Our Favorite Books for a Rainy Day + Usborne Giveaway

It's raining here in Ohio today, which means my toddler will be hitting me up for things to do as soon as she gobbles up her pancakes. So on days like today, in an effort to curb screen time and cabin fever, we hit the books- toddler style. 

About a year ago, a friend invited me to her online Usborne book party and I have to admit I had no idea what Usborne Books were at the time (such an amateur mom I was). But I placed an order, and was pleasantly surprised when my toddler began gravitating to these books over and over again.

Usborne Books has published thousands of educational books for children at every stage of learning. There isn't a subject not covered by an one of these books and I've found them to be amazing resources for teaching my toddler foundational skills. Whether your child is a visual, audio, or a hands-on learner like mine, Usborne has several different types of books that will suit your child's learning style.

Below are a few of our favorites, and how you can access these adorable books for yourself. And DON'T FORGET to scroll to the bottom of this post to enter an easy peasy giveaway for a $30 credit to Usborne Books.

(Just an FYI: I am not an Usborne salesperson, nor do I get a cut of any commissions made on the sale of these books. I just really love them, and I'm excited to share.)

The That's Not My... series is perhaps my little girl's favorite of all her books. These books help teach adjectives by using different textures and illustrations in vibrant colors to describe why that particular animal is different. My daughter loves feeling all the materials on each page and laughs when she feels scratchy, rough puppy paws or a furry bunny tail. And when I hear her use the adjectives in everyday conversation, I realize her vocabulary is expanding, which is exciting for me as a parent. 

These books come in collections or individually, and you can find many more titles than just the ones shown below. If you want to shop this collection, you can click here. 

The Alphabet Picture Book is another one of our favorites around here. This book helps children learn their ABC's through adorable pictures that immediately attract your child's attention.  What I love about this picture book is that the words associated with each letter are unique. So not only is your child practicing letter recognition, but he or she is learning more than the typical B is for Bat. You can learn more details about this one right here.

For many of the same reasons, I love the Little Red Penguin Colors Book. My little girl loves lifting the flaps to guess what color and animal is behind each one. Because it's small and easy to pack in a bag, this tiny book has accompanied us on many road trips and vacations. Yet, she never gets tired of looking behind each of the flaps. For more info on the Little Penguin series, you can click here.

One of our latest additions to our personal collection is What is Poop? Being in the trenches of potty training for some time now, this book has been a handy tool when it comes to the hard questions that come from your toddler: what is poop? where does it go? why do I poop? do princesses poop too?

If your toddler is curious about his or her bodily functions, this book provides educational but frank and easy explanations for the tough questions. It's hands-on with many flaps to look behind, super informative, and comical for parents. What is Poop? is a definite fav at our house right now.

Shop the books above: What is Poop?/ Little Red Penguin Color Book/ Alphabet Picture Book/ That's Not My Series

If you have questions about Usborne or would like to shop for books, you can visit the website here. Also, the links to each of our favorite books are listed below the picture above. If you would like to host an Usborne Party online or have questions about a particular book, you can speak to my Usborne Consultant Selena Ballou, and join her Facebook group here. 

NOW FOR THE FUN PART- GIVEAWAY TIME!

For one lucky reader, we are giving away a $30 credit to use on ANY Usborne order. To enter, comment below with your child's favorite book (doesn't have to be Usborne) and your email address. The winner will be announced Monday evening at 8pm, so feel free to share with your friends in the meantime.  

Quick & Easy Makeup for Moms: Maskcara Beauty Review

As a mom, there are a few things that are important to me before I drop some cash on makeup: Can I apply it quickly? Is it made with natural ingredients? Is this something I will actually use? 

So using these simple guidelines, I've found myself (many times) taking items out of my basket before I hit the checkout line at Sephora.

Recently, I've seen several of my Facebook friends gushing about Maskcara Beauty. Right now it's all the rage due to how easily and quickly you can apply it. I usually don't have more than a handful of minutes to put on my makeup before my daughter spies the jackpot (lipstick), which means I have to slap it on fast. So, I was super eager to give this stuff a try.

Disclaimer: Although I was given these products in exchange for an honest review, I am not being paid by Maskcara to write this post, nor will I be making any commission on any items sold. I'm just a mom, sharing my opinion.

The philosophy behind Maskcara, which was actually founded by a beauty blogger a few years ago, is that every woman should  be able to achieve a high quality face of makeup in only a few minutes. From start to finish (excluding eyes and lips), the Maskcara products take about 5 minutes to apply. You have four shades in your palette (highlight, contour, illuminator, cheek color), and one brush with two sides to help with application. Each shade is customizable based on your skin tone and preference.

