BACK TO SCHOOL WITH SCOUT BAGS!

scout bags back to school #scoutbags

Today’s post if for the mamas out there! It’s mid-September and everyone has headed back to school, even us! For now, I homeschool my 3 1/2 year old. Even though we may not be “back to school” in the traditional sense, we still like to enjoy lunchtime or snack outdoors when the weather’s nice! It really helps to change scenery and to break up our school day with an outing of some sort.

Also, we always carry snacks with us when out and about. Scout bags make taking our favorite snacks and sometimes lunch along easy and fun! I was able to try out Scout bags in two styles for lunches: The Nooner and The Doggy Bag. Take a look:

back to school with scout bags #scoutbags

Aside from the adorable patterns and prints to choose from with their new Back to School Collection, there are SO many features we love about Scout bags. Here are a few features that every bag has:

wipe-able interiors
vibrant designs
easy to pack, carry, and clean!

As a mom, I love ease of using these bags while out with Jake. Accidents happen and the wipe-able interior feature has been a life-saver! Their bags are super lightweight and he loves carrying around his lunch bag with the “cool stars on it.” I like to carry my own lunch along in the pink Doggie Bag style.

back to school with scout bags

You’ve got to check these bags out, even if you’re not looking for a lunch bag for your kids or for yourself! Head over to Scoutbags.com to see more patterns and bag styles. They have everything from lunch bags, to work bags, everyday bags, coolers, totes and even more for the whole family!

Save 10% off your order with my code SCOUTINGFORSCHOOL

Hope you enjoyed today’s post 🙂 Thanks for reading, friends!

Deidra_OurHomeHisHeart_A_Lifestyle_Blog

Hunter for Target is Almost Here!

Hunter for Target Collection — Photo Credit: Target

The new collection by Hunter and Target is coming to Target stores and Target.com soon! I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love a good pair of Wellies! Being a Hunter fan already, hearing about this collaboration was sooo exciting to me! The collection includes men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, and outdoor goods just in time for spring and summer.

Best part is: prices range from $5 to $80. The designs have finally been revealed, so today I wanted to share a few highlights from the collection! This highly-anticipated collaboration will be available for REDCard Holders April 7, and in stores April 14.

Let’s take a look! Many of the colors are so bright and bold and there’s such a huge selection of goodies to choose from.

Hunter x Target Collection

How cute is these pieces for women?!

Hunter for Target Collection

There’s such a good selection of raincoats, ponchos, swimming gear, shoes and rainboots for kids, too!

Hunter for Target Collection

Hunter for Target

This is such a cute waterproof tote 🙂

Hunter for Target

Hunter for Target Collection

This blanket would be perfect for a family picnic in the park!

Hunter for Target Collection

Are you guys excited about this collaboration between Hunter x Target?

Go check out the entire collection!

Have a great day, friends!

Deidra_OurHomeHisHeart_A_Lifestyle_Blog

Essential Oils For Beginners | Tips + Accessories

essential oils for beginners best tips and accessories

*Some Affiliate Links*

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been a little curious about using essential oils, wondering if they are even worth trying out. Well, one resolution I made for the new year is to use essential oils in my home and in daily life with my family whenever I can (even while out and about with my son.) Keep reading to find out some tips for newbie’s (like myself), plus some really cool aromatherapy accessories that have all helped me to get started!

Essential Oil Tips for Beginners + How to Enjoy Oils On-The-Go

I picked up a few bottles of essential oils to get started and a good diffuser. The wood-look of this one matches decor and the fact that the light changes color as you diffuse is nice! There’s even a subtle “waterfall” sound effect to add to the Zen effect.

I chose not to invest in the more expensive oil brands and accessories right away. My thought process was once I tried them out and if I liked them, I’d want to invest a little more as time goes on!

Essential Oils For Beginners: Tips + Accessories

It’s so simple to diffuse! All you need is your favorite oils, a diffuser, and water. These 3 are a few of my go to’s :

Lemon makes the house smell amazing while cleaning up and energizes me to get the job done!
Clary sage helps to keep hormones balanced and much more!
Eucalyptus is fresh and is great for spa-nights at home.

As far as blends go, I have turned to good ol’ Pinterest for ideas. Check out what blends and other tips I’m pinning 🙂 Blending lemon, rosemary, and lavender is dreamy!

