Melificent

Six.

I’d like to start this yearly post by asking the universe: HOW ARE YOU SIX??? I’ve been telling you lately that this is it, six has to be it. You can’t keep growing…I’d like to keep you here always. But that isn’t fair, is it? You are so eager to grow. To learn. To be the person you are going to be. And I can kind of start seeing that person more clearly now. And she’s beautiful (not talking looks only – remember, mommy can see inside and wow, there is true beauty and power in there).

Luna, to know you is to love you. You radiate something otherworldly. I say that a lot. I say it a lot because it only gets more true the older you get. Never let anyone take that from you. One day, you will realize that some things you believed in were not real. But your magic is not one of them. Keep it ever so close to your heart.

Even though so many things feel like they are changing (you lost FIVE TEETH, you have grown like a weed, you dance on stages now, you aren’t that into Disney anymore + you are starting to read), you still crawl into our bed in the middle of the night and I let you (I love feeling you close), you still love dinosaurs, babydolls and performing. Jojo Siwa is your everything right now, and you have a big crush on Harry Styles. You are highly sensitive and emotional, and yet so brave and confident. This year I had you take the sorting hat test on Pottermore, and you are a Hufflepuff. I called it years ago. It fits like a glove. You love hard. You play hard. You work harder.

I see you watching me now. It’s both the most amazing thing and the most frightening. You know I don’t want to let you down. You want to be like me: act like me, dress like me, talk like me, even pose for selfies like me. I hope I’m a good model to you. More than anything you want to make us proud, so I tell you I am every single day because it’s the truth. Most days, roles are very much reversed and I’d like to be you when I grow up: an effervescent fairy leaving a trail behind her of smiles, glitter and joy, bestowing light on everyone she meets.

Lulu beans, I love you infinity x a million. Thank you for choosing me and, in doing so, solidifying that magic is very much real.

Happy sixth, my lion.

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Five.

Five. Incredible. 

This birthday feels more surreal than the others have. Maybe it’s because it’s 2020 and your year as a 4 year old was cut short thanks to a pandemic. We’ve all been stuck together for 7 months mostly indoors and peppered by some sense of normalcy: a play date at a friend’s, beach days, rides on the boat, car rides to quick photo adventures. Four was hard for you. It hurt you to not see friends, to not run around on a playground, to not go on family adventures. You laughed less, and cried so much more. Mommy did the same. 

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DERMA E: Vitamin C Skincare

I can list the few things that quarantine has given me the past few months. There are really only three: therapy, exercise and a skincare regime. I am one of those people that just never really had or cared for skincare products aside from a basic moisturizer and face wash. Approaching 40 definitely made me start thinking differently, especially during a time where I spent most of my days staring at my reflection on zoom calls without a lick of makeup on.

Aside from trying to drink more water (I live off of caffeinated beverages most days), I’ve infused Vitamin C skincare products into my daily regime, and I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful nutrients in the world, and its antioxidant properties are essential for our well being and overall health. It can have the same transformative effects on the appearance of our skin, often making it look brighter, smoother and younger with the signs of good health. All things that I felt like my skin was lacking.

I was recently gifted with the Vitamin C Skincare collection from DERMA E, and have been LOVING its effects on my skin. I thought I would share what my daily skincare routine looks like and the products I’ve been using for those of you that may be in the market for something similar. I, by no means, am a skincare expert, but I do know that these products have improved the look and feel of my skin drastically.

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Repairsmith

One thing I’ve really struggled with since becoming a mother is finding the time to get everything I need done. I feel like my to do list just gets longer and longer each day and trying to squeeze it all in can get very stressful and impede on what really matters, which is caring for my family and myself.

 

I commute every day (or at least I did before COVID) for work and need my car to be fully functional so that I can do my job, and also so I can pick my child up from school. Not having “a village” also makes my car even more important, since I am basically the sole individual that can “do it all.” You can feel the stress piling right? That’s why when my car breaks down, it causes all sorts of problems, from “who is going to pick up my daughter?” to “I can’t go to work today,” to ultimately, “now I have to take it in to the shop and lord knows how long it will take.” That’s where Repairsmith comes in.

 

Repairsmith is a mobile mechanic that comes to YOU rather than the other way around in a fully-equipped company van with everything they could possibly need to try and fix your vehicle. You can continue working from the comfort of your home, or have your child home with you as your car gets fixed. You don’t have to think about how long this is going to take and if you are not going to be able to complete your one million responsibilities because you are stuck at a repair shop (that may or may not have WIFI). Or worse off, have to even contemplate calling a tow truck – the mobile mechanic will come to you WHEREVER you may be so that you can get the problem fixed and be back on the road without costly and inconvenient towing needed.

 

Now during COVID, Repairsmith comes in even more clutch since most of us are working from home and can’t afford to take our car in for hours, nor do we want to be waiting in an enclosed lobby with too many people and surfaces that may be carrying germs. You will also only work with one technician (less exposure), and will also build more of a sense of trust and security with this one on one interaction.

 

I know what you are thinking already. This will probably cost a fortune due to the level of convenience, but that’s not the case! Repairsmith offers competitive pricing that’s on pair with your local shops and they do not charge convenience fees or pad the prices of their repairs. Some customers even report that they saved money using their services, which can put a smile on anyone’s face on the daily.

 

Living in the crazy rush that is modern life isn’t easy, but there are definitely ways to make it more so. Repairsmith can take the headache away from car repairs and instead make them quick, easy to schedule and effective with their OEM or OEM-equivalent parts and warranties. And who doesn’t want one less thing to worry about lately?

Chalkola

Coming at you from our corner of quarantine to share some awesome products that may help your little ones stay occupied despite so much time indoors. Luna has recently gotten into drawing (she especially loves pretending she is writing now that she can write letters), and this Chalkola mini chalkboard and set of THIRTY different colored chalk markers is just perfect for her. She had a blast drawing this scene from Moana (that’s what she told me anyways), and I can’t wait to play with them either. I think they are going to make a great addition to drive through birthdays and celebrations. Plus, I always like to have some inspirational quotes around our home, so this will be a fun and unique way to do so, while stretching my artistic muscles too!

Not only am I sharing this awesome new find with you all, but I also come bearing a coupon code. If you use MELISSALS10 you will receive 10% off your entire order! Feel free to have fun exploring all the products here (there are so many great options) and let me know if you were able to pick something out, and if so, how you are creating during this tough time!