Furniture, lighting, and wall decor are also such a big thing for me because you will be staring/sitting on it all day for like the next 5 years... (in our case probably 10-20 LOL). So it has to be good, and something you BOTH like, and something thats durable... AND JUST PERFECT, AND timeless... AND now kid friendly... AND inexpensive but really good quality... I mean, is it just me or does it feels like you are searching for a unicorn? lol.....
Read more5 THINGS THAT KEEP ME HAPPY STAYING AT HOME
While being a full time stay at home mom these last few months, I have learned a few things about myself! I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with my babies! It has definitely been a transition as I worked around 30 hours a week still during Haddie's first year of life. Its not that I don't enjoy being a stay at home mom or that I haven't felt as purposeful as when I had a job (because I see SO much purpose in raising my children and guiding, teaching, discipling daily), but sometimes I just feel so BORED, LONELY, or like I am the lead role of my own personal movie of GROUNDHOG DAY! Wake up, diaper change, make breakfast, play kitchen, pull out the blocks, diaper change, read books, watch Elena of Avalor, nap time... you get the picture. Can anyone else relate? LOL. I can do our daily schedule in my sleep... if only I was sleeping... lol anyway..
I have found that for me getting out and doing something is mentally refreshing and helps me be a better mom. Whether it is the grocery store, the book store, Petsmart, (no we don't have a pet) or the park, we love to get out and go. But on the other hand, while I AM at home during the day, I have pen-pointed five things that truly lead to a happier and more productive mom in our home.
1. FRESH FLOWERS
Fresh flowers bring me life. No seriously. When my kitchen has dishes piled up, I can look over on my counter and see fresh blooms and it kind of soothes me. It somehow makes me feel more "at home" and put together. My favorites are roses, hydrangeas, tulips, and of course eucalyptus! Trader Joes is my favorite place to grab fresh flowers as they are SO well priced as well as they usually have an amazing selection. (24 long stem roses for 9.99/3 stem hydrangeas for 4.99!!) Grabbing a little stack at the grocery store and putting them either in my bedroom, kitchen or living room really makes me smile all week long! Flowers are always smiling at you when a baby is crying!
2. MAKING MY BED
Headboard: Walmart (Yes, can you believe it?)) | Duvet Cover: West Elm | Floral Shams & Bed Skirt: Anthropologie | Velvet Pillow: West Elm | Lamb Pillow: West Elm | Lamps: Homegoods | Flower Vase: Hobby Lobby
My clothes can be all over the floor and my bathroom can be a disaster but you can be sure 9 out of 10 times my bed is made. One of the first things Haddie and I do after we eat breakfast is go make my bed. She hands me all the pillows off the ground! lol (You should see her face everyday as she lifts up the big ones!) Having the bed made makes a big difference to me in our small apartment because it makes our whole bedroom feel clean, even when its not! It also helps me NOT want to get back in my bed later on in the day!
3. ORGANIZATION! EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE... EVEN YOUR JUNK PILE.
Shelves: Target | Pink Baskets: Target
Since currently we live in a 1,004 sq ft apartment, every inch of space matters to us! While I do consider myself as someone who is clean and organized, things can get out of hand pretty quickly and all of a sudden there can be a tornado of things everywhere... clothes, food, toys, books, crayons, pillows.. and the list goes on and on!
My friend has these shelves in her kids rooms and I knew I had to get some for Haddie's room! They have been a game changer! Haddie's books used to be stacked in piles all over her room and her one basket of toys in the corner was overflowing with stuffed animals! I love these little pink baskets that we have organized with various toys! It has not only helped keep things off the floor but Haddie enjoys knowing where her toys are at and not having to dig through her basket for things. Having a place for every item is huge for us and it really helps our day go smoother. Once we play with something we know exactly where it goes when we clean up.
This goes for me too! Mail, bills, books, and everyday items can easily start to end up on the counter, kitchen table and coffee tables for DAYS. I have found that even if I don't go through everything and file it, the best thing for me to do, for my MENTAL state, is to have all my "junk" in one place.* I have been moving everything onto our desk in our bedroom and when I get to it, I get to it... but at least it's all in one area.
*My junk place is not pictured but if you want one I will gladly send it! haha
4. DRINKING A SPARK
White Chair: Ballard Designs | Leopard Pillow: Willa Skye Home | Spark: www.advocare.com/10071449
I have been drinking AdvoCare Spark everyday since I was 12! I seriously don't know what I would do without it! Spark is an energy and mental focus drink with 20 vitamins and minerals, and it comes in SO many amazing flavors. My favorite flavors are fruit punch and mandarin orange. (Seth's favorite is Mango Strawberry!) I drink Spark every morning almost first thing, after I roll out of bed and walk into the kitchen. It almost instantly clears up my foggy brain and helps me wake up and think. I am SO thankful that I have Spark as a mom and especially during this season of life! I truly feel like I am a better mom and wife because of what Spark offers me mentally.
*I have been an AdvoCare distributor since college because I love the products so much. I take a lot more products than just Spark. If you have questions you can message me, or just order from the link above, which will take you to my site.
5. DIFFERENT TOYS IN DIFFERENT ROOMS
Kitcken: Kid Kraft | TeePee: Sam's Club
I love learning from lots of moms but I learned from one mom in particular that I admire to keep different toys in different rooms. Some toys stay in Haddie's room, others the living room, my bedroom, and even the car. That way, when we are at home all day, we can go in a new room and the toys are different. For example, her blankie is "special" because it stays in her crib and becomes a "treat" at nap time and its the same with the toys in different areas. Now of course we bring toys into other rooms at certain times but it truly has helped so much to do this to keep things fresh.
Initially I was going to put Haddie's kitchen in her room but I'm so glad I left it in our living room. We have so many tea parties and cooking shows so I'm so glad that we left this toy there even though it doesn't quite go with my living room decor! lol It's a season of life!
Would love to hear from other stay at home mom's about what makes you not go crazy! I honestly think it's the little things, and a whole lot of grace!
xo, ash
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