Style Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Comfy & Cute Styles from NYFifth

October 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thank you NYFifth for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

The other day I made a realization about a habit of mine – and it’s one I bet many of you fellow mamas have struggled with, too. I love buying clothes for my kids, and I’m really good at making sure they stay in well-maintained, fitting and season-appropriate wardrobes. However, my closet and drawers consist mainly of clothing I’ve had for YEARS! What is it with this habit of being so on-the-ball with clothing our kids, but overlooking ourselves? Let’s make a change, starting with these cute & comfy styles from NYFifth!

Comfy & Cute Styles from NYFifth #ad #nyfifth #giftideas

When NYFifth reached out to me about trying out some of their clothing (and guys, there is SO MUCH to choose from!) I was thrilled! Not only were there plenty of cute choices, but the pricing was definitely worth celebrating. Come on, mama needs new clothes every now and then, too, right? 😉 After chatting a bit about what I wanted to try the most, it was clear that I really wanted some new, comfy pj pants – because, let’s be honest, something new and cute to relax in is just what the doctor ordered.

When they arrived, hubby laughed at me because I was so excited – but it felt almost like Christmas, geting something for myself for a change. The timing was PERFECT, as we’ve been in a hotel for several weeks (don’t worry, that crazy story is yet to come) and something I can just lounge and be comfortable in was welcomed – especially since both these pajama bottoms were adorable! Yes, we can have comfort and style at the same time – mama win!

Just look at the cute fake buttons for a stylish accent, or the nice pockets. Even though it’s fall, here in Texas has been HOT as usual, so these 100% cotton lightweight pants with covered waistband and cute satin tie were a great choice. I still felt cool, but totally comfortable ‘chilling’ in the hotel room with my kiddos.

There’s a cold-front coming (or if the weather’s in that strange in-between stage where you need light but a bit ‘more’), so these fashion flannel pants WITH POCKETS are fantastic. These come in several color choices – of course I picked my favorite, purple – and have a drawstring so you can adjust for the perfect fit.

Is it bad that I used the excuse of ‘trying these out for work’ to be a little bit lazy the other day? I mean, we moms don’t often get a break, so any excuse is a relief! I love how comfortable these are, and they’re just the right amount of thickness to stay a bit warm when it starts cooling down, but still ‘cool’ enough for hot Texas. I love flexibility!

Even when the limited hotel room seats were taken by the kiddos while we watched some shows, I didn’t mind as long as I could be in my new comfy pants. I’m a huge fan of feeling like I can move, sit, and relax however I choose without having to adjust my clothing – and these were exactly right.

I love the little accent stripe along the bottom of the pant legs on this one, too. Makes it kind of stand out, be a bit more fashionable. Even if they are just pj pants, doesn’t mean we can’t look great, right?

And seriously, POCKETS! How many pajama pants for women have actual, decent sized, usable pockets? Love it!

As if you needed even more reason to check out NYFifth, you can choose logo embroidery or screen printing on ALL of their apparel and accessories! That means for fun family matching tshirts on your next trip, or embroidered hats for all your employees. The possibilities are endless with so many choices of comfy and cute styles from NYFifth!

Simple Beauty Tips for Busy Moms

June 25, 2018 by Danielle

I’m not big into beauty and fashion. Don’t get me wrong, I love to look good and occasionally get completely dolled up – but for everyday stuff, I just don’t have the time and energy to put too much effort into it. I’m trying to do better at my self-care, though, so wanted to share a few Simple Beauty Tips for Busy Moms in case you’re also struggling. We’re all beautiful, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to spend a little time on ourselves each morning, right? 😉

Don’t worry – this isn’t a tutorial on how to apply blush the ‘right’ way or the best color for your skin tone. I don’t consider myself knowledgeable or experienced enough in the slightest to be teaching someone that stuff! But just some simple beauty tips for helping make the most of what little time you get to get yourself ready for the day.

1. Make the most of overnight facials. There are facials that can help with everything, from skin repair to moisturization. Simply apply it before bed and wash it off in the morning. Might help you feel a bit ‘pampered’ too!

2. Find a hairstyle that works for you. I love experimenting with my hair, but always need to keep it low-maintenance. Your best bet is to find a style that will look great when it air-dries. If not, find the hairstyle that will be easiest for you to style when in a hurry.

