Nicole

The 7 Best Spring Cleaning Apps You Need This Year

I have to admit, this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love nothing more than digging deep and giving my home a good spring clean. While I understand that not everyone is as crazy about spring cleaning and organization as I am, and while I don’t secretly understand what there is you could possibly not love about this annual spit shine ritual, I wanted to share some apps (for both ios and Android) that will not only make spring cleaning easier, but fun (yes, fun!) for everyone in your home, for both the skeptics and cleaning aficionados alike. Here are my 7 favorite Spring Cleaning apps for you to try at home:

Cleaning Checklist ($0.99 on iTunes)

Cleaning Checklist helps you organize and manage household cleaning tasks and activities. Pick any room in your home, select the tasks you want to complete, and then just check-off when tasks are completed. One thing I love about this app is that it shows you what percentage of the room is clean — so you can quickly see which rooms may still need some attention and which rooms need major detailing. You can also set personal task reminders such as “Cleaning Supplies” or “Needs Dry Cleaning” that will remind you what to pick up at the store or drop off for cleaning.

BrightNest (Free on ios and Android)

For those that look around at their homes and don’t even know how to get started, BrightNest is for you! Brightnest is the best app for learning how to take care of your home. The app is full of useful tips for cleaning specific parts of your home, from telling you what to use to remove toilet stains what essential oils will keep your garbage disposal from smelling to high heaven.

Spark Joy: The Official Kon’Mari App (Free on iTunes)

If you are a fan of the Kon’Mari method, this one’s for you! With the Spark Joy app gives allows users the opportunity to gain daily Kon’Mari tips, to organize your Kon’Mari projects by category, and to connect with other Kon’Mari users worldwide. The best part of this app? You can upload and share your Kon’Mari progress with others too! It’s like Pinterest for decluttering and Spring Cleaning!

Chore Bank ($1.99 on iTunes)

Want the kids to help with your spring cleaning chores? Yeah, here too! Chore Bank is essential for homes with kiddos as it allows you to set up a chore list, assign a monetary value or activity reward to each chore, to allow parents to know when a chore has been completed, and make virtual deposits into your child’s account that kids can later cash in on post-cleaning. You can even download a chore calendar and text reminders to your kids!

FlyHelper (Free on Android)

This app is for everyone who loves the FlyLady cleaning method or wants to give it a whirl! As an app, FlyHelper not only helps you keep your home clean and keep your life up to date with awesome free in-app organizing charts, but also gives you access to great reminders from the FlyLady herself such as pointers on self-care and time efficiency. You can even track cleaning and life events, both by daily and weekly points, and you can also control how you clean your home by creating “zones” you should work on each day.

Spring Cleaning Checklist (Free on Android)

Just a bit of a warning- this app could make you fall in love with spring cleaning! In addition to helping you create checklists for every room of your house, Spring Cleaning Checklist gives you tips for organizing family spring cleaning days, includes videos on simple cleaning methods and music playlists to help you along. You will want to use this beyond the spring cleaning season.

Motivated Moms Lite (Free on ios and Android)

Not a fan of major Spring Cleaning sessions? No problem! The Motivated Moms app allows users to perform specified tasks each day, with seasonal tasks thrown in throughout the year, to make maintaining your home and under one hour per day process. Users also have the ability to add unlimited custom tasks, check off chores as they are done, assign tasks can be assigned to people and rooms and sorted accordingly, and you can even print task lists through cloud printing right from the app! The app also features an option add-on for Bible reading as well.

So, everyone, those are my 7 favorite apps for Spring Cleaning at home. Now I have to ask, what apps or websites do you use at home to help you with your spring cleaning tasks? I’d love to hear about them below!

Here’s to Spring Cleaning,

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Smurfs The Lost Village Movie Ticket Giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

If your family is anything like mine, then it can sometimes be near to impossible to find time to carve out quality family time each weekend. Whether it’s figuring out everyone’s schedule or finding an activity that everyone can enjoy. It can all be iffy, to say the least. Thankfully this weekend that is not going to be an issue because you and your family should be heading to the theater to see Smurfs The Lost Village.

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a roller coaster of a journey, full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurfdom history!

You can find more info about the movie Smurfs The Lost Village by heading over to smurfsmovie.com where you can find more fun Smurfs quizzes, coloring sheets, games, tips on how you can draw smurfs for yourself, and so much more!

You can also follow The Smurfs on Twitter and Facebook for updates! And one more thing, the reminder – Smurfs: The Lost Village is being released in theaters on April 7th.

Please note, only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. The winner will be subject to eligibility verification. Movie ticket codes will only be valid from 4/7 to 4/16 which is the reason for the short giveaway period. Good luck!

