Inside ToteSavvy

Whether you're taking a road trip a few hours from home or getting on a cross country flight we are firm believers that exploring new places with children is a gift, especially after we have spent the last year at home. Sure, there will be extra baggage and an unexpected meltdown (or four), but the experiences you share when you're away from your normal routine are priceless. To get some inspiration, we asked our ToteSavvy community to share their favorite places to travel as a family and we already have wanderlust!   Brit Allen // @happilyeverallen "We started traveling with our little one at 2 months old and she’s been from one end of the coast to the other! (New York to California!) Honestly, anywhere with her is our favorite!  Totesavvy makes my carry-on look luxe! What the passengers on the plane don’t know is that my tote doubles as my diaper bag and is organized to the max!"  Brit Allen @happilyeverallen Hillary Folkvord // @hillaryfolkvord "I read the other day, trips create moments worth being in. And this could not be more true for us. Ever since Nick and I met in our 20’s, we have traveled. Mostly because we dated long distance for 3 years, we would pick a fun place to meet monthly. But on May 2nd, our daughter was born and just like that, a loop around the neighborhood sounded daunting. With just 10 days of life behind her, we started out for our first road trip to Canada for a wedding. She did great and from that day on we took her everywhere. We know she won’t remember all of it, but I certainly will remember nursing her in the middle of the night listening to the waves crash in Mexico, watching her enjoy her first croissants at the top of the Eiffel Tower and peaceful strolls along the quaint streets of Nantucket." Hillary Folkvord @hillaryfolkvord   Taylor Schultz  // @tayleralexiss  "Although we’re Miami Beach-based, LA is always worth the long flight! I brought my son on a solo trip at 3 months for his first time. We hiked, went to the country mart, had a picnic and enjoyed time at el matador beach together. I love the weather as well as the emphasis on health and wellness that the west coast offers." Taylor Schultz  @tayleralexiss    Bianca Tevez // @biamommy “Our favorite vacations to take so far have been beach vacations, they are easiest to pack for since they require the least. For us, it was especially magical to head back to our honeymoon destination in Hawaii (Maui) with our kids.” Bianca Tevez @biamommy   Danielle Saluan // @diariesofdanielle "We love taking family trips to Palm Springs! It's just a quick road trip for us from Orange County and it's the perfect relaxing getaway to the desert!" Danielle Saluan @diariesofdanielle   Jessica Lee // @thedavisstandard "Our favorite place to travel as a family is the Grand Cayman Islands. We love the quick flight (from NYC) to get there, beautiful beaches, snorkeling with stingrays and the calm crystal clear waters. We specifically love the Ritz there but the island is really great with many resorts that are family-friendly." Jessica Lee @thedavisstandard   Make family trips streamlined and organized with the edition of ToteSavvy Travel––a clothing organizer for babies and toddlers. Our newest organizer makes planning and organizing outfits a breeze!  

  As a parent, you're constantly juggling more than you can carry (literally and figuratively). Having your hands free to carry your baby, chase your toddler, or hold them with one hand while you quickly change a diaper with the other, is all too familiar.  We're passionate about making parents' lives easier, and of course, more organized. For this reason, we created the ToteSavvy Change Kit. It's part changing kit and part crossbody bag––a hybrid design helping you keep your hands free so you can easily access a diaper, a wet wipe, or anything else you need at that moment.     

