HOME/ Organizing/ Simplifying/ Sponsored

Organize Your Phone In 10 Easy Steps

I get bitten by the organization bug much harder in the fall than in the spring. The cool, crisp fall weather makes me want to just hunker down in a cozy home, and there is no cozy if there is clutter! I love sitting under a warm blanket with a fall scented candle lit, scrolling through my phone and doing all the things our amazing phones do these days! I was doing this just the other day, about to instagram my yummy cup of Pumpkin Spiced Chai Latte, but, then…in the midst of my insta moment…the annoying ‘out of storage’ screen pops up.

How many of you have gone to take a photo with your phone, only to get the dreaded little screen that pops up letting you know that you are out of storage? Ugh, this has happened to me so many times! Well, no more. It is time for some fall organization of my phone, starting with photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive

Phone Organization

Step One:

Get photos off my phone and onto the cloud with Amazon Cloud Drive.

Todd and I have been Amazon Prime members for a few years now, and love it. The free 2-day shipping is great, and we also love Amazon Prime Video. What we didn’t know until recently that if you are a prime member, you already have access to Amazon Cloud Drive with Prime Photos, which provides unlimited, secure photo storage as part of your Prime membership!

I was very excited about the unlimited photo storage, especially when I found out there is a handy Amazon Photo App for my phone. What this means for me is any photo that I take with my iPhone can easily be stored in Amazon Cloud Drive. This can be done by setting it to automatically store every photo you take, or choosing them manually. I no longer have to take up precious space on my phone and see that dreaded warning screen telling me that I have no space left to take another photo!

As a blogger, this is especially exciting. I take most of my blog photos with my phone, and before discovering Amazon Cloud Drive I had over 2,000 photos on my phone! Many of them were photos taken for my blog, some I had already used, and some I had not. They are were all screaming to be organized! I had access to another type cloud storage, but it is also being used by my whole family and all of their devices, and is one that is not unlimited, so it stressed me out to upload all my many blog photos to that specific cloud storage.

I plan on using Amazon Cloud Drive for my own personal iPhone photos, my Kindle photos, and my personal laptop photos, paying specific attention to my blog photos. I can’t believe I will finally have all of my blog photos in one spot, accessible from all devices. Talk about Fall Organization! This is something I have desired for a long time. Once I get all of my personal & blog photos organized, I will then see to the rest of my family’s photos, which will probably end up on Amazon Cloud Drive, too, since it is unlimited!

Don’t have Amazon Prime? No worries, I will explain at the end of this post some amazing deals offered for you from Amazon Cloud Drive for non-prime members.

Now that photos are off of my phone and I have freed up a ton of storage space, I can organize the rest of my phone.

{my sweet screensaver…can’t believe they are teenagers now!}

Step Two:

Update Apps

I had not been able to update my apps due to lack of…yep…storage space. Now I can! I had 37 updates just waiting there for me, and now my phone will work with efficiency.

Step Three:

Voicemails –Listen to & delete all voicemails. I had listened to all of mine, but had not deleted them. They were starting to pile up! I also went in my settings and set them to automatically delete after a certain period of time.

Step Four:

Messages — Read, respond to, & delete all messages

Step Five:

Voxer –(I’m assuming you all have and love this app as much as I do) I listened to and deleted all old messages (these were taking up a ton of space!) I use this awesome walkie-talkie type message app everyday. It makes driving in the car so much more fun when I am alone. I blab to friends or listen to my messages and just love how it turns car time into connecting time!

Step Six:

Reminders–I took a quick peek at all of my reminders and clicked off items that were finished, and deleted lists that were outdated.

Step Seven:

Frequently Used Apps –I put frequently used apps on front home screen. This is my personal preference, then I use folders on the second home screen. There are several ways to organize apps. Some like to do it according to color, some like to alphabetize them. On my front page I do a combination of color and type.

Step Eight:

App Folders–organize rest of apps in folders on 2nd home screen. I saw a great idea online recently where you organize according to action word:

~look up (yelp, contacts, safari, contacts, weather)

~listen (music, spotify)

~talk (message, FaceTime, ichat)

~shop (amazon, walgreens, iTunes)

~share (snapchat, twitter, vine, periscope)

~photograph (photos, instagram, Amazon Cloud Drive)

~navigate (maps, around me)

~read (amazon reading app, mashable, Bloglovin’)

Step Nine:

Contacts–Go through contacts and update information.

