It’s almost that time again….that time of year that a mom could either fear more than ever or welcome with open arms. Depends on your outlook.

As a suburban wife to a hubby who commutes to the city every day, the mom of two rambunctious kids and running a business of my own from home, I have a very busy life. Things can get a bit crazy at times, especially when the school season ends. Suddenly you have to add the title of Entertainment Director to your title. For 10 weeks in a row, the kids wake up and ask that dreaded question ~ “So what are we doing today mom?” Most of time I can answer that question with a quick, enthusiastic response. But some days, I’m at a loss, fresh out of ideas. And nothing is worse than 2 bored kids (and one exhausted mama) suffering from cabin fever.

So to avoid the problem of sometimes not knowing what to do on what days, I bought the Organize by Week Slab. With seven columns per page, one for each day, it allows me to quickly, easily schedule a week’s worth of summer activities in minutes. My goal this summer is to fill each slot with something that will keep the kids brains and bodies occupied, as well as save my sanity.

Living in a big city, I have the advantage of so many opportunities right in my back yard, and, surprisingly, most are free. For example:

*Free admission days at most museums, art institutes and aquariums downtown.
*The public library, offering an endless summer of reading and age-appropriate activities every day of the week.
*Man-made beaches. Sure, it’s not quite the same as being on a real beach on either coast, but a few miles of sand and some welcoming water can be a break from the norm. The kids can swim and play for hours, and, you have the excitement of the city within walking distance.
*Most movie theaters offer discounted shows before 6PM. So if it’s dangerously hot outside, nothing is better than slipping into a cool, dark theater for 2 hours to escape reality.
*The nearest park can provide hours of fun for the kids, and some alone time for mom. As they run around completely exhausting themselves, I can be taking advantage of the citywide free Wi-Fi and catch up on emails, facebook or write a great blog (like I’m doing right now.)

The possibilities are endless, it’s just the matter of time management and proper planning. Any personalized notepad makes it all easy. So what are you waiting for? Summer is calling, so fill ‘er up!

Am I the only one, or does everyone have that certain family member that tries to out-do the other? Every family event I go to, it seems that my cousin Susan is judging every tiny detail. Between the decorations to the food to the beer available, she always seems to have a snarky comment about it, as if nothing is good enough.

So sure enough, Susan will try to out-do everyone by having some over exaggerated version of the previous party.  Whether it was more decorations, expensive catered food or special entertainment like a party clown or live band, nothing is too much. We all roll our eyes and go with it, but in the end, does all this whoopla really make a difference?

No, didn’t think so.

What really matters is the small details, the little things you don’t think people notice. But in all actuality, they do. It’s not about how many decorations you have, but whether or not they compliment each other. Stick with a specific color scheme and overall general theme so everything blends beautifully. If you choose to do a potluck or cook everything yourself, serving personalized food made by hand will make the event even more special. And nothing like distracting entertainment can replace good old-fashioned face-to-face chats with your loved ones. For an extra special touch, toss a few dozen personalized napkins on the serving table, in the bathroom and other high traffic areas. Personalized with the name and date of your choice, they’re sure to be a memorable part of your event.

I bet cousin Susan didn’t think of customized napkins ever, now did she?

Old habits are hard to break, and new ones are even harder to integrate. So what better time than fresh into a new year and at the beginning a new spring season, to make a few small changes that could result in big rewards later on?

Inspired by something I read in a magazine, I’ve decided to write one note per day, on the subject of my choice and to whom ever I wish. It could be a simple love note to my children or my husband, a quick “hello” note to a friend I haven’t talked to in awhile, or an inspirational note to myself to keep me motivated. Personalized notepads are perfect for my new endeavor. It’s hard to resist beautiful paper stock that is personally monogrammed with my name on it. I keep the notepad on the island of my kitchen, not only for easy access but also as a visual reminder. I can quickly tear off a sheet and write away, then pass it on to my intended or slip it into an envelope to read for my own personal enjoyment at a later date.

Regardless of how trivial I think each message is, the point is to keep writing! Every day, without hesitation. Proactive habits are born from proper mindset, diligence, a lot of patience and, at times, some forgiveness. So break out your own customized notepad and get started. What are you waiting for?

Now that we’re in the midst of spring break, with summer break right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of engaging activities to do with the kids. And with the price of gas being around $4.00 per gallon or higher, a lot of people are choosing to stay close to home. The word ‘Staycation’ is being used more and more often. In this economy, gone are the days of flying off to an exotic location for an elaborate vacation.

As a parent, there are a few ways to keep our kids minds and bodies active while on break to avoid hearing the 3 most dreaded words – “mom, I’m bored.”

