8 Steps to a Successful Evening Routine

A Good Morning Routine Begins with 

a Successful Evening Routine

Create a Successful Evening Routine in 8 Simple Steps:

1. Kitchen Clean-Up (Right After Dinner...Don't Put it Off)

• Do all dishes (not just dinner dishes)-hand washed or run a load in the dishwasher
• Turn dishwasher on, that way you can empty it when you wake up
• Wipe down all surfaces (counters, table, chairs, etc.)
• Quick Sweep and spot mop

2. Ten-Minute Tidy Up Around the House 

• Help kiddos clean up toys
• Put up bags and shoes where they go
• "A place for everything, and everything in its place."
• This includes family room, hallway, living room, bedrooms, playroom, etc.

3. Pack Your Bags

• Stock the diaper bag with diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, soppy cups...the works!
• Clean out your purse and fill it only with what you need for the following day
• Pack lunches if needed (park, play dates, zoo, school. Work, picnic, etc.)
• Pack any extras you may need for your specific activities for the following day (ex: beach bag)

4. Hygiene Helps

• Brush/floss your teeth
• Wash your face 
• Clip Nails/mani/pedicure (as needed)
• Brush hair 

5. Write it Down and Plan Ahead 

• Write down anything on your mind (reminders, upcoming events, to do items, shopping list,etc)
• Prioritize the items you wrote down
• Plan tomorrow's day out. (What do you want to get accomplished? What fun thing are you looking forward to? Who are you going to serve? When and where will you have quality time with your children & spouse? Etc)
• Go over your schedule with your spouse and keep each other up to date on events and other items that they may need to know about
• Plan your route: are you heading to the bank, grocery store, a friends house, the post office? Instead of running errands mindlessly- take the time to make a plan of action. Go to the furthest place away from your home first and the closest place to your home last to save on time and gas money.

6. Dress for Success

• Pick your outfit out for tomorrow
• Set it out along with shoes and other accessories
• Choosing to get dressed for the next day and setting it out the night before helps you choose to be more proactive and productive.
• "You are what you wear": if you choose to live in sweats and a baggy t-shirt all day...you might as well throw away your to do list and park it on the couch because you're dressed for sheer laziness. If you want to succeed in this life and go places, you need to dress for success. Choose an outfit that you wouldn't mind opening the door in, or seeing an old friend from high school in, always put your best foot forward and be confident in who you are. You are beautiful and have so much to offer...why hide your incredible self behind stained, baggy and holey clothing? This doesn't mean you need to wear business attire every day. There's nothing wrong with a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt, just make sure to take a look in the mirror and if seeing  your reflection of the outfit you chose to wear brings a smile to your face and helps boost your self confidence, then you've chosen to dress for success!

7. Take Time to Unwind

• Study your scriptures
• Write in your journal
• Do some P.M. Yoga or other exercises 
• Take a bubble bath (These are just a few ideas to start with)

8. Early to Bed, Early to Rise

• Getting to bed early (around 10:30pm or earlier) will help you get enough sleep to tackle the next day's itinerary 
• Waking up (around 6:30am or earlier...no earlier than 5am) will help you feel well rested and ready to start your day.
• By doing this, you will get more done in your day. Not only because you've chosen to get a good nights rest, but also because you will get some time to yourself (as a mom) to get ready for the day/start your morning routine before your kiddos get up for the day. Believe me, this step alone will energize you and give you more reason to smile throughout the day. It's important to take time for yourself and get energized, so that you can then focus on helping others (like your children for example) through out the day.

Acini De Pepe Fruit Salad

Acini De Pepe Fruit Salad

(Better known as Frog-Eye Salad)

The Ingredients: 

 1 lb. Acini De Pepe Noodles
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1 cup Sugar
2 T Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1 3/4 cup Pineapple Juice
2 Eggs (Beaten)
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1 Tbls lemon juice
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16 oz. Cool Whip
3 cans Mandarin Oranges (drained)
2 cans Pineapple Tidbits (drained)
1 can Crushed Pineapple (drained)
1 bag Mini Marshmallows
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The Instructions: 

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk sugar, flour, salt, pineapple juice, and eggs until thickened.

2. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and stir.