Step Ten:

Notes – clear out notes. Delete unwanted, file the rest into Evernote

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Oh my goodness I can’t tell you how much better using my newly organized phone is!

What made the biggest difference is dealing with my boatload of photos. It took quite awhile to move over 2,000 pictures using the Amazon Cloud App, but that was to be expected with so many photos. Now that the bulk of my photos are moved over, doing just a month at a time is super fast. I find myself keeping about a week’s worth of photos on my phone, as I like to share them on social sites like instagram, so that gives me some time to do just that while still staying organized and on top of my photos.

Want to know more about Amazon Cloud Drive?

Photos and files can be shared via private links from within the Amazon Photo app or by selecting a folder or file to be shared using the web interface on your computer. Love that! This would be super useful for holidays or vacations, to share with your friends and family.

If you are already a prime member, you have access to Amazon Cloud Drive with Prime Photos, which provides unlimited photo storage as part of your Prime membership. In addition, Prime members get 5 GB of additional storage space for videos, movies, music, and files.

If you are not, Amazon recently announced two unlimited storage plans, both start with a free 3-month trial:

Unlimited Everything Plan ($59.99 per year—equivalent of less than $5 per month): Store an infinite number of new and existing photos, videos, files, documents, movies, and music in Cloud Drive.
Unlimited Photos Plan ($11.99 per year—equivalent of less than $1 per month): Similar to the Prime member benefit – non Prime members can also store an infinite number of photos in Cloud Drive without worrying about taking up space on phones, cameras, or other devices. This plan also includes 5 GB of additional storage for videos or other documents and files.

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What about you? Do you store your photos in the cloud? Do you find yourself annoyed when your phone photos take up all your storage space? Do you have any more phone organization tips for me?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Books/ Spiritual/ Sponsored

7 Ways To Journal & Why I Write VS Type

I am just coming out of a quiet season, one in which I have been extra reflective and purposeful in sorting out all that is going on in my heart and head. It has been a profitable time, a time of growth.

The joy of journaling has played a large role in this growth as I have used it to reflect on all this life brings, the good and the bad.

There are many reasons why I journal, here are just a few:

WHY I JOURNAL

~it shows glimpses of this precious thing called life, and captures moments while emotions are still fresh, real and pure.

~it helps me to put onto paper thoughts and emotions that can clutter my brain and make my perspective cloudy, which brings clarity. It keeps my brain sharp, helps me to retain information better, and the practice of writing makes me a better writer.

~it is a safe place. A place for inner words that are not ready to be introduced into the world yet.

~depending on the type of journal, it is also a place to leave a legacy and capture thoughts and words to share with generations to come

~it can record a journey. Where was I one year ago today? What were my thoughts & desires? How have I changed?

~A journal can create a place to look back and remember more hopeful times in the bad times. It also records hardships that have already been walked through and overcome, which in reading can bring hope.

Journals & diaries can be workshops for the soul, laboratories where we an investigate and examine our lives, our secrets, hurts, resentments, memories & joys.

Journals are records for the heart and mind. They chart the joys and sorrows of our daily lives, and, like a road map, they can direct us back to our hearts.

Journals are testaments of our lives that we live as fully and consciously as we can.

-Roseann Lloyd – Journey Notes

TYPES OF JOURNALS

If journaling intimidates you or just feels too big, know that it does not have to be an everyday thing. It also can be many words or just one word. There are so many ways to journal and types of journals. The key is to just write.

1. Fill in the blanks

I love these types of journals. I love having a question to stimulate my writing. I have given these types of journals as gifts to my mom and my grandmother, asking them to fill them out and give them back to me. They then become treasures.

2. Art journals

My youngest girl Avery started an art journal. She has the gift of drawing, painting, and taking bits of paper memorabilia and making it into beauty. She is pretty proud of her creation. Gel pens like the Uni-Ball® 307™ Gel Pens found at Office Depot are perfect for these types of journals, as they roll beautifully onto all types of paper– even glossy paper– skip-free and no smudge! They come in a variety of vibrant colors.

3. Thankful journals

There has been very few other practices I have done in my life that are as profitable as journaling my thankfulness. I started doing it with my 1,000 gifts series here on the blog, but this year I started journaling my thanks by hand, in a daily planner type journal. There is something beautiful that takes place when I sit with my thankful journal and pen & gain perspective of all the wonderfulness that happens, even on the most murky of days.

