For mothers everywhere, finding balance between home and work can sometimes be stressful. For work-from-home mothers, though, it can prove to be even more difficult. When combining the two, it’s important to find ways to ensure that each aspect of your life stays as separate as possible, so that each is given the proper amount of attention.

These tips can help lessen the stress and improve balance in your life.

Schedules, Schedules, Schedules!

It’s essential to be aware of what’s going to happen throughout your day. Making lists and checking things off throughout the day helps to make sure you’re staying on task and completing everything..

Get Dolled Up

It’s hard to get things done if you still look and feel like you just got out of bed. Take the time to get dressed. You’d be surprised how much better and more motivated you feel!

Get Out of the House

It’s normal to take a break in your day. Take time to get out of the house. Go for a walk, get refreshed, maybe even let the kids go outside and run around a bit. When you get back in the house, you’ll feel ready to take on whatever needs to be done.

Be Flexible When Your Schedule Doesn’t Go as Planned

It’s hard to be okay when you’re in the middle of something and have to stop to take on another task. You may feel distracted and like you’re not balancing work and life correctly, but you have to enjoy the benefits of working from home! Don’t get stressed out by small things. Enjoy the flexibility!

Shut Down

Pick a time (maybe when the kids get home from school) to shut down your computer and focus on your home life. Try not to get too caught up in checking the computer and phone for work stuff. Do this every day, as you would if you were leaving an office away from home. It will draw a nice line between what part of the day is devoted to work and what is devoted to mom life.

Always losing your keys? Looking for a creative way to spice up your entryway? Then this craft is for you! Using an old picture frame you can make your very own stylish key holder.

Here is what you will need:

• An old or inexpensive picture frame
• 3 or 4 decorative knobs or hooks
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Decorative fabric or paper
• Hot glue gun or staple gun
• Ruler or tape measure
• Scissors
• Possibly a drill

DIY in 6 Easy Steps

1. Paint your picture frame First paint your frame in any way you like.You can even distress it or add small embellishments. I used an old wooden frame, but a plastic frame can also work as long as the sides are wide enough to hold the knobs.
   
2. Measure and cut your fabric Measure the size of the picture in the frame. Cut your material about an inch bigger than the size of your picture. It does not have to be exact; a rough estimate is fine.
3. Attach your fabric to your frame Next attach your fabric to the back of your picture frame. This step can be done several different ways. You can use a staple gun or you can attach it with hot glue. If your fabric is thin you may need to put cardboard on the back to make it firm.
4. Attach the knobs There are several different ways you can do this depending on what kind of knobs or hooks you have. Some hooks and knobs need to be screwed in and others can simply be hot glued. Another option is to screw the hooks into the bottom of the frame instead of the side.
5. Spice it up Finally add some sort of embellishment to spice up your picture frame. Here are some ideas:
   1. Use a sharpie to write a quote or word like: home, keys or even the family name, on the fabric or frame.
   2. Use scrap booking letters or wooden blocks and glue them to the fabric.
   3. Take an old or decorative item like a key and glue it in the middle of the fabric.
6. Attach your key holder to the wall and enjoy!

There’s nothing that goes better together than fall and pumpkin. That’s why this week, My Home Life decided to jump right into fall baking with these delicious pumpkin- chocolate chip squares to get you through the toughest of weeks. Before you know it, pumpkin will be out of season again, so start creating with it now with this tasty treat!

Step 1: Start with these simple ingredients

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving some extra on all sides.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.

Step 4: Preferably with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree. Reduce the speed to low and mix in all dry ingredients until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Step 5: Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 6: Lift the cake from pan using the foil and peel off foil. Cut into squares and enjoy!

A simple and cost-efficient way to update any room can be to change your curtain rod placement. As you can tell from the pictures below, you will give the illusion that your window is larger by extending the curtain rod 3-6 inches wider than the actual window and placing it 4-6 inches above the window frame.

Not only does this make the room look more spacious and low ceilings seem higher, but it brings in more light to the space as well. So remember, when you need a fresh look at home this fall, just hang those curtains high and wide!

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/expert-advice/decorating-rules-you-can-break/#page=6

http://www.calicocorners.com/c-251-draperies.aspx

DIY projects are not only fun to do, and but a strong sense of accomplishment often comes with the completion of the project. When looking to revamp your home décor, one of the most powerful and most accessible DIY tools is one that’s so often overlooked: paint!

Paint, paint and paint again. Paint your favorite color. Paint your favorite design. Maybe even paint objects in your home that you never would have thought to paint before. Although it’s a product that we use relatively often, we repeatedly underestimate its ability to easily transform spaces.

Go bold

Using bright, bold colors can take a room from boring to vibrant in just a few hours. Adding color can make it easier to decorate based off of your new color scheme, or it can add a pop of newness to your home while allowing you to keep the same furniture!

