Pamper Yourself In An Unlikely Way

Oftentimes when we hear the word “pamper” or “treat yourself” we are automatically tossed into a luxury hotel suite, soaking in a claw food tub and snacking on macarons with a glass of wine in hand. It’s often something of a quick escape, a way to momentarily forget about what ails you and insead enjoy a moment of peaceful relaxation.

Well I’m here to challenge that thinking. What if, instead of chocolate cake and face masks, the way to relax was in doing the hard work? That the way to pamper yourself isn’t a few minutes (or hours) of forgetting your life, but remembering exactly what you want it to look like? Deciding to carefully craft the type of life you want to lead, instead of trying to get away from the one you have?

Let’s think of it in terms of baking ingredients. Doing things like facials, taking a bath, or shopping is like butter, flour or eggs. Good enough on their own, sure. But it’s when you make it more complicated- growing a business, advancing a skill, or training for a marathon- that’s how you go from butter, flour and eggs to cookies. It’s through these more complex forms of self care and pampering that you create a true reward for yourself. It’s not always about what’s easy or even what’s relaxing. It’s about what sustains your life. Mixing relaxing with hard work that you do for yourself. A balanced diet, if you will.

How do you do it? You just gotta change the narrative. Folding clothes sucks. But having a neat closet and an easy time getting ready in the morning feels indulgent. It feels like shopping without spending a dime. Maybe you dress better or wear those earrings because now you can actually see them.

Sure, taking a relaxing bath now and again is nice. And sure, folding clothes every day sucks. But it’s all about mixing it up and balance. Listen to that inspirational podcast while you take your bath. Jam out to music while you fold your clothes. Don’t let being lazy with half-assed “I deserve this break” derail you from the things you want in life. A break is fine and needed and should be enjoyed! But putting a break and the easy thing over everything else is sometimes the worst type of self-care you can do. It’s self sabotage.

There are always exceptions to the rule. In 2018 I was pregnant and exhausted. I did FAR less work on the blog. And now in 2019 with a baby I’m taking it slow. But I didn’t give up. It’s not about working until you’re totally burnt out or stressed. It’s about taking small steps towards what you want in life. It’s never giving up. It’s finding a way to prioritize yourself and your goals however possible, even when it’s easier to flop yourself on the couch or make yourself busy with menial tasks like the dishes.

It’s about balancing those necessary types of self care (like dressing nice or doing your hair) with the mundane tasks that make your life work in a practical manner (like folding laundry, or doing it to begin with) and combining it with long term goals (like learning piano or growing a business) to create a life that truly feels fulfilling. It’s about not getting so bogged down with the everyday “urgencies” that you end up putting aside the goals and dreams you really want to achieve. We’ll always be busy. It’s about making time for what’s most important to you.

Self love and treating yourself can be eating an extra cupcake, or doing your hair, or re-decorating your home. There’s no one way to do it and by flopping on the couch with Netflix every day, you’re relaxing in a way that isn’t moving you forward. By all means, watch your tv shows. But do what you love too. Don’t be too scared or too busy or too tired to go for your dreams. Work towards them and you’ll see how amazing and fulfilling your life will become.

DIY Glitter First Birthday Crown

On the morning of Hailey's half birthday, I suddenly decided I needed to do an impromptu photoshoot. I had to post about her being 6 months old on social media, because I was pretty amazed at how fast the time had gone. And, since I had plans to do her half birthday party, I knew I wanted to make her a crown. Unfortunately, I didn't think to do it sooner, so I found myself on the morning of her half-birthday scrambling around the attic to find the supplies I needed. Luckily, it wasn't hard to do and I was able to make the template and the crown within just an hour! Imagine how quick it'll be for you since the template is already made. What can I say except “you're welcome"! (Anyone else get that Moana reference?)

The template contains all the numbers and two different sizes, so you can decide what’s best for your baby/toddler/child/yourself. It also contains directions and a bonus cake topper template! Oh, and it’s totally free. By making it yourself, you’ll save money. It's really easy and you can get everything you need on Amazon (lifesaver!) or save even more money with a trip to your local craft store.

*This post contains affiliate links

These tutorial pictures were taken on my kitchen table as I worked so that I could give you guys a nice step-by-step tutorial without having to go up to the attic and try to cram in a blog post PLUS a craft project while Hailey napped, so it's not quite as detailed as I usually am. However, I figured done is better than perfect! I knew that if I put this project onto my never-ending to do list, you'd probably get this post when Hailey's going off to college.

You will need:

Template (see below)
Printer (I use this one and love it!)
Glitter paper (similar here)
Felt (similar here)
Scissors (similar here)
Trim (similar here)
Glue gun (similar here)
Elastic (similar here)

The printable is available in my resource library, which you can get totally FREE access to, just by signing up. What exactly do you get? Access to all my printables, including party planning guides, checklists, and my projects. By signing up, you'll have access to all projects- past, present and future! 

