cheap date nights part 1

Date nights are important, but there are dwindling funds to go out on a Saturday night and rack up a tab of $60 just on drinks these days! We have been able to go out the last five years and just spend on the date it's self, no babysitting because we are lucky enough to have family nearby that can take care of our two for an evening away. I can't imagine a large portion of the date night budget set aside for child care! But regardless of that, we still keep our night out low cost as much as possible.

I've come across lots of ideas for cheap date nights, and sad to say, most of them are cheesy and seem boring to me {watch, I'll publish my ideas and they will turn out to be boring ones to someone out there!}, but we have had some pretty good ones with minimum damage to out wallets over the years, so in no particular order, here are some cheap {and fun} date night ideas!

*Stargazing! Checkout a telescope at your local library {ask what else they rent our, it's amazing!} and find a great stargazing spot with a small picnic, have a great playlist on the phone and relax under the stars for a few hours enjoying each others company, talking about everything and anything!

*ITap (International Tap House) and a pot luck! Both ITap locations are great and you can bring in your own eats, or order from the restaurant next door, and have a couple beers with friends!

*The Game and a Bucket! Most places will have specials on game day, so we go somewhere low key with a good menu and hangout, meet other fans and share a few laughs!

*Cocktails and a Comedy Special! I love all the comedians on Netflix, even if we don't know who they are, we pick one at random and see what their hour special is like without the cost of a theater ticket!

*Binge watch and some Beers! Yes, classy I know, but if we want to catch up on a couple of our favorites, let's make a night of it!

*New snack and a Board Game! Whether it's something on Pinterest I've been eyeing or something spotted at the grocery store, we bust out a board game (or puzzle!) or two and our new found snacking items and relax the night away!

*Ice Skating, Bowling, Mini Golf, or the Trampoline Park! All are pretty simple and not much gear required, just spending time together. We usually pair this evening with an errand we need to do like the tech store or Home Depot!

*Themed Movie Marathon! Halloween or Christmas or action-adventure, a trilogy perhaps. With a huge bowl of popcorn, this night in, snuggling on the sofa, is a nice and quiet date!



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*College Sports or Community Theater! Some of the productions and concerts are top notch! Check out pricing ahead time for door pricing, but a local eatery and local talent help support your area!

*Volunteer! It's nice to have a day date from time to time and why not spend time together helping others? Volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen, giving feels great!

*Thrift Shop Date! I have seen this ideas before and we did it a few years ago for a friends birthday party. Each person gets $5-$10 to buy a thrift shop outfit for each other! Hilarity ensued and we had a great time with friends!

*Outdoor Festival! There are so many free ones to choose here in St. Louis- Twilight Tuesdays at the History Museum, Shakespeare in the Park by the Art Museum, The Great Forest Park Balloon Race Glow on Art Hill, look up the Parks & Rec schedule for lots of different concerts in the spring and summer and pack a cooler bag for a beautiful night!

*Go for a Hike, or Geocaching, or the Gym! We have friends who are into Geocaching and Marble Hunting and it sounds like a lot of fun! My favorite place to walk/hike in the summer and fall is Castlewood State Park, but in the winter being each others spotters in the gym, with babysitting available, is more my pace!

DATE SOMEONE WHO IS HOME AND AN ADVENTURE ALL AT ONCE

xo

easy cooking

The hustle and bustle has begun, and plans are in place for events, gatherings, and making meals! We are attending three Thanksgivings all on different days, because I will not bust my butt and schlep across town to try and make it to two events in one day ... that is madness and no fun for anyone! I have not done it and I will not do, especially now with kids. 

So, meals have to be easy, ready to go, and appeal to many. Where do I find recipes to suit my needs, Pinterest, of course! I don't see why anyone would look anywhere else! Type in key words for what you want and in a click you have tons of ideas! The only easier thing would be to sign up for one of those meal ingredient delivery subscriptions. I tend not to order from the grocery store or deli, I have a feeling the prices are the same and I do not dispute the convenience, it's just not my go-to for holiday feasts.

