Modernistic Mama

Our first flower bed!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 07 May 2017 22:12:00 +0000

We've been living here almost 6 years, but haven't gotten around to doing a flower bed until now! We bought some supplies from Lowes, tilled up the flower bed and wa la. The boys got involved and we're excited to see how it does. We pretty much picked out random flowers that we thought would look good.

Though we topped it with soil and mulch, we're still looking for ways to decorate the outside and around it. I was thinking maybe some lights, and rocks along the outside. The best part was the fact that I found doing this such a great stress relief. Suffering from anxiety and depression, it is always great to find activities that feel therapeutic.

Rainy Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:29:00 +0000

Rain rain go away, come back another day! Grayson and I are having a lazy Friday and there's nothing more fun for a toddler than to watch the rain. It is so amazing to see kids be fascinated by the smallest things. We actually had a couple tornado warnings, but our house area didn't really get hit bad.

Here are a few snaps of him enjoying the rain view! He gets thrill out of watching the cars try to drive in the huge puddles as well, because the neighborhoods around here flood so quickly.

Strawberry picking 2017!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 01 May 2017 19:04:00 +0000

We went strawberry picking this past weekend! This is such a fun activity with the kids that we do as a tradition each year. This year we went to Cullipher Farm, they had a great selection and adorable play place. The large buckets were $14, small basket $7 and play area was $5 for 3 and up. The boys had a blast, so it was money well spent. I think this is our new go to spot, there were so many great berries available for picking. The owners are really nice also, and we got to enjoy a tractor ride (which both boys couldn't stop talking about).

Once we get home we always try to find new recipes to try with all these strawberries we have to eat before they go bad. Everyone in our family is a huge fan of fruits so they don't last anyways! We always try to go strawberry picking before the strawberry festival comes in town, because by then the fields usually are dried up!

Happy Easter 2017!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:37:00 +0000

You know you're a mom when....

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 02:09:00 +0000

your phone gallery looks like THIS:

Can you see how he entertained himself at the doctors today?

Egg Coloring!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:07:00 +0000

Easter is almost here! We love to dye our eggs, it's one of the kids favorite things to do. We used a whisking tool to make it easier for Grayson to do the coloring without breaking the egg. I found this trick on either Facebook or Pinterest and it worked like a charm, but in the end he just ended up dipping it after awhile. Here are some cute pictures of them having fun!

Part our tradition is coloring eggs, doing egg hunts, and other related activities. They even had story time the other day with live bunnies.

Back To The Roots mushroom mini farm

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:42:00 +0000

The kiddos are LOVING this Back To The Roots mushroom mini farm that Paul picked up from Home Depot a week or so ago. This is our results as of 6 days, so we still have a few more days. It is amazing to watch it grow so quickly. We have it sitting on the counter near a back window so that it gets light.

The boys wake up every morning and check on the mushroom farm. I highly doubt they will actually eat them, but it is definitely cool to expose them to any aspects of gardening. They like to watch their food grow. Plus we love that they are all organic!

A little backyard photo shoot!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:34:00 +0000

Look at these two cuties! I snapped a few pictures of them in the backyard, I haven't photographed them in awhile so we took advantage of a nice day. But, as they get older they definitely get tired of having their picture taken, ha.

Healthier pizza with StoneFire naan flatbreads

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:16:00 +0000

When you are wanting to eat healthy, eating the same foods over and over just gets old. Plus you don't have to give up EVERYTHING, there are plenty of healthier spins on unhealthy foods that you can indulge in occasionally.

I used a whole Stonefire naan flatbread, topped it with basil paste, crushed garlic, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes. It was so good, and definitely not greasy. To make it really healthy, you can also add veggies (I forgot to, but ate a salad with it).

For me, pizza makes me really sick due to the ingredients, and how greasy it is. This is such a great alternative that definitely didn't make me sick. The possibilities are endless.

Guest post: Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: How You Can Help

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:04:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Unsplash by Alexander Ramsey

Substance abuse and domestic violence are very connected in a cycle of trauma and abuse. Drug and alcohol usage is one of the leading risk factors for domestic violence, although it is difficult to determine accurate numbers because these crimes often go unreported. Victims experience this trauma in different ways, all of which affect how they interact with their family, friends, coworkers and loved ones - including how they parent their children. Sadly, children who grow up in homes where they witness domestic violence and substance abuse are more likely to become users and abusers as well as runaways, juvenile delinquents or adult criminals. There is also evidence that the victims of domestic violence are more likely to develop substance abuse issues in an effort to deal with the trauma they experienced at the hands of their own partner.

