Awesome Tips
6 Ways to simplify the Morning Routine *and* be on time. No kidding.
Truth be told, I like to be on time. I’m often not, but I still like to try. It’s amazing how much more difficult it is to be punctual when you have children in tow who don’t seem to have …
Cleaning Tip: Expecting holiday guests? Tackle the bathroom first.
If you can clean only one room before company arrives, tackle the bathroom. This is the only room where people spend time solo and may have the time and tendency to notice a gross sink. While they’re in there, you …
House Cleaning Tip: Minimize the upstairs/downstairs trips!
Although it’s probably great for my glutes, I loathe running up and down the stairs all day long shuttling this upstairs and that downstairs. To avoid the neverending trips, leave a basket at the foot of the stairs and toss in …
Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose. Check out these new uses for old things.
I love recycling. I get such a thrill from using “this” item for “that” when it’s supposed to be used for “that other thing”. More clearly, finding alternative uses for everyday items makes me feel resourceful and, ok, clever. Before I …
Culinary trickery. Top 5 ways to bamboozle your young kids into eating healthy Things.
When my kids were around 2-3 years old, they were happily subsisting on a strict diet of macaroni and cheese and goldfish crackers. Trying new foods was a joke. Despite all my efforts to trick them into taking just a …
Procrastination busters. Start your day by eating a frog.
Everybody wakes in the morning with a list of things to do. If you’re like me, some of those tasks persistently show up day after day. Why? Because that particular task makes my upper lip curl with disgust, so I …
Get rid of it! 10 Items you can toss now for a clutter-free existence.
For most of us, we tend to bog ourselves, and our home, down with too much useless junk. Here are some sure-fire ways to clean up your cabinets, drawers and mental state of mind. A clean home is a happy …
Holiday houseguests? An easy and stress-free “How-To” prep for your merry visitors.
Ding dong! The guests have arrived! Being a great host is a big job, but it doesn’t mean you have to expend a super human effort to make your guests feel comfortable. Check out our tips for creating a cozy …
6 Easy tips on cleaning (and keeping clean) your house for holiday guests.
Is your house becoming the local Motel 6 for the holidays? Sounds like it’s time to bust out the cleaning supplies. Here are some simple tips on keeping up appearances without turning yourself into a Merry Maid for the next …
Planning a holiday roadtrip? Keep the peace in the car with these travel tips.
Traveling for the holidays? Time to pack up the family, presents and packages into the car for one helluva ride! Take a deep breath and don’t panic…you will make it, and everyone will still have their heads and limbs firmly …
Baby Food Jars Make Nice Organizers. Cute, too.
Got a messy top drawer in your desk? Baby-food jars make great containers for office supplies like pushpins, paper clips, hair elastics, etc. And it looks adorable. I love order.
Calgon, Take Me Away! Simple “Time Out” Tricks for Mom.
Once you become a parent, doing everything for others (and all at once) becomes woven into our DNA. But it’s important that we keep an eye on our own mental health before the train really runs off the tracks. Sneaking …
We Freaking Love the Dollar Tree. Look What We Found!
If you have a question, the Dollar Tree is the answer. I know this post won’t agree with everyone, but as the primary budget keeper in my household, those dollar stores offer deals that are just too good to pass …
Diaper Wipe Containers Are Great Catch-Alls.
Empty diaper-wipe containers can be repurposed for storing crayons and those toys with “a million tiny pieces”. They work especially well because they’re so easy for little ones to open and close.
It’s Bedtime For Baby With A Warm Blankie
I was having a bit of trouble getting my 16-month old daughter to settle down for bed at night, until I started tossing her favorite blanky in the dryer for 3-5 minutes. She loves the super-soft warm and cozy feel when …
Super Sales Help To Fill The Costume Box.
After Halloween, when costumes are often discounted by 75%, visit a few stores like Target, Walgreens, and T.J. Maxx, and snatch up a bunch in kid-friendly sizes. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to add some fresh dress-up to the …
Bath Time = Sparkly Bathroom
Once a week, I’ll make a special bubble bath for my kids and allow them extra time to play. Meanwhile, I get out the cleaners and spray down the mirrors, countertops and floors. They have fun and I have a shiny, …
WD-40 Removes Crayon And Markers On Walls. Wow.
Have your little artists left you with some fancy crayon or marker coloring on the walls? Try WD-40! Spray it on and wipe off with a paper towel. It removes the “art” without damaging the paint.
Time To Dust? Wear A Sock.
Wear an old, unmatched sock on your hand when you have to dust the house. Run your hand along chair rails, crown moldings, and doors until the sock is dusty enough wash and reuse.
Drying Small Loads? Throw In A Towel To Speed Drying Time.
You know how it goes. You throw a small load into the dryer and it takes twice as long because the clothes stubbornly lay flat against the inside dryer arms. Looking for an easy fix? Throw in a couple of …
Baby Powder Removes Sand. Best Kid Tip EVER.
It seems that my kids always want to take one last dip in the ocean before we head home, which means they are a tremendous sandy mess by the time we hit the car. A few years ago, I spied …