 1.      Build a garden ~ Not only is this good exercise, but it’s a great way to teach your kids the joy of watching a tiny seed they plant turn into a bounty of fruits and vegetables. Nothing is better than eating something grown in your own backyard.

 2.      Take a bike ride ~ Explore areas of your neighborhood you can’t see in the car by taking a long bike ride on a nature trail. Pack a basket of full of food for an impromptu picnic when you decide to stop and rest. Sometimes a change of scenery, away from the TV and play station, my be inspiration they need.

 3.      Teach them to cook ~ If you enjoy cooking or baking, teach the kids the fulfillment that comes in the process of preparing delicious meals every one will enjoy. Not only is this rewarding for them, but great bonding time as well.

 4.      Explore city museums ~ If you live in the suburbs, a trip to the city is a real treat. Museums are a great way to spend the day exploring something new while being educational at the same time. Between the science museum, planetarium, art museum and the aquarium, there is enough to see and do for weeks on end.  

 5.      Enroll them in a college course~ Most community colleges offer summer courses for kids 13 years and younger, in subjects ranging from art and film making to science and mathematics. This is not only the perfect opportunity keep their minds sharp but perhaps the chance to take a unique course that may not be offered at their regular school.

So with a little thought and preparation, Staycations can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

Spring is that wonderful time of year when the weather gets warmer, nature begins to bloom all around us, and best of all – the end of the school year is right around the corner. After 9 long months, both kids and parents are ready to take a break from early mornings, nightly homework, PTA meetings and bad cafeteria food.

April is the perfect month to order special gifts for teachers and grads that will make an impression and finish off this much-anticipated time of year in style. Teachers will appreciate personalized notepads, cards, memo notes and stationery gift sets, to replenish their much-exhausted supply of paper. Plus it’s a great way for a student to show their favorite teachers how thankful they are for everything they’ve done throughout the year.

Nothing says ‘welcome to the adult world’ for the graduates in our lives like custom printed note cards, stationery sets and calling cards. They will take pride in sending out beautiful paper that not only reflects their personality, but also will set them apart from any other. Plus it’s a great way for them to keep in touch with classmates once college starts. Calling cards are an impressive way to make their mark with professors and other distinguished academic faculty they may meet.

No matter what you choose to gift, you can’t go wrong with personalized stationery.

Simple. Unique. Striking. Perfect.

I hate to admit this, but I’m addicted to celebrity trash. Between the magazines I pick up at the grocery store and the amount of reality TV and entertainment news shows I watch each week, I’ve got it bad. I’m not exactly sure what the appeal is, perhaps a way for me to temporarily escape my seemingly mundane suburban existence, or an attempt to live a more “glamorous” lifestyle. It’s a great way to stay up on the hottest trends in Hollywood, whether it is make-up, clothes, jewelry and shoes, or more juicy gossip, like who’s dating whom. It’s fascinating to see how the other side lives, and occasionally their adventures make me feel normal in comparison. I honestly can’t remember the last time I was stalked by paparazzi while visiting my local grocery store. HA!

It does seem that one of the biggest trends in Hollywood are personalized cards. Celebrities are stepping away from Twitter in favor of communicating the old fashioned way. Apparently the high-end boutiques have them flying out the door, and the trend is spreading everywhere. It’s always a shoo-in for retailers whenever a celebrity is seen wearing something, reading a specific book or even purchasing a particular type of stationery. As silly as the media is, even trivial things like paper can make headlines.

Taking into consideration the cost of most ‘movie star status’ products, I can’t partake. Being a work-at-home mother with 2 kids and a mortgage, it just doesn’t fit my lifestyle. But affordable, customized cards from Giftsin24 is something I can splurge on. Hey, if it’s good enough for Cameron, Demi and Angelina, it’s good enough for me! Will it turn me into a sexy, suburban rock star? Probably not. Will it bring me more fame and wealth? Not likely. Will it impress my friends and family I send it to? That’s a sure thing.

The weather in the mid-west recently has been amazing. Mild temperatures and beautiful sunshine has put an extra skip in everyone’s step, and a strong feeling that Old Man Winter is releasing us from his grip. Every day, I’m seeing more and more flowers beginning to bud, and hearing birds chirping throughout the day. The kids are able to play comfortably in the backyard without 3 layers of clothes on. Already a couple of times this year, I’ve opened some windows in the house to let it air out. Talk about refreshing!

There are so many other things you can do to get in the spirit of Spring. For example:

*A simple thing like changing your wardrobe will quickly put you in the mood. Move your winter clothes towards the back of your closet and bring your spring/summer wear towards the front so it’s visible and easily accessible.

