I’m all about self-love and self-care. I don’t think you can overemphasize the importance of your relationship with yourself- I mean, it lasts your entire life!

That’s why I love finding ways to add a little extra joy into my day. I try to do this in so many ways; taking time to play with my adorable dog, procrastinating on pinterest, or doing a homemade facial mask.

I always try to do plenty of things that make me smile and feel a little more upbeat, especially as the seasons change and things get colder and darker. My latest favorite way to add joy into my day is with Tazo® Tea.

I like to take a moment to enjoy myself during that afternoon slump. You know it- right around 2 or 3 o’clock. My brain and body just start to move a little slower. Tazo tea is the perfect pick me up that helps me avoid the glum that comes in my afternoon slump.

Recently, my husband Lars started a new job working from home some of the time, and it’s been an adjustment for us. Usually I’m home working by myself, but now we are trying to get our routines in check. We both hit our afternoon slump around the same time.

A few times we have let it get to us- I mean the couch is so close and comfortable and there’s so many things recorded on our TV. But enjoying a cup of Tazo tea together helps us enjoy our day a little more without getting off track.

Tea is the perfect pick me up for us. A little sweetness, and sometimes a little caffeine, let’s be honest, make me feel invigorated and ready to get back to being productive. Having a joyful moment sipping on one of Tazo’s delicious blends has made our routine more seamless, and more fun. It takes just the right amount of time to brew and enjoy our tea while talking together, and we always feel more invigorated and joyful after.

Tazo has seriously delicious tea blends. My favorite is Passion®, because I love the sweetness of it, and I am a big fan of herbal teas. Lars loves the Zen blend. The lemongrass and spearmint added to green tea are a fun unexpected flavor that tastes amazing. And I love the classic Awake English Breakfast for when you need a stronger caffeine kick!

Don’t just take my word for it- you should try these blends yourself!

If you want to bring a little more joy into your routine, you can find Tazo tea blends at your local grocery store- or check out Tazo.com to find where you can find Tazo in your area.

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The average American household goes through 150 toilet paper rolls a year. That may not sound like a lot to you, but there are 125 million households in America. That makes the total number of toilet paper rolls used annually in the US more than 17 BILLION. Stop and let that sink in.

I’m always looking to reduce my footprint and make our home a little greener. So naturally, when I heard about Scott Tube-Free toilet paper, I was instantly intrigued. No toilet paper tubes to toss or recycle? It sounded good to me.

And it is good; in fact it’s even better than I expected. I am still thinking to myself- how has NO ONE ever thought of this before? It’s the best thing since tubed toilet paper (and sliced bread too).

You can see in these photos that the Scott Tube-Free toilet paper rolls are exactly the same as any standard rolls with tubes. In fact, once they’re on your toilet paper holder, you can’t even tell the difference. We’ve been using ours for over a week with many a guest coming by and no one has noticed at all.

In fact, I made this handy little GIF so you can see how they function exactly the same as tubed toilet paper.

They’re easy to take on and off the toilet paper holder, and they roll smoothly. Better yet, the toilet paper is still soft and cushiony. We can make our lives greener without changing our lifestyle, and this product proves it!

My regular readers will know that I don’t do many product reviews, so when I do, I TRULY endorse the product. I love Scott Tube-Free and I’m definitely switching our household over. That’s 150 less toilet paper rolls a year… and the more people who use it, the less that ends up in the landfill!

Small steps can have a big impact on the environment. If even 1% of Americans started using Tube-Free toilet paper, it would save over 170 million tubes a year.

I love being able to reduce waste without sacrificing quality or convenience. Every time I use our new toilet paper, I wonder to myself how NO ONE has ever made the product before. It’s brilliant!

Toilet paper has had cardboard tubes for over 100 years. The tubes are completely unnecessary! It’s one of those things you don’t think about because you are used to it- but once the tubes are gone, you’ll wonder why we ever had them.

After hearing how many toilet paper rolls Americans go through, I started thinking about how much space they all take up. In two minutes, Americans go through 66,000 toilet paper rolls. If you watch this video, you can see just how BIG a pile of 66,000 toilet paper rolls is (with a little comedic relief thrown in).

And that’s only two minutes worth. Imagine a pile of 17 billion cardboard tubes! Think of the difference it would make if we all tossed the tube.

