lifestyle blog
Today marks the beginning of my blog and I’m so excited to meet you and share with you. I can’t wait to see where this path takes me. My plan is to share my life, motherhood, parenting, marriage, things I’m loving, things I’m doing, shopping, and home decor. Life can be fun, chaotic, and full of surprises. I’m so happy I can capture those moments here.
Thanks for joining me. I’m so happy you are here!
It seems like everywhere you look people are glued to their phones or electronic devices. I know that I am guilty of that. It’s always something that I am working on personally and for my kids as well. Something we enjoy doing as a family that doesn’t involve staring at a screen is podcasts! They have so many different ones out now that cover a variety of topics. Today, I want to share one of our families favorite podcasts, Melon’s House Party!
Music Lover’s Unite
One thing my kid’s never get tired of is music. If you walk into our home at any time during the day 90% of the time there is music playing. We will even break out in random dance parties. The musical element in Melon’s House Party is everything you could want. The songs are upbeat and catchy. Melon, an 8 pound pup, loves sharing the importance of friendship. His best friend in the whole world, Couch, joins him on musical adventures. We always bust out into a random dance party. You can’t help but sing and dance along.
Alternative To Screen Time
My favorite thing is that this gives my kids something else to do besides staring at their ipads. We love to put this on while in the car, while I’m cooking, or spending time together coloring/drawing. The episodes are only 30 minutes long so if your kids are like mine and have short attention spans. Then this is the podcast for you!
Did you know objects in your home sing and speak all day long, in a key only dogs can hear? Which is why you’re not going to want to miss what adventures Melon and his house friends get into on season two of Melon’s House Party! It’s such a great way to get the family together and join in on the fun with Melon. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Download season two currently streaming on your preferred podcast platform from Wondery Kids and Wondery Media!
One of my favorite things to do is celebrate the holidays with my family. Valentine’s Day is no different. Valentine’s day isn’t just a romantic holiday for couples. I like to make it special for my kids too! Since my kids love helping me in the kitchen I thought what better way to celebrate than making a kid’s drink! Plus I saw this fun drink over on another influencer’s Instagram page and I knew my kids would be obsessed. I was right! Keep reading for this simple recipe!
Things you need for this drink:
Directions:
First, I take the plastic stem glass and put the rim in the marshmallow creme. Then dip the rim in sprinkles. Then add in your liquid and place the cotton candy on top. Ta-da! Now ready to drink! My kids loved helping make these sweet treats! I think your kids will too!
Follow me over on Instagram for more behind the scenes!
*This blog is sponsored by Gaylord Opryland Resort but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
If you’re looking for family-friendly winter fun then look no further! Starting from January 7, 2022, thru February 27, 2022, Gaylord Opryland Resort is having its Winterfest! We were so excited to be invited to attend this year. As it was our first time attending we were ecstatic to get into all of the activities. Just let me start by saying, we had so much fun! There are lots of winter activities to enjoy. Your winter fun may include participating in the scavenger hunt, driving ice bumper cars, ice skating, ice tubing, and more. I have highlighted each of these winter activities in the following sections. You’re not going to want to miss Winterfest at Gaylord Opryland.
Jack Frost’s Frigid Scavenger Hunt
We put on our snowy detective hats to find solutions to polar puzzles throughout the hotel. The Jack Frost Frigid Scavenger Hunt was the perfect way to get acquainted with the resort. The booklet gives you riddles and hints to solve which takes you through the different areas of this large resort. Our kids loved racing through and seeing who could solve the puzzle the fastest. Once you solve each riddle you write it down in your booklet. Once you go through all eight puzzles you take your booklet back to the Frigid Zone for a fun prize for each child. My kids were so excited to show off their completed booklets! While visiting the Frigid Fun Zone, you can also participate in cookie decorating. It’s a great hands-on activity for the whole family. We all got a cookie decorating kit that included 2 snowflake sugar cookies, a bag of icing, and candy for decorating. The cookies tasted so good and were the perfect treat after all the winter fun!