3. Know that dry shampoo is your friend. I was introduced to this wonderful invention last year on my Hawaii trip when we were very busy and exhausted. Instead of washing your hair and styling it every day, you might consider using dry shampoo in between washes. This will keep your locks looking like they’ve been freshly washed. I love it!

4. Invest in a great concealer. A concealer can keep your skin looking radiant. It will help prevent those dark circles from sleepless nights looking noticeable – because none of us want to look like a racoon even though we may feel as vicious and low-patience as one!

5. Choose the right lip products. Although you might opt for a lipstick, lip glosses can actually be a better option. They can give your entire face a sun-kissed, radiant glow and the right brand may even add moisture to your lips. Plus you don’t have to worry about smudges or teeth marks as much.

6. Follow a skin care routine. It may seem time consuming, but exfoliating when you shower and then applying moisturizer afterwards will only take a few extra minutes of your time. It will help your skin looking youthful and radiant! And don’t forget to wash your face every morning and night – I know, it’s tiring, but it’s super important for keeping your skin healthy and looking its best.

These are just a few simple beauty tips for busy moms to make our lives a tiny bit easier! Looking and feeling beautiful doesn’t have to take hours of your time, thank goodness. Simply making the most of the time you do get can help you develop and stick to a great beauty routine.

What are your best simple beauty tips?

Mom’s Day for Herself

September 6, 2017 by Danielle

I was provided clothing by prAna to enjoy & help facilitate this post, but all opinions are mine alone. #WhereDoYouprAna

How often do us moms get so busy, that we’re lucky to even eat all our meals (hopefully still warm) and get an okay amount of sleep at night? Too many times we have no time or energy left for ourselves, but that’s actually not good for anyone. If we don’t have a chance to unwind, relax and even have some fun with our own things occasionally, we get worn out or even grumpy (gasp!). That’s why it’s crucial that moms take a Mom’s Day for Herself every now and then. I decided to make this a priority and recently started DANCING!

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Okay, don’t laugh – if you know me, I’m about as graceful as an elephant and completely out of shape, so dancing doesn’t seem the right fit. But that’s just it – it’s something I WANTED to do, for myself, to enjoy, grow and learn. To improve myself, while having a fun time! Along with starting dance, I’m doing more exercise and eating healthier because it’s helped me realize just how unhealthy and weak I was. I’m working on getting myself more healthy and strong. And hey – I’ve even lost quite a bit of weight, which is a definite bonus!

Is it easy to fit in my dancing or exercising with my family’s crazy schedules? Absolutely not! But we made it a priority, and hubby’s on board fully supporting me and has even commented how much happier I seem since I started taking my ‘mom days’. It does mean I have to say no to some extra activities or events the kids may want to do, but taking this time makes me a better mom overall so it’s a win-win for everyone. I also like to think that I’m setting a good example to my kids about the importance of taking time from the busy-ness of life and doing something you enjoy, as well as the importance of being healthy and having a strong body.

By the way, it was also a good excuse for some adorable and COMFORTABLE new clothes to wear while practicing my dance – like this Daria Sweater Hoodie from prAna! It’s soft and warm, but since it’s shorter sleeved you can still wear it when it’s not super cold outside. I’ve always been a fan of sweaters, and love the coloring and style of this one – plus the front pocket is awesome! I have it in Muted Truffle, but there’s other colors available, as well.

You can’t do dance without very comfortable and free-moving pants, so this pair of prAna Mantra Pants in Black Herringbone are perfect! They’re plenty loose around my legs so they don’t restrict my leg steps and movements, but they fit perfectly around my hips and waist so stay in place comfortable. I could wear these out for errands, or lounging around the house. I love flexibility in my clothing!

Use code MHMDR15 for 15% off your prAna purchase!

I also have a new sense of accomplishment each time I can do a new dance figure or step that I struggled with before, or when I can do one more push up than I did my last workout. I’m progressing, and I gives me such a great feeling! Now, am I ready for an actual dance competition? Not even close 🙂 But the whole point is I’m trying, I’m growing as a person and my mood is so much better than when I was focusing only on the kids or hubby’s needs or activities. I feel happier, healthier, stronger, and even feel more love towards my family – maybe it’s because they do have to help extra or sacrifice an extra thing or two for me instead of me doing all the sacrificing.

