Tag: Mums

How to Relax Your Mind and Body? | 7 Precious Pampering Ideas for Moms

Sometimes things go immensely busy for moms with kids. It’s really easy for moms to get pulled into work and kid’s responsibilities, it can be quite overwhelming and exhausting so it’s important to recognize when it’s time to step back and recharge your emotional and mental tank. During hectic times, the best thing you can do for yourself is to pull back and spend some ‘me time’ with yourself alone. Check out these 7 pampering ideas for moms!

Relaxing music and candles

Setting the right ambiance makes all the difference when pampering yourself. Lighting up your favourite scented candle and putting your favourite relaxing music or song can really step up the mood. 

Skincare routine / facemask

Moms are always doing a hundred and one things and nothing on that list is for themselves. They tend to forget to take good care of their skin, so catching up with your skincare routine is a crucial step. 

Remove all of your makeup with an oil-based cleanser and then follow up with a liquid cleanser to get rid of the excess oils, dirt and makeup residue. Steam your face for 10 minutes to open and cleanse pores. After steaming your face, start exfoliating your face to remove dead skin. Then Follow up with deep moisturizing and calming face mask to keep your skin hydrated. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water and apply your regular moisturizer, lip balm, and eye cream. Consider purchasing a CBD facial serum to plump your skin and keep it looking spa-fresh longer. When choosing a serum for your skin, make sure that it contains squalane and retinol. The squalane provides moisture to the skin, mimicking natural human sebum keeping it supple, clear and healthy-looking, and the retinol has very powerful anti-aging properties which can reduce the appearance of aging including fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production.

Run a hot bath

Running after the kids all day is a tiring job so a hot bath will definitely soothe your tired and aching muscles. Mothers tend to get less sleep especially new moms so taking a hot bath will improve your sleep, lower blood sugar, and blood pressure, it reduces anxiety and also decreases migraines and headaches. By turning your bathroom into a mini-spa with soothing instrumental music, placing flowers around the tub and scented candles, you want to fully relax your senses and enjoy your bath experience. You can also scatter some bath salts into the water which helps to promote blood circulation and aids alleviate muscle tension and inflammation. Following a long soak in the bath, give your body a good scrub using a body mitt for deep exfoliation and then follow up with a long massage, using your favourite body oil. 

Wear something comfortable

After a long day of running after the kids, doing housework and more work responsibilities, you must unwind and what a better way to unwind than changing to something comfortable. You must allow your body to feel free without restriction so putting on a fresh set of comfy clothes. the first thing that comes across my mind when the word comfy pops up is PJ’s so putting your favourite set of pyjamas, lounge around the house as comfortable as possible. Silk pyjamas are recommended because it keeps you warm when you are cold and cool when you are hit. 

Herbal tea

Nothing can beat a naturally caffeine-free, herbal tea after your bath, it will definitely relax and calm your mind. Herbal teas have many beneficial properties: it improves digestion and boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, relieves stress and anxiety plus it’s great for healthy young-looking skin. 

Tempted to give a herbal tea a try for yourself? If so, why not invest in a herbal tea infused with kava. There is a lot of research out there to suggest that kava-infused teas can support sleep, and even relieve anxiety, depression, and muscle tension. Accordingly, you can learn more about some of the different potential benefits of kava by doing some research on websites such as https://kavaguides.com/ for instance.

Paint your nails

Getting your nails done can make you feel on top of the world, so why not go out and choose a pretty nail varnish in a colour you love or maybe go all out and try a bold colour that you haven’t tried before. Why not? Oh yeah and don’t forget about your toes! You can also give your hands and feet a good massage. 

Writing your thoughts

Moms are usually busy and have a lot on their plates to think about and that’s why it’s really important to start writing regularly. It gives you a time to reflect back on your thoughts, feelings and things your grateful for and putting it on the page will provide an outlet for what’s on your mind. 

Make Your Own She Shed

We all know what man caves are—peaceful spots where guys can gather, relax, enjoy action movies, play video games and grab a few beers away from kids and wives. We will not tackle the problematic nature of man caves, but just ask this one question: “Who allowed men to monopolize that”? Most women would love some alone-time or girl time with friends to relax, recuperate and spend time on their hobbies. So, women, forget about man caves and get on board with she sheds! Want to know more about this new thing just for girls? Here’s how you can design your own she shed and make your man super jealous.

Dedicate a spot to your shed

While man caves usually take over the basement or car garage, she sheds are all about the natural environment. If you have a large garden, you won’t have any trouble finding a nice secluded spot for your shed—just look for a spot that’s surrounded with trees, grassy plants and vines. The greenery will give you a gorgeous view and allow you to enjoy your space both when you’re inside and outside. You can also bring nature inside, with your decoration, but if you find a good spot surrounded by plants, you’ll achieve that coveted fairy tale vibe!

Make a list of priorities

Before you even start thinking about your shed and the décor, you need to make a list of priorities. If you’re planning to spend your time in the she shed reading, watching movies with your girlfriends of DIY, you’ll definitely need electricity. If you want to use it for morning yoga and evening meditation, you’ll need good noise insulation and plenty of natural light. Think about how you’re planning to use your space and make a good list of things your shed must contain. This way, you’ll get to choose the right size and shape for your shed.

Build your shed

Garden Shed

You can renovate your unused garage or do some work on a utility shed. Remember that your space doesn’t have to be super huge, especially if you want to use it for relaxation and solo you-time. If you don’t have a space to claim, you can check the internet to find a perfect shed for you and your needs. Today you can find all sorts of sizes and styles of sheds, so find something that will give you enough space for your activities and provide you with comfort. Most new sheds are very easy to erect and customize, so you’ll not have any problems with this step.

Start decorating

Once you have the space ready, you can start the fun part, decorating! This step allows you to be as creative as you want and add touches of coziness, practicality and personality. Start with repainting the space and giving it that homey feel that will inspires you to work and motivates you to relax and unwind. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on new furniture and decoration, you can hit yard sales and thrift shops and find amazing items with plenty of character.

Boost comfort

She sheds are all about comfort, so consider this: get an L-shaped sofa and cover it with fluffy soft pillows and make space for a bean bag or two to accommodate your all friends. If your space is tiny, you can go very tropical and choose to install a hammock. Cozy blankets and warm rugs are a must, especially if you’re aiming for a very chic, Boho vibe. Put a small central table near, so you can always have your cocktails and remote at arm’s length. How does Netflix and nap sound to you?

Give it personality

Your she shed needs to reflect your personality, so give it some style. If you’re outdoorsy, build a little patio and some outdoor furniture for catching the sun. If you love gardening, fill the space with your fave plants and flora-inspired decoration. No matter what you choose, you’ll certainly find some accessories that will complement that space.

Don’t neglect safety

Finish off with a few safety features. Add a smoke detector, ensure your wiring is safe and your roof is in top shape. After all, your she shed should be a place of relaxation and comfort—you don’t want to find yourself worrying about the security of your things and your visitors.

Once you’re done with design and decoration, it’s time to enjoy your private piece of heaven. Who says men should have all the fun? You deserve to relax and unwind from time to time, no matter if you’re an aspiring businesswoman or a stay-at-home mom.

New Year Resolutions Every Mom Should Think About

With 2018 just around the corner, December is usually a month of hectic Christmas and New Year’s Eve planning.

We’re willing to bet that between getting your kids ready for their daily activities, tending to the household, your own job and prepping food, you don’t have much time left to take a breather and reflect on the past year.

And if that’s the case, then we offer seven resolutions you should consider fulfilling starting this January 1st. Make it your credo, your new mantra, a promise to yourself.

Sleep is NOT for the weak

“You can nap when your kid naps” is probably the biggest pile of baloney parents utter. Their kids are either the soundest of sleepers, or they just try to mask the suffering of unslept nights. Most of us wait for the youngest ones to fall asleep so we can tend to other things in the house we can’t do while they’re up. But in 2018, try to slow down your tempo. Leave some things unfinished to catch those half hour worth of Z’s. The world won’t end, even if you think otherwise.

More dates

Remember those? Remember the time when you and your significant other could just go to a dinner and a movie, or just walk down the park and eat those delicious hot dogs in the cool night air? Yeah, me neither. Like an unwritten rule, your love life (and sex!) take a back seat when the kids arrive. But whether you’re a new mom or a true veteran matriarch, fighting to rekindle the fire with your significant other never stops. Do yourself a favor starting this January, and hire a sitter at least once every two weeks to go on a date night.

Sex

Another whopping topic on our list is every mom’s sex life once family cuts in. We tend to neglect intimacy simply due to exhaustion and the lack of mental stimuli (there is nothing stimulating about overdue projects, long work hours or heaps of laundry and kids’ homework). Try and include tiny little signs of affection (such as dirty texts, exchange looks and simply be gentle with each other), and see how you slowly build the much-needed attraction back up.

More you time

By “you time” we don’t mean necessarily going shopping or out clubbing with your girlfriends (although those are welcome, too!) You time can also include reading a good book, watching that movie that’s been collecting dust on your Netflix list, paint your nails, or take a bath. Not only will you feel better, but it’ll also allow for your mind to recalibrate. Be honest with yourself – how long ago did you start forgetting about all that needs to be done throughout the day? This might be just what the doctor ordered to remedy the issue.

Treat yourself

Once a month, just once a month at least, designate a day when you will pamper yourself in full. Visit a cosmetic surgery clinic and get that makeover you’ve been dreaming of the past few years. Or go take a day off at the spa. Buy that small haul of new clothes without guilt – the world is your oyster! This 2018 is the perfect year to work more towards being the best woman you can be, and not only a mom.

Focus on the important

Going down the lane of „always remember everything“ will ultimately drive you insane. We’re expected to keep everything in our head: know where everyone’s socks are, which shelf the cereals are on, if those bananas in the fridge are still good (like they can’t tell themselves!), and much more. Storing a lot of irrelevant information will start to push out the relevant ones, and lead you quicker to exhaustion. So start designating who remembers what around the house, so that you can spend more time focusing on what’s really important.

Reflect

Last, but not least, reflect. Think back on the entire year, and what you’ve achieved. Where could you have done better? What could you have done differently? What was the proudest moment of 2017, and how can you get more of those moments in 2018? Spend more time with your family even before New Year’s Eve, and appreciate them, flaws and all. ‘Tis the season to be grateful for what we have.

In the end

We spend far too much time rushing and running around, thinking we have to be super moms 24/7. But it’s far from true. We’re human, and we need the break humans get, instead of the world on their shoulders, like superheroes. Prioritize yourself sometimes, and it will return tenfold. Stress far less in the next year and don’t fret the little things. Everything will come into place.

Build a Sturdy Diaper Cake for Baby Showers and New Mom Gifts

Trying to think of a baby shower gift that is practical without being boring and creative without being useless? A diaper cake fills the bill on both counts. What’s great about this type of gift is that you can customize it to include a variety of baby necessities in addition to diapers while changing the theme and the color. You can even customize it based on how much you want to spend. The simple list diaper cake will be literally diapers, while a more extravagant one can have clothes, baby paraphernalia, and toys inside it or adorning it. It is also an enjoyable adult craft.

diap

The challenge in making a diaper cake is to have it sturdy enough to stay together, especially during the process of transporting it to and from the shower. The last thing you want is for your hard work to be reduced to a pile of diaper rolls before you arrive at the shower and allow the expected mother and other guests to properly and over your handiwork. Here are some tips for making a masterpiece that is quick, easy, and sturdy

You may have seen cakes where each diaper is individually rolled and secured with a clear elastic band. That not only takes time for you, but requires that the new mom unfold each diaper before she can use it. The method described here is one you can do in an hour, perhaps why your baby is napping.

What You Need:

  • 3 toilet rolls
  • 1 wrapping paper roll
  • 1 10″ cardboard cake circle (although a 12″ is better)
  • 2 packages of size 2 Pampers Swaddlers (Pampers work best because they are white on the outside, but you’ll notice you can use a generic brand on the inside of your cake)
  • 1 roll of 1/2 inch ribbon
  • 1 roll of 1 &1/2 inch ribbon
  • 3 paper clips
  • Hot glue gun
  • Crinkle paper
  • Silk decorative flower
  • Large rubber bands

You can find the supplies for this cake at a craft store or even your local Walgreens or Walmart. If you decide you like making this gift well enough that it will be your standard gift for all your friends are having babies, you can stock up on the essentials when they are on sale.

Making The Cake Base

Cut the wrapping paper roll ½” shorter than the height of three toilet paper rolls stacked together and glue it to the center of the 10″rest cake circle so it won’t poke out the top of the cake.

You can also use a baby bottle or container of baby shampoo or powder as the center, but the paper tube makes the cake sturdy and easy to assemble or disassemble as you created and decorated.

Making The Layers

As the stand dries, you can prepare the layers of the cake. Size 2 diapers work best for these cakes; the new mother can enjoy the cake as a nursery decoration for a while for taking it apart to use the diapers for her newborn. You can, however, use whatever size you want. While any brand works, the whiteness of Pampers makes them especially appropriate for these cakes.

Once the stand is dry, you can begin rolling the diapers around a toilet paper roll and holding them in place with rubber bands. As you add more diapers, you can stretch the rubber band out the next diaper in place. Your goal is to overlap them so that the leader looks uniform. You will probably need about 30 diapers for the base. What you can add more, this number looks great and is manageable if you are new to the world of diaper cakes. If you have diapers with patterns on them, sure to use them on the layers closer to the wrapping role so that your exterior

With a little patience, you should be able to create a stable layer. This is easily a one-person job, although a second pair of hands won’t hurt.

To make the next layers, just repeat the rolling process around a new toilet paper roll. You should use about 20 diapers for the middle layer and 10 diapers for the tops. Your goal is to make a cake that is tiered like a wedding cake.

Assembling The Cake

When you have made your three layers, can see a cake come to life before your eyes. Carefully slide the toilet paper rolls on the main shaft formed by the wrapping paper roll.

When the cake is all diapers, you can make it look festive by placing a layer of crinkle paper between each layer. You can also use scrapbook paper, but the crinkle paper is an easy option that also looks festive.

If you are planning on decorating the layers with ribbons, you can either do so before you assemble the cake or once it is altogether. Just wrap the ribbons around the cake, over the rubber bands you used to keep the diapers in place. Overlap the end using paperclips or none. You can fasten the ribbons with paperclips and a hot glue gun Make sure to avoid getting any hot glue on the diapers by placing your finger between the ribbon and the diapers prevent seepage.

Decorating Your Cake

One beautiful and easy decoration you can use to top the cake is a large artificial flower, such as the hydrangea. Cut the stem so it is the same length as the wrapping to and just place the flower in the tube.

At this point, your creativity can go wild. You can top the cake with a stuffed animal. large rattle, or other decoration, while adding baby supplies to the outside of the cake. Travel size lotions, powders, and soaps, baby utensils, pacifiers, and other small items will end to the appeal of the cake.

Finishing The Cake

Rolled up bibs and onesies rolled around the base of the cake will make a cake contents even more practical. You can also place a brightly colored tutu around it as well.

When complete, take a minute to enjoy your completed craft and then you’re ready to go off and share it. you will have created both a functional gift, an attractive centerpiece, and a host of memories for the new mom.

Thanks for visiting our blog! If you have comments on the date for cake. We have created or you have ideas of your own, please share them below in the comments.