Nesting Into Fall: A Meaningful Baby Gift That Grows With Them
As the days get cozier, I’ve been leaning into what I call nesting into fall—slowing down, softening up the house, and giving more intentionally. This simple baby gift idea has become one of our family’s favorites, and now it’s our go-to for welcoming new little ones. Thoughtful, timeless, and wrapped with heart.
Whimsical and classic gift wrap - perfect for a baby gift
There’s something about the early days of fall — the golden light, the quiet shift indoors — that makes me want to slow down and give more intentionally. I call it nesting into fall — cozying up the house, tending to small rituals, and leaning into thoughtful moments of care.
Recently, we wrapped a gift for friends who just had a baby, and it turned into one of my favorite “slow gifting” moments yet.
When our son was born, someone gave us a personalized bedtime storybook from I See Me! with his name woven into the story. At the time, it was sweet. Now that he’s five? It’s one of our most treasured books. He lights up every time he hears his name on the page, and it’s even helped him learn to recognize, read, and write it.
So when our friends welcomed their baby, we knew exactly what to send: their own I See Me! book, personalized just for their little one.
This kind of gift becomes a ritual — something that’s not just opened once, but read over and over again.
Whether you're headed to a baby shower or dropping something on a doorstep, this is one of those gifts that truly grows with them.
🎁 How I Wrapped It
I love a gift that feels like part of the experience — not just what’s inside, but how it’s presented. For this one, I kept it simple and sweet, but added a few easy touches that make it feel extra special.
We wrapped it in alpaca-themed kraft paper — soft and whimsical — and tied it with a neutral silk ribbon with polka dots in a simple bow. The whole thing felt classic, cozy, and just right for this season of life.
Here’s how I wrapped the personalized See Me! book:
I used the alpaca-print kraft paper for a playful, neutral base.
I wrapped a soft cream colored silk ribbon with gold polka dots around the gift, folding it into a clean bow.
Then I trimmed the ribbon ends on a diagonal cut (this makes a huge difference!) to give it that polished, professionally wrapped look.
I even snapped a few action shots as I went — scroll down for a closer peek at the folding and trimming process!
It doesn’t take much to make a present feel extra loved — just a few intentional touches, folded with care.
Use soft, neutral ribbon that’s easy to tie.
Fold your ribbon in half length-wise, then cut on the diagonal to make the perfect, polished ends to your bow!
Viola! Perfectly cut ribbon ends.
Shop This Gift
Whether you're celebrating a new arrival or looking for a baby shower gift with heart, here’s everything I used (and loved) to create this cozy, personalized present:
Exact Gift Combo – Shop on Amazon
This includes the actual items we used — perfect if you want to recreate the look one-to-one:
The personalized I See Me! storybook
Alpaca-print kraft wrapping paper
Neutral silk ribbon with polka dots
I See Me! Customizable Children’s Book
Whimsical and neutral gift wrapping for baby gift
Inspired Baby Gift Edit – Shop on LTK
Want to build your own version with a similar feel? I pulled together a fall-toned edit featuring:
Cozy-neutral gift wrap options
Soft, timeless baby gifts
Thoughtful extras for slow gifting
👉 Shop the Baby Gift Edit on LTK
No matter which route you take, this gift is one that truly grows more meaningful with every bedtime read.
PIN IT FOR LATER
A heart-melting baby gift that grows more meaningful with every bedtime read.
Pin this adorable baby bedtime book for a gift idea!
Carolina Peach Cobbler (The Best Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches)
This easy Carolina peach cobbler is made with juicy South Carolina peaches and a simple batter using self-rising flour. A true Southern summer classic, straight from a Carolina girl who knows her peaches.
Georgia might be called the “Peach State,” but let me tell you—nothing beats a juicy South Carolina freestone peach. Sweet, sun-ripened, and dripping with flavor, they’re what summer dreams are made of.
And in my (very biased) opinion, they’re the only kind of peaches worth baking into a cobbler.
Before peach season slips away, head to your local roadside stand or farmer’s market and grab a few. This easy Southern peach cobbler comes together in just minutes and is a perfect last hurrah for summer. It’s simple enough to whip up with kids in the kitchen and flavorful enough to bring to a potluck or summer Sunday dinner.
Secret ingredient:
South Carolina free stone peaches
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Uses self-rising flour – No need to measure baking powder or soda
Kid-friendly prep – Just mix, pour, and bake
Perfect for summer produce – Fresh, ripe peaches are the star
Don’t Miss Peach Season
Colder weather will be here before we know it, but there’s still time to enjoy one more sweet, sticky bite of summer. Serve this cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear.
Trust me: once you’ve had a Carolina peach cobbler, there’s no going back.
Make the Recipe:
🖨️ Click here to download the printable recipe.
