I’ve always appreciated Valentine’s Day, but I love the holiday more now that I have kids. My son especially loves Valentine’s Day and has declared it as his second favorite holiday after Christmas. Every year, we have so much fun making Valentine’s crafts, heart-shaped treats and finding thoughtful ways to tell our family, teachers and friends that we love them.
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, and our school district has the President’s Day holiday (this year, President’s Day is Feb. 17 — it always the third Monday in February) listed as a 4-day weekend, instead of the typical 3-day weekend that I grew up with. So, the kids will be home for Valentine’s Day! Curious about how we should spend the holiday, I decided we’ll host a last-minute mini Valentine’s Day party. As I’m typing this, we’re only two days away from Valentine’s Day, so we need food, decor and activities that we can pull together fast and easy!
Below, I’ve listed my favorite ideas for hosting a last-minute Valentine’s Day party for kids, including heart-shaped food, festive decor and love-themed crafts and games! I also shared these ideas on KTLA Morning News – scroll to the bottom to watch the clip!
Sharing my last-minute Valentine’s Party ideas for kids on KTLA Morning News
VALENTINE’S DAY FOOD FOR KIDS
Heart Shaped Mini Tortilla Pizzas
I love that these pizzas are only three ingredients – so easy! Thanks to TheBakerMama for this cute recipe!
1/2 cup prepared pizza or marina sauce, for serving
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Cut each tortillas into a heart shape with a 4-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter or shape the tortillas into hearts with kitchen scissors. Place the heart-shaped tortillas on a baking sheet and bake for 5-8 minutes until they start to lightly brown and crisp around the edges.
While the tortillas are baking, cut slices of mozzarella cheese with the same heart-shaped cookie cutter you used to cut the tortillas.
Use a mini (1-inch) heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the pepperoni into heart shapes or shape the pepperoni into hearts with kitchen scissors.
Once the heart-shaped tortillas have baked, place a slice of heart-shaped mozzarella cheese onto each tortilla and then 3 mini heart-shaped pepperonis.
Return the topped tortillas to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to turn golden brown in spots.
Serve with pizza or marinara sauce for dipping.
Deviled Strawberries
This is an adorable healthy-ish treat from one of my favorite TV chef Katie Lee Biegel. The deviled strawberries’ filling is the same recipe – marshmallow creme and cream cheese – used for fruit dip at parties when I was growing up in the 90s. Top your deviled strawberries with coconut, chocolate shavings or sprinkles. Find the full recipe here.
Photo courtesy of Food Network, Katie Lee Biegel
Assorted Treats from Cheryl’s Cookies and 1800 Flowers
It’t not a Valentine’s Day party without heart-shaped treats and chocolate, of course! Cheryl’s Cookies and 1800 Flowers has you covered with a large variety of beautiful and playful treats perfect for a kids Valentine’s Day party! Plus, Cheryl’s and 1800 Flowers offer same day or next day delivery in many zip codes throughout the United States. This is a perfect last-minute option for treats when hosting a party. Here are three of my favorite Valentine’s treats for kids from Cheryls.com and 1800flowers.com:
Cheryl’s Cookies Valentine Gift Tin Treats Assortment – This cute heart cookie tin comes with 15 snack size butter shortbread heart cookies plus 17 other different treats, like raspberry galettes, buttercream frosted red heart cutout cookies, cheesecake flavored buttercream frosted raspberry cookie, gourmet drizzled chocolate pretzel and a raspberry crumb bar, so all your party guests can choose their favorite goodies. Purchase this cookie tin here.
Photo courtesy of Cheryls.com
1800 Flowers Fleur de Chocolate Belgian Chocolate Roses – This box of chocolate roses not only looks stunning on your party table, it’s fun to eat while letting each guest pick their favorite rose! This also could be a fabulous hostess gift! Purchase the beautiful chocolate rose box here.
Photo courtesy of 1800flowers.com
Disney Princess Explosion Box with Spinning Music Stand – Add some excitement to your Valentine’s treat table with this show-stopping explosion music box that’s perfect for a Disney princess fan! When your kids open the box, they’ll feel completely enchanted by the flurry of bright butterflies and a delicious strawberry shortcake topped with an edible bow. Purchase this fun music box with strawberry cake here.
Photo courtesy of 1800flowers.com
VALENTINE’S DAY DECOR FOR KIDS
Florals from 1800 Flowers
Flowers are an iconic symbol of Valentine’s Day, and 1800Flowers.com is the floral and gift authority with 49 years of helping consumer’s celebrate the love-filled holiday! In fact, this year they plan to deliver 24 million stems with 15.5 million of them being roses! They have a curated collection of fun gifts and floral bouquets that are perfect celebrating with your littlest sweethearts and are available for next-day and same-day delivery on Valentine’s Day. A favorite arrangement of mine is the Fields of Europe Romance Bouquet. This vibrant mixed bouquet includes a variety of pink and red blooms. On special request, the blooms can feature a whimsical heart banner that says “Happy Valentine’s Day.” I also adore this Love Pup Arrangement for kids, which includes a plush puppy! Arrangements from 1800 Flowers are designed and delivered by a local florist in your community. If you’re looking to support a local business, this is a great way to do that!
Photo courtesy of 1800flowers.com
Photo Courtesy of 1800flowers.com
Heart Shaped Table Runner
Sprucing up your dining table for Valentine’s Day is easier than you think with foam paper! I love using foam paper for easy crafts, like the heart-shaped table runner. I used pre-cut foam hearts, but you could also cut them yourself from regular foam paper. You could always use construction paper to create a similar table runner, but I prefer foam paper because I think it looks nicer, and it lasts longer!
Photo Courtesy of ANightOwlBlog.com
Tissue Paper Wreath
This was a craft my mother taught me in the 90s, and now I love that I get to share it with my children! To make this wreath, cut a large heart out of a piece of cardboard. You’ll also need Elmer’s liquid glue, a pencil with an eraser, and LOTS of squares of tissue paper – preferably in red and pink Valentine’s colors! If you want to hang it inside or outside, attach a ribbon or decorative pipe cleaner as a hook on the back of the wreath once complete.
In my opinion, there’s not a more fitting kids’ game for Valentine’s Day than tic-tac-toe because of its X’s and O’s! I used foam paper and decorative craft tape to make one version of a tic-tac-toe board and painted wooden hearts for another. You can create X’s and O’s out of pipe cleaners (bonus points if you shape the O into a heart!) or use different colored candies for opposing players. I used Dove milk chocolate hearts for one player and Dove dark chocolate hearts for another.
Valentine’s Themed Tumble Tower
Put a love-themed spin on the classic tumble tower game! I got this cute idea from Vanessa at the Tried and True Creative Blog. Jazz up your blocks with some red hearts, then write Valentine’s themed instructions on each block. Every time your child pulls out a block, they have to follow the instructions. Blocks could say, “Show us how dogs say I love you,” “Give me Eskimo kisses,” or “What do you love most about yourself?” I’ve seen many different versions of Tumble Towers available on Amazon and at Target, Dollar Tree and craft stores, and I used paint pens to write on the blocks.
Photo Courtesy of TriedandTrueBlog.com
Photo Courtesy of TriedandTrueBlog.com
Melissa & Doug Heart Themed Crafts
Sometimes, we don’t have the time or energy to make our own crafts, so I adore Melissa & Doug for helping out with their heart themed craft kits. Melissa & Doug has long been one of my favorite children’s toy and activity brands. From classic wooden toys to realistic pretend play sets, Melissa & Doug products inspire creative thinking through screen-free, open-ended play. They intentionally make well-crafted toys that are developed with care to be passed down from generation to generation or shared family to family. Here’s some of their great heart-themed craft products to consider adding to your Valentine’s Day party:
Don’t let short notice hold you back from hosting a party! If you’re low on time and money, I have some easy, affordable ideas for throwing a last-minute Halloween party!
