The HBOhit series Game of Thrones is having a baby boom as the actors who protrayed The Mountain, Sansa Stark and Jon Snow and Ygritte all welcomed babies recently or are expecting a child.
Iceland’s Hafthor Julius Björnsson, who played Sir Gregor Clegane, “The Mountain,” announced Sunday that his wife Kelsey Henson welcomed a baby boy.
“After an extremely hard 2 hours and 19 mins of pushing our healthy, strong, beautiful boy arrived,” he captioned a series of photos of himself, his wife and newborn on Instagram, sharing that the baby weighed over 7 pounds.
Henson wrote on her Instagram account, “Our beautiful baby boy made his grand entrance into the world at 11:19 AM on September 26th 2020 after a short and intense six hours.”
“The birth was the most powerful, life-changing, empowering thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. We are all doing well and settling in at home as three!”
His co-star Sophie Turner welcomed her own first child, daugther Willa, who she shares with husband Joe Jonas, in July and this weekend, the private star shared a few throwback maternity photos ofher baby bump.
And just this week, it was revealed that another extremely private pair of stars, the also married Rose Leslie who playe Ygritte and her co-star and husbaqnbd Kit Harrington are expecting their first child.
The couple met on the show and married in 2018. An editor for a Brit magazine shared that news in an Instagram post which featured Leslie in a black and white photo with her growing baby bump showing.
Dark skin women nail inspiration images are hard to come by.
Before you head to the nail salon or purchase a nail polish color, often times you want to see how it would look like completely on your skin tone. Obviously, you cannot uncap a sealed bottle and paint your nails in advance. Therefore, you either have to guess and hope it comes out fine or, alternatively, you search online for images of women with similar complexion that you have in the colors in the nail polish you’re interested in purchasing.
As a person with dark skin who loves to switch up her nail color, I’ve found it challenging to find images of women with darker skin tones on Pinterest and other visual search platforms that feature fashion inspos.
As such, I decided to curate some photos and feature myself in the nail color in consideration of other women out there like me who similarly struggle in this arena.
1. Mint green or aquamarine
Mint or Aquamarine is a cool attention grabbing color. This shade contrasts well against dark skin and stands out for sure. It’s one of my faves to rock especially on vacation or during the Spring when looking to switch up the wardrobe for warmer months.
2. White
You gotta love the stark contrast of white against dark skin. It stands out as much as mint green but is not as flamboyant a shade. White looks classic and can be worn in corporate and traditional work settings.
3. Brown
With brown being so close a color for brown people or deeply tan and olive complexioned people, it makes sense that this hue complements well with their skin. This axiom is true for light brown to darker brown shades of this nail color. All aspects of the spectrum work!
4. Green
Dark green is also a complementary color to deep tan and brown skin so you cannot go wrong painting your toe and fingernails in this shade. It’s a wonderful tone for the Fall and Winter months for those who live in seasonal climates.
5. Yellow
Sunny yellow can brighten the mood. It’s a bold color that is so vibrant it will steal all the attention. It may be too bold for conservative settings but for anyone who wants to mix up their style and elevate their fashion level, this is the perfect pick!
6. Grey
Grey is a natural and neutral shade that is still dynamic albeit in a very subtle yet classic way. Grey also complements any skin color from pasty white to blue black. All complexions work well with grey.
7. Burgundy
Another earthy warm tone is wine, magenta or burgundy. This hue is beautiful and classically attractive and is a good shade for work and formal events. They work on short, medium or long nails.
8. Blue
I love the stark complement of a dark blue nail polish against the rich hue of melanin enriched skun. Whether your nails are long or short, this color is a beautiful shade for modern women.
9. Gold
You can wear a metallic gold or a softer matte or muted version of gold and know you will look polished and well put together. Gold is an understated shade but can be ornate at the same time.
10. Turquoise
I love this shade of blue because it always turns heads. It makes me happy and lets the world know you’re upbeat and ready to capture the day. Okay, maybe that is overstating things a bit but turquoise is a wonderful color.
11. Pink
A traditional feminine color is pink and out of all colors, I think this hue of nail polish is the most vibrant for dark or very tan skin colors. You can match your make up easily in pink. Whether baby pink or hot pink or blush pink, try it in every shade.
12. Indigo
This is close to blue and purple and for that reason is very fun shade of nail polish. In Autumn, indigo nails go well with your warm scarves, layers and boots weather.
13. Orange
Orange is another warm tone that I love. You can try lighter shades like Sherbet or mid range orange in Tangerine or super bright Neon orange. All shades complement well with melanin rich skin.
14. Red
When I think of Winter, I think of candy apple red nail polish. This color looks great on any complexion and especially on highly melanated skin!
15. Peach
Peach is a lovely Summer color. It’s light and airy and complements darker hued inviduals perectly!
16. Neon Green
This exotic color looks great on dark complexions. It is so outrageous on anyone so don’t be afraid to be confident and go brave in this!
17. Nude
A clear top coat or a very pale pink that resembles the nail bed flatters all shades and colors.
There you go! Go brave or go natural! Have it your way, ladies!
Louis Vuitton is the most counterfeited designer brand on the market today.
There have been many lines of these designer products produced over the years. If you are not very familiar with them, it will be difficult for you to know for sure which one is real and which one is a replica Louis Vuitton.
This is why you need to see how real LV replicas can look likeso you know exactly what you are dealing with. Here are some tips that will help you recognize a counterfeit from the real one.
Louis Vuitton Logo
One of the most important things to look at when buying a Louis Vuittonis their logo. This logo was created over a century ago and has the same unique design that most counterfeiters have trouble copying.
If the logo on the Louis Vuitton you are buying is blurred, smudged or tilting, then it is a Louis Vuitton replica. The logo is also never crossed with stitches, locks or folds. Most of them have the LV monogram on the leather canvas, and it is symmetrical from side to side.
