Sequins & Sofas: Pack Your Bags, Part 2

Ok....to continue with my packing extravaganza, the first thing that I like to start with is a list (or 2...or let's be really honest, 3. I like to make lists):

Since I am working with a very limited amount of space and will need many days worth of clothes, it is essential to plan a specific outfit for each day....wearing the same outfit on travel days to and from my destination. Obviously, I am not stuck to wearing what I wrote down for any specific day....but at least I know I have enough outfits for all the days I am gone and can choose from my 'mini-closet' based on the day's events to come.

Now it's time to get packin'! I line the bottom of my carry on with undergarments, pants folded in half, and 2 pairs of flat shoes....all squished down as much as I can.

Next, all other clothing items (dresses, sweaters, etc) get rolled up and tucked in tight next to eachother:

Sweet! I totally got everything in that I planned for....and look:

That's right...room to spare! I add an extra shirt for good measure. But let's not get crazy- I still have to fit in a few more important items:

I have space for 1 bag of all my toiletries and another smaller bag for makeup. It's important to only take what I need here as well...so another list is written and all extraneous items are left by the wayside:

I don't forget to set all 3oz liquid bottles to the side....those will go in a ziplock and get tossed into my purse (a big ol' purse, cause I can):

And finally, I downsize my wallet taking only the necessities (ID, credit cards, medical cards and cash):

Victory! Everything I was hoping to pack fit delightfully into my little carry on....just had to pack smart and purposefully. Vacation, here I come! I hope my adventure in packing will come in handy on your next trip to Somewhere, USA! You can bring all that you need (plus a little more) without having to check a bag, go for it and happy travels:)

Sequins & Sofas: Pack Your Bags!

This lady is in desperate need of a VAY......CAY......TION! So I am planning on taking a little trip. Which means that I need to start mapping out my packing strategy. My goal is to fit all of this:

Into this:

Stay tuned this evening as I attempt this amazing feat.....packing 7 days worth of fun into one carry on! I think i can do it.......and I'll share some thoughts on how to make it happen! Happy Wednesday:)

Sequins & Sofas: 5 Things

Some more of my favorite little joys of daily living:

1. Purpose Facial Cleanser- I have been using this soap for a bazillion years. My mom learned about this brand from a dermatologist many moons ago and I have found it to be delightfully mild on my sensitive skin...yet still great at removing makeup (even mascara, one of my other favorite things).

2. Ikea Glassware- Ikea is great for so many things. This is not new information....I love all of their glassware, cheap and stylish! Buy lots!

3. Chobani Pineapple Yogurt- Yum! You should try it, you will not be sorry.

4. Bogs- I was in search of some new winter boots a few years ago and came across Bogs...suggested by a friend who had a pair. They are da bomb....so warm, cute patterns, and easy to slip on- just step right in! Sometimes I wear them all day.....

5. Bare Minerals Products- Specifically the Foundation Primer and Mineral Veil....I love how they feel and I really think they have improved the quality of my eternally troubled skin! If you haven't tried mineral foundations before, you really should! All the cool kids are doing it.

Toddler Talk: Ramps and Balls

Our preschool teaching staff and kids have had the privilege of being participants in a program called 'Numbers Work'. We learn all about ways to incorporate concepts of math into our curriculum such as patterning and counting (and much more). It is sometimes hard to adapt activities created for 3 to 5 year olds into something that a toddler can understand and participate in, but one of our last trainings supplied us with a great one!

We were given a stack of moldings (like for your house....baseboards I think, they were about 2 inches wide and curved) and a bag of balls (varying sizes, shapes and weights). I set a few of them up out in the hallway of our school...some taller then others...with a basket of balls for each child! Then I invited the kids out to explore what they could do with the activity. Which ramp makes the ball go faster? Can you roll 2 balls at the same time? What happens? Does the heavy ball go slow?

