10 Ways to Get the Leftover Halloween Candy Out of Your House

Halloween 2020 was a bit different, but one thing stayed the same. The kids scored a whole lot of candy. I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but your kids probably shouldn’t binge eat their entire Halloween loot in a week. If you are as ready as I am to get the leftover Halloween candy out of your house, here are 10 ways to say goodbye to it.

1. Take It to Work

A quick and easy way to get rid of leftover Halloween candy is to take it to work. Better yet, split it between you and your spouse. Your co-workers will love you and your kids won’t remain on a sugar high.

2. Give It to Teachers

Our teachers are doing all sorts of amazing things this year – in the classroom and virtually. No matter how your child is learning, you can be sure her teacher is going above and beyond. Say thank you with a gift bag full of sweets.

3. Donate It

You can donate your leftover Halloween candy to Soldiers' Angels and Operation Gratitude. Both organizations give these sweet treats to military veterans and active members. You can also check your local dentist’s office to see if they are participating in a Candy Buyback program that allows kids to exchange candy for a reward. The candy is then donated to U.S. troops.

4. Pay Your Kids in Candy

Hold your kid’s candy hostage and give it back to them as rewards for good behavior or completing work around the house.                                                                                                           

5. Bake with It

There are countless recipes online for ways to use Halloween candy to make baked goods, such as the Brown Eyed Baker’s Leftover Halloween Candy Bark. You should also check out this list of 24 Insane Things To Do With Leftover Halloween Candy from Delish.

6. Do Candy Experiments

Have some educational fun with the leftover Halloween candy. Do some kid-friendly science experiments, such as putting gummy worms in water to watch them expand. A simple google search for candy experiments will bring up a ton of other options.

7. Put It in an Advent Calendar

If your family does an advent calendar for the days leading up to Christmas, use leftover Halloween candy to fill it.

8. Use It for Decorating

Speaking of Christmas, save your Halloween candy to make the sweetest gingerbread house ever. All those little candies will make for excellent gingerbread house décor.

9. Save It for Stockings

One of my favorite things to do with my kids’ leftover Halloween candy is to save it to stuff in their Christmas stockings. A Christmas stocking isn’t complete without candy, but why spend more money when you’ve already got a stash? Just make sure you don’t save any candy with Halloween-themed wrapping paper.

10. Hide It for Yourself

Last but not least, treat yourself! Pick out your favorite candy from your kid’s Halloween stash and put it aside for you. Be sure to hide it away so mama can get her sugar fix whenever she wants.

What do you do with your kid’s leftover Halloween candy? Let me know in the comments!

It’s Boot Season – Here’s How to Keep Them Looking Fab

One of the best things about the change in seasons is pulling out my favorite pairs of boots (and purchasing a few news favs). I love boot season! What I don’t love is pulling last year’s boots out only to be disappointed by all their wear and tear. If you think of your favorite pair of boots as a statement piece in your wardrobe that won’t go out of style, then you need to take good care of them. Here are 6 things you can do to keep them looking fabulous year after year.

1. Making Cleaning Your Boots a Priority

When is the last time you cleaned your boots? They need to be cleaned regularly – especially if you wear them in places where they get dirty. Use a soft cloth to wipe away any dust or debris on your boots. If you need to remove debris from a wintry mix (such as snow or salt), apply a salt stain remover to your boots and let them dry overnight. This will prevent staining.

 Note – If your boots are suede, use a suede brush to clean them.

2. Use a Barrier Spray

You can avoid a significant amount of wear and tear if you apply a protective treatment to your boots. Just like a protective barrier for your furniture protects it from stains, a protective boot spray can help repel liquids away from your boots and makes it much easier to wipe them clean.

3. Add a Protective Sole

If you want to keep these boots in your wardrobe forever, then consider adding a protective sole to the already existing sole. You’ll need to take your boots to a shoe repair shop to have this done, but it will make your boots last significantly longer.

4. Invest in Boot Shapers

Whatever you do, do not leave your boots standing upright without putting something inside them to hold their shape. If you don’t, your shapes will bend and become damaged or misshapen. I recommend investing in boot shapers, which are designed for this purpose. However, if you don’t want to wait until you can find some boot shapers, you can stuff your boots with something in your home.

5. Keep Your Shoeboxes

Storing your boots in the off-season is just as important. Ideally, you should keep your shoeboxes for easy storage. If you have gotten rid of your shoeboxes, then store them in a box with a loose lid (leather needs to breathe).