Use stencils

Using stencils to create fun patterns on the walls can add a spark to your room and allow you to customize your home, whether it’s smooth horizontal stripes or a fun chevron pattern.

Repaint furniture

This is a unique way to save money and add a special touch to your home. Older furniture may hold a lot of character or special memories. Updating furniture by repainting it is an ideal way to make sure you’re able to keep those with you.

One could go on forever about paint. It’s really an amazing tool when it comes to redecorating. Low-cost, but delightful, painting allows an endless amount of customization options for your home.

Homework can be a never ending battle with your child or it can be just another part of their daily routine. Your child can carry these habits with them throughout school and even into college.

Here are some effective tips to make your child’s homework work for you as well.

         1. Set at Time! Having a routine can really make the process smoother. A routine can also set the clear expectation that homework time is always the same. Often, it is best is to set a time that is close to when they get home from school. Give your child a light healthy snack, then it is down to business. Be clear about no playing until all homework is done. This expectation will pave the way for your kids to want to finish their homework ASAP so they can have time to do something fun.

         2. Set a Place / Be Prepared! You would not believe how much of a difference it makes for your child to have a place where they do their homework every day. This place could be anywhere from the kitchen table to a desk in their room. Find a place where distractions are minimal and have a special location for school supplies, preferably by your child’s study area. This way your child isn’t spending 20 minutes looking for a ruler or marker

        3. Help! It may not be feasible for every parent to sit down every single day with their child and help them complete their homework, but being present can really make a difference. Pop in and check on him or her every few minutes to make sure they are working or to see if they need any help.

         4.Plan/Be organized! Keep a schedule of all of your child’s assignments and when they are due. When an assignment is due or a test is coming up, be sure to bring it up and ask how you can help. Always put completed homework in the same place and have your child check it the night before to make sure they don’t forget anything.

          5. Reward! Reward your child for their hard work! Establish a reward system where they are working towards a goal. This could be a point system where they work to earn a prize such as being in charge for a day or having a special time with mom/dad, a trip to the ice cream shop, eat at their favorite restaurant etc. When the kids are older you can give bigger prizes for getting good grades or for pulling their grades up. Remember a little reward goes a long way!

         6. Utilize teachers! Often teachers have very helpful websites with assignments listed and supportive links. If your child is having trouble in a subject, collaborate with the teacher -they probably have some great resources you can use.

         7. Read with your child! This can make a huge difference in your child’s education! A study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science in January 2014, found that “reading to a child in an interactive style raises his or her IQ by over six points.”

         8. Be Consistent! Some days your child may not have homework but it is important to be consistent with the routine. On these slower days, read with your child for 15 minutes or have them read silently. You can also have them practice math facts or spelling words. Being consistent will help set the tone for successful daily homework time.

         9. Make it fun! Homework doesn’t have to be boring. Think of innovative ways to make it fun for your child and they will be more engaged in class and at home!

With the new school year comes new errands and play dates for the kids, leaving you with little time to yourself. Whether you’re at work or home, the new craze of salads in a jar creates a quick and simple lunch alternative. By packing your salad in a canning jar, you can plan your lunches for the entire week in seven easy Layers.

Here’s How:

Layer 1: Dressing

• Add 1-4 tablespoons of dressing to the bottom of the jar, depending on the jar size. Creamy dressings like blue cheese and ranch work best.

Layer 2: Hard Vegetables

• Add any moisture resistant vegetables like beets, cucumbers, bell peppers, etc.

Layer 3: Pasta, Beans and Grains

• Chickpeas go great here.

Layer 4: Cheese and Proteins

• Add these ingredients when you plan on consuming the salad within 24 hours.

Layer 5: Soft Veggies and Fruits

• Here’s where tomatoes, avocadoes, broccoli, along with your favorite fruit come into play. If you’re packing ahead for the whole week, you may want to skip this layer and add them the day you plan on eating your salad.

Layer 6: Nuts and Seeds

• Almonds, pecans, walnuts and sunflower seeds work the best here.

Layer 7: Add Greens and Go

• Fill the rest of the jar with your choice of greens, screw on the lid, and easily store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat!

With fall just around the corner, images of warm sweaters, campfires, leaves changing colors and of course pumpkins, begin coming to mind. Pumpkins are an essential part of fall because of how many ways they are incorporated in it. They are great for carving, decorating, and baking desserts. Even better is the chance to take your kids’ to the pumpkin patch and add a personalized touch for every pumpkin used. With plenty of pumpkin possibilities, try keeping these eight pumpkin essentials in mind if you need decorating ideas, tips or recipes.

