Happy Fourth of July extended weekend, besties! It's time to celebrate America with delicious food, great drinks, and fabulous company. We hope you have amazing plans with family and friends—and we want to help you kick off the festivities with the easiest, brightest, yummiest, ...read more
We know: summer time is meant for playing outside, relaxing, and regrouping for the fall. But that shouldn't mean your brain should totally shut off. I asked 10 of my friends if they could tell me all 50 states and only 2 of them could do it! And they are adults! I firmly believe ...read more
Wearing red, white and blue for 4th of July is pretty much a must. The kids and I wanted to make our own shirts this year, so we came up with this fun DIY firework shirt that even my 2 year old helped with (after he woke up early from his nap of course) Related: Macy's 4th of ...read more
A burger bar is a fun way to keep your BBQ simple and to turn dinner into a casual party. Giving your family or guests lots of options for toppings and condiments keeps everyone happy. Now that more and more families are staying in, this is the type of meal that feels special. ...read more
Every child knows that for Mother's Day, Mom AT LEAST gets a card. Hopefully you've grown up with that tradition and still hold onto it. Nothing beats a handmade card. Even if you aren't so much for written sentiments, making a beautiful card will speak for itself. This ...read more
I made these beautiful gilded watercolor eggs for our Easter display this year. As an adult I'm not longer happy with the simple cups of color for dying eggs. I need a more intricate more "adult" design. Something that's really pretty to look at with some detail. I made most of ...read more
In gearing up for Valentine's Day here's an easy hair style for little girls. I promise I am not a master at braiding hair so don't let the braids deter you from trying. Your girls will be the talk of the class! I've created this easy Valentine's Day braid for my daughter and ...read more
We love that Valentine's Day falls on the weekend this year. It means we get to spend the whole day with our little loves and we're excited about that! I got to thinking about different ways I could celebrate with my kids this year. I came up with the idea of having a mini ...read more
There is something about camping that is just so much fun. Kids love it! We enjoy our family camping trips. Sleeping in tents under the stars, laughing by the campfire, catching fireflies, and eating s'mores late into the night. Not to mention being unplugged and spending good ...read more
It should be noted that this article was originally going to be a tutorial of sorts—perhaps a pared down "how-to" or maybe even a basic guide to nail art: “DIY V-Day Manicures Made Easy!” Celebrating Valentine's Day in Style We are pretty excited about Valentine's Day. We've ...read more
The countdown to the Super Bowl is on! T-minus one week and two days! If you're reading this post, I bet you're starting to get excited. Cheering on your favorite team takes a lot of energy. You can "tackle your hunger" with our Super Bowl Nacho Bar complete with Bacon Chile ...read more
As a busy mom and with the cooler weather approaching it's a great time to pull out the crockpot. There is something satisfying about coming home to a hot and ready dinner. Balancing work, homework and after school activities, life can get chaotic. We still want to feed our ...read more
It's hard to believe that 2015 is already coming to an end. This might have been the fastest year yet, or maybe Mommy brain has me in a fog. Either way, we're looking forward to ringing in 2016 with our kiddos with a mini New Years's Eve celebration at 8 pm, ha! We tested out a ...read more
We usually have a good supply of red wine on hand in our home, but I try to have a more diverse variety stocked on our shelves and in our fridge as we approach the holidays. I like to have bottle of something fizzy and fancy chilled should we find ourselves having an impromptu ...read more
Getting my kiddos to eat their lunch at school every day is a challenge. They tend to go straight for the cookie or treat I pack and skip over the sandwich, forgo the carrot sticks, and ignore the apple. It seems I'm always looking for clever ways to get my kids to eat their ...read more
Now that Halloween is behind us, it's time to turn our attention to Thanksgiving. The stores are stocked full of cute little mini pumpkins and gorgeous fall colors that just perfect for crafting. The kids and I created this cute mini turkey pumpkin craft that can be used to ...read more
It's that time of year again... time to BOO! I love the tradition of anonymously booing (or ghosting, as some people call it!) neighbors and community friends with tricks, treats and goodies. The kids wake up every morning and check the front stoop to see if someone has left ...read more
