I think that one thing that people might get the impression of from influencers or bloggers is that we are either: A: great moms at everything, or B: think we are great at all things.  In my case that couldn’t be further from the truth.  In the past nearly 7 years I have learned that one of the biggest things I have to do to make our family work well is choose my battles. Picking your battles as a mom isn’t always easy, but let me tell you – its NEEDED.  Today as the last week in the summer blog series I did with Navy, 10 moms are talking about perfectionism as a mom.  This has been a fun topic because that was taken so differently by each of us.  When you finish reading my post be sure to check all of their posts!

What do I mean by ‘Picking your battles as a mom’?

There are things that are non negotiables for me as a mom.  Things that if I don’t hold myself to, and my kids to I wouldn’t be happy.  There are also things that I thought as a mom I would be amazing at and now that I am here in the thick of it – I just can’t bring myself to care ha. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that choosing your battles as a mom has to mean you just completely forget about certain aspects of life, but I think you have to find your strengths, stick to them and be okay with not being the amazing mom on other things. 

Battles I will ALWAYS fight:

• A clean house and put- away toys.  My house will always be clean every night when I go to bed. Toys will be cleaned up in rooms that are NOT the playroom – aka the basement. For me this is so important, and how I want to see our household run. Due to this being so important I will also add that my kids do not need much reminder so the battle is fairly easy too. 
• Manners.  I remind my kids OVER AND OVER on things with manners.  Sometimes this looks like a helicopter mom, but I want polite children.  For me that is important. 
• Safety things in the house. Things like no running or no standing on furniture and such.  I definitely am hard on my kids in this regard, but for me its a safety concern, so I stick to it. 
• Bedtime/nap time.  I think sleep is important for all.  I also think my kids getting to bed at a good time is important for Sam and myself to get time together.  I don’t let that time slide.

Lets be honest – this is a small sample of things I hold tight to and battle daily, but gives you some idea!

Battles I no longer Fight

• Food.  I never thought I would be a short order chef.  I also never thought I would not do a nice meal from Pinterest every night.  But I don’t.  We do lots of mishmash meals where the kids eat what they want.  I don’t worry about things being SUPER healthy.  They like only a few veggies.  I do make sure they have a well balanced meal, but meal time is just not my battle. 
• Chores – I try A LOT to start chore charts with my kids.  They each have one or 2 small tasks they do daily right now, but I don’t think they really qualify as chores.  I realized that I run such a tight ship in so many ways that thats not where I want to lay into them right now. 
• The playroom – I let the kids DESTROY.  We pick up toys 2 ish times a week, and that is it.  I keep the rest of our house SO tidy that I don’t want them thinking they can’t live in that area.
• Kids bed’s being made – I always assumed I would make my kids beds daily, but right now while my kids still nap or rest  I haven’t worried about it.  Now ours is made DAILY. 

I am a hot mess at the kids school.  I have forgotten costumes, special days, special treats, and so on.  I think really what I am trying to get at with this post, is PICK YOUR OWN BATTLES as a mom.  Figure out what rules and things can’t be battled daily for your own sanity, and let those things go.  Know that all moms are doing that.  Know that no mom is killing it in every way.  We all have areas of life that we are great at and areas that we aren’t, and that is okay!  And most importantly remember to lift up other moms.  Be their cheerleaders and help them.  Show love and grace not hate and judgey eyes!

Check out these ladies posts!

Navy  |  Kate  |  Holly  |  Alia   |  Jen  |  Theresa  |  Susannah  | 

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I have gotten so much great feedback from my followers on Instagram concerning my free printable weekly cleaning lists that I thought it was probably time to update them and bring them back to the blog.  I first talked about them here in this post, but have since changed them a bit.  For me,  I clean my house every 2 weeks, but there are some spaces that I don’t need to touch every time, landing me with these lists. 

Once you’re done here, be sure you check out this post that has a spring DEEP CLEANING list that you might find helpful. 

