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Quaran-stream: Here's 17 of the best Supernatural + Sci-fi TV Shows to cozy up and watch while social distancing
The Millennial Girl's Guide To Life Constantly On-The-Go and 6 Ways To Thrive, Not Just Survive
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.
Mural Credit: Ryan Seslow/ Welling Court Mural Project
Life on-the-go is never short of its quirks and frustrations. It's true whether you're a parent of three, frequent traveler or just a gal who finds herself constantly 'moving'. We're all in the same boat, and let's be real: It's not easy.
I often refer to myself as a butterfly or hummingbird. Buzzing from one flower to another without stopping. I'm not the only one, right?
Mural Credit: Ryan Seslow/ Welling Court Mural Project
Mural Credit: Ryan Seslow/ Welling Court Mural Project
So let's talk tips for taking the edge off life constantly on the move...
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Yes, you need to constantly hydrate, wherever and whenever. I'll admit I do err on the side of re-usable containers but I DO have three children who are constantly losing caps, lids and misplacing entire bottles on the regular. So having a back-up plan stocked and ready to go when needed is a lifesaver. Trust me, it happens more often than I'd like to admit.
But, Grabbing a 15-pack of 700ml smartwater® at Sams Club(also available in 1L) is a huge must-have for life on-the-go. If you're a long time reader you already know that smartwater® has been mentioned here several times and I'm still playing favorites with smartwater®'s one-of-a-kind unique fresh, crisp and pure taste from it being ultra purified - smartwater® is a purified water made using vapor distillation, a purification process that simulates the hydrologic cycle — similar to the way water is purified in nature. So, it comes with me whenever necessary.
That being said, Sam's Club members get to take extra advantage of its electrolyte-fueled goodness with an extra $2.75 off ONE SmartWater's 15-pack of 700mL or 1L. Offer valid In-club, Club Pickup and Scan & Go. (ends 9/15; Limit 10 per membership.) So, GO take advantage!
Art Piece Credit: Minted
2. Take You Time
Whether it's lunch alone under a shaded tree in the park while the kids play or a mom-cation every month, you-time is one of the most important keys to keeping yourself sane when you're always going. I have to remind myself to put aside an hour a day with no phones, no work and no kids just to catch a breath.
3. Work It Out
Meditate. Yoga. Run. Swim. Do something. It clears your head and helps you prep for whatever comes at you next. 30 minutes first thing in the morning helps you get on your feet and ready to the put the rubber on the road.
4. Kick Out The Clutter
While some clutter can be good for a creative mind, having your space in some sort of order makes coming home a soft landing. Whenever we leave the house for an extended period of time we always do a deep clean so we can come home to a sparkling clean space after a long trip.
5. Get Organized
When you're constantly moving it's easy to lose sight of organization. I'll admit I 100% forget to put events, due dates and appointments in my calendar. Aside from keeping tabs on things online, I have a notepad with things-to-do including a schedule for the week to help keep tabs on myself.
6. Remember You're Not Perfect
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect and accomplish everything. Let's be honest, it's impossible. Cut yourself some slack, while you can do A LOT, you can't do it all. And that's 100% ok...
Mural Credit: Ryan Seslow/ Welling Court Mural Project
How Do You Survive Thrive in your Life On-The-Go?
Don't forget to stock up on smartwater® multi-packs at Sam's Club!
Uber's "Check Your Ride" Safety Initiative and Tips For How To Get Home Safely
I spend a lot of time commuting all around the city and if it's early morning meetings or dinners and late night events, it's often with Uber. Uber is convenient, available in over 600 cities around the world and is as simple as opening the app and requesting a ride. It has made life and commuting a lot easier on a daily basis. Aside from getting home efficiently my number one priority is my safety, which is why I'm partnering with Uber to talk about their Safety Initiative. I think it's extremely important to educate yourself before you ride with Uber, because let's be honest here: these days, you can't leave anything up to chance.
So, you just requested your ride with Uber, What Next?
Let's talk the Check Your Ride. These are three simple steps to ensure sure you're on the right track to riding safely with Uber.
1. Check The License Plate
Does it match the plate number listed on your app? This is usually easily found along with your driver-partners’ information in-app or sent via a reminder
2. Car Make and Model
Is the car the same make and model as shown in the app?
3. Driver Photo
Is the driver of the car the same person pictured in the app as your Uber driver-partner?
**I personally like to wait for them to ask "Are You Megan" once I open the door of the vehicle before getting in and closing the door. If they don't I prompt them with "who are you here to pick up"?
Never get in to a ride with someone that doesn't match all three from the above checklist.
