10 Gift Ideas For Your Favorite Couple
My husband and I often get joint gifts from our loved ones around the holidays. They are always very thoughtful and the gifts we treasure for years. I’ve put together some of my favorite gifts for your favorite couple. These gifts are great for holidays, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and everyday occasions.
My husband and I often get joint gifts from our loved ones around the holidays. They are always very thoughtful and the gifts we treasure for years. I’ve put together some of my favorite gifts for your favorite couple. These gifts are great for holidays, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and everyday occasions.
This post contains affiliate links - I may earn a small commission from qualifying sales.
Cultivate What Matters For Couples
Around this time last year, I purchased a Cultivate What Matters Goal Planner for myself and when it arrived it came with a free couples mini version. My husband and I spent New Year’s Eve writing our 2019 goals together as a couple and we had so much fun. I would buy this for my marriage again this year or for any friends who also love goal planning as much as we do. It’s a fun gift and the digital download options gives you the opportunity to customize your gift with some fun photos or a fun book.
Custom Socks
For the couple with a fun sense of humor these are a great option. I’m sure my husband would love to walk around with my face on his socks hahahaha! My best friend and I actually bought these for our husbands last year but we put their faces on it. So my husband got socks with her husband’s face on them and vice versa. It was truly a gift that kept on giving when they started wearing them to game night. The quality is honestly great and I would buy them again.
Love & Kindness Cards
This one is extra special as it’s designed by a local business owner and you know we love all things local here on 614 Mom. :) This deck of cards is a perfect stocking stuffer for the couple in your life or to have on hand for you and your partner. The front of the card offers a concept or a challenge. The back of the card explains the concept in easily understood terms. In today’s world where people have so little time, this is a fun and easy way to connect every day. Create the connection you have always wanted by spending just a few minutes a day. These cards are great for relationships in good shape or for relationships that need some fine-tuning.
Date Night In a Box
One year I pre purchased 12 months of date for my husband. I made it very easy for us to spend that time together every single month by planning and paying for them the year before. While that would be fun to do again, it was A LOT of work. To make things a little easier but still as thoughtful I think putting together a date night in a box would be a great gift. You can use it right away or put it in the closet to use when you need a date night but the kids are sick, your babysitter canceled, or just because. I’ve put together a full list of fun ideas on my Amazon page that you can check out.
Cozy Blanket
I found this is searching for items for the date night in a box but I think this blanket is a perfect gift on its own. Who doesn’t love to curl up under a blanket at any point in the day? My husband’s grandma gifts us blankets every year for Christmas and honestly, I look forward to it every year! :-)
Beautiful Decor
Listen - I don’t think you should go around buying home decor for people you don’t know very well but Lovely Grain Studio offers beautiful timeless pieces. Brooke can create a custom piece with a quote you know means a lot to the couple or even a precious handwritten sign in the handwriting of a loved one. Personally, I am trying to locate a written version of my grandma’s amazing homemade noodles to get printed for my kitchen. I don’t know that she ever wrote it down though - if I find it I’m calling Lovely Grain immediately.
Winc Subscription
4 Bottles for $39 + FREE shipping
We recently gave Winc a try and we’re fans. We are not heavy drinkers but we do like to try new wines - mainly white wine. This is such a fun way to try new wine without breaking the bank and it gives us an at-home date night. That’s a win-win in my book.
Family Portrait
I recently accepted a position to be a Huntington Bank ambassador - and on the very first day they gifted us a hand-drawn family portrait in a beautiful frame and I just love it! We had no idea it was going to be sitting on the table when we arrived and I wish I could show you a video of everyone arriving and seeing their portrait for the first time. The local to Columbus artist is so talented and I have ours on my nightstand. You can’t go wrong with something like this.
Couple Photo Session
Engagement sessions are very popular but very few couples have photos of just the two of them 5, 10, 15+ years in. Why not? They are the reason the beautiful family even exists and I think it is so important for couples to have photos of their love. Imagine how fun it would be to do your engagement session again after 15 years of marriage. That’s special. Ashley D Photos is amazing and I would happily hire her for something like this. Tell her 614 Mom sent ya ;)
What I Love About Us Book
My husband purchased this for me a few years ago and it’s truly a gem. He answered it in such fun ways and added it to my stocking as a gift. I still read it and love it. He made sure to add some humor to it and it brings a smile to my face. This is great for your spouse or to gift your favorite a blank copy so they can fill it out for each other.
I hope this list was helpful to you. Make sure you follow 614 Mom on Facebook and Instagram and save this blog post on Pinterest so you can look at it next time you’re shopping for your favorite couple.
