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Easy Tips to Help Stay on Track This Year

January 14, 2020 by Rachel 30 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Distillata. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Can you believe we’re about to open a brand new chapter in this book of life? A new decade is upon us and it’s hard not to think about goals for the coming year — or ten! As a busy family of 5, my priorities and goals are a little bit different. My goals aren’t as concrete as they were in the past, but they are attainable and sustainable for a busy family.

Health Tips

Drink all of the water.

We are huge H2O drinkers in this house. And I’m not just casually saying that. I mean that for the longest time my children did not know they could drink other things… like milk.

My biggest tip for getting your family to drink the appropriate amount of water is this — install a water cooler in your home from Distillata. Distillata delivers our 5-gallon water jugs at the intervals we choose. When I say we drink a lot of water, I mean a lot. We go through approximately FIVE 5-gallon water jugs every 4 weeks!

Boy getting water

Having a Distillata water cooler in our home has been a game-changer. The big kids can get their own water whenever they want, and that just means they’re drinking even more than they normally would!

jug of lemon water

Head here to check into having Distillata delivered to your home.

Take a daily multivitamin.

Newsflash: our kids don’t eat what we want them to. Do any kids? I mean, ours used to. But somewhere between two and 3-years of age, they started to get little minds of their own.

Where we lack in food nutrients we make up in the form of a daily multivitamin.

Keep moving.

I have gone through phases and stages in my life where I am always on the move and then never on the move. It’s hard to find a balance. For me, I have found instant accountability by wearing a fitness tracker. It’s like a game for me. I try to stay at the recommended move goal (which is usually 10k steps per day) and I despise breaking my ‘streak.’ It’s a great motivator.

Not every day is going to be a knock-it-out of the park type of movement day. And that’s okay. But the trick is to make a conscious effort to move more.

Life Tips

Stay organized.

As a busy mom of three, having a well-communicated schedule is key. I keep two schedules, the first of which is my Google Calendar. It’s easily accessed when I’m at home or on the go so I can keep track of all of our commitments, work, fun and otherwise. The second is a large wall calendar in our kitchen.

It may seem silly to keep two calendars, but I assure you this is key to keeping the whole family on-track. My husband can glance at our wall calendar and see exactly what we have scheduled on any given day.

Make life easier.

One of the best decisions I made for my family was to streamline whatever I could. I subscribed for services like Shipt, which helped tremendously when I was out of diapers and couldn’t take three kids out during a snowstorm. Or I would schedule grocery pickup with Curbside Express. Heck, I sometimes even subscribe to meal delivery services!

Mother and daughter cooking

But the real game-changer came when we started having our water delivered by Distillata. Prior to that, I would take all three kids to the store to fill up our two 5-gallon jugs of reverse osmosis water, carry them back to the car and in the house, only to have to constantly pour more water into our fridge container for easy dispensing.

Boy getting water

Distillata has changed the way we drink our water. I’m no longer going to the store, trying to manage filling up two jugs of water while fitting them in the cart with my kids. Our deliveries are scheduled every few weeks directly to our home. They take our old jugs away and leave us with four or five bottles of the same water I was struggling to get at the grocery store.

Work Tips

Focus.

Whether you’re a work-from-home mom like me, or a part-time employee, or a full-time worker, we can all benefit from having more focus. Personally, I struggle with wanting to attack all of my goals at once. That just isn’t feasible. Not for me, not for anyone.

I’ve found that by creating a to-do list based on three categories works perfectly. The first category is Must-Do’s. These are items that need to be tackled immediately. The next column on my list is Try-To-Do’s, and it’s exactly how it sounds. They should not be done before the must-do’s, but if I can get around to these items, then perfect!

The last column on my list is Bonus Items. These Bonus Items are things that are less of a priority at this moment (that doesn’t mean they are not a priority!).

Limit distractions.

I know so many people who get sidetracked from their workload due to outside forces and circumstances (*cough, cough* I am one of those people). Limiting those outside forces of distraction can and will be very helpful for your work environment.

Actions such as deleting social media apps off of your phone and drowning out office chatter with headphones can be a tremendous help. I find myself even being distracted by regular music so I’ve found a piano and classical playlist to help me limit the distractions.

Woman in front of building

The Big Picture

Regardless of how your year has gone thus far, there is one important thing to remember: You have the ability to change. You don’t have to wait for the start of a new year, a new month, or even a new day. You can implement changes all at once or slowly, but the important part is deciding to start.

This is going to be the best year yet.

