Niki Smith
Niki grew up in Earlham, Iowa and now lives with her husband Ryan, daughter Riley, and son Merritt in Johnston. Riley has an observant stare that inspired the Facebook page Riley Is Not Impressed. Niki is an assistant director of public relations, social media at Drake University where she runs the university’s main social media accounts. She is also the director of the world-famous Beautiful Bulldog Contest. She has an Olde English Bulldog named Dexter, but he is ineligible to compete because she already knows he’s the most beautiful bulldog. She serves as President on the Board of Directors for Animal Lifeline of Iowa, which is a special needs, no-kill animal shelter. Niki is a two-time graduate of Drake University with a bachelor’s in journalism (2008) and a Master’s in Communication Leadership (2015).
13 Family TV Shows to Enjoy Together
Our year at home during this pandemic has forced us all to be creative in our family activities. Like many of you, we have explored crafts, board games, and maybe even a Fancy Friday.
After...
My Experience Renting a Private Movie Theatre
One of my personal top frustrations in 2020 was when the Wonder Woman 84 premiere date was pushed back TWICE. I had dates set on my calendar, an outfit ordered, and a very excited...
Hitting the Pandemic Wall
The past month, I have seen multiple articles from psychologists and mental health experts explaining that we have hit a pandemic wall. Paired with those articles, I have seen my friends and fellow moms...
New Hobbies for Busy Moms
When the world started their long stays at home in March 2020, stories about the great things people made or discovered while in quarantine emerged. Isaac Newton spent 18 months quarantining during the bubonic...
My Year of Thrifting for the Family
This year, I attempted to thrift my family’s entire wardrobe (whoa boy what great timing with a global pandemic). I definitely cheated a few times. Sometimes, our kiddos need a very specific outfit for...
Being Comfortable In My Mom Bod
Mom bods. We all see things in our bodies that are forever changed because of our children. I have stretch marks, a c-section scar, and a few extra pounds that I have accepted will...
Best Mom Hacks in 2020
The mom tribe is strong, and we use one another to share tips and tricks. We’ve had a lifetime to perfect our everyday mom hacks, but 2020 has thrown us some extra challenges. I...
Honoring Grandparents
Grandparent’s Day is Sunday, Sept. 13, and this year we may be honoring them differently.
Some of you may be sending them extra love because you and your children haven’t seen as much of them...
Positive Distractions and Grateful Escapism
I have now been working from home for 100 days, and it looks as though it will be another 100 days before I may return. Our family has found a new normal, a new...
Summer Goals for the Whole Family
Summer is a great time to set goals. What are some things you and your family want to learn or accomplish?
Last year, my one-year-old dropped his binky, we went fishing, I planted some new...