Whether you're using Amazon Prime, having your dog food shipped by Chewy (so you don't have to carry that stinking bag in from the car), or literally automating your entire life so you can stay afloat,  while keeping your career you worked so hard for and raising your sweet babies to be lovely human beings -YOU ARE AN INTRIGAL PART OF THE CHANGE. In the tech biz - we call this 'digital transformation'. The short definition of this is simply providing information, product, service better and faster to the end user or consumer through the use of technology. Click 'buy' - get the customer service you desire and move on with your day. 

I study this every day - I have long been interested in this transformation the world is going through and am excited by the prospects. For those of you who don't know me, I have a long career in technology, automating processes and selling to provide customers with outcomes. I have been blessed with an incredible view into many organizations, how they work, what they do, and how they are changing in light of this thing we've labeled the 'digital transformation'. 

In a nutshell, here are the drivers OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION from the world we know/knew : 
1.) Busy is the new normal (not enough hours in the day). 
2.) Technology is rapidly evolving (who can keep up - will robot's take our jobs?). 
3.) People can buy from anywhere - literally from their phone.....competition is steep and accessibility is key. If you don't have time to go to the store - there is another way...so you don't go to the store anymore. 
4.) The amount of responsibility on us is greater than ever (we check out our own groceries for goodness sake!) and as a result...we can't find our keys 90% of the time, we're shocked at the lack of customer service there is when things don't go right, and we're left to manage what feels like EVERYTHING on our own.

Being a Mom Means Being Busy (and tired).
Can you relate? This is REAL. It often feels like the weight of the world is on our 'mom' shoulders we're worn out, we're frustrated, but we are far more powerful as a group and demographic than we give ourselves credit for (we spend the majority of the money, fold the clothes, go to work, unload the dishwasher, buy household items, pay the bills, look pretty on date night and ARE the B2C customers people are spending billions to target). While corporations are paying big bucks to track 'customer journey's' (our lives) - we're living them. While traditional corporations are building infrastructure to support mobile work, corporate freedom, and collaboration - the opportunities are at our fingertips.....all of us have seen the success of our friends or have been tapped on the shoulder to sell something (Rodan and Fields, Stella and Dot, Mary Kay, Lularoe, Matilda Jane etc).

Why are we so hesitant?
What if I told you that many of these social selling companies were considered the disruptors? The disruptors that were taking considerable business from traditional businesses AND fulfilling the models that traditional businesses are still trying to put in place (unlimited PTO, diverse workplace, work from home, crowd sourcing)?

Do you miss your friends - because they've become second fiddle to everything else in your life? Do you wish you had a tribe to go out and conquer with? What if you could make money at the same time? What if you could have your current job AND this financial and community fulfillment (billionaires call this PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION...hint hint). 

What if I told you that a future in social selling could actually set you up for success both from an emotional (building comradery, community and support) as well as set you up for a future where social influence and network has incredible value because of new technology....(and, oh by the way,  boost your happiness and fulfillment).

So Why Not?
What if I also told you that the limiting factors are biased media bunk. 'Saturation,' 'Competition,' blah blah blah....seriously, has the world never seen a competitive market before? I mean last time I checked - and shopped for bread - there was Sara Lee, Bunny and Wonder....I picked one based on price, quality, and placement. This notion that there is only room for one 'mom run business' in the market is crazy town. Do you have a friend who has wildly succeeded in a social selling? Does her success breed equal amounts of jealousy and interest for you when you see her posts at night when you're surfing facebook? 

So leave me a comment, tell me your truth - why haven't you started selling in you free time? What scares you about it? If you have - what do you sell? Why do you love it? What has it done for your family?

There is nothing more magical than children at Christmas time. My girls are three years old and this year is SO much fun and witnessing the magic of the holidays with these little girls has been a blast. What could make it more fun? Well, catching Santa of course!!!

​I love the holidays, and I love making things magical and memorable for my littles. Last year at easter I ran across an app and LOVED it and I thought I would share with you as Christmas Eve rapidly approaches. It allows you to 'Catch' Santa in your living room (or wherever you would like to catch him)! The picture above is a photo of my living room and Christmas tree and I simply used the app to put Santa in the photo. It's pretty easy:

1.) Download the App on your phone or iPad
2.) Take a picture of your Christmas Tree (or whatever background you want)
3.) Use the app to add a character and waaalaaah you caught Santa!

