Fall has arrived and with it ushers in the excitement of the season! There’s just something about the essence of autumn: the crisp breeze, the abundance of pumpkin spice, and the leaves drifting from the trees. Why not extend that fall ambiance from outdoors to inside your home? Selecting the perfect fall decor pieces can truly transform your living space.

Resist the temptation to go crazy with decorating. I know in all the excitement it can be easy to go overboard. I can guarantee, that less is more, especially if you favor a more minimalistic approach to life and your space.

I’m here to show you a few ways you can simply and minimally decorate your home for fall this year. The goal is to make it cozy without overcomplicating things. Simplicity is key.

Welcome to my fall home tour, where I’ll showcase all the fall decor I incorporated into our living space this autumn. I hope it inspires you with a few ideas to begin your own fall decorating journey.

A Wreath Welcomes Your Guests.

Make a great first impression. The wreath you select can accomplish this. Choose a wreath that you love or one that conveys the feeling you want to offer your visiting guests.

The wreath on our front door, a gift from my mom, features lush greenery, hydrangeas, and petite white pumpkins. It sets the tone for fall’s arrival, hinting at the seasonal warmth and charm that awaits inside. Your front porch (and especially your front door) preludes what fall means in your home.

A Tiered Tray is perfect for adding pizzazz to your kitchen.

This is my first year creating a tiered tray and I really like how it turned out. It’s simple, affordable, and reusable for multiple holidays. I love the versatility of it!

You’ll first need to purchase a tiered tray of your choice. Go ahead and check out this one I purchased from Amazon for around $30.

I’ve acquired a collection of petite autumn decorations, including small fuzzy pumpkins and a stack of books titled “Choose to be Grateful.” Additionally, I adorned it with some floral elements: a tiny vase holding white blossoms and a few sunflowers, complementing the orange, yellow, green, and white color palette.

That’s the extent of my fall kitchen decor. I feel that my counters become too cluttered if I add anything else; I prefer a less crowded space to fully enjoy the fall baking season.

A Fall Centerpiece that is a Showstopper.

I DIY’d mine this year. If you want to make your own, follow the step-by-step tutorial in my recent blog post: A SIMPLE DIY FALL CENTERPIECE: A STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL.

A dough bowl serves as an ideal base for a centerpiece, adaptable for every season’s decor.

Leave out the fancy charger plates and elaborate napkins with their rings. Particularly when you have children, it’s simply impractical. There was a time when I adorned my table with all sorts of decorations, but with kids, it’s more feasible to keep it simple. Opt for a single, easy-to-move centerpiece to free up space on the table as needed.

Simple & Charming Coffee Table Decor

Once more, I find myself suggesting a dough bowl. Alternatively, you could use a tray to gather your items.

I’ve placed a cute leaf-patterned table runner on our coffee table, topped with a dough bowl brimming with small pumpkins in shades of green, cream, and orange. Again, simple yet festive. It simply feels like fall to me and that’s exactly what I’m aiming for.

The pumpkins are resilient enough for the kids to play with without causing any damage. I prefer using a table runner on this coffee table as it introduces an additional layer of texture beyond the monotonous brown, without being overwhelming.

You might also spot a couple of throw pillows on the sofa. I keep it very minimal in the pillow department because, let’s face it, with kids and dogs, the pillows end up being tossed about and used as makeshift stepping stones. If you know, you know.

Entryway Statement Piece

Upon entering a home, I believe it’s important to display some sort of seasonal decorations. But again…they should be simple and minimal. They should evoke the spirit of fall without requiring much extra work and effort to maintain.

I prefer to arrange items on trays or in bowls for convenience. This makes it simple to lift and clean underneath or to remove them entirely when necessary.

Reusing decor for different seasons, in different ways, is resourceful and cuts down on your decor storage needs.

Here are the items I displayed on a circular wooden tray on my entryway table:

• Candles (battery-operated) are always a great option
• A unique vase, you can change out the flowers each holiday/season if desired
• Pumpkins again (different texture to these ones)
• Miniature Book stack that says “I Love Fall Most of All”
• Beaded garland that says “Gather”

Pumpkin Baked Goods

I know, I know, not exactly a decoration, but certainly an aspect that can contribute to the cozy, warm feeling of your home.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I bake a new pumpkin-flavored treat every week in September and October.

Displaying these baked goods in this lovely Hearth & Hand cake stand adds a special touch to my kitchen and they’re entirely edible. At least until my family devours them!

