Erin, Author at The Sunny Side Up Blog

Organization

08.22.18

How to Keep your Sanity this School Year!

Back to school. It’s that time again! Our summer is winding down and I have mixed feelings this year! Excited to get back into a routine and for new beginnings, but also sad to see summer end. I’m a little anxious about this school year because I have three kids in three different schools with different start times and end times and breaks. (Their Spring Breaks are literally one right after the other three weeks in a row! Such a bummer.) Add that craziness to our already hectic activity schedule and I have no doubt I’m in for a wild year! I get tired every time I think about it. Ha. :)

So I’ve been working hard to get all of our systems in place and on top of things around the house. I’ve found lots of ways to help keep my sanity in tact during busy seasons of life and I’m sharing them with you today! I need the reminders myself and I hope that some of these tips help you keep your sanity this school year too. Moms need to stick together. :) And if you don’t have kids or your kids are grown I hope you still find a few tips that are helpful for your current season of life! Organization with or without kids is always a good thing. :)

{SET UP SYSTEMS TO CONTROL THE PAPER}

I know. We’ve been talking a lot about paper control lately but it’s such a HUGE thing that is essential to keeping your sanity! We all know how much paper comes in the home on a daily basis and if you don’t have systems set up to handle it, it ends up all over counters cluttering our homes and our minds and making it hard to stay on top of things. For my personal paperwork I set up these wooden bins in my office. The top row is for personal paperwork and the bottom row is for work paperwork. LOVE having a place to keep all of these loose papers I reach for daily. (More details in this post.)

If you don’t need multiple bins like I have I’d recommend at least having some sort of “inbox” where all of your urgent papers can land. Things that need your attention soon. I check this box at least once a day and this helps me make sure that important things don’t get lost in the shuffle!

For random papers my kids need to hang on to I have this hanging file system in my office that I’ve had forever. If you’re looking for something similar I just found this inexpensive solution that folds up and is perfect for managing papers! I also love this system and a few more options below.

*affiliate links used

Papers I need to save long term are filed in my drawers. So happy to have this little project behind me!

(Details in this post if you missed it!)

For random school/art work that my kids are proud of and we want to display I have these cork boards in my pantry.

I love having a place to quickly pin up tests or assignments my kids are proud of. Or that cute little note they wrote me or the wedding/baby announcement that came in the mail. I got these cork boards from PB and they’ve now replaced them with this similar option. I also love this one and it’s on sale right now! Below are a few other great options if you have room for a pin board in your kitchen, office or hallway.

Art work I’ve been displaying on our shiplap display wall through the summer months. Then I toss a lot of it! More on school work/art organization is coming. :)

(You can read all about our shiplap display wall here.)

{CLEAN/ORGANIZE KIDS’ SPACES}

I always feel much more sane during the school year when the spaces are organized that my kids’ are using often. Landing zones for shoes and backpacks especially need to be organized. My kids are always so excited to clean out our mudroom every summer. ;)

(Mudroom sources here)

In our previous home with no mudroom or space for shoes/coats/backpacks I used a wall in our garage to keep things organized. You can see more details on this set up in this oldie but goodie. :)

We also clean out the kids’ closets every summer. So nice to get rid of clothes that are too small or they aren’t wearing and clean out the clutter! It’s crazy how quickly things pile up in kids’ closets isn’t it!? It’s like they can’t help but collect every little insignificant item that comes their way!

(Details on Ad’s closet organization in this post.)

And of course if you have any type of office/craft room/homework room that the kids use for homework it’s so important to have that area cleaned and ready to go!

I’ve been working on my hot mess of an office all summer and am so excited to have cupboards and drawers streamlined!

If you use a kitchen counter or table for homework have a drawer or bin nearby ready with pencils, crayons, etc. Nothing like sharpened pencils and new crayons is there!? My favorite. :)

Having a set zone for homework that is clean and ready to go when kids start makes a huge difference!

{CREATE ROUTINES AND SHORTCUTS THAT MAKE LIFE EASIER}

I’m all about creating routines and shortcuts that help things run smoother each day. Simple things like laying my workout clothes out the night before, pre-packing lunches, etc. are a huge help during busy mornings when I’m tired and my brain isn’t quite awake yet!

Think about your every day routines and how you can simplify them. Kole’s bedroom is upstairs and every day when we were ready to put on shoes and head out the door I’d have to send him upstairs to grab a pair of socks. Lightbulb moment two years ago when I finally asked myself why I wasn’t keeping socks downstairs by the shoes!

Our powder bathroom is also downstairs close to our garage.

Soon after we moved into our home I set up this drawer with extra toothbrushes for mornings we are running late. If the kids haven’t brushed their teeth they can do it quick in the powder bathroom before they run out the door vs. running back upstairs. Does anyone else lose their kids when they send them upstairs? :)

I didn’t put one for me in this drawer because I get dressed and my teeth brushed early. If I don’t get myself ready before I get the kids ready it doesn’t happen!

Another helpful time saver for busy mornings is having a set place for snacks/school lunch stuff.

I have two drawers in my pantry that are just for snacks and they make it easy for my kids to grab something quickly to take to school with them. If you don’t have drawers in your pantry just pick any kitchen drawer! Or put a “snack” basket on the counter.

Having all of the lunch snacks corralled in one spot that the kids can reach makes lunch packing a breeze! (You can see pics of my full pantry here.)

Another routine that we started this summer that helped immensely with keeping my kids on track was using our Daily Expectation Charts.

I’m not going to use them for my girls this school year. Loved them for the summer, but my girls are just too busy with school/activities and they know their room/bathroom needs to stay clean and they help with house chores when they can. But I will definitely continue using this chart for Kole (my 8 year old) during the school year! I’ll add homework as one of his daily tasks. These motivate him so much and having set things to get done each day laid out like this keeps him off of the iPad and doing better things with his time! (You can read more about my expectation charts and how to download your own in this post.)

{SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS}

This is my favorite time of year to set new personal goals and routines. The start of a new school year is such a fresh start and I always feel motivated to work hard and be productive after having an unstructured summer. It’s a much easier time for me to set goals in September vs. January when I’m in a post holiday funk and just want to veg in sweats all day. :)

Now that kids are back in school take some time to really think about YOU. What are your goals and dreams? What do you want to achieve and work towards? Maybe you just need more time for self care if you’re a busy mom always meeting the needs of your kids and others. Making time for yourself can be a goal too! Whatever it is, write down your goals and decide on small steps to work towards them each day.

Here are a few of my past posts that might help us all get motivated!

Three Time Management Tips to Increase Productivity

Five Tips to Manage Your Time Better (Eat That Frog!)

How To Get Out of a Productivity Slump

I also plan on re-writing a few of my Current Projects pages so I know next steps for the projects I’m working on. I made some progress this summer I’m excited to share with you all! (You can read more about this printable and snag your own here!)

And of course my to-do list printables will be on heavy rotation. I’ll be using my time blocking page the most and scheduling out my day in detail so that I can make the most of the small kid-free time that I have! Just my drop off/pick up schedule alone needs its own printable.. ha! Say a prayer for me. ;) (You can read more about my favorite to-do list pages and print them for yourself here.) It’s so important as moms that we are taking care of ourselves and working towards something that makes us feel fulfilled and happy. You owe it to yourself to figure out what that is if you haven’t already! It makes all the difference for me and truly makes me a better mom/wife/friend/overall person.

{GET ORGANIZATION MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS}

Last but not least I think it’s so important to get motivation and inspiration from others! We can all learn so much from what others are trying and finding success with. I’m so excited to share a big event that I’m going to be a part of next month! I’m going to be a featured speaker at Get Organized HQ and you are all invited to join! Get Organized HQ is a FREE event with 20+ organizing experts to help you streamline your life and home. The best part is that you can join us without hiring a babysitter, changing out of your yoga pants or even leaving your house! My kind of event. ;) Mark your calendars now, Get Organized HQ runs from September 10th – 14th.

{CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET!}

More than 20 organizing pros from across the country are joining to share their knowledge to help you get organized and run a happy home with less stress and more structure! I’m really excited about the speakers at this event. They are all bloggers and YouTubers who have great tips to share in all areas of life, work and home. At Get Organized HQ the speakers will be covering everything from quick meal planning to healthy eating on budget, home management, creating routines, self-care, photo organization (I’ll be paying close attention to that one!), decluttering, eliminating paper clutter, home decorating, budgeting and finances, cleaning methods, streamlining your wardrobe, and more! My session is focused on office organization. Of course it is. ;) This was my first time doing anything video related. (Other than IG stories which I’m not that great at.. ha.) I’m trying to break out of my comfort zone! I hope you’ll tune in. :)

So that’s it!

