If you’re expecting this Independence Day, you may be wondering what to wear to the cookout, picnic or Fireworks celebration going on later today.
Temperatures along many coasts in the US will creep up to the 90s today so you want to make sure you stay cool.
I recommend wearing the lightest of fabrics, ideally cotton or preferbly a light linen.
If you own a kaftan or tunic made of very breathable fabrics, go with that! If not an A-line or sheath dress will do.
If you’re further along, an empire waist blouse with your comfy cropped maternity stretch jeans will be perfect.
On your feet, skip the wedges and stick with sandals.
Avoid flip flops because they can be a hazard if there are spills or if you’ll be walking in areas with a lot of dirt and grass.
If you plan to do a bit of walking, for example, to set up for your family’s spot along the fireworks route, then go with some canvas shoes.
Now, traditionally, I’ve done a post highlighting all of the celebrities who have worn Stars and Stripes American Flag apparel to celebrate the 4th of July, Memorial, Veterans or some other patriotic American Day.
However, given new awareness that is kinda against an old law to wear Old Glory in anything other than a FLAG, here are creative ways to wear stars and stripes:
Being original is what it is all about when revealing that you are pregnant, with some parents taking it that extra step when deciding to tell the world that they are expecting a little baby. Take these guys for example (pictured above) who have used the simplest of things to tell their own personal story. Yes, unique and humorous baby reveals have become incredibly popular over the last few years, with parents using whatever they find on the street as a means to let people know that they are adding an extra placemat to their dining table.
You wouldn’t think that hashtags like #pottytrain, #naptime, #splishsplash and #kidsswimwear used in captions of innocent photos parents share in social media should be avoided, but they should because they attract child predators and pedophiles.
A republished story in Good Morning America today includes a list curated by a non profit child advocacy groups of over 100 hashtags that parents should avoid using in social media. The list was initially released in January as part of the group’s @kidsforprivacy campaign that launched in 2018.
Child Rescue Coalitionis an organization that aims to protect all children from sexual exploitation.
One way they do that is through the Child Protection System (CPS) — “technology that provides the most comprehensive view of where child predators around the world are downloading and sharing explicit content online -— leading to direct action,” according to the web
“To a normal person and normal friends photos picture on the beach that’s cute to us cute to us might be seen very differently by predators,” CEO and founder, Carly Yoost told GMA. “Child predators not only use the Internet to distribute pornography, but also to stalk children, share information, and trade tips and techniques on how to seduce and lure them into sexual encounters.”
Just like pregnant women are community property, so, to a certain extent are newborn babies and infants. When people see them out and about, at the mall, the park, in the synagogue, temple or church, they can’t help but want to squeeze those juicy cherubic cheeks, stroke that curly soft baby fine hair and try to get the baby to grip their finger.
All three of these areas are big NO TOUCH areas for most people and especially for strangers who do not know the baby or its parents.
Here’s why:
1. The hands: At the earliest stages in a baby’s life, its hands are always in its mouth. They suck on their hands, fingers and fists for comfort. Adults have their hands on a variety of different objects throughout the day, often times picking up germs here and there. Most people do not use hand sanitizers nor wash their hands as often as would be ideal during the day. The worst thing a new mom wants to see is your grubby mitts exposing her newborn’s hands to whatever germ may be hanging out on your hands. It’s tempting and often times, understandably when you are overwhelmed by the cuteness in front of you, but don’t. Think before acting. It’s a gross thing to do.
2. The face: Many adults have sensitive facial skin and newborns’ skin can be no different and in some respects, are even more sensitive. They are fresh out the womb and are still developing their immunity. A cheek stroke from you (with your germ-filled finger) is liable to have the poor kid break out in a rash later. The mom may not be in a position to wash off your cooties before it’s too late. Just say no to the “cheek squeeze.”
3. The hair: Similar to the same reason you don’t touch a newborn’s face and hands unless you are its parent, pediatrician or just finished rubbing hand sanitizers on your hands moments before getting permission to approach the baby, you don’t touch or stroke a baby’s hair.
Of course, all of the above rules are flexible and can be waived depending on the situation and your relationship with the parents, but by all means if you are a stranger, it’s best to watch and not touch. If you must, tug at a socks or stroke the forearm. Understand, you’re still pushing your luck.
