Moms

Yesterday I posted about my quest for becoming more balanced this summer and I found another way to keep the kids busy.  I decided, along with the kids input,  to create a Summer Bucket List.  All it took was a $2.00 kids bucket and a package of  $0.97 clothes pins.  The kids and I sat there one afternoon and made a master list of things they would each like to do this summer.  Things that we have been putting off, things we have never done, and things we just think will be a lot of fun.  I even got my husband in on the list making.  We wrote each activity on one of the clothes pins and just clipped it onto the lip of the bucket.  When ever we are at a loss for what to do, one of the kids will close their eyes and pick a clothes pin.  What ever is on it is what we do.  Unless of course its something like Six Flags or Raging Waves, etc…those types of things require it to be a weekend or must be done first thing in the morning so we have more time doing what we’d love to do.  So far the kids went swimming and yesterday I took them to TCBY for a nice sweet treat!  The kids already picked something to do for today, we are going on a picnic in the park.  I think they are enjoying their summer so far with all of the new things mom is implementing!

Every year I think to myself, “balancing house, kids, work, and all that in between is going to be a nightmare”, and it usually is.  I do not stick to lists that well and I really believe I have an adult form of ADD.  I swear, I can’t stay focused to save my life.  Maybe I am just trying to do too much but that is what moms do, right?  We do everything and we do it with a smile, or a grunt…either way, we are our own version of SuperMom.  I digress…. back to summer and the kids chores!

In my quest for a more balanced summer, I have decided that I am going to give the kids a summer chore list.  There is no reason for soon to be 15, 12 and 9 year olds to go through the entire summer not lifting a finger to help SuperMom out.  I mean, every SuperMom needs their little Robin’s right?  Ok, so I found a nice printable on Pinterest for Kids Summer Chore Charts {I don’t have the direct link to it, but if you search Pinterest you will find there are plenty to choose from}.

I tried to add chores that were age appropriate for the kids and that were easy to keep up.  I didn’t want to overwhelm my little beasts, so I am starting out small and working more jobs in as the summer progresses.   I have also created a list of money making chores since they are getting older, they can learn that if they want something, they can and have to work for it.  Those “jobs” are things like washing the van, vacuuming the entire downstairs level, vacuuming the van, cleaning windows, washing the kitchen floor by hand, wiping down the kitchen cabinets…basically all the jobs I hate to do! muwhahaha!

On the younger two’s chore chart they will have to read 40 minutes per week and eventually that will go up to the required 60 minutes per week once school starts up again.  I have also purchased a summer learning book {bridging grades 3 to 4} for my youngest and she is to do one homework page per day through out the summer.   I have also added little reminders to her chart, like brushing her teeth and hair and she added her own, taking a shower.  Hey what ever works!

It has only been one week that I have implemented my summer chore chart but I am very pleased to say that each child has completed each task.  I’m not saying they were jumping out of bed anxious to do their chores, but it’s all in the consistency!  I had to remind the older one because being a teen, while she is in summer school, she has an endless clock and I can’t wait until 10PM to load my dishwasher!  However, she had helped out more last week than she ever has!  She actually helped clean the house, loaded the dishwasher {which she insists on not doing on a daily basis because she doesn’t want to touch other people dirty silverware and dishes… oh boy, she will never work in the food industry, that’s for sure!} and she has taken her little sister to the park … and fishing {which she hates}.   My son, who is attached to video games and his iPod, I’ve had to threaten a few times, but he did put the devices down to get the jobs done, and then, went right back to playing his games.  My youngest has been the easiest and most excited chore doer.  She gets up every morning and first thing…gets those jobs done!

As I mentioned, it’s all in the consistency and it is.  They wanted to go swimming yesterday and didn’t get their chores done in the morning, so I said… “You have to go to work before you can play.  That is how it is in the real world, so once you get your chores done, you can go out and swim”…yay mom!  I stuck to my guns and they rushed off to get them done and within 30 minutes they were in the pool having fun.

I think this is going to be a well-balanced summer after all!

Alas, the sun has risen, and the chilly days are fading away {well okay not if you live here in Chicagoland- they’ve drifted back into sight}.  The beautiful orange shiny ball reminds us we should be outside to soak-up its beauty and enjoy outdoor activities.  Many children will play: basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, swim, and bike ride, as much as we love that children are outside being active, we also must remain vigilant that they are being safe.  Today we thought we would share a few tips to ensure a safer summer for your family.