Set up systems to control the paper
Clean and organize kids’ spaces
Create routines and shortcuts that make life easier
Set yourself up for success
Get organization motivation and inspiration from others

My best tips for keeping your sanity this school year! I’d love to hear any other tips/tricks you have in the comments! Like I said, we can all learn so much from each other. Here’s to happy school days ahead for all of us!

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xoxo, Erin

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Organization

08.13.18

Organized Greeting Cards

Organized Greeting cards! Our topic for today. You guys I’m seriously obsessed. Organizing everything in my house. I go through phases like this and JUST CAN’T STOP organizing. Really I think it’s just a control thing with me. It’s the end of summer and I’m starting to feel like running around everywhere with my kids but get nothing done is wearing me down. (It has been a fun party but it’s starting to take its toll!) So at night when the kids go to bed.. I organize! And feel a little bit of sanity slowly seep back into my life. Best medicine out there. ;)

I always buy extra cards.. birthday cards, thank you notes.. whenever I see one I love I buy it so that I have cards on hand when I need them.

I bought a binder with folders for each month years ago to hold my cards, but it clearly wasn’t made to hold my crazy stash!

So I looked around on-line and found this Card Keeper (you can get it here or here) which was a much better solution!

*Affiliate links used

I gathered up every random card from around my house and set up shop in font of my TV. You might have noticed in organizing posts like this one that I always lay out a throw or blanket and organize on my floor. I’ve been getting questions about that on IG stories when I share organizing pics. Something I’ve done for years.. forever really! I like to spread out and I like the blanket down in case there is anything dirty.. dusty papers or whatever. Then I can just shake or wash the blanket quick when I’m done and my rug stays clean. Funny habit. :)

{Bliss Throws (Teal Gazer/Pink Peony)/Chunky Wool Jute Rug/Thatcher Chair/Floor Lamp/Similar Coffee Table}

I did this little project the night The Bachelor finale was on. I never watch the entire season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows.. just the finale. Love the romance but not the drama. :) Plus my husband always has great commentary during the finales.. like how “their love will hands down stand the test of time because they are jumping out of an airplane together or swimming with dolphins and that’s the true sign of a long lasting relationship..”

Ha.

One heartbreak followed by one proposal later and my messy pile of cards was organized!

This Card Keeper has six dividers so I just labeled them the categories I had cards for: THANK YOU/BIRTHDAY/MOTHERS & FATHERS DAY/LOVE/HELLO/ & BLANK. You can find my beloved label maker I used here… it’s pretty much my 4th child. ;)

Some categories had more than others (like the thank you notes) so I turned the cards vertical to fit more.

Pure joy! Stuff like this makes me too happy.

I put together two birthday gifts for friends today and found a card for each of them in a snap! I’m usually digging through various drawers rushed and frustrated knowing I have birthday cards somewhere but not being able to locate them. Life just runs more smoothly when you’re organized, doesn’t it? That smooth feeling fuels my addiction. Because life with kids is usually not so smooth. And I like smooth.

I like it a lot. :)

Lid down and this happy organized box is now put away in my office cupboard! Just a few more things to go through in my office before it’s completely organized. It has been quite the summer project! Off to go through piles of old pictures.. I’ve been procrastinating on that one. Time for my blanket and Netflix!

{POST SOURCES}

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xoxo, Erin

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Home Decor

08.10.18

Bathroom Decor (a pop of pink!)

{Family Room Pics and Sources} Bathroom Decor (A pop of pink!) *affiliate links used

Well! This week was a blur. As are most weeks during the summer! We still have 12 more precious days before my first child heads back to school (quickly followed by my other two the following week) so we are making the most of it. Then I will be writing all sorts of time management/organization posts because I seriously need to get focused and back on track! But today we are talking bathroom decor! I’m still loving all of the spring/summer touches around my home and am especially obsessed with combining coral and soft pink! It seems to be a theme running through my home lately and it is making my spaces feel so current and light and bright. I’m a fan. :)

When Pottery Barn reached out to collaborate on this post (after doing a happy dance in my office because we all know how I feel about PB!) I knew exactly what I wanted to share with you all. Their Hydrocotton Quick Drying Bath Towels are long time favorites (they are seriously so plush and soft!) and I’ve had my eye on the Rose colored towels for a while now.

It’s such a treat when I find things I love to use daily that also look great in my home and work with my decor. The rose color in these towels looks so good against any and all grey paint! Making them perfect for my bathrooms.

(You can download all of my paint colors here)

I already had pops of coral in my master bathroom and love the combo with the soft pink!

So feminine and pretty.

I wondered if Kenny would mind the pink towels but he didn’t say a word about the color.. only how soft the towels are which was no surprise. He never notices details about how things look! Only how they function so the towels are a win. For both of us.

I have a feeling the pops of pink have only just begun. :)

I loved my new towels so much in my master bathroom I decided to put some in my powder bathroom too!

This rose color is a deeper pink making it perfect to transition from summer to fall. I have a feeling a lot of pink will be popping up in fall home decor this year. It’s such a hot trend! I’m still trying to decide if I want to keep the pinks or go with traditional fall colors. What’s your favorite for fall?

I added some of the same towels below my powder bath vanity, added a white hydrocotton towel in my basket and washed my bathroom rug.

I also got this pretty pressed glass soap dispenser! I’ve needed a new soap dispenser for a while now and love the vintage look of this! I also ordered a few more pressed glass accessories and am patiently waiting for them to arrive.

A few simple changes and it feels like a new space every time I walk in this bathroom!

Crazy the difference a few new towels can make. One thing I’ve learned through the years is that it really doesn’t take much to transform and breathe new life into our spaces. A few new towels in the bathroom, a few new pillows on the couch, a new plant or some fresh flowers and DONE. We fall in love with our homes all over again. :)

Huge thank you to Pottery Barn for sponsoring this post! And for helping me decorate my home through the years. Your style and quality keeps me going back. And back. And back again.

And then back again one more time even when my husband says it’s time to be done going back. :)

Enjoy your weekend everyone! This pictures sums up plans around here. :)

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xoxo, Erin

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Fashion

08.03.18

Fashion Friday (Anniversary Sale!) and a Special Day

Happy Friday everyone! We made it! Always a good feeling isn’t it!? Friday is hands down my favorite day of the week. Everything just slows down and for me, the promise of a great weekend is usually better than the weekend itself.. ha. Not that weekends aren’t good, but because of the stage we are in with our kids they are busy! I usually have grand plans of down time that don’t really pan out. But Friday is my day to dream! I’m sure a lot of you can relate. :)

I’m excited to be partnering with Nordstrom today to share more of my favorites from the Anniversary Sale! The sale ends this Sunday night so this is the last weekend to get great deals on cute new things for Fall. Love this sale. I’m always sad to see it end! Some of the things I ordered on-line arrived and I’m excited to share a few more of my favorites with you along with things I’ve shared that have been re-stocked!

*affiliate links used

{Bell Sleeve Cashmere Sweater/Madewell Necklace/AG Jeans/Kentvi Sandal}

So this sweater was a splurge but is honestly one of my favorites! I absolutely love bell sleeves and the neckline and color of this sweater is so beautiful. So cute with a long necklace! This Madewell necklace was also on sale and sold out but this is another Madewell necklace I have and love that is similar.

{Bell Sleeve Cashmere Sweater/Arrowstack Necklace/AG Jeans/Analise Sandal}

I ordered it in gray also to try and wanted to show you both colors. I’m going to keep the purple because I already have a lot of gray but love them both! The gray I ordered in petite but I like the regular xs above in the purple better so I’d say order your regular size! Looks cute a little long in the sleeves.

{Rails Plaid Shirt/AG jeans/Caslon Wedge Sneakers}

You all know I can’t resist a good black and white plaid flannel top! And this one is darling. So cute with these casual wedge sneakers.

But I also love it with this cute faux leather tote and my brown Kentvi Sandals! Isn’t this purse cute!? And such a great price. Comes with a strap you can add but I like it better without. The gold handles are my favorite! My top comes in other colors and patterns too. I really love all things Rails, but it’s a pricey brand so I usually only buy Rails during this sale when things are marked down. Their plaid shirts just hang so perfectly! And they are warm but not heavy flannel – perfect for easing into Fall when it’s cool but not cold.

{Oversize Open Cardigan/Jeans/Arrowstack Necklace/Purse/Sandals}

I bought two new cardigans during the sale (live in them when it’s cool!) and this oversize cardigan was one of my favorites. I love the big sleeves and how slouchy and cozy it fits. Excited to have a cardigan in navy too! I love navy.

The other cardigan I loved from the sale this year is the Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Sweater. Beautiful cardigan that comes in so many colors. Loving the teal! Just a few sizes left in this one so grab one quick if it’s something you want and they have your size! Matching my bathroom here.. not intentional but we’ll roll with it. :) You can see how I organize my jewelry in this post.