4. Inspirational journals

It is quite a practice to take quotes from inspirational type books or from scripture and apply it to oneself. Writing the inspirational quote or verse down then making it personal is something I enjoy doing. I will either substitute my name where applicable or ask, “What does this say about me?” “How do I apply this to my life?” and then journal it.

5. Nature journal

Go out in nature and journal what you see, hear, smell. Even just simply listing it creates a beautiful journal. You could also take photos and make a nature photo journal.

6. Calendar Journal

My great-grandmother kept a calendar journal. As her granddaughter, it was so precious to read through what everyday life was like through her calendar journals. She would jot down who she visited, what appointments were made, and what she did on certain days. Little daily glimpses of her life, which turned into a great big snapshot of my sweet grandparents and their life together for their grandchildren to enjoy.

7. Classic Journal

This is the type of journaling I do most often. Anything goes. Some days I write pages, some days just a paragraph. My classic journal is lined and contains lists, thoughts, reflections, verses of songs I want to remember & things I am learning. I make it a point to have no rules for myself, as there is no perfect way of journaling.

As you can see, there are so many different ways to express your emotions on paper…so explore them all!

TOOLS OF JOURNALING

~Journal

I am a big fan of Moleskine journals. They are well made, classic, I like that they look uniform on a shelf and will last for years to come. They come ruled, squared or plain. I prefer ruled as without it, my handwriting tends to slant down to the right.

~Pens

To me, the pen is just as important as the journal. I am a bit picky when it comes to the pens I use. They must feel right in my hand and allow me to write without thinking about the tool that I am using, which means it must flow freely & smoothly. I need a pen that inspires me to write. I have found just that in the uni-ball® AIR™ Rollerball Pen which can be found at Office Depot. It writes so smooth and at every angle. It gives a perfect fluid writing experience and the ink shows up nice and bold. It is elegant and sophisticated, and features exclusive uni Super Ink for three-way protection against water, fading and fraud.

~Coffee or Tea

Ok, ok, not a necessity for everyone, but it sure is for me. There is nothing like sitting down with a warm cup, my journal & my favorite pen to clear my head and help me to just exhale.

WHY WRITE VS TYPE

I’m sure you would have guessed that I am a nostalgic person, especially with the name of my blog being New Nostalgia. There is something so nostalgic about handwriting. I have cards with my great- grandmothers beautiful, loopy cursive writing that I have saved, not because of the card itself but because of how priceless it became once she wrote in the card by hand.

As a blogger, I do my share of typing. I even write a series to my girls called “Leaving a Legacy” which too, is quite nostalgic. But, I love that despite all my typing, they will also have plenty of journals with my handwriting in them. It makes it so much more personal. Think about it… would you rather have a typed list of things your mother or father were thankful for or would you like to see it in their own handwriting?

I also keep a recipe box with handwritten recipes, with key family recipes in it that are also hand written. I have hand written recipes from aunts, friends, my mom and grandma. I just love seeing all the different handwriting from those I love!

One last point, handwriting is something helps you retain what you are writing and can be quite therapeutic. Handwriting is the result of a singular movement of the body, typing is not. It takes movement, thought, fluidity, & pen to paper.

Ahhh…pen to paper. Even typing that makes me feel nostalgic & makes me crave a cup of tea!

——–

What about you?

Do you journal? Do you keep an online journal or a written journal? Do you still keep a handwritten recipe box? Do you like taking notes by typing or writing?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Uni Ball. The opinions and text are all mine.

FAMILY/ Spiritual/ Sponsored/ Uncategorized

Really Living In The Dash | Where Hope Grows Movie

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Godspeed Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #wherehopegrowsmoviehttp://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to preview a super inspirational and touching movie called “Where Hope Grows.”

It is a movie about redemption, faith, love and hope. It was exactly what my heart needed.

“Where Hope Grows” is about an ex-baseball player, Calvin Campbell, who is also an alcoholic and pretty much ruining his relationship with his adorable teenage daughter. While grocery shopping, he bumps into a kid named Produce who has a disability, Down Syndrome to be exact, and is intrigued by how happy he always is. They end up slowly building a friendship, and through that hope, faith, & love abound.

