Coastal N.E. Getaways- Healthy eats & Cozy stays: NEWPORT RI

 

Newport, RI … another great destination on our list of favorite Coastal Getaways in New England. 

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Whether you like the beach, shopping, dining, walking, historic building & mansion tours, cruising around on a moped/scooter or even a slingshot … or ALL of the above , Newport has it all packed into one area! 👌

WHERE TO STAY:

You don’t have to take our word for it, (BUT… I think you should 😉) , book yourself a suite at the Mill Street Inn and then let the vaca begin!

   Situated just slightly off the main beaten path, yet still in the heart of  downtown Newport , the Mill Street Inn is a prime location. They have their own parking lot (first come first serve , so occasionally it could fill up during extra busy times, but we’ve never had an issue getting a spot!) right under their building for NO EXTRA CHARGE! This is a rare find for the area!! The building is an old nineteenth century  Mill converted into a modern day, all suites Inn.👌Historic meets modern trendy comfort with hip style!

         Upon walking inside, you’ll be greeted by the friendliest of staff at the front desk. You’ll also find complimentary Sangria and fruit infused water in the main lobby , so you can fill yourself a cup anytime you’d like! As you check in, you’ll receive a welcome bag with some delicious little treats/snacks. Rooms are all SUITES regardless of which you choose. The only differences between each is the size and layout, with some being split into two levels, and some all on one. We’ve stayed in both and find each equally as  nice! All rooms have their own Nespresso Maker as well as an Electric tea kettle,with plenty of coffee pods & variety of Herbal teas (more are always availabile upon request) and Glass Mugs. Each room is also stocked with  a glass jug of distilled water & drinking glasses that you can have refilled anytime, and if bottled water is wanted while you head out for the day, stop by their 24 hr fitness center and grab a few from the stocked mini fridge…Always complimentary for guests! You’re also provided with a breakfast check list with simple options such as  baked goods, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee / tea… just simply fill it out, write in a preferred time between 7:30-10am and hang it on the outside of your door the night before. It’ll be delivered to your room in the morning at the time listed!          Forgot some toiletries? no worries! This place has everything for their guests if needed. We’ve forgotten toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, etc and everytime the front desk has some for us!👌Once you’re parked and checked in, all the best of Newport is just within walking distance , so head out the door and ENJOY!! 

     There are no shortage of places to stay on the area, so plenty of options and locations , but, personally we just keep coming back here!👌

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And NOW for the best part … WHERE TO EAT while keeping it HEALTHIFIED!!! Drumroll please….

….. TOPPING THE LIST for me has got to be ….

ROOT ON BROADWAY hands down! This quaint little hidden GEM (although, not so hidden it seems because the place was jamming with customers 🤗) which opened just 4 years ago,  is a 100% PLANTBASED eatery featuring incredibly delicious BOWLS, SALADS, SMOOTHIES, Toasts, JUICES & more! It’s a located on Broadway , just a nice short little walk away from the busy waterfront area , but still within the main Newport neighborhood. 

Everything is made fresh right there by owners who are passionate about keeping it REAL with fresh ,natural,healthy ingredients and no processed fillers or sugars or chemical flavors added ever! 

    It’s basically everything I love to make at home in my own kitchen with the same high quality ingredients!👏🏻👏🏻You do NOT have to be 100% Vegan to enjoy, trust me! But, you just may decide you can be once you try it!😋🌱

    As a nutritional advisor, this place is definitely where I’d send anyone wanting to stick to their healthy lifestyle & eat well to feel well while enjoying their vaca. You can choose to dine inside, or take your order to-go and take a nice stroll to find yourself a nice waterfront spot to sit and enjoy. This place is basically a Healthnuts paradise!😆🤗 I may have been a bit overly excited about it🌱😆but it just honestly checks all the boxes as far as dietary preferences and nutrition style for me! It’s exactly the sort of food I’d prep & advise any client to eat when looking to get healthy and FEEL GOOD!! And it’s all delicious👌.

Healthy food makes me so HAPPY, I just want to share the love with everyone!

Photo: Arriba bowl w/ brown rice , Glow bowl w/ Quinoa

& Smoothie made w/ Cold brew, Cacao , Almond milk & PB 

Photo: I didn’t have any room to try these, but they also offer some delicious looking all VEGAN/plantbased baked treats!! Gluten-free options too!

