Small Space Nursery Ideas

With the current housing market, more and more couples are making the tough decision to stop envisioning the large nursery for their babyy. Instead many are considering welcoming their baby in an apartment or small home. Making your space work for a new addition can seem daunting when you feel like you are already bursting at the seams. But a small space can be really great for a mom on the go who is constantly jumping back and forth from checking the baby to checking things off her to-do list.

How can I live in a small apartment with a baby? How do you live in a small house with a baby?

Here are some tips and tricks to make your small nursery ideas a reality.

Purge + Declutter

First, purge your belongings. I personally like to follow Emily Ley’s Simplified method of “best, favorite, necessary”. If items don’t fall into those categories, you likely won’t miss them.

Make sure to consider donating what you don’t need. Extra towels can go to animal shelters, your old clothes can go to women’s shelters, and furniture can go to Goodwill.

image via apartment therapy

Define Your Space

Now that you are working with less clutter, start defining your spaces. If you have a studio, consider room dividers to create a nursery. Accordion style dividers are great and can double as a Zoom call background if necessary (I get more to multipurpose items below!).

If you’re running low on storage options, consider a room divider with storage opportunities like the Ikea Kallax. When you’re using this item to define a nursery, you can load up the Kallax with baskets and have it act as a dresser for baby clothes or as a place to store diapers and wipes.

Repurpose Your Space

If you have any space in your home that is unused or underutilized, repurpose it. You might not need an extra closet space once you’ve finished purging. If that’s the case, remove the closet doors, paint the walls, add a bassinet and call it the nursery! If you’re looking for a small nursery idea, it doesn’t get much smaller than that!

Is beneath your bed wasted space? Consider vacuum compression storage bags for off season clothes or under bed storage containers for other items you don’t use regularly.

image via lonny

Keep Things Off the Floor

In addition to eventually becoming a tripping hazard when your little one is mobile, clutter on the floor closes off a space. Seeing more of the floor gives the illusion of an ongoing area. Find ways to use the vertical space in your home. Consider over the door organizers, a wall mount for your bike, or a hook to store your stroller behind your front door for an easy exit!

Another item that eats up a lot of space - the highchair. Opt for a chair that attaches to your table or kitchen island saving that floor space from clutter.

Think Mini

Mini cribs are all the rage right now. Just as their name implies, these cribs take up a very small footprint. Plus many options even fold away. If you aren’t tight on space, this is also a great suggestion for grandparents’ homes if you plan to let the baby sleep there from time to time. (Remember: babies nap A LOT).

In addition to the mini crib, many brands that make “standard” size baby products also make smaller versions. For example, Baby Jogger, the maker of my beloved and well used stroller have the cult favorite City Mini Stroller. The City Mini comes in several options including a double stroller. It boasts the same great functionality as its larger counterpart (which I have and LOVE), but it is a much more lightweight, smaller option.

Find Multiple Purposes for Everything

When you’re short on space, everything in your home should serve multple purposes. Here are some examples:

This cart can function as a diaper caddy + toy storage that moves throughout your home.

Opt for a Pack N Play that has a playard, changing station, and a bassinet.

If you’re looking to splurge on a multipurpose play piece, this nesting table and chairs is ideal. You can store toys in the seats, and the seats can easily be stored underneath the table so they don’t take up extra room.

Use Toys as Decor

Obviously, toys will accumulate. When my kids were younger, I would always request books for gifts. Children’s books are some of the most beautiful pieces in my home, and I love to display them. Grab some affordable acrylic ledges that attach to the wall and load them up with books. It is a colorful accent and kids are more likely to request to read when they can see all the options.

Or if you have the space, dedicate one bookshelf to toys. Utilize baskets that match your decor and purchase some beautiful wooden toys for a seamless integration into the rest of your home.

Skip the Nursery

Hear me out. The baby will likely sleep in your room for at least the first 6 months if you’re following the AAP sleep guidelines. Within that time you will be figuring out how to function as a family, which will likely mean that baby will be with you as you check things off your to-do list. You will lay them down for some supervised tummy time within eye shot, but odds are you won’t want your baby far from you in the first few weeks/months anyway so that small space is perfect!

If you opt to skip the formal nursery all together, consider the collapsible furniture and furniture on wheels options above so that you can roll the crib around the house with you.

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Welcoming a baby is always going to be a bit daunting whether you will have a baby in an apartment or a mansion. Start with small goals to get your small home ready, and add the fancy frills later.

Home Organization Tools I Use Daily

In theory, I have a place for everything. In reality, everything is not in its place.

However, I have noticed that more things end up where they are supposed to go when there is a clear intention. For example, if my family knows that all the living room blankets go into the blanket basket at the end of the day, it is much easier to just yell, “Put the blankets away!” than yell instructions for how to do it.

There is a bit of a learning curve, but eventually it works. But it wouldn’t be possible without a few home organization tools to help me.

How do I begin to organize my home?

Everyone’s answer to this question will be different. Generally speaking, I start with my biggest pain point. For example, we spend a lot of time in our classroom. The classroom is right off the main living space so I can see when it is a mess. It bothers me daily, so I started there.

If you’re struggling to determine how to start, consider starting with how I declutter my home. This will give you a good idea of the areas of your home that you need to focus on while also getting rid of all the unnecessary items in your home.

Now that the clutter is gone, you can focus on making the most use out of the things that you have and love. When my home is organized, my mind it clearer. I have also found that I have a much more organized family when we all know where everything goes and can help one another without having to explain each step.

Home Organization Tips and Tricks

I am breaking down the most helpful tricks for organizing our home. Here are the methods or products that we use everyday broken down by area of our home.

Closet

Monochromatic Hangers - The closet has the potential to be a catch all and a general mish mash of stuff. Having monochromatic hangers has made walking into the closet much more appealing. Also, there is no more searching for the right hanger for different items of clothing - they’re all the same. Saves time and looks better.

Bathroom

Makeup Organizer - I don’t have a lot of makeup, but I have enough that I don’t want to devote an entire drawer in my vanity to it - that’s valuable space! Instead, I use a makeup organizer. My favorite one has removable dividers and zips up easily to conceal that concealer and comes in a bunch of colors.

Jewelry - I love my jewelry tree. The height helps to get all my jewelry off the countertop and also allows me to see everything at once. I don’t have to pull out drawers to see what is inside. The lower branches have small holes where you can put each set of earrings and the bottom acts as a tray for any smaller keepsakes.

Living Area

Box for disposable wipes - Like any parent, we use wet wipes constantly. We have kept a stash of wet wipes in the living area forever, but it is pretty unsightly. I just recently put the disposable wipes into a box that goes with our decor. I love the way it looks, and it is easy for the kids to open and use the wipes to help clean up.

Family Calendar - It is helpful to have one place that can be a snapshot of what to expect. A dry erase family organizer that has a spot for appointments, grocery lists, things to do, meal plans, and sweet notes in the epicenter of your house should help keep everyone (even your husband) on track.

Tabletop trays - Adding a tray underneath all your decor makes it seem more intentional. For example, on our dining table I have a large basket that houses the disposable wipe box, our bluetooth speaker, some decor and our napkins. It’s a lot, but in the tray it doesn’t seem as overwhelming.

Toys

I’ll start by saying, there is really no way to completely contain the chaos with little kids. These are just things that have helped me maintain a little order while allowing the kids to reach everything and put it away when they’re done.

Monochromatic containers - Kids toys come in every color. They are obnoxious and loud. The only way to streamline the chaos is to get a bunch of the same or similar color containers. Even if they each have neon toys of every variety inside, at least the overall appearance will be more organized. I love the wooden bins from Target’s Pillowfort line. They are open so the kids can grab whatever they want. They also stack if space allows.

