10 Spring Gifts for Kids

If you’re looking for more Easter basket inspiration, we shared a couple of themed basket ideas here and here.

With Easter just over a week away, we wanted to share a few unique outdoor gifts for kids. I think you’ll agree that these gifts focus on connecting kids of all ages to nature in one form or another. We have something for the artist, the bug-lover, the bird watcher, and the explorer.

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Easter Basket Idea : Bugs!

This post was originally published 4 years ago. How can that be(e)?! We’re republishing it this year because it’s such a great collection of bug treats for your little ones. 

I’m so excited about this post! It may leave some of you squirming in your seats, but this sort of themed gift with unexpected items makes me so happy.

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If you’ve been following us for a little while, you know that the boys in my house are really into bugs (and any animal, really).  They like looking at them, holding them, talking, and reading about them. Our boys are 2 and 4, so I geared this basket theme for that age, but I do think this basket could easily be scaled up or down depending upon the books you choose.

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Make with Me: Shifty

Last year I started a series that I call Make with Me. The name is a bit misleading because I don’t really allow for us to make the same project concurrently, instead, I share projects in their finished state.  Most of these projects use other designers’ patterns, so I can’t even share a pattern or tutorial. Instead, I give you the project details, helpful hints, and links to the patterns and materials.

If I’ve talked to you about 2020 and the pandemic, I’m sure that I’ve told you that this was the sort of situation I was made for. Definitely didn’t like the health crisis, but I was so excited to not leave the house for weeks on end. I have enough ideas and supplies to keep me busy for years (no joke), and 2020 was my big chance to get busy….

But about 6 months into quarantine, I needed something new and a bit of inspiration.

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Nurturing Seasonal Rhythms

One of my goals for this year is to nurture seasonal rhythms with my family.

My focus for this goal is to increase our awareness of the role that the seasons play in our daily lives. I want to find ways to highlight for the seasonal shifts that occur in in the foods we eat, the activities we do, our celebrations, and even in how we feel.

Today I wanted to share the seasonal focus that we’ve added to our morning routine.

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Just Add Traction for an Awesome Winter Hike!

Hiking is definitely one of our favorite outdoor activities, and I happen to have two kids that are always up for a hike. We love our weekday hikes the best. The trails are relatively empty and we feel carefree to move along the trail at whatever pace feels good, even coming to a complete stop when we find spy a treasure worth investigating.

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Waste Less Wednesdays: Replace Those Soles

This week’s Waste Less Wednesdays post was originally published 3 years ago (it feels like just yesterday!). I’m happy to report that all of the shoes in this post are still going strong, and I just popped into the shop to get the heel replaced on a pair of my favorite winter boots.

Feeling like you have no soul* sole? Replace it!

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In today’s cheap clothing culture it seems that we aren’t investing in quality clothing and shoes that can be refurbished rather than replaced. Today we’re talking about how easy it is to replace/fix the soles of footwear. We’re hoping to encourage you to think twice before you toss your next pair of shoes or boots.

*sorry, but you know we needed at least one soul pun in this post. It’s best that we got it out of the way in our opening line. 😉

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Blood Orange Gin & Ginger

If you’d like more cocktails, we have a pretty great archive of inspiration. Looking to sip something floral with your sweetheart? We’d recommend the lavender lemon gin fizz or our sour wildflower.

It’s blood orange season! Pick some up at the market and treat your V-day pals to this delicious pink cocktail.

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Waste Less Wednesdays : Banana Valentine!

This week’s edition of Waste Less Wednesdays is also a throwback! We’re reminding you of the least expensive valentine around (okay maybe a hug is cheaper) coming in at about .30, a banana valentine! We love this simple waste-free way to show your appreciation.

We are all about balance around these parts. Sarah’s balance goes something like this: wake up at 4:00am to catch a sunrise from the summit of a mountain then spend the next 24 hours sleeping. Me? I’m always trying to strike a balance between showing my guys I love them by making fussy treats and then leaving a few oh-so-simple surprises around the house that have just as much meaning. Today we’re sharing the latter. A simple surprise that will put a smile on anyone’s face.

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You’ve probably seen this banana trick before, but we wanted to remind you of it again, especially if you woke up today realizing that you still don’t have anything for your Valentine. Don’t stress, just pick up a banana and follow these tips.

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A Valentine’s Day Treat: Homemade Marshmallows

A treat for your Valentine’s Day sweetie! Whip up a batch of homemade marshmallows this week!

Seeing homemade marshmallows make the internet rounds and knowing how much my husband loves them (caffeinated marshmallows were a stocking stuffer hit!), I was excited to test my kitchen skills and make whip up a batch. liveseasoned_spring2014_marshmallows_stack2_wm-1024x768 copy

The recipes all seem simple enough, but there was still something daunting about turning sugar into perfectly puffed squares and not ending up with my hand stuck to the magazine inserts like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation (need a reminder?).  With a free day, and all of the ingredients on hand, I am now a homemade marshmallow convert ~ they are so easy to make! And addictive! Although, while in the middle of this sweet adventure, there were a few moments of panic.

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