Here’s a few of the pumpkin baked goods I’ve baked so far this season:

• Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
• Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin cookies
• Pumpkin Sugared Donut Holes
• Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
• Pumpkin cookie bars

Maybe a little excessive, but you can always bake and share with friends or neighbors. And display them in a charming way until they are eaten.

The Aroma of Fall

Of course, candles are a popular choice for making your home smell like fall. There are plenty of scrumptious-smelling candles out there.

Rather than candles, I have chosen to use an essential oil diffuser. There are a multitude of fall essential oil blends that you can create, depending on the scent you desire. The fun thing about a diffuser is that you can easily change up the scent depending on your mood or preference each day.

My current scent combination is: Orange, clove, & cinnamon bark.

Other Simple Decorating Tips (you probably already know)

• If you have children, keep it kid-friendly! You don’t need the extra stress of worrying about your kids breaking or ruining something.

• Pumpkins. You can’t ever have too many pumpkins. If I don’t know what to add to a space, I just add a pumpkin. Simple solution.

Here is how I’ve “styled,” our bookshelf in the living room. I don’t even consider if styling it, because it’s functional as well. Just a few fall touches and pops of color.

• Focus your decorating on the main areas only. I stick to my living room, dining room, entryway, & kitchen.

• Fall foliage-Add some fall stems or flowers. I spray painted Starbucks Frappuccino bottles ions ago and still use them to display faux flowers on our media stand.

• Maintain a color scheme for your fall home decor. I embrace the bold colors, like orange and yellow for fall. All muted tones, like tans and beige doesn’t get me in the cozy spirit.

• Consider setting a fall-themed TV background, perhaps accompanied by jazz music, to create an exceptionally cozy atmosphere.

Don’t be Afraid to Decorate Minimally

It’s common to go all out with fall and Christmas decorations, which, I confess, it is enjoyable to browse and purchase new items for the home each year. That is, until you accumulate 18 full tubs and are literally drowning in home decor. However, this isn’t feasible for most people, considering our budgets or mental space.

Therefore, I’m suggesting you choose simplicity instead. Keep it small and manageable.

Choose fall home decor that you adore, that brings joy to your children year after year, and even those sentimental items that hold special meaning.

I’m not discouraging you from purchasing those new throw pillows or the tiered tray (since I got one myself this year) but do so with purpose. Be intentional!

Contemplate before you splurge on fall home decor. Ask yourself, what atmosphere do you want in your home? And how can you attain that ambiance in a way that’s both practical and easy for you to handle?

Happy Fall Decorating!

Let’s liven up your dining room table with a simple DIY fall-themed centerpiece! Whether you love all the vibrant colors of fall or more muted tones, you can surely adapt this DIY project to fit your preferences.

I love all the dynamic colors Fall has to offer! The more shades of red, orange, and gold, the better.

So why make your centerpiece, when you can just as easily buy decor for your dining room table anywhere? Kirklands. Hobby Lobby. Target. Walmart. I’ve seen many nice ones available for purchase. However, I envisioned something different than I’d seen at any store.

That’s the exciting part of a DIY! You can create your own masterpiece. Make your vision “come to life.” Whether you’re a crafty person or not (I’m not!), this do-it-yourself project has simple enough steps for anyone to follow.

So here’s what it takes! A couple of trips to Hobby Lobby and back (I wish I could say it was only one). A (little bit) of stress trying to find just the right items and colors I’d imagined. And just a little bit of patience. However, if you follow my step-by-step tutorial (after my trial & error process), you should have a beautiful, fall-inspired centerpiece adorning your table in no time.

I wanted to include the contrast of both florals and pumpkins. At first, I was unsure whether white pumpkins were the best choice. Perhaps a little too much pop of white, too much stark contrast? Actually, it really grew on me and now I really adore how it turned out.

I did include many different types (and colors) of fall florals including tans, browns, oranges, reds, and greens. Again, fit the DIY to your liking. My goal here is to give you a brief outline of how to create a centerpiece without all the guesswork, which I previously endured.

Pro tip: You can easily repurpose items you already have to complete this project. Whether you have leftover floral stems, an extra pillar candle, or pumpkins galore, they may be useful for this DIY centerpiece. Make sure to search around your home and in your fall decorating bins first, before going out and buying all the things. I had a dough bowl I decided to reuse as the base for my centerpiece.