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Located on Broadway as well is:

Corner Cafe

Offering inside or outside patio seating, this cute little spot offers plenty of healthier options as well as gluten-free and vegan. Sandwiches, wraps, salads & more…All

Wraps and sandwiches can be served on gluten-free bread or wrap if requested for a small additional price. They even have gluten pizza available.

Veggie wrap on GF tortilla w/ fresh fruit side. To-Go👌

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As for more all-around traditional dining options that have Menus offering Gluten-free, Vegan, vegetarian options here’s a few I recommend and can easily order from without having to ask tons of questions and fuss. 👌 

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Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar 

You may not think , based on the name that this would be a great dining option that fits varying dietary preferences,especially “healthy”

dietary styles,  BUT it is!! First off, their menu is clearly labeled for all meals that are Gluten-free , Vegan and those that have option to be made GF with a simple swap.👌 That’s always a huge perk for me and I always recommend finding such places as it will make ordering far easier for you!  I went with the GF Salmon Dinner over kale,

And a delicious mushroom/veggie succotash. (I’m

Not 100% vegan and enjoy some fish/ good quality meat once in a while as long as it’s loaded up with plantbased foods too!) 

Their burgers are made from Organic GrassFed beef & best of all, to make it gluten-free and healthier, you can opt to have any burger or sandwich over greens instead of a bun ! 👌They offer plenty of veggie based sides and salads and Vegan options for the non-meat eaters. It’s basically a great spot to dine when your party has a variety of dietary needs and preferences.(*also waitstaff was well versed/knowledgeable about their menu and what contains dairy, gluten, etc…I was able to ask that my meal be prepared without dairy.)

Photo: Salmon over veggie succotash & kale

*clearly labeled menu 👌

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Located right next door, facing eachother, is another recommendation: 

Diego’s

Mexican style foods are often one of the easier types to find veggie loaded, gluten free options amd this location takes it a step above with a seperate Gluten-free Menu upon request, as well as a very knowledgeable staff that can offer suggestions for easy swaps/adaptable meals if you prefer something on the main menu. They even offer Dairy Free- Vegan Cheese!! So, whereas I’d usually just omit the cheese from whatever I order, I was able to enjoy a delicious quesadilla WITH cheese & still stay dairy free!! They have options for Gluten free meat eaters as well as all-veggie based options (like cauliflower, squash,mushroom fillings)  for the plantbased vegan eaters. We shared some fresh Gaucamole as well, which is always a delicious classic. 👌

Photo: gluten free quesadillas with Vegan chz.

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If you’re the mood for a little splurge … SWEET TREAT, while, It may not be “healthy” necessarily, you can at least keep to your gluten-free and/or dairy free or vegan style & grab yourself a sweet indulgence at :

CUPCAKE CHARLIES

Freshly baked flavors offered each day

& always some variety of both Gluten-free AND Gluten-free/VEGAN treats.

I don’t always eat sugar, but when I do…😆 one for ea. hand. 

There are so many dining options in this area and we simply didn’t have enough time to get to them all, but a few other recommended locations with menus that fit the bill:

DRIFT CAFE

Stoneacre Garden

Ben & Jerry’s  ( Vegan ice cream options) 

KAFFEOLOGY

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Looking for a nice walk with gorgeous views so you can fit  in some exercise while there? A little further outside of the downtown center area you will find the well known

 Newport RI Cliff Walk and many nice beach stops as well!

 You’ll find various public parking areas , as well as some street parking along the route to leave the car & go enjoy the walk. But, If you don’t feel like moving your car from the hotel, and are up for some extra adventure & fun, head over to SCOOTER WORLD RI & rent yourself a scooter, a scoot coupe for two or even a slingshot! It’s auch a fun way to explore the area & do some sightseeing a bit further out along the water.

You can even drive by the Newport Mansions . You can book tours as well if that’s your sort of thing.

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Hope you decide to book your stay & check these places out! Let us know when you do!💗💗💗

Coastal Getaway- Healthified eats & Cozy stays!

Topping our list for easy Coastal getaways in the NorthEast, that are perfect for both Family time or couples time , is the quaint town of  OGUNQUIT MAINE . 

   Our family has been coming to this area for years & we continue to return with annually whether it be just us , us and the kiddos , us & several other relatives, OR a “more the merrier” type getaway with multiple friends and family all joining along! 

