Stephanie Howell

My Top Eleven Bags from Thirty-One

September 28, 2017

The reason I started working with Thirty-One wasn’t because I wanted the money. Or because someone asked me to sign up or because I thought it was something I should pursue. I didn’t sign up because I had ANY interest in doing direct sales. I signed up because I was obsessed with the bags.

I started using Thirty-One throughout our time in Italy. I used the bags to keep our small apartment organized and I especially used them when we traveled. I quickly realized that a Large Utility Tote was indispensable when we traveled. I used one in the back of the van for snacks, drinks, trash bags, and food (since we exclusively stayed in Airbnb homes). I realized that using multiple Zipper Pouches was a more efficient idea than having Ziplocs in my mom bag.

Aaaaand I was hooked. I hosted a party and got a TON of freebies and my addiction deepened.

Along the way I started thinking I like this stuff and I want to get a bunch of it for free. And the rest is history. I now have a double hope chest JAMMED FULL of Thirty-One. It’s kind of ridiculous. AND I LOVE IT. Jimmy loves it too. He became a convert the minute he realized how much easier this stuff made our lives. We are both massive organization nerds.

Soooo with that said, I thought I’d narrow all of the choices down for you and share the top eleven organizing solutions I use and love daily. These are all my photos because it’s important to me to show that I own and love this stuff.

1. Retro Metro ($58) – This is my current “mom” bag. It is H U G E and holds a ton. It has two big outer/side pockets and interior pockets too. I love the lobster claw hook on the side, I usually just hook my keys right on. I am also mildly obsessed with the twill stripe pattern. Black and white for the win. Always.

2. Tall Organizing Tote ($35)– I think at last count I had five of these. They are great for a library bag, gym bag, post office bag, and craft bag (they have awesome exterior pockets for scissors, pens, knitting needles,etc). Here’s a video I made about this bag.

3. All About the Benjamins Wallet ($48)– I love love love my wallets. They hold a zillion cards, a checkbook and can even hold an iPhone. I’ve tried the other wallets but always come back to this one. These also make great gifts. Here’s a video I did comparing all 31 wallets.

4. Zipper Pouches ($15)– I use these when I pack for trips. Pouch packing for the win! They are great for diapers (I use one for a diaper bag at the gym), iPads, books, planner and craft supplies, toiletries, makeup, etc. The photo below is a shot of my teacher gifts from last year. How CUTE are those?

5. Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote ($35)– This is my basic grab and go mom bag. I’ve used it for the gym, pool, library, and for a kiddo weekend bag. It has pockets all around the outside, zips on top, and has interior pockets too. The ZOUT is the number one teacher and nurse bag. This one is on special this month too. Spend $35 and get a ZOUT for $10.

6. Swap-It Pocket ($25)– Right now this one is in my Retro Metro being used as it was designed to be used …I have all of my pens, makeup, notebooks, etc inside. Then I just move the entire thing to a new bag instead of having to dump out all of my crap. In the past though I’ve used it for planner supplies (see below). It’s a great size for personal sized planners and TNs with supplies.

7. Double Duty Caddy ($25)– I have a bunch of these too. The one below is our art supplies/ paint holder. I have one for my devotional supplies too. It holds my bible, devotionals, notebook and pens/highlighters (love those mesh pockets on the side). My friends also love this one for a diaper caddy/shower gift.

8. New Day Tote ($68)– This is my ride or die gym bag. No contest. I stick my water bottle in the side pocket, a towel and clothes and toiletries and a zipper pouch (Cora’s diaper bag for childcare) inside. It’s easily wipeable, has a zipper top, and the straps rock. Enough said.

9. Mini Zipper Pouch ($12)– Good Lord I have a bazillion of these. I use them for makeup, feminine products, H’s epipen, etc. A super easy way to organize your purse!

10. Lunch Bags– Okay. I’m cheating here. This isn’t just one bag. BUTTT we love our thermals for school lunches. Harper has the Lunch Break, Sadie has the Going Places (she loves it b/c she says it looks like a purse) , and Cate and Lucy have a Go-To Thermal. The Go-To is machine washable and Jimmy even carries one to work. In, ahem, masculine gray. These suckers are durable and cute and keep the girls’ food cold. We are all obsessed.

