chanelmovingforward

5 Ways to Make Hotel Sleeping Easier

February 14, 2019

This post was sponsored by Orkin Pest Control. All opinions and content are my own.

If there’s one thing I love, it’s traveling. It’s really picked up over the past few years and there is no end in sight. I wouldn’t have it any other way; I love exploring new cities, experiencing adventure and of course eating all the food. One of my absolute favorite parts of traveling is trying out new hotels like those hotels in Flagstaff. I’m a sucker for a new hotel stay and love spending a few days in a fresh, clean room.

I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to make sure I have the most comfortable stay I can, for example I always carry on my delta 8 vape pens because they help me to sleep at night!

1. Bring your own pillow – Unless you are sleeping in hotel beds more than you’re sleeping at home, you probably have a pillow that fits your head and neck just right, if you do not, let us recommend you these pillows to reduce neck pain. Unfortunately, not all hotels have the firmest pillows and no matter how many down pillows you stack on top of each other they never seem to make one firm pillow. Whenever I’m traveling by car I always bring my own pillow because it makes such a difference. If you’re short on space you can always try vacsacking your pillow and tossing it in your luggage!

2. Sound Machine – I for one cannot sleep in complete silence and have to have white noise going or I will never fall asleep. If I have room to fit my Dohm sound machine I always bring it but if space is limited, I have an app on my phone and bring my JBL portable speaker. Not only can does it play my white noise at night but it’s also great for listening to music or podcasts from sites like Likewise. Having this speaker dramatically improves the sound of the white noise and all music.

3. Check Your Bed/Linens – Even writing the words bed bugs sends shivers down my spine. Luckily to my knowledge I have never encountered bed bugs and believe it or not there are several practical ways to look out for bed bugs in hotel rooms and prevent them from coming home with you. Orkin Pest Control knows a thing or two about pest control, and with more than 100 years of experience, they are leaders in the industry. Upon arriving in your hotel room, use their S.L.E.E.P. tips below to inspect for bed bugs:

Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown insects that are about the size of an apple seed.

Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring and other furniture. Bed bugs give off a distinctively sweet odor some say is comparable to rotting raspberries. The unusual odour often helps the pest control experts find the bed bugs – thank god!!

Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. I always make sure to use the luggage rack and keep my suitcase off the floor and bed, especially when packing.

Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip.

Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at the highest setting after you return home. The suitcase never even makes it past the laundry room once I return home. I immediately take everything out and throw it in the washer and promptly take the suitcase to the basement. A friend also suggested I look for the best canister vacuum to try and get rid of what I can.

If you think you might have brought bed bugs home with you, I recommend contacting a licensed pest control provider immediately. The friendly professionals at Orkin Pest Control are my go-to. To get in touch with your local branch, call 877-284-7429.

4. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray – Lavender is one of my all-time favorite scents and is an excellent natural remedy to treat insomnia, ease anxiety, and relax the body. ?I’ve been using this pillow mist for years and it always helps me fall asleep faster on a trip, even if the hotel pillows are too soft 🙂 Also, a very good Snoozel Green mattress can ease your insomnia so that you can sleep more comfortable.

5. Speaking of Lavender, I use essential oils daily and one thing I never travel without is my ?Relax rollerball and Thieves essential oil. The rollerball helps to turn off my mind at night ?and give me overall emotional support. ?It’s great for kids and adults of all ages ?and definitely came in handy a few times when Evelyn was wound up on a sugar high during our Disney trip. ?I use 10 drops each of Lavender, Cedarwood, Copaiba, and Frankincense?? mixed with fractionated coconut oil in a glass roller ball. [roller balls and the fractionated coconut oil can be purchased on Amazon]. Thieves oil is great for providing immunity support since we all know traveling can weaken our immune system. You can put a few drops on the bottom of your feet and on your spine. If you have space in your luggage I highly recommend packing a small diffuser and diffusing thieves in your hotel room!