Legos- I have tried a few different Lego methods. Currently, I am using this Ikea tower for the larger pieces like train tracks. However, my all time favorite Lego storage solution is this Poppin cube from The Container Store. I love it so much that I did a whole post on how I organize my Legos in this cube and create a laptop surface on which the kids can build. Check out my Lego storage solution!

Kitchen - Pantry

Clear Containers - I love taking dry goods from their packaging and putting them into clear containers. I will do this for all my baking products (flour, sugar, etc.). I also prefer to do this with things like cereals since the boxes are usually so obnoxously colored. If I have too much product for the containers, I will just keep the remainder behind the container and use it to fill the container as I use it.

Plastic containers - Plastic containers are my true CONTAINers - I use them to contain. For example, I will take out all the granola bars from the box and put them in one container. This way the kids can easily grab their own snacks. I can also easily see when we are running low. I like this method for canned goods as well.

Shelf liners - These aren’t necessarily an organizational tool, but they do protect my shelves from the containers mentioned above. Most are wipeable for spills and messes too.

Kitchen - Fridge

Lazy Susan - You might call me crazy, but putting a lazy susan in my fridge transformed it. I was able to put so many things in one place and easily reach them all. It provided much more shelf space for my everyday items.

Clear containers - I prefer clear bins in the fridge because it matches with the shelves and veggie drawers - again going for that monochromatic element so that the items I am searching for while the kids scream at me are easier to see.

Personals

Charging Station - If I didn’t have the ping feature on my Apple Watch, I would literally never know where my phone is. A charging station is the perfect compact spot to keep your phone and watch.

Fabric Containers - I try really hard not to hold on to things that I don’t need, but I do have a sentimental streak. My system for this is a row of fabric bins in my closet. I have a bin for personal keepsakes for the kids, from my husband, cards or letters, etc. When I have something that I want to hold on to, I put them in those bins. When I do my annual clear out, I take the items from those baskets and determine what I should keep and what should go. Then I shift the keepers to a clear bin in the attic.

Small bowl on side table - I just recently started keeping a small decorative bowl on my bedside to hold any knick knacks that might accumulate and cause a mess. I use it mostly for my hand cream, bobby pins, and hair ties that I take out before bed.

Books

Wall shelves - We rarely say no to books. If you ever want to get our kids a gift, you can’t go wrong with books. But that accumulates fast. I try to store the books out on wall shelves for two reasons. First, if the kids see the books they are more likely to want to grab one. Secondly, I love to use the books as decor! No need to scavenge through the kid art at Home Goods when I have beautiful books that could match any decor!

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If I had to give one award for the most versatile organizational piece I have ever owned, it would go to this cart with wheels. There are lots of options from Amazon to Michaels to the original from Ikea. I am working on a post for all the ways in which of I have used this cart, but here’s a snapshot - diaper cart in nursery, toy cart in nursery, art cart, outdoor storage for gardening and side table, school supplies, and so on. It is so versatile! It has really grown with our needs. I have three in the house currently. I love them!

How can I organize my home without spending money?

Those are some great solutions if you’ve got some money to spend. But if you’re in a saving pattern right now (hi, trying to save for three kids schooling here!), I’ve got some helpful tips and tricks for you to get an organized home and subsequently an organized family!

Don’t toss any containers until you’re completely done

First, NEVER throw away a container when you are decluttering. As you purge what you have, you will no doubt be emptying a lot of baskets, bins, and containers. Designate one place to keep all those spare containers. As you organize the rest of the house, you will find new uses for those containers. When you put those bins into a new place and use for a new purpose, they will feel like a brand new purchase!

Get creative with recyclables

I keep a stash of items that could have a second life. For example, I rarely toss out toilet paper rolls because I used them to contain extension cords. Similarly, I use large yogurt cartons for storing the kids paint brushes and sunscreen outside. And that spaghetti sauce jar could be a great vase with a little spray paint!

Channel your inner DIY star

I would love to have one of those family organizer mentioned above, but I am not spending the money right now. So I found some free printables that I laminated (you could put into a clear binder sleeve), and I write on them with a dry erase marker. It is the same efficiency, just not quite as beautiful.

Here are some of my favorite free printables to organize your life.

At Home Valentine's Day Ideas

It seems like Christmas just ended, and already we are on to planning the next big event! While I love a little rest and relazation after the holidays, I am also a planner at heart. I love to be ready for what is coming next, and with the chaos that is the shipping industry right now, there is no shame in planning and ordering early for at home Valentine’s Day ideas!

With the continuing (and escalating) state of COVID in the US, the responsible thing to do for Valentine’s Day is enjoy your family’s company at home. That doesn’t mean that you have to begrudgingly stare at the same old faces you see every day. There are lots of great at home Valentine’s Day ideas that you can easily do! Look at this as an opportunity to shower those nearest to you with love and affection all day.

If you’re looking for a quick guide for family Valentine’s Day ideas, here’s my suggestion — Get cozy, soft pjs, make food that you all love, read books, and enjoy a fun Spotify playlist like Valentines Day Love. And if you’re looking for a quick gift, get a Bouqs or Urban Stems subscription (the gift that keeps on giving) or a digital download print that reminds you of one of the greatest love stories ever, David and Patrick from Schitt’s Creek.

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What can I do for my family on Valentine’s Day?

Heart Shaped Waffles + Breakfast board

I think the better question is what can’t you do! Of course there is the Insta-worthy option of heart shaped waffles and a full on breakfast board. As a mom of three, I am personally in favor of this because it keeps the kids happily (and quietly) snacking all morning.

Make Valentine’s Day cards

Now that my oldest is writing, I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. After making Valentine’s for your family, consider making some extras for those in nursing homes or for essential workers. This activity checks a lot of boxes for me - arts and crafts, spreading kindness, discussion on what it means to be an essential worker and what their jobs are, and a discussion on how mail works. Whew! All in a day’s work.

DIY Spa Day

Pop your best towels in the dryer as you start to get your spa ready. Have the littles fill up bowls of water for mani/pedis. If your kids are old enough, grab some nail polish (great fine motor practice). Make up a spa menu using a felt board (great spelling practice). Grab those warm towels, and have the kids give you and your partner a pedicure, then flip the switch and give them one. At the very least, you can laugh at tickling toes together!

Practice Ballroom Dancing

Search for some free instructional videos on YouTube for Ballroom Dancing. Dress the whole family up, and give it a twirl! And if your home is anything like mine, it will last for a few minutes and then you will turn on the Trolls soundtrack and really party.

What can couples for for Valentine’s Day at home?

Netflix and Chill

Classic. This is also perfect since my energy is zapped by the time the kids are in bed. In my mind, get cozy with a nice charcuterie board and a box of your favorite chocolates. Share those over a great cheesy movie that you don’t mind talking over so that you are still connecting. Maybe Runaway Bride or 50 First Dates.

Try Wine Pairing

Grab a bunch of wines and snacks and use the fancy glasses and nice dishes. There will be a little research required on your end to ensure you have at least some good pairings, but the bad ones will be just as fun.

Ask Questions

Take advantage of those few hours when you can actually hear one another without screaming kids, and get vulnerable with this at home Valentine’s Day idea. Either grab a set of questions or head to this list from the New York Times of 36 Questions that Lead to Love.

Order Take out and Watch Your Wedding Video

It’s like the small business supporting Netflix and Chill staring you! We watch our wedding video every year on our anniversary and it is SO fun. You don’t realize all the things that you miss on your wedding day! This is a great new tradition to start for Valentine’s. Plus it is a relatively cheap thing to do on Valentine’s day if you’re not trying to break the bank, but still want do something meaningful.

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We are so lucky that our home is filled with familial love and romantic love. I also grew up in a home that made me feel extra loved on Valentine’s Day, and that is something I want to pass on. If none of these fit your family, do what makes your people feel warm and fuzzy inside.