To usher in the release of our new launch, we asked the moms in our life about the most unconventional places they’ve ever changed a diaper. As a parent, there’s nothing that pushes us to our limits quite like the unexpected bathroom break our diaper-clad baby always seems to drop on us at the most inopportune time. (They know, right? Like, they must know...) An ill-timed poo can really stop us in our tracks, especially if we have no well-equipped area to change a messy nappy. Luckily, as moms, we have fast become accustomed to thinking on our feet. And things are about to get a whole lot easier for you with our latest launch; it’s so good, you’ll actually be excited to change a diaper. In the meantime, let’s all take a moment of silence to remember the most absurd and literally off-the-wall places these moms have ever changed a diaper. Like we said, pure insanity…    “On a deep freezer in the kitchen of a restaurant!” --Lisa K., @addictedtohairlockport    “When my son was four months old I had to change him on the bathroom floor of a very busy McDonalds during a Chicago Cubs baseball game.” --Tiffanie S., @energeewhizz    “The craziest place was in a cab!! Visiting my family back in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, big city, and [moving] around either in public transportation or cabs, so we had a long drive to the place we were going and well... duty calls! Poor cab driver.” --Flor, @kabana_community     “On a 6" deep windowsill, above/behind a toilet, in a restaurant. Poor kid. [AND], on a dining table at a brewery (so grossed out now in retrospect that I did this... but I was a new parent and totally brain dead at the time... and they didn't have a bathroom I could do it in, and I saw others doing it too sooooooo.)” --Kelsey S., @ShopMiliMili    “On the ground in front of a church in Lake Como.” --Michelle Piccolo, @feedingourtoddlers    “My hubby and I have done several hiking trips with our daughter so two crazy spots come to mind because we always hike far enough that a diaper change was necessary: 1.) Outside the Lake Agnes Teahouse (which takes 2 hours to hike to) in Banff National Park in Canada, and  2.) At the Kallur lighthouse on the island of Kalsoy in the Faroe Islands.” --Hannah J., @habejo    “Seat of an airplane.” --Petria B., @petriaboutin     “The craziest place I've changed a diaper (so many!). My favorite is on a bar in Lloret de Mar, a coastal town near Barcelona. We took a trip there when our first baby was 4 months and I was on maternity leave. We frequently found ourselves in fairly inconvenient places for diaper changes. One night we were having dinner with friends at their favorite local spot and found out mid-meal there was no room or changing table in the restroom. We asked the restaurant if we could clear off the bar counter and they were more than happy to accommodate!  That memory will go down as one of the funniest.” --Severina O., @gabriisle    “On the side of the road, on a backstreet, in the middle of nowhere Staten Island. It. Was. Weird. AND it was a blowout.” ---Charlotte B.K., @charlotteblakekaplan    “In the bathroom on the train from Rye, NY to Manhattan.  No changing tables, so [I] had to do it standing up.  Best part? I didn't realize until after the [poopy] diaper change that they don't have trash cans on the train and I didn't have a plastic bag. #success” --Jessica G., @taavi_village    “Well I have definitely changed diapers in many great locations but the best has to be in the middle of gay pride parade I was walking home from yoga and Laszlo had an up the back poop and I had to change him on a park bench while a dance party was in full action.” --Tara C., @thismamasoul     

In a weird turn of events, the more time we have at home, the less time we feel like we actually have. There’s something tricky about managing the balance of working from home, and it’s more precarious than a high-wire act. It’s perilous, yes, but it’s completely, wholly mentally taxing, too. All day our minds and bodies are working overtime to accommodate our never-ending to-do lists, now longer than ever before. And at nights, rarely sleeping well, we’re consumed with the weight of the world--also in a way like never before.  Quarantine has felt like a bit of time warp. Inside all day, we have so much to do, but nowhere to go. The effect is a bit unsettling, but it also has us searching for things to do. Because as much work as we have to do right now--not to mention parenting, teaching, cooking, and the list, as we know, goes on--we’re eager for distractions, and seeking any remnant of our past life to fill the day. If we’re learning anything through this new process, it’s that there’s truly no time like the present--no time like now to find a new hobby, to try something you’ve always wanted to, or to tackle that project that’s been nagging at you for years. And with that, we’re so excited to present to you a healthy list of female-led companies making our quarantine experience a little more bearable. You’re going to want to keep reading…  FEEL THE FLOW with a FENG SHUI CONSULTATION  There’s nothing quite like being in your home 24/7 to make you realize there’s a lot you want to do to your home--like make it flow, comfortably. A Feng Shui from The Sanus Home expert can give you hand.  FEEL STRONG with PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS We all miss going to the gym, but luckily we can still get personal. Training sessions, that is, via video, thanks to the sweetly militant trainer we all need in our lives right now: Sara Titone, owner and founder of SET Movement. FEEL MOTIVATED with WORKING MOMS COACHING AND SUPPORT Have we ever been more reflective on our life and our needs than now? Probably not. Rachel B Garrett Coaching harnesses our greatest goals and desires and helps make them real, tangible things, so that we can come out on the other side in the form of our brightest, strongest selves.  FEEL COORDINATED with VIRTUAL ERGONOMICS AND WELLNESS The way you sit while working greatly impacts your efficiency levels and general productivity, not to mention your overall comfort, and subsequently, your mood. Everything’s connected, so make sure your furniture is top-notch--Marka Health is here to help with that.  