This post contains affiliate links 

How and Why I use the Lists

Okay, so I started making these when my third was little and I was working more.  It started to become apparent that cleaning was a joint chore for my husband and I, and I needed a list each time.   Now I keep these lists on these boards in our laundry room and I pull them down on cleaning day.  It allows my husband and I to share tasks without me asking.  I personally keep one list for every Sunday, a weekly (which for us is every other week use), and a monthly list.  The monthly list is used WITH the weekly list one time per month. 

One thing to note is that I laminate mine. I have THIS laminator and seriously it’s the best investment. I just use a dry erase marker on my lists each week. Once the cleaning is done I write the date for 2 weeks out (typically we clean on Wednesdays so I write that date on the list). 

Free Printable Weekly Cleaning Lists

Below you can download and print all 3 lists for your own use.  Another option if you have more specific needs is to use them as an idea for making your own lists. Some of my followers have done that, and I think it is a great idea!  If you have any questions on the cleaning lists just let me know in the comments.

I personally have slightly different lists than below because I have made mine super specific for my family. 

Free Printable Weekly Cleaning List 

Download Here For Weekly List 

Free Printable Monthly (Deeper cleaning) List 

Download Here for Monthly List

Sunday Night Checklist 

Download Here for Sunday Checklist

Welcome back for another week of the summer blog series with Navy and myself.  This has been such a fun series of blog posts, asking several bloggers to weigh in on the same topic each week, while we get to know our readers and followers better!  This week we are all writing on the idea of self care.  Is it important?  What does it look like for you?  I will touch on that, but also really wanted to share 10 free Self care ideas for moms while I am at it.  Momming is expensive, and quite frankly, sometimes it feels like self care comes with added financial stress, so hopefully thats helpful.

The Whole Idea of Self Care

Self care, especially for moms, has become a big thing recently.  Sometimes I wonder why things like this become big, and have to take a step back and make sure its a ‘needed’ movement, not just a trendy one.  But I really do think that life is hard, and busy, and with the pressure of constantly being under the social media spotlight (that goes for EVERYONE), self care is needed.  

I am honestly not great at what everyone thinks of as self care.  I think the popular idea of it is nails or hair getting done and such, and for me I don’t enjoy those things very much.  I am constantly trapped with time constraints and busy schedules, so for me self care is not fully scheduled.   That is okay.  Self care is not about doing what is expected, it is about doing what you need to do to fill back up your cup, and replenish you so you can be a better mom, wife, employee, or whatever it is.

How I enjoy Self  Care

For me self care is typically solo errands.  I love getting out of the house alone for a little bit.  Aside from that I also love being IN my home alone for a bit, so I think one of the number one ways I am recharged is if my husband takes my kids to do an activity or the gym for a couple of hours.  Silence for me is so needed, so I turn off the tvs, many times I even turn off all music and do whatever.  Sometimes I work.  Sometimes I clean, sometimes I do very little, but doing it in silence while I enjoy my home is really therapeutic for me. 

I also see self care as things we squeeze into our day to day.  So in our house, one thing is that I get ready (I mean BARELY) before I come down in the morning.  That means that 90% of the time I get ready for the day without kids hanging on me which helps me start my day.  I also LOVE plain iced coffee from Starbucks.  For so many thats an expensive habit, but for me, I would rather that little trip through the drive through than getting my hair done every six weeks.  So I spend that money all broken up.  

For me getting my hair cut ( its been 2.5 years) isn’t self care.  Its something I need to go do to maintain myself.  The same goes for nails.  So don’t think when you hear ‘self care’ it has to be that.  

10 Free Self Care Ideas for Moms

So on the ideas of self care, lets talk about some ways you can do some free self care for yourself and refill your tank.  Below are 10 free self care ideas for moms that are maybe less conventional!