6. Remove Scuffs

Your boots are going to get scuffed at some point. Go ahead and purchase some leather crème in the right shade to have on hand for when this happens. For small scuffs, you can use a soft cloth, baking soda, and water to buff the boot. For bigger scuffs, you will need to use the leather crème.

Note – If your boots are suede, use a suede eraser to remove the shiny spots on the material.

Do you have a pair of boots that you adore? Tell me all about them (or better yet, post a pic).

Tips for Amazon Prime Day and Other Online Sales Events

You need to start Christmas shopping this week. Yes, it is only the middle of October. But, trust me, you are not going to want to miss out on the major deals. Experts are anticipating this year to be a digital shopping first holiday season. And they expect consumers to shop earlier.

According to a recent survey by Convey, “Shoppers are planning to shop earlier and mostly online, and they’re conscious of COVID’s impact on retailers […]

• Nearly 4 in 10 consumers (39%) will start holiday shopping earlier this year, while 44% say COVID will have no impact on when they begin their gift-buying.

• 8 in 10 shoppers (82%) will do most of their holiday shopping online – and nearly 1 in 3 (30%) will do ALL of it online.”

The bad news is that they are expecting popular items to run out earlier than ever and major delays with shipping.

The good news is that they are starting holiday sales NOW. Specifically, this week.

Amazon Prime Days will take place October 13th – 14th (Tuesday-Wednesday). If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can take advantage of huge savings that are as good or better than what you would typically get on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Plus, other retailers are running major sales to compete with Amazon. Good Morning America explains, “From Walmart kicking things off with its Big Save event on Oct. 11 to Amazon Prime Day and Target Deal Days on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14, everyone will have an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping with deals galore.”

For those smart moms wanting to get a jump on their Christmas shopping and save money, here are 5 tips to get the best deals during Amazon Prime Day.

Make a List. Check It Twice.

Amazon Prime Day is exciting, but don’t let your excitement cause you to buy stuff you don’t need. It kinda defeats the purpose of saving money if you blow it all. Instead, make a list and check it twice. Expect to find great deals on appliances, smart devices, home goods, and toys.

Use Price Comparison Tools

With some many other retailers competing for sales on Amazon Prime Day, you absolutely need to do some price checks before purchasing anything. If you are using your phone, use a price comparison app. If you are shopping from your computer, use a web browser extension from Rakuten or Retail Me Not, to see instant price comparisons of products on various sites.

Download Retail Apps

Download the Amazon app. This is one of the best ways to find the best deals on Amazon Prime Day. On the app, you can see sneak peeks of upcoming deals and sign up for alerts when items you are interested in go on sale. You’ll receive a push notification when the price drops.

Additionally, download the apps for your other favorite online retailers. Walmart and Target will also offer special app-only deals and notifications.

Talk to Your Amazon Alexa

If you have any Amazon Alexa enabled devices, you can save even more money. Simply say, “Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?” to see what special sales are available just for using this feature.

Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store

If you shop for Christmas gifts during Amazon Prime Day, shipping shouldn’t be an issue. There will be plenty of time for gifts to arrive and shipping is included for Prime members. However, if you shop the sales at other retailers, choose the buy online, pick up in-store option to save money on shipping, and ensure you get the items sooner rather than later.

Happy shopping! Let us know about the best deals you find!

12 Tips to Help You Go to Sleep Faster

If you are like many moms, going to sleep isn’t always easy. As tired as we are, we lay in bed tossing and turning before we fall asleep. And we need all the sleep we can get! Sleep is important for our overall physical and mental health. So, if you struggle with falling asleep, implement these 12 tips to help you go to sleep faster.

1. Make Your Bedroom Relaxing

Your bedroom should be designed to be a place of rest. You should feel soothed as soon as you enter it. Opt for soft colors and subtle patterns rather than anything bold or flashy. And, keep it clean. A cluttered and messy bedroom will only increase your anxiety, making it more difficult to fall asleep.

2. Wind Down

Every evening before you head to bed, do something relaxing. Take time to wind down. Whether you choose to take a nice bath, read a book, or listen to quiet music, do something that makes you feel a bit sleepier.

3. Disconnect and Say No to Blue Light

If you are anything like the rest of America, then the last thing you look at before you go to bed is your phone. This is the exact wrong thing to do if you want to go to sleep faster! Not only will the scrolling keep you alert, but our cell phones use blue light which messes with our body’s natural sleep rhythms.

