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Meet Beth

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local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind. It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday. Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

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Table of contents

  1. Cook
  2. Wander
  3. Dwell
  4. Slow-Living
  5. Motherhood
  6. Sustainability
  7. Wardrobe
  8. Health and Beauty

Most Popular Posts

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  3. Wander Guide | The Essential Paris Travel Guide & Map
  4. Gathering from Scratch | A Workshop Retreat in the Shenandoah Valley Part 2
  5. Cardamom + Rose Iced Latte / Japanese Ice Coffee

Insta-Milk

A long time ago in a different life (or at least i A long time ago in a different life (or at least it feels that way) I was riding in a car at night with @whereissionnie to meet up with @ruthielindsey and @1924us for bonfires and general cabin shenanigans outside of Nashville. 

I remember the drive so well. It’s a conversation that always stuck with me. We talked about trauma and crisis. And I don’t know much, but I shared the only thing I know, a thing that has served me well through the natural undulations life is bound to bring.

And that is simply sometimes you have to cling to the mast. You aren’t doing anything but surviving but that’s the most important work of all. Because the storm WILL pass. And you‘ll be left standing.

And when it does you can mend the sails. Untangle the ropes. And get on with the business of sailing.

I’ve learned to give myself permission to do nothing but make it through. To sleep a little too late. To dance in front of the mirror and feel myself even when I look ridiculous. To load and unload the dishwasher and allow that to be a great victory. To dress like a cartoon character in nothing but white t-shirts and denim shorts.  To eat mac & cheese from a box and frozen chicken nuggets sometimes. To not respond to text messages. To flail and get back up over and over. To ask for help. A lot.

And also permission to feel it all. Rage. Grief. Joy. Hope and hopelessness. And sometimes all within the span of a few minutes. 

And most of all, whether navigating calm waters or stormy ones, what matters more than anything is the crew you’re doing it with. Surround yourself with solid people.

People that challenge you with compassion. And humor. People whose strengths buttress your weakness. People that don’t judge you. That believe in you even when you think they’re maniacs for doing so.

I know a disproportionate amount of us have had rough seas this year. Cling to the mast in the storm. Choose your crew wisely. No storm ever lasted forever. But there never was a last storm in the world. Accept that they will come and be prepared.

Local Milk Gift Guide | 2014

Dwell

12.11.2014

gift guide header

 

I wanted to put together a list of gifts that featured tons of my favorite makers & shops that would serve as a no-fail guide for those of you wrangling with last minute gift decisions. I generally don’t want people to give me stuff. Indiscriminate stuff clutters life, but a well chosen object of use makes life better. It makes those mundane moments I’m always going on about beautiful. Sometimes I wonder if I’m obsessed with elevating the texture of daily living because I find life, in some aspects, fundamentally difficult. It’s like I’m littering my days with little incentives. I can happily say that not a single thing on this list is clutter. Each earns the space it takes up in a home, in a life. Each object has been chosen for it’s beauty and utility, and they range from kitchen wares to home goods to accoutrements to apothecary. I hope this helps with the stress of shopping or at the very least introduces you to some new shops and makers. I’ve tried to include gifts for every stage of life from the new mother to the nester to the maven. Some are expensive and designed to last a lifetime & then some, some are frugal enough for a secret santa swap. All are about increasing quality of life and supporting the makers & purveyors of quality goods. Sources are at the bottom and correspond to the number of the item. I encourage you to look around the shops linked…there’s a lot more than what I have here!


gift guide 2014

 

1. Linen Navy Stripe Cushion Cover, by Fog Linen     2. Hand Carved Black Walnut Stirring Spoon, by Sweet Gum Co.    3. Limited Edition Copper & Walnut Pendant Light, by Board & Bread    4. Natural Linen Oven Mitt, by Fog Linen    5. Ivory Knit Baby Blanket, by Fog Linen   6. Forest Tea, by Marble & Milkweed   7. Washi Paper Envelopes, from Nalata Nalata   8. Martiniano Glove Slipper, from La Garconne   9. Hario Copper Pour Over Kettle, from Kauffman Mercantile   10. Tajika Copper Scissors, from Nalata Nalata

11. Ambatalia Linen Bento Bag, from Quitokeeto   12. Smoke Perfume, from Hey Rooster  13. Sunday Suppers: Recipes & Gatherings, from Amazon   14. Ryan Roche Alabaster Angora Hat, from Frances May   15. Rope Pot Holders, by Straw & Gold   16. Temple Scarf in Coffee, by Blockshop Textiles   17. Tajika Herb Shears, from Nalata Nalata   18. Tiro Tiro Demi Earrings, from Frances May  19. Handmade Ceramic Teapot by Andrei Davidoff, from Straw & Gold   20. Speckled Clay Jar, by Rennes

21. Eclipse Ring, by Odette   22. Homestead Apothecary Sweet Dreams Tincture, from Straw & Gold    23. ABC Dream Book, by Wild Unknown   24. Seasoned Steel Skillet, by Lodge Cast Iron   25. Cocoon Coat, by Elizabeth Suzann  26. Pan Brush, from Quitokeeto   27. Stepwell Scarf in Slate, by Blockshop Textiles   28. Parfait Jar, from Old Faithful Shop   29. Hario Copper Coffee Scoop, from Kaufmann Mercantile   30. Akiko Graham Stoneware Spoon, from Alder Co.