More Safety Tips
+ Request your ride from inside. Whenever possible, I request my ride from indoors and them meet my driver once he or she arrives. Sometimes that can't happen, but I tend to stay in well lit, populated areas or have a friend who's also requesting a ride wait with me.
+ ALWAYS wear your seatbelt. ALWAYS.
+ Trust Your GUT. If something doesn't feel right don't hesitate to call 911 via the app or directly on your phone.
What are your safety tips for riding with Uber?
Tis The Season For A Netflix Binge Watch
It's the most wonderful time of the year - a few days off from work to sit at home and enjoy time with my one true love, my Samsung Smart TV. I kid (sorta…), but as the months become colder and winter fully sets in I love to plan for a winter TV binge to keep me occupied when the world is a lot colder and a little grayer outdoors.
Since the advent of Netflix, Hulu, Prime TV and HBO Go, I have chosen one TV show to binge between during the winter and if you too want to partake in this tradition, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite binge-worthy shows for your consumption. Here goes!
Easy Tips For Keeping Your Clothes Whiter Longer
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Clorox Company. All opinions are 100% mine.
Must-Haves For Packing The Perfect Picnic
This post is sponsored by AVA Grace Vineyards. All opinions are my own and as always, drink responsibly.
I'm going to start by saying that picnic season is my favorite season. It's been a tradition since David and I were first married with limited funds. We would pack a picnic, head to the park and just sit under the trees for hours people-watching, snacking and catching outdoor movies. It's one of my favorite memories from our life before kids and has become a large part of our lifestyle when the spring and summer temperatures arrive. These days we have three kids in tow but it doesn't make it any less amazing, just a little louder, messy and chaotic maybe?
Six Mom Hacks To Surviving Summer Vacation With Kids
This post is sponsored by Always Infinity. All opinions are my own.
Being a mom and running a business isn't always the easiest of tasks when two out of three kids are in school half the day; but throw in summer vacation and it becomes an entirely new ball game. To the mom who wears many hats, adding a camp counselor and travel agent might not seem like a huge deal, but after a week at our house post-school year, it might be more than you bargained for.
Which is why I'm partnering with Always Infinity to share how I tackle summer vacation with three kids AND get work done, even when I’m on my period.. If you have been keeping up with my Insta-stories you may have spotted my unboxing of a ginormous Always Infinity package. Well, that package was filled to the brim with all sorts of mom-boss-approved goodies like wireless earbuds, a notebook, the coziest t-shirt, a UV phone sanitizer and of course, Always Infinity pads!
Truth: You're likely going to get your period at least a couple of times while the kids are on vacation, so be prepared and protected to keep everything on track. For me, I'm a pads gal when it comes to regular life and Always has been my go-to brand since I was pre-teen and starting that 'journey'. They've come a LONG way in the last 18 years and are constantly evolving.
For example, Always Infinity provides a Zero Feel experience made possible by its one-of-a-kind FlexFoam™ core. Ultra-light and form-fitting FlexFoam™ material molds to your body, so you'll barely feel it. Real Talk: the last thing you want when you're wrangling a toddler to change his diaper is to feel like you're wearing a diaper yourself. Right? THAT IS a huge issue when it comes to choosing pads. Don't let the tiny packaging fool you. Always’ most absorbent, thin pad absorbs 10X its weight™. Always Infinity also comes in 5 different sizes to help with all types of flows during your period. I'll admit I get instantly overwhelmed by the Femcare aisle and will just grab and go without really looking at sizing. Some of the time I grab the right size, but there are times where I missed the mark. After having all 5 sizes in front of me to really examine, I totally get it and understand the importance of picking the right size for your unique shape and flow.
Note: The holes in the Always Infinity pad are called Microdots. The Microdots are designed to work with both layers of the FlexFoam core, to quickly draw fluid away from your body through the first layer, and into the denser bottom layer.
As I said above the packaging is super thin and slips easily into your crossbody before you head out on your next adventure. Also, it's pretty. So there's that.
BOOM! your time of the month is covered, let's talk about those
Mom Boss Summer Vacation HACKS.
Because I work from home, I do have some flexibility with my schedule and usually know ahead of time when I have deadlines, travel and/or upcoming events. Sometimes, I get something with a tight turnaround that makes a little bit of a wave to our smooth sailing - so, first things first.
SCHEDULING
It's probably those most important on the list and requires a little brainwork and magic. For the past several years David and I have gotten it down to a science - he takes the boys to their morning activities while I get work done and then we switch off mid-day so he can get his work done. For David, he likes to break it down by the hour but for me I'm a little more lax and tend to lean towards every few hours. Whatever your comfort level, aim for scheduling to your best needs. It makes a huge difference with tackling each day...
THEME
Pick a theme for your summer activities. This year we're aiming for more water-based actives, such as swimming, kayaking and beach getaways.