There were many touching moments in the movie, (even a touch of romance) but a moment that really got to my heart was when Campbell asked Produce, while shopping at the grocery store,

“How Are You Doing?”

Produce answered:

“I’m Doing Good, Even When I’m Doing Bad, I’m Doing Good.”

Oh be still my heart. My heart just melted when he said that because it reminded me of my sweet nephew who has autism–what one would consider a disability. Over the last year before my sister put him on a special diet, he had severe tummy aches. You could tell he was in so much pain, and he would stop his day to cry out, but then his little resilient self would go back to what he was doing and in no time his smile would com back. Even when he was doing bad, he was doing good.

My nephew is 4 and really amazing when it comes to learning to speak well. Every time I see him I’m amazed at his communication skills. That phrase above, the one that says “Even when I’m doing bad, I’m doing good,” I can just hear my nephew saying that someday when he is older because that is the type of human being he is growing into. Thanks to the great love of his parents and our great God, he has this smile that just never quits, and a heart that is just full of joy. Oh how I love him…can you tell?

I learn so much from my nephew’s resilience, and I learned much from this movie.

I’ve been struggling quite a bit the last few months with physical symptoms related to medications I have to take due to my cancer history. It has been really, really rough and continues to be on certain days. I have not talked a whole lot about it here at the blog as it has just been too raw to do that yet, but I do talk a lot about living new and living well here at New Nostalgia and although I am doing my best to do just that, I sure needed the inspiration this movie brought. It was a beautiful reminder that optimism goes a long way, that choosing joy is possible when you have faith that God will work all things out for the good of His children, and that redemption is always offered no matter what ones’ life looks like or feels like.

If you too, need some inspiration, or just want to see a movie that is uplifting and joy-giving, view the movie trailer below and make sure you check your local theaters for availability and showtimes and go see the movie! The movie comes out May 15th.

At the very end of the movie, I was struck with what was said. They were talking about how life is meant to be lived and how there are dates on a tombstone that everyone will have, we will all have a start date and an end date, but we also all get a dash. We must make that dash count. We must live, really live.

Here’s to living, truly living, in the dash!

HEALTH/ Natural Products/ Sponsored/ Uncategorized

Steps To Living A Natural Healthy Life

{source}

It is spring and nature is showing off! I am super energized and inspired by everything green and beautiful! It has given me energy and motivation to get busy and check myself in the area of living naturally and in a healthful and mindful way.

I am going to tackle both my insides and outsides and want YOU to join with me!

Here is a list of things I am committing to doing in the next 4 weeks:

1. Burt’s Bees 28 day Skin Renewal Challenge

Did you know your skin renews itself every 28 days? I didn’t, but now that I know that little tidbit, I am much more likely to stick with a skin care regime for much longer than I typically would. I learned about this little 28 day tip from Burt’s Bees, who is having a Burt’s Bees 28 Day Skin Renewal challenge with their brand new line called Renewal. Renewal works in harmony with your skin’s cycle, and in 28 days I’m expecting to have firmer, smoother, beautiful and healthy-looking skin — in fact, I expect to be just radiant!

Would you like to join me? We could all become radiant together! I’m even going to take a ‘before’ picture and post it below which I’m sure we are all just giddy about. What I am giddy about is the ‘after’ picture that I will share with you when the challenge is over.

2. Stretching Daily

I’m stiff. I keep wanting to blame my pillow or my mattress or the medication that I take, but really I think it just is being one year away from turning FORTY! Yep, I am now 39 years old and really cannot believe it! I don’t know if I like it or not. As a cancer survivor, I love having the privilege of living this long, and I love feeling mature, (notice I said feeling, not being) but wow, time flies when you are having fun! I think stretching and some light yoga is really going to help me feel better, younger and more healthy.

3. Walking 3x a week.

Springtime weather is the best for walking, I especially love walking in the evenings and have been making sure I walk at least every Wednesday, but my goal is 3x a week. I have found that meeting up with a girlfriend to walk and talk is the most fun way to do it!

4. Lemon Water Daily

I love my cleansing lemon water, but I have been slacking on that. When I don’t take the time to start my day with lemon water, I am not very mindful of how much water I drink during the day and it just goes downhill from there. Time to get back on it!