My favorite crock-pot recipe is turkey breast, super simple and you can add whatever seasoning. Buy turkey breast {from frozen section}, defrost in the fridge the night before, turn on crockpot set to high in the morning, put in bird {but take the gravy packet out of netting first}, put on lid and leave it alone for 6 hours. That's it!! Juicy, shredded turkey that everyone will love! We add liquid smoke sometimes, another seasoning I like is parsley, butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Also, paprika or a mesquite blend gives a little kick, really nice with baked beans and cornbread {yum!}

Sheet pan cooking is another favorite and I have found some really good recipes requiring one cookie sheet and minimal prepping! Pork chops with green beans and potatoes, you can't go wrong! Some substitutions are, carrots for potatoes, zucchini for green beans, chicken for pork, you can really change it up and baking time is the same, but I would recommend cover the sheet in foil so there is no drying out. You can change up the seasoning easily on these ones too! My favorite is a drizzle of maple syrup with butter, but my family loves garlic and parmesan cheese that becomes a bit crusted, and then I make a pot of pasta with it and there are no left overs!

Chicken is what we have for dinner 4 nights out of the week, and it can become old news! But I have been pretty satisfied with the variations that I have come up with over the months ... burrito bowls, stir fry, inside out pot pie {bake biscuits in bottom of bowl with typical insides of a pot pie spooned on top!} diy shake and bake style, but I think my favorite is a play on a paella that is savory with some heat! I get a pan with some oil and garlic going and a pot of water boiling for the rice {or pearl couscous goes well too}, then turn on another burner to set the red bell peppers on while I chop up green beans, fresh green beans taste so good with this dish!


Turn the chicken over, toss in green beans then chop up the bell pepper, now nicely roasted {yum!}. Check to see how the chicken is coming along and add the peppers, sometimes I toss in corn because it adds a nice flavor. All this time the rice is simmering in tomato sauce, so keep stirring it and tast for seasoning. Once everything is done, I mix the rice in with the chicken and veggies and I'm done! This one is not the quickest but it is so worth the time, even as leftovers!


When I'm in the kitchen during the week, I really don't want to spend more than 30 minutes, so the board of recipes I have found on Pinterest from various bloggers and foodies and moms, is awesome and has made life so easy! So now, what about dessert ... well hop on over here for ANOTHER page of food that I love!

GOOD FOOD GOOD LIFE

xo

30-something and fabulous! part two

I gotta say, I like makeup! But mostly when it's for fun dressing up in costume, winged eyeliner, jewel tone eyeshadow, super fake lashes! 
I have yet to master the night out smokey eye or even a basic daytime look, and don't even get me started on this contouring face with three colors of foundation then powder ... that is way too much!! 

I keep it simple and basic and I like the products I like, for example I have been a tired and true Bare Minerals customer for a LONG time now. Even with all their new products they come up with, I stick with the tinted foundation powder and mineral veil. I love how light it is and blends so well and softens the overall appearance of my skin, beautiful! I also use Maybeline Instant Age Rewind Eraser to battle darkness under my eyes, and the two products together are great!

There are only a few colors of lipstick in my makeup bag because I have never found one that doesn't get sticky weird and isn't super expensive. I usually just put on lip moisturizer, Softlips and Nivea are the best!  But when I do toss a lipstick into my purse for a night out, Cover Girl Lip Slicks or Maybeline Baby Lips are what I like! For the best nude lipstick, I have found e.l.f. Jumbo Lip Gloss Stick to be the best choice of colors. Each only have a few shades, not the entire hue and tone of reds, pinks, or nudes to choose from, I guess that's why I like each one of those too, your not bombarded with tons of choices of colors. With these, I have soft and creamy lips in great neutral shades that wear well (but not all) through the day!

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then mine are a simple two pane framed window with simple sheer drapery that does not compete with the sole! I can not leave the house with out mascara, that is my simple sheer drapery that is needed everyday, and it has taken me some time to find the perfect lash enhancer. I have picked mascara from lots of different brands, flat and curved brush, all natural ingredients to sky high length, and have settled on Cover Girl Clump Crusher Curved Brush for many years now. Cover Girl has always had choices in mascara that work well, and I'm a curved brush girl, nothing else will do!

As far as eyeshadow goes, I tend towards neutrals or soft pinks with a bit of sheen to them, not sparkly and not too matte. No blending, no four shades on each eye to create an "effect", I brush it on, highlight my brow bone with an angled brush and I'm good to go. Speaking of brushes, look for a great variety of tools from e.l.f. at Target, reasonably priced and study. I do look up the best colors for blue eyes every now and then,  but those colors seem too bizarre for me! If I want some color, I put on nail polish! I buy whatever color I'm looking for, I don't check labels or ingredients, but I recently cam across an article about why you should care what is in your nail polish and I must say, I'll be rethinking some of my colors. Check out the whole article here!
What about eyeliner? Well, liquid liner evades me, I have no idea how to use it with out looking like a kindergartners art project! I prefer a good pencil or crayon-like that glides over the lid easily and can be smudged nicely. Sonia Kashuk brand is my favorite one I have right now, others that are great are Maybeline, Cover Girl, and Bare Minerals. A lot of times my eyeliner ends up being a free gift with purchase, I don't spend much thought or money on it, but I do need it to be a charcoal in between black and grey color! If I want to change it up a bit, plum or navy are excellent choices as far as I'm concerned!

