November 26, 2019November 26, 2019 - Ashley

The Ultimate Preschool Girl Gift Guide – Amazon Prime Mom Edition

Every year as I’m doing Christmas shopping for my preschool girl (all online because that’s how I roll), I simultaneously put together a gift guide of all the amazing items I’m finding for her age/stage – for YOU.

I’m so excited to share some great, top-rated gift options your little one will be sure to enjoy – and that will make it to your house and under the tree even if you’re a last-minute shoppin’ mama.

If you don’t have a Preschooler in the house, I have some other options for you too! Our 2016 Baby’s First Christmas Gift Guide, and 2017’s Toddler Gift Guide (18 months-3 years) focussed on toys & stocking stuffers for girls, but most of the gifts in 2018’s Amazon Prime Toddler Gift Guide are amazing options for toddler girls OR boys – same goes for this Preschool “Girl” gift guide! All three posts are updated with current links – so shop away if your little one is not yet to the Pre-K stage.

Now, let’s get into all the fun gift options from our Preschool Girl Gift Guide!

Here are some of the best, top-rated, Amazon Prime gifts for Pre-schoolers. They’re sure to delight your little one on Christmas morning (and will arrive to you with 2-Day Shipping as long as you have an Amazon Prime account set up!!). BONUS: make sure to scroll to the end to check out our pre-school perfect stocking stuffer list too!

The Ultimate Preschool Girl Gift Guide For The Amazon Prime Mom

1.Zingo! ($19.99). This game is Taylor’s absolute fav (she is 3.5 as I write this post), and I honestly really like playing it with her too! There is a reason it’s one of the most popular games for preschoolers. Zingo is appropriate for pre or early readers!

2. Barbie’s Ultimate Kitchen ($24.99). Watch the video below and tell me your toddler girl wouldn’t love this (I mean, I kinda can’t wait to play with this one, TBH).

3. Ryan’s World Walkie Talkies ($24.99). Perfect gift for your adventurous pre-schooler. These are under our tree!4. Disney’s Frozen Elsa Ice Palace by Little People ($39.82). Did you see Frozen 2? Taylor loved it. I didn’t, but I see why she did, it that makes any sense. How cute it this palace? It’s on T’s wishlist and I think any preschool girl who has seen Frozen or Frozen 2 would love this gift!
5. Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad – 4 Hands-On Learning Games ($59.99). If you have an iPad this is a great gift for your preschooler. Helps to encourage their problem solving and creativity.6. VTECH Myla The Magical Unicorn ($48.82). I didn’t quite get the magic until I watched the video demo at Taylor’s behest. She talks, lights up, has cool accessories, sings songs with you, and has 6 different activities… I get it now – Myla is pretty darn cool.
7. 10 Pack Kinetic Sand Castles. This is a great rainy day, indoor activity to do with your preschooler. Clean, safe, and great sensory play!8. Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald Poke-A-Dot Book ($12.99). Do you have a Poke-A-Dot book? I hadn’t seen this one, but we have a Safari version at home and it’s great for working with preschoolers on counting and 1:1 correspondence.

9. Radio Flyer Scooter ($34.99). Comes in pink or red!
10. Gummy Candy Lab ($14.99). This is seriously SO much fun to do with your preschooler! It’s fairly simple and not nearly as messy as I thought it might be. This one’s a must.

11. Disney Princess Dress Up Trunk Deluxe 21Piece ($32.05). Princess dress ups? Need I say more?

12. Pink Fong Baby Shark Offical Song Interactive Preschool Puppet ($14.88). Move the mouth of the puppet to start playing the entire hit baby shark song! (Full-length English version). Sorry/you’re welcome
13. Melissa & Doug Dress Up Magnetic Dolls ($16.99).

14. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Toddler & Preschool Board Game ($8.76). For under $10, you can’t go wrong. Taylor loves playing this game with our sweet neighbor friends.

15. Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Peculiar Pets ($25.99).

Preschooler Stocking Stuffers List

1.Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Dog Pack Animal Toy Set // 2. Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Book (scissors included!)
// 3. WikkiStix // 4. Little Cosmetics Pretend Cosmetics Set // 5. Play-Doh 10 Pack // 6. Melissa & Doug My First Temporary Tattoos // 7. Disney Princess Matching Game // 8. Crayola Bathtub Crayons // 9.Wooden Tangram Brain Tetris Block Intelligence Puzzle for Preschool Children // 10. Kid’s Harmonica

Well mama, I hope you find a few perfect gifts to suit your sweet preschool girl this Christmas – the days are long, but the years are short! Enjoy every moment!

July 13, 2019July 20, 2019 - Ashley

Amazon Prime Day 2019 – Baby, Toddler and Mom Deals!

Amazon Prime Day 2019 toddler baby mom

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Hey there, mama!

Are you an Amazon Prime ~~junkie~~ fan like me? How pumped are you for Prime Day 2019?! This year the main Amazon Prime Day action goes down on July 15th & 16th, but you can get a Sneak Peak by setting notifications in your mobile app:

If you don’t already have one, you can get a FREE 30 Day Trial to Amazon Prime HERE, just in time to take advantage of all the deals for Prime members only, kicking off on July 15th, 2019 at 12AM PT!

Why Amazon Prime Is A Busy Mom’s Bff

I save HUNDREDS of dollar a year by shopping for everything from the comfort of my home, waiting in lines, etc.

