Do This To Save Your Sanity During The Holidays

Alright, Parents, the holidays are around the corner. Your sanity is at stake. What's the plan? 

I'll tell you what my plan is, relax and pack in as much 'Me' time as possible. It never fails, from the week before Halloween to the week after Easter, I'm non-stop. My weekly schedule is so covered in different color highlighter pens, I'm convinced Moms invented them to help keep their shit straight. 

If you are totally nodding your head, thinking, Yep. Me, too. And, Amen to highlighter pens, then keep reading. It's essential that you build 'Me' time into your schedule before the holidays take over. Below are a few ways to go into the holidays with your sanity, and maybe even come out semi-sane, too. 

1. Reconnect with your partner

The holidays are a magical time. Make sure you and your partner go into them together. Reconnect now, before life gets insane. Rebuild your partnership, rekindle your love, reconnect. Try to set aside one night a week after the children have gone to bed, for just you and your partner. NO phones, no internet – just quality time together. Babble has some excellent ideas on what you can do together including cuddling up and watching your favorite TV shows, movies, cooking a yummy dinner, having a drink on the porch by candlelight.

2. Go On An Adventure

I love nothing more during my me time than escaping reality in the pages of a good book. Make a trip to your local library and check out a few fun books, magazines, and audiobooks. Go on, when was the last time you visit the library, for yourself? Remember how much you loved it? GO. Go back, my friend. The adventures await you.

3. Indulge in a little retail therapy

When was the last time you treated yourself? Like, really treated yourself? Screw buying the kids something off Amazon, buy yourself something! GOt the best damn bar of chocolate you can find and eat it, ALL BY YOURSELF! Whether it's, boots, booze, chocolates or LuLaRoe, get it!

4. Get Lost In Cyberspace

Stuck at home? No Worries, the Internet has got your back. There are plenty of fun things to do Online! Make a Pinterest board full of your favorite things. Surf Houzz, GOogle Images and everywhere in between. Dream Away... Or, if you're feeling lucky, try to win some extra holiday money on the MGM casino online. (Please, play responsibly.)

5. Enjoy a nice glass of wine

Wine-down while you wind down. Not drunkard style, but a glass or two is actually a good thing. As According to a fantastic article on the Daily Mail An adult beverage after the kids have gone to sleep is a bloody good idea.

Whatever you do, enjoy yourself and your 'me' time. The Holidays are almost here, don't go into them already crazed in a shitty relationship with last year's leggings. Get it together so you can keep it together!

This ADORABLE DIY Fall Twinkling Wreath Is SO Easy The Kiddos Can Help

If you are looking for a fun fall weekend Holiday craft to make with the kiddos, look no further, this Twinkling, Fall Wreath looks so cool and so real. Inspired by a Craft Recipe Box from Febreze, that utilizes their Febreze Fall Scents. This Leaf wreath is so easy to make, the cat and kiddos can help! As you'll see below, my cat, Professor Dumbledore, helped me!

While fresh fall leaves sounded wonderful, I wanted something that would last, and more importantly, not dry and crumble on my doorstep! I also had the image of embellishments and twinkling lights for extra awesomeness.

I started by first straightening out the hanger, then making it into a circle.

HINT: When you get frustrated thinking there is NO WAY the hanger will become a circle, it will. 

Keep trying.

Professor, seeing the wire whip around and the garland laying at my feet, ran right over to play help.  In my house, if it's not a crazy-kid trying to lend a hand, it's a cat or dog.


Next, I pulled the garlands together and wove the hanger through them; adding leaves at an even spacing, while adjusting the pumpkins and acorns until I had the entire wreath wrapped around the wire.

I finished by closing the circle by winding the wire hanger closed, using ends that were originally wrapped around each other. I was beyond stoked with the finished product. So easy!  

TIP: Get lights with multiple light settings.

How To Not Miss Your Favorite Fall Shows + Movies

The constant routine of caring for the kids and balancing work leaves little time for you and your partner to just kick back, connect and unwind. Fall TV premiere week is a great way to snag a couple of quality snuggle hours with your partner. The best shows are coming back and a few new ones worth checking out.

Finding Time for the Tube

Luckily, there's a good mix of services and providers that understand the needs of those with busy schedules. The combination of DVR and streaming video lets us catch our favorite programs when we have the time, plus the benefit of skipping commercials!

Think:

·  DirectTV

·  Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu

·  Redbox

So if, like me, you've got a bunch a shows to watch, and told Spectrum to go shove it up their...errm...  keep reading for tips to help you not miss your favorite upcoming shows and movies. First, the line up. (Pin it for quick refrence!)

