Christmas Playroom Decorations & The Get Qurious Box

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, and it is hands down my favorite holiday to decorate for. This year since the girls are a bit older I decided to decorate their play area a bit! I added this cute paper bag advent calendar from the Creative Co-Op. I bought it last year but didn't have a chance to hang it up - #momfail! I can't find the exact one, but linked the current version which is under $15 (affiliate links used in this post)! I hung it from basic command hook and covered the hook with a faux wreath from Michaels! I am planning on filling them wtih a small piece of candy and The Happy Home Fairy's Advent Bible Verses! I also added a small boxwood wreath with a command hook to their kitchen. I loved making their play area more festive and they love it too!


Dresses: Smocked Auctions, Shoes (Charlotte: patent mary janes, Avery: similar), Kitchen, Similar Advent Calendar 


I wanted to share a product that I received from a company called Get Qurious! Their sweet owner reached out to me after seeing posts of us on Instagram and asked if she could send their Explorer Box to us to try! I jumped at the chance because I love finding new, educational and exciting toys for my girls to use. Avery loves anything related to the iPad but I try to limit how long she uses it to ensure she is getting varied types of play. Well this Explorer Box uses the iPad to hone in on several skills such as fine motor, whole brain thinking and creative/imaginative play!

The box comes with cards and masks to use interactively with an app that you will have to download (free) onto your iPhone or iPad. It requires iOS Version 10 or higher. The concept of the story is that the main character Manu and his friends are coming to life via the app/game and are going out into outer space! There are several activities that can be done via the Explorer Box including building a story, building a space ship, playing with included masks and a treasure hunt. Avery's favorite was building a story! This product is an affordable and unique twist on your classic iPad experience. If you are interested in purchasing this, I would say that your child should at least be 4. Charlotte had fun watching, but would be too young at this point. I also think Avery will grow with this toy as she becomes more independent with the iPad! You can purchase it from Amazon here, and it ships free with Prime! Yay!



 As stated above, I received this product c/o, but all thoughts and opinions are my own! 


Holiday Gift Guide 03: Stocking Stuffers for Todders & Preschoolers

Growing up, every Christmas morning my family and I would open our stockings before sitting down for breakfast and then opening Christmas gifts. I remember as a child being so excited about the stockings, that I almost looked forward to them more than the actual gifts! My mom (ahem, I mean Santa), would do such a good job of finding just the items that we loved. My childhood love of stockings has continued as I am planning Christmas for my girls and husband as well.

So with that being said, today I am going to be talking about stockings for preschoolers/toddlers! One thing I try to do is ensure that I am not buying too many things for their stockings, and that I stick to a budget. If you are anything like me, you frequent the Target, Michael's and other stores with so many cute and affordable items. It is easy to keep buying and buying, and spend too much money, ending up with toys that don't even fit in the stocking - I speak from personal experience, ha!

One other thing that I try to do is add stocking stuffers that won't be looked at for a second and then thrown out. With Cyber Monday approaching this is a great opportunity to buy stocking stuffers that are affordable and your kids will love! Most of the items below are on sale and/or have free shipping this weekend! There are shopable affiliate links below this image to find these stocking stuffer ideas!



Affiliate Links
1. Pipsqueak markers - I love these smaller sized markers for little hands. Plus they are washable PTL!

2. Little Paint Pods Watercolor - This is little watercolor set is so cute! My girls request to paint almost every afternoon after coming home from school and watercolors are my favorite for them to use.

3. The Learning Journey Match It Set - Avery is learning to read right now and these puzzles are going to be perfect to help reinforce those lessons at school! Her teacher in PK3 had this and I am so excited to add this in her stocking!

4. Hair Bows - A pretty and useful addition to any girl stocking! This 10 pack is only $14 with free Prime shipping!

5. Construction Utensils - How fun are these construction utensils! My husband has a construction company so my girls love anything building related! These are definitely going to be in their stocking this year!

6. Triangle Crayons - These Melissa & Doug crayons do not roll off of the table at restaurants and are helpful as little hands are learning how to write. My girls love them!

7. Marie WatchTurtles Watch - Avery is really into telling time right now and a watch is a great gift to wear to school as she is learning to tell time. I have also found really inexpensive ones at Walmart!

8. Pipes Bath Toy - A friend of mine has this really fun pipe system in her baby's bath tub and it was a huge hit! Plus it is easy to clean!

9. Plui Cloud Bath Toy - I learned about this toy from What Moms Love. They are such a great resource for moms! Basically you fill the cloud with water and then can control the rain falling down with a button. Super fun!

10. Animal Puzzle - This puzzle has 36 pieces and comes in a little bag making it the perfect size for a stocking.

11. Flash Cards on a Ring - I have gone through so many different variations of flash cards with the kids. I love the idea of the cards being on a ring! That way they stay together and don't end up spread out all over the house! I learned about this product from What Moms Love too!

12. Road Tape - endless fun for outside to create tracks for toy cars!

13. Unicorn Bandaids - Any kind of bandaids are great to include in stockings!  It always seems that fun bandaids help to calm them down more quickly. My girls love to use them like stickers sometimes, ha!

14. Babiators - Sunglasses are one of my favorite things to include in my girl's stocking. They are an essential for us here in FL and these babiators are just the cutest!

15. Leapfrog Remote - This remote keeps my 2 year olds attention for at least 20 minutes in the car - I call that a win! LOL!

16. Tube of Animals - I love this tube of animals to fill a stocking as an alternative to the candy cane filled with m&ms! I have seen them at Target as well!

17. Ella + Mia Nail Polish - Avery loves to get her nails done and I try to use this non-toxic polish on her little hands! We also like Piggy Paint.