     So, our top favorite place to stay is definitely Anchorage by the Sea right in the heart of Ogunquit, within short walking distance to the towns quaint area Main Street with its shops & eateries. The absolute BEST thing about this location is by far, it’s property location which sits above & overlooks the Ocean. It has one of the larger “lawn” areas that borders right up to Marginal Way , the areas beautiful 1.25mile paved cliff walk overlooking the ocean and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the panoramic views or climb down a staircase to the ocean and explore for a bit. This hotel location also stands out from several others because of their pool area featuring a beautiful outdoor pool design with plenty of space filled with lounge chairs & space for sunbathing, (Plus, it’s heated so is open for an extended season! Typically late April to Fall) as well as multiple outdoor hot tubs. Should the weather not be quite cooperative for outdoor swimming or sun bathing , they also have an indoor heated pool and sauna too! Prefer to stay put in relax mode while you’re away? They have their own on site restaurant that overlooks the pool area or the lawn/ocean depending on where you sit. It’s open for Breakfast, lunch & Dinner and also has a rooftop Bar with great ocean views! Our only compliant about it is they tend to close up early during the more off peak times of year , so late night drinks aren’t always available. Right outside the restaurant is a lawn/patio area with fire pit tables , gazebos and plenty of Adirondack or lounge chairs to curl up by and listen to the ocean. Regular rooms aren’t anything over the top, but are always very clean and well maintained , simple but pretty , and up to date coastal decor. It’s pricing is based on their prime location and beautiful spacious grounds that are lacking in many others in the area. 

Now, if extra budget friendly is more your thing and you aren’t one to really stay/spend time at your hotel other than sleeping ,so don’t care much about property grounds or any “extra frills” then I recommend Studio East Motel for you! It’s location is extremely convenient, as you can walk right across the street to the Main shops, Village Market and restaurants. The property is very clean and the rooms decent sized. Some even have a small kitchenette space.They often offer room rates under $100/night and sometimes even run specials to get a 3rd or 4th night free if going midweek. It basically sits in a paved parking lot, no views, opposite the ocean side and has no pool or lawn area. However, most rooms have a couple chairs outside the doors (which are open to the outside) so you can enjoy some fresh air in the early morn & late evening w/a coffee or drink. It does also have one older & small hot tub on site for guests. The hot tub is supposed to be for adults only so keep that in mind if bringing the kiddos! 

Now…As for my favorite part… the Vaca-EATS!!! Ok, so unfortunately on our most recent trip, many of the places I’d set out to check out & review hadn’t yet opened for the season. Being a coastal beach town, some places choose to wait until mid May/Memorial Day weekend to open.Most will open by May (some even April), but there are still those who wait for later & for them, We were a couple weeks shy! BUT, that’s ok, I’m going to show some pics and links to the places we did enjoy and then I’ll list a few “honorable mentions” that we will definitely be visiting next time!

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First off, if you’re a fan of takeout , food to-go that can be enjoyed whenever you wish, whether down on the beach,back at your hotel , or just in between shop stops, THIS will be your Go-To stop. Village Food Market is a super cute little grocery market, cafe, grill & deli all-in-one! With grocery items , prepared foods & made to order kitchen foods all available in wide variety , it’s our most visited eatery for sure! Not only do they offer Gluten Free bread and wraps for their sandwiches , they carry many specialty foods to fit many dietary styles & even Gluten free baked goods if you’re in need of a sweet treat! Their website even offers an order online option, easy to customize your order to make it dairy and gluten free, add veggies, etc… and then just take a short stroll from your hotel to pick it right up. We use this option for breakfast most mornings since we can order early and grab our coffee while picking it up & the kids can sleep in and eat in bed!🤗 Also, it may seem like more of a market and cafe suited for breakfast, snacks and lunch, BUT, don’t be fooled, they actually cook up some really delicious Dinner specials as well! Order it to go & enjoy it back at the hotel on the lawn or patio area.👌

Top:Egg sandwich on GF roll w/Avocado, spinach & tomato.

Bottom: Avocado toast on GF roll w/ spinach & roasted red pepper spread.

And now for the sit down , dining at type restaurants, topping our list would be BEACHFIRE Bar & Grille .

Almost their entire menu is Gluten-free with the exception of maybe 3 or so items. Staff is very well versed in gluten containing foods and even their fried foods are ALL GLUTEN FREE!! Ok, so fried Pickles may not count as a “healthfood” technically, BUT, when on vacation a small splurge is worth it! Being Gluten free, fried/breaded food is something I don’t find often, so when I do, I enjoy me some!😋 I just always make sure to add in as much plantbased veggie goodness as possible! Plenty of healthy options from burgers on GF , veggie burgers, sandwiches,  salads , BBQ and more. Hubby & I enjoy sharing some GF apps & then some loaded nachos (GF) topped with GF chicken & veggies, gauc’ (we ask for no cheese or sour cream) & a nice drizzle of one of their various GF bbq sauces.👌 (Want it all vegan? Just skip the meat and ask for extra beans!)

