Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2023

Cute Heart Shirt$17

A t-shirt with hearts on it is the perfect way to express your love and affection for someone special. Whether you’re buying it for yourself or as a gift, a heart-adorned t-shirt is a fun and playful way to show that you care. The hearts on the t-shirt could be a symbol of your love, friendship, and appreciation for someone.

Hand Decorated Cookies – $39.99

Iced heart-shaped cookies are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day. They are a sweet and delicious way to show your loved ones how much you care. The heart shape of the cookies symbolizes love, and the icing adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.

Crewneck Cute Heart Knitted Sweater – $27.18

This sweater can be paired with jeans, leggings or skirts, making it versatile and perfect for any occasion. It’s a great way to add a touch of personality to your winter wardrobe and make a fashion statement. The heart on the sweater could be a symbol of your love, friendship, and appreciation for someone. The knitted sweater with a heart on it is perfect for Valentine’s Day, or for anyone who wants to show their love and affection all year round.

Facial Beauty Roller – $13.99

Facial rollers are a popular skincare tool that can provide a wide range of benefits for the skin. They are typically made of natural materials such as jade or rose quartz, and are designed to be rolled across the face to massage and stimulate the skin.

Some benefits of using a facial roller include:

  • Improved circulation: Facial rollers can help to increase blood flow to the face, which can improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.
  • Reduced puffiness and inflammation: The massaging action of the roller can help to reduce puffiness and inflammation in the face, which can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Improved skin tone: Facial rollers can help to improve the overall tone and texture of the skin, leaving it looking more youthful and radiant.
  • Increased product absorption: The massaging action of the roller can help to increase the absorption of skincare products, making them more effective.
  • Relief of stress and tension: The gentle massage of the facial roller can also be relaxing and help to relieve stress and tension in the face and jaw.

Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker – $159.99

Perfect gift to make life a little easier! This new Keurig has multi-stream which features 5 entrance needles instead of 1 to saturate the grounds more evenly throughout the pod and extract more of the rich flavor and aroma you love.

Silk Pillowcase for Hair and Skin -$27.59

Silk pillowcases are a luxurious addition to any bedding ensemble, providing a range of benefits for both your hair and skin. Silk is a natural protein fiber that is hypoallergenic, breathable, and moisture-wicking, making it perfect for use next to your skin.

Silk pillowcases have several benefits, such as:

  • Reduced hair frizz and breakage: Silk pillowcases are less absorbent than cotton pillowcases, which means they don’t absorb as much moisture from your hair. This can help to reduce frizz and breakage, leaving your hair smoother and healthier.
  • Anti-aging: Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin, which can reduce wrinkles and sleep creases. The smoothness of silk pillowcases also allows your skin to glide across the pillow, which can reduce friction and irritation.
  • Better sleep: Silk pillowcases are soft, cool and breathable, making them a great option for hot sleepers. They can also help to reduce noise and friction, allowing you to sleep more comfortably.
  • Easy to clean: Silk pillowcases are easy to clean, and can be machine washed or hand washed with mild detergents. They are also naturally resistant to stains.

Ayesha Curry Kitchenware Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – $99.99

A Dutch oven is a versatile and durable cooking pot that can be used for a wide variety of dishes. Some ways you can use a Dutch oven include:

  • Braising: A Dutch oven is perfect for braising meats and vegetables, as its heavy lid helps to trap in moisture and flavor.
  • Stewing: A Dutch oven is great for making stews, as it can be used to brown the meat, and then simmer the stew on low heat.
  • Soups and chilis: Dutch ovens are great for making soups and chilis, as they can be used to sauté onions and other vegetables, and then simmer the soup or chili on low heat.
  • Roasting: Dutch ovens can be used for roasting meats and poultry, as the heavy lid helps to trap in moisture, and the cast iron construction helps to distribute heat evenly.
  • Baking: Dutch ovens can also be used for baking bread and other pastries, as the heavy lid helps to create a humid environment, which is perfect for rising dough.