FEEL SWEET with COOKIE DECORATING KITS - kids Sweetology is typically our go-to source for birthday parties, classes, and events. And now more than ever, their at-home delivery of DIY-decorating kits has proven the perfect stay-at-home activity for the whole family.  FEEL PRETTY with VIRTUAL MAKEUP CONSULTATIONS  Connecting over video, Amanda Thesen Beauty allows you to take self-care while at home to another level. Enjoy 50-minute consultation about whatever you need most: makeup must-haves, skincare questions, how to use your products, and more.  FEEL SEEN with PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT  Being pregnant or a new mom can feel entirely overwhelming right now for any number of reasons. But with the support of Poppy Seed Health--the app giving you digital access to nurses and doulas for 24/7 guidance and care--means you’ll never feel in the dark, even when you’re stuck in your house.  FEEL REJUVENATED with NEW RITUALS  Kat Schneider built Ritual on the foundation of health--something that begins and ends with ingredients you can trust. And given the current climate, there’s no time like the present to re-examine your daily rituals, and dial in on what you need most.  FEEL LIKE FAMILY with SNUGGLE ESSENTIALS  Primary is the coveted line of kids’ essentials that makes every day--even days in quarantine--a little bit easier. Founders Christina Carbonell and Galyn Bernard get major bonus points for the enviable comfort factor each of their pieces maintains, an attribute that’s perfect for movie night (which, currently, is every night).  FEEL COZY with a BEDDING UPDATE  No matter what quarantine looks like for you, there’s something about knowing our beds have reached max comfort levels that brings us a new level of contentment with our space. Enter Parachute Home, the brainchild of Ariel Kaye, and never look back.  FEEL REVITALIZED with REFINED ROUTINES  Our daily routines may have been upended, but that doesn’t mean our skincare routines need to follow suit. Maelove is the science-backed skincare you’ve been waiting for, and the perfect complement to days and nights spent indoors. In theory, more time at home means more time for self-care… right?  FEEL HOMEY with SWEET SCENTS Abigail Cook Stone: Otherland Abigail Cook Stone introduced Otherland, the toxin-free candle collections, in 2017. From the start, Otherland was our go-to for gifting--the perfect birthday, engagement, host, and housewarming gift. Today, it’s the thing that’s keeping our house feeling like a home, and smelling sweeter than ever.  FEEL BEAUTIFUL with MEANINGFUL SPARKLES  If we’ve learned anything during our time spent at home, it’s that family is everything. Plus, there’s definitely something to be said about feeling pretty, even in your favorite sweat set. Maya Brenner’s meaningful collection of personalized jewelry helps us see the light--in more ways than one. And, customized necklaces, earrings, and more means we can really show the ones we love how much we care--now, and after quarantine too.  FEEL RELAXED with CREATURE COMFORTS We know and love Jenni Kayne for her streamlined aesthetic that knows a thing or two about essential comfort. Be it home or apparel, her collections always embrace the philosophy that we feel our best when we’re our most comfortable. So it’s no wonder that now, more than ever, we’re shopping her incredible line of must-haves.

Get an idea or two from our top wish list picks for this Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day shouldn’t just be a day of recognition and appreciation, it should be a day of empowerment. Women supporting women--and, where we can, mothers supporting mothers-- is our favorite way of raising one another up, especially on the day we get to call our own.  Because while breakfast in bed is great, something about a gift made or created by another woman is even better. This Mother’s Day put the gifts that matter on your wishlist. We’ve put a few of our favorites for your consideration below.    1. Purlisse Cosmetics Jennifer Yen is the founder and CEO of this thoughtfully curated collection of skincare products. Inspired by her Asian heritage, Yen created a line of products that blend modern science with ancient wisdom. The result? A glowing complexion (even after a sleepless night, which, even on Mother’s Day, is a real possibility).    2. Sakara Sakara was founded by two incredible women that came to the realization that, when you treat food as medicine, your body will respond in incredible ways. Featuring a good and good-for-you menu of inspired meals, plus a Clean Boutique with everything from granola, to detox water drops, and probiotics, too, Sakara is an amazing gift for mothers in a multitude of ways. For days where you prioritize everyone but yourself, Sakara’s no-brainer meal delivery service makes it easy to remember that indulging in good, nourishing food is the fastest way to nourishing your soul and spirit and replenishing your body’s essential nutrients.   3. Sweet Loren’s  Anyone else have a sweet tooth like us? If you’re sheepishly nodding at your screen, meet Sweet Loren’s, the gluten-free and non-GMO treats that leave us feeling a little less guilty about our favorite indulgences.   4. Lake Pajamas  Show Mother’s Day your soft side with the gift that perfectly complements breakfast in bed, or your most relaxing mornings. Lake Pajamas are the perfect accessory for lounging around and may turn bedtime into your favorite part of the day (if it isn’t already).    5. Banner Day  It’s no secret that, most days, we’re living in a t-shirt. But this Mother’s Day, don’t hesitate to add a bit of luxury to your closet. Banner Day blends a mix of east coast with west coast, and turns an effortless t-shirt into an outfit that’s totally fun.   6. Daydream Weaver  If jewelry is more your thing, opt for something that’s totally unique. Daydream Weaver is made for the modern girl, and founder and creator Sara Titone weaves a little magic into the perfect pairings for date night, coffee runs--or even Mother’s Day brunch. 

