Over the past week, we've probably all been following the disastrous 'Hurricane Harvey' that's ravaged the south of Texas. It's hard to truly imagine what the people, our neighbors to the south are going through. With their homes destroyed, pets lost, farmland underground, livestock that's missing and entire metropolitan cities that are completely dismantled with the waters expected to continue to rise another 2-4 feet in some areas. I was in high school when Hurricane Katrina reeked havoc in Louisiana and I thought there could be no way so much devastation could happen again, and then it did.

Thankfully there are many disaster relief funds set up to aid the people of Texas to help them in their time of need and in the following months as they start to assess the damage and rebuild. I follow a blogger who's family has a cotton farm in Gary, Texas and the storm hit before the cotton was ready to be picked. It's currently under a few feet of water, and this was supposed to be a record year for the cotton crop. For all of our fellow farmers, cotton, dairy, crop & livestock this will severely affect their livelihood in profound ways. As a farmer's wife, I can't imagine watching my husbands entire year's worth of blood, sweat and tears just slip under water (and most likely lifetime's worth of work since 98% of US farms are family-owned and multigenerational). If you would like to help the farmers of Texas then please visit The Star Fund set up by the Texas Department of Agriculture. 

::: Link below :::

The Star Fund

Also, diapers! Can you imagine not having a diaper for your child? The Red Cross doesn't hand out diapers in their relief packs. So if you're wanting to help out the displaced mommas and their babies behinds they log onto the Texas Diaper Bank and donate directly to them. Or you can send diapers through Amazon and Jet. I'll link it all up below. And if you prefer to buy a few packs at the store (any brand & all sizes) or team up with some friends you can mail all donations to the following address so that they can be distributed:

The Texas Diaper Bank 5415 Bandera Road Suite 504

San Antonio, TX 78238

Texas Diaper Bank

Amazon Texas Diaper Bank Disaster Relief Wish List

jet.com Donation to Texas Diaper Bank

And if you prefer to just give to The Red Cross you can simply text HARVEY to 90999 for a $10 donation. Also, please beware of certain 'charity' groups that may come out of the woodwork during this time and try and take advantage of kindness and generosity of people. The NY Times published an article a few days ago about Where to Donate to Harvey Victims (and How to Avoid Scams). 

xo- Tiffany 

Often, I need to remind myself to slow down, tune into my surroundings, enjoy the simple things in life, declutter my mind and 'take care of myself'. A phrase we often use without giving it much thought but are we really, mothers, are we really taking care of ourselves? Are we taking the time to focus on our own health, joyfulness, and sanity as much as we center our attention on our loved ones? I think not. And I would bet you all of the dirty diapers that I’m not alone. And moms, our wishes are simple, some mothers wish for just one night of uninterrupted sleep, going to the bathroom alone, or enjoying a book or a movie or any grown up activity in peace. These are simple wishes but they are usually over looked because we are the doers, the carers, and it's not ourselves we are serving. Before having my girls if I wanted to escape and get my feelings in check I would throw in some earbuds and get swept up in a playlist of songs or read. Now I usually just hide in a corner and eat a half a package of Brownie Brittle and pray to God that no one finds me. So I've been brainstorming a few simple ideas and ways I can bring myself some inner peace when I do get the rare chance to draw a bubble bath or forgo chores during nap time. Why is this important? Because when you’re happy... everyone’s happy, the whole family.

1. | Journaling -- the 52 Lists for Happiness Weekly Journal by Moorea Seal to be exact. I picked up this book on a trip to Chicago and I love it, I haven't been the best at remembering to take the time to complete the weekly lists every single week but it's not a hard goal to strive for. It was the prettiest cover {and velvet page marker} and different thought-provoking lists for every week to reflect, acknowledge, and invest in yourself and find things that truly make you happy. For example, List #4 asks you to 'List the Things That Get You Out of Your Head' and once you've don't that she gives you a 'Take Action' suggestion for the week ahead such as; plan an hour this week to do one or a few of these things that put your mind at peace. There are also specific hashtags for the book so you can keep track of what others are doing with their 52 list- #52list #52HappyLists

2. | Water - OK, this probably seems like common sense BUT do you honestly drink enough water? Probably not. I know I don't. I do not take the time to get in the amount of H2O that I know my body needs to stay in tip-top shape. How many glasses have you had today? I can tell you, I filled my lovely white corckscile canteen with 36 oz of water at 8 am and I think so far I've downed maybe 8 oz of it, that’s waaaaaaaaay to little of an amount. It’s honestly crazy how little water we drink when pretty much 70% of our body is water. So I challenge you, for the next 30 days, everytime a kid needs a sippy cup filled up with water, pour a glass for yourself! I'm right there with you.

