Motherhood changes us in all-encompassing and often unexpected ways.
It alters how we relate to everything and everyone around us—our own mothers in particular.
But even though we feel those changes deeply and genuinely, they can often be tough to express in words. Here, I try to give voice to some of the things we moms want to tell our own moms now that we’ve assumed that title for ourselves, too. More →
I don’t think I’m overstating things when I say that effective communication is the key to healthy relationships.
When we become stronger communicators, we undoubtedly become better partners, better parents, better co-workers, better everything.
And as our communication skills improve, so do our relationships—with our spouses, our children, our bosses, our friends (and even our mothers-in-law!).
Basically, there are a thousand good reasons to try to become a better communicator, and not a single good reason not to.
Have I convinced you to give it a go? Then here’s how to make it happen—in ten simple steps, no less!
I have some exciting news to share with you today!
I’ve teamed up with six other moms who have written eBooks about all kinds of interesting topics to put together a really unique eBook bundle!
In celebration of motherhood, we thought it would be fun to bring together a variety of books that aren’t necessarily about motherhood, but that are all written by mothers. And that’s how the #MomsWhoWrite eBook bundle was born.
The bundle includes my eBook—Taking Action: 30 Specific Strategies for Overcoming Emotional Eating—along with six other fantastic eBooks about topics ranging from busy mom strategies to postpartum depression to decluttering your home.
Lose the Cape! Realities from Busy Modern Moms and Strategies to Survive by Alexa Bigwarfe and Kerry Rivera
The Colic Solution by Nicolette Roux
A Lady in France (Memoir) by Jennie Goutet
Igniting Mommy Energy by Liz McGrory
Taking Action: 30 Specific Strategies for Overcoming Emotional Eating by yours truly
Reclaim The Joy of Motherhood—How I Defeated Postpartum Depression by Pamela Zimmer
Declutter for Good: Share Your Stuff & Reclaim Your Life by Marianne Peters
But it’s only available from now until midnight on May 30. Yep, just a few days! Then it will be gone—poof!
Ready to learn more? All the details, including full descriptions of each of the books and contributors, can be found on the eBook bundle sale page.
(Want to help spread the word—and earn a portion of the sales? We’d love your help as an affiliate! You can earn 30 percent of the purchase price on sales you refer. Click here to join the affiliate program.)
Thank you to Turkey Hill Dairy for sponsoring this conversation. All opinions (and enthusiasm for dairy desserts!) are entirely my own.
I recently asked followers on my Facebook page what calls their name at the end of a long day.
Some said a bubble bath. Some said a bowl of popcorn and an hour of Netflix.
Many said wine (no surprise there!).
Still others said that when they need to relax, they like to do so while indulging their sweet tooth. I can certainly relate!
My usual routine is to put my toddler to bed, then creep back downstairs for a touch of dessert to enjoy while flipping through a magazine or just lounging on the couch. I savor every bite while I let go of the day’s stresses and prepare for the inevitable chaos tomorrow will bring.
Some nights, any old dessert will do, but truthfully, my preference is for something that feels a bit more…special. Gourmet. Indulgent.
That’s why I’m thrilled to have discovered Turkey Hill All Natural Gelato. More →
I’ll concede that to a certain extent, worrying is just an inevitable part of being a mom. Or a woman. Or even just a human.
Mostly we worry because we care, because we’re invested—in our children, our families, our futures, and ourselves.
But sometimes—like when it’s 3am and you’re tossing and turning with anxiety about next month’s bills, or when you’ve questioned for the millionth time if your outfit looks ok—you just want that little voice of worry that’s constantly nagging at your brain to SHUT UP ALREADY.
When those moments of debilitating worry strike—when you’re desperate to figure out how to stop worrying—try asking yourself these three critical questions about whatever’s bugging you. More →
This weekend I turn the big 3-0.
Truthfully, I’m a little ambivalent about the milestone. I feel neither elated nor appalled that I’ve reached this age. The time hasn’t flown by, but it also hasn’t dragged on and on. I haven’t had any major revelations or light bulb moments, but I also haven’t had any big regrets.
Turning 30 just feels…fine. That’s a good thing, I think!
I do feel the need to document the landmark birthday by reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned—and let’s be honest, am still learning—over these past 30 years of life.
And in true Pick Any Two style, the lessons are all bite-sized, so you can get your dose of inspiration and get back to being your awesome self.
Spring is finally here, and I’m teaming up with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus to share five travel hacks that you’ll love, along with a great giveaway offer. One lucky winner will take home a Travel Pack from Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus valued at $150 (including a $50 Target gift card!)