Another place our fam enjoyed was Nikanos Mediterranean Bar & Grille . If you’re a fan of Mediterranean style foods , this is a great lil’ spot. We sat outdoors since it was a nice evening, but even their indoors has an outdoor feel with its large doors that can be opened all the way up. We chose to eat sort of “family style” opting to order multiple smaller plates to share like the hummus/dip trio , eggplant spread, olive platter, and chicken & veggie skewers w/ vegan lemon tahini dip. Menu items are labeled GF and/or dairy free. The dips do come with regular pita chips and toast, but I was able to request cucumber spears for us GF people who prefer less grain & more veggies! 

Located right next door to the Village market , with a great center location & nice outdoor seating space, is Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza & Beer . While

Not a wide variety of GFCF Healthified foods, they do offer a Gluten-free pizza crust option  which you can load up with delicious veggie toppings and simply omit the cheese. It’s my go-to order at pizza places and you’d be surprised how delicious it tastes without the cheese when you have good toppings. They do also have Gluten-free wraps available during lunch hours for some sandwich options.

As for a couple of places I had been looking forward to visiting, but we’re unfortunately not open for the season just yet…

Loveshack juicery 💗 I can tell from the menu that this is definitely my sort of place! Healthy REAL fruit & greens & healthy ingredients for smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls! Next time… I’ll be there!!

Other honorable mentions that appeared to have multipl

GFCF/Vegan & healthier menu options :

Food for Thought

Brix & Brine

Heading out of Ogunquit & into Kittery ME , a MUST for a little sweet-treat , you have to STOP IN AT 

Lovebirds Donuts . It’s a MUST!! Ok, Donuts aren’t exactly a healthfood & these are sugar containing dessert foods, BUT, the facility is 100% VEGAN … AND offers a great selection of Gluten-free Donut flavors which changes often , for delicious variety!!! GFCF donuts that taste just like the real-deal is an Awesome find for us!! My oldest daughter & I always get a box full! It’s our FAV💗

If you’re like me & enjoy some retail therapy, Kittery has 

The Kittery Outlets as well as Kittery Trading Post which gives you something to do in the area after grabbing your donuts! 

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Another quaint town that’s worth driving to (about 20 or so min from Ogunquit) is Kennebunkport ME. Find yourself a parking place (street parking or public lots are available all around the main town center) & you’re set for the day, to roam & shop the many boutique stores, souvenir shops and visit the cafes, ice cream stops & tons of dining options! Kennebunkport actually has a great variety of restaurants that offer GFCF, healthy fare, but we didn’t get a chance to visit them this trip. We did however find my new FAV pit stop there, Fia Fia 💗💗💗 A healthy food lovers paradise!! Superfood lattes, fresh made smoothies (with true REAL fruit, greens, veggies… not fake sugar laden mixes!) .Açaí bowls , Avo toast & so much more!!! A MUST STOP.

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Kennebunkport also has multiple ice cream places that offer Vegan flavors as well! While there , Ben & Jerry’s was the only one open, but you’ll find others as you stroll the streets later in the season!

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And that’s that! We return to this location often, so future blog posts will come with more shoutouts & ideas of where to go, stay, dine & play! Hope you check it out sometime! It makes a great long weekend, or short few day ,midweek vaca. 

💗💗💗💗

~UniquelyBusyMom~

 

