How I do it: Girls Trip

Last October I took a girls trip with 3 other girls. We had an amazing time and the process of planning and making decisions was so easy and pleasure.
During and after getting back I have had a lot of questions, comments and stories on girls trips. A lot wanted to know how it went or how we all got to do everything wanted  to do while we were there. Since this girls trip went off without a hitch and easy breezy planning I thought I would share how it went and we did it.

1. First things First:
VERY Important- when getting a girls trip together make sure everyone gets along really well. You don't want to have to worry if someone is going to get into a tizzy or get their feelings hurt or have someone who is uncomfortable with another person on the trip.
Myself, SIL Christi who is my husbands brothers wife, AnnaBrooke who I will refer to as AB is the husbands first cousin, and Tiffany is the married to my husbands first cousin. Her husband and my husband were born on the same day just hours apart. Their moms are sisters and both went into labor the same day CRAZY I know. We all get along really well and like most of the same things and can just hang out and have a good time.

this photo was taken 3 years ago on my 30th birthday 



2. Location
Pick a place everyone all wants to go. For me I knew that my husband never wanted to go to New York and I knew that if I didn't go on a girls trip it probably wouldn't ever happen. Also look at what's going to be going on in that location the dates you are thinking of going. They have a big marathon in NYC end of September so we knew we didn't want to be caught up in all of that or busier and crowded.



3. Dates:
 After having a location your next step is to get with everyone and see when the best time for them to go is.
Myself and SIL knew that either September or October were good months for us being that our husbands would be in the field harvesting 12-15 hour days. They way our husbands work we hate to be gone when they are home or their down time because its rare. The other 2 girls were fine with those months and talking back and forth looking at dates and what's going on in everyone's family schedules we came to the dates October 1-5. We went around work schedules, kids, husbands and that makes it easier and in the long room your trip more relaxing because you know everything is in order not back home. Now if we had been gone on one of the busiest weeks in our schedules we would have been stressed the whole time and the trip wouldn't be as much fun. So make sure the dates you choose are the best for everyone going or your trip will not be as fun as you were expecting. Who wants to be on a fun trip with one girl stressed, tiffed, or anxious because things are all kinds of crazy back home.
Also discuss the day you leave and come back: for instance can everyone all leave in the morning or do we need to wait until afternoon and the same when coming back into town.

4. Budget:
Discuss on budget for the trip. Everyone wants the cheaper the better but make sure you know what you can't do and voice that. I have a family of 5 so I knew I knew that staying at the Plaza and fly first class wasn't going to work. I played around on Expedia and a few more online booking agencies with flights and hotels to get an idea of how much it would cost and once I got an realistic idea of how much it would be. That helped us because with a round about price we could all decided if that was something that would fit our budget or we needed to look at other dates or another location.

5. Planning:
What worked best for us was to meet for lunch because all of our kids would be in school and on the days any of is had to work we could always meet during lunch. We would have lunch and then break out our planners, notebook, iPads, phones and any information we had. Make a Pinterst board and invite everyone to pin on that board. That way while pinning places, things, restaurants, tips you all are involved and can see what is going on and if you really like something you can research more and find more tips that you didn't know.



Our first meeting:
we discussed what area we would want out hotel to be in. We all wanted to stay on Times Square so the next step was to go through different booking places and see what was going to be our best deal. We joked and said that would be our homework. A few days later I came across a really good deal and texted and emailed all the information to everyone so they could check out the hotel and make sure the flight times were going to be ok. After everyone agreeing it was a go I booked the trip through Expedia. I have always had really good luck with them and they have always been cheaper than my travel agent. You can email everyone the link and they can get online book the trip through their card. Or you can all meet and book everything while you are all together whatever is the easiest.
We said we would do some research and come to the meeting with 3 things that was on the top of our list. We also brought any information, tips, or anything helpful for planning the trip. We also discussed each of our top 3 things on the list. There were a few things that more than one of us wanted to do so that makes it less things. We wrote it all down and decided that the next lunch date we would pick restaurants. We also went to Social Media or anyone who has been there before for tips, recommendation, dos and don'ts or anything they would suggest. One of the girls in out group had already been there but it was a while ago so she kind of knew some things.
Next Meeting:
I found this map on Pinterest and printed off 4 of these for us to have at the meetings.

 

6. Itinerary:

We knew we didn't want to set be on a minute to minute schedule. We wanted to go at our own pace but didn't want to get there and be like ok what are we doing today and not have a game plan. We didn't want to waste any time going back and forth from location to location. 

