Showing posts with label Mommy Blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mommy Blog. Show all posts
Ultimate Stay-at-home Moms Guide for Activities!
As a fellow Stay-at-Home Mom, I too have hit roadblocks where I'm out of ideas or my child is just 'bored' of playing the same old stuff. Most "SAH Moms" have a budget set for the 'out of the home' activities but (let's be real) we can't go out to the zoo every day! Below I gave my Ultimate Stay-at-Hom Moms guide for activities (home edition).
*I will give a guide to Activities outside the home that are affordable too!*
If you're down to be creative, search around for some normal everyday items and a bold imagination add some of these Ultimate Stay-at-Home Moms Guide for Activites in your daily routine! Before you know it, it'll be bedtime!
*** Tip*** I don't do these every day. In fact a lot of these I have set aside in baskets in the top of Holly's closet. Each Day I grab out 2 or 3 different activities and sometimes I only grab out one depending on the weather and if we have appointments. I do recommend sitting these aside in small zip bags or boxes and even labeling them "Monday, Tuesday, etc". This keeps the activities 'fresh', new and exciting!
- Color Time
Jumbo construction paper, Toddler size crayons, and some parental supervision. Even grab some giant soft stickers if you want to add texture!
- Make Bubbles
Sink, some bubble bath soap. Grab a bubble wand too! This activity can be done in the bathtub, kitchen sink or containers outside!
- Bathtub Crayons or Paint
I found these amazing crayons and bath paints that Holly really enjoys during bath-time but also I sometimes will let her sit in the tub and paint/color as a activity as well.
- Nursery Rhyme Dance Party
Pandora some Children safe music and bust a few silly dance moves! Your toddler might not dance but she'll get a few laughs.
- Kitchen Items Music Class
Containers, Different size pots, plastic mixing spoons. Make some music! *Don't sit out dangerous kitchen items*
-Sorting Cardboard Box Game
2 larger boxes, some round items, some square items. Use the big boxes and cut the shape (a nice large circle) in the middle of the box. Do the same with the other large box of a square or whatever other shapes you decide to use. Then have your toddler sort out the shapes into the correct box! You can even have your kiddo decorate the boxes too! Once finished keep or properly dispose of the boxes!
- Safe Finger Paint
Use baby food (mashed carrots, mashed peas, ketchup, etc) as finger paint. Grab some jumbo paper or even use a large white paper plate to paint on! This paint is safe so if your child wants to taste the foods she can.
- Story Time
grab some books and read! Even if your little one is busy playing with blocks she is still listening to you and learning new words.
- Big Puzzles
My 19-month-old is learning how to pick up and place big puzzle pieces. Our favorite is her farm puzzle. Even if she doesn't get the pieces back in the puzzle we still pick up the different ones and make the animal sounds.
- Copy Cat
Toddlers are all about copying their best friend (which is you!). So sit and do some simple things like stack a few blocks or tap on your toes and his toes. He'll most likely pick up on the game.
- Dress Up Silly
Grab a few hats, gloves, sunglasses a jacket, whatever you find that is in the coat closets. Sit on the floor and dress silly! As you grab the articles of clothing tell her what they are. She might even try to dress you up!
- Stuff Animal/Doll Challenges
A fun thing to do is grab your child's favorite stuffed animal and have your child help the toy with an activity. For example, Dolly needs help taking a bath (no water, just a large plastic bowl), a small hand towel, and an empty mini travel bottle of soap. I show my little one how to give dolly a bath.
- Backyard Explorer
We spend a lot of time outside in the backyard. We walk around, pick up leaves, sticks, and other unique things and make a collection on the carport. My 19-month-old is too young for slides, sidewalk chalk, and its too cold to get the kiddy pool out. But when once its summer she'll be old enough for her first slide and we can splash in her kiddy pool too!
- Laundry Sorting
When I get a fresh load of laundry out of the dryer I always drop the clothes in the floor and have my little one touch the different items as I hang or fold. She loves to sort the socks into a pile and will even hand me clothes hangers!
