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Everyday Savvy

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Get Ready for Fall With August Clean & Organize Tasks

July 31, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Get Ready For Fall with these Savvy Cleaning and Organizing Tasks

Tackling these easy tasks for just minutes a day will have you and your home ready for fall and back to school. Includes free printable task list.

The back to school is upon us and we are ¾ of the way through the year, I hope these monthly cleaning and organizing tips have helped you get your house in shape. This month we need to focus on getting things organized and ready for back to school whether you have a preschooler or a  high schooler. Most of these tasks can be done in 15 minutes or less but can have a huge impact on your back to school routines. Head into fall feeling confident that you are well prepared. [Read more…]

Best Backpacks for School – Elementary, Middle & High School Backpacks

July 20, 2019 By Melissa 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Find all the best backpacks for school. Highlighted are durable quality and cute backpacks for elementary, middle school and high school.

 

If you are looking for back-to-school gear like backpacks and lunchboxes, the best way to save is to buy quality sets. I like to spend a little more to on my gear and then have my kids use them for a few years. Some of the lower quality sets tend to rip, break or have zipper problems mid-year and then you will end up replacing them before the year is over or replacing them yearly. You can find durable backpacks and gear with coupons at Land’s End, Pottery Barn Kids, eBags, Garnet Hill, LL Bean and more. Also, many stores are shipping backpacks to your doorstep for free. Instead of spending precious time and gas, stopping at store after store, order your backpack online and take advantage of free shipping offers. Lots of these stores gave free shipping and discount codes right on their home page.

Interested in more coupons and savings on backpacks?

Click here to join our facebook group where we share the most up to date coupons on backpacks and other deals. 

[Read more…]

Deep Clean Bathroom – Clean & Organize Tasks

July 1, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Deep Clean Bathroom – Savvy Cleaning and Organizing July Task List

This month we are focusing on how to deep clean bathroom. Included is a list of tasks and a free bathroom deep clean printable.

With the exception of a few general housekeeping items, we are going to really dive in and tackle the bathroom(s) this month. If you have wondered how to deep clean a bathroom, these simple tasks will get you a track. Even with regular cleaning bathrooms can get pretty out of hand and can use a bathroom deep clean now and then. If you have 2 bathrooms, or even 3 or 4 (who are you and can I come live in the extra wing in your house?) these tasks can still be done easily in just 15 minutes or so. If a certain task does not apply to you just grab yourself a glass of lemonade and enjoy your time off from the cleaning list! [Read more…]

Best Golf Gifts for Men

June 9, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Check out the best golf gifts for Men. These unique golf gifts make great golf present ideas.

best golf gifts for men - man golfing

 

Golf Gifts for Him

We know buying gifts for the men in your life can be hard. We rounded up the best golf gift ideas and golf gifts for dad. Looking for Father’s Day golf gifts or golf Christmas presents?  These are some of my greatest golf ideas for him that my husband personally uses and recommends.  At various levels of price, you are bound to find the perfect golf presents for the golfer in your life.

golf umbrella - golf gift idea

Golf Umbrella

These golf umbrellas come in many colors and patterns, hold up great in rain, and are not too expensive.  The double cover lets the wind flow through for those breezy days.  These umbrellas also come in a couple of different sizes (width). This golf umbrella is used by many golfing professionals due to its durability and effectiveness. The Bagail golf umbrella is equipped with a vented double canopy, rubberized comfort grip handle, and auto-open mechanism. This would be a cool golf gift for any golfer.  The vented double-canopy has been designed to resist inversion by allowing wind to pass through the canopy, plus has a lightweight but strong fiberglass frame for extra protection. They offer an unconditional guarantee against any defects in craftsmanship!

Check out this Golf Umbrella Here

 

golf divot tool - golf gift idea

Divot Tool

Every golfer needs a nice divot tool.  I like this divot tool because it folds up nicely in your pocket and there are no pointy edges digging into your leg.   It also has a magnetic ball marker and conveniently packs away in your pocket.  This tool is all metal for solid grip and feel

See the Divot Tool Here

club brush -golf present

Club Brush

This club brush from Frogger is awesome.  Clicks right onto your bag and has a retractable feature to quickly access during a round.  Use the metal brush to clean your clubs when needed.  Very durable and long lasting.   It has a 2.5-foot retractable attachment cord and ergonomic grip make it easy to keep your clubs clean. The sharp and secure groove cleaner gets out even the most stubborn dirt and debris. This product was awarded  “Best New Product” at the PGA Merchandise Show.

Check out the Club Brush Here

golf duffle bag in green - golf gift for him

Golf Travel/ Golf Shoe Bag

My husband loves items that have multiple purposes and this is just one of the reasons he loves the Ogio Half Dome Bag.  You can use this for golf or the gym.  Ogio bags are really durable and have plenty of cool features.  This bag has a shoe compartment with vents to keep your bag from getting smelly.  It is also large enough to carry clothes for short golf weekend.  The Ogio Half Dome bag also comes in a variety of colors.  The OGIO Half Dome Duffel Bag is the perfect gift for the golfer on the go.  This bag has all-metal hardware which gives a clean, professional look. The front zipper pocket is great for keeping essentials accessible yet secure. The webbed shoulder strap is designed to enhance comfort and support, and the bag fits easily in a gym locker or the car trunk.  

Check out the Ogio Half Dome Duffle Bag Here

 

golf polo shirt nike dryfit

Nike Victory Polo

Short sleeve polos are the staple of any golfing wardrobe.  This Nike polo is made from Dri-FIT technology.  Translation:   It is cool in the summer and wicks away moisture.  Perfect for those hot summer days on the course. The Nike Dri-FIT Victory Polo provides the soft feel of double-knit fabric with sweat-wicking power to help you stay dry, round after round. It is available in many colors and in stripes.  It features a regular fit to give a relaxed feel while maintaining a polished appearance.

Check out the Nike Victory Polo Here

 

golf ball gift idea Titleist Pro V1 balls

 

Titleist Pro-V1 Golf Balls

These are the “#1 Ball in Golf”.  Every golfer would love to have a new set of the Titleist Pro-V1’s.  They must be #1 because I find more Pro-V1’s than any other golf ball in the rough.  Stock up on these balls for your Dad and he will be forever in your debt. For golfers looking to shoot their best scores, the Titleist® Pro V1® golf ball provides total performance from tee to green with penetrating flight and very soft feel.

Check out Titleist Pro-V1 Golf Balls Here

collegiate golf maker - golf present for sports fan

Collegiate Golf Ball Marker

Add some spice to the college fan who plays golf.  These markers are magnetic so they can easily be attached to a hat or belt.  Pick your guy’s favorite college team to make it special. It includes two interchangeable iron stamped ball markers embellished with collegiate trademark and is packaged in hangable clamshell.

Click here to see the Collegiate Golf Ball Marker

 

golf club umbrella golf gift idea

Golf Club Umbrella

Who hates getting their club wet in the rain?  Basically everyone.  One of my husband’s partners had this smart golf club umbrella from Drizzle Stik and he had to get one.  It’s the perfect size to protect your clubs during those pesky downpours.  Just stick in the bag like any other club.  Pop it up if it rains and you are good to go.  It Keeps your golf gear protected and dry with a convenient flex spring top which allows the canopy to pivot in any direction for easier club access. the telescoping shaft and matching sleeve allows the drizzlestik to be stored neatly in your golf bag. It made of durable nylon construction.

See the Golf Club Umbrella Here 

 

golf gloves gift footjoy golf gloves 2 pack

Golf Gloves

FootJoy makes a really nice golf glove.  These WeatherSoft gloves are exactly how they sound.  Nice and soft.  Golf gloves wear out fast, so it’s always nice to have a pair of extra gloves in your bag. The #1 selling golf glove in the world combines revolutionary performance with maximum durability along with a consistent, soft feel. More than 90 million WeatherSof gloves have helped golfers to perform at their peak in all weather conditions. One in every five golfers in the United States prefers the technologically-advanced model of WeatherSof. FJ, The #1 Glove in Golf. Exclusive FiberSof material provides the most advanced combination of a consistent fit, soft feel, and a secure grip.

Check out Golf Gloves Here

golf digest magazine

Golf Digest Magazine Subscription

If your guy obsesses over golf like my husband, then he would love a subscription to Golf Digest to always stay current.  Golf Digest has tons of tips and advice throughout the year.  Also, the Annual Hot List is a must have especially when its time for new clubs.  Getting a subscription is way cheaper than picking up an occasional magazine. This makes it one of our best golf gift for men. 

Golf Digest Magazine Subscription – through Amazon-  Be careful they often have an auto-renew option that is why I like to but magazines through Discount Mags – link below

Golf Digest Magazine Subscription – through Discount Mags – they often run great specials – or use code BARGAINSHOPPERMOM for an extra 20% off or try code 5OFF10 for $5 off

Special Father’s Day Golf Savings and Coupon Codes

Free Shipping! Free 2-day shipping for all orders $50+ on TaylorMade Golf with code FATHERSDAY19

Coupon Offer! Extra 20% off TaylorMade Golf Sale Accessories + Free Shipping! Use code: SALE20

 

If you love this list of the Best Golf Gifts for Men and you need more gift ideas, be sure to check out our great gift ideas page. We add more gift ideas and shopping tips throughout the whole year. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter so all the updates come right your inbox.

If you are interested in finding deals on gifts for the entire family, check out our EverydaySavvy Deals Group on Facebook.

 

button gift ideas

 

 

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

June 7, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Father’s Day is coming up soon and finding that perfect gift for dad can be hard. My friends over at Savings.com rounded up some great Father’s Day gift ideas. I am all about experience or useful gifts. I think my husband would love tickets to a game or a concert. This is listed on page 4 of the gift guide below.  Tickets to a Tigers game is always a great gift for the Detroit sports lover.  We also just bought a new house so I can see many of the DIY gifts on page 2 being very useful too.  I think he would prefer a gift that is more fun though than work around the house related.

Check out the gift ideas below. You can click through each one to get more details and on a few, there even is a coupon code you can use as well.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas


 

If you are more of a DIY kind of person, check out these cute printable Father’s Day Tie printable bottle tags and cupcake toppers.

These printable tags can be added to store bought cupcakes to make a cute dessert for a Father’s Day get together. The bottle hang tag can be added to any soda, beer, or wine bottle for an easy DIY Father’s Day gift or just as festive party decorations.

 

Need more Gift Ideas? 

Click here to check out our many gift ideas on our ultimate list of gift buying ideas. We have lots more gift ideas for men, women, and kids!

