Monday Mix Up #22

Where have these been?!? Its been months since a Monday Mix Up has been done. I have been slacking.....there is just no other reason.

I've been in a bit of a midyear slump, I suppose. Most of the New Year's goals I've set for myself are more than likely not going to happen, plus some other personal things have been taking their toll. So keeping in line with some changes that I'm looking to make to get out of my slump- here is a little list to help procrastinate your Monday and maybe jump start any changes you've been wanting to make :)

*Spicy Tuna Melts from A Beautiful Mess.

I made these the other day and they were delicious!

 

I have signed up to do the September 30 Days of Lists! 

Sign up before Sept. 1st and you receive an awesome digital listing kit. 

Amy and Kam always do a great job with these projects- I can't wait for this one to start!

If you're like me, and need a little nudge when it comes to cleaning, 

Clean Mama can help you out! Her free printable gives you a schedule

that helps you stay on track. 

If you ever feel lost at the grocery store, this list from 

The Every Girl is a pretty good start. Adjust as needed to fit your family size.

This shirt from Mulberry Press Co is awesome.

Sometimes its easy to give up on your dreams. 

You shouldn't.

Shake It Off- Taylor Swift

Its just so catchy! Its great for motivating you to keep going.

And this isn't goal oriented, but sometimes you need a little fun too! This is a Cards Against Humanity inspired game based on John and Hank Green. Super fun for the Nerdfighters out there! Visit this site to print your copy of the cards.

Happy Monday! I hope you all have an incredible week :)

Monday Mix Up #21

Happy Monday everyone! In honor of my starting the Blog Life e-course done by the super talented sisters Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess, I have decided to make this Monday Mix Up all about blogging!

This e-course is priced at $50, which is not cheap. But it comes with a lot of their personal experiences peppered with valuable advice on how to make a living off your blog. They also give you cute printables to take notes on :)

Link.

I randomly stumbled upon Alexa Poletti through IG the other day, and was surprised that one of her latest blog posts was so in tune with what I was thinking about in terms of my own blog. While her guide focuses more on fashion and beauty blogging (because thats what she blogs about), there are still some tips that can translate to any type of blog you're writing. 

Link.

Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community

I read this book while starting my blog last year. Its what prompted my almost immediate URL change (oops!). It has a lot of really good advice in it, and I will be re-reading it again soon (probably after Elsie and Emma's e-course). I recommend this book if you want to learn a lot of blogging basics. 

And here's a picture of Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser- the OG of bloggers.

Anyone else love this show? I still do.

Skills to Pay the Bills: (Mostly) Handmade Advent Calendars

Boy, you know that saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, I could make a lemonade distribution center with all the lemons life has been throwing at me lately. I finally feel well enough to sit here and type out this post, that I had originally wanted to do earlier. I mean, Advent calendars are for Christmas countdowns, and here we are, already seven days into December. If anything, maybe it will inspire you to do a smaller countdown (which I may do with my children), or its something to keep in the back of your head for next Christmas. I love Advent calendars, even though I wasn't raised particularly religious. It was always fun to pop out a little piece of chocolate as I counted down Santa's arrival. I've bought them in the past for my kids, but my daughter isn't a huge chocolate fan, and my son isn't as impressed with candy as he used to be (which is good)- so I didn't buy any this year. But I did see a few blog posts about homemade Advent calendars that I thought were so cool, and I thought I'd share them with you.

The first one is from Kaelah at Little Chief Honeybee. I really admire her blog and also how well she's done at being a great stepmom to Toby (stepping into a parenting role is no easy task). She makes me want to do more creative things for my children!

This one is from Kristin at rukristin. Its an Advent calendar filled of reasons why you love your spouse. This idea can easily translate into why you love your children. So clever.

This is from a post last year on A Beautiful Mess, but still completely relevant. Its an Advent tree!

Also from A Beautiful Mess is this year's Advent calendar. This is so adorable. 

I love the handmade envelopes.

And if these aren't enough inspiration, there's an e-book to help you out!

Found through Skunkboy, you can purchase it here.

Also, this isn't at all handmade, but I love this Advent calendar stocking from Pottery Barn Kids.

Buy it here.

Monday Mix Up #9 Part Two (A Day Late)

AK's note: This didn't post when it was supposed to, so yay, I got to rewrite it and add more to the list :)


My love of Halloween is overflowing today, and in this post I'm sharing some links to other great blogs that have shared some festive, fun ideas. Use them for family movie nights, class parties or however you wish to celebrate this spooktacular occasion!

1. Party food ideas for your little ones from Kaelah Bee. Ranging from healthy to not so, theres something for everyone in this mix.

2. Halloween movie night, complete with snack ideas from the ladies over at eighteen25. How awesome is that?

3. Also from the ladies at eighteen25,  these cute doughnuts! They'll take a bite out of you!

4. Need some teevee recommendations? Check out this post from The Nerdy Girlie. I would add the Halloween episodes of Pretty Little Liars. They're pretty awesome, but I think the show as a whole is pretty awesome. 

This is last year's Halloween ad. 

Found here.

5.Pumpkin painting from MINi Style. Meant as an alternative to pumpkin carving for younger children, it translates nicely for adults. Last year my kids and I painted our pumpkins and they help up really well....like I didn't have to throw them away until February well. 

6. This family costume of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys is adorable. Found on A Beautiful Mess, it features Katie and her family of Skunkboy fame.

7. Also from A Beautiful Mess, a nice little roundup of Halloween goodness, including creative ways to eat your Halloween candy and last minute costume ideas. Search the Halloween tag for more awesome ideas.

8. Monster mouths! Have I shared this before? I feel like I have. Oh well, it bears repeating. It makes fruit more appealing (lol) to children. Found on Thirty Handmade Days, where there are a ton of cute Halloween ideas. Go check them out!