Well Said Wednesday

Saw this quote on Pinterest this week and it really hit home! As we wind up this amazing year of growth and development for SYDNEY PAIGE, we are struck by the wonderful giving we have accomplished together, with your help! There is much more work to do - but we are excited for it!

{find more on our Well Said pinboard}

Student of the Week

Honoring Dylan (8th grade) as our #StudentOfTheWeek for being an incredible big brother to his autistic sister, Destiny (6th grade), escorting her to their middle school Christmas dance. Overshadowing any shyness a brother would normally have about taking his sis to their dance, he escorted her with PRIDE, wanting Destiny to experience her 1st school dance just like every other girl. And she had a BLAST, dancing the night away! We are so proud of you, Dylan!!

Well Said Wednesday

{find more on our Well Said pinboard}

Student of the Week

We are honored to celebrate 4th-grader, Alexa, this week for receiving 3 incredible awards at school! Perfect Attendance (since kindergarten! wow!!), Citizen Character Award AND Silver Honor Roll! Way to go, Alexa. We are sooo proud of your hard work - keep it up!

Holiday Tips & Tricks

The holidays often equal "hustle and bustle," don't they? I have definitely felt the crunch this past week! Between getting our cards addressed and in the mail, putting lights on the house, attending kids' Holiday programs at school, baking for cookie exchanges and teacher gifts...IT IS BUSY!! But I do love this time of year. In the midst of the madness, there is most certainly MAGIC!

To help with some of the stress that accompanies these last few weeks of the year, we've rounded up some of the greatest tips and tricks to help make this holiday season a bit easier for you! -ERIN

First up – how many of you drag out a giant brown Hefty in the middle of Christmas morning gift-opening in order to catch all of the wrapping paper and toy trash? I know we do! What an unsightly thing to have lurking in the background of your precious Christmas photos. Chica and Jo have the solution – wrap the sides of a giant box with Christmas wrapping paper, leaving the top of the box open. That way, it can function as a trash can AND still look nice for photos. What a brilliant way to manage the morning mess!

My husband and I always wrestle with the tree lights every year - untangling them, replacing broken bulbs, testing to see if they still light up...to take some of the pain out of this process, I'm going to try this tip when we put the lights away this year. Wrap them around cardboard for neat stacking in bins! Thanks, Martha Stewart, for this great tip!

Wondering how to store all of your wrapping paper? I have a box that stands upright in our front hall closet - and for the entire month of December I am at battle with it! I've been known to just cram everything in the closet and shut the door real fast in hopes that nothing falls out. Sound familiar?  I saw this idea on Practically Martha and it is genius! Use a hanging garment bag to store all your gift wrap rolls.  I will be putting this tip to use THIS AFTERNOON! 

At my house, there is rarely a time when Glitter isn't present - I'm a firm believer in the mantra "Glitter makes everything better!" I've had kids leave my house and their mothers call later in the afternoon saying, "Bryce came home with glitter in his hair, did you guys do a craft?" Um....no. There's just a good chance, if you play at our house, you'll leave with glitter on your person! We don’t stress about cleaning up the glitter. But I think my husband would appreciate it if I did...(he once taught 6 periods of Biology with a huge sparkle on his cheek), so this lint-roller idea from Real Simple sounded like something I need to embrace. Maybe you do too?

I have a friend who has been using this trick, found on Organizing Junkie, for years...and I think I am going to try it! Make wrapping simple by choosing one wrapping paper for each member of the family. It takes much less time to wrap gifts in one paper than it does when switching gift wrap each time. And you will also use up small pieces too so this means less waste. And if gift tags should fall off, you know what wrapping paper belongs to which child. Heck - I might not even make gift tags...MORE TIME SAVED!

Ever wonder how you can hang a pretty Christmas wreath from your kitchen cabinets? Timmons Family Lemonade bought a few of those 3M Scotch Hooks, turned them upside down, and stuck them to the inside of her kitchen cabinet. Simply loop the top of the wreath’s ribbon through the hook, close the cabinet and admire how beautiful it looks.

