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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Colourpop has done it again. The makeup company known for its perfectly timed collabs has just dropped a new line and it’s scary good.

The Nightmare Before Christmas collection is available starting today, Oct. 28 and it’s packed with a colorful array of must-have makeup essentials. You can shop shadow palettes, glitter gel, liquid liners, lipsticks and more, all decked out in Oogie Boogie style.

Currently all products are available but if you’re a big-time Jack Skellington fan, you might want to just grab the entire collection. It comes with:

  • 12-pan palette with matte and metallic shades
  • Three decorations
  • New shades of Lux Crème Lipstick
  • Two BFF Liquid Liners
  • Three new shades of our Jelly Much Shadow
  • Glitterally Obsessed Glitter Gel
  • Detail Blending Sponge
  • Crystal Face Jewels in multidimensional colors

If you just need a product or two, they’re also all available individually. Prices range from $8 to $115 and you can find everything at colourpop.com.

––Karly Wood

 

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As most of us learned last year, you can’t stop Halloween in NYC—even if it means elaborate candy-delivery systems to keep things safe! (If you do decide to venture out this year, take precautions—like wearing a mask—to stay healthy.) Looking for some Halloween costume inspiration? We of course love a good New York City-themed costume, and have rounded up our favorite ideas for 2021. From family costumes to baby costumes and lots of easy costumes, this is how to show your NYC pride!

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Katy Walter

Channeling your inner RBG is never a bad idea. The Supreme Court Justice hailed from Flatbush, Brooklyn, and it's easy enough to pull together a costume on your own, but you can also get the basics here. Of course, another option is to go the Notorious RBG route and add a slightly askew gold crown. And for the first-timer? Can't go wrong with this

P.S. Let's not forget that Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor is also an NYC native, who was born and raised in the South Bronx—so you have your choice of impressive jurists!

 

King Kong Tableau

photo: Ashley Bailey

Have a few trick or treaters you need to outfit? A trio of the Empire State Building, King Kong and damsel in distress (or not) is a formidable ensemble. This particular iteration is the work of Ashley Bailey, the inspired Atlanta area photographer and mom behind the site "Stellaween." The month-long celebration of October's biggest day started with Bailey dressing and documenting daughter Stella in a new homemade costume each day, with a pair of twins joining in a few years ago. (You can see Bailey's shots of other people's kids at her site, September Morn Photography.)

Little Island

Vy H. Via Yelp

A little high concept and definitely not for the crafting-challenged?  Sure, but we think a whole bunch of plastic funnels with some little trees and people on them would be instantly recognizable. 

Ghostbuster

Wikimedia Creative Commons

Genius sibling idea! Get a brown jumpsuit, a backpack, some hose and a DIY Ghostbusters patch and you're good to go.  For a family costume, incorporate Slimer, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man, Zuul, etc. 

Fearless Girl

Steve A. via Yelp

Even though it involves some potentially messy bronze face makeup and maybe spraypainting some clothes, we think it could be worth the trouble. We bet you know a fearless girl or two who could rock this costume hard. Bonus points if you do a family theme with other members taking on the roles of the Charging Bull, a tourist, stock trader, etc. 

New York's Finest

photo: Ashley Bailey

We don't mean any disrespect. Of course cops don't just sit around eating donuts. But how cute is this costume? NYPD for the win!

Hipster

photo: Ashley Bailey

Another costume idea that's open to a lot of interpretation, the Hispter is a little more subtle. This is Bailey's take on it, and we think the mustache solution she came up with is genius.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Grace Fong-Smith (@gracefongsmith)

 

Subway Car

An MTA train car is a quintessential NYC choice for Halloween, and it's a project, but an easy one. Nice touches include personalizing with your neighborhood's main line,  or with your child's initial. (Yes, there can be an "H" or "T" train.) Pizza Rat really takes this version over the top. 

Statue of Liberty

East Midtown Partnership

Another costume that's simple, easy, instantly recognizable, and can be worn with absolutely anything underneath. An aqua-colored sheet, foam crown and torch and you're done.