​I cannot wait to see their faces when they see that Santa was in our living room!

​The app I used to do this is called CatchACharacter (lite), since I bought it last year I did a quick search before writing this up and noticed that it looks like they changed their name to 'Catchy Photo Editor' (do a quick search in the app store). Nonetheless, you can buy the basic app and upgrade it if you'd like to get additional poses and characters (Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy).

​It's such a simple idea, but really so much fun! I hope your family has as much fun with this app as we do.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas and a GREAT 2017!

As you can probably tell by now I often buy from my fellow moms. That said, I only buy if I have a need that their products fulfill and I only write about it if I love it and continue to buy. I don't sell or profit from this article or the sale of these products. To be very honest, Essential Oils took me a bit to buy into, but...you see I had a challenge. Not a real life challenge but a tiny insignificant to the world - but important to me - challenge.

​Before I had my girls I used to love curling up on the couch with a glass of wine and a lit candle to make my house smell amazing while I relaxed. I mean, who doesn't love a GREAT candle?! But after my girls were born I was afraid to relax with a candle burning because I didn't want to take the risk of anything catching on fire while I was snoozing with two little precious lives sleeping upstairs. SO....I bought a diffuser and some essential oils. I got the amazing smells I was looking for (Young Living: Gentle Baby is my ABSOLUTE FAVE) but my oils had some added benefits I didn't expect.

Like natural mosquito repellant.

​Now before I go on - I am not a doctor and I have no medical or official "mosquito" repelling facts except my own lack of mosquito bites after use. But with the simple itchy annoyingness of mosquito bites and the controversy around using DEET (primarily on young children). I thought I'd share my find. There are several ways suggested ways to make a mosquito repellant using essential oils. The one I currently use includes: Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Witch Hazel and water.

​​The upside is that only a small amount is needed to make repellant and the rest can also be used to mix up a delicious smell for your diffuser or in other essential oil recipes. So while I'm not convinced that essential oils can cure the world - I do think they are a nice, natural alternative for some things (like deterring mosquitos) and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them in my diffuser. If you're interested in checking them out here's a list of my favorites to diffuse together:

I also have an after sun recipe that we haven't tried (no sunburns yet this summer - knock on wood) but when I do - I'll let you know how it goes!!

Please bear in mind not all essential oils are created equally. While I believe that all who use them have the intent of creating safer methods for their families to who benefit from them, sometimes the details are overlooked. I choose Young Living for my family based on their process, history and price (they have the most beautiful farms and a "Seed to Seal" process that promises the maximum benefits for their oils). Their starter package (that includes the diffuser - because that was critical to me) is nearly $100 dollars less than other companies that provide similar therapeutic grade oils. And they have been around the longest.

I would LOVE to hear from you on if you use essential oils, how you use them and which smells (blends) are you favorites!!! I'm always eager to try something new.

If you're curious for more information about Essential Oils I love, find a Young Living rep near you - or leave a comment and I'll put you in touch with mine!

NOTE: Like with anything you apply to your skin it's best to test on a small section first to insure there are no allergies (I have a little one with sensitive skin - just because things are natural doesn't mean it can't cause a reaction - that said my sensitive girl has had no issues with any of the essential oils we've used). Additionally, Essential Oils may deter mosquitos but only some are recommended by the CDC for disease control , please consult with a doctor if your intent is disease control.

I'm not sure what it is about Rodan and Fields but I am now fascinated. It could be because the world is changing and so is the way we do business. It could be because it's quietly empowering women (and men) to drive their 'Plan B' revenue, or it could be because I simply love their products. The problem is, the first time I saw this stuff on social media, I immediately despised it; but then I got to thinking...why? 

