School Night Hustle

Mom Hacks for a Stress- and Clutter-free After School Routine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KeepingMomsCool #CollectiveBias

Things around here have been a little insane. With the kids back at school and more activities than ever, we were legit struggling there for awhile. Between homework, extracurricular activities and informational school meetings, we had to get organized, and fast.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite mom hacks for school nights. These tips help keep my family on track so we have more time to do the things we love.

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Back to School Wardrobe for Girls

Back To School Capsule Wardrobe for Girls for $100

Earlier this week I posted my BTS capsule wardrobe for boys, and now I’m sharing my Back to school wardrobe for girls. It’s amazing what great pieces you can afford when you plan ahead and really envision how they will all work together to create multiple outfits. Here, I’ve put together 10 key pieces that work together create 10+ outfits, head to toe, for just around $100.*

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Review: Target Brookline Counter Stools

When I was shopping for stools for our new home, I wanted something that looked sophisticated, yet was comfortable and fairly inexpensive. I found what I was looking for in Target’s Brookline Counter Stools in Sandstone. But, buying furniture online is tough, and there weren’t many helpful reviews on this particular product – so I’m sharing mine here.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Price – The major reason I bought these stools was the price. They were the most inexpensive upholstered stools I could find that were available at counter height.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Color – Online, it was difficult to tell what I’d really be getting, but I’m happy with the neutral, slightly greige color to these stools.

Target Brookline Stools Review | Five Marigolds

Comfort – There is really no way to test these stools out. They have samples of 1-2 colors at my local target, but you can’t take them off the shelf to sit on them. So this was a gamble, too.  Overall, these are reasonably comfortable stools, with a nice cushion on the seat and back.

Durability – With three kids ages 2 through 7, I needed these to be fairly durable. I knew choosing a neutral upholstered chair would be a test on even the highest quality furniture, which is why I chose the least expensive stools that fit the style I was going for. That way, even if we destroy these, I reasoned I would learn my lesson with less to lose. My husband put these chairs together quickly and easily. If he found that one wobbled, he simply adjusted it until it was level. We then taped off the wood legs and I sprayed  two coats of Scotchgard over the next several hours.

Getting it done: I used painter tape and a garbage bag to protect the wood legs from the Scotchgard.

Getting it done: I used painter tape and a garbage bag to protect the wood legs from the Scotchgard.

The kids sit on these stools for breakfast, drawing and doing homework, but we don’t eat all of our meals here. However, they have had their fair share of food smears from sticky hands, and so far they’ve wiped clean every time, even if it takes a little fabric cleaner for the extra ground-in, dried messes.

Overall, we’ve been happy with these chairs. I hope this review helps anyone else who is on the hunt for new stools for their home!


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Tutu Birthday Party for my Two year-old

What could be better than a tutu birthday party for your little ballerina’s two year-old birthday?

For baby ‘Belle’s party, I wanted to do something that conveyed her love of dancing and tutus and looked special, but that was simple and inexpensive to put together.

First, for my $3 backdrop, I took 3 white plastic tablecloths from the dollar store for my backdrop.  I simple folded them in half length wise, then began rolling them up toward the fold. Once the cloth was rolled approximately 10″ from the fold, I began cutting the rolled tablecloth in strips approximately 3″ apart. Easy!Tutu Ballerina Birthday Party | Five Marigolds

I finished it off with the vintage bunting we re-use for the girls’ parties each year. I love how this small investment adds something special to every party we have for them.

Next, I layered the table with two tablecloths, sandwiched with some tulle. I had planned to make this an inexpensive “tutu tablecloth” but it didn’t quite turn out that way! No problem though – I still love the effect of the pink tulle as the focal point of the table. To finish it off, I placed the tablecloth over the top and bustled it at the center to better highlight the tulle.

Tutu Ballerina Birthday Party. | Five Marigolds

Finally, I placed a trifle bowl upside down and I placed her own baby tutu around the bowl. Then, I just placed the cake on top. Tutu Ballerina Birthday Party. | Five Marigolds

I’d ordered a the cake to looks similar this:

Frilly Cake

So, I was a little disappointed in the finished result from my local Target bakery.However, I really can’t complain for such an inexpensive cake…and really it looks so cute when it’s all propped out with this gold “2” candle and bunting.

Tutu Ballerina Birthday Party. | Five Marigolds

We served ballerina punch, pink Jelly Bellys and dipped marshmallows for a birthday-worthy sugar buzz.

I hope you like ‘Belle’s tutu party fit for a two year-old ballerina. Thanks for stopping by!

Tutu Birthday Party | Five Marigolds

12+ Back To School Outfits for less than $165

12+ Back To School Outfits for less than $165


Shop your Closet for Inexpensive Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins

Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins

 

Shop your own closet for this Mary Poppins Halloween costume, or shop a similar look here:

 

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