Easy Fall Decorating Via The Pampered Mom

I am such a strong believer in EASY decorating.  It can be very time consuming getting out all your seasonal décor, let along trying to re-invent the wheel every single time.  I love decorating as much as the next person, but the problem is I just don't have the time.  So, I make it super easy with these simple tricks. 

For one, decorate with items that can be easily changed out.  I do this with Pillows, Frames, Bowls,  and jars.  You'll notice that I use the same pillows throughout the year, but I will change one out to make it go with that particular time of the year.  See my oversized push plaid pillow behind the small pony?

I leave these books out year round, but I add different pieces to the top that goes with the season.

My entry table and décor is SO easy to change.  Usually I have tree branches in my large blue vase, but for Fall, I add warmer Autumn Leaves.

My go-to for this bowl is usually lemons, but for Fall - scented pinecones.  How easy is that?!

The point is to make it easy, because otherwise it gets added to our "list" and just never gets done.  We've all been there.  Start by getting 3 or 4 tubberware bins and marking them "Spring/Summer," "Fall," and "Winter."  I have one large bin for Spring|Summer, One for Fall and then about 10 for Winter with all my Christmas Décor.  Then each season, bring out the next bin add simple touches to items you are already using for home décor and put the past season away for the next year. 

Good luck getting organized and using the décor you already have in your home season-to-season!  You'll never look back!

The Pampered Mom's Spring Cleaning Checklist

To Download the Checklist, Click HERE.

 



It's Spring Cleaning Week ...

 

It's ...  Spring Cleaning Week!

We'll be posting our new & revised Spring Cleaning Checklist Tomorrow!

 



Snack Box's for Trips!

If you have kids and are planning a trip for the summer, these craft boxes are a Must!  It's a way to stay super organized and one less thing to worry about when you're in the car.  The best part: when they're empty, they're empty!  The kids actually start by filling their own box the night before, which gives them a reason to start getting excited! 

Theses boxes are only $1.00 a Walmart!

Storing Makeup Brushes

It's that time of year again, the time where we all start coming out of the house after the long winter, and start organizing our homes to create less chaos. I have been tirelessly bagging toys, household items, old jewelry, clothes and shoes to put out in garage sales. It's been exhausting, and the worst part ... I feel like it's never ending, like haven't event made a dent in the work that needs to be completed.

For me, these tasks are done in the late evenings, after the kids have gone to bed, and after I have folded multiple loads of laundry. Just when I think I can get off of my feet... I have to finish up another space. It will be worth it though. That first week of April when I open up the garage and push items out to the driveway. That first sell, the smell of a clean, fresh home. AND, just the thought I don't' have to pack up additional items that I don't care to have anymore when we get ready to sell the house. That's when I'll be glad I did it. That's when I will rest ... and spend all the money I made at a day in the spa :)

It's the little things that have been pushing me through. Like this brush display. For years I have been putting my brushes back in their brush bag and going about my business ... but now ... now I have a beautiful way to display them, and it makes using them even more fun!



Next up ... Linen Closet!

{Fall Cleaning}

Anyone else go into full nesting mode when the leaves start falling? It's like that first Spring like day where you open up all the windows and start dusting and ti dding things up ... but in fall. The leaves start changing and the feeling of being trapped inside the house for months overcomes you. I for one start throwing things out, putting things on craigslist, and just have an utter dislike for things in my house. I think it's my bodies way of telling me "It's almost Christmas and you have NO WHERE for the new toys to go .... time to start purging." Which I guess is a good things since it's true.

It's not only getting rid of items in the house, but cleaning is in full effect. Yesterday I took every single mattress off the bed, cleaned under the beds, put a mixture of baking soda and lavender all over the mattress and vacuumed them entirely. I told you it's like nesting ... but I promise I am not prego... PROMISE this time :)

Many of you asked me yesterday about the baking soda and lavender mixture ... so I thought I would let you in on my little secret for "Deep Cleaning" those mattresses ... which by the way, should be done at least twice a year!

Go to the store and buy the large box of baking soda ... you'll need it if you are doing multiple mattresses. Then purchase some lavender oil [really any nice oil will do, but I use lavender because it technically means "clean" and lavender helps the body fall asleep.] I will add 2 cups of baking soda and about 10 drops of lavender oil to a food processor. I use a processor because I like it all mixed together really well. Once everything is mixed, apply it to your mattress. It should be applied to the mattress itself. Now, let it sit for an hour. This will take out all the moisture and bacteria. While you are waiting, wash all of your sheets, you don't want to put on dirty sheets to a clean mattress :)



Once you have waited and cleaned the sheets, bring in your hand held vacuum and clean up all of the baking soda. You're room should smell fresh and clean! Make sure to get it all! Afterwards, put back on your clean sheets, and get really for a peaceful nights sleeps! This also takes care of bed bugs,etc if you have a problem with those!

{Family Photo Update}

Now that our family pictures have been rescheduled for this Friday due to weather, I have a bit more time to choose the outfits I want us all to wear. Today I rushed around trying to find the "perfect" accessories.

Does anyone else do this? Stress over the little things? At least I was able to pick out outfits for everyone, I would say the hard part is over. Now, on to jewelry, hair and makeup ... any suggestions?