If you’re ready to go tube free, you can pick up a Scott Tube-Free coupon here! You wont regret making the switch.

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In the past 8 years or so I’ve moved more than 10 times. Now before you think I’m some flighty flake, most of those moves were during college and graduate school- where I never lived anywhere longer than a year. In all those moves, I’ve learned a lot of lessons about how to make your move as smooth and organized as possible. These are my top tips!

1. Don’t pay for boxes

I’ve only recently settled down my roots in my permanent home. The past 8 years or so I’ve moved a lot- through college, graduate school, moving in with my boyfriend, and finally, moving into my house. And I’ve never paid for boxes. Not one cent.

Instead, I look for free boxes on craigslist. Someone will always have recently moved to your area and want to get the boxes off their hands. Alternately, once you’ve finished unpacking, you can list your boxes on craigslist and have someone come pick them up and get rid of them for you.

Get boxes for free, and give them away for free and avoid ALL the hassle. It’s really the best way to move.

2. Pack by thinking about unpacking

It’s easy to get into a frenzy of just throwing things into boxes with other similar things. I like to think about unpacking before I even start packing. Your move will go so much easier if you plan by unpacking.

Instead of putting all your books in one box, put your textbooks in a box for your office and your novels in a book for you living room, for example. That way, when you move in, instead of moving things from room to room, you will just unpack each box in its own room.

And leave your clothes on the hangers. Seriously- it’s such a waste to take them off when packing and put them on when unpacking. I usually just lay mine flat in a huge duffel bag and it has always worked so well for me.

Before you start packing a box, think about what room that box will go in.

3. Label, label, label

What’s the point of organized packing if you don’t know what’s in the box? Label, and do it right away.

Seriously, your steps should be: pack, seal, LABEL. If you don’t do it right away you might forget what is in the box. Having a sharpie and masking tape around to label each box is so much more useful than you know.

I like to use two labels: one that says what room the box should go in, and one that summarizes what is in the box. So that way I know not to stack the box of novelty mugs on top of the box of my grandmother’s china. You don’t want to mess around with the irreplaceable stuff, which is another good reason to label.

Over-labeling is preferable to under-labeling. Go nuts!

4. Temporary storage will save you a lot of headaches

Unless you are one of the lucky few whose leases or closings line up perfectly, you might find yourself in a temporary living situation. You could move all your stuff into your temporary place, and then move it again to your next home, but that is a lot of work.

Instead, use temporary storage places. My favorite are the ones that will deliver a portable storage unit to you, you fill it, they store it, and then deliver it to your new place when you’re ready. I’ve made the mistake of not doing this before, and it is a real pain.

Why move twice when you can move once? Use portable storage units.

5. Furniture rental services are totally worth it

You COULD move all your furniture into your temporary place and then move it again into your new place… but that is just so much more work than necessary. Furniture rental is by far a better option.

Going hand in hand with using portable storage units is finding a way to furnish your temporary living situation. I can tell you first hand that CORT Furniture Rental is an amazing service who I am a big fan of. Their furniture is really great quality and affordable, and they have what you need for any sort of temporary living situation. They make it so convenient and easy.

Save yourself the headache and rent furniture when you move!

Good luck with your move, and I hope these tips help you stay organized!

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This spring is really special. Not only is it my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary, it is my grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary! I am truly amazed and inspired by both their beautiful relationships. We are all getting together for a combined celebration- so I wanted to make sure it was extra special!

Both my grandparents and parents are the kind of people who are hard to get gifts for- they don’t really want things. Spending time together and thinking back through important memories are what makes them happy. That’s why something sentimental is the perfect surprise for them. I thought that customized candies from My M&Ms would be a perfect opportunity for a fun surprise.

Picture this: you walk into your anniversary celebration, filled with silver and gold. You see candy scattered on the table as part of the decoration. And when you sit down at your seat and look at it closely- the candy has your wedding photo on it! Now that is a fun, special, surprise.

I was actually surprised how clear the printing of the photos were. My grandparents didn’t have a professional wedding photo- they just have a few snapshots from a family member. You can clearly see both their faces and I recognize the photo instantly.

