Drafts & Crafts

lifestyle blog

Travel series 1: Jekyll Island Club Resort Getaway

Travel

July 20, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

We recently had the pleasure of exploring Jekyll Island and spending two nights at the Jekyll Island Club Resort. It was truly the perfect getaway to hit our reset button so I am sharing all of the details on the blog today.

It has been on my heart to start a travel series for quite some time. As a North Florida blogger, I often get inquries about the best places to travel for the weekend. Jacksonville is centrally located to enjoy several great weekend trips that are ideal for families. The first spot I am highlighting is only ONE hour and TWENTY minutes away from Jacksonville, Jekyll Island! Let’s just say, I am kicking myself for not visiting Jekyll sooner!! Jason, the kids, and I enjoyed a trip to the beautiful Jekyll Island Club Resort. Our trip was the perfect blend of relaxation and exploring. So here are the details that you will want to know about the historic club of America-

Hotel highlights:

The Jekyll Island Club Resort is an historic hotel of America, with over 130 years of history. It feels as if you stepped back in time to old Georgia roots. The resort is lined with old photos of the club that my husband and I loved to study. It was originally a hunting club for the elite and was named the most exclusive club in the late 1800s. Over the early 1900s, Jekyll Island was a destination spot for wealthy families, like Crane, Morgan, and Vanderbilt. Many movies were filmed on site, most notably, the Legend of Bagger Vance, starring Will Smith. The history of the hotel does not disappoint!

Jason and I agreed that the best part about the Jekyll Club is that you do not have to leave to find anything. Once we parked our car, we did not have to get it until it was time to head home. There is also a free shuttle that will take you around the island and to the Jekyll Club’s new beachside resort that is oceanfront. There are several different buildings of the hotel where you can stay, which were originally built by several wealthy tycoons. We stayed in the Anex building where we enjoyed a lovely room with a large balcony with a beautiful view! My family and I walked around the entire property and loved exploreing the grounds. The entire place is kept immaculate and rich in architecture! I am happy there were little signs that gave the history of each building.

Most enjoyed family activities:

Riding bicycles around the resort and island was our favorite activity while visiting Jekyll! The club has the cutest bike rental shop right on site (you can see in the above photos). They have bikes that are suitable for all ages, baby seats, and child trailers. You can see some photos and videos on our bike ride on my Instagram saved under the “northeast travel” highlight, @thecoldcraftsman.

Secondly, relaxing was high on our wish list so the pool was another spot that was perfect for our family. We ordered lunch, smoothies, and cocktails along the poolside.. what more does a girl need? The pool and the pool house menu was what the doctor ordered!

Last, we walked over to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on our last day before heading home (again, located right next to the hotel so you can walk)!! The Sea Turtle Center was really neat experience that we all enjoyed just as much as our two year old son. The center is a hospital where injured or sickly turtles can get treatment and will be kept until they are strong enough to be released. It was eye opening to think about all of the polluting that hurts our oceans and turtles.

Where to eat:

There are four places that you can eat without having to leave the club grounds! This is SO convenient, especially with little kids! We ate at three of the four places on site. We kept it pretty simple since we had our young kids with us. We grabbed a quick (and reasonably priced) breakfast and lunch at The Pantry. The Pantry is an adorable cafe in the center of the club with breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, wine, and beer. We enjoyed pizza and burgers by the pool from the poolhouse- so yummy! And we had a nice seafood dinner overlooking the water at The Wharf. Next time, we definitely plan to eat in the upscale dining room, as we heard excellent things about the menu.

Pro tips:

  1. Bring multiple bathing suits if you plan to check out the pool and beach so that you have plenty of time to let your wet suit dry.
  2. Order a s’mores kit at the pool house and roast marshmallows at the fire pit while you watch the sunset.
  3. Walk around the entire club and see all of the movie flyers and shows that have been filmed at the Jekyll Club.
  4. Find the ice cream and candy shoppe and treat yourself to a Georgia made ice cream cone.
  5. Ride bikes to Driftwood Beach to check out the beautiful beaches filled with Driftwood trees. A unique beach destination to see for yourself!

Needless to say, we had the best time! If you are a Jax local and are looking for a family friendly, relaxing, and exclusive destination- The Jekyll Island Club Resort is your place! It is a no brainer at an hour and twenty mins away from Jax. We are so grateful for the opportunity to visit the Jekyll Club as a family! We liked it so much that we plan to go back with my family in the spring. I would also like to go back with some friends and their kids and just kick back for a fun and relaxing weekend! Be sure to check out the club’s page on Instagram, @Jekyll_Club, to see more photos of the gorgeous resort.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Spring Cleaning with Bon Ami

Kitchen

April 14, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

We have neglected our house the past few months since our second baby was born, but I am excited for spring cleaning with Bon Ami. 

This post is sponsored by Bon Ami, all opinions are my own.

