I’ll admit it usually takes me mistreating or losing something expensive, like a designer pair of Burberry specs, at least one time before I REALLY learn the cautionary measures of caring for it the right way. I just really want to test the product’s limits is all… so next time I know it’s  boundaries. 

In this case, my current three year old, bent and scratched glasses taught me that the sturdy case they came with really needs to be used every time you put your glasses back in your purse or you’ll be squinting through scratches while you try to read what deli meat is on sale this week. 

Lesson learned. 

I felt like my eyes had gotten worse also. The optometrist confirmed that my children have continued to give me degenerating eyes and grey hair (my eyes are now twice as bad as my original prescription). Parenthood is awesome. 

I needed a new, AFFORDABLE option this time since I am now a stay at home mom with zero vision insurance as opposed to the full time mortgage industry with baller vision insurance present during my first eyewear purchase. 

LO mentioned Warby Parker for their realistic, up front prices and the Free Home Try On service.  

I choose five styles online and they were at my door five or six days later. I ended up shipping them back 10 days later and I called to explain I had planned on shipping them back the previous week but we had evacuated for a hurricane. The girl was so sweet & understanding. She said if I needed more days to keep them and make a decision I could. After the call I received an email asking about the customer service with a simple five point rating system and if I thought she deserved a free coffee, lunch, or a credit towards their products. No wonder everyone there is so nice! 

I imagine they at least get a free coffee or lunch every day. 

Now…. how do you get $10 off a pair of $95 prescription glasses?

The answer is: Raise.com

You can buy legitimate gift cards that people are selling at discounted rates. Guaranteed until 100 days after purchase and you get $5 off your first purchase of $25+

Another money saver: WP offers free shipping both ways. Always. And, for every pair you buy they donate a pair to someone in need. To submit your vision prescription you can simply upload a picture of it or have them call your doctor if you want to. 

Easy as that! 

-CO

Ann Taylor is having a 40% off everything sale and it’s worth looking at. When I tell you it’s worth looking at I survived shopping it with a five and two year old in tow and still managed to find some really great pieces.

The above Geo Blouse is on sale for $35.00 and is so versatile. I love a top that you can tuck in, leave out, wear with boots, sandals, or wedges. Seriously so many options to dress this one up or down. 

The above Bell Sleeve Top is on sale for $32.00. The cut of the top is very fashion forward and because of that I feel it is a Big Bang for the Buck. You would think this top comes from a large fashion house and definitely not under $50.00. I’m already thinking about tucking it in next time with this double belt.

This Lou & Grey sweater is amazingly stylish and cozy. I bought it at 40% off in the Ann Taylor store however I couldn’t find it on their site for some reason (only on Lou + Grey’s site). Trust me it will be worth your trip in! 

The above dress is not showing online either. Sorry guys, another reason to make a trip up the store. This gem at $24.00, along with many others, are waiting for you on the sale rack.  

Also- I wanted to add these last two items to the post because while I didn’t notice them in the store I am eyeing them online. 

1. Double Buckle Belt

2. Striped Fringe Skirt

Lo and I recently got on the topic of how we struggle with graciously accepting compliments.

If multiple comedians have written skits about it then I’m assuming it’s not just us. Far too often women downplay compliments with some type of self inflicted criticism. We discussed how this must reflect on our children and how it might (definitely) portray a lack of confidence in their mothers. We were taught this behavior somewhere along the way because it’s cute, right? It doesn’t come across as being self absorbed and I read somewhere that quite simply women are taught to be confident but not too confident. To add to this, we find ourselves acting this way while talking about our own children. Yikes.

This is so silly when you think about it. Accepting a compliment is not you walking around talking yourself up or telling the other person that they don’t possess the same level of qualities or abilities that you do. Yet somehow just saying “thank you” without adding a quick comment to downplay yourself almost makes you feel icky like that. We all know full and well that everyone has their own God given gifts similar or unique to your own.

So can’t we just celebrate them?

Lo and I both have two different personalities in our children with our youngest being our firecrackers. We realized that on certain days if someone says “they’re so cute” we respond with a “good thing he/she is cute because he/she is a handful”… Or “look how great he/she is doing! We’ll respond with a … “Yeah right NOW but don’t hold your breath…”

I don’t even want to think about the psychology that goes into how this must negatively affect our children. If we don’t have the motivation to change for ourselves we must make a conscious effort to squash this habit for the sake of our children.