This circular pattern of addiction or substance usage and domestic abuse leads to a cycle that is difficult to break - and heartbreakingly common. If you think you might know someone who is struggling with one or both of these issues, there are a few things you can do to help.

Witness to Violence Resources

There are several resources available for families, partners and children who have witnessed violence in their homes - regardless of whether or not the abuse was related to drugs and alcohol. Many cities now have nonprofits, women’s shelters and rape crisis centers with onsite professionals trained to offer confidential assistance to victims and their families.

Therapy and Psychiatric Counseling

A trained therapist or psychiatrist can help victims and their families work through the difficult emotions and uncontrollable thoughts that come along with domestic violence trauma. Often, the symptoms of trauma do not exhibit right away, and may show up months or even years after the trauma first occurs. In addition, many victims may deal with depression, anxiety, or longer term PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Reading Resources

To stay educated and informed on these topics in an effort to better help others, you can read any of the many books available on domestic violence and/or substance abuse. Two commonly recommended books include: When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal the Wounds of Witnessing Abuse by Lundy Bancroft, and The Batterer as Parent by Lundy Bancroft and Jay G. Silverman.

Treatment for Substance Abuse

Offenders, victims and families who abuse substances like illegal drugs, prescription pills or alcohol will need proper treatment and, ideally, a twelve-step program to help end the cycle of abuse and substance usage. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and similar groups allow addicts, alcoholics and other substance users to heal in a safe, confidential environment. In addition, the books by respected author Melody Beattie, herself a recovering alcoholic and addict, are a great resource for victims, those in recovery, and their families.

Help is available for the mothers, fathers, and children of substance abuse and domestic violence. This is not a situation that anyone has to go through alone. By working together to help others, and by always making use of our available resources and skillfully trained professionals, we can help combat domestic violence and substance abuse.

Michelle Peterson is a recovering addict. She is passionate about sharing stories and information to inspire recovering addicts.

Encourage outdoor play this fall & winter!!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:41:00 +0000

The leaves have changed, the air is more crisp, which means colder weather, shorter days but no matter the weather our family loves to find different ways to make time for play. It's so easy to get wrapped into all the holiday activities, but our family believes in the magic of outdoor play. The season may get busy, but you can never be too busy for play. Playgrounds are free play as well, and what is better than free?!?!

The weather changing never means staying indoors for us! We always make time to get outside weekly, and because of that my boys do not mind being out in the cold. They are pretty active, and would much rather being outside versus watching TV as a result. Never be afraid to be a little cold! To make it even better, we like to invite friends along with us. The more the merrier!

IPEMA's Voice of Play website highlights the scientifically proven physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of play. Here are some of the benefits of play that they listed:

Self confidence & self esteem
Encourages being social
Release of emotions
Brain and skill development

Here are a few ways to sneak in outdoors play:

Visit a playground weekly! Even if it is just 30 minutes, it makes a world of difference.
Go for a nature walk. Make little scavenger hunt sheets to encourage exploring!
Go for a neighborhood walk.
Visit a zoo, or a recreational park. As long as you bundle up you can still have fun, plus being active definitely warms you up!

This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play.

The post is brought to you by Activate by Bloglovin and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Udemy's Online Courses!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:09:00 +0000

Udemy offers a great variety of online courses, at such great prices! I was recently selected by Mom's Meet to test a course. I went for the photography course. What mom doesn't want better pictures of her kids, or daily adventures? I love photography, but there is always room to improve.

The photography course is currently $10 which 71% off the original price. This is a STEAL! I love it! The course is about 5 1/2 hours long total (doesn't have to be done in one day), and whether you are a pro or a beginner it really gives you some great tips / insights into creating beautiful photographs.

I found the instructor to be great too, very likeable and easy to listen to. As a busy mom of two, I don't have all the time in the world to take classes right now -- which is why I am thankful for these online, affordable classes. Plus once you complete the course you get a certificate of completion!

Thanks to this course, I really learned some new tips for producing great photos, which no matter how great you can edit -- it all starts with the great photograph in the first place. I enjoyed the courses, and can definitely see myself signing up for another one!

I learned a lot of about lighting, how to focus on your subject, and about manual shooting.

Check out the course here, and see what else they offer. Sign up now for a great discount!