Gift Guide For The Kid Who Has Everything
I often get asked about gift ideas for kids and I’m happy to put together this list full of fun ideas. While I love to get things specifically off their list these are great, go-to gifts, for stocking stuffers, birthday parties, kids you don’t know all that well, and even for your own kids when you just aren’t sure what to get. I hope you enjoy reading through - and of course please comment below with anything you’d add to the list.
I often get asked about gift ideas for kids and I’m happy to put together this list full of fun ideas. While I love to get things specifically off their list these are great, go-to gifts, for stocking stuffers, birthday parties, kids you don’t know all that well, and even for your own kids when you just aren’t sure what to get. I hope you enjoy reading through - and of course please comment below with anything you’d add to the list.
Mindful Books
We’re big fans of fun books that have a powerful message. I often share these books here because I just love them so much. You can find books on Kindness, Self Love, Bravery, and Confidence right now as well as extra fun books here.
Slime
Slime for the kids and some cleaning supplies for the parents. I have found a few brands that I like that I feel don’t cause a huge mess (but don’t quote me. Everyone’s experience is different) so I’ve linked them for you. To be honest - I used to hate slime but as long as we keep it at one location I really love it because my kids love it so much.
My Bookworm Box
This is a great gift option for the young readers in your life. This box sends young readers new books each month based on their age. Once you get the package in the mail you read what you want and enjoy and then you can either send the books back or decide to purchase them. It was created by a local Columbus mama and really incredible.
MRLY
This kids clothing line is another local business that I LOVE. The clothes are adorable and can be worn every single day. High quality, comfortable, and fun! They can also customize any of it. I had this purple dress made for my sweet girl and she wears it as much as I let her. She thinks it’s so special.
Art Supplies
You can never go wrong with art supplies. Puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, markers, just a stroll through the art supply aisle and you’ll find plenty to add to your cart. Art kits are such a win. It provides everything they need to create their next masterpiece.
Lite-Brite
This was a favorite of mine as a kid and I love that it’s back in stores.
Walkie-Talkies
This is something that isn’t thought of often but is such a fun toy for kids. We bought a green/blue set off of Amazon and they have lasted for years. They have turned into the gift we take to birthday parties when we’re not sure what else to get. I highly recommend them.
Memberships To Fun Places
I’m a big believer in experiences over things so be sure to check out my list of Favorite Memberships in Columbus if you want to go this route.
Everything Your VSCO Girl Needs | The Ultimate VSCO Girl Gift Guide
Putting this gift guide together has been SO MUCH FUN! I think by the end of it I realized I am a VSCO girl which means I’m basically a cool mom? I’m not sure but I’m going with it. :) VSCO girls love - oversized t-shirts, wears vans and Birkenstocks, love Carmex and scrunchies and of course is always sporting her Hydro Flask. You can shop for your VSCO girl easily here.
This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you choose to purchase the item(s) through my link. I only link to products I have tried and/or fully believe will be of use to my readers. This doesn’t increase the price for you at all.
Putting this gift guide together has been SO MUCH FUN! I think by the end of it I realized I am a VSCO girl which means I’m basically a cool mom? I’m not sure but I’m going with it. :)
What is a VSCO girl? I asked myself that question not too long ago and between research and living with one - I can say I firmly understand them. VSCO girls are essentially trendy preteen and teen girls who love the newest trends and are also passionate about the environment. From my understanding, it started as an insult but quickly became a badge of honor for many.
VSCO girls love - oversized t-shirts, wears vans and Birkenstocks, love Carmex and scrunchies and of course is always sporting her Hydro Flask. You can shop for your VSCO girl easily here.
Hydro Flask
I’ll be honest - spending $40 on a water bottle for my daughter is not something I ever thought I would do. The Hydro Flask has TempShield Technology that helps keep your drink hot or cold for hours. The Hydro Flask has a loyal fan base with VSCO girls because of the brand’s commitment to helping the environment and the fun trendy colors.
Stickers! Stickers! Stickers!
Adding fun stickers to your Hydroflask is a must. VSCO girls love the environment, turtles, makeup, fun colors, just to name a few things. There are so many inexpensive sticker packs on Amazon.
Polaroid Camera
Polaroid Cameras are SO MUCH FUN! I think it’s fun that this is included in the VSCO Girl trend. Who doesn’t love to take silly photos that print instantly?
Kanken Bag
Sleek design and a lot of colors to choose from! They have a fun purple one that I think I want - you know my love for all things purple.
Scrunchies
I know I’m not the only grown-up excited about the return of the scrunchies. :-) There are so many options online and in the stores. I’ve been told that velvet scrunchies are the best right now.