EASY TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY ON TRACK THIS YEAR WITH DISTILLATA

Filed Under: #MomLife, Akron, busy mom, children, cleveland, Columbus, Cuyahoga Falls, deals, family, fitness, health, life, lists, living sustainably, Ohio, parenthood, shop local, tips + tricks, wellness, work from home, workout Tagged With: #MomLife, akron, cleveland, columbus, health, parenthood, shop local, tips + tricks, wellness, work from home, workout

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS

November 28, 2019 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you’re having a wonderful time and enjoying the company of your family and friends. I planned on simply sharing these deals on social media today, but it turns out everything is down! That’s right — it’s a Thanksgiving crisis! Instagram and Facebook are DOWN. But I’m still here to share these deals with you.

As a heads up, most of these are affiliate links. I do make a small commission if you decide to purchase something. That being said, everything I make on this goes right back into my blog.

Amazon deals

The Amazon Echo Dot is on sale for $22 (regular price is $49.99).

The Instant Pot Smart WiFi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, and Warmer|6 Quart|13 One-Touch Programs for $89.99 (regular price $149.99).

The Echo Show 5 is on sale for $49.99 (regular price is $89.99).

B. Toys – One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks on sale for $11.99 (regular price $14.99) — these are a favorite with all of the littles I know.

edx Education Step-a-Logs – Balance Beam for Kids is on sale for $29.66 (regular price $49.50)

Green Toys Submarine – BPA, Phthalate Free is on sale for $7.06 (regular price is $14.99). My kids have LOVED this toy (both in the tub and out).

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet, 8″ HD Display, 32 GB, Yellow Kid-Proof Case is on sale for $79.99 (regular price is $129.99). This gift is PERFECT for little littles! And it includes a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited.

Filed Under: deals, gift ideas, money saving tips, sale Tagged With: deals, gifts, gifts for kids, money saving tips

Prepping for Company with Big Lots — Tips + Tricks

October 14, 2019 by Rachel 50 Comments

Oh, hi, October! And hellooooo, Fall! In our house, this season is very exciting because it’s the start of all things fun. This also means that it’s the start of all things busy. Am I right?!

Personally, I try to prep for the upcoming holidays as much as possible now so that I have less to do later. At crunch time — you know, just before company is coming over — I don’t want to be worrying about things that could have been taken care of.

Lucky for me, this year we’re starting with a blank slate. When we moved into our forever home last year, it was a week before Christmas. I threw the tree up and that was that. So this year I’m excited to decorate on our (literally) blank walls.

Here’s how I’m prepping for the holidays now.

A blank slate doesn’t have to mean spending a ton of money. I’ve turned to Big Lots to get all of our holiday dining, decor, and baking goods without breaking the bank!

The Perfect Holiday Tablescape

I chose a neutral setting that allows me to easily use the same table settings for both Thanksgiving and Christmas (and every little party in between). The chargers, plates, and table runner were all super affordable and incredibly on-trend.

plates and chargers with welcome sign
plate and charger with wine decanter

Food Prep Essentials

As I mentioned earlier, I try to make as much food ahead of time as possible. Big Lots has all of the items I need to make my favorite cookies, breads, and bars. They carry all of my favorite baking mixes and other staples like sugar, flour, and vanilla extract so I can make big batches and freeze them. Pro-tip: Wrap the loaves and cookies in plastic before putting them into freezer bags!

Food Prep mixer

The day before hosting, I’ll take my baked goods out of the freezer and put them into these adorable takeaway containers for my guests. That way no one leaves empty-handed!

I can’t wait to host friends and family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Setting The Bar

There’s so much merriment surrounding the holidays that I want every person that steps into our home to be welcome to celebrate. Part of my hosting-prep includes setting the bar. I want all things cocktail-related to be ready for guests because no one wants to have to run out last minute for sugar or garnish!

Big Lots has everything I need to have a fantastic array of beverage and cocktail options — and the barware to serve them in!

Champagne flutes and coffee maker

Whatever you do, don’t wait! Get that holiday prepping done now so that you can enjoy these moments with your loved ones later.

Tell me — what is your best way to prepare for having company?

the perfect holiday tablescape

Filed Under: brews + food, cooking, deals, drinks, holiday gift guide, home decor, money saving tips, tips + tricks Tagged With: cooking, deals, desserts, holiday gift guide, holidays, home decor, money saving tips, tips + tricks

The Kimpton Schofield Hotel Cleveland + Jeni’s Ice Cream // A Match Made In Staycation Heaven

July 22, 2019 by Rachel 13 Comments

I’ve been dreaming of one thing for the last 7 years. And last night that dream became a reality. I had my first every staycation, completely alone! 

