How To

How To Make a Burlap Wreath

September 3, 2015

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Last week’s cooler weather really got me in the spirit of fall. Over the weekend, I started decorating for my favorite season and even got a little crafty. I went to Hobby Lobby and grabbed a few supplies and decided to make a new wreath. I know it is technically a little early, but our home is almost ready to welcome the new season! Here is a really simple tutorial on how to make your own burlap wreath:

What You Need:
1 – 18″ wire wreath
60 feet of 5″ wide burlap ribbon or garland (20 yards)
1 – 18 foot spool of 1.5″ wide orange gingham wired accent ribbon (9 yards)
1 – 18 foot spool of 1.5″ wide orange Moroccan wired accent ribbon (9 yards) (or the ribbon of your choice)
– A 6″ Tin Letter
-A pumpkin floral accent
-Hot Glue Gun and glue

Let’s Get Started:

1. Tie the burlap into a knot on the back side of the wire wreath (I did it on one of the middle wires). Repeat with other ribbons.

2. Turn the wreath back around and begin weaving the ribbon through the wired wreath, alternating sides and ribbons. I created about a 4 inch loop (height) but you can make it smaller or larger depending on your preference.

3. Make sure to push the loops tightly together so you don’t have any unwanted gaps.

4. When your spools run out, go ahead and start a new one by tying the end of the ribbon in a knot on the backside of the wired wreath.

5. When you get to the end, tie the ends of your spools to the back of the wired wreath and fluff/arrange the loops to your liking.

6. Tie your letter to the top of the wreath using either twine or leftover ribbon. I chose to use my ribbon.

7. Place your floral pumpkin (or flowers) on your wreath and poke the stem through the wire. Twist it around the wire and then hot glue the back of the pumpkin to the wreath to hold it in place.

8. Hang your wreath and enjoy your newest DIY!

How To Blog As A SAHM

August 24, 2015

As of April 2015, I stopped working for the web company I had been with for nearly 4 years and went to full time blogging. It was a scary decision because frankly, blogging income can be unpredictable from month to month. I have had good months, bad months and amazing months. It all averages out in the end. I have been asked by so many friends and family how I make money blogging or how I have time to do it with two babies. I will be really honest, it is not easy at all, but I am an avid planner/scheduler and that has really worked in my favor.

Here are some tips for all of you SAHMs who want to blog but are unsure if you will have time:

– Figure out when and how often to post. I try to consistently post 5 days a week (Monday – Friday), but you don’t have to post that often. A lot of bloggers I follow only post 2 or 3 times a week. I also typically schedule my posts to go live at 8a.m. because I have had most success with that time. It may be different for you depending on your location and niche. Figure out what works best for you.

– Create a schedule. This is key. Whether you take photos while the babies are napping and write/edit at night or you wake up early to get it all done before they rise, it is important to have a schedule and stick to it so you don’t fall behind.

-Be consistent. Once you decide what days you are going to post be sure to do it. It can be frustrating and turn readers off if you don’t post consistently. They might quit checking back for new posts.

– Make blogging a priority. Obviously your family comes before blogging, after all, you are a SAHM. Your kids come first, always. Mine do as well. However, if you are monetizing your blog to make an income, it has to become a priority just as a job is a priority.

– Have fun with it. I love blogging. I did it for 2 years before I ever made a dime just because I enjoyed it. It has been an awesome creative outlet for me and it has taught me so much about myself. It has challenged me in numerous ways and I am so thankful for this community. If you don’t love what you are doing, you won’t be successful. Blogging is not a quick way to earn a buck. It takes a lot of hard work for little pay.

New to Blogging? Read How to Start a Blog!

Do you have any other advice for a SAHM wanting to start a blog?

How to Make the Most of Your Cruise

August 21, 2015

I hope you have all enjoyed my week of cruisin’ to the Bahamas with the recap of our trip, cruise fashion advice and Ultimate Packing List. It’s time to set sail to this series, so jump on deck and read my advice on how to make the most of your cruise and have a great experience.

1. Pack Light – otherwise, getting on and off the ship will not be too easy. Also you don’t want to be tripping over your luggage in those tiny rooms.

2. Be Organized – know where your important documents are and have them handy for getting off and on the ship.

3. Book an Excursion – my favorite memory from our cruise was swimming with the dolphins. It was an amazing experience and I wish I could do it again and again. On a previous cruise, I snorkeled and it was also an incredible experience. You don’t want to miss out on these fun memories that could be once in a lifetime experiences.

4. Go to the Shows – Even my 21 month old son loved the shows! The early shows were family friendly and were very enjoyable.

5.Go to the Early Dinner and Show If Traveling with Kids – for obvious reasons. By dinner time, Hamp was worn out from hanging out at the pool or beach all day. He still did great and made it through the shows as well, but I don’t know that he could’ve made it through the later dinner and show and I didn’t care to find out.

