10 Super Ways to Create Relaxing Spaces in Your Home

How perfect is this post after I just talked about how crazy life is right now. I would LOVE a spa like place in my house to just relax at the end of the day. How about you!?

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With so much going on at home and work, it can be hard to find time to relax and by the end of the week you can end up feeling less than 100% your best!

So how can you make the most of your living spaces, in order to turn them from stress zones to stress-free zones?

Here, we list the ten top ways you can start making productive changes to your home. Before you know it, you will be feeling completely calm and at ease, no matter what life may throw at you!

1.      De-clutter: This is a completely free way to create some much-needed space in your home. Have an early spring clean and you’ll find your home feels bigger and brighter as a result.

2.      If you’re on a budget, buy a few scented candles, some plug-in air-fresheners and dried flowers or potpourri. Place them strategically around your living spaces and watch the magic unfold. You’ll be surprised at how much calmer you feel – there’s nothing like a lovely-smelling home.

3.      Yes, it’s cheesy, but what can beat the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you’re sitting in a room lit only by fairy lights? If this sounds too much, then go for some super cool LED strip lights instead.

4.      Head down to the thrift store and invest in some bright new cushions and throws for the den. It will make the room feel more welcoming in an instant.

5.      If you’re feeling brave, how about buying an aquarium? Watching multicolored fish glide to and fro will instantly calm you down. Plus, the kids will love it!

6.      Get outside in the fresh air and have a good tidy up in the garden. Why not put up some bird boxes and bird feeders – it’s so uplifting to watch nature close at hand and the children can learn so much at the same time.

7.      Plan ahead and buy some jazzy new patio furniture now while the discounts still apply. This summer your cookouts will be the talk of the neighborhood!

8.      If you’re feeling swish, how about giving your living room some TLC by buying a plush, comfy new sofa set: everyone will love it!

9.      2014 may well be the year in which you plan to do major renovations – if so may we suggest you consider upgrading your bathroom? Creating a spa-like atmosphere means you have your own little haven to retreat to at the end of a long day.

10.  You want to go all out? Why not buy a hot tub or spa – your evenings will never be the same again! This shop provides all the accessories you might need.

Having time to chill out with your loved ones in a calm, clutter-free environment is just so essential. As busy parents, we have to be on our top form, whenever possible! So whether you simply have a tidy up, or you take on bigger renovation projects, 2014 is the year in which you make your house a relaxing home.

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Five Ways Your Kids Can Help You Clean Up Around the Home!

If you are like me, you are always looking for way for your older kids to help around the house.  Here are some great ideas!   **********************************
As a parent it can sometimes be hard to find the time to get the house as organized as you like it. There are many responsibilities and tasks that you need to juggle; just some of these include work, getting the kids to and from school, cooking meals, and making the home a safe and loving environment. It is nice to get a bit of help now and again, which is why it can be constructive to get your children involved in the household chores. There are certain jobs that won’t be suitable for children, so what tasks can you get them to do.

Recycling duties

Most kids will learn all about recycling at school, meaning they should be able to get involved with this activity when they are at home. All areas have slightly different colored bins, and rules on what can and cannot be put in them. You should be able to download a list for your area from your council’s website; why don’t you stick this to the fridge or by the back door? Your children will then be able to put plastic bottles and newspapers into the right bins.

Tidying their rooms

Many kids think that there are many more fun activities they could be doing than cleaning their rooms, so for the most reluctant of children you could try offering an incentive. Whether this is a trip to Pizza Hut or a kick about at the park, it can help to get them into gear. Basic tasks in the bedroom include making the bed, putting away clothes, and bringing any dirty cups and plates to the kitchen.

Sorting laundry piles

It is amazing how much laundry can pile up in the family home, so get your kids to muck in on this task too. They could sort out the clothes in the basket and put them in separate piles depending on the colors; this will make it easier for you to stick the bits straight into the washing machine. An extra little tip is to get them to check the pockets in jeans for any tissues or cash.