1. Chocolate pumpkin truffles

Fall in love with these scrumptious truffles coated in dark chocolate and topped with crushed graham crackers. They’re sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! Recipe found at Dixie Crystals by Jessica Segarra: http://www.dixiecrystals.com/recipes/desserts/candy/Chocolate-Pumpkin-Truffles

2. Oatmeal pumpkin cookies

These chewy, delicious cookies are bound to make your house smell like fall! Recipe found at Sugar n’ Spice gals by Robin: http://www.sugar-n-spicegals.com/2013/09/oatmeal-pumpkin-cookies.html

3. Pumpkin French toast bake

The perfect breakfast for any fall morning with family and friends. Prepare this dish the night before for a carefree, early morning preparation. Recipe found at Minimalist Baker by Dana: http://minimalistbaker.com/pumpkin-french-toast-bake/

4. Pumpkin pie cupcakes

Tired of the same old pumpkin pie? Try making these yummy, gooey pumpkin pie cupcakes! Serve up these individual portions of pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner for a treat that’s sure to please.  Recipe found at OMG Chocolate Desserts by Vera: http://omgchocolatedesserts.com/omg-pumpkin-pie-cupcakes/

5. Pumpkin crescent rolls

For the true pumpkin fans, pumpkin crescent rolls are a dream come true! Do you sit through dinner just wondering when you’ll get to eat the pumpkin pie? Make these and put your pumpkin sweet tooth to rest during dinner. They’re perfect paired with turkey. Recipe found at Pillsbury Baking: http://www.pillsburybaking.com/recipes/pumpkin-crescent-rolls-3991

6. Glittered pumpkins

Glittering pumpkins are a great way to decorate without the mess of carving; plus, they’re a quick, easy and fun craft for kids’ of all ages. Project found at HGTV by Layla Palmer: http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/how-to-make-glittered-pumpkins/index.html?soc=pinterest&crlt.pid=camp.JrSGUl29QFhF

7. No-carve pumpkins

Besides glittering pumpkins, there are several other ways to uniquely decorate no-carve pumpkins.  Drench your pumpkins in black paint for a spooky canvas to draw on or wrap your pumpkin with gauze and glue on some googly eyes for a mummified pumpkin! The possibilities are endless. Projects found at Home Dit: http://www.homedit.com/10-diy-halloween-pumpkin-decorating-ideas/ and Woman’s Day: http://www.womansday.com/home/holiday-decorating-ideas/night-lights#slide-1

8. Pumpkin arrangement

Looking for an elegant pumpkin arrangement perfect for placing anywhere in your home? Try creating a simple pumpkin and hydrangea centerpiece for an effortless and beautiful fall look. Project found at Home Talk by Melissa: http://www.hometalk.com/2332492/simple-pumpkin-and-hydrangea-arrangement

By Taylor Grantham

When you picture a light bulb you think of this, right? The incandescent bulb has been in use since the late 1800s. The definition of incandescent from Merrian-Webster is “producing bright light when heated”. In fact, these bulbs use most of the energy they consume to produce heat and not light. 

Not only does the heat of incandescent bulbs pose threats like fire or burn, it is consuming your energy bill. Since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was passed, bringing the energy inefficiency of the United States into the spotlight, the incandescent bulb has nearly seen its end.

New and efficient bulbs are being produced that last longer and save energy and money! The most popular of the improved bulbs are Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs).

 CFLs were designed to easily replace incandescent bulbs with a screw in option that works just like a        traditional bulb. Even though side by side at the store, CFLs are the more expensive option, they are more beneficial.

CFL bulbs have a life span of 10,000 hours, whereas incandescent bulbs last about 1,200 to 2,500 hours. Rather than using an electric current to heat a filament, CFLs sends an electric current through chemicals to create light.

This way more of the energy consumed is actually used to produce light. CFLs are a great option for more efficient lighting, but not the only one, check out (link) for more selection.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that if every American home replaced one light bulb with an approved Energy Star bulb, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year. That’s about $680 million in annual energy costs.

Make the switch and save money now!

By Nicollette Niles

It’s the weekend and you’re ready to stay in and relax. You decide it’s time to bake some warm, gooey brownies and pop in a good movie, but then you realize how bad for you those brownies will be and you don’t want to ruin your diet, so you grab an apple and begrudgingly munch on it while dreaming about brownies. If this situation sounds familiar, we have the perfect solution for you. The secret ingredient? Zucchini. Now you can bake those warm, gooey brownies, without the guilt! These brownies are healthy, dairy free and made of whole grains.

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

A pinch of salt

2 cups peeled and grated zucchini

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (to sprinkle on top)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, vanilla, sugar and applesauce

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt

4. Add the mixtures together and stir until combined

5. Next, fold in the zucchini and the chocolate chips

6. Pour the batter into a pan and sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes