Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Top Picks

July 12, 2021

It’s that time again, NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE TIME!

Whether you shop the NSALE every year or this is your first time, welcome to the fun!

It’s a great time to stock up on Fall items like boots, jackets, and leggings, as well as beauty, home, even men and baby finds too!

Unlike most sales, the NSALE actually marks down NEW arrivals before the season has even begun, this way you can shop at a discount for items that are COMING this season, instead of what was old from last season!

You can see all the new trends and shop now, so you are ahead of the game once Fall and Winter roll around!

I’ve linked up a few categories for you in this blog post below if you’re interested in shopping the sale.

Just click any image to shop and be sure to check back during the sale to see any updated items!

Happy Shopping!

click below to shop

xoxo,
Watson

For the Home

Home Renovations: Kitchen, Living Room, Office, Patio

July 1, 2021

This past March 2021, we moved into our new home. It was new construction, but we weren’t able to pick any finishes or designs out due to the timing of purchase. So, we decided we would come in and change some features on our own to make it more our style!

You may have seen some of the progress I’ve shared on Instagram over the last few months, but in case you missed it or want a recap, I decided to do a fun little before and after blog post here! It’s so fun seeing the progress and transformation.
(note: some of these pictures were taken a few months ago, so we have since added a few things like the TV, etc)

If you’re in a similar situation in life or maybe you’re just wanting to redo or update some features in your home, I’ve shared everything below.

Each of the “After” pictures include clickable links to shop.

before

after

Click below to shop

(our exact living room chandeliers are out of stock, so I’ve linked these similar ones)

One of the big changes we made in our kitchen was changing out our countertops. When we moved in it was a dark granite. We knew we absolutely loved our white quartz in the last house, so we decided to do something similar in our new house. It made such a difference and really helped lighten up the space. We used someone local, but they did a great job!

In addition, we changed out all the hardware and light fixtures. I was a little unsure at first which color and finish I wanted but at the end of the day, we said “let’s take a little bit of a risk”. We went with gold and could not be happier with how everything turned out!

I’ve linked everything above if you’re interested!

before

after

Click below to shop

Look at this transformation!! It’s amazing how a few small changes can transform an entire room! We immediately knew we wanted to get rid of those island pendants, but we weren’t quite sure what to put there at first. We ordered 2 other options before finally landing on these!

We ordered black shades, which ended up being too big and probably would have been too dark for the space, then we ordered a smaller white shade, but it had a roping cord which we didn’t love, plus, I thought it may be too much white with the counters. So, we thought it may be best to do a glass that would open up the space more and would make it easy to look straight into the living room.

We found these in a few different sizes and loved the gold accents. Although, it wasn’t the exact same shade of gold, it ended up tying the whole space together! We also decided to add dimmers in the outlets, so the lights weren’t blinding in the mornings or late at night. We love how these turned out!

Click above to shop any of these items.,

before

after

Click below to shop

This kitchen dining space needed a pop, and we knew immediately we wanted to swap out that light fixture as well. This was one of the first lights Austin switched out, and it definitely adds such a glamorous touch to this space! I love how it ties in all the gold and black together throughout the whole kitchen and living room!

The kitchen table and chairs are actually older, but I’ve linked a similar chair option above.

Just click above to shop!

before

after

Click below to shop

Now for the “Office”. This was a bit of a debate in our house, because I really wanted to make this space a formal dining room as it’s the first room off the front door entrance. However, Austin really wanted to make it an office (at least for now until our basement is finished), since we already have a table in the kitchen.

Our house didn’t have a designated “office”, so we figured we could make this an office if it’s kept tidy and looks presentable enough for people to see as they walk in our front door.

First thing we did was change out the light fixture again. We went kinda wild in this room;). Totally fun and different! We also added a dimmer to this light as well, which is so nice to have now and will be great if we do make this a formal dining room down the road.

We finally ordered a desk after looking for a long time. We wanted something that had plenty of drawer space but also wasn’t super bulky, since we have windows and doors surrounding.

Austin found this one on Wayfair with a matching file cabinet drawer (that is totally disguised- see below). We love how it turned out in this space. It’s the perfect size, has plenty of drawer space and was a great price!

The leaning black shelves behind the desk are from our last house, so we placed them here for now, and I actually think we may keep them here:). They screw into the wall if needed, but these are such gorgeous shelves for books or decor. They are also offered in a smaller version and in white!

I’ve linked everything above.

before

after

Click below to shop

This is the “disguised” file cabinet drawer I mentioned above. You would never know it holds files by looking at it, which I love!

Austin missed our big industrial bourbon shelf from the last house, so he decided to add a mini bourbon shelf here in this little corner of the office. I love how it looks tucked away slightly tucked away.

