Kylee's Korner

I am a former model and current mother who loves the beauty and fashion industry and seeks the best products and value to keep myself current. I blog to share my thoughts, expertise and research with those who follow me. Those who read my blog gain insight into fashion, save money and avoid frustrations on the products they purchase.

  • Hi there! I am Kylee, a former model and current mother who loves the beauty and fashion industry and seeks the best products and value to keep myself current. I blog to share my thoughts, expertise and research with those who follow me. Those who read my blog gain insight into fashion, save money and avoid frustrations on the products they purchase. Learn more about me here!

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17 of the Top-Rated Halloween Costumes on Amazon

Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year, and if you ask my kids, it ranks just under Christmas. If you’re at a loss for ideas and you need that free 2-day shipping, check out these top-rated costumes on Amazon!

17 of the Top-Rated Costumes on Amazon

 

Top-rated Costumes for Babies

Baby lobster costume: How stinking adorable is this? Plus, it’s warm too! The reviews are great and this is one you could keep and reuse or share.

 

Lovable Lion: Oh my goodness, I can’t even! And it’s easy to zip on and off too!

Lil’ Peacock: Any babe could strut his or her stuff in this darling costume. Make sure to check the size chart before buying.

Baby Viking: I cannot stop smiling over this one! This costume would win contests for sure!

Other Notable Baby Costumes:

Baby Dragon – over 600 positive reviews

Max from Where The Wild Things Are

Little Pineapple – this one’s a best-seller!

Top-rated Kid Costumes

 

Wonder Woman: I love the total girl power going on with this costume! The price is great and ships free with your $25 order. Over 1,000 reviews give this a thumbs up.

Police Uniform: My son got this for his birthday and and has worn it for the past TWO Halloweens. It’s a total favorite in our house, especially when friends and cousins come over. And over 2,000 reviewers agree!

Frozen Inspired Costume: Princess fans will feel like the real deal in this top-rated costume that I’m sure will be loved well after Halloween.

Astronaut: Speaking of the real deal, this costume is legit. Now all you need is a rocket, because this kid is going places. (I love the reviews on this one…so many people included photos!)

Other Notable Kid Costumes:

NFL Football player: kids can choose their favorite team and it comes with a helmet, jersey, chin strap, and iron-on numbers. And the price is a steal!

Fairytale Witch: This one is cute rather than scary.

Top-rated Adult Costumes:

T-Rex: Be the terror of the territory with this awesome T-Rex suit. Plus it’s got practically 1,000 five-star reviews!

 

Inflatable unicorn and rider: This one might be a wild card, but it sure is funny. Plus, you’ll make about a million little girls happy this Halloween.

 

Full-body skeleton: Keep it simple this Halloween and still make a statement. You could even go for a Coco theme with some cool face paint!

 

PB&J:  Couples who like to stick together, literally, will love this classic combo.

 

Happy Halloween everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How To Get into a Better Back-to-School Routine

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of moms around the globe shouting praises that school is back in session. Not that we don’t adore those cuties and the whirlwinds they bring, we’re just ready for structure. And regaining structure after a free-for-all summer can be tough for everybody. So how do you transition from chaos to organized? Here are some helpful tips on how to get into a better back-to-school routine so that every minute counts.

How To Get into a Better Back-to-School Routine

1. Sit down and write out your recurring weekly schedule.

Piano lessons, gymnastics, soccer practice…sit down and write it all out to the very detail. Who needs to be where and when. You can even go so far as to color code everyone’s activities. I have a friend who keeps a white board calendar in her kitchen and every member of the family has a color. It’s the most effective calendar system I’ve ever seen—essentially a Google Calendar in your kitchen for every family member to see.

Once you the schedule of all recurring responsibilities, you can then see the spaces in your schedule you can pencil in extras like working out or meeting with friends.

2. Make exercise part of your routine.

The multitudinous benefits of exercise are tough to dispute. Simply put, make exercise a part of your routing and you will reap plenty of perks. Regular physical activity elevates your energy, boosts your mood, and helps you be more productive. I currently follow the that includes workouts for the gym and/or at home!

If you prefer following along to a video, Jillian Michaels gives a great total body workout, along with Beach Body’s T25. No matter when or how you do it, make time to exercise.

3. Try waking up one hour earlier.

There are two types of people in this world: morning people and…not morning people. If you are the latter, you might want to try switching sides. Morning people tend to be more productive and science can prove it. Research has linked early risers to getting better grades, doing better in college, and being more proactive.

If you’re doubtful, try waking up just one hour earlier than you normally do. During that one hour, get a jump start on your work, home responsibilities, or exercise. You’ll be amazed at how much more you are able to accomplish while the kids are still sleeping. And for school-age children, waking up regularly with sufficient time to do homework, prepare lunches, and get ready for school is important. Here’s a great little alarm clock to help kids rise and shine.