Photo: Maskcara Beauty

I have to be honest. I did have some initial reservations when I pulled my makeup out of its pretty little box. I'm not a "contouring girl" and don't have the time or desire to spend an hour on my face every day. Let's get real:  if eye shadow touches these eyelids, someone is getting married or died.  

Although Maskcara does require some basic contouring techiniques,  I found it surprsingly simple to apply. They send you a little cheat sheet (seen below) that makes everything fool proof, even for makeup novices like me. It's perfect for the low maintenance mom who wants to look like she puts some time into getting ready in the morning. 

Photo: Madison Chandler Photography

After putting on the makeup the first time, I immediately understood why I was using four different colors. It only makes sense that your face has different tones in different places. The dark shades, applied under your cheek bones and the sides of your forehead add some depth to your face. Once you blend the makeup, it looks more natural than one shade of foundation would.

I've even taken a couple before/after selfies to show you the end result.

The highlight of my experience with Maskcara makeup? The brush.  It has a wooden handle with two sides, and each brush is thick and super soft. I feel like the brush blends the makeup fast and easy, so you don't have to waste time rubbing your face with sponges. Basically, it's a high quality brush, for a fraction of the price. 

Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to talk about ingredients. My skin is fairly sensitive, so I have to be careful with the makeup I wear. After several weeks of using the Maskcara products, I've had zero breakouts or negative effects on my skin. All the ingredients are natural, and if you have specific allergens, the list of ingredients is right here. 

Overall, I have to say that my experience using Maskcara Beauty has been a positive one. Each time I put it on, I am satisfied with the natural look of my face. I don't feel as if I look like I am "trying too hard," so to speak. But I still look like I've made an effort to put a fresh face of makeup on in the morning, even if it took barely five minutes to apply.

I've been using Maskcara Beauty for almost a month now, and I'm already planning to refill my compact when my supply is gone. If you need any information on the makeup, you can visit the Maskcara website here. The artist I use is Morgan Baldwin (ID: 1750) and you can find her Facebook group right here. Send her a message and she will match up your skin to the Maskcara colors, and have your makeup in the mail in no time.

Have an awesome weekend guys!

Where to Find Unique Toys for Your Toddler's Easter Basket

Moms, you know the drill. You sneak out of the house on the Saturday before Easter to find some last minute goodies for your kid's basket. You opt for faux wicker with some iridescent grass (way to be original), and stuff it full of bunnies and Peeps. Fifty dollars and two days later,  your kiddo has a sugar hangover and no interest in playing with bunnies.

Last year, I was that mom. But this year, I'm thinking outside the box when it comes to an Easter basket for my toddler.  I've recruited some really cool toy shops to help me out. Here are a few unique (and totally adorable) toys to spruce up your child's Easter basket.

1. Wooden Puzzle from Smiling Tree Toys

Toddlers are like little sponges, soaking up information and learning new things every day. Smiling Tree Toys handcrafts these adorable puzzles that teach toddlers to practice letters and spell their names, while they perfect their spacial skills. An added bonus: these beautiful wood-grain toys actually look pretty sitting in your living room floor when your kiddo is finished playing.

Smiling Tree Toys was created by a husband and wife, living in rural Minnesota with their three kiddos. Along with these puzzles, you can also shop their site for beautifully crafted wooden blocks, personalized wooden teethers and rattles, and many more unique wooden toys.

2. Felt Cupcakes and Ice Cream Cones from Pink Kitty Princess

My daughter is really into playing "pretend" right now. So, as pretending goes, we often find ourselves having "picnics" and making "snacks" for Barbie, Elmo, and Doc McStuffins. These precious little felt toys from Pink Kitty Princess, an adorable Etsy shop, are perfect for afternoons spent playing pretend.

You can change out ice cream flavors and even the icing on the cupcakes. Each piece can be attached and detached (they have velcro ends), which makes it easy for your toddler to change flavors as she pleases. Pink Kitty Princess is owned by a fellow mom of a little girl, and makes each piece by hand in her home.

You can order this exact ice cream set by clicking here or cupcake set by clicking here, or explore some other adorable felt toys (pizzas, birthday cakes, sushi, and veggies) here.

3. Wooden Match Game from Ella & Ezzi

One of our favorite games to play at home right now is the match game and I'm obsessed with this wooden version from Ella & Ezzi Handcrafted Treasures & Toys.