Everything is linked above (except the lamp which was a hand me down).

before

after

Click below to shop

Boob light gotta go! Haha!

I didn’t have a better foyer picture of this light before it was finished, but you can get an idea here of how it looked before.

We wanted something that was a statement but wasn’t hanging too low or too big, since our ceilings aren’t super high by the front door.

This semi flush mount light turned out great for this space. It’s the perfect mixture of a subtle statement! The black ties in well with the other fixtures on this floor as well! Plus, it was super affordable.

I’ve linked it above for you to shop!

before

after

Click below to shop

Right off our kitchen and living room, we have a porch. We wanted to be able to enjoy nights outside with wine, dinner, and music especially while the weather was nice in the Spring.

We were actually walking through Home Depot and saw this patio table and chairs. We weren’t even necessarily looking for it, but it was absolutely perfect for our space! It came with the cushions too, plus you can even add an umbrella in the center if you wish!

The price was too good to pass up, so we ordered it and the delivery was super fast as well! Wins all around!

I wanted to add a rug to pull the whole space together and found this really pretty outdoor rug. I love how the darker color and pattern goes well with the patio set and also hides and dirt, pollen or food droppings;).

Lastly, Austin snagged this grill for quick and easy meals. We actually have a Traeger as well, but he found himself not using that one as much, since it was more of a smoker and took longer. This grill is only $179, and we absolutely love it!

Everything is linked above for you to shop!

This house reno has been so much fun, and we have loved seeing all of the transformations so far. I hope you have also enjoyed following along throughout the process and have found some inspiration if you are also hoping to make some changes to your home!

Stay tuned for a powder bathroom blog post soon where I will be sharing all the updates we made as well as the wallpaper process;).

Until next time…

xoxo,
Watson

Shop

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

June 9, 2021

How is it almost Father’s Day already? I feel like it just snuck up on us this year! Shipping deadlines are quickly approaching, so I’ve shared a few of our top picks below if you’re still looking for a few Father’s Day gifts for your hubby or dad! You can scroll and click any images or links to shop!
Hope your find this helpful:).

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Scoll through and click any image below to shop

Daddy’s Girl Frame: How sweet is this personalized frame mat? My friend Jenna made this in her Etsy shop for Austin, from Ansley, and he loved it! You can personalize the mat however you want. The mat fits into a 8×10 frame with a 5×7 photo. Here is the frame we got which fit perfectly!

Whiskey Glasses: Austin is a big bourbon guy, so it’s always so fun to surprise him with new glasses! I thought this one was cute for Father’s Day! We also have these with Birmingham and Atlanta on them which are super fun gifts!

Personalized Mug: If this isn’t the cutest thing ever, I don’t know what is! We got this for Austin last year for his first Father’s Day, and it’s still one of our favorite mugs. You can customize with your baby, dog or even adult faces! We have the 15oz mug, and it’s the perfect size!

Grill: This grill is such a good one, especially for under $200! Austin has a Traeger as well, but he finds himself using this one on a regular basis, since it’s so quick and easy! It’s currently on sale for $179!

Spatula: Gotta have a fun spatula to go with your grill, right?! We are big Auburn fans, so I got this one for Austin years ago and it’s so fun! They come in many different school logo options.

Toiletry Bag: If your man doesn’t have a good toiletry bag, he needs one! I got one for Austin a few years ago, and he uses it all the time. No more ziplock bags for those men! LOL

Chatbooks: Y’all know my love for Chatbooks and photos in general. You can put all your memories with your dad or your little ones with your hubby in a sweet memory book that dad and kids can cherish for a lifetime! You can still use code: DADISRAD20 for 20% off or use code: WATSONHARRIS-H3NP to get $10 off your first order!

Kove Speakers: We recently got these new bluetooth speakers, and they are different than any that I’ve ever seen because they can be one OR two! How cool is that? You can put one speaker on one end of the room, and the second on the other end to give yourself that surround sound feeling! Plus, these are great for traveling or beach trips!

Lululemon Shirt: These shirts are great for sweaty workouts or just hanging around the house. Austin wears his to Crossfit some days and sleeps in it other days! They’re super light weight and last forever.

Vuori Shorts: These shorts have by far become Austin’s favorite workout shorts! He finds himself wearing these during every Crossfit workout and even just hanging around the house. They have lining inside plus a functional drawstring and run true to size.

Ugg Slippers: On a comfy note, these Ugg slippers have been Austin’s favorite for a few years now. He wears them around the house and even can step outside if needed with the hard sole bottoms. Ugg slippers are always our favorites and worth the splurge in my opinion.

