Workin' It Wednesday: Getting Ready for the Holidays Edition

So this year, all bets are off. After losing a week during Christmas season, I am a bit behind.  However, when you are responsible for holding Christmas together and getting it all done, you rally.

Here are a few things I do each year to get ready for the Christmas season.  Linking up with Erika and Shay HERE

Christmas Cards

We take our family picture Thanksgiving Weekend so I can take advantage of the Black Friday card sales on Shutterfly,  I get the cards ordered on Black Friday and they are in early so I can start sending them out!

Traditions

I look at the calendar and figure out when we are going to take part in our annual traditions: Annual Holiday Recipe Exchange, Jammie Christmas, Visiting the Cemeteries, Visiting loved ones, Stone Zoo Lights, Festival of Trees, baking and LOTS of Hallmark movies :) 

Outfits

I usually get the girls nice dresses (that match) on Ebay or online somewhere.  Christmas Eve is the first time they will wear them and then they will wear them again for the Wolverines Awards Day AND even again at the Daddy Daughter Dance in early spring.  This year, I got their dresses even earlier so they could wear them to the bat mitzvah we attended during Thanksgiving Weekend. It is nice to know that part is already done! 

Wrapping/Presents

I am usually done by now but this year, this is what I am struggling with.  I need to finish buying, getting all of the stocking stuffers and wrapping.  My goal is to get it all done this weekend- fingers crossed!

How do you prepare for the holidays?

Workin' It Wednesday: How I Transition My Wardrobe

It's time for another fun linkup with Erika and Shay.  Linking up HERE

This month we are talking how we transition our wardrobes from Summer to Fall.

It is no secret that I LOVE Lilly Pulitzer prints.  It is always kind of sad when I have to put the bright prints away for the fall and winter.  She does make some transitional pieces and pieces for cooler weather but for the most part, my wardrobe becomes much darker until Spring hits again.

It is funny because I have always LOVED fall clothing.  I actually think that Fall is the best season for fashion- rich jewel tones, layers, pretty scarfs, booties...you get the point!

I still feel that way and I have a couple of things to share about this time of year!

Scarves

Oh the joy...In the last couple of years, I have really enjoyed adding scarves to my outfits in the fall and winter and even spring. Nordstrom always has cute ones that go on sale and I learned about them from my blogging friends of course. They hang in my closet on a tie rack.  

I have a few faves.  First, this one that I found on Amazon...it is kind of short but I can still make it work.  It is funny too, I love it best with a white tee.  It has the pretties shades of orange and pink as well as some neutrals.

and then this one from Nordstrom is another fave- perfect for fall with the neutrals and even at Christmastime.

Layers

So I love adding light jackets and vests to my outfits in the fall and winter too. The army green/fatigue colors have been my favorite over the last few years.  I am also a sucker for a leather jacket!

Earth Tones and Bold Dark Colors

Yes....I go darker...but I am still attracted to bold colors in the winter.  Not as bright but you get the point.  I also love pairing black patent leather heels with dresses and outfits and in earth and jewel tones.

 This dress was from INC at Macy's last year.  I find that I shop there more so in the fall and winter as well.  They always have interesting pieces this time of year.

That's a wrap.  I am looking forward to seeing you what you all do to transition your wardrobes.

Workin It Wednesdays: Gearin' Up For Back To School

It is time to linkup with Erika and Shay for another "Workin' It Wednesday".  This month we are talking "Gearin' Up for Back To School"

Linking up with the ladies HERE

So..truth be told...many of the bloggers I follow live down South and start school WAY earlier than we do here in New England.  In fact, they are going back this week and next week- eek!  I would die!

Anyway, we don't start school until the last week of August so we still have plenty of summer fun to be had!

I will, however, share a few things we have done this year to "Gear Up"

School Supply Shopping

This year I kept it super easy!  We pre-ordered a school supply kit for Diana- thanks to the Windham PTA!  So we pick it up during Meet The Teacher Day- can't wait- cost effective AND easy?  Yes please!

(I love Target and all but the week before school starts, you need to wear combat attire while walking through the school supply section- this was a much easier option this year!)

School Clothes

So I have been trying to shop sales and as a result, I started picking up outfits for Diana earlier than ever this year.  On our way up to Laurel and Tom's lake house, we stopped at the Old Navy Outlet at the Tilton outlets and hit a sale!  We were excited to pick up a few outfits (and that was earlier in July!) They had some cute skirts and tops...dresses...as well as shoes and leggings- we scored!

