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goodbye, dust bunnies: secrets of an organized mom

 Reading with Walnuts, The Organized Walnut
Feb 282013
 

Psst! Yeah, you. Can you keep a secret? OK, here it goes….my house is a mess! I mean, no matter how much I try to move the newspapers into the recycling bin, the toys into their bins, the laundry into the dressers, I just can’t keep up. And since I work from home, I feel guilty that our home isn’t as tidy as it could be. Barbara Reich must know just how I feel. Her just-released book, Secrets of an Organized Mom, speaks to me in a way that doesn’t make me feel so terrible about my chaotic household. Instead it leaves me with practical tips that don’t require a fancy smancy organizing system–just some common sense. Reich’s how-to book breaks down the otherwise arduous task of house-cleaning into a more manageable series of mini projects: room by room. You can read the chapters out of order and start with whatever part of your house needs the most attention (for us, it’s the playroom) and jump right in. Personally, I liked Reich’s starter advice, especially about making a decision and acting on it (I am queen of holding on to papers for those “what if?” moments.)  And if ever you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, recalling her digestible mantra–purge, design, organize and maintain–will get you back on track. And you may just have a cleaner house…even if it only lasts for a little while (sigh…)

In a Nutshell: Just in time for spring cleaning, Secrets of an Organized Mom is a breath of fresh air that helps de-clutter your house and your mind.

Secrets of an Organized Mom Cover

 

 

 

 

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milestones mail: strangebirdy studios my first year cards

 The Organized Walnut
Oct 012012
 

A girlfriend of mine regretted never getting baby announcements made up for her son, but it was completely understandable. She had a toddler to care for, along with a newborn, and she could barely manage a daily shower, let alone correspondence. When her life calmed down and she settled into a new routine many months later, my pal decided to turn her annual Christmas card into an official welcoming for her family’s newest addition. For those new parents looking to commemorate their baby’s arrival–even if it has been a few months or more–the pressure is off. You can give yourselves a one-year grace period and instead create a personalized keepsake that celebrates the first 365 days of their little one’s young lives. My First Year cards are a special way to share your baby’s milestones, both big and small, with loved ones. With 30 fill-in blanks, each card includes standard announcement information (date/time of birth, height and weight), while also chronicling moments like “first Halloween costume” and “most effective method for putting baby to sleep.” Sleep-deprived parents who still have their sense of humor intact will appreciate other “firsts” such as “pees on parent” and “throws a tantrum.”  (After all those 3 a.m. feedings and endless diaper changes, we should be allowed some fun!) Faraway relatives and friends will surely treasure receiving snail mail that tells a unique story: the one that’s all about your special delivery.

In a Nutshell: If you never got around to sending out baby announcements, here’s a chance to redeem yourself in your great-grandmother’s eyes. My First Year cards are available in packs of 5, 10 and 20. Or purchase one and frame it for the nursery.

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school-bound bug: raskullz 3d backpack

 The Organized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Jul 122012
 

I always get a little bummed right around the summer midway point; when I was a kid, my grandmother used to say, “After July 4th, summer’s over.” To this August-born babe, I was horrified by her statement and to this day, I still relish those dog days of lemonade drinking, firefly catching and all the little joys that make the season what it is. Imagine then those bittersweet feelings I experienced this week when the Lands’ End back-to-school catalog landed in our mailbox. It got me to thinking that it’s time to replace last year’s backpack with something a little more, shall we say, “lively.” After all, when you’re a rising third grader, anything remotely babyish just won’t do. So when we got a load of new 3D backpacks from Raskullz, we knew we could make a statement. Inspired by the 3D bike helmets from the same company, these backpacks pack a personality that’s unforgettable. Whether it’s Cutie Cat, Buggins, Radgon or Shark Attax, each pack boasts three-dimensional features that practically pop out at you. Our favorite is Buggins whose antennae and legs look so lifelike, this bag could carry itself to school. And judging from the amount of homework that’s expected for third grade, that may just come in handy.

In a Nutshell: It’ll be back to the books before we know it. Make sure your kid has the right bag to manage his heavy load, without messing with his cool factor.