1. A long bath (with a drink of your choice – maybe coffee, maybe wine?).  To me slipping into a bath uninterrupted is basically my number one way to recharge!
2. Run solo errands, or go window shopping on your own.  
3. Go for a walk alone or with a girlfriend with no kids!
4. Get creative.  If you are a crafter or creator, slip away and work on a craft with some of your supplies!
5. TAKE A NAP
6. Go to the gym – so for me this is an option I can do WITH my kids.  I drop them off in childcare and I’m able to get an hour or 2 to myself.  I definitely think if you have a membership its a good way to get some self care time. 
7. Relax with a book or a magazine
8. Ask your spouse for a massage.  Alright it might not be FULLY free…but close hahaha.
9. Pamper yourself at home – nails, face mask, anything that makes you feel better.
10. Watch a movie or show that you like.  I love pouring a glass of wine and watching a good chick flick!

What do others think of self care?

So as mentioned at the start of this post, self care looks different and has a different level of importance for so many of us.  To read what the other ladies have to say about it check out their posts!

Navy  |  Chelsee  |  Jen  |  Liz  |  Aryn  |  Nicole  |  Noelle  |  Cait  |  Hannah

To find this post later, pin the image below, and remember to use these free self care ideas for moms!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chuck E. Cheese’s . The opinions and text are all mine.

When was the last time you were at Chuck E. Cheese?  I had only been one other time before this week, because growing up there wasn’t one in our town.  But I was told that they had teamed up with CAULIPOWER and added a new cauliflower-based pizza to their menu, so we decided to head there and try it out.   If you don’t follow me on Instagram then you maybe haven’t seen the many attempts and purchases my husband and I have made with cauliflower crust pizza….we are very committed to trying every version and recipe haha.  You guys the night DID NOT DISAPPOINT.  Seriously it was so much fun for everyone.  Read the rest of this to see what we thought of Chuck E. Cheese new cauliflower-based pizza and how the night was with 3 kids running around!

Week Night Fun

One of our biggest struggles this summer has been finding fun, indoor activities that are fun for just a couple of hours or less.  Walker still goes to bed at 7pm so to fit in dinner, and fun after work isn’t alway super easy.  And this pregnant mama can’t handle him staying up late on the daily.   So when this opportunity came up from Chuck E. Cheese we were so excited.  It actually was amazing because when we first arrived we ordered our pizzas and game cards, and set up at a table in the younger kid section.  The kids played while we waited on our pizza, then we ate and they played some more.  Never did I have to move my stuff,  and it was so nice having a booth RIGHT THERE.  All in all I think we were probably there for 1.5 hours or so (maybe an hour and 15) and when we left the kids were grinning ear to ear, dinner had been handled and everyone was exhausted.  MOM WIN. 

Chuck E. Cheese cauliflower-based pizza and the rest of the menu

Like I said, we went ahead and ordered pizza as soon as we arrived.  I ordered both a cauliflower-based crust pizza, as well as a regular pizza.  Both pepperoni, for a couple of reasons.  A – hungry kids and I wasn’t chancing them turning their nose up.  and B – I wanted to be able to report back to you guys if my VERY picky eaters even noticed which was which.  The answer is no.  They just dove into whichever pizza they could reach fastest.  

Honestly the only real indicator to me as an adult is that if you haven’t ever had a cauliflower crust pizza, there is a slight smell of cauliflower.  So my nose told me which one I was eating, but I couldn’t taste a difference, which was amazing.  In the Chuck E. Cheese cauliflower based crust, cauliflower is the #1 ingredient, making it packed with vitamins, and honestly a miracle that my super picky kids ate it.  But it made me feel so much better about a fun night out with dinner on the go!

The Chuck E. Cheese 10 inch Super Cauli Crust Pizza, powered by CAULIPOWER, starts at just $8.99 with toppings for $1.49 each.   I loved that it was still super affordable ( and still a place you can take anyone because they still offer their traditional crust and gluten free crusts if you prefer!).