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Outfit-in-a-Box

Who doesn’t love an easy-peasy, comfy yet stylish Outfit in a Box !?
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I definitely do! Not too long ago, I shared my review of some Solid Black Leggings from Simpleaddiction.com which have turned into my MOST worn leggings of all time , especially under the current quarantine conditions that have us all living in our comfiest lounge wear! I’ve actually since purchased a few extra pairs so I can keep them on repeat daily. 😆😬Plus, you cant beat the price!
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But... I also decided to try out the Outfit in a Box deals that @simpleaddiction offers. I decided to choose 3 different styles... one which features their comfy leggings in a fun print, one that features their “Harem Shorts” and then one more dressy & stylish one for extra fun!
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Each boxed outfit consists of 3-5 pieces. The majority of 3 piece outfits are under $25 for the box! You get a coordinated Top & Bottom plus a fun accessory...which is a usually a great necklace that adds some great simple style to any outfit !
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Each selected outfit allows for you to choose the right size for each seperate item in your bundle. 👌
Sizing runs fairly true to size.... perhaps a bit on the smaller size.... so sizing up might not be a bad idea! I typically wear an XS and have been wearing a Small in everything.
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There are so many options to choose from... but here is a look at my 3 to give you an idea of the variety of different items:
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My TOP FAVOutfit in a Box of the 3 is definitely the FUN , dressy style I chose. This Skirt/Top/Necklace caught my eye for two reasons... 1, it was named the “Mila Outfit” which happens to be the Name of my soon2be new baby niece coming this June 😍🥰and 2, I also loved the color combo of it! The Yellow top is a Body-Suit which means it keeps the perfect “tucked in” look without riding up and untucking!!!  A total plus for a BusyMom who often has children climbing on her😂 The skirt is a simple elastic waist, toss right on, lightweight & perfect for summer whether dressed up w/a bold belt & some wedge heels or dressed down with casual sneakers or flip flops & a denim jacket. The Gold hexagon necklace finishes it off just right.

My second Outfit in a Box featured a pair of “Harem Shorts” which, like their leggings is some thing that Simpleaddiction.com carries in all sorts of colors and patterns. They’re a super thin, lightweight stretchy tee shirt like material that would work for everything from at home comfy loungewear to errand running, to workout shorts to the perfect swimsuit/beach coverup or even dressed up with a heel and fancier top! I went for an Outfit in a Box option that had them in my go-to  solid black color and paired w/ an adorable comfy tee which has my beloved Camo print on the sleeves!It feels like wearing Pajamas it’s so comfy! Each item is versatile and I plan to wear both top and bottoms with other wardrobe pieces often. And, again the simple but bold silver triangle necklace is one I’ll definitely wear often! All 3 pieces together were under $25!

And the 3rd Outfit in a Box I chose was one featuring their leggings... this time instead of my fav solid black color, they’re Camo-Print & paired with cute & simple comfy tee with the word “SMILE”

written across it in cursive. 👌😊 It was the prefect little something to perk up my everyday basic loungewear...

For $20 for all 3: leggings, Tee & necklace,I couldn’t go wrong! And this Tee & necklace will definitely be on repeat paired with any jeans or denim shorts and a cute cardi or button down tossed on w/it.....or even a cropped jacket ....again either dressed up w/some heels or totally dressed down  with some cute comfy kicks or sandals. 

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Simple, comfy, Mix & Match versatile pieces.

Check out the large variety of options here:

Simple Addiction - Outfit in a Box

Surviving the quarantine of 2020 by Making fun Memories!
Let’s help eachother keep Busy, while staying Happy & HEALTHY at Home!

Here’s just a few more simple fun ideas to keep the kiddos busy, having fun & learning too!

Sticky Web catch:

 
It’s basically just what you see in the photo (which is very old & blurry, sorry, but gives you the general idea.)
        All you need:
-Large roll of  DUCT TAPE. (We used painters tape in this photo and it isn’t as sticky)
-construction paper or paper bags or anything you can crumple up into a ball.
*find a doorway or entryway in your home that allows enough space to stand back and toss. Simple create your “web” by sticking up long pieces of duct tape with the tricky side facing whichever side you will be tossing your “spiders” from.
*meanwhile have the kids crumple up pieces of construction paper or paper bags into small balls. If they want to get extra creative and attach pipe cleaner antennas or draw eyes or anything they can! If not, just a balled up piece of lightweight paper will do!
*stand back facing the sticky side of the web & take turns tossing your spiders and seeing who can get the most to stick.
Add a challenge: create lines on the floor and start from closest and work your way to furthest seeing who can get their spider on the web from each distance first.

                                          Oil&Water OCEAN in a BOTTLE:

All you need:

Glass jar w/lid

Oil (Vegetable oils are best!)

Water

Food coloring (Blue , but feel free to change it up if you prefer!)*This is an old classic & easy experiment almost all kids do at some point& it’s always super fun! Just take your jar & fill it up half way with water & mix in a couple drops of blue food coloring (or whichever color you choose) , then slowly pour in your oil to fill the rest of the jar. The oil and water will separate as it sits creating two distinct layers. Tip the jar sideways and create  Ocean Waves by rocking it gently side to side! For extra fun try dropping in beads , glitter, shells, tiny rocks or toys into the jar. It creates a fun sort of manual “lava lamp” like toy / sensory bottle. **Always make sure your kid is on very tight!!