Below are a few other items that I shared last year that I still think would be awesome Father’s Day gift ideas!

Scroll through and click any image below to shop

There ya have it! I hope this was super helpful for you if you’re shopping for Father’s Day or any men’s gifts! These would be great ideas for dads, husbands, brothers, and any man in your life for holidays or birthdays. Save this post and use it as a reference the next time you are in need of a gift for any man in your life! As always, feel free to reach out or leave a comment below with any questions!

xoxo,
Watson

Shop

Memorial Day Sale Round Up

May 30, 2021

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Wishing you, your friends, and family a happy and safe long weekend! If you’re shopping any sales, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites below.
Just click any image to shop!

Buddy Love

Colleen Rothschild

Hanna Andersson

Nordstrom

Shop the Mint

Stella & Dot

Tubby Todd

That’s it for now! Be sure to check back on this post and in the LiketoKnow.It app for updates this weekend!

xoxo,
Watson

Shop

Sandals for the Season

May 17, 2021

Click below to shop

I recently did a Sandal Share with some girls on Instagram where we each shared some of our top picks for the season. It was so fun to share our personal styles, and it also gave me some really good ideas for some new pairs to add to my closet for the season.

To be honest, spending money on shoes isn’t one of my favorite things, but as we all know, shoes can be a pretty penny sometimes. I like to keep a mix of nicer splurge shoes and some knock around less expensive ones for different occasions. I rounded up a few of my favorites at all price points, so you can pick and choose which styles work best for you!

Before we started this sandal share, I realized I didn’t even have tons of relevant sandals in my closet to share because I always wear my Tory Burch Millers. No literally…everyday all Spring, Summer and even into Fall. I know you’re thinking, “but you just said you didn’t like to spend money on shoes”..Okay, every now and then I will splurge on a pair, especially if I know they will last FOREVER! The Tory’s absolutely do last forever! They are SO easy to throw on, they are comfy, they can be dressed down or up, and they literally go with everything! If you’re looking to splurge or maybe treat yourself to a little gift, I highly recommend these! I have had the Tan color in the past and now have the Make Up color and love them both!

If you’re not wanting to spend that Tory price, I also have a few great Summer Sandals that are easy slip ons for casual Summer days or dressy Summer nights. I snagged these white padded slides from Target, and they are so comfy. The top feels like memory foam and they can definitely be dressed up or down. Plus, they are just under $20! I went up to an 8.5 in these (typically I’m between an 8-8.5), so they weren’t tight or rubbing on the strap, and they fit great!

These leopard toe loop sandals are also under $20 and would be a great dressier pair but also look super cute with shorts and a tank for the Summer! I went down to a 7.5 in these, but if you have wide feet or they swell in the Summer, your true size would probably be best!

I also ordered a few more like these adorable Madden Girl slides with rhinestones, and they’re under $40! These will make great slip on’s for Summer errands, pool days, and everyday use!

These are just a few of my top picks for the season! No matter if you’re looking to splurge or just grab an easy pair to add to your Summer wardrobe, you got it all here! I hope this was helpful for you as you spruce up your wardrobe for the Summer!

Drop a comment below and tell me what your favorite pair is this season!

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions via DM on instagram or by commenting below!

xoxo, Watson

For the Home

Quick and Easy Cleaning Products for Kitchen & Living Room

March 5, 2021

I have to admit, I’ve always been a bit of a clean freak, a little OCD, and love having things nice and tidy! With a dog and a toddler, that can make things a bit of a challenge. IYKYK! Some days, I let it be, but most days, it drives me crazy.

With limited “free time”, I wanted some quick and easy ways to keep the kitchen and living room clean. Below I’m sharing a few of my favorite cleaning products for those areas of the house.

The Counters

No one likes to stick their hands on a countertop and feel food or crumbs. With a toddler, things have gotten a little bit messier around here, so it’s important for me to have a good countertop spray that will get food and dirt off, smell nice, and keep them protected and shiny!

I’ve linked a few below that I love to use for our Quartz countertops. I’ve also found that using microfiber cloths helps prevent streak and scratches and leaves a nice shiny finish.

Click below to shop

The Floors

Having clean floors makes the biggest difference when it comes to a clean house. Nowadays, this honestly feels rare, with the dog tracking in loads of grass and pine straw and baby toys and crumbs all over. I was feeling in desperate need of a quick and easy way to clean the floors on a regular basis.