Directions:

1. Download and print your template. It consists of 3 pieces- a crown template with the space for the numbers, the template for the numbers, and a bonus cake topper.

2. Before cutting anything out, test your trim on the template and make sure it's wide enough that you can glue it on without covering the numbers. If not, add a bit of height by placing the template a few cm's above the edge of your glitter paper.

3. Cut your crown template out of glitter paper and felt liner. When cutting your glitter paper, I recommend leaving a little bit extra on the sides so you have some width to play around with. This will make it easier to glue your crown shut.

4. Now some cutting tips! First, place your template against the bottom edge of your glitter paper so you'll get a nice, straight edge and one less thing to cut. Second, when cutting out your triangle points, or any small area like in the cake topper, I recommend only putting your scissor tip as far as you need to cut. Meaning.... don't intend to end your precise point in the middle of your scissor blade, because most likely when you cut it, you'll end up going a bit too far and your inside points won't be neat. I hope this makes sense- it’s hard to explain!

5. Once you have your glitter paper crown and felt liner cut out, it's time to add the numbers! Cut them out of felt, using a colored pencil or washable ink marker to draw the template onto the felt. If you're thinking, “ok Cathy there is no way in freakin HECK I can cut numbers out of felt that small, ya looney”, never fear. I have 2 alternatives! Either purchase felt numbers and glue those onto your crown instead or in the scrapbook paper section, they have a flocked paper that looks like felt, but the backside has a cardstock backing. This will be much easier to trace your numbers onto and cut out. Just remember, ESPECIALLY with the flocked paper but the felt too, you should be tracing your numbers backwards so that the front is the correct direction and looks nice and neat with no ink or pencil marks.

6. Glue your numbers onto the glitter paper, following the template. Add your trim to the bottom and glue that on too.

7. Cut a piece of elastic large enough for your baby's head. I used 1/8 inch wide. You'll want to glue the elastic between the glitter paper and the felt liner, placing it by their ears so that it fits neatly and isn’t an eyesore. Then, glue your felt to the glitter paper.

TA-DA! You're done mama! Now place that crown on your baby's head and snap some photos. They're gonna look SO CUTE!

When you make this project for your babe, you have to tag me so I can see! I love baby photos.

Total Cost:

Template FREE!
Glitter paper $2
Felt $1
Trim $3
Elastic $2

Total: $8

Such a bargain! I've seen similar crowns on Etsy for $20 plus shipping, so you'd save a lot by making your own! Plus, you can customize the colors and you don't need to wait for it to ship or even worse, have to spend extra for rush shipping prices! Because us mommas are always doing everything at the last minute, amiright?

What I Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding (Plus Must-Have Items!)

Ok, this is a blog post I’ve been wanting to share for a LONG time, and I think it’s a really important one. My breastfeeding journey wasn’t exactly easy, but I made it happen so I definitely want to share my experience in the hopes that it will help another struggling mom out there. More importantly, I hope that any pregnant mamas out there (hey, boo!) get a realistic idea of what to expect and can therefore plan accordingly! Preparation is key and will really help out when the baby is here and is in constant need of our care.

Before Hailey was born, I decided that I wanted to breastfeed her. After all, “breast is best” and it’s natural, so how hard can it be right? Holy cow, was I in for a world of hurt. Breastfeeding was sooo tough! It was another challenge added on top of already being in pain, sleep deprived, and overwhelmed. As my friend so aptly put it “I feel like my boobs are failing me”. In the end, I stuck it out and I’m glad I did. A lot has changed since that first week that Hailey nursed and it’s gotten easier. But, there’s a lot that I wish I knew about breastfeeding when I first started that would have helped me get through it much easier.

*please remember that I am not a medical professional. This is all just my advice and opinion. Think of it more like girlfriends chatting over a piece of chocolate cake than medical advice :)

I’ve also added very handy Amazon ads at the bottom that take you directly to the items mentioned in each section. Amazon Prime to the rescue! These are affiliate links and I receive a commission if you purchase one of these items.

Don’t give up

If you’re in those first few days (or heck, even weeks!) of breastfeeding and you’re ready to give up, don’t! I know that by day 4, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was tired, in pain, and dreading feeding time. When she would cry, I wanted to cry too! I didn’t like feeling that way about my baby, and I thought about how much easier it would be to just give up now and switch to formula. It wasn’t what I had imagined doing, but at that moment it felt like maybe that was the best option. But, I knew I’d kick myself later if I gave up so early, so I stuck it out. I already felt like I took the “easy way out” with the epidural and I didn’t want to have regrets about giving up breastfeeding. I’m so glad I stuck it out, because I love feeding time now!

