Let's go bargain shopping! $9.99 shoe sale!

8/12/20 Update: $9.99 Shoe sale has expired, however the shoes are still on sale, just not as deeply discounted.

Are you like me and literally never buy anything for yourself unless it’s on deep clearance?! Oh then I have a treat for you…grab a pair of $120 shoes for $9.99!!! This is not a drill, so many sizes are left…hurry before they are gone though! Also, search the site for great deals for the whole family (click HERE)! But really, I loved the women’s selection most!

Click on the photo below to shop my affiliate links!

* shoes sold out are not clickable

To shop the entire sale click HERE.

When You Can No Longer Look Away | The Journey Of Racial Reconciliation

My heart is so stirred, our country is so lost, it’s too much to feel right now…I want to check out. But my eyes can’t look away…

 I remember the first time I finally saw the racial injustice with my own eyes, it was Charlottesville 2017.  It was like all of the sudden I could see it, my eyes were opened and I would never be the same again.  

By now you’ve heard Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd’s name and you wonder where do I go from here?  Friends, let me just encourage you and say that is a great question to be asking even if you don’t know what to do next!   2 Corinthians 3:18 says “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And the Lord who is the spirit makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”  Praise God He is in the business of day by day making us new and changing our hearts. He opens our eyes and allows us to see what He sees.  You know that song you’ve sang in church before, “break our hearts for what breaks yours.”  Well…He will do it, he is doing it!  So just the fact that you are seeing with new eyes today is something to thank God for! May that continually be the cry of our hearts…Lord give me eyes to see what you want me to see. Help me to no longer look away.

So what now?  

I want you to think back to when the stories were breaking.  How did you come across Ahmaud, Breonna, and George’s name?  Was it via a friend on social media, a news report, word of mouth?  

If you don’t yet know these names, you are living in a bubble.  It’s time to get out of your bubble.  (Stick with me bubble friends, I was once living there too, and I’m so glad you even decided to start reading this)

I first heard Ahmaud’s name from friends on social media who were active in grief.  My black friends were grieving that this is the world their sons were growing up in.  How do they keep them safe, if they can’t even go for a run?  How has nothing been done for the past three months?  They felt helpless, their very existence mocked and challenged.  My heart broke with them. And I know what I was feeling was just a fraction of what they were feeling.  My African American nephew and all of my black friends children were racing through my mind.  These precious boys will be black men one day.  How do we keep them safe as they grow older?  

LISTEN & LOOK INWARD

If you are brand new to engaging in racial conversations, and even if you are not…it is so important to listen to the minority voices right now.  What are they saying?  As you listen, let your friends know you are listening and that you hear them.  Maybe it’s a simple Facebook like on their comment. Or a simple reply that says…”I hear you, I’m with you.” We need to be linking arms with the black community right now, and one way we do that is by listening.

Beyond listening, we can elevate minority voices right now. There is real pain, real trauma happening…there is much being said by our brother’s and sister’s of color and we need to bring their voices to the center of this conversation, and not speak over them.

Maybe you do not have any minority voices on your social media.  That is your first step.  Seek them out, Latasha Morrison is a great person to follow.  She runs a nonprofit racial reconciliation organization called Be the Bridge and is full of wisdom and challenging words.  This is where I started, and I have learned SO much! But please if you follow her, go to listen and not argue.

As you listen to minority voices, if something is said that isn’t sitting well with you…ask yourself, why?  Don’t get angry at what they said because it made you uncomfortable. Rather use that uncomfortable feeling as a nudge to ask yourself, “why is this making me feel ______?” Then sleep on it, and keep listening.  Don’t shut down a person just because something they said offended you or made you feel uncomfortable.  Listen to learn and to understand more.  The fact is if it a topic is uncomfortable then it is probably something that you need to dig a little deeper with.  

This is the work of racial reconciliation!  It is HARD work to look inward.  I never would label myself as a racist (as I’m sure you probably wouldn’t either).  But do I struggle with biases and prejudices that I have learned over the years?  Yes.  If we are all honest with ourselves, we all hold some biases and prejudices that we don’t even realize are there until we look inward.  When I first started this process of looking inward, I discovered some ugly.  And I’m going to be vulnerable and give you an example of the ugly I discovered in my heart in an effort to get you thinking too.

Sometimes I would find myself clutching my purse more tightly when walking down the street past a black man. 

Why did I do this?  Was it all black men, or just select black men?  What prejudices was I unconsciously harboring in my heart that was affecting me to act this way?  

