Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DiscountGlasses.com but all thoughts and opinions are my own, honest and unbiased! Affiliate links are contained below - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

Sunglasses are most certainly not a summer-only thing - kids and adults alike need to be sure to shade-up and protect their eyes year round! But with spring and warmer sunnier weather on the horizon, who couldn't use some new sunnies to liven things up, am I right?

​Thankfully, DiscountGlasses.com lets you do so guilt-free because they're budget-friendly and allow you to shop and order online without leaving the comfort and safety of your home! AND they have a $100 credit in my $1,000 value jackpot giveaway - link at bottom of this post!!

I just got the below Westend Lewis Center for my husband and Picklez Ziggy for my son cuz I thought they'd be so cute daddy-and-me in their silver frames with blue mirror lenses!! And they are! In fact so cute I have to occasionally to "borrow" them to enjoy some mommy-and-me fashion LOL! So, you tell me, who is wearing them best??? The Westend fits us both really well, I love how gender neutral they are!! Both of these sunglasses have some different color options too, for the frame and lenses!

This is my second year as an Ambassador for DiscountGlasses.com. I honestly love them, I actually started out as a regular customer and couldn't be more proud to be working with them to promote their amazing products! Such a fabulous selection of sunglasses (prescriptive and non) and prescription glasses and for toddlers, kids, teens, and adults - and they've adapted through the pandemic to even offer a free online vision test so you can update your prescription from home!!

​They also have free shipping, 365 day free returns, virtual try on for most frames, and great lens upgrade options for how thin and lightweight they are, blue light reflective, transitions, progressive, anti-reflective, and sun tint! I mean, awesome right!?

​​Check out this crazy collection of kids and adults sunlgasses we have collected from them over the years - basically one for every day of the week LOL! And of course I have a collection of regular prescription glasses that are just as fun!!

The key is finding a great provider like DIscountGlasses.com where you can find tons of great glasses for a super affordable price, so there's no guilt in having several (or half a dozen??) frames, am I right!?

And now,
enter to win $100 credit from DiscountGlasses
in my $1,000 value jackpot giveaway running through April 7, 2021!!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included below - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

We're all juggling a million things at once - the house, the kids, a job, our sanity! A good life hack here and there can save you lots of time and energy, and I've got a pretty major one for you. Are you ready for this!?

​With the Black+Decker Steam N' Vac, you can steam mop and vacuum AT THE SAME TIME!!! That's right!!! Let the steam mop scrub and sanitize your floors while the vacuum picks up all the crumbs and dust bunnies. 2 birds 1 stone! Huge time saver and game changer - I couldn't love mine more!!

​Watch my unboxing and demo of the Black+Decker Steam Mop & Vacuum combo, read below for more details, then enter to win one in my $1000 value jackpot giveaway at the bottom of this post!!

Here's a break down of the 2-in-1 Black+Decker Steam N' Vac's features and why I'm loving it:

STEAM MOP:

• ​The steam kills up to 99% of germs without chemicals! That's right - just fill the tank with water and you're sanitizing - talk about great green cleaning products!!
• 2 settings: "ECO Steam" and "MAX Steam", used alone or at the same time as the vacuum! Huge time saver!
• The 1,000-watt steam boiler takes less than 30 seconds for water to heat up and be ready to steam.
• With a full water tank (0.38L), you can steam about 15-20 minutes.
• Step release to pull the mop head off, pull off to wash (easy peasy, it's elastic on the edges), dry, ready to re-use! 
• Safe on any sealed hard surfaces around the home, including sealed hardwood, tile, stone, grout, wood, laminate, vinyl and granite. They do recommend testing a spot first, just to be safe, especially on hardwood.
• When using steam alone, it's quiet, kinda sounds like an iron to me, and it didn't leave the floors super wet, just glistening, and clean!!

VACUUM:

• This 500-watt vacuum works on hard surfaces and has a carpet attachment as well, just don't use the steam mop on the carpet - it's not a carpet cleaner.
• Large capacity (1.2L) stainless steel washable dust bin is very easy to release, empty, and re-insert. That's right - it's bagless, meaning less waste and eco-friendly!
• Includes a washable HEPA filter above the dust bin!!
• It weighs just 10 pounds, has a 11.5" wide cleaning path, and has a 16' long cord, meaning unlimited run time!
• Comes with a 3 year limited manufacturer's guarantee

Buy yours at Walmart or Bed Bath & Beyond.