 

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist – Clean & Organize June Tasks

May 30, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

This kitchen cleaning checklist will help you deep clean, declutter and organize your kitchen. This checklist includes all the tasks we often forget.

Summer is here, the kids are home and likely more time will be spent outdoors. While June will find us entertaining outdoors we will still be spending a lot of time in the heart of the home- the kitchen. That is why this Kitchen Cleaning Checklist is so helpful. The kitchen is where we store and prep for indoor and outdoor entertaining so let’s give it a thorough cleaning to get ready!
[Read more…]

Cute Mother’s Day Gifts – Easy & Last Minute Pick Up in Store Options

May 10, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

If you are on the lookout for cute Mother’s day gifts that are perfect for mom, you have come to the right place. We have lots of easy Mother’s Day gifts that your mom will love.

 cute Mother's Day gifts - spa sets, mother's day mugs

 

We partnered with JCPenney to help you with what to get mom for Mother’s Day.  Our favorite gift ideas are below but JCPenney includes so many unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for your mom and more that you will want to check them all out!  We love that JCPenney has such cute high-quality gifts at such a great price.

 

If you are looking for last minute Mother’s day gift ideas, many of the items we are highlighting are available for same day pick up at JCPenney. Talk about convenient. Just purchase online and your Mother’s day gifts will be ready to pick up later that day!

 

Moms do so much that I absolutely adore spa gift sets to help her unwind.  

bath salts, mother's day gift set, vanity tray

Cute Mother’s Day Gifts

I love this glam gold mirrored vanity tray that would be a great addition and stylish solution for mom’s makeup or spa needs. It fits easily on a bathroom counter or bedroom dresser. This luxury touch is perfect for mom. I also love this set of three bath salts that even come prepackaged in a cute box with a bow. Not only are these stylish but a super practical gift to spoil your mom. The bath fizzers in a jar I chose do not seem to be available anymore online. There are lots more options for bath fizzers here.

 

 

This 5 piece bath accessory set, includes a cute mug that says I “OMG My Mother Was Right About Everything”. I learned once I become a mom how this is very true! It also includes body lotion, shower gel, and bath salts. It is boxed up with a cute bow and the perfect easy Mother’s day gift.  Plus who can resist fuzzy socks and foot cream? Again, packaged up in a cute box and bow for mom.  It is sold online but I still see it available for in-store pick near me. You can order online and then pick up in store later that same day if you order before 3:00 pm. 

 

 

 

Another cute Mother’s day gift idea is to gift her the items she needs for her busy day.

I love this theme gift idea.  First, a “Super Mom” Mother’s day mug to help her get caffeinated. If you don’t want a travel mug, the “Wonder WoMom” mug is so cute too!  Next, this adorable floral bag to take with her with “Pretty Little Things”. It comes in lots of other styles and patterns too. See them all here. Last but not least … a rose gold tumbler for winding at the end of a busy day.  You could make a cute Mother’s day gift basket with these items that any mom would love.

I have already started using the Super Mom travel mug. Sometimes you just need a little reminder. I am wearing the Navy Floral Top from our JCPenney Spring Capsule wardrobe. If you want to get mom some cute spring clothing, it includes lots of cute spring outfits.

 

I hope this helps with some inspiration of what to get mom this Mother’s day. There are so many more ideas over on the JCPenney Mother’s Day Gift Idea Page with everything from jewelry to mommy and me sets.  I think the matching PJs and purse sets are so cute! Too bad my teens won’t go along with that anymore. I hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating with the moms and mother figures in your life!

 

 

Get Ready For Summer – Clean & Organize Tasks for May

April 30, 2019 By Melissa 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Get Ready for Summer with this easy printable task list. These tasks will have you all ready to enjoy summer this year without running around later.

We are in the final weeks of spring and headed hard and fast towards summer! Time for vacations, leisure time, and all that summer brings. Let’s get the house ready for summer guests and summer activities that you can enjoy guilt-free because you are working so hard to clean and organize your home!

Kids will be out of school before you know it so we are going to focus on getting their spaces decluttered and ready for a technology light summer- indoors and out! This list will help you get ready for summer!  [Read more…]

Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt: Tips and Tricks

April 13, 2019 By Heidi 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Tips, tricks and where to find supplies for a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt

 

Your kids will think you are the coolest Mom ever for hosting a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt. This is the perfect family activity or if you have family coming into town that is staying overnight for Easter, what a fun way to keep the kids busy. You just need a few simple supplies. This hunt is great for families that are trying to cut back on candy. [Read more…]

Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Teenage Boys

April 4, 2019 By Heidi Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Easter Basket Ideas Teen Boy

If you have a mix of ages at home or just want to keep up with the Easter basket tradition, we can help you with Easter basket ideas for teenage boys. I like to fill my kids’ baskets with useful items and mix it up with a little bit of candy. They love receiving a few special treats in their basket. We found some fun Easter basket ideas in all price ranges.

 

To save this fun list for later, be sure to “pin-it” to your Pinterest boards. Be sure to join our deals Everyday Savvy Deals Facebook group to find out about money-saving deals during the Easter season and all year long.

[Read more…]

Easter Basket Ideas for Kids – Outdoor Toys

April 2, 2019 By Heidi Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Easter Basket Ideas for Kids – Outdoor Toys

Get ready for Spring with some really fun outdoor toys in your kids’ baskets this year. I love tucking a really fun outdoor toy in my kids’ Easter basket and they are just thrilled on Easter morning. It gets them excited about playing outside and I can hide the fact that I didn’t stuff their Easter baskets with tons of candy. We have found so many neat options for kids of all ages. Check out our huge list of great ideas.

To save this fun list to your Pinterest for later, press the “pin-it” button above.  [Read more…]

Clean & Organize April Task List

April 1, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Want a clean and organized home? Grab these monthly task list with free printables that will get you on track.

Summer is bearing down on us and it’s time to start getting everything in order for entertaining and of course winding up tax season. Let’s work our way through the office (or at least the office area), the bedroom, bathroom, and end up outdoors to polish up the living space we will likely be spending a lot of time in for the next several months. This is my favorite time of year and updating and cleaning will make downtime much more enjoyable.

Take it one small task at a time throughout the year with our series and you can tackle it all easily! We want to help you clean and organize your home the way that works best for you!

Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes. If it works for you do each task on the corresponding date, if not just use it as a list of tasks, some days you may get more than one done. You may wish to take off the weekend and double up on weekdays or vice versa. I want you to be successful so do what works best for you.

My friend’s over at Grove Collective made a special Spring Cleaning Offer for my readers with Mrs. Meyer’s is featuring three limited-edition scents for spring: mint, peony, and lilac.

You can try the scents for yourself FREE from Grove Collaborative when you place your first order of $20 using my link.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring hand soap
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring dish soap
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring multi-surface spray
  • Grove Collaborative bubble-up brush
  • Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges

Existing customers will get free Grove walnut scrubber sponges, which are perfect for all your spring cleaning.

Check out this special cleaning offer

It is so handy to have cleaning products come right to your doorstep and they make it easy to cancel auto shipments so you can just order whenever you want or you can easily cancel.

Sign up to get your free Clean and Organize List for Every Month This Year

Be sure to see the full list and helpful hints below the printable sign up!

 

 

Here is the full list of tasks with some links to tools that will help!

 

In the office…

 

1. Give your desk drawers a good end of tax season purging- If you don’t have a lot of time just spend 5 minutes on each drawer making quick decisions on what stays, goes, and reorganizing.

 

2 . Shred paperwork and bills you no longer need- Invest in an inexpensive shredder or you could also rip them up a bit and burn them in your fireplace/firepit.

 

3. Go through your email – Unsubscribe from at least 5 things to clean up that inbox, try doing this once each week for the month and you will have it cleaned up in no time.

 

4. Blow out keyboard- Hit the tower, printer, and any other electronics in the room with compressed air to keep your computer in top working shape.

 

5. Sort through pens and pencils on the desk-Toss out any that are no longer functional, a quick scratch on a piece of scrap paper will tell you if they are working.

 

6. Finish sorting and filing last-minute tax documents- Papers and receipts can be put in the tickler file, the last several years of returns can be stored away.

 

7. Swap out winter shoes for lighter ones- Make way for tennis shoes, sandals, and strappy heels in your closet.

 

8. Grab a garbage bag, set a timer for 10 minutes- Make a quick sweep through the house filling it with items to donate- hit the closet, kitchen cabinets, wherever you need to purge.

 

9. Change your bed linens for lighter- No only is it nice to use spring weights in warmer weather bright or clean colors add a touch of spring to your room.

 

10. Wash and store heavy throws in the living room- Add a few light ones in spring shades

 

11. Spray shower tile well with cleaner/mildew remover- Wait 15 minutes, then rinse well. Repeat if there are tough spots that are not coming clean.

 

12. Clean out your makeup- Toss old or broken makeup, treat yourself to a new bronzer or another item for your summer makeup bag.

 

13. Go through your purse- Purge out unnecessary items, swap out for a pretty spring/summer bag.

 

14. Replenish guest toiletries in bathroom and guest room- Make a nice basket under the sink with travel or full-size shampoo, soaps, razors, etc. In the guest room leave lotions, sprays, and other creature comforts for visitors.

 

15. Take 10 minutes and go through toiletries- Toss out nearly empty shampoo bottles, out of date creams, etc.

 

16. Toss ice, lemon peels, and baking soda in garbage disposal- Run it through a cycle, this task is best repeated monthly to sanitize and sharpen blades.

 

17. Spend 15 minutes playing with your kids-  Help them choose 5 toys to donate to charity or toss out.

 

18. Go through board games- Toss out those with missing pieces, donate no longer used ones.

 

19. Descale coffee pot with vinegar- Run several water cycles through to rinse well afterwards.

 

20. Change out air/heat filters-Replace them with good new hepa air filters. Consider calling in a professional to check and service your system before the hot season.

 

21. Grab a cleaning cloth – Wipe down all interior doors and doorknobs, don’t forget the trim ledge above!

 

22. Clean oven- Spray with cleaner, leave overnight and wipe it out in the morning.

 

23. Do a quick walk through in your garage- clear out empty paint cans, oil bottles, etc.. Be sure to dispose of them properly, items like this can’t just be thrown in the trash. Your local dump usually has areas for such items and they can process them the right way.