Now let's talk brows. A very important topic to me because mine are very light mousy brown, patchy, and over plucked, sounds wonderful, I know! I have tried pencils, creamy products you paint on, powders that you apply with a bristle brush and FINALLY after all these years came across a great one that does the job and stays on all day! Have you heard of Wunder Brow? This is a semi permanent  gel that brushes on and blends to be the appearance of tiny brow hairs! It has been a life saver and the best product for my brow problem I have ever found! It takes a few tries to get the hang of and can be cleaned off with their formulated remover (or as I found, vitamin E oil that I bought at Target) if you have any mistakes or to remove for the day. It does not transfer off or peel off, it's waterproof and makes my brows look hoe they are suppose to look! I would recommend Wunder Brow to anyone and everyone!

Under that not-so-much-makeup, my skin is a bit of an issue that I'm working on, but to pamper myself after washing my face {I love my face wash, read my part one!} I like a sheet mask or an eye mask! So luxurious and relaxing at the end of the day, and my skin feels wonderful, what not to love! 
I went into Sephora and found so many different kinds for each problem area but ended up getting Sephora Collection orchid sheet mask for even skin tone and the pearl eye mask for brightening. Both did the job but not a dramatic change that I noticed. Next trip for a mask was to Target, where I found a couple brands with lots of different treatments, and great prices too! Yes to Tomatos sheet mask (the entire line of Yes To brand has sheet, mud, and eye masks!), Masque Bar sheet mask, Que Bella eye mask, Miss Spa sheet mask ... what to choose, what to choose! After using the Miss Spa oxygenating sheet mask, I felt so invigorated and the next morning my skin was refreshed and so smooth! For a little pampering that goes a long way, I would definitely recommend checking out your local Target, or online, to find one that fits your needs!

With my face feeling fresh, I need to pep up the rest of me, and with summer days long gone, I like to use a self tanner. I've been wanting to try one of those sunless tanning towelettes but instead I had the opportunity to try out Roden+Fields Sunless Tanning Foam. The foam products are a bit intimidating and I wore gloves just in case of a mishap, but the foam was easy to put on, smelled nice and the result was awesome! I didn't have any problems aound my knees and ankles, which is the intimidating part for me, and it was even all over. I looked like I had been on the beach all week and I loved it! Another product that has been a go to for sunless tanning is Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. This one I have no fear about streaking and I don't use gloves, the "tan" is not as dark but its a warm boost of color for your skin, nice and subtle!

If only I had known what I know now about make up and skin care 12 years ago, I would be better off! Maybe, maybe not. I do know the products that suite me best and I do know how to be comfortable in my skin, so that might be the best lesson learned!

SHE HAS FIRE IN HER SOUL AND A KILLER PAIR OF BROWS

xo

how to create a command center

I find being organized, peaceful. But, the path to get there can be crazy!
We have created tiny office near the kitchen so we don't have to keep running up and down the stairs to the office and it has been the best organized space ever! It is small and has the basics of what we need everyday, and it was made with items I already had around the house {even better}!

A few basic tips ...
Find an out of the way space that is not in the path of everyone, kitchen to garage, dining room to backyard, etc.

Decide what you fell is necessary to make life easier, hooks for keys, hooks for backpack, space for shoes, charging station, etc.

Important papers that need to be accessed but don't hold personal info like school calendars, gift cards/coupons, workout/stretching for medical reasons schedule, etc.

Emergency contact info for the babysitter is part of our command center too. I have hours for the ice rink, pools, museums, zoo special events printed out as well. 

Supplies such as mini stapler, batteries, rubber bands, pen, paperclips all reside in drawers along with a basket of kid's activities the little things they need help with or messy projects they need help with.

Speaking of supplies ...
A lot of the command center has containers that I have had for years of stuff from my parents house, the amount of office supplies they have hoarded over the years was enormous! Other things were simple and cheap enough to buy.

TV Tray that we wedding registered for at Bed Bath and Beyond as a desk fit quit nice in the space I chose, and had space underneath for rain boots and flip flops for any stepping outside we need to do. I placed plants in front to hide them just enough (and it's the only place in the house with nice light to keep them alive!)

