Deets on How to Score FREE Donuts This Week!

How we feel about free donuts!

You guys, June is quickly becoming one of my favorite months of the year. Not only is it the official start to summer, but it is also the month that hosts National Donut Day! Why have we not been making a bigger deal of this holiday? Carbs plus sugar = so wrong its right!

What is National Donut Day?

If you think I am just messing around, I can assure you National Donut Day is a real thing with real historical merit. The holiday is always celebrated on the first Friday of June, so this year we will celebrate it on June 7, 2019. The holiday officially began in 1938 as a way to honor the Salvation Army workers who served donuts to soldiers during the war. These “donut lassies” uplifted spirits during a difficult time.

When the Great Depression hit, the holiday was created as to fundraise by giving people paper donuts in exchange for a donation. Today, we celebrate with the real thing. While not every donut shop will give back to the Salvation Army, many will give a percentage of the profits they earn on National Donut Day to the Salvation Army.  

Major Franchises That are Participating

Two of the most popular national donut franchises have already announced they are participating in National Donut Day and will be giving out free donuts this Friday.

Dunkin (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) is participating. Customers will get a free donut with the purchase of a beverage. You can RSVP to the event on their Facebook page.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is giving customers one free doughnut – no purchase necessary! Plus, to sweeten the day, they are encouraging people to tell everyone they know so they can give away 1 million doughnuts. If they hit a million, then they will do another donut giveaway this month!

Don’t Forget to Check Out Your Favorite NYC Donut Shops

While franchises are great, don’t fret if you don’t have a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin near you. Many local donut shops will likely participate. The best way to find out if your favorite NYC donut shop is participating is to follow the shop on social media. Local businesses frequently post their best deals and promotions on social media before they post them elsewhere.

Speaking of your favorite NYC donut shops, I’m always on the hunt for a new place to visit. Let me know in the comments which donut shop I should take my girls to first – bonus points for free donuts on National Donut Day!

Don’t Worries, Bagels; We Haven’t Forgotten You

Being a New Yorker means embracing the more savory circular breakfast food – the bagel. Fortunately, we don’t have to leave bagels out of all the holiday fun! Bagels have their own special day! National Bagel Day is celebrated February 9th. Just like National Donut Day, when this special breakfast food holiday rolls around, you can expect to find deals celebrating this festive occasion. Check out this past year’s National Bagel Day Deals.

Only Wearing White Between Memorial Day and Labor Day? Toss that Old Idea.

If you have lived in the US long enough, you have surely heard that the fashion rule that you should only wear white after Memorial Day and before Labor Day. Well, now that I am officially “allowed” to wear white, it has me thinking about whether or not I want to put all my white clothes, shoes, and bags away come Labor Day. I’m thinking that’ll be a NO.

Some of the Possible Reasons This Rule Existed in the First Place

Now, if this is a new idea to you or one you’ve bee taught your whole life, you probably don’t know why this fashion rule started in the first place. I didn’t! So, I did some digging and found some interesting tidbits I thought I’d share.

• According to Reader’s Digest, “Social acceptance for wealthy women was based very much on what you wore—and when you wore it. If you were “on-trend,” you only wore white during the warmer months, since you could probably afford to wear leisurely lightweight clothing—and afford to buy new clothes if you sweat through them.”

• Then, fashion magazines started promoting and reinforcing the rule in the 1950s.

• According to the Emily Post Institute, white signified summer resort wear, so there was a distinct shift in seasonal dress for work and play.

Basically, wearing white only during the summer became a way to show you were wealthier than your peers because you could afford to purchase different wardrobes for the seasons. Another fun fact for those of us who live in the Northern US, the rule actually shifts from Memorial Day to Easter in the Southern US.  

Why I Wear White All Year Long

Have you heard the saying, “Life is short. Take the trip. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake.”? Well, I think the same way when it comes to my fashion choices. Who wants to be told when they can and cannot wear something they love? Life is too short! Plus, white has proven to be classy and chic year-round. If that wasn’t true, then why are American wedding dresses white?

