tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63688147843177820702024-02-20T13:15:15.780-08:00Rogue NaturalsThe official blog page for Rogue Naturals skincare on Etsy! www.RogueNaturals.etsy.comThe Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-18068999255919136592016-02-09T07:47:00.001-08:002016-02-09T09:55:58.424-08:00The Non-Candy Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8VjBs5GG3pGffgpv_0LBX_JP-Ok82jtFQsprH4tvo23hguoVuxXd_hTlUlYfxVRAow2YqmQXlgFYqd-YiP9ZCcWblTvLsyxYFBIeBbbmcCVEBzvMT2Qff2Sl3OwgV8gmoiVDYcKOe-A/s1600/Noncandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8VjBs5GG3pGffgpv_0LBX_JP-Ok82jtFQsprH4tvo23hguoVuxXd_hTlUlYfxVRAow2YqmQXlgFYqd-YiP9ZCcWblTvLsyxYFBIeBbbmcCVEBzvMT2Qff2Sl3OwgV8gmoiVDYcKOe-A/s400/Noncandy.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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Every year, people spend $1.6 Billion dollars on Valentine's candy. JUST THE CANDY, folks. And I always feel like most of that ends up in my candy jar at home.<br>
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My kids are "special treat" fanatics. I finished my dinner, special treat! I stayed on the green apple today at daycare, special treat! It's Thursday, special treat! They are starting to reach the age where I can no longer pretend that apricots are candy, and of course their favorite treats are chocolate. (Pretty smart boys.) So I do keep the obligatory special treat jar for occasions that I and I alone deem special.<br>
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But on Valentine's Day, they come home from daycare with 30 bags of candy each that I end up throwing away, because a. they will never eat it all and b. they are 3 and 1, come on people, they can't eat gum or Jolly Ranchers!<br>
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So I always end up being "that" mom, the one who sends her kids with other-than-candy treats. And hopefully, it will be something parents can actually say yes to when their kids beg for another "treat" from the candy jar. I just print and cut some <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/printables/paw-patrol-valentines.jhtml">free Valentines</a> from my kids' favorite shows and attach a fun "treat."<br>
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So here is a list of my Top 10 fun non-candy treats that most kids (and parents) are happy to receive on their Valentine's cards.<br>
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1. <a href="http://www.thetipgarden.com/2012/10/honey-lemon-spoons.html">Honey Spoons</a></div>
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The easiest thing on earth to make, and a great alternative for the kids who love suckers. (Or for you to sneak for your tea!) You can buy them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ECUDR0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004ECUDR0&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=DFA2UTVUSRZGHBFH" rel="nofollow">pre-made</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004ECUDR0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">
if you're strapped for time like me!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ECUDR0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004ECUDR0&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=XDRV6ZXJY6ZRRXNV" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004ECUDR0&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rogunatu-20" height="173" width="200"></a></div>
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2. Chocolate or Yogurt Covered Raisins</div>
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My kids adore these, and they are really cheap too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O01UA0U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00O01UA0U&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=G2CWSBR2UHIXHOT6" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00O01UA0U&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rogunatu-20"></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00O01UA0U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">
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3. Freeze Dried Strawberries</div>
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These are such a yummy treat, and who doesn't love strawberries for Valentine's Day? I like getting the quart sized containers and putting them in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UCWDF4O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00UCWDF4O&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=BYC5Z5MJET3DF4YD" rel="nofollow">cute bags</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00UCWDF4O" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"> and reusing the big plastic tub as pantry storage for open bags of pretzels and crackers. You could even get really fancy with these and dip them in chocolate!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008479AT8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008479AT8&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=KOVRFEXKHY56RWR6" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008479AT8&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rogunatu-20"></a></div>
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4. Fruit Leather</div>
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This is a fun alternative to those artificially flavored roll-up gummy fruit snacks.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CTO0YA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CTO0YA&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=EVCKC5CY46MWLHI6" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001CTO0YA&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rogunatu-20"></a></div>
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5. Nut-free trail mix</div>
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Nuts are a big no-no in most schools and daycares now, so here's a great recipe for a 5-ingredient <a href="http://citnutritionally.com/the-best-5-ingredient-nut-free-trail-mix/">nut free trail mix</a>. Or you can buy some<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001CTO0YA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VK88IA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VK88IA&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=IIVXLMIYOFN3DJZ7" rel="nofollow">here</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VK88IA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">.</div>
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6. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/235553891/organic-lip-balm-kit-natural-diy-lip?ref=shop_home_active_3">DIY kid-safe lip balm kit</a></div>
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Little ones seem to always have chapped lips during the winter. They lick them constantly until they are raw. I won't even tell you about the time my husband thought it would be good to put Carmex on my toddler, suffice to say he will never do that again. So kid-safe lip balm is a must for the kids and makes the mommies happy too. You can add anything to this kit, but the kids especially love flavored Kool-aid to add flavor and fun color to this DIY lip balm. They even come with printable labels. It's a really fun activity too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmjFibmj7lCS5VRss14_0Tly6T79pfKqIJm_x8dt_z8OXSojH8Wi-L4CTMCleaMhm0NoLCwET4MXrkbwLe05LyuqgQCMSYCKRpPaJq1TTTe-PAebTwp3UeIu7nYW32s7-xUznHxJG1zY/s1600/il_570xN.781237775_cnn5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmjFibmj7lCS5VRss14_0Tly6T79pfKqIJm_x8dt_z8OXSojH8Wi-L4CTMCleaMhm0NoLCwET4MXrkbwLe05LyuqgQCMSYCKRpPaJq1TTTe-PAebTwp3UeIu7nYW32s7-xUznHxJG1zY/s320/il_570xN.781237775_cnn5.jpg" width="239"></a></div>
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7. <a href="http://eighteen25.com/2013/02/valentines-using-double-sided-adhesive/">Light Up My Life Valentine</a></div>
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I love these DIY glow stick Valentines. I don't have a die cutter, but the same could be done with some heart stickers and glitter glue. Don't forget the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IZ9N78/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000IZ9N78&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=ZALQJARRUEV4KJ7L" rel="nofollow">glowsticks</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000IZ9N78" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFuD3HYuh0xLWLg7z6PCeOuQra5dGREPOacxoufkeNhJ3FUd5kDe9lpkU1okliGJqz57O4K9DtnqB93hQgO3cXC0_mWOJBiqZOfOTKw1_TM8-LvShuq95ejzldzNmsZblNfPMK6DmHKI/s1600/light-up-my-life-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFuD3HYuh0xLWLg7z6PCeOuQra5dGREPOacxoufkeNhJ3FUd5kDe9lpkU1okliGJqz57O4K9DtnqB93hQgO3cXC0_mWOJBiqZOfOTKw1_TM8-LvShuq95ejzldzNmsZblNfPMK6DmHKI/s320/light-up-my-life-01.jpg" width="213"></a></div>
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8. <a href="http://love-the-day.com/a-cousin-valentine-party-feature/">Have a Ball Valentine</a></div>
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These are adorable, and my kids LOVE bouncy balls. I love these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B7HYBC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003B7HYBC&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=UEGGM726NAHCDO4E" rel="nofollow">Glow In The Dark Bouncing Balls</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003B7HYBC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"> because they are easy to find under the couch!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyNl1ZbwEvNyLBZbVFmIwf0WgoIodGElx_l_ukCA3wF-YCd4lbkv8AZfKvX0hZYddlHrFRPjnLykYFtNZk0RAszN8M2OHIsKsCGsf47cwxuh5XCLNgrhfLT5Ho01HIoHU8qkg6r34MLU/s1600/haveaball.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyNl1ZbwEvNyLBZbVFmIwf0WgoIodGElx_l_ukCA3wF-YCd4lbkv8AZfKvX0hZYddlHrFRPjnLykYFtNZk0RAszN8M2OHIsKsCGsf47cwxuh5XCLNgrhfLT5Ho01HIoHU8qkg6r34MLU/s320/haveaball.jpg" width="213"></a></div>
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9. Valentine's Day Coloring Pages</div>
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What kid doesn't love coloring? You could even include a couple <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004YO15/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004YO15&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=AAPYAUOIXXATM5WI" rel="nofollow">crayons</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00004YO15" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"> with each Valentine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE4tJtjR2CoTtOoDILnJwmsRKAMAMPe-SBEWONGjZJJTmbqWsd0JbglWmJklRqG3Mo6-okg4xIUfYWliZoMvKclhhD80Z-9trmFJYcuMZkZiBvS60OXWAJMhkmKw4CVl18oGmpb3LRFA/s1600/Valentine-coloring-pages1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE4tJtjR2CoTtOoDILnJwmsRKAMAMPe-SBEWONGjZJJTmbqWsd0JbglWmJklRqG3Mo6-okg4xIUfYWliZoMvKclhhD80Z-9trmFJYcuMZkZiBvS60OXWAJMhkmKw4CVl18oGmpb3LRFA/s320/Valentine-coloring-pages1.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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10. <a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/classroom-valentines-3/">Awesome Sauce Valentines</a></div>
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These strawberry <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5OWE5K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00F5OWE5K&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=ZHLKTL27NMISZTYZ" rel="nofollow">applesauce</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rogunatu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00F5OWE5K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">
Valentines are so friggin cute I can't even stand it. And I won't keep my kids out of them for longer than 5 minutes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSCtfOLO9PbpXWXloOsW9jejgruLO1eLsHlZL6A4pwkS65YRaScstPAwvLDvoAcXlA8L-b_U2Ok6ZUkqeLa7VEmPAU-QckLOO2Aj1OHxvpAMNjzzbgE5DW_KEQcq-sQ_2levjpaHAcM/s1600/Awesome-Sauce-Valentines-7-of-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSCtfOLO9PbpXWXloOsW9jejgruLO1eLsHlZL6A4pwkS65YRaScstPAwvLDvoAcXlA8L-b_U2Ok6ZUkqeLa7VEmPAU-QckLOO2Aj1OHxvpAMNjzzbgE5DW_KEQcq-sQ_2levjpaHAcM/s320/Awesome-Sauce-Valentines-7-of-17.jpg" width="213"></a></div>
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What ideas do you have for some Non-Candy Valentines?</div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-73546582582835570142015-11-23T08:06:00.005-08:002015-11-23T08:43:24.818-08:0030 DIY Gifts for Kids<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3peQZKxiYJACmy4VXTKI7YW3ibbjEptewdtC11PqO9Q8s6ZFHeVVkyE9djf4_kmQVATK2JfqmjUl2FbqcymjTzKUQ7bXOMCfuhtv-GAwOLxEihMkEh_-EQlI199CZOEzpdAbitbJFQk/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3peQZKxiYJACmy4VXTKI7YW3ibbjEptewdtC11PqO9Q8s6ZFHeVVkyE9djf4_kmQVATK2JfqmjUl2FbqcymjTzKUQ7bXOMCfuhtv-GAwOLxEihMkEh_-EQlI199CZOEzpdAbitbJFQk/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Homemade gifts can be cool and fun. And many are more special to the recipient than a store-bought gift. I've scoured the internet for my 30 favorite DIY gifts for kids. Check them out, I think you'll find something for every kid on your list!</div>
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1. This latches board is beautiful and would stand the test of time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj1NYYdYq2Pd8SVFTsGdZkWNQLs1BBUDYK-CU4hMiz06kpHqzQtnsJ4LWZb7n4zFrbOYJjM6tkRGfYV5XrdqHUnPYVXuV_VL2eYKtTn5LQtrgfrYYqy6bv0JDmbzWIdfyWmheOO7Pi9Q/s1600/962_watermark_500x500_latches-board-7-of-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj1NYYdYq2Pd8SVFTsGdZkWNQLs1BBUDYK-CU4hMiz06kpHqzQtnsJ4LWZb7n4zFrbOYJjM6tkRGfYV5XrdqHUnPYVXuV_VL2eYKtTn5LQtrgfrYYqy6bv0JDmbzWIdfyWmheOO7Pi9Q/s320/962_watermark_500x500_latches-board-7-of-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://domesticesq.com/2012/09/13/babys-gift-to-big-brother-latches-board/">Via Domesticesq</a></td></tr>
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2. Doesn't every baby need a taggies pillow?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iDbLb3Rx0sFBvolfMwN3rwHI6mgWvSEsSCvvs4Mqz4qU-zFQfsiqxaC5JMcDxJlU6B5nkp0Zsvqv5P6PpgV69fI0P2LEiDpDhPu_fBoFDGhS0NqoBlfp1JFY2j4PafbTNcAYEIR6LVA/s1600/Rainbow+Sunshine+Plushie+Tutorial11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iDbLb3Rx0sFBvolfMwN3rwHI6mgWvSEsSCvvs4Mqz4qU-zFQfsiqxaC5JMcDxJlU6B5nkp0Zsvqv5P6PpgV69fI0P2LEiDpDhPu_fBoFDGhS0NqoBlfp1JFY2j4PafbTNcAYEIR6LVA/s320/Rainbow+Sunshine+Plushie+Tutorial11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-and-pattern-rainbow-sunshine.html">Via Chez Beeper Bebe</a></td></tr>