Ice Skating
After completing our scavenger hunt we took a short walk to the outdoor space at Pinetop. One of the activities that we had never experienced as a family before is ice skating! This ice rink is huge at 9000 sq. feet! My kids were nervous to give it a try but they did a great job for their first time. I really liked that they provided these cute polar bear chairs for the kids to have something to hold on to while they skated or they could sit down while someone pushed them. That was really helpful to build their confidence on the ice rink. I wouldn’t say we were pros at the end of it but we were slowly getting better at it. It’s definitely an activity we want to try again.
Ice Bumper Cars
Another thing we got to experience as a first for our family is bumper cars on ice! My driving skills on ice have never been the greatest but It was fun to bump into each other and slide around with our cars. My kids are always drawn to driving anything so they thought this was a thrill of a lifetime. We all got our own car and navigating on the ice rink was just as fun as we were anticipating. We are a bit of a competitive family so we took full advantage of the spacious outdoor ice rink and had a friendly competition with the bumper cars.
Ice Tubing
Nothing is as satisfying as experiencing the winter fun like sliding around on the ice. Ice tubing was a family favorite. With four lanes at the Pinetop, you can ice tube down the hill. It is a 15-foot hill that purely consists of natural ice. The hill features four lanes demarcating where each ice tube should pass. Everyone gets their own tube. There are tubes for adults and children. Then you walk up the ramp to the top and someone is up there to help you get situated to go down the hill. I think my kids would have done this all day. They were obsessed! We’ve gone snow tubing before but this was the biggest hill we have ever tubed down. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time at Pinetop.
Soundwaves
After a successful day of winter activities, we were so excited to go to Gaylord Opryland’s Soundwaves. The Soundwaves is an upscale indoor/outdoor water attraction. Obviously, we only got to try the indoor but it was a blast. It’s kept at 84 degrees indoors year around. Some of our family’s favorites were the two lazy rivers and the Rapid Remix, which is a mega raft for 4-5 people to go down this huge water slide. They also have a double Flowrider that lets two people surf at once. My kids were still a little too young to try it but hopefully, when we visit again we’ll give it a try. I highly suggest visiting Soundwaves if you are at Gaylord Opryland!
Visiting Gaylord Opryland for this season’s Winterfest is the best recreational decision you can make for yourself and your family this January and February. I can’t tell you how many times I heard my kids say, “This is the best day ever!” Just those words make it all worth it. I love that the resort offers all the winter fun activities in one place. From the scavenger hunt game, ice skating, riding ice bumper cars to ice tubing, there is no better way of enjoying the winter season. Plus, after a day of winter activities, you can enjoy on-site shopping, top-notch entertainment, and diverse dining options. Gaylord Opryland will be a family favorite year after year! Thank you Gaylord Opryland for hosting our family for Winterfest!
Gaylord Opryland is taking all the precautions for Covid throughout the resort. All staff are wearing masks. There are hand sanitizing stations placed through the resort. For fully vaccinated guests, masks are optional. For unvaccinated guests, masks are required.
Till next time,
Nikki
Parenting is a busy gig. Especially as your kids get older and you add in sports and extracurricular activities. Things get busy very quickly. Who would’ve guessed that the toughest question every day would be, “What’s for supper?” This is why I am always on the hunt for things to cook that are quick and easy. Some of our favorite meals are soups, one sheet dishes, and casseroles. I want to share one of our favorite 30-minute meals, a delicious chicken casserole.
Here is the list of ingredients needed to make the chicken casserole:
Steps to prepare casserole:
Place in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. You can serve this with a vegetable or by itself. Sometimes we will add shredded cheese to the top when it comes out. It’s very filling and great comfort food! We cook this at least once a week and during any season, it’s that good!
If you’re needing more 30-minute meal ideas check out my friend’s recipes below!
