Using Mother-Daughter Days to Tackle Big Parenting Moments

"Being a parent is the toughest job you will ever have." -My Mother It's not that I didn't believe my mom when she said these words but then I went and had three kids, all girls, who are hitting that tween and teen stage and now I'm a true believer.  I'm learning those mother-daughter days in order to tackle the big stuff and not just for tea parties, lunches out or getting treats. Yes, the diaper days were rough.  The physical nature of parenting little ones is damn hard.  I was not prepared for that aspect of it.  But tweens and teens come with so many emotions, the highs, and lows. The bigger problems that force us as parents to reflect on our past and then figure out how to handle the same issues in a different world. That doesn't even factor into the running them around town … [Read more...]

Simple Summer Jewelry with AUrate New York

I'm a no muss, no fuss kind of girl when it comes to my daily jewelry.  Simple summer jewelry is where it is at for me. Once I got sick this past year I just didn't even want to think about bracelets, rings, or necklaces. I didn't want to feel anything dangling, hanging off me or even touching me.  Then I found AUrate New York and that all changed. AUrate New York is all about gorgeous collections of pieces that stand behind their claims of selling fine jewelry without concessions. What does that mean? It means something really incredible for you mean and everyone.  It means real gold, at a fair price, that is also ethically sourced, made right in NYC, and the company gives back to kids in need.  The pieces are simple but beautiful. I didn't expect to like the product as much as … [Read more...]

How to Make Sure Your DIY Car Repair Isn’t a Disaster

```html Every day, you rely on your car to get from one place to another, whether it's commuting to work or running errands. Because of this heavy reliance, it's essential to ensure your vehicle is always in good working condition. If you've been driving for a while, you've probably encountered various car problems. Whether it's a minor or major issue, knowing how to fix it yourself can be incredibly beneficial in the long run. While you can take your car to a mechanic, Money Crashers suggests that you can handle some repairs on your own. For instance, you can easily replace your car's air filter without any tools. According to Money Crashers, this simple task should be done every 12 months or 12,000 miles and takes just a few minutes. Open the hood and locate the air filter, … [Read more...]

5 Natural Ways to Get Allergy Relief

There is no good time for allergies to rear their swollen eyes, red-nosed, ugly head. Now that spring is in full bloom so are seasonal allergies. In our house, we like a multi-prong approach for obtaining allergy relief which includes both natural and traditional medicinal routes. Here are my top five natural ways to get allergy relief. If it is not a stuffy nose or one that is chronically running there are swollen, red eyes or a dry cough that plagues at least one or all five members of my family.  While I have more allergy relief than ever this year due to my strict Lyme diet (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no yeast) my kids and husband do not.  The absence of food inflammatories in my diet has made a radical difference in my seasonal allergies this year. There is a lot to be said … [Read more...]

Lyme Awareness & Getting Out

May, my birth month, is also Lyme Disease Awareness month. Funny, that's exactly the month that I have been bitten and contracted Lyme twice now. I always do like being timely. These days I find I'm able to make it outside more.  I'm attempting to run instead of walking and yoga.  I've been able to add strength training back into my days.  I'm seeing friends and doing things with my family that months ago I would have had to forgo.  A month ago going out for coffee would have been my only activity for the day.  Just this weekend we hit up the Cirque De Soliel show, Luzia and took in a baseball game.  A NIGHT game.  I wasn't asleep or crumpled in pain and needing a detox bath.  This is HUGE.  It is life-giving. Just look! And I got dressed in something besides leggings and … [Read more...]

A Lit Guide on Throwing Your High School Grad a Gnar Skate Party

Being a parent is a wild ride. One day your child is starting kindergarten, and the next you’re throwing a high school graduation party for your rebellious skater teen. Getting this right is a tall order for any parent, but when your baby’s all grown up with piercings and ‘gnarly licks’ (or whatever they’re called), it’s a doozy. Trying to plan a party for a skater who’s part of the counter-cultural movement might not be easy, but you’re the cool parent! And what better way to embrace their unique vibe than to host an epic outdoor celebration? With large marquee hire Perth, you can create a versatile, weatherproof space that fits their style while making the event memorable. After all the hard work and dedication, it’s rewarding to celebrate achieving a diploma and all that it represents. … [Read more...]

Want a Better Vacation? Consider a Digital Detox

In the digital age, many of us feel like we couldn't possibly go anywhere without our devices. And if we can't leave home without our electronics, we might not even consider going on a vacation sans smartphone. But if you can embrace the idea of a getaway without texting and social media scrolling, it might do you a world of good. You might get vacation envy every time you look at your Instagram feed. Around 23% of Millennials say that social media significantly influences their choice of travel destination, after all. And now, there are even vacation packages that cater to those who really want to impress with their posts. Cheap Caribbean recently launched a three-night trip to Bermuda that offers personal photo shoots and social media tutorials to travelers who specifically want to … [Read more...]

Twenty Years

You know when you meet someone and just know that you two are meant to be?  That it is love at first sight? This is not that. When these two twenty-somethings met on May 2, 1998. TWENTY YEARS AGO today *insert "land sakes" or a "gracious me" in there* It was a not a storybook romance.  There was no meet cute. Just an "Oh, it's you." at the start of our blind date.  I might have hissed at my friend that I could not see spending a whole evening in my cute LBD with this guy as my date.  He may have insulted me because my attitude wasn't sweet but came with a bite. Sigma Kappa Spring Formal, May 2, 1998 Fast forward through that lovely movie montage of us getting married in Vegas, making a few moves around the country as we get a dog, have three kids, realize we need marriage … [Read more...]

3 Ways to Drive Safe This Spring

We often think that winter is the most hazardous of driving seasons.  That may be true with the snow, ice and sleet mess that can muck up the roadways but spring runs a close second.  That old phrase, "April showers bring May flowers." can signal heavy rain or even hail.  Not to mention that springtime signals the end to hibernation for many animals.  That's why it is important to keep these tips and bits of advice in mind when hitting the road so you can drive safe this spring. First, keep in mind that while the warmer temps make us want to get outdoors that means others are out on there too.  More pedestrians and bikes are out and about.  Stay alert and utilize your extra car features like blind spot monitoring and make sure your wipers and lights are in good working order.  Ditto for … [Read more...]

How to Make the Most Out of Your Beauty Oil

Pink Black Dots Beauty Makeup Facebook Cover by veamason Everyone knows how excess oil can be bad for beauty; it can attract dirt to your skin, cause makeup to streak and run, and give your face a less than flattering shine in photos, among many other things. It’s true that excessive oil production can complicate your beauty regimen and the way you shop for skincare products and makeup, but it’s also a mistake to believe that all oils are bad for your skin. In fact, adding oils to your skincare routine can help in regulating oil production. Yes, you heard that right: people with oily skin can benefit from using oils. Many people assume that oils automatically cause breakouts, but the truth is many oils are non-comedogenic—they neither clog pores nor cause the onset of acne. Oils are … [Read more...]