Have you wanted to get in better shape, but weren’t sure how to get started? Well, I’m here to tell you how, thanks in part to the BodyBoss Ultimate Body Fitness Guide, I’m well on my way to a stronger, fitter body. Because while looking good is a bonus, my mission is to be in ...read more
Get into the full Halloween spirit with this super fun Pumpkin Scented Moon Sand Oobleck DIY! Haven't heard of Oobleck? Well it's all the rage in my house. The kids went from obsessing over slime making to creating Oobleck which is cornstarch and water. It's something they ...read more
Nowadays, Kindergarten is serious biz. It's no longer the half day of play and finger-painting fun that I remember fondly from my childhood. It's intense, it's exhausting, and it's real work. Not to say it isn't still awesomely enjoyable and educational; it's just less about ...read more
I never really loved Halloween… and then I became a mom. Now, I’m obsessed with every pumpkin patch, every not-so-spooky book, every slightly scary movie, every creepy craft, every trick, every treat, and all the adorable costumes I want to force my kids to wear. Yes, October ...read more
Cocktails, friends, makeovers, and foot massages… This scenario adds up to my ideal moms’ night out! Luckily for me, I recently joined Momtrends, Meredith Corporation, and a few fabulous influencers for an evening that included all of the above and so much more. Hosted by the ...read more
My whole family seems to deal with allergies in some form. Whether it's the seasonal issues my husband suffers from or the year round eczema my kiddos have, allergies always seem to be there. Except for me that is. I have been immune to them, but this fall has been different. ...read more
#WHYISWITCHED Over the years, I’ve slowly been making the switch to using as many natural products as I can in my daily routine. I just feel better when I know that less chemicals and more natural ingredients are touching my body. I’ve found natural shampoo, moisturizer and even ...read more
When I think of iconic family vacation spots, I think of Woodloch Resort in Hawley, PA. As a kid, my family used to go to this picturesque Poconos destination every year in the winter. I remember the cozy vibe, the warm staff, the lovely accommodations, and the delicious ...read more
Fall has arrived. The kids are back in school, you've returned to a routine, and you're slowly but surely adjusting to the swing of things. The weather is changing, the leaves are falling, and everything and everyone is happily, healthily chugging along... Welllllll, we hate to ...read more
My son has ADHD and takes medication to assist with the challenges that come along with it. While the meds have definitely helped in some areas, there is certainly a trade off. He now has a really difficult time falling asleep and he doesn't often stay asleep either. The fact is, ...read more
September is Baby Safety Month—and as a blogger and mom, I want to do my part to spread the message about keeping infants rear-facing in car seats until they turn two. That’s right, Mamas, resist temptation and keep those bucket seats backwards for as long as you can... But, ...read more
Grandparents. They're the best. Ever since I was a little girl, my grandmother always sent me beautiful cards. Her handwriting was iconic: beautiful script and a classic style. She definitely fostered my love of writing, sending hand written letters, and hoarding gorgeous ...read more
When I was pregnant with both my kids, my favorite thing to do was take long scenic car drives—anywhere and everywhere. I'd recline my passenger seat, turn on the radio, and take in the sights, sounds, and scenery. My husband and I would stop for lunch, take a leisurely stroll ...read more
It has been an epic summer. Labor Day is around the corner, and school starts in less than three weeks. The season of fun and sun and freedom is almost coming to a close. But I’m not ready to throw in the [beach] towel just yet! I want to make the most of every hot, sweaty, ...read more
Haven't been hitting the beach as much as you'd like this summer?! Well, don't worry, I the perfect DIY craft that will make you feel like you've spent the day with your toes in the sand. With the kids in camp most of the day, we haven't been able to get to the beach as much ...read more
One thing I particularly love about summer is how many hours of daylight there are. That means countless opportunities for outside fun! Being that we don't have to stick to the same strict bedtime schedule in the summer months, my family has a blast sneaking in some extra play ...read more
