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It looks like Spring and it feels like Spring here in Atlanta,  so we are channeling it with March’s Exclusive Content.   Available Now for all Subscribers.

Get Your March Desktop Calendar – Spring Tulip Tech Wallpaper and Your Hello Spring Print.  Follow this link to download yours today.

Did you know that  when you subscribe you have access to all the Exclusive Content that we have shared over the past year?  And, it is still available for download today.  Here’s a Peak at last month’s Content.

February's Exclusive Content

 

Friday Freebies: Future Bride Freebies

SO YOU ARE GONNA BE A BRIDE?

Will You Be My Maid of Honor Printable Card - Future Bride Freebies

For Personal Use Only – – Not for Commercial Use – Do Not Alter or Redistribute. ©2016 Stage Presents

With Valentine’s squarely behind us, spring on the horizon, and  the wedding season approaching it seemed only right to dedicate a few of our Friday Freebies to the “Brides to Be”.  The wedding planning phase, while it holds its own frustrations, can be one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of your big day.  It is a time to bond with your family and friends as you embark on your new adventure.  So don’t half step do it up right!!    Ask them to stand with you on your Special Day with these Will you be my Maid of Honor Printable Cards. (Download Below).  Two different versions of Will You Be My Bridesmaids Printable Cards are available in another post  we shared here.

Will You Be My Maid of Honor Card - Future Bride Freebies - stage-presents.com

To Download: Right Click and Save

He Asked, You Said Yes.  Wanna take your new last name for a trial run?  Try out this Adorable “The Future Mrs”  Tech Wallpaper.  Right Click On the Second Picture Below and save this to your device and or computer.  Then simply Edit in Your New Last Name and there you have it.  For Installation Instructions on Your Device – Follow This Link. Plus what a Great Way to Share Your Good News with the World.

The Future Mrs - Editable iPad/iPhone Wallpaper - Future Bride Freebies - ©2016 Stage Presents

For Personal Use Only – – Not for Commercial Use – Please Do Not Alter or Redistribute. ©2016 Stage Presents

The Future Mrs Blank - iPad/iPhone Wallpaper - Future Bride Freebie - ©2016 Stage Presents

For Personal Use Only – – Not for Commercial Use – Do Not Alter or Redistribute. ©2016 Stage Presents

I’ve been married for almost 7 years now.  So, I guess I am no longer a Newlywed.  But, I truly enjoyed this stage of my life and I trust that you will too.  Do you know a future blushing bride?  Be sure to share this post with her.  What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process? I’d love to hear about.

GOING GA-GA OVER THE TARGET PILLOWFORT COLLECTION

Target is one of those places that you just can’t run in and out of.  This is especially true of their Home Decor Section.  So, as much as I was sad to see Circo go, I am all about Target’s New Pillowfort Collection.  With 12 different Ready to Play Rooms to pick from I decided to split this up into several blog posts.  Here are the first 4 Rooms I chose and my favorite pieces from each one.  To be honest, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few, but I have included the links to each room so that you can decide what your favorites are.  Even though you can tell that these rooms are designed with children in mind, I could easily find use for several of these pieces all over my house.  Stay Tuned Next Friday for Part 2.

Camp Kiddo 1

Camp Kiddo - Target Pillowfort Collection

Photo Source : Target Pillowfort ™

Ocean Oasis 2

Ocean Oasis - Target Pillowfort Collection

Photo Source : Target Pillowfort ™

 

Sprinkle Suite 3

Sprinkle Suite - Target Pillowfort Collection

Photo Source : Target Pillowfort ™

Explorer’s Escape 4

Explorer's Escape - Target Pillowfort Collection

Photo Source : Target Pillowfort ™

my favorites from the target pillowfort collection

Our Favorites from the Target Pillowfort Collection Part 1

Photo Source : Target Pillowfort ™

The continuing theme through all the rooms is just how clean the look is.  It’s a mixture of classic styles, colors and shapes, and true to its description is absolutely gender neutral.  Now, that you’ve had a chance to check out the Collection which pieces are your favorite?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Planning Your Own Way

