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Day dates seem to be making their way into our life more often than any other form of date. And I’m not going to lie, I kinda love them. It gives M and me time just to ourselves, which is always a good thing. And the best part is I am not always soooo f-ing tired! I know I know being tired comes with being a parent but sometimes it’s just nice to not feel tired when we are out together. Our day dates range from all sorts of things, so I put together a short list to help you get an idea of what we do.

1. Eat out for lunch: I know this one’s kind of obvious for a day date but I had to put it down. We love going out to eat and going out without children can be pretty amazing! You can actually sit and have a conversation without having to do something else five times before the conversation is over.
2. Happy hour: This is perfect when M has an early day home from work or better yet the day off! I love just sitting and talking during happy hour (and the deals are always an added bonus).
3. Drop the boys off and do things at home: Yeah, that might sound lame for a date. But I swear just working on things at home can be therapeutic. Just a few weeks ago we reorganized our pantry on a day date and it’s been life changing!
4. Walk around town: Walking with M is always fun. He sees things differently than I do. I love walking around our hood checking out other people’s homes and getting inspiration as to what we want to do next!
5. Explore new places: This is always a fun one, although I find we really need to plan this out. Anytime we can do something new together I feel like it just helps our bond, and that’s always a good thing!

Happy Monday!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

I’m that mom…have you been her too? Sometimes it’s just nice to know we aren’t alone on this crazy, wonderful, changeling, ever changing journey of motherhood and that we have all been there, can relate, support and try our damndest to not mom shame each other. We all have good days and bad days. We are by no means perfect and trying with all our heart to do this job to the best of our ability everyday. So here we go ladies – 6 mommy moments this mama isn’t so proud of. I’d love to hear yours too!

1. eat something off the floor: I swear it wasn’t that dirty!
2. bribe to get through the store: Bribes are my best friend, let’s talk more about this later!
3. cry when no ones looking: Yes in the middle of the day when no one is awake, this mama has sobbed. sometimes being a mama is just plain hard!
4. yelled when I should have just stayed calm: Toddlers sure know what it takes to get under your skin. You’d think after teaching for so long I could just let it slide off like I do in my classroom…there’s just something different about it all.
5. spent too much time on social media: You know it’s bad when your battery dies and so does that battery pack…not good adulting going on over here!
6. let him stay up too late because I’m just too tired for the bedtime routine: I know it’s a bad idea…I know…but sometimes I just want to sit and relax.

Tell me I’m not alone mamas. Maybe you’re not guilty of all these. Maybe you’ve got some different mommy moments you’re not so proud of. I feel you girl, we aren’t perfect…just trying our best! Please share your moments in the comments section so we can keep the support

Happy Monday Mama!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

Well, it’s official…we’ve entered into the grip hold! You know the one when you little figures out they can hold onto something and then never lets go? Yep, that’s going on in this house. It ranges from grabbing onto anything dangerous like plugs, outlets and tables that could fall over to all of E’s toys, our laptop and of course my hair. Z absolutely loves my hair. So now I resort to putting it up all of the time – or – wearing around a hair tie to put it up at any moment.

I know anyone with hair long enough to put up feels me on this one…the moment you’re out and desperately want to put your hair up but can’t! Or let’s talk about when you are out with a hair tie on your wrist looking like you’re in middle school. I know you feel me on that one. I recently discovered Bela Bracelets Hair Tie Bracelets. These bracelets are so rad and practical. The hair tie just slides on to the bracelet hiding the fact that you are actually wearing your hair tie around your wrist. I love them, and the fact that they come in 3 colors makes this mama oh so happy. You guys need to check them out!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

The fourth of July is just around the corner and I know you’ve got to be thinking about how to bring some patriotic fashion to the party…right…or is that just me?!? Well in any case don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with three solid options perfect for any type of fourth you may encounter!

4th of July Fashion Tips

1. Red, white and blue stripes: This looks perfect for fireworks, campfires or just relaxing inside. I’ve paired it with converse because they’re so easy to run around in. Plus, they’re super comfy without socks!
2. Red shorts: The fourth is the perfect time to break out red shorts. I love red shorts with a chambray top. This just screams classic picnic attire to me. Perfect for shade sitting or chasing your littles. I also love this for sitting around with friends and family enjoying your favorite beverage!
3. Blue dress: Maybe you’ve got some fancy party to be at. A simple blue sundress works perfect with a bold red lip! You’re ready to be seen in style.

So now you’re all ready for Fourth of July fashion!

much love –

danielle

xoxo

watch: jord c/o | kimono: pink blush c/o | shorts: gap | top: division street boutique | sandals: lucky

Since having kids I literally feel like I have a giant clock standing in front of me all day & I am watching time just fly by. As a kid or even a college student I can remember just waiting for time to pass so I could do something else, ready to take on the next adventure. Now with two littles I would give anything for time to just stand still…even for 5 minutes. With a new found outlook on life, I look for ways to make every moment count. Here’s a short list to being aware and making the time we have together count.

1. Stay in the moment: Be present. It’s so simple, right? But with all the technology and social media outlets in our lives sometimes staying in the moment can get lost. Focusing on having time with just our family is important.
2. Meal times matter: We make it a point to have family meals everyday. This is our time to be together as a family and talk about our day, listen to each other and plan out what we are going to do together next.
3. Bedtime: This is the perfect time to make connections with our little dudes. We rotate nights, giving both boys individual attention from us. The nightly conversations and story time, plus extra cuddles make the moments worth it.
4. Schedule: As lame as that might sound planning time is so important. It allows us to make every moment count. Being aware of our time together and how we spend it is essential to a happy and healthy life.
5. Specialness in everyday: It’s true. Everyday has some moment of time worthy of being noted. As a family we make it a point to find the specialness in the day and celebrate that together.

