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Helpful Thanksgiving Goodies: Reducing Family Stress & Increasing Peace with New Games, Decor & Gifts
Happy Turkey Month! I love Thanksgiving. Also, I know it can feel a tad stressful when you’re in charge of too many spinning plates. For some people, spending a little more money on premade items reduces the stress of having to make everything. If that’s you, go for it. For others, being on a tight budget might mean that making things from scratch is the least stressful way to approach Thanksgiving. Whichever camp you fall into, I think we can all agree on one thing: soggy overcooked green beans are gross. Here’s my curated list of Amazon goodies to make your Thanksgiving more fun and less stressful. Hostess Gifts If…
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3 Things I Learned About Myself While Saving Money in Vegas Last Week
When your husband signs you up for a free four-night, five-day trip in exchange for listening to a two-hour timeshare presentation, you pack your bags and go. If that sounds like a cringy-but-totally-worth-it trip, read on to see how we also saved tons of money on food and Ubers. But if you timidly opened this because you’re slightly horrified that two Christians even went to Las Vegas, this post is probably not for you. Feel free to close it, judge us quietly, and move on with your day. Haha. Just because it’s called the City of Sin doesn’t mean it’s a sin to go there. On the other hand, my…
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Three Summer Vacation Hacks to be More Organized: How to Pack Smart, Move In, & Return Happy
Happy Summer, Friend! I hope you get to go somewhere fun in the next couple months. Even if it’s not tropical or bougie, just getting out of your normal routine is great for your sanity. Throw in some yummy restaurants and forced family bonding, and you’ll definitely be coming back as a happier version of yourself. I mean, as long as your airline doesn’t lose your luggage, you don’t win a lifetime supply of mosquito bites, and nobody barfs on day two. That would obviously put a damper on the whole point of dropping hard-earned pesos on a getaway. Moving along…. Here are three hacks for preparing, living, and returning…
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Father’s Day Gift Guide for the Young & Old: Cool, Trendy, & Fun Ideas Your Dads & Grandpas Will Love
June 18 is right around the corner, so it’s time to think about what the dad, uncle, or grandpa in your life would like. And don’t forget about the new dads too! I scoured Amazon for you, and all of these recommendations have excellent ratings. Duh—you know I wouldn’t steer you wrong. So put down the tie, step away from the mug, and believe me when I say no man wants a “World’s Best Dad” shirt. Those might (or might not) be cute, but these are rad… Young Dads They’re tired, rookies, and need a break. Take their minds off diapers for a minute with these fun gifts: Your Baby’s…
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7 of My Favorite Amazon Products to Organize Your Home, Car, and Backyard
Ready to get organized before summer? As a slightly Type-A woman with an organizing business, I can tell you firsthand… the products you use to get yourself organized matter. From your kitchen, closet, and car, to your bathroom and backyard… I gotcha covered with some of my favorite products. The reviews are in, and these organizers take the cake! Kitchen LOPASA Ziplock Bag Organizer for Drawers or Wall Oh my gosh… where has this been all my life? In your drawer or attached to your pantry wall, this bamboo beauty keeps all your plastic bags organized in one spot. Need something larger to hold your plastic wrap and tinfoil, too? Take…
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New Media to Buy for Yourself and Give Away: 4 Books and 2 Songs by My Talented Author Friends
The following is a short list of friends who put in the hard work and did what it took to launch their words into the world. Besides ordering these treats for yourself, they make great gifts for Mother’s Day, graduation, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc. Each image below is a link. In alphabetical order, so no one gets their feelers hurt…. Nicole O’Meara When Morning Dawns: The Hope of God’s Presence in Your Storm Nicole’s life changed the day her lungs started bleeding and she could barely breathe. If you or anyone you know battles chronic illness, this is a fantastic resource poised to encourage young and old alike. Nicole and…
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5 Ways to Untangle Your Tinsel: Tackling Christmas Without Tackling Your Family
Ever found yourself stressed and annoyed at just the thought of getting ready for Christmas? I know—it can happen to anyone. Our culture tells us we can do it all but fails to equip us with the tools to get there. So when I catch myself thinking, “This year is going to be so much better than last!” I know high expectations are looming. Here are a few things I’ve started doing that help make this season a tad less hectic. Disclaimer: The way I created this list was by struggling with all five of these things. So don’t you dare think I have these mastered or even managed. I…
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Leaves Turning 80: New Season, Old Skin, and an Organized Dental Office
My before-and-after title works better if you’re a Wheel of Fortune fan, I know. Lucky for me, my dad is a lifer. I grew up with the sound of an audience clapping and the tick, tick, ticking wheel coming from my parents’ room… Every. Single. Week night. The memory sits permanently nestled in my hippocampus with no plans of vacating the premises. Like, ever. Faithful as a sunset, the 7:00 show always caused a tug in my soul. Do homework or solve a puzzle with my dad? I didn’t love the show, per se, but the before-and-after category always sucked me in. See what I’m doing here? Turning leaves, Vanna…
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Summer Road Trip Time: Fun Games & Helpful Gadgets You Need in Your Car for Your Vacation This Month
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, chances are you’ve been on a few road trips. Mine have morphed over the years, as I’m sure yours have too. I love my friends’ stories too! One switched driving duties with his dad while flying down the freeway in a motorhome, and another friend made an entire taco salad while she rode in the passenger seat. I also took a trip with a friend who surprised me with a charcuterie board on the middle console. Even if you’re only driving a couple hours this summer (#gas), here are a few items that could take your trip from boring to fun. Or at least inconvenient…
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Spring Decluttering with an Organizing Pro: 20 Items You Can Quickly Donate or Toss This Weekend
It’s no secret—I looove me some organized spaces. That doesn’t mean every square inch of my house is organized, but I’m working on it. Disaster areas usually elevate stress and organized spaces usually usher in peace. But sometimes getting started is so overwhelming some people don’t even know where to begin. Been there? After decluttering and organizing different spaces for years, a friend and I decided to turn our love for order into a business. What we’ve learned after being in our clients’ closets, kids’ rooms, pantries, garages, offices, laundry rooms, and linen closets could fill a book. But here are the top declutterable things we consistently see. You’re sitting…