Planning Your Own Way

Hi, I’m Sheree and I am a planner/list addict.  As if you didn’t already know that.  I have owned almost ever planner known to man.  The Franklin Covey, The Day Planner, Student Planners, Mead Planners, Goal Planners. Financial/Budget Planners, you name it, I’ve had it.  In the past, planners have strictly been for organizing and scheduling your day.  There was no glitzy, preppy, girly element to it.  But, let me tell you, things have changed.  The planner craze has taken over and with it has come the need to make it look good and feel good(embellishments).  For some, the planner has replaced the Family Control Center, as a way to plan out their lives in one portable location.  I personally have a planner that I use for my Household/Mommy/Wife Life and another one I use for this blog and my Etsy business.  But, I am the person that needs to compartmentalize everything, each thing must be in its individual box.

This year I purchased my very first Erin Condren Life Planner with the Horizontal Weekly Layout.  I had a pretty lengthy list of all the planners that I was interested in and after much deliberation I chose this one for my business needs.  Let me tell you about it.  Well, this was not the determining factor but… I was able to have it personalized.  So that was a major plus for me.    I need things to be horizontal. My planning is more like writing or journaling.  If you are into Bullet Journaling then the vertical one is probably a better option for you.  Included in the package with my planner was Pandora’s Box.  It came with all kinds of stickers and dots, Coils, books, etc.  And, at that point, I knew I was in trouble.  It was the equivalent of Apple products. For example, if you got the iPod, at some point you probably got the iPhone, and then the iPad, and eventually the iMac.   You probably have the Apple TV and you could probably think of a million other Apple products you would love to have.  I went straight to the Erin Condren site and I was in seventh heaven.  From there, I went to Pinterest and Searched Planner Stickers and then I was on to Instagram for more ideas/inspiration.

Planning Your Own Way Planner Pics

Planning Your Own Way Planner Sticker Views - Instagram Pages

Photo Source: Instagram Pages – PlannerStudio ThePlannerSociety

Thankfully, I was able to apply the brakes here. Being a former Scrapbooker, I was able to see the trap before I fell into it.  While I certainly aspire to have my Planner Pages look like some of the ones shown above.  I knew that this would be a job all to itself.  And, trust me when I say that I do not need ANOTHER JOB.  Now, I won’t lie to you and say that I didn’t  order any stickers because, I did but I tried to keep it simple.  If you are up to the challenge – Check out the Links to the  Instagram Pages in the links above. I decided to compromise with myself and put together a system that I could manage without feeling overwhelmed.

  1.   Key/Legend/Color Coding- I decided that this would be easiest way for me to keep up with my tasks by creating a Key and Color Coding. I split my Household Planner up  into these categories:  Household – Kids/School/Family – Meal/Diet/Fitness – Financial/Diet -Me/Other.  I split my Business Planner up into these categories: Blog – Social Media – Etsy – Ideas – Me/Other.  Take some time  and figure out what categories work for you before setting up your system.
  2.   Stickers –  If you are concerned with the looks/aesthetic of your planner than you will most likely get sucked in here.  For me, I need maximum writing space.  But, I found the smaller stickers were useful when tracking things like vitamins, water intake, exercise, and appointments.
  3. Tabs/Arrows – I find these helpful as ways to draw attention to certain areas or upcoming projects.  And, with all the color  and style options they can look cute too.

We are almost through February and I think I have found a system that works for  me.  I am sure I will make more tweaks as the weeks go on but for now, this seems to be working.  What is your favorite planner?  And, how do you keep it organized?

