Working Mom

Word of the Year – Sticktoitiveness

December 31, 2017 By Amberly Caccamo

Picking a word of the year seems to be all the rage, right? Well, I’m certainly going to jump on that bandwagon! Basically, you choose a meaningful word, you write that shit everywhere, and you live by it for a whole year. You in? Good! This year my word is sticktoitiveness.

What Sticktoitiveness Means To Me

I love to say the word. Go ahead, say it out loud. Stick-to-it-tive-ness. Fun, yeah? I don’t know if you’ve seen the Madagascar movies 14 thousand times, but some of us have. It’s a quote made by Alex the Lion, they are going to fix the plane with “spit, and grit and sticktoitiveness.” This quote is stuck in my psyche. I love it! So I thought I’d be cute and pick an animated themed word of the year. Aren’t I the just the cutest?? Turns out though, according to dictionary.com the word has been around since 1909.

Sticktoitiveness also makes me squirm, which is a most excellent trait when you are working with your word of the year. It makes me just a little uncomfortable, thinking about seeing things all the way through. It’s so not me. It’s so boring. The idea of starting something and actually finishing it. I’m the queen of starting one thing, thinking of something else, setting it down and moving on. I’m the queen of fantastic plans, like writing out this fantastic home care system, giving it full steam for a second and dropping it like it’s hot. Can you relate to that?

What Sticktoitiveness Means to Work Life

I feel like I am constantly in rescue mode. This is true in work life, and in home life. I am just trying to stay afloat amidst the crazy. The word of the year is intended to help me stay focused on what is in front of me. To see it all the way through. To start a project, like sitting down to order all the fabulous fall sweaters for next year, and actually ordering them. And inputting the orders. And so on.

What Sticktoitiveness Means to Life At Large

I can apply the word of the year to all aspects of my life. From cleaning the kitchen after dinner to helping my kids get accustomed to a wonderful morning routine. From starting the laundry to folding the laundry…fine and to putting it away.

Did you choose a word of the year? It’s never too late! I didn’t choose my 2017 word until December 1st or so. Come on over to facebook and share your word with me and my crew!

Carhartt Women’s Rain Jacket Review

October 29, 2017 By Amberly Caccamo

Description of Carhartt Women’s Shoreline Rain Jacket

The good:

Truly waterproof. This jacket sheds water wonderfully and the waterproof taped seams keeps you dry for hours.
It’s lightweight. Not too heavy, and I can easily toss a hoodie or something on under it.
My seriously favorite part is the storm cuff with thumbholes–but hey, I’m easily impressed!
The hood is detachable, which is bonus for me until I lose it.

My Personal Experience

Carhartt Women’s Shoreline Rain Jacket has been awesome. I often find Carhartt garments to run pretty big, and I don’t think this one does. I do like to wear a hoodie underneath it, so I sized up. Have I mentioned that I live in a house with wood heat? It’s a total pain, dragging in wood every day, but the heat from wood is the coziest. Anyhow, I wore my Cahartt Shoreline rain jacket out to the woodshed to my gathering, and my top half stayed dry as my aging skin (really, really dry.) My jeans, however, did not fare so well. Guess my next purchase will be the rainpant! I am also questioning why oh why we chose the shed at the bottom of the property to store our wood…

You guys! This print is so dang cute. I feel like a million bucks when I wear this jacket. It’s adorable AND rugged, don’t you think? Just like me! I kid, I kid. I’m adorable, but not so rugged. Anywho, I look forward to using this thing all winter long.

And hey guys…this jacket makes a fantastic gift you the lady in your life!

Do you need this jacket in your life? Contact Me! I am happy to ship one to you.

Also, check out our boutique’s facebook page

5 Time Saving Tips for Soccer Season

October 14, 2017 By Amberly Caccamo

Soccer Season Dinnertime Blues

My boys are in the middle of their soccer season, and boy is it exhausting! Last year our two bigs were on the same team. That was a huge time saver. Soccer brings us to two different teams this year, Under 8’s and Under 10’s.
Weeknights are a crazy hustle. Oh, and have I mentioned the crying toddler hanging on my legs—‘cause that’s super fun! So here are my 5 time saving tips for easier evenings.

5 Time Saving Tips

Crock Pot Love

You’ve heard it 75,000 times….make friends with your crock pot. Or better yet, ditch the crock pot and get yourself an Instant Pot. I can hear you. You don’t think you need a trendy new piece of equipment in your kitchen, but trust me you won’t be sorry. The freezer and the IP have become my very BEST friends this season. Therefore I suggest you research it, and think about adding one to your kitchen if you haven’t already.

Set your table in the A.M.

Set your dinner table after breakfast. I can’t remember where I first heard this one, but OMG it really saves time. Plus…added bonus: it keeps the hubs from using the table as his desk. Sorry hubs!

Leftovers, Anyone?

Leftovers! It’s so simple and obvious, but so often overlooked. Double Sunday night’s dinner throw it in the freezer or the fridge. Re-heat in your Instant Pot or your microwave on your busiest nights. This works great with pasta dishes, casseroles, soups and stews.

BFD

BFD. Uh, that’s Breakfast for dinner. My kids love it! Few home cooked meals are as fast as cooking up some nitrate-free bacon and scrambling some eggs. Slice up from fruit and you’ve got a well-rounded meal. Oh, and go ahead and cook your eggs in a little bacon grease because YUM!

Meals on the go

So if you’ve decided that 4:00 PM is too early for dinner because you aren’t 80, but 8:00 PM is too late because you aren’t in Italy it’s time to whip up a homemade meal to-go. I’m talking super simple, but nutrient dense meals in a lunch box. Eating at the field is definitely time saving. Some of my family’s favorites are:

Snack boxes filled with nitrate-free salami, some whole grain crackers, slices of cheese, & apples
Tortillas filled with turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo. Call it a wrap and feel fancy!
Chicken salad sandwiches. Throw in my super-secret ingredient, grapes and it’s a well rounded meal between 2 slices of bread.

Sometimes you gotta just drive thru on your way home. When I have no choice, well wait. I guess I have a choice, but it doesn’t feel like it, ya know? Let me re-phrase. When you choose the drive thru option, bring it home sit around the table as a family and enjoy your meal together. Just try not to make a habit out of the drive thru because we all know that sh—ain’t good for you!

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