18. Spinning Toothbrush - My girls go crazy over spinning toothbrushes! Charlotte was having an issue just trying to eat her toothbrush rather than letting me brush them, and after getting one of these, she is happy as a clam to have her teeth brushed!

19. Airplane set - These planes are a perfect addition to any stocking. Fun for the imagination and easy to bring on trips!

20. Helping Hands Fine Motor Set - Learning Resources is one of my favorite companies that makes educational and fun toys. Avery and Charlotte have several toys that use these fine motor tools. With these you can have so much fun sensory play!

21. First 100 Animals Sticker Book - The First 100 books were one of my all time favorites for the girls. The accompanying sticker books are so good and different than the typical princess stickers the girls use.

22. Fed Fun Eating Device - For picky eaters this is a way to make eating fun! Plus this company will give 2 meals to children in need with this purchase.

23. The Rhyme Bible - Avery is obsessed with rhyming right now and this bible is small enough to fit into a stocking and captures their attention while you are reading it! I bought this bible through one of my favorite bloggers, Sarah!

24. Board Books - Dear Zoo BookLlama Llama Holiday Drama Little Green Frog

25. Coco Chanel, Little People, Big Dreams Book - I got this for Avery when I was re-doing her room last year and it is such a great read that is also pretty styled on a bookshelf! They have many historic figures in this series, not just Coco Chanel!

26. Brainquest Cards - I bought these for Avery last year to go in her Easter basket and they are such a hit! We also bought their workbook and she actually loves to do it!

Holiday Gift Guide 02: For Her

Today I am excited to share gift ideas for her! These are all things that are on my Christmas wishlist and are mostly under $100. This gift guide includes a wide variety of items including personalized stationery, fun makeup/beauty sets and some accessories/clothes that I've had my eye on. I hope this is helpful as you are either shopping or giving the people in your life ideas for shopping for you!

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Holiday Gift Guide 01: The Littles

It is so hard to believe that the holiday season is here! We trying to wait to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but Avery and I have definitely been watching Christmas movies!

 I try to get most of my Christmas gift shopping done as soon as possible to really be present and enjoy the season. It is easier said than done though. Last year I was definitely at the mall the week before Christmas, ha!  For the last two years, Kris and I have been sticking to three gifts per child (Santa will bring other gifts) as a rule of thumb. It has been so good for everyone and has really allowed the girls to enjoy their gifts and play with them instead of being overwhelmed and melting down! 

Our parents always ask for Christmas lists for us and our girls so I thought I would share them with you. I always love to know what other people suggest as gifts so I hope this is helpful as you are shopping!  First up are gift guides for children 0-6. I broke them up by new baby, 1-2, 3 and 4-6!

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 Shop The Post, Baby's First Christmas: 




Shop The Post, 1-2 Year Old:



 Shop The Post, 3 Year Old:



 Shop The Post, 4-6 Year Olds:



Affordable Fall Capsule Collection

Last week I shared a mix and match fall capsule collection on my sweet friend's blog, The Happy Home Fairy! Her blog is incredible and she is such an encourager for Moms! So I wanted to share the post here as well! I picked affordable and on trend items that you can mix and match with pieces that you probably already have in your closet for so many different outfit combinations! Using these items, I put together 20 outfits, however the options are endless with these great, versatile pieces! 



Items you probably already have in your closet

I hope you enjoyed this collection and the fall outfit inspiration! Happy Tuesday! 

How To Style A Utility Vest

A utility vest is one of my favorite pieces to layer with. There are so many options! One of my sweet friends recently got one and asked me for ideas on how to style it, so I decided it would be a perfect blog post! You can change the look of the vest easily by pairing it with more causal or dressy items. Adding a statement necklace like this one is a great way to dress it up as well! Here are four ideas for styling a utility vest! Affiliate links are used in this post


Loft's New Fall Sale Outfit Ideas

One of my favorite retailers, LOFT, is having such a great sale! It's kind of like the Nordstrom sale where the whole store is 40% off including new arrivals! I have been shopping at my LOFT for years and so the ladies that work there have become like family! Avery always helps them to set up dressing rooms, LOL! This morning I took my "lunch break" a bit early and ventured over there to shop the sale. I did a preview of my favorites on Instagram, and the looks are linked below! 

I love this ruffle neck top!! It is so perfect for a causal look or work! 


I got these jeans and this top. The smocked neck is so on trend and the material is light and perfect for fall! 



I also bought this skirt in green! I don't see it online, but they do have it in the black color. I wore a 2 in this skirt. I normally wear a 4 or 2 so I would say size down if you are in question. 






This skirt and top together had my heart!! I love the red color and bell sleeve! Plus the skirt is perfect to wear with so much for fall or even Christmas photos! 


This LBD is soo flattering! Perfect for work with a blazer/cardigan or any dressy occasion. 


I got this dress too! I can't wait to wear it with vests, jackets and boots!



This dress is a dream!! It literally feels like pajamas and can be dressed up or down so easily. I would size down in this dress.

I got this top to wear for Thanksgiving! With some boots, it is the perfect mix between comfy and chic! 


This white blousy top paired with this vest is such a soft and sweet look! I bought the blouse, but I already have a similar vest. I do like how long this one is to wear with leggings!





This top is just so cute!! I love the length and the sleeves! 


This skirt and top are such a fun color combination! I also wore the skirt in one size down!

Instagram Outfit Round Up #1

Hi friends! We are waiting for Hurricane Irma to make its presence here in Central Florida. It has been such a strange few days preparing for the storm to get here. I feel like I have been prepping for a lifetime! So thankful that we are safe and together with our family. We are praying for everyone in the state of Florida! Since my outfit posts have been a bit spotty with all the hurricane prep, I wanted to compile all of my Instagram looks from the last week or so for you here! 




















The girls exact shorts are found here at Moderne Child!


















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