“a goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Sponsored Post: All New Cricut Access™

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

If you have a single creative bone in your body, then I am sure that you have heard of Cricut®.  The Cricut® machines have been on my wish list for years.  Hubby, finally bought me one last year and there’s nothing like it.  You can go from Mom to the Super Cool Mom just by turning on your machine.  The Cricut Design Space is chock full of all the Inspiration you could possibly need. Now, in addition to that, Cricut® offers an even better Subscription Plan, Cricut® Access .  Do you need ideas for a single project try out the Monthly Plan?  It automatically renews at $9.99 each month, but you can sign up and cancel at anytime.  That screams flexibility to me.   However, if you are always on the hunt for new projects and embellishments the Annual Plan may be more your speed.  It runs you only $7.99 a month, but you make a one time payment of $95.88 and trust me it is worth it.  Cricut® Access boasts of  unlimited access to over 30,000 images, over 1,000 Make It Now™ projects, and 370 fonts.

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Get instant access to over 30,000 non-licensed* images, fonts, and projects for endless possibilities! A full year is an easy, one-time payment of $95.88 ($7.99/month). Plus, you receive 10% off all purchases on Cricut.com and Design Space®. The annual plan is by far our best value.
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Oscar Party: Cricut Access™ Projects

Oscar Party: Cricut Access™ Projects

Strike A Pose: Cricut Access™ Projects

Strike A Pose: Cricut Access™ Projects

Sound good to you?  Don’t just take my word for it.  Check out this video!!

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Our 10 Favorite Romantic Movies

Our 10 Favorite Romantic Movies - www.stage-presents.com

Since Netflix and Chill” has apparently become a part of Pop Culture, we decided to pull together a list of Our 10 Favorite Romantic Movies (5 from me and 5 from the Mr).  Just in case, you are stuck indoors on Valentine’s Day, or looking some movies to add to your At Home – Date Night Arsenal – Check these out.

His Choices:

Brown Sugar

Armageddon

Jason’s Lyric

Something’s Gotta Give

Spanglish

His Romantic Movie Choices - 10 Favorite Romantic Movies

HER CHOICES:

Love Jones

Something New

Disappearing Acts

When Harry Met Sally

City of Angels

Her Romantic Movie Choices - 10 Favorite Romantic Movies

I am always curious to know what movies people love.   I love a good referral.  So please share your favorites in the comment section.  I need to beef up my arsenal, as well.

And, don’t forget to download your Friday Freebie here.

Freebie Friday Valentine's Day Printable stage-presents.com

Looking for some Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas  – Check out Our Valentine’s Day Across The Web Post.

5 Simple Ways not let your quest for perfection become a “time suck”?

ANYTHING CAN BE A TIME SUCK.

5 Simple Ways Not to Let Your Quest for Perfection Become a Time Suck.

Your To Do List has gone from Line Items to Journal Entries.  There is so much to do and just not enough time, or at least that is how it seems.  Is your quest for perfection becoming a time suck and preventing you from being productive?  Check out these 5 Simple Steps to get it all under control.

Planing and Preparation:  It’s no secret that I love a list, and even more than that I love a good Planner.  But, as with anything else spending an hour planning to do something that never gets done, serves no real purpose. Simply nail down what has to be done and move on.

Time Blocking:  Now that you know what you have to do.  How much time can you realistically afford to spend on each of your tasks?   Separate your tasks into categories and then decide what the level of importance is.  Then block your time accordingly and stay committed to it.  Don’t let one task bleed over into the time you have allotted for something else.  (I personally, struggle with this one a lot.  Especially if I feel like I am on a role.  But, I know that their are only so many hours before the girls are home from school, and then all bets are off. For more information on Time Blocking or to Download a Free Printable that can help you with this.  Check out Hey Donna.com’s blog post Time Blocking 101.

Sample Time Blocking Sheet from Hey Donna.com

Photo Source: HeyDonna.com

Rest:  Even the most stimulating task starts to feel mundane after a while. It’s very easy to get caught up and let time pass you by.  This is especially true for those of us working from home. Get up. Rest Your Eyes.  Grab Lunch – Socialize A Bit. Even if it’s a particularly nice day outside and you would rather stay out and play or shop.  You will be surprised that you will return with a renewed spirit.