This logo can be upside down as in the speedy model but only on the backside without a seam at the bottom. Never go for a LV product that has two pieces of leather stitched together.
The Leather and HandlesOn An Authentic Louis Vuitton
The leather on vintage LVs is darker than what is found in contemporary bags. Some are made of coated canvas, but the trim is still leather. This trim should be dry to the touch. If it is slippery or oily, it is a fake Louis Vuitton.
The trims are never covered with polythene tissues or soft paper. This is an attempt by counterfeiters to protect the material from eroding and the seams from coming off.
Lining and Stitching
Another area you should carefully inspect is the lining. On Louis Vuitton bags, the linings are never dark brown. They are either Alcantara or grey. They also do not utilize suede linings. Some models have cotton ones.
Each model will have its unique lining. You, therefore, need to do thorough research and check the company’s website to ensure you buy the real ones. Counterfeiters will often overlook the lining part.
Stitching for LV bags is a crucial process from which perfection is demanded. Therefore the stitches are straight and even. There is also a specific amount of stitches used, and this does not change from bag to bag.
Some great examples are the Louis Vuitton Speedy, Alma, and Neverful. These have five stitches across every tab where handles are secured, never more, and never less. There is no back and forth stitching for all models.
Price
This is also something you should factor in when buying LV bags. None of them is cheap, and they do not have discounts or wholesale distributions. Their prices are constant throughout the year because of their strong market value.
Make Sure You Are Buying An Authentic Louis Vuitton
Choosing the real from counterfeit Louis Vuitton is not easy, but it is possible. All you need is to be extremely keen on the smallest details. You do not want to buy a Louis Vuitton replicathat will tear and embarrass you after only a few weeks.
PURCHASE AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON PRODUCTS FROM ONE OF THESE RETAILERS
It’s the start of a new school year in my home and I’m determined to make sure we have a smooth, clutter-free and positive school year.
As an avid believer in and the positive impact of having a decluttered and organized home, I believe having an organization system and clutter and junk free home are essential for ensuring positive energy flow and clear thought.
I highly recommend that parents use the beginning of a school year as another excuse to get organized, not just for the school routine, but the family home in general. So even if you did Spring or New Year cleaning, use the late summer/early fall to re-organize your life and priorities as well.
Even if your kids have already gone back, you can still get started. Here are some declutter and home organization tips that I’ve put together that I hope can help get you through the year.
Clean and DeClutter
Clean and Declutter the Kids Play, Work Rooms and Nursery. Limit the number of toys and books in the kids room. Get rid of old broken toys. Give away old books and toys to the Salvation Army, Good Will or another family member with children younger than yours. Keep only a few of the favorite story books and the toys your child or children play with regularly. Don’t let them know you’re getting rid of the stuff they don’t even play with. They likely won’t even know it and you don’t need the headache of having them plea for you to keep it.
Infuse Calming Scents in the Home. I’m a also a big believer in aromatheraphy and that scents guide the mood. Buy Glade or some other brand’s plugins to keep the air fresh and clean smelling. You can burn candles when you’re home or if you’re an incense type of person, those work too. Consider using those with essential oils or scents such as chamomile, rose, vanilla and lavender. They are calming scents.
Thoroughly Clean the Room. Wash and Wipe down the walls, baseboards, windows and floors — with natural cleaners. Repair wall holes, cracks, squeaky windows, peeling paint. A clean home is great for fostering clear thoughts and just clarity, in general.
Set up Calendar and Chore Lists. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, you shouldn’t be doing all of the cleaning and upkeep. Set up a chore sheet for the refrigerator for after school chores. Also, start a new family calendar for keeping up with back to school nights, upcoming field trips, sports activities and other events so everyone knows what’s going on. If you’re the family manager as mom, you shouldn’t be the only one aware of what days are soccer practice. Sitters, your spouse and house guests should too. Also, a chore list is great for keeping up the principles of feng shui which are all about clean spaces.
Keep Toys Dedicated to ONE area of the home (or maybe two) Avoid the chaotic mind that comes when you have toys and other things sprinkled in every nook and cranny of the home. Toys should be kept only to the play room, the kids room or one area of the apartment that is quartered off and situated with a toy chest, storage bin or some place where you can quickly toss all the toys hanging out all over the house. The tough part may be to stick to this one simple rule.
When the kids are not playing with a toy, there is really no need for it to be taking up space on the kitchen table or creating a tripping hazard for you or a guest. Either you, your partner or trained kids if they are old enough should make a concerted effort to gather all errant toys and keep them in the designated area.
It seems pretty intuitive, huh?
Over time, it will become a habit or second nature and you will find toys are not strewn about as much anymore. I do this with other areas of my home and life. All papers, books, newspapers, invoices, magazines are usually put away in our home office. All clothes go in a hamper, closet or bedroom. Dishes, cups and silverware discovered anywhere in the house are picked up and taken in the kitchen
Think of this mantra: “There is a place for Everything and Everything in its place.” Organize the Paper Trails. Each year, families accumulate reports, information from school, permission slips and the such. It will get mixed in with bills, receipts, warranties and other paper that come into your life.
This Home Organization plan will make it easy for you: Get a binder or two and dividers or one of those mega accordion file folders with tabs and divide them in the following categories:
School Category
Car maintenance schedule/Receipts
School schedules and holiday list
Lunch menus
School information page
School reading lists
Summer Camp and programs information
Medical information sheet for each family member
Emergency directory
House-sitter information sheet
PTA newsletters and rosters
Health Categories
Prescription drug record
Health insurance information
Home Vacation
Travel packing checklist
Before-we-leave checklist
Vacation idea list
Home Renovation
Home renovation contractor lists
Contracts and Bids
Warranty information
Utilities/services directory
Home decorating ideas
Home Business
Business records
Tax Documents for Business
Consultants and Independent Contractor records
Liability Insurance
Business & Office Equipment registry
Financial
Tax Documents for Personal
Big Ticket Items receipts
Life insurance information
Budget/spending record
Bills to pay
Hope these Declutter and Home Organization Tips are helpful to you as you get yourself and your family organized for the season! Good luck!