From this map we marked all the things that were on our list to do and restaurants to see what all areas we would be in. This is how we made our rough draft itinerary. We listed the areas and then under them wrote what all was in that area to give us an idea of time we would be spending in that area. On the areas we didn't have a lot we would see what was close and grab and choose that area also.
We took a notebook jotted down the days we were going to be there and underneath them we wrote the things we wanted to do.
Day 1: Fly to NYC
Day 2: Kelly & Michael
Day 3: 9\11
Day 3: Soho, China Town, & Little Italy
Day 4: Our Last Day Brooklyn Bridge, Boss Lady


That's how it went down with ease. I cant wait to get started on another one.

How I do it: Packing

I am a list maker so its only right for me to start with making list. I find free pintable's on Pinterest and make them my own. I found this one and loved the colors and the fact that it had boxes that can be checked off. I am currently packing for the beach. There are 4 boxes on this page so for the kids I used them for each day.

For example:

fist box= Day 1: Beach 

Swim cover

Swimsuit

Flip flops

Night time outfit

PJs

Undies

next box: Day 2: Beach

Swim cover

Swimsuit

Flip flops

Night time outfit

PJs

Undies

next box: Day 3: Big Kahunas waterpark

Swim cover

Swimsuit

water shoes

Night time outfit

PJs

Undies

next box: Day 4: Beach

Swim cover

Swimsuit

Flip flops

Night time outfit

PJs

Undies

On the next page I used the boxes for going there outfit, coming home outfit, and extras.

When its time to pack I will make a copy of the list so I have the master one and will get the copy list to the kids and they can pack and check their stuff off in the boxes. They will them bring them to the table or living room rug where the next step is to pack it up in labeled zip lock bags.

I am very visual so I typed up some labels that I could put on the gallon zip lock bags. I didn't put a day because I wanted to be able to use them when I needed them and I can now just write in the day: Day 1, Day 2 and so on. You can also keep the bags and use them on another trip since all I put in them is clean clothes. Of course I use different colors for each kid. I tend to use their favorite color.

 

 Mauri Laken takes after me with OCD so she gets me and my system and loves it while Maci and Rhett would rather just throw everything all into one bag. Then they each have a bag for each day then they also have a bag for swimsuits. Normally I would then place these bags into their own suitcase but since we are going to the beach I have decided to use one big bin and put everything and everyone into that one tub. I will take all these bags and then throw into the gain zip lock with their name on it. When we open the big bin they can pull their giant zip lock out and all of their stuff will be in it instead of every ones mixed up. I also bring a pop up hamper wherever I go and we pop it up throw dirty clothes into it and when we go home I will take a trash bag throw all of those clothes into the big bin then into the washer when I get home.
We can only do one page at a time so we don't get overwhelmed and get all mixed up. I find for me this is the easiest way to do it. I give them one page and when they are finished with that one page and have everything packed up in bags we can move on to the next.

 

 

 I am obsessed with my Erin Condren planner and if you want to see all about it you can read about it

here. Ive also ordered my new one and cant wait for it to come in. I write down in advance al the things I need to do in my planner and this is what it looks like.

 

 



 This is my jewelry organization, no one wants to show up all tangled

This bag is what I call my Bathroom Bag:

It stays packed all the time, the contents contain:

Shower stuff, hair stuff, blow dryer, brush, soap, teeth, deodorant, razor, you know all things involving getting ready except my makeup. 

This bra and panty hard case is a must. One side is for Bras and the other has a pocket for panties. Here is another option but I think it is soft and what I like about hard case is that I don't have to worry about the wire in my bras getting bent out of shape. {No Pun intended}

 

 

I always bring these hangers because we all know there is never enough hangers in the closet where you are staying. They are so skinny and take up such little space. These will be your best friend. 





