Menu
0
0

Category: inspiration

Friday Finds #4 and GIVEAWAY!

posted in Friday Finds, giveaway, inspiration by Hanna on
Feew, it’s finally Friday! I don’t know about you, but I felt like this week would never end. Maybe it is because I’ve been so excited about my upcoming trip. Me and the baby are flying to Utah tomorrow to hang out with Hanna (my twin sister/blog partner) and her cute girls for a whole week! You can be sure that there will be lots of fun, yummy food, blogging, crafting, and chic flicks! But first, lets talk about Target. We love Target and we know you do too, so we’re helping to host a $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway! In light of this wonderful treat, we decided to feature some of our most loved Target products for today’s Friday Finds.
Once you’ve finished clicking through our favorite Target finds and inspiration, continue down to find out more about the giveaway and how to enter!
2.  Carlisle Metal Bar Stools |  inspiration from Emily McCall
3.  Round Metal Side Table | inspiration from House Made Home
7. Decorative Plastic Plates | inspiration from The Better Half

$100 target gift card giveaway from Pretty Providence & team!

Here is a little bit about each blog behind the giveaway; if you’re not already following these amazing women make sure you check them out!

Pretty ProvidenceMade to be a MommaThe Little ThingsNo Diets AllowedFrom Me, With LoveMy Life As MayaOur Thrifty IdeasStripes and Polka DotsTastes Better From ScratchRad Mom Cool Kid

Want a chance to win a $100 Target Gift Card? Enter below! Giveaway ends February 7th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Creating a Learning Environment at Home for your Kids

posted in inspiration, kids, motherhood, parenting by Hanna on

Since having my girls and getting the privilege of watching them grow I’ve started realizing how eager they are to learn and experience everything they can in life. It’s so inspiring to me how free-spirited and willing kids are to jump in and learn and try something new. I also noticed how children learn better in the safe environment of their home from people they love and trust. Seeing these things have made me want to create more opportunities for my girls to learn and experience new things at home in these younger years, especially for my 2 ½ year old daughter, Mia.

Learning through participating in the day-to-day things:

One simple solution I found is slowing down and taking the time to involve her more in the day-to-day things; like chores around the house, getting groceries at the store, or cooking something. I’ve never seen anyone more excited to learn how to set a table than Mia was the other night when I would hand her each dish and she would have to figure out where it should go.

I also often take the opportunity to let her help me with the cooking and measuring out ingredients. In fact one of our favorite things to make together are those healthy, chocolate chunk banana muffins from last week’s post.

All this things take extra time and effort, which is why I often have to remind myself that I’m doing it to help my girls, especially Mia. Not to mention, Mia simple loves the opportunities to do something new!

Learning through music:
Another great way I found to create learning opportunities is switching out my music for “kid-friendly” music or what I like to call the toddler station on Pandora. We also have the CD If You’re Happy & You Know It by Fisher Price in our car that we listen to when the girls are along the ride. Mia loves all the songs on it and after several months of listening to it I’ve noticed a lot of the words from the songs have become a part of Mia’s regular vocabulary. Needless to say, music has a huge presence in our home and it has been a big factor in helping Mia learn. Plus there is nothing cuter than hearing your kids sing!

Creative learning:

Finally, I’ve put my so-called “craftiness” to use to encourage Mia’s creative side but also use it as an opportunity to have Mia experience creating with different kinds of things. Sometimes I use different occasions and holidays to do projects. For example, last year for Valentines I had Mia stamp hearts on card stock and we made cards to send out to the Grandparents; or for Halloween Mia glued cotton balls on some paper ghosts I cut out. On a regular week I’ve done play dough, let her cut paper with scissors, paint, helped her build a snowman or whatever random thing I can come up with.

Even with my perfectionist side, I’ve learned nothing has to be super grand and planned out for Mia to learn something new and love doing it at the same time. She just wants the experience and the quality time spent with her mama!

Since the move and the holidays I haven’t been as good about some of these things as I should be. Mia is crazier than ever, getting into everything she can and is just down right bored! This post is a reminder to myself (and hopefully an inspiration to some of you others mom out there) to slow down, take some time away from all the things that need to be done and spend some time with the kiddos to create opportunities to help them to learn and experience new things.

