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August 24, 2018

top advice to new moms from a veteran

August 24, 2018

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Luvs at Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.

Before you’re a mom, you have it all planned out. You know exactly how you will or won’t raise your unborn kids. You’re very decided on the matter.

And then you have them. And everything changes. Suddenly you have a small child (or more than one) depending on you for their every need. Schedules replace spontaneity; feeding replaces free time; cartoons replace box office hits; baby advice books replace the latest bestseller.

You’re in a new stage, Mama, one unlike anything else, and one that can feel overwhelming. You are not alone! I know you probably get so much advice that is hard to sort through it all. But here are some things I feel you can’t go through the first stages of motherhood without knowing. Here’s my top advice to new moms, from a veteran (of four whole years).

1. You are stronger and more capable than you think.

This is what I tell all new moms, because when you’re in the thick of it, it seems impossible. Eating and sleeping schedules, keeping up with growth and development milestones, bonding, watching out for germs and illness. Sometimes you wonder if you’ll even survive the sleep-deprived night.

I’ll tell you what – as a mom, I’ve been through more difficult things than I expected. And I’m still here to tell the story. You can do this. You are the best one to be your baby’s mom, and they complement you. Trust your instincts and remind yourself that this craziness too shall pass.

2. Don’t believe the hype that higher price = better.

Surprisingly enough, babies grow out of the most expensive baby swings quickly. The same muslin swaddles can be found for less. And those “premium” diapers? They don’t always work out to be better than the affordable staple.

For years, I bought the premium, more expensive brand, thinking that was the best option for my little. It was only within the past few months that we switched to Luv. And oh my gosh – I wish we’d been using them the whole time. They’re dependable and leak-proof, plus they’re so much less expensive. Luvs absorb just as well as their more expensive counterparts. And no rashes to be seen, although every baby is different. If it doesn’t work, guess what? Money-back guarantee. Plus they’re available for an everyday low price at Walmart – and this Sunday 8/26, there will be a P&G brandSAVER insert in the paper with a coupon for $2 off two bags or one box of Luvs diapers!

3. Save your diaper boxes and use them for storage.

Don’t toss them in the recycling bin! We use diaper boxes to store clothes and toys from every stage. They also make great “toys” themselves, with a little imagination, or spaces for coloring.

4. Don’t wear yourself out trying to be Super Mom.

You already are, just by caring. Let the laundry sit, sleep past your alarm (unless it’s your hungry baby), don’t rush to get back to your pre-baby weight, take advantage of opportunities to self-care. You don’t have to be together, your house doesn’t have to be spotless; relax and recover. This stage is hard. Give it credit and yourself a lot of grace.

5. Your kids will embarrass you at some point or other.

They will have moments of screaming at the store, poop-tastrophes, saying the last thing you want them to. The best thing you can do is laugh, and remember the moment. Also someday it will make excellent blackmail or rehearsal dinner stories. (Well played, Mama.)

6. Get used to doing things with one hand.

There’s a saying – “full hands, full heart.” Your hands are often full, Mama. Enjoy and embrace it as best you can. And also find a good swing or figure out how to wear your baby, if you want to get anything done.

7. Almost anything can be cleaned.

Don’t stress about the mess. There will be many, and they come in all kinds of forms. But you can always wash the shirt or the hands. Baby wipes clear off all kinds of stuff on the go.

I’m so glad to be able to partner with Luvs at Walmart for this post. Looking to save even more cash? (You’re a mom, so I’m sure you are.) Look in this Sunday’s brandSAVER for a coupon for $2 off two bags or one box of Luvs diapers at Walmart. Shop for them online here and stock up on all your baby’s needs!

August 20, 2018

fabfitfun fall 2018 unboxing and review + promo code

August 20, 2018

This post is sponsored and contains affiliate links.

Best surprise of the week? Last Tuesday night, when an email shows up in my inbox saying, “Your FabFitFun Fall Box is on its way!”

Guys, I did a double take. I thought my trial period for the box was finished after a review of the 2018 Summer Box (read it here). So when this email pops up, even though my hubby and I are hanging with friends, I almost let out a “whoop” for joy. Another happy mail box of full-size goodies perfect for the upcoming season? I’m so in.

If you don’t already know, the FabFitFun Box is a seasonal subscription box full with treasures for home, beauty, style, and more. As far as I know, some subscribers are still waiting for their boxes in the mail. But I’ve got the full scoop on what to expect, if you’re like me and you just can’t wait for the surprise.

Also, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION! I’m going to give you a couple hacks for getting the most amazing box you possibly can. Keep an eye out.

In Each Box

FabFitFun includes some products that come standard in every box. These are the ones for Fall:

Beautyblender (value $20) – This sponge is popular in the beauty blogger world. But since I’m not a beauty blogger, I’m behind the times on it. I’m so glad one in this box to be able to try it out. And it came in my favorite color, a lovely blush pink.

