How to Decrease Screen Time with a Reading Nook

The month of January flew by and one of the things we've been committed to as a family now more than ever is reading more books. With the recent data about kids and screen time plus as someone who works in a world of screens, it's important for me to have time that we all pull away from our devices. 

My kids have a strict screen time rule: we are screen free on school nights. Their schools have some screen time, which is fine, but otherwise from TVs to tablets, the children don't use them during the week. It's been a struggle at times and my 7 year old being older is good at reinforcing it with her 3 year old brother, but this holiday when we took down our Christmas tree and were left with a gaping space I decided it would be perfect for a cozy reading nook as an alternative to screen time.

My Top Five Tech Car Features for Parents

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Cars.com. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sadly, this was not my high school car

During my recent visit to the New England Auto Show I was reminded of my very first car: a used Ford Festiva. I named her Frieda and although she was tiny, she was mine. 

Now as mom, there are certain things I've found are so important in selecting a vehicle having now driven two crossovers with two children. My recent car is a 2016 Mazda CX-9 and having driven a 2009 model prior to this, it really has improved its features. My current CX-9 is my first new car, and I was stunned at how far technology has come since my Festiva.

Quiana in Action

Shirt via Myrtle & Flossie

"What exactly do you do?"

It's a question I often get asked directly and sometimes it's implied so I thought it would be helpful to share the projects I'm currently working on especially if there are followers whose work might align with what I'm doing and which might lead to future partnerships. 

Here we go...

2018 New England Auto Show with Honda Clarity

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with A Girls Guide to Cars and Honda Boston; all opinions expressed are my own.

I remember the exact moment that I was introduced to the Internet. I was in 8th grade working on a writing assignment in the computer lab with a classmate when I looked over on her screen and saw something I had never seen before. I asked her what it was and she replied, "This is the Internet!" My mind was blown as she gave me a quick run through. Apparently, a few in my class were given trials before it rolled out to the rest of us. Once we got to use the Internet and I logged into Netscape, I knew right where to go: searching for cars. 

Vlog: Our Crowd-Sourced Trader Joe's Haul!

Unlike when we lived in Portsmouth, NH, we're now about a 23 minute ride from our nearest Trader Joe's - before it was only 6 minutes! Since moving back to Boston this was only my second trip there so I decided to crowdsource my trip: about 30 minutes before I was set to arrive, I reached out to my Facebook friends to crowdsource their favorite items. 

Here's the results shared on Facebook Live (with a bit of help from Grayson!):

10 Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2018

Rather than making resolutions, I enjoy putting together this annual list and also looking back to review the previous year. 

But first, OPRAH...

Christmas in Charleston

Today is Winter Storm Grayson here in Boston, and it is intense (and yes, Grayson cried when we told him he shares the same name as the storm). School is cancelled today and tomorrow for both kids so I thought it would be a good time to catch up on recapping our Christmas break.

Six Tips for Mompreneur Success Featuring Lindsay Joseph

***UPDATE January 19, 2018: This conference has been cancelled***

Today is extra special since I'm coming back with a second blog post! As I mentioned earlier, blogging has brought so many opportunities my way and over the years I've also been amazed at the incredible fellow mompreneurs it's introduced me to. 

I'm excited for you to meet Lindsay Joseph, founder of Greater NOW, and the upcoming launch of the Boston-based "A Whole Woman's Worth Conference: New Beginnings."

Quiana's TV One Debut: For My Man

Harlem Lovebirds has been a springboard for some amazing opportunities and if you've followed me for some time you've seen how I've garnered media placements for myself across TV, print, billboards and online. It's even been a topic I've spoken on at last year's Mom 2.0 Summit. 

Today I'm excited to share the outcome of a shoot I did about one year ago to film an episode of For My Man on TV One (I'm in the first segment providing commentary!)...

Happy 2018!

{This card was designed in partnership with Minted (not an affiliate link); photo by Third Eye Chic}

Check out our past New Year's cards here!