Why You Should Too

Not only am I encouraging you to wear white all year, but so are the fashion and etiquette experts! The Emily Post Institute says, “Of course you can wear white after Labor Day, and it makes perfect sense to do so in climates where September’s temperatures are hardly fall-like. It’s more about fabric choice today than color. Even in the dead of winter in northern New England the fashionable wear white wools, cashmeres, jeans, and down-filled parkas.” Plus, Coco Chanel famously wore white year-round.

But, There are Still Some Times When White Is Not Right

Now, I’m not saying to go crazy and show up wearing white to your BFF's wedding. That would definitely be the wrong fashion choice. When you choose to wear white after Labor Day, make sure the fabric choice is right (such as not wearing linen in winter) and an appropriate setting (preferably one where you won’t get dirty easily). And, if this is too rebellious for the rule-followers in the room, opt for off-white in the off-season.

Why You Need to Prioritize Your Marriage (and How)

Ask anyone who has been married as long as I have, and they will tell you it hasn’t always been easy. And, if they tell you otherwise, they are lying. Marriage is hard, but a strong marriage is worth all the hard work it takes to get it there.

If you and your spouse and both working, you have to learn to balance your relationship with your work life and schedule. If you are parents, you have to learn how to keep prioritizing your marriage when little people are demanding so much of your attention all the time. Between work and kids, if I didn’t prioritize my marriage, it would be easy to let it fall apart. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened.

Whether you are newly married or have been married for decades, the following tips for how to prioritize your marriage may be just what you need to remember why you two got married in the first place.

Date (and Date Some More!)

Remember when you were first dating, and you could not wait for date night? Do you remember how much effort you put into picking out your outfit and getting ready? After you’ve been married for a while, it is possible to let date nights fall to the wayside – especially if you are busy and have children.

Don’t let this happen! Book a babysitter, get dressed up and go somewhere special! And, if you can’t find or afford a babysitter, go for a lunch date while the kids are in school!

Travel Together

If you have been following me, you know I believe it is important to travel kid-free with your spouse. This is such a good way to reconnect with one another without the usual distractions.

Don’t Act Like Roommates

After living together for a lengthy amount of time, you may find yourself acting like roommates instead of spouses. If you seem just to be passing each other on your way in and out the day, it’s time to make a change. Instead, try to identify the behaviors that are more like roommates than husband and wife (see Are You a Roommate or a Spouse Checklist) and then look for ways to reconnect.

Embrace Couple Rituals

Whether you realize it or not, the smallest rituals can make the biggest difference in a marriage. For example, make it part of your daily ritual to give your spouse a kiss when you get home from work or make a point to discuss your day before you go to sleep.

Find a Hobby You Can Do Together

A great way to reconnect with your spouse is to embrace a new hobby together. In most relationships, the husband and wife have separate hobbies. But, when they have a unified hobby, it provides a wonderful way to spend time together doing something you both enjoy.

Don’t Check Out – Check In!

Finally, marriages depend on each spouse being emotionally invested. The best way to stay emotionally invested is to keep checking in. Instead of checking out of the emotional day-to-day of your spouse’s life, check in. For instance, throughout the day, send texts or DMs to one another rather than checking out and talking less and less. Not only will this help you stay connected to one another, but it will also let your spouse know you are thinking of him when you are apart.

The 6 Best Types of Birthday Gifts for Adults

I recently celebrated a birthday. Another long year and another long number added to my age. I believe birthdays should be celebrated – no matter how many birthdays you have had. 😉

Unfortunately, I have noticed that as we get older, we celebrate birthdays less and less. I’m here to say – no more! Birthdays are not just for kids or milestone birthdays!

But, let’s face it. It is hard, as an adult, to decide how to celebrate an adult’s birthday. What do you give a woman who already has everything she needs? (Keyword – needs NOT wants.)

If you have a birthday coming up or are searching for ideas for a friend’s upcoming birthday, I proudly present the 6 best types of gifts for adults. We each have a celebration type – look through the six ideas below to see which one best fits.

A Grown-Up Party

Does your loved one love a good party? If so, then a grown-up birthday party is a great choice for celebrating the birthday gal. Replace the kid’s party themes with fancy décor. Swap kid’s foods for an elaborate spread, a five-course dinner, or delicious hors d'oeuvres with adult beverages. Some people like nothing more than partying by their friends and family. If this sounds like your loved one, a party’s the way to go.

Travel to Somewhere Special

Does your loved one have the travel bug? Has she always wanted to go somewhere exotic? Birthdays are the perfect excuse for traveling. Just make sure you choose to travel to somewhere special for the birthday girl. I was lucky enough to be traveling in Japan for my birthday this year – I highly recommend it!

The Perfect Present

Is your loved one’s love language gifts? If so, then it is time to go shopping! For many women, receiving the perfect present shows them they are loved and known. When it comes to shopping for the perfect present, do not look for things she needs. Instead, this is when you buy the special items she wants.

The Gift of Experience

Does your loved one have a thirst for adventure? Rather than throwing a big party or searching for the perfect present, this person will be happiest with a gift of experience. Think adventures such as sky-diving or snorkeling or seeing a Broadway show.

A Day of Rest

Does your loved one work her butt off day in and day out taking care of everyone else but herself? If so, then you should treat her to a day of rest. For some women, this may mean sleeping in and breakfast in bed. For others, this may mean a day at the spa or a day alone.

Act Like a Kid

Now, there are times when it is perfectly appropriate (and absolutely necessary) to act like a kid. If your friend is feeling especially old on her birthday, this may be just the right moment to remind her that she isn’t. Take her to an amusement park or out to the dive bar you frequented in college.

Which of these 6 birthday gifts appeals to you the most? Let me know in the comments!

Why Animal Print is Always on Trend

Open any fashion magazine, and you’ll find tons of animal prints. Everyone is all about animal prints today – but the truth is, we have always been crazy for spots and stripes! Since animal prints appeared in fashion, they have never left. However, this year we are seeing far more than usual making it the perfect time for ladies who have been hesitant before to give it a try. Now, ladies, here are some of the best reasons to embrace leopard, zebra, and snake prints.

Allows You to Subtly Show Off Your Wild Side

Wearing a pair of animal print heels is a perfect way to show your good fashion sense and sophisticated taste. But, it is also a way to let everyone in on a little secret – you know how to have fun.

The Guardian shares, “In his 1954 manual, The Little Dictionary of Fashion, Christian Dior famously wrote that ‘to wear leopard you must have a kind of femininity which is a little bit sophisticated. If you are fair and sweet, don’t wear it.’ And so the connotations have always been that it’s sexy, a bit raunchy, a bit daring, a bit wild.”

Never Out of Style

Photo: CR Fashion Book

Once you add a quality animal print piece to your wardrobe, you can wear it for years to come. You can pass it on to your daughters. Why? Because worn the right way, animal prints are never out of style! Beginning in the 1920s, animal prints have made women feel powerful, and that is not going away anytime soon.

Versatile All Year Long

Another fantastic reason to add animal print to your wardrobe is that it is so versatile. These types of prints can be worn in the summer or winter. Not only can they be worn throughout the year, but they can also be worn in different ways. Fashion embraces animal print shoes, bags, coats, tights, shirts, dresses, skirts, and accessories.

A Way to Stand Out from the Crowd

As Dr. Seuss famously said, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” This is why women go to extraordinary lengths to find just the right purse, pair of shoes, or necklace. We understand that choosing the one right fashion piece can make us stand out from the crowd. When it comes to animal prints, this is especially true. Everyone notices the women in the office with the animal print shoes or coat.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Photo: Magda Fine Fashion

Last but certainly not least, the main reason to embrace animal prints is that they are so fun! Nothing says “I am woman; hear me roar” like an animal print! They feel frivolous and silly, but they are as far from boring as you can possibly get. They can make any outfit more fun. And, I’m all about having fun with fashion.