I ordered the M&M’s on MyMMs.com in several different forms- I ordered a mix with my parents’ photo, a mix with my grandparents’ photo, extra M&M’s in the theme colors, and little favor packs for everyone.

I used the colored M&M’s in little vintage candy dishes as part of the centerpiece, used the photo M&M’s as table decorations, and the favor packs are little giveaway gifts for everyone to remember the night.

How cute are they, right? The perfect anniversary party favor.

I cannot wait to see my family’s faces when they see these adorable candies! Like I said before, I never know what to get for both these couples! I finally feel like I have something they will enjoy and appreciate. And what’s better than a gift you can eat?

Silver and gold seemed the obvious choice for decorating. Technically 30 and 60 aren’t the “traditional” silver and gold anniversaries, but they still seemed to fit perfectly. I love both colors, and they are classic and elegant. It’s easy to get or make decorations in both colors and they always look wonderful.

The silver and gold M&M’s are very fun. They are not colors you usually see, but I think they make for very cute decor. And instead of confetti, which just goes in the trash, you can enjoy them by eating them!

My grandparents are still so happy together after 60 years. They don’t seem to make sense without each other- they are a perfect team. Everything they do with the other in consideration. They are both wonderful people, and an inspiration to my husband and me many times over.

The same can be said of my parents! Though they are a bit more independent, they complement each other perfectly. They are opposites in many ways, but it just makes sense the way that they even each other out. Their strong communication and constant love and support is something I admire and appreciate.

Making it 30 or 60 years in a marriage is definitely something to celebrate, and I know that My M&M’s will make this celebration one to remember!

You don’t have to take my word for it- check out this adorable video of how My M&M’s made this family’s gender reveal so memorable:

MY M&M’S Gender Reveal Video

And check out even more photos of how you can use customized M&M’s in your celebrations in the MyMMs.com Baby Idea Gallery.

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In the past two years, I’ve been making the switch to natural personal care products. I’ve been able to make my own replacement for everything from body lotion to mascara. If you’ve read about the different synthetic chemicals that go into your beauty routine– it might shock you into joining my path too! But the one thing I can’t seem to get a handle on is a natural deodorant.

Many, many failed attempts have left me using my same old name brand deodorant that contains all kind of nasty synthetic chemicals that I don’t want going into my body. But body odor is an issue I want to control and I just haven’t found something that works without giving me a rash or leaving oil stains on my clothes. Maybe you’ve felt my pain too… but I think I’ve found the solution.

No, it’s not homemade (sorry guys- still trying to find the right one to share with you!). It’s Tom’s of Maine! I was lucky enough to try some of their new and improved scents of their natural deodorants. I’ve been a fan of the brand and have used the toothpaste in the past. When the opportunity came to test out these natural deodorants, I jumped on the chance.

For me, ideally all my personal care products would be homemade. But a natural brand is the next best thing. The shorter and more familiar the ingredient list, the more me and my body are happy about it.

Their Long Lasting Natural Deodorant has no aluminum, petroleum derivatives, parabens, or artificial fragrances. But the deodorants still do just as good a job at odor protection! These are deodorants, and not anti-perspirants, so they don’t reduce how much you sweat. They will make sure your underarms smell like lavender instead of BO, though. (Sweating is healthy, by the way!)

Your body might go through a bit of an adjustment phase when switching from conventional to natural products, but once you get through it, it is worth it! So make sure to give it time.

I certainly did- but in the most dramatic of settings. I tried out my awesome new Tom’s of Maine deodorant while I’ve been undertaking a new exercise program and taking a trip to Florida. So there was plenty of sweat happening. If it can work for me in a semi-tropical climate- it should surely survive the humid Chicago summers.

First of all- I am in love with the new scents. The lavender is my favorite. I always love anything unscented though, and the powder fresh smells heavenly and clean. Since I’m such a fan of lavender that’s the one I decided to try out this week.

When I first put the deodorant on, it was cool and refreshing. I didn’t expect it but it really does feel lovely going on.

So in my three days spending most of my time outside in sweaty Florida weather, the deodorant held up reasonably well. I had to apply more often than every 24 hours, but that is not unreasonable given where I was. Now back to my regular life of being mostly indoors with workouts on most days, it is doing great. No stinkiness and the lavender smell is awesome.

