Beach Day Essentials for the Stylish Mom

If you've been following for awhile, you know my happy place is near the Ocean.  Sandy toes is my middle name. I've spent most my life growing up near or on the beach but, for the last 3 years we lived in Nor Cal not near the beauty of the beach. 

I finally convinced the husband to move back down to southern California and it was time to update my beach bag!  We just bought our first home in Costa Mesa (no, not on the beach) but we had 6 weeks between the time we moved from Nor Cal to So Cal until our actual move in date, so we rented an airbnb in Laguna, ON the beach!  Every morning and every evening we spend an hour or so playing in the sand and enjoying the waves + sunshine.   

I've rounded up my top 10 favorite summertime essentials for an epic beach day below.  

Target Beach Toys |  I mean you can get beach toys anywhere, but I thought this kit by Antsy Pantsy for $9.99 was perfection. Diggers, shovels, buckets, and sand sifters, it comes with it all.

Gathre Leather Mat | This is not sponsored, but @gathre is legit my all time favorite product evah.  Waterproof, stain-resistant, sand shakes right off, and gorgeous; need I say more.  I have too many to count in my house, but our favorite size is the midi.  Although, I do love the Maxi round for those playdates at the beach kinda days.  Guys, they just started selling these at Anthro!  Say what?

Swell Water Bottle | Keeps drinks cold, even when the sun is hot.  The large one fits a whole bottle of rose ...just sayin. 

Grom Squad Trucker Hats for kids | Listen, friends don't let friends, put those silly floppy Gilligans Island sun-blocking hats on their kids.  Want your kid to be protected and look good?  Grom Squad has you covered!  The girl ones are so cute too!

Boon snug Snack cups with spill safe lids | um, duh.  snacks are mandatory at the beach and these little cups are the perfect size for goldfish, chips or other snacks.  And the silicon lid is super snug to prevent spills.  We use them everywhere, not just at the beach.

Slow Tide Round Beach Towel | Seriously obsessed with all the vintage rugs filling my social media these days and when I saw this towel, I had to have it.  To be honest, I bought it for the look, but man it is BEYOND soft and the perfect size.  

Baby Powder - Sand.  I know there are people out there who don't like the beach simply because "the sand gets everywhere."  You know those people right?  Well, here's a little trick I learned a while ago when I lived at the beach, if you sprinkle baby powder over those sand-filled feet, it magically just wipes right off.  No water necessary. Seriously.   If you don't know this trick already, be prepared to have your mind blown.  This is life changing.

Bose Soundlink waterproof Speaker | Music makes everything better. I know we all have iPhones and can play our music on there, but this little speaker is lightweight but sounds so good.  The quality is insane and better than most speakers I've listened to.  It's waterproof, wireless bluetooth (no cords or wifi needed) and it keeps a super long charge for all-day beach fun!  Again, not sponsored, just one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Coolest kids swimwear by @tea_collection |  Tired of trying to find cute clothes for kids or showing up in the same Target suit as everyone else?  Go shop Tea Collection.  The quality is dreamy and the prints are always on trend.  We love Tea in this house (pun intended, if you know me...he he).  They also sell summer essentials like vans, native kids + havaianas too!  One stop shopping.

Straw bag to carry it all | I love, love my @cacoandkai bag but sadly it's sold out.  I found one like it, here.  But, you should still check out their etsy shop cause those mud-cloth pillows they source are to die for!

Now, I'm off to go pack my bag up and hit the beach! xoxo

6 photography tips to create the perfect Holiday Cards

6 photography tips to create the perfect holiday cards

A huge thank you to Snapfish for sponsoring this post.  I received a credit towards my holiday card order in exchange for this review.  As always, I only share products I truly am obsessed with and all images and opinions are my own. 

Use code HEIDI40 at checkout for 40% off

The moment you go to your mailbox on Nov 30 and receive your first-holiday card, a state of panic comes over you.  How can I be so late? I don’t even have my pictures taken yet!?  Here in California is stays warm through those fall months and we don’t get snow so it’s easy to not get that holiday spirit early on.  