DirectTV

The cost of DirectTV fits right into the affordable range for a big family in need of multiple devices. At $50+ a month, you get access to 150+ channels. The best part of the DirectTV deal is that it has enough equipment to get setup in 4 rooms. Meaning, the kids can have their shows while you and spouse get to catch whatever shows you’re keeping up with.

The HD DVR is included and easy to setup and navigate. It’s a set-top receiver that will record your shows (up to 100 hours with most receivers). You can record entire seasons at a time and even access them through their app on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Netflix/Prime/Hulu

Netflix (and the other streaming services) are what I’d say to be a secondary option. Mainly because you must wait around until the seasons are completed (often months) before they’re on the service. Hulu tends to do it right by premiering episodes the next day though that’s mostly for the prime-time shows.

Amazon Prime is a solid choice because you get the added benefit of 2-day shipping along with the big selection of movies and shows.

You can share these logins throughout the home so the services are accessible in the kid’s rooms. When you combine all three you have a lot of shows that are worth the watch.

Redbox

If you don’t mind taking a trip to a drug store (like CVS or Walgreens) or a convenience store then Redbox will fit the bill. These handy kiosks have a good selection of movies and games for about $1.50 - $3 a day. It’s great for picking up during date night or when you’re doing a late-night trip to the store.

Lump Redbox in with the many ways to watch flicks and you should be all set!

A great way to enhance your relationship is to find a couple of fall shows to watch together. A little bit of time here and there is needed for a healthy relationship. Before long, the kids will be off doing their own thing but until then at least you have options to squeeze in quality TV time.

How do you balance taking care of the kids and keeping up with your favorite show?

5 Ways To Save Big And Stress Less This Winter

I'm an obsessive organizer and planner. I can't help it, I need the order to stay sane. Even if it makes my husband and child insane in the process. Whatever. In the end, they both see the method to my madness and the benefit!

Below are my 5 MUSTS to prepare for the upcoming cold weather and holiday season.

1. Create a holiday/winter budget. It certainly doesn't help that the holidays begin when the kids need new seasonal clothes, the electric bill starts to skyrocket, and the grocery bill nearly doubles. I've learned the hard way to prepare the holiday/winter budget now, so I don't break the bank later.

TIP: Factor in how much you will need for seasonal clothes, holiday gifts and groceries (People always forget about holiday groceries!) higher utility bills and every other inevitable incidental that breaks the bank year after year.


2.  Start stocking up. Over the next few months, depending on where you live and the holidays you celebrate, a few things are about to become hot commodities, things you can grab in the stores and online now, that may not be easy to find or marked up later. Things like holiday wrapping, ice melt/salt, snow shovels, ice scrapers, gloves, hats, mittens, batteries, blankets... You see where I'm going.

Rather than wait until the first snow storm to race out and get ice melt, I get it now. I also check our car windshield wipers, scrapers and snow shovels now to make sure they will withstand another season. Basically, I make a list of things I need and keep it in my wallet so when I'm out I will keep an eye out for sales and specials for each item.

3. Prepare the yard. Beginning in fall, plants, especially the delicate ones, need to be prepared for bitter winters and droughts. If you don't know what your Azaleas, rhododendrons, shrubs and trees need this time of year to safely make it through winter, look it up now! While some plants will need mulch, others will be fine. Some plants need to be cut back now, others after winter.  Some will need fertilizer now, others not until after winter. Knowing what your plants and trees need, can make a HUGE difference in the spring, especially with the bloomers, so take the time now to make them happy and thriving later! Check out this great post on ways to prepare the garden for Fall's first frost. 

4. Weatherproof the house.  As much as I pride myself on being organized and a great planner, it took me a few years to grasp the fact that most home weatherproofing needs to be done well before the first frost! I can't tell you how many times I have started to put plastic on the windows only to realize it's WAY too cold outside for the adhesive to stick. Most weatherproofing materials need it to be at least 55-65 degrees outside to work, so don't wait for the first frost to weatherproof under your roof.Here's a great post for easy, money-saving weatherproofing tips. 

5. Prepare the car for emergencies. There's no doubt about it, the winter weather is notorious for creating stranded motorist and long delays. The last thing I want to do is be caught on the side of the road in a snow storm without a few essentials.

In my trunk, in addition to a small bag of ice melt/salt, I keep a duffel bag with a blanket, flashlight, a few bottles of water and packs of peanut butter crackers. I also have a mom-kit in the car loaded with winter essentials and daily must haves; tissues, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip gloss, a few snacks and a bottle of water.

These small steps now save big headaches and budget busting winter dread. At least, it does for me!

Is there anything you do now prepare for the holidays and colder dryer months that saves you time and money later?