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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Birthday's, DIY, Lifestyle

Keep the Gifts Coming…

11.14.2014

New Home Gift BoxThere are few things I appreciate more than when someone buys me the very expensive, but yet adorable, Hallmark greeting card. Seriously. There’s nothing like saying, “I love you,” like there is with the 12.99 greeting card. I mean, if someone is splurging for the adorable, glittery (I get these a lot, not sure why), shiny greeting card, they clearly love you. Try to debate this.

Another thing that I think is hard to top: homemade gift boxes. I’m not exactly sure where my friends got the idea that I like gift boxes in the mail. Couldn’t have been this, or this, or even this, could it? Am I that transparent?New Home or Anniversary Gift BoxSomething happened to my friends when I said the big, “yes.” They turned into crafting bridesmaid machines. Seriously. I had never seen a craft come out of a one of them in the 20+ years I knew them. Suddenly, they’re popping out crafts made for me left and right. Apparently I put the pressure on. And apparently I rubbed off a little of this “glitter” onto them. Sorry not sorry.

Apparently (now I’m starting to feel like Noah Ritter) my maid of honor decided to keep the crafts coming even a year after the wedding. I’m secretly hoping her life turns into a giant craft fair. She has a spare bedroom, can I convince her to add a crafting room? She sent us this amazing gift box as a “First Anniversary/Housewarming” gift. I am in love. With her AND the box.Ingredients for a Congratulations BasketInside was everything glittery and sparkly and amazing. And then there was Fireball. For him. She added a bottle of my favorite wine as an anniversary gift, and a bottle of champagne as a Congratulations gift. And of course the adorable cards.Decorate a Gift Box for a New HomeLike I said, she clearly loves me.

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Comments

  1. freebutfun says

    11.14.2014 at 9:10 pm

    What a lovrly surprise to get the anniversary gift box too!

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 9:59 am

      I know!! I feel lucky to have such amazing friends! 🙂

  2. Kristy says

    11.15.2014 at 6:12 am

    I do love you!! A crafting room might be over my abilities… But, you inspire me to give back (in creative ways) to people… Actually just YOU… who have truly made me feel special! Thanks for the amazing post 🙂

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:00 am

      Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!! For being so amazing, and for being my friend. Especially if I’m the only one who gets the benefits of your crafting! 🙂 Love you!

  3. hugsxheart says

    11.16.2014 at 6:42 am

    Hey sweety! I nominated you and your blog: https://hugsxheart.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-very-inspiring-blog-award/ <3

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:00 am

      Wow!!!!!! Again!??! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me a bit and I’ll get on this! I have so many crafts in line to be posted! You’re amazing!!!!!!!

      • hugsxheart says

        11.17.2014 at 11:04 am

        No you are amazing! Haha you’re so sweet! You should check what I wrote about you and your blog! No worries! Oh I can’t wait to see your stuff #superexcited <3

  4. avenuecamilla says

    11.16.2014 at 7:23 pm

    All such great gifts! So sweet!

    xxx
    Camilla
    http://avenuecamilla.com

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:01 am

      I know right~??!? Love getting surprises in the mail!

  5. funkyfashion007 says

    11.17.2014 at 5:00 am

    These are such a great idea, so lovely!:)

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:02 am

      My friends continuously surprise me!!! 🙂

  6. ATaleOfBeauty says

    11.20.2014 at 10:15 am

    Aww, congrats!!! & your friends are really sweet, great gifts! ~xo, Carina

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.20.2014 at 10:16 am

      Thanks!! And I am definitely blessed with great friends! 🙂

  7. glitterymoss says

    1.08.2015 at 4:00 pm

    LOVE this idea!

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

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stayinghomesawyer

There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
There’s something about watching your child experi There’s something about watching your child experience the world for the first time that changes you.

The way they slow down, the way they notice everything…it makes you realize how much you’ve been rushing past.

I’m trying to remember that these aren’t just her firsts, they’re mine too, in a completely different way.
Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a sp Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a special thing. It meant vacations at the beach, time with family, hot summer days. 

Now, watching my babies collect their own seashells, holding tight to the “BEST” ones, makes my heart happier than I ever could have thought. It’s the little joys.
It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will hav It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will have something to say about literally everything. Hosting an Easter egg hunt? Too excessive. Throwing a kids birthday party on a budget? Consumerism. Happy with my husband? He must be miserable.

So I’ll just be over here decorating my house for The Masters this weekend, because #consumerism. And also because I spent $2 and it makes my husband happy.
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