General

We love The Valley. The perpetual sunshine, the friendly people, the access to outdoor activities…   That said, as the years go on, I find that my tolerance for heat is decreasing and the summers are starting to drag. I...

   We at SMB are excited about a new little feature we’ve added to the blog!  In addition to our regular lineup of awesome Scottsdale Mom contributors, we're including a monthly post by a LOCAL expert! We're covering topics from discipline to reading readiness...

For most young couples, bringing a pet into your relationship is that next step of showing commitment and well...buying some time until those kiddos arrive. Our two English Bulldogs, Daisy & Wallace, were the absolute loves of our lives! They smell,...

It's Christmas in July? Yes, you got that right! It's Back to School shopping time. This month... July. But, summer vacation just began! I know, right? If you look around at the stores these days, the retailers are clearing out the summer patio section,...

It is well-known that motherhood brings many changes to a woman's body, but no one warns us about this one. I used to have normal-sized tear ducts; They were secure and more easily managed.  Then motherhood came and they got rearranged. I choose "Expanded" over...

Sponsored post provided by Lattice & Ivy. A Lattice & Ivy product was provided to the contributor, but all opinions expressed are her own.  Are you looking for the perfect hostess gift or a way to treat yourself or a...

For our family, the weekend usually brings an array of BBQs, play dates, and errands.  All of which involve CAR RIDES!   Less than a year ago, these outings meant having my diaper bag stuffed to the max.   Now my...

A  few weeks ago, completely out of nowhere, my 3 year old son burst into tears. It was that part-tantrum/ part-sadness kind of meltdown that are the calling cards of young preschoolers.  “What’s the matter?” I asked, “Why are you...

It seems like on the internet, you can find a list of almost anything... What not to ask a parent of a special needs child. What not to ask a parent of a teen struggling with addiction. What not to say to...

 We at SMB are excited to announce a new little feature we’re adding to the blog!  In addition to our regular lineup of awesome Scottsdale Mom Contributors, we will be adding a monthly post by a LOCAL expert! We’ll...

I'm sending a major thanks to the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa, who provided me and my family a two night stay, meals at their Grille at ShadowRock, a spa treatment and a Pink Jeep Tour - all for...

Here in the Valley of the Sun, weddings between June and September are practically obsolete.  Bottom line, it's just too darn hot. Even if the wedding is taking place indoors, just getting from the parking lot to the venue could...

Next month, homes and business all over the country will be covered in red, white, & blue decor to celebrate July 4th. But  we as moms shouldn't forget that June can be a great month to celebrate America as well!  I...

For this month's "Contributor Corner" question, we're bringing in the husbands and asking them... Honey, What do you really want for Father's Day? "The perfect Father's Day gift for me would be getting to spend a lazy Sunday at home...

Ah, summer...  Here in Arizona, it's the magical time of year when we who so shamelessly boasted about our wintertime awesomeness Zip-A-Lip and hunker down with 1 hand in the freezer and the other on the ceiling fan remote...

Maya Angelou, an inspirational poet, writer, activist, and speaker, died last month but has left many words of wisdom in her wake.  Here are my five favorite Maya Angelou quotes, as they apply to the lives of moms. For a...

  It's HERE! The kids are out of school! What in the world are we going to do to keep our kids entertained all summer long? Am I the only one wondering where this year went? I wanted to clean out...

Local mom, Jenny Castle, shares her newest obsession. Jenny is the mother of three beautiful children and keeps herself busy with PTSA, catching up with friends in the carpool line, and driving her children to endless after-school activities. Thank...

Never trust a mommy with clean SUV or minivan. It means one of 2 things. Either she doesn’t let her kids eat in the car OR she vacuums her car daily. Both are scary propositions. Your mommy friends usually are...

I am so, so, so tired. Hi guys, it's Kirsten, Managing Editor here at SMB--- and I. Am. Tired. I know I'm not the only one. I've had too many conversations with moms just like me-- bags under their eyes,  Starbucks...

I think ruts are somewhat normal... in most aspects of life. As a stylist, Pinterest is quite possibility the best item in my tool box! We use it to gather inspiration, post our own original pins and as an...

I Love Vacation Bible School! As a former “camper”, a regular volunteer, and a mom of kiddos who always attend, I just have a soft spot in my heart for VBS! I have great memories of attending VBS at Scottsdale Bible...

Summer is Coming! May is the month that starts the summer fun around here! Just before Memorial Day most of the schools close their doors for summer! Yippee! As we approach the end of another school year we (yes, you and I) need to...

I haven't been a mom very long.  Less than 18 months. When I joined the ranks as an At Home Mom, I aspired to maintain our home as a place of order and peace.  i.e.,  To keep it clean.  Then the baby...

February of 2013, we met a very special little redhead that we are now in the process of adopting. In October of 2012, my husband Brian and I decided to grow our family by adoption. We contacted an agency and...

I probably jinxed myself by writing my last post on the Valley's Pediatric Emergency Rooms. Within two weeks of publishing the article - and a week before she was set to be a flower girl in my brother's wedding...

Back In college, I loved writing  letters. As I got older, penmanship and letter writing became too time consuming and cumbersome. Instead, I succumbed to picking up a Hallmark Card for holidays and birthdays. With the evolution of technology,...

Every time I visit my parents in Newport Beach, I swing by Greenleaf Chopshop for one of my all time favorite salads. Since I don't always have the luxury of being in Southern California, I decided to make my...

For most kids across the Valley, the school year is ending soon- leaving many parents wonding what summer camps will work best for their children. There are adventure, sports, art, and educational camps all over the city and it is easy...

I know I'm not the only mom out there that needs to take a deep breath when I walk into a waiting room with my little ones.   I'm always thankful when the waiting room has a great play area...