Gift Guide for Busy Moms



Let's face it. This #MomLife ain't easy... so we need a lot of things that help make it slightly easier on an everyday basis. Time, convenience, comfort... these are all things we wish we had more of! Well, these gadgets and gifts should help you with all 3! 

Also, feel free to forward this list on to the Santa's in your life so they stop bothering you with questions about what to get you for Christmas!

Here's a quick rundown of the list (shop these items at the bottom of the post by clicking on the image):

1. Fitbit: This is one thing that has been on my wish list for a while. For those moms that still like to squeeze in a work out a few times per week or just for those that like tracking steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, etc. There is so much this little wrist band can do. Also, might as well get a fancy pair of wireless headphones to go with it!

2. Day Designer 2018 Daily and Monthly Planner: I live and die by this planner on the daily (I actually have this same planner in the 2017/18 academic year)! I love that the daily sections have your day mapped out by the hour!! It has plenty of space for notes and even helps you plan meals! It is hands down the best planner I've ever used!

3. What to Eat Pad & All Out Of Pad: These 2 pads hang on the side of our fridge (yes, they come with magnets!) and have been so handy! I write out our meals for the week every Sunday and the 'All out of pad' is great to quickly check off items that we run out of. I also give it to Bill to mark off anything he wants from the grocery store before I make a run so there's no complaining that we don't have anything to eat!

4. Batiste Dry Shampoo: This would be a great little stocking stuffer! I like the travel sized option so you can throw one in your car, in your purse or in your gym bag! 

5. Temperature Control Travel Mug: Never worry about reheating your cold coffee again! Take it on the go and keep that cup of joe piping hot all the live long day!  

6. Instapot & Instapot Cookbook: Basically the new crockpot, but better! This is the new 'it' item when it comes to convenient cooking. There are so many ways to use this little pot! And don't forget to add the cookbook to your list as well! 

7. Black & Decker cordless hand vacuum: I've had so many friends recommend this thing for quick clean ups after toddler meals or just to quickly clean up little dust bunnies, crumbs, spills, etc that no doubt happen on the daily in our house. This one is actually on the top of my list!

8. Cell Phone Stand: This little gadget is the thing you never knew you needed. If I'm home with the boys, it always feels like I need an extra hand to hold my phone while talking, watching a video, etc. I would also use it while cooking if I'm looking up a recipe, it would be so easy just to have my phone on a stand to look at with out having to pick it up!

9. Comfy and Cute Zella Zip Pullover: This thing would probably be worn everyday if I had it. Cute zip detail neckline, flattering cut and hemline, thumb holes... check, check, check. Please come to my closet asap!

10. Zella High Waisted Leggings: I know... I probably have talked about these leggings on my blog about 1000000 times now. You get it! But seriously... you need them! They are thick and perfect for winter temps!!

11. Northface Water-Resistant Jacket with Fur trim: You guys... winter is coming... You know, that time of year when you have to cover every inch of your body except your face from the bitter cold? Yep. You're going to need this jacket for those carpools, playdates, school drop offs, grocery trips, etc etc.

12. Sorel Waterproof Snow Boot: You see... I live in the midwest where it snows... Sometimes a lot! And you need good boots to get through the winter! I have been using my Hunter boots with these sock inserts for a good 3 years now, but would love a pair of these cute fur trim snow boots as an upgrade!

13. Ugg Dakota Sunshine Slipper: Last, but not least, all moms want to do at the end of the day is change into our jammies, put on a good pair of comfy slippers and sip on a glass of wine... is that too much to ask? I'm loving the cute design of these Ugg slippers!


Other gift ideas not mentioned: Amazon Prime Membership (honestly, if you're a mom without this membership... I don't know how you survive?), gift certificate to their favorite nail salon or for a massage, Starbucks gift cards, and wine... lots of wine...

There you have it! I'm sure you can find something on this list for any mom on your shopping list! Or forward it on to the 'Santas' in your life so they know what to get you this year!

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Stocking Stuffers for Her & Him!

Happy December 1st! Can you believe it's here?! I'm continuing my gift guide series today with some stocking stuffer ideas for the ladies and gents. Bill and I usually don't exchange large gifts for Christmas, mostly because we like to focus on the boys, but also because my birthday is in November and his is in January.  So, we typically just exchange larger gifts for our birthdays (like a trip to Charleston!). We also decided to get a few family gifts that we all can enjoy, like a community rec/gym membership and a nice video camera.  But, we do like to give each other little gifts in our stockings for fun. I've rounded up some stocking stuffers for Her and for Him below! Most of these are very affordable as well!

Shop stocking stuffers for her:




Shop stocking stuffers for him:



Happy Friday and Happy Shopping!