Baskets are from my own stash of stuff I have held on to, and lo and behold they now have a purpose! One is from Dollar Tree and the other I found at a garage sale. Check out garage sales, Savers, or goodwill for baskets before you go buying new!

Folder Holders are sturdy and this one is from my parent's office supplies, that I painted. I've seen the diy from a cereal box and would not recommend going that route, too flimsy. All the folders are from the back to schools sales in August, they contain medical info, school info, and projects around the house info! I also have a first aid book which I feel is the best place to shelve, easy to grab if needed! Next to that is a random cup full of pens and highlighters for easy planning and color coding your life!

Mini 3 Drawers I had for years and years for art supplies! Art supplies grew and it was moved around many times and now has landed here with batteries, staplers, matches, etc, your typical junk drawer just minimized! Try The Container Store for a product like this or any odd size container you might need! On top of that we keep phones since the outlet for the charger is right there. My husband keeps his phone, keys, wallet upstairs on the dresser since he uses the phone as an alarm and it is the last place he stops before heading out the garage door, but my wallet, keys, phone are kept together at the command center so I can grab and go out the door.

Wall Hanging Baskets are great for odds and ends, I found these ones at Target, backside of the aisles are where mark downs are kept and I had great luck finding these when I needed them! Coupons, menus, gift cards are all kept here along with sunglasses. These baskets work so well as hooks for sunglasses!

Cork Board is another item that has been passed around my family, you never toss a bulletin cork board or a dry erase white board, those are expensive, but if you do need one, Office Depot might be a good starting point! I clip together park and museum info, sporting event tickets and info, emergency contact sheet and a monthly activity calendar.  Check out Quill and  Yoobi for some fun supplies and other office things to make your space unique! Between the monthly activity calendar and my phone calendar, I never miss an appointment, plus it helps when the kids are bored and I jotted activity ideas down on each date!

Friends of mine add their meal prep lists and meal calendar too, but for me, that works better on the fridge next to the grocery list and blender bottles. Right now we don't need individual stations but I've seen some great ideas on personalizing each space for each family member! 
At the end of each month I sit down and go through calendars, coordinate nights out with meals, timing of activities and school pick up, appointments, meet ups with friends and all that crazy stuff that makes life flow easier! All these are, for me, are reminders so I can just go, be at peace, and  have fun and not be consumed with who needs what next and where I need to be, or running up and down the stairs to the office {although, I would get in my steps and leg workout for the day ...}

Add a few wall prints or photos and you have yourself a nice little space for all your office needs! 

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN IT'S PLACE

xo

autumn leaves and pumpkin please!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Fall comes in a close second to summer as my favorite time of year ... crisp weather, festivals, apple and pumpkin picking, Halloween! What's not to love?!

The fall festivals are in full swing, and in our area there are many to choose from, I came across these great lists of fun fall events in the St. Louis County area,

Explore St. Louis
50 Fantastic Missouri Fall Festivals
funtober

My top picks are The Great Forest Park Balloon Race that was on Art Hill at the Art Museum this year and St. Charles Oktoberfest! Easy parking with just a bit of a walk, relaxing outside with your snacks or dinner, great drinks, lots to see and great music! Sadly, both events have come and gone, but they are about the same weekends each year, so mark your calendar for 2018.
Not only are the festivals bringing out the crowds, there are the high school homecoming activities for the little kids too. Check your local listings for high schools in your area!

Each year we find a great place to pick apples or pumpkins, and this year there happens to be a new player in the game, Chesterfield Valley Pumpkin Patch. After the closing of Rombachs, I kept hearing about another Chesterfield area spot opening, and then drove by it as they were getting ready for opening weekend. It looks great, it's right by the St. Louis Premium Outlets, easy to get to, and lots of parking! A few other favorites are,

Stuckmeyers Farms
Eckert's Farm
Centennial Farm
Eagle Fork Farms

Another top pick for fall fun are the Halloween light displays. Some houses go all out for Christmas, but now there are homes that have great displays for Halloween, and this site has some mapped out! We go to a little house in Dardenne Praire, he has an update on his facebook page and you can check out his site for playlist and other fun stuff!