So, I am a little OCD, I hang the clothes we are going to wear the next day on a rack of their own. I figure this way, if I do begin to run late, Ryan will know EXACTLY what each boy is wearing :)




Don't judge :)

{Organizing Spices}

Raise your hand if you have ever wanted to pull your hair out because of the mess in your pantry? ME ME ME!! I have very little cabinet space, and so for me, organization is key.

I have the cute Martha Stewart Spice rack at home which I love ... BUT, it didn't come with all the spices I use. In the past, I would stuff my spices into the designated area in the pantry, and hope nothing fell out when I opened the door. I FINALLY got around to adding a spice rack and it made ALL the difference. It's a $1.00 change that makes me smile every time I open the door ... instead of ducking :)

{Deep Cleaning}

Does anyone else have the problem I do? I leave the house and work for a few days, come home, and it looks like five tornadoes have ripped through my house. There is about 5 days of laundry to do piled in the laundry room, the floors haven't been swept since I left, toys are scattered, dishes are piled in the sink, not to mention bathrooms haven't been cleaned ... ugh. Sometimes, just leaving the house is stressful thinking about it.

Since today is a snow day for most, I thought I would share with you my "deep cleaning" process. It's a chart that I use. I keep it in my cleaning bucket, and it goes through every room until the house is clean. Yep, this is how I am spending my snow day, in hopes that I can get it down now, and enjoy all the snow tomorrow :)

So here it is in all it's glory. I have customized this list a number of times depending on the house I live in, what areas to clean, etc. But this is what I use my my current house now. Feel free to print it off and use it too. I happen to have mine laminated so that I can check items off as I go. BTW: I usually do this every other Monday, and the rest of the days I just "clean up." I found that if I keep this up, then it's easier each time and cuts down on the time!




Happy Deep Cleaning!

{Behind the Closet Door}

If there is one thing I can't stand about all the new technology it's the WIRES. Ugh, it literally drives. me. insane!

Luckily, my husband and I have upgraded a few things and invested in some unique storage containers. I'll warn you ... this cost me a whopping $10.00, but it puts me in a happy place knowing everything has its own place. And ... if you have a organizationally challenged husband like myself ... then this idea will help make it easy for him to use and to look for items as well!






All I did was purchase a cheap shoe organizer that hangs on the door. For this purpose I wanted it to be clear. I use this mainly for odds and ins for technology. Chargers, extra tv wires, remotes, computer cords, usb, etc. My husband loves this so much he praises me every time he opens the door too :) Now, this is in a closet that we use only, not something that our guests would accidentally open, but it is near the family room so it's easy access. I just love it because it makes my life SOO much easier ... and we all know "when I'm not organized, I am not loving."

{Loving is When Im Organized}

At our last MOPS meeting we had the Simply Sisters come and talk to us about staying organized. This was totally up my ally. Most everything in my life is organized, and everything has it's place. When things are chaotic, or unorganized, I am stressed to the max. And one of the ladies said something that really struck me ... she said, "When I am not organized, I am not loving." I wrote it down really quickly on my pad of paper and came home to write it on the dry erase board. How true that statement is to me. I get so stressed, that I become snippy & unloving. To me, it just means going that extra distance to prepare ahead of time & keep things organized, so that I can be the loving mom & wife that I desire to be.

She also mentioned to "Sprinkle your day with prayer." If you're anything like me, just trying to get out the door in a timely manor can mean utter chaos. Usually leaving the house with laundry on every inch of our floor, breakfast left out & juice cups leaving puddles on our floor. One of the sisters said when you walk back into your house like this, you are automatically stressed out. Since there is a ton to put away and pick up, you tend to not be the friendliest either. Not only are you busy picking up, tending to the kids, etc. but you aren't finding the right amount of time to have a relationship with God. I have been struggling to find my relationship with him for some time now, it seems like life has got in the way. But when the woman said to "Sprinkle your day with prayer," what she was really saying was to find little moments, to talk with him. For instance, if you are picking up clothes around your house, just give thanks that you have clothes on your back to wear and keep warm. Of if you are cleaning up dirty dishes left over from that morning, just saying thanks for providing us with food on the table. I just thought that was a great idea.

And the last thing that she mentioned that really hit home with me was to keep unusual lists in your planner that you carry around. A list for "Gifts." So the next time you're out and about and you think "wow, that would be a great gift for mom for Christmas" but it's July, you can write it down so you wont forget. I don't know how many times I forget things like that.

SO, here are my "unusual lists" for my daily planner ...

Gifts
Funny Things Braeden Says
Funny Things Bayler Does
Books, Websites/Blogs or Movies to Check Out
Wish Lists

I'll think of more eventually, but that is a good start. Once I have filled the pages for Braeden & Bayler, I'll be able to put them in their yearly folder, so I will always have those memories. Did I mention my kids were color coded? Yeah ... I told you I was organized :)

If you are not apart of a MOPS group, I strongly recommend it. It's been a great resource for me!

Spring Cleaning Day 1

Today the weather was absolutely beautiful. Ryan and I opened up the windows and doors, and without saying a word, started cleaning and organizing. It was wonderful. I feel much better now. This week I plan to create a "garage sale" pile. I can't wait!