You can see all my Halloween party ideas on KTLA Morning News! It’s always so fun to join the KTLA team live in-studio! On this visit, I shared some spooky snacks and a creepy (but cute!) dessert using products from Siete Foods and Gelson’s Markets. I also made some simple Halloween decor using items from around my home and craft supplies from Michaels Stores. All my Halloween decor used in the KTLA TV segment is from Michaels (as well as almost all the decor I use in my home for every holiday!).
Halloween party food and decor ideas from Lifestyle and Party Planning Expert Maggie Jackson on KTLA Morning News
EASY HALLOWEEN PARTY FOOD IDEAS
Spiderweb Nacho Dip
An easy and festive Halloween party snack with Mexican flair using my favorite Siete Foods ingredients!
Spiderweb Nacho Dip using Siete Foods products
INGREDIENTS: Bottom layer: 2 cans Siete Foods Vegan Refried Ranchero Beans 2 tbsp lime juice 1.5 tbsp Siete Foods Mild Taco Seasoning 1 tsp minced garlic 3 roma tomatoes, sliced Middle layer: 1 cup Siete Foods Mild Salsa Roja 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese Top layer: 1 cup guacamole (I used @gelsonsmarkets fresh guac or you can make your own) 1 cup sour cream (I used Daisy brand’s squeezable for the spiderweb piping) For serving: Siete Foods Tortilla Chips (my favorite are Siete Foods Lime Tortilla Chips)
DIRECTIONS: Arrange sliced tomatoes around edge of large platter. Assemble bean mixture and spread in center of platter, leaving some tomatoes showing. Make sure that you create a bit of a “bowl” with the bean mixture for the salsa to sit in without running all over the platter. Spread salsa on top of beans, leaving some edge of beans showing. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of salsa, leaving some salsa showing. Spoon guacamole over cheese layer and smooth into thin layer. Use Daisy Squeeze Sour Cream to create spider web design. Top with toy spiders. Serve with Siete Foods tortilla chips.
These “witch fingers” are quick, easy and no special chef skills are required! When hosting a big party, I’m all about cutting corners to save time, so for this recipe, I used a frozen cheese pizza and premade dipping sauce that I picked up at Gelson’s Market.
Pizza Witch Fingers
INGREDIENTS: Frozen thin-crust cheese pizza (I used Newman’s Own Four Cheese Pizza) 1 red bell pepper, cut into small triangles Premade pizza sauce or marinara sauce Litehouse Jalapeño Ranch Dip (or your other favorite dip like garlic aioli, ranch or marinara)
DIRECTIONS: Cook frozen pizza according to package instructions. Cut pizza into very thin triangle slices. Arrange pizza on circular platter with skinniest ends of the slices facing outward. Use marinara/pizza sauce as adhesive to add red bell pepper triangles to ends of pizza to resemble fingernails. Add a small bowl of Jalapeño Ranch Dip in the center of the platter for dipping. Enjoy!
No baking required for this easy and spooky cake! Take 2-3 brownies from the bakery section of the grocery store and add chocolate icing to make a “brownie cake.” Gelson’s Market sells decadent dark chocolate brownies by Renaud’s Patisserie, which works perfect for this! Melted marshmallows create a spiderweb effect!
Create a spiderweb effect on chocolate cake with melted marshmallows!
INGREDIENTS: 2-3 chocolate brownies from your grocer’s bakery section (I chose Renaud’s dark chocolate brownies sold in my local Gelson’s Market) 2 16oz containers of creamy chocolate frosting 1.5 cups mini marshmallows
DIRECTIONS: Remove brownies from packaging. Place first brownie on platter and top with thin layer of icing. Add second brownie on top of first brownie and add another thin layer of icing. Repeat this step if you are using three brownies. Cover the sides of the “brownie cake” with remaining chocolate icing. Place marshmallows into a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Using a fork, stretch melted marshmallows around brownie cake to create a spiderweb effect. Decorate with toy spiders. Enjoy!
DIY HALLOWEEN DECOR IDEAS
Upcycled Ghosts
I pulled empty containers out of our recycling to make these cute ghosts! I ended up using an apple juice bottle, coffee creamer bottle and smoothie bottle, but you could also use jars. Here’s the list of all the materials:
-Recyclable containers –Flour sack towels (cheap at Target or Walmart if you don’t have old ones lying around) -Sparkly black felt adhesive (you could also use regular felt or even construction paper) -Battery operated twinkle lights –Clear plastic ornaments or polystyrene craft balls (the clear plastic ornaments are fun because you can add lights inside but I didn’t have enough for all 3 ghosts)
This garland is so simple, and there’s no sewing! Create your own cute ghost garland with a handful of items you may already have at home, like safety pins, clear elastic bands and cotton balls. I got my ribbon, fabric marker and fabric shears at Michaels, which has been my holiday craft and decor go-to store for years! What I love about Halloween crafts is that there’s no pressure to make them exactly right – the imperfections make them spooky!
DIY Ghost Garland for Halloween
Ghost garland made with items from around the home and craft products from Michaels
Learn how I made this ghost garland in the video below!
Look around your backyard to create this easy centerpiece that will surely impress your guests! I cut branches from a tree and spray painted them black. You could also use dried branches found at Michaels floral department. Next, I created a bat stencil from a bat-shaped cookie cutter and used it to cut about 15 bats from black glitter felt that I found at Michaels. Then, I glued the bats to the branches. I recommend using a hot glue gun, Gorilla super glue or Krazy Glue to ensure they have a strong stick. After they dried, I assembled them into a tall glass cylinder vase. It could be fun to use a spooky vase like this one.
Which of these easy Halloween food and decor ideas would you try? Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok where I share more easy recipes and fun DIY party ideas!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
There’s nothing I love more than discovering a great new wellness brand, especially one that lives up to the hype!
For example, last year, I discovered Juna Detox Drops, which transforms my water into an antioxidant-rich powerhouse drink, and Seed Daily Synbiotic, a 2-in-1 capsule-in-capsule probiotic and prebiotic. The combination of these two products has been life changing for my skin and overall health. The first thing I do every morning is add two droppers full of the Juna Detox Drops (psst.. use code MAGGIEJACKSON for 15% off on juna-world.com!) into a glass of water and drink while taking the Seed Synbiotic capsules. I credit this morning ritual with clearing up my skin from some crazy hormonal acne that popped up after my second baby.
But that’s a story for another time…
This year’s best new health brand discovery is KROMA WELLNESS! And pst… use code MAGGIE15 for 15% off your first purchase of all Kroma Lifestyle Resets and Daily Essentials!!
Kroma Super Porridge topped with OMG Cookie Butter
Why Kroma Wellness?
I’m always on the lookout for ways to live better and healthier, so most of my Instagram feed is filled with brands, celebrities and influencers who do the same. I was leisurely scrolling through the ‘gram one afternoon when I noticed one of my fave influencers, who happened to be pregnant, answer a question from another user about why she was doing the Kroma Reset while expecting a baby. That seemed unusual for a pregnant woman to be doing a “reset” diet to me, so I was immediately intrigued. The influencer responded with something like, “I use the products from Kroma because they’re nourishing.”
Reset… Nourishing... Those are the two words that stuck out to me. And two words I never thought would go together when associated with the typical wellness cleanse… So, naturally, I had to know more!
I went on a deep dive exploring Kroma Wellness and discovered that this brand isn’t your stereotypical cleanse or celebrity diet that requires you to fast, only drink juices or eat bland food that completely eliminates an entire food group (or two!). As someone who once had many issues with dieting and exercise (like, MAJOR issues that wrecked havoc on my health and landed me in years of therapy), I’m very conscious of any sort of fad or social media trend claiming to detox, cleanse or jump-start weight loss. Anyone who’s been fooled into doing a program like that knows what I’m talking about. Those are quick fixes and not sustainable. I find that true wellness is a lifestyle, and Kroma is just that.
