Charissa, Author at - Page 18 of 24

My Top 4 Reads of 2016

book2016

Did you find time to read in 2016? I hope you made time for a good book or 2 or 20 this year! Reading is a great way to slow down and recharge. I tend to read a mixture of non-fiction and fiction, and so I wanted to share my top 4 reads of 2016, 2 non-fiction and 2 fiction.

Non-fiction

Breaking Busy by Ali Worthington. This title jumped out at me right away when I heard Crystal Paine aka Money Saving Mom recommend it. I was so excited to find and read a book that spoke to so much of what I have been thinking about (for such a long time) and now writing about here on my blog. The tag line for the book is: “How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy”, and Worthington does a beautiful job of encouraging and inspiring as she shares her own journey of breaking busy. Even as I type this review I am thinking I will be reading this book again in 2017.

The More of Less by Joshua Becker. I first heard about Joshua Becker while listening to an interview with him on The Simple Show podcast. I was intrigued by his story and ideas and soon after borrowed his book from a friend. Becker writes at becomingminimalist.com and in this book he shares his family’s journey to minimalism and ways that all of us can get more out of life by having less. Like Breaking Busy, The More of Less is really about intentional living, so it appealed to me right away.

Fiction

Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay. This was another recommendation from Money Saving Mom. (Crystal Paine is often my go-to for book suggestions.) I love a good story that quickly draws me in and has a likeable main character. Dear Mr. Knightly is just this kind of story! I liked this story so much I read another, Lizzy and Jane, by the author soon after finishing Dear Mr. Knightly. I am already planning to read more from Reay in 2017.

Amy Snow by Tracy Rees. This book was a recommendation from Jennifer L. Scott of The Daily Connoisseur. She explained the plot as a treasure hunt, of sorts, and I was intrigued by her description of and excitement about the story. The book is a lengthy 576 pages, but I thoroughly enjoyed every one of these pages as I followed Amy Snow’s journey across Victorian England.

What about you? Do you enjoy non-fiction or fiction? What were some of your top reads in 2016?

Until next time,

Charissa

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through these links.)

Keep It the Same to Keep It Simple

Keep it the same to keep it simple

They say, “Variety is the spice of life.” And yes, I can agree, taking chances, making changes, and trying new things can be a very good thing, but I also strongly believe that keeping things the same is a good thing. In fact, I think that keeping it the same is a great way to keep it simple.

Consider 3 areas in your life where you might keep it the same to keep it simple.

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links. Thank you for supporting the blog!)

Food

Almost every day I eat a salad for lunch. I shared this little tidbit in a previous post called 7 things I do to make my life a little easier. Instead of staring into the fridge or rifling through the cupboards, I get out my salad greens and various toppings to create my tasty lunch salad. Boring? Not to me. Simple? For sure!

food1

When it comes to my kids’ school lunches I also keep it the same. Their lunch containers have handy dividers that help me pack with a consistent system: a waffle or bagel sandwich in one, fruit in another and veggies in the third. Throw in a water bottle and a bonus item, and there you have it! A simple lunch is complete! I don’t have to try to overthink school lunches each day. I keep it the same to keep it simple.

For meal prep & more check out these posts:

Meal Planning 101

Why My Kids Bring Their Lunch to School

The 5 Tasks You Should Do Before You Grocery Shop

Clothing

Have you ever heard of the 10 item wardrobe? It’s essentially a seasonal wardrobe consisting of 10 key items paired with a few extras. It’s a popular minimalist approach to clothing. Why is this approach so appealing? It simplifies things. You have a small assortment of items that fit well and make you feel good. No more standing in front of an over-stuffed closet for the better half of the morning (while still) complaining that you have nothing to wear. No more ill-fitting clothes that remain in your wardrobe “just in case”.

de-clutter

Although I don’t have a 10 item wardrobe I have been trying to be more intentional about what items I add to my closet. I have also been quick to remove items that don’t look good or ones I no longer wear. A more minimalist closet is a type of “keeping it the same”. If you know that a certain style of jeans look good on you then get rid of the other styles. Keep it the same. If you love to wear t-shirts and cardigans then get rid of the button downs that are shoved in the back of your closet. Keep it the same. If you have 30 pairs of shoes but consistently wear the same 3 then get rid of the other 27. Keep it the same.