Groceries (free 2 hour delivery from Whole Foods – hellloo!), toddler gear, home decor, electronics, clothing, music, movies, even groceries now… Is there anything Amazon Prime doesn’t get you access to (+ free 1-2 day shipping/returns) these days? For busy moms, Amazon Prime is nothing less than a BFF; The amount of time saved in not making trips to multiple stores, and energy saved in not getting a toddler in and out of her car seat, is priceless!

Okay, so onto some of the Amazon Prime Day 2019 deals I have my eye on for babies, toddlers, and their mamas – us!!!

Head over to the Taylor-made Mama Facebook Page and shop with me all day beginning Monday! The sale starts at 12AM PT, but I’ve already spotted some awesome Sneak Peak promos!! I’ll be posting every chance I get when I find a deal I think you may love:

It's the {al}most wonderful time of the year!! AMAZON PRIME DAY 2019 kicks off on Monday, July 15th at 12PM PT! I'll be…

Posted by Taylor-made Mama on Saturday, July 13, 2019

Let me know if there is something, in particular, you’ve been on the hunt for and I’ll see what I can find! Happy shopping and saving!!

July 9, 2019July 10, 2019 - Ashley

Quiet Time Station Activities For A Pre-schooler

Quiet Time Station Activities For Pre-schoolers! Do you or did you have a daily quiet time for your little one when they stopped napping? Taylor stopped napping right before she turned 3-years-old, and my introverted/alone-time needing self thought I’d lose my mind! Without the nap I was used to her taking, not only was I not sure how I’d get my work done, I was absolutely drained by the end of the day. We pretty much immediately added Quiet Time into our toddler + mama routine*! Quiet time is not only a way for you to have a little, well-deserved mama break (especially if you are an introverted mama!), but there are also many researched benefits for your little one:

it encourages independent play
helps increase focus and attention
avoids overwhelm
increases creativity
builds confidence

Win-win if you ask me! I showed my Facebook friends & followers some of the things we have added to her pre-school Quiet Time station in this video, but the full list is below it (the links are all Amazon Associate affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through one of them I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support of this content and my little fam!!)!

Some of our absolute must-have items for independent Quiet Time play are the following

(click on the image for details/pricing): 1. The Hatch Baby Sound Machine/Night Light that you can set to change colors (from your phone!) when Quiet Time is up – genius right?!:

2. Sterilite plastic 3 drawer storage chest (that I don’t have to worry about anchoring or it getting ruined) because it’s short, made of plastic, and cheap!!

3. 25 piece foam puzzles, which many pre-schoolers can do on their own!

4. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls:

5. Ready to Read books!! Love these because, once you show your pre-schooler how to choose the corresponding button, the book reads TO THEM! Independent literacy!

6. Mess Free Coloring Books and pens (self-explanatory, I hope!):

7. Again, Melissa & Doug, clutch with the reusable sticker books:

8. A set of Mega Blocks:

All the items we have in Taylor’s Pre-school Quiet Time Station can also be found in our Amazon Favs page which has all the highlights from this blog, as well as our everyday finds!!

quiet time station for a pre-schooler toddler

Hopefully, these ideas help you put together a Quiet Time Station for your pre-schooler that will keep their minds entertained & independent so that YOU can catch a break! Want to receive updates when more content just like this is published?! Enter your name and email below (I promise I won’t spam ya!):

*I have to tell you that since I started this draft, we have not been doing consistent Quiet Times in her room. She does very much love using her station activities in the presence of an adult though! She is SUCH an extrovert, that she’d end up talking to me through her monitor the ENTIRE TIME which was really promoting independence, NOT relaxing in the least for me, nor conducive to getting anything productive done. I’ve read that for extroverted “spirited” children like she is, a lot of alone time can actually feel quite torturous. As an alternative, most afternoons I will either let her watch a tv show (or two!) in her Playroom while I get some work/relaxing done, or allow her some iPad screen time in her room because for THAT she’ll quiet down. Wishing you the best, mama!!

February 21, 2019April 17, 2025 - Ashley

5 Little Known Anti-Aging Secrets!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links I may receive a small commission. I only share + promote products I use, love and stand behind.

Would you like to slow down the aging process and look + feel younger than you actually are?

In addition to getting adequate sleep, exercising, wearing sunscreen, not smoking, drinking lots of water, not drinking too much alcohol, and using good skin care consistently, there are some lesser known things you can do to prevent the signs of aging!

When it comes to preventing and fading the fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots that tack years onto your appearance, making smart LIFESTYLE changes and sticking to them over time is what will really erase years from your face. My 5th tips literally took 5 years off my face in 5 months, and gave me my confidence back.

Without further ado, here are 5 lesser-known tips for preventing and erasing the signs of aging!!

1. Skip She Straw:

Using a straw seems like an innocent enough habit, but over time, you may notice wrinkles around your mouth. Sipping through a straw accentuates those facial muscles where fine lines can occur, as they would if you were a smokey

2. Wash Your Face EVERY Night:

You know you’re supposed to do it, but sometimes you just don’t. I get it, I really do.

However, experts stress that failing to wash your face at the end of the day is a major missed opportunity for skin to regenerate while you sleep (not to mention, it ups your chances of waking up with clogged pores – yuck!). Did you know that people who don’t wash their faces at night look 7 years older on average!

