SO in the KNOW | What I’m Learning & Loving in my Empty Nest in May 2026

One of my favorite things about this season of life is that we finally have the freedom to be curious again. We have time to discover new things, rethink old routines, learn what’s worth the hype, and share the little tips, products, trends, and discoveries that genuinely make life more fun, helpful, meaningful, or interesting.

Honestly, I wish we could all sit down together over coffee and chat about these things in person every month, but since we can’t, this monthly SO in the KNOW post is the next best thing! Think of it as your fun catch-up with a girlfriend who’s been researching, testing, scrolling, watching, reading, and finding all sorts of things this month, so you can stay SO in the KNOW too. (To see SO in the KNOW posts from previous months, click HERE.)

As usual, click the pink text links or either of the collages to learn more about anything I share, and please consider sharing this post with others!

What I’m Learning

Ever Heard of “Grandma Brain?”

f you’ve ever looked at your grandbaby and thought, “Why do I feel this much?”—there’s actually science behind it, and it’s the sweetest thing. Research from Emory University found that when grandmothers see their grandchildren, the part of the brain tied to emotional empathy lights up—meaning we don’t just understand their feelings, we feel them right along with them. (Cue the heart-melting, tear-welling, joy-bursting moments.) It’s even different from how we experienced motherhood, and when you pair that deep emotional connection with the freedom of not being the one on duty 24/7… well, no wonder being a grandma feels like pure magic. Read the full article HERE.

Is Your Shower Bad for Your Skin?

If your skin has been feeling extra dry lately and you can’t quite figure out why… your shower might be the sneaky culprit. Tap water often contains chlorine and other minerals that can irritate skin, weaken your moisture barrier, and even leave your hair feeling dull—especially as we get older and our skin naturally becomes thinner and drier. The good news? A simple shower filter (many under $100!) can help reduce those irritants and make a noticeable difference in both skin and hair. Experts recommend choosing a certified, multi-stage filter with activated carbon for the best results—and skipping anything that makes over-the-top claims. It’s one of those small, easy upgrades that might just leave you feeling a whole lot softer and smoother. Read the full article HERE.

Experts recommend:

• Weddell Duo Shower Filter – NSF certified shower filter for Chlorine reduction, lead-free, easy installation, award-winning
• Aquasana 4100 – Reduces 90% of Chlorine with 3 Settings.
• MyHalos – High Pressure, Removes Chlorine, easy installation

Wonder Project on Amazon Prime

Have you heard of The Wonder Project? It’s a faith-and-values entertainment company created by filmmaker Jon Erwin and media executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten. Erwin is best known for inspirational films like Jesus Revolution and I Can Only Imagine, and the company reflects his vision for high-quality storytelling centered on hope, redemption, faith, and family.

Available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video, Wonder Project features original series, movies, and family-friendly programming designed to inspire and encourage viewers. I’ve been watching one of its breakout originals, House of David, and I have truly loved it. Season 1 and Season 2 are available for FREE with Prime Video. The success of this show helped introduce the platform to a wider audience, and it beautifully showcases the cinematic, values-driven content the company is becoming known for. The Wonder Project is a great one to support if you’re looking for high-quality, values-based entertainment. Learn more about the available titles you can stream via Wonder Project HERE.

What I’m Loving

1. Viral Plaid Maxi Skirt

Skirts are having a fashion moment, and this viral plaid maxi skirt may be one of my favorite affordable finds of the season! The colorful plaid print is playful and happy, the ruching at the waist is surprisingly flattering, and it somehow works with EVERYTHING… tanks, tees, sweaters, denim jackets, you name it. It has that easy “throw it on and instantly look cute” energy that makes getting dressed in the summer so much more fun. Just note: it runs large, so I’d size down.

2. Joy Creative Shop Greeting Card Set

My 3 1/2-year-old granddaughter and I have become quite the little pen pals lately, and this greeting card set from Joy Creative Shop has made it even more fun. She loves getting actual mail addressed to her, with a stamp and everything! (I love to tuck in stickers for extra fun.) The card’s colorful designs are so cheerful and happy, and the quality feels extra special instead of flimsy and forgettable. I love keeping these on hand for grandkids, thank-you notes, birthdays, encouragement, or just because… because let’s be honest, getting real mail still feels special. Got an older grandchild headed off to camp this summer? Check out THIS camp pen pal set, also from our pals at JCS. Be sure to use code ENB10 for 10% off your order!

3. Chunky Beaded Necklace

Chunky colorful necklaces are trending right now (see THIS collection at Baublebar), and honestly… I’m not mad about it. 😂 These bold beaded necklaces add SO much personality to even the simplest outfit and instantly make fashion basics feel fun. I especially love them with white tees and summer dresses because they add a playful little pop of color that feels cheerful, artsy, and vacation-ready all at once.

4. Tinge Body Makeup

Listen. I have officially broken up with the orange streaks and strange shimmer of the old-school leg makeup days. (I’m looking at you, Sally Hansen!😂) TINGE Body Makeup is hands-down the BEST body makeup I’ve ever used. It gives your skin this smooth, even, airbrushed look without feeling heavy or fake, and it truly stays put through heat, sweat, and real life. It’s not self-tanner, so there’s no commitment and no waiting around for color to develop… just pretty, even, confidence-boosting skin instantly.