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3. And these sock sheep are so sweet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DGqsR1RfLeENX-32BOV5d_rAqf-oRoNMFxx3J6-fkJTuqtMiQK64N0Q65fRwsEVDRdUimsmJsHzCPxyTgukdyd4MvGKajQrEUZuLxZJDlvMlLCBPzuOzNxKViABCmHWUlYckk2UpVCo/s1600/sew-sock-sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DGqsR1RfLeENX-32BOV5d_rAqf-oRoNMFxx3J6-fkJTuqtMiQK64N0Q65fRwsEVDRdUimsmJsHzCPxyTgukdyd4MvGKajQrEUZuLxZJDlvMlLCBPzuOzNxKViABCmHWUlYckk2UpVCo/s320/sew-sock-sheep.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2015/02/sew-sock-sheep.html">Via Craft Passion</a></td></tr>
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4. But this <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2011/04/22/how-to-make-an-octopus-out-of-kids-tights/">octopus</a> (via Red Ted Art) made from kids tights is even sweeter.</div>
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5. This dress-up doll looks like a great car toy.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCwsXR2nES8irHs7edvbG6mxMMmQrP-IZHtMrazRdYd6cu8NeWQLtNxSN0CjNLzdc0TUlZv2iiSiCiMjVysQXv0lT_6t-306zdltrHt7TYEfQJJ_MyCDyLOfyu9pFXy8SypZ8CbMfTx8/s1600/0-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCwsXR2nES8irHs7edvbG6mxMMmQrP-IZHtMrazRdYd6cu8NeWQLtNxSN0CjNLzdc0TUlZv2iiSiCiMjVysQXv0lT_6t-306zdltrHt7TYEfQJJ_MyCDyLOfyu9pFXy8SypZ8CbMfTx8/s320/0-main.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cutcraftcreate.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-felt-dress-up-doll.html">Via Cut, Craft, Create</a></td></tr>
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6. This is a tutorial for a beautiful cloth doll.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR-nDSM_Z2YWLGrY4NbVTwfbCHRDk9zV5UDxzsxapdp17Pn37YdXPKyC7MqILO6vxcCVtVVs_YbLdKTgQDScaDVUxUKA6zUsErOBeS-uJgVUlhwZQLJBDUJTvY0C-zIZ9GF73vNqf0Ek/s1600/waldorf-doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR-nDSM_Z2YWLGrY4NbVTwfbCHRDk9zV5UDxzsxapdp17Pn37YdXPKyC7MqILO6vxcCVtVVs_YbLdKTgQDScaDVUxUKA6zUsErOBeS-uJgVUlhwZQLJBDUJTvY0C-zIZ9GF73vNqf0Ek/s320/waldorf-doll.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wagner.de.com/blog/how-to-make-a-cute-waldorf-doll-or-cloth-doll/">Via Wagner</a></td></tr>
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7. My kids adore their play food, it's so much fun. Here's a whole garden full!</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-1C-tq4zr1QTWhGJsC7-HaxrNlboCr-9Ydvj5-hSubPulA6SWNY-F486GZXlCn8DQdgLtmp2nzncNmthpfja40xtP9UEmp95swnvMljMKmEVCdM9aDTA0ncXBaNztpTw8kJOxD69GhA/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e201a5118e90a8970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-1C-tq4zr1QTWhGJsC7-HaxrNlboCr-9Ydvj5-hSubPulA6SWNY-F486GZXlCn8DQdgLtmp2nzncNmthpfja40xtP9UEmp95swnvMljMKmEVCdM9aDTA0ncXBaNztpTw8kJOxD69GhA/s320/6a00d8358081ff69e201a5118e90a8970c-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/03/diy-plantable-felt-garden-box.html">Via A Beautiful Mess</a></td></tr>
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8. These dino tails look like so much fun.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uOKdf1MPZn_WjHvpEuHynMkFOlI7ZY2Xg-woSRFGx5JyIR_ey7YuOp0mnO0Hb5QWZHJqehEUEnf_mS6u3o_SPqxIBZxlzfdz2YzJHEoQbt_X_xzq2zgxbr3EZ5zd3bfNZ4bZ5KZlPig/s1600/dinotails1jubillee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uOKdf1MPZn_WjHvpEuHynMkFOlI7ZY2Xg-woSRFGx5JyIR_ey7YuOp0mnO0Hb5QWZHJqehEUEnf_mS6u3o_SPqxIBZxlzfdz2YzJHEoQbt_X_xzq2zgxbr3EZ5zd3bfNZ4bZ5KZlPig/s320/dinotails1jubillee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.running-w-scissors.com/2011/03/dinosaur-tails.html#.Vk-W6XarRpi">Via Running with Scissors</a></td></tr>
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9. I absolutely adore this DIY fishing game.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-841xkmnJcyU6OoWn8hNcRLNR2Wmnqyn6QfD513tPJAb3e6QoPGtVhmLPEN61li5wSUmP70bIHb87jtW33nMbZPfmFPkthfJaJ3nfdokbqvRkSbk1hnxce9x1ywAqnm_0SV3yRWBxT7k/s1600/DIY-toy-fishing-pole-with-magnetic-fabric-fishes-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-841xkmnJcyU6OoWn8hNcRLNR2Wmnqyn6QfD513tPJAb3e6QoPGtVhmLPEN61li5wSUmP70bIHb87jtW33nMbZPfmFPkthfJaJ3nfdokbqvRkSbk1hnxce9x1ywAqnm_0SV3yRWBxT7k/s320/DIY-toy-fishing-pole-with-magnetic-fabric-fishes-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2014/09/diy-toy-fishing-pole-that-reels-in-and-magnetic-fabric-fish.html">Via Make It-Love It</a></td></tr>
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10. I always wonder what to do with all those mismatched sheets...<a href="http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/frame-pup-tents_11.html">forts</a>!</div>
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11. There's no need to spend $150 on that particleboard dollhouse when you have an <a href="http://turkeyfeathers.typepad.com/turkey_feathers/2006/06/in_an_old_house.html">old dresser</a>. And if you're using it for Barbies just take out a shelf or two.</div>
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12. Lip balm is so easy with this DIY kit. Flavor or color it with your recipient's favorites.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gd5OsE_oMfReWf_4nPIXZHyXiQ2IDSH5qHH0SeR6dz6-1_T9cBVARzYvFSoXYXls9czCjJGitbNuvsy1ZK5JOWA1IZByinleRXesZsz9jkaviYYwjOi9jHshukBmgRWM-zDxHPeYTsw/s1600/il_570xN.781237775_cnn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gd5OsE_oMfReWf_4nPIXZHyXiQ2IDSH5qHH0SeR6dz6-1_T9cBVARzYvFSoXYXls9czCjJGitbNuvsy1ZK5JOWA1IZByinleRXesZsz9jkaviYYwjOi9jHshukBmgRWM-zDxHPeYTsw/s320/il_570xN.781237775_cnn5.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/235553891/organic-lip-balm-kit-natural-diy-lip?ref=shop_home_active_17">Via Rogue Naturals</a></td></tr>
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13. Gotta love old dressers, here's a super easy sweet little dress up closet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z5MHnqtXooYJ8vglfYPoZm_75hOA_Saj78iiOgUX7iEahGEqk1FMGrKc61Nwz39B_j3bktwBpd-zcRxw_FkSMHCIpbQe6gSkOJGprP1Me9MFluXesT4ztDWRoYw5m9DlAcwN9A2mveU/s1600/IMG_4743-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z5MHnqtXooYJ8vglfYPoZm_75hOA_Saj78iiOgUX7iEahGEqk1FMGrKc61Nwz39B_j3bktwBpd-zcRxw_FkSMHCIpbQe6gSkOJGprP1Me9MFluXesT4ztDWRoYw5m9DlAcwN9A2mveU/s320/IMG_4743-1.JPG" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2011/05/dress-up-headquarters.html">Via A Turtle's Life for Me</a></td></tr>
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14. I was shocked when I saw how long stick horses kept my kids entertained at Grandma's house!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W8IAA0_24CeFBsBw2RpZBqd4SOdsurE4T30RNG3jsh977dgTkk-BXu8OBW4K75zcOID4qpt-4oTAls0TvvzpVu6L_bZ9Eona2pDlV2lYB2gLQmU3vWeWWpbQTvIlhwudeKGX-fXP9m4/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3e7e5672970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W8IAA0_24CeFBsBw2RpZBqd4SOdsurE4T30RNG3jsh977dgTkk-BXu8OBW4K75zcOID4qpt-4oTAls0TvvzpVu6L_bZ9Eona2pDlV2lYB2gLQmU3vWeWWpbQTvIlhwudeKGX-fXP9m4/s320/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3e7e5672970c-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/12/gift-idea-diy-stick-horses.html">Via A Beautiful Mess</a></td></tr>
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15. This gorgeous puppet theater is great for a bit more advanced project...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-hTxgASP7IPFEBT6ZEtEqVNPI4Iuxmc3H7t5aSLk2054zjjiCQbqDmWnOo7C1Hp68qHvh0D3_gFj5FQj1ZwB9E5YmkMwq7MxhL3PEWq2-chrDG2zCN8DxW7ZJhy7yKci3A9IrjHvnvE/s1600/How-to-Make-a-Puppet-Theatre-header21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-hTxgASP7IPFEBT6ZEtEqVNPI4Iuxmc3H7t5aSLk2054zjjiCQbqDmWnOo7C1Hp68qHvh0D3_gFj5FQj1ZwB9E5YmkMwq7MxhL3PEWq2-chrDG2zCN8DxW7ZJhy7yKci3A9IrjHvnvE/s400/How-to-Make-a-Puppet-Theatre-header21.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/how-to-make-a-puppet-theatre/">Via Adventure In A Box</a></td></tr>
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16. I love these DIY superhero dress-up outfits.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_Tf8n_L2E2MEtlYcoQgU14QQhgiwmqhX1PvM9IzwLsSXuXPWoxhFHEAl8T2_hXFo-ybLZwzqlxENDaDDkZ9WybGURcR4sH4wU8S8piSGa6vDfl4__VyZygtOJagX04iqdLCRVSbd4pk/s1600/superhero_costume_kid_for_kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_Tf8n_L2E2MEtlYcoQgU14QQhgiwmqhX1PvM9IzwLsSXuXPWoxhFHEAl8T2_hXFo-ybLZwzqlxENDaDDkZ9WybGURcR4sH4wU8S8piSGa6vDfl4__VyZygtOJagX04iqdLCRVSbd4pk/s320/superhero_costume_kid_for_kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chiotsrun.com/2009/12/21/handmade-gifts-superhero-cape-for-kids/">Via Chiot's Run</a></td></tr>
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17. And more cute felt <a href="http://www.ikatbag.com/search/label/Dress-up%20Box?updated-max=2008-12-20T23:12:00-06:00&max-results=20&start=3&by-date=false">dress-up items</a>...</div>
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18. I might just learn to crochet so I can make this ADORABLE hooded cowl.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6yfngBNajaHEHS4a_3EEnOOuj8cDe2uX3KZbryk7OcAg0eBp5KdZRQw9ojeRhLawp3Ecgsk6SkQ1yU5K_3zPmMHpSHt7PWGpY9y079oIa8TB5FSe-IdWHR98mIaAz7EqXB1R1HdsUqg/s1600/il_570xN.741720277_sjvh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6yfngBNajaHEHS4a_3EEnOOuj8cDe2uX3KZbryk7OcAg0eBp5KdZRQw9ojeRhLawp3Ecgsk6SkQ1yU5K_3zPmMHpSHt7PWGpY9y079oIa8TB5FSe-IdWHR98mIaAz7EqXB1R1HdsUqg/s320/il_570xN.741720277_sjvh.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/161271028/crochet-pattern-baylie-bear-cowl-36?ref=listing-11">Via The Velvet Acorn</a></td></tr>
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19. What kid doesn't love a bean bag?</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AP2frOS10yJpvWXDmcnB1uU2kElRVgB5WwYBqxULD4GsBmWbZH4PyHBJBPbj6cQiOEcMfPYaT91NFSUIPGdYgIe5xr391jOxJndHa7zk2BNAZ5FPA29FIi1jjhZkriWmALlqudpwdnc/s1600/floor-pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AP2frOS10yJpvWXDmcnB1uU2kElRVgB5WwYBqxULD4GsBmWbZH4PyHBJBPbj6cQiOEcMfPYaT91NFSUIPGdYgIe5xr391jOxJndHa7zk2BNAZ5FPA29FIi1jjhZkriWmALlqudpwdnc/s400/floor-pillow.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.2littlesuperheroes.com/2013/09/one-hour-floor-pillow.html/">Via 2 Little Superheroes</a></td></tr>
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20. This mom made a Lego table out of an Ikea Trofast. I think I'm going to flip over the top piece of my kids' train table and glue<a href="http://amzn.to/1Lrgipz"> Lego baseplates </a>to it. *Smh how have I not already thought of this?!*</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FetZM_2xUPx1kHeCX8-J2Rzv8ADxFcdAqTsqmgMXsbAtxQPbOpa_j6XUxm5GkizbIC_P2lIFUdTorXfXLuulj2l6cAOC8dC0lw82TZ8cwSRribRI3GN8nBGK2UlJB-ZQL1RF-TFWmQA/s1600/lego-table-tutorial-2_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FetZM_2xUPx1kHeCX8-J2Rzv8ADxFcdAqTsqmgMXsbAtxQPbOpa_j6XUxm5GkizbIC_P2lIFUdTorXfXLuulj2l6cAOC8dC0lw82TZ8cwSRribRI3GN8nBGK2UlJB-ZQL1RF-TFWmQA/s320/lego-table-tutorial-2_thumb.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dudemom.com/2012/07/how-to-make-a-lego-table.html">Via Dude Mom</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
21. These paper alphabet blocks are darling, or you could paint your own with some <a href="http://amzn.to/1O85h2T">plain wood letters</a>.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSfPPpC2PgccgedeEaYYeIPUmTag7ZS-4tbEcZvxenKfSnPt7TWAZkTWCQ5EdnDvq0MFsoYRwYlEFPwYSY-gRrY-nSMpNp6ZrIgoqo8dfR2zm8A-lyzdJovNee8HpXUSWhpR9QIqWBBQ/s1600/alphabet_collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSfPPpC2PgccgedeEaYYeIPUmTag7ZS-4tbEcZvxenKfSnPt7TWAZkTWCQ5EdnDvq0MFsoYRwYlEFPwYSY-gRrY-nSMpNp6ZrIgoqo8dfR2zm8A-lyzdJovNee8HpXUSWhpR9QIqWBBQ/s400/alphabet_collage.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://digitprop.com/2012/07/papercraft-alphabet/">Via Digitprop</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
22. Do you have a skateboarder, surfer, or snowboarder in the family? Here's a board cool sling.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveJLhIBQBJNnVvo08EL4vJlZT-P6wtHwrmYPkyGYDgOYFT_PsaFGRsBb5N3-4PtqO92aQiVMXKZaqXA30a3hwSgvycwpe_mMGzN7MHQCk3RrxtH2Y2QAd_BC9QeFpiJOJKZSzvQyDcfc/s1600/Screen-Shot-2014-10-04-at-9.17.42-PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveJLhIBQBJNnVvo08EL4vJlZT-P6wtHwrmYPkyGYDgOYFT_PsaFGRsBb5N3-4PtqO92aQiVMXKZaqXA30a3hwSgvycwpe_mMGzN7MHQCk3RrxtH2Y2QAd_BC9QeFpiJOJKZSzvQyDcfc/s320/Screen-Shot-2014-10-04-at-9.17.42-PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2011/11/gfg-guest-tutorial-skateboard-sling-by-the-boy-trifecta-2/">Via Kojo Designs</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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23. And the always useful pillow-fight sheild.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HUfdtEo_SJUFxm3dWsCH3s1xYqFia2pRgooU2KPxI7D27S2SAM0qckh6JGPYAdFh5fHD0HwfBgH6l-HjLPbFXCR9VmG-8xFF6N_1DeLECcxPIHz7aNGXZGDPMnTPpeGRoL8PYUni9JA/s1600/wreath060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HUfdtEo_SJUFxm3dWsCH3s1xYqFia2pRgooU2KPxI7D27S2SAM0qckh6JGPYAdFh5fHD0HwfBgH6l-HjLPbFXCR9VmG-8xFF6N_1DeLECcxPIHz7aNGXZGDPMnTPpeGRoL8PYUni9JA/s320/wreath060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.busilyspinningmomma.com/2011/09/just-bit-of-little-pillow-talk.html">Via Busily Spinning Momma</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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24. Put together this easy doctor playset with a few things you have around the house and a real <a href="http://amzn.to/1O85d2X">stethoscope</a>.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x_TcuJ0bVHPDt-SUylRlXEiqv12BF55m5pfNc5mOyrtAApn0jg29hTpaIPguI6IYNi_SUrs3QKezTryK0yOKw7eCTqIOqal_xwruw_Lfi6pRS35ebOTrMdfDjE-J6Kye04FHPMA54aA/s1600/doctorplay-title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x_TcuJ0bVHPDt-SUylRlXEiqv12BF55m5pfNc5mOyrtAApn0jg29hTpaIPguI6IYNi_SUrs3QKezTryK0yOKw7eCTqIOqal_xwruw_Lfi6pRS35ebOTrMdfDjE-J6Kye04FHPMA54aA/s320/doctorplay-title.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypoppet.com.au/makes/2012/06/how-to-diy-doctor-play-set.html">Via My Poppet</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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25. They will think you're the coolest person ever if you make these fun monster mittens, no knitting required.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHc03Ijm0q0EatcPpxIcgd0_QYgICnxeb1mZgCf2jHbEI5mfpN1BMj_tTK1gp2sknVd_Y74Nl-0ye1Rsq7ki9h3exE3XQPi3WKdh7V9gMXdDiA-6SyYCxHD4ORYSyBKJR-xaOolNilU0/s1600/0206_kids_gtanimittens_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHc03Ijm0q0EatcPpxIcgd0_QYgICnxeb1mZgCf2jHbEI5mfpN1BMj_tTK1gp2sknVd_Y74Nl-0ye1Rsq7ki9h3exE3XQPi3WKdh7V9gMXdDiA-6SyYCxHD4ORYSyBKJR-xaOolNilU0/s320/0206_kids_gtanimittens_vert.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/265413/monster-mittens?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/wreaths-garlands-more">Via Martha Stewart</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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26. Those 18" doll accessories can be pricey. Build this gorgeous doll bunk bed with this really simple tutorial.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_dSL0JcOpjOx3-YiFoS_0yWEl-AjxN8dk9K3qY_D2Guze0lswYUSH-1FeNhOm2-1fQo9_hpSVaHN_dH4iY3LaLyrbShyJaHtwYTSxCwfxmAYpVd8W9STjrpd4SPpA0YTv0ymu8VEVeo/s1600/american-girl-doll-bunk-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_dSL0JcOpjOx3-YiFoS_0yWEl-AjxN8dk9K3qY_D2Guze0lswYUSH-1FeNhOm2-1fQo9_hpSVaHN_dH4iY3LaLyrbShyJaHtwYTSxCwfxmAYpVd8W9STjrpd4SPpA0YTv0ymu8VEVeo/s320/american-girl-doll-bunk-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ana-white.com/2011/08/doll-bunk-beds-american-girl-doll-and-18-doll">Via Ana White</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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27. I don't know a tween who wouldn't love this awesome hammock chair.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighISI2Y_K1xJN764ZRbiiocopYVY1lU89maUN-lGXUN9VHxjbK2Hpmai1ceZz3Cg2gwbHBiNHdmp2j38HPdEWT7pP7BIAOsSDQVeXPtPq6QIASi71ftP5T2pqIVfR3f-ynkTUn_siW-k/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e201a3fd19a27b970b-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighISI2Y_K1xJN764ZRbiiocopYVY1lU89maUN-lGXUN9VHxjbK2Hpmai1ceZz3Cg2gwbHBiNHdmp2j38HPdEWT7pP7BIAOsSDQVeXPtPq6QIASi71ftP5T2pqIVfR3f-ynkTUn_siW-k/s400/6a00d8358081ff69e201a3fd19a27b970b-800wi.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/06/hammock-chair-diy.html">A Beautiful Mess</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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28. Here are 10 fun <a href="http://www.prettydesigns.com/10-diy-projects-girls/">DIY gifts</a> for young girls...</div>