Materials You’ll Need

• A dough bowl
• Block of floral foam
• A 6-foot-long Greenery garland
• Floral stems (your choice, depending on your color scheme)
• 2 white Pumpkins
• Glass candle holder
• White pillar candle

LET’S GET CRAFTY!

Step #1: Gather all your supplies.

First, collect all the materials you need. Take tags off or wipe down items, if needed. Lay your supplies out on your workspace so you’re ready to go!

Step #2: Cut the floral foam.

Next, you must prep your floral foam, to fit into your dough bowl. I purchased the FloraFom 2.9in X 3.9in X 3.9 in, so it was necessary to cut it in half to make two smaller pieces. I used a kitchen knife, which easily sliced the foam in half. Not without a little mess, but it did the trick.

Step #3: Arrange the floral stems.

Next, you need to decide on the arrangement of your floral stems.

Poke them into the pieces of foam, around three of the edges only (see the pictures below for reference). You will complete this step for both foam pieces.

Once you’ve completed step #3, you will have two foam pieces with the floral stems sticking out the sides. It may look silly at this point, but I promise it will all pull together in the end. Just wait for it.

Step #4: Place the greenery in the dough bowl.

Using your long greenery garland (I chose a 6-foot strand), lay it out in the dough bowl. It will make an oval shape around the outer edge. Ensure that it’s evenly spaced out. If there is extra greenery, cut the remainder off. Save it! Because you will most likely need this later to fill in the gaps that will occur.

Step #5: Place the floral arrangements in the dough bowl.

With your greenery garland set in place, you will position your foam/floral stem creations into the dough bowl as well (one on each end), leaving space in the middle.

To get the look you desire, manipulate the stems and greenery until you are satisfied with the look.

Step #6: Add the pumpkins.

Hopefully, you have chosen pumpkins that fit perfectly over the green foam squares. My pumpkins are just the right size, completely covering the green foam pieces.

I simply set them in the dough bowl; I don’t think gluing is necessary. However, if you prefer, you may hot glue the bottom of each pumpkin onto the floral foam.

Step #7: Set the candle in place.

Place your small pillar candle into the glass jar/vase. In the middle of the dough bowl, there should be adequate space to fit the candle jar.

Step #8: Fill in any gaps that remain.

You will notice some gaps around the candle and the inner edges of the pumpkins. Now you will take any leftover stems and greenery you have, to “fill in the blanks.”

These are the materials I have left to work with. So just utilize what you have left to make the centerpiece complete. All the pieces of the puzzle have been put together and voila your centerpiece is complete!

I am thrilled with the final product!

Enjoy Many Fall Meals with Your Charming DIY Centerpiece in the Spotlight

I hope you are content with the end result: a gorgeous centerpiece you can enjoy for the autumn season and for years to come!

If not, you can easily change any floral choices you don’t love. I started with smaller pumpkins and had to head back to the store to purchase larger ones that fit the space better.

Maybe I inspired you to try your hand at this DIY project this fall. It will add color and pizzazz to any dining room table or coffee table!

Don’t want to use include a candle? Leave it out. Want to change it up and not go the pumpkin route? Feel free to do what suits your tastes. It really affords you plenty of flexibility.

Still not sure you’re up for a DIY? I’m just a non-crafty mom over here, trying new things. If I can make this centerpiece as one who lacks creative skills, I’m sure you will do a marvelous job as well!

Next, check out my Ultimate Fall Bucket List if you need some great ideas to further enjoy Fall!

It’s the perfect time of the year for a fall reset: a reset to your space, your routines, your wardrobe, your goals, and much more! Autumn, a most delightful and magical season, has arrived. As the leaves begin their color transformation, exciting changes and adventures await you as well.

As the weather cools, nostalgia kicks in. Remember the simple joys of your childhood, like jumping into a pile of lives or carving pumpkins? Reflecting on the wonderful memories and family traditions I experienced as a child; I aspire to provide my children with those dear memories too. Embrace the excitement in the simplicity of life, especially during the fall months.

Slowly and simply take the time this fall season to reset your life to make more time for the things that matter most to you. More time for your family. Your friends. More time to spend with God. And more time to be all that God has called you to be.

First things first. A fall reset will set you on track to enter this new season with intention and purpose. Decluttering. Tweaking routines. Cozy decorations and an inviting home atmosphere. Fall fashion choices. Setting (and sticking to) goals!

Read more to learn some practical ways to reset your home and your life this autumn.