Kroma’s Reset introduces you to how great you can feel (and look!) when your diet is full of nutrient-dense superfoods without processed sugar, gluten and dairy. Kroma is designed to keep you satiated and energized with simple meal, drink and snack solutions that literally anyone can do at home or on-the-go. And, Kroma offers a variety of convenient products to continue your superfood health journey after the reset is over. The company was founded by mom and health guru Lisa Odenweller with renowned Functional Medical Expert Dr. Will Cole advising on nutrition, so you know it’s legit!
Learning all of this, I was SOLD and decided to purchase Kroma’s Signature 5-Day Reset to try the first week of January 2023. I first learned about Kroma in December 2022, while I was in the midst of holiday parties, indulgent eating, excess sugar intake and drinking too much alcohol. I was definitely not feeling my best and longing to not only get back to “normal” eating but reach an even higher level of health. Kroma’s website described the company as helping others to live their “healthiest, most vibrant life,” and that was exactly what my body and mind was craving!
Kroma 5-Day Reset | Photo credit: Allison Zaucha
First Impression
After ordering my Signature 5-Day Reset, it took about 3 days to arrive. I was giddy to find it on my doorstep and opened it immediately. The Reset comes in a beautiful white box, and your food and drinks for the next five days are color-coded and displayed in a circle with Kroma’s famous OMG Cookie Butter in the center. Each day contains 10 sachets of nutritious food, drinks and supplements. The reset includes the following for each day:
Break Your Fast – Beauty Matcha
Breakfast – Super Porridge
Hydration – Cranberry Hydration Elixir
Boost – A plant-based smoothie like Blueberry Acai Immunity, Banana Cacao or Vanilla Cinnamon
Lunch – A broth like 24K Chicken Bone Broth, 24K Beef Bone Broth or a Veggie Broth with Plant Protein
Fuel – Supergreens Elixir
Snack – A latte, like Spicy Passion Latte, Change Your Life Chai Latte or Ultimate Vitality Latte
Energy Snack – OMG Cookie Butter
Dinner – A broth like 24K Chicken Bone Broth, 24K Beef Bone Broth or a Veggie Broth with Plant Protein
The beautiful and nourishing foods in Kroma 5-Day Reset
The package also included a comprehensive brochure to help guide me on my reset. The brochure included information on three reset protocol options: Lifestyle, Lean and Active. Lifestyle is the most popular protocol and “for anyone looking to lose a few pounds, reset habits, rejuvenate, and feel better overall.” The Lean protocol is for someone looking to accelerate weight loss, and the Active protocol is for athletes or for those who need additional nourishment to optimize their active lifestyle. I decided to go with the Lifestyle protocol, because I wanted to feel great and lighter without feeling deprived or depleted. The brochure featured tips for success, my grocery shopping list, daily schedule and a plan for after the reset was over. I was ready to get started!
My 5-Day ResetExperience
Here is a breakdown of my experience with each sachet in my 5-Day Reset:
Break Your Fast: I was so excited to start feeling the benefits of this reset that I truly didn’t care that I’d have to eliminate my morning coffee and replace it with Matcha. This was huge for me, because I’ve been drinking morning coffee daily since I was a senior in high school (I don’t want to date myself but that’s almost 20 years!). On the first day, I blended Kroma’s Beauty Matcha with 8 ounces of Unsweetened Almond MALK — which is the ONLY brand of almond milk anyone should buy, because as far as I know, it’s the only one on the market that doesn’t have oils, gums and other filler ingredients in it. I drank the Matcha warm hoping to play a trick on my body and mind that it was the same thing as my usual coffee. It wasn’t as sweet as my normal morning coffee, but I was desperate for a pick-me-up so it went down fast. I immediately wished I had another Matcha or could drink a cup of coffee, but I was determined to stick to the program. The next morning, I tried the Beauty Matcha blended with Almond MALK over ice instead of warm, and I liked it way better! Not sure why or how, but it tasted sweeter over ice. For the first two days, I would start to get a headache mid-morning that would last through the afternoon, which is very rare for me. I seriously never get a headache, so I knew it must have been the caffeine withdrawals from skipping my morning coffee. Still, I didn’t cheat and kept going with the program. Go me!
Breakfast: I really liked the Super Porridge for daily breakfast, and I assume that’s because I normally love to eat oatmeal in the morning. This was like a supercharged oatmeal with nuts, seeds and other superfoods rich in antioxidants. Every morning, I ate the Super Porridge warm, mixed with Almond MALK and topped with a handful of raspberries. If you already like oatmeal like me, you’ll love this for breakfast!
Hydration: Immediately after breakfast, I drank the Cranberry Hydration Elixir. This was delicious! I could see myself drinking this every morning for a boost of electrolytes, which I’ve recently learned is so important to add into your diet, especially if you workout a lot like me. I guess I was scarred from all the junk in traditional sports drinks that we guzzled in the 90s. True to Kroma, this is made with only good stuff: Coconut Water, Cranberry, Citric Acid, Ginger Extract, Aquamin Mg®AG, Himalayan Pink Salt, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside M), Ascorbic Acid, Cayenne Pepper*, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin.
Boost: On the first day around 10 a.m., I had the Vanilla Cinnamon Plant Based Smoothie blended with Almond MALK, spinach and a handful of frozen blueberries. It was tasty and filling, almost like an entire meal. On the second day, I blended the smoothie with less berries and only water. On the third, fourth and fifth days, I simply blended the smoothies with water or half MALK and half water, because I was starting to feel full and like I was consuming so much constantly. I realized this reset definitely wasn’t a depleting diet!
Lunch: I LOVE Kroma’s Bone Broths! On the first day, I ate the 24K Chicken Bone Broth and added wilted spinach and zucchini slices that were sautéed in olive oil from dinner the night before. I also added a dash of Sriracha because I love anything and everything spicy! This was such a quick and easy lunch to make. I loved that the 24K Bone Broths glittered like they’re actually made of gold! The Veggie Broth was yummy, too, but Bone Broths were the winner! Again, I felt very satisfied and like I ate a complete meal.
Energy: Every day, I treated myself to post-lunch dessert with a spoonful of the OMG Cookie Butter, and that really did make me say O-M-G! What a delightful little treat that’s rich and nutty with hints of coconut. And, I love the goji berries for little surprises of extra sweetness in every bite!
Fuel: A couple hours after lunch, I drank the Supergreens Elixir, which tasted great and really made me feel like I was drinking some sort of magical superpower drink! The Supergreens Elixir is made with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to make getting your daily dose of greens easy and incredibly enjoyable. You’ll never have to eat a salad again!
Snack: The reset includes an afternoon latte to curb afternoon cravings. My favorite was the Spicy Passion Latte. To be honest, I never felt like I needed one of the lattes to curb any afternoon cravings. The reset was so nourishing that I really didn’t have any cravings! In fact, adding the latte felt like too much, so I skipped drinking them the last two days of the reset, but I enjoyed them the following week.
Photo credit: Allison Zaucha
Dinner: The last meal of every day is a 24K Bone Broth or Veggie Broth again. I really liked that I could add veggies and lean protein to the broths, so it didn’t feel like I was eating the exact same thing all the time. However, I have to admit that I got a little tired of only eating broths for lunch and dinner towards the end of the five days. For dinner, I’d make my family our normal healthy dinner and simply pull a few pieces of protein and veggies from the meal and add them to my broth. So, I still feel like I partook in our family Mexican and Mediterranean nights while doing the reset!
Photo credit: Allison Zaucha
After Dinner Supplement: Every night, I drank the Calming + Restore Magnesium mixed into a glass of water. I’ve been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of taking magnesium before bed, so I was excited to implement this into my routine to calm my mind, relax my muscles and support my digestive system. I slept like a baby during the 5-Day Reset, so I have attribute the great snoozes to this supplement!