8 Ways to Gift a Cutting Board Last Minute

This post contains affiliate links.

One week to Christmas and still looking for a great gift? Try searching you house!

What is a good last minute Christmas gift?

Something useful and meaningful to the recipient!

Hopefully most of your gift recipients will be enjoying this holiday season in their own homes, so why not fill their home with something that is sure to bring them joy and be useful? Look no further than the basic cutting board!

I have put together 8 ways to gift a simple cutting board in meaningful ways.

Warm Tidings

Got a friend who loves their Hallmark movies and a warm cup of hot chocolate? Here’s what you need:

• Disposable holiday plates

• Festive mug

• Instant hot chocolate

• Marshmallows

• Peppermint candies

Looking to up the ante? Grab these Christmas stirring spoons.

2020 in a nutshell

Murphy’s Law says that anything that can go wrong, will. Murphy must have been able to see 2020 when he thought of that one. Play it safe with this 2020 cutting board gift

• Disposable holiday plates

• Festive napkins

• Plastic champagne glasses

• Hand sanitizer

• Peppermints

Looking to up the ante? Include the champagne!

Minimalist

2020 has also taught us the value of the small things. Consider some of these great coffee books to gift with your cutting board.

Looking to up the ante? Add some coasters or dish towels.

Family Movie Night

Giving a gift to a whole family? Movie night at home is always a winner.

• Your favorite movies

• Festive napkins

• Popcorn

• Chocolates

Looking to up the ante? Add some white cheddar popcorn seasoning.

S’mores

How can you have s’more if you haven’t had any yet?!

• Marshmallows

• Festive napkins

• Graham Crackers

• Chocolates

• Festive napkins

Looking to up the ante? Add some homemade peppermint bark.

Cookie Connoisseur

If you’re missing making cookies with your neighbors, gift them all the essentials!

• Holiday cookie cutters, spatulas, whisk

• Sprinkles

• Frosting tubes

Looking to up the ante? Include some of your homemade cookies!

Family Date Night

Want to give those tired parents a much deserved break? (Hi, it’s me. I want the break.) Here’s what you need to entertain mom + dad and the kids in one shot:

• Kids activity books

• Machine washable champagne glasses

• Kids toys

• Restaurant gift card

Looking to up the ante? Add a gift card for food delivery too!

Gingerbread Builders

Gift a cookie and an experience? Yes please! Just buy a gingerbread kit and deconstruct it. Style the following elements to present the gift:

• Cookie structure pieces

• Candies

• Frosting tubes

• Festive napkins

Looking to up the ante? Add these sticker gingerbread houses for the littlest family members.

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Please note if you are gifting food products to anyone, consider food allergies. Stay away from products that include the top 8 allergens specifically.

Here are a few assortments of the items that you saw on repeat in the 8 options above - festive napkins and plates.

Happy gifting!

Delivery Driver 'Thank You' Basket Printables

I love setting out a small basket of snacks for our delivery drivers, especially at this time of year…especially during a pandemic. I can’t thank our drivers enough for getting our goodies to us and also honking their horns and waving to my kids every time that they drive by. Hopefully a small note of thanks and a snack will keep them motivated for the rest of their route!

Here are some of my favorite printable signs that I have seen around the interwebs!

How to Reduce Household Waste Everyday

2020 has felt like a year of true helplessness for me. I have wanted to protest, rally for candidates, encourage people to vote, etc. but the pandemic has kept me mostly homebound for nearly 8 months now. It can be hard to feel like you are making a difference in the world when you are hung up on while phone banking or your email to your representatives go unanswered.

Recently, the effects of climate change have been ever present to me. Especially since I have a far bit of family on the West coast of the US, which is currently ablaze. It became clear to me that there was something that I could do everyday (multiple times a day) to help Planet Earth - reduce my household waste.

In addition to making an impact now, I also like that my kids will see me reducing our household waste. If they see it enough, it will become habit to them and something that they will continue to do as they grow. It all starts at home.

How can we reduce household waste?

I thought that I was already doing my part by using reusable shopping bags here and there, but there is so much more that we can do! Here are 14 quick ways to start making a difference today!

Reusable bags

Everyone is familiar with reusable bags these days. They have even become a fashion statement with eco-friendly leather and jute market bags and mesh net bags. However, there are many other opportunities to expand this trend.

How about all the green smaller plastic bags that you use as you grab your produce? Those could be eliminated with these reusable and washable bags. And then you come home and chop those veggies into bite size pieces for your kids. If your kids are like mine, it takes them days to consume the entire piece of produce so into a plastic storage bag it goes! Skip the storage bag for silicone pouches that come in all the same sizes as your Ziplocs. And if that isn’t your speed, invest in a nice set of glass storage containers that you can just throw in the dishwasher. These also carry the added bonus of being great if you meal plan your lunches for the week!

Travel Mugs + Reusable Bottles

It feels like most people have already jumped on this bandwagon as well! But in case you haven’t, grab an insulated travel mug to take into Starbucks and a reusable water bottle with a straw to hydrate throughout the day! I love this small YETI insulated cup. It would be great to just leave at the office on your desk to avoid using paper cups.

Manage Your Mail

Treat your actual inbox like your email inbox. As you get mail that you don’t want, determine how to get off their mailing list. If you receive a paper bill, most companies have info on opting into paperless billing. And if pesky junk mail if your problem, you can always try to decrease the number of mailers by putting “No Junk Mail” or “Do Not Solicit” stickers on your mailbox.

Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are an easy replacement for dryer sheets. These dryer balls can last 1000+ washes for only $17. Bounce dryer sheets would cost you over $40 to dry the same number of loads. They also claim to reduce the time that it takes to dry a load of laundry, but I always use timed dry so I cannot attest to that.

Bamboo Makeup Rounds

I use cotton rounds multiple times daily - toner application, makeup removal, etc. These bamboo makeup remover rounds are machine washable.

Silicone Baking Sheets

I have have had these silicone baking sheets for quite some time and they are incredibly versatile. I of course use them to bake with, but I also use them as a surface for rolling dough for cookies, placemats for messy kid activities, and sometimes as a cutting board. Instead of running to parchment paper to bake or paper plates for the kids, consider these mats.

Cloth Napkins

I get the chills thinking about the greasy paper napkin balls my children create. Using cloth napkins just makes sense for us especially since we do a load of laundry daily.

How can we reduce food waste at home?

Compost + Gardening

When I first considered composting, the thought of old veggies hanging out on my countertop made me gag. I also knew it was an eye sore in my kitchen. But in the grand scheme of things, those are minor issues. Especially since they make some pretty sleek small compost bins as well as eco-friendly and dishwasher friendly compost bins.

If you plan on composting, you will also need an outdoor unit in addition to the countertop bin. The outdoor composter is where the magic happens. With a little research, you can determine the right ratio of green waste to food waste to water that you will need. I was concerned about the odor as we are in a neighborhood with close neighbors, but it really isn’t that bad.

Deciding to compost and garden is a process. You don’t throw some banana peels into a compost bin and use that the next day to fertilize a garden. I am by no means a compost/garden expert, but here are some tips:

• Research the ratios of waste that you need to create a solid starter in your outdoor compost bin. You will need to accumulate the yard and food waste for a little while before starting.

• Research what materials can and cannot be composted.

• Start your composting weeks (maybe months) before you want to start gardening, if you want to use exclusively compost in your garden.

Freeze Things Nearing Expiration

You’d be surprised how many things you can freeze before they expire. Make it a habit to do a quick Google search before you toss nearly expired goods.

DIY Veggie Broth

Piggybacking off of composting, consider making your own veggie broth from the parts of veggies that you often toss. This is a great first step if you think you might consider composting. It gets you into the habit of saving your scraps vs immediately tossing them.