I do have to admit, even though a whole new level of envy and anxiety sets in when that over-achieving Mom sends me her cards that early, it does get me excited about the holidays.

I rarely check my mailbox, until December rolls around.  It’s true, nothing good comes from that metal tin until Christmas cards begin to arrive.  There’s nothing like receiving a picture filled card from friends and family during the holidays.  Am I right?  

So you start to think? What picture will I use? What will we all wear? What location has the perfect landscape? How can I make this year's card perfect?  All good questions but the truth is, you don’t need perfect, you just need to be you. 

Holiday cards are a way to celebrate all the good things this year has brought as you get ready for the new year. Sending seasons greetings to the ones you love, having that personal connection with a picture of you in their mailbox, let’s you share this year's joys with your friends and family.  Whatever goodness came this year, whether it is a new marriage, new home, job promotion or even just celebrating a good year, Christmas cards are something everyone looks forward too.  Luckily, you still have time to get that memorable Holiday card out that snags the front space on everyone’s fridge this year. 

Here are 6 photography tips to create the perfect holiday cards this year:

1. First things first.  Hire a professional to do the job.  Yes, iPhone photos are amazing these days and print beautifully and if you happen to have one of those right place, right time amazingly candid photos in your camera roll to use, USE IT!  Totally acceptable.  However, many of us, including yours truly, take 27 candids all of that perfectly curated shot only to scroll through and delete them all.  If that’s you, here’s why you need that professional. These cards may be keepsakes for grandma and grandpa or Mom and dad of their little ones each year, so you want these images to stand out.  If you're like me, we only do one family photos session a year, and this it, so hiring someone who knows what they are doing really is necessary.

2. Don’t wait for a snowstorm or the perfect sunset to take those images.  Little known fact, I believe the best lighting is a cloudy day.  It brings this whole soft and ethereal feel to the photos if you ask me.  Bright sunny days, are hard to shoot in.  They cause shadows and nobody wants to be overshadowed by a shadow, right? [hahah]. Truth be told even though I love a cloudy day shoot, I dream of one day taking my photos in the rain,  you know, all The Notebook circa 2004 style.  All I’m saying is the pictures aren’t made by the perfect weather, they are made by you, the perfect people. 

3. Find simple and beautiful backdrops in your neighborhood. You don’t have to drive an hour away to stand in a winter wonderland or get all sandy at the beach [although I love a good beach scene] to get the perfect holiday image. Go the minimalist route and find a white wall to stand in front of or stop by that empty field you drive by on your way to work, or that brick wall down at your local mall, that’s the best one! Just find a blank canvas, grab your family and shoot.  Then you can choose from about 1000 designs on Snapfish to make your card pop. 

4. Use the same color palette but don’t be matchy-matchy. Nothing says Sears family Christmas cards like a family all dressed in white shirts and jeans, so, don’t do that.  Here are a few tips on styling your outfits: Pick 3-4 colors [no more than 5] and stick with those. Start with one person's outfit, probably your own because that’s easiest. Try and add in one print to bring it all together.  Add some texture with a scarf or vest.  And most importantly, be comfortable.  The last thing you want is to be fidgeting with your sleeves or pulling down your shirt throughout the whole shoot.  Nothing ruins a photo like you tugging your dress down in every photo. 

5. Embrace perfectly imperfect. We’ve all been that person.  The one who spends hours on Pinterest looking for the right outfits, the right backdrop, and the right poses for our family photos. Oh wait, that’s probably how you ended up here.  He he.  Well ok, so maybe your that person who’s more concerned with telling all your family members to look at the camera, or smile, or "look happy everyone."  And then all your images end up with your mouth open or your finger pointed covering your kid's face. Well here’s my number one tip, skip the perfectly posed, and go for the I’m having the best day of my life look.  Some of my most beloved images are ones where no one is looking at the camera.  It’s those candid, heartfelt moments and emotions that are snapped in between takes that are my favorite and those can’t be planned. 