My Reset Benefits
At the conclusion of the 5-Day Reset, I truly felt rejuvenated — my mind felt clearer and my skin was glowing! However, I wasn’t miraculously slimmer and didn’t drop weight. (I did lose two pounds a couple days after the reset was over, which I thought was interesting.) To be honest, I was a bit bloated the last couple days of the reset, and… TMI… I got a little backed up, if ya know what I mean. I think my bowels were used to my morning coffee as its daily diuretic and trying to adjust to my new healthier lifestyle without it. I think that if I stuck to the Reset diet for a few more days, my body would adapt.
Here are the two best things that came from my Reset:
(1) Healthier heart rate – On the morning after the Reset was over (day 6), I was sitting on the floor playing with my kids, and my Apple Watch alerted me that my average heart rate per minute dropped by 9 heart beats over the last five days! WHAT! That’s phenomenal! A diet that removes processed sugar, gluten and dairy and supplements with nourishing superfoods can truly optimize my health to its very best. I’ve always heard that food can be medicine, but I never thought I could have results like this! And in only five days!
(2) My view of optimizing daily health was forever changed – I’ve always considered myself a healthy-ish eater, so I never thought much about the occasional indulgences, like alcohol, dessert and processed snacks. But, watching how my health significantly improved in only five days on the Reset was extraordinary! The Reset was an education for me on how superfoods can positively optimize my overall wellbeing and gave me the confidence in moving forward with this regimen as a daily lifestyle. I’ve often thought that eliminating certain foods or taking on a new diet was too hard, expensive or intimidating, but Kroma made it so easy to do and underscored the importance of making quality nutrition a priority in my life.
The notification I received that my average heart rate dropped while doing the 5-Day Reset
The first morning after completing the Reset, I poured myself a cup of coffee, because I thought I missed it so much. I took a sip, and WHOA…. it tasted so bitter! As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been drinking coffee forever, so I’ve never had trouble with the taste. I’m not sure what some sort of magical change the Reset had on my tastebuds, but I was shocked that I didn’t love drinking coffee as much as I did before completing the program. I’m a little ashamed to admit that coffee has found its way back into my morning routine… however, I only drink one cup in the morning now, and I’ve replaced my second cup with the Beauty Matcha.
My most favorite product has been the Supergreens Elixir, because I feel like it helps me reach optimal nutrition even if I fall off the wagon a bit. Like, even if I have a cheeseburger for dinner, I feel good because I got all my vitamins, minerals and greens from the Supergreens Elixir earlier in the day. It may look a little intimidating being green and all, but I promise it tastes great! It has a hint of vanilla sweetness to it, and I look forward to drinking it every morning.
I really do feel like I’ve had a lifestyle shift since my first 5-day Reset. I’ve cut out alcohol during the week, significantly eliminated added sugar and cut back on gluten. I’d say I’m really living a vibrant existence, and Kroma’s Reset helped me get here.
As I’m writing this, I’m looking at my next 5-Day Kroma Reset. This time, I ordered the Deluxe edition, which includes additional tools, like the Gold Kroma Frother, Kroma Tumbler, Hemp Travel Pouch and Tumeric Ginger Tea. I got the Signature 5-Day Reset the first time I did Kroma and used my own frother, but I coveted the pretty Kroma branded products I saw in the brochure. Now that Kroma is a part of my daily life, I figured it made sense to get them.
Deluxe version of the 5-Day Reset
So, Is Kroma’s Reset Worth It?
Kroma’s Signature 5-Day Reset (the first one I did) costs $395, and I’d say it’s completely worth it if you can afford it. For me, the 5-Day Reset wasn’t a quick weight-loss fix (although I did feel great after completing the program); it was a full-on lifestyle shift that I’ve carried with me now months after completing my first Reset. I now integrate many of the Daily Essentials into my everyday life. If you’re ready for REAL lifelong results, DO IT!
If you’re on a budget but would like a sample of what Kroma can do for you, I recommend choosing 2-3 Daily Essentials products that you’d like to start integrating into your daily routine. If you’re new to Kroma, I recommend trying the Beauty Matcha, Supergreens Elixir and Cranberry Hydration Elixir, because they’re super easy to add into your routine, don’t take a lot of time or skill to make, and they’re non-perishable!
Kroma Daily Essentials
The Bottom Line
The 5-Day Reset is for anyone looking to optimize their wellbeing. Kroma offers three different personalized tracks to align with your intention of doing the reset, whether you’re looking to lose a couple pounds or enhance your workouts. No matter which track you choose, you will not be deprived while doing this reset. I promise, I never felt hungry in the five days. But, what I did feel was nourished and energized!
Ultimately, Kroma positively changed the way I view food and nutrition. Not only did I feel the healthy change on the inside, my Apple Watch’s heart rate monitor proved to me what was happening on the inside — My heart rate dropped an average 9 beats per minute during the 5-Day Reset! To me, that is clear proof that this reset is worth the investment. Do it for yourself. Your body and mind will thank you.
Now that I’ve been using Kroma’s products for 7 months, I’d love to know any questions you may have about the 5-Day Reset or Daily Essentials products. Drop your questions in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram at @maggiehjackson.
And, DON’T FORGET!! You get 15% off your first Kroma purchase with my promo code: MAGGIE15
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
We have some fun travel plans coming up, and I’m so looking forward to exploring new destinations with my family! There’s something so magical about being able to share travel experiences with your children. I love seeing the world through their eyes… The way they light up when they see the ocean; how they get so enamored with nature on walks and hikes in new places; the big proud smiles on their faces when they get to try something new, like skiing or boogie boarding. It makes this mama’s heart so happy to see them enjoy our amazing, beautiful world!
You know what doesn’t make me happy, though? The actual traveling with kids. Let’s be honest, long plane and car rides are a bit more challenging with children in tow. Their little busy bodies don’t like sitting still for long periods of time, and it seems like they whine for a new snack, like, every 30 minutes. Oh, and they have so much stuff!! Strollers, car seats, changes of clothes, toys, books, ahhh!!
My husband and I have been determined to make traveling with our kids as simple as possible. Some parents will buy every hot travel gadget, toy or stroller they’ve been influenced on Instagram to feel prepared for long travel days, but take it from me (someone who’s experienced in traveling alone with two young children and also worked in the travel industry for 10+ years), you don’t need more STUFF to lug through the airport to make travel easy. What you need are the easy basics — items that will help keep your luggage at a minimum, things that are simple for kids to carry and will help keep them occupied. So, while I doesn’t necessarily look forward to the travel days with kids, I believe we’ve found ways to make it very tolerable… and sometimes even pleasurable! Heck, sometimes I actually get to take a nap or sip on a glass of champagne! And when that happens, I arrive to our destination cheerful and ready for our family adventure!
Want to know my essential travel items for kids? I shared 5 must-have products with KTLA Morning News, and you can watch by clicking play, below! I also linked all the products we use to make our flights and road trips with kids simple and painless below the video.
Packing and unpacking your family is so easy with this four-tier packing cube that acts as a carry-on closet to keep your belongings organized and in plain view. You will no longer have to dig in your suitcase to locate your 2-year-old’s tiny socks! What makes this luggage organizer stand out among other packing cubes out there is the fact that it has four compartments — three shelves to store folded clothes and one zip-up container at the bottom that’s great for stashing toiletries, shoes or dirty laundry — and two hooks so that it can hang, making it easy to unpack and repack at your destination. This packing cube is durable and lightweight, in addition to coming in two different sizes and multiple different colors. I purchased the large and extra large in grey earlier this year, and it has been such a game changer to keep mine and my children’s belongings organized. I typically put pajamas, socks and underwear in the top compartment, my son’s clothes in the middle compartment and my daughter’s clothes in the third compartment. I’ll put shoes in the bottom zip-up compartment. In the large size, I was able to pack 4 days worth of clothes for the kids, who are ages 4 and 2 as I’m writing this. I love that I simply hang it up in the closet when we arrive, so we’re no longer living out of disorganized suitcases or accidentally leaving a shirt or sock behind in a hotel drawer! Do yourself a favor and get this portable hanging organizer before your next trip!