Sweeping the floors

You can buy miniature brooms that would be perfect for your child to help out in the kitchen, or they could use a dustpan and brush. This would allow you to have a cleaner surface when using disinfectant at home to make sure everything is sanitary too. It is important to make sure that surfaces have dried before the kids are allowed back in the room though.

  Organizing the shoes

Finally, could the kids help to tidy up the area by the front door? Many families have a shoe rack that can get a bit messy with various pairs of shoes all mixed together. Ask them to match a shoe to its pair and then put them neatly on the shelf. If they finish this quickly, they could always do the coat rack too!

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Love these idea and will definitely be using them for my two!

guest post ~ Barbecue Chicken Dinner Packets

I am excited to have a guest post today from Meredith Kimelblatt over at ReadySetEat! This looks super yummy and I can't wait to try it myself!

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Barbecue Chicken Dinner Packets

Now that we’re well into summer, you’ve probably had plenty of juicy grilled burgers and hot dogs. But have you ever grilled with foil packets before? If not, now is the time to do so!

Foil packets are great to keep around for easy summer dinners, and there are dozens of easy grilling recipes to choose from. They’re so easy—just wrap up your food and toss them on the grill—and are perfect for families with picky kids; since everyone gets his or her individual foil packet, each person can customize what veggies and sauces go into his or her dinner. Another big plus for foil packet cooking is that it makes clean up a breeze—instead of scraping messes off of the grill grates, all you need to do is ball up the packets and throw them in the recycling bin!

Grilling with foil packets is also a nice alternative to traditional grilling because it eliminates the need for someone to obsessively man the grill. Instead of frequently flipping and checking the meat, foil packets free you up so that you can throw them on the grill, spend time with your family and come back to them whenever they’re ready; no constant monitoring necessary! Just don’t stray too far from the grill; you don’t want to forget about your dinner!

These barbecue chicken dinner packets are an easy way to get started with foil packet cooking, and they’re delicious, too! Filled with yummy potatoes, barbecue sauce, peppers and cheese, these packets are one of those hearty, easy chicken recipes that you’ll keep coming back to all summer long. Enjoy!

Barbecue Chicken Dinner Packets

Serves: 4

·       PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

·       ½ cup Hunt’s® Original Barbecue Sauce

·       2 cups thinly sliced small red-skinned potatoes (about 4-6 potatoes)

·       4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

·       1 cup chopped green bell pepper

·       ¼ cup chopped onion

·       ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

·       ½ cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat according to manufacturer’s directions. Place four 18x12-inch pieces of heavy foil on the counter. Spray each with cooking spray. For each packet, spread a generous teaspoon of barbecue sauce in the center. Place ½ cup potatoes in a single layer over sauce. Spoon another teaspoon of sauce over potatoes.

Top potatoes with chicken. Spoon 1 teaspoon sauce over each breast and top each with a fourth of the bell pepper, onion and black pepper. Bring up the short sides of each foil packet and double fold the top. Double fold both ends to seal each packet, leaving space for steam to gather.

Place packets on the grate of covered grill. Grill for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the centers (a meat thermometer should read 165°F) and potatoes are tender. Carefully open packets; sprinkle a fourth of cheese on top of each breast. Close foil and let stand for 2 minutes or until cheese melts.

No grill? Bake these packets in a shallow pan in a 425° oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in centers and potatoes are tender.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Meredith Kimelblatt on behalf of ReadySetEat. For more family-friendly summer dinner ideas, visit www.readyseteat.com.

Vacation Guest Post #2

TGIF everyone! I am still relaxing on the beach, enjoying the last few days of my vacation. I have been sharing LOTS of pics on my Instagram so if you are not following me, you totally should!

 I am excited to have yet another awesome blogger guest posting for me today! 

Thanks so much Dawn!

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Hi!  I'm Dawn, from Dawn's Disaster.  I write a small blog about my family life and have some product reviews and giveaways.  During the week, I host or co-host at least 3 hops {Super Sunday Sync, #BlogTwitLov (Wednesdays), Finish the Sentence Friday and most weeks Inspired Tuesdays}.  This last Tuesday, I also started a short prompt "hop" called 20 Tuesdays, but I will be bringing back Traveling Tuesdays after that is over {in case you would like to guest post, makr your calendar!  I'm filling spaces already}.  Have you heard about the 30 Day Blog Challenge?  I hope 20 Tuesdays takes off like that.  I hope you'll join in!  I also contribute to the Mommy Blog Hoppers every other Monday.

