I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, crafter, and blogger living in rural New England. As seen in Martha Stewart Living, Food Network Magazine, and more! | Tutorials, DIY, crafts, parenting tips, recipes, money saving tips, product reviews, local product features, New England living, intentional living, and more! |
We’re getting ready to send our oldest back to school in person for the first time in about 18 months and I don’t know who’s more nervous - me or her. Nevertheless, we’re trying hard to be positive and prepare her as best we can for the return to school. I thought I would share some of the things we’re packing in the event it helps other parents think of things to pack too. | This post contains affiliate links |
Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice… please consult the CDC, your doctor, etc for what supplies your child should need for themselves and their school situation.
Some Ideas for Back to School Supplies 2021
Sturdy Backpack - We're huge fans of L.L. Bean backpacks. They're built to last so we buy a size bigger than our kids need in order to last them many years to come. Since our school does a lot with computers we made sure to pick a backpack that also has a built-in laptop sleeve. (Side note: We always add some added visibility to our kids' gear with Gear Aid Reflective Patches.)
Hand Sanitizer - We got some small "key chain" hand sanitizer dispensers to attach to both her backpack and her lunch box so cleaning her hands whenever she needs to will be easy, especially important before adjusting or taking off masks and before eating/drinking.
Covered Water Bottle - This was a small upgrade we thought might be useful this year. In the past our daughter always used reusable water bottles with an exposed spout, however we thought it might be a better idea to have one that keeps the spout covered when not in use to help keep it cleaner.
Good Masks - We did our best to try to find better masks for this year that are supposed to have better filtration. We have some child-sized "M95" ones as well as some cloth masks that have special filters that go inside of them.
Mask Cases/System - I have no idea if this system will be practical, but we're going to give it a try! I ordered these clear mask cases from Amazon and cut labels for them on my Cricut. We'll be packing one with extra clean masks, and the other will be empty for dirty masks to come home in. Since we invested in some better quality masks I wanted to make sure they stay in cases when not in use to keep them in good shape.
Breakaway Mask Lanyard - These can be handy during times when masks come down (lunch/snack, mask breaks outside, etc).
Label Everything - Pandemic or not, it's important to label all the things when kids go to school. We love this label maker for making quick and easy labels for water bottles, cases, sports gear, etc.
I hope that gave you some ideas of things you may want to pack for your children too, I hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy school year!
This past weekend we took a much needed day trip up to Boothbay, Maine to finally see the amazing Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and its new art installation of giant trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The whole visit was beautiful and so fun. I’ve included a few photos here but they don’t do this magical place justice - the Gardens and the trolls must be seen in person if you ever have the chance! Here are a few tips and items of note from our trip. | This post contains affiliate links |
Tickets
Currently at this time Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are requiring advanced purchased tickets only and your entry is timed (I believe this is for COVID precautions to help spread out visitors and limit the amount of visitors coming in at any one time to help reduce crowding). We purchased ours for one of the first time slots of the day and it was perfect. We found that the park was getting rather crowded by lunch so earlier was definitely better.
Masks
There were signs asking non-vaccinated guests to wear masks inside buildings, however we did not see that enforced. Nevertheless, we have been very COVID-cautious ourselves and made sure our kids put on their masks when we passed through the entrance building and when we left, also we had them put them on whenever we went into any other enclosed spaces.
The Trolls
There are five giant Trolls tucked away in the woods throughout the park. The map in the brochure was a bit confusing and it was difficult to tell exactly which paths some of them were on, but after a quick conversation with a very helpful gardener we had a good plan to see them all. At most of the trolls there were groups gathered to take photos but everyone was very respectful, waited their turn, and gave space so each group could take good photos with the trolls which was very nice.
So Much to Explore
Besides the incredible trolls, there are miles of hiking trails and so many gardens to explore. We spent several hours there and didn’t even see most of them. Our favorite areas were the Children’s Gardens with its whimsical flowers, buildings, and animals, and the various ponds and fountains. Our kids especially loved watching the tadpoles (SO many tadpoles!) and turtles in the ponds.
