chanelmovingforward

How I Combat After School Chaos

September 8, 2017

This post is sponsored by Kraft Lunchables Organic but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Now that Henry has a month of Kindergarten under his belt, we are slowly creating a new normal again. Our routine is very different than it was during the summer. No more late nights, skipping baths, and hanging out at the pool all day. We limit the after school activities because I highly feel that for Henry, school is enough at his age. Without a routine in our house, the hours of 3pm-8pm would definitely be a disaster. Here are my five tips that help me combat the after school chaos!

1. Tidy the house. Let’s face it, messy houses and rooms can cause internal chaos for adults and kids. I make sure the kitchen and living room and clear of clutter and that toys my 2 year old has played with during the day are put back where they belong. However, I am not the maid and I implemented this rule with Henry early on last year in Pre-K. As soon as he gets home, he hangs his backpack up, puts his school clothes in the laundry (because ew, germs), and puts on some comfortable clothes. He is so used to these few steps that I don’t even have to ask him.

2. For Moms (and Dads): Put away phones and electronics. Devoting as much time as you can to school aged children who have been away from you and their home all day is important. They want to know you missed them and are interested in what they have been up to. I try my absolute hardest to get all my work done by 4pm each day so I can be present and focused when Henry comes home from school.

3. Snacks – Kids and food go hand in hand. My two are grazers and snack throughout the day. Trying to get them to eat a full meal can end in arguments, timeouts and headaches. The new Lunchables Organic are the standby for our after school snack. Quick, yummy, and relatively inexpensive. While my kids and I may not agree on all of the meals I make them, we can agree that Lunchables Organic is a food they enjoy and I love giving to them. Lunchables Organics is USDA certified organic and free of artificial preservatives, flavors or colors*

4. Exercise – After having to sit still for 6 hours and trying to be on their best behavior, kids need to let loose. Getting in some psychical exertion. Being active in the early evening will also allow them to sleep better. For school aged children, a recommended 9-11 hours of sleep each night to be fully rested. Henry loves this Count to 100 video which allows him to move his body and exercise in a fun way, to gte the best shoes for sports and exercises, check out this Brooks catalog. I also let him play outside for 30-45 minutes.

5. Routine – No matter how you spend your after school hours, routine is important. As rare as it is, my 5 year old still needs a short nap when he gets home from Kindergarten. From 3-4pm he takes a quick nap in his room. Afterwards we have snack, outdoor & indoor playtime, dinner, bath and then lights out!

So tell me, what are some tips you swear by to help combat the after school chaos? Have your kids tried the new Lunchables Organic? Be sure to follow along on their super cute social channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

* See back panel of any Organic Lunchables item for ingredients used to preserve quality.

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Watermelon Pizza

September 1, 2017

Happy September 1! I am so glad that summer (for the most part) is behind us and hoping that cooler temps start to come soon. Our 6 year wedding anniversary is on Monday so Labor Day weekend is always really special to us. I am really looking forward to the last holiday weekend of summer and a 3 day break which means lots of family time. I wanted to share an easy and fun recipe (I use that term lightly here) that you can make for any Labor Day parties you may have. Watermelon is one of my favorite foods and I could legit eat an entire one by myself.

WATERMELON PIZZA 4 WAYS:

1. Blueberries & Chia Seeds

2.Blackberries & Caramel Sauce

3.Coconut Shreds & Cherries

4.Granola & Mini Chocolate Chips

VOILA! That is it. So simple and so tasty. You can whip it up last minute for a gathering or just make for the kids to enjoy as an after school snack. Each one tastes so good and different. Happy Labor Day, everyone!