5. Green’s Daily

This was one of my New Year’s Goals a couple of years ago and it was one of my favorites. There are so many amazing nutrients in greens. I categorize quite a few foods into what I call ‘greens’ from spinach in my smoothie to the spirulina in my drink mix to the seaweed wrapped around my sushi… even my favorite kale chips. Green plant food is just the BEST and so nourishing on the inside, which in turn makes you glow on the outside.

………………..

Ingesting greens, drinking lemon water and getting the body moving through walking and stretching are all great ways to get the insides working. When the insides are working, the outsides tend to look their best too. But I am finding as I get closer to the big 4-0 I’m wanting a little extra help with my skin when it comes to firmness, texture and lines.

My skin care has been consistent, but I having been doing it all wrong and for sure using the wrong products. I’ve even been known to just use a hot wash cloth and water to wash my face. If I’m in the shower, I use my natural body soap that is not made specifically for the face. Whoopsies! Not a good decision. I thought it was a good decision until I started using Burt’s Bees Renewal Cleanser and saw all that came off of my face onto my wash cloth. I could tell I have not been cleansing completely and was in instant love with this face product.

I am excited for the opportunity to take Burt’s Bees 28 Day Skin Renewal challenge, especially when I saw that Kimberly Snyder, nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox, is one who took the challenge and has challenged others to do the same. Her cleanse is complete and now she is challenging others to complete the cleanse and share using #28DayFaceCleanse. If you want to join in on the fun and enter into the conversation, head over to Instagram or Twitter and share your ideas as well. I’m super excited to see what everyone has to say.

I personally am hoping that Renewal Face Care will smooth my skin. These natural products are clinically shown to smooth skin, improve firmness and reduce the look of wrinkles in a few as 4 weeks!

How? From Burt’s Bees site:

“New natural Renewal Face Care with Wrinkle-smoothing White Hibiscus and intensively hydrating Apple take center stage in the Hibiscus and Apple Rejuvenating Complex. Within the line, this remarkable interaction plumps up cells to help reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, improve firmness, and makes skin appear smoother and more hydrated.”

Here is a bit more information about the products. I know once you read about them you will want to jump on board, too!

{this is the best cleanser. It is thick and has little bits in it to gently exfoliate. I also love how it smells}

Renewal Refining Cleanser

Help restore smoother, younger-looking skin with some of nature’s most powerful anti-aging ingredients. Cleanses deeply without stripping moisture and gently exfoliats to reveal smoother skin.

• Removes dirt, oil and make-up

• Gently exfoliates

• Improves skin texture when used as part of the RENEWAL regimen

• Soap Free • Rinses Easily • Noncomedogenic  • Dermatologist Tested

Renewal Firming Day Lotion w/SPF 30

This lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer is clinically shown to help improve firmness and reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. SPF 30 protects against sun damage.

Immediately, skin appears smoother and hydrated
After 4 weeks, 87% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles
After 8 weeks, 96% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improved skin texture
Dermatologist tested
Noncomedogenic
Clinically shown to reduce look of deep wrinkles and help improve firmness

{this serum makes my skin feel so soft and smooth, I think it is my favorite product in the whole line}

Renewal Intensive Firming Serum

Help restore the appearance of your skin’s smooth, firm texture with powerful natural anti-aging ingredients. This concentrated treatment serum is clinically shown to help improve firmness and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

• Immediately, skin appears smoother and hydrated

• After 4 weeks, over 90% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• After 8 weeks, over 94% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles and visibly firmer skin

• Noncomedogenic • Dermatologist Tested

Clinically shown to reduce look of deep wrinkles  and help improve firmness

Renewal Smoothing Eye Cream

Help restore the appearance of your delicate eye area with powerful natural anti-aging ingredients. This hydrating eye treatment is clinically shown to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, and under-eye puffiness.

• After 4 weeks, 88% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• After 8 weeks, over 86% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles, dark circles and under-eye puffiness.

• Dermatologist Tested • Ophthalmologist Tested   Clinically shown to: • Reduce look of deep wrinkles

{I love going to bed with this luxurious creme on my face. It makes my skin glow and look very healthy}

Renewal Firming Night Cream

Clinically shown to reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles, this richly hydrating cream helps improve your skin’s smooth, firm texture while you sleep.

• Immediately, skin appears smoother and hydrated

• After 4 weeks, 82% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• After 8 weeks, 96% of women saw an improvement to skin texture.