When it comes to breastfeeding during those tough first days, I think the important thing is to try as hard as you can. I know that day 4 with baby “try as hard as you can” is a fraction of what we can usually accomplish. Those are some of the most trying times, with the physical pain and the sleep deprivation. But, I think that it’s important to just think of it like “one more feeding”, “one more minute”, “one more boob”. I started to spiral when I thought about “she does this 10 times a day” or “I need to feed her again in an hour” or “how do women do this for months and years?”. All that matters is this feeding, right here and now. The pain will get better. I promise!

I’ve got my must-haves in this post that helped me to survive breastfeeding, but I think a big part of it is the mental hurdle. You are doing amazing, mama. Keep going. Remember why you wanted to do this and know that things WILL get better! I promise!

Pain (usually) = Bad Latch

I thought pain was just a part of breastfeeding, and at first it kind of is. But, I also learned that if you’re in a lot of pain, baby probably has a bad latch! I had heard the nurses mentioning a bad latch, but I don’t remember ANYONE saying to me, “If the baby doesn’t latch properly, they’re basically just chomping on your nipple and it’s going to hurt like a biotch later.” I heard bad latch and thought, eh well she’s still eating so I guess it’s working. No no no! A good latch means less pain for you and less effort (plus more milk!) for baby. A bad latch means you’re gonna hate feeding time, your life, and the world.

A good latch is when baby is on your WHOLE nipple, not just the tip. Their mouth is open wide and in a C-shape. The way a baby eats (and the way a breast pump works too) is that the baby makes a few quick, strong sucks to get the milk flowing, then does slower sucks to drink the milk. Although it may hurt when they first get on (the quick strong sucks), the pain goes away after a few seconds (With the slower sucks). If you have pain the entire time that your baby is drinking, you may have a bad latch or some other issue. In this case, it’s best to see a lactation consultant. Helpful tip: my pediatrician’s office had one! When we took Hailey to her first appointment, I told them that I was having trouble with feeding the baby and it was hurting. They had me feed the baby and showed me the best way to do it. Although they were (trying) to show me at the hospital, it was really hard to get advice on something I had never done while the baby was more interested in sleeping than eating. After about 4 days of breastfeeding, it was nice to have the lactation consultant come in and give feedback about what I was doing right and wrong about feeding the baby. Your baby could have a bad latch, or be tongue tied, or any various issues that could be causing trouble. So in this case, it’s great to see a professional about it sooner rather than later.

Pain Relief For Nursing Moms

Ok, now that we talked about why you might have pain, let’s talk about what you can do about it. There’s a good chance you’re still on some sort of painkillers (like Motrin or Tylenol) since other parts of you are probably hurting, but here are some specific treatments for your nipple pain.

Nipple Cream

At the hospital, they’ll probably give you a nipple cream and tell you to use it as much as possible. This cream is great because you don’t need to wash it off before you feed the baby. I found myself slathering a whole bunch on, then wiping it off with a moist paper towel before I fed Hailey. I didn’t really want her to have a mouthful of ointment with her milk- especially when she was feeding around the clock. Also, they told me at the hospital that it’s best to give your nipples some air. They recommended putting the cream on and going topless to let it absorb, instead of putting a shirt right over it. This helps with some of that tenderness, since you don’t have your rough shirt rubbing up on your already sore nipples. Plus that ointment is oily and it will stain your shirts. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

A similar cream to the one you get at the hospital is Lansinoh Lanolin Cream. This ointment comes from an extract found in a lamb’s wool, and it’s then treated so that it’s clean. If this concerns you, I recommend going for an organic version. This is going right into baby’s mouth, so you don’t want anything you’re unsure about. The Lansinoh is probably fine, but do whatever you’re comfortable with! I liked having a few tubes of it all around the house, so that I could slather it on whenever and wherever I needed it.

Gel Pads

I don’t know why this is a hidden secret, but these gel pads are a LIFESAVER when you’re breastfeeding! Seriously, I think I am going to give these to every new mama at their baby shower from now on. The way they work is simple. You peel off the protective layer and wear the pads in your bra, directly on your nipples. The gel is cool and soothing, and protects your nipple from your rough clothing. Plus, it keeps the nipple moist so it doesn’t dry out and crack, bleed, etc. You can also put these in the fridge for extra relief. I found that even having them at room temperature made them feel refreshing after a feeding. Without these pads, I don’t think I would have been able to continue breastfeeding. I mean that. They helped with relief when I needed it most, and they were so easy to use. I went from dreading feedings to being ok with them!

