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Happy Monday! I'm loving the short suite trend, this trend started last spring, and I'm so happy that it carried over to this summer. Living in Connecticut, August can be pretty unpredictable in terms of weather temperature, with some days super warm, and other days feeling more like fall. The short suite trend is perfect for the cooler days

Are you a fan of the short suite trend?

Attire Breakdown  

SKU: swblazer44210527542

Point Toe Snakeskin Stiletto Thigh High Boots
SKU: swshoes03201023237

I started making DIY hand soap last year, and I'm so happy to transition to foaming hand soap options, not only does this option only takes a few minutes to make, my hands feel super soft after using it. I love that this recipe is super easy to use, and doesn't require too many ingredients, don't get me wrong, the alternative option of making hand soap from bar soap is a wonderful option, however, I didn't like the way the particular bar soap I used left my hands feeling, and you also had to wait overnight to use the soap. The foaming hand soap you can actually use after you create it which I love. Whether you're in need of this recipe at the moment, or you're considering making this in the future. This recipe is perfect to keep on hand.

Have you tried making handsoap at home?

Recipe 

Ingredients

• Water
• 12-ounce foaming soap dispenser
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 10 drops essential oil 

Instructions

1. Pour castile soap and essential oil into the bottle.
2. Swirl the bottle in a circler motion to mix these two items together 
3. Slowly add water into a bottle, making sure to leave room for the foaming pump.
4. Screw on the lid and gently shake the bottle to mix everything together.
5. To use, just pump one or two times into hands and wash.

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It's offically back to school for some, and for some parents homework time can really be alot. Trust me, I know however, once you create structce, a routine, and communication with you childs teacher. Homework simply will become alot easier in your home. Below, I'm sharing my homework tips for parents. 

Homework Tips for Parents

Create A Routine
It's really as simple as creating a routine for your children, children want and need some type of structure. Yes, it's okay for your children to have a snack when they come home. However, if they don't have any sports or extracurricular activities after school, homework should be the first priority.

Homework Station
No matter the size of your home. Create a homework area for your children. Make sure the area is fully stocked with items they'll need, it's so easy to get distracted.

Cut Down On Distractions 

It's so easy to be a distraction, try to cut down on them by not being a distraction to your children, especially at the start of the school year, as they're still getting in the swing of being back to school.

Communicate with Other Parents
I know, the last thing you want to do is feel like you're a burden to other parents, however, it really does take a village. Whether your child is struggling, or you simply are struggling to maintain a homework routine for your children, connect with other parents to see what works for them. 

Know When To Take a Break
I know, you really just want to get the homework over and done with. I get it. Been there, done that! However, it's so important to know when to take a break for you and your child. Studies have shown that it's very important to take a break during homework time. Especially as your child is getting older and the homework expectations are increasing.

Know What You're Good At
During college, I've learned that one of my favorite subjects is history and I love helping my son when he has history homework. However, that's not the only subject he has. When he was smaller, it was super easy to brush up on my math skills. YouTube and Google search has truly been my best friend. Now that he is older and in high school. I seek assistance in the areas that I'm not too confident in.

Know When to Get Help
Our local library offers free tutoring and a lot of the tutors will assist with a range of subjects. Learn what resources are out there. Communicate with other parents. Maybe you guys have children the same age, and they're good at math and you're amazing in English. Some people really don't mind helping if you just ask. They may even have a child in the same grade or a litter older who excels in the subject. If they're unable to assist you, many people know of amazing tutors that they could refer you to.

Communicate with Your Child's Teacher
It's so important to communicate with your child's teacher. Ask for resources that will assist your child in their class. A lot of teachers love to help in any way needed. A lot of teachers will also give an outline of the year/semester so you're able to see what the expectations and assignments will be moving forward. If you have a question about an assignment, ask.

Do you have any homework tips for parents?

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As I'm typing this post, I can't believe that it's actually August. The month of July really flew by. Each month I like to recap what I'm proud of no matter the size of the "win". Below, I'm sharing five things I'm proud of in July.

5 Things I’m Proud Of July

Date Myself
This month I completely rocked dating myself, I took myself on a few dates, and really enjoyed this experience, it was so nice to simply get out of the house, and enjoy the weather. Plus, enjoy a lite bite and good eats.

Garden
I actually don't know what's going on with my garden. I started everything from seeds and it really shows :( I had several things that I planted that never grew like my beans and several other things that I totally forgot to plant. What I'm proud of is not giving up.

Slept-In
As a mom, I don’t take for granted the days I’m able to sleep in. I’ve learned to be unapologetic about it though.

Read
Though I didn't meet my reading goal for this month, I'm proud of myself for getting back in the swing of things with reading.

Yoga
I’ve been doing yoga consistently for months now, and I’m so proud of myself for staying consistent. Yoga has so many amazing benefits.

What are you proud of?

Attire Breakdown

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As a child, I looked forward to back-to-school time every year, my parents would take us shopping, and I would look forward to all my new stationery, and school clothes. As a parent, it seems like back-to-school shopping can really creep up on you. I've really streamlined the entire back-to-school process for my family. Which has allowed me to start the process sooner, and work on our back-to-school shopping list. Below, I'm sharing tips that have helped me save on my back-to-school shopping finds.

Create A-List

It's so easy to get to the store and forget all about your wants/needs, it's so easy to overspend once you walk into a store without a list.

Budget

Create a budget and stick to it! Most schools provide a supply list, use that list to create a budget, and figure out how much you're going to allot to school clothes.

Cheap vs Value

As a parent, it's so easy to go school shopping for something and it's a cheap price which is great for the moment, however, it doesn't have any value. For example, I purchased a book bag for my son at one of my favorite stores, it was a "cheap" price. The bookbag lasted two weeks tops, I found myself looking for a bookbag, wasting time, and spending more money. The replacement bag I purchased was from L.L.Bean. I never purchased a book bag for my son again, to this day he still has the book bag. I never had any issues with the bag. Though they changed this return policy, the bookbag was of great value.

Tax-Free Week

Most states offer tax-free weeks, do a quick search to see when your tax-free week is.

Shop Sales

Most stores have sales for back school, make sure to signup for all of your favorite store's newsletters and text alerts for sales.

Rakuten

Rakuten offers cashback on all of your favorite stores, I've been using them for years, especially during the holidays, and it's always nice to receive my cashback check in the mail.

Know What Supplies You Already Have

Know what supplies you already have, towards the end of the school year I typically place all of my child's school supplies in a basket. Once back to school time starts, I typically go through those supplies to see what's still needed.

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