Each game is handcrafted, made with high quality wooden discs. They come in a variety of themes- Disney, Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, and the list goes on and on. This particular game is Paw Patrol themed (one of my daughter's favorite TV shows). 

Our game came perfectly packaged and with it's own little bag so you can keep all the pieces together. You can explore Ella & Ezzi's super fun Etsy shop here, and also make sure to browse their adorable "reward boards" which encourage good behavior from your toddler using positive reinforcement. 

Hope you all have a wonderful spring season and a happy Easter!

Valentine's Day Dress Up + Major Deal Alert

We like to play dress up every now and then at our house. 'Tis the life of a girl-mom, I suppose. So of course when the opportunity arises (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Tuesday) we like to put on our cutest duds and prance around the house. 

This year's Valentine's Day outfit is coming courtesy of Crazy 8.  

When it comes to clothes shopping for children, less isn't always more. It's nice to have several wardrobe options in case of a juice spill (or bladder spill for that matter) that even my friend Oxiclean can't take care of.

Crazy 8 sponsored this post. But as always, I only promote the brands that I love and that I believe you will love as well. 

I really enjoy shopping at Crazy 8 because I can buy multiple items of clothing for my kiddo and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. This brand (along with it's sister brand Gymboree) has become a go-to for me, because it's affordable, yet the clothing is still great quality and comfy for playtime. 

Although Crazy 8 is already reasonably priced, the Valentine's Day collection is 40% off right now. So click on over to catch the deal while it lasts. 

Meredith is sporting the heart, crew neck sweater (yes it's just 12 bucks right now!) you can find here, with matching headband (there are a ton to choose from) and red leggings (here & on sale for $6.53).

Make sure to check out Crazy 8 for your kiddos, especially while the V-Day sale lasts! And for all you Crazy 8 shoppers out there, what is your favorite Crazy 8 outfit for your child? 

Moms Want to Feel Pretty Too (+ Pink Blush Gift Card Giveaway)

Confession: I'm always buying outfits for my little girl, and dolling her up before we go almost anywhere. And it's rare that I find the time or the motivation to doll myself up on a day to day basis. In fact, there are days when my daughter could be mistaken for an American Girl doll, and I could be mistaken for a hobo off the street.

Hobo chic is a thing, right?!

Anyway, sometimes it's important for us moms to feel pretty. Yes, it can be a struggle. Yes, fitting rooms suck. And women/mothers are the masters at putting themselves down. But it doesn't have to be that way.

After having my daughter, I found myself uncomfortable in my new body. It has taken time and effort to finally love the vessel that brought my sweet baby into the world. And it's true- I can't grab tops off the rack at Forever 21, like I used to do. So I made some adjustments to what I buy (peace out, peplum shirts) and where I shop. 

I've found a store that keeps mothers in mind. Pink Blush carefully crafts it's clothing so that women can feel pretty before, during, and after pregnancy. This online boutique, which has both a maternity and non-maternity line, makes clothing that transitions from pregnancy to non-pregnancy and back again. They are made to grow and shrink as we do. And they fit beautifully.

Fun side note: Pink Blush also has dresses and tops conveniently designed for nursing mommas. How cool is that?!

This dress was given as compensation for an honest, heartfelt review. I would never promote a shop I didn't love.

My promise from the beginning of my journey as a writer and lifestyle blogger has been to share with women and mothers all the things I find that make life easier. A company with clothes that transition from maternity to post-maternity is a win for all of us! That's why I'm super excited to share.

In case you were wondering, the dress I'm wearing is from the Pink Blush non-maternity line, you can find it here.

I'm equally excited to announce that I am giving a Pink Blush Giftcard (worth 50 bucks) to one of my readers. There is no catch- just leave me a comment (below or on Instagram) and let me know you want in! A simple "enter me" with your email would be just fine. Contest closes THURSDAY at 9 pm. 

I want to wish all of you a fabulous, stress-free holiday, and I'll catch you in the new year!

XO,

Emily

Wood Watch for the Win

Well, look who is making his Not Your Basic Mom debut. Ok so I may have bribed him with a watch, but whatever does the trick!?

I'd like to introduce you all to my handsome husband Sean, who happens to be a wonderful dad and an aspiring hand model. He was a good sport over the weekend and decided to let me snap some pics of him (thanks babe) in his spiffy new wooden watch from JORD.

