10 sanity savers for the school year

So a few weeks ago I asked your advice on homework routines because we were struggling to find our groove. I'm happy to say that we're slowly getting there. However, as I assessed our daily schedules, I realized there were tons of little things we can do to help keep us on track throughout the day. I decided to write them down and share them with you in hopes of keeping myself accountable.

1. Program my coffee the night before - My motivation to get out of bed. I gotta have it. Period.

2. Household Binder - I started this last year and it's been so helpful keeping track of life in general. Jenn, of I Heart Organizing, has tons of ideas and free printables to get you started. I love her site in general for organizing ideas.

3. Portable homework caddy - If Luke wants to do homework in kitchen with me while I cook dinner, his supplies are portable and all in one handy place. And we only keep the bare necessities in there to keep it from getting cluttered. (see above)

4. Lay out clothes AND shoes the night before - I know this seems obvious but it's something I really need to execute more. And the shoes!!! What is it with boys not putting their shoes away?

5. Use timers and make it fun - Whenever we're crunched for time, whether it's cleaning our rooms or doing our morning bathroom routines, setting timers and beating the clock is always a fun way to stay on schedule.

6. Weekly menu planning - Again, something that seems so obvious but something I really want to do more often. Maybe I'll have to start sharing with y'all to keep me on top of it!

7. Prep dinner during school hours - This is such a lifesaver! Anything that can be done while the boys are in school keeps me sane at dinnertime. It tends to be the most hectic time of day, don't you agree?

8. Strategic volunteering - Slap me for being selfish but I refer to call it strategic. I try to avoid volunteering in the schools around the kids birthdays and Christmas time. Those times of year just seem to really get hectic for our family. Figure out your busy times of year and plan accordingly.

9. Prewash and cut fruit for after school snacks - My kids are starving when they get home from school so doing this ahead of time keeps healthy options at hand. It's also helpful when packing lunches in the morning.

10. Find some time for peace and quiet - Seek out some time to yourself to slow down and reflect. I've been practicing yoga for the past 10 years now. But six years ago I began practicing in a studio with a very special group of people and that time together is truly the highlight of my week.

How do y'all stay sane during the school year? Share your tips and strategies below!

*Thank you to Palomino for asking us to review the Blackwing pencils pictured above.  These pencils are the Cadillac of pencils and Luke and I have been hoarding them as such! They make homework time and list making a lot more enjoyable with their smooth tip and sleek design. All opinions are my own. 

Current Style Muse

I want to look like the girl in the first photo when I take a trip to the grocery store.  Really, I do.  I love everything about these photos, especially the mix of denim and lace.  Casual yet feminine.  Suits me to a tee.

No doubt I'm using these images to inspire my current wardrobe but promise not to fault me if you see me wearing yoga pants and a tank top at the local Publix.  Some habits die hard.  Really hard.

Photo credit

Strawberry Lemonade Smash

As I was leaving the yoga studio last night around 8:30, the sun was still shining and I couldn't help but think that long summer nights were meant to be savored with a cocktail in hand.  I created the strawberry lemonade smash with summer in mind and shared it over at Society Social earlier this week.  It's goooood.  Yummy, warm summer night good!  Swing by for the recipe and start sipping just in time for the weekend!  

Your Southern Peach,

Amy

Life at its Finest

I have been completely hooked on grapefruit lately.  I crave them morning, noon and night.  Isn't there some kind of grapefruit diet?  I need to research that further.  Helpful hint: use a grapefruit spoon.  They make the experience so much more enjoyable.

Why I even bother to paint my nails I have no clue.  My nails are always suffering due to overworked dish hands and playing in the dirt outside with the boys.  BUT I do find the act of painting my nails very relaxing and it reminds me of my life before kids.  Yes, I do remember that life!  The color here is OPI Tutti Frutti Tonga.

If my kitchen island is clean I feel like my whole house is clean.  Do you have a spot in your house that makes you feel like this?  I love that there is no holiday decor, mail, book bags, purses, etc...

My kids eat this pretty much every Wednesday when I'm rushing out the door to my yoga class.  I think I have my older son convinced that since it's "Amy's" pizza that I've actually cooked for him.  I usually add some carrots, applesauce or lima beans alongside their pizza and call it a day.  Om.

