Enjoying family time with my girls with Ivory

This post is sponsored by Ivory. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Inrachelshoes.

Like many of the women of our world today who are both working and being a mom and wife, it’s easy to find ourselves running around from one thing to another. Whether it be dropping the kids off at school, grocery shopping, or picking up the dry cleaning, I think it’s safe to say  as women, we have many responsibilities to fulfill leaving us ever so busy without us even realizing it! Through the strong love we have for those who are important in our lives, we have an intrinsic obligation to Go! Go! Go! and constantly strive and work so hard to keep those who are around us safe, happy and well. From the world looking in, we mothers can seem like superwomen, and yes, while we do have super hero qualities, we are worrywarts! Naturally, I want the best for my two girls; I am always trying make sure that whatever products we are using are pure and natural at best, to say the least. Though, when I find a brand I can trust and believe in, it leaves me a great deal less to be worrying and thinking about. It allows me the mental space in my mind to really enjoy the small moments.

One of the simplest most treasured moments in my day is when I get to spend the quality time of bathing my two girls. They both have very sensitive skin, especially my little one, and I used to always find myself worrying about the products I would use to bath them, that maybe the ingredients were too strong, or contained additives or scents that would irritate their skin. It was until I discovered Ivory for instance, a brand I can trust my girls with giving me the peace of mind whenever I was washing them. When I purchase any of their products, I know I will be bathing my girls with the most caring, gentle cleansers designed to seriously clean with sensitivity. Their ingredients are chosen carefully, reassuring me that I make the right decisions for my family.  Ivory’s products allow me to be invested in just spending a carefree quality bath time.  We’ve recently been using Ivory’s Original Body Wash and Original 3-bar, both are free of dyes and heavy perfumes, which is perfect for sensitive skin. I’ve also enjoyed using the Ivory Free & Gentle Body Wash with Pear & Sandalwood, as it smells amazing and includes the #1 Dermatologist-Recommended moisturizing ingredient.

We need to realize life for its simpler pleasures and Ivory makes it easy for me to fill my life with moments that really matter!

Eucerin Baby products for my daughter's Ezcema!

This post is sponsored by Eucerin Baby. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Inrachelshoes.

Living in New York City you always have to deal with the winter blues.  The winters feel very long and always very cold.  It also wreaks havoc on my daughter's skin.  They dry up extremely fast and once that happens, my daughter's start scratching.  With the scratching and the irriating itch, ezcema is no fun for them!  Being indoors in the winter causes dry skin from the increased dry air during the winter.  Using Eurcerin's Baby Line during the winter helps keep my duaghter's skin in check. It's the number one brand recommended by pediatricians for baby's skin during the wintertime.  Here's five tips I stick by when it comes to keeping my daughter's eczema in check:

I make sure my girls wear 100% organic cotton clothing because other types of clothing with chemicals end up making my daughters itchy and scratchy, which only makes their eczema worse.  Wearing 100% organic cotton helps prevent any flare-ups, but if it does come I make sure I have the Eurcerin Eczema Instant Therapy Creme in handy.  It instantly calms and relieves minor skin irrations and itching if there are any flare-ups whether it's wearing certain clothes that they're sensitive too or just constant scratching.

I only use detergents that are fragrance free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic.  I only use liquids over powder so there is less chance of residue (which might react with my daughter's sensitive skin) and I also do an extra rinse in the washing machine just to make sure all the detergent is gone.  This decreases the chance of any of my daughter's clothes causing any itchiness or sensitivity after being washed.

One of the things I like to do if my girls have to go out and play in the winter is I put lotion on their hands, face, and neck.  Those are the parts that are sometimes not covered and I want to make sure there is some sort of hydration and protection from the outside.  For that, I use Eurcerin's Baby Lotion which has Pro-Vitamin B5 & Natural Shea Butter which hydrates and soothes my girl's skin.  I put it on a few times a day just to make sure their skin is always protected from the outside.

I always have a humidifier in my daughters room.  In the winters, their room can get especially dry while they're sleeping because of the increased heat.  A humidifier helps in keeping their room higher in moisture levels reducing dryness and itchiness  

Most important for my girls is always after they take a bath or a shower in the winter (but works in all seasons too!) I would use Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme on their skin right away, especially the areas where the eczema is strongest.  Usually after a shower, my girl's skin gets dry very fast and it's important to put the body creme right away.  It comes formulated with natural oatmeal which is clinically proven to significantly help hydrate and sooth any irritated skin.  It's fragrance, dye, and steroid free and the natural formula is what helps sooth any sensitive red skin.

