MAMA'S FAVORITES AND LIFE HACKS
/I wholeheartedly believe in product reviews. I believe in them even more when they come from someone I know or trust.
There have been items I’ve purchased over the last couple years that have truly truly made an impact on our lives. Whether they be for entertainment, to save time, to save energy or simply just a worthwhile life hack, I’ve loved the items I’m about to share because they’ve truly made my life as a mama easier and more enjoyable.
There’s a reason I’m sharing the next two photos, before we get started.
It’s because during my oldest daughter’s operation and my youngest daughter’s kidney ultrasound and checkup, they both used one of my favorite items on this list. Both of those days were scary, yet products that work actually make a difference to put my anxious heart at ease. We truly use every single one of these almost every single day, and that is no lie. I’m not sharing these products with you to make tons of money, but rather to help another mama out who is trying her hardest, just like me.
I hope you love them as much as I do!
***DON’T FORGET! For all items listed below, you can easily select the title of the item and it’ll take you directly to the link for the item to purchase or add to a wishlist for later!***
CUSTOMIZABLE NAME STICKERS - Rainbow Version and CAT version
Why I love them : We use them on the girls’ lunch boxes, bookbags and water bottles, and I recently put them onto their tablets too! They’re cute yet practical and make labeling items so easy!What they say : Made from non-toxic materials, our name labels are dishwasher, microwave, and laundry safe! Uniquely designed by independent artists, they are a durable way to customize your kids’ bottles, food containers, toys, sports equipment, clothing care tags, and much more. For machine washable items, peel and firmly stick your label to care tags on clothing or plush toys. Do not place your labels directly onto the fabric itself.
WANSVIEW WIRELESS SECURTIY CAMERA
Why I love it : I’ll start by saying we also have a normal baby webcam in the girl’s room, but we have this one at a higher and different angle because it allows us to have on the go views of the girls at all times! We have this one set up to our cell phone and I can be anywhere in the house and turn on the camera on my phone and it is incredible how much anxiety it takes away from me! You also canNOT beat this price!
What they say : Remarkable view with super wide 120 degree viewing angle, with an adjustable base, you can manually adjust the viewing angle, use one wansview wireless camera to capture an entire room without ever having to pan or tilt. Supports remote viewing via iOS/Android mobile devices, Windows PC, Apple Mac system and web browsers (IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome supported).
Why I love it : I am so incredibly pleased with this purchase that we’ve had for almost a year, because they are cute, functional and also work perfectly with another item I’ll show for in the car! The girls love them because they stand up on their own and they can easily hold them in their hands! They also love bunnies so that was a win win! There’s also other color options available!
What they say : There is a handle for you to hold it easily, so you don’t need to worry about damage of the iPad as your child may not be able to hold it tightly. The all-round protection removes your worry about damage, scratch, dust and stains. The reverse side has an adjustable holder, which offers you a number of iPad viewing angles. The built-in heat dissipation layer is able to effectively dissipate excess heat, so that your iPad can be used for a longer period.
DROP STOP - CAR SEAT GAP FILLER
Why I love it : Anyone else a Shark Tank fan here? We saw these on Shark Tank and HAD to get them, and we ARE OBSESSED! I am notorious for dropping items between the seats but even more so, it is such a hard area to clean in the car! These solve both of those problems and don’t look bulky or weird!What they say : Drop Stop attaches to the seat belt catch via built in slot; moves with the seat and no need to readjust or reinstall. Drop Stop blocks that annoying yet ever so dangerous gap between your car or truck seat and center console.
Why I love it : My friend Haley got this and I HAD to get it. Not only do I love stars (like the stars we drew on the girls’ chalkboard wall) but I loved that it would project stars onto the ceiling! It works best with a dimmer LED light cause the stars project better that way! They love it so so much!
What they say : Bring the beauty of the night sky into your little one's bedroom with the Starry Globe Night Light from Pillowfort. This night light globe features cutouts that, when lit, cast glowing stars on nearby surfaces. Set it on a nightstand or dresser near your child's bed to help them fall asleep without being afraid of the dark.
SOUND SPA AND WHITE NOISE MACHINE
Why we love it : We’ve had quite a few sound machines for the girls, but this one is 100% our favorite and it’s also actually the perfect baby shower gift for someone! It is so easy to work, easily portable and the girls love the different sounds it offers.
What they say : Plays 6 Natural Sounds: Heartbeat, White Noise, Ocean, Summer Night, Thunderstorm and Brook. Auto-off timer: 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Portable perfect for new mother or traveler. Battery or adapter operated.
