Josie Ortega

Josie Ortega writes about parenthood, faith, and culture from her home in Alexandria, VA. Every single year, Josie resolves to improve her Spanglish, and she loves to play Elvis and Otis Redding for her three kids and call it homeschool.

Fashion

|Home & Style13 January 2021 (updated)

9 Tips for How to Host a Clothing Swap

Looking for an easy way to declutter your home and save money? Josie Ortega has nine tips on how to host a clothing swap.

Josie Ortega

Outdoor Activities

|Must Read,Winter07 January 2021 (updated)

Go Outside in Winter and Enjoy the Great Outdoors!

Bundle up, get some cozy clothes, and go outside in winter! Here are some great tips to enjoy the simple pleasures and benefits of outdoor living!

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Holidays,Movies29 December 2020 (updated)

New Year's Eve Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

For NYE Family Movie Night, Josie Ortega offers nine classic New Year's Eve movies that parents and kids of all ages might enjoy together.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Christmas,Editor's Pick,Holidays16 December 2020 (updated)

Christmas Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Josie Ortega shares the Christmas movies that are becoming beloved holiday traditions for everyone in the family: comedies, classics, and the unexpected!

Josie Ortega

Shopping

|Children & Parents,Holidays,Winter30 November 2020 (updated)

50+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids and Adults

Need some stocking stuffer ideas for your kids? Here are 50 great ideas for everyone on your list, from the practical to extravagant.

Josie Ortega

Relationships

|Home & Style21 November 2020 (updated)

Gift Exchange: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Looking for a fun and inexpensive way to share your favorite things with friends? Try these great ideas for a gift exchange!

Josie Ortega

Family Recipes

|Food & Recipes,Holidays,Thanksgiving17 November 2020 (updated)

Thanksgiving : History of the Original Multicultural Meal

Find out all about the multicultural Thanksgiving origins and how we can celebrate with food, faith, and freedoms today. Read on to learn more!

Josie Ortega

Family Recipes

|Food & Recipes,Holidays,Thanksgiving12 November 2020 (updated)

Cooking With Kids: Easy, Nostalgic Thanksgiving Stew

Thanksgiving Stew is a simple vegetable beef stew recipe that will bring communities together to celebrate a nostalgic holiday full of gratitude.

Josie Ortega

Destinations

|Activities & Travel09 November 2020 (updated)

Family Weekend at the Omni Homestead Resort

Looking for the perfect family getaway? Then head to Hot Springs, Virginia, home of the beautiful historic resort, The Omni Homestead.

Josie Ortega

Home Design

|Home & Style06 November 2020 (updated)

Interior Design Time: One Hour With an Interior Designer

Just a quick hour with an interior designer can make a huge difference for your home design. See what Josie Ortega learned from her consultation.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Holidays,Movies,Must Read04 November 2020 (updated)

Patriotic Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Looking for patriotic movies for the whole family? Josie Ortega suggests Fourth of July flicks that adults and kids can enjoy together.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Movies,Must Read04 November 2020 (updated)

Diverse Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Diverse movies develop empathy and start great conversations. Plus, they tell great stories to enjoy during Family Movie Night. Check out these suggestions from Josie Ortega.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Fall,Movies,Must Read04 November 2020 (updated)

Fall Family Movies for Your Next Movie Night

Looking for inspiration for your next family movie night? Josie Ortega lists nine solid fall family movies that adults and kids will love.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Children & Parents,Fall,Holidays04 November 2020 (updated)

Halloween Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

For a Family Movie Night in October, Josie Ortega suggests nine great movies that offer Halloween fun for both children and parents.

Josie Ortega

Kid Food

|Food & Recipes26 October 2020 (updated)

How to Ace After School Snacks

Josie Ortega offers ideas for after school snacks that kids and parents will love! Read on for her healthy, quick and easy snack recipes!

Josie Ortega

Bike

|Activities & Travel,Editor's Pick20 October 2020 (updated)

Four Steps to Becoming a Bike Family

Josie Ortega shares her journey to get every family member on a bike. With parents learning and kids starting early, they're off on family bike adventures!

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Children & Parents19 October 2020 (updated)

How to Enjoy Church at Home With Kids, Part 1

Josie Ortega shares ideas for parents to make church at home enjoyable and nourishing for the whole family.

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Children & Parents,Holidays19 October 2020 (updated)

The Right Amount of Halloween Fright

Halloween can be a great time of year for preschoolers, but sometimes it can be scary, too. Here are some ways to keep the celebration.

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Children & Parents,Holidays19 October 2020 (updated)

Living Lent With Kids

Learn about great Lenten traditions and how they will enhance your family Easter celebration this year!

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Children & Parents19 October 2020 (updated)

Church at Home, Part 2: Praying With Kids

Josie Ortega describes how to set up a lovely space for praying with kids, and how to read the Bible together in a joyful, peaceful way.

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Holidays19 October 2020 (updated)

Three Reasons to Celebrate Epiphany

Josie Ortega and her family celebrate Epiphany by closing out the Christmas season with a multicultural, forward-looking Three Kings Day.