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29. This Lego belt is very cool.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPUJnZDt31_4UPYamd3-3MQoSFJdpsCcnN4OYz2zIAlmwL872fQSiO7Rp8sBK6F9E1DjRdbe9BbtiA-9YUmaH6GbBH5p1MNsaTYlU-7S_PoetBlCx5yk8flhYQeosRkc6RBBpOqThWWY/s1600/_MG_6885+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPUJnZDt31_4UPYamd3-3MQoSFJdpsCcnN4OYz2zIAlmwL872fQSiO7Rp8sBK6F9E1DjRdbe9BbtiA-9YUmaH6GbBH5p1MNsaTYlU-7S_PoetBlCx5yk8flhYQeosRkc6RBBpOqThWWY/s320/_MG_6885+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deliacreates.com/boys-lego-belt/">Via Delia Creates</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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30. Teenage boys would love these DIY paracord bracelets, you could even hide "survival" items in them like <a href="http://amzn.to/1Lrg2ae">this one</a>.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLPUIVymvr6ss9nF7sPysP3h-hn7NPmVhIVMwGUQhBmo_KSwaJvXVhE7HYtdpiym4nrnF9mmzb7jlMixNLOvWtuiEF2CcQaI56IA3scBUtRpI4CmpQiBAwyKDkqUXbZGmWN0Q-uMX3j0/s1600/how-to-make-a-paracord-bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLPUIVymvr6ss9nF7sPysP3h-hn7NPmVhIVMwGUQhBmo_KSwaJvXVhE7HYtdpiym4nrnF9mmzb7jlMixNLOvWtuiEF2CcQaI56IA3scBUtRpI4CmpQiBAwyKDkqUXbZGmWN0Q-uMX3j0/s320/how-to-make-a-paracord-bracelet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2013/07/how-to-make-paracord-bracelets.html">Via A Girl and a Gluegun</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Like this list? Check out my <a href="http://roguenaturals.blogspot.com/2015/11/10-easy-tips-for-having-simpler-but.html">10 easy tips</a> for having a simpler, less expensive, less commercialized, but just as fun Christmas!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-EVXfR4HH4AcyvVNw_WTU2cXOPJRp1KZiBaJPrbp_TyreX4741RqIxU0WotjCK8S522STRRWAhbjvRztMIwJaYlhuGh_WfDLv0XJ4Zsz0tyZ7anL4Ml70BegSlbUusZRaw_4_Le8uMA/s1600/Christmas+Tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-EVXfR4HH4AcyvVNw_WTU2cXOPJRp1KZiBaJPrbp_TyreX4741RqIxU0WotjCK8S522STRRWAhbjvRztMIwJaYlhuGh_WfDLv0XJ4Zsz0tyZ7anL4Ml70BegSlbUusZRaw_4_Le8uMA/s200/Christmas+Tips.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-34674471599551660502015-11-20T08:14:00.001-08:002015-11-20T09:14:04.518-08:0010 Easy Tips for Having a Simpler (but just as fun!) Christmas<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAy3QaLn-clAavWHxnhiMdckdpxdH9id6AFFtGeguWMQDfvhs_iiUVlhLexZnWWT48fHh8v5ec75Nq4cwcON0h30cf_rpyVaPQ__HxGWY8iDQdtUuy3vU-pV-tBWZ7Mhl5cTPSktwelc/s1600/Christmas+Tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 Easy Tips for having a Simpler (but just as fun!) Christmas" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAy3QaLn-clAavWHxnhiMdckdpxdH9id6AFFtGeguWMQDfvhs_iiUVlhLexZnWWT48fHh8v5ec75Nq4cwcON0h30cf_rpyVaPQ__HxGWY8iDQdtUuy3vU-pV-tBWZ7Mhl5cTPSktwelc/s400/Christmas+Tips.jpg" title="10 Simple Christmas Tips" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grinched"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">10 Easy Tips for Having a Simpler (but just as fun!) Christmas</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Christmas has become
more and more commercialized over the years.
From controversy over a red cup to a day solely devoted to
the mass purchasing of gifts while keeping retail workers away from their
families on Thanksgiving, we are more and more missing the reason for the season. It really hit home for me when I noticed on
Facebook that my atheist friends were celebrating the “day of gifting” right
along side of the Christians. Why? “Because it’s not about Christ anymore,” they
would reply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*SMH*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My kids are very young, so I am trying to really instill on them the virtue of the simpler life. But Christmas is hard for me, because I want to give them EVERY cool thing they want. I love to shop for them, and giving them every little thing their hearts desire can have so much appeal. On the other hand, I already know that they have plenty. Whenever the urge to buy them yet another toy strikes me, I try to remember back to great memories I have of my childhood, and you know what? Very few of them involved toys. In fact, almost none. Almost every wonderful lasting memory I had of my childhood involved people, not things. And the toys I do remember? The fort my dad made us with some plywood and an old camper shell for a roof. The Narnia movies that I had to leave at Grandma's house because I could only watch them when we were together. The old box of costume jewelry I received from my Grandpa the year my Grandma went to be with the Lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So how do we go about creating those lasting memories for our children, without the material things? Well, it's not as hard as you think. Most of the existing traditions have roots in something more meaningful, and it's our job as parents to teach our kids the <i>meaning</i> behind things. These lessons can be so much fun and make the holiday season really special for your kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You could start with the
commercialized character of Santa Claus, which has true origins in faith and
generosity, not a man with a huge sack of toys for good little children. As your children become older and begin to
lose that magical belief in Santa, tell them the true story of the real <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/st-nicholas-204635">Patron Saint</a>. While they are still little, maybe you could tell them that story of how he got his saint hood and play it as, "how he got the job as Santa."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I think a nativity scene is an important fixture in every Christian home. We have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U66YBI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000U66YBI&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=YMA5IEEFV2GVZUBW" target="_blank">this one</a>, so the kids can play with it while they learn the story of how Christ was born. “I bring you
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10&11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That’s the true
meaning of Christmas. In light of that,
I’d like to share a few tips I’ve collected from articles, the internet, and my
own family to help you have an un-commercialized celebration of our Lord and
Savior’s birth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a tradition. Go to (or watch at home) a Christmas movie,
play a board game, make a special batch of cookies for Santa, or sing karaoke
to some Christmas carols. “How the
Grinch Stole Christmas” is one of our favorites, and we always make <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/10951/ginger-crinkles/">these cookies</a>
for Santa. My single-parent family was
not well-off growing up, but we never really knew it because Dad always made
things special, including personalized pancakes on Christmas morning. He was not going to be a short-order cook,
there was no being picky in my family. We
all ate exactly what we were given! But
every Christmas, I got blueberry pancakes, and my brothers got chocolate chip
or M&M or whatever other kind of pancake they desired. It’s a tradition close to my heart that I’ve
continued for my own kids.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have some electronic-free
time. I know it’s a terrible day to turn
off your phone, because many friends and family will want to talk to you on the
most wonderful day of the year. But
leave the TV off, put the iPads away, and only use the phone to <i>make or receive phone calls.</i> Spend quality time with your family, not your
gadgets.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make gifts instead of buying
them. My little boy asked Santa for the Disney Captain Jake and the Never Land
Pirates Mighty Colossus from Santa for Christmas, but his favorite character, “Sinker”,
the villain’s sidekick, does not come with it.
I’m not particularly crafty, but I pulled out some felt and thread and
printed out, traced, cut, sewed, and stuffed a tiny felt squid for him. He did find it in my purse early, but he
calls it his “best friend” and sleeps with it, and it cost me nothing but a
couple days of sewing on my lunch break.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have coffee with a friend you
haven’t seen in a while. Christmas is a
time for family and friends, so Facebook that friend that you haven’t seen in a
year but lives in the same city as you and take them to Starbucks for <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/">BOGO latte’s</a>. Or you could invite a friend over and <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-pumpkin-spice-latte-even-better-than-starbucks-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-96277">make
your own</a>!</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regift! That’s right, I said it. Some of my favorite things are special
hand-me-downs from family members. My
grandma’s costume jewelry, my Grandpa’s old Winchester, a pillow that my aunt
embroidered. Gifts do not have to be
new, they just have to be heartfelt to be special to the receiver.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give and ask for non-toy gifts. My kids were the first grandchildren on both
sides, and are blessed to have a <i>very</i>
generous family. But birthdays and Christmas
have become a little crazy for us, because we already have more things than
they can ever play with. I was regularly
returning items they already have and donating/selling things we had that they
hadn’t played with in a while. Now, I
politely hand out Christmas lists to family members who usually ask for them
anyway, and include non-toy items like a new bed set, tickets to the zoo or the
McWane Center, and craft supplies.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Break out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GMSP32/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004GMSP32&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=U6P2LVLR77NELSO4">fine china</a>. Ours is just an "everyday" set we received as a wedding present, but since we eat
off of paper plates most of the time, the kids know it’s pretty special when
Mom pulls out real plates for Christmas morning pancakes. You can dress up your everyday set with some red <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LI9O0E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009LI9O0E&linkCode=as2&tag=rogunatu-20&linkId=DFSWKZLRRUC67UD6">cloth napkins</a> or a fun DIY centerpiece.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simplify your decorations. We live in the woods so we don’t put lights
outside, but inside I do love to put up a big tree. We don’t put a tree in every room, we don’t
cover the house in tinsel. We pull out
the homemade ornaments the kids have made over the years and the ones we’ve
received as gifts, and fill the rest of the tree with painted pinecones we
found in the woods. We put up a nativity
set on the mantel to remind us of the reason for the season, and a wreath my mother-in-law made me, and that's about it!</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Donate your time. Work at a local food bank or soup kitchen,
help arrange a group donation at work for Toys for Tots, and include your
kids. They learn generosity from seeing
you be generous, not by you telling them to be!</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep your own consumerism at
bay. I know, I know, it feels great to
give your children all those things they’ve asked for. But after about 10 gifts, most of the time
they are eyeing a particular toy they want to play with anyway, and their
attention and gratefulness wanes. Here
are 2 options I’ve seen to keep gift-giving really special. </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Something they want, something
they need, something they wear, something they read.” 4 useful gifts. If this works for you, do it! I have trouble with this because my children
are young, and if it’s something they truly “need,” it usually cannot wait a
couple months. Those little toes just
won’t squeeze into too-small shoes for another month while the new ones sit
under the tree. The same applies to “something
they wear,” because cold weather clothes come out much earlier than December,
even here in the Deep South. And of
course, we’ve done a couple birthdays where we asked for books instead of
cards, so now we have <i>plenty </i>of
books. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“3 gifts because Baby Jesus got 3
gifts.” I like this because it helps
them remember the true meaning of Christmas, and because the 3 things can be
anything that works for your family.