Sesame Street

Ashley Bailey

Why pick one character from the Street when you can be all of them and the Street itself?

 

Times Square Elmo

Tommy L. via Yelp

Another, more subversive take on the Sesame Street crowd, the Times Square Elmo is easy to achieve. You just need an Elmo costume that looks a little...wrong. Thrift stores are filled with Elmo costumes that have seen better days. Give your child a five-dollar bill and a bad attitude and you're all set.

 

 

 

iPhone

OK, obviously this is not a costume applicable to NYC alone, but we're going to claim it because A.) New Yorkers have to be some of the most phone-dependent beings and B.) this costume is so cute, easy, and a dream to get around.

 

Bagel et. al

This family went all-in with the NYC-themed costumes: Bagel with cream cheese, Metrocard, Statue of Liberty. (Click through to see the full ensemble.)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

nrkbeta

We're  betting at least one kid in the Bronx or Queens steps out in this. (If you see them, please send photos.) A hard sell? Maybe. But maybe not—AOC is pretty inspiring. A nice companion to Fearless Girl, this is super easy to pull together (especially if your kid has long dark hair). Still, some bright red lipstick, a House of Representatives Seal or Green New Deal material, and you're good to go. 

Naked Cowboy

Wikimedia Creative Commons

Easy. Hilarious. Cute. What more could you ask for? Obviously an indoor costume only, this one is perfect for your diaper-wearing tot. Just scrawl "Naked Cowboy" on his (or her) butt, throw on some kiddie cowboy boots, a hat and ukulele and call it a night.

Mimi O’Connor

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Of the hundreds of pitches and sites we scroll through each week, there are just a handful of products that really catch our eye. And this week, we’re all about saving money thanks to our favorite Labor Day sales. Whether they’re kid-specific or broader picks that make our lives better (and brighter), these are the goods we’re raving about and putting into our shopping carts. The best news? All of these items give back to a good cause!

Play Maysie's Eco-Friendly Doll House

Adorable mini dollhouses settled in a vintage-inspired lunch box. All the furniture is attached to the lunch box and the accessories are magnetic!

Buy it here, $48. 

Bright Stripes' iHeart Art 24 Gel Pen Multi-Pack

Gel pen lovers will be thrilled over this multi-pack from Bright Stripes. And, each purchase benefits Art Feeds' International, a non-profit that strives to bring art lessons and supplies to kids in five different countries around the world. 

Buy them here, $15.  

Keds' Washable Double-Decker Rainbow Women Slip Ons

In honor of Women's Equality Day, Keds donated shoes to Artists for Humanity, as well as $10,000. The artists then created one-of-a-kind sneakers for purchase. 

Buy them here, $50.

Perfectly Imperfect Stories

Right now the company behind this inspiring collection of stories is doubling their donations to our Better to Give partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), to help the IRC support families in Afghanistan and in crisis zones worldwide

Buy it here, $18.

State Bags

State Bags donates fully-packed backpacks to families and students in need.

Buy them here, $75.

Bando's Kindness Necklace

A portion of Bando's proceeds is donated to Girls Inc., a non-profit that seeks to help girls navigate gender, social and economic barriers. 

Buy it here, $38.

Park Projects' Yosemite Pine Candle

Park Projects' goal is to protect and preserve parklands for generations to come.  

Buy it here, $36.

Out of Print's Elephant and Piggie Read Tote Bag

Each purchase from Out of Print helps to fund literary programs and book donations to communities in need.

Buy it here, $20. 

Bureo's Ocean Jenga

This Jenga set is made from 100% recycled fishing nets. Bureo also provides contributions to non-profit organizations via 1% for the Planet.

Buy it here, $50.

Last weeks picks:

Cozy Blanket

throw blanket cozy
via Nordstrom

This cozy throw from UGG is 40% off and we are pretty sure we’re going to buy two of them because we all know someone is going to steal it while we’re lounging with it on the couch.