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AFFORDABLE STAPLE SKIRT

August 31, 2017

I love high rise skirts that hide my belly, yet still flatter my waist. Since I’m in now in my early 30’s, my style over the past few years has definitely changed. Goodbye button up flannels and black leggings, hello vibrant skirts and chic leather accessories. This midi skirt is perfect for hiding my mom belly and comes in several beautiful colors. It can be worn dressed up for a date night or more casual with flat sandals during the day. The flutter sleeves on this knit top add the perfect feminine touch and I love that it’s long enough to be tucked into skirts or jeans. It has the sweetest lace detail along the neckline and the fabric is so lightweight. I also tend to choose darker colors because they’er more slimming (aka, black is my best friend). I’ve been wearing this skirt so much lately and love that it will easily transition into fall. Do you have any pieces that have become staples in your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below!

Breathtaking Tiger Lilies Midi Skirt in Merlot

Flutter and Flatter Knit Top in Charcoal

Cross Body Bag

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Why We Love OshKosh for Back-to-School (and You Should Too!)

August 30, 2017

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Now that Henry is going on his 4th week of kindergarten, I’ve seen my share of dirty, stained and ruined clothes. I like to send him to school dress nicely but I also don’t want to spend a fortune on pieces that will come home covered in chocolate milk or that orange playground dirt (you guys know the color!). Last week Henry and I went shopping at our local OshKosh store to check out their back to school collection. I have been a long time fan of OshKosh B’gosh clothing because of their amazing prices and basics. Now they have some super fun graphic tees, comfy joggers and distressed denim. This season they have a ton of coed designs which I absolutely love.

I was able to find Henry the most adorable striped button down shirt which added a little something extra to his graphic tee and jeans combo. I love that I can pair this shirt with casual pieces and also leave solo for picture day. The wide variety of graphic tees look absolutely adorable paired with this fun line of joggers, which I am so obsessed with. #givemeallthecolors. Henry is now at the age where he is starting to have a say in what he wears (insert sad face emoji). While we may argue about what he’s eating or when he goes to bed, we can at least agree on the clothes from OshKosh. I’m more than happy to let him pick clothing he will feel confident in at school. Kindergarten is tough enough for a young child, their clothing shouldn’t be something they have to worry about.

If you have been following along for awhile then you know that Henry is very active. He is constantly moving and shaking the second he wakes up and doesn’t stop until he finally passes out at night. He needs clothing that can keep up with him. In Kindergarten there is a lot of play time. Whether it be indoors or outdoors, OshKosh has clothing for every activity. I can’t believe how durable all these pieces were and how well they have lasted. Each piece feels thicker and stronger than what I remember, and I love it! 5 year old boys need clothing that can take some roughness. OshKosh always has the best coupons so you can make your money go farther! If you spend $40+ from now until October 2 you can save 20% with Coupon Code: OKBG3352. Let me know what you’re loving in the comments below. I always love to see what others choose!

Skinny Jeans – $11.95

No Bad Days Tee – $7.00

Striped Button Up – $15.00

Wave Hello Tank – $4.99

Sneakers – $40.00

French Terry Joggers – $14.00

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How to Combat Breakouts When Traveling with ZAPZYT

August 25, 2017

This post has been sponsored by the PRIMP Network. All opinions are my own.

I love traveling, seeing new places, exploring new cities and trying new food. I wish I would have taken more advantage of it when I was in my twenties, but unfortunately I wasn’t at a point in my life where I could. What I don’t love about traveling is what is can do to your skin. Between airplanes, smog and temperature changes … traveling can wreak havoc on your skin. Now that my family and I have been traveling more, I have some tried and true tips that I use to help me fight breakouts when on the move.

1. Great skin really does start from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and while traveling is the most important thing you can do. Recycled cabin air inside of an airplane is doing your skin absolutely zero favors. Since the air is so dry it’s literally sucking all the moisture out of your skin. Be sure to stay as hydrated as possible and also limit alcoholic beverages since that too will dry your skin and make it look dull. When your skin dries out, it overcompensates for the dryness, which means producing more oil and brings me to number two. If you really want to revitalize your skin especially if you’re suffering from any skin disease, you can contact experts who offer dermatology services.