I try to find trick or treating opportunities all over town for my little monsters, since they don't need to be out late into the night! I also find that the early evenings have less super scary costume clad people that could really put a damper on this fun holiday for them. The malls have never been our scene, and I used to work at the mall and I hated to be there on Halloween because of the rowdy kids that parents would bring INTO the store after grabbing some candy! So, need less to say why they are not what we do! The best place to be on Halloween for trick or treating, if your neighborhood isn't great, is St. Charles Main Street. The cobblestone street is blocked off, each store has someone out in front handing out treats, it starts at 3PM, and the open park by the river has activities! It's just great!! They also have a fun pumpkin glow the weekend of or before, glowing pumpkins up and down the cobblestone block with a pumpkin spice latte, a nice night indeed!
Our friends live over in Edwardsville IL, and I've been told they have a pretty big Halloween event every year, we might have venture out that way and check it out for ourselves!
Look at all the other fun event this year,

Costume ice skating at Creve Coeur and Brentwood

Boo at the Zoo
Grants Farm Halloween Nights
Westport Plaza Halloween Parade
Town & Country event
Chesterfield Eat and Treat
Kirkwood Farmer's Market
Valley Park event
St. Charles Community College
St. Louis Community College-Wildwood
Whole Foods event
St. Peter's Halloween Carnival
Eureka Halloween Parade
Eureka Halloween
Fenton Trunk or Treat
Traubman Prestige Outlets
St. Louis Science Center
Missouri History Museum
Webster Groves event
World Bird Sanctuary

Don't forget to look up St. Louis County Library activities at all the branches, and your local churches or schools for more trick or treating! Want more fall ideas? Check out my Pinterest page!

Did you know there are candy "buy back" events around town? Check these out HERE,  HERE, and HERE!

An all hallows eve movie, for after a days worth of tricks, is my favorite way to spend time with the hubby this season. The lists out there are awesome and full of good movies! Here are some of our {not so horrifying} favorites!

LET'S GET SPOOKY!

xo

30-something and fabulous! part one

I finally have a routine for skin care! Yeah after all these years, I finally have gotten into the swing of things and become a grown up when it comes to taking care of myself. I feel that no matter what product you choose, price range, or area of concentration, a routine in maintaining skin is the key!

I do my research and check out all the claims different products have, I ask around for advice or what works best for others, and try to make all sorts of sense out of it and I'm lucky to say I have seen results with a few good products. I'm starting off in this post with skin care routine, and will finish up with my favorite makeup and hair products next time!

I'm a big fan of Dove body wash and most of their products! Everything is just right for moisturizing and soothing skin, so I start off with some fresh cucumber, citrus, shea butter, nothing too perfume like. I'm also a fan of some of the Bath & Body shower gels and sugar scrubs. Sugar scrubs are great for any rough skin or the little bumps you get on the back of your arms, you can even make your own with sugar and olive oil, coconut oil and sunflower oil are good options as well.

I'll tell you a secret that I have had for a long time ... hair conditioner, even just a cheap one, works amazing for shaving! Why pay so much for shaving cream when you can use the last bit of conditioner to shave? But before that, I had good luck with the shave gel options out there. A simple razor that has worked for years is the Original Venus from Gillette. Although my husband signed up for Dollar Shave Club and I've been liking what I'm seeing! If you don't know much about them, check it out here. I don't look much at labels for shaving cream because I like to lotion up after a shower anyways, so whether it's moisturizing or not (which I hope they are) anything extra to quench my thirsty skin is good. There are a lot of body lotions to choose from on the shelves and too little time to try them all. I think every company should have travel size bottles next to the full size, so you can test for yourself!  My favorites that I rotate out (just do, no specific reason why!) have been Dove, Jergens, and Curel. All these brands have products for different concerns, and over the years I have tried different ones from each brand with all having a nice, lightweight, non-greasy feel! I'm trying Aveeno now, and it is fantastic too! I don't have any skin issues, I just feel itchy and tight when I've been in the sun too long or haven't drunk enough water, and know I need to smooth on a coat!


My smile is one of my best features and I was fortunate enough to have braces as a teenager, otherwise who knows how my teeth would have turned out. And I have benefited from good genes in regards to gum condition, enamel strength and overall healthiness! Sexy right? I know, but these are important issues that most of us overlook when it comes to health and wellness! I've always just bought what ever sample product my dentist handed to me at the end of a check up and stayed with a soft bristle brush because I really wasn't sure about any other products. Well, I do not like battery operated toothbrushes, but my husband swears by them, and I don't floss much but the idea of a flavored floss just doesn't make any sense! In our house, we have stared using Young Living Thieves toothpaste and for the kids I get Nature's Gate, because studies show that the "foaming action" does not equal quality clean for your teeth! So after some research and other opinions, I came across this article along with a few others that made up my mind to switch toothpaste! 