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safe supplies

 The Organized Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Aug 082011
 

It was right there as I rounded the corner, practically impossible to miss. As I pushed my shopping cart past the sunscreen display, spiral notebooks, ballpoint pens and pocket folders competed for my attention. That’s right: back-to-school shopping is nearly upon us and before long, school districts will be updating their Web sites with a laundry list of classroom essentials. But in this information age in which we are thinking twice before making any kid-related purchases, selecting which items to stock our kids’ desks is no longer a no-brainer. You’d have to be living under a rock not to know about toxic substances like PVC lurking in plastics, especially in kids’ products. To make your job as a conscientious consumer a little easier comes a handy new tool you’ll want to consult before heading out to shop. The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ)’s Back to School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies offers helpful tips on selecting everything from backpacks to lunchboxes. There’s also a list of suppliers that offer PVC-free products, so you can make a point of looking for safe supplies. If you consider yourself a green-minded mom, you will find this guide to be an invaluable resource. It’s also available as a wallet-sized version that’s an ideal companion when heading out to Staples, Target or wherever you’ll be shopping. See you in September.

In a Nutshell: To ensure that your child’s school supplies make the grade, consult this free-of-charge downloadable guide for shopping tips and suggestions.

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eraserheads

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Organized Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Jul 182011
 

I nearly knocked over a display of back-to-school stuff at the grocery store the other day. I couldn’t believe that pails and shovels were quickly being usurped by notebooks, crayons and pencils…oh my! With Labor Day nearly six weeks away, September is actually sooner than you might think (sorry to be a spoilsport!). Because we’ve always got an eye turned to the latest kid product trends, we took a look at what’s big in writing for the coming season. Does your kid have dry erase markers on her school supply list again, the same ones she’s forever needing to replace because someone forgets to put the caps back on and they dry out? Well, the smart folks at Crayola have come up with a solution to that pesky problem with their new Dry-Erase Bright Crayons. The modern-day equivalent of the chalkboard, whiteboards are being used by teachers and students alike for spelling and math, and these marker alternatives make the perfect accompaniment to this style of learning. They don’t have any caps to lose, they don’t have that funny marker smell and they wipe clean with the included E-Z Erase Mitt. We give the Dry-Erase Crayons crayons an A+ for their convenience and versatility…For bigger kids who have graduated from pencils to pens, but who still need the occasional “do-over” comes the EraseAway. It’s a retractable ballpoint pen that erases. If your child was always misplacing the caps to her markers, this is the pen for her. Available in blue, black or red ink,  it does not have an erasable cap. The sleek, grown-up look and feel of the EraseAway will make a middle school kid think she has finally “arrived.”

In a Nutshell: When shopping back-to-school, here are 2 products that have all the write stuff.

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hello muddah

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Organized Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
May 042011
 

When I was growing up, all my gal pals signed up for sleep-away camp (my mom’s idea of camp was daily trips to the beach and, if it rained, the library). I could never count on my friends to write to me during the summer; they were probably too busy making macrame potholders and learning how to cannonball correctly, anyway. When it comes to communicating, today’s kids, of course, have it much easier; with a few simple clicks, they can fire off a text and a photo of how they’ve decorated their bunk faster than they can write “Wish you were here.” Still, it’s always nice to receive a piece of “real” mail every now and then, and a new stationery line from oh my word makes it practically effortless. Their set of camp cards features simply put, witty rhetoric in 3 varieties:

–the fun things I could be doing right now instead of writing home

–things I think you would want to hear in a letter from camp

–things I’m not doing at camp because you’re not here to make me

Each collection includes insightful, check-box replies for your little darling to complete…how utterly convenient. Now he can get back to more important things…like short-sheeting his counselor’s bed.

In a Nutshell: Think your kid is feeling, shall we say, “coerced” into keeping in touch? Spare him the agony of letter writing and tuck a box of these notecards in his trunk. Don’t forget the stamps.

