The snow is gone, the sun is shining and those splish-splashy pool-filled days are blissfully on the horizon. With that in mind, you’ll want to check out Target’s new swimwear line, Kona Sol!
Kona Sol, which debuted in January, is a size-inclusive line that’s made for women of all shapes. The collection is available in sizes XS to XXL as well as 14W to 26W (select styles only). According to Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target, “We know the search for the perfect swimsuit can be daunting. Our goal is to make shopping for swimwear fun, easy and inspiring.”
Women's Plus Size Underwire Wrap Bikini Top
You'll make a splash in this rad wrapping two-piece. The affordable, and adorable, bikini retails for $27.99.
Women's Plus Size Keyhole Strap One Piece Swimsuit
The cute keyhole design makes this suit a sweet selection. The floral find is available in stores and online for $44.99.
Women's Plus Size Twist Front Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit
Forget about basic swimwear. This twist front design ($39.99) is sleek, feisty and oh-so-cute.
Women's Plus Size Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit
If you're looking for something with an eye-catching accent, this is it. The sweet ruffle adds a little extra to this cute suit ($39.99).
Women's Plus Size Double Strap Tankini Top
No one says you have to choose between a one- and two-piece. Even though this tankini ($29.99) is technically two pieces, it fits just like one!
Women's Plus Size Twist Back Bikini Top
This twist-back two-piece is simple, yet stylish. Find this perfect pick at Target for $24.99.
Who better to get decor tips from than an HGTV star and media mogul? This Joanna Gaines’ design hack is simple, sleek and stylish—and you can totally copy it. Here’s how!
When it comes down to it, Gaines knows what she’s doing in the decorative sense. So if you’re looking to redo a room, take a tip from the designer and try one of her fave tricks by using repeating patterns within a room. This doesn’t mean you need to make the room majorly match-y; instead, carry one precise pattern throughout the entire space selectively.
Gaines suggests echoing one pattern in several different areas. Instead of repeating the same shape over and over again, use similar patterns. Don’t worry if you aren’t into wallpapering your space or don’t have the budget to buy new furniture. Echo your area rug’s pattern in a throw pillow, window treatments or any other awesome accent!
We love this super simple way to do a quick seasonal refresh—without breaking the bank.
Is your tot sounding like a little royal? You’re not alone. It seems that American kids have developed a new way of speaking, thanks to the British accents on Peppa Pig. Read on for the hilarious (and adorable) influence this Brit import is having on American tots.
Who doesn’t love the hijinks of an adorable pig who enjoys jumping in muddy puddles? Peppa Pig has become a global sensation since the series first debuted in the United Kingdom in 2004. The show has become so popular in the United States that parents have begun to notice an unexpected side effect of watching Peppa and her family.
It seems that kids across America are developing British accents thanks to this popular pig. Parents have taken to Twitter to share the fact that their toddlers have started speaking like Peppa. “Mummy” and “toh-mah-toes” are now part of many three-year-olds’ vocabularies.
My three year old says “tomatoes” with a British accent. #peppapig
Considering the fact that the show is treated towards toddlers and preschoolers, the so-called “Peppa Effect” isn’t that surprising. Young viewers watching the show are in the early stages of developing their speech and vocabulary, making it easy for them to pick up on accents.
So what can you do about it if your kiddo wakes up saying, “Mornin’, guv’nah?” Enjoy the cuteness and just be glad they aren’t speaking like Calliou instead!
Joanna Gaines: she’s a designer, star of the belovedFixer Upper, author, TV mogul—and a mama to many—five kids, to be exact. And that means she has some pretty serious cred when it comes to parenting. Joanna Gaines’ secret for getting her kiddos to share a room is a prime example of this.
In a recent interview with Country Living, Gaines shared how she uses her spot-on design sense and oodles of expertise to make the whole shared bedroom thing work.
Her top tips focus on letting each kid have their own space within the shared space. Specifically, Gaines recommendations include:
Starting with a neutral palette to allow the kiddos to add accent pieces they love.
Making a space for each kid to display their own toys or display nick-nacks.
Letting the kids accessorize in ways that express their personality.
Naturally, she’s also big on storage (which is both functional and stylish). But what’s the biggest takeaway, according to Gaines? Letting go. “I’ve gotten so much more laid back about kids’ rooms in general because, to me, that’s the space where they want to feel the most creative and the most known,” Joanna says.