BENTO BOX - double option BENTO BOX - single option (Here’s the set I got but they only have it in pink and blue and not the pink pink combo)
What we love it : I am always packing the girls’ lunches for on the go, and now that Everly is in therapy full time we obviously have to pack her lunches on the go too. Someone once told me that teachers love these cause they only have to open one box versus a million different packages for the kids. I also love that everything is in one spot and it’s aesthetically pleasing! It’s so fun to put different meals together in them! (Note: I do not put these in the dishwasher or microwave although it says they are safe, simply because I want them to last longer.) I am linking another one here that is a single option too!
What they say : Based on traditional bento boxes, our containers feature 3 compartments, so you can pack healthy, well-balanced meals! Thin and lightweight, they effortlessly slip into your purse, backpack or briefcase for on-the-go portability. Endlessly Versatile: Microwave safe, our lunchbox bento containers heat evenly and withstand up to 120C! Great at home, school or work, they’re also freezer safe, so you can store leftovers. When you’re done, pop them in the dishwasher for a quick cleanup. To protect lid – clean them by hand to preserve the seal. Food-Safe and BPA Free: Made with thick 1000ml sides, our kids’ bento boxes are as safe as they are durable! Approved by the FDA, harmful chemicals won’t leach into your food. And because they’re reusable, they’re an eco-friendly, money-saving option.
Why I love it : I have always been a big fan of candles and yummy smells. Especially during the holidays! Since we have been slowly removing chemicals from our home over the last year, we have stopped burning candles and are now using our diffuser with young living oils! I love that if I’m getting a headache, or having an allergy attack, or feeling stressed, or the girls are sick and so forth, I have a different scent to use for each problem. But I even just simply love using scents to make me happy, cause I love a good smell when I enter a home! This diffuser is SO easy and also SO pretty!
What they say : A beautifully designed electric aromatherapy diffuser offers a new and sophisticated way to fill your living space with the scents you love—simply add water and the essential oil of your choice, then turn it on. Through a ceramic resonator, the product uses ultrasonic vibrations to turn the fragrant water into mist, dispersing it gracefully into the air. Best of all, it's designed with a built-in timer and automatic shutoff so you can operate it worry-free.
Why I love it : We just recently started using these in the last few months, and I am OBSESSED!!!! I have been hearing so much about elderberry and because we are starting to get into cold and flu season, I wanted to make sure we were taking some sort of supplement to ensure we were giving our immune systems the boost they needed! What I love is that they’re gentle enough for both girls to take (approved by pediatrician, but even so, I just give them half of a gummy every day. Because this is new for their system, and I too have a weak stomach, I don’t want to overload their bodies. So I give them each half a gummy every day and it makes the bottle last twice as long! They taste great and I truly feel like they support their body! I also give Everly a Smarty Pants Probiotic every day as well for gut health cause she has some tummy issues like momma and it’s been amazing to see what it’s done for her!
What they say : ESSENTIAL SUPPORT Zarbee's Naturals Children's Immune Support* Gummies, for your child when their immune system needs support*. These tasty and easy to chew gummies are for children ages 2+. WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS Our great-tasting Children's Elderberry Immune Support* Gummies provide your child with vitamins A, C, D, E & Zinc. They're made with real elderberry extract, which acts as an antioxidant & gives our gummies their delicious taste. SAFE & EFFECTIVE Our Children's Elderberry Immune Support* Gummies have no drugs, alcohol, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or gelatin and are gluten free. With natural flavors and colors from naturally sourced ingredients. EASY TO CHEW Our Kid’s Elderberry Gummy is made with vegetarian-friendly ingredients. While other gummies use animal gelatin, we use fruit pectin to give our gummies their soft, springy texture.
What I love : Okay here goes, IF YOU GET NOTHING ELSE FROM THIS LIST…YOU HAVE TO GET THIS THING! omggggg you guys. This is my favorite thing in the history of ever. It’s cordless, stays charged foreverrrrrrr and gets into all of the small spaces that are so hard to clean up from crumbs and all the things kiddos and dogs bring into this world! I also love that it is SOOOOO easy to clean and empty! I mean this with all of my being - YOU MUST TRY THIS THING OUT! I can’t get enough of it and literally use it every day of my life!
What they say : Cord-free, hassle-free! HOLIFE cordless vacuum cleaner is lightweight and portable to use. Weight only 2.2lb, Free your movement and easy to clean stairs, kitchen, inside of your vehicles, hard to reach corners, wall edges without bulky and tangled cords.