We got lots of compliments on our kids' matching sunhats too! They are our absolute favorite ones by Sunday Afternoons.
Lunch
We headed out early afternoon when it started to get very hot and crowded but we easily could have stayed and explored longer! There was an on-site cafe that had grab-n-go food that looked great but we decided to forgo that and opt for seafood on the way home (when in Maine). We would have loved to stop at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset but the line was down the block when we went by, so we got takeout from Sea Basket instead and ate our weight in fried seafood and lobster rolls - it hit the spot.
Overall it was a beautiful day to get out and explore this beautiful place with our family - we’re already planning on coming back later in the summer to see everything with different plants in bloom.
When you have kids, the chaos of their stuff seems to follow you everywhere - including into your car. I accept that our cars will never be pristine (dirt, crumbs, and dog hair will always be present), but I make sure that despite that we have a simple system to keep our things organized and to make sure we always have our essentials at hand. | This post contains affiliate links |
Disclaimer: Use organizers and other items at own risk. Make sure they are properly installed and compatible with your vehicle.
Keeping Toys in Check
I got tired of loose books and small toys spilling all over the back seat and the floor, so I got a backseat organizer to corral the kids’ items and keep them within easy reach for long car rides. In the organizer we always have some small books, an electronic kids toy, and some puzzles like a Rubik's Cube, as well as sunglasses for each kid in the small pockets in the front. I like this organizer because it fits between the car seats and can also buckle in so it doesn't slide around. (Side note: Where's Waldo has become a favorite car read and keeps the kids entertained for a long time.)
Trunk Organizer
With young kids we always carry supplies like a first aid kit, full change of clothing for each child, trash bags for wet/dirty clothes, extra towel and blanket, etc. For awhile all those items lived in a diaper bag in the trunk, but we are past the diaper stage now and it was time to retire the diaper bag and upgrade to something sleeker and space-saving. I am really loving this sturdy SUV trunk organizer for keeping everything hidden but still within reach.
The Infamous Car Potty
If you know, you know… With small kids traveling with a potty is a must, even for awhile once they’re past potty training age. You never know when an urgent bathroom request will happen, and these days with the pandemic it’s great to have a clean personal potty for your kid to use, rather than a dirty rest stop bathroom. Pro tip: We line our car potty with an open diaper to absorb liquid and waste and reduce the risk of a spill (makes for easier clean up too!).
Registration/Insurance Holder
It’s a good idea to keep all your car paperwork handy and organized in the glove box, because if you need it you don’t want to have to go digging for it - especially if it’s of an urgent nature (if you got pulled over, fender bender, etc). I personally like the little portfolios that keep everything ready and easy to find.
Roadside Kit / First Aid Kit
Always keep a roadside emergency kit and first aid kit in your car in the event you break down or have an accident. You may be able to find a kit that covers all your bases, but often you may have to purchase these separately or at least supplement with some additional tools or first aid items. Our trunk area has a hidden compartment underneath where we store all our roadside and first aid gear.
Extra Masks
It’s a sign of the times… make sure you always keep a spare set of extra masks in your car for the whole family. That way you’re never caught without one if you need it. We made our mask case using a slim wipes container (similar container linked here).
Disclaimer: Use organizers and other items at own risk. Make sure they are properly installed and compatible with your vehicle.
Recently I realized “Crap. I’m almost in my mid-30’s… and it’s all downhill from here. Time to start proactively taking care of my skin!” Up until this point I was just washing my face and maybe using some moisturizer some days and that was it. Thankfully I don’t really have any wrinkles or fine lines to speak of - yet - but I know they’ll be coming on soon. After some trial and error and consulting some friends that are really into skincare products, I settled on a simple routine that I’m enjoying so far and feel as though I’m getting the best bang for my buck. The best part? Most of these are inexpensive drug store finds, with just a few high-end heavy hitters. | This post contains affiliate links |
Simple Mid-30's Skincare Routine - Everything I’m using as the moment, including occasional treatments.