Decluttering: It all Starts Here

Do you desire a fresh start? A fresh start cannot begin without a fresh space. Your home is the space where you live and dwell, where you most likely spend the most time each day. So, I encourage you to start in your home with decluttering!

Do you desire to have a more pleasant and clutter-free home? Removing unnecessary items is the first step in that process. What’s necessary is a clear mind and a peaceful space to breathe and embrace the new season. There is much research on the benefits of decluttering and living in a clean, clutter-free environment, which include improved mental health and increased productivity. Check out The Minimal Mom for more guidance and decluttering inspiration. She has tons of helpful videos on YouTube to assist in your decluttering journey.

1. Declutter your closet.

One of the first decisions you make in the morning is this: What should I wear today? By starting the decluttering process with your closet, we can make that decision much less complicated. Only keep clothes you love and will choose time and time again.

You can ask questions like:

• Have I worn this in the last year?
• Do I like how it looks on me?
• Do I like how it feels on me?
• Does it look worn out or stained?

If you haven’t worn the clothing item lately or if you don’t like how the shirt looks on you, it needs to go! If it is uncomfortable or looks like it’s seen better days, don’t be afraid to purge it.

I encourage you to decide on a “daily uniform,” which is simply a set of clothes which you choose to wear on the daily. A few pairs of pants and shirts you love and enjoy wearing. For me, most days it’s a pair of jeans (or leggings) and a T-shirt/sweatshirt.

2. Declutter your pantry and fridge.

Your kitchen, also known as the heart of the home, is next up for decluttering. The place where you cook delicious and nutritious meals for your family. The place where you prep fruits and snacks for your children. We cannot neglect this space in our home. Your cupboards, pantry, and fridge must be useful and organized so that cooking and baking can be a pleasant experience.

Out with the old, in with the new. You can’t very well try all those new fall recipes with a cluttered pantry of expired food and a refrigerator full of questionable containers.

Take time to clear out your fridge completely. I prefer to go shelf by shelf, then drawer by drawer. Take all the food items out and then determine if they need to be kept or tossed. Then, go ahead and take out each shelf/drawer and wash in the sink. Your refrigerator will be sparkling clean in no time!

A clean slate for your fridge. If time allows, tackle your freezer too!

I prefer to keep a pretty minimal pantry, with staples that we use weekly. I also don’t keep a huge backstock of food either, as more tends to go to waste that way. Make sure your pantry is ready for a new season with food items your family will use and enjoy.

3. Declutter Problem Areas

Yes, you could go on and continue decluttering every area of your house. If you have the energy and the time this month, go right ahead. More power to you.

However, during this reset, I encourage you to identify one or two other problem areas to focus on. An area that daily gives you grief or causes issues. Your entry table? Your dining room table? The kitchen utensils drawer?

Whatever it is, take 10, 20, or 30 minutes today to reset that space. Whatever amount time you can muster, it will make a difference.

Last week, I spent about 30 minutes decluttering our arts and crafts cupboard, since my girls spend a lot of time grabbing things from it. I also spent about 30 minutes decluttering our bathroom closet, because I needed to make room for more storage there. First, I identified two areas that were in dire need of decluttering and then got to work.

Daily Routines: Keeping Everything in Order

Order is necessary! Not just order in your space (which we tackled during the declutter portion), but order in your schedule and routines for each day.

Especially if you have children (or even if you don’t), you need a general routine for your day. Things that you do each morning. Things that you do each night.

1. Morning Routine

To be successful and productive for the remainder of the day, it is imperative to set up a morning routine that takes care of your needs. Take time to care for yourself in all areas, including physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Reset this routine to make the best use of your fall days. To make time for what’s important to you, whether that be fall baking or doing fall crafts with your toddlers.

• Is something not adequately working in your current morning routine?
• Do you not have a morning routine at all?
• Could you try a different order of events in your routine to allow for better flow?

I have a whole separate blog post going into much more detail on a 4-step morning routine that includes moving your body, nourishing your soul, preparing your physical appearance, and nourishing your body. Check it out HERE.

Even if you don’t decide to include all 4 steps in your morning, establish a routine that sets you up to be successful (however you define that) for the remainder of your day. It may include (probably should include) waking up before your children, so you have time to prepare for the day ahead without being needed by others.

2. Afterschool Routine

If you have school-aged children, you know the afterschool time can be very hectic. Have a plan in place for this! If you aren’t intentional with the time you have, everyone will become more easily stressed. You and your kids included.