Ciara debuted the video for her latest singe “Rooted” featuring Ester Dean last Thursday at midnight and in it, she appears very pregnant right before giving birth to her third child.
The visuals are stunning and feature dancers donning natural ethnic hairstyles like bantu knots, afros, braids and cornrows and messages of solidarity to the the late John Lewis who recently passed away, the Black Lives Matter movement and Black women and men who died in police encounters in recent and distant past.
That is amazing because if you watch the video linked below, you will she was showing all of her very energetic dance moves and even did a twerk or two!
It is a powerful song and comes on the heels of the release of Beyonce‘s pro-Africa “Black is King” visual album that debuted on Disney Plus earlier in the month. I can dig it.
Her son, Winn Harrison, is featured in mom’sbelly but as are his older siblings, 6-year old Future and 3-year old Sienna who make cameos by mom who is donning a extra large afro, and grills with the word “Melanin” on them.
She is the latest celebrity mom to appear in a music video.
Congrats to newlyweds, actor Chris Pratt and his wife author Katherine Schwarzenegger on the birth of their first child together.
“We are beyond thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter, Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt,” the celebrity couple announced on their respective Instagram accounts, captioning a photo of the two of them holding their infant’s hand.
“We couldn’t be happier. Both mom and baby are doing great. We are extremely blessed,” Pratt added in his post along with some Bible scripture.
The baby is named partially for her famous grandmother, veteran journalist Maria Shriver who is also niece to former US President, the late John F. Kennedy.
Lyla joins older half brother Jack, Pratt’s 7-year-old son with ex-wife Anna Faris.
Baby’s grandfather is action star and former California Governorr Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, sending a child off to college and shopping for dorm essentials is a little different this year for parents of first time freshmen and upperclassen too.
Although a lot of universities have decided to be “online only” this fall semester, many institutions are still having in-person and hybrid online and in person classes. My son’s school in upstate New York is one.
His college, along with others that have decided to welcome students to campus this year are telling parents and students to pack light and to bring just enough stuff to stay for 2-3 weeks in case there is an outbreak and they have to shut it all down right after classes start.
As a recent New York Times article noted, “[p]arents are discovering that, regardless of what guidelines are posted, policies are changing with new data and little notice almost daily.”
Yikes!
It’s not just about packing lighter than normal, it’s also changing the landscape of the college experience.
Schools are converting triples and quads into double and single occupancy rooms to decrease the density and crowding of dormitories. The move-in process is also changing. At my son’s school, they are only allowing one person to accompany a student at move in day. This decision means the entire extended family that planned to accompany us to send him off to college will have to simply wait in the car.
He had to take a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days in advance of arriving on campus, subject himself to New York state contact tracers and conduct daily health check ins with his school’s app! Oy vey!!
These big changes also mean we parents now have to update, edit and toss aside those 200+ item college dorm shopping checklists we all researched, pinned and downloaded.
Likewise, readers of this blog can go ahead and ignore my tips for creating a lavish dorm room. You won’t be needing all that this year. You can go to Dormify if you insist on making it super cozy and on getting accent elements but don’t get carried away with the matching window treatments, room accents, plush pillows, throw rugs and string lights.
So as far as the packing list goes, it’s safe to keep the usual must-have items on there: casual clothes, an interview, job fair or class presentation outfit, workout gear, PJs, fall and winter outerwear wear along with an umbrella.
However, there is no need to purchase and schlep along school supplies like binders, printer paper, pens and clip boards when your kid can get that stuff at the local Walmart or Target after she moves in. I’d say skip the bed risers to make room under the bed to store supplies needed for an entire school year. Just get plastic collapsible storage bags and be done with it.
Also, I think to save space and time, there is no need to purchase a mini vacuum cleaner, broom and a bunch of cleaning supplies, and I say this not because your kid won’t clean, but this year, you can expect the college will have extra cleaning supplies on hand and will have a housekeeping staff there to do a thorough sweep through more regularly than before.
A bottle of disinfectant and paper towels or a reusable rag for dusting will do…oh and snacks. You can never send too much snacks!
This year, you have other things to focus on such as COVID-specific essentials like Vitamins, disposable disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers and UV light air purifier.
There is evidence that copper and silver reduce the life span of viruses and while most copper-infused gloves are not touch screen compatible, the GliderGloves Copper Infused Touch Screen Gloves are and are only $14.99 a pair! It can’t hurt and you never know!
Personally, to prepare to pack the car, I edited and adjusted the old college dorm checklists I’ve downloaded from Facebook parenting groups to just include the bare essentials and a Covid-19 quarantine essentials “Go” bag.
That’s the bag that has all a kid would need to be holed up in a hotel, a friend or family’s house for up to 14 days in case the college student tests positive for the coronavirus and needs to go to the hospital and later quarantine somewhere on campus or nearby, in case they are exposed to a roomate, suite mate, floormate or lab partner who contracts the disease and need to do a 14 day quarantine because of that exposure.
The other scenario is that the school decides to shut down altogether and you cannot collect your child in time and need to arrange for him to stay at a hotel or some other transition housing until you can make arrangements to bring them home.
Here is an abbreviated list of what should be on this year’s Covid era dorm packing list:
LAPTOP
In lieu of a full desktop that some kids haul to campus, consider investing in a laptop which is more portable solution like this renewed Apple Macbook Air with 128 gigs of ram at Amazon. My son is a computer science major and insists on taking the two monitor system he built in the 11th grade so we are traveling with that, but most people will not need to go that route.