And so I had to confess this sin.  I confessed it to God and to the racial reconciliation group I was a part of.   And while I still may feel this tendency come on, I’m aware of it, and I confess it again. All the while believing that he who began a good work in me, will carry it to completion.  Sin loves hiding in the dark, it wants you to believe your fine so that it can keep on living.  But once sin is exposed, its power is relinquished, and can no longer fester in your heart if you don’t allow it to. Commit to looking inward. Stop pointing the finger at others, and start doing the work in your own heart. We all have heart work to do. This is why racism is so destructive, it goes unchecked and then eventually spills out. “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” Matthew 12:34. That is why when you commit to racial reconciliation work…it’s committing to it forever. We have to constantly be on guard, and active in searching our hearts.

LAMENT

Lament is defined as: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow

This word was new to me a few years ago.  Maybe you are feeling it right now.  You feel grief and deep sorrow over Ahmaud, Breonna, and George’s life, and you wonder why you feel it so deeply?  Lamenting is something we all need to learn to do.  In fact, it is important to allow yourself to lament such horrifying acts.  

As a christian I can look in the Bible and see people lamenting.  In the Bible lamenting was a way of grieving pain, AND asking God to intervene.  Over 1/3 of the psalms are laments.  There is an entire book of the Bible called Lamentations.  The point is God wants us to bring our pain to HIM.  Our grief and pain has a place.  When we don’t bring our grief and pain to God, it can often turn to anger which if left unchecked eventually leads to hate.  

This is actually what we have been teaching our boys lately.  And a great way to start the conversation of racism with your kids.  Anger leads to Hate, Hate leads to death. 

We see this over and over in the Bible.  When Cain was angry that God accepted his brothers offering above his own, his anger led to hating his brother, which led him to murdering him.  Hate led to death.  You can read it here.  

We see it again in the Bible, when Joseph received a gift from his dad that his brothers did not get.  They were angry, they hated Joseph because their father favored him.  Because the brothers let hate fester in their heart for Joseph, they sold Joseph as a slave and told their father a lie that their brother was dead.  This story is so fascinating, because in the end Joseph meets his brothers face to face again and had the opportunity to kill his brothers right then.  But he didn’t.  He confronted his anger and had mercy on his brothers.  Joseph looked inward, checked his anger and chose mercy.  This led to reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. He was then reunited with his father, all because Joseph checked his anger. You can read that here.   

So lamenting is actually an important step in grief.  It is giving your anger a place. It is giving yourself the opportunity and space to grieve that pain. And, it is asking God to intervene.  This can be done individually and collectively. 

ACT

Jesus came to reconcile us back to him.  Just as Jesus’ entire ministry was reconciliation, so is our purpose.  We are to be reconcilers.  To reconcile means to restore a relationship.  So once you have moved through the first two steps: Listen & Look Inward, Lament…then we must Act.  What does this look like?  Well, it can be different for everyone…depending on where you are in learning about racial reconciliation.  

1. At the very least, diversify the voices you are listening to.  Read books from minority authors, diversify your social media, seek out more diversity in your life.  Attend diverse programs/festivals in your area.  Empathy requires proximity.  Get closer.  

2. Educate yourself on racial history.  The key point here being educate yourself. Don’t rely on your black friends to educate you on racial history. Google. Get out of your comfort zone!  Learn about the racial history in your city.  Go to the civil rights museum in your town, or any museum representing minority history. Go to learn.   

3. Look inward.  What about racial conversations/history does not sit well with you?  Be the Bridge has amazing resources and guided questions to help you look inward.      

4. Speak out against injustice.  In the Ahmaud Arbery case, it took 3 months for 2 of the 3 men to be arrested and charged. And longer for the third.  That was all because an army of citizens spoke up!   They signed petitions, made phone calls, and said something!  There is still opportunity to speak up for Ahmaud, Breonna, and George.  Click here for more on that.   The point is, engage.  Keep listening, lamenting, and move how you are led.  Also, it’s also noteworthy to be aware of laws that perpetuate this type of crime.  The citizen’s arrest law is one of those laws that needs to be reviewed and/or abolished.  So pay attention to injustice in our legal system as well. With the election coming up, this is also a great opportunity to make changes in leadership. We need leaders who have these issues on their platforms. Educate yourself on who is running, and vote.  