With littles, every moment counts. You know you can’t wait too long to eat or go too far passed bedtime otherwise we’re talking about some serious meltdowns…can we say HANGRY! Time is of the essence & having a wrist watch that fits my lifestyle has been a top priority. This rad Fieldcrest in Dark Sandalwood watch from Jord Wood Watches is where it’s at! Not only is their women’s watch collection timeless – which I love oh so much – the watches are built to fit our modern lifestyle. I don’t need to worry about this watch scratching or breaking when playing with my little dudes. I was amazed at how lightweight the watch is and love that I barely notice its on, yet it consistently helps keep me present in the moment with my life! I am slightly obsessed with the finish on all their ladies watches! JORD builds watches not just for people with somewhere to be but for people with somewhere to go!

 I am fortunate enough to share this amazing collection with one of my readers! I’ve teamed up with JORD Wood Watches for a giveaway contest. Simply sign up here to be entered to win a $75 e-voucher. The best part about this giveaway is even if you don’t win you do, everyone else who enters (excluding the winner) will get a $20 e-voucher card that can be applied to any watch on their website! The contest will close 7.4.16 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

Wooden Watches For Sale

I absolutely love getting E involved in cooking. Yes, it’s more work and a lot more mess, but it’s so fun to watch how he enjoys being involved. Not to mention he’s gotten a whole lot better at stirring, pouring, mixing and measuring since we first started. Now everything ends up in the bowl…well almost everything! And he loves to eat our finished product which is an added bonus. This is why I find it so important to cook healthy foods with him. I am sure some of you remember my post from a few weeks back about Kitchen Kid Club books. Recently, we made both recipes…talk about fun! We went shopping for all the ingredients together and I loved hearing E say “we need this ingredient and that ingredient”! Then we went too town cooking.

This company is so rad they are offering all my readers a discount and free shipping on their collection! Just go to kitchenclubkids.com and use the code “FOODIE25” at check out!

Happy cooking & happy reading!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs I’ve ever done. It is also the most tiring, exhausting and mentally draining jobs I’ve ever done. Not to mention you don’t ever get to have a break, go to the bathroom (alone) or leave to go home…since you’re already home. To help with all the craziness that comes with staying home with your littles I’ve found 3 simple things that make my day so much better! I try my very best to do all 3 of these things everyday.

1. get dressed: I’m serious. I know how some days it may not happen till 1:00 in the afternoon, but getting dressed with make up (for me) is a must! I suddenly feel like a human again with more energy and I’m ready to tackle the day ahead. I have found recently that showering at night and getting ready when M does for work really helps to get our day going over here. For some reason having real clothing and make up on seems to be a huge motivator.
2. get out: leaving the house is huge. I can’t count the times, especially in the winter, that we never left the house…boy did the day drag. If we only get out for a few minutes for a walk around the hood, or some play time in the yard, it seems to do everyone good. A trip to the coffee shop is a win for everyone in this house!
3. go play: yes, remember to play! That is one of the beautiful things we get to do as stay-at-home mamas. And all too often I get caught up trying to do 900 other things and have to remind myself that it’s ok to just stop and play. The laundry will get done, the dishes will get washed and the bed will get made…but your little humans won’t stay little forever, so enjoy playing with them now when we can!

Hope these three little tips help you as much as they help me!

much love-

danielle

xoxo

Reading to your children is beyond important! Not only are you introducing your children to literature, you are able to bring new vocabulary, experience and imagination to your child’s life…why not read to them everyday?!? I totally get it, your busy and it doesn’t always fit into the schedule. I’ve been there, so I developed some easy ways to help reading happen daily.

1. Create a routine: this is the easiest way to add reading to your schedule. Pick a time everyday you can read together and stick with it!
2. Find books your children are interested in: as your little gets older – say 2 – we all know those personalities start to shine. Picking books that they have interest in is key! This helps promote a love for reading.
3. Pick books that fit their attention span: we all know you can’t read a book that has lots and lots of words…even brown bear can be too long to start. Keep it short and simple.
4. Have books in multiple rooms: no need to keep books in just one spot. This makes it easy to pick up books anywhere you’re at and read.
5. Bring books with you: having books in the car is the perfect way to add more time with books! Your little can start with picture reading…the first type of reading! Plus you can bring them out and about for down time.

I am always on the hunt for new books! I am so excited to share a new favorite series Kitchen Club Kids! This series comes with two adorable books End of the Rainbow Fruit Salad and Garden Safari Vegetable Soup! Both books have an endless amount of learning opportunities from the rhyming words and the colorful illustrations to the counting of ingredients and recipe building! These books are where it’s at. E and I have already read them multiple times and he seriously can’t wait to make the recipe in the back of the books! So naturally we are going to make them together. Don’t worry I won’t leave you guys out on the fun. I plan to share the fun adventure these books take our family on too!

And because I love you all so much and Kitchen Club Kids is so rad I have a set of these books as a giveaway for one of my lucky readers!  To enter, subscribe to my newsletter below or check out my post on Instagram featuring Kitchen Club Kids. For an additional way to enter, ‘like’ Kitchen Club kids on Facebook & follow them on Twitter. The winner will be announced on Friday, May 27, 2016.

much love-

danielle