Rental Kitchen Updates for Parents on a Budget

Something about a year-long quarantine...in a small apartment...with a baby...can make anyone a little sick of their home. Are you with me?

My one-bedroom started to feel like a prison some days, and with so much time spent in my tiny kitchen, it needed a serious facelift. 

There's only so much we can do in a rented apartment while on a budget, so creativity and savvy shopping are a must to make things work.

Check out these simple, budget-friendly ways my kitchen went from drab to fab!

1. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

First, my non-existent "backsplash" needed some updating. 

Not being allowed to make any permanent changes, Peel-and-Stick wallpaper was the way to go! I found this textured brick pattern at Target, but there are so many to choose from!

Must have tools for this job: 

• Peel and Stick Wallpaper

• Cricut Scraper (or any scraper)

• Exacto Knife

• Ruler

Let's be honest here...this is a time-consuming job, but these tools do make it so much easier. The scraper is perfect for getting rid of air bubbles in the wallpaper. Smooth it out as you go to avoid an excess of air pockets. 

A few things about the brick pattern...

To not waste paper, I did not line up every brick sheet perfectly. I knew many seams would be covered by the sheer number of things lining my tiny counter space. However, being the kitchen's focal point, I made sure to line up everything perfectly above the stove. A ruler was the key here. 

Looking for a wallpaper that involves a lot less math?? Subway tiles would certainly have been simpler. 

I have to say though, I LOVE the look of white bricks, especially against light brown rental cabinetry. 

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Peek-A-Boo Pictures!

Fellow quarantine parents: We know the struggle of balancing social interactions while prioritizing safety all too well.  

Getting our babies to meet and see loved ones throughout this past year has been tough, to say the least. Video calls have been a big help, but I'm always on the lookout for unique ways to help my daughter recognize family members without technology. 

Peekaboo Pictures has certainly been one of our favorites! It just takes a few materials: 

What You'll Need:

• Photos of Family and Friends

• Sticky Notes

• Painters' Tape** 

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Super Simple Homemade Crafting Dough!

Looking for an easy craft to try with your kids as the snow takes over? Dough crafts are fun, easy, and made with products you probably already have in your kitchen. So preheat that oven (to 175 degrees Fahrenheit) and pull out the paints! You'll be rollin' in the dough with the kiddos in no time!

A Little 'Love'ly Project

My almost 1-year old daughter got in on the fun this year for a little Valentine's Day love. 

Today, we made these adorable thumbprint crafts for her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Mommy and Daddy will likely keep one too, of course. What a beautiful little keepsake. 💕

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10 Ways to be a Supportive Virtual Bridesmaid

The pandemic put a lot of big celebrations on hold. Birthdays, engagements, weddings, holidays...it started to seem like the joy of being surrounded by the ones we love was an impossibility.  

While I completely understand the difficult choice of postponing big celebrations, that wasn't the solution for every bride and groom during the 2020/21 wedding season. 

In fact, I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my best friend's California dream wedding, standing by her side all the way on the east coast while seated at my kitchen table. 

I was a virtual bridesmaid. 

Of course, this wasn't the original plan. We had big plans to order dresses, go on a big bachelorette party destination vacation, the whole nine yards. But like so many things last year, plans for her wedding needed to change in order to keep loved ones safe. Despite everything, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended. 

What was it like being a virtual bridesmaid? 

As a bridesmaid, it's our duty to care for the bride and ensure that everything goes as planned (HA!), but is that even possible when you're almost 3,000 miles apart? YES!

Here are 10 ways you can be a supportive bridesmaid even during a pandemic: 

1. Get Ready with the Bride on Zoom

Just as you would in person, it's so important for the bride to be surrounded by her girls as she prepares for her big day. 

Get comfy and dress for the occasion in your matching bridesmaid pajamas! 