2. If you do see a blemish starting to form, don’t stress. Rather than picking at a pesky zit on your face, treating it is far more effective and better for your skin in the long run. To get the job done safely, my go-to spot treatment has been the ZAPZYT Acne Treatment Gel. You only need to apply a thin layer and use as often as needed until the blemish goes away. It is proven to reduce the appearance of acne within 5 hours and is water based. With no alcohol included, you won’t have over drying. I don’t suffer from adult acne that often but when I do see a pimple start to form, this gel works wonders.

3. Bring your own pillowcase! This may seem silly, but I try and always travel with my own, clean pillowcase. Most large resorts and hotels use harsh detergents filled with chemicals. This can cause a rash, breakouts and irritation. Recently I have been sleeping on a silk pillowcase and it has changed the life of my skin and hair. I will never go back to cotton pillowcases again. A pillowcase takes up little to no space in your suitcase, so pack a clean one with you next time!

4. Stick with products you’ve already been using and know won’t break out your skin. If you are acne prone, then the best acne system out there is definitely ZAPZYT. The Acne Wash is a hypoallergenic cleanser and dye/fragrance free. The 2% salicylic acid unclogs pores to help reduce breakouts. It cane be used on your chest and back too. My favorite from the ZAPZYT line is definitely the Pore Clearing Scrub. I love this because it gently exfoliates and clears my pores of dirt, oil and blackheads. It’s perfect for everyday use as well.

5. It can be hard not to indulge when you’re traveling, but try to steer clear of greasy, unhealthy foods. These tend to lead to breakouts and overall make your skin look run down and dull. Dairy, Gluten and Sugar should be enjoyed in moderation when traveling, as with everyday eating as well.

Don’t travel a lot but still have breakouts? Check out these posts on how to prevent adult acne and fight blemishes with ZAPZYT.

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Creating an After School Snack Station

August 25, 2017

This post in sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.

I don’t know what it is with my kids, but they seem to always be hungry. Even though I give them plenty of meal options at breakfast, lunch and dinner, they just seem to like grazing more. Henry always seems famished after he steps off the bus (keep in mind he has usually eaten an hour before). In order to combat any hangry outbursts, I decided to create an after school snack station with the help of https://hiya.life/ that has all of his favorites. I made sure to balance our sweet and savory foods that he will love and I will feel good about letting him have without an argument. Evelyn is at the age where she want to anything everything that Henry has so that makes shopping super easy! My kids could literally eat all day long and I don’t want to be going to the kitchen 400 times a day, so this snack station is so convenient for both of them to utilize. Here is what I have included the past few weeks since school began.

Green Giant Veggie Tots have 3 new fans in our household. These little bite size snacks taste so good you would never even know there were vegetables in them. I can attest to their deliciousness and great taste. They’re the perfect afternoon snack and fun way to get children to eat more veggies. Get a $1 off coupon here.

When choosing foods for a snack station, it’s good to have a selection of items that will tide kids over until dinner time. These PBJamwiches are an excellent source of protein and carbs to really satisfy little bellies. Both of the kids schools are completely peanut free so they’re unable to enjoy peanut butter goodness during lunch time so these are extra special for an afternoon snack. They are crustless and a very sizable portion. My kids usually split one.

If Henry has a good day at school I love to reward him with a special treat, like Rainbow Straws from The Sour Punch® brand. They are now made with natural colors and natural strawberry, lemon, apple and tangerine flavors. There is absolutely no high fructose corn syrup added and since they’re sour, he usually will only eat one. They’ll be available on Amazon soon!

I keep some mini bottles of water around since I highly doubt either one of my kids are drinking enough water at school. If either of them are craving something more, I allow them to have a Fruit Shoot drink made from real fruit juice. There is only 2 grams of sugar in the whole bottle so they can stay refreshed without bouncing off the walls 10 minutes after the drink. Every bottle of Fruit Shoot is made with real fruit juice concentrate, plenty of water and no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

To balance out the sour snacks, I add something a tad more salty. Sensible Portions® Garden Veggie Straws are by far my kids favorite on-the-go snack. The multipacks are lunchbox friendly and they each take them to school every day. They are low in calories (38 straws for only 130) and are perfect for that crunchy salty fix. They’re made with non-GMO ingredients that are gluten free, and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.