BONUS: Find a you tube video for kids that explains what oil & water don’t mix and gives the 

lesson behind your experiment!! 

Dinner on a Stick:

All you need:

Hot Dog or Sausage of some sort

(Precooked! Most are, but just check)

Long stick or skewer

 (we used real sticks from our yard & wiped them down)

-Open fire pit

(Although you can use you inside fireplace if you like or if weather isn’t good for outdoors.

*obviously this is one that requires close supervision! Kids & open fires & sticks ... well, you know! 😬

But, it’s super FUN!!! My kiddos LOVE doing this! They like to pretend they’re “roughing it” in the wilderness. All you do is literally put their hot dog or sausage link (we use precooked organic GFCF variety)

onto the end of their stick and have them slowly roast them over the flames until heated enough to 

eat! 

Hot Cocoa Dunkers:

   

All you need:

Chocolate chips

(Or a bar broken up)

Plastic spoons

Ice cube tray

Optional: sprinkles, nuts, mini marshmallows

-a simple, no bake treat to enjoy with hot cocoa. Perfect for a cozy night in together.

Start with melting your chocolate. I use a pot with water at the very bottom, over whoch inplaceaglase bowl that sits on the top nicely (as pictured above) I place my chocolate into the glass bowl & turn on the burner. As water comes to a boil, I turn heat down and continually stir the chocolate until it has melted into a smooth and pourable consistency. 

*place your plastic spoons , spoon side down into each cube of your empty ice cube tray. Cover each 

by filling the cube with your melted chocolate. If you like you can add is sprinkles, chopped nuts or mini marshmallows. Carefully place them into freezer and allow to fill harden. When done, popthem out and you have a tasty dunkable chocolate treat to stir into your hot cocoa.

Rock Painting:

All you need: 

Craft Paint

Paintbrushes 

Rocks

* as simple as it sounds! My kids have done this for years and years.... at every age & still find it fun! Use it as another great way to get fresh air & go for a rock hunting walk. Let them find small rocks of  all shapes and sizes , then sit outside on a drop cloth or grass (or inside if need be) and paint away! You can keep them in a vase later on to admire as decor, they can make garden stones (most paints will wash away from rain after a while though) , planter decor, make them look like animals or creatures, glue eyes on, add glitter, whatever they want! Just something different to paint besides paper. 

Wall mural:

All you need:

Giant roll of paper or poster boards or just whole bunch of small paper you can piece together!

*cover a large area of wall with paper using whatever tape you like. Painters tape is a great choice as it peels off easily. Obviously you want to do this in a room that you aren’t super picky about should some mess be made! We have a spare room that we use for all things messy and don’t care how “creative” the kids get in there! 😆 BUT, you can also do this outside and cover a patio table top with paper and tip it on its side. That’s works great!! If indoors, cover the floor beneath the mural wall 

with a drop cloth of some sort. Bring out the paints and brushes and let hem go!! This photo above is  from several years ago.... when my babies were still babies🤗😢We chose to learn about the Colors of the rainbow (using you tube and Pinterest and my prior knowledge I actually still remembered 😆)  Good ol’ ROY G. BIV (Red orange yellow green blue indigo and violet too!) , we learned a song from a cute you tube video too! And then we painted away to show what we had learned and left a beautiful masterpiece that remained up for months!

Outdoor Picnic meal: 

Yep just what it looks like! Sometimes just doing the same ol’ thing in a different location makes it way more fun & a change of scenery is always good! If the sun is shining, take lunch outside and sit on a big blanket & enjoy.

Living Room Campout:

Again, exactly how it sounds! Self explanatory! It’s all about switching up locations & typical scenery. Put a mattress into living room, make an extra special  dessert, put on a good movie and let everyone campout together in the living room! So simple but so exciting for the kids. 

Remember, it’s all about Making Memories!! They will remember these things forever.... I know from experince🥰I spend my time recreating all my own favorite childhood memories for my own lil trio now.

 Surviving the big Quarantine of 2020 -
 Lets help eachother stay HAPPY & HEALTHY and BUSY !