Whatever the reason, I’m so glad I finally took the dive and made having some time for myself a priority. It’s made a difference in so many ways, and I’m sure it would help so many other moms who just feel burnt out because they put themselves last ALL. THE. TIME. I don’t believe that’s healthy to do constantly – I mean, as moms of course our family comes first and we do make plenty of sacrifices – but that doesn’t mean you never get time or something for yourself. Make it a priority, and just see what an amazing difference it can make in your life!

Check out how prAna keeps their fashion line sustainable!

Don’t forget to use code MHMDR15 for 15% off your prAna purchase!

What would you choose to do for YOUR Mom’s Day?

DIY No Slip Headband

July 26, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Schwarzkopf. All opinions are mine alone. #KeratinColor #KeratinCares

As a busy mom, I really need ways to keep my hair out of my face. Headbands are great, as long as they don’t keep sliding. Now you can easily solve that problem with this simple DIY No Slip Headband. I love being able to leave my hair down – especially when it’s color is so bright after a fresh coloring in my favorite shade of red – while still not fighting with hair getting in my eyes!

You heard that right – I’m now sporting a bit more red in my hair, which is my favorite and makes me feel more like myself than my regular brunette shade. Since I don’t have a ton of time or money to spend on my hair, though, it’s a relief that I can get professional quality hair color in my own home that not only offers flattering colors (love my red tints!) but also cares for the hair. A little bit ago I grabbed a box of Schwarzkopf Keratin Color in Warm Mahogany 5.6 during my Walmart trip and was so excited to give my hair some lovin’.

Although I don’t personally need or care that it offers 100% gray coverage, I do love that Schwarzkopf Keratin Color cares for my hair while coloring, with less hair breakage and the pre-treatment for a more even color result. They’ve got some beautiful, intense colors to choose from, so you can find whatever best fits your style! It’s not that I don’t really like my regular brunette hair color, like before….

…but I absolutely LOVE my red coloring! Plus, the shine and soft feel of my hair after coloring is a definite bonus – probably because of the pre-treatment, which is easy to use and really helps the quality and value of the coloring. You need to follow the instructions on the box exactly, just like I did, for best results.

Color Your Hair with Schwarzkopf Keratin Color

To test for allergies, follow the instructions for the ‘patch test’ beforehand.
Do the special pre-treatment as stated in the instructions
Be sure to use gloves for mixing the products together and for application
Apply as directed, then set a timer for the designated time instructed
When it’s time, rinse thoroughly with warm water until it runs clear
Use the conditioner as instructed, leaving on 2 minutes before rinsing
Enjoy your new, beautiful hair color!

I can’t get over how bright and shiny the red in my hair is, especially in the sunlight! I’ve always really enjoyed playing with my hair – the styles, cuts and colors – because it’s a way to show my own personality and mix things up a bit. Schwarzkopf Keratin Color makes it easy to do at home, avoiding more time and hassle. Us busy moms can sure appreciate the convenience and quality they offer!

You can even TRY IT FREE, so there’s no stress or worry – pick your own favorite shade and find out for yourself why it’s such a great coloring option!

Now let’s let that new pretty hair color show while keeping our hair up out of our way with this fun DIY No Slip Headband. You can even just skip the first step and use the last steps to make a normal headband, or one you already have on-hand, so that it’s no slip as well.

Supplies Needed

Fabric of choice (I did a silky, solid grey then a white and grey patterned in the same silky material)
Thread & sewing machine
Hot Glue/Gun
Two Hair Clips

Directions

Cut your fabric so it’s a little wider than you’d like, and a tiny bit longer than you need it around. Placing the pretty sides of the fabric together, sew along the edges ALMOST all the way around. Flip it right-side-out so the pretty sides are now facing the correct way, then sew closed that remaining opening.
On the under-side of your headband, do two long strips of hot glue, keeping it as smooth and even as possible. This adds a little buffer against your hair to help with the slipping a bit.
Decide where you feel best with your 2 clips under the headband (so it’ll be clipping into your hair underneath the headband) – I do about 1″ to either side of the middle of the top of my head. Add a dot of glue in one of the spots, then place a clip there (careful that it doesn’t get glue too much in it so it’s then glued closed – just so it’s secure to the headband). Repeat on the other side with the other clip.
Once dried, you’re ready for your no slip headband! Just slide on the headband, then do each of the clips to secure it to your hair – then it’s not going anywhere without your permission!