ANTIMICROBIAL DESK PAD
Because we are in a season of trying to mininize germs and knowing that computer keyboards and mouse controllers are a common source for accumulating germs, an antimicrobial desk pad like this Artistic Rhinolin II Self-healing desk pad, available at Amazon may be a good thing to have. I also found a less expensive one at Walmart.
PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER WITH UV LIGHT
There is some evidence that UVC light kills viruses, there is a thinking out there among some moms that it cannot hurt to invest in an air purifier that kills germs with UVC light and has that capability. I found a pluggable portable one that sanitizes, purifies and cleanses germs from the air for $39.99 made by Germ Guardian which has GREAT REVIEWS from asthmatics and others who’ve used this product! That’s a good size and price for a small room!
A mini pill sound box is not just good for listening to music but also for connecting a phone or mobile device to it while listening or watching a class. Your student can multitask and get dressed for the morning, do some light cleaning or fold laundry without having to be at the desk watching. The Beats mini portable speaker is $126 on Amazon.
A much less expensive bluetooth speaker is the DOSS for just $27.99 which produces top quality sound and gets decent reviews.
COFFEE MAKER
My kid doesn’t drink coffee but I heard great things about the Keurig K mini coffee machine which can be enivronmentally friendly if you opt to used the reusable filter and purchase coffee grounds! It’s a good price at $78 and comes with great reviews. Alternatively, for a cheaper and definitely eco friendly option, you can get a mini Mr. Coffee for just a little over $25!
POWER STRIP
You can never have too many power outlets so a power strip which is also a surge protector is a must have. We got a double pack at a steal for just $4.99 at Ikea! Also, because of COVID , he may spend more time in his room than the computer lab.
Although the students in my kid’s school say they did not use the printer they took to college in previous years, this year may be different with reduced hours or with students wanting to limit their time spent in buildings and spaces that are not their rooms. Therefore, it may be worth it to invest in a small printer to print out paper assignments, or project elements.
I have a printer graveyard but the one that has been the best to us is the Canon PIXMA MG-2522. The ink cartridge replacement is significantly cheaper than for HP and other brands.
It’s a little loud but you get tons of ink jobs before it runs out and I predict your child will not need to replace ink all semester but if she does, you can sign up for the cartridge replacement plan which itself is really reasonable.
CLIP ON FAN
If your college student will be rooming with another person, it is inevitable that there will be some disagreements on the room temperature. If ever your kid gets too hot, having his/her own portable mini fan like this one is a good bet.
CLIP ON DESK LAMP
Similar to a small fan, a small light is needed for those nights when the roomate is napping or sleeping but your college kid still has an exam to study for. I got my son a clippable desk lamp that can be easily moved from his desk to a post on the bed. It was at Target for just $7!
FLOOR LAMP
Although I would think a floor lamp would be overkill, I like lots of light. Heavy illumination brightens my mood, gets me in the mindset to work and keeps me alert.
And I believe there is research to back up the fact that plenty of light energizes in addition to makes it easier to see what’s on a computer screen or inside a text book when working on a desk with a desk lamp.
Here is a chart with some data to back me up:
I plan to pick up this one above from Walmart.
UNDER BED STORAGE UNITS
In lieu of hard collapsible storage container that take up room, this year, opt instead for plastic underbed storage containers that are pliable and are maneuverable in a crowded mini van or SUV and takes up less space. Also, this year, skip the bed risers and stuff thse plastic and cloth storage container under the bed. The Onlyeasy foldable storage container comes in packs of 2. Fold and Carry the winter clothes in there and have your kid replace them with the August and early September clothes for the warmer months.
SHEETS SET
Send two sets of sheets: one that can be used while the other is in the laundry bag. I went with recommendations from blogger Sophia Lee and purchased the Mellani Bed Sheets on Amazon.com.
MATTRESS TOPPER
My son’s school needs a specific kind of protectors that meets a very high California consumer board anti-flammable standard. One brand that works is sold at Target but is always sold out there so we lucked out and got one from Walmart.
COMFORTER
A plush and cozy comforter is a must have for having a full rest before class. I lucked out and got a steal on a nice comfy reversible grey Brookside Downs comforer at Overstock.com.
BLANKET
For studying in the student lounge at the desk on chilly evenings, a blanket or throw is in order. This is also a good cover option for warmer months when a comforter may be too much coverage. We got a very soft one at Ikea this past weekend. They have other styles and materials and this one in other colors like pink and other feminine colors.
PILLOWS
Any standard pillow would do but in addition, a back rest pillow is a must to lean up against those concrete dorm walls or while in the study lounge propped up against a wall or sofa.
We picked up the Therapedic back rest at Bed Bath and Beyond which is a bit pricey considering there are a lot of much much cheaper ones out there, but if you get it online after signing up for their newsletter, you can get it 20% off!
COMMAND STRIPS
For hanging up photos, white boards, mirrors and other heavy vanity items, the Command strips are a plus. A lot of dorms forbid hammering in nails so if you get a 7 pack of the command strips, you should be good to go! They’re about $5 at my local Target or if you don’t want to go into a store, order this pack of 7.
HANGERS
I got two sets of wooden hangers forat Ikea in packs of 8 and plan to pick up a couple packs of plastic ones at the Dollar Tree or Target.
DORM ROOM SLIPPERS
My son has always wanted a more manly pair of slippers so it was wonderful to see these Dockers slippers on sale at our local Sears for only $20.99. I saw Joe Boxer brand had some for young women at $19.99 too while I was in there!
This year, college kids may be in a position of having to be hospitalized, God forbid, and have a medical directive, also, some may need a passport or social security card for getting an on or off campus job to satisfy employer verification process.