-Little Texture Box
Plastic box, tons of different textures (large feather, soft squishy, bumpy shell, Crunchy paper, etc) use the box to let her feel the items.
- Empty Tissue Box Tissues
Empty Tissue Box and Lots of Tissue Paper. The little one can pull out the tissues, feel the textures, and hear the sounds!
I hope this sparks some ideas for you and your tot! If you would like, follow my instagram page! I post daily and even post some of my Toddler Holly and her adventres! Simply click here to be sent to my Instagram page!
Lifestyle - Technology Clean Up!
Today its all about ways to clean up our technology! Currenlty my phone has 300+ emails and a constant reminder that I'm out of cloud space, my phone hasn't been backed up, and to purchase more storage. If your phone, laptop, or any tech gear sounds similar to mine continue reading on some of my technology clean up tips!
De-clutter + Unsubscribe emails
A chore I dread doing is de-cluttering my emails. Every few months I take a good 45 minutes to focus just on deleting old un-needed emails and ‘unsubscribe’ link to get off email lists that blow up my inbox 5 days a week. Seriously, once this chore is complete my emails are easier to load and no more random promotional emails!
Save your photos and free up data space
I panic when my phone tells me the photo storage is full and needs space. I recenlty linked phone and MacBook so my photos automatically store into my computers photos file! Now I can erase them off the cellphone! If you can't link your phone and computer like me purchase a photo memory card and photos up as often as possible to free up data space.
I panic when my phone tells me the photo storage is full and needs space. I recenlty linked phone and MacBook so my photos automatically store into my computers photos file! Now I can erase them off the cellphone! If you can't link your phone and computer like me purchase a photo memory card and photos up as often as possible to free up data space.
Delete any Apps you haven’t used in 3 months
My rule is if I haven’t used it in 3 months, take it off the phone. It helps so much with your storage space! And no worries cause if you ever want to upload again its in your purcahse log!
My rule is if I haven’t used it in 3 months, take it off the phone. It helps so much with your storage space! And no worries cause if you ever want to upload again its in your purcahse log!
Delete anything you don’t need or want
I have tons of untitled documents I started to type and stopped. Or lists I made on my phone. So deleted anything thats just sitting and taking up space. Notes, Documents, videos, powerpoints, etc.
I have tons of untitled documents I started to type and stopped. Or lists I made on my phone. So deleted anything thats just sitting and taking up space. Notes, Documents, videos, powerpoints, etc.
Bye Finger Prints!
Get a glasses cloth and clean the screens of all your devices. If you scroll for hours and then talk on the phone you’ll be surprised how much germs go from the screen to your face. Wipe your screens as much as possible.
Clean behind the cases
An area I forget to clean is behind the cases. So when I do I am shocked at all the dirt and dust that has coated behind the case.
Lastly, turn off the phone!
Doing this will help your phone reupdate itself. And if there was a glitch slowing it down the restart will repair it. I try to turn my phone off at least 2x a month. And I turn my phone off anytime I'm inside a plane or in a location I dont want my phones speaker collecting information of (yes your phone speaker is always on and listening!)
Get a glasses cloth and clean the screens of all your devices. If you scroll for hours and then talk on the phone you’ll be surprised how much germs go from the screen to your face. Wipe your screens as much as possible.
Clean behind the cases
An area I forget to clean is behind the cases. So when I do I am shocked at all the dirt and dust that has coated behind the case.
Lastly, turn off the phone!
Doing this will help your phone reupdate itself. And if there was a glitch slowing it down the restart will repair it. I try to turn my phone off at least 2x a month. And I turn my phone off anytime I'm inside a plane or in a location I dont want my phones speaker collecting information of (yes your phone speaker is always on and listening!)
- Brittney
Cleaning Tips! *Daily Chore Log Idea Too!*
When people visit our home I often hear “This place is so clean… How do you do it all?” Then I get the rundown on how much I have on my daily plate. Which are a lot and I know that.