We save our veggie scraps (think carrot peels, ends of green onions, etc.) in a freezer bag until we have a fair amount. Then I boil them in water along with some spices for a long time until they become fragrant. If you’re more of recipe follower, here is a great example of how to make vegetable broth using kitchen scraps

Serve Your Kids Less Food at a Time

Nothing drives me crazier than tossing away all the food my kids didn’t feel like eating. It is enough to feed another person. In addition to starting the compost for this reason, I also started putting less food on my kids’ plates each time that I serve them. It is much easier for them to ask for more than for me to dump a full plate of food in the trash.

How Can We Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle?

Start a Clean Recycle Stash

My kids love a good craft. How many times have you wanted to do a fun craft, but you needed a toilet paper roll or a gallon jug. I started keeping a stash of clean containers that can be used for future projects. At any given time I will have paper towel rolls, plastic containers, newspaper, 2 liter bottles, etc. in one place to reuse.

Shop Zero Waste Stores + Products

This can mean a few things. First, there are some really cool online stores, like Loop which “is a sustainable shopping experience moving the world away from single-use packaging.” They offer products that you know and love like Seventh Generation and Love Beauty and Planet and Haagen Dazs in reusable containers. When you’re done with the product, you simply put the container back into the cooler-like tote that it is sent in and schedule a time for it to be picked up. There is a warning on their site that if your family has food allergies, this service is not a great fit for you based on trace exposure while packaging the totes.

Alternatively, there are individual zero waste products that you could invest in. The next time you are out of kitchen sponges, consider this cute countertop ceramic soap dispenser and brush set. I’ve also started using amber soap dispensers in place of the plastic ones. I just purchase a large refill of soap at Costco every few months. And then I save the container in my clean recycle stash.

EarthHero is a another website that offers sustainable essentials, like biodegradable cotton swabs. As you run out of your basic essentials, give this resource a once over before autopilot ordering from the big box stores.

Understand Recycling

I am by no means an expert in recycling. There are a lot of resources on the EPA site about what can and can’t be recycled. In addition to generally understanding what can be recycled, there are also location based restrictions that can be a factor. For example, on each recyclable plastic there is a number that corresponds to a category of plastics. Not every area is capable of recycling all plastics, so even if you think you’re doing the right thing, your efforts might be futile if you don’t do your research. Here is a comprehensive article about recycling that touches on all the basics.

Personally, I am really excited to have discovered TerraCycle. TerraCycle is a social enterprise that works with brands to recycle some of the more difficult packaging used. They have programs that you enroll in (for free). You then start collecting the waste until you have enough that you want to ship to them. At that point, you just click “Send Us Your Waste”, and they email you a shipping label. Once they receive your waste, you are given points based on the amount you recycled. These points can then be redeemed in cash values for donations to schools and charities. (Are you feeling warm and fuzzy? I am.)

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There is certainly a learning curve that comes with starting a lower waste lifestyle. Step one is approaching your daily activities with a new mindset. As you run out of your common household goods, consider ways to be more eco-friendly with your next purchase. Don’t feel like the only way to make an impact is to start doing each of these things immediately. Start slow and in a way that complements your current situation.

Eco-friendly products do tend to be more expensive. If right now isn’t the time financially, consider making it a family goal or competition. Challenge your relatives to a “who can get more points” competition on Terra. The winner gets to choose which charity the “losers” points go to! Planning it out this way also allows you time to financially budget for a lower waste lifestyle.

Here’s the overview of all the products I mention above.

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Shared Boys Room with a Crib and Twin Bed

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I was as surprised as ever to hear that my boys wanted to share a room. They are 2.5 and 4 years old and honestly fight as much as they play nicely. I always assumed that they liked their own space, but they continued to ask for a sleepover night after night.

My younger son was in that in between stage of wanting a big kid bed and being ready for it, so I had planned to switch him to a shared room AND a big kid bed all at once. However, shipping dates and timelines had other plans. Keeping him in his crib for a bit longer hasn’t been a big deal, and I love the way that this space turned out in this shared boys room with a crib and twin bed.

This is a small space. Sharing a room in a small space was giving me minor panic attacks in terms of measurements, but it has turned out great! We have about 18-24 inches between the crib and bed. It’s far enough that each tummy gurgle doesn’t wake them, but close enough that they can talk quietly and still hear one another. While it may not look like it, the closet doors open just fine and the child in the crib cannot reach them. I was so surprised that this small space shared boys room worked!

I struggled at first to determine the decor that we would use. I, of course, wanted the boys’ input. That input was truly all over the place - superheros, animals, adventure, etc. After giving it some thought and knowing I wanted this shared toddler and baby room to be a low budget home project, I decided that we would do it all!

Working around the furniture that we already had in the boys’ separate rooms - blue dresser that I adore, this Babyletto crib, and rustic crates - I filled in the holes to create a cohesive animal, superhero, LEGO, boys room. (As cohesive as it could get, at least)

I opted to keep the main colors basic - green, red, and yellow pops can be seen throughout the room in the blankets, DIY headboard (tutorial coming soon!), DIY bunting leftover from a super cool superhero birthday party, and a Target lamp filled with red and yellow LEGOs. Plus a sweet little faux Christmas tree that the boys haven’t let me put away since last Christmas!

I snagged the animal prints after seeing this showstopper of a shared boys room from Arin Solange. I popped them into affordable IKEA frames.

When you get down to it, the aesthetic of the room doesn’t matter. In reality, the kids just want to be together whether they are in a tent on the ground or in a designed room. If space concerns are what is causing you distress over putting your toddler and baby in a shared room, don’t fret. Find a way to fit everyone in there and leave extras to a minimum. We even considered removing the closet doors completely to buy a little more room since the boys don’t have a lot of hanging clothes.

When we switched into the shared boys room, we started to limit the time that we spent actively playing in there. We will read books, have alone time, and play with quiet toys, but running, jumping, and squealing are kept to a minimum in their room. So oodles of extra room are just unnecessary.

All in, this room was an extremely low budget shared room idea. I only purchased the animal prints, their IKEA frames, and the twin bed (2 actually because when we do switch to a big kid bed, I wanted the beds to match).

All links can be found below. And stick around for the DIY woven headboard tutorial coming soon!

Links to small space shared room with crib and twin bed products

Animal Prints - elephant + alpaca

IKEA black frames

Twin Bed frame

Target Lamp (filled with LEGOS in first picture)

Green throw blankets

Babyletto crib

Stool

Similar poof

Hanging book baskets

Dresser

Name pendants (these were a custom order, linked to her shop)

Pinterest Pondering: A Shared Boys' Bedroom

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my boys would share a room. They have had a rocky start getting to know each other. It’s hard when they’re just 18 months apart. But now, nearly 3 years later they are foot for foot with each other and requesting to have sleepovers nightly!

So, let the rearranging begin! I am hoping that this room will serve as their room for years, so I am not looking to do anything too trendy or on a particular theme. When I asked what they want in their room, they screamed ANIMALS. So there will have to be some animal presence in some way.

My big hurdles here are that the room I am working with will be small. Figuring out how to fit two boys in a small shared room isn’t easy. I am also competing with nearly a full wall of windows. While I would love some super cool bunk beds to make the most of the space, I just can’t get behind that as a safe idea for my preschoolers.

My biggest developmental hurdle is that my youngest son will be transitioning from a crib to a bed and to a shared room all at once. If parenting has taught me anything, its that kids are resilient so I think he will be a-ok!

And finally, I am trying to make this room fit with the rest of the house. I will be relying on the color palette and some straight lines to make that happen.

As always, I am working on a budget. I am planning on repurposing as much as I can and DIYing the rest. So what’s a girl to do with an idea? Head to Pinterest of course!

