Ahhhh the holidays are here again! The most wonderful time of the year, yet the most stressful! I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn from my mistakes! I can’t tell you how many years have passed that I look back and wish I could have done things differently!
This year, will be different!
I promise if you put these tips in place you’ll have a stress free and fun holiday season!
1) Lists! Make lots of lists! Then, prioritize what needs to be done first. If you are like me, there is a million and one things you’d like to get done this holiday season. Make a list of everything you want to do. Shopping, baking, wrapping, holiday parties, mailing out cards, decorating, everything. You will feel so accomplished when you are able to cross things off your list! PLUS, you’ll remember everything you’ll have to do to!
2) Get the family involved. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times my husband asks to help me out and I decline his offers because I feel like I have to do everything myself. So listen up! You don’t have to be Super Woman this holiday season. If your husband says he can help, take it! This is something I’m still struggling to work on. This year though, he will be helping!
3) Write out a budget and stick to it. This one is important. Millions and millions of consumers every year put themselves into deeper debt buying gifts for their loved ones. If you are like me, you start out the holiday season swearing up and down that you will not swipe that credit card to buy a gift and then all of a sudden, you’ve swiped a bunch of times! The holidays aren’t about what awesome up and coming gifts you can buy. It’s about family and tradition. Remember that when you go shopping. Write out your budget, pay cash, and don’t overextend!
4) Start shopping / wrapping early. Getting your shopping done early and before all the crowds start is a great way to stay happy and stress free this season. I’ve already finished my shopping for my kids and have just a few things left to get for family. While I love to go out Black Friday shopping, (I know, I know, I’m crazy. I love the atmosphere) I won’t be needing to go this year. I’ll be staying home nice and warm with my family. That stress is off my plate. Also, when you bring the presents home, wrap them!
5) Not everything needs to be perfect. This is the biggest one. You are not perfect. No one is! That means, the holidays do not have to be perfect. If you don’t get everything done on your list, try not to let it bother you. The most important part of the holidays is to spend lots of time with your family and friends celebrating each other!
Hope these few tips will make your holidays a little smoother this year.
Please enjoy this free printable I made to help out with your holiday shopping!
(Click here for the printable)
Also, if you haven’t already please follow me on Facebook for daily updates and sign up for my newsletter on the top right hand side of the blog for weekly updates and specials just for my readers!
Stay tuned for lots more great holiday tips just for you!
Happy Holidays!
~Nikki
Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was very quiet. Just hung around the house and pretty much just relaxed!
As some of you know, I’m a distributor with Shaklee. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the US and for a good reason! Today, I thought I’d share with you my top 10 healthy gift ideas this holiday season. Hopefully my husband
is reading this so he can get some ideas!
#1) Basic H Organic Cleaning Concentrate – This stuff rocks! It’s organic, biodegradable, and costs 1 cent for window cleaner, 3 cents for all purpose cleaner, and about 17 cents to make a degreaser. This little bottle has 1000s of uses. You’ll never need another cleaner ever again!
#2) Vitalizer – This is my daily go to source for all my energy and the reason I feel so good! Before I started taking the Vitalizer, I had no energy, I was always getting sick, and I just never felt good. Now, I can actually get out of bed in the morning, I haven’t been sick this year yet, and I can keep up with my kids!
#3) Enfuselle Spa Shea Butter Cream - I can’t say enough good things about this! Especially in the winter months, this is the only cream you’ll need. It has a very light scent so it’s really nice for everyday use. Perfect for a stocking stuffer!
#4) Vivix – Vivix is a unique product in itself. A teaspoon of this a day will reverse the signs of aging though your DNA cells. Vivix has been known to reverse health issues and make you feel younger and healthier. Highly recommended!
#5) Cinch Energy Tea - My favorite! This tea is my afternoon pick me up. Cinch energy tea can be served hot or cold and is all natural! Another perfect stocking stuffer!
#6) Nutriferon - I also take the Nutriferon daily along with my Vitalizer. Nutriferon if used daily increases your body’s natural interferon, which is the critical activator of your immune system. Sick of getting sick? Take this! Naturally improve your immune system!
#7) Prosante Revitalizing Shampoo – My hair has never been so healthy until I started using this shampoo. The best part, it lasts forever! I’ve been using this shampoo for about 6 months now and I just opened my second bottle! (Yes, I wash my hair daily) Yet another perfect stocking stuffer!
