Karissa Tunis

How To Make More Space In Your Lounge

September 25, 2022

How to Make More Space in Your Lounge

It’s only normal to want your home to look and feel its best, and decorating for a space that isn’t ideal for you may be tremendously exciting and force you to be creative. However, because of its small size, decorating a small living room might be challenging. You’ll undoubtedly make a ton of blunders along the road, but small living rooms may appear quite chic when properly styled utilizing a few easy techniques. Keep reading for ideas to make more space in your lounge.

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection

Mirrors can help create the appearance of spaciousness

There are innumerable creative opportunities to take advantage of in little, frequently ignored locations. Using ornamental mirrors to provide the appearance of greater space is the ideal place to start. When correctly positioned, mirrors can make a cramped space feel open and breezy. Choose numerous mirrors to reflect all of the light in the living area for a dramatic effect. The mirror will reflect the most light and instantly provide depth if you install a large or many pieces on the wall next to your largest window. However, if your living room seems small and lacks windows, try hiding a tall mirror behind pieces of furniture to give the appearance that another room is expanding beyond.

Utilize light-weight drapes to enhance the light

Curtains have the ability to drastically change the look and feel of a room by adding color, pattern, and a cozy atmosphere. If you’re looking for the ideal curtain for a small living room, put function before style in your considerations. Why not replace yours, which are heavier and come in deeper colors, with the lighter fabric to let more light into the room? To let in a ton of natural light and boost a room’s brightness, choose white or pale colors.

A window seat provides additional sitting

Utilizing a window niche as a miniature living room with a window seat is one way to make the most of a limited space. You may wish to choose thin, elegant furniture that takes up less visual area when choosing the right seat. The eye is tricked into believing the room is less congested by these pieces of furniture. This transforms into a lovely refuge that makes it simple to read, talk, or simply sit and take in the scenery and sky when topped with simple plush cushions.

Reduce your furniture purchases

Any piece of furniture that takes up very little visible space will appear to open up a space. For instance, experimenting with size and proportion, such as by using a lower couch with thin arms and a tightly padded back, can help give the room a sense of volume. In any case, sleek, low-profile furniture, especially sofas, won’t visually overwhelm or dominate the room. Instead of a conventional sofa and coffee table, you can utilize two loveseats or ottomans. Compact apartment spaces benefit from the lightweight design and tiny scale because they improve traffic flow and provide you more arranging possibilities. You can also look to get a tv mounting service so you don’t need a tv unit and you can have your tv on the wall.

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection

4 Things To Do Before Traveling To New York With Kids

New York is a state and city for everyone. Kids and adults will surely have wonderful days, with an infinite list of fun things to do during their visit. It’s a concrete jungle, that’s for sure, but it doesn’t mean that your days will be confined only to city life as it is.

If you’re planning on staying only for a few days, you’re likely to have a busy schedule. Especially since you’d want to maximize every minute of being in the city and not miss any spot to visit. Moreover, if you’re traveling with kids, preparing for it well enough before you hop on that flight or get on the road to New York is essential.

As with any other travel destination, traveling with kids in a hustling urban destination can be daunting. Your worries will be through the roof, no matter how exciting the prospect of a vacation to New York may seem. Once that vacation date is set, gear up with your to-do list so you can wipe the stress of traveling with kids away, and focus more on the good parts.

With that in mind, consider doing these things first before traveling to New York with your little ones in tow:

For more on this topic, check out the full Travel Tips collection

Familiarize Yourself With The Subway System

New York is a busy state, that’s without a doubt. During peak hours, the traffic may get so bad that it’ll take so much of your time to travel by taxi. If you’re a big family, it can also be inconvenient and costly when your group may have to be separated into different cabs.

That being said, one of the best ways to go around New York is to walk when you can. However, if the distance is too far, there’s the option to take the subway. It’s efficient and also very practical. And so, once your trip to New York is finalized, aside from looking for sights to see, start studying its subway system too.

Furthermore, learning about the city’s public transportation can also be helpful if you’re traveling to New York by train. For instance, if you’re coming from Boston, you can book Amtrak Boston to NYC tickets and arrive at Penn Station, which connects to the NYC subway. From there, you can start exploring the city.

Get Travel Insurance

Be it to New York, or elsewhere in the world, travel insurance isn’t something you should skip now that you’re traveling as a parent. You have more heads to account for, particularly your little ones. And, given the wild nature of children, the likelihood of an accident here and there is always very high. The last thing you’d want is to face a hefty hospital bill in an expensive city like New York.

