Reducing Back to School Stress

The first of August is usually a dreaded time for students, teachers and parents alike. Back to school comes with a lot of excitement, but it always comes with a lot of stress. Is the backpack ready, what am I going to wear, have the kids had breakfast, what about lunch... the list goes on and on. So, here are 5 tips/strategies to reduce the stress that comes with back to school.



1. Plan Breakfasts for the Week

I know I have shown this weekly list before, but I absolutely love it for a variety of things. Start the week off on a good note by planning your breakfasts for the week. On Sunday, sit down with you kids and decide on their favorite breakfasts, pencil them in, and you know what to cook every morning. You may even be able to meal prep some of these things ahead of time, such as boiling eggs. This could also be used to plan lunches and dinners.

2. Create a Lunch/Snack Station

This is a really great idea for those of you who always seem to be running out the door. Place items that are frequently used for snacks/lunches in a bin in the refrigerator or counter. Then when it is time to pack lunch/snack just grab what items you need, throw them in the lunch boxes (which you can set out the night before to save time), and you're out the door.

3. Create a "Needs Signed" Box

Back to school comes with a lot of paper work. Permission slips need to be signed, medical forms need to be updated, etc. This can quickly turn into paper chaos. Many times these papers end up lost, and never get signed. By creating a "needs signed" box, your children can drop off all of their papers that you need to sign or look at, and you know exactly where they are. This tub would work great for a "needs signed" box, plus it will double as home décor.

4. Pick Out Outfits Ahead of Time

Have you kids pick there outfits out ahead of time. You can do this the night before or even on Sunday they could lay out all of their outfits for the week. This drastically reduces the time it takes to get ready in the morning and takes the work out of, what am I going to wear?

 

 

 

 

5. Fix Backpacks the Night Before
Also fix all backpacks, purses and sports bags the night before and have them waiting by the door. This way you can just grab them and go without all the fuss. These totes would make great bags for school.

 

 

 

 

All of the items pictured can be found at the Seasonal Shoppe, excluding the shoes, jeans and food. For more information or to place an order please call us at 606-349-3135.

 

 



Extending the Life of Your Summer Wardrobe!

Here at the Seasonal Shoppe we are having our huge End of Summer Sale! (Check out our Facebook page for all the details.) One huge part of our sale is that all women's summer clothing is 50% off. Now you may be thinking, "Why do I need summer clothing when it is almost fall?" But, did you know you can extend the life of your summer wardrobe with a few simple tricks. Here is an example:

Take this dress. It is a blue and white chevron, sleeveless dress from All For Color. This is one of the many dresses that is 50% off. In the summer time this dress would be cute paired with a simple piece of jewelry, some flats, or even some gladiator sandals. But, how could this possibly work for fall. Here's how;

First off, pay no mind to the box of decorations in the floor, I am still in the process of decorating. But, back to the outfit. This is that same dress as seen above, but to make it fall appropriate I added a few things. First, I added a dark brown belt to accentuate my waist. Then I threw on this tan cardigan. Any type of cardigan, jacket, or blazer would work great here. I also added some black leggings, we have these at the Shoppe, they are Mud Pie. These are the best leggings I have ever owned, plus you can't see through them. You could add a pop of color here as well with some colored leggings. Then I threw on my brown motorcycle boots. Any pair of riding boots would be great hear as well, or even some cute booties. This look can totally be made your own with your choice of cardigan, belt, leggings and shoes. Plus, throwing on a cute scarf, or a piece of statement jewelry would be adorable.

I just realized you can see the baby mobile in the picture (haha), just ignore that too. For this look I decided to do something a little different with this dress. This outfit would be great for work. I pulled on a tan skirt over top of the bottom of the dress, thus making the dress look like a shirt. Then I added a light brown belt to accentuate my waist again. This time I added a 3/4 length sleeve, orange cardigan. I paired it all together with a  pair of tan heals. This look can also be customized in a variety of ways, depending on the color and style of cardigan, belt, skirt, and shoes. A pair of flats would be great with this outfit, and you could change out the cardigan for a cute jacket.

 

By transforming your current summer pieces into outfits for fall, you are extending the life of your closet. Depending on the number of cardigans, jackets, shoes, etc. you have in your closet, you could wear this one dress several different ways, without anyone thinking your wearing the same clothes. So, stop in at the Shoppe this week and take advantage of these great savings on summer clothing.

Birthday Celebrations!

Birthdays are a special time for children and parents as well. As parents, we want to remember the special memories created on these birthdays, and make them as special as possible. One way we like to make birthdays special is by having a specific birthday outfit. Here at the Seasonal Shoppe we have several birthday outfits that will be great for your little one. Check them out.

