Mini Laundry Room Makeover

Laundry: The dreadful never ending cycle. I don't know about you, but I'm not very good at staying on top of my laundry. I'm more likely to let several loads build up and then spend hourrrss catching up. I've always wanted a laundry room I can actually do laundry in vs. hauling everything to my bed and folding it there. The laundry room in our current house is pretty small, and up until now, has been pretty unorganized and definitely not a place I could fold and organize laundry. I've been wanting to re-work my laundry routine to make it more manageable which meant getting my laundry room in order. So, this weekend I decided to do a Mini Laundry Room Makeover. Now it isn't super fancy, it's still not the laundry room of my dreams, but you gotta work with what you've got! And now I can actually do the laundry in my laundry room!! (gah, it really is the little things in life that get me excited 🤣). Here is the step by step instructions for how I managed to makeover my tiny little laundry room into a functional space all during nap time!!

Before:

So here it is, the not-so-lovely before scene. Unorganized and not functional.

Items needed for the faux-marble shelf:
     -wire shelf
     -tri-fold presentation poster board
     -marble contact paper
     -zip ties
     -hot glue gun

Step 1: Clean out!
Step 2: Hang shelf. I got this 3ft wire shelf for $12.
Step 3: Cut board to the length of the shelf. I used a tri-fold presentation poster board. The poster board that I used was the same length as the shelf (3 ft). To allow for a lip to cover the front of the shelf, I used the fold of the poster board at the edge and then cut about 2-3 inches down with a box cutter. The cut needs to be straight, but does not have to be perfect! You can see mine was a little jagged, but the contact paper smoothed it out.

Step 4: Cover board with contact paper (I used this faux-marble paper and I love it!). Cut your contact paper to the size of your board plus an additional inch all the way around. Then, lay your contact paper face size down (sticky side up) on a flat surface and peel backing off. Lay your poster board on the contact paper and fold the edges over, similar to wrapping a present. The underneath doesn't have to look great, it's more important that you make sure the top and sides are smooth.

Step 5: Add zip ties. Place your covered foam board on the shelf and mark on the underneath side where a few zip ties should go. I did 6 zip ties evenly spaced on the main part and 3 on the lip. Hot glue zip ties to the poster board, allow them to dry, the attach the board to the wire shelf. 

That's it! A faux-marble shelf for less than $20. To give me something pretty to look at while I fold clothes, I added this easy DIY picture holder. Simply take a frame and hot glue string or yarn across the back. Then clip pictures or cards up with mini clothes pins. 

I also changed out the cabinet knobs to add a pop of color

and added a painting to make the space feel more inviting. 

Now, hopefully this will motivate me to do a load of laundry every day! 

-Margaret

Spring Cleaning

Spring has sprung! Which means its time to deep clean. But let's get real, we are so not Martha Stewart. We don't have the time or energy to spend hours upon hours making our house precisely perfect ('cause Lord knows it would only stay that way for about 5 minutes!). But there is something very satisfying about having a thoroughly cleaned home. If your life is crazy and hectic like ours, try tackling your cleaning to-do list a little at a time. Here is a two week guide to get your spring cleaning done in an hour or less a day!

Happy Spring! - The ModernDayMargarets

St. Patrick’s Spinach Pancakes

These green spinach packed pancakes are the perfect start to St. Patty’s day, but we honestly eat them all year round! They freeze great and are an easy way to sneak in some veggies for the picky eaters in your life. Top them with chopped green apple, a drizzle of your favorite nut butter, or a little maple syrup. 

Ingredients: 

2 cups oats

2 cups spinach

1 1/2 cups milk (or milk alternative)

1 banana

1/3 cup apple sauce 
1/4 cup raisins

1/2 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 tsp cinnamon 

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in the blender. Blend until very well combined. Let batter sit for about 10 minutes to let thicken slightly. Cook pancakes in skillet over medium low heat for 3-4 minutes per side. 

Kid, mom, and RD approved!