11. My Aldi Bags– Yes. That’s how I refer to these suckers. GAME CHANGER. I go to Aldi every week and take these and I find an immense, unnatural sense of JOY in fitting all of my groceries into these beauties. It’s like Tetris. SOOOO SATISFYING. I use the Large Utility Totes for dry goods, and the Fresh Market Thermals and Tote-ally Thermals for frozen and cold foods.

So yeah. I use the stuff. Nonstop. And I love it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t share it or sell it. For real. So there you have it!!

Hope this was useful and helpful! Like I said I’m obsessed with organizing, so let me know if you have ANY questions!

xoxo

Wordless(ish?!?!) Wednesday

September 27, 2017

This photo is of my “You Got This” big Happy Planner. Currently on sale!!

Hey you! Yes…YOU!

You are capable and strong and amazing and worthy and beautiful.

You are cherished and needed and important and enough.

If you are feeling lonely or sad or scared today, listen to me.

I see you.

You are capable of amazing things.

Top Ten Reasons I Love This Is Us

September 26, 2017

THAT’S RIGHT!!! THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE!

Grab your giant wine glass, chocolate, snot rags, and cozy blanket. This Is Us Season 2 premieres tonight on NBC. I spent every Tuesday in a glass cage of emotion last season.

And Jimmy loves it too! It’s turned into a great weekly “date night” for us. We love watching together and then talking about it afterwards.

Now…my love for this masterpiece is not new. You guys have heard me rant, rave, and blabber about this show since it was created. I love it so much I even memorialized it in my planner this week!

I remember watching the pilot, and grinnning/sobbing at the same time at the end. I knew it was going to be something special and it hasn’t let me down yet!

In honor of tonight’s episode, I thought I’d talk about why I love this show so much. And yes. If you aren’t watching it…YOU SHOULD BE! You can catch up on Hulu.

Okay, in no particular order, here are the top ten reasons I love This Is Us.

1. The depiction of parenthood- I haven’t loved a show this much since…well…Parenthood. This is the first show in a long time that just nails what it’s like to be a parent. And a child. And a sibling. The dialogue is pure perfection. Witty, flawed, self-deprecating, and emotionally convicting. I nod my head almost the entire time.

2. The depiction of adoption- I identify with Randall in so many ways. I identified with William in so many ways. And you bet I can identify with Rebecca and her fear. Such a great depiction of adoption without making it something negative.

3. The flaws- No one is perfect. They all mess up. Rebecca lied to William. She says not very nice things to Jack. She can be selfish. Jack drank too much. Kevin can be self-absorbed and needy. Kate can be a mess. Toby can be a jerk. Randall battles anxiety. I could go on and on…but it’s real. No one is perfect. And it can be maddening to watch in the most dead-on way.

4. Randall and Beth- Oh my goodness I LOVE these two together. At least once an episode Jimmy and I look at each other and say “They are so us!”. My favorite scene (and one that might have been stolen from my actual life, minus the outcome) was when Randall and Beth were on the bathroom floor taking a pregnancy test. Again. Written perfectly.

5. Kate- Chrissy Metz deserved an Emmy for her depiction of Kate. Watching her struggles with self-worth, happiness, and watching her come to terms with the fact that she deserves to be happy…it’s been a joy to watch. And it also quite often leaves me feeling raw. And like I’ve watched something so private, something I wasn’t meant to witness. One of the hardest moments for me in Season 1 was the episode where Kate watched football with her dad every week. I had a swollen face for hours.

6. Jack- Ohhhh Jack. Jack Jack Jack. Jack reminds me so much of Jimmy Howell and the way he is as a dad. He speaks to his daughter with so much conviction, love, and protection. He would do anything for his kids. He approaches parenthood with a sense of humor and yeah…he messes up too. Sometimes I see some hero worship for Jack and some painting Rebecca as the shrew. I don’t think that’s right or fair. He messed up too. And although he was by no means perfect…he was the best dad and husband he could be and I adore him.

7. The time period- I was born at the end of the 70’s and the Big 3 actually have my birthday- August 31! Although they are a few years younger than me, I identify so much with their childhood and have lots of flashbacks watching the show.