 I also picked up a few things on line from Abercrombie and Gap Kids.  Lea is also planning on giving me another huge bag of Sam's hand-me- downs and we always appreciate that!  It is a HUGE help!

Lunch Planning

So you may remember that we invested in a "Yum Box" towards the end of 3rd grade.  It seems to work much better than the brown bag sandwich and sides.  For one, Diana tends to eat more of what we give her.  You still get into lunch ruts though, I find.  So, I have already hopped onto Pinterest and have started pinning Yum Box lunch suggestions.  I am getting some creative ideas to keep her excited about her lunch!  Here's hoping!

 Friends, that's all I got for now.  If you need me, I will be soaking up as much sun and salt water with lots of work and a weekend trip to Santa's Village and Storyland mixed in!

Workin' It Wednesdays: Over The Weekend Edition

It is time to link up with Erika and Shay for another fun filled Link Up as we talk about how we "Work It!" Linking up with lovely ladies HERE

This month's topic is our "Over The Weekend" Edition.  Here is what our weekend looked like this past week- it was a pretty typical summer weekend, although you will notice no beach time and typically you can find us at the beach on either Saturday or Sunday every weekend- we just had so much fun and busy-ness that the beach had to wait until this week.

It was, however, another fun filled, fabulous Summer Weekend!

Friday Night

It was time to celebrate my Cousin Kevin and Kiara.  They got married at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, MA and it was a beautiful night!

Saturday

We celebrated Caden's 11th Birthday Party- Laurel and Tom always put on a top shelf celebration- wish I snapped a pic of the birthday boy but only managed a few shots in the kitchen!  We were outside and the kids were enjoying the pool until a rain storm hit and we all flew inside!

That night it was time for our 3rd Annual Hotdog Hoedown at the Graham's.  (I blogged about this annual event on Monday.  You can check out that post HERE) ... Leaving you with this teaser of Rob's Big Mac Dog- it was incredible!

Sunday

 This was our day for mass and organization.  I prepared for boot camp which started Monday morning- eek!  We also got Diana all ready for her first week of theater camp!

 It was another great one friends- can't wait to read all about yours!

Workin' It Wednesday: How I am Keeping My Kiddos Busy Edition

So it is time for another Workin' It Wednesday!

Linking up with Erika and Shay HERE

Today's Topic is How We Are Going to Keep Our Kids Busy All Summer....

Here goes nothing...

I have two daughters- an 8 and a 3 year old- their plans, for the most part, are very different.

Eva

The 3 year old is home with us pretty much all of the time.  She still attends pre-school on Mondays but other than that, my husband and I trade off on our days working from home, to be with her.

I am part of our Moms Club in town and we plan on doing park dates over the summer.  I am going to make a conscious effort to schedule these dates once/week so Eva can be around even more kids.

She also loves the beach and loves going to our friends' houses in town.  She is now old enough to "hang with the big kids" and she feels like such a hot shot!

 Diana

Diana is a different story.  She is 8.  She is the type of kid who needs to be constantly engaged.  Don't get me wrong, she likes to watch her fair share of Disney Jr and Nick Jr shows as well as making Music.ly Videos, but I also have her schedule pretty full this summer.

Her first activity and one of her favorite activities is Triple Threat Camp.  While there, they learn singing, dancing and acting and they prepare for a show at the end of the season.  Diana attended their one- week camp two years ago and although she enjoyed it, she did not get the full experience.  Last year, she did the full three-week program and WOW.  She got the full experience and we got to enjoy a Broadway- Caliber production at the end of the season.  It was incredible! As a result, she cannot wait to return.  We LOVE the camp for the reasons above but also because it keeps her busy for FULL days for three FULL weeks!  It is a God send!  In addition to the theater activities, they also get to swim and play outside as well so they get a little taste of everything!

After Triple Threat is over, Diana will enjoy a week of Math Camp.  I say enjoy because she really does.  Math is always challenging for her but she RAVES about the math camp in our district every year.  This kid, I am telling you, is so unpredictable- she kills me!

This camp is four days and it is 4 hours each day.  Not as convenient as Triple Threat but still enough to keep her mind going.  In addition to this camp, we also plan on doing weekly math tutoring sessions with a friend from town who is also a teacher.