Girl, wash your face : )

3. Watch The Way You Text:

I know, I know, this one is a little OCD but, like sipping through a straw, the repetitive motion of looking down at your smartphone can eventually cause rings/lines to show up on your neck.

While there’s no fast fix for this one, maintaining good posture and holding your smartphone at eye level can help!! For those of us mamas with online gigs, this one is super important!!

4. Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase:

Cotton and polyester pillowcases tug at the delicate skin on your face, but silk pillowcases are much gentler, and your skin kind of slides on the pillow; with less friction on your skin the formation of fine lines over time slows way down, and you wake up without creases on your face – yeay!

Bonus: sleeping on silk also helps prevent frizzy hair!! The one I use can be purchased for from Amazon.com HERE!

5. Drink A Liquid Collagen Supplement:

I don’t usually share about skincare and beauty stuff on the blog, but this one fits with this post perfectly, and honestly I can’t NOT tell you all about the Liquid Collagen Supplement that took 5 years off my face in 5 months (the natural way!!), as well as the the health + beauty benefits it provides from the inside-out.

I turned 35 this year, and my skin was REALLY starting to show it. I’ve slept on my side every night for three decades (with not very much sleep the last few years bc #momlife), and the collagen breakdown was quite apparent (there’s only so much prevention topical skincare and silk pillowcases can give a gal!).

As much as I truly believe beauty is skin deep, if I’m honest with you, I felt self-conscious. I felt self-conscious of the sagging and creasing around my jawline reflected in the mirror… but then I found a solution that literally has me aging in reverse!! #hellofirmskin

<<< CLICK HERE TO SHOP LIQUID COLLAGEN! >>

I was skeptical because the powdered collagen I had been using hadn’t done a thing for me but FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and curiosity killed the cat… 5 months later (although I FELT results right away!!) I could hardly believe my own aesthetic results:

best liquid collagen supplement, biocell — **Yes, I do have foundation on on the far right, and had a mole removed in Nov, but in black & white, you can’t deny the line decrease and firmness increase on my cheek!**

What Happens To Your Skin After 30:

There are certain things that start to happen to us ladies after the age of 30.

You become more self-aware, self-confident, and loads of other amazing things..but one not so amazing thing that happens to our bodies after 30 is the loss of Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid that leads to sagging, dry skin, fine lines, and wrinkles – the telltale signs of aging.

Collagen is what provides the structural framework for your the tissue of your body (think skin, joint cartilage, etc.) and is responsible for the skin’s firmness and resilience.

Hyaluronic Acid is what gives our cells the ability to retain moisture and to lubricate movable parts of the body, such as joints and muscles; It’s known as “nature’s moisturizer”.

When you’re a little baby your cherub-like cheeks are FULL of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid.

Think of your skin cells as plump grapes a la:

In your mid to late 20’s your body slows WAY down on the production of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, and continues to slow down after 30; after 30 your skin structures start to break down at the rate of 1-2%+ per year, and we start moving toward raisin status…

But, GOOD NEWS!!

I discovered that this doesn’t have to happen if you’re consistently replenishing those nutrients, and therefore keeping your skin supple + firm, and fine lines and wrinkles at bay. I’ve been taking the best Liquid Collagen supplement (the ONLY one with Hyaluronic Acid!) since August 2018 and am officially obsessed. Next, I want to share 4 reasons you’ll want to consider adding the liquid collagen supplement I use to your daily routine!

Top 4 Reasons You Need A Liquid Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid Supplement

What makes this one the best liquid collagen supplement? This was the first question I looked into because a simple Amazon or Google search will yield a hundred or more different results for liquid collagen…When it comes to anti-aging, I don’t play and I want the BEST!!

<<< CLICK HERE TO SHOP LIQUID COLLAGEN! >>

Aside from the fact that it tastes super yummy, here are the top four reasons you’ll want to consider:

Powdered Collagen is a waste of money. I had been using powdered collagen in my smoothies and/or coffee daily for nearly a year, but did NOT see or feel any noticeable results. Did you know you’re only getting 30% of the nutrients from the powdered form? To me, that’s just throwing money down the drain. With the best liquid collagen supplement I use, you’re going to be able to get 98% of the nutrients!!
Hyaluronic Acid. The liquid collagen I use is the only one that has 7 patents and 37 clinical trials to back it up, but also contains Hyaluronic Acid in! Hyaluronic acid is what HOLDS MOISTURE and it’s in every cell of our bodies!!! Imagine the skin cell plumping , raisin to grape action happening there!!! Speaking of clinical trials, one showed that this liquid collagen supplement led to a 6,000% increase in hyaluronic acid after 28 days!! No wonder people were asking if I’d gotten fillers after a month!
Your body will recognize this liquid collagen supplement as your own (aka it’s Bioavailable). There are a ton of liquid collagens out there, but they are not necessarily the right structure for the body to recognize, take up and USE to restore your skin from the inside out!! This one (the BEST liquid collagen supplement) mirrors the connective tissue in your body and makes it possible for our bodies to take it up and use it like our own!! If your collagen doesn’t mirror that of your body’s, it will just throw it away. Again, what a waste!
Adding a liquid collagen supplement to your routine is not just about vanity and combating the signs of aging externally! There are many internal, health benefits this liquid collagen supplement provides as well. To name a few:
- Improved joint mobility and lubrication
- Decreased skin dryness
- Reduced joint discomfort
- Increased healthy cartilage & connective tissue
- Longer, healthier hair and nails

Sounds good, right?!