​Enter to win one in my $1,000 value jackpot giveaway, ending 4/7/2021!

Disclaimer: We received these masks free for review but all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased! There are also some affiliate links included - you don't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

Life in the time of COVID, I feel like I'm always on the lookout for the perfect face mask - adjustable with a great fit, washable & reusable, breathable, effective, cute design options... and you know what? I was able to check off every box with these amazing Happy Masks (we received ours free in exchange for promotion, but they didn't reach out to me, it was vice versa cuz I was so impressed!!). 

Watch our YouTube video here for a fun unboxing and demo of the various features, and read on for more details as well as to grab your code for free shipping!!

SUPERB FILTRATION:
Made with a 3 layer nanofiber membrane filter, Happy Masks have been tested by Nelson Labs to show they filter out over 99% of airborne particles as tiny as .3 microns!! That includes allergens (pollen!!), dust, and smog. And they factually filter out 99.9% of bacteria, and viruses (including COVID-19 / coronavirus)! On top of that, the filter is not removable, so there's no concern about losing it or having to replace it.

UNIQUE "BEAK" DESIGN:
Happy Masks have a soft fabric with a unique "parrot beak" design which means they don't suck into your  nose and mouth when breathing and talking! Your kids won't suck on them! And they don't feel like they're suffocating you!

ADUSTABLE EAR LOOPS:
Our faces are not one size so face masks shouldn't be one size fits all, am I right? Happy Masks come in Medium and Large for Adults, and one size for kids, but feature super easy-to-use adjustable ear straps! They also feature a metal wire over the nose for added adjustability, and provide a great snug and comfy fit all around the nose, cheeks, and under the chin! They also sell a protective pouch, and a lanyard that easily snaps onto the ear loops, so you can put it on and off without touching the mask itself, and not worry about your kids dropping it onto the bathroom floor (or... into the toilet!).

WASHABILITY & DURABILITY:
Happy Masks' efficacy have been tested for a minimum of 50 hand washes and 250 hours of wear. The trim is hand sewn for increased durability and snugger fit. Washing instructions: soak in cold water with a drop of dish detergent for 10 minutes (use a drop of dish detergent on a soft toothbrush to remove makeup or sweat), gently rinse (do not rub or wring), air dry. For added disinfection and deodorization, spray with 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol after each wash and place in the sun.

You can buy these great face masks for kids and adults at happymasks.com and use code USJAPANFAM for free shipping!

When you want to lose weight and/or get fit, there are many ways to go about it. Believe it or not, you can do it without forking over thousands of dollars for equipment and memberships! I'm going to share with you my favorite FREE fitness apps and some very budget-friendly products I'm loving these days on my own weight loss journey!

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical professional - PLEASE discuss any diet or fitness plans with your doctor! Safety first guys!!. Also, this post contains some affiliate links - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking. 

First, watch my video for all the deets!! Then get the links and my personal weight loss and weight / fitness maintenance schedules below!

My Favorite FREE Apps for Fitness & Weight Loss:
i.e. the apps I'm currently using and loving!! Available for iPhone and Android!

• Fastic App: super easy way to manage your intermittent fasting, track water intake, & more!
• MyFitnessPal: great way to track calories in and out - has a HUGE database of food, drinks, and activities!
• MapMyWalk: tracks your walks/runs and calories burned, creates a map of your route, and notifies you after finishing each mile with your average time. 
• VeryFitPro: the app needed when using this awesome fitbit alternative smart watch. It tracks your steps,  your sleep, takes your heart rate. It has a sedentary alarm you can have it remind you at whatever intervals to get up and get moving (so motivating!!). You can connect to your phone to read emails and texts on your watch and get notified of phone call, and use it as a remote to have your phone take photos. Very cool!!! I'm LOVING this $20 watch (so cheap!!) and got one for my husband as well! This app and the other apps above all sync with Google Fit, so for example, your steps will sync from your watch to this app, to Google Fit, and on to MyFitnessPal. But that's cuz I'm android, there will be another roundabout way for iPhone users.