Speaking of jewelry, these Oblong Drop earrings are my very favorite from the sale this year (this pair is similar) and I’ve been wearing them almost every day since they came in! So cute and they seem to work with everything. I snapped this pic last weekend on our way to watch El perform in Dancerpalooza (a fun dance intensive we usually travel to but this year it was in San Diego) .. so much fun seeing her on stage!

{Balloon Sleeve Sweater/AG jeans/Madewell Bag/Similar bag on sale/Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal}

I mentioned this balloon sleeve sweater is one of my favorites from the sale this year. So comfy and such a great price!

I had to order it in green too! Just couldn’t resist. LOVE this sweater. LOVE this color! Wearing it with my Kate Spade Aviators I also love from the sale this year! A friend snapped this pic for me and we were laughing so hard..

I was dying! So hot wearing this sweater outside in the summer! Half of my pics came back like this of me fanning myself.. ha. I was trying to mix up the bedroom mirror selfies for you all but quickly realized that sometimes I do things a certain way for a reason.

Air conditioning! Back in my cool house and ready to try on winter wear. ;) Ok.. you all know how I feel about camo.. this Caslon Utility Jacket is so cute! Especially love the little pop of pink above the pocket. It runs large so I’d order one size smaller than your regular size.

I got it in the green to try too and now can’t decide which one to keep!

I ordered this Fit and Flare dress early on and knew I would love it! I was so excited to try it on and it fit perfectly true to size. It looks a little short on the model but on me it hits just above the knee (I’m 5’3.. and a half). ;) I love it with my over the knee black boots for Fall! I bought my boots during this sale last year and about wore them out. I love not having to worry about my legs! Haven’t shaved? Out of tanner? No problem. :) This pair of Vince Camuto over the knee boots are similar and on sale!

Here is a side view of this dress so you can see how sliming it is and how beautiful the ruffle sleeves are. Plus I’m crazy about this stunning teal color! But it also comes in navy and burgundy.

And it ties in the back! Would be so cute with hair in an up-do to show off the bow. LOVE this dress.

{Make and Model Too Cool Pullover/Make and Model Good Vibes Jogger Pants}

Ok.. enough dressy talk.. let’s get to the really good stuff. The pjs! :) I shared this cute Make and Model pair I bought early on in the sale. If you know me you already know of my never-ending love for Make and Model pjs. If we had to evacuate our home I’d grab my kids, my albums and then my Make and Model pajamas. Because I’d need something comfy to wear during the disaster of course. ;) Really though.. they make me so happy. I put them on at the end of the day and just ahhh.. instant comfort. Plus they are cute and flattering too! Comfort first, but that’s a major bonus.

They’re cute enough to wear for every day wear too! Isn’t this pullover darling with jeans!? Wear pjs all day? Well if you insist… ok.. don’t mind if I do. :)

{Good Vibes Jogger Pants/Brushed Hacci Hoodie}

So I bought the new pair above during the sale. And not too long ago I bought this blue pair. (Those I wear during the day running errands all the time too!)

{Sleepy Fleece Hoodie/Sleepy High Rise Lounge Jogger Pants}

And now Nordstrom has this pair in stock and on sale! Ahhhh! Don’t do this to me! I seriously can’t resist a cute pair of Make and Model pjs. I’m just not strong enough. Admitting my problem is the first step to recovery. The only reason these aren’t on their way to my house right now is because I can’t decide which color combo to get.. aren’t they all perfection!? Help! What’s your favorite? Tell me in the comments or I’ll be forced to order one of each.

And then I’ll be promptly signing divorce papers when my husband finds out.

Kidding.. but not kidding.. ha. He just doesn’t understand! If they made Make and Model pjs for men he would get it!

I broke out of my Make and Model comfort zone and bought these matte satin pj’s during the sale too and have loved having cool silky pjs when it’s hot – which is most days right now. Thinking of getting a few pairs for Christmas gifts this weekend. I have a feeling my mom would love these too. Am I right mom? :) Also my favorite bliss throws are going fast! Just a handful colors left if you want one for only $25!

{Cashmere Sweater/AG Jeans/Purse/Open Toe Mules}

Ok.. quickly linking past favorites that sold out and have been re-stocked!

{Rebecca Minkoff Dress/Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal/Kate Spade Aviator Sunglasses}

This darling dress was re-stocked but is almost sold out again!

{Leith Rib Wrap Sweater /Pleat Detail Midi Skirt/open toe mules}

{Adidas Hoodie/Adidas Leggings}

My oldest daughter and one of her friends have already borrowed this hoodie from me so I know it must be cool. ;)

{J Crew Tres Chic Tee/AG jeans/Chuck Taylor Sneakers}

{Treasure and Bond cinched sweatshirt/Zella Crop Leggings/Flashback Sneakers}

These flashback sneakers have sold out twice and are going fast the third time around! Long time favorites.

{Tie Knot Sweatshirt}

These wedge sneakers and my favorite Make and Model Gotta Have it Tees are two things I would highly recommend if you don’t already have them! Both so comfy. The tees are long time favorites.

{Vince Camuto Blouse/Vince Camuto Midi Skirt/Halo Strap Sandal}

I also wanted to let you all know that there are similar Paige skinny jeans on sale in this olive color! I have loved my green Paige jeans.

{Michael Kors Suit/Smartcare Dress Shirt/Austin Derby Shoes}

Yesterday I shared some cute clothes Addison and her friend got for back to school from the Nordstrom sale, but I didn’t share anything for my little guy! This Michael Kors suit was his splurge from the Nordstrom sale this year. A major splurge for a special occasion. Two weeks ago Kole was baptized. (In the church we attend kids can get baptized when they turn 8 years old). It was such a special day for our family! And a bit emotional for me seeing my husband baptize our youngest. Plus I just kept looking at Kole in his first suit looking so grown up and handsome and couldn’t get over it!

{Lewit Puff Sleeve Dress/Halo Strap Sandals/Purse/Earrings}

I had this new dress that was perfect for such a special occasion so Kole and I were feeling fancy. ;)

The ceremony was so beautiful. My girls sang and I shared some sweet and funny things about Kole. So easy to do! He brings so much happiness to our lives and to everyone around him and makes us all laugh every single day. I can’t imagine life without my sweet boy. He is growing up way too quickly! And because of that I had his pants tailored in a way that we can keep letting them out so hopefully this suit will last a while. ;) This is one outfit I’ll save forever. Wish I could freeze him in time and keep him this age forever.

He got baptized with two of his good buddies and we had a luncheon with lots of friends and family after to celebrate these darling boys and the good choices they are making in their lives.

Of course they responded with unmatched poise and sophistication.

As they always do.

*Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post, for the incredible customer service and for such an amazing sale this year!

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xoxo, Erin

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Organization

08.02.18

Organizing Progress and Girls School Clothes

So this past week has been NON-STOP organizing at my house. Ok.. that’s not totally true. There has been a lot of running kids around and enjoying summer in-between the organizing, but whenever a free minute pops up, I’ve been working! We have three weeks until school starts and I am on a mission to get my house in order and projects wrapped up that have been lingering on my to-do list for way too long. First up was organizing the file drawers in my office.

I absolutely loved hearing from so many of you that my post on organizing my file drawers motivated you to get some of your paper under control too! One sweet reader sent the picture above along with garbage bags of recycled paper she finally sorted through. E-mails like that make my day! So thank you to all of you who send me kind comments and thank you notes. They are appreciated more than you know!

Finally getting my file drawers organized gave me the motivation I needed to clean out other areas in my house so today I’m sharing some progress we’ve made. Emphasis on the word PROGRESS. These are quickly snapped cell phone pics with lousy lighting and real life messes. Be warned. :)

*affiliate links used

*You can see my full office decor and sources in this post. It’s much cleaner there too. :)

My office. What can I say.. I’ve cleaned it out so many times but to be honest, I’ve been mostly just shuffling things around. Not this time! This past week I have been tossing EVERYTHING we aren’t using and I can’t tell you how good it feels to get this spaced cleaned out and organized for good!

Two bags of garbage and one to Goodwill after this major clean out. “After” office pics of how I’m organizing this space are coming! Most likely when the kids are back in school and I have time to take some pics. :)

Mudroom was next on my list! I shared this little clean out on Instagram Stories but thought I’d share the pics here on the blog too for those of you who missed it!

My kids are always so happy when I start tearing cupboards and drawers apart.. ha. Sorry but not sorry. :) We took everything out of the cupboards and drawers, vacuumed and wiped them all out, then put back the shoes and things we are actually wearing right now and put the rest in bags for Goodwill. Crazy how quickly kids grow out of their shoes! A few pics of the progress..

I love having all of our flip flops in one drawer by the door! Before we moved into this house I always kept a basket in our garage full of flip flops during the summer then put it away in the winter.

I use these cupboards to hold shoes that aren’t worn as often and old backpacks. (My kids always keep one old backpack each for camping, travel, hikes, etc.)