Get the exact details on the liquid collagen supplements I use, where you can get them, and a $10 off promo code click below!!

<<< CLICK HERE TO SHOP LIQUID COLLAGEN! >>

Let’s age gracefully and healthily, shall we?!

December 1, 2018November 20, 2019 - Ashley

The Ultimate Toddler Gift Guide For The Amazon Prime Lovin’ Mama!

Let me start by saying I had WAY too much fun creating this Amazon Prime Toddler Gift Guide for for you, my fellow last minute shopping mama! The best kind of posts are the ones I hope will make another mama’s life easier or less stressful, AND take care of some of my own personal business (AKA getting all of T’s Christmas gifts ordered!). If you’ve waited until the very last minute to get your toddler gift shopping done…I got you! All of these gifts will get to you by Christmas (as I post this on 12/1!).

Our 2016 Baby’s First Christmas Gift Guide, and 2017’s Toddler Gift Guide (18 months-3 years) focussed on toys for girls, but most of the gifts in this year’s guide would be totally awesome for toddler girls OR boys! I believe girls and boys should be exposed to and allowed to play with whatever interests them (Taylor is into Dinosaurs, Paw Patrol and Eric Bana these days….don’t ask). By the way, our 2017 toddler gift guide has some KILLER stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers, most of them being Amazon Prime eligible too!

Here are some of the best, well-rated, Amazon Prime gifts for 2-3-year-old toddlers I could find. They’re sure to delight your little one on Christmas morning (and will arrive to you with 2-Day Shipping as long as you have an Amazon Prime account set up!!):

Amazon Prime Toddler Gift Guide:

Amazon Fire Kids’ Edition (7″). On sale for $69.99 (from $99) for Amazon Prime members!!! Here are some of the reasons why we LOVE this and it makes a perfect toddler Christmas Gift (and gift to YOU!) #mamamusthave:

The kids kindle has a 2-year worry free accident warranty versus the regular Kindle’s 90 day limited warranty. Amazon specifically states: “if they break it, return it and we’ll replace it for free. No questions asked.”
The Fire comes with Kindle Free Time for 1 year, which is normally $1.99 for prime members per month or $3.99 regularly per month.
It already comes with a rubber protective case (yellow, pink or blue), which is absolutely necessary for a toddler. #amiright?
It’s already primed with a bunch of kid apps and books, not to mention parental controls.
It comes with a kid-safe browser already installed.
We cannot travel by plane without this and her LilGadget headphones!

Fisher-Price Grow-to-Pro 2-in-1 Tee Ball. Under $20!!

Height-adjustable tee grows with your little one as they get taller
Bat guide for beginning batters!
Sturdy, easy-to-clean plastic

Paw Patrol – I’m Ready To Read with Chase Sound Book – Play-a-Sound. Under $10 for your Paw Patrol loving 2-3 year old!

VTech Write and Learn Creative Center– this is one of the must-have items in our Toddler Flight Entertainment Kit! Under $20 for Prime members!

VTech Karaoke System 2 Mics with Mic Stand & AC Adapter (also comes in pink!).

Ok, so this toddler Christmas gift is pretty darn COOL:

Connects to MP3 players or mobile devices so you can play songs from your own collection
Includes 6 built-in games, a voice changer that has five different voice effects, fun sound effects and eight original songs
Use the built-in recorder to record yourself for up to 5 minutes.

A Play Dough Set. This Cookie Creations set is under $20!

Some other options on Prime:

Candy Jar Set
Flip N Frost Cookies
Ice Cream Cone Container

Little Tikes Indoor/Outdoor Slide. $34.

Appropriate for 18 months to 6 years old.

Crayola My First Magic Water Paint Set.

Mess-free toddler art supplies for $10.99? Yes, please!

Brush over the lines with water to reveal the color in the paper.
Build color association and language skills (green frog swimming in blue water)
Help your LO observe, match & articulate what colors they see builds compare/contrast, sorting, and language skills

Learning Tower Kids Kitchen Step Stool With Safety Rail – this particular model comes in 7 color options and is adjustable as they grow. This is a gift we got Taylor for her 2nd Birthday and it’s been an almost daily staple. She loves being able to be at counter height while I’m cooking. It’s a little more on the pricey side, but worth enjoying the time “cooking” with your little helper!

Teamson Kids Play kitchen + play food/accessories – We have the Teamson Kids Urban play kitchen in white in Taylor’s Modern Family Friendly Playroom, and I couldn’t be happier with it! I ended up converting the refrigerator control panel into a chalkboard with chalkboard paint! We love all of the Melissa and Doug wooden play food and accessories.

Dyson Ball Vacuum with real suction and sounds – Toy Vacuum

Ok, can we talk about this one for a minute? How can you NOT get this gift for your little helper?? It’s a #1 Best Seller on Amazon Prime for a reason (and under $40!).

Real working suction from the foot of the vacuum, that is designed to pick up small pieces of paper waste or small poly beads
See your progress and feel productive, by removing the removable dustbin at the back and emptying the debris
Simulated cyclone action with colorful balls in a clear cylinder, so you can see it working
Comes in red, purple, pink, and yellow!

