Tag: quarantine

Happy Earth day!

5 ways to protect our mother earth!

Happy Earth Day! Protecting mother earth is more than just tree hugging and riding your bike when you can. It’s about making small tweaks to your everyday routine! Here are the top 5 ways you can pitch in and play a part!

  1. Reusable Water Bottles: There are so many great options for reusable water bottles, not only is it more affordable for you, but according to plasticfreechallenge.org “We produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year and half of it is disposable!” Recent studies have shown an increase in toxic chemicals in our bloodstream, thanks to it seeping into our bloodstream causing cancer, infertility issues and birth defects to name a few! Imagine what an impact you canmake! These are my fave water bottles!
  2. Recycle: You know what to do renew, reuse, recycle! According to the University of Southern Indiana, recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times would save 75,000 trees.
  3. Reusable Bags: There are so many cute reusable totes these days, you’re bound to find something you dig! Plus, how annoying are plastic bags piling up or even the paper ones you have to then fold up?! Come on people check some of these cute bags out and make the switch today!
  4. Plant a tree or just plant anything!: Trees give off oxygen and oxygen is LIFE! Why not grow a garden or if you’re like me and can’t keep anything alive, plant a tree in your backyard! Here are a few fun options for the kiddos!
  5. Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen: Not all sunscreens are created equal. It’s important to support companies who walk the walk. Lots of companies out there “greenwash,” a term used to bogusly convince consumers to buy their “safe” or “all-natural” products. Be your own advocate and do your research. Beautycounter’s Countersun Mineral Safe Sunscreen is not only good for your littles, but it’s also good for the coral reefs! Why is that important? Places like Hawaii have banned sunscreens deemed unsafe for our reefs, because it was not only killing the little fishes and our reefs.We recently launch our sustainability report and our blueprint for clean launched 12 safety standards for our manufacturers! Check them out here!

Briana D’AndreaLeave a comment

Nobody’s Killing it!

Ok, I’ve gotta be honest. I’ve been a little quiet around here or at least it seems that way….Anyone else feel like they’re just going through the motions? Not sure if it’s because we have been in this COVID vortex for quite some time or maybe it’s, because I lost my best friend furry Sushi (our beloved pup of 17 years) and I can’t seem to quite bounce back from it just yet. 

Sure, I have some good days and bad, but I’ve come to the realization that COVID is here to stay. So what does that mean? Also, why has it become SO politicized? I assume it’s because we’re in an election year. 

Here’s the deal. We as parents thought we had it hard to begin with? Add a national pandemic to the mix and you’re in a for a real treat! It’s up to us to juggle all the things. I would be lying if I didn’t feel like I’ve lost myself some in the midst of all this. Whether you’re homeschooling and working full-time (there’s NO right or wrong answer), working from home or having to wear a mask and better yet work diligently to save lives all day…2020 is HARD. Now more than ever we HAVE got to set aside some time for what makes us, US. Ask yourself…is it reading a book? Watching some trash TV? Enjoying a quiet dinner after the kids are asleep? I’m telling you now that if don’t schedule it, it won’t happen. I’ve got to be honest, I’m pretty good about setting apart me time, but I would be lying to myself and all of you if I came off as someone who has it all together. I’m nearing my breaking point, pulling at straws to keep life as we know it normal. I’m also here to tell you that NOBODY is killing it! Everyone in their respective lanes is taking on this pandemic in different ways and suffering loss in more ways than one! Loss of a social life, loss of funds, loss of friends and even the loss of actual family members. 

I think the first step is to realize that we are living in the new normal. That big parties and gatherings are a thing of the past. Although they might be in our future, it won’t be the same for awhile. Perhaps its ok to give someone a hug (masks on), but then keep your distance. Here’s the other thing, if the kids need to go to school for your own sanity, then send them! If you need to head to the gym to interact with others and work out…do it! The bottom line is mental health is just as important as physical. I’m learning this everyday. Give yourself permission to do what you feel is right and screw everyone else, because after all we only have one shot, one opportunity on this planet. Maybe instead of saying nobody is killing it, instead we should say you’re killing it! So in the words my old friend Teo, “Go Big or Go Home!”

-Briana D.

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The Silver Lining

So I wrote this article three months back for Aroundwellington.com, with every intention of posting it on my blog, but then of course “mom brain,” came in full force. What my old quarantine self didn’t know, is that if you doubled the amount of time we were “safe at home,” we would still be here. So much has changed since then. Our entire nation saw an immense tragedy of racial injustice and a social divide to boot, our family would embark on the road trip of a lifetime with stories to tell forever, Florida would open up just to close again, forcing us to going into fall learning digitally and I would lose my best friend of 17 years, my little pup sushi who first made me a momma. I’m not saying when I wrote this that I took anything for granted, but if I could go back and tell myself to hang on for the wild ride and that things were just getting started, it might have made things a little easier. The only thing that comes to mind is that the comeback is greater than the setback and here’s to our little silver linings.

