The answer: You don't. From 1960s how-to guides portraying the perfect mother to today’s Pinterest-crazed super moms, there's always been pressure on women to do it all. But in reality, it’s unrealistic, and moms today are saying: “That’s OK.”
"Being a mom, you quickly learn to let go of trying to perfect every aspect of your life," says actress and mom Busy Philipps. "So rather than trying to perfect things, I rely on tools to simplify those chaotic moments, which allows me to enjoy what matters — time with my kids … and my sanity."
With that mantra in mind, Philipps is sharing some of her favorite life hacks. Here are a few secrets for moms — both beginners and seasoned — for getting things done and enjoying life’s good moments:
Make me-time and them-time: "It’s so important to master me-time!” says Philipps. "Nothing beats getting up early for a good workout before starting the day. Want to really maximize a workout? Plug in your headphones, stream your favorite show, and get your heartbeat pumping while catching up on those episodes you missed! Another secret? Include your kids in 'me-time' once in a while for a 'them-time' session. Manis and pedis with my girls is always a fun outing where we can spend quality time together."
Minimize laundry time: "Never-ending laundry is a never-ending headache. I love my LG SideKick washing machine, which is a pedestal washer attached to my main washer," says Philipps. "It’s perfect for washing those small laundry loads that are a big deal and can’t wait — from a soccer uniform to delicates and activewear. You can also wash two loads at the same time when you need to: large loads in the main front-load washer and delicates — like my favorite workout clothes — in the LG SideKick, which is a huge time saver."
Cut cooking chaos: "Forget the foodie frenzy," Philipps stresses. "If you can pull together a simple and nutritious meal for the family, you are a superstar. This doesn't require slaving away for hours in the kitchen. Internet search one-pan recipes. When time is really crunched, there's no shame in takeout. Trust me, everyone does it."
And her healthy eating tip? "I get my kids to eat healthy by hiding nutritious food — like broccoli pureed into spaghetti sauce — so they don’t even know they are eating it. A page from a book I swear by: Jessica Seinfeld’s popular cookbook, 'Deceptively Delicious.'"
Create a healthy competition: In a perfect world, your kids would enjoy helping with all the household chores. In the real world this can feel like fighting a losing battle. Philipps' solution: Try using a little trick psychology. "Think of ways to transform cleaning into a competition," she says. "Who can toss the dirtiest clothes into the baskets? Who can make their bed faster? Who can match more pairs of clean socks from the laundry in 60 seconds or less? Kids will race to win, all while helping you get those chores done."
"Being a parent can get messy, but obviously we wouldn't want it any other way," says Philipps. "Tricks like these help me accept that life’s not perfect, which is okay because life’s good. And good is great!"
]]>Authentic elegance
Handcrafted materials make for eye-catching pieces in the kitchen. An island created from reclaimed wood transforms a functional aspect of the room into a beautiful piece of art. Live-edge countertops invigorate the wood grain and serve as a centerpiece for entertaining. A hammered copper sink paired with rich gold accessories doubles as a stunning complement to earth tones. Extend wood elements throughout the entire space with exposed beams and open shelving for a unified look.
Refined fittings
Deemed the jewel of the kitchen, the faucet serves as a focal point that brings all elements of the space together. The Litze Kitchen Collection by Brizo is inspired by the revival of the arts and crafts movement to meld artisan style with clean and contemporary sensibility. Every design element — from the three distinct spout configurations to the unique handle options — makes this collection feel at home in both modern, minimal environments and urban, industrial spaces. The Brilliance Luxe Gold and split Matte Black/Brilliance Luxe Gold finishes effortlessly bring luxury and style, while knurling details add textured appeal to any artisanal kitchen design.
Curated accents
Hand-painted accessories serve as beautiful statements in the kitchen with each piece containing a story as unique as the individual who created it. Whether decorated with bold colors or a muted palette, hand-painted accessories create striking displays of authenticity and originality. Use these pieces to adorn open shelves or feature them as table centerpieces to further accentuate a curated artisanal design.
Custom hardware
Custom drawer pulls and handles make a powerful statement in kitchen design. While seemingly small, these pieces unite all elements in the room’s aesthetic. Handles wrapped in leather bring both textural and visual appeal, while hand-carved wooden pulls cater to rustic elements when paired with exposed brick or mineral gray countertops.
]]>Things have changed. Nowadays, smart homes are more sophisticated than ever. You can set up your entire home right from your smartphone, and everything can be controlled by your voice.
That’s right, you don’t need to know any codes or remember any complex steps to reap the benefits of a smart home. Do you want to dim the lights for movie night, listen to your favorite album while cooking dinner or turn on the lawn sprinklers without leaving the couch? All you have to do is ask.
At the center of a smart home is a voice service like Amazon Alexa on the Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Show, which allows you to control more than 1,000 devices using just your voice. You can connect to as many or as few smart devices as you want. Services like Alexa also let you access the latest news and weather, set reminders and even order dinner for the night.
For a sample of what's possible with a smart home, here are five devices that can lead you to a whole new home experience!
Wemo Mini Smart Plug. This Wi-Fi-enabled plug can transform almost every appliance in your home into a voice-enabled device. Plug your coffee maker, lamp or fan into it, then simply pair it with your voice service. With just a simple command like “Alexa, start the coffee,” you’ll soon smell the heavenly aromas of fresh-brewed java.
TP-Link Multicolor LED Bulb. There are light bulbs, and then there are smart bulbs. This LED bulb contains multiple colors, from warm reds to cool blues, plus hundreds of other shades and tints that allow you to light your space according to the mood or occasion, all through a simple voice command.
Neato Botvac. Not too many people like cleaning, so when they hear there’s a Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuum that automatically cleans floors for you, their ears perk up. Connect the Neato Botvac to your Amazon Alexa and voila, cleaning the floors is as easy as, “Alexa, ask Neato to start cleaning.”
Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat. Smart thermostats are wildly popular for the simple reason that they save homeowners money. If you forget to turn down the heat when you step out, you can do so from your smartphone. With sensors that manage hot and cold spots, easy programming features and more, this smart thermostat can save you an average of 23 percent on heating and cooling costs each year.
Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Show. A smart home is not just about smart devices, it's also about making your life easier. For instance, if you're throwing a dinner party and want music to set the mood, just ask "Alexa, play jazz music." The same is true if you want to check the weather, order food for a night in or see what’s on your calendar for the day. If you find you’re out of laundry detergent or cooking oil, you can easily order by asking Alexa to have it delivered to your home. All you have to do is ask.
The beauty of a smart home is that you can pick and choose the features you want. Whether you want to clean, adjust the lighting or listen to your favorite song, with a voice service like Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo, you'll experience convenience and the fruits of technology in a whole new way.
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