Emma Marie Designs

Coastal Bedroom Design Plan

2023-06-08T15:42:00.000-05:00

It's time for another coastal bedroom design! This time I've got loads of creams and whites with pops of blue.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

I like that the headboard is simple, yet classic. You can easily attach it to the wall. The bedding is one of my favorites! I love white, fluffy bedding. This set has a blue stripe, simple yet elegant. I would make sure to monogram the pillow shams. The blue lumbar pillow would look perfect either on the bed or in the chair.

Speaking of chairs, most primary bedrooms have space for a couple of chairs. This club chair is perfect for relaxing in at the start or end of your day. The throw blanket feels so luxurious. Place the lightweight throw blanket over the back of the chair for effortless decorating.

There is something extra spacial about the dresser. It would look great with the abstract art print hanging over it. I would place the scalloped mirror over the bed or the dresser. I love that the mirror reminds me of the beach without being themed. There are also matching nightstands to complete the set.

FREE DECORATING WORKBOOK

Something that will really help you in your decorating refresh is to write down all your thoughts and ideas on paper. Grab this effortless decorating workbook to help you think through every single thing. It is a free, 6 page workbook designed to help you brainstorm and get your thoughts out of your head and into your room.

This pretty blue rug is the perfect pop of color that this bedroom needs. Place it under the bed and be sure to check your measurements - 8x10 for a queen bed and 9x12 for a king.

I am a huge fan of inlay and fell in love with this pretty picture frame. There are 3 different design. This one is my favorite.

Like all coastal rooms, I've added plenty of texture with the rattan light fixture (love!) and woven baskets. Hang the baskets on the wall to add extra interest.

Lastly, these white lamps are so unique with the texture on the lamp base. They would look great on other side of the bed on top of these nightstands.

So that completes this coastal bedroom design. I think this would look really great as a guest bedroom or the primary room.

Make sure to download the Decorating Workbook to help you create the perfect design for your space!

What is your favorite element of this bedroom design? I really love the club chair, mirror, and the rattan light fixture. let me know yours in the comments!

Master Bedroom Room Design

2021-08-09T15:15:00.006-05:00

I've put together a blue and grey master bedroom with just a touch of blush. It is defiantly a favorite design of mine! Let's get started designing your bedroom.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

It all starts with this floral fabric for the bed. The entire design is centered around this fabric. Get 2 large squares for the bed. This is the bed that I picked for the room and it's a show stopper! I adore the caning that is on both the headboard and footboard. The bed is a subtle nod to the coast without screaming "beach room!".

You want the put these organic sheets on the bed for a perfect nights sleep. Than put this blue duvet on the bed, followed by some blue gingham pillows and floral pillows. Finally put a blue lumbar pillow in front. The lumbar pillow also comes in blush and grey if you want to use a pop of color or bring out the grey a bit more.

Next put two of these white nightstand chests on either side of the bed and top with with these white gourd lamps. I like that the lamps are sold in a set of two!

GET YOUR FREE DECORATING WORKBOOK

You'll want to put this rug under the bed. Make sure to double check your measurements - for a queen bed, use a 8x10 rug and a 9x12 fun for a king sized bed.

You can put this abstract art print over the bed or over the dresser. I would hang this round inlay bone mirror in the other place. You need the round curves to off set all of the square corners.

These pretty white curtains hang on the brass curtain rods for each of the windows. Hang the curtains 4-6 inches down from the top of the ceiling. Make sure you buy the correct curtain length!

For finishing touches, grab one of these capri blue candles to place on your nightstand. They smell the absolute best and the container is so pretty. Place one of these jute baskets in the corner to contain any throw pillows or extra blankets for a chilly night.

So there you have it! The perfect blue and grey master bedroom design with just a touch of blush!

If you haven't already, be sure to download the free workbook that will help you create your own serene master bedroom design.

What is your favorite design element? Is it the bed, the mirror, or the artwork? How about all of it? Let me know in the comments below!

4th of July Decor

2021-06-29T12:49:00.005-05:00

Independence Day is right around the corner, are you ready to celebrate America's birthday? Whether you are hosting a large group of friends or just having a quiet meal with your family, don't forget to set your table! I have rounded up all the things that you will need to celebrate the 4th of July in style!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Lay this striped runner down the middle of your table first. Put the black lantern off to the side, you can do just one or have a lantern for each side. Take the white ceramic vase and either fill it with flowers or American flags. Put jute placemats in front of each place setting. Finish off the look with white berry baskets on the table that hold berries.

Time to set the table! You'll first want to place white dishes down for each person and flatware as well. Have some glasses and an acrylic pitcher ready for serving drinks! Take blue and white napkins, place them into the bamboo napkin rings and place on top of each person's plate to finish setting the table. Don't forget to place American flags on top of the napkins!

Don't forget to put some pretty blue and white pillows in your living room or outdoors to freshen up your space and to bring your colors around your home. You'll also want this wooden charcuterie board to place an assortment of fruits, cheese, and crackers on. Complete your entire 4th of July look with a woven serving tray. It can hold bread, dishes, extra napkins, or be placed on stand-by to help you clean up after your meal is through.

How are you celebrating the 4th of July? Looking for red, white, and blue desserts? I've got you covered! And wondering how to get your house clean before guests arrive? Look no farther!

You can also get the effortless decorating workbook here!

Effortless and Inspiring Fall Decor

2020-09-19T06:30:00.003-05:00

Fall is in the air! Can you believe that another season is here? Fall is one of the coziest seasons and that really shows through with how we decorate our homes during this season. Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler, I've been in the mood for all things fall and cozy. It is amazing how over complicated we tend to make seasonal decor, but it doesn't have to be this way. You can easily make your house cozy for fall. Here are 12 inspiring fall home decorating ideas for how to make your fall decorating simple and effortless this year while maximizing on the cozy factor.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

1. Color Palette

The first thing you need to do is to pick a fall color palette. Here are three popular fall palettes

reds, oranges, and browns
greens, white, and cream
eggplant, cream, olive, plum, and dusty rose

Whichever one you choose, try to decorate with those colors throughout your home to keep everything visually cohesive.

2. Blankets and Throws

Fall is all about cooler mornings and nights. You need to bring out your throw blankets and put them to use throughout your home. Place on on your sofa, on an accent chair, a window seat, your office chair, on your bed. I love to have a big basket in my living room to hold several throw blankets. It is a fantastic way to make your home feel cozy this season. You also bring warmth to a room simply by having a warm blanket on your sofa or chair.

3. Use Candles

Another easy fall decorating idea is to use candles. A unlit candle gathering dust is a very sad thing to look at. You bought the great smelling candle, light it! Your home will smell amazing and it will feel more like fall just by lighting your candles. Candles are also a great way to bring warmth to a room and to make your room feel cozy. These are my favorite candles. They burn evenly and for a long time.

4. Baskets

I love to decorate with baskets! They bring texture and visual interest to a space with very little effort on your part. A favorite way to use baskets in functional decor during the fall season, is to place a large basket on a console table and next to the fireplace. Place a cozy throw blanket or a fluffy pillow inside it. See, cozy fall decor is simple! This is my favorite basket to use with my throw blankets.

5. Greenery

I love to add greenery in a pretty vase for easy table centerpieces throughout the year and fall is no different. I like to place a burlap table runner down, than a vase with greenery in it, a yummy smelling candle, and a small pumpkin corralled in a large tray on top of the table runner. Simple and easy table centerpiece decor.

6. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are in abundance during the fall season! You can place a few pumpkins around your home for instant fall decor. Here are a few ways I like to use pumpkins when decorating for fall. First, I like to take a wooden dough bowl, fill it with greenery stems, and then place a few pumpkins inside the bowl. I like to have the pumpkins in different sizes. I also like to put a few pumpkins on the porch beside my front door. Mini pumpkins are cute when you place them on top of a stack of books. This set of pumpkins are great since they come in several different sizes.

7. Wreath

I love a pretty wreath! Nothing says welcome fall like a wreath on your front door. It is very easy to buy a wreath and place it on your door. I've also put a fall wreath on the wall above my console table or in the kitchen on the window over the sink. You really can't go wrong with a great fall wreath. This is a beautiful wreath that will last for years to come.

8. Use Nature

Use things that you find in nature to display in your home for the fall season. I like to gather a bunch of feathers and place them in a vase. You can also place dried floral stems in a vase for an easy arrangement and no water required! You can go outside and forge for tree branches and place those in a vase of water. You can bring in acorns or sticks. Another idea is to put some dead insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, and moths, under a glass dome. This can also double as Halloween decor!

9. Use Warmer Tones

Use warmer tones throughout your house. Think wood, brass, cream, black, and gold hues. If you have some wooden or brass candlesticks, bring those out and put them on your mantle or table. The same goes for picture frames. You can also get your wooden spoons and place them in a large urn next to the stove, place a beautiful dutch oven on the stove, and put some wooden cutting boards out. It's ok to rotate through your decor. so change things up by bringing out your warmer decor items.

10. Change Your Pillows

Fall is the perfect time to change out your pillows! Pillows are one of the easiest ways to refresh your space. Be sure to play up on different textures - fringe, tassels, velvet, leather, burlap, deeper colors, chunky. I love to get pillow covers and feather inserts. The feather inserts always fluff back up so I never have sad, flat pillows. Pillow covers are easy to change up for each season and don't take up any space when storing them.

11. Use Different Scents

Have you ever changed up your hand soap scents? How about buying new candles depending on the season? I know I cook more soups and stews and have more bread baking in the oven during the fall season and I bet you do too. So why not change up my dish soap and candles as well?

12. Textiles

Fall is the perfect time to replace some of your worn-out dish towels and washcloths. Get some new towels in your fall colors. You are going to be baking more, why not get a pretty autumnal apron? When spring comes around, it'll be time to replace your worn towels and washcloths, so get some pretty ones for this season. You can also change out your sheets with flannel sheets for those cooler nights.

It is easy to decorate for the coziest season of the year. We just have to decorate for fall with simple intentionality. I hope this gives you a bunch of new and fresh ideas to help you decorate your home for fall this season. Remember, you can completely set the mood for fall in your home with making your house cozy for fall through scents, candles, textiles, blankets, and nature. You can easily set the mood for your home through these different elements.

What is your favorite way to decorate for the fall season? How is your home reflecting the new season?

You can shop my favorite fall decor and home decor on the shopping page and get more styling tips on Instagram. I would love to hang out with you on Instagram! Happy fall friends!

The must have Baby Essentials you need before your baby arrives + a free checklist

2020-07-24T07:00:00.011-05:00

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I did all the research into exactly what newborn baby essentials that I needed to buy before the baby came. And guess what? I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the things everyone was saying to register for. I also wanted my home to remain my home and not turn into a baby superstore. How in the world was I going to do that when everyone was saying "buy all the baby stuff"?!

I worked really hard to pick and choose exactly what items I needed for my new baby. And now, after having 4 babies, I feel that I'm an expert when it comes to maintaining a organized home and cutting out the baby clutter, while still having all the newborn essentials and baby necessities that you need to have.

And I am here to tell you that YES! It is possible to keep your the baby gear to a minimum so that you aren't tripping over all the baby things in the middle of the night! No, you do not need 5000+ items for your newborn baby to survive, but there are several baby items that you are going to need and things I consider essential.

I've put together the baby essentials list that I wish I had 9 years ago when I was shopping for my first baby. I hope you find this guide helpful when you are shopping for your own baby, creating a baby registry, or shopping for a friend. Be sure to grab the newborn baby checklist so you can have everything at your fingertips.

What essentials are needed for a newborn baby?

To answer this question, you need to know that there is different baby gear for different things. Here are the different categories that you'll need to be aware of - nursery, layette, diapering, feeding, bathing, activity, health & safety, and travel. I'll go over each of them in detail and give you the defiant needs of each category, along with the best product for each item. Grab the newborn baby essential checklist printable and lets go!

Baby Registry Checklist

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Nursery

The sweet nursery! I loved designing the nurseries for each of my babies. It is so much fun to pick out a paint color, crib, bedding, curtains, and the like.

You will want to have the nursery set up for your newborn baby, but don't expect to spend much time in it for the first couple of weeks.

Crib - A classic white crib is one that you can pass down to future children or you can convert it to a toddler bed.
Glider with Ottoman - You are going to spend hours rocking your baby in this chair, make sure you get a comfortable glider with an ottoman.
Dresser - I prefer to have a dresser instead of a changing table. The dresser grows with the baby while the changing table does not. I like to put a changing pad on the top of the dresser to turn it into a changing table. There is plenty of room left for a basket of diapers and wipes while the dresser drawers hold baby socks, clothes, and blankets.
Side Table - Put a small table next to the rocking chair to hold a lamp, sound machine, your drink, nursing supplies, a book, or anything else.
Lamp - This lamp is a great choice for a nursery.
Curtains - You are going to need blackout curtains. Trust me on this one. Your baby will sleep better in a dark room. I like to have regular curtains with blackout curtains behind them.
Crib Mattress - I like this mattress. It's basic, but works great really well and creates a safe place for the baby to sleep.
Waterproof Mattress Pad - Get 2 waterproof mattress protectors for the times that your newborn will spit up and you need to quickly change the crib sheets.
Crib Sheets - 4-5 crib sheets is ideal. I really like these sheets.
Changing Pad - I've always put a changing pad on top of the baby's dresser to change their diapers. This is the one I've used for all of my babies.
Changing Pad Cover - Get 2-3 changing pad covers.
Humidifier - You are going to want a humidifier before you actually need one! Get this one now so that when your baby is stuffy or congested, you will be ready.
White Noise Machine - I have 3 of these white noise machines in my house. All of my babies have slept very well at home and when we travel. I highly recommend it.
Hamper - You'll need somewhere to put all the tiny clothes that get dirty. This hamper is perfect!
Storage Boxes and Bins - Babies come with a bunch of small items, get some storage baskets and bins to keep all the things contained in the closet and in the dresser.
Bassinet - You'll want a bassinet for your newborn baby to sleep in right next to your bed. You can use a Moses basket, pack and play, DockATot, Halo bassinet, or something similar. My babies sleep in the pack and play for the first few months before transitioning them to their crib. If you cosleep, I recommend buying a DockATot.
Baby Monitor - Unless you have a small house, I recommend getting a baby monitor. I've had this one for 5 years and used it for 3 babies and works great! I love that it has 2 parent units. That way I can leave one in my bedroom and one in the kitchen. It also has a very long range, which is important.

Layette

What exactly is a layette? A layette is all of the baby clothes and accessories for your newborn baby. Baby clothes are adorable and it's hard not to overbuy. A good rule of thumb is to have enough sleepers, gowns, and outfits for 2 weeks. I love to buy Carters brand of clothing since they wash really well, are durable, and you can pass them down to multiple children.

You really don't need baby shoes until your baby is a little bit older. When I do buy shoes, I love Freshly Picked baby moccasins for my baby's first shoes. You will also need to wash all of clothing before your newborn baby wears them. I wash all of my baby clothes and gear in baby Dreft laundry detergent, more on that later.

Sleepers - I prefer sleepers with zippers or the gowns with elastic at the bottom. They really are the best for all those middle of the night diaper changes. Get sizes newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months to start with.
Onsies - You'll go through a bunch of clothes. Get sizes newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months to start with.
Pants - You'll want pants that coordinate with all your onesies. Again get sizes newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months to start with.
Socks - Tiny baby socks are my favorite! I also like to use these as mittens on newborns hands so they don't scratch themselves.
Outfits - You will want to choose a special going home from the hospital for the baby's first outfit. You will also want several adorable outfits in sizes newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months to start with.
Hats - You only need 2-3 hats for the baby as some newborns like to wear them and some do not. I like these lightweight hats.
Mittens - These little mittens are so cute! And you already know I prefer to use socks on tiny baby hands, but mittens are good if you want to have some on hand.
Hair Bows - If you are having a girl, than you have got to get a bunch of hair bows for her! My favorite are these, these, and these.
Swaddle Blankets - These are my favorite swaddle blankets. They are long enough to swaddle the baby in for a few months! You can find out more why I think they are the best swaddling blankets in the whole world and why they are the only ones I use.
Sleep Swaddle Sacks - After the first couple of weeks, you are going to want the baby to sleep in a sleep sack. I have used the Woombie and Love to Dream Swaddle Up. The Ollie swaddle is another good choice. Plan to have 3-4 on hand. Sleep swaddle sacks truly help your baby sleep better and longer at naps and nighttime.
Blankets - In addition to the muslim blankets, you'll need have other blankets of different weights. I love to have a stroller blanket, this think blanket, and this minky blanket.
Clothing Labels - You are going to have a bunch of baby clothes in several different sizes. Use these clothing labels to help keep you organized with all the baby clothes!

Clothing Labels

Diapering

Newborn babies require a lot of diaper changes and you are going to use a lot of diapers! Make sure you've got everything ready to go and a couple of different diaper stations set up in your house.