Makes about 13 pancakes (using 1/4 cup of batter per pancake)

Recipe adapted from www.fitmomma.com

Simplify Your Morning Routine

About a month ago I hit my limit with hectic mornings. Let’s just say, it wasn’t only my baby that shed a few tears. I’ve always been a morning person, but I had let myself get away from my normal morning habits that allow for a smooth start to the day. Since then I’ve been working on getting back into a good morning routine. Here are my best practices to simplify your mornings and help get you out the door on time:

1. Place your alarm to where you must get out of bed to turn it off. The snooze button is my worst enemy! I feel so much better when I get out of bed when my alarm goes off the first time. Pressing snooze over and over (and over) again isn’t productive, doesn’t allow of any additional good quality sleep, and starts your day out on the wrong foot. Setting backup alarms is a good idea, just in case you manage to sleep walk over to your alarm and turn it off. But, set your backup alarms close together. I set 3 alarms, 3 minutes apart. That way you don’t get too far off your schedule even if you wake up a little later than anticipated.
2. Preset your coffee maker. Waking up to fresh brewed coffee is so much better than struggling to make it while you’re still half asleep. Bonus points for starting your day well if you spend a few quite moments sipping your coffee. Whether you pray, meditate, or simply sit in silence for a few minutes, this helps focus your mind on the day ahead.
3. Prep the night before. And I’m talking about everything!

   -Meal Prep: Breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the whole family. Have easy grab-and-go breakfast items available. I love to freeze homemade muffins (like these) into individual packs, then simply heat in the microwave in the morning. I even like to go ahead and set out my travel coffee mug by the coffee maker, its one less thing to look for in the mornings. 

   -Bags: Pack any bags you can the night before. I like to pack Eli’s backpack, my work bag, and breast pump bag as much as I can the night before. There are always a few things (like cooler packs) I have to add in the morning, but it’s better than doing it all! 

   -Clothes: Lay out clothes for you and your kids. Everything from undies, to shoes and accessories.

4. Load your bags into the car early. Getting a kid fed, dressed, ready, and in the car is enough to worry about without also balancing an arm full of bags. Before I get my son up, I like to go ahead and put his backpack and my bags in the car. It’s one less thing to do later while he is at my feet. If you don’t have to pack anything that requires refrigeration, you can even go ahead and load your bags into your car at night! Before I had a kid I still liked to do this because I found I was much less likely to forget anything!
5. Set an alarm for 10 minutes before you need to leave. This is what I have affectionately named the “Get Your Booty in the Car Alarm”. It may sound silly to you, but if you have any trouble leaving the house on time, try it! It gives you a ten-minute heads up that you need to kick it into high gear to get wherever you’re going on time.

I hope these tips help start your mornings off right! -Margaret

Batch Freezer Smoothies

I love smoothies because they are convenient to eat on the go and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But I really hate the hassle of getting all the ingredients out each time I want one and despise cleaning the blender! To make life easier, I’ve started making a big batch and then freezing single servings in mason jars. If you want to have a smoothie for breakfast, just move it to the fridge to thaw overnight (at least 8 hours). If you want to have it later in the day, take it out of the freezer in the morning, let it thaw at room temp, and it’ll be ready by lunch time! Here is one of my favorite recipes, it makes 5 servings and freezes great.

Ingredients:

4 cups of spinach

5 cups milk (I use coconut milk, but any kind will do)

3 bananas

4 cups frozen mixed berries

1 cup frozen pineapple

3 tablespoons hemp seeds (chia seeds or ground flax seeds are also great!)

4 tablespoons sunflower seed butter (or nut butter of your choice)

Directions: Put all ingredients in the blender in the order listed above (this ensures that the spinach gets blended well). Blend until smoothie consistency. Pour equal amounts of smoothie into 5 mason jars, make sure to leave a little room at the top for it to expand as it freezes. Put the lids on the mason jars and place in freezer. Enjoy!

Bargain Beauty Basics

Confession time. At least 75% of my cosmetics are a drug store brand. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been someone who likes to spends a lot of money on makeup. Especially when I can find products that I love that don’t set me back a pretty penny. I’ve bought lots of different brands over the years and these are my tried and true favorites.

• Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara $4.49 – No smudging, no clumping, no flaking (can you ask for more?!). I do one coat for an everyday look and two coats when I want a more dramatic look.
• Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream (530- light/medium) $6.89 – This is my favorite makeup item. Its light weight so I don’t feel like I’m wearing makeup but still has coverage to even out my skin. I love the matte finish and, amazingly, it makes my skin feel and look better the more I wear it!
• Wet N Wild Color Icon (325 B- Pearlescent Pink) $2.93 – I love this blush because it gives a great pop of color, blends well, and stays on throughout the day. It comes in several different colors that are fun to play with, but my go to day-to-day shade is pearlescent pink.
• Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick (Iconic) $8.94 – This lipstick stays on for hours without drying out your lips. I love it because I can apply it once, let it set, and not worry about reapplying for hours!
• Elf Illuminating Palette $6.00 – This palette adds the perfect subtle glow. I use the brightest shade as a highlighter on my brow bone and the bridge of my nose, the light pink for highlight on my cheek bones, the beige shade to do some simple (read: amature) contouring, and the last shade as a bronzer. 

