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The Minimal-ish Mama

4 Things I’m Loving This Month: June

in Beauty, Living Well, Style on 06/29/18

June ends tomorrow, and I’m not too sorry to see it go. It was a long month! I worked more, my anxiety and depression flared up, and it’s miserably hot. I also survived my glucose test, potty trained Edison, and celebrated eight years of marriage – so it wasn’t all bad. And I still found some favorite things this month, a few of which are a bit surprising to me!

1. ColorStreet Nails

I don’t think I’ve ever included a multi-level marketing product (MLM) in my favorites before. MLM products are those that follow the “Avon-model,” or the model that uses individual sellers to generally annoy the crap out of their Facebook friends. Ahem, I mean … sell to their friends. Some MLM’s are more annoying than others – this one I’ve found I actually enjoy the product!

My neighbor started selling ColorStreet Nails, which are printed strips of nail polish. It’s not a plastic wrap, like Jamberry (another MLM) so it comes right off with regular nail polish remover. But somehow, the strips hold up and last forever! I tried a couple samples before actually buying some.

Here’s how my sample held up on my pinky, ring finger, and middle finger after three weeks, compared to regular nail polish on my other two fingers – which I’d repainted two weeks ago.

Also, my nails are growing really fast – thanks prenatal vitamins! Here’s another close up of the rose gold set I just put on. These are called “At the Plaza,” and they’re $11 for a package, which includes two sets. I didn’t even need all of one set to do both hands – so that’s $11 for maybe two or three times I’ll get to wear them.

Of course, I’ll share with you the link from my neighbor if you’d like to try a free sample yourself, or order them here.

2. Essential Oils

I can’t believe I’m saying this … but I got some essential oils. Here’s the deal – I needed something to help me sleep, and drugging up on Tylenol PM and Benadryl was a last resort. So I bought myself some cheap oils on Amazon – and yes, I know, I know, all the “oily” purists out there are gasping in horror. But I really just wanted to try it without spending $30-$50 per bottle. The set I bought included six for $16.99.

I started diffusing it by my bed at night, and the first night, I fell asleep quickly and slept through the entire night – for the first time in weeks! The same thing happened the next night. And the next. It doesn’t work every night – some nights my brain just won’t shut off. But I do like the smell, especially the lavender and rose geranium. And I think the mist has helped my sinuses at night, so, double bonus!

3. Airbnb

While it’s not a new find for me, I was recently reminded of how much I enjoy Airbnb after celebrating our eighth anniversary this month. We used Airbnb last year also in San Diego, and this year in Flagstaff. We’ve always had a great experience and saved a LOT of money! Plus, Airbnb hosts are usually more than happy to recommend restaurants and attractions in the area. On our anniversary, the restaurant and hike that were recommended to us were highlights of the trip. And the bed was insanely comfortable!

If you’re ever in Arizona, visiting the Grand Canyon – here’s a link to where we stayed. Anna also has a larger place available that can fit four people.

4. The Greatest Showman

When it came out on DVD, we bought it, and we’ve watched it at least twice. We also bought the soundtrack, and have listened to that too many times to count. Edison even asks to listen to “Greatest Showman” sometimes instead of only Mary Poppins!

The music, the dancing, the message – it’s all great. If you’re looking for a feel-good movie and somehow haven’t watched it yet, you should!

What finds have made your summer better so far? Please share them with us all in the comments!

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I almost didn't post the video of our main floor b I almost didn't post the video of our main floor bathroom, because it isn't "done." But how silly is that? Is any house project ever really "done" anyway? 😂

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I think a brass shower curtain rod is a must, but what about painting the ceiling blue? Peel and stick tile?

Watch the transformation on my Youtube channel.
Less = More! In “Why Parents are Drowning in T Less = More! 

In “Why Parents are Drowning in Toys,” an article from Box, “US toy sales jumped from $22.3 billion in 2019 to $26 billion in 2020, and then to $30.1 billion in 2021 …”

BILLIONS. 

And in a study from the early 2000s, average middle class homes had 139 toys visible, with countless more hidden away. 😳

If your kids struggle to pick up, it could be that there are just too many toys. It could also be that there isn’t a clear home for the toys. Or a combination of both!

My free guide on toy decluttering walks you through the process of decluttering toys and breaks down the overwhelming project into small steps.

Grab the guide at the link in my profile! 

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Have your 🥧 and eat it too! Minimalism isn’t Have your 🥧 and eat it too! Minimalism isn’t just about having less.

