​Hello Friends!

I'm so excited to share this with you; I'm busting at the seams and, if I'm honest, a little trepidacious. I've had this idea of creating a workshop for girls 9-13 called #beyourselfie for a very long time, and it is finally coming to fruition. 

In my last blog, How the Faster Way to Fat Loss plan has changed My Mental Mindset I mentioned how pre-planning meals turned out to be a massive help in keeping me on track with my journey in the Faster Way to Fat Loss program (FWTFL). It's taken a little experimentation to find easy low-carb recipes that fit for our family, and honestly, some of them my kids will never be fans of, but those are some of my favorites, so I continue to include them in my meal prep. I'll share them all here. 

​Several years ago, my sister and our two best friends decided to do a 39-mile walk for breast cancer. To participate, we had to each raise 1500.00 dollars.  My daughter was four, and I had made her DIY hats and bows to match almost every outfit in her closet. I had the supplies, and I'd become pretty efficient at whipping these pretties up for her, so I decided to make them and do custom orders to help raise my admission to the walk. 

My daughter is now 14, and I have no control over dressing her; she likes to insert her style opinions to me now. I was re-organizing my art studio and found an entire tote of beanies and hats. I also unveiled a whole box of yo-yo's made from vintage fabrics, a shoebox of hankies gifted to me by someone, and an entire bag of vintage broaches and baubles. 

I can't believe I'm about to share my Faster Way To Fat Loss (FWTFL) journey with all of you but this post is my commitment to myself to maintaining a positive mental mindset and eventually to share my before and afters…EVENTUALLY :) In the meantime, I feel compelled to share in what I truly believe may be the best, easiest and transformational way to create a lifelong healthy lifestyle with lots of support but honestly not a lot of complicated processes. Really! I promise. 

Summer parties are our jam! Each year we invite our team members from all of our companies as well as our sub-contractors and other business partners and their families for a day to Flamingle with each other. Read on to get all of our Creative Directors ideas and resources to help you plan your very own outdoor flamingle fun!

You can create invitations to print or email/text easily by using the free Canva app like we did for this party or if you would rather have someone else create them for you try Minted. We love the variety, quality and overall look of their designs. Check them out here!

​As the world has recently found out, it is entirely possible for some industries and positions to go remote without a significant decrease in productivity. And many professionals, including those in creative services and information technology, may find that they are more efficient when they are not distracted by the constant clamor of the office. If you’ve found yourself suddenly working from home, and your home is a small space, keep reading for ideas on how to make your home office the best room in the house.

In light of the recent disruptions in our regular schedules and temporary adjustments our hope is that Dave and I can spread joy and help you create meaningful memories during the coming days with your family. We feel this is an opportunity, not a crisis, or a need to panic but a chance to bond and connect at home with our four teens. We hope you will too. ​

Along with our teens at the onset of our quarantine we created a very long list of things we could do no matter if we were stuck at home or not. We’ve been checking them off each day and it has been so fun. You can find our list here.

As I was searching ideas I pulled up our “kiddos” board on Pinterest. This is 10 years worth of this mama, a lover of arts, crafts and learning pinning, pinning and pinning.

With so many friends with younger kiddos I wanted to share some favorites from the collection. Almost all our ideas for our Covid-Quarantine family learning fun can be found on our board but we are creating a list of those links for you here too to make it easy peasy.

We spent the greater part of last summer interviewing cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. Why? Well, after countless individuals approached us saying they missed steak nights and looked forward to a ride on the RRVT or the backroads to Adel to enjoy an inexpensive evening out with some fun and entertainment to boot, we gave it careful consideration, rallied some of the best collaborators and STEAK NIGHT was resurrected.

I love Thanksgiving and look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. These entertaining tricks will help make your Friendsgiving insanely fun and easy to create. If you missed the article in the Living Magazines here you go! Plus photos for some inspiration!!!

I have a confession. I have an aversion to using traditional colors when decorating for fall, but changing the color scheme each year can get pricey. So I include DIY projects that are quick using what I have on hand in my design plan. This month I’ll share 3 easy projects to infuse fall into your home for just a few dollars.