Safety. Value. Comfort. Cool. These are the elements of the best family cars. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provide all of us parents with annual “best of” lists, including safety picks, the best values and so much more. If you’re in the market for a new car in 2019, what should you look for? Well, there are a few different ways to go when it comes to the best family cars of the year, so keep reading to figure out what’s best for you and your crew.
photo: Kelley Blue Book
Safety
As a parent, safety matters. Heck, as a person, safety matters too. And that’s why the IIHS compiles their annual top picks list. Split into categories based on car type, the safest cars include everything from the Hyundai Accent to the BMX X3.
Keeping up with carpool requires a car that can seat more than three in the backseat. And that means you need an SUV or minivan. The IIHS top 2019 picks in these categories include:
Hyundai Kona
Mazda CX-5
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia Sorento
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
Of course, these aren’t the only top picks. Visit the IIHS’s website for the rest of the list.
Value
Your family’s budget is stretched to the max. The Kelley Blue Book wants to help you get a great car at a great value. According to KBB, the winners are the “best combinations of affordability, quality, driving dynamics, dependability and low cost to own.”
KBB “Best Buys” that parents will want to consider include the following 2019 models:
Hyundai Kona
Honda CR-V
Honda Pilot
Ford Expedition
Honda Odyssey
Volvo XC40
For the full list, with all of KBB’s categories, visit the website here.
Consumer Rated
The experts behind the KBB picks aren’t the only ones making all the decisions. Sometimes you want to know what real people like in a new car. And that’s why KBB publishes annual top consumer rated vehicle lists.
Parents who are looking for something larger than a sedan, but aren’t into minivans, may want to browse the list of “Top Consumer Rated SUVs of 2019.” The winners in this category include:
Mazda CX-9
Volkswagen Tiguan
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Hyundai Kona
Audi Q5
But if you do want a minivan, these are the top consumer picks for the year:
Honda Odyssey
Dodge Grand Caravan
Chrysler Pacifica
Toyota Sienna
Expert Rated
Along with the consumer rating, the expert rating can go a long way. That is, when it comes to your potential pick list. The KBB in-house team chose these SUVs as the best of the best for 2019:
Acura MDX
Honda HR-V
Mazda CX-5
Audi Q7
Honda CR-V
Fuel Efficiency
An SUV or minivan can put a serious pinch on your wallet. And we’re not talking about the sticker price. Your annual gas budget shouldn’t have to exceed what stash away on your kiddo’s college account.
Fuel efficiency is a major factor for many parents when choosing a car—especially if you’re a long-distance commuter or have hours of carpool to drive. The KBB’s most fuel-efficient picks for 2019 SUVs include:
Lexus RX
Hyundai Kona
Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-3
Nissan Rogue
When it comes to minivans, these 2019 models will give you the most bang for your buck:
Dodge Grand Caravan
Toyota Sienna
Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
So there you have it. These family-sized cars cover the bases—from safety and comfort to value, fuel efficiency and more!
Accio bed spread and more as the Wizarding World comes to your home with enchanting designs from Pottery Barn’s new Harry Potter collection. The collab, which recently launched across the Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands, has all-new textiles, furniture, accessories, entertaining essentials, holiday decor and much, much more.
Pottery Barn Kids and PBTeen President Jennifer Kellor, said of the collab, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Harry Potter franchise and embark on a new chapter that includes Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids.”
Here are some of the best looks from Pottery Barn’s newly expanded Harry Potter line of decor.
Hogwarts Express Train Bed
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Your little wizard will adore the iconic design of The Hogwarts Express ($1,999)—in bed form! This is truly a magical way to drift off to dreamland (or Hogwarts).
Gryffindor Beanbag
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
This maroon Gryffindor-crested beanbag chair ($119 to $209) is the perfect PBTeen accent to your older child, tween or teens room. Along with this chair, your kiddo can keep their friends comfy with the other House Crest beanbags.
Hogwarts Castle Lantern
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
The adult-ish collection at Pottery Barn is filled with all kinds of wizarding decor for grown-ups. Deck out your table with these cute and classic table lanterns ($99), perfect for Halloween entertaining!
