It’s everywhere; BACK TO SCHOOL everything. And while kiddos everywhere are itching to get back (or moms, but who’s keeping track anyway?), the new school year brings new routines. No more rushing or feeling at a loss for what to pack. Conquer packing lunches with these super simple & eco-friendly suggestions!

Most kids are picky eaters to begin with, so by portioning out their favorites, you can ensure they’re getting a good balance. Check out these bento lunch boxes, which make portion control a breeze! I usually stick silicone muffin liners in the 3 compartments. That way, my guy can set it all out without having to eat straight from the bento! Want to seem like mom of the year ? Change up the colors of the liners for holidays to make it fun for the kids!  Red and green for Christmas, orange and yellow around Halloween, red & pink in February, etc. You get the picture!

​Place 2 of the exact same sandwiches in front of a toddler, only cut one into a fun shape. Guess which one will obviously taste better.  These cookie cutters are great for jazzing up any boring sammy! It’s a fun way to spice up their lunches, especially if they get to decide what shape to use for their sandwich. Heart shapes are adorable for the little ladies, stars for the little men. The smaller cutters are fun for watermelon ( & obviously cookies too)!  

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Raise your hand if you live to be a toddlers snack lady? *Raises hand* In an effort to reduce waste, especially plastic, we phased out all plastic snack bags for these adorable snack packs. I had each of the boys pick their own pattern, too, so I could fill with their individual favorites. They come in a 3 pack and are machine washable.

And let’s not forget about hydration. Reusable water bottles, to me, are the very best option (& greener for Mother Earth!) I can honestly say we have tried almost every style out there and by far have found hydroflask water bottles work best for us. There is even a size for everyone! The little silicone boot keeps the condensation at bay, which is a plus for those little hands. I strive to make my hydration goals each day (hello supple skin!) and feel like I always drink more water when I have a straw. This one is perfect giving the little ones access for a quick sip!

I hope you found this short list of our lunch necessities helpful! What are some of your school lunch must haves?!

We have all been there. The start of the baby registry. Ugh. It's exciting and emotional because this is the start of planning the best life for your little one to be. You have all the feels then it hits you, this is real life. It's overwhelming & suddenly it's terrifying. Fortunately, many registry providers give you a suggested or "must have" list for baby. *eye roll* Because more than half of it is bogus. Fear not, I am not here to misguide you.

​With that said, here are the honest to goodness no frills must have for baby!

1. A Cool Mist Humidifier

Without a doubt, next to diapers and wipes, I use the cool mist humidifier the most of any gift I received at my shower years ago. It is one of those not so glamorous gifts but is seriously a life saver the moment a cold or even just a runny nose hits. Do yourself (or a friend/sister/etc) a solid and ensure they receive a cool mist humidifier for baby. 

​2. A carrier/wrap of some sort.

The concept of baby wearing was one I was very keen on. I may be a tad on the extreme side but I didn't want to let my new babe out of my sight or even my arms at times. The novelty of the wrap wore off as my son got bigger and more interested in his environment so I tucked it away BUT the second time around, the wrap was a game changer. I was fortunate to have two babies fairly close in age. They both needed so much of me simultaneously and it was difficult at times to give myself to meet both of their needs at the same time. The wrap was great because no matter how much I stretched or wrapped it, the shape remained unchanged and had the same give and stretch time and time again. I love my Boba wrap. My Ergo is great for more adventurous outings but also came in great demand when I would wrap my newborn and wear my toddler if he was feeling like he needed extra mommy time. Trust me, I looked like #momgoals when I was double wearing! Do yourself a favor and invest in a decent carrier/wrap. Your arms and back will thank you for it.

3. Diapers.

I think it goes without saying babies need diapers. Again, not a super glamorous gift but one that is so practical any mom will thank you for. Diapers cost SO much money for how short a period they wear them. You will be snapping the onesie closed when BOOM you hear another explosion. I won't belabor the importance of diapers to a newborn. Just have common sense and help a momma out. Should you receive too many of one size, they can easily be exchanged for the next size up.

4. Baby Swing and/or Rocker

​For the sake of space, I initially opted to forego a swing. My pre-baby self didn't want my cute decorated house to seem overtaken by baby lambs. HAH - little did my pre-baby self know, a sleeping baby is worth more than the obscure puppy dog themed monstrosity in the corner. I swore I didn't need a swing, then one day my son slept 2.5 hours at a friends in her swing. You bet I stopped on the way home and had that end table moved and swing set up all before dinner. 

5. Baby Backseat Car Mirror

This one is a close second to the most boring baby gift on this list (& there is some pretty stiff competition here) but in terms of practicality it's at the top. Once you decide you have yourself together enough to get yourself and your dashing new babe out the door, you will find yourself checking on him (or her) constantly in the car. This is an item that will outlast the initial newborn/infant stages too. You will get some serious bang for your buck with how often you refer to your backseat car mirror with you little one in tow. 

Now that you have a solid understanding of the most boring yet insanely practical baby products, go out and spoil yourself, your new baby, or an expecting loved one. The perk is that the majority of the boring stuff isn't too pricey so you can still splurge on the cutesy baby stuff we all go GAWWW over. 

*Disclaimer, I am by no means a baby whisperer nor am I a pro on selecting baby items. BUT I am someone who likes to research and understand a product before I decide if it is truly for me. I have found through my motherhood journey thus far, these 5 items have truly saved the day more times than I can count. 

What other practical baby items have you found are MUST HAVES?

you ask who / what is the basic suburban? Well, the answer is simple :: it's ME.
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Without being over the top, it's an account of who I am... what I create ... & sometimes what I am even thinking. .


Thank you for supporting my creative endeavors &taking an interest in what I am learning through out my mom-adventures. Every day brings new challenges BUT it also brings new opportunities to love fiercely, smile BIG, & laugh as loud as possible.


Welcome to my [ basic . suburban ] life.✌🏼❣️☺️

​My passion for order has always been a driving force in my creativity : sounds almost like an oxymoron, but one day I put the force into learning the basic art of calligraphy. I began with smaller home projects and quickly developed a knack for the art of calligrapahy & with some encouragement from friends FancyPrintsAC was born! 

As life progressed, I became a mom... twice!. I, once again, took to my creative side and became a self-taught sewer! I began creating trendy and fun accessories for both myself & my newbies & my second shop, Newbie Style Love, became a quick success!

The past 2 years I have been managing both shops, and loving every minute. I felt each shop had a unique identity that was apparent to my customers. As time went by and both shops grew into what they are today, I noticed I would have some projects that bled into one another. For example, creating calligraphy signage for a nursery, or sewing bow ties for the cutest little ring bearers. I thought to myself, why not just merge the two shops together?

One of the cardinal rules to owning a small business is to keep the shops voice heard & the shops identity obvious. Some may think meshing a calligraphy & baby boutique together couldn't have much commonality, but in doing so, I feel like I have finally created something completely honest and self-defined. Since the merge the day to day has kept me more sane, and productive. ( Seriously though, my bathrooms have never been so clean.....) Let us put our hands together for..... :: The Basic Suburban! ::