The menu also boasts lots of drink options…including beer for you moms and dads!  (only a month until I can join in on that action again…but who’s counting haha).  There is also a salad bar option which looked amazing with a super great selection, so its truly a good plan to grab a full meal. 

Overall we had so much fun.  The games were set up sort of in an “older kid” and “younger kid” way, so we were able to mostly stay on the younger kid side and just enjoy our evening.  If you are looking for a fun week night activity once school is back in, or a way to beat the heat this summer head in for games and a vitamin packed dinner.  And if you are interested in trying the pizza and don’t have time to make it into Chuck E. Cheese, try out their Super Cauli Crust Pizza for delivery thru DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub! (aka my fav way to eat).

If you have any questions about our fun night there, leave me a comment below!! 

Although I truly can’t believe its been another week, here we are on another week of our Summer Blog Series.  Incase you haven’t been following along, my girl Navy and I are hosting a series of blog posts this summer where 8 other ladies (so 10 total) write on the same topic.  Different ladies, different topic each week.  This week we are writing on a topic that was requested in Instagram stories on balancing social media and blogging in our marriages and family.   That’s a big topic for sure, so I decided to write about social media and marriage.  I wrote about balancing being a work from home mom and that side of things already in this post, so be sure to read that one too!

When Social Media is your Job

Social media is hard on marriage. There is no other way to put that.  Pretty much everyone in my age bracket has social media, or maybe its phone games, or whatever it might be at their finger tips.  Having a handheld distraction is not easy.  Sam and I have definitely gone through our fair share tiffs concerning phone usage, MOSTLY on my front.  I will say that in some ways that has gotten easier because now social media is my job. That might sound weird but for us it’s true.

I probably don’t spend that much more time on my phone than I did prior to doing this job as far as social media.  (I definitely am on my computer more tho).  I think the difference is that now my social media surfing serves a purpose, and is also something I WANT TO SHUT OFF from time to time.  But I do want to sort of preface the rest of this blog post with that.  I think there is this common misconception that bloggers or influencers live on their phones, but the reality of it is, it isn’t always much more than the average person in todays day and age. 

Designate Times away

I talked about this a couple of weeks ago, but one way that I try really hard to balance social media and my marriage (as well as my relationships with others) is to put it away from time to time.  You will notice that I am not a blogger that doesn’t tons of stories all day every day.  I find if I have put my phone down I am less likely to get sucked in.

If I have plans in the evening I do what I need to do social media wise in the morning, or vise versa.  Also don’t get me wrong – that is only possible about 90% of the time.  There are social things that get interrupted at times.  But there are also social things that are interrupted by my husbands job at times.  I think we know we both try to balance that as best we can, and thats really all that matters. 

I also pretty much take every Friday off.  Sam and I do date night nearly every Friday ( I talk about that here).  For us that has been vital for our own mental sanity as well as our marriage.  Because of that I try to make Fridays a day where I don’t focus on work.  If I am on Instagram its for enjoyment, and when we go on date night I TRY to keep my phone put away.  

  One reason I actually got an Apple Watch was because I wanted to be able to go on date night and keep my phone in my purse on silent and still know if our sitter needed me.  Because otherwise I found myself laying it on the table and when it is right there its very tempting.  Remembering that there is literally nothing you’re ever going to miss that will cause backlash In your life thats on your phone, but the same can not be said about the people you are with is important. 

Be On the Same Page 

If social media or phones are an issue, or could become one in your marriage be on the same page.  ASK your spouse if there are certain times that it bothers them to see you on your phone.  TRY to be mindful of that and respect one another.  I think one thing that is so funny about 99% of the marriages I have seen  is that almost all of them have one person who is more into social media than the other.

My husband hardly has it at all.  But he watches videos, reads the news, and listens to pod casts all the time.  To me these are the same things. (aka distractions from the people around us that are at his finger tips).  IN NO WAY is he has bad about it as me, but he still has his ‘bad habits’ when it comes to his phone.  I think over the years we have become aware that our phone usage is different but not necessarily worse than the other ones.  (mine is definitely worse but still haha). 

