Creative Gift Ideas for the Working Moms

There are few things more challenging in life than being a working mom. They tackle each day trying to juggle the balance of childrearing, maintaining the home front, meeting deadlines and closing deals, all while dealing with the guilt of being a working mom wondering if either the kids, her husband, or her job are suffering. Moms are without a doubt the hardest-working people there are.  When it comes to Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or commemorating a special occasion, they deserve only the best.  The challenge here is knowing what to give them that they’ll really appreciate and enjoy!  Here are ten great ideas sure to please any working mom. Commuting music - if the working mom in your life has a long commute, consider buying her a boxed CD set of her favorite … [Read more...]

Brains On Podcast is Fun for the Whole Family

Do you listen to podcasts?  Have you heard of Brains On? Piling the whole family into the car and setting out on a road trip is an American tradition, especially in the warm summer months.  I know we have at least three planned before school is back in session. Podcast-loving parents, such as myself, have a new family-friendly resource called Brains On! Think Radio Lab for the younger set. And this summer, the science podcast for kids from American Public Media is dedicating all five of its June episodes to cars! YAY!!!  You know I love it! Brains On! episodes offer variety: each program mixes science facts, expert interviews, experts interviewed by kids, funny skits, guessing games, and original songs. On June 9, 16, 20, 23 and 30, the car and road trip series will enthrall the … [Read more...]

Hello and Goodbye

I don't quite know where to begin guys.  This month is so full of hello and goodbye moments.  My last post was all about packing for my big trip to Alaska and there was so much excitement surrounding that trip.  I was seeing my bestie (since we were 3 years old!) for the first time in three years and heading to one of the only states I have not visited yet.  Only four to go! The trip was ridiculous and I mean that in a totally good way. I fished, guys!   West Glacier Trail. I hiked it and then kept going until I hit that glacier below. Inside an ice cave. Licking a glacier.  I seriously had the best time.  Juneau is a fun little town that offers a lot for such a small location.  Have lunch at 'The Hanger' and watch sea planes and cruise ships come in. Hike numerous trails and … [Read more...]

Commuter Happiness with the 2017 Toyota RAV4 XLE

Looking for a compact crossover? Find out what the 2017 Toyota RAV4 was like during the week that I drove it around town. Source: Toyota First Impressions on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 I cannot say it was easy going from the Lexus crossover to the Toyota RAV4.  You cannot compare the two vehicles.  However, I kept an open mind the week I drove the RAV4.  The 2017 Toyota RAV4 may not be a head turner but it will serve you well on the road and offers good gas mileage and storage capabilities. What's New New this year to the RAV4 is the Toyota Star Safety System package that now comes standard.  It includes enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, smart stop technology, and electronic brake force distribution, steering assist, pedestrian … [Read more...]

Top 5 Cool Gifts For Moms In 2017

Mother is often the most important word in people's lives. While both parents deserve respect and love, society often gives an extra note of thanks to all mothers who work hard for the well-being of their children. They're the people who give birth to us and shape our preliminary thoughts and ideas. Even though mother's day is the best time to give your mom a gift, a gift is always appreciated at any time of the year. With that being said, here are the top 5 cool gifts for moms in 2017. Knock Knock What I Love About Mom Fill In The Love JournalGifts that are handmade have the most appeal. They carry a personal touch and flavor that can't be replaced. While there are many pre-made items such as cards and frames that are available in stores today, none of them can produce the kind of … [Read more...]

Mother’s Day Gifts for Under $100

It's almost Mother's Day! How did May arrive so quickly this year? Is it just me or does it seem super fast? Do you have your Mother's day gift picked out? I know for me, I like to spend the day with a few girlfriends and out of my house. A good cup of coffee, breakfast of my choosing and maybe a run starts my day. Then I head out to brunch and dinner with a movie often thrown in make up my perfect day. A Bloody Mary or Margarita make it even better. When it comes to gifts I don't typically receive them but I find monograms are always high on my list. I love the personal quality to them and Things Remembered gets it right. Mother's Day Gifts Under $100   That's Not All I added a few other items to my latest Maven board for Mom or even a gift for you or a friend.  So … [Read more...]

Beauty and the Beast Review

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of taking in a matinée for an advanced screening of Beauty and the Beast. I've been dying to share my thoughts about this film starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast ever since. The magic of Beauty and the Beast begins right away when we are whisked into the world of Prince Adam before he became the Beast.  I loved seeing this aspect come to life in all its gorgeous detail with the set and costumes. From there we are taken to Belle and her provincial village. Here we find our heroine yearning to break free from her life in a small town.  It's also where the audience gets its first look at how much more independent and multi-dimensional our characters are versus their one-note animated predecessors.  To me, this made the film even … [Read more...]

A Woman’s Journey to Recovery Through Yoga

The act of giving birth should be added to the list of the wonders of the world. Bringing forth life into the world is one of the most beautiful, and at the same time, the most painful experiences anyone can ever go through. After giving birth, my body became completely different. It went through major changes during my pregnancy and the changes did not stop even after I gave birth. This is where exercise comes into play. Regular exercises are good for one’s health and well-being. What is Yoga? A good form of exercise is yoga. The simplest way of describing yoga is that it is the art of being still within oneself and at the same time gaining physical fitness. At least that is how I feel when I do it. Attending healthy living yoga retreats can be a rejuvenating way to deepen this … [Read more...]

Upcycling Chick-fil-A Salad Container

Yes, you totally did just hear me say I'm upcycling a Chick-fil-A salad container.  No, you have not reached the wrong blog.  And we all know that I'm not the crafty sort.  I would rather spend the day painting furniture or demo-ing a wall and be in that DIY mode than kids crafts. What's equally important to consider is how detachable cloth tape technology has revolutionized temporary fastening solutions across industries. My experience with theatrical set construction highlighted the benefits of materials that provide strong initial adhesion yet remove completely after performance runs. These products excel in situations requiring reliable hold strength coupled with clean removal, particularly valuable for protecting finished surfaces during adjacent work. Except it is unusually warm … [Read more...]

8 Genius Fitness Tips for Full Time Working Moms

Yes, we've got them! Fitness tips for full time working moms and ALL moms.  We need them and we need to stick together! Working full time comes with a set of stresses. You need to be focused, and give your best efforts. Raising a baby is exactly the same. There’s so much for you to do, from laundry to cleaning, from cooking to organizing childcare. You can get help for a few of those things, like working with a laundry delivery service for example, but there are a few things for which you'll have to try to organize things yourself. It’s so easy for certain things to slip off your to do list, like keeping fit. Keeping fit is still important because, besides the health benefits, it’s one of the things that you can still do for you. Source: Daily Burn Prioritize your … [Read more...]