 

The two pictures are Mud Pie outfits. As you can see, we have them for the first birthday and second. It is a built in white tank top, with pink tutu and pink/white striped leggings. The neck of the shirt is lined in gold, as well as the tutu. The age is in gold and gold polka dots are on the leggings. This is an adorable birthday outfit for your little one. We also have the gold birthday hat with pink tulle, diaper covers, high chair banner, and much more.

 

 

These 3 are for the little boys. We only have age 1 in these. The first outfit is just a body suit with a plaid tie and a 1 on it. The second outfit is a blue/white striped romper. This outfit has a dragon wearing a birthday hat and carrying a red one. The last one is a baseball tee shirt with a dragon on it, the dragon is blowing out a cupcake that has a 1 on it. These are the cutest outfits for a little boy and something he is sure to love. We also have the blue, one highchair banner.

 

 

These outfits are a great addition to any first or second birthday. Parents and children alike are sure to love them. Plus, you will get some really adorable pictures.



Wedding Registry

First off, I want to apologize for not getting a post up last week. The plan was to do a 4th of July decorating post, but due to unforeseen circumstances that was not possible. But, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. We have a lot of exciting things going on at the Seasonal Shoppe. We now do wedding registry's. This change could not have came at a better time. We are getting in beautiful, new home décor daily. These items come from places such as Mud Pie. Since we are now doing registries I am going to show you future brides and gift buyers some of the items we have....

 

One perfect gift is one of these Mud Pie initial frames. These frames would be a great household shower or wedding gift. These are perfect for family photos and wedding photos. Just pick out the bride-to-be's future initial and you are good to go. We also have these Mud Pie initial letters that are perfect for sitting around, and add a simple touch to your décor.

We also have a great selection of dishes here at the Shoppe. These are a few of the Mud Pie dish pieces that we have. These pieces say, "Happy Everything." Those pictured are a platter, deviled egg tray, and pitcher. We also have a large section of other dishes (see below);

Many of the pieces in this photo are Wilton Armetale. They are gorgeous, silver pieces that make the perfect wedding gift, and addition  to your home.

If you are needing something to decorate your new dining room table, look no further. Here at the Shoppe we have a wide variety of tableware. This includes table clothes, napkins, placemats, and napkin rings. We have everything to create your perfect table setup.

And if you are looking to decorate with your wedding photos, these Mud Pie frames are perfect. They are complete with various sayings so that you can find the perfect one to display your special day.

Don't be fooled, this is not all we have at the Seasonal Shoppe. We have bedding, throws, pillows, lanterns, garden flags and decorations, candles, candles warmers and much, much more. Also, when you register your items will be displayed in a prime spot in the store, with your name and wedding date.

To start your wedding registry or to place an order, stop in at the Seasonal Shoppe or give us a call at 606-349-3135.

Front Door Decorating Ideas

Summer is here and it's time to redecorate those front doors. We have a variety of ideas here at the Seasonal Shoppe that will make your front door beautiful. We have wreaths, baskets and letters. Here at the Shoppe we can create your one-of-a-kind wreath or basket. Here are a few of the things we can do;

This is our newest letter from Mud Pie. It comes with a standard burlap tie, but we can add any bow you would like. We have a large selection of ribbon for you to choose from. Also, if you would like an extra pop of color, we can change the paint color from the standard black to whatever you would like.

This is another Mud Pie letter. The letters in this are limited due to the new design coming out. This letter is cream and has a burlap tie. We can customize this letter with any ribbon or paint color of your choosing as well.

This is another neat idea for front door décor. This is a new burlap flag that we have in at the Shoppe. The initial is a turquoise blue. This would be a really pretty color for summer. Plus after you take it down from your door, you could use it as a flag in your garden.

This is a Mud Pie initial wreath. The initial in the center is a cream color. They do not come with bows, but a bow of your choice can be added. Once again, we have a variety of different ribbon to make this appropriate for anytime of year, event, etc. This is a great money saver as well. You can purchase this wreath and just change out the bow for each season or holiday.

This is one of the customized wreaths we created. It is a greenery wreath with one of the Mud Pie initial letters attached and a turquoise, chevron, burlap ribbon. We can create these with a different color ribbon and letter.

This is a metal basket we created. We also have a variety of wooden baskets as well. Plus, we have a wide assortment of flowers. This type of front door decoration can be customized many different ways. You can choose the basket, flowers and greenery that you prefer.


If you are interested in any of these items or would like to place a custom order please call us at 606-349-3135.


Which front door decoration is your favorite?

Beach Bag Essentials

The weathers getting warmer, the sun is getting brighter, and the water is calling our names. Whether you hit the beach this summer or the pool, you will need to fill your beach bag with these must have necessities.