My new favorite cocktail.  It is so so yummy and I'm delighted to be sharing the recipe today over at Society Social.  I've been acting as food contributor for their blog since October and I'm absolutely thrilled with the opportunity.  It's really fun sharing my love of food and drink with stylish socials and I hope you'll go over to see what all the buzz is about!

Hope you enjoy life at it's finest this weekend fellow peaches!

Mood Shift by Cerra

One great thing about being a blogger and sharing a little bit of yourself with the world is that there are complete strangers out there who are willing to send you a little pick me up when you're feeling a little down.

A few months ago, I wrote this post and a few days later Cerra sent me one of their mood shift kits.  Pretty cool, right?  Some of you may know that I am nine years into my yoga practice and depend on it to keep me "normal." But sometimes it's the little things we do throughout our day that keep us grounded too.

Inside this small bag are little treasures to keep you focused, energized and grateful.  Lovely teas, aromatic lotions and cards are all centered around positive affirmations.  Love that!

How perfect would this be for a friend's birthday, a new mom, a teacher gift, a gracious hostess or the jetsetter?  I also really like their dissolving notes to release all that "stuff."

Hope y'all have a wonderful day and stay focused on the good stuff.

Baked Kale Chips

You know what's awesome?  When you eat a bunch of kale for dinner, go to yoga class and then come home and eat a bowl of ice cream with your husband.  I may or may not have done that last night.

Okay folks, this recipe has been floating around for a while now and I finally gave it a try earlier this summer and wow, was I surprised!  Let me echo her sentiments by stating that kale chips are no where near as yummy as these but they're a whole lot healthier and still pretty tasty (and quite addictive!)  

Here's what you need to get started:

1 bunch kale leaves

1 tbsp. olive oil

pinch of sea salt

pepper to taste

*1 tbsp. vinegar optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Clean the kale and pat dry 

3. Remove the kale leaves from their stalks and tear into bite size pieces (about the size of a large potato chip.)  Place kale pieces on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings you may want to add.  Be creative here! Toss the leaves to make sure they're coated thoroughly and then arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet.

4. Bake kale chips for about 7-8 minutes.

5. Let them cool and snack away!

The Friday Five

via

i love my yoga teacher

chaos and couture

quirky gifts

lovely laundry room

shrimp "time"

One Year Ago

via

A year ago I threw caution to the wind and started this little blog with no clue what I was doing.  I didn't follow any blogs, I didn't read any blogs and I certainly had no idea what to do with Twitter.  I recall stumbling upon a few blogs while searching for inspiration for our kitchen renovation and thought, "Hey I'll start my own blog where I can write about all my favorite things and share some of my amateur photography!"  I also loved the idea of a space in my life that would always be neat and tidy and where I made all the decisions.  (Control issues, I know.) 

Truth be told, it had only been two months since the birth of my second son and I think I was afraid of losing myself.  I was fearful of becoming a glazed over mom who didn't know how to talk about anything other than potty training and night time feedings.  Please understand.  I absolutely adore being a mother but there are still things outside of motherhood that I enjoy on a daily basis like cooking, gardening, photography, fashion, yoga and writing.  I knew I wanted this space to reflect who I was collectively as a person.  I also knew I wanted to write for other people which is why I named the blog, "Your Southern Peach."  

And so, as I reflect on the past year, I want to thank you friends, old and new.  Thank you for your encouragement, your sweet comments, your praise, your virtual smiles and for allowing me to be yours.  I never tire of writing this sweet, stylish, southern blog and I'm so very, very happy you choose to read. 

Yours,

Amy 

33

Source: weheartit.com via Amy on Pinterest

Today is the last day I'll be 33.  I'm celebrating another birthday tomorrow and I'm okay with it. Coincidentally, as of today, I've worked out 33 days in a row.  Don't ask.  It's called determination to lose the last several pounds of baby weight before my "baby" turns one next month and a harmless challenge from my husband, which I am winning.

Here are 33 things I plan on doing this weekend in celebration of my birthday.

