At-Home Teeth Whitening: Does it Work?

This post is a collaboration with Smile Brilliant. All opinions are my own.

This year, one of my goals has been to really focus on and prioritize my self-care. One of the ways I have been doing that is by giving my smile some extra attention. Yes, you read that right: my smile.

I’ve always taken pride in my smile. I used to have big gaps in my front teeth and a huge overbite. As a teen, my parents let me choose if I wanted to get braces or not, and I jumped at it! I spent two-ish years with braces and honestly, it didn’t bother me much because I knew it would be well worth it in the end.

As an actress and now a content creator, having a good smile is huge. I want to look my best and be confident in showing off my teeth. I’ve always been a positive and super smiley girl. So much so that I always get complimented on my smile. One of my nicknames was even “Smiley”.

As an adult who loves my daily green tea and the occasional glass of wine, my teeth aren’t as white as they used to be. Did you know everyday things like coffee, tea, wine, and even foods can stain your teeth over time?

I take so much pride in my smile that I wanted to try teeth whitening to give it some much-needed self-care. Enter Smile Brilliant. The only teeth whitening I’ve ever used before was Crest Whitening Strips as a teen. I’ve never tried an at-home teeth whitening system before, so I was honestly a bit skeptical. But after reading some reviews and seeing the results other people have gotten using this company, I decided to give it a try.

My experience with Smile Brilliant was an overall smooth one. As is common with teeth whitening, I did have some minor irritations that I will delve into in a minute. Some of the top positives of my experience with this whitening process were:

• Variety of packs to choose from based on your sensitivity
• The teeth whitening kit comes fast, and postage is paid for
• It’s simple to use
• Customer service is amazing

Getting Your Whitening Kit

First, they send you a kit in the mail. It comes with the following items:

• Detailed instructions on how to make your teeth molds and what to do during the whole whitening process
• A release form
• Dental trays
• Base paste
• Catalyst past
• Teeth whitening gel
• Desensitizing gel
• A little brush
• A pre-paid return shipping envelope.

Making Teeth Impressions

Before making your teeth molds, make sure you read the instructions in full and follow them closely. I honestly read them through twice because I wanted to make sure I had the timing right. You will mix the base and catalyst pastes together to make the molds. Once you mix the pastes, they start to harden, so timing is imperative to make sure they come out well. After you have them mixed, you put them into the dental trays and bite down to get the impression of your actual teeth.

Be prepared for this process as you drool a lot. I kept a towel with me to dab the drool away because while you’re waiting for the molding to dry, you can’t remove the trays to spit.

If you have any questions about your trays being right prior to sending them in, you can contact Smile Brilliant’s customer service with photos to verify they are good. After I did my trays, I noticed my wisdom teeth scraped the last part of my mold paste (i.e., they didn’t fit into the mold). I was concerned this would be an issue. So I simply emailed in some photos and explained the situation. It was not an issue, and my trays were able to be sent in.

Your last set of regular molars and any wisdom teeth you may have will not be included in the whitening tray you get back, so if all of your teeth don’t fit on the mold, no need to worry. If there is any doubt, just send them an email to verify. Once your molds are ready, send them back in the prepaid mailing envelope along with the consent form to be made in the lab.

How it Works

The whitening process is pretty simple:

• Floss and brush your teeth with water only
• 45 minutes to 3 hours with the whitening gel on your teeth
• Brush your teeth
• 15-20 minutes with the desensitizing gel on your teeth

Each syringe of gel, you should get 3-4 applications from. Some of mine, I even got 4 1/2 to 5. Because I wanted to err on the side of caution, for my first couple of applications I used small amounts to gauge my comfort and whether I had any sensitivity issues, which is why they lasted a little longer.

First Whitening Application

For my first whitening application, I used a smaller amount of whitening gel to see if it bothered me in any way. I also don’t think much of it covered my teeth. I unintentionally didn’t put the gel on the recommended spot of the tray itself, and when I put the tray on my teeth, I believe most of the gel got squeezed out of the tray. I kept the application on for 45 mins and then kept the desensitizing gel on for 15 minutes. The trays fit well and are rubbery in feel, which I didn’t expect. This was nice because they were more flexible.

After the initial trial run of Day 1, I reread the instructions in my kit and realized I had put the gel on the wrong spot of my trays. A little tip I have for you to avoid this mistake is to put the gel on the outside front part of the tray where the front of your teeth will go. This will help ensure the gel sits on the front of your teeth to whiten the desired area for when you smile.

Something else to note is that sometimes it looks splotchy after whitening. Don’t freak out! This is normal. Something I noticed after my first application was that my teeth looked splotchy or spotty (i.e., the coloring wasn’t even on my teeth). Again, this is normal. It will even out, so don’t stress over ruining your teeth.