These gel pads last 1-3 days, depending on the brand, and you just need to rinse off the gel before feeding the baby. I did so with either some warm water or a moist paper towel. I was home most of the time, so it wasn’t really a big deal to need a water source. I tried both the Medela brand and the Lansinoh brand and preferred the Lansinoh Soothies for a few reasons. You need to rinse the Medela brand before applying them again and wait 2 mins, which means you need to have it laying around on the side of your sink or table which is kinda gross. Plus the protective backing doesn’t have an obvious front/back so you’re not even sure it’s on the clean side. Since both sides of the gel pad are clear, after a few uses it’s hard to tell which side has the gel. The Lansinoh brand had a fabric backing, which made it really easy to see which side goes on your nipple and which side goes against your clothing. Plus, the backing was obvious with which side the gel goes against, which kept it very sanitary. And, it was more cost-effective, since they last for 3 days instead of only 1.

Nipple Shields

I tried a nipple shield when I was in pain and it didn’t work for me, but maybe it’ll work for you! I tried it before my milk came in, and Hailey was so tiny that I think she had trouble pulling the colostrum out with it on. However, these nipple shields are great for reducing pain or helping with inverted nipples. Plus, I’d think that if your baby preferred the bottle nipple, maybe they’d be able to breastfeed with this on since it’s a similar material.

A Good Attitude

I think this is just about as important as the gel pads, in my opinion! If you dread breastfeeding, it’s going to be a miserable experience. Yes, it hurts and you’re tired and sometimes the last thing you want when you’re exhausted is the baby munching away on the thing that’s already hurting. But if you go into it upset or angry, that’s going to affect the experience. So try to think positively when going into a feeding. Easier said than done, right?

At first, I made up a cheer for when it came time to feed Hailey. It hurt like a mother and I didn’t want to do it, at all. So I would say to her, “Are you ready for the boobie? You want the boobie?! It’s boobie time! BOOBIE BOOBIE BOOBIE!” I would say this every time to get myself excited. Then, when she would wake me up at night and I was cranky, I would say hi to her sweetly. This would remind me of how much I loved her, so I became excited to see her and snuggle her, instead of being cranky and tired from being woken up. And finally, almost losing my milk made me realize that although bottle feeding was easier, I enjoyed having her so close to me and watching her eat from her boobie. She always looked so happy and I loved her little sounds as she tried to latch on. She was like a little animal, and with a bottle she just grabbed the nipple and drank. It was special bonding time for us, and I love that.

Pacifier

This is a controversial thing, but I found that sometimes Hailey was really cranky because she wanted something to suck on. This helped to bridge the gap between feedings, or keep her calm in the car or supermarket when I couldn’t feed her right away. I use these Philips Avent Soothies pacifiers because they’re supposed to be sized and shaped to baby’s mouth. They say that when a baby uses a pacifier it can reduce their risk of SIDS too.

Increasing Breastmilk Production

One of the most stressful parts about nursing is when you aren’t producing enough milk! There were several times when it seemed like I didn’t have enough to offer, so I used these methods to get the milk flowing.

Lactation Smoothie

A really easy and purposeful breakfast is a lactation smoothie. Sometimes it’s hard to make breakfast with a new baby that wants to be on you 24/7 so this smoothie is great for 3 reasons. 1. It’s easy to make. 2. It only requires one hand to consume. 3. It increases your supply like WHOA. It’s also really tasty. I made this chocolate version which was SO good, and also switched it up with this cinnamon one which reminds me of horchata!

Milkmakers Lactation Cookie Bites

I wouldn’t say my breast milk supply is completely dependent on a cookie but... it kinda is. On the days I don’t eat these cookies, or when I run out, I noticed a very big dip in my supply a day or two later. These cookies, aside from being necessary for my flow, are also a great snack or breakfast with some Mother’s Milk tea. If you prefer a homemade version, try this lactation cookie mix.

Mother's Milk Tea

This tea is easily found in supermarkets, which is great for stocking up! I enjoyed mine with some honey and milk. Full disclosure- after drinking this practically every day for a few months, I was totally sick of it. But for a while, it wasn't too bad! And, it's a really affordable option if you're on a tight budget.

Upspring Milkflow

This comes in lots of different flavors, like berry and chocolate! It's pretty tasty and easy to fit into your diet, so it makes a great option to add on with the others. I usually had it as a drink with my lunch or dinner. The chocolate one was also good as a “hot chocolate” in the winter months!

Vitamins and Supplements for Nursing Moms

Prenatal Vitamins

Did you know you’re supposed to keep taking prenatal vitamins, even after the baby’s born? They can help with nursing and will help prevent you from losing nutrients that you’re (still) giving your baby. I liked these Nature’s Way vitamins because the chewables don’t make me nauseous and they aren’t chalky. Plus, they don’t contain gelatin!