Bake at 350 has the perfect solution for easy cookie decorating with kids (or clumsy adults, like me!) Simply grab a few ketchup squeeze bottles from the Dollar Store and fill up with your choice of colored icing. No more messy clipped-corner-plastic-bags. Or the need for multiple pastry tips. I HATE cleaning those little pieces!

Do you find that many of your ornaments are broken each year as a result of poor storing? We keep ours in old wine boxes with tissue. But we have aquired some ornaments over the years, that I want (need!) to pack away with some extra care. This idea from Mom’s Party Cafe looks like an easy, inexpensive way to do just that – hot glue some cups to a piece of cardboard and layer to fit in plastic bins. Ornaments will fit snugly in each cup and keep from getting crushed.

And, finally, this is my favorite tip of all! The kids and I have made it a tradition to decorate Gingerbread Houses every year since they were young. And although it is always great fun, I can't remember a year that everyone's structures didn't come crashing down in the end. (My husband knows my OCD tendencies and started last year off by handing me a huge glass of wine. "Here," he said, "You're going to need this.")  The Macs suggest solving poor gingerbread architecture by HOT GLUING the graham cracker houses together the night before. Brilliant! Not edible, but definitely sturdy! (The only one eating our houses was the DOG, anyhow ;-)

Do you have any tips or tricks that make your Holidays more Merry? Please share them with us in the comments. I need all the help I can get!

Student of the Week

We are so proud of our Student of the Week, Blake, for receiving the SUPERSTAR award for working so hard to be a good listener, stay on task, and be cooperative and helpful in class! Way to go buddy - You make us smile! 

Holiday Gift Guide 2014 - gifts that GIVE BACK

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Time for GIVING! Today is #GivingTuesday and we encourage you to GIVE and enjoy how good it feels. Give food, give thanks, give time, give hugs, give big, give small, give just because, just GIVE! Generosity can be fun. Especially when the gift you are giving also GIVES BACK. We've put together some of our favorite things this Holiday season that do just that. When we work at #GivingBackTogether, it's the Hap-Happiest Season of All! ~Erin

1// Library Card Coaster Set by Out of Print

The Booknerd in your life will love these coasters that look like library checkout cards. They'll also love your gift of continued literacy! For each product sold on the site, one book gets donated to a community in need. Out of Print also has a line of extra soft tees featuring iconic book covers! I basically want one of everything. 

2// Perfect 10 Kookie Tin by Karlie Kloss

Model Karlie Kloss collaborated with Momofuku Milk Bar in NYC to create these healthy dairy and gluten free cookies which are sweetened with agave. A portion of the profits from each tin will go towards providing 60 school meals to hungry children around the world through a partnership with FEED. Perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer for the Foodie in your family! 

3// Choices Tee by The Naked Hippie

A perfect fit for the activist in your life! 100% of the profits from the sale of this tee are invested in micro loans to help those in developing countries support themselves and their families by starting or growing small shops, stands and sidewalk businesses. 

4// iPad sleeve by Sydney Paige

Help your student keep their favorite tech device safe, clean, on trend and socially conscious all in one with our iPad sleeves! For every Sydney Paige item bought, we donate the same item to a student in need, giving them the tools and confidence they need to stay in school and graduate.

5// Wink Bags by When In Need of Kindness

Wink toiletry bags are filled with Soap & Paper Factory products and for each bag purchased, one is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms which provides a resting place for the families of critically ill children in hospitals. Meaningful stocking stuffer for the Traveler or Dorm Dweller in your life!

6// Celebrate Charity Pot by LUSH

Pamper Mom with this luxurious hand and body cream made with organic ingredients and lush fragrances. Every cent from the purchase (excluding taxes) goes to support grassroots charities around the world. Since launching their Charity Pot program in 2007, LUSH has donated more than $5,800,000 to over 600 grassroots charities in 35 countries.

7// Strength Necklace by The Giving Keys

(Psssst...This is my favorite gift on the list!) Each Giving Keys piece is engraved with an inspirational word, such as love or hope or strength, and is accompanied by a tradition the recipient must carry on. When you get this key, you must give it away at some point to a person you feel needs the message. Then you write the company and tell them the story! The people making these pieces are transitioning out of homelessness, and because of The Giving Keys, are able to open bank accounts, get apartments and have hope for their future again. A beautiful legacy to give and receive...and GIVE AGAIN! So good. 

