Last Minute Valentine's For Kids & Teachers

Who remembers the excitement of Valentine’s Day at school as a kid? You browsed the aisles for the perfect cardboard box full of Valentine’s cards, paired those with your favorite candy and chose the biggest cards to give to your best friends or your crush. Life was so simple then…..

No but really. It was. Today we have to navigate continuously changing school policies, candy bans and even restrictions due to COVID. So, insert this post! It comes from yours truly…..a LAST MINUTE MAMA…..who wants to make prepping for your kiddo’s Valentine’s Day celebration that much easier.

It was February 12, 2020 and my husband and I were flying back from our first trip without kids. As I waltzed in the door relaxed and refreshed, that #momlife smacked me right in the face as I was reminded I needed to bring in some Valentine’s Day treats for my son’s school. Thankfully, through Target order pickup saving my butt, and a few clicks on my computer, I created these easy and fun Valentine’s Day treats perfect for kids and teachers of all ages! Keep reading for a downloadable Word template at the end.

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SUPPLY LIST

• White Cardstock - compatible with your printer

• Ribbon

• Hole Punch

• Scissors

• Heart Stickers

• Printer with colored ink

• Applesauce or Fruit/Veggie Pouches

• Lip Balm

• Hugs & Squeeze Template - GREAT for kids!

• You’re The Balm Template - GREAT for teachers or older kids!

DIRECTIONS

1. Decide which template you’d like to use and download via the link. I created both and used the Hugs & Squeeze Template for kids and the You’re The Balm Template for the teachers. To download, simply click on the link and then hit the download icon in the corner. Once the template is downloaded (Word Doc format), you can edit to add the name of your child in the bracketed space. After adding your child’s name, print the template on the cardstock using colored ink. There are 4 cards per page, so make sure you print the appropriate amount.

2. Place your same day pickup or delivery order! I used Target order pickup on February 13th…yes you read that right. But, since it isn’t that close yet, you can also place an Amazon, Walmart, etc. order.

3. After you have all of your supplies, cut out each card following the lines from the template. Punch a hole in the corner of each card and cut ribbons according to the size you need. Thread the cut ribbon through each hole.

4. Optional: Add a sticker to each card for some extra flare and/or add the name of each person to make it more customized!

5. Tie the ribbon with the card around the neck of each pouch or through the hole in each lip balm (I used the hole where it hangs in the store). If you buy a multipack or use a lip balm without any hole, you can easily add each lip balm to a plastic or satin bag and hole punch that, stringing the ribbon through in the same way.

6. You’re finished! Pack them up and get ready to have the cutest Valentine’s in the class.

CHECK OUT MORE SUPPLIES BELOW

Nordstrom Rack Holiday Gifts Under $30

Halloween is over and we are all gearing up for the holiday shopping season which is approaching way faster than we all want it to! To help out and hopefully alleviate a little stress, I've rounded up a bunch of great holiday gifts for under $30, all compliments of Nordstrom Rack! If you’ve never shopped at Nordstrom Rack, here’s the scoop - great brands (also found in Nordstrom) at a fraction of the price. With a 45 day return policy, you have until AFTER the new year to return items that you don’t love, but I guarantee you won’t need to.

So, if you’re shopping this year for great, high quality gifts at a lower price point, don’t miss out on shopping Nordstrom Rack! See just some of my picks below for women, men, kids, and home…ALL UNDER $30!

WOMEN’S UNDER $30

MEN’S UNDER $30

BOY’S UNDER $30

(Babies-Little Kids Sizes)

GIRL’S UNDER $30

(Babies-Little Kids Sizes)

HOME UNDER $30

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message or drop a comment below!

XOXO - Jamie

Kiehl's 20% Off Sale

One of my favorite skincare brands has a 20% off sale that ends TODAY (Oct. 28th)! I’ve been using various Kiehl’s products for about 5 or 6 years and there are some staples that I cannot live without, like this Midnight Recovery Concentrate and the Amino Acid Shampoo and Conditioner. If you love Kiehl’s or if you haven’t given this brand a try yet, now is a great opportunity to do so because it doesn’t go on sale very often!

I’m linking all of my favorite products below and be sure to check out my Instagram stories as well for even more on the brand and why I love it! Be sure to use code FESTIVE for 20% ANY ORDER + a FREE 10 Piece Gift on any purchase of $120 or more!

(Em)POWERing Moms - Navigating the Job that is Motherhood

I’m going to open this post up with a confession: 

Before I became a mom, I had a lot of preconceived notions about motherhood and I categorized moms in two groups - those who went to work and those who stayed at home. I always aspired to be a working mom (that’s what I saw my own mother do so gracefully with 4 kids..still don’t know how she did it) and that’s what I made up my mind I would be - a 9 to 5er who would work each day using her degree and put my kids in a childcare program because after all, I personally survived being in one! I also had an idea of what moms who stay home with their kids did and I always thought, my gosh why are they complaining, who wouldn’t love to be home all day? All of these ideas about motherhood remained until….I became the MOM! 