Pura Vida - Save The Turtles Bracelet
You’ll notice on this gift guide that loving the environment and protecting the turtles is a huge goal for VSCO girls. This bracelet is a fun way to let them sport their love for saving the turtles every single day.
Vans
Vans come in all different styles and colors and they are a VSCO girl favorite. My daughter has asked for the white checkered ones and the rainbow checkered ones.
Birkenstocks
If I love most of the things on this list - does that make me a VSCO girl? Birkenstocks are so cute and I appreciate that VSCO girls have good taste. There are many different styles but the rose gold ones are my personal favorite.
Facial Spray
I haven’t tried this product but I get why it makes the list. VSCO girls love products that are good for the world so it makes sense that they also want products that are good for their skin.
Reusable Metal Straws
Save the turtles. Save the turtles. SAVE THE TURTLES. It’s so important and one way we can do that is to get rid of plastic straws. This fun kit is a great way for your VSCO girl to have fun while loving the environment.
Wave Ring
This Wave Ring by Pura Vida (same company that makes the bracelet) is a cute accessory and inexpensive. It also stays on-brand for the VSCO girl by supporting a company that gives back to causes that are important.
Airpods
Who wouldn’t want a pair of Airpods?
Shell Necklace
This reminds me of summer vacations on the beach - getting the shell necklace, bracelet, and anklet set.
Bath Bombs
Again - who wouldn’t want an amazing bath bomb to kick off a relaxing day? These VSCO girls have great taste.
Lip Care
Fun lip gloss is a great stocking stuffer for your VSCO girl. Carmex is also a VSCO girl fav.
Save The Turtle Sweatshirt
The Awesome Company is a local company dedicated to employing adults with Autism and they can make anything you want! I asked them to make this Save The Turtles sweatshirt for my VSCO girl and she is obsessed with it. She’s been wearing it all week.
If you get any of these items for the VSCO girl on your list you can feel confident that she will be so happy. You can also check out my Amazon page with all of the links in one easy spot for you. :)
Blogging is a Small Business Too.
It’s kind of wild, I know. It’s a job that 11-year-old Eryn never predicted I would have and a job that some of my very loving grandparents don’t fully understand. But it’s real and it’s part of how I earn a living. The money I make from sponsorships, ads, affiliate income, products, etc. all goes back into this business, my family, and local organizations I love to support.
When I launched 614 Mom over 5 years ago, I knew I was going to turn it into a thriving small business. I could feel it. It was going to take a lot of long hours, late nights, learning things I knew nothing about (ahem - photography), and present me with challenges I didn’t even know existed. Now, over 5 years later I’ve worked hard to create something I am so proud of. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve tried new things, created amazing things, met a lot of amazing humans, and created a life and business I am obsessed with!
It’s kind of wild, I know. It’s a job that 11-year-old Eryn never predicted I would have and a job that some of my very loving grandparents don’t fully understand. But it’s real and it’s part of how I earn a living. The money I make from sponsorships, ads, affiliate income, products, etc. all goes back into this business, my family, and local organizations I love to support.
Influencers and Bloggers are small business owners!
From personal experience, I know that not everyone fully understands how a blogger or influencer can be a small business. I’m used to sharing with friends, family, and strangers how this business model works, and with everything I’ve been seeing online against bloggers, I thought it would be a good time to address this on the site. When I started blogging in 2011 (under a different domain) social media influencers weren’t a thing. This industry is relatively new and sometimes when things are new and we don’t fully understand the process it’s easy to throw out some judgment.
So what are some things you may not know? I am registered as an LLC with the state of Ohio and I have an accountant and an attorney that help this business thrive. I couldn’t do it without their attention to detail and email reminders when my creative brain can’t focus on the tasks they need me to accomplish. Blogging can be expensive. Website hosting, photography, email hosting, equipment, are just a few of the things I have to spend money on regularly to keep the blog running.
More importantly, this work is so much more than money which is why I am focused on the value it adds before saying yes to any project, partnership, or throwing up a random affiliate link.
The most important thing I want you to know is that...
Every single like, comment, share, link click, save, pin, etc. matters to me. It matters to my business. Every time you do one of these things you’re supporting a small business! *and most of those are FREE for you!
Why am I bringing this up now? Because I’ve seen a lot of negative feedback directed towards influencers for continuing to run their businesses in 2020 in ways that don’t *feel* right to audiences. I get it, I truly do. 2020 is hard and as an empath, it’s been hard for me to feel creative this year as my heart is just so weighed down. I’ve spent a lot more listening and absorbing and less creating because it just didn’t feel right for me at the time. That doesn’t mean I believe that’s the right path for everyone.
