Memories in Moments

Candice is a California girl living in Seattle, a mama to be to her sweet son, and an extremely talented baker. She started baking chocolate chip cookies as a creative outlet after busy work days, and she now has a thriving business baking for weddings and events in the Seattle area. Candice is on the show to give us some of her best baking tips, share some sweet treat recipes, and help us navigate setting up dessert tables in a stress-free and manageable way. I am definitely not a baker, it is very overwhelming to me, but after talking to Candice, I’m excited and feeling confident to try some new things and maybe even enjoy baking!

**Click to see the full SHOW NOTES and get Candice's exclusive recipe for her famous chocolate chip cookies that started it all! 

SHOW SPONSOR:

My FREE guide: 5 Tips for Creating a Stunning Dessert Table! This is your go to guide if you have a party coming up! I give you my 5 rules, along with links to purchase my must have items for creating height and serving your treats, and show you how to put the whole dang thing together. Best part? You can apply these tips to any table you set, not just desserts! 

Download your guides here!

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Today's episode is all about what the heck to do when you have to host a rainy day indoor party. Maybe you are planning a party and rain surprise attacks you, or maybe your kiddo has a rainy season birthday and this is your reality every year. Regardless of the circumstance, I have tons of tips and creative ideas for you to try when planning your next rainy day party! 

I get asked about rainy day parties all the time. "Where do I host?"  "How do I fit people in my home without using my yard?"  "Do I have to host at a kid’s play place?" These are all real questions I've gotten... and I bet you've wondered them before too! Heck rain even stresses me out and I do this for a job!

So the two things I hear from my tribe the most often are...

1. I can’t host a party because my house is too small
2. My house is NOT nice enough to have people over. I need a venue.

CLICK FOR ALL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING PICS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

My Halloween Celebration Guide! This guide is FULL of easy but memorable ideas to make this Halloween extra special this year. Decor, treat ideas, menu plans, activities, and more are all waiting for you! The guide also comes with 3 free printables for you to use as decor or at a fun celebration! 

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

See full show notes and resources here: https://confettipartyplans.com/halloween-traditions/

Today my friend Mariah and I are taking a deep dive into creating Halloween memories and starting new family traditions for the fun and spooky holiday! Mariah is FULL of ideas for easy ways to celebrate that have HUGE impact on your kids and the magic of their childhoods!

Mariah is an insanely creative and talented mama of 3, and the creator of  Giggles Galore. Mariah started her blog before blogging was even popular, going on 10 years now! You guys, her parties will all over the interwebs before Pinterest was even a thing! Mind-blowing to me. Like many mamas with young kids, she was looking for a creative outlet and something to identify with outside of being a mom to her 3 (under 3!) kids. She started blogging about her parties and family celebrations and Giggles Galore took off and is now a full time business. Mariah still blogs about life’s celebrations, but she also works with brands to create content, as well as gives families resources to create, craft, and make and celebrate.

SHOW SPONSOR:

My Halloween Celebration Guide! This guide is FULL of easy but memorable ideas to make this Halloween extra special this year. Decor, treat ideas, menu plans, activities, and more are all waiting for you! The guide also comes with 3 free printables for you to use as decor or at a fun celebration! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for 20% off!

Grab your guides here!

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

I had a blast with this Q&A style show! I put a call out to the Memories and Moments listeners and asked them to send me any and all questions they had about celebrating Halloween this year. I gathered them all and answered each one in the episode!

The questions generally fell into 3 categories: decor, food, and activities. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I loved recording it! This was a really fun one for me!

If you liked this episode format, would you let me know? I'd love your feedback on it! Send me an email at [email protected] or go let me know over in my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

My Halloween Celebration Guide is the perfect compliment to this episode. It has even more ideas, tips, and gives the supply lists, materials needed, and actual recipes to the examples I mentioned in today's show! It is a must if you want to step up your Halloween mom game this year!

