tips for working out at home

I’ve never had a gym membership and have just worked out at home and run outside. I will admit, it’s hard to get out and run in the cold or about half the year in Arizona when it’s 90 degrees. And those are the moments when I start itching for a gym membership. But working out at home has been successful for me, but it definitely takes some commitment and dedication to make the time and focus on getting a good workout in at home.  

Most days I go for a run in the morning, do a workout during nap time, then hurry and get ready for the day during nap time too. Usually I’m not “ready for the day” until 1 in the afternoon, but this what works for ME.  Find what works for you.

Here are some tips (that I shared on instagram) with a little more detail and explanation.

• dress like you’re actually going to the gym

If you feel BAD-A, you’ll work out like a BAD-A.  Get on that sports bra, pull out those compression pants and PUT ON THE SHOES.  You’re working out, dress like it.

• find time to do without kids climbing on top of you

Do it before the kids wake up, do it while they’re eating breakfast, or watching a show, during nap time or after bedtime.  Stopping in between reps or exercises is going to slow your momentum and make your workout last 2 hours instead of 30 minutes.  This time is for you to focus on yourself. 

• always finish strong

Once you’ve decided what your workout will be, whatever it is, finish it all the way through!  Just because no one’s around, it’s up to you to hold yourself accountable. You get as much out of these workouts as you put into them.

• schedule it in/add to to your to-dos

“But I don’t have time to workout!”  You find the time when you MAKE the time.  Make it something you have to get done, add it to your to-do list, schedule it into your day.  If it’s important, you’ll find a way.

• stop making excuses & get it done!

Being at home makes it easy for you to get distracted by all the other things you could be doing, but remember, if it’s important to you, you’ll focus in on it and get it done.  All those other things will still be there 30 minutes or an hour from now and you’ll never regret getting a workout in...but you will regret not doing it.

School Desk Makeover

A few weeks...maybe even months ago...I jumped on a desk & chair that was being sold by a local interior designer on instagram.  I knew it would fit perfectly as my nightstand and little work area in our bedroom.  Here's a quick before picture:

And plenty of afters.... I chose a bright royal blue for the upper portion and a slightly matte gold for the legs.  I repainted the chair white and gave it a new cushion cover.

The top is my favorite part and it was one of those, "I-really-hope-this-works" experiments & it turned out even better than I imagined.  The faux-wood metal top makes me heart sing! I still want to replace the lamp, but I'm still waiting for the perfect one to pop out at me.

"Everyday" Shelf Decor

If you saw my post about cleaning with kids in the home, you may have noticed my giant new shelf. I'm in love and obviously change it for every holiday, but I thought I'd share a few pictures of what it's decorated as "non-holiday".  Am I the only one who changes the "regular" after every holiday too? I just can't help it, I love decorating and re-decorating!

Also remember this blanket from the outdoor party?

It's my version of Tell Love Chocolate's Tassel Blanket! I could not get it out of my head when I saw it, so I obviously needed my own! I'm obsessed with it's hot pink goodness.

Vinyl Polkadot Kitchen

Here's a fun & super easy way to bring a little happiness into your home- in a totally non-permanent way! This is great for renters like me, or those who like to change their decor often.  I grabbed a sheet of vinyl (I got mine from Pick Your Plum), traced a circle, cut them out & applied to the wall! 

It was so simple, yet adds a lot of cheeriness to my kitchen wall above my sink!  The EAT letters are spray painted with a metallic nickel finish.

Little Boy Bedroom Sources

 A few weeks ago I showed you around my little boy's bedroom  & today I wanted to share some of my sources (especially for the amazing printables). Let me know if you have any other questions!

 shelf from IKEA (glued clothes pins on & sprayed painted) // tin containters from Michaels  (attached with nails)  //  glass container from Target  (holds neckties)  //  striped boxes from Michaels  //  fabric drawers from Target

stuffed dog from IKEA //  polka-dot sheet from Target  //  circus tent from IKEA

be amazing //via eighteen 25     baseball //via 30 days blog     you are my sunshine //via eighteen25

 sunbeam  via//a pocketful of lds prints   initial print  //via on to baby   

baseball strikeout  //via 30 days blog   be brave //via clementine

 paper globe from joachimesque.com (added bakers twine to hang & colored pins to mark where family is)   // paper chains inspired by studio pebbles

keeping your home a place you want to be.

Every once in a while I find myself anxious & stressed & can't quite figure out why....more often than not it's because my house is a mess & I never want to pick a pillow of the ground again.
Here is a list I came up with to help make your home (or office, or bedroom) a place you actually WANT to be.

-de-clutter & de-furniturize- 

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Yes, I know de-furniturize is not a word...but it'll make sense.  I love to pin beautifully decorated homes in hopes of one day having a huge house to fill.  But whenever I see a room with too much furniture, throw pillows, accessories...I start twitching.  The less "things" (including furniture) in a room, the more spacious & organized it will feel.

-return to normal before leaving-

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I read in an article somewhere that a way to reduce stress in your home is to return each room back to normal before you leave somewhere.  Genius.  

I hate leaving to run (planned) errands or going on vacation & then coming home to a messy house.  Doing a quick pick-up of each room (or at least the living room) before leaving helps keep me relaxed and still focused while gone rather than stressing about finishing my task, coming home from vacation as well as cleaning a still messy home.


-a spot for everything- 

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Clutter & messes are often due to the fact that a. something doesn't have a place to go or b. no one know where things actually go.  Here's an example- my husband sometimes unloads the dishwasher for me- and he asks me about 10 different times where something goes (can I get an amen?), but each thing has an exact spot. Each toy, pillow, and bedroom trashcan should have a "return to 0" spot.


-make beds-

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I believe a room can be completely clean and still look messy because the bed is not made, and visa-versa.  It makes a room look finished and polished (even if there's a few pieces of clothes on the floor) and only take a few seconds.

-one load of laundry a day-

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Obviously this may not always be possible, or you have a specific day for laundry, but this is something I try to do because I HATE trying to do 4 loads of laundry in one day. It's do-able and helps keep down the to-do list & "mess-anxiety".