The mass majority can’t stand cleaning (a good example is my husband) but I’m one of the few who loves to clean. I’m in charge of all the cleaning. Bryce spends all day at the office; it just doesn’t seem right for him to work all day and then come home to do chores. Don’t get me wrong, my job isn’t easy. I’m in charge of tending to Holly all day and night during the week so Bryce can rest, plus all the other projects I have. But I’m very fortunate that Bryce works a job that can support me being a “FTM”.
Anywho, cleaning is the best stress reliever for me. I have a weekly chore log that’s broken into daily cleans. The breaks help so I’m not overwhelmed, doing the same thing every day, and still have my weekends to relax. My cleaning list might not work with everyone’s lifestyle but I’m happy to share for anyone who needs ideas on how to create a cleaning log.
The mass majority can’t stand cleaning (a good example is my husband) but I’m one of the few who loves to clean. I’m in charge of all the cleaning. Bryce spends all day at the office; it just doesn’t seem right for him to work all day and then come home to do chores. Don’t get me wrong, my job isn’t easy. I’m in charge of tending to Holly all day and night during the week so Bryce can rest, plus all the other projects I have. But I’m very fortunate that Bryce works a job that can support me being a “FTM”.
Anywho, cleaning is the best stress reliever for me. I have a weekly chore log that’s broken into daily cleans. The breaks help so I’m not overwhelmed, doing the same thing every day, and still have my weekends to relax. My cleaning list might not work with everyone’s lifestyle but I’m happy to share for anyone who needs ideas on how to create a cleaning log.
Daily:
Make the beds
30 minute pick up before Bryce comes home and/or pick up before bed
fold bathroom towels after baths
Make the beds
30 minute pick up before Bryce comes home and/or pick up before bed
fold bathroom towels after baths
Monday
Laundry
Mop floors
Clean kitchen
Tuesday
Clean bathrooms
Clean towels
Wednesday
Dust
Vacuum
Clean livingroom + office
* Once a month (normally the last Wednesday of the month) I dust the baseboards, crown molding/molding around the doors, etc. This takes a lot of work but its a chore you only need to worry about once a month to get the extra dust.
Thursday
Recyclables ( I take our recyclables to a center because this Condo we currently live at doesn’t provide recycling; and personally I’m a big supporter of helping the planet)
Clean bedrooms
Clean bedding sheets
Friday
Mop floors
* I try to do the least amount of work on Friday’s so I can relax for the weekend!*
Saturday
This is a day we relax. Bryce normally goes to the gym and I can have “me time”. It’s also a day we head to Destin, Seaside or visit family.
Sunday
Meal plan for new week
Grocery shop for the new week
We mainly relax on Sundays as well. We almost always do our grocery shopping this day but sometimes we bump grocery day to Monday.
Laundry
Mop floors
Clean kitchen
Tuesday
Clean bathrooms
Clean towels
Wednesday
Dust
Vacuum
Clean livingroom + office
* Once a month (normally the last Wednesday of the month) I dust the baseboards, crown molding/molding around the doors, etc. This takes a lot of work but its a chore you only need to worry about once a month to get the extra dust.
Thursday
Recyclables ( I take our recyclables to a center because this Condo we currently live at doesn’t provide recycling; and personally I’m a big supporter of helping the planet)
Clean bedrooms
Clean bedding sheets
Friday
Mop floors
* I try to do the least amount of work on Friday’s so I can relax for the weekend!*
Saturday
This is a day we relax. Bryce normally goes to the gym and I can have “me time”. It’s also a day we head to Destin, Seaside or visit family.
Sunday
Meal plan for new week
Grocery shop for the new week
We mainly relax on Sundays as well. We almost always do our grocery shopping this day but sometimes we bump grocery day to Monday.
Extra tips:
- When cleaning an area do everything within that area. For example: when I plan to clean the bathrooms I always throw the bath towels in the wash first. Then by the time I have the entire bathrooms cleaned the towels will be clean/dry as well.
- If you have small children like me do the bulk of your cleaning during their naps. I also knock out some good cleaning when Holly is having her ‘tv time’, eating lunch in her high chair, or when she’s having her “alone play time”.
