Moments of Musing

November’s Celebrations

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This post in sponsored by Pink Blush but all opinions are my own.

Happy November 2nd! November is a special month for our little family. I started my first attorney job in November, and my husband and I got engaged and married this month. Plus, it’s the month we get to celebrate and honor my husband’s military service! It’s always a pleasant month to look back on. 

And the fall weather + close proximity in time to Christmas don’t hurt either.

Speaking of weather, it has been all over the place — from 50s to a high of 73 tomorrow. Whatever it is here sure beats Michigan, though. The highs were in the 40s when we visited last weekend…burrrrr.

Thankfully, NYC fall is still giving us off-the-shoulder fall weather. For a pretty off-the-shoulder number, check out my top from Pink Blush. It’s flowy and comfortable, and can be worn with a regular neckline or off-the-shoulder. (As with most of their clothing, it can be worn as regular and/or maternity.)

Going Green

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This post is sponsored by Grab Green. All opinions are my own.

These days there are so many harmful chemicals in much of what we would normally use. In an effort to be more health- and eco-conscious, I have tried using more green products.

One of the companies on my list is: Grab Green. Grab Green was founded by an eco-conscious & concerned mom of two (moms know best, right?!) who was tired of the toxic chemicals in conventional products and the ineffectiveness of “natural”products.

Grab Green offers affordable cleaning and laundry alternatives that are effective, eco-responsible,
healthier, fragrant, and innovative. Here are the products we are more than happy to have in our home:

All purpose cleaner: One of my biggest concerns in the household cleaning product department is all purpose cleaners. Their smell usually reaks of chemicals and I find myself wondering if I should be inhaling said chemicals. My husband and I don’t even spray conventional cleaners while our baby is in the vicinity because we don’t want him to inhale the chemicals. I’m happy to say we don’t have that concern with this cleaner, which will be our go-to from now on.

Room & fabric freshener: I love that it is not like your typical air freshener in that this can be used both for freshening a room but also for freshening fabric. We have fabric sofas so this is super handy in our household.

Laundry pods: These convenient and mess-free pods are laundry-changing (see what I did there?). They are more than 92% comprised of naturally-derived plant & mineral based ingredients, non-toxic formula, free of phosphates, chlorine and dyes, and the amazing smell is made of essential oil cinnamon. This matters to me, especially as a mom, because I have been hesitant to use conventional detergents and pods to wash my baby’s clothes for fear of the chemicals in them. These are an awesome alternative.

Hand soap: Another great-smelling product that is made with essential oils. This leaves your hands clean, feeling smooth, and smelling great.

Dish soap: Since this is phosphate-free, as well as free from chlorine, masking agents and dyes, we have used this for all of our dishes, including baby bottles and sippy cups and have had no concerns about using it… which is a big relief!


Feeling such confidence in the household items we are using is great… because our baby’s health and our health is important. Thanks to Grab Green, we no longer have to wonder whether our household items are bad for us. You wouldn’t either if you use Grab Green.

 If you’re interested in making a purchase, Grab Green products are available in select stores, and online at grabgreenhome.com (ships to continental US) and Amazon. To save $5 off, use this link and also get 25% off your first purchase with code FIRST25. 

Gone will be the stresses of wondering whether you should be cleaning and doing laundry with the items you’re using!



Each Stage is my Favorite + Incredibundles.com GIVEAWAY

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This post is sponsored by Incredibundles.com. All opinions are my own.


Each new stage of his is my new favorite. These days, even opening packages together is fun. He loved helping me open his Incredibundles.com box! In it were a clown stacker, a xylophone and 3 books, perfect with International Literacy Day approaching!

International Literacy Day is on September 8, 2017. Our little one has shown an interest in books and I truly hope he is a bookworm like his mama. Reading is so important. And it can even be fun!

IncrediBundles.com, the home of extraordinary baby gifts, features a line of foolproof baby gifts that allow gift-givers to give the nursery essentials every new parent wants and needs.  We take the best award-winning products for babies and bundle them together in our trademark reusable storage containers so that you can give a gift that is innovative, practical and chic.  


Incredibundles.com is generous enough to give one of my followers a $50 gift card!

What Might You Buy With Your Gift Card?

Infants Under 1
➢    Bright stim toys that clip to strollers and carseats and feature a variety of textures for exploring little hands
➢    Teethers and rattles made from natural materials and colored with food-grade dyes
➢    Loads of books for baby, especially sturdy board books with touch-and-feel panels, bright illustrations and simple stories. 
1 & 2 Year Olds
➢    Stock up on toys that allow for open-ended play like balls and blocks
➢    Toddler-friendly musical instruments like bells, shakers and simple drums
➢    Lots and lots of books, especially those with repetition and rhyme, basic stories and friendly illustrations
Preschoolers
➢    Games that allow children to learn as they play
➢    Craft kits that exercise a child’s fine motor skills and creativity
➢    Toys that encourage hours of happy pretend-play
➢    Award-winning books with endearing characters and meaningful stories that children will want to hear again and again. 