It's important to rely on a brand that I know will do two things - protect and treat my daughter's ezcema flare-ups and itchy dry skin and is safe to use.  All Eucerin Baby products are hypoallergenic and free of paraben, dyes, drying alcohols, and fragrance.  I always trust them to be the solution to my daughters ezcema and the protector to my daughter's delicate skin.

Make sure to join our giveaway on Instagram!  I will be giving out some Eurcerin Baby products to 1 winner on Wednesday 2/28/2018!  Visit me on instagram @inrachelshoes to learn more!

Ivory, a trusted brand for generations!

This content is sponsored by Ivory. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having two girls makes me more aware of the chemicals I put on their body, whether it's moisturizers or body wash.  Even my skin gets very sensitive, so I’m picky when it comes to what I use in the shower.  I put gentle cleansing at the top of my priority list.  I use Ivory, a soap and body wash that's been trusted for generations and use pure ingredients.  Ivory is a brand that only utilizes pure and gentle ingredients, making it trusted for many years.

If I want a rich, refreshing lather to hydrate our family’s skin, we choose Ivory original body wash.  The new, gentle formula is free of dyes and heavy perfumes.

With the Ivory Original 3-bar, there's no dyes or heavy perfumes and it's 99.44% pure.  Everybody knows what Ivory soap is, and it's been a trusted brand for 138 years!  That's a proven fact and simply the reason why me and my family use Ivory.  It works and is gentle on my skin.  

If I want a body wash with a nice scent, I use the Ivory Free & Gentle Body Wash with Pear & Sandalwood.  This body wash contains the #1 Dermatologist-recommended moisturizing ingredient and works great on my skin.  My daughters love the fresh smell and I love that it provides moisture for them, especially in this New York City weather.  It also does not contain any dyes or parabens and uses strictly pure ingredients. 

Click here to learn more about Ivory.

Using Neutrogena's Tried & True products!

This content is sponsored by Neutrogena. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a working mom in the big city, my routine in the morning and at night is usually very short on time and spending it taking care of my face usually takes a backseat.  The weather this winter has been particularly brutal and my face always feels tired and dry.  I've been wanting to reset my morning (and night) routine and focus a little more effort into taking care of my face and hydrating it

I am working with Neutrogena and Rite Aid to try three of their tried & true products and see how they change my morning and night routines taking care of my face.  My skin sometimes breaks out in the morning and feels tired especially during the winter months. With the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub, it deep cleans and washes off any roughness or blackheads without over-drying my face.  My face feels clean and I can see the acne go away after several washes.

After my scrub I’ll try the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel to keep my face from getting dry throughout the day if I’m out in the cold.  The moment I put it on, I feel it absorbed into the skin.  It’s not oily and my skin feels refreshed.  The best thing about the Hydro Boost is that I have this non oily fresh feeling throughout the day.  My face doesn’t get dry and it doesn’t feel as tired as it used to. 

Doing this routine morning and night has changed the way my face feels now.  When I go to work my face feels uplifted and not dry at all.  When I go to bed, my face actually feels fresh and smooth and best of all, hydrated giving me a great night's sleep.

Another great Neutrogena product that I use daily and is a must-have in my routine is the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes & wipes.  They are my go-to after my long day of work to help me remove the thickest and heaviest makeup.  They clean with ease but are also gentle on my skin.  I use this before cleaning my skin at night.

I purchased these items at Rite Aid and now there is a great deal on Neutrogena Skin Care.   It will be Buy 1, Get 1 at 50% off during the weeks of 2/4, 2/18 and 2/25. During the week of 2/4 when you use your Rite Aid Wellness+ Card, for every $40 you spend, you will receive $15 in Bonus Cash towards your next visit.  Check out this page for more and pick up these products at a great price!  What a great way to stock up on more Neutrogena skin products!

First Snow storm of 2018!

Boy was it cold and windy and snowy!  Over here in Queens, we got close to 10 inches and schools were closed so the girls obviously had to go out to enjoy the snow.  They didn't stay out too long (the wind was blowing up to 40 mph)  but I was able to take some photos of their fun.  It's important to always bundle your girls in the best coats, gloves, scarves, and hats.  Also put the best boots on them too!  Here's some gear I recommend for your little ones when they need to battle the outdoors to build that snowman!

OLAY Whips Moisturizer

Picking a moisturizer is very hard for me.  It seems like I'm trying new moisturizers every few months because it's so hard to find the right one.  I have very sensitive skin so I am very picky with my moisturizers.  Some are too oily, some are too thick, and some have a smell that are too strong and I'm unable to use. 

