The Landing Strip
A landing strip, a command center, the drop spot. No matter what you call it, every house should have one. It’s a place for all the family “stuff”.
I call it a landing strip. In this house we actually have it split up a little, but it’s whatever works for you! When you come in our backdoor, we have hooks for each family member. Bag and coat go there. There’s a little hook station for car keys. And we have a small rack holding bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, wireless speaker, etc. But there’s still other “stuff” that accumulates. What do you do with it?! Enter our landing strip.
He we have a stash spot for everything else so that we stay organized and don’t lose important things! We use the chalk board for calendar notes and grocery lists. And each of the boys and mom and dad have a basket. We put bills in ours. The boys put homework and such in theirs. I keep a pen jar on the shelf. Here is stash stamps, a candle lighter, a marker, and pens. If you need more than that they you have to go upstairs to the office. 😆
The antique mirror got a metal insert painted with chalk paint. The little chalk marker tray below it is an antique door stop out of an old barn. The baskets are from Hobby Lobby. The shelf is a custom design I requested from Jason. He added and welded the flourish at the top of the brackets.
Here’s my tid bit of advice. Have a place for the “stuff”, whatever you may call it. I truly believe in “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Even if you don’t organize that far, at least set up a zone with a calendar and pens and notepad. Have a spot where you put mail and homework. Always put your keys in the same location. I promise you that these tricks will prevent you from losing important things or searching frantically for the lost items!
And just for fun, here’s a shot of what it looks like more often than not. 😉
Anything else you would add?
XX,
Jess
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Save That Money!
I’m sure you all try to save money, especially if you are a parent! Kids are expensive, am I right?! So I love finding new ways to save and still be able to do the things we want and have the things we need. And I found a new, awesome way!
Kids on 45th! You’ve got kids? You like to keep them clothed but also like to keep your money? Yeah, you need to check them out! 😅
This is a mama-founded company that’s all about helping mamas like you save money (yay!) and time (yes!) on your kiddos’ everyday clothes. They ship “surprise” boxes of gently-used (and some new with tags) clothes to moms around the country for super-low prices (items start at $1.99 and max out at $12.99 for a winter coat!).
They were so kind and generous to gift my boys a box to try. We are definitely going back for more.
My favorite part? That they customized the items to my kiddos. I could specify what we do or do not want and even what types of things or colors my boys like or don’t. We said we like camo and animals. And look what they sent! Spot on!!
They even have a ‘Happiness Policy’! They build a surprise box of clothes tailored to your kiddo’s style, but if there is ever an item you are not in love with, two taps on your device will get you a credit for the item.
I love the low prices. You can get quality kids clothes for cheap! They have sizes newborn to 14/16 clothes, all in excellent condition. Prices start at $1.99 for baby items and max out at $12.99 for big kid jackets! You get free shipping when you spend $65 too. And, there is no subscription needed and no styling fees. You get what you need ans that’s it!
I love that this saves me time along with money! No trip to the mall needed. Two minutes for online shopping was all that I needed. I didn’t have to search and scour at retailers, thrift racks, or pages cans pages online. No coupon hunting. And no gas spent. You don’t even have to get dressed. 🤣
One more plus? This is green! We all want to reuse and reduce are footprint here. This is another way!
So, my verdict? We are Kids on 45th shoppers for life. Truly. We are so tickled about our experience and cannot wait to make more orders!
Xx
Jess
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We were gifted a box of clothes in exchange for a review of the service, but all opinions expreases are our own!
I Won A Giveaway!
I am never this lucky! But, recently I did actually win an awesome giveaway! I entered a giveaway through My Four Littles blog, http://www.myfourlittles.com. What I won was the April box from Ecocentric Mom Box, https://ecocentricmom.com/. Ecocentric Mom is a subscription box that you receive monthly. There are several goodies and new products in there to try. How fun, right? The products are all natural, healthy, and organic.
Here is what came in April’s box:
- Linwoods Super Food Blends ($6.99) A convenient way to get some great nutrients, omega fatty acids, and vitamins, Linwoods products are made from organic flaxseed, berries, nuts, and seeds. Gluten free, GMO free, dairy and yeast free, vegan, all natural, and NO added sugar! Love the Ecocentric Mom include SIX samples instead of just one.