This is where travel insurance comes in as your umbrella of protection. The cost of getting one is generally smaller when you compare it to the potential expenses in an untoward accident. You may not use it anyway. But if you did, then at least you know you’re safe.

Decide In Advance On The Iconic Attractions You Want To See

Unless you have so much time in New York, you may not be able to go through and experience all the attractions in the city. There are many, each of which can be categorized according to your preferences. But most importantly, you have to factor in the kids’ age and interests. That way this also becomes a fun and memorable vacation for them. Otherwise, if you visit one museum after another and the kids don’t understand anything, you may struggle with tantrums and uninterested children.

Balance it out, so there’s something for everybody. Moreover, listing and deciding in advance on what you want to see and visit in New York lets you plot your schedule. This can help you build an itinerary and the budget you’ll be spending on sightseeing. If you’re on a budget, you can insert a few free attractions in New York, as there’ll also be plenty to choose from.

Involve The Kids When Planning

If your kids are old enough to speak out on matters like what they want to see in New York, get their ideas too. The more involved they are in the planning process, the higher the hype and excitement will be. Plus, it can give you a chance to get to know your children more as you have insights now on what they also want to see and do in the Big Apple.

Furthermore, the kids’ involvement in the planning phase doesn’t include the itinerary only. You can also go as far as asking the kids for help in packing their bags and things. You can intentionally teach your kids how to pack and unpack, especially when they’re of an age where they can do this themselves. That’s one less chore for you to do when the kids are trained to be responsible enough to help.

Now You’re Ready To Enjoy New York

New York can be intimidating for any traveler, especially those with very young children. It’s every bit what you’d expect from an urban jungle. So the crowds, vehicles, and even the noise may be very daunting. Particularly to travelers from cities or states that aren’t as busy.

But, with proper research and preparation, you won’t have to let those scare you away from New York. The tips above can help you prepare well enough for it, so your holiday will be more fun and memorable than stressful.

For more on this topic, check out the full Travel Tips collection

Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher + Free Printables

Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher + Free Printables

Gifting to your child’s teacher can be hard. You want to show your appreciation for all the work they do but have no idea what they like or need. Most likely, your child’s teacher doesn’t need another “Best Teacher” mug. To make gifting easier for teacher’s appreciation week or a teacher’s birthday, we have curated some tips and teacher gift ideas for getting your classroom hero something they will love.

For more on this topic, check out the full Gift Giving and Back to School collections

What does your child’s teacher really want?

There are some simple ways you can determine if a gift would be fitting for your child’s teacher.

The gift should fit into one or more of the following categories:

Practical: The gift should be something that the teacher can actually use, such as a gift card.

Simple: The gift doesn’t have to be store-bought to be amazing! Something as simple as homemade goodies can show their teacher how much you appreciate the work they do.

Thoughtful: A personal gift, such as a necklace with the teacher’s monogram, will let them know that they are special to your child.

Meaningful: Homemade keepsakes and cards are always special for teachers to get. Especially, if it includes photos of their students from throughout the school year.

If you want to get more information on your child’s teacher before purchasing them a gift, consider sending your child with a teacher gift questionnaire in their notebook.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

5 Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher

These teacher gift ideas are perfect, as they are fun, unique, and easy to add personal touches to.

Throw Blanket

A cozy throw blanket is a simple gift idea that can be kept in the classroom or taken home. You can never go wrong with this gift. Plus, throw blankets are easy to personalize to a teacher’s preferences with unique designs and different sizes.

Gift Cards

You cannot go wrong with a simple gift card. A gift card to a local boutique or a coffee shop is a simple way to show your appreciation. Make this gift a bit more personalized with an adorable gift tag.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Holiday Plant or Succulent

If you are looking for a simple gift to give your child’s teacher before school ends for holiday break, consider a plant or a succulent. These last way longer than traditional flowers. Add a cute plant tag to make the gift extra special.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Custom Phone Case

Here’s something that ticks all the right boxes on what to give your kid’s teacher. A cool personalized phone case is all things practical, simple, and meaningful. They’re able to use it to protect their phones and, at the same time, remember its significance every time they flip out their phones.

Some fantastic design suggestions that’ll make them go “aww” include a monogram of their name, class picture, or a simple “Best Teacher Award” statement.

Cute Notebooks

A cute notebook makes for a great teacher gift! Teachers love notebooks, especially when they are personalized. Not only can they use notebooks for school, but they can also use them for journaling while at home.

