Let’s be honest, when it comes to the morning makeup routine, well, it’s probably fallen to the wayside. But did you know there are a ton of natural beauty tips that can get your day at home off on the right foot by helping you look great and feel confident (even if you’re still wearing yoga pants)? Keep reading to discover our list of tried-and-true beauty hacks for busy moms everywhere!

Castor Oil

Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: Use for thicker brows. Why? Castor oil contains an Omega 9 Fatty Acid and boasts anti-inflammatory properties to help hair grow uninhibited

Sugar

Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Use for softer lips, feet, and hands. Mix a DIY sugar scrub with olive oil, lemon juice, and sugar to soften rough heels, hands, and lips. 

Honey

Free-Photos via Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Use for anti-aging. Apply a honey mask to clean skin for its anti-bacterial and healing properties (honey can heal acne scars!) as well as anti-aging effects.

Sweat Sesh

Inspired Horizons Digital Marketing via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: For detoxing skin. A good sweat session (be it at your fitness class, chasing your kids, a visit to the sauna) is good for your skin as it helps flush toxins from the body.

Baking Soda

evitaochel via Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Use for whiter teeth. Apply baking soda to your toothbrush once a week to whiten teeth.

Petroleum Jelly

Amazon

Beauty Hack: Use for a natural highlighter. Apply to the high points of the face and eyelids as an all-natural highlighter for a quick, subtle glow.

Steam

kboyd via Pixabay

Beauty Hack: For detoxing skin. Run a washcloth under warm water and apply it to your face before your masks for optimal results. This opens the pores and allows the product to really absorb into the skin. You can also boil water on the stove and hold a towel over your head to create a makeshift steam room.

Business Card

Bru-nO via Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Use for clean, precise mascara. Hold a business card behind your lashes as you apply mascara. This lets you get to the root of your lashes without leaving smudges on your skin.

Peppermint Oil

Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: Use for plump lips. Peppermint oil offers lips a natural plump, so add a drop or two onto your lipstick next time you apply.

Glycerin Soap

Kristina Balic via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: Use to keep brows in place. Dip your spoolie in a little glycerin soap and brush your brows upward for a full look and to keep them in place.

Scotch Tape

Crissy Jarvis via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: Use for eyeliner application. Use scotch tape as a guide for the perfect cat eyeliner.

Contact Solution

Rawpixel

Beauty Hack: Use to prolong mascara. If your mascara has gone clumpy, mix in a little contact solution to make the tube last longer.

Propped Pillows

Holly Stratton via Unsplash

Beauty Hack: If you want to de-puff your face, sleep with two pillows propped up instead of one to help fluid drain from the face.

Lipstick

kaboompics via Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Use as a cheek stain. If you don’t have time (or the makeup stash in your bag!), use a little lipstick as a stain on your cheeks for a fresh, healthy flush.

Frozen Spoons

Pixabay

Beauty Hack: Keep two spoons in the freezer and place them under your eyes to de-puff any under-eye bags or dark circles when needed.

Face Mist

courtesy NSMBL

Beauty Hack: Spritz it on throughout the day for an instant skin (and spirit) pick-me-up. You can make your own face mist by steeping a couple of bags of white tea with the zest from one lemon in boiling hot water. Let it sit at room temperature before transferring it to a spray bottle and letting it chill in the fridge. Spray your face whenever you’re feeling the baby blues. Make a new batch after a week.

 

Baby Oil

Amazon

Score a quick fix for your manicure by applying baby oil to your nails and cuticles every night. Nails will stay shiny and hydrated 24-7.

—Kaitlyn Kirby with Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Feature photo: Kevin Laminto via Unsplash

 

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Photo: Kayla Hunter

As pediatric nurses and moms with eight kids between us, we know that kids rarely get sick or injured at a ‘convenient’ time. In fact, if your life is anything like ours, these things happen at just about the absolute worst time possible. 

You may be heading on the trip of a lifetime to Disney World and hear the words no parent longs to hear: “I don’t feel so…(insert vomiting).” Maybe ten kids are coming over for the-best-2-year-old-birthday-party-ever! Ten minutes before everyone arrives, the birthday boy is laying on the floor sleeping and at first you think, “That is so sweet,” (famous last words); then you think, “This kid never stops at this time of the day, and he looks a little flushed.” Holding your breath, you reach down to feel his forehead with your Mom-ometer and sure enough, he is on fire! 

