Neon Be

for the love of all things pretty

Archives for March 2017

7 Things I Was Glad I Added To My Baby Registry

Neon Be

Having a baby registry is a must-have for all new moms and even those second time around moms! I will admit that my baby registry is always my favorite part of prepping for baby, this process is what usually kicks off my “nesting” stage. There are a couple things you need to think about before creating your registry, are you going to nurse or formula feed? Co-sleep or crib? If you’re going to be a new mama then some of these questions won’t be easy to answer, If you can’t answer them then plan for anything!

There are so many items available for babies and parents that it can be hard to find and narrow down the list to things you will actually use and benefit from when the baby does arrive. I had a lot of practice being that I was a nanny to infants and toddlers for about 4 years prior to having my first. I knew first hand what I would use and trust what I wouldn’t. I started by making two registry’s, Babies R Us and Target. I personally enjoyed how simple it was to create registry’s at both and knew my family and friends could easily access these vendors online and in store. I will highlight my top seven items I found useful and beneficial to my Baby registry!

  1. Convertible car seat

We added a convertible car seat to Eli’s registry and it was a life saver! We didn’t have to worry about him growing out of it and then repurchasing another down the road.

2. Stroller

A stroller is a must have because you will need it at some point when traveling with a baby! I will often wear Eli in wraps but most times his stroller is our go to as far as going out on walks and shopping goes. I have found it to be a life saver when I shop, I have that extra storage to store items, and it is a more comfortable ride for Eli, it keeps him happy which keeps us happy!

3. Diapers and Wipes

You have to make sure to add diapers, lots of diapers! On my registry, I added Pampers, from all of my experience as a Nanny and Mother, Pampers is the best!  They are the softest, and most reliable diaper brand we have come by! I made sure I added at least 4 boxes of each size up to size 5 and different package counts for variety. I also added at least 5 boxes of Pampers wipes to my list too. This will save you, trust me! I had my gifted diapers last me just about the first 7 months of Eli’s life! Planning ahead will give you that peace of mind in knowing you’ve got it covered. 9 in 10 moms regret not adding more diapers to their registry don’t be one of them, Pampers has some great tips for Parents creating their registry for more information click here.

4.Bassinet or Crib

Your baby needs somewhere to sleep, so definitely don’t forget about this one! My kids co-sleep so I opted for a swivel bassinet from Halo and it was great! It was easy for me during my c-section recovery period too, I didn’t have to travel far for the babies things as they were easily stored near my bed.

5. Feeding Essentials

If you are nursing or formula feeding you need to prep for your babies arrival. If you are planning on strictly breastfeeding plan to add a nursing pillow, creams, covers, pads and most importantly a breast pump with all the accessories. Formula feeding you want to be sure to add your preference in bottles, brushes and also include various sizes in bottles for the long run.

6. Baby Bag

Keep in mind this has to be something that you can see your self toting around 90% of the time, make sure you love it! It should be decent in size, offer a good amount of storage, easy to clean, and nothing too heavy or bulky!

7. Clothing

This is always the fun part! Don’t go too overboard with the adorable newborn sizes, make sure you add a variety of sizes because you want to think long term, your baby will sprout quicker than you think! Also, keep in mind the season in which you baby will be born in, Don’t make the mistake of getting the wrong sizes for certain seasons.

These are my 7 must have items to add to your registry, You also want to keep in mind each store’s exchange and return policy for those items you got double of and so on. Another perk with Target and Babies R Us, you can exchange your unopened diapers at any time for a different size so if you don’t use them before your little one grows out of them, go exchange!

How To Plan A Trip To NYC With Kids

Neon Be

This will be the first family trip on an airplane and call me crazy but, I am excited! We are traveling to NYC. This was one of my New Year resolutions and I didn’t expect for it to happen so soon. Spring in the city seems almost perfect! I have been mentally noting what to pack and take on this trip.

Well, the travel week is here and I’ve prepared our must haves on this trip! According to the weather, it will be a little chilly (really chilly compared to Arizona weather right now) and there are possible showers. So I have a good idea of what we should be bringing for the kids and ourselves. I have curated a list for those parents who are traveling to NYC or any city for that matter because we all know that traveling with kids is a challenge on its own!

1.Plan for unexpected meltdowns

It’s worth it to bring a carry-on dedicated to the kids. Be sure to pack activity books, tablets, headphones, their favorite blanket, and a couple of their favorite toys. I know as a mother who hates lugging “random” things around you have to make sure that your child will be occupied in flight! Don’t forget to grab snacks before boarding your flight too!

2.Travel with a good stroller

I can’t stress how important this is! We have two, Jude is 6yrs and Eli is about to be 1, If you want them to be happy and content during your travel to the city then don’t forget this step! We are traveling with our Cybex Priam in Black Beauty, this stroller is gorgeous! It is super light weight, easy to assemble, offers many options with their 2-1 Light Seat which can transform the Priam frame to a carry cot, Priam with a light seat or as a travel system with the CYBEX infant car seat. This versatility will take you a long way!