Sunday afternoon I headed up to Downtown Cleveland to stay at the Kimpton Schofield Hotel to celebrate two things — freedom and National Ice Cream Day!

The Kimpton Schofield Hotel, located directly in the heart of the action on Euclide Avenue, just launched a partnership with local (and now national!) ice cream icon, Jeni’s Ice Cream! And personally, I am HERE FOR IT.

My Mom-Staycation began the moment valet took my keys. At that moment “mom” was off the clock! Moments after unpacking in my room, room service arrived with two pints of Jeni’s Ice Cream and an ice-cold bottle of Prosecco.

A few sips of prosecco and a few spoonfuls of Jeni’s Honey Vanilla Bean were just the welcome I needed. I breathed a collective sigh of relief from all of the motherhood stressors of the last 7 years. It’s amazing how taking time for self-care can change your entire mood, am I right?!

After enjoying my welcome amenities, I stood in awe of the city views from my room windows. Across the street was the iconic Downtown Heinen’s, located in the historic Cleveland Trust Rotunda Building. It was breathtaking to see my favorite city from this angle.

Later, I dined at the incredible on-site restaurant, Parkers Downtown. Yes, I had a solo reservation; and, no, I had no qualms about it.

To start, I ordered a glass of their dryest red. To some, dining alone (or, heck!, even having a glass of wine alone) in a restaurant would be intimidating. But for the first time in a while, I was able to enjoy my dining experience. No kids, no extra chatter, just quiet.

Everything on the menu sounded incredible and I definitely ordered more than I could possibly eat by myself! I ordered the artisan cheese board, loaded fries (with goat cheese and bacon), and the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwith (with kimchi and aioli on a brioche bun). Y’all! It was INCREDIBLE. All of it! I tried my best to dine as slowly as possible (a small luxury for those of us with kids), but I am guessing I only lasted about 20 minutes before throwing in the towel and bringing the rest back to my room as leftovers.

Nonetheless, my experience was perfection. The service was so thoughtful, the meal was beyond delicious, and everything was overall exceptional. I look forward to trying out their brunch and happy hour in the future.

My post-dinner excursion included a walk down Euclid Avenue and a loop down East 4th before heading back to my room to revisit those Jeni’s Ice Cream pints! Honestly, as nice as it was to be ‘away’ from everyone and everything, my room at the Kimpton Schofield was so relaxing and inviting with its cozy bed and original artwork, I didn’t want to leave!

SO many thanks to the Kimpton Schofield team for hosting me for an amazing staycation!

What’s your favorite

staycation activity?

 

Filed Under: #MomLife, brews + food, busy mom, children, cleveland, deals, explore locally, Explore Ohio, Family Travel, mommyhood, money saving tips, NEO, Ohio, pampering, parenthood, restaurants + bars, review, road trip, shop local, Travel Adventures Tagged With: #MomLife, being a mom, busy mom, cleveland, deals, explore locally, explore Ohio, Family Travel, mommyhood, money saving tips, NEO, ohio, pampering, parenthood, review, shop local, travel, Travel Adventures

Bonefish Grill — 3-Course Date Night for Two!

April 1, 2019 by Rachel 10 Comments

Chad and I are rapidly approaching our 7th wedding anniversary. It’s hard to believe that nearly seven years have passed. And in the last seven years, we’ve only had a handful of evenings completely to ourselves. In fact, the last time we actually relaxed at a dinner out was probably two years ago.

Last week Mimi was in town to watch all three kids, so we were able to sneak out for a proper date night at Bonefish Grill. Chad and I were greeted by the friendliest staff at the North Canton location and promptly seated.

We were really excited to try Bonefish Grill’s O M G (Ocean Mixed Grill) 3-course dinner for two! Here’s what’s included in this special offer:

Course 1 // Bang Bang Shrimp

Course 2 // House or Caesar Salad

Course 3 // Potatoes Au Gratin, Seasonal Vegetables, and Jasmine Rice

Course 4 // Caribbean Cobia, Shrimp & Scallop Skewer, Atlantic Salmon and the Local Catch

All four courses for 49.00 with a bonus of select bottles of wine for $25.

I have to admit something, I’ve never had Bang Bang Shrimp before (I know, I know — pure craziness!). Well, friends, I am in love. I could eat Bang Bang Shrimp all day, every day!