3. Cook Noodles according to package. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside to cool.

4. Combine sauce and noodles, mix well and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

5. Combine noodles with all other ingredients and serve chilled.

How to Create a Morning Routine with 10 Simple Steps

10 Simple Steps to a Successful Morning

Photo by: Taylor Jay Photography

1. Make Your Bed

• Making your bed motivates you to clean everything else.
• You can start the day off by accomplishing a task from your to do list very quickly.
• It makes you feel good knowing at least one thing is clean, tidy and put together in your house.

2. Exercise

• It relieves stress
• Helps you make healthier choices throughout the day
• Helps you to accomplish more
• Releases endorphans which makes you happier
• Keeps your body active and healthy
• Helps your body rid of toxins - which helps you stay healthy

3. Shower & Get Ready for the Day

• Good Hygiene goes along way
• You tend to be more productive when you're not living in yoga pants
• Helps you feel good about yourself
• Your Husband will appreciate it :)
• Boosts Self Confidence 
• A great chance to have "Me time" as a Mom

4. Take Time to Study & Be Still

• Spend some time in solitude with no distractions - unplug...put the electronic devices away!
• Its best to study or pray in the early mornings when everything is still and silent. 
• Focus on your spiritual side - clear your mind and take time to rejuvenate yourself
• This is the time when I study my scriptures, talk with my Heavenly Father and write in my journal or meditate/ponder or think deeply about things that are weighing on my mind. 
• Instrumental music and natural light also help me to focus and enjoy my study time more.

5. Plan Out Your Day

• Get out your planner of choice and have it readily available at a moments notice - since you will be referring to it throughout each day. My Mom used a Franklin Covey Planner all growing up and gifted one to me a few years back, so that's what I use to plan with now. 
• You can use a notebook, planner, calendar, google calendar, online planner apps, etc. 
• Choose the "Big Rocks" - or most important (and urgent) things first, and then fill your schedule with the remaining "pebbles" and "sand" - that are important, but not as urgent.
• Alphabetize your to do list: A-1,2,3, B-1,2,3, C-1,2,3, 
• For example: 
• A1-Make My Bed
• A2-Exercise
• A3-Study My Scriptures
• B1-Daily Chores/Menu Plan
• B2-Make Zucchini Bread for a Loved One
• B3-Read to my Kiddos
• C1-Take Kids on an "Ed-Venture" (Educational Adventure outside the house)
• C2-Lesson Prep. for Dance&Fitness Classes
• C3- New Blog Post
• Schedule your to do list in between your appointments and other filled time slots
• For Example:
• 9am-Dentist
• 10-Play date
• 11-Daily Chores
• 12-Lunch/Menu Plan
• 1-Naps/Lesson Prep
• 2-Blog Post...etc.
• Check off Tasks as you do them or (delegate them to someone if needed)
• Plan out your day the night before or early the morning of each day.

6. Unload the Dishwasher

• Put away all clean dishes, wipe countertops, clean up breakfast, sweep floor, etc. 
• Have the kiddos help. They are never too young to do chores and help out.
• My one year old takes one piece of silverware out of the dishwasher at a time, hands it to me and I put it away. Let me repeat that...she's one! Yes, even a one year old can help out. 
• My motto is if you teach them while they're young, they will continue those good habits as they get older.

7. Do a Load of Laundry

• Throw a load in the wash in the morning, dry or hang dry that load, and fold/put away that same load. Never leave a load of laundry unfinished...thats how it molds in the wash or laundry piles up! If you start a load, dont go to sleep until its folded, put away and finished!
• Do the same thing every evening - that way you always have two loads of laundry that get cleaned on a daily basis and your laundry piles will get smaller and smaller-not pile up!

8. Eat Breakfast

• So important to kick start your day with a source of energy...BREAKFAST!
• Not to mention it kick starts your metabolism too.
• Breakfast is literally the most important meal of the day...don't miss out on the benefits of it!!!
• Smoothies, eggs/toast, cereal, muffins, waffles & fresh fruit, etc. are just a few delicious options to start with.

9. Pack Your Bags

• Every morning I pack my purse/diaper bag for that days activities (bonus points: if you do it the night before)
• I also have my kiddos pack their own backpacks
• They fill up their sippy cups, put snacks in their bags, pull-ups, a few toys or books, etc. 
• I always pack 2 water bottles, nutrition bars/granola bars, trail mix, etc. 
• We are always ready to go do something fun and the kiddos get to learn a little independence in the process.

