Blog - Page 23 of 183 - Moments of Musing

Convenient and Affordable Kids Haircut + a $150 Great Clips Gift Card Giveaway

Filed Under: back to school, kids haircut, motherhood // August 26, 2019

This blog post is sponsored by Great Clips but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We waited almost two years to take our toddler, S, for his first haircut. I didn’t know what to expect and I was nervous he would be afraid. He did great then and has done so well since.

Recently, we took S to get his haircut at Great Clips in Islandia so he would be vacation-ready. The location just opened in May but judging from everyone there, they have many regular customers already. Thankfully, Great Clips offers the Online Check-in app so you can add your name to the list before you arrive and find out the estimated wait, enabling you to maximize your time. If you have a bit of time before your turn, you can run errands or get some shopping done.

Be sure to get the Great Clips Online Check-in app because this summer, Great Clips is donating $1[H for every download to deserving schools across the country to help with supplies, enrichment programs and other critical needs.

Since the Islandia location just recently opened, it is still running its Grand Opening special: haircuts starting at $9.99! That is a price that can’t be beat.

S got his hair trimmed from medium length to a shorter length, with bangs that we comb over. We describe it as a preppy boy cut. Seb’s hairstylist, Nicole, was so great with him. She spoke to him often, reassured him he was doing great and complimented him on sitting still. She asked us for our input and whether we wanted it shorter as she cut his hair. I really appreciated that because we had an issue a few months ago where a hairstylist cut his hair very short without our permission and without any notice.

Overall, S remained calm throughout his haircut. I know the cute monsters apron and friendliness of staff certainly helped. I would highly recommend visiting Great Clips for kids’ haircuts as parents are thinking about back to school season, but it’s also a great fit for the whole family (my husband even got quick and easy haircut while we were waiting). The experience for the affordable price simply can’t be beat.

In addition to the Great Clips salon in Islandia, there are two other Great Clips salons on Long Island so check them out – Parkway Plaza (215 Glen Cove Road, Suite B, Carle Place, NY 11514) and East Meadow Mall (1969 Front Street, East Meadow, NY 11554).

We had such a great experience, we’d love to gift one of you a $150 Great Clips gift card! Visit my Instagram post to find out how to win!

My Husband is an Instagram Husband

Filed Under: blog, content photos, Marriage // August 22, 2019

How do you get your husband involved in photographing content for you?

I’ve been thinking about this topic because it came up in an Instagram support group of influencers and bloggers. I know it can be a common struggle among bloggers and influencers to get your partner involved in taking photos for your content. What it comes down to for me is my husband’s willingness, and quite frankly desire, to help me build my brand and business.

It’s actually mutually beneficial. I save money on a photographer and get my photos. In turn, I am able to contribute financially to our household even more because of the content.

Honestly, having an Instagram Husband isn’t just convenient, it’s crucial to my business. In all seriousness, it would all be a heck of a lot harder without his unwavering support.

So, how does it work? He photographs, usually with my creative direction, and I edit.

Did / does my husband love taking photos just because? No, and he still sometimes get annoyed if I’m trying to photograph special moments versus being present (I’ve worked on this, which I think is a common struggle among content creators). BUT he enjoys being my partner in all things, cheering me on, and helping me out. After all, we both want one another to be successful.

So if you are struggling with getting your partner involved, maybe you can frame it with the following ideas:

His/her support matters. In a newer and small business, having extra help from family or friends can go far.
Posting to Instagram (and other platforms) is about much more than just sharing photos on social media. It’s a business tool!
You will be able to contribute more money by saving money on a photographer.
Simply put, it’s nice to have a supportive partner, someone who lifts up your dreams.

I truly hope this information helps to get your partner on board. Good luck!

You Are My Sonshine — Summer 2019 Sunflowers

Filed Under: mommy and me, motherhood, sunflowers // August 12, 2019

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since last sunflower season. I can see just how much the boys have grown when looking back the photos of our sunflower mommy and me session last year.

Last week was full of bad news — from mass shootings and immigration raids to my friend and co-worker suffering extreme postpartum complications — so I have been trying to put positive thoughts and energy into the world. And I’ve also leaned on the bright spots on my life to help carry those thought any energy.

The boys are that for me. They cheer me up and cheer me on without even knowing it. They are my light and my love, and my greatest reminder of the good that exists.

On this day, it was just us three so I brought my new and under-$25 tripod, headed to Waterdrinker Family Farm (where we took our tulip photos) and ta-da! They might not be looking in every/any night photos but this is them at the stages they’re in! I wouldn’t change a thing.

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Scary Water Incident + Water Safety Tips

Filed Under: motherhood, water safety // August 6, 2019

swim safety, water with kids, beach with kids, pool safety, water safety

Recently, R tripped and fell over when in water. I wasn’t the one to see the trip and wasn’t the one to pick him up.

When I saw his face in the water, the seconds felt like minutes and I swear time stood still.

I couldn’t shake my nerves for a little and was internally freaking the F out. I watched him like a hawk for days afterward… I still feel guilty about it all, and annoyed/upset at myself because I had JUST read + listened to the story of Desiree Fortin AKA The Perfect Mom about her daughter’s near-drowning incident.

So here’s my reminder to all of you:

ALWAYS PRACTICE WATER SAFETY when with your babies, no matter the body of water (bath tub, ocean, lake, big pool, baby pool, etc.). This includes floats/ life vests, and emptying water from buckets once done playing.

BE VIGILANT. Put down your phone and if you have to be on it or want to take a photo, hold your babies while doing so or ask another adult to watch your baby who is not distracted.

ENROLL YOUR KIDS IN SWIM LESSONS. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its recommendations to prevent drowning in children. It now informs parents that swim lessons can be beneficial to children starting around age 1.

I feel a little better now, only because he’s okay… but I know how quickly things can not be okay.

I didn’t want to share this initially because I was ashamed of myself (still am a little to be honest — not looking for pity) but I also think there can never be too many water safety reminders so here I am telling you.

If this reminds even just one parent to practice water safety, then it’s worth it.

Change is Coming… and How I Feel About It

Filed Under: life, life change // July 31, 2019

As a little girl, my dreams were very different than how my life is now. That does not mean those dreams were any less valuable or worthwhile. They probably are even moreso now. Lately, the dreams of my younger self have been on my mind and on my heart.

Do I follow those dreams?
Will they keep me back from my dreams now?
What is the best thing to do?
What should I do?

This all brings me back to my solo move to Chicago. Initially, my dad was for it and my mom against it. As it became clearer that I had a good shot of landing my dream job, they did a role reversal! My dad didn’t want me to move but my mom was all for it (I think it really was because she knew how excited I was).

They’ve recently done the same thing again– having initial opinions and then changing their minds. Yes, here I am, 30-years-old and a mother seeking the advice of my parents. While I am an adult with children of my own, their opinions are still something I sincerely value.

I think as parents they worry about how change would affect me, and now also the family Tim and I have created. Of course, Tim and I have thought about that, too. I’ve thought about it a lot and all the unanswered questions scare me. Heck, just the thought of change can overwhelm me.

So, I remind myself:

Change is inevitable. It happens every day, every moment to people all over the world.

And yet, it still has the ability to push me out of my comfort zone, for good or for bad (… but hopefully more for good in this case.)

Because change is scary. Along with change comes so much unknown, many more what-ifs, and a lingering wonder about why and a constant question of whether it is worth the risk.

We can’t really know the answers until we try though, can we?

That being said, our family is about to experience a big life change. Stay tuned for what it is!