Stovetop Turkey Chili Mac / Taste As You Go
Spicy Italian Sausage and Zoodles / Amy’s Balancing Act
Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup / Style Simpler
French Toast Casserole / The Williams Party
Restaurant Style Chicken Lo Mein / The Mommy Spice
Pan Sheet Chicken & Veggies / Mama Llama Llama
Shepherd’s Pie / Alexisamomdotcom
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xoxo, Nikki
Winter is on its way, and there are so many fun things to do with your kids in the wintertime. I know our days go much smoother with my kids when I have activities planned for us to do. This article will provide you with detailed information about fun winter activities that you can do with your children during the cold months, including indoor and outdoor fun!
Indoor Activities
One of our favorite things to do together during the winter months is making a blanket fort! We like to make them in the living room, and everyone will gather inside. Sometimes we will read books, play games, or watch a movie. This leads me to our next activity, which is a cozy movie and popcorn night. Winter is a great time to snuggle up together, grab a cozy blanket, and let them choose a movie to watch. Sometimes they will even try to find winter-themed movies. It’s also nice because it gets darker earlier in the winter months.
Another big thing in our home is crafts! I like to decorate our home for winter and use the kids’ crafts to add that special touch to our decor. Plus, they love helping decorate! Some of our favorite things to make together are snowflakes cut out from paper. These are easy-to-make crafts that your kids can do. Just bring out some construction paper, markers, and scissors. We also have a pine tree in our backyard and they love picking and painting them.
Pajama days are something we look forward to as well! Even if we have to leave the house, I’ll let them stay in their pajamas (which they think is the coolest thing ever). Sometimes we will have a game night. We play board games, card games (Uno is a favorite), or even video games! If your family is anything like mine things get competitive very quickly! But we always have fun!
Outdoor Activities
If you are looking for some fun winter activity ideas for kids that are not indoors, then these activities will be perfect for your family! Some good winter nature walks are a great exercise to do with your kids, and they are also excellent stress relievers after a long day at school! I also find if we are having a rough day with arguments, getting outside and going for a walk really helps everyone’s mood.
Sidewalk art is another great outdoor activity idea that you can do with your kids. Bring out the chalk and go crazy, having fun drawing whatever you want on the pavement! I will even try and make it educational, and we will write our numbers and the alphabet.
February in America is National Pizza Month, so celebrate by making your own pizza in the oven in February. This activity is perfect for kids because they can pick whatever ingredients they want to put on their pizza and make it exactly how they like it. You can take this opportunity to teach your children about fractions by asking them what fraction of their pizza is pepperoni or how much of their pizza has cheese on it.
If you live somewhere that gets snow, then you can have a snowball fight with your kids. Snow angels are another fun winter activity for kids during the snowy months. To make these, simply tell your children to lie on the ground and move their arms and legs in an up/down motion. Building a snowman is another fun winter activity idea for kids of all ages! Who doesn’t love playing in the snow? This is one of those activities that everyone loves to enjoy when there’s fresh powdery snow on the ground outside. Just let your children build their own unique snowman by decorating it however they like!
Hopefully, these activities will inspire you to find new ways to enjoy the winter months with your kids. It’s always fun to change it up a bit to make the dreary days of winter a little bit more fun for everyone!
Follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest!
XOXO, Nikki
*This blog post is sponsored by Moving Solutions but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Moving with kids can be hectic. It adds a whole other element to the chaos. But with a little bit of preparation and organization, it can be a smooth process. Here are some tips to help make moving with kids easier.
Start Early
The earlier you start planning for your move, the smoother it will go. Begin by purging your belongings as you go, so you won’t have as much to move. You can also start packing some of your non-essential items early, such as clothes that you won’t need right away. And if you’re changing addresses, start planning for the change well in advance. This will make the actual move go faster, and it will be less stressful.
