January 2010

Let’s Green Our Homes

by Stacy on January 19, 2010

My passion for nature and drive to live as green as possible started at a very young age, you might even say it started before I was born. I like to think I was Eco, when Eco wasn’t cool – but that’s a different story (and one that I intend to tell you all about in a series of post in the near future). But today, I’d like to focus on something important that I think we should all try to the best of our abilities, and that’s making our home as green as possible.

You may not have cared too much about being eco-friendly or trying the next green craze, but I’ll bet that started to change the day you became a parent. Suddenly, you began to approach everyday items with a newfound perspective. I’ll bet you childproof certain cabinets in your home because of the harmful chemicals you’re storing inside them or that you restrict excess sugar and fat from you child’s diet because you know its unhealthy for them. I’m sure you’ve been concerned with all the lead found in children’s toys the last few years and you probably reuse particular items around your home for creative uses with or without even realizing it. If any of the above are true, then I’d like to help you take it to the next level. I’d like to make you aware of some of the negative impacts of our current routines and of many of the quick swaps we can make to change our habits. I’m of the belief that even the smallest steps make a big difference (think butterfly effect) and the more steps I take in the right direction, the brighter the future I can guarantee for my children, and isn’t that what we all really want for them? A bright future and a healthy planet for them to live it on.

In this segment, I will chronicle the steps I’m taking and the changes I’m making in my home to live a more natural, greener life. I’ll report my findings to you – total cost savings, long term benefits and time associated with each change. Hopefully, I’ll educate someone on something along the way and maybe even convince some of you to make a few changes in your life.

I know I’m not the only one on this personal mission and I welcome any and all of your methods towards living a greener life. If you’d like to do a guest post about the steps you’re taking at home or just a quick email/comment about what you’re doing – I’d love to hear each and every story!!

If you have an idea about a step you’d like me to try and then talk about, that’s cool too. I’m open for suggestions. If you represent a green company with a product that supports a greener lifestyle and would like to have it featured in this series. Great, I’m willing and eager to try the latest and greatest green living gizmos. Email kidsstuffworld@gmail.com to get the ball rolling. I’ve got a great list of products lined up – countertop water filtration systems, diy soda makers, green batteries, natural cleaners, IPhone Apps and several projects I’ve completed around my home that I’d also like to share with you.

Occasionally, you might see me talk about a tip you consider old news or common sense, but bear with me because the results of all of our actions (small steps remember) are going to surprise you!

Can’t wait to start this journey with you,

~ Stacy

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My Kind Of Prayer

by Stacy on January 12, 2010

I stumbled across this inspiring prayer from Illuminata: A Return to Prayer and thought you might find it as … uplifting, relevant, and sublime as I do.

Dear God,
I give this day to You.
May my mind stay centered
on the things of spirit.
May I not be tempted to stray from love
.
As I begin this day, I open to receive You
.
Please enter where You
already abide.
May my mind and heart be pure
and true, and may I not deviate
from the things of goodness
.
May I see the love
and innocence in all mankind, behnd the masks
we all wear and the illusion of this worldly plane.
I surrender to You
my doings this day.
I ask only that they serve You
and the healing of the world.
May I bring Your
love and goodness with me, to give unto others
wherever I go.
Make me the person You
would have me to be.
Direct my footsteps, and show me what You
would have me to do.
Make the world a safer, more beautiful
place.
Bless all Your
creatures.
Heal us all, and use me, dear Lord
, that I might know the joy of being
used by You
.
Amen
.

I hope it helps you, as it has helped me, to fill your days with love, patience, compassion and understanding ~ not only with your children, but with all of whom you come in contact. I’ve been stealing away a few quiet moments for myself each morning to think on this prayer an what it means to me. I’ve had extraordinary results in my home and believe sometimes all it takes to get the day moving in the right direction is a gentle reminder of all that we can achieve if we can just focus and concentrate on the moment we’re in Now.