5. If this feels very out of character and uncomfortable for you, know that it is for me too!  I actually hate politics or anything associated with politics.  But this is more about people’s lives than politics. Do I feel completely inadequate?  YES!   But my friend Latasha Morrison said, God loves to use a remnant and anyone who is willing.  So I say, “Here I am God, use me.”    

Just start somewhere, and commit to never looking away again. Remember, racial reconciliation work in our own lives is a journey NOT a destination.

Beach Safety 101 | What Living By The Coast Has Taught Me

You may not know this about me, but I used to be an ER nurse, and way before that I was a lifeguard. I have always loved knowing and learning about safety and how to prevent injuries. For me, knowledge is power. If I feel uneducated on a topic, I tend to feel more fearful about it. But the more I learn about the beach and ocean safety, the more prepared and comfortable I feel around the ocean water.

Over the the past 7 years of living by the coast, I have learned so much about our beach and ocean safety. Knowing these things has helped me enjoy the beach even more with my family! So, as beach season is finally here…and you may be planning to hit the beach soon, I thought it might be helpful to share with you what I have learned. That way you can feel more knowledgeable and comfortable at the beach this summer too!

Did You Know?

Some JellyFish Don’t Sting!

• It’s true! Knowing this has absolutely made our beach experience way more enjoyable! Before knowing this, if we saw a jellyfish washed ashore we wouldn’t want to get in the water at all! Now I know what to look for.

  A few Jellyfish that don’t sting:

• Cannonball Jellyfish- our beach has these all the time. Although, I am told they can release a toxin that can cause cardiac issues…best just stay away from them, but don’t let them freak you out.

• Moon Jellies

• If you are planning a trip to Tybee Island, i recommend following Tybee Beach Ecology on Facebook! They inform you of what people are finding on the beach and what it is!

*Typically our beach sees more stinging jelly fish in July and August.

*consider making a jellyfish sting kit to have on hand if you go to the beach frequently and are not sitting by a lifeguard.

How To Spot A Rip Tide:

• Low Tide, near sand bars, jetties, and piers is the most common time and place to spot rip currents.

• A rip tide is an area or break in the water where waves are not crashing

Photo Courtesy of : www.blingdogsurfboards.com

Photo Courtesy of: Philippinebeaches.org

How To Swim Out Of A Rip Tide

• Don’t panic! The rip tide will not pull you under, rather it pulls you out past the waves.

• Swim parallel to the beach to get out of the current

• Once out of the current, allow the waves to assist in pushing you back into shore

• If someone is caught in a current, throw a boogie board or something that floats to them, call for help…do NOT go in the current after them. Instruct them to swim parallel to the beach.
  

Photo courtesy of : OBXbeachaccess.com

Other Helpful and Random Facts:

1. Do the Stingray shuffle

   • when walking in the water, shuffle your feet to allow stingrays to know you are coming and to avoid stepping on them.

2. Lifejackets

• If you have kids that love the water and are not strong swimmers, don’t forget a coast guard approved lifejacket or swimmie!

3. Another Harmless Animal At the Beach

• Horseshoe Crab- they look scary, but are not dangerous

photo courtesy of: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Horseshoe-Crab

Tips For Before You Get To The Beach

1. Sunscreen prior to getting to the beach

   • Sunscreen is most effective when applied 30 min before going outside

   • Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (especially in the hours of 10am-2pm) when the UV rays are the harshest

   • Apply sunscreen even on overcast days! UV rays go through the clouds, and can still damage your skin.

   • Sunscreen is not recommended for babies 6 months of age or less. Keeping them covered and out of the sun is the best bet for them. I’ve raised 2 beach babies. I did not use sunscreen on them. Here is what I did:

     • Bring a stroller! It not only provides shade, but when the baby needs to nap, they can nap in the stroller and you can walk them around if they need movement.

     • Moses Basket, if you don’t want to bring a stroller…I have put my baby in a moses basket under an umbrella to nap as well. Click Here to shop using my affiliate link.

     • Keep baby in a sleeveless romper, or just a diaper.

     • Have a wide brimmed hat for your baby when you need to take them out of the shade.

2. Check the Tide

   • Is the tide going out, or coming in? The tide times change everyday, so a simple google search can help you know what the tide is in your location.

     Tide is helpful to know:

     • where to set up your stuff?

       -If the tide is going out, then you can set up closer to the water. If the tide is coming in, then you can set up farther away from the water (so you don’t have to move it several times)

     • High Tide- As the tide is coming in you will have the highest and roughest surf. Just be aware if you have little kids who don’t like big waves.