When my daughter receives a compliment if she just smiles I often lean over and whisper “say thank you.” I don’t whisper… Tell them you aren’t always this patient or that the dress is from the $5.00 sale rack. So why not follow the same simple words of advice for ourselves? Accept the compliment for what it was: a flattering comment of praise or admiration. You go girl.

-CO + LO

 

 

We have been talking about doing. giveaways for months now but hadn’t quite figured out the perfect item to begin with. After the love that these sweatshirts received last week it was clear that one of you NEEDS to win this sweatshirt. So, we spoke with Jake over at Wicked Custom Apparel and he graciously said he was in. 

Rules: 

1. Like the photo on Instagram 

2. Follow: LoandCoFiles and WickedCustomApparel on IG 

3. Tag a friend in the comment section. Each additional friend is an extra vote. Please keep them all in one comment or as close together as you can so we’re not hopping up and down counting votes 🙂 

This giveaway will close on Sunday 9/17 at midnight EST. 

Winner will be announced Tuesday before lunch!!!

Good luck!

LO + CO

For today’s very belated mindful Monday (let’s get real it’s already Tuesday). I wanted to share my personal schedule that I have recently begun using to create a more peaceful and organized environment in our home while keeping up with my household responsibilities. Now, keep in mind that this might help give you ideas for your own household but most likely will not suit you perfectly. This works for MY family with a five and almost three year old. I understand that readers are all in different size homes with various amounts of people and age groups with different responsibilities. You might be thinking… oh she is just super organized. I could never stick to a schedule. But, trust me. Upon meeting my husband I was fresh out of college and the OPPOSITE of clean and organized. As we’ve had children and gone through both of us working full time to one of us working full time I’ve had to fit in chores where I could get them done along the way. But one thing is for sure, I’ve learned that without my schedules and lists I wouldn’t be able to naturally remember and think to get things done. Upon mentioning to a few mom friends that I was switching my daily responsibilities over into a reoccurring weekly schedule they were all quick to ask for a copy so, here it is folks!

For the protection and safety of my family I am not going to give you exact times, rather lists and you can add/subtract/rearrange items to suit your own time schedule. Below is loosely our schedule. My husband and I do have a date night once/ week.

MONDAY (Deep Clean Living Space):

Make Bed

BBG Workout followed by Protein Shake

Wake up Kids and everyone has Breakfast (sometimes I will just pack their lunches during this time if I haven’t done it yet and eat breakfast when I get back after dropping everyone off).

Children get dressed and make beds/brush teeth/all take vitamins

Child #1 School Drop off

Come Home and Child #2 watches a show while I unload dishwasher and throw a load of laundry in the wash, take out frozen meat if you are using for dinner and place in fridge to defrost

Take Child #2 to School

Come home:

•  reload dishwasher from breakfast
• swap load of laundry into dryer
• scrub counters/table
• dust all dresser/table tops and picture frames
• Clorox wipe bathroom counters
• put away any items laying around house out of place
• vacuum main living space
• mop under stools
• fold laundry

LUNCH

If extra time: FREE until Pick up (errands, sew, blog, meet up with friends, meetings, appointments, walk dog, etc)

Pick up children and unload backpacks/lunch boxes. Rinse out and add to dishwasher

**If there is laundry folded that belongs to the children they help me put this away in their rooms.

FREE TIME

Dinner Prep. Usually during dinner prep kids will either go clean up what they have been coloring, playing, etc. and watch a show

Dinner

Everyone brings dishes over to sink and then depending on the time and weather go play with dad outside while I clean up kitchen or we go straight to baths/pajamas and story time and I will clean up kitchen after they are in bed.

TUESDAY (Deep Clean Kitchen and Bathrooms)

Make Bed

Couch Potato to Half Marathon Run followed by Protein Shake

Wake up Kids and everyone has Breakfast (sometimes I will just pack their lunches during this time if I haven’t done it yet and eat breakfast when I get back after dropping everyone off).