A Good Vacuum

I’m not a big fan of cord vacuums that get tangled up every time you move around or ones that you have to unplug every time you move to a new spot of the room. So, for Mother’s Day, Austin got me the Dyson V8 Animal cordless vacuum, and I could not be happier! It makes for such a quick and easy clean up. I love that it’s cordless, comes with multiple attachments, can work for the floor or even your car, and hangs right back on the charger when I’m done! It works well on hardwood floors and our living room rug (I haven’t used on real carpet yet). It is super powerful and picks up all the remnants on the floor!
Highly recommend!

A Good Mop

For years, I’ve used the swiffer wet jet mop, and to be honest, it was fine. Nothing special, but it eventually broke and I was ready to try something new. I decided to try the O-Cedar Spray Mop. I love that you can pour any solution inside (I use vinegar and water, but any hardwood cleaner would also work). The mop base easily slide on a velcros closed to mop and can easily be tossed in the wash after use. I also love that the base of the mop is wide and covers a larger area of the floor, making clean up more efficient. It’s also very affordable.

If you’re in need of a new mop, I’ve linked this one below or you can shop it directly here!

Carpet Cleaner

I think we can all say we’ve probably had a spill or stain on the carpet or rugs at some point in our life, right? Whether you have kids, a pet, or you just like to eat and drink in the living room, a good reliable carpet cleaner is a must to have on hand.

Folex has saved us so many times. Recently, Ansley dropped a strawberry on the floor, Millie grabbed it and decided to take it on to the white rug in the living room! Needless to say, I was freaking out. But I quickly remembered I have Folex, and it took the bright red strawberry mess right out. I’ve also used it on dirt, wet mud, food, and drink stains and it comes out every time.

You can grab it here if you’re in need of a solid carpet cleaner!

Click below to shop

The Appliances

Stainless Steel Cleaner

If you have any stainless steel products, you probably know they also easily get fingerprints and marks on them, frequently. Our refrigerator especially seems to show the most grime from little hands and sticky fingers going in and out. Toddler land ;).

Having these Weiman Stainless Steel wipes have been so convenient for quickly wiping down or touching up spots on the fridge, microwave, dishwasher, stove top, and any other stainless steel in the kitchen!

Click below to shop

These are just a few of my favorites to keep on hand in the kitchen and living room! From mom to mom, I hope these also help you keep a clean and tidy space with your little ones running around!

xoxo, Watson

Baby

Every Day Accessories for a Busy Mom

February 17, 2021

As a mom, our hands are always full. Whether at home or on the go, I am always looking for an extra hand. Anyone else feel me? I was in need of some functional accessories that were easy to use on an everyday basis. Thankfully, I’ve found a few products that are absolute game changers for every life as a busy mom.

Oventure Key Ring

Moms don’t have the time to go digging through their purses to find their keys. Plus, when you’re getting in and out of the car with a little one, a diaper bag, and a handful of other items, the keys shouldn’t have to take up one of your hands.

Ever since I switch over to my O-Venture key ring, I seriously have wondered what I ever did before using this! It slides right onto my shifter in the car (my car is push to start, so I can hang it while driving), and when I hop out, I can slide it on my wrist, so I am hands free to grab Ansley and our bags. Plus, Ansley loves to hold it, play with it, and sometimes even use it as a teether, hehe!

You can get 15% off your order when you shop here and use my code “WATSON15”!

Loopy Case

My Loopy phone case is another one of my must haves as a mom. I constantly have my phone on me, going from room to room, usually carrying a cup of coffee and a bunch of other baby items. Not to mention, my child loves to be held! So having a loopy that I can slide right onto my fingers and remain hands free is a game changer!

They have so many cute colors and patterns too!

*get 10% off with my code: watsonansley10*

Crossbody Purse

I’ve always loved a good crossbody, but before having Ansley I typically used a big tote purse for my everyday bag. Now, with a diaper bag to carry at all times, I’ve found that using a crossbody purse has been the way to go!

These two below have been my most recent favorites. Not only are they super stylish, but they are both extremely functional, hold everything I need, and are not bulky. I also love that you can pick out your favorite straps to customize your bag just the way you like it!

Click on the images below to shop

Quay Sunglasses Case

Overtime, I have accumulated a handful of sunglasses and blue light glasses. They usually get shoved into a drawer somewhere, so I needed a good way to organize them.

These Quay Cases are the best! They are super functional holding 1, 2, or 4 pairs of glasses and are perfect for traveling. They fit right inside the car console or your purse and roll right back up with a magnetic closure.

I hope this has been helpful for you if you are also in need of some functional everyday accessories! I know these have been a game changer for my busy mama life.

As always, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below for any questions or comments!

Thanks for checking out this post!

xoxo,
Watson

Travel

Traveling with a Toddler during COVID

February 10, 2021

Travling during COVID

Austin and I typically travel a handful of times throughout the year, but as we all know, COVID has thrown us for a loop this year! Although most of our trips were cancelled, we were able to keep our family trip to St Thomas on the calendar.