So don’t forget to enter to win 2 tickets below to see Smurfs The Lost Village below and tell me did you watch the Smurf’s show when you were a kid? I’d love to hear about it below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here’s to smurfy fun,

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Meal Plan Monday (4/3 -4/9/17)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to a storm start here in Dixie. This past weekend has been very eventful for us as a family. From minor plumbing issues to having to purchase yet another dishwasher, this past weekend was anything but boring. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

This week’s menu again reflects our need to eat down our food stockpile. As we are having to consume everything we have on-hand first, though we did purchase several items food and home consumables, each of which garnered us back online app rebates, which will give us groceries and products that can help us in the weeks to come for our family of three as part of a minimalist meal plan.

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Three bean vegetarian chili, steamed corn, and corn bread.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Tuesday.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken, carrot, broccoli quinoa bake, with Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Thursday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Bakes Zucchini, Greek yogurt, and quinoa gyros, with Crystal light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Friday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Meatball hoagies, side salad with Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snacks: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot cheddar, chicken, and broccoli rice, with green beans and Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Cost of food shopped from pantry and freezer: $26.45

So that’s all, everyone! I’m hoping that this streamlined plan will leave me feeling anything but restricted. With my family eating well and meal planning becoming more automated, I’m thinking of bringing back Family Game Nights! Incorporating minimalism into my weekly meal planning will help me be a few steps closer to realizing my minimalist dream. That said, if this streamlined plan doesn’t work for my family this month I can always change my plan again!

I’m ready to take back an extra hour from my day, each and every day this month. I’m ready to devote more time to creative endeavors, taking advantage of work opportunities, spending time with my family, and not slaving over a hot stove.

So, that’s what we will be having this week. I’d love to hear what’s on your menu as well!

Here’s to Monday meal plans,

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Welcome to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade Link Party!

Spring is officially here in the Northern Hemisphere and it is time to get outside in our gardens. Maybe its just me that is ready for fresh air and dirt manicures. Even if it is still cold where you are, you can dream about those delicious home grown vegetables and flowers, right?

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What I loved in March

There’s a lot of work that goes into writing any blog. Everything from research to promotion and beyond, there’s always something going on in my little neck of the woods. There’s a lot of business that goes on behind the scenes of this blog.

But in all that business I come across some pretty cool finds every month. From brands I love, websites I’m smitten with, other awesome bloggers I admire, and even little moments in time that helped me live a life of intention. Each month there is always something to lament back on each month. So today, I’m bringing you a new category of posts – monthly favorites! All the nook and cranny cool things that I stumble on each month that I think you’ll love, want to make (or buy) and possibly even be entertained by. In other words, tons of good stuff!

So today, I’m bringing you my monthly March favorites! All the things that I stumbled upon this past month that I hope you’ll love, want to make, bake, buy, or possibly just be entertained by. In other words, the good stuff!

So without further ado, my March favorites:

My favorite new March recipe:

For the past few months, I have been obsessed with all things Harissa carrots. Those tiny, adorable, ever so yummy little sticks of vegetable magic have graced our plates of the past few months more times than I’d like to share and I just love them! I’ve also been obsessed with a new recipe I’ve found on Epicurious, Maple Glazed Roasted Harissa Carrots. They are super simple to make and even my husband always asks for seconds! This past weekend I popped into my local organic grocery to snag a few bunches and boy am I glad I did! Do your taste buds a favor and try them!

My favorite March zero-waste tip:

Need a way to visually measure how much water you are drinking throughout the day? Try using 1/2 gallon mason jars to put your daily water out on the counter, then use it to refill pint mason jar glasses until it’s gone. You’ll know for sure whether you hit your water target or not. I’ve been doing this all of March and not only has it helped me lose an additional two pounds, it’s also helped me to keep an additional 120 plastic bottles out of the landfill. It’s a small pre-Earth Day victory for me!

My favorite new book:

This month I loved reading Roadfood, 10th Edition: An Eater’s Guide to More Than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America, by Jane Stern and Michael Stern.

First published in 1977, the original Roadfood became an instant classic. James Beard said, “This is a book that you should carry with you, no matter where you are going in these United States. It’s a treasure house of information.”

Roadfood provides descriptions of and directions to (complete with regional maps) the best lobster shacks on the East Coast; the ultimate barbecue joints down South; the most indulgent steakhouses in the Midwest; and dozens of top-notch diners, hotdog stands, ice-cream parlors, and uniquely regional finds in between. It’s a must read!

My favorite new podcast:

We live life in the fast lane. We race to keep up with The Joneses. We are over-worked, over-connected and over-stressed. But there is also an ever-growing group of people who are saying no to a life lived in the rat race of life. People opting to slow down and savor life. This is what the Slow Your Home podcast is all about. I’ve been loving this podcast over the last month and I encourage you all to check this out as well on Stitcher and iTunes!

My favorite YouTuber this month:

My new favorite Youtuber and Blogger, Linda from Linda’s Pantry is absolutely amazing! She demonstrates video tutorials on everything from simple canning to gardening and solar preservation. Her techniques feature locally grown produce and simple to follow instructions. Forget Netflix in April, her YouTube channel is one you will want to binge, let alone subscribe to!