Time to organize each of our lockers on the left side..

We each have a drawer for our most worn shoes. This is my 14 year old’s drawer and I got so many questions about her rose gold sandals! You can find them here. They are darling, come in lots of colors and I love them for me too! So fun that we are the same shoe/clothes size now. :)

My husband’s shoes are in our closet and so are most of mine (I just keep my exercise shoes in my mudroom drawer) but ALL of the kids’ shoes are in this room.

Wiped clean and ready for new backpacks!

I shared this little tip and heard from so many moms! YES! Keep socks downstairs by the door with the shoes! Saves so much time with younger kids.

{Bosworth Printed Wool Rug (on sale!)/Coral Celine Throw/Woven Araya Pillow/Embellished Shape Pillow}

Thrilled to have this room so clean and ready for a new school year!

This evening Ellie and I tackled her closet and room and OH MAN. I’ve been putting this one off! It was getting so full of clutter! Here is my BEST TIP for cleaning out kids’ rooms when they have hit disaster mode. Pull everything out of the room! I had El get everything in her closet, under her bed, on her floor, on her desk, etc. and pull it all into the hallway. The nice thing about this is that you are starting with a CLEAN room and it feels like a blank slate that you don’t want to mess up again! I vacuumed her floor really good while El got to work organizing..

Well. More like taking a little trip down memory lane reading old journals. Ha. Moms.. you have to oversee large projects like this for this very reason. Kids should do most of the work, but they usually need some prodding along the way so that a 2-3 hour project doesn’t take a week. ;) I gave El one black sack for garbage, one for Goodwill and everything else she wanted to keep she needed to put back nice and neat. She did a great job and we got rid of most of that stuff in the hallway only keeping special keepsakes and a few things she still uses.

We even hit the jackpot finding money and gift cards in all sorts of places. I think I should take that for my services and assistance..

We also pulled all of her clothes out of her drawers and vacuumed them, then wiped them clean!

Then we put back only the clothes she is wearing now. Addison took a few things and then we had another full black bag of clothes for Goodwill!

Half way through I asked her how she was holding up and this was the response I got.. ha! It wore us both out but oh my word.. her room is so nice and clean! Ready to start High School clutter free! I think she’s motivated to keep it clean too because she doesn’t want to have to do a clean out like that again for a long time!

Switching gears with daughter number 2! She and her friend got some cute new back to school clothes and I wanted to share them with you now because most of them are from the Nordstrom sale that ends Sunday night! I have a few more of my favorites that I’ll be sharing tomorrow but here are some cute things if you have girls heading back to school this fall!

{Zella leggings/Zella Pullover/Gladiator Sandals/Balloon Sleeve Cardigan/Similar Jeans}

Ad is the shortest of all of her friends. Both of my girls are! They are taking after their mom in lots of ways. :) So in love with this cardigan I got Ad for Fall! She loves how cozy it is and can’t wait to wear it when it cools off. Her friends is wearing Zella wear that is also so comfy for back to school!

{Red Cotton Tee/Good Vibes Tee}

These two have been doing a fun summer theatre camp together so in-between these pictures there was lots of practicing for their upcoming performance. Cutest girls. Love them!

{Floral Blouse}

This floral blouse is one of Ad’s favorites!

{Rainbow Stripe Sweatshirt/Fleece Sleep Shorts}

And how cute is this sweatshirt and pj shorts!? My girls have this brand of sleep shorts too and live in them at home! So comfy.

{Tie Sleeve Sweatshirt/Glitter Anna Flat}

This cute tie sleeve sweatshirt is one of my favorites! So cute and soft.

{Sport Ruffle Sleeve Top/Zoe and Rose Dot Flutter Sleeve Dress}

{Walking on Sunshine Tee/Lace up Hooded Dress}

This lace up hooded dress is also so cute! I bought this one for Ad and it was too long on her but looks daring on her friend! So she kept it and we ordered Ad another one a size smaller. They will be cute twins in this darling dress this Fall!

Never a dull moment with my girls and their cute friends. :)

{Trixxi Sweater Knit Tulle Dress/Stripe Woven Shirt}

Another dress both girls will be wearing this Fall! There were so many cute dresses on sale this year for girls! And Ad is obsessed with tops that tie so I knew this striped top would be a hit. I love it so much too and wish it came in my size!

So happy it’s still summer around here but when school hits we will be ready! I have a few more spaces to organize and need to do some clothes shopping for my other two, but progress! One day at a time. :)

{POST SOURCES}

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xoxo, Erin

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Home Decor

07.29.18

Living Room Summer Decor

A few weeks ago I freshened our living room up with a few small changes and I have been loving how bright and crisp and clean this space feels for summer!

So come in! Sit down and let’s chat. :)

{You can find paint details for this space by downloading my paint printable HERE}

I think the first thing we would chat about are these beautiful new pillows! This room can sometimes feel busy to me because I have a lot of accessories on the shelves and a lot going on in the pictures in the gallery wall so I absolutely love the way the simplicity of these pillows calms things down and brings everything together.

They are from Lauren at LO HOME and are amazing quality and so beautiful in person! Plus Lauren is just the sweetest and I’ve loved getting to know her. She reached out to me about doing an IG post, but I just had to share her fun website with you all here on the blog too because I honestly love her style and decor so much and know I’ll be ordering more from her in the future. She set up a page of my favorite pillows and throws I chose for my living room (they come in so many different fun colors!) but she also sells furniture and accessories. I have my eye on some cute new ginger jars she just got in and I love her lamps! But I have to tell you what I’m beyond impressed with are her pillow inserts! Oh my word! Seriously the softest pillow inserts ever! I’m going to be using them for all of my pillow covers when I switch things up for different seasons because the quality is amazing. Although I have to say I’m in no rush to switch out these beautiful pillow covers!

Still loving navy and coral.. and I added a fun pop of pink for summer!

I also added a couple of cute tassel pillows to my chairs and love my new throws!

I have been looking for a larger tray for my coffee table for a while and finally found this silver lacquer tray.

I love that it gives me more room for accessories. A favorite flower book for me and my husband’s Harley book underneath. A little bit of both of us on the table. ;)

I got this cute white glass box from LO HOME also but it looks like it has sold out! Hopefully it will be back in stock soon.. so cute for a great price!

I switched a few things around on my shelves. Funny how such simple changes – new pillows and mixing up accessories can make you feel like you have a whole new space.

Tulips are a Home Goods find and the coral brings in the beach for summer! We’ll ignore the fact that I still have my O Holy Night Christmas sign up behind them. Guess I’m trying to bring ALL the seasons into this room. Or I’m just too lazy to find something else to put there. Verdict is still out on that one.

Entry pics and sources are HERE.

Always a good thing to mix up our surroundings and re-decorate every once in a while. It just breathes new life into a space! And is kinda fun.. so there’s that. :)

{LIVING ROOM SOURCES}

LO HOME PILLOWS AND THROWS

CURTAINS ARE CUSTOM AND YOU CAN FIND ORDERING INFO. IN THIS POST

{SIMILAR RUGS}

{SIMILAR MIRRORS}

{SIMILAR FRAMES AND LAMPS}

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xoxo, Erin

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Organization

07.25.18

How I Plan My Day (with free printables!)

HOW I PLAN MY DAY (with free printables!)

Well! Here we are mid week already! All three of my kids are in summer camps right now and I had been looking forward to this week thinking I would be able to get so much done. Instead I’m spending most of my time getting them to ALL the places and then picked up from ALL the places with a quick grocery store run and kitchen clean up in-between. It’s looking like it’s not going to be such a productive week after all! Ha. I decided this might be a good time to chat about planning and productivity on the blog with all of you since this week is a total bust for me when it comes to productivity. I’m hoping just chatting about being productive will make me feel better. :)

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about how I plan my day and what type of planner I use so today I’m sharing a few things that help me plan and be more efficient with my time. But I have to first warn you.. the only thing that is consistent about my planning is that I’m completely inconsistent. :) I’m not inconsistent with planning itself.. I’m a planner and I always make a plan for my day. I’m just not so consistent with HOW I plan. There are two reasons for this. First, different planning methods work better for me depending on the month/season that I’m in with my life/kids. And second, I just love planning and to-do lists so it’s always fun for me to switch things up and try new strategies. I’m kind of nerdy like that. I don’t think this is new news to anyone here. :)

Because I LOVE a good to-do list I started making my own years ago. These are three different to-do lists I have always loved using and rotate often. I finally made them into free printables for all of you too! Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I love sharing things with you that are working well for me! Then you can all be nerdy and geek out over new to-do lists too. #itsaparty #youreinvited

{CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MY THREE TO-DO LISTS ALONG WITH OTHER FUN THINGS IN MY PRINTABLE LIBRARY!}

(If you are already a Sunny Side Up subscriber just enter your info. again to get the printables.. it won’t add you twice! Also, if you sign up and don’t get an e-mail soon after check your junk mail! Once in a while it lands there first.)

