Mommy

This year, back to school is looking SO different for everyone. We just found out that we will be doing online classes until October, so we have decided to stay on the West Coast where we will have more outdoor space, fresh air and be near extended family.

The kids and I are ready for the challenge and have decided to make the best out of our current situation. When we found out that school was going to be online, the first thing both of my kids said was “will we still be able to go back to school shopping“? With so many unknowns, I couldn’t believe that this is what they were asking me about! I guess, if I think about it from their perspective, one of the most exciting aspects about going back to school is shopping for new clothes and supplies. It’s all about keeping the most “normal” routine, whether you will be going back to school virtually or in person.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and if I learned anything from being in quarantine for Easter, it’s that if you want to send gifts to a loved one, you need to ship early! So this year, I am getting a head start on my Mothers day gifts. Since we are most likely still going to be social distancing, I would like for my mom and mother in law to get a little treat in the mail just in time for Mother’s Day. You know what that means? I need to start shopping now! Below I have put together a bunch of my favorite Mother’s Day finds that are ready to ship and will make it to the mom in your life just in time!

I am not even sure what to say…What is there to say? This too shall pass…I hope that you all are staying safe and healthy during this very scary time.

It’s so hard to believe that just a week ago we were living our normal lives, our full-scheduled, busy hectic lives and now here we…it all came to a screeching halt.

As a New Yorker, having been through all the disasters, (911, the blackout, Hurricane Sandy) I know that we can get through just about anything. Our city is strong and resilient. But this…this is a whole new level. Knowing that this virus us affecting EVERYONE in the WORLD is almost too much to bare.

I have had quite a few moments lately…moments of shock, deep sadness and uncertainty. It’s a horrible feeling that is consuming my mind and body. What will happen to my children and schooling? What will happen to my husband and his work? What will happen to my work? Will any of us get sick? It’s all just too much but I keep coming back to one thought…there is a higher power that is calling for us all to stop, take control and pull back on our crazy lives. We are being forced to stop for a reason, whatever it may be, so it is time for us to listen and put life into perspective. Instead of overwhelming ourselves with “what if” questions, why don’t we try to replace those by staying in the moment and enjoying the time we have to ourselves and with our loved ones.

My family and I are fortunate enough to have friends that offered us their home outside the city and I am beyond grateful. NYC is the epicenter of this pandemic and I was scared to have my kids in the middle of the city. So for the next few weeks, my family and I are hunkered down in the country. We are going to take this time to go on walks, get plenty of fresh air and settle into our homeschooling routine. Hopefully all of this will give us some sense of “normalcy”.

With that being said, work is part of my everyday normal and after taking last week off to adjust, I feel ready to get back to work and know that it will help me stay busy and take my mind off of things. So between homeschooling and cooking more than I have ever cooked in my life, I will continue to post about fun fashion trends and makeup finds. (All of this content was shot a week or so before the horrible pandemic).

So take this time for YOU! Rest, relax, reboot and recharge. Think about why you needed to slow down and think about all of the things that really matter to you as well as what you might want to change in your life.

I am thinking about you all during this horrible time. Please stay safe and healthy!

Kristen

I received compensation for this post from Church & Dwight, the maker of OxiClean. All opinions are my own.

I am one of those moms that yes, I’ll admit it… I let my kids eat on the couch! I know, I know…and to top it all off, my couch is white and so is my carpet. What am I thinking?!? Ha! Well, I’m thinking that when the stain hits the carpet I can always deal with it using OxiClean Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover! We live in an NYC apartment so we tend to eat all over the place. The kids are always snacking on the couch, or on special nights, I’ll put their dinner on trays and let them eat while watching a movie.

But of course there are always accidents and recently, to my dismay, both kids decided to make ice-cream sundaes. Before I could say “Be careful!” the stain had already hit the carpet! UGGGGGG… chocolate on my white carpet 30 minutes before my husband was due to come home!

The only saving grace in this situation was that I had a bottle of Oxiclean Carpet and Area Rug Stain Remover and it works wonders for these unexpected incidents! Phew! Both kids knew they were in trouble and stared at me in sheer amazement (and relief) as I sprayed OxiClean on the chocolate and dabbed it with a towel. When the stain started to lift I was so relieved!

No more chocolate stain on my white carpet!! The best part about having such an awesome stain remover is that my carpeting always looks clean and stain-free even though I have two young kids who tend to eat (and spill).The good news is that my carpet is clean and stain free thanks to OxiClean but the bad news is that my kids aren’t as concerned anymore about spilling on my carpet because they know Mommy can fix it! Ha!

Mother’s day is that wonderful day that falls right after spring has shown its’ vibrant colors. We are all in a fantastic mood, ready for summer, our spring-cleaning is done and we feel fresh and rejuvenated. Overall, it’s just a fabulous time of year (and day) to honor the woman who gave you life! Whether she is by your side, across the country or looking down on you from above, she is with you on this special day. I have to admit that before becoming a mother, I didn’t really understand the significance behind Mother’s Day. Of course I knew how much I loved my Mom and the time we spent together but when I was younger, Mother’s Day meant flowers and a card. Today it means so much more and I now realize the sentimental meaning behind this special day. I wrote an article with my favorite gifts for a successful Mother’s Day! Read the full article on Dot Luxury!

Merry Christmas to all! I hope everyone is enjoying this special day with family, friends and loved ones. I’m in Connecticut with my family this year! I have the best memories of spending Christmas at my parents house and I love that the tradition continues! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!