A Few Fun Fall Favorites

Abby’s been talking about visiting the pumpkin patch since the end of July (I know…my jaw dropped too. Twice). It's certainly a fav around here! So I finnnnallllllyyyy caved and decorated the girl’s rooms for Halloween this past week by hanging a couple cardstock paper bats using this kid friendly print out and these white pumpkins.It delights them both every time they go in! 

So today I rounded up a few fun fall favorites that have been making our girly heart's burst lately like Modern Birch’s “Hey Boo” wooden sign in Emma’s Nursery! It’s by far my favorite décor find this season and so I'm tickled pink to say they're running a special 20% off sale just for our community by using the promocode FALLBABY20 at check out until Sunday 9/22! And since welcoming Emma back in June, I've been obsessed with pink lately so getting all snuggled up in a cozy pink sweater like this one has been my guilty pleasure whenever temps dipped down to the 60's. 

Abby was obsessed with her kitty cat shoes last year, so I got her another pair to enjoy and Emma is allllll about her lovely lately from Witt’s End.I can see why because it’s beyond soft and the personalized E just warms my soul when I see her sleepy little face all snuggled up with it. 

The girls and I have been visiting our local craft stores about once a week since Abby started Preschool and with Halloween right around the corner... I finally grabbed this polka dot pillow to bring home! I swear it was calling my name (at least that's what I told Steve) : )  More on why we’ve done so many trips to the craft store coming soon…. So be sure to check instagram on Sunday for two very exciting things happening!!!

And happy "almost fall' weekending!! 

Warmly, Steph




Promo Codes:
Witts End || MAMAJOTS for 20% off
Modern Birch ||  FALLBABY20 for 20% off

DIY First Day of School Sign

3 Step Tutorial:
DIY First Day of School Sign 

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 Picked out an old picture frame from home.

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I took off the frame and painted the "backing" with this chalkboard paint. 

3 coats total (2 horizontal and 1 vertical)

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 Then I used faux chalkboard lettering technique which can be found here.

30 minute project total in two nights to complete, one to paint and the other to do lettering. I LOVE how it turned out!!

Abby was so excited to start school! And now that we have the first full week complete, we both feel like we can move onto all the fall things. Which honestly Abby's been thinking and talking about since the beginning of August. (One thing at a time girl!) So next up is our local fair, apple picking, crock pot meals, crafting and Abby's favorite holiday right now... Halloween! Hmmmm I wonder why : ) #cakepopfridayincostume coming soon!!

Warmly, Steph

||  Apple Balloons  ||

The balloons were inspired by Studio DIY which can be found here. 

Links & Resources

Abby's Dress sold out (similar here)  ||  Mary Jane shoes  ||  back pack  ||  bow

Getting Ready for Preschool

We go to Preschool in 13 DAYS!! So below is a few things we're doing to get Abby ready!

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Routine

We've been eating breakfast at 8:00am every day over here (same as school days next month) then immediately getting dressed and going potty before leaving the house. Lately, Monday-Friday we've going to a park ever since Steve returned to work! And even though it's slow moving, because I’m holding on tight to summer like a popsicle stick dripping liquid sugar down my arm… we’ve started this routine!

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Getting Dressed  

We have these bow hooks in Abby’s room to help hold and show off her outfit for the next day (after she picks it out). So it’s quick and easy in the morning to get her dress. Especially because SHE picks it out, hence less arguing in the AM on what to wear #threeanger

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Potty  

The Pre School director mentioned to me that all children are required to be potty trained by the first day (which Abby is! …happy dance!) Her point was the teachers never step foot into the bathroom to help them. So, I’ve been working hard on letting Abby do everything from start to finish (including washing her hands).

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Sanitizer Obsessed 

Two in the car, one in the diaper bag, three by the front door and one in her backpack… You get the idea. Hand Sanitizer everywhere!!!! Just to access it anytime, anywhere. Especially right after pickup from school and BEFORE we get into the car. (I do have a 2.5-month-old so maybe my obsession is legit).

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Visit & Talk  

You might of already saw that we made Miss C a teacher gift last week! Which you can find here. This started the conversation in our house about preschool and who Miss C is. Just showing Abby my own excitement through emotions when I talk about it, I can tell is really rubbing off onto her. Along with a few things like her floral backpack to sweeten the deal of “going to preschool!” She smiles now talking about it. I swear…. it’s all in the packaging to little ones!

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Exit Plan 

I haven’t started this one with Abby yet because I can’t actually do it until she GOES to school. One of my dearest friends who teaches Preschool told me to make sure my exit is short, sweet, & consistent. And that even though I might want to cry on the first day (or first few days) that it’s important to stay strong for my child and to not let the “goodbye” linger. It just makes it harder on them. Ummm… totally makes sense!!!  She informed me, “stay at home moms seem to have the hardest time with this.” Thanks P! : ) and yes, I will be THAT parent. So, I promised her I would walk my sad emoji face to the car before letting those tears pour like a PNW summer storm.   

DIY Letter hook links

Hook  ||  Letter a (Micheals craft store) || Gold Paint 

What I did

6:00am

Glued hook to back of wood letter/gorilla glue

8:00pm

Painted 1 coat (wait 1 hour) 

Painted 2nd coat

6:00am

Hung up on wall!

Has your little one started school yet? And any advice you’d like to add below would be wonderful! Especially us PNW moms since our summers don’t end until September.  And as always, thank you for reading! 

Warmly, Steph