One of the main things we have dealt with in our homes and as after-hours nurses are the 2 a.m. calls that include everything from fever, vomiting and diarrhea to eye drainage and croup. The one consistent thing about injuries is that they are always unexpected. From the minor knee scrapes at the zoo to face plants when learning to walk—we have been there!

So, how do we plan for the unexpected at home and everywhere else our kids exist? 

The answer is simple. We create two kits: one for on-the-go and one for home.

On-the-go First Aid Kit

This is a small, secure backpack to throw in the car or in your stroller. It should include an index card with emergency names and numbers, poison control number, pediatrician’s number and any allergies or medical issues. This kit should include:

Minor cuts and scrapes:

  • BandAids®

  • Anti-bacterial wash

  • Pack of 4”x4” gauze and 2”x2” gauze

  • Ace Bandage

  • Medical tape

Itching and/or allergic reactions:

  • Hydrocortisone 0.5% 

  • Diphenhydramine

Fever:

  • Digital thermometer

  • Children’s acetaminophen (pay attention to dosage instructions)

  • Medicine dosage syringes

  • Acetaminophen suppositories (to deliver meds when vomiting kids have a fever)

Miscellaneous:

  • Tweezers

  • Squeezable ice pack  

At-Home First Aid Kit 

Ideally, this kit should have a combination lock; at the least, it should be kept well out of reach of curious kiddos. Like the on-the-go kit, this kit should include a card with emergency names and numbers, poison control number, pediatrician’s number and any allergies or medical issues. The at-home first aid kit should include everything listed above, plus a few additions:

Congestion:

  • Saline nose drops

Gas/constipation:

  • Gas drops (can give drops directly or mix in with formula or expressed breast milk)

  • Glycerin suppositories (for true constipation)

Miscellaneous:

  • Pedialyte® to replenish electrolytes (Pedialyte® freezer pops are great, too!) 

  • Vaseline® 

As with all medications, always check with your pediatrician for instructions on when to give and dosage. Many pediatricians have a “medication dosage” guide that will give you instructions on dosage by weight of many of the approved over-the-counter medications. 

Minor injuries and illnesses are a normal part of parenthood. Always remember your children are strong, adaptable and resilient—and so are you. There will always be a first bump on the head, a first virus…and you’ll both get through it and come out stronger because of it. Be prepared, trust your gut and remember that you’re the very best parent for your little one. You’ve got this!

 

Laura Hunter Jennifer Walker
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We’re Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker, also known as Moms On Call. We’re pediatric nurses with 20+ years of experience, plus eight kids between us—including two sets of twins! We understand parents because we are parents. We started Moms On Call to cut through the noise with honest, common-sense advice.

Make a winter baby shower extra special by giving your guests a baby shower favor that celebrates the season. Go for something useful, either to eat, drink or decorate with, and your guests will still be talking about these festive winter baby shower favor ideas come spring.

Lip Balm Thank You Cards

Etsy shop Crease Studio

Make chapped lips smile with this thoughtful favor. Purchase this rustic, wintery thank-you card (it's a digital download from Etsy shop Crease Studio), and then pop on a round tub of lip balm. Leave one at each place setting for guests to discover during the meal. Choose lip balms in your shower's signature colors or buy an assortment of lip balm scents and guests can swap for their fave.

Mason Jar Apple Pie

When it's chilly outside, send home a favor that'll warm guests up later. Give your guests an almost fully baked mini apple pie they can finish in their own oven. Learn how to make them at Food Babbles. For February baby showers, add a little heart cutout on top to make this sweet dessert even more lovely.

Bird Feeder

Run Lucas Run's favor idea is for the birds in the best possible way. This clever heart-shaped thank-you gift for attending baby-to-be's big party is unexpected and different but always welcome. Guests can hang the pretty bird feed ornaments outside their window or on a tree in their yard and watch the birds enjoy.

S'mores to Go

This winter wonderland from Life with Grace features s'mores for guests to take home, ideally to enjoy over a warm fire. Guests of all ages will enjoy this favor for any winter party, and the packaging makes it even more precious.