BASKET OF ACTIVITIES
You're not going to be able to make every day an outdoor adventure, so have a basket of activities handy for days spent indoors. Try your hand at making slime, make a fun recipe and have puzzles, board games and coloring activities ready to go for day at home with the kids. Having a basket saves you a good couple of hours before you hear the infamous "I'm Bored"..
GET CREATIVE
Having three boys at very different ages calls for some serious creativity. If there's one thing my boys can agree on it's snacks and picnics. We constantly find ourselves at different parks throughout the season with our picnic table and spread snacks. Let the kids help with the packing and food choices.
SIGN UP FOR LOCAL E-NEWLETTERS
One of my personal favorite sources for summer activities are our local e-newsletters. New York has tons of (free) activities during the summer and we make a habit to add a lot of them to our calendar. Especially the nightly movies under the stars throughout the boroughs and neighborhoods. Also check your local libraries and parks for events and activities, the boys have taken everything from Track and Tennis at the local parks to Art and crafts at the libraries.
FLEXIBILITY FOR THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT
Ok, not everything is going to be scheduled to a T, but let's be real: that's life. Leave room to be flexible for spur of the moment trips and activities. I love when I finish work early (or maybe even take a mental health day) and go for a spontaneous trip on the ferry to play tourist for the day. It's those impromptu trips that are sometimes the most memorable and fun.
YOU'RE NOT PERFECT
It's not going to be perfect all the time and that's ok. Cut yourself some slack and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can do at the moment.
We're all heading up the next chapter in our lives, whether it's entering summer vacation, becoming a mom for the first time, or heading to college - we all share important journeys, big and small that Always Infinity is here to make sure your period isn’t holding you back in any of this. I'm challenging you to share your Shape My Infinity journey, either here or on your favorite social channel with #shapemyinfinity and see how other women are tackling the next chapter in their lives. Because, we all need a little more women supporting women love in our lives...
Summer Style Staples: Light Denim
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tampax Radiant at Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.
I'll admit it, I dread that time of the month.
Show of hands, who leans towards darker shades when Flow makes her rounds? Definitely me. Like every woman, I've had my fair share of leaks during my adult life to know better than to wear white and light denim during that time of the month. Plus, the whole needing what seems like a tote bag for all of the essential tampons and pads makes me feel like I'm carrying an additional diaper bag. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little! But you catch my drift.
Old Navy Activewear Street Style
I don't know about you but this week was nearly a total wash for me. I swear I got next to nothing done and can't believe it's already Thursday! I don't know what it is about those 4 day week's that make me lose track of time and focus. Whoops. I mean, I can say that I made it to at least one event this week and I got to wear yoga pants so I can call that a win. I popped into Old Navy's Active event for a quick breakfast, preview of the line and fit in a bonus workout. Since it was WAY too cold to sport what I wore under my sweater and coat I made sure my pants packed a little punch of color - love these stripes! Post event, I did my share of pizza eating - you know, to keep me warm ;).
Pants c/o Old Navy, Sweater H&M, Jacket American Eagle, Sneakers Reebok
7 Tips For Preparing For Last Minute Guests
Just when you think the holiday chaos of blown fuses and dropping an entire tray of cookies into the oven floor was over, you still run the risk of having to entertain on short notice. Don't get me wrong, I love having people over, but If you're anything like me, your house post-holidays is nothing short of a hot mess: new toys sprawled out, dishes and clothes piled into mountains. Chances are we're still in our pajamas and binge watching The Good Wife.
Same page, right?
I thought so…
Before you go into a panic at the thought of guests arriving in less than an hour, I put together a checklist to make life a 100% easier for prepping for last-minute, unexpected guests with a little help from Progressive (Homeowners) Insurance ((Did you know they offer home insurance too?). Sure, it's going to take some effort but when you open that door they're never going to know your house was a disaster zone up until 45 minutes ago...
Oh, and here's a video to make sure you're doing it right ;)...
7 Tips For Preparing For Last Minute Guests
1. Bake Something
Before you dive into deep cleaning, grab a ready-to-bake package of cookies and throw them into the oven. If guests have food to focus on, the odds are better that they won't be focusing on the state of chaos in your place Plus, fresh baked goods are an instant air freshener. Nothing says home more than the smell of fresh baked goods. I always have a package on hand for when I need them and they only take 13-15 minutes to bake.
7 Tips For Preparing For Last Minute Guests
1. Bake Something
Before you dive into deep cleaning, grab a ready-to-bake package of cookies and throw them into the oven. If guests have food to focus on, the odds are better that they won't be focusing on the state of chaos in your place Plus, fresh baked goods are an instant air freshener. Nothing says home more than the smell of fresh baked goods. I always have a package on hand for when I need them and they only take 13-15 minutes to bake.
