Blog Posts by Babble.com

Things you NEED in your kitchenIt would be tough for a carpenter to effectively do his work without the proper tools. And what is a sculptor without clay, a painter without paint and pianist without a piano? They wouldn't get very far without the "tools" that help them perform their duties.

As moms, we all have our own "tool boxes" that help us perform our many artistic tasks. I call them artistic because we are artists, better yet, creators. We create every day. Whether those creations are good or bad is another story, but we create. We're creating memories, environments, meals, happiness, and sculpting little personalities. And how are we going to do our job without our necessary tools?

I have lots of secret tools lying around the house that literally save me every day. They make my job easier.

Related: 10 ways to de-clutter the kitchen

When I'm home, it's safe to say I spend most of my time in the kitchen (a.k.a Grand Central Station). It's a busy place! The floor is always mapped with a trail of shoes,

How do you tell the kids it's time to put down the family pet?I was six hundred miles away from home when we decided we would kill our dog. Our beloved 12-year-old Beagle named Boise was dying. She had been unwell for weeks, if not months, but not in a "she's gonna die soon" sort of way but what we thought was rather a mere, "she's just getting old."

Her decline came fast and swift. I had no reason to believe that the walk I took her on before I left town would be the last trek I would take her on. But there I was in a swank hotel in Los Angeles attending a press junket, texting about our now very sick Beagle all night long with a distraught husband and six-year-old. A six year old who should have been in bed but instead was by her dad's side at the emergency veterinary clinic in the middle of the night. During that time, our daughter didn't anticipate that our dog was dying, just that she was sick and in her experience thus far, the sick get better.

But the end for our dog, it was near. There are far more diplomatic and less cruel ways to speak of ending your pets' life. You can say the simple, "put to sleep," the charitable, "put them out of their misery," or the more clinical "euthanize." But as owners of your pet, if you go with this option you are voluntarily ending your animals life early. The dictionary defines the practice as a "mercy killing." Yes, using the word "killing" may be a bit extreme, but it was a thought - and a word - I could not get out my head during our decision to end out dog's life.

Now the hard part, explaining it to our kindergartner…

10 quick projects to refresh your decorWeekends never feel long enough, but we have to make the most of them. And a Saturday or Sunday afternoon project can completely transform your living space. Here are 10 quick and easy weekend projects that will refresh your home. After you're done, you'll even have time to relax and enjoy the final product.












Garden Markers
1. Garden Markers
These garden markers made with polymer clay are super cute and so easy to make!
Get the tutorial


Workspace
2. Workspace
Create a cool desk with hollow-core door and two adjustable sawhorses. No one will believe you made it yourself.
Get the tutorial


Hessian Rug
3. Hessian Rug
This quick, affordable, and easy project uses jute cloth.
Get the tutorial


Mail Station
4. Mail Station
You can create a space for mail and accessories with a shelf and a few magazine holders. both easy items to buy separately.
Get the tutorial

Related: 24 genius ways to decorate your home with a Sharpie


Beach Towel Cushions
5. Beach Towel Cushions
All you need to make these summery cushions are some colorful beach towels, cushion inserts,

10 pairs of flattering jeans for springSpring's almost here, which means it's time for sandals, jeans, and t-shirts. This season, colored and printed denim stand out, but so does a return to bootcut and wider-legged denim.The good news: Every body, from petite to plus-size, can rock one of these denim looks. Jump into spring with these 10 pairs of jeans.













Flare Jeans from J.Crew
1. Flare Jeans from J.Crew
They're back! This classic flare in jezebel wash looks polished and professional.
Get these jeans


Flare Jeans from Madewell
2. Flare Jeans from Madewell
These flea market flare jeans in steelworker wash are casual cool and would look great with platform sandals.
Get these jeans


Skinny Jeans from J.Crew
3. Skinny Jeans from J.Crew
These ankle stretch toothpick jean in sea blue show off svelte stems and cute shoes.
Get these jeans


Floral Skinny Jeans from Paige Denim
4. Floral Skinny Jeans from Paige Denim
Here's an ankle peg skinny jean style we love in a bold floral print. The pattern's large enough to be seen (and appreciated), yet still flattering.
Get these jeans


Colored Skinny Jeans from Zara
5. Colored Skinny Jeans from Zara
Zara's got jeans in a variety

6 foods that help you sleepIt's National Sleep Awareness Week March 5-11, and did you know that your choice of bedtime snack can affect the quality of the Z's you're getting? The National Sleep Foundation actually suggests that you look for a bedtime snack that has both protein and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates and the tryptophan together will help release insulin and get serotonin and melatonin to the right levels to help you sleep. Try these foods and you'll be off to dreamland.

5 frigid-cool ways to organize your refrigerator and freezerAre you buying groceries, but still finding it hard to use all of them? It might have something to do with your refrigerator and freezer organization. Without smart storge, it's easy to lose track of quickly expiring perishables, available ingredients, and what you're about to run out of. Here are 5 cool (ha!) ways to organize your refrigerator and freezer.











Fridge Baskets
1. Fridge Baskets
Plastic baskets are an inexpensive purchase and easy to clean. You can use them to sort food groups within the refrigerator.

Related: 10 creative ways to de-clutter your kitchen



Food Labels
2. Food Labels
I love these free downloadable freezer labels! They make it easy to keep track of which foods should be used first!
Get these labels


Pre-Made Snacks
3. Pre-Made Snacks
Make sure food gets eaten in a timely manner by prepackaging it into grab and go snack pouches!


Freezer Meal Library
4. Freezer Meal Library
Make meals ahead of time. label them, and store them in flat zipper baggies to save space. Oh how I long for a stocked freezer like this!

Related: 15

5 ways to de-stressI have written before about my desire to achieve balance in life. My goal for the year is to develop a system that allows me to get the to-do list done, or at least have me feeling less stress when I don't cross everything off the list at the end of the day.

I watched a clip on The Today Show where an expert gave advice on how women can reduce stress. It included the typical advice to exercise, get a stress ball, and deep breathing and as I watched I couldn't help but think the whole thing was just blowing smoke up our butts. How many times have you heard the same advice? The textbook answers to take a breath, do it all as a family and just keep your head up? That's why I rounded up my own ways to de-stress:


Grab the Wine and Chocolate
1. Grab the Wine and Chocolate
Experts will tell you to go and grab the stress ball and squeeze when you feel your heart rate go up. My advice is to forego that ball and grab a small glass of wine and a piece of chocolate. It also does a great job of reducing blood pressure and

Save it...save it good!With no real big holidays on the horizon this month (other than St. Patrick's Day which is not nearly as profitable as Christmas or Halloween), the spring is often a time of recharging and restoration...for our homes, yards, and wardrobes. Sure, there may not be holiday specials or slashed frenzied price changing, but there are definite bargains specific to this month.

Here is the lowdown on what moms (and dads) can buy cheaper in March, care of DealNews.com:





Related: 7 outrageous kid's rooms even YOU will want to sleep in



Winter Outdoor Gear1. Winter Outdoor Gear
While the best times to buy winter gear are the summer months, this year's warm winter will cause the cold weather gear to go on clearance earlier. Now is the time to peruse those skis and skates you've always wanted.

Related: The 25 tiniest homes from around the world














Luggage2. Luggage
The most noticeable price drops for luggage are in late August, but there are some very good deals to be had in March as many prepare for summer trips.












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