Hello! Who is ready for some bright, shiny color to add to their days? Is anyone else not feeling all the neutral WAH comfy, cozy outfits anymore? Same same. I'm ready for bold color. I'm ready for warm weather and being able to spend time outside even if it is still with just the people that reside within my four walls. In the meantime, before we are all back out in the world on the regular, I'm leaning into some gorgeously fun nail polish shades for this spring. They make me happy. Enough said. Living Coral by Butter London This color gives me life! It's sheer and peachy and works well on all skin tones. I love how glossy it is and it makes me excited for summer. Essie's Expressie line has a beautiful version of their own. 2. Bustling Bazaar by Essie This … [Read more...]
Everything Your Car Needs Before Your Summer Family Road Trip
It's summer! With constant sunshine and a few weeks of vacation, there's no better time to pack up the car and head out on a sightseeing adventure with the family. Once you've planned your route, packed your bags, and selected a suitable mixtape for the journey, there's one last thing you need to take care of: your vehicle. It may be a hassle, but it's definitely worth it; a recent survey discovered that an estimated 77% of cars are in need of maintenance repairs, and you really don't want to be stuck in a broken down car on what was supposed to be a fantastic summer family vacation. Adventure comes in the form of the open road and exotic destinations, not in a sweaty, overweight mechanic named Bud. Start with the basics. Your car generally needs an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 … [Read more...]
One-Piece Suits Aren’t Just Having a Moment: They’ve Always Been Revolutionary
Although the bikini has long reigned supreme as the height of "beach appeal" in mainstream media, the one-piece still quietly remains the most popular suit option among swimsuit shoppers. In the past couple years, the one-piece has had an emerging moment as the new understated queen of swimwear. If you're still unconvinced of how fabulous the one-piece suit actually is, here are some excellent facts to change your mind. Swimming pools used to be commonly called "swimming tanks", hence why a one-piece might be called a "tank suit" or have a "tank top." Australian swimmer, actress, and boss lady Annette Kellerman was arrested in 1907 for wearing a one-piece swimming suit. The "figure suit" she invented, an early-one piece bathing suit that completely challenged conservative Victorian … [Read more...]
Summer Self-Care Tips For Busy, Amazing Moms
This summer, your focus might be completely on your kids. After all, they're off from school and it might be up to you to occupy them more frequently. But that doesn't mean you can't and shouldn't take time for yourself. In fact, you'll be a much happier mom if you practice self-care on a regular basis. But although 179 million Americans visited spas in 2016, self-care doesn't have to involve an expensive massage, facial, or pedicure. There are other ways to truly care for yourself and prioritize your well-being without spending a lot of time or money doing so. Here are some of our favorite tips. Nourish Your Body Yes, a massage can revitalize you in both body and spirit, but that's not the only way to feel great. Taking a new workout class, spicing up your exercise regime, or taking a … [Read more...]
My Summer Favorites for Summer Fun
Summer officially makes its debut this week! That means more time by the pool, more time in the sun and sand and more time with the kiddos playing games outside and hanging out with friends and family. From backyard BBQs to weekend getaways and beach weeks there is always something to do and some fun to be had by all. Why not be prepared with a few favorites of mine? Let's Get Away! For that next weekender or trip to the pool stow your stuff in one of these lovelies. Fun for the Kids When school ends each year I welcome the kids home with a few gifts to kick off the summer season. This year the haul included TWO Water Warriors by Buzz Bee Toys. One was a Steady Stream X and the other an Outlaw (42 feet of blasting water!). I sprayed the girls with them when they got … [Read more...]
The Comeback
The line, "Don't call it a comeback..." from 'Mama Said Knock You Out' by LL Cool J has been playing over and over again in my mind the last few weeks. It has a double meaning for me. Yes, I've been here for years. Here in this space but mainly in this realm of not being well. My life as I knew it was forever altered last year by Lyme disease and I've been beating myself up over it and my lack of abilities ever since. It suddenly became very real to me that I needed to forgive myself and fast. It seems so simple, right? Just say, "Ok, self. You've been unwell. You have had to make changes to your personal life as well as your family life in order to get well. Do what you need to do." My diet had to change. That doesn't mean I'm changed. My ability to work and identify myself as … [Read more...]
How to Make Sure Your Car is Road Trip-Ready This Summer
With kids out of school and tons of family activities planned, you're bound to be doing a lot of driving this summer. But there's one thing that can put a major damper on your summer fun: a broken-down vehicle. So before you head off on a summer road trip, check out these few tips to make sure your car is road-ready. One of the first things you should do is check your vehicle for any damage or wear and tear that the harsh winter weather may have caused. You should look both inside and outside and check for rust or other damages. Additionally, give your wiper blades a once over to make sure they're ready to handle the summer rain storms. And lastly, you should wash your car. Both the interior and exterior take a major beating during the winter, so make sure your car is free of any … [Read more...]
3 Helpful Tips For Protecting Your Skin This Summer
Before we get into how you can protect your skin, it's important that you understand why your skin needs to be protected. As much as the sun feels great, especially after a long winter, it can be seriously damaging to your skin. First, the sun can prematurely age your skin. Over 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to skin aging are a result of the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. This means that the sun is causing your skin to wrinkle, spot, and look older than it really is. According to the Institute on Aging, 5.5 million Americans lived to age 85+ by 2010. The number of Americans aged 85 and up is expected to reach 19 million, or 5% of the population, by 2050. Imagine what your skin might look like when you're 85 if it's already aging prematurely from the … [Read more...]
Hot Home Decor Trends You Need to Try This Summer
Summer is one of the best times of the year to take a moment and redecorate your space. It’s a fresh start for many people, so why not bring a fresh start to your home? Summer is all about entertaining, spending time outdoors, and relaxing all day in the sun with your girlfriends. Looking to revamp your home for the season? Here are some hot home decor trends you need to try this summer. Floral Prints The flowers are in bloom outside, which means it’s the perfect time to incorporate some floral patterns inside your home. The Spruce says floral patterns are everywhere this time of year, from wallpaper to pillows and beyond. You can subtly incorporate floral patterns into your home with a cute throw blanket tossed over your chaise lounge, or you can make an even bigger statement and … [Read more...]
3 Things Summer Camp Counselors Wish You Knew…
Most kids love going to summer camp. They see it as a time to play, socialize with their friends, and learn new things. Summer camp is a lot of fun for kids and a relief for parents since they don't have to worry about where their child is going to be while they're at work during the summer. But what do the counselors think of camp? The Washington Post broke it down for us. First, some camp counselors believe that preparedness is key. If your child isn't prepared for the day, they're going to have a hard time doing everything they wanted to do. For example, if it's time for your child to go swimming but they don't have their swimsuits, they're not going to be able to participate in that day's activities. It puts a lot of stress on the camp counselor because not only do they have to … [Read more...]