My Weight Loss Routine:

• 16/8 Intermittent Fasting (every day).
• consuming under 1200 calories per day (high protein, low carb), usually breaking the fast with BioTrust Metabogreens & Coffee blend, and an Orgain protein shake for a snack later in the day
• once a week "refeeding" day to boost the metabolism, hitting my regular caloric needs of 1800 calories.
• cardio 3-5 days a week, averaging minimum of 10k steps per day per week, with some minor to moderate weight training.
• weighing myself 2-3x a week with this Renpho smart scale, which has its own app that syncs with Google Fit.

My Weight Maintenance Routine:

• 12/12 - 16/8 Intermittent Fasting (every day).
• consuming my daily requirements of about 1800 calories.
• exercising 3-5 days a week, averaging minimum of 10k steps per day per week.
• weighing myself once a week with this Renpho smart scale, which has its own app that syncs with Google Fit.

Related Posts:

• Book review and my results after 1 month on "Always Eat After 7PM" diet
• Great Exercise Gear for Every Budget: from Kettlebells to Ellipticals

If you read my last blog post, I was knee deep in researching brands who offer an invisible clear aligner system for straightening your teeth at home. There are many out there, but ultimately I decided to go with Candid (who agreed to provide my treatment free in exchange for sharing my experience with you guys)!

**Updated 3/16/21 (new videos throughout the treatment process will be embedded at the bottom of this post!)

Disclaimer: I'm not being paid but am being provided complimentary treatment by Candid in exchange for promotion. But don't worry, all thoughts and opinions are 100% unbiased! As always, I tell it like it is!! There are also affiliate links in this post, you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

I'll walk you through why I chose Candid, why I want to straighten my teeth at home, and the process of using their Starter Kit in my video below (or keep reading for everything in text & photos), but the video is more fun, I promise ;)

Why I chose Candid:

• They're thousands cheaper than Invisalign (who doesn't offer a virtual option), AND you can get $70 off your Starter Kit with code USJAPANFAM!
• I can do this from home, while minding 3 kids during a pandemic!
• They have really great reviews.
• They use only orthodontists (whereas some brands only use dentists, or a mixture of dentists and orthodontists).
• They have some Candid studios available if you want to get a free in-person assessment rather than do the DIY kit at home. ​
• They include teeth whitening, so after you get them straight you can get them nice and white, too!

Why I'm straightening my teeth:
My teeth are not currently a hot hot mess. I had braces when I was a teen, however I failed to continue wearing my retainer, and my teeth have been gradually moving since. My dentist recently confirmed it's normal with age for teeth to move gradually forward, and yes, my bottom teeth especially are getting crowded and bothering me. My mother's got so bad by around 60 that she had to have a tooth pulled and wore braces to straighten them out. Her dentist warned her that if she didn't, she'd start experiencing pretty major tooth damage and decay!! Knowing what happened to my mom, I was anxious to go ahead and get my teeth straightened out again, and keep them straight this time!!

Using the Candid Starter Kit:

I ordered the Candid Starter Kit online and it arrived within a few days. The package is fun, very Apple-esque in a big pretty white box. They have very detailed instructions and video tutorials for how to take your EIGHT photos and FIVE dental impressions. I felt a bit of pressure to get these right, otherwise they'll get rejected and you'll have to start over. The reason is that they'll base everything off of these - your whole treatment plan and printing your aligners. They need to see every tooth, gum line, bite from different angles, ALL OF IT!

They send a "cheek stretcher" to help you get the photos of your teeth just right, and you simply use your phone camera with a flash, upload to their website, and boom. Done. Easy peasy, though kind of horrifying seeing your teeth like that. You have to keep the cheek stretcher til you finish treatment, I'm guessing you'll have to do finished photos with it, but if I'm being honest, we'll probably play some pretty funny games with them for some future videos!!