Fenugreek Capsules

These Upspring Milkflow Max capsules help your supple when it’s dipping low. Fenugreek really helps to up breastmilk production, though an interesting side effect of it is that it makes you kinda smell like maple syrup! My husband didn’t notice it, but I did and it was pretty strange. Nonetheless, these will help boost your supply when it’s getting low!

*note: Fenugreek can make babies gassy, or have loose or green stools if you take too much of it. My baby was ok but a friend’s baby had those symptoms. Use your own discretion when using it! Or, try starting with a small dose like 1 tea or drink per day then adding the supplement as needed.

Legendary Milk’s Liquid Gold

I started taking these supplements when my supply REALLY dipped (around 5 or 6 months) and none of the usual stuff was working. It turned out to be my period coming back that dipped my supply, but taking these pills helped me get it back again! The good thing about these is that they don't contain Fenugreek!

Lactation Supplement Liquid

This stuff doesn’t taste very good, but it’s effective! I would take one dropper per day and it would really help to increase my production when nothing else would work. After a while you have to switch it up! Somehow your boobs catch on to what you’re doing, and you supply can still dip from time to time. This liquid really helped during that time.

Pumping Advice

A Convenient Breast Pump

If you're breastfeeding, you're going to need a good breast pump! It's handy for when you have extra milk that the baby didn't eat, when you have a drink and need to pump because you can't feed the baby, or when you need to increase your supply (more on that below). I use the Spectra S1, which is lightweight, has a rechargeable battery, and lots of customizable settings. Your insurance company will most likely provide you with a free breast pump so I'd look into that before purchasing one!

Hands Free Pumping Bra

If you're going to be pumping, you're going to want a hands free bra! I found it helpful to wear this bra and pump while I did dishes or washed the baby's bottles. Or, I could get a little bit of work done on the blog while I pumped. I don't pump totally hands free though- I found that kinda milking myself (hah!) helped me to get more milk and reduce the time it took me to pump. So, I'd usually let the pump do the work for about 10 minutes and then squeeze and massage more milk out until they were empty.

Pumped Milk Storage

Once my milk was expressed, I needed somewhere to store it! I used these bags to store my milk in the freezer and labeled them with sharpies. Then, I stored them in these clear freezer bins so that they didn’t get lost in the wide abyss of my fridge. I usually stored a bottle or two in the fridge (in my regular bottles) and used these handy reusable bottle labels to indicate when they were from. This got really helpful once I had more milk than I could use up within one day.

Keeping Track of Feedings/Pumping

At the hospital, they’ll probably ask you to keep track of when and how much your baby is eating. You’ll definitely want to keep this up after you get home, since it can get SO confusing. My sweet friend created this amazing journal called The Everyday Mother that keeps track of feedings, milestones, and so much more. This will serve as both a record-keeping notebook and a memory book! She created it after her baby was in the NICU and she had to keep track of feedings and wanted to figure out a better way. She has so many cover colors and styles, and even limited edition artist covers! You can find everything over at her website The Everyday Mother.

Power Pump Sessions

When my supply was especially low, I would do a power pump to increase my supply. This is quite easy to do, although very tedious. I’ve created a graphic below so you can try it out too! Don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest so that you can have it saved forever :) I usually did this after my morning feeding, when I usually had leftover milk and had to pump anyway.

Other Stuff That Helps

Nursing Bras

By now, you’re probably wearing nursing bras and have been through most of your pregnancy. I thought I’d share the ones I liked from when I was pregnant, which is these. I love that they have a spot for your nursing pads if you need them and they’re super soft and comfortable!

Nursing Shirts

I bought a set of these nursing tank tops and they were a miracle during the first few weeks of nursing! I still wear them to this day, and they’re one of my favorites. They also have a pocket inside so you can pop in a nursing pad. Additionally, the inside layer helped to absorb the excess nipple cream instead of having it seep through the front of my shirt.

Boppy Pillow

If you don’t have a boppy pillow, get one! It was essential for nursing during those first few weeks so that I could make sure Hailey got a good latch and it prevented my arm from getting tired. She loved it, using it to lounge, do tummy time and it even helped her to poop! I also recommend purchasing the waterproof liner and an extra cover, because they do tend to spit up on them!

Nursing Cover

I'm not really comfortable whipping a boob out in public, so I got this nursing cover which also doubles as a carrier cover. It's really cute and lightweight, and folds up nice and small. My friend has this scarf cover which has a piece of wire and a clear mesh so you can see the baby, which is helpful since the one I have requires me to stick my head in the hole under the cover to see what's happening.