PS. No matter your age, you can always rock animal print. I plan to be one ferocious grandmother one day. What do you think?

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

A clean house makes me happy. But, like most working moms, it is not always easy to stay on top of the cleaning, which is why spring cleaning is so necessary. When our homes are clutter or dirty, we don’t feel our best. It’s true! Reader’s Digest has a great article entitled Who Knew? 7 Unexpected Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning that explains how clutter leads to stress and dust leads to unhealthy breathing.

If you are like me, you know spring cleaning is important, but it also seems overwhelming. I’m here today to share what I’ve learned that has made spring cleaning so much easier. After you read these tips, you’ll feel ready and prepared to take back your house this spring.

The Right Attitude

First things first – you must have the right attitude. For example, I’m not someone who loves cleaning, but I do love a clean house. So, I have to do the work. By focusing on the end reward, I am more motivated to get started.

Similarly, if spring cleaning feels overwhelming because you are thinking about ALL the things you have to clean, stop thinking about everything at once. Instead, focus on cleaning one area at a time. Prioritize what matters the most. For me, this means prioritizing the places that are used the most frequently and seen the most. Think about it. If you could clean one room in your house, which would it be? Okay. Now that you’ve named the room start there first.

You know the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”? This saying applies to spring cleaning. Too often, we think of spring cleaning as one day or one weekend in the spring to get everything done. That’s not always possible. And, for some of us, that feels like too much work. Instead, clean in short bursts of time. Clean one space or complete one cleaning task, stop and take a break. Then, do a little more. If it takes you a week, who cares?

The Right Tools

Next, you want to make sure you have the right tools to get the job done. I have found that by purchasing the right cleaning products, I save time and my sanity. Why work harder when you don’t have to?

For example, I absolutely love the Swiffer Dry and Wet Sweeping Kits. This 2-in-1 sweeper is perfect for my hardwood floors and saves me so much time and energy. When it comes to cleaning furniture and walls, I use my vacuum cleaner.

I also always stock up on safe cleaning products, soaps, disinfectants, and dusters before I begin my spring cleaning. But, by far, the favorite spring cleaning tool is a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. These things are amazing and can be used to clean practically everything. I have used them to clean my walls after my girls colored them and to clean my appliances.

When it comes to purchasing the right tools, you can’t go wrong with Walmart. Walmart has the best prices for spring cleaning products and offers free 2-day shipping. You can order all you need and have it in time for your weekend spring cleaning extravaganza!

The Right Plan

Finally, you want to have the right spring cleaning plan. While I already said you don’t have to do it all in one day, you should have a plan to clean it all. This is the time of year when it makes the most sense to clean those spaces of your home that are often neglected (such as baseboards and window screens). I’ve found using Taste of Home’s Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist helps me deep clean every area of my home.  

Don’t Miss This Spring Cleaning Giveaway!

You can win a cleaning bundle from P&G (Febreeze, Dawn, Swiffer, Tide, etc.) worth up to $100 by sharing a photo of your own Spring cleaning win on Instagram or Twitter and tagging me, #SpringCleaningWin and #Inrachelshoes

Head to my Instagram page to find out more!

Ways for Families to Embrace Earth Day This April

Did you know that Earth Day is celebrated each April? Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids the importance of respecting the environment. Not only are there tons of online Earth Day resources from respectable sources like PBS Kids, but there are also several community events taking place around NYC on Earth Day (April 22, 2019).

We all know some moms who are super earthy but teaching our kids to respect the earth doesn’t mean we all have to dress/act the same way. I can embrace my love for fashion as well as my love for the great outdoors. So, with that in mind, I am sharing some ways all moms – from the crunchy moms to the fashionista moms – can teach their children the importance of respecting the earth.

Get Outdoors as a Family

The easiest and most effective way to teach your kids to love the earth is to spend time outdoors. Kids love playing outside! Their curiosity comes to life when they do something as simple as a hike in the woods. By giving them the chance to explore nature, they will come to love and respect it.

