Once becoming a mom, it seems that life never slows down and you are constantly on the go. This holds true for moms who stay at home as well as moms who have jobs outside the home. Moms are always busy! I have found some items that have made my life a little bit easier and I’m here to tell you about them.
One-step hair dryer
First, let me just tell you that I am not great at makeup or hair, but this item is seriously a life changer. I have naturally curly hair. Many days, I put some product in it and let it air dry, but when it’s really cold, I certainly don’t want to leave the house with wet hair. Say hello to the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer. I can dry AND style my hair in 6 1/2 minutes. I have timed it, multiple times. I am one who has never mastered drying my hair with a styling brush and a hair dryer at the same time, so I used to dry my hair with a hair dryer and would smooth it out with a straightening iron, which took about 15 minutes total. The one-step hair dryer has cut the time in half that it takes me to style my hair straight. I absolutely love it! It was a bonus that I snagged it on sale at Target right before the holidays. Amazon also had it on sale recently, so keep your eye out for a deal on this amazing product.
2. Dry shampoo
One the topic of hair, I just started using dry shampoo within the last year or so. I wish I had known about it as a new mom. I always felt the need to wash my hair on a daily basis, but come to find out, you don’t necessarily need to shampoo your hair every single day. With dry shampoo, all you have to do is shake the bottle, section off your hair, spray the roots, massage through your hair, and the style, if needed. It takes fewer than five minutes. It’s super easy, and nobody will ever know that you didn’t actually wash your hair! I have used several different brands, but my absolute favorite is Batiste Clean & Light Bare. I like it because the scent is just enough to make your hair smell good, but not overpowering, and it doesn’t leave behind any white residue. Also, it’s easy to find at your local Target, Walmart, or Ulta.
3. Leggings
I absolutely love leggings. They are great for moms of all ages and are so versatile. I think one reason that leggings are so appealing is because no matter what size you are, leggings just feel good. Pregnant moms, postpartum moms, and moms who ate too much over the holidays can throw on some leggings and feel on top of the world. I especially love Lululemon, but I don’t love the price. Most of my Lululemon leggings were purchased on sale. I do not work out or do yoga, but I still love their leggings, especially the Align Collection. They are super soft and so comfortable. My other favorites are Lauren Conrad from Kohl’s. They have several colors, a variety of sizes (petite and plus size), and they are less than $15. The quality is pretty amazing. I have some that have lasted three years and they still fit well and look new.
4. Backpack purse or backpack diaper bag
My next must-have item is a backpack purse or backpack diaper bag. I do not like shoulder bags. I find the straps sliding down my shoulder and arm at the most inconvenient times. It is so much easier to carry a baby or carry items that your kids need when you have a backpack. I prefer backpacks that have side pockets for water bottles, baby bottles, or sippy cups. Vera Bradley has some really fun patterns as well as a variety of sizes depending on your needs. Another option that I really like is the Classic Kanken backpack. They are made for the outdoors, so they are very durable. They also have side pockets for skinnier water bottles. They come in a variety of colors and they are water resistant. Backpacks are super easy to grab and go, plus older siblings can help carry them without complaining.
5. Air fryer
Last, but not least, let me introduce you to the air fryer, because you and your family have to eat. I will admit that I fell into the Instant Pot craze, but that thing intimidates me. The air fryer is much less intimidating and is so easy to use. But really, all you have to do is put your food in, push a few buttons, and wait. While you are waiting for it to work its magic, you can clean up the kitchen, pack lunches, or even do laundry. A bonus that I love about the air fryer is that it doesn’t stink up the house like a deep fryer does, and it is much healthier. It also only has two parts that you have to clean. We have the Power XL Vortex 3 quart, which is a little too small for a family of four. If you have more than two people in your family, I would recommend a six or seven quart one. Bon appétit!