Never Forget: We Are Human, We Are Kind

I often find myself nowadays avoiding people. I wave less, forget to make eye contact and don’t make the effort to connect with others. I realize it, the world realizes this. But what concerns me the most, is my children realizing it. I always have to remind myself that they understand and absorb even the most unsaid things. How we behave with one another and how we think about those interactions.

As a mother, it’s been more than a challenge to have these discussions with my children of the strange nature in which we socialize in this world today. I cringe at my explanations. They aren’t good enough. The opportunities my children have to play with others and learn from their peers and teachers, certainly aren’t good enough. It’s frustrating and exhausting because I am constantly racking my brain to find the right words. They never come. Instead all my worries flood into my mind. Of how damaging it can be for a child to isolate themselves from their peers and the community. How the absence of back and forth exchange between people can impact their development long term. And how touch is one of the most foundational ways our children learn, and they can’t even do that. I worry they don’t see the expressions of empathy and kindness on their teacher’s face, but most importantly their peers’. Children learn from other children. But how do they do this now?

All I can do is remember to show my children the importance of interacting with others. I make it a point to bring my girls on errands so they can talk to people they don’t typically see. I schedule outdoor playdates with friends so they don’t forget who they are. So they don’t forget how to play with one another. I need them to remember the importance of kindness, even with the people they barely know. The other day, I was taking my girls through a particular drive thru that starts with the letter M (don’t judge, it was a LONG day). As I was pulling up to the window, my 4 year old asked me, “Mommy, what day is it?” I tell her. And as the window opens up, and the lady hands us our food, my daughter eagerly yells out, “Have a great Wednesday!” I look in the rearview mirror and she is beaming, smiling from ear to ear. Both the lady and I laugh out loud. We were surprised at my child’s behavior. We found it endearing that she was determined to make the effort to socialize and show kindness. It’s a small thing, but yet, it’s huge.

These are things I hope my children never forget. I pray they naturally think to reach out and use their words to connect with others. That they always crave those interactions as a way of learning and striving to be good. I hope my 2 year old continues to play peekaboo with my mailman through our window during every delivery. Constantly looking for a way to socialize, to bond with others, and encouraging us all to do the same. May we allow our children to teach and remind us, again, the importance of humanity.

Working Out Made Me A Better Mom

I don’t think I ever understood the importance of working out until I had children. Sure, it’s healthy. It keeps you looking attractive and fit. But honestly, I was never really into the whole exercise scene. I wasn’t the type to hang out in yoga pants or spandex all day after going to a fitness class. Nor was I one of those people who woke up in the morning and instantly thought, “I need to work out!”.  I mean, back then, my metabolism was amazing, and I could eat anything I wanted, and still look good. So why go to the gym everyday? What was the point?

Flash forward to me being a Mom of two young children at home. I quickly became the type   who needed to work out to actually wake up and get the day going. Because truly, I had to be on my game. Full of energy, patient and above all, cheerful, with both the 5 month old that nurses 24/7 and the toddler that tantrums at the drop of a hat. At the beginning, it’s pretty daunting. Especially when you are running on little sleep and starving all the time from the nursing. When I had one child, I would just exercise around her nap schedule or when my husband would get home from work. But when I had my second, I worried whether working out was even a possibility for me anymore. And that really freaked me out.

I needed to work out. It gave me the drive to get through the day and helped me to establish a solid routine during the week. Just the endorphins alone kept me energized and confident enough to pack up the kids in the car and make it to an actual event for the day. Whether it be the local library storytime, a kid activity or even a simple errand. I somehow had the mental sharpness and courage to venture out with my two young children, on my own, after I had done my work out session. Exercise really set the tone for me. I could have woken up feeling terrible, but the minute I got my body moving, I suddenly came back to life. My mind became clear. My mood was more positive. And most importantly, I felt empowered to conquer the day.

