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Do you know what I couldn’t have predicted in a million years when I was thinking through the potential roadblocks for hitting my goals last year when working on my 2020 blogging plans? A global pandemic.

TL;DR: This year had me down and out, but I’m excited to be back blogging again. I have a list of things I plan on sharing including some home projects and Covid-safe celebrations. I’d love to know what YOU wish to see in my upcoming posts… cause, after all, this blog is for you! Please take a moment to fill out this SUPER short form to let me know what you want to see!

It has been nearly a year since my last post. I stopped posting around March 16th which was a week after lockdown began for me. At the time I even hired a few people who had lost their jobs due to the lockdown with full intentions of continuing my work here. Thing is… my day job is in healthcare.

These rolling 12 months have been some of the hardest working months of my life. Harder than 4 jobs and full-time college courses. Harder than changing careers. Harder than going back after having a baby. And, me… I had it good compared to others in my field.

After sometimes 70 hours of looking at computers for my day job—often dealing with things like Covid restrictions, angry online commenters, fear for coworkers, etc.—the idea of looking at a computer for my own work felt almost impossible. But, even when I got around the gumption to open my laptop I’d sit there and stare at a screen not knowing what to write.

This year it felt like work to celebrate.

This blog has always been a space about celebration in one way or another. Even though I knew people would want to have ways to celebrate safely, things to cook for a family, ways to connect over the internet… I knew that those would be good and appropriate things to write about. I just couldn’t celebrate.

Finally though, finally I see a bit of light at the end of this long tunnel. I don’t know what my head will do with this year and how it will translate in this blog. For now though, I thought I’d share a few highlights from the year that I hope to share in more detail over the next few months.

Coming Soon: Home Projects

Being at home and unable to stare at a computer any more than I already was… I did a lot of home improvement projects! We made improvements in several spaces this year and I am proud of our DIY spirit and the overall results. Recent home projects include:

Shared Kids Bedroom

shared kids bedroom with mural

Front Door Update

painted front door

Family Room/ Multipurpose Room

yellow painted playroom with desk area

Home Gym

home gym

Coming Soon: My Society 6 Shop

I’ve been using art as a coping mechanism my entire life. This year it has become essential. I’ve started putting some of my recent designs into a Society6 shop and am working on a few more fun projects. The Society6 Shop is live, but I plan on sharing more of my work this year.

society6 shop screenshot
Jenni Bost’s Society6 Shop

Coming Soon: Food and Cocktails

Girl’s gotta eat. With the entire family home all day, every day I have for sure been cooking up a storm of recipes. From seasonal drinks to weeknight eats, I plan to share my favorites.

gin and curacao cocktail with peaches

Coming Soon: Tips for Safe Celebrations

While there is light at the end of the tunnel we are looking at possibly years of needing to be safer in our celebrations. Even when the world goes back to normal I hope that some things like Zoom parties stay around occasionally so that we can celebrate with people that are too far to get together in person. This year we did zoom parties for birthdays and (when it was allowed) very small outdoor, socially distanced get togethers with friends.

individually wrapped snacks and beverages
lego cake in a cup and kazoo

While there is plenty to share, I really don’t want to share things unless it will be of use and interest to you! So, please take just a moment to fill out this very short form as to what you’d like to see out of A Well Crafted Party in 2021!

Thank you… and, here is to a better 12 months than the last!

Ever just want to chat and talk about something on your mind with a good drink in hand? Me too. All the time. Thus the beginning of a new project I’ve ventured into called #NightcapwithJenni.

Join me in this new venture of sharing a beverage recipe or favorite beverage I’ve discovered while chatting about something on my mind each week on Instastories @JenniBost.

Currently I’m working on this project purely in Instastories and will keep it in this platform for the time-being. Perhaps as I get more comfortable in this habit I’ll move it to InstaLive .

The benefit of instastories is that there are so many opportunities for engagement outside of simply the time that it is posted. Each week I’ll update my highlights to include the weekly #NightcapwithJenni posts as well so that you are able to watch and message me throughout the week.

The world of blogging has changed so much! The engagement that used to be done through email or blog comments feels a little lost. I know it is because we have MUCH better tools for engagement nowadays such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. But, I’ve not been the best at utilizing those platforms for engagement. I guess I was stuck in my ways a bit!

So, I guess what I am saying is that I miss you! I really hope you’ll tune in each Sunday evening (or the following week) and chat with me about the topic at hand or about anything on your mind!

Cocktail in hand

#NightcapwithJenni

  • Where: Instagram – Follow @JenniBost and check out my Instastories!
  • When: Sunday evenings approximately 6 PM PST
  • What: I’ll be sharing a beverage of choice and talking about a topic of interest. You may get a beverage recommendation from something I’ve been drinking lately, or a recipe of something I’ve created!

My first #NightcapwithJenni shared a sangria recipe and my thoughts on Memorial Day. My latest #NightcapwithJenni I shared a delicious NA punch and thoughts on flexibility. So many people shared their own tips for flexibility in their life as well! Tune in tomorrow night for a new beverage and a talk about JOY.

Questions for you…

What topics would interest you? What beverages should I share more of? Any other platforms I should think of sharing this on? Share in the comments or @ me! Cheers!

Maybe it is the season of life that I am in right now or perhaps it is because I like to host a lot of baby showers, but I’ve been getting asked frequently my thoughts on baby shower gifts. I often have a running list of ideas to share that haven’t really changed over the years…. however, very recently, I was introduced to two companies that I feel are out-of-the-box great ideas as gifts for new moms.