Some of our favorite features are:

  • One-Hand fold and free standing position with seat
  • Reversible seat which allows the seat to be forward facing or facing the parent
  • Two Wheel mode which makes it so much easier to go up or down steps
  • The gorgeous and durable denim twill fabric and the UVP50+
  • The kid board option is great for older siblings

Photo courtesy of www.cybex-online.com/us/pushchairs/priam.html

3. Research events or shows before your trip

I’m usually the type that likes to plan ahead,  just to have an idea of what direction we will be going and when. I don’t want to miss anything going on while we are there. I made sure to make an NYC family friendly bucket list. Looking into the city you are about to travel to will lessen the chaos while you’re there. You won’t have to scramble to find things to do with your family.

4. Research Restaurants around your area

With how picky of an eater Jude can be, this was a must for me! I didn’t want to end up someplace where he wouldn’t find anything he would dare consume. I made sure I saved addresses and names of those restaurants that looked like a good fit in our budget and taste!

5. Don’t forget to look for bargains on attractions

We have pre-booked many fun sightseeing activities and museums at a discount! There are many deals on tickets and admissions online and with a family, it’s worth it to get more bang for your buck!

6. Book a family friendly hotel

This one is pretty self-explanatory, you want to make sure the hotel meets your families needs. NYC offers many different accommodations for travelers, make sure they offer a room comfortable and big enough for children to roam around. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a small room with no space to play. If they offer a family-friendly restaurant that’s a plus!

DIY Movie Theater Theme Movie Night

Neon Be

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

Spring break is here and we have been busy making plans locally and trying to keep the kids busy and happy! You remember the Fun Fund I mentioned in my 5 Ways To Stretch Your Tax Refund? We dipped into it this week to have a movie theater theme movie night at home! We had gotten so excited about our VUDU Movie credit perk we got with our Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan.

I recently switched my families mobile service provider to Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan = Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data  plus a free VUDU movie credit every month ($7 value) per line for $49.88  *Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G

We have really enjoyed cutting our costs on mobile service and have loved every minute with the Samsung Galaxy On5! We didn’t have to break the bank just to get a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy On5 was on rollback for $69 from $119. Since Family Mobile bills you later, you only have to pay $19.88 when you sign up, this has really made it easier for us to stretch our tax refund. Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer here or your local Walmart for current pricing.

We knew we wanted to really enjoy our $7  VUDU credit, the same as a new release rental. I wanted to go beyond the ordering in and plopping on the couch. I created a fun movie theater experience we all would enjoy! I ran to Walmart and picked up my yummy snacks for our movie theater popcorn and snack bar. It was a lot of fun trying to find items we can add to our popcorn creations. I was thinking sweet and salty would do the trick!

 

Here is a list for your movie theater snack bar:

  • 4 – Bags of your favorite candy that you can mix in with your popcorn
  • 2 or 3- Bags of yummy popcorn
  • 1- Bottle of chocolate drizzle
  • 1- Butter drizzle
  • An assortment of salty snack favorites
  • Refreshments

Supplies for your movie theater snack bar:

  • Containers or Bags for your popcorn
  • little cups to display your candy you will use for the popcorn
  • Napkins
  • squeeze bottles for your drizzles
  • toothpicks
  • small plates
  • trash bag
  • a couple fun decorations to step up your decor for your movie night
  • labels for your snacks

We found it so easy to use our Chromecast(R) with VUDU, the hardest part was agreeing on a movie! We made some great memories laughing, dancing and enjoying our popcorn creations, with our Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan = Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data we didn’t have to worry about sharing our movie night photos and videos with family members and on social media! *Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G

The best thing about this is that we stayed within budget and we didn’t use up all of our “Fun Fund” going out! Now let’s get creative and find more ways to stretch #YourTaxCash!

 

Snack Time With Avocado

Neon Be

This campaign has received compensation from Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VidaAguacate #EchaleLoMejor #CollectiveBias

This month I have made a commitment to myself to make more of our family’s snacks and meals vs pre-made processed meals and snacks. I decided to be more aware of what I eat and make nutritious choices in what I prepare for myself and my family. Growing up in a Mexican household we were always told “¡Que no se te olvide el aguacate!” which basically means “Don’t forget the avocado!” This really stuck with me, I remember how special it was for me to experience my family in Mexico and the amazing fresh food. It is really important to me that I bring those traditions to my table, with the same flavors and ingredients as my parents and grandparents. Especially now, as a mother, I want something that’s not only nutritious but siempre delicioso, always delicious! Avocados From Mexico keep my Hispanic roots close. They are always in season and always fresh, so this makes it very easy to incorporate into delicious snacks!

I took my love for guacamole and hummus and created this delicious avocado cilantro hummus! This dip is perfect for any get-together, to a snack for the whole family!