I would like to begin with I am in NO WAY being compensated for this endorsement. I would like to continue to say that the first time I saw Rodan and Fields I thought it was ridiculous that I was being inundated with their propaganda in my personal feed, but it sure did pique my curiosity. I put my toe in and evaluated but didn't buy. I had just had twins and I was buying formula, diapers and all sorts of other random things that I hadn't quite done the math on, there was no room in my budget for skin care, specifically expensive skincare (I was a Dove girl prior to using R&F). In addition, I didn't feel like I could trust the information because it inevitably was coming from ladies who were ultimately capitalizing on my purchase...of course they thought it was awesome, they were making money selling it.... But then, 15mos postpartum I hosted a shower for a friend and my picture was taken, and I looked worn. My skin had taken a beating due to hormone level changes, getting older and overall poor care. So I did what any reasonable mom on a budget would do and I headed to SAMs and bought an economy sized pack of Oil of Olay and....it didn't work. After feeling extra worn and a little ugly one day at work I decided to take the plunge and buy a regimen. I'm so glad I did.

I immediately saw results, and almost as immediately decided not to replace my foundation. I didn't need it any more. I then went on to purchase a few other products and have loved them all. But I totally understand that most women don't want to jump right into a fairly expensive regimen without some proof. Hence why I'm writing this.

A few things before we get started:
1. You do not have to set your orders on auto-replenish. If this is a concern of yours ask your R&F consultant how to get around it.
2. You may spend more on skin care but you will no longer invest in traditional foundation and you will look great! (I still use a loose powder - R&F Mineral Peptides but I no longer need a cream foundation or cover up and my clothes aren't stained from pulling them over my head at the end of the day.)
3.) You don't have to order a full regimen in order to see results. It is ideal and you may be so impressed with the outcome of your order that want to indulge further...but out of the gate it's not necessary.

​If I were a beginner that was hesitant to make an investment in a regimen, I would absolutely start with the Micro-Dermabrasion paste. It's packed with vitamin E, vitamin C and a sugar and salt blend for incredible exfoliation. It can be used alone or paired with other products to target specific skin concerns. I use it once or twice a week to simply keep my face looking fresh and dead-skin free! (A tub lasts a LONG time!)

Many of the gals I talk to begin with eye cream. Don't. If you are still caking on the foundation the impact of the eye cream will be wasted. The eye cream is a GREAT addition after you find yourself comfortable to have a naked face daily (which will happen after the regular use of a regimen). The paste is reasonable, provides immediate results, only requires application several times a week.

​So there it is, the missing component from the R&F equation; An unbiased recommendation. I don't sell it, I won't profit if you buy it, I just love it. My skin has never looked better and been easier. I also love the fact that I am spending my money supporting a momtreprenuer. If you don't know a consultant, message me and I will be happy to provide you with a contact. If you know one and you haven't tried the products give it a try - they really will give you your money back if you don't like it.

​If you DO use R&F please share your favorite product with us by leaving a comment!

For the last two years I have really dropped the ball when it comes to keeping my look up to date. There were two main reasons:
1.) My body had changed and I wasn't really sure what to do with that
2.) I'm at work during boutique shopping hours and taking my girls to 'try on' at any store is just out of the question.

This, ladies, is how the term 'mom' jeans evolved. Mom's were not wearing out of date jeans because they didn't know better, they started when their pleated jeans were actually trendy. Then...they lost track of time, their bodies changed, and their priorities were no longer getting to the mall to get new jeans...so a decade later they found themselves wearing those same out of date jeans.

​I decided this isn't going to happen to me. I also realized after talking amongst friends that I wasn't the only one who had put fashion second to life. So as a result, my partnership with Too Blue Boutique was created. Here's how it works: Once a month I visit the darling boutique, pick out an outfit or two that will keep me up to date and then I share my picks with you.

Here's the best part. You don't have to drive there, while Too Blue is a small town, unique boutique they offer the ability to purchase online. And the owner? She's a momtrepreneur and it's always fun to support someone living their dream.

​So here they are, my June picks!!!

The romper I chose is featured in the photo above. You can view an upclose picture of it if you follow the link to the site. It is bright, fun, and playful. Great for BBQ's, vacations and play dates where you don't want to be too dressed up but don't want to look like you rolled out of bed. It fits true to size, comes with built in support and has some extra fabric around the mid-section. Finally, the reason I loved this one instead of some others is because the shorts are a 'normal' length. Come on, I'm 36 and look a little ridiculous if I have SUPER short shorts on. This piece allows me to keep on point with trends, while being age/lifestyle appropriate and still super cute. Love it? The price point is right too! The link is below:

I am sooo excited about this dress!! It fits beautifully and cover's all of the area's I'm not interested in highlighting. It's timeless and fun; perfect for date night, dinner or any semi-formal gathering. It also fits true to size and is super reasonable. I have no doubt that this dress will be a 'go to' in my closet not only this year but for years to come! Love it? It's VERY reasonable for the quality and I have included the link below directly to the boutique: ​

I hope you love these cute summer outfits as much as I do! I will be sharing my picks from Too Blue monthly and will do my best to make sure that they seasonal current but lifestyle relevant. Hopefully, you will like a few of them, support a momtrapreneur instead of a 'big guy' and keep your closet without breaking the bank one piece at a time!