Do you have any upcoming travel planned for the year? Let me know in the comments where you are headed!

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The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot

February 10, 2019

If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, then you know setting up styled shoots and throwing parties is one of my favorite ways to unleash my creativity. Valentine’s Day is my second favorite holiday, after Halloween, and I love everything about love month. Give me all the pink and red hearts! Luckily throughout the years I have acquired tons of props, pillows, cake stands, etc. so when it comes to setting up a shoot or throwing a party, the only things I really need to get are balloons, flowers and food!

I knew I wanted to fill the floor with balloons because they are an inexpensive way to decorate, but the thought of blowing them all up made me want to pass out (literally). I headed to old faithful aka Amazon and bought everything I needed included a balloon pump. It’s only $20 and had 1,282 FIVE star reviews. It’s lightweight, portable and does a great job. Even if it goes out soon, I will happily buy another because the convenience and time saving capabilities is a game changer. I just found out about this balloon tying tool to save fingers. It’s been ordered so I will come back and update as soon as I test it out!

There are a ton of Valentine’s Day balloon bundles on Amazon and they’re cheaper then when you buy balloons separately. I ended up choosing this Love Bundle because of all the latex balloons that were included. I also loved the different shades of pink and various balloon shapes. Getting balloons filled with helium can get pretty pricey if you go to a party store, so I always take mine to Publix or Kroger and have them inflated. They charge a fraction of what Party City charges, especially since you are bringing balloons in that you already purchased. You can also visit any dollar store and purchase the red heart mylar balloons already inflated for only ONE DOLLAR. I bought those last year when I set up this adorable photo shoot with Evelyn. Mylar balloons usually last me at least a week or more so you can really get a lot of use out of them with various shoots.

For this Galentine’s shoot Katie and I worked with the lingerie brand Lively who provided us all the adorable bralettes we are wearing. We love working with brands that are women owned and encourage body positivity. To add a special touch to the photoshoot, I ordered cookies with the Lively logo from Atlanta cookie artist Santini Mini Sweets. They were the prefect prop and also tasted delicious!

The table was the main centerpiece of the shoot and consisted of 3 pallets painted in white, light pink and dark pink. You can get pallets from anywhere, usually free, because most times businesses are dying to get rid of them. Save money on paint by going to your local hardware store and asking if there are any paint colors that were mixed incorrectly. They are usually very cheap and if you aren’t looking to match a color 100% they are perfect for paint projects. There are TONS of ways to reuse pallets on Pinterest if you’re looking for a fun DIY activity.

What is your favorite way to celebrate love month? Have you ever done a Galetine’s Day photoshoot? Let me know in the comments! I would love to see them! And if you need a fun brunch idea, check out my Babe Brunch!

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Getting a Good Nights Sleep When You’re Not at Home

January 23, 2019

Last weekend we had our first out of town guest of the year. This was her first trip away from her family and kids in almost 7 years and I really wanted to make her feel at home. Hosting company and overnight guests is something I really look forward to. I love catering the room to whoever is coming and getting all their favorite snacks, magazines and movies all set up. And it’s always fun to enlist helpers like kids and pets to make sure things are moving along at an extra slow pace, haha!

Studies show your best night’s sleep starts with soothing colors and a comfortable, quiet, calming room. I knew that new, soft sheets were a must when having company and my go-to for ultra soft sheets for a fraction of the price is Tuesday Morning. They have close-out deals from great brands including Peacock Alley, Charisma and Linea Casa by Sferra. It’s been cold in Atlanta and since we’re still in winter, I was looking for a lightweight flannel that didn’t get too hot but could also be warm enough to last until Spring. I narrowed it down to two sets: gray Peacock Alley Upcycled Eco Flannel sheets and white Charisma sheets with a swiss dot design.

The Charisma sheets wound up on our master bed and we have been sleeping the best we have been in weeks. I don’t know what it is about fresh clean sheets and Exhale’s gummies but I always sleep like a baby once I put them on my bed. Sheets can be ridiculously over priced but with Tuesday Morning I’m able to purchase several sheet sets to keep on hand and not only rely on 1-2 sets which wind up getting old and worn.