I gave Sean this neat watch for his birthday last week, and he genuinely liked the way it looked and felt on his wrist.  Do I need another device to remind my husband that I am usually running late? Probably not, but I was actually taken aback by how much he loved his gift.

Those of you that know my husband, know he is an outdoorsy kind of guy. So, I chose this particular men's watch (Reece Walnut series) because it reminded me of the outside. It's made of natural walnut, and Sean says it's so lightweight he doesn't even feel it on his wrist.

Many of JORD's watches do not require batteries, so you don't have to worry about replacing the battery when it stops working. Each of them comes inside a beautiful wooden box, and every watch can be engraved and personalized in all sorts of ways. They also come with a limited one year warranty.

 JORD also makes gorgeous women's watches. In fact, I've included one in my Christmas wishlist to Santa (that's you, honey) this year.

Note that you can still order a watch (even with personalization) and have it on your doorstep before Christmas. AND if you click here, you can receive a $25 e-gift code until 12.19.17. The code will be good up until 2.28.17. 

JORD sponsored this post, but the opinions are 100% our own. We love these watches, and think you will too!

Wooden Wristwatch script>

Playing Dress-Up During the Holidays

Last year was my first Christmas as a mom, and when the holidays rolled around I made myself a promise. I swore I wouldn't be the mom who gets caught up in the frenzy of Christmas dresses, hair bows, and holiday themed PJ's for the kiddos every year. After all, it's easy to get swept away in the material things that accompany Christmas.

But when December rolled around and the sweet Santa outfits hit my email inbox, I threw my hands up, dropped to my knees and surrendered to the holiday cuteness. I couldn't resist the urge to dress my little dumpling in Christmas frocks for the entire month of December.

Call me shallow, but ask any other girl-mom out there: it's just too stinking fun to dress up our mini-me's as holiday Barbies.

So, let the fun ensue.

This year, I've attempted to hone in my holiday shopping and be selective when it comes to Christmas outfits for my daughter. And I've been able to find some awesome bargains from small business owners and Etsy shops along the way. Here are some holidays scores from my favorite mom-owned Etsy shops and small businesses, and where you can find them.

1. Savvy Suz Bow Co.

Please note: some of the items shown may have been given to me, but ALL opinions are 100% my own. My promise to you: I wouldnt promote any product I didn't love. 

Yep, I'm a bow mom. Mostly by choice, partly by necessity. My daughter Meredith's curls are WILD and can take on a personality of their own if I don't use bows and pony tail holders to tame them. What I love about Savvy Suz Bow Co. is that the bows aren't massive (don't hate me Southern mamas) and are proportional to the size of a toddler's head. And her patterns- the cutest. From Peanut Butter & Jelly to gorgeous florals and holiday patterns, these bows are unique and totally precious.

Susan Clooney is a fellow mama, and makes all of these sweet bows by hand.  You can visit Savvy Suz Bow Co. right here. You won't be disappointed by the quality or customer service this shop has to offer. And to put the icing on the cake, all my readers will receive 15% off their order with the code 'EMILY15.'  

So enjoy, bow mamas!

2. Sassy Locks

You guys know I'm a sucker for personalization, so when this personalized jumper from Sassy Locks came in the mail, I squealed. The jumper is hassle free, with no buttons or zippers. And the fact that it's reversible is AWESOME. On the other side of the red is a sweet red & green dotted pattern. So for all you thrifty mamas or for those of you that struggle with math, that's two dresses in one. Score!

This shop has TONS of adorable personalized outfits, with bows to match each one, and plenty of cute boys styles as well. The sizes range from preemie- 5T. And to beat it all, it's owned by a fellow mama, who began her business after struggling to find clothes to fit her preemie daughter. Now she has her own children's clothing business- really cool.

You can visit the Sassy Locks website right here. To all my readers, she is offering a 10% off discount with the code 'newfan'. Plus, shipping is free on all orders of $35!

3. Freshly Picked Moccasins

It's not a secret that I love Freshly Picked for my toddler's hard and soft-soled shoes. They are comfy, durable, and come in a wide variety of styles. Freshly Picked was started by a mom with a dream, and has exploded into a moccasin empire over the last few years. Their success is totally warranted, because the quality of the moccasins can't be beat. 

Trust me, Freshly Picked is a go-to for your baby or toddler's shoes.

So I hope these ideas steer you in the right direction for your kiddos' holiday outfits. I can't wait to see all of your precious Christmas photos and screaming Santa pics online! 

Happy holidays friends!

Not Your Basic Christmas

I'm a little bit nuts during Christmas time.