Burp Cloths

Surprisingly, we didn't get nearly enough burp cloths at the baby shower, so I ordered some myself. The other ones I have kinda suck, and these are always my favorites to grab. They don't have a fun pattern, but they can be used for hours even after a baby spits up on them more than once. We really loved these!

Phew! Ok, I know that’s a lot but I wanted to be as helpful and up front as possible. Those first few weeks of breastfeeding are HARD but they are so worth it. I promise it gets easier mama! If you need to supplement with formula, that’s ok. Hailey had about one bottle per day of formula (we used Enfamil Gentlease), and sometimes she needed more and other times she didn’t need any. I think that it’s important to continue nursing, even if you need to supplement with formula. It has so many health benefits, for both the baby and for you. I helps you lose that pregnancy weight and helps your uterus shrink down. It’s also known to reduce your risk for cancer! Overall, it’s great if you can do it and once you stop, you can’t really turn back. So keep pushing through mama. You’re amazing and your baby is lucky to have you!

If you need support, please reach out to your baby’s pediatrician, your OB, or a lactation consultant. There are also tons of FB groups out there for nursing moms and your hospital may even have a local support group that meets up once a week! Either way, you don’t need to go through this alone.

Mess-Free Baby Painting (Perfect Baby Gift!)

Get ready for the easiest gift your baby can make. It’s absolutely perfect- minimal mess, beloved by all, and your baby is HAPPY to do it. In fact, depending on their age, they won’t even know they’re doing anything at all! Let’s backtrack a little bit. Wayyyyy back in February, I needed a Valentine’s Day gift idea for my husband. I wanted it to be something from the baby, and something that he would cherish for years to come. Plus, I knew it had to be simple because we had JUST gotten our puppy, and Hailey was only 4.5 months old. I was overwhelmed but I wanted to make something special for my husband. That’s how this gift came about! I’ve seen lots of these painting projects on Pinterest, but never one with a baby as young as Hailey was! And that’s why I added the extra element of putting it on the floor (in a trash bag!) and letting her jump and leap on it in her bouncer. It’s so easy to do that you’ll be buying paint and canvases by the truckload. I promise!

*This post contains affiliate links

You will need:

Canvas panels 11x14 (here)
Paints (similar here)
Glad Press’n Seal (here)
Large clear trash bag (here)
Newspapers/fliers
Photo Frame (similar here)

Directions:

Measure and cut your Press’n Seal to size. I ended up using two long sheets since it wasn’t wide enough to do one long one. You want to have enough overlap so that paint doesn’t ooze out anywhere! I used the Press’n Seal instead of regular saran wrap because it stuck to the canvas nicely and it wasn’t a total mess to unwrap from the roll. Usually saran wrap seems to get all tangled up- this made it easy, AND the seams stuck together nicely!

Add your paint around the canvas in little globs. Don’t use too much paint or it’ll take forever to dry. Try to use a nice mix of colors that blend well. You can also use metallic paints for added dimension and shine.

Carefully place the saran wrap over the canvas and seal it closed. For this step, you want to make sure that you don’t smush it shut, but just gently fold the saran wrap and seal the edges as tight as you can. Remember, we want the baby to create the art- not you!

Ta-da! See? The artwork is fully intact after I sealed it in the Press’n Seal. That leaves the smushing to Hailey.

Now for the very last “prep step”- place the saran wrapped canvas into a large clear trash bag. A black bag would work in a pinch, but with clear you can see whats happening. If it’s a larger bag like mine was, you can fold it over for added protection and, mostly, to get it out of your way.

Place the canvas under baby and let him/her jump around, crawl, or play like usual. Guide the canvas around so that all parts of it get spread out. I used the bouncer which ensured that worst case, only her feet would get dirty. Luckily nothing got dirty :) When it got down to the very end, I spread the excess paint into the bare corners of the canvas so that it would go all the way to the edges. This also helps to avoid giant globs of paint next to bald spots!

Take the canvas out of the trash bag, and unwrap it carefully. I recommend having a trash bag handy to toss out the Press’n Seal, because it’ll be covered in paint and so will your hands. This is the messiest part of the entire project- well, the only messy part of this project! Don’t say I didn’t warn ya ;) There are no pictures of this step for obvious reasons.

Lay the canvas on the newspapers to dry. If your paint was thick it may take a few hours or even a day, so you’ll want to make this gift ahead of time. If you need it the same day, just use less paint (a lot less!) which will dry faster. But, to make this canvas a true work of art I highly recommend making it about 2 days before and this way it’ll be perfect- and dry!

I gave this gift to my mom and my MIL for mother’s day and they LOVED it!

The gift recipient is sure to love this gift that came directly from your little one! It’s such a great keepsake for moms, dads, grandmas, aunties… everyone! Seriously, everyone will want one of these for their home. It’s truly the greatest gift a baby can give, besides just being their awesome, poopy self!