They also get a 4<sup>th</sup> gift from Santa. We try to keep this gift $20-$40, after we
saw this very insightful <a href="http://www.mommyish.com/2014/12/18/mom-begs-parents-give-small-gifts-santa-kids-less-arent-heartbroken/">Facebook
post</a> about less fortunate children. We shop local or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RogueNaturals?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">handmade</a> when we can,
because supporting small business helps everyone. I try to make at least one of their gifts because I know that once they get older, they will value those more. I will post again soon with a list of great DIY gifts.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those are just a few ways to make your Christmas more simple, but more special too! I'd love to hear your ideas to keep Christmas less commercial and more meaningful. Please post them in the comments below!</span></div>
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-51793509378085881262015-03-17T14:31:00.003-07:002015-11-20T09:12:38.388-08:00How Etsy Sellers can use Evernote to be more Productive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWNherLtk0ln3BqM43D5IMqr2dbJM16diyqg9kPM3Fg1YL8UfF6pytwTFJkZLYqR8Vvxu-P2cxaPsoAiPRChJhjanHnxQTH6CGgeaeRFNwSJJg_IK4RWwsrcmSfhpbl-ghCMqsd0cWMs/s1600/Evernote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWNherLtk0ln3BqM43D5IMqr2dbJM16diyqg9kPM3Fg1YL8UfF6pytwTFJkZLYqR8Vvxu-P2cxaPsoAiPRChJhjanHnxQTH6CGgeaeRFNwSJJg_IK4RWwsrcmSfhpbl-ghCMqsd0cWMs/s1600/Evernote.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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As an Etsy seller, whether you have found great success and are operating full-time, or if you are like me and do it on the side (but still with your whole heart!), you probably have a lot to do. Between listing items, filling orders, social media, research and development, and of course the fun part, creating, there is a lot to keep up with when running your own business!<br />
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I bet you've tried a day planner of some kind. I've never been a fan of a paper day planner. It's just something else that I have to keep track of and carry around. And nowadays, there's an app for just about everything, so why not a day planner?<br />
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Or so you'd think. I tried oodles of apps, both paid and free, but nothing stuck. I was organizing with daily to-do sticky notes. Pretty inefficient, and heaven help me if I lost a sticky!<br />
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So when a friend referred me to <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a>, I figured I'd give it a try.<br />
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Now, I'll be honest. I didn't really commit at first. I'd had so much failure with other apps that I just didn't have the patience to give it the chance it deserved. When I casually mentioned that to the friend who referred me, he said, "well, you will get out of it what you put into it."<br />
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Now isn't that the motto of every successful Etsy seller?<br />
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So I jumped in and decided to give it the real college try. And I was richly rewarded. This app has tons of applications for an organized entrepreneur, or even just a busy mom (aren't most of us both?) With solutions to separate home and office organization, set reminders, share notes, and even clip articles to read later, you really will get out of it what you put in. The uses are endless, but here are just a few functions the multi-platform app has to offer an Etsy seller.<br />
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<h2>
1. Multiple Platforms</h2>
<div>
You can open and sync <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a> from your computer, phone, and tablet. This is great when you're on the run, and need to check your to-do list. But since you can access and edit notes from your computer, it also has the flexibility of entering large amounts of information quickly.</div>
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<h2>
2. Separate by Notebook</h2>
<div>
Just as you would with a pen and paper, you can separate notes by "notebook." For example, I have a "Home" notebook where I keep things like grocery lists and personal to-do lists. I have a notebook for Research and Design where I can jot down ideas for my latest product, and clip articles on the research I've done on an ingredient (more on that later.) I have multiple project notebooks for my day job in which I create meeting minutes and task lists, and share those notes with co-workers. I plan to add a notebook in the near future for Social Media so that I can organize when and where to share posts. You can format a note with bullets, numbers, or even check boxes to check of your to-do items as they get done.</div>
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3. Search</h2>
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Ever lose a list? You feel like you'll never be able to recreate it and capture everything you've lost. Not with <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a>. You can run a keyword search to find old lists and notes, so you never lose anything again!</div>
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<h2>
4. Reminders</h2>
<div>
I haven't fully utilized this feature yet, but I need to! Relying on my phone alarm clock and those Outlook calendar reminders that never seem to sync is not working for me. <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a> has the capability of quickly setting reminders to keep you on track throughout the day, so you don't get easily sidetracked and spend 4 hours researching the latest trends on Pinterest...or maybe a recipe for dinner next week...or that pretty DIY side table...</div>
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<h2>
5. Go Paperless</h2>
<div>
Want to add a picture to a note? Maybe someone handed you a receipt or a business card you know you will lose. Just take a quick picture of it without ever having to leave the app! You can also drag and drop files right into the app on your computer. Read the how-to on <a href="https://blog.evernote.com/blog/2015/02/25/create-paperless-office-evernote/" target="_blank">Evernote's blog</a>.</div>
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<h2>
6. Share Notes</h2>
<div>
Need to send the hubs the grocery list? Who am I kidding, I don't know a married man who grocery shops. But maybe you have business partners that you would like to share things from, from an idea you had on a product, to a to-do list, to an article you want them to read. Just hit the share button, easy as pie!</div>
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<h2>
7. Clip Articles</h2>
<div>
For all of you Pinterest addicts, this might free up your time! I don't know about you, but when I get on Pinterest to look at something I've pinned, I always get sidetracked. Streamline your productivity by clipping it instead of pinning it. Just hit the share button on your phone when you find an article or blog you want to save for later, and clip it to <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a>. Now, when you go to read it later, you won't get distracted!</div>
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<h2>
8. Link Notes to other Notes</h2>
<div>
I use this capability for my task lists. After I've done the research for a new product, maybe I have an item on my to do list to make a test batch. I wouldn't want to cut and paste an entire recipe into my to-do list, but I can create a note link to go from my to-do list right to the recipe! Talk about efficient.</div>
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<h2>
9. Evernote Email</h2>
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<a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a> assigns you a unique email address when you sign up. Now you can email an invoice, a wholesale order, or a receipt right to Evernote! Having everything in one place has so many benefits for staying productive throughout your creative day.</div>
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<h2>
10. 60MB of Storage</h2>
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I have not even come close to exceeding my 60 MB of storage space yet, but if and when I do, I can upgrade to the paid Premium version of <a href="https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?uid=84401440&sig=2d2e0955a9a1777024e9ac1e6fb22a49" target="_blank">Evernote</a> for only $4.99/month or $44.99/year. So this app has the capability of growing with your creative business. </div>
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There are so many things a creative business owner has to do that don't involve creating. It's daunting and sometimes demoralizing, so anything that I can do to minimize the time I spend on non-creative operations for my business is worth doing to me. I hope that you get as much out of this app for your creative business as I do.</div>
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What tools do you use to organize your day?</div>
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</h2>
***This is not a sponsored post! I honestly love Evernote and just wanted to share it with you. You will get a free month of Evernote Premium if you use the links in this post, which gives me some sort of points that I have no use for since I use the free version. But I wanted you to have the benefit of the free month of Premium if you have the need for it!<br />
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<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-11735602323177849662015-02-22T19:53:00.000-08:002015-11-20T09:14:11.311-08:0010 Steps to Grow Hair Longer Faster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpgNQeSTtHoOXvVGwtcKVDwKMI835sCaPW2U6q4jcqvMh1-wH11uo2WB31rzwQ-Joc3CobPBVd4ns1f3I_O9QDVQ_hoJGxhshiOXYfn4OqFi6jouhNKuhN3WY_fZuU2iyqMYrxXe4TAk/s1600/Longer+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpgNQeSTtHoOXvVGwtcKVDwKMI835sCaPW2U6q4jcqvMh1-wH11uo2WB31rzwQ-Joc3CobPBVd4ns1f3I_O9QDVQ_hoJGxhshiOXYfn4OqFi6jouhNKuhN3WY_fZuU2iyqMYrxXe4TAk/s1600/Longer+hair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love long hair. Love, love, love. But it's always been a struggle for me to grow it out. I cut it and donate it when it gets long again, but it seems like it takes sooo long. I was averaging 3 years between donations...yikes!<br />
<br />
Well a while back I came across something on Pinterest, like we all do, with a link to the Almost Exactly blog, by Alex Raye. Here's the <a href="https://almostexactlyblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/grow-it-long-grow-it-strong/">post</a>.<br />
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After I started reading, I couldn't stop. I followed her whole journey through no-poo to ROM (the rinse-only-method...wow!) Her hair is long and beautiful and I wanted to jump right in and do everything she did.<br />
<br />
But...I'm a working mom. I know, I know, it's not an excuse. But it's really hard to commit to going around grungy for an unknown amount of time in the professional world. It's not fun for your self confidence either, to feel icky all the time. On top of that, I have toddlers smearing gross things on me regularly, and don't want to carry all that crud around for a couple weeks.<br />
<br />
But I tried anyway. I was to the point where I was washing my hair every single day, and when I woke up the next morning it was greasy again. Now, I won't take you through my entire journey, maybe another day. What I do want to share with you is where I am at now, and some simple steps you can take to grow your hair longer <i>much </i>faster without a ton of effort. I'm talking 8"+ per year. After all, we're busy gals!<br />
<br />
So without further ado... steps to grow your hair longer faster.<br />
<br />
1. STOP dying that hair! Embrace your natural color girls! Now, if you are 30 and gray, I'm not going to tell you not to cover your grays. But hair dye is so not good for your hair or your body, so try to figure out ways to do it less. Maybe use root touch-up instead of doing your whole head every time. If you're completely gray you could try blonde instead of brown, because it doesn't have to be done so often, your roots won't show as much. My mom does this, and it looks much better. You could also look into more <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/beauty-products/hair-dye-reviews/non-toxic-hair-dyes-55021302">natural hair dyes</a>.<br />
<br />
2. Use a Sulfate Free shampoo and conditioner. Make sure you <a href="http://yournaturalhair.com/how-to-remove-product-buildup-and-clarify-hair/">clarify</a> before you start using it, so you don't end up with a funky texture. Sulfates coat your hair to make it look shiny and healthy, but what they are really doing is covering up the damage you are doing washing your hair every day. And so my next tip is...<br />
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3. DON'T wash your hair every day! Before you say, "but I thought you were going to tell me how not to be grungy every day!" I will tell you that once you clarify and stop using the sulfate shampoos, your hair will not be as oily as before. It's all about training your hair not to produce as much oil. Start small. Wash it every 2 days. Try to make it a bit longer every month. I've been at it a year and I wash my hair every 4 days.<br />
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4. Read your labels! There are lots of hair products out there, and even some of the organic brands have some yucky stuff on their labels. Stay away from things that have sulfate, methyl, or EDTA in the names, and try to stay away from artificial colors and fragrances. The Environmental Working Group has a great website called Skin Deep, with a free <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/app/">mobile app</a> that you can search for most products, including personal care, cosmetics, and more, and check out all of the ingredients and their associated risks. I highly recommend it!<br />
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5. Only wash your scalp! I hope you are already doing this, but to those that aren't, you don't need to wash the whole length of your hair unless you get something in it or are clarifying it. Shampoo only your roots.<br />
<br />
6. Water down your shampoo. You don't need nearly as much as you think you do. Leave a cheap squeeze bottle like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FWVY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00006FWVY&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=V7T6T2Q7RUIWJXIE">this one</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00006FWVY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in the shower and add a squirt of shampoo to it, then fill it with water. This will help you disperse it more evenly through your hair. You only need enough that you barely feel suds to clean your hair. This will not only keep you from drying out your hair and scalp, but it will save you a ton of money!<br />
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7. Deep condition your hair. Every once in a while, you need a deep conditioning. It's so easy, so cheap, and makes your hair feel so good! It's ridiculously easy. Got some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UWNBYS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007UWNBYS&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=4JVLBIZVTCG6TZFV">organic coconut oil</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007UWNBYS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in your kitchen? Smear it through your dry hair and let it sit for a while before you hop in the shower. A couple hours is great, but 20 minutes does just fine! (And if you don't, try some! It has a hundred uses!)<br />
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8. Easy on that ponytail. Wearing your hair up every day can cause a lot of breakage. If you just have to, make sure you use fabric covered elastics or even cloth headbands. Or try a braid instead!<br />
<br />
9. DO NOT brush your wet hair! It is weakest when wet, so just don't do it. Brush your hair before you shower, not after. Try a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006OU06E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006OU06E&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=EDQD23MNJ777BPZU">boar bristle brush</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0006OU06E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B187C6A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00B187C6A&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=2HWUMOU6HS4OZ6PQ">wooden comb</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00B187C6A" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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10. Last but not least...stimulate your scalp! When you wash your hair, scrub that scalp with your fingers. I like to really get in there with the boar bristle brush before my shower and distribute my scalp oils down the shaft of my hair. And I love a vinegar rinse. 3 parts water, 1 part <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I7MVG0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001I7MVG0&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=3C6YEESBCDACA2IZ">organic raw Apple Cider Vinegar</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001I7MVG0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and a couple of drops each of organic <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RUHA04/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RUHA04&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=QWP5N2KY3A64FWS4">peppermint oil</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002RUHA04" gp="" height="1" http:="" product="" ref="as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RULBMC&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=WQHHRDWH7OYR6L2M" style="border: none !important;" www.amazon.com="" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RULBMC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RULBMC&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=WQHHRDWH7OYR6L2M">tea tree oil</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002RULBMC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Just mix in another squeeze bottle and use after you shampoo. Once you rinse it out, you won't smell like vinegar, but your scalp will be tingly and flake-free too!<br />
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Well, there you have it. Grow your hair longer and stronger, quicker! I hope you try at least some of these tips to grow your hair. And I hope you consider donating your hair to Locks of Love, Wigs for Kids, or Pantene Beautiful Lengths. <br />
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What tips do you have to grow your hair long and healthy?The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-87103640678714203992015-01-17T09:52:00.001-08:002015-01-19T07:17:49.857-08:00Ridiculously Easy Faux-Beignets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Df9eShOpiMFfdOCQ-Xu2uwKnY5Tmbx39rRuP7dEY7PRgdBMyh6YGLIevcY7FGHaVaLO-lPHjjCsxQDtJgsW2hXNHTcIr4uU7tt-wDjFOEz2jIjVMJmvvNqC21toogfFkg073xramx8/s640/blogger-image--114479877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make a fun breakfast with just 3 ingredients!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Df9eShOpiMFfdOCQ-Xu2uwKnY5Tmbx39rRuP7dEY7PRgdBMyh6YGLIevcY7FGHaVaLO-lPHjjCsxQDtJgsW2hXNHTcIr4uU7tt-wDjFOEz2jIjVMJmvvNqC21toogfFkg073xramx8/s640/blogger-image--114479877.jpg" title="Ridiculously Easy Faux-Beignets" /></a></div>
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This morning, like almost every morning, Little Man asked for donuts for breakfast. And while usually I suggest a banana instead, today I decided to say yes. The local mom-and-pop donut shop went out of business this week, and I was so sad they didn't make it. They had the best beignets and kolaches, and the people who ran it were wonderful.</div>
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So as tribute to them, it was a special breakfast kind of day. </div>
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You need only 3 ingredients: fry oil, Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Original biscuits, and powdered sugar.</div>
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We started by heating some flavorless oil to 350 degrees. We used grape seed oil and a a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004XSC9/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00004XSC9&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=FAEHW3EKEQ6CDKMH">candy thermometer</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00004XSC9" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</div>
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Then we cut the biscuits in fours.</div>