31. Golden Apothecary Open Mind Headache Roll-On, from Hey Rooster   32. Rose Facial Serum, by Burren Perfumery    33. Nurture Box, from MEUS   34. Lauren Manoogian Neck Pillow, from Rennes  35. Hemp & Brass Eclipse Wall Hanging, by Sonadora Handmade   36. Mauviel Heritage Copper Roasting Pan, from Food52 Provisions   37. Iris Hantverk Cake Tester, Quitokeeto   38. Iris Slipper, by Coclico  38.  Susan Gregory Oil Diffuser, from The Commons   40. HDH Basics Kimono, by Hackwith Design

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tags: christmas, gift guide, handmade, makers, shopping

19 thoughts on “Local Milk Gift Guide | 2014”

  1. Ginny Early says:
    December 11, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    This is beautiful, Beth! I’d be thrilled to give or get every one of these…and I love the color palette as well.

    Reply
  2. Kaity says:
    December 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    Beautiful collection!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Stevens says:
    December 11, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    Great ideas! Thanks for the list 🙂

    Reply
  4. Brett says:
    December 11, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    beautifully curated, as always. i know what i’ll be doing the rest of my night (checking credit card limits)

    Reply
  5. ashley o says:
    December 12, 2014 at 12:16 am

    brilliant list. some of these are calling my name….the nurture box, the headache roll on, copper roasting pan, the ivory knit blanket…….lovely. xx

    Reply
  6. Meghan says:
    December 12, 2014 at 1:52 am

    Oh my goodness. I could cry over this list, it’s so absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this all together. You’re constantly inspiring me, as well as many others, I’m sure, to extract these moments that make the everyday more special than it already is. I can truly appreciate you ‘littering’ the quotidian with pieces of reason, being one who often experiences more difficulty than not. So, thank you.

    Reply
  7. Lindsey says:
    December 12, 2014 at 9:46 am

    such a beautiful round-up, beth. that stepwell scarf…ugh, so lovely! happy holidays to you!

    Reply
  8. Lee says:
    December 12, 2014 at 11:06 am

    This is hands down the best gift guide I’ve seen this year (and I even made one)! You have such great taste and found so many unique items. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration. Happy Holidays! xo

    Reply
  9. Dee W says:
    December 12, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Yes, this is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I love so many of the pieces and the shops. Saving this post for future reference!

    Dee | http://www.daundra.com/blog

    Reply
  10. Jodi@prairiekuchen says:
    December 12, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Just when I thought I didn’t “need” anything,,,

    Reply
  11. Miranda says:
    December 12, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Number 24 is the stuff my dreams are made of!!! Oh I hate to be offered clutter, as well, things that will not serve me in any way, not even in the aesthetic sense, as they don’t fit into my likings. But I always end up being offered loads of clutter, stuff I will never use nor display around my home, and I think this stems from people not taking the time to know others properly, most people don’t pay attention to anything besides their own bubble world and so they don’t have any idea of what to offer others, something that will be to their liking and of utility. I sometimes feel that some people are just buying stuff because they feel an obligation to give something to said person, but in the end they do not know that person at all and end up spending money in things that are… well, unnecessary!! Still, I struggle with what to offer my in laws every time, and am never certain I have hit the spot.
    http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth says:
    December 12, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Seriously good. How lucky we are to have you!

    Reply
  13. nanne says:
    December 13, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    i always SO appreciate when bloggers take the time out of their crazy schedules to share a well thought out gift guide with their readers.

    thank you, beth!!

    nanne c.

    Reply
  14. Renee (will frolic for food) says:
    December 15, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    i love this roundup! you’re constantly me inspiring me to live a more beautiful, intentional life — in part through my buying choices. I think I’m going to get that Sweet Dreams Tincture. Maybe it’ll help me have more positive dreams — they’ve been a little bit anxiety driven as of late. Do you perhaps have any suggestions on tarot sets that are particularly moving and in the flow? I’ve never owned one before but I like the idea of drawing meaning from the symbols that present themselves in your life.

    Reply
  15. cristina says:
    December 17, 2014 at 3:52 am

    wonderful choices, thank you beth

    Reply
  16. Madalena says:
    January 28, 2015 at 8:11 am

    Beautiful collection!
    <3

    Reply
  17. ethan5kwg5xblog.metroblog.com says:
    February 9, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post.
    Thank you for supplying these details.

    Reply
  18. Footprints says:
    May 22, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    With most people on your list (and all of us in general) already having so much stuff, it’s really hard to give something that for sure won’t get re-gifted, recycled or simply thrown away. I think the Hario pour over kettle (#9) would make a great gift for anyone – whether you already have everything stocked for coffee at home but could use something elegant to water your plants; or you need to minimize things when you’re off to teach english in china or another long trip abroad.

    Reply
  19. Pingback: Hortus' 2016 Gift Guide - Hortus Natural Cooking by Valentina Solfrini

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travel with baby
35 Baby Travel Tips | Infant to 1-Year-Old + Minimalist Baby Packing List
Chocolate-Dipped Pistachio Shortbread + A Giveaway by Beth Kirby
Chocolate-Dipped Pistachio Shortbread + A Giveaway
The Ultimate Paris, France Travel Guide: All the Must See Instagram, Travel Photography, Food, Cafes, Things to do, and Shopping Spot plus Travel Tips for the First Time Visitor! #travel #paris #france
Wander Guide | The Essential Paris Travel Guide & Map
Gathering from Scratch | A Workshop Retreat in the Shenandoah Valley Part 2
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