Attend an Earth Day Event

PHOTO: Timeout New York

A fun way to celebrate the Earth is to take your kids to EarthFest on April 13, 2019, hosted by the American Museum of Natural History. This all-day event is a celebration of our beautiful earth and will include concerts, yoga, hands-on activities and more.

Earth Day New York 2019 will take place on April 23rd at Union Square. This annual event has several vendors, activities, and performances geared at teaching the public how to take care of the earth.

Plant a Garden

Many New Yorkers don’t have a ton of space to grow a big garden. However, teaching kids the basics of gardening can go a long way when it comes to respecting Mother Nature. For example, if you don’t have outdoor space, plant an herb garden by a kitchen window. If you do have some outdoor space, plant a tree for each child and watch it grow as your child grows.

Volunteer in a Local Park

Earth Day is a great day to teach your kids to both respect the Earth and the importance of volunteering. Look for opportunities to volunteer as a family to do park clean-ups. These types of volunteer activities work well for families because kids can be assigned simple tasks. NYC Parks has some Earth Day events that will make this possible.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I don’t expect you to change your lifestyle radically – I haven’t changed mine! But, if we all do something small, we can do something big for the environment. When it comes to making environmentally-friendly choices, consider the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce your waste. For example, Amazon now allows Amazon Prime members to choose only to receive shipments one day a week. Reuse items when possible such as using reusable grocery bags. And, finally, recycle. Teach your children to recycle items rather than throwing everything into the garbage bin.

Go Ahead, Eat Dessert First

I love a good dessert, and I am all about indulging now and then. But, I recently came across some new information about desserts that has radically changed things for me as a woman and a mom. I bet you are going to feel the same way.

Have you ever found yourself forcing your way through a meal just because you are anxious to get to the dessert? Have you ever told your kid they had to eat all that is on their plate before they get dessert? Have you ever treated dessert like a prize?

Guess what? When you view dessert this way, you run the risk over actually overeating (or making your kids overeat). When you stop forcing yourself to say “no” to sweets, you will be surprised to find you don’t binge eat the way you did before. It’s true!

Eat Like a European

Did you know that it is common to start your meal with a pastry or tart in European countries? Since Europeans are not quite as obese as Americans, this is an interesting tidbit. They treat desserts differently than we do.

Stop Treating Dessert Like a Reward

What would happen if you stopped treated dessert like a reward and treated it more like a normal part of a balanced diet? When we treat desserts like an indulgence, it makes it easier to overindulge. Think about it. We always want more of the things we aren’t supposed to have. If we took the danger out of desserts, maybe we wouldn’t allow them to put us in the danger zone.

Even Science Agrees

The American Psychological Association has studied it, and even they say eat dessert first! In their report aptly titled If I Indulge First, I Will Eat Less Overall: The Unexpected Interaction Effect of Indulgence and Presentation Order on Consumption, they found that individuals who started their meal with their highest-calorie dish first tend to eat less calories overall.

From the report: “The results of four experiments consistently showed that when the first item in a sequence is indulgent, individuals subsequently choose healthier foods and consume fewer calories.” It makes sense to me. If I choose to begin with a dessert, I will likely not stuff myself with other high-calorie foods after.

Moderation is Key

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz

Like all things in life, moderation is key. While Europeans and scientists may agree that dessert comes first, I don’t think it means dessert comes first at every meal. Or that every dessert should be super indulgent. Some desserts are better than others.

Ultimately, the key is to let go of dessert guilt. When you eat what you want when you want it, you are less likely to overindulge. By taking away the prize of dessert and treating it like a regular part of a balanced diet, we are less likely to feel like we “need” a dessert to satisfy us.

What do you think? Are desserts worth it?

6 Reasons to Look Forward to Spring in NYC

Did you know it is officially Spring? It sure is hard to tell when it is still in the 40s here in NYC! I am so envious of the people down South posting Spring pictures already. But, I know that soon it will feel like Spring. To help me get over my jealousy, I am spending time thinking about all the fun things I can do once the warmer weather moves our way.