Olay Luminous Whip solves all those issues.  Whip is a powerful moisturizer that has a light as air finish.  No more oily and thick creams.  With its Active Rush Technology, Olay Luminous Whip is able to transform from a cream to a liquid on the skin allowing for very fast absorption.  That's why when I put it on my hand or face, it feels incredibly smooth and absorbs right away without getting all oily.  

Within a week I felt the effects of smooth and soft skin from Olay Luminous Whip.  It's so light and my skin is breathable right after I put it on.  With the winter coming, I need this moisturizer more than ever to keep my hands and my face from drying and cracking.  It's a must have addition to my morning and bedtime routine.

I love that they have three kinds of Olay Whip moisturizers to fit your needs.  Olay Regenerist Whip helps with wrinkles without the heaviness.  Olay Total Effects Whip nourishes your face with fast absorption.  Olay Luminous Whip delivers a radiance to your face without the oily shine.

Make sure to order the amazing Olay Whip Moisturizer here and see for yourself how this light cream can change your opinions about moisturizers!

This content is sponsored by Olay.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amalfi Coast

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. No matter how hectic life gets, my husband and I always try to squeeze in at least two vacations a year.  I think it's healthy for marriage and every married couple should do it, even if it's just for a weekend.  Not only do we get some alone time to enjoy ourselves (and get some sleep!), but I think it's also good for kids to learn a bit of independence.  We decided to take a trip to Amalfi coast this year and these are some of our photos and tips we've learned.

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Here are some tips how we plan our trip:

Air fares - google flight (put in the dates that you desire) save it and track the price, you will get notification when the price changes.  I book hotels using booking.com (they will price match if you find anything cheaper also).

I suggest flying to Naples International Airport.  From there you can get to Amalfi Coast in a couple of ways.  We took the cab from the airport. That's the fastest (about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to Positano) and we were too exhausted from the flight to do any connecting boat/bus rides.  The cost was 130 euros (but it's cheaper if you book a ride before going there online).  You can also take the boat from Naples to Sorrento or Salerno then from Sorrento or Salerno to Positano (by bus or ferry)

Hotel recommendations:

We stayed at the Eden Roc Suites.  Highly recommended:  Great service and convenient location (10 minute walk down to the beach and bus stops are practically a few steps away).  They also offer free breakfast and lots of their rooms are newly renovated with a breath taking view out of the balcony.

IMAGE courtesy of oyster.com

Le sireuse:  Another amazing hotel that has an awesome view bar (always lines out the door around Sunset time!)  They also have a Michelin Star restaurant for some fancy dining and unforgettable sunsets.

IMAGE courtesy of booking.com

San Pietro Di Positano.  Stunning resort with the only private beach in Positano!  It's away from all the crowded areas and is located down by the water with easy access to their boats.  

Restaurants to try:

I love to eat and I try to go to as many different restaurants as I can.  Every restaurant we went to was amazing and highly recommended!  

Chez black (lunch or dinner) - this is the 'must eat' restaurant in Positano.  It's the people watching/celebrity spotting restaurant that's right by the beach.  The food was amzing, the atmosphere was lively and everybody was having a really good time.  The Spaghetti with Sea Urchin was delicious and came in it's own Sea Urchin bowl!

Da Adolfo (lunch only) - the 'IMPOSSIBLE TO GET RESERVATION' restaurant is worth all the hype with delicious dishes such as the octopus appetizers and grilled whole fish.  There's a boat that takes people from the beach to their restaurant in another destination only if you score a reservation.

Mammà in Capri (lunch or dinner) Michelin star restaurant with delicious raw seafood and beautiful plating!  Their view of Capri is breathtaking and if you get a chance try to watch the sunset there.  

Ristorante da Costantino Request a table by the window and order their house wine, you won't be disappointed!  Their whole fish was delicious and they were not very expensive for very authentic Italian.  They're located a little far away but they have pick up and drop off service.  We learned the hard way by walking there (45 minute of walking up lots and lots of stairs!) but it was definitely a memorable walk and it's the best way to get the sweeping views of Positano!

One great thing about Amalfi coast is how easy it is to travel from one part to another.  You can easily take ferry (or private boat) rides between Amalfi, Capri, Ravello, Positano, Sorrento, and Salerno.  Prices range from $12-$15 euro for a one way trip and you get to see the beautiful coast of Amalfi from the water.  We were able to visit Capri and Amalfi in the short time we were on vacation!

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July Happenings!

A collection of things going around in my life during the summer month of July.  Places I eat, having fun with my daughters, and places we go.  Enjoy!

