SICK DAYS

I'm not one to complain but whatever strain of flu and cold that's going around this year is nasty! Everyone in our house has been sick at one point another, off and on since the new year.  We are all warn out, tired and ready for some warmer weather and good old sunshine!!

Between bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, the flu and a disgusting amount of antibiotics I am just waiting till we can all say we are healthy again. Lucky for me I have been the only one who has not been sick.  I had a wicked cough that lasted a few weeks but nothing compared to what everyone else has had. Little lou lou is still dealing with something,  we are not sure what it is, but I sure hope we figure it out fast! Poor guy didn't even get to celebrate his first birthday....

The one thing I find that has really been helping us (we use it all the time around here) is our RIORAND Aromatherapy air diffuser/mini humidifier, which can be found HEREat AMAZON. I am a big believer in aromatherapy and holistic remedies before bringing out the hard stuff.  I really try to avoid over the counter drugs if possible, for myself and our little's.
  Before buying this diffuser I used a little metal tea light diffuser but I would always fall asleep with it lit due to the fact we use it mostly before bedtime and we all know that's not a great idea! This diffuser automatically will turn off and spray an aromatherapy mist throughout the room. Its modern, sleek design fits right in to our decor and it's just the right size and it also comes in two different finishes to match your decor. I can't say enough good things about it and I highly recommend it if your in the market for a great looking and functional aromatherapy diffuser.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Picture via Pinterest

As of lately, I have felt extremely overwhelmed with the amount of stuff we have in our house. Too much clutter.  I have been trying to get rid of things for a while now but it just doesn't seem to be happening fast enough.   I get rid of one thing and next thing you know we have acquired more of this or more of that and with Christmas and birthdays that have come and gone.... well.....stuff just starts to accumulate. We have an abundance of  things that don't get used, thrown in a drawer to be discovered a year later and then tucked away for another two years until discovered again - repeat.

The stress of a busy schedule and the feeling of being bogged down and then throwing clutter into the mix, well  I feel like I can't even think and adds to the stress of our busy lives.  I feel like sometimes I am just shifting "stuff" from one room to another but not really fixing the problem. Honestly, Sometimes I feel like an episode of the HOARDERS. Its scary.....

This year I have decided that all changes!

This summer I will slowly go through everything and sell, donate, or give away whatever it is that I feel I don't need or haven't used. This is a hard one for me because I am always asking "What if I need that later?" or  "Maybe I will fit into it again," you get it. I am sure you have been there too.

So, I have been pinning away and researching, trying to find ideas and solutions because lets face it, organization is not my strong point. I found this great blog called Slow Your Home which has 34 proven ways to prevent clutter that I really like and this blog called A Slob Comes Clean that has so many great tips and ideas and even cleaning checklists!!

Some guidelines I am setting for my self  are:

1. If I haven't touched it in the last year, it's gone!
2. It serves no purpose, no point keeping it.
3. MAYBE bin - if its still there after 6 months of no use, get rid of it.
4. Organize - (This is a huge weakness for me!)
5. Everything should have a spot

Picture via Pinterest

(I love the use of baskets for organized storage and they look great too!)

This years motto "less is more" and I am sticking to it!

Do you struggle with clutter and organization like I do? Tell me your tricks and tips, I am all ears!

SIMPLE DIY PAINTED BASKET

This is a simple DIY project to give you the same look as those colourful seagrass baskets that are so trendy right now in home decor but for a fraction of the price. Nate Berkus has some really great baskets at Target and Serena & Lily carry quite a few nice baskets as well. I have been wanting to buy some for myself but I do not want to pay the price for them because they can cost quite a bit.  For someone like myself who changes their decor like their socks.....it can add up and drive a husband bonkers.  So, I figured I would test out a few DIY to start and see how it goes. While the kiddos napped, I got my DIY on!

This project is so quick and easy, anyone can do it.  I bought these tiny little baskets a while ago from JYSK. They where super cheap. About three dollars for the two of them, lids included. I figured I would start on something small and test it out before I ruin something more expensive. My first attempt here was simple and quick, just testing it out, but it worked out perfectly.