Hair can be a defining feature for some, but for me, it's just not and most days I don't know what to do with my hair! My awesome stylist has always told me that shampoo with styling features like volume or smoothing, are not worth you time, it's actual styling product that gives you the look you want! Who knew! I had colored hair and bought her salon products to keep color longer, and I bought my products for thin hair, and I've tried a lot, but what it comes down to for me, is price! Pantene, Garnier, Aussie  and Tresemme have been my selections, and my awesome stylist would always say to switch products so there is no build up, which for my hair texture would be no good. Even tough it is thin, it is frizzy, and I combat that issue with Tresemme Keratin Smooth leave-in serum! Garnier and John Frida have worked out alright in the past, but I love this keratin smooth serum, not greasy, lightweight, one pump and I'm done, fabulous!

Last but not least, my current obsession for the taking care of me, is Olay Regenerist! I have my regiment with eyecream/bb cream and I love it! The pore scrub cleanser is refreshing and with the cleansing brush, you really feel like the whole day of impurities is blasted from you face without over drying. I've never been a fan of cream cleansers, so this is just perfect! Night creams are available with different concern solutions, along with micellar waters and toners, of which I have not tried yet. Another product I typically buy specific creams from is Roc Skincare. Fight those signs of aging now before they sneak up on you!

And like mom always used to say ... take your vitamins! Of course along with diet and water intake, skin, teeth, and hair always look it's best!

GLOWING SKIN IS ALWAYS IN

xo

create a beautiful space

"the details are not the details, they make the design"
Charles Eames, you master of design, you and your wife gave us fantastic pieces that define modern architecture and furniture! This era of interior design is one of my favorites, so many materials, styles, and ways to create a space! And their influence continues, it's timeless and beautiful!

There are so many interior styles now a days, and very affordable ones as well! I think the best part of a magazine article or a diy blog, is the comparison of high end to low cost recreations, finding that great looking piece so similar to the high end one, that you could easily trick a seasoned interior designer!

Every seasons end is the best time to look for interiors, it seems like everything is marked down! The stores need that space and you are in luck to find what you want for the price you want. Recently, my sister in law was searching for a low TV stand and I suggested a coffee table. She looked at me like I was crazy and I explained there are a lot more heights of coffee tables than you think, also to check out places other than furniture stores! She was so hung up on going to different furniture stores, that my suggestion of World Market was a huge light bulb going on over her head! Truth be told, she had never been into a World Market and had no idea of the variety of items they have! Now a days every brick and mortar store have an even bigger selection online, I found that out looking for a coffee table at Target! So then I brainstormed more places to check out and to suggest to my SIL.

Some you might have to go in with your list of interior pieces you are looking for and literally just look around. HomeGoods, SteinMart, Ross, TJ Maxx, Gordmans, all have eclectic product, you never know what you might stumble upon. Same with Weekends Only, even though they do have online information about products. I've had good luck at department stores too. Macy's, JC Penney, Dillard's, Kohl's all have some furniture and home decor in store, and not too specific of a style, options for whatever your tastes may be! I've also come across Old Tyme Pottery, At Home (Garden Ridge), and Menard's for larger furniture pieces that you might not have thought to look for in these stores. 

A friend of mine told me about her shopping adventures for unique pieces, and even great wedding gifts, at Savers! I was just there last week for the first time, and I was pleasantly surprised at the great finds! My friend shops the tableware items and picks up crystal ware for friend's wedding gifts, items that you probably wouldn't think to register for. She has found vases, candle holders, serving dishes, and lots more! Me, on the other hand, I loved seeing original Pyrex in great shape for great prices! You know, the milky white, rounded bottom, retro bird design around the middle!? I've seen vendors at vintage markets with that stuff for triple the price I saw at Savers!

A few more places with lots of styles are Pier 1 Imports, Earthbound, Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie, and Wayfair. Now, there could be a bit of sticker shock at some of these retailers, but if you check out sale product or outlet product, you might some great deals!

Here in St. Louis, we have some amazing shops full of cool stuff! I would recommend a day to yourself to shop a t these great places, you will get lost in them for hours! Revive Thrift, May's Place, Golden Gems on Etsy, The Green Shag Market, and so many more! You can stroll down Cherokee Antique Row and make a whole day of it! Etsy is another favorite of mine, lots of styles from artisans all over the world in one space, and all you have to do is type in a few keywords to get you to your next awesome find for your home! In fact, I'm in the process of opening my Etsy shop, Wild Poppy Findings, with antique and handmade pieces for the home, at the end of September!

