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GEAR

How Much Sunscreen Should I Use?

beauty, FAM, GEAR, health By April 16, 2016 Tags: , , , , No Comments

Summer is quickly approaching and the daily SPH facial lotion and lip balm will no longer be enough to combat the sun’s rays. Short of dressing in long sleeves, pants, a large hat and sunglasses… it’s time to find the right sunscreen for your family. Which types are a good fit for your family? How much sunscreen should you apply to keep their skin protected?

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How the Clorox ToiletWand Made Cleaning Easy for My Kids

GEAR, home By March 18, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

I am not a gal that likes to clean toilets. Actually, I’m sure no one does! But cleaning bathrooms is unfortunately just one of the necessary evils of life. We all have better things to do with our time – things that produce income or make memories with our families. When we moved into our current house nearly 2 years ago, we went from 2 bathrooms to 4. More toilet paper, and more to clean!

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Three Essential Workout Items to Keep You Happy

fitness, GEAR By March 18, 2016 Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

After turning 40, I knew that it was going to be time to start getting serious about working out. Being a naturally thin person for most of my adult life, I was really able to keep my weight down, and a pretty decent amount of muscle tone, even though I wasn’t working out very regularly. I’ve never cared for getting sweaty, and 18would rather spend my time window-shopping or writing or crafting. But after hitting the 4 decade milestone, I noticed that my pants started getting a little tighter, that muffin-top got more pronounced, and generally I just didn’t feel as tight anymore.

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The Bell that Rang in Easter

apps, GEAR By March 16, 2016 Tags: , , , , 83 Comments

I am a tradition-a-holic. From a very young age, I have been addicted to the traditions that surround each holiday.  Meticulously sorting Halloween candy with my brother, reading holiday-themed books with family, piling into a vehicle with friends to go on a Christmas light tour, and hand-decorating Valentine’s Day cards for classmates. Traditions are an integral part of each holiday and they are what evoke feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and most of all connection with each other.

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6 Must-Watch Shows for Mom to Binge on After Bedtime

FAM, GEAR, self By March 11, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , 5 Comments

When my toddler’s bedtime hits, it’s MY turn to watch TV. Unfortunately, I usually realize this I have been chugging sipping an adult beverage and watching Heidi… alone… for the last 20 minutes. I have Netflix to thank for helping me feel like an adult again and removing (however temporarily) The Wiggles earworms from my brain.

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Kids and Photography: An Interview with Annie Griffiths

apps, GEAR, LIVE, play, tech By March 10, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

There are few treats in life as precious as a photograph that communicates instantly with a viewer, and Annie Griffiths does this with every shot. One of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic, Griffiths has photographed in more than a hundred countries during her illustrious career.

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Swaddling baby newborn sleepsack

Choosing the Best Swaddler for Your Newborn

baby, FAM, GEAR By March 9, 2016 Tags: , , , , 5 Comments

Swaddling has been used with newborns since the dawn of time. A nice, snug swaddle replicates the warm and cozy environment of the womb, meaning a calmer baby who often sleeps better and longer. Hospitals typically send babies home wrapped in a standard issue, pink or blue blanket. Some nurses refer to it as the ‘burrito wrap’. But if you’ve ever cursed your baby’s swaddling blanket after she’s wriggled out of it in the middle of the night (yet again), this list is for you!

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How Getting Her Ears Pierced Helped My Daughter To Find Her Brave

beauty, FAM, GEAR, kids By March 6, 2016 Tags: , , , , No Comments

“Want to have your ears pierced?” I asked Elsa, my newly turned five-year-old. Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head back and forth.

“No, mommy! It’ll hurt. And it seems scary. No, thank you.”

We had discussed having her ears pierced several times. Every time she said the same thing, she was too scared. Every time, I felt a tiny twinge of sadness. I couldn’t wait to buy her earrings, to share my love of jewelry with my little girl.

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What’s All The Buzz About Jenny Beavan?

beauty, GEAR, style By March 2, 2016 Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

Photo Credit: Reuters/Mike Blake

It’s not surprising that two days after the Oscars everyone still buzzing about the display of fashion on Hollywood’s biggest night. What may be surprising is the lady getting the most attention is none other than Jenny Beavan, who took home the trophy for Best Costume Design. The twist is it’s not her award-winning designs from Mad Max Fury Road that has the internet all atwitter; rather it’s a dust-up about her choice to wear an off-the-rack faux-leather jacket and slacks to what is considered a traditional black-tie and formal frock event.

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