When I am craving a 3pm snack, my choice is definitely a RXBAR. These bars are very clean and perfect for kids and adults who have food restrictions. Each bar is dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and contains absolutely no added sugars. RXBARs are made with clean, simple ingredients: egg whites, fruits, and nuts. Save 15% off your first order of RXBARs with code BabbleBoxx15.

My kids love their carbs, just like their mama. The Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Muffins are super soft, tasty and fit perfectly in little hands. With over 10 flavors, there is sure to be one your kids will love. The majority of flavors have under 200 calories. My kids can’t get enough of the Banana Muffins and Chocolate Chip Muffins!

What are your go-to snacks for after school? Let me know what your kids love in the comments!

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5 Minute Skincare Routine for Busy Moms

August 23, 2017

This post is sponsored by Unilever Brands: Pond’s, Noxzema, St. Ives and Simple but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I’ll admit it, sometimes in the morning I am so rushed that I don’t even have time to brush my teeth before 10am. Thank the Lord for carpool drops off and the school bus so I don’t have to see anyone face to face before I’ve gotten ready. When I’m in a hurry or tired, I condense my skincare routine into something a bit more manageable. I don’t pre cleanse, add eye cream, toners or serums. I apply the absolute necessities to get me out the door (or into bed after a long day!) These four products provide the perfect skincare regimen to help save time. They are also all available at Walmart to make shopping easier and more affordable. Hallelujah!

Step 1: CLEANSE – I never, ever go to bed without washing my face. Thinking about all the dirt and grim that has been on my face all day makes my skin crawl. I am also a big weirdo when it comes to dirt being on my pillow case but that’s another story. As important as it is to wash away grime at the end of the day, it’s equally important to wash your face in the morning too. At night when you sleep your skin’s sebaceous glands are producing oil. Noxzema® Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream is gentle enough for every day use while also removing dirt, oil and grime from your skin. This is one of those brands that has been around for ages and has such a diehard following. Raise your hand if this was one of the first cleaning creams you used in your early teen years! I love stocking up on new things to try and discovering some new skincare favorites. I recently tested out the Simple® Cleansing Facial Wipes and am a huge fan now. A lot of the facial wipes I have tried in the past can never remove my eye makeup all the way so I inevitably have to use eye makeup remover. When I’m seconds away from passing out in my sink at night, the last thing I want to worry about is using yet another product. The Simple® Cleansing Facial Wipes remove all my eyeliner and mascara without any residue left over and are perfect for removing excess makeup after cleansing.

STEP 2: EXFOLIATE – Every time I get a facial I am reminded by the esthetician how important exfoliating it. Exfoliation is the removal of dry/dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. She also told me how she had to complete Dermaplaning courses and a dermatology program when she was training, so she knows what she is talking about when it comes to skincare. When you exfoliate on a regular basis (3-4 times a week), your pores size will decrease and your skin will be smoother and more glowy. My current favorite exfoliate is the St. Ives® Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. I’ve been using St. Ives products since I was in high school and they have never let me down. Their face scrubs have always been my favorite. After cleansing your skin thoroughly, gently exfoliating is a must. I usually exfoliate in the evening in case my skin pulls some redness afterwards.

STEP 3: MOISTURIZE & ADD SPF – My final step in my skincare routine is always a great moisturizer followed by a SPF. The PONDS® Dry Skin Cream does a really good job of hydrating my skin without ?it ?feeling greasy. This moisturizer is also dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores. My skin has a tendency to break out if I use products that are too heavy so I love that this one soothes my skin without causing acne. Don’t forget to add an SPF before going outside!

Do you have any favorite skincare products that are your go-to? Let me know in the comments below! As a beauty and skincare junkie, I love hearing about products other people love!

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