#8) Get Clean Water Filtration System – This is on my Christmas list this year. I personally do not have it but I’ve heard nothing but great things. This water filtration system reduces up to 99% of lead and other containments from your water that may be harmful to your health. One filter handles about 80 gallons of water which is twice as much as other water filtration systems on the market! Crossing my fingers for this one this Christmas!
#9) Enfuselle Nutrition Therapy Skin Care System – Before using the Enfuselle line of skin care products, my skin was always breaking out, blotchy, just yucky. Now, it’s clear, healthy, and I can honestly say, I don’t wear half as much makeup as I did when I wasn’t using the Enfuselle line. Some days I don’t even put any on and you wouldn’t notice! This is a great gift!
#10) Incredivites – Can’t forget the little monsters in our life! The Shaklee kids Incredivites is my son’s go to vitamin every morning. He survived the entire school year last year without a sick day! If that doesn’t tell you how great it is I don’t know what will! Stocking stuffer?
So that’s it! That’s my top 10 healthy gift list this holiday season. Want to learn more about Shaklee or have any questions? Please feel free to contact me via the form at the top of the page!
Also, don’t forget to stay in touch with us all day on our Facebook page! Have you liked our page yet? If you haven’t, you’re missing out!
Stay tuned for a jam packed week! I have a great recipe I’ll be sharing with you plus a great Christmas table centerpiece that will look great on your table this year!
Have a great Monday!
~Nikki
Hello! Today I thought I’d share with you all a very quick and EASY sewing project that would make some great homemade Christmas presents!
I’ll start by saying I have very amateur sewing skills. I’m really great at straight lines, but that’s about it. My Mom and I have a little side crafting business and she is in charge of all the sewing. I started getting into it about 3 months ago when my Mom started teaching me how to make some pillowcase dresses for our store. I remember sewing back when I was in school when we took Home Economics. Do they even still teach that in school? Anyway, I was never very good at it. I remember sewing a purse and forgetting to sew the bottom. So when I tell you I wasn’t good, I’m not kidding!
Today, I’m actually taking an interest in sewing. When my Mom started showing me some tips and tricks and encouraging me I started to actually get excited about it and really enjoy it. Enjoy it so much that I got a sewing machine for my birthday! Yay! I’ve been trying little projects here and there and I’m really having fun.
So here’s the deal. Anyone can do this project. It’s very simple. I think from start to finish, this project took about 30-45 minutes.
Here we go!
Fleece Fringe Scarf Tutorial
Supplies Needed:
- ¼ yard of fleece (2-3 different kinds – any color or pattern that you like)
**NOTE: for my scarf, I used 2 different kinds. (1/4 yard pink zebra, ½ yard black) Looking back, I think I probably would have done ¼ yard pink zebra, ¼ yard pink, and ¼ yard black
- Really sharp scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine with coordinating thread
Instructions:
- Cut your fleece into 5 inch wide and 5 foot long pieces. If you are making the scarf for a child, I’d do 5 inches wide and 3 or 4 feet long.
- Layer the pieces together in an order that appeals to you.
- Sew down the middle of the fabric. No pinning needed! If you don’t have a steady hand, you could pin it, but perfection isn’t really needed here!
- Cut 1 inch slits down each side of the sewn scarf trying to get pretty close to the sewn line. Do not cut through it!
**Note: a trick that I did was line up the measuring tape over the part that is sewn so that I knew where to stop and where to cut. I can get a little over zealous!
- Once cut on both sides fluff it up and you are ready to go!
I’d love to hear if any of you try this so please let me know! For even more tips and tricks don’t forget to follow me on Facebook! Also, if you haven’t already, please sign up for my newsletter where I will be offering lots of great specials only for my readers and even more great news! (Sign up on the top right of the page)
Have a great day!
Nikki
Hi everyone!
Hope you all had a nice weekend! Ours was a little extended because there was no school for the kids yesterday!
Our weekend was filled with lots of Veterans Day activities. For those of you who don’t know me too well yet, I have a soft spot in my heart for our military. My father served in the Army where he fought in the Vietnam War, my husband served in the Navy, and my brother served in the Army where he was severely wounded in Iraq back in 2008. The military has been around me my entire life. The stories and the pictures have changed my views on many things even in my own life. The respect and admiration that I have for those who serve is very strong.