6. Make Sure You Make Time for Nap Time – trust me on this. You will want you child to take a good nap every day. Otherwise, you may have a screaming toddler on your hands.

7. Take Lots of Pictures – Pictures are so important to remember things by. My son will probably not remember this cruise, but we will have photos to share and lots of stories to tell him. I even took my Instax Mini so that I could take photos for my family and give them to them right then and there. Everyone really enjoyed that.

Do you have any tips you would add? What is your favorite memory from your cruise?

How To Have The Perfect Picnic

June 10, 2014

One.
Organization is the key to having a successful picnic. Be sure to lay everything out, check and double check that you have something to sit on, the perfect location, family and friends to enjoy it with you and please, don’t forget the delicious food and drinks. That is, after all what makes up a picnic.

Two.
Pick the perfect location. Consider the people you have invited along with you. For me, I would be considering my husband and 7 month old, so somewhere with a lot of shade would be ideal for us. If you have small children, perhaps a park with a playground nearby would be the perfect location. If you live near a lake or beach, that would also be a great choice. If you are wanting to host a romantic picnic with a loved one, pick an appropriate atmosphere.

Three.
Consider the time of day and pack your food accordingly. Are you going in the morning? Pack breakfast foods and don’t forget that thermos full of coffee, sugar and cream. Are you going for lunch? Sandwiches and carrot sticks are perfect for this time of day. If you’re going around dinner time or my favorite time of day – sunset – pack hotdogs or hamburgers fresh off the grill with chips, pasta salad, etc. It is summertime after all. It’s important to plan the perfect picnic menu for the people you are inviting. Consider their preferences, food allergies, etc.

Four.
I know I stated this in my first point, but don’t forget something to sit on. Consider the people who will be joining you. You may need to include a lawn chair for older people, or maybe bring along a bumbo or bouncer for baby to play in. My favorite thing to bring is an old quilt. I have a bit of a quilt obsession. I carry the quilt my grandma made me in my car most of the time because we always find ourselves needing it.

Five.
Pack your food well. Try to keep them at proper temperature and to bring foods that do well at room temperature for a little while. Pack everything in zip-lock bags, jars, tupperware, saran wrap, whatever will keep it fresh. I recommend bringing drinks in bottles. Bottled water, root beer, coke, etc. are all great options. Anything with a screw on lid will help with spills. No one wants to clean up a mess. If you have a small cooler or thermal bag, feel free to throw some bottles in there with an ice pack to keep the drinks cold.

Six.
Pack napkins, paper plates and plastic utensils. Depending on the number of guests you have attending your picnic, you may consider packing a roll of paper towels. They will be easy to dispose of when you start to clean up. Also, be sure to bring any condiments, salad dressing, salt, pepper, syrup, etc. depending on what you’re eating. These things can literally make or break a meal so be sure to remember to pack these in your basket.

Seven.
You may want to bring bug spray, especially if you live in Alabama where the mosquito is our state bird. Sun screen is also a necessity, especially if you’re like me and bringing along a baby. Protect your skin, folks!

Eight.
Think about entertainment. If you want to bring an Ipod for background music, a good book or magazine, or toys for the kids, be sure to pack those things.

Nine.
Prepare for clean-up. Bring a trash bag, or two depending on the number of guests. Pack wipes for everyone to clean their hands with and maybe even some hand-sanitizer.

Ten.
Have fun. Make good conversation, laugh, relax and enjoy the company and delicious food that you worked so hard to prepare and pack. Everyone loves a picnic. They are the perfect summer day activity for adults and children alike. Enjoy your time with the people you love.

Where do you like to go for your perfect picnic? Have you been on a picnic this year?

How To Pack For Baby

May 6, 2014

We recently attended an out of town wedding that I was a part of. Of course we brought Hampton along. I love to be efficient with my packing so that I don’t end up taking 15 bags on every trip. Who wants to carry those? Not me. My goal was to pack as little as possible, but still have more than enough for any situation. Here is what I packed in Hampton’ bag:

Baby Spoons
Lots of Zip Lock Bags
Garbage Bag for dirty laundry
Garbage bag for diapers
Diapers
Wipes
Baby Food
2-3 onesies
2 sleepers
Pack ‘n Play (to sleep in)
A few of his favorite toys
Pacifiers
Blanket (to spread on the floor for him to play on)
Travel size Shampoo and Lotion
Baby Towel (optional – the hotels have several so you can save room by not bringing on unless you just want to.)
2-3 nice outfits
Socks
Diaper Bag

There you have it! We were set for the weekend with these items. Hampton did great and we had plenty.

What did you take on your overnight stay with baby? Are you planning any trips this month?