“Magnatiles. These are also on the more pricey side, but definitely worth the investment to help your little one develop those spatial, tactile skills! This set comes with 32 translucent, colorful shapes including squares (2 large, 14 small) and triangles (8 equilateral, 4 right, 4 isosceles) for $49.99.

Master Workbench by Hape. Currently 33% off for Prime members!

This workbench contains 32 pieces including a hammer, saw, screwdriver, wrench, vice, angle, screws, nuts, bolts, gears, links and more creative parts for building
Recommended for children 3 years and older with a height adjustable workbench counter for growing builders
Shelves to store all your little one’s tools and supplies within reach
Gold Star Award by Toy Stores of Canada

100 Piece Wooden Train Set. At $39.99 (and with a storage tub for easy clean up!) this is a steal!

With the 94 train track pieces and 6 railroad cars, this set is a great way to expand your train track collection
This set is compatible with most major brands

Little Tikes 3′ Trampoline.

3K+ reviews and 4 Stars. Under $50. Toddler Energy Burn-off 101. Need I say more? #addtocart

*3 years and up!

I hope this Amazon Prime Toddler Gift Guide helps you get your last minute shopping done quickly, efficiently (and at the best prices!) so that you can enjoy the real magic of the holidays – quality time and memories with your family! We can’t wait for epic family matching pajama pictures, monkey bread minis, and the light in Taylor’s eyes when she opens her gifts on Christmas morning.

Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday season.

September 17, 2018November 11, 2018 - Ashley 2 Comments

Top 5 Dry Shampoo Review (AKA #momlife Holy Grail)

This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase of one of my favorite things through a link, I may receive a small commission. Thank you!!

I don’t know about you, but my Holy Grail beauty product is definitely dry shampoo! It’s a busy mama’s best friend! Last month, I embarked on a VERY important quest to find the Dry Shampoo of my dreams and wanted to share my opinions on the 5 that I put to the test.

I had been using the drugstore brand Pssst! for years (occasionally throwing in the more pricey, but amazing Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray) but wasn’t loving the amount of white residue it left behind, and it wasn’t giving life to my thick, yet very flat hair the way I knew other brands might!

I took a poll in our Facebook Community to see what everyone was using and loving, and trialed the top 5 recommended!

Along the way, I learned that I was actually “applying” my dry shampoo incorrectly, which makes a big difference!! For almost all of the brands, you want to spray smaller, lifted sections of hair at the roots, wait 60-120 seconds, and then brush through with your fingers or a comb.

Once you know better, you do better because #knowledgeispower.

Top 5 Dry Shampoos Put To The Test:

Here is my personal input + opinion on the 5 dry shampoos I trialed* based on the following criteria (yes, I know, #nerdalert):

Residue
Smell (anyone else a scent person?)
Hair Volume after use
Longevity (aka, how long until my hair appeared greaseball-ish again)
EWG or Think Dirty Rating (I don’t want to be spraying a ton of chemicals into the air my family breathes on the daily because, let’s be real, I only wash my hair 2x weekly…)

*I trialed each on “4th Day” hair, and used the same shampoo/conditioner/product, to maintain the integrity of the trial : )

Product Notes

Living Proof – Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

Pluses: No residue after brush through, AMAZING volume!!, love the clean smell, the packaging is aesthetically pleasing (important to me!)

Minuses: A little more pricey but not bad ($18 for 4 oz), an overall “8” on the Think Dirty rating – mostly for the amount of Fragrance it contains (which is a bummer, because I do love the smell!)

2. Klorane – Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Pluses: My hair stayed looking clean the entire day – it really did a fantastic job of absorbing oil!

Minuses: On the more pricey side as compared to the others ($20 for 3.2 oz), I was not crazy about the smell, I didn’t get great volume from the product, and WHOAH…. an 8 on the Think Dirty app for fragrance and chemicals!!

3. Pureology – Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo

Pluses: Smells good (like sweet sugar cookies!), Vegan, beautiful can, provided volume, the effect of making my hair less dark and oily at the roots lasted the entire day!

Minuses: Higher price point ($28 for 3.4 ounces), did leave some residue after brush through, I couldn’t find it’s rating on Think Dirty or EWG but did notice that almost all other Pureology products (which I used for shampoo/conditioner until recently switching THIS non-toxic brand for color-treated hair!) are rated 8, so I assume it’s similar…. YIKES!!

4. Dove – Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo

Pluses: no white residue even before brush through, smells fresh, affordable price point ($9 for 4 oz), gave me decent volume.

Minuses: my hair looked dirty again within 4 hours, some concerning ingredients per EWG (but not nearly as “dirty” as the others!):

5. Batiste – Clean & Classic Original Dry Shampoo

Pluses: Cheap! ($14.53 for THREE cans!!), I liked the scent (a little on the lavender side which I know many have allergies to, so be aware!), it kept the greasy look at bay for the entire day. As compared to the other brands, it had a lower EWG rating, particularly in the area of “Cancer Concern” – which is obviously my number one fear about product ingredients, particularly ones I’m SPRAYING into the air, right?!:

Minuses: A LOT of residue to brush through, although I know there is a brunette version which may be a great option! I did not get much volume from this brand.