6.  Don’t skimp on the quality of your cards.  I’ve tried several companies over the years and abandoned some once I saw the flimsy paper or poor image resolution.  This year I used Snapfish and I was super impressed by so many levels. I’m not super good at sending photos to family members with updates, so my holiday cards are the only keepsake they’ll have.  We didn’t even send a birth announcement for our first child because I just never found the time.  [It still bugs me I missed that] so, ever since then I’ve been determined to do one photo shoot a year and it’s for Holiday cards.  Needless to say, since this card is the only thing I send all year, the quality needs to be good.  Photos printed on good paper, don’t have to be expensive or take forever to get.  Snapfish has tons of designs, and cardstock options and they get the job done in a couple of days. 

Lastly, don't take this process too seriously.  These photos should show your playful and happy side and if you make this a stressful event, it will show through in the photos.  Have fun, play around, have a tickle fight, throw your little one in the air and laugh, and you'll end up front and center in everyone's fridge this year.  

With Snapfish you have so many great layout options including these gold foil cards I chose.  They offer fast shipping for your procrastinators like me too.  And to save even more time, you can have you return address printed for free.  I won't be using any other company besides Snapfish from now on for all my card needs.  USE CODE HEIDI40  for 40% off your order.

PC: @ameliaprotiva

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids | #TheMomBlogCollective Week 5

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids | #TheMomBlogCollective Week 5

Welcome back and thank you to our loyal followers of this series!  If you're new here, here's the scoop. Once a month, our group of amazing and inspiring mamas will discuss the same topic having to do with blogging, Instagram, photography, collaborations, sponsored posts, balancing it all with motherhood, and more. We each have different perspectives and different opinions, so this is a fun way to learn from one another. We hope you'll join along! Check out the hashtag #themomblogcollective to see everyone on Instagram, and I will also link you to all of the amazing blog posts here at the bottom of my post!

We thought it would be kind of fun to switch it up and talk about something besides blogging.  This week, 6 of us mamas are talking all about the holidays!  We have a total of 13 kids between us ranging in ages from 3 months to 7 years and we each put together a gift guide for our littles in this installment of #TheMomBlogCollective.

[A special Thank you to @sproutssanfrancisco, @kazambikes and @kidtrax_toys who sponored this post.  As always, I truly belive in everything I share, so all opinions expressed are my own.]

A little disclaimer.  Christmas is and always has been my favorite holiday.  And now that I have a child to celebrate it with, I definite may go a little overboard.  I still remember that Christmas as a little girl that I ran downstairs and saw a new cabbage patch doll, and that was all I needed until my mom said wait, there's more.  A light bright!  Oh man, hours of fun.  I just love the feeling of Christmas, I love the joy it brings me to give someone something that makes them happy.  I know, it's not all about the gifts, but for this post it IS!  

All of these items are going to be under the tree this year for Finn and I can't wait to see the excitement on his face when he runs down the hall to see Santa has come and delivered happiness straight to our living room. 

If you haven't read my post on 8 stylish ways to kid-proof your home you should check it out but one of the main things I live by in order to avoid my home looking like a preschool is I buy toys that match my style.  Toys that blend into my decor rather than stand out.  That's why I shop small.  I avoid those big bold plastic looking toys filling my organized and adult looking living room.  Here are some of my favorites that will be under our tree for Finn this year.

Amazon is taking over the world y'all, right?  So many people are getting all there shopping done via the world wibe web these days, but I've always been a big believer in shopping small. I get it, it's just so easy now to say, "I'll just get it from Amazon," but I'm not ready to not have face to face interactions with people just yet. So, I try and support the family-run or small businesses.  And most of the time I find better, more ethically sound, and organic items that just fit my lifestyle better.   

1. Little Cottonwood - This wooden guitar has real strings and can be tuned and played

2. Sprout, San Francisco - This musical band drum set is made of natural rubber wood and water based non-toxic paints.

Finn is constantly obsessed with music, sounds, and dancing.  I once had an old lady who told me she was psychic and she said, "Never turn off the music around him, this boy thrives with music, so feed that desire and always play the beats."  No clue if she was crazy or right or both, but here goes nothing.  Guitar and drum set coming right up.