Diapers - My favorite diapers to use for the first several months is Pampers Swaddlers. They are so soft, fit the baby really well, and have a line that indicates when the diaper is wet. There have been a couple of diaper blowouts, but usually only when we need to go to the next size. Trust me, spend the money and get Pampers Swaddlers. Plan to use a case of newborn diapers for at least the first 1-6 weeks, and size 1 diapers for 2-3 months, going to size 2 after that.
Wipes - The only wipes I use and love are Pampers Sensitive wipes. I have used them for all 4 of my babies, they are the only ones we buy. I have used other brands but always come back to Pampers Sensitive. I love how they feel in my hand, they wipe really well, and there is a bit of stretch to them. Since they are sensitive wipes, I never have to worry about them irritating my baby's bum.
Diaper Rash Cream - I have used several different diaper rash creams, but the one that I have found to work the best is Aquaphor. I swear by this stuff! Aquaphor doesn't take very long to clear up the irritation. I've found that the irritated skin always looks so much better by the next diaper change. You can also put it on chapped lips or skin and other places that need some healing. I buy it by the tub and it lasts forever!
Diaper Pail - You will need a place to put all of the dirty diapers. This diaper pail locks all the odors in and you can use regular trash bags!
Diaper Bag - I love a good diaper bag! My favorite diaper bag has to be this Skip Hop diaper bag or my current Kate Spade diaper bag. I love both of these bags because they are big and have lots of room, they also have several different pockets with elastic, are wipeable, have outside pockets, have stroller clips, long handles, include a matching diaper changing pad, durable, and are pretty.
Travel Changing Pad - If your diaper bag doesn't come with a diaper changing pad, be sure to buy this Skip Hop diaper changing pad. I love that it is wipeable, closes easily, doesn't take up much space, includes a wipe container, and has space for a couple of diapers, wipes, and a couple of other essentials. When my baby is older, I'll taken my Skip Hop diaper changing pad on outings while leaving the bigger diaper bag at home. You can also put this changing pad in a larger purse or tote bag if you wanted to leave the diaper bag at home.

Feeding

A newborn baby eats a lot of milk around the clock! You need to make sure you have all of your feeding supplies washed, sanitized, and ready to go before your baby is born. Trust me, you do not want to clean everything after your baby is born and you are sleep deprived.

Breast Pump - You will need to get a breast pump. Even if you are not planning on breastfeeding, you are still going to need something once your milk comes in. I recommend using Medela pump in style double breast pump. It is the one that I've used for 4 babies now and it is still going strong. Medela breast pumps come with a standard medium sized nipple shields, these might be too big or too small. Make sure to check for the correct fit as it will affect your pumping experience. The Elvie breast pump is a really good option for pumping on the go. Great for working moms since it is 100% hands free.
Nursing Bras - These nursing bras are really comfortable, buy them in your pre-pregnancy size.
Nursing Pads - I like to use these nursing pads for the first 3-4 months before switching over to reusable nursing pads. I have found this to be the best combination for me throughout my nursing journey.
Nursing Pillow - You'll want some extra support when feeding your baby. Use a nursing pillow like this one to help you.
Nursing Camis - I live in my nursing camis! They turn any shirt into a nursing friendly shirt in the blink of an eye. Nursing camis also keep the tummy covered while allowing your baby to feed.
Nursing Cover - I absolutely love my Milk Snob nursing cover. It is perfect to use not only as a nursing cover, but also a high chair cover, grocery cart seat cover, and a car seat cover! It has held up through 2 children, numerous washings, and is very durable. I wish I had this with my first baby!
Breastmilk Storage Bags - You're going to need some storage bags for all the milk you pump. You can get breastmilk bags that attach right onto your pump, but I like these storage bags that allow you to freeze them flat, giving you the most space in your freezer. I will pump the milk into a bottle and then transfer the milk from the bottle into a bag, label it, than lay it on a small cookie sheet in the freezer until I need to use it.
Nipple Cream - The best nipple cream that I use and love is Medela lanolin. It gently glides on and is so soothing for your sore nipples.
Bottles - I really like the Mam bottles, but you never know which bottle your baby will prefer. Dr. Browns is a great brand and are easy for the baby to grasp since they are skinny. My advice is to get 3-4 bottles and see which one works the best for your newborn baby.
Bottle Brush - You are going to need a bottle brush to clean all of the bottle and pump parts. This is the bottle brush that I use and love.
Drying Rack - I love my boon grass bottle drying rack! You can get this tree attachment for all of the bottle nipples, rings, and your pump pieces.
Pacifiers - I really like Mam pacifiers and Nuk pacifiers, but it is totally up to your baby which one they prefer. Have a couple of pacifiers on hand.
Bibs - These bibs are my favorite.
Washcloths - I like to use these washcloths for cleaning up my baby after a meal. They wash really well and are highly durable. I keep these washcloths right next to my bibs so they are easily accessible for meal times.
Burp Cloths - I like these burp cloths but my favorite burp cloth is a cloth diaper because they are highly absorbent. I sew some fabric onto the end of the burp cloth to make them pretty. This brand is my favorite cloth diaper to use when making my own burp cloths.
High Chair - You are going to need a high chair for your baby once you start feeding them solid foods. I have used this fisher price table top high chair for 4 babies now and it is still working great! Another option is to use a high chair that is a stand alone chair, like this wooden high chair.

Bathing

You are going to need a few basic supplies to help bathe your newborn baby. These are the items that I use and love.

Baby Bathtub - You will need to have some kind of bathtub to bathe your baby in. I prefer to use a baby bath sponge. It's inexpensive and I can throw it out once the baby has outgrown it. If you want to use a baby bathtub, than I recommend this one.
Hooded Towels - Do you really need baby towels? Yes, you will want to use them. I love using baby hooded towels because they are just the right size for wrapping up your newborn when they get out of the bath.
Washcloths - Just like with the hooded towels, you are going to want several baby washcloths. These work really well. I like to use baby washcloths for bath time and meal times since they clean baby's face and hands really well.
Baby Wash and Shampoo - I like to use Aveeno baby wash and shampoo. It is soft and gentle for a newborn baby's sensitive skin. Aveeno is the only baby wash and lotion that I use.
Baby Lotion - I recommend using Aveeno baby lotion, it is the only brand that I use. It is soft and gentle for a newborn baby's sensitive skin.
Faucet Cover - Having a faucet cover is helpful in keeping your baby safe while in the large bathtub. You don't want them to bump their head on the faucet.
Bath Toys - You will want toys that are intended for bath and water play. I use these bath toys. These ballerina bathtoys and dinosaur bathtoys are also adorable!

Activity

Even when trying to stay minimal with baby gear, there are a few key pieces of baby things you are going to want to have on hand. I like having a few different options to use on a daily basis with my baby because it keeps the baby happier and more entertained. If you have a multi-level house, it is extremely helpful to have at least one baby holding item on each level.

When you buy quality baby gear, it will last through several children. You will need to make sure to wash all of the covers and things before your newborn baby uses them. I wash all of my baby clothes and gear in baby Dreft laundry detergent.

Activity Play Mat - This is the play mat that all of my babies have used and loved. Babies love the bright colors, it is easy to store, machine washable, and durable. Babies are also entertained by the toys and is great for their development. It is perfect for tummy time!
Swing - I didn't have a swing for my first two babies, but I wish that I did! Here is why; You will want a couple of options of where to put the baby. A swing is nice so that your baby can finish their nap if they wake up early, if you need to get dinner on the table, if you need a shower, or just have a moment when you aren't having to hold the baby. Buy the swing.
Bouncer - You are going to want a couple of different options of safe places to put the baby. I like to have a small, portable bouncer that the baby can sit in if I need to get a shower, sit by myself, folding laundry, or putting dinner on the table. This bouncer is nice and has extra cushion in it. I also like the toys that hang down to keep your baby entertained.
Exersaucer - When your baby gets to be 4-5 months old and can sit up, you will want to have a exersaucer with lots of toys on it. With my first baby, I had a doorway jumper. Neither I or my baby liked it because it was far away from where we hung out at (I would be on the sofa and the baby was across the room in the doorway). So we really didn't get a lot of use out of it. For my second baby, I bought an exersaucer and that has been wonderful! I love that I can move it from room to room and the baby can be right next to me while playing with toys.
Pack and Play - All of my babies have slept right next to me in the pack and play for the first few months of their life. If you choose to have the newborn baby sleep in a bassinet, a pack and play is still essential to have for other reasons - if you travel, if you have other people visit who need a crib, and for setting up a diaper changing station and napping area in a downstairs room. You can also set it up in your living room with toys in it for a safe place for your baby to play. I like this pack and play because it has a infant seat that you can use as a bouncer, a baby bassinet to help with diaper changes, and a diaper organizer.
Pack and Play Sheets - You will need to have 2-3 sheets for your pack and play. Trust me, regular crib sheets are too big and bassinet sheets are too small. I like these sheets for the pack and play. They are the perfect size.
Baby Toys - You'll need baby toys sooner than you think. I love these toys for helping a newborn baby learn how to grasp and these toys for baby to chew on when they are teething. I also have a bunch of recommended toys for each stage of your baby's development.
Baby Books - One thing I love is baby books! Get board books as your baby will not be able to rip them apart easily. I also like to have several soft cloth books for my babies. Here are a bunch of board book recommendations.

Download the Baby Registry Checklist

Health and Safety

Health and safety is a baby category that you do not want to overlook and you'll want to be prepared ahead of time so that when the time comes, you will be ready. Also, because babies tend to get sick in the middle of the night. I don't know about you, but I for sure don't want to be making a Walmart run at 2am because I didn't plan ahead!

Thermometer - Yes, you will need a thermometer. I really like this thermometer and you'll be able to use it for year to come.
Baby Hairbrush - I love this baby hairbrush set! It includes a brush and comb. The soft brush is perfect for your newborn baby's soft and sensitive head.
Nail File Kit - This is the nail filing set that I recommend. Buy them and buy them for other friends who are expecting a baby. They are a lifesaver and make trimming those sharp baby nails a less fearful task.
Baby Laundry Detergent - You will need to buy baby detergent that is specifically made for a newborn baby's sensitive skin. Dreft laundry detergent is the best laundry detergent for a newborn baby. It is the only baby detergent that I have ever used for my babies laundry. I also swear by Oxi Clean and Shout stain remover to get rid of all the stains from poop, food, and spit up.
Nasal Aspirator - You need to buy the NoseFrida nasal aspirator. It totally works to keep your babies noses free and clear of snot. You will also use it a bunch.
Baby Gate - You won't need a baby gate until your baby gets mobile, but when they are moving, watch out world! I use this baby gate since it is easy to put in place and take down. I also have two of these doorway gates that are more permanent, but I love them since they have a gate to open and close so you can easily get in and out. You can use it in a doorway or on stairs.
Baby Medicine - You'll need basic baby medicine to have on hand for your baby. I recommend having chest rub, Tylenol, and Motrin. Make sure that you check the age on the medicine since infant and children are different.

Travel

These are the essential travel based items that you will want to have for your baby. It makes getting out of the house so much easier! Remember, when you buy quality baby gear, it will last for several children.

Infant Car Seat and Base - I have loved using the Baby Trend infant car seat. My babies have always stayed in the infant car seat for the first year and then I transfer them to a convertible car seat. I like using a infant car seat for the first year since it is easy to transfer the baby around when they fall asleep in the car seat. I recommend using a travel system with the car seat and stroller combination since the infant car seat attaches right onto the stroller.
Convertible Car Seat - When your baby outgrows the infant carrier, it is time to buy a convertible car seat. I have used the Graco Extend2Fit car seat for a couple of children. Britax Boulaevard ClickTight is also a fantastic, hight quality car seat. Remember, you are dealing with your child's safety every time they get into the car. Buy a quality car seat.
Stroller - Maxi Cosi Zelia Max a great stroller! It turns very easily, is simple to fold up, and comes with a bassinet - perfect for a newborn to take a nap when out and about. I've also enjoyed using the Baby Trend travel system. Another fantastic stroller travel system is the Britax B Lively stroller travel system. For more than 1 child, I have loved my double Britax B Lively stroller. It has been extremely easy to use, fold up, turns well, and is very durable. I can usually get through all the doorways and aisles in stores. A nice lighter-weight stroller is the 3D Light. It is a nice umbrella stroller option that works well when you need to travel light.
Stroller Blanket - You know how much I love this blanket! It is the perfect weight for those morning walks.
Baby Carrier - I never thought I was a baby carrier person until using my Tula baby carrier. I absolutely love the Tula baby carrier! My babies have loved snuggling up while being close to mom. The straps are easy to adjust, it has plenty of padding at the shoulders, and has a lot of support. I really like the little pouch in the front. It is the perfect size to carry a small snack or your phone. You can also easily nurse your baby in the Tula baby carrier, which is an added bonus!

Education

Bringing home a new baby is a miracle in and of itself. You can think you are prepared, and you very well might be, but it is a huge life change. You are going have a lot of questions and it is best to have several resources right at your fingertips to help you when you need it. I recommend educating yourself before your baby is born by reading books and taking childbirth classes. Here are additional resources to help you.

I think that wraps up all of my baby must-haves and essentials! Hopefully you found this exhaustive baby checklist to be helpful to you when you are picking and choosing exactly what items you need to buy for your baby.

I hope you will use the baby checklist while you are buying all the baby things for your little one.

While you are setting up your baby's nursery, make sure you read how I organize and store all my baby clothes and how I organize books in the nursery.

4 Tips to Organizing Toys

2020-06-22T08:56:00.003-05:00

You all know my love or organizing. I've talked at length about keeping my house toy free, how I organize craft supplies, tips and tricks to keeping toys organized, talked about challenges to overcome when organizing, what to do with kids clothes, and more. Since I am a natural organizer, you would think that by now, my kids have also turned into natural organizers and perfect little people who always know how to keep their toys picked up and off the floor. Ha, if only!

Despite my best efforts, my little people are natural mess makers. If they had it their way, we would be buried in a sea of legos, barbies, coloring supplies, dinosaurs, and constantly stepping on all the things. Fortunately though, thanks to several functional storage systems in place, this is not our reality.

I have found several things that help immensely when it comes to keeping all my children toys, treasures, and things neatly organized at the end of the day. I am confident that if I can maintain a level of organization in my home with my 4 mess makers, so can you. Here are some of my best tips and tricks when it comes to keeping all the things in order around the house.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Contain it

Toys need to have specific homes. Even if you don't have a lot of extra space or a playroom, you need to set aside a specific area in your house where the majority of toys will live. Kids have got to know exactly where their things will live so that they can find them and later, put them away. They will also be more likely to play in these toy areas and not all over the house.

Baskets and bins are your best friend when trying to organize all the toys. Use them whenever possible. A large basket of books in the living room is way better than a pile of books in the corner. Try not to use containers with lids, as kids usually don't close them. Leaving container lidless helps make cleanup so much faster! Remember, when it comes to containing toys, simple is always better.

Use concealed storage wherever you can. Put bigger toys out of sight in the closet, behind the sofa, or in a big basket. Do you have a cabinet in your living room where some toys can live? How about a dresser drawer, bookcase shelf, or an ottoman?

When buying baskets and bins, try to buy things that aren't intended for kids. You want bins that are not the red and yellow plastic containers that you usually find in the kid aisle. Instead, use woven baskets, striped bins, and white containers that match your normal decor. You can even use actual pieces of furniture - bookcases, dressers, and ottomans.

Edit

Just as everyday organizing starts with removing unnecessary items, children's toys are no different. These need constant editing and removing. I've found that children do so much better with fewer toys instead of a closet busting at the seams with a million different options.

A year ago, I tried a experiment. I removed all my children's toys from their room, only putting back the things that I knew they played with on a regular basis. I then allowed my kids to pick 2-3 groups of toys each to put back in their room. Example of this would be a box of dinosaurs, the barbie box, several stuffed animals, etc. The toys that were unchosen, went to live in my closet out of the way. The closet toys come back out if someone asks for a specific toy or if I think they need something new to play with.

I thought that they would complain about having fewer toys but the opposite actually happened! They were thrilled about having so much more room to play and fewer toys to clean up. My kids will even ask me to put some of their toys away in "mommy's closet for a toy vacation". Less toys = faster cleaning and putting away! They also play so much better with fewer toys to chose from!

Here are some tips for you to do this with your kids toys -

Read Simplicity Parenting
Throw away any broken toys and books
Remove toys that don't get played with. Remember, you can always bring them back!
Remove toys that are too little for them. Can you put these away for a younger child?
Get your kids involved. Make it exciting for them and tell them the benefits of having less toys in the space.

Don't get too Specific

When creating toy storage, simple is always best. Don't get too caught up in creating the perfect toy storage solution that has too many steps. If you want to organize legos by color or doll accessories by type, that if fine. However, my experience has told me that kids won't keep it that way.

Instead of getting too specific, have broader categories by placing 1 type of toy in a container. Barbies in this box, dress up clothes on this hook, books on this shelf, stuffed animals in this basket. This will make it so much easier for your kids to remember where things go and it is simple enough that they can clean up their toys by themselves.

Have Clean Up Times

Incorporate cleaning up throughout your day - 10 mins to do a quick tidy before lunch or naptime , before dad gets home from work, and before bedtime. When finished playing, take 5 mins to clean up the mess before moving on to something new. Turn on some music and make cleaning up fun! Have a treat after the toys are put away. Cleaning up doesn't have to be a dreaded chore, find ways to liven it up.

I know that organizing can be really challenging and sometimes we need fresh ideas or some additional resources. That is why I am recommending the Homemakers Bundle to you today. The Homemakers Bundle is a huge collection of ebooks, courses, printables, and more, all designed to help you organize, clean, and maintain your home and life while keeping your sanity. It was created especially for busy moms just like you! In this resource bundle, you will discover and learn how to -

Keep your home clean and decluttered
Save loads of time in the kitchen
Organize and decorate your home
Raise wonderful kids
Carve out time for self care
Improve your marriage
and so much more!

