TIPS FOR MOMS: SETTING UP YOUR DAY

You know that head underwater feeling when life feels too busy? Yeah, I totally have that right now. I've been diligently searching for ways to combat it and sometimes the littlest things can set the day off on a higher note (or lower - let's face it). After having unannounced house guests (twice!!) last week where I was still makeupless and in my pajamas I decided it was time to start doing a few things differently. Here are my new goals for setting each day up for success!

1. Laying out my clothes the night before. I used to do this and it is so much easier to know exactly what you're going to wear. Especially since I have an early wake up time (I'm always racing the Matilda clock which is real early these days. When I have on a cute outfit it makes me feel more organized, more energized and ready for the Comcast guy that shows up without warning at 8 am.

2. Put on a five-minute face of makeup. I don't want to look like I'm ready to go out to dinner at 7 am but I also don't want to look like I just rolled out of bed either. I've become kind of obsessed with Lisa Eldridge's makeup tutorials. This "no-makeup makeup" is a great one. I adore her. Just a quick skin-care tip... I've started coating my face with coconut oil in the evening ('cause I'm not getting any younger) as well as making a scrub of equal parts oil + raw sugar twice a week to exfoliate. My skin is baby soft and clear too.

3. Prep coffee and bottles for the next day. One of the simplest pleasures for me is having my coffee "ready to brew" as soon as I get up. No better sound than the trickle of warm coffee. It allows me to get right to my email, morning study, or whatever else I want to work on before the girls wake up. I just recently discovered a neat site called She Reads Truth. I'm a big fan of the organized studies and clean layout. Win. I also am trying to get Phoebe's bottles all ready for the next day. One less thing to do with one hand.

4. Take care of my teeth. I feel like I always really rush brushing my teeth. I fly through it. The other day a lady asked me if I was wearing clear braces (thanks a LOT coffee and red wine) so I've been whitening and trying to brush for at least two minutes and floss. I hate flossing. I recently was sent some amazing natural and brilliantly packaged oral care supplies (mouth wash, spray and this yummy tooth paste) from a "new to me" brand: hello. I'm obsessed with their grapefruit mint flavor and how pretty it looks on my shelf (is that wrong?!). You can actually get a coupon for $1 off over on their facebook page (“like” hello on facebook and then click on the “coupons” box under the “like” button). They sell it at Walgreens, Duane Reade, and select Targets.

5. Look at my calendar. Blame it on mom-brain but I can't remember anything lately. If I don't write something down... it won't happen. I've been trying to work on keeping a better calendar. Sam and I have also had a few wires get crossed recently which resulted in a missed date night (never good). Some of my friends sync an ical with their husbands. Do you do this? Does it help?

A few other little things are making sure to run the dishes and put a load of laundry in the dryer and make my bed. Little tricks that add up and keep you from having a mound of dishes in the sink or piles upon piles of laundry at the end of the week. Also, even if my whole house is trashed, if my bed is made it doesn't seem so bad.

Please oh please if you have any more "setting up your day" tips, let me know below. This post was graciously sponsored by hello. Thank you for supporting my decision to work with sponsors who I believe in that allow me to create honest posts for my blog. xo

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