The impressions were harder to get done but I'm fairly confident, or hopeful??, that I got some good ones. The issue is that you have to mix in your hands 2 tubs of putty and once you start mixing you have only 60 seconds before they start hardening!! So, about 30 seconds of mixing, then the next 30 seconds rolling out to a 4" line (they give you a measuring tool), putting it into the impression mold, marking it with a tooth pick where your front teeth will go, getting it into your mouth and holding it in there for 3.5 minutes. 3 times for top, 2 times for bottom. Kinda fun, kinda gross, kinda nerve wracking!! But that's it - they give you a pre-labeled no-stamp-required box and you ship them back to Ohio!

Stay tuned to my blog / social / YouTube channel as I'll be posting updates regarding if my Starter Kit was accepted or I have to redo it, starting my aligners, how they feel, etc etc!! I'm eager to hear what the orthodontist I'm assigned has to say about my treatment - I've heard most do the 22 hours a day plan but some have a nighttime only plan, and treatment usually lasts 4-6 months or so. Eeeeek!!! Wish me luck, and throw any tips, comments, or questions below!!!

Learn more about Candid here and get $70 off your Starter Kit with code USJAPANFAM!

Update 1 - March 16, 2021:
Unboxing my aligner kit, going over treatment plan, putting in first aligners, submitting first scan to my orthodontist!!

Whether fully remote or in-person, straightening your teeth with clear invisible aligners is easier than ever these days!! Treatment can take as little as 4 months, most accept HSA / FSA, and some insurance plans will even cover or reimburse you fees!

An initial impression and/or 3D images are taken and a professional comes up with your treatment plan. Typically each aligner set is worn for 2 weeks - you take it out only to eat or brush teeth, though some offer nighttime-only treatment plans. You'll be mailed a new set of aligners every couple of weeks, and gradually, your teeth will move into straight positioning! After treatment ends,  you'll need to use nighttime retainers to avoid teeth moving again.

I've seen some concerns about the safety of mail-order aligners, mostly in regard to the possibility of developing gum disease, cavities, or misaligned bite by going unmonitored by an in-person orthodontist. It doesn't seem these are likely, but can happen, so you'll want to be extra diligent about brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular in-person dental cleanings and exams, making sure they're aware that you are undergoing remote orthodontic treatment. Also, make sure that whatever company you go with, they're monitoring your bite's progression properly.

Below I'll outline the basic fees and what sets the most popular clear aligner companies apart below! Companies are listed in alphabetical order. Some of the biggest differences include whether they use dentists and/or orthodontists, what accessories they include, and whether they have in-person studios available.

​**Handy infographic comparison chart at bottom of post**

Disclaimer: This is just my personal research since I'm hoping to straighten my own teeth, and I wanted to share my findings with y'all! Prices and options may vary, contact companies directly to confirm. Affiliate links included below, you don't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking. Since publishing, I decided to proceed with Candid, who will be providing me with their full system in exchange for promotion. Stay tuned to see how it goes!!

AlignerCo

• Treatment Cost: $1,145 includes impression kit, aligners, and first set of post-treatment retainers. Alternatively: Affirm payment plan of $86/month for 12 months ($1,032) or Partial.ly $275 down and $95/month for 11 months ($1,320 total).
• Impression kit and treatment plan by dentist.
• $75 for impression kit only (if not ready to commit to treatment).
• Accepts HSA, FSA

Byte

• Start Up Cost: $95 remote impression kit, reviewed by an orthodontist who customizes your treatment plan (full refund if not a candidate).
• Treatment Cost: $1,895 (or payment plan $349 down and $83/month, 7.76 APR = $2,763 total)​
• Accept HSA, FSA, and CareCredit​
• $699 for Exclusive HyperByte (High Frequency Vibration / HFV) system that cuts treatment plan time in half.
• Choose all-day or night only treatment plan.
• Teeth whitening included.
• First set of post-treatment retainers included (ByteProtection plan for $649 - $779 provides retainers every 6 months for 5 years)​, otherwise $129 per set.
• $10 cash back with Rakuten

Candid

• Start Up Cost: $95 start up kit - you take photos and impressions and an orthodontist will contact you with treatment plan; full refund if not a candidate. (DEAL: $25 starter kit with code USJAPANFAM); OR get a free scan at a Candid Studio.
• Treatment Cost: $2,400 (DEAL: $300 off "buy it now" aligner kits)
• Payment plans as low as $399 down, $99/month for 24 months = total of $2,775.
• Accept HSA/FSA.
• $10 cash back with Rakuten (sign up here)
• Their doctors are all orthodontists - experts in clear aligner treatment, with an average of 20 years experience.