Children get dressed and make beds/brush teeth/all take vitamins

Child #1 School Drop off

Come Home and Child #2 watches a show while I unload dishwasher and throw a load of laundry in the wash, take out frozen meat if you are using for dinner and place in fridge to defrost

Take Child #2 to School

Come home and:

• reload dishwasher from breakfast
• swap load of laundry into dryer
• wipe down kitchen counters/table, cabinets, appliances and scrub sink
• pick up loose items/toys
• clean toilets
• Clorox wipe bathroom counters
• vacuum and wipe bathroom floors
• fold laundry load
• (clean shower/bath every other week).

Lunch

Pick up children and unload backpacks/lunch boxes. Rinse out and add to dishwasher.

**If there is laundry folded that belongs to the children they help me put this away in their rooms.

FREE TIME

Dinner Prep. Usually during dinner prep kids will either go clean up what they have been coloring, playing, etc. and watch a show

Dinner

Everyone brings dishes over to sink and then depending on the time and weather go play with dad outside while I clean up kitchen or we go straight to baths/pajamas and story time and I will clean up kitchen after they are in bed.

WEDNESDAY

Make Bed

BBG Workout followed by Protein Shake

Wake up Kids and everyone has Breakfast (sometimes I will just pack their lunches during this time if I haven’t done it yet and eat breakfast when I get back after dropping everyone off).

Children get dressed and make beds/brush teeth/all take vitamins

Child #1 School Drop off

Come Home and Child #2 watches a show while I unload dishwasher and throw a load of laundry in the wash, take out frozen meat if you are using for dinner and place in fridge to defrost

Take Child #2 to School

Come home:

• reload dishwasher from breakfast
• swap load of laundry into dryer
• scrub counters/table
• put away any items laying around house out of place
• vacuum main living space
• mop under stools
• wash sheets (every other week)

LUNCH

FREE until Pick up (errands, sew, blog, meet up with friends, meetings, appointments, etc)

Pick up children and unload backpacks/lunch boxes. Rinse out and add to dishwasher.

**If there is laundry folded that belongs to the children they help me put this away in their rooms.

FREE TIME

Dinner Prep. Usually during dinner prep kids will either go clean up what they have been coloring, playing, etc. and watch a show

Dinner

Everyone brings dishes over to sink and then depending on the time and weather go play with dad outside while I clean up kitchen or we go straight to baths/pajamas and story time and I will clean up kitchen after they are in bed.

THURSDAY (EASY DAY)

Make Bed

Couch Potato to Half Marathon Run followed by Protein Shake

Wake up Kids and everyone has Breakfast (sometimes I will just pack their lunches during this time if I haven’t done it yet and eat breakfast when I get back after dropping everyone off)

Children get dressed and make beds/brush teeth/all take vitamins

Child #1 School Drop off

Come Home and Child #2 watches a show while I unload dishwasher and throw a load of laundry in the wash, take out frozen meat if you are using for dinner and place in fridge to defrost

Take Child #2 to School

Come home:

• reload dishwasher from breakfast
• swap load of laundry into dryer
• wipe down kitchen counters/table
• pick up loose odds & ends
• fold laundry

FREE until pick up children

Pick up children and unload backpacks/lunch boxes. Rinse out and add to dishwasher.

**If there is laundry folded that belongs to the children they help me put this away in their rooms.

FREE TIME

Dinner Prep. Usually during dinner prep kids will either go clean up what they have been coloring, playing, etc. and watch a show

Dinner

Everyone brings dishes over to sink and then depending on the time and weather go play with dad outside while I clean up kitchen or we go straight to baths/pajamas and story time and I will clean up kitchen after they are in bed.

FRI-YAY (FLOORS)

Make Bed

BBG Workout followed by Protein Shake

Wake up Kids and everyone has Breakfast (sometimes I will just pack their lunches during this time if I haven’t done it yet and eat breakfast when I get back after dropping everyone off).