10. Get Out of the House

• Plan to do something outside the house every day...for their sanity and yours!
• You can go to the park, play in the backyard, go for a walk, or go to the zoo, aquarium, etc. 
• You could even have a playdate, go to the pool, have a picnic, go for a hike...it doesn't have to be anything huge, just find a reason to switch things up, it always helps to get a change of scenery. 
• If the kiddos are driving you crazy and you're all getting cabin fever...seriously its time to pack your bags and get out of the house for a bit. :) Believe me, you'll be thankful you did :).

Creating a Morning Routine

Living An Organized Life

photo by: Taylor Jay Photography

Scenario 1: You wake up to your children fighting with each other, cereal all over the floor, every book and toy scattered across the family room and are blasted with whatever odors are coming from the bathroom and garbage can...not to mention the dishes piled on the counters from the past three days. Does this sound familiar?

Scenario 2: You wake up to your alarm, get dressed and hit the gym. After your morning workout and shower, you have complete silence while you get ready for the day. You glance into a sparkling clean kitchen and a tidied up living room. You have some time to read your scriptures/meditate, plan out your day and eat breakfast in peace. You get started on unloading the dishwasher, throwing a load of laundry in the washer, and then smile and greet your kiddos with a good morning hug and smile.

Is Scenario 2 just a dream? No. It truly happens when you create a morning routine for yourself.
Living an organized life is the only way to prevent the chaos from creeping into your home, and the best way to invite peace, serenity and bliss into your home, family and life.

Living an Organized Life begins with what you do each morning...Your Morning Routine. 

10 Steps to a Successful Morning Routine:

1. Make Your Bed
2. Exercise
3. Shower & Get Ready for the Day
4. Study/Meditate/Pray
5. Unload Dishwasher/Wipe Counters
6. Do a Load of Laundry
7. Eat Breakfast
8. Pack your Bags
9. Get your kids ready for the day
10. Get out of the House

Mushroom Zucchini Chicken Pasta

Recipe: Created by Kim M.

Mushrooms:

2 T Butter

1 small box of fresh (sliced) mushrooms

olive oil to taste

lemon juice

salt & pepper

garlic powder

Chicken: 

1 T Re-hydrated onion flakes

1 can chicken or 2 cooked/cubed chicken breasts

olive oil

lemon juice

oregano

thyme

sage

marjoram

salt & pepper

cilantro 

rosemary

basil 

nutmeg

Roux:

2 c. milk

4 T flour

2 T butter

1 c. chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

lemon juice

 olive oil

1/2-3/4 c. water

Zucchini: 

olive oil 

2 zucchinis

garlic powder

italian seasoning

salt & pepper

Corn

Ciabatta Bread - make into garlic bread

Toss all pasta, veggies, meat and sauce together for a delicious Italian meal. 

Cook pasta according to package directions. Remove from heat, drain, add oil and salt to prevent sticking. 

Saute' mushrooms in a sauce pan first, set aside. Saute' chicken next, set aside.

After you've seasoned the sauce pan with the mushrooms and chicken, make a roux and create your cream sauce. 

Toss it all together, throw some garlic bread in the oven on broil and call it good!

We Believe

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, 

we seek after these things." 

-The Thirteenth Article of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Rosemary Pork Chop Skillet (with a hint of citrus)

1 lb. pork chops cut 1/2" thick

1 T olive oil (evoo)*

2 c. peeled or cubed winter squash (butternut or acorn)

1 med. onion cut into wedges

2 tsp. snipped fresh rosemary

1/4 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. orange juice

2 med. zucchini quartered lengthwise and cut into 1" pieces

1 tsp. fresh sage

salt and pepper to taste

1. Trim fat from pork. Sprinkle meat with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. In frying skillet, heat oil over med-high heat. Brown chops about 4 min. (turning once). Combine squash, onion, rosemary: spoon over chops. Pour broth & juice over squash mix and chops. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer (covered) for 10 min. 

2. Add zucchini and sage. Cook (covered) for 5 min. until chops are done. Use slotted spoon to transfer chops and veggies to serving platter. Cover, keep warm. 

3. Bring reserved juices in skillet to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 5 min. or until liquid is reduced to about 1/4 c. 

Spoon over chops and veggies. 

Enjoy!