3. Kazam -  The KaZAM mini ride-on is designed with three wheels and a curved frame that is perfect for any constantly moving toddler and helps to develop motor skills

We have a little 12-year-old neighbor who rides his scooter outside and Finn is obsessed.  He isn't quite old enough for a skateboard but I wanted to get him something besides his little rocket he has been pushing himself on for over a year now.  This balance bike is legit you guys!  It's the perfect starter bike for your little one.  I think this is going to be the overall winner of the Christmas morning excitement. 

4. Sprout, San Francisco - KicKee Pants Zipper Footie is made with super-soft organic bamboo and will keep your little sprout stylish & cozy on Christmas morning

I know, clothes aren't the most fun presents to open but I wanted to start a tradition this year and get him a new Christmas-y jammie set each year.  Kickee Pants are insanely soft and I wish these came in my size!

5. Toys R Us - In my family, there is always that one BIG gift, and this year, the Avigo Land Rover Defender 12 Volt Ride On is that one. 

I know, I know...this is too much but when we visited our friends a few months ago, they had one and he loved it.  He also has a yellow toy jeep he got with Grandma that he won't put down so it just seemed like he needed this. We will need to grow into it, but i'm so ready to have him drive me around for awhile.

6. Sprout, San Francisco - Your little chef can chop & prep with this Assorted Fruit & Vegetable set  

7. Sprout, San Francisco - We've been obsessed with this Tegu's Magnetic Wooden Block Set since we played with it at our local Patagonia store, I waited to get it for Christmas and I might be more excited about this one than Finn. It's also on Sale currently!

8. Amazon - Stabilo Woody crayon set is my favorite stocking stuffer.  They don't break when thrown and they come off of any service, walls, floors, and even windows.  The most genius crayons of all time.  I heart you Stabilo!

9. Sprout, San Francisco - Your aspiring chef can cook up anything with these wooden Cooking Utensils. Made with rubberwood and non-toxic paints.

10. Sprout, San Francisco - This environmentally friendly flatbed truck with race car by Green Toys is a must-have.  Finn is obsessed with these whenever we go into Whole Foods.  Thank goodness my favorite little boutique carries all of them.

11. Sprout, San Francisco - The Mini Golf Set is made of sustainable and preservative-free rubberwood colored with natural water-based dyes coated with a nontoxic finish

I spent my Saturday running errands and got pretty much my entire shopping list done just by visiting one of my favorite children's boutiques, Sprout, San Francisco.  They have one simple mission; to handpick the safest and healthiest products for your children.  There are so many new chemicals and recalls being thrown at us in this modern world, it important to find the right toys that are safe for your little ones.  I don't have to think twice about what Finn is putting in his mouth when I get it from Sprout because I know they have chosen the safest and most organic toys out there.  I've been shopping at their Palo Alto location since Finn was a baby, and they have several other locations up here the bay but, you can also shop online if that's your thing or you don't live close by.  

Ok, yes yes yes...I know.  Going out in holiday traffic to shopping with a toddler isn't the easiest.  So even though I love the face to face interaction with small shops, I do also do some online shopping every now and then.  I do love me a good sale too, so I couldn't pass up a few items from my favorite online shops too!

So, that's it.  It's not even December and my shopping is complete.  It sounds crazy but in 2015, I was 9.5 months pregnant and I had the early stages of preeclampsia, so I wasn't really in the decorating or shopping mood.  Then in 2016, Finns first Christmas, we were actually told we had to move our of our home because the owners were moving back in, so the whole house was in boxes on Christmas morning and only 1/3 of my decorations were out.  It was still a great day but, because the last few years have been hard for me to fully enjoy my favorite holiday, I'm going to enjoy every last minute this year.  

Happy Holidays to you and yours!  

