Monday, November 22, 2010

Time Savers - Volume 1

Are you tired of looking like you just rolled out of bed? Check out the following article I found on the BabyCenter.com website (one of my personal favorite sites). Sure, some ideas sound just plain gross and I wouldn't be caught DEAD in yoga pants, but there are lots of helpful hints therein for getting ready to go without going nuts.

Here is the link:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_moms-say-how-to-get-ready-fast_10338921.bc

And here is the article:
Moms don't have much time for prettifying before leaving the house. In a 2010 BabyCenter survey, the majority said they spend less time doing their hair, getting dressed, and putting on makeup compared with pre-child days.
Before motherhood, women spent 41 minutes getting themselves ready for the day. After having kids, that number was trimmed to 25 minutes. That's a loss of 16 minutes – and is almost 40 percent less primping time!
Yet moms still want to look put together, whether we're heading to the office or the playground. Here's how BabyCenter moms manage to look good and get out the door quickly.

Plan ahead

"I get everything ready the night before that I possibly can."
"Shower at night after the kids are in bed. In the morning just flat-iron your hair. There's no time for a blow-dry."
"I think about what I'm going to wear ahead of time, like when I'm eating breakfast or lying in bed."
"Choose your clothes the night before, so your tired brain doesn't have to make any decisions in the morning."
"I plan what I'll wear two or three days in advance and put it ready to go on hangers."
"Set your clothes out the night before, along with shoes and accessories. That way if you're running late, you don't have to think about what to wear."

Prioritize

"Make time to at least put some makeup on and never go out in pajamas. Because if you do, it's downhill from there. You'll start to think it's acceptable."
"Always wash your face, wear clean underwear, and put on deodorant."
"Instead of doing your whole makeup routine, stick to a couple of basics that highlight your best features. For me that's just putting on mascara and sometimes blush."
"Get up earlier. I just find it's a lot easier to get myself up and get ready before waking the kids so I have all the time to focus on myself rather than having to multitask."
"No tricks – just hustle!"

Keep it simple

"I use minimal makeup and I let my hair air-dry."
"Wipe very important areas, brush your teeth, put body lotion on, and wear a hat."
"Buy lots of yoga pants and either cut your hair way short or keep it long enough for a ponytail."
"Have three pairs of pants with tops that can go with all of them. Use mineral makeup, no eye shadow, just liner and some mascara."
"Wear more repeat outfits and fewer accessories."
"Keep it simple. A little foundation and mascara goes a long way."
"I wear my nursing tank around the house and just throw a T-shirt over it and add jeans and flip-flops. I'm ready in a flash."
"Good mascara, cute headband, and colored lip balm."
"I skip all makeup and just use a tinted moisturizer. My hairstyle is always straight and fuss-free so I just have to give it a quick brush in the morning."

Take it on the road

"I do my makeup, nails, and accessories on the bus."
"I do my makeup in the car, and only minimally."
"I skip makeup until I get to the office."
"Keep all your important things (like lip gloss and a comb) in your handbag for easy access later."

Rethink things

"I've found I like my hair better when I don't wash it every day! Yay!"
"I put my hair up instead of styling it or straightening it."
"If you pump in the morning, use a hands-free pumping bra. You can do your hair and makeup while you're pumping."

Involve your kids

"I shower with my baby girl, get her ready, and plop her in her baby chair while I throw something cute on."
"I've made my entire upstairs babyproof. My son can crawl around and play wherever while I get ready."
"I put the TV on and let my older kids watch their favorite shows. I bring the baby in his car seat into the bathroom with me while I get ready."

Take shortcuts

"If I know I'm going to be in a rush, I sleep in the clothes I'm going to wear the next day."
"Do everything in the shower – brushing your teeth, washing your face, and shaving. Have everything you need to get ready in the bathroom, like lotion, hair supplies, makeup, and clothes. Getting ready all in the same room saves time."
"Always take breakfast to eat in the car."
"I wipe myself with a washcloth or wipes, lotion my arms and legs, use deodorant, eyeliner, and lipstick, and spritz perfume on my neck and wrists. I keep my hair in braids so I don't have to do it every day."

Get help

"I have my partner watch our son while I get dressed."
"Have your partner, spouse, or friend get ready while you nurse, then hand the baby over when you're finished nursing. They can get the rest of the tasks done while you get ready yourself."

Don't worry

"Remember that everyone looks at your kid and not you."
"Just make do with less and put up with being frumpy unless you decide it's worth sacrificing sleep to try to improve the situation."
"You are a beautiful mother! Who cares if you don't have the trendiest makeup or latest fashions? And remember, a ponytail looks cute on anyone."


- BabyCenter.com

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Snack Time Simplified

If you are like me (always short on time, in a hurry and generally overwhelmed), it is very helpful to have an ace up your sleeve between meals and when hunger pangs hit. Here are a few ideas to get you and the kids snacking:

Super-Quick Snacks
Ants on a Log - spread peanut butter on celery and top with raisin "ants".
Cheese and Crackers
Yogurt with Cereal or Granola Clusters
Graham Crackers with Cream Cheese
Raw Veggies and Dip (hummus, bean dip, soft cheese)
Fresh Fruit
Apple (or Pear Slices) - serve with peanut butter, sugar free caramel dip or yogurt
String Cheese or Cheddar Sticks
Sugar-free Pudding Cups
Baked Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Applesauce
Dried Fruit
Granola Bars
Rice Cakes
Toast "Sticks" with Peanut Butter


Make-Ahead Snacks:
Pinwheels - tortilla or other flat bread spread with cream cheese, topped with deli meat/veggies, rolled and sliced
Homemade Trail Mix - combine whole grain cereal with raisins /other dried fruit
Frozen Fruit Juice Popsicles or Grapes
Cucumber Slices
Fruit Salad
Mini-muffins


Leftovers Anyone?
Tuna or Chicken Salad on Crackers
Meat Loaf "Bites" with Melted Cheddar
Diced Ham and Pineapple
Cold Pizza (I prefer homemade)
Roasted Vegetables
Pasta Dishes
Soups and Stews

Okay. Now I'm hungry (again).