Disclaimer: I am not a “beauty blogger” or skincare expert, just sharing what I’m using and loving so far. It’s a good idea to consult your dermatologist or a skincare expert for more specific recommendations for your skin type and lifestyle. Also make sure to consult your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as certain skincare ingredients should not be used during those times.
AM Routine
Simple Mid-30's Skincare Routine - AM
Step One:Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleanser Every morning I start with using this Neturogena Naturals Cleanser, I really love this one because it's very gentle on my sensitive skin and smells amazing.
Step Two: CeraVe Vitamin C Serum (not pictured.. I started using this after I first published this post) After I cleanse and before I moisturize I put a little bit of this Vitamin C Serum on my skin. I feel as though it's made a big difference in evening out my skin tone and brightening. I also really love the way it feels!
Step Three: Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer I have been using this moisturizer for years and LOVE it. It's so light and a little goes a really long way. While it is a little on the expensive side, one jar lasts me forever so I definitely get a lot bang for my buck with this one.
What I'm Missing:SUNSCREEN This is a huge hole in my daily regimen and I know that... I have been trying to find a light, mineral based sunscreen for daily wear and haven't found the right one just yet. Once I find one I like I will update this post - and if you have any you love, please let me know!
PM Routine
Simple Mid-30's Skincare Routine - PM Routine
Step One: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water This cleanser is perfect for end-of-day cleansing and removing makeup. I use the Blue verison since I sometimes wear waterproof mascara and it works like a charm to take it all off (the Pink version is reccomended for regular cleansing and non-water proof makeup removal). I just put a little bit on a cotton round and wipe it all away, no rinsing needed.
Step Two: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum This serum has come highly reccomended to me by so many people as an important part of their daily skincare routine. It has hyaluronic acid which is supposed to help moisturize your skin and reduce fine lines. While I can't attest to wrinkle reduction (I don't have any yet), it does make my skin feel amazingly smooth afterwards and I'm hoping it will keep fine lines at bay in the future. This serum can be expensive but I find a little goes a long way and I haven't made much of a dent in the bottle at all yet.
These are things I do occasionally, maybe once every 2-4 weeks or whenever I feel like it. I never use both masks in the same weekend though - I spread them out.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask This is a great, refreshing, hydrating mask. Love using this when my skin might be feeling a little dull or dry.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask This mask is amazing for deep cleaning pores! It comes as a powder and you mix a little in a bowl with some warm water to make the mask - you can also mix it with a little bit of Apple Cider Vinegar to give the mask a little more power. Since you mix it yourself you can stretch one jar for a long time.
Vanicream Lite Lotion I got this as a sample and love it for spot treating any extra dry spots that occasionally pop up, especially after doing a mask. It's fragrence-free too which is a nice break when my skin might be feeling sensitive.
Important Buying Tip: When purchasing “higher end” brands (such as Clinique or Estée Lauder), always make sure you’re purchasing directly from the company or from an established department store chain (such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, etc) to make sure you’re getting real, legitimate products. While you may be able to find high-end brands listed for sale on other online retailers (yes, even the big ones), these products are often knock-offs sold by third party sellers and who knows what could be in them.
We’re definitely living in different times right now… and it’s becoming clearer that it looks as though we will have to co-exist with the COVID-19 virus for the foreseeable future. Because of that anything we can do that might mitigate the risk of virus transmission, like always wearing face masks or face coverings when outside our homes, have become a part of our “new normal.” Since mask-wearing should be part of your new routine whenever you leave your house, it’s a good idea to have a system in place to make sure you always have clean masks at the ready and you never leave home without one. | This post contains affiliate links |
Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice. Make sure to always consult the CDC and local health officials for up-to-date recommendations on mask wearing, storage, and care. Cloth masks are not considered medical grade and should be washed in between each use… check with individual mask makers/companies on the best way to store/wash/care for your masks.