This is my reality: 4 kids. Extracurricular activities. Homework (why does a 1st grader have so much homework??!) A healthy dinner.

Think through everything that needs to be accomplished before dinnertime each day and have a plan in place. I promise it will give you better peace of mind and everything will (hopefully) be complete earlier in the day. Before everyone becomes too tired and cranky, which makes it 10x harder to get that math homework done (at least in our house).

3. Night Routine

Your night routine sets you up for success the next day, so it is essential. Check out my related blog post on my evening routine: THE IDEAL NIGHT ROUTINE TO SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS THE NEXT DAY.

Essential steps to a night routine include closing out your kitchen, tidying the main area, prepping and planning for the next day, and ending with some well-deserved self-care time!

As a part of your fall reset, adjust any of these routines (only if needed). Don’t change them if everything is going smoothly already though. Keep doing what you know works! If at any time a routine fails to serve you, make adjustments as you see fit.

Fall Aesthetic: Make it Cozy, Please

What comes to mind when you hear the word, “cozy?” A soft, warm sweater. Throw blankets. A homey living room. A fire crackling in the fireplace. All those things and more can contribute to the fall aesthetic you desire.

1. Cozy home vibes.

To me, fall is one of the coziest times of the year. Elevate your fall experience a little more by making your home environment one your family and loved ones can feel comfortable in. Put some effort into decorating for fall, to give your home a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You don’t have to “go all out,” and buy 35 new decorative items from Hobby Lobby. Simply pick a few decorative pieces that bring you joy and liven up your home.

Find a diffuser blend that gives off a quintessential fall smell. Or a candle that brings about feelings of nostalgia for you. Even the background music you choose can add so much warmth and fall ambiance to your home, with minimal effort.

I always like to think of small touches that will bring my children joy as well. A few pumpkins on the front porch. Fresh baked goods for an afternoon snack.

2. Fall wardrobe upgrade.

By this, I don’t mean go all out and spend $1,000 on all the latest fall fashions. No, please don’t do that.

Instead, invest in a couple of new pieces of clothing, shoes, or accessories that you will love wearing this autumn. With a newly decluttered closet, you may notice a couple of gaps in your wardrobe. Now that you have a freshly decluttered closet, you should have a better idea of what clothing items you already have and what you may be lacking.

A new cozy sweater (I keep using that word cozy), a new pair of jeans that fit just right, a pair of black booties (to replace the ones you wore the last three seasons), a new fall-inspired dress (check out this beautiful dress I just purchased on Amazon and absolutely love). Whatever it may be that you need, definitely make sure it fits into your budget at this time.

3. Plan fall-themed activities.

Fall activities and events can ensure good, quality family time during the autumn months. I’d encourage you to make a family fall bucket list to ensure you participate in all the fall-themed activities that interest your family. Try to schedule time that works to head out to the local farm or to go to the drive-in movie.

I comprised a list of 20 ideas you must try this fall, which you can read next: THE ULTIMATE FALL BUCKET LIST. Some are easy to do on a whim, but some will require a little planning. Plan them now during your reset routine. Put them on the calendar now, before fall slips away from you.

Goals for the Fall Season

Goals? Aren’t goals supposed to be set at New Year’s? Definitely. But I encourage you to set some goals for this new season of life as well. Or you could reflect on the goals you set in January and make adjustments to accomplish the most important ones before 2024 wraps up. Make time for having fun family adventures, but also for investing in yourself and what you desire to accomplish. Only a few months remain before a whole new year begins, but you don’t need to wait until then.

Need some Goal ideas? They can be from any of the following categories:

• Books you want to read
• Projects you want to accomplish
• Something you want to learn
• Recipes you want to try
• Important To-Do’s
• Business goals
• Relationship goals
• Health or fitness goals
• Spiritual health goals

Make these doable and reflect on what is most important to YOU. Not what you think you should accomplish. But what you really and truly desire to accomplish this Fall.

Get Started on Your Fall Reset Today

Although there are so many other aspects of life you could include in a fall reset, I believe these will make a great impact on the remainder of your year. You have a few more months of 2024 remaining, be intentional and make the most of them.

A new beginning. A fresh space. You don’t have to accomplish all of these aspects of the fall reset in one day. Take it one step at a time.

• Take a couple of weeks to complete your decluttering projects.
• Take an afternoon to think about your daily routines and any adjustments you may want to make.
• Spend a weekend lugging those fall decorations out of storage and decorate your home.
• Spend an evening brainstorming goals for the next month.