PAINTED PUMPKINS
This year I chose a color palette of navy, pink, gray, ivory and hints of caramel. I dug out last years painted pumpkins I bought at the dollar store, picked up a $3.98 can of pink spray paint and transformed dozens of pumpkins to work into my plan.
I pulled the stems out before painting and when the pumpkins were dry I tucked a piece of jute underneath the stem and continued to hot glue it around the stem.
Supplies:
Styrofoam pumpkins Spray Paint
Jute & glue gun (optional)
And here is a little bonus for you. While I like to peruse the aisles at Dollar Tree, I often don't have the time and when I put my mind to a project I want to get my ducks in a row. DT now has an even online craft supply inventory than in the stores so be sure to check out what they offer below. 
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As school gets back into full swing this month I find myself at least attempting to get my ducks in a row. I was perusing our Clean and Organize Pinterest board for inspiration and stumbled upon many timesaving hacks we’ve tried and tested that I thought I’d share them with you. They work!

Mid-Century Modern architecture speckled post-war suburbia throughout much of the 1950s and 60s and beyond, Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, credited as the driving force behind the movement, designed homes flat roofs, expansive windows, and multi-functional aspects built into the interiors.

You can see Wright’s work across Iowa, including the Paul J. and Ida Trier house built in 1958 in the heart of Johnston. The Usonian style home, coined by Wright as a simple, stylish, small house designed for the middle class is a perfect example of clean lines, functionality and creative uses for every usable space.

Freddie Mercury may have the best definition of the Boho design style we will explore this month. The word bohemian originated in France in the early nineteenth century and defined the lifestyle of Gypsies. Writers, artists, and musicians often made up this group. Rebelling against social norms, they embraced living a more easy come, easy go, vagabond lifestyle for their art. 

​I have to admit I was a skeptic when I heard all the hype about Keto diets. How could you possibly lose weight eating all that FAT? But sure-o-nuf it works. One of my favorite resources is I Eat Keto. This guy is Keto-King in my opinion. Honestly, this site and Suzanne Ryan's book Simply Keto were my go-to for research on the why and how of Keto. The bonus is there is page after page of tasty and easy recipes in both places. 

**UPDATE: Ladies, to compliment Suzanne's book you may want to check out Keto For Women by Leanne Vogel. She really nails the entire benefits and options for anyone wanting to try a Keto lifestyle. You can buy it here or check it out on the link below. 

I’ve tried various diet plans to no avail but living a healthy lifestyle with some Keto elements works for our family and me. As I mentioned before I am not a lover of counting macros in detail, so I tried The Faster Way to Fat Loss plan and found it to be spot on in making tracking SOOO much easier. I do keep track of my net carbs per day and try NEVER to go over them. This one is non-negotiable, and while I seem to comfortably stay within my calorie range, the challenge to date is reaching my daily goal for proteins and fats. To learn more about my specific plan you can check out my blog titled How the Faster Way to Fat Loss Plan Changed my Mental Mindset. 

It’s a work in progress. Here is a little peek into my journey.

Last month we talked about identifying your design style. We promised to focus on popular styles over the coming months to help refine the look you aspire to achieve. 

If you answered the style quiz and found you are drawn to warm, calming, neutral colors Prefer clean lines mixed with cozy elements. If you find happiness and comfort by blending the old with the new, while combining practical function, then the modern farmhouse style might be right for you. ​

We are a busy family on the go juggling two households, in two states, with four kids. We believe in shopping local whenever we can and we do. But sometimes we just  need help! And we know we aren't alone.

​So this year Dave and I committed to simplify. In just about as many ways as you can dream of we are doing it.  If you haven't read our blog on getting ORGANIZED, check it out. It's a real glimpse into what I'm talking about, and how I personally kicked off the year...from Chaos to Calm! We all need it. Right?

I don't know about you but I'm loving these paint colors for sooo many reasons. First, I've just about had it with below zero temps so I'm focusing my attention on visualization. Visualizing spring romance, calming colors, flowers, green grass, and warmer temps. If you are from the midwest you can feel my pain. 
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After creating this palette, I started perusing Pinterest for some cool pins using these colors. Wow! Look what I found. A little inspiration to brighten up our day and get ready for a spring restyle. BTW, if you don't follow Restoration Harmony on Pinterest, hop on over right HERE and follow our boards-- it's inspiration overload that we love. You can never have too much!

In total self disclosure I was a crazy lady on a mission yesterday! Well that is probably true of many days, but yesterday I was particularly crazed. If you happened to read my previous blogs like this one on hosting guests, you have probably already surmised I'm a little over the top when it comes to organizing. I realized long ago that my consistently inconsistent tendencies were cause to compensate, thus adapting OCD behaviors.

It's true, all those personality assessments I've done over the years prove it. I've learned to accept and LOVE that I have gained a talent for and a love of the saying "A place for everything and everything in it's place." 