Go check out the show notes: https://confettipartyplans.com/halloween-questions/

Jessica is a mom of 2, an organization goddess, and the head honcho over at The Organized Mama. Jessica started her organizational journey by implementing new routines to make her home work for her family better, and by impressing her friends with the most organized nursery around. Word got out that she had a gift, and a beautiful business and blog blossomed!  Jessica's goal is to help families how to lead neat and calmer lives, one drawer at a time!

 and art project mountain we are all living under!

How do we decide what to keep and what to toss...and what do we do with the pieces we keep??

1. Ask yourself: do you want this piece of art? Would you personally want your 2nd day of Kindergarten drawing that you made to pass the time? Probably not. 

2. Take pictures of your kid's art/schoolwork and put it in a book! This ensures you are honoring the memories and progress they are making developmentally while not drowning in paperwork! GENIUS!

Pro Tip: You can link your Favorites photo album on your phone up to Chatbooks and it'll automatically put your book together when you hit a certain amount of photos! 

3. On Minted, you can make a giant poster of your kid's artwork in a shape or displayed! You can make a heart with all the pics of their projects and it's a fun and unique way to display their art and see their development! What a fun way for kids to look back on their artwork! Also, how adorable is this for playroom art??

Routines to keep us organized and at peace to start the week:

1. Prep food- grab and go items in the fridge, kids pack some of their own lunches- give your kids responsibility! 

2. To do list: only pick 3 things to do. This helps with anxiety and overwhelm. I LOVED this tip of Jessica's because I do this for my business and it has changed my productivity, so I am so excited to implement this into my personal life!

Pro tip: doing the dishes is 3 things! Wash, dry, fold. Give yourself a break, friend!

What is the space in our home we can organize that'll give us the most peace of mind?

Surprise! It's your bedroom! It's your tranquil, clutter-free, calm space. This is important, mamas! We need a space that is calm and safe for us to decompress in.

Tips on de-cluttering kid's rooms

• Model this with our own rooms- set the example of the importance of a clean room (i.e. my dresser has 2 things on it, can we get your dresser to look like that?)
• No toys in the bedroom. Bring a bin up for nap-time or quiet-time but toys live in the playroom, not the bedroom

Jessica's Decluttering Challenge: The Declutter-athon!

Your timeline, go at your own pace, but the goal is to declutter your space in 30 days.

One topic each day for 30 days to declutter- one little job each day. (i.e. Day 1: organize your junk drawer: make it an office drawer- anything else gets tossed or moved to a different location)

Sign up for the challenge!

Blog posts talked about on the show:

Tips for organizing and storing holiday decor

Easy systems for organizing school papers 

Teaching kids how to declutter

Blog: The Organized Mama

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My Halloween Celebration Guide! This guide is FULL of easy but memorable ideas to make this Halloween extra special this year. Decor, treat ideas, menu plans, activities, and more are all waiting for you! The guide also comes with 3 free printables for you to use as decor or at a fun celebration! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for 20% off!

Grab your guides here!

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Kristin is a mom of 2 and the creator of the one of my favorite blogs, Live Simply. She is is an incredible resource for those wanting to start eating real, whole foods. Her journey with food led her from being a Velveeta-loving newlywed to witnessing the power real food had on her family's health, especially her son's. She talks all about her food and health transformation on the episode, but you can also read about it on her blog.

Kristin has two school-aged children, which means she packs two school lunches each morning! She is here to give us tips and ideas on making the prepping and planning of school lunches. She gives us menu plan ideas, routines to get into, and ways to involve our kids in the lunch time packing. Kristin also shares ways to make memories with our kids in the kitchen, including one of her favorite memories, making hot chocolate with her kids- something they look forward to every season.

Kristin believes in simplicity, especially when it comes to food. Eat simple, live simple, plan simple. Planning lunches shouldn't be hard, yet it's something so many moms out there stress over. We want to pack a nutritious lunch, but we also want them to eat, so we fall into a sandwich rut.  That's 100% me! Almond butter and honey all day everyday for my little. After talking with Kristin, I have a new plan and different menu ideas to tackle in the upcoming lunch prep weeks! I'm excited to add variety for the lunchbox and I know you will too!