Fashion For Less- How To Save Money On Clothes

One of my very favorite things to do is go shopping. I feel guilty for this little hobby of mine sometimes, but I really can’t help it. I love to find new things I love and can bring home with me! I particularly love getting new clothes, because I love the confidence boost they give me when I leave the house. There’s nothing quite like wearing a new outfit you love, and then being able to mix and match it forevermore. And somehow, this time of year makes me want to shop even more for new items in my closet. I think it’s leftover from my many, many years of BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING WHOOOOOO. Blame my parents, and my growth spurts, for this love of fall shopping. But, just because I love to shop doesn’t mean I have to spend a ton of money.

Last year, I went to the Lord & Taylor outlet store and purchased $320 worth of products for only $53. For those of you bad at math, that's over 83% savings, before tax. That's bonkers, bananas, out of this world savings. Most sales are only 15-25% off! Some of you might be thinking this is atypical, a rare occurrence, but the truth is that I save money like this on clothes all the time! After a shopping trip, my favorite thing to do is ask people how much they think I saved. Through a mixture of skill and luck, I've managed to save a bunch of money on clothes. And because I love to share, I'm going to give you the inside scoop of exactly how I do this.

Shop sales

This is a pretty obvious one, but you should shop when there's a sale going on. I was able to purchase colored jeans from Old Navy for half off. In fact, almost all my jeans are purchased when they're half off! If I hear a commercial (usually on Pandora) for a sale, I'll check out the site to see what they've got. It's a great time to pick up essentials like jeans, tees and sweaters for a fraction of the cost.

Use coupons

Another obvious one, but use coupons when you can. I'm not a crazy couponer, but sometimes Macy's will send me coupons on the mail, or Old Navy will offer a coupon for filling out their survey. I once saw a tip to create a special email address just for signing up for deals so you don't spend unnecessarily. This way, when you need to buy something, you can log into that email account and see what sales are happening and look for coupons sent to a store’s mailing list.

Shop the clearance sections

Although they can be a mess sometimes, the clearance section is a great place to find a good deal. Take a few minutes to browse around the sales section. Things over there can be pretty disorganized, so if you see something you like in a different size, browse the area to see if perhaps the one in your size was stuffed somewhere else. This area can sometimes have an added bonus, like an additional 15% off the lowest price. They want to get this stuff out of there, so they're dropping the prices like they're hot. Also, if there's anything I liked in a store, I like to take a look for it in the clearance section. Sometimes it'll be there!

Save on shoes

Honestly, I think shoes are the easiest thing to save money on! Shoes are extremely seasonal, so they're always being discounted. I love stores like DSW, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx to save money on shoes… but, what's even better is shopping their clearance section! It's like a discount on a discount. Plus it's usually name brand stuff for way less than retail!

Browse thrift stores

Shopping thrift stores has become known for fashionable people with eclectic vintage style, scoring the perfect 70's peasant dress or vintage faux fur coat. But the truth is, they've got something for everyone. I've purchased cardigans, a sequin t-shirt, and even a pink winter coat from there. I once even got a brand new pair of boots (with the tag!). You never know what you'll find there, but it's usually affordable. While the trendy shops are great for more unique vintage pieces, I find that the Salvation Army or Savers have more ordinary clothes for great prices.

Shop Secondhand

On that same note, you can also find great secondhand clothes without even having to step foot into a thrift store! You can browse Facebook Marketplace for local deals and find lots of great secondhand clothes on ebay. If you’d prefer a more streamlined way to shop, definitely check out the thredUP App! Their interface is seriously amazing and you’ll feel like you’re shopping new clothes instead of the bargain rack. They also have tons of new clothes with tags! Similarly, you can shop on the Poshmark app which is a bit more ebay in my opinion but they have tons of brands and sizes and options. I recently used thredUP to purchase a pair of brand new J. Crew shorts for $13.99 and a barely used pair for $11.99! Plus, I added a coupon and saved even more on my order. It’s seriously bananas. They have a $1.99 restocking fee if you return an item, but depending on the cost and what it’s worth, you can still save a ton. I took this screenshot after the return window ended for all my items, but only one (the top Ann Taylor Loft shirt) was final sale. Plus, look at how clean the interface is! Seriously feels like shopping brand new.

If you want to check out thredUP, you can use my special link that will get you $10 off your first order. Depending on what you purchase, this can be equal to a free item! Click here to get $10 off your first order.

Check Amazon

A lot of times, Amazon will have items on sale for cheaper than the stores. I've used it to buy crocs wedges, crocs sandals, and even my wedding shoes! Which, by the way, I got for 30% off on Amazon. I’ve also purchased tons of other clothes there, like most of my maternity dresses, skirts, nursing friendly tops…. you name it, I probably have it from Amazon! A lot of their products have prime shipping and free returns, so you can try it on and return it for free if it doesn't fit.