 What are your favorite drug store makeup must haves? I always love finding new goodies!

♥ - Margaret

Healthy Oat Muffins

If you are looking for quick, easy, and healthy muffins that the whole family will love these are it! Just throw all the ingredients in the blender, pick your favorite add ins, bake, and enjoy.  

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1 ripe banana

¼ cup pureed pumpkin

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

Optional: dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. (my favorite is ¼ cup raisins and 1 Tbsp chia seeds)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Put all ingredients in the blender.

3. Blend ingredients until mixed well, but not completely smooth.

4. Scoop evenly into lightly greased muffin pan. (To make sure the muffins come out smoothly, I use these silicon muffin tins.)

5. For regular size muffins, bake for 20 minutes. For mini muffins, bake for 15 minutes. Check muffins with a tooth pick to check doneness. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 96
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1 g	2 %
Saturated Fat 0 g	1 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0 %
Sodium 12 mg	1 %
Potassium 130 mg	4 %
Total Carbohydrate 21 g	7 %
Dietary Fiber 3 g	13 %
Sugars 8 g
Protein 2 g	4 %
Vitamin A	24 %
Vitamin C	5 %
Calcium	2 %
Iron	5 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Work Wear That Won't Break the Bank

I tend to be really bad about buying work clothes. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because it doesn't seem very exciting or maybe it's because I would rather buy an outfit for a fun outing that doesn't involve work. Either way, I usually end up going through my closet every week and realizing how I need to buy more work clothes. More and more, I'm realizing the importance of finding clothes that not only are appropriate for work but also transition into weekend wear as well! Here are some of the outfit options I've found that won't break the bank but are also transitional based on the occasion!

1. Bell Sleeve Peplum Blouse - $24.75
2. Twill Double Breasted Blazer - $64
3. Piped Shirred Keyhole Blouse - $24.75
4. High Waisted Sash Tie Ankle Pant - $69.90 (Buy 1 Get 1 50% off!)
5. Faux Suede Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
6. Camel Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
7. Black Pointed Toe Loafers - $39.90
8. Belted Ankle Dress Pant - $50.99 (plus extra 30% off in cart)
9. Midi Belted Pencil Dress - $64.00
10. Double Zip Croc Tote with Laptop Compartment - $56.00
11. Midi Wrap Tie Dress - $60

- Mary Margaret

Margaret's Unexpected New Baby Essentials

   

Having a newborn is one of the sweetest and most memorable times in anyone's life. But it's also really exhausting and can be stressful too. I'm all about making life easier, especially when that means I get to spend more time giving my little one kisses. Here are my top 5 items that unexpectedly made life with a new baby a little bit easier:

• Angel Care Monitor. This monitor has literally been a God send for me. I am a worrier and after having my baby I was an anxious mess! Eli was in the NICU after he was born and he was hooked up to all sorts of machines that monitored his every breath. Thankfully our stay in the NICU wasn’t long, but coming home was still scary! I don’t think my husband or I would have gotten a wink of sleep if it wasn’t for the Angel Care Monitor. It has a sensor pad underneath the mattress that detects movement, so if he stops breathing for more than 20 seconds an alarm sounds. This greatly comforted us and allowed us to get some much need rest! For any mommas (or daddies!) who tend to be anxious like me, I highly recommend this monitor to calm your fears and keep your little one safe.

• Miracle Blanket Swaddle. Ok, so there are like 1,000,000 different ways and types of swaddles out there and I think we tried at least half of them. Eli was like a little ninja! We would think he was snug and secure, then 10 minutes later he would break out and wake up. The Miracle Blanket truly is a miracle. It’s easy to use and works like a charm! I recommend getting at least two to always have one as a backup.

• Diaper and Feeding Tote. Let me tell you, anything that makes those first few weeks months with a new baby easier is much appreciated. Going up the stairs every time little man needed a diaper change was simply not an option because a) newborn babies go through way too many diapers for that b) sleep deprivation = exhaustion which means the stairs seemed like Mt. Everest and c) the act of going up and down stairs after delivery is painful!! (things no one tells you prior to giving birth). To make life easier, we set up a little changing station in our living room and always had this basket with the essentials nearby. I filled our tote with diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, burp cloths, breast pads, hair ties, diaper rash ointment, Vaseline, and a tissue box filled with grocery bags (for quick disposal of dirty diapers). Other things that were frequently in the tote: coconut oil, hand lotion, and a toy to occupy baby during diaper changes. Fill a cute tote basket with these items as a gift a new mom will absolutely love!