- Keep the clutter down -> clutter is the root of all evil. We trash and recycle as many items as we can. When clothes and shoes are worn out, we pitch em. If it's something we never wear, we donate.
- If you have a busy week, meal prep or make large portions to have leftovers. Bryce isn’t big on leftovers but I grew up on leftovers. I think for families large portions + leftovers help keep the stress of meal planning under control.
- Do a deep clean day once a month. For people with children try to have a relative watch the kiddos so you can focus on deep cleaning with the products needed. Take advantage of a rainy day to do the deep cleaning too!
My Cleaning Products:
Here's a photo of the cleaning products I use when cleaning. DISCLAIMER: These products are the ones I select and use. They fit my personal lifestyle and I’m not pressuring anyone to purchase these.
- When cleaning an area do everything within that area. For example: when I plan to clean the bathrooms I always throw the bath towels in the wash first. Then by the time I have the entire bathrooms cleaned the towels will be clean/dry as well.
- If you have small children like me do the bulk of your cleaning during their naps. I also knock out some good cleaning when Holly is having her ‘tv time’, eating lunch in her high chair, or when she’s having her “alone play time”.
- Keep the clutter down -> clutter is the root of all evil. We trash and recycle as many items as we can. When clothes and shoes are worn out, we pitch em. If it's something we never wear, we donate.
- If you have a busy week, meal prep or make large portions to have leftovers. Bryce isn’t big on leftovers but I grew up on leftovers. I think for families large portions + leftovers help keep the stress of meal planning under control.
- Do a deep clean day once a month. For people with children try to have a relative watch the kiddos so you can focus on deep cleaning with the products needed. Take advantage of a rainy day to do the deep cleaning too!
My Cleaning Products:
Here's a photo of the cleaning products I use when cleaning. DISCLAIMER: These products are the ones I select and use. They fit my personal lifestyle and I’m not pressuring anyone to purchase these.
For cleaning tools, I use the rubber gloves I have shown below (purchased at Dollar Tree!), A few brushes and sponges (from Dollar Tree as well) and some paper towels (We get whatever is on special) and/or some reusable towels.
Labels:
At Home,
balance,
blogger,
Chores,
Cleaning,
Daily Schedule,
DIY,
Fashion Blogger,
Florida,
Florida Blog,
Home Life,
Lifestyle,
Lifestyle Blog,
Lifestyle Hack,
Mom Life,
Mommy Blog,
Scheduling,
Stress Free
Location:
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Marshalls or TJMaxx - Which has the better selection?
Purses - TjMaxx
Every TJ I have went to had tons and tons of purses. They have such a large selection of luggage too. Marshalls on the other hand, I always felt like there was less to pick from.
Jewelry - TjMaxx
The jewelry bar at all the Tj’s I’ve been to is amazing. From designer jewelry to cheap thrills. The Marshalls I’ve been to actually don’t have any jewelry.
Makeup/Beauty/Skincare/Haircare - TjMaxx
If you want the best prices and the most selection I alway feel TjMaxx has more to offer than Marshalls. I do feel Marshalls carries a lot more soaps and body care items.
Shoes - Marshalls
Literally love getting shoes from Marshalls because they carry higher quality brands and all the shoes come with their original boxes.
Kids/Baby Goods (including toys) - Both
Both stores seem to have an equal stock of kids/baby goods. I do feel Marshalls is higher in cost on items but Tjmaxx seems to be more picked over. I sometimes call to see if they added more baby items out and go right when they open.
Women’s Clothing - Both
I always find a good amount at both stores. Marshalls seems to carry more higher quality goods but their price tags are ALWAYS a bit higher. I have seen the same items at both stores and seen a 2-5$ price difference.
Men’s Clothing - TjMaxx
The mens racks always seem to be more stocked and have large selections. I enjoy getting my husband his dress socks from Tj’s. But I do flock to Marshalls to get him more dress shirts (like I said before, I noticed Marshalls carry higher quality brands).
Home Items (from pots, food, decor, pictures etc) - Both
Okay, well if you are getting home items go to their sister store HomeGoods but if you can’t make it there either of these stores will do! Their prices are amazing and the selection is great. I’ve even found Lilly Pulitzer home items at both Tj’s and Marshalls before!