Here's a link to all the other beautiful, genuine and inspiring mamas in the #TheMomBlogCollective:

Cultivate Motherhood | @cultivatemotherhood

Steph Pollock | @steph.pollock

The Love Designed Life | @thelovedesignedlife

Occasionally Perfect Blog | @occasionally_perfect

Hello Baby Brown | @hellobabybrown

Mrs Seacannon | @mrsseacannon

Ashley Noel | @_ashley_noel_

Britt Havens | @britthavens

our guests this week:

Jordan & Co | @jordan.and.co

Hello Tiny Love | @hellotinylove

If this is your first time checking out the series, and you'd like to get caught up from the beginning, here ya go:

Top 5 Tips when starting a blog or Instagram | Week #1

 How to create your brand + build an online community | Week #2

Photography tips for a Cohesive Instagram feed | Week #3

How to Balance Motherhood + Blogging | Week #4

It’s all about you | My Interview with Mama Rules

I mean, can you guys believe that it's almost Thanksgiving!  How on earth can we make time slow the eff down!?  No seriously, I need a minute to catch up life.  I've been so busy, it just feels like everything is non-stop these days.  So ya, here it is almost a month after I took these pics but I felt like they needed to be shared so, in true Kanye form, I'm real happy for you Fall, and imma let you finish, but we all know Christmas is coming and I'm so ready.

I've been meaning to do a little Q+A post about myself and I've also been meaning to post these pumpkin patch pics, so better late than never right?  So, the blog I've been meaning to write has been hard for me to figure out.  I want to talk about things like, who I am, how I got where I am physically and mentally after becoming a mom, where I've lived and worked  and other fun things but I just can't ever figure out where to start and what to include.  I've been known to be a typical Aquarian mama and tell really long stories, or share a little too much so editing is not my strong suit.  

So, when Mama rules reached out and told me they wanted to include me in their blog series called, It's all about You, I was like, "Yes, that's a perfect way to start this!"  Mama Rules is a super hip UK based muslin company.  They've got the best prints and they are launching in the US!  When the owner, Stacy, emailed me and told me she was about to have her first baby in January, I was so excited for her to share a little Capricorn babe like my dude.  But when she told me more about their stylish and inspirational platform they are creating for mamas I was hooked! They have a similar view on mama life and they believe you don't have to compromise your style just because you're a mom, and I couldn't agree more!

They asked a few women (including yours truly) to complete a light-hearted quick fire Interview.   Here are some of my favorite outtakes from that interview. 

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...  My Interview with Mama Rules

My favorite evening out, look:

Tight Jeans (to suck in all the giggly parts), booties and a flowy top.  (gotta hide that mama pooch, ya know?)  I always accessorize so that can dress up any outfit to make it more evening look.

My favorite staying in look:

I could literally live in sweatpants, every day all day.  I own over 50 pairs of sweats (even before I was a mom) so you could say I'm a real comfy junkie.

Tired mama style tip:

Truth, my style since becoming a mom is all about the hats, sunglasses and dry shampoo!  Gotta hide the sleepy eyes and wrinkles with sunglasses and the 5-day dirty hair with a hat. I also always wear mascara, for some reason it makes me look more awake, even if it's the only makeup I put on. 

Palm print or florals?

I've never been a girly girl, I don't even think I own anything pink.  So, I've gotta go with the Palm print. It just seems more fitting since I'm a boy mom but if I had a girl, I would for sure be easily persuaded to fill that nursery with oversize floral everythang. 

Flamingos or pineapples?

Easy. Pineapples. You can't put Flamingos in a cocktail, right?  

Vibrant fun colors or cool monochrome?

 I'm for sure the monochrome kinda girl.  My entire closet is white, brown, gray, black and tan.

Parenting rule you’ve thrown out the window

No technology.  The only way we are able to eat out is to give the dude the iphone.  Pick your battles, right?

Last time you had a full night's sleep (over 7 hours):

(all the mamas who had a hard time with sleep, go ahead and skip this one).  My guy has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 months old.  He is the best little sleeper ever.  Now, that doesn't mean I sleep.  I'm usually up late scrolling my 52k photos, Instagram or pinning.  This mom's brain doesn't turn off.

The first thing you do once the kids hit the hay:

What we all do, pour that glass of wine. 