6 Things You Should Know About Blogging as a Small Business
There is SO much work to a blog post, social media post than writing a quick caption, and taking a blurry photo on your cell phone.
We spend so much time emailing with brands to negotiate contracts that feel right for our platforms. Content that brings value to our readers, matches the brand's business needs, and pays well enough to justify the time it takes to produce the content.
It took a lot of late nights, showing up when no one was listening, and growing to get to a place where we can monetize our websites/platforms.
Sharing an affiliate link from a big business doesn’t mean I don’t support local businesses. Affiliate marketing is easy for the reader and it helps support my business.
This business is personal.
Bloggers and Influencers deserve to be paid for their hard work.
So the next time a blogger you love is sharing a sponsored post give it a like, if they share a product you love try and shop through their affiliate link, it costs you nothing extra and it means the world to a small business owner. Either way, show kindness even in your DMs to us because we are humans too.
We Taught Our Kids How to Build Their Own Computers and They Loved It!
Our kids have always loved getting to help my husband take apart his computer and put it back together. They love helping him clean it, replace parts, and ask a million questions in the process. Late last year when they started begging for their own computers my husband was excited to take this as an opportunity to teach them how to build their own computers.
Our kids have always loved getting to help my husband take apart his computer and put it back together. They love helping him clean it, replace parts, and ask a million questions in the process. Late last year when they started begging for their own computers my husband was excited to take this as an opportunity to teach them how to build their own computers. This was not my area of expertise so my involvement was minimal but I did watch and learn a lot from what they did together.
The Benefits
Our children had to earn each and every part of the new computer. We didn’t just buy everything one day and let them set it up on the same day. They spent months doing extra chores, saving money, and learning the value of a dollar.
They had the opportunity to learn about each part, why it was important, and how it helped the computer function.
They have a better understanding and appreciation for their device. They take care of it with pride because they know firsthand how much money and time went into building it.
The Process
When we first decided to start this project we knew it would be a few months’ worths of work to get them all of the parts they needed so we came up with different tasks and what we were willing to put towards their computer fund if they completed each task. Because they were eager to build them they would request parts as birthday presents or save birthday money for a computer part. We started them off with the case that would be the home to all of the computer parts and then we went from there…
Building
Once they earned the parts, they were eager to start building. They did install most parts as they got them but towards the end they let the parts build up so they could finish installing them all at once. The processor and the hard drive were the last few parts they installed before putting Windows on the computer so they could get to important business….Minecraft.
The Parts
I am linking them here for convenience but I also suggest looking around between websites and physical stores to get the best prices. We used Newegg, Amazon, and Micro Center as our main sources for parts.
Windows
Computer Chair - this is the one my son has on his wishlist but for now, he’s using one from my husband’s office since they aren’t using them anymore ;)
The Final Price
I asked my husband how much we ended up spending and he said “more than we anticipated” haha! Not surprised. But for real it was around $1000 per computer over the course of six months or so, so it didn’t feel like a huge hit all at once.
My husband wrote up a little bit more about the process because like I said, I wasn’t heavily involved in this part :)
The Process According to Riley -
The first step I’ll skip over is researching and acquiring the parts. The prices can vary enough to warrant research between amazon and other competitors. Purchasing them at Micro Center always means paying more but you get the satisfaction of getting the item immediately. We did a mix of Amazon purchases and Micro Center purchases.
Next, you will want to get the motherboard installed. It is the base for every other component you’ll install. Hence the name. This item takes up a good portion of the space in the case as well, as everything else plugs into it in some capacity.
From there the process can vary but we started with the power supply, one of the physically larger pieces to install. It is essentially a black box with a ton of wires coming out of it to supply power to the remaining components.
We installed the processor next. The most expensive and for this build the most important piece. I handle this myself to ensure it went on correctly without messing with the thermal paste that keeps it cool.
Moving on it was a lot of relatively quick install pieces, the hard drive, wifi adapter, RAM.
The final step was to correctly hook up all the cabling to ensure that all units have power and everything is connected in all the right spots. This is not an overly hard task but does take focus. The cabling for most of these components is essentially a jumble of wires and some super tiny labels to find and connect to.
That’s basically it. Once it is up and running you need to install windows or other comparable operating systems and then you’re good to go.
Interested in learning more about this process? Tell me in the comments and we will do a part 2.
Children's Books to Educate and Inspire Before The 2020 Election
My husband and I take our kids to the polls with us, we have conversations with them about who we are voting for and why, and this year we are breaking open the following books to help us keep the conversations going...