You certainly can’t beat the cost of $49 for three courses for two people. It was more than enough food, for sure.

Recommended Add-Ons //

I highly recommend pairing your meal with a bottle of their $25 wines. With options of reds, whites, and rosé, there’s something for everyone!

I also cannot say enough about the Crispy Brussel Sprouts! They were flavored perfectly with the bacon and mayo. So, so, delicious!

And then we were greeted with dessert! First, it was the Molten Lava Carrot Cake (holy smokes — warm and gooey cream cheese in the middle!) followed by the Crème Brûlée

Not only was the food delicious and the service spectacular, but we were actually able to sit and enjoy one another’s company without the distraction of children talking at us for a change.

Hurry up and get a sitter because this special is only good through April 30th! Find your closest Bonefish Grill location here and be sure to sign up to become a Bonefish Insider!

What’s your favorite menu item

from Bonefish Grill?

Disclaimer: I was given a gift card to cover the cost of our meal in exchange for this post.
As always, all opinions herein are my own.

Filed Under: brews + food, date night, deals, desserts, Explore Ohio, money saving tips, parenthood, restaurants + bars, review, wine Tagged With: brews + food, date night ideas, deals, desserts, explore Ohio, money saving tips, parenthood, restaurants + bars, review, wine

Tips for Maintaining Financial Flexibility with Cash In and Cash Out Services

November 23, 2018 by Rachel 13 Comments

Thank you PayPal and Walmart for sponsoring this post. Introducing PayPal cash in and cash out money services, the financial services alternative which allows you to manage your PayPal account and cash flow needs on your own terms!

Confession: For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with money. I’ve always felt like it not only determined my worth as a person but that my struggles with it defined me. Over the years I’ve taken steps to redefine my relationship with money. I’ve turned to using a cash system because the cash in and cash out method is the one way I am truly able to hold myself accountable.

Fortunately, PayPal has recently made it even easier to access my cash when I need it. PayPal cash in and cash out services at Walmart means that I no longer have to wait for my money. I no longer have to rely on someone else to manage my finances — I can take back control. Guys, this is such a game-changer.

If you have a PayPal account, you’re able to access the funds quickly and easily by loading and withdrawing funds at all US locations of Walmart. That means no more inconvenience and high fees! Your money, your way! PayPal Cash Mastercard customers can make online purchases and pay bills simply and access their PayPal balance at ATMs and the Walmart service desk for just $3 per service.

Here are some other ways I effectively manage my cash:

1. Track it. — I keep my receipts from every transaction and manually track it in a small notebook. This way I’m seeing what is coming in and what is going out in black and white, which just makes it all that more real.

It’s an easy way to see where my money actually goes. The money spent on groceries, personal items, clothes, gas, etc. — it’s all right there for me to see.

2. Prioritize. — When it comes to finances, not everything is black and white. Money is time and time is money, but we all have different priorities for where we draw the line. For me, there are certain things that are just worth the money, such as paying someone to mow our lawn so that I have more time to work and spend time with my kids. Sure, it may be seen as an unnecessary expense to some, but I’ve chosen to make work and my children a priority over other things.

If you’re not certain where exactly your ‘line’ is, write it out. Where will you make financial concessions over things you value more? For some, it’s that cup of coffee on the way to work. For others perhaps it’s that takeout for your family. Once you know what is negotiable and what is not, you can work to cut unnecessary expenses out.

3. Be a savvy shopper. —  I’ll let you in on a little secret: I never pay full price. No, I’m not even very good at couponing, but I do shop sales and clearance. Because of this perspective on shopping, I’ve had to learn what is truly a necessary purchase and what is not. If my children need new clothes, I’ll shop around and find a sale.

Have I missed out on some super cute outfits because of it? I sure have! But in the grand scheme of things, is that one outfit worth the price? Absolutely not.

Once you adjust your mindset to shopping for items on sale or clearance, it changes the way you look at your spending. The few occasions where I have just had to buy full price have been painful (usually for expenses that are a surprise). But if I’m watching my cash flow the rest of the time, this truly isn’t a problem. That doesn’t mean I like it. Ha!

4. Keep your cash on hand. — Like I said at the beginning, having my cash in my hands has been a game-changer for my financial freedom. Learn more about PayPal’s cash in and cash out services here and take back control of your finances.

What are some of the ways

 

you keep

 

financial flexibility?

 

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

Filed Under: deals, finance, money saving tips, review, tips + tricks Tagged With: deals, finances, money saving tips, review, tips + tricks

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