Organic Damask Crib Fitted Sheet
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Dress up your baby's crib with this fantastic beasts bedding ($34). The 200-thread count sheets are Certified GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards), meaning that they're free from chemicals.
Mythical Metal Bed
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Available in both full and queen sizes, this magical bed ($999 to $1,099) from the PBTeen collection is elegant and whimsical at the same time. Forget about the little kid-like characters of yesterday, this pick is perfect for an older kiddo who wants their room to look sweet and sophisticated.
What’s in a name? There are a series of questions everyone asks you when you are pregnant. When are you due? Do you know what you’re having? Do you have a name? This last question is usually followed by a few suggestions. Choosing a name feels like such a daunting task if you haven’t had the perfect name picked out for the past 10-15 years like some of my friends.
With my first pregnancy, we had a list of names and a few top contenders, but we weren’t going to pick one until we met her. We wanted to make sure the name fits the baby. Towards the end of the pregnancy, our top choice changed. We had mentioned to our friends and family the top picks when they asked, always noting they are the current faves but we want to meet her. We will regret this always. I remember reading something suggesting not sharing the name, and I wish I had taken the advice. I highly recommend just saying you “haven’t decided” when people ask, and if you are forward enough, follow up with “we aren’t taking suggestions” because a whole list of names will pour out like a flood. A few people got way too attached to our original top pick, and when we would mention that our top pick has changed, they ignored it completely. What seemed playful to them, was annoying and disrespectful.
When choosing a name, we took 8 things into consideration
Will she get made fun of?
Yes. Every child will get made fun of in school for one reason or another. Kids can be quite creative. Any name can be used as teasing material.
People we’ve known with that name.
It is inevitable that you or your partner will have known, or currently know someone with the same name. While you don’t want your child to remind you of someone/something unpleasant from the past, you should just accept it and move on. If you like the name for your kid, use it.
Children she’ll share that name with.
I guarantee you know someone, or will meet someone, who has a child with that name or knows someone with a child with that name. I’m not sure why this is big deal to this generation. Growing up all my friends had the same names. Katie, Jen, Erin, Jessica, Lyndsey, etc. It was not frowned upon to use a common name. Now it’s a challenge to come up with a “unique” name. If you like the name, use it.
What type of personality does the name fit?
Personally, for a girl, I loved the long princess’s names. My husband liked the short and sweet names. While most names can go many ways, especially depending on the nickname, some names are just too proper, or too eccentric for your family and lifestyle.
Does the name fit a professional setting?
I feel like this is the one often overlooked, especially for girls. I love names like Coco, Apple, and Bambi. They make great little girl names. However, when I envision my girl all grown up, and in the workforce, I don’t see her being taken very seriously with such a playful name. Personally, I’d pick a name that could support that as a nickname while young, then she can go by the given name when she decides.
Are the spelling and pronunciation simple enough?
First I think about when she is little. Will this be a hard name for her to learn to spell? Will her little friends be able to say her name? Then as she gets bigger, will the teacher be able to pronounce her name? Will her birthday party invitations be spelled correctly? As she grows up, will she have to spell her name multiple times to ensure it’s correct? Having a common name with a unique spelling sounds great in theory, but as you grow, it gets old when no one spells your name right. Living in LA, I’ve also seen a few families name their kids a name the elders can’t pronounce because they have such a thick accent.
What will the monogram look like?
I take into consideration the monogram. Making sure you don’t spell something silly in the initials. No one wants to get something monogrammed ASS, or BAT.
What will it sound like when I’m calling her?
You will most likely be screaming this name across the playground, so make sure it’s something that sounds good and rolls off the tongue. You also want to make sure it flows with the middle name if you plan on using it with your stern voice.
After all the things to take into consideration we named our girl Cora. This happens to be the name of one of my dear friend’s Mom and turns out another couple from high school had named their daughter Cora too. We thought we had the perfectly feminine, simple, and unique name. The next year it ended up on the top 10 girl name list. Apparently, this is a name of a character on a popular tv series we didn’t watch. I love my daughter’s name though, and I think it fits her perfectly! Now, if only I could come up with a name for her baby sister…
UPDATE: Lil sister’s name is Bexley.