- Nature’s Gate Rice Bran Facial Moisturizer ($14.99) A FULL SIZE bottle of moisturizer that feels great and is made in the USA. No parabens, phthalates, fragrance, PEG, Mineral Oil, or Petroleum! They also included a sample size of the Shampoo, Body Wash, and Conditioner. Coupon code also included.
- Bamboo Bailey $10 Gift Card ($10) Bamboo Bailey is an online story with eco-friendly, natural, and recycled products for the entire family!
- Fyrefly Organic Serenity Tea (10.95 full size, 2 samples included) 100% organic loose leaf tea. Each sample makes 2-4 cups. I’m not a tea drinker but I may try this one, smells great! Coupon code also included.
- Nature’s Kick Honeystix ($1.79/pack, 2 packs included) Great snack for kids and made with the best honey. Made in the USA. Love easy snacks and these are surprisingly a very convenient way to enjoy honey without the sticky mess. Coupon code also included.
- Frego $5 Gift Card ($5) Frego makes glass and silicone food storage containers that are BPA and PVC free, contain no lead, and can go from freezer, to microwave, to dishwasher! They’re even oven safe.
- Good Greens Bar ($2.99) The first gluten free, vegan, low-glycemic index wellness bar. It was delicious – I have discovered so many great, healthy food bars from Ecocentric Mom. Coupon code also included.
- Boring Goats Goat Milk Soap ($5.50 full size, sample size included) Made in Boring, Oregon, USA, Boring Goats “Non-Scents” soap is made from only the highest quality ingredients.Natural bar soap is the only thing I use with my youngest child so I was really excited to see this. It’s made from olive oil, goat milk, coconut oil, palm oil, and shea butter! Coupon code also included.
- WEXY Biodegradable Snack Bags ($3.99 for 28, small sample included) We love WEXY bags here so always thrilled to get some more. They’re fun, colorful, Made in the USA, and eco-friendly. Coupon code also included.
- 7th Heaven 100% Natural Face Mask ($2.99) Hydrating, cleansing, and toning face masks that smell amazing. Love these, can always use a good skin pick me up. Coupon code also included.
- Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ($11.99 for 10 samples, 2 included) Coconut oil has countless uses and is a safe food for our FPIES child, so it’s a staple in our house – thrilled to receive some more! Coupon code also included.
Some of my favorites were the face mask and moisturizer! Everything was so fun to try out and play with. I totally recommend Ecocentric Mom for a fun mail subscription. Thank you Ecocentric Mom and My Four Littles! 🙂
Apartment Therapy Package
Yesterday I received my Apartment Therapy package in the mail! This was my prize for being picked as one of the “My Great Outdoors” winners. This means they featured our backyard on their site. This also means that I got a T-shirt, their book, and a sticker for my car! Check it out:
Awesome, huh? Apartment Therapy really is an awesome site and an awesome group of people. Check them out here: www.apartmenttherapy.com. You can see our yard there, too, under big back yard!
Thanks AT!!
Garage Sale Day Find
Garage sale day in our little town was Saturday! This day has to be one of my favorite spring days. Scouring someone else’s junk for that perfect treasure is a great way to kick off the season. I even got Tony in on the fun. We didn’t find much to bring home with us, but a few treasures makes the day worth it. We brought home a few vintage glass marbles and a couple large dice for the collection. But here is our bargain beauty:
This is an antique set of mailboxes from a post office in Champagne Illinois. I came back twice to check it out, and at the end of the day he said it was too heavy for him to carry back home, so he gave me a sweet deal! It took two men to load it into my truck and we took the drawers out to get it into the house, but since it is on wheels it is easily movable in the house. I love it right here in the kitchen. The drawers were the perfect addition to the “landing strip” area. Tony was thrilled to have his own drawer for his pocket junk. I love its mismatched drawers, and the vintage numbers and letters above the handles. I know, I know. Some of you probably think this guy is tacky (my mom didn’t like it!), but we think its great. And, the drawers are big enough to function in the house! Here it is in the landing strip area:
I’m not sure if the school desk should stay now or not. But, for now, this is what the area looks like. Suggestions?
Also- we did pick up one other thing at the garage sales, but that project will have to wait… 🙂
Make Mine Eclectic 