When all this is done, cheer starts right up during the first week of August.  Although practices are at night, they will keep Diana busy and tired.  I am only coaching part time but it will be enough for all of us!

Other than her structured activities, it will be tons of beach time with Mama and friends, jumping in the sprinkler and some fun little trips we have planned.  That, however, is a post for a different day!

Workin' It Wednesdays (on a Random Monday)

It's time for Workin' It Wednesday (on a Monday)

with Shay and Erika.  

BUT FIRST- ROB WON!!!!!

YES!  He won by ALOT...so so thrilled and EVEN MORE THRILLED that we got our school!  We finally got our school- YEAH!!!  Anyway- stay tuned for a separate post on that fun this week :)

Now it's time to link up with Shay and Erika HERE

This month we are charged with sharing how we balance work and home life- what a great topic!

I am blessed with having a career that allows flexibility and even more blessed that I work for such a progressive organization and a wonderful boss.  I work in the office two days per week and then I work from my home office three days per week.  Occasionally I will have appointments and be on the road on random days but this is pretty much my schedule.  

I will tell you even though I work full time, this flexibility allows me to not only produce and hit my numbers but be present for my kids and balance all of my responsibilities at home....and life in general!

So....as I was writing this post, I thought about some of my basic habits.  What has enabled me to be successful with "doing it all?"  and I came up with a few habits/tips for you...what has worked for me over the years.

Having a dedicated work space

When I first started working from home, we were still in our old house.  It was much smaller and we did the best we could.  As a result, I worked from the kitchen table.  It was an open concept home so our kitchen was in the same room as our living room- separated by a fireplace and sectional.  Not ideal especially when your toddler is watching Sesame Street and you need to make calls.  For important calls, I would lock myself in the bathroom and make them from there.  Again we did what we had to do to make it work.  It was stressful.

Since moving to our new home, I am fortunate to have an office.  My office does double/triple as my tv room and also a play room for Eva but she has been playing more and more in our family room and it has allowed me really to do most of my work from my office at home.  I love my desk and chair (gift from my hubby from Pottery Barn).  Makes work that much more fun :) and I love having a space to call my own.  It is where I talk to clients and candidates and get it done.  It is where I blog.  It is where I catch up on Facebook and it is where I do so much to hold our lives together :)

 

Starting my day before anyone else gets up

Friends, this one is a game changer...even if your kids are in school.  I have always been a morning person but I have learned even more recently that early mornings are my favorite.  The house is quiet.  I can rip through so many home and work tasks and I stay calm and enjoy my coffee at the same time.  

I say my morning prayers and read my daily devotions.  I return work emails, catch up on Facebook, write my blog posts and then make breakfast and lunches and straighten up the house....well you get the picture...pure bliss when you can get in the zone...with a little peace and quiet before the crazy morning chaos!

 

Technology

 I know it may sound funny but technology, over the last 10 years, has been my life saver.  I am sure it has been for many many recruiters out there.  Being a recruiter, you have to be available 24x7- no joke.  Having the capability to log in to your database from anywhere is priceless.  Also having access to your emails, on your phone, even better.  I can do my job from literally anywhere.  That means, I can be at a cheer competition or a dance class or even on vacation and still be accessible and also feel like I haven't missed anything at all.  Some people might stress at that accessibility but I thrive.  I am so grateful and this has been one of my biggest tools to be able to balance it all.

A Supportive Spouse

This one is probably the most important one of all.  It might sound cliche but people always ask me, "How do you get it all done?" One of my cheer friends asked me recently, "How do you do what you do?  You work full time, you volunteer like mad AND you have so many friends and a killer social life?"  My response was one word "ROB."

Rob also works from home most of the time which is a blessing in itself but he, as a husband, has always been supportive, especially for all of my hopes and dreams.  He understands that I have a passion for giving back and for making things better.  He also understands the importance of having strong friendships and nurturing those.  He also realizes that I have a high pressure job so he does what he can to alleviate some of that pressure and stress.

He covers for me at home when I meet friends for lunch.  We take turns volunteering in our town so we always have each other's backs for the greater good.

He always makes sure that our girls are safe and taken care of and that in itself melts my heart.

I could never balance it all without his help and support.  We are a true team and I know how lucky I am.  He is the biggest tool to pure balance.

I can't wait to read all of your tips- always love learning how other Mamas do it! Thanks for stopping by :)