     • Low Tide- Rip currents (more on this above) occur more often during this time as water is breaking on the shallow sand.

3. Consider bringing a first aid kit.

• If you plan on sitting near a lifeguard stand, this may not be as necessary. However, it is always good to be overly prepared! Above is what I recommend putting in it.

Tips For When You Get To The Beach

1. Know your location

   • What street are you parked by? If you get into trouble and need to call 911 this is helpful to know in order to tell them where to go.

2. Notice Where The Lifeguard Stand Is

   • What color is the flag flying at the lifeguard stand? What does it mean? Simply being educated about the conditions on the beach that day is helpful. If you don’t know what it means, and you don’t see a sign…ask a lifeguard!

   • If you are uncomfortable at the beach, I recommend always sitting near a lifeguard. That way you have help easily accessible should you need it.

     Be Safe And Have FUN Friends! I hope these tips didn’t freak you out more! Haha! Instead, I hope your new knowledge leads you to a safer and more relaxed time at the beach! Knowledge is power!

     On a lighter note…Want to know how to take better pictures at the beach? Click HERE!

Mother's Day Gift Guide | 2020

Mother’s Day Sunday May 10th

Alert Alert, this is your 2 week warning…Mother’s Day is coming and since mail is moving a bit slower these days, now is the time to get on it!  I’ve made it easy on you and put together some ideas for you, all you have to do is click on your favorite item below!

One of my favorite things to do in quarantine has been to send unexpected mail packages to friends/family. Isn’t it extra special to get fun mail these days? I put together a list of items that you can easily ship to your Grandma, Mom, Sister, Friend that will make them feel loved and cared for. And since this year has been a little unique to say the least, Mamas are going to LOVE being celebrated extra this Mother’s Day!

To shop using my affiliate links, click on the photo below

MIG Lavendar Home Spa Package (cannot order after April 27th)

• Y’all trust me when I tell you this stuff is gooooood.  I’ve used the lavender bath bar and oh my goodness, it is so refreshing and relaxing!  Not to mention it leaves your skin feeling so clean and smelling yummy!  Also, it is 100% organic!  Keep an eye on this company, they are doing some amazing things!

Pottery Barn Cozy Slippers

• On Sale! At this price buy these furry slippers for yourself, and your mama!

Savannah Bee Co. For The Tea Lover

• I love supporting local businesses! Does your mama love tea? Then this is the perfect treat! Delicious honey and loose leaf tea at your doorstep.

Smallwood Home Custom Wood Frame Photo

• 50% off!!! I cannot tell you how much I LOVE these custom wood photos! They are so well priced and the quality is truly amazing. These are not only wood framed, but your photo is printed on wood also, the finish has a canvas look to it. You simply have to try it! They turn out gorgeous!

Williams Sonoma Enamel Berry Colander

• Fill this sweet colander with farm fresh berries, top it with a diy tea towel…and it is the simplest sweetest gift!

Humorous Etsy Quarantine Themed Gifts- I love etsy and makers!

• Coffee Mug ( coffee mug says: Mother’s Day 2020, The One We Were In Quarantine)

• T-shirt (T-shirt reads: Mothers Day The One Where I Was Quarantined 2020)

Magazine Subscription

• What does your mama love? Cooking, Home Decor, Gardening, Travel? There is a magazine for that! Keep in mind, subscriptions usually take 4-8 weeks to begin…so send their first issue with a note that a subscription has been made.

Support a Local Boutique- Neckerchief

• Lightweight Neckerchiefs are all the rage! Wear around your ponytail, wrist, neck or tie around a bag! Keep your mama styling while supporting a local boutique!

Bath Bombs

• Spoil that mama with some luxurious bath bombs! Who knew Pottery Barn carried bath bombs in such pretty packaging?!

Gardenia bush for the plant lover

• It is in my opinion that every yard needs a beautiful smelling gardenia bush! I especially love gifting flowers that will stick around longer than a few weeks.

Magnolia Table Cookbook

• Joanna Gaines latest project, the magnolia table cookbook! This book is so pretty, full of yummy recipes with beautiful imagery.