Further, even though a lot of us use digital form of currency, in an emergency, having actual cash may be necessary. A small safe like this one disguised as a book is the best to store cash and valuable and high security documents.
TOWEL SET
We have not yet gotten our towels but I think I will get the set I saw at Sears when I was there picking up casual clothing for the kids. These are the softest around.
BATHROOM CADDY
My son has indicated that he would prefer not to use a shower caddy so, we got hin the Kusoofa Shower Caddy tote which doesn’t look like a traditional and more femine tote at Amazon.com because it got great reviews from travelers, gym goers and others.
SHOWER SHOES/FLIP FLOPS
An old pair of rubber flip flops or beach slipper syour kid already has will probably be enough to use for shower shoes. These are shoes you wear when using a community shower as they have in dormatories. If your child will be in a suite or apartment with a dedicated bath for just the unit habitants, this may not be necessessary.
Walmart sells a good low cost pair that gets great reviews for just $7.49!
WATER PURIFIER
Save money on purchasing bottle water by getting a water purifier jug so your coed can just filler up out of the tap and put this in this in the fridge. A BPA-Free Brita Water filter goes for $34.99 on Amazon but you can find other brands for less at other big box retail stores.
PLASTIC DINNER SET
A set of hard plastic bowls, plates, cups and cutlery is in order considering that your kid may be spending more time in his or her room consuming food than inside the dining halls especially if your child is immunodeficient and is being extra cautious about being inside enclosed places where it is easier to contract the novel coronavirus.
These are pretty cheap and in fact, Target has each piece for $.78 cents right now. If you want to get an entire matching set, 12 piece Cambridge dinner set sells on Amazon and is a Prime recommended product!
PRESCRIPTIONS
Whether your child has prescriptions or just takes over the counter allergy medicines, vitamins and other pills for common ailments, get these all pre-ordered and enough for the year with insurance to save the hassle of transfering orders to a local pharmacy at your child’s college.
I make my kid fill up his in Sunday-Saturday pill box us older folks use to keep track of all of our medicines. It’s not too embarrasing because it can stay in the dorm and they only get to be embarrassed by their roomate. This tool is great for travel and to be added to the quaranting Go bag!
I purchased the Apex twice a day pill box from Walmart!
LAUNDRY BAG
Again, Ikea to the rescue! I considered getting a collapsible laundry bag or basket and then saw mention of a laundry backpack in a parenting book.
I saw one promoted on Amazon for $15 but then at Ikea spotted a backpack that is 8 gallons and would work!
LAUNDRY SHEETS OR PODS
Instead of heavy bottles, the wisdom from current college students is to go with the detergent pods or detergent sheets.
A popular brand is Breezeo and 48 sheets sell for under $9 on Amazon. They are light and easier to carry and store. Your kid just pops a sheet on top of a load and can go and they are less likely to destroy clothes the way pods can for kids who never ever do their own laundry and might not know what the heck to do!
It’s a different world out there and this year, a pre-packed bag is needed that can be picked up in a hurry in case a kid tests positive and cannot return to the dorm. He or she can simply tell his or her roomate to grab the grey Nike bag in the closet, for example.
This bag is a headache saver. No need to have them run around the room gathering stuff and rummaging through private stuff trying to fill up what’s needed.
Here is what needs to go in that bag:
DUFFEL BAG or BACK PACK
Start with a large duffel bag or backpack that is big enough to hold a few bulky items like clothes, a towel and a toiletries kit. I purchased an extra IKEA backpack that I got for him to use as laundry bag but in another color for the go bag to avoid confustion.
FIRST AID KIT
A lot of parents say these kits are rarely if ever used but just like at home, they are a great thing to have and add a feeling of security knowing one is in the room. You don’t have to get a large one like this one at Amazon because you can probably get a smaller kit at a brick and mortar store like Target or Walmart for less.
I would suggest taking out the excess first aid items and replacing small bottle of cold, cough and flu medicine, fever reducer, elderberry throat longezes and cough drops, Vick’s vapor rub, a small thermometer.
PULSE OXIMETER
Sadly, if your kid does get the novel coronavirus, she may need to take her blood oxygen level and so a portable pulse oximeter is a good purchase to put in the bag for safety and security sake. The Zacurate Pro has the most positive user reviews on Amazon compared to other brands on the market so I will be putting my trust in other consumers here and hope for the best.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Important documents (e.g., driver’s license or government ID, health insurance card or copy, social security card) – Keep these in a platic waterproof envelope or plastic envelope with a clasp like this one that you can get on Amazon for $8.70 for a pack of 3.
Face masks– 7-10 face masks, a mix of cloth and paper ones will do. We just ordered a set of N95 replicas for $16.95 in a pack of 5 from Amazon and a pack of 50 masks we picked up from our local Target but which is also available on Amazon for $18.99.
Portable charger – Portable charge bank like this one at Amazon for $12.99
2 pill boxes-For prescriptions, pre-fill two weeks worth of medicine, vitamins and OTC drugs. See Above.
Hand sanitizers – A couple travel size containers and/or a large pump
Disinfectant Wipes – Inside a resealable package that is soft and pliable and can easily fit in a bag
2 weeks worth of clothes – Think casual clothes, tee shirts, sweatshirt and shirt pants, maybe 3 outfits that can be recylced and don’t forget undergarments
Towels – A full set in case the one your kid has used in the morning is still hanging up to dry and they need a fresh one just for the go bag
TOILETRIES KIT
These travel kits can be purchased in drug stores, on Amazon pre-packaged or you can create your own kit. This men’s bag is just $17.99 and includes everything in it. a A women’s version is a dollar less.
Umbrella – a smaller portable umbrella is good to be put in the go bag.