There are 50+ resources valued at almost $1,300 that you are getting for just $29.97!!! So if only a handful of these resources are the perfect fit, you know you're getting an incredible deal! But here's the thing, this bundle is only available this week only. I really don't want you to miss out, grab it while you can! Find out more right here: Homemakers Bundle.

The Best Baby Blankets, Bibs, and Burb Cloths

2020-06-09T17:29:00.002-05:00

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Hi friends! Today I am sharing my very favorite baby blankets, bibs, and burp cloths with you today. I love, love, love Aden and Anais swaddling blankets. They really are the best blankets that you can use to swaddle your newborn baby since they are nice and long. These blankets are lightweight and breathable because they are made of muslin.

I have used these blankets with all 4 of my babies and they hold up so well! These muslim blankets are great for swaddling baby, using as a nursing cover, a stroller cover, or even for tummy time. I like the heavier stroller blankets when walking outside if its a little cool. The security blankets are soft and perfect for little hands to grasp.

These blankets wash really well. I wash all my baby items in baby dreft laundry detergent, using shout stain remover on any spots and a scoop of oxiclean when needed. All of my blankets look good as new, even after 4 babies have used them!

Aden and Anais swaddling blankets make the perfect baby gift with so many adorable patterns to choose from! They are truly my favorite blankets to have and use.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

1. Bear swaddling blanket set

2. Floral stroller blanket

3. Star stroller blanket

4. Boy security blanket

5. Stroller blanket

6. Girl security blanket

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

1. Sky swaddling blanket set

2. Floral swaddling blanket set

3. Blue and white swaddling blanket set

4. Grey and white swaddling blanket set

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

1. Ocean burp cloths

2. Jungle burp cloths

3. Flamingo bib set

4. Wave bib set

5. Jungle bib set

6. Butterfly bib set

While you are getting ready for a new baby, check out these other helpful posts: See how I organize kids craft supplies and how to store outgrown baby clothes. Grab the free printable clothing labels to use as your little ones outgrow their clothes. I also organize kids toys with lots of helpful tips here. I've also rounded up lots of my favorite baby essentials so check those out as well!

65+ Things To Do When Staying Home

2020-04-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hello Friends! How is everyone doing these days? Our country and the world is in an unprecedented time. I can't ever remember a time when everything came to a standstill, state governors are issuing stay-at-home orders, we are having a toilet paper shortage, and people were practicing social distancing for weeks on end!

It is easy to feel worried and anxious about what is going on outside our homes. But I want to challenge you to take some time to focus on the positive side of things - (I get to stay home in my jammies all day while drinking wine, eating chocolate, and binge watching Netflix!). But no matter where you fall, we all need to do a self check in and ask ourselves - "How am I doing? How is my mental health? What do I need to change up or do differently?". Mental health is so important! I encourage you to ask yourself these questions and be honest with yourself. If you need help, reach out. Remember that how you respond sets off a chain reaction in those around you.

As a homebody and introvert, I can easily stay at come for days at a time and be just fine. But, I know not everyone is this same way and some (like my sweet hubby!) start to go stir crazy after being at home for more than a day or two. Regardless of where you might fall on the scale, at some point, you will be asking the question - How do I keep myself busy at home? And what can I do at home for fun? Well, here are over 65 ways that you can combat boredom when stuck at home for days at a time. I hope you find a few new ideas to try out this coming week!

This is a long list of stay at home activities so I made a checklist that you can download and print off. I also have a self care check-in worksheet for you to use as well. I hope you find them both useful to you in the coming weeks as we are all staying at home.

Download the Checklist and Worksheet Now

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

1. Write down something you are grateful for - I love this 1 minuet gratitude journal!

2. Have a Consistent Routine - Its a big thing you can do that will make a whole lot of difference in your day!

3. Get Dressed for the Day You Want to Have - Getting dressed each day goes a long way in making you feel better about the day and it makes you feel productive, even when you are staying home.

4. Give Yourself a Manicure or Pedicure - My favorite brands for nail polish are Butter London, Essie, and Opi

5. Give Yourself a Facial

6. Take a Bubble Bath

7. Journal - Journaling is very therapeutic

8. Savor a Cup of Coffee/Tea - When was the last time you were able to just sit over a cup of coffee?

9. Work on a Puzzle - I like this one, this one, this one, and this one.

10. Read a New Book - Here are a ton of options! This is a really good option if you like to read on kindle.

11. Listen To an Audiobook - Any of these books would be great to listen to. You can also listen to tons of audiobooks here.

12. Read a Magazine - You can read while you savor your coffee for the day.

13. Meditate

14. Listen to Music

15. Diffuse Essential Oils

16. Color in a Coloring Book - I like this adult coloring book and this one.

17. Take a Nap

18. Get Plenty of Rest - Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

19. Take a Personality Test - Here is a free one. I also really like Gallup StrengthFinders. If you buy the book, there is a free code for the test!

20. Make a Meal Plan for the Week - This is a great place to start when meal planning, make sure to get these free meal planning printables too!

21. Write a Thank You Note - These are pretty thank you cards to use.

22. Make a List of all Your Family and Friends Birthdays and Anniversaries - Write them down on your calendar or planner so you don't forget!

23. Play a New Game - Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Exploding Kittens, Blokus, and Qwirkle are all favorites.

24. Work on a New Project

25. Workout at Home - Youtube has tons of free workouts. I like this one

26. Do Yoga - Again, Youtube has a lot of options

27. Get Outside in the Sunshine - Nature has a way of lifting up one's spirits and improving your mood.

28. Go for a Walk/Run

29. Bake Something New - I love this cookbook and volume 2 is also a favorite.

30. Try a New Recipe - Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks.

31. Watch a New Movie/Series - Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime all have so many choices!

32. Try Something New - TikTok anyone?

33. Call/Facetime Someone You Haven't Talked to Recently

34. Listen to A Podcast

35. Paint Something

36. Try a New Hobby - needlepoint, woodworking, knitting, machine embroidery, flower arranging; the options are limitless.

37. Get Crafty - check Pinterest for tons of ideas.

38. Learn a New Language - or brush up on one you already know. Mango is a good source for learning a language online. You can get a free Mango account through your library, check it out!

39. Learn a New Skill - Check Youtube for how-to videos if you get stuck.

40. Unfollow Social Media Accounts that Aren't Inspiring You - Only follow accounts that you love.

41. Bird Watch - get a pair of binoculars, throw out some birdseed, and watch the birds from your window.

42. Start a Garden - big or small, flowers or vegetables, the choices are up to you.

43. Clean up Your Computer Desktop - delete unused files and folders. Organize the remaining things into folders.

44. Unsubscribe from Email Lists that Are No longer Relevant

45. Organize Your Photos

46. Backup Your Computer - I use and love this external drive.

47. Clean Your Computer Screen and Keyboard - Use spray and wipes that are computer screen specific so you don't scratch your screen.

48. Clean Up Your Phone - Delete any unused apps and duplicate pictures.

49. Change Up Your Phone and Computer Wallpaper and Screensavers - Here are some free ones

50. Do a Brain Dump - Get everything from your head onto paper.

51. Make a Bucket List - What are the things you've been wanting to do?

52. Plan Your Next Vacation - Summer is coming! Start thinking about your travel plans.

53. Organize Something - Here are some favorite organizing products.

54. Spring Clean Your House - Here are my favorite cleaning products.

55. Clean Up Your Flower Beds and Porch - Here is a guide to help you think through everything.

56. Power Wash Your House and Porch - I love this power washer

57. Clean Out Your Refrigerator

58. Clean Your Makeup Brushes - Here is a cleaner mat that helps with this.

59. Work on a Home Project - What is that one thing that you've been putting off? Now is the time to get to it!

60. Organize Your Junk Drawer - This will only take 10 minuets!

61. Declutter Your Closet

62. Clean Out Your Car - I like this handheld vacuum for the car.

63. Rearrange Your Living Room - Grab this free workbook to help you brainstorm ideas.

64. Go Shopping Online - Just because you are stuck at home doesn't mean you can't go shopping.

65. Create a New Challenge for Yourself

66. Be Thankful for the Extra Downtime - Things will get back to normal soon enough!

Download the Checklist and Worksheet Now

There are 65+ ways of passing the time while staying at home. I hope you found this list helpful! Remember, do a mental health self check and change things up or reach out as needed. We are all in this together friends!

What are your favorite stay at home activities? Let me know and I will add it to my list!

Here is what you can do: share this post with a friend that is also staying home and needs something to do. Download, print, and use the worksheets I created for you. We've got this!

The Best Home Decor for Spring

2020-01-28T06:00:00.003-06:00

Is it just me or is spring is in the air? I always feel the urge to redecorate a few areas of my house after taking down all the Christmas decorations. And now that it is late January, I am feeling the push to decorate for Spring! I love decorating for Spring - I love the bright colors, lighter scents, and different textures. While fall and winter decor are all about comfort, warmth, and heavier colors, Spring is all about new growth, nature, lighter scents, brighter colors, and newness that comes with the season. I went shopping this past weekend and was so inspired by all the pretty, new things for Spring that I had to come home and share all my inspiration with you!

How Do I Update My Home Decor

If you are like most people, when you have the urge to decorate, you don't want to do a complete room overhaul, instead you just want freshen up what you already have and bring in a couple of new things.

Here are 11 different ideas of how you can freshen up your house without having to throw everything out and start again from scratch! I also think that this list can help regardless of the upcoming season.

Download the Workbook NOW!

Did you have the decorating workbook? Great! Grab a pencil and lets get to work giving your house the best decor makeover its ever had!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Wreaths

I love wreaths! They can add so much charm and personality to a space. I always like to buy a new wreath for my front door each Spring. You can also put a wreath over your sink or another window in your house. But I like the kitchen sink since I can look at the pretty flowers while washing dishes and know that Spring is coming soon!

Tulip Wreath Peony Wreath Floral Wreath

Pillows

Pillows are so inexpensive to replace, yet something that people often neglect to do. For Spring, buy a couple of pretty, new pillows. If you are buying pillow covers, than use these down filled pillow inserts for years to come. I really like these cream pillows with pom pom trim and these pink pillow covers.

Cream Pillow Covers Blush Pink Pillow Covers Pink Gingham Pillow Covers

Throw Blankets

Warmer temperatures means that you can put away the heavy throw blankets but you still need a lightweight throw or two for a cooler evening. Here are a few different lightweight throws that I really like.

Lightweight Throw Navy Herringbone Throw Yellow Throw

Plants

Bring the outdoors in with a few new plants. If you have a hard time keeping real plants alive like myself, get a couple of realistic faux plants. Replace the plastic pots that the plants come in with a pretty basket or a ceramic pot.

Fiddle Fig Leaf Tree Potted Plants Blue and White Flower Pots

Seagrass Basket Wicker Baskets Basket

Table Centerpieces

I love having a pretty table centerpiece! They are fairly easy to create and here is how I would do it: I would start with a pretty table runner, place some new napkins around the table, add a vase with these eucalyptus stems or I would put together a floral arrangement with this pretty blue and white vase and this peony bouquet. You are done and it looks really pretty. If you don't want flowers or greenery, than buy a pretty bowl and put some fresh fruit in it.

  Lemon Table Runner Pink Gingham Table Runner Eucalyptus Stems

  Cream Vase Set   Peony Bouquet   Blue and White Vase

Pink Gingham Napkins     Lemon Napkins Bowl

Fresh Textiles in the Kitchen

Who has old, worn-out, seen better days towels and washcloths in their kitchen? Well, Spring is the perfect time to replace your kitchen towels! Towels and washcloths are fairly inexpensive to replace. I like to buy some in bright colors to help liven up the long lasting winter. Here are some of my favorite towels, they are so bright and cheerful.

Stripped Towels Yellow Lemon Towel Set Apron

Download the Effortless Decorating Workbook to help with all of your decorating projects!

Baskets

The Living Room is the perfect place to put a couple of new baskets. You can put pillows, throw blankets, toys, books, or anything else in them! You can use baskets to help organize your bathroom if that is the room needing some decorating attention. I also like to place my plants in a pretty basket instead of the plastic pot they come in.

Seagrass Basket Wicker Baskets Basket

On the Walls

I like to go through my house and refresh the pictures that are on the wall, on the counters, and on the tables. In the Springtime, I like to use lighter colored frames and bright, cheerful prints and artwork. I also like to bring in a couple of pretty mirrors. I do try to think outside the box when putting things on the walls and like to mix things up with plates and trays on the walls in addition to artwork and pictures.

Kate Spade Plate Set Blue and White Plate Set Capiz Picture Frame

Capiz Mirror Gold Mirror Floral Art Prints

Rugs

Spring is the perfect time to do a rug refresh! Swap out a couple of rugs, sell those you no longer love, and buy a new rug for your space. I have this rug in my living room and absolutely love it! I also replaced by backdoor rug and it looks amazing! Don't forget your dirty, tired-out, old doormats. Throw those old doormats away and get a new one. You'll have an instant space refresh!

Rug Hello Doormat Runner

Kitchen Decor

Put a few new decor pieces out in your kitchen. You can really liven up the kitchen with some pretty things! I'm loving this yellow honeypot. This wooden tray would look really pretty on the counter with fruit in it. Try leaning a large wooden cutting board against the kitchen backsplash with a smaller one in front of it. You can put a dishtowel and soap on top of a cake stand or place some fruit on top of it.

Distressed Two Tier Tray Lemon Yellow Honey Pot Mint Cake Stand

Round Marble Cutting Board Rectangular Cutting Board Marble and Wood Cutting Board

Living Room Decor

Don't forget about refreshing the decor in the Living Room and Family Room! Try adding in a couple of new baskets, a pretty bowl with decorative balls or vase fillers in it for the coffee table, white candlesticks, lamps, and coasters. To keep things simple, try to corral items on a pretty tray in sets of 3. For your mantle, try this vase set with eucalyptus stems in it, this lemon garland, or this candlestick set.

Lemon Garland   Wooden Beads   White Candlestick Set

  Blue and White Flower Pots Blue and White Decorative Balls Decorative Box

  Mint Tray Natural Vase and Bowl Filler   Wooden Dough Bowl

  White Marble Coasters Blue and White Lamps Eucalyptus Stems

  Cream Vase Set Peony Bouquet   Blue and White Vase

Wow! That was a ton of decorating ideas and I hope it truly helps you in decorating your home - if you are just buying a few new decor items or doing a complete room overhaul! If you haven't already, download the effortless decorating workbook so it can help you brainstorm and write down all your decorating ideas in one place.

Happy decorating!

Get the free decorating workbook

The Secret to Simplifying Meal Planning

2020-01-15T12:10:00.004-06:00

Who has made a goal to eat healthier this year? Or just to get better planning out your meals for the week? I've talked before about meal prep and kitchen tools you need to simplify cooking, but have never touched on meal planning. So today that is what I'm going to do, go into detail about meal planning. Simplified meal planning that is.

Many times we tend to overcomplicate things and this is so true when thinking about what to eat each week. You think that you have to get everything perfect and create these fantastic meals for your family. So, you try some new meal planning system that has way too many complicated steps and then you end up getting too overwhelmed with it all, and you give up before you get started. Or, you are on a great roll and have things planned out for a few weeks, but life happens and suddenly you find yourself behind once more. Does this sound like you? I know I've struggled with this exact thing!

I Want the Fabulous Meal Planning Kit

It shouldn't be overwhelming and frustrating, but it is. All you want is a solid plan for dinner that doesn't require too much brain thought so that we can feed our family a decent, nourishing meal without it turning into angry tears for us! Because at the end of the day, what our family wants from us is good food to eat while enjoying each others company. What if there was a way to just simplify the entire process and to make it easy to do?

Well I am here to tell you that YES! There is a way to simplify meal planning. There is a way to have the food in your kitchen and recipes at your fingertips ready to go. You can conquer meal planning. And it's not going to require hours and hours of your time! My hope that as I unpack my simplified meal planning routine, it helps you to getting what you want - a nice meal on the table for your family to enjoy without all the stress and overwhelm that can so easily come with trying to get dinner on the table each night of the week.

I Want to Take Control of My Meals

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Before we get into how to meal plan, I first want you to first download the meal printable kit. It has two meal planning sheets, a grocery list, a family favorites list, and a pantry/freezer inventory list to help you keep everything organized and all in one spot! I recommend printing off at least 4-6 meal planning sheets, enough for a months worth. You can also print off just one, laminate it, and reuse it over and over again. I put my laminated meal plan sheet on the front of the refrigerator so that I can see it anytime I am in the kitchen.

Here is my favorite printer, laminator, laminating pouches, and the meal planning sheets. Put them in a notebook in the kitchen and you are ready to start planning your meals. Get everything ready ahead of time, so that when you sit down to plan out your meals, everything is ready to go.

Who wants to be empowered in the area of planning meals? Are you ready to learn the secrets to meal planning? I know I am so let's get started! But before we get into the in's and out's of meal planning, we have to ask - what is meal planning?

Meal Planning

Simply put, meal planning is having an actual plan of what you are going to prepare for a certain length of time and knowing exactly what to buy at the grocery store. You also know when you are going to prepare the different dishes. Sounds simple, right? It is!