We took this same trip this time last year, when Ansley was 4 months old, but we knew it would be a little different this year with a toddler during COVID.

I wanted to share our experience traveling with a toddler during COVID, if you are also traveling soon.

Before Leaving: COVID Protocols

We knew there would be some protocols to follow before flying to an island, but it was actually pretty simple and manageable. Each destination has their own rules (as of right now), so if you are traveling, it’s best to look up the guidelines for your locations.

St. Thomas required that we show proof of a negative COVID test before arriving. We scheduled our PCR tests 5 days before the trip and were required to upload proof to the St. Thomas travel website within 48 hours of leaving. The risk with the PCR tests is that they can take some time to come back. We were scheduled to leave Saturday morning, and we got our tests done on Tuesday. By Thursday, we still had not gotten our results back and didn’t want to risk waiting too late to get approval from St. Thomas, so we went ahead and got rapid tests done on Thursday. (Of course, our PCR tests came back negative Thursday night but better safe than sorry, right?!) Once we received our negative results, we submitted them online to the St. Thomas travel site, and we actually received our approvals within 10-15 minutes! Ansley was not required to get a COVID test.

The Flight: COVID Protocols

We flew Delta, and the process was very smooth and extremely clean. They handed out sanitizing wipes as you got onto the plane, plus passed around ziplock bags with waters, snacks, and more wipes once we were on the plane. The flight attendants were very strict about wearing masks on the plane and covering your nose.

We brought a copy of our negative test results and our printed approvals from St. Thomas to show proof at the airport, once we landed in St. Thomas. It was as a simple as that!

The Destination: COVID Protocols

Once we arrived at the airport in St. Thomas, we got a taxi van to our resort. Masks were required in the taxis and pretty much anywhere indoors in St. Thomas. We did stay outside the majority of the trip. We made a point to only eat dinner outside, especially since we were with my family (a bigger group). They required masks when you went to the pool bar (although, they weren’t super strict if you kept your distance, since we were outside), in the restrooms, workout rooms, etc. They were also very strict on not having more than 6 people at a table. We had more than 6 people in my family on the trip, which was slightly frustrating to not be able to sit together, even though we were all together in one party. It wasn’t too big of a deal though. We just got two tables next to each other when we went out. I will say, since they are pretty strict on their rules, it makes you feel safe on the island.

Coming Home: COVID Protocols

There wasn’t anything in particular we had to do when preparing to leave St. Thomas. We were not required to get a COVID test or quarantine when traveling out of St. Thomas back to Atlanta. We did go through customs before getting on the airplane. I always recommend having your passports just in case (even though St. Thomas is US Territory), because they did ask for them when going through customs.

The flight home was pretty much identical to the flight to St. Thomas. Everything went pretty smooth. I do LOVE the fact that Delta leaves an empty seat in your row due to COVID. With a child under 2, you do not have to pay for an extra airplane seat, which means usually your little one is on top of you, in your lap, the entire flight. However, with COVID, we were able to have a whole row of 3 seats, which was super nice with Ansley. We were able to spread out, and she had her own seat, even though she was climbing on us most of the flight, HA! Overall, it was an easy experience flying during COVID.

Ansley was awake the entire flight and fell asleep on me as we were landing

Vacation with a Toddler

Typically, I am way ahead of the game when it comes to packing and prepping for a trip. I’m pretty OCD and organized and get a little stressed when things aren’t in order. However, we had a lot going on leading up to this trip, so I ended up waiting until the last minute to pack. We pulled it off though!

Packing for a Toddler

When we travel, I like to pack Ansley’s stuff first. This trip was unique, because we were going to an island in January. If you have a child, you know they grow out of their clothes quickly. With it being colder weather in January, I was afraid none of Ansley’s summer clothes would fit for the warm weather in St. Thomas. I ended up snagging a few new items from Old Navy and Target (tip: I went up a size to 18-24 months for the new items, so they will hopefully fit next summer! She’s in 12-18 months, currently.) Thankfully, most of her summer clothes still fit, and I didn’t have to buy much at all for this trip.

I always use packing cubes for Ansley’s items, because they help tremendously with keeping her tiny little clothes and shoes super organized and put together in one place. When it comes to packing, I go through each day, from the time we wake up to when we go to bed, to plan out her outfits (i.e. pajamas, swimsuits, swim shoes, swim diapers, hats, sunscreen, extra t-shirts, shorts, dinner outfit, diapers, sleep sack, etc). I also categorize her outfits into the packing cubes based on the type of outfit (i.e. all pjs in together, all swimsuits together, etc), so I know where everything is located when I arrive). I use the smaller packing cubes for her toiletry items, so they are separate and easy to grab when needed. Once all her items are in the packing cubes, I easily stick them in her suitcase. We did use a full-size check suitcase for her stuff for this trip, so we would have a little extra space for miscellaneous items like her sound machine, monitor, extra diapers, and floats.