Carolina Peach Cobbler
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
🧺 Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup), melted
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole milk
4–5 fresh South Carolina freestone peaches, peeled and sliced
1 tsp almond extract
Optional: cinnamon for sprinkling on top
👩🍳 Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Pour the melted butter into a 9x13-inch baking dish (don’t stir it in!).
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and milk until mostly smooth.
Stir in vanilla (or almond) extract.
Pour the batter evenly over the butter — do not mix.
Layer the sliced peaches over the top.
Optional: sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Let cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm with vanilla ice cream!
💡 Tips & Swaps:
Don’t have self-rising flour? You can sub with 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt.
Frozen or canned peaches can work in a pinch, but fresh freestone peaches truly make it shine.
Want a little crunch? Add a sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top before baking.
Other recipes you might like…
Simple Summer Kitchen Table Decor for Everyday Moments
There’s something grounding about a table that feels lived-in but lovely. I’m not talking about holiday centerpieces or tablescapes that require a Pinterest degree — just a few intentional touches that make your kitchen feel warm and rooted in real life.
This week, I pulled together a few simple decor touches I’ve been using lately:
✨ A round wood tray to ground the space
🌿 Fresh greenery (a gift from my neighbor’s garden!) in a bud vase or recycled jar
🕯️ A seasonal candle to add warmth
🍽️ A white textured vase that doubles as sculpture
You can see the full table in this short video, and I’ve saved everything I used — or close lookalikes — in this LTK collection if you want to browse.
Why Keep It Simple?
Because beauty in the home shouldn’t feel like a production.
This table setup took me all of 10 minutes — and made the whole space feel more intentional.
Shop the Look ↓
This Simple Neutral Tray (a timeless neutral base- under $30!)
Terracotta Vase (I love it empty!)
A summer scented candle from one of my favorite brands, Paddy Wax
More Table Moments to Come
I’m planning seasonal versions of this same space — next up: early fall textures and maybe a rustic bowl of pears.
If you like soulful, cozy home style with a little bit of imperfection, I’ll send you seasonal inspiration as the months change. Sign up [here] — the candles will be lit, and the pears will be perfectly overripe. 🍐
Mary Helen's Shrimp Dip
This is a dish Mary Helen is known for in her family and friend group. And I am SO glad she chose to share it with us because, if you make this for your family, you’re going to be famous for it, too. If you like shellfish and spicy food, this super quick and easy side dish is out-of-this-world good!
A note on spicy: Mary Helen likes this dish with a kick. I’m glad about that because I absolutely love horseradish. So, here’s the thing: most prepared horseradish cream sauces won’t have a really good kick. To make this dish really shine, it’s important to use a high quality horseradish.
Mary Helen is a fan of Silver Spring Foods, which you can generally find at Publix, Kroger and possibly other grocery stores, or Atomic (find online).
Full transparency, my grocery store didn’t have these brands, so I did end up getting a prepared horseradish cream sauce by Boar’s Head, and even Mary Helen was impressed! We were surprised. It had a KICK!
This dish is versatile for holidays and celebrations all throughout the year. Spread the cream cheese mixture onto a red plate for Christmas, silver platter for New Years, or choose your favorite dish for a birthday. The green onions and lemon peel bring beautiful color to the presentation. This shrimp dish is a crowd pleaser in both taste and looks.
Bonappetite!
Try the Drink…
French 75 Cocktail
My guest in Ep. 05, Mary Helen Yarbrough, brought over this classic cocktail recipe, which pairs beautifully with the shrimp dip you just made! She also shared a few insider secrets about how to make the best drinks. It’s all waiting for you here!
Catch the episode!
Ep. 05 - Choose Your Attitude, Choose Your Life with Mary Helen Yarbrough
Cowboy Caviar
My college besties, Kelly and Kelsey, and I used to make this dip all the time when we had an off-campus apartment. So, when Ashley from The Wildcards recommended something similar to pair with our podcast episode, I was super excited!
I’ll be honest, I eyeball everything in this recipe. Just sprinkle the herbs and spices to your taste. You can’t mess this up.
We didn’t add heat with jalapeno, but you certainly can if you like a little kick. Or use a can of Rotel instead of tomatoes.
I’m telling ya, once you start eating this dip with tortilla chips, you won’t be able to stop! It’s so good and couldn’t be easier to make. This dish is the perfect idea for a potluck or holiday party. Just dump it all together and go!
Try the Drink…
Merry Margarita
My guest in Ep. 03, The Wildcards and I made this delicious craft cocktail together. This variation of a margarita is the perfect idea for the holidays and pairs well with the Cowboy Caviar dip! Grab the recipe here!
Catch the episode!
Ep. 03 - Jumping in the Driver’s Seat with The Wildcards