Both Finn & Co and Heartfelt Mamas were founded by mothers! They are both Spokane-area business women who felt a need was not being met and stepped up and met the need. I encourage you to check out their products or social media profiles and show them some support!

The following gift ideas are not sponsored, however, I received two of these items in a giveaway and was SO impressed that I had to share. All opinions are my own. These items were won through a giveaway without knowledge that they may be included in a blog post.

Finn the Panda from Finn and Co Gifts designed for babies in the NICU

Finn & Co Gifts – Finn the Panda

The idea behind this lovely stuffed panda is one that is both so smart and one that was born from a true need. While a great gift for lots of new moms, the purpose of the creation of this little panda was as a gift for a mom whose child is in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle Armstrong, the creator of this adorable stuffie. (That is what my kids called all stuffed animals!)

Finn the Panda was developed to help comfort babies during hospital stays, as well as to foster the bond between the baby and their caregivers, even when they have to be apart. It features:

  • Finn is made of antimicrobial material to help prevent the spread of germs to baby. This is SUPER important in a hospital environment, but also a great idea for daycare or home.
  • He wears a washable heart-shaped scent patch that can be detached and worn, then reattached to the bear. This means that mom or dad can place the patch close to their skin for some time and then attach to the bear so that their scent goes with baby wherever they may be.
  • A recording device that allows a song or comforting words of up to one minute to be played back once or on repeat may help to soothe baby or help with familiarity. I could see this being great for a grandparent who may be far away.
  • The contrasting black and white colors that appeal to baby’s early vision.
  • Finn is made of 100% cashmere to be amazingly soft and cuddly.
  • Finn and Co Gifts offer free shipping on a purchase of Finn the Panda as well as a 10% discount if you sign up for their newsletter. (Visit the Finn and Co Gifts website and scroll to the bottom of the page to enter an email for their newsletter.)
Michelle Armstrong created Finn the Panda after experiencing a NICU stay for her son.
Michelle Armstrong, creator of Finn the Panda, with her son.

We all wish for babies to be healthy at birth, but for many new mothers and many new families…this just isn’t an option. Finn the Panda is such a thoughtful way to allow family members an opportunity to feel that they are in some small way able to be with their baby even when they physically cannot be there. This would make such a lovely gesture to someone in your life. Or, perhaps you simply feel the desire to help SOMEONE in need. Sponsor a Finn the Panda that will be delivered to a NICU or ICU in your city.


As a mom who spent several months of her son’s first year of life in the hospital, I know the stress and pressure of hospital parenting.  I wanted to do everything I could for my son and often felt the guilt of not being able to be there for him every moment during his 57 day NICU stay.  I developed Finn the Panda so that even when you have to be away, you can leave a piece of you to provide comfort and bonding for your baby and you.

Michelle Armstrong, creator of Finn the Panda

While I don’t want to take away from the purpose of Finn. When I heard about him I wished I would have had one of pandas for the first few months that I went back to work and my son was getting used to a his new daycare. I believe it would be a wonderful gift for working moms (or dads), grandparents, and other loved ones who may wish to be near baby, but are unable to.

Heartfelt Mamas gift box

Heartfelt Mamas Gift Boxes

When I go to baby showers I often gift something from a registry or something I feel will be useful to baby and mom. However, when I get the pleasure of visiting a momma in the hospital or at home after a birth, I try to gift her something simply for her. She has gone through a lot!

Heartfelt Mamas for sure has something for brand new mamas, but that isn’t where this company stops. There are boxes curated specifically for different aspects of motherhood including miscarriage, grief, post-partum, or just an day-brightening everyday gift box. Each curated gift box features local Inland NW products and services.

Some of the items that may be found in Heartfelt Mamas Boxes:

  • Wild June Co Coffee Scrub and Lavender Nourish Skin Cream
  • Winterwoods Pacific Coast Lavender Tea
  • Bucket of Moon Beams Accessory Pouch
  • Chocolate
  • Gift Cards to local services
  • Sparkles Bakeshop Granola Rounds
  • Caring Coconut Soothing Spray

Gift boxes may be purchased from anywhere, but those within 45 miles of Spokane, WA have the option of purchasing the “local” gift box which sports services from local businesses such as fitness classes, coffee shops, nutrition consultants, spa services, and more.


Heartfelt Mamas stems from my own personal experiences and journey to find joy, happiness, and peace in this crazy thing we call motherhood. My heart is to help reduce anxiety, stress & comparisons in mamas in order to create happier, healthier families.

Cheree Sauer, Founder of Heartfelt Mamas

I love a company with a heart. Gift boxes can also be sponsored to give to a woman in need. In addition, a portion of the sales of gift boxes goes to create and give a box to a woman in need.

Mother-Lovin’ Gifts

I know that I would have appreciated either of the above gifts as a new mom and beyond. It has been a joy for me to stumble upon both of these mother-ran and operated companies with a genuine heart for fellow women. Whether you are shopping for the perfect baby shower gift, a gift for a new mom, a thoughtful gift for a mother who is grieving, or a way to give back to local moms, check out these two great companies!

Finn & Co Gifts | www.finnandcogifts.com | @FinnandCoGifts

Heartfelt Mamas | www.heartfeltmamas.com | @HeartfeltMamas