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Flying with a baby and toddlers

I have flown with the kiddos a handful of times now, and by no means do I think I’m a pro, but I have somehow gotten through all flights without any meltdowns, and minimal stress on the parts of myself or the kids ( well there was that one flight where Jack threw up all over my brother in law…but we can pretend that didn’t happen.  Unless your my brother in law…he will NEVER forget ha). Flying with a baby and toddlers doesn’t have to be super stressful, and I have a few tips that have helped me!

Toddler Travel Packing Tips - www.arinsolangeathome.com

Ad. Products were exchanged in exchange for my review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Read more about that here

Toddler Travel Packing Tips - www.arinsolangeathome.com

So anyway. I feel like while packing for our flights this week I have taken some of my favorite aspects of past travels as a family, as well as an awesome tip from a fellow blogger, Kate from The House Mix Blog.  She recently did a post about travel with her kids and talked about how she utilizes a binder for each kid and IT WAS GENIUS.  You can check out her full post here with an amazing printable to help you!  I loaded each kids binder with items from the dollar spot at target to keep them busy both on the way there as well as during the trip.

So my must haves always include food, because nothing shuts kids up better than food or technology….and no one appreciates quiet kids quite like a full airplane.  I have learned from the puke fest flight, that healthier options might be best (because peanut butter cups…not so great).  My kids love these NuturMe cocoa cookies, and I love that they are a healthy egg free option for my kids, but especially Jack with his egg allergy. I also LOVE traveling with pouches.  Aside from applesauce my kids don’t really eat them at home anymore, but when we travel I feel like they get a lot of crap food so at least that’s an easy and portable way to get them some nutrients.  NuturMe makes pouches full of everything my kids need, but they just think its applesauce!  Such a mom win.

It should also go without saying that when flying with a baby you need to have clothing on that makes it easy to nurse or bottles readily available!!

Toddler Travel Packing Tips - www.arinsolangeathome.com

I have posted about my love for Re-play Recycled before, and they made my toddler travel must haves list I posted a few months ago, but it’s because they really are the best!! The Snack Stacks are honestly the best thing. We have several sets so when we travel I typically have 2-4 ready for each kid with snacks open so that I’m not constantly opening fruit snacks or crackers.  I have also recently fallen in love with their No-Spill Cups.  Avé and Jack obviously use normal cups at home, but if they want drinks away from the table and aren’t drinking water these are the best! They don’t spill at all.  I prefer to travel with them now over any other cup because they can have milk or juice in them, instead of water only.

Toddler Travel Packing Tips - www.arinsolangeathome.com

Aside from food and drink I loaded the binders that Kate recommended with dollar section ‘legos’, colors, coloring books and work books from the dollar section, an iPad and headphones.  It’s so important with kids to have plenty to keep them entertained, but also the essentials.  In my diaper bag I keep an extra outfit for EVERYONE, diapers, wipes, and bottles for the baby, chargers for all technology, and an emergency treat for kids – like a sucker or something!

What do you travel with when you’re flying with a baby and toddlers?  We will likely be flying more and more with the kids now that they are getting older so I would love any tips and tricks you have!

 

Outfit details: Cardigan c/o Pink Blush :  Tank: Target

XO ARIN

mom standing in kitchen packing for kids

 

 

 

 

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Home

Favorite Affordable Rugs

So if you have watched my Instagram Stories, you have probably seen that we are in the middle of a dining room overhaul.  When we moved in a year ago it was one of the few rooms I felt I could leave alone for the time being.  The paint color was a dark grey, and aside from the HORRID light fixture, it was not totally embarrassing to leave as it was.  That being said, it’s not necessarily my style, and now that most of the rest of the main floor is semi finished, I am ready to dive in. The rest of the dining room talk will wait, but I do want to talk area rugs for this weeks Friday Fav’s post.  I feel like area rugs really make a room feel complete, so have been searching for some of my favorite options, so here are my favorite affordable rugs. (We are doing a new light fixture, so some of my favorites were posted a few months ago, here)

collage of affordable area rugs

ONE.     TWO.     THREE.     FOUR.     FIVE.     SIX.    SEVEN.     EIGHT.     NINE.