Results Of The Dry Shampoo Trial

My overall favorite Dry Shampoo of the 5 I trialed and the Pssst I’d used previously was…. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day!! The number one factor in this dry shampoo being my favorite is that fact that , not only did it make my hair look clean again, it gave me a ton of VOLUME!

That said, I’m still not satisfied with the number of chemicals in Living Proof and am on the hunt for one that is effective AND has CLEAN ingredients.

I am trying my best to be more conscious of what goes into, on and around my (and my family’s) body these days; Apps like EWG and Think Dirty have really opened my eyes to all of the harmful ingredients in many of the products we use in our home daily – even the ones I thought were “Clean”!! I was, admittedly, pretty ignorant to this until a couple months ago, and actually “saw the light” as a result of going through this dry shampoo trial!!

But, like I said earlier, once you know better you do better!!

I recently discovered the Amazon Prime of all things non-toxic + clean-living (3 Day Shipping, Subscribe & Save, $10 coupon code on your first purchase, etc.) and am OBSESSED/overhauling ALL of our household items. However, the one personal care item I need that they DON’T carry yet is dry shampoo. Alas.

I do have this, ZERO rated on the EWG scale, InnerSense dry shampoo heading my way so I’ll have to update this post with my thoughts on it in a week or so! I’m excited to try a CLEAN version of my holy grail and will make the switch after I use up what I have left of the 5 I trialed!

If you have any other clean dry shampoo recommendations or a DIY recipe, please do share with me in the comments!!

What’s YOUR favorite Dry Shampoo??

August 15, 2018September 12, 2018 - Ashley 4 Comments

Top Tips For Stress Free Potty Training

The title of this post is intentionally misleading because I don’t think that “Stress Free Potty Training” is actually possible. And that’s okay!Â If you’re aÂ magical unicorn mama who isn’t stressed with any element of potty training, well, we simply canâ€™t be friends. I mean, we can but you have some SERIOUS explaining and life coaching to do with me.

That said, I really do have some things to share about our recent (and successful) foray into potty training – including a Printable Checklist that WILL reduce stress surrounding P-Day…

But, first a few thoughts and some vulnerability.

“Let go of who you think you need to be, and be who you actually are.â€

This intention could apply to many areas of life but, at this season in mine, it speaks especially to motherhood and lifestyle.Â A few months ago, I noticed myself feeling like I just wasnâ€™t â€œenoughâ€ in the teeny, tiny corner of the internet/influence Iâ€™ve created,

Not adding enough value.
Not creating enough content.
Not having enough influence.
Not creating content IG worthy enough.
Not being an exemplary enough mama.

Well, you know what I say to that? Pardon my abbreviated French but, “ENOUGH with that B.S.!”!!!!

If there is oneÂ thing Iâ€™ve learned in the last year of being a stay and then work at home mama,Â itâ€™s that being your most authentic selfÂ makes you the MOST happy.

And, Iâ€™d rather ACTUALLY be happy than PERCEIVED as anything else.

This is a platform I built with the intention of expressing myself in the best way I know how (through writing), connecting with other mamas across the country/world, and inspiring them to find harmony + balance in #momlife and life in general.

I ran out of time and motivation for photo shoots and being â€œthat motherhood + lifestyle influencerâ€ I never intended to be, a while back (as evidenced by our simple party and post documenting Taylor’s 2nd B-day) but I still have a passion for organization especially as it can be applied to preparing for new phases of motherhood – and subsequently sharing that with you, dear reader.

Iâ€™m excited to finally feel okay with letting go of being 100% anything but myself. I hope youâ€™ll still be excited about hanging out and doing #momlife with just plain old me. And I hope my inspiration can be for YOU to feel okay with being 100% yourself too!

Back To Potty Training…

All that being said, many of my Instagram and other friends have been messaging me about what weâ€™ve been doing/using for potty training. If you follow me you read this update last week:

?Training {a strong-willed child} Update: After a week of struggle and not much success, in the last 2ï¸âƒ£4ï¸âƒ£ hours weâ€™ve had ZERO accidents and 99% independence? ??. #gotaylorgo Wanna know my super secret potty training sauce?…. SHOPKINS {and pumping the pressure brakes}. Yes, these silly, pint-sized, bribery miracles. Iâ€™m not kidding, and Iâ€™m not above it. Willl I be writing a E-book on my methodology? Will our way work for all? No and no, but I have to tell ya this was the best $14.99 I ever spent ?. #cantputapricetagonsuccess #oramamassanity The further I get into this parenting gig the more Iâ€™m convinced that you can do all the research in the world, and try all the things everyone else tells you to do…..but sometimes you just have to do things YOUR way, knowing YOUR kiddo?.

A post shared by ASHLEY | Taylor-made Mama (@taylormademama) on Aug 5, 2018 at 8:54am PDT

Essentially, the #1 thing I recommend is waiting until your child, AND YOU, are prepared and ready. Yes, thereâ€™s a â€œwindowâ€, but if you stress the heck out of yourself to train before that window closes, you may not find the success youâ€™re hoping for.