8. Randall. Randall. RANDALL.- I can say it a million times and it will never be enough to let y’all know how much I love Sterling K. Brown. I’ve been a super fan every since his days as Roland on Army Wives. The man.can.ACT. And break my heart into a million pieces. There is nothing emotionally manipulative about him. He plays every emotion in a way that is simply just right on. And I swear you can see his heart in his eyes. He is magic.

9. The casting- It goes without saying that this show is perfectly cast. The ONLY character I don’t like is Miguel, and I have to say he was growing on me by the end of season one. The supporting characters are also incredible. Gerald McRaney and Ron Cephas Jones specifically. To be perfectly honest I’m still not happy with the fact that they age Rebecca and Miguel with makeup to play them in the present day. I find it distracting every single time. BUT. I know that no one else could have played those characters.

10. The love- There are so many relationships in this show. And they are all depicted so beautifully. When Kevin left his debut to comfort Randall on the floor, the bond that Kevin and Kate share, the complicated and tenous relationship between Randall and Rebecca…the pure love Rebecca and Jack had for each other…yeah. That’s what it’s all about.

I know this season is going to wreck me. I’m not quite as fixated on how Jack died as everyone else seems to be, but I’m still dreading finding out. I’m most looking forward to watching Randall’s journey. I’m least interested in Toby and Kate. I hope she learns that she is worthy whether or not someone loves her.

What about y’all? What are you most looking forward to?? ? HAPPY THIS IS US DAY!

xoxo

Monday Morning Authenticity

September 25, 2017

Guys. I’m doing that thing again.

The thing where I look at Instagram and feel like a disaster.

You know what I mean. I see the flawless white homes, perfectly wavy Victoria’s Secret hair, and the sun flare.

I see the painted toes and the glossy lips and the perfectly accessorized children.

And I start to feel less than.

WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT ANYWAY?

I am 40 freaking years old. I’m not an insecure teenager. But man…she’s still in there and she still comes out. Nothing can lure her like a perfectly applied IG filter.
So let’s talk. Friend to friend.

This morning I stuck my hand deep into a poopy diaper. DEEP. Like two knuckles deep.

I spilled an entire container of salsa fresca on the kitchen floor. There were chunks ON THE CEILING.

I drove the girls to school in the shirt I slept in and no shoes.

I’m battling Cora over the binkie, Harper over social media, and myself over getting ready to move to Alaska.

I don’t like pumpkin spice lattes.

I’m not wearing makeup. I actually don’t wear makeup unless it’s a special occasion.

My hair is in a ponytail, as always, and I still have thinning spots and gaps.

I’m on my last day of prednisone and I am a speed-talking, speed-cleaning mess.

Cora watches Elmo on a YouTube loop sometimes. I don’t feel bad about this.

I have a load of clothes in the washer that I’ve restarted THREE times.

Harper referred to wings as “bird arms” this weekend. This concerns me.

I just lost a job I really loved and I’m having to make some changes and moves to replace the income. I needed the money- Northern VA with five kids is no joke.

I’m working hard to make my Thirty-One business succeed but I refuse to be agressive, insincere, pushy, or make people uncomfortable.

When Jimmy was out of town this weekend I made the deployment special. This is pasta. With butter. And chunks of ham. The lunch meat kind. We also ate “sister soup”. That’s ice cream with marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and candy corn on top. And then I let them zap it in the microwave. And slurp it down.

I wear yoga pants every day. I have no fancy skin care regimen and I don’t get manicures.

I tried to take a fall picture this weekend and Cora ripped up my mums in the process.

I haven’t been to the gym in three weeks. Last time I went I ended up hiding and reading instead of going to class.

Does any of this make me better or worse than my beautiful IG friends? NO. No it doesn’t. I’m assuming that they aren’t that different from me. I bet they are hot messes too. It’s just hard to remember that when facing the perfect beauty. Many of those accounts are brands. I’m not a brand. Or if I am…it’s a unique brand. HA!

Does any of this have any bearing on my worth as a woman or a mother or a human? NO.

I also choose the pretty parts to show. That’s what we do, right?

No. I don’t want to see the proverbial poop or salsa or arguments on IG. But let’s talk about it more!

Never compare your insides to someone else’s outsides.

So, tell me. How are YOU today? How are you truly? What are your struggles and insecurities and hidden disasters?

I’m not the only one…right?

xoxo

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