TO WIN the gift card, the rules are simple:

1. Like this photo on Instagram
2. Follow me on instagram @momentsofmusing
3. Follow Incredibundles on Instagram @incredibundles_babygifts 

This giveaway closes on Thursday August 31, 2017 at 9PM EST. It is not associated with nor administered or sponsored by Instagram. By entering you agree you are 13+ years of age.

Where I’ve Been & Still Want to Go

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Me on the Great Wall in Beijing, China. Much of my travels are thanks to my parents. 
I hope my husband and I can afford our kids the same opportunities.

As I was preparing for this vacation that we’re currently on, I thought about all the places I’ve visited and want to visit. I remembered making this post a few years ago and decided to revisit it and track my progress, if you will.

While I was drafting this post and scrolling through photos of my time living in Barcelona, news broke of last week’s terror attack there. My heart sank, because it holds such a special place in my heart. Barcelona is where my love for travel and my wanderlust were truly born. It is where I also believe I truly became the independent woman I am today–I don’t think I ever would have had the guts to move to Chicago alone had I not formerly lived in Barca. I am forever grateful to that city and to its amazing people for the wonderful experiences I had. And my thoughts and prayers are with them, the victims and the victims’ families. 

As for travel, it is one of my most favorite things. I love exploring new parts of the world — and returning to ones that hold fond memories. To me, travel is like getting to live a dream each time you’re doing it because the world really is a beautiful place. The world is also vast and there is so much of it I still want to see. 

Below are the U.S. states and territories and countries I have already visited. *I do not count anywhere I have only passed through on a road trip or layover because to me, travel is about exploring and immersion into different cultures, neither of which–to me, anyway–can truly happen inside an airport or car. 
**New additions since my last post are italicized. 

U.S. States: 
1.      California
2.     Connecticut
3.      Delaware
4.     Florida
5.      Hawaii
6.     Illinois 
7.      Indiana
8.     Michigan
9.     Nevada
10.  New York
11.   New Jersey
12.  North Carolina
13.  Oklahoma
14.  Pennsylvania
15.  South Carolina
16.  Tennessee
17.  Texas
18.  Virginia
19.  Wisconsin
Territories:
1. Washington, DC
2. Puerto Rico 
Countries:
1. U.S.
2. Aruba
3. Bahamas
4. Brazil
5. Canada
6. China
7. Czech Republic
8. Dominican Republic
9. England
10. France
11. Greece
12. Ireland
I3. Italy
14. Mexico
15. Spain

 



















If I did count states/countries I have passed through the list would include (to the best of my memory):
Massachusetts, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Vermont, New Hampshire
Next on my list are: 
Louisiana (New Orleans)
Tahiti, Maldives or Bali
Peru
Brazil
S. Africa
Egypt
Seems like I’ve got some traveling to do 🙂

The Greatest Father for my Child(ren) + JORD Giveaway

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This post is sponsored by JORD Watches but all opinions are my own.

 JORD Watches
When my husband and I got married, I deemed it the best day ever. Then, we became parents. That trumped all days and easily was the best day of our lives. Seeing my husband transform and grow into a parent has opened my eyes to a different side of him. He is more emotional, loving and sensitive. He is everything I could have wanted in a father for my children. 
The way he loves and cares for our son is more than I could have ever asked for. He is so hands-on. He changed the first diapers, took the lead on the first baths, and even stayed home with our little guy for the first nine months of his life. He’s also been a great partner– he was caring, patient and understanding while I recovered from child birth. I’ve never felt more connected to him. 
Watching him as a father has been such a joy.  I’ve fallen more in love with him.
With Father’s Day coming up, I knew my husband deserved something special, like a unique watch. When I saw JORD watches, I immediately thought one would make the perfect gift for him. Not only does he enjoy wearing watches but he had wanted a skeletal watch for quite some time. The uniqueness of a JORD watch — its frame is made of 100% natural wood — is an added bonus. JORD has both men’s and women’s watches. 
When my husband’s Dover Olive and Acacia men’s watch arrived, he raved about it. He has already worn it a few times and he recently told me it is now his favorite watch. I am so glad he loves his Father’s Day present.
Enter here for a chance to win $100 towards a JORD watch for yourself or someone special in your life!
JORD Watches

JORD Watches
JORD Watches