It’s about CHOOSING less, to have MORE.

Less impulse spending, MORE saving for vacation. 

Less stuff to manage, MORE free time.

For us, homeschooling this year has meant less of a lot of things - like alone time, work, going to the store by myself, to name a few - but it’s also meant more conversations, more unstructured play, more baking 🤣

This is why minimalism won’t look the same for anyone. You have to choose the things that enrich your life, and say no to the rest.

What’s something you’re choosing less of in this season of life?

#minimalisthome #minimalismwithkids #homeschoollife #homeschooling
It’s snowing and icy outside right now, so it’ It’s snowing and icy outside right now, so it’s perfect timing to watch my YouTube video, “My First Year of Gardening”! It gave me so much hope editing this video and remembering that spring WILL come again!

The video is a recap of my gardening experiment, starting in January and ending in October. Bennett is my gardening buddy, and his commentary throughout is just precious 🤣

Watch the video at the link in my bio for my YouTube channel 🌷
It doesn’t have to cost a lot to get organized!# It doesn’t have to cost a lot to get organized!#springcleaning 

The only thing I bought to make our back door entryway more functional was a larger rug. I re-purposed shoe racks and hangers I already had. 

What made all the difference was taking a few minutes to pull everything out and discover just how much was cluttering up the closet, and get rid of it! 

Now we each have three pairs of shoes down here (snow boots/sandals, tennis shoes, rain boots for the boys, slippers, boots and sneakers for me, sneakers, work boots, and slippers for Brian).

🏠 What’s one small space in your home that you just need to spend a little time on making more functional? 

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Six months 🎀 Six months 🎀
Edison complained ALL DAY about our plan to see th Edison complained ALL DAY about our plan to see the Glimmer Lights at @fenimorefarmcv after Christmas - he didn’t want to go outside, he didn’t want to ride in the car for that long, etc.etc.etc. 

But after we parked and started unloading the stroller, he came around the side of the car and announced: “I’ve decided that since I’m here, I’m going to enjoy it.” 

And he proceeded to have a wonderful time 😂

That statement sums up how I feel about winter. 🥶 

Instead of dreading it and being miserable for four, five? months, since I’m here, I might as well enjoy it!

In case you’re a fellow SAD sufferer (Seasonal Affective Disorder) here’s a few things that are helping:

1. Going outside, even for a few minutes. I never want to, but we have had so much fun having nighttime snowball fights, skating on the frozen swamp, or just sitting and watching birds. It’s hard, but worth it!

2. Drinking copious amounts of hot tea and hot chocolate. Bonus points for thrifting a cool mug for the occasion! 

3. Wearing comfy clothes. I know everyone has been doing it since 2020 but I bought myself a matching sweatshirt and sweatpants for Christmas and now I’m ruined because I never want to wear real clothes again 🤣

4. Shamelessly hurkle durkling. The Scottish word means something like “to lie in bed after you should have gotten up.” I’m nap trapped, okay?!

5. Get the gear. I bought winter gloves that actually keep my hands warm (life changing). Last year I bought snow pants, and now I’m on the lookout for a good winter coat (my zipper broke) and snow boots that don’t cost an arm and a leg! 

It’s amazing how much more enjoyable winter is when you dress for it 🤣

Any tips for getting through the cold and gray days?
Happy Betwixmas! I just learned that that’s what Happy Betwixmas! I just learned that that’s what they call this liminal period between Christmas and New Year’s in England, and I think we need to make it a thing.

After a quiet and slow Christmas at home, I’m now staying up until 1am, sleeping until noon, reading, and playing too much Zelda.

In past years, I spent this time journaling, making vision boards, charts, and goal setting to prepare for the new year. But I just don’t have that kind of energy anymore 🤣 

You’re probably already getting bombarded with “New Year, New You!” messages, and while a small part of me feels like I “should” be posting decluttering tips and before and after transformations, I also feel “betwixt.” 

Betwixt the past version of myself, and the new chapter  slowly unfolding. After each of my babies, I birthed a new version of myself, marked by paradigm shifts in my career, my home - and less visible changes in my dreams, perspective, and beliefs. After the confusion of matresence, I find a new purpose and direction.

I trust that this will happen again, in time. The page of the next chapter will turn. I’ll find a new direction or rediscover joy in an old one. And in the meantime, I’ll enjoy the in-between, the small moments of everyday beauty.
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