1. Roll; Don’t Fold
As you pack, roll your clothes instead of folding them. You’ll be able to fit up to two times the amount of clothing by rolling them as you would by folding them.
2. Pack your “Iron”
And by iron, we mean Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus. The 3 oz travel size meets airline standards. Slip it into your carry-on bag, and with a simple spray, you’ll be wrinkle free all trip long. (It’s also a great fabric refresher if you have to wear your clothes more than once on vacation.) Click here to read more and grab a coupon.
3. Bring an Empty Water Bottle
After you get through security, several airports have filtered water stands to fill your bottle. You’ll also find that most airport cafes will gladly fill your water bottle as well.
4. Snap a Picture
If you’re checking your luggage, snap a picture of your suitcase contents before you leave the house. If the airline loses your luggage, you’ll be able to use the picture to prove the value of the contents.
5. BYO Blanket
Blankets on airlines are hard to come by these days – and they’re not always washed between flights. If you tend to get cold on planes, or you’re going to be flying overnight, pack your own blanket to stay comfortable.
One lucky winner will receive a travel pack valued at $150, including a travel tote, a Tervis Tumbler, Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus and a $50 Target gift card.
Giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, March 20, 2015. Open to US and Canada.
Complete the form below to enter. Good luck!
I get it: You’re busy. Finding time to read fiction novels is probably a challenge.
And yet at the end of a long day, is there any better way to relax and unwind than getting lost in the pages of a good book?
Whether you’re in between novels right now, looking to add to your “must read” list, or just in need of a good way to de-stress, you should check out The Cortlandt Boys by Laura Vanderkam.
Laura is a nationally recognized nonfiction author who recently published her first fiction novel. It’s fun to see an author stretching her writing chops like this—going outside of her normal style to pursue her passion in a new and exciting way.
The book is about a small town high school basketball team that wins the Pennsylvania State Championship in an improbable way. The story then revisits the characters one and two decades later to explore how their youthful success impacts their lives down the line. It’s part sports novel, part mystery, and part romance, with unexpected twists and plenty of thoughtful insight—in other words, there’s something for everyone!
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Laura about her novel. Here’s what she had to say.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Or, as I like to call it, that special day of the year when countless women will be pining away for the perfect gift, only to end up bitter and disappointed when it fails to meet their sky-high expectations.
Isn’t there a better way?
Some of you reading this may already be dreaming about roses and Godiva, others a romantic candlelit dinner and a stunning pair of diamond studs.
Still others may just be hoping for a morning to sleep in and maybe a cup of coffee handed to you before you even get out of bed.
Whatever your desire this Valentine’s Day—or any occasion when your spouse might bestow you with a present—here are a few tips to avoid feeling let down.
As I settle in to write this post—the first I’ve written in many weeks—the first sentence that flies from my fingers is an apology.
Dear regular readers, I’m so sorry I disappeared with little contact or explanation. I was too busy nibbling on saltines and praying to God to take away my first trimester nausea…
But then I deleted that sentence. Why apologize when all I was doing was living my motto, walking the talk, practicing what I preach?
Yes, I spent the first few months of my second pregnancy feeling downright awful most hours of the day, and to deal with it, I turned to the very philosophy behind this site.
I prioritized what was most important to me at the moment—in this case, taking care of myself & my little fetus, spending quality time with my toddler whenever I felt capable of it, and managing essential work projects. Everything else (including but not limited to: chores, laundry, cooking, exercising, and blogging) simply fell by the wayside.
And like I always say, that’s ok. No need to apologize or feel guilty!
Now here I am, 18 weeks along and finally feeling like myself again, albeit a bit rounder in the midsection. More →
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.” – Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go
Although research shows that gratitude makes people happier and more positive, many of us still tend to save our thank you’s exclusively for birthdays and holidays.
To reap the full benefits of a thankful outlook, however, gratitude needs to be in integral part of our everyday lives. Want to make counting your blessings more of a habit and less of an afterthought? Try one of these.
Maybe it’s because I’m a bona fide morning person, but I believe the AM hours are some of the most important ones of the day.
Why? Because what you choose to do during that time sets the tone for the rest of your day.
If you start off feeling calm, refreshed, and joyful, you’re more likely to sustain that positive vibe as the day goes on. On the other hand, if you wake up and immediately feel rushed or sluggish (or worse—both!), it can be tough to snap out of it even when you really need to.
Want to make sure you’re consistently waking up on the right side of the bed? Try incorporating one or more of these into your morning routine.
More →