So why do we tend to overcomplicate meal planning? I think it's because you don't have a plan to how to actually meal plan successfully. Or you plan a couple of meals and forget to go to the store in a timely manner, or you don't have a plan at all and wonder the grocery aisles grabbing whatever catches your attention and hoping everything comes together. Or you start planning your meals for a couple of weeks and then stop doing it. Can you relate to any one of these? I know I can! I've done each of these things through the years.

After making tons of mistakes through the years, I have finally figured out how to successfully plan out meals week after week. I am sharing my meal planning process with you so that you can learn from my mistakes to be successful and empowered to conquer meal planning once and for all.

I need these Meal Planning Sheets

Simplified Meal Planning

Here is how you can simplify meal planning each week. On your meal planning sheet, I want you to:

Write down 4-5 dinners - This is enough meals for a weeks worth of dinner for the week. If you are eating out 2 times and have leftovers 1 time, you can reduce the number of planned dinners.
Write down 3-4 breakfast ideas - I like to write out the things my family usually eats and make sure to rotate breakfast ideas around every couple of weeks. That way, we don't have eggs every.single.day.
Write down 2-3 lunch ideas - You probably eat the same things for lunch each week - soups, salad, leftovers, and/or sandwiches. Write them down and rotate through your lunch options.
Write out 1-2 baked goods you want to make (muffins, bread, cookies, desserts) -This is so you will actually remember to make some yummy muffins and treats that week! This is optional though, feel free to skip this one.
Write down 4-5 snack ideas - When different ideas are written down, you will be more likely to try something new or to remember an old favorite.
Write down a handful of side dishes for the week - Again, write them down so you'll make sure to have the needed ingredients on hand and on what day you'll need to have the sides prepared. This way you are not scrambling at the last minuet getting things together.

The Secrets to Simplified Meal Planning

Here is how you can simplify the entire meal planning process to make it less overwhelming to you. Brainstorm and on the family favorites sheet, write down 20-30 meals that your family loves to eat. If you need help coming up with them, ask your family members! I'm sure they will think of dinners that you've forgotten about or not thought of.

After you have your family favorite meals written down, pick 3-4 each week to prepare. That only leaves you with 1 extra meal to pick from a recipe book. Or, you can pick all of your dinners from the family favorite master sheet.

The other way to simplify meal planning is to come up with 4 weeks worth of meals and rotate through those each month. This way, all the planning is already done and you don't have to think about a single thing!

My Favorite Kitchen Tools and Recipe Books

The Next Step

Once you've picked your meals, look through your panyty, fridge, and freezer to make sure you have all the needed ingredients to prepare your meals. Pick a day that you are going to go to the grocery store and you are done! See, easy, right? To make grocery shopping even easier, order your groceries through Walmart or your local grocery store, and simply pick them up the next day.

So you see, meal planning does not need to be complicated or complex. All you need to do is write done a handful of meals that you want to cook, make sure you have the needed ingredients, and prepare the food for your family and friends. Because, at the end of the day, all your people want is to enjoy each others company over good food that feeds their souls. Remember that memories are made gathered around the table and it doesn't matter wither your meals are fancy or simple. It just has to be good food that feeds them.

How I Deal with Stress and Overwhelm

I Need The Life-Changing Meal Planning Kit

Remember, do what works for you. Don't spend a lot of time worrying about the perfect meal planning system. Just take a few meal ideas, write them down, buy the ingredients, and cook the meals. I promise that meal planning is just like learning anything new. The more you do meal planning, the easier it will become.

I Am Going to Conquer Meal Planning This Week!

My goal in writing this and creating the meal planning printable kit, was to give you tools that will help you conquer and feel empowered over your meal planning. If I missed something or if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me! Likewise, if you have a tip or trick for meal planning, post it here in the comments below! Make sure to get the printable meal planning kit and lets start making some food for our family and have victory over our weekly meals!

One last thing, did you know that you can follow me on Instagram to see behind the scenes of my life and to see my meal plan in action? You can also have updates delivered straight to your inbox! Don't worry, I only email 2-3 times a month and its full of valuable tips, tricks, and information. There are some pretty neat things coming up for Emma Marie Designs and I want you to be the 1st to know!

Organizing Christmas Decor

2019-12-31T06:00:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year to start taking down all of the beautiful Christmas decorations and putting them back in storage! Is anyone else ready to do this just yet? I just packed up all of my holiday decorations and put them away. It was a bit sad to take everything down but I am very happy to start the new year off with a clean and organized house. I was surprised to find it only took me 3-4 hours over the course of 2 evenings to put everything away. The 1st evening I did everything but our 2 Christmas trees (main and children's) and the 2nd evening I had lots of help from the littles in taking the trees down (thanks kids!).

As sad as it is to see the pretty Christmas decorations go, it is so nice to have a clean and organized house to start the new year. I love starting the new year with a blank slate, don't you? If you are getting ready to take your Christmas decor down, than this post is just for you! I break down each step you need to take in order to get all the Christmas decorations organized for next year and have plenty of helpful tips along the way. Let's dive right on in to exactly how you store Christmas decor!

To start, what you don't want to do is simply throw everything into any container and all it good. Oh no! Ensure that next year's Christmas decorating to be stress-free by correctly getting everything organized as you put away this year's decor. When next Christmas rolls around, decorating will be a breeze because you will be able to easily identify all of your holiday decor and it is not a huge, jumbled mess. Put some thought into how you are going to store your things and next year when you open those beautiful red containers, the angels will be singing.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Here are my steps to organizing Christmas decor -

Decide on how many storage boxes you have room to store items based on your space
Gather every single holiday item into 1 room. This way you can see everything you have.
Purge whatever you do not want to reuse and all the items you didn't use this past year (or the past couple of years for sure). If you don't love it, let it go and pass it onto someone who will love to have it in their home. Donate it or give it to someone. Pass it on and save yourself the space.
Group like items together. Have different piles for all of the trees, ornaments, decorations for the kids tree, pillows, stockings and holders, ribbon, lights, etc
Store like items in a container together and label the container. I use and love this label maker.
Bag up the discarded items and take them to a donation center or give them to a friend/family member. Get the unwanted/unneeded items out of your house!
Celebrate! You are all organized and ready for next year.

Here are a few extra tips with packing up all the pretty decorations:

I like to put all of my Christmas decor into red boxes because they are easy to find and locate. You can also use clear boxes with red lids or handles if you want to see inside them without taking the lid off. If you use these, you can get by without having to label the contents. You'll see red and immediately know that it is your Christmas decor.
Reuse tissue paper or packing paper to wrap more fragile items in like picture frames.

Repurpose gift boxes for smaller items like ribbon, tree garland, and small nativity pieces.

I like to wrap small garland around a rectangular piece of cardboard to keep them tangle-free
These light organizers are great to wrap lights around. You can also place each strand into a plastic bag for a cheaper option.
The original Christmas tree box that the tree came in is the best way to store your tree from year to year, but if you don't have the box than use a tree bag.
Save on everyday storage space by storing Christmas gift wrap with the Christmas decor since it is only used during the holiday season.
Proper Christmas decoration storage means finding protective ways to store all of the decorations, ornaments, trees, lights, and everything Christmas.

Here is a guide of all the different holiday storage containers. I broke them into different sections to make them easier to see which container is used for what purpose. I hope you love this guide and find it very useful!

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Storage for Trees

1. Rectangle Christmas Tree Bag - This Christmas tree bag fits trees up to 9 feet, is very durable, and waterproof. Something you'll use forever!

2. Round Christmas Tree Bag - I also like the shape of this tree bag.

Storage for Ornaments
3. Fabric Ornament Storage Box - This ornament storage box holds 64 ornaments! I love that it has different compartments for each ornament.
4. Snapware Ornament Box - I really like Snapware storage boxes. This one has dividers and 3 layers so you can open whichever one you want while not having to dig through the entire box.
5. Sterilite Ornament Box - This ornament storage box is similar to the snapware storage containers. This one has 2 layers and holds 24 ornaments in the divided sections.
6. Snapware Storage Container - I use one of these Snapware boxes and love it! I use it for non-breakable ornaments that lay flat.
7. Fabric Ornament Container - This is a nice ornament storage box that can be stored under the bed if that is where you store your ornaments.

Storage for Wreaths
8. Round Wreath Container - These are the wreath boxes that I use and love for all of my wreaths! They are very durable and last forever.
9. Fabric Wreath Container - This is also a nice wreath storage container.

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Storage for Lights
1. Light and Garland Container - This is a great way to keep all the Christmas light strands coiled and organized. No more jumbled ball of lights! A must-have. It would also work really well for keeping garlands untangled as well.
2. Light Container Bag - This light storage bag coils the lights around a reel. Very nice.
3. Fabric Light and Garland Storage Box - This is a nice fabric light box that would work well indoors.

Storage for Everything Else
4. Under the Bed Storage Box - You can use this square storage box to store things under the bed.
5. Red Storage Containers - These are my favorite Christmas storage containers. You can put everything in them!
6. Clear Storage Container with Red Lid - These storage containers are a nice option if you want clear storage boxes so that you can see the contents inside without having to open the box.
7. Under the Bed Box - You can store lots of things in this shallow, under the bed storage container.

Storage for Gift Wrap

8. Gift Wrapping Storage Box - This gift wrapping box has dividers for bows, scissors, tape, bags, and wrapping paper.

9. Gift Wrapping Storage Bags - These bags are great for storing just wrapping paper.

Alright, who is inspired to get all their Christmas decor packed away and organized for the new year? Do you have any tips that you always use?

If you are doing some organizing for the New Year, check out these posts for lots of inspiration and ideas!

Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

2019-12-10T05:00:00.001-06:00

Hello Friends! Can you believe Christmas is just 15 days away?! I am so close to being done with my Christmas shopping!!! Are you? I only have gifts for my dad and brother left to buy and it is so hard! I think shopping for men is always so challenging. Do you feel the same way?

Well, if you do, than today's post is just for you! It is the Ultimate Gift Guide for Men! Cue the excitement bells! It is a post that will hopefully help you find the best gifts for all the menfolk you are buying gifts for this year. As men are usually the hardest people to buy for (just get me t-shirts and socks!), I feel like this is a very appropriate post to do right now.

If you are looking for more gift ideas, check out the Ultimate Gift Guides - These are packed full of great gift ideas for every single person on your list!

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

The Ultimate Christmas Decorating Guide

I have put so many of my husbands most loved and used things on here so you know you are getting the best gift ideas for your men! Let's get to shopping!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

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1. Fossil Watch - This is a nice, classic leather watch.

2. Projector - Perfect for the home theater!

3. Slippers - Every guy needs a new pair of slippers at Christmas!

4. Beanie Hat - A great stocking stuffer idea.

5. Bluetooth Speaker - This is perfect for a day at the beach, lake, washing the car, or anywhere for that matter. It is also waterproof.

6. Electric Razor - Your guy would love a new razor.

7. Laser Measuring Tape - For the home DIYer. Good stocking stuffer ideas as well.

8. Button Down Flannel Shirt - Soft and warm for the chilly winter days.

9. Workout Gloves - I really like these breathable workout gloves.

10. Bluetooth Speaker - This is a great speaker when you need more heavy duty sound. Perfect for tailgating, a party, hooking up musical instruments, or giving a work presentation.

11. Bartender Kit - This is a nice cocktail mixer set.

12. Leather Carry On Bag - I really like this leather bag for your guy to travel in style!

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1. Nepresso Machine - This coffee and espresso machine is AMAZING! Makes your favorite hot drink to perfection.

2. Key Organizer - This is awesome to help organize your keys on your key chain.

3. Charging Station - I really like this bamboo charging station. It would look nice on a dresser or desk while keeping all the charging cords nicely organized in one place.

4. Columbia Hiking Boots - These are perfect for hiking.

5. Yeti Cooler - A nice, well-made cooler is a must have! My brother has this one and loves it!

6. The North Face Jacket - My husband recently got this jacket and it's his favorite thing ever! It is very warm while still lightweight.

7. Dewalt Drill - I have this drill and it is a must-have for all the home improvements.

8. Echo Dot with Alexa - A great gift idea, it also pairs well with the smart plug.

9. Yeti Rambler - My husband loves his yeti! It keeps drinks ice cold or hot for hours.

10. Turntable Record Player - Another classic gift for the music lover.

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1. Apple Air Pods - I bought my husband these air pods for Christmas last year and they are something he uses multiple times every day! A must-have for any guy.

2. Wood Carving Tool Set - This is a nice wood carving set. Great gift for the DIY tpye of guys.

3. Portable/ Tailgating Grill - This is a nice, portable tailgating grill. Perfect to take to a friends house or when you go camping or tailgating.

4. Messenger Bag - I really like this nice messenger bag, very stylish.

5. Nest Thermostat - My husband would love to upgrade our thermostat to one of these!

6. Travel Toiletry Bag - Every guy needs a nice toiletry bag when he travels away from home.

7. Cornhole Yard Game - We love to play cornhole! It is the perfect yard game when you have friends over.

8. V-Neck T-Shirts - For some reason, t-shirts are always on a guys Christmas list. These are my husbands favorite brand and type.

9. Socks - As with the t-shirts, socks are another "must-have" Christmas list. I really like this set of socks.

10. Hammock - This Bear Butt hammock is amazing! Great gift idea for the outdoor men.

11. Workout Bag with Shoe Compartment - Every guy needs a nice bag to take with them to the gym. This one has different compartments for shoes and wet things, genius!

12. Wireless Charging Pad - This is a nice charging pad that doesn't require you to find the charger 1st. Just set the device down and it's good to go!

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1. Propane Grill - Christmas is a great time to get your favorite guy a new grill for Christmas. I really like this one. It has a large surface to cooking a ton at once.

2. Apple Watch - This is a nice watch to get your guy for Christmas!

3. Patterned Socks - For the guys who like fancier socks under their slacks.

4. Duffle Bag - My husband has had this duffle, travel bag for a few years and it is in great shape! it has held up extremely well and is very durable.

5. Kindle - This is a great tablet to get the book-loving men.

6. Slim Leather Wallet - This wallet is the perfect size! It's also a great stocking stuffer.

7. Fleece Jacket - I really like this Columbia fleece jacket. It's perfect for cooler days.

8. Ring Doorbell - These doorbells are pretty cool! They connect to your phone so you can see exactly who is at your front door. Great for the techie guys.

9. Shaving Set - This is a nice, classic shaving set.

10. Basketball Hoop - For all of the sports fans! Perfect to shoot hoops in the driveway!

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1. Carhartt Lunch Cooler - Guys need a nice cooler bag to take their lunch to work.

2. Watch Display Box - This is a nice box to display the watch collection and to keep the dust off of them.

3. BBQ Grilling Gloves - Great gift for the guy who is a grill master!

4. Smart Plug for Alexa - These plugs are so cool! They control things handsfree or from your phone. it goes nicely with the Echo Dot.

5. Garmin Running Watch - For all the active, running guys! This Garmin is the perfect watch!

6. Robe - Every guys needs a nice, soft, plush robe to wear.

7. Alarm Clock with USB Charging Ports - I really like how this alarm clock has the charging ports on the front of the clock face. It saves you from having to locate a outlet.

8. Moleskin Leather Notebook - These are my husbands favorite notebooks! He goes through a couple each year. It is also a really good stocking stuffer idea.

9. Touchscreen Gloves - These touchscreen gloves are great for keeping the cold off your hands while still being able to access your phone. A must-have for the winter months.

10. Beard and Hair Trimmer - This is a nice trimmer set, great for keeping your man groomed!

11. Okleay Sunglasses - These are my husband and dad's favorite sunglasses. They each have a pair and cannot live without them!

12. Electronic Organizer - A must-have when traveling!

That about wraps up the gift guide. I hope you were able to find several great ideas for your dad/brother/husband/son/man in your life.

For even more great gift ideas, check out the Ultimate Gift Guides -

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

The Ultimate Christmas Decorating Guide

Don't forget to check back for my Ultimate Stocking Stuffer list! It is going to be jam-packed to 150+ ideas for the ultimate stockings! Until next time, happy shopping!

Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

2019-12-06T06:00:00.002-06:00

Who has been doing some Christmas shopping?! Is anyone done yet? I'm getting closer to being done, but still have a few last things to get. We are about 3 weeks away from Christmas, so there is still plenty of time to get it all bought and wrapped under the tree before the big day!

I have been doing the Ultimate Gift Guides series the past couple of weeks. So far, we have a gift guide for women, kids, toddlers, and a decorating guide. Each gift guide is packed to the brim with affordable gifts. Make sure to check them out to get some really good gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Gift Guide for Women

Gift Guide for Kids

Gift Guide for Toddlers

Gift Guide for Men

Christmas Decorating Guide

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Today I am continuing with the Ultimate gift guide series, this time its all about the babies! I've got three babies with a 4th one on the way, so I feel like I really understand what to get the littlest people for Christmas.

I like to buy a couple of developmental toys for baby's current age but then also think ahead to the next couple of months and what kind of toys or things we might need. Christmas is also a fantastic time to invest in a bigger gift that baby might need, like a stroller or exersaucer.

Once again, I stuck with lots of classic, tried and true gifts. I've included several of our favorite brands - Melissa and Doug, Hape, Fisher Price, Baby Einstein, and more. I hope this helps you find a few gifts for all the babies on your Christmas list!