Mapping out how to work out with two babies was like walking a tightrope while holding a stack of plates …with my eyes closed!! Some days I didn’t think it was going to happen.  I have to say, I don’t think exercise would have been possible if I didn’t figure out how to make it work at home. I had tried loading all the children into the car and dropping them off at a gym nursery they absolutely hated, only to get a call after 5 minutes of working out that my children wouldn’t stop crying. Nothing got accomplished. And I felt guilty for my children. They wanted to be near their Mom. And I needed to work out.

So, I made the decision to purchase the Peloton Bike. Yes, it was quite the investment, but definitely worth every penny. And I’m telling you, it worked for my family! I woke up first thing in the morning with the children, made breakfast for my toddler and set up the baby seat next to the bike. I had a 30 minute window. No more, no less. That’s how long it took my oldest daughter to be entertained by her one short show on TV while eating breakfast. That was exactly the amount of time my 5 month old would nap in her vibrating chair. 30 minutes was the magic number. It was all I needed to get my day started on a sane note. That Peloton workout helped me to move my entire body and completely clear my mind. And most importantly, it was something I had carved out of the day. Just for me!

My kids look at me while I work out. One smiles and giggles as she kicks her feet vigorously to the music. The other peers over the baby gate and cheers, “Go! Mama work out!” They watch me, always watching me. And at the beginning, I felt totally guilty for “neglecting” them first thing in the morning. I thought I was being a bad mom for choosing to work out over giving them my full attention. But the more I exercised, the more I realized that I was working out FOR them. Yes, I needed to get in shape, lose the baby weight, and have my “me” time. But I felt elevated after I worked out. The endorphins always kicked in after I clicked off the bike. I was energized and ready to be the present Mom that I wanted to be with my children. And while I reaped the benefits of working out, my children were learning how important exercising really was. Not only for Mommy, but for them too. They were learning that it was good to work out, that it could be fun, and that it made Mommy happy. One day, I hope they remember how important it is to exercise for their health, their body, and their mental clarity. I want them to feel good about how they treat themselves. To always take the time in their busy schedules to move their bodies, and celebrate in the fact that they are alive and able. That’s a gift we all take for granted, especially myself. I mean, how many times do we take a breathe and just feel grateful for being? I want my children to feel that every time they go for a run, jump on bike or hike a mountain. I hope that all their movements give tremendous meaning to their lives. But mostly, I hope my girls work out to be strong, to be healthy, and to be better Moms for their babies.

Marriage with Children: My Top 3 Tips On Making it Work

With almost 4 years of marriage under my belt, I can say with 100% certainty that I’m still trying to figure it out. So honestly, I’m pretty clueless. I wish I had discovered a magical way by now to make each day with my husband a dream, but I would definitely be lying if I said that was true. So, here is what I DO know. Marriage is something we need to balance everyday. It has challenged both my husband and I to be our best selves, and love each other, even on our bad days. Marriage is about remembering to communicate to your spouse. It sounds funny, but as life gets busy with work, children and just finding time for yourself, communicating often falls to the wayside. That’s because constructive communication takes a lot of work. And patience…a lot of patience. Learning to listen, think and process what your spouse is telling you is a major part of marriage. It requires you to put aside your perspective to consider another. And when emotions run high, that’s really difficult to do. But that’s marriage. Below I list the top 3 communication tools my husband and I use daily in our marriage.

#1 Verbalize your emotions

Putting emotions into words is a struggle for many people. Not just my husband. Many times we get caught up so much in the heat of our feelings, that our delivery of those emotions aren’t the greatest. It takes a lot of self-control to reel in those intense feelings when communicating with your spouse. It also requires you to be completely vulnerable with one another. And that’s intimidating. Verbalizing your emotions is about making clear statements of how you are feeling, and what is making you feel that way. For instance, my husband never leaves his shoes by the door when he comes home from work. He always takes them off in the dining room. It makes me nuts. I could say, “You are being so annoying, just put your shoes by the door!” But that’s not me telling him how I feel about his actions. If I wanted to verbalize my feelings, I could say, “You know, when you leave your shoes in the dining room, I really feel frustrated with you.” It may sound corny or basic, but it creates so much more clarity in the communication between my husband and I. This simple way of talking to each other is straightforward and honest. It allows your spouse to acknowledge your emotions without actually being bombarded by them. It provides them with a better understanding of your perspective, and helps them to realize how their actions are affecting others. This is a key skill to learn in a marriage. And if you can practice it early on, the faster you will come to truly know each other, and most importantly, yourself.