Sanitation Essentials

Sanitation is always important in the classroom, especially post-pandemic. Making your child’s teacher a basket with classroom sanitation essentials is something necessary that your child’s teacher would appreciate. To make this simple gift more special, tape these sanitation labels to each item in the basket.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Showing love to your child’s teacher through gifting is a great way to thank them for all the work they do, especially in our post-pandemic society. Like with all gifting, it is the thought that truly counts!

For more on this topic, check out the full Gift Giving and Back to School collections

Practical Tips For Moving With Kids

September 21, 2022

Practical Tips For Moving With Kids

Moving can be daunting for your kids. Leaving their friends, school, old home, and other familiar settings may not be pleasant. Research indicates that the impact of moving can be worse for kids over 5. Despite this, you can help your kids adjust to the change and even embrace it with the right steps. Here are a few you can leverage when moving to your new home to achieve the desired outcome.

For more on this topic, check out the full Moving Tips collection.

Be transparent with them

Admittedly, you are the parent and can decide when or not to move without explanations. However, keeping your kids out of the loop may be more harmful than beneficial. Suddenly breaking the news may be met with outrage and even resistance. And no wonder they may not desire to leave behind what they’ve always known. Instead of keeping your move a secret, open up to them about your decision. You can expect them to express their initial disapproval, but be patient and listen to them. However, giving them a heads-up can help them come to terms with the inevitable change. As a tip, tell them earlier to help them prepare for it. This way, they can make the most of the time left with their friends and other things they love.

Involve them in the process

Another way to spark their enthusiasm is to involve them in the process. Except if they are infants or toddlers, your kids can help in every stage. For starters, seek their opinions about your new home before purchasing it. You can make it more fun by researching various houses with them and holding a vote to decide which option they like best. Consequently, allow them to pack their boxes (if they’re older) to give them ownership of their part of the relocation. You’ll also find it helpful to give them a packing list to make it easier. You also want to encourage them to choose how they want their rooms to look, so keep this in mind.

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

Homebuyer checklists free printable bundle graphic with blue background

Go on a leisure trip to your new neighborhood

Visiting your new home and neighborhood is essential to ensure that you and your family are safe. However, it can also be a great way to introduce them to their new life. And what better way to achieve this than to turn it into a leisure trip? Make it a point to explore other areas after seeing your home and introducing yourself to your neighbors. For instance, you can visit the parks, ice cream shops, restaurants, etc. This can leave a good impression in your kids’ minds and motivate them to move in quickly.

Give yourself time to plan and prepare

Moving can stress you out if you don’t plan early. Not only will you deal with packing boxes, emptying, and cleaning your old home, but you can also expect going-away parties, neighbors and friends stopping by to say goodbye, etc. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to start packing earlier, so keep this in mind. While at it, you can make arrangements with a credible household moving company to ensure that your things arrive on time.

For more on this topic, check out the full Moving Tips collection.

Buying a New Home? Free Printable Bundle + Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

September 20, 2022

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

The journey of buying a new home can be an exciting milestone—but there’s also a lot of details to navigate and stay on top of in order to make that journey a success. If you’re new to the territory, one of the most important steps you want to tackle is understanding how your mortgage works—and finding a mortgage lender you can trust.

Working with the right mortgage lender can make a huge difference in finding the best home loan to suit your unique needs and financial situation. But if you’ve never worked with a mortgage lender before, you might be unsure of what questions you’ll need to ask to make sure you’re getting the best possible loan option and securing the right deal for your family.

To help you navigate the process, this printable house hunting binder designed by FHA Home Loans is packed with all the crucial questions you should cover with your lender, plus checklists to keep all the information you gather organized and easily accessible. A home buying journey might feel daunting to some, but simply knowing how the process works—and being able to keep track of it all—can make a world of difference!

For more on this topic, check out the full Moving Tips collection.

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection.

How to Help New Parents When You Live Far Away

Maybe it is your best friend from college. Or perhaps it is a sibling or cousin. Almost everyone knows someone who lives far away who has had, or is expecting, a new baby. Unfortunately, we can’t always fly or drive out to support our loved ones as they navigate the challenges of new parenthood. But there are ways that we can lend our support and help new parents even when we live far away.

For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection

Baby Clothes

Everyone loves to buy clothes for their impending arrival. And every expectant mom or dad should be able to indulge themselves when they find an outfit that is too cute to resist. But let’s face it, babies will grow out of those tiny clothes in as little as a few weeks. So it just makes sense to get most of them via donations from friends and family.