Shop Suitcases and Packing Cubes Below

We decided to bring two floats. This one we used all Summer and when she was much smaller. It’s great from 3-24months and is super sturdy. I love that it is not inflatable, so it can never pop. We also brought a puddle jumper float that my parents had stored at their house. It was a little too big for her, so we had to hold onto to her when using this one. They do make smaller sizes, like the pink one I linked below. We ended up holding her most of the time we were in the pool or ocean though, but I am glad we brought options. Plus, we were able to fit them in the suitcase, since we had an extra check bag.

Shop Floats Below

Since Ansley is walking and running all over the place, I wanted to make sure she had some good pool/beach shoes. We grabbed these native dupes as well as these rainbow slip ons and loved them both! The native dupes were the best for sand, ocean, pavement, etc. They stayed on her feet and were super easy for walking around. They also come in tons of cute colors! The slip on shoes were also perfect for walking on the pavement, by the pool, or just to throw on when we were going to breakfast or walking around the resort. I was afraid she would trip or scuff her toes in these, but she had no issues whatsoever! They fit perfectly and were absolutely darling!

Linking a few of Ansley's swim gear below

Flying with a Toddler

Currently, when we are at home, we use the Uppa Baby Vista Stroller and the Maxi Cosi 3 n 1 Convertible Car Seat. We also used Uppa Baby’s Car Seat, the Mesa, until Ansley turned 1. For Traveling purposes, we wanted to get a smaller, less expensive umbrella type stroller that could potentially get a little beat up and was easier to cart around. (I want to keep my Uppa Baby in good shape ;).

So, we snagged this Summer 3D Mini Convenience Stroller for our trip for just $45. At first, it was slightly challenging to figure out how to easily open and close it, but we finally got the hang of it. I liked that it was small and folded up tight for traveling. It also has a nice basket and two cupholders in the top compartment. We pulled out our Mesa Car Seat to travel, so that we didn’t have to bring our big toddler car seat. We wanted to make sure we had a car seat for cabs or any car rides when we arrived, and it was perfect. (We did not bring our car seat base, since the Mesa allows you to strap into the seat belt).

Once we were at the airport to head to St. Thomas, we decided to go ahead and check the car seat at the baggage counter. (Last year, we bought a cheap car seat traveling cover, which you can find on Amazon. Nothing special but does the job). We used the Summer 3D stroller to get Ansley around the airport and once we got to the gate, we just checked the stroller before hopping on the plane. You can also check the car seat at the gate, if needed, which we did on the way back.

Linking our Car Seats and Strollers Below

As far as keeping Ansley entertained on the airplane, we brought a few smaller toys and books that could easily fit in her diaper bag, plus a few snack options, water, and milk. Milk and water for babies and toddlers are allowed through security. I’ve traveled with breastmilk, whole milk, and water for Ansley, and they are all allowed through security, if it’s for your child. Security will just check your bag and “test” the milk and water as you go through. I would make sure to have a cover or top on the bottle/sippy cups for sanitary purposes, since they have to take it for a second.

Other than the few small toys we brought on the plane, we actually didn’t bring many other toys for the week. I am happy we didn’t, especially since we were barely in the room. Our resort actually had sand buckets and beach toys for her to use while we were there.

Here are a few of our favorite “on the go” toys, books, snack cups, and suppy cups!

Favorite snack cups and sippy cups

Small toys and books for on the go

Once we were there, we were provided with a crib, sheets, and a high chair (most places should have all of this). Otherwise, you can always check a pack n play with sheets. I’ve linked the one we use below.

Pack N Play and Sheets

Packing for Mama

To be honest, I pretty much wore all the same outfits from last year on this trip, because I didn’t make time to buy new ones. Plus, most stores had not released spring/summer items yet. I did, however, grab a new swim suit from Target. I typically always buy my suits from Target. They fit well, they’re super cute and mom-friendly, plus they don’t break the bank!

My Target Swim Suits

My Coverups and Sunnies

Overall, it was such an awesome trip! I am so glad we took the extra time and effort, during the COVID craze, to get away, unplug and spend time with family!

One thing I’ve learned this past year is to truly soak up time with the people in your life that mean the most. Make unforgettable memories, don’t sweat the small stuff, and live life to the fullest each and every day!