We have been hosting big parties for our children's birthdays for many years. While it is always a good time; the parties are costly, don't give us a lot of time to really spend together, not to mention they are exhausting. When it came time to celebrate my son's birthday, we ...read more
Delicious No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream recipe made with just 3 ingredients! Happy National Ice Cream Month! That's right, July is National Ice Cream Month and it couldn't be more fitting since it's our favorite dessert to cool off with in the hot summertime months! While ...read more
I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...I, gulp, am going to have a kindergartner on my hands next month. That's right. My baby girl just turned five, graduated pre-k and is starting her elementary school education far too soon for mama's taste. Bwah! I feel like I was ...read more
Let's talk about well rounded people and how to raise little ones to become them. It is, of course, important to me to focus on things like STEM subjects with my children, but fostering creativity, individuality and a curious nature are also equally as important. Without ...read more
There is not much on this planet that delights a kiddo like bubbles. I literally only have to blow that very first bubble and my daughter and her little cousin instantly erupt into giggles and squeals. Frankly, so do I. There is something so magical about watching a wee one ...read more
My little slugger just joined a tee-ball team. Or rather, his eager mom (that'd be me!) and doting dad signed him up, bribed him, dressed him, drove him, and maniacally cheered for him from the bleacher stands... as if he was actually playing a real, competitive game. (Let’s be ...read more
With Earth Day approaching this weekend, actress, mom, and animal lover Kristen Bell has joined forces with Tide purclean and the World Wildlife Fund to help convert as many homes as possible to energy-saving laundry habits. Tide Purclean is a 65% plant-based detergent that has ...read more
My kids love projects. Painting projects, crafting projects, baking projects... you name it, they want to get into it! And that's great—as a work-at-home mom, I'm always looking for activities to keep my kids engaged and entertained and quietly occupied. Of course, sometimes I ...read more
Each season I love to schedule a family photo shoot. That could mean a session with all four of us or sometimes it's just the kids. Watching how they grow and evolve throughout the year is the greatest gift and I so enjoy capturing them in frame worthy photos. Now, typically, we ...read more
It's officially Spring! So, let's celebrate with this garden-party inspired DIY pail and basket craft. Finally, we can ditch the ski boots for rain boots, because we all know that April showers really do bring May flowers! What better way to get into the spring spirit than ...read more
Easter is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. It's a lovely holiday filled with such promise. And, as with any holiday, in our family celebrating means decorating, making tasty treats and crafting to our heart's content. My daughter was born with an artistic soul and, while ...read more
I had a baby just a little over two years ago… and yet somehow it feels like it’s been forever—especially when I see all the latest and greatest baby gadgets, gizmos, and must-have gear. How have their been so many game-changing product launches in the 28 months since I was ...read more
Give a friend a flower she doesn't have to water! These crepe paper flowers are perfect decorations and provide lots of fun as props in photos. To make these gorgeous crepe paper flowers, you will need: A dowel (chopstick, paintbrush, or pencil) Crepe paper Green duct tape or ...read more
It's spring! Can you believe it? It's finally here! I know I'm not the only mama who's been anxiously awaiting winter's end... and my kiddos are even more ready for spring than I am! That's why I've been toiling away trying to come up with fun ways to make it feel like springtime ...read more
Everyone is Irish for St. Patrick’s Day! We look forward to the arrival of Irish Soda Bread in our local bakery every year. It turns out that making your own is pretty easy! These Irish Soda Bread Muffins are just a miniature version of your classic St. Patrick’s Day favorite. ...read more
Like most of us so often do at the start of a new year, back in in January I resolved to commit myself to a cleaner lifestyle and bring my family along for the ride. We just feel better when we're eating better. It simply takes a little bit of effort and discipline to put a ...read more
Raise your hand if you’re excited for the new Beauty & the Beast live action movie, coming to theaters in just 14 days (not that I’m counting down or anything!). We love family-friendly flicks almost as much as we love good family meals... And that's why we were so excited to ...read more
