Mom Hacks, Tips & Tricks

Maybe you've had a hard day and decide to indulge in some self-care, or maybe you’re on a mission to revive yourself for 2021 by doing some things to make yourself look and feel a little better. I finally get that self-care alone time and find myself scrolling through tutorials & IG stories from self-proclaimed beauty gurus and wondering, "Wait, do I need these products their slanging at me?" I know I'm not alone in wanting to keep things simple, or not having the time to do a 15 step routine every day. I mean who honestly does? Instead of wasting time or our hard-earned money, I have turned to some of the greatest beauty gurus and asked them what...

At the end of one year, and start of a new one, you often see post after post, story after story, of best of lists and resolution ideas. There are stories about why resolutions are a good idea or a bad idea or why bother. I’m not a resolution person; it just doesn’t fit with my personality. I don’t like to set myself up for failure. Resolution Alternatives In the past, I’ve been a word of the year person. At the beginning of the year I would choose a word or phrase, and throughout the year, I would remind myself of that word and reflect on it when I needed it. One year I choose “calm.” It was what I needed...

Among friends and family, there’s a specific recipe that I’m known for: White Chicken Chili. What’s funny is that this is not a complicated recipe, it’s actually super easy to throw together for any amount of people, but everyone loves it and every fall it’s inevitable that someone will text me asking for the recipe. With all the holiday hustle and bustle, I love a meal that can be made with minimal ingredients in the crockpot. Plus it's even better the next day! My mom has cooked this chili for as long as I can remember and I’ve made a few changes over the years: one being the omission of corn because my husband is allergic, but you could...

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays approaching, I thought this would be a good time to share a small gift for those in your life you're thankful for. Maybe you gift your neighbors a small treat before Thanksgiving, or want to show the teachers how thankful you are for them before Fall Break. Below is an easy to follow recipe for my "Apple Pie" caramel apples.  Apple Pie Caramel Apples Caramel Ingredients: (covers 12-15 Granny Smith Apples) 1 Cup Butter 2 Cups Light Corn Syrup 4 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar 2 Cans Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 tsp. Vanilla Directions: Combine butter, corn syrup & brown sugar until melted. Then add sweetened condensed milk. Continue stirring until caramel starts to thicken and darken in color. Once it...

I was taught how to do my makeup once when I was 17 by my mentor Carley McCord Ensminger. I still do my makeup the exact same way with almost all the same drugstore products at 25. In my years competing for Miss Louisiana, I learned how to go from no makeup and wet hair to stage and television ready in under an hour. When you learn the basics, not a lot needs to change as time and events change. Here’s a few guidelines I stick to that save me time and money as a single mom that I’ve carried from my pageant days: 1. Keep it simple My friends are always surprised when they see how small my makeup stash actually...