• Pillowfort Touch Lamp. When decorating Eli’s nursery, I knew I wanted a solid white lamp to go on his changing table/dresser. I found this one from Target that was the perfect size that happened to be a touch on-off lamp. Little did I know how handy it would be. When it’s 3 am and you are trying to change a crying baby's diaper, take a temperature, or look for one of those dadgum pacis that have been thrown out of the crib for the 10^th time, you need quick access to dim light. The simple act of being able to quickly turn on the light without having to fiddle for the switch has been an unexpected necessity. 

• Simple Wishes Hands-free Pumping Bra. Y’all, I so did not know how much I would rely on this thing! A sweet friend gave this to me, and to be honest, when my mom and I were organizing everything pre-baby, we got a good laugh out of the picture on the box. I knew I would use it eventually, but little did I know that it makes all the difference from the get go! Moms- put this in your hospital bag! When you are running on 45 minutes of sleep in 48 hours the act of holding the pump is exhausting. Being able to pump hands free and relax made the whole process much less stressful, not just at the hospital but at home too! You can put it on and pump while you rest, check your phone, watch a show, or get a bite to eat! So much better than being stuck holding the pump for what feels like an eternity. 

I hope these things help make your life with a precious new baby a little easier! 

-Margaret

Valentine's Treats

I love holidays. I'm not a Valentine's Day fan, but let me reiterate...I love holidays. Why? Because it gives me an excuse to buy unhealthy stuff and eat it all! The fun part about Valentine's Day is that you get to give others small tokens of appreciation. There are so many different traditions that we follow on this day...Kids give each other candy and cards at school, co-workers bring doughnuts and cupcakes, parents give their kids sweet cards, significant others spoil each other like kings and queens....the possibilities are endless....and so are the treats. I've put together some quick and delicious treats that you can make this weekend for your kids, your coworkers, your customers, whomever - just in time for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Muddy Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex (you can use any type of Chex, but these are gluten free)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter (I like to use the honey peanut butter)

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I use about 2 cups of powdered sugar but you can start small and add)

Extra:

Valentines colored M&M

Peanut Butter chips

Pretzels broken into pieces

Steps:

1. Measure Chex into large container (you can use a gallon Ziploc back or a Tupperware container that seals very well)

2. In 1 quart microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter uncovered on High for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until everything is melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal. Shake bag or container until Chex are evenly coated. 

3. Add powdered sugar. Shake until well coated. Make sure your Tupperware seals before shaking it - hold on to the edges tightly while shaking. 

Valentine's Rice Krispy Treats

12 ounces - 1 box rice krispies

16 ounce bag of marshmallows

1/2 teaspoon of seasalt

1 Bag Ghirardelli Strawberry Bark Squares 7.9 oz   - Buy Here

Sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

1. Roughly chop 12 of the bark squares.

2. Melt butter in large pot until it starts to slightly turn brown. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add rice krispies and salt and stir until mixed. Add chopped bark squares and mix quickly. Chocolate will start to melt but that's okay! It gives it a swirl look!

3. Place mixture in 9x13 dish. Lightly sprinkle top with more sea salt. Chop 4 more bark squares and evenly space on top by pushing into mixture. Add sprinkles of your choosing! I chose small pearl sprinkles. 

4. Let cool and then cut into squares. Put it in the fridge for a quick cool down!

*Inspired by post on Lauren Conrad

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's day is about celebrating with your special someone, but what to give them can be hard! You want something sweet, but not cheesy, fun, but still romantic. And since Valentine's day is all about being with the one you love, we've come up with some gifts that you both will enjoy!

1. All You Need is Wine: a wine tasting kit that includes all the essentials for a blind wine tasting date night and even a game to play! All you need to do is provide the wine (and drink it!)

2. ENO Double Nest Hammock: a hammock that is made for two! It's the perfect accessory for your next hike or picnic. 

3. Cooking Classes: have some fun in the kitchen! Check out your local Sur la Table for a great line-up of romance themed cooking classes. 

4. Fitness Trackers: the couple that is active together stays together, right?!

5. Hotel Inspired Bedding: feel like you are on a romantic getaway every day! Treat yourself to a nice new set of sheets, duvet cover, and pillow shams. 

6. Travel Map: document all the adventures you take together with this vintage-inspired map that includes 100 pins to mark all of your special destinations. 

7. Klask: because sometimes you just need a good game night in. This is the perfect two-person game that is sure to be fun for both of you! 

Happy Valentine's Day lovies! -the Modern Day Margarets