I'm that girl who shamelessly listens to Christmas carols in November (P.S. the Pentatonix album is soooo good). I want to watch Christmas movies every single weekend (honey, I know we've watched Elf 87 times). And I like my Christmas decorations everywhere. Seriously, EVERYWHERE.

Someone stop me from wrapping my freestanding toilet paper dispenser in garland.

I can't help it, I just love all the neat things associated with Christmas. And this year with my daughter approaching 2 years old, I've ramped up the party so she can enjoy all the lights and bright colors. In the midst of the decorating frenzy, I've recruited some of my favorite Etsy shops to help me out.

Here are just a few fun & inexpensive ways to spruce up a home this holiday season. (Note: Although several of these items were given to me, some were not. All opinions are absolutely my own and every item was handpicked by me.)

(Extra note to my Ohio friends: I purchased the red trunk shown above at the Modern Farmhouse which just opened last week!)

1. Personalization.

I'm from the south, which means I love my monogramming. Having your initials on everything you own is just a thing with all (or most) southern women. I spotted this wooden snowman on Letterworld's Etsy shop page and the Kentucky girl inside told me I needed him in my home. I ordered this little guy unpainted because I couldn't decide what color to make him. A nice neutral color sounded like a good idea for a minute, and then I thought 'to heck with it'- I'm painting him Rudolph red. 

The red snowman ended up matching nicely with the rest of the decor in the house, and provided a cute little pop of color. I can't wait to use him for many holidays to come. Thank you Letterworld for another job well done. PS: Letterworld also helped me out with a some more personalization in my daughter's nursery. You can see that here (with more to come later on.)

2. Prints.

I change out pictures on a regular basis at my house, but I had never tried framing Christmas prints until this year. They are so fun, and added a heaping dose of character to my home for the holidays. These sweet little prints are simple but eye-grabbing, which is why I fell in love with them on Jetty Home's website. Jetty has a TON of different prints for you to choose from.

I naturally fell in love with the "over the river and through the woods" print because I grew up loving that song. And I thought there was something so cheery about this simple wreath picture.

Jetty had my prints delivered to me before I even thought to check my online tracking. They are really responsive to questions, which makes working with them a breeze. I can't wait to order several more prints in the seasons to come. You can check out their Etsy shop here.

3. Getting the kiddos involved.

I'm not sure about you, but my daughter is Magneto when it comes to breakable decorations. This year has been a game of trial & error with the Christmas tree, as I feared it would be. So, I found the perfect solution for all you mommas with toddlers running around at home like wildebeests: Toddler Christmas trees.

These adorable little trees are made out of felt, and are right at eye level for your toddler. They come with detachable ornaments that can be rearranged all over the tree. Handcrafted by a fellow momma of littles at Jamie Elizabeth Art, these miniature trees are a fun way to make your toddler feel like he or she is "helping" momma decorate. And it beats the heck out of sweeping up porcelain ornament fragments from the floor.

You can visit Jamie Elizabeth Art's adorable Etsy shop right here.

4. Mistletoe  

I don't know about you, but I am all about extra hugs and kisses. So this year, I've explained to my daughter that every time she walks under the mistletoe with Daddy or me, she has to share kisses. And so far, she thinks it's hilarious.  

I'm pretty sure this trick won't work in a few years. So right now, I'm soaking up all the hugs and kisses I can. Can you blame a mama?! And it might even work on your significant other too...

Thanks for the trick, mistletoe. You can find these just about anywhere Christmas decorations are sold.  

Cheers to many hugs & kisses this holiday season. And cheers to shopping small and helping small business owners in the process!

Emily

Freshly Picked Sale + Giveaway

Ok, so I'm not necessarily a "brand name" girl when it comes to shoe shopping for myself. I will never snarl my nose at a cute pair of Target flats, and I'm embarrassed by how many ankle blisters I have nursed over the years. But when it comes to my daughter's sweet, chunky little feet, I don't risk it.

Since my toddler began walking, I've been a cheerleader for Freshly Picked moccasins. Why? They are comfy. They are durable, made with wear-tested leather (seriously, they last forever). And Freshly Picked was founded by an ordinary momma with a big dream.

I love supporting mommas and I love supporting dreams.

So, today I'm super giddy to have the privilege of partnering with Freshly Picked to make a couple fun announcements:

(1) The entire Freshly Picked site is 25% off with free shipping over $49 TODAY ONLY. 