*Clean and detail your grill so it’s ready to go at a moments notice. Stock up on charcoal and fill your propane tank now. Nothing is better than a good old-fashioned barbeque!

*Purge. Go through the house and get rid of any unwanted items you may have been stockpiling during the winter. Donate gently used items to charity. Clean out your fridge and pantry to make room for all the delicious seasonal foods you’re going to make in the next few months.

*Start your party planning now. Break out your calendar and mark down dates you want to reserve for not only hosting your own get-together, but others you’ve come to expect each year. Once you get a grasp of your schedule, the season won’t seem to slip by so quickly.

*Think about planting your garden in the next few weeks, to ensure a bounty of fresh fruits and veggies just when the weather is getting warm. Consider buying a rain barrel to water your garden, which is not only more natural but helps save on your water bill each month.

So what is your favorite way to prepare for the Spring season?

Isn’t this always the case – when you need to quickly write down a phone message, or a note to your daughter’s teacher as she’s running out the door, or simply start a grocery list – you can never find a piece of paper anywhere. How frustrating! So you scour the kitchen and junk drawer for some semblance of paper, with no luck. You’re reduced to writing on a flimsy ripped up envelope that may or may not be covered in coffee stains.

OR – the complete opposite happens. There is plenty of paper available, but no pens anywhere. GHAAAAA! It’s enough to make you scream. Even if you find a chewed up crayon, you consider it a successful hunt. Ideally, you want both pen and paper in the same place at the same time, within easy reach. Seems impossible, right?

But I found it! These fridge mate notepads are the perfect solution. The clear magnetic holder sticks to your fridge, so you always know where to find a paper at a moments notice, and it comes with a pen holder, so no more tearing up the house looking for something to write with. But best of all is the personalized notepads included. Stylish and practical, this particular piece of paper is sure to stand out from the rest. And when you run out, it’s so easy to order refills.

So the next time you need to jot down a quick note, it’s all taken care of. Honey-Do list for the hubby? Check! Weekly chores for the kids? Check! Weekly grocery list? Check! Reducing stress and making life a bit easier? Double-check!

Between making breakfast, sending the kids off to school, cleaning the house, walking the dog, doing laundry, helping with homework and making dinner, life can get a bit monotonous. On occasion, you might get a friendly post on facebook or an unexpected phone call from an old friend that would bring joy to your heart.  But nothing compares to receiving a personalized note in the mail to brighten up your day.

One of the most exciting times of the day is when the mailman arrives at my house. Call me crazy, but I look forward to what may be waiting for me in my mailbox. It’s almost like opening up a box of chocolate ~ ya never know what you’re going to get! Sure, most days are filled with junk mail; pizza coupons, who to vote for in the next election and how to refinance your house. Trash, trash and more trash. But every once in a while, I’ll get a special little envelope with personalized handwriting that puts a smile on my face. I can tell this specific letter was meant for me and no one else. As I feel the pulp of the paper in between my fingertips, admire the deep grooves and inhale the smell of fresh ink, it makes me yearn for the days when handwritten letters were the norm. It’s become such a lost art nowadays, between emails and social media. No one personalizes anything anymore, and that is a shame.

After thinking about how much I enjoy receiving a monogrammed note means to me, I decided to order some to send out myself. With so many cute designs and fonts to choose from, it was easy to pick one that reflected my personality. So now instead of sending a rather informal email or text to someone, I can pull out a piece of stationery and pen a quick expression of love.

Nothing fancy, just something short and simple, but perhaps it will put a smile on their face. A bit of sunshine in their mailbox.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or any other special day of the year, nothing says I love you like a romantic personalized note to express exactly how you feel. Sure, you could drive to your local drug store and buy a pre-printed card, adding a quick signature at the bottom. But would that properly convey your honest feelings to your loved ones? Probably not.

So why not take the time to sit down and hand write a letter to your muses, conveying your thoughts one simple sentence at a time. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down and express your true thoughts, straight from your heart. Plus the recipient will appreciate the time and effort you took on their behalf.

Confused about where to start? Here are a few ideas that should get you started:

*Think about the first time you laid eyes on your significant other. What intrigued you about him/her?
*Relive your first date, when the possibility of love was so new and exciting.
*Think back to your first vacation together, completely alone for the first time ever.
*Close your eyes and experience, once again, the rush of emotion when you exchanged vows with your spouse.

Inspiration is all around you, if you just take the time to reflect on your past, present and future.

Spoil your special someone by sending a handwritten customized note. Karma is a wonderful thing, and your efforts will come back to you 10-fold. We only receive back what we give, so spread your love. Every single day!