You don’t have to wait until the new year begins on January 1st to knock out some of your goals! Start now, whether it’s September, October, or November, it’s really not too late! Start today, you’ll be glad you did.

I hope you have an amazing fall season. Get your fall reset done, then you’ll be able to enjoy the little moments with your loved ones more fully. The little joyful moments are the ones you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

It’s that time of year! The most wonderful time of the year for some. The most stressful time of the year for others. No matter how you feel about the back-to-school season, a little preparation and planning is guaranteed to make the transition much smoother. Continue reading for some back-to-school organization inspiration.

Whether you’re a type-A, organized person or a mom who “flies by the seat of her pants,” I hope you’ll agree with me that a little organization is definitely helpful.

Especially on busy, chaotic mornings.

On hectic evenings, filled to the brim with extracurriculars, sports, and the list never ends.

Take the time before school starts to set your home and systems up for this new (and exciting?) season. Maybe school has already started for y’all, it’s not too late for you! I promise you will thank yourself later!

I have 4 kids going back to school this August (kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade). A few weeks ago, I thought of all the problem areas we previously experienced in our morning, afternoon, and evening routines. Then I brainstormed some ways to combat these issues before they even become issues!

I’m bringing you practical, easy tips. These aren’t fancy (sorry). They probably aren’t Pinterest worthy either. But they (most likely) will work!

1. Organize bathroom products.

Hurdle #1: Getting your kids ready in the morning and ready quickly!

There’s not a bunch of extra time to dilly dally and search for missing hygiene items. We arrive at school around 7:30am over here (why so early???) Get everything you need organized and ready, so everyone knows where to find stuff! And make sure you have an adequate amount (you don’t want to be down to the last dollop of toothpaste when you need it!)

I (finally) made a hair caddy, with all the essential hair supplies I need in the morning (and evening after baths) to tackle my girl’s hair. Last year, silly me, would carry all the products around, dropping them as I try to wrangle my 5-year-old. Now I will just carry the little hair caddy around, no matter where my girls are, and can easily style their hair.

So simple. Organize your hygiene products so that the kids can reach everything and complete as much as they can on their own.

Tip: Use reusable “ziploc bags” to store hair ties or other small hygiene items.

What’s in our bathroom caddy?

• Hair ties (larger size and smaller size)
• Spray bottle with water
• Styling Custard for Curly Hair by Cantu for Kids (perfect if your kids have curly hair like my daughters do!) Snag it HERE on Amazon.
• Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray (also is supposed to help keep the lice away! You can never be too careful when it comes to that)
• A brush
• Bobby pins

2. Organize Lunch Supplies

Do your kids pack a lunch every single day, or do they get the school lunch sometimes (that is my dream)? My two youngest daughters will not “brave” trying the school lunch, except pizza day.

So, I pack the lunch. Every single morning.

I just stocked up on a variety of “healthier” snack options. I had them “sample” new items before packing them in their lunch. They love the sample carts at Sam’s club, so I was the sample lady and let them try the new snack items. Definitely want to make sure they actually like and will eat the food before packing it. My kids are pretty picky and I’m not about wasting food.

Tip: Make your own “lunchables.”

My kids would always beg for lunchables, but this year we are making our own (ok so maybe they mostly just like the Oreos in them). I will cut up cheese, turkey lunch meat, Ritz crackers, and then fill the last section of the lunch container with a fruit (sorry, no Oreos, kiddos).

I have all my lunch making supplies in one place, like sandwich cutters. Definitely will probably let these fall to the wayside by mid-year, but we are starting off strong.

I simply have a shelf in my pantry where we store all our Bento boxes and lunchboxes. It’s at a level where all the kids can reach it and they know where it’s at. You don’t need fancy bins or an elaborate system. Make it work for YOU.

3. Organize Homework supplies

Homework. Love it or hate it, it’s a part of the afterschool routine most days for us.

I identified the main problem we had last year: the kids were always searching for pencils, like every single day.

I had them. I know I had plenty, but where?

That is to remain unknown. This year, I am prepared. I have a box full of sharpened pencils ready to go, along with a pencil sharpener. Apparently, at 34 years old, I am just now realizing how important a pencil sharpener is.

We have a cart dubbed “the art cart,” which contains crayons, markers, scissors, glue, and everything else you might need. Plus, numerous things we probably don’t.

Have a place to store these items you’ll need on a daily (or weekly) basis, so you aren’t tearing your house apart trying to search for them every time.