Our favorite gifts to send when you can't be there in person As baby showers are being moved from in-person celebrations to virtual affairs, there is still a running list of things that the mom-to-be in your life needs. Let's face it, quarantine or not, that baby is coming.  Essentials can mean a little something different for everyone. But what really matters is what makes the new mom feel her best. Use this list as a guide for the things that might have missed the baby registry--but will certainly be appreciated. ToteSavvy Gift Sets At ToteSavvy, it’s our brand’s mission to simplify your hectic lives. This is why we created not just the ToteSavvy, but these thoughtfully curated Infant Gift Sets, too. Packed with true essentials, you’ll unlock a world of tiny treasures--like an organic cotton sleeper, the coveted Sophie La Giraffe, and so much more. Each piece has been thoughtfully picked to keep time at home with a newborn as easy as possible.  Meal Delivery Eating may seem like a no-brainer, but when you’re a new parent, sometimes the only person you’re thinking about feeding is the thing you just baked for nine months. So one of the best gifts for a fresh mom is a meal delivery service, and ideally, one that keeps her immunity up, helping her to heal faster--and feel like her best self. Plus, when going to the grocery store isn’t an option, meal deliveries work two-fold to keep you healthy.  Diaper Subscription  Diapers aren’t simply an absolute necessity, they’re also expensive, and something that constantly needs replenishing. To further simplify things for the new mama in your life, get her a diaper subscription. She’ll thank you for having one less thing to think about, and she’ll be especially grateful for at-home deliveries when she’s stuck at home in quarantine, too.  Guava Lotus Travel Crib  Even if traveling the world with a little one isn’t on her agenda (which is most certainly the case for everyone right now), new moms will love the Lotus Travel Crib by Guava. Not only is it dummy-proof (it’s super easy to pack and unpack), but you’ll also probably use it way more than you think--like as a baby bassinet for those first few months they’ll be in your bedroom, or as a playpen for the living room so you can have eyes on them while you cook or fold laundry.  A Boppy Pillow  Similar to the travel crib, the Boppy Pillow packs way more versatility than you’d expect from its little size and is ideal for time spent at home. Mom can use it as it’s originally intended (a nursing pillow), then as baby grows it can be used as soft structure to support baby while sitting up and playing.  Blackout Curtains  One of the most important first steps in becoming a new mother is setting a routine for your new baby, and the best way to do that is by setting the mood. Blackout curtains will set the scene for bedtime, especially for any summer babies that get daylight until 9pm, or intrusive streetlights that never turn off. If you're unsure of the aesthetic of baby's nursery, you can find blackout curtain liners that attach to most curtains.  Extra Large Water Bottle  New moms, especially those that breastfeed, are told to imbibe a lot of water. And no matter what, hydration is essential. The best solution? Keeping a filled water bottle with you at all times, like this one--which is easy to open (and does so quietly, without a squeaky or cumbersome lid). This gift is perfect in times where mom and baby are at home, and the most travel they're doing is from room to room, she’ll find this is an easy option for staying hydrated while roaming the house.  Sweatpants Birthing a child is a full-body experience--one that is beautiful yet exhausting. Pair that with sleepless nights and new, around-the-clock expectations, and the thought of putting on a pair of jeans (if they even fit), is completely out of the question. Every new mom should have a pair of comfy, cozy sweatpants on hand. Bonus points if they’re cute because she’ll be living in them for a while. Our recommendation: embrace it!  Sound Machine  Sound machines aren’t just for blocking out auxiliary noise that might wake baby, they're also excellent at soothing them. Plus, it’s another amazing way to set the mood for bedtime, creating the building blocks for new nighttime routines. Mom and dad-to-be will continue to thank you for this gift as it continues to keep bedtime under control for years.   Bottle of Champagne or Wine (or Sushi) A nice basket compilation featuring their favorite pre-pregnancy indulgences isn’t just thoughtful, it may just be deemed essential as well! But when takeout or a trip to the liquor store is out of the question, consider meal delivery services that will keep you well-fed, like UberEats, Seamless, GrubHub, Doordash, and Caviar. As for wine… Plonk Wine Club delivers organic wines right to your door, making us think maybe quarantine isn’t so bad.  