If motherhood were a cocktail it would be called:

A hangover that's worth it. (BTW, I didn't read the next question before writing that answer...)

Has a hangover since having a child ever been worth it?

Nope.  Pretty sure that's not possible.

The favorite thing your kid/s says:

He's 22 months and he just started to ask me to cuddle.   It's the best when he grabs our favorite blanket, and runs over to me and says "cuddle mommy."

24hrs without the kid/s, what’s your plan?

Go to the most non-kid friendly restaurant, eat and drink way too much, binge watch something and fall asleep too early.  Sleep in until at least 9 am...if my body will let me.

What do you wish you’d been told about motherhood beforehand?

To travel more, to go out more, to do more.  As a first-time mom, I was scared to do anything.  I can't go eat, cause I would miss a nap or his bedtime.  Flying on a plane with a baby seemed so scary!  But. the truth is, it only gets harder to do things as they get older.  

Three words to describe yourself: 

 Honest, Caring, Driven (I wish I was more creative with these answers)

Exciting upcoming plans:

 In short, the best thing that's happening currently for my family is that we have plans to move back to Southern California to the beach where I spent my whole life.  3 years ago we moved to Northern California and the transition has been so tough for me.  I can't wait to raise my little one where I grew up near the ocean. 

Would you put on makeup to go and buy makeup wipes?

 That's basically asking if I wear makeup to go to Target.  And that answer is no, it's always no.  

Most embarrassing motherhood moment:

Ran to Trader Joes to grab one onion.  Finn was about 3 months old, I didn't grab the diaper bag cause I was only going to one quick thing.  He wasn't even big enough to ride in the cart yet so I had to hold him.  As I got in line, the college student who was ringing us up, just started laughing at me, because he had poop running out of his diaper and all over my shirt. Needless to say, I never leave home without the diaper bag now.

Why do Mama’s Rule?

It's hard to explain but the moment you become a mother its sort of like the person you were before that is gone.  Nothing is the same, in so many goods ways, and some I don't quite understand. But, I know I wouldn't be the person I was meant to be unless I was a mom.  As a mom, I am more confident, more aware, more patient, more secure, and more content than I have ever been in my life.  Somedays are harder than others, some days test all your patience.  But for us mamas, we've got this.  Every single thing, no matter how challenging or hard, we will find a way to make it happen.  I didn't know just how strong I was until I became a mom.  

Thank you so much to Stacy Ullenes for including me in this, I'm so honored to be in the company of these other stylish and inspirational mamas.  If you wanna read some more interviews from the coolest mamas, here's the link to the series.  Mama Rules Blog

How I got a Better night sleep | a Honest mattress review

How I got a better night sleep | Honest review of Tomorrow Sleep Mattress

Most people know how a good night sleep can change your life and although our daily health relies on it, people now days are consistently not getting enough sleep; including me.

[I received a Tomorrow Sleep hybrid mattress in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.]  #ad #sponsored

To be honest, I've never gotten much sleep.  I'm always staying up way past a normal person bedtime, and I tend to be more of a night owl than a morning person.  But, my husband, on the other hand, he's that guy.  You know, the one who neeeedddss his beauty rest.  He needs at least 9hrs of good sleep or he's a cranky bear.  Ever since I've known him, he's been a morning person.  Always bright-eyed and ready for the day, before everyone else.  Even after a late night out, he's the guy whos going to grab coffee for everyone.  Not this girl.  I like to sleep in as late as possible.  I mean, I love that about him but that doesn't mean I want that.  I'm definitely staying in most mornings all snug under my 3 comforters in a cozy bed as long as I can.  

3 years ago we upgraded our mattress, and neither of us has slept well since.  We spent $2800 and 4 hours shopping for the perfect mattress, we waited days for it to be delivered, watched as 3 men came to deliver and assemble it, only to call the store back 2 weeks later and have them swap it out for another one.   It was a battle to get them to exchange it so when we still didn't like the replacement, we knew we were just stuck with it.  Stuck with poor restless nights, and stuck feeling stiffness and agitated in the morning.  3 years later, we've had enough.  We knew it was time to do something about our sleep and it started with finding a new, better mattress.

