Top Three Back to School Tips

August always hits me like a freight train. I'm torn with wanting summer to last a little longer and eager to get back into the school routine. It may feel like there are a million things to get done. Rest easy mama you can do it! After doing this a few years I feel as though I am getting a handle on the transition. Here are my top three back to school tips:

1. Take the first day of pictures a few days before. 

If you're a crazy picture mama like I am, this tip is for you. I have my kids wear their first day of school outfit, we go outside and have fun with it.  There's no time restraint, no pressure on, no stress.  It takes the rush out of getting that perfect first-day picture in the midst of the crazy gotta get out of the house to not be late on the first day.  That blog post is HERE. 

Bonus tip: I only buy the kids a first-day outfit because it still generally feels like summer. I wait to buy fall clothes at the end of September.

2. Have multiple lunch boxes/Bentos and keep it simple 

This is for the mama who packs lunches. Yumboxis our favorite bento and they are the best! I love the slots, quality, and they are adorable! 

Let's face it though, I am not the best at dishes so if this was our only bento I would be frantic every day. We also useEasy Lunch Boxeson the daily. The boss takes it to work every day. Both are dishwasher safe and make packing simple.

I also like to keep meals simple. I pack the same lunch for the whole week; meat, veggie, fruit, treat. Back when the little lady was going to public school I would also let her buy lunch on Fridays. She thought it was a special treat for her but it really was to give the mama a break haha. 

3. Buy all the things NOW

I've been the one who waited to go back to school last minute. Have mercy never again! It was a hot mess and I make it a point never to do that again. If your school offers that cool service where you can buy the box that is delivered to your kid's classroom, I recommend using it. 

If you have to shop as I did, go mid-week morning if you can to avoid the crowds. This year I organized it all in reusable bags that the teachers can keep and loaded up their backpacks with all the things. DONE. It may have taken me all day, but it is DONE! 

I've got an entire Pinterst Board that will help you get motivated and inspired to get back to school! Let us make this transition as seamless and joyful as possible! 

Lots of Love,

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How to Start a Garden

I wish I was a farmer.  How amazing would it be to eat fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the back yard?!  I honestly wouldn't even know where to start.  The idea seems so overwhelming to tackle that the thought stays a dream.  

However, I have a neighbor who is a farmer [in the sense that she grows her own food]!  The more I talk to Krissy the idea becomes feasible.  I asked her some questions that may help me [and you] start our dream garden.  She also has an awesome Pinterest Board you can follow!  

How sweet are her two little helpers?!

1.     What made you want to start a garden?

I enjoyed caring for flowers and other plants, so decided to try a vegetable garden to see how successful I would be.  We also eat a lot of fresh vegetables so I hoped that this would help with the cost of produce.

[squash!!!]

2.    What is the first thing you need to do?

The first thing I did to prepare for the garden was to choose a spot in my yard that would drain well, receive lots of sunlight, and then prepared the soil.  Our soil has a lot of clay in it, so we removed as much clay as we could, then added some regular topsoil. Soon after, we added a soil designed especially for vegetable gardens (bought at Home Depot).

3.    Is there a tutorial you used to build the garden box?

Let me ask Justin… lol. [Linked a youtube video for us hehe]

4.    Which plants are grown from seed and which are bought?

In the first year, I did try to grow most of the vegetables from seed but was unsuccessful.  I now just grow my beans, carrots, and spinach from seed.  The rest is all bought pre-planted.  I do intend to try starting tomatoes from seed next year, now that I’m a bit more experienced.

5.    When do you start planting?

We start the first or second week of May, depending on the weather.

6.    Why are there flowers in the bed?

I plant marigolds in my garden to help repel bugs.  I’ve found they’re successful near the tomatoes and the squash, however, unfortunately, the Japanese Beetles are not bothered by the marigolds!

7.    What does it take to maintain the garden?

It takes a little time, money and lots of patience.  You’ll spend quite a bit of money to start the garden box, and then a little each year for plants and seeds.  I water the garden as needed, usually once a day, and tend to it in other ways while watering it.  It takes time for the plants to start, and unfortunately, patience is needed in years like this when the weather is not ideal, or the bugs are bad.

