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Christmas Traditions & The Best Classic Toy for Toddlers

December 19, 2018

This post is sponsored by Mattel, but all opinions are my own

One tradition that I started right before Evelyn was born was taking Henry to pick out a gift for her. Then, once she arrived and was old enough, I started taking Evelyn to pick out a gift for Henry. It’s a sweet little tradition we do each Christmas spend some one on one time together and also teach them to think about others. I have always been a gifter and love picking out items that match someone’s personality. It’s important to me to teach my children that life isn’t always about receiving, but more importantly, giving and thinking about others.

I love watching my kids’ imaginations grow and letting them explore their creativity. I try to choose toys that help them be their best self. Henry got the building gene from his grandfather, who was a geotechnical engineer. Since before he could walk, he started building with blocks. Being a typical little sister, Evelyn would play with anything Henry had. From cars and blocks to superhero toys. However, her favorite toy that has stood the test of time have been Mattel Mega Bloks. Henry first received a set on his first birthday, and they haven’t left our house since. They’re a great, inexpensive gift that makes a significant impact. Mega Bloks come in a vast assortment of colors and are great for little hands and babies who are learning fine motor skills (ages 1-5 are ideal for Mega Bloks). Their jumbo size and rounded edges make them perfect starter Building Blocks. They’re also BPA-free!

Mega Bloks Sesame Street Let’s Build Sesame Street set is the cutest, and Evelyn loves Abby Cadabby. It comes with stickers to place on the block so children can learn to spell out names of their favorite Sesame Street character. This set comes with 70 colorful blocks with character-themed decoration! There is also the Mega Bloks Building Basics Take-along Builder which is perfect for on the go. Take it to grandmas, on an airplane, road trip; you name it! There’s an easy-to-grip handle which opens up to reveal a set of building blocks and a removable building plate inside the case.

You can grab Mattel Mega Bloks in the Toys and Collectibles Aisle at your local Walmart, or order online! Do you have any unique traditions that you carry on each year? I would love to hear them in the comments!

Where I Shop for Toddler Knee High Socks

December 10, 2018

I have been obsessed with knee high socks and fun tights since before Evelyn was born. I love styling them with dresses, skirts, rompers and even shorts. They’re an inexpensive way to dress up an outfit with your own unique twist and a great way to keep little legs stylishly warm. Below are shops that I’ve purchased from and can 100% stand behind!

June & January – My go-to for striped socks! They also have bright, fun solids as well! Sizes start at 6 months and go up to 5T. I love their high quality knits and colors for every occasion.

Glitter & Wit – Unlike any socks on the market! The material is super light and almost silky. Light enough for hot Summers and still perfect for Fall. They’re all made to order and handcrafted in the USA!

Target – I find Evelyn’s knee high socks in the girls department. Not the toddler or baby section. Most socks are sold in a six dollar 2 pack with fun, vibrant colors and designs. Unfortunately the on-line options are sparse, so you’re better off buying in store!

Little Light Feet – These socks definitely have a nostalgic feel to them. They’re more of a classic style with muted, gender neutral colors! Perfect for girls or boys!

Figge – These beautiful socks feature ribbing & seam at toe for comfort. They’re made from high quality cotton + lycra and ethically made in Spain, but ship from Los Angeles.

Little Stocking Co. – I love their patterns and basic colors! They have cable knit tights and knee high socks for babies, toddler and little kids with a lot of gender neutral colors.

Amazon – Let’s not forget about everyone’s favorite website. They have all kinds of knee high socks from bold colors, muted colors, animal prints, stockings and so many more. Plus they all ship in 2 days if you’re a prime member so if you’ve forgotten socks for little Susie’s Christmas pageant on Friday, than you’re in luck.

Friendsgiving Recap

November 30, 2018

This year was my second year hosting Friendsgiving at my house with some of my favorite Atlanta bloggers. Since the group had grown so much from the previous year, I decided to have the dinner outside to accommodate everyone comfortably. Luckily the weather was a perfect 63 degrees and the rain was no where in sight. I took all the fun furniture from my house and set up a bohemian style garden party on the back driveway. My sweet husband hung some beautiful string lights, all of the rugs are from RugsUsa, my favorite online source for rugs. The dinner was potluck style, so everyone brought a yummy dish that was passed around. The tables, chairs and warming oven were all rented from a local catering service. The warming oven was key to keeping all the food warm so we could enjoy a tasty Thanksgiving feast! The beautiful flower bar was by the amazing Botanical Studio and the girls loved putting together their own bouquets. I have loved connecting with all these amazing women over the years and coming together to celebrate friendship. Have you ever hosted a Friendsgiving before? What was your favorite part?

photos by the wonderful Viva Lux Photography

5 Reasons to Get Married at Manor Golf & Country Club

November 29, 2018

A few weeks ago I had the fantastic opportunity to visit The Manor Golf & Country Club in Milton, GA to tour the grounds and taste some excellent food. For those who don’t know, The Manor Golf & Country Club is a is a privately owned club that offers both a variety of recreational sports and facilities for dining and entertaining, and you don’t have to be a member to host your wedding there! The grounds is maintained by many of the well-known Georgia Lawncare companies.