So, one of the best things you can do for a distant pregnant or newly delivered loved one is to send them any infant clothes you may have leftover from your adventures in parenting. Or, you can even buy some cute outfits to send from your local consignment or thrift stores. Not only will you be helping the new parents, but you will also be helping the planet by reusing clothes that may have only been used once or twice. By shopping around for the lowest domestic shipping rates, you can make this a cost-effective way to help out.

Send Gifts from Their Registry

Thanks to online shopping, it is easier than ever to purchase gifts for new parents (or anyone else) and have them sent directly. Chances are your loved one has a registry at one or more retailers online. And the best part about using the registry is that you will avoid duplicate gifts or unwanted items. The last thing new parents need is to deal with product returns on top of all the work of caring for an infant. If you feel like you need to come up with something unique — the kind of gift your friend or family member can use or will just love, but may not even know to ask for — stick to small items. That way, if your sure shot is a miss, it isn’t a big deal.

Hire Helpful Services

A great way to help out is to purchase services that new parents might not afford for themselves. This can range from a gift certificate to a restaurant delivery service like GrubHub, a postpartum doula, or a night nurse. Other services that may be useful are diaper services, grocery shopping and delivery services, and house cleaning services. Anything that can take a task, especially a repetitive task, off of the hands of new parents can be a game-changing help. For more significant purchases that might break your budget, go in with other friends and family members.

HELP PLAN THEIR BABY’S BAPTISM

Planning their child’s baptismal ceremony is a huge task for first-time parents. There are many things to prepare and a bunch of logistical tasks to take care of. To take some load off their shoulders, help them plan and organize the event—even from miles away. New parents will appreciate your help in making things easier, from assisting them in finding suppliers to handing out the invites. If you don’t have as much free time to do all those, you can still participate in the preparation by sending them valuable gifts like cute and stylish baptism dresses for their baby girl or personalized keepsake boxes.

Other Ideas

Being far away doesn’t mean you can’t be a big help to a loved one navigating the challenging waters of new parenthood. In addition to these ideas, send cards, money if needed, gift certificates, and small “just for fun” gifts to support new parents. Think of how you can use these tips from a distance. Stay in touch (but make sure to text before you call, so you pick the right moment). And don’t forget to ask what you can do to help. Your loved ones will often know what they need the most.

For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection

Top Parenting Tips: How To Get Your Well-deserved Rest

Parents are some of the most sleep-deprived people on earth. Between work, school, and caring for their children, it can be difficult to find time to get a good night’s rest. If you’re feeling these effects, don’t worry! There are ways to combat your fatigue and get enough sleep with some simple changes to your schedule. You will be on your way to a well-deserved rest in no time!

For more on this topic, check out the full Sleep collection

Sleep Deprivation Can Cause Snoring

Parenting is hard enough on its own without having to worry about being a nuisance to those around you. If your snoring is waking the baby up at night, it’s time to make some changes! There are many ways to actively tackle snoring at night. To learn more about snoring-prevention devices and tricks, visit SnoringHQ.com and start the journey back to some good sleep-filled nights.

More Than A Symptom Of Fatigue

Snoring is a problem for many people, but it’s often not treated as the serious issue that it can be. If you have sleep apnea, snoring can be an indicator of your condition. Snoring may also indicate the need for surgery to correct other health problems such as nasal obstruction or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. It could even mean you’re suffering from congestive heart failure! Sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of snoring, but there are others too. You should see your doctor if you think this might be affecting your quality of life or impacting other aspects of your health.

In case you are lucky and have recently developed snoring as a consequence of feeling burn-out, or some other bad habits there are some things you can do to change this. A simple change in routine and daily activities will help you get that well-deserved rest.

Bedtime routine

First of all, make sure your bed is comfortable. There are many mattresses on the market today, so it might be very difficult to figure out what kind will suit you best. You can ask for recommendations from people who have problems with sleep or snoring that you think to resemble yours the most. If this does not help, just try out what you can afford and hope for the best.

A regular bedtime routine will also help you sleep better at night. There are many types of routines that people follow, but most include some sort of showering or bathing, teeth brushing, reading a book, and staying in bed until it’s time to go to sleep. It may seem very simple, but it really can make a huge difference!

[Read: Promoting Healthy Sleep: From Birth to Beyond]

Turn off electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime

As much as you love your gadgets, using them before going to sleep can seriously interfere with your sleeping patterns. Light from computer screens and TV sets can suppress the production of melatonin in the brain, causing you to feel even more tired than before. Watching television or playing games on a computer is not necessarily bad for you, but it certainly does not help you sleep better. So try to keep them at least 30 minutes away from your bedtime. Consider setting up screen time limits for yourself and other people in your home.