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Fry them for a couple minutes on the first side, flip them, and just about a minute more on the other, till they are nice and golden. Dry them a bit on a paper towel.</div>
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Wait a couple minutes for them to cool, then shake them around in some powdered sugar.</div>
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The sugar will stick to the oil and turn them into yummy beignet-like donuts!</div>
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There were enough for 2 families of four, so you may want to use the half-can. But YUM! And so easy.</div>
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<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-83029773522041545462014-11-07T12:54:00.002-08:002015-11-20T09:13:25.148-08:0031 Days 17: An Easy Holiday Mantle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Holiday decorating is not really something I do. Unless it's Christmas, I just don't have the time or the money to make the effort. But as the kids get older, I know I'm going to have to make more of an effort. </div>
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So, after browsing Pinterest one night, I decided I would do a little fall mantle. Something easy and cute that would last from Halloween through Thanksgiving. </div>
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I have seen these cute banners around for months, and I had a burlap table runner I saw at Target for just that purpose. I used the word "Thankful" because that is the theme I want my family to focus on during the holidays. </div>
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First, I ironed it. This may be the first time I've ironed this year. Mr. Rogue Mom irons his own pants. That's right, be jealous ladies!</div>
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Then, I cut it in half long-ways.</div>
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To cut each flag, I put one of my letter stencils centered on the edge to see how much space I needed for it to look somewhat centered. Mine was 4". I bought this pack of paper stencils from Wal-mart about 2 years ago for my mailbox and have not used them since. Glad I saved them!</div>
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Once I had a stack of 8 flags (to spell "Thankful".) I used the nifty 60 degree line on my cutting mat to mark where I wanted to cut the V in the bottom of my flag. I just put a mark on the center with a pen and cut from the bottom corner to the mark. I free-handed this.</div>
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Then I put some paper under my burlap so I wouldn't get paint all over my craft table, and blotted black paint in each stencil letter. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I removed the stencil and filled in the stencil-gaps with a skinny paint brush free-hand.</span></div>
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Then I took a low-heat (trust me, the burlap is porous and you <i>will </i>get hot glue on your fingers) hot glue gun and glued the pieces onto some twine, with a 1" space between each flag. </div>
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I hung it up, and grabbed some dead branches from the woods outside to put in my tall vases. If you don't have tall vases, you could use a cowboy boot, or even a rain boot. You may just have to put something heavy in the bottom to keep it from tipping over.</div>
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And done! Now, if I can just print some wallets to put in that Ferris wheel frame so people quit asking me who the family in the stock pictures is...<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-16068057667788006522014-10-29T12:44:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.094-08:0031 Days 16: First Aid Kit<div>
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Every person needs a first aid kit in their car. ESPECIALLY if you are a mom. But really, everyone needs one. You never know when a headache, indigestion, or even a dreaded paper cut could creep up on you or someone near you. <br />
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As part of my emergency preparedness, I have a first aid kit in every vehicle. Today I will share mine with you. <br />
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Let me first share an important piece of information with you. <i>Don't but the pre-made corner pharmacy first aid kits. </i>Ya'll, these things are so useless. They have a few bandaids, a couple individual packs of antibiotic ointment, and some burn cream. Pretty limited on what you can treat with those things, and they are pricey to boot. <br />
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Kits are not all bad, you just need to know that it's not all-inclusive. To make life simpler, you could start with a good kit and add to it. I like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SL0R9K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000SL0R9K&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=VKKZYSYYX2QNSF7L">this one</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SL0R9K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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Now that we've established that it is better and more cost efficient to make your own, we will address what you need to put in it.<br />
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Wound Care</h3>
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEK3GFA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CEK3GFA&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=DO42QHKWQJYFUNMV">Cohesive Wrap</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CEK3GFA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - I love this stuff, it replaces medical tape, ace bandages, and athletic tape.</li>
<li>Butterfly sutures</li>
<li>Gauze/dressings</li>
<li>Antibiotic ointment</li>
<li>Burn cream (substitute Honey and Lavender)</li>
<li>Antiseptic wipes</li>
<li>Alcohol or peroxide</li>
<li>Superglue</li>
<li>Vaseline (substitute coconut oil & beeswax mix)</li>
<li>Bandaids</li>
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Pain Management</h3>
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<li>Aspirin (also good for heart attacks - but must be chewed!)</li>
<li>Tylenol (substitute Rosemary or Peppermint)</li>
<li>Motrin (substitute Frankincense, Bergamot, or Chamomile)</li>
<li>Lidocaine spray (substitute Tea Tree or Clove oil)</li>
<li>Instant ice pack</li>
<li>Baby medicine syringe</li>
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Allergies</h3>
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<li><a href="http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/benadryl.html">Benadryl</a> (I prefer keep the drug version on hand for use in emergencies only. I've linked a reference article for your knowledge.) </li>
<li>Cortizone (substitute Lavender)</li>
<li>Epi-pen (if you have a prescription)</li>
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Tools & Other</h3>
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<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Tweezers</li>
<li>Popsicle sticks (for emergency splints or tongue depressors)</li>
<li>Q-tips</li>
<li>Fingernail clippers</li>
<li>Hand sanitizer (I like this Honest Company spray style)</li>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GJ33LI0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00GJ33LI0&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=DCCHZQYA672X7NEH"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00GJ33LI0&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thromo0e-20" height="200" width="200" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00GJ33LI0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<li>Thermometer (I prefer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EP1ZLO0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EP1ZLO0&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=7AGIQ4SAUCRE7V6L">temporal</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00EP1ZLO0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />)</li>
<li>Gloves</li>
<li>Safety pins</li>
<li>Feminine products (also useful for wound dressings)</li>
<li>Any prescription that your family cannot go 72 hours without. During the 2014 Birmingham Snowpocalypse, I had a friend who had to get the police involved to get her baby girl seizure medicine that she desperately needed. While I'm glad that the community banded together and got her what she needed, I can't imagine the desperate feeling of that poor mama. Carry some with you, just in case! </li>
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<i>**Make sure all oils you include are pre-diluted with carrier oils for easy grab-and-go use. The rule of thumb is 1% for children, 2% for adults, and 3% for medicinal use. I keep mine in little glass roller bottles with labels. I am not a homeopathic medicine practitioner and can only recommend to you what has worked for my family. Please do your research before you treat your family with any natural remedies. </i><br />
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Now that you've got everything together, what do you put it all in? So many options. You could use a baby wipe box, if you can fit everything in it. If you started with a good basic first aid kit and added to it, you already have the bag it came in. Or you could put it in a cute owl lunchbox that you got for $2 at a consignment sale.<br />
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Cute and functional. What else would you include in a DIY first aid kit?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-20514934805000435222014-10-27T19:39:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.097-08:0031 Days 15: Essential Oils<br />
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I am a big fan of essential oils. From cleaners to air fresheners to diaper cream and more, the uses are infinite. </div>
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But storage can be a problem. After all, it's a bunch of tiny glass bottles with the labels on the fronts. A lot like spices, but smaller, and more fragile!</div>
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I keep mine in...you guessed it, a bin. I suppose I could have called this series "31 Days of Bins." Oh, well.</div>
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The bin protects them and keeps the light off them, which is very important for EO storage. But every time I needed something, I found myself pulling each bottle out to find what I was looking for. I needed labels. Ah, but the right tiny size is impossible to find at Staples.</div>
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So I turned to my BFF, Amazon. Hello, doTerra labels! They even came with a few blank ones for my mixes and home made oils. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JCJC3WS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JCJC3WS&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=ZJCX3FRAWSN4PN5N"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JCJC3WS&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thromo0e-20" height="400" width="400" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JCJC3WS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Now I can see what I have! I keep a carrier oil and witch hazel in my bin so I can dilute dilute dilute! Moderation, people.</div>
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**<i>I am not a doTerra or Young Living rep. I have not made a commitment to any essential oil company for multiple reasons. Please do your research and make an educated decision when you begin your oily journey!</i></div>
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How do you organize your EO's?</div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-12329188408266630522014-10-24T10:51:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.089-08:0031 Days 14: Christmas List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuiwfIoLZ-dkO4af5m20dJWcob8Lforowj6yb2QWbagFSZ0Qn8o3pjQzXtTW84ZR0m6L_yCCwrQwCuOKgdzsFwkXELZtczqYk_ytBaAQ5i-QR4RwAjxoGtXrb3Iu6r4qw658hn-EMy88/s1600/31+Days+Christmas+List+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuiwfIoLZ-dkO4af5m20dJWcob8Lforowj6yb2QWbagFSZ0Qn8o3pjQzXtTW84ZR0m6L_yCCwrQwCuOKgdzsFwkXELZtczqYk_ytBaAQ5i-QR4RwAjxoGtXrb3Iu6r4qw658hn-EMy88/s1600/31+Days+Christmas+List+.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Christmas and toys. No matter how you slice it, if you have kids, you will have toys. Last year, I was asked what Little Man would like for Christmas several times. I made the mistake of telling everyone, he likes Lego's and tractors. We literally got like 50 Lego/tractor related items. Some were even duplicates. <br />
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Grandma called us the day before Christmas and asked us to bring our truck when we came the next day. My response was, "oh, do you need help moving something?" Nope, she had just gotten him so much that she knew the car wouldn't hold it all. You can't make this stuff up!<br />
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While we are SO blessed to have such a wonderful, loving, generous family for our boys, but I don't have any desire to break my neck, so I returned a few of the duplicates and some of the redundant block sets and put the cash in his piggy bank. He never noticed the difference, he was only 1.<br />
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Well, this year, I know he will know. I'm not going to outsmart that kid. So, I knew we had to do something different at Christmas time. But what to do? How to answer the inevitable question, "what do they want for Christmas?" Not to mention, since we have Shark Baby now, we have 2 boys that have almost every baby toy known to man. It's overwhelming.<br />
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The real challenge here is a non-tacky way to do this. I thought about the whole, "money for their college" thing, but it seemed tacky, and we've done books instead of toys, but now we have a TON of books. I wanted to do a donation Christmas, but all family members want to buy them a toy. Even though they don't need them, even though I don't want them, even though what they really need is clothes, there's just something about giving a baby a toy that they open and immediately play with that is irresistible...to those who do not have to live in the mountain of toys. This is a true "first world problem." I don't want to deprive my family of the joy of giving to my children, especially since Little Man is always so grateful. I can't make a claim on that, it's just his sweet personality. So how do I deal with this?<br />
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Well, since I know that people want to buy them gifts, and if I don't tell them what the kids would like we will end up with a bunch of stuff we already have, I went ahead and made a list of some good, mostly educational, toys that we don't already have. I started with a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/theroguemom/boys-christmas-list/">Pinterest</a> page where I linked some items that I knew they would love. <br />
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There are some pros and cons to this. First, anyone without a Pinterest account can only look at the page for a couple seconds before being prompted to create their own account. Wait, what, everyone doesn't already have a Pinterest account?! I know, crazy. What's up with that, Pinterest? On the pro side, people can comment on an item to note that it's been purchased. No duplicates! <br />
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Before you ask, I thought originally about creating an Amazon registry, but it seemed tacky to register for Christmas gifts for your kids. Also, with Pinterest I can add intangibles like zoo tickets and Kiwi crates to the board.<br />
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I think my last resort is going to be to write a blog called " Christmas List 2014" that lists some great options for Christmas gifts for any baby or toddler, and send people that link instead. I won't avoid duplicates, but I'm thinking if we get any this year I will bring Little Man to a charity to donate them, so he can feel the joy of giving too!<br />
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How do you minimize the toy avalanche that comes with a very blessed Christmas?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a><br />
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<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-2472593931268770182014-10-23T18:37:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.105-08:0031 Days 13: "Dump Zone"Everyone has them. Those areas of your home that your family dumps their stuff every day when they get home.<br />
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Honesty moment: I am the worst offender in my house. When I get home from work, I have my laptop bag, my purse, my cooler and pump, my kids bags from daycare, possibly a diaper bag, and whatever else I may have grabbed on the way home. Between my 8 trips to the car to get the kids and my stuff all into the house, I just pile it all up in one spot. For shame!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkI8MF7SbwD17xUvmN4Y3gYj8l6ikXiooUKIYt-8nQanuRyNR5KVC9oktg027tptO3aB5hgNrOb0LCG59izH2xUUSKx1oaECy9GuQVYIMjvMoVSKzpOx4pZKLHDdGJZx_NEVxLlC9krU/s1600/IMG_4564%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkI8MF7SbwD17xUvmN4Y3gYj8l6ikXiooUKIYt-8nQanuRyNR5KVC9oktg027tptO3aB5hgNrOb0LCG59izH2xUUSKx1oaECy9GuQVYIMjvMoVSKzpOx4pZKLHDdGJZx_NEVxLlC9krU/s1600/IMG_4564%5B1%5D.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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No matter how many times I have tried to organize this space, it inevitably accumulates more stuff. So I tried to change the habit. But here's the thing: the dump zone <i>works.</i> There, I said it. It is simply easier to have one place that I dump all this stuff so that #1: I always know where it is, and #2 it's all in one place when I need to grab it the next morning on my way out the door.<br />
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But it looks like crap. I find myself putting all of these things in their designated "homes" when company comes over, but the next morning I have to go around to all these different places to get all my stuff. Not very efficient. This stuff needs to stay in the dump zone, the dump zone needs to be it's home. So the only solution seems to be to somehow hide the crap in the dump zone. And the easiest way to hide a mish-mash of stuff is a bin.<br />
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So I added a few.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlaBO189oAgy7plgY-FYnrYkQsch_fYHzyPEiVwXAJNaPBMbHmEl6t98tGsd1CQbLPG8i0bpKkaPlxQXdGIuD_o9gA_VpO89Cy-CC052lx2nLEwTneXKCc3qxFUIxdzDH5ZAxRPQh-i4/s640/blogger-image-80644855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlaBO189oAgy7plgY-FYnrYkQsch_fYHzyPEiVwXAJNaPBMbHmEl6t98tGsd1CQbLPG8i0bpKkaPlxQXdGIuD_o9gA_VpO89Cy-CC052lx2nLEwTneXKCc3qxFUIxdzDH5ZAxRPQh-i4/s640/blogger-image-80644855.jpg" /></a></div>
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And look at the difference! No, they are not a perfect fit. But the were $6 each on clearance at Target, they match my kitchen decor, and they neatly hide all my junk! <br />
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I added a few cute $1 cans to collect small junk like change and pocket items.<br />
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I've had these nifty pantry crates for a while that I couldn't figure out what to use for. They work neatly as potato and garlic storage.<br />
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I added a serving bowl for fruit and put my breadmaker on the shelf with the toaster oven. This way it's not taking up valuable counter space.<br />
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Last, but most importantly, I removed one of the glass jars I was using to store snacks. I had one for granola bars (a staple breakfast at my house), and another for snacks. This became a problem after Little Man caught me one day trying to scarf a twinkie without him noticing. Then, of course, I had to share with him, which proceeded with him asking for a twinkie for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner EVERY SINGLE DAY. So I put them in a bin in the pantry, and used the jar for another fun project I will share with you soon. Out of sight, out of mind.<br />
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So how about you? Where is your designated dump zone? How do you keep it under control?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-33201275795176564582014-10-22T13:27:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.114-08:0031 Days 12: An Organized PantryI have 3 pantries.<br />
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I know, I'm lucky to have so much storage space!<br />
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But that means that when I'm cooking I have to go to 3 different places to get what I need. Doesn't make for a very good Rachel Ray carry.<br />