Snowball Pops

This sweet treat from a Frozen-themed party is one you won't want to let go. Your guests will love these classic white "snowball" marshmallow pops from Yellow Bliss Road. Not only are they easy to create, they make a lovely, wintery display when lined up all in a row.

Snowflake-shaped soap

Choose from several colors and more than 100 scents for this glycerin soap shaped like a snowflake. They come packaged in a cello bag all ready for your big party, and you can choose whether to add ribbons and gift tags to your order at an extra cost. Available at Etsy shop Sweet Soap Treat.

Hot Cocoa Mason Jars

Megan Long Photography

Everybody loves a warm beverage on a cold day. These adorable mason jars with snowflake decorations from Catch My Party show off the delicious layers of the hot cocoa experience. Add crushed peppermints for a minty twist, or decorate your jars with a small candy cane guests can use to stir their drink.

Tea & Honey Stick

A sachet of tea and a honey stick is just sweet enough for a winter baby shower, and it fits perfectly with this "Mommy to Bee" theme from Bonfires and Wine.

Glitter Feather Pens

Bumble Alley Photography

These glitter-feather-decorated pens by Vintage Pretty are a perfect giveaway for an angel-themed baby shower. Gold and white brings all that glitters to the cold winter season.

Hot Cocoa on a Stick

Feel free to get creative with this hot chocolate on a stick from Make and Takes. Bake your own marshmallows if you like, but that's not required to make these economical and yummy favors that guests can pop into hot cocoa or even coffee.

—Kelley Gardiner

 

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Baby Shower DIY Craft Projects Guests Will Love

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An afternoon at your favorite playground is bound to throw you for a loop at some point. From critters in the sandbox to splinters on the seesaw, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. No worries — just try one of these hacks for a safer, more fun adventure. Read on and get ready to MacGyver your local playground!

#1 When kiddo’s favorite jungle gym is closed for renovations, never fear. You can spice up a skimpy playground by making your own jungle gym with yarn. Simply tie pieces around the base of different trees and let them loose.

Photo: Under the Sycamore

#2 Ward off creepy crawlers in the sandbox by sprinkling it with cinnamon before letting your little ones climb in.

Photo: Lets Do DIY

#3 Transform playground flower bed bricks into a curvy highway with chalk. Not to fear: It will wash off with the next rain shower.

Photo: Be a Fun Mom

#4 Let Junior sit on a dryer sheet while going down a static-filled slide. Bye-bye Einstein hair!

Photo: Richard Anderson via Flickr

#5 If your little princess insists on wearing her slippery, plastic “Frozen” slippers to the playground, squeeze on a few rows of glue-gun glue to boost grip. 

Photo: Central Coast Teaching Tots

#6 Calling all parents of curious tots! Check playground openings and holes with a half-folded dollar bill. To avoid head entrapment, no opening should be larger than a half inch. 

 Photo: redjar via Flickr

#7 For super-crowded playgrounds, write your contact info on your kid’s wrist with a fine point Sharpie and coat with a layer of liquid bandage. You can never be too cautious.

Photo: Weight Down Weight Loss

#8 Stash a roll of tape and nine frisbees in your playground tote. For a break from swings and things, roll the tape out into a tac-tac-toe board for a friendly, life-size match. 

Throw a Jumbo Grad Party

#9 Be the hero mom or dad of the neighborhood playground by creating a Bubble Refill Station (glycerin, soap, water).

Photo: La-La’s Home Daycare

#10 No bathroom in sight? No problem! Download Bathroom Scout, an app that sifts through more than a half million public potties to find the one nearest you.

Photo: iTunes

#11 Bring baby siblings to the playground and let them play in a small inflatable pool. They’ll feel like they’re part of the action with the big kids, but won’t get run over by them.

Photo: My Fabulous Frugal Life

#12 Bucket swings a bust? Clip on a SwingEase, a portable mini seat that securely attaches to standard swings, converting them to fit kids 6-36 months. Genius, right?

Photo: SwingEase

#13 Keep playground noshes cool and fresh by adding a DIY freezer pack to your bag. Put a wet sponge into a baggie, and put the baggie in the freezer. Bonus: The plastic bag helps prevent condensation, making it great for soothing playground booboos without a mess.

Photo: Homemade Mamas

What brilliant playground hacks do you have up your sleeves? Tell us in the Comments section below! 