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1. Teething Rings - These teething rings are adorable and would make a nice stocking stuffer.

2. Soft Cars Set - Great little first toys.

3. Fleece Booties - We love these little booties! They do not fall off and a great way to keep toes nice and cozy during the cold winter months.

4. Musical Octopus - This is a favorite toy of ours.

5. Bumpy Ball - Cute ball.

6. Musical Toy Caterpillar - Babies love this! Perfect stocking stuffer for baby.

7. Baby Gund Playset - So adorable. There are a bunch of different set you can choose from.

8. Wooden Vehicles - Classic wooden toys.

9. Sophie Giraffe Teether - We love this teether!

10. Key Teether - Another great teether and stocking stuffer.

11. Kick n Play Piano Mat - Keeps baby entertained for awhile.

12. Baby Hair Bow Set - Nice hair bow set. Ours has lasted through 2 children.
13. Stacking Cups - A must have, perfect stocking stuffer for baby's stocking.

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1. Pounding Toy - I really like this pounding toy. Great to practice mother skills and coordination.

2. Puppy on a String - Cute! We have a similar one and the kids love to pull it around the house.

3. Snail Pull Toy - Another classic pull toy that is also a shape sorter.

4. Activity Cube - A favorite toy of my kids. Each side has a different activity on it.

5. Dimpl Baby Toy - I love this!

6. Geometric Stacker Toy - Classic stacker toy, great for mother skills.

7. Shape Sorter - We have this shape sorter and it has held up really well for 3 babies and counting.

8. Musical Instruments - Great musical instrument set. All babies love to make noise!

9. Baby Drum - I really like this drum. It would go really well with the musical instrument set.

10. Ball Popper - Provides hours of entertainment.

11. Jumbo Lacing Beads - I love these! You can teach colors, lacing, categorizing, shapes, and more.

12. Bead Maze - My babies have always enjoyed our bead maze. It's pretty fun to do!

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1. Baby Animals Touch and Feel Book - We love the DK touch and feel books and read them over and over and over.

2. If Animals Kissed Goodnight - This one is really sweet.

3. The Mitten - We love this story of sharing!

4. Blue Hat, Green Hat - A favorite of ours. All the Sandra Bounton books are great.

5. Guess How Much I love You - A classic book to read.

6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Another favorite book of ours.

7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear - We love this color rhyming book!

8. Touch and Feel Puppies and Kittens - This touch and feel book is a current favorite of my baby. She never tires of looking at all the animals.

9. Pajama Time! - A fun book to read to babies.

10. First 100 Words - Another favorite book of ours.

11. Moo Baa La La La - This book is a good one!

12. Little Blue Truck's Christmas - A sweet story.
13. Baby Lit Board Book Set - I love the baby lit books! Great way to introduce babies to the classics. This is also a really good value for the price.
14. Goodnight Moon - Another classic book and babies love it.
15. Dear Zoo - We love this interactive book!

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1. O Ball - My babies have all enjoyed their O Balls. It's really easy for babies to grasp and hold on to. Great stocking stuffer.

2. O Ball Cars - Great 1st car set.

3. Moose Toy - A favorite toy of ours!

4. Musical Farmyard Cube - This is a great activity cube.

5. Atom Rattle - I really like this ball-like toy.

6. Rock a Stack - We have this and love it!

7. Wobble Penguin - Cute, musical penguin.

8.Wooden Bead Rattle - I really like this rattle!

9. Whoozit - Another favorite toy of ours. It can attach to the stroller and car seat.

10. Skwish Grasping Activity Toy - Another classic baby toy.

11. Crinkle and Roar Lion - Cute lion!

12. Firefly Pull Toy - Lamaze makes some adorable stroller toys! This firefly is perfectly cute.
13. Musical Shake and Rattle - I really like this bead rattle and it would be a good stocking stuffer.

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1. Exersaucer - Every baby needs an exersaucer!

2. Farm Animals on a String - My babies (and older toddlers) have all enjoyed this farm animal set.

3. Playskool Poppin Pals - A favorite toy of ours that teaches coordination and different motor skills.

4. Sippy Cups - Great stocking stuffer!

5. Spoons - Another great stocking stuffer!

6. Wooden Woodland Animals - I love these wooden animals.

7. Elephant Pull Toy - This pull elephant is adorable!

8. Key Set - All babies love keys, a great stocking stuffer.

9. Puppy Walker - My 19 month old still love to play with this walker. A must-have for babies getting ready to walk.

10. Britax Stroller - I love my Britax stroller, it is built to last.

11. Wooden Peg Animals - These are so cute!

12. Gund Stuffed Animal - Gund stuffed animals are so, so soft! Great 1st stuffed animal for babies.

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1. Fawn Taggie Toy - This is so sweet for the baby girls.

2. Pig Lovey - I love this little piggy!

3. Hedgehog Taggie Toy - Cute for the baby boys.

4. Elephant Taggie Toy - Adorable for both baby girls and baby boys.

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Soft Book - Babies love the soft books!

6. Penguin Teether Toy - Cute teether and taggie animal. My babies have loved ours.

7. Set of 4 Animal Soft Books - These are a great value for the price.

8. Dinosaur Tails Soft Book - A favorite soft book! They also have several different soft books stories.

9. Hedgehog Tag Animal - This is adorable.

10. Puppy Soft Book - So sweet! Babies love it.

Ok friends, that wraps up the baby gift guide. I hope you found a few gifts to give to all the babies on your Christmas gift list. I'll be putting up a couple of more ultimate gift guides, so be sure to check back. In the meantime, don't forget to look at all the different gift guides to find presents for all the people on your holiday gift list this year!

Gift Guide for Women

Gift Guide for Men

Gift Guide for Kids

Gift Guide for Toddlers

Christmas Decorating Guide

Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

2019-12-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

Who has started their Christmas shopping yet? Who is ready to start shopping?! Who feels a bit overwhelmed or has no idea where to start?! Well, this is the PERFECT gift guide for you! I have rounded up a ton of gift ideas for toddler and early elementary boys and girls! Fingers crossed that they help you with your holiday shopping!

Have you checked out the other Ultimate gift guides yet?

The Ultimate Guide to Decorating for Christmas

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

Each one is packed with tons of ideas for everyone on your Christmas lists!

I have included several of our favorite toys and ones that are on our Christmas wish lists. Some of our favorite toy brands are Melissa and Doug, Fisher Price, Leapfrog, Lego, and Vtech. I hope you enjoy this ultimate gift guide, because I had a lot of fun putting it together for you! Get ready to shop!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

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1. Mr and Mrs Potato Head - A classic toy.

2. Melissa and Doug Vet - This is on my 4 year old's Christmas list.

3. Little People Farm Set - I love Fisher Price Little People! This farm set is a great toy.

4. Flippables Beanie Babies - My kids have several of these, they are adorable!

5. Vtech Write and Learn Center - This one is great for creativity.

6. Agirlgle Wood Building Blocks - Such pretty blocks.

7. Melissa and Doug Take Along Dollhouse - Cute! And hours of play for little ones.

8. Paw Patrol Learning Watch - For the Paw Patrol Loving kiddo.

9. Piggy Bank - My 19 month old loves to play with money. She is getting this piggy bank for Christmas!

10. Green Toys Rescue Boat and Helicopter - Green Toys are great toys and made from recycled materials.

11. Water Lab Set - Awesome for bath time!

12. Green Toys Helicopter - I love this helicopter, great quality.

13. Clock Shape Puzzle - This is a favorite of my girls. Great for teaching time and shapes.

14. Teepee Tent - So many memories are made in a tent! Perfect for reading and playing pretend.

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1. Wooden Play Kitchen - We have had this kitchen for several years and it has held up so well!

2. Melissa and Doug Cutting Fruit Set - Great set of play food and for kids learning how to cut and match.

3. Tea Party Set - My little ones love this tea set!

4. Tea Set - This is another fabulous tea set.

5. Melissa and Doug Food Groups - We love our Melissa and Doug food! This set is wonderful.

6. Play-Doh Cookie Set - This cookie Play-Doh set is adorable!

7. Play-Doh Pizza Set - Love this pizza Play-Doh set.

8. Melissa and Doug Produce Set - We have had this produce set for years and it looks like new! The kids love to play with it.

9. Tea Set - I love this wooden tea set.

10. Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Set - So very cute!

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1. Thomas the Train Super Station - This is a favorite.

2. Paw Patrol Lookout Tower - Cute tower!

3. Magna Tiles - My kids love magna tiles! They play with them for hours.

4. Parking Garage - All the Vtech racetracks are great!

5. Vtech Raceway - This one is really fun to build and play on.

6. Fantasy Blocks Building Set - I think this is a adorable building set!

7. Hot Wheels Blastway Track - This loos really fun.

8. Thomas the Train Cave Collapse - Cute and fun car track.

9. Thomas the Train - Great starter set train set.

10. Vtech Raceway - This one is really fun to build and play on.

11. Thomas the Train Engines - Love these classic train engines.

12. Amusement Park - Cute Vtech track.

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1. Water Table - A fun toy for kids.

2. Radio Flyer 4-1 Tricycle - Great little bike.

3. Unicorn Hat and Glove Set - So cute for the girls! Great stocking stuffer.

4. Little Tikes Basketball Hoop - A classic toy for kids to practice their hoops.

5. Fisher Price Tough Trike - A really good little tricycle.

6. Monster Hat and Glove Set - Cute for the little boys, great stocking stuffer.

7. Fishing Set - A fun bath set.

8. Ocean Bath Toys - Great stocking stuffer!

9. Jewelry Snap Set - My 4 year old got this for her birthday. We all love it!

10. Plasma Car - Great 1st car!

11. Hairbow Set - This is a wonderful set of hair bows.

12. Little Tykes Push Car - My 19 month old LOVES this push car!

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1. Ride On Bike - Sweet little 1st bike.

2. Melissa and Doug Magnetic Puzzle Set - We love these puzzles.

3. Wooden Sorting Stack - A classic toy.

4. Melissa and Doug Safari Puzzle - My little ones really love this puzzle, they like to take the animals and play with them!

5. Activity Cube - These activity cubes are favorite toys.

6. Melissa and Doug Hide and Seek Farm - A favorite puzzle.

7. Melissa and Doug Barn Set - A classic farm set.

8. Wooden Tool Box - I love this wooden tool box.

9. Wooden Dollhouse - This is a adorable dollhouse.

10. Workbench - A good quality workbench for the little boys.

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1. Vanity Set - Every little girl should have a pretty vanity set.

2. Princess Dress Up Clothes - Cute dress up clothes for pretend play.

3. Pretend Makeup Set - A favorite for the little girls who like to play with mom's makeup.

4. Doll Stroller - A pretty doll stroller to go with a new baby doll.

5. Super Hero Capes - These are on my daughters Christmas wish list!

6. Baby Doll - This Melissa and Doug baby doll is wonderful! A great 1st baby doll.

7. Baby Doll Feeding Set - We love this baby doll feeding set.

8. Doll Highchair - Perfect for the little mama's to feed their baby doll.

9. Melissa and Doug Let's Clean House Set - For boys and girls since they love to help mom with all the chores around the house.

10. Chair - All the little ones love to sit in a chair their size and read books.

11. Skip Hop Backpack - These are adorable! Great quality.

12. Doll Bed - Cute little doll bed.

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1. Playmobil 123 Noahs Ark - I just love this Noah's ark set!

2. Kids Tablet - Great learning tablet, very educational.

3. Leapfrog Learning Words Book - Very educational toy for the little ones.

4. Safari Animal Figure Set - My kids really love animals like these. Great stocking stuffer!

5. Design and Drill Kit - This is a great educational toy.

6. Play Purse - My girls have all enjoyed this play purse.

7. Leapfrog Scribble and Write - This is a great educational toy.

8. Leapfrog Leaptop - This is a great educational toy.

9. Green Toys Parking Garage -

10. Hot Wheels Set - All little kids love hot wheel cars!

11. Fisher Price Little People Jungle Set - My kids love this jungle playlet.

12. Paw Patrol Police Cruiser Team - Perfect for the paw patrol lovers!

13. Playmobil 123 Zoo - We love this zoo set!

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1. Avengers Legos, Outriders Attack - This is a great lego set!

2. Construction Engineering Building Blocks - Great STEM construction building blocks.

3. Toy Story Lego Duplo Set - Cute lego set for little ones.

4. Avengers Legos, Hulkbuster Smash-up - I also love this avenger lego set.

5. Avengers Legos, Quinjet - This is a great lego set!

6. Duplo Train Set - Cute lego set for little ones.

7. Dragon - My kids would love this dragon!

8. Imaginex Castle - This is a really nice castle.

9. Pirate Ship - I really like this pirate ship.

10. Avengers Action Figures - These would be a great stocking stuffer.

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1. Curious George Audio Book - This is one of our favorite books to read out loud!

2. Little Blue Truck's Christmas - Classic, little ones love it!

3. Confident Coloring Book - A sweet coloring book for little girls.

4. Bear Stays Up For Christmas - This is adorable.

5. Click, Clack, Cows that Type - We love these books! They are so funny.

6. Disney Princess 5 Minute Stories - This is a favorite of ours.

7. There's a Wocket in My Pocket - We love this one too! Dr. Seuss books are wonderful.

8. Disney Bedtime Favorites CD - This looks like a great books full of bedtime stories.

9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - A classic.

10. Moo Baa La La La - This is a favorite

11. The Very Hungry Caterpillar - A classic book that we love!

12. If You Give a Pig A Pancake - All these books in the series are adorable and funny.

13. Dear Zoo - We love this board book as well.

14. The Wonderful Things You Will Be - This one is very sweet!

15. Are You My Mother? - Great for new readers!

16. Go, Dog Go - Also a classic book that is perfect for new readers.

Did you find a few things for the kids on your list? I hope so! Don't forget to check out the other Ultimate gift guides!

The Ultimate Guide to Decorating for Christmas

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

2019-11-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

It's officially Christmas time!!!!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by love, family, friends, and food! I actually had 2 Thanksgiving dinners at my house this year, the 2nd was totally unplanned but it worked. I also had a fabulous 2 hour nap to top it off. That was wonderful!

Now it is full steam ahead for Christmas! All the gift shopping, buying, wrapping, and giving can be stressful trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, which is why I am putting together the ultimate gift guides for Christmas! My hope is that they give you ideas for each and every person on your gift buying list and that it's helpful to you during the busy holiday season.

Ultimate Guide to Decorating for Christmas

Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

Today I have the Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids. Coming up I have toddlers, babies, men, teens, and 150+ stocking suffer ideas! I've put everything together to have a one stop shopping list this season. You can see all the gift guides here.

You can also see this gift guide for the entire family from a couple years ago if you're looking for more ideas.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

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1. Craft Kit - Doesn't this look like a fun sewing kit for kids? I love the woodland animals! Super cute.
2. Sleeping Bag - This is a fun, glow-in-the-dark sleeping bag! It comes in several colors.
3. Rainbow Loom Bracelet Set - This is a very popular gift for kids! Hours of fun and entertainment.
4. Wet Brush Set - These are our favorite brushes. The mini size is perfect for little hands. Great stocking stuffer, you can divide them up between multiple kiddos!
5. Imagination Magnets - These are magnets that make pictures. The best part is that they stay in place! Fun and educational.
6. Outdoor Swing - Great outdoor toy!
7. Craft Supplies - My kids are big crafters, so they always need craft supplies. Christmas is the perfect time to replenish their supply! This kit comes with all the things your need to make several projects.
8. Microscope - Great for the budding scientist!
9. Nintendo Switch - My nephew has this game system and he loves it!
10. Marble Run - Hours of fun for all the kids!

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1. Melissa and Doug Play Vanity Set - We got this vanity set last year and love it. It is very durable and kids love playing pretend.
2. Rubix Cube - Great stocking stuffer!
3. Stable and Horses - All kids need a nice horse and stable set and this one is it!
4. Lego Friends Treehouse Set - Cute lego set for girls
5. Alex Friendship Bracelet Kit - Another fantastic craft kit.
6. K'nex Building Set - All kiddos love playing with K'nex blocks!
7. Lego X-Wing Starfighter Set - Putting Legos and Starwars together? Yes!!
8. Barbie Fashion Plates - This is on my daughter's wish list this year. Great for drawing!
9. Barbie Doll and Horse - Another item that is on the Christmas wish list - Barbie dolls. I like the horse and rider set.
10. Hot Wheels Race Track Set - I think all kiddos would like playing with a race car set.
11. Scrapbook Making Kit - This scrapbook kit comes with everything you need to put together a photo album, just add a few family and friends pictures and you've got the perfect gift!
12. Fun Animal Socks - Cute and warm! These would be a great stocking stuffer or friend gift. You can easily divide them up.

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1. Ezyroller Ride On Toy - Doesn't this ride on toy look like tons of fun?! They have great reviews and a perfect way to get the kids outside in the sunshine!
2. Toothless Hatch Dragon - This is on my daughters Christmas wish list. A perfect toy for kids who love dragons and dinosaurs.
3. Snap Circuits - Fun and educational! Hours of entertainment.
4. Insect Lore Butterfly Kit - for all the science lovers! They can grow butterflies. I know my 7 year old would love to have this!
5. Piggy Trio Bank - Spend, Save, Share - Great way to teach kids about managing money.
6. Walkie Talkies - Such a fun gift!
7. Aquabeads - Hours of fun and entertainment! Great for boys and girls.
8. Magic Set - A bunch of kids would love to have a magic set of their own.
9. Squigz Set - These are so cool! I've been wanting to get a set for my kiddos. Great hands-on manipulatives.
10. Flower Garden Building Set - This looks so cool!