I love showing off my beautiful new red hair, and this headband let’s me keep it down and shining without fighting it out of my face while I handle the million things us moms have going on 🙂 Check out Schwarzkopf Keratin Color on Facebook or Instagram for more coloring ideas and fun.

Which Schwarzkopf Keratin Color would YOU choose?

DIY Star Wars Lightsaber Skirt

April 10, 2016 by Danielle

I’m sure by now y’all know how much my family LOVES Star Wars – from the original movies, to Clone Wars and Rebels series, and especially the new ones – they’re fantastic! So, naturally, we also really love doing crafts and projects that go along with it, such as this fun DIY Lightsaber Skirt. It’s actually really easy to create, plus you can customize it how you like!

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I figured it was only appropriate to wear it along with my DIY Star Wars Rebels shirt, and hubby requested I get at least some pics with my lightsaber – we all made our own during our last visit to Disneyland and are thrilled with any excuse to get them out.

Supplies

Skirt of choice – prewashed
Puffy fabric paints – lightsaber colors, plus black or dark grey for the hilt
Fabric spray paint – to add that ‘glow’ look
Scrap paper (large piece)

Note: if your fabric is thin, the paints may leak through – you can stick a piece of cardboard underneath to save your surface.

Directions

Lay out your skirt flat. Use your black/grey puffy fabric paint and draw an outline of hilts all around the edges of the skirt. It’s mostly some lines – you can look at my example.
Carefully use the colored puffy paints to do a lightsaber above each hilt all around the skirt. Take a scrap piece of paper, with a rough lightsaber shape cut out in it, and hold it a few inches or so above each lightsaber – then spray the fabric spray paint. This helps it not have ‘sharp’ edges, as it would if you held it close.
If you WANT, randomly spray black and/or yellow fabric spray paint all over the skirt. I did for a more ‘galaxy’ look so it had more dimension/coloring to it.
Allow everything to dry, then show it off!

I stuck to the ‘main’ lightsaber colors of green, blue, red – and had to add Mace Windu’s purple, just like the one I made! I was thrilled with how the lightsaber skirt turned out, and plan to try one on a black skirt, next! Wouldn’t that look so neat with a black background, colorful lightsabers, and a spattering of yellow/white for stars and galaxies? Can’t wait to see how that one works out!

It’d be great to wear on your next Disney trip, so head over to Get Away Today and book yours now – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for $10 off your package. Don’t forget your Activity & Autograph Book! Then whip up this skirt for some extra Star Wars fun!

Other Star Wars fun….

Easy DIY Shirts

February 14, 2016 by Danielle

Do your kids like having certain shirts because they have their favorite characters? Now you can whip up a bunch of shirts just for them with the EXACT look they want – just pick a tutorial from this list of Easy DIY Shirts!

We’ve made several of our own shirts over the past year – from Star Wars Rebels for our Disneyland trip, to Big Hero 6 characters and even some Frozen fun! Yes, I even put together some Transformers and Minion shirts for the kiddos before our exciting Universal Studios trip with Family Forward! They’re super easy, they get to PICK what they want, and if you’re able to nab the basic shirts on clearance you can save a LOT of money.

DIY No-Sew Sequin Scissor T-shirt

I love how cute & fun this is – let your sparkle shine

Big Hero 6 Glitter Shirts

My kiddos STILL love these shirts, and the sparkles have lasted a lot more washes than I thought they would which was a HUGE bonus

Make Your Own Bleached Out Mickey Shirt

I never thought of bleaching out your favorite shapes – and the fact that they chose Mickey makes me love the idea even more!

Star Wars Rebels Shirts you can make Yourself

Whether you’re a Rebels fan, prefer the originals or want something totally different, this tutorial is perfect! We followed the same instructions for our Transformer shirts, too

Your Own Text Shirt DIY

The sky really is the limit with this one!

DIY Lace Insert T-shirt

Oh my gosh, I’m totally crushing on adding lace to a plain t-shirt to really glam it up and show your style!

