Christmas Con California

Back in August, I attended Christmas Con California. For those who don’t know, Christmas Con is a convention all about Christmas, with stars from Hallmark/Lifetime/Great American Family, etc. Christmas movies.

There are fun games, contests, and celebrity panels. Plenty of photo-ops, meet-and-greets with your favorite stars, and festive booths to visit. There were even surprises and special activities.

Every year they hold a convention in New Jersey, but this was the first year they hosted one in California as well. I actually won tickets to attend back in 2020, but then everything shut down, and the convention kept getting delayed due to local closures… well, the show finally went on this year!

I had a full weekend pass for each day, but you could also get single-day passes. Not all stars were there every day. Each day there were fun special celebrity panels, games, and activities. There were also festive holiday booths and celebrity booths for meet and greets/autographs/photo ops to stop by.

On Friday night, there was a special red carpet event with all your favorite Christmas rom-com celebrities followed by a sneak peek early showing of Hallmark’s movie “Groundswell” starring Lacey Chabert. The screening was free to attend, but it had limited seating, so you had to sign up for tickets ahead of time. During the movie, they provided complimentary popcorn and Hallmark Channel Wine's new Cheers Rose Seltzer. I was pregnant at the time, so I was unable to try it, but my friend said it was good.

Saturday and Sunday, we spent our time walking around, browsing/shopping at booths, and attending the celebrity panels and games.

It felt a bit surreal being in such close proximity to all of my favorite rom-com stars in one place. It was crazy how everyone looked the same but different too. Such a cool opportunity.

I only did a couple of celebrity meet-and-greets, as each one charges for photos and autographs. But everyone was so incredibly gracious and kind.

In between panels, we had a bit of downtime, and things were slow; we could hop out to grab food if we wanted in between. Due to this, at times there didn’t seem to be much going on, so having someone with you to hang out with would be helpful.

Overall, my experience was so fun, and I would enjoy going again! If you ever get the chance to attend Christmas Con – I say go for it! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you won’t regret it.

Have you ever been to Christmas Con? Or would you want to? Let me know in the comments below!

Snow Bucket List Activities

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? I’ve never been a huge fan of the snow or cold, but I do enjoy a good snow day for a bit and warming up by the fire with a big mug of hot cocoa. There are so many fun activities to do during a snow day.

Are you looking for some snow activity ideas to do this year with your family? Then look no further. I have compiled this list of fun, winter snow activities to add to your Snow Bucket List!

Go Sledding

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a snow day is sledding. Growing up, this was my favorite activity when it snowed. On our family farm, we had hills and lots of fun places to go sledding. I have so many fun memories sledding in the wintertime. And I can’t wait to be able to take my kids sledding one day too.

Make a Snow Angel

Snow angels are one of the best snow activities! It is fun for kids (and adults) of all ages, and you can easily make them even with little snow or snow that isn’t good enough to pack for a snowman. Whenever I am around snow, I always make a snow angel!

Have a Snowball Fight

There is nothing like a good snowball fight. As a kid, I used to love balling up snowballs and throwing them unexpectedly at my siblings. You can have a snowball fight with a couple of people or a big group, and it’s just as fun either way.

Build a Snowman

“Do you want to build a snowman?” If there is snow, a snowman is a must! As a kid, I used to love it whenever it would snow. As an adult, I’m not as big a fan of snow anymore, but I do still enjoy it in moderation. My daughter experienced her first snow last year when she was just a baby, and my son has yet to experience his first snow. We rarely get snow where we live in North Carolina, but there is still something magical about when it does happen. Building a snowman is just the thing to do when it does snow!

Build an Igloo

If you have enough snow, building an igloo is something you must try. It doesn’t have to be perfect; half the fun is just building it. You could try different designs and have fun with it.

Catch Snowflakes on Your Tongue

One of my favorite things to do as a kid when it snowed was trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue. I still try it to this day whenever I’m where it snows.

Eat Snow Cream

Collect some of that fresh snow and take it inside to make your own snow cream (aka ice cream with snow). The perfect treat for a snowy day! You can find some recipes online on Google or Pinterest if you’ve never made it before. Play around and see what you like best.

Eat a Snow Cone

Why not take advantage of snow by collecting some and using it to make your very own snow cone? Just add some flavored syrup and ta-da, your very own snow day treat with some free ingredients.

Make a Snow Craft

You can’t have a bucket list without crafts! There are so many fun options for snow-themed crafts. Paper snowflakes are a classic and so cute! You could also draw your own winter scene.

Most people associate winter with snow, and these are perfect activities for any snow day for everyone in the family! If you are looking for some more generic or holiday-specific bucket list activities, make sure to check out Winter Bucket List Activities and Christmas Bucket List Activities. Happy Winter, everyone!

DIY Postpartum Padsicles

Recovering from childbirth is no joke. During my first pregnancy, I wanted to be as prepared ahead of time as possible. I came across these postpartum padsicles and have used them after each child.

Since I am recovering from my third baby’s birth, I wanted to share this easy and quick step-by-step guide so that you can use them too (whenever needed)!

What You’ll Need

• Maxi pads
• Witch Hazel
• Aloe Vera gel

MAXI PADS
You’ll need large maxi pads. I use the longest and most absorbent ones.