An exclusive look at how moms around the country are getting it done (and how you can, too).  Quarantinis aside, there are close to a million ways you can get through your shelter in place. And though a cocktail helps, it’s the times where you’re in the thick of your inbox, your kids are climbing all over you, you’ve already succumbed to letting them watch their third episode of YouTube trash, and you’ve relinquished your will, committing to sweatpants for the third (fifth?) day in a row. When you look up, you realize it’s barely 9:30am, and you’re wondering how in the hell you’re going to get through another day.  In a weird way, quarantine has felt strangely familiar. It’s like a longer, more drawn out, and much more stressful newborn period. The days blend together, time seems to lack any type of structure, and you’ve forgotten when you showered last. With no place to go, and a seemingly endless to-do list, we’ve been sequestered inside. In the not-too-distant past, days spent at home, together, may have seemed like a dream. Maybe it’s the anarchist in each of us that wants to buck the system--is it just because we’re being told what to do and how to do it that makes this so unbearably hard?  Actually, no. It’s the fact that we’ve just been asked to become teachers, parents, therapists, yoga instructors, and, for most of us, bosses or employees. It’s never been more clear than now that work life and home life are distinctly separate for a reason. In this current climate, we’re being asked to be everything simultaneously, a feat that is not only completely, irrefutably difficult--it’s impossible. And that’s not cynicism, it’s just a fact. We can’t be everything at once. Put simply, we have but 1 mind, 2 hands, and 24 hours. No matter how you slice it, things at present are challenging, to say the very least.  But every cloud has its silver lining, and if we’ve learned anything from this, it’s that community is paramount to getting through. For you, even just reading this means that you’ve enveloped yourself in the warm embrace of someone that, albeit digitally, gets it. Even better, we just pooled our rockstar mama resources to bring you the full monty: the most insightful Quarantine Survival Guide to date. From this point forward, fear not. When you’re feeling down and out, this list is here to help you find the light.  FOR THE MAMAS (AND PAPAS) From Elizabeth A (@trustle_): I am a child psychologist by training and am the founder of a parent support organization called Trustle.  We are currently offering 1:1 parent support sessions to help parents manage this difficult time, discuss ways they can support their children, and help them design a schedule and distance learning/play/connection routine that works for their individual family.  You can learn more here.  From Tara (@thismamasoul): We are offering free prenatal/ postpartum yoga streaming and have a beautiful bookstore online. We also sell the amazing CBD salve for all the pains and stiffness of being stuck at home.  From Lauren K (@totesavvy) Working from home is always challenging. Adding a house full of kids, pets, and a significant other just adds to the noise and stress levels. On top of our normal workload, we're also expected to play the role of teacher, make meals, sanitize everything that comes inside our home, along with a laundry list (oh yea... laundry 😒) of other things on a daily basis. Personally, I felt overwhelmed 5 minutes into our shelter in place order. Each day has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride but I've learned a few little tricks to help bring some normalcy back and get myself through each day. If you don't have a quiet area to get work done, put in headphones and blast your favorite playlist for an hour or so while you concentrate on one task at a time. For me, music can be inspiring and helps me focus. Hearing my children fight with one another, on the other hand, is not. P.S. If turning the TV on for an hour lets you have this time to yourself, do it! Get on a homeschooling schedule. Our 1st grader is given worksheets to complete weekly. I print them all out and divide them among file folders labeled with the day of the week. She knows she has to finish those worksheets before she can watch TV or play on her iPad. It gives her the flexibility to choose when she wants to sit down and do schoolwork while also enforcing that she does have to participate in learning daily. Make sure you're making time for yourself. No matter what, you need to prioritize yourself at some point during the day to ensure your mental health is not overlooked. From Amanda W (@amandapanda_abracadabra): On Self-Care: This might sound silly, but my husband and I have been going to bed EARLIER and waking up earlier. I'm so exhausted at the end of the day with full-time parenting and trying to run our business, I feel like I don't even really enjoy running a bath or a movie at night after the kids go to bed because I'm physically tapped out and just thinking I'll have to do it all over again the next day! I have been waking up early to give myself more time, and have been taking my morning coffee out to a lounge chair (I'm literally in my bathrobe, this is not fancy) and I take a big blanket and just enjoy some fresh air, REAL quiet (there are hardly any planes flying overhead, and everyone in the neighborhood is at home and sleeping in), and mentally get ready for my day.  