AN INTERIOR IS THE NATURAL PROJECTION OF THE SOUL

xo

makin' money

Who wants to make some money?! Well there are lots of conventional ways and there are some out of the box ideas that I have tried over the years, and ended up making out pretty well! Both Joe and I have our regular jobs, he works full time and I have a part time job that is more of a contract set up. We like our jobs, but sometimes there is just not enough in the paycheck, and let's face it, it's always nice to have a little extra for fun things! 

So over the years I have tried some multi level marketing jobs {some where good and some were not so good}, I've helped with garage sales to make a cut, I had a small organizing business with my mom that didn't make it off the ground, and I have sold stuff on Facebook BST (buy, sell, trade) pages. For the most part Facebook BST is easy even if you don't need things to move fast or need a quick buck. Same goes for Craigslist, in my experiences. Both those platforms do not take a percentage of your bottom line and it is local, so no need for a shipping label or weighing the item. But if you have more than a handful of items, your stuff can be archived and then you need to organize it and "bump" it to advertise it. It can be a pain.

My latest find, in order to get rid of my stuff and make some money, are three apps that make it super easy and presentable to buyers! 

Poshmark
This sites nice, boutique presentation has been a nice money maker for me! Typically it is for high end brands or even upscale, nice clothing. But they now have a kids tab, so all the tiny baby clothes that have been sitting around, that garage sale shoppers want for a quarter, I can list for a couple dollars and it sells! Even toys in good condition I've had great luck with!
You take photos of your item from multiple angles, write a description, and the app has line items for size, color, brand, etc. You can share with others, follow other people, share to "parties" that the admin sets up, you get notices of those parties, you control any multiple item discount you want to offer, it's great! Poshmark takes care of the transaction, shipping label, and other concerns you may have, and in doing that, they keep 20% of the price you sold it for. You can converse with the buyer about offers and bundling items. Once you make a sale, you can transfer funds or request a check in the mail!

Vinted
This one is very similar to the above mentioned, except they only allow clothes and I have yet to see Men's or Kid's clothing on this app. The great thing about Vinted that makes it better, is that they do not take a percentage, you keep what you sell the item for! Also, I believe their shipping fees are lower, I'm not sure, but every time I see an item the shipping is under $4! Payday is transferred to your account whenever you like!

Mercari
This site let's you sell almost anything in your home, from artwork, to small appliance, to clothes and shoes, almost anything goes! They only let you have four photos of an item listed and you can have a multiple item discount, but there is no way to share, join a "party", or advertise you sale. Everytime you post an item it goes on their big initial listing page but you can't share or "bump" the item. Mercari takes care of the shipping label with a range of shipping sizes and any customer service type issues, and they keep 10% of the price you sold your item for. As I write this, I was just offered a price for a pair of earrings I have posted, I countered with $10 and the buyer accepted, so now I get $9, not too shabby! The one drawback that I wish they would change, is the waiting until your balance from sales is $20 or more in order to transfer your funds without a fee! Yeah ... not cool.

I have yet to set up anything on Ebay. My husband used to have an account and he remembers each item listed is charged a fee. I'm not sure if that is correct, I need to look up all that info and get to posting soon. Lastly, there is always Etsy for any vintage, antique, or handmade items you have laying around the house! So many crafting ideas have turned out to be pretty good, so I'm in the process of setting my Etsy shop, Wild Poppy Findings, with a hopefully grand opening at the end of September!

STOP WISHING, START DOING

xo

essential oils & other healthiness

My allergies are terrible! They have been getting worse year after year and this year I have Fall allergies! That would have to be the work of ragweed, which has never bothered me at the end of summer/fall season, I usually just have a miserable Spring. In order to open the window for the crisp Fall breeze after a long season of a/c constantly running, I turn to my essential oils for relief!

I know there is a lot of skepticism out there about homeopathic treatments and at the doctors office they ask if you take any "folk remedies" ... like I bring in an elderly woman that chants and waves her hands about over a cauldron of bubbling purple liquid every time I have the sniffles!

I believe that both medicine and homeopathic combined are the best solution to be healthy! For example, going to the chiropractor to maintain and prevent as well as taking some cough syrup in the middle of cold & flu season. The best of both worlds is the way to go. I have found that oils help with maintaining and relieves the onset of many things. As for my allergies, I have a roll-on mixture of oils for 4 times a day as well as diffusing oils which keeps everything at bay, but for horrible high pollen count days that I know we will be out and about I take my over the counter at night and use my roll-on oils a couple times during the day.