On Sunday we went to a Veterans Day memorial service where my brother Matt spoke about his time in the Army and his long road to recovery after he hit an IED in Iraq. Matt went through 44 surgeries and 3 years of recovery from the blast that day. He is one of the strongest men I know. Watching what he went through was one of the hardest things I have ever had to endure so far even in my own life. There were some days I really wasn’t sure if he’d ever be the same person that we saw walk out the door to join the Army. While he may still not be able to do things that everyone can do, I can proudly say that he is recovered, working full time, a homeowner, and a proud Daddy to his puppy Brutus.
Here is the clip from his speech. Sorry about the camera shaking…..I was holding my daughter at the same time!
On a little bit of a lighter note, I’m working on some great posts for you all! This time of year is my most favorite time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, I love them all! Stay tuned for a 12 days of cookie series where I will be sharing my family’s favorite cookie recipes, I’ll also be posting a great stocking stuffer post where I will share my list of 100 easy stocking stuffers, and I’ll also be sharing some great handmade shops where you can get some really unique gifts for your loved ones this year! If you have a handmade shop, (Etsy, Storenvy, etc.) don’t forget to stop by our Facebook page and share your shop! You never know, you may just be featured here!
Have a great day!
Nikki
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Today I thought I’d share with you the first recipe I baked when I found out I was diagnosed with Celiac. It’s been about 3 months now since having to change my lifestyle and while I haven’t completely changed everything, I’m getting there! I absolutely love baked goods! Cupcakes, cake, pies, crisps, I could take them all any day! So when I found out I had Celiac Disease, this was the first thing that came to my mind. After some research, I found that I can still enjoy my old “go to” recipes with just a few minor changes!
This recipe is not only gluten friendly, but easy to make and will be a hit at your table for years to come!
Enjoy!
Ingredients:
10 McIntosh apples (Peeled and thinly sliced)
1 cup sugar
1 cup + 1 tablespoon all purpose gluten free flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup water
1 cup gluten free quick cooking oats
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
¼ teaspoon baking powder and ¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 stick butter (melted)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°
Place your peeled apples in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Mix up the sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and the cinnamon together.
Pour over the apples and mix together. Once mixed, pour the ½ cup water over the apples.
Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, 1 cup brown sugar, melted butter, and the baking soda and powder together.
Crumble over the apple mixture.
Bake for about 45 minutes or until browned.
**NOTE** While I made this recipe gluten free, this recipe can also be made normally. Just substitute regular all purpose flour and regular quick cooking oats.
For more recipes like this and great discussions please like my Facebook page!
~Nikki
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Happy Monday everyone! I thought my first official article back should focus on our kids. Halloween is slowly creeping up on us and I thought I’d go over a few tips to stay safe this Halloween. Sometimes a few helpful reminders never hurt right?
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Be sure your kids know how to properly cross a street. All kids should know how to use a cross walk if there is one in your neighborhood and they should definitely know when it is safe to cross. I know in my neighborhood there aren’t any cross walks and I can’t even begin to count how many times driving home on Halloween all the kids just darting out into the street to get to the next house. Very scary!
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Teach your kids about “Stranger Danger”. Try to simply explain to them that some adults are bad and want to hurt children and that they should never go into a house that they don't know, get into a car, or go anywhere with a stranger. I always tell my son if a stranger approaches him and tries to get him to go in his car or house to scream as loud as he can to try to attract attention from someone around him and run to a place that is safe. Unfortunately, you never know these days.
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Eat dinner before going out to Trick or Treat. Filling those little bellies before going out to trick or treat will stop the temptation of the kids eating the candy before you get home to check it.
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Make sure your child is carrying some kind flashlight, reflective tape, or glow stick when walking around. With all the dark colored costumes out there, it’s always safe to carry a flashlight or anything that glows so people can see the little ones while driving.
- Plan a safe route. If your child goes out trick or treating with their friends, it’s best to make sure you sit down with your child and plan a safe route so you’ll know where your child is at all times. It’s also a good idea to set a time when they should be home. If they are going out alone, have them carry a cell phone for emergencies.
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Check your child’s candy before eating! Checking what comes home with your child is a great habit to get into for a number of reasons. First, I’m sure you’ve heard all the sick scary stories of what some disturbed people do to the candy on Halloween. Second, if you’re child has an allergy (peanuts, chocolate, etc.) you’ll want to be sure that you get rid of anything that could pose a problem.
So that’s it! Hopefully these little reminders will make your Halloween planning a little easier! For more great tips and helpful advice make sure you follow me on Facebook! I hope everyone has a great time on Wednesday!
Talk to you all soon!
Nikki
