Work of the Heart

Mom's Take back your morning!!!! If you are like me and have multiple school age children, mornings can be stressful and time consuming.  The fight about clothes and hurrying to get dressed in the morning can be endless and infuriating.  I envy those of you whose children wear uniforms to school.  But regardless of if they wear everyday clothes or uniforms this method is priceless. This also allows momma to see if everything they need for the week is clean and ready.  I also hang practice clothes or jersey's with the day of the week of the game etc. I started this when my oldest was in preschool.  It allows us organization and frees our mornings up.  When I started doing this, I used a hanging sweater organizer.  This was a good fit for the closet at the time and it worked for our space.  Now, my oldest two children share a room and closet, so this method works better for us. I ordered colorful set of clothing organizers from Amazon .  These are the kid on thing you woul

We love using the thermos for my kids lunches. First of all my kids love leftovers. So for us it’s a win win... we use up food and my kids get a delicious healthy lunch that they’ll actually eat! A thermos is not for just soups, it’s really for any food you want to keep warm. Just follow this simple method! The key is a high quality lunch box friendly thermos. Amazon . Amazon . Target .We have one Thermos brand and one Sub Zero. I like both equally. If you can find one that is top rack dishwasher friendly, that’s a big mom win! Step 1: Boil water on the stove top Step 2: Once the water is to a roaring boil. Pour into thermos and seal. Step 3: Heat up food to put in Thermos Step 4: once food is hot, pour boiling water out. Step 5: put hot food in hot thermos (if you are adding some non-liquid, you might dry it out with a paper towel) Step 6: tight and seal up the thermos Some things that we put in our thermos; soups, of course. Spaghetti or any pasta, Mac & c

My 2 year old is obsessed with painting and all things arts & crafts. I realized just how extreme her love is when she threw a colossal fit when it was time to leave our local pottery painting place. So, needless to say I use this to my advantage. If I need to get dinner ready or work on a project in the kitchen… I pull out the watercolors. Watercolors are perfect, although a bit messy, I don’t have to worry about a ton of clean up or stained clothes. As far as supplies, I bought general paint paper from Michaels.  We have had a few sets of watercolors for sometime, I'm guessing these are from way-Mart or Target. Brushes are from a variety pack from one of the local craft stores. Now, the problem is what do I do with all this precious two year old artwork. I remember seeing something on Pinterest and thought that it would make a great gift for grandmas and other relatives. Grandma, if you are reading this...stop here and move on...do not read the rest of this post!!!

I was definitely on the fence. I had a misconception about Birkenstock’s from when they were popular in the 90’s. I’m definitely not grungy enough to fit the profile of old. But last year, my very stylish friend says she swears by them.  This friend is more stylish, in fashion and southern than I could ever hope to be. She is always put together and is #goals !!! So, I jumped in! I ordered the patent white Arizona’s about a year ago, I LOVE them. I wear them all the time. I went through my pictures from the last year looking for times I wore these gems. Unfortunately, this activity led to the realization that our full length photos are few and far between. 😂 I’m to the age (ahem) that doing housework barefoot has started hurting my feet. So I literally wear these ALL year. If you have any kind of foot, back or joint issue, these are so supportive beneficial for many reasons.  They are great for travel, they slip on... but stay on. They are cute with white skinnies, cut-o

This snack mix is so easy & versatile for any holiday or activity. This is a super kid pleaser. The variety I made is nut free, there is a peanut allergy in my daughters class.  I started with popcorn & pretzels as my base. I popped my popcorn on the stovetop, you could just as easily use pre-bagged popcorn (Smartpop) or microwave popcorn.  I used 8 cups of popcorn and 3 cups of pretzels. Mix in a large bowl. Next, melt your vanilla coating chocolate. Follow the melting instructions on the package.  I dyed mine pink for the occasion.  Once the coating candy is melted and the right color, pour it over your mix. Stir constantly until is all incorporated. Spread out on parchment or wax paper. I used valentines sprinkles next... this is optional... but too cute to pass up! Next, I did the chocolate covered pretzels. I used the remainder of the bag of pretzels.  Same process as before, but using chocolate. Sometimes this is referred to as almond bark or coat