Used Boxes
One of the most important things to remember when moving is to keep everything as organized as possible. A great way to do this is by using used boxes for packing, rather than using new boxes which you’ll have to buy. Labeling each box with its contents will also help to keep things organized. Essential items such as toiletries and medicines should be packed in a separate bag, so you can easily find them when you need them.
Change Address
One of the most frustrating things about moving is updating your address with all of your various subscriptions and services. But if you change your address early, you can avoid many problems later on. Mailing services such as the US Postal Service will often forward mail for up to a year. The same is usually true with banks and credit card companies, although it depends on the service provider. If possible, setting up automatic bill pay with your utility companies can help to ensure that you don’t miss any payments during the transition.
Get The Kids Involved
One of the best ways to make moving with kids easier is to get them involved in the process. Have them help you pack their belongings, or have them put stickers on the boxes that contain their toys and books. You can also make a game out of it by challenging them to see who can pack their suitcase the fastest. Anything that gets them excited and involved will make the move go more smoothly. You can also use luggage instead of boxes. It can be a great way to keep them organized and entertained. You can pack their favorite toys and books in their luggage, and they can use it as a “suitcase” to carry all of their belongings. This will help keep them busy and organized, and it will make the move a little more fun for them.
Hire Movers
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of moving with kids, consider hiring movers. Moving Solutions is a company that specializes in moving families based out of Nashville, TN. They can take care of all the details of your move, from packing to loading to unloading. This can be a great way to ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible, and it can take some of the stress off of you. The great thing about these guys is that they promote their services with a custom website. They are easy to find online and will do everything possible to succeed in your move. They offer a wide range of services that include packing, loading, unloading, and driving the truck. Depending on your needs, you can also choose to have them do just one or two of these services. This Nashville long-distance moving company takes the hassle out of moving so that you can focus on your family.
No matter how you choose to move with kids, these tips should help make the process a little easier. With a bit of planning and organization, you can make your move a smooth and stress-free experience for your entire family.
Moving to a new home means that you definitely need an interior designer to help you decorate the new place. Check out this expert roundup of the top reasons to hire an Interior Designer!
*This blog post is sponsored by Wondery Media but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I know I’m not alone in my feelings that my kids might love electronics a little too much. I will be the first one to admit that ipads and tablets are my go-to when I need my kids to be still or quiet. Which is not something that I’m proud to admit. I’m always looking for ways to help draw my kid’s attention away from their ipads, computers, and Nintendo Switch. Which is why I’m excited about the new show from Wondery Media Melon’s House Party!
Melon’s House Party is a new podcast for children between the ages of 5-12 years old. If you have a child that loves music, then you for sure want to check this out. This show has incredible musical elements. First, it’s all original music. I know for my kids and I the songs are very catchy. We will randomly start singing the songs throughout the day. My kids are big music lovers. They are constantly listening to music and dancing. Anything that has a musical element to it, they are drawn to. This podcast brings out their creativity and with only 30-minute episodes it’s great to put on in the car or even around the house while we are cleaning up.
Wednesdays are special in our household now because that’s when new episodes are released. They are always eager to put on the podcast and listen. Which makes my mama heart happy. I love that it’s entertaining, educational, and imagination sparking. These days it can be hard to find things that the whole family is able to enjoy together. I think this podcast does just that. It’s something for the whole family to listen to and even participate in with singing and dancing. My youngest kid has a short attention span. This is the first thing that has held his attention in a long time. He’s able to get up and move around and not just have to sit and listen. As a podcast listener myself, I’m so excited that Wondery has given my kid’s a podcast that gives them a creative outlet that is entertaining for the whole family.
You can listen to Melon’s House Party on your favorite podcast streaming app! Click here to follow along on the Wondery Kids social page.
*Link are affiliated, at no cost to you I receive a small commission when you purchase through my link. Regardless of commission, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. Thank you for your support!