They had great fun while learning concepts of math and science! Pretty cheap to have some ramps and balls at your home too.....head to the local home repair store and get some curved molding for yourself! Cut it in varying sizes (maybe sand it down a bit too just to make sure they are sliver free) and let your kids explore with what they can roll!

Toddler Talk: Masking Tape Mania

It's been awhile since I have shared a toddler activity with you....and this one is a gem!

All you need is a roll of masking tape and stuff to stick it to. A big table is great, or maybe the front of your fridge, or even right on the floor, a window, door.....you get the idea.

Take the roll (masking or painter's tape is the best because it is not too sticky and will come off easily) and rip off different lengths of tape to stick to your selected surface. Make some long, some short, some that overlap onto others:

Full up the space with lots of pieces all over and then call your toddler over to explain, "I have a problem! It seems as though there is tape all over this table and I need your help to get it off! Do you think you can help me??"

Then just let them go to town! Great for fine motor practice to use those little fingers to pick off an edge of the tape and then peel away. Also a bit of a cognitive puzzle with the pieces that you have overlapped...which one needs to come off first to free the other??

Super fun, easy and cheap! Have fun:

Crafty Corner: Pillows!

You are probably familiar with the fleece blankets one can make by tying 2 pieces of large fleece together....no sewing involved and really easy to whip up in a flash:

I have made a bazillion of these for baby showers as well as for my house and car (great durable car blanket for emergencies, picnics or an afternoon springtime baseball game).They are super cozy and you can never have too many blankets.....right??

One day while my kiddos were in a scuffle over taking turns with the classroom pillows, I realized that what we needed to solve this weekly pillow sharing conflict was MORE PILLOWS!

But I had another little problem. I currently did not have the skillz in the sewing department to fashion such items for my pillow deprived little friends.

I do have plans in the very near future to learn to use a sewing machine....but until then, I had to improvise. The fleece blanket idea jumped in my head- I could surely use the same principle to make a bunch of pillowcases for the children.

Ikea was having a sale on little filler pillows- 99 cents a piece....total score! One stop at Joanne for 2 pieces of 1.5 yard fleece and I was ready to "sew":

I laid out the 2 pieces fabric (one on top of the other) on the floor and cut into 6 even squares....leaving about 3 inches extra all around once the pillow was placed in the middle:

Next, made 1/2 inch cuts all around the square (leaving space for the pillow in the middle):

Then got to tying:

After finishing up the third side, I stuffed the pillow inside and tied the final side up:

Easy peasy...my pillows were ready! No more arguments at school about waiting for a turn and I was able to accomplish this task all by myself! Until my upcoming adventures in sewing machine fun begin, this will have to do:

Sequins & Sofas: You light up my life!

In my quest to create a dwelling that screams 'Dharma' and makes me feel right at home, I cannot forget to think about proper (and pretty) lighting!

The way you illuminate your space is (I think) just as important as the color of your walls and the choice of your fabrics! I like to have several options for lighting based on my mood at the time.

For example: Say I just spent the afternoon cleaning my home from top to bottom, made a tasty dinner, did all my dishes, chose a cheesy chick flick and plopped down on the couch for some well deserved relaxation (especially for the dish doing part...the worst chore ever, ever!!). Does my heart desire to have the overhead fan light blaring in my face? I don't think so....a soft lamp in the corner and some twinkly lights around the window hits just the right spot:

Or maybe I am getting ready for some craft project madness....all lights full blast....overhead, and some surrounding side lamps to give my eyes the best view of the task in front of me:

Or curling up with a good book at the end of the day...book light of course...and there is never a wrong time to feel fancy...did you say 'click on the plug in chandelier'? Ok:

Add a flowery little lamp by the bedside and I have a plethora of lighting choices to suit all occasions:

I like to have the option of total illumination or subdued glows of light at my fingertips! Make sure to think about how you can light your space to maximize the desire to want to spend time in that space. Find (or refurbish) interesting lampshades to speak boldly about your style and personality! Allow your lights to 'light up your life'!!

Oh and also....a lava lamp. Bazinga.