#2 Reflect upon your spouse’s actions

The greatest way to express your love to one another is not necessarily what you say, but what you do. It’s about showing that person you matter to them and that you always have them in mind. This is something my husband is very good at. His love language is through his actions. Cooking dinner, giving the kids a bath, and religiously making me a cup of tea at the end of a crazy day, whether I want one or not. Most men show their affection for their spouse in this way. But for many women, this manner of affection completely flies over their heads because they are waiting, with bated breath, to hear their husbands use words to show their love. And that’s where the miscommunication begins. Women often use language to show their emotions, while men tend to display their feelings through actions. That is why we truly have to reflect upon our
spouse’s actions towards us. We need to take the time to appreciate all those “little” things they do for us in a day. Because actually, they are a pretty big deal when life gets nutty. Most times, we expect our spouse to always be kind and generous to us. We don’t see that as actual love, but it is. We take it for granted, at least I know I do sometimes. Take the time to notice these actions. It’s so important in a marriage to not miss out on these moments of affection because that’s what really keeps the spark alive. It reminds you that as life gets more complicated, as the children get older, as jobs come and go, and as your relationship with your spouse grows and changes, there will always be this constant love between one another that can be shown and cherished.

#3 Listen to each other

Hearing the other person out. I mean, really listening, is a skill. There is so much going on in our heads at every moment, that sometimes it’s hard to be in the present. To actually listen to your spouse for what he or she is trying to tell you, is a challenge. We are constantly distracted by the endless To-Do lists we create for ourselves. We are always itching to prove our point or perspective. We are forever multitasking all these daily duties. And very quickly, we forget to listen to one other. It gets lost in the shuffle. I’m the first one to admit that I do this far too often. I get overwhelmed with the children, cleaning and tidying, running all the errands, that there is really little time to stop and listen. But we must make the time. It’s so important for your spouse to feel heard and acknowledged. To feel understood by the person who means the most to you, and who you love with all your heart is a irreplaceable feeling. It matters. They matter. So carve out at least 30 minutes a day to talk to your spouse. Simply listen to what they have to say. Leave the dishes, forget the laundry, and throw on a cartoon for the children (yes, I said it. TV. Use it for these times). Put your marriage first and make an effort to listen to one another. All the experiences, opinions, and feelings. All of it. Hear what the other is going through, and be in the moment with them. Remember, they need you. That’s why they married you. That’s why they love you.

Closing remarks

My husband and I are still learning from each other. Still trying to get the hang of this marriage thing. And sometimes I see him doing something great that we have talked about incorporating into our lives. And other times, I catch myself saying something to my husband that he really appreciates hearing. These are growing moments in our marriage that make each us even more connected to one another. These are the times that make all those arguments and stressful times in marriage seem so meaningless. Because when the two of you finally discover something to make things work in your marriage, it reminds you of why you fell in love in the first place.

Life with two under two

So technically my oldest daughter is 25 months old. She turned 2, three days after my second daughter was born. Yes, I knew having children so close together was going to be hard. Not getting a shower every day, eating when they napped, and interrupted sleep at night, were all things I expected. Just when I felt I had mastered the skill of being a Mom, another baby entered my life.

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Figuring Out Fine Motor Skills

Keeping a baby busy is no easy task. Especially when you are itching to get something done on your laundry list, since practically the dawn of time. Once those babies are sitting up, crawling and cruising, there aren’t many obstacles that will slow them down. Well, except maybe a crumb on your kitchen floor. Nothing like something small to stop a baby in their tracks. So what’s all the fascination?

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