                      Kids crafts:

DIY Bird Houses :

 

Sock Caterpillar 

This one’s an oldie but goodie! My son was so little in this pic 💗☺️

All you need:

Old sock

Stuffing or Cotton Balls

Elastics/rubber bands

Pipe cleaner

   Googley eyes 

( eyes are optional, you can just draw them on if needed)

Just fill the sock w/stuffing, use rubber bands to tie off each section to create the caterpillar shape, making the bottom section slightly larger as this will be the Face. Take your pipe cleaner and twist around to form it’s antennas, glue on your eyes (or draw them) ... optional:draw a happy smiling mouth!  

-Leaf People

All you need:

Paper

Glue

Googley eyes (or you can cut eye shapes put of paper)

Leaves and/or stems & small sticks 

-enjoy some fresh air & go outside to collect leaves of all shapes and sizes , their different stems & any small sticks.... even small rocks or wood chips or pieces of bark etc.

-bring them inside and arrange them however you like to form your “leaf person”

-glue them onto your base paper, use stems & sticks for arms and legs. Glue on your eyes. See how many different ones you can create!

-TP Flyers

All you need:

Empty Toilet paper or Paper towel rolls 

Other cardboard (old pizza boxes, shoe boxes, packages of any sort...)

Scissors 

Glue or stapler (stapler holds better & works faster!)

Cut hole for the airplane “seat” into your empty roll/tube. Cut your wing shape from other cardboard.

 Use glue OR stapler to affix the wings to bottom of your tube. Use markers and stickers to decorate. 

Use small action figures of any sort to “fly” your new planes!

-Newspaper Shark face

All you need:

Old newspaper (you can also just use paper, newspaper just makes it look cool & makes good use of old papers you would otherwise toss.

Blue paper (dark & light.)

Black paper

White paper

Googley eyes

Use a full sheet of light blue paper (or other light background color) as your base paper. Take your piece of newspaper and cut out the shape of the sharks head. Glue it onto your paper from the bottom up (so it touches bottom). Take your dark blue paper and cut a strip of wave like design across the bottom. Take your wave strip and glue it so it’s covering bottom of your shark. Take your black paper and cute out a mouth shape. Glue to middle of shark head. Cut sharp teeth from white paper and glue them into the mouth.

*BONUS: find a fun book about sharks or a you tube video and watch it before creating your shark.

Here are a couple others that are pretty self explanatory by the photos:

Surviving the Quarantine of 2020:
 Let’s help eachother stay busy, active, HAPPY & HEALTHY!!

Walking adventures to nowhere & games to play along the way.😄

So, we all quite obviously NEED Fresh Air & a way to keep our bodies moving & active and get some energy outa the kiddos right!? My trio & I love a nice walk & often walk a couple miles to the center of our town where we can make fun stops at the local cafes & restaurants or the park and library.... BUT under the current circumstances those destinations are a No-Go!😮 Whoch leaves us with only the long WALK part....no real certain destination. So, the monotony of walking aimlessly to nowhere can quickly become just as “boring”

to the kids as staying inside the house does after a couple days. BUT... if you turn the Walk to Nowhere into playtime/GAMEtime/Adventure time then it becomes more about what you’re doing than where you’re going and when you’ll be done. So here are a few of our TOP Fav Games to Play as we walk to nowhere! 🤗

(Bonus: These games are also educational and keep those little minds working hard & learning as they go!)

1: Find the ABC’s !! Literally that... FIND each letter of the alphabet as you walk... it could be on a street sign, a license plate, a doormat OR it could be the shape of a leaf, branch, plant, markings in the dirt .... anything and everything counts! Just find each letter as you go from

a-Z! (You can also do a numbers version too)

2: Alphabet game- No not the same as #1 😆 This time working your way through all 26 letters find an object that begins with the letter! It could be on yourself, your name, something you see on the ground, at a house, on a car.... anything! Be creative!! We thought we were stuck on letter Q today until we realized my daughters name is Quin😂😂. Or for letter I , my daughter found what she called an “itty bitty fence” which was actually a garden edge/frame... basically looked like a picket fence but very “itty bitty” as she said!😬😆 So, it’s a  perfectly acceptable letter “I” find. 👌🏻

3: I Spy! We take turns looking around and finding something we want the rest to guess. We say aloud: “I spy with my little eye, something.....” and then give subtle hints until someone has guessed it! It could be a vehicle up ahead, some price of house decor, a garden bloom, a tree, an animal, your own shoe, a cloud... whatever u spy.