This first list I call my Time Blocking To Do List. I use this the most during the school year.. especially on my really busy days when there are lots of things I need to get done. I write my to-do’s on the right side in a list and then put my top three things that HAVE to get done that day at the top. Then I assign specific times during my day to specific to-do’s. I have learned a lot about time blocking this year (mostly by trial and error!) and will write a separate post about things I’ve learned at some point. This printable is great for days you need to be really specific and strict with your time.

My Weekly To Do List is two pages long. I use this when I have week with a lot of specific things I need to do or remember each day. I created this a couple of years ago in May! May is always a crazy month with all of the end of school year activities and I needed a place to write ALL the things I had to do/remember each day. Send flowers for teachers Monday, volunteering for field day Tuesday, crazy hair day Wednesday, and on and on. This list helps me immensely during weeks that I need a lot of daily reminders!

My Day/Week/Month To Do List is my favorite list to use over the summer! It’s a less structured list that helps me keep track of things I need/want to do for each day, the week and then things I’d love to get done during the month. My favorite part of this list is that it’s perfect to use with sticky notes!

This list fits a regular square sticky note for the daily to-do’s and a 3×5 sticky note for the weekly to-dos. I didn’t come up with this idea (I found something similar on pinterest and made it my own!) but I absolutely love it because it’s so nice to toss that top sticky note at the end of each day and start a new one! Sometimes I get to toss the weekly list early too and then I feel oh so productive. :) I still cross things off as I go too. I love that I don’t have to keep re-writing the monthly to-dos. Those are usually bigger projects or things that I need to get done, but don’t have an immediate deadline. Perfect to-do list for summer because each day is so different and this list isn’t structured in any way.

I hope these to-do lists are as helpful to you as they have been to me! Now.. for the question of what planner am I currently using? That changes often around here too. :)

*affiliate links used

I am always on the hunt for the perfect planner and to be honest I feel like I have yet to find it! I’ve found a lot of planners that I really like, but I haven’t found one that has everything I want it to have. Sometimes I dream about creating my own and owning a little planner/notebook shop! For now I enjoy experimenting with different planners and binders and using my to-do lists above. This summer I’ve been using this simple 5 Star Flex Note Binder.

Remember the wooden trays in my office that are divided into categories to help me keep paper I need often under control?

Because we’ve been traveling more often this summer I decided to use this binder because it has lots of folders! So I can take the miscellaneous papers I need with me. The folders/dividers also have tabs and I was going to label them but just haven’t got around to it yet. (Too much time in my car! Ha.)

Very similar to this Time Management Binder I created a few years ago!

Not many planners have folders inside to hold miscellaneous papers and I wish they did!

Aside from the folders I also love that this Note Binder has a place to put my to-do lists! Right now I’m using my Day/Week/Month To-Do List..

and of course several of my Current Projects lists. (Which are also available in my printable library and you can read more about how I use my Current Projects printable here.)

I hope that sharing what has worked for me when it comes to daily planning gave you some ideas too! I’ve always loved mixing up how I plan. It keeps my to-do lists fun and less of a chore. Happy planning!

Or if you’re still in summer mode with kids home like me.. happy planning how you’ll soon plan when everyone goes back to school. :)

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xoxo, Erin

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Fashion

07.20.18

Fashion Friday – Anniversary Sale is open!

Oh happy day! The Anniversary Sale is now open to everyone! For those of you who have been patiently waiting happy shopping! I hope you get some things you love! I’m also hoping they re-stock some things I’ve had my eye on that sold out too quickly! Fingers crossed. I’m sharing a round-up of all of my favorites today so everything is in one place to make your shopping easier! Along with a few favorites I haven’t shared yet and the best buys for the men in your life. For those of you who aren’t all that into fashion (what!? why not!? ;)) I have some fun posts coming your way next week. I’ve been busy with lots of organizing and decorating and it feels so good to make progress on a few projects! I’ve also been getting so many questions about planners and how I plan my day so I’m hoping to share that with you all very soon too!

*affiliate links used

{Sunday Graphic Tee/Zella Crop Pants/Adidas Sneakers}

This favorite Sunday graphic tee that’s first on the agenda isn’t actually part of the sale! I’ve had it for a while now and it sold out so quickly I never had a chance to share it with you all before it was gone. It’s now back in stock in all sizes! So cute and comfortable. Plus how could I pass up a tee with a sun on it? :)

My Good Vibes graphic tee is also back in stock! Same comfy brand. I live in tees like these!

Vince Camuto Denim Jacket/Treasure and Bond Baseball Tee/Wedge Sneakers/AG Legging Ankle Ripped Skinny Jeans

There are so many cute denim jackets on sale this year! If you need a dark jacket this one is so cute. Excited to wear my new Vince jacket this Fall!

{Vince Camuto Blouse/Vince Camuto Midi Skirt/Halo Strap Sandal}

Speaking of Vince Camuto.. I got my blouse in the mail and LOVE it. I’m not really a fan of this color on me (unless it’s an accessory) but the style and fit of this top is so beautiful I don’t mind the pink! This skirt is also really comfortable and flattering and on sale right now if you need a good basic black skirt.

I was trying to get a pic of this blouse with jeans because it would also be cute for a date night look but someone decided to help with the photography so we didn’t get far.

He has been “helping” with my Fashion Friday posts for a LONG time.

My biggest fan. ;)

If you are shopping for the men in your life there are some great items on sale right now! Below are my favorites. These are all things Kenny has and loves along with a few new things I picked up for him this year!

Linen Blend Henley 2) Vintage Long Sleeve Henley 3) North Face Jacket 4) Rail Crew Neck Sweater 5) Wrinkle Free Straight Leg Chinos 6) Vintage Ribbed Quarter Zip Shirt 7) 4 Pack Cotton T-Shirts 8) Trim Fit Non-Iron Dress Shirt 9) Trim Fit Slubbed T-Shirt 10) Lacoste Pima Cotton T Shirt 11) Meritt Cap Toe 12) Ecco Lace-Up Sneaker 13) Vans Old School Sneaker

When I shared my favorite Bliss Throws that are on sale earlier this week I was flooded with questions about the colors I chose. They look so different on-line and really are a lot prettier in person! Above are the colors I have and bought for gifts last year. Ignore the “swipe up” since you’re already here. ;) Below are other Home Decor favorites on sale for those of you just starting your shopping! (The Fringe Pillow is back in stock! Such a cute little accent pillow!)

Bliss Plush Throw 2) Fringe Pillow 3) Voluspa Candles 4) Marble and Wood Serving Board 5) Monogram Tablet Holder 6) Pom Pom Morgan Throw 7) Paper Towel Holder 8) Pom Pom Pillow 9) White Towel Set 10) Chloe White Duvet Cover

{Cashmere Sweater/AG Jeans/Purse/Open Toe Mules}

So many cute sweaters this year! Loving this combo of all shades of pink. My favorites are below! Hoping a few are re-stocked! I really want #6 in white and my size sold out before I could order it.

Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan 2) Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Sweater 3) Balloon Sleeve Sweater 4) Halogen Scallop Trim Sweater 5) Leith Rib Wrap Sweater 6) Dolman Sleeve Sweater 7) Tie Knot Sweatshsirt 8) Halogen Cashmere Button Sleeve Sweater

{Make and Model Gotta Have it Tee}

Round-up of my favorite shoes and essentials below!

1) Sperry Water Resistant Boots 2) Flashback Sneaker 3) Sam Edelman Knee High Boot 4) Sam Edelman Maurine Bootie 5) Aiden Wedge Sneaker 6) Vince Camuto Acasha Pump 7) Tonya Open Toe Mule 8) Tory Burch Benton Pump 9) 10) Vince Camuto Pevista Bootie 11) Vince Camuto Movinta Bootie

Nordstrom Cubic Zirconia Earrings 2) Nordstrom Chevron Luggage 3) Spanx 4) Kiehl Lotion 5) Make and Model Gotta Have it Tee 6) Face Complexion Set 7) T3 Hair Dryer 8) Swell Water Bottle 9) Caslon Scoop Neck Cotton Tees

{Adidas Hoodie/Adidas Leggings}

And also my favorite Activewear on sale right now..

Adidas Hoodie 2) Nike Sweatshirt 3) Zella Live in Lite Crop Leggings 4) Zella Jogger Pants 5) Zella Sheer Drama Crop Leggings 6) Zella High Waist Cropped Leggings

Yesterday I shared my favorite dresses but forgot to include this Belted Red Skirt and Halogen Ribbon Top! LOVE this outfit so much! A close friend of mine also bought it and I have to say that it looks better on her! She is taller and the skirt hits right above her knees like it’s supposed to. Ha. But I don’t care.. I still love it! I just need to add some higher heels for height. Nothing new there. The rest of my favorite dresses, purses and jewelry are below!