 

24. Fertilize- Add fertilizer and grass seed to your lawn with a spreader or by hand if it’s a small space.

 

25. Go through outdoor equipment-Bikes, balls, swing sets, etc… and make necessary repairs or toss items out.

 

26. Clean leaves and other debris from your ac’s evaporator/condenser- Turn power off at the breaker and give it a rinse with the hose as well.

 

27. Give the kids outdoor toys some attention- Spray with bleach let it sit 10 minutes, hose clean. Items like playhouses, sandboxes, and other large items tend to get dirty and often covered in mold from sitting outdoors. Looking for some more fun outdoor toy for kids check them out here. 

 

28. Start packing up spring/Easter items in storage- The end of the month is a good time to start packing these items back in storage to get ready for summer time.

 

29. Pull out your stored patio cushions- Give patio furniture a good scrubbing, replace cushions that need it, and reset your outdoor sitting areas.


30. Place 1/2 dozen pretty new plants in the ground- Or in containers to brighten your yard. Annuals from home improvement stores or your local nursery are cheap and add a pop of color to the yard.

More great info here

Simple Steps to Help Keep Your House Clean 

Routines to Help you Get Your Home Organized 

Get Organized with a Nightime Routine

 

 

Want a clean and organized home? Grab these monthly task list with free printables that will get you on track.

Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

April 1, 2019 By Heidi 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

If you plan to build your own Easter basket this year and need some fun ideas for girls, we have found some great non-candy items. At our house, I like to do just a tiny bit of candy and a few small other things. Sometimes I like to include a book, some small toys and other years, I add art supplies or fun things for the upcoming Summer. I like to choose practical items or things that will last my kids a while. Check out all of our great ideas.

Be  sure to save this list on your Pinterest boards for later.  [Read more…]

Spring Cleaning List – Deep Cleaning House Checklist & Calendar

March 26, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Get your own Deep Cleaning House Checklist to help you organize your spring cleaning.

deep cleaning house checklist

With the weather warming up, you may be considering tackling some spring cleaning. There is something about warmer weather, sunshiney days, and things growing beautifully outside that gets the cleaning bug really going. Here are a few things you may want to tackle when you get ready to spring clean your home. Additionally, we made a deep cleaning house checklist for you that you can print and mark off after you finish the tasks. There also is a deep cleaning calendar if you want to assign certain tasks to certain days. 

Here are a few more details for the spring cleaning list

Furniture

If your couch cushions have removable covers, take them off and throw them in the wash. Otherwise, use an upholstery cleaner to clean them well. Then remove the cushions and vacuum all of the crooks and crannies. This Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner looks like a great tool for this type of job. 

Strip your beds and vacuum and flip the mattresses. Now would be a good time as well to wash the dust ruffle and other decorative linens. While the bed is stripped, check underneath (if you dare) and see if there are dust bunnies that need to be evacuated. This is also a good time to replace your bed pillows. The rule of thumb is to replace your pillow every 1 to 2 years. Certain types of pillows last longer than others, due to the quality and construction of their materials.  

You most likely polish your wooden furniture with cleaner or a duster frequently, but now is a good time to remove everything from your shelves and furniture and thoroughly clean. Take a furniture pen and buff out all of the scuffed and marred areas. 

Kitchen

Kitchens are a great place to focus your spring cleaning efforts. Start with your pantry and food cupboards. Go through and check expiration dates and throw out foods that are no longer good. Donate foods to a food pantry that you don’t think you’ll ever use.

Tackle your utensil drawer – you know the one. The one that has a specialty tool for every kitchen job. If you’ve only used that hot dog slicer or avocado caddy once since you bought it, get rid of it. Organize all of your cooking and serving utensils. Get rid of orphaned food container lids. 

Thoroughly clean all of your appliances, both small and large. From your freezer to your toaster, make sure to get everything really good and cleaned. Clean your oven and oven door to get your statement appliances looking great.

spring cleaning

Clothing

Now is the time to put away the winter clothing and pull out all of the summer items. Go through your children’s clothing before packing them up and donate or hand down items that no longer fit. Get rid of the items that are worn or threadbare. With the adult items, get rid of clothing that hasn’t been worn in a long time.

A good tactic for the adult clothing is to turn all of your clothing with your hangers hooked the opposite direction than they are supposed to. When you wear that item, place it back in the closet with the hanger in the correct direction. At the end of the season, any hangers that are still facing backward, that item gets donated. You may want to consider a capsule wardrobe to lessen the number of pieces of clothing you purchase. 

This is a good time of year to tackle any mending that needs to be done. Turn on your latest Netflix binge, or some great music, and sit and relax while mending hems and replacing buttons. Another clothing item that you may need to tackle is the dreaded sock basket. The same theory can apply – make it enjoyable with a movie or music. 

Miscellaneous

Decorative linens are another thing that you may not think to clean on a regular basis. A great way to clean curtains is just to take them down and toss them in the dryer with a dryer sheet for about ten minutes. It will get all of the dust off, the wrinkles out, and give them a fresh look and smell.

Make sure to wash all of your decorative throw pillows and blankets as well. This is a good time to get rid of any of those pillows and blankets that have become badly stained or worn throughout the year.

Electronics could also use a spring cleaning. Get a pack of canned air and use it to blow out all of the vents of your gaming consoles, television, and computer tower. Use the same product to clean your laptop keys as well. Use electronic cleaning wipes to give all of your devices a good wipe down.

These are just a list of some items that you may not have considered tackling during Spring Cleaning. Be sure to sign up below to get your printable spring cleaning checklist.

 

As I’ve gotten get older (and busier), I’ve learned that spring cleaning doesn’t have to to be a huge, time-consuming affair in order to be effective.

Even if you don’t have time for a deep clean, something as simple as throwing open the windows or wiping down the countertops with a spring-scented cleaner can breathe new life into a tired space.

 

To help you refresh your home, my friends at Grove Collaborative are offering a free spring cleaning set with your first order of $20:

  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring hand soap
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring dish soap
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Spring multi-surface spray
  • Grove Collaborative bubble-up brush
  • Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges

Existing customers will receive free Grove walnut scrubber sponges — they’re sustainably made and perfect for all your spring cleaning tasks!

After a dreary winter, I always look forward to the return of spring and Mrs. Meyer’s spring scents: Mint, Peony, and Lilac. Mint smells just like the real thing — sweet and cool. Peony and Lilac are subtle floral scents that remind me of a spring garden in bloom.

To me, a clean home begins with the products you use — so I’m always looking for ways to eliminate toxins in my cleaning routine. All of Mrs. Meyer’s products are made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils, so I can feel good using them around my family.

In addition to Mrs. Meyer’s soaps and multi-surface spray, the spring cleaning set comes with a limited edition Grove Collaborative bubble-up brush with a beautiful wildflower print. Not only does it look beautiful sitting next to my sink, it also makes the task of doing dishes much more enjoyable!

Now that sunny days are in the forecast, I’m all for anything that helps me get things done faster and have more time to enjoy the outdoors.

That’s where Grove Collaborative comes in! Grove makes creating a healthy, beautiful home effortless and affordable. They hand-select the best natural products and deliver them (carbon offset) right to your doorstep, on your schedule. Grove has you covered for all your spring cleaning needs.

After your first order, Grove will recommend a personalized monthly shipment so you never run out of the products you love. You can add or remove products or change your shipment schedule with a few clicks.  You are not required to get a shipment each month. You can change the shipment date to whatever works best for you and you can cancel at any time. 

When you sign up for Grove using my link, you’ll get the spring cleaning set for free with your first order of $20. Plus, if you spend at least $39, you’ll receive a beautiful stoneware tray for free! It’s the perfect size to hold your hand soap, dish soap, and bubble-up brush.

Once you’ve submitted your Grove order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial.  I love being a VIP because I get perks like free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service.

I absolutely love their kitchen towels. There are so well made. I want to throw out all my other kitchen towels and just use these.

Here is a great sample cart to get you to your $20 so you can get all the other items free. (You will need to just search kitchen towels and countertop cleaning set to find the items on their site)

  • Two pack of kitchen towels – $9.95
  • Countertop cleaning set – includes 28 oz Antibac All Purpose Spray, Set of 3 Microfiber Cloth – $11.99

When you sign up for Grove using my link, you’ll get the spring cleaning set for free with your first order of $20. There is no obligation to buy anything more and you can cancel at any time. I am hooked though and order every few months 🙂

I hope this helps you make spring cleaning easier.

If you are interested in getting cleaning checklists sent to your inbox each month, you may want to join our cleaning and organizing challenge. Where we give you simple cleaning and decluttering tasks to complete throughout your home each month. Take it one small task at a time throughout the year with our series and you can tackle at it all easily! We want to help you clean and organize your home the way that works best for you! Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes.

 

Fun & Unique Ideas for Easter Baskets for Boys

March 21, 2019 By Heidi 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Easter Baskets for Boys

If you are filling easter baskets for boys this year, we have some great ideas of non-candy items you can put in your baskets this year. At our house, we put just a small amount of candy in the kids’ baskets and we like to add a few small toys or books to fill the baskets. They already get so much candy at local Easter egg hunts that we like to limit the sweets, plus I like to restock things like art supplies, reading materials or outdoor toys. We found lots of fun things in all price ranges to help you shop for Easter this year.

To pin this list to your Pinterest boards for later, press the “pin-it” button above.

 

If you are interested in finding deals on gifts for the entire family, check out our EverydaySavvy Deals Group on Facebook.

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Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Teenage Girls

March 18, 2019 By Heidi Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Cool and Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Teen Girls

My teen is hard to buy for and you will love these unique easter basket ideas for teen girl. I still fill a basket for her and I don’t like to be all candy. I look for small, useful items to mix in with a few candy treats like books, hair accessories, phone accessories or small games to play with her friends at get togethers.

 

 

1. Gimme Thick Hair Bands

These all new Gimme Thick Hair Bands make a useful and fun Easter basket idea for teen girls. Your teens will love the cute pony lift they get from this band to create adorable hairstyles without the breakage. These bands don’t stretch out and they are washable and they are great for thick hair. Each pack comes with 6 bands.

 

 

2. Bullet Journal

These super affordable bullet journals are all-the-rage for creative teens. It’s fun, imaginative and a great activity. The Bullet Journal is an analog system created by Ryder Carroll, a Designer based in New York. In his words, the Bullet Journal is meant “to help you track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.” It’s an amazing system that keeps a record of everything you could ever want to toss at it. It can be your task manager, sketchbook, journal, idea catcher, and much more! The Bullet Journal is a organizational system in a notebook that keeps track of anything you would like to write down in an coherent way.