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What do you do for the 4th of July?  Do you celebrate it alone or with family?  My family, we go to my parents house.  When I say WE, I don't just mean the Hubs, the Beanie Babies and me, I also mean my Mother-in-Law, my brother, my cousins {and their kiddos}, and my Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt {they may not make it this year}.  Talk about a cramped house.  

You know what, though?  I'm totally excited.  We hardly get to see the extended family.  Maybe once a year.  My brother lives in another state, on the West Coast, so we rarely get to see him. The Beanie Babies have so much fun playing with their cousins and all of the extra attention they get from the Uncles and Aunts and Grandparents.  Do you think I have time to relax any, with all those additional adult hands?  Maybe a little, but I'm not holding my breath.  

There is this cute little parade in the town my parents live in.  I say little, but it's really, really, really long.  They usually combine about 5 towns near by, so there's floats from each town.  When I say "there's floats from each town", I mean there's the fire department from all towns, there's VFWs from all towns, Shiners from all towns, radio stations fro all towns, car repair shops from each town {get my point?}...it's great, but long.  Especially when the sun is high.  Don't get me wrong, the Beanie Babies LOVE it because they get candy and stuff, and it's not so bad for the adults, either, because they have some fun stuff they throw to us, too!

After that, we usually have a picnic in the backyard.  Sandwiches, potato salad, chips, dips, coleslaw, pickles, fruit {LOTS of fruit} and Diet Coke lemonade.  Then, it's nap time.  What a great part of the day!  BUT...my favorite part of the day is the evening.  Going to watch the fireworks on the boat is so much fun.

Do you think I'll get to be THIS relaxed?  

Her name is Little.  She was only 2# when I found her.  She's about 20# now.

HAPPY 4th of JULY, LRAT readers!  I hope you'll stop by my blog and tell me what you do for the 4th.

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Vacation Guest Post #1

While I am relaxing with my 4 loves for a much needed vacation at the beach (jealous!? haha), I have an amazing blogger who is guest posting for me today to keep things alive here on the blog!

Thanks so much Kate! Your the best!

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Hi, I'm Kate- I blog over at Life as I know it. I'm a wife and a stay at home mama of three!

I'm really excited to help out Krystle because I think she's great! If I ever make my way back east maybe I'll finally get to meet her! So thanks for letting me fill in for you Krystle!

Summer time is fast approaching and because it's my all time favorite season I have to make a fun list of things to do with the family! Today I wanted to share my top 10 with you, but feel free to check HERE for the full list.

1. Go to and swim in the ocean

2. Go to the Portland Zoo

3. Do the Dirty Dash

4. Lay in the sun... A LOT!

5. Have a water balloon fight

6. Make home made bubbles

7. Have lots of picnics

8. Tie a note to a balloon and send it off

9. Spend lots of time at the splash pad

10. Go to Silverwood Theme Park

(Last years trip to Silverwood!)

I have a lot of things on my list and we've already started checking things off!

What are you looking forward to doing this summer?

Kate

Life as I know it

Guest Post...kids say the darndest things!

I am excited to be guest posting for the fabulous Ashley over at Horseshoes & Pearls today. I am talking about the crazy random things my kids say and do!

 Go and check it out HERE!!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Guest Post ~ Birth Story

Since I am so busy right now, I am excited to have a great friend and fellow blogger doing a guest post for me today! Thanks, Mia!

