Category: gift guides

  • Valentine Gift Ideas

    Valentine Gift Ideas

    • Ok, better late than never, right? The good news is, lots of these Valentine’s Gift Giving ideas are super affordable and can be purchased & here in time for the big day!

    enjoy

     

    FOR YOUR KIDDOS

    My mom always says, “Don’t set expectations you don’t intend to keep.”

    Translation:

    • Do I want to spoil my kiddos with overflowing baskets on Valentine’s Day because I love them and because gift-giving is my love language? Yes.
    • If I do this one year, will they they expect this every single year and be disappointed the year that I don’t/can’t do it. Also yes.

    So- we keep it small and simple on V-day. Just a little surprise for them to open. And hey, if you do it up BIG…good for you! If you don’t- that’s awesome, too! To each their own, right? We like to do it up a bit at Easter (see my Easter basket post HERE) – so there’s no judgement here if your house looks like Christmas morning on Valentine’s Day or if you just give your kiddos a big hug and tell them how much you love them an extra amount of times! This is just what we do. 🙂

    2019-02-03_0001

    I found these super cute tin pails at Hobby Lobby. I got white for the girls and red for Max! I can use them year after year and they are small enough to prevent me from trying to fill them with TOO much junk! 😉

    What the girls are getting: a candy necklace, JoJo Siwa bath bomb, heart cookie, enamel pins, a few surprise packs (ALL from Target) and a cute little sequins mermaid tail key ring for their backpacks (from Hobby Lobby). I might throw a new book in each girl’s pail from my recent Usborne haul.

    What Max is getting: “Feelings” felt activity book, some Annie’s gummies, (both from Target)  a Paw Patrol surprise pack, and Mickey Mouse lollipop spinner (both from Hobby Lobby)

     

    CLASS VALENTINES

     

    DSCF7227

    • For Max- We went easy. I didn’t want to do candy for toddlers and lots of the cheap toys I found were borderline chokeables. So back to my old applesauce pouch it is! My sweet and crazy talented friend Steph from Joy Creative Shop (our kiddos go to school together and she is literally one of the sweetest humans ever!) created these (and ALL of my) tags this year! How CUUUTE are these Awesome Sauce tags?! Add some cute ribbon and boom- easiest, cheapest valentine’s ever!

     

    DSCF7238

    • For Ardyn-  I always love to think of non-candy ideas, especially while they are still little and before you become “the lame mom who gives crayons” in elementary school…ahem, Q!! I think these “I heart U” crayon sets from the sweet mama @kelseypaigefrazier on IG are just SO precious and the kiddos will love them. They were the most expensive of all the class valentines I did this year, but Ardyn’s preschool class is super small so it worked out! These would be great to give out to just close friends or if you have a small class, too! Of, course the Joy Creative Shop “Color My World” tags were the PERFECT addition!!

     

    DSCF7231

    • For Quinlin-  For Q’s fairly large class, I wanted something on the cheaper/easier side. I found this big containers of individually wrapped cookies at Target! They were called “DecoCookies” and came 8 to a box. I slapped on some simple, yet precious sticker tags from Joy Creative Shop and boom- cheap & easy!

     

     

    FOR TEACHERS/ASSISTANTS, ETC.

    Ok, the KEY to my Teacher Valentines this year was THIS precious printable Joy Creative Shop made for me. Have your kiddo fill it out and it instantly makes ANY little treat you give more personal and meaningful!!

    Best news EVER? Steph created these as FREEEEEEE printables for YOU! All you need to do is sign up for her newletter- hurry, run!!! I plan on filling them out for each of my kiddos and sticking them in their Valentines buckets, too!

    A few ideas to pair with your printables:

    2019-02-03_0003

    • Pair your printable with some beautiful heart stationary or initial notepad from Joy Creative Shop and a cute pen!

    2019-02-03_0004

    • Found this sweet heart clip board at Hobby Lobby. I used some transfer letters (also from HL) to personalize the clipboard with the teacher’s name!

    2019-02-03_0005

    • Literally ANY little treat! The tiny mason jars were in the $ spot at Target and I filled them with these sour hearts from Target and the XO gummies from Trader Joes. Another cute idea- paper heart boxes (craft section at Target) filled with some heart shaped candies. Orrrr…my favorite idea: A perfectly sweet cupcake from your local bakery, wrapped up with some cute twine! (white cupcake boxes from Hobby Lobby!)

    Seriously, these Joy Creative Shop printables work with ANYTHING! I’m obsessed! Go get yours—> HERE!

     

    FOR GRANDPARENTS/RELATIVES

    IMG_5231

    Create a mini Chatbook photo book with pics from a recent trip or a fun memory and pair with your Joy Creative Shop printable! Seriously, how cute is that!?! New to Chatbooks? Click HERE for $10 off your first book order!

     

    GALENTINES (Or, hey- TEACHERS too!)

    2019-02-03_0002

    Pretty much obsessed with the idea of a funny mug (SimplyMade Greetings are my FAVORITE!) filled with some candy and paired with a cute O-Ring key chain from O-Venture ( My favorite gift to give!)  Fill with some candies, maybe a can of prosecco and don’t forget to add a sweet printable to tell your gal pal why you adore her so much…even if it is because she loves wines as much as you! 😉

    Have you ever received a Galentine? I received my first EVER Galentine from none other than Steph from Joy Creative last year and, I mean…it MADE. MY. DAY!

     

    SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

    Ryan and I don’t really do Valentine’s Day, but if we did- I’d give him a “Date Night” coupon- line up a sitter & make reservations to a fun new restaurant we’ve never been to before!

     

    FOR IDEAS OF VALENTINE’S WE’VE GIVEN IN THE PAST, CHECK OUT THIS POST!

     

     

    Happy Heart Day, friends!

    LoveJordan

     

     

     

     

    Don’t Want to Forget these ideas? Or would you like to share them with friends?

    pin me

    vdaygiftguide

  • Easter Baskets

    Easter Baskets

    It’s that time again– Spring is only a few short months away and it’s time to start thinking about what to fill those Easter Baskets with! Easter Baskets can be tricky, especially right on the heels of Christmas and Valentine’s Day- so I put together a few ideas based on what we used to get growing up!

     

    Our “Easter Bunny” used to always bring us the same few things:

    -New Pjs (or something cozy)

    -Something fun for the upcoming summer months (think: sandals, bathing suits, a fun towel, new goggles, etc.)

    -Toys that encouraged outdoor play (jump ropes, chalk, bubbles, sprinklers, etc.)

    -New Art supplies or a game

    -And of course, our baskets were always topped off with some fun knick-knacks and a big old Chocolate Bunny!

    I try to stick to those same categories when planning out my own kids’ baskets and I came up the following lists based on them as well!

    Hoppy Shopping!

     

    baby
    Zozu Baby Headband| bath toy| personalized blanket |Good Night You book|yogurt melts|dimpl|girls pjs |boys pjs |sophie |shark rashguard|wooden beads |Tubby Todd bath stuff|boys  swim set|jelly tails book|girls swim|sunscreen|Jellycat bunny| girl bib|boy bib

    toddlergirlEllia May Bow|princess book|rainbow bag |unicorn bracelet|goggles| breakfast pjs |non toxic dough|slippers|mermaid coloring book|crayons|rainbow sprinkler|What Do I Do? Conversation Cards|unicorn chalk|swim suit|Cinderella sound book |dress a bunny coloring book

    older girlwords to live by coloring book |rainbow float|sunnies|shark pjs|tennis gumballs|fine markers|polaroid|Lol Hair Goals|rainbow tote|Natural Organic Bathbombs|jump rope|candy tackle box|swimsuit |eeboo puzzle |nailmatic nailpolish|hair poms|stitch up book|5,000 Awesome Facts book|glitter backpack|non toxic makeup |fuzzy slippers|memory game|VanGogh on-the-go|picture book|magnashapes

    toddler boytide pool bath set|outerspace coloring book|non toxic crayons|non toxic dough|shark pjs|dino roll mat|baby lit book |stackable blocks|3-2-1 blast off book|magnifying glass|foam bat and ball|pirate ship pool & sprinkler

    olderboydodge/tag game|mini air hockey|goggles|hat|swim trunks|chalk tagging|pizza party game|5,000 Awesome Facts Book|shark float|marvel magnet tin|shark flops |pocket microscope|slippers|mash’ems|nightball

    baskets

    Lastly, I’m a big fan of traditional Easter baskets, however I also like the idea of re-purposing a container you’ve got laying around, or buying one you’d like to use again after Easter- whether it be a toy, a suitcase, or a cute crate for storage. Here are a few ideas  for alternative Easter baskets!

    traditional Easter Basket|Olli Ella Suitcase|crate|Pillowfort Rope Basket|animal baskets|Luggy Basket

     

    And, for Last Year’s Ideas, click HERE!

    pin me

    Easter

  • February Book Picks

    February Book Picks

    Ok, fellow book hoarders…here it is: February Book Picks! I tried to keep the list short, but I mean, come on– books about love are the best kind, aren’t they? Here are a few of my very favorite new books for the month!

    Click the link for each book to read a description and/or purchase!

    Happy Reading!

    **NEW**

    This Year’s Picks:

    Vdaypicks

    Love is my Favorite Thing |The Pink Umbrella |Lola Dutch I Love you so Much | Dear Boy, |L is for Love | The Love Letter |Love is a Truck | The Snowy Nap | The Hug

     

    2019 Picks:

    vdaybooks

    The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy |A Crankenstien Valentine | Love Monster |Ollie’s Valentine | Dear Girl |Everything is Mama |Pig the Pug |Plant a Kiss |You! |I Need A Hug | How Do I Love Thee?| I’ll Love You Till The Cows Come Home |Part of My Heart | Love is a TuTu | Love is a Truck| Paris | A Unicorn Named Sparkle | Arthur’s Valentine | The Valentine Bears

     

    2018 Picks:

    2018-01-11_0001

    Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch | The Day it Rained Hearts | The Biggest Valentine Ever | Llama, Llama I Love You | In My Heart | Snow Sisters | When an Elephant Falls in Love | Words and your Heart | This is NOT a Valentine

    2018-01-11_0003

     Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink | GroundHUG Day | LOVE from the Very Hungry Caterpillar | Extra Yarn | The Story of Ferdinand | Flora and the Flamingo | Looking at Lincoln |Love is |Hug Machine

     

     

     

     

    Interested in getting ahead of the game for next year?

    Check out these Posts:

    Halloween Books, Thanksgiving & Fall Books,

    Christmas Books, January Books, March Books, Spring & Easter Books, Summer Books

     

     

     

    LoveJordan

  • How to Style your Zozu

    How to Style your Zozu

    The following BLOG was originally written for & posted on the ZoZu Baby November Newsletter. Click HERE to read more from The ZoZu Baby Blog!

    Hi friends! It’s Jordan from @jordan.and.co here again to talk to you about how we style our ZoZu products. We all know ZoZu Baby is one of my absolute favorite bow brands and one of the reasons I love it so much is because it’s not JUST a bow shop. In fact, some of our favorite items from ZoZu Baby are the knee socks, the tights, and the scrunchies!

    I’d love to share a few of the ways we style our ZoZu!

    Knee socks are one of my favorite accessories on little girls! I love how they look with everything from cute, preppy maryjanes to funky booties!

    2018-11-13_0001

    Zozu Baby Tights are such good quality! I love the cute colors and the ribbing! In the winter both of my girls wear tights almost daily (because they are not a fan of pants). Quinlin wears white or navy tights with her uniform and Cub wears All. The. Colors! Again, I love that tights can be worn with anything! Q wears hers with her plaid uniform & saddle shoes, and Cub wears hers with everything from skirts and rain boots to cute jumpers and t-straps!

    2018-11-13_0002

    Zozu bows are a staple in our house. I’m a big fan of the Voyager Style because my girls wear their hair up a lot and I think the voyager style works best on the top of their heads to accent pigtails (unless we have a pigtail set to wear!), buns, or a ponytail! When I style their hair down, I love the look of the Pioneer style bow clipped over to the side- but of course we wear all the styles all the ways!  If you’re just starting a bow collection my best advice is to start with 10 bows: get 5 solid colors and 5 patterns- then build from there. Stripes, polka-dots, plaids, and bold florals are always my favorite patterns for building a collection. Once you have your basics, you can add fun prints for holidays or special occasions!

    2018-11-13_0003

    -Let’s talk scrunchies! I personally love to use Zozu scrunchies as a way to dress up my messy mom bun! For my girls, my favorite way to style the scrunchies is over the girls buns for ballet class! They are seriously the perfect little accent! The velvet scrunchies are so gorgeous but I think the pioneer scrunchies are my absolute favorite!2018-11-14_0002

    Headbands are Zozu Baby’s latest venture and they are pretty darn adorable! When we are having a rushed morning, my favorite thing to do is to run a brush through the girls’ hair and slap on a bow headband. OR…also perfect for when their hair desperately needs to be washed so you throw it up in a simple pony tail. Nothing says “This was totally the look I was going for”  like a big old adorable headband to polish the look! Amiright?

    2018-11-14_0001

    Bowties…for all the little men in your lives!! I can wait to style my three kiddos in their matching Zozu bows, headbands, and bowties this Christmas! This is my current favorite sibling set:2018-11-13_0008

    -The “Extras” are a little hidden ZoZu gem! Click on this category next time you are shopping and you’ll find two of my secret favs: the hair ties (so good for pony tail days…or messy bun days!) and the alligator clips! I always buy a few extra alligator clips…want to know why? Because when a bow I really want is sold out, I buy it in the nylon headband version (usually available), cut off the nylon when it arrives and slip in one of my extra alligator clips. Voilá…the “sold out bow” you wanted! Shoot…did I just give away my best bow-buying secret?!2018-11-13_0007

    Bascially, I adore the WHOLE ZoZu collection and depend on each and every item when styling my girls every day! What’s your favorite way to style Zozu?

    IMG_6939

    LoveJordan

  • Kid’s Holiday Gift Guide 2018

    Kid’s Holiday Gift Guide 2018

    Ok friends, here it is- the 2018 Kid’s Gift Guide! I’m SO excited to share this guide with you and I truly hope you find that perfect something for your perfect little someone! Happy Shopping!

    enjoytoddlergirl.jpg

    (See also “Toddler Girl Toys” for more ideas)

    littlegirl

    dollhouse

    • Magnolia Dollhouse (4) a favorite from last year (fits small figurines like this cute dollhouse family(8) or any figurines of your choice! Ardyn uses these Peppa Pig dolls (3)!)
    • We LOVE our Magnolia house but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely obsessed with this Castle Doll House (5) & the Royal Family (2)!! If you’re looking for something more whimsical, please get this so I can live vicariously through you! (You may need to trade in the crowned jewels themselves to pay for it!) 😉
    • Some favorite dollhouse Furniture: indoor (1) | outdoor (7) (if sold out- try these: one | two)  |  dollhouse car (9)  (cheaper options: one | two)
    • For more small dollhouse accessories click HERE and HERE!
    • If your little lady prefers Barbies, I think the KidKraft dollhouses are the best out there! We love THIS ONE (6)!

    performer

    traveltoys

    pretendplay

    artsandcrafts

    Big Girl

    caboodle

    Caboodle (1): (We got Q a caboodle for her birthday this past August and filled it with some fun trinkets. She’s been obsessed ever since and I’ve been promising you a recap with links on the blog, so I figured the Holiday Gift Guide would be the perfect place to add it!) Here are some ideas to fill her caboodle: Petite N Pretty Makeup (3) (non-toxic) |glitter pom clips(19) | cupcake lip gloss (17) | Sleep Mask (4)|NailMatic NailPolish(20) -our fav non toxic brand!|Animalz Face Masks (10)| Ryan & Wren Clips (21) {Use code BF2018 for 30% off -on Nov 23rd only!!}| Enamel Pins(8)|Phone Cord Hair Ties (18) | Tic Tacs | Fun Gummies (9)| $5 Gift Card to somewhere fun like Target or FroYo(22)| small brush (12)|new sunnies (6)| ZoZu Baby scrunchie (5) {Use code JORDAN20 for 20% off!}| A Cute Ellia May Bow (16) {Use code JORDAN for 20% off!}|Fleece Spa Headband (24)| Lip Smackers (11)|Panda Lotion (23) | Letter Stickers(7) for decorating her caboodle! | A Small Surprise Pack (14)|Bath Bomb (15)|Kid-safe bath salts (2) |Kid-safe Face wipes(13)|Her own Personal Stationary (25) {Use code HOLIDAY20}| Poppy Lane & Co Bracelets (26) I absolutely LOVE bracelets. They come in Mommy-and-me sets and they are SO adorable that the kids want to wear them all the time {Use code JORDAN15 for a discount} | …And any other fun age appropriate trinkets you want to add! You can make the work for almost any age kiddo!

    Other fun Caboodle ideas…

    1. Fill it with legos to create a cute lego travel kit! Q asked for this Classic Lego Mixed Box for Christmas.
    2. Fill it with small notebooks, cards, stationary, fun pens and stickers (from Arts & Crafts Section Above!) to create a cute travel art/writing box!

    Have fun with it!

     

    games

    • Playing Cards (7) How great are these little feminist cards?
    • Chess/Checkers (1) Q swears she learned to play chess at school and wants a set for the house. I’m getting her this cute wooden one but I’m slightly nervous that she’ll ask for help!
    • Math Fact Flashcards (8)
    • Counting Puzzle (2)
    • Super Genius: Letters (4) | Addition (3)| Reading This is one of our favorite card games to play and I love that there are different levels for different ages!
    • Rummikub (6) This used to be one of my favorite games to play with my grandma. I’m excited to teach Q to play.
    • Monopoly Jr (5)– I can’t even lie to you…I do not enjoy Monopoly. But this looks like a version I can handle! 😉

    outdoor

    • Jump Rope (1) My girls always love getting classic gifts like this!
    • Pulse Light-Up Skates (3) Q got ice skates for her birthday this year and has since been begging for big girl roller skates. These are pretty awesome! I’m also OBSESSED with these winged skates! (2) They just remind me of Adventures in Babysitting!
    • Tokyo Bike (4) (This little bike is pricey- but I just love the look of it. So classic…and I feel like it would last forever and a day.)
    • Playhouse to Makeover (5) (I’ve been wanting to do this little project for a while now and the girls have been asking for a playhouse, so I feel like Christmas is the perfect time to get it done!) NOTE: This playhouse has been painted and made over…it does not come this way.
    • Pedal Go Kart (6)- My in-laws bought these for the girls last Christmas and they were a HIT!
    • Pony Rider (7) I kind of want to get one just to see my kids riding down the street on it! Hahah!
    • Wooden Balance Board (8) I feel like all three of my kiddos will love this and the play possibilities are endless.
    • Swurfer Swing (9)– My kiddos LOVE ours!
    • Ride On Car (10)
    • Power Wheels Wild Thing (11) Don’t forget a helmet! 😉
    • Best Sand & Water Table (12) Be sure to include some fun toys like these: tools | non-toxic water beads | kinetic sand
    • Helmet (13) I love how simple and classic these are!
    • Balance Bike (14) The best way to learn to ride a bike, in my opinion! Both my girls had one!
    • Keenz Wagon (15)– Ok, buy this one for yourself and say it’s for the kids! 😉 {Use code JORDAN18 }
    • Unicorn Snow Tube(not pictured) Also comes in a yeti! So cute!

    toddlerboynewest

    (See also “Toddler Girl Toys” for more ideas)

    big boy

    Here’s the deal you guys, I am so out of touch with what older boys are into these days. I complied a list of what I thought were some “out-of-the-box ideas” for you…assuming you’d have all the sports equipment, video games, etc. under wraps all on your own. I may be clueless, but thought these were fun ideas and I should mention- I plan on getting my girls some of these items and I encourage you to shop some of the categories above for your bigger boys as well, depending on their interests! There’s some great stuff linked up above that’d be perfect for boys AND girls!

    trimmings

    Don’t forget the extras! I love to get gift tag stickers with our family’s name on them so that I can use them for neighbors, teachers, and family/friend gifts! I also get “Santa” stickers made up so it’s easy to slap them on all the kids’ gifts and they can recognize which are theirs on Christmas morning. I typically get a sheet of sticker tags that read “To: Quinlin Love, Santa” (for each child) and then a set of tags that say “Share Gift!” (I’d say about 75% of the girl’s Christmas toys are “share” gifts!) My fav go-to spot for ALL stationary/labels/stickers is Joy Creative Shop! {use code HOLIDAY20 for a discount!}

    For even MORE ideas check out my

    2017 Kid’s Holiday Guide !

    Happy Holidays, my friends!

    LoveJordan

  • Teacher Favorites

    Teacher Favorites

    At our preschool, the Parents’ Club sends out an email at the beginning of the year with filled out “Teacher Favorites” forms for each member of the school staff. It’s always SUCH a helpful tool of reference; when a teacher has a birthday, during the holidays, at the end of the year, or any time I want to bring our awesome teachers or office staff a little treat.

    When I used to teach, I remember a few parents asking me some of my favorite things at the beginning of the year and then surprising me on random mornings with my favorite Starbs drink or a salad from my favorite lunch spot. Those days, I always had a little pep in my step; seriously though, knowing and appreciating your teacher- even through tiny gestures really goes a long way. So, now, as a parent on the other side, I know how hard it is to scramble at any sort of gift-giving time- trying to figure out whether the teacher is a “monogrammed stationary” or a “Target gift card” kind of a person. I understand gifts are supposed to be generous and thoughtful and appreciated no matter what they are, but wouldn’t it be nicer to spend your money on something your kids’ awesome teacher really wants or needs? For example, a teacher friend of mine does not drink coffee, or go to Starbucks and has probably the most impressive collection of coffee mugs and Starbucks cards of anyone I know! Honestly, knowing things like your teacher’s favorite place to shop, favorite Starbucks drink, favorite color, flower or snack is just super helpful information to have throughout the year.

    Since I love this idea so much, I made a generic form based on the one created by our preschool and thought I’d share it with you!

    Happy Back-to-School to all the kiddos, parents, AND amazing Teachers!

    (Click link below to download form!)

    TeacherFav

    Teacher’s Favorite Things

    LoveJordan

     

  • Father’s Day 6.0

    Father’s Day 6.0

    It’s that time again…

    Each and every year I search the house for that same old blue and brown striped tie of Ryan’s, that old Tom Ford bowtie he wore only once, and the ratty old American flag hat that happens to be his favorite. Every year I promise myself that I’m going to hide these items away in a safe spot so that the next year I won’t need to have a panic attack and go hunting for them again. But, I never do. So every year, this year no different, I scramble to get this shot executed, edited, and ordered before Father’s Day. And every year Ryan pretends not to know what’s in the feather-light, cream colored box tied with a fancy brown ribbon. And then he pretends like his eyes are not tearing up when he flips open the tissue paper and see a full year of growth in a single snapshot. Every year.

    It’s quite easily my favorite tradition of all times. I swear I’m doing it forever & ever and then I’ll cry when the shirts are no longer baggy and the hat fits Max’s head perfectly (which, let’s be honest, might be next year) #largeheadedchildrenproblems

    Anyways, here is this year’s shot along with our collage of years past, for pinterest-ing (or bawling) purposes. 😉

    Happy Father’s Day to all!

    DAD18lightlogo

     

    fdcollage2018.jpg

    pin me

  • Mama’s Summer Favorites

    Mama’s Summer Favorites

    I feel like I got a collective “enough about the kids” sigh from y’all on instagram…and I know when to take a hint. 😉 Us mamas (and non-mamas) need to pamper ourselves, too. I totally get it! So, I went ahead and rounded up my 10 favorite summer products as promised… and then kept on going and shared some of my favorite summer wardrobe staples as well! Here it is- a glimpse into what’s in my beach bag…and closet!

    enjoy

    bracelets

    Rainbow Tile Bracelets! Love my stack of these. Mine stack is a mix of pricier pieces and knockoffs. Roxanne Assoulin(1) has some beutiful pieces, but they tend to run on the pricier end. You can get the same “rainbow tile” look  HERE and HERE (2) for cheaper! Shashi (3) is my favorite brand for the smaller tile look! Love this set of 12 multi bead bracelets,(4) too! Lastly, here is my L-O-V-E bracelet, (5) also by Shashi! 😉

     

     

    summer products

    Perhaps I should start with my love for this little company called Kopari! I started buying their tub o’ coconut melt, back when that was the only product they carried! Now they have a ton of products- all 100% pure organic coconut oil based; No sulfates. No silicones. No parabens. No GMOs. No toxins- EVER. Let’s just say I want every product this company makes! But here are a few of my favs for summer, along with some others I’m LOVING:

    1. Kopari Coconut Body Oil Spray – Use this in lieu of a lotion. I sprayed myself down with this after the shower every night on vacation and my skin just soaked it on up. Left the prettiest sheen on my skin! For an extra glow/shimmer, I added a layer of the Body Glow (below). And If you aren’t crazy about using oil as moisturizer, the  Kopari Coconut Body Milk  gives you the same “skin drench factor” but with a standard lotion base!
    2. Kopari Coconut Deodorant Stick I can NOT tell you how much I love this little stick. I know it is a deodorant, and I used it as that every morning before hitting up the beach, but I also used it everywhere and anywhere my skin needed some extra moisture. Don’t judge- but my favorite use for this product was to glide it along my bikini line (especially after shaving) so that I didn’t get that terrible bathing suit chafe/razor burn- y’all know what I’m talking about. 😉  It worked like a charm! And as far as underarm odor protection, it worked well. Obviously not as good as your typical/stronger (ahem, chemical-filled) deodorants/antiperspirants from the drug store- but I’m fine with that. I don’t do antiperspirants anyways…but that’s a whole different blog post! 😉
    3. Kopari Coconut Body Glow – This gives your skin the perfect amount of shimmer and glow, if you like that sort of thing. I applied it to my legs before dinner every night while on vacation and tapped a tiny bit on my cheekbones. The perfect summer “highlighter!”
    4. SuperGoop Glo Stick – This little stick is Fan-freaking-tastic! It has the same consistency of the Kopari Deo Stick but WITH SPF! I would apply it over my sunscreen base in the morning and throughout the day anywhere I wanted a little extra (protected) glow! I also love that Supergoop uses clean ingredients and is always oxybenzone, paraben and cruelty-free.
    5. Super Goop SPF Mousse – I recently was sent a sample of this mousse sunscreen and loved it so much I went back and bought the full sized bottle. It’s airy and lighter than a lotion and won’t leave your skin feeling dried out like lots of the sprays will.
    6. Supergoop Acai SPF Lip Balm– I use this lip balm ALL. YEAR. LONG. I love that it keeps my lips protected (especially after I started noticing some sun spots on my lips from my earlier/carefree years!) The Acai flavor is my fav!
    7. Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte– You guys, just click the link and BUY THIS PRODUCT! My sister brought it home from a charity event swag bag for me and now we are both completely hooked. It’s a lightweight, tinted SPF and I’m obsessed. I use it every single day! Also, you won’t find silicones, chemical sunscreens, sensitizing dyes, perfumes, or fragrant essential oils of any kind in Drunk Elephant products. I use their entire skin care line…but again, that’s a different post altogether!
    8. Dior Sugar Scrub“One of these things does not look like the other…one of these things just isn’t the same!” Anyone else remember that Sesame Street song?! Ok, so this product doesn’t fit in with all of my other “synthetic free/all natural” products in this post but I unfortunately LOVE this stuff! It has grains of sugar that exfoliate your lips upon application and then melt away- leaving your lips super soft with the cutest tint of pink. I am not a big lipstick girl, so this slight pinch of color is everything for me! It’s such a great summer product!
    9. Dior Show Waterproof- My all-time, hands-down, favorite mascara ever (thanks to my bestie for giving it to me for my birthday a few years back)!! Only, a waterproof version, because…summer!
    10. Truffle Bags– And what does one use to tote around all of these amazing summer products, you ask? Truffle Bags! I was introduced to these through another beauty blogger and bought one to try it out…then want back and bought a few more. They are adorable, sturdy, slim, and come in all different sizes. I use them for all my travel/packing needs (Did I mention they are TSA approved?!)! They are a little pricey, so maybe start with one and see how much you love them. I’m fully hooked! Here are my favorite sizes for travel:
    • Jetset Case: best for bottles, tech supplies, makeup brushes, jewelry, or anything with more depth to it- like your travel camera! ;)|
    •  Large Clarity Pouch: I use this one for my shampoos, toiletries, and sunscreen
    • Small Flat Clarity Pouch: Think of it like a purse organizer- lipstick, mascara, loose change, etc. It also fits travel sized products.
    •  Large Clutch: perfect for concerts/games when only clear bags are permitted! But it obviously can be used as a organizer as well. I love putting my kindle & charger in this one!

    hats

    1. Floppy Straw Hat | Cheaper Version (in the past, my nice ones always get crushed in my luggage or wet in the water & ruined so I always buy cheapies!)
    2. Fun “Word Play” Wide Brim Hat Just bought this cute cheapie from Old Navy for our Nevis trip. Love the frayed edges!
    3. Straw Panama Hat I love a smaller brimmed hat for when my suit or coverup is a little more tailored/funky or to wear with non-beachy outfits when out exploring.
    4. Plain Baseball Cap (perfect for boat days- less likely to blow away!)

    swim

    God, I just HATE swimsuit shopping! Luckily, I found a few brands that work on my body so I tend to just stick to them. Marysia is definitely my favorite swimsuit brand.  I just think her pieces are timeless and beautiful…but they are super pricey so I get a new one maybe every year or two and fill in with lots of other fun/cheaper brands. This year I got the green one shoulder Marysia I linked below (#2). It’s so gorgeous and totally worth the splurge; I’ll wear it forever! I’ve linked a bunch of my other favorites below as well. Spoiler Alert…I’m a “full-coverage” kinda girl and I like to keep my suits pretty simple and classic so if that’s not for you, keep on scrolling!

    1. Marysia Black Scalloped Halter | Cheaper Versions: one | two
    2. Marysia Green One Shoulder | Cheaper Version: one | two | three
    3. SummerSalt One Shoulder | Cheaper Version: one
    4. Trina Turk Ruffle Shoulder (if most sizes are sold out, try HERE)|Cheaper Options:  one  |  two | three | four
    5. J. McLaughlin Navy Halter
    6. Candy Strand Tankinis (I love the long flutter tops and the cinch bottoms! Check back often bc its a small shop & the cute colors always sell out!)

    coverups

    1 |2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 10 | 11 | 12

    Ok, I’m a complete cover-up hoarder and am ashamed to say that I just bought a bunch of these for our upcoming Greece trip! Also, I love using kimonos as cover-ups and I’m obsessed with how light and airy 6 & 7 are!

    bags2019stars

    I always pack three bag sizes when going on a trip: a large (for carrying our entire family’s stuff to and from the beach), medium (for day time activities) and small (for evening). I carry the large size on the plane and then only need to pack two smaller bags in my luggage!  I LOVE me a neutral-ish beach bag, but also love a fun/colorful clutch as well. Nothing like a crisp white summer dress paired with some heels and a festive clutch for a summer night out!!

    • 1 I brought this one to Nevis and it held up through the entire trip of carrying everything but the kitchen sink! Plus the poms are removable.
    • 2 A smaller version of #1, again- poms are removable!
    • 3 Totally in love with this one! Round bags are so in right now.
    • 4 I got a similar one when we were in St. Barth’s and can’t wait to use it!
    • 5 Ok, I LOVE that Target has put its own spin on this “IT bag” from last year. So cute…and cheap!
    • 6 Ok, this one is a total splurge…but look how cute it is!
    • 7 A Tory Tote, for the more sophisticated beach traveler…but, ummmm it’s 50% OFF you guys! Gah! I want it!!
    • 8 How cute is this little pineapple!
    • 9 I love the little poms!
    • 10 Got this for Greece!
    • 11 I use this one ALL.THE.TIME!
    • 12 We’ve been collecting these Apolis bags from our favorite vacation destinations for a while now- love using them as beach bags and they’re so durable!

    NEW FOR 2019:

    • 13 Absolutely in love with this beaded clutch! It’d be so cute for date night!
    • 14 Ok, I can’t lie….I bought this over the winter one day when I was daydreaming about summer. I Can. Not. Wait. to use it!
    • 14 This is going straight into my cart!
    • 15 Bought this giant yellow one and got to use it for the first time during spring break and let me just say- it is fabulous! Giant, light weight and kid…I mean, waterproof!
    • 16  A great straw tote option!
    • 17 I for sure thought this bag was going to be a one hit wonder, but here it is, back for another season. I love mine so much. My sister bought it for my birthday a few years back and it’s one of my spring/summer favs!
    • 18 This Macrame tote is so gorgeous…and on major FINAL sale!! Someone quick, tell me I don’t need it!!!!!
    • 19 Ok this woven bag is EVERYTHING! The absolute perfect bag for the beach/pool!

    That’s it for now! Happy Summer!

    LoveJordan

     

  • Graduation Books

    Here’s a fun little tradition!  I found the general idea on pinterest years ago and tweaked it for my kiddos!

    The general idea:

    • Chose a book for each child
    • Ask child’s teacher to sign it at the end of each school year
    • Present book to your child at a crucial point in their educational career (8th grade/high school graduation)

     

    The Details:

    Having been a teacher myself, I thought this idea would be so cute to implement when I had my own children. I started when Q was in preschool and so far, I’ve kept up with both her and Ardyn’s books every year.

    I recently shared this idea on my Instagram stories and got so many messages and questions about it, I figured I’d do a mini blog post with all the info!

    Of course, you can tweak this little project to best suit you & your children!

    Here is what I do:

    1. I chose to do a different book for each kid. I started with the quintessential Oh, The places You’ll Go with Q. But then I started seeing other amazing books out there and thought- why not mix it up?
    2. Find a cute instructional poem online (or on etsy) or write one yourself.
    3. I keep these books tucked away in mailing envelopes so the kids don’t see them throughout the year. At the end of the year I send them to school IN the sealed envelope, addressed to the teacher (again, so the kids don’t see). I’m sure one of these years the kids will catch on…but for now I’d like to keep it a secret. (NOTE: Please do not wait until the last day or two of school to ask your child’s teacher to do this. Teachers are super busy at the end of the year and 1. You’ll probably get a rushed messaged 2. it’s annoying)  😉
    4. I plan on doing this as long as possible (goal would be through high school) and giving the book to each child at their high school graduation. Again, once I give Q hers- I’m sure the other two kids will figure they are also getting one…if they haven’t figured it out already. I’m not sure-I haven’t let my brain travel down that road yet. Right now, we’re just focusing on Kindergarten graduation! Ha!

    Notes/Ideas:

    • Add a small school picture from that year next to each teacher’s message. Someone on IG suggested you place the picture on the page you want the teacher to sign! One of Q’s teacher’s did this back in her 4-year-old class and it really is the sweetest touch! You can always go back and add a pic late or provide it with the instructional poem and let the teacher glue it in with their message! It’s really up to you!
    • Maybe “reserve” a special page for yourself/the parents to write on. Front cover, perhaps? I just put a post it note on the page saying “reserved for mom & dad”. You can perhaps write a dedication note before you give it. It’d be super sweet to write a note the year you start it, and then a note the year you finish/give it! Ok…I’m not crying, you are!
    • If your teacher forgets to write the date, make sure you do so, or add the grade level next to each note!
    • It’s never too late to start this fun project so don’t feel like you missed the boat- just start this year!

     

    Books That I Like:

    2018-05-15_0001

    Oh, The Places You’ll Go  | The Knowing Book | Reach for the Stars |Wherever You Go | She Believed She Could, So She Did | I Wish You More | Whatever You Are, Be a Good One | Seuss-isms | Oh, The Thinks You Can Think | Dear Girl,

     

    Instructional Poem:

    I like to print it, laminate it, and paper clip it onto the front of each book! (You Should be able to click and download the links below!)

    teacherF

    Downloadable links:

    BoyVersion 

    GirlVersion

     

    I also LOVE this poem I found on My Sister’s Suitcase (via Pinterest) for an older student! I tweaked it a bit so it could be gender neutral…I hope the original author doesn’t mind! If you’d prefer, you can head to their website and download their his/her versions directly!

    older

    Downloadable Link:

    OlderStudent

  • THE Baby Favorites Post

    THE Baby Favorites Post

    Here it is- finally! The Big Baby Favorites Post I’ve been promising!! I get asked lots of questions on Instagram about my favorite “this” or “that” or get asked to link an item Max is using. SO, I figured it’d just be easier to compile one, big, easy-to-navigate blog post with ALL the information I could think of! Now you can come back and reference it, or shop anytime you want!

    A few things to note: this list is not a comprehensive registry check list, but instead a list of my personal favorite baby gear and products that I’ve discovered or used along the way! If I’ve left anything off, that you were really hoping for, please let me know! I did have some requests for favorite clothing shops and for baby toys/activities but I think for clothing just check out my instagram posts, I usually tag the shops I buy from! And I think “activities” apply more to older babies/toddlers and that’s going to have to be a separate post, seeing as how this one is already a full encyclopedia!

    I’ve divided everything in categories below and you can shop/explore one of two ways:

    1. By clicking the corresponding numbers under each collage    OR

    2. By reading the “details” section under each collage and clicking the links found there!

    I hope you find this post helpful!

    enjoy

    2018-05-08_0002

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

    Feeding Details:

    Boppy Covers- I love these beautiful linen covers by Madly Wish. The colors are so pretty and I never felt like my boppy was an eyesore when I left it out on the couch after nursing (which was always). They are soft and easy to clean. Max still uses his to drink his bottles! And guess what? They have so graciously offered to give you 20% off with code: JORDAN!!

    Oxo Bibs- There are SO many cute bib options out there so let me tell you why I love these: The top is soft (so it’s not a big ring-o-rubber around babies neck) but the bottom (where the food falls) is the durable silicone, so it’s easy to wipe clean. Also, there is a little pocket down at the bottom of the bib to catch spills and crumbs. For the life of me, I can’t understand why all bibs don’t have these little pockets! Of course, I’m talking about bibs for when your baby starts eating food- not for just “milk bibs”. My fav cloth “milk bibs” are from Copper Pearl! Use code PEARL10 for 10% off Copper Pearl goodies!!

    Spoons & bowls- Love Avanchy. I also love that they now have stainless steel options!

    Bottles- I LOVE Como Tomo so much! We tried every brand of bottle for our fussy/colic babies and this brand has been our favorite we’ve found in 7 years! I love that they are silicone and squishy. They are super easy for baby to hold/squeeze and super easy to clean (the mouth is so wide, you can literally stick your whole hand in there to clean them!) I also appreciate that these bottles are only TWO pieces to clean as opposed to a million pieces, like many of the other “colic preventing” bottles on the market! (Stay tuned for a fun giveaway with Como Tomo coming soon!)

    Bottle Drying Rack– We found this one was small and sleek enough for the kitchen counter and still had lots of room for several bottles and tops to dry at one time. Bonus points- if you use como tomo, your bottles only have two pieces that you need to hang! 😉

    Formula- I don’t want to start a debate or go into detail here but let’s just say- I’ve done my fair share of research on baby formulas. I had grand plans to breastfeed all my babes for a long period of time, but my cards played out differently for each baby and I had to learn to go with the flow & remember that “Fed is best”! We’re all just doing the best we can! That being said, when I had to go the formula route pretty early on with Ardyn, I did extensive research. I looked into ingredients in mass marketed formulas and made lists and spreadsheets. No formula is perfect, but these are the ones I have used. Baby’s Only is my favorite, but it is marketed as a “Toddler Formula” so it apparently has extra macro & micro nutrients in it. Be sure to check with your pediatrician before using.

    • First Choice: Baby’s Only Organic (I buy mine at Whole Foods. They have several options so please look at the ingredients in each and determine which specific formula of theirs is right for your baby. I linked the one I used.)
    • Second Choice: Happy Baby Organic (they have different stages for different ages, so make sure you buy the correct one!)

    Food- I made all the kids’ baby food for the first few months. But, then I switched over to pre-packaged when good ol’ life got in the way of whipping up batches of pureed carrots every week. Here are some brands that I like:

    • Happy Baby Pouches I love that the packages are clear and that the ingredients are organic and minimal. Certified USDA Organic; Non-GMO Project Verified; Gluten Free; Kosher; No added sugars or artificial flavors!
    • Nurture Life is a weekly meal delivery service that sends you fresh, wholesome, organic baby foods with several different “stages” to choose from. Use code JORDAN for $30 off your first order!

    High Chair Bloom Fresco I know it’s (very!) pricey but we’ve had this same highchair for SEVEN years and it still looks good as new! The best part is- you can change out the seat cover color & buy spare parts off their website as things start looking like they need to be refreshed over the years. Plus it reclines & acts as a sort of “baby cradle” for those early months and then transforms with the baby as they grow. If this is your last babe, you may not want to make the investment, but if you are just getting started having babies- this high chair is highly recommended to last you through the years!

    sleeping

    Shop 1 | 2 |3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

    Sleeping Details:

    Binkies – I loved this brand so much, even though Max decided early on that he wasn’t a binky-boy. 😦

    Gowns & Footed Pjs – Kickeepants will forever hold a special place in my heart and JUST when I thought it wasn’t possible to love them anymore, they went and came out with zippered pjs. Also, their newborn gowns are ESSENTIAL for those first few months. They make those middle of the night diaper changes SO much easier!

    Sound Machine – My kids have always loved the “ocean” sound for their white noise at night and I love how compact this one is for travel.

    Baby Shusher– This thing is AWESOME! We used it mostly as an on-the-go sound machine- on airplanes, in his stroller, carseat, etc.

    Monitor– The Nanit is my favorite monitor we’ve ever used. It comes with your choice of a stand or a wall mount and it watches your baby from above. It connects with your phone and can alert you when there is sound/movement or when the temperature in the room is out of range. It tracks your baby’s sleep patterns and how many times you go in to soothe at night. It gives you a live feed as well as “recap” videos, insights, and activity summaries. You can sign up for a $10/month plan and get emails with full breakdowns of your child’s sleep habits and it gives you sleep training tips based on the activity it has gathered from the month. This thing is BOMB! My favorite part is when Ryan and I are out on a date night, I can open the app in my phone and watch a live feed of Max snoozing away! Also, the other night, our NEST thermostat went a little haywire and the Nanit alerted me immediately that the temperature in Max’s room had dropped below optimal temperature. We went in to check and his little fingers were so chilly! No wonder he wasn’t sleeping well!

    Swaddles: Ok, I’m breaking this up into two categories, muslin swaddles and non-muslin swaddles. MY muslin favs are the “deluxe” ones from Little Unicorn Official. The “deluxe or bamboo” ones are the softest of the bunch and are SUPER lightweight- and the designs are SO cute! Max loves to snuggle with these and Ardyn still sleeps with all 500 of hers.|My non-muslin favorites, hands-down are the stretchy blankets from Copper Pearl. They are soft like butter and are SO good for getting a nice snug swaddle! We have quite the collection of these! Don’t forget to use code PEARL10 for 10% off Copper Pearl goodies!!

    Sleep Sack- I’ve tried them all. These are my absolute favorite and I shouldn’t be surprised because they are by my fav pj brand, Kickee Pants. Max uses his every night and literally cuddles right into it the second we put it on him. It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt and I’m working on getting them to make one in my size…

    Bassinet – I loved this Monte Design Bassinet because it was sleek looking and was going in our bedroom. (Call me crazy but I’m not a huge fan of big plastic/brightly colored baby gear all over my house.) Also, the small Dock-a-tot fit perfectly inside and so did our Plum and Sparrow Moses basket. (I also always loved the Moba Baskets too!) Anyways, this bassinet was so great for those early months. I’ve passed it down to my sister because it’s just so beautiful and I NEED to see another baby in it! If you’re looking for a cheaper option- this Halo Bedside Bassinet is pretty awesome too! Or if you love the look of the rocker bassinet- THIS one is a really nice cheaper option!

    Pack & Play – Loved this Nuna Sena play yard. We kept Max in our room beyond the point of him outgrowing his bassinet. This was a great transition crib. It has an higher insert for smaller babies and was super easy to fold up and put down. We still have it and use it if we are traveling to a friend’s house for dinner, or a day at the pool and we need a place for him to nap or play safely.

    Air Sense Air Purifier This allows you to monitor and purify the air in baby’s room. “By detecting temperature, humidity, and harmful elements in the air—such as carbon monoxide, methane and ammonia—this smart air purifier releases negative ions and alerts you of indoor air quality using a free app. Two-way audio speakers connect to your Wi-Fi to play music or a recording of your voice to help soothe baby, while customizable light colors provide entertainment and sleep therapy.” This is by no means a “must-have” unless you are up all night worrying about baby like me. If so, this thing just gives you extra peace of mind.

     

     

    onthego

    Shop 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

    On-The-Go Details:

    Cybex Carseat & Stroller System- I can’t say enough about this car seat! My only complaint was that it was heavy- but in my experience most of the car seats with the highest safety ratings tend to be a bit heavier. My favorite feature of this car seat was that it can fully recline when hooked onto the stroller base or out of the car. Perfect for turning your upright car seat stroller into more of a bassinet stroller and I loved it for when Max fell asleep in the car; I could transfer him into the house, recline the seat and not worry about him being all scrunched up! Go check it out and read up on it yourself!

    Side Note: Can I just say, even though we didn’t buy it, I’m slightly obsessed with the idea of the Doona carseat/stroller. It’s a carseat that transforms into a little stroller- it’s one piece, you guys. ONE!

    Diaper Bag & Organizer – If you saw my IG stories you will know that this duo is a match made in “diaper bag” heaven!

    Travel Stroller | cheaper version – I LOVE the Pockit for travel because it is so light & folds up so small you can put it in the overhead compartment of the airplane! They just came out with a new version that reclines and has a rounded hood! I’ve linked them both!

    Nursing cover/ Carseat cover/ Shopping Cart Cover – Copper Pearl is my Favorite!  I still use my covers for high chairs and shopping carts for Max ! Use code PEARL10 for 10% off any Copper Pearl goodies!!

    Binxy Baby– Shopping Cart Hammock. Takes up so much less room than the huge carseats in the back of the cart..so you can actually fit, you know- groceries! I LOVED this, but unfortunately Max is too big for it now. I’d say this really only lasts until your baby can sit up and/or roll over.

    Wagon- Carting around a whole family? Heading to the zoo, beach, or a million soccer games?! This Keenz wagon is LIFE! It folds up, has a fold down storage compartment that fits it’s very own insulated mini cooler, it has an attachable canopy that has fold down panels on each side, and even cup holders and phone storage! If you need to see more, go check out my “shop” highlight reel on IG. This wagon is life-changing! Totally replaces any “double stroller” needs for us! BONUS: Use code JORDAN18 for a discount! (They are restocking more colors next week!)

    Baby Carriers-

    • Favorite Sling- Sakura Bloom super comfy & easy to get baby in & out!
    • Favorite Wrap- Solly Baby (takes a minute to learn to tie but then its super easy!)
    • Favorite heavy duty carrier- Ergo Baby wore this one for hikes or long hauls!

     

     

    play

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

    Playtime Details:

    Play Gym- This is a fun little toy for when baby is still laying down but is grabbing and chewing on toys. It’s great for when you need a few minutes to shower, do laundry, etc. Max even played with it once he learned to sit up. I liked how it wasn’t an eyesore to have around the house and that you could strap different toys onto it! Max lost interest in this around the time that he started crawling.

    Jumper- This was a big hit once Max could sit up on his own. It’s great for leg muscle strengthening . I prefer this kind, where the baby’s feet touch the actual floor, as opposed to the jumpers with the plastic tray bottoms. I think it gives the baby more control over the bounce & movement.

    Bounce Chair- Max loved this chair in his early months. I loved the sleek design and how it bounced itself with the slightest movement from Max.

    Stuffed Animals- BlaBla & Jelly Cat ! All of my kids have loved these two brands. My girls still sleep with theirs from when they were babies to this day! And I’m SO excited to share that BlaBla has offered you guys a 15% off code!!!! Just use JORDANCO15 at checkout! K, bye…I’m off to shop!

    Books – Even the smallest babies can be read to and BabyLit books are my fav because the pictures are bright and colorful and the text is so simple and direct. Max still loves to look through these books together!

    Toys/Rattles Babies don’t really need a ton of “toys” but as they start gripping and chewing, I do prefer toys made of natural/organic materials for them to have in their mouths 24/7. The Tot and Banner Toys are two of my fav shops for finding  fabulous and safe chew toys and rattles! Great News: Bannor Toys is giving you guys an exclusive discount! Use code JORDAN10 until 5/31 for 10% off! (excludes bannor boxes, limited toys, and furniture)

     

     

    diapering

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

    Diapering Details:

    Wipes- I’ve been using these Water Wipes since the day they came out and I’ve never looked back! They are 99.9% water with a drop of fruit extract. Can’t get purer than that!

    Babyganics Diapers- I’m all about the organic diapers. Diapers actually contain lots of junky chemicals and they are the one product that is touching your baby’s most sensitive skin 24/7. So, I go organic- just a personal preference. Another fav are the Seventh Generation brand. I waver between the two when I’m out shopping!

    Diaper Cream- Honest brand is my fave because of the low EWG rating (1) and because it actually works. In “tough” rash cases, we use Baby Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength because of the high level of zinc oxide. I also love mixing coconut oil with a few drops of frankincense essential oil for a homemade rash salve.

    Bum Spatula- If you don’t own one of these, click this link and buy 50 right now. Ok, maybe not 50, but enough for every diaper change station in your house. And one for your car and one for your diaper bag! These are diaper cream applicators. No more messy fingers…in places they don’t need to be! This little tool is washable and has a suction cup bottom so you can secure it in place without making a huge mess between applying cream and finishing the diaper change!

    Hatch Baby Changing Pad AND Scale! I wanted this SO badly for Max but we just didn’t spring for it. How cool would it be to be able to track your baby’s growth at home!? This is from the website: “the smart scale records baby’s weight and sends the results to your smartphone app. The app also tracks how many diaper changes baby is getting, so you can share with your pediatrician and see if baby is getting enough to eat at each feeding!”

    Dekor Hands Free Diaper Pail – I forget what we had before this one, but I felt like it always stunk! I’ve never had that issue with this one. So it gets a thumbs up from me! Don’t forget your biodegradable pail refills!

    Gathre Changing Pad– We have one of these sweet little leather mats in the living room and in my diaper bag! I also keep one in the back of my car for emergency changes!

     

     

    bath

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

    Bathing Details:

    Baby Shampoo & Lotions – I’m a bit of a nut about safe ingredients in products- both mine and my kids! Tubby Todd has been my favorite for years now. The shampoos and bubble baths are gentle enough for the newest skin and they smell amazing as well! Their line has expanded so much since I first started using them, and now they have conditioner and detangler which I still use on my girls!

    Bath support – I’ve tried all the bath supports- from the puj tub to the big flower cushion thing…and this one is my fav! I love it because it fit in my sink, was easy to clean (and dry!) AND once Max got bigger, I could also use it in our big bath tub!

    For babies who are sitting up, but still slipping and sliding around a big bath tub, this Summer Infant anchored bath seat is pretty cool!

    Baby Bath Towels- Can I just say, as a mom who has done this three times…skip the fancy hooded baby towels (or get one or two if you must), the regular towels you already own work just as good. Excess “baby specific” towels are just a waste of money. If you really want to get one for those early newborn days, I loved this Hands free Puj Infant Towel.

    Bath Caddy– I used this one from Amazon to keep my Tubby Todd products, a few washcloths, and 1-2 baby bath toys in. I kept it stocked and ready for bath time.

    Bath Toys for Baby- They don’t need much when they are tiny, just a few things to grab and chew on. Toys for older kids will need to wait for another post. But in general I stick with simple, mold/mildew free bath toys. Here are a few of my favorites for babies: ducks | color changing bath book |boats

    Drain Cover- I’ve used this Boon Starfish since Q was a baby. Works in the sink & tub.

     

     

     

    sunscreen

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5| 6 | 7

    Sunscreen Details:

    Ok, this one’s a doozy. But, summer is upon us and there’ve been multiple requests for my favorite, most trusted sunscreens, so here’s my two cents:

    There is such a great debate about sunscreen danger vs UV danger. I get both sides and am aware and have a healthy, respectful fear of the dangers of both. I guess it boils down to this- I try to use barrier protection (hats, UV rashguard swim suits, sunglasses, and shade) as my first method of protecting my kids from the sun. But of course, they also need sunscreen. So, by now we all know that I’m super picky about safe ingredients when it comes to the products I buy and put on my family. Amplify that pickiness by 100 when it comes to sunscreen. Sunscreen has some of the MOST dangerous and most toxic ingredients and reading about it makes my skin crawl.  I try to follow EWG guidelines as often as possible with all products, but especially sunscreen. EWG (Environmental Working Group) rates each product on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the safest and 10 being the most toxic. It also gives you a list of each ingredient in the product, rates each ingredient, and tells you why it could be a potential toxin OR why it is safe. I love this site and actually have the app on my phone for easy access and for scanning products when I’m out shopping! I also always try to read up on the “Best Sunscreens of the Year” lists they put out annually. If you want to read a bit more about sunscreen safety, HERE is another article for you. But if you just want to know my favorites (based on the guidelines of both articles), here they are:

    And here’s the deal, we’re “not supposed to use sprays”. But let’s be honest…it happens. (With me anyways-especially on busy beach trips!). So here’s what I do. I look for the spray cans made by any of the above brands. Most of them are rated a “3” Which, in my opinion isn’t terrible for something you aren’t planning on using every single solitary day. A few of my fav spray brands with the best ratings that I’ve used are:

    Note: When using these more “natural” sunscreens it is KEY to apply generously and frequently- especially when you are out in the sun all day and/or swimming!

    *And since this post is all about BABIES- Please make sure you check with your pediatrician to see when you are allowed to start applying sunscreen on your baby. Most doctors don’t advise slathering on sunscreen before 6 months of age. More on that HERE.

     

     

     

    monthly

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3

    Monthly Marker Details:

    • You ALL know my absolute number one favorite are the numbered onesies by my girl Jen at Swanky Shank. She does SUCH a good job and they are customizable so you can get them in basically any color felt/onesie you want! And Woo-Hoo, use code FRIEND10 for 10% off!!
    • Another Fun option for monthly pics are these cool monthly milestone chalkboards  by Chalk Designs by Me. Use the code JORDAN10 for 10% off!
    • And I’ve always loved these milestone blankets from Batz Kids. They have so many different styles to choose from and they are just the sweetest! Use code JORDAN15 for 15% off- but HURRY code is only active for 48 hours!

     

     

    BabySafety

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |6 |7 |8

    Baby Safety Details:

    Can I just start by saying that if it’s in the budget, I HIGHLY recommend hiring a professional baby-proofer to come do this job. I thought it was going to be insanely expensive but you can have them do as much or as little as you want. For us, we had him lock all the cabinets/drawers downstairs, secure a few pieces of furniture to the walls, and cover the fire place. (We already had baby gates on the stairs!) It took all the worry out of wondering if we had done it right or covered all of our bases! If you or your hubby are extra handy & want to do it yourself, here are some products we love & use!!

    Cabinet/Drawer locks: Magnet Key | Push Latch Both have pros/cons. We wound up mixing it up in our house. Super “dangerous” cabinets (i.e. cabinets with cleaners or lots of products or medicines, etc.) and cabinets we don’t go into very often (aka the tv boxes and electrical av gear) all got the magnet locks. I thought I would HATE these and lose the magnet keys day one- but I actually love them so much- they were SO easy to install (I installed all of these myself!)…and here’s a little tip for storing your key….they stick right to your metal outlet covers! We keep our “kitchen key” right on one of the outlets on the kitchen counter! The push latches are great for drawers and cabinets that don’t have dangerous items and are places you need to get into 25 million times a day & don’t have time to grab a key to open (like kids dishes, cups, pots/pans, etc.) I call these the “annoyance factor” locks as opposed to “safety factory” locks! 😉

    Furniture & TV securing belts: super important and something I think often gets overlooked in baby proofing! We secured any tvs that weren’t on wall mounts and extra tall or heavy furniture (think dressers and bookshelves…which kids see as ladders!)

    Outlet covers : Love that these work OVER anything you have plugged in! And don’t forget your standard plug in covers for those unused outlets.

    Fireplace Cover: This was “the beaut” that our baby-proofer put over our fireplace. It’s ugly as sin but it keeps Max from grabbing the tiny (choking hazard) stones that are in there & it’s pressure mounted so super easy to remove if you have guests over or want to light a fire! Be sure to measure your fireplace opening first!

    Toilet Seat Locks: I like these because they don’t require adhesive.

    Stair Baby Gates: I think this is SUCH a case-by-case situation. For our house, we have dark wood floors and wrought iron spindles so I wanted a gate that was dark & would blend in. I suggest matching your spindles when selecting a baby gate for your stairs. Also, consider your stair opening. The top of our stairs is pretty standard, but the base of our steps is super wide. We actually found this gate: North States Super Gate that worked perfectly for the bottom of our steps. It comes in white as well. For the top we used a standard sized baby gate. Both are screw in…because you don’t want to mess around with stairs. Especially tall, hardwood stairs like ours! But if you’d rather not screw into your nice banisters, they sell these awesome ADAPTERS now! So cool!!

    Here’s another tip: on the top of your stairs avoid the gates that have the bar at the bottom. These are SO dangerous and are such tripping hazards- both for kiddos and for anyone who may be carrying babies down the stairs. Instead, get a SWING GATE like THIS ONE that bolts to your walls/beams and swings open…no bar at the base!

    Regular Baby Gates: For baby gates around the house (like to keep Max out of a certain hallway of our house) I go pressure mounted gate all the way! No need to put holes in the walls for something that isn’t going to be a permanent fixture! I love THIS ONE because the size is adjustable with extensions and I love the auto close feature!!

    Chokeable Items: Ok, this is a tricky one because it’s two-fold process for us: it’s about controlling new toys/items that come into the house and also trying to sort through old toys/items that you already have lying around! So, for ALL new toys that come into our house, I go through the packaging and remove any choking hazards before giving them to the girls. These tiny pieces get tossed or get put in special storage (more on that below). It’s easy(ish) to control new items that come into your house, but it’s hard to sort through the massive piles & bins of toys that you already have! So here’s what I did: I trained my girls to find “chokeables” and bring them to me. I’m not kidding! Ardyn was doing it the DAY we brought Max home from the hospital! I swear, train your older kiddos and they will be your biggest helpers in finding random chokables around the house. If need be, keep little smarties or m&m candies and tell the bigger kids they get one every time they bring you a chokable they find. You’ll be shocked at what they find, ahem…what you missed! 😉

    Of course, sweeping your house for choking hazard items doesn’t mean your big kids can’t play with their smaller pieced toys anymore- it just means (in our house, anyways) that these toys/games are stored up high and are items that the girls need to get permission before playing with…which isn’t a problem because they can’t reach them anyways! Ha! This applies to small legos, LOL dolls, Barbie shoes & accessories, games with small playing pieces, etc. When the girls come and ask to play one of those things, I take them down, set them up at a table where Max cannot reach and I supervise play. Here are some of our favorite storage bins for chokeable toys! ONE | TWO

     

     

    gifts

    Shop 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

    Extras & Gift Ideas Details:

    KiwiCo Newborn Pack – Such a cute and easy gift idea! All these sweet newborn items delivered right to your (or your recipient’s) door! Stay tuned for an awesome giveaway on my IG coming soon!

    Paci Clips from Madelines’s Box are super cute for keeping those binkies clipped on to your baby! Use code JM25 for a discount, valid until 7/10/18

    Don’t underestimating buying clothes/pjs in a bigger size (for your baby or as a gift item) There’s nothing like getting to six months and realizing your baby no longer fits in any of the newborn stuff you hoarded like a pack rat!

    “First Bows” for baby girls – Zozu Baby and Ellia May Designs are two of my favs and they both have really cute “It’s a Girl” free bow gifting programs! ZoZu Baby even has little man bow ties for those baby boys! AND Discount codes for everyone!!! Use code JORDAN20 (at both ZoZu & Ellia May Designs) for 20%!!

    Miracle Milkookies deliver yummy lactation cookies to new mamas. Right now they are local to Dallas, TX but they have a nationwide launch happening this summer- YAY!     Use code JORDANANDCO for 25% off your first order!

    A beautiful baby book- I ADORE this Birthday Letters journal. I do birthday letters for my babes in generic journals I picked up but I would’ve loved to have had them collected in a beautiful book like this!

    Cute Organic Teethers are always a cute gift topper! Tip: When the sole purpose of an item is for a baby to put it in his/her mouth and chew on it…I always go organic/natural !

    Beautiful Personalized Stationary from Shop Joy Creative. It may seem funny to give a tiny baby stationary, but I promise it will come in handy- for those early thank you cards and as they grow throughout their first year! I LOVE my stationary for Max and use it often! Use code JORDAN20 for a discount!!

    Personalized Wooden Toy from Banner Toys are so beautiful AND last forever! Don’t forget about your discount code: JORDAN10 until 5/31 for 10% off! (excludes bannor boxes, limited toys, and furniture)

    I love gifting a pair of Kickee Pants pjs with a cute stuffed animal or book. Kickee Pants now has their own stuffed animals, books, AND wrapping supplies based on their fabric prints. How cool is that?!!? Use the exclusive code: YAY for 15% off all Kickee Pants Press products- expires 5/13 so hurry, hurry!

    If there are big siblings involved it’s always nice to get them a little something too. I’ll never forget how happy it made the girls when visitors brought even just a tiny something for them to say “congrats on becoming a big sister!” I love THIS Art Set for a gender neutral idea!

    For a few other fun baby gifting ideas see THIS post!

     

     

    no

    Things we didn’t use but others swear by:

    1| The Dock-aTot– As soon as Max could roll over he was a tummy sleeper, so that made the Dock unusable for us…even though we had one! I was SO sad!! Also, we travel a lot and didn’t want Max to develop a sleep dependency and then have to travel with it everywhere we went. That being said, so many of my friends SWEAR by theirs AND travel with them everywhere they go.

    2 |The Owlet– We bought one and tried using it but it set off so many false alarms, I found myself to be a nervous wreck all the time thinking something was terribly wrong. We stopped using it and had Max sleep in his bassinet (and then a pack & play as he grew) next to us, in our bedroom, for probably much longer than we should’ve. But again, I have friends and doctors who absolutely swear by these monitors! 😉

    3 |Baby Brezza- For those of you who don’t know, this thing is like a Keurig for Baby Formula. Ok, here’s the deal with this product: we had a friend sell us hers when Max started transitioning over to formula and it was GENIUS! I was hooked immediately. It mixes your formula one bottle at a time and serves it at room temp all at the touch of a button. Now, if you breastfeed you obviously don’t need this and I didn’t need it until recently. It really was a game changer & made the transition so much easier. BUT. It says to clean it regularly- which I did. However, one day I was trying to fix something that wasn’t working properly and when the insides opened up it was filled with mold. I threw up, I cried, I called the doctor immediately. I was thoroughly disgusted. SO. I’m not sure what went wrong here- because I’m a neat-freak/germaphobe and cleaned it regularly, per the instructions. It could’ve been a fluke, but I was completely turned off from this product so I won’t even link it here.

    4 |The Beebo – We bought one. Don’t ask me why. But never used it once. Maybe you can try it and let me know what I was missing?

    5 |Newborn Mittens and Pee TeePees (for little boys)- bought both, never used either! We opted for the Kickee Pants pjs with the fold over hand mitts instead.

    6| Amber Necklaces for teething. I just never really got into these little guys. I think maybe the potential choking hazard freaked me out? I don’t know. I know LOTS of people who use them and say they are amazing but I guess my kiddos were just never really bad enough teethers to warrant getting one.