-HANNA

Linked To:
http://www.trueaimeducation.com/2014/01/6-favorites-and-moms-library-80.html
http://sodapopave.com/soda-pop-ave/2014/1/27/what-we-love-wednesdays-24
http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/2014/01/wow-us-wednesday-link-party_28.html
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2014/01/motivate-me-monday-210-block-party.html
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2014/01/the-inspiration-board-creative-party-139.html

Friday Finds #2: Cold Weather

posted in Friday Finds, home, inspiration, shop, women's fashion by Hanna on

We may not love the cold weather so much, but we do love some of the things that go hand in hand when it’s chilly outside. What’s better than some cozy layering pieces to stay warm, a great read while you’re stuck inside and an oh so delicious cup of hot cocoa to go with it?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

Hope you’re staying warm! Have a great weekend!

Linked to:

How to Turn Project Dreaming into Reality

posted in home, inspiration by Hanna on
We recently became new homeowners! Our little family moved in just over a month ago and already there are so many thing we love about it.  Perhaps the thing I love most about our new house is the potential each room has in becoming a space of our own– a space where we will rise our children, welcome guests, and call home. The problem? With so many options and things to choose from, I’ve been getting so lost as to what it is I want to do with each space, and with a limited budget where should I even begin? New ideas and updates on the house are continually being added to my list and somehow I needed to find a way to get started.
Like me, I’m sure many of you have a growing wishlist that is just waiting to be tackled. Whether you’ve recently moved like me, or have lived in a place for years, I want to share a few tips I’ve learned on how you can start checking off some of those things on your list and finally create the space you’ve always wanted. Surprisingly, it’s quite similar to Sara’s steps in building a wardrobe. Who knew?!

1. Start by pin-pointing exactly what in your space isn’t working, what needs to go and what needs to be updated and/or fixed. I’m not talking about a major renovation here! Simple updates/fixes might include: organizing or rearranging a space; adding more personality and color with a coat of paint; or getting rid of an old piece of furniture and replacing it with something newer and of higher quality.

One of the first things on my project “to-do” list is our guest bathroom. There really isn’t anything horrible about it, but its a little out-dated and not really our style. I wanted something clean and sleek and something welcoming for guests.

2. Once you’ve identified the issues, start looking for inspiration and ideas for things you like or that would work in the space to fix the problem. As many of you already know, Pinterest is the #1 place to get great inspiration! I also like to look through different clips from magazines that I am always saving (ex. Do It Yourself, HGTV magazine, Better Home and Gardens). When using Pinterest or whatever else you use for inspiration, have a separate board/folder for each room to keep everything organized and easy to access.

3. Now that you know what direction you want to go in and some of the things you would like to get, start complying a shopping list and figuring out how much everything is going to cost.

Here is the board for the guest bathroom.

Notice once I found my inspiration photo I was able to start looking for things that went along those lines and I was able to start getting an idea of how much this was going to cost.

4. Lastly, figure out which project or space is at the top of your priority list and start there, working you’re way down the list until everything is eventually done.

 I like doing things this way because a) I have a clear vision of where I want the space to end up, and b) I can get things I actually want by taking the time to look around for the best deals even if it means getting things a little at a time. Sooner or later you’ll finally have the space you’ve always wanted that works!

Now just a few things to keep in mind:

Maybe the inspiration for your space would cost a lot more than you would like to pay, no worries! There is always something that looks similar or gives the same feel for a lot less if you’re willing to take the time and look around. Another option is to do it yourself.

As I mentioned above, having a laid out plan takes away the stress when it comes to buying the pieces and materials for the space your are creating; however, the big lesson is having PATIENCE. One thing I am still struggling to learn is that it’s not always realistic to have everything now. Over time a beautiful space is created.

I hope this post has inspired you to go tackle some of those awaiting projects! As for me, I already have the walls painted in the guest bathroom and plan on finishing up with the rest in the following weeks! Make sure to check back for the after photos!

I would love to hear some spaces you’ve wanted to revamp or projects you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t yet and what you’re plans are!

Linked To:
http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/100-share-projects/
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/2014/01/220th-penny-pinching-party.html
http://sodapopave.com/soda-pop-ave/2014/1/14/what-we-love-wednesdays-22

How to Clean Out Your Closet for Good

posted in home, inspiration, lifestyle, organization, Wardrobe Basics, women's fashion by Sara on
Find out how to finally say good-bye to those clothes you never wear and purge your closet of all that negative clutter.