 

My criteria when looking for these rugs:

UNDER 300 dollars for a rug that would work under my 8 foot table

Low pile – because it’s a dining room people

Light-ish in color.  My dining room will have a bold ceiling, so the rug can’t be super dark

Accessibility – I love Rugs USA because of the ease of ordering and price points!

 

Want to check out some of my friends favorites this week?  Check out Alex and Stephanie’s posts, and let me know which was your favorite from these affordable rugs

Have a great weekend –  XO ARIN

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Family

Walker 2 Months Old

www.arinsolangeathome.com - walker 2 month update

Its been 2 months!  Two months since we added the sweetest little personality to our family, and time is flying by.  Again this month there isn’t much to report, so I decided I will use these posts monthly to talk about whats happening with Walker, but also life updates.

So new this month:  Jack just started back to school and is in Junior Kindergarten this year.  It feels weird to have him there 5 days a week (5 half, 2 full), but it’s also been great for him, and it feels good to be entering into a schedule again.  I truly feel like I was meant for fall and spring.  The anticipation of summer, and the break from the day-to-day is always welcome for me in the spring, but summer is never a time I actually enjoy.  It’s too hot, and we lack structure.  I think as the kids get older it will be a bit better, but this year with a newborn we were stuck in a lot.  Fall for me always just brings calmness for me.  And the first chilly days always remind of the anticipation I felt waiting for Jack and Avé to arrive.  (I’m curious to see if June feels like that from here on out too).

www.arinsolangeathome.com - walker 2 month update

Anyway, aside from school starting, our shower has leaked into our kitchen 3 times, I have destroyed our dining room, in hopes that it will be finished by next month, and we finally got Sam’s office fully decorated.  Ave also started dance this week.  She is doing tap and ballet this year, and let me tell you:  CUTEST THING EVER!!!! She really loves it, and I hope it teaches her a lot over the years.

www.arinsolangeathome.com - walker 2 month update

We are getting ready to fly to Florida next weekend and I’m so excited to take the kids to Disney, but mostly to just take a break from day-to-day life at home.  I underestimated how important vacations are for the soul.  This will be Sam’s first time flying with us since we had Jack.  I have flown with the kids several times, but he has never been along, so I am SO happy I’ll have another parent this time.

Walker is waking once a night, smiles LIKE CRAZY, loves mama, is huge (I’ll have to update with size tomorrow), and overall is SUCH a good baby.  We sure love him, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

 

Are you happy to see fall coming around the corner, or feeling sad that summer is over?

XO ARIN

Family

Ollie Swaddle Review

This Ollie Swaddle review contains affiliate links – it is unsponsored and completely my own opinion 

Ollie Swaddle Review: Is Ollie Swaddle Worth It?

I am here with an Ollie Swaddle Review to change your life! If you’re a mama you KNOW the importance of a good swaddle, and have definitely asked yourself what is the best swaddle for your newborn. If you’re a first time Mama, and wondering if you need to swaddle your baby, I highly recommend it… if you like sleep.  I have four kids and literally have a drawer bursting at the seams with swaddles that we have tried with all of our kids.  I’m talking, velcro, zipper, sketchy, fleece…we have tried it, so I feel like I truly know if this is worth your buy.  

sleeping baby in the ollie world swaddle | Ollie Swaddle Review

 

After 2 other kids I knew that a swaddle is a seemingly ‘no big deal’ item…but really the game changer in the first few months.  It is NOT a place to skimp, and I was not going to spare any expense.

The Ollie World Swaddle had been all over social media, and people were raving about it – heck I had friends buying them for hundreds on PayPal when they were sold out…so I figured I needed to try it. 

I got one with my 3rd, and used it again with my 4th baby, so really feel like I can weigh in on my thoughts!

 

Lower Shoulder Position

One thing that is fairly different about the Ollie Swaddle as compared to others on the market is the fact that it sits so much lower on a baby’ shoulders.  If you have ever swaddled a baby, you probably know the fear that sets in with that irrational fear of the swaddle creeping up over the baby’s mouth; making you want to swaddle your baby with arms out.