  OR

• maybe Snoop Dogg is more of your mamas style of cooking! Hahaha!!! When I saw he had a cookbook entitled “From Crook To Cook”, I had to give hime a shout out. Though I can’t actually vouch for the recipes.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my mama friends! You are loved, and you are rocking it! I hope you find some peace and quiet amidst all the craziness of the past few months!

xo

laurie

photo cred: Lauren Neal

ps. This photo is a treasure! Consider buying a gift card from your local photographer this Mother’s Day! Many of them are struggling through quarantine as their income has stopped abruptly. This photographer is located in Cincinnati, but she also travels! Check her out! www.laurenneal.com

Finding Joy in Unlikely Places

I remember thinking, “If they close our beaches I am going to cry.” Then a few days later our beaches closed and I started feeling really restless. How am I going to do this without having certain outlets that have always helped me feel more peaceful and joyful? As I was praying about it, the Lord impressed upon me, “you will find new joy. Try new things, and you will discover new joy.”

This hopeful thought was such an aha moment for me. Of course there is new joy to be discovered. I mean why should I be surprised, God is the author and creator of joy. One of the traits God produces in us is joy when we tap into it!

Friends, we are all finding ourselves in new territory. Our routine and normalcy has been flipped on its head. Earlier in the spring, the Lord gave me a verse to dwell on for this season (before the coronavirus was even a thought). “Behold I am doing something new. I will make a way in the wilderness.” At the time I thought that was just about the changing of seasons from winter to spring…little did I know all that would entail. Click HERE for that pre-corona blog post!

As I think about that verse and the idea of uncovering new joy in this season, my new prayer is that I would have eyes to see new joy. May I sit in this newness and see God working, still present, and inviting me to join him in newness.

I love the song from Elevation Worship: The Blessing.

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children

May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you

He is with you, He is with you.

As we were singing it in church (via livestream), the Lord showed me one new joy. Our family has never taken communion together before, and every week of quarantine church my kids have been so excited about preparing it and serving it. It may just be bread and gatorade (using what is in our pantry! haha), but it is one thing that has made my heart thankful. Who knew I would find joy in bread and gatorade?! Quarantine joys are definitely humorous at times.

Behold he is doing something new.

Something new in my family.

Something new in my restless heart.

I want to lean into that this week. Because I will emerge from this quarantine and I will be different. Whether I have noticed my heart changing or not. So I really want to take some time to look around and ask God to show me more. What newness is he doing in me and around me? When I find my heart restless, I want to ask him to help me find new joy. He has been faithful to show me some new joy already! Here are a few of my new quarantine joys:

• My boys love playing soccer and play it 24/7. I do not love playing soccer so I have struggled to find some activities that I enjoy doing with them. But through this quarantine, we have enjoyed bike riding together, playing board games, corn hole, and bucket list activities (click HERE for our quarantine bucket list). I’m so grateful that we have gotten to explore lots of different activities together because of this extended time.

• I have found gardening to be very therapeutic. Just being outside and cleaning up our yard, planting flowers has helped me not only have something to do, but to also see beauty unfold!

• One of the ways I feel most loved is through quality time. So you can imagine, my heart is full from all this quality time with the ones I love most. Literally almost too much quality time. haha!

• Loving others intentionally: We’ve been sending random gifts to my brother in NYC every week. He loves gifts and it is a small way to bring some joy to him when he is cooped up in his apartment all day long. It’s easy to be self focused in a time like this, but thinking of others has helped me find more joy.

• Discovering new places in our city: New trails, new parks…changing up our routine a little by getting out and trying something new has been awesome! If you are in Savannah, a hidden gem we discovered was Wesley Gardens. We saw some friends venturing there, and so we emailed the director and found it open to the public as long as you let them know when you would like to come! It’s beautiful and relaxing!

When my heart feels restless and tired this week. I can remember, I’m not stuck. Behold he is doing something new in me, now it springs forth! When I don’t see it or feel it, I can remember to ask God to give me eyes to see.

What about you? What new joys have you uncovered through quarantine? Where are you struggling to see new joy?

A Simple & Fun Way To Teach Kids About Easter

I don’t know about you but my Easter is going to be simple this year! This quarantine life has left me feeling tired and foggy brained most days. If there was anything I wanted to accomplish this week it was to reinforce in my kids hearts the beauty and significance of Easter. I want them to know how Jesus sacrificed so much, and to feel the weight of what he did. I also wanted my kids to feel that weight lifted as Easter brings hope that Jesus overcame death, and that hope offers us life through knowing him! But how can I do this when I feel like I am lacking brain space and energy?