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So I've divided the stuff into 3 separate groups.<br />
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1. Paper goods<br />
2. Snacks and baking items<br />
3. Grocery store<br />
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Really #3 is "all other stuff" but we stock so much from couponing that Mr. Rogue Mom lovingly calls it my in-home grocery store. Previously, I shared my redo of the <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-10-supply-closet.html">Paper Pantry</a>. Today, I will share how I keep my snack/baking items pantry organized.<br />
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The first thing I will share with you is that about 2 months ago we had a run-in with <a href="http://www.pantrymothtrap.com/pantry-moths-lifecycle/">pantry moths</a>. Maybe one day when I'm not as horrified with it, I will share that story. Suffice it to say, read the linked article, and follow the advice to avoid getting them in the first place! It will save you some serious heartache and money too!<br />
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So I already have all these air-tight bins for my baking goods. I intended on making fancy labels, but those super-awesome <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R83VKE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007R83VKE&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=2YJVNYGKZIQ7KNZR%22%3ESilhouette%20Cameo%20Starter%20Kit%20Bundle%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007R83VKE%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">Silhouettes</a> are too pricey to justify what I would use them for. So instead, I grabbed some washi-tape and made hand-written labels. Even with my not-cute blocky blueprint handwriting, they are still cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTGQj2zqZDWI9SZc9FoDuGXO9CdkZ8U6Ank7PFA_9M2HJHv5FgLgNKN1ND8as4bI9fzAkIkD0PJ0ECHMCVChqAy7cuVImbY7qIvXCGv7pdD0K808d_HCMp9k1hZrZ4ZXqz8o08pMW9-w/s640/blogger-image-1824794770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTGQj2zqZDWI9SZc9FoDuGXO9CdkZ8U6Ank7PFA_9M2HJHv5FgLgNKN1ND8as4bI9fzAkIkD0PJ0ECHMCVChqAy7cuVImbY7qIvXCGv7pdD0K808d_HCMp9k1hZrZ4ZXqz8o08pMW9-w/s640/blogger-image-1824794770.jpg" /></a></div>
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A long time ago, I saw a great idea on Pinterest (don't we all), and decided to paint the inside of my pantry with chalk paint to keep my grocery list on. While it turned out great, I never ended up using it for that purpose. Mainly because I hate child locks and so I open my cabinets as little as humanly possible. <br />
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Instead, I keep a cute conversion chart there. When I'm baking, I have this cabinet open often, so it makes sense to keep it there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqisuRltTRt9QxDQcQL9p5UpyXSRCoFhvX-FFmyKkewnk81FTm0RaO4r8VxofBdSyTx7RyhTa0KpfgL_Of6EH1biNnGBNyIlAgvBX1a49-cvHWTJeNsB32_8MK2O0eqLuJuxXY5QJjnFU/s640/blogger-image--1797906597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqisuRltTRt9QxDQcQL9p5UpyXSRCoFhvX-FFmyKkewnk81FTm0RaO4r8VxofBdSyTx7RyhTa0KpfgL_Of6EH1biNnGBNyIlAgvBX1a49-cvHWTJeNsB32_8MK2O0eqLuJuxXY5QJjnFU/s640/blogger-image--1797906597.jpg" /></a></div>
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A couple bins for pouches, and a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GB3G04/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GB3G04&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=FIYDVTHXZ67AP2VX%22%3EMunchkin%20Deluxe%20Baby%20Food%20Organizer%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000GB3G04%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">baby food organizer</a> from Amazon, and this spiffy pantry will do the trick!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopkzErrPNMT_qUPZAVgXa8XzfoZFXy1HpwTOo7Vj4UBP9G5pHrPQWWjrMria0nQ9ivOJr1vq9-0c05sr5s-1o8vTBrLzk-O1quO4pfuwY3TZxl57w8cxaUZGO94AYn0LCjTS-xMcI_XQ/s640/blogger-image--1803523849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopkzErrPNMT_qUPZAVgXa8XzfoZFXy1HpwTOo7Vj4UBP9G5pHrPQWWjrMria0nQ9ivOJr1vq9-0c05sr5s-1o8vTBrLzk-O1quO4pfuwY3TZxl57w8cxaUZGO94AYn0LCjTS-xMcI_XQ/s640/blogger-image--1803523849.jpg" /></a></div>
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How do you keep your pantry organized, and free of pests?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a><br />
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-42254199017173300582014-10-14T11:48:00.000-07:002014-10-14T11:48:05.360-07:00Book Review: "Maxed Out: American Moms on the Brink" by Katrina Alcorn<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580055230/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580055230&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=CLRQHAIKW74B7XEG">Maxed Out: American Moms on the Brink</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1580055230" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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I'm taking a break from my 31 Days today to share a book with you that I have just finished. The Rogue Mom loves to read almost as much as she loves referring to herself in the third person.<br />
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I'm going to get serious today. I like my blog to be witty and fun because I need fun in my life. I'm a full-time work-outside-the-home mom. To be exact, since I have a salaried position, I actually work quite a bit more than 40 hours a week and do not receive additional pay. Ah, the glorious of an industrialized civilization. <br />
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But I wanted to share a topic of great importance with you, because I want you to know that you are not alone. I started this blog because I felt alone, but I knew there must be <i>someone </i>out there who felt like I do. Now I know that there are TONS of us. <br />
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If you are a working mother, you know the stress involved with balancing essentially two separate lives: your work life and your family life.<br />
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And that's pretty much what it feels like.</div>
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You're walking a tightrope of guilt. On one side is your work life. You may have a career or just a job, but either way, you want to be the best at what you do. It's part of your self-worth. It may be part of your family-worth. Many women, like me, believe that the value they contribute to their family is partly financial. </div>
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On the other side is your family. You want to be the best mom you can be. The best wife. The best cook, maid, teacher, role model, friend, the best model of faith that you can be for your family. The best at everything.</div>
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So you add more and more to your plate. Maybe you make home made organic baby food. Maybe you volunteer to be chaperone on every field trip. Maybe you coach your kids soccer team or girl scout group. Maybe you take on that extra project at work to impress your boss. Maybe you coupon to save your family money. Maybe you just do everything that you do 100% and give it your all.</div>
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And maybe that's coming at a price.</div>
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The price, girls, is you. All that time focused on other people can drain you. It will drain your energy, your patience, your happiness, until you feel like a shell. You're all alone, and you don't know how to get out of the hamster wheel.</div>
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It looks a little different for each of us. For some, you can see it written on their faces. Others put on a brave face and pretend like nothing is wrong. But everything is wrong.</div>
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Perhaps you're one of the five of every mother that is on some kind of upper or downer. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and sleeping pills are prescribed to us like candy. Maybe they help you cope. Maybe they don't.</div>
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My life looks exactly like this. I'm the brave face, the one who pretends like nothing as wrong. Only Mr. Rogue Mom knows otherwise. And he is the king of my world. This man isn't afraid to do dishes, do laundry, give neck rubs, change poopy diapers, and give his all to try to ease the load. But he can't do much about the personal guilt I feel for not being the best at everything.</div>
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For me, it didn't happen until I got pregnant with my second child. Gaining an extra 25% of my weight and carrying it around while trying to carry a toddler and make sure everything would run smooth while I was on maternity leave. Coming back and realizing that while I was gone I had become the scape-goat for everything that went wrong, because it's easy to blame someone who isn't around to defend themselves, and because they knew I was tough and figured I could take it. I did too.<br />
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But then the guilt kicked in. I felt the glass ceiling, for the first time in my life. The glass ceiling isn't even the right analogy. There's not much discrimination left for a single, childless career woman who gives her work everything. But when we have kids and decide that family is first, when we hit the age that we may have to be out for maternity leave and take "3-month vacations," when we can't travel all around the country because we choose to nurse and pump in bathroom stalls or storage closets for the health of our infants, when we have to leave "early" to pick up the kids from daycare, we suddenly start getting passed over for promotions. Our raises get smaller. If we're lucky and can negotiate a part-time position, our pay gets disproportionately cut. It's better to describe it as the corporate latter. It gets damned harder to climb carrying babies on your back.<br />
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And the stress just adds up. I found this book at a time in my life that I needed it most. NOW. I hope you read it. I hope you tell your friends, your husband, your mother to read it. I hope you secretly leave a copy in your boss's office, or maybe that single co-worker who gives you dirty looks when they see your put your precious pumped milk in the fridge, or when you leave after only 8 short hours of work (even though you accomplished twice as much. Being a mom makes your brain more efficient, did you know that?)<br />
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Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book: "We have this unwritten, unacknowledged, and unyielding expectation that working parents will make the accommodations necessary to do their jobs just as if they don't have children. If you don't like it, hire someone else to raise your children. And if you don't like that, then quit. Except, of course, you can't quit, because you can't get by on one income. Well, then, if it's too much work, don't have babies! And there you have it. America's delusion of rugged individualism, taken to its absurd conclusion: the end of the human race."<br />
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I have to warn you that her views are very liberal. Being very conservative myself, I still agree with her that society wide changes need to take place to solve this crisis in our families. And it starts, like everything else, with the knowledge that we do, in fact, have a problem. You can feel it in your heart, and you are not alone. Not even a little bit. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E257VI8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00E257VI8&linkCode=as2&tag=thromo0e-20&linkId=LULC2NDXHZPIVNLL"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00E257VI8&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thromo0e-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thromo0e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00E257VI8" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-80950393451511478382014-10-14T10:50:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.144-08:0031 Days 11: Sewing BoardSince it's Sunday, the day of rest, I'm going to post on a project that has already been done. My lovely sewing board.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqQ56cE5GGCG7dzvdp5knrAD3xy6RQfiy5Xj95IzAThrb7MZInQDMgExPrHVkx7-lhCvRIUVb4tXqJCbwCNxMmrg3wKqrcyFr4Glp1u2ffaboxmsgqWwOV0C9o_WvWZHpwCDdzPNSanc/s640/blogger-image-731741508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqQ56cE5GGCG7dzvdp5knrAD3xy6RQfiy5Xj95IzAThrb7MZInQDMgExPrHVkx7-lhCvRIUVb4tXqJCbwCNxMmrg3wKqrcyFr4Glp1u2ffaboxmsgqWwOV0C9o_WvWZHpwCDdzPNSanc/s640/blogger-image-731741508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mr. Rogue Mom made this for me with a piece of pegboard he wasn't using in the garage. I painted it with chalkboard paint and trimmed it out with a piece of cheap moulding, spray painted in champagne gold. </div>
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I used some of his pegboard attachments to hang my thread holder, bobbins, cutters, and a couple cute buckets I found in The One Spot at Target for $1 each.</div>
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I love this thing because I'm not digging through sewing table drawers trying to find stuff. It really cuts down on my project time. Organized time saver, great gift for any mom!</div>
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More on the Craft Room tomorrow...<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a><br />
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-37071080782407515112014-10-11T14:33:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.119-08:0031 Days 10: Supply ClosetI have a random closet in my dining room. This space has been deemed the "paper pantry" because we keep paper and cleaning supplies in it, and because it's catchy and makes my OCD happy.<br />
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But like all closets, it can get cluttered with such a random assortment of stuff in it.</div>
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Everything from party hats to TP to mops and brooms. It became so cluttered I mistakenly thought I was out of room and had put overflow in the big pantry. </div>
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I started by sorting all my items, making sure I collected my overflow from around the house.</div>
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I added a command hook on the door for my plastic bags because I was tired of reaching into the back of the closet to stuff them in a bag, only for half of them to fall on the floor. Short girl problems...</div>
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Then I grabbed a couple more of my favorite bins to toss party supplies and small cleaning supplies in.</div>
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I discovered I had plenty of room for everything. </div>
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Even the light bulbs that had previously lived in the big pantry. Lesson learned, when you think you're out of space, it's time to reorganize.</div>
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How do you organize your paper goods?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-73265903137709219872014-10-11T14:20:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.135-08:0031 Days 9: An Organized Changing TableWith 2 boys in diapers, some days it feels like I spend half the day changing Huggies. (No matter how much we tried, Little Man had no desire to potty train at 18 months old in one weekend! I won't say I told you so if you fall for that sales pitch too.)<br />
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So an organized changing table can be life changing. </div>
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In our house we have a second floor. I'm sure when they are teenagers I will be thrilled with the separation of space, but for now it's such a pain to carry even laundry upstairs, let alone hauling two heavy children up there every couple hours for a diaper change. I figured this out real quick while I was recovering from my second c-section. </div>
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But I wasn't about to buy another piece of furniture! So I thought, what is a changing table really but a waist height storage table? I had an old rolling kitchen island, the kind you buy at the hardware store made of particle board, that was just the right height. I put a diaper organizer and a changing pad on top and voilà!</div>
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Underneath I have extra diapers and wipes, a bin for dirty clothes, blankets, a first aid kit, and refills for the Diaper Genie. Everything I need so I never have to walk away from a squirmy baby on a changing table. Because I just don't trust that buckle.</div>
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Does anyone else have babies' rooms upstairs? What solutions have you found to save your back?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-74784702465057502532014-10-09T13:24:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.140-08:0031 Days 8: Book NookA little late here on my post today. Turns out that my little ones do not know or care that it is 31 Days October, and decided to contract some form of the 24 hour plague. So I have spent the last couple days cleaning up vomit, shampooing the seats of my <i>company car, </i>washing car seat covers and blankies and other vomit-covered items, attempting to convince my child that he <i>does not </i>want to sleep with a vomit-covered blankie, and taking an unreasonable amount of time reassembling the car seat in question. Did I mention my car wouldn't start this morning? I probably killed the battery using the cigarette-lighter car vacuum at 11pm last night. It really isn't my week.<br>
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So there are these little outcrops on my roof called "doghouses." If you have these, you know that they can be a pain, because they create an odd little space in a room that seems to collect junk. But if you're creative, you can make these niches into cool little private nooks. Tons of possibilities. <br>
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For a kid who can't yet read, Little Man is obsessed with books. It's his third favorite thing, beat only by his love for cookies and playing outside. He will often read me a book, turning the pages of Fox in Socks and saying every word that rhymes with "box" that you can think of. There is literally nothing cuter in the world. (And to think I used to hate that book...)<br>
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But there are many things a 2-year old is not too great at, such as putting books back on a shelf. Lining them up on the skinny end next to each other...it just doesn't happen at my house. He stacks them up in a haphazard pile that is likely to end up spilling on my toes. (Especially this week.)<br>
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So now I have a couple of requirements for the book nook. Cozy, comfy, and a place to keep books that he can handle that will not injure my toes.<br>
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I grabbed a basket I had previously been using for toys. It's really to shallow for toys, they are always spilling out. But books? It could work. <br>
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Next I needed something cushy he could sit/lay on. I walked around for a few minutes and then remembered that I have a small mattress that I used when Shark Baby was an infant in my <a href="http://living0simply.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/co-sleeper-goodness/" target="_blank">co-sleeper</a> that my wonderful Hubby and Daddy made for me. I'm so spoiled. **<i>As we do not have access to a CNC router, we winged it, some day soon I will share the plans for how we did it. </i><br>
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I even had sheets for it. So, mattress, sheet, basket & books. I piled pillows and blankets back there to make it cozy. Here is the before (with the mattress, because I did not follow my own protocol for <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-2-junk-drawers.html" target="_blank">organizing steps</a>):<br>
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No, the Rogue Mom is not embarrassed to show a picture of her house with crap everywhere. This is what life looks like working full time outside the home with two littles, and the Rogue Mom ain't ashamed! OK, enough referring to myself in the third person.<br>
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Now let's see if he uses it!<br>
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How have you utilized the space in your doghouses?<br>