3. |  Mini Home Manicures - my girls love to have their nails painted, and yes I do roll my eye (on the inside) every time they ask because the 'waiting' to dry part is always the hardest for them. Cue the, "Is it dry yet?", "Hey mom, I think they are dry", "Can you check them now?" all with in the first 30 seconds after they are finished. But I digress, they love it and I love to see their pink, blue and purple little digits all brightly colored. Next time your painting those tiny nails take the time to paint your own, it's amazing the confidence boost that a fresh set of manicured nails can give a girl.

4.| Get Dressed - OK, another simple idea that probably seems silly but it the one thing I struggle with the most. I stay at home with the girls so our days and our schedules are pretty lax, we get up, we eat breakfast, we play, I tackle chores, we read, I drink coffee, we play, they make messes, I clean up the messes, and somewhere in all of that craziness I never seem to get myself dressed. Have you ever been in your PJs with spit up on your shirt, no bra, and hair that looks like I don't even know what and your door bell rings! Cue mass anxiety attack. Do I open the door? Do I pretend that I'm not home? Do I quickly run back to the bedroom and throw a huge sweater or robe on? Will they notice? This could all be avoided if I would take the time in the morning to just get myself dressed, you know, nothing crazy just basic and at least put together. I know I'll feel fresher, cleaner and even, confident to open the door if need be.    

5. | Music - This is the thing that I've let go the most since having kids. Music has always been an outlet for me, a chance to escape, relax your mind and just be in the moment. Music has the ability to lift your spirits and soothes your soul and no-- kidz bop or the frozen soundtrack does not count.

Here are a few from my current playlist:
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
King of My Heart - Sarah McMillan
When the Saints - Sara Groves
Unfinished - Mandisa
He Won't Go - Adele
Hey Baby - Trey Kenn
Hoping - X Ambassadors
Either Way - Chris Stapleton
Take a Shot - JoLivi
Broken Glass - Rachel Platten
All On My Mind - Anderson East
Don't Need Permission - Meg Mac
Fallin' - Jessica Mauboy
Sanctuary - Jake Wesley Rogers
Speak the Name - Koryn Hawthorne


So friends, find something simple or indulgent and treat yourself to some self-care.
Do it. I dare you.

xo - Tiffany

“The simplest things are often the truest.”

– Richard Bach

1. |  A divided lunch container is incredibly versatile -  Also if your kids don't like their foods touching this is perfect! Not only can you pack multiple items in one container but the ones listed below are durable and dishwasher-safe and also made with high quality 18/8 stainless steel.

2. | Pack hydrating drinks - Water, Infused Water (if your kids are like mine and get bored with plain old water, their favorite combo is strawberry + lemon), milk, or unsweetened peach or raspberry herbal tea.

3. | A fun, insulated, and wipeable lunch box  

4. | Insulated Containers - These would be great for sending watery fruit or soup, insulated food containers keep food cold or hot for hours. Ava loves soups so when she starts packing I'll be super excited to send her some warm tomato basil during the fall and winter months, also a warm, gooey cup of leftover baked butternut squash mac & cheese. These thermoses are made from high-quality 304-grade stainless steel and constructed with double wall interiors for optimal insulation. Also, BPA- and PVC-free.  

5. | Reusable Snack Bags - these reusable snack and sandwich bags have been tested to ensure food safety, are made with machine-washable materials and feature a water- and stain-resistant liner for easy cleaning.

Trio Stainless Steel Bento Box || Klean Kanteen Kid || Petit Collage Insulated Lunch Box

Thermos Funtainer || ChicoBag Reusable Snack Bags

I hope your little ones have a happy and nutritious first couple weeks of school I know come April that there will be less heart shaped sandwhices and more like a handful of saline crackers, 5 almonds a random string cheese and couple Chick-fil-A sauce packets. Happy lunch packing friends!

xo- Tiffany