Park Hopping with My Girls

I love taking my girls to the playgrounds around NYC. We have so many great ones to choose from, and it is a wonderful thing to do as a family. We all get out of the house, get some exercise, and have fun. This spring I want to park hop. All this means is I want to explore new parks and playgrounds instead of frequenting the same ones every time.

Seeing the Cherry Blossoms at Brooklyn’s Botanic Garden

You know spring has officially arrived when the Cherry Blossoms bloom! The best place to view them is at Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival held at Brooklyn Botanic Garden on April 27th and 28th. It is such a fun, cultural event for families.

Visiting Our Favorite Zoos

We love going to the zoo, but we’ve learned that some seasons are better than others to visit. For example, if you go to the zoo on a really hot summer day, you won’t see much activity from the animals (probably because they feel just as miserable as you do in the heat). But, if you visit on a nice spring day, you will get to see the animals being more active.

Heading to Coney Island for a Day

Yes, Coney Island is a tourist trap. But, it is still great fun for NY families! Spending a day at Luna Park and exploring the boardwalk will leave your kids happy and tired. The rides tend to open up on weekends around Easter and then daily after Memorial Day.

Eating Outdoors

I love to eat, but I really really love to eat outdoors. Once the weather warms up and the skies are clear, I love to find restaurants with outdoor seating where I can eat and people watch at the same time. It is also the perfect time of year to plan a picnic. I love hiking and it a picnic afterward makes the hike that much more exciting.

Family Scavenger Hunts at Central Park

Anyone can create their own scavenger hunt, but did you know there are tons of official scavenger hunts for Central Park? Whether you create your own or purchase a ticket for a group scavenger hunt, you will have a blast searching Central Park for clues!

What are you most looking forward to doing this Spring in NYC?

No More Feeling Guilty for No Reason

Have you ever lost sleep because of something seemingly small that you did or did not do? Every woman I know has second-guessed herself at some time because she is afraid she has hurt someone’s feelings or let someone down. When you are a working mom, you feel guilty for not doing enough with your kids at home. When you are a stay at home mom, you feel guilty for not doing enough to provide financially.

If you feel guilty more often than you would like, you are not alone. 96% of women feel ashamed at least once a day. That’s crazy! It’s no wonder this generation of women feels stressed out all the time. We are carrying around tons of guilt baggage for things we shouldn’t even feel guilty about doing or saying.

Women, It’s Time to Trash the Guilt Once and For All

After seeing how guilt does nothing but inhibit me at home, in relationships and the workplace, I am done. I want to get rid of feeling guilty over things that I shouldn’t. I’m sick of saying “I’m sorry” all the time for things I don’t even actually need to apologize for.

I caught myself recently feeling guilty and apologizing to someone recently, and after gaining some perspective realized I had not done anything wrong. They should have been the ones apologizing to me! Why do we do that?

Now that I am more aware of my personal issue, I have done my homework so I can tackle it when it strikes at unnecessary moments.

Here is My No-Guilt Game Plan

Look for Reasons - First, I am going to look for the reasons. IS there any actual reason for me to feel guilty? If there is, then I need to do what needs to be done to make it right. If not, then I need to accept that this is not my burden.

Identify the Feelings Behind the Guilt – Next, I will question where the feelings of guilt are coming from. Often, we feel guilty because we are really feeling overwhelmed or angry. What are my true feelings about the situation?

Shake It Off – If it was not my fault or was just something minor, I will choose to SHAKE IT OFF. Carrying around guilt baggage will only make life harder. If you can quickly move on, you will be much better for it.

Be Clear with Your Expectations and Limits – Next, I plan to be upfront about my expectations and limitations. This way people cannot expect me to do more and I will not be made to feel guilty because I have been clear about what I can and cannot do.

Accept Imperfection – Finally, I will stop being so hard on myself. There is no perfect woman – myself included. Rather than placing unrealistic expectations on myself, I am going to strive to do the best I can each day and be proud of what I achieved in my 24 hours instead of focusing on what I didn’t do.

Who else is tired of feeling guilty all the time? What is your game plan for tackling guilt?