Mask Storage at Home
It’s a good idea to keep your clean masks in a designated area of your home, preferably in a place where you’ll be sure to grab one on your way out the door to do errands, go to work, etc. At first glance it might look like we have a lot of masks, but we really don't considering we're a household of four and it's essential to have enough masks to get through between laundry loads. We're still staying home and social-distancing very seriously, but whenever we have to do an essential errand/appointment or just go for a drive to get out of the house, we always make sure to have a clean mask for everyone that’s leaving the house.
In our home, we've designated a special basket that sits up high on our mudroom shelf, full of clean masks. We put the adult masks towards the back, and then kids masks in the front. I was unable to find a basket the same size on Amazon to link to, but I did find this
sleek bamboo box that looks to be the perfect size. If you don't have shelf space for a basket, you could alternatively use wall-mounted baskets for storage. Our masks are a mix of ones made with love for us by family members, as well as ones purchased from
Old Navy
and
Miss Harlow VT
(one of the local makers I featured in my "Masks by New England Makers" blog post).
If you don't like the idea of using a basket like we do and would rather hang your masks by the door, another option would be using
a small set of hooks
such as a set of compact coat hooks or key rack - or even just simple
Command Hooks.
Mask Storage On-The-Go
We have found a
slim wipes container
is the perfect size for holding several face masks on-the-go! In fact, we always make sure to leave our case packed with an extra mask for each family member in the car. That way we're always covered if we forget one or need to change masks while we're out of the house. I think this would be a great way to carry extra face masks in your bag for work, or your child's backpack whenever they return to school. It would probably be a good idea to also keep a ziplock bag or separate sealed container in your bag in case you have a dirty/used mask that needs to be brought home to wash.
And if you wanted to take it a step further and have an organzied mask system on-the-go to put in your work bag or child's backpack, you might want to consider having two cases - one for clean masks and one for dirty masks. I ordered these clear mask cases from Amazon and cut labels for them on my Cricut. We'll be packing one with extra clean masks, and the other will be empty for dirty masks to come home in. Since we recently invested in some better quality masks I wanted to make sure they stay in cases when not in use to keep them in good shape.
Alternatively, if you don't have any slim wipes containers hanging around you could also use
Small Craft Storage Cases
, which come in clear and a variety of colors. This might be more cost effective too if you needed multiple cases - especially if you needed one or more cases for each family member, or if you were a teacher and wanted to make a case for each student in your class.
You can also easily label any of these cases with a
label maker.
We always make sure to keep the car stocked with our plastic case of extra face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes to help protect ourselves when we’re out doing errands.
Mask Care
Always refer to individual mask makers/companies on the best way to care for each of your masks (hand wash only vs machine wash, line-dry vs dryer, etc.) But in general, all masks should be washed and allowed to thoroughly dry in between each use.
Since all of our masks are machine washable, we've found using a mesh lingerie laundry bag is perfect for keeping the masks from getting lost in the wash or caught on other items.
Quick Adjustment Tips
If you feel like your face mask is a little large or isn’t fitting as closely to your face as you would like, you can typically adjust it very easily by making a small knot in the ear loop elastics (as shown above) to make it smaller.
One mask accessory that we've found super helpful lately are
Mask Lanyards. We personally use them most often when we're out hiking or going for a long walk, that way the time we're out alone we can keep our masks down, however in the event we see someone coming up we can easily put them on if we need to pass others on the trail. We made a point to choose lanyards that have a breakaway safety feature, but use at your own discretion/risk.
Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice. Make sure to always consult the CDC and local health officials for up-to-date recommendations on mask wearing, storage, and care. Cloth masks are not considered medical grade and should be washed in between each use… check with individual mask makers/companies on the best way to store/wash/care for your masks.
Vaccination Card Protector
Vaccinated? You may want to consider getting a Vaccination Card Protector for your vaccine card to help keep them protected and clean at home or while you're traveling. These are nice because you can remove your vaccine card to record updates/boosters if needed.