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady

It’s usually pretty clear – you’re either a LEGO family or you’re not – and it all depends on how obsessed your kids are with these colorful, popular building blocks! But, the land of LEGO’S has stepped it up since you were a kid (they’ve been in the United States since the 1960s!) and just like so many brands, you can fill your entire life with LEGO gear these days – from bedding to board games to room decor to clothing and more. If they make it, you can get it in a LEGO version! Thankfully, most of these LEGO products won’t hurt your feet when you step on them in the middle of the night, as every parent has done a million times. Ouch!

For kids who love Legos and want everyone to know it, LEGO clothing is the only way to go. Crocs recently released these Crocband Kids Lego Clogs ($35) that are a hit with both kids and parents, who are happy to report that they no longer have to repeat themselves 27 times when asking their kiddos to get their shoes on! 

If you’re looking for some off-beat LEGO clothing that is funkier than the average LEGO gear, head to Red Bubble, where independent artists and designers sell their cheeky, fun LEGO designs. Prices vary and most designs are available in infant through adult sizes. We guarantee your LEGO-loving kid won’t see all of his friends at school wearing these shirts!

Okay, we know that life as a parent isn’t all about us versus them, but we have to admit, these Poppin’ Pineapple Soaps with a LEGO Surprise ($7) score one point for mom and dad! What better way to trick your kids into scrubbing up than with the reward of a new LEGO figurine, that’s embedded in the middle of these soaps. Each soap is made from glycerin, Shea butter and essential oils and you can choose the figurine that is in the soap, as well as the scent. Just don’t look too smug about it when they are asking to wash their hands – you don’t want them to catch on to your trick!

Don’t say we didn’t warn you – going on to Etsy and searching for LEGO party supplies is like opening Pandora’s toy box. There is so much good stuff on there that it may, quite literally, blow your mind. Some of our favorites include these fun Personalized LEGO Cupcake Toppers ($14 for 24) that will instantly dress up some homemade cupcakes.

Or, how about this cool LEGO Head Piñata ($30) that can be custom-made with different facial expressions and colors.

And this creative LEGO Happy Birthday Banner ($30) that they’ll love hanging in their room after the party.

For the youngest of LEGO loving kids – you know, the ones who still can’t be trusted not to swallow a brick or two? – these new LEGO Duplo Read & Build sets ($13) are becoming quite the hit. East set comes with a storybook and Duplo building pieces, so that your child can build along with the story.

With this LEGO Chucky Style Coat Rack ($22), you might actually be able to get your child to hang up his coat and backpack when he gets home from school! We think it’s super cool that these are handmade by a 13-year old, Hannah, a Lego lover herself!

And to top off a LEGO-themed bedroom, these custom-made LEGO Switchplates ($48) are so unique and can be made-to-order with your child’s favorite Lego guys – from skateboarders (as pictured) to firefighters to punk rockers.

LEGO’S are hardly just for the boys anymore! Girls love LEGO’S just as much and LEGO is even taking note, designing building sets that are geared towards activities girls think are cool. We’ve found some LEGO gear that your LEGO girl will think is pretty sweet, proving once and for all that they can have it all. A hip new replacement for the classic BFF heart necklaces, this LEGO Heart Friendship Necklace ($12) is sure to win her over.

The two LEGO pieces come together to form a heart. Need to add even more LEGO accessories to her collection? Put those LEGO’S to use with these funky (and functional!) LEGO Hair Clips ($10) – they come in a set of three and you can choose your own colors – a great way to get her hair out of her face so that she can focus on building!


And, we’ve thrown a little bit of LEGO love in here for you too, mom and dad, because we all know how painful it is to step on that rogue LEGO that didn’t get picked up. Check out these two cool LEGO pick-up solutions – Swoop Bags ($48) are sturdy, canvas play mats for your Legos (or other small toys) that you can them pull up with the drawstring and rope all those little buggers up into one ready-to-go bag.

Or, if you already have a Lego storage system, check out the Toydozer ($19), which acts like a mini LEGO bulldozer to get every last block. Both products were designed by moms… surprise, surprise!

What’s your favorite LEGO gear? Bags, clips, a coat rack? Let us know!

— Katie Kavulla, Mom to two LEGO obsessed girls and one son who things LEGO’S taste delicious