 

3. Convertible Lazy Cell Phone Holder

The Convertible Phone Holder is super flexible, and your teen can bend it into any shape to meet what their needs. My tween and teen have these and they have been a big hit for hands-free phone use! Your teen can strap it around their neck to watch a movie, they can wrap it around their car or bicycle steering wheel or it can stand up or be tucked into a bed frame. There are so many uses for this Convertible Cell Phone Holder. It comes with both white and black and it is compatible with almost every size of phone from 2.2 inches (minimum) to 3.34 inches (maximum) Wide. For example, it can hold an iPhone 8 plus with a general case easily. This holder comes in a box that is 6.25 x 7.5 inches wide, 1.25 inches deep.

 

 

4. My Tagalongs Earbud Case

Tangled cords are a thing of the past with this zip-closure velvet earbud case from MYTAGALONGS. Cushioned case with interior tab to wind cords around with a mesh pocket for quick, tangle-free storage in any bag. Fits charging cords, credit cards and transit cards too for use as a slim, petite wallet! This is the perfect case to keep your teen organized and it makes a great Easter basket idea for teen girl. This case is tiny at just 3.5”l x 4.5”w x 0.5”h.

 

5. Super Simple Hand Lettering Book

Your teen will love transforming simple words into stunning works of art with this easy introduction to hand lettering! Super Simple Hand Lettering is a valuable resource for any artist, whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced designer looking to expand your technique. Learn to create your own unique lettering for everything from thank you notes to photo mats, mugs, clipboards, and more. Hand lettering expert Kiley Bennett gets you started right away with sage advice, traceable alphabets, inspirational prints, and fun lettering projects. Super Simple Hand Lettering: 20 Traceable Alphabets, Easy Projects, Practice Sheets & More! by Kiley Bennett includes all the alphabets for the different styles lettering. She has illustrations of which direction to begin your lettering had where to fill the area in more. Even for someone that doesn’t have pretty handwriting she makes it easy for your letters to be pretty too. Handy tracing paper is included with this book!

 

6. Unstable Unicorn Strategy Game

This highly-reviewed, Unstable Unicorn Strategy Game started off as a Kickstarter project and it is a great game for teens. It is a strategic card game about everyone’s two favorite things: Destruction and Unicorns!

You start with a Baby Unicorn in your Stable. SO CUTE! But don’t get too attached, because even Baby Unicorns aren’t safe in this game! There are over 20 Magical Unicorns to collect, and each has a special power. Build your Unicorn Army as fast as you can, or be destroyed by one of your so-called friends! Seek revenge or protect your stable using your Magic! Sound easy? Not so fast. Someone could have a Neigh Card (Get it? Neigh?) and send the game into MADNESS! The first person to complete their Unicorn Army shall hereafter be known as The Righteous Ruler of All Things Magical… at least until the next game.

 

7. iCloth Device Wipes

Solve your teen’s dirty device problems with these iCloth Wipes. These cleaning wipes are for use on Glasses, Chromebooks, Tablets, Smartphones, Sunglasses, Eyeglasses, Cameras and other small electronics. Teens love easy and these wipes are easy to use and individually packaged. This one-step wipe removes skin oils, grease, germs and grime fast! Leaving the device surface looking like new. They were developed to be safe for use on expensive equipment. This set comes with 3 boxes with 30 individually wrapped wipes in each box (90 total).

 

8. All Natural Henna Tattoo Freestyle Kit

Your teen will love creating safe and fun temporary tattoos using this premium Jagua, fruit-based tattoo kit by Earth Henna. Use for all occasions, these temporary tattoos look just like real tattoos and last 1-2 weeks! Dermatologically lab tested for safety, the creators of this kit have ensured this product is up to standards and safer than any other product on the market. Completely safe for children and adults alike, this kit can be used by the entire family! Your teens can freestyle draw or you can order henna stencils for them to use with this kit. Henna may stain, so be sure they are careful when applying!

 

9. Hydroflask Water Bottle

These Hydroflask drink bottles are all-the-rage for high schoolers. They are pricey, but work amazingly well. The TempShield technology keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for up to 6 hours. Your teen can stay cool and hydrated all day long, no matter where her adventures take her. Choose from an assortment of colors and styles.

 

10. Ooly Calligraphy Duo Pen Set

Bullet journals and fancy lettering are all the rage for teen girls. They will love creating art with these Ooly Calligraphy Duo pens. This set includes 12 colored, dual-tip calligraphy markers so your artist can create beautiful writing and brush lettering in one set!

 

 

11. The Game of Things

Keep your teen and friends busy with this highly-reviewed The Game of Things. In this hilarious game, you read a topic card and then write down your response. It can be anything that comes to mind, there’s no right or wrong answer! Then all the responses are read aloud and you have to figure out who said what! You won’t believe the THINGS… the people you know will come up with!

 

 

 

12. Da Bomb Bath Bombs

These Da Bomb bath bombs are packaged perfectly for gift giving and work great for Easter baskets. They are in a cool black packaging and have catchy names and colors. They are both affordable and fun for tweens. What a special treat!

 

13. NYX Makeup Setting Spray

This highly-reviewed and affordable (under $9) NYX Makeup Setting Spray will keep help her makeup stay put all day long. For that fresh makeup look that lasts, the NYX Makeup Setting Spray – Matte is a gorgeous shine-free matte finish that is lightweight and comfortable while working hard to make sure your makeup stays put.

 

14. Holographic Makeup Bag

Mermaid dreams do come true with this gorgeous Holographic Makeup Bag. Your teens will love how it changes colors as you move it. This hologram makeup bag is crafted from Scratch-resistant/Durable/Water-resistant high-quality TPU(better than PVC) material, completed with a sturdy silver zipper to keep your makeup in place. It is the perfect size for organizing and storing all of her beauty essentials; Dimensions: 7.9″L x 4″W x 4.3″H.

 

15. OXO Good Grips Heat Resistant Silicone Travel Pouch for Curling Irons and Flat Irons

I bought my teen one of these super affordable OXO Good Grips Heat Resistant Silicone Travel Pouches for her flat iron last year. It has been one of my best purchases! It keeps her from dropping her flat iron on the floor or on her foot. The Pouch doubles as a non-slip mat and is heat-resistant up to 450 F. The textured surface keeps outside of Pocket cool and prevents Pocket from slipping off your bathroom countertop. Rushing to pack up for a trip? The silicone Pouch safely and conveniently stores still-hot hair tools, cord and all. It comes two great colors – Pink or Gray.

 

16. Tweexy Nail Polish Bottle Holder Ring

Tweexy is the first of its kind wearable polish holder that fits all finger sizes and every size nail polish bottle, from the mini ‘collections’ to the largest, luxury brands. It is made of silicone and it is soft to the touch and fits securely on two fingers of your hand (or on your thumb). The Tweexy bottle grip system securely holds any size bottle, even when your hand is held upside and shaken; yet the bottle can be easily removed from the Tweexy. The two expandable rings are thick enough to naturally keep fingers separated during polishing, allowing your hand to relax. Tweexy has two rubber wings built into the form (we call them ‘squeeze-tabs’) that act as levers and pull open the Tweexy finger rings (which also slide on like a jewelry ring) to accommodate different finger sizes. When you have completed polishing one hand you can effortlessly pull the Tweexy off (vertically) and transfer it to your opposite hand, all without smearing your freshly applied polish. During the transfer, the bottle remains securely held in the crown. Reach every last drop of polish by tilting your hand. It also has a bottle base gripping system that allows you to open a bottle of polish with one hand simply by applying downward pressure on the bottle while twisting the cap.

 

 

 

17. Sonix Phone Cases

These clear/printed, highly-reviewed, L.A. designed Sonix Phone cases are hot right now with teens. They come in the cutest prints and are military drop-test certified to assist to protect the phone when dropped. Each case is also UV coated to prevent the design from being scratched and each Sonix case has a limited-lifetime warranty. They come in so many trendy prints-sunflowers, boba tea, lemons, palm leaves, gummy bears and so many more. Be sure to order the case that will fit your teen’s model of phone.

 

 

18. Cat Ear Shaped Selfie Light

With this cute, highly-reviewed Cat Ear-Shaped Selfie Light, your teen will be able to take great selfies in dark areas or whenever natural light is not available. This light can change to 9 different lighting adjustments: 3-level brightness, cold and warm light and with the clamp design, it can 360° rotatable, 60° adjustable, you can adjust the ring light for various uses – take selfies, make up, fill in light, as a night light, etc. The cute selfie ring light will light up your life. Make your selfies stand out on social media at all times it will brighten and soften your features, rather than casting harsh shadows across your face. It is lightweight and it can be easily carried in your purse. Now your teen will have no problem taking pictures at areas without light or at night time. Even extra light for applying makeup! It is USB Rechargeable: With Micro USB cable comes with the selfie light, you can charge it with computer, laptop, power bank, wall charger, and all USB powered supply. You can also use the ring light while charging.

 

 

19. F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers

“F” stands for “funny” in this perfect gift for students or anyone who has ever had to struggle through a test and needs a good laugh. Celebrating the creative side of failure in a way we can all relate to, F in Exams gathers the most hilarious and inventive test answers provided by students who, faced with a question they have no hope of getting right, decide to have a little fun instead. Whether in science (Q: What is the highest frequency noise that a human can register? A: Mariah Carey), the humanities (Q: What did Mahatma Gandhi and Genghis Khan have in common? A: Unusual names), math, or other subjects, these 250 entries prove that while everyone enjoys the spectacle of failure, it’s even sweeter to see a FAIL turn into a WIN. This paperback book makes a great stocking stuffer for teens! This bestselling series has other F in Exam books to choose from!

 

 

20. Wet Brush Paddle Brush

This Pro Wet Brush Paddle Brush great for detangling your teen’s hair. My teen uses this after a day at the lake or after sports when her hair is super tangly! She can brush wet hair anywhere easily with the Pro Select Condition Edition Paddle Brush Punchy Pink from Wet Brush. The Wet Brush set out on a mission to conquer the horrible issue of detangling hair without damage. This unique brush with IntelliFlex bristles that effortlessly run through hair and detangles wet or dry hair without pulling or tugging.

 

21. Times Square Jigsaw Puzzle

Just about every teen I know dreams about taking a fun trip to New York City. This super cool Times Square Adult Jigsaw Puzzle is a great activity for teens. They will love the vibrant colors of this 2000-piece puzzle. Every Buffalo Games jigsaw puzzle is manufactured in the United States of America from recycled puzzle board. They use a precision cutting technique to ensure the pieces perfectly snap into place.