• Sunblock- Make sure you douse those precious little babies {tots-teens} in sunblock.  As much as we benefit from the sun’s vitamin D, the sun’s rays can burn our babies.  It has been reported that adults who obtained a sunburn during their childhood, may be at risk for melanoma.
• Helmet- Okay, maybe they are not the coolest things in the world, but you know what, it’s cool to not have a head injury.  When your child doesn’t want to wear his or her helmet for bike riding, skateboarding, or even while rollerblading inform him/her that their helmet reduces the risk of serious head and brain injury by 85% (OrthoInfo, 2011).
• Hydrate- Make sure your little and big athletes are well hydrated to avoid dehydration.  Dehydration may expose the child to other heat related illnesses.
• Mandatory Breaks- Kids need to take breaks.  During the break have your child grab a drink and stand in the shade or inside for 10-15 minutes. Taking breaks throughout sporting activities during hot summer days will also lower the risk for heat related illnesses.
• Wear the proper gear- some injuries are 100% preventable.  Make sure your children are wearing their mouth guard, chest guard {if needed}, certified eyewear, all other proper sports equipment for their sporting activity. **Our interview with Dr. Berman is quite informative about the importance of eye safety.**

Mothers Day is only a few days away, but whether she is a new mom or a seasoned veteran mom, these products are sure to bring a smile to her face! Fashionably late is in, right?

Honorable Mothers Day Mention:

Lee Skalkos is a self taught silversmith, who majored in Illustration in college. After making jewelry full time for a number of years, Lee took a break from silver to have her two children. When Lee’s husband’s step father passed away, her five year old daughter drew a picture of him and her grandmother holding a balloon, to cheer her grandmother up. This was a very special drawing that needed to be preserved. It was then that the whole idea of Child Artwork Jewelry™ was born. What better way to preserve your child’s drawings? It is the perfect mothers day gift. Lee makes earrings, pendants, key chains, pin, tie tacks, cufflinks and charms. Perfect also for Fathers Day!

Other great gifts include:

This Hydrangea Melon Pom Pom Scarf is the perfect pop of color for those upcoming warm breezy evenings catching a late little league game.

Score! Rose Gold Mineral Brush Set by SEPHORA this gift is one of those items Mama wants but won’t by for herself…. just sayin’

Cover ups don’t have to look frumpy! This Persia Melon Beach Tunic is ‘the’ cover-up for that beach vacay you have planned.

If Mommy’s Pinterest is pinned full of nail art, a bouquet of Essie nail polish will surely make her happy.

It is no SURPRISE Mamas love their pictures…. but sometimes our pictures are stuck in our computers

Be a hero and make a photo book and pick it up the SAME DAY!

Natural Hydrating Lip Gloss with a Light & Mirror by Pure Illuminations Cosmetics will sooth and protect lips with a moisturizing blend of medical-grade lanolin, sweet almond oil, jojoba and vitamin E! With its LED Light and attached mirror, mom can apply her favorite color any time, any where, and will always look polished!

Mom will “oooh” and “aaahhh” with 100% natural peppermint foot cream by Keep Buzzin’ Body Products! All their products are Earth-Friendly, ultra concentrated 100% natural, sustainable and vegan and contains no lanolin, petrolatum, oxy benzone, paraben, phthalates, added color, carmine, sulfates, and is never tested on animals! Keep Buzzin Body Products are good for your body and good for the planet!

Send your mom a special message in this unique stainless steel heart shaped envelope available on Limoges Jewelry Engrave a special message up to three lines, twelve letters and spaces per line.

Sports Moms will love this personalized stainless steel hand stamped washer with two swarovski crystals and one gold or silver plated charm. This can be customized to most any sport and is available at Lauriginal Designs on Etsy.

Are you looking for a truly unique iPad Case that will give you great memories every time you pick it up? Then look no further! This case will have 10 of your photos professionally arranged on the cover and includes a matching iPad wallpaper! 10-Photo Collage iPad Case by Bubblegum Basics™ can be found at iselltshirts on Etsy.

Give mom the best selling scent this Mothers Day! Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is a complete floral explosion! Flowerbomb is packed with Sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, cattleya orchid, and ballerina freesia bloom on a base of patchouli.

If mom loves to go on bike rides and is always fumbling with her keys, money, credit/debit cards, than this is a must have for her! The Bike Handlebar Wristlet attaches simply…and easily to bicycle handlebars, shopping carts and strollers! For every day us, it can be used as a super cute wristlet!

So, Mom loves to garden, huh? How about helping her stay organized during planting season with the Seed Keeper. The Seed Keeper allows you to organize, record and store all gardening needs in one place.

There are so many other products that mom would love to receive this weekend. If all else fails and you don’t know what to get her, how about just spending some good, quality time together. All moms really want is to feel loved and appreciated by their children and spouse. It doesn’t have to cost a lot where money is concerned, it just needs to come from your heart. If it does, she will love it…guaranteed!