Hi Guys! I'm Mia from The Chronicles of Chaos. I'm so grateful to Krystle for letting me talk to you guys today. After hearing about Krystle's gorgeous son Lucas and his unexpected early birth, it reminded me of my own son, Domenic, (who is now 3 years old) and I wanted to share his story with you. This post might be a little TMI for some of you, so if you're not interested in birth stories, you might wanna skip down to the end - there is definitely a happy ending to this story, I promise. :)

Dom is my first-born and fearless child.  It seems like he was destined to be this way, if my pregnancy was any indication.  I went into pre-term labor at 33 weeks.  I noticed some spotting while I was at work, and at first I wasn't really concerned (having never been pregnant before and not knowing any better), but when I mentioned to my coworker that I had some spotting and felt a little crampy, she asked me how many weeks I was and I told her and she immediately said, "You need to go to the hospital. Or at the very least, call your doctor." Admittedly, I was a little freaked out, but I wasn't in any pain or anything, so I called my doctor's office. The nurse put me on hold for a little while and then came back and said the doctor wanted me to go straight to the hospital.

At that time, I worked about 50 miles from home, and my boss wouldn't let me drive myself back, so I called my hubby to come pick me up.  When we arrived at the hospital, I was pretty freaked out and didn't know what to expect. I was contracting pretty regularly by then and when the doctor examined me, I was already 4 cm dilated! They gave me steroid shots to help develop Dom's lungs, in case he did end up coming that day.  But they hooked me up to an IV to help with dehydration and they gave me magnesium to try and stop the contractions/labor, which made me super nauseous and dazed and I felt cold all the time! I stayed in the hospital for a week before I was allowed to go home and I was ordered to stay on bed rest for a few days and then I could go back to work.

Fast forward to 36 weeks.  At this point I was waking up a million times a night because I was uncomfortable, or I would get hot, or I would have to pee lol. When I woke up around midnight, having to pee, of course I didn't think anything of it.  I got up and walked to the bathroom and all of a sudden I felt this wetness running down my leg.  I wasn't sure what had happened, I just thought that I had waited too long to go pee and had wet myself.  Plus, all the baby books tell you that you will know when your water breaks because it has a certain odor.  Well, it just smelled like pee to me, lol! So I got back in bed.  But I kept feeling this awful pain in my lower back and I started having these forceful, painful, earth-shattering contractions.  I thought it would pass, because Dom wasn't supposed to be due until mid-October and it was only late-September. But by 5am, the contractions were so bad and so close together that I knew something wasn't right and I needed to go to the hospital.  I woke up my hubby and we rushed to the hospital.

When I told the nurse that I was 36 weeks, she kind of rolled her eyes, and I knew she wasn't taking me seriously.  But she dutifully hooked me up to the monitors and did an exam.  All of a sudden, her eyes got big and she said, "oh my goodness, you're fully dilated, this baby is coming right now!" They quickly moved me to the delivery room and the doctor yelled at me and said, "Why did you wait so long to come to the hospital?!" and I told her that I had no idea what was going on, this was my first baby, and then I burst into tears. And then when I asked about an epidural, she said there was no time, they had to deliver now.  Which made me cry even harder because I was terrified and was not expecting to do a natural childbirth.

After about 45 minutes of pushing (and screaming and crying and yelling at my hubby, who was looking paler and paler by the minute), Dom was born a little after 6:30 am.  He was 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long!  He would have been a huge baby if he went full-term!  It was probably the quickest delivery in history, lol, and soon after he was born, I felt great, and was up and walking around and took a shower with a little help from the nurses.  I thought, hey this is easy, I don't know what all the fuss is about! (Don't worry, I got to eat my words with my youngest son's delivery, but that's another story for another day!)

Ugh, excuse my fat face, but I did just give birth, so that's my excuse! ;)

Dom had a broken collarbone from the trauma of delivery, but the doctor assured us it happens sometimes and not to worry.  And he also had jaundice, so we had to stay in the hospital a few extra days while he was under the bili lights, but once his bilirubin levels came back down, we were sent home with our beautiful boy.  And let me tell you, that kid does not rest for one second! He is raring to go from the minute he wakes up in the morning until the minute he goes to sleep.  It's exhausting keeping up with him sometimes, but he just lights up my life and I'm so proud to be his mommy.

Dom now, at 3 years old. He's a nut!

Phew, what a roller coaster ride!  But all's well that ends well, right? :)

Did any of you have an unexpected birth?  Share your story below, Krystle and I would love to hear about it!