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I got this recipe from my cousin. She's one amazing chef and homemaker! When I was in college, she and her husband would often invite me over for dinner at their humble little apartment. She made the most delicious meals! This recipe happened to be one of my favorites. I remember the smell of fresh citrus as I entered her kitchen, it smelled so good I could almost taste it! I learned so many tips and tricks about cooking from her, I am so glad she was there to help me out. After all, when I first entered college I didn't cook like I do now. I cooked a lot of pasta-roni growing up and hadn't learned a whole lot about the culinary arts industry. She and others sparked my interest in cooking and helped me make the decision to minor in culinary arts. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes there and became more seasoned in the industry. Now, I love cooking so much that I'd rather whip something up at home than go out to a restaurant! Things just taste better when they're home cooked :). 

Baked Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Ingredients: 

4 boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 c. flour

3 T butter

1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 c. chicken broth

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

*1/3 c. shredded mozzarella

*1/3 c. grated parmesan

*1/4 c. green onions

Flatten each chicken breast into 1/4" thickness. Place flour in a re-sealable plastic bag. Add chicken a few pieces at a time. Seal and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown chicken in 2 T butter on both sides. Transfer to greased baking dish. In the same skillet, saute' mushrooms in remaining butter until tender. Add the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Spoon over chicken. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. *If desired, sprinkle with cheeses and green onions. Bake 5 minutes longer or until the juices run clear. 

**I am lactose intolerant, so I skipped the cheese and simply added dried onion flakes or green onion to season it towards the end of the baking process. 

Serve with rice, pasta or potatoes, vegetables and fruit for a perfect sit-down family meal.

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I got this glorious recipe from a long time friend who is always there for me. She and I used to live right next door to each other and had front porch barbecues and picnics all the time! We even started a "friendship fern" box garden on our shared front porch (we lived upstairs in two different condos that shared a front porch). Her husband built the box garden with his own two hands! It was fantastic! We had each other over for dinner almost every night. One night we'd eat at their place, and the next night they'd eat at ours. It was truly an unforgettable experience and a little piece of heaven on earth. You don't always get placed where you want to be, but when we lived there by our sweet neighbors...we felt as though we had hand picked them ourselves. I am so grateful to have a friend like Cyndel. She truly is my very best friend and I hope I can become half of the incredible woman she already is. Love you long time Sista! :0)

What's For Dinner?

What's For Dinner?

The Ultimate Daily Question.

I have found that as a Mother of three organization is key. If I  don't plan ahead, it becomes a scramble to get dinner on the table right before my hubby gets home...and then all heck breaks loose! The kiddos are whining and tired of waiting for food, dinner gets on the table later than planned, which then pushes bedtime back and we all know that is NEVER a good thing! :) However, if I take the time to menu plan, grocery shop for specific meals and snacks, and stick to the plan...our household runs much smoother. Not to mention our meals and snacks tend to be healthier/more balanced, I am less stressed, and our finances are in tact because I stuck to the budget while shopping. All in all, menu planning relieves stress and chaos in so many ways. 

7 Steps to My Menu Plan:

1. Create a Grocery Budget

2. Shop the adds (before the store)

3. Shop in Your Pantry

4. Create a Weekly & Monthly Plan

5. Create a Grocery List by Aisle

6. Write Down The Actuals

7. Stick to the Plan

1. Create a Grocery Budget:

I took a survey and asked a group of (random) Moms what their budget was for anything you could find at Wal-Mart. (This is food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, make-up, diapers, etc...NOT just food). And after averaging out all of their total amounts, I found that each Mom spent an average of $600 for groceries each month.

2. Shop the Adds (before the store):

Shopping the adds before shopping at the store is like sketching a blue print before you build a house. Its a crucial step to menu planning if you want to stay in budget. I shop adds by circling what's on sale first, and use recipes that have those ingredients in them.

3. Shop in Your Pantry: 

After Shopping the adds, and finding recipes you want to make...now its time to shop in your pantry, fridge and freezer. What do you need to make that Dinner Recipe? Do you already have pasta or canned tomatoes on hand? Do you have chicken in the freezer, or better yet do you have a freezer meal that needs to be used soon? That way you only have to plan 6 meals instead of 7! Also, look through your pantry, fridge and freezer with the sales add (list you made)  in mind, to see what you can make from your food at home and the foods on sale. By using food you have first, then purchasing foods on sale next, you can cut costs to save money for more important things.  