Not sure what shade is right for you? Although you can purchase it on Amazon, it has a high return rate, likely because many people order the wrong shade. I recommend visiting the Tinge Beauty website and taking their Shade Quiz to find your best match. Based on their recommendation, I use Fair Neutral to match my natural skin tone, and Medium Cool for a pretty summer glow.

5. Teeny Tiny White Noise Machine

This teeny tiny white noise machine may be one of the handiest little things I’ve packed lately. It’s small enough to toss in your purse or carry-on, but powerful enough to block out hotel noise, airplane sounds, snoring husbands 😂, or the general chaos of life. I also love keeping one in the baby’s room when the grandkids visit because it creates the coziest sleep environment. The fact that something this tiny can produce 15 different soothing sounds still amazes me!

6. Not Your Basic Bodywash

Dove’s Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash is the upgrade your shower routine has been waiting for. This beautiful oil-to-foam formula melts into a creamy, luxurious lather that leaves your skin can’t-stop-touching soft, thanks to a deeply hydrating blend with 50% glycerin that gives you that smooth, radiant glow without any greasy feel. It’s one of those little everyday indulgences that feels extra special, with a soft, soothing scent of jojoba oil and manoi flower, and I love that it doubles as a shaving cream too. It truly turns your shower into a simple, feel-good self-care moment… and your skin looks and feels so good afterward.

7. Protein2o Protein Water

If you’re trying to sneak more protein into your day without drinking another thick shake, this has been such a good find! Protein2o Protein Water tastes more like flavored water than a heavy protein drink, but still packs in 15 grams of (whey) protein plus electrolytes. I’ve been reaching for the cherry flavor in the afternoon when I need a little boost, and Bob loves the cherry lemonade flavor. It feels SO much lighter and easier than traditional protein drinks.

8. Ruffle Socks

Lettuce-edge ruffle socks are suddenly everywhere right now, and they make outfits look so fun and intentional. I love the feminine, slightly vintage feel peeking out from loafers, ballet flats, or sneakers because it gives even the simplest outfit a little personality. Also… Gen Z has apparently decided no-show socks are painfully millennial 😂, so visible socks are now a full part of the outfit, and this trend is an easy, wearable way to lean into it. Honestly, I felt a little like a 3-year-old girl in these, so I compromised and bought THESE low-cut, non-slip ruffle ankle socks as well and have been wearing them more.

9. Best Fragrance for YOU!

Most perfumes have 15% perfume oil, but not this one! Voted one of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2025, it has just 4% oil. It’s a barely-there scent that is light and reacts with your skin’s pH to smell uniquely YOU!

I love the floral scent because it’s not overpowering. When my daughter was home, we tested it on her to see if it smelled the same as it did on me, and I can tell you, it did not! It was decidedly spicier on her. (No surprise there! haha) To learn more about how it works, click HERE.

10. Brilliant Bulb

The GE LED+ Battery Backup Lightbulb is a rechargeable smart LED bulb with a battery reserve, so it can operate normally during a power outage! They even work as flashlights if you unscrew them from the lamp! What????!!! I love practical little peace-of-mind products like this because they’re useful without taking up extra space, and honestly, anything that helps me avoid fumbling around in the dark looking for candles gets an immediate gold star from me.

11. Open Nest: Empty Nester Bible Study on Your Identity in Christ 

If you’re an empty nester and trying to figure out who you are now that your kids are grown, I think you’ll really love Open Nest by my good friend, Dr. Debby Sharpe Smith. I love the idea behind the “open nest” rather than the “empty nest” because it shifts the focus toward possibility, purpose, and what God still has ahead for us in this season! It’s encouraging, faith-filled, and practical, and it would also make a meaningful small-group study to go through with friends.

12. Glow Getter for Cheeks…and Lips!

Pixi Beauty’s Liquidglow Blush is the kind of multitasker I love! It blends like skincare, gives you that fresh, lit-from-within color, and works beautifully on both cheeks and lips for a quick, polished look in seconds, with a soft, lightweight feel you can keep subtle or build up for more color. It leaves the prettiest, healthy glow that makes you look instantly more awake and put together.

13. Premium Patio Pillow Covers

I cannot believe these are from Amazon! These coastal floral pillow covers are such an easy way to make outdoor furniture look more polished and inviting for spring and summer. The soft blue-and-green print feels fresh and classic without being overly beachy, and the little piping detail gives them a much more expensive look than you’d expect. I also love that they’re weather-resistant, so they’re practical as well as pretty… because outdoor pillows definitely have to survive a little real life! There are lots of other designs to choose from, but remember that they’re just the pillow covers, so be sure you have pillow inserts to go underneath.

I always love putting these monthly SO in the KNOW posts together because they remind me how many fun, helpful, interesting, and genuinely useful things are out there that we might otherwise completely miss in the fast pace of everyday life. Whether it’s a meaningful new perspective, a clever little life upgrade, a beauty product that actually delivers, or a trend that simply makes life feel a little more fun, I hope these roundups help you feel informed, encouraged, connected, and yes… very much SO in the KNOW.

One of my favorite things is imagining y’all turning around and sharing some of these facts, finds, and discoveries with your spouses, your friends, and especially your kids. That makes me so happy. And if you’ve stumbled across something lately that the rest of us need to know about, too, please share it in the comments because some of my favorite discoveries come from YOU.