Sponsored

  • Lifestyle, Motherhood, Self-Care, Sponsored, Wellness

    Switching to a Non-Toxic Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress Improved My Sleep

    Switching to Non-Toxic Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress Improved My Sleep!

    When was the last time you upgraded your mattress? For me, it was eight years ago. We’re intentional about taking good care of our mattresses, and we had invested in a good quality mattress, so I didn’t realize so much time had gone. As stressful as everything has been lately, my sleep hygiene was starting to suffer, and I knew that stepping up my wellness practices would be helpful. Sleep is the best self-care practice in our toolbox, but our sleep quality is directly tied to our mattress. We did a lot of research and eventually settled on the non-toxic Brentwood Hybrid Latex mattress. We’ve been sleeping on this luxury mattress for a few weeks now, and it’s definitely improved my sleep. Here’s my full experience. 

    Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress Honest Review

    BUYING A MATTRESS ONLINE AND THE SHIPPING PROCESS.

    It’s a bit more challenging to go into stores in the middle of a pandemic to lay on different mattresses to find a good fit as we did when we bought our previous mattresses. 

    However, the perk of shopping online is that we could read a lot of reviews and learn more about the mattress before making a selection. Once we selected the Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress, we felt confident that we wouldn’t have to deal with buyer’s remorse because of their one-year trial policy that lets you return the mattress if it’s not a fit for you. 

    Our mattress arrived about a week after it was shipped, and it was vacuumed sealed in a box. The delivery man left the box outside of our door, and I tried to bring it in myself while my husband was at work, and it was just too heavy. I didn’t realize it then, but our king-sized mattress weighs 120 pounds, so it was much easier for us to move it together. 

    Once we opened up the box and cut the packaging, the mattress quickly opens up, which my kids enjoyed watching. I would recommend that you do this in your bedroom as it was more challenging to move the mattress once it opens out. 

    OFF-GASSING OR SMELLS.

    Since the Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex mattress is non-toxic, it doesn’t off-gas the way traditional mattresses are treated with chemicals usually do, so there is no need to worry about harmful fumes. That said, our mattress did have a smell for about two hours after removing it from the box, but it was entirely gone by bedtime. 

    SLEEPING ON THE BRENTWOOD HOME HYBRID LATEX MATTRESS. 

    Okay, so here’s the tea on how my Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress improved my sleep. 

    Like most parents, we’re usually tired with achy bodies from work and caring for kids by the time we get into bed at night. I wanted a mattress that supported my body and yet felt comfortable but not too soft, so I settled on the medium mattress. 

    Thanks to the use of Brentwood’s Zoned Latex Foam, I got exactly what I wanted. The mattress is designed to reduce pressure points around your shoulders and hips and support the spine, making sleeping much more comfortable for us. I think this feature helped improve my sleep as I feel much better rested when I wake up in the morning. 

    This mattress also has 975 coils, which helps the memory foam to contour to your body. 

    Another feature that’s perfect for us as a couple is motion isolation. Thanks to this mattress’s design, we’re not roused out of our sleep whenever one of us moves or gets in or out of bed. I usually don’t even know when my husband gets up. 

    WHY WE SPECIFICALLY WANTED A NON-TOXIC MATTRESS. 

    You’re probably wondering why switching to a non-toxic mattress was so important to us. Well, during my last pregnancy, I did a lot of research before getting man organic crib mattress, and I learned that most traditional mattresses have chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde, VOC, or even dyes. 

    I don’t want to sleep on a mattress that can be harmful to my body, especially after transitioning to safer products in our home. 

    We spend a significant portion of our life sleeping, and I believe mattresses might be the most overlooked yet important wellness product that can impact your overall quality of life and wellness. 

    If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what materials are used to make these non-toxic mattresses. The Brentwood Home Latex Hybrid mattress is made with both 100% certified organic cotton and natural latex. There are also non-toxic alternative materials used in this mattress like a 100% recycled denim base layer, 100% natural plush wool instead of chemical fire retardants, and durable outer panels made from REPREVE®, a fabric that repurposes plastic water bottles.

    Anyway, I hope that this review was helpful! The non-toxic Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex mattress is available in all sizes to get them for your entire family. I’m happy to sleep better during this pandemic and feel good to be using a mattress made in the United States. 

    Remember, you have a one-year guarantee, so if your sleep doesn’t improve as mine did, you can return it at any time during that one year free and get all of your money back. 

    You may also like:

    13 Ways to Improve Your Wellness Routine as a Working Mom

    https://adannadill.com/13-ways-to-improve-your-wellness-routine-as-a-working-mom/
  • Car Review, Family Travel, New York City Kids, Sponsored

    Family Things to do in NYC and Nearby Before Summer Ends

    Family Things to do in NYC and nearby before summer ends!

    This post is sponsored by Toyota USA. As always, all opinions are my own.

    Summer is ending, and I’m lowkey sad! Although, due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to do all of the things we usually enjoy doing, we’ve still made the best out of this summer as I shared here. We’ve been keeping close to home though and craving some more adventure, so when Toyota reached out to offer us the freedom to get out in the 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum, we quickly jumped at the opportunity to enjoy some family fun. We tossed a few ideas around before settling on a three-point bucket list. We decided to do something old, new, and blue in and nearby NYC. I’m so glad we got out because we had an incredibly fun weekend!