The transition has been mostly good for me. Just don’t expect it to be the same as the chemical-laden deodorant you’ve been using for years, and give it a few weeks before you decide it isn’t for you. Because after the transition, it will be amazing. And your body will thank you.

If I haven’t convinced you enough already, let me appeal to your environmental and humanitarian sides. Tom’s of Maine use no animal testing or ingredients, use fully recyclable packaging, and donates 10% of their profits to helping people and the planet. So you have more than one good reason to make the switch!

I’m so happy to have started using a natural deodorant, and I bet you will be too!

Schedule

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Holiday time! Only one of the best times of year. Now that we’ve made it through co-hosting our first (early) Skarie family christmas, I’m in full fledged christmas spirit mode. And you know what the holidays are great for? Desserts!

Well, luckily, M&M’s® have some pretty adorable (and delicious, obviously) seasonal treats! Can you get any more festive than White Chocolate Peppermint? And I’m a sucker for mini anything, so I love the M&M’s® Mini Baking Bits too!

And if you are anywhere as festive as me- you’ll be equally as excited about holiday edition Glad storage! Food storage is a must during the holidays with all the leftovers and treats, so it might as well be cute, right?

The white chocolate peppermint M&M’s®  and holiday edition Glad storage are only available at Target– so you should head on over and pick them up today! And hurry, because you’ll want them both for this super delicious festive treat.

So- let’s get to the recipe! You know I don’t like to make anything complicated- so you can make this fudge with about 15 minutes of prep time.

That fudge is a beauty isn’t it? It is so perfect for the holidays. I made Lars bring it in to work because I would’ve eaten that whole thing myself if you let me. I’m a sucker for fudge.

I love the M&M’s® White Chocolate Peppermint candies. They are so beautiful. They inspired the flavor for this adorable mint fudge. And if you aren’t convinced it’s beautiful, check out this close up:

Yeah. That’s some good looking fudge.

My favorite part of the fudge is the M&M’s® surprise layer. You can see them above in between the layers. It’s a fun little extra crunch.

And since I made Lars bring the fudge in to work- the Glad packaging was perfect! I was able to fit all the fudge in one Glad holiday edition deep dish. I always love a trip to Target, so if you want an excuse to go, these Target exclusive Glad holiday edition containers are amazing.

And you know what the best part about the Glad holiday packaging is? There are recipes on the back! I tried out the M&M’s® Black & White Peppermint Brownies, and let’s just say they did not disappoint.

I mean, just look at them. Don’t you want to just eat them right off the screen? So, if the fudge didn’t quite satisfy your chocolate peppermint craving, just whip up a batch of these. They are so perfect for the holidays.

There’s plenty of awesome chocolate peppermint recipes to go around! I hope you make this easy fudge at home. And definitely get yourself the Glad storage containers so you can get the recipe for the M&M’s® Black & White Peppermint Brownies.

Happy Holidays! What’s your favorite holiday treat?

supplies used in this post

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I like to know what is in my food. Lately I have been cutting out processed foods and making most of my food at home. It’s a lot more work but it is so rewarding. A lot of food that you can buy on grocery shelves can barely be considered food at all.

A lot of companies out there are trying to make it hard for us to know what is in our food (and if you did- it might scare you). But some companies are getting it right. Clif Bar & Company wants you to know where your food comes from. To help show how they make their food, they are making a series of videos called Farmers Speak. Here is the first one:

These are the people behind the food. Knowing their stories helps us appreciate our food even more.

I love that this farmer chose to switch to organic farming. He saw the immediate effects of pesticides first hand- and he wanted to change it. He cares about his family and he didn’t want them to grow up around pesticides. If the farmers don’t want their families around it- we probably shouldn’t want our families eating it.

Organic oats are one of Clif Bar & Company’s founding ingredients. There’s a reason for this- Clif Bar & Company are committed to using the best ingredients that are grown in a way that is good for both the earth and the people on it, now and in the future.

I try to live as green a lifestyle as I can. That includes making my own cosmetics and cleaning supplies- and knowing what goes into my food. Organic food not only helps you avoid harmful pesticides for your health, but it helps you support organic farming practices which are more sustainable for our food system and earth.