• Dermatologist Tested

• Noncomedogenic

{I put a little mascara and lip gloss on for you. Without mascara you might not be able to see my eyes. The rest of my face has been cleaned and polished with Burt’s Bees Renewal line and left all natural. You are welcome.}

So here is my ‘before’ picture, which I am sure you just couldn’t wait for! I will follow up with an ‘after’ picture when the challenge is up, and will even update you in-between via Facebook and Instagram on how it is going, so keep an eye out and be sure to join us if you’d like by clicking here.

{I had to end the post with this picture. It made me smile. It has been in our bathroom for years, and she is now my little bee is almost 16 years old! I thought it was fun to put my products by this photo.}

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What would you want out of this line the most? Smoother skin? Less lines? How about just knowing that this line is natural?

What are ways you want to live in a more healthy way? Can you relate to any I listed?

………………..

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees. The opinions and text are all mine.

HOME/ Homemaking/ Sponsored

How To Make Laundry Work Without Working Harder

Laundry is just one of those things in life that will never go away. It is here to stay, so I like to look for ways to make laundry work without working harder. I have found some ways to make laundry easier, look great, and smell amazing– and THAT makes me happy! Let me share some of those ways with you:

~Use sturdy, pretty baskets.

The top picture was taken before I had my oldest 2 start doing their own laundry. As you can see, I had 3 smaller baskets where I would fold and put each child’s clothes, and they would put their own clothes away. I folded in the living room so the clothes would not sit. If they are out and about in my way, I will remember to tell the littles to put their clothes away. This system worked well when they were younger. The larger basket was for Todd and I. The medium basket held all socks. They are all quality, sturdy baskets that are pretty and fun to use.

~Buy a laundry sorter.

I have one like this one and I love it! I do NOT sort according to color. I sort according to each person in the family. Mark it clearly so everyone knows where to put their dirty clothes. I have mine labeled with each person’s name. I keep in a central location (in the main floor hallway) where I can keep an eye on it, and where it is easy for everyone to bring their dirties when asked.

~Kids 12 and older do their own.

This has changed my life and my relationship with laundry. My two oldest do their own now. It has saved my sanity and our relationship! Now, if clean clothes are on the floor, it does not affect me or my sanity, as I am not the one who will have to re-wash them. They now take much better care of their clothes. The occasional times I surprise them and do it for them, they are much more grateful. Kids who are grateful that their laundry is done = winning!

Method_Detergent_031315_Spring_Garden_040x

~Use laundry detergent that works…

There is nothing worse than paying for laundry detergent that does not work. If I’m going to pay for detergent, I want everything that my new favorite detergent, method, has to offer. I’ve been using method brand and have found it to be everything I need it to be. Here are a few of those things that are important to me:

*Concentrated –NEW 4x concentrated laundry detergent-naturally derived cleaning power that is tough on dirt and stains

*Naturally derived cleaning power– proven to remove tough dirt + stains

*Keeps colors bright + whites white

*Works great in cold water so you use less energy for every load

*Biodegradable and hypoallergenic formula

*Can also be used as a really effective pre-treat for stains

I especially love the last point. I’m all about saving money by not having to buy pre-treatment for stains!

Method_Detergent_031315_Fresh_Clover_128x

~…and makes you happy

What makes me happy is bright colors, bottles that are designed well, and delicious fragrances. Method brand brings a range of fragrances to the laundry aisle that tends to be filled with the same old, common laundry scents, but not method! They have a super unique and fun fragrances for everyone, and I love them all! The free & clear is great for those like my oldest daughter, who prefers that her clothes do not have a scent, but if you are like me and love clothes that smell good, check out these fun fragrances!

Fruity {ginger mango}

Floral {spring garden}

Herbaceous-Woody {beach sage and fresh clover}

Free + Clear {no fragrance}

The design of the method bottle also makes me very happy. There is no handle, which makes the bottles 100% recyclable and made with post-consumer recycled materials. Usually the handle on bottles is what makes them not fully recyclable, so instead of a handle, method includes an easy-to-use grip on their cute bottles. Brilliant!

PHOTO: COURTESY OF METHOD X ASOS

Speaking of design, method has collaborated with ASOS and came up with a super happy spring lineup.

Check it out: ASOS X method.