For more on clothing, check out these:

$10 credit towards your first thredUP clothing purchase

Got 15 Minutes? Bedroom Closet Organization

What I Do with the Clothes I Purge from my Closet

Daily Routines

Daily routines seem to be the most basic way you can keep it the same to keep it simple. I’m a big fan of routines. Routines are not as rigid as schedules, in my opinion, but they do provide a rhythm to your day. Do you have a morning routine? An after school routine? An evening routine? In my last post I shared 5 tasks to do before bedtime to prepare for the next day; those tasks are basically an evening routine. Doing them each evening is keeping it the same. If you have not implemented some general routines into your schedule, taking one part of the day and choosing 3-5 things you do each day around that time might be the perfect place and way to start! A routine is a way to keep it the same. Keeping it the same is a great way to keep it simple!

declutter 2

These are just 3 areas in your life where you might begin thinking about keeping it the same. Keeping it the same keeps things simple. And keeping things simple is just one of the many ways to make life just a little less busy.

What about you? In what areas of your life are you keeping it the same to keep it simple?

Please Pin Me!

Until next time,
Charissa

5 Tasks to Do Before Bedtime to Prepare for the Next Day

bedtime

Looking to make your mornings not so busy? Well, one of the best ways to improve your mornings is to improve your evenings. The things you do before bedtime can positively affect your morning mood and decrease the stress that often comes at the start of each day. Today I am sharing 5 tasks to do before bedtime to prepare for the next day!

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links. Thank you for supporting the blog!)

1. Do a quick pick-up of common areas.

Take 10-15 minutes to clear counters, load and run the dishwasher, put away toys, straighten couch pillows and blankets and return stray items to their rightful homes. This task can take even less time (or you could accomplish even more in the same amount of time) if you invite all family members to participate. Waking to tidy spaces is a pleasant way to start the day.

2. Choose your clothes for the next day.

Taking just a few minutes to browse your closet for the next’s days outfit is a super simple way to save time and stress in the morning. Children should also pick the next day’s clothes (or you choose for younger children). You’ll see just how much you enjoy having clothes ready for your whole family the evening before; it’s so nice to have those decisions made ahead of time.

3. Pack your lunch(es).

This can be a task that seems simple enough to do in the morning, but it’s even more simple to complete the night before. If you work outside the home and need to bring a lunch, pack it before cleaning up the kitchen. If your children bring lunches, pack for them or (if they are older) let them put together a lunch before heading to bed. It’s one of those tasks you might dread, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how quickly you can complete it when focused.

4. Create your to-do list.

Now that the day is done, you can take a few minutes to consider the next day ahead of you. Look at your calendar, glance at the current day’s to-dos (what did you accomplish and what still needs to be done?), and jot a quick list for the next day. It’s good to write it down and head to bed with a clearer mind.

5. Gather items by the door.

Purses, shoes, backpacks, jackets, library books, projects, band instruments, sport equipment, etc. should all be gathered near the door. Instead of running around in the morning yelling, “Grab your shoes!”, “Where are the library books?”, or “Have you seen my purse?”, gather all those items the prior evening, and save yourself the hassle of last minutes scrambles.

Can these tasks be completed each morning? Sure! And there are certainly mornings when I do 1 or all of these things, but let me tell you that those mornings are CRAZY!! If I can complete these 5 tasks each night then my mornings usually run smoothly, and my mood is quite pleasant. Things go well, I feel good, and those feelings are contagious and spread to my children. I encourage you to make your mornings not so busy by completing these 5 tasks (or even just 1) each evening. I think you’ll notice some welcome changes to your everyday mornings.

What about you? What do you do to prepare for the next day?

Until next time,

Charissa

Continue reading “5 Tasks to Do Before Bedtime to Prepare for the Next Day”

7 Reasons to Shop thredUP

thredupbox1

Are you looking to make your life not so busy by shopping online instead of in store? Today I want to share with you one of my favorite online clothing store options, thredUP. If you love thredUP like I do then you know why it’s a great shopping experience, but if you’ve never tried thredUP or even heard of it until now, let me share with you 7 reasons you should shop thredUP.

1. It’s convenient.

Like all online stores you can shop for your thredUP purchases while in your super comfy pajamas on your extra comfy couch. You can shop day or night. You can shop while watching your favorite show or listening to a podcast. Yes, it’s convenient.

2. They sell like-new, gently used clothing.

I love the idea of passing along clothing that is still in good condition to other people. I do it in my own personal life, sharing items my children and I no longer need or want with friends or family. The same idea is played out on thredUP but on a much grander scale. Yes, buying new is always an option, but I prefer considering like-new, gently used first.