There’s always a silver lining, you just have to look for it. We have been in quarantine for 72 days and counting. There have been some major wins and some major losses that’s for sure. Families torn apart, lives taken and lessons learned. We’ve stretched ourselves in ways we never thought possible. We took on roles we could never envision stepping in to. My heart truly goes out to all of the people greatly affected by Covid-19, but I’m here to share some of the positive perspectives, I for one have experienced, because if nothing else, it’s a therapeutic practice you should give a try.

The other day, I had a flashback about the time my son graduated from preschool and was off to grade school. I remember literally sitting in my bed crying and eating ice cream, thinking how fast time flew and that my first born baby was all grown up. How he won’t need his mama anymore. Of course looking back, it was probably a tad mellowdramatic and I did get past that phase. Fast-forward to present day, where I’ve had to put on a new hat of being his teacher among other things. The opportunity has given me a couple of moments I never thought I would be so fortunate to receive. When he has a math problem he comes to me, when he has a wifi problem…who does he go to? Me. When he simply wants to sneak in a hug? You betcha…me! While at times the idea of being all the things to my children has been nothing short of overwhelming, it also has been a time that I will forever cherish. The time I will look back on and say I got to sneak in those extra hours just us, when they could’ve been in school and I was out and about working and running errands.

I’ve learned who my true friends and people are in the midst of all this. Who is checking in on me and who is there for me no matter what. It almost helps to keep the good and weed out the bad in a more timely fashion, if you will. My marriage has stood the test of time, because god knows being stuck at home with anyone much less your significant other all day long, is a true test of your love. I’ve started a podcast called momgirlpod, dedicated to helping other moms become the best versions of themselves alongside my first passion project momgirlblog.com. I’ve binged watched shows (which I never used have the time to do), started a cookbook and have read and listened to countless books too. We’ve gone fishing, took beach had picnics, gone on bike rides, made tie dye t-shirts, baked, cooked, crafts, built forts, played video games and board games and drove countless hours exploring new areas we never knew about. My team has grown, my business has grown and my wallet has too (thanks to not eating out as much) and I’ve been able to take on more self-care than I really care to. Can anyone say at home mani/pedi? 

Now don’t get me wrong, this time has been stressful, I’ve eaten more than I like to admit, but I’ve been working out way more than I had before. It does suck to not get dressed up and go out with friends, but we’ve been able to get creative with ways to stay in touch virtually. Date night could’ve been a thing of the past, but now my husband and I have a standing date every Tuesday night, which we never had! I’ve become a pro at charcuterie board making and have taken on a new hobby as bartender thanks to that! I’ve learned that going forward, I’m going to say no to more things and yes to only the things that really bring me pure joy! Plus, I’ve been able to watch my children learn right before my very eyes! I almost liken it to being there for their first word or their first step, much less their ability to read their first book! Motherhood is most definitely a blur of sorts, but if you step back and put on your glasses (lol), you most definitely will see that there is always a silver lining…what’s yours?

-Briana D’Andrea

@brianadandrea

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Briana D’AndreaLeave a comment

top mother’s day picks

This mother’s day is most definitely unlike any other mother’s day anyone has ever experienced. When my husband asked me what I wanted this year my initial reaction was ALONE TIME! I know all of you #newhomeschoolmoms can feel me! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to be able to be safe at home with my family, but this mama won’t be getting her nails done, wont’t be going to the spa and won’t be on any kind of mall shopping spree. So this year, I put together my top 10 list of self-care things I’m loving from beauty to retail and even making your cooking a little more efficient! Enjoy and happy list making! Feel free to reach out with questions!

I’m so super stoked that Beautycounter brought back the Glow Getters Trio Set! It was a top seller over the holidays, with 3 gifts in one and the limited edition instant glow! Since we’re not doing much these days, this set is perfect for a treating your skin! The overnight resurfacing peel gives you an instant overnight facial, the instant glow is amazing for that natural glow we all crave and the illuminating cream highlighter in rose glow, gives you that natural color so you can feel somewhat like yourself!

