Top 10 little BIG KID FAV'S (mommy approved)

Life on the other end of toddler hood is almost as bad as i was forewarned. Between the new and improved (and changing on the daily) personal preferences, dropping nap time conflict and mediating the ever prominent tantrum - life has been, well... busy. 

But, lets shine light on the things that get us through- the simple pleasures. 

Here are a list of my top 10 little BIG kid (and mommy approved) favourites... for this week.

yogurt drinks. nuff' said. 

weather you pass them off as milkshakes, yogurt, 'pop' or whatever. they do the trick, crave hanger and are great mini portions

comfy pants- cause really, aren't we all happier in comfy pants. 

Little's move, ALOT. All those cute skinny hipster pants are great for your photo shoot but be real..the daily grind is all about comfort. 

yummy vitamins DHA vitamin (max & ruby) cause they are good for you.

This sweet lemony concoction is treated like a reward at our house- can't get enough. so, "OK... i guess, if you promise to be good"... your welcome. 

Tupperware wipes case. the mecca of all wipes cases is here. 

I haven't met a wipe that doesn't fit in here- if you are reusable i think they would even fit.. keeps wipes wet, and the latch to let them out stays closed and only lets one out at a time. what a concept! 

fun band aids - duh. 

for invisible owies, teddy bears, big boo boos and even your own needs- everything does feel better under the care of a Disney princess.. 

backpack/suitcase- its time.

start letting them haul (some) of their own crap. of course your still the following mule, but it sure helps when your trying to leave the house and their entire stuffy collection can't fit. tough choices. like life. start em young... 

Squeezies for veggies - sneaky. 

my house isn't much of a nutritional palace so i sneak these babies in anywhere i can. No they aren't just for babies.. celebs even carry them in their gym bags for a quick recharge. And no, i don't prepare them myself but by all means.... 

thirty one snack thermal zip cooler- you need one. 

This little cooler pouch is a saving grace for on the go. its small enough to fit in my enormous bag, holds all the snacks and keeps them cool. i love this for carry thing things like the inevitable cheese string and even yogurt drinks! (it also does hold 3 beer- just sayin) i love mine. Check out my friend Erin's ThirtyOne Gifts website for options 

Honest Co. Breath easy rub 

your always in cold season when you have a little one. this rub is awesome. Its child friendly, kids can apply it to their own chest or feet and feel 'big' helping. its safe and chemical free- unlike the nasties in Vick's, you can feel good about this choice. 

SAGO mini app - if you can't beat em, make it educational. 

A friend introduced me to this line of apps geared towards toddlers and inspires interest in numbers and letters- the cute animals and monsters don't hurt either. Its as not annoying and really does a great job teaching age appropriate lessons. 

10 easy decorator tips

My job before this one, where my little (tries) to call the shots and i get paid in hugs I had a creative career, my dream job that i loved and sometimes do miss dearly..

I worked hard for my creative degree and that resulted working for a homebuilder in the city on an amazing team decorating 40+ showhomes a year. I'm tired just remembering it...

Its was fun to tell people i was a showhome decorator just to see the reaction on their faces. Almost always they say "so you shop for a living??!?" well yes and no dear... and its far more sweaty, exhausting, rigorous work than that. Full of time management and coordination. But it sure does sound glamorous doesn't it.. I'm sure i haven't fooled you.. 

Well i find myself missing that day to day decorating and since its such a hot topic for interest i though i would share with you some tricks and tips i learnt along the way for successful decorating! 

ONE: Please!!!! Ive seen this mistake SO MANY times, unless its intentional as part of a gallery wall- this rule needs to be followed- there are far to many pictures living close to ceilings in this world. 
Suck it up, putty it up and bring it down just above eye level. 
Gallery walls are great places to incorporate odd sizes and pieces and fill an otherwise empty wall
This is a great way to add dimension and interest to a large space! This unique and eclectic look allows you to incorporate a variety of photos, prints and framed personal pieces. 