Headphones – A separate less expensive back up pair of headphones your son or daughter may already ave at home or on hand can go in the bag as a back up.
Non Eletronic Entertainment – Coloring book, Soduku, magazine, novel or some other non electronic thing to distract or pass time.
What not to bring tips curated from Winds of Change: • Decide about the “nice to haves” once you’ve lived there a while. Maybe you’ll realize it would good to have an area rug, a full-length mirror, or a closet organizer. But you don’t have to know everything ahead of time. Get settled in first. • Avoid bringing hard-sided suitcases. They can be difficult to store and create clutter. Instead, opt for duffel bags or collapsible storage bags (and don’t forget under-the-bed storage). • You don’t need a year’s worth of toiletries — they take up space too. Pack enough for a couple of weeks, then restock. • Know how you’ll get stuff you don’t pack. Research nearby stores. Consider ordering items online and having them delivered. (Back-to-school merchandise often goes on sale after September). Budget to make a few purchases once you have your bearings. • Have secure, clean, and cashless ways to pay for things. This means at least two options, whether credit or debit cards (which can be pre-paid), wallet apps, gift cards, or vouchers.
That’s it! Good luck and God speed to all of our children as we are indeed all in this together! Stay safe!
I am reposting and updating a post I did in the past about how the new decade will change for parenting. I believe now that the COVID era will be additionally instrumental in the way people parent their children because by the time we get over this pandemic, more of us will become experts in home schooling.
Here is the post again. Enjoy!
Now that I’ve reviewed the parenting trends of the past, from a celebrity perspective, let’s take a look at the top parenting trends that we can expect in the coming decade.
From Helicopter to Free Range Parenting, child raising techniques and patterns change over time, with each generation and with scholarship and research.
There really is no right way to accomplish this fine craft and art of raising decent human beings from newborns to young adult.
However, each generation adopts varying habits and patterns that mark their eras in distinctive ways.
The Millennial Generation has already established itself as separate and almost the anti-Generation of its Gen X and Baby Boomer generations that precedes it.
Parents will be less timid about taking their babies and small children with them while traveling the world.
The concept of traveling with children is not new but was limited to trips to Disney world or roadtrips in the Summer to the Grand Canyon. Of course, we always had those bold wanderlust or Peace Corp types of parents who were never fearful about picking up their toddler and heading to the Andes but they were in the minority.
A new report by Resonance Consultancy points to the increasing importance of Millennials to the family travel market.
Travel Agents Reportstates that “44 percent of Millennial travelers take their vacations with the kids in tow,” according to the firm’s new Future of U.S. Millennial Travel report.
More than half (58%) of U.S. Millennials who traveled overnight last year have children under the age of 18 in the household, Resonance learned.
Once kids enter the picture, Millennial parents continue to travel.
Now and in the future, millennial parents will not even hesitate to do so. Many are open to the idea of home schooling their children while living and working as digital nomads abroad. They do not think a child necessarily needs in-school instructions. As a result, we will see more children grow up as students of the world.
Millennial parents have grown up in the age of information, and generally speaking, it shows.
They’re not feeding their kids the super-processed, questionably-nutritious baby and kid food of yore, and they want to maintain their principles of eco-minded, earth- and animal-friendly living once they become parents.
And according to Forbes, newer baby food brands are catering to them by partnering up with nutritionists and food engineers to offer sustainable biodynamic food sourcing and processes.
Because Millennial parents of all economic classes want nutritious, organic, science-backed food for their babies , their babies Generation Alpha will be the best fed kids.
3. More Baby wearing, Less investment in multiple strollers
Not long ago, the stroller was a status symbol. Posh parents would have purchased more than two strollers by the time their child reached Kindergarten: a baby carriage or infant car system, a jogging stroller and a toddler stroller.
Nowadays, it’s all about baby-wearing. Also, newer parents have less income and are interested in sustainable living, less waste and extravagance. They do not rely on things like strollers to make a statement.
The term “babywearing” was coined by William Sears, a California-based pediatrician who in 1992 wrote “The Baby Book,” which popularized the concept of “attachment parenting.”
Along with co-sleeping and extended breast-feeding, baby carrying is a core tenet of that parenting approach, which is supposed to nurture a closer attachment between parent and baby and ultimately a healthier child.
The future of parenting is more engaged and connected parents and baby wearing is part of that.
4. Single by Choice/More cohabitation before marriage or without plans to ever marry
Beginning with Generation X, women have been willing to have babies on their own, or elect to just co-habitate with a partner and skip getting married altogether. However, most eventually bowed to societal pressure to find the one, exchange vows and have kids.
Future parents are not willing to be handcuffed by societal rules and tradition.
In 2009, the oldest millennials were in their 20s and as The Wall Street Journal reports, of those older millennials who did have kids, most were unmarried.
And generally, what is norm has changed.
A Pew report finds that just 46% of kids in 2016 were living in a household with two married parents in their first marriage, compared to 61% in 1980.
Generation Z is coming up behind the Millenial generation and are said to be more financially savvy, the next era of parents will be even less constrained by standards of traditional practices.
Their family planning practices will reflect this prediction.
5. More demanding about Parental Leave
Dads in the Generation Y are also leading the charge in changing gender-based roles in the home, and likewise will change policies related to parental leave.
Millennial dads are more likely to take paternity leave after their spouses or partners have a child. They are also more likely to be stay at home dads and to baby wear.
A Business Insider report states that “millennial dads are far more likely than their fathers were to take time off work after the birth of a baby” and quotes a 2016 Cornell University study which asserts that dads who take longer paternal leave tend to be more engaged and involved with their kids in the long run.
That same report indicated that “in 1989, only 10% of these stay-at-home parents were dads, whereas today, stay-at-home fathers account for 17% of such caregivers” and noted that while “women still account for the vast majority of parents in this role, but the numbers are on a course toward more balance.”
