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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Home Decor

Desk Makeover: File Folders!

7.10.2014

DIY Desk File Folders // Desk MakeoverAs much as I wish it weren’t true (say it isn’t so!), I spend more time at my desk at work than anywhere else. While I love my job, I do not oppose four day work weeks (three day weekends here I come!). One day for errands/chores, one day for crafting, and one day to relax! My husband has a pretty ideal schedule…four days off one week, three days off the next. Wouldn’t that just be the life? While he spends his at the golf course, can you just imagine the crafting I would get done?!?

While my desk is already a little more decorative than some, I wanted to add a little bit of new sparkle. I can’t change too many elements, but file folders?! Anything disposable can be changed! I have to display several folders on my desk and before I gussied them up, they were quite an eyesore. I bought some matching scrapbook paper at Michael’s (4 for $1 this week!) and went to work!DIY Desk File Folders // Desk Makeover

Just take a plain file folder, Modge Podge the front, and cover it with paper! Super easy. You’ll either need a razor or scissors to cut the excess from the edges. I did the front of each folder, cut the edges, and used the remaining piece to cover the inside tab. You could easily do all four sides of the file, but I found it unnecessary. This way they’re easily disposable and super cheap. I let mine dry under a stack of books so they would stay flat, and they were ready to go the next morning!

I loved my little elephant paper, even if was designed for babies! Let’s be honest, I may as well get the “cuteness” from my files because there will be no other new additions in our family anytime soon (unless you count cute cuddly kittens, I could totally be talked into that). This new addition to my desk is perfect; it doesn’t cry or poop, it just sits there and looks adorable.DIY Desk File Folders // Desk Makeover

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Lifestyle

Create

7.09.2014

Creativity When I was 12, I was obsessed with The Baby-Sitter’s Club. I mean, let’s be honest, who wasn’t? I jumped on the chance to get my baby-sitting license; who didn’t want that little card that says you’re responsible (looking back, they handed those things out like candy)? I couldn’t wait to start baby-sitting and being just like my ‘friends’ from the BSC. I put together a box full of crafting supplies and got my name out there. Once I started sitting, I couldn’t stop. I was in high demand; all the neighbors wanted me! Me, and that box of crafts that is. The “kids” I’m in touch with to this day still talk about that box.

My crafting started young and really defines a large piece of me. But, there are times in my life when I actually have a social life. When these times happen every few years or so, a few days can pass without any crafting. This weekend was one of those times. Nevermind that it was the 4th of July, but I just didn’t get around to creating anything. So today, in order to keep my blog afloat, I designed this fun little image (if I must say so myself) of an awesome quote I found online. Anything to keep these creative juices flowing. I need to step up my game and get some serious crafting on. I promise a craft coming soon!

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DIY, Holidays!

Light up the Night!

7.03.2014

Fourth of July Favors // Glow Sticks // Party FavorsAs much as I love the 4th of July, I wish it was always on a Thursday. Then those of us 9-5er’s would get two days off work! This Friday/One Paid Holiday is just not cutting it. How am I supposed to get mentally prepared for a pool day tomorrow if I have to work all day today? I’ll keep living in a dream world.

Another holiday, another favor for the co-workers. Since I’ve been hearing through the grapevine that they don’t want to eat as many ‘treats’ – I decided to search for a different type of favor. A lot of my co-workers have children, so when I found this printable, I knew it was going to be the winner! It was soooo easy to make, that I feel bad giving you step by steps, but what the hell.

Print the free printable here. (Great blog with free printables)

Cut them out, and use a razor to cut two one inch slices where the sticks will pop through.

Stick the glow sticks through the slices. Done.Fourth of July Favors // Glow Sticks // Party FavorsI know the Dollar Tree sells glow bracelets, but I happened to find Red White & Blue bracelets in Target’s Dollar Spot. I used three sticks per favor. They turned out cute, and hopefully my co-workers enjoy them!Fourth of July Favors // Glow Sticks // Party Favors

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Lifestyle, Travel

Take Me to Capitola!

7.02.2014

Capitola, CaliforniaWho doesn’t love the beach? Surf, sand, and sun. Crying babies and old men in speedos…it’s all part of the experience. I go to the beach to people watch as much as I go to relax. I need a break from crafting every once in a while. All that glitter gets intense!

Day trips aren’t the best trips, but they can be pretty fun. It’s nice to get out and do a little exploring in your favorite places every now and then. Or every weekend. Okay I’d settle for every day. The things I would do if I didn’t have a 9 to 5.

We recently moved from San Diego (ahhhhhhhmazing) to San Jose, California. We love our new digs too, but San Diego will forever be in our hearts. So whenever I can get away from the bustle of city life, I make my way to Capitola Beach. It’s a little slice of heaven. A quaint little downtown of shops, restaurants, and dessert stops make up a few square blocks, surrounded by the beautiful calm beach.Capitola, CaliforniaOne of the most popular Capitola destinations has to be Pizza My Heart, right on the beach (see above). The line is down the block, but it passes quickly. People seem to love to pick up a slice (or a whole pie) and eat it while enjoying the beach. Your whole visit to this beach will be filled with aromas from these pizzas, so come full if you don’t want to splurge! Ehhhh…one slice won’t hurt anyone. If you’re anything like me however, you’ll pick it up on your way home. No one wants to see this girl in a bikini shoving pizza in her face. With my luck I’d drop it in the sand anyway.