The design of the Ollie swaddle makes it so that isn’t a worry.  This truly helped my new mama anxiety (because I don’t care how many kids you have had…bringing home a brand new life makes everyone a little anxious!) 

As many other swaddles as I have tried this is a very unique aspect of the Ollie Swaddle – so if that is something that has worried you I would stop right here and add to cart for your sweet baby!

How Does the Ollie Swaddle Work?

A Video Showing how to Swaddle with the Ollie Swaddle

The Ollie Swaddle Material: What to Wear Under a Swaddle

I also feel like one of the biggest anxieties for moms is the risk of their baby overheating.  While we are pregnant we are preached about this and the risk of SIDS, so for good reason its a huge fear.  

But when babies need to be swaddled and dressed that can get tricky.  For me, our third was my first summer baby, so I was so concerned with how I could dress Walker for bed and still swaddle him without him being too hot.

 The Ollie World swaddle is made from a special moisture wicking fabric that reduces the risk of overheating.  Come my 4th baby – another summer baby I knew I could trust that I could put her in pajamas and this swaddle and it basically made for the perfect temperature. 

baby yawning in the Ollie Swaddle

We used the The Ollie World since day one at home with Walker and literally never turned back.  I love it so much that I purchased a second one to put aside as a baby gift, knowing that it would be one of my go-to gifts.

Key Likes and Dislikes 

I have updated this post since originally writing it with my third baby.  I have since had my 4th, and used the Ollie swaddle on both of them.  This Ollie Swaddle review and the key likes and dislikes are based on both babies. 1 of them was a large baby and 1 a small baby. 

  • Like – it is one size fits all.  I loved that once we were ready to use it a week or two in, it didn’t matter that my babies were more than 2 lbs difference in size. THAT SAID – I didn’t use it instantly with Goldie (baby 4) but did use it nearly day 1 with Walker our 3rd. 

 

  • Like – It is hard for them to get out of.  When they are really young it does a very good job of keeping them in. I don’t feel as tho there is a user error aspect to this swaddle like there is for a lot of others, thus I think once you kind of have your method with it, they aren’t going to get out!

 

  • Like – it sits lower as mentioned above.

 

  • Dislike – I feel like if the velcro closes in the wrong spot it can encourage the baby to lay to one side and possible cause a flat spot on their head.  This is purely a theory, but basically when you velcro it the velcro can lay across their back and sort of encourage them to turn their head that way.  I was aware of this with Goldie so was just careful with where the velcro was placed each night, and it wasn’t an issue with her. 

 

  • Like – ease of use.  The Ollie swaddle is basically a square blanket with velcro along the side. There aren’t flaps and such, so it is SO easy to use! (this I found to be extra great with babysitters or grandparents). 

 

  • Dislike – you do have to get a sweet spot.  If we swaddled too tightly my kids were uncomfortable and too loose and they can get out. My husband especially would swaddle them really tight and have to kind of loosen things up haha.

 

  • Like – Diaper changes – you can change their diaper without fully undoing the swaddle which is amazing. 

  baby in the ollie swaddle on white sheet

Overall – Do I Suggest it?

I am sure you can gather from all of the above info – I truly think this is a GREAT swaddle.  We are done having kids, but it was one of the few items that I knew I would FOR SURE use between Walker and Goldie, and highly recommend to other parents who are expecting.

How long can you use Ollie swaddle?

All swaddles in my opinion are very case by case on how long you use them.  With Walker we used this for a good amount of time, then switched to this swaddle up which I also LOVED.  He never did get out of the Ollie when he was swaddled, but we also ended swaddling early due to him being an early roller. 

My girls have both been really small babies, so I felt like Goldie could get out of it a bit more as she got closer to that 4 month mark, and we eventually had to switch.  That said – I truly think anything that works for that long is still WELL WORTH YOUR MONEY.  

4 months for baby gear is basically an eternity haha.  She was well below average, so I think with average to above average babies that might not be the case. 

With babies, its all about finding the right items to get sleep during the months where you really need it.  And this definitely promoted that sleep, so I figure it is a WIN. 