Invisalign

• No online / remote option! You'll see your Invisalign-trained orthodontist face to face every 6-8 weeks.

NewSmile

• Treatment Cost: $1,595 includes impress kit, treatment preview, aligners, retainers (worth $149), and whitening (worth $39). Refund if determined not a candidate. Holiday Sale: save $400. 
• $139 for impression kit and preview only.
• Daytime or nighttime-only plans.
• Accepts HSA, FSA

Smile Direct Club

• Start Up Cost: $65 for remote impression kit (or free 3D scan if you visit a "SmileShop"); reviewed by dentist or orthodontist; fully refundable if determined not a candidate.
• February Special: $29 Remote Impression Kit (free after rebate)
• Treatment Cost: $1,950 single pay or $250 deposit + $89/mo. for 24 months ($2386 total)
• A licensed dentist will assess your smile
• Return aligners within 30 days for a full refund.
• $99 for a set of upper/lower retainers after treatment is complete.
• 2 options: nighttime (10 hours / night) or 22 hour daytime wear.
• Accept HSA, FSA, and CareCredit
• Premium teeth whitening included
• DEAL: 15% off accessories (teeth whitener, TILE case so you don't lose retainers / aligners, UV cleaning machine, water flosser, toothpaste).

So what do you think!? Have you had braces or used a clear aligner system before? Do you want to?? Share your thoughts or experiences in a comment below!

Disclaimer: this post includes affiliate links - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

So if you're wondering how to clean your dishwasher, more specifically, looking into removing residue from hard water, this is the post for you! I too have that icky white film on dishes, glasses, and inside of my dishwasher! My husband even complained that the glasses SMELLED! WHAT!?

​I'm not quite up to the task of making a homemade dishwasher detergent, and read how damaging vinegar and other things can actually be for your dishwasher. But I wanted something environmentally friendly, a more natural dishwasher detergent. I checked the EWG Database, they have great guides and a huge database where they rate products' safety based on the chemicals they include (THE best to search for the best environmentally friendly cleaners).

Please note, this is NOT SPONSORED, I simply bought some products that scored REALLY well on the EWG database and seemed to have great reviews for getting rid of white film in dishwasher, and figured I'd share how they worked for me, in case they might work for you!

Supposedly Lemi Shine products use citric acid to break down hard water residue and whatever is contributing to your cloudy dishes. Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent is a great environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent (and according to GE, dish detergent packs do better than liquid, but be careful if you have little ones at home who may mistake them for candy), but the Lemishine Booster is what really really did the trick. It didn't get my glasses 100% crystal clear but got them to about a 90, and cleaned the dishwasher completely.

​Watch the video to see how they did (links under the video to purchase, if so inclined):

Do you have another technique for getting rid of white hard water residue? Are your glasses completely clear and spotless?? I'd LOVE to hear your tips, share in a comment below!!!!

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking. However, this is not a sponsored post - I purchased both sets of brushes :)

Our kids' dentist recently recommended them to all upgrade to electric toothbrushes (see more tips for kids' teeth here), apparently they do a MUCH better job at cleaning teeth than traditional toothbrushes (Burst says they provide 91% better plaque removal!). Turns out, we ALL should be using them! There are several brands out there to choose from, so it can feel a bit overwhelming. One of my friends is a dental hygienist and rep for Burst, and I'd been seeing their targeted ads on Facebook (you know, the ones where they brush charcoal off of a cob of corn) and decided to bite the bullet and buy one for my husband's Christmas gift (one for myself too, of course)!