Chelsea28 Ruffle Midi Dress 2) Rebecca Taylor Fit and Flare 3) Lewit Puff Sleeve Dress 4) Tahari Pinstripe 5) Tahari Lace Inset Fit and Flare 6) Tie Waist T-Shirt Dress 7) Eliza J Ruffle Sleeve Dress 8) Chelsea28 Crepe Fit and Flare 9) Tory Burch Crossbody Bag 10) Tory Burch Wallet 11) Sara Leather Wristlet 12) Faux Leather Tote Bag

1) Oblong Drop Earrings 2) Bladedrop Necklace 3) Nadri Hinge Bangle 4) Arrowdrop Bolo Necklace 5) Arrowshift Pendant Necklace 6) KS Kirsten Drop Earrings 7) Panacea Tassel Hoop Earrings 8) KS Initial Pendant Necklace 9) Inside Out Hoop Earrings 10) Genevieve Hoop Earrings

{Good Vibes Jogger Pants/Too Cool Pullover}

And we can’t have a favorites round-up post without favorite pjs! I thought about turning on our AC the other evening just so I could wear these. Don’t tell my husband. He’ll call my dad for sympathy because when I was in high school I used to turn on our heater (sometimes in the middle of summer) just so that I could lay on the heat vent on the floor to dry my hair. It gave it the perfect scrunchy 90’s curl! How could I not? Ha ha.. my dad would get so mad! The men in my life have put up with a lot in the name of fashion and good hair. ;)

{Nordstrom Matte Satin Pajamas/Bliss Throw/Wool Jute Rug}

Signing off! I’m so excited for the weekend. It’s a special day for our family Saturday! I’ll share next week. I love sharing my life and passions with all of you btw. If you’re reading we most likely have things in common and that instantly connects us all. I love that. Thank you for being here and allowing me to be a part of your day! It truly means so much.

Not sure what prompted the sentimental turn I took there but Kenny isn’t awake right now to give me a hard time so I’m rolling with it. Enjoy your weekend friends! :)

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xoxo, Erin

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Home Decor

07.19.18

Rugs, Dresses, Jewelry, Flowers

*affiliate links used

{Olin black striped rug/all other kitchen pics and sources}

I loved hearing from so many of you about my paper organization post yesterday! I know sorting, purging and filing papers isn’t rocket science, but seeing how others organize always inspires and motivates me to get things done around my house and I’m thrilled it did the same for some of you! I’ll definitely be sharing more about how I organize ALL of our paper in upcoming posts. I’m on a roll! :)

Chatting about a few random things today! First on the agenda are my kitchen rugs.

I get so many questions about how I keep these rugs clean! Really how I keep all of my white/light colored rugs clean.

Here’s the deal with my striped rugs. You are NOT supposed to wash them. But I can’t have kitchen rugs that I can’t wash. My kids are not kind to my rugs in any way, shape or form and they get trashed daily. So I knew when I bought these rugs that I was going to ignore the label and wash them anyway. (Such a rebel.)

{Laundry Room Post/Sources}

Clearly I’m a fan of these rugs since aside from my kitchen, I also have one in my laundry room and two on my front porch. You all know that when I find something I love I buy multiples. :) I toss them in my washing machine (one or two at a time) and put them on either the gentle or hand wash cycle (I’ve done both and don’t see a difference between the two). Then I shake them and let them air dry.

The rugs in this picture look faded but they aren’t.. that’s just because I took this picture by the window. The rugs don’t fade when you wash them BUT! The first time I washed them they did shrink a little. Maybe an inch all around? I didn’t even notice at first but when I went to lay them on their rug pads, the pad was bigger. I just cut it smaller to fit the rug and they haven’t shrunk again since that initial first time I washed them. (I’ve washed my kitchen rugs each 4-5 times now.) One time a little bit of the black bled into the white (just a tad!) on one of the rugs but it doesn’t bother me. I’d rather have rugs that are a tiny bit smaller or have colors that have bled a little and look clean! I figure I’ll wash them until they don’t look good anymore and then buy new rugs. I have to get new kitchen rugs every 2 years or so anyway because they take so much abuse. We really aren’t careful with them at all! And I’m a hot mess when I cook in my kitchen. Things get spilled daily. I’d love to blame it all on my kids but the truth is that I’m ~~most~~ part of the problem. :)

{Powder Bathroom Sources}

I do the same thing with my favorite white bathroom rugs. Toss one at a time in the washer on a gentle cycle and then lay them out to dry. These come out so nice and clean! I do have large, fairly new washing machines so that might make a difference. It’s risky washing rugs that aren’t supposed to be machine washed, but for me it’s either do that or I just have to find a new rug anyway because like I said, I have to be able to wash them.

I don’t know what will happen to your rugs if you wash them! You may or may not have the same experience, so machine wash at your own risk! I would feel awful if you ruined your rugs because of my advice. But I get asked this question so much and wanted to share the honest answer. I break the rules. I machine wash rugs that aren’t supposed to be machine washed and deal with the consequences.

Because for me, at the end of the day, CLEAN wins.

Every time. :)

Speaking of all things laundry.. you guys! I was cracking up a few days ago! I shared this on IG stories so sorry for the repeat for some of you but oh my word. I have to document this. :) I walked into my kitchen the other day and went to my sink to wash some dishes and about jumped a foot because there was something large and red hanging just outside of my window. It seriously scared me at first! Then I thought wait minute.. is that my husband’s shirt!? Hanging from our outdoor light fixture!?

Um yes. Yes it is. My husband rarely does laundry.. I do it all so this was a first. I don’t why but it just cracked me up! There are so many places he could hang his clothes to dry inside our house (including built-in drying racks!) but why use those when you can use outdoor light fixtures instead. Ha ha! Hanging clothes outside isn’t a bad idea.. and I’ve tossed things over chairs before to dry, but something about seeing his clothes hanging from these large light fixtures was just so funny to me. Points to him for being creative! And taking the initiative to do some laundry. (Although I think I’ll take it from here babe.. not sure I want to see what you come up with next time. Our neighbors still like us at this point..)

{Lewit Puff Sleeve Dress/Halo Strap Sandals/Purse/Earrings}

Ok.. back to talk about wearing clothes instead of washing them. I was so excited to wear this new dress from the Nordstrom sale last week! I snapped a pic so you could see it in better lighting. I don’t usually go for busy patterns but I just love the flowers on this dress. Clearly! They match my yard. :)

{Cashmere Sweater/Pleat Detail Midi Skirt/Tanner Bar Necklace}

I also had to dress up for an event a few days ago and wore this fun new skirt I bought.

I paired it with this Leith Rib Wrap Sweater (that I also have in green) and my new open toe mules. So cute!

Chelsea28 Ruffle Midi Dress 2) Rebecca Taylor Fit and Flare 3) Lewit Puff Sleeve Dress 4) Tahari Pinstripe 5) Tahari Lace Inset Fit and Flare 6) Tie Waist T-Shirt Dress 7) Eliza J Ruffle Sleeve Dress 8) Chelsea28 Crepe Fit and Flare 9) Tory Burch Crossbody Bag 10) Tory Burch Wallet 11) Sara Leather Wristlet 12) Faux Leather Tote Bag

Honestly the dresses were one of my favorite things on sale this year! Above are all of my favorites. (Minus this favorite dress because it sold out so fast!) I have a few events in September I have to dress up for and was thrilled to find so many cute options. I ordered several dresses from the collage above and can’t wait to try them. I wasn’t as impressed with the purses/bags on sale this year. Did you find one you love? I ordered this purse for Fall (so cute and a great price!). The other three in the collage were options I love but didn’t buy because I already have purses/wallets that are similar.

Another favorite from the sale this year? The JEWELRY!

Ahhh! Love every single things in this collage so much! I’m patiently waiting for the jewelry I ordered to arrive but wanted to share my favorites with you all before they sell out!

Aside from questions about my rugs I’ve also been getting a lot of questions about these flowers. They really took off this year! So fun seeing all of the plants in our yard finally filling in.

Here is flower info. for those of you who have asked!

Now we can all match our gardens. :)

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xoxo, Erin

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Organization

07.18.18

Organized Paper Files

Talking organized paper files today! Raise your hand if you’ve ever struggled with controlling the paper in your home!? Or just nod your head! Or smile. Not that I can see any of this, but the thought of you joining me in this never ending struggle brings me great comfort regardless. :)

Last week I decided to pull some file folders out of my office drawers to sort through. The drawers had been driving me crazy for months because they were getting overstuffed with paper I knew I didn’t need to hang on to anymore. I decided that since I was going to sort through my office files, I might as well sort through some old files in our filing cabinet in the garage. And since I was doing that, why not go through the files sitting in a pile in my husband’s office too?