The answer is in a simple Easter egg! Take a look at this fun activity…

@laurie.schultz

A Simple and Fun way to teach kids about Easter! ##tiredparents ##christianparents ##heisrisen ##easterfun ##goodfriday

♬ Tremble (Studio Version) - Mosaic MSC

Supplies needed:

Easter Egg

Marker

Paper

Children’s bible (click to order) OR This is the exact story from the same children’s bible on youtube (see below)

(click the photo below to shop my affiliate links)

Step 1:

Read the story about Jesus’ death, or watch this video.

Step 2:

Ask your kids how this story makes them feel? (there is no wrong answer!)

-Sad

-Scared

-Mad

-Weird

-Happy

Step 3:

Write their word on a piece of paper and place it in an easter egg

Step 4:

Bury the egg outside and place a rock over it. (the rock symbolizes the stone rolled over Jesus’ tomb, and also marks where you buried the egg)

Step 5:

When your kids are in bed, unearth the egg and take out the paper inside.

Step 6:

The next morning (even better if it is Easter morning!) have your kids go and look at what happened to their Easter egg. What happened?

You can then talk about how Jesus beat death and is alive! Read about Jesus’ resurrection in their bible or watch this video!

I love engaging my kids in unique ways. I hope you find this simple activity to be meaningful and fun in your family’s life this week! Do you have any other creative and easy ways you are teaching your kids about Easter this week? Please share!

The 5 Minute Rainbow Project

How are you doing friends? If you are like me, you probably have up and down days. It is like I am going through a grieving process. Tears come in waves, and joy comes in waves too. I try to get outside to let the light shine on my face every day, and I’ve actually been exercising to help boost my endorphins. Exercising has alway felt like a chore. But I finally found a workout that I enjoy! This workout is so good for any level of fitness. If you want to try something new they are offering a 15 day free trial (click HERE). Also, being creative in some way has been helping me find new joy too. This social distancing bucket list helps me get out of a rut when I need to do something creative. It has been a bright spot, helping me to engage my children and infusing some fun into our everyday! We have almost completed everything on it, so be looking for our bucket list 2.0 soon! However, the brightest spot for me in all of this has been our morning family devotions! We started going through this book that has short bible stories in it. Each story instills values such as compassion, courage, kindness, self-control, and so many others. After each bible story there are questions to think about regarding the values shown in the bible story. This book is sentimental to me because it is what my parents used with us as kids! I recommend it for school aged kids!

As the news seems to worsen day by day, I find myself needing to remind my heart to hope. That is why I took extra notice when I saw rainbows popping up in windows in our neighborhood. Have you seen rainbows appearing in windows around your neighborhood? Rainbows have always been a symbol of hope, that is why God sent a rainbow in the Bible. I am loving this trend, and have been wanting to hop on board to share hope!

But honestly, sometimes projects feel daunting these days. So when I came across this easy, no mess way to paint a rainbow on your window…I had to try it! You are not going to believe where I first saw this idea. Don’t roll your eyes at me, but it was on TikTok! Yes, these desperate times made me sign up for TikTok this week! Haha! To my surprise it has actually infused a lot of FUN into my day, and no the app isn’t just for dancing! So I tested this new app out and made a tutorial on how to make this no mess rainbow window! Check it out…

@laurie.schultz

A fun and easy way to paint a rainbow on your window and spread hope. ##windowpaint ##rainbowwindow ##spreadhope ##artprojects ##diy ##craftymomcreative

♬ My Heart Went Oops - Tiagz

Let me break it down for you…

What you need:

Household Sponge

Paint (I used craft paint, but any paint will do!)

(click the photo to shop my affiliate links)

Steps:

Step 1:

Squirt a vertical line of each color of paint onto your sponge from left to right (ROYGBIV).

Step 2:

Slowly wipe your sponge over your window in a bow pattern (applying medium to light pressure, avoid squeezing to hard so the paint doesn’t drip).

Step 3:

Didn’t get it right on the first try? Go over it a second time! Actually when I did this a second time, it blended the colors a little more beautifully! Don’t be afraid, go for it!

Step 4:

Sponge or paint some puffy clouds underneath! Step back and enjoy watching how the sun illuminates your rainbow from the inside and outside!

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

How has your community been spreading hope?

Our Family's Spring + Social Distancing Bucket List | Let's Get Creative!

I recently heard someone say that this COVID-19 event will mark our kids generation. What memories do you have of events that have marked your life? My generation was impacted by Y2K, and 9/11. Thinking back on those events there are some things that I would have liked to have done differently. So i’m choosing to look at this significant event in history as an opportunity to serve and love others and to make it as positive as possible for my family.