1.  Sleep in

2.  Kiss my husband

3.  Attend Luke's first ever T-ball game

4.  Probably cry watching him

5.  Hit the Bruster's afterwards

6.  Snuggle my baby, Jett

7.  Get a pedicure 

8.  Welcome a new season with a spring equinox yoga class

9.  See my favorite yogis

10. Take a long hot shower...without interruptions

11. Attend church for the 2nd Sunday of Lent

12.  Pray Jett doesn't give the nursery volunteers a hard time

13. Visit my dermatologist

14. Ask her why it looks like someone dragged a rake across my forehead

15. Indulge in a full fat Latte afterwards 

16.  Enjoy a birthday celebration cookout hosted by my in-laws

17.  Relax in their hammock

18.  Sip a refreshing cocktail in the hammock

19.  Snuggle Jett in hammock

20.  Hug my mom

21.  Keep her from crying as she recollects my birth 

22.  Hug my older sister and Skype little sis

23.  Watch the kids throw some fishing poles into the pond

24.  Take lots of photos 

25.  Dinner at Ormsby's with best friends

26.  Try their hot boiled peanuts

27.  Try their pimento cheese and corn fritters

28.  Attempt a game of Bocce

29.  Drink lots of Sweetwater 420

30.  Work in my yard

31.  Tuck my kids into bed

32.  Tell my husband how much I love him

33.  Try not to think about the fact that I am now 34

2011 Fashion Outlook

There's always that "downtime" after the holidays when the decorations are packed away, the cheer has dwindled and we're left with cold winter months ahead.  I can't help but wonder what the new year will bring and I admit, the unknown can sometimes be a little intimidating.

I love to look to fashion to brighten my spirits and when you see this '11 outlook, you'll see why.  It's full of color, lovely lines and feminine details.  It makes me want to face 2011 with a bright smile and force myself out of my yoga pants and ponytail I so often gravitate towards first thing in the morning.

First, I'm sharing my number one picks for both Spring and Pre-Fall.  Are these two looks not total perfection?  They make my heart go pitter-patter.  A lot.

Here are some more of my favorites from Spring 2011...

And here are my favorites from Pre-Fall 2011...

 All images via Elle except Fendi via Harpers Bazaar


I'm really excited to see all the greens, sapphires and corals in the forecast!  I must admit I had so much fun putting this post together for ya'll!  Thank you for indulging me and if fashion makes you smile too, visit me back here on Sundays for "Sunday Best."

Here's to looking and feeling our best in 2011!

Holiday gift picks!

Hello friends!  I hope you're enjoying your holiday season.  If your like me, than you're still gathering sweet gifts for your loved ones.  Here are some of my favorite gift ideas and the best thing about them is that they're all under $50.  Happy shopping.

The House of Hemp - Etsy

Her name was Glowla by Benefit - Sephora

Soup and Sandwich Tray - Uncommon Goods

Cashmere Gloves - Garnet Hill

Anti-Static Fleece Travel Throw - Land's End

Thermal Coffee Carafe - Sur la Table

Book of Meditations, written by my very own yoga instructor - Etsy

Mr. & Mrs. Cocktail Glasses - Furbish Studio

Happy Holidays friends!  May your days be merry and bright.

How I found yoga and why I practice

I found yoga almost eight years ago. I often contemplate if yoga could be the answer to things like world peace and reducing illnesses like diabetes, depression and cancer.  That's how much I love yoga. 

I like to say I "accidentally" found yoga because I began my practice alone one day in my living room via some random yoga DVD whose title I do not remember.  I was newly engaged and starting a new sales career but secretly, I was overcome with anxiety and panic inside.  Do you know the difference between Anxiety and Panic Attacks?  Anxiety is a feeling that lingers for an extended period of time and includes symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.  Panic attacks come on suddenly causing an accelerated heart rate, trembling, sweating, hot flashes, chest pain, faintness, shortness of breath and a terrible feeling of being detached from your present self.  I suffered from both daily but did not talk about it to anyone.  I was not depressed so to speak, but I was living a life blanketed by fear.  To the outside world, I was a blushing bride to be and a young professional with my career ahead of me. But something was missing. I was desperate to try anything that would help me manage the feelings of drowning in my own thoughts.  I did not want to take antidepressant medications and I did not want to "talk about my feelings" to a therapist who didn't even know me.  This was something deeply rooted inside my own mind that only I could heal.  Then I found yoga in my very own living room.  Alone.

