Today’s the day, friends—it’s my birthday! Cue the confetti, the cake (gluten-free, so everyone can indulge including my other half), and the overly ambitious plans that will probably be derailed by a toddler meltdown. Ah, the sweet joys of motherhood! A birthday as a mom is a little different than it used to be. Gone are the days of sleeping in and leisurely brunches, no longer do I stay out past midnight celebrating the night before. Instead, I’m kicking off the morning with an encore performance of 'A Million Dreams' from The Greatest Showman, wiping yogurt off the walls, and prete ..read more

Some days, being a mom feels like pure magic. You watch your kids laugh, hold their tiny hands, and feel like the luckiest person in the world. But other days? Other days feel impossible. The days where the laundry is overflowing, the toddler is melting down over the wrong color spoon, and you haven’t had a real meal or moment to yourself in what feels like for-ev-er. Motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also exhausting, overwhelming, and downright hard sometimes. The Weight of It All No one truly prepares you for how much weight you are going to carry when you become a mother. We are the plan ..read more

Ah, 2025 — it’s here and whether you’ve been meticulously planning for it or simply Googling “What’s the future like?” between school pickups and sports drop offs, one thing’s for sure: this year is shaping up to be a pretty fabulous year. From techy gadgets that make life easier (or at least look cool) to self-care trends that could actually add a bit of fun into your routine, 2025 has a little something for every one. So grab yourself a glass of wine (or your kid’s leftover juice box), sit back, and let’s dive into the delightful rollercoaster ride that is going to be 2025 — because thi ..read more

I think all mamas can agree, that sweet spot in toddlerhood from the ages 2 to 3 is such a magical stage! It’s when kids are curious, adventurous, and full of energy. I love that eagerness to learn and the playfulness to let loose that toddlers all seem to have. As a parent, finding the right items to nurture their creativity, independence, and growing skills can make all the difference. Amazon is packed with great finds that are perfect for this stage, but here are the top products that every parent of a 3-year-old should know about. 1. Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks SetThese ..read more

Hello again, wonderful readers! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve officially taken the plunge and the blog has a new look! I've rebranded from LaurenPaints.com to Bright Ideas for Moms.com! This change reflects my journey in life and my desire to create a space that truly resonates with all of you. Why the Change? As many of you know, my blog started as a creative outlet to share my love of painting and DIY projects. While I still adore those things, my experiences as a mom have profoundly shaped my perspective. I wanted to expand the focus of the blog to encompass not just my arti ..read more

We've been getting crafty around here. There's just something about Halloween and this time of the year that leaves me feeling inspired! I can't be the only one who loves this time of the year and absolutely can't wait to embrace all things fall! Right? Are you also excited for spooky season? I know we certainly are stoked to celebrate and my oldest is legit counting down the minutes until it's time to go trick-or-treat! To help pass the time, her and I decided to get crafty this week and make a bunch of adorable new spook-tastic decor for our house! This little girly haunted house project i ..read more

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx, regardless all opinions listed below are completely my own. I feel like Hollyn just came into the world, then I blinked and my baby is now a big, strong three month old. It goes by so quick...  I'll be real, I'm already kind of missing that sweet newborn stage, but it's so exciting to see her blossoming and learning. She's really coming into herself! I'm cherishing every minute of each stage, knowing she's only little once and watching her recently roll over for the first time was legitimately so exciting. She surprises us daily with new skill ..read more

This post may be sponsored, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own. We all know life is better when we learn to adjust and grow, one way we are working on growth in this season of our life (other than growing our family) is learning how to live with less, specifically how to produce less waste. It actually is a simpler task than I originally thought and I love that we are doing our part to hopefully help the planet. While there's a handful of ways we're trying to cut back on waste, one of the best and most effective ways we've been able to produce less waste is cha ..read more

This post may be sponsored - regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own. Pediped has been around for a while, so you likely already know about this adorable shoe brand but did you know Pediped footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development? I had no clue, although I've always heard Pediped shoes are great for little feet - I found it so comforting to know I'm choosing shoes that help my baby once I learned this. Not only are Pediped shoes award-winning, they are perfect for every ou ..read more

 As you all know, our second baby is expected to arrive any day now. We are beyond excited to welcome her, but still prepping for her arrival. When I first found out she was coming, one of my first thoughts was that we needed to get FridaBaby products stocked up before she comes. From the "snotsucker" to the "snipperclipper" things are just easier when FridaBaby is involved. While I highly recommend all of the items FridaBaby makes, a good starting point for any mom (new and seasoned alike), is the Baby Basics kit. This kit comes with all the vital FridaBaby items and then you can o ..read more