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Here are my favorite Pinterest findings:

Dreamy, right? After I scour Pinterest, I determine what elements are repeating. For me it seems like industrial-ish vibes and neutrals with green and blue pops are the recurring themes. And then it’s on to mood board creation!

I start by making my color scheme, which in this case is easy because it is the same as other rooms in my home. Then I choose one of my Pinterest finds to be my inspiration pic. I chose Arin Solange’s shared boys room as my inspiration. The animals really sold it for me. Plus, the color palette is similar to mine making this easier!

I have one son already in a bed, but it is a daybed and two won’t fit in their small room. To keep this budget-friendly, I decided to DIY some cool beds for the boys! I will be making a hunter green woven canvas headboard on IKEA bedframes a la Ashley at Handmade Haven. And I will DIY a dip dye stool to serve as a side table due to the small layout of the room a la Jess at Carcaba Road.

Keeping in mind that I will be working existing furniture and bedspreads into this and taking advantage of Etsy for the art and DIYing, I should be able to keep this well under $500.

Head to my Instagram to follow along with my progress!

Backyard Refresh

I don’t think parents have ever been more excited for summer! I think we are most excited to not feel guilty if the kids are just lounging and hanging vs. being on top of their school work performance.

I was sitting out back with the kids recently, and I realized how wasted our space is outside. Much to my husband’s dismay, I decided then and there that we are due for a backyard refresh.

My husband has a lengthy past in construction and I worked for a home builder doing design work, so together we mocked up a design plan with function top of mind. We determined that we used the space mostly for the playing with the kids, grilling out, cornhole/bocce ball games, and soon to be some gardening.

In addition to function, budget is also a top priority. We are living in uncertain times to say the least, so we will be budget shopping and doing the work ourselves. With budget shopping and our color palette (heavily dictated by the color of the exterior of our house) in mind, I worked up a mood board for our design.

In addition to the mood board, we also walked the yard with a tape measure so that I could make a scaled version of the yard. This allows us to understand how much space we will have for each element of the yard. Since we still want room to blow up our bouncey house and inflatable pool for the kids, understanding the dimensions is a must.

The mood board and the scale plan are my guides for this project.

Now it’s time for the messy part! I hope you follow along on our journey on Instagram! I will share a full reveal once we get there, but mini reveals will be on Instagram earlier!

Here are some posts that are inspiring me for this project:

• Gold Coast Canvas - Patio DIY

• Jenna Sue Design Co Backyard Makeover

• Relative Renovations Patio Stencil
  

How to Meal Plan and Clean with Kids at Home

Before COVID-19, I had a fine tuned system in order to get all the tasks of a stay at home mom done in a way that allowed me to have time for myself and time to spend with my kids.  After all, that is the point of staying at home in the first place.  

Now that normal has a new definition, some of those systems have been tweaked slightly to allow time for homeschooling and to manage all the other balls that I am now juggling.  In a time when just watching the news is enough to spark a panic attack, having a system in place to streamline my household responsibilities has kept me sane.  

Here are 10 tips to achieve your household cleaning and meal planning while self isolating, quarantining, etc. 

Have a template for your meal planning 

I don’t mean that every Sunday you have spaghetti, unless you’re into that then go for it!  I have categories for the week that make it much easier to figure out what to serve. These are the categories that we have every week:  Crockpot meal, Leftovers, Breakfast for dinner, Chicken, Meatless, Turkey/Beef.  

These work for our family.  You could replace one with plant-based, tofu, keto, etc.  I only plan out 6 meals a week (including a scheduled leftovers night) because we never stick to it exactly. Hey, life happens!  Also, we can pretty much anticipate a frozen pizza or muffin tray dinner to make an appearance at least once a week. 

Grocery Pick Up/Delivery 

I was a frequent flyer at the pick up line for groceries a few weeks ago.  Now, we have switched to delivery. Honestly, I prefer pick up and will switch back to that once it is safe.  The only issue I have had with having other people do my shopping is the produce selection. If you are particular and have a heavy produce list, I recommend placing an order for pick up of the dry goods and then run in and just pick the produce you want at the stage of ripeness you need.  This saves time and undoubtedly a few battles between the children. 

Compartmentalize your cleaning 

This is the single most helpful system I have in place.  I used to clean the whole house on one day. I was literally spending the entire day cleaning.  It was stressful. It was also cumbersome with all the gear that was needed.  

I wrote down all the cleaning that I do.  I then broke it down in a way that made sense for me.  For me, the worst part is having to heft all the things I need from room to room.  I broke my tasks down based on what I was cleaning- meaning I vacuum all the carpets on the same day, I mop all the floors another day, I wipe appliances another day, etc.

This is far less cumbersome.  I no longer clean an entire bathroom in one day.  Now, I mop the bathroom floors one day and I can just take the mop from bathroom to bathroom. The next day I will do all the tubs so I take the cleaner and brush from bathroom to bathroom.  I don’t have to have the toilet cleaner, tub cleaner, sponges, Windex, etc. all at once.

You could also break it down based on location - first floor, second floor, and so on.  Or you could break it down based on room - bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.  The point is, figure out what would be easiest for you and make cleaning run smoother.

Make a schedule 

Take each cleaning task from the compartmentalized list that you made and work them into a schedule that works for you.  Take into consideration how often tasks need to be done. For example, I have several tasks that don’t need to be done on a weekly basis, but need biweekly attention.  For this reason, I created a two week schedule that details what tasks need to happen each day of the week for week 1 of the rotation and week 2 of the rotation. For example, week 1 of the rotation will include mopping the floors on Thursday, but week 2 will show wiping the appliances on Thursday instead of mopping again.  I have included a printable below of the tasks that I do daily that you can use as is or that might be helpful in getting the ball rolling for your own schedule.  

Schedule things that aren’t really considered chores, but need attention 

I have included changing the towels, washing the sheets, and taking out the trash on my cleaning schedule.  If I didn’t I would likely never do those things or remember when I last did them. Also, they are pretty simple tasks and crossing them off the list is rewarding. 

Determine an order of operations 

There is nothing worse than realizing you have to do something twice.  Once I decided I would divide tasks based on what I was cleaning, I determined an order of operations that would make me more efficient.  For example, I vacuum the wood floors on Tuesdays so I know that I need to dust on Monday in order to pick up all the debris that has landed on the floor. 

Balance your workload

Some tasks just take more gear and time.  If you plan to clean the entire bathroom one day, don’t also schedule an entire wipe down of the kitchen.  Instead, plan to clean the bathrooms and do one of those things that isn’t really considered a chore like change the towels or take out the trash.  

Allow time for catch up 

I schedule a time to catch up on the chores I just didn’t get to as well as time to hit the hot spots once again over the weekend.  For example, our wood floors are always dirty - grass getting dragged in, dried play doh, who knows what else. So I usually end up vacuuming the hot spots again.  

Make a list and put it somewhere that you can’t avoid it

My list is on the fridge.  I look at it every morning when I get my coffee creamer out.  That way I can know if I need to change the towels when I go get ready for the morning.  Or I know if I need to make the bed or strip it to wash the sheets. 

Delegate 

You didn’t have all those kids for nothing!  I encourage participation in household chores as early as 18 months - 2 years.  They are able to take their plates to the sink, put their clothes in the hamper, put their clothes away in the dresser, etc.  Make it a habit for them now and take it off your plate.

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Getting to the gym or your kids’ music classes aren’t options right now, so turn up the jams and have the whole family participate in their chores.  Or turn it into a Cleaning Olympics with winners receiving small prizes for the best work. I imagine it is in times like these that your children won’t recall the fear or uncertainty of COVID-19, but they will remember watching Mom vacuum while dancing to Baby Shark.  

Stay well!