(2) I am giving away a free pair of FP moccasins to one of my readers. Yep, a free pair of shoes for your kiddo. I know- crazy, right?!

Ok, let's get to the details.

Sale:

For the next 24 hours, beginning at 12 pm EST, the entire Freshly Picked site will be 25% off.  Also, shipping will still be free on orders of $49 or more. For all you hardcore FP fans, some of the most popular styles will be coming back to the site for the sale. This type of discount has only happened once in the history of the site. So, you best get to shopping.

Giveaway:

I will be giving away a free pair of moccasins (style of your choice) on my Instagram. To enter the giveaway, follow Freshly Picked and Not Your Basic Mom on Instagram, like my photo, and tag a friend. That's all.

The giveaway will run through Sunday, November 27th. For more details, head on over to my Instagram account (link above). Note: This giveaway is only for peeps in the US, and you can't enter if you've won another FP giveaway in the past 2 months. 

Happy shopping, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

XO

Emily

CONGRATS CYNTHIA MORRIS ON WINNING A FREE PAIR OF MOCCASINS!

Not Your Basic Jewelry: Tassels, Tassels, Tassels

NOT YOUR BASIC LIVING

Things I'm loving at the moment: (1) promoting stellar businesses owned by overly-talented women, and (2) tassels in every style, shape, and color. So it's my pleasure to tell you about my latest obsession: Jerin Scott jewelry.  

Unless you've been living under a rock or logged out of Pinterest for the last six months, you know that tassels are the new "it girl" of jewelry. I am of the opinion that there is no such thing as too many tassels, so I've paired with Jerin Scott and her ridiculously cute Etsy shop to show you a few of our favorites.

This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links

Let's be honest- we mommas are pretty good at neglecting ourselves. We buy our kiddos outfit after outfit, because sometimes it's just easier to avoid a fitting room meltdown (I'm talking to you Target, with the mirrors that remind me I have a backside). So every now and again, this momma needs a little treat that doesn't consist of eating chocolate or trying on clothes. 

Enter: these sweet little tassel earrings.

I've been wearing these earrings for weeks now, and every single time I walk into public wearing them, someone notices. They are the perfect pop of color to add to an otherwise blah outfit. Although my favorites are the hot pink and the aqua, they come in any color you could ever want.

A little bit about the business: Jerin Scott's Etsy shop is based in Texas, which makes shipping pretty speedy for just about anyone in the US. She makes everything by hand. And not only is it easy to spend the quickest hour of your life browsing through her store, Jerin is awesome to work with. She is friendly, and super accommodating.

So, if you are in need of a treat to put a little pep in your step, check out Jerin's adorable shop. Oh, and if you are thinking ahead to the holidays, nudge your husband and tell him you'll promise to act surprised if you open these on Christmas morning. You'll thank yourself later ❤️️.

Angelica, Eliza, & Peggy- The Perfect T

NOT YOUR BASIC LIVING

"Can I be real a second? For just a millisecond? Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?" 

It's no secret, especially to anyone that's ridden in my car in the last six months, that I'm obsessed with Hamilton. And not the founding father himself- the broadway play. I can quote more lyrics than I care to admit, and I find myself making strange King George references at the most inopportune times. It's shameful, but I pretty much listen to the soundtrack on repeat.

Awesome, wow. 

  This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links

Anywho, in keeping with my celebration of all things Hamilton, I've partnered with my friends at the Mighty Circus to show you this awesome T. Dress it up with a cardigan, dress it down with yoga pants- either way, it works.

Side note: Every single fall, I'm forced to grapple with the t-shirt to legging ratio dilemma. If my t-shirt doesn't cover my booty, I feel a little bit too Kardashian. But if it's too long, I'm sporting an epic mom tunic. This t-shirt is a great fit-  it's long enough to cover my ample derriere, it's comfy, it says Angelica, Eliza, & Peggy. What more could I ask for?

This not-your-basic-mom is basically obsessed. 

So, if you are a mom who loves comfy clothes, or just an obsessed Hamilton fan like me, you can check out the Mighty Circus' Etsy shop right here. They are wonderful to work with, and have tons of other awesome designs to choose from. 

#shopsmallbusiness #Etsyshopper #dontthrowawayyourshot

Not Your Basic Living

Ok guys, some big changes are on their way for Not Your Basic Mom. This little passion project of mine has grown faster than I could have imagined, and I'm excited to roll out a brand new facet of the blog called Not Your Basic Living.

