Surviving the Holidays

How to Make Your Home Holiday Ready

Keeping Things Fresh This Holiday Season with Febreze
December 3, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > "Hostess with the Mostest"

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Decorating the Christmas Tree in partnership with Febreze | via Waiting on Martha #12stinks #holidaySprucing up the coffee table styling for the holidays | via Waiting on Martha #sponsored #12stinks #holidayHoliday house prep in partnership with Febreze | via Waiting on Martha #12stinks #holiday Keeping the house fresh with Febreze | Waiting on Martha #12stinks #sponsoredHoliday house prep with Waiting on Martha & Febreze | #sponsored #12stinks #holidayHoliday house prep with Febreze via Waiting on Martha #ad #12stinks Fresh holiday scents at home with Febreze via Waiting on Martha #christmastree #ad #12stinks #holiday

There’s no denying that Christmas is one of my all-time favorite holidays.  Cozied up with loved ones in cabin socks next to the Christmas tree, sipping mulled wine while watching Home Alone?  That’s my definition of an “entertaining” holiday season.  

But along with that cozy picture I just painted comes a lot of additional holiday hosting duties.  And the truth is, hosting during this time of year can quickly become a little chaotic and even quite stressful. In the Rye household, it usually consists of a few holiday dinner parties, several out-of-town houseguests and a kitchen full of dirty dishes after Christmas morning brunch.  And all that chaos, while lovely, can leave my home in need of a little refresh. Think full guest bedrooms (and bathrooms), the smell of holiday recipes lingering for hours after we’re full, and wine stains on just about every surface…you get the picture.  

So long before guests arrive, and long after they’ve left, I prepare by festively spritzing the heck out of my home.  As you’ve seen on Snapchat, Addy loves to lounge on our designer pillows and just about every bed in the house, so those of course all need a quick spray before guests arrive.  And since we always have an artificial tree, we miss the smell that comes along with having a real one.  Needless to say, I did a little happy dance when I found Febreze’s Jolly Pine Air Effects spray to get us that whiff of pine I love so much.  I also find the Cranberry Cheer to be helpful in the kitchen when all I want to do is join everyone on the sofa after dinner (the dishes may or may not wait until the morning…). And without question, I make sure to have the original spray and plug-ins in those high-traffic areas.  A little spritz here, a little spritz there…and the entire place feels clean, yet festive.  When preparing for houseguests, these thoughtful details that are sure to keep everyone comfy and me sane this season.   Truly, MKR

P.S.  Our friends at Febreze take holiday entertaining sans smells seriously just like us. And for all of you fellow Glee fans, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison put it quite perfectly in a nice little parody on the truths of having holiday houseguests and the 12 stinks of Christmas…a vid that will sure make you smile.  And we’re giving away a prize pack full of goodies to keep the 12 stinks away!  Head over to Facebook to enter.  Happy holiday houseguesting Loves!

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Photography, Kathryn McCrary | THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FEBREZE, A BRAND WE LOVE AND USE REGULARLY.  OPINIONS AND IMAGES ARE 100% OUR OWN.

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How to Take a Little “Me Time”

7 Easy Ways to Slow Down and ReFuel the Soul
September 21, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Health & Wellness

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When was the last time you intentionally took a time out?  You know, planned for a little “me time” during your day?  It may sound like a trivial question, but all too often we miss the chance to catch our breath during simple, refueling acts because of our all-too-crazy schedules. 

In recent months, I feel like time has flown as I approach my twenty seventh birthday.  I found my schedule bursting at the seams, and I felt the resulting onset of stress as I worried about fitting it all in and balancing it all.  I went through bouts where I ate poorly, missed workout classes, took my stress out on loved ones…you know the drill.  I would always tell myself it was just a crazy-busy phase, and it would all calm down soon.  

Well I’m not quite sure when the “ah ha” moment happened, but it recently dawned on me that this is how life was going to be from here on out, and even more so in coming years.  And in order to ride the wave, I would definitely need to learn how to unplug and try to slate more “me time” to make sure I could keep going and keep that tank full.

It’s also easier said than done!  Slowing down during this hyper-engaged day and age requires intentional reminders, but sometimes it’s really just as easy as returning to the simple things that make you happy.  I’m sharing seven easy ways I like to enjoy “me time” personally, like finding a creative outlet and fitting in a quick HIIT workout, but I’d love to know how you do too in the comments below.  Happy Monday!  Cheers, Kat

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SLOW DOWN

SLOW DOWN

WHETHER YOU'RE DIGGING INTO A NEW NOVEL, LEARNING TO MEDITATE OR JUST REMOVING YOURSELF FROM YOUR ROUTINE FOR 20 MINUTES TO THINK, THE SIMPLE, INTENTIONAL ACT OF SLOWING DOWN IS A MUCH-NEEDED WAY TO GIVE YOURSELF SOME "ME TIME."