Don’t Keep Secrets

Social media also has a way of being able to become a bad place in a marriage due to secrets.  This is just personal for Sam and I, and although I haven’t ever checked his and he has never checked mine (except the 2 million times I ask him to get on my Instagram for work related help), it would never phase me for him to be on my phone and social media accounts and he knows that.  I also feel the same about him.  I have posted photos for him on his Instagram when he got confused (total old man), and never would that make him worried.  I think when your phones aren’t a space where you feel your spouse is getting away from you it makes it less damaging. 

Keeping social media just as honest as any other area of your life will allow for social media and your phone to have a lot less of an issue in your marriage. 

I know those pieces of advice might not be amazing.  We are trailblazers on having social media be a part of our families.  But it isn’t going anywhere.  So talk about it and be on the same page so that it doesn’t become something thats a negative part of your marriage. 

Check Out the Other Bloggers This Week

Navy   |  Jen  |  Alex  |  Liz  |  Kilee  |  Chelsae  

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Fashion is most definitely not why most of you follow me or read my blog.  Not to say I don’t think I dress well, but I definitely have more fun dressing my kids and my home.  That said, there is one sale that I always LOVE – the Nordstrom Anniversary sale.  The reason every blogger, fashion enthusiast, and basically just everyone LOVES this sale is because this isn’t items going on sale as an end of season sale, but instead great items that are going to be hot looks for the season that you can get ahead of time on sale.

This post contains affiliate links – I always appreciate when you shop my links!

Other Anniversary sale posts for THIS YEARS SALE!

KIDS FASHION (update coming soon!) |  BABY GEAR (update coming soon!) |  HOME

Shop Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Women’s Fashion

1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7 | 8  | 9 | 10  | 11  | 12 | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16 | 17  | 18  | 19  |

20 | 21 | 22 |

1.  Collarless Quilt Jacket – this feels like one of those pieces that insantly elevates any outfit
2.  Longline Cardigan  – a new carline staple for me
3.  Water Resistant Neoprene Belt Bag
4.  Faux Leather Leggings– these are just great. Wear them with converse or flats, sweaters or blouses.
5.  Reversible Wool and Cashmere Poncho
6.  Packable Hooded Jacket – great for traveling to a cool destination
7.  Mini Stud Earrings
8.  Polarized Ray-Ban Phantos
9.  Pink Cotton Blend Crew Neck
10.  Space Dye Cardigan
11.  Water Resistant Chelsea Boot – the perfect hybrid of classic Chelsea boot and the biker boot trend
12.  Faux Suede Bootie
13.  Madewell Set of 3 Necklaces– literally goes with everything
14.  Striped Strap Transport Tote– I love the striped strap update to this classic bag
15.  Open Toed Mule – the ideal flirty fall shoe
16.  Barefoot Dream Sock Set– IYKYK
17.  Ruffle Minidress
18.  Straight Leg Overalls
19.  Hooded Tie Waist Cardigan
20. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – this is the perfect beginner skincare item.  I started using it nightly and my skin loved me for it.
21.  Slide Sandal
22.  Ugg Shearling Slipper

Other Posts You’ll Love

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks for the Home  |  Dining Room Rug Size Guide  |  Mom Bag Essentials 

Pin This Photo Below For Later

I hope you found some great basics to complete your wardrobe! ​​Be sure to pin the photo below for later, and if you don’t already – follow me on Instagram (@arinsolange) and Tik Tok (@arinsolange) for more decor tips!

If you missed the other Nordstrom sale posts, I will be updating these for the entire time the sale is running.  This page is covering Kids fashion picks.  I am sure if you follow me on Instagram then you know I love kids fashion.  I always buy my kids some of their staple items for the up coming school year during this sale, so will be posting all of those items below!