Whitening Process

After 4 applications, my gums started getting a little sore and irritated. I consulted with Smile Brilliant again about this, and they were great! They reassured me that this is really common, provided me with some tips to help, and advised that I take off 1 day to a couple of days from whitening to let my gums heal completely. I took two days in a row off, and my gums felt normal again, so I picked my whitening back up.

From that point on, I would do 3-4 day applications in a row and then take 1 day off to give my gums a break. My gums felt better, but I did still experience some gum irritation when brushing my teeth off and on during the rest of the process. I think my gum irritation was more from where my trays rubbed on my gums than the actual whitening gel.

The best tip I got from Smile Brilliant that helped me was to coat my gums in coconut oil prior to applying the whitening gel trays. It really helped to keep the gel from getting on my gums as much. Which, in turn, also kept the bitter taste of the gel out of my mouth too. Win/win.

I always did my whitening before bed as per Smile Brilliant’s recommendation. It is best to do it when you aren’t going to be eating and drinking so that you don’t retain your teeth right away. I also tried to stay near a bathroom or sink because the whitening process made me drool a lot, and I had to spit often.

You can do whitening sessions from 45 minutes all the way up to 3 hours. It is highly recommended to start at the lowest time of 45 minutes and slowly work your way up to longer times. I only did the minimum of 45 minutes-1 hour applications because it was hard for me to have to spit constantly. The whitening gel also has such a bitter taste that it was hard to keep it on much longer.

End Results

**Disclaimer: I used the same lighting and time of day to take both my before and after photos. I also did not use any filters or presets on any of my before or after photos to keep them as authentic as possible.

During this process, I didn’t really notice a whitening difference in my day-to-day life. This is typical, though, isn’t it? We usually don’t notice the results until we compare before and after photos. I was honestly surprised by the visual difference in these photos. I am so happy with my end results! All in all, this experience was pleasant, and I would definitely recommend giving Smile Brilliant a try.

GIVEAWAY!!

Do you want to give at-home teeth whitening a try for yourself? You’re in luck! Smile Brilliant is hosting a special giveaway just for YOU! You can win your very own customized at-home teeth whitening kit just like the one I used. To enter, all you need to do is click on this link and enter your name and email address. Easy peasy.

Don’t want to wait for the giveaway or don’t want to win? No worries. You can still be a winner! For an exclusive 15% off on Smile Brilliant kits, enter coupon code: littlehumblings15. And don’t forget to smile fearlessly!

DIY Moby Wrap

During my first pregnancy, I looked into all kinds of baby items and products. Being a first-time mom, I wasn’t sure what all I would want or prefer to use. We had a baby carrier, but I wanted to try a baby wrap as well because I had heard great things about them from friends.

I was completely shocked by how expensive most baby wraps are. The most well-known one is the Moby wrap, but I couldn’t justify spending so much on one when I could easily make my own for a fraction of the price. It is surprisingly cheap and easy to make a Moby-style baby wrap.

Even if you have minimal sewing experience, you could easily make one. I wanted to share with you how I made mine in the hopes of helping other moms who want to save some money too. Here is my step-by-step guide to making one.

What You’ll Need

• Jersey Knit Fabric
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Scissors

JERSEY KNIT FABRIC
For my minimal sewing version, you will need 3 yards of jersey knit fabric. If you prefer a no-sew option, you’ll need 6 yards of jersey knit fabric. I have both options listed below for you.

THREAD
Matching thread to go with the fabric.

SEWING MACHINE
You’ll need to do some light sewing.

SCISSORS
Cutting tools to cut the fabric.

Let’s Get Started

STEP #1
Lay out the 3 yards of Jersey Knit fabric on the ground. Cut it in half lengthwise (like a hot dog). I was looking to save money and made mine slightly smaller, so I bought about 2 1/2 yards of fabric at Walmart, which was only a couple of dollars a yard. Jersey Knit fabric doesn’t fray, so it doesn’t need to be hemmed, which is a plus.

STEP #2
Pin the ends of the two pieces of fabric together so that the pattern matches, then sew them together. I had a striped pattern, so I just made sure the stripes lined up correctly. When attached, the two pieces equal 6 yards of fabric in length, which is the standard Moby Wrap size.

STEP #3 (Optional)
Fold the fabric in half again longways, and you’re set to wear it as the baby wrap. You can also sew a tag or piece of fabric onto the wrap to mark the middle to make it easier when you are wrapping your child. I sewed a piece of bow fabric onto mine to make it a little more girly.

NO-SEW MOBY WRAP OPTION
Lay out the jersey knit fabric in a 6-foot length. Cut it in half lengthwise (like a hot dog). A standard Moby Wrap is 6 ft in length. Depending on your size and length preference, you may want it shorter or longer. Cutting a 6 ft fabric piece in half will get you 2 no-sew wraps. Jersey knit fabric does not fray, so it doesn’t require any hemming, which is a huge time saver. Simply cut your piece, and you’re done.