They have all-inclusive wedding packages starting at multiple price points! The Manor and Cosmo Melbourne appeals to brides who want full-service or brides who are looking for DIY wedding tips. They host everything from the millennial bride to a second wedding or intimate wedding, if you need something to prepare it, visit this bridal shop towcester near me. In addition to their lush landscape, The Manor has a stunning interior. The clubhouse is breathtaking, with the high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, it’s just flooded with beautiful light (perfect for the best photos)! The magnificent Grand Ballroom, which holds 50-200 guests, includes a private patio & event lawn for your wedding ceremony.

I got married before the Pinterest era and before Instagram took off (did I age myself)?? There is so much inspiration now than ever before and a million and one ways to make a wedding uniquely your own, especially at a beautiful country club. Here are my five reasons why I would get married at The Manor Golf & Country Club again and why you should too! Fell in love with the burlap table runner bulk they used at lunch and dinner to create the whole event theme.

1. One Stop Shop – Probably the most appealing thing about a country club wedding is the convenience of having everything on site. You can rest assured knowing your day will be completely taken care of by your wedding coordinator. You and your guests will be treated with the highest regard, and there is plenty of staff on hand to handle anything and everything that comes up.

2. Food! I was lucky enough to taste some of the fantastic dishes made by the chefs, and it was like eating art. From savory Rack of Lamb Persillade with Purple Carrots Flan to delectable homemade Sweet Potato Cheesecake, your guests will not leave hungry!

3. Rain Back-Up Plan – Outdoor weddings are the most beautiful, except if it rains on your special day. Luckily The Manor has several options for indoor and outdoor ceremony space. Don’t let the weather be a stress factor when planning for your wedding. Always have a plan B!

4. More than just the Wedding – The Manor Golf & Country Club can also host rehearsal dinners and bridal showers and luncheons. These are my TOP Maine wedding florists. Do the groom and his groomsmen need a relaxing day of golf before the big day? They can play a round on the championship golf course designed by Tom Watson.

5. Beautiful Photos – The Manor Golf & Country Club has stunning golf course and lake views. In addition to the gorgeous ballroom and beautiful architecture, the beauty of the trees and green grass will produce photographs you will cherish forever.

If you’re looking for extraordinary food and refined service, then The Manor Golf & Country Club is the place to celebrate one of the most important days of your life. The Club only books one wedding per day to ensure undivided attention by their catering and culinary team.

Brunchin’ with Babe

November 22, 2018

A few weekends ago I gathered some girlfriends at my house for a Sunday brunch. Recently, brunch has become more popular than ever and as much as I love going out, staying home is something I look forward to on the weekends. It’s important to set aside time for our girlfriends and catch up and it’s always more fun with some Babe Rosè. There is just something so refreshing about those little cans of Rosè with bubbles. This was one of the most fun get-togethers I’ve had and it was super easy because I didn’t cook anything. I grabbed plenty of pastries and carbs for us to snack on while chatting, some fresh flowers and the Rosè and that was it. I love how Drink Babe comes in convenient can 4-packs which are perfect for parties, tailgating and other places questionable decisions are made. Thank you Drink Babe for helping me throw an awesome brunch for some of my sweetest friends.

The Most Inexpensive Bathroom Upgrade

November 7, 2018

“This post is sponsored by hansgrohe on behalf of Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.”

As much as I would love to do a total bathroom remodel, let’s face it: We don’t have the time or money to take on that kind of project right now. Especially after the basement flood that happened a few weeks ago. I really want to upgrade my cabinets to some lovely Oak Bathroom Cabinets & Storage space that works better with the layout of the bathroom but I don’t have the time to. However, I still like to upgrade from time to time, and there are ways to do so without having to spend thousands of dollars. We spend a lot of time in the bathroom and the shower. For some (I’m talking to you mama’s), the shower is the only place we can have a few minutes of peace and quiet, so why not make it beautiful?