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Holidays19 October 2020 (updated)

Living Lent and Easter with Kids: Use Your Senses

Use sensory experiences like baking and gardening to develop family traditions and make Easter an even bigger celebration each spring.

Josie Ortega

Preschool

|Children & Parents16 October 2020 (updated)

Advice for Starting Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten is an exciting new adventure! Read on for some great back-to-school tips from an older and wiser second grader.

Josie Ortega

FamilyApp

|Summer16 October 2020 (updated)

Setting the Scene for Summer Success

Ready or not, summer is here! And here are some summer survival tips to help you and your family have the best season, yet.

Josie Ortega

FamilyApp

|Children & Parents,Holidays16 October 2020 (updated)

Easter Traditions With Social Distancing

Disappointed that Easter traditions won’t be the same under social distancing? Join Josie Ortega in brainstorming new twists on a joyful Easter celebration.

Josie Ortega

FamilyApp

|Activities & Travel,Holidays16 October 2020 (updated)

Why We Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Every family can celebrate Cinco de Mayo, learning about Mexican-American culture while sharing great food, music, and family togetherness.

Josie Ortega

Destinations

|Activities & Travel15 October 2020 (updated)

Family Field Trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Looking for a great way to encourage your children's appreciation of art? Take them on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Josie Ortega

FamilyApp

|Children & Parents,Holidays15 October 2020 (updated)

60+ Ideas for Easter Baskets: Treats for the Whole Family

Looking for last-minute ideas for your kids' Easter baskets? Look no further! We've got great ideas for kids of all ages.

Josie Ortega

Fitness

|Health & Fitness15 October 2020 (updated)

What I Learned in Six Weeks Dancing Zumba

Still considering whether you should take a Zumba class? Let Josie Ortega help you decide with a fun and unique insight to the dance workout!

Josie Ortega

Toys and Games

|Activities & Travel15 October 2020 (updated)

The Case for Open-Ended Toys: Hours of Creative Play

Kids and parents will benefit from choosing hands-on, open-ended toys that encourage creativity. Break out the costumes, blocks, and mud pies!

Josie Ortega

Shopping

|Christmas,Home & Style14 October 2020 (updated)

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Christmas

Still have no clue what to give to your loved ones this Christmas? Check out these last-minute gift ideas from Josie Ortega that everyone in your family will love!

Josie Ortega

Home Organization

|Editor's Pick,Food & Recipes14 October 2020 (updated)

Kitchen Basics: Must-Have Items and Equipment for Cooking

Josie Ortega takes stock of the functional and beautiful cooking tools and kitchen basics that help us love being in the kitchen. Read on for her top tips!

Josie Ortega

Self-Help

|Children & Parents14 October 2020 (updated)

Battling Procrastination: Tips to Get Going

Procrastination happens all too often! But these helpful tips will help you get more productive and organized as you learn to manage your time.

Josie Ortega

Arts & Crafts

|Children & Parents13 October 2020 (updated)

How to Enjoy Art With Kids

Whether you consider yourself an artsy parent or struggle with stick figures, here are some great tips to enjoy art with kids.

Josie Ortega

Beauty

|Hair,Home & Style13 October 2020 (updated)

5+ Fun Kids Braids to Try

Ready to change up the ol' hair routine? Josie Ortega suggests trying some fun braids on your kids! The basic braid, French, Dutch, fishtail, and The Frida.

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|Summer12 October 2020 (updated)

Moms on the Street: Simple Summer Style

Use this summer style inspiration checklist to refresh the basics, simplify, and figure out what’s fun and what works this summer!

Josie Ortega

Green Living

|Children & Parents12 October 2020 (updated)

Creating a Natural Outdoor Play Space with Leigh Dameron

Anyone can create a natural outdoor play space that the kids will enjoy for years! Josie Ortega interviews designer Leigh Dameron.

Josie Ortega

FamilyApp

|Holidays12 October 2020 (updated)

All Saints Day: Let's Talk About Dead People

What is All Saints Day? The morning after the frightful night of October 31 is All Saints Day, a great opportunity to celebrate life, death, and your family history.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Movies10 October 2020 (updated)

Make It a Classic Movie Date Night

If planning a date night feels like a lot of pressure, take heart, and keep it simple! Here are some great classic movies to watch again and again.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Movies,Winter10 October 2020 (updated)

Winter Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Looking for winter movies that the whole family can enjoy? Josie Ortega suggests classics, comedies, and wintry sports films for Family Movie Night.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Holidays,Movies10 October 2020 (updated)

Valentine’s Day Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Josie Ortega lists winning classic, romance, and comedy movies that the whole family can enjoy for Family Movie Night on Valentine's Day!

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Movies,Spring10 October 2020 (updated)

Spring Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Looking for the perfect movie for family movie night? Have no fear! Josie Ortega recommends her favorite spring movies to lift spirits and give everyone a laugh.