  ( also a small side note of a PLUS:  It come with a small mesh bag to wash it in so the super strong velcro doesn’t ruin other items in the wash.  I wish other companies would have that kind of forethought.  That was a huge win in my book!)

Other Posts You’ll Love

Monthly Baby Favorites |  Uppa Baby Stroller Review  | DockaTot Review |  Veer Wagon Giveaway 

If you found this review of the Ollie Swaddle helpful and want to try the swaddle Use THIS link to receive 10% off your order If you want to order from their site, but they are also available on Amazon (linked here) which can just plain be more convenient!  If you have questions – be sure to leave me a comment below or DM me on Instagram ( @arinsolange). 

Pin The Photo Below to find this Ollie Swaddle Review Later

baby in ollie swaddle | Ollie Swaddle Review

 

 

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Products we Love

Diaper Bag for Three Kids

Some of you that have followed me on Instagram for a while might know that my 4 year old has an egg allergy.  This has meant that for the past 4 years I have carried a lot of extra food and stuff with me in my diaper bag because I never know if he will have options where we are going.  Some restaurants the only options on the menu that he would like are sides (i.e. French fries…I mean lets be honest people).   I have definitely gotten good at packing for our outings, and know what to look for in a bag, because 2 toddlers and a newborn now means I bring the whole house.  Like really the whole thing. So for this weeks Friday Favorites, I am talking about my current favorite diaper bag for three kids and whats in it!

mom and son with jujube diaper bag

 Diaper Bag for Three Kids

I recently tried the Ju-Ju-Be BFF backpack diaper bag, and literally fell in love.  The straps are so memory foam and so comfortable, and Im obsessed with the separation of mom area and kid area.  It has 4 slots for bottles or drinks which is great because I typically have a water for each of my big kids and 2 bottles.  The fabric is amazing because its so durable, and I LOVE that its machine washable.  I am on diaper bag number 3,456 and this one does not disappoint!!

Some of my other favorites for a day out with my kiddos are below.  ALL of these items fit in my Ju-Ju-Be Bff, which is amazing!

 

this post contains affiliate links and sponsored posts.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. Read more about that here.

SO HERE THEY ARE…MY FRIDAY FAV’S

collage of diaper bag favorites

  1. Ju-Ju-Be BeQuick:  This is amazing. I love that I can keep ALL the diaper changing items in one place.  I can’t tell you how happy it makes Sam that if (when) Walker poops during church, this is all Sam has to carry out with him.
  2. Solly Baby Wrap:  I always keep this in my bag.  It’s the quickest way to calm walker and gives me free hands if needed.
  3. Breast Milk Storage Bags:  so nursing has not gone well for me, and this time some medical issues and medicine meant stopping at 6 weeks post baby.  I found that using these bags for pre-mreasured bags of formula has saved SO much space and been amazing.
  4. Little Unicorn Swaddles: I always keep a swaddle blanket on me!
  5. Oxo Tot Wipes Case — enough said
  6. Burpy Bibs: This is our favorite set by far, but overall, burpy bibs are amazing because they double between a burp cloth and bib, and I can even clip it around his carseat!
  7. Re-play Recycled snack stackers:  THESE, these save my life.  I can put a few different kids of food (lunch meat, veggies, crackers).  I am obsessed with these for the kids, especially Jack!! they are literally the best.
  8. THE Bag:  Like I said above, this bag is amazing.  If you are looking for a bag that is fashionable (I literally fell in love with it because a friend has it and it is so so cute) and because it will function like a true well designed diaper bag, look no further!!

What are your favorite items to keep in your diaper bag/ whats been your favorite bag you have tried thus far?  If you haven’t caught on yet, I am obsessed with baby gear, so I always love checking out new stuff!! I hope you found some good inspiration for your diaper bag for three kids, or however many you’re packing for!

Check out some of my Friends Friday favorites for more inspiration!! —  Stephanie at Hey Honestly Mommy;  Hilary at The Ruff Life; Jenny at Upstate Mama; Alex at Alex Marie Jordan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DIY

DIY Balloon Wall

Okay…so this is totally me admitting to being an Instagram mom, but last week I wanted to take pictures of the kids for National Watermelon Day.  I was trying to come up with a cute background, and when things got desperate I decided to make a quick DIY balloon wall.  