What I love : Guys. I legit searched for a lunchbox for 4 MONTHS for Everly. I came up short. It was the worst thing ever haha! Everything was either too frilly or too masculine and I couldn’t find anything simple yet pretty and also good quality…until this little lady! And I am in love!!!! The bento box also fits PERFECTLY inside which is an added bonus and makes for packing lunches so easy! We truly love this thing and it’s so easy to wipe clean!
What they say :
A star-splashed lunchbox complete with a personalizable tag and a snap-close loop that attaches to a backpack is a total back-to-school must.
What I love : Probably the most random thing to see on a mom hacks list, huh? BUT YOU GUYS!!!!!! omg. I can’t even handle how much I love these things! Okay here’s the reasons I say these are must buys. One, it clears up the floors. I am so bad about throwing allll the bags on the floors, and this way I can hang my purse up and easily reach back into it if I need to grab something while driving! Second, I can hang the girls bookbags on the back of the seats and they can easily reach into them to grab their toys while on the go. Three, it WORKS PERFECTLY with that bunny tablet case which rests perfectly inside the hooks, so it also acts as a tablet holder!!!!! They’re incredible. (They’re also great for hanging clothes for on the go so they don’t wrinkle!)
What they say : No one likes an untidy car interior with plastic bags and kids’ toys rolling around on the floor. Organize your back seat clutter, floor and leg room with these universal headrest hooks that will instantly convert the back of your car seats into a great storage space for hanging your handbag, clothes, umbrellas, hats, coats, purse, kid’s toys, trash or plastic grocery bags and more! KEEP YOUR SHIRTS WRINKLE-FREE: Don’t block your rear view vision by hanging your jackets or dresses over the back window. Thanks to these space saving hooks, you can now enjoy a clear view and keep your shirts wrinkle-free, throughout your travels.
FINE MIST SPRAY BOTTLE
What I love: This is the perfect spray bottle that I live right in our “everything drawer” in the kitchen and it makes getting the girls ready for the day so easy! It has the perfect fine mist spray and I use it to lightly dampen the girls’ hair when I’m not giving them a shower or bath for the day. I can’t recommend this bottle enough!What they say: Perfectly even mist no matter how many times you pump it. Fill with water like liquids. Use for hair, facial mister, houseplants, succulents, ironing, cooling yourself on a hot day. Even spraying, no wet spots, no dribbling, no drenching. Sprays when turned sideways. Sprays like an aerosol without being an aerosol! Completely refillable and reusable. No aerosols, no propellants. Use as an atomizer.
What I love: This may seem silly, but I absolutely love this thing! I can’t tell you how much time I’ve had to spend over the years clearing my drains from hair (and now being a girl mama I can only imagine it’ll get worse!) until I discovered this drain wig featured on shark tank! It literally catches all the hair going down the drain and is SUPER easy to clean!
What they say: Drain Wig is Universal: Fits most shower drains. Drain Wig is Hygienic: Completely disposable design allows you to remove hair without touching it! Drain Wig is low maintenance: Just replace every 2-4 months. Drain Wig is a money saver: Saves you money and hassle! No more expensive plumbing calls. Drain Wig is a one of a kind item that has been featured on As Seen on TV as well as As Seen on Shark Tank.
What I love: Just like the other items on here that are kinda strange, this one is the same BUT AGAIN LIFE CHANGING! I have always dreaded boiling eggs. I don’t know why but I feel like it takes sooooo long and most times it feels like they don’t boil to the right hardness or softness! Fear no more! This fast egg boiler (which is also super quick to clean) is your answer! The perfect boiled egg EVERY TIME! We love making a batch of these for the week and just snacking on them from the fridge throughout the week!
What they say: Dash Deluxe Rapid Egg Cooker is based off the ORIGINAL (and most trusted) egg cooker on the market, for perfect eggs, your way, EVERY TIME, we guarantee it! Now with TWICE the egg cooking capacity! Short on time? Simply choose your preferred eggs (or steamed food) and set the timer. The auto-shut off function prevents overcooking, and the buzzer will alert you when your eggs (or steamed foods) are ready. Its so simple, even your kids can use it. This is the PERFECT appliance for picky eaters, large families, or those who have busy schedules. Hard boiled eggs, soft boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs, and individual omelets, all within minutes of the push start button - it couldn’t be easier!
So there ya have it! My mama favorites AND everyday hacks that I think every mama needs. Be sure to pin the image above to a pinterest board for easy reference as so many of these items would be GREAT Christmas list items!! (I mean, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if this blog post ended up in your significant other’s email box so they could get a hint huh?) hehe!
Happy life hacking!
XX, Amy