3. They sell thousands of brands for a variety prices.

With over 25,000 brands you are bound to always find something you love. I know that I have tended to mostly stick with the brands I love, but I also have been adventurous and tried brands that I have never even heard of before browsing thredUP. There is a wide range of prices because of the wide variety of brands, but I just tend to stick to prices $15 and under.

4. You can earn credit for future purchases.

If you share your thredUP referral link and someone purchases through that link you get $10 and so do they! Share with 5 people and if those 5 people make purchases you get $50, and they each get $10. It’s a win-win situation, and I almost always shop thredUP using earned credit.

5. You can find items for you and your children.

I love that thredUP has items for women (sizes XXS to 5X & maternity), juniors and for children. It’s so nice to be able to shop second hand for your kids as well as for your own wardrobe.

6. You can purchase shoes, handbags and accessories.

I love being able to purchase clothing second hand, and I also appreciate the option to buy like-new shoes, handbags and accessories. The variety of options in these categories is endless. ThredUP sells everything from boots to sandals, diaper bags to wallets, and sunglasses to watches.

7. You can clean out your closet with no hassle.

Not only can you purchase items from thredUP, you can also sell items on the site. (And thredUP does the hard work for you.) Simply order a free clean out kit, and thredUP will send you a large bag to fill with your gently used items. I have ordered 3 bags over the course of the past 3 years. You earn credit when your clothing sells. Check out their payout estimator to see just how much you might receive for any given item.

Shopping thredUP has been so practical and fun for so many reasons. Have I piqued your curiosity yet? Let’s take a look at my most recent order!

My most recent thredUP order

thredup4

Last week I received my 17th order from thredUP. I ordered 3 items: 1 shirt and 2 dresses. All 3 fit me and are in excellent condition.

Raspberry Gabby Skye dress retail: $60.00 thredUP: $15.99

Sequined Old Navy top retail: $25.00 thredUP: $7.99

Navy & white LL Bean dress retail: $60.00 thredUP: $14.99

I was once again super happy with what I received in my polka dot box. ThredUP continues to be a great online buying option for me!

Interested in making your first purchase from thredUP? Click on my link for a $10 credit and try out a new shopping experience! http://www.thredup.com/r/SPNFUN

What about you? Do you shop second hand? Have you ever shopped thredUP?

Until next time,

Charissa

Quick Tip: Use a Mesh Garment Bag for “Wash by Hand” items

garmentbag1

I am always looking for ways to make my life a little easier. When you make things a little easier you become just a little less busy.

Today I am sharing a quick laundry tip! Do you have any “wash by hand” items in your closet? I try to avoid purchasing these types of items, but I do have 1 or 2 that fall into that category. To avoid actually having to hand wash any clothing, I use a mesh garment bag. Just today I put my new thredUP purchase, a “wash by hand” shirt, into my mesh garment bag. It came out of the wash without any damage. I use this trick all the time because when I can I am going to choose the easy button!

What about you? Do you have any quick laundry tips?

You can read my other quick tips here.

Until next time,

Charissa

(This post contains an affiliate link, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through this link.)

$3 DIY: Decorative Tray

photo-6 Okay, if I’m being honest (and I always want to be honest), this is really a $2.50 DIY. But how eye-catching would a “$2.50 DIY” title be? Not very eye-catching, in my opinion.

I am loving this DIY. It’s even more simple than my first or second DIYs. I will share once again that I am not very crafty, but I do enjoy a very simple (and I’m talking very simple), inexpensive DIY. That’s what I have for you today!

Where did I shop and what did I get?

For this DIY I stopped at my favorite store for DIYs, the Dollar Tree!! I picked up an 8×10 black frame.

photo-7

Then I picked up a place mat for $1.50 from the Christmas Tree Shop. I love the colors and texture!

photo-1-3

What did I do?

I took out the innards of the frame. Cut the mat to fit and placed it inside the frame. Then I replaced the frame’s backing. Voila! It’s so simple, so cute and functional. I am using this tray on my nightstand. What do you think?

photo-6

I did buy an additional frame and place mat just so you could see how different each tray can be. I styled this one in a variety of ways.

photo-8

photo-9

photo-10

It might be fun to find a mat, wrapping paper, or burlap and create a festive theme for this season. The options are endless, and I like the fact that I can swap out the mat whenever I like. I also like the fact that this DIY cost me just $3 (or $2.50)!

What about you? Have you created any fun DIYs recently?

Until next time,

Charissa