If there is any year to start talking to our kids about the importance of voting and elections it’s 2020. My kids have a lot of questions this year and I think it’s in part to the news headlines they’ve seen, the conversations they’ve heard, and all of the things they’ve heard that I wish I could protect them from.
I personally believe that having these conversations while they’re young will help them learn to understand and make informed decisions later in life. My goal is to have these conversations with them now so they will ask questions as we go to form their own opinions and belief systems.
My husband and I take our kids to the polls with us, we have conversations with them about who we are voting for and why, and this year we are breaking open the following books to help us keep the conversations going...
Let’s jump right into the books…
VOTE!
Author Eileen Christelow explains voting, political parties, campaigns, debates, and more in an easy kid-friendly format. It had great reviews on Amazon so we decided to give it a try.
Grace for President
I remember being in first grade and hearing that there had never been a woman president and my teacher telling me that I would probably see that change in my lifetime. It was exciting to think about and I can completely understand why Grace was just as eager to run her own race to become President. It’s a fictional story that is a fun intro to the American electoral system while teaching about hard work and determination.
Hardcover Bold & Brave_ Ten Heroes Who Won Women The Right to Vote
Understanding the history of voting is an important part of learning why democracy and voting are so important. Reading the stories of the ten suffragists who fought for women’s rights to vote was fun and informative.
The Electoral College: A Kid’s Guide
Understanding the Electoral College is extremely important in understanding how voting works. This guide is great for kids as it walks through fair and balanced viewpoints while keeping kids engaged and informed.
The Kids’ Complete Guide to Elections
Similar to the Kids’ Guide to the Electoral College this book walks through popular questions kids have about elections, political parties, and election day. Like - what do donkeys and elephants have to do with our President and other elected officials?
Politics for Beginners
I liked this book because it spoke about the importance of understanding politics because it’s everywhere. Some questions it answers include - what is a dictator? How can one person change the world? What is parliament? Plus so many other questions. It’s part of a bigger series like Business for Beginners so if your child loves this, it may be a great way to open up other interests.
The Interactive Constitution
This book is SO MUCH fun! There are so many interactive features like color changing wheels, special vocabulary decoder, and more as they learn about the different types of government, checks, and balances, Bill of Rights, and all of the things important to understanding our Constitution.
Democracy for Dinosaurs
If you’ve looked through my other book lists you’ll notice a theme - there is almost always ONE that involves dinosaurs and that’s because my little ones love a good dinosaur story. To be honest, I haven’t read this book yet because isn’t released until September 8, 2020. However, from the snippets I’ve read, it looks like it will be a great book for the little ones.
Political Parties
A Few More We Love
Don’t Vote for The Duck
This book was sent to me by a PR company and my husband and I had a blast reading through it. The mean duck is running for President of Washington Elementary and it’s up to the rest of the kids to show up with kindness to stop him. It definitely hits on some important moments that we are currently facing that adults would recognize while being a fun engaging books for kids.
Start Now! You Can Make a Difference
You can make the world a better place by being you and this book talks about exactly that. I’m adding it to this list because I think in so many ways what we believe in and how we vote are so closely related and every single vote makes a difference.
Restaurant Clean Maitre’d Helps Us Stay Safe While Dining
Life has changed a lot over the last few months. We’ve all had to adjust and change our normal way of life for something that changes sometimes by the day. I don’t know about you but sometimes all of the information thrown at us can be overwhelming. This is why I was so excited to partner with Maureen (a longtime 614 Mom) to answer a lot of frequently asked questions about staying safe through COVID-19.
Thank you Restaurant Clean Maitre’d for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post is meant to inform and answer popular questions. Please consult your medical provider for any specific questions.
Life has changed a lot over the last few months. We’ve all had to adjust and change our normal way of life for something that changes sometimes by the day. I don’t know about you but sometimes all of the information thrown at us can be overwhelming. This is why I was so excited to partner with Maureen (a longtime 614 Mom) to answer a lot of frequently asked questions about staying safe through COVID-19.
The questions I asked her are questions that I got directly from 614 Mom readers. I did a few day’s worth of polls and put together the most frequently asked questions for this blog post. If you have more questions leave them in the comments and I’ll be sure to ask Maureen. You can also connect with her directly on Instagram.
Meet Maureen
Maureen Jacobs Has over 14 years of industry experience. Her start in the Packaging Industry helped her understand Food Processors and the importance of HACCP Certification. Her Facilities Supply experience helped end-users from Airports to Universities develop custom products that best fit their programs.
Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is the result of what she learned and the guidance she provided.