Glow Getters Trio
Lilly Pulitzer Stemless Insulated Wine Glass
Pout Perfector Lip Care Set
Lilly Pulitzer PJ Woven Button Down Top
Lemongrass Body Set
Carter Star Studded Tie-Dye Sweatshirt
Powerbeats Pro – Totally Wireless Earphones – Navy

Lilly Pulitzer UPF 50+ Luxletic 21″ Weekender High Rise Crop Pant
Instant Pot DUO60 6-Quart 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute, Steamer, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
Lilly Pulitzer Clara Slipper (Zanzibar Blue Ruff Night) Women’s Sandals

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Never in a million years did I think I would be a homeschool mom!

Okay you guys. I don’t have to say it, you already feel it. The struggle is REAL THIS TIME! I know we always laughed at that saying and touted it around like a cute little purse, but on the real, this is unlike any other struggle we as a nation have ever had to endure. Please don’t say I have a dog and know what it’s like, because I have that too and it AIN’T THE SAME. Ok…rant done. So let’s get up to speed here.

You’re home, having to work, to figure out your next meal, learning to embrace the unknown, not clear on if you are going to be able to cover your bills, HOMESCHOOL your kids and take it like a champ, all while praying to all things holy, you don’t contract some deadly disease that seems like that scary movie, “Parasite?!” Someone please pinch me and wake me up from this terrible dream!

I have always been the realest of the real when it comes to life (just ask my husband), but for the sake of having to keep my crown on as queen and not let my kingdom burn down, I’m going to share a few tips and tricks that have helped me thus far. No I am NOT AN EXPERT and on occasion I have been know to freak out (it’s the New Yorker in me), but let’s get something straight, I’m tenacious, head strong and am not known for going along with the status quo, plus in my home we have a motto that says “D’Andreas Don’t Quit!” So it’s time to put our big girl panties on, ride this wave out like all of the other waves we’ve rode and enjoy the ride, because when in our lifetime has the President of the United States ordered us to, “Stay home in your pjs and Netflix and chill for the time being?” Like for reals.

So there was a post circulating of a little schedule that I snagged from my sister in law on behalf of NESCA (Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents). I’ve got to admit, at first I snorted at the idea…me? Home School mom? Ha! I have friends who I would sit around and have lunch with, saying how I could NEVER do it, that I am totally not equipped and how I don’t even see how it’s even a possibility. Fast forward a week (joke’s on me) and here I am!

OK, so it’s been 3 days and I have to say so far so good. Have we had a few fights and tantrums? Uh duh! However, this thing has really kept us all on schedule and I hope this post can inspire you to do the same! I have a 4 year old and a 7 year old and obviously they are at different skill levels. So during academic time I am supplementing with workbooks I’ve gotten for preschoolers, for my little one and some books from school that I’ve saved and that we have for my bigger one. Reach out to your teachers for info on applications or computer programs you can use. I know Palm Beach County Schools recently released some resources to help us tackle this whole learning from home thing. Reach out to your school’s district or visit their website to learn more about what to do in your area. Our teacher recommended something called, “Brain Pop Junior.” My mother in law recently got the kids an OSMO. It’s super awesome for learning shapes, numbers, letters, etc. and you can make it as easy or hard as you like. (You will need a kindle for that).

Below is a great list of apps I found on my Pinterest for children of all ages, so you can avoid them binging on YouTube all day.

Also, a list of helpful homeschool links to help you develop some kind of a curriculum.

For those of us who are attempting a schedule while working from home, (this isn’t a new concept for myself since I have my daughter home part-time and I have a few businesses). I am still waking up early, getting dressed, and working for an hour before the kids wake up and during their “quiet rest times,” which is how I am able to write this blog post. I am going to consider more food prep (stay tuned for that in another blog post) and incorporate the kids somehow. For now, I am cooking while they soak in a pretty cool Netflix series called “Brainchild.” So far we’ve watched two episodes and they were on the topics of social media and germs (which I feel like is very fitting of the times). We have been getting up every morning to go for a bike ride and a run for mama to release those endorphins first thing in the a.m.!

Lastly, here are a few things I picked up on Amazon for some fun crafts. A sticker by numbers book, a jewelry box for little miss to paint, some sand art and window art (who remembers those beads, we used to bake?!)

Let’s band together and use this as an opportunity to help one another weather this storm. Think about all of the things in the past you were so afraid of and now are merely a blip on your radar. Jen Sincero said exactly that in her recent book, “You Are a Badass at Making Money.” Remember to re-organize your schedule and make time for the things you love most and most importantly self-care. We are all in this together. Please send me a message, a dm or just share this with someone who might need it. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @briandandrea. Virtual hugs to all! I want to leave you with a quote by Mister Rogers.

Briana D’AndreaLeave a comment