TWO: If your going to splurge on that don't you think it should be neutral? If your the adventurous type and feel a lime green leather couch is something your going to adore for years, then your braver than me! 
Times have changed and colour is great, but keeping your investment pieces neutral (greys, taupes, blacks) will allow for longevity. They also ground a space and give your eye a visual rest. 
A million places make awesome throw pillows and blankets in fun patterns and colours - even inexpensive art can be changed out for a whole new look. Try that before your up to your eyeballs in dusty rose. (yea, people have been there before...) If you gotta have yellow, try a bowl with faux lemons on the coffee table or a great spray of tulips. Doormats, decals and frames are also an easy and unexpected way to add colour. 

THREE: This will make or break it. Furniture needs to be in scale with itself and its friends. 
A Large sectional with slipper chair isn't going to look right. Pieces like sofa and coffee table should mirror each other for size, and bulkiness. Large leather sofa should be paired with an end table that has some strength to it in your style. A feminine bed frame should have a nightstand that also feels feminine and light. There are no hard and fast rules but before you purchase that ottoman, make sure its going to flow... 

FOUR: I think what people most adore about showhomes (aside from all the creative ideas) is the fact that it has good energy through being clutter free. 
There are no personal items like mail and laundry hampers stuffed with clothes. Shoes aren't littering the back door and kids toys aren't hiding around every corner. However it can be argued that those are the things that make a house a home. Showhomes however are simplistic and clean. What people don't know is that is integrated into the decorating, little 'vignettes' are staged throughout the home, a neat diaper basket in the nursery with a few color coordinated toys. That tray of olive oils in the kitchen - these make it feel accessible, you can put yourself in its 'shoes'. Its paired down from the everyday. 
Take this as far as you like, i enjoy keeping a few personal items in my home, but i don't want my whole DVD collection on display and my mail is hidden in a drawer.. and after all, more stuff means more dusting and who wants that. 

FIVE: The world of Pinterest has changed life as we know it for the D-I-Y'er. 
Anything you can think of you can make with a little elbow grease, a lot of time and dedication - it can be done. Even professional decorators put in the sweat when it comes to custom projects. A many late nights were spent gluing, crafting and painting. Even if you have the highest of ambitions, some things can be too much, so proceed with caution. A DIY is a great way to personalize things and make you feel proud of your home. Give it a try, start small and you will astonish yourself. 

SIX: Have you met Grey? I'm talking all of its 50 shades here, no - not like that- I'm talking cool grey, warm grey, taupe grey. Seriously, its not just that but take a serious look at anything in your house that bring you back to the 70's, 80's, and particularly the 90's... peach, ruffles, potpourri.. upolstry that looks like a cosby sweater or covered in plastic- come on. let it go..Adding a little grey and neutral, clearing the crap and a fresh coat of paint will immediately update your space. 

SEVEN: This is simple, a home shouldn't have anything in it that isn't useful or that you love.. This is a great measure when clearing the clutter, deciding on purchases and sorting for donation. 
If you love those doilies from grandma and just can't part with them - think outside the box, frame them! showcase them in a unique way.. 

EIGHT: Personally, even when i was spending other peoples money (yes that was fun) - i just don't think its necessary to pay full price for almost anything. Since HomeSense (as we call it in Canada) has emerged on the decorator scene- i honestly don't know how other home accessory stores are keeping up.. They have pretty well everything your looking for, unique treasures and terrific prices. Shop smart and look online. 

NINE: When it comes to curtains that is - Hanging your curtains about 6 inches from the ceiling will make your windows feel bigger and brighter. 
Light is Key- everyone wants it and not everyone knows how to find it- I'm here to help you, check out my post about 'farmhouse curtains' for drapery tricks. 
Second to hanging pictures too low, this is the next most popular offence, let the sunshine in people! Your ceiling will look taller and your view will shine brighter. Win Win. 

TEN: Sometimes all you need is paint. Things can be transformed with a brush and some time. 
Many times as a decorator when we didn't like something or it wasn't quite right, paint fixed it up and made it a statement for the room. Whether that was an accent wall in a living room or a fun colour for a piece of furniture, making your own art or making accessories work- Paint is a makeover artist. Its budget friendly and almost anyone can do it.