Not Your Basic Living will be a portion of my blog dedicated to (1) supporting small businesses (2) featuring advice of other mothers who seem to know what they are doing, and (3) sharing products I love. Here are some questions you may (or may not) have about Not Your Basic Living:

Are you continuing your writing?

Of course. This blog is centered around writing and will continue to be. But my vision for Not Your Basic Mom has always been to serve many purposes. I will continue to post essays, but I'm excited to talk about the not-so-heavy things from time to time as well.

What will Not Your Basic Living posts look like?

It depends. There are a ton of products and tricks that make momming easier. So, I want to share what (little) I know.  Am I an expert on how to live an awesome mom life? Ummm no... But I love promoting cool small businesses, life hacks, and anything that will make life easier for some mom somewhere, somehow.

What you will NOT see is shameless promotion of large companies just to pad my own pockets. I will be featuring small businesses only (think Etsy shops, locally made goods, etc). So don't panic- I haven't sold my soul to Wal-Mart just yet.

When is Not Your Basic Living going live? 

Soon- I will be posting some new material in the next few days. So stay tuned!

 In the meantime, if you have a small business you would like to share with my readers, shoot me an email or send me a message on social media. Or if you have any tips, life hacks, or useful general knowledge about motherhood- I would love to hear from you. 

As always, thanks for reading what I have to say. You guys are the best! 

xoxo,

emily  

How I Broke Up With My Diet For Good

It's not you, it's me. Wait, I think it's you. It's definitely you.

Here’s the thing about my relationship with dieting: we always break up. Whether I’m breaking it off because I cheated with a new diet, or because I decided to go find myself and be solo for a while, I’m not a loyal girlfriend to dieting.

Not to say that dieting and I have never shared happy times. One time before college spring break, I cut out all carbs for two months and dropped a quick ten pounds. I actually felt happy in my swimsuit for once. But when spring break was over and I started having feelings for food again, my diet and I had an explosive falling out. So explosive that I was back in bed with my old friend pasta within a week.

So, after I had a baby I knew that I had to steer clear of dieting and the volatile relationship it inevitably brings. It’s time to be healthy and it’s certainly time to be happy, so I’ve made the decision to ban all fad diets from my life. 

To my surprise when I finally kicked dieting to the curb, I became happier + healthier. Disclaimer: I am not a health expert, but I am an expert on me. And for the past couple years, doing the following three things has kept me satisfied in my journey to a more balanced life (and kept me from reaching for the next size up in jeans):

Cooking My Own Food.

I don’t know if you are like me in this regard, but I always over-eat in restaurants. There is nothing that brings me more joy that ordering an appetizer slapped with ungodly amounts of cheese. Nothing. Maybe dessert? It’s a close one.

But I say all this just to illustrate my point that restaurants are danger zones. I have a hard time ordering salads and lemon water when the table next to me is pulling apart buffalo chicken nachos. It’s too hard on my morale.

Because of this, my husband and I try to cook at home 4-5 nights a week. We plan our meals on Sunday, and do our best to stick to the meal plan throughout the week. Sounds easy right? Well, it is. Do we go out for Mexican food almost every single Friday? You betcha. And we have been known to take down a margarita before the salsa even hits the table. But the next evening, we grill kabobs and atone for the food sins we committed the night before.

It’s all about balance, right?

Making Breakfast Fun.

One time I read that Carrie Underwood ate egg whites for breakfast, sad I know. So I ate egg whites for breakfast (again, sad, but google Carrie’s legs). And I was hungry for lunch at 9:30 am.

I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so it’s not unusual for me to crave sweet over savory in the morning. I eat every type of Special K, and sometimes I even dabble in my toddler's Sesame Street pancakes. Just a touch of sweet helps me start the day on the right foot, and I’m not left wanting a Snicker’s all day long.

If I indulge in sweet food any time of the day, it’s breakfast. I have the day to burn it off, and I just like sweet food for breakfast. I’m not saying donuts and muffins won’t make you gain weight- they totally will. But I don’t worry about a little bit of sugar in my cereal early in the A.M.

Carbs Are Not Invited to Dinner.

It’s a sad fact of life that carbs cause terrible diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and FUPA’s. So, instead of completely ridding them from my life (because face it- a life without carbs is a life not worth living), I pick and choose a few dinners out of the week to make low-carb. And so far it has worked!

I think the key to making delicious, low carb dinners is adding a healthy fat. Usually, for me, those fats come in the form of nuts or cheeses. For example, if I’m eating fajitas without the tortilla and beans, you better believe I am going to add some cheese. It’s just better that way.