4: Nature Scavenger hunt: Quickly write down  random items that can be found in nature in your area (or the area you plan to walk) Bring it along and check them off until they’re all found! Next time you walk, write a different list! Take turns each writing one.

5: Simon says. Yes, the basic childhood classic game. Same exact rules. Just this time you’re on the move. I mean, the neighbors may have a laugh if they glance out the window as Simon says for everyone to do the floss or the running man as you work your way down the street, but who couldn’t use some free entertainment right now!?😜 (skip, hop, leap, spin, jump, walk backwards, hop on one foot, rub your nelly&pat your head.... Simon can say all sorts of things!

6: “Treasure Hunt” grab a bag of some sort that your kids can easily carry & let them hunt for “treasure” along the way! It can be anything : different colored leaves, small rocks of different shapes and colors or ones that are shiny & sparkle.... shells if you’re by the water, sticks, stems, flowers, whatever catches their lil eyes! Collect them in the bag and then bring them home and sort through them all and take a closer look. Maybe some can even be used for arts& Crafts in some way!

I know I have many more ideas and I will try to share them as I think of them, but wanted to get his out there for all of you!! We just got back in from a lovely walk to nowhere and we found all sorts of A-Z goodies and Our little eyes spied a ton! ☺️😊

Leggings, coffee & dry shampoo!! 💓

Who doesn’t love the #legginglife right!? 

Im all for a good pair of jeans & heels every now& then, but that’s most def not my everyday #reallife ... especially being a busy homeschooling special needs Mom! Not that you need a prerequisite to LOVE living in leggings. You basically just need to LOVE being comfortable! 😬

.

So, anyhow, I know I promised you all a product review of my current Fav’s.... the Black Solid Leggings from SimpleAddiction.com

They are the most important basic staple to a comfortable, practical, functional yet easily adaptable wardrobe. 

One can never go wrong purchasing a pair of simple BLACK LEGGINGS because they are a multiple use , basic staple type item. 

 I put these Black Solid Leggings  on & the comfort level is to the point that I don’t even feel like I’m wearing pants!😂😂They are on the thin side as far as the fabric goes (hence the barely even feeling them!)  which at first made me a little hesitant about them if I’m being honest. BUT, it’s actually the very same thing that I wound up loving most about them because it actually makes them all the more versatile! They are still just thick enough to be worn on their own with a cute Tunic or cozy loose sweater ,but yet also 
pair perfectly under cute little dresses or skirts. They fit perfectly snug against my skin with no puckering or 
gathering when I kneel or sit & even a slim fitting knee high boot easily glides right over them with no bunching!

 I have worn mine for everything from Pajamas & lounge wear around the house ,long neighborhood walks and playground fun with the kiddos & then dressed them right up and fit for a “night out” with a cute dressy tunic & knee 

high boots or heels! I’ve also found that they will make the BEST base layer for under the upcoming winter season 

clothing, especially for all those winter activities that require the dreaded layers of winter gear 🥶. At least I know I can 

just slide the snow pants right on over these & upon 

returning to the warmth of the indoors I can slide off the 

snow pants & be good2go! The perfect dual purpose under 

layer turned main layer item!!👌

        I also absolutely love the high waist! It doesn’t dig in at all like others I’ve had and being its thin it doesn’t feel like an extra bulky layer under your shirt. It is a true high waist that stays in place without sliding down which means no matter how low I squat or bend while chasing the kids or climbing around and regardless of my shirt length they always have perfect full coverage without having to tug and readjust! 

Just a really great basic Staple item to have a few pairs of... 

and the price makes that easily doable!! Find them on 
SimpleAddiction.com & while there definitely shop around 
for some other colors and patterns as well as super cute 

tops, dresses, accessories and more!

Or, to get right to the leggings use this link: Black Solid Leggings
I find the fit true to size and because they are thin with a lot of stretch the sizing is forgiving. I went with size “TEEN” which is the equivalent of XS which is my typical size for leggings and I find the fit just right.

Check them out! Hope you love!! 💓

BONUS DIY DRY SHAMPOO RECIPE:

-1/4 Arrowroot Powder

-2Tbs. Raw Cacao powder

-*optional 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil or combo of oils. Some that are good for hair: Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree or just add a citrus for a refreshing scent! 

*apply using a large makeup brush and rub into scalp and through your pots. Run fingers through hair or comb well to distribute it evenly and shake out the excess! That’s it! Ready2go & no one will be the wiser .... I won’t even tell you how long I can go between washes!😂😂 #busymomlife