During the week, I’m  trying to eat low-ish carb. Meaning I’m trying to fill my plate with more veggies and lean proteins.  So, this stew fits the bill. It’s full of lean beef and loads of veggies. But this definitely is not the lunch lady stew you think of. The broth is rich with flavors like garlic, black pepper and red wine. No watered down boiled meat here. For this recipe I used stew meat. It’s definitely cheaper and not as naturally tender, but because it cooks all day it’s not a problem. I make this in a big stock pot. Start by cutting up the meat into small bites. I used stew meat, which is already cut, but I took it even smaller. Kitchen shears are a great tool for this job. I like the richness that the butter provides, so with the heat up prettyhigh start with 2-4 tablespoons of butter. Put the pieces of beef in and cook until browned... this takes a good bit of time. The juices come out and are reabsorbed before browning happens. Once it starts to brown add in 1/2 med

Last week, on Monday, I told you guys about 3 products I have ordered from Amazon that were must haves. This week I’m taking it up a notch and talking about something that I order regularly. Mom tip for this Monday! Travel size kids toothpaste. If your kids are like mine they are Super messy with toothpaste and the toothpaste lids never make it back on the toothpaste tube.  About 6 months ago, I started ordering travel size toothpaste tubes from amazon. Although they are still messy, we are wasting less toothpaste and not as messy as the large tubes. I think the the travel size is a bit easier for my kids to manage on their own. I also let each of my older girls have their own tube, less germ sharing the better at my house.

Oh my!  I couldn't be more excited about this piece.  I love, love, love the look of a utility jacket....but if I am being honest olive green is just not my color.  I don't think it looks good on me and I just don't love it.  I was so excited when I spotted this blush one!  My mom LOVES Kohl's.  She doesn't have one in the town where she lives, so whenever she comes down for the day she always wants to go out to eat and look around at Kohl's.  So, we were shopping around looking here and there and I spotted it.  This jacket is the prettiest light blush color, super light weight which is perfect for our weather here in Georgia. I think I can wear this jacket with a lot of different looks.  Obviously I am pairing it with jeans, but I think it will be equally cute with a casual dress or shorts. I sized up as this jacket does not have any stretch and I am pretty broad shouldered....hello 2 decades of playing volleyball! The rest of my outfit is simple and typ

everyday earrings. I LOVE earrings. Dangly, simple, bold, statement.... I love them all. I can hardly get out of target without a new pair of earrings. The earrings I’m talking about today are a pair I happened upon before Christmas when I was hunting for something else. I wear these a lot and as far as I’m concerned they match everything! Tortoise Shell is such a hot look right now. I have 2 other pair in this color, but different styles. I equate the tortoise shell look to leopard.... it’s a neutral in my book. My ‘momiform’ tends to be athleisure wear. I love to be able to sneak in a walk or 10 minutes of yoga between errands, cleaning, coloring with my two year and so on. Let’s be honest... it’s also so comfy! I think tortoise shell accessories look especially great with dark colors... like black leggings! These little studs are lightweight and versatile. I wear them 2-3 days a week! They are so good.  I found mine at Charming Charlies before Christmas. When

Every Spring, I buy a new small cross-body bag. I use this for outdoor sporting events, concerts, vacation and general busy-ness that comes with spring and summer. I need something small that goes in line with most outdoor sporting event security protocols. I would also like it to be small enough to then stick in my larger diaper bag, but large enough to hold basic essentials... phone cash/card & lipstick. Last, but not least, is price point, I do not want to spend a lot on this piece. I might get rained on or sand covered at the beach. This is not an investment piece, it’s more about function! Two years ago, I bought a simple black one from Target. Last year, I ordered a white one from Amazon. In between, I bought a jute/straw wristlet-clutch from target that was perfect for the beach! This year I’m wanting something still neutral, but maybe a little more exciting than plain black or plain white. I’m leaning towards a blush or rose gold color.  I definitely want something that

Today, I am picking out 3 items I have ordered from Amazon in the last year that I consider must haves. These are kind of all over the map. But all goodies! First up, my coffee frother! I first encountered this when we were visiting friends in the DC area. One cup of perfectly frothed at home coffee and I was in love! As you can see the price point is excellent and worth every penny for delicious frothy #momfuel !!!! Second item on my must have list are the gripper baby/toddler slipper socks.i orderedthese last year while we were staying at my moms house, for my then 16 month old. These are the only docks she will keep on her feet in bed. I love these and she loves them too. The last item for this weeks must have Monday is battery operated timer yes lights. These are perfect for me. I don’t really do candles that much any more, because #twoyearolds and I typically have my young living diffuser going non-stop. I love the look of candles and the decorative and homey qual