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a><br>
<br>The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-10885527599236939642014-10-09T13:22:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.084-08:0031 Days 7: CouponsWhen I first started couponing, I felt a bit silly. I had watched some of those Extreme Couponing shows, and didn't want Mr. Rogue Mom to think that I was going to come home with 35 bottles of ketchup and a bag of oranges for the week. <br />
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But the more I did it, the more I learned. And now I shop with the sale, and stockpile enough to last until the next one. It's kind of like having a little store in your pantry. And of course, you're always prepared for an emergency.<br />
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So of course, like all organization, my coupon storage has evolved since that first <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2013/05/couponing-for-working-mom.html">post</a>. Most of the other advice still holds true to the busy working mom who does not have time to go all-out to find the best deal. I need quick, easy, and cost-effective.<br />
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First, let me tell you about the blogs I follow on Feedly (my blog reader.) Because there's no point in wasting a lot of time when there are people out there doing the hard work for you! <br />
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I have a couple stores I stick to, I'm familiar with their policies and I don't want to drive all over town. I do most of my food shopping at Publix, and I follow <a href="http://www.iheartpublix.com/">I Heart Publix</a>. I use their website to create my list, because I can save it and come back to it, and they sort it by aisle, saving me an astronomical amount of time. I may do an entire post on that some time soon, once they get the kinks worked out of their new site.<br />
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I shop for home and baby items at Target, and I follow <a href="http://www.allthingstarget.com/">All Things Target</a> for that. I use mobile coupons and Cartwheel paired with manufacturer coupons to get GREAT deals on diapers and other items. Don't forget The One Spot, where I get bins all the time.<br />
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For toiletries, pharmacies always have the best deals. I usually stick to CVS, but I will go to Walgreens if they have a lot of things I can get in one trip. I usually go through the Sunday ads for these.<br />
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Now on to the organizing. I have two accordion files. The <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2013/05/couponing-for-working-mom.html">little one</a> I still use for loose coupons that I've cut but am waiting for a sale. I have a big one as well, and I take the coupons out of the newspaper and put them, whole, in here by week.<br />
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So how do I know what's in there? My favorite blog of all, <a href="http://www.southernsavers.com/coupon-database">Southern Savers</a>. They have a coupon database where I can look up coupons by date, booklet, or just search for an item I need to see if there are any coupons out there for it. There's a website called <a href="http://www.lozo.com/">www.lozo.com</a> for this too, but I find that a lot of those are from websites where they want you to sign up for email newsletters, and I get enough of those as it is. </div>
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When I find a coupon I'm going to use, I clip it and stick it in the front pocket of the file, and if there are multiple stores I paper-clip them together by store with color-coordinated paper clips (green for Publix, red for Target, etc.) I add them to my online Publix list, and voila! For items not coming from Publix, I use the Out of Milk app. I can create lists by store and organize them however I want. I can even share the list with Mr. Rogue Mom so that he can do the shopping. (Ha! I couldn't even keep a straight face for that one...Mr. Rogue Mom grocery shopping...)</div>
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For items we need/are out of, we have a dry-erase board in the kitchen. We write the item on the list, and on my shopping day, I take a picture of the list on my phone. </div>
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For other working mom/other people who don't have time to coupon grocery shopping tips, check out my original post <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2013/05/couponing-for-working-mom.html">here</a>.</div>
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How do you organize your coupons and grocery lists?</div>
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
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<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-88740453224051842852014-10-06T14:49:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.152-08:0031 Days 6: Where to "shop" for boxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Along the way, it has occurred to me that I am constantly telling you to shop your home for boxes to organize with, but I haven't told you <i>how </i>to go about doing that. Just because I have an old box from this or that doesn't mean you will. So today I will share with you where and how I "shop" my home, and other places, for organizing boxes.<br />
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To find the right box, you must first think <i>outside the box. </i>Pun intended. There may be an option that you would not normally consider. To open your mind, you must first start with the blue pill.<br />
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Just kidding. The first thing to do is figure out the size and shape of box that you need. Storing hats? Look for something round. Anything other than that usually requires a square or rectangular shape, because they waste less space when grouped together.<br />
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Your next requirement is strength. For most situations, a flimsy box is not going to do the trick. Especially if you are going to pretty it up. More on that later. <br />
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So with these restraints in mind, go forth and search. Don't limit yourself to empties! Often there is a box perfect for what I need being used for something that it's not so perfect for. I happily switch it out and go in search of a box that is more practical for that application. Shuffling can be key to creating functionality in your home, because you are always looking for a better way to create function. Here are some recommendations for strong, useful boxes that are "free."<br />
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<b>iPhone and iPad Boxes</b><br />
These things are perfect drawer organizers. They are super sturdy and very straight, and are very easy to decorate. You can cover them in paper, add washi tape stripes or borders, or even paint them to pretty them up. At work, I order and set up iPads for people. If they don't want the box, I keep them! They usually don't. So you're not the designated iPhone/iPad setup person for your office? Ask the person who is, usually IT.<br />
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<b>File Boxes</b><br />
Sometimes you can get these things for free at work when they're being switched out - there's only so many times you can write on them and reuse them before new ones are requested. They are easy to cover and come with lids.<br />
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<b>Grocery Boxes</b><br />
I've seen a lot of posts where people use cereal and snack boxes for drawer organizers. While the shape and size are right for the job, the strength is not. They will be replacing those things pretty soon. I'm not a glutton for new projects, once I do something I do not want to re-do it for a while. (I don't even decorate for seasons unless it's Christmas, folks.) So I won't recommend that. What I will recommend is using other free packaging from your regular groceries for storage. Diaper boxes are AWESOME for cubby storage and can be decorated with shelf paper or even colored duct tape. Coffee cans can be spray-painted and used to hold all kinds of fun things. I have baby wipe boxes all over my house used for everything from small baby toys to little diaper-changing kits in all the cars to first aid kits. I even saw a great post for grabbing free Aldi boxes and covering those. <br />
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<b>Glass Jars</b><br />
Don't forget those glass spaghetti sauce jars (or even paper-covered cans) for holding pens, pencils, cosmetic brushes, and craft supplies. I use baby food jars for all kinds of home made remedies and test concoctions for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CherubCreamsOrganics" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. For bigger items, sometimes I will buy some mason jars from the thrift store or Old Time Pottery (not just cheap decorating stuff, but a great place for cheap organizing supplies.)<br />
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If you have searched your home for all of these things but are still coming up short, and the thrift store is out of great finds, try some of these choice spots for bins and boxes:<br />
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<b>Target One-Spot</b><br />
If you haven't walked the Target One-Spot aisle, we can't be friends. Just kidding! Maybe. So here's the dish: everything in this section is either $1 or $3. And when it goes on <a href="http://cartwheel.target.com/" target="_blank">Cartwheel</a>? It can be from 5% to 30% off! They usually have some great little plastic bins, boxes, or cans in pretty colors. Every time I see some good ones in my go-to colors, I grab a few. I will never run out of ways to use these, from <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-12-organized-pantry.html">pantry storage</a> to closet cubbies.<br />
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<b>Old Time Pottery</b><br />
I always think of Old Time Pottery as the mothership of the dollar stores. Most of the stuff is cheap and off-brand, but they do have some good stuff if you know where to look. While I wouldn't buy linens or furniture there, I do buy mason jars, plastic bins, baskets, and cheapo frames occasionally.<br />
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<b>Dollar Store</b><br />
If you don't have an Old Time Pottery or Target in your town, try the Dollar store. The good stuff can be few and far between, but if you shop there with the same mindset as shopping your home, you may find something that works.<br />
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<b>IKEA</b><br />
Oh, how I wish we had an IKEA in my town. I always see people post great finds from IKEA, in simple styles that can be easily modified to match your decor. If you are blessed enough to live within driving range, this is a great spot to shop.<br />
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Now that we've covered the "where" and "how" to look, I thought I'd post some cool ideas on decorating our fun finds. Check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/theroguemom/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> page for more!<br />
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<a href="http://www.trusper.com/tips/DIY-Cord-Organizer-Super-Easy-And-Cute-Idea/9844498" target="_blank">Check out this shoebox cord keeper</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltqRiSmCU3U9Of2NLmASc-KKrLUYz7P26HuINuexxgqh9ANzsbAZjxlS4bi22tEV1DtaHADHAvAdy061fl9dQ4og2w_AfMOlKo0ZzcnZXLasBmDZ6K51oDR50mo6U5Mm8Z2HFp5EbxLc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltqRiSmCU3U9Of2NLmASc-KKrLUYz7P26HuINuexxgqh9ANzsbAZjxlS4bi22tEV1DtaHADHAvAdy061fl9dQ4og2w_AfMOlKo0ZzcnZXLasBmDZ6K51oDR50mo6U5Mm8Z2HFp5EbxLc/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lizziemerin.blogspot.com/2011/11/fabric-covered-boxes.html" target="_blank">These fabric-covered diaper boxes have a hundred uses.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazCsof3TlZgN6C_TSOpjnw-j3bW38ojl4_X43WBUg-25JwIF3ywiF2k0bfRUJtukQDqrIpaciJccHrBnsFVzhMz6SYNRAd_LMJDBf79kRUgtBQDYysBotJecQubXCOMNQfixgyWeM50c/s1600/8019f50c6fecd1eff788c9d96f072371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazCsof3TlZgN6C_TSOpjnw-j3bW38ojl4_X43WBUg-25JwIF3ywiF2k0bfRUJtukQDqrIpaciJccHrBnsFVzhMz6SYNRAd_LMJDBf79kRUgtBQDYysBotJecQubXCOMNQfixgyWeM50c/s1600/8019f50c6fecd1eff788c9d96f072371.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/happy-earth-organizing-ideas.html?utm_source=feedly" target="_blank"> Cover food cans in paper for super cute desk caddies.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7gngN40JC65FvZ5AOiD62Ofb0TSftd8ntaUjwSNVtg8NJUJGu9mxOUh504Yvu30OWuIhlcIpfKhIwlcTYGWkHCpl0o-R_UgnxXryCgHW47r_IOa4vp-nOzEtK4Sl3jFzT6NQSzt64io/s1600/6ff3a90710221c6b9dd6244fb31025e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7gngN40JC65FvZ5AOiD62Ofb0TSftd8ntaUjwSNVtg8NJUJGu9mxOUh504Yvu30OWuIhlcIpfKhIwlcTYGWkHCpl0o-R_UgnxXryCgHW47r_IOa4vp-nOzEtK4Sl3jFzT6NQSzt64io/s1600/6ff3a90710221c6b9dd6244fb31025e7.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://diycraftsmom.com/diy-glass-crafts-tinted-jars/" target="_blank">Color coordinate your spaghetti jars and wine bottles!</a></div>
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As if I needed another reason to love wine...so what about you? Where do you "shop" for organizing materials?</div>
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects...Using What You Already Have</a></div>
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The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-31099676271411818402014-10-05T10:51:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.109-08:0031 Days 5: Toddler ClosetIf you read <a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-4-baby-closet.html" target="_blank">yesterday's post</a>, you know that I had to switch my kids' closets because, well, I had their closets switched. Shark Baby's closet is fairly empty now, which makes me happy, because I can now offer Hubby proof that I am not, in fact, a hoarder. I just save things that may be useful for another purpose. I call it thrifty. He calls it trash. Ah, married life. <i>*Actually the truth is, we balance each other out. He would buy everything brand new without looking at the price tag on his own, and if I didn't have him to go behind me throwing crap out, I probably would be in danger of being a bit of a hoarder. That's the beauty of finding your other half. Mr. Rogue Mom completes me :).</i><br />
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Now that I've had my corny moment for the day, on to Little Man's closet! With his own clothes in it!<br />
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Here is the before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmF0AV8-4FGWixbv5XjYGCikLd-Q2ZWJJNryV8UCbUJd7C8SFi1JQqZ8NFLGLcjLBcDZqpmKRqUPdYx1chXSInIfQmsWoISkID-CoBSNa_ZsW7QBmAYYGzG4UAtm5g81Fcn2D-ujKuy4/s1600/IMG_4500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmF0AV8-4FGWixbv5XjYGCikLd-Q2ZWJJNryV8UCbUJd7C8SFi1JQqZ8NFLGLcjLBcDZqpmKRqUPdYx1chXSInIfQmsWoISkID-CoBSNa_ZsW7QBmAYYGzG4UAtm5g81Fcn2D-ujKuy4/s1600/IMG_4500.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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It's not messy, but it doesn't function. Partly because, well, those aren't his clothes. That bin on the floor has air mattresses in it. Doesn't go here. The shelves are full of baby gear and keepsakes. <br />
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This time I remembered to take a picture of the empty space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju00kgUirXC6I4iCfXXz5L1EjFTjVEsRslgsrJ0-Qy7U7RZVT8waAEgOcW8flKFYCZNLdx96OEQ0wnZu81ZdMazkD4keh1W9Rv_GWVjaFxxjF-qTUghSHEYgIpakqaHI-5YaLoRYKCXIU/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju00kgUirXC6I4iCfXXz5L1EjFTjVEsRslgsrJ0-Qy7U7RZVT8waAEgOcW8flKFYCZNLdx96OEQ0wnZu81ZdMazkD4keh1W9Rv_GWVjaFxxjF-qTUghSHEYgIpakqaHI-5YaLoRYKCXIU/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Or tried to. Little Man wanted to be in the empty closet. Wonder why all these spaces are in disarray? You moms remember.<br />
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Next I put away the things that didn't go here, which was most of it. The clothes moved to Shark Baby's room or into "too small" bins, the mattresses into the linen closet. But the keepsakes are his. And I want them to be taken care of, not tossed in the top of his closet. I needed a box.<br />
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So next step, shopping. I found a box I bought at T.J. Maxx because I loved it, but never found a use for it. No longer! Mind you, it's not a baby box. It's not even a boy box. It's a teal ikat very "mom" box. But it's a box, it's the right size, it's FREE, and it will protect those little keepsakes I love. Perfectly imperfect.<br />
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And while I was going through these keepsakes, this happened.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSQLQornTpM9E9fqiBa7RHMUkMaHRuV7FXB94jzVUku1nwlrsvz5yycuQ-QW9dzMuzeSQAxzFbRzsvnZBTeUKwVn2LFIicFH4PjnNcjlqU4RkJp3v8ieHWDpz_57imozXnUXeyPoGaZk/s1600/IMG_4512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSQLQornTpM9E9fqiBa7RHMUkMaHRuV7FXB94jzVUku1nwlrsvz5yycuQ-QW9dzMuzeSQAxzFbRzsvnZBTeUKwVn2LFIicFH4PjnNcjlqU4RkJp3v8ieHWDpz_57imozXnUXeyPoGaZk/s1600/IMG_4512.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1SDfNvzLsNGtQw0agW1QySqv7x0v5kWqZxj8urSfuduhLkZx1XYfE-ReWrcDLERl5JsrYTKpa3V65F3QMaeQ2UL6MV5Y8luZENITDsMa-6hLVXwhWW2W5-Yp4s18nOIhX-j8eGU_FAQ/s1600/IMG_4515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1SDfNvzLsNGtQw0agW1QySqv7x0v5kWqZxj8urSfuduhLkZx1XYfE-ReWrcDLERl5JsrYTKpa3V65F3QMaeQ2UL6MV5Y8luZENITDsMa-6hLVXwhWW2W5-Yp4s18nOIhX-j8eGU_FAQ/s1600/IMG_4515.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Well, I needed to vaccuum anyway, and baby powder actually works as a pretty good carpet freshener. Always learning, young padawan.</div>
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After vacuuming and wiping the baby powder off my purple minion, I got back to work. I have always had a love/hate relationship with this closet. The opening isn't wide enough. You can't reach into the sides of this closet. In my renovation plan, I want this opening widened. But that involves sheetrock, carpet, lumber, a demo hammer...for now, I must make do. So what to do with the negative space?</div>
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Nothing. No, I'm not going to figure out a super crafty interesting way to use that space, because if I can't reach it, it will inevitably become a no-man's land of stuff we throw back there and forget about. Sometimes, working with what we have means that there isn't a solution to every problem. So I took a moment, accepted it, and moved on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8khs7-snUTc6OzGO8urdvFTn4FVmCuXrRyZIZdV993MFvb05_Z4rK5OSTvwA5_GnBpf1VJD5Ms4VTx14WiZJ3d7XYU49XvNhJwHEqLlszZKUb3kuUl1I_2guRU0NlhyWhNtYZXL4cxc/s1600/IMG_4563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8khs7-snUTc6OzGO8urdvFTn4FVmCuXrRyZIZdV993MFvb05_Z4rK5OSTvwA5_GnBpf1VJD5Ms4VTx14WiZJ3d7XYU49XvNhJwHEqLlszZKUb3kuUl1I_2guRU0NlhyWhNtYZXL4cxc/s1600/IMG_4563.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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I put socks and underwear in little $3 bins that I buy from Target when the One Spot goes on Cartwheel all the time without a specific purpose in mind. I have a ton of these lying around. Since I don't have a dresser for Little Man, his shirts and shorts and pants get stacked on shelves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXEJ9JFmAsVjLEQkb6IRbM2MlxNnEvoedJ_eBc7ldaMo_USQABIZevwmou0_-tMPBGJipaCNx0_EEnUN8JLZIAp0Pi6Ak_eGa7CAHqUFGw5UvUd0itowK8-JaxG1LZnfB_oaC70A9lrI/s1600/IMG_4562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXEJ9JFmAsVjLEQkb6IRbM2MlxNnEvoedJ_eBc7ldaMo_USQABIZevwmou0_-tMPBGJipaCNx0_EEnUN8JLZIAp0Pi6Ak_eGa7CAHqUFGw5UvUd0itowK8-JaxG1LZnfB_oaC70A9lrI/s1600/IMG_4562.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the top of the closet, I have his extra sheets and comforter, his humidifier for when he's sick, his very grown-up keepsake box, his nap mat for when his cousins stay over, a hat his Great Grandpa gave him, and a bag of blankets. These things were everywhere. I gathered them up and put them in one of those zip-up plastic bags that so many linens and toys come in that I always want to save and Hubby always tries to throw away. See Hubby? Waste not.</div>
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And the negative space to the right? There's a toy Little Man put there that he can reach, but other than that, nothing. Maybe I will find a creative way to use this space, maybe not. For now, everything that is here goes here, and nothing is here that doesn't go here. I can get to everything (well, I can with a step stool, but such is the life of a short girl.) </div>