Holy Shit.

Talk about a R-E-A-L-I-T-Y check. I quickly realized within a month of having my son and trying to study for the bar exam while nursing, pumping, changing diapers, keeping up with laundry, cooking meals, etc. that motherhood was NO JOKE and that the idea of being home wasn’t so glamorous. But, studying and working from home were also no easier. I hated asking for help, I still do, it makes me feel guilty but it’s something I'm working on and when I DID have help, I found myself with this overwhelming sense of anxiety about what was happening with my baby. They don’t prepare you for any of this in any child prep class or book, but it’s real and I know so many other moms go through the same thing.

So, here I was, with a law degree and no idea how I was going to use it and also still be the MOM I wanted to be. Programs in my area for kids under 2 are extremely limited so finding care for my son in order to go back to work full time wasn’t as easy as I had envisioned. It also all had to make sense financially and here I was fresh out of school and still waiting to hear about bar exam results which limits your marketability for jobs. After months of anxiety over it all, I came to a realization, I didn’t have to fit into these two boxes I had created for motherhood.

This is when I began realizing that so many amazing mamas I know were truly redefining all of the standard definitions and views of being a mom. Both my friends and my blogging community all have different stories and things they do as moms, so I really started to LISTEN and LEARN. These empowering women run their own businesses, work in demanding corporate roles, are designers, creators, and the like, all while balancing their role as MOM. I was amazed at just how many ways there are to do this mom thing and no one way is right. Asking for help doesn’t mean you don’t love your kids and deciding to stay home doesn’t mean you don’t value yourself. Motherhood is an incredibly SELFLESS job and if there’s anything i’ve realized, it’s that. 

So why this long winded post (cheers to you if you’re still reading) Because last weekend I had the pleasure of walking in a fashion show for the latest Hustle Like A Mom event by a fabulous mama I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with - Pamela Pekerman. This event brought together 10 hard working mamas from all walks of life and all with different business, lifestyles and stories. Yes walking in the show was super fun, but meeting and connecting with 9 other incredible women who are crushing this MOM thing, was really the most inspiring thing i’ve done in a while! And these women reminded me that I am the BOSS of my job and role as a Mom and nobody gets to decide how I take that job on. For me, I’ve found balance in a part-time firm position and part-time at home with my son (with some blogging thrown in here and there) and it’s making sense and working out. That’s all you need, it just needs to make sense to YOU and nobody else!

Finding your tribe is extremely important and it doesn’t need to be big, it just needs to be people who you know will support, uplift and EMPOWER you and your role as mama - a job that has no vacation days!

I am so fortunate to be constantly adding to my circle of friends and POWER MAMAS who do this for me. Be sure to check out all of the fabulous mamas that were part of this past weekend’s event! 

@livlunamasha @pamelapeckerman @lanasavoca @dagmaralometti @tararosenblum @ashleybdaly @nycfitfam @amrikibbler @jobufit @beckyginstore

Also check out my look and details from the fashion show, below: 

This Ramy Brook gold blazer was a head turner and so many people loved it. My personal favorite piece was this Paige bodysuit. It’s so versatile and perfect for date night or even everyday, though I’d probably pair a cami underneath. The look was all pulled together with Rag & Bone leather leggings. Now these are def a little pricy so check out some more affordable options as well! 

(This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you shop through my links at absolutely no cost to you!)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to drop a comment below!

XoXo - Jamie

10 Tips for Hosting Any Party

Hope you are all recovering from a weekend full of holidays! This weekend we hosted a party to celebrate Easter and Passover with 25 of our family and friends. The party was a success but the planning is always a process, so I wanted to share with you my TOP TEN TIPS for hosting any party. These tips will help you to plan for a gathering of 5 to 50 people!

P.S. Also find a fund outfit like this jumpsuit - I’m wearing an XS for reference

TIP #1 - Make a Guest List and Send Invites

This first tip may sound obvious, but it is important! Making a numbered list of guests, and separating adults from kids, will help you get an idea of how many people you need to plan for with food, drinks, etc., and it will also help you set budget (see TIP #2). Once you have your list figured out, take the time to send out formal invitations. I typically opt for e-invites using platforms like Paperless Post because you can send it directly to an email address, see if your guests have received and opened the invite, track RSVPs and send reminders if anyone forgets to RSVP. E-invites are also nice because if you remember a guest you forgot to invite later on, you can send an invitation without worrying about whether or not it will get there in the mail. Paper invites are fine too and for really formal occasions I use them, but with busy lives, e-invites are typically my go-to!