My advice – Put your phone in a different room out of reach, such as your master bathroom. Not only will this prevent you from looking at it before you go to bed and as soon as you wake up, but it will also force you to get up to turn off your phone alarm in the morning.

4. Invest in Quality Bedding

Yes, those high thread count sheets are worth it. So is the fancy mattress topper and the expensive pillow.

5. Follow a Sleep Schedule

Teach yourself to fall asleep faster by going to bed around the same time every night and waking up around the same time.

6. Avoid Caffeine in the Afternoon

Most of us need a morning jolt of caffeine, but if we drink it throughout the day (such as stopping at Target for a mid-day latte), we will feel it when we try to go to bed. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine after lunch.

7. Dim the Lights

A little before your regular bedtime start to dim the lights. For example, close the curtains and switch from full lights to dimmer lamps.

8. Block Out the Noise

If you are not already using a white noise app or machine, now is the time to start. These things are amazing with blocking out noise so you can sleep soundly.

9. Keep a Notepad on the Nightstand

One reason many moms have trouble going to sleep is that we have so much on our minds. Our brains are so full of stuff all the time! A fix for this issue is to keep a notepad on your nightstand where you can jot down your thoughts before you go to bed (such as tomorrow’s to-do list).

10. Lower the Temperature

According to Healthline, “If your room is too warm, you might have a hard time falling asleep. Setting your thermostat to a cool temperature between 60–67°F (15.6–19.4°C) could help.”

11. Take Melatonin

The supplement melatonin can help regulate your sleep. Healthline explains, “Doses of 0.5–5 mg taken 2 hours before your desired bedtime, which is usually around 8 to 9 p.m. for most individuals, might improve sleep quality.”

12. Watch What You Eat and Drink

Be careful about what you eat and drink before bed. For example, if you eat something heavy before trying to go to sleep, you’ll struggle. Likewise, if you eat something like chocolate, which has caffeine, you’ll struggle. Also, some people think drinking alcohol will help them sleep. This is false. It may make them fall asleep faster, but they will wake up throughout the night.

How to Use Sunday to Get a Jump Start on the Week

Before Sunday Funday became a thing and everyone was brunching, Sundays were known as the day of rest. Unfortunately, in our busy society, we have a hard time slowing down and resting- even on Sunday. When you work five days a week, you try to cram as much as possible into your weekends. But, if you push yourself too much on the weekend, you are already starting the next week exhausted. Instead, use Sunday to get a jump start on the week.

Really Relax

As much as possible, try to make Sunday a day of rest. I understand that this isn’t always possible – especially for working moms. So, here’s what I do. I try to incorporate a little relaxation time in each Sunday. This may look like a nice, long bath or some time hiking outdoors. Do something that relaxes you, body and spirit.

Reconnect

Use Sunday to reconnect with the ones you love. Do something fun with your family or meet up with your girlfriends for brunch. If you can’t find to go and do, then set aside time to call a long-distance relative. By reconnecting on Sunday, we don’t have feelings of guilt for not spending enough time with others throughout the week.

Review the Week Ahead

Spend time on Sunday reviewing your week ahead. Pull your calendar out and clearly mark all your important dates and appointments. When reviewing your calendar, think about how your schedule will be different this week and what things you need will need to do differently (such as dinner). Then, call a family meeting to discuss the week’s plan, such as who is responsible for which meal and school pickup. Divvy up tasks fairly.

Do Some Meal Prep

I know meal prep feels like such a chore to some people, but it is so worth it! If you do an hour of meal prep on Sunday, you will feel less stressed throughout the week. Plus, you will eat healthier! You won’t have to rush around to find something to cook or eat fast food. You’ll have ingredients ready to go.

Tidy Up

I don’t think you should use your Sunday Funday to do any deep cleaning (unless you are the type of person who really enjoys cleaning). However, I do think it is wise to spend just a few minutes on Sunday to tidy up your focal points, such as clearing the counters or desk of clutter. There is something so nice about starting your week to a clean-looking house.

Plan Out Your Outfits

Did you know that Mark Zuckerberg has a very limited wardrobe? He wears an identical grey shirt all the time because it saves him from having to choose clothes every day, which means he can be even more productive. Now, as a fashion lover, I am not about to tell you to do the same thing. Ha! However, I do see the wisdom in pre-selecting your clothing for the week. You can save so much time, stress, and brain space by having your clothes picked out ahead of time

Go to Bed Early

Lastly, get your week off to a great start by going to bed on time on Sunday. This will help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go on Monday. If going to sleep is a struggle for you, try to prepare yourself for bed ahead of time. For example, dim the lights, put on cozy clothes, turn down the noise, and do something calming (such as reading).