There are tons of great books, E books, manuals, family/friend advice, etc. and I encourage you to read them because I know always feel better when Iâ€™ve done my due diligence too. Here are some of the books I read myself or read to Taylor before and during potty training:

That said, at end of the day, you have to do what makes intuitive sense for YOU and your kiddo. Remember, you know your child best. If potty training is making YOU a stressed out mess (like it was me), then itâ€™s probably not the time, or itâ€™s time to switch things up.

Or buy Shopkins, or whatever…

Spend some time sorting that stress reaction out, ease off the pressure brakes, read a book (drink some wine?), get some supplies ready, THEN jump in when youâ€™re ready to be the strong one in the boot camp relationship – itâ€™s hard enough for the little one peeing and pooping themselves all day.

Free, Printable Potty Training Prep Checklist!

To access the printable Potty Trainig Essentials Checklist useÂ thisÂ link or just click on the image below. Â Print it, shop with it, then keep it in your kit to make sure youâ€™re always stocked up. As a subscriber, you can access and download this and any of the other printables from my website by going to theÂ Printables Library PageÂ and entering theÂ password I emailed to you when you subscribed.

I know this isnâ€™t the most helpful PottyÂ Training post in all of Pinterest-landia, but I do hope youâ€™ll find this free, printable checklist of the items that we used before and during potty training to ultimately find success helpful!! Make sure you also have your Toddler Car Kit put together because many of these things will already be in it!

There is nothing cuter than hearing that proud little voice say, â€œIâ€™m so proud of myself. I’m big girl/boy now!!!â€ (and not feeling like youâ€™re going to rip your hair out in the same moment).

Remember that, if youâ€™re loving hard, itâ€™s not that hard.

MOM your way, friend. You got this!

XO,

Ashley

P.S. Because many of you asked, we did NOT use a timer or specific intervals at all during potty training. I am considering doing another post of the good, bad and poopy of what we did do and what I would do differently. What do you think? Would you be interested?

Other Ta[y]lor-made Mama posts you may be interested in:

July 16, 2018July 16, 2018 - Ashley

Amazon Prime Day 2018 – Baby, Toddler and Mama Deals!

amazon prime day deals toddler baby moms

This post contains affiliate links. I ONLY promote companies and items we actually love and use.

Hey there, mama!

Are you an Amazon Prime ~~junkie~~ fan like me? How pumped are you for Prime Day 2018?!

If you don’t already have an Amazon Prime membership then today is, definitely, definitely the day to become one.

You can get a FREE 30 Day Trial to Amazon Prime HERE, just in time to take advantage of all the deals for Prime members only, beginning on July 16th, 2018 at 3:00PM EST.

Why Amazon Prime Is A Busy Mom’s Bff

I save HUNDREDS of dollar a year by shopping for everything from the comfort of my home, car (as a passenger, of course), waiting in lines, etc. Groceries, toddler gear, home decor, electronics, clothing, music, movies, even groceries now…Is there anything Amazon Prime doesn’t get you access to (+ free 1-2 day shipping/returns) these days? For busy moms, Amazon Prime is nothing less than a BFF. The amount of time saved in not making trips to multiple stores, and energy saved in not getting T in and out of her car seat, is invaluable!

Okay, so onto some of the Amazon Prime Day 2018 deals I have my eye on for babies, toddlers, and their mamas! Head over to my Facebook Page and shop with me all day beginning…..NOW! The sale starts at 3:00PM, but I’ve already spotted some sweet Early Access promos! I’ll be posting every chance I get when I find a deal for you:

Let me know if there is something, in particular, you’ve been on the hunt for and I’ll see what I can find! Happy shopping and saving!!

XO,

Ashley

December 19, 2017December 20, 2017 - Ashley 6 Comments

5 Ways To Help Your Toddler Learn To Eat With Utensils: Featuring Trial Size Persil® Laundry Detergent From Target®

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PersilLaundry #CollectiveBias

Did you know that a typically developing child is expected to be able to feed themselves completely independently with a spoon by the age of 2? Well don’t worry if you didn’t, because I didn’t either until our Pediatrician told us at Taylor’s 18 month appointment! However, most toddlers are capable of learning to do this at a much younger age; Taylor is well on her way to independently eating with a spoon AND fork at 19 months old! Today I wanted to share 5 ways you can help your toddler learn to eat with utensils as well, and clean clothing stains from the inevitable mess they’ll make with trial size Persil® ProClean® laundry detergent. Persil® Original Pro10 was named “Best New Liquid Laundry Detergent” by Family Circle magazine in 2017, so I was curious to put it to the test! I have to say, I was quite impressed with the cleaning, brightening and whitening results, especially given the amount of time the marinara had to set into her bright white shirt (my bad because, #momlife)!

5 Ways To Help Your Toddler Learn To Eat With Utensils Independently:

Provide your toddler with utensils that are, well, toddler-sized. Silverware with thick, weighted, rubber/textured handles are best as they are easier to grasp and control. HERE are our favorites to use (the set comes in green, pink or aqua!).
Demonstrate how to use utensils with slow, exaggerated motions accompanied by a verbal explanation of exactly what you’re doing. (e.g. “Mommy is scooping some applesauce onto her spoon, now I’m going to raise my arm and put the spoon in my mouth like this… Yum!”). You’re basically their eating mechanics coach!
Start out with thick foods that will stick to a spoon, like yogurt or applesauce when scooped. When your toddler is practicing eating with a fork, I recommend easy to spear pasta shapes like penne!
Provide ample opportunities for practice eating with utensils. At first, your toddler may not have much control or accuracy, but it’s still important that they have the chance to learn to manipulate the fork or spoon.
Praise your little one for trying! Most toddlers prefer to use their fingers over a fork or spoon, so they deserve some applause for their efforts.