Why not!?

All of the sudden I was staring at this ENORMOUS pile of paper on my family room floor wondering two things. 1) How in the world did we let our paper consumption get so out of control!? And 2) Why in the world did I just turn a 20 minute project into a 4 hour project!?

If you give a mouse a cookie… :)

But I was determined to organize my paper files once and for all so I sat on the floor and got to work! Two Hallmark ‘Christmas in July’ movies later my family room floor looked like this. One very large sack of paper to recycle, a pile of paper that needed to be shredded, a pile of paper I needed to ask my husband about, and my categorized paper piles.

For me this has always been the easiest way to organize paper. Dump everything on the floor. Pick up each paper and decide if you can recycle it or if it needs to be filed. If you are going to file it, decide what category it fits in, write that down on a sticky note and add to it as you go. I never know what my folders will be named until I’ve made my sticky note piles and figure out what paper can be combined in a folder.

I had some Smead hanging file folders on hand so I chose some blue folders (worked best with my office decor!) and got to work labeling.

This is what I was left with after everything was sorted! Even as I was putting the piles into folders I ended up getting rid of more paper. I kept asking myself what I really needed to hang on to and keep. I had a whole pile of papers on emergency preparedness I was about to create a file for, but then reminded myself that if I ever decide to prioritize that and update our 72 hour kits, food storage, etc, I will most likely go on-line to find information. No reason to keep extra forms/paper that I deep down know I won’t ever use! If they have been sitting in my office drawer for the past four years and I haven’t looked at them, chances are I won’t look at them in the next four years either. :)

I only kept things that are current and that I refer to often. Be ruthless when you are purging paper! Or anything else for that matter.

{Tour my office}

Time to put things back clean and organized! My favorite part of the process. :)

The drawers on both sides of my computer look like this closed..

and like this open.

Organized paper files! Wait for it.. do you hear!? The angels are singing again.

I knew they’d be back. ;)

I used my trusty label maker and kept things simple. Just folders that hold important info. I refer to often. I was able to recycle a lot of things I kept from when my girls were younger so for now my little buddy is monopolizing most of the drawer. ;) After the kids’ individual folders I just kept things I refer to often like family medical forms (immunization cards), class phone directories..

fitness forms (with the list of knee exercises I’m ~~supposed to be~~ doing everyday), yard stuff I need and receipts. I don’t keep many receipts, but I like to hang on to receipts for larger home decor items. Mostly so that when I get questions like “what fabric did you put on your couch..” I’ll be able to find and remember the answer. :)

I had my cabinet guy make these built-in file drawers for my offie and I’ve loved them.

I had him make the drawers deep in case I ever want/need to use longer file folders. In my previous house with NO office/drawer space for things like this I used a lot of file crates to organize my files…

They work great if you’re short on office space!

The bottom drawer holds forms I want to keep but don’t look at often. Transcripts and important papers from college, some stuff from my teaching years, church talks I want to hang on to, some special e-mails I’ve printed and saved and the poems my husband’s grandma wrote us for Christmas every year (love seeing her handwriting).

Other forms we keep (taxes, finances, etc.) my husband has in his office and I still need to go through those. But that requires his help so tackling that little project is a horse of a different color. Ha. Then I have the kids’ school boxes I’m finishing and some keepsakes in a different cupboard so as soon as I wrap up our paper organization I’ll do a huge post that includes how I’m organizing ALL the paper in this house.

Which thankfully after last weekend, is now much less. :)

BEST feeling ever getting these files organized! It’s funny how we dread projects like this and keep putting them off, but when we just START and get it done we realize it wasn’t that bad and wonder why we didn’t do it so much sooner! At least that’s what always seems to happen with me. :)

So if you have drawers stuffed full of paper like I did, here is your invitation to set aside a few hours as soon as possible and JUST DO IT! Turn on your favorite movie (or Hallmark Christmas in July because it’s on and why not?) and start a recycle pile.

Then the angels can come and sing at your house too. I’ll loan them to you!

It’s a beautiful thing.

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xoxo, Erin

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Fashion

07.14.18

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (my favorites!)

{affiliate links used}

{Bliss Throw – marked down to just $25!}

Happy weekend friends! I’ve been knee deep in paper organization the past few days and I know this sounds crazy, but I’m having so much fun.. ha! Totally in my groove just getting things done. I’m excited to show you what I’ve been up to! (Sharing some of the progress on IG stories if you follow me there!) But this weekend I wanted to pop in and share more favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because things are flying and selling out so quickly! It’s the Superbowl of sales and this is a Superbowl of a post! Might want to grab a snack. :)

Remember this favorite throw that went on sale last year? They are back on sale again!

They come in so many fun colors and if you read my blog last year you might remember how I stocked up on so many during last year’s sale and gave them out as Christmas gifts! Teachers, neighbors, friends.. everyone loved them! And I had a big chunk of my Christmas shopping done in July. Pretty smart if I do say so myself. ;)

{Nordstrom Matte Satin Pajamas/Bliss Throw/Wool Jute Rug}

Of course I kept a few for us too. :) They are so soft and cozy! My kids and I usually fight over them when it’s time to watch movies. I usually win.

I got these cute satin pajamas at the sale too! LOVE the colors and they are so silky and comfortable!

Let’s talk other Home Decor items on sale.. these are my favorites..

Bliss Plush Throw 2) Fringe Pillow 3) Voluspa Candles 4) Marble and Wood Serving Board 5) Monogram Tablet Holder 6) Pom Pom Morgan Throw 7) Paper Towel Holder 8) Pom Pom Pillow 9) White Towel Set 10) Chloe White Duvet Cover

So many great deals and along with the throws I think the serving board, candles, or monogramed tablet holder would make great Christmas gifts for those of you who like to have shopping done early too!

{Adidas Hoodie/Adidas Leggings}

There are also so many good deals on cute Active Wear this year! I couldn’t pass up this Adidas set in navy and coral.. my favorite colors. :)

{Tory Burch Sunglasses/Visor/Zella Lite Crop Leggings/Adidas Hoodie}

I wore the hoodie and these new navy leggings I also picked up at the sale on a walk/run with friends yesterday! Love our ~~therapy~~ workout sessions together. :)

{Zella High Waist Cropped Leggings/Zella Live in Lite Crop Leggings/Sheer Drama Crop Leggings/Flashback Sneaker}

A few other leggings I picked up while they are marked down! I wear my Zella leggings to exercise or run errands almost every day.

A similar grey pair of these favorite Zella jogger pants are also marked down!

{Treasure and Bond cinched sweatshirt/Zella Crop Leggings/Flashback Sneakers}

I have a feeling this might be my new uniform next year. :)

{Balloon Sleeve Sweater/AG jeans/Madewell Bag/Similar bag on sale/Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal/Black Lanterns/Hello Mat/Black striped rug}

There are always SO many cute sweaters that come out during this sale! I’ve linked my favorites from this year below and took a couple of pics so you can see how I’ll wear some of them. The Balloon Sleeve sweater above I love so much I also ordered it in a green! Makes me excited for cooler weather. We’ll be waiting a while for that!

{Leith Rib Wrap Sweater/Earrings/AG jeans/Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal/Madewell Bag/Similar bag on sale}

Another cute green sweater I’m excited about!

And this beloved Tie Knot Sweatshirt from last year is back and marked down!

I also ordered a couple of cardigans I’m excited to try. These are my favorite sweaters from this year’s sale..

Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan 2) Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Sweater 3) Balloon Sleeve Sweater 4) Halogen Scallop Trim Sweater 5) Leith Rib Wrap Sweater 6) Dolman Sleeve Sweater 7) Tie Knot Sweatshsirt 8) Halogen Cashmere Button Sleeve Sweater

I also ordered this beautiful Vince Camuto blouse and can’t wait to try it!

{Kentvi Sandal/Tonya Open Toe Mule/Aiden Wedge Sneaker/Chuck Taylor Sneakers/Analise Sandal}

In my last dressing room post I shared my favorite shoes from the sale!

{Sam Edelman Maruine Bootie/Vince Camuto Pevista Bootie}

One of my friends came over yesterday and we were sharing our new finds and these two pairs were her favorite. So cute for Fall!

Some fun new casual outfits..

{J Crew Tres Chic Tee/AG jeans/Chuck Taylor Sneakers}

{Treasure and Bond Baseball Tee/Twill Utility Skirt/Vince Camuto Jacket/Converse Sneakers}

{Bell Sleeve Knit Top/AG Jeans/Analise Sandal}

Round-up of my favorite shoes. If I lived somewhere cold the pink/cream Sperry boots would be coming home with me! Trying to justify buying them for our one ski trip a year.. ha.