It’s a new year and it’s time to whip your wardrobe into shape and finally say good-bye to those things you’ve been holding on to for years. You know, those items just sitting in your closet that you see every day when you go to get dressed but never pull off the hanger for one reason or another? Maybe it’s your favorite pair of pants that don’t fit anymore but you hold on to them with the hope that one day they’ll fit again. Or perhaps it’s a shirt that doesn’t quite go with anything else in your wardrobe, but you can’t bring yourself to get rid of it because (even though it’s been years) one day it might magically go with something.

I’m as guilty as the next girl when it comes to this problem; and quite honestly, I’m tired of it. I mean really, why do we insist on keeping clothes that don’t make us feel good about our bodies?! These clothes, no matter what the attachment to them might be, are not doing us any favors. They’re merely clutter in our lives; roadblocks if you will, that are preventing us from truly embracing our bodies.
I’ve spent the past year striving to overcome these wardrobe roadblocks and build a new wardrobe for myself. You can read about my full wardrobe transformation HERE along with steps to create your own. I can’t say that I’ll ever be perfect at it but I am learning. I still make shopping mistakes and have trouble letting go of certain pieces that are more than overdue. With some of the lessons I‘ve learned, I want to share with you some tips on how to finally purge your closet of the clothes that are holding you and your style back. 
 

1. Get rid of anything that does not fit or flatter the body you have now (whether it be something from high school or a recent purchase)

 

2. What may have been your style 3 years ago may not be your style now

 

3. If you haven’t worn something for at least a year, chances are you won’t ever in the future.

 

4. If you have clothes that need mending but have been sitting in your “to-do” pile for months, either make it a goal to fix them this week or throw them out

 

5. Don’t keep something if you have nothing to wear with it (even if it is the most stylish skirt you own)

 

6. Don’t keep clothes that are uncomfortable to wear, that wrinkle easily, or that make you feel like you are always having to adjust or pull at them

 

7. Sentimental clothing can be hard to finally let go of, so allow a few minutes to remember the good times, take a picture of it, and either box it away or put it in the giveaway pile

Find out how to finally say good-bye to those clothes you never wear and purge your closet of all that negative clutter.

 

When cleaning out your closet, be truly honest with yourself. If an article of clothing falls into one of the categories listed above, get rid of it. Don’t allow yourself a lot of time to rethink your decisions. Cleaning out your closet can be hard in the moment; but believe me, it is so liberating when you are finished and you’ve freed yourself of all that negative clutter!

To reiterate what we have been talking about, let me share a few brief examples of clothes that were difficult for me to let go of and why I finally did.

 

Example #1: I bought this skirt almost 5 years ago. I fell in love with it the moment I saw and just had to have it. Before I thought much about it I bought it and took it home to hang in my closet. The problem is that it did just that…sit in my closet. I’ve always loved this skirt but have never really found anything I liked to go with it. I’ve worn this skirt a total of 6 times, none of which have been in the last 3 years. Needless to say it was time to finally let it go.

Example #2: This basic button-down shirt was a more recent purchase of mine. I bought it about 6 months ago because I wanted one I could wear and/or layer with other pieces in my wardrobe. I bought the first one I tried on in Target. It only took me several wears to realize that this was a big shopping mistake. First off, the shirt altogether was a bit too long on me which made it bunch up at the bottom when I walked or sat down. The sleeves were also too long so I could only wear it if the sleeves were rolled up. And lastly, the material was thin which caused it to wrinkle easily and loose shape when I tried layering it with other pieces. It was a literal fail; but I guess I kept holding on to it hoping that one day I’d try it on and it would magically be everything I hoped it to be. Instead I came to terms that is was a waste of my money but a good learning experience. This too is in the giveaway bag.

 

Linked to:
http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2014/01/hit-best-shot-link-party-2.html

Friday Finds #1: Stripes and Polka Dots

posted in Friday Finds, inspiration, lifestyle, shop by Hanna on
We’re dedicating Fridays to sharing some of our favorite finds with a round up of things we love! Some are things we just couldn’t live without and have already bought, while others are still on our wish list. We hope that we can send a little inspiration your way!
To kick-off our very first “Friday Finds”, we decided to do our favorite finds around the inspiration for our blog title…stripe and polka dots. Enjoy!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8