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Holidays,Movies,Thanksgiving10 October 2020 (updated)

Father’s Day Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

For Father's Day movies, Josie Ortega suggests great on-screen movie dads, action-packed adventures, or ridiculous 80s comedies. Bottom line: Dad's choice!

Josie Ortega

Entertainment

|Movies,Summer10 October 2020 (updated)

Summer Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night

Josie Ortega suggests summer movies —baseball flicks, westerns, and island adventures— for a Family Movie Night both adults and kids will love.

Josie Ortega

Party

|Fall,Food & Recipes09 October 2020 (updated)

Favorite Tailgate Food for a Party in a Parking Lot

Josie Ortega samples the favorite tailgate food to make ahead of time for a fancy-yet-easy parking lot party on game day!

Josie Ortega

Reading

|Children & Parents,Reading09 October 2020 (updated)

20+ Tips How to Create a Print-Rich Environment

A love of reading can begin early, but you don't have to stress over flash cards. Instead, create a print-rich environment at home. Here's how to do it.

Josie Ortega

Party

|Children & Parents08 October 2020 (updated)

Simple, Meaningful Birthday Traditions

Josie Ortega has great tips for easy, thoughtful, unforgettable birthday traditions that are special for her own family. Read on for more ideas!

Josie Ortega

Parenting

|Children & Parents08 October 2020 (updated)

MLK Day With Kids: How to Start Talking About Race

Martin Luther King Day is a perfect opportunity for talking with your kids about race. Here are some helpful ways to have meaningful conversations.

Josie Ortega

Parenting

|Children & Parents08 October 2020 (updated)

Parenting By Example

Want to raise awesome children who love to read, ride bikes, and pick up their own clothes? It all starts with us! Read on for tips on parenting by example.

Josie Ortega

Parenting

|Food & Recipes08 October 2020 (updated)

Family Dinner Table Rules - Tips for a Peaceful Meal

The family dinner table provides a perfect place for setting up lasting family traditions. Read these tips from Josie Ortega.

Josie Ortega

Faithful Beginnings

|Holidays07 October 2020 (updated)

Make Room this December: Tips for a Peaceful Advent

Learn here how you can make room for love, hope, and joy and a peaceful Advent!

Josie Ortega

Reading

|Reading,Winter06 October 2020 (updated)

New Year's Reading Goals With Author Kelli Stuart

Author Kelli Stuart shares a window into her world of reading, writing, and motherhood in an interview with Josie Ortega. Get inspired by her reading goals!

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Mom on the Street Reviews Rent the Runway

Mom on the Street Josie Ortega reviews Rent the Runway’s monthly subscription service for special event dresses and her everyday Mom Uniform.

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Colorful Impressionist Mom on the Street: EMYO

Our Colorful Impressionist Mom on the Street Emily York Ozier—or EMYO—is a painter whose life and personal style resemble her art: loose, lively, colorful!

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Streamlined Minimal(ish) Mom on the Street

Streamlined Minimalish Mom on the Street has a chic and cohesive style. Read on for her fabulous eco-friendly style tips!

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Spunky Spitfire Mom on the Street: Amanda Hazelwood

Spunky Spitfire Mom on the Street Amanda Hazelwood is changing the world, one book club at a time—with style that's functional, and (a little bit) loud!

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Uptown Artist Mom on the Street: Melisse Copley

Our Uptown Artist Mom on the Street Melisse Copley brings her laid-back, upbeat, southern, artistic sensibility to the streets of Manhattan.

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Creative Contemplative Mom on the Street: Amy Rowe

Creative Contemplative Mom on the Street Amy Rowe uses artful accessories and unusual combinations to express her unique sense of style.

Josie Ortega

Mom on the Street

|06 October 2020 (updated)

Always Accessorized Mom on the Street: Betsy Hill

Whether running kids to practice or running her own business, jewelry designer Betsy Hill is our Always Accessorized Mom on the Street.

Josie Ortega

Green Living

|Children & Parents,Family Stories,Summer06 October 2020 (updated)

Simple, Pandemic-Proof Living with the Yellis Family

Prior to the pandemic, the Yellis family embraced simple living. They’ve discovered simplicity prepared them to weather the storm with minimal disruptions.

Josie Ortega

Destinations

|Activities & Travel29 September 2020 (updated)

Visit Nashville: Explore the City of Music

What do you do with your family while you're in Nashville for the weekend? Josie Ortega has some great ideas for all ages!

Josie Ortega

Destinations

|Activities & Travel29 September 2020 (updated)

Nashville Family Weekend: How to Explore the City of Music

What do you do with your family while you're in Nashville for the wekeend? Josie Ortega has some great ideas for all ages!

Josie Ortega

Baby

|Children & Parents25 September 2020 (updated)

The Baby Name Summit

Congrats, you're expecting a baby! Now, onto the tough part: choosing a baby name. Josie Ortega will help you think through the process.

Josie Ortega

Family Recipes

|Food & Recipes25 September 2020 (updated)

The Best Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Spice up your taste buds with a bath of Mexican Hot Chocolate! Josie Ortega loves to keep the mix in the pantry all winter, ready to share with familia!

Josie Ortega