~If you have younger kids, use baskets or buckets for their soiled clothes

I have a dirty clothes bucket in their room for dirties and another for clean clothes that need hung up. The goal is to keep clothes off the floor. If your kids are old enough, teach them to hang up the clean clothes. Give it as one of their 3 daily chores.

~Use hooks in closets for things like robes, coats, jackets.

These things are a pain to hang up on hangers and kids will struggle with that. If an item is used almost daily, have a hook for it.

~When you see a part of the sorter get full, you know whose turn it is to do laundry.

My laundry sorter has 4 bags hanging from it. One for my 14-year-old, one for my 12-year-old, one for my 10-year-old, and husband and I share one. A full bag makes a perfect-sized full load. I only have to worry about 2 of the 4, as the older two girls do their own. I keep our sorter on the main floor in the hallway.

~Don’t sort laundry.

Unless we have a new item of clothing that I know will bleed when first washed, I don’t sort. I think it is a waste of time. I like to do loads according to person, not according to color. It makes the folding and putting away so much easier when loads are according to person. I’ve never had a problem, but do this at your own risk!

~Have a hook for each person in the family to keep their towel.

I only wash towels once or twice a week. I just grab them from the hooks in the bathroom and throw them right into the washer. Yes, I wash the white towels with the black towels. It works fine, but make sure to wash separately when brand new a few times. We only have one bathroom with a shower, so the girls towels are the three on the hooks…they know what color is theirs. Todd and I use white towels on hooks behind the door.

~Keep a sock basket.

Keep the sock basket in a central location, where all mismatched or found socks go. Occasionally grab the basket and have child match any socks as a chore.

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So what do you think? Do some of these laundry tips make you happy?

What do you think of some of those amazing new scents from method?

Want a $3.00 off online coupon? Click here and use coupon code THREEFORME.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Spiritual/ Sponsored/ Uncategorized

Come To The Table – IF: Gathering

I’ve been preparing tables for a gathering, and having a blast doing it.

I was asked to decorate for an upcoming gathering called the IF: Gathering. Have you heard of it?

From the IF:Gathering website:

We exist to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose. This 2-day gathering will bring women together from around the world to wrestle with belief that God is real, the places in our lives where we are struggling with unbelief, how can we overcome unbelief and then what God can do with our belief.” – IF:Gathering

If God is real… then what?

IF:Gathering from If Gathering on Vimeo.

I can hardly wait!

The gathering is February 6-7, and during a 2-day simulcast over the weekend, thousands of locations will stream the women’s conference, and my hometown, Lincoln, NE will be one of them. We will join thousands of other IF:Locals from across the U.S. and internationally, where we will come together and empower and encourage each other to live with purpose.

Won’t you come and gather with us around tables to eat, drink coffee, listen to some of the most amazing speakers, & just show up for something that was an awesome event last year, and promises to be even more-so this year?

IF: Gathering 2015 Theme Verse

This years theme is Faith. Seems like a simple word, but give that word to God, ask Him to help us have it, and He WILL do amazing things.

Not the church type? It’s ok. Come gather. Don’t know anyone going? You will find wonderful women friends, gathered around tables with a spot open for you. Can’t afford the typical conference ticket price of over $150? It’s ok, our If: Gathering is only $20 if you sign up online, so come gather around. Don’t know yet? Have littles at home and can’t give up an entire weekend? Then just come gather on Friday, or just Saturday. Come as you are, when you can. Come one. Come all. Come and gather at the table.

These tables where we will sit and break bread are taking shape and being made beautiful for YOU! Please come.

IF:Lincoln Event Information:

This schedule is subject to small changes. All times are Central Standard.

friday, february 6th

Session 1 – 3:00-6:00
Break – 6:00-7:30 (Dinner provided)
Session 2 – 7:30-10:00

saturday, february 7th

Session 3 – 8:30-12:00 (Breakfast provided)
Break – 12:00-2:00 (Lunch on your own)
Session 4 – 2:00-5:00

Ticket price will cover two meals, printed materials, and venue fees.

Location: The Space @ The Trade Center

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Register Here –>

https://www.picatic.com/iflincoln

Let Us Know You Are Coming at our Facebook Event Page –> https://www.facebook.com/events/610472425747717/

Join us on Facebook–>

https://www.facebook.com/iflincoln

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Don’t live in the Lincoln Area? Don’t despair, for there are gatherings happening all over the world. Click here to learn how to find one happening around your area!