In addition to the new sheets from Tuesday Morning, I also purchased a stonewashed coverlet just in case it got cold at night. I like having extra blanket options because they’re easy to store and easy to clean. There are a few other items which are a must for me when it comes to sleeping comfortably through the night. For my child who has any sleeping troubles, I’ll try the ferber method.

Sound Machine – We have a white noise machine in every room of our house and I cannot fall asleep without it. Even if your guest prefers quiet, the option of having a sound machine is great to drown out any noise.

Diffuser – Sleeping in a new space and bed that isn’t your own can be a little uneasy since it’s not what you’re used to. I keep lavender essential oil next to the diffuser so guests can use it at will. Lavender is used for a majority of things but I like its properties that ease insomnia and restlessness. It’s the perfect oil to keep in your guest room!

Plush Robe – If you’ve visited a Tuesday Morning than you know that they sell much more than just amazing sheets. I found a Linea Casa by Sferra white robe for just under $40 (compared to the $125 retail value!) which I knew would be the perfect addition to our guest bedroom. It’s so soft and thick and I love the clean look of the bright white. I also couldn’t resist the savings.

Salt Lamp – To add to the overall ambiance and tranquility of the room, I have a salt lamp on the nightstand table which helps clean the air in your home, soothe allergies, boost your mood and of course help you sleep!

Snacks – No one likes to go to bed hungry, so stocking the guest room with snacks is essential for a comfortable stay and a good night’s sleep, for instance I recommend this cbd sleep gummies. I try and stick with easy to eat foods like nuts, popcorn, granola bars and dried fruit. If you are new to CBD or simply looking for a more familiar product to integrate into your daily routine, you can visit Flora CBD to find edibles that are perfect for you. And don’t forget to keep plenty of water and liquids so your guests don’t feel uncomfortable asking you for a glass of water at midnight.

Do you have any tried and true methods for getting a good nights sleep? Have you checked out the sheets at your local Tuesday Morning?

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Where to Stay in Philadelphia

January 15, 2019

Last month a girlfriend and I met up in Philadelphia for a quick girls weekend! It was the first time for both of us and we were so excited to have some time together and explore the city of brotherly love. The Windsor Suites is centrally located and near so many amazing spots. It’s within walking distance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (and the famous Rocky Steps), The Rodin Museum, and The Reading Terminal. Given that my friend and I are both bloggers and love exploring and taking photos, the hotel location was perfect. You can read more our girlfriends guide to Philly over on her blog!

The rooms are incredibly spacious and the first thing I thought was how nice it would be for a family staying there. I always love having a kitchen to make traveling feel more like home! In addition to valet there is also a parking garage right next door to the hotel so you don’t have to worry about finding street parking. The weekend we were there it rained a lot but luckily the Windsor Suites has complimentary umbrellas which were a life saver. We also used Uber a lot and the drivers were so friendly and there wasn’t much traffic going anywhere so the cost wasn’t insanely high. Had the weather cooperated a bit more we would have walked everywhere. Philadelphia has some amazing restaurants and photo opts which you can read about here!

The views from our balcony were so beautiful and there is also a rooftop pool! I’m dying to come back just to swim because it looked like such a fun spot to spend an afternoon or early morning! There are two restaurants in the main lobby, a pub and an Asian restaurant which we totally ordered from at 10pm one night and it was SO good. I also ordered food from the Irish pub when I first checked in. They brought it to my room while I was getting ready which was a huge time saver for me. I rarely eat before and during a flight so I’m always staving by the time I arrive at my destination. Not having food readily available makes me super hangry so it’s important for me to point out the room service, haha!

JeeYoung and I felt incredibly safe during our stay at The Windsor Suites and there was always someone at the bell hop stand. Your room key is required to use the elevators as well. Hotel safety is extremely important to me especially when I’m traveling alone or with a girlfriend so it’s always good to know how hotels operate before booking.

