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How to DIY your way to luxury outdoor living

We moved to a new home a little over a year ago, and it is such an amazing change for me – We went from a house that was super cute, but was right on a major city street in a not-so-great neighborhood, to a new home outside of the city with a HUGE 4-bay shop, wrap-around cement patio, and in-ground pool. Our first summer here last year was all about doing some basic clean up of the property – and a HUGE project getting the pool cleaned up and taken care of – But this year we’re ready to do some fun improvements! We loooove to entertain, and with the 100+ degree temps all summer here in Central Washington, our pool becomes the gathering spot for all of our friends and fam, which I love. So, I’ve picked out some totally uh-MAY-zing pics to guide me in transforming our space… They are all totally out of reach for me on my super limited budget, but they can inspire some more budget-friendly outdoor living DIY projects…

“One must maintain a little bittle of summer, even in the middle of winter.” – Henry David Thoreau

How awesome is this? From the built-in kitchen set up to the under-water bar stool seating, this is just incredible, right? We obviously are not rock stars or Mega Millions winners – yet – so this is out of reach. But, there are some cool aspects of this that we can use. One big goal of mine is to build an outdoor kitchen – and I’ve seen some awesome budget-friendly ideas like this amazingly cheap outdoor kitchen DIY using old cement blocks, or this outdoor kitchen project built around your existing BBQ. And while I can’t afford underwater seating – I can get us a few new fun fabric-covered pool chairs, so that we can carry our drinks while we float. Love those. {Plus, I use Swagbucks, and earn tons of free Amazon gift cards, so I can get at little cost.}

poolside seating ideas

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Doesn’t this make you long for a sunny afternoon and a good book? So perfectly lovely. But alas, my budget does not include funds for a beautiful white cabana. But, I am planning to make some pretty cushioned seating on our patio, like this fabric-covered concrete block bench. We have a ton of old block laying around, so this would be super inexpensive to build. It won’t be as luxurious as this, but it will still be a nice place to read and relax.

fountains in swimming pool

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” – George R.R. Martin

Something about fountains feels so childlike and magical to me. I was always so intrigued by any type of waterfall or fountain when I was a little girl. This is so beautiful, the way it falls into the pool. Love it. And I found a bunch of totally do-able outdoor fountain ideas that we can make on the cheap from TipNut.com! There are so many fun ideas on there.

garden path DIY

“It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!” – Kenny Chesney

Since summer is all about outdoor entertaining for us, I want to have ways to connect all of our different outdoor spaces. There is a walkway from the pool area to the shop – and the guys spend a lot of time in there. We’re building a play area for the kids behind the shop, near the field – with a swing set, sandbox, and picnic area. Then we’ve got a path that winds around to the front of the house too. I love this ideas of using big stones to make a fun pathway, and this would be a lot cheaper than paving or making full brick paths. I love that it’s so simple and whimsical.

What do you think?

You can see more of my Outdoor Living ideas on Pinterest, check out my current favorite book, Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens, Sheds & Storage, Fireplaces, Play Spaces & Pools – and be sure to follow along during the month of May, as I share tons of tips, ideas, products, and all the progress we’re making on turning our outdoor space into a super fun place. With tight budgets we’re not able to take a real vacation – so instead, I’ll show you some great frugal ways to make your own property a perfect place to spend your summer afternoons. Do you have any great ideas or tips to share? Leave me some comments!

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Posted by on April 1, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 16 Comments

Simple Tool Shows Where Your Time is Really Going

my life as a blogger

“If you want work well done, select a busy man – the other kind has no time.” – Elbert Hubbard

I absolutely adore this quote. How many times have you complained – “I just don’t have enough time in a day to get it all done!” We all have a different “it”, but as super-busy Super Moms, it’s usually a combination of housework, childcare, and work we do for an income. I always feel like I just have too much to do, and it’s impossible to keep up…  Between taking care of the kiddos, keeping up with a very busy house and all of it’s messes, and trying to work from home – with an adorable but very busy toddler as my assistant all day – I never, ever, accomplish everything that I have on my to-do list.