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not just a mom

 Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Organized Walnut
Apr 192011
 

A mom friend once posed the following question: “Is it awful if I answer my husband honestly about what I’d like best for Mother’s Day: to be left alone?” Ava Gardner she was not, nor am I that friend. But truth be told, it is nice to escape the mom label every now and then, be it in May or any other day for that matter. If you think you’ve come too close to adapting the full mommyhood routine, take a closer look at that bag you’re carrying. Is it loaded down with diapers, wipes, Goldfish and every other imaginable kid-friendly contraption? Be honest. If you could use something that’s a bit more you–or perhaps the “you” before there were babies in the picture–consider the Kalencom Spize Girls Buckle Bag. This fashionable tote has a retro floral design that’s incredibly stylish. The bag contains three matching accessories–an insulated bottle bag, changing pad and zippered case–that can be swapped out when your little one is potty-trained and/or drinking from a big-kid cup. We love the messenger style because it harkens back to those days of strutting across campus when your biggest decision was whether or not to sign up for an 8 a.m. elective with that cute guy or get an extra hour of sleep. Ah, sleep….what is that again?

In a Nutshell: Those bags under your eyes may reveal your mommy identity, but this hipper-than-thou bag doesn’t have to. Now you can walk around town with a tote that doesn’t wear you–or your spirits–down.

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a wee pot of gold

 The Organized Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Mar 172011
 

It’s St. Patty’s Day, so naturally you’ll be donning some green. But if you happen to be out and shopping today, how about saving some of that green? Kiddies may be wee folk, but we all know they require A LOT of gear. The next time you’re trying to decide between a Bugaboo or a BabyBjorn, make your comparison shopping a little less cumbersome–and a lot more convenient–with TheFind.com. This free shopping app for the iPhone, iTouch and Android helps you get the best price for a product by searching area stores, from Target to Toys R Us. You can get driving directions to places that carry the product with the best value or even buy an item on the spot via your phone. And with that level of hi-tech, you don’t need the luck of the Irish to get a great buy.

In a Nutshell: Searching for a new stroller? With TheFind.com, you may just find it…along with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

nursing know-how

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut, The Organized Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Feb 162011
 

Have you ever been on the go with your baby and not known where you can nurse (or pump) in private? No need to wonder. Medela has come out with an app for the iPhone/iPad that gives you the 411 on nursing. Aptly dubbed iBreastfeed, this app has a Breastfeeding-Friendly Places feature that locates Medela-reviewed and approved nursing nooks across the country. Find one that hasn’t been mentioned? You can add your own 2 cents and comment on your experience at existing locations. On top of this feature, iBreastfeed has a resource guide that includes helpful tips for overcoming breastfeeding challenges and an activity log if you’re so inclined to track your baby’s sleep and feeding schedules. With so much info at your fingertips, you can’t help but feel you’re on top of your little one’s health. And what a good habit to start.

In a Nutshell: Got yourself in a feeding time frenzy? With this helpful app, knowing where to nurse in peace and quiet is just a few clicks away.

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a place for everything

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Organized Walnut
Jan 182011
 

As the saying goes, “There’s a place for everything, and everything has its place.” And if there’s one place you don’t need used tissues, half-eaten lollipops and the like, it’s your purse. I’m vowing to keep my own new bag as clean as possible this year (I’m considering it my own personal  New Year’s resolution, one that I’m doing my darnedest to keep). But rather than taking time to regularly discard credit card receipts, gum wrappers and broken crayons, I can denote a special spot just for this type of refuse. Go Gaga’s Stuff Sack is the answer to the disorganized mother’s prayers–and who can’t appreciate that? This generously sized bag is odor-proof, leak-proof and moisture-proof. Dirty diapers? The Stuff Sack is ready for them. Half-eaten yogurt tubes? Bring ‘em on! Once you’re back home and have emptied its contents, simply pop this bag in the washing machine , and you can use it again and again. When you roll the top of the bag 3 times, clip the bag shut and use the makeshift handle to hang from your stroller handlebar or diaper bag strap. Don’t forget to click your heels and say, “There’s no place like home.”

In a Nutshell: A godsend that prevents your purse from becoming a bottomless pit of refuse? We’re sold. Because I’ve got better things to do with my time. Like laundry…

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