It is that time of the year again, spring cleaning! After having our second baby this winter, our home is definitely in need of some deep cleaning. If you have been following along with my posts, you may remember at the end of last year I made the switch to using essential oils, nontoxic cleaning products, and nontoxic makeup for myself and home. After having children, I started to question whether the products that I was using aligned with a healthy lifestyle. I want my family to be the best version of us and I believe that can start with making better product choices for our home.

This spring we are introducing another new product to our home, Bon Ami. Bon Ami is a U.S.A made, nontoxic, powder cleanser that has been around since 1886!! It is great for cleaning countertops, sinks, toilets, microwaves, tile, grout, outdoor furniture, and caked on pots and pans. Bon Ami is a biodegradable formula that polishes and removes grime from a surface without scratching it. I have been known to scratch a few surfaces so I am glad that this product is more responsible than me! haha! Bon Ami works great at cleaning that yucky grime, so I shared some before and after photos to show you!
Before cleaning our kitchen sink with Bon Ami:
Sprinkle a small amount of Bom Ami to make a paste and wipe off with a damp sponge or cloth:
After rubbing and rinses off Bon Ami:
Before and After we puffed a ring out of our marble countertops:
My favorite way to use Bon Ami is cleaning our stainless steel sink and marble countertops. Our daughter is just beginning to sit up, which means I will be giving her baths in the sink all summer long! Winnie is pretty happy about a clean sink and that there are no harsh chemicals in Bon Ami. The cleanser is free of bleach and perfume so it doesn’t leave a harsh odor. It is nice to feel confident that I can use this cleanser around my children. Tell me, what are your spring cleaning goals this year?
Keep in touch,
Dani

Swaddling 101

Mommy & Misc

March 23, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

More and more research is being done on swaddling so I wanted to create a quick blog post about what I think is important to know and why we loved the Ollie Swaddle for our newborn.

**donated product from The Ollie World

I wanted to cover a brief post on swaddling because I had a ton of questions about it as a new mom. It is becoming a somewhat controversial topic as more and more research is being done on swaddling. This is some information I have learned from when I was in the hospital with Winnie and from doing my own research online. So what is swaddling? It is wrapping your newborn in a somewhat tight blanket or swaddle to mimic the tight feeling of a mother’s womb. Since baby’s are so comfy and snug in their mama’s belly, people swaddle so their baby is cozy and may sleep longer stretches without flapping around and waking themselves up.

Swaddling can be safe and effective for newborn babies, but there are important factors to keep in mind. Research shows it is safest for babies to sleep on their backs. Only swaddle a baby who can not move and is sleeping on their back. Once a baby can roll over, it is no longer safe for their arms to be held down. Make sure the swaddle is loose enough around the legs that the baby has plenty of room to move their legs and hips. You do not want the babies legs to be “tied” down or held straight all night because it can damage their hip growth. You can see in the above pictures that Winnie still has plenty of room in her Ollie swaddle to froggy her legs out.

It is safest to get a “swaddle suit” (like The Ollie Swaddle), rather than just a blanket. Hospitals in the US no longer swaddle babies in blankets, they use a velcro swaddle vest. This is why we love The Ollie Swaddle that Winnie is wearing in the above photos. A velcro swaddle is safest since there are no loose ends that the baby could get stuck on or suffocate on if it becomes loose in the night. The Ollie Swaddle is breathable and made from a patented sweat wicking material. The swaddle is designed to wick any moisture away from the skin to keep baby warm and dry. At 2 months of age, we began to keep Winnie’s arms out of the swaddle so she can move more. I personally like to keep her swaddled because I know she is warmer all night without using loose blankets in the crib. We will eventually transition her into a sleep sack of some type. If you have any questions, never hestitate to call your pediatrician to ask about safe sleeping practices. If you have any questions about The Ollie Swaddle, check out their awesome website that has helpful information from doctors and doulas! I would love to hear about your swaddling journey so please comment if you would like to share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

 

Labor & Delivery Visitor Etiquette

Mommy & Misc

February 25, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

With recently having a baby and several friends due around the same time, I felt inspired to share what I would like to call some Labor & Delivery Visitor Etiquette. 

This post came to me in an organic way, thankfully, I did not have any bad experiences with hospital visitors. I thought I would share what I think is appropriate when visiting a new mama or family for the first time after they have a baby incase anyone is unsure or needs some friendly tips. If you are around my age, then you know plenty of couples in their 20’s and 30’s who are having kids! And even if you are not around my age, everyone knows someone who is having a baby- a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, so this is pretty relevant stuff if you ask me! Let me start by saying, anyone who is visiting someone in the hospital should be a family member or relativity close friend. Visiting a new mother is a personal experience, I mean within the last 24-48 hours she gave birth to her tiny human! IT IS A BIG DEAL! To keep in short and concise, here are some pointers.