Let’s have some family fun too! What better way to curb stress with some creative ideas. Create your own family bucket list for spring + social distancing! Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

1. Get Lost Car Game (inspired by GrayBenko )

   • The kids have control from the moment you pull out of your driveway, let your kids take turns deciding which direction to turn. Set a timer for 30 min, and see where you end up at the end of that 30 min. Then get out and take a family photo. You may discover nothing, or you may find adventure along the way.

2. Random Act of Kindness

   • Ding dong ditch someone with some special snacks or even precious toilet paper! This will sure get your kids excited.

3. Family Picnic

   • You could combine the get lost game with a family picnic at the end destination! Or, find a remote location to enjoy a picnic outside!

4. Backyard Campout

   • Break out that tent and have a family sleepover in the backyard.

5. Kindness Rocks

   • Make kindness rocks with encouraging messages or happy pictures. Then have fun scattering them around your city.

6. Find a new trail in your city and go on a hike!

   • I bet there are many trails you have never explored within close proximity to you.

7. Bike Ride

8. Do a puzzle together

9. Watch a movie series :

   • Star Wars

   • Beethoven 1,2,3, 4, there are several more!

   • Free Willy 1,2,3, 4

   • Toy Story 1,2,3,4

10. Plant Grass seed in a windowsill pot and watch them grow! (Grass Tutorial)

    OR make a family garden in the yard, let the kids pick out some flowers to plant.

11. Craft

    • Buy some wooden cars at Michaels. Paint them and then have your own pinewood derby like the boy scouts!

    • Craft Stick Creations…Click HERE for the link. Have your kids make something out of the sticks by glueing them together.

12. Organize a Sidewalk Chalk Festival In Your Neighborhood!

• Invite your neighbors to participate in a sidewalk chalk festival! Every family colors their sidewalk in front of their house. You can even get creative and have a theme or hand out prizes for the best entries! Then have fun walking the neighborhood looking at everyones creation! Inspired by SCAD sidewalk arts festival!

13. Outdoor yoga or family stretching

14. Slip n slide, sprinklers, water table, water balloons

15. Love on Health care professionals and their families, the elderly, single parents

• check on them via text or phone call

• offer to go to the store for them

• offer to babysit their kids

16.Read a book or a book series aloud to your kids (Chronicles of Narnia, The Secret Garden, James and The Giant Peach). Drop your suggestions in the comments too!

What creative things have you done that have been life giving to you and your family?

The Best House Plants For Beginners | Tips & Tricks

It’s that time of year when I start to really crave warmer weather, sunshine, and flowers. However spring just can’t make up its mind. So to usher spring in quicker I have started filling my home with plants!

Last year I became a plant mom for the first time! I had been wanting plants and thought i’d probably not have much luck with keeping them alive. However, I am happy to report that many of them are still with me today! Not all of them survived, but I have learned a few things along the way that I thought might be fun to share with you!

Plants I have kept alive

(photos of these plants are above and are in order from left to right)

Monstera/Split Leaf Philodendron- It looks like a monstera but it is actually called a split leaf philondenron and it is perfection! This plant has done me no wrong. It has been a happy little plant and is loving it’s bright light spot on our hearth.

Peace Lily- This plant was so beautiful up until a few months ago! I think I overwatered it and it started to brown on its leaves. However, new growth keeps happening so I think it is on the mend! Also, this plant had beautiful white lilies on it when I bought it, but they browned and so I simply trimmed them off. I love it’s big leaves all on it’s own.

Snake plant- you can’t kill this thing. I have overwatered and under-watered this thing and it WILL NOT DIE! If you are nervous about becoming a plant mom, try this one! Also, it can do well in low light!

Fern- this baby is wild but I love it! Every time I think I have killed it, it keeps growing! I simply cut away the brown leaves when they show up and it seems to be happy about that. This baby likes moderate light.

White Nerve Plant- I love the white vein detail on this plants leaves. It tends to like low to moderate light and to not let the soil dry out completely in between waterings.

Dracaena- I feel like this plant is going to die on me at any moment, but then it doesn’t. It prefers to have moist soil and not let the soil dry out. So I sometimes water it more than once a week. It also likes moderate light, next to a window.

Pothos- Everyone says pothos are easy plants, however mine is not thriving. I love this thing and I think I need to repot it, but am nervous about that! It prefers moderate light also even though it said it could handle low light. It’s leaves are so pretty…I am determined to get this thing thriving!