 

 

 

22. The Freshman Survival Guide

Older teens will love this book, The Freshman Survival Guide to help them prepare for college. This book is a strikingly clever work from Bradbury and McGarvey in which the potentially tremulous first weeks of college life are dissected into 25 must know survival tips. From healthy relationship building, to avoiding the disastrous pull of procrastination, the guide colorfully dispenses common sense and holistic development. The newest members of any college community will find in this guide a wonderful blend of down-to-earth advice and answers to the deepest of life questions. This book is a great gift to give a son or daughter, a niece or nephew, a godchild or grandchild who is heading off to college.

 

23. LoveHandle Phone and Tablet Grip

If your tween has a cell phone or a tablet, they will love these super cool LoveHandle phone elastic grips. They adhere to the device using a strong but removable no-residue 3M peel-n- stick adhesive. Featuring a patented slim-profile pocket-friendly design that won’t get in the way, the LoveHandle enables users to securely hold their devices without the risk of dropping them. They come in so many cute colors and patterns from marble, to boho, to solids, stripes and so many more! You can also buy them in packs of 2!

 

 

Be sure to check out our other Easter posts.

Tween Boy Easter Basket Ideas  – many of these work for girls too!

Easter Cupcake Decorations – Carrot Garden Cupcakes

Jelly Bean Bark Recipe – Easy Easter Treat

 Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

 Easter Basket Ideas for Boys

 Arts and Crafts Easter basket ideas for kids

 Outdoor Toy Easter basket ideas

Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers

 

Cool Easter Basket Ideas for Tween Boys

March 11, 2019 By Heidi 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Cool Easter Basket Ideas for Tween Boys

While your tweens might not still believe in the Easter bunny, you still might want to treat them to a few things for Easter, especially if they have siblings that still believe. We have found lots of great non-candy options to fill those baskets. We have a variety of items, in all price ranges to fit a variety of tween interests. You won’t want to miss our cool Easter basket ideas for tween boys.

To save this cool list of Easter basket ideas for later, press the “pin-it” button at the top of the page.  [Read more…]

Fun & Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Tween Girls

March 5, 2019 By Heidi 9 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Tween girls can be hard-to-please and if you need help filling Easter baskets this year, we have lots of great ideas they will love. My tween loves arts, crafts, games and other fun activities. I like to fill her basket with a few non-candy items for her to enjoy. We have filled this list with lots of great Easter basket ideas for tweens at all price points.

 

To save this cool list for later, press the “pin-it” button at the top of the page to save it to your Pinterest boards.

 

If you are interested in finding deals on gifts for the entire family, check out our EverydaySavvy Deals Group on Facebook.

[Read more…]

Clean and Organize Challenge – March Tasks

February 27, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

 

Light sweet spring breezes, flowers blooming, and the warm sunshine peeking through can only mean one thing- it’s time for sitting on the porch with a glass of sweet tea… and of course spring cleaning. Out with the old (winter items) and in with fresh new spring themed items, decluttering, and light cleaning. Take it one small task at a time throughout the year with our series and you can tackle at it all easily! We want to help you clean and organize your home the way that works best for you!

 

Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes. If it works for you do each task on the corresponding date, if not just use it as a list of tasks, some days you may get more than one done. You may wish to take off the weekend and double up on weekdays or vice versa. I want you to be successful so do what works best for you.

Sign up to get your free Clean and Organize List for March

Be sure to see the full list and helpful hints below the printable sign up!

 

 

Here is the full list of tasks with some links to tools that will help!

Clean and Organize March Task List

Sweep off front porch- swap welcome mat for a bright new spring one. I love the cute doormats from Target. Sweep cobwebs out of the corners and leaves off the porch.

Spot clean spills and stains on the sofa- Holiday entertaining is fun but it can leave little spots of fun all over your couch too in the form of dripped drinks and dips. Before they have more of a chance to settle in spot clean each one.

Do a little housecleaning on your computer- Transfer a month’s worth of photos to zip drive or cd to clear up some space.

Dust electronics-TV’s, stereos, computers, speakers, and cable boxes need periodic dusting to ensure they continue to work optimally.

Scrub grill grates- If you didn’t at the end of last season you will want to make sure your grill is all ready for BBQ season, check the propane level in the tank or stock up on charcoal.

Go through bathroom towels- toss out or cut old towels into rags to reuse in the garage or for dusting rags in the house, toss out the worst.

Check all outdoor window screens- Replace as needed, while you are doing your walk around it is also a good idea to check the window seals to keep your homes heat and air efficient.

Grab a garbage bag- set a timer for 10 minutes, and make a quick sweep filling with items to donate. Try to do this each month and you will be rid of clutter in no time.

Box up any winter gear you no longer need- Put it in storage but where it is still accessible for any late cold spells or storms that may hit.

Wash throw rugs then hang to dry- spot clean the ones too big to put in the washer.

Replace your shower curtain liner(s)- If you haven’t in the past couple years you may need to toss your old one and replace it.

Give your glass cooktop stove a good scrubbing- Use a non abrasive cleaner and attack the cooked on mess you’ve been avoiding.

Add a new candle- And maybe some fresh flowers to your main living area to lighten it up and bring spring inside.

Go through receipts- file the ones you need, toss those you don’t. Gather them from the car console, your purse, drawers, and baskets-wherever your hot spots are.

Dust heat and ac vents throughout the house- Replace or repair any that are peeling ,rusty, or replace main filter.

Update the virus protection software on your computer’s- Check your operating system for updates as well.

Spend 15 minutes playing with your kids- Help them choose 5 toys to donate to charity or toss out broken ones.

Deep clean the microwave- by heating up 1 cup of vinegar for 2 minutes. Wipe down well.

Empty and sanitize bathroom trash cans- I like to soak mine in bleach water for 10 minutes, drain, and add a couple drops essential oil in the bottom to fight germs and make them smell good.

Take stock of your pantry- Use up winter foods like soups and heavy sauces, add lighter spring items to your list.

Run an empty load through your washer- use hot water and 1 cup vinegar to sanitize it, refill the rinse aid compartment and put your dish washing pods in a pretty glass jar to store.

Throw open all the windows- Let the house air out for several hours. Not only is this great for removing the stale cooped up smell but fresh air will improve the air quality and

Donate any appliances you haven’t used in 6 months – Rice steamer, spiralizer, fondue pots, etc..

Thoroughly vacuum or sweep under couch- Slide over that coffee table and armchairs too.

Degrease your range hood- Use vinegar in a spray bottle to cut grease and disinfect.

Toss out toothbrushes- Replace with fresh new brushes and sanitize toothbrush holder- a forgotten about spot that needs to be cleaned frequently!

Empty one desk drawer- Toss and reorganize everything until it all has a home if you don’t have a home office desk clean out a junk drawer, nightstand drawer, or bathroom drawer.

Throw out expired condiments in the refrigerator- There is probably still things like cranberry mint jelly lurking from Christmas that is past it’s prime.

Check garden tools for rust-give hinges a good oiling for this year’s garden even if you are just doing container gardens and not a big plot get your gardening gear in top shape.

Sort last year’s seeds-peruse seed catalogues, or online if you really want to keep the clutter out, and order a few new varieties for this year.

More great info here

Simple Steps to Help Keep Your House Clean 

Routines to Help you Get Your Home Organized 

Get Organized with a Nightime Routine

Clean and Organize 365 – February

February 1, 2019 By Melissa 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

 

 

Get your monthly list of easy tasks that can help you keep your home clean and organized. Just 15 minutes a day can help you get on the right track!

 

While spring is still a long way away we can still make it feel fresh, clean, and airy indoors with some deep winter cleaning. Take it a day at a time with these small tasks to clean and organize and watch your house sparkle!

Instead of spending a month breaking your back getting it all done instead we will help break it up into smaller tasks over the entire year. We even have a printable monthly checklist that you can laminate and hang on your refrigerator or slip into your planner. I will be sharing 365 simple tasks that can be done each day to help you get your house in order this year.

Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes. If it works for you do each task on the corresponding date, if not just use it as a list of tasks, some days you may get more than one done. You may wish to take off the weekend and double up on weekdays or vice versa. I want you to be successful so do what works best for you.

Sign up to get your free Clean and Organize List for February

Be sure to see the full list and helpful hints below the printable sign up!

 

 

Here is the full list of tasks with some links to tools that will help!

Clean and Organize February Task List

Thin out Takeout menus, condiments, and supplies – We all have one of those drawers or baskets that overflow with sweet and sour sauce and sporks. Weed out menus and condiments, wipe it down if needed.

Wash throw pillows throughout house, place in dryer with a tennis ball to help shape- Remove cases if pillows are not machine washable, this will really help freshen up the living space.

Wash throw rugs, hang area rugs outdoors to air out, spot clean as needed- Pound rugs with a sturdy stick to remove dirt if they can’t be laundered and attack spots left over from the holidays before they set in.

Wipe down kitchen chairs from top to bottom and table legs or base with wood cleaner- A dreaded task to be sure but toast crumbs and dust add on on these spots and they need it!

Go through 2 kitchen cabinets toss or donate unused mugs,etc..- Most of us have a cabinet filled with mom mugs and chipped saucers, let’s thin it out!

Run a vinegar then water cycle through your coffee pot- I run a full pot ( or about 2 reservoirs full for a single cup brewer) and then several water cycles to rinse.

Swap out 5 photos in the frames hanging up on your wall to freshen up the area- Changing things up just a bit creates a new area for your eyes and makes it feel updated.

Grab a garbage bag, set a timer for 10 minutes- Make a quick sweep filling with items to donate. Hit every room in your house and grab at least one or two items from each.

Scrub behind and at the base of your toilets- Let cleaner soak for 10 minutes before wiping away, use a toothbrush around the floor bolts to get in really good.

Wipe down all switchplates in your home with antibacterial cleaner- It’s a good idea in the middle of flu season to hit those forgotten areas and kill the germs.

Clean off the top of the refrigerator- Wipe with a good degreaser and avoid putting anything back if you can help it. Keep clutter to a minimum!

Go through t shirt drawer, get rid of stained, ill fitting, or unwanted tops – One drawer at a time and before you know it we will have the dresser in order!

Rub coconut or olive oil onto your wooden cutting boards to recondition them- Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil, work it in with a soft cloth and remove excess. This will extend their life and make them look pretty on your counters.

