Oh boy, in trying to literally keep up with an actual school curriculum I have managed to include; Music- Piano Practice // PE- Playing Outside // Technology – IPads // Language Arts, Math and more, but one subject was a little left behind, ART!
So here are some free and low-cost ways to keep your kid’s creativity flowing during this extended time at home when they do actually need to get some work done.
I live in jeans! I don’t wear skirts or shorts much, but jeans – yes! Over the years I have also crept my way up in price points out of curiosity to test out if when you spend more you get more.
Shop This Image Here
In comparing the three brands I am going to share with you I wanted to judge them on: quality of denim, variety within the collection, price point, and durability.
It is a pet peeve of mine when denim stretches and lose their overall shape. I also don’t love it when denim loses its ‘luster’ after a few washes. NONE of the brands I have shared here do that. They have all been tried and tested by me.
That being said I wanted to share three brands at three different
price points that I love and why.
These jeans are true to size, have a lot of style choices in their collection and are a good buy! I gravitate to Articles of Society for more playful denim. These are great for a unique pair of jeans that you won’t necessarily wear every day. For daily wear, jeans keep reading.
Also available at Nordstrom (but on a steeper sale here), I describe NYDJ jeans as Mom Perfect. There is truly a practical cut that feels great for ANY woman out there in this collection. They tend to deliver the most classic and clean-cut looks that I would call “Mom-friendly.’ Because of this, they are perfect for finding a great pair of daily wear denim.
If you are just looking for a great pair of jeans that you can count on day after day ( I wear them around town and for playdates often) and look good and feel great, these are it!
Khloe Kardashian really did a great job with this brand. I have several pairs of Good American jeans because they are ‘stylish.’ They offer an extra edge to help justify the price point which sometimes is worth it. Ten out of ten times if I am on a Date Night or GNO, I am wearing my Good American jeans. They are stretchy, comfortable, and edgy. In my opinion, totally worth the splurge (I have had mine for over two years). She has added so much to the collection that I have not checked out yet, so stay tuned for a haul on that soon.
Hopefully, if you are looking to shop some new denim, this post was helpful. Finding the right pair of jeans can be totally worth the effort when you wear them all the time.
Your Chick,
Rina
My NYDJ jeans were gifted in exchange for this post.
I just had a chat with a neighbor whose children are in high school and she mentioned that it’s the elementary age kids that are the most challenging in the time of quarantine. They can’t be left alone, they are not usually super helpful or understanding, in most cases. In looking ahead, here a few ideas I have for juggling your life with little ones. I work from home, so multi-tasking is about to hit a new level. My job is very important and non-negotiable. For the in-between moments, I’m gearing up for some together-ness and wanted to share a few ideas on how to pass the time.
I won’t be going to the gym the way I normally do, so I am planning on some YouTube workouts that we can do together. Family Time- Done! Workout – Done! It’s a win-win. The game “Just Dance (try it for free here)” also counts for a pretty decent workout, in my opinion, and it is so much fun!
Get Educated
Sonia and I are big on TedTalks (so many of which are kid-friendly) and can be easily accessed on YouTube. This serves as a quick easy way to learn and engage in fruitful conversations with the littles. Additionally, I have shared my love of Masterclass on the blog. I would highly recommend the episode with Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, and it was just as fascinating for the kids as it was for me. I am always amazed and how much I can share with the kids (mine are aged 9 & 8). Have you checked out TIME for kids yet? Get on it, it’s a great way to share current events with your kids and learn at the same time.
Get Organized
While I am working, I have requested the kids to start making their way through their spaces in the house. Bedside drawers, craft cabinets, and toy corners all need attention. I have encouraged them to make a pile for things they are ready to donate and organize what is left. They love re-discovering things that they forgot about and by doing this they also take a little ownership in knowing what they have. As of this post, I have two bag fulls of toys and clothing ready for drop off at our local IRC office, all set aside by Maya and Veera. Not too long ago I shared tips for organizing your closet, you can see it here.