Further,it states that in many dual-income millennial homes in which both parents work full time (that’s 46% of households, according to Pew), the mother is the primary earner.
They are making private companies and the government adjust to this new dynamic.
As more private companies start to offer extended family leave and generous paternity leave, future parents from up and down the socioeconomic ladder will start expecting and even demanding adequate time off after welcoming a child to the family.
They will also be more likely to support laws or support candidates that propose new laws standardizing and expanding parental leave policies and laws.
6. More Social Media – Less Friends/Family as Advice Source
Parents will be more comfortable about sharing photos of their children in social media and some with actually brand their children from birth, similar to the way celebrities do now.
About 4 in 5 millennials admit to posting a picture of their kid online at least once, according to a poll conducted by TIME and Survey Monkey. Half of baby boomers, meanwhile, have never posted a photo of their kids online, as well as 30% of Gen X parents.
Month-by-Month posts for the first year of a baby’s life and fabulous color coordinated themed first birthday parties are a thing that Instagram following are made of!
Being that the new generation of parents are more digital conscious and aware, they will continue to skip friends and family for advice and turn to Google.
A recent New York Times article states that millennial parents go to Google, chat rooms, and apps for parenting advice and as one expert told the paper, “Google is the new grandparent, the new neighbor, the new nanny.”
7. Creative Names and Less Formal Names with History and Meaning
“Finding a name that has authentic roots, but is completely undiscovered, is the ultimate baby name status symbol,” Pamela Redmond Satran, a founder of the siteNameberryand author of “The Nameberry Guide to Off-the-Grid Baby Names,” told Alex Williams of The New York Times.
The future of parenting will include names that are not necessarily connected to a family or tradition.
In fact, more Millennial parents are reportedly looking for a name that is not already attached to a domain.
Also, that New York Times article mentions that many millennial parents are giving their kids personal hashtags and YouTube channels.
8. Raising Gender Neutral Children
With more awareness of LGBTQ issues and variances of how members of that community identify, modern and Millennial parents are cognizant about how they label their children. In year’s past, we followed strict gender identity and roles. To put it bluntly, children were either male or female. However, in the coming years, more parents will be open with raising children without subjecting them to or assigning them gender identity. Future parents may be more likely to let their kids determine for themselves how they want to identify.
A Euromonitor internationalreport states that middle class parents in developed world, especially older Millennials who are becoming parents, are taking a more gender-neutral approach to child raising, using neutral colors and with names suitable for either gender proving popular.
9. Less Religious – More Spiritual or Non Religious
A lot of holidays in secular society have become so homogenized and commercial that it is very easy for a child raised in a non-religious household to not feel left out. Christmas, Easter even Halloween and Day of the Dead which have cultural and spiritual origins are practiced and recognized by people who do not go to Church or follow the initial practices of each holiday.
If any of the aforementioned are clues, the next generation of parenting will go with their gut and not abide by what books, society, the media, the government or advertisers tell them.
In fact, they will be the one dictating what these ancient institutions do!
The next era of parents will be more empowered.
The future is here and it’s going to be quite different!
Summer is here, which normally means it’s time to take a vacation! In the age of the Coronavirus Pandemic, many plans are being changed or curtailed. No matter where you’re going, if you’re not prepared, a potentially amazing holiday can turn out to be the worst.
Here are our summer health tips to make sure everything goes smoothly and as safely as possible.
1 Wash your hands regularly
It might seem obvious, but this is your best and easiest way to stay healthy while you’re traveling. Regular handwashing can help prevent COVID-19 transmission as well as more routine illnesses like diarrhea and respiratory infections. Washing up can also help you avoid bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which can cause major gastrointestinal issues (or even something worse). You’ll also remove germs left from a sneeze or other factors that can cause colds and other illnesses that can ruin your trip.
And consider the health and habits of the people around you. Take antibacterial wipes to deal with germy surfaces, such as a gas pump, door handles, or hotel room surfaces.
2 Eat and drink in moderation
There’s no shame in indulging when you’re on vacation, but try to keep a balance between occasional splurges and nutritious food. For example, if you’re planning a big dinner, try eating light vegetables during the day.
Also, try to eat vegetables at least once daily while traveling. Dark, leafy greens are especially a good choice: They can improve your mood and energy.
To further protect your health, try to eat outdoors whenever possible and avoid smaller, older restaurants. Getting to-go orders is a smart alternative as well and provide the opportunity for a fun family picnic.
3 Stay hydrated
It can be challenging to drink enough water when you’re busy enjoying the summer and sightseeing. However, dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue and even serious health problems.
Here are some useful tips:
Bring an empty bottle to the airport and fill it at the terminal.
Keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go — and make sure you bring extra water for any children traveling with you.
Download an app to track your water intake and get notifications.
4 Get enough sleep
Vacation is a time for both play and rest. If you get less than six hours of sleep per night, even for just a week, you’re more likely to get a common cold than people who sleep more. If your body is thrown off from jet-lag, try taking a melatonin pill on the first night or two in your new environment. This will prepare your body to relax at your new bedtime.
Even if you need a relaxing vacation where rest is the only thing you’ve planned, try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Exercising on vacation can help you recover from any stiffness from sleeping in a new bed, and it improves your overall energy level. Consider exercising outdoors and avoiding enclosed gyms and studios.
6 Use your sunscreen
Days spent at the pool or the beach mean more exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and apply it every couple of hours or when you’re sweaty and/or wet. This will reduce your risk for skin cancer. Hats are great extra protection for you and your kids.
Because of global quarantine orders still in place and recently tightened for some parts of the United States, a lot of people will be stuck indoors for this Fourth of July Holiday. Granted, they can barbecue on the balcolny, patio or backyard or perhaps head to an open beach but for many people, this Independence Day will be spent inside the house.
