How To Plan For Your Most Productive Week

I have been thinking so much about how I have so much on my plate right now and this will only increase as the Fall arrives. And well the only way that I don't drop the ball on things is if I continue to set myself up for success. Which means a whole lot of planning. To do lists works well, and agendas do too but for me I need to break things up into categories. I searched high and low but could not find something that would work for my needs.

These have helped so much that I am working on one template for my blog and one for the girls homeschool schedule (I'll share once it's complete!).

I thought I would share 10 things I do every day to help keep me on track and keep as productive as possible while being at home with both girls.

1. Wake before your household! This is a must for me, I have early risers so I am up at 5am almost every day!

2. Get ready! Get dressed, do my skincare routine and some days I even apply a little makeup to help myself feel ready to start the day.

3. Schedule in housekeeping/laundry right into your calendar! This is huge because this way I don't have to spend one whole day cleaning. Plus it really gives me major anxiety to spend so much time at home when everything is a hot mess. I make the beds, swipe down while the girls are in the bath every night, empty out and take out the trash every day, vacuum every night as my nightly cleanup, I do a load of laundry every morning during my AM routine and wash sheets and towels on on Saturdays.

4. Empty D/W. Always unload the dishwasher at night or as the coffee is brewing, this means that instead of dropping dirty dishes into a sink they go right into the D/W.

5. Plan meals. I not only plan out dinners but I also right out breakfast lunches, and snacks, this way I know what to offer and nothing goes bad.

6. Plan out the day with task lists (the night before). The templates above have really been helpful for me but simply writing out a to-do list will help!

7. Use a calendar. I like to schedule time in my day for whatever work I have to do, for example writing this blog post was written in to afternoon movie (since its super hot here today).

8. Turn off notifications. This is for both social media and emails, so that when I am at my laptop getting work done, I get work done!

9. Do something for yourself every day. This has been HARD the last few months but I am trying my best to do this everyday. I feel so much better when I fill my tank. Sometimes it's a hot bath, a workout, reading a book or a silly show after bedtime; what ever it is I find it a MUST to treat myself as good as I treat others.

10. Ear pods/headphones to tune out the inevitable whining, minor arguments while you get stuff done ( I love listening to a book to tune it all out)

I hope that this helps you on your day to day now and even more come Fall when life gets flipped upside down again.

Sending all the love to you all, and hopes for a productive week!

xoxo

Natalie

Homemade Gifts You Still Have Time For

These two nuggets are keeping this mama busy, I am so close to being done with my shopping, and tomorrow will be spent taking down Christmas and packing up to head to Massachusetts on Saturday morning. You guys the holiday vacation is so close I can taste it!!

This weekend I will continue working on some homemade gifts with the girls, I have usually tackled them solo in the past (because I simply always run out of time). This year I want to include them and gift to some of favorite people. Here are a few ideas!

1. Hot Chocolate on a Stick, this is awesome for family and friends. Even a great hostess gift. I had a friend mail this kind of hot chocolate to us but not in a jar, she had it in a ziploc bag.

2. I have this set and plan on making candles with the girls to give to the grandmas and tia. (would be beautifully gifted with these gold candle stick holders as a hostess gift or for anyone really).

3. A few years ago I made a bunch of these for hostess gifts and anyone that came by, I am going to do the same for our neighbors and my mom's.

4. My cousin Jadi and his wife Kelly made yummy rubs and gifted them, this one from my blog is my favorite and such a great gift. Buy your seasonings in bulk at Whole Foods and package in glass jars to step it up and use less plastic.

* For a larger gift, I love the idea of some cute gift package with a roasting pan, apron and a jar of the rub. I love that you can make the rub and put together the basket with your kids!

5. Gin & Lime Marmalade looks so amazing.

6. This is the homemade bath bomb recipe I use and it's so easy. The perfect gift for anyone on your list, just alter what essential oils you are using per person. I make some for congestion with eucalyptus and gentle baby that are the girls favorites! ( I have this snowflake and the heart shape silicone molds).

7. Christmas Morning Pancakes in a jar.

8. Homemade Soap can be easy, cost effective and also easier to get cleaner yummy smelling product.

9. Homemade lip balm is fun!

Happy almost weekend my friends.

xoxo

Natalie

8 Tips on Detoxing After Lots of Indulging

The holidays are all about indulging, enjoying and I am working on retraining my brain to not feeling regret over enjoying my favorite things. But I do know that I feel it in my actual gut, and my skin when I have indulged. So I have given myself a little routine for "the day after". Scroll down to see my tips.

//My Sweater // My Jeans // My Earrings // Ami's Dress //

#1 One big change that I have been doing for the last few months is having a version of the Bonberi smoothie to break my fast. This is usually around 12, sometimes later if I am not hungry. Before that I have lemon water, and coffee but nothing else.

(I make enough for breakfast and lunch + some for Ami)

To make the smoothie I first blend bag of baby spinach with unsweetened coconut water. Blend until smooth, then add a bunch of cilantro blend really well,

add whatever lettuce we have on hand and blend,

add a a cucumber, half a bunch of celery and blend really well,

2 big handfuls of frozen mango, 2 apples and do the final blend.

#2 Detox Bath - dissolve 2 cups of epsom salt, 1/4 cup of baking soda into a tub full of hot water. I like to add some essential oils like rose or lavender to make it some me time. Remember to rinse off in cold water to close up your pores.

#3 Dry Brushing before every bath or shower. I use this brush and I swear it leaves my skin so smooth but I have also seen a huge difference in some cellulite spots, will report back on this.

#4 Exfoliate in the bath with these gloves, I do this with a body oil right before getting out of the bath. I really love the Beautycounter sugar scrub too.

#5 I use this charcoal face mask once a week (really has helped my pores!!), and this overnight resurfacing mask 2- 3 x a week. No more dark spots or acne scars for this girl!

#6 CHUG water, I drink a lot of water regularly and up the amount a ton after indulging. Bonus point if you add fresh lemon juice to it.

#7 Make time to get active, before my detox bath I make sure to get in a sweat or even stretch session. I will jump on my Peloton, or get outside with the girls. Even some jumping jacks and 15 minutes of yoga will do it.

#8 Lastly, lymphatic facial massages. My face is usually crazy puffy after a night out or little sleep and this massage does wonders. I do these in the morning and at night but up to three times "the day after". I use this brightening oil when I do this in the morning and the cleansing balm (which I leave on at night as a moisturizing mask).

I hope these steps helps you feel and look better! But most of all let yourself enjoy these meals, drinks and if you aren't enjoying them then don't eat/drink them. Listen to your body and leave behind the guilt. We will not get these days/moments back so SOAK IT ALL UP.

xoxox

Natalie