From bug spray to healing scrapes, relieving poison ivy to immune boosting, there is an oil for all! Here are a few combos that are always at the ready in my house,

Tantrum Tamer - 2 drops Orange, 10 drops Valor, 8 drops Lavender mixed with a carrier oil

Allergy Relief - 6 drops Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint mixed with a carrier oil

Household Air Freshener -  2 drops Purification and Lavender diffused

Immune Booster - 2 drops Lemon, Oregano, Thieves, Peppermint, Tea Tree diffused

Sleepy Time Cream - 4 drops Lavender, 2 drops Peace & Calm and Valor mixed with a carrier oil

And that's not all, I clean with essential oils and they do the job without the disgusting, eye watering, nose hair singing smell! Check out my Pinterest page for more oils blends and other healthiness.

The carrier oils I used are Sunflower Oil (look next to olive oils in the grocery store), Witch Hazel (in the aisle with band-aids and rubbing alcohol), Vitamin E oil (in the aisles with multi vitamins), and last but not least Coconut Oil (again with the olive oils at the grocery store). These carriers are used when applying the oils that might be too intense and they need to be "cut" with something. Witch Hazel works best for sprays and Coconut Oil works best as salves or creams, it can be whipped too which is awesome for Sleepy Time Cream, but melts when its warmed. Sunflower or Vitamin E oil is best for skin because it does not clog pores and it stays in liquid form, perfect for roller ball application.
Along with oils, I like Arnica for healing bruises, you can find it in an ointment or spray, and Calendula for cuts and scrapes as well as chapped lips and other dry skin. A great mosquito repellent I found is Johnson's Creamy Baby Oil, it keeps mosquito away and smells amazing! For sore muscles there are some great oils as well as a gel called BioFreeze The best brand that I have come across is Hyland's, Zarbee's, and for oils, I'm a Young Living girl! There essential oils and other products will be the best addition to you home and health!

OILS ARE MY LOVE LANGUAGE

xo

kindness matters

I tend to keep to myself. Rarely do I encounter another mom on the playground who is nice and starts chatting with me. They are either on the phone, with a friend, or fully involved with their child. I've never had a knack for starting a conversation with strangers and even in school it was hard to make friends, being the new kid in the grade. And not only making friends, but just being kind to the new person or the stranger they don't know. I remember being laughed at by other kids when I handed the bus driver a Christmas card, and another time when I helped the lunch lady because she dropped something. Kindness is lost on most people, but now more than ever, we need to teach kindness, remind others to be kind, show kindness in the hope that people will be involved in a ripple effect of kindness in the community.

I came across a few amazing teachings, really good ways to teach kindness and reminder lists on practicing kindness {the key component - practicing what you preach}, and I want to leave it here to remind myself.


Roots of Action is a wonderful blog and really struck me with these four steps that have in an article, click here for the entire article!
Teaching Kids about Kindness

Applying the Kindness Counts study in your home, classroom, or after-school program is easy. The goal is to help kids become more aware of doing acts of kindness and of their feelings of gratitude when they experience pleasant activities.

Follow these four steps to help enable children to be givers of kindness. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded!

 Understand the Importance of Kindness

Learn about the benefits of giving for children and adults. Check the web for resources for home and classroom, like The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Create a Kindness Project

Devise an activity where your family or classroom records ONE act of kindness or ONE pleasant activity per day. You might call it your “Kindness Project” or “Happiness Diary.” These activities could include helping with dishes, letting someone else go first, taking care of an animal, going out of way the for a friend, hugging someone to make them feel better, etc. Or they might include visits to places and experiences that make us feel good, like visiting a favorite park or a grandparent’s house.

Take Time to Share

On a regular weekly basis, take time to share as a family or classroom.  Rather than sharing everything in your diary, share the highlights of your week. Share enough so that everyone learns from each other’s acts of kindness and begins to understand the types of experiences that bring gratitude to life. Sharing encourages self-reflection and helps bring meaning to our actions.

Practice, Practice, Practice

It may not be practical to keep up a routine where you are sharing from a diary on a regular basis. Reinforcement of the kindness habit comes with practice. But once children get into the habit, it’s easy to share from time to time.

Whether it’s planting a peace garden, making a get-well card for a sick friend, or simply inviting someone new to sit at your school lunch table, there are many free and easy ways kids can help create a more peaceful world.

Another favorite organization is Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and they have a great education tool here for teachers, administration and students alike. I have a future post about our families random acts of kindness over the holidays that I hope inspires all!

One more teaching that I am fond of, and wish they implemented in my school district, is MindUP ! So much is going on in your brain on any given day, it can be overwhelming and children can feel this same way too. Check out MindUP's philosophy to take care of ones self and create harmony in the classroom.

WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS

xo