Another useful tool for surviving low carb dinners? Cauliflower. Cauliflower has saved my life for weeks on end. It’s the ultimate chameleon vegetable: Cauliflower can transform into faux pizza crust, faux mashed potatoes, or my favorite- faux Mexican rice. Skinnytaste.com has a ton of recipes using cauliflower instead of another starchy carb choice, like this cilantro "fried rice" dish. 

(Side note: If you have never visited skinnytaste.com, do yourself a favor and spend a few minutes (or hours) on the site. You will find a ton of recipes that, for the most part, are pretty easy to prepare, and super easy to DEVOUR.)

Sounds pretty basic right? These aren't expert tips or grand revelations, but each of these things has saved this basic momma from feeling overly frustrated on the scale. Many of you health gurus might disagree or think these tips are garbage, and that's okay too. But any tip that can save a fellow mom time or frustration, is a tip worth sharing. 

4 Basic Ways to Decorate For Fall Using Dollar Store Materials

Hey friends! Since it's basically Friday and it's basically fall, I've traded in the usual motherhood essay for a fall-inspired post on decorating. And here's your warning: Things are about to get really basic up in here. But bare with me, because even non-basic moms like (1) fall and (2) saving hard earned cash.

So today we are branching out here at Not Your Basic Mom. I now present to you (drumroll).......

4 Basic Ways to Decorate For Fall Using Dollar Store Materials.

Yep, I said it- Dollar Store. My dollar store of choice? The Dollar Tree, but you can find many of these items at other similar dollar stores close to you. None of these decorations cost more than fifteen bucks, and none took more than a few minutes to create.

I've never been that person with the patience to spend hours using chalk paint and/or a glue gun. To me, glue guns = scary + mess. But, I don't window shop my decorations either. I consider myself somewhere in between- I'm the 'let's go to Pottery Barn, then see if I can replicate the same look for cheaper' kind of decorator.

So in case you have been thinking about how to make your house look fall-ready on the cheap (because who wants to spend 50 bucks on a porcelain pumpkin that will sit on a table for 2 1/2 months out of the year), here are my cheap & easy tips!

1. Fill up your favorite vase with inexpensive  flowers and trinkets. 

I love pretty fall wreaths, but this year I'm over them. So instead, I'm sprinkling my house with fall arrangements like this one. Take your favorite vase, fill it with Dollar Tree trinkets and flowers, and VOILA! You have a pretty fall arrangement for under ten bucks. The best part? Unlike wreaths, you can stick these babies anywhere! In the middle of your dining room table, on your mantle, in your bedroom...the possibilities are endless.

Note: the arrangement of the faux flowers is key. Put your rounder pieces in the bottom of the vase to hide the stems of the flowers. Place bigger flowers in the middle of the vase, filling in the gaps with larger twigs and vines.

2. Metallic pieces are perfect for fall table settings.

I like to change up the settings on my tables pretty often. Because of that, I can't afford to drop major cash on nice china and charger plates every time the season changes.

When you think of your local dollar store, the first type of plate that comes to mind is styrofoam. Right? Well it shouldn't be. Both the gold charger plate and dining plate shown above (as well as everything else in the picture) were Dollar Tree pickups. Surprised? I was too. But I would bet some dollars that no one would know the difference.                                                                                 

3. Mason Jars make the world a little better.

There's nothing more homey than drinking out of a mason jar glass- especially in the fall. Apple cider and fall sangria just taste a little better when you are drinking them out of a mason jar (the sweet tea on a southern porch effect). 

These sweet glasses shown above are - you guessed it - from the Dollar Tree. So is everything else on the plate  (plate included).  So, there's no reason not to have a set of four, or twelve, in your cabinet for fall. Display them  on your bar, kitchen table, or anywhere else. Mason jars are adorable in the fall, and every other time of the year.

4. Stick toddler- friendly knicknacks in a bowl and call it a cornucopia.

This season of my life includes a toddler running around the house like a wild Comanche. I'm sure many of you can relate.  So I would clearly be out of my mind to sit a bowl of nice decorations within her reach.

Instead, I opted for a few of these cute fall knicknacks from the Dollar Tree, stuck them in a bowl, and called it a day. If my toddler knocks over the bowl, no harm is done. And if she wants to hide them under the couch like the rest of her toys, I'm only out a buck (until I find her hiding spot during spring cleaning).

Any way you look at it, this bowl of cheap (but cute) goodies is a win-win.