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1. Tabletop Air Hockey Game - So fun and it doesn't take up too much room.
2. Dinosaur Figure Set - Great stocking stuffer. You can easily divide them up between multiple kids.
3. Kitting Kit - Christmas is a good time for kids to learn new skills, like sewing and knitting.
4. Holiday Barbie - This is a classic gift, perfect for any girl.
5. Bow - Another action-packed adventure gift!
6. Calico Critter Townhouse - We have several Calico Critters and love them all! They are very durable and will last forever.
7. Victor Robot - My nephew has this little robot and he is so very cool! This little guy can do several tricks. He is very fun to watch!
8. Hat and Gloves Set - To stay warm during the winter months. Great stocking stuffer!
9. Mini Basketball Hoop - This is small enough that it can go in the bedroom to keep the boys occupied.
10. Hat with Pompom - I feel like Christmas is the perfect time to gift new hats and mittens. This hat is super cute with the pompom. Perfect stocking stuffer for the girls!
11. Gravity Marble Run - This looks like a super cool marble run.

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1. Playstation 4 Pro - This is one of the top gaming systems this year! Kids (and adults) would love to get this from Santa this year!
2. Nerf Gun - A fun gift for all kids. Get all the kids, mom, and dad one and have an epic nerf gun battle on Christmas Day! Don't forget some extra darts!
3. Flippables Beanie Baby - These are super neat! We have 3 and my kids love them. Great little stocking stuffer!
4. Polly Pocket - I love that Polly Pockets are back this year! Perfect stocking stuffer for the girls.
5. Jewelry Box - Every little girl needs her very own jewelry box. Complete the gift with a nice necklace and bracelet set.
6. Millennium Falcon Lego Set - A fun lego set for all the lego lovers!
7. Nerf Gun - A fun gift for all kids. Get all the kids, mom, and dad one and have an epic nerf gun battle on Christmas Day! Don't forget some extra darts!
8. Basic Lego Set - Great set to get you started on legos.
9. Barbie Dreamcamper - This is a fun Barbie set for the girls this year.
10. Mini Sewing Machine - All kids should learn how to sew and this is a perfect machine to get them started!
11. Purse - Sweet purse for little girls. I think all girls should get a pretty purse at Christmastime.
12. Race Track Set - Another awesome, fun racetrack for guaranteed fun!

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1. Magic Treehouse Audio Book Set - We love the magic treehouse books! This one is a audio book so you can listen in the car or a CD player in their room.
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book - The latest, must-have book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series!
3. Dinosaur Paint by Sticker Book - This is a very cool, paint by sticker book.
4. Usborne Science Book Set - For all the kids who love astronomy. We have several Usborne science books and they are some of our favorites! You can pair these books with a nice telescope and you have the perfect gift for the budding astronomer!
5. Science Experiment Book - For all the science lovers! I love how hands-on it is and great for learning.
6. Paint by Sticker Zoo Animal Book - This one is really cute as well.
7. Joke Book - Perfect gift for the jokester of the family. Also a great stocking stuffer idea.
8. Disney Pixar Storybook Collection - We have a couple of the Disney storybooks and they are a huge hit! This is also another fun audio book set.
9. World Atlas Sticker Picture Book - Another Usborne book. This one is a world atlas. Great for learning and it is beautifully illustrated.
10. Puffin in Bloom Book Collection - I love this pretty set of books! They are beautiful and the stories are classics every girl should read.
11. 50 States Usborne Book - We love Usborne books! They are all such good quality, colorful, and well-researched books. They also extremely durable (a must when it comes to kids and books!). This one looks amazing and full of information about the USA.
12. Unicorn Paint by Sticker Book - I love the paint by sticker books! This is a great stocking stuffer for any little girl.

So there you have the Ultimate gift guide for kids! Where you able to find some awesome things for the kiddos on your Christmas list? I really hope so! Coming up next is the ultimate gift guide for toddlers. You don't want to miss it!

You can see all the Ultimate Gift Guides right here in one spot -

Ultimate Guide to Decorating for Christmas

Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

Ultimate Gift Guide for Women

2019-11-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

Christmastime is here!!! Or at least, shopping for Christmas is here! I have put a gift guide for women together to start us off with Christmas shopping. This is the first of many, ultimate gift guides that I am putting together for you to help you with your Christmas shopping this season. Because lets face it, sometimes we need a little help in picking out that perfect gift for someone special on our list. My hope is that you find these gift guides incredibly helpful to you and that it is a resource that you'll be able to use this holiday season.

I have several gift guides coming - men, babies, toddlers, kids, and stocking stuffers! Be on the lookout for each one of those in the coming days. I put together a decorating guide earlier in the week, make sure to check that out as well. You can also subscribe to the blog so that you don't miss a single gift guide. Trust me, they are all so incredibly good and packed full of awesome and affordable gift ideas!

The Ultimate Gift Guides

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Decorating

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Most of the gifts here are super affordable and at different price points. There are 30+ under $25, several under $30, under $40, and $50. 99% of the gifts are under $100 with 3 more expensive items - a nice camera, a circuit, and the Dyson stick vacuum. Lets get shopping!

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1. This Cute Bath Bomb Set - You can also split it up for multiple gifts!

2. Velvet and Pearl Headband Set - So stylish and on-tend.

3. Yeti Mug - This has been one of my favorite gifts, I get so much use out of it! It keeps your drink hot for several hours and comes in tons of colors.

4. Initial Mug - A personalized gift that is great for teachers and friends.

5. Manicure Kit - I have one and love it! Mine has lasted me for many years. Also a great stocking stuffer idea!

6. Pretty Journal - There is something about starting the new year with a blank journal. Great stocking stuffer idea.

7. Gold Measuring Cup and Spoon Set - Cooks always appreciate a new measuring set! This one is so pretty. Good stocking stuffer idea as well.

8. Pioneer Woman Cookbook - This is the newest cookbook, so many great recipes in here!

9. French Press - Coffee lovers will love this gift!

10. Marble Coasters - Chic and sophisticated.

11. Felt Letter Board - To express all your thoughts, ideas, and inspirations.

12. Cozy Socks - Who doesn't love cute and cozy socks? I love to put them in stockings. You can also divide this set of 4 up between multiple people!

13. Cozy Slippers - Because everyone needs new slippers, right?

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1. Burberry Inspired Scarf - This is so incredibly soft!

2. Lily Pulitzer Key Ring - This is on my Christmas list!

3. Butter London Nail Polish - This is my favorite brand of nail polish. It stays on forever and comes in a bunch of colors. The cranberry red is a festive choice for the holiday season.

4. Knit Beanie with a Fur Pom Pom on Top - Cute, warm, and functional!

5. Earring Set - Divide them up, great teacher and friend gifts! Don't forget to keep a pair for yourself to put in your stocking!

6. Lily Pulizter Luggage Tag - A gift she will appreciate when she takes her trips!

7. Plush Robe - Everyone needs a nice robe at home! I would also monogram this to personalize it.

8. Silk Pillowcase - Everyone talks about the hair benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Great for all hair types and this one is super affordable.

9. Magnolia Table Cookbook - One of my favorite cookbooks I've enjoyed this last year!

10. Jade Roller - Perfect to roll away under the eye puffiness and for a luxurious "spa at home" experience.

11. Cute Tassel Earring Set - Divide them up, great teacher and friend gifts! Don't forget to keep a pair for yourself to put in your stocking!

12. Striped Kate Spade Tumbler with Straw - This tumbler is so festive and cheery! I love the bright colors and its a gift that everyone will love.

13. Touchscreen Gloves - Very warm! It's also perfect for touchscreen phone users so that they don't have to freeze any fingers when needing to answer a phone call or text a friend.

14. Key Ring with Tassel - Very stylish and chic.

15. Packing Cube Set - To help you stay organized during your trips next year.

16. Kate Spade Notecards - I love getting new notecards in my stocking at Christmas! These are also really pretty.

17. Pink Makeup Case - Great gift for a friend, teen, or even yourself!

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1. Kendra Scott Earrings - I have several Kendra Scott jewelry pieces and love them all! These are some of my most worn earrings all year round.

2. Purse and Handbag Set - Unbeatable quality for the price! You can even make this gift into 3 different gifts; the bag for your mom, a purse for you, and the clutch for your bestie!

3. Capri Blue Candle - These are high quality candles! I've had several and they are all amazing!

4. Hunter Boots - If these aren't on your Christmas list this year, than they need to be!

5. Kendra Scott Tassel Necklace - I have this necklace and love it!

6. Cannon Rebel T5 Camera - I have an older version of this camera and love it so much! The pictures are amazing. It's the perfect camera for the price.

7. Stripped Cardigan - To freshen up her wardrobe.

8. Micheal Kors Leather Watch - A good quality watch lasts a very long time. This one is super pretty with the little diamond studs in the watch face.

9. Ugg Slippers - Ugg slippers are AMAZING! They are comfy and last for years!

10. The Amazon Coat - Everyone is talking about this coat! If you are in the market for a warm winter jacket, than I recommend this one.

11. Circuit Air Bundle - A perfect gift for the crafter.

12. Lightened Makeup Mirror - Everyone needs a nice makeup mirror in their bathroom. The quality and price on this mirror are perfect!

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1. Fitbit - To keep track of your health.

2. Swell Water Bottle - Fantastic gift for your workout friends. It keeps your drink cold or hot for hours.

3. Hairdryer - A new hairdryer is at the top of my Christmas wishlist. This one has great reviews and the price point is perfect!

4. LG Bluetooth Headset in Rose Gold - I have this headset and absolutely love it! Its so great to have handsfree while on the phone or listening to a podcast. A must-have!

5. Kate Spade Lunch Cooler - Great for those who have to take a lunch to work! I love the floral pattern.

6. Heated Blanket - This item is also at the top of my wishlist this year. It's perfect for all the cold winter days.

7. A New Sheet Set - These sheets are amazing! Since they are so affordable, I would also add a monogram to them to really up the luxury factor and to personalize them.

8. Down Coat with Fur Hood - I have one of these and oh my goodness! I love it! It is so warm and keeps all the chills away on a cold winter day.

9. Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots - Everyone needs a nice pair of winter boots and these fit the bill! They will last you forever!

10. Dyson Stick Vacuum - One of my favorite cleaning tools that I use all the time!

11. Lipstick Set - Great stocking stuffer, you could also break up and give a small gift to several people. Pair the lipstick with a gift card and you have the perfect teacher gift!

12. Plush Blanket - This is so cozy and affordable. A gift any women would love to receive!

Did you find a few gifts for the women on your Christmas list? How about for yourself? I like to send direct links to my Santa with each gift that I would like under the tree. Do you do that as well? It makes it so much easier on our men to have the guessing taken out of the gift-giving!

Stay tuned for more ultimate gift guides that I have coming your way!

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Men

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Babies

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Toddlers

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Decorating

Ultimate Guide to Decorating For Christmas

2019-11-18T06:30:00.003-06:00

Hello friends!! Can you believe that the holidays are almost upon us?! Christmas is my very favorite holiday. I love every single thing about it! The gift buying, wrapping, and giving. The lights, the parties, the food, the decorating, and of course spending quality time with friends and family! What more could a girl ask for?

I know the holidays can be a stressful time with all the things that we have to get done before Thanksgiving and Christmas rolls around, which is why I created a free Christmas planner with you in mind! I highly recommend you download it and fill it out this week! There is still time for you to do the 15 days to an organized Christmas if you want more step by step guidance as well. But make sure you get the Christmas planner now and get started jotting down all the holiday to-do's!

** Download the Christmas Planner Here **

To help you with your holiday shopping, I am putting together a gift guide just for you! I have tons of gift ideas for women, men, kids, teens, babies, and a huge stocking stuffer list! Be on the lookout during the next couple of weeks for all the gift guides that are coming your way!

The Ultimate Gift Guides

While you are waiting for this years gift guides, check out the other gift guide I did for the entire family!

Today I thought it would be fun to help you with your Christmas decorating! All these things on the list are items that I would use in my home this holiday season. From Christmas trees (flocked and regular!) to ribbon to wreaths and garlands, I have everything listed here to make your decorating easy peasy this year!!! Let's get this party started!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

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1. An Adorable Reindeer Doormat - This would look so cute on your porch

2. A Pretty Capiz Star Tree Topper - Prettiest tree topper

3. A Pretty Wreath with Pinecones and Red Berries (This would look so good on your front door!)

4. Festive Christmas Pillow Covers - Pillow cover make switching out your pillows a breeze! These are very festive for the holidays.

5. A Pretty Pre-lit Garland for your Mantle - This is such a great garland.

6. Silver Snowflake Ornaments - Perfect for using around your house or for decorating the tree.

7. A House Snow Globe - Pretty snow globe, I love the little white house!

8. Red and White Stripped Ribbon - Festive red and white ribbon to use for decorating or for wrapping presents.

9. Multi Colored Mini Bottle Brush Trees - Sweet little bottle brush tree collection. I love the bright colors!

10. A Beautiful Christmas Tree (Such Great Quality!)

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1. Brass Bells (Put them in the middle of a wreath or at the end of the staircase)

2. Wooden Candlesticks (So pretty on the dining room table or on your mantle)

3. A Magnolia Wreath (Simple, yet sophisticated)

4. Plaid Ribbon (Would look so good on the tree!)

5. Red and Green Ornaments

6. MERRY Pillow

7. Brass Candlesticks (for the dining room table or grouping several all along your mantle)

8. Cream Beads (For the tree, mantle, or staircase banister)

9. Evergreen Topiaries (Put these on either side of your front door with these lights on them!)

10. Burch Logs (Place inside the fireplace or in a basket beside the fireplace)

11. Red Berry Stems (For wreaths, the Christmas tree, and in vases around your house)

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1. A Life-Sized Felt Christmas Tree for the Kids to Decorate!

2. Red and Green Tassel Garland (I love this! Perfect for the tree or mantle)

3. Cream and Gold Shatterproof Ornaments

4. Tin Christmas Trees

5. A Woven Basket Tree Collar

6. Gold Votive Holders

7. Buffalo Checked Ribbon

8. Plaid Plates

9. Gold Plate Chargers
10. Cream Pillow Covers with Pom Poms

11. Red, Green, and White Ornaments

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1. Cream and Red Knit Stockings

2. Merry Christmas Wrapping Paper

3. Reindeer Tea Light Holders (How cute!)

4. Another Festive Wreath with Red Berries

5. A Flocked Christmas Tree

6. String Lights (Such a good price!)

7. Eucalyptus Garland for the Mantle

8. Tassel Dishtowels in Red, White, and Green (Also a great hostess gift!)

9. Festive Wrapping Paper

10. JOY Pillow

11. Skinny Black and White Stripped Ribbon (I like to tie this at the end of my star banisters along with brass bells)

12. Red Plaid Tree Skirt

You can also see my ideas in years past on other Christmas decorating that I've done and the Christmas decor items that have caught my eye. If you are hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner, than you will want to check out my Thanksgiving tablescape and get the place setting cards!

I know there is a big debate about waiting to decorate until after Thanksgiving or before turkey day. I usually wait until after Thanksgiving, but this year I am so excited and can't wait to get things set up so I think I'll be starting this next week! That way I can enjoy the holiday season to its fullest.

Follow me on Instagram where I will share all my projects and decor ideas with you! First on the list is to make a orange garland, mixing it with garland, cream beads, and black and white stripped ribbon for my mantle! I can already smell the wonderful aroma! I also need to finish making my kids a Christmas ornament to put on the tree once it's up!

Who's excited to get their Christmas decorating started?!!!! Where do you sit on the big decorating debate? Are you on team before Thanksgiving or team waiting until after Thanksgiving?

The Ultimate Gift Guides

Four Major Challenges to Being Organized and How to Fix Them

2019-11-11T06:00:00.002-06:00

Hello friends! Christmas is quickly approaching! Thanksgiving is only a few short weeks away. Are you ready for the holiday season to begin? Since we are entering into the Christmas season, I wanted to let you know of the 15 days to an Organized Christmas that you can read so that it will help you stay organized and sane during the holiday season. Don't let another week go by without reading how you can get organized for the holidays! You can join me on instagram to see all the holiday preparations that I am doing as well as everyday life things. I would love to see you there!

I also have a Christmas planner that I created just for you that you are able to download, print, and use during the busy holiday season. You can snag that right here!

I was doing some organizing the other day and started thinking about how organized people stay organized. I was also thinking about some of the big hinderances that we face in our day to day life when it comes to getting and staying organized. Here are four major challenges when it comes to getting and staying organized on a daily basis.

** Download the worksheet HERE **

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

1. You feel overwhelmed about where to start - If this is you, what you need to do is to break things down into manageable, bite-sized pieces. Using time blocks of 10-15 minuets, tackle a small task. Things like cleaning out your spice cabinet, going through a drawer, and cleaning out 1 cabinet. Remember that it doesn't have to be perfect. The key here is just to start. Starting small will motivate you to keep going little by little.