How I do it: School Routine & Organization

Being that my motto I have instilled into my children is that everything should have a place and if not it needs to go into the trash can or give away bin. My kids grew up with stations or bins. Everything has a station or bin and that's where it goes as to that's where you can find it every single time. When Maci was the only one in school it wasn't so bad with her school stuff but when all three were in school that means 3 of each backpacks, 3 lunch boxes, 3 folders, 3 uniform bins, 3 school shoes, and 3 homework and papers to check. It was like a train wreck everyday when the kids would come in so I knew I had to create a school station. I took a section in our home office and created a functional area that worked for us.
The kids are so proud of their work and art stuff that it was all over the fridge and every where and I cant stand a clutter fridge it makes me freak out and I get moody when I see clutter. I would always look at their stuff compliment them and into the trash they went because it didn't have a place and you know my rule. Plus if I saved them do you really think they are going to want them one day...No. Or at least I don't want my old stuff so I'm guessing my kids don't either. I will have to say I do have a keep sake bin in the storage building and I will pick out a few things and throw in there. I knew I had to make a place or bin for their stuff so I went to Pinterest and this is what I came up with. I also hung a wrack they could hang their backpacks on with a rug underneath for their shoes. Because in the morning the last thing I want to deal with is finding shoes or backpacks.

 



I tried to hang their lunch boxes on the hooks also but it looked to cluttered and yal know I cant do clutter. Hmmm what can I do with their lunch boxes. I haven't really found anything yet so this is where they go for right now or until I find something that I like.
I also created a place where they could put reminders, lunch menus, or anything they needed for school. I don't have time to deal with seeing who is bringing lunch and who isn't so I created a system for this. I  ordered the Erin Condren monthly calendar and Erin Condren personalized stickers that I color coded and labeled each child with Maci Lunch in purple, Mauri Lunch in pink, and Rhett Lunch in blue. I let the kids pick their color so they would be happy. We get a monthly lunch calendar and on the days they plan on bringing their lunch they can place their sticker on that day. So in the mornings or night before they can look at the calendar and see if they need a lunch or not.



The kids have to wear uniforms which I love and makes getting dressed so easy. Each child has a dresser drawer or bin in their closet that they put their uniforms in. By doing this I never have to hear where are my uniform clothes because they are exactly where they always are. Although I do hear a few times out of the year I don't have any uniform shorts or uniform shirts. Then the arguments go to "if you put your dirty clothes into the laundry room then you would have clean clothes but since you didn't bother to bring your dirty clothes basket into the laundry room then I'm sorry but it looks like you are going to have to wear dirty clothes today." After a few times of doing this they learned real quick that Momma don't play. I don't empty their dirty clothes bin for them that is on their chore chart and even though it discuss and kills me to make them wear a dirty shirt or pants to school and wondered that their teacher is going to think I'm so nasty I've  got to prove my point or my system will not work.

 

 I broke Mauri's glass so Ill have to replace it.



Erin Condren Life Planner Review

As you know I have severe OCD when it comes to organization. I am an OCD planner. I even plan to plan. I make lists for everything. If I do something that isn’t on my list, I write it down just so I can cross it off my list. Planning or making lists helps me feel on top of things while being feeling in control of my life and confident that I haven’t forgotten something. That in turn makes me less stressed and better able to relax.

I have been wanting an a planner but the one I wanted was sold out and would not have any until next year and I need one now! I went to Pinterest and began to search for planners. I've begun to get desperate and bought some cheap planner but it was plain and not cute and I'm very visual so with a plain Jane planner I seemed to not use it like I needed and wanted to. I finally bit the bullet and ordered the Erin Condren Life Planner and decided I would make my own mind up if I liked it or not and if it would become a Yay or Nay. I was nervous about spending that much on a planer. But to my surprise the Life Planners were currently out of stock. Great another Out of Stock Planner I'm going to die then I saw that the July 2014-December 2015 Life Planners would be available for pre-sale in June. So maybe now I'm not going to die after all.

{If you set up your Erin Condren account through my link you will receive $10.00 off and if you make a purchase, then you will receive another $10 off so that's 20.00 of free products!}
I excitedly waited to get the email that it had shipped and then I couldn’t wait for it to arrive. On the day I knew it was going to arrive I watched the clock anxiously waiting on 2 o'clock. I couldn't even begin to rip open the box because it was almost to pretty to open.

 

Even the bottom of the box was all fancy.

With a box like this and package so fancy I knew I had hit the jackpot

 

It was all wrapped tight in mint tissue paper with an “Enjoy” sticker holding it neatly together. I knew right away that a company that takes this much care in shipping their product would definitely deliver in the Life Planner department.

Erin Condren offers personalized stationery, gift labels, photo cards, calendars, school & office supplies, invitations, t-shirts, teachers gifts and much more. Inside the Life Planner, there is a tab for special dates, each month of the year, notes, and contacts. There is a pocket to help contain loose papers and a pencil pouch. The Life Planner is securely held together with metal spiral binding. My favorite feature is the occasional motivational quote, just waiting for you to find it. You will also discover stickers in your Life Planner. These can be used to highlight important appointments, birthdays and so on. Some of the stickers have been prelabeled and others are left blank.