These wedge sneakers are so comfortable! I’m thrilled about them. Like where have they been all my life!? Also my favorite Make and Model Gotta Have it Tees are on sale! I have these in almost every color. LOVE them.

Another long time favorite basic are these Caslon Scoop Neck Cotton Tees that are marked down! Such great staples. I love wearing them under vests and scarves.

Here are a few more of my favorite essentials that are marked down..

Nordstrom Cubic Zirconia Earrings 2) Nordstrom Chevron Luggage 3) Spanx 4) Kiehl Lotion 5) Make and Model Gotta Have it Tee 6) Face Complexion Set 7) T3 Hair Dryer 8) Swell Water Bottle 9) Caslon Scoop Neck Cotton Tees

That luggage set is darling and an amazing deal! My friend just bout the set in pink! I have the T3 curling iron and love it so I’d love to try the hair dryer. The earrings are perfect for every day. I wear them a lot even though they get lost in my hair! Couldn’t live without my spanx and the pink make-up brushes are such a great deal I’m buying a few to have on hand for gifts!

{Rebecca Minkoff Dress/Vince Camuto Kentvi Sandal/Classic Bauble Earrings/Kate Spade Aviator Sunglasses}

I also got these darling Kate Spade Aviator sunglasses on sale! So many good things this year. I hope you’re all finding a few things you’re excited about too! I’ve got to go but I’ll be back soon!

My organized paper piles are waiting for me. :)

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xoxo, Erin

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Fashion

07.12.18

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access!

All of my fashion loving friends! It’s that time! The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is here! To those of you who come here for just the home decor/organization I have fun things in store! But we have to pause and talk all things clothes during the Nord sale. It’s the law and I’ve always been a law abiding citizen. ;) I have to say that I love this sale more every year. It just keeps getting better! Last year I bought so many cute things that I lived in all Fall/Winter and are still favorites so I was excited to see this year’s inventory. It did not disappoint! If you have a Nordstrom card you can start shopping today! If not I hope this post gives you some fun ideas for when the sale opens to everyone on July 20th!

I ate a power breakfast this morning (could hear Rocky music playing in the background) and then hit the mall!

{Mudroom Runner/Baskets/Similar Light Fixture}

*Affiliate links used

I came home hours later exhausted (the best kind of exhausted!) with 5 full bags and some CUTE things for me and my family for back to school, the rest of summer, Fall, Winter.. and into the future! As we all know, this sale is a marathon, not a sprint, so I’ll share a lot of what I got in this post and then more things I’m loving and what I got for the rest of my crew later on! (Sidenote: my all time favorite black Flashback Adidas sneakers that I’ve been living in are back in stock and on sale! Pictured above by the bags because I wore them today.) :)

{Kentvi Sandal/Tonya Open Toe Mule/Aiden Wedge Sneaker/Chuck Taylor Sneakers/Analise Sandal}

These were my favorite shoes this year! Every pair is so fun and stylish and COMFORTABLE and a great price! I loved some of the tall boots too (like this pair, this pair and I really love this pair.. and how cute are these for rain/snow!?) but I bought so many tall boots last year I just didn’t need another pair. #practicalwon

These Aiden Wedge sneakers are so comfortable! And I love how they are such a perfect mix of cleaned up but casual. Had to get them in two colors! I know I’m going to live in them!

So excited about these! It’s hard to not be happy when you’re wearing cute shoes. :)

{Carter Sneaker}

I was especially falling hard for all of the cute pink shoes this year!

And it was hard to resist these cute black Hunters for such a great price! But since we had rain about twice last year and I already have a grey pair I decided I’d wait on these.

Full fitting room full of clothes! This post is full of bad lighting and dressing room selfies so please excuse the photography! Things sell out fast so time is of the essence! Let’s do this. :)

One of my favorite finds this year is this Halogen Cashmere Button Sleeve Sweater. It’s crazy soft and such a nice fit!

I loved it so much I got it in the Burgundy and Pink. Wearing the pink here with these Mother Frayed Ankle Skinny Jeans. They are a little long on me (supposed to be cropped.. ha!) but I love the pink lines down the side and they fit so cute. I’ve heard great things about Mother Jeans and am excited to try them! Very flattering fit!

This Halogen Pleat Detail Midi Skirt I had circled in the catalog and was thrilled that it fit well. Love it so much! I can’t wait to try different tops with it. (Wearing a 2 regular but might order it in the petite to try because of the length.)

This Scallop Trim Sweater is darling, a great price and comes in so many fun colors! I bought a scallop sweater at this sale last year and about wore it out! Fall/Winter staple. :) Btw.. my favorite AG Raw Hem Ankle jeans that I’m wearing here (and pretty much wear every day!) are also on sale!

I loved this Cinched Waist Sweatshirt the second I put it on! Really comfortable and flattering because of how it tucks in at the waist. I love clothes like this that look cute but feel like you’re wearing your favorite sweats! (It runs big so get one size smaller.. this is an xxs).

This Stripe Rib Puff Sleeve Top is darling! Comes in other color patterns. It’s pretty fitted so I went up a size to a small.

Cutest cotton camo tee for just $19!

This Treasure and Bond Baseball Tee is a staple that can be worn so many ways with so many different things. Love it with this cute AG Legging Ankle Ripped Skinny Jeans! Again they look like full length jeans on me instead of ankle jeans I’m so short.. I just roll with it. :)

Ok.. so excited about this Vince Camuto Denim Jacket! So cute! It runs big so order one size smaller than you usually wear (I’m wearing the xx-small). It’s a little jean overkill with these pants, but will look so cute with colored jeans, joggers, skirts. Everything!

This Twill Utility Skirt is so comfy and casual and fun for Fall but I’m going to start wearing it now! Also comes in camo (wanting that one too!) and a grey. I’m wearing a 2 petite and it’s still past my knees (it’s long so get petite if you’re short!).

All the love for camo. It will forever be a favorite so I couldn’t pass up this Thermal Henley Top for just $24!

Comes in other colors too! I didn’t come home with this color because it washed me out, but such a comfy top.

Give me all the Sporty Stripes! Love this Treasure and Bond sweater! And it comes in grey and white too. Trying hard to resist getting another one!

This BP Balloon Sleeve Sweater fits so cute! It makes me excited for cooler weather.

This Puff Sleeve Silk A-Line Dress was my splurge of the day! I actually didn’t look at the price tag when I brought it into the room to try on or I probably would have put it back, but once I had tried it on I had to have it! Such a great fit and the pattern is darling! This picture (and bad lighting) don’t do it justice.

K.. this looks huge on me because the top isn’t my size (ordering it!) but I was surprised at how much I liked this! It’s a really casual Cotton Blend Midi Skirt and matching Boat Neck Top and I’m thinking it would be so cute with sneakers! I need to try my size in the top and see if I want to keep it or just keep the skirt.

This outfit is totally out of my comfort zone because I rarely wear red and it’s so dressy (I always gravitate towards casual!) but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fit/style of this Belted Red Skirt! At first I was wishing it came in other colors, but then I decided it’s good for me to have a variety of colors in my wardrobe (and break out of my rut!) so I was daring and bought it. Plus the coordinating Halogen Ribbon Top makes me feel like such an important executive.. ha! I just need a pencil in my hair and some really important clients to manage. For now my three kids will have to do. ;) (Was wearing the xs petite top in this picture but bought the regular xs because the sleeves were a bit short.)

I have a feeling this Rebecca Minkoff Floral Dress is going to sell out fast. SO cute. I couldn’t believe how many cute dresses were on sale this year!

{Good Vibes Jogger Pants/Too Cool Pullover}

And of course, I couldn’t stray too far from my norm. Hello new Make and Model pj’s on sale! Happy day! I loved this fun blue star pair but the stars are embroireded on and you can feel them! So not as comfortable and I had to pass. Too bad because they are so cute! But comfort reins supreme with pjs.

{Good Vibes Jogger Pants/Too Cool Pullover}

Which is why I came home with this cute pair! Oh my word.. are they not just adorable!? And so flattering and comfy! And cute enough to wear out and about and pretend they aren’t pjs! I have to hide them from Kenny because if he sees that I’ve bought one more pair of Make and Model pjs…

{Cardigan/Madewell Leather Tote/Similar Faux Leather Tote on sale for less/AG Jeans/Similar Shoes on sale}

(If you didn’t buy a Barefoot Dreams Cardigan last year I would HIGHLY recommend getting one while it’s on sale! The most comfortable cardigan you’ll own! I wore it every single day last winter just working in my house. Perfect to throw over pj’s when you’re cold or dress up and wear with jeans. LOVE this.)

Ok.. signing off friends! And we haven’t even discussed Handbags, Beauty or Home Decor on sale! More to share from this beloved sale but it will have to wait! Seeing my cute Make and Model pjs has made me tired and ready to put them on and go to bed. :) Happy shopping!

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xoxo, Erin

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