Kristin's journey to discovering real food

The evolution of her blog, Live Simply and the launch of her new podcast, Live Simply, The Podcast

• advice for moms to prep lunches that are healthy, real food based but that the kid’s will eat
• how to plan…break lunch into categories (main, veggie, fruit, crunch, etc.)
• making a menu plan (it’s easier than it sounds!): 2 choices that get rotated through out the week
• getting the kids involved with category choices
  • pro-tip: pack a new food choice in the lunchbox on the weekend for practice and exposure to a new lunch option!

Lunchboxes Kristin uses (affiliate links):

OmieBox Bento Lunch Box (with built in thermos)

PlanetBox Lunch Box

Kristin also mentioned these Curious Chef kid's knives, which I bought for Evie a couple years ago, and we use ALL the time with both kids! 

• prep ahead of time and have them fill the lunch box compartments
• they can cut easy to slice fruits like strawberries and place them in their lunchbox
• try to add to your after dinner routine: pick one thing to prep for lunch tonight
• tell them the menu plan ahead of time…ask for input and get them involved in the shopping

Healthy Real Food Lunches for Real Kids: Over 50 Recipes

20+ Real Food Make Ahead School Lunch Ideas

Check out some of my favorite blog posts on school lunch prep from Kristin!

• How to Simplify School Lunch with a Rotational Lunch Menu
• 4 Hacks That Simplify School Breakfast and Lunch
• 5 Tips For Packing Healthy Lunches (Kids Won't Throw Away)

Kristin’s family’s favorite hot chocolate

Buckeye Christmas cookies

Christmas morning cinnamon rolls

Blog: Live Simply

Live Simple, The Podcast

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YouTube

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

SHOW SPONSOR:

My Halloween Celebration Guide! This guide is FULL of easy but memorable ideas to make this Halloween extra special this year. Decor, treat ideas, menu plans, activities, and more are all waiting for you! The guide also comes with 3 free printables for you to use as decor or at a fun celebration! Use the code PODCAST at checkout for 20% off!

Grab your guides here!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Carla is a mom of 3 littles, who she lovingly calls her "cute crew" which I think is the cutest thing ever. She is an early childhood teacher and reading interventionist turned stay at home mama, and the creator of the adorable blog, Little Learner. She is on a mission to encourage parents and guide them through loving and learning with their littles with simple, fun, and engaging educational activities. Regardless if you are a stay at home mom, or a working full time mom, Carla wants to help you invest in your kid's early education with her amazing resources and activity ideas. They are not time consuming, or activities filled with prep (which I LOVE), but they are intentional and impactful.

In this episode we talk all about Carla's favorite Fall traditions and activities. We talk about different learning activities we can do with paper leaves, a darling Fall Festival party I know everyone is going to do this year, and my favorite, her Play and Learn Calendars. These calendars are JAM-PACKED with Fall themed-based activities, snack ideas, printables and more. They are insanely easy to execute, take basically no time to prep at all, and are so fun! You can check them out here!

Carla also offers a free download, printable Fall leaves, that offer SO many learning opportunities- letters, sounds, numbers, early spelling, color matching, etc. 

Head on over to the show notes for the full break down of the episode, including visuals of some of the activities Carla talks about.

Connect with Carla!

Blog: Little Learner

Download Play and Learn Calendars

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Parties are one of the most special ways to make memories with your loved ones...but I know they can also be stress, time-consuming, and stressful. 

I have always been a party girl. I was raised in a home where special occasions and celebrations were important.  They were and still are a big cornerstone to my family. When the time came to plan Evie's birthday, I was ready! This was my Super Bowl! I was the party girl! This will be a breeze.

Wrong. 

Planning that party was horrible. It was stressful, and time-consuming, and so expensive. I was a wreck. Not only was I emotional about my baby turning one, but I was fixated on making every little detail for the party perfect. I thought I needed to do it all- DIY decor, baking everything on the dessert table, the perfect IG pictures. All of that stress and overwhelm resulted in a beautiful party, but I also cried in the laundry room from exhaustion right before Evie did her smash cake. I loved having everyone there together celebrating, but it was a lot harder than I ever knew.