***I was given this course free of charge, in exchange for my honest review.

Pumpkin Patch 2016!!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 20:00:00 +0000

We went to visit our favorite pumpkin patch over at Brookedale Farms again, for the 6th year in a row. It's a special farm to us, and it is really awesome there. Brookedale has a kids play area, U pick (from the vine!!!) pumpkins, and horse-drawn hayrides. The hayrides are done by Gene, who is 80 years old. He has been doing this for years, and the two horses he has are amazing!

The whole feel of this farm, is so family friendly. There are also other great spots next door to this farm. They also sell delicious local jams, honey, salsa, etc. Brookedale always has a great selection of pumpkins, but this year they did get hit by the hurricane which affected their fields.

Luckily, we still found three good pumpkins from the field. And as always we enjoyed another year at our favorite farm in the area. The boys totally weren't into picture taking, so I didn't get a ton of shots but they had a blast.

Review: 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza in Chesapeake!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 03:28:00 +0000

A couple days ago, the family and I got the opportunity to go check out 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza in Chesapeake for the first time! It's the only location in the Hampton Roads area and just recently opened. It was a bit of a drive for us, and in the middle of a rain storm, but it was definitely worth it. I love trying new places, and we had never been here. I've loved pizza since as a kid we briefly lived in Italy and ate a lot of pizza. Here we found that it was a small place, with big taste!

My first impression was how awesome all the fresh available ingredients were, and the fact that it was pretty much a pizza bar. I love burrito / salad bars but this place really topped it especially with both the quality and taste. The employees were also very fast, and friendly with our order. We got mozzarella cheese, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, black olives, and pineapple. I loved the brick oven! Our order came out super fast too, there was literally no wait. We also got buffalo wings with ranch, which were definitely up to par with their pizza.

They offer unlimited toppings, though they recommend not over-doing it so that the pizza cooks evenly. The prices are comparable to other pizza places such as Dominos, etc but the quality is much higher. I've had some HORRIBLE pizza, but this pizza is not greasy, cheap tasting! 1000 Degrees Neapolitan pizza has a great taste to it -- I especially love the fresh mozzarella.

They also offered salads, bread sticks, wings, gelato -- and much more. Our oldest was definitely wanting to try the gelato, but it was past his bedtime. Next time we are giving it a try though, it looked delicious! Our experience was very positive, a great clean restaurant with friendly employees and tasty food. It is definitely a family-friendly place, and what better way to spend a night with family than making your own pizza?!? I love how casual it is -- yet exceeds your expectations.

I highly recommend replacing your usual pizza place, and trying 1000 Degrees Neapolitan pizza in Chesapeake! The taste is one of my new favorites in town, and we look forward to returning again. Once you taste their pizza, you won't wanna go anywhere else. Now, I will say that there is ONE con to 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza.....;) the fact that they don't deliver! Just kidding! The whole experience of watching them top their fresh dough with toppings of your choice is part of the fun. We can't wait to go back!

**Note: I wrote this review in exchange for dining here. All thoughts are my own, and my personal opinion. I wasn't compensated in any other form.

Grayson is 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Oh how the time flies! Yesterday was our youngest son's birthday, and he turned 2. It is crazy how fast kids grow. He is a sweet little boy! He has begun talking in full sentences, he loves garbage trucks, monster trucks, work trucks, and anything trucks. Also trains -- loves them.

We celebrated with friends and family, and had a little cookout. He had a great time! Here's to a great year of being 2.

Healthier is Happier nail polish Exchange!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:26:00 +0000

I'm loving this Zoya nail polish exchange! Take your old, toxic nail polishes and exchange for a healthier option. Here's the information offered on the Zoya website:

How The Exchange Works:

1. Add a minimum of 6 bottles of polish (no more than 24 bottles) to your cart - Consumer accounts ONLY. In the event that you are a salon professional, please contact your market coordinator and they will help you with the exchange. Please Note: Treatments Excluded.

2. Apply Code: GOZOYA and a 50% credit will be deducted from your exchange order - FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED!

3. Complete checkout and you're all set! If you need further instructions on sending back your unwanted polish click HERE. The exchange runs on the honor system, which means you are not obligated to send in your unwanted polish - we assume you're going to do the right thing!