Car seats are a huge pain to schlep through the airport, especially if you have more than one child, like me! I also dislike taking them with us to a destination where we’re not renting a car. Constantly installing the car seat in Ubers then carrying it into a restaurant or museum can be really annoying. Enter: The RideSafer Vest!!! This is a safe, legal and convenient device that makes it easy to travel in taxis or ride shares when you get to your family’s destination. The vest lightweight (less than 2 pounds) and comes with a small backpack that children can easily carry themselves. Most importantly, it’s crash tested and safety certified – it meets or exceeds Federal safety standards! The RideSafer Vest features a unique, 3-clip design that positions the car’s seat belt comfortably and correctly on your child. Just slip it on like an article of clothing, fasten in the front and place the seat belt through the metal belt guides. Most children can do all of that themselves if you teach them and practice a few times. It also comes with a shoulder tether for a consistent sitting position and increased security. The tether also makes it possible for kids to ride safely in the middle seat without a shoulder strap! RideSafer offers four different sizes of the Vest, so this device is an option for parents with children ages 2 and up.
The same company that makes the RideSafer Travel Vest also makes an extremely lightweight TravelSmarter Booster Seat. This seat can be used with the vest, and they both fit into a backpack weighing less than 3 pounds. My kids have no trouble carrying it! The TravelSmarter Booster Seat is great for smaller children who may enjoy looking out the window, but it is not required to use with the vest. You can use the booster alone or with the vest or you can use the vest without the booster.
There’s a growing concern over the rise of noise-induced hearing loss from headphones and earphones, leaving parents alarmed and looking for solutions to protect their children’s ears. Thankfully, I found Puro Sound Labs Junior Jams bluetooth headphones, which help keep little ones entertained on long flights while limiting volume to 85 decibels (the recommended listening level). What sets these volume-limiting headphones apart is their 22 hours of battery life, superior sound quality and fold-up feature, making them easy to store in little kids backpacks. These headphones also boast a sophisticated design, bright color options and durability. We have gone through a couple of headphones in the last 3 years that simply couldn’t hold up to travel or stopped working shortly after purchasing, but Puro Sound Labs creates quality headphones with a 1-year warranty! These headphones are perfect for children ages 3 to tween.
Puro Sound Labs also has developed PuroQuiet, which features active noise cancelling for little ones to tune out the loud world around them without having to increase their headphones volume. PuroQuiet bluetooth headphones have a volume limit of 85 decibels, 35 hours of battery life without the active noise canceling on, and 23 hours with it, and blocks out 78% of background noise. The PuroQuiets cost a bit more than the Junior Jams, but they’re so worth it for the active noise cancelling feature!
Our favorite toy brand Melissa & Doug is fantastic at developing toys and activities to keep babies and toddlers engaged through screen-free open-ended play. The Water Wow! reusable travel painting sets have been a staple in our house since my firstborn was around 18 months old. I love to throw these in my diaper bag and surprise the kids with them once we get on the plane or when they need to keep busy at a restaurant. Simply fill the pen with water, and your kids can paint the pages in the book to reveal colorful, educational scenes. The color disappears when the pages dry, so kids can paint them again and again. The best is that there’s no mess (besides maybe a little bit of water)!
For babies under 1 year old, Melissa & Doug just launched the Take Along Ice Cream Toy that clips to strollers, diaper bags, high chairs, car seats, and more to keep the fun close to little hands. Babies love pulling the cone to reveal four adorable ice cream scoops with friendly faces. When expanded, the toy vibrates and plays chiming sounds as it shrinks again. This toy helps kids develop fine motor and sensory skills with its multi-textured features, vibration and sounds. If I had a baby again, I’d definitely bring this cute little toy with me! Make sure you check out all of Melissa & Doug’s awesome travel-friendly toys on their website!
One of the best things a family can do when traveling together is have each person responsible for their own stuff! Traveling got so much easier once my toddlers were able to wear a backpack filled with their favorite snacks and toys. Plus, it’s fun for them! They love the sense of purpose and responsibility, and my kids enjoy packing their own backpack, too! The North Face has been a trusted brand for family adventures for years and makes three different sized backpacks to fit your child’s travel needs at every age. The Mini Explorer is perfect for preschoolers, the Youth Mini Recon is great for elementary school age children and the Youth Court Jester is a solid choice for tweens and high schoolers. I love The North Face, you get a lifetime guarantee with free returns, durability and high functionality. These are high quality backpacks that your kids can use for everything!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and recommend. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
I recently started doing reformer pilates again, and I’m feeling amazing! Not only is it a great workout, but I’m feeling like myself again. You see, I stopped doing reformer pilates when I got pregnant with my first baby – almost 5 years ago! – and haven’t gotten back into a regular pilates routine until now.
Belonging to pilates studios can be really tough for new parents, because they don’t offer childcare and they’re usually pretty expensive. It hasn’t made sense for me to hire a babysitter to go to a pricey pilates class and my husband’s work schedule leaves few opportunities to sneak away. But, a couple months ago, we started our youngest child in preschool 3 days a week, so I could get things done around the house and work on my freelance projects sans kiddos. At the exact same time, a new pilates studio, SolidCore, opened locally and offered me free trial classes. I’ll sheepishly admit that I abandoned all the things I was “supposed” to be doing (errands, cleaning, work) to test the studio. Oh em freakin geeeeee…. After only one class, I was hooked on this place! And it’s been TOTALLY worth putting everything else aside to go here!
If you’re into reformer pilates like me, you know that not all studios are the same. Some pilates studios’ classes can be so easy and boring. Like, why did I just pay $35 to just stretch?! No, I want to get results, not have some leisurely movement! That is NOT SolidCore! This studio puts a huge focus on building muscle, which is one of the best things you can do for your body. My husband, who is an orthopedic surgeon that treats athletes of all ages, tells me all the time that his healthiest and youngest looking patients prioritize weightlifting in their workouts. Knowing that, I really think women have been done a disservice with media, celebrities and men persuading them not to lift weights out of fear that they’ll get “bulky,” gain weight, or won’t be able to achieve the slim, toned look they desire. So not true! Okay, I’ll step off my weightlifting soapbox and return to why I love SolidCore…
SolidCore is the best pilates studio I’ve ever been to, so if you have a location close to you, try it out! I now go to SolidCore once or twice a week and pepper in running and lifting weights on the days I don’t go. I’ve been going for almost 3 months and have noticed a major positive difference in my body. My abs are poppin’ and my arms and booty are getting so toned. I’m so happy to have found this studio to be my new workout home! I’ll be able to go for a long time, too, because it never gets easier. I’m slowly increasing weight every class, so I’ll be able to get a great workout no matter how many times I go!
For me, going to pilates is more than a workout. It’s a whole vibe. It’s the time for ME to feel my very best, so I love putting on cute workout sets (like this one that I’m wearing in the picture above), brushing on a layer of mascara and throwing my hair into a cute ponytail. I usually go to pilates late-morning, so I drink a super healthy, nutrient-dense smoothie (like my easy avocado smoothie) for breakfast and then have a delicious healthy soup or salad right when I get home from the studio. On the days I go to pilates, I feel amazing. And, that’s how working out should be, you know? Otherwise, why would we do it?!