Frozen DIY Painted Shirts

The kids had a BLAST making these ones, and I was thrilled to give them an activity that also helped stock their closet

DIY Dolman Shirt

These types of shirts are super comfy, and I wish I had more in my closet – good to know they’re easy to make myself

DIY Mrs. Glitter Shirt Tutorial

Again, glitter = awesome! What saying would YOU choose?

Other DIY Round-ups you may like…

DIY Shaving Caddy

December 9, 2015 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiftofPhilips #CollectiveBias

You know those people on your holiday list that are just really difficult to shop for? My hubby is one of those – because everything on his list is way above our current budget! Since we just moved and ‘misplaced’ some things, it’d be really nice to get him something to help him on a daily basis – like the Multigroom 5100 grooming kit. I also made a fun DIY Shaving Caddy where he can easily store his razor, attachments, plus his other essentials in easily-moved and easily-washed storage. Then I put it with other items to make a Hot Date Night Gift for Hubby!

My hubby is a hairy man – he can shave every morning and by evening his face has some scruff on it. He enjoys a clean feel, but to be honest – he’s picky about what he uses! I love that the Philips Norelco Multigroom 5100 men’s grooming kit comes with a fully washable, turbo-powered trimmer, detail trimmer, mini foil shaver, beard and stubble combs, nose trimmer, and a hair clipping comb. It’s like everything he could need! I even grabbed the last one one the shelf at our local Target…

It only took me about 30 minutes to put together the DIY Shaving Caddy – and it could work for all sorts of things, not just shaving supplies!

Supplies

Washcloth or hand-towel (1 per row)
Sewing machine/thread/scissors/etc.
Ribbon or something to hang it with

Directions

Fold the bottom of your washcloth up to create your pocket.
Sew the two side edges.
Sew inside to create more pocket compartments.
Sew a ribbon or something to attach your rows together – up along both side edges.
Tie to a hanger, if desired.

I gathered a bunch of things that’d be great for him to store inside his new caddy…some items he already has, as well as new ones like the Multigroom 5100 set.

Some other things I got for our ‘hottie date night’ were sparkling cider, and even a nice new shirt for him to wear on the date!

Now he can put his best face forward with the nice, clean shave he enjoys (and I sure like it, too!) – plus store it in a handy place!

What would YOU put in your own caddy?

Let Your Tween Show Her Style

December 3, 2015 by Danielle

My daughter is really into fashion – not as in following whatever the current trend is, but in dressing to show her own unique personality and fun sense of style. She hates being in near-uniform at school, but luckily outside of class I can Let my Tween Show Her Style!

I only have one girl, remember, and she’s 9 going on 16! She was furious when we moved from a semi-lenient dress code school district until now where it’s basically a uniform. She likes to pick and choose her clothes, switch them up to make cool trends, and really SHINE! When I told her we were going to swing by Justice to nab her a few outfits, it was like Christmas already! She loves that store – and not just because the variety of fun & stylish clothing options. The set-up is super nice – they clearly show where the Pj area is, snow attire, the more casual, etc. And it’s great that their friendly staff has sample outfits matched up on the displays to get her stylish ideas flowing.

I think she’d buy half the store if I let her, crazy tween girl! Justice is THE go-to destination for stylish tween girls this holiday season. Whether shopping in-store or online, Justice makes it easy and hassle-free for anyone with a tween girl in their life to find great holiday gifts! It’s like my girl can’t wait to get home from school just so she can put on a new outfit – and she’s always up for a photo opp!

So what if you want to pick out some clothes for your tween to surprise her with Christmas morning? No worries – now you don’t have to stress out about shopping for the tween in your life! The Justice Holiday Gift Guide makes it easy to find the perfect gift on Shopjustice.com.

Is your girl a trend setter? A mega athlete? Maybe a girly girl? Justice’s Justice Holiday Gift Guide makes shopping for every girl easy and fun! They have such a variety – my dancing, twirling, book reading, rough-housing, tomboy sweetheart of a girl finds the PERFECT things to really let her personality SHINE!

Snap a photo of your tween’s holiday wish to enter into the Justice Wishes Sweepstakes between 12/1 and 12/24 to win weekly amazing prizes like $250 Justice gift cards or a shopping spree!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.