If you’re on a budget and wants an expert bathroom renovator to bring your dream bathroom to life, then you have to get experts for their advice on how to approach your bathroom renovation project. According to experts like plumbers near me in Arlington, you also need to take into account the plumbing fixtures. There are a lot of guides, checklists, and design ideas out there. You can also check plumbers near me and contact them to find more details. One of which is from Rize Construct which is a bathroom renovator expert based in Gold Coast. Experts like these plumbers near Hudson say to check their site for tips and essential advice.

If you’re ready to take your shower routine to the next level, let me tell you about PowderRain technology from hansgrohe. The hansgrohe Raindance Handshower was installed in less than 3 minutes by my husband. If I was a tad taller, I could have done it myself too. The hand shower has three spray modes: Rain, Whirl, and PowderRain.

The rain setting gives you a gentle flow that is great for general rinsing and my personal favorite. The whirl setting provides good pressure without being harsh, and the PowderRain is a “full rain” shower experience to revitalize the skin. You’ll instantly feel like you’re in a five-star hotel! Each setting is easy to change with a simple press of the “Select” button which is convenient for one-handed operation and functions flawlessly! The spray is steady and allows excellent water flow which feels fantastic on sore muscles. According to experts like Steve’s Plumbing, LLC – Hot Water Heater Repair, you can also connect your water heater so you can enjoy the shower more. Get informed about the top storage facility near you in case you need some extra space to get organized.

Updating your bathroom with cheapest glass and the shower head in our bathroom were definitely one of the easiest home upgrades we’ve done. I wouldn’t even call it a project because it took so little time! Have you updated any parts of your home recently? If you’re looking for a contractor to update your bathroom plumbing (which is another inexpensive upgrade), then visit sites like moffettplumbing.com/areas-we-serve/plumber-anaheim-ca/.

Being Prepared: Senior Care Basket

November 1, 2018

This post is sponsored by Depend, Poise, Ensure, and Glucerna but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Did you know that November is National Family Caregivers Month? This year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock.” While you may not be in a caregiver role now, it’s something that many of us will need to consider as our parents and loved one get older. As my grandmother gets older, the discussion has already begun regarding who will take care of her. While we may not be there just yet, being prepared and aware of your options when thinking about transitioning into the role of a caregiver is something that should be on your radar. As she gets older, we have also spoken about finding ways to ensure she stays mobile and independent. One of our elderly neighbors has recently purchased an electric wheelchair from Scooters ‘N Chairs, so this is definitely something we will consider too. Above all, helping your elderly loved ones go about their day to day activities is so important. Furthermore, products from the Sam’s Club Caregiving program are essential to have on hand so that caregivers can continue to provide the best possible care for those who rely on them. I’ve included some below in a senior care basket that I know my grandmother would love!

1. A Plush Robe – who doesn’t love a warm robe that also doubles as a blanket?
2. Cozy Slippers or Velcro Slippers – Because no one likes cold feet!
3. Journal/Game – A crossword puzzle, word search, Sodoku or a journal for writing
4. Picture Frame with a photo of loved ones so they can feel close even if they aren’t physically present.
5. Coffee/Tea mug so they can sip their favorite warm beverage
6. Bottled Water – Staying hydrated is essential in keeping blood sugar levels regulated.
7. Personal Items like Poise Pads and Depend Disposable Underwear – Seniors or those in need of assistance can’t always get around that fast, so these items are vital in helping with accidents.
8. A box of tissues for beside the bed or end table to prevent unnecessary trips to the bathroom.

If who your caring for has pre-diabetes or diabetes, Glucerna is just one way you can help them manage blood sugar. In addition to portion control, exercising regularly, staying hydrated. Influencers also talk about the other things they are doing to help regulate blood sugar levels. It’s a lot of small steps that help make a significant change! For those struggling with blood sugar management, replacing one meal or snack per day with Glucerna can help with Carbsteady, which are slowly digestible carbohydrates designed to help minimize blood sugar spikes. If you’re currently suffering from diabetes, always be wary because it might also lead to other diseases such as a peripheral artery disease. It’s advisable to go seek your doctor almost immediately.

If you don’t live near Sam’s Club, they offer a variety of products like Depend, Poise, Ensure and Glucerna. They have discreet shipping options and club pick-up so that you can get what you need no matter the time of day. For any questions about products listed, to please contact a pharmacist at your local Sam’s Club. Have you taken on a caregiver role before or know anyone who has? Is there anything else you would add to this care basket?

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