Return to your tasks:  This is possibly the most crucial step.  You have to finish what you started. Even if you can’t get it all done in one sitting, make finite and future plans to complete them.

Celebrate Your Success:  Your work day is over.  This is the time to enjoy simple pleasures that could otherwise get you off track. For me that would be my personal Facebook Page, Words with Friends or Sims Free Play, anything that will draw my focus and my time away from what is important.  Now, if you are Mommy, then it’s probably time to start your other full time job.  So, feel free to start off with a glass of wine, since more than likely dinner is your responsibility.  It’s ok. You’ve earned it.

What do you do to keep the wheels from falling off the bus??

2016 Mardi Gras Round-Up

2016 Mardi Gras Round Up stage-presents.com
Have a hankering for something spicy and well seasoned?  Lucky for you its Mardi Gras Season.  Finding New Recipes to try is always on the top of my priority list.  My family isn’t too big on Spicy, but I find that you can pretty much pipe up or pipe down most recipes.  Check out our Super Delish Mardi Gras Round Up.  My mouth is already watering.

GET YOUR SPICE ON with this mardi gras round-up !!

Mardi Gras Round-Up Easy Chicken and Andouille Gumbo Louisiana Cooking

Photo Source: Louisiana Cooking (Link Below)

Easy Chicken and Andouille Gumbo LouisianaCookin

Mardi Gras Round-Up One Pot Red Beans and Rice Southern Bite

Photo Source: Southern Bites (Link Below)

One Pot Red Beans and Rice Southern Bite

Mardi Gras Round-Up Shrimp Etoufee Eat Live Run

Photo Source : Eat Live Run (Link Below)

Shrimp Etouffee Eat Live Run

Mardi Gras Round-Up Cajun Chicken and Rice Jambalaya Recipe Kevin and Amanda

Photo Source: Kevin and Amanda (Link Below)

Cajun Chicken and Rice Jambalaya Recipe Kevin and Amanda

Mardi Gras Round-Up New Orleans Beignets My Recipes

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Joe Maer (My Recipes – Link In Profile)

New Orleans Beignets My Recipes

Mardi Gras Round-Up Mardi Gras Hurricane Red White And Blueberries

Photo Source: Red White and Blueberries (Link Below)

Mardi Gras Hurricane Red White and Blueberries

I have been to New Orleans, but, I have never been during Mardi Gras.  I hope to get there one day without the kids.  What is your favorite traditional Mardi Gras Meal?

Free Printable Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages for Kids

Valentines Day Coloring Sheet Mockups

CURE THE B-O-R-E-D BUG WITH THESE FREE PRINTABLE COLORING PAGES

With less than a week left before Valentine’s Day 2016,  I thought I would share some free Valentine’s Day Printable Coloring Pages for your little ones.   When the kids are stuck indoors, a phrase I often hear is that they are bored.  I can’t believe that they even fix their mouths to say this considering all the entertainment that they have at their disposal.  We will be working on getting their Valentines ready for school this weekend.  And, we will also be doing some coloring pages as Valentine’s Day Gifts for Grandma and Grandpa.  Grandparents just love pictures that they can throw up on the refrigerator.  Or at least my parents do.

Looking for something to keep your little ones busy.  Download your FREE VALENTINE’S DAY PRINTABLE COLORING SHEETS.

You’re A Star

All About That Honey

Looking for More Valentine’s Day Freebies —  Get Your Printable Classroom Valentine’s Day Cards here.  Download and Print Add Candy or Fruit Snacks or Whatever You Wish and They Are Set To Go.

Free Printable Valentines Day Cards 2016 stage-presents.com

Need Some Gift Ideas for Her, Check Out Our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide here.

Valentines Day Gift Guide Mockup

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, we got you covered!!