(Shop using my affiliate links by clicking on the photo)

Plants I have killed

Croton- This is a beautiful plant that I keep replacing, however it has not done well in the winter months for me inside. This plant has become diseased twice on me and I think it actually prefers being outside on our porch. I moved it outside back in December (on a covered porch), and to my surprise it is still kicking.

English Ivy- This was also supposed to be easy to keep alive. I’m not sure what happened, maybe I over watered it or it wanted to be repotted? I bought this plant twice also, and killed it twice.

Succulents- I think my lethal mistake was putting them in a plant with no hole in the bottom. But they did thrive for a few months before they bit it.

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure you know where you want to put your plant before you buy it. Does that space get lots of bright light (next to a window), or is it low light (far from a window)? Look at the tag before you buy the plant, it will tell you what type of light the plant prefers and how to take care of it. Also, don’t be afraid to move your plant around if it doesn’t seem to be thriving in a certain location!

• If a room or space has no windows or not a lot of light, it’s best to opt for a fake plant. This is how I killed a few plants before heading out to get some realistic faux plants. Also, if you have real plants in your home…the fake ones look more real!

• Buy larger more well established plants. I seem to have better luck with larger plants living longer and thriving. Larger plants don’t outgrow their container and don’t need to be repotted as often.

• Make sure the container your plant is in has a hole in the bottom. The plants I have killed quickly are plants that have not had a drainage hole in the bottom of its pot. This is key so that even if you over water it, the extra water has somewhere to go. Plants don’t like to sit in standing water.

• Something to be aware of when choosing plants is that some plants are toxic if your pet or child eats the leaves. Make sure to check the toxicity of your plants and be aware in order to keep your kids and pets safe!

When should I water?

The best way to kill plants is to over water them. Most plants only need watered 1x week or when you stick your finger in the soil and it is dry. So pick a day and time to water! Sunday is my water day, but Water Wednesday is a great way to remember too!

Where should I put plants?

Plants instantly make a space feel more cozy. Every room can easily take a plant somewhere in it! Think…

Mantel

Entryway

Side Table

Window Sill

Hearth

Bookshelves

I want plants but can’t afford them right now!

Have no fear, bring the greenery in from your yard! I have been clipping leaves off of my bushes when I just need a little extra green around my house! Depending on the variety, some leaves will keep for a few weeks (in water), while others need to be refreshed every week. Have fun experimenting!

Greenery from an outside bush, and Azaleas!

Affordable pots

The most affordable pots I have found are from Walmart and even Kroger! Keep your plants looking uniform in your home by choosing all one color pots! I love using concrete pots. There are so many fun shapes and textures but when grouped together they still go together. Another idea is to buy cheap terra cotta pots at Lowes or Home Depot and paint them! Check out this terra cotta inspo from Liz Marie Blog!

***Don’t get discouraged when you kill a plant! Even expert gardeners kill plants! It just happens, and it is a learning process! Have fun!

One-Piece Swimsuits Trends For 2020 | Target

The last thing I want to be thinking about right now is bathing suit season! But with spring break coming up, i’ve been forced to start looking. For the past two summers I’ve found my swimsuits at Target! I have been pleasantly surprised by their quality and style! I also have found that their suits fit true to size. Target has a bogo sale going on now until February 25th! (BOGO 50% off). So if you are in the market, I rounded up some of my favorites. Also, I love seeing what the new trends will be. I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of cute one pieces out there! Look what I found!

**Simply click on the photo of your favorite suit to take you to my affiliate link.

CLASSIC BLACK

• Classic black is a must have in your swimsuit wardrobe. Target has so many gorgeous black one piece suits. I am loving all the beautiful detailing on the back! As a Mama of 4, I thank the designers of these suits for making them so unique!

FUN

• I love to find suits with color and patterns that are youthful and not so granny like. I think these suits fit that description with their fun colors and designs. Trend alert: color block suits are in style! This makes me so happy because it’s a great way to have color without committing to a busy pattern.

TRENDY

• There are some really fun trends happening this season in one piece swimsuits. I remember as a kid having a swimsuit with a cutout back and thinking it was so cool (because my mama wouldn’t let me wear a two piece, haha!). Guess what the cutout trend is back! Also popular this year is the keyhole detail. What do you think of these styles?

I also have been eyeing some www.cupshe.com suits. They have some really fun one piece suits that are priced so cheap (like $24 and under!). I’ve never purchased from them before so I will let you know what I think! If you have experience with this company, I’d love to know what you think! Where else do you like to shop for fun and unique swimwear?