As an influencer, I thought let me reach out to my other blogger friends and see if they have a suggestion for a new mattress.  I was seeing all these ship in-a-box, direct-to-consumer mattress companies.  Casper, Tuft&Needle, Lucid and more.  I was skeptical about spending over $1000 on a mattress that was out of a box.  I mean how can something that was smooshed in an airtight space come our and still be that fluffy and comfy mattress I was excepting it to be?   I asked a lot of my GF's and they told me it was easy and painless but nobody really said, I LOVE my new mattress, I'm sleeping so much better!  So I still wasn't convinced.    

Then, Tomorrow Sleep reached out and promised me a better night sleep.  They are a branch of Simmons Serta, with a pretty large and experienced company behind them.  The husband of course quickly did some research and saw that they conducted decades of research to create a comprehensive system specifically intended to enable a more restful nights sleep.  I was just excited I didn't have to go back to the mattress store and do that whole process all over again.  So I had that going for me. 
Hassle free, I get fast and it's guaranteed to help me sleep better?  I'm in.

Research says it takes 30 days to break a bad habit.  So, I wanted to take some time before I gave you guys my honest review of the mattress.  We took these last 30 days to challenge ourselves to get more sleep, not just with our new mattress, but with new sheets, and with a few other steps into our nighttime routine.  Here's my honest opinion about our Tomorrow Sleep Mattress.

Let me say it really clearly, 
Since I've had my Tomorrow Sleep mattress, 
I've slept better!   And that is the entire point of this.  I can go on and on about the pro's and maybe one or two cons (like it's a little "louder" than a normal mattress) but the point is how do I sleep on it and both my husband and I are sleeping better.  We actually woke up numerous days after we first slept on it and looked and each other and said, "Man, I slept so good last night!"

So if you want to know if I would suggest this mattress to you:
Yes.  My answer is yes, a thousand times over.  Get this mattress and you will sleep better.  Here are a few reasons why:

The first thing I noticed about the mattress was that it was firm, like not like the sinking feeling you get from those old memory foam mattresses but firmer like it's supporting you.  Your body almost molds to the mattress.

Then I noticed that it's thinner, like way thinner than a normal mattress.  I kept thinking it was going to expand more, but eventually, it settled into its full form, and I kinda liked that it was a little lower to the ground.  It made the room feel a little bigger, but still had lots of space to starfish if I wanted to.

Being a side sleeper, I learned that I needed a mattress like this because it cradles my body and adapts to my positions in a way we side sleepers need.  We need some firmness with a little give and this mattress provides just that.

Let's talk about temperature.  I'm cold, he's hot.  Always.  One thing we could never agree on is our sheets, I want them soft, but not hot.  Have you ever gone to bed in nice cool sheets and midway through your sleep, you wake up sweating?  Me too!  One thing I was concerned about was how hot this hybrid- coil thing was going to be.  It's not!  One of the main selling points that got me on this mattress is that they combine temperature-regulating memory foam with a gently stabilizing coil system, which gives you the perfect mix of cool comfort and support each night.

I know you have a lot of choices when it comes to a new mattress, and if you think you don't need a new one, just try and remember what year it was when you got the one you're sleeping on.  If it was more than 7 years ago, it's time people.  Get a new one!  Tomorrow Sleep was just voted #1 hybrid mattress by Men's Health and in my opinion, I'm getting a far better night rest now than I've ever had.
 

Because I love you all so much, I asked Tomorrow Sleep to partner with me to giveaway a mattress to one lucky follower of mine.  The winner has been chosen, and I can't wait for you to also have a better nights rest too.  Holly Dixon, @mylifeasholly1, you are the winner!  Please email me to claim your prize.

It's ok if you didn't win, I've also got a special code for $100 off any purchase over $500.  Use this link and code 'PERFECT100' to get your own mattress today.  The code is good until the end of the year, so maybe put this on your Christmas List!