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*How great are these little light-up letters? I found them at Michael’s. They can be backed with any type of paper and painted to match your event. They will be part of our gathering decor.

Emotional Health/ FAMILY/ Kids/Family/ Sponsored

Family Night With Hallmark Hall Of Fame + Peanut Butter Chocolate Slice Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hallmark Hall of Fame for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Our family loves movies.

Even before our 3 girls were born, (who are now 15, 13 & 11 years old) you could find Todd and I in our basement in front of the TV with a whole bunch of snacks and a movie. When our girls came along, they joined us every week for family movie night. I have vivid memories of them sitting in front of the television in their little portable chairs with a tray, with their faces full of chocolate and smiles.

Now that they are teens, we do our best to continue the tradition each week. It is not as easy to find a movie we all agree on!

That won’t be an issue this week. This week I’m planning on making a couple of our family’s favorite snacks, and gathering us all around the television to watch Hallmark Hall of Fame’s“AWAY & BACK” movie.

Hallmark Hall of Fame“AWAY & BACK” Movie

The movie stars Jason Lee and Minka Kelly and the premier is on Sunday, January 25th at 8/7 Central on the Hallmark Channel. It sounds like a movie that we all will enjoy. It is a heartwarming, family -friendly film that has adventure, humor & romance.

With 3 girls, family-friendly romance is always a fun thing! My two older girls love it, but my 11 year old just rolls her eyes and moans. I know she will be fine during “AWAY & BACK” as there is a girl who is just a bit younger than she is in the movie.

What I Know About The Movie

“There is a 10 year old daughter named Frankie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) in the movie who experiences love at first sight when a family of swans makes their home on the Peterson farm. But along comes no-nonsense ornithologist Ginny Newsom (Minka Kelly), who rushes in to “save” the majestic birds. For Frankie’s dad Jack (Jason Lee), it’s dislike at first sight when he encounters pushy, know-it-all Ginny. Frankie and her brothers are anything but neutral observers as they watch the initial hostility between their widowed father and the song-willed Ginny transform into something else.”

How great does that look/sound? I’m really looking forward to it, and I know my girls will love it. Todd will appreciate the humor and that the movie is family-friendly. He also loves any excuse to get the family gathered into the basement for some family-time.

It never fails, when we are all down there together, (in what I call Todd’s domain), I can glance over at him and he just sits there and grins with his eyes. Ever since the day I met him, he has smiled with his eyes and I melt. Aww…can you feel the romance? Can you just see my little one rolling her eyes?

Hallmark Hall Of Fame

More than 60 years, the Hallmark Hall of Fame has presented original films that entertain, enlighten and inspire. AWAY & BACK is the latest in the series and is no exception to the Hallmark Hall of Fame legacy! It is directed by Jeff Blackener, director of Hallmark Hall of Fame fan favorites like Remember Sunday (2013) and Loving Leah (2009).

Enter the AWAY & BACK Trailer – Share to Win Sweepstakes . Watch the trailer, sign up and share the trailer for a chance to win a family vacation!

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Family Movie Night Recipes

2 things we always ‘need’ during our family movie nights is popcorn & chocolate! This Sunday for our Hallmark Hall Of Fame AWAY & BACK movie, I am going to make delicious Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Slice & pop some popcorn! Chocolate, sweet & salty. Can’t wait!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Freezer Slice

6-8 Fresh medjool dates

¼ cup of raisins

1 cup of nuts (they can be mixed nuts or not. I like to use macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts or walnuts)

pinch of good quality salt

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup of honey

2 Tsp of water

Icing

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 Tbsp coconut oil (melted) (no substitutes)

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

~Place Your nuts into your food processor or high speed blender and process until crumbly.

~Add your dates and raisins and process again.

~Now add your salt, cocoa, honey and peanut butter.

~ Process till it starts to come together. If the mix is too dry add a little water a bit at a time till the mix sticks together when pressed into a ball.

~Press this mix into a small lined container.

Directions For Icing

Mix cocoa, melted coconut oil, honey, vanilla & a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor. Add water if too thick, if too thin, don’t worry, it will firm up in the freezer.

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What About You?

Do You Have A Regular Family Movie Night?

Are You A Hallmark Hall Of Fame Movie Fan?

What Are Your Favorite Foods To Snack On During A Movie?

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