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5 Secret Must-Pack Items and Tricks to Surviving A Summer Road Trip with Littles
It's a time-honored tradition - the summer road trip. A full-tank of gas, tunes queued up and nothing but the open road ahead. There's romance to it, right? Well not if you've got kids under 12 in tow. Then it becomes a seemingly endless refrain of "Are we there yet?", "I have to go to the bathroom" and "[Insert Sibling's Name] won't stop touching me!".
So we came up with some survival tips to make your summer road trip just a little bit easier.
Bribery
- Give a fixed amount of money to each child per hour of no whining, complaining, etc. ($0.50 / hour / child for peace)
- Food - keep their bellies full with snacks - healthy, and some that are car trip-only treats
- Toys - new, inexpensive toys such as a beach ball or sand bucket and shovel that they can use at their destination
- Portable DVDs
- iPads with new apps, movies and games
- Coloring
- Story books or novels depending on the age of the kids
- For doodling
- Games: Tic, Tac, Toe; Hangman; etc.
- Fill up reusable bottles for each kid that they can use throughout the trip and reach on their own
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The Modern Pregnant Woman's Secret for Making Prenatal Vitamins a Healthy Habit
Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie announced her pregnancy on Tuesday, and talked briefly about the challenges of keeping her big news under wraps until she reached the magic 12-week mark. Most mothers face the same challenges from avoiding alcohol in office social situations to overwhelming nausea from morning sickness, early pregnancy fatigue and taking one or more large prenatal vitamins or supplements, all of which are sure to tip off curious co-workers.
So what's the modern pregnant woman to do? Grab a Style Rx pill box case to keep her prenatal vitamins organized in a discreet, go-anywhere case. It fits easily in her purse with a secure closure to keep the vitamins organized, and it's attractive enough to leave out on her desk to help her form her new daily healthy habit.
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4 Steps to Picking the Best Sunscreen This Summer
Ask almost anyone with beautiful skin and they'll tell you that nearly every time that consistent use of sunscreen is their beauty secret. But we've also all heard the stories of sunscreens that are ineffective or not nearly as effective as promised. Then there's chemical vs. physical blocks, different SPFs and you can quickly find yourself wanting to toss the tube and just hide under a tree all summer. So here's a few quick tips to help you find the right sunscreen for your beach bag this summer.
- Formula - This mostly comes down to personal preference - chemical v physical block. Some don't like all the chemicals used in typical sunscreens, and others have found physical sunscreens to be less effective and often difficult to rub in so it really is which are you more likely to use consistently. The blog Sweet Home just did a very comprehensive look at the pros and cons of each with helpful brand recommendations
- SPF - 40 is the new 30. No, not in how we feel but how effective sunscreens are in delivering the promised protection. A Consumer Reports study just showed that most SPF 30 sunscreens were not delivering on their 30 SPF promise, so many experts now recommending going up to SPF 40 to get the needed 30 protection
- Quantity - Most of us are not using enough. Again the Consumer Reports study recommended using 1 teaspoon per body part or if you're using spray sunscreen make sure to spray it on, rub it in and then reapply immediately since it's difficult to know how much you're really applied
- Frequency - Don't forget to reapply. No sunscreen is water-proof and most of it wears off long before we even realize it. Good guideline is to reapply every 1-2 hours
Happy Summer!
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Always Inspired | Recognizing Veterans Past and Present this Memorial Day
Recognizing the immense sacrifices
of past and current service members.
Thank You.
Always Inspired.
Flying This Summer? 11 Tips for Tackling the TSA Lines with Style and Grace
You've heard the headlines already this Spring. And maybe you've experienced it first hand. (We have!) Extra-long TSA security lines at airports around the country have inspired #IHateTheWait. While the government tries to figure out how to remedy the situation, the most practical recommendations have been to get to the airport even earlier (yeah, thanks!) or sign up for TSA pre-Check. But are those the only options?
As with most things, a little preparation can go a long way. So here's 11 tips to help you tackle the TSA lines this summer with style and grace...
- Footwear - wear slip on shoes, and possibly socks to avoid walking barefoot through security (eew!). If you must wear tie shoes, consider untying them as you approach the screening line
- 3-1-1 Still Matters - transfer larger liquids into travel size containers and make sure they all fit in your clear one-quart size resealable bag
- Medications - always pack your prescriptions, and other essential medications and vitamins, in your carryon - never in checked luggage
- Paper Copies - bring copies of your prescriptions, passport, photo ID and itineraries in case of emergency
- Leave Behind - don't bring water in your carryon bags and check the TSA forbidden list for other items to avoid when you're packing
- Think Ahead - print you boarding pass the night before, pay for any checked luggage so you can just drop it off and make sure you have your photo ID and/or passport together and in a secure but accessible pocket of your carryon
- Bag Drop - consider doing curbside check in or locate your airline's bag drop only line so you can secure a spot in the security line as soon as possible
- Go Your Own Way - sometimes the nearest security checkpoint to your airline is not the speediest, so ask airport personnel for guidance if possible. (We did this recently and it saved us from missing our flight!)