Buy it here, $59 (usually $98)

Flower Fleece

flower power fleece
via Saks 5th Avenue

Mini fashionistas will love this flower power fleece by Stella McCartney! Money-saving parents will love that it's $50 off thanks to the Saks Labor Day Sale. Here are the details and the chance to save even more money

Buy it here, $155 (usually $205)

Modern Playhouse

modern playhouse
via Wayfair

This playhouse is 59% off (Wayfair's Labor Day sale is next level with the savings) and while there are too many cute features to list, we can't get enough of that mailbox with flag and attached picnic bench. PS: This would make an adorable present for the holidays. 

Buy it here, $360 (usually $883)

Slip-On Sneakers

dinosaur slip-on-sneakers
via OskKosh B'gosh

Your little T-Rex loves all things dino so give them something to stomp around in with these Jurassic-inspired sneakers. BTW—the whole site (yes, everything) is 50% off until Sep.6

Buy them here, $18 (usually $36

Baby Swaddles

baby swaddle pack
via Amazon

You can never have enough swaddles—even better when they come with adjustable fabric wings like this Delta set, guaranteeing a snug, comfy fit every time.

Buy them here, $30 (usually $42) 

Matte Lipstick

matte lipstick
Sephora

Sephora's sale is off-the-hook with products being marked down up to 50% through Sept. 19. It was hard, but if we had to pick one item, it would be this matte lipstick from Fenty Beauty by Rhianna (in fall-friendly spiced terracotta)—but don't delay, the colors were running out of stock as we typed this.

Buy it here, $7 (usually $18)

Tye Dye Kit

tye dye kit
Love Is Project

Tye dye is still going strong—if you haven’t tried it yet, grab this kit (42% off!) and get ready for some wearable art to enter your life. Bonus: 10% of this purchase gets donated to Olive Crest—non-profit that serves at-risk children and families.

Buy it here, $55 (usually $96)

Scented Candle 

candle
via Nordstrom

This candle is filled with soy-wax (better for you!) and 40% off (better for your wallet!). With scents of fresh sea salt, you can just close your eyes and transport yourself back to the beach of your dreams. 

Buy it here, $6 (usually $10)

Statement Earrings

lightweight statement earrings
via Etsy

Finding cool, statement earrings that don't weigh you down is like trying to find a lost paci in the middle of the night...until we discovered these pretty color-block earrings from Esh Jewelry Collection on Etsy that are "feather light." Etsy is running special LDW sales starting Sep. 2). Your ears will thank you. 

Buy them here, $23

—Edit Team

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We are deep in the throes of summer, which means moms are navigating hot and sweaty days. When you’re ready to sit down for some self-care, make sure you are grabbing from some of these editor-picked products. From face masks made from refreshing summer fruits and vitamin-packed body serum, to sunscreen that doesn’t feel sticky, these face and body products will have you sailing through summer.

Soo'Ae Food Story Masks

When you use a Soo'Ae mask, you can rest assured the products are natural. Each one is made with vegan ingredients, is cruelty free and comes in eco-friendly packaging. We love the Food Story collection, which includes options like pomegranate, kiwi, pineapple and banana.

Buy it here, $3+

Olita AfterSun Body Serum

You don't even need a sunburn to enjoy Olita's spray body serum! Spritz on this light oil spray to get a shot of moisture from a blend of Vitamin E and plant extract oils that is never greasy. 

Buy it here, $20

Ollie Belle Cover Dot Acne Care

Yes, you're a mom and you're still getting zits! But now you can simply cover them with Ollie Belle's dot patches. The FDA-registered acne patches conceal those pimples and even small wounds to promote natural healing and skin regeneration. 

Buy it here, $8.99+

Perfect Image Sea Whip Cucumber Detox Soothing Gel

As much as we try and avoid them, sunburns happen. Thankfully, the ingredients in this Sea Whip gel help minimize irritation. Together with cucumber, chamomile, oatmeal, this soothing gel promotes healing and reduces reddness and puffiness so you can skin can look better and feel better. 

Buy it here, $29.95

Daily Dose Miracle Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

Goodbye, tangly ocean and pool hair! Daily Dose's leave-in conditioner gives you back the moisture you need, detangling and nourishing with just a few sprays.