If you need help creating a boss-girl vibe around your workouts, I’ve compiled a list of my fave new workout sets for spring, below. Pick one (or two) of these sets to wear to your next workout, and tell me you don’t feel fabulous and ready to have the best workout of your life. When you look good, you feel good! So, no matter where you are on your workout journey, if you feel confident in what you’re wearing, you’re more likely to gain confidence in working out, too!
All these pieces are from Gilly Hicks, which is a sub-brand of Hollister. Yes, that’s what I said… Hollister! Do not hate, y’all! I haven’t shopped at Hollister since I was in high school (I’m now in my 30’s), so I was shocked to learn that Gilly Hicks was associated with the beachy teenaged brand, too. My mother and I were shopping at our local mall, and I mentioned to her that I’ve wanted a hot pink workout set for over a year but haven’t found one that fits well and made sense for my budget. As we were boppin’ along the mall halls, there I saw it — the cutest hot pink workout set (that came with other mix and match pieces!!) front-and-center in a Gilly Hicks store. I honestly had never heard of Gilly Hicks, but seeing all their athleisure in-store looked way cute with on-trend cuts and colors for EVERY body type. Plus, it was quality fabric and affordable! I’m so tired of paying over $100 for workout pants, ya know? These are half the cost! We had a blast trying on different fits and styles, and I walked away with several pieces. I cannot wait to go back to get more!
Below is a mix of pieces that I purchased and what’s on my wishlist for future shopping! All these pieces come in different color options and are perfect for mixing and matching! You can shop products linked under graphic or visit my LTK page here.
White Zip Hoodie – This comes in a crop style and is lightweight enough to wear throughout summer with LA’s cool mornings and evenings
Lime Green Tank – This color will look so good with a spring/summer tan!
Hot Pink Tank – Loving this! It has sewed-in cups, so you don’t have to worry about embarrassing headlights (IFKYK) or bother with replacing them after washing.
White Fanny Pack – Perfect for stashing your phone, cards and keys while working out. I love bringing fanny packs along on my walks, running errands and doing activities with the kids.
Blue Strappy Tank – Loving the straps on this top and this color is gorge!
Blue Flare Pants – So happy that flares are back! Perfect for feeling cute while lifting weights or running errands.
Let me know which of these spring workout sets’ spring colors is your favorite in the comments below! I’m between the pink and blue! And, be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more health and wellness and fashion inspo!
‘Tis the season for festive parties! And, if you have an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” party coming up, I’ll be on CBS-LA today sharing 5 easy do-it-yourself ideas! Here’s a sneak peek at the tacky sweaters I’ll be sharing!
It seems that the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” theme gets more popular every year! I love that its a bit of a comedic relief from a season that can sometimes come with a lot of stress and buttoned-up holiday attire. Plus, if you decide to create one yourself, there’s no pressure to make it perfectly cute… It’s called UGLY for a reason! Another bonus to ugly sweaters? They’re inexpensive to make! You can use a lot of holiday decor and materials that are already found around your home. Or, check out your local dollar store or Michaels for affordable craft supplies!
Check out this fun holiday stocking sweater I shared on Instagram using all materials from Michaels craft stores:
Below are instructions for creating five easy ugly holiday sweaters – I even included a kids’ sweater and Hanukkah sweater! Feel free to adapt these sweaters to what’s easiest for you and what materials you may already have at home!
5 UGLY HOLIDAY SWEATER IDEAS:
Kids Christmas Tree Sweater
Your children will have lots of fun creating an ugly Christmas sweater with you, and this simple Christmas tree sweater idea is so easy for little crafters!
Cut a large Christmas tree shape out of the green felt and a star out of the yellow felt. Sew onto red sweater with needle and thread. It doesn’t have to be perfect – remember, this is an “ugly” sweater!
Let your child take it away with Elmer’s glue and décor items! Add glitter, bows, buttons and pom poms to the tree! Parents can help with hot glue gun for the heavier décor, like jingle bells and ornaments
Use black fabric paint down the arms to create a “string” and add colorful pom poms to resemble Christmas lights.
Allow to dry for 6-12 hours before wearing.
“Christmas Vacation” Tree Sweater
This sweater is perfect for fans of classic Christmas movies! Friends will get a hoot out of the fake squirrel climbing the Christmas tree, just as it terrorized the cast in National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” movie.
Wrap tacky tinsel garland around green sweater and hot glue into place.
Wrap LED lights around garland and secure light bulbs to sweater with hot glue. Make sure your string of lights is long enough to wrap around the sweater and the battery pack can fit into your back pocket.
Hot glue mini ornaments around the sweater to make it look like a Christmas tree.
Hot glue a toy stuffed squirrel on the sweater. I preferred to glue it on the sweater’s shoulder.
Tacky Hanukkah Sweater
Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so this tacky Hanukkah sweater is perfect for our Jewish friends!
Cut a menorah out of silver glitter iron-on vinyl paper. Iron the menorah onto the sweater.
Cut 9 candles out of white felt and 9 flames out of yellow felt. Hot glue onto the sweater.
Hot glue gold sequins to the flames.
Stick or hot glue foam letters to spell “Happy Hanukkah” on the sweater.
Festive “Stranger Things” Sweater
Great for a Hollywood Christmas party filled with Netflix binge-watchers, this “Stranger Things” sweater feels festive with its LED lights while celebrating a favorite TV show.
Iron on the alphabet in three rows, as seen on the wall in “Stranger Things,” onto the shirt
Hot glue mini colorful LED lights above the letters to resemble the wall in “Stranger Things.”
Easy Stocking Sweater
This easy DIY sweater also makes a convenient pocket to hold your wallet, phone, keys, or better – a bottle of wine!
Materials Needed:
Green or red sweater
Sturdy stocking
Tacky flair, like bells, pom poms, bows, glitter
Elmers glue
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
DIY Steps:
Hot glue a sturdy Christmas stocking to the center of the sweatshirt
Use Elmers glue and hot glue to add tacky flair to the sweater, like glitter, bows and bells
Let me know if you go to an Ugly Sweater Party and what you plan to wear in the comments below! Or, connect with me on Instagram and TikTok where I share more lifestyle and family tips. Merry Christmas!
XO Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
If you have a little one starting preschool soon, you may be nervous about how they’ll handle the transition. To help prepare your toddler for their first day of preschool, I recommend reading children’s books with them that give a fun and comforting look into what their time at school will be like.
Personally, I was a worried wreck about my firstborn starting school when he was 2 years old. He was pandemic toddler who had been stuck at home with mommy for several months prior to his first day of school. I was nervous that he’d miss me, not like his teacher, or have a hard time getting along with other toddlers. I was pregnant and without childcare or family nearby, and I knew that I’d need help caring for and stimulating our toddler when the baby was born. Preschool was the best option for us at that time, but it didn’t stop my motherly worries.
A couple months before his first day of school, I starting reading these children’s books, listed below, to my son about going to preschool hoping it would make the transition easier. After reading together, we’d chat about what he thought preschool would be like. To my satisfaction, he started getting really excited for preschool! I involved him in the process of picking out his lunchbox and backpack. We would drive by the school and talk about what we thought the kids and teachers were doing. We circled the first day of school on the family calendar on our fridge and talked about it every day… “Four more days until the first day of school!”
My son’s first day of preschool
I’m delighted to report that my son’s first day of preschool was a success! There were no tears, and he actually waved goodbye to me like he was glad I was leaving! The second week of preschool was when we started having some struggles saying goodbye. I think he realized that preschool was his new normal and maybe was concerned about how often he’d be away from mom. But, he only whimpered a little bit, never sobbed, and his teacher told me that once he got inside and started playing with his friends that he never asked about mommy again. I was so proud of us for making this transition together, but it also felt bittersweet. My baby was growing and didn’t need mommy all the time!
Help your little one prepare for preschool with our favorite picture books, below.
