Living
Top Posts in 2015
You arrived on SmartyPantsMama and what did you read? According to Google Analytics, the following 10 pages were my most read in 2015. How to Make a Photo Booth for a Barbie Party DIY Microwave Popcorn Turning a Stinky Sponge Into a Clean Sponge DIY Idea for a PVC Towel Rack The Easiest Yummiest London […]
What to Buy Cruise Travelers
Based on my experience cruising with our family, I want to share with you what to buy cruise travelers. Will you be cruising in the coming year? Or is a friend or family member? When you are thinking of what to buy those cruisers, take a peak at the list I’ve put together based on […]
Setting Goals with Kids
I sat in the Herbert Wertheim Performing Arts Center to watch this year’s TEDxFIU. The theme was Always Forward. Eight individuals took time on the stage and stood on the big red dot to share their story, their experience, their passion to live “always forward.” Setting Goal of Living Always Forward The speaker I was […]
Hot Gifts for Kids that Hold Educational Value
STEM gifts are trending under the tree once again! On your mark, get set, go! It’s time to hit the stores or shop online for the best gifts for 2015! The biggest theme for this year’s gifts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) toys. That makes this former teacher very happy. In reality, I […]
How I Spruce Up My Home For Thanksgiving
Autumn is filled with family time and festivities. Not only do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, but our family celebrates 3 birthdays – one of which is mine. With everyone running in and out of the house, it becomes a bit of a party central. I love it, but it does take a bit of work […]
A Phone for International Calling Moms
This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Cricket Wireless blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. There are a few things that are staples in our bags. Keys, a credit card and our phones are always on hand. We rely on our phones for so much. Along with being the […]
Pasta-ful Fun
Those days creep up on us. A day when the kids are home from school. It might be a holiday, a weekend, a snow day – whatever it might be – they are home. Finding activities for them that will not only take up some time of the long day but might actually teach them […]
What Smart Mamas are Reading & Buying
Since its launch in 2008, Smarty Pants Mama readers have relied upon my candid advice on products, vacation destinations, recipes, DIY projects and more. Honored by your trust, I want to share with you what seems to be the most popular posts based on traffic and transactions. I’m a numbers girl, so I find this […]
How to Polish Penny Loafers
Problem: How do I polish penny loafers? Smart Mama Solution: Read my experience and follow the steps I’ve shared. We saved money this back to school season by polishing last year’s penny loafers. Yes, her foot grew over the summer, and yes, her loafers were pretty beat up after last school year. But this family […]
Share a Haircut at Back to School
It’s time to Share a Haircut at back to school! We’ve got paper, pencils, backpacks, and now haircuts! As part of the back to school routine of kids across the country, boys & girls are lining up at hair salons to get their hair trimmed for the new school year. We are partnering with Hair […]
We Made an Emoji Matching Game
This summer has been full of just a handful of camp weeks. The girls have been active at home. Running around, swimming, playing with games, lots of crafts and so much more. To add some fun, without cost, we decided to make a game for the family to play. We all know the game of matching. […]
Roominate Chateau Review
A toy that taps into the imagination and gets girls using STEM skills! Yes, the Roominate Chateau is all that, and more! My 8 year old, Isabella, purchased this product with her very own money. She spent much time going up and down the aisles trying to decide what she wanted to buy. The moment […]
Shooting for the Stars, Reaching for the Dream
This is part of a sponsored campaign with DiMe Media and Coca-Cola. However, all opinions expressed are my own. Her Dream She asks already. My 8 year old talks about the future. She asks us questions about high school, college and careers. She is curious about everything. Her future is ahead of her. There is so much that […]
More Dental Tips for Kids
Did you know that as soon as your little one has two teeth that touch, that they need to be flossed? Yep, neither did I! There are many poor dental habits that are linked to adverse health. We have heard it as adults that the chance of gingivitis and even heart disease can begin with a poor […]
Make a Backyard Scavenger Hunt
We have been playing scavenger hunts since our preschool days. We are given a list of objects to find and then we run around searching for them all. It really is a blast and brings back so many great memories. This summer when you continue to search for fun and creative ways for the kids […]
Dental Tips for Summer Sports Injuries
Ouchie! It’s going to happen! Someone on the summer baseball team or sports camp is going to get knocked by the bat. A dental injury could be scary. A chipped tooth or worse, a lost tooth, can be emotional and nerve-wracking if mom and dad don’t know what to do. In this post I share […]
What’s In Your Bag?
Remember that game show where you could win 100s of dollars if you happened to have some random object in your purse? I’m ready to play because my bag has it all! Who can relate? When it comes down to it, there are just a few MUST HAVE items in my purse. Not including my […]
Ordering First Communion Invitations
Planning a First Holy Communion can be a daunting task. This very special occasion deserves all the special trimmings. From ordering First Communion invitations to the food to the party entertainment, you want your child’s ceremony and reception to be just perfect. This year my oldest will receive her First Holy Communion. It’s going to be […]
Make a Local Spring Break
No need to get plane or train tickets! Just gas up the car or even get aboard your local public transportation and make it a Local Spring Break! Yes, weather has been a bit more frigid and snowy this year in many parts of the country but that doesn’t mean families can’t experience their local hood […]
Make Shopping an Education Activity
Yes, we often need to bring the kids with us to the stores. We dread it and they like it even less. I’ve found some ways to make that hour going up and down the aisles a bit of a (hidden) educational fun! I have recently shared on TampicoIsColor.com (http://tampicoiscolor.com/grocery-store-learning) 4 ways that I and […]
How I Support Champions for Kids
I was recently invited to support a new campaign that was being brought to our local Walmart, Champions for Kids. I needed to identify a non-profit who could benefit from receiving donations throughout the year to support the people they serve. I knew right away that I had to contact my very good friend Lesley. […]
The Act of Gratitude, It’s Our’s to Teach
You know the moment I’m thinking of – the moment when your son/daughter are handed a gift from a friend – and then nothing happens. Those next few seconds are very important. Showing gratitude, like, “Thank you Aunt Sally for the gift!” is what we want to hear. But does it always happen? I recently […]
Polaroid Cube Review for Family Travel
The Polaroid Cube arrived in the mail. Sitting in a box, the girls and I tore into it, anxious to know what this 0.9 lb piece of technology would do. We were invited by Polaroid to experience the Cube. We charged it up and got to work. (See our Polaroid Camera Reveal video) For nearly […]
Win a Polaroid Cube
The holidays are upon us and all we want is to provide a wonderful time for our friends and family. We love smiles. We love happiness. We love the look on a friend’s face when they open up the present and instantly smile with true appreciation. Want to win a Polaroid Cube to provide true […]
My Daughter Screams When I Brush Her Hair
This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them. Brushing a child’s hair can be […]
Unstoppable Moms Have No Sick Days
I wrote this post as part of my participation in a blog tour for The Motherhood on behalf of the makers of Children’s MOTRIN® and received compensation to thank me for taking the time to participate. However, all opinions expressed are my own. I have to say that I was challenged these last 30 days. […]