Things being a parent has taught me

Things being a parent has taught me - Life Lessons When you find out that you are going to be a parent, I am not sure you ever give any real thought to what things you will learn from your children.  The entire time that they are growing inside you, you think about the things that you will teach them and show them. But, the moment that you look into the eyes of your child, everything changes. You realize that you will never love anyone anyone more than you love that little person, at that time. There are sleepless nights and incessant crying and you are not sure that you can put one foot in front of the other because you are exhausted. But, your love instead of diminishing keeps growing.  You once again get to experience life through the eyes of a child and your perspective on life inevitably changes.

  1.  The way you feel about parenting and parents change.  You are going to be a new Mom and even though you technically know that you know nothing, I venture to say you had lots of opinions, on the lady with the screaming toddler in Aisle 3, or the friends who were late because of one kiddy crisis or another, or even just about the fact that whatever it was, you would certainly not raise your kids that way.  And, since every child is different this may not only apply to new moms it works for second and third time moms as well.  My first child was a breeze (at least when he was little).  He always minded his Mommy was very polite and pretty much towed the line (lol).  But when baby number two came home he was not exactly excited about his position being usurped – Enter the drama.  My middle child, had a temper tantrum in Macy’s when I was almost 8 months pregnant with the baby and I had to hoist her over my belly to get her back in the car because she wanted new Dora The Explorer Sneakers. (don’t try that at home).  Oh and my baby, had a melt down in Kroger over the Witch Display during Halloween, so I spent the entire checkout process with her head buried in my chest howling incessantly.  So yeah… it’s fairs to say the way I looked at parenting and parents changed.  If anything it made me feel empathy instead of aggravation for other Moms.  Hell, the struggle is real.
  2. They taught me the true meaning of perseverance.  How?  Well, have you ever said no to a toddler?  They will ask you the same question over and over and over again in an attempt to wear you down.  Or have you ever watched a child try to wedge their body into a space that you know is way too small for them to get into?  So you ignore them and hope they will tire themselves out only to look up and find them wedged between section 1 and section 2 of your sectional.  On those days when I am ready to give up I almost have to ask WWMRRD?  What Would My Rug Rats Do?
  3. They taught me the true meaning of forgiveness.  Or should I say they are teaching me, this is an area I still struggle with in everyday life.  They have pushed you to your edge, you are tired frustrated and just flat out DONE.  And, then they make that little face and squeak out how much they love you and that they are sorry.  And, try as you might you can not prevent the corners of your mouth from turning up.  Or being human you lose your temper and you feel like crap on a stick.  You are guilt riddled and before you can go back and say just how sorry you are they wrap their little arms around you and you know all is well with the world.
  4. They taught me how to be less rigid and not to take myself so seriously.  I am a planner girl, I want to be able to anticipate everything.  I want to always have a change of clothes, extra diapers, wipes, know exactly what time they ate last.  I need to know.  Well, the day of my oldest child’s baby blessing, he had the ear infection to rival all ear infections.  The baby who rarely every cried was going ape…. sh!@,  and I had no idea what was wrong with him.  He was super whiny, clingy and I had family from out of town there to celebrate his big day.  I am still not sure how we made it through the day.  The next day I took him into the Pediatricians office and she told me the poor baby had an ear infection.  He was my first baby and I was clueless.  My middle child had what we call colic.   I say we will call it that, because no one technically still knows what the heck was wrong with her.  She cried all the time.  She was a sickly baby and the only one who was able to comfort her until she was about 4 months old was her Grandpa.  He somehow had the magic touch.  Then my last sweet girl,  was my true lesson in flexibility.  She was allergic to everything under the sun.  Her formula cost us as much as her Nanny.  The Nanny she needed because on top of all that she had acid re-flux and had to be held up for 45 minutes after every meal.  I would literally come home and change out of my work clothes and anticipate the hot milk down my back.

I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that learning each one of these lessons was not painful or at times, hard pills to swallow, but being their Mom continues to shape me.  And, for that I am extremely grateful.

What lessons have your little ones taught you?