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It's not earth-shattering. It's not something people are going to repin 1000 times on Pinterest. I keep saying that, but this is about stuff we are <i>actually going to live with,</i> not stuff we dream about with our dream house Pinterest board. Love what you have now! You will be happier in the long run. I know I am, now that I can sit on my laundry-free couch!</div>
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How do you organize your closets? And how do you deal with wasted space areas?</div>
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a><br />
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<i><br /></i>The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-43685268946566625452014-10-04T11:42:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.123-08:0031 Days 4: Baby ClosetWe are so blessed to have tons of closet space in our new house. But I have discovered that if you have the space, you will put something in it. So big closets collect and collect and collect until there is no semblance of order.<br />
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Our baby's closet had become this way. When he was born, we moved the crib into his room and upgraded Little Man to a twin bed. But somehow, the clothes didn't follow. Until today, I was still keeping all of Little Man's clothes in Shark Baby's closet. This led to mass confusion at laundry time. Do I go ahead and switch the closets? Do I put the clean clothes in Shark Baby's closet? So I did what any logical person would do and left them on the couch. <br />
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Because nothing says, "welcome to my home!" like having to scoot over piles of folded baby clothes to sit down.<br />
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This had to happen. Here's what I started with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wMveMlZPD6SL0LLCPHxcDUZrGx6HDW6nJUVJthUO_EUIO-BKNXUlKpoj4JSYGQOL-vwC7cwIFIrzrKFQA41LU8ik8ZsEAlattNrp1IUpqG2jWYzbg6_ki0Pz3w25CHdJv5GIfQHwk04/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wMveMlZPD6SL0LLCPHxcDUZrGx6HDW6nJUVJthUO_EUIO-BKNXUlKpoj4JSYGQOL-vwC7cwIFIrzrKFQA41LU8ik8ZsEAlattNrp1IUpqG2jWYzbg6_ki0Pz3w25CHdJv5GIfQHwk04/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qgl_jP-1euZHRLvlu0mawwvEpZK_x2aPf1oUIK3TTgfZ90QCKbaoQ1su5yNNKMwTAhlWT59F08xGcoTBtKc75CRRwQUy9WjICGE5kvcVQye36lpHVQvE8wJWYD57YMzddqxGviBIHO0/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qgl_jP-1euZHRLvlu0mawwvEpZK_x2aPf1oUIK3TTgfZ90QCKbaoQ1su5yNNKMwTAhlWT59F08xGcoTBtKc75CRRwQUy9WjICGE5kvcVQye36lpHVQvE8wJWYD57YMzddqxGviBIHO0/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWhIrftpQ5Izi-v9dd7F57jAgctx7GArWjOrDEKaEz241OMZ7zPGzxbZMoyw20NoiALu6_566hnTsExog7QdjYNcIlHlJEhd9kWkL-gBT1TPrLhynVYh7_XHR3o9rZi1WSLHjCmPxjiQ/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWhIrftpQ5Izi-v9dd7F57jAgctx7GArWjOrDEKaEz241OMZ7zPGzxbZMoyw20NoiALu6_566hnTsExog7QdjYNcIlHlJEhd9kWkL-gBT1TPrLhynVYh7_XHR3o9rZi1WSLHjCmPxjiQ/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first two pictures, not too bad unless you consider that the child who wears these items is not living in this room. But the third picture? Embarrassing. The bins at the bottom are Little Man's old clothes that I opened for Shark Baby, who is growing so fast that I have not had a chance to put the bins he's going through away.<br />
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Actually, I went to do it one day, found an outfit that we had taken family pictures in with Little Man when he was 13 months old that was almost too small for Shark Baby, who is only 7 months old, and had to stop and cry. And if you tell me they grow too fast I will smack you, a 7 month old should not be wearing 12 month outfits, it's too hard on his mommy!<br />
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Today I decided to clean it up and tackle the switch! This was a mass undertaking. I started with step one, empty them both out! And...I got so excited that I forgot to take a picture of the empty closet. Rookie mistake.<br />
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I had to go through all the old bins and resort them by size. I have two bins in each closet: "too big" and "too small." When he outgrows clothes, I wash them and put them in the "too small" bin until it's full, label it by gender, size, and season, and put it in the storage closet. (More on that mess later!)<br />
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Once this was done, I moved Little Man's clothes to the closet in his room. Then I had a baby closet with very few hanging clothes. What I do have is a ton of baby gear and toys. So in the closet they go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46NXKnVWWK_exvU4u5iwatIS2JZGlLSE_13d5va_cFExnhKdQ9p2NYG_Bkw6BkWadYz1REsPOsDbqShOas6AgcV9bEFxQTHgytyWBnE5J4kcUQNhSDVTSmZXZ3rRiR7lhx_UAFPjbyE/s1600/IMG_4557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46NXKnVWWK_exvU4u5iwatIS2JZGlLSE_13d5va_cFExnhKdQ9p2NYG_Bkw6BkWadYz1REsPOsDbqShOas6AgcV9bEFxQTHgytyWBnE5J4kcUQNhSDVTSmZXZ3rRiR7lhx_UAFPjbyE/s1600/IMG_4557.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I hung up the diaper hanger I've never used, it has burp cloth's in it now. Love giving something not being used a new purpose. I also hung up the size markers I hadn't used since Little Man was teeny.</span></div>
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Here are my too big too little bins, and an organizer that I'm not using yet. This may end up being better used somewhere else, we shall see.</div>
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I have a bib basket and a shoe bin, and threw all the baby hangers in a basket I've had for a while.</div>
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And some toys we're not using right now. And what is that...the floor! And the change is even more impressive in the other closet. Stay tuned tomorrow for that!<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a>The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-21619671909541670442014-10-03T19:54:00.001-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.101-08:0031 Days 3: The Chest FreezerConfession. I am a bit of a prepper. Living in tornado and hurricane alley has made me no stranger to disasters. So I have a ton of food. And a generator. And various other supplies for emergencies. <br />
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That's a lot of stuff to store. I have a big ugly hand me down chest freezer for all my frozen food. It sits in all it's scarred, stained glory in my mudroom off the garage. Chest freezers are the toy boxes of the kitchen. Everything gets haphazardly thrown in and it becomes a huge mess and nobody knows what's in there! And if there's anything worse than a mess, it's wasting food you didn't even know you had.</div>
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The solution to this problem is so simple it makes me mad I didn't think about it sooner. A list.</div>
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Can I say, I heart lists? They make my life so much easier. Lists for packing, to do lists, grocery lists on the Publix website (have you discovered this yet?) Love them. </div>
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I know that no amount of bins will keep the freezer neat. I've tried rearranging them so many times, to no avail. So instead of wasting my time rearranging the bins yet again, I made a list of everything in that ugly beast. But how to keep my new running inventory up to date? </div>
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A dry erase board would be the optimal solution, but I don't have one. Hmmm, time for some creativity. What else can I write on and erase easily? Glass!</div>
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I have this cheap picture frame upstairs that I bought and never used. I cut out some wrapping paper to fit, and wrote my list on it. Easy peasy! Talk about a 5 minute fix.</div>
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My writing isn't pretty, and we won't even talk about that hideous school bus yellow paint (who picks this color?!) But it's cute, and I always know what I have. I can stop buying ground turkey for a while, how the heck did I buy so much?<br />
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Another problem solved...how do you keep your freezers organized?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-48625253150324720812014-10-02T18:59:00.002-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.127-08:0031 Days 2: Junk DrawersAh the junk drawer. Duly named because we all have some random crap that we don't know what else to do with. In my house, this is also the "we have company coming, sweep everything off the counter into the drawer!" drawer. I have 3 of them. <br />
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They sit happily by themselves in the coffee nook. There are actually 4, but I use the fourth for my K-cups. Now before I dive right in, I want to share my "steps" to organizing. There's a method to my madness. Sometimes.<br />
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Step 1: Empty. Take EVERYTHING out. This is so important. If you skip this step, you let the old cluttered space influence the new function of the space. <br />
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Step 2: Stop. Think. Clean. My first thought is always, "what really needs to go in this space?" For example, is the space working to it's full potential as a junk drawer, or should I use it as something else and make another drawer the junk drawer? I go through this thought process as I clean my space.<br />
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Step 3: Purge. Anything that does not go in this space needs to be put away. "It's time to go home ball, are you too good for your home?!" Love me some Adam Sandler.<br />
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Step 4: Plan. Now that you have a group of items that go in the space, make a plan for how you will organize these items. Do you need bins? Shelves? How will I make it pretty? Is it even necessary for it to be pretty?<br />
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Step 5: Shop. In the name of this challenge, I'm going to shop what I have first and foremost.<br />
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Step 6: Organize! Finally! <br />
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Step 7: Have a glass of wine in celebration. Because why not?<br />
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So, my junk drawers. Here they are, in all their junky glory.<br />
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I couldn't even open the left one all the way, it was so full of junk. So I step 1'd and emptied! Well, all except my K-cup drawer.</div>
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So much better already. After a quick wipe-down, I knew that this is the best place for the junk, so I stuck with it. I put random items that had another home away. Tools, placemats, bug traps all managed to find their way here.</div>
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Planning. I grouped my items into categories to put back in their drawers. Canning and Kitchenaid parts in one, batteries and other safety items in another, and tools and tape in the other.</div>
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Shopping. I piled up the old drawer organizers and grabbed some others I had around. Does a junk drawer need to be pretty? Honestly, I know more junk will be put here. Nobody sees these but my husband and I. So I don't feel the need to expend effort making them pretty. There's not a lot of impact to my life in a pretty junk drawer. </div>
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Organize! Yay! Everything went back in pretty quickly. Here they are:</div>
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Ah, much better. I can see and find everything here. Not life changing, but everything in it's home.</div>
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So Day 2, and no money spent! Yay for thrift, and yay for function! On to the next space!</div>
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What kind of "junk" lands in your junk drawers?</div>
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-of-organizing-projectsusing.html" target="_blank">31 Days of Organizing Projects Using What You Already Have</a></div>
<br />The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-54381526532723291762014-10-01T13:43:00.000-07:002015-11-20T09:13:25.131-08:0031 Days of Organizing Projects…Using What You Already Have<div class="MsoNormal">
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Now don’t get me wrong.
I love a beautiful organized space as much as the next gal. But I think that Pinterest has convinced us
that is must be beautiful to be organized.
Why go to the trouble of organizing it if you’re not going to make it
pretty? I don’t know about the rest of
you, but this has led me to neglecting some areas of my home in anticipation of
redoing them. <br />
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The powder room needs a new toilet, floor, and paint.<br />
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The closets need new shelving and paint.<br />
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The pantry is a hideous shade of school-bus yellow, and the
shelves are 2.5 cans deep. <i>*sigh*<o:p></o:p></i><br />
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Don’t even get me started on our master bath.<br />
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So instead of organizing these spaces, I have let them
become dumping grounds. In my grand
planning, I always planned to organize them when we remodeled them.<br />
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But time gets away from us, and work meetings, kids birthday
parties, doctor’s appointments, other home renovation projects, finances, and
just life in general push all these projects back on our timeline. We bought this fixer-upper a year and 3 months
ago and all we have done is paint, carpet, and remodel the kitchen so far. And I consider what we <i>have </i>done to be a massive accomplishment. But all the clutter drives me crazy on a
daily basis. And I realized…<br />
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IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PRETTY TO BE FUNCTIONAL.<br />
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GASP! <i>says every organizing guru out there... </i>This is a big epiphany for me, y’all. I plan every remodel, first with ideas on a
Pinterest board, then with a corresponding excel sheet listing all of the
individual steps of the project, colors and part numbers, and budget. All of this takes time and money. Do you have projects like this? Boards on Pinterest with inspiringly
beautiful organized projects that you plan to create when you have the time
& money, while the actual space gets neglected waiting for you to drum up
the resources and motivation to implement your plan?<br />
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Today I ask you, why wait?<br />
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I want an organized life now! I don’t have to live in a disaster zone just
because we’re remodeling! Yes, the room
we are renovating might be a mess, but that doesn’t mean that everything else in
the house shouldn’t still have a home, be it pretty or not. No longer will I spend an hour looking for AA
batteries! No longer will I run to 3
different rooms every morning to gather everything I need to walk out the
door! No longer will I leave folded
clothes on the couch for 3 days because I don’t have a place to put them!<br />
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“But Rogue Mom,” you say, “why would you spend the money on
organizational supplies now when you plan to renovate the space later? What if your purchases don’t work in the
final plan? You may change color schemes,
themes, shelf spacing! Don’t do it!”<br />
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Ah, the clincher. This is mainly what was holding me back. I don’t want to waste money on supplies I may
not use in the final product. <br />
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Along came 31 Days.
The yearly challenge to write on one topic EVERY DAY in October. It’s a big challenge for a writer, and I
haven’t done something for myself in a very long time. For the first time, I decided to do it. And I have the perfect topic!<br />
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<i>31 Days of Organizing
Projects…Using What You Already Have.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
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Yes, that’s right. I
am going to tackle every cluttered space in my life using materials I have on
hand. I may end up with a couple of small
purchases, but I am setting 2 limitations.<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It must be something that I will DEFINETELY use
in the final product.<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->My budget for all 31 projects is $100. That’s less than $3.22 per project.<br />
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I’m not saying that I’m not going to try and make things
pretty. I will. But I won’t let the plan for pretty hold me
back any longer. I will use things I
already have on hand, and some serious creativity, to make what I already have
work for me. <br />
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This is right in line with the new thrifty mentality that I
have been slowly adopting in the last few years. Before I buy new things, I always try to
think of a way to reuse something old that I have. If that isn’t possible, I try to find it for
free, perhaps from a friend, on Craigslist, or even outside someone’s house
thrown out with the trash. If I can’t
find it, I try to purchase used, from yard sales, thrift stores, my local
Facebook trading group, or Craigslist.
And if I absolutely HAVE to purchase new, I do my research to find the
item I really want for a great price, and wait until I have a coupon or the
item goes on sale. Often in the time
this takes, I can find a creative solution to the problem. In this manner, not only do I spend far less
money, but I give old items new purpose.
Waste not, want not, it’s so true ya’ll.
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So join me for 31 Days of projects that use your brain, not
your wallet, to create organizing solutions for your life!<br />
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How do you organize on the cheap?<br />
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<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-2-junk-drawers.html" target="_blank">Day 2: Junk Drawers</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-3-chest-freezer.html" target="_blank">Day 3: Chest Freezer</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-4-baby-closet.html" target="_blank">Day 4: Baby Closet</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-5-toddler-closet.html" target="_blank">Day 5: Toddler Closet</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-6-where-to-shop-for-boxes.html">Day 6: Where to "Shop" for Boxes</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-7-coupons.html">Day 7: Coupons</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-8-book-nook.html">Day 8: Book Nook</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-9-organized-changing-table.html">Day 9: Changing Table</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-10-supply-closet.html">Day 10: Supply Closet</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-10-sewing-board.html">Day 11: Sewing Board</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-12-organized-pantry.html">Day 12: An Organized Pantry</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-13-dump-zone.html">Day 13: "Dump Zone"</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-14-christmas-list.html">Day 14: Christmas List</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-14-essential-oils.html">Day 15: Essential Oils</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/10/31-days-16-first-aid-kit.html">Day 16: DIY First Aid Kit</a><br />
<a href="http://theroguemom.blogspot.com/2014/11/31-days-17-easy-holiday-mantle.html">Day 17: Easy Fall Mantle & A Banner Tutorial</a></div>
The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368814784317782070.post-30121686033281828402014-09-24T09:11:00.001-07:002014-09-24T09:39:53.147-07:00Breast Pumps That Don't SuckSee what these kids at MIT are doing to revolutionize the breast pump. I am posting this as I sit here in a locked storage room in my office listening to the not-so-silent hum of my $300 Medela Pump-not-so-In-Style. So when can I get one? I'll take the prototype!<div><br></div><div><a href="http://breastpump.media.mit.edu/#suckiness">http://breastpump.media.mit.edu/#suckiness</a></div>The Rogue Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595633085681728814noreply@blogger.com0