 

Also packaged are some freebies they send personalized.

They are so cute think I might buy some of the stickers and use them for gift labels.

 

How perfect is this?

Those that know me know my motto is: Go Big or Go Home

and when I open the first page of the life planner this is what I see PERFECTION!

This was so meant for me

The tabs marked with the months going down the sides.

They are strong and feels like they will last.

 

This is on the first few pages it shows the whole 18 months

 

Here is a look at a whole month

Love the quotes, each month is different

 

Then turning the page you have a week

It marked with 3 boxes going down and they are labeled: morning, day, & night

It also has a place on the left that reads Weekly Goals & Notes

On the bottom it reads: Meal Plans, Exercise, Daily Dos, Thoughts, Inspiration, & Lists

 

In the back there is a tab with Notes and you have lined blank pages

 

Sorry for the blurry photo but was to lazy to go get my camera out of the bag and retake this one.

It also has blank no lines pages also in notes section

 

 

It has 2 pages of label stickers and 2 pages of blank label stickers

A week later I ordered some personalized stickers and a desk pad calendar for the kids to do them a school calendar so they can put their stickers on it. They will be here Saturday and I can't wait.

 

 

 In the very back it has a 2016 and 2017 calendar

This planner ends December 2015 so if I need to look for advanced dates and I do all the time I don't have to Google them I have them here. I'm telling you I see this planner being my brain

 

 

This pocket fold is a great accessory in it to hold anything you need

Tucked in the folder is a perpetual calendar

On the back of the pocket folder is another pocket folder

So smart

 

Then the last thing is this zipper pouch

I can see me adding receipts or pens in this pocket

In the pocket is more personalized freebies



I also received a 10.00 off coupon with no expiration date and a 15.00 off with a September expiration date on it so I'm going to be using them on the things in my wish list on their site. Which came in handy being that in one month I have made 3 different orders.
I will do another post in about 3 months to show how I'm using it.

Pros:
all the above
Cons:
Wish I knew about this planner and Erin Condren sooner

In case you missed it at the beginning of this post, if you sign up as a new user you will receive 10.00 and when you make a purchase at Erin Condren through my link, you’ll receive another $10 off!

OCD Heaven

As you know I'm OCD and obsessed with organization. I strongly believe that a clean and organized home makes for a clean and organized life mind. I'm also a firm believer in everything has its place and if not then it should be tossed. I'm always looking for new ways to make being organized easy. The busier the kids and I get the harder it makes organizing easy. I have shared the Mega Binder by Happy Organized Life with you and now I am happy to share my newest favorite.

I came across Emily Ley on Instagram and I feel head over heels with not only her cuteness but also her love and need to be organized. She has created being organized while remaining simple. That's the best of both world I have truly hit the jackpot by coming across her. I think I have become addicted and have watched every single video of hers to only realize I think that I found my long lost identical twin. 

 Home Base Binder

I have ordered this and cant wait for it to come in. 

I plan on adding some of the Emily Ley free pintables to it and also some of my Pinterest cleaning schedule pintables such as a morning and night time routine. I'm all about a one thing does all and this way I will not have to go to 3 or 4 different places to gather information. I can see this binder not only making my life easier but it can also be used by the kids.

Each Home Base Binder comes with a kit of 82 pages (printed on luxe art paper) and 6 gold foil detailed dividers ready to be completed and put to great use. Inside your Home Base Binder, you’ll find:
Section 1: Family - Perpetual calendar, Emergency information
Section 2: Contacts - Home & repair contacts, Family & friends contacts
Section 3: Projects - Planning pages (12 – one for each month)
Section 4: Meal Plan - Weekly meal planning / grocery shopping pages (52 – one for each week of the year)
Section 5: Finances - Monthly spending plan pages (12 – one for each month)
Section 6: Heart - Family bucket list


The Home Base Binder from Emily Ley

As if this awesomeness isn't enough there is also The Simplified Planner that I have marked in my phone calendar to alert me on September 3rd so I can order.
The Simplified Planner from Emily Ley

That was last years planner and she has changed it up just a bit and added 2 more designs. But I'm still loving the strip one and that's the one I will be ordering come September 3rd.

I am interested in seeing the difference between my Erin Condren Life Planner and the Emily Ley Simplified Planner. When I get the Emily Ley planner I will do a comparison post.