Hubby surprised me and ordered this Leather Wrap Bracelet so that I could use my favorite oils while out. Y’all…. I love this thing ! It blends with other pieces I’m wearing and it’s simple to use, even while chasing after a 3 year old!

I just change out which oils I need on each washable pad, depending on my needs at that moment. If you’re looking to get started with oils (or even if you currently use them), you’d love this wrap bracelet for amazing aromatherapy benefits while on-the-go!

Ava Essential Oil Double Wrap Leather Bracelet

How to Use the Essential Oils Wrap Bracelet:

I add 1-2 drops of my favorite oil to the little round cotton pad inside and tighten the top of the bracelet (it comes with a bunch of colored pads, I’m wearing the black pad inside in this pic.) The light scent of whatever oil I’m using lingers all day, no actual diffuser needed!

I get to enjoy more favorite scent AND get the health + wellness benefits without it being overpowering or bothering anyone else’s senses!

Essential Oils for Beginners Tips and Accessories

Essential oils are great for the whole family! When I first started using oils my son was a stuffy and had a cold. Loads of fun, right? Moms, I know you can relate! I grabbed the Eucalyptus oil and started diffusing that to give him some releif.

I had read that it’s great for congestion and colds. I used a kid-safe amount based on his age and ….IT REALLY WORKED, no harsh medications needed.

Essential Oils for Beginners Tips and Accessories

He was less congested and was starting to feel better soon after I started diffusing. The house even smelled so good with just 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil used! I immediately wanted to try even more oils, so I started looking up which oils provide which health benefits, looked up blends on Pinterest, and started accumulating more bottles!

Now, at almost 3 months in, I’m beginning to look into ways to use oils in cleaning our home, as well use for other health benefits for my family, too!

Essential Oils for Beginners Tips and Accessories

With so much info out there, my best advice is to research as much as you can and invest in high quality oils from trusted sources. I will actually be placing an order with a friend of mine next week who is a rep for the Young Living products. DoTerra is another trusted brand, as well as Eden’s Garden.

Essential Oils for Beginners

Which Essential Oils Should I Get Started With?

There are so many essential oils and even more combinations you can make! If you’re interested in using oils, one tip I have is to be sure to look into ways to safely use them to fit the needs of your family first! You want to be sure you are getting pure oils. Always follow directions carefully as far as diluting, using with kids, and applying to the skin only with a carrier oil!

Here are a few must-have essential oils to get started with, as well as some quick benefits of each:

Lavender – Calms + A Natural Anti-Depressant + Safe To Use Around Infants
Lemon – Uplifts + Energizes + Great for Cleaning!
Eucalyptus – Can Be Used for Respiratory Concerns + Helps Soothe Sore Joints and Muscles
Tea Tree – Helps Ease Many Skin Conditions, Including Acne + Naturally Fights Bacteria
Peppermint – Soothes Headaches + Energizes + Decongestant Properties + Can Also Be Used For Respiratory Concern

I’m hooked and already adding more oils and more accessories to my collection! Hope you enjoyed this post and got some good tips!

Do you use essential oils on a day to day basis? Please share your tips + favorite blends!

Shop This Post:

Deidra_OurHomeHisHeart_A_Lifestyle_Blog

Toddler Boy Winter Clothing Haul | Zara Kids

Brr … Winter is here! Lately it has been FREEZING, and we’ve been bundled up! I love to refresh JP’s wardrobe each season. Of course there are a handful of stores that are my favorites to shop for toddler boy clothes, and Zara is at the top of my list. He’s so much fun to dress, especially now that he’s almost 3! On a recent family trip, we stopped in Zara to shop the kids department, since Zara is one of those stores that I have to stop in if I’m ever in a city that has one! Most of the items are currently on major sale now! Below I’m sharing the items I picked up from Zara for my little guy!

Toddler Boy Winter Clothing Haul | Zara Kids

*Image Credit: Zara.com

“Explore” Coat

Bomber Jacket with Faux Fur Lining

Red and Black Check Shirt

Blue and White Check Shirt

Link Knit Sweater

Star Trousers with Suspenders

Infinity Scarf with lightening bolts

Long Sleeved Tee with Dog

Dad Rocks Long Sleeved Tee

Slim Cut Mustard Jeans

“YEAH” sweatshirt

My goal when shopping for him is always to put together a wardrobe with just a few pieces that all can be interchanged and layered to give us lots of different looks. I also grabbed only things that I was sure could coordinate with his existing clothes we already have. So far these pieces have worked out perfectly! In fact, when we took our Christmas card photos he wore the suspender pants with a white button down shirt, a fun little scarf, and a cute winter hat that we already had. I was able to use the cream sweater as a layering piece.