Stationary Items - TjMaxx
I literally always buy my wrapping goods and cards from Tjmaxx. They have such a great selection I feel you can never ever go wrong. My local Marshalls never carries stationary goods but I have heard of some that have a lot.
Results on which had the better selection-
Out of both stores I feel TjMaxx does win for having the best prices (lowest cost) and larger selections. My personal opinion is Marshalls is a step higher and their prices reflect that. I always feel Marshalls carries higher qualities and like I said, the shoes still have their original boxes; unlike TjMaxx (which shoes are without boxes and normally have marker marks on the bottoms).
TIPS: Always visit these stores during ’slow hours’ if you want quick checkout. Peak hours you’ll wait in longer lines. If you’re able to visit both stores to compare prices definitely do so! I have found things at one store and the other store had the exact same item but 2-5$ cheaper.
Don’t forget to follow the instagram for daily posts on fashion, beauty and lifestyle!
- Brittney
Every TJ I have went to had tons and tons of purses. They have such a large selection of luggage too. Marshalls on the other hand, I always felt like there was less to pick from.
Jewelry - TjMaxx
The jewelry bar at all the Tj’s I’ve been to is amazing. From designer jewelry to cheap thrills. The Marshalls I’ve been to actually don’t have any jewelry.
Makeup/Beauty/Skincare/Haircare - TjMaxx
If you want the best prices and the most selection I alway feel TjMaxx has more to offer than Marshalls. I do feel Marshalls carries a lot more soaps and body care items.
Shoes - Marshalls
Literally love getting shoes from Marshalls because they carry higher quality brands and all the shoes come with their original boxes.
Kids/Baby Goods (including toys) - Both
Both stores seem to have an equal stock of kids/baby goods. I do feel Marshalls is higher in cost on items but Tjmaxx seems to be more picked over. I sometimes call to see if they added more baby items out and go right when they open.
Women’s Clothing - Both
I always find a good amount at both stores. Marshalls seems to carry more higher quality goods but their price tags are ALWAYS a bit higher. I have seen the same items at both stores and seen a 2-5$ price difference.
Men’s Clothing - TjMaxx
The mens racks always seem to be more stocked and have large selections. I enjoy getting my husband his dress socks from Tj’s. But I do flock to Marshalls to get him more dress shirts (like I said before, I noticed Marshalls carry higher quality brands).
Home Items (from pots, food, decor, pictures etc) - Both
Okay, well if you are getting home items go to their sister store HomeGoods but if you can’t make it there either of these stores will do! Their prices are amazing and the selection is great. I’ve even found Lilly Pulitzer home items at both Tj’s and Marshalls before!
Stationary Items - TjMaxx
I literally always buy my wrapping goods and cards from Tjmaxx. They have such a great selection I feel you can never ever go wrong. My local Marshalls never carries stationary goods but I have heard of some that have a lot.
Results on which had the better selection-
Out of both stores I feel TjMaxx does win for having the best prices (lowest cost) and larger selections. My personal opinion is Marshalls is a step higher and their prices reflect that. I always feel Marshalls carries higher qualities and like I said, the shoes still have their original boxes; unlike TjMaxx (which shoes are without boxes and normally have marker marks on the bottoms).
TIPS: Always visit these stores during ’slow hours’ if you want quick checkout. Peak hours you’ll wait in longer lines. If you’re able to visit both stores to compare prices definitely do so! I have found things at one store and the other store had the exact same item but 2-5$ cheaper.
Don’t forget to follow the instagram for daily posts on fashion, beauty and lifestyle!
- Brittney
Labels:
Affordable Fashion,
Affordable Style,
Beauty,
blogger,
Budget Shopping,
Budget Style,
Fashion,
HomeGoods,
Lifestyle,
Lifestyle Blog,
Marshalls,
Mommy Blog,
Review,
Shopping,
Shopping Review,
Style,
TjMaxx
Location:
Destin, FL 32541, USA
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