In the mornings, I have been doing the following after getting out of bed and drinking some water: a short meditation, 5 minutes of journaling, 10 sun salutations, and having my coffee with either just silence with hubby or a good book. It's been amazing! Going for a run - it's a safe way to be socially distancing! I also imagine 'running away' from the virus, this weird new reality, and anything else that's bugging me (is that weird? probably). On Beauty (Haha): I don't dye my hair yet, but I have been getting regular eyelash extension treatments for years, as well as eyebrow treatments to make those bad boys fluffy and filled in. Now I basically look tired. I am using this time to grow everything [out]: I ordered lash and brow serums, and I'm also trying to 'train' my hair a bit more to be washed fewer times in a week.  I get my exercise clothes out, clothes for the day after I've exercised and washed my body, and set out everything around my Riki mirror (what a major purchase that was for me!) to do a bit of makeup in the morning - that is the main beauty thing I'm doing to make me feel human every day, act like I'm going somewhere! That includes putting on nice jewelry too - why not? From Melissa R (@melissarosenfield): For hair color: I ordered clear gloss from Target (Kristen Ness) because my colorist said it will enhance my color and add shine without changing my balayage and probably the lowest risk until we can color again.  For skincare: Still using sunblock because of all the blue light and large windows.  For working out when it isn't an option: Obe, Bala wrist/ankle weights as I clean around the house and using my 6-month-old as a barbell.  For reading: Audible and real books which means I am not on the computer or watching TV all day which is helping my brain.  From Kelsey S: (@shopmilimili) 3x a week Zoom happy hours with friends once the kids go to bed. Some are game night themed, some are digital book or movie clubs, some are just chances to gripe with my best friends about how shitty this all is. But it's nice to have human connection outside of our house, and I'm finding I’m seeing and talking to my out of state friends more often than I did before Covid. From Tara C (@thismamasoul) On the hair side!!  Art and Autonomy is making hair color delivery. I have a hair contact there, her name is Mary. You can send a photo of your hair and she will put together either a gloss or at home product.  Related, from another genius, Kaitlin Strobel: Reach out to your hairstylist to see if they can re-create your color and send it to you to do from home and help keep their small businesses afloat!  From Shea K: (@shea_kluender_) I like to use self-portraiture as a form of self-care. I lead with weekly creative prompts and supportive conversation, which could be a great resource to include in the survival guide for those seeking a down-to-earth artistic space. Mamas simply create a Pathwright account to log-on to the 2020 Self-Portrait Community virtual space from home - the weekly "lessons" and discussions are all online. This course regularly costs $30/month for unlimited content and community, but it will all be free the rest of the year in support of offering a resource to mother ourselves and each other during this crazy time.  From Misha V (@mishavayner) I’m a holistic health coach & wellness blogger that supports overwhelmed mamas in feeling their best without the stress. This has been a focus of mine always, but now more than ever.  My blog has tons of resources, such as my Busy Mama Cook Book & Mindful Mama Guide , & Self Care Tips , How to Support yourself during stressful times, natural ways to fall asleep, how to reach your health goals when you're exhausted, easy ways to quickly get nutrient-dense foods such as my top 3 vegan, delish, drinkable soups and on and on and on.  I send out weekly newsletters focused on this with relevant content! (Find her here!) Time blocking the calendar has been really helpful for me but my fave online offering at the moment [is] Kidville. My kids’ ages are 2, 3, and 6 and they have LOVED their content and classes. FOR THE KIDS FROM ALLI OF WILD CHILD GYM  (@wildchildgym) Wild Child Gym has been producing free classes and posting on YouTube. We’ve been getting amazing feedback and a following worldwide! The program is a combination of movement, skills, and activities like puppet shows and dance breaks meant for young children to be active while still providing content allowing their imaginations to flourish.  We are a small family business and our gorgeous studio is based in downtown Culver City, CA.  In addition to 2 episodes every week, we are posting mini videos with ideas for indoor play, like: three games to play using a blanket, fort building, and more! We are community-focused and have been sharing our ideas on stories to help keep little ones engaged. Like neighborhood walks with a purpose that turn into a fun activity, like rainbow hunts, texture hunts, and nature soup. We are organizing a community Easter egg (art) hunt. Kiddos are drawing Easter eggs and displaying them on front windows/doors and then we ride around the neighborhood to find the eggs. From Amanda W (@amandapanda_abracadabra) We put a whiteboard up in our kitchen, and after dinner each night we write down our schedule (loosely!) with our kids for the next day. What we are doing after breakfast, after lunch, what are we having for meals, etc., we pick baking projects or art projects for the afternoon after any classes or lessons, etc., and because my husband and I run a business together, that's a good time to discuss who's watching the kids at what time based on work, meetings etc. It is NOT very warm by