2. You don't have a permanent home for everything - This is a big reason why people cannot seem to get organized. They do not have a designated spot for each and every single thing in their life. If you have a "junk drawer", guess what is going to end up there? Junk and everything that does not belong, except what you intended to put in the drawer! It's not a good way to organize and still be able to find things. Instead, take the time to consider each and every item and put them in a logical place for those things to live. When things don't have good, logical permanent homes, that is when you have piles on your desk, things stacked on the floor, and you cannot see the top of the dresser.

3. Outdated Systems - These are the things that have worked for you in the past. Maybe they worked really well for you at one time, but just as seasons change, your needs change and so your organizational systems must change as well. Maybe you had a great system for filing papers, but as time went on you realized that you need to do something different. Or you had a baby and needed all the baskets for bottles in the kitchen but your baby has grown and no longer needs bottles. Don't live with the old systems every day, instead change with the times as needed.

4. Outgrown Systems - You've literally outgrown the system. Think over-stuffed filing cabinets, closets bursting to the seams, toys overflowing the designated container, and crafting supplies filling up the bookshelf. What you need to do here is evaluate, purge, and reconfigure; getting more storage as needed. Perhaps the system works well for you and there is no need to change it up or you just need to add more storage to the already working system. Maybe you only need to purge a few items to make room for other things. The key to this organizational challenge is to evaluate. Ask yourself: Is this working? Why or why not? What can I do to make it better? Is there a simple change that I need to make in order to make it 1 million times better? Most of the time, surging a few items and rearranging things will solve all the organizational problems and it will function at peak performance once more.

These four organizational challenges are all things that we come up against in our everyday life. Here are two examples of these challenges worked in my home recently;

When winter fast approaching, I knew I needed to reorganize the family coast closet. There were too small coats and shoes that were not going to work for the upcoming winter. First, I took out my children's coats, boots, snow pants, hats, and gloves. I didn't really need to take out my or my husbands things since I knew those were fine. I had each child try own her winter things and took out the too small items. I also made a note for the things each child needed. Then I put the remaining winter gear back in place. The only thing that I bought to complete this organizational task were some hangers as we did not have enough in the closet and coats were having to double up with each other and stuff kept falling on the floor. Now, I can safely and efficiently open the coat closet and everything is all in place and ready to go at a moments notice!

The other quick organizational update I did was to my children's shoe storage. I store the too small and out of season shoes in a couple of bins so that when the next child needs another sized shoes, I can quickly see if we already have something that will work for them. I had the shoes in 2 bins but when I was doing the big seasonal change-up, I had to add several pairs of shoes to the bins and guess what? One bin wold not close! After quickly assessing the situation, I realized that the system was just fine and worked well for us. The problem here was that the current storage was overflowing and I only needed another bin. I bought one, moved some shoes into it and voila! Everything fit and there is plenty of space for more shoes later on.

As you see, getting and staying organized doesn't have to be hard or complicated. You just have to think about what your current needs are and what exactly is not working with your current set up. That's it! Our organizational needs change and evolve as our needs change. We have to be open to change and be willing to adjust as needed.

The major thing to remember is that you can have the most sophisticated organizing solution in place but if you fail to maintain it, it will not work. Things will only stay organized if you put things back where they belong. Take the 5 seconds to put things in their home after you are done using them. Organizing is all about taking simple, small steps and developing good habits. If you do these two things than I promise that you will start to notice a big difference in your home, work, and life.

With that said, what if you identify with one of the four organizational challenges? What should you do? First, assess the situation. Ask yourself these questions - What is wrong? What is not working? What could make it better? Than go from there. Maybe your current setup is just fine but an additional basket could make all the difference. Maybe you are working with something that needs to be completely overhauled and started again from scratch. Who knows? That is why it is important to take the time to think through each situation you come against and evaluate your needs.

To help you, I have created a organizing project worksheet for you to download, print, and fill out. Hopefully you will find it extremely helpful to you as you start a new organizing project. You can download it below.

** Download the worksheet HERE **

I am frequently asked about some of my favorite organizing things that I love and use when starting any organizing project. Here are a few of them. You can also see more of my favorite organizing products and books here.

What are your biggest challenges when organizing in and around your house? I love hearing from my readers so drop a comment and let me know!

Don't forget about getting ready for Christmas before the holidays start! Now is the perfect time. Read all about it here. And don't forget to snag the project worksheet!

11 Common Decorating Mistakes and How to Fix Them

2019-02-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

Decorating a house is hard work! What to do, what not to do, what you need, what you don't need and so it goes. I've pinpointed 11 common mistakes that we can easily make when we decorate our home. The good news is that are are pretty easy fixes! So without further ado, here are 11 things to avoid and how to fix them.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

1. Hanging Pictures Too High - Too many people hang pictures up way up high, you want to aim for eye level or just above. What you don't want it to strain your neck to look wayyyyyy up at something high. Place your artwork at eye level, not too high and not too low. When in doubt, go lower rather than higher.

2. Naked Mattresses - You know how we buy a nice bed, a set of mattresses, pretty sheets, and a beautiful comforter set? Everything gets put together and looks so nice but when we pull back the covers, what do we see? A naked box spring. Oh the horror! Don't let this happen to you! Dressing your box spring is pretty easy. Buy a basic fitted sheet in your mattress size and put it on there. Put your mattress on top. Boom! You are done and no more naked mattresses. Let's ban the naked mattresses once and for all.

3. Covering Up Your Windows With Curtains - This one I really don't get. We have windows to let in all the light and what happens? We cover them up with curtains. No, please no. Instead, curtains need to be hung "high and wide". Don't hang them right over the top of the window. Here's how I like to hang them. I will place the curtain rod about 2-3 inches below the ceiling or crown molding. I also extend the curtain rod 10-12 inches on either side of the window and only cover up 2-3 inches on each side of the window with the curtain. Please note that you will need curtains with a length of at least 108" or longer. Stores typically sell curtains in 84" or 96", these will be too short. If you have curtains that are too short, don't hang them high and leave "high water drapery". If your curtains are too short you can either 1. get longer panels or 2. sew a band on the bottom or top to make them longer. No high water curtains here!

4. Flat Pillows - This seems to be a thing with pillows. We buy them and keep them around for forever, way past their time. They get used, and start to get flat but we keep on using them anyway. No, no no! Please don't have flat pillows on your sofa or beds. From one friend to another, they aren't doing you any favors. Replace the worn pillows. You can also buy feather inserts and place that inside a pillow cover. I've replaced most of my pillow inserts with feather inserts and they last years! Totally worth it.

5. Incorrect Sized Rugs - This is a pretty common problem that I've seen a bunch. For some reason, people will only buy rugs in 5x7 or 8x10. Yet, many times our rooms are bigger than that and what happens is that we end up with a tiny rug floating in the middle of the room! Don't be that person. floating rugs are a big no-no. Get the correct sized rug for your room. This is going to be 8x10 and larger. If you must use a smaller rug, than layer your rugs by place a larger rug, like a seagrass rug, under it.

6. Unfinished Projects - How many of these do we have around our house? We start a project, get to a certain point, than life gets in the way and we leave a half-done project for later. To be fair, I don't think anyone starts something with the intention of leaving it half-done, but life happens and we get distracted. What happens a lot of times is getting all those things finished right before the house goes on the market to sell. Things get finished and then we move out of the house. Start finishing your projects today and enjoy them for the entire time you are in your house!

7. Keeping Furnishings You Dislike - Y'all, I am guilty of this! Why do we do this? Why do we keep things we dislike or no longer need? Give yourself permission to let it go. You spend a lot of time in your home and it should be full of things that you love, use, and that make you happy. Life is too short for hating the things in our house. List that "I-no-longer-need-this-item" on Craigslist or drop it off at Goodwill. Fill your space with things you love.

8. Not Enough Lighting -You really need more lighting besides overhead lights in a room. You need to have floor lamps, table lamps, and task lamps in each room. Notice that I said lamps, yes, more than one lamp in the room. In the bedroom, put lamps on either side of the bed. Place a small table lamp on the kitchen counter. Have 2-3 lamps in your living room. If you have a dark corner, try adding a lamp! It really makes all the difference in the ambience that the room has.

9. Putting All The Furniture On The Walls - Don't push all your furniture up against the walls. Some of it needs to float in the room. For example, your sofa can be against the wall while a couple of accent chairs flank the fireplace. Or try placing a console table in back of the sofa with lamps on either side (remember number 8?). Play around with your furniture arrangement and try to create intimate seating groups. Keep in mind the traffic flow. Make sure you have space for people to move around freely. Just don't place all the furniture on the walls!

10. Buying a Complete Set - I can fall in this same trap! We are shopping and see a bed we like and "look! There is a matching dresser! And night stands!" or "lets buy this coffee table and the matching end table" or "here's a pretty comforter, look, a matching pillow, and shams, and a dust ruffle. You get the picture. When you buy something, don't be afraid to mix it up. Use pattern and texture to gain depth and dimension. Not everything has to match. As long as things coordinate, it'll be fine.

11. Playing It Safe - Being afraid to take risks. If you like it, go for it. Give yourself permission to play around and take chances. Stretch yourselves. Go out on a limb. Try something new. Who knows, maybe it'll be just the thing that you needed to breathe some fresh air into your life!

Which one of these common decorating mistakes are you making in your home? Anyone else have a hard time with finishing projects 100% or playing it safe? How about keeping things you don't want?

Subscribe to the blog to get easy decorating ideas delivered straight to your inbox. In the meantime, check out my favorite decorating items here and more decorating advice here.

5 under $50 - Greenery

2017-04-05T07:30:00.001-05:00

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

By now, I am sure that you all have heard that Pantone's 2017 color of the year is Greenery. I really like this new color! It is soothing, has a sense of calmness, fresh, young, and energetic all at the same time. It reminds me of Spring when everything is new, young, and growing.

When I think of Greenery, I think of plants! I think that that is truest color that you can get when wanting to add a little bit of this color to your home this season.

via

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

Just like I did a round-up of 5 under $50 in Blush, I'm back to do another round-up of home decor items. This time in Greenery. Everything is under $50 which means you can add bits of this pretty color around your house and not break the bank! I love affordable shopping, don't you?

1. This green velvet pillow. I feel like green and velvet go together so well. What would be really pretty is a green velvet sofa. But since a new upholstered velvet sofa isn't under $50, we'll have to content ourselves with these pretty green pillows. I can just see a pretty pair of these on your sofa or in a pair of arm chairs.

2. A magnolia wreath. I love a good wreath and this one is so pretty! Greenery color of the year is reminds me so much of plants so this is perfect since it is magnolia leaves.

3. Monstera leaf print. I really like this watercolor palm tree print. It's so big and reminds me of the beach and the colors are so vibrant!

4. This green planter. I can see this planter in the living room next to the window with a plant in it.

5. Agate bookends. Aren't these the prettiest bookends you ever did see?! I love them and can see a pair next to a stack of books on a white bookcase.

How to Make A Pom Pom Wreath

2017-03-30T00:10:00.001-05:00

You know how you see something so pretty and you say to yourself "I could totally make that"? Well, that is just what happened to me when I saw a pretty Anthropologie inspired pom pom wreath! It's perfect for that farmhouse feel.

I'm been wanting to make one for awhile now, and when I finally bought the supplies, sat down, and make it it was so easy that I couldn't believe that I hadn't made pom poms before! Now I want to add pom poms to all the things!

I started with my wreath inspiration that I found on Pinterest. The concept is easy enough - make a ton of pom poms, glue them on a wreath form, and that's it! Easy peasy!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

** Download the printable instructions HERE **

:: Supplies Needed ::

4-5 skeins of Yarn

Straw Wreath Form

Pom Pom Makers

Scissors

Ribbon

Glue Gun and extra Glue Sticks

Printable Instructions

After everything is assembled, start by wrapping yarn tightly around one end of the pom pom makers. I used Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in natural color. Wrap it around a few times, than push it down, and do that over and over until that side of the pom pom maker is completely wrapped.

Once it is completely wrapped, it will look like this. Side note, I simply LOVE these pom pom makers! This was my 1st time using them and I am hooked! I can't believe that I didn't know about these things before. If you haven't tried a pom pom maker, do it!

So, once the 1st side is wrapped, close it. Open the other side and wrap that the exact same way that you wrapped the 1st side. After you are done, use one of the the little openings to hold the yarn tail. Than snip the yarn leaving just a small tail behind.

Than, take your scissors and snip all of the yarn straight down the middle. Do one side and then the other.

After you have cut both sides, it will look just mine below. Side note, I use these Ginger scissors and I love them! I've had them for several years and they are in perfect condition still! And very, very sharp. Buy them if you want a great pair of sewing scissors!

Next, cut a small piece of yarn to wrap around the middle of the entire pom pom maker. You want to tie it tightly, as tight as you can. Take the pom pom maker off of the yarn as you are tying the yarn string.

Fluff the yarn and trim any longer pieces of yarn. And that's it! You now have a perfect pom pom!

Repeat the process until you have a whole pile of pretty yarn balls. I have about 50 or so balls. You can make these while you watch a movie to help pass the time.

After you have all the pom poms ready to go, it's time to get your wreath form ready. I used a straw wreath that I already had in my craft closet. I wrapped long strips of white fabric around the straw, hot gluing the fabric in place from time to time.

To assemble the wreath, just start hot gluing the pom poms on there in no particular order. Make sure they are sitting tightly together, but don't worry too much about gaps right now.

Keep hot gluing and hot gluing, working around the wreath from one side to another. After all the pom poms have been glued around the entire wreath form, go back and add pom poms here and there in any spots that might need one.

Tie a wide ribbon on the top and you are done! Hang it up and admire your hard work. I just love the texture that this wreath has!

It's so pretty and fluffy. Like a warm blanket on a chilly Spring day. I want to make a pom pom garland now to hang on my mantle for Easter! Than I want to add pom poms to my pillows and throw blankets. Let's add them everywhere!

Just one more look because she's so pretty and round and perfect! I've made up a pretty pdf that you can print off to have the instructions right at your fingertips so that you too can make your own pom pom wreath. You can download and print it off right here.

** Download the printable instructions HERE **

Here are a few other crafts that you might be interested in to spruce up your home for Spring!

** Download the printable instructions HERE **

Are you crazy for pom poms like I am? What have you been doing to get your home ready for Spring? Be sure to check out lots of easy crafts and cleaning tips right here!

A Birthday Tea Party

2017-03-04T06:30:00.001-06:00

We just celebrated my oldest daughter's birthday a couple of weeks ago and I can't believe that she is 5! There is a special something about the 5th birthday, don't you think? It's like your baby is now stepping into the next stage of childhood. And I better stop there or else I'll start to get all teary-eyed!

We decided to celebrate this 5th birthday with a tea party and invited just a few friends. We wanted to keep it small and intimate with it being a tea party and all. And the most important part - girls only!

The color palette/tone of the party was delicate, feminine, florals, and pink. I didn't do too much decorating, but rather focused on setting a beautiful tea table in the dining room. I also hung up a happy birthday banner in the living room and a heart garland on the french doors. I really tried to keep this party simple!

I laid a white table cloth down first than placed a floral wrapping paper runner (old from Target) down in the middle of the table to add some color, impact, and interest. I then placed candlesticks around the cake centerpiece. Each place setting got fancy silver flatware, a tea cup, and a glass plate.

I have collected mis-matched tea cups and saucers, silver flatware, antique bowls and platters, and delicate table linens since I was a teenager. I have a pretty big collection of pretty things that we pulled out to set a gorgeous tea table with. I loved pulling everything out for my special birthday girl!

Setting the tea table up in the dining room made this event feel extra special!

When all our party guests arrived, we went into the kitchen for our craft - A tea party hat! I had pre-made the hats with paper plates and bowls and then tied some ribbon on them. The girls colored the hats and the moms helped to hot glue flowers onto the hats. I have to say that this craft was awesome! All the girls LOVED it! They all wore their hats into the tea room and were so cute!

For the food, I served mini sugar cookies from Walmart (they are my favorite!), goldfish, fresh strawberries, cake (from Walmart), heart shaped strawberry jelly sandwiches, tea, lemonade, cream, and sugar cubes. Since this was a afternoon tea party, we didn't need much. But there were plenty of yummy treats to go around!

Over on the buffet, I set out punch glasses and lemonade for those who didn't want hot tea, and 2 different kinds of tea. I made Lady Gray and Rose tea. Lady Gray is one of my favorite teas!

All the party guests showed up in their pretty dresses and made sure to use their good manners. It was so sweet to hear them carry on their tea party conversations. Everyone had a fun time drinking tea, with their sugar cubes of course!

After the girls were done with eating sweets and drinking tea, they went into the living room to play a game and open presents. Then we sang Happy Birthday and cut the yummy cake.

Afterwards, the girl went back to the living room where they played with baby dolls, the dollhouse, and our new teepee. It was a pretty low key event and the girls had a great time just playing together!

We gave out party favor bags when our party guests were leaving. I had stickers, jewelry, a fancy straw, and candy in each of the bags. The girls also took home the hats we had made.

Each of us had so much fun. And my birthday girl had such a happy day being the center of attention for her special day!

21 Practical Organizing Solutions Around The House

2017-01-17T06:30:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you, but January is typically the month that I've got several organizing projects going on! I organize the children's toys, clean out some closets, and find new storage solutions to problem areas that we have. I also like to go throughout my home purging, organizing, and reassessing every nook and cranny. Does this sound familiar?

