Yes, I’m aware that Halloween was just last week, but I’m not alone in already thinking about my holiday gift list. You know the stores are already gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so let’s face it, whether we’re decorating, planning menus, or gift shopping, the holiday season is upon us! So it’s time to start thinking about that gift list. It never hurts to start getting ideas or start shopping early.
Holiday Gift Basket for Men
A few weeks ago I shared a post on how to create a $100 gift basket for women for less than $30. You can check it out here. Since I got a request from a reader for a men’s basket, I thought I’d share this basket I recently made for my husband.
When it comes to gift baskets, if you’re like a lot of people, you might think that they’re [Read more…]
5 Tricks to Navigating the Dreaded Teething Years
I must confess before I had my son I never really gave a second thought about the teething stage for babies and toddlers. My only real concern was about how much sleep I was going to lose in those first few months. Looking back, I do remember these were always the two topics of conversation amongst my friends who already had kids. They all warned me and as they rambled off their horror stories, their struggles and suggestions for getting through it, their tips and tricks, I still only thought of one thing… [Read more…]
Gifts for Women- Make a $100 Gift Basket for Under $30
With the holidays upon us and the seemingly never-ending list of people to buy for, why not save a little money this season? Baskets of goodies are one of my new favorite ways to give gifts.
I have so much fun hunting for things, big and small, and creatively filling not just baskets but [Read more…]
Decision-Making 101
We make so many decisions every day that it makes sense to have a set of guidelines to help us make them timely, confidently, and wisely.
Our decisions range from the small, seemingly inconsequential (what we’re going to wear, what we’re going to eat, where we’re going to stop for gas); to the ones that have lifelong implications (our choice of spouse or career); and those that fall in between. These days, decisions can be complicated even more because everywhere we turn there’s so much to choose from. It’s not just information or product overload…it’s everything overload! As a mom of three – (and grandmother) – and service business owner/operator for 25 years, life has been a continuum of decisions. These are some of the decision-making guidelines that help me keep my sanity:
These are some of the decision-making guidelines that help me keep my sanity:
Diaper Changing Table Essentials
Everyone knows the basic necessities when it comes to changing a baby’s diaper, right?
Wrong!
First-time parents don’t always know exactly what items they’re going to need, what they can live without, and what may not be necessary, but can make changing a squirmy baby’s diaper quicker and easier. I certainly didn’t.
Now, because I knew long before I even got pregnant that I wanted to cloth diaper, I spent probably close to 2 years (prior to pregnancy and during) researching cloth diapers and all they entail. That’s a post for another time, I promise!
Even if you don’t plan to cloth diaper like me, the essentials are similar. For those that do cloth diaper or plan to, I hope I can help.
As you may already know from my post on dresser organization, J’s dresser also doubles as a changing table. The best advice I ever [Read more…]
3 Key Practices for Long Term Financial Wealth
There are three key practices that will significantly affect your family’s long-term financial health and wealth. Although these practices may require some planning and self-discipline, they will powerfully impact your family’s net worth. The big payoff will definitely be worth your effort!
Getting Your Baby or Toddler Through Cold & Flu Season
6 Essential Items For Cold & Flu Season
We’ve barely made it halfway through cold and flu season and my little J has already gotten sick multiple times.
Sick babies are inevitable- with their curious minds and little hands touching everything in sight. Eventually, those germy hands make it to their mouth and BAM, sickness ensues! It’s a never-ending battle with children, especially babies and toddlers. But it’s one that can be made a little bit easier if you [Read more…]
Going to My First Wedding Expo!
Going to my first wedding expo was like diving into a swarming beehive. Except everyone is really excited to be there. Some brides are determined to find the best deals; some brides are just trying to see what the vendors have to offer. Vendors are trying to get everyone to sign up for something. And the few grooms that tagged along are hanging out at the bar or looking for free food.
So it’s an exciting time for everyone – congratulating each other and exchanging wedding details all while trying to move through the masses.
Related: Unique & Affordable Engagement Rings
I attended the expo last weekend having no idea what to expect and trying not to take it too seriously. My wedding is over a year away so I was just interested to see what it was all about and maybe win some free stuff.
Whether you’re like me and just there to feel it out or you’re the determined bride on a mission, below are some tips to make the day go by smooth:
Baby Boy Nursery Closet Finds
As you begin to read this you might be thinking what else, besides clothes, goes in a nursery closet. Well, when you have an overload of baby items including clothes, bath items, shoes, diapers, wipes, carriers, bags, more clothes, and toys, you’re gonna need to [Read more…]
Nursery Dresser Organization
Let me just start by saying that J’s nursery dresser is currently the most organized dresser in the house. My dressers are pretty neat but not nearly as tidy as I’d like them to be.
The most useful nursery tip that I’ve come across and implemented: use a dresser [Read more…]
Nursery Closet Organiztion
In my house, everything has a place to belong. From my neatly arranged and alphabetized spice cabinet to my color and season coordinated wardrobe closet. Organization is the key to my happiness…and sanity.
Seven years ago when my husband and I exchanged our wedding vows, he promised to always put his socks away and try his hardest to keep the Tupperware cabinet clean. He knew in our house “an organized life equals happy wife”. Let’s just say- [Read more…]
Baby Boy Nursery Style- J’s Eclectic Nursery Creation
When the time came for me to start thinking about designing J’s nursery, I knew I wanted it to encompass a mix my husband’s and my favorite things along with a touch of our family’s history. I loved the idea of creating a unique space for my little one to discover where he came from, who he is, and the places he’ll go.