AVOCADO CILANTRO HUMMUS DIP

●    1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
●    1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
●    1 large Avocado From Mexico, scooped from the peel
●    1 garlic clove
●    1 cup of cilantro, or to taste
●    Juice of 1 lemon
●    2 teaspoon of Tahini
●    1/2 teaspoon of salt

AGUACATE CILANTRO HUMMUS

En español:

  • 1 lata de garbanzo, escurrida y enjuagada
  • 1/4 taza de aceite de oliva virgen extra
  • 1 Aguacate de México grande, recogido de la cáscara
  • 1 diente de ajo
  • 1 taza de cilantro, o al gusto
  • Jugo de 1 limón
  • 2 cucharaditas de Tahini
  • 1/2 cucharadita sal

1.Add all ingredients to food processor or blender/ Agregue todos los ingredientes al procesador de alimentos o a la licuadora

2. Blend until smooth/​mezcle hasta que esté suave

Enjoy! ¡Coma con gusto!

I encourage you to find more recipes and join the fun in VidaAguacate.com by signing up to their Vida Aguacate Club.

5 Simple Ways To Stretch Your Tax Refund

Neon Be

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

 

1.Start A Emergency Savings Fund

Set aside an emergency fund. we never know what life has in store for us and by setting aside an emergency fund we are more prepared for those unexpected costs. This not only saves you money but it tends to lower the stress!

2.Budget By Cutting Down On Your Bills

We tend to overpay for products or services that we can likely get elsewhere for cheaper. Each tax season I like to sit down and look at how much I am spending on certain services. I recently switched my families mobile service provider to Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan = Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data  plus a free VUDU movie credit every month ($7 value) per line for $49.88  *Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G

Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan is ideal for us and was really easy to switch to, you pick a phone or Bring Your Own, and get your SIM Kit for only $19.88. My husband and I were excited when we found the Samsung Galaxy On5 on rollback for $69 which retailed for $119.00! I was excited with Unlimited* Talk, Text & Data I had the freedom to stay connected to my social media and my out of state friends and family without a worry. We got excited about the  VUDU movie credit we get every month per line, the $7 value is the same cost as a new release rental, I see many family movie nights in the near future which is bound to save us more money! *Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer here or your local Walmart for current pricing.

3.Pay Down Your Debt

You read that right if you can’t pay off your debt, start by paying down your debt. By starting to pay off your debt you are getting a hand on it which will get you to where you want to be in the long run. Start by paying off your smallest debt. We use the “Snowball Method” to pay down our debt. This creates the motivation we need to keep paying down our debt throughout the year.

4. Start A Fun Fund

I always budget some “family fun” money when we receive our tax refund for example: Lets say we set aside x amount of dollars we then take that amount and divide it by 12 and have that extra cash towards our family fun activities.

5. Shop Smarter

I often shop around and research items my family or I may need for the best price. This method of shopping has saved us hundreds, It lessens my “impulse” shopping because I know how much that can add up to. You can implement shopping smarter with your everyday basics to appliances or car repairs, this kind of shopping will indeed stretch your tax refund!

 

I hope you have found this helpful! Just remember to be smart, Don’t go throwing your hard earned money away! #YourTaxCash

 

 

 

 

I Am A Stay At Home Mom Boss

Neon Be

 

I often get asked how I manage to stay home with my kids, and what my secret is. My answer to this question is this, I don’t just stay home with my kids, I work from home. When I say work I mean using my laptop and phone between naps or playtime for the better part of the morning, and again at night when they are asleep. I really don’t have an “off” time. I’m usually creating content and writing down ideas for my social media accounts and this new blog of mine. I don’t have your typical home business either, I am a social media marketer and new found blogger. I have always had a passion for sharing my ideas,marketing and creating content is a fun way to creatively express myself!

As I am writing this there is a sink full of dishes, at least three baskets of dirty laundry and I’m pretty sure a load is still sitting in the wash from last night. This is a peak into my reality, I juggle my kids, my home, and my business and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Not many of you know this but I used to be Nanny before having Jude, Being a nanny was awesome. I had the freedom to love and care for children and who doesn’t love that?! I continued Nanning for a while I was actually a nanny up until last year after having Eli. I always had a home business even when I was a Nanny I ran a successful online boutique but I often wondered what it would be like to just be a stay at home mom in the true sense of not having a “job” responsibility or deadlines to meet.

Unlike some mother’s I couldn’t just be a wife and mother, I’ve tried it and It sucks! I definitely am not cut out to be that. I have to have deadlines, projects, and an outlet for my creativity. On the other hand, I love that I am free to create my own schedule and be free to meet my children’s needs as well as my husbands. I give big props to those women who work hard in the workplace and for those hard working, stay at home moms. They are both equally hard in different ways and I have experienced both sides of that. I have found I am much happier. But I do feel that mommy guilt when I have my busy weeks or days, I just make it a point to be present when things aren’t as busy. I think my family has gotten the hang of my work habits and they know when to tell me to chill out or disconnect because it is incredibly important to have a balance or work and home.

Being a Stay at home boss mom really is what I am meant to be and I encourage those mom’s who are itching to do more or just wanting to a change but can’t afford to quit to consider doing something they can turn into a business and juggle the madness of motherhood and work all at once!

 

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