Today, I wanted to give you a peek into 21 different organizing solutions that I have around my house. I'm pulling back the curtain and showing you some nitty-gritty organizing systems that I love and use on a daily basis. These are systems that my family and I rely on to keep every single thing in it's place, so that I can find things at a moments notice, and so that we don't have piles of stuff cluttering up areas of our home. Oh, I know that 21 different ways to organize is a lot to keep track of, so if you want a cheatsheet, than you can download that right here!

Ready to see which 21 practical organizing solutions I love and use? Let's dive right in!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

1| Nightstand Drawer Valet Tray Organizer
I have a big divider tray (similar) that I picked up at TJ Maxx a couple years ago. The smaller, divided compartments are perfect for keeping me organized! I place my phone chargers and headphones in a spot, pins/pencils in another compartment, rechargeable chargers in the back compartment, and a couple other nighttime neccessitys in the 4th compartment. I love that it contains everything that I need, actually use, and limits me as to what goes into that drawer.

2 | Cord Keepers for Phone Chargers and Headphones
I made several fabric cord keepers last year and I love them! They have been perfect for keeping all my cords from getting tangled up in a pile of jumbled cords. They were an easy, simple sewing project and I use them on a daily basis.

3 | Ceramic Egg Crate and Pretty Bowls for Jewelry
A little while back I shared how I store all of my jewelry, but I had to mention it again! I love using a white ceramic egg crate for holding earrings and pretty bowls for several of my bracelets. Its perfect for grab and go and I love having everything displayed on my dresser!

4 | Hanging Hook Rack for Belts and Ties in the Closet
When I organized my closet a couple years ago, I used 2 sets of hooks that are for hanging ties and belts. Y'all, I love them! They have been the perfect solution to keep belts, ties, and scarves off of the floor, out of a drawer, or rolled up stuffed somewhere.

5 | Dancewear All Together in a Basket in the Closet
I love using baskets and bins in organizing whenever possible! My oldest daughter is in dance each week and we were always trying to locate some apparel when trying to get out the door. Once I gathered up all the dancewear and placed it all together in a basket, the problem was solved! No more lost time was spent looking for tights or leotards. Now that everything is all together in a basket on a shelf in the closet, it makes it so much easier to get her out the door on time! And everyone knows exactly where everything dance is kept.

6 | Baskets to Store Hats, Gloves, and Scarves
I have solved the problem for lost gloves with this simple system! At least for now that is! In our coat closet, I placed 4 matching bins for each of us - 1 for my husband, 1 for my girls to share, and 1 for my scarves, and 1 for my hats and gloves. Since they are directly above our coats, we can easily take out whatever cold weather thing we need at that moment. The bins also make it easy for putting things away. When the coat gets hung up its so easy to put gloves back in their correct bin.

7 | Shoes in Bins in the Laundry Room
I don't have a mudroom in my house so I had to make up a small one in my laundry room to solve the "shoes are always on the floor by the garage door" problem. I used this cube system from Target (similar) and it has been a really good solution to the problem. My daughter gets a small bin, I have a small bin, and my husband gets a large bin at the bottom. Boots go into the closet while smaller shoes go into the bins. Since we keep most of our shoes and boots in our closets, we only needed a small organizational system by the door. Do I still have shoes by the garage door? Yes, but at least now it is kept under control!

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8 | Hooks in the Cleaning Closet for Brooms, Mops, and the Feather Duster

I have an awesome closet in my laundry room for keeping all the household supplies in. But, things can quickly get out of control in there if you aren't careful! To keep all of the brooms, mops, and dusters up off the floor I installed a small hook rack on the wall. It has never been easier to locate what household tool I need and then to return it to its home afterwards!

9 | Cleaning Caddy for All My Cleaning Supplies
Also in the cleaning closet, I keep my most common cleaning supplies all together in large cleaning caddy. It stays on the top shelf and I pull it out when I need something. When I am cleaning the bathrooms or kitchen, I can take the entire caddy with me and have everything that I need.

10 | Divided Jewlery Containers for the Junk Drawer
I do not have a designated junk drawer in my house. There, I said it! I don't have a junk drawer. I really do think junk drawers happen because we don't know where items belong. I used to keep all of my screws, nails, batteries, hardware, furniture pads, and everything else in individual sandwich bags in a basket. Then, when I organized that area, I knew I needed a better system for keeping all of those bits and pieces separate. I found these awesome jewelry storage box containers and they have been perfect for me! I have four of them and they are filled with nails, screws, batteries, and all the other small things that are usually found in a junk drawer.

11 | An Old Dresser for Most of My Home Decor Items
I found an old dresser by the side of the road and that is where I keep all my extra candles, picture frames, vase fillers, and small random decor items. Most of my decor is being used throughout my home, but I still need some space for storing a handful of things that I want to keep when not in use at the moment. The dresser stays in my living room and is a great piece to have on hand! It's really nice to have all of my extra decor items all in one place vs. scattered around the house. It's like shopping in my own home decor store.

** Get the Printable Here **

12 | Basket for Storing Diapers and Wipes on Top of the Dresser
I've always stored my babies diapers and wipes on top of dresser in a pretty seagrass basket! They don't take up valuable dresser drawer space and are within easy reach. The basket is also pretty to look at and see on a daily basis.

13 | Canvas Boxes and Cube System for Toys
I've shared a few times how I organize my kids toys in their closets. I wouldn't be able to keep the closets so neat all the time if it were not for this cube system. This cube system has been such a work horse in my house for several years and I love it!

Read More:
Effective Ways of Organizing Kids Toys
How I Keep My House Toy Free
Organizing Children's Clothes
Book Storage in the Baby's Room
Storing Outgrown Children's Clothes

14 | Accordion File Folder for Organizing Receipts
This is how I organize and store my receipts: I use a basic accordion file folder, labeled with the months. Than, when I have new receipts, I place them into the correct month. It is so easy to find an old receipt whenever I need one! I also use a similar method for all my coupons.

15 | 3 Ring Binder for Organizing Recipes and Meal Plans
Last year, I finally organized my receipts in a 3 ring binder with dividers and page protectors. One year later, that system is still working perfectly for me. I can easily find what I'm looking for. So basic and simple, yet it's been extremely effective in keeping all my meal plans, cut out recipes from magazines, and other meal-related papers organized.

16 | Clear Plastic Containers in the Pantry
When I first got married and set up my kitchen, I went to Walmart and bought 3 sets of clear plastic containers to keep all of my pantry staples in. I empty a bag's contents into the container and threw the old wrapping away. My pantry stays neat, organized, I can see when I'm getting low on a pantry staple, and it is uniformed in appearance.

17 | Pullout Drawers for School and Art Supplies
A couple years ago when we didn't have many art supplies, I found a good way to organize them out in the open. That system worked very well for us until I started homeschooling a preschooler. Y'all, the amount of art and craft supplies I have bought in the last 2 years is crazy! Especially last July when I was buying extra glue sticks, crayons, markers, construction paper, and so on. It took me only a couple of days to realize that we had indeed outgrown the other system and needed much more storage space. That's when I bought four of these pullout drawer systems and I love them! They work so well for our needs. I like that the fronts are frosted so that it keeps the contents hidden. It makes them more uniformed and tidy from the outside.

Read More:
Organizing Craft Supplies
Organizing Ribbon
Medicine Cabinet Organization

18 | Tray Under the TV for Keeping All the Remotes Together
I have solved the missing remote problem in our household! I bought a slim tray with the sole intent of putting all 3 remotes inside it. And it works! The tray is pretty and is big enough for all our remotes and it goes along with my living room decor. No more eye-sores or lost remotes here!

19 | Pegboard and Hooks for All Outdoor Tools
This was one of those projects that didn't take very long to do, but it did take awhile to actually do it. Before, all the outdoor tools lined the shed walls and were a mess on the shed floor. I bought several hooks for every single outdoor tool that we own and hung them up on the pegboard in the outdoor shed. Now, every single tool and extension cord has a spot. Also, because we use the walls and vertical storage, it has created so much more space in the shed and we can easily store everything that we need too. We aren't tripping over shovels or hoes and we can quickly find what we are looking for as soon as we open the shed door.

20 | Wire Basket Under the Kitchen Sink for Storing Dishwasher Detergent, Trash Bags, and Dish Soap
This is another simple system that I use in my kitchen. It solves the problem of what goes under the kitchen sink, items being tossed about, and I can find every single item without any extra effort on my part. I bought a correct sized wire basket, placed everything in it, and voila! I know exactly what I have and where it is. When you open that cabinet under the sink, there is no mess. Just a pretty wire basket happily holding dishwashing supplies and trash bags.

21 | Baskets for Storing Toilet Paper in the Bathrooms
A long time ago, I shared an easy way to maximize storage in the bathroom using baskets and I am still using that system today! In my bathroom, there is a pretty basket on the back of the toilet tank. In the half bath, guest can easily find the extra toilet paper looking in the glass cabinet where I've stashed a basket with extra rolls in it. Simple, yet extremely effective.

Read More:
Adding Stylish Storage to the Bathroom
Open Bathroom Storage

Here are some trends and takeaways that I'm noticing within all these organizing systems.

I use a lot of baskets and bins
I like uniformity and things to match or coordinate whenever possible
Everything in the house has a specific purpose
I get creative when finding a new organizing solution
Simple and effective is my motto
Because I have systems in place, I can easily find whatever I need.

Hopefully one, two, or all of these 21 organizing solutions have inspired you to how you might better organize a space or two around your house. I made a list of all 21 organizing solutions for you to download if you want them all together in an easy to read format to save for later. You can get the free download right here.

What organizing solutions have you found to be useful around your house? Are you a basket and bin girl too? Is there one organizing system that you want me to go into greater detail about?

** Get the Printable Here **

Having the BEST goal setting year EVER with SMART goals

2017-01-10T06:30:00.003-06:00

**Download the Goal Setting Worksheets Here**

Y'all, a part of me still cannot believe that the new year is here! I have been busy around the house taking care of small annoyances (like a picture hanging too low), organizing a few spaces (children's clothes and toys), getting Christmas decor cleared away and stored back in the attic, thinking about goals, and getting my calendar and planner all set for the new year! I bet you have also been doing some of these same things too!

I really like January because it is a natural "reset" on my life and home. I stop to think about the things are aren't quite working for me, deal with small annoyances around the house, and make some new goals for the upcoming months. Want to know what else I love about January?

Clearing out the clutter and purging
A reset on all the sugary holiday foods
A greater urge clean
Organizing all the things!
Doing small projects around the house
Writing down new goals that I want to work on and reach
A brand new calendar with a blank slate that's ready to be filled out for the new year

This post contains affiliate links. For more information read my disclosures here.

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Call me old school, but I really love having paper to write down all my of thoughts and important dates. I've tried several digital apps and calendars, but the 3 things that I keep coming back to are

A notebook - for a new to-do list each week, for all my random thoughts, and ect
A calendar - with enough space to write everything down on any certain day
A planner - the jury is still out if I'm a planner girl or not. I'm still deciding!

Here's why I prefer to use a paper calendar, planner, and notebook over digital lists and apps.

I am less likely to forget something
Everything is all in 1 (or 3) places
I don't have to use my phone - it gets enough action throughout the day as it is!
I don't have to remember to log into an app
Writing is much faster than typing or texting
I like having something to hold in my hands
I enjoy buying pretty calendars, notebooks, and planners

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As typical of this time of the year, I have also been busy thinking about goal setting and planning. Planning is something that I really want to work on this year. Planning things in advance and sticking to the plan! Normally, I'm pretty good about that, except when I have to show up for myself. Wither that is making time for myself or being structured with my entire day (not just the parts that my kids have to follow!).

As for goals, I've thought about several things I want to do differently this year - things I want to try and incorporate into my daily routine. I don't have my thoughts 100% set just yet, but as we are now 1.5 weeks into the new year, I need to finalize my goals for the new year! Is anyone else behind on setting their goals? Or is it just me?

** Download the free worksheets HERE **

One thing that I know that I'm trying to do right now is instead of setting yearly goals, is to set 90 day goals. I first heard of setting 90 day goals a few months ago when listening to Jonathan Milligan's podcast. Moriah Coz is another successful person who also sets 90 day goals. Have you heard of 90 day goals?

The idea is that when setting yearly goals, we have no idea what the next 12 months look like. We could be somewhere completely different in December than we are in January and we have to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities. For example, say my house goal for the year is to renovate my kitchen. But, come May, I find out that I'm moving. The reno goal that I had in January would become irrelevant and I would have to change to what's happening right then.

With setting 90 day goals at a time, the science behind that is we usually have a pretty good idea what the upcoming 3 months is going to look like so we can set realistic goals and actively work on them. There is a built-in urgency because you only have 90 days to make them happen and it gives you a hard deadline in complete what you've set out to do. Also, with only 90 days to work on our goals, the goals we set are remembered and not forgotten about since everything is fresh on our minds. It's an interesting thought isn't it?

Regardless if I'm using 90 day, 12 month, 1 week, 1 month, or 1 day method of goal setting, when I set goals, I like to make sure they are SMART goals.

Specific - You have to actually say/write down exactly what your goal is and it is easily definable. Instead of saying "I'm going to get organized this year", try for a goal that instead says "I'm going to organize my kitchen and garage in the next month". See how that is specific and exact?

Measurable - You need to know when it is that you've achieved your goal. Saying "I'm going to finish projects around the house this year" isn't very specific or measurable nor does it tell you when you've completed your goal. Instead try to define it more with something like "I am going to pick 4 unfinished projects around my house that I am going to work on and complete in the next month and do 1 each week".

Attainable - Whatever goal you set for yourself, please do yourself a favor and make sure it is something that you can actually achieve in a realistic time frame. If your goal is to run a marathon this year (specific and measurable) but you can't run around the block, than you will probably not reach your big goal. Yes, the goal should be something that challenges you and pushes you out of your comfort zone, but not completely out of reach. Instead, if the goal is to run, than maybe your goal should be more on the lines of running a 5K this year.

Realistic - Whatever goals you set for yourself needs to be within the boundaries of your resources, time, and knowledge. Saying that you want to completely renovate your kitchen from top to bottom is a good thing to do, however, if you don't have all the skills, time, or funds to complete the reno, than it's probably not a good idea to start it right now. Instead, make a smaller goal like "I'm going to replace the flooring in the kitchen in the next 3 months" is a more realistic goal to set.

Time-Based - Know your start and finish dates! If you don't have an end date in mind, than you will keep procrastinating and putting it off until the very last minuet possible, it may not even happen at all! And we all know that only the things that get scheduled and written down actually get done. For example, if you want to organize your garage, but never set a date to start than you'll most likely keep putting it off. Instead, make a plan and then go from there.

I would also strongly limiting yourself to 3-5 major goals for the entire 90 days, year, or whatever time frame you pick. This way, you are not trying to completely overhaul your life nor do you experience goal setting burnout. After you've set a major goal, break it down into actionable steps that you can take for 1-2 weeks at a time. Don't forget that you need to schedule it on your calendar or else it will not happen.

After you've set SMART goals for the next couple of months, write them down somewhere where you can see them on a regular basis! How many times have we made goals, and tucked them away only to think about them months down the road? Don't let that be you this year! Write them down and make them visible. I prefer to write them down on my calendar, notebook, and planner. I also like to hang them up in my office. Writing them down also insures that you are less likely to forget anything.

And also, remember to reward yourself after meeting one of your big goals! Meeting goals without a reward is not much fun. Know what you are working toward and it will help keep you going when the going gets tough.

I just bought a fresh, new calendar and have been busy filling it out with important dates (birthdays, anniversaries), upcoming events that I already know about, and business trips that my husband is taking. I brainstormed all my thought swirling around in my head and wrote everything out in my notebook. I also wrote some things in my pretty planner and have started filling out the goal worksheet. It's been a very productive week already!

And in keeping things in the spirit of the new year, I've rounded up several of my favorite calendars, planners, and free tech wallpaper sites that I love and couldn't wait to share with you as well! Hopefully, if you've yet to get a new calendar or planner, download the free printable right here or buy one today and get your goals written down on purpose on paper.

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Let's make this your best year ever! Come on 2017, we are ready for you! What your goals are for this next season? Do you have a favorite method of making goals? Who else likes buying and filling in a calendar each year? Did you make sure to grab the free goal setting worksheets?

** Download the free worksheets HERE **

Happy New Year

2017-01-01T06:30:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year 2017! I can hardly believe that another year is over and a new one has started! Have you written down you goals for this upcoming year? I've started thinking about some things that I want to do, but nothing is finalized just yet. Hopefully for me, it'll happen soon! What about you?

As we are celebrating and ringing in the new year, I thought it would be fun to look back through the past year at the top 10 of the best blog posts from 2016!

1. Meal Prep for the Week Ahead

2. Kitchen tools to make cooking and meal prep easier

3. Effective ways to Organize Kids Toys

4. How to Get your House Ready to Sell

5. Organization Starts with Purging

6. A Completely Honest Review of Stitch Fix

7. 15 Days to an Organized Christmas Series

8. My Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Setting

9. Decorating the Mantle for Christmas

10. Christmas Gift Tags

Now that we've taken a look back at last year, it's time to look forward to 2017. I am excited for what this year holds and I can't wait for the year to get started! Happy New Year!