A custom board game for preschoolers can help you win best birthday gift ever.

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

My board-gaming family geeked out just a little this week, getting our hands on our very own personalized board game, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. For my kids, a new board game is always fun…but one with their own photos as the game pieces? Minds...

We tried out the 3 top DNA testing kits. Here’s how they compare.

by Kate Etue | Helpful Services

Ever since my sister mentioned that she found an Austrian princess in our family tree, I’ve become a bit of a genealogy buff. I’ve spent some time building out our family tree on Ancestry.com and it turns out, my daughter can apply for a Daughters of the...

14 sexy at-home date-night ideas for parents…after the kids have gone to bed

by Kate Etue | Valentine's Day, Tips + Tricks

More often than not, our romantic date nights take place at home, with the baby monitor set up and Netflix turned down low so it doesn’t wake the kids. Our budget (or the kids’ schedules or 100 other things) often keeps us home, and when it comes to...

The best crowdsourced ideas for making a guest room feel more welcoming

by Kate Etue | Tips + Tricks, Living

If you’re wondering just what to put in a guest room to make your guests feel more welcome, I can help! Whether you’re lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated to guests, or you’re just trying to figure out how to turn your kids’ bedroom...

8 Fun Olympics crafts to get kids excited about the winter games.

by Kate Etue | DIY

I’m a total geek for the Olympics, which means I’m a total geek for Olympic crafts for kids every two years. Sitting with my kids, watching the pageantry of the opening ceremonies featuring athletes from countries all over the world, is always such a...

10 free printable classroom valentines for older kids, from unicorns to vikings to Ziggy Stardust.

by Kate Etue | Valentine's Day

This year, we’ve found so many fun new free printable valentines especially for older kids who have outgrown the cutesie stuff, and I’m sharing some of my favorite printables from previous years too. Thanks to so many amazing, creative makers online,...

15+ fun, affordable Valentine’s Day gifts for kids all under $15 each

by Kate Etue | Valentine's Day

Chocolatiers and florists would have us believe Valentine’s Day is all about romance, but we know the truth. It’s all about cutting out 8 zillion classroom valentines. (Ha.) The truth is, when you become a parents, any excuse to shower our kids with a...

Take on 2018 with these 8 pieces of empowering, mood-boosting jewelry

by Kate Etue | Fashion

When I saw Etsy editors recommending mood-boosting jewelry for this time of year, I was in. Let’s just say, I’ve felt like Cinderella lately . . . pre-fairy-Godmother. I’m constantly cleaning up after my kids because it’s too cold for them to...

6 educational activities for preschoolers that make time fly when you’re stuck indoors

by Kate Etue | DIY

When the weather has made taking your kids to the park impossible — or at least, miserable — it’s helpful to have a few creative educational activities handy to keep preschoolers busy and entertained indoors. Because these winter days are soooo long....

Can’t find the exact bedding of your dreams? Flaneur has the (spendy) solution.

by Kate Etue | Art + Decor

This year, I’m determined to get some of my home decor annoyances crossed off my to-do list and that includes finding a new comforter. One problem. I’ve been looking for a comforter that’s just the right shade of navy for a while now, and I...