8// Down Comforter by The Company Story

My girls have their hearts set on redecorating their bedroom this holiday...with a little investigating, I was pleased to find, I could indulge them while also giving back! For every comforter you buy from The Company Store, they will donate one to a homeless child in the USA. To help with the cause, The Company Store has partnered with Family Promise, a nonprofit dedicating to helping homeless families. 

9// Rain boots by Roma Boots

It's down pouring as I type this post today - and I am caught ill prepared. I need these boots! For every pair of Roma Boots sold, a pair is donated to a child in need and 10% of all sales proceeds go to the Roma For All Foundation which fights childhood poverty and provides education. Roma carries adult and kids sizes, so you can check off everyone on your list! 

10// The ABLE Scarf by FashionABLE

The story of fashionABLE is women sharing what they are ABLE to do when provided an opportunity, and this scarf has those statements written right on it, making a bold statement of your support of empowering women with jobs! YAY!! Each scarf is handmade by women in Ethiopia who have escaped their previous life of sex trafficking and hopelessness all because of this amazing line. They also have beautiful leather bags, clutches and wallets. 

11// Toothbrush by Smile Squared

Santa always seemed to find room for a toothbrush in my stocking growing up...you too? While it seemed inevitable...and a little disappointing (I must admit) I still carry on this tradition with my kids. So I was delighted to discover these bamboo Smile Squared ones. For every purchase, a toothbrush gets donated to a child in need. That's not disappointing at all! (You can also find them sold individually HERE) 

12// Door Mat from West Elm

I had no idea, but West Elm collaborates with over 20 artisan groups in over 15 different countries with committing to pay $35 million directly back to artisans. "Over half of the artisans are women who are learning skills, supporting their families and empowering themselves through the work they're doing." If you click the "handcrafted" tab on West Elm's site you can a check out all the products that are offered (and man there are A LOT!) This Door Mat just spoke to me. ;-) 

13// Dip Painted Mortar by Unicef Market

Holy Guacamole! Hand carved (and painted) by an artist in Guatemala, this wooden mortar and pestle set is part of the UNICEF Market powered by NOVICA. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds of each gift from the Market benefits UNICEF’s programs, which provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water and more to children in need.

Whatever you chose to GIVE this season, big or small, do it with purpose and with LOVE and it will be the very best gift of all. Happy GIVING!

Cyber Monday

Buy the gift that GIVES BACK and get 20% off your entire Sydney Paige purchase TODAY ONLY! 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Turkey Day from Paige & Sydney!

Well Said Wednesday

{find more on our Well Said pinboard}

Tip Tuesday - Thanksgiving Recipes

Are you ready for Turkey Day? I make Caramelized Brussels Sprouts every year, even tho none of my kids will eat them. More for me!! You can find this recipe and more on our "Give Thanks" pinboard.

~Erin 

Well Said Wednesday

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Think About It Thursday - Halloween Costumes for Mom & Dad

Our kids love for us to dress up on Halloween too...but I always seem to find myself scrambling for quick and easy costume ideas for Mom and Dad around 3PM on Halloween. I spend most of my time and energy on the kids' costumes and then end up being something totally uninspired. (AKA pulling some cast off prop from years past out of the Halloween box and going with it.)

This year, I decided to start a little earlier (as in one whole day!) and come up with some ideas that would be just as fun for us as for the kids - but wouldn't cause me any stress in the time and energy department! Most of these costumes you can throw together with things you have around the house and maybe a quick run to the $.99 cent store or Party City.

If I trusted myself to roller skate around our neighborhood without injuring myself (or someone else) I'd totally be that Roller Disco Girl - love the idea of incorporating a balloon into the costume! And if my hair were darker, I'd be Holly Golightly in two seconds (especially since we just got new kittens!)

Flight Attendent

Don a white dress shirt and a pencil skirt or slacks, put your hair in a low bun, tie a scarf around your neck and grab your rolly bag! Add some bright red lips and you are all set to fly the friendly skies.