Just passing along a little public service announcement on behalf of all those new (especially first-time) parents out there who go through public settings full of anxiety on how to best protect their baby from unwanted advances. [That will be the subject of another post]
Summer is a great time to unplug, and unwind, find a space under a tree or tie a hammock around the two oaks in your grandparents backyard and indulge in a good book.
Or if you’re pressed for time and cannot find the time to actual curl up, you could also listen to a good book via Kindle or Audible or some other digital format as you prepare dinner, wait for the kids to get out of practice, commute into work or while doing some other mundane task.
This year’s Summer titles I’m downloading on Audible (you can get these FREE with a month trial) includes:
“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
“Narrator Cassandra Campbell serves up a bushel of Carolina accents in this debut novel by nature writer Delia Owens. Campbell’s accents give the mix of classes and regions in the story the same realistic detail Owens provides for the marsh…. Prepare to be enchanted and haunted.” (AudioFile)
“While the magical element is new in Ward’s fiction, her allusiveness, anchored in her interest in the politics of race, has been pointing in this direction all along. It takes a touch of the spiritual to speak across chasms of age, class, and color. … The signal characteristic of Ward’s prose is its lyricism. ‘I’m a failed poet,’ she has said. The length and music of Ward’s sentences owe much to her love of catalogues, extended similes, imagistic fragments, and emphasis by way of repetition. … The effect, intensified by use of the present tense, can be hypnotic.” — The New Yorker
From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.
Named a most anticipated book of 2019 by Oprah.com, Real Simple, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, GoodReads, PureWow, Vulture, The Millions, and more.
“Obama writes with a refreshing candor, as though her keen awareness of her celebrity is matched only by her eagerness to shed the exhausting veneer that helped enable her husband’s political rise. ‘My husband is making his own adjustments to life after the White House, catching his own breath,’ she writes at the end of the preface. ‘And here I am, in this new place, with a lot I want to say.’” — The Atlantic
“Getting Things Done: the art of stress-free productivity” by David Allen (I own the book version too)
David Allen reads an all-new edition of his popular self-help classic for managing work-life balance in the 21st century – now updated for the new challenges facing individuals and organizations in today’s rapidly changing world.
“Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted — and completely undervalued — by society at large.” — Publishers Weekly
” What a delightful way to enjoy a Jane Austen story! This dramatized version alternates between dialogue and Emma Thompson’s narration over music. I thought the narrators were all excellent, and the sound effects and music really pulled me into the world of Emma. If you are an Austen fan, be aware that this is not a word for word reading. Rather, it is a new way to enjoy a familiar story. ” – Reader Reviewer
“Heavy is a dark book, and the trauma that Laymon orbits is almost like a black hole; its shape is circular. Even when he finally tries to have an honest conversation with his mother (at a casino, of all places) about the things he’s experienced, the harms that befell him, it’s still impossible for either one to understand the other without blame.” — The Nation
So you have just found out you’re pregnant – congratulations!
Now comes all of the planning for the next few hectic months ahead of you. You don’t just have to prepare everything for your new babe to come, you have to find clothes that will fit you throughout this momentous period of transition in your life.
You may not know where to start, though, so here’s a beginner’s guide to maternity fashion and how to buy the right pieces for you.
Wear what you have until you can’t
It is virtually impossible to predict how your body will change when you’re pregnant, so it’s a good idea not to go crazy and shop the minute you find out you are expecting. As a way to save some money and some extra stress, only go shopping for maternity clothes until you cannot fit in your old clothes anymore. Chances are, some of the pieces you have can be easily modified to be a bit more forgiving while you grow.
Don’t look at the sizes
Only buy what pieces really fit you properly and make you feel good! Your body will grow and change at different rates, so your clothing needs to be comfortable throughout your entire pregnancy. Don’t get caught up in maternity sizes, as they aren’t as accurate a descriptor as they claim to be. Try a few different sizes of jeans, tops, and outer layers to get a good baseline on what feels comfortable and go from there.
Keep your fashion sense
Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to change your fashion self. Gone are the days where pregnant mothers had to wear oversized and draped outfits that were not flattering. Nowadays, there are plenty of clothing options for you to pick from no matter your style. Plus, you don’t want to buy items you don’t feel confident in because, let’s be honest, they’ll just sit in your closet eventually anyway.