What do your Sundays look like?

Fall is Not Canceled. Here’s Some Fall Fun for Families.

Fall officially begins next week, but it feels a little weird. The coronavirus has made distinguishing between seasons a little more difficult. And, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bummed by the traditional fall activities the pandemic has canceled.

But, I’m trying to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. After spending time thinking about it, I realized that Fall is not canceled. Sure, there are some things that will be paused in 2020, but most of the things I love about fall are still happening. For instance, no one and nothing will get in the way of my fall fashion. Bring on all the cute boots and cozy cardigans!

So, fellow fall-loving moms, here’s some fall fun for families during the pandemic.

Decorate for Fall

Take time this weekend to pull out all your fall décor and get busy decorating. Let fall explode all over your mantle and front porch. This year, the more, the merrier!

Apples Galore

A great social distancing activity for families is apple picking. Apple orchards plenty of space for families to spread out and not get close to others. Not only is apple picking a fun traditional fall activity, but you reap the rewards of your hard work. Bring home your bushel of apples and make apple pies and caramel apples.

Go Outside

The reason why fall is a favorite season for so many people is because of the weather. It is not too hot or too cold, which makes it the best time of year to spend time outside. In addition to apple picking, take the family hiking for some social distancing fun. Take a road trip to see the leaves change color. Check to see if any nearby farms are offering social distanced corn mazes.

Drink It Up

Another reason we love fall is for all the seasonal beverages. Go ahead and drink your fill of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Oktoberfest fest, and apple ciders.

Cheer on Your Favorite Team

Yes, it is disappointing that you can’t go to a stadium and tailgate before your favorite team plays. But, you can still watch at home from the comfort of your living room! Wear your jersey, paint your face, and yell like you are there with them. (Don’t forget to make your favorite tailgate foods.)

Pumpkin Fun

Fall isn’t fall without pumpkins. Guess what? Pumpkins are still available even during a pandemic! Head to the pumpkin patch and pick out your favorites. Then, have a pumpkin carving party with your family.

Get Spooked

Halloween festivities are still up in the air, but even if your city cancels trick-or-treating, Halloween can’t be canceled! You just may have to celebrate it differently this year. You can still get dressed up in costumes, give your kids way too much candy, and watch scary movies on TV. Plus, many places are getting creative and offering social distanced activities like drive-thru haunted houses and drive-in movie showings of classic horror films.

How to Have the Perfect Picnic

The movies make outdoor picnics look so easy, fun, and romantic. But, if you don’t know how to plan the perfect picnic, you will discover it is much harder than it looks. Unless you are planning to just take a blanket and grab a pizza and some bottled drinks, you need to do some planning to pull it off. (Note – pizza, drinks, and a blanket is one of my family’s favorite types of picnics.) If you want the kind of picnic spread you see in the movies, here’s what you need to do.  

Find the Right Location

During the pandemic, location is more important than ever (if you want to go beyond having a fancy picnic in your backyard). For example, some state parks are restricted and other public parks are overcrowded. Bathrooms may also be closed.

Beyond these pandemic-related issues, there are other things you need to consider about your picnic location, such as distance. Yes, a hike to a beautiful lookout point sounds lovely, but is it realistic? How far will you have to carry your picnic supplies from your car to the picnic spot? Are there tables at the location? Will you need to bring your own or take a blanket?

Invest in the Right Picnic Gear

If you want to have a perfect picnic, then you need to invest in the right picnic gear. It will be much easier if you have separate picnic supplies rather than having to assemble an assortment from your kitchen. For example, a picnic basket or an insulated picnic backpack that includes plastic plates, utensils, and glasses is great to have on hand. If you do not have a picnic basket, a cooler is a good idea since you can keep food insulated and they have handles for carrying or pulling.

Additionally, you need to have multiple storage containers for the food you take on your picnic. If you are taking any food that needs to remain chilled, invest in food containers with attachable ice packs. These also work great for kids’ school lunches or work lunches.

Hydration Tips

In addition to having the right gear to transport your food, you need the right gear for hydration. Insulated water bottles are always a great idea – especially if you plan to hike to your picnic spot. If you plan on enjoying some adult beverages during your picnic, consider purchasing an insulated wine canteen. There are canteens available that will hold an entire bottle and retain the temperature for 24 hours.

Plan the Picnic Menu

When planning a picnic menu, you want to aim for as many finger foods as possible. That’s why sandwiches and charcuterie boards are popular for picnics. However, you want to avoid anything sticky or messy because you are eating with your hands.