4. Consistent bedtime routine is crucial.

Similarly, an effective back-to-school routine includes consistency at bedtime. For our family, that means starting at 7:00pm and to bed by 8:00pm. The kids take a bath, get jammies on, brush teeth, and then settle down to a book. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that school-age children (ages 6-13) get 9-11 hours of sleep per night.

And a bedtime routine isn’t just helpful for kids, it’s great for adults too! Unwinding to a book, a relaxing bath, or a beauty regimen will help normalize the craziness of a typical day.

5. Keeping all your ducks in a row…

Once school hits, life gets hectic. Johnny has a spelling test every Tuesday and Janie’s science project is due Friday. There are school activities, after-school activities, and a million other sports, clubs, and obligations. Keeping all that straight can make a person downright insane.

Here are some cool, creative ways you can help keep all those ducks in a row:

Jumbo Dry Erase Wall

Family Organizer

Do It All Mom Planner

 

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Guest Post: 3 Reasons I’m Switching to Plant Based Cleaning Products

Hi Kylee’s Korner!

This is Teryn, Kylee’s sister! Today I am talking about why I made the switch to plant based cleaning!

*this post contains affiliated links.

1. Plant-based cleaners works just as well as chemical cleaners.

They not only clean well, but they also smell amazing and have non of the potentially harmful side affects that come with chemical cleaners. I’m absolutely obsessed with this all purpose cleaner from Caldrea. The Pear Blossom Agave scent is amazing and it cleans so well! I dilute it to mix in a bucket and mop my floors squeaky clean! You can also dilute it to refill your countertop spray! My floors and counters look shiny and smell so good!

Right now, Grove is letting Kylee’s Korner friends try 2 Full size Caldrea cleaners and 2 Grove products FOR FREE ! This deal is automatically added to your cart when you spend just $20 on your first purchase with Grove! PLUS, they let you try their VIP membership which not only gets you free shipping, but you also get free price matching. So lowest prices on amazing products plus tons of free stuff is a huge WIN to me! Score your free stuff here! 

2. My kids don’t need to consume chemicals.

How many times have you fed your kids off the counter? Pour some goldfish out, cut up some cheese or grapes and let them have at it. Who has time to grab a plate?! I either don’t have time or I’m too lazy.. but I digress. My kids are also the little queens (I have 3 girls) of dropping food on the ground and picking it up and eating it. I say, “go for it! it’s building your immune system!” but not when they’re also dropping those foods into chemicals and ingesting those. YUCK! I feel so much better about my surfaces being cleaned with natural cleaners over chemicals and know they’re not accidentally ingesting potentially harmful chemicals into their growing bodies.

3. Chemicals are not good for septic systems.

Do you live on a septic system? We do! We have carved out a little piece of heaven in the country and all of our plumbing drains into a septic system! There, everything is broken down in the most natural way and actually fertilizes our ground for the most lush garden! When we flush tons of bleach and other chemicals down our drains (cleaners, laundry soap, etc) we are interrupting and hurting that natural process. Plant based cleaners don’t do that! They break down naturally just like everything else!

I’ve tried quite a few plant-based cleaners and so when asked me to try , I was super excited! I’ve been cleaning my home with it for a few weeks now and have to say I’m absolutely loving it! My surfaces end up being squeaky clean, they seriously smell amazing, and just the tiniest bit goes such a long way!! I’m impressed and so I’m willing to come on here and share my personal opinions! I absolutely think it’s worth trying it for free!

We all need cleaning products, why not take advantage of the free VIP trial (that only ends up being $19.99 a YEAR if you end up sticking with it) and get the lowest prices with their price match guarantee, cleaners you love delivered to your door with free shipping, plus one of the largest selection of plant based products in one place?! There are no commitments, if you don’t like it, you can totally cancel! For me, I find value in it and am sticking with it! Score those FREE products HERE!

Remember, Grove offers a wide selection of natural household cleaning and personal care products. They have cleaners, hair and skin care, laundry products, baby products and more! They also offer a super flexible (and optional) monthly shipment schedule so that you never run out of these products you use every day!

Extra Bonus!

If you spend $39 or more on your first order, Grove will also gift you this enamel cleaning caddy. It’s one of their customer’s favorite items (over 300 reviews and 4.9 stars!). It’s also great for holding your new Caldrea products!

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3 Benefits of Whipping Your Pelvic Floor into Shape

Many of us put in serious time at the gym and home trying to get toned muscles and a tight tummy. While you may be rocking those squats or pushups, chances are you are neglecting one really important group of muscles: your pelvic floor muscles. You can’t see them, but without your pelvic floor to support your pelvis and internal organs, you’d be in a heap of trouble.