If you have any other questions regarding this post, leave them in the comments below:)

xoxo, Watson

Baby

Our Experience + Tips for Baby Led Weaning

December 19, 2020

STARTING SOLIDS

The thought of starting real foods with your little one for the first time can be super overwhelming for a new mom. I remember being completely freaked out when it was time for Ansley to try solids, especially since all she had swallowed up to that point was breastmilk.

WHAT IS BABY LED WEANING?

Baby led weaning is simply a term for letting your baby learn to feed herself right from the start. Since babies are still learning coordination at this age, it’s best to use foods that are easy to hold and soft enough to go down. This is a great way for babies to experiment with foods and learn intuitive eating.

WHEN TO START?

It is safe for babies to start solids typically when they have doubled their birth weight, can hold their head up, and start showing interest in your foods. This is usually around 4-6 months. We actually waited until 6 months to try any real foods because we were supposed to be leaving for a week-long trip without Ansley and didn’t want to disrupt her routine before we left. That trip was cancelled, of course, due to COVID, so we ended up introducing foods right at 6 months. Anywhere from 4-6 months is safe as long as your doctor approves, and you are comfortable.

FEEDING CHAIR

It is super important to have a good seat or highchair for your babe. We actually started using this Sit Me Up around 4 months to help Ansley learn to sit up tall and hold her head up. Until she got a bit stronger, we actually used this for feeding. Once Ansley really got stronger at holding her head and trunk up, we would use the Ingenuity 2 n 1 chair on the counter for feeding. This chair has remained one of my #1 favorite baby items of all times. We have gotten tons of use out of this, and it’s also perfect for traveling! We still use it now at almost 15 months.

Note: *Once your babe starts to get heavier, it is safest to use this on the floor or strapped into a chair. Never leave your baby unattended on the counter!

(We actually couldn’t decide on a highchair because we loved our Ingenuity 2 n 1 so much, but we did want to get one for Ansley’s first birthday party. Austin found this Asunflower, which was perfect for her smash cake. It does the job, but I am not a huge fan of this chair for everyday use, especially because of the straps. We are currently looking into getting either the Stokke or the Keekaroo, which both can be used up to 240-250lbs!)

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FOODS TO START

It can be hard to know which foods to choose when you first start. One thing that helped me when starting was to think of foods that would easily slide down or that would melt in her mouth. We also wanted to start with healthier foods, so Ansley learned to eat foods that were better for her before she got hooked on the junky snacks. Once you start foods, it is also a good time to introduce water. Not only does it help to get foods down, but it also keeps them regular ;). We have used a few sippy cups. The MAM sippy cup and Nuby Training Cup seemed to be the best for Ansley when she was first starting out. Over time she has also loved the 360 Trainer Cup and the Weighted Straw Sippy Cup.

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Note* it is usually recommended to try one food at a time for about 3 days before introducing something new to make sure your little one doesn’t have a reaction. Nut butters should also be introduced pretty early for that same reason. We liked to mix ours in with oatmeal.

The first food we tried was avocado. I figured this was a super safe bet, although it was messy, it was so fun (and funny) to watch Ansley experiment with something new. We then moved to sweet potatoes. Austin would peel and cut a sweet potato into slices like fries and cook them in the oven until they were soft. This made it easy for Ansley to hold and chew at her own pace. We also tried banana early on too. This is a great one since babies can hold it themselves. You can also cut it into smaller pieces and set them on your little’s tray to feed themselves. To minimize the mess, we used the Bella Tunno Bibs to catch all the leftover food from her hands and mouth. These stay on way better than any other bib catcher that we tried and also have the cutest sayings. They also have plates, bowls, spoons, teethers and more that we love!

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It is totally normal to be on edge when you are first starting to give your baby real foods. Trust me, I freaked out multiple times, because I wasn’t use to Ansley swallowing anything other than breastmilk. After trying a few foods for a couple days and weeks, we started to get more comfortable and began introducing even more foods.

One of the best parts about your baby eating real foods is that you can literally just give them what you are eating. Yes, in the beginning, we would give Ansley separate options as we were all learning. Plus, I didn’t want a banana for dinner ;), but now we usually just give her whatever is on our plate. It makes it super easy with less effort, less mess, and less wasted food.

Purees are also totally acceptable and fine when starting real foods. It can be a heated topic, but in our experience, we did a mix of both purees and real foods, and Ansley didn’t have any confusion. It also exposes your baby to new textures. Ansley learned when to swallow purees versus when to “chew” solids. Purees are also great and sometimes needed when your baby gets stopped up. We use prunes and pears mostly to keep her regular. If you want your baby to learn to feed herself with purees, try preloading her spoon (we use these) and handing it to her to put in her own mouth. This allows your little one to still have control over what goes in her mouth.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN MY BABY IS FINISHED?