Season your cast iron pan- Seasoning your cast iron pan keeps it in top shape and will make your recipes turn out perfect everytime. Scrub cast iron with hot soapy water, dry well, rub with a thick coat of vegetable oil using a cloth, bake upside down in an oven preheated to 325 for one hour (place a piece of foil on the lower rack to catch drips).

Clean out under kitchen sink, safely dispose of chemical bottles- Toss out empty containers, add items you are low on like sponges to your shopping list.

Dust/Clean all TV screens throughout the house-  Dust builds up and while it is not as noticeable as the TV is running it shows terrible when it’s dark. This electronics cleaner can make the job easy!

Put a fresh box of baking soda in the fridge and freezer- If you haven’t changed it in awhile now is the time. This 1 minute job makes a big difference on the smell or lack thereof in your fridge and freezer.

Take 15 minutes to gather and organize tax information- Begin tidying and making a folder for your receipts and other documents you may need for taxes.

Wipe down all interior doors throughout the house with a damp rag- Use a magic eraser for stubborn marks and scuffs.

Have items waiting for repair or dry cleaning? Make a trip around town and drop them off, stop for an iced coffee or ice cream to treat yourself for a job well done.

Wash pet bedding and any clothing they may have, air dry- Your pets and your nose will really appreciate fresh clean smelling bedding. Add a comfy blanket to keep them cozy through the remaining winter.

Clean hair brushes thoroughly- Use a comb to remove as much hair and dust from brush as possible. Soak brushes in hot soapy water for an hour, rinse, and allow to dry.

Dust all pictures and decor on the walls- Use a telescoping handle to get high and cut the dust down on out of reach photographs. This microfiber duster set with extendable handle makes the job easy.

Wipe down window sills throughout the entire house- A quick swipe of the sills takes just a minute but will have a big impact.

Scrub the front door well, change out your winter wreath if you have one- Create a welcoming front door that sparkles.

Visit the kids closet and pluck out 12 items to add to your donation box- Clothes, toys, games, etc…Even if you did a Pre Christmas cleanout you can surely squeeze out a few more items.

Give couches , throw pillows, and drapes a good spray with fabric deodorizer-  I love this natural alternative to Febreze. After the many bodies that have graced your couches during the holidays( some sleeping on them all night) they need a good freshening up!

Spend 10 minutes on the game shelf, toss games that are missing pieces, donate those not played with. Treat the family to a game night tonight! Looking for fun new family games? We love Exploding Kittens and Apples to Apples.

Grove Collaborative has a special offer of a healthy home essentials bundle to help people keep their homes stocked with the best products…all while staying warm inside.  When you place your first order of $20 from Grove using my link, you’ll get:

  • Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap
  • Seedling Paper Towels
  • Seedling Bath Tissue
  • Grove Walnut Scrubber Sponges
  • Free Shipping & VIP Trial

If you’re already a customer, you’ll get a free set of Grove walnut scrubber sponges, which are so pretty you won’t mind leaving them out by the sink.

Plus if you spend $39, you’ll get a beautiful stoneware tray for free! It’s perfect for holding your soaps and a sponge.

Check out this special cleaning offer

It is so handy to have cleaning products come right to your doorstep and they make it easy to cancel auto shipments so you can just order whenever you want or you can easily cancel.

 

 

Great Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Women

January 31, 2019 By Heidi Leave a Comment
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gifts with red ribbons

 

Sometimes my husband and I exchange little gifts on Valentine’s Day and he knows I appreciate very practical items. I would rather have something that I will use or wear all year long than for him to spend lots of money on flowers and stuffed animals. If you need gift ideas for women for Valentine’s Day, we have found some really cool and unique things for teens, signifigant others and other women in your life. There are lots of fun items in many price ranges to help surprise your loved one this year.  [Read more…]

Unique Valentine Gift Ideas for Men

January 29, 2019 By Heidi 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Great list of unique valentine gift ideas for men. We include ideas at many price points so you find just the right gift for the guy in your life.

 

Men are hard to buy for and if you exchange gifts, I try and find gifts that my husband will love. He would rather that I wrap up something useful in Valentine’s wrapping rather than gift him candy or stuffed animals. When choosing out a Valentine’s Day gift, I try and find something that my husband wouldn’t normally splurge on or a little something to make his life easier. If you are looking for Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Men, we have a great list of gift ideas that will help you find something unique for the men in your life. We tried to find really fun things in all price ranges to help you with your shopping this year. [Read more…]

How To Build The Ultimate Meal Planning Pantry & Pantry Inventory

January 22, 2019 By Melissa 4 Comments
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The easiest way to be successful in meal planning for your family is to always have certain items on hand.  These tips for building the ultimate meal planning pantry and pantry inventory will help you to have a lot of things on hand when needed to supplement your recipe list for easy meal planning. If you purchase the items for your meal planning pantry when they are on sale you can really save as well. [Read more…]

Valentine Quiz for Kids – Easy Valentine Kids Activity

January 10, 2019 By Melissa Leave a Comment
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Grab this cute free Valentine Quiz for kids. Print the quiz and record your kids' answers each year. A fun and easy Valentine Kid Activity.

One thing I am focusing one this year is memory keeping. My girls are growing up so fast and I am sad that I don’t have items like this Valentine Quiz for Kids from when they were young. I am going to make them complete the quiz this year but wish I would have started when they were little.

If you are a room mom or teacher this would be a great activity for a classroom Valentine’s Day party. I am sure most parents would love to receive this.

[Read more…]

How to Keep A House Clean – Simple Steps

January 8, 2019 By Melissa 2 Comments
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Wondering how to keep a house clean? It can be hard especially once you have kids who seem to make messes quicker then you can clean them up. If you have had a hard time committing to a daily cleaning schedule, or sometimes feel like all you ever do is wash dishes and straighten your home, maybe you need to add a few simple things to your daily routine to cut down on housework time. These tips can become automatic and will do wonders to cut down on the time it takes to keep your house straightened up.

Simple Steps on How To Keep a House Clean

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1. Clean As You Go

One of the quickest and most effective habits to create is to clean as you go! This may take some practice if it isn’t your natural tendency to be clean or orderly. But making it a priority to put things away as you use them and clean as you go is the best way to keep a clean and orderly home.

Taking those dozen extra steps to put your shoes in your room, or to hang your coat in the closet, or to put the shopping bag of items away will save so much time in the long run. It’s much easier to put things away immediately than it is to be facing an entire room full of things that are out of place at one time.

 

2. Have a Bathroom Routine – Bathroom Cleaning

Bathrooms are often the biggest drudgery to clean, but can be quickly cleaned each week if you make a simple daily habit. Chances are you have a nightly or every morning personal care routine – wash your face, brush your teeth, etc. Add a small step to that routine that will help keep your bathroom clean – wipe down the bathroom surfaces. Put a canister of cleaning wipes under the sink to grab and wipe down the sink, faucet, counter, and back of the toilet each night or morning. Or if you use disposable facial wipes, use that before tossing it to wipe everything down. It probably goes without saying, but make sure to use it for your face first. This bathroom wipe down habit will probably add less than a minute to your nightly routine, and will keep your bathroom looking freshly cleaned between actual cleanings.

 

3. Delegate Responsibilities

Repeat after me – I do not have to do everything by myself. It really is okay and a good idea to delegate house cleaning responsibilities to other members of your household. Even if your husband doesn’t load the dishwasher the most effective way possible, or if your children make a sloppy bed, it’s okay for things to not be done perfectly.

Especially with your children, it’s important to delegate tasks to help teach them the importance of keeping a neat and tidy home. Create a chore chart to help your children know who is in charge of which chore each day or week. If things aren’t getting done well, take a day to teach them a fast and effective way of completing their designated chore.

4. Beds, Dishes and Laundry

If you can only tackle a handful of daily chore habits – the three that will most likely make the biggest impact are the beds, the dishes, and the laundry. Make it an automatic to pull your blankets up and fluff your pillows each morning. Military corners and perfectly made beds aren’t necessary, but just having the blankets and pillows straightened will make a huge difference. Make it a family rule that no one goes to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. Waking up to a sink full of dirty dishes is a horrible way to start the day. Make sure to load and run the dishwasher before bed, or wash those last few dishes by hand. Then make it a morning automatic to put the dishes away when you wake up. Create a daily or every couple of days policy of finishing one full load of laundry. Letting your laundry pile up all week will most likely create an entire day of laundry and who wants to spend their weekends that way? Start a load in the morning, toss it in the dryer at lunch time or when you get home from work, and fold and put them away right after dinner. It will take minutes of your day and you won’t have to dread an entire day spent in the laundry room each week.

5. Perfection Is Unnecessary

This is the most important housekeeping tip of this list – you are not Martha Stewart and she most likely has paid help in the first place. And you know what – that is okay! Don’t allow a Pinterest-perfect world to give you the idea that you have to live in perfection as well. Keeping your home somewhat tidy and straightened will do wonders to alleviate stress and create a peaceful environment. But you can easily undo all of that serenity by having lofty and unattainable goals of a perfect home.

6. Use beautiful cleaning supplies: I know it sounds silly, but I’m way more motivated to clean and do dishes if I have nice supplies that I look forward to using. For example, Mrs. Meyer’s hand soaps and dish soaps are made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients, so they smell amazing and don’t irritate my skin. Plus, the matching set looks so nice sitting next to my sink!

Grove Collaborative has a special offer to help start the New Year with a clean home. When you place your first order of $20 from Grove using my link, you’ll get:

  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap
  • Free Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface spray
  • Free Grove Collaborative caddy
  • Free Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges
  • Free shipping & free VIP trial

If you’re already a customer, you’ll get a free set of Grove walnut scrubber sponges, which are so pretty you won’t mind leaving them out by the sink.

Switching to beautiful home care products has been a real game-changer for me. Because I look forward to getting out this stylish cleaning caddy, I’m much more inclined to stick to my cleaning routine. And dishes don’t feel like such a chore with a stylish sponge and lovely smelling dish soap.

Plus if you spend $39, you’ll get a beautiful stoneware tray for free! It’s perfect for holding your soaps and a sponge.

Grove hand-selects the best green products and delivers them (carbon offset) right to my doorstep, on my schedule. I get helpful reminders when it’s time to reorder, so that’s one less thing I have to think about.

As a VIP, I also get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. Once you’ve submitted your order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial so you can check it out for yourself!

Here’s how it works:

Learn more about Grove Collaborative here.

