Happy Monday Babes! This week’s edit comes a bit later in the day, as I took some time to recover from a full week of family & fun. (My husband was off work & my step-daughter was visiting before heading off to college this Fall!)

Mom. The one who keeps things running smoothly!

This heading should really say, “Moms, we do it all!” My list includes: 4 kids, a household, a job, a marriage, hobbies, personal time (yes, we need it), bills to pay, errands to run, mouths to feed… you get my point.

Question: What is the secret to keep things running smoothly?

Answer: Planning!

To accomplish proper planning I use a weekly planner. This is the exact planner I use weekly to keep things running smoothly in my household. It is printable and customizable using a free account on Canva.com. You can head there for more free templates or comment below and I’ll email this one to you!

My Weekly Planner

The Essentials of a Weekly Planner:

Plan out your daily meals.

Dinner is the family meal of the day for us, so I prioritize that meal most in my planning. When shopping, I choose the proteins and sides for each day. I plan according to expiration dates and make sure to note if anything will need to be taken out in the morning to defrost. Skipping a day of defrosting, could mean having to order out or scrambling in the evening. That is not good for my budget or my sanity.

Add your weekly reminders.

List out any phone calls that need to be made, emails that need follow up, RSVP’s for birthday parties, gifts to purchase, amazon returns, packages to drop off etc. The point is to rid your brain of the pressure to-do all of these tasks. Some things can be delegated. Also, crossing off a completed task is extremely satisfying. Is it just me?

Jot down those notes.

When things pop up, write them down. I leave my weekly planner on the counter near the fridge, because I usually think of things while I’m washing the dishes. Again, is it just me? Ha! Implementing a system for lessening my “mental-notes” frees up space for me to relax. Then, when I choose to take time for myself, I can focus on me and not the billion open tabs in my head…Highly recommend.

Add a monthly calendar.

As you can see, the one I use is a small snapshot of the month. I can star important dates, but the details will be in my phone calendar. I stay on top of things when I have them marked and within my daily sight. The entire point of the weekly planner is just that: to have the ability to plan. Having key dates available to reference keeps me aware for upcoming activities and I am less likely to stress when the date arrives.

Making Time For Fun

If you ask me, making time for fun is a non-negotiable in life. We enjoyed a parent’s night out last week at the cutest, little axe-throwing spot in my town. Yes, I used cute and axe is the same sentence. Seriously though, check out the aesthetic of this spot:

Axe-throwing is completely out the ordinary for me, but so is spending kid-free time with other adults! I am still buzzing with joy and I cannot wait for the next outing. Make this your reminder to do something fun! Use my weekly planner and make it happen. Set aside a budget and stick to it. If you don’t have a babysitter, start being proactive now. Take the time to work out the details. If you need further convincing to plan your fun, check out the paly by play of our outing here on Instagram.

Getting dressed is a form of daily joy.

Now that we’ve agreed on making time for fun, let’s talk about daily joy! For me, my mood is directly tied to my feelings. If I feel uncomfortable in my clothing, you can be sure my mood will follow suit.

Last week, I posted my OOTD, “outfit of the day” on my Instagram every day. It was fun to share my daily style. I really enjoyed the conversations about repeating outfits, wearing what fits you and choosing a style that you truly love.

Shop My Looks

3 Steps to Define your Personal Style

1. What are your daily activities? Select clothing that will make you feel comfortable performing those activities.
2. What is your budget? Select stores that fit your budget. Search for sales, coupon codes and reward programs to further your money while shopping.
3. What attitude is blocking you from dressing how you want? It is time to be honest. Ditch the dirt and open up to the freedom you deserve. And what you deserve is more joy.

Reviews: The Key to Online Shopping

So, onto my next point about personal style. Your budget should not stop you from dressing the way you want. Online shopping can really broaden your options.

I am constantly finding the best deals online, but the key is to read the reviews! I want to find pieces to match my style and my budget, but I do not want to waste my money on low-quality items. When I read reviews I look for wording that will give me an idea of fit, material, durability, possible shrinkage and poor business practices.

A Cheat Sheet To Reading Online Reviews:

Fit: Sort by “reviews with photos” Check out the real bodies. Look at the size the customer ordered. Is their body type similar to yours?

Size: Pay attention to phrases like “true to size” or “order up for looser fit” Often, customers will note whether an item runs small/large or suggest to order another size for a desired look.

Material: I am reading for words like itchy, soft, cheap, see-through to describe the customer experience and potentially help me to decide if I want to buy.

Durability: This one is tricky, because bad reviews happen. Search for quantity of reviews on whether an item was made poorly. I am looking for phrases like: broken strap after two wears, zipper came off track easily, buttons were loose, shrunk after washing.

Quality of Business: Look for information about customer service and delivery. I am looking for phrases like: My order was lost and not recovered. My garments arrived wet or smelly. I was unable to return my item. The company had no phone number or customer service line for me to contact.

I purchased this belt bag/ fanny pack on amazon.com for Prime Day last week and reading the reviews was the only reason I was able to buy with confidence. I highly recommend if you are looking for a hands-free purse option!

Well babes, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed and as always, let’s chat about any of your questions. Or connect with me over on Instagram!