I challenge you to try to learn more about what is in YOUR food at home. Read every ingredient on a box before you eat something. The longer and harder that list is to read, the less you should want to eat it. It’s pretty simple.

Even though I am trying to eat less processed foods, I can’t be perfect. One of my go-to quick foods is Clif Bar & Company’s Kit’s Organics Bars. They’re ridiculously good, and I trust that they aren’t hurting my health or the environment.

The great thing about Clif Bar & Company is that they care what goes into their food. Not only that, but they want to be a catalyst for change to a healthier food system. I can’t emphasize enough how much I agree with that. Making an effort to include organic ingredients supports organic farmers and the health of humans and the planet. Find out more at ClifBar.com

Want to learn more about how much Clif Bar & Company cares that you know what is in your food? Check out their Twitter and Facebook.

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Ah, fall. Inspiring creativity in all of us. What better season to make a festive craft? If you’re anything like me, you don’t like spending a lot of money on craft supplies. Well, lucky for you, Dollar Tree is having a fabulous event right now. The Dollar Tree Anniversary Celebration is happening until October 11th. During this event, Bonus Buys will be available in stores and online- meaning you will get more of your favorite Dollar Tree items- and everything is still $1 each. So this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage. You can make this awesome craft for under $10 using supplies from Dollar Tree!

I’m not so good at doing seasonal decorations around the apartment. But there is just something about fall. I don’t know if it is the honeycrisp apples talking, but I wanted to be festive this year. I thought it would be fun to make some fall-themed colorful vases. Well, because of Dollar Tree’s awesome event, it is the perfect time to make this craft. All you need are plain glass vases, sponges, and some craft paint.

And then you can sip your pumpkin-flavored drink while wearing a cozy sweater admiring your fall vases.

The supplies you will need are:

• Glass vases
• Scrub sponges
• Craft paint in various fall colors
• A marker
• Scissors
• Leaf shaped stencils (you can just print out leaf shapes and use them as stencils, or grab a real leaf from outside and trace it!)

Seriously, you want to take advantage of this event. You can get the same products you usually get at Dollar Tree, but during the event these Bonus Buys come in larger sizes, and they still only cost a dollar- that’s the beauty of Dollar Tree. Scrub Sponges will come in larger packs and the Glass Vases are even bigger. It’s the perfect time to make this craft. Quantities are limited, so don’t procrastinate (this is one of the few times when I won’t advocate for procrastination!).

So now on to how you make this awesome craft…

Step One: Cut Sponges into Leaf Shapes

You can use a stencil or you can draw leaves free-hand. I printed out pictures of leaves and used them as a stencil because I don’t trust myself to draw neatly. Simply trace the leaf shape onto the scrubby side of the sponge (which is great for writing) and then cut along the lines with sharp scissors.

Step Two: Sponge paint designs onto vases

I decided to go with three different designs: one all-green vine design, one multi-colored maple leaf design, and one colorful stripe designs. I knew they would compliment each other.

To sponge-paint, all you have to do is put your paint color on a paper plate, dip your sponge in it, and press the sponge onto the vase. And then just let them dry, and admire!

The maple leaf design is supposed to look like a pile of fallen leaves. I think it turned out pretty good. It’s my favorite of the three. But what I really like is how all three of the vases look together. To make the stripes, I used masking tape to keep a straight line and even spacing. Easy peasy.

Pretty cute and festive right? And one of the best parts about this craft is how hands on it is, so it will be fun to do with the kiddos. Everyone loves sponge painting right? Your hands get a little messy, but it’s just more fun than a paintbrush.

I am thinking that I will put candles in the vases. So I guess they are fabulous fall vases/ candle holders. Multi-purpose, yay! The designs and the flickering lights will go well together. And it will feel even more cozy.

Our apartment is much more fall-friendly now. And it barely cost me anything. You gotta love Dollar Tree crafts.

And now that you’re in the fall spirit- you better be ready for Halloween! I’m gonna be posting a pretty adorable Halloween post soon, so keep your eyes open. Do yourself a favor and get some Halloween treats when you are getting your craft supplies from Dollar Tree! And if you’re looking for some more craft inspiration- check out Dollar Tree’s Pinterest.

If you make some fall vases, send me a picture and I will post them on the blog!

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