You should also plan for how many. If you pack too much food for the picnic, it is going to be harder to carry to the picnic spot (and you will have more wasted food to throw away and carry back home).

Speaking of packing your picnic, this is great advice from Taste of Home: “Pack your basket in reverse order to make it easy to get at the items you need when you arrive at your picnic site. Place nonperishable food on the bottom, then serving items and tableware, and finally the tablecloth on top.”

Also, check out this list of 101 Delightful Picnic Food Ideas.

Must-Haves for Outdoor Picnics

• A large, waterproof blanket

• A basket, cooler, or tote

• Food and drinks

• Hand sanitizer

• Napkins or paper towels

• A trash bag

• Bug spray

• Sunscreen

• Bottle opener or corkscrew

• Extra cutlery (especially a knife for opening stuff and spreading on condiments)

• Wireless Bluetooth speaker

• First aid kit

10 Tips for Exercising on the Reg

With gyms still under many restrictions, it is easy to let your healthy exercise regiment slide. Even without a pandemic, we’ve all been there. Sometimes it is hard to find the time and the motivation to do our workouts. But regular exercise is so important for our overall well-being! Today, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite tips for exercising on the reg. No more excuses!

1. Allow Someone to Hold You Accountable

Accountability is so important when it comes to exercise. Simply telling your partner that you plan to exercise in the morning is a great way to make yourself actually get up and moving when the alarm rings. If you think your spouse will not be the best accountability partner, there are apps you can use. Check out Bare Minerals 6 Fitness Apps to Keep You Accountable & Motivated.

2. Work Out with a Friend

Not only is working out with a friend fun, but it is also a great way to build stamina. You will strive to match your friend step for step or move for move. If you are social distancing, Peloton allows you to work out with friends.

3. Use an App for Reminders

Don’t forget to exercise by setting phone reminders. You can take it to the next level by downloading the app Workout Plan, which allows you to create a fitness schedule and sends you reminders.

4. Do What You Love

My favorite tip for exercising on the reg is to do what you love. It really is that simple. If you love going on morning runs, taking dance classes, or going to CycleBar, you are much more likely to do it. It won’t feel like a chore you dread – it will be something you look forward to doing.

5. Create a Playlist

Good music makes you want to move. Trust me – it’s scientific. According to Science Daily, “A new study has shown that listening to high-tempo music increases the benefits of exercise for physical fitness and reduces the perceived effort involved.”

6. Reward Yourself

After working out consistently, treat yourself to something nice. Now, I don’t mean heading to Starbucks to get a giant sugar-calorie-filled iced coffee. I mean, treat yourself to a manicure or a new pair of yoga pants.

7. Track Your Progress

It’s important to track your progress because it helps you discover what works and what doesn’t. There are tons of workout tracking apps available. Check out Lifewire’s 10 Best Workout Log Apps of 2020 for iOS and Android.

8. Follow Encouraging Fitness Accounts

When it comes to who you follow on social media, you want to stick with those people who encourage you. Of course, there are some accounts that are unhealthy to follow, but I love Women’s Health list of the 33 Best Fitness Instagram Accounts To Follow For Major Motivation.

9. Cheer Yourself On

Be your own cheerleader. When you start to get tired, cheer yourself on. Remind yourself that you are strong and capable. It may feel weird at first, but positive self-talk has been proven to change our mindsets.

10. Fit in Quick Fitness

One of the main reasons I miss a workout is because I don’t have enough time. But now I have learned to fit in quick fitness whenever and wherever I can. For example, HIIT workouts are all the rage right now. These are high-intensity interval training exercises that are around 20 minutes. Do a quick search on YouTube and you will find tons!

Share your best tips for keeping up with workouts in the comments!

How to Deal with Self-Doubt as a Mom

As much as I can appear on social media to have it all together, I struggle with self-doubt just like any other mom. I think the world has set women up to doubt themselves – mothers, especially. According to Psychology, “Self-doubt has  been  defined  as  uncertainty  about one’s abilities, potential for success, or competence in performance situations.”

How many times have you questioned your abilities as a mom? But, even though it is common, it doesn’t mean we should just accept it. Self-doubt is unhealthy and can actually make it harder for us to succeed.

Here are the 6 things I am trying to do when self-doubt starts nagging.