But the thing is – we all have the same 24 hours worth of time each day. Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

So, why are some people able to accomplish so much more in the same amount of hours each day? It’s all about time management – And you can’t be in control of managing your time if you don’t even really know how it’s being spent each day. Just like making a budget for your household spending – You have to take a hard look at where you’re spending your time, and see if it matches your priorities. If not – grab a hold of your life, and make some changes!

“Time is neither friend nor enemy it’s just a measurement.” – Mike Dolan

To learn where YOUR time is going each day – take a minute to check out this amazingly simple time-management tool to get a visual snapshot of your day. You just fill in the blanks with what you do during a typical day, and how much time you spend on it. Then it pops it all together and creates a cool chart like the visual above – Yes, this is a typical day in the life of me, Bloggy McBlogster. As you can see, I spend most of my time working online, managing my social media accounts, playing/caring for/chasing down Abby, and cleaning or picking up after these messy savages that I call a family. {If you guys are reading – Love you! Mwah!} The small amount of other time is spent cooking/eating, watching TV twice a week {Fringe, and Once Upon A Time – only shows I ever watch} – and yes, 2% of our time really is spent dancing. We love an impromptu dance party in the kitchen in the evenings – that’s good livin’.

What Makes You Tick – Create your own customized time management graphic today and learn where you spend your time!

When you’re done, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of this… Were you surprised by where your time was going? Or was it pretty much what you expected? Where do you think you need to make changes? You guys know that I struggle at times with time management – {here’s a super-funny cartoon that perfectly describes my time-management struggle, lol} – So I’m working on a series, filled with great tips, tools, apps, and resources to help this area of my life, since I think it’s something we’re all looking for tips with. I’d love to hear what YOU guys think about this topic too….

Love it? Share it!

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Posted by on March 31, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 11 Comments

Kissaboos Make Boo Boos All Better

Kissaboo

“You know you’re a mother when the smallest wimper from your child can wake you from a dead sleep.” – Linda Poindexter

One of the most important jobs a momma has is to save the day when little ones get hurt. And if you have a toddler – you know that are constantly getting hurt. In my house, the enthusiasm for climbing, running, jumping, and discovering isn’t matched by the skill for all those fun activities, lol. So we get lots of bumps and boo boos, which can lead to lots of tears and pouting. Most moms learn really quickly that putting a fun band-aid on any type of ouch makes it better fast – whether that band-aid is actually needed or not. And that’s the same type of idea behind the Kissaboo – it’s a reusable, washable, adorable solution for boo boos, bug bites, bruises and more. Read on – you’ll love this product!

boo boos on toddlers

“A mom’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” – Author Unknown

A kiss from mom also makes things all better for most little ones injuries too – and there have even been studies that show that kissing your child’s boo boos may lead to better health. So when you combine the comfort of a band-aid and the love of some kisses into one product, you get the Kissaboo. It works great in SO many situations:

  1. To cover a band-aid, so little fingers don’t keep peeling it off.
  2. For bug-bites or other itchy spots, to keep kids from scratching too much.
  3. For all of those “invisable” owies that kids always want band-aids for.
  4. To keep trouble spots covered up – Like a bandaged up knee from a fall on a bike.
  5. To cover scary looking bumps or bruises.
  6. To keep an IV in safely, if kids are getting medical procedures. {Be sure to get the doctor’s ok on this.}
  7. To prevent thumb sucking.

And there are tons more ideas that you’ll think of once you start using these in your home. From my little girl, who is 19 months old – to my nephews, who are 5 and 8, these work perfectly in every situation.

fixing boo boos for kids

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.” – Mildred B. Vermont

See? A Kissaboo cover makes any boo boo all better! The covers come in a package of three, so you get several options to fit any type of ouch that comes up. They’re washable, so that they can be used over and over – and that will save you loads of money, since you won’t have to waste so many band-aids on “invisible” owies. And – they’re totally adorable! See those little kisses on the cover? Love it. Want to check out more on the Kissaboo? Check out the adorable little guy over at Mallery’s Deals showing how a baby rocks the Kissaboo, then check out some great close-up product shots of the different covers included in the kit on Cinnamon Hollow.

buy the Kissaboo

Learn More and Enter to WIN!