Do’s

  • check with the mother first to make sure it is OK that you visit
  • ask if they would prefer a certain time
  • bring something- my main suggestion is FOOD. ask what their favorite place is or get something yummy!
  • wash your hands right when you get in the room
  • don’t over do your visit
  • ask if you can get them anything on the way. I forgot chap stick one time and just wanted some Burt’s Bees!
  • if you visit the home, ask if you can do anything. Remember, just folding some laundry can be a HUGE help
  • be mindful of the mother breastfeeding (espeically if you and your husband go to visit, it may be something that a women is not comfortable learning or doing in front of others)
  • pick something up for the new mom or make her lactation cookies. Most people bring something for the baby, but I think its extra special to bring a little something for the mama. After all, she did just push a baby out or have her abdomen sliced open!

Dont’s

  • don’t visit with young children (mainly wild toddlers, some hospitals have a no children, except siblings policy)
  • don’t hog the new baby and hold he/she for too long
  • don’t offer advice or tell the parents they should be doing something a different way
  • don’t go if you have been any type of sick in the past 7 days. newborns immune system can not handle anything!

If you are out of town

  • send something, I recommend food over flowers. (I LOVE flowers, but when you get a few in the hospital it is just a pain to carry them all out)
  • text message a friend or family member to congratulate them and let them know that you are thinking of them, that way they can respond at their earliest convenience.

These suggestions may seem like common sense, but it is nice to just be mindful when visiting anyone in the hospital or at their home. I have heard some crazy stories from friends who’s mother in laws just come in and start giving their opinion and let’s be honest, no one wants to hear that! I would love to hear if you have any ideas!

Keep in touch,
Dani

NIP DIP- homemade nipple cream for nursing mamas

Craft Box, Mommy & Misc

February 7, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

I finally made my own recipe for nipple cream and now I am kicking myself for not making this sooner! Nursing mamas, you gotta try this simple recipe.

I know I can’t be the only nursing mother who was tired of paying $15 for a tiny tube of organic nipple balm! I spent TONS of money on nipple cream when I was exclusively pumping for Tanner so this time around I was determined to save money. Let’s be honest, throughout the journey of feeding or pumping, our nipples need some TLC. This cream takes about 10 minutes to make and cost around $30, I call it Dani’s Nip Dip- hahaha! It should make enough to last about 24 months, so share some with your friends! I am going to link the products that I bought and researched off amazon. These products are all natural/unrefined and should be safe if baby does get some while beginning to latch. Lastly, I do want to mention that this is a homemade recipe so use at your own discretion. Winnie and I have been using it for about a week and love it!

Makes 12 ounces-  filled 3, 4 ounce mason jars

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Place all of the ingredients in small pot on the stove.
  2. Simmer on low to medium heat. Took about 10 mins on low/medium heat to melt each ingredient.
  3. Stir until your mixture is clear and there are no clumps.
  4. Pour your mixture into jars. Be careful because it will be hot. Wait until the mixture is cooled and no longer clear before placing the lid on.

Hope this recipe soothes you! I would love to hear if you have any tricks of your own or what cream is your go-to?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Lounging with DockATot

Mommy & Misc

January 30, 2018 with Drafts & Crafts

The DockATot was high on my wish list for our second baby. I am sharing my personal review of the DockATot today and why we love it!

 

PROS

  • beautifully designed- has handles for transport, firm cushions for baby
  • high-quality material- material is tight on the cushions and zip together in two pieces
  • excellent if you choose to co sleep even though that is not what is recommended these days
  • portable and easy to move around the home for baby to lounge in
  • the sides make the baby feel cuddled and keep the baby secure from rolling

CONS

  • expensive baby item
  • pillow is bulky to store when not in use
  • not designed to put in crib
  • my white covers show stains easy (you can opt for a pattern instead to solve this)

 

We did not have the coveted baby lounger when Tanner was a baby. After hearing awesome things about it, I was thrilled that we were given the opportunity to try the DockATot Deluxe and the DockATot Grand. To start, I’ll talk about the Deluxe (0 to 8 months). I was happy to receive the DockATot Deluxe, intended for up to 22 pounds, before the arrival of our baby girl. I had plans to use this lounger all of the time, especially in the newborn phase! Winnie is now 7 weeks old and we use the DockATot Deluxe for her ALL throughout the day! She takes supervised naps in it, she lays on out couch in it, we lays in it while I entertain our toddler, and she rests in there while I shower so Tanner can not get to her. It is convenient to be able to move it around our home, so I know exactly where Winnie is. I can keep a close eye on her since we have a 20 month old. Even though Tanner has been the sweetest big brother, he is still very young so I do not want him messing with her by accident. Even with the steep price tag, I would highly recommend the DockATot Deluxe for a new baby. We intend to use our Deluxe until Winnie grows out of it.

As for the DockATot Grande (9 months-36 months), it is more of a luxury item than a necessity for Tanner. I think one reason is because he did not have a DockATot Deluxe when he was a baby so he is not interested in napping it in. He loves to curl up and watch TV in his DockATot Grand and also play in it! He loves to climb in it with his toys and we pretend it is a boat! Again, both sizes are sturdy, portable, and beautifully made. A HUGE thank you to DockATot for sponsoring this post!

Keep in touch,
Dani