​Check out my unboxing video here:

Not only is my Rose Gold brush BEAUTIFUL, it does a great job and I'm truly loving it, as are my teeth!
Here are some key points:

• It helps you brush smarter - it has a 2 minute timer, with a quick pause every 30 seconds so you can switch zones (my 4 zones are top outside, top inside, bottom outside, bottom inside)
• Burst uses soft charcoal infused PBT nylon bristles designed to remove surface stains better. (And they are much softer than my old toothbrush, I was shocked!)
• It has 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute - super powerful without damaging gums.
• It has 3 modes: high, low, and pulsing (they call it whitening, sensitive, & massage).
• It holds a charge for FOUR WEEKS when brushing twice a day! 
• Comes with USB cable plus wall plug adapter, giving you lots of charging flexibility.
• You can subscribe so they'll send you a new brush head every 3 months ($6-7 per head)
• Lifetime warranty (as long as your subscription is active), otherwise 90 day money back guarantee.

SAVE MONEY!!

• Make sure you have Rakuten installed and you'll get 3% cash back!
• They have a DEALS page listing current deals!

BURST ORAL CARE PRODUCTS:

• Sonic Toothbrush in white, black, or rose gold
• Cordless Water Flosser in white, black, or rose gold
• Toothpaste with fluoride, without fluoride, or charcoal fluoride
• Coconut Whitening Strips
• Oral Probiotics
• Expanding Floss​

Brush their teeth and take them to the dentist. Simple enough, right? Wrong. There's SO much more to protecting your child's teeth and instilling proper oral hygiene, but it's not too tricky. Please note that I'm not a medical professional - I am happy to share what I've learned over the years and include a few of our favorite products, but please consult your child's doctor or dentist!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links included below - we receive a small commission from sales made after clicking.

1. Electric Toothbrush
These do a MUCH better job than standard tooth brushes. Talk to your child's dentist about when to switch over to electric toothbrushes (typically this is after 3 years of age). Our dentist highly recommended Philips Sonicare Children's Electric Toothbrushes, one for each kid since their germs and strep bacteria etc can collect under the removable brush part, so he advised against letting kids share the electric base and simply swapping the heads). The kids' Philips Sonicare toothbrush comes in blue or pink with 8 decorative wraps to swap out. It also has a fun free interactive app that helps kids get motivated and enjoy brushing! It retails for $39.95 - 49.95 but we found it on sale for $29.95, so shop around especially at big sales times like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

For babies and toddlers who can't use electric toothbrushes yet, we love the MAM toothbrushes which include a protective shield! Toothpaste with fluoride is best, but not great if being swallowed. For younger toddlers, only use the amount of a grain of rice. Around age 3-6 you can increase to a pea-size amount (best not to swallow but fine if they do). Our kids love the ACT Bubble Gum!

Older kids, teens, and adults have more options for electric toothbrushes. Philips Sonicare is the name we hear most, and they have several varieties, but I personally just bought Burst for myself and my husband - it's getting great reviews from dentists and hygienists, and has a big sale through December 21:

2. Flossing
Did you realize your kids should be flossing!? I didn't, until my first child had a ton of cavities revealed at his first dental x-ray!! We immediately ran out and bought children's flossers which were a game changer - while they are wasteful and I do feel bad about that, they're super easy to use and our kids love them! I usually let them floss themselves and then I do it as well, especially between the back molars where the teeth are tight and it's harder for them to be sure they get down in between the teeth.

3. Mouth Wash
We just moved out of the city where we had fluoridated water and hadn't been using mouth wash but now we don't have fluoride in our water and our kids' new dentist just recommended mouth wash, which our kids are LOVING! We got the ACT bubble gum flavor mouthwash, you squeeze the bottle and it fills up the right dosage in the top! We then pour it into washable/reusable plastic cups so our kids don't swap germs in the bottle. They have a few flavors to choose from, have fun trying them all!