- Waiting Prep - Have your photo ID and boarding pass ready - as in together in your hand or easily accessible pocket, NOT in your wallet at the bottom of your bag
- Bottlenecks - if you're able to choose your screening line, choose carefully, but quickly! Avoid the line with lots of families (especially with small children) or the large group with lots of bags
- Game Time - empty your pockets, jewelry, etc. before you get to the bins. Stash it in your carryon or have it ready to toss (gently) in the bin when you get there. Also, unzip your laptop bag so it's ready to take out when you get to the conveyer belt
Packing Plus - See what the LA Times, Denver Post, Philadelphia Inquirer and a CBS affiliate have on their must-pack list for style and function. Safe travels!
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How To Pull Off A Girlfriend Getaway This Summer
Next weekend marks the "official" start to summer and if you're like us probably half your summer weekends are already accounted for. How does this happen? It's incredible.
However, an article we came across earlier this week got us to thinking. Do any of those summer plans include some time with your girlfriends? Sadly, ours don't. Sure your summer weekends are filled with family and great friends - old and new - but not with just your girl posse. Which we all know time spent with other women - who really get you - is invaluable. So how do we build more of it into our lives - this summer, and all year round?
Here's that great how-to that got us to thinking from Real Simple's editor. Some of it is a bit ambitious - one person planning a surprise trip for the rest of the group. Uh, no thank you. Too much effort / pressure. But several other ideas are just so practical, and spot-on - e.g. when searching for a rental home, comfy couches are top of the list for lots of lounging and wine-sipping. Priorities straight!
So hopefully this too will be the inspiration you need to carve out a weekend this summer - before the entire summer is scheduled - to corral your girlfriends for some quality reconnect time. Just make sure there's good couches and lots of wine! Cheers to great girlfriends!
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An Ounce of Prevention...Make This One Appointment Today
This week is National Women's Health Week. We've had it circled on our calendar for awhile since at Inspired by Dawn we're not just about style, but also about healthy living and wellness.
It's also very fitting that it falls the week after Mother's Day. After celebrating our moms we realize more than ever that we'd like them around for as long as possible. And we also want to make sure we're around for our own children, spouses, significant others and friends that rely on us.
So take this as a good reminder to think about when is the last time you had a physical and/or an annual exam, and schedule one now if it's been too long. And while you're at it remind your mom or a friend as well. It's the best gift you can give yourself and others - wellness and healthful longevity. Wishing you health!
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Really Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts that Go Beyond the Bouquet
Mother's Day is Sunday and if haven't wrapped up the perfect gift yet and your mother lives far away, you may be wondering if flowers are the only option at this point? It turns out that thanks to the internet there's still a few options left beyond the bouquet. But get clicking, Sunday will be here before you know it!- Amazon Prime - the world is still your oyster with this beauty. Prime's 2-day shipping can still help you get the perfect gift there in time
- E-Gift Cards - many retailers, spas and even Starbucks offer e-gift cards that you can order and send as late as Sunday morning - for the epic procrastinator!
- Breakfast / Brunch Delivered - since you can't be there order breakfast or brunch to be delivered to her door. Whole Foods and Williams Sonoma are just a couple of options that have quiches and croissants to choose from
- Expedited Shipping - let's face it you can still order almost anything and get it there in time. It's just going to cost you. But it's your mom after all, and you did procrastinate... So go ahead and still get her a gift she really wants and pay the overnight shipping fee. It may just help remind you to start shopping earlier next year.
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This Saturday: Recycle Unused Medication for Healthy Environments & Communities
On the heels of Earth Day and in the midst of spring cleaning here's an opportune time for you to gather up the old, unused, partially used and expired prescription medications cluttering up your medicine cabinet, bathroom and bedroom and safely dispose of them.
This Saturday - April 30th - from 10am to 2pm locations nationwide are available for you to drop off your old medications for safe disposal through the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Click here to find a location.
This national initiative "aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription" medications. Past Take-Back Days have kept millions of pounds of medications from contaminating our soil and water, and reduced misuse of the medication by others.
So no more excuses. You have a good reason to finally tackle that medicine cabinet!
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5 Can't Miss Gifts for Mom | Mother's Day
Mother's Day is early this year - Sunday, May 8th. Have you started shopping yet? If not, do you have a plan? Don't know about you, but finding the right / best gifts for our moms always seems to be such a challenge. After all what is the right / best / memorable / significant way to recognize the woman that birthed you, raised you and continues to be your best friend?
Of course, there's no one size fits all answer for the best gifts for mom. Ideally your gift choice is as unique as she is - so where do you start? Here's a little help ...
- Pampering - A welcome gift by nearly every mom at any stage - with small children and/or teenagers at home or with grown children. A massage, mani / pedi, whatever. A little pampering goes a long way in showing mom how much you appreciate her. Bonus points if you go along with her and enjoy some quality time!
- Family Photography - Gather the whole family or just the kids or grandkids, either way mom is sure to love a timeless photo of those she loves the most
- Customized Jewelry - What mom doesn't love keeping her kids close? Order her a necklace with pendants for each child with their names and birthdates.
- Travel - Book an overnight or weekend escape and whisk you mom away. You're both sure to cherish the time together and enjoy a change of scenery.
- Stylish Treat - Show her that you get her and her one-of-a-kind style. Wrap up that great bag she's had her eye on, a chic scarf or some other luxe accessory that keeps her looking and feeling stylishly, yet comfortably, modern at any stage.
Happy shopping. We know your mom will love whatever you choose!
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