    If you’re looking for ideas here are three family things to do in NYC and nearby before summer ends.

    Family Things to do in NYC and nearby before summer ends

    Visit Robert Moses Beach in Long Island

    I did a lot of research before this beach trip because I wanted to ensure that we could safely social distance at the beach and if it was open to non-residents of the area on weekends since that was the only time we could go. Robert Moses Beach is located in a state park, so there are no restrictions for non-residents.

    I read online that people were getting there as early as 7:00 to get parking and a good spot on the beach since the beach is only open at 50% capacity.

    We were able to find the beach easily using the navigation in the 2020 Toyota Highlander. It was 1 hour and 15 minutes ride from Queens, and I’m happy we had three rows, so the kids were able to ride comfortably. It was also really easy to unload the 2020 Toyota Highlander trunk with all of our beach necessities with the Handsfree Lift Gate activated by the kick of a foot.

    When we arrived at the beach, there were only a few other families at the there so we were able to get a good spot near the water and enjoy some quiet time. It started to get much busier around 1:00 pm so that’s when we decided to head out before it became difficult to social distance.

    The beach closed to additional people just around the time we were leaving. The cost of entry to the beach is $10 per car, which isn’t bad for the day. Masks are required, and although there wasn’t anyone enforcing it, I noticed most people wearing them when entering and leaving the beach.

    Sunflower Picking in Long Island at Waterdrinker Family Farm

    Next on our checklist was to do something new, and we’ve never been sunflower picking. We headed out to Long Island again to the Waterdrinker Family Farm that was friend recommended for some fun. This farm was perfect for sunflower picking because they had many other activities for the kids like a playground, farm animals, rides, and a tracker. The kids loved it there, and it was totally worth the 90-minute drive and thanks to the second row sunshades in the Toyota Highlander, my toddler was able to nap during the drive there.

    Entry to the farm was $30 for our family, I’m not sure if they accept cards or contactless payments as we stopped to get cash on the way, but you can call ahead and ask before going as the farm as it isn’t close to any banks, etc.

    (Re) Discover Prospect Park

    When my husband and I just got married we lived close to Prospect Park and we would walk to the park almost every evening to tell each other about our days. My husband knows the park really well because he grew up in the area. Since moving away we rarely go back and have taken the kids only a few times. So for something old, we decided to take them on a memory walk through the park. Showing them where their dad grew up as well as some of our favorite spots in the park.

    Prospect Park really doesn’t get the props it deserves as one of the most beautiful parks in the five boroughs. There are lots of playgrounds and open spaces for kids to play and have fun plus you can find lots good food in the area.

    I hope you found some inspiration for family things to do in NYC and nearby before summer ends! Be safe and have fun friends!

  • Motherhood, Sponsored, Toddler

    How I’m Encouraging My Toddler’s Imaginative Play with her Madame Alexander Baby Doll

    How I’m Encouraging My Toddler’s Imaginative Play with her Madame Alexander Baby Doll

    My toddler is at a fascinating stage in her development; she’s starting to do more role-playing and imaginative play. A few weeks ago, she got her very first doll, a Madame Alexander Baby Doll Amazon exclusive doll, who she affectionately named Bebe and takes everywhere. It’s so fascinating to watch her pretend to be Bebe’s caregiver. I know at two years old, she learns through play, so here are a few ways I encourage my toddler’s imaginative play with her Madame Alexander Baby Doll.My toddler is at a fascinating stage in her development; she’s starting to do more role-playing and imaginative play. A few weeks ago, she got her very first doll, a Madame Alexander Baby Doll Amazon exclusive doll, who she affectionately named Bebe and takes everywhere. It’s so fascinating to watch her pretend to be Bebe’s caregiver. I know at two years old, she learns through play, so here are a few ways I encourage my toddler’s imaginative play with her Madame Alexander Baby Doll.

    Pretend Play with my toddler.

    After months of extra screen time as the big kids switched to remote learning, screen-free hours felt necessary for my sanity. I don’t have a schedule for them, I just let them know it’s time to take off devices when it feels like they’ve had enough. Without devices, the kids have no option but to explore imaginative play, whether it’s through the use of toys and games or just their creativity. Sometimes they play together and other times they naturally go off to do their own thing. My toddler is often playing at the kitchen set with Bebe or blowing bubbles for Bebe during quiet time. 

    Fostering curiosity.

    Fostering curiosity is essential for toddlers to learn through play. I enjoy asking my toddler questions about Bebe to encourage her curiosity about her toy. “Does Bebe cry? Is Bebe tired? Is Bebe hungry?”I believe her Madame Alexander Baby Doll realistic newborn features, soft skin, and expression inspire her to nurture Bebe. Plus, this is a great way to help her with her conversational and critical thinking skills.

    Modeling healthy relationships.

    My toddler treats her Madame Alexander Baby Doll, Bebe, exactly how we treat her, I use playtime with Bebe as bonding time for us. Showing her love, kindness, and compassion, knowing she will mimic that behavior not just with Bebe but with her friends as she grows older. This is my chance to model healthy relationships and behaviors for her, so although it’s play, I’m always thoughtful.

    I hope this post is helpful to you, if you’re thinking about getting your toddler their first baby doll, I would recommend the Madame Alexander Baby Doll, it’s a great quality doll I know my daughter will grow with and have for years to come. 

    How do you encourage your toddler’s imaginative play?