Here’s the deep dish on your pelvic floor and what you can do to make it stronger.

3 Benefits of Whipping Your Pelvic Floor into Shape

1. Iron bladder control

Your pelvic floor muscles are a group of internal muscles that stretch like a hammock from your pubic bone (anterior) to your tail bone (posterior). They help stabilize your spine, give you better core strength, and also perform a very important role: bladder control.

As uncomfortable as it might be to talk about, one in four women experience leakage, especially when they exercise. (Try giving birth and then running a mile.) Chances are your pelvic floor muscles could use a little strengthening. Whip those babies into shape for maximum bladder control.

2. Flatter belly, stronger core

You can do dozens of sit-ups and still have a weak core and here’s why: while ab exercises might give you definition in the external core muscles, few people remember to work their pelvic floor. That’s most likely because the pelvic floor is tough to target. Crunches and sit ups don’t hit the internal pelvic floor. If you want an overall stronger core, work pelvic floor exercises into your routine. Strong muscles on the inside support your core, making it easier to strengthen abdominal and back muscles on the outside.

3. Better quality of intimacy

Research suggests that increasing pelvic floor muscle strength can also improve sexual function for both men and women. Kegal muscle exercises improve blood circulation and improve internal muscles tone that can lead to a better quality of intimacy.

The Best Pelvic Floor Exercises

Work these great pelvic floor exercise into your core routine for overall core strength inside and out.

  • Kegal exercises
  • Wall pushups
  • Arm and leg lift on all fours
  • Standing balance on a Bosu ball
  • Single leg extensions
  • Leg lift while sitting on an exercise ball

A strong pelvic floor provides important health benefits so don’t neglect it!

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Oh, I love the smell of summer and FREE full-size products from my FAVORITE cleaning brand!

By now, summer is in full swing. I’ve fallen into a slow, easy routine since our calendar is a little emptier and we don’t have to rush out the door in the morning. 

But as much as I’m enjoying these slower days, I sometimes feel like my routine needs a little shake-up. 

It’s amazing how one small tweak, like changing up your usual household scents, can energize your entire day. 

Mix & Match Mrs. Meyer’s Scents with Grove Collaborative

Now is a great opportunity to try a different scent (or three!) because my friends at Grove Collaborative are giving away this FREE set with your first order of $20: 

  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s hand lotion
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap
  • Grove Collaborative cleaning caddy
  • Free shipping & 60 day VIP trial

I started using Mrs. Meyer’s products a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. They’re made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils, in scents inspired by a backyard garden. 

The three Mrs. Meyer’s products all come in lavender, honeysuckle, lemon verbena, geranium and basil. When you grab your free set from Grove, you can mix and match to create your own custom combination! 

Why stick to just one when there are so many fun ones to try?

I’ve tried them all, and I can confidently say that they all smell fantastic and clean beautifully. 

If you came to my house right now, you’d see that I have Mrs. Meyers soap and lotion next to every sink in my house. Right now, I have the basil scent in the kitchen, lemon verbena in the guest bath, and lavender in the mudroom. Whenever I use up a bottle, I switch to a new scent. It instantly changes the atmosphere of the room and makes it feel like a fresh space! Honeysuckle is up next and might be my current favorite!

I like to keep a few extra soaps and lotions on hand so I never run out. This gorgeous, multi-functional enamel caddy is perfect for corralling extra products until you’re ready to use them. (It’s also a stylish way to round up cleaning products, gardening tools, or the kids’ summer art supplies!)

Another way I make sure I never run out of my favorite products is by using Grove Collaborative. Grove delivers the best natural products right to my doorstep, on my schedule. They make creating a healthy, beautiful home effortless and affordable. I’ve also discovered some of my favorite cleaning products through Grove.

Here are some products I think you should try: 

  • Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface cleaner $3.89
  • Grove Collaborative cleaning gloves $6.95
  • Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges $3.95
  • Method antibac bathroom cleaner $2.99
  • Full Circle grunge buster grout and tile brush 6.99
  • Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap FREE
  • Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap FREE
  • Mrs. Meyer’s hand lotion FREE
  • Grove Collaborative cleaning caddy FREE

 

You’ll get all these products for $24.77 plus free shipping when you place your first order from Grove Collaborative! And when you sign up for Grove right now, you’ll also get a free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, you’ll save even more with free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales, and personal service. 

Here’s how to take advantage of the free offer:

  1. Sign up for Grove Collaborative . You will receive a FULL SIZE Mrs. Meyers Dish soap, hand soap and lotion (you choose the scent!) plus the cute cleaning caddy for free when you sign up! If you’re already a Grove customer, you can qualify for a FREE walnut scrubber brush with your next order by ordering through my link !
  2. To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive your first box within a few days.
  3. You made it! Click Finish & Pay and place your order.