2. Get To The Dirty Work First
Next, ask yourself what rooms are going to be the most traveled? The answer is almost always: the bathroom. I share the bathroom with two boys and a David, and as you can imagine, it's a constant effort to keep it clean so it's definitely first on my list for cleaning when I hear someone is coming over. Strap on the gloves and dive right into cleaning the toilet, sink, and floor. You can skip the shower, unless you're looking at overnight guests.
Next, ask yourself what rooms are going to be the most traveled? The answer is almost always: the bathroom. I share the bathroom with two boys and a David, and as you can imagine, it's a constant effort to keep it clean so it's definitely first on my list for cleaning when I hear someone is coming over. Strap on the gloves and dive right into cleaning the toilet, sink, and floor. You can skip the shower, unless you're looking at overnight guests.
3. Ditch The Clutter & Conceal
Like I said before, clothes, toys, and random items are a veritable explosion, with debris spread from room to room. The clutter is in full-effect, so playing a quick game of clean up, pick up, put away, is exactly what you need. Even if you don't have time to put the items in their rightful home you can still give your home the illusions of being tidy. All you need is a quick storage solution. I'm all for filling up baskets and throwing a neatly folded blanket on top and putting in a corner somewhere. No time to fold the laundry? Throw your clothes under the bedspread is a great storage option in a bind (just remember to take them out before your jump in bed after your guest are gone). Don't have time to put the dishes away? Throw them in the oven, clean or dirty. If Carrie Bradshaw taught us one thing, it's that ovens are also for storage...
Like I said before, clothes, toys, and random items are a veritable explosion, with debris spread from room to room. The clutter is in full-effect, so playing a quick game of clean up, pick up, put away, is exactly what you need. Even if you don't have time to put the items in their rightful home you can still give your home the illusions of being tidy. All you need is a quick storage solution. I'm all for filling up baskets and throwing a neatly folded blanket on top and putting in a corner somewhere. No time to fold the laundry? Throw your clothes under the bedspread is a great storage option in a bind (just remember to take them out before your jump in bed after your guest are gone). Don't have time to put the dishes away? Throw them in the oven, clean or dirty. If Carrie Bradshaw taught us one thing, it's that ovens are also for storage...
4. Spot Clean
There's no time for a full on home cleaning spree so save yourself the effort and spot clean. Deal with the dishes (even if you are just putting them in the oven), vacuum high-visible areas, wipe-down the countertops and clean a couple of mirrors.
There's no time for a full on home cleaning spree so save yourself the effort and spot clean. Deal with the dishes (even if you are just putting them in the oven), vacuum high-visible areas, wipe-down the countertops and clean a couple of mirrors.
5. Deodorize
Open a window, turn on a fan and give your space a little spritz of deodorizer. The above will circulate the stale air out and keep things fresh. Have a litter box and no time to change it? Add some baking soda to the box before the guest arrive and it will help neutralize the odors.
Open a window, turn on a fan and give your space a little spritz of deodorizer. The above will circulate the stale air out and keep things fresh. Have a litter box and no time to change it? Add some baking soda to the box before the guest arrive and it will help neutralize the odors.
6. Set The Mood
Whew! Everything is cleaned up and now you just have to set the mood. Set out refreshments, snacks, and your freshly baked cookies. Light a candle, fluff some pillows, and put some music on.
Whew! Everything is cleaned up and now you just have to set the mood. Set out refreshments, snacks, and your freshly baked cookies. Light a candle, fluff some pillows, and put some music on.
7. Throw Something Fabulous On
No, you can't answer the door in your robe. Leave your guests guessing when you answer the with something fabulous on, fresh baked cookies and a seemingly clean house.... How does she do it all?
As much as I love entertaining guests, it’s never easy getting ready for them. But, creating memories with the people you love make all those last-minute cleaning efforts and the general chaos leading up to the moment you open the door, totally worth the effort.
And after all, a home is where you make most of your fondest memories. Whether it’s first steps, birthdays, or last-minute guest entertaining, your home is one of your most prized possessions. So it makes sense to consider the best ways to protect it.
Progressive knows there's a million situations that can go right, and wrong during the holiday season. While they can't save you from unexpected guests they CAN protect your home and auto year round. Yep, you read that right, Progressive coverage doesn't stop at protecting your car from life's little mishaps, Progressive is also there to protect your new home and everything you cherish within it.....
So if you've just bought a home or are looking to buy, pop over to Progressive.com and get yourself a quote. They're #1 in online home insurance quotes, so they must be doing something right...
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Progressive Insurance. The opinions and text are all mine.