It's why Dave and I have made it our goal to create the biggest, bad ass pantries and closets in every one of our home renovations so homeowners can organize til their little hearts desire. 
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 There....I'm glad I got that out on the table! Now.....back to the story.

Do you have a room that is your albatross and you don’t know where to start to make it feel like home? One of the things stymieing homeowners is getting hung up on defining the style they want. Whether it is industrial, farmhouse, mid-century modern, bohemian, shabby chic, or traditional design styles that inspire you, it’s easy to achieve the look while still keeping core pieces that fit into many categories of design.
​Photo via Build Force ​​

There is nothing more meaningful than a show stopping wedding favor to have guests ooo'ing and ahhh'ing about your day. And we are especially fond of really cool gifts for groomsmen and your bridal party too. So, we've rallied some of our favorite recommendations together. If you are lacking in the idea department check out these cool finds. 

Want something personalized? We are partial to these adorable  OLIVE YOU favors by Emilia. But if that isn't your thing, check out her Etsy shop. She can do just about anything. And who doesn't like something personalized? 

   I found these awesome chalkboards online (Dollar Tree online is my fav) and decided I needed to create something fun for Christmas. I loved the idea of combining a wreath and some handwriting but dang pre-made wreaths are expensive. I had some garland like THESE, lying around from another project and thought why not? As it turned out I got 3 wreaths out of one garland and a little extra left over for something else....I'm not sure what yet. Here is what you will need to create the entire project. 

“You flip houses? I want to do that. How do I get started?” We are asked this many times over. The question is usually followed by a knowing smile between Dave and I. Our response begins with the word “flip". The definition of flip, meaning to turn over, upturn, or capsize is the most inaccurate definition of why we do what we do. People don’t buys sticks and bricks, they buy a feeling and we carefully choose houses that we can restore (not flip) into someone’s forever home. One they feel connected to. If you are considering investing in a real estate renovation, consider these 10 tips. ​

Its Back to School Time… Every year as summer comes to a close I hear rumblings from parents, myself included, uttering comments such as, “I think it is time for school to start” accompanied by the “you know what I’m talking about” look. ​

Shortly thereafter the Schrads’ find ourselves in this vortex of things to do. School physicals, shopping, meet the teacher, and the list goes on. Just when we think we have checked off everything on our list, WHOMP! Head slap! Something sneaks up that we completely forgot. Sound familiar?
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I found myself wondering why it feels like this EVERY year. Perhaps we are in denial that summer flew by once again at warp speed and we are desperately trying to capture one more day of fun? Quite possibly it is the fear of losing the freedom to spend our days as a family on our terms? Filling our calendars with only activities, vacations and parties we plan…well, for the most part. And then it dawned on me!

On a recent summer morning before the kids had stirred my girl friend and I spent 2 glorious hours on the deck casually drinking coffee without it getting cold or left in the microwave while we tended to one of the “Mommy, Mama, Moooommm” requests. Just she and I catching up. We laughed, we cried, and shared all that has been happening in our lives. TWO hours before jumping into mom and work mode.

And that was my “Aha” moment. As parents we need to carve out time for ourselves! And, I know I need to practice what I preach. I have awesome intentions but when my internal clock goes off at 0500, I’m compelled to catapult out of bed and start checking off my mental checklist. Because quite frankly its quiet and “I am woman.. hear me roar” at that time in the morning. Inevitably, just when I feel accomplished and have time for that first cup of coffee, my kids are up and ready for my undivided attention. And I give that to them. But wouldn’t I be a better mom, more focused and attentive if I just took 20 minutes to enjoy the morning air and my cup of coffee lost in my own thoughts, not lists? Absolutely! And I’m positive that as school gets underway I’ll be more calm, relaxed and ready to solve those last minute morning emergencies more efficiently. I’m giving myself 20 minutes.

Into our second cup of coffee we launched into the excitement and fears our kids have about starting school. Between us we have 7 kids, so the range of emotions and feelings were abundant. We shared stories of planning for the school year. Clothes shopping with two teen girls (God really does give us patience and understanding when needed), a very comical backpack debacle and finally, we as parents trying to gain a semblance of organization as we start the new year and our own fears about our kids next new beginning.

I discovered we all have some version of anxiety. How we cope with it is unique to each of us. But the truth is, we all have it. As the old saying goes if you are afraid of the dark, turn on the light. Maybe, taking 20 minutes for ourselves before the day gets underway is the adult version of that.
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We would love to hear about your experiences. Shoot us a comment, an email or even a text! Make today a great one.