The holidays can be a stressful time of year. Not only is it busy but you stress over what to buy for your loved ones, significant others, and friends. Gift guides are a great way to come up with ideas for that special someone in your life. I’m going to share two of my favorite things to buy. Which are personalized gifts and gifts for the coffee lover in your life. Let’s get started with these holiday gift guides!
In my opinion, personalized gifts are special. Usually, you have to put some thought into it and I think that shows to who you are giving the gift to. Plus, a lot of the time when you choose a personalized gift you are supporting a small business. Which is super important to me. My favorite place to shop for personalized gifts is Etsy. You can find unique gifts not available anywhere else! It seems now you can personalized pretty much anything. It’s not necessarily something reserved just for women. Men can have things personalized too! When choosing a personalized gift for a man, wallets or socks do really well! Other things that are great to personalize are tumblers, necklaces, rings, makeup bags, blankets and more. The options are really endless! Check out some examples of personalized gifts below!
Who doesn’t love coffee? If you follow me over on social media, you know how much of a coffee addict I am. I also have a lot of coffee lovers in my family and friends circle. There are so many great things to gift. I like to make little baskets with a cute mug, a flavored coffee or creamer, a festive milk bomb, or an electric frother with pour cup. One thing I’m completely obsessed with right now are the beer glass cans for my iced coffee. Etsy has so many great options. You can even order holiday glasses. If you know someone who enjoys creamer or trying different syrups. The glass pump bottles are a great way to display those syrups. I have a coffee bar/area that I love decorating. You can also buy cute coffee signs for them to display on their coffee bar! Below I’ve got examples of gifts that would make any coffee lover happy!
The holidays are to be fun and not overwhelming or stressful. Taking a look at gift guides is such a great way to get ideas and hopefully take a little stress off of you. You can also check out my friend’s gift guides at the links below if you need more ideas! Till next time!
Links to my friend’s Gift Guides:
2021 Holiday Gift Guide / Taste As You Go
Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Everyone You Know / Alexa Is A Mom Dot Com
Holiday Gift Guide 2021: Boys 11-13 / Mamallama.llama
Holiday Gift Guide 2021 / Mission Mami
Last Minute Gift Ideas for Kids 2 to 5 Years Old / Smile On
Gift Guide- Toy Ideas For Kids / Style Simpler
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As the season changes from Summer to Fall, some of us start planning activities for our fall bucket list. A Fall bucket list is a list of things you’d like to do to celebrate the beginning of the Fall season. My family always looks forward to this season. We love all the activities that go with it and the cooler temperatures. There’s nothing like a cool night by a bonfire, roasting marshmallows and cozied up in our jackets and blankets. You might be asking yourself so what is there to do in the Fall? Well, get ready to have fun because we are sharing a family-friendly bucket list that can surely keep you busy.
One thing my family and I always enjoy is getting out in nature. One of our favorite times to do that is during the Fall season. Here is a list of the best outdoor activities:
As the weather gets colder you may not want to adventure outside as much. Here is a list of fun activities you can enjoy indoors.
With a new season comes new beginnings. The changing leaves remind me that sometimes transformation can be so beautiful. Get out there end enjoy all that the season has to offer.
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After years of laying in the tanning bed as a teen and young adult, my skin has suffered tremendously. If I regret one thing in my younger years, it’s that. Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m dealing with sunspots and a splotchy complexion. None of those are fun things to have to deal with. A few months ago, I started trying different sunless tanners. I bought Tanologist face drops and sunless tanning water from Target. I’ve been loving the way it gives me that sunkissed look without the harmful UV rays. Tanologist has been a great way for me to get this sunkissed glow!
Tanologist is a self-tanning company that is dermatologically tested and approved. It was founded by beauty influencer Lottie Tomlinson.
Tanologist products are the best because they contain non irritating ingredients, therefore, they don’t cause breakouts and are suitable for sensitive skin. All the products have no color guide meaning they won’t stain your sheet or clothes.