us right now (we're in the UK) but we have a small back garden, and unless it's torrential rains, we are outside with our boys doing literally anything anytime we don't have an inside activity. Right now they are just loving taking things they don't normally take outside, outside (like books, mega blocks, their IKEA table and chairs to do coloring, etc.) Yoga videos together: for some reason, my kids love trying to do what we do - so we have been doing a ton of yoga videos online (literally anything) and then the game is copy! Forts: we have done indoor and outdoor forts, they take a good amount of time to set up and perfect, and then any activity inside seems more fun (most of the time). Last choice: movie (we try to find something like Wall-E, etc., where we can have fun watching but also talk about it afterward) From Melissa R (@melissarosenfield) To de-stress: Coloring with my babe. He likes to see what I am doing and it's literally the most relaxing activity. We have lots of coloring books but a few museums are putting coloring pages online that you can print of famous paintings. From Kelsey S (@shopmilimili) Khan Academy Kids - for my preschooler. She decided to stop napping during this whole thing (just icing on the quarantine cake), so I give her one hour of this learning game and she is obsessed. And I get to get some work done, or tend to baby, or prep dinner or whatever I can squeeze in.  From Lauren D: (@circletimefun) As far as classes go, I am using Circle Time, the company I work for. They have lots of classes so all three can take their own class or we all do a cooking class together. To be honest, once we do a couple of classes I feel less guilty about the IPAD ad Netflix time.  Benita G (@zesttorganics) This is a very small detail and probably sounds silly but the best piece of advice I've gotten is to start using a snack basket.  I have a 4-year old who loves her snacks. On the weekends we never really policed it but now that she is home all day, she was on a snack hunt every hour (or at least it felt that way)! We started with the basket last week and never looked back! I'm honestly surprised at how well she responded. I load it up with a few things every morning (fruit, crackers, cheese), put it in the refrigerator, and it is hers for the taking.  She knows the rules: (1) you can only have what is in the basket (no more asking for a million options), and (2) once it is empty, snacks are done for the day. It's made life so much easier! The first few days she cleaned it out entirely but the last two there have been a few leftovers. Again, super simple but definitely one less "thing" on my plate during this crazy time :)  FOR THE FAMILY  From Amanda W (@amandapanda_abracadabra) I have standing FaceTime and Zoom 'appointments' with family, my best childhood girlfriends, neighborhood mums, friends around the world that my husband and I socialize with, and former colleagues. It really helps to have these in your calendar to look forward to!  And finally - laughter really is the best medicine for everything. I have one of those husbands who uses any excuse to 'take the piss' and while I am usually the center of these jokes, I'm learning that just laughing and taking it easy/letting things just be funny because funny is so crucial right now, has been fantastic for lightening the burden and heaviness I've been feeling, worrying for my family, my parents, siblings and nephews, friends and loved ones all around the world. From Kelsey S:  Daily walks - we all get dressed like normal humans and go out for a 30-minute walk every morning. We see other people and say hi, enjoy the California sunshine, and we all feel so much better afterward (especially the dog). From Lauren D: As far as self-care, I am teaching my three littles (7,4 and 2) how to do dance cardio so I can get in my cardio and have a dance party with my kids. Also, they are learning the ways of face masks and mani-pedis.   This piece was written by the ToteSavvy team with love, but made possible by the HEYMAMA community, a huge resource for working moms--in quarantine and not. Make sure to share with other mamas in your life!

The most-loved essentials we are happily gifting this holiday season.  It goes without saying that the holidays are an incredibly special time of year. The way we celebrate, feast and gather is the greatest indulgence, and one we do with love. Gifting, too, is a similarly special piece of the holiday puzzle. It’s also a finely honed craft, an art form that we’ve tried our best to perfect, so that each and every person on our gift list fully realizes how much they mean to us. Finding sentiment in what we gift, and the thought behind it, is what really matters. Up ahead, we’re breaking down our absolute favorite gifts to give our loved ones over the holidays, hopefully helping you check off your gift list. Because perhaps the greatest gift of all is the smile of the recipient when they’ve opened something totally amazing.  KIDS PERSONALIZED JACKET, $85 There are few things more frustrating in life than wrangling a baby or toddler into fall and winter layers. But when you find something so special and personalized just for them, how will they ever resist? Mom favorite The Tot just rolled out an exclusive collaboration with Levi’s featuring the personalized trucker jackets that won’t just be a closet staple for your kid, but also their new favorite piece to put on.  