If you choose to send back your polishes, please check with your carrier of choice for shipping guidelines and restrictions for nail polish. USE CODE: GOZOYA Offer valid 9/15/16 - 10/3/16 (11:59pm EST)

Ship Your Exchange To:
Art of Beauty, Inc. c/o Polish Exchange
200 Egbert Rd Bedford, Ohio, 44146, USA

Happy First day of Kindergarten!!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 16:00:00 +0000

It is so hard to believe our little man is growing up before our eyes! Brody turned 5 last month, so of course he started school this year. I've pretty much been a stay at home mom with a few jobs in between, so it is scary to send him off to school. He rides the bus to and from school and loves it so far.

There's no early morning fighting, etc. He is happy to go to school! I can only hope his positive attitude stays. Of course I am a proud mom and had to snap some pictures of him! :)

DIY homemade "sand"

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 20:27:00 +0000

This super simple recipe, made for hours of fun with the boys. It is a bit messy and makes the floors pretty slippery! But truthfully, cleanup was rather easy. If done inside, I definitely would throw something under the bucket / table you are using.

Here's what we used:
2 cups of corn flour
2 cups of brown sugar
10-12 tablespoons of vegetable oil

You'll want to mix the sugar and flower together, until well blended and then add the vegetable oil slowly. Mix together until the liquid is gone, and enjoy! We used the sand for several days, we had a top to our water table, so it was perfect. Plus, the sand smells SO good because it has brown sugar in it.

Best RAW cookie dough ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 15:06:00 +0000

Oh em gee! EatPastry makes the most amazing RAW cookie dough that is not only vegan, gluten free but non-gmo as well and certified delicious. Everyone deserves a treat every so often! This cookie dough is so good, I guarantee the container will not last long. We didn't even have time to make them into cookies, we just enjoyed it straight from the container.

It is amazing. What are you waiting for?! Go treat yo'self

REVIEW: NeilMed® Naspira® Nasal-Oral Aspirator + GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 03:09:00 +0000

Boogers are no fun, but with kids or anyone in general there is no way to escape them. Runny / congestion noses can affect everyone, and make a child miserable. Thankfully the NeilMed Naspira nasal-oral aspirator makes it easy on parents! The NeilMed Naspira nasal-oral aspirator features a two in one design, so you can use suction to get rid of your child's congestion, or you can simply use the bulb aspirator. I will say that my son (1, almost 2 years old) can not stand using the bulb alone --- he will fidget, or run away. However, he seems to be amazed by the fact that you can use it as a suction. He will sit completely still for me, which is a lifesaver.

He is so relaxed about it, that he will actually let his older brother (4) use it on him. It's so funny, our son thought that he would get boogers in his mouth so he was a little afraid to use it. But the boogers never touch your mouth! It actually comes with 7 disposable filters to prevent any from ever getting stuck and touching your mouth. It's easy peasy. With two kids, we are used to seeing lots of runny noses, but this product makes it a lot easier to manage. It helps clear so quickly, and gives the kids a happier day.

This nasal relief product is made of silicone, and is clear so easy to see if mold was to start growing, etc. It is very easy to sterilize, by simply pulling apart and boiling on the stove top or via microwave. Easy to use, and easy to clean -- what more could a mom ask for?!? This product is seriously a life saver whenever the boys get sick. I'm thankful we got to test it out via MomsMeet, otherwise we would've been stuck wrestling a toddler to get boogers - ha! Once you try it, you will definitely never use another runny nose product. All natural, and effective the first time.

Infact, I love it so much I am happy to say I have 3 to giveaway to lucky readers.
The giveaway ends July 31st. One entry per person.

To enter:

1. Email brittany@modernisticmama.com with the subject "NeilMed Giveaway" and tell me why you want to win!

OR

2. Comment on this blog post and tell me what you love most about the product!

Hurry and enter! Good luck!

** I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

REVIEW: KABRITA Goat Milk formula & yogurt pouches!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 02:53:00 +0000

Thanks to MomsMeet we recently got the opportunity to try out Kabrita's goat milk formula and yogurt pouches. Big brother Brody loves to mix the formula for his little brother; it makes a great alternative to dairy. While my boys don't have a dairy sensitivity, my youngest, Grayson doesn't usually care for the taste of dairy milk. Kabrita has a very mild smell / taste to it, definitely different than dairy milk but it is a lot more gentle on the digestive system.

Some things we really love about Kabrita's goat milk:

It's non-GMO
They've enhanced it with 22 vitamins & minerals
Free from antibiotics, artificial colors/flavors, growth hormones,
Their goats are raised on family farms, with fresh grass always available for grazing

Kabrita's goat milk is enhanced with DHA which is a must have for a child's vision / cognitive developments. This is naturally found in breast milk, but as a toddler gets older the goat milk is a great source of it as well.