Some of the ingredients used in their products that give you the best experience are pink grapefruit for toning your skin, goji berry, which acts as an antioxidant, and Juniper for reducing blemishes.
Tanologist has 7 products for the face and body and these are self-tan mousse, self-tan water, gradual lotion, gradual treatment oil, Insta glow, Eraser and Primer, and self-tan drops.
A point to note however is: These products are not to be used on irritated skin and should not come into contact with your eyes. Seek medical attention or stop using the product if your skin reacts to any of the products.
I’ve been using the self-tanning water for a few months. I love that it’s clear and you don’t have to worry about it getting on your clothes. You can spray it on your face to give the perfect glow or spray it after applying makeup as a setting spray. You can also spray it on your entire body for that perfect bronze shiny look. It comes in three shades: Light glow, medium tan, and deep bronze.
Advantages of Self-Tanning Water
The self-tanning water leaves your skin feeling fresh and looking great. Other advantages include:
How to Apply
The other amazing product that I use daily is the self-tan drops. Different from the self-tanning water, this one gives you the liberty to mix into your make-up, skincare, or body care for a nice bronzed finish. The formula doesn’t stain your sheets or clothes nor will it clog your pores, but will leave your skin glowing. This product is suitable for both experienced tanners and newbies.
Unlike self-tanning water, self-tanning drops cannot be used on their own because they are very concentrated and are designed to be used with skincare or body care products. Add 2-12 drops to your moisturizer depending on the look you are going for. Our self-tan drops also come in three shades: light glow, medium tan, and deep bronze. Choose your desired shade and remember you can apply and reapply till you get your desired results.
Advantages of Self-Tan Drops
Self-tan drops are perfect if you are going for a personalized experience because you simply have to mix them into your moisturizer. Other advantages include:
How to Apply
If you want a gradual tan experience, Tanologist has your back. With the gradual tan lotion and gradual treatment oil, you get your perfect desired results
Gradual Tan Lotion
This works like a daily moisturizer on your skin but adds a glow to your skin. This product ensures color builds up gradually without any patches. The color begins to build immediately after application but it takes 2 to 3 days before you can notice the difference in your skin. For a deeper tan, you can mix the lotion with your self-tan drops.
The lotion suits all skin shades and your glow will last for one week and fade evenly. It contains hydrating ingredients which help your skin look healthy and soft. You don’t have to worry about messing and staining your sheets or clothes.
How to Apply
For overnight results, use the gradual treatment oil. You don’t have to mix it with your daily moisturizer. You can simply apply it directly on your face. Use this oil in the evening to recharge your skin while you sleep.
It will hydrate, brighten and rejuvenate your skin. You don’t have to worry about breakouts because this oil ensures that your skin stays smooth. It’s very helpful for beginners and those who want a lighter glow.
How to Apply
The insta-glow contains light-reflecting nanoparticles which leave the skin glowing. The formula can be used on both the face and the body. It dries down in seconds and when you apply it, you don’t have to worry about water and sweat because it is sweat and waterproof for 24 hours. You can use it like body makeup for hiding imperfections and give you an even tone.
Advantages of Insta Glow
The insta glow as the name suggest is an insta tan and has the following advantages:
How to Apply
If you are looking for a perfect way to remove or reverse your tan, then Tanologist is the right place for you. The tan eraser and primer is a multi-use formula that acts as an eraser to remove all the remainders of self-tan and condition your skin. It also acts as a pre-tan primer that removes the dead skin and primes the skin for a fresh application
For maximum results apply three days after your initial tan application. It contains vegan glycolic acid which works to remove the tan quickly and effectively.
Advantages of Tan Eraser and Primer
The multi-purpose formula has the following advantages:
How to Apply as an Eraser
How to Apply as a Primer
When using it as a primer, apply it to your skin pre tan and your skin will feel fresh and hydrated and ready for a tan.
Here are the tanning hacks that will help you get the desired glow you are looking for:
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