Do you need an “art cart?” Definitely not. A pencil box with the necessary supplies should be just fine. But whatever problem you had last year or the problems you foresee this year, get ahead of them.

Have a plan in place. Have a system in place. So you’re not scurrying around trying to help your children accomplish their homework without the supplies you need!! Homework can be stressful enough without having to worry about an additional problem.

4. Create a Charging Station for Electronics

Electronics. The bane of my existence at times. I can identify this as a major problem area in our home, a constant irritation for me. The balance of screen time. The “home” for these electronic devices (both a blessing and a curse).

How many of you hear these words constantly: “Can I get on the iPad?” (it’s not actually an iPad, but that’s what they call it).

Think your child is doing their homework? Nope, on their tablet or cell phone.

Hiding their tablet behind a pillow while completing their required 30 minutes of “reading.” We all know they aren’t actually reading (or is that just my kids??)

Here’s my solution! We have yet to see how the system works long term, but my expectations are high.

I have set up a “charging station” in our laundry room, where all electronics must rest and be recharged each night (and at other times during the day when other things need to be done).

Is it homework time? Place your phone (or tablet) on its charging station. Is it dinner time? Place your phone (or tablet) on its charging station. You get the gist.

All the cords, which previously were MIA, are now in one spot, ready to be used. No freak out moments when my 4 (almost 5) year old’s tablet dies. It can be properly charged overnight instead, which leads to more happy moments in our home.

5. Set up a Calendar for weekly events & the meal plan.

The kids always want to know….”what’s for dinner?”

And it’s only breakfast time.

Get ahead of the questions by posting the meal plan for the week on the refrigerator (or another convenient location). This helps your kids know what to expect and you as well. So you can have dinner ready to go by 6:00pm on the dot every single night (haha, yeah ok).

The system I’m using: An acrylic calendar that magnetizes to the fridge. I will write out the dinner for each day. I know it’s not a new groundbreaking idea, but I’m implementing this year. Now let’s see if I can stick to erasing it each week and actually write the new week’s meals down. Only time will tell.

You can also write other events that take place each day of the week. Or jot down quick notes in the note section!

It’s about being just a little bit ahead of the game. A little bit ahead of the kids and their questions and needs.

6. Plan easy make-ahead breakfasts.

It’s as easy or as complicated as you want to make it. Because again, this has to be what works for you and your family!

If it’s a bowl of cereal, that works.

If you want to take time each Sunday to prepare muffins or egg bites, it will probably take less than an hour of your precious Sunday.

And the hassle-free mornings will be worth the time and effort.

Take into account what your kids like and what you want to fill their bellies with each morning. If a high-protein breakfast is a priority, brainstorm a plan that will work for you. But think long-term. Will making a big breakfast of eggs and turkey bacon and protein pancakes every morning be sustainable for the long haul??

Not in my world. But more power to you if that works for your life and schedule.

Organize and Create Systems that Work for YOUR FAMILY

My main goal in writing this blog post is two-fold: to first, encourage you to find the problem spots in your house that may affect the smooth transition into the back-to-school season. Secondly, I hope to motivate you to establish some sort of organization system that will be beneficial to you.

Maybe all of the problems I shared you have nailed down…that’s great! But I’m sure there’s at least one area you could organize better or one routine you could better improve before the madness of early mornings and full days await you.

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the fancy, Pinterest organization bins and mudrooms. Use what you have, in the space that you have. Your organization systems can be pretty, but they don’t have to be. Function is the most important thing here!

I’m going to end this blog post with a verse I love. Our most important jobs as moms are to serve our families and love them, as if it is Jesus Christ we are serving!

If you’re looking for a simple DIY patriotic wreath that you can make in a short amount of time and on a budget, you’ve come to the right place!

Simple. Because if I can make this, you can too! I’m not a crafty person, so this project did take some trial and error for me. My first attempt included a bow that didn’t turn out, so I decided to go with a small sign instead (so much simpler for me!)

Time efficient. After I gave up on my bow making abilities, this wreath really only took about 45 minutes to make!

Budget friendly. I’ve seen those beautifully decorated wreaths on Etsy, being sold for over $100! I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a wreath (although gorgeous). I made this one for less than $50. Definitely buy your floral and greenery when Hobby Lobby has florals 40% off (every other week).