All together, this gave us 3 different looks for the Christmas card photos by simply taking off a piece or just by adding an accessory. We even took a few with his suspenders off the shoulder for a more casual look for some shots.

That’s it for this winter! It’s fun to create so many looks for him by layering and mixing and matching.

What are some of your favorite stores to shop for kid clothes? I’d love to know 🙂

Deidra_OurHomeHisHeart_A_Lifestyle_Blog

Holiday Fun: Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses

Milk Carton Gingerbread House

Making gingerbread houses with kids is a Christmas tradition for most of us. Store-bought kits look pretty, but from my experience with them, they are incredibly messy and hard to work with. Building one can also be frustrating as you try to hold everything together as you build! You can still make memories with your kids for the holiday season with this genius idea: Milk Carton “Gingerbread” Houses. Instead of gingerbread, use graham crackers!

This craft ends all frustration around making the perfect gingerbread houses with your kids! It’s . So. Easy. Best part is, the older kids get, the more independent they can be with this. Throw on some Christmas PJ’s, grab a Santa hat, turn on some Christmas music, and let’s get started!

Holiday Craft: Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses

Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses Tutorial

If are working with toddlers, this easy gingerbread house is going to be a lifesaver! All you need to create the structure of the “house” is a school milk carton, or you can use a half and half/ heavy whipping cream carton like I did this year. I used to teach Kindergarten, but now that I stay at home with my son, I don’t have access to the school milk cartons as I used to. The heavy whipping cream containers are a little shorter, but you can definitely make it work once decorations are added. These houses are always a big hit with kids!

Milk Carton Gingerbread House

All Supplies You’ll Need:

Milk Cartons ( I used 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream cartons and they worked out perfectly)

Round dessert plates

Hot Glue gun

Vanilla Frosting (the “glue”)

Jumbo Craft Sticks to Spread “glue”

Skittles

Chocolate Chips

M&M’s

Gum Drops

Peppermints

Mini Candy Canes

Pretzel Sticks

Fruity Cheerios or Fruit Loops

Red Hots Candy

Sprinkles

Mini Marshmallows

Graham Crackers

Sectioned Tray or cupcake/muffin tins

Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses Directions:

The day before building, empty out, wash and air dry milk or heavy whipping cream cartons.
Use hot glue gun to glue the opening shut of the empty cartons. It should look just like it did before opening. If you are making more than one, now’s the time to write names on the bottom of the plate to avoid mix-ups.
Use the hot glue gun to glue the bottom of each milk carton to the center of the dessert plate for each child.
Use a sectioned tray or cupcake tray to sort each type of treat you’ll be using to decorate. This makes it super easy for kids to reach in and get just what they need for their little “gingerbread” creation 🙂

Milk Carton Gingerbread House

How to Build and Decorate:

Break the graham crackers in half so that you have 6 halves per house. Have the child frost one side of the graham cracker half (like glue) and place it on each side of the milk carton. This creates the walls and the roof of the gingerbread house. The icing works like a charm so you are not holding things together praying that they don’t come crashing down as you build haha!
Be creative and continue on using icing as glue and then sticking the candy on the gingerbread house. It helps with really small children to make a model with them, letting them watch you make one first. Then they can use your model as a guide when building their own 🙂 This worked great with my 2, almost 3-year-old.

That’s all! When kids are all done, these cute little houses make the room smell good and look so festive for the holidays! They work great as a craft for kid parties, too. Here’s a look at JP’s and at mine!

Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses

We hope you enjoyed this post!

Deidra_OurHomeHisHeart_A_Lifestyle_Blog

Hunter x Target Collection

Essential Oil Tips for Beginners + How to Enjoy Oils On-The-Go

How to Use the Essential Oils Wrap Bracelet:

Which Essential Oils Should I Get Started With?

Toddler Boy Winter Clothing Haul | Zara Kids

Holiday Craft: Milk Carton Gingerbread Houses

Categories