4. Avoid Certain Foods & Drinks
Avoid the following (children and adults):

• sticky sugary foods (of course candy but also "healthier" ones like dried fruit and even gummy vitamins! but if you must with this stuff, have it with a meal and then brush / floss afterwards)
• hard candy (the sugar is in the mouth too long)
• gum (unless xylitol, which actually helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease)
• juice and any drinks with sugar, citrus ones being the worst for teeth
• soda (even "diet" sugar-free ones as the carbonation allows plaque to produce more enamel attacking acid)

5. Regular Checkups
Children and adults alike should be going in for twice a year dental checkups and cleanings. But when to start? Children should go in for their first checkup by age 2, or sooner if you like! That early on, it's more about getting the child comfortable. Most pediatric dentists will have you hold the little one in your lap, and make it really fun and relaxed. They'll likely want to take x-rays by age 6, to make sure all adult teeth are accounted for, teeth are lining up nicely, and there are no abnormalities to worry about. Later on they'll keep an eye out for soft spots and things that can be corrected before needing the dreaded filling, or worse! Here's my 7 year old son's panorama x-ray from his latest checkup, pretty cool right!? The checkups are so important for staying on top of your child's dental health - the dentist will make sure you're doing all of the above things and make recommendations based on what's going on with their teeth, and allow you to ask questions about any concerns you may have!

The weather is cooling down and you're still "safe at home", so it's time to make sure you're stocked up on ways to be warm and cozy, bonus if they spark a little joy at the same time, am I right!? Here are some items I'm loving this fall, and where you can grab your own!

**disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, you don't pay more but we'll receive a commission from sales made after clicking**

Cozy Teddy Bear Hoodies & Cardigans

I recently bought the Dokotoo Women's Fuzzy Fleece Cardigan (below left) which is a #1 best seller on Amazon. It's 95% polyester 5% spandex and is about the softest most cuddliest thing I have ever worn. I'm obsessed with it. My kids are obsessed with it. I'm half ready to buy one in every color LOL! Sure I kinda look like I'm wearing a bathrobe but I just don't even care, it's that comfy and warm!!

Fleece Lined Leggings, Joggers & Sweats

If you're running around the house all day in jeans, good for you. But I can assure you, I am not. No way. Jeans and their potential muffin topping discomfort are only for public life. Around the house it's all about leggings and joggers for me!

I've been living in a pair of black sweat pants basically since the start of September when the weather started to chill, and I realized, I need some more color in my life. Just "invested" in the esstive ultra soft fleece joggers in Marled Smokey Blue (below left) and they're great!! Fitted bottom, super soft, great colors to choose from!! I also recently got the Diravo Fleece Lined Leggings in Royal Blue (pictured below second from left) and they are SO comfy, thick, and warm. I can't attest to whether or not they'll pill, but so far so good! 

Cozy Slippers & Socks

We've been living the NYC apartment life for many years, where you have no control over the heat and it's like 85*F in there in February! It was wonderful! But now we're in a house and pay for our heat. So... we need to dress warmer!! So I'm all about warm socks and grippy slippers now!! Got the (below left) Fralosha slipper sock and they're super soft!! Was on the fence about getting something with a firmer and more padded bottom, but decided to go for these which are more flexible like a sock so I can keep them on the sofa for lounging!

Tumblers, Mugs & Decor

"Fall Is My Second Favorite F word", I mean, come on, that sparks so much F'in joy in my life! ha!

Keep the Draft Out

You want to stay warm and also cut energy costs (and wastefulness) am I right? Don't forget to block drafts coming from doors and windows! We got this magnetic door draft blocker for our doors and it is doing a great job at keeping out the cold air and also the creepy crawlies (we had a bit of a gap between the door and frame!!

Supplements for Fall & Winter

As winter approaches, we get less time in the sun and need to be sure we don't become Vitamin D deficient. So, it's not just time for Pumpkin Spice everything but think also about your diet, and consider adding some extra sources of Vitamin D (but first, talk to your doctor regarding your health specifically, of course)! You might also want to talk to them about probiotics and other immune supporting supplements like these:

For Your Hot Showers

If you have colored hair, you may have been ordered to keep to cool showers, but in winter!? I mean, come on!! So, consider a coloring conditioner to keep it from fading, despite wonderfully hot showers! I've loved oVertone but am gonna give this one by Keracolor a try soon! Also, keep your skin moisturized (I know, hot showers are bad for this too)... be sure to moisturize all skin with a thick lotion or balm right after showering, while skin is still slightly moist. YoRo Naturals Organic Manuka Honey Skin Soothing Cream is an AMAZING one, all natural and safe for the whole family, even babies! And if you have eczema or stubborn dry flakey spots, it's a MUST HAVE!