You can learn more about the Kissaboo cover, and other great products that are – Solutions for Everyday Living –  from Vive Vita on their site. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on new products and promotions. Love learning about the best new products for babies and kids? Then check out my boards on Pinterest too – and feel free to pin any images here to your own boards.

Enter to WIN a Kissaboo set – as well as all the other mom-invented health and safety products too – in this weeks Mompact Bundle Package Giveaway!

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Posted by on March 27, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 13 Comments

5 Reasons Every New Mom Needs this Diaper Caddy

baby feet, diaper changing time

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” – Don Herrold

Babies are so amazing – those tiny fingers and toes, the sweet little smiles and coos, that powdery new baby smell… But while they bring beauty and joy into your life, they also bring some challenges. And some messes, lol. But like I mentioned yesterday – getting some cool baby gear and accessories for those daily chores can change things that make those dilemmas more delightful.

Diaper Caddy for new babies

“Laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper. It doesn’t permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for a while. – Unknown

So – Let me introduce another Smart Solution for Busy Moms to you guys – The JJ Cole Diapers & Wipes Caddy! This little guy will make your daily routines so much easier – and it’s trendy style will make any nursery look cool. There are eight great colors and designs to choose from, it’s super sturdy to tote with you around the house, and filled with cool features. Plus, there is a whole line of baby storage boxes and containers in coordinating patterns, so that you can stock up on great organizers that will match your decor.

diaper caddy, diaper caddy and changing mat

5 Reasons Why the JJ Cole Diapers & Wipes Caddy Rocks:

This case is a perfect solution for every mom – seriously, you will love it. Let me share my top 5 reasons why we love it in our house –

  1. It’s portable. The handle makes it easy to grab and go – which is what most of your day consists of when you have a baby or toddler, right? And, while some of the reviews I read had complained that the drawer of the caddy was a little tough to open, I see that as a benefit. It slides open with an easy tug, but it’s snug enough that it won’t spill your supplies by accidentally sliding open while toting it around.
  2. Easy to access. You can keep everything that you need for diaper changes in this little caddy, so that you’re never fumbling around looking for things. There’s a section to hold diapers and lotions, the top cubby is perfectly sized for your wipes container, and the little drawer holds the rest of your must-haves, like cotton swabs and baby powder. Plus, there’s a little opening in the drawer that you could use to pull it open – we use it to thread Diaper disposal bags. Very handy.
  3. It’s trendy. The designs are all really stylish and modern, and the color combos are great. When I saw this new print – Sweet Primrose – I knew it would be a perfect addition to our Master Bedroom & Playroom makeover we’re working on.
  4. It’s durable. I was super surprised by how heavy and sturdy this caddy felt when I took it out of the packaging. It’s even got great rubber feet on the bottom, to keep it in place while you’re grabbing supplies with one hand.
  5. It includes a changing pad. I love, love, LOVE that this caddy includes a matching changing pad – and it’s awesome that the changing pad is so big! Most changing pads that come as an add-on to products are usually really tiny. This is full size, has a velcro tab to close it up, and is easy to wipe clean or throw in the wash.

With so many great features and cool benefits, this makes the perfect addition to every mom’s baby gear collection. It’s a great way to keep your changing table organized – or if you’re like us, and don’t have space for a changing table, it’s so helpful to have a portable little diaper station.

“No one likes change but babies in diapers.” – Barbara Johnson

Get more info on this, and other awesome JJ Cole Collections baby gear, on their website. Or, if you’re an Amazon Mom, you can find it there for the same price – JJ Cole Collections Diaper Caddy. And for more super cool ideas, and to learn about more of my favorite must-have products, visit my All About Baby board on Pinterest!