Tricks to prevent snoring

Tired parents are often snorers too. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent snoring while lying in bed with your loved ones. The first thing would be to get rid of all that softness under your head. There are several pillows, cushions, and even special inflating rings designed to solve this problem. Now you can sleep comfortably without your head sinking to the bed and causing your airway passages to constrict during the night.

Keeping all of this in mind, there is a neat product called an anti-snoring pillow. It’s a specially designed pillow that allows you to sleep on your side, which helps open up airways. The only problem with this is that you might find it very difficult to keep your head up during sleep. It’s not recommended for people suffering from back problems, in case you are thinking about getting one of these.

Improve your health

As we mentioned above, there are some serious health conditions that may cause you to snore at night. If this is the case, make sure you talk to your doctor and try their recommendations before trying anything else. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can be very harmful to different aspects of your health, not just for breathing issues like snoring.

Of course, these activities should be avoided at all costs if you want to avoid serious health problems and sleep better. Eating healthy and exercising can do wonders for your body! If you think about it, this is how we were designed to function: we eat well and get our daily dosage of activity and rest.

As you can see there are many things parents have to consider when they have trouble sleeping at night. Lack of rest can seriously impact their lives and the lives of their children, so it’s important to find some solutions quickly. Try all of these tricks and you will be sound and asleep in no time!

For more on this topic, check out the full Sleep collection

Tips for Building Micro Passive Incomes

For many people, the day job is something that they have to do to support their lifestyle. Without it, they’re in the gutter. Unfortunately, they’re stuck in a cycle of earning and spending. They need their job to support their lifestyle. But their lifestyle requires them to have a job. It’s a rat race that never seems to end.

The problem is that they haven’t started to develop other side income streams. Instead of investing in assets that generate cash flow, they’ve thrown their money into vacations, vehicles, and entertainment – things that they can never get back. Another reason people don’t do this is because they believe that it requires too much expense. Buying a rental property, for instance, requires a massive downpayment and the ability to pay a mortgage for 25 years.

The good news is that there are ways to make passive income without buying big-ticket items. The new strategy is to make micro-investments that generate cash returns over time. But what does that mean? How do you develop micro passive incomes?

Well, as you might expect, it helps to get educated. Doing online marketing MBA programs introduces you to some of the basics that you’ll need to take full advantage of digital revenues. But it also helps to seek out new opportunities when they arise. Some micro incomes add imperceptibly to your income. But if you keep plugging away, eventually, they will pay off. And if you’re lucky, they could replace your income completely. Below are some micro passive income ideas that you should try.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks are a good place to start. These payout every six months or so, providing you with a nice cash income. The good thing about these is that you can usually start investing with a small amount of money, usually less than $100. Once you have the security, it’ll continue to pay you into the future indefinitely, as long as the underlying company doesn’t go out of business.

Rent Out A Parking Space

If you’re in the right location, you can also try renting out a parking space. Again, it’s incredibly easy. Just post advertisements on social media and wait until someone shows interest. All you have to do is collect the income. No further work on your behalf is required.

Sell Photography

Another idea is to sell photography online. Quickly set up a store and then work with a print shop to supply photos to customers. To add value, hire someone to frame them for you, or do it yourself if volumes are low.

Write An eBook

You can also try writing an ebook. While this involves a considerable time investment upfront, it will continue generating royalties for you forever. Every time a person downloads it, you earn money.

Start P2P Lending

Lastly, you might want to try peer-to-peer lending. Becoming a creditor lets you charge interest on the money you lend, earning you an income. To reduce the time you need to dedicate to this, you can lend via a range of platforms.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

30 Fall Wall Decor Free Printables

fall wall decor free printables

30 Fall Wall Decor Free Printables

Free printables are a great way to update your decor for Fall!

I always have good intentions of decorating more festively for fall, but it takes so much time, energy, and money! These free wall decor printables are an easy (and inexpensive way) to fill your home with cozy autumn vibes.

Choose from 30 different designs of fall wall art. Print out your favorites. Frame them (with inexpensive frames) and hang them on your walls to enjoy all season!

Fall Wall Decor Free Printables

fall wall decor free printables

For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun collection

Seeking Life Balance, and Why We Must Stop Looking Up to Superwoman

I understand how superwoman came into our society. In the 60’s, women had to demonstrate that they could do it all. Such as having babies, raising children, running a household AND holding a paying job outside of the home – in order to be taken seriously. Our foremothers needed to juggle it all. And juggle it well to earn us the seats we sit in today in factories, offices and boardrooms across America. Life balance falls to the background when we’re making crucial changes in our culture….