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A Comprehensive Guide to Surviving Back to School

It’s time for school bells to start ringing again! My children went back on August 1st, and when I tell you the nap I took on Friday was epic. I think the mix of getting back up at 5a and running non-stop throughout the day caught up with me.

Next week adds in the hustle and bustle of activities so I think it’s safe to say I should schedule another epic nap for next Friday.

Back to school comes with so many moving parts, from clothes and supplies shopping to getting back in the groove of a schedule that you haven’t been following for a few months. Honestly, things can get overwhelming.

I’m here to help, sis. Here is a list of various links that will help you pull it all together from heat and eat breakfast options, to checklists your child(ren) can use to ready themselves for the school day.

Use what you need, and have a great school year! We got this.

ORGANIZATION

Purging and Organizing Children’s Clothing

5 Tips for Getting Organized for Back to School

Child-Friendly Daily Checklist

DIY Closet Dividers

Creating a Back to School Morning Routine

RECIPES + SNACKS

Gluten Free Lunch Ideas

Make Ahead Egg Muffins

Easy Breakfast Smoothie

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

One Pot Dinner

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Monogrammed Bookbags, Napmats, and Lunchboxes

Here’s to a great school year, wishing you and your children all the best!

natural deodorant reviews
Beauty Feature Living

The Natural Deodorant Learning Curve

My friends at Nubian Heritage sent me their new aluminum free deodorant line. I’m happy to share it with you!

I’m going to keep it all the real, the first time I tried natural deodorant, I was like nope, this isn’t going to work. Sis was funky, not to mention I was sweating under my arms… like could feel the water dripping sweating, and it was driving me absolutely crazy.

After reading up on the dangers of aluminum found in traditional deodorants I decided to give it another try, but I still drink soda. I’m still not completely comfortable with the “sweatiness” under my arms but I’m getting used to it. To be honest, I keep an extra deodorant in my car and purse along with some wipes for the days when the sweatiness needs a little readjustment. However, I will say I’ve had to dip in the secret stash less and less as my body adjusts.

I’ve heard similar sentiments from other people who have made the switch, and “can’t do it”. Nubian Heritage sent me a few samples from their aluminum-free 24 hour deodorant line and they enclosed a few tips on making the transition from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. Had I known a few of these tips when I was starting my transition, I may not have started over, and over, and over again.

Nubian Heritage has quite an assortment of scents in their aluminum free line, my faves are African Black Soap and Coconut & Papaya. You can find them at Walmart or online at NubianHeritage.com

natural deodorant review

Listen, I’m not saying these tips will make the transition easier, but at least you’ll know to push through and things will get better.

  • Be okay with sweating! Yes, you read that right, especially under the arms. It is your body’s way of releasing toxins and helps cool your body.
  • Wear natural fibers like cotton and silk. When the temps are high, these fabrics will keep you cool.
  • Drink a lot of water when transitioning. It will flush your system, and keep you hydrated.
  • You know your body best, however, it is recommended you not wear deodorant for a few days to give your body time to rid itself of the aluminum before moving to a natural deodorant.
  • Use a clay mask on your underarm area once a week to remove dead skin that can trap odor.
  • Be patient, give your body time to adjust. You may experience more sweating during the transition but after 2-3 weeks you should return to feeling normal.

Feature Living

Scenes from the Summer

Time sure flies when you’re having fun. This summer has been one for the books. Graduations, the beach, travel, tubing, family reunion, birthday parties…

Ya girl is tired.

I’m finally slowing down into back to school mode, in a little over a week my kids head back to school. For once I’m ahead of the crowds, all of our school shopping is done, down to the supplies.

DONE. (it’s July 22nd)

Here’s what we’ve been up to all summer:

We kicked it off with a full family photo shoot. We haven’t had one of these in nearly 10 years, my niece and her babies were missing, but this is the closest we’ve been to having everyone in the same state at once, thanks to my niece’s graduation.

A few days later we hit the road to go to Florida to celebrate my oldest daughter’s graduation.

Then we slid over to the beach.

Then there were new shoes for me for Mother’s Day. I wouldn’t get them for myself, so he did. I love them.

Then my bestie turned 40 so we did it 90’s style.

We finished the garden.

We had lots of evening with friends, eating ice cream, visiting the bookstore, and tons of random things that make for the best summer memories.

I’m looking forward to having more fun on the weekends as we move into the school year. Now that things are slowing down again, you can expect to see more content around here… well that’s the plan!

I’ve uploaded a new vlog of the weekend we went tubing. I’d love to have you subscribe to my YouTube channel!

How’s your summer going?! Are you ready for back to school?

Living

Following Your Heart + A Free Printable

I don’t know what it is about affirmations that get me right in the feels. I have a whole board of them on Pinterest, there are tons of screenshots on my phone, and the ones I really like, I memorize.

I’ll even say they hit different, just like a good sermon when you are at a crossroads and looking for a little confirmation.

I’ve made a decision to move forward with ANOTHER big change in my life. And no, it’s not a divorce and my marriage is fine. It’s time for my next assignment and while I’m not ready to reveal what that means just yet, I saw this affirmation on my Instagram Stories and it was a confirmation of a confirmation that I’m ready.

I’m not sure who created the quote, there was no attribution when I saw it… in a nutshell, I’m not the genius that said this.

In lieu of a vision board this year, I decided to go with a vision wall. I haven’t been pressed to fill it up, I figured as I saw things that inspired me, I would give them a space on the wall, likely at times switching a few things out.

This quote deserved some wall real estate so I took to Canva to make a nice image that I would love to share with you, hoping that it speaks to you as much as it did to me!

If you would like a copy, download it HERE!