All of that said, one thing you can expect is A LOT of mess when your toddler is learning to eat with utensils, so you’ll want to have a laundry detergent you can trust to get the job done! I purchased the convenient trial size Persil® ProClean® laundry detergent last week at Target and challenged it with the marinara sauce stains featured in this post.

Persil® Original Pro10 was named “Best New Liquid Laundry Detergent” by Family Circle magazine in 2017, so I was curious to put it to the test! I have to say, I was quite impressed with the cleaning, brightening and whitening results, especially given the amount of time the marinara had to set into her bright white shirt (my bad because, #momlife)!

Persil Laundry Detergent To The Rescue!

By the time I got around to washing Taylor’s shirt after she finished her pasta, over an hour had passed, so I decided to pre-treat it with Persil® laundry detergent. I poured a very small amount of Persil laundry detergent into the cap, dipped a finger in and rubbed a very small amount directly onto the stain. After leaving the shirt to pre-treat for 5 minutes, I placed it in our washing machine with the rest of Taylor’s whites in the warmest water possible with a capful of Persil® laundry detergent, per the Laundry Tips on Persil’s webpage. Remember to check the results before drying. I really like that Persil® laundry detergent can be used in all machines, including an HE like ours.

The Results

WOW. I was honestly surprised at how well Persil laundry detergent was able to tackle the stain. I imagine that, had I pre-treated and washed right away, the results would have been even more impressive. Persil laundry detergent is certainly a great choice for everyday laundry as well as stain fighting!

If you haven’t tried Persil laundry detergent yet, I encourage you to do what I did and pick up their new trial size bottle at Target (AKA Mecca) for only $1.99. The trial size bottle (10.1-ounce package) washes 6 full loads of laundry! Plus, there is a $2 off coupon on the back of the bottle for a future purchase, excluding the trial/travel size.

Give it a try and see the results for yourself!

I would love to hear any other tips you have for teaching your little ones to eat with utensils independently. What successes have you had as a toddler/eating mechanics coach duo? Any epic messes you could have used Persil laundry detergent for?! Email me or leave a comment on this post.

Thanks for reading!

November 29, 2017July 16, 2020 - Ashley

Comfortable At-Home Mom Style Staples

As I was Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping this past weekend, I found myself again ~~ordering way too much~~ gravitating toward super comfy, cozy clothing – the kind you can lounge/work/play around the house in, yet still be considered socially acceptable when you need to go out to run an errand in. Comfortable at-home style is my jam.

Now that I’m no longer working outside of the home, I have tasked myself with rebuilding my wardrobe, and this type of apparel is definitely lacking. Over the last decade, my closet has consisted of 90% A) business wear or B) workout apparel, so I’m working on filling in the in-between now that I’m officially a stay/work at home mom!

Well, based on my online shopping tour de force this weekend, let me tell you that NOW is definitely the time to be stocking up on comfortable at-home mom style staples. There are SO many cute pieces out there – especially for these winter months when we want all the warmth and comfort (I’ll take a pair of joggers in each color of the rainbow, please and thank you!). Take this sweater for example which is essentially like wearing a chenille blanket around the house (but still totally cute, right?!):

So, if you’re a budding comfy clothing connoisseur like me, a stay at home mom who wants to up her mom-iform game, or a working mama who needs some comfy weekend wear, this is the round-up for you! I included items I purchased recently, ones I own, and also several that are on my wishlist – with a range of price points.

I hope you enjoy shopping this round-up, and being super comfy, cozy and cute all winter. Click on any of the images below to shop!

Comfortable At-Home Mom Style Staples:

Have you ever had to shift your wardrobe in a similar way? Let me know what your mom-iform consists of, and if there are pieces I must have in my newly minted stay at home mom wardrobe!

XO,

Ashley

This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you purchase an item I like and recommend.

The Ultimate Preschool Girl Gift Guide For The Amazon Prime Mom

Preschooler Stocking Stuffers List

Why Amazon Prime Is A Busy Mom’s Bff

Some of our absolute must-have items for independent Quiet Time play are the following

Without further ado, here are 5 lesser-known tips for preventing and erasing the signs of aging!!

1. Skip She Straw:

2. Wash Your Face EVERY Night:

3. Watch The Way You Text:

4. Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase:

5. Drink A Liquid Collagen Supplement:

What Happens To Your Skin After 30:

Top 4 Reasons You Need A Liquid Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid Supplement

Amazon Prime Toddler Gift Guide:

Top 5 Dry Shampoos Put To The Test:

Product Notes

Results Of The Dry Shampoo Trial

“Let go of who you think you need to be, and be who you actually are.â€

Back To Potty Training…

Free, Printable Potty Training Prep Checklist!

Ashley

Why Amazon Prime Is A Busy Mom’s Bff

Ashley

5 Ways To Help Your Toddler Learn To Eat With Utensils Independently:

Persil Laundry Detergent To The Rescue!

The Results

Comfortable At-Home Mom Style Staples:

“Let go of who you think you need to be, and be who you actually are.â€