10 Important Questions on Staying Safe During COVID-19 with Restaurant Clean Maitre’d
Question: What should a restaurant be doing to protect customers and staff?
Answer: 1st - Document and survey each employee with several questions. Before they enter the restaurant ask each employee if they are feeling any COVID symptoms.
2nd - Ask the same employee have they been associated or been at a place where there has been an outbreak or around an individual who experienced symptoms.
3rd - Temperature checks daily and document.
4th - Throughout the day have employees continuously wash hands and wear a mask covering both their nose and mouth
5th - Do your best with group scheduling the same employees best you can
6th - Have employees clean and sanitize each table after every use with proper EPA registered sanitizers. Seventh, ensure proper spacing between each diner
Lastly, provide proper hand soap and paper towels for staff and guests
Question: Are patios really safer?
Answer: The distance between each person is what’s important whether inside or out. If they sneeze or cough these particles can travel. There is no difference.
Question: What are some common mistakes you’re seeing businesses make while trying to do the right thing?
Purchasing non-compliant hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Not focusing on cleaning first...remember every living thing needs food, water and has waste. Cleaning is paramount to reduce any pathogen.
Question: 614 Mom readers have expressed concern about proper sanitation between customers. What should they look for or ask for when they sit down if they want to go out to eat in a restaurant?
Answer: Have they properly sanitized with a “food grade EPA registered sanitizer”? Disinfectants are not approved for dining surfaces as this is higher level chemistry and not safe for food. This is where food sanitizers come into play. As your server “Has this entire area been sanitized?”
Question: Are there any restaurants that you feel are really doing an excellent job at keeping their restaurants properly cleaned and cared for?
Answer: Overall, I’ve seen a higher level of importance with food sanitation, cleanliness, and employee training. Restaurant Clean Maitre’d not only provides cleaning service we also request a 30-minute food safety training and seminar with the staff and provide a certificate of recognition.
This ensures that at least everyone has some safe direction.
Question: I think one of the common themes here is that people are doing what they feel is safer to limit risk. In your expert opinion, what is actually the safest way to dine in a restaurant?
Ensure all employees are wearing masks. Ensure the table is properly sanitized before you are seated. Minimize visits to restrooms. Ensure that the diner closest to you is further than 6’
Question: When polled hundreds of moms said they just really miss taking their kids out somewhere fun. How can we take our families out safely? What should we bring with us, ask for from businesses, and just overall limit risk?
I would minimize activities that involve group settings. The majority of the carriers of this virus are the younger population. The concern more is for the middle to upper age population. You cannot ensure others wash hands or force others to wear a mask but if we all do our part with just these two guidelines it would reduce the transmission of this virus tremendously.
Clean wipes are something I would take with me (keep in mind you cannot bring in your own cleaner and disinfectant as they may not be compliant for food establishments)
Question: I know we’re not here to talk about schools but, outside of restaurants, that was one of the biggest topics during the recent poll of 614 Moms. Do you have any thoughts on how to safely reopen schools? Or what parents/teachers can do to help minimize the risk?
The school systems need to educate their faculty and staff. The majority of their decisions are based on budgets and feasibility. School systems need to recognize that they are providing a safe place and an education first. Regardless of what’s necessary to be done, they need to think of the students first. All you can do is educate your child or student to do the right thing and wash their hands, cover their mouths, limit-sharing and inform teacher or faculty that they are feeling ill immediately
Question from a teacher: How can I keep my classroom clean and safe during this?
Instruct each student to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Request that they wash their hands as often as possible. Wipe clean desks and all touch surfaces after each session/class activity.
Question: What else would you like everyone to know about Restaurant Clean Maitre’d?
Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a company owned by hands-on HACCP Certified, Servsafe Certified individuals that use products with certification from Green Building Council, EPA Registered Products, and utilizes customized procedures cards for each and every restaurant we work with. We also provide in-service training with how to clean, properly sanitize, and disinfectant for each customer at no cost. Please look or ask for us where you dine
Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a contract cleaning service that focuses primarily on restaurants, bars, and clubs. Our mission is to provide peace of mind to your customers in restaurants as they dine and to your staff as they work. Using EPA-approved products, we provide a clean environment for guests and a healthy workplace for employees.
Our original idea was to target and clean restrooms, but we realized that a sense of comfort comes from knowing the entire restaurant has been cleaned properly. During the recent COVID-19 breakout, we’ve made sure to use products that are EPA-registered SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 disinfectants in order to keep employees and customers safe.