My Fave Stores for Great Deals

Kohls

I got my maternity jeans from Kohl’s for a great price. I love the pools has a and a Tronic tag on their displays were tells you exactly how much everything cost with the discount. Cold is great for name brands that are slightly classier and more adult than other stores. They also have a great selection of family items so he can go there and shop for everyone in the family!

Macy's

If you have a Macy’s card, you’ll probably find that they send you a lot of coupons in the mail. Also, I think they’ll also put out coupons in local newspapers, so check those out if you get them! Since Macy’s carries so many different brands, you might be able to score a deal. If you have a brand that you like, try going to Macy’s to see if you can find the same item at a discount!

DSW

I love shopping at DSW, especially their sales section! They have so many great shoes (in so many different brands) for a discount. You’ll notice that the sales section has different colored labels for the different percentages off. The other thing I really like about them is that they have all the sale prices listed. So, for example, if you find a pair shoes that cost $69.95 and then is at 40% off, you can look up on the chart and see exactly what that means. It saves you from having to do mental math or go to the register wondering exactly how much you’re going to be paying. I also love DSW because it’s pretty much like shopping on sale all the time. You’ll be able to find the shoes you need for all occasions and maybe even a bonus you didn’t know you needed, but definitely have to have.

Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx

Another one of my favorite “always on sale” stores! I love T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s because again, they have all sorts of different brands and everything is so inexpensive! I have purchased so many great pairs of jeans here, as well as shoes including my favorite pair of turquoise slides. I used to love shopping at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx to find American eagle clothing and Roxy hoodies for a fraction of the cost. Because a lot of the stuff is from last season, you’re able to find it at a discount. If you don’t care about when things were originally in the store, you may find that you were able to get a great deal on the basics that will cost twice as much in the store currently.

Old Navy

I find that sometimes Old Navy can be hit or miss, especially because the sizes run so strangely and sometimes large. However, if you’re willing to do the work, you can find amazing deals at Old Navy! Just this past summer, I was able to get a pair of purple pants for only about $12. I was also able to get a pair of boots from last season (I remember seeing them last year and liked them but didn’t buy them). I found a pair in the regular shoe section, but it didn’t have a tag. To my delight, they were only four dollars. Can you believe that?! Four dollars! You may be thinking that is the first time that happened to me and probably was a random occurrence, but it’s not! Last year, I found a pair of gold glitter boots in the regular shoe section, and I remember them again from being last season. They also did not have a tag, so I brought them to the register, and lo and behold those were only about four dollars as well!

You definitely want to sign up for Old Navy‘s email list, because they’ll be able to send you all the deals that are occurring, which are frequent. And since they have random items on sale every day, be sure to check online to see when it’s on sale. They also offer free pick up in store, so if you’re not sure something will fit, this is a great option. You can buy it on sale, try it, then return it in the store as well. I have purchased a shirt that I loved it for about $20, and it was the only item I bought it wasn’t on sale. It’s my surprise, the next day they were offering 50% off everything online. I ordered the shirt and was able to get it for half price, and returned the first one that I had purchased at full price. So, there is definitely money to be saved at Old Navy!

Walmart

Most people don’t think of great fashion at Walmart, but they do have great items! I’ve actually been shopping at Walmart since I was in college. My parents used to go there for groceries, so I’d always peruse the clothes section for some fashionable items for a broke college kid. Just recently, I got a great romper that I’ve worn more times than I can count in the 6 months or so that I’ve owned it. I also got a really soft pair of lounge pants and a Friends t-shirt! Walmart gets a bad rap for being cheap, but their clothes are actually pretty good quality for the price. I know there’s some controversy about Walmart’s fast fashion, but most retailers contribute to the problem. In that regard, if you’re willing to shop other brands that aren’t super ethical, then don’t discount Walmart just because.

Lord & Taylor Outlet/Nordstrom Rack

As I had mentioned in the intro, I once saved an INSANE amount of money at Lord & Taylor Outlet! It’s similar to TJ Maxx and Macy’s becase they have tons of different brands, but it’s their last-minute-deal type of stuff. And, you’re able to find things for a steal! I personally got a dress, heels, wedges and a shirt for a crazy discount. I’ve also shopped at Nordstrom Rack and gotten great deals!

If you love shopping but need to stay on a budget, it can be done! There are so many great stores to buy clothing that’s really inexpensive. And, don’t be afraid to shop secondhand to save money AND the environment. It’s a win-win!

So, what are your best deals that you’ve gotten over the years? Where’s your favorite place to shop? Gimme the inside scoop!