You can still commemorate the “official” independence of the United States on the couch by catching one of the wonderful movies already made that are considered Patriotic or which invoke feelings of patriotism during this Holiday.
I’ve curated a list of movies, most of which I have seen and highly recommend, for you to consider watching tomorrow. All of them can be stremed for free to as little as $3.99, that’s much cheaper than most activities you can do outside.
The hit Broadway production was set to tour this Summer but that has been put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, right before the country shut down, Disney was able to create a theatrical version of this play for the masses!
The award-winning musical is hailed as a creative modern retelling of Alexander Hamilton‘s journey to becoming a founding father of the US. Created by composer, playwright, performer and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton won 11 Tony awards in 2016 and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Drama.
Glory is the story of Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) and the infantry men (Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman) of the first all-black volunteer company who struggle fighting the Confederates as well as prejudices from other Union soldiers. The film earned a heap of accolades including three Oscar wins. It will leave you feeling emotional and particularly connected and reeling with emotions also in light of what’s going on these days in America.
Born on The Fourth of July is the biography of Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), the story of a man who becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights activist after being paralyzed in the Vietnam War and feeling betrayed by his country. Kovic is transitioning from the brutality of the Vietnam war into the disillusionment of veterans returning home to an America that has turned against them. Director Oliver Stone‘s film, the middle installment of his lauded Vietnam trilogy, plummets viewers into a contentious topic during a decade when shifting ideals and activism fueled the country.
This was a wonderfully produced and acted movie, in my opinion but don’t take my word for it.
Forrest Gump goes though so many parts of US history that is undoubtedly deserves a spot among the American Patriotic films. Slow-witted Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) has never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his supportive mother (Sally Field), he leads anything but a restricted life. Whether dominating on the gridiron as a college football star, fighting in Vietnam or captaining a shrimp boat, Forrest inspires people with his childlike optimism. But one person Forrest cares about most may be the most difficult to save — his childhood love, the sweet but troubled Jenny (Robin Wright).
This movie is an all-time favorite for a lot of people. It does have a super long running time of close to 3 hours but it is worth it!
Now the inspiration for many a crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster, Roland Emmerich‘s 1996 masterstroke Independence Day sent Will Smith‘s career into the stratosphere with a fist to an alien’s kisser and one simple line: “Welcome to Earth!”
If you haven’t seen it, which is unlikely, you’d better buckle in for two-and-a-half hours of alien invasion, exploding national monuments and a tear-jerking speech from President Bill Pullman, as America’s bravest (Randy Quaid!): “Fight for our freedom — not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution — but from annihilation.”
Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus–three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman.
In light of the current strife in America over racial justice, this very old book and film is still sadly timely.
Pete “Maverick” Mitchell keeps pushing the envelope after years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators. He must soon confront the past while training a new squad of graduates for a dangerous mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice.
This movie still gives me chills especially the high flying aviation spins! You have to check it out for yourself if you are one of the few who haven’t seen it yet! Shame!
Winter Soldieris the second Captain America movie. It makes sense that it made the list since it features one of the most patriotic superheroes. After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), lives in the nation’s capital as he tries to adjust to modern times. An attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague throws Rogers into a web of intrigue that places the whole world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and a new ally, the Falcon, Rogers struggles to expose an ever-widening conspiracy, but he and his team soon come up against an unexpected enemy.
I have not yet seen this one but it is on my list for sure!
Cuba Gooding Jr. stars in this movie about the first black Navy diver in the US. It is based on the true story of Carl Brashear. Brashear is an ambitious sharecropper who joins the U.S. Navy to become the world’s first black master diver. But as he works through diving training, the bitter and racist Master Chief Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro) sets out to make Carl’s journey as difficult as possible.
Despite the entire Navy doubting his potential and sabotaging his training, the determined Carl proves that he can overcome the discrimination around him. Again, another movie to consume in consideration with the period of racial tension and reckoning occurring in the US right now.
Captain America: The First Avenger is considered by many to be the first movie in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe since it is a World-War-II movie that covers 1943 to 1945. It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America’s armed forces, but the military rejects him because of his small stature. Finally, Steve gets his chance when he is accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a supersoldier called Captain America.
I really enjoyed this movie. It’s a fictional period film but I really loved the costume and fashion of the 1940s and loved it for that alone.
A real-life army mission in Somalia inspired this 2001 war movie. The film takes place in 1993 when the U.S. sent special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire.
This was one of those movies that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end… I mean, even though I knew the ending, it was still that captivating and well produced! A must watch!
This 1992 movie stars Tom Cruise as a military lawyer and follows the trial of two Marines who have been charged with murder. Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore star in Rob Reiner’s unanimously acclaimed drama about the dangerous difference between following orders and following one’s conscience. Cruise stars as a brash Navy lawyer who’s teamed with a gung-ho litigator (Moore) in a politically explosive murder case. Charged with defending two Marines accused of killing a fellow soldier, they are confronted with complex issues of loyalty and honor, including its most sacred code and its most formidable warrior (Nicholson).
I watched this movie before becoming a lawyer and part of me thinks, this film was a motivating factor. Do put this on your bucket list to watch or rewatch this 4th of July!!!
This 2006 movie is also about Iwo Jima — specifically about the six men who hoisted the flag at the end of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which is considered to be a major turning point during World War II. In February and March of 1945, U.S. troops fight and win one of the most crucial and costly battles of the war on the island of Iwo Jima. A photo of U.S. servicemen raising the flag on Mount Suribachi becomes an iconic symbol of victory to a war-weary nation. The individuals themselves become heroes, though not all survive the war and realize it.
I have not seen this one, but it looks intriuging to me.