Whether you’re on a tighter budget or not, there is an option for everyone. If you want to take the easier no-sew way, no worries. These wraps are super easy to make and nice and comfy for carrying your little babe around. Happy creating!

5 Things I Do Everyday to Keep My Marriage Sizzling Hot

I am so honored to have a special guest blogger for this week’s post. With Valentine’s Day in just a couple of days, I wanted to bring in someone to talk about marriage. I am so excited to introduce you to our wonderful guest contributor, Monica Tanner!

Monica Tanner is a wife of almost 19 years and a mother of 4 children (ages 8 to 16). She hosts the marriage and life podcast “On The Brighter Side of Life”. She also recently launched the EPIC Health Summit focused on helping others in all areas of health, including emotional, physical, and mental health.

I met Monica through an online community and quickly felt a connection with her. She is uplifting, encouraging, and extremely motivated. Her love of life and passion to help others really shine through in everything she does. She is an absolute joy to get to know, and I am so excited to have her share some of her marriage insight with us! So without further ado, here is Monica!

Monica Tanner/On the Brighter Side of Life

1. Wake up and think positive thoughts.

You will always find what you are looking for, so if you are looking for positive aspects of your spouse or relationship, you will find proof of them throughout the day. For the past 18 years, I’ve started every day with snuggles. Either my husband rolls over and snuggles me, or I roll over and snuggle him. I use that time to set my intentions for the day. I breathe deeply and think about how grateful I am to wake up next to him and the opportunity to do life with him. Then I think about each of my kids, why I’m grateful for them, and what I can do for them that day.

Not only does this exercise start my day with gratitude, but it also gives my brain good problems to solve during each day. Your brain is really good at solving problems, so give it good problems and let it do its thing. Some examples might be: How can I feel more connected to my husband? How can I arrange my day so I have more energy for him after the kids are in bed? What can I do to show each of my kids love today?

2. Throw out your manual.

We all have expectations of the way other people should be treating us or showing love, but everyone is different. Notice how your spouse shows you love, even if it’s not how you are used to feeling it. Appreciate their efforts while learning their love language.

Your spouse’s only job should be to be 100% themselves. If you are trying to change him, you are spending precious energy in vain, and most of the time you will end up frustrated and disappointed. Focus your energy on things you can control, which truthfully is only yourself and your thoughts about any given circumstance.

3. Flirt with and date your spouse like your life depends on it.

If this doesn’t come naturally to you, Google or Pinterest it. Flirting is so much fun, and it keeps the fire burning. Come up with creative date ideas that you can keep using all the time. Dates don’t need to be expensive or complicated to be effective. Find activities you both enjoy or learn to do something new together.

4. Show gratitude every day and often, even if it is for something small.

Remember to praise the effort and not the results. Everyone needs to feel appreciated, and your spouse is no different. Thank them for going to work, changing a diaper, helping with the dishes, or even just for being themselves. It’s very hard to feel gratitude and negativity at the same time, so choose gratitude whenever possible.

5. Mix it up and spice it up.

Put a fun or sexy twist on something mundane and ordinary. Do something crazy to keep life exciting. Remember, life is too short to be taken so seriously. Have fun with each other and look for reasons to laugh together.

Monica Tanner/Complete Intimacy 14 Day Challenge

Thank you so much for sharing these tips with us, Monica! And the good marriage advice doesn’t stop with these 5 tips either. I have another amazing treat for you! Monica is launching a “Complete Intimacy 14 Day Challenge” to grow your intimacy and connection starting on Monday, February 17th. You do NOT want to miss this amazing resource! You can register HERE for the challenge now.

I, for one, am always looking for ways to keep things new and exciting in my marriage and can’t wait to incorporate these tips! If you want to learn more about Monica and her mission, check out her website: On the Brighter Side of Life. You can check out her Podcast and blog via that link as well, and you can also follow along on her journey through Instagram @monitanner1. Monica is as down-to-earth as they come, and I hope you enjoyed her guest blog post just as much as I have! Let me know your favorite tip in the comments below. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Stay at Home Date Ideas

With Valentine’s Day coming up, date night ideas are at the top of my mind. While Valentine’s is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and go out, it doesn’t always have to be a big, extravagant day. Little moments can mean just as much as the big ones.

This year we’re on a budget for Valentine’s Day, so I have been brainstorming some fun at-home date ideas. Whether you’re looking for a way to save on Valentine’s Day without giving up your date night or you’re looking for a fun new idea for a regular date night, I’ve got you covered. There are so many creative and fun ideas for date nights that you can have right at home without spending a fortune.