The first time I practiced, a feeling of joy rushed over me.  My mind was not racing uncontrollably as I focused on the poses, my breathe and my gaze.  I experienced that wonderful feeling of being present, listening and feeling my breathe go in and out of my body and nothing more. For the first time in a long time, I was in control of my mind and it was one with my body.  They were not battling each other anymore.  In Sanskrit, the word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite."  Being able to unite my mind, body and spirit through yoga gave me a high I had never experienced before.  I felt whole.  I felt like I was living with purpose.  Every single time I finish a yoga practice now, I silently give thanks for my physical and mental health.

Over the past eight years, I've experienced marriage, jobs, pregnancies, miscarriages, children, broken bones, loss of loved ones and everything in between.  My yoga practice has been there every step of the way.  I've come to realize that much of my anxiety was rooted in my quest for perfection and not loving myself completely.  The beauty of yoga is that it is a practice and it doesn't require you or even ask you to be perfect.  It simply asks you to just be.  

Some of you may wonder if I physically practice yoga everyday, meaning engaging in poses and such.  The answer is no.  I physically practice a few times a week.  However, I cannot get through a single day, and sometimes a single hour, without practicing the mental aspects of yoga.  For me, the most challenging yet most rewarding aspect of my yoga practice is my ability to keep my mind focused and free of fear, self doubt and criticism. You may also wonder if I still suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.  The answer is yes, but very rarely.  The difference now is that I am able to acknowledge these thoughts without allowing them to consume my entire being.  Did yoga make me a more perfect person?  Absolutely not.  However, because of yoga, I am more grateful, more positive, more loving, more spiritual, more hopeful, more confident, more accepting, more kind, more patient and most importantly more forgiving.   

My yoga teacher often says that the challenges we face on our mat help us to face the challenges we meet in life.  I couldn't agree more. We all have challenges whether they are mental, physical or spiritual.  It's how we choose to face them that matters most.

*photo from 2010 on our trip to the Greek isles

Daily Inspiration

We're all busy.  We all keep a calendar.  We all wish for more time to focus on what's really important to us.

If you're anything like me, the moment your day begins, you're out of the starting gate like the underdog at the Kentucky Derby.  My daily life is filled with constant chatter, noise and energy.  My yoga teacher would optimistically refer to this sound as "OM," or the sound of universal existence.

I'd like to say I meditate daily but I don't.  However, I like to stay grounded by planting little inspirations around my home to remind me of my values and what's most important to me in my daily life.  I hope you enjoy these photos and take some time to make your home a temple of daily inspiration.

A bowl filled with seashells, collected from various vacations, and a vintage cross sits on a dresser at the entrance of our bedroom.   It reminds me of our family beach trips and the Creator of it all.

Omamori hanging from my bedroom door.  The white one was a gift and is supposed to bring good luck to women trying to conceive.  The purple one I bought at the Meji Shrine in Tokyo and is supposed to bring you harmony and balance.

 I purchased this smiling Buddha in Shanghai.  I have no idea what the inscription actually reads but I know that Smiling Buddha's are associated with happiness, contentment and prosperity.  The small bag contains several little tokens that are explained in the next photo.  Both of these sit on my dresser.

 Coincidentally, I received all of these small gifts during a very difficult time in my life.  I had just miscarried for the second time.   Ganesh is known as the "remover of obstacles."  The Acorn is a symbol of patience, new beginnings, new growth and long life.  My husband received this fortune when we finally found out we were expecting again.  I took all these little "gifts" with me during my labor and delivery as encouragement.  I still look at them everyday to remind myself to never take life for granted.

This is a photo of the inside of one of my kitchen cabinets.  (I apologize for the horrible photo!)  I tore this page out of a Real Simple magazine a few years ago.  The caption reads, "Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit.  We cannot flower and grow without it." ~Jess Lair 
It's a daily reminder for me to praise my children and my husband.  

And finally, this is a plaque hanging right next to my front door as you exit.  (You don't really notice  it on the way in.)  I like to think of it as a blessing to all visitors who exit my home.  So often we focus on how we welcome our guests but consider what will be their last impression.

Do you have little inspirations you would like to share?  I love to hear your comments and ideas too.

Your Southern Peach