4. Create a Weekly & Monthly Plan: 

Start out with a list of meals and snacks for each day of the week. (This includes using leftovers, take out, freezer meals, going to a friends for dinner, going out to lunch, etc.) Plan out what your family will eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts. We are an active family so I have to plan for a lot of "on the go" snacks, some of which I like to make at home - granola bars being one of them. After planning out your weekly menu, work on your monthly menu. I like to use free monthly calendar print-ables online to fill in my monthly menu ideas. If its easier for you, you can write down each day what made for dinner, and do it consecutively for a month. After that month is filled out completely, you can do the same for the following months until you have built up a reservoir of meal ideas to choose from every time you plan your weekly menu. This tactic works especially well when you are fresh out of ideas, or can't remember what meals you have made in the past that your family enjoyed. Once you have your 30-day Menu plan, you can also stock up on ingredients for the coming months to add to your pantry supplies. For example, if you notice you cook a lot with rice or pasta, make sure you stock up on them when they are on sale. That way you always have some on hand when you need it, plus you have planned ahead and saved money. Once I have my planned my weekly menu, I update my menu board with my handy dandy dry erase marker - if someone asks the question, "what's for dinner?", all I have to do is point to the board :). As for my monthly menu, I save them in plastic sleeves in my home organization binder and keep them on hand for future menu planning and use them as shopping lists for future pantry supplies to have on hand. 

5. Create a Grocery List by Aisle:

Some Moms shop weekly, some every two weeks and some once a month. I like to shop once a week because we eat a lot of fresh produce and I like to buy them in small amounts so we have less waste. However often you shop, shop the edges of the store. Think about it, all of the healthier options are on the outer aisles of the store...produce, the deli, milk and eggs, etc. If you notice most of the aisles in the middle of the store are where you will find the chips, candy, soda pop, ready meals, hostess cupcakes, the works! Keep that tip in mind next time you do your grocery shopping.

The grocery store is split up into sections, this is how your grocery list should be set up as well, it saves you time and keeps you from retracing your steps too. Make a list under refrigerator or dairy, bakery, deli, produce, cleaning supplies, toiletries, hair and beauty, outdoor supplies, etc. Figure out what sections of the store you shop at and create a list for each section to make your shopping trip easier for you and your kiddos :). I don't know about you but I have to take all of my kiddos with me every time I run an errand, so I try to make it as painless as possible for all of us by planning ahead and making good use of my time.

6. Write Down the Actuals:

After I get home from the store, I jot down every thing I purchased as I am putting the items away. This may sound monotonous (especially since you just wrote down your menu plan and shopping list), but I promise you will be grateful you did...let me explain why. Sometimes when your at the store they don't have an exact item thats on your list and you have to find a substitute or do without. Sometimes you find zucchini is much cheaper than the asparagus you were going to use for a certain recipe. So yes, your shopping list and menu are technically tentative until you arrive back home with the "actuals" as I like to call them. Once you have written down your list of "actuals" that you purchased during your shopping trip, then you can tweak your menu plan accordingly as well as your list of snacks for the week. This way you wont start making a meal and find out you forgot to purchase an item because it wasn't on sale like you thought, etc. etc. It also reminds you of what you have in your fridge and need to use before it goes bad. There are so many reasons why you should always write down your "actuals".

7. Stick to the Plan:

Once you have the "actuals" written down and have tweaked your menu plan, stick to it! Don't be tempted to go to the store before its time, because you found out ice cream is on sale! We all know we have those moments...just remember, stick to the plan! Its better for your budget and your health! :)

My Tips and Tricks of Menu Planning

--------------------------------------------

Just a few Menu Planning Ideas:

homemade crescent rolls

chicken tenders, rosemary roasted potatoes, sauteed zucchini & squash, cantaloupe & Strawberries.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Egg Noodles

Pumpkin Chicken Popovers

Need a night off? Try Hard Rock Cafe's California Cobb Salad

Panko Breaded Cod fish or Tilapia with a Lemon Dill Sauce

Brazillian Black Beans & Rice & Sweet Peas

Chicken Piccata with Capers, 

Garlic Bread, Carrots and Grapes

Homemade Taco Soup or Chili

1 hour Dinner Rolls

Sauteed Green Beans

Command Center Ideas for Small Spaces

Its Time To Get Organized!