Buy it here, $18.79

SPRAISE

Vegan and plant based, body products from SPRAISE bring the trifecta of luxurious scents, textures and nourishment together. We especially love that each product has an “Ode to Self” to remind you to see yourself on a daily basis. The light and airy fragrances like pomegranate, lemon ginger and coco mango make these the perfect products for summer.

Available at spraise.com.

Masktini Moisture Spritz

Whether you're cooling off from a hot day at the beach or refreshing after a long flight, Masktini is here for you summer skin. The Woke Bae Whenever Moisture Spritz is made with apple and watermelon extract, hyaluaronic acid and marine isomers to help give you the glow you need, lock in hydration and plump away those wrinkles. 

Buy it here, $55

 

Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum

With five types of ceramides and lipids, this new daily-use serum from cocokind helps to create a barrier against the elements. Designed for all, use it any time of day for a bump in moisturizer and skin protection! 

Buy it here, $20. 

ILONA Beyond C Corrective Serum

A new product from ILONA, this serum has two sides that combine to create a restorative skin product that's ideal for beating back summer's harsh rays, as well as intensifies cellular activity, helps with inflammation, and helps to maintain all-day hydration. With only a small pump of product gently massaged into the skin after cleansing at night, you'll be able to see an improvement in a week or so.

Buy it here, $132.

Pair it with the best-selling Crystal Skin Resurfacing cream. It's got tiny granules of micro-surfacing crystals, that when scrubbed into your face, immediately offer a brighter, clearer complexion. And, since you only need to use the cream once or twice a week, a jar will last you for months. 

Buy it here, $84.

The Beauty Tailor Lipstick

The Beauty Tailor is proud to bring lipsticks that are cruelty, paraben and sulfate free AND vegan. Not only do they offer tons of ready-to-wear shades, but you can also design your own custom lipstick, too!

Buy it here, $18

Missha Soft Finish Sunscreen

Sunscreen is super important for summer (and always). We love this option as it is 50 SPF, feels super light on the skin and doesn't drip into your eyes as you sweat. 

Get yours here, $13.96. 

Orpheus Resurrection Bio-Luminous Dewy Essence

Summer can be a doozy––that's why we love this multi-correctional essence. It's made with stem cells, peptides, anti-antioxidants and hyaluronic acid that ultimately protect skin from UV blue light.

Buy it here, $65

Wonder Femme

Summer is the perfect time to embrace the light appeal of lip gloss. The collection from Wonder Femme packs all the neutrals you'll need to instantly jazz up your outfit, without going overkill. Each one contains ingredients like Brown Algae Kelp, Golden Seaweed, Vitamin E and Jojoba to give you moisture on the go.

Buy it here, $14.95+

––Karly Wood, Kate Loweth & Gabby Cullen

All photos: Courtesy of retailers

 

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New makeup alert! The queen of Malibu has just dropped a new makeup collection and it’s fit for any Barbie lover.

The Malibu Barbie x ColourPop collection has everything you need for a summer of sun and fun. From bright and silky eyeshadows to the biggest falsies we’ve seen, this collab is a must for hitting the beach in style.

photo: ColourPop

So what’s included? Barbie girls can get ready each day with:

  • Malibu Barbie Palette, a 15 pressed-pan palette
  • Three lipstick duos each with a LUX Lipstick and matching Lippie Pencils
  • Warm golden highlighter Beach Party Super Shock Highlighter
  • Exclusive Doll Lashes Falsies
  • Malibu Barbie Hand Mirror

Each product comes in signature Barbie pink packaging and is very affordably priced. You can purchase each one individually or the entire set for just $99! Shop the entire collection which starts at just $10 at colourpop.com.

––Karly Wood

 

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Nostalgia alert! It’s time to go back in time and pay some serious homage to your fave Thursday night “friends.” Beauty brand Makeup Revolution just added to its already can’t-miss line of Friends themed products!

