Tag: Motherhood

Ashley’s Mom-Approved List: Supporting Small, Female-Owned & Family-Friendly Brands

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

As a mom, I know how important it is to find products that are safe, sustainable, and thoughtfully made. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce Ashley’s Mom-Approved List—a curated selection of local, female-owned brands that I truly love. When you see the pink tick mark in-store, you’ll know that the product meets my standards for quality, sustainability, and supporting incredible women-led businesses.

For my first feature, I’m highlighting two small businesses that check all the boxes: Hunni’s and 6th Scent Candles.

Hunni’s – Feel-Good Fashion for Moms & More

Founded in 2004 by twin sisters Christie and Danielle Honeyford, Hunni’s has been bringing stylish, feel-good fashion to Langley for 20 years. With locations in Langley and Chilliwack, it’s a go-to boutique for pieces that are trendy, wearable, and perfect for busy moms who still want to look put-together.

Why I Love Shopping at Hunni’s

The staff at Hunni’s make every shopping experience a joy. They’re helpful without being pushy, giving you space to browse while still being available if you need advice. As someone who is a curvier girl (size 14-16), I appreciate that Hunni’s always has cute outfits that fit well and make me feel confident.

Mom-Approved Picks from Hunni’s

✔️ Miller Cuff Denim – These jeans are basically the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in real life. They’re insanely comfortable, fit like a dream, and are guaranteed to be the comfiest jeans you’ll ever put on your body.

✔️ Rudy Dress – Flowy, flattering, and mom-friendly. It has plenty of room in the bust (because we know that matters!), pockets (yes, actual functional pockets!), and is a wardrobe staple for school drop-offs, brunch dates, and everything in between.

✔️ Cosmo Cardi – I affectionately call this my “Ms. Frizzle Cardi”, and it delights me every time I put it on. It’s cozy, colorful, and has just the right amount of whimsical charm to make every outfit feel a little more fun.

✔️ Ziggy Pants – Effortless, chic, and comfy. These pants look polished but feel like pajamas—so basically, they’re magic.

Bonus? Hunni’s also carries 6th Scent Candles, so you can shop both brands in one stop!

6th Scent Candles – Thoughtfully Made Scents for Your Home

Founded in 2016 by Al and her husband Tom, 6th Scent Candles is a soy candle company based in Langley, BC. Their passion is creating beautiful, non-toxic scents that make your home feel cozy and inviting.

Why I Love 6th Scent Candles

The scents from 6th Scent Candles are fresh without being overpowering, making them perfect for every room in the house. Plus, since they’re made responsibly with non-toxic ingredients, I feel good about burning them around my family, especially my daughter.

Mom-Approved Picks from 6th Scent Candles

✔️ White Tea & Ginger Candle – Light, fresh, and spa-like. Perfect for turning your home into a peaceful retreat.

✔️ Car Air Fresheners – Because let’s be real, between snacks, sports gear, and random surprises from the kids, the car needs a refresh.

✔️ Reed Diffuser (Watermelon Lemon) – A flame-free way to keep your house smelling amazing, which is a must when you’ve got little ones running around.

You can find 6th Scent Candles online, at Willowbrook Mall, and at Hunni’s!

Why These Brands Are on Ashley’s Mom-Approved List

✅ Locally Made – Supporting businesses in our community.
✅ Female-Owned – Uplifting incredible women-led brands.
✅ Good for You & Your Family – Safe, sustainable, and thoughtfully made.

Look for the pink tick mark in stores to find my top picks! I’m so excited to continue building Ashley’s Mom-Approved List and sharing more incredible small businesses with you.

Join the Conversation!

Have you shopped at Hunni’s or tried 6th Scent Candles? I’d love to hear about your favorite finds! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram @theashleyrhapsody. Let’s celebrate the incredible women behind these businesses together!

Follow me on Instagram: @theashleyrhapsody
Follow Hunni’s: @shophunnis
Follow 6th Scent Candles: @6thscentcandle

If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother

The Ashley Rhapsody3 Comments

I thought becoming a mother would redeem “Mother’s Day” for me, but my feelings around it have not really changed. 

“Mother’s Day” is a rough one for me. 

I don’t see my mother anymore. I haven’t seen her since I was a few months pregnant. Our relationship began to deteriorate when my parent’s got divorced, got worse through my teenage years, and finally imploded in my thirties. 

I know my mother did her best. I know she loves me. I love her. I did not create these boundaries in our relationship because I don’t love her. 

I haven’t spoken about motherhood on this platform much. I’ve hesitated because anytime I’ve ever mentioned my own mother in the past, even in veiled references, it turned into a fight between her and I. 

You know that expression, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?” Well, I feel like, in my writing life, the expression is “if you can’t write about your mother, you can’t write about anything at all.” Not because every story is about her. Not because I have all of these terrible things to say, but because now that I have become a mother myself, I’ve discovered that mother’s are woven into everything. I can’t avoid writing about my mother, anymore than I can avoid being reminded of her. Mother’s, as a people group, shape all of us; even the absence of a mother. It is not merely “Mother’s Day” that rattles at the gates of our emotions, but it’s the everyday things that either remind us how utterly helpless we’d be without them, or how desperately we long for a mother-figure. 

It is for these reasons I haven’t written in over a year. I haven’t allowed myself to write about motherhood, in fear I would reveal my own mother-wound and further unravel pieces of myself.

But I am no longer just someone’s daughter, I am now a mother myself, and I want room to talk about my own motherhood. I want wide open spaces to express the beautiful, messy work of parenting without feeling like I’m betraying the system.

So, I give myself permission to acknowledge “mothers;” my own, myself, and all the spaces in between.