Movie Night

Pop some microwave popcorn and snuggle up on the couch while you have a nice, quiet movie night in. Pick an old classic film to watch or a new movie that you haven’t had a chance to watch yet. It may not be a movie theater, but this is one of my favorite home date ideas. It’s much cozier, and you don’t have to worry about other people talking or being on their phones like at a theater.

Picnic at Home

Who doesn’t love a nice little picnic? I haven’t had a picnic in forever and need to bring it back. You can enjoy a picnic indoors or outdoors, with the comfort of your own home, bathroom, and any extra snacks or blankets you may need.

Make Dinner Together

In my house, my husband enjoys cooking far more than I do. But with his work schedule, we don’t actually sit down and eat dinner together very often. This is a great way to spend more quality time together with your partner. Cook dinner together and then sit down and enjoy it together too.

Stargaze

When was the last time you looked at the stars? I grew up on a farm, and during the summer I loved lying out on our trampoline and just looking up at the stars. I honestly can’t remember the last time I just stargazed. This is a great way to slow down, unwind, and just enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

Game Night

I love having big family game nights during holidays and family get-togethers, but I often overlook this as a fun date night. A lot of games are better with multiple players, but you can still have a blast playing games for a date night.

Breakfast in Bed

This might be a little tricky depending on kids and sleep schedules, but it is a great idea to mix things up. What better way to surprise your partner than by getting up a little early and waking them with breakfast in bed?

Spa Night

If a nice, relaxing, self-care night is what you need, then a spa night is the perfect solution. Break out the face masks, run a bubble bath, do a mani/pedi, or take turns giving each other a massage. This is the perfect relaxation date!

Take a Walk

We take family walks around our neighborhood altogether, and it is the perfect way for us to get some time in just to talk. Not only do we get a change of scenery, but we’re also getting some exercise in. Get out, get moving, and get some fresh air — your body will thank you.

Tackle a Home Project

Is there a home project you’ve been putting off? Well, there is no better time to start. Make it part of your date night to ensure it gets done and also spend time with your partner doing it.

Themed Date

Are you running short on date ideas? Try a themed date. Much like birthday party themes, you can just pick a fun theme and run with it. How about a beach theme, western theme, or a safari theme? You get the idea. Get creative and have fun with it!

Bucket List Date

Along the same lines as the themed date is the bucket list date idea. What is something you’ve always wanted to do or a place you’ve always wanted to go to? For example, if Paris is on your bucket list, try a French-themed date. You could play French music, make French food, and decorate the room to look like Paris, France.

Just Check-In

You don’t have to do a big extravagant at-home date. While those can be fun and exciting, it can be just as nice to have a quiet night. Sometimes all I need is some time to just talk and check in with my husband. Break out the wine and just check in with each other on where you are at in life and what’s going on for both of you. Take this time to dig deeper and really reconnect.

Bake Something

Another fun date activity could be baking some fun and tasty treats. Pick a dessert that you want to try (or your favorite one) and bake it together. My husband loves trying new recipes, and it makes for a good time to do it together.

Try Something New

There is no better way to bond and make more memories than by experiencing something for the first time. Try something new with your partner. You could try out a new recipe, an activity, a game, etc. The options are endless. Just do something new that you’ve never done before and have fun with it.

DIY Date

I personally love DIY projects! There is no better idea for a date night, in my opinion. Wine and paint nights are all the rage these days. You could pick several DIY projects and turn them into a fun date. Think outside the box and get creative.

Recreate a Previous Date

Take a walk down memory lane by recreating a previous date and making it into a new memorable moment. If you had a favorite date from the past or one that was extra special to you — recreate it.

Play Truth or Dare

Get to know each other more by playing Truth or Dare. Even if you’ve been together for a long time, there can always be something new to discover. Try to find things you didn’t already know about each other.

Do Yoga

Yoga is one of my favorite activities. It is so relaxing and helps with my health both physically and mentally. I love doing yoga with my family. Yoga can make for a great date activity too. It will help to calm and refresh you. And doing it with your partner can help you bond and make some new memories.

Build a Fort

You often think of building forts as a kids’ activity, and with good reason. I mean, who didn’t build a fort often as a kid? This is a fun, playful activity to bring out your younger side and keep you reminiscing about the good old days.

YouTube Karaoke

Karaoke is a fun activity for many occasions. If you’re looking for something new to try, break out karaoke via YouTube and sing the night away.

Backyard Campout

If you want an outside activity, look no farther than your backyard. Set up a tent and have a campout. You can still enjoy your indoor restroom and house amenities, which is a huge deal to me. Start a campfire and cozy up with your partner.

I love trying new things and experiencing them with my partner makes them that much more special. I also love mixing things up for date nights to keep things exciting and new. Everyday life can get boring, but you can keep it entertaining. Do you have a favorite at-home date idea? Let me know in the comments below.