PS - Head over to my instagram to get a sneak peek of our holiday family photos! I will post more on the blog next week!

Gift Ideas for Toddlers


How was everyone's Thanksgiving weekend? We had a great Thanksgiving with family and just relaxed most of the weekend. Oh, and started decorating for Christmas! I usually wait until the first week of December, but it took everything in me not to start before Thanksgiving! I wanted to respect the turkey (as they say), so I held off. But, now that Turkey time is over, my mind is full force ahead for Christmas!

I started shopping for the boys a little earlier than normal this year. Probably because I am so excited to have 2 toddlers this year that can open their gifts and be excited! Camden is just starting to understand the concept of Santa, so that is so much fun too!

I put together this gift guide for toddlers with mostly boys in mind because that is really all I have experience with. But, a lot of the items could be fun for both genders. Some of these items are on Camden and Bennett's (ok, my) wish list and some of these they already own and love!

Gift Ideas for Young Toddlers (18 mos - 2 years old):

1) VTech Push and Pop Bulldozer: Bennett is all about pushing things right now (chairs, laundry baskets, etc). He's pretty much grown out of this walker (and I personally can't stand these corn popper toys) so I think this would be a fun alternative for him! 

2) VTech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight - We actually have this toy and Bennett loves all the buttons, music, lights and colors! Keeps him busy for a solid 10 minutes at a time!

3) Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker - This toy is on my wish list for Bennett this year. He loves stacking and anything with shapes and colors. I love that these are wooden too! 

4) Melissa & Doug K's Kids Pull-Back Vehicle Set - This little car set is also on Bennett's wish list this year. He always tries to take his older brother's cars and it always ends in tears! So, I want to get him his own set of cars and I love that these are pull back cars and they are soft! 

5) Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Knob Wooden Shapes Puzzle - We have a similar wooden shapes puzzle and I swear that's how Camden learned all his shapes! Bennett is starting to learn his shapes now and even says 'Oh-fal' for oval when he sees it! It's so cute! I love that this one has the wooden knobs for little hands to grab easily. 

6) Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy - Bennett is really starting to love bath time! We have a similar fishing bath toy and he loves to catch the fishies! Bath toys also make great stocking stuffers for the little ones!


Gift Ideas for Older Toddlers (2 - 3 years)

1) All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet, 8" HD Display, 32 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case - Obviously, we try to limit screen time, but I will say that the ipad we have has saved my sanity numerous times over the past few years with Camden. Once Bennett is old enough, I'm sure we will have to get the boys their own devices so there is no fighting, but I'm happy that's not the case right now! I would definitely get these tablets instead of the ipad too because there are a lot more parental controls and you can give them selected time access to certain kid friendly apps such as Netflix, YouTube, etc. There are also 100s of books, TV shows, movies, and educational apps to choose from. These would be great for car rides or plane trips as well! AND they are currently on major sale for Cyber Monday!!  

2) VTech Record and Learn KidiStudio - My parents actually found a similar toy at a second hand store and both boys LOVE it! It's so fun because they can record their own music, it plays nursery rhymes and there's so many different sounds they can play with. Bennett is our music man and he loves dancing to all the jams!

3) ONTEL Magic Tracks Resuce Race Car Set - This is a gift that Camden got for his birthday and he is obsessed with it! The tracks all link together and are bendable as well, so you can make hills and curves for the cars. The cars light up and run around the track. Get ready for hours of fun with this toy!

4) Haktoys RC Acrobatic Stunt Car - Camden got a remote control stunt car similar to this one (I couldn't find his exact one online) for his birthday and he loves it! It's great for his age because it only has 2 controls and since it's a 'stunt' car it's ok if it flips, crashes, etc. I think Bill actually has had the most fun with this one... lol

5) Hot Wheels Rooftop Race Garage Exclusive Playset and 9-Car Gift Pack - Another birthday present Camden received that he loves! He is all about the hotwheels cars right now and we got him a few before his birthday, but now he has about a dozen and this cool racing ramp! 

6) Radio Flyer Color FX EZ Glider 3 Wheel Scooter, Red and Joovy Noodle Helmet, Red - We actually got Camden a Paw Patrol scooter for his birthday, but then decided we wanted to return it for a better one. Bill figured out it is better (especially for beginners) to have the 2 wheels in the front instead of the back for balance. We also need to get him a helmet! 


A few other suggestions are this play tunnel (great for crawlers as well!), a play slide, mini basketball hoop, and one on our wish list for Christmas: a mini trampoline! These are all great for indoor gross motor skills for when it's too cold to go to the park!


Also, Happy Cyber Monday!
Are you shopping online today?

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