Get Culinary
Teaching my kids how to crack an egg, toast a bagel, and make a sandwich has been on my list of things to do. To be honest it has just been easier for me NOT to teach them- less mess, less risk. Preparing meals together is not only fun, but it’s something they were eager to learn. We discussed measurements, temperatures, etc. in a way I never had with them before.
Get Scheduled
I sat down with my girls and negotiated things that we each individually need to do each day as well as want to do. Although I will be working my regular schedule remotely (30 hours/week), I plan to use morning and night hours to catch up. I HIGHLY recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule for your sanity. Creating something that they can see, I think, is helpful for everyone involved. I still need to work and so do they, so creating a schedule together can be helpful.
Remember to maintain a sense of humor and things light-hearted around the house, you will get what you give. If all else fails, there is TV and tequila!
I hope you are all well and healthy. Stay positive and make the most of TIME, it’s our most precious commodity.
Since starting Chicks And Salsa I have found myself in new and unfamiliar situations so many times. Five years ago if you asked me to walk into a room full of strangers and indulge in ‘small talk’, I would have run for the hills. Now, the prospect of meeting new people excites me!
Being forced to step out of my comfort zone has taught me a lot about myself. Here are a few tips I have learned along the way to make uncomfortable situations more… comfortable. Some of these tips you have probably seen before but trust me, repetition is how to make it stick.
Dress The Part
This is first because playing the part means looking the part. Nothing helps me put my best foot forward like feeling confident in the space I am occupying. Dress for the occasion and feel good in what you wear, it will reflect in your mannerisms. Our Mom always taught us that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed — you will never feel out of place. That has stuck with us throughout our lives (and probably explains a lot about us for those of you who know our family).
Here are a few versatile picks perfect for a multitude of occasions all under $50:
Do Your Research
Nothing makes me feel worse than not knowing about the host of an event or facts about the event itself. Knowing what you are walking into is so important for nailing a conversation. Finding a way that connects you to the space and the people within it is a true life hack for making an impression. Even just quickly browsing information on your phone in the Uber or in the bathroom can give you information that could create a real impact on someone later in the event.
Listen (Mirror and Label)
I am a sharer and have a tendency to talk more than I listen. Since ‘small talk’ does not come naturally to me despite practicing for years, I have finally found a technique that works wonders for getting other people to talk. I recently watched a lecture on Masterclass on a technique called “Mirroring and Labeling” in which you repeat back key words from the conversation to help keep the conversation active and engaging. It has changed my conversation game tenfold. If you need some help in this department, check out this lecture: Masterclass with Chris Voss
Know Your Story
We all have heard about an ‘elevator speech’ and even if you are not a business owner or don’t work, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a story. Almost 100% of the time people will ask, “So, what do you do?” Are you prepared to answer this question in a way that is concise and coherent? If not, then now is a good time to get your story straight so that you can dig into the next level of the conversation. Preparing a quick FYI can be simple but make it unique. As women in this world, we are all trying to find our place. Take a moment to figure out what space you occupy and how to communicate that with others.
I have only recently gotten comfortable with my own story of discovery from being a stay at home mom, to a blogger, to a self-employed social media content creator and manager. It took me several years to put the pieces together in a coherent way, but I finally have my story down.
Sonia and I have TERRIBLE posture. In the past few years as we have become more confident and practiced sharing our story, dressing the part, and listening, we have started standing straighter. In the same way a firm handshake is important, so is posture. We have learned so much from Blush with Parmita, her YouTube tips for standing out have really changed the way we walk into a room and handle a conversation. This did not come naturally for us, but we practiced and reminded each other to do it so many times over the years that now it feels automatic. Without saying a word, how you stand and present yourself to the world can create the strongest and most lasting impression.
Hopefully, you needed to hear some of this, I know we need reminders all the time. I would love to hear about your life hacks that have made you a better and more productive person.