The colors red, white, and blue represent America, the Land of the Free! Why not make a wreath to celebrate Memorial Day and the Fourth of July?! In this blog post, I give you step-by-step instructions for how to make a beautiful DIY patriotic wreath. It will be a showstopper for your front door, guaranteed!

Here’s what my finished DIY patriotic wreath looks like. I love how it looks on my front door!

Side note: Yes, I realize my dining room table, where I completed this project, looks like it took a beating. That’s what 7 years later with 4 kids looks like! I’m sure some of you moms can relate.

Supplies to make a DIY Patriotic Wreath:

• Flowers (red, white, and blue!)

• An 18-inch wreath frame (I recommend using a grapevine wreath)

• Greenery (I used a 6-foot greenery garland, which was the perfect length)

• A small patriotic sign (I decided to try two different ones)

• Hot glue gun & glue sticks

• Floral wire

• Heavy duty scissors or floral shears

Let’s get Started!

1. First, you will set your greenery garland on the wreath frame, so it wraps all the way around. If you’re using a 6-food garland, you will probably have some left over at the end. You may choose to cut off the extra, which you can later use to fill in any gaps you notice.

2. To attach the greenery to the wreath frame, you will use floral wire. You can cut pieces of floral wire to be about 8-10 inches in length. I turned the wreath over and secured the greenery in place by wrapping it around like a twisty tie (see picture below). I did this 5-6 times around the wreath, to ensure that the greenery stayed in place. Use more or less depending on how secure your greenery seems.

3. I would recommend starting with your largest flowers when constructing the wreath. In my case, I created bunches using the white flowers, carefully grouping three together to form more significant, eye-catching clusters. I managed to assemble enough blossoms to create five of these groups. Before securing them to the wreath frame, I laid them out to ensure I was happy with the spacing and arrangement. This preliminary step allowed me to visualize the final look and make adjustments as needed.

4. To attach the flowers, you can cut the flower stems to desired length first. I will mention the three different options for how to attach the flowers and then you can choose what will best suite you. You can hot glue them (I have a love hate relationship with hot glue guns), you can use floral wire (lots of twisting!), or you can weave the stem of the flowers into the grapevine wreath (the “easiest” method, in my opinion). I will be using this method, mostly for the flowers with longer, thicker stems. On a grapevine wreath, it works well, but you still have the ability to remove them easily if needed.

5. Next, I cut my blue flowers and laid them out in the desired location on the wreath. I made sure to leave room for the bunches of small red flowers in between the blue and white ones. Then, I attached them the same way, by weaving the stems into the grapevine wreath. Always ensure that they are secure enough and of course, you can always use floral wire or hot glue if needed.

6. Next, I made bunches of the little red roses. I had enough to group 5-6 together, but you can always use more or less, depending on the look you desire. Since these stems were not long or sturdy, and the method of weaving through the grapevine wreath wouldn’t work well, I heated up my hot glue gun to use on this step. I used a small drop of hot glue on each of the small stems and secured to the grapevine wreath.

You could always stop at this step, if you like the solely floral look (or you could add a sign, a bow, or any other small decoration that goes with the theme!)

8. To attach the patriotic sign to the top of the wreath, I cut about 6-8 inches of floral wire. Turning the wreath over, I twisty tied the floral wire around the string on the sign and around the grapevine wreath. I adjusted it, so that it hangs nice and straight in the front.

9. You may want to add more greenery or leaves if you notice any brown areas showing from the wreath frame. Simply use your hot glue gun to adhere the leaves where any gaps are visible. I did add a few leaves to a couple areas (I just used extra leaves that I had from the flowers).

10. You’re DONE!

Price breakdown

If you’re curious about the price of materials, I’m including a breakdown of the supplies and how much they cost me:

• $8.39-Greenery Garland
• $14.38-White flowers
• $5.37-Red flowers
• $5.37-Blue flowers
• $6.00-Wreath frame
• $2.69-Patriotic sign
• $2.99-Floral wire

Total Price: $45.19

There is tons of floral wire left, which can be used for a dozen other projects.

Time to Hang your DIY Patriotic wreath!

I ultimately chose to use patriotic sign with the white background, as it “pops” more against my brown door. You will want to take into account your door color when choosing flowers, ribbon, or other aspects of the wreath.

I hope you are inspired to make your own patriotic wreath! Or you can use these same simple steps to create any basic floral wreath in whatever color flowers you choose.

I’m just an ordinary mom, who likes to decorate minimally for each holiday. If I am able to create this stunning Americana wreath, I assure you, YOU CAN TOO!