We're beginning a new Spring Cleaning series all about how systems help us tackle everything in the home that needs our time and attention. When we create a system for how things get used and maintained, we are give ourselves the gift of a smoothly operating home, as well as more free time to pursue our work, hobbies and dream lifestyle.

We're starting with the kitchen - the heart of the home - with a few systems in place we can make this area run efficiently, making meal times, mornings and clean up easier for everybody.

Plus! 7 Tips for running your kitchen like a pro!

Some kitchen items we recommend:

Trash-Can Pull Out for Bottom Mount Kitchen Cabinet

Boot Tray - for boots or corralling crumbs and spills. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

The countdown to competition day has begun! Jessica breaks down her decision to compete in the Mrs. Utah pageant and tells us all the things going into her preparation. Jessica also shares her platform: The Mom Refresh Movement - all about empowering overwhelmed moms to regain their sparkle through simple and doable habits centered around Fuel, Rest, Editing, Sparkle and Help. 

To subscribe to the MomLetter and get weekly tips and ideas for self-care in motherhood, click here! 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

Today we're discussing Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies - an idea she puts forth about how people tend to react to both inner and outer expectations, whether they readily meet them or tend to resist. As with any method of categorizing how people approach the world, we find this helpful for understanding how we (and the people we love) end up in the same situations over and over again. 

The Four Tendencies are 

• The Upholder, who readily meets inner and outer expectations, but has a hard time letting themselves off the hook for anything (even when it makes sense to do so)
• The Obliger, who readily meets outer expectations, but may struggle to stick to goals they've set for themselves
• The Rebel, who questions both inner and outer expectations and may have a hard time being accountable to anyone
• The Questioner, who wants to thoroughly investigate any outer expectation before making it an inner one, which they will often stick to

We need all of these approaches to the world to make it go round. We each rely on the other strengths to smooth over our weaknesses and vice versa. 

To find out your tendency, take the quiz here.

To read a quick overview of the book, check out this summary by Alex Chen. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

For Valentine’s Day, we’re talking all about connecting with our nearest and dearest, our broader communities and even perfect strangers. 

Michelle recommends “Gratitude Journal for Teens Girls and Moms” and this article: “The problem with donating our dopamine to our phones, not our friends” by Tonya Mosley.

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

We’re big fans of a family meeting: a once-a-week time set aside for discussing everything the family needs. It can be practical, philosophical and everything in between. Whether you start by lighting candles, making waffles or flopping on the couch, it’s a great place for the family to work through conflict in a less-emotional state, build character skills, set intentions and work out the kinks of daily life. It can be as formal or as informal as you’d like - and there’s only one prerequisite - that you do it! 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

We're closing out 2024 with a look back at our favorite things: memories, challenges, rituals, lessons learned and mantras that go us through. Plus- how we invite our families to spend some time in reflection and setting intentions for the New Year.

Michelle's Favorites:
Primrosia Dual-Tip Markers for Writing, Journaling, Doodling
Paperage Spiral Bound Notebooks (in different colors to keep track of what's inside)
Facial Cupping with Sakina Di Pace

Jessica's Favorites:
Reusable Under-Eye Patches (store in the fridge for extra refreshment)
Born to Shine by Kendra Scott


If you want to do some reflecting and intention setting with us, you can print the prompts we're using with our families here: Reflections & Resolutions
They are meant to be printed and cut in half for being easily displayed or kept in a notebook for future reference!

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

Have you ever heard of kin-keeping? It’s the emotional labor of maintaining and strengthening family ties and involves all the organizing of holiday events, wrapping of gifts and keeping of traditions. If you are the kin-keeper in your home this episode is for you: we’re talking about the power and joy of this role, as well as ideas for decreasing the burden it entails so we can enjoy all the keeping of the kin that we are so busy doing. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

We're all about hosting for the holidays - and whether you've got big or small gatherings planned, we've got tips on how to save money, make the little things count, create meaningful conversation and welcome your guests with grace and calm.

Plus, we dive into the difference between warm and cool hosts, our feelings about being a little bit extra, and how we know which of us is the older millennial. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

On today's episode we propose an expansion on the best ideas of gentle parenting, but with the addition of some power for parents - moving past imposter syndrome so prevalent in our generation to compassionate, competent and confident parenting. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

We are re-airing this fan favorite episode all about the hyggely lifestyle: leaning into all things cozy, warm and intimate in this otherwise cold and crummy time of year. This episode is based on the book The Little Book of Hygge (which makes a great holiday gift, IMHO) and covers the ten tenets of hygge: atmosphere, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, harmony, comfort, truce, togetherness and shelter. Enjoy!

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect