Tips to Making Errands Easier with Babies & Toddlers

Thank you to Cybex for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

It's no secret that running errands with kids can get pretty crazy. Kids get bored, tired, and frustrated sitting in the car....and that makes for pretty unenjoyable errand runs! Even worse is when your baby starts crying, and you literally have nothing you can do about it...but listen to them scream!!! Your baby screaming then leads to your older kiddos screaming....and that is enough to make any mama crazy!!!! Fortunately there are some tips I put together that can really help make car rides with babies & kids much easier, and today I am teaming up with Cybex to share them with you!

I have learned than preparation is key when it comes to smooth car rides with my kids. I pack my diaper bag full of treats, drinks, toys, and plenty of diapers and wipes for those un-timely blow outs! I also have found lots of products that make errands & car trips SO MUCH BETTER for mama and kiddos alike!

-TIPS-

THE RIGHT CAR SEAT

Having the right car seat is KEY!!! It's the most important aspect for a safe and smooth ride with kids. Currently we have Sorel (our 2 month old) in the Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0 car seat by Cybex! It not only is comfortable for our little newborn, but also features advanced safety technology that alerts your phone if unsafe situation arises with your child. The Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0 car seat monitors the well-being of the seated child through the smart chest clip that is synced with the installed vehicle receiver and your smartphone. The car seat can be used from birth up to 65lbs!!! So we plan on using it for Sorel for a long time!!! When Sorel is comfortable in her car seat, it helps her to relax and she is more likely to fall asleep on our quick or long car rides! It gives me a great peace of mind, and allows me to relax as well!! Read more about the safety features here!

ORGANIZATION

Having a clean and organized car helps to ease your stress when the craziness happens. If you have a whiny toddler, it's best to have a place for all the things you might need for them. I love car organizers for toys, games, and snacks...like this one! I put it on the floor by my toddlers car seat, and can easily grab anything out of it without having to pull over! It makes car rides so much easier when you're prepared and organized! I also love over the seat organizers like this one, because you can also put a tablet in it for longer car rides!

SNACKS ON SNACKS ON SNACKS

This is especially important if you have toddlers or older kids. Sometimes I think I will be running a quick errand, but it turns into a super long errand....and I realize its lunch time!!! Marloe will start to get fussy and hungry, so having snacks on hand is so helpful!! Snacks are also a great distraction for kids, and they will be less likely to complain or whine in the back seat. I always try to have lots of different options, because toddlers can be picky....and I feel its best to be prepared. I love & use this snack organizer. 

MUSIC

I bought a couple Disney kids albums on my phone to play in the car. Marloe (my toddler) loves listening to all her favorite movie songs, and loves to sing along! She always begs for her music when we get in the car, and it really has helped our car rides to go more smoothly. I have noticed to that when my newborn Sorel starts crying, turning on the music helps distract and calm her down! 

CAR SEAT TOYS

Sorel isn't quite at the age to play with toys yet, but she loves the colorful animals and shapes on her car seat activity spiral. I have this one from Manhattan Toys! When she gets a little older I know she will love grabbing at the animals, and reaching up at the fuzzy shapes! Marloe also has a little bag of smaller car toys that we keep in my diaper bag. I change them out after couple weeks so she doesn't get bored of the same toys! If she is really good on longer car trips we buy her new ones to put in the bag! 

Spring Skincare Favorites

This is a sponsored post written by me partnering with Sephora inside JCPenney. Thanks for your support in letting me share products I love with you! #SephoraInJCP

One of my favorite memories I have from growing up is going to beauty stores with my mom. I remember in high school my mom would take me to get new makeup or products, and I loved walking through the colorful isles of lipsticks & shiny bottles of lotions and perfumes. As I grew older and started focusing more on keeping my skin healthy, my attention expanded to skincare products!!

I am like a little kid in a candy store when I walk into my local Sephora inside JCPenney. I love seeing all the new products, and learning about the advancement in skincare! The SiJCP employees are really knowledgeable about the products they sell, and I am able to go home one happy mama with a black and white striped bag of goodies!!!

Nowadays my skincare routine usually includes a curious toddler, and a fussy baby on my hip. I don’t get a lot of time to myself, so I need products that are fast and effective for my skin. On my recent trip into Sephora inside JCPenney, I picked up three new amazing skincare products, two of which are EXCLUSIVE to Sephora inside JCPenney and Sephora!!! They immediately fit right into my skincare routine, and have become products I cannot live without!!! Here is some info on them below!

Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen:

I apply this every night after washing my face. I like to let it completely dry before adding any other products over the top of it.

INFO:

-A vegan, collagen-based formula to maintain skin’s youthful vitality.

- Solutions for: loss of firmness and elasticity, dullness and uneven texture

- Universal, good for every skin type!

- This product is exclusive to Sephora inside JCPenney and Sephora

- For more detailed information, visit the product page

Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Cream:

One of my favorites of the three products I got! I put it on morning and night after cleansing my skin. I love how hydrating it is, and how it has made my skin brighter and softer!

INFO:

-A brightening, vitamin C-rich gel cream that hydrates for up to 24 hours, firms, and targets fine lines and wrinkles.

- Illuminates the look of skin and delivers an energizing burst of up to 24 hours of hydration.

- Solution for: dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity

- Universal, good for every skin type!

- This brand is exclusive to Sephora inside JCPenney and Sephora

- For more detailed information, visit the product page

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream:

As a mama of a toddler and newborn, I don’t get much sleep….so this product is a must! It has helped to reduce my under eye puffiness in the morning after I wake up! I use it every morning after moisturizer!  

INFO:

An eye cream that instantly delivers a lifted and depuffed look to the eye area while rapidly reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines.

- Solutions for: puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles

- Universal, good for every skin type!

- For more detailed information, visit the product page

Mama Self Care

This is a sponsored post written by me partnering with BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Nad’s.Thanks for your support in letting me share products I love with you!

Being a mom is exhausting, messy, and amazing all at once. I rarely have more than a moment to myself these days since welcoming our second baby. Gone are the days of long showers/baths, using the bathroom uninterrupted, and being able to get ready in more than 5 minutes. I realized after having our first baby that I needed some moments of self care, so that I could be my best self. Today I’m sharing three areas to focus on when it comes to self care. Whether your not your a mom, these are great tips to follow & will make for a happier life!

PHYSICAL CARE:

GO FOR A WALK- Walks make me SO happy. I feel so much better when I get outside! I love playing music on my phone while taking in the beauty around me.

TAKE A BATH- Give yourself some time away from kids & take a long bath or shower with some bubble bath or bath bombs!

HAVE A HOME SPA DAY- I feel much better mentally when I take care of myself physically. I love doing face masks, painting nails, and waxing!! Currently I’m using Nad's Ultra Smoothing Exfoliating Wax Strips. NADS strips are super quick & easy to use, and last 4 long weeks before you need to use them again. They're the only product in the market with the ability to exfoliate and wax all in one, so my skin becomes silky smooth and exfoliated after using them!!! I have been using them for a few months now, and it's the only product I have tried that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. Plus NADS is 100% Vegan product & 100% Cruelty-Free. Thats amazing!!!!!

MENTAL CARE:

READ A BOOK-I don’t often read, but it feels so good when I get the chance too! I have lots of books downloaded to my phone for quick access to get lost in a book!

LEARN A NEW SKILL- Learning a new skill can help you feel accomplished, and make you happier! You don't always have to be the best at everything you try, it's the effort that counts!

TURN YOUR PHONE OFF- This one is so IMPORTANT!!!! We can get so lost in the world of social media, that we forget to enjoy the everyday REAL things around us. Take a moment (or two) without your phone. You will feel much more refreshed after!

EMOTIONAL CARE:

MEDITATE- Meditation is good for your body, mind, and soul. If you're not sure where to start, look up some helpful videos on Youtube!

TALK WITH FRIENDS- Talking with friends about everyday life, struggles, and accomplishments can help you get through things you are struggling with! It can feel great catching up with a friend, and having someone to talk & listen to! 

GO ON A DATE- Go out alone with your loved one! Leave the kiddos with a sitter, and get some one on one time with the person you love! You have time to reconnect, and reevaluate your goals together in life!

We all could use some self care!!! Treat yourself as a priority today!