TOP FIVE GIFTS FOR THE MODERN MOM

This post is sponsored by August Home, Inc. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Today’s mom has a lot going on. We have the luxury of wearing several hats, juggling so many balls, and pursuing our dreams. While all that sounds lovely (and it is!) the truth is we all have our hands full (did I say full? I meant overflowing). So, anything that frees up time and makes life easier is a gift. That’s why I’ve chosen to focus on gifts that do just that this Mother’s Day, even if they are a little less traditional than the jewelry and massage (which are still appreciated thank you very much!!)

1) Robotic Vacuum

I hate vacuuming. There. I said it. I hate it. It takes forever, I have to do it every three days, and its loud. That’s why I love love love having this chore automated. I don’t have to think about it, make time for it, or wonder what the dogs brought in that might get stuck in Evie’s little bare feet. I know everyone says not to get a vacuum for Mother’s Day… but if it’s a robot vacuum, that rule doesn’t apply.

2) August Smart Lock Pro + Connect

I knew I wanted a smart lock for our new home, and after doing some research I realized the best option for us was the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. Not only does it allow me to use my existing key if the need ever arose, it knows when I leave and when I come home. The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect automatically unlocks the door for me through bluetooth connectivity to my cell phone. It also locks the door behind me when I leave, allows me to use my voice to control when it locks or unlocks, and tells me when it’s open or closed thanks to the secure magnetic sensor called DoorSense.

Even when I’m not home, I can open the door for someone through the August app – or I can grant access to a guest for a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks! It’s up to me, and all in the palm of my hand. In a nutshell, thanks to the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect, I always have hands-free access to my home. It makes things so much easier – especially with a wiggly toddler and packages in tow.

3) Shopping Service Annual Subscription

I didn’t realize how much time I was wasting or stress I was adding by insisting on my weekly grocery trip with Evie in tow. An hour (easily) in the store, buying more than I need because “this looks good”, and then having to still deal with the prep work and unpacking after I get a fussy toddler who wants to just eat it all right now back home. Now, I shop in 15 minutes on my phone, then wait for it to arrive at my door while Evie plays. (Yep, the same door that I unlock with my voice). The time and stress it saves has changed my week.

4) Subscription Box

Shopping with kids is hard, so why not give mom the chance to try on, play with, or experience some fun new things in the comfort of her own home during nap time with a subscription box? There are so many great options out there now that you’re sure to find one that fits the mom in your life perfectly!

5) Babysitter & a gift card

Okay, so this is a little less traditional, but how about hiring a sitter and sending mom to the mall with a gift card so she can shop, try on, sip coffee, and enjoy the space to just be in her favorite store for a bit? It’s one of the things I miss most about my pre-mama days.

Now I have a gift for you! Interested in winning your own August Smart Lock Pro + Connect? Great! I’m giving you the chance to gift one to the special mom in your life (or keep it for yourself!). Head to my Instagram @simplicityandcoffee for all the details on how to enter! Good luck, and Happy Mother’s Day!

#Mother #Motherhood #Tech #GiftGuideforHer #GiftIdeas #MothersDay

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE BEAUTY LOVER

Over the past year, I've really allowed myself to delve into the beauty world. Before then, Target was my go-to for all things beauty. Now, I effortlessly make Rouge at Sephora (much to my husband's chagrin!). Since several of my holy grail products carry hefty price tags, the holiday season is the perfect time to try them out for yourself (or gift them to a friend!) since they typically come in smaller sample sets! I've rounded up a few of my favs at different price points for you today! Enjoy!

1. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray ($15): My favorite part of putting makeup on is spritzing everything with this at the end. It's cooling. It's refreshing. And, no matter how much or how little I put on, it keeps it all perfectly in place all day, or all night.

2. Replica Memory Box ($35): One of my favorite perfume lines is Replica by Maison Magnolia. They smell like your favorite spaces and times. I wear Beach Walk most days during the summer, and right now I can't get enough of By The Fireplace on G. This memory box is a great way to sample them and find your favorite!

3. Benefit Snow Doll Mini Kit ($32): This little box of goodies contains several of my daily staples, including the Goof Proof brow pencil and the Bad Gal BANG mascara.

4. Living Proof Transformation Trio ($25): Living Proof is all I use to style my hair, and this trio is three of the best they have to offer.

5. Urban Decay Petite Heat Palette ($29): These toasty warm colors are richly pigmented and perfect for cozy days and warm nights alike (read: year round). It's also the perfect size to take on all your travels, and houses enough colors for you to mix up your eye makeup every day.

6. Fresh Roundtrip Ritual ($65): When I spent my BIG $$, it's on skincare. I want to have skin that doesn't need makeup. Fresh is a key player in my skincare regime, and this set houses small sizes of several favs, including the Rose Mask and Black Tea eye cream.

7. LUNA mini 2 by Foreo ($140): Such a fantastic tool for getting your skin fresh & clean.

8. Urban Decay Born To Run Vault ($98): If you're looking to splurge, this is it. My favorite UD palette hands down (and that's saying something), the setting spray, primer, lipstick, and eye pencil are things I use whenever I put on a full face. This gift will be one of the best they receive.

#Beauty #GiftGuide #GiftGuideforHer

PERSONALIZED GIFTS GUIDE FOR HER

One of my favorite type of gifts to give is the personalized one. The one with their monogram etched in. Their first initial painted on. Their favorite quote stitched into the interior. Because those gifts bring extra warm-fuzzies to the table. They let the receiver know that you know them, and love who they are. So I've rounded up a few of my favorite personalized gifts below, with price points ranging from affordable to expensive and even a few luxe options. As always, message me with any Q's! You can fill out my contact form here, or a DM on Instagram always gets my attention.

1) Birthstone Rings ($58): I love how understated but personal these are! I really want to get a set of three with G, Evie, and I so I can mix & match them.

2) Coach Clutch + Free Monogram ($140): Did you know Coach will monogram pretty much anything for free? Yep. Free. I have all my bags customized with monogramed bag tags, and one of my favorite little crossbody bags has my initials prominently featured. This is such a chic idea, and a beautiful leather bag is always a good gift!

3) Pandora Charm Bracelet ($65): G bought me mine when we first got married, and he's gifted me charms for life events ever since. It's one of the only jewelry pieces I wear consistently (besides my wedding ring), and I love that it keeps growing as our life together unfolds.

4) Erin Condren Planner ($55 - $65): I just started using my planner a few months ago, and I'm HOOKED. It's seriously the best and prettiest way to organize my life, and I love that you can customize the covers!

5) Kate Spade Initial Necklace ($58): G gifted me the letter "L" after our wedding, which I pair with my "Mrs" necklace all the time. It's simple, chic, and meaningful,.

6) YSL Rouge Pur Couture Engraveable Lipstick ($38): This is a new offering from YSL, and I'm losing my mind for it. You can choose your shade, your lid (loving the leopard!) and have the lipstick container engraved (aka win, win, win).

7) Coach Card Holder + Monogram ($75): For something more affordable but still real leather and personal, I love these little Coach card holders.

8) Customized Nike Shoes ($75 - $200): Quite possibly my favorite pair of tennies are these NikeiD custom shoes I designed last year. You can pick colors, materials, and even text for the heel. Perfect for the stylish woman on the go.

#Holiday #GiftGuideforHer #GiftGuide