A Tough Balancing Act

I don’t know how many ConveRsatioNs I’ve had with Robynn about the importance having a good balance in my life.  Balancing my business and watching my kids….balancing trying to achieve goals but not letting them consume me…balancing housework, family time and ME time…

I have always been a black and white type of person, so as you can iMagiNe, balance is hard for me.  I’ve realized that when I have the right balance, I experience the most PeaCe in my life.  For example, my business.  It brings me JoY because it gives me ownership in something and it provides supplemental income for my family.  BUT because it is a GrowIng business, too many orders at once cause me STRESS.  When I have good BALANCE I only accept the orders I can manage, which allows me to make money and be available to my kids.  I may be turning away extra money by limiting my orders, but having PeAcE is WoRtH MoRe than being stressed and missing my kiddos.

Balancing areas of your life may mean making sAcriFices, but in reality you are probably spending more time doing the things in life that MAtter Most!

~Lara

Don’t Sweat The REALLY Small Stuff

I’ll admit it…I’m one of those “MaTcHy MaTcH MoMs” that loves to have everything coordinate.  I love dressing my 2 year old daughter up in outfits with matching hair BoWs, socks, shoes, bracelets…the whole NiNe YaRdS!  You can say flying by the seat of my pants in NOT in my vocabulary.  I’ve always loved picking clothes out for my kids and have never had an issue until the other day when I took my 4 year old son shopping for his BaCk-To-ScHoOl sneakers.  For days he was saying he wanted blue and yellow sneakers which I figured would be no problem.  I envisioned a SnEaKeR with some navy and a little mustardy yellow accent that could easily match his wardrobe.  Needless to say what he picked out was far from the understated running shoe I had in mind.  However, the look on his face when he tried them on was PRICELESS.  I took a deep breath and bought the sneakers that my son had so proudly picked out all on his own. 

On the car ride home I thought that there are so many things that can cause stress in our daily lives…I was proud of myself for going with the flow for once and in the grand scheme of things, this really is sMaLL StUfF!

~Guest Writer Robyn, From New Jersey~

Biggest Bang For Your Buck – Buying Name Brand

Ever find something you really would like to buy, but don’t want to pay full price?  If so, try buying a floor model.  Stores have to move these items from time to time and usually do so at a discount.

This TabLe & cHaiRs, rUg and DollhOusE I found at a Potterybarn Kids store.  And best of all, they were all floor models.  I was able to get a 50% DisCouNt on the table & chairs and rug, as well as a 40% discount on the dollhouse.  I found all these buys in the summer and instantly I had a head start on my Christmas shopping!

Many times stores don’t advertise these discounts, so you may want to ask the sales clerk if there are any discounts on FlOoR mOdEls.  I was browsing and just happened to be looking at pricetags.  Another option is to put your name on a WaiTiNg LiSt for a floor model that you are interested in.  I have done this before and although you may have to wait for a few months or longer, you may be able to land a really GoOd DeaL.  Of course, there are no guarantees your name will be the top name on the list, but it’s worth a shot.

So next time you fall in love with a piece of furniture or household item that you don’t want to pay full price for, give it a try and see if you can’t land a great deal.  It may take PaTieNcE, but it will be worth it.

Robynn~

Wedding Guest Book Idea

Earlier this year I had an engaged couple wanting to use blocks as a NeW and FuN way to have people sign their wedding guest book!  It was going to be a small wedding, so they decided to use blocks for the guests to sign.  The best thing about this IdEA was that they are able to decorate their home with these blocks and cHeriSh them for a lifetime!

 

See more block options by visiting my website at www.letterblockshop.com

Cheers~

Lara

Country Roads Take Me Home!

In my opinion, there are few things as good for the SouL as a drive in the CoUnTrY.  If you need a break from the rat race or just want a slower pace grab your keys and EnJoY the countryside. 

Need a good song?  John Denver’s, CoUnTrY RoAdS is one song my family and I love to belt out as we do our country cruising.

Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k49paH8plfY&feature=related

Robynn~

LIVE A Little

With the hustle and bustle of being a mom, running a business and keeping up with life in general, it is easy to let extra fun and uNique experiences pass me by if I let them. To-do lists will always be NeVer-Ending and no matter how hard we try, there will never be more than 24 hours in a day!

When I find myself busy with the daily grind, I am often reminded of something my Dad told me growing up, “Sometimes you need to live a little.”

“Living a little” may be painting your toes a crazy color or wearing an outfit that is different from your typical wardrobe style. Maybe it means eating on your Grandmother’s china more often, rolliNg around in the sand with your kids or doing something as cRaZy as sky-diving! Put your busy life on hold now and then and “live a little”! It will be FUN and you’ll never regret the MeMories you’ll make while doing so!

Have FUN!

~Lara

*This is a picture of my sister!!  She is so BRAVE! ;)