WOODEN TOY ANIMALS, $62 Something handmade and so meticulously crafted takes gift-giving to a whole new level. Featuring an assortment of forest creatures, like deer, foxes, bears and more, this wooden animal set is a timeless classic that will never lose its appeal. The perfect gift for babies and toddlers alike, this set will fit snuggly into their stockings or under the tree, and will be just as perfect when gifted again for the next generation too.  SIGNIFICANT OTHER    THINGS ARE LOOKING UP DECK OF CARDS, $40 Not your average deck of cards, this thoughtful stack is made to bring you a daily dose of much-needed optimism. This brilliant set of cards is the brainchild of Dr. Deepika Chopra, a woman who has made the practice of optimism her life’s work--and we’re so thankful for it. Get ready to find your happy place with the beautiful deck that’s the perfect size for stocking stuffers, and even more perfect for taking time to reset--a ritual every partner and parent should always prioritize.  GLASS FRENCH PRESS, $85 Class up your morning coffee ritual with the french press to end all french presses. This is the perfect gift for your significant other because it’s something you’ll get to enjoy too. Not only is it beautiful, and an effortless complement to your countertop aesthetic, but this functional coffeemaker is the ideal gift for the husband or wife that loves a heaping cup of freshly-made coffee.      BEST FRIEND   TOTESAVVY ORIGINAL, $65 For your best friend that’s expecting, the ToteSavvy original is the perfect gift to keep her prepared and organized for the next phase of her life. Ready to be packed for the hospital, and used again and again down the road, this present will live alongside her to make the journey into parenthood just a little bit easier (and every bit counts).  BAN.DO PLANNER, $28 Moms may always have their cell phones on hand, but there’s something very grounding about a good, old-fashioned paper calendar. With lives busier than anyone’s, your best mom friend is sure to need any extra bit of organization she can get, making this the perfect little gift to give.     PARENTS + GRANDPARENTS GRAY MALIN: ITALY BOOK, $36 For the parents and grandparents on your gift list, this book will be the inspiration for future travels, or the beautiful reminder of vacations past. A portrayal of the most stunning spots in Italy, Gray Malin knows how to capture the most special moments that this European destination has to offer.  VITRUVI STONE DIFFUSER, $119 The ultra-calming and incredibly relaxing stone diffuser by Vitruvi is a staple for the modern home. The ideal gift for anyone, the brand comes with an assortment of essential oils designed to customize the mood of your room, creating a soft and subtly soothing touch for any atmosphere. 

Introducing our ready-to-go gift sets for all the moms on your gift list.  The truth about the gifting: it’s not always the easiest thing on our to-do lists. And speaking for ourselves here (but we know it’s true for you, too), those to-do lists are crazy long as it is. Which is the precise reasoning behind our latest and greatest: gift sets. In other words, gifting made simple. We figured, hey, a one-stop-shop for gifts that simplifies even one thing? That’s something. So get ready to check off a few boxes, because up ahead, we’re dropping the must-have gift sets of the season, and you’re not going to want to miss your chance to shop.  Newborn Gift Set What’s inside:  • Sophie La Girafe • Organic cotton footie by Petit Lem • Diapers and wet wipes from Parasol Co. • ToteSavvy Original (Soft Grey or Almond) We’re releasing our gift sets around the holidays. That’s for good reason--they’re the perfect gifts to give anyone on your list that’s expecting around the new year. But whether for the holidays or any upcoming shower, birth or birthday, The Newborn Gift Set features a bundle of essentials so carefully considered, your friends, sisters, and co-workers (another list that goes on and on) will be endlessly grateful to you for being so thoughtful. Everything from teething toys to diapers and more are all tucked within the ToteSavvy Original, the perfect complement to every new mom’s diaper bag--and stuffed with the must-haves she’ll be reaching for time and time again.  Toddler Gift Set What’s inside:  • Stainless steel bento box by Lunchbots (small protein packer) • Tegu magnetic blocks (travel size kit) • antibacterial wet wipes by Me4Kidz • first aid kit (medi buddy) by Me4Kidz • ToteSavvy Mini (soft grey or black) We designed the Toddler Gift Set around all the essentials for the new-but-not-new, new moms in your pack. An ideal set-up for the mother that uses a backpack, the ToteSavvy Mini works seamlessly into a busy toddler mom’s life, and comes stuffed to the brim with a mom-tested and approved Lunchbots lunch box. Plus, you’ll also find a travel set of Tegu’s insanely smart magnetic blocks, right alongside Antibacterial Wet Wipes and a first aid kit. Featuring all the things they need but may not have thought of on their own, this is another carefully curated gift bundle that mom can add to as she goes.  As is always the case, our brand ethos is built on the foundation of simplicity. That means simplifying your daily routine, your life on-the-go, and the forever-long to-do lists too. So for this season and beyond, let us support your gifting needs, too. 

This September is NICU Awareness Month. And today: a glimpse inside one new family’s journey.

  This year, give the gift of superior organization. It's a practical gift that still feels luxe and unexpected. With 3 ToteSavvy styles and a large variety of colors, there's a ToteSavvy for everyone on your list. Take a look...