[Thank you Oprah]

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Having Fun With Fashion

by Stacy on January 11, 2010

I’ve been having a blast doing some of my favorite things- shopping, getting to know some truly great women/mothers and getting a chance to revamp their wardrobes. I never dreamed my Free Wardrobe Consultations would be so rewarding and I can’t wait to get started on my next client. [Will it be you?] With any luck, I may even get the privilege to meet one of my sweetest readers face-to-face for a little shopping retreat. How cool is that?

Anyway, I thought I’d share with you a few of the outfits I’ve recommended for these hot mama’s and get the word out there that I’m on the market for a few new clients. Remember this is a FREE service so you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain from this experience.

These 1st two outfits were selected for Krystal, a lovely young mother preparing for a life in the ministry. Her style is a teensy bit Gap, a tiny bit J Crew and oh yeah, she prefers skirts that cover her knees. Since Krystal is caring for her young son most days, I tried to choose comfortable, modest clothing that showed off her gracious personality.

Boden at ShopStyle

A modern take on an American Classic – A flirty jean skirt and fitted cardigan

J. Jill at ShopStyle

Almost as comfy as your PJs – a soft suede boot, comfy sweater & surprising teal tight

Now, meet Meredith – Meredith is an up an coming VP and mother of two. Her wardrobe reflects her can-do attitude, approachable demeanor and southern charm.

Charlotte Russe at ShopStyle

An Unlikely Business Suit for the Busy Mom

J.Crew at ShopStyle

Laid Back Luxe, this look takes you from playdate to dinner date in a *snap*

For shopping info on these looks, leave a comment and let me know you’re interested. I’ll be happy to link up to all the items

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New Year, New Focus

by Stacy on January 9, 2010

I’m excited to report that thanks to my newfound commitment there are a lot of changes going on behind the scenes of KSW this month. I hope you’ll find all the new features as exciting and as enjoyable as I do.

Here are just a few of the new series making their debut on a monitor near you:

Greening Your Home -
Simple steps you can take to make your home a wholesome haven

Common Cents
No nonsense ways to save you money

Living Consciously
Being “in” the moment, cultivating a nourishing, healthful environment, eating deliciously, doing our part to leave lighter footprints on the planet

And
Much, Much More

More great new content coming soon …

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Thinking Out Loud

by Stacy on January 7, 2010

Dearest Readers,

I have a bit of a confession to make …..

Something that’s been troubling me for quite some time now ….

I haven’t been entirely open with you.

In fact, you might even say I’ve been holding back on you – keeping all my best thoughts and ideas to myself.

I feel like I owe you an apology. I’m sorry – sorry I haven’t put all my efforts and passions in to this site. You see, I started KSW eighteen months ago, with BIG plans and HUGE intentions. It was going to be something fun, something fresh, something personal, something wonderful. Together we were going to try new things, share our stories, and make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. But I let my inhibitions and fear of making mistakes get the best of me. I resisted sharing too much. Sure, I tested the waters, I dipped my feet, I tried ever so slightly to get a sense of what it would be like if I were to go all the way.

But the truth is, I’m a bit shy about putting myself out there, wearing my heart on my sleeve for each of you to see. I’m also afraid. Afraid, my ideas will not be good enough, my crafts will not be cute enough, my posts will not be witty enough, my pictures will not be creative enough.

I guess I’ve just been afraid of letting you get to know Me. For those of you who’ve followed for some time you may have noticed a change in the posts over the last two months. Slowly, they are becoming more personal. I credit this to the wonderful friendships I’ve made with many of you. I found a quote tonight, Friends are those with whom we feel comfortable enough to ‘think out loud‘. And I think it sums it up perfectly. The more I get to know you, the more we become friends instead of strangers the more comfortable I feel with each of you and the more I want to share with you.

From now on, I’m going to Think Out Loud. I’m going to fill my posts with my thoughts, my passions, my fears, my loves, my crazy ideas {CAUTION: I have tons of them}, all of it. And just see how it goes. It might not be perfect, it may not always be beautiful, but it will be Me.

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