If you have a Squishmallow enthusiast in your midst, you need this post! For collectors, they are adorable and squishy, but for the rest of us, they are space-sucking, glorified stuffies, infiltrating our very last nerves of sanity and calm. Whoops, did we get a little carried away there?? Here’s some of our tried and true tips and tricks to get your Squishmallow squad in order!
Read MoreI don’t care how organized you are (and believe me, I am), changing out the kids’ clothing for a new season is never fun! However, with some foresight, a little preparation, and the following tips, you can make it as seamless and painless as possible.
Declutter Regularly. Stay with me here…I’m not saying take everything out from all the drawers and closets on a weekly basis. Rather, if you can see the outline of your child’s belly button in a t-shirt, or your kid’s athletic pants are looking like high-waters, simply add those pieces to a “Sort Later” or “Donate” bin. Or if their pants have a rip, go ahead and toss in the trash. One less item to worry about later and wonder if it’ll pass for another season. News flash: It won’t!
Sort Smartly. If you’ve got multiple kids, designate a bin/shelf in each’s closet for pieces that are outgrown. Then, when you go to change-out for the season, you’ll know that everything in that bin is the same size — that is, the most recent one your child was wearing.
Involve Kids. I’d never say this when we’re talking about toys, but with clothes, kids like what they like, and are usually more than ready to part with things they aren’t wearing, be it for reasons of comfort, style, or “just because”. In this way, kids are effectively decluttering for you.
Label Everything. No matter how many times I swear I will remember what a bin has in it…six months later is a long time and I never do. It’s for this reason that we recommend labeling everything! Instead of your kid’s name, label it with the size. Got multiple genders and sizes, specify “Boy 5T” and “Girl 5T”. The more specific you can get in the label, the easier it will be to change things up and out.
Clothes storage is an ever-evolving, necessary evil of having kids, but it also means our households are growing and thriving, which ultimately, is our highest priority. These four tips are designed to make the seasonal switch-up for clothing decluttering, hand-me-downs and storage as seamless as possible. But if it still feels too overwhelming to tackle amidst all your other "to-dos”, give us a call!
Getting it all done in a day’s work is pretty darn near impossible in the best of times, but when we add in an extra layer, of say, an impending family trip where packing “all the things” is required, it can be daunting, if not damn near paralyzing! Avoid the last-minute, late-night scurry to get it all done with our easy-to-manage schedule for packing it all in, pun intended!
3 weeks prior to trip: Go through yours and the kids’ drawers and closets and see what you’ve got and what still fits. Use this week to hit up your favorite spots (in-person or online) and get what you need. With three boys with zero interest in shopping, it’s easier for me to Target and Amazon (yep, I’m using those words as verbs) their stuff, have them try it on at home, and then I’ll keep/return what works/doesn’t. But you do you!
2 weeks prior to trip: Keep a running list in your Notes app, so it’s always with you, and jot down things you know you’ll be needing as you think of them — sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, pool bag, wine opener, chargers, swim shoes, Tums, magnetic hooks, retainer cleaning supplies, visor, vitamins, et. al). Yes, this list will be long and random AF, but it’ll be a huge help to have it altogether when packing time comes.
1 week prior to trip: Be on top of the laundry so you’re not wondering where things are; and where possible, stage what you’re going to bring for easy transfer to a suitcase. When you lay it all out on a dresser, you’re able to see what you’ve amassed and decide over the course of that week, what you’re missing or aren’t actually going to need (the latter more likely, in my case). This is also the time to make sure everyone’s prescriptions are filled.
3 days prior to trip: Check the weather of your destination and make sure you’re prepared with ponchos, scarves or sandals. Assess your toiletry and travel meds situation — replace what’s running low or expired and always, always, always bring one of these. Pull together all your identification papers (passports, birth certificates, Covid negative test results, etc.) and place in your carry-on bag.
1 day prior to trip: Load up the suitcases with all the stuff that’s been laid out on your dresser, and, again with the Notes App, make a list of the last minute things you need to remember to throw in the morning of departure (contacts lenses case/glasses, daily serums, watch chargers, snacks, etc.).
Did we miss anything? What’s on your to-do list that didn’t make ours?
No matter your size or shape, accessories always fit! Earrings, bags, hats…these are the things that make an outfit go from “Meh” to “Wow!” So having all those things organized and easily accessible will help you start the day feeling stylish and, most importantly, confident!