The Revolution x Friends line now includes eye shadow palettes based on your fave characters, lipstick kits, sheet masks, a Lobster mirror and even a Joey Ichiban Lipstick for Men.

Each eye shadow palette ($12) comes with nine shades, all with notable names that feature the boys. The Ross palette features the My Sandwich, Leather Pants, Break, White Teeth, Dinosaur, Fossil, Juice Box, Keyboard and Unagi shadows.

The Joey includes Joey (of course), Dr. Drake, Mary Angela, Nap Partner, Trifle, Turkey, Bamboozled, Tribbiani and JR. Chandler’s palette’s shadows include Hello Mr. Bing, Tulsa, Bigger Boat, Hypnosis, The Box, Cups, Eddie, Jack and Erica. As if the three new palettes aren’t enough, you can also nab the I’ll Be There for You 18-piece shadow set ($18).

The boys don’t get all the fun in this collection. The new lip kits ($12) are named after the girls, with a Rachel, Monica and Phoebe. Check out the full line of Revolution x Friends beauty buys at Ulta online and in stores nationwide, or online from Makeup Revolution.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Makeup Revolution

 

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Valentine’s Day is a sweet opportunity for kids to share love and kindness with friends and family. It’s a day filled with hearts, flowers, and candy and serves as a bright spot during the long winter months, especially this year. Like most holidays, it has been commercialized over the years, with store shelves filling with boxes of chocolate, cards, and gifts starting in early January. Americans will spend over $21 billion dollars celebrating Valentine’s Day this month.  Not surprisingly, most people (73% of those surveyed) feel it is even more important to celebrate the holiday this year as we struggle to find happy moments in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. 

Showering love and affection on our children, partners, and loved ones is so important, but I’d like to suggest that we re-focus our Valentine’s Day celebrations just a bit. We can make our kids feel special while also giving them the opportunity to spread the joy of the holiday to others. We can move away from spending lots of money on gifts that people don’t really need and flowers that will end up in a landfill while helping kids flex their “empathy” muscles and experience the warm, wonderful feelings that come from helping and caring for others. 

Here are a few ways to spread the love of Valentine’s Day to those who might be struggling in your own community and around the country.

1. Create Cozy Nights for Kids in Need: Donate new pajama’s to children who are homeless, in foster care, or living in domestic violence shelters in your community. The Pajama Program is a national nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for children facing adversity. Since 2001, they have provided over 7 million cozy pajamas and inspiring storybooks to children, as well as critical resources for parents & caregivers to support children at bedtime.  The Pajama Program provides resources to help you host a donation drive, and identifies a local organization that will accept your donations.  Financial donations are also always welcome.  You can donate to the Pajama Program or to a similar organization, Family-to-Family, which provides new pajamas, a soft blanket, and a cuddly stuffed toy to children living in poverty.

2. Give Warmth & Snuggles to a Child in Foster Care: On any given day, there are more than 400,000 children living in foster care in the United States. Together Rising is a national nonprofit working to transform the way children experience foster care.  Around Valentines Day, they spread love and hope by giving 500 Snuggle Kits, which include a stuffed bear and soft blanket, to children in foster care.  Through the buy one/give one program, you can purchase a Snuggle Kit for a special child in your life, and they will give one to a child entering foster care (or you can donate both kits). 

3. Connect with an Isolated Senior: Create colorful, simple valentines with messages of friendship, kindness, and support and deliver them to a local nursing home or senior outreach program. You can also bundle up a stack of letters and send them to Love For Our Elders or Letters Against Isolation.  Both websites provide more detailed instructions and information.

4. Give Dignity & Beauty to Women in Crisis: With just a few small toiletry and beauty items purchased at a dollar store, you can create beauty bags for women living in homeless or domestic violence shelters in your community. Items can include lipstick or lip balm, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, fuzzy socks, hand lotion, or soap. You can use a gallon zip lock bag, or a small paper gift bag decorated with stickers. Be sure to include a cheerful note wishing the recipient a Happy Valentine’s Day and reminding her that she is beautiful.  