  1. Answer 4 quick questions about your home that Grove Collaborative will then use to customize your first basket — this takes under 30 seconds!
  2. Once you’ve answered the questions, you can finalize your basket of products to suit your household needs by adding or removing items.
  3. To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive in your first box.
  4. You made it! Click Finish & Pay and place your order.

What are some ways that you make housework easier? What seems to be your problem area where cleaning is concerned?

Next check these tips on home to stay organized at home. 

and get a free printable task list for each month with the Clean & Organize challenge for 2019. 

 

 

Clean & Organize 365 – January

December 31, 2018 By Melissa 2 Comments
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clean-organize-365-jan-pinterest

A new year always makes us want to start every aspect of our lives off on the right foot. Diet, exercise, family time, and of course cleaning, organizing, and decluttering often top the list. To help you clean and get organized in 2018, we are having a fun challenge. We will be sharing a new list of tasks that can help you get on track each month this year. (We ran this same challenge in 2017 and 2018 and people loved it!) 

Instead of spending a month breaking your back getting it all done instead we will help break it up into smaller tasks over the entire year. We even have a printable checklist that you can laminate and hang on your refrigerator or slip into your planner. I will be sharing 365 simple tasks that can be done each day to help you get your house in order this year. Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes. If it works for you do each task on the corresponding date, if not just use it as a list of tasks, some days you may get more than one done. You may wish to take off the weekend and double up on weekdays or vice versa. I want you to be successful so do what works best for you.

Sign up to get your free Cleaning and Organizing List for January

Be sure to see the full list and helpful hints below the printable sign up!

 

 

 

Here are all the tasks we have included for January and some helpful tips.

Dust blinds, remove cobwebs from corners, and wipe off window sills–  Something like this blind duster makes quick work of this chore. A damp cloth with a bit of all- purpose cleaner is great for the sills.

Remove and rewash curtains in main living areas of the house, rehang– I occasionally dust my curtains but sometimes they need a good refreshing that only a wash and hang can give them. Some curtains can be washed and rehung while still slightly damp and you won’t need to iron them, otherwise for formal curtains you can send them off to the dry cleaners.

Scrub the oven, and toss out pots, pans, and baking sheets in rough shape- After this task, you should treat yourself to a nice new pan if you need one! I could not believe how bad some of my baking sheets looked!

Start a donation box, put at least 15 items in it immediately- Toys, clothes, extra kitchen items, whatever you come across that you consider clutter and needs a new home. This is essential for helping you feel more organized and overwhelmed. I wish I had stayed on top of this the last few years. It was a HUGE project when we moved to Germany and I could not believe the number of things we had in our home we no longer needed. I know even with the amount of items I got rid of it will still be easy to find 15 more items. 

Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, replace burned out bulbs- This should take no more than 10-15 minutes to do and will make a big impact.

Replace ac/heating filter, dust vents, make service appointment to have it checked- Stock up on filters you will see this pop up every few months and keeping your filters changed regularly will keep your unit running better and longer.

Test and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms- This task takes just a few minutes but makes an important difference in your family safety!

Remove 1 pair of shoes, and 8 clothing items that you don’t love, add to donation box– Purging always feels good, dig into your closet or your kids and add to your donation box (if you want to add more, feel free). If you want to 

Reorganize pantry, toss out expired items including spices- Check dates and toss anything past expiration, take a few minutes to reorganize and add items to your shopping list if needed.

Dump out your junk drawer, rehome items that don’t belong, reorganize- Consider grabbing one of these drawer organizers to help keep your drawer from returning to its cluttered state.

Soak all shower heads in vinegar, clean and replace caulk where needed. Snake hair out of drains.- Slip rubber band over your shower head, then place a baggie filled with vinegar over it, secure with rubber band, leave in place for a couple hours then remove. This easy trick removes hard water buildup and mildew. If you are anything like me your hair sheds like crazy in the shower and they need a good snaking now and then.

Clean keyboard, delete unused apps and pics off phone– If you have done all of this recently find something else to do similar like moving computer photos to a zip drive, cd, or usb.

Flip mattress, clean out under bed, and replace bed pillows if needed- A good spring cleaning of areas like this is a good idea several times a year.

Sort through medicine cabinet, toss out expired medicines- Call your local pharmacy or hospital and see if they have a disposal program in place. I was able to take expired medicine to my local police department. 

Empty refrigerator, give it a good scrubbing, throw away nearly empty or expired containers-This one may take more than 15 minutes to do and can be broken up over a couple days if you like.

Create a family command center, add a few organizational pieces if necessary– Use a chalkboard or dry erase, hooks, and whatever else you need to streamline family life.

Wash fabric shower curtains, take out old towels and cut up for rags- If you have a vinyl curtain you can soak it in a tub with soap and a bit of bleach to sanitize.

Spend 15 minutes tackling an area that has been bugging you for awhile- Set a timer and attack that desk or tidy up the mudroom.

Go through your jewelry box, take items in for repair, get rid of single earrings, and unloved pieces.

Toss magazines older than 3 months, unsubscribe to virtual subscriptions you don’t use.

Rearrange furniture and pictures in the living room to give it a fresh new feel- Sometimes this is all you need to get out of a winter funk and freshen up your living space, and it’s free!

Vacuum and wash car, put air in tires, top off all fluids. Don’t forget to empty the trunk!

Sweep off front porch, put away any holiday decorations still out, add a new plant- Giving the front of the house a freshen up will make you smile every time you come home.

Find 5 more items to add to the donation box- Outgrown kids clothes, an extra toaster, unused rice cooker, etc… You can go over 5  of course but at least make it the minimum.

Replace ragged kitchen towels and potholders with new ones- Pass usable ones on to the garage in a rag bucket, throw away others.

Clean out dryer filter, toss mismatched socks, buy new laundry baskets if needed– I can not believe the number of mismatched socks in my home. Where do the matches go?!?

Go through PJ’s, socks, and underwear drawers– Toss or donate overly worn out items. Treat yourself to some scented drawer liners. 

Empty spam, delete emails and answer a few-feels good doesn’t it?

Dust the tops of high furniture pieces- Those places we forget like the top of the entertainment center, cupboards, and armoires need attention now and then.

Wipe down baseboards throughout house- If you are so inclined after giving them a swipe with cleaner you can go back over dry trim with a dryer sheet to help repel future dust.

Take your full donation box (or two) to a local thrift store or charity center- You can pat yourself on the back for cleaning out the house and doing good!

 

 

Cool Stocking Stuffers for Boys

November 29, 2018 By Heidi Leave a Comment
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 Cool Stocking Stuffers for Boys

I love finding neat stocking stuffers for my kids like fun games, small toys they will enjoy or small books to read. I try to buy them just a few quality items that will last instead of dollar items that will all get tossed. We have some great ideas for some cool stocking stuffers for boys that you won’t want to miss.

 

To save this cool list for later, press the “pin-it” button at the top of the page to save it to your Pinterest boards.

 

We have more great boys stocking stuffer lists on our Ultimate Gift Buying Page.

 

If you are looking for great deals on gifts, join our EverydaySavvy Deals Facebook group.

[Read more…]

Personalized Holiday Cards And Holiday Tips

October 10, 2018 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

These tips will help you get personalized holiday cards made and mailed this holiday season. 

I absolutely love receiving personalized holiday cards even in this age of Facebook and Instagram. It is so wonderful to receive an update from friends and family and pictures from their lives this year. Finding the perfect photo and card and addressing and mailing the cards can sometimes feel like just one more thing on the to-do list during the busy holiday season. There are a few things though that you can do now to make sure you save yourself some time and stress and help you send an amazing holiday card your friends and family will love. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Think About the Photo Now

I know it seems early but go through your pictures now if you like to use a snapshot from the year. If you like to have professional photos taken, make the appointment now. Here is some inspiration for coordinating outfits for the whole family for Holiday Photos.

We were lucky enough to have photos taken by the talented Evan Willingham of  Evan Willingham Photography before we left Germany. I plan on using these photos for our holiday cards this year.

Once you find your favorite photo or photos Minted makes it easy to see what they would look like on each card. They have a “find it fast” feature that will show your photo on all the available cards. It was easy for me to see which cards would not work with our photo. You can filter by the type of card and the number of photos as well.

I love to get a little update from friends about their lives this year. I wanted to share a little something on our card as well. I was able to add another picture and a personal paragraph to the back of our card. I love this feature! They even include a few sample paragraphs to get you started.


Get Your Envelopes Addressed for Free

Minted will even address your envelopes for free and they even have cute fonts that match your card. This is a HUGE time saver. I was able to upload a spreadsheet with all my addresses which made the process super easy.

Premium Quality & Craftmanship

The holiday cards at Minted are printed on high-quality paper. Without an extra fee, they are printed on a thick and luxurious stock in an off-white hue with a creamy cotton texture, usually reserved for fine stationery. There are also options for foil pressed and letter pressed cards. Many of the designs are by independent artists and are picked as part of design challenges. This makes it easy to find a card in a style you love. 

Get A Proof of Your Personalized Holiday Cards

Are you worried you might make a typo when you make your card? Each card is reviewed by a real person for mistakes and a proof is sent to you for review. If you are in a hurry, you can skip the proof, save $5 and receive your cards two days faster.

 

I hope that this post inspires you to send out holiday cards this year. I promise that Minted will make it easy for you!

Restricted Diets & Food Allergies Meal Planning Tips

October 5, 2018 By Melissa Leave a Comment
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Learn some easy meal planning tips when dealing with restricted diets and food allergies.

tips for meal planning with restricted diets and food allergies

Sometimes we have a food intolerance or even food allergies that create issues when meal planning. Because this is more and more common, here are some tips to help you manage meal planning for restricted diets. This can be for food allergies, food intolerance, food aversion, or even dietary restrictions or health-related diets. These tips will make it easier for you to manage a meal plan that works for your family.

Meal Planning Tips For Restricted Diets and Food Allergies

Meal planning for restricted diets doesn’t have to be impossible. In fact, it is often much easier to accommodate a dietary difference when you plan ahead than by having last-minute meals prepared each night. These tips will help you to keep everyone in your family safe, happy, and satisfied with the options available for dinner.

Create a Master Recipe list

 This list is a great resource for helping you keep a rotation of menu items on your list without eating the same thing over and over again. Making a master recipe list that is acceptable for diets but also pleasing to everyone will help you to remember those meals that you may have forgotten. As you try new recipes that work for everyone, add them to the list to rotate out the next month.

A master recipe list is also a great tool to help you know what items to keep in your pantry. This can easily give you a way to save more money when you notice sales on items that you use regularly. By purchasing when on sale and storing for future meal planning, you can cut back on grocery expenses in the long term.

Sign up for my Meal Planning Tips and you will receive a special offer on meal planning printables and printables to make your own Meal Planning Binder.

 

Learn about Proper Dietary Substitutions

 There are so many different dietary restrictions that could be at play, that it is hard for me to cover all of the tips for working them into and around your meal planning. There are basic tips, but a lot of things come down to you personally learning about proper substitutions for the things you can no longer have. With things like food intolerance, food allergies, gluten sensitivities, lactose intolerance, and even sensory or textural issues, it can be difficult to create easy menu plans that accommodate all diets.

Some great substitutions that work well for many diets:

  • Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or hemp milk for non-dairy diets.
  • Rice pasta, quinoa pasta, and quinoa for those who are gluten-free or low-carb.
  • Beans and lentils instead of meats in soups, stews, and casseroles
  • Stevia, honey, and molasses in place of sugar.

Batch Prep Foods

Meal planning isn’t just about creating freezer meals or writing down a menu on your calendar. It also can include preparing foods in advance to use in simple meals throughout the week. The concept of batch cooking as part of your meal planning routine can be totally life changing in your kitchen. Instead of cooking exact recipes, you instead prepare ingredients so they only need to be added to your menu items. This is a great way to throw together meals that can include items everyone can enjoy, but also have the option of adding in other things that are against the diet for some.

The most popular ways to batch cook include preparing meats, starches like rice or potatoes, and select vegetables in advance then freezing or canning for future use. Instead of adding your menu items to a freezer container to be cooked in a slow cooker or in the oven, you would cook them in advance and separate into portions that can be added to fresh sides and starches to create a meal in a hurry.

Grill, roast, boil, broil, or bake things like chicken, pork, steak, or even ground meats with simple salt and pepper seasonings. Allow to cool then divide into portions suitable for a meal. Label and freeze. On the day you want to make something like tacos, quesadillas, or even a simple casserole, you grab a portion from the freezer, thaw, and add to your recipe.

My friend Alea even wrote two cookbooks that are great tools if you want to try prep ahead and simple batch cooking. I have them both and love them.

Families are busier now more than ever, and nobody understands that better than busy mom and food blogger Alea Milham. With Prep-Ahead Meals from Scratch, she brings a unique batch cooking concept that will streamline weeknight family meals like never before. She shows you how to use simple prep-ahead techniques to stock your refrigerator with precooked ingredients that can be combined with fresh produce to easily create wholesome meals. Leave prepackaged foods and take-out behind as you learn the many easy ways to cook ahead from scratch to save time and money during the busy week. Alea breaks down the classics into convenient weeknight dinners using fewer ingredients and smarter techniques.

Prep Ahead Meals From Scratch

This new recipe collection is bursting with fresh, time-saving ways to fuel your family and yourself. Ready to end the days of skipped breakfasts and takeout lunches? With Alea’s expert advice, you’ll have your fridge stocked with homemade grab-and-go meals, full of ingredients you can feel good about. Simple do-ahead techniques help you savor even the busiest weekday mornings.

Prep Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches

 

Test substitutes before meal planning

Instead of adding a new ingredient into a bunch of meals you are prepping in advance as freezer meals or for batch cooking use, make sure you test them out first. New ingredients don’t always work out as expected. That means you could potentially waste a lot of money in the process. Instead, do a small test run to make sure that your family likes the substitute.

 

Label everything with details

 If your meal planning routine includes freezer meals, it is really important to make sure you have all ingredients well labeled. We usually label freezer meals with the recipe name, directions for cooking, and portion amounts. If a restricted diet is in play, then labeling with all of your ingredients is even more important. Add a list of all ingredients to every package so you are able to easily tell if it is an acceptable meal for everyone to eat. There are many types of labels include chalkboard or dry erase labels that can be used over and over again so you aren’t wasting money on new labels every time you create meals for your freezer.

 

Prepare in separate areas to avoid contamination

 If your restricted diet issues with meal planning are about contamination because of allergies or severe food intolerance, then preparing meals in advance or batch prepping foods is vital to cutting back on your time in the kitchen. Creating a clean and safe prep area is the most important thing you can do. That means you need to prepare meals that are “clean” away from other meals or menu items. Simply create all restricted meals first, then do your other meals separately.

 

Respect others restricted diets

 If your meal planning will include food for friends or family that are spending time with your family, then it can seem frustrating to you to include different foods for their diets. It isn’t always convenient, but planning ahead can make meal planning for any restricted diet easier to manage. Respecting others and their individual dietary needs is just part of being a good human being and friend. Check about allergies, aversions, and sensitivities when planning for guests, and do your best to provide them with yummy foods that are safe for them to eat.

Get a Prepared Meal Plan

If your restricted diet concerns are around flour or sugar, I am a huge fan of this no flour/ no sugar meal plan. Healthy food can be delicious. This meal plan features easy-to-prepare, hearty, healthy recipes for your family to enjoy. These meals are big on veggies and protein from whole foods that you can find in any supermarket. Enjoy a Salad of the Week, and an optional Easy Protein of the Week. No flour or artificial sugars added.

Check out all the meal plan options here

Meal planning for any dietary restriction doesn’t have to be frustrating. Simply use a few simple steps to make sure you are protecting those with food allergies and aversions while adapting existing recipes. Our tips will make this easier to manage no matter your budget.

 

Need more meal planning tips? Be sure to sign up below.

Plus more articles on Meal Planning

Meal Planning Tools

Monthly Meal Planning And Prep

Meal Planning Pantry and Food Inventory 

Meal Planning Made Easy with an Instant Pot

Meal Planning with Picky Eaters

 

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Easy STEM Activities for Elementary and Middle School Kids

October 3, 2018 By Melissa Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more info.

Looking for easy stem activities for elementary and middle school kids? Check out these stem projects and stem subscription boxes for kids.

As a parent, you want the best for your kids, and that includes teaching them the skills they will need to survive in the world! Did you know that by the year 2020, nearly 100% of new jobs will be in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics? With these statistics, it is more important than ever before to encourage STEM learning at home.

What is Stem?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It also includes teaching skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life. Part of the STEM learning approach, is that kids learn science better when they are actively involved. Learning like this can be done in a school setting but also can be done at home.

Here’s your guide to the best easy stem activities that can be done at home.

Complete Science Experiments

Science is all around us; in the food we eat, the plants we see, and the physical world we live in. Here are a few great science experiments you can do at home.

Work on Observations with fruits and veggies.

What happens as a fruit or vegetable starts to decay? What does it look like, smell like? Answering questions about real-world items puts science into a perspective they can understand. These are great stem activities for preschoolers and elementary students

Make Volcanoes

This is one of the most fun for kids. They can create a realistic volcano and watch it erupt. This teaches them chemical reactions as well as gives a real-world example of how volcanoes erupt as the pressure builds up.

Here are directions for a simple volcano for preschoolers.

Here are directions for a more in-depth volcano experiment for elementary and middle school children.

Make your own rock candy

That’s right, there is science behind candy. And, if you thought candy was all hardened sugar, you were right. All you need is water, sugar, a pan, a stove, and a glass jar. My daughter did this with her brownie troop and loved it.

Here are easy directions to make your own rock candy

Utilize Your Technology – Best STEM apps

In this day of digital natives, kids love technology. Though you may not want your kids looking at a screen all day, technology is a key component of the STEM learning, and there are many apps that incorporate science, technology, math, and engineering without your children knowing they are learning. Here are some of the best STEM apps.

SkEye Astronomy: A great app to see what’s in the sky. If you are interested in viewing the heavens above with your telescope, try the SkEye : Astronomy app. SkEye is an advanced sky mapping application that doubles as a PUSHTO guide for telescopes. It works by using your phone’s sensors as a guide for telescopes. All you need to do is briefly strap the phone onto the telescope’s optical tubes; from there, you can navigate the night-sky with your telescope.

Toca Lab: Chemistry has never been so fun with Toca Lab. Explore the colorful and electrifying world of science and meet all 118 of the elements from the periodic table. Discover elements by experimenting with the lab tools!

Crazy Gears – Are you ready to watch your child kick their learning into high-gear? Crazy Gears is a new-aged digital puzzle game, designed with a real mechanical engine and with children’s critical thinking skills in mind! Hours of fun guaranteed for everyone who is up for the challenge, yes, even you Mom & Dad!

Hopscotch – Coding For Kids – Learn to code and make your own games with Hopscotch. Easy-to-use visual tool makes programming fun and social.

Get a STEM Subscription Box

Subscription boxes are very popular these days, and why wouldn’t they be? Everyone loves getting something with their name on it in the mail (except when its a bill). Now, you can bring the fun of science, technology, math, and engineering right to your doorstep on a monthly basis. Here are some of the best STEM subscription boxes that include fun stem activities and stem projects for kids.

Green Kids Crafts

With a new theme every month, you get 4-8 science, technology art and math kits per month for kids ages 2-10. Looking for educational toys, science kits, STEM subscription, monthly subscriptions for kids, monthly crafts for kids, a monthly science box, monthly craft box or kids craft subscription? Green Kid Crafts, maker of award-winning science and arts and craft subscription boxes, has you covered!

You can now take 50% off the first month of a Junior Discovery Box Subscription (ages 2-4) or a Discovery Box Subscription (ages 5-10+). Green Kid Crafts’ award-winning Discovery Boxes pack a lot of fun and learning into convenient packages. Each monthly box contains up to 8 STEAM Science and Art Kits including a free 12-page kids magazine and bonus extension activities. Sibling and literary add-on options are available, too. Offer expires midnight October 31, 2018. Use code STEAM50

Learn more about Green Kids Crafts Here

Genius Box

Genius Box provides a creative hands-on approach to learning science, math, technology, and engineering. Genius Box provides a creative, hands- on exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts that engages curious kids in the world around them. Genius Box is recommended for kids ages 8-12.

Click here to learn more about Genius Box

Tinker Crate

For ages 9-16, the Tinker crate gives your child the tools to create and explore engineering in a whole new way. Get 30% of Your First Month’s Order with code SHARE30.

Each month you get:

  • Materials to create a creative, innovative STEM project
  • Detailed step-by-step instruction
  • Tinker Zine,
  • Additional science experiments and activities
  • Online tutorials with tips and tricks

Learn More about Tinker Crate Here

What other ways have you found to incorporate STEM learning in your home? Share your STEM projects in the comments below!

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