WITCH HAZEL
I like to use organic or at least the smallest amount of ingredients. I tried to find one that was alcohol free but was unable to, so I just used my regular kind.

ALOE VERA GEL
Take your pick and choose your favorite bottle. I would also make sure to get an alcohol-free gel. The alcohol can be irritating during recovery.

Let’s Get Started

STEP #1
Pour equal parts witch hazel and aloe vera gel into a bowl.

STEP #2
Mix the witch hazel and aloe vera gel until it is smooth.

STEP #3
Lay out maxi pads, keeping the back wrapper on.

STEP #4
Pour the witch hazel/aloe vera gel mix onto the maxi pads. Use a spoon or spatula to spread evenly along the entire pad.

STEP #5
Close/wrap the maxi pads back up.

STEP #6
Put the pads in a zip-lock bag or container.

STEP #7
Place the pads in the freezer to freeze. Use as needed postpartum.

And there you have it! Super simple and fast to make. Trust me, it is well worth it to do this ahead of time! Every little thing helps during postpartum recovery. Happy creating!

Hospital Bag Must-Haves

Just like everyone’s pregnancy journey is different. Everyone’s birth story is different. Having a good hospital bag full of essentials is so helpful when you’re in labor.

There are so many go-tos out there about what you should or shouldn’t bring with you. I’m here to share my two cents from my own personal experience. With my first baby, I packed all the things…and I mean ALL the things. It was a lot, and I didn’t use half of them.

I quickly learned what was a must-have and what wasn’t. I majorly downsized for my second child’s delivery and was much happier. The truth is, the hospital will have a majority of things you need, so you don’t need to truck towels, pads, etc. in with you.

Everyone’s preferences are different, so you may not use all of my essentials or want extras added on, and that’s OK. You want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Packing for labor and delivery doesn’t need to be stressful or full of items you won’t use. So I wanted to share what I have found as must-haves in the hopes it helps other mommas-to-be out there be better prepared.

Toiletries

Typically, you won’t be in the hospital too long if you have a simple birth, so you won’t need a lot of items, but you’ll still want your typical toiletries. With my first two kids, I was discharged 24 hours after birth. These are my go-to toiletries to pack:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Witch hazel
• Lotion
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Chapstick
• Hairbrush
• Headband

Mom Items

I make sure to include my mom must-haves when packing. My personal go-tos are:

• Purse (with all essential IDs, etc.)
• Hair ties
• Phone/camera and all chargers
• Comfortable coming home clothes (maternity bra, big underwear, pants, shirt, etc.)
• Belly band (postpartum belly band to help stomach shrink back after birth)
• Hip band (belly support/hip band to help hips shrink back after birth)
• Water bottle
• Snacks

Baby Items

Probably the most items I pack are for the new Baby. My go-tos for Baby are:

• Boppy pillow (for nursing and taking photos)
• Baby’s coming home outfit
• Pacifier
• Baby memory book (the nurses will take a footprint of Baby after birth and put it into the book for you)
• Baby accessories for announcement photos (bring along anything you want to take photos of Baby. For me, it is usually blankets or clothes, a custom hat, and a cute boppy pillow cover. You could also include any name signs, hats, etc)

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for a more relaxed hospital stay. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.

Baby Names Inspired by the East Coast

Choosing the perfect name for your baby can be hard. There are so many options out there. Do you love the East Coast in the US? I grew up and currently live on the East Coast. Whether you are from the East Coast or just have a special connection to it, I have just the thing for you! I have compiled a list of about 27 names (for both genders) inspired by the East Coast for all my fellow coastal lovers. You might find the perfect name for your little one.

Ann/Anna

Inspired by Annapolis, MD.

August/Augusta

Inspired by Augusta, ME.

Boston

Inspired by Boston, MA.

Brooklyn

Inspired by Brooklyn, NY/NYC.

Bronx

Inspired by the Bronx in NYC.

Cam

Inspired by Cambridge, MA.

Charles/Charleston

Inspired by Charleston, SC.

Charlotte

Inspired by Charlotte, NC.

Chicago

Inspired by Chicago, IL.

Dover

Inspired by Dover, DE.

Easton

An American name meaning: from the east town.

Georgia

Inspired by the state of Georgia.

Haven

Inspired by New Haven, CT.

Jackson

Inspired by Jacksonville, FL.

Lanta

Inspired by Atlanta, GA.

Louis

Inspired by Louisville, KY.

Mary

Inspired by the state of Maryland.

Memphis

Inspired by Memphis, TN.

Nash

Inspired by Nashville, TN.

Orlando

Inspired by Orlando, FL.

Phil

Inspired by Philadelphia, PA.

Portland/Porter

Inspired by Portland, ME.

Raleigh

Inspired by Raleigh, NC.

Rich

Inspired by Richmond, VA.

Savannah

Inspired by Savannah, GA.

Trenton

Inspired by Trenton, NJ.

Virginia

Inspired by the state of Virginia.

I hope these names give you some inspiration while picking out the perfect name for your baby. I love names with special meaning, and if you love the West Coast, these are great options to consider. If you are still looking for other options, check out these lists: Baby Names Inspired by the West Coast, Baby Names Inspired by Flowers, Baby Names Inspired by the Sea, Baby Names Inspired by Christmas, Baby Names Inspired by Summer, and Baby Names Inspired by the Fall.