Purchase for after the pregnancy
Your body may not be able to bounce back as soon as you’d hope for after giving birth. Fortunately, maternity clothes are able to work during this transitional period, and can give you extra room and comfort while you’re working to get your body back on track. Items like maternity dresses and jeans, for example, are wonderful pieces that you can use long after the birth of your child.
Be prepared to invest in underwear
You most likely will have to invest in more underwear than any other category of clothing in your wardrobe. Be prepared to change your underwear structure every few months or so. For example, for the first three months of your pregnancy you should choose stretchy, breathable fabric for your bras as your breasts will swell a lot during this period. From three to eight months, look for a nursing bra with a thicker band to accommodate for your expanding rib cage and, for your last month or so of pregnancy, buy your bra cup size larger than usual and a smaller band size. This will be useful as your ribcage returns back to normal after giving birth.
Stock up on shoes with natural material
Shoes made of natural material, such as leather, cotton, or woven linen, will be a wonderful addition to your maternity wardrobe. These shoes are more likely to expand with your swollen feet and ankles and ensure you’re comfortable at every stage of pregnancy. Remember, you’ll be keeping all of those heels in your closet and only investing in flat shoes.
With these tips in mind, you can take the guesswork out of maternity fashion. So get out there and go shopping. It’s time to pamper yourself, mom!
Psst … it’s pool party season! Break out the goggles and the pool floaties, because now is the perfect time to make a splash with an epic backyard bash. Whether you’ve got a lap pool, a kid-sized affair or even just sprinklers, we’ve got plenty of pool party ideas to inspire your next shindig.
Decor
Set the mood and let your party goers know how big of a splash they’re in for with bright colors and festive accents. From beach balls to pool noodles, here’s how to make your party look picture perfect.
How I fake staying sharp and cultured by “reading” Classics and new best sellers with an Audible membership and get free titles in the process
As a work from home mom, sometimes my days include traveling to client events, chauffeuring kids to sporting events, waiting, waiting and doing more waiting.
I like to fill in these times by listening to podcasts and recently learned I could listen toMichelle Obama‘s record-shattering best selling book “Becoming” versus read the hardback book someone got me as a gift.
The best thing: it was free and part of two complimentary titles I received with a trial membership.
I could have canceled after the trial was over, but am hooked. I decided to keep it and have a long list of other audio books I plan to “read”.
It’s perfect for people like me who have every intention to read books but never get around to it.
A popular post on this blog is 11 Books on my Bookshelf that I have every intention of reading but never make time to.
You get two free titles with your monthly subscription which amounts to less than the cost of one book so it pays for itself quickly each month and forces you to keep it up.
“Narrator Cassandra Campbell serves up a bushel of Carolina accents in this debut novel by nature writer Delia Owens. Campbell’s accents give the mix of classes and regions in the story the same realistic detail Owens provides for the marsh…. Prepare to be enchanted and haunted.” (AudioFile)
“While the magical element is new in Ward’s fiction, her allusiveness, anchored in her interest in the politics of race, has been pointing in this direction all along. It takes a touch of the spiritual to speak across chasms of age, class, and color. … The signal characteristic of Ward’s prose is its lyricism. ‘I’m a failed poet,’ she has said. The length and music of Ward’s sentences owe much to her love of catalogues, extended similes, imagistic fragments, and emphasis by way of repetition. … The effect, intensified by use of the present tense, can be hypnotic.” — The New Yorker
From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.
Named a most anticipated book of 2019 by Oprah.com, Real Simple, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, GoodReads, PureWow, Vulture, The Millions, and more.
“Obama writes with a refreshing candor, as though her keen awareness of her celebrity is matched only by her eagerness to shed the exhausting veneer that helped enable her husband’s political rise. ‘My husband is making his own adjustments to life after the White House, catching his own breath,’ she writes at the end of the preface. ‘And here I am, in this new place, with a lot I want to say.’” — The Atlantic
“Getting Things Done: the art of stress-free productivity” by David Allen (I own the book version too)
David Allen reads an all-new edition of his popular self-help classic for managing work-life balance in the 21st century – now updated for the new challenges facing individuals and organizations in today’s rapidly changing world.
“Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted — and completely undervalued — by society at large.” — Publishers Weekly
” What a delightful way to enjoy a Jane Austen story! This dramatized version alternates between dialogue and Emma Thompson’s narration over music. I thought the narrators were all excellent, and the sound effects and music really pulled me into the world of Emma. If you are an Austen fan, be aware that this is not a word for word reading. Rather, it is a new way to enjoy a familiar story. ” – Reader Reviewer
“Heavy is a dark book, and the trauma that Laymon orbits is almost like a black hole; its shape is circular. Even when he finally tries to have an honest conversation with his mother (at a casino, of all places) about the things he’s experienced, the harms that befell him, it’s still impossible for either one to understand the other without blame.” — The Nation
We are deep into Graduation season and if you are still on the hunt for the perfect gift for that high school, college or graduate school celebrant in your life, I’d like to suggest you check out my fave online site and partners, Etsy!
Logged on the other day and instantly spotted some sentimental and funny gifts like…
These T-shirts modeled after the “Friends” TV show logo but with a funny play on the word Seniors. It’s just $9.34 now on sale. Order it today before the sale expires.
I also absolutely loved these personalized chains and charms celebrating the graduate in Rose Gold, Gold and silver. They’re practically a steal at just $19.95. Want!
Speaking of clever, for that kid who could not wait to graduate, this hilarious shirt is for him or her! I have just the person in mind for this next year! ha! It starts at$13.99 which is a steal in my eyes.
Now for the design fan who cherishes graduation, this personalized frame grad art it superb! So sentimental and so perfect! I love it and surprisingly just $13.95. Wow! Get it!
Finally, something that a graduate can carry around that is both functional and commemorative: a silver keychain, personalized, and just the right touch at $17.99.
Get on these for a graduate this year, in the fall or next year!
A family gathering can be a joyous occasion. Getting together with people you haven’t seen for years can exciting.
Perhaps a new generation has been born, and you’ve only seen the birth announcements. Reunions help maintain that intergenerational connection that helps shed light on certain commonalities.
For example, your daughter with a love for painting might find out that a great aunt is an established artist. Creating lasting bonds or renewing existing ones with your kin can also help you learn about your history. DNA kits are popular more than ever. Now you can find out where your family’s journey has led everyone.
To create a drama-free experience, you can find several ways to keep everyone happy. You’re focusing on the fun of it all. Here are some ways to plan (and survive) the next reunion and more to come in the future.
These are the people probably know you the best, and you can count on when you need them. Interrelationship isn’t always pretty, but families hold a special bond as no one else can.
Family on the sea
Sometimes you can’t escape a bit of drama during a family reunion. Before packing a place with relatives, you should make a list of who is and isn’t coming. Understanding all the variables may make the process easier.
You can ask another family member to help in organizing the invitations. You also want to take finances into account. Some may not be able to afford a pricey trip.
Finding the right venue for everyone can be tricky. One way to have everyone together but with enough space to spread out if needed is booking a sunset cruise in West Palm Beach. Family cruises give you numerous activities on board, from shows and sights, games for the children, and the end of the day together at dinner.
You can have a set time for everyone to meet to spend time together going over old photos and discussing memories. You can create a keepsake such as a scrapbook or a wall calendar with funny quotes and pictures. You and the family can be together for a many things on board.
Find out where and what activities everyone is interested in. There are cruise lines that even have go-karts for a different take on cruise life.
Family festivities
Having a themed soiree can be another interesting idea to bring the family together. You can enjoy a Great Gatsby party, where everyone is decked out in 1920s garb and enjoying specialty cocktails. You can ask your local liquor store what drinks would make for such a night.
During the warm summer months, you can throw a luau complete with pineapples and tiki lamps lining the backyard. Simple food with a hint of the tropics such as fresh fruits and umbrella decorated drinks are a fun addition.
Hiring someone to play the ukulele or popping in a Hawaiian CD adds some subtle background music. A potluck can be a great reason for everyone to dig up the old family recipes.
You may discover who created your favorite, or you could learn the origin of your grandma’s pot roast. You may want everyone to bring a copy of them to collect and create a keepsake of the family recipes.
This can open up where your family came from and how they got to where they are now. With mail-away DNA tests, you can find out exactly where you all traveled from, which can be revealed at the party.
For those relatives who live too far away, you can find an easy solution for them to enjoy the festivities. Thanks to modern technology, you can set up the laptop or tablet and livestream the gathering. Your long-distance relatives can see everyone with no one feeling left out, whether because of finances or physical and health issues.