We’re definitely living in different times right now… and it’s becoming clearer that it looks as though we will have to co-exist with this virus for the foreseeable future. Because of that anything we can do that might mitigate the risk of virus transmission, like always wearing face masks or face coverings when outside our homes, are becoming a part of our “new normal.” Today a lot of small businesses are hurting, including small local makers, many of whom have pivoted to also offer masks for sale. As we move forward into our new normal, consider supporting a local maker and purchase masks from them. | This post is not sponsored or an endorsement. Makers are listed in no particular order and I plan to continue to add to this list as I come across more makers who request to be added. |
Masks by New England Makers
Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice. Make sure to always consult the CDC and local health officials for up-to-date recommendations. These masks are not considered medical grade and should be washed in between each use… please see each individual mask maker regarding details, care instructions, pricing, and current availability.
Scrub Caps for Scholars is an Etsy shop recently started by Marissa of One CrafDIY Girl (who’s also an ICU nurse in Massachusetts) looking to give back to frontline nurses who are struggling to pay their student loans. Proceeds from sales of masks and scrub caps will go towards that fund. Masks are available in different styles in child through adult sizes with different fabrics to choose from; there are also some matching scrub caps available too.
Nicole has created 615+ masks so far - including donations to local businesses and healthcare workers across the country. She has many fabrics to choose from, with masks in tie and elastic styles. (*If there's an essential worker you want to surprise with a free cloth mask, send her a message and she will send it out with a thank you note!)
Think Greene is a Maine-based company best known for their eco-friendly items and apparel. They are offering boldly designed masks in adult and kid sizes made with organic cotton. Masks are tie-style.
Singer Vintage is a Maine-based Etsy stop, which normally sells vintage sewing machine parts, but now offers a wide variety of summer-inspired masks (gingham, chambray, lobsters, etc) in different styles and sizes.
Little Green Pear
| Shop Masks by Little Green Pear (Etsy shop temporarily closed, please order through direct message on Facebook or Instagram) |
Little Green Pear is run by a Vermont-based mom and best known for hair bows and baby accessories, but is now offering a variety of masks in different styles, fabric patterns, and sizes from toddler through adult.
Maine Mom Boutique is a highly-rated shop on Etsy, best known for baby-related items, now offering elastic loop style masks for adults in a variety of fabric patterns.
Maine-based Sea Crow Co. is best known for their popular colorful bags and accessories and is now offering masks too. Masks are pleated-style and available in a variety of fabric patterns and in both ear loop and tie options (child sizes are available upon request).
Miss Harlow VT is a Vermont-based crafter best known for her sewn baby items and gifts and is now offering masks as well in many different fabrics, in both child and adult sizes. To date she has made over 500!
Jackie’s Boutique are two “brick and mortar” shops located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire known for resort wear and accessories. Right now they are also offering masks with vintage Lake Winnipesaukee map patterns on them. The fabric is made and printed in New England.
The Artsy Fox is New Hampshire-based and known for crocheted and knit items as well as quilted items, and is now also offering masks in different patterns too.
Two Little Beans & Co. is a Maine-based company best known for their baby booties, bibs, and other baby items but is now also offering ear loop style pleated masks in many fabric options, in both kid and adult sizes. She has also been making mask donations for healthcare and frontline workers. (*There is a tutorial on her website if you’re looking for instructions to make your own mask.)
We Fill Good is an eco-friendly shop in Kittery, Maine known for selling reusable products that can help you achieve a low-waste household. Right now they are also offering masks in a variety of fabric pattern options in both adult and kid sizes.
Red House VT is best known for their waxed canvas and leather bags and are now offering simple modern style masks, currently as a wait-list item.
- All photos used with permission -
If you are a New England Maker who is also making masks and would like to be added to this list, please send me a message and I would love to add you. Thank you all for your hard work to help keep our communities a little safer.
Disclaimer: I am not giving medical advice or endorsing any particular seller - purchase at your own risk. Make sure to always consult the CDC and local health officials for up-to-date recommendations. These masks are not considered medical grade and should be washed in between each use… please see each individual mask maker regarding details, care instructions, pricing, and current availability.