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I'm Southern California SAHM turned mommy blogger. I have 2 toddler girls. I believe when you look better, you feel better, and you do better. Hoping to inspire mamas everywhere to look and feel their best. I write about all things fashion, beauty, mom life and munchies.
We met eight years ago in the most unlikely of places–Las Vegas. I observed this tall, dark, and handsome man talking to my friend, and something happened internally to me. Your face seemed familiar, your Southern accent drew me in, and the way you looked at me slowed down the constant chatter in my mind. You shook my soul in mere minutes, and I hadn’t even spoken a word to you yet. After I found the courage to approach you, we talked and didn’t stop talking until the next morning.
Eight years, a marriage, and two rambunctious boys later, my feelings for you have changed, but not in the way you might think. The excitement and curiosity I had about you that first fateful night has evolved into something else entirely. I supposed it started to change when our first son was born. I had moved away from home in Minneapolis to Atlanta with no close family nearby. You were my family and I needed you to be there through the ups and downs of pregnancy, and all that was to come after. When Nash was born, you were in the room encouraging me through the pain and you felt the same blind exhilaration when he cried out for the first time.
I experienced some effects of postpartum depression, or at the very least mild depression after having Nash. The lack of sleep, complete culture shock of a new baby, and little family support made it hard to be happy those first few months. But you were there. You were there to hold me when I just needed to cry. You were there when I didn’t know how to make the baby stop crying. And you were there through all of his major early life milestones, sharing in the joy of each new achievement. I’ll never forget that.
Time passed and I became pregnant again. We secretly hoped for a girl, but laughed together in the doctor’s office when we found out we were having another boy! We knew how much the boys would love each other, and how much they would fight. Again, you were there to support me through the pregnancy and delivery, and this time following a birth, there was no depression. My family was complete, and we were a team working together to make it through the long nights and the even longer days. DC was a much tougher baby–he didn’t sleep through the night until he was well over two, and his ardent refusal to eat anything healthy had us stumped for a while. Luckily we had each other and love in abundance. DC still drives us crazy, especially when we need to get out the door in the morning, but we still take it all in stride–side by side.
Before meeting you I had been in love with a charming boy I met in college. I thought I knew what love was, and what I wanted in all future relationships after that one had ended. I can honestly say now, that I had no clue what it meant to love and be loved before meeting you. To know that someone has seen you at your most vulnerable, and accepts you fully, is a beautiful rare thing. Your fierce love for me and our children binds us for the rest of our lives and I couldn’t be more grateful.
So on this Father’s Day, and all that follow, know that I see you and appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for me and the boys. They will grow into better men because you are in their lives: teaching them about cars, how to play chess, and obscure facts about mayflies and when they hatch. Our relationship is far from perfect, after all my dad did ask if you were sure when you asked him if you could marry me–but we laugh every single day, and that, in my opinion, makes for a pretty spectacular life.
Lizzie Carlile is an Atlanta based mom, wife, and writer. She makes meditation and yoga a priority everyday so that she can bring mindfulness into everything she does and be a role model for her two young boys.
Baby name regret is real, and if you experienced it, don’t feel ashamed. Maryland couple Will and Carri Kessler named their daughter Ottilie (pronounced Oh-TEEL-ya) after a friend from the United Kingdom.
“I was like, ‘If you say it with a British accent, it sounds really good,'” Carri told Today.com. However, the couple isn’t British – they’re American. “No one could remember [her name] and no one could pronounce it.”
The situation grew worse as family members could not remember how to pronounce Ottilie. Carri admitted that her grandmother was having a hard time. “She said, ‘I don’t know how to say her name. I have Post-its all over the house so I can remind myself.'” Aw, poor granny.
Three months after Ottilie was born, the Kessler’s decided to legally change their daughter’s name to Margot.
The Kessler’s situation is not uncommon as an increasing number of parents experience baby name regret. According to Baby Center Canada, 11% of its users confessed they wished they’d changed their child’s name due to being over popular, mispronounced or simply unfitting.
Do you wish you could change your child’s name? Tell us in the comments below!
From the soccer carpool to the never-ending assortment of mismatched socks, sometimes there are days when you’ve only got a few seconds (or 140 characters) to get in a good giggle. Well, sit back and get ready to scroll because we’ve scoured the Twitterverse for moms and dads that rap about the highs and lows of parenting, and the results are hilarious.