A few of our favorite picture books about starting preschool
Of all the books listed here, Preschool Day Hooray! was my son’s favorite book when we were preparing for preschool. The story positively shares a typical day in preschool from drop-off to pick-up with fun, upbeat rhymes. The children in the book do story time, dance, make arts & crafts, play outside, and even see what it’s like when someone gets an ouchie. Our favorite part was the end of the book when mommy comes back!
The 12 Days of Preschool is a fun book to read (or sing!) because it goes along to the same tune as “The 12 Days of Christmas” song. The book counts all the fun experiences children get to do at preschool in their classroom and outside, like sharing toy trains, riding tricycles, story time, and nap time. The colorful and busy pictures are fun for children to browse, and our book even came with stickers!
I wanted our son to know that he would be safe and loved at school just like he is at home, and Our Class is a Family is a great book for sharing this concept. The book explains that school is kids’ home away from home where they are respected and accepted just the way they are. The book encourages children to build a community and strengthen friendships at their school. I loved this book for preschool prep, because it helped our toddler not feel intimidated by the new teachers and students he’d be spending his days with.
This book, The Kissing Hand, is wonderful for families dealing with separation anxiety. The story follows a child raccoon, Chester, who is nervous about his first day of school. His mother raccoon shares a sweet family secret that helps calm his fears and gives him the confidence to be away from home. This book is filled with empathy and compassion for little ones worried about being away from mommy and daddy. You can use it for more than preschool – day care, camp, overnights with grandma, etc. !
What favorite picture books have you read with your child to help with the transition to preschool? Please share your recommendations with me in the comments below! I’d also love to connect with you on Instagram and TikTok!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
The 4th of July, my favorite holiday, is just around the corner and I’m prepping and planning what to serve our party guests! When it comes to making cocktails for a large group, I prefer easy batch cocktails that look pretty in a pitcher on your table but also are so simple to serve! No one has to play bartender making individual cocktails when you have a ready-to-serve pitcher filled with a yummy libation!
Feeling festive with my Red, White and Blue Summer Spritz!
This year, we’ll have this Red, White and Blue Summer Spritz available for our guests. The red strawberries, blue blueberries and white wine make this drink perfect for a July 4th party. I love sticking to a theme when hosting guests, so I’m going all out with red, white and blue everything!
The best part about this cocktail — it’s SO EASY! You don’t have to be a master bartender to pull this off! Plus, it’s affordable! Don’t worry about impressing guests with expensive white wine in this drink. The wine will be mixed with simple syrup, club soda, and berries, so your guests will have no idea you used bottom-shelf wine! Garnish the cocktail with a sprig of fresh rosemary or mint to add some flare and make it look fancy! I like savory cocktails, so I prefer rosemary, but mint is perfect for summer! I promise you’ll like this cocktail so much, you’ll be sipping it all summer!
Below is my recipe for Red, White and Blue Summer Spritz!
What do you like to serve your July 4th party guests? Let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram and TikTok!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
The very first Mother’s Day as a new mama may be one of the most important and memorable. There are so many special milestones in the first year with baby, like first words, first steps, and each month’s birthday, but the first Mother’s Day is a unique milestone because it’s all about celebrating MOM!
If you’re stumped about what to get an expecting or new mom for Mother’s Day, look no further! I’ve teamed up with L.A. Parent magazine to share top gift ideas from the National Parenting Product Awards, which features the best family products tested and rated by real mothers! The NAPPA Awards work closely with L.A. Parent magazine to provide their readers with unique and quality gift ideas, and we think these are the very best for new mamas!! The NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 32 years, and L.A. Parent has been a part of the Los Angeles community for 42 years, so you can trust their tips and guidance as you navigate your parenting journey!
L.A. Parent magazine works closely with NAAPA Awards to feature the best products for parents! Here, I’m wearing the award-winning Cloud Robe by Bumpsuit, which we think is a top Mother’s Day gift idea!
Below, I’ve outlined our top Mother’s Day gift ideas that have been recognized by NAAPA as best products for parents! You also can watch me demonstrate these products live on TV on KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.!! If you don’t live in Los Angeles, the show is streaming online at ktla.com!
6 Award-Winning Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For New Moms:
This buttery soft robe does just as its name suggests –- mamas feel like they are lounging on a cloud! Designed and sold by Bumpsuit, the new maternity fashion brand beloved by celebrities, the Cloud Robe’s super soft brushed jersey material gently stretches with the body to maintain max fit and support throughout women’s different stages of pregnancy and beyond. The design is elegant yet simple and comes in a timeless beautiful ivory shade. The fabric holds its shape and quality even after washing! What I love most about this robe is that all mama’s will love it no matter where they are in their prenatal or postpartum journey. Help mama lounge while still feeling chic and comfy in this gorgeous robe!
Treat mama-to-be to an at-home spa day with these luxurious, all-natural, pregnancy-safe bath soak sachets to help relax tired muscles and moisturize dry skin. Think of it like taking an elevated Epsom salt bath, with bonus itchy belly relief! Use 1 sachet to soak swollen feet or 1-2 sachets for full body bath. Deeply calming botanicals like French lavender and chamomile mingle with rolled oats and pure Epsom salt for the ultimate self-care treat. Pair this soak with the Cloud Robe above for a wonderful pampering gift!
Now mamas can easily and safely share their music with their babies with Mbrio – the only patented innovation that uses mom’s own earbuds to share music with baby in the womb! They’re so easy to use – just pop your earbuds into the adapters, clip them to your waistband and feel baby move! Made from medical-grade silicone and independently tested, Mbrio’s adapters are safe for baby’s ears, skin-safe, comfortable and ultra-lightweight. Prenatal music is important, because it soothes baby, helps with bonding, stimulates movement and stimulates baby’s brain and memory! This may be the coolest gift on this list! I wish I would have had these when I was pregnant!
Every mom needs a great diaper bag, and this backpack is the perfect stylish bag that can be carried for any occasion — family outings, work functions and travels! For families that travel, the bag’s backside has a zipper pocket with an opening on the top and bottom, to be used as a sleeve to fit through luggage handles. The spacious main compartment has five pockets for maximum organization, and a separate opening for a fully padded laptop sleeve. The D-rings at the back of the backpack allows the bag to be attached to a stroller using the TWELVElittle Stroller Clip Set (sold separately). Made with functional water-resistant materials and vegan leather trim, this bag will hold up throughout all your children’s diaper years and beyond.
Kyte Baby has long been a favorite clothing brand of mine for my babies because of its super soft, comfy materials and variety of colors. This super cozy Sleep Bag from Kyte Baby is the perfect gift to help both mama and baby get sleep — because when baby sleeps, mama sleeps!! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies do not sleep with blankets, so this Sleep Bag is like a wearable blanket to keep your baby cozy and comfortable all night long! The 97% bamboo rayon fabric is breathable and buttery soft to the touch. This Sleep Bag also features a J-shaped double zipper, which makes it easy for mom to take on and off and during middle-of-the-night diaper changes. Kyte Baby’s sleep bag also comes in three different fabric warmth levels, so you can ensure baby’s temperature is comfortable all night. Kyte Baby uses the TOG rating system for measuring fabric warmth for parents to simply select which sleep bag their baby needs based on the typical temperature in their nursery. If you’re confused on what TOG to choose, don’t worry, Kyte Baby’s website helps guide you through it!
A crib mattress is probably one of the most useful products a mom can have for baby, and the SleepOvation Baby mattress is probably the safest and most comfortably designed baby mattress on the market! SleepOvation’s mattress is designed to combat plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) with its patented design that reduces pressure on the head while keeping the spine correctly aligned. It comes with a removable and washable cover, and the interior mattress core has built-in air channels to increase breathability, while also providing temperature regulation. What’s amazing about this mattress is that it’s a 2-stage design providing use for both newborn and toddler phases! After your baby’s first birthday, simply turn the mattress over for a softer mattress that insures proper spine alignment. The toddler side also features a waterproof backing that helps keep those leaky diapers contained. One of the things I love most for mom is how lightweight this mattress is! Most crib mattresses are big and bulky, which makes it complicated to change crib sheets. This mattress is much easier for mom to maneuver, which is a big relief when doing laundry!