Visit Brook Palanca's beautiful photography site by clicking on her logo!
​Check out her summer special on mini-sessions!

I'm sure you've found yourself saying to someone, if I had more time I would {fill in the blank}. We all have a million things on our todo lists, and I'm not pretending that I get everything I want accomplished  but I do often get asked, "You have a blog? How do you have time? Don't you have a full time job and twin toddlers?" The answer yes, I have all of those things and how I have time is in how I prioritize my todo list. I use a method I heard a young entrepreneur speak about at a conference. It's a simple concept that stuck with me and is extremely effective.

​He referred to it as 'The Power of Five', although it could also be the power of three, or four or whatever number is manageable for you. Each of us has a todo list that goes on and on, it typically has items on it that pertain to the specific function at hand, for instance I have a todo list for work and a todo list for home. This 'normal' todo list may include things that NEED to be done in the immediate future like: buy milk, replace lightbulbs, call Susie etc. This list is important and you should keep it. The list I'm talking about should be totally separate and what is included on it should not be things you 'NEED' to get done...it should contain the things that you would do 'if you had more time.'

​The concept is simple, pick five things each day that you would do 'if you had more time.' Simple things that you can accomplish easily. For instance, when starting this blog I picked small items like: choose a name, purchase a domain, figure out how to get a logo made. These are simple tasks that I could easily do in a short period of time. It breaks down the bigger task at hand into manageable pieces and keeps you moving toward your goal with only five things to get done daily. But five small things add up quickly....5 turns into 35 in the first week, 70 in the second week and so on. It allows you to see incremental progress on a task that if viewed as a whole "start a blog" seems unmanageable. You don't have to start a blog to use this, it can be used for anything you want to get done but haven't found the time to do. For instance, want to get more organized? Use the power of five start with small manageable tasks: clean out junk drawer, buy containers...etc.

You can find this darling note pad and other one's like it at AThingCreated. I have included the link below if you'd like to check it out the shop or click on the picture above to go directly to this notepad.

Her designs are adorable and purchasing one of these is a fun way to jumpstart your project and keep yourself organized.

​So begin anywhere, all great things start somewhere. And good luck as you tackle that thing 'you haven't had time for.' Soon people will be asking you, 'How do you have time?' and you can tell them about the power of five!

I'm the mom with the jammed up phone. It's packed full of cute snapshots and short snip-its of memories. The snapshots I arrange in cute photo books but the little videos? Beyond watching these clips over and over, reminding myself how quickly my kids are growing, crying into my wine about how I'll never get those moments back....I really don't (didn't) do much with them.

Until now.
​
​I made this video in 15 minutes.​

Once in a great while you see something that takes a part of your soul and makes it smile. I was sitting having a conversation with my hipster-at-heart brother while watching the Super Bowl. He texted me two links and said watch these later when you have time. I, of course, not interested in the Super Bowl at all asked for more information. He said, “A guy turned his house into a museum for his wife and MUTEMATH turned it into a music video. It’s awesome.” 

My first thought? "That’s interesting, he sounds like a hoarder…." I'm not sure if I said it out loud, but that's definitely what I thought.

My brother went on to tell me that the second link he sent was the man watching the video for the first time. “Trust me,” he said. “This is right up your alley.”

There is just something about a great bag. I’m pretty sure it’s because it takes ZERO effort to throw it over your shoulder and it’s something you use EVERYDAY. If I have a great bag, I’m unstoppable, it gives me a boost and while this may sound totally materialistic and superficial (and maybe it is): Carrying a great bag is just something that I LOVE. It makes me feel like I have at least one thing together when everything else (including my hair) is one.hot.mess.