Create Your Own Command Center

In Four Easy Steps!

                              

                       White Frames..................................OR....................................Black Frames

There are so many things that need structure in our lives and Moms are the ones to make it happen! I find that when I am organized as a Mom, my whole household runs smoother and my family is happier.  I had crafted a few items a while back (a bulletin board and a menu board), but I only had one wall to really work with in my small kitchen space. Most of my kitchen is covered in windows or cupboards, which made it quite difficult for design purposes, but for my creative side, it was simply a challenge I was ready to face!

When I was at a friends house a while back, I saw a command center for the very first time and was intrigued by how much information could be on one wall and still look organized! Hers was amazing! She had a massive piece of sheet metal that covered one tall skinny wall from floor to ceiling. It was a gigantic magnet board that held everything from chore charts to motivational quotes, from shopping lists to magnets for the little ones to play with. It was seriously incredible. I have wanted one like hers for a long time, but have never had the money to buy such an expensive piece of sheet metal. I used some of her ideas my base and expanded from there. 

She had:

Chore Charts

Shopping List

Quote of the Day

"Honey Do" List

Her To Do List

Menu Board

Children's Play Magnets 

with a sign that said, "For the Little People". 

Loved hers...so I added to it and made mine.

---------------------------------------------

What I Have On My Command Center Wall:

1. His & Her Schedules

2. Family Calendar 

(Target)

3. DIY Bulletin Board 

(Frame: Hobby Lobby)

4. DIY Weekly Menu Planner 

(Frame: Hobby Lobby, Menu: My Computer is My Canvas on Etsy)

5. Monthly Motivational Quote

6. "Ponderize"

(Monthly Scripture Verse to Ponder & Memorize: LDS.org)

7. Shopping List

8. "Honey Do" List

9. My To Do List

(Frames: Wal-Mart)

10. Mail & Key Wall Organizer 

(Amazon)

11. Command Hooks For My Kiddos' Backpacks

12. Magnet Board "For The Little People" :)

4 Steps to Designing Your Own Command Center: 

1. Gather all of your family's information needed for command center

2. Decide how you want to display the information (ie. frames, clip boards, magnets, bulletin board, etc.)

3. Plan it out on paper first (Example: Draw the shapes of your items on paper so you know where you want to place them before you hang them up on your wall)

4. Place it on the wall in an aesthetically pleasing design

Voila! You have a Command Center to keep your family organized!

Toy Storage Solutions

Toy Storage Solutions: 

Control the Clutter and make it look Classy!

 I have toddlers running around at home, and I always seem to be tripping over toys everywhere I walk in the house! Toys, toys...and more toys! For one, its time to DE-JUNK, and for two, its time to GET ORGANIZED! I have spent hours upon hours researching ways to store and organize children's toys (without sacrificing style and classiness of course), and I have finally come up with a few systems that work for me and my family. The first option I came up with was a window seat. Its an ottoman (that needed some TLC and an upholstery job) that is hollow on bottom and comes apart into two "L" shaped sections. The two "L" shaped sections fit together like puzzle pieces and create a rectangle window seat or ottoman, which also doubles as toy storage.

A word of advice: Buy multi-functional furniture that can double as storage.

     Examples: We have a sofa sectional and ottoman that hold all of our movies, guest bedding and our air mattress. The seat of the sectional opens up and is hollow inside so its similar to a toy chest. It also doubles as a King bed when completely reclined, so it has been a great furniture piece.

Toy Storage Solutions:

1. Ottomans
2. Window Seats (Hollow underneath or inside, or bench seats that open up)
3. Decorative Laundry Baskets
4. Cube Shelving (just add storage bins, and voila!)
5. Up-cycled Diaper Boxes or Wooden Crates

 Thrift-Store Coffee Table Up-Cycled 

*Sand it

*Paint it

*Gloss it

Add Some Pillows

& Storage bins underneath

and you have...

Toy Storage!

Resources:

Wal-Mart: Sand Paper, Paint, Large Pillows

Lowes: Martha Stewart Storage Bins with Labels

Handmade: The Small Center Decorative Pillow

 Coming Soon: 

Learn how to make a Mommy 'n' Me Maxi Skirt Set 

for you and your daughter!