Have you ever been to Philadelphia before? Did you love it? Where did you stay and what did you do? Tell me all about your trip in the comments! A huge thank you to The Windsor Suites for hosting us and making us fall in love with Philly!

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A Botanical Birthday

January 12, 2019

It’s hard to believe that my last baby is already 4 years old! We celebrated last Sunday with a Botanical Birthday filled with tons of beautiful plants! This one definitely one of my favorite parties I’ve ever planned!

Ever since seeing a succulent & cactus cake on Pinterest a few months ago I knew I wanted to have a botanical party! I love florals but with this one I wanted more succulents, green plants, and cactus. My incredible friend Raven who owns Botanicals by Raven let me rent several of her cactus and large plants because let’s face it, it’s not worth investing money in a ton of plants that I can’t keep alive! Renting the plants saved money and made more sense. The wonderful people at 1800Flowers sent the gorgeous succulent center pieces for the kids tables and the cactus gardens that were placed in the party room.

We really lucked out with the weather and it was beautiful in the mid 60’s which was perfect since I rented a bounce house for the entertainment. It was set up right outside our sunroom (where the party was) so the girls were never too far from their mama’s! Kids really enjoy having these huge inflatable play areas, like US manufactured bounce houses by JungleJumps. They keep them occupied for a very long time! This is the third year in a row where I keep Evelyn’s birthday girls only. It’s always so much fun to celebrate with just the girls!

It was easy to fill the house with fresh flowers and some artificial plants I’ve already acquired throughout the years. The kids table and chairs were rented from The Rental Place who I have been using for 6 years. As far as food goes, we had plenty of sweets but I also had some pastries and carbs set up in addition to a coffee & tea bar. I also made some really yummy champagne punch which everyone loved (except maybe the pregnant mama’s)!

Like I’ve said numerous times before, investing in a photographer and videographer is so worth it for me. All these amazing pictures were taken by my friend Chelsea so I could enjoy the day and not worry about picking up my phone or camera! She has shot the past 3 birthdays of Evelyn’s and has become a dear friend. I love getting a film made too and if you’re in the Atlanta area and need a videographer for your event, then Leila Yavari is your girl! I’ve linked everything below but if you have any questions about where something was sourced, shoot me an email!

Cake // Cake Envy

Cupcakes // Minis by Maria

Cookies// Santini Mini Sweets

Cactus & Large Plants // Botanicals by Raven

Succulent Center Pieces // 1800 Flowers

Cactus Garden // 1800 Flowers

Evelyn’s Dress // Kainku Handmade

My Dress // Asos

Photography // Poppy La Rue

Videography // Leila Yavari

Kids Tables & Chairs // The Rental Place

Floral Painting // Hannah Joiner Crosby

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Guest Room Ready in Under 30 Minutes

December 23, 2018

This post is sponsored by Febreze but the content and opinions expressed here are my own

If you’ve been following along for a while than you know that I love hosting. Whether it be a girls night, throwing a party, or having guests stay with us, I love prepping for friends and family. With two kids, two dogs, and two cats, our house definitely gets hit with different odors on a daily basis. That means I am doing laundry or cleaning every single day and when we have guests come to visit, I go into overdrive. Luckily throughout the years I have found some tried and true methods that help me be guest ready in under 30 minutes! Here is what I do every time before we have guests come stay with us! It’s helps me tremendously and I hope it’ll help you too!

Enlist your kids to help you! My kids are still young, but that doesn’t mean they can’t start helping with light chores around the house. Picking up odds and ends or practicing folding towels for a guests arrival is a great starter chore. Children don’t need to do any heavy lifting or cleaning with household products that aren’t safe, so try and enlist there help other ways. It’ll not only help you but teach them hospitality and responsibility! My kids love putting on fresh clean sheets the most!