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful Moms out there! Let us know what is on your Mothers Day list!

So you want to change up your look without making any permanent alterations. Many of us are stuck in the “straight or curly?” dilemma when styling our hair. For some reason it just seems quicker to run an iron through your hair then spend time creating a “style.” Miami beach salon owner and stylist to stars like Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, and Padma Lakshmi, Danny Jelaca suggests trying some of these “no-time” hair styles that will amp up your normal look.

Photos courtesy Google Images

1.     Got bed head or messy gym hair? Work with it. Add some texturizing balm and scrunch the hair into beach waves. To polish off the look form waves into a side braid and add a thin headband loosely on the center of your head.

2.     How about a classy low bun perfect for work or school? First, collect hair in a low ponytail. Twist the ponytail and form around the band. You can decorate by throwing in 3-4 different thicknesses of braids to makes the look more interesting. Also, you can tease the ponytail and wrap it around for a more messy and tousled look. To finish, pin strands in place with bobby pins.

3.     Shock your friends with a faux bob. A faux bob is executed by taking the length and pulling it out while letting any shorter layers fall into a bob style. Start by attaching a hair band near the end of a ponytail. Then, roll the pony under and inward toward the nape of your neck and secure with pins. Let the shorter layers on top come loose and fall into the bob style. Perfect the style with a finishing spray.

 MEET DANNY JELACA, MASTER STYLIST

 Danny Jelaca is a renowned expert when it comes to the art of creating beautiful hair. Originally from Chicago, Jelaca has been based in South Beach for two decades, most notably at the famed Stella Salon where he served as Styling Director for 13 years. As such he’s developed a highly devoted following amongst South Florida’s social elite as well as celebrities and dignitaries from points near and far. Among the bold-faced beauties he’s worked with: Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Cameron Diaz, Milla Jovovich, Catherine Deneuve, Denise Richards, Padma Lakshmi, Elsa Benitez, Kelly Preston, Dayanara Torres, Elizabeth Berkley and Talisa Soto to name a few.

Outside of the salon, Jelaca—recognized by Allure as one of Miami’s top stylists—is frequently called upon to work his magic at fashion shows and editorial shoots. He’s styled runway presentations for the likes of Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg, Elie Saab, Donna Karan, Robert Rodriguez and Talbot Runhof. In addition to Allure, he’s also been featured in Elle, Lucky, InStyle, Ocean Drive, Self, The Miami Herald, Brides, Redbook, Vanidades and Selecta.

His latest venture is the opening of his eponymous salon Danny Jelaca located in South Beach’s prestigious South Pointe neighborhood.  The salon offers various hair services including hairstyling, coloring, treatments and extensions. Danny Jelaca is an exclusive “Premier Salon” provider of the complete line of Leonor Greyl luxury hair care products and specializes in Leonor Greyl HairSpa Treatments. Leonor Greyl is the brand specialist in hair treatments using only high-grade natural ingredients—all environmentally safe. For more information on products and services please visit his website www.DannyJelaca.com or call (305) 604-9696.

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Honest Company is treating a deserving mom-to-be in the Windy City to a “Honestly Ultimate Baby Shower” hosted by co-founder and actress Jessica Alba this May!  Through The Honest Company’s Facebook application, starting now through the end of the month, Chicagoans can submit their deserving moms-to-be for the chance to win a baby shower she will never forget!  Could it be you?  Will it be you?  You need to hurry because time is running out fellow Chicagoans!  {If you win we want to be invited}!

Here are some more fab dets:  Friends and family can nominate “deserving moms-to-be” for the baby shower via photo/word essay or video entry through a contest application located on Honest’s Facebook page. The definition of “deserving moms-to-be” and the criteria to be judged on is: someone who is working hard to create a safe and healthy environment for her family while dedicating herself to the service of others and charitable work, education, or overcoming adversity. This qualification is parallel to the mission of  The Honest Company whose goal is create a more sustainable planet starting with non-toxic and eco-friendly essentials for every member of the family.

The four winners, chosen by The Honest Company in April, will receive a baby shower for their closest friends and family hosted by Jessica Alba {{{{AAAHHH can you say FUN!!}}}}.  From fun activities to generous gifts from The Honest Company and collaborating family companies, the moms-to-be will be fully prepared to take on this exciting motherhood adventure.

Your dream shower is hosted by Jessica Alba, co-founder of The Honest Company in collaboration with: Land of Nod, Tea Collection, Orbit, Naturepedic, Cloud B, HATCH Collection, Stonyfield, Beco! {AWESOME}

Again, you better hurry because you only have a few days!!  Good luck to you!!