Children get dressed and make beds/brush teeth/all take vitamins

Child #1 School Drop off

Come Home and Child #2 watches a show while I unload dishwasher and throw a load of laundry in the wash, take out frozen meat if you are using for dinner and place in fridge to defrost

Take Child #2 to School

Come home and:

• reload dishwasher from breakfast
• swap load of laundry into dryer
• scrub counters/table
• put away any items laying around house out of place
• vacuum ALL of house and mop wood floors
• fold laundry

FREE TIME until pick up children

Pick up children and unload backpacks/lunch boxes. Rinse out and add to dishwasher. If there is laundry folded that belongs to the children they help me put this away in their rooms.

FREE TIME/ WEEKEND STARTS

I do not normally cook dinner on weekends.

If you are constantly falling behind housework and forgetting to do things I hope this motivated you to try making a checklist. Also, I laminated five sheets for myself so I can check it off with a dry erase marker as I go! This Scotch pack comes with five laminating sheets so I did the front of each week day and used a hole punch with rope to hold it together 🙂

NOTE:

There are going to be sick days and field trips and occasions that will set you off course so make sure there is some FREE TIME and an “easy day” in your schedule to guide you back on track when things get tough ; )

-CO

P.S LO so nicely put together a little checklist less personalized than mine for you to print off and use as a base to build your own schedule with here: cleaning-schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Files is BACK!

Below are just a few things we are currently loving.  A life hack included!

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Essie Mademoiselle

(Excuse the amateur nail job!)

Essie’s tagline for this color is “The most classic grown up pink!” and I can confirm it lives up to that title!  I was on the hunt for a color that would be a grown-up pink/neutral, and easy to paint myself (i.e. I  could totally mess up and mistakes wouldn’t show too bad!).  This color really is the perfect neutral and easy to do yourself, for all those out there like me and terrible at painting your nails.

Califia Unsweetened Coconut Cream & Almondmilk Creamer

My favorite afternoon treat is Starbucks Unsweeted Iced Coffee with a splash of coconut milk.  I recently discovered Califia Better Half Creamer at Whole Foods and my life has been forever changed.   This creamer is half almondmilk, half coconut cream and it’s perfect!  It also gives my coffee a little added flavor.  There are no added sugars in this and its carrageenan free.  The best part is, on a recent Target trip I noticed that they just started carrying this brand in the grocery section (as if I needed another reason to love target).  The toasted coconut Coconut Milk is pretty awesome as well!

PackIt Freezable Lunch Box

During back to school prep I needed to pick up a lunch box for my littlest love.  I was at TJMaxx one day and saw this PackIt Freezable Lunch Box for $12 and grabbed it.  As much as I loved my oldest’s personalized lunch box, I had run out of time to do the same for my smallest and honestly didn’t feel like dropping $30+ to do so.  I am so glad I was running behind on the lunchbox order because this PackIT Lunchbox has streamlined my lunch packing duties and I could not be happier.  There are freezer packs built into the lunch box.  Throw it in the freezer and pull it out when your ready to pack.  It keeps everything cold for the entire day, and I don’t have to pull out freezer packs each and every time I pack and unpack a lunch.

They also have wine cooler bags – which I think could make a really great gift for any mom friend!
Freezable wine bag

Life Hack: Removing wax from candle jars

I have an intense love for Voluspa & Capri Blue candles (who doesn’t?!).  They smell amazing and come in the prettiest jars. I have had a collection of burned out candles, in jar’s that I just couldn’t part with, building up in my hall closet.  I knew I could use them for other things around the house but didn’t want to put in the work to get the wax out of the bottom.  Recently, my cousin was visiting and in passing mentioned “you throw the candle in the freezer and the wax pops out”, as if it was a well known fact.  I HAD NO IDEA!!  You seriously just throw the jar in the freezer and the wax pops out (I use a knife to pop it out)!! Life Changed!  Now I use the jars for so many things – to hold jewelry, bathroom essentials, the list goes on and on.

So for everyone out there hoarding candle jars like me, throw them in the freezer!!

What is family for, if not to share life changing life hacks?! Thanks, Cuz!

 

 

The Happiness Planner

Another love of mine is a good planner.  This week, I ran in to Anthropologie to grab a new candle and took a detour at the stationary table.  They had a great assortment of planners and I stood looking through them for longer than I care to mention (sometimes its the little things when you don’t have kids with you).  I came across this Happiness Planner and it is on my list for next year when I need a fresh one.  It had great quotes throughout, 10 Rules to Live By for Those Who Live A Positive Life in the front, and was generally formatted for you to keep track of what is most important to you.  Anything to start the day out on a positive foot, I am a fan!

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Have a Great Weekend!
LO

 

A little background information: Aside from us being friends since preschool our birthdays are only two weeks apart. This was confusing to my toddler mind back then when I was blowing out Lo’s candles two weeks after my own birthday party. (Sorry LO) But now she gets to bask in her 20’s for two extra weeks after me turning 30 so I consider it a wash.

Anyways, last year I bought us both the same sweatshirt from an Etsy shop based in Brooklyn, NY for birthday gifts. It was simple and grey with the words: In memory of when I slept in. At the time we had a 4,3,2 and 1 year old between the both of our families so it seemed like a necessary piece of clothing to own.

We have both discussed how when we wear it there are always great remarks. Sometimes I’ll forget I even have it on until a passerby snickers or shouts something like “That is so true!”

It feels like you are in this secret gang of people that all have the same sense of humor as you do.

I’ve rounded up my top nine favorite slogan tees right now for you guys. I personally love them with jeans/jorts and converse for a classic look, black leggings and sneakers for working out (or running errands) and even a black midi skirt would be cute with one of these tees tucked in. Below are the links to the above shirts in the order of the pictures. 

Get creative and tag us with your look! Happy Shopping!

1.Champagne Campaign

2. Shopping is my Cardio

3. Needa Margarita

4. Blogging Shirt

5. Queen Bee

6. Pizza

7.Pineapple

8. Fly as a Mother

9. Mutha Hustla

 

I love a good baby shower [Note: They’re all good]

And lucky for me I’ve had some baby showers to attend lately!

While it’s obvious people (especially first time parents) love receiving items from their registry some choose not to make a large registry (like those on their first, second or third babies… And so on) or have not made one at all. In those cases I’ve compiled a fun, unique list of ideas for expecting parents:

Wipe Warmer

People laugh when I ask if they’ve put one of these on their registry but I swear I loved this thing during both of my children’s infant years. It keeps wipes extremely accessible and I personally think it increases the chances of tiny ones sleeping during late night feedings and diaper changes. Buy this Wipe Warmer if they won’t have one already!

Reversible Bib

These Kishu reversible bibs are my new go to gift. I can remember packing up my diaper bag and taking off for a day of errands with my infants when before long I’d be giving them a snack, then lunch or dinner. But, I had only packed one bib. So when the main meal rolled around they had a dirty bib they had to use. This didn’t happen all of the time, but it I’ll embarrassingly admit it did happen. This bib covers you. If you get it a little dirty during snack time just flip it inside out, snap it, and use it again!

Bow Subscription

A friend of mine that recently had a baby girl shared this site with me and I immediately thought it would be such a sweet gift for my friends that are expecting girls. Little Poppy Co sends three bows every month for $11.99. You can set up the subscription has a gift per terms below:

Diaper Bag Backpack

When I had my second child I had chosen a new diaper bag that my mother in law sweetly surprised me with. Just a simple over the shoulder waterproof black bag with brown faux leather accents. So, when two of my best friends gifted me a backpack diaper bag I honestly wasn’t sure if I would use it. I actually think I told my husband it could be his own diaper bag. {sorry friends} But you know what? Over time I grew to love both! I enjoyed running errands, day trips to the zoo and park, etc. putting a secure backpack on so I had two free hands rather than a bag falling down my arm. Then, when I got dressed up with my littles I would reach for the black and brown sleeker bag! #winning

The bags shown above are by JuJuBaby and SkipHop.

Diapers & Wipes

Hello. Any mom and/or dad will be grateful for this. When I was working full time and pregnant with my second child my co-workers surprised me by filling my cubicle with diapers and wipes when I returned from lunch. It was Ah-mazing!!!

Book Collection

I often times forget about this option for new little ones as gifts. However, I really enjoyed it when friends and family gifted me books from their family’s favorite childhood reads. Isn’t it funny how even one book can become a favorite for generations to come? How sweet to share that tradition.

Happy Baby Shower Shopping!

-CO