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5 Books I'm Loving Right Now! June 2020
I’ve always loved reading but I’ll be realllllly honest. Being a mom and a business owner, while juggling everything else in life, I found it really hard to find time to escape into the stories that I once loved. It’s definitely a mix of being so tired after a long day that I fall asleep five minutes after starting to read my book, and just sometimes wanting to let my mind escape into the wonderful world of Netflix.
A lot of people say they should read more like it’s something they are checking off of the Adulting 101 to-do list, but for me, it’s more about missing that connection with the characters I used to feel so connected to. The thing that was once my escape was just pushed off to the side as just another thing I couldn’t fit into my life during this season.
Quarantine really gave me the excuse to slow down and be more intentional with my time and one of the things that I decided to focus on was connecting with new characters and getting lost in stories that I can’t get enough of.
I’ve put together the list of books I’ve read over the last few months in case you are also wanting to get lost in a great story.
I want to make note that I read Small Fry a little over a year ago but it was so good I wanted to make sure it made this list.
I’ll be sure to share July’s book picks as well, I’m currently busy *researching* aka - ready the best stories and going to bed way toooo late. Have a recommendation for me? Share them in the comments.
Educated
This book was recommended to me by so many people before I finally got around to reading it. The author, Tara Westover, does a beautiful job telling the story of her experiences in a world of fear, abuse, neglect, self-discovery, forgiveness, and so much more. I had so many moments of true connection to the author and found myself cheering so loudly for her by the end.
If you have it on your list of books you want to read, move it to the top. If not, add it to the list.
UNTAMED
This one was a book club read. I loved it so much, I stopped reading it and restarted it with my daughter. There were moments or chapters that I would skip over to keep it age-appropriate but I think the messages in this book are so powerful that she needed to hear them.
“When a woman finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.” - Glennon Doyle, Untamed.
Small Fry
I remember reading an excerpt of this book before it came out and immediately preordering the book. While a lot of people were looking forward to hearing from the daughter of Steve Jobs, I was eager for someone to share a story that I could connect with. As someone with a complicated relationship with a parent it’s hard sometimes because it’s not something people talk about, or a story you see often in books and movies. This book helped me feel less alone. I didn’t want it to end. I needed more.
Little Fires Everywhere
I love great stories with complicated characters and multiple perspectives. Little Fires Everywhere is such a powerful story that reminds us that everyone is human, we all have different lives, perspectives, pain, joy, and every experience helps shape us into the people we are. You may recognize the title from the new Hulu series.
Where The Crawdad Sings
I recently bought this book upon recommendations from basically everyone on social media. I agree that it’s such a great read and it’s perfect to be diving into right now with elements of resilience, hope, and survival.
11 Fun & Affordable Amazon Finds for The Creative Kid
This month we’re focusing on different activities for the creative kid - the kid that loves to have their hands moving, creating masterpieces, and staying busy. This list is packed again with affordable and fun activities you can enjoy this summer with your kids.
A few weeks ago I shared a list of Affordable Amazon Finds and the response was great! From what I heard you guys loved having a list of fun things for your kids to enjoy this summer while making it easier on the budget so I thought I’d make it a monthly feature.
This month we’re focusing on different activities for the creative kid - the kid that loves to have their hands moving, creating masterpieces, and staying busy. This list is packed again with affordable and fun activities you can enjoy this summer with your kids.
Bubble Wand
We bought this bubble wand out of pure jealousy, if I’m being honest. ;) Our neighbors had it and were making the BIGGEST bubbles ever and my youngest thought it was the coolest thing ever!
We had it for a few weeks before we could find bubbles but eventually we found a few large bottles at Target and stocked up (but we didn’t hoard it - promise)! We can now make the coolest bubbles ever as well. All of my kids love it.
DIY Kite Kit
I found this while researching for this post and was really intrigued. We love creating masterpieces in our house and to combine that with some outside play seems like a double win!
Create Your Own Book
I can’t be the only one with kids that are OBSESSED with telling stories...maybe it’s because their mom is too but either way we love writing and reading in our house and these books make it easy for the kids to put their wild imaginations on paper. I can’t wait to look back and read these again in 20 years. There are so many options I will link them all on my full Amazon page to make it easier.
Magic Kits
I thought this would be a great way to let the kids learn something new and express themselves. They can practice while I’m working, cleaning, etc and then put on a magic show for the family before dinner. It’s so much fun!
Friendship Bracelets
Did anyone else love KLUTZ as a kid? I loved art kits, art supplies, and all of the supplies. I wanted alllllll of these kits. This summer I picked up a few for my oldest. She can make friendship bracelets for all of her friends and we can drop them off while staying socially distant. It’s a win win.