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VIA PINTEREST
GET OFF YOUR PHONE

GET OFF YOUR PHONE

THIS ALMOST GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT STOP CARRYING YOUR PHONE EVERYWHERE WITH YOU! LEAVE IT IN THE CAR WHEN YOU RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE. DON'T BRING IT TO THE GYM. IT'S EASIER SAID THAT DONE, BUT THOSE SMALL MOMENTS SANS PHONE CAN BE DELIGHTFUL AND JUST WHAT YOU NEEDED.

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VIA WHO WHAT WEAR
TAKE A SLOW MORNING

TAKE A SLOW MORNING

RELISH A SLOW MORNING BY TREATING YOURSELF TO BREAKFAST (OR EVEN JUST COFFEE OR TEA) IN BED WITH THE PAPER, A MAGAZINE OR NOVEL. TAKE YOUR TIME WAKING UP TO A NEW DAY, EVEN IF IT'S JUST AN EXTRA 15 MINUTES ON THE CLOCK.

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VIA COULD I HAVE THAT?
GET IN THE KITCHEN

GET IN THE KITCHEN

THERE'S SOMETHING SO SOOTHING ABOUT SPENDING TIME IN THE KITCHEN ALONE. TRY YOUR HAND AT A NEW RECIPE WHEN THERE'S NO AGENDA, NO PARTY TO RUSH TO, JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOAK UP THE PROCESS (AND ENJOY THE RESULTS!).

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VIA LADY AND PUPS
CREATE SOMETHING

CREATE SOMETHING

IT'S AMAZING HOW THE ACT OF CREATING SOMETHING CAN SOOTHE THE SOUL, AND FINDING YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET WILL ALLOW FOR SOME TIME TO YOURSELF TO ENJOY THE SILENCE AND LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE.

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VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
EXERCISE

EXERCISE

A DEDICATED WORKOUT ROUTINE HELPS YOU AVOID THOSE SEASONAL RUTS. AND WHILE THE ENDORFINS PUMP THROUGH YOUR BRAIN, YOU'LL HAVE A WELCOME RELIEF TO THE STRESS FROM YOUR DAY.

PRESSED FOR TIME? A SHORT HIIT WORKOUT IS A PERFECT WAY TO RECHARGE IN JUST 30 SHORT MINUTES.

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VIA LULULEMON
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

CHANNEL YOUR ENERGY INTO A PRODUCTIVE HOBBY LIKE GARDENING FOR A CHANCE TO GIVE YOUR MIND A REST AND TEND TO SOMETHING AROUND THE HOUSE.

CHECK OUT OUR EASY TUTORIAL TO PLANT AN INDOOR HERB GARDEN.

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VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY

Featured image, Could I Have That? 

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Juice It || My Top 3 Juice Recipes

July 29, 2014
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Breakfast & Brunch

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The Raspberry Apple Shrub and other juice Recipes from Waiting On MarthaJuice Recipes from Waiting On MarthaTart 'N' Green, Juice Recipes from Waiting On Martha Juice Recipes from Waiting On MarthaBlue Lemonade & more juice recipes from Waiting On Martha

So I’ve been on a bit of a bender.  Like a sugar, carb, wine, exercise-whats-that? bender.  And while I kind of live for those type of moments (don’t judge) I always know whats on the other side of that throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude.  Detox.

 Truthfully, I’m a juicer.  I have been before it was “cool.”  I’m one of those equal part french fries and wheat grass kind of gal.  But when I tip the scales too far into the fried side of things I know what will get me back on track…my Vitamix and Hurom juicer (you can even do wheat grass in it).  Well that and no processed sugar, no gluten, and no dairy for two weeks.  And while it may sound miserable to some, by day three I promise you’ll feel amazing.  Like 10 years younger, my skin looks ridiculous amazing.  

Now I don’t just juice.  Typically I juice until dinner for a few days or juice for breakfast and dinner but have a healthy lunch.  Just enough to cleanse and get me back on track and remind my body that “hey, I love being healthy.”  So my Loves the next two weeks I’ll be focusing a lot on healthy habits.  Don’t worry the cocktails and sugary treats will back in no time, but for now I wanted to share the three juices that are on my current rotation, all from the new book Juice It!  And I’d love to know, what are some of your healthy habits?  truly, MKR  

*All images original to Waiting On Martha

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