Valentine's Day Printables

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5 Tips to Declutter at Your Own Pace

There are a million sources out there for decluttering. I have tried 3 or so in the past, and I don’t fit in to the template of any of them. I honestly don’t think anyone does. Everyone’s houses and priorities are different.

Where do I start decluttering my home?

Like I said, there is no right answer here. You just have to pick somewhere to start. However, I find it extremely helpful to walk your house with a trash bag first. Get rid of all the junk. At the same time, you can be establish a location for your donation piles (more on this below). Once the actual mess is gone, it will be far easier to start the actual decluttering.

If you’re looking for an actual location to answer this question, I would recommend start decluttering an area that you spend a lot of time in daily or that you see all the time. For example, I spend a lot of time in our playrooms, so decluttering the playroom would be a logical place to start. Or if you love to have a clean and tidy bedside table to greet you when you wake up, start there.

Here’s how I tackle the process:

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Step One - Walk Your House

Walk through your home and make a list of every area in your house that holds stuff - coat closet, the entry table in the foyer, cabinets, closets, shelves, bookcases. Divide each item into categories by the room in which they are located. Your list will look something like my list below.

Step Two - Set a Realistic Timeline

Most decluttering challenges aim to do a big task daily- as in a whole room in one day. That’s just not happening here. I am hoping to check off one of my items each day. If I can get a room done in a day, great! If I only get the upper cabinets in the kitchen done, that’s fine too! Essentially, embrace your own timeline. Just be honest with yourself. If you set unrealistic expectations, you’ll just end up feeling bad when the deadline hits and you’ve barely started.

Step Three - Don’t Fear the Mess

I just started decluttering, but the mess is worse than when I started! Sound familiar?

For example, I had a boatload of stuff in our hall closet that truly belonged in the office. So when I was going through the hall closet, I just piled all that stuff in the office - where it belongs. Once I am able to tackle the office, the mess will get sorted out. You’ve got to get dirty before you can get clean.

Step Four - Know Your Trash/Recycle Days

Don’t plan to empty your fridge and pantry (or anything that can mold really) when you know that you have five days before trash day. You don’t want that garbage stinking up the garage.

Step Five - Donate/Sell as You Go

I have a corner of my bedroom where donations go. Once that pile has enough for each donation location, it goes in the trunk of the car, and we drop off as soon as possible. Also, research local shelters and charitable organizations that need what you have to offer. For example, I donated all my maternity clothes to a local women’s shelter. Or old pillows and blankets can go to animal shelters.

Similarly, I have another pile of items that are in good enough shape that I think I may be able to make a few bucks. I will slowly add those to Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, etc. For some reason, I really hate this task so doing just a few items here and there makes it easier for me.

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Boom! You just decluttered your house and maybe made some money out of it!

Goals for Get Organized Month

I feel like I have been slapped in the face by organizational challenges for the month of January. Yes, I understand that it is a new year and that can sometimes mean a fresh start. But, aren’t these people recovering from the holidays too?!

If I’m being honest, I really love organizing. I purged my entire house last year. It felt great, and I will likely do it again. But, at this season of life (Brooks says the same thing about 74 times until I response the way he wants and Vance is knocking down floor lamps) having the time or extra sets of eyes and hands to start a project like this is unlikely. So, I’m paring it down.

Below are my realistic goals for ‘Get Organized Month’. I won’t be the girl folding thongs for hours just to destroy all that hard work at 6am when I rummage through that drawer. It isn’t realistic for my life.

1. Keep toys with small pieces together

2. Organized shoes + socks in the same place

3. Purge unused, unloved, unnecessary items

4. Declutter

5. Find a spot for things where they are used not where they “should” be (For example, I brush Vance’s teeth either on his changing pad or in his highchair - somewhere that I can contain him. I’ll keep the toothbrush here instead of in the bathroom.

One of the biggest ways that I think I can maintain an organized and clean home is following the 1 minute rule. The 1 minute rule requires that you complete any menial task when you see it assuming that it won’t take more than one minute to complete. Does that load of laundry need to go in the dryer? Change it. Is the countertop covered with makeup? Put it away.

It sounds minor, but the times that I have adhered to the rule I have see a huge improvement. I don’t allow myself to put things off - a class that I typically get straight As in.

I share these goals and my secret weapon in the hopes that you will see that you don’t have to be following the Marie Kondo blah blah blah. Make whatever improvements you can to make your home and heart happier. That’s what the new year is about!

Cozy Family Room Favorites

This time of year there is nothing better than cozying up with the family to watch a movie. Our playroom doubles as our family room, so we injected some beautiful elements in there to make it the perfect blend of adult and kid. A couch that you sink in, a kid sized table, and lots of color make this room my favorite in the house.

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve

How I Set Up My Home for a Newborn

This post contains affiliate links. An affiliate link means that I may earn a referral fee if you make a purchase through my link without any extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

It’s so funny to think back to when my husband and I brought our first son home. We literally had no idea what to do with him.

Do we try to put him in his crib?

Does he just sleep all the time?

Can I walk away from him for two seconds to grab an 8 hour energy?

Literally, no clue.

After having brought two babies home, I have a much better idea of how to efficiently set up your house to welcome a newborn seamlessly into your lifestyle. Follow the steps below while you’re still cooking the bambino, and check ‘prep the house’ off your lengthy soon-to-be momma to do list.

1. Think About Your Current Routines

   For example, I usually do the following first thing in the morning.

   Wake up

   Hit the bathroom

   Start a load of laundry

   Prep breakfast

2. Plan Where You Will Put the Baby for Each of These Steps

   Wake up - I know that the babe will sleep in a bassinet next to our bed for at least the first few months.

   Hit the bathroom - The bathroom is attached to the bedroom. I can easily pop back and forth to check on the little gentleman while he’s resting in the bassinet.

   Start a load of laundry - The hamper is in the bathroom, so I can easily grab that. But the laundry room is clear on the other side of the house. Carrying a laundry basket and a newborn terrifies me, so I will move the baby into the kitchen/living area before taking the laundry to the laundry room. I literally walk right through the living area to get there, so I can have eyes on him nearly the whole time. Then I will haul ass so that he’s only out of my sight less than a minute because he’s so cute and so terrifying.

   Prep breakfast - Done throughout the kitchen and living area. My toddler and I will have to eat, so I should probably set him on the countertop in his Dock a tot (in the center and only while I am in an arm’s shot) or near the table so that I can see him.

3. Think About What Your Baby Will Be Doing at Those Times

   Of course, this will change as your baby grows and his needs change.

   Wake up - He should be fine to just hang in the bassinet even if he is awake.

   Hit the bathroom - Once I’ve taken care of my business, I know that the little guy will likely need a new diaper and a new outfit at minimum.

   Start a load of laundry - He’ll have a fresh look, so he should be good to hang for the minute that I am gone.

   Prep breakfast - This step will take some time, he will likely have another dirty diaper that will need changing and need some sort of entertainment while all this is going on.

4. Make a List of What You Will Need in Each Location

   Wake up - I know that I will need a bassinet and sheets.

   Hit the bathroom - I plan on changing his diaper and outfit. I’ll need a surface to change on, baby wipes, diapers, clothes, and whatever else you plan on lathering on that baby butt.

   Start a load of laundry - I need somewhere to put him!

   Prep breakfast - I need something to entertain him!

5. Outfit Your House

   Wake up - Buy a bassinet and back up sheets - you’re changing those a lot. If you have a fancy bassinet that plays music, rocks, and does your taxes you might need batteries or to place it strategically by an outlet. Many mothers also choose to straight up have a crib in their room. It takes up a lot of room, but it might get the baby used to the crib quicker which could mean an easier transition to sleeping in their room.