Chain Reactions
Any other Lego fans out there? Legos fill our house so when I found this chain reaction book, I picked it up. It’s a great way to learn something new while enjoying a classic.
Popsicle Molds
Popsicle molds are always a win in our house!! Let them experiment with different flavors, add in mix-ins, and have fun with it. One of the classics in our house is a mix of frozen strawberries, frozen pineapple, and orange juice. My oldest has recently been experimenting with sparkling water and sprite.
Flashlights
Flashlight tag is a summer favorite in our house. It goes well with glow sticks and a night of s’mores. :)
Magic Bouncy Ball Kit
Full disclosure - we haven’t tried this one yet but it’s on our list. It looks like fun, when we finally try it I’ll be sure to share it with you on social.
Tie Dye Kits
Tie Dye Kits are widely popular among kids and teens right now. I’m also loving the tie dye trend. Grab your kit so you have everything you need and then pick up your shirts. Michael’s has a lot of great shirts in a wide range of colors that are perfect for tie dye.
Outdoor Art
I can’t be the only one trying to get my kids outside more. I find that buying lots of paint, big sheets of paper, and letting their imaginations run wild is a great way to do this. They can paint with brushes or their toes. I don’t care. Just have fun and keep it off the car :)
10 Things I Wish People Knew About Anxiety
It’s no secret that anxiety is something I’ve lived with for most of my life. I spent many years as a young child with paralyzing anxious thoughts that would cause me to just cry and cry. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I went from a self-diagnoses to a real official diagnosis by my therapist and primary care doctor. With the help of some great people in my life, I’ve learned to manage my anxiety so it simply doesn’t control me anymore.
It’s no secret that anxiety is something I’ve lived with for most of my life. I spent many years as a young child with paralyzing anxious thoughts that would cause me to just cry and cry. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I went from a self-diagnoses to a real official diagnosis by my therapist and primary care doctor. With the help of some great people in my life, I’ve learned to manage my anxiety so it simply doesn’t control me anymore. I still have moments but I’m able to come out of those moments much easier than before because of the tools I’ve learned.
Through my experiences, I’ve found that there are a lot of things I wish people knew about anxiety. I don’t speak for all people with anxiety - every experience is unique and different but I hope this helps you in some way, even if it’s just showing more grace to those you love with anxiety or accepting that words like anxiety and depression should not come with a stigma.
Anxiety doesn’t make me weak.
Let me say it again - Anxiety DOES NOT make me or anyone else weak. I’m actually incredibly strong and that’s in part because of everything anxiety has taught me.
The unknown is scary for me
The unknown can be one of my biggest stressors. Pregnancy often causes me a lot of stress because there are so many things that are unknown. I love my babies but my anxiety is much worse when pregnant.
I love the details.
Details! Every little detail matters to me, even the smallest things. Truly no detail is too small. It may seem so annoying to you but to me, it’s just helping to stay in control of the possible unknown.
I can’t control my anxiety attacks
Anxiety attacks happen and good-intentioned people will say “but that’s not happening” and “you don’t know that”
They are right - I don’t know if that thing would happen but I do know that at that moment that’s all my brain was focused on. I couldn’t shake it. This happens sometimes and I do have medicine to help during those moments, but it’s still hard.
I know that my thoughts can be irrational but that doesn’t stop my brain from spiraling out of control
There is a part of me that is fully aware of how irrational my thoughts are but this other part is much louder. It makes me feel like even though it may not be real right this second, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real tomorrow or the next day. Which brings in my fear of the unknown.
Certain tv shows, songs, or stories can trigger an anxiety attack
I saw something the other day about how people with anxiety love to watch the same shows over and over because they know what to expect and I felt that. I almost always google the ending of a show or movie before watching it. While most people hate spoilers - I LOVE them. Give me the bullet points and I’ll still enjoy watching it play out. I love the story NOT the anticipation.
I love control. LOVE IT!
I like to feel in control of a situation, and I like to be prepared for anything. By being in control I can make sure I’m overly prepared.
Medication is helpful but it doesn’t just take away all the pain
I have tools I can use to help - medication, meditation, breathing techniques, and more. While all of this helps it doesn’t solve everything. I still have anxious moments.
Anxious thoughts can paralyze me
I strive for perfection and if I mess up my anxiety can paralyze me. It can also cause me to pull away from those I love.
I really hope I don’t pass this down to my kids
I’m really good at coping with my anxiety and I don’t think this is a weakness but I really hope my kids don’t ever have to go through this. This is hard and I don’t ever want them to have to experience this. If they do though, I will be right there with them making sure they know they don’t have to walk through it alone.