My favorite shop in Capitola is the Capitola Beach Company (see below). I have to stop in every time I visit, just to see if there’s something I can’t live without. Which is obviously everything. Last time I couldn’t help but to buy an adorable California hat that I now wear every weekend (shown below). If I find something that I love, I try to sneak it into the house so my husband doesn’t notice. He already thinks I have too much clothing for a single human. This coming from the man that has more golf clothes than Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods (combined).Capitola, CaliforniaMy favorite part of the day, by far, is just sitting in my beach chair with a book. It is such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon (or morning…or evening), that time seems to fly by. I wish I could spend every day this way…twenty-one years to go until we can retire!!Capitola, CaliforniaIf you’re up for a good drink after a day in the sun, there are plenty of restaurants that have patios with ocean-views. Take your choice, tip back a drink, and relax again before you have to return to your own reality, whatever that may be.Capitola, California

 

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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

Save for later. PS: This is my husbands rendition Save for later.

PS: This is my husbands rendition of a “Sexy Willy Wonka.” You know, because being Aladdin, Flynn Ryder, Prince Charming…he couldn’t just be a regular guy for one year. 🤣🤣
Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five things every night that you’re thankful for, and BE thankful for them. So much of our lives are spent waiting for the next best thing when in reality, it’s sitting right in front of us.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’ If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’s to SLOW DOWN.

So much of life is spent going, going, going. Waiting for the next stage. Telling ourselves, “Once we get through this, things will be easier.” Once the kids are older. Once life settles down. Once we have more time. But what if we’re missing the whole point? Because the moments we’re so eager to get through ARE the moments.

Today is the important stuff. The ordinary days. The messy days. The little conversations, the giggles, the routines, the chaos, the moments that don’t feel significant while we’re living them. We spend so much time wishing for the next chapter that we forget we’re already living one we’ll someday wish we could go back to.

So slow down.

Be here.
Pay attention.
Let the moment take as long as it needs to.

Because someday, these will be the days we miss.

**And if you know us personally, you know why I had to jump on this social media trend**
This is your permission slip to let the crafts be This is your permission slip to let the crafts be messy. 

They don’t need to match your house. They don’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. They don’t need to be made with a neutral color palette and a Cricut. They just need to be theirs.

Because someday I’m probably going to miss the paper scraps, the glue everywhere, the questionable color combinations, and the little masterpieces I had no idea what to do with. Let them make the ugly craft. Let them make a mess. Let them create something that looks nothing like what you had in mind.

Childhood doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be beautiful.
When you stop to think about the fact that one day When you stop to think about the fact that one day all of her toys will be someone else’s toys, she’ll be heading off to college, and all I’ll be left with are these videos…
This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy the This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy their kids are going back to school. My neighbors and I commiserate all summer long about how long the days are, how frustrating the kids can be, how much they’re fighting, etc. 

But my days are always like that, and even though it’s exhausting and overwhelming at times, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Even if I only have ONE moment like this a day, it’s one moment a day I could miss out on if they were in a traditional school. 

So here’s to whatever choice you are making in regards to your kids education. What’s best for YOU is most important. And what’s best for us is this.
I honestly never thought I’d be the mom saying yes I honestly never thought I’d be the mom saying yes
 to slime... but here we are.

The difference? This isn’t just a container of slime
 to squish around. The Slime Prank Lab by @CrunchLabs
turns it into an activity. We spent the afternoon mixing the slime, experimenting with different textures, and (of course) testing out the ridiculously funny booger and fart pranks. 🤣

My girls were completely entertained, and I loved watching them create, experiment, and laugh together. It feels like pure fun for the kids, but there’s actually some pretty cool science and engineering behind it all, plus Mark Rober walks you through even more with the QR code inside the kit.

Who in your family would be the first prank target? 
#sponsored #crunchlabs @moosetoys_
I’m about as outdoorsy as an overwater bungalow in I’m about as outdoorsy as an overwater bungalow in Tahiti can be.

#tahiti
A core memory I didn’t know I’d be making… This w A core memory I didn’t know I’d be making…

This weekend at church, my daughter got to light the candles for the first time. At the end of the service, when she went up on her own to extinguish them, proud tears dropped from my eyes. And as I looked around at others, I noticed I wasn’t the only one. 

If you had asked me in my early to mid twenties, I wouldn’t have imagined how much this community, this faith, and these little traditions would come to mean to our family. There was a season of my life, long before I became a mom, where I drifted away from actively going to church. Now, getting to watch my girls grow up surrounded by faith, love, and a church family who knows them and celebrates them feels like such a gift.
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