[she also puts coffee grinds in her garden for the soil]

8.    What is your favorite thing about the garden?

Gardening is a rewarding hobby, as I can actually see the progress and growth of a fresh, organic vegetable that was planted as a tiny seed, and now will feed my family.  I also love watching the kids get excited when the plants start to bud and grow.  They are extremely excited about the orange carrots beneath the soil, and are always excited to see when “Mommy’s Tomatoes” are red and ripe!

Happy planting friends,

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Best Way to Pack a Suitcase

Our family travels and moves often enough that suitcases are a part of our lives.  Over the years I have tried various methods of packing.  I did the ziplock method, stack folded, laid clothes out flat… I've tried it all but this is by far my go-to.  

IT MATTERS

Two things matter most when packing; the suitcase you have and the way you fold.  Hardshell suitcases where there are two separate compartment chambers [example at the end of the post] are best and trust me I've used many a suitcase in my life.  The separation allows for more organization.  Of all the fold methods, the Kon Mari style if my fave.  Fold into a rectangle and place them so the edge faces up [the video at the end shows more detail about this].

COMPILE THE OUTFITS

When folding, I like to compile the outfits; shirt, shorts, undergarments and fold them all together.  Doing this saves you time from digging around the suitcase and making a mess.  GRAB and GO! 

WHY THE CUBES?

The cubes are drawer organizers in my kid's dressers.  I love them because they hold the clothes inside so neatly and prevent me from overpacking.  You can separate everyone's outfits and everything stays in one place.

 When you arrive at your destination you take the cube out and place it in the hotel drawer.  If you're able to do laundry on your trip and come home with clean clothes, take the cubes out and place them back in the dressers.  BOOM! 

A friend of mine uses packing cubes and loves them but I have never tried them. 

BULKY ITEMS?

When you've filled the cubes with outfits and pajama sets you can place the cubes in the suitcase.  The empty spots in the suitcase can be filled with bulkier items like jackets, sweaters, shoes and toiletry bags.  

The short video below shows the entire process!

Happy Travels,

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FAVORITE PACKING PRODUCTS

                           

Creating a Home for the Homebody

Y’all I am a homebody.  I did not realize how much until I flew to California last week and left the boss with the minions.  My awesome husband literally took my kids to ALL THE PLACES.  They must have seen more in those four days than the entire 2019 with me.  It’s not that I don’t like to go to all the places, I just prefer to be in my cozy little home.

However, the house has recently felt overwhelming.  I steer to the outside to get away from the piles; of dishes, laundry, toys, and to-dos.  I avoid attempting to deal with the clutter that has built up because I don’t even know where to start!  There is an entire basement that I hardly ever hang out in... why?  The one place I loved has turned into a place that breeds anxiousness and insecurity.  Whenever I don’t feel at home in my own house I go back to the beginning with this one simple question. 

HOW DO I WANT MY HOME TO FEEL?

I want my home to be a cozy space.  I long for it to breed joy and memories.  Our home is where we learn and make mistakes.  I dream for it to be free from clutter, organized, beautifully decorated and a lived-in kind of tidy.  There’s a rhythm we all move to that allows for the fast pace to find rest.  It is where we can focus, create, and serve.  My home is my family’s sanctuary where they can encounter God and know within those four walls they will be loved and accepted.  

I want my home to always be ready to welcome visitors with the smell of coffee, tea, and treats.   I want others to come in and experience the traditions, witness our history displayed on our walls, and have the opportunity to connect.  Our table is the centerpiece where love is served and the stresses of the busy outside left behind.  I long for it to be a place that offers others rest, joy, peace, love, and healing.  

HOW? 

It sounds like a huge order but there was a time when my home felt this way.  I know with some work it is possible.  I simply need to SIMPLIFY.  Simplify our calendar, meals, our everything!  BUT first our space.  

For June I will be tackling the home starting with decluttering all the following areas:

The rules are simple:

1. NO organizing or buying bins/new things (YET)
2. Have two bags ready to go, one for trash and one for donations
3. Go through everything and get rid of anything that doesn't serve a purpose, hasn't been used in years, or is not my favorite. 

It’s that simple!   Ya’ll will be keeping me accountable on Instagram as I fill trash bags and clear the clutter each week.  I am a child, I really need the accountability. 

WANT TO JOIN ME?  

I want you to take a moment to answer that first question.  How do I want my home to feel like?  Then save the list and let'ss tackle the clutter together.  Share your answer and progress with me by tagging me on Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtag #makeitcozeehomebody

Grab your bags, ready, set DECLUTTER! 

Until next time,