Simply Whimsical Tea Towels (value $14.99) – The only tea towels I have experience with are the thin, nots so absorbent ones. These, however, have a bit of a waffle-knit to them, making them actually useful! Plus they’re in a simple gray and white design that would look good in any kitchen.

Skin&Co Roma Blue in Capri (value $22) – While this product has a lovely scent, resembling the fresh breeze of Capri, Italy, I was disappointed to find that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients I try to avoid in my personal care products. Unfortunately, I won’t be getting much use out of this one.

GlamGlow Bubblesheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask (value $18) – Again, this one contains some questionable ingredients, like retinyl palmitate. As much as I wanted to try out this unique-sounding product, ultimately I’m probably going to pass.

LUNA Rica Bar in Salted Caramel Nut (value $1.99) – I was thrilled that LUNA added in one of their new Rica bars as a surprise element to the box this season. I’m a huge LUNA fan. This bar is like a soft granola bar with mostly organic and all recognizable ingredients. It tastes like gooey caramel deliciousness. I can’t wait to try other flavors.

Surprise Products (and a Hack for You to Know!)

Seasonal boxes also include some products that vary by box. Here are the products I got (plus a hack for you to get what you want!)

Crown Brush 6 Piece Brush Set (value $75) – Okay guys, THIS IS A SERIOUS HACK FOR US BOTH TO KNOW. Pay attention: Again, some of the products (all of the ones above) come standard in all the boxes. If you order just one seasonal box, you are at the mercy of whoever puts the boxes together on what you get.

BUT if you’re a subscriber, you get some options where you get to decide what goes into your box. For example, this brush set vs. a Vince Camuto Luck Tote. Since I’m not an annual subscriber, I did not get to choose which, and got this brush set. Which, honestly, is not that disappointing: it’s a quality brush set that I know will get put to good use. But if I’d had a choice? Tote for sure.

Alfred French Press (value $22) – If you know me or have followed me for any length of time, you know I am most definitely a coffee girl. This box includes either a teapot or a coffee press from LA-based shop Alfred, and mine included what I would have picked for myself: the press. I haven’t put it to use yet, but even just the fact that it says, “But First, Coffee” on it makes it a winner in my book.

Cylo Cobra Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds (value $40) – This is another area in which I probably would have opted for the other product – the Catherine Malandrino Umbrella in a floral print. BUT instead I got the earbuds in black and rose gold, and another thing to know about me – I’m a sucker for rose gold. Plus, who can’t use a pair of earbuds? These have a control right on the cord, so it’s easy to maneuver.

Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant (value $67) – I am now #obsessed with this brand. Grown Alchemist is an Australian brand that doesn’t contain any questionable ingredients – just effective naturals. It’s gentle exfoliator that has a lovely citrus scent. And it worked almost as well as a facial peel, leaving my skin tight but not dry, glowing, and soft, with smaller pores. This brand wins.

Farmacy Dew It All Total Eye Cream (value $38) – Okay, so how bad is it that the eye cream is the most exciting product in my book? (Should I go ahead and order dentures and the Clapper now, too?) Seriously, though – been looking forward to trying Farmacy, another popular natural brand. Plus I’ve been in the market for a new eye cream.

It does contain a minimal amount of ingredients mid-ranked on EWG’s Skin Deep site, but ultimately, the concerns weren’t high enough for me not to try this one. Right after I used it, I noticed decreased puffiness. I’m excited to continue using it and see what a difference it makes.

To Sum Up (Plus Second Hack!)

I’m a fan of this box. Overall, they are pretty and practical products that will definitely get use this fall. I’m most excited about the Beautyblender, the exfoliant, the eye cream, and the French press.

Even with those two products I’m not sure I’ll be using, I’d still pick this box. (Note for FabFitFun: I would loooove for you to include more products with clean ingredients!)

Let’s bring talk hacks again before the end of this post. As said above, you can subscribe one time to the box. But if you want to curate a box that is perfect for you, become an annual subscriber. It’s worth it, I think, to choose what you want.

Second, use the code WHATYOUMAKEIT for $10 off your first box! That’s all these goodies for $39.99. (That’s like buying yourself some new earbuds and getting 9 more full-size products for free.)

Finally, don’t love what you got? Two great options are: a) use them as a stash for gifts when needed – housewarming, birthdays, just because. Your friends will love you. Or b) find FabFitFun buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook. Swap the items you’re not into for the ones you want. Win win!

Which products would you love from this box?

June 11, 2018

phone photography tips for moms on the go

June 11, 2018

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CampaignHashtag #CollectiveBias #SamsungTargetTech #SamsungGS9Upgrade

Early in our marriage, I asked for a DSLR camera for my birthday. “It’ll be so great for when we have kids, Babe!” I definitely sold him on it.

Ha. Those young, idealistic, pre-kid days. Sure, I pull out the heavy-duty camera once in a while now. But mostly, I steal shots on the go with my phone as I chase my toddler around a playground, or while I wheel them around Target. Any moms relate?

You can, however, get frame worthy photos from a phone camera. With the right tools, and a few tips, you can capture those memories and treasure them for years to come. I’m partnering with Samsung Galaxy S9+ to share these tips, which has some amazing features of its own for taking vibrant pictures. All the pictures shown, except the ones of me AND the phone, are taken with the Samsung Galaxy S9+.

Pre-Photos

Make sure your lens is clean for an optimal image.
Keep an eye out for inspiration. Maybe it’s some street art, a cool wall, or a fountain. Or maybe you see a couple cool photos on Pinterest or Instagram you want to try. Think ahead, and then keep those things in mind when you’re out and about.

Design

To switch up from a center shot, try the rule of thirds. If you were to divide up your screen into thirds horizontally and vertically, try to have your subject fall on one of the lines, or where they meet.
Play with angles. Get down to their level, do an overhead shot, or do head-on for different views. Getting down on their level has to be my favorite option. It really gives you more of a sense of their view of the world.
Get up close, or step back and leave lots of space. It’s better to do this manually while you take the picture than to edit it later, which might affect the look of the photo.
Lighting is key. I usually say always go with natural, indirect light. But with the Samsung Galaxy S9+, it’s designed with Dual Aperture, so you can take gorgeous photos in low light.

Photographing Kids

There are all kinds of ways to make your kids smile. My kiddos do the silliest, “cheesiest” grins when they say “cheese,” but to get their attention and make them smile and laugh genuinely, I do other things. I pretend to sneeze, or play “peekaboo” with the camera in front of my face. I hold up a favorite toy, or point out something for them to notice.
Don’t always go for the pose. Genuine, in-the-moment photos are so fun and really capture the feeling of the moment. Even if there aren’t smiles involved.
Let them be goofy and wild. The most fun, vibrant pictures are the ones where the kids are running, jumping, making faces, doing some kind of acrobatic trick only kids can do. If they’re having fun, chances are you’ll get better shots too. Plus, digital photographs are free to take and easy to delete. So snap away!
Get in the picture when you can. I’m probably in 10% of the photos of my kids on the phone, but I take them when I can get them, because I love having pictures of me with my kiddos. Have a friend take them for you, or set up self-timer. And if your friends are okay with it, take pictures of them with their kids in the moment. A friend does this for us when she can, and it’s always the most encouraging thing to see.
When all else fails, bribe with gummies. Works every time.

Tech Tips

Figure out your subject, and focus the camera on it. You can do this by tapping on the screen. It doesn’t have to be a face. It could be their hand, something they’re holding, shoes, etc. Getting up close and focusing on the subject usually makes for a blurry background, which creates depth and is a more interesting picture.
Take multiple pictures in a row. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ has a “slow-mo” feature where it will take multiple shots of something, and create a short, slow motion movie out of it. Plus you have multiple shots to choose from.
Play with the different modes! You can take a selfie with a blurry background, or a wide selfie that captures a whole group. (Almost like a panoramic shot.) Use those modes for pics with the kiddos – or when you’ve had a particularly good hair day.

Let’s talk the Samsung Galaxy S9+ for a minute, because yes, it’s an incredible camera. I’m definitely impressed with the crisp, clear shots, and how easily it adjusts to the light.

But it also has new features that make for an amazing phone, too. The one that is mind-blowing to me is the Live Translation, which can literally translate words on a sign in front of you on your screen. I appreciate facial recognition, which makes unlocking a snap, and Dolby Atmos speakers for an unbelievable sound experience for entertainment. It’s even waterproof (which, with kids, is crucial).

If you’re looking to seriously upgrade your phone, this week is the week to do it. I got mine at Target, where you can buy a Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ and get a free $300 gift card with qualified activation on AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon at participating Target stores. This week only, June 10-16.

Finally, can I just say how easy the process is to buy your phone from Target? We had a great experience, with a knowledgeable tech support person, and it didn’t take hours.

Which feature sticks out to you the most?

May 23, 2018

fabfitfun summer 2018 box – worth it? spoilers and discount code

May 23, 2018

Box was provided by FabFitFun for review. This post contains affiliate links.

This is a story of a guilty pleasure. I know I’m not alone in this, ladies. I’m pretty sure you struggle with the same one as me.

It’s called the FabFitFun subscription box, and it starts with ads on your social media feed. You scroll by, but you’re curious. Then an unboxing video pops up. Okayyyy…maybe just a peek.

At the end of the day, though, you don’t dive in. At least, I didn’t. $50 for a box of surprises – is it worth it? Will I use what I get? They’re just sample sizes, right? And then your mom gets the FabFitFun box, and you start to get a little envious. Wait – they’re full sizes? And yours came with what??

So I’m doing a little detective work of my own, and figuring out just how worthwhile a box is. Plus I’m sharing with you all the products you’ll see in the Summer 2018 box (spoiler alert!), and a discount code for an even more amazing deal. Here goes:

What’s the box about?

The FabFitFun box is seasonal, and comes with full-sized fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle products. It’s typically $49.99, but use the code ‘WHATYOUMAKEIT’ for $10 off your first box! It always has a value of over $200. Boxes do sell out, though, so if you love it, make sure you get it before it does. Finally, once you’re a subscriber, you can actually start choosing some of the products that are included with your box – how cool is that?

Okay, so what’s in the box?

Um, guys? It’s a really good one. Here are my favorites:

FOREO LUNA fofo (value $89.99) – This product isn’t even on the market yet. It’s a palm-sized facial cleansing brush that doubles as a beauty coach. Once the app opens (on June 4), it’ll tell you all about your skin – its hydration level, “skin age”, and type. This will cost $89.99 once it’s out – so basically you’re getting it at half the cost, plus a WHOLE BUNCH of other cool products.

It takes two minutes a day, and exfoliates your skin. I was amazed at how soft and smooth my face felt after using it just once. (I used it with my favorite face wash. Make sure you use one that isn’t harsh or grainy!)

COOLA Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea Moisturizer (value $32) – First, I am majorly impressed with the quality of the beauty products in the FabFitFun box. Most of them are clean, and all are without parabens or pthalates.

Second, this sunscreen is the first one I’ve found that doesn’t actually smell like a sunscreen. It smells amazing, and it’s lightweight and the right SPF. (Also – looking for a full body coverage sunscreen spray? Check out this one – safe ingredients, and for every purchase in May, the company will make a donation to Stand Up to Cancer.)

Pier 1 Imports Marble Ring Dish (value $14.99) – Like all bloggers, I am obsessed with all things marble. This hexagonal ring dish with gold trim is perfect. I’m thinking it will actually be a great place for the LUNA fofo, and my wedding ring when I take it off to wash my face.

Summer & Rose Beach Towel (value $55) – It’s my first microfiber towel! I’m loving all things microfiber – my face washcloth and my cleaning towels in particular. A microfiber beach towel means no sand sticking to it, plus less funky smell. Also they come in the cutest summer prints. (Instead of the towel, you could receive the Yumi Kim Makeup Train Case.)

Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel (value $39) – This box could not come at a better time. I woke up with a strained muscle down my neck and shoulder. This gel felt and smelled amazing as I smoothed it on. And I was impressed to see that the ingredients are safe as well! This one is going to get a lot of use. (Instead of this gel, you could receive ERTH Tu y Yo Ring or Jaboneria Marianella Hawaiian Black Lava Body Caviar.)

The box also includes:

Tarte Tarteist PRO to go Amazonian Clay Palette and Sex Kitten Liquid Eyeliner (value $23 and $20) – Did I mention they’re full-sized? I’m still digging into the ingredients to make sure they’re safe, but they’re definitely pretty colors – a blend of neutrals and more glam shades. (Instead of this palette, you could receive the PRO Glow Highlight & Contour Palette.)

Maji Sports Loops Resistance Band (value $15)- Honestly, I’m not sure about this. I need to do some research to see what kinds of workouts I can do with this. (Luckily, FabFitFun includes some ideas in the magazine provided with the box! How cool is that?) But if not, I’m happy to pass it on to a friend (or my husband) who would use it. (Instead of the band, you could receive the Minor History Post Script Wallet or Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator.)

Orlando Pita Play Atmos-Shield Hair Protectant Treatment Spray (value $24.99) – Again, looking into ingredients. But ever since college, when I mistakenly thought it was okay to flat iron wet hair, I’ve been trying to make better choices about haircare. Including using a heat protectant spray like this. Even better? It also protects from UV rays, humidity, pollution, and free radicals. (Instead of the spray, you could receive Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel.)

The best part about this box is that even if I don’t use everything (which is unlikely), all these things make great gifts to pass on, too.

Overall?

So at the end of the day – YES. The FabFitFun Summer 2018 box is totally worth it.

Like I said, there are a couple items I’m not 100% sure about. I like the idea of this box, though, because I get to try out things I might not know about or might not find for myself.

But the 5 products I LOVE more than cover the cost of the box. Just the cost of the LUNA fofo would be twice what this box costs. If I don’t use them all, I can gift them forward, which is an extra birthday or “just because” gift that I don’t have to go out and purchase later.

Plus with an extra $10 off with the code ‘WHATYOUMAKEIT’? Forget it.

So what do you think? Which things would you like to try from this box?