5. Create Valentines for Our Veterans: Our veterans and active-duty military often spend holidays alone or far from loved ones, and receiving a cheerful message from your family can brighten their day immeasurably. Soldiers Angels is a military support organization with a simple motto: May no soldier go unloved.  You and your kids can create cheerful valentines expressing love and support, and mail them (along with a $1 donation per card) to Soldiers Angels.  The $1 donation helps to defer the cost of packaging boxes of valentines and sending them to deployed troops around the world and VA hospitals here in the United States.  

6. Recycle Those Flowers: Have you ever wondered what happens to all of the Valentine’s flowers that remain unsold at the end of the day on February 14th? There are organizations around the country that collect and repurpose floral arrangements, keeping them from landfills and providing cheerful bouquets for seniors in nursing homes and hospitalized children. Some examples include Bouquets of Kindness, Random Acts of Flowers, and the Reflower Project. Through a quick internet search, you might find one of these organizations in your own community.

7. Notice the Heroes All around You: Encourage your kids to write notes of gratitude to all of the many people who keep them safe, teach, coach, and help them, every day.  From the crossing guard or security officer at school, the classroom teacher (whether virtual or in-person), the doorman or maintenance worker in your apartment building, the postal carrier or delivery person—anyone who interacts with your child on a daily basis would be delighted to receive a heart-shaped note, a small box of candy or even a sticky note with a few scribbled words of appreciation. Never underestimate how a kind word or action from you and your kids can change someone’s day and make them feel loved, which is, after all, the purpose and power of Valentine’s Day.

Natalie Silverstein
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Natalie Silverstein, MPH, is the NYC coordinator of Doing Good Together. She is a writer, speaker and consultant on the topic of family service. Her first book Simple Acts: The Busy Family's Guide to Giving Back was published in 2019 and her second book for teens will be published in 2022.

You know and love the diapers from The Honest Company, but did you know there are a ton of other great things made by the wellness brand to discover? The company founded by Jessica Alba has expanded into skincare, sustainable gear and so much more. We’ve rounded up our favorite gifts you can feel good about giving to the whole family, and here’s a bonus: there’s free US shipping on any beauty purchase, and no code is required! 

Splish Splash Holiday Gift Set 

This gift set includes everything new parents need to make bath time the best time! Plus, they’ll get some of The Honest Co’s best-selling wipes.

Jessica’s Fave Twist Headwrap, Palm Print 

If 2020 isn’t the year to invest in chic headwraps, we don’t know what year is! Not to mention, this is a fave of founder Jessica Alba.

Award Winners Kit

This kit includes mascara, a lip crayon and lipstick. Perfect for the beauty lover in your life! 

Honest City Backpack

This vegan backpack is actually a diaper bag! There’s even a changing mat tucked away for easy access.

 

Reusable Magic Silicone Sheet Mask

A mask that you can use again and again? Yes, please!

 

Hand Sanitizer Spray 4-Pack

Keep your loved ones safe with this four-pack of sanitizer!

Honest Mama Bump Care Kit 

Moms-to-be need all the pampering they can get, and this kit is the perfect solution.

Men’s Must-Have Kit

Don’t leave the guy in your life out! This must-have kit has everything to keep skin looking great.

Honest Canvas Pouch

Keep everything you need for on-the-go fixes in this adorable canvas pouch with a geometric pattern.

 

Sugarfina Bandana Bib

Your new eater will love this sweet bib with an easy magnetic release.

 

Healthy Child Healthy World

Read all about the steps you can take to create a greener household from The Honest Company co-founder Christopher Gavigan.

Tween Skincare Kit

Get your tween started on a healthy skincare regime with this bundle of washes and moisturizers.

—Gabby Cullen

 

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My entire life, I have struggled with my body image and my own self-worth. A girl with a pretty face, but whose body never seemed to match the face. A tummy that always stuck out.  Love handles that were always there. My brother, teasingly, because that’s what brothers do, patting my belly at 15 and saying, “Is it a boy or girl?” I would analyze every angle of myself just wishing I could wave a magic wand and look like my friends strutting around the beach in bikinis, whereas I had to wear a tankini to hide the fat.