{AS SEEN ON}

Ice Cream Cone/Sundae

Make your own "sprinkles" out of brightly colored cardstock and add them to a white top with thread and a needle or hot glue. Make a red balloon, cherry headband and don some kitchy sunglasses and you'll be sweet as a sundae. The brown skirt adds to the ice cream cone idea, but isn't a must!

{AS SEEN ON}

Masked Bandits/Burglars

Surely you have dark pants and a striped shirt in your closet! Turn an old pillow case into a money bag with some paint or a black sharpie and find or make an eyemask. (I found one at Michael's for $1!) Add gloves and red lips to really up the anty and make this costume a STEAL!

{AS SEEN ON}

Holly Golightly

A trench coat, some dark glasses, a BUMPit! and some jewels and you will be the most stylish girl to say "Trick or Tiffany's" your block has ever seen! Meow.

{AS SEEN ON}

Pizza Delivery Boy & Slice

This one would take a little more prep than the rest...but it would only take a few pieces of colored poster board to make the pizza slice and there is something about the guy's headphones, backwards hat and bored face that I just love!

{AS SEEN ON}

Roller Disco Girl

Is it embarrassing to admit I onw neon legwarmers and white rollerskates? If you're shameless like me, then this costume is for you! Side ponytail and a disco ball mylar balloon (or you could make your own with an oversized balloon and some silver glitter) and you are set! 

{AS SEEN ON}

Mary Poppins & Bert

I was Mary Poppins in my elementary school play - so this costume pulls on my sentimental heart strings! With a few pieces from your closet, a red umbrella and red ribbon and you are almost there. Add a black hat embellished with some silk flowers and you will be Practically Perfect in Every Way!

{AS SEEN ON}

Laverne & Shirley

These would be such fun costumes to wear with my neighbor/BFF! Some items from our closets and some black ribbon and hot glue will help complete the look. Be sure and loop arms and skip down the street and you'll be "Making (Y)our Dreams Come True!"

{AS SEEN ON}

You can find many more Last Minute Costumes for Mom & Dad on our "SPOOKtacular!" Pinboard

Clark Kent & Lois Lane, Where's Waldo & Wenda, Inspector Gadget and Carmen San Diego...just to name a few. Whatever you chose to be this Halloween, I hope it's fun and makes you laugh - and results in lots of candy! Or wine. Or Pumpkin Spiced anything...

Pick Your Poison! ~Erin

Well Said Wednesday

{find more on our Well Said pinboard}

Well Said Wednesday

{find more on our Well Said pinboard}

Follow Friday - Twirly Girl

We are excited to share an inspiring and awesome company with you today for our Follow Friday post. Twirly Girl makes adorable dresses, skirts, tops and bottoms for that lively girl in your life - and donates a portion of their profits to ChildHelp.org! How great is that? All their creations are bright and lively and durable made to withstand that playful spirit. Check out Twirly Girl's newest fall collection HERE. 

You can read more about the heart of Cynthia - the woman who started Twirly Girls and her passion for helping abused and neglected children HERE. It it a moving story of healing and compassion! 

Twirly Girl on Facebook

Twirly Girl on Twitter

Twirly Girl on Instagram

Twirly Girl on Pinterest

Twirly Girl Blog

Well Said Wednesday

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Tip Tuesday - Hiccup Cure

Ever since I saw this trick on Facebook last week, I have been dying to try it out, so I could see if it works. GUESS WHAT?? We've tried it twice in our home this past week - and it totally works! So much so, that now we are all trying to get the hiccups so we can keep testing the cure. 

Jump on over HERE to Kids Activities Blog to read all about it and try for yourself! 

Follow Friday - Roma Boots

For today's Follow Friday post we are excited to feature an awesome company! We at Sydney Paige have a special place in our hearts for Roma Boots because they share our passions for Giving Back and Education. 

Roma Boots is dedicated to meeting the practical needs of orphans and street children by providing a new pair of rain boots for every pair of boots sold. But they are also changing these children's futures by helping them get an education! 10% of all their sales proceeds go to the Roma For All Foundation. Roma Boots believes that only through education can we truly help eradicate the cycle of poverty and help these children become catalysts for positive change in society.