It made for a cute photo background.  I tried a few different methods to make it look how I wanted, so here is a quick tutorial on how it was done.  Fair warning – this is really easy.  

toddler girl in front of pink balloon photo wall

This post contains affiliate links

wall of pink and white balloons - DIY Balloon Photo Wall


little girl eating watermelon in front of pink DIY balloon wall

DIY Balloon Wall

I have now done this two times.  I wanted to try it one more time to get a better feel for how long it would last and try a new method for hanging them that I thought might work better.  

It’s such a good way to make a huge visual impact at a party, or just a fun place to take pictures like I did.  The first time (with the watermelon) I left gaps.  The second time I tried kind of layering things for more of a balloon garland look, and that worked great too.  

toddler girl in sweater in front of pink balloon wall

What you will need:

A balloon pump (totally optional but helpful!)

balloons

Scotch or packing tape, OR painters tape if you think you can hide it! 

** update – I tried this again with THESE  (from Amazon) and it was so much easier and more successful.  Use more than one per balloon for best results.

This brand is great because you can remove one side of the film, put a dot on each balloon then take the other side off when its time to hang them!

 

white chairs in front of pink and white DIY balloon wall

Directions:

Blow up balloons in several different sizes, but they look best more round, so less air is best. ( even better – buy balloons in different sizes)

Pull the ‘tail’ and tape to the wall if using tape – if using glue dots just put against wall. 

There will be some gaps left.  I filled those small gaps with small balloons that I taped to the wall with a little rolled up piece of tape.

If you are going for the overlapping look it might be best to add the sticky dots to the lower balloons then adding the top balloon.  The trick with the dots is to make sure the dot is fully stuck to the wall!

toddler girl in front of pink balloon photo wall

I have gotten so many questions on if this will hold all day.  I did this and it lasted a couple of hours, but my suggestions on making it last longer – painters tape is amazing for sticking to walls so use that when you can.  Rolling painters tape for the ones you fill the gaps with will make them stick much longer than scotch tape! 

white chairs in front of white and pink DIY balloon wall

DIY Balloon Photo Wall

I will Definitely be doing this again, and I would love to see where you use the DIY balloon wall tutorial!!  

For more DIY and PARTY fun check out these posts below or head to those sections of the blog and look around

This pink puppy party and this beach ball party both were done with paper backdrops 

DIY Balloon Photo Wall

 

 

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Family

Lorena Canals Rugs

So if you have been following me here in blog land, or over on Instagram you have probably caught on to my love of all things baby and home decor….so when a company comes along that LITERALLY meshes the two…MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN PEOPLE. We had our floors redone when I was roughly 72 weeks pregnant, which also meant going from carpet to a large area rug in the living room.  Although I love the rug we selected, and wouldn’t change it, its not the most easy to clean or soft space to lay, so that posed a problem for Walker.  So when I found out about Lorena Canals rugs that are not only soft, and totally normal area rug looking, but also completely machine washable and dry able, I had to try them.

baby laying on Lorena canals rug

baby on Lorena canals rug in living room

Lorena canals rug in washing machine

Lorena Canals Rugs

I personally love the overlapping rug look, so this rug has become a fixture in the living room for the kids to build blocks, or play dolls, and my favorite place to have walker play with his play gym.  (The cutest thing ever right??).  He is a total spit up master, so the fact that I can throw it in the washing machine without worrying has been a lifesaver and I can guarantee this is the only brand of rug that will ever make its way into our playroom down the road!  (ps…that button works as quite the mirror for my poorly dressed self haha)

I try really hard to mesh fashion with function in the world of baby gear for my kiddos, so the fact that Lorena Canals rugs are loved by celebrities and was picked by Vogue as a top baby product for celebrity nurseries had me sold.  They are also all natural, handmade, eco, and contain no VOCs like most carpeting and rugs which was big for me.  I worried a lot about that with all three of my kids, but especially with Jack (new home) and Walker (new floors and rug).  I also love that the proceeds of these gorgeous rugs support the Saklua project and provide schooling for children in India.

baby on Lorena canals rug

Do you try to mix your baby gear choices with home decor, or are you more about riding the storm until its out of the space?  I have loved seeing how much things have changed even in the 5 years since Jack to Walker in the world of baby gear, and the Lorena canals rugs were a product that far exceeded my expectations.

 

XO ARIN

baby on Lorena canals rug

 

**I received free product in exchange for my own thoughts and opinions on this product.  You can read more about that here.

 

 

 

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Products we Love

New Mom Must Haves

With a newborn and 2 toddlers at home, it is no surprise that mommy hood pretty much has taken over this season of life, and for that I am grateful.  I feel like with each baby I have learned to embrace all things that come with being a mom more and more, and am just more aware of how fast this phase will go.  With Walker, I am out and about more than with the other two, due to the big kids, and I try to look semi put together, even if its just an athleiusre look, so this week Im going to focus on some of my favorite items that keep me looking only half homeless while still allowing me to wrangle three kiddos. My new mom must haves are this weeks Friday favorites!

mom holding baby in STL hat | New Mom Must Haves

New Mom Must Haves

  1. Little Teether Necklaces – these are so cute, they honestly just look like a long necklace, but Walkers grabby little hands wont break it, and I don’t have to worry about him putting it in his mouth…after all, its what its for.
  2. Fashion Tennis shoes.  Okay shoes are my weakness for sure, but I have to say that I love that tennis shoes for daytime looks have become icreasinly popular, And my collection is ever growing.  I recently purchased these, and I am fairly obsessed!
  3. Dry shampoo –  I’ve tried them all, and this is definitely my favorite due to my dark hair and the cheap price tag.
  4. Maskara Makeup – I swear this was not asked for me to post.  I truly just love it.  One of my friends asked me to try this makeup, and I was hooked. the contour is definitely my favorite aspect, but I have loved that this summer I am able to grab one item and be on the go between the gym or pool or whatever it might be.  (it as also amazing for my hospital bag).
  5. Simple everyday jewelry.  I got this necklace after Walker was born as a gift and I literally can’t bring myself to not wear it daily.  IT’S PERFECT. Its dainty and simple so can be layered and I can wear it with all kinds of clothing.  I tend to love my Apple Watch, rings, a large fun earring, and dainty necklace.

What are you loving this week?  Do you have any fashion items that you love as a mama.  I feel like us mamas have to share our secrets on how to not look fully homeless while still only washing our hair once a week and getting ready in 10 min.

Want to check out another Friday Favorites post?  My girl Jenny just posted hers, so check it out!!

XO ARIN

 

**this post contains affiliate links read more about them here

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Food

Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita Recipe

Happy National Watermelon Day!  I don’t know about you, but when someone tells me its a holiday I figure its an excuse for a drink or dessert (reason number 343 that I will never be skinny ha).  I have been wanting to find a fun, new Jalapeño drink recipe, so I thought this would be the perfect excuse to come up with a new drink.  Enter this new Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita Recipe.

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita

Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita Recipe

Ingredients: makes 3 Margaritas

2 oz. Fresh squeezed lime Juice

8 oz. Fresh squeezed Watermelon Juice

1 Whole Jalapeño

 6 oz. Tequilla

2 oz. Triple Sec

Salt and Chili powder – optional

Directions:

Squeeze your limes and watermelon. (for the watermelon I put it in cheese cloth and squeezed it into a bowl over a strainer.  By far the quickest easiest option.)

Cut open jalapeño and remove seeds (or leave some if you enjoy things spicy!!)

Add all ingredients  to shaker filled with ice

Rim glass with salt and chili powder mixture (optional)

Pour over ice and enjoy

this recipe is also awesome without the jalapeño (I tried it both ways for you – you know…just to be safe.)

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita - www.arinsolangeathome.com

Let me know if you try them and what you think!!  If you made other fun Watermelon recipes I would love to check them out!  I am sure ill have this recipe on repeat way too much.

 

 

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