Our bride LOVES cheetah print...can't you tell?! This simple, cozy touch joins everyone together no matter how far apart they may be. You all want to be there in person, of course, but dressing similarly gives that all-important feeling of unity. After all, there are few things that a fun pair of jammies can't cure.  

Don't forget to pop the champagne and drink some mimosas! Toast are great if you'd like, but this is really a time to swap stories, compliments, and laughs with the bride. Drink up!

2. Create a Shared Spotify Playlist

Did you know you can allow multiple people to add to a playlist on Spotify?

Create a shared album full of music to listen to while the bride is getting ready. Romantic songs are go-to adds, but be sure to include songs that remind you of the happy couple. 

Is the bride a family member? Add songs you sang together during family karaoke. Former roommates? Be sure to add the songs you sang at the top of your lungs for the whole dormitory floor to hear at 2am. 

Keep it light and fun! I'll admit...I've returned to our playlist many times after the wedding day was well over. So many new (to me) songs from a diverse and amazing group of ladies. It's a good one!

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DIY Gift Tags: Crafting with Baby!

I love doing crafty things with kids. They bring so much fun and uniqueness to any project! 

Still, I find there aren't too many things out there for crafting with a baby less than one-year-old. How do we get them involved using safe and entertaining materials?

Well, this year my 9-month-old daughter and I had a blast making gift tags for Christmas gifts this year. She did the painting (without touching an ounce of paint!) and my Cricut did the rest! Quick, cute, and so fun!

Plus, Grandma and Grandpa kept theirs. I mean, who doesn't love a cute craft made by a baby?! 

What You'll Need: 

• White Cardstock
• Colored Cardstock(optional)
• Paints (I used finger paints, but any will do!)
• Ziploc Bags
• Cricut gift tag pattern OR scissors and a hole punch 😄
• Ribbon

I started by cutting my cardstock into 4 equal pieces. This was simply because I had half-gallon sized Ziploc bags but to each their own! You can absolutely skip this step.  

Next, spread out globs of paint on your cardstock. Try alternating colors as best you can. Since I was making Christmas gift tags, I chose shades of red and green. 

Place them carefully in the plastic bag, doing your best not to smear the paint (although it's no big deal if you do. It's a very forgiving project!)

Once your little one (LO) has smushed those paint mountains every which way to her heart's content, leave them in the bag to dry. Taking them out early can smear her hard work. 

In a rush...I have absolutely used a hairdryer to speed up the drying process in a pinch. No shame! 🤣

You could stop here! Display the artwork on your fridge or in a frame. You might even use it to make a sign! Check out this "Happy Birthday" banner my LO and I made for my husband's big day...

 

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12 Tips for 12 Months of Bullet Journal Monthly Spreads

One of the best things about keeping a bullet journal is the ability to mold your spreads to fit your specific needs. 

As a teacher, my monthly layouts were always jam-packed with meetings and reminders. Nowadays, mom life has me scheduling doctors' appointments and little (socially distant) outings. 

Whether I'm in teacher or mom mode, there are 12 go-to tricks I rely on for creating useful, fun layouts that fit any style. 

What should this month's 
calendar look like?

It's a question that sometimes causes more mental stress than necessary. 

To help, I've compiled 12 months of my monthly spreads. From organization tools to memory savers, each comes with a tip for making the most of your page. 

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The BEST Games for Your Virtual Baby Shower

Virtual Baby Showers are IN (or maybe just necessary in 2020). Either way, you don't want a chatroom full of guests who are completely disinterested in what's happening during your party.

The answer: Digital Baby Shower GAMES.

This is a game we played in person during my baby shower, but it is ABSOLUTELY adaptable for online use.

Keep ready for easy to follow steps and tips for vote collection, winner selection, AND easy to mail out prizes!

Baby Relay!

This game is SO exciting for everyone involved and will work perfectly virtually!

For this game, you'll need:

• Google Forms
• Baby dolls (stuffed animals work too!)
• Diapers
• Baby bottles (drink of choice) 

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