 The Nordstrom Anniversary sale starts July 12 for Nordstrom Card holders, and opens to all on July 19 – Aug 4.  The reason every blogger, fashion enthusiast, and basically just everyone LOVES this sale is because this isn’t items going on sale as and end of season sale, but instead great items that are going to be hot looks for the season that you can get ahead of time on sale. 

Other categories from THIS YEARS SALE

Women’s Fashion  |   Kids and Baby Gear  |  Home

Kids Fashion Picks

I will post shoppable pictures below of items that I am loving from the sale this year in the KIDS FASHION arena.  Be sure to check out the posts linked above for other categories!

Its time for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, and I am so excited to share so many of my favorite items this years sale.  This post will be devoted to my favorite baby gear picks from the sale this year, and I am hopefully going to share some items that will also be on my baby registry post in the next couple of weeks.    The Nordstrom Anniversary sale starts July 12 for Nordstrom Card holders, and opens to all on July 19 – Aug 4.  

The great thing about this sale is so much of it is up and coming amazing new products and fashion verses things that are phasing out.  The Nordstrom sale is almost always one of the best times to get some of the bigger items you will want for baby, including strollers and such, so I will be sure to share those picks here. 

To shop other categories from THIS YEARS SALE click a category below

Womens Fashion  |  Kids fashion  |  Home

Shop Baby Gear Below

Home decor is definitely my favorite thing.  And alt ought it is a small part of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I wanted to be sure to share a few of the best home picks from this years sale!

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale started earlier this year for Nordstrom Card holders, but it is open to the public now!  The reason every blogger, fashion enthusiast, and basically just everyone LOVES this sale is because this isn’t items going on sale as an end of season sale, but instead great items that are going to be hot looks for the season that you can get ahead of time on sale. 

Keep an eye out for updates in the categories below for the 2022 sale, but in the meantime you can shop items previously on sale.  And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to get the latest posts.

Baby gear  |  Kids Fashion  |  Women’s Fashion

Shop Home Picks 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

1. Viking Professional 10-Piece 5-Ply Satin Finish Cookware Set – if you’re looking to upgrade, this is an impressive set
2. Serving bowl – this can pull double duty as a serving bowl and also a display piece on the kitchen island with some fruit inside
3. Electric Kettle – this would look so trendy sitting out on your stove top, even if it is electric!
4. Marble + Acacia Cake Stand
5. Hand towel – my favorite color, would be sweet in a powder bath
6. Cruiser Deluxe Turntable
7. Barefoot Dreams Blanket – in case you live under a rock and haven’t heard, this is the softest blanket ever
8. Stemless Wine Glasses
9. Bath Towel Set – impress your mother in law when she visits with this beautiful set
10. Alpaca Print – the perfect addition to a sweet nursery or playroom
11. Earthy Abstract Print – this color palette is gorgeous and versatile
12. Linen and Cotton Apron – this would make me feel like the matriarch in a Nancy Meyers movie
13. Striped Comforter and Sham Set
14. Striped Sham
15. Blue Accent Pillow
16. Blush Accent Pillow
17. Jewelry Portfolio – perfect for travel
18. Vegan Leather Weekender – I’ve got another vegan leather weekender, and I’m constantly impressed by how well it has held up and how soft it is
19. 32 oz Hydro Flask
20. Beach Framed Art

I, of course, love this sale to grab some items for myself. But, I really love this sale to grab some great gifts at great prices. So many of these items tend to round out my gift guides, so if you think you want to gift anything in the sale this year, I’d encourage you to grab it while it is on sale and in stock.

Other Posts You’ll Love

June Amazon Best Sellers | Amazon Home Items You’ll Love | Girls Nursery Decor

Pin This Photo Below For Later

 Hopefully this helped you find the best shower wall material ideas. Be sure to pin the photo below for later, and if you don’t already – follow me on Instagram (@arinsolange) and Tik Tok (@arinsolange) for more helpful hints, and if you have any questions leave them in the comments below and I will get back to you!