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Posted by on March 25, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 54 Comments

An Oh-So-Glamorous Update to Diaper Changes

Unique, designer baby wipes holders

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things; wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” – Eda J. Le Shan

Becoming a mom is the most amazing, beautiful, life-changing experience. It brings you new levels of love that you’ve never felt before, and fills you up with an amazing joy that you’ve never even imagined. It also brings you new levels of sleep deprivation, and more diaper changes and bottles then you ever imagined, lol. This whole motherhood lifestyle has some amazing benefits – but it’s definitely filled with some crazy daily challenges too!

designer baby goods

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.” – Unknown Author

One way to make those daily challenges a little easier is to find some fun products to add to your routines – pretty things always make days brighter, right? And you will not find anything prettier than the seriously glam designs from Lilicouture!! I am so head over heels in love with her work, I had to share it with you guys – Lilicouture – Where an Everyday Essential Meets Hip, Stylish, Flirty, and Fun! – Their signature item there is their totally chic diaper wipes holders, but they also have super luxe changing pads, and incredibly cute hair clip holders. Everything is done in the most amazing prints and patterns, with so much attention to detail. Using their trendy wipes holders and changing pads will make your daily diaper changes fun! {Ok, not fun, lol. But much better. Promise.}

glam baby products

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” – Don Herrold

This is my new travel wipes case, from the Girls Collection, called the Mini Mouse Wipes Container. All of Abby’s decor and gear is black & pink, with polka dot and damask prints. So this was an absolutely perfect addition – and is just the cutest thing ever. Each wipes case is handmade – and the quality is unbelievable. So good. I’ve had this one for awhile now, and throw it in the diaper bag all the time, and it’s still holding up perfectly. You can also purchase full-size Nursery Wipes Containers too, which would look SO much better in baby’s room than a plain old plastic box. And with so many colors and prints to choose from, you can find great options to fit the decor of other rooms in your house too – because you know it’s much more convenient to have wipes available in the living room, kitchen, and playroom too!

Lilicouture

“Children reinvent your world for you.” – Susan Sarandon

These darling wipes cases are perfect for new moms, and would seriously be the best baby shower gift. But – they have tons of other uses too!

  1. Use it to create a mini first-aid kit for the diaper bag or in the car.
  2. Makes a super fun crayon holder.
  3. Holds make-up or other small essentials in your purse.
  4. Use it for tissues, or even get a cute one of the kitchen cleaning wipes!

There are so many uses for these glam little cases – they’d make great gifts for teachers too, since they’re always in need of something to clean sticky hands. And, this would also be cute as a fun clutch purse for a little lady to carry her goodies to play dates. What will you use your Lilicouture Wipes Case for?

Follow Lilicouture on Facebook, and connect with them on Twitter – to stay updated on fun new products and promotions!

{Big thanks to Rachel Florio PR – The Celebrity Baby Trend Expert – for introducing me to this amazing company, and sending me a complimentary product to review and share with you ladies!}

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Posted by on March 23, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 10 Comments

Meaningful Beauty Test-Drive Conclusion – #MomCentral

anti-aging, skin care, sun damage

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” – Mike Murdock

As part of my big lifestyle overhaul that I’ve been doing – My “Momma Makeover Mission” if you will – I started a brand new skincare routine. I have a ton of skin care products that I use each day, but I hadn’t used a coordinated system in years. A little over a month ago I started using the Meaningful Beauty line of products – a full system of products designed to work together, morning to night, to brighten, tighten, and smooth your face with some awesome ingredients.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert J Collier

As you can see in the picture above, I have mostly decent skin. I’ve never had trouble with acne. I don’t have any trouble with oil, and only have a bit of dryness during the super cold winter months. But – My BIG complaint is the wrinkles on my forehead. When I see pictures of me in a group with my friends, it really stands out to me. I’m…Um, a very expressive person. Meaning I talk loud and often, with much hand movement and loads of wild facial expressions. When you combine that with a love of the sun – I’ve ended up with some lines that are aging me faster than I’d like!