TIP #2 - Set a Budget

Once you have an idea of how many guests you’d like to invite, try to set a budget and stick to it! With party planning it is really easy to get carried away and keep adding expenses here and there (I am my own worst enemy with this) but if you have a set amount you’d like to spend, it will help to keep stress to a minimum. When setting the budget, think about the type of party you want to have - are you looking to do a formal, sit-down dinner? Or a backyard barbecue? Do you want cocktails and crudités? Or a multi-course meal? You can set the budget per person for food or allocate a general amount for food and decor. See TIP # 4 for more on this!

TIP #3 - Choose a “Theme”

Theme may not be the right word but choosing a aesthetic for your party and deciding how you want everything to look is another important tip for making it appear that you have everything together (even if you don’t) and your guests will appreciate cohesiveness. Trust me, you don’t need to be creative to do this! If you want a rustic or boho theme, opt for things like burlap, white, and muted greens. Looking for formal? Stick to colors like gold, silver, black, royal or navy blues, and classic white. For summer parties or barbecues I like to use brighter, tropical colors like pinks, yellows, greens, and decorate with inexpensive pieces like palm leaves. If you are trying to decide on a theme, feel free to shoot me an email or comment below, I would love to help!

TIP #4 - Go Shopping (and How to Plan for Food)

My rule for shopping is two-fold. First, purchase decor two weeks ahead of time (especially if ordering online) because it gives you time to add pieces later if needed and also exchange products if they aren’t what you expected. Second, purchase food the weekend before, if possible, or the week of, but not later than 2 days before. Buying the food can be a challenge because things don’t last forever. I like to buy things like proteins ahead of time and freeze them if needed. For our party we had a ham and turkey that were frozen and we thawed them out a starting on Tuesday for a Saturday party. For things like vegetables, fruit, cheeses, and any cooking ingredients, most can be purchased 5 days before and will keep. Use your best judgment here and pay attention to how the food looks before you buy it. If the strawberries look super ripe, maybe hold off for a few days. When figuring out how much food to buy, I like to follow the rules of one protein for every ten people or 1/2-1 lb of meat per person. Obviously this can vary greatly but we come from families who LOVE leftovers so having extras is never really an issue. I also like to have variety so I want to give people the option of two different meats. And for things like a barbecue this can mean chicken and burgers, you don’t need a fancy carving protein! For sides I like to have two sides for every 10 people and 1 vegetable. You can be creative here depending on dietary restrictions, etc., but I think the more variety, the better. For desserts, always have at least 2 options, no matter how many people! If you are doing more of an appetizer type party, I like to have 5 different items for 25 people and estimate 3-4 of each per person. Oh and speaking of appetizers, I always like to have something for people to nosh on even if there is a dinner to follow so stick with inexpensive things like deviled eggs, a veggie tray, or frozen items like spanakopita that you can throw in the oven quickly! Obviously, you can always cater too, but my family and I love to cook!

TIP #5 - Allocate Tasks and Accept Help

If you are having a larger party, this is important! Do NOT try to do everything on your own if you have people offering to help. If you are worried about things not looking how you want them to, allocate tasks that can’t really be messed up. Have someone help count seating and set the table, run to the store, etc. And if you have anyone really creative helping you, use them to your advantage! I wouldn’t be able to plan such great parties without the help of my sisters! Also, if you are making food on your own and someone offers to bring something, don’t be afraid to take them up on the offer! Things like fruit, veggie trays, even a salad, are all great options.

TIP #6 - Tablescapes

This tip can apply whether or not you are having a formal sit down party or not. Tablescapes are super easy to throw together and they give your party that extra touch of wow! Once you’ve chosen your theme, measure your tables and create something that flows with the rest of your decor. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. For our Easter/Passover party we opted for white table cloths, some fake garland, wide burlap ribbon and gold speckled eggs - all of which were found at the local craft store. If you want to add an extra touch, you can always opt for chargers underneath your plates and fun napkin folds - we made really easy bunnies for our table. Fresh flowers also go a LONG way on any table. If you do nothing else, run and grab some fresh florals and place them on your tables! I like to get bigger blooms like hydrangeas that take up a lot of space so you don’t need to spend as much! Trader Joes or a local farm market are the best places for fresh flowers in my opinion. You should aim to set your tables and tablescapes 1-2 days before your actual party.

TIP #7 - Label Your Serving Dishes Ahead

It’s never fun scrambling last minute to make sure you have enough platters and that they are all of the right sizes, so my sister taught me a great tip - label everything ahead of time! If you know you want your salad in a pretty glass bowl, label it, and if you know you need 5 different plates for appetizers, write down what they are on a sticky note and stick it on the dish. This not only will help you keep your sanity the day of, but it also will allow others to help plate things without asking a bunch of questions because you have already told them where it’s going!