1. First, you need the perfect beach bag. This beach bag can't be too small and has to be easy to clean up. Plus, it needs to be cute. It needs to be able to hold all of your gear and be able to survive a few spills. This Mud Pie tote would be the perfect beach companion. Plus, we are in love with the saying.

2. Second, you need a cute swimsuit cover up. The cover up is essential for when you are not in the water, or if you want something quick to throw over your bikini to go grab a bite to eat. For all of you fashion forward ladies out there, you are going to want something cute. This Mud Pie Lace Cover Up is a must have.  

3. Sunglasses! Sunglasses are a must have for summer. Not only are they a cute fashion accessory, but they also help protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. There are a variety of sunglass styles to fit every personality. Everything from aviator to cat eye. So, pick out your favorite pair and get outside.



4. Hat. A hat is essential for the summer as well. Hats help protect your face from the sun as well. Whether you want to go for a big, floppy sun hat, or a baseball cap, having a hat in your beach bag is a life saver. Look around for a hat that fits your own personal style, and that provides good coverage for your face.

5. Lastly, throw in some good sunblock, a beach towel, and a book and/or magazine and your good to go. Get outside and enjoy the sun, sand and water!!

All the items pictured can be purchased at the Seasonal Shoppe. Call or email us for prices or to place an order.



Tips for a Happy, Healthy Life

Life is a beautiful thing. Sometimes, who am I kidding--most of the time, we get caught up in the day to day that we forget to sit back and really enjoy it. This summer I think we should all vow to be more present in the moment, and enjoy life. Here are some tips and tricks for living a happy, healthy life.

Tip #1 Get Organized

Organization is an important key to a happy life. If everything has a place, then you always know where it is, and where it should go. This way, at the end of the day you can do a quick sweep through the house and place everything where it belongs. This simple step can reduce your cleaning time, leaving you more time to spend with family and friends, especially on the weekend. Organization doesn't just come in the form of "everything having it's place," it also includes planning. I am a big planner. I love knowing what I am doing, when I am doing it. I love making lists as well. When planning you can use a planner, or simply just write things down that you want to get done. I love making a weekly cleaning schedule. Each day I write out what I am going to do. This keeps me from having to take all day Saturday or Sunday to clean the entire house. I break the work down into 20-30 minute tasks. Here is what I use for my weekly cleaning list;

You could also do this with children's events, study sessions/assignments, projects, working out, etc. The possibilities are endless.


Tip #2 Drink Lots of Water

I know this is a tip you hear everywhere, but it really is that important.
Your body/organs needs water to function. Water is good for your skin, its flushes the toxins out of your body, and helps improve your mood. Water is very beneficial for you mind and body. If you find it hard to get enough water in a day, invest in a cute water bottle or cup and fill it full several times a day. Water makes you feel better, thus you will have more energy to spend time doing things you love.           
         
       

 

Tip #3 Workout

Once again, I know you hear this everywhere but working out is extremely beneficial to your health. Not only does it burn calories but it releases endorphins that boost your mood. Working out does not have to be a grueling, can't move the next day experience. Working out can be fun. Seriously. Grab you child and head to the playground (but don't just sit, actually play). Walk your dog. Shoot some hoops with your friends. All of these things are exercise, and you are likely not to even notice it because you will be having so much fun. If you just can't seem to get in the mood to exercise, buy some cute workout gear, this may motivate you to get out and exercise, and give you the opportunity to show off your new gear.

 

 

Tip #4 Write down your thoughts

Being in tune with our bodies and mind is important. Take a few minutes a day to unwind and write down your thoughts. This is a perfect way to vent about things going on in your life. You can do this by journaling, or just making a list at the end of the day of things that happened. Journaling helps you get your ideas/thoughts down on paper. This can be a very therapeutic experience and help release some of the stress that we compile throughout the day. Nobody has to see this journal, so just write what you feel. Grab some paper and a pen, and get to writing.
           
           


Tip #5 Spend time everyday doing something you love

Everyday day spend at least 5 minutes doing something you love. Whether it is reading, watching TV, drawing, taking a walk, photography, etc. We spend so much time working and going to school that sometimes we forget to spend sometime on ourselves and the things that make us happy. Take as much or as little time as you need, but do at least 5 minutes a day. When we take care of ourselves, and try to enjoy life, the happiness will come.

Doing all of these things will not guarantee you a happy, healthy life, but these five simple tips will help reduce the stress in your life and boost your mood. Thus, you will have more time and energy to enjoy your life and the people in it.

One Last Tip: Smile!

All of the items in this post are from the Seasonal Shoppe. Call or email us for prices.