As a child, my mother always had the house looking like something out of a magazine. Everything was meticulous. She would refresh her lipstick throughout the day and had hair that was always perfectly in place. My mother, in her size four attire, took pride in her appearance, and exercised regularly. There was nothing wrong with the way she took care of our house and her appearance. I was and still am proud of the woman who raised me. The problem was, even as a child, I constantly compared myself to her. I wasn’t as naturally slight as her, I didn’t have her vivacious personality. I was quiet, chubby, and bookish.

This pessimistic, self-doubting attitude followed me into college. Partying too much, and eating too many carbs, I gained the traditional freshman 15- or in my case 20. But instead of focusing on healthy eating and exercising, I began going through periods where I would skip meals and when I did eat, I would throw up afterward. This was the start of a tumultuous relationship with food and myself. I didn’t think I was worthy of a positive relationship so I dated men who didn’t value me. Men who only saw me as a “hookup” or someone to call when they were drinking.

Thankfully, after college, I discovered running. It was such a great stress reliever and gave me the positive endorphins that I had been missing. Between running, and an excessive amount of Vitamin D from moving to San Diego I was happy and started to see myself in a positive light. I met this wonderful man, who is now my husband of eleven years, and he sees the light in me even on my darkest days.

I wish I could say that by meeting Greg all my insecurities went out the window. They didn’t because I’d never really dealt with the issues at hand. I saw myself in this negative space that made me feel I wasn’t good enough. That when I look in the mirror, I probably see someone who is 50 lbs. heavier than I actually am. That I hate having my picture taken, and when I do have to be in a photo, I cringe when I see a photo because I can’t believe I could look like that.

I now have an almost eleven-year-old and six-year-old. I also have a thyroid problem. I know that I am chronically stressed and my hormones are out of whack. Unfortunately, none of these have been good for my mental health. Many days I still don’t feel great about myself, but there is one thing that has changed—and it is the little people who are looking at me to be their mirror.

I can’t let history repeat itself.  So much of our self-worth comes from what our parents instill in us. As my oldest daughter is on the edge of beginning puberty, I have seen her trying on outfits, and making a face when she thinks she doesn’t look good enough or pinching her tummy. It terrifies me.

I encourage her to make healthy choices (but it is okay to have a treat too). She is even starting to take an interest in cooking, so I have been encouraging her to look up healthy recipes that she would want to eat. She is an anxious kid and we are working on making sure that she moves her body not because it is a rule or something she has to do, but because it puts her in a positive headspace and is calming.

My youngest daughter was eating a cookie one afternoon, and when I asked her if I could have a bite, she replied, “No, because of the calories.”  I asked her what she meant by that and she told me that if I don’t watch my calories, I’ll get a bigger belly and not be pretty. Calories is not something we talk about in our house.

I said to her following the cookie incident, “ Being beautiful doesn’t mean you are skinny. God makes people in lots of different ways. Besides don’t you think what matters most is that you are a good, kind person, and always try your best?” By that point, she had lost interest in the conversation and went back to playing with her Shopkins, but I hope the point was not lost. Here was this six-year-old bringing up calories—she saw me in the same negative light I had seen myself in for two decades. I cannot change my past perception of myself, but I can change the image of myself that I present to my daughters and our society’s interpretation of what beauty is.

At 38 years old, every once in a while that same teenage girl full of so much self-loathing tries to take over. With effort, I focus on my good qualities. My writing, my sarcastic sense of humor, my blue eyes, and curly hair. And there are days when the cycle wants to repeat itself, but those incredible little people who I get the privilege of raising, deserve more than that. So, I tell that girl, the sullen girl to get out of the mirror so I can help pave the way and set an example for these strong, talented, and beautiful girls that I get to call mine.

 

Hello!

I am a mom to two smart, audacious, and beautiful  little girls (10, 6) .  I am a fiction writer, and almost through my first draft of my novel.  When I'm not reading, or writing fiction I freelance copywrite and teach middle school English.