These aren’t the only great gift ideas for mom! The NAPPA Awards features so many great Mother’s Day gift ideas, and they’re constantly updating their site with new winners, so check back often! Take a look at the NAPPA Awards website and let me know your favorite products! https://www.nappaawards.com/
And, be sure to check out L.A. Parent magazine for additional parenting resources, like family-friendly activities, events and travel destinations, along with community news and parenting advice! https://www.laparent.com/
Mamas! Let me know which of these 6 products you’d like to receive for Mother’s Day in the comments below!
Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok for more family-friendly ideas and content!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
Hey Busy Moms! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and I want to share two absolutely FABULOUS online marketplaces that are making it so easy to celebrate LOVE with your family – Maisonette and Goldbelly!
If you don’t yet know about Maisonette, you need to log on their website to check out all their adorable clothes, accessories, toys and gear for kids and families. There’s even some fun things for mom, too, plus home decor! The company was founded by two moms in 2017 with the goal of helping modern families navigate the adventure of raising the next generation. The have the most high quality kids products, partnering with the best brands to curate a shopping destination that all moms love! Maisonette is my go-to site when looking for unique specialty gifts for baby, kids and mama!
The next online marketplace that you must know about is Goldbelly! This online marketplace is where you go to find the best regional and artisanal foods crafted by top local food purveyors throughout the United States, like celebrity chefs, restaurants, bakeries, delis, etc. Have you ever wanted to try one of Duff Goldman’s famous cakes but don’t live near one of his cake studios in Baltimore or LA? Well, now you can with Goldbelly, which ships to all 50 states! Goldbelly is great if you need impressive food for a special occasion or want to gift someone an extraordinary treat. For example, through Goldbelly you can recreate Wolfgang Puck’s legendary smoked salmon pizza at home, or gift your friend, boss, mom, client (anyone!) the famous macarons from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, Calif. There are so many outstanding culinary experiences for purchase in one place!
I turn to both of these sites when I’m looking for something special for holidays and Valentine’s is no different! Below are some great products from Maisonette and Goldbelly to help you celebrate with your kids this Valentine’s Day!
Wake up in comfy yet chic mommy-and-me matching pajamas by Maison Me featuring a mini heart print and shades of pink for Valentine’s Day. These special holiday pajamas, featured in the Ditsy Heart print, come in adult women’s sizes, as well as footies for babies sized 0-24 months and kids sized 2 years to 12 years. Their lightweight 100% cotton rib is super comfortable for sleep or play and cute enough to lounge in all day!
When it’s time to change out of your PJs, the Love Sweater by GiGi Knitwear is the perfect top for Valentine’s Day and chilly February days! Rendered in a sift and breathable light weight knit, the Love Sweater is perfect for layering and playtime. GiGi Knitwear’s one-of-a-kind sweaters are handmade by a family-owned factory in Bulgaria with super soft fine merino wool to keep you and your mini extra cozy. Find the women’s sweater here and the little girls’ sweater here.
Maisonette features some of the chicest kids’ accessories from independent brands, including adorable Valentine’s Day themed jewelry, sunglasses and purses, for your little one to wear throughout the whole month of love!
Children will feel sophisticated and special with the Risa’s Pieces Noa Valentine’s Day Monogram Bracelet Set, which you can personalize with your child’s name. It comes as a fashionable stacking set of three red, white, and pink bracelets.
Perfect for sunny SoCal, GlamBaby Priscilla Heart Shaped Sunglasses are made of durable acetate and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. They come in the option of red or white for your littlest fashionista.
Complete your sweetheart’s outfit with a Ce Ce Co. Velvet Purse with Heart Patches! The upscale Ce Ce Co. also has this Tweed Purse with Furry Heart for your sophisticated bebe. Is it me or is there nothing cuter than a little girl adorned in mini versions of grown-up accessories!
3. Valentine’s Plant Based Playdough
Get creative with your little one on the Day of Love with The Dough Project’s ultimate box of Valentine’s Day goodies! The Dough Project Much Love Bundle comes complete with three jars of fresh, plant-based playdough, a box of “Make Your Own Playdough” mix and a mini rolling pin for unlimited play! The dough comes in red and pink Valentine’s colors for the celebration! The DIY playdough mix is an especially fun sensory project for kids. It’s a dry mix that you simply blend with water and oil to make your own dough – sort of like making pancakes or cookies! The Dough Project is a product parents can feel good about while being made from all natural, food-grade ingredients and colored from plants.
4. Valentine’s Day Tea Set for Dolls by Sophia’s by Teamson
Make imaginary play fun for Valentine’s Day with the Sophia’s by Teamson Kids Valentine’s Day themed tea set. This Warm Your Heart Hot Cocoa & Sweets Set features all the desserts your little one’s doll could want with cake pops, sugar cookies and chocolate covered strawberries! Mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream, plates and spoons complete this detailed set. Kids will have lots of fun celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special pretend tea party! The doll is sold separately, but you can use this tea set for any 18’ doll or with your stuffed animals!
5. Heart Lunch Box by Dabbawalla Bags and Surprise Lunch Notes by Cheree Berry Paper
Be her Valentine all year long with this adorable pink and white heart lunch bag from Dabbawalla Bags. These quality bags are not only great for tots and teens, but moms and teachers would love to receive these sweet bags as a gift for Valentine’s Day, too! There’s also an option to personalize the lunch tote with an embroidered name! The insulating, eco-friendly material is machine washable and flexible enough to hold a wide range of lunch containers. All Dabbawalla Bags are crafted with TPE, a sustainable foam that is degradable, recyclable, and friendly to the environment. The production of these bags supports fair labor practices and is certified free of toxic chemicals.
Surprise your little sweetie with a thoughtful love note in their lunch box with this set of 40 notes from Cheree Berry Paper that are playful, yet polished. Cheree Berry Paper is a custom graphic design and stationery company known for creating interactive and conceptual designs full of unexpected details and clever copywriting. Your little one will love the surprise note that lets them know you’re thinking of them while at school on Valentine’s Day.
6. Goldbelly Valentine’s Treats from Chefs Cat Cora and Duff Goldman
Goldbelly is known for offering the most unique and delicious food products from the nation’s top chefs, small businesses, and food purveyors, and the company is offering dozens of options of specialty Valentine’s treats to share with your kiddos, friends and family this year!
Drop one of popular Iron Chef Cat Cora’s bite-sized Heart Shaped Rainbow Cookies in your kiddos lunch box for a Valentine’s Day surprise at school or pass out to friends at a Valentine’s Day party! These classic Italian rainbow cookies will brighten anyone’s Valentine’s Day made with three layers of marzipan, apricot jam and a thin coating of chocolate topped with chocolate sprinkles. They come in a set of 18, so they’re perfect for sharing with your children and their friends!
If you’ve spent any time watching Food Network over the past decade, then you know Duff Goldman and his legendary cakes. This Red Velvet Heart Cake is a delicious four-layer red velvet cake with vanilla cream cheese filling, frosted with pink-tinted buttercream frosting and decorated with red fondant hearts – the perfect way to show your love with your little ones! The cake serves 8-10 people – great for a party! It also arrives in a decorative box, so it could make for a fun gift!
I hope you’ll take some time to check out Maisonette and Goldbelly for your Valentine’s Day celebration needs, in addition to other holidays! I plan to shop their sites in a couple months for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter!
I’d love to hear how you’re planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your kiddos! Let me know in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram @maggiehjackson!
XO Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
Maggie Jackson 