I used this spray paint I already had in our garage which was a bronzed colour. You can use anything you fancy really, but I would recommend using a spray paint so you get a sharper line when spraying since the painters tape does not stick flush to the basket. The painters tape was free, a promo product someone left on our front door. So, this project cost me a total of three dollars.....not bad.

You can tape these any way you would like, any pattern you fancy. I kept mine simple, less room for mistakes. Keep in mind that if you would like to see more of the basket you will want to tape off more of the basket to prevent the paint from getting to it.

Next spray your basket, let dry and the remove the tape! Your done!

Add some greenery or put it on a shelf for decorative storage! Wasn't that easy?

LITTLE MAN OUTFIT

One of my very favourite things to do is go shopping for my boys.  I actually would rather shop for them then myself.  I find a lot of really cute clothes at thrift shops and for a fraction of the price because lets face it, kids clothes are anything but cheap and they grow out of them so darn fast! Usually, I can find items that are in excellent condition or look like they have never been worn. However, sometimes I like to splurge and buy brand new. Whoever said buying clothes for boys isn't fun or "nothing nice out there".....your wrong!! There are so many cool boys clothes out there and sometimes the hunt is what makes it even more fun!!! If I am buying brand new, my favourite stores for boys clothes are: H&M, Joe Fresh, Winners, online at Vans, and Quicksilver. My two favourite Canadian brands I really love are MOONFRIES and MINI MIOCHE. The Great thing about Mini Mioche is that its organic Canadian made clothing. "Made for kids, not by kids." Such a GREAT brand! You have to go check them out.

ONE- mini mioche slouchy beany - HERE

TWO- Vans raglan tee - HERE

THREE- H&M bikers jacket - HERE

FOUR- H&M striped cardigan - HERE

FIVE - mini mioche denim - HERE

SIX - Vans suede half cab - HERE

MASHED AVOCADO AND RADISH TOAST

I am not sure where I had first seen this tasty avocado, radish toast. I can only assume I had seen it on Pinterest. I have been making this toast for a while and it is my go to, quick breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. Yes, its that good! oh, and lets not forget healthy!
This is so easy to make......
Simply start with a piece of toast. (I use whole wheat thick texas toast) Mash up your avocado, throw on some thin slices of radishes, a dash of sea salt and fresh cracked pepper,and voila! Your singing.....or just eating a really good and healthy piece of mashed avocado and radish toast.

ONE OF EVERYTHING PLEASE

Yes, one of everything please.......and that Bag!!! I am drooling. My favourite outfit is the last one. It is so versatile and looks very comfortable, I am all about comfort these days! I am big on the whole Birkenstock trend for summer too. I think I was wearing them before they became cool again, because lets face it, they are comfy!! What do you think about BIRKS, Love them or hate them? All pictures are taken from the Free People, January 2015 catalogue and can be found HERE.

I MUST HAVE.....

I have been eyeing  these amazing goods for some time now. Unfortunately, I never received any from Santa this past Christmas......I guess I was on the naughty list!  Any who, I am not waiting around till next year. So, it looks like I will have to be my own Santa! I am really loving the jewelry from bread & circus, in particular, these two beauty rings....perfection! I love the clean classic look of the Daniel Wellington watch, a must have for my wrist and who can resist good for your body, good for you, skincare products!! I have been wanting to try the  Harlow body butters and Camp brand skincare products and I love that they are all natural. Finally, Woodlot......All I have heard is good things about this coconut wax candle. I can't turn down a warm,wonderful, aromatic candle on a cold, chilly night in! I might or might not have a a slight candle addiction.....I have to get my hands on one of these!!! The thing that I love most about all of these (except the Daniel Wellington watch) is that they are made right he at home....Canadian, hand-crafted, quality goods! Ya can't go wrong with that. Whats your must haves? 

                                           ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE/SIX