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Fresh Finds: Easter 2012

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Easter is rapidly approaching, it's true, but we still have a few days left to get creative.  Today I'm presenting 9 of my very favorite ideas from 2012.  Every idea may not appeal, or even apply (see idea #1), to everyone but I'm pretty confident that somewhere in this list is something you're gonna like!   1) Egg Baby Announcements 2) The Easter Breakfast Bar 3) Chalkboard Bunny Gift Labels Click through for the rest of the goods 4) How to Create a Floral Centerpiece 5) … [Read more...]

POYEL: Decluttering the Small Stuff

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After a week of vacation, it seems like it's been quite a while since we've had a Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life post around here.  So today we're tackling more decluttering.  Last time we addressed the topic, I included a link up party and, to be honest, I just wasn't feeling it.  I loved seeing everyone's progress - it was just the look of the whole thing I pretty much hated.  It felt way too cluttered for a post on, well, decluttering. Despite that little set back, I still thought our … [Read more...]

Pinterest All Stars

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After losing another hour (or two) to pinterest the other night, it dawned on me that maybe I should turn the many future hours I'll inevitably spend there into something productive.  So today I'm announcing a new MPMK feature, Pinterest All Stars, in which I'll be highlighting some of my most popular pins.  This way I can share some of my best finds and chalk up all my pinning time to "working" - it's a total win-win.  The plan is to normally only feature one pin but since this is the inagural … [Read more...]

Yipee! We’re a Top 50 Craft Blog!

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I have a little confession to make.  Last week the family and I slipped away for a much-needed vacation to sunny San Diego.  Could you tell?  I tried my hardest to get everything written and published ahead of time in order to provide a seamless week of MPMK.  Never-the-less a few things probably fell through the cracks (the weekend look book coming out a day late comes to mind).I bring up my absence because I received some delightful news last week that I'm just now getting the chance to share … [Read more...]

A No-Mess Painting Technique

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I'm at momtastic this week sharing my favorite new painting technique.  S and I picked it up at toddler group and it was a big hit.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still all for getting messy but it's nice to have some tamer creative activities to draw from.    When I was plotting this project in my head I envisioned using paper cut into egg shapes to make some pretty Easter decor.  When it actually came down to it, everything was so spur of the moment that I couldn't harness C's excitement long … [Read more...]

Fresh Find: Free Printables for Those Bare Walls

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I've recently come across not one but two opportunities to get some stellar art up on your walls for free.  Naturally, my very first response was to break out the measuring tape and start plotting think of you.     First up, Jenna of q.a. design has recently decided to close her Etsy shop and is, consequently, offering up ALL of her gorgeous state/country prints free of charge (only a smattering of which are seen above).  Recognize anything familiar?  Jenna is the talented artist … [Read more...]

Fresh Finds: Easter Eggs & New Friends

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photo via oh joy!Aren't these neon dip-dyed Easter eggs cool?  I'm featuring them at momtastic along with some of my all-time favorite egg ideas.  Hop over there and check out all the fun.The other day I casually mentioned the new Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life facebook group in passing.  Since I'd already announced it's creation to MPMK facebook fans and via the newsletter, I forgot that I hadn't also let you know here.  If you'd like in on the fun, go here and click on "request an invite" … [Read more...]

Creative Play Finds for the Easter Basket

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Last year I talked a lot about going DIY instead of commercial with the kids' Easter baskets but I never really went into detail on why.  Part of it is self-preservation (lots of sugar + my 1 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 year old = bad things).  But nixing the candy still leaves plenty of options outside the homemade sphere.  There are, after all, lots of commercial products that do a great job of inspiring creative play.  The larger reason is that I know both sets of grandparents will get the kids … [Read more...]

Creative Play Easter Basket Idea: Water Bead Eggs

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Aren't these water bead eggs cool?  They were unbelievably easy and inexpensive to pull together and I think the kids are going to get such a kick out of opening them up and playing with the contents on Easter. UPDATE: check out how my kiddos played with these after cracking them open here.     If you're not familiar with water beads, they come in little plastic packets that fit in the palm of your hand.  Each "bead" is a teeny tiny ball which, when soaked in water … [Read more...]

POYEL: Examining Our Daily Routines

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Something I've realized about Project Organize Your Entire Life lately,  is that it really needs to be about more then checklists and systems.  It needs to be about how we live and think - how we prioritize.  In fact, when I take the time to consider my true motivations behind that first infamous post, I realize that what I'm looking for isn't perfection but a way to make space to be the parent I want to be. With that in mind, I'm doing things a bit differently today.  I was … [Read more...]

Parenting Cliff Notes: The No-Cry Discipline Solution

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Yesterday I promised I'd have some parenting book cliff notes for you and today I'm here to deliver.  Whitney from Rookie Moms is popping in to share her notes on The No Cry Discipline Solution.  Have you guys been over to Rookie Moms by the way?  If not, here in their own words is what they're all about:   Sometimes for new moms, it’s hard to think (admit it, you agree) and it’s just nice to be told what to do. Here we are. We’re telling you.   In 2005, we were both working … [Read more...]