My two girls having a blast during a trip to Lido Beach, Long Island. 

Enjoying my new set of pajamas from Adore Me

More fun at Lido Beach this summer.  My little one using the awesome 

My kids are loving the Bitsbox coding for kids.  It's their first time using or coding and they really enjoy it.  Let's hope there' a future in it!  

At Cloves Lakes Park and enjoying a beautiful day.  Remember when Coke had those names on those bottles?  I found one!

Having delicious shrimp tempura Udon @ the Sushi Dojo Noodle House.

Boats parked by Camden Waterfront.

I don't think my daughter needs any stress relieving, but the Fidget cube is definitely something I need sometimes!

Having some Mussels at La Marina.

Had the pleasure of being part of the Kindness experiment.  It was a chance for me to give some kindness to other in NYC as a way to pass kindness around.

My little one enjoying her Ipad wearing her Smartypants Leggings.

A wonderful way to catch the Brooklyn Bridge from above at the Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo

Port Washington.

Having some Uni in a half shell at the Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar.

Catching the Throgs Neck Bridge during an especially red sunset at the Bayside Marina.

Let's Look Beyond this Summer!

When one thinks of the oil and natural gas industry, what usually is the first thing that pops in your head? Cars, tires, energy, and fuel, right? But if you look beyond that and stop and think for a second you'll see that oil and natural gas makes a much bigger impact and affects every part of your normal day. Did you know that pillows, toothpaste, laptops, lipstick, aspirin, even antennas and receivers of streaming devices are all connected to the oil and natural gas industry? You'll be surprised to see that many things that help you live, play, and connect everything around you is all made possible because of oil and natural gas or materials made from a byproduct of petroleum.

I decided to go on a family day road trip to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and there were many things that need to be packed to make sure our trip has all the tech, safety, and travel care covered.

When it comes to electronics, I have to bring my cellphones, tablets for our daughters, and a laptop for any on-the- road office work. In order to charge all these devices, I have to make sure I have travel adaptors and car adaptors and long wires to connect them all. To make sure my girls don't get sick all of a sudden, it's always important to have extra allergy and fever medication for any signs of trouble. Bandages and antiseptic are required if there are any little trips and falls on the trip. Of course a trip to a water adventure park isn't complete without bathing suits, sunglasses, suntan lotion and water inflatables. Many of these things are made from plastic, rubber, synthetic fibers, nylon and polyester which are all created with the help of the oil and natural gas industry.

This trip reminds me of one of my favorite memories of taking my daughters to the beach when they were old enough to go to the water and play in the sand. Being able to see the joy and also the nervousness of their first time is one of the greatest memories I've ever had in my life. Looking back I realize that there are so many things I used and wore that were made from oil and natural gas. Her adorable bathing suit is made of polyester and the life jacket I put on her is made of nylon, all originating from the oil and natural gas. The bandages we bring for their safety and even the glasses they wear are all made possible with the help from the oil and natural gas industry.  To find out more information, check out the official website http://lookbeyond.org.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Look Beyond. The opinions and text are all mine.

Pampers Easy Ups Helping My Little One to get Potty Trained!

Potty training your little one is an exciting but challenging task for many parents. There will be accidents and there will be frustration on both the parent and your child. With Pampers Easy Ups, the process becomes a whole lot easier! Comfort and absorption are the most important things when it comes to potty training and Pampers Easy Ups delivers that in spades which is probably why they’ve been awarded the 2017 Best New Product.

They're super soft and with a 360° stretchy waistband – it's almost like cotton underwear! My daughter loves the feeling of being a 'grown up' and wearing 'grown up' underwear gives my daughter the confidence in being able to walk over to the potty and easily pull up and down when she has to go. After a few initial tries she learned how to pull up and down with ease. With the ease comes less frustration pulling down Pampers Easy Ups, she sometimes goes without even me knowing! That was my favorite moment of this entire potty training experience, the moment my daughter was already finished and pulled up her own Easy Ups without ever having to tell me!

Accidents will happen in the beginning and making sure training diapers can easily absorb is a very big thing. Pampers Easy Ups have exclusive Extra Absorb Channels™, which provide great protection against leaks anytime during the day and even at night when they sleep. With Dual Leak-Guard Barriers™ around the legs, it can also prevent leaks when they roll around in bed or being active. And when that accident does happen, disposing of Easy Ups is extremely easy by just tearing it at the sides!

Thanks to Pampers for partnering with me on this post. You can learn more about Pampers Easy Ups and read more at https://www.pampers.com/en-us/diapers-wipes/pampers-easy-ups-trainers-for-girls.