Babies are intuitive eaters. This is also one of my favorite parts of BLW. Your baby will tell you when she’s full or doesn’t want any more banana.

If your baby is refusing one food, maybe try something new or different before you stop all together. There are many times when I try to give Ansley one thing, and she fusses until I give her what she wants. On that note, just because your baby refuses eggs today doesn’t mean she hates them. Try again tomorrow or in a few days. Most likely, she will come around.

I'M SCARED OF CHOKING

This is a totally normal concern. I think most moms have had this concern at some point or another. I know I did. It is important to know the difference between choking and gagging. Babies have a gag reflex just like us. Most of the time, it’s a sign that your baby is moving food around in her mouth to either get it out or mush it up before swallowing.

Note* at this stage, babies don’t really use their teeth to chew. They use their gums to mush up food before swallowing.

There have been multiple times when Ansley has taken too big of a bite and after moving it around in her mouth, she ends up spitting it out. Trust me, this is a skill you want your baby to have. This has actually prevented Ansley from swallowing things she isn’t supposed to eat, because she learns what she can chew and what is not editable, like toys or dog food. One tip that has helped us when she has something in her mouth that she shouldn’t is to put my hand out and say “spit it out”. Usually, she will take it out of her mouth if it’s not food, it’s something she doesn’t want, or if the bite was just too big.

MY BABY ISN'T EATING MUCH

The goal of real food, until around age one, is mostly just for experimental purposes. Yes, your baby is soaking up all the nutrients, but this is not her main source of nutrition right now. Breastmilk and formula should still be regular in your little one’s diet until she turns one.

Baby feeding goes in waves. Ansley started off eating super healthy foods and as she’s gotten older, we’ve noticed she is becoming selective with what she wants at certain times.

We started offering puffs (we use Happy Baby Puffs, Gerber Puffs, and Happy Baby Lil’ Crunchies), Happy Baby Teething Wafers, and Gerber Bars around 8-10 months. These are great convenient options, but we try to limit these snacks for when we are out of the house or on the go. (We use these snack cups for the puffs.) This helps her get meals in verses just eating snacks all day long.

Be consistent with your toddler’s meals, and she will learn when it’s meal time versus snack time.

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FOODS TO START

These are all great options to start:

Avocados
Bananas (peel on helps for holding)
Sweet Potatoes (cut like fries helps for holding)
Eggs
Watermelon
Raspberries
Cooked Carrots
Cooked Cauliflower
Cooked Broccoli (soft)
Bread cut into slices
Frozen waffles
Cooked Apples (soft)
Rotisserie Chicken
Meat on a bone to chew or suck

FOODS TO AVOID WHEN STARTING

Anything hard, crunchy, or sticky
Honey
Cows Milk
Added salt
Added sugar

HELPFUL TIPS:

-Cut foods long enough where your babe couldn’t fit the entire piece in their mouth (long, thin sweet potato)
-Leave the peels on, when you can, to avoid slippery food and make it easier to hold (bananas, avocados, etc)
-Mix nut butters into oatmeal or yogurt instead of serving alone (too sticky)
-Give baby 1-3 pieces at a time to avoid putting too much in her mouth or throwing on the ground
-Stay calm
-Always stay with your baby when feeding
-Have fun!:)

Introducing food to your little one can be overwhelming, but it is also such a fun time. We have had many laughs watching Ansley learn to eat and experiment with different foods. Enjoy this new milestone and have fun with it!

I hope this has been helpful for you in your feeding journey!

If you have any specific questions on this topic, leave them in the comments below.

*Note: Baby led weaning is not for everyone. I am not a healthcare professional. I am just sharing our experience and what has worked well for our family. As always, please consult a healthcare professional if you have medical questions or concerns.

xoxo, Watson

Holiday Gifts

Black Friday Round Up

November 27, 2020

It’s Cyber Week!

As you know, this week is the craziest shopping week of the year! So many of us are using this week full of sales to stock up on Christmas gifts or even snag ourselves a gift or two ;).

I’ve rounded up a handful of sales in this post for you, your family and your friends to shop while the sales are hot!

Everything is linked in this post and also in the Liketoknow.it app, so be sure to download that as well for more updates!

*NOTE: There is an exclusive LIKETOKNOW.IT sale in the app only from November 26-30th. Download the app here and follow me at “watsonansley” to shop. Copy the codes in the LTK app and paste at checkout to get the exclusive LTK Holiday App sales!

Happy Shopping!