(Guatemala)

(Translyvania)

Sound familiar?! That's what we are Sydney Paige are all about too!! Sydney and Paige recently got Roma Boots and they love them. Please take a moment to learn more about Roma Boots and help support the great work they are doing. Their product is well made, fashion forward, and perfect for the approaching El Nino winter we are supposed to experience soon!

Roma Boots on Facebook

Roma Boots on Twitter

Roma Boots on Instagram

Roma Boots Blog

(all pictures taken from Roma Boots Flickr page)

Think About It Thursday - FALL in Love

I always think of myself as a 'Summer Girl'...but I think I'm really an 'Every Season' sort of girl. By the time one is ending, I am so ready and excited for the next to begin! I have especially been feeling like that this week. Yesterday I added some burgandy and mustard yellow mums to the front planters and they are making me so happy! Today I'm making some pumpkin bread for the kids' teachers. (I could live on all things pumpkin for the next two months!) What are some of the things that make you Fall in Love with fall? ~Erin

Hot Mulled Cider // from The Pioneer Woman

Heirloom Sweater Boots // from Spool 72

Caramel Apple Cheesecake // from Annie's Eats

Pumpkin Donuts // from Pick Fresh Foods

The Perfect Scarf in Pumpkin // from Northernly

Fall Subway Art Printable // from Bombshell Bling

Find more on our {Fall In Love Pinboard}

Well Said Wednesday

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Tip Tuesday - 'Picture Perfect' School Photos

One of the annual rites of passage for kids (and their parents) is school picture day. I think it stresses me out as a mom more than the first day of school or the Holiday program. Why, you might ask? Because I have forgotten in years past. And sent my kids to school looking like hobos! Messy hair, wearing last season's day-glo soccer jersey, and jelly still on their faces. Gotta love it. Now I set three reminders in my phone and place sticky notes all over the house to help me remember. After all, these photos end up being handed out to relatives, friends, and classmates… and don’t forget those yearbook spreads either! School picture day isn’t a day you want to forget.

That being said, I decided to ask some of my photographer friends for some "TIPS" on getting "Picture Perfect" school photos. You know, OTHER THAN "Don't forget!" Here are their words of wisdom:

1. Practice smiling.  Especially with younger kids who are new to the "picture day process." Photographers have many children to capture in a short period of time and will have limited interaction with your kid. The whole process can feel rushed and uncomfortable - remember the drill? Wait in line with your form. Step up to the box made out of tape. Sit on the stool. SMILE! Flash. You're done. Hopefully, with a little beforehand practice, a genuine smile will shine through even in these crazy circumstances! 

2. Go with simple, everyday hairstyles. Don’t get a new haircut the day before, or try a new hairstyle you’ve never attempted. I remember cutting my own bangs the night before school pictures in the 5th grade. I went too short and they stuck STRAIGHT OUT the next morning. I still cringe at that picture! School pictures are meant to capture your child AS THEY ARE, that year. While it may not be the end of the world, a haircut or style that doesn't actually represent your child will only add to the awkwardness of the photo.

3. Chose a clean, simple patterned top. A clean, shirt or dress with a simple neckline is best. Generally busier tops detract from the face (especially when you add in those backgrounds!) And remember - sparkles or glitter often show up out of focus and can wash out the other colors in the photo.

4. BRIBERY.  Normally, I’m not one for bribery, but I know it works. (I got my ring bearer son down the aisle, complete with a tie and a smile, because he knew there was a ginormous box of Legos waiting for him after the ceremony!)  If it’s important to you that your kid smiles, or that you avoid the dreaded retake day, then make a deal with your kid. Good pictures = Reward.

My kids' Picture Day was last week. I feel like we did our best with the tips and tricks my photographer friends suggested. Wyatt's wasn't into practicing his smile, however. He is currently missing 3 front teeth and not fond of showing off the gaps! As his mother, I really wanted this toothless grin captured, however...So I BRIBED him to smile wide. This is what I got as I dropped them off in the morning. I call it "Grumpy Blue Steel." I can't wait to see how the real shots turned out! 

Do you have any other ideas for "Picture Perfect" school pics? We'd love to hear them! ~Erin