Smells Be Gone! Our guest room isn’t used on a daily basis, so sometimes the air can get a little stale. The day before a guest arrives, I always open all the windows to let in some fresh air. After cleaning and prepping the bed, I add one of my favorite scents! Febreze Plugs Mediterranean Lavender and Linen & Sky scents smell like a dream. They are pleasant without being too over the top. I picked mine up at Sam’s Club for such a great deal ($14.98, 4 refills + 2 warmers). While the others* fade fast, these last 1200 hours on the low setting and don’t just mask, but truly clean away odors! I plug one into the guest bedroom, living room and foyer to make sure the house smells clean and cozy!

Accessories! I have new toiletries, medicine, snacks, and even a coffee station with different coffee pods and tea. I want my guests to feel as at home as possible, so I try and think of things I wish I had when traveling and never want them to feel embarrassed by having to ask for something.

Entertainment– We have a mounted TV in the guest room equipped with a Roku which has Amazon, Netflix, and several sports channels. In addition to plenty of movies and shows, I always stock the room with new magazines depending on the guests interests. There are some books, a sound machine and a bluetooth speaker. Like I mentioned above, I want guests to feel like they are in their home when they stay at mine!

Do you have any guest tips you use to make clothes and sheets smell good? Let me know in the comments below! Be sure to visit a Sam’s Club to purchase the Febreze Plugs so you can create your perfect home ambiance and keep it smelling lovely & odor-free for up to 45 days!

*Leading pluggable’s top scents, Nielsen sales 2017

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5 Most Instagrammable Spots in Philadelphia

December 21, 2018

A few weeks ago a girlfriend and I headed to Philly for a short weekend getaway. Neither one of us had been before and we thought it was the perfect meeting spot for some girl time! We both love exploring and taking photos so here are the best spots in Philadelphia to get that perfect Instagram pic!

Elfreth’s Alley – It’s no surprise that this street is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Philadelphia. And it’s not just for the Instagrammer either. Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest residential street in the United States, making it enjoyable for the history buff, too. Because of that, my advice for getting the best photo when no one else is around is to go during “off” times. We went before our flight on Sunday morning around 10am and were the only ones there. It was slightly drizzling and overcast outside but that didn’t hinder the photos or our experience! We were so lucky to come during Christmas time because the alley was all decked out for Christmas. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966. 124-126 Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Louie Louie – Not only is this bohemian restaurant decorated like an old school movie set, but the food is to die for. My mouth is watering just thinking about the Belgian waffles and avocado toast. JeeYoung and I got there just after they opened on a Saturday and there were plenty of cute tables and places for pictures. If getting a good shot with zero to minimal people in the background is on your agenda, than I highly recommend getting to places when they open or during off hours/days. 3611 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

LOVE Sign – We were lucky enough that our wonderful hotel, The Windsor Suites, was only a short walk to John F. Kennedy Plaza where the LOVE sign lives. Actually, The Windsor Suites is also within walking distance to the Art Museum, Rocky Steps and Statue as well. The LOVE Sign isn’t as large as the one in NYC, but still a great installation! John F. Kennedy Plaza, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102

EAT ME/UR HOT Heart – Located inside Mission Taqueria, We happened upon this fabulous spot by accident. We came for the food (which was amazing by the way) and were able to watch the tail end of this incredible art installation by the uber talented street artist, Amberella. If you happen to be in Philadelphia in the next few months, this installation will still be there. If not, then you can follow Amberella on Instagram to see where her other pieces are throughout the city! 1516 Sansom Street – 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA

Rocky Steps/Statue – No trip to the city of Brotherly Love is complete without a trip to the famous Rocky Steps. It is definitely one of the most popular attractions in the city and is usually packed with people taking photos or hanging out with friends on the steps. When we went on a nice afternoon on Saturday it was slammed with people. We tried again Sunday morning before our flight and we were some of the only ones there. Granted it happened to be overcast and raining off and on, but we still made it work! Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Have you been to Philly? What were some of your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments!

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