My favorite self-care find this month:

Over the years, I have taken numerous types of NSAIDs. Over time each product has given me some sort of adverse effects on my body. I had to find something safer to take. Something more natural. Something that can help me take on my day. Curamin® is safe, effective, homeopathic, and non-addictive. It works with the power of turmeric and that gives me peace of mind and helps me thrive in my day. I wrote a post this past week on Curamin® for those who may have missed all of my gushings over my favorite self-care find this March!

My favorite new find online:

As you may know, I am the adoptive pet parent to three wild, wonderful, loyal, caring pups. They are a source of pride and joy in my world and I couldn’t rightly say whether I truly adopted them or the reverse! And as a minimalist who is slowly adding art and more decorative pieces back into my home, when I found the Dog Rescue Pink Silhouette Watercolor Art, from the wonderfully talented Amy of Charlie’s Merchantile on ETSY I knew I needed this print in my home!

Each handmade piece from this awesome shop is a work of art and I love them all! I truly love this piece and will treasure it for some time to come. Amy’s art is not only an ETSY seller she also features pieces on her website and Instagram account as well. What’s even more awesome about Amy’s work and the shop is that she has graciously given her time and talent into offering a free copy of the above-mentioned print to one lucky reader, too!

To enter, use the provided rafflecopter giveaway box below. Please note, this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents, aged 18 and over, through 4/6/17 at 11:59 CST. Winners will receive a media-mailed, unframed copy of this print to before the following Saturday. Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So that’s it everyone, my favorite things from this past month. So now, I’ve got to ask, what have you been loving this month as well! I’d love to hear about your favorite finds, and if you want to enter my giveaway, that would be just plain groovy too!

Here’s to things to come,

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Moms: Save This Month on Luv’s Diapers!

Please note: This post is brought to you in partnership with iConnect and Luvs.

It’s tax time again, everyone! For some, this time of year means money is being taken from your pockets, but for most, it’s an impending payday! But what do you do with your refunds, friends? Are you tax time rich or resourceful and responsible? No matter which camp you reside in I think we can all agree, there’s always room for everyday household savings.

With graduation, wedding, and baby shower season right around the corner, now is the time to take advantage of a new money-saving coupon Luvs.

You can get $1 off any one Luvs Diaper Pack with this Print-at-home coupon. Use this coupon at any mass, discount, or grocery stores where Luvs Diapers are sold.

Softer and more absorbent than ever before, with large stretch tabs for easy fastening, ultra-leakage protection and a money-back guarantee, Luvs Ultra Leakguards with NightLock Plus™ provide the high-quality features babies and parents need for less cost than the premium brands.

Grab this Luvs coupon while you still can (valid for use within 30 days of printing): http://bit.ly/2kMDv3q

More about Luvs:

Not only is Luvs known as the leading diaper brand, they are constantly improving with more absorbent and more comfortable diapers, like theSuper Absorbent Leakguards and NightLock Plus™, the most absorbent Luvs diaper ever made! The large refastenable stretch tabs make parenting & clean-up a lot easier! Why not make life easier for your family and for your little ones. Busy moms understand how important it is for diapers to leave their little one’s secure, dry, and comfy!

Unsure about using Luvs for the first time? Don’t worry! They offer the Luvs Money Back Guarantee: We feel so strongly about our diapers that we’ve guaranteed them! If you aren’t satisfied with the leakage protection of Luvs, we’ll refund your money. Visit LuvsDiapers.com for more details! www.luvsdiapers.com for more details.

So, everyone, I encourage you to check out this month’s Luvs coupon while you still can at http://bit.ly/2kMDv3q.

Here’s to savings at home,

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Meal Plan Monday (3/27-3/30/2017)

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to another sunny and wonderful start here in Dixie. This past weekend has been very eventful for us as a family. From minor plumbing issues to having to purchase yet another dishwasher, this past weekend was anything but boring. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

Monday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Ham salad spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Spiral Honey Crockpot Ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and rolls leftovers.
Dessert: Gluten-free dark chocolate brownies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Ham salad spread, with crackers, grapes, and almond milk.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Salad and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownie ice-cream sandwiches.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Ham and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Quick & Easy Weeknight Chili and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Gluten-Free brownie ice cream sandwiches.

Thursday
Breakfast: Avocado, Banana, and Almond Milk Smoothies.
Lunch: Crockpot Chicken Curry; steamed peas, steamed rice, and crystal light leftovers.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken meatballs, green beans, and quinoa.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies.

Friday
Breakfast: Pecan Cinnamon Muffins with almond milk and grapes.
Lunch: Ham, egg, and cheese sliders, with almond milk.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Paleo Pizza and crystal light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal, with Almond milk.
Lunch: Grilled cheese and almond milk.
Snacks: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies.

Sunday
Breakfast: Granola Cereal, with Almond milk.
Lunch: Paleo Zucchini Pasta with Spicy Shrimp Marinara and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Smoked chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and rolls.
Dessert: Neapolitan Strawberry Trifle.

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