I knew something needed to change because that I knew parties would stay in my life...but I didn't want to experience that rollercoaster again!

In this episode, I break down the two most important things I do before I even lift a finger for the party.

These questions ensure you are in the mindset of planning your party. They put the focus back on why you are doing this- you are celebrating someone or something. The answer to these questions guide the whole planning process, and immediately set you up for success. Don't skip this step!

• Why are you having a party?
• What is your theme?
• Where will your party be?

Sit down and actually write the answers out to these questions. Below is an example that I wrote in my planner before planning Evie's 4th birthday party.

“My daughter is turning 4 and is obsessed with Disney princesses. We are going to have a princess themed birthday party in our backyard. I want to create a memorable experience for her and her friends, so I am going to hire some princesses to come surprise the birthday girl and her guests.”

Start from 6 weeks out and work your way down to party day. Write down every little thing that needs to get done- your brain cannot hold everything you think you need to do. Even write down things you think are obvious, like getting ready. It reminds you that you need to organize your time to allow for that to happen so you aren't scrambling and forget your deodorant (been there).

I've got a free download ready and waiting for you! My 5 Stress-Free Secrets to a Memorable Party.  The tips I talk about in the episode, and more are all outlined in details with examples so you can enjoy the planning and hosting of a beautiful party! 

Download it at: confettipartyplans.com/secrets

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Laura is a teacher mom of 3 (superwoman!), and the creator of The Schoolhouse Site!  She is on a mission to help parents feel involved with their kid’s school lives through connecting with them and their teachers during the day.  She is in incredible resource, and her blog is filled with tips and ideas on helping us do this! 

Laura has also launched a new product, which is beyond brilliant, called The Creative Lunch Box! These boxes come with themed paper goods (i.e. napkins, treat bag, straws), a cookie cutter, and adorable themed notes to add to your kid’s lunchbox. The notes are different too- including prompts, jokes, blank ones, so you can use the one that fits yours needs on that day!

Shop the Creative Lunch Box!

In this episode Laura shares…

• the story of how she started her blog
• How we can connect with our kids at school and why it is important
• How we can build a strong relationship with our kid’s teachers and nurture it throughout the year
• Ways we can help at school without physically being there all the time
• How we can connect with our kids and get them talking about school at the end of the day

Laura also has a free printable for getting to know your teachers a bit more too!  I told you she is full of resources! It helps learn his/her favorite things so you can grow your connection, and this also helps with teacher gifts! You can download it here!

Blog: The SchoolHouse Site

Shop the Creative Lunch Box and more cute products

Instagram

Pinterest

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP! 

Follow Along On Instagram! 

Welcome to the show! I'm your hostess, Allison Carter, a stay at home mom and online party planner, and I am so glad you're here.

This podcast is all about giving you tangible tips and realistic ideas for making memories with your family when it comes to special occasions, holidays, and milestones. I truly believe every occasion, big or small, deserves to be celebrated, and I'm going to give you tons of ideas on how you can do that in a manageable way as we juggle the many things life throws at us as busy parents.

I'll be interviewing amazing guests who are full of ideas and ways to create memories and start traditions.  You are going to walk away from each episode with something new you can try that day that'll make a lasting impact on your family.

I can't wait to make memories in moments that'll be cherished for a lifetime together!

Please SUBSCRIBE to the show, SHARE with your friends, and leave a REVIEW! This helps get the show in front of even more mamas, and allows me to get awesome guests who are going to blow your mind!

 Head on over to my free Facebook group, Memories in Moments Insiders! There you’ll find additional resources to support each episode, more information on guests and how you can connect with them, visual and video tutorials, and best of all, connection as we navigate parenting and making memories together!

JOIN THE GROUP HERE! https://www.facebook.com/groups/263333867622159

Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/confettipartyplans 

Website: https://confettipartyplans.com/memories-in-moments-podcast/