TIP #8 - Create a Signature Cocktail and/or Drink Station

Another great thing you can do to add a nice touch is create a signature cocktail or drink station for your party. This will allow people to have a choice in what they drink and they can even make a mocktail if no alcohol is added ahead of time for a signature cocktail. It’s a nice way to get your party started as well and has an air of sophistication about it. Lemonade always makes for a great base because it can be mixed well with all types of alcohol. Adding fresh fruit and herbs too allows for a truly custom crafted cocktail. I love this letter board too which could be customized for the cocktail or for the party occasion.

TIP #9 - Don’t be Afraid to Guide People

Parties need a host for a reason, if there isn’t one, everyone would sit around and not really know what to do when. So, don’t be afraid to guide people to different things. If you are serving appetizers, announce it. When it’s time for dinner, ask everyone to find their seats. Don’t be afraid to ask more than once - the more people, the harder it is to corral everyone, so make sure you let everyone know when it’s time to transition to the next thing!

TIP #10 - Work the Room and Say Thank You

As a host, you also need to remember to work the room and thank all of your guests for coming. You don’t have to get into a 1/2 hour conversation with everyone, especially if there are a ton of people, but a personal “thank you” goes a long way. You can do this while offering drinks, taking coats, showing them around, etc. Nobody is going to be mad at you for walking around to greet your guests and if they are then either put them another cocktail or don’t invite them the next time ;-)

BONUS TIP - Create Something for the Kids

Okay I know I said this would be 10 tips, but here’s a BONUS. If you plan to have kids at your parties, make sure you have something for them to do and give them their own table if possible. You can do simple things like a coloring station, or a few little prizes - we did an egg hunt! Giving the kiddos something to do will help to keep them occupied and their parents will thank you for allowing them to be adults for a minute! Also, if you give them their own table then it’s much easier to use things like paper plates, etc. and minimize a mess and broken dishes and it also is less likely to disrupt anyone eating at the “adult” table.

I hope you all loved reading these TOP 10 HOSTING TIPS! If you have any questions, want to bounce an idea, or just wonder where something is from, please shoot me an email, comment below, or DM me on Instagram! I would love to help you with planning your next party!

XoXo - Jamie

Hibba Beauty - The Best Brows of Westchester

If any of you are like me, you’re a total psycho about your eyebrows and one wrong wax or pluck can do a year’s worth of damage. My entire life I avoided getting my brows waxed because I would watch people go into salons looking like one person and come out looking like another (and not in a good way). Thin brows, they just aren’t my thing, but neither are overdrawn or perfectly lined. So, clearly I needed to find an in-between and I found my answer with eyebrow threading. 

Living in NYC I was able to find brow threading salons all over the place, but after moving to Westchester I quickly realized that brow threading wasn’t a thing yet.  In my year or so of living here, I found one place who threaded and only on Sundays, with an appointment, aka, not convenient at all. 

Then finally around the holidays I heard about Hibba Beauty opening up in Scarsdale and I was SO EXCITED!

 Hibba is a brow queen (as are all of her team) and they have two locations in Manhattan and now the newest in Scarsdale. 

I couldn’t wait to check out their new spot on Garth Road. It’s easy to find and so inviting with the brightly colored orange walls and the elegant pop of white stenciling throughout. When I went in I was greeted by Marcela who was so sweet and I immediately sat down to get started.

Now for those of you who don’t know anything about threading, it’s basically what it sounds like! They use thin thread to remove unwanted hair at the follicle level (just like plucking or waxing) but in a much more efficient and much less painful manner. It takes all of 5 minutes to get perfectly shaped brows and the more you consistently thread, the better your brows will be!

Unlike waxing, there isn’t the fear that they will take off way too much and you can tell the estitichian exactly what you like.  I always say I want mine “cleaned up” which results in even brows with no straggler hairs and a more defined shape.  Marcela gave me exactly what I asked for and I couldn’t have been happier! 

The other great thing about threading is that the redness afterwards is minimal compared to waxing and if you have dry skin (like I do) it doesn’t remove your skin as much as waxing does. You can thread and go about your day without needing to hide what you’ve just done...can anyone say lunch break?! 

If threading isn’t your thing, Hibba Scarsdale also offers waxing, microblading, and other services like organic facials.  I know I will definitely be back soon to try more services out and I can confidently say I’ve now found my go-to salon for brows...hallelujah!  

My post-threading brows…still maintained my natural shape, but just cleaned up and more defined!

If you’re in the the Westchester or NYC area, be sure to check out Hibba! 

XoXo  

Jamie