1. Treat Yourself Like a Friend

Be honest with yourself. You are much harder on yourself than you would ever be to one of your friends. You say things to the face in the mirror that you would never utter aloud to someone you care about. When you start to think bad thoughts about yourself, try practicing self-compassion instead. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, then don’t say it to yourself.

2. Change Your Thought Pattern

Along those same lines, you need to change your thought pattern. If you tend to think negatively (especially about yourself and your abilities), you need to stop. When those thoughts cross your mind, don’t let yourself go there. Instead, change your train of thought and don’t dwell on the negativity.

3. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

A huge problem for moms is that we spend way too much time comparing ourselves to other moms. The comparison trap leads to self-doubt. Speaking of comparing yourself, don’t compare your mothering to someone else’s highlight reel (as seen on social media). Instead of focusing on what someone else does better, remind yourself what you do well.

4. Get to the Root of It

I think it is important for you to get to the root of the issue, too. There are times when it is important to think about why you may be feeling the way you are. Is this an ongoing feeling or something new in this season of life? Could you just be hungry or tired? Is it something you need to talk to a therapist about?

5. Surround Yourself with Positivity

Negative thinking is contagious. If you spend time talking with negative people, it won’t be long until you start thinking negatively, too. In the same way, if you are listening or reading negative things, then your mind is going to be full of negativity. Instead, surround yourself with positive people and ideas.

6. Be Proud (But Not Prideful)

One more thing. Women are taught to be modest, but too often, that means not acknowledging our accomplishments. We’ve all done something that we are proud of. Own it. Hang that certificate on your wall. When thoughts of self-doubt start trickling in, remember what you have accomplished. Begin with the basics – you’ve kept your kids alive. Good job, Mom!

Are You Wearing the Right Size Bra?

After months are not wearing a bra, women across America are begrudgingly putting a bra back on as they head back to work. And many are surprised by how uncomfortable their bras fit. But, what if the problem isn’t the bras but rather that women are wearing the wrong size bras? Statistics suggest that 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. No wonder they are so uncomfortable!

Your True Bra Size May Shock You

The truth is many women have an idea about bra sizes, but they are often wrong. For example, many women assume a C cup is big and an A cup is small. As Wirecutter explains, “When trying on sports bras, one of our testers was surprised to find that a 34JJ bra fit much better than the 40H they thought would fit—that’s a difference of two band and cup sizes.”

Moreover, women tend to get one bra size stuck in their heads and that is what they always wear, but just like clothes sizing, it varies from brand to brand. Women should pick the bra by how it fits rather than the size.

How to Tell If Your Bra Fits Correctly

Sometimes women get stuck wearing their same everyday bra until it falls apart. Imagine how awful that would be if that every day didn’t even fit correctly? Instead, you want to make sure your go-to bra fits you correctly and comfortably. Use these bra fitting tips as a guide:

• Your bra band should fit snuggly but comfortably on the loosest setting. As the bra stretches over time, you need to be able to tighten it. If you can stretch the band far from your back, you need to go down a band size.

• The band should not ride up. It should stay in place even when you lift your arms.

• The straps should not dig in or fall off your shoulders.

• Wirecutter says, “For underwire bras, the gore (the center piece joining the two cups) should lie flat on the center of your chest. If it’s floating off your body, your bra may be either too big or too small (you can look for other fit signs to determine whether to size up or down), or you may just need to try a different style or brand.”

• As far as the cups, you shouldn’t be spilling out. That means the cup size is too small. In contrast, gaping or wrinkling is a sign the cup size is too big.

For the Best Fit, Get a Professional Fitting

So, let’s say you haven’t had a bra fitting in more than a decade or since before you had kids. It’s time. As breastfeeding mothers are well aware, your boobs do change. That means your bra size changes, too. This means you need to get a professional bra fitting done. I know many women think this is a form of torture, but bra fittings have evolved from the days when a Victoria’s Secret fitter would measure you with measuring tape.

Recently, I had a professional fitting at Soma. And my mind was blown. Soma uses a smart bra to accurately find your bra size. Real Simple explains, “[The] new SOMAINNOFIT new smart bra uses copper fibers that connect to Bluetooth technology that then sync to a smartphone app, giving you specific measurements all while you’re wearing the bra.” Upon entering the fitting room, I was given a SOMAINNOFIT bra. Once I had the bra on, the bra fitter scanned the tag at the back with her mobile device to find my perfect size.

If you don’t have a Soma store near you, you can order a bra and measure yourself at home. Additionally, online stores such as Third Love, offer online tools like a Fit Finder to help you find the right bra for the size and shape of your breasts.