   Hit the bathroom - I put a pack and play with a changer attachment in the bedroom. When the baby is very young, you can store extra clothes, bassinet sheets, wipes, diapers, etc. in the actual play pen part of it, and use the changing table part as it’s intended. However, as the baby grows, you can start laying him in there to hang out as well. Once that becomes the case, I highly recommend a cart on wheels to store extra clothes, bassinet sheets, wipes, diapers, etc. You’ll see why in the next steps.

   Start a load of laundry - Assuming that the pack and play and cart are on wheels, you can just roll them out into the next location. That way you don’t have to run to the nursery every time you have to change a diaper. This is extremely helpful if you have older children who you need to keep an eye on all the time.

   If you want to get your child into another position, consider a Dock a Tot or Rock N Play or MammaRoo in the main living areas. Here’s how we used each:

   Dock a Tot - This bad boy went on the coffee table when the rest of the family was in the living room. It was great because our 18 month old could see the baby and ‘play’ with him easily. It would also stay on the kitchen island (again only in the center and where I could reach him at all times), and on the ground in the bathroom when our toddler needed a bath.

   Rock N Play - Always get one that you plug in! You don’t want to be trapped rocking that thing yourself. You’re a mom now - you got a lot of shit to do! Keep extension cords close by in case you want to keep the Rock N Play somewhere that isn’t near a wall. I’ve plopped babies in the middle of the house in their Rock N Plays so that I can move all around and still have them in eyeshot. The best thing about the one that I have is that it is so light. If you have a one story house, it is incredibly easy to move around to suite your schedule.

   Mammaroo - These are less portable. I kept a Mammaroo in the living room. I didn’t have to worry about moving the Rock N Play into the living room that way. If you have stairs, keep the Mammaroo on one level (likely the level where you won’t need to be moving the baby a lot), and move your Rock N Play as needed.

   Prep breakfast - Entertainment varies depending on the age. If your little one is only going to be awake for a bit, have a portable sound machine that can go with the babe if you need to move while he’s resting. If you want his little mind to be stimulated, but he can’t yet grasp and hold toys, get a bar that attaches to the bassinet with hanging toys. The motion of the toys will entertain him. If he’s ready for toys, have small baskets around the house wherever you all will be spending your time so that one is never far away. I round up a few options in this post.

Whew! That is a lot of thinking to do. But my advice is to do that thinking before you’re recovering from childbirth, trying to figure out feedings, and getting to know your new best friend.

A Few Notes

You will develop a schedule for when your baby eats that will be injected into your routine every 3 hours or so. If you plan to nurse, have a nursing pillow nearby. Also, while it can be uncomfortable, try nursing in different locations of the home. That way you will get a change of scenery and not be trapped in one room for what seems like ever. If you plan to bottle feed, that comes with A LOT of dishes. I recommend a bottle station in the kitchen. That includes the following: a bottle warmer, a bottle sterilizer, a drying rack, soap, and a bottle brush (seems silly but so helpful).

Throughout this post I have linked to products that I used and liked. Of course, every baby and family is different. Keep in mind not every baby will like everything you put them in. If you have mom friends, see if they will loan you their Mammaroo for the first few days to see if the baby takes to it. That’s a large purchase to just sit in the corner of your house. My first son wasn’t a big Mammaroo fan, but loved the Rock N Play. My second son was the opposite - go figure.

I am in no way a medical professional giving you advice on taking care of your child. I am just a seasoned mom who has made if through the newborn stage twice with my marriage in tact. I hope my tips help you do the same! And congrats on your new addition!

Fall Decor that the Kids Can't Break

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After the recent destruction of one of my favorite decor pumpkins by an unnamed toddler, I decided never again! For the foreseeable future I am only investing in decor that little hands ( and feet and mouths and trucks) can’t destroy.

The suspected culprit

This came with the added bonus that typically this sort of decor is more affordable. Some of these items I even had around the house and just had to repurpose. After that, I headed to the Target dollar bins (of course) and Joann Fabrics.

I emerged with a few new categories of decor that still make my home feel festive, but I don’t have to hover when my littles get too close.

Pillow | Pumpkin patch sign | cream basket | plastic rose gold cutlery | fox | placemat | knit pumpkin | mustard knit throw

Pillows and Blankets

Amazon has a shockingly good variety of affordable pillows and covers. Check out this post by Sarah at Little Vintage Nest. Pretty much sums that up.

I had a textured blanket around the house, I just put it on display a bit more and badda bing - decor!

Baskets

Metal, woven, knit - all baskets can look like decor if you fill them with the right stuff. I fill my metal hanging baskets with real mini gourds that I use to teach Brooks about pumpkins. They don’t last forever, but that’s part of the lesson.

Signs

Choose any sign that you want! Just hang it high enough that the kids can’t reach it. Or put it in a location where the kids don’t play (i.e. front door).

Faux pumpkins

They make pumpkins out of everything these days. I’m seen velvet, knit, plastic. It just depends on your aesthetic.

Stuffed critters

Brooks is really into small stuffed animals that he can easily hug. He’s a big hugger. Target particularly has a large selection of well dressed birds and foxes.

Placemats

I lump placemats and fabric in the same category. I like to use one themed runner on credenzas throughout the house. This year, we found 15 ft. of fabric for $4.99 at Joann Fabrics. Just make sure that if it’s going on the table, it’s got to be machine washable!

Faux cutlery

I don’t often get to whip out the fine china with a grabby 10 month old at the table. Target has metallic forks that are really beautiful close up. And less deadly.

Cobwebs

The boys get a kick out of them. They’re as spooky as we are getting for our 2 year old.

Candy Buckets

I hang these on the doorknobs throughout the house. They’re festive and easy decor. Obviously, if the kids pull them down I’m not concerned since they belong to them.

Dreaming of Easy Cleanup - Kitchen Island Backsplash

So much of our day revolves around the kitchen. Bake, meal plan, prep, clean, repeat. I’m grateful to have an oversized island right in the center so that I have an area to work and area where the kids can “help” (read: make a complete mess) and an area that is just a drop zone for miscellaneous things - my husband loves that part.

I also like to pull up the little guy’s high chair right next to the island so that I can sit on a bar stool while I monitor his chewing (Hi, I’m super anxious about choking). Unfortunately, this puts the island in the splash zone. The underside of the island is a total mess. Stains, caked on food, you name it.

I was about to get out the soap and paint when I thought, “You’re just going to have to do this again in a few days woman. What else could you do?".

Tile! Tile the underside of the island! I had seen this done a few times so I took to Pinterest.

The island faces the main living area so it would be a great accent without being too overwhelming. I’m still trying to figure out the correct product and the style I’m going to go with, but in the meantime let’s drool over these inspiration pics together!

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Containing the Chaos - Home Organization Tips

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Kids have so much stuff. You don’t really understand just how much until you have a day when you didn’t get any dishes done or straighten up the toys at all. Then once the kids are in bed, the kitchen sink is piled sky high with dishes and you can’t see your floor through the sea of toys.

In the last few years, I have found several strategies and products that help me through the mess so that I can be more present and less worried about cleaning.

TOYS

I am lucky in that we have have a bonus room upstairs. It is the only thing up there and not visible to the rest of the house, so oftentimes I leave it a disaster zone. But I still try to keep things a little bit sane with furniture that holds all the toys and still looks good.

I think its required of every millennial parent, but if you don’t have the Ikea Kallax (formerly Expedit), do yourself a solid and get that. We’ve got the old version that has 8 spots for baskets, but the version with four spots is still available. It’s sturdy and versatile enough to suit most design styles. One simple search on Pinterest will show you all the hacks to make it even more design savy.

Here are some of my favorite hacks from around Pinterest. Click each image for source and more pics!