Does it Work??

The answer is a big ol’ yes. I really like that the kit includes everything you need, and even comes with a chart to show you how to use them together, to make this pretty much a no-brainer to apply each day. That’s the kind of Busy Mom Solution I love. My favorite product from this kit, by FAR, was the Glowing Serum. It felt amazing when it went on each morning, and combined with the day cream to make my skin super soft and evenly textured. I’m also pretty impressed with the Firming Chest & Neck Creme. This is an area that I tend to neglect – so using a great moisturizer twice a day really made a difference.

Pros & Cons of the Meaningful Beauty System

I do love the products – they’re all great quality, the packaging is very simple and classy, and the scent is just right. {Weird, but true – the scent of skin-care products is super important to me.} And, one great thing that I want to point out – My mom also tried this system. And our skin types couldn’t be MORE different from one another. And she was totally in love with these products. I am pretty impressed that they could work equally great for both of us! And after a month of use, yes, it has smoothed my forehead lines a bit – which makes me super excited. But – the one thing that might prevent me from buying these again is that you have to order them in a full kit, and not individually. It’s a great way to get started, and a really good value. And – it even comes with a Money-Back Guarantee. So, I’ll have to finish using up the products, and see if I’m ready for the whole set again at once. I usually am not a fan of buying full kits like that – But considering how well these work together, I just might become a regular user!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Meaningful Beauty and received a 5-step treatment kit to facilitate my review, a second 5-step treatment kit to giveaway, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

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Posted by on March 19, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 3 Comments

A credit card with training wheels

teaching kids about money

Helping Guide Your Kids to Financial Independence

Does your daughter ever look at you less like her M.O.M. and more like her A.T.M.? If it seems like every time you turn around you’re reaching into your wallet to give your kid a little cash then the Bill My Parents SpendSmart card is the perfect solution. It’s basically a pre-paid debit card that also works at ATMs and lets you fund it the from your credit card or bank account. You can add money in on a weekly or monthly basis, or just as needed for her desperate quest for the perfect pair of jeans. You get notified when purchases are made and, because it’s a debit card she can’t spend more than she has, which not only teaches her to make better financial decisions, but also doesn’t risk her credit rating.

Easy Peasy for them – Safe for you

It’s taken everywhere Mastercard is accepted and there is a nominal monthly, reload and ATM fee. Best of all, if it ever gets stolen or you see that she’s shopping like a Kardashian you can shut down that card faster than you can say, “OMG!”

So teach your kids how to spend responsibly and keep them out of your wallet.

What do you think?

Ok – Confession time. When I was in high school, I didn’t always spend the money that my parents gave me the way that they had intended it to be used. They’d give me lunch money for the week… I’d eat a granola bar instead, and save it for the weekend to go out with my friends. And I was a GOOD kid, lol. Imagine what the bad kids are saving up their money for, right? That’s what makes this such an awesome tool for parents – it gives you a way to monitor what your kids are up to, and where they’re spending their money – without getting too nosy.

More Great Ways to Use a PrePaid Card for Kids

This would be so helpful for tons of other situations too – Babysitters, the kid who mows your lawn, giving a tip to your paper boy/girl… You’d just give them a card, and auto-load it with payment instead of always trying to remember to have cash on hand. If you’ve used this, leave a comment and let me know what you think, and how it worked for you! And for more great tips – Follow my Smart Solutions and Tech Made Simple boards on Pinterest too!

Digitwirl.com Rocks!

Digitwirl is the weekly web show that offers simple solutions to modern day problems. In 3 minutes, Digitwirl brings busy women the very best time, money, and sanity-saving technology, and then teaches them how to use it, step-by-step. Digitwirl was created by technology lifestyle expert Carley Knobloch, who uses lots of technology to manage her busy life as mom of two and entrepreneur. Become a subscriber to get weekly show alerts and exclusive deals at Digitwirl.com, or follow Digitwirl on Twitter at @digitwirl.

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Posted by on March 19, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 3 Comments
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