently changed, their thoughts and motivations are different, and they often don't have the time or energy to engage in activities that they have always enjoyed.  It can be strange to barely recognize yourself in your own head or in the mirror.

One thing that had been hard for me to adjust to was putting away my jewelry.  I've made hundreds of pieces for myself over the years, and Ethan has given me several beautiful and sentimental pieces, but they are all so delicate that I've been afraid to wear them with the babies.  I don't want them broken, but I REALLY don't want them to turn into choking hazards!  I know that stopping wearing jewelry sounds like too silly of a thing to even be considered a sacrifice, but accessorizing has been a big part of my fashion sense and a small part of my identity for a long time... I mean, I sold jewelry and taught jewelry-making!  So losing this form of self-expression was a little jarring.

picture by The Vintage Honey Shop

Enter The Vintage Honey Shop.  

You may recall  I mentioned in my Black Friday/Small Biz Saturday/Cyber Monday post that I loved the look of these necklaces and was interested in having one.  The concept is so clever to me - necklaces that are designed to not only be safe, but beneficial for your little ones!  They are made with organic wood beads, soft cotton fabric, silky ribbon ties, and sometimes organic wood teething ring pendants.  

I was excited to wear one of these necklaces because my Sam is a hair puller.  When he starts getting really grabby, I throw on one of my necklaces.  Oh, the glamorous night shirt and sweatpants ensembles I have accessorized with these! It gives him something to pull on and play with while I feed him, and lets me keep what hair postpartum hair fall has left me.  The ribbon ties make the length adjustable, and they are wide enough that they don't cut in to the back of my neck when a baby is tugging on them.  

Picture by The Vintage Honey Shop

Both of our babies have been teething for... ever, basically.  They have some really bad days every once in a while, but even on good days they love to gnaw.  They gnaw on their toys, their hands, OUR hands... and anything else they can get into their mouths. :-)  These necklaces, especially the ones with the wood rings, are great for this!  They're totally safe for the babies to have in their mouths, and the beads and ring seem to really soothe their sore gums.  I think the fun patterns may also help hold their attention, but I could be wrong about that.  I do know that my daughter seems to share her momma's love for pretty, girly things ;-)  When they started fussing in church this week, I held Abbie and let her chew on my necklace for a while.  It kept her distracted for several minutes... which, in baby time, is a near eternity!

Besides the wonderful practical uses of these necklaces, they come in so many gorgeous and fun patterns and are fun to wear.  I love being able to accesorize again!  In a small way, I feel like it's a way for me to integrate the old me and the new momma me. :-)    

Priced at $22 and $28, the fabric teething necklaces are a tiny bit of a splurge for the new parent, newly mindful that babies are expensive, but it is a splurge that I feel is well worth it. These would make a great baby shower or new mom gift. Something pretty for her, not just practical for her babies, and something she may not do for herself.  She's going through a huge life change, she deserves something pretty :-)  And because they ROCK, The Vintage Honey Shop is offering Always, Katie readers a 15% off code!  WooHoo! 

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What is your go-to shower gift?  I always like to buy from the registry, then add a little something personal or fun :-)