If you’re looking for a quicker, smaller scale improvement, I recommend baskets. Of course, we aren’t always upstairs in the playroom. We have toys in nearly every room of the house so that if we need to be in the kitchen, the kids have some toys nearby. The easiest way to make the home look neat is to contain that chaos.

Now, let’s talk Legos. A recent study (done by me) has shown that stepping on Legos is the number one way that children learn curse words. So, how do you keep all those small pieces contained? The Poppin Box Seat from the Container Store is the answer.

This little box is the most multifunctional piece in our playroom. We use the base as storage for all things Legos. I stopped trying to color coordinate or keep like with like a long time ago - all Legos are just dumped in. The top is the perfect size to fit this piece - a Lego baseplate. When the lid is closed, it is an ottoman to sit on. By far my favorite hack to date. And when they are big enough, I’m sure they will use the lid with the baseplate on their laps to play.

DRAWERS

It is remarkably easy for every drawer to become a junk drawer. The only way for me to keep my drawers feeling fresh is with clear acrylic organizers and liners. I use muted liners and acrylic organizers so that the actual items in the drawer are easily seen. I don’t want the liner to compete with my toothbrush at 6am.

PANTRY/CLOSETS

It is so easy to create a mess in the pantry or closet and close the door. I have realized that knowing the mess that lies beyond the door stresses me out. The feeling I have when I open an organized closet by far outweighs the time spent to organize.

I start as I do all things, with Emily Ley’s A Simplified Life tips for purging. Closets are where I store things that don’t have a real place, which usually means they don’t have a real purpose. I go through each closet and toss the items that we haven’t used in months and expired things. In doing this, I usually find some baskets and containers that I will use to contain the items that remain. As Emily says, DON’T BUY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE PURGED THE ENTIRE HOUSE!

Next I categorize things in a way that makes sense for how I use the space. Typically, items that aren’t used as frequently are on the top and bottom shelves along with anything that has height limitations. The middle shelves are reserved for the baskets and containers that I have found or bought.

I place the containers in a way that is visually appealing, and then I fill them. For example, in the pantry one bin has baby snacks, one has toddler snacks, one has canned goods, etc. When I am filling the baskets, I take all items out of the boxes or plastic wrap that they come in. It’s far easier to store items and cuts clutter way down.

I try to find containers with a higher edge so that the items that are stored are not seen from head on. I also highly recommend keeping the color scheme relatively monochromatic and adding a little texture. I use these plastic bins (easy to wipe clean if items spill or leak) along with baskets (this one for my breads). Its crisp.

And that’s how it’s done. You’ve got the dedicate time and maybe a bit of your resources to it, but once you are able to clean the house in minutes by knowing where everything goes and having a container for it, you’ll be glad you did!

Happy organizing!

5 Kid Friendly Coffee Tables

"Oh, that looks nice and its on sale!" That's how my decision making used to work.  Now that I have a toddler and a very mobile 8 month old, choosing a coffee table has become more complicated. 

I refuse to sacrifice style.  I love function AND fashion.  Having a home that is beautiful gives me great pride even when Paw Patrol is blasting on the TV and there are fish sticks pounded into every crevice of the floor.  Below I outline my preferences nowadays when choosing a table that is gorg and will [hopefully] stand the test of time. 

1. NO CORNERS

Jess, you're crazy! How am I going to get a rectangular table with no edges? I give you the CB2 Peekabo Acrylic Coffee Table.  The edges are rounded giving it a seamless waterfall effect.  In addition, the material can just be wiped down with baby wipes, Windex, or whatever organic hypoallergenic blah blah blah you use.  

If it's too basic for you, place two poufs underneath it to add dimension and additional seating. 

PHOTO BY CB2

2. A SOFT PLACE TO LAND

Soon after kids learn how to climb things, they learn the pure joy of jumping off of things.  Right now, Brooks makes a pile of pillows on the floor and jumps onto those.  Obviously, I'm not sitting there with popcorn rooting him on but he does slip past me from time to time. 

A tufted cushion ottoman is just the right fit for the future MMA Fighter. Again, no true edges and a cushy place to bump up against.  

PHOTO BY WAYFAIR

3. STORAGE

The more stuff that is visible, the more stuff that your kid can throw a tantrum about.  I love hiding things from the boys, and then miraculously finding them.  They're excited and I get to be King of the Castle for a fleeting moment.  

Urban Outfitters Alina Storage Ottoman has a removable lid and adds texture to a room. The bumpy surface from the woven seagrass will add a little bump into a toy car's ride, but that's just another opportunity for your child to use their imagination.  Get out the toy animals and call it a treacherous safari in Africa!

WARNING: The only issue I take with woven/rattan options is the spill factor.  Brooks has spilled smoothies and Vance has spit up on our current rattan table.  There is no way to clean ours because there isn't a removable lid or access to the inside.  If you love this option, just make sure there is a way to clean both sides of a spill. 

PHOTO BY URBAN OUTFITTERS

4. KEEP LEGS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES

Currently, running is Brooks's only mode of transportation.  He runs around everything.  If you've been chased around our kitchen island, then you know that Brooks likes you.  

So many beautiful tables have legs that align with the tabletop.  I prefer a tabletop that juts out a bit to cover the legs.  It seems to be harder for little toes to get stubbed when this is the case.  

PHOTO BY TARGET

5. AVOID SHELVES + DRAWERS

This seems counter-intuitive since storage is of the utmost importance with children.  I have seen my kids bang their heads on the underside of tables enough to know that if there is a shelf in eyeshot, it will be climbed.  Similarly, unless you want to baby proof the drawers on your new table [if you have a stylish baby proof system, let me know!], I'd stay away from drawers too.  The little ones hold on when they're learning to pull up and the drawers roll out and there are tears.  Every. Time.  

Go for simple table + legs with this table from West Elm.  

PHOTO BY WEST ELM

A Harry Potter Themed Nursery

Accio dream nursery! 

With both my pregnancies, I felt significant movement (and with Brooks, his first kick) while watching the Harry Potter movies.  I decided to call that a sign and design Vance's entire nursery with a Harry Potter/dreamland vibe in mind. 

I knew I wouldn't be able to use many of the items that we already had since Brooks was still a baby himself using his crib, changing table, etc.  So lucky me got to start from scratch! 

The real inspiration piece was this dresser from Birch Lane.  The gold/brass accent and dreamy navy were the perfect touch of magical without being over the top.  And the price tag was reasonable considering that I knew this would be my statement piece.  

Our first nursery had a Babyletto crib that we loved, so I knew that I would start the crib search there.  I also knew that I didn't want the exact same crib that we had, opting for something more masculine.  Babyletto's Hudson in Espresso (no longer available in this color) checked all the boxes. I also love that this crib will grow into a toddler bed.  

With the crib and dresser done, I moved on to the rocker.  I anticipated that I would be spending ample time in this chair since I planned to nurse as much as I could.  I wanted something firm but cushy in a neutral color.  I wasn't about to make a $300+ decision online for this one, so I hightailed it to Buy Buy Baby and was pleasantly surprised to find this rocker.  It glides so smoothly and swivels.  I've been able to wipe spit up off of it easily and without a big stain.  Two thumbs up! 

With all the big ticket items done, I started the Etsy and Ikea portion of the program.  I found both the wood sign, Dumbledore prints, and mobile from sellers all over the world, which is actually really cool.  The diaper cart (Raskog) is an IKEA staple that I think should be required for all new parents.  We wheeled that all over the house when the boys were newborns.  And now Brooks's old diaper cart is a side table in our guest room. Ba-da bing!

When I am in a bind for time to design, I use Powerpoint to quickly put pieces together.  Once I felt like there was a cohesion between the elements, I used Babylist as my registry so that I could easily link all the Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, Etsy, and Ikea items in one place.  

Mischief Managed.