We also tested Kabrita's yogurt pouches! These are great for on the go for the park, the zoo, the beach, etc. Their goat milk yogurt pouches are all natural, and come in three different flavors. Banana & vanilla bean was a favorite of the boys. It didn't last long around here. We found that the pouches are also a great source of protein, which some days my boys don't get enough (they'd rather PLAY than eat) so this is a great way to sneak more nutrition in!

** I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

When life gives you rain...

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 05:04:00 +0000

you jump in the puddles!

How cute are these two!??! I remember loving puddles as a kid, and seeing them play in the puddles today had me wanting to bring out my camera for a few quick photos. Nothing like enjoying nature. It has been so hot and humid out here, so the rain was nice although that of course will bring humidity itself. One thing is for sure, these two love water and summer time!!

Happy Father's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 17:51:00 +0000

Applebee's wood fired menu review & giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 03:02:00 +0000

Last Saturday, Paul and I got a nice date night at Applebee's --- hooray for dinner without kids (ha ha!). We were there to try Applebee's NEW wood fired menu. Both of us were super excited to try it because we actually usually always eat at Applebee's whenever we go out to eat (with the kids more than without!). It's super close to us, and the service along with food is always great. We went to Applebee's Loehmann'S Plaza in Virginia Beach, where they just recently rolled out the new menu items. Our server Carly, and the manager Heather were two amazingly friendly ladies. We had such great service!

The menu features steaks and bone-in pork chops which are hand cut in restaurant by trained meat cutters to ensure the highest quality, freshness and optimal thickness. Applebee's really took their new menu features seriously, there was over 60 thousand hours of training for meat cutters, which is part of a combined $40 million investment by Applebee’s franchisees.

The Applebee’s wood fired menu includes:

8 oz. and 6 oz. Hand-cut USDA Choice Top Sirloin Steaks
Hand-cut Bone-in Pork Chops with Honey Apple Chutney
Cedar-grilled Salmon with Maple Mustard
Glaze Grilled chicken breast

It also features wood grilled veggies, appetizers, etc. I really felt like they vamped up the menu is such an awesome way; it had me wanting to come back for more with just one bite. If Applebee's wanted to stand out from others -- they just found a way to do so. I was honestly very impressed! I think this is one of the smartest moves that Applebee's could've made. Felt like an awesome grill out, only without all the hard work of cooking awesome food.

Our server mentioned their sirloin won ton tacos as an appetizer, and while I admit I was skeptical at first, it was clearly love at first bite. They weren't even on the menu yet, but she let us know that they're there and anytime we come in they can be ordered. HINT: order them! They're a little sweet, with a blast of flavor. I could've ate them as a main meal they were so good.

I ordered the pork chops with honey apple chutney, with a side of wood grilled veggies, and maple pecan mashed sweet potatoes. First off, the pork was AMAZING and I am not even a huge pork fan. The sauce was out of this world. And the sweet potatoes, recommended by our server Carly, were so good that I couldn't stop talking about them. The maple and pecan tasted like melted brown sugar; it was just heaven. I could eat them for dessert! The veggies were a hit too, they tasted so much better wood fired.

Paul ordered the wood fired 8oz sirloin, with mashed potatoes and garlicky green beans. He normally orders steak whenever we go to Applebee's and he agreed that the wood fired is so much better, an awesome upgrade! Plus our food came out so fast, and perfect which made the experience even better.

Last but not least, somehow we made room for dessert. Calories DON'T count on the weekend, right!??! This apple chimi cheesecake was out of this world. This dessert features cheesecake & caramel apples fried in a tortilla, cinnamon sugar, roasted apples, ice cream, caramel sauce. AKA you need to try it right now.

In short: we're so lucky to have an amazing restaurant like Applebee's with great service to go to, but the wood fired menu in itself is a must try. Me being a foodie, of course I was delighted to try the new flavors and I was highly impressed. I highly recommend trying a new item, it won't disappoint.

In-fact, check out the giveaway below! One lucky reader will get a $30 gift certificate to try the wood fired menu for themselves. GOOD LUCK :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buttercup kiddos!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany) — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 01:46:00 +0000

Love love love! Summer is almost here....and I love the buttercup flowers today while at the park. They make for such a vibrant, and fun scenes in photographs. I had two families to photograph today, so I decided to snap a few of the boys. They weren't totally feeling taking pictures so I had to be quick. Plus it was super duper hot out, and the humidity was horrible.