You may not want to spend your long weekend doing a deep clean of your house, but we sure do.

There is no better feeling than a clean environment. Your bedroom, apartment, house, car, garage, whatever – it makes you feel organized, streamlined and like you have your shit together.

In this post we’re sharing Katie’s (Lauryn and Michael’s Executive Assistant) Spring Cleaning Checklist. And to go along with this checklist, may we suggest getting started with Branch Basics?

As you might know already, Lauryn and Michael went totally non-toxic in their house when they moved to Austin. You can stalk her entire non-toxic product guide here, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all, you only need to start with one thing: BRANCH BASICS. And until end of the day today you can get 20% off with code SKINNY.

For more details on why you need the Branch Basics starter kit to replace all your household cleaning supplies, check out this post.

Back to spring cleaning…

Cleaning at the start of spring just feels right, ya know? Whether you have a big job ahead of you or are someone who keeps your house fairly tidy and organized throughout the year, spring cleaning as lots of benefits:

BENEFITS OF SPRING CLEANING:

+ makes you feel in control

+ keeps you organized

+ fills your house with only things you love

+ can help you feel a new sense of wellness and kick start new habits

+ keeps your family happy and healthy

+ satisfying and fulfilling

SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST:

☐ Put things away in their place so you start with a blank slate.

☐ Unload/reload your dishwasher.

☐ Make up your guest space/bedroom if you have one.

☐ Dust your ceiling fans, they’re so gross.

☐ Dust the rest of your space, all surfaces and under everything.

☐ Have laundry running during your clean

☐ Wash all throw blankets, pet blankets, pillows, etc.

☐ Wash all your bed sheets, pillow, comforter etc.

☐ Scrub your showers/tubs/toilets to perfection.

☐ Clean your house as you normally would.

☐ Vacuum and mop all floors. (This is the best mop.)

☐ Go through closets and drawers, purge/donate and refold/ re-hang items (this post is helpful for closet organization.)

☐ Clean fridge, freezer, check dates, then organize.

☐ Organize pantry or cabinet space, check dates, then organize.

☐ Sweep front and back porches, plant flowers or seasonal veg, start a herb garden or whatever!

☐ Clean out garage, sweep, purge, organize.

☐ Vacuum inside your car and wash the outside.

HOT TIPS:

+ Vacuum up dust from all surfaces and your floor BEFORE mopping or wiping down (you can use this type of attachment on your vacuum. We also like Miele or Dyson).

+ If you can, wipe all your walls with warm water and Branch Basics concentrate.

+ When organizing your pantry or cabinet space (ie: kids craft drawer, junk drawer, food spaces), purge and organize first, THEN buy any organizational supplies you need that are perfect for YOUR space.

+ Keep a notebook handy or a sheet of paper and pen in each room so you can write down any notes or items you may want to buy to help you stay organized and stocked.

+ Descale and clean your ice maker, coffee makers, kettle etc. with vinegar.

If you’re a one and done type of person who wants to do all your spring cleaning in one day, good for you! Otherwise, try not to get overwhelmed. Take it one room at a time, make a schedule, pop on a podcast and try to enjoy the mental health benefits of cleaning. That’s right, a clean and organized home is amazing for clarity, feeling calm and in control.

Will you be starting spring cleaning soon? Tell us all your tips below. Be sure to check out Branch Basics before the end of the day today and use code SKINNY for 20% off.

x, The Skinny Confidential team.

+ Check out this post for purging and organizing your closet.

++ Learn how to organize skincare in your bathroom here.

SPRING CLEANING SUPPLIES:

The post Your Spring Cleaning Checklist appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

With Easter coming up I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of posts about non-toxic Easter egg dye for your kids, as well as natural ways to dye your eggs like they used to way back in the day. For us, the picture below from The Kitchn REALLY caught our eye. That’s why today, we’re going to go over both, as well as other fun stuff that Lauryn got for her kids. Think: books, activities and Easter basket goodies and healthier candy options.

With that, let’s get into how you can make your own dyes for decorating Easter eggs.

How to Make All Natural Easter Egg Dye

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

+ saucepan with a lid

+ fine mesh strainer

+ hard boiled eggs

+ vinegar

+ paper towel

+ fun tools to get creative like: tape, dippers & cups, metallic markers, stickers, glitter

HOW TO MAKE THE DYE:

STEP 1: pick one or all of the below and simmer each ingredient with 2 cups of water (covered) for 15-30 minutes.

+ 2 cups shredded beets = reddish pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs

+ 2 cups red onion skins = reddish orange on white eggs or red on brown eggs

+ 2 cups yellow onion skins = orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs

+ 1/4 cup ground turmeric = yellow eggs

+ 2 cups chopped purple baggage & 1/4 cup ground turmeric (2 separate soaks) = green eggs

+ 2 cups chopped purple cabbage = blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs

+ 2 cups blueberries = blue eggs

+ 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers = lavender or indigo eggs

STEP 2: strain the liquid into a measuring cup then add 2 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to every 1 cup of strained dye liquid.

STEP 3: submerge your hardboiled eggs into the dye and leave it in the fridge for 2 hours. (2 cups of dye will dye 6 eggs). If you don’t want to wait this long, see the HOT TIPS below.

STEP 4: remove the eggs from the dye and dry with paper towel so you don’t ruin your tea towels. If you want them to shine, rub them with a bit of oil (vegetable or grapeseed).

HOT TIPS FROM THE KITCHN:

+ You can start with raw eggs and cook them in the dye bath but The Kitchen found that you get a stronger colouring with the fridge method.

+ Play around with colors and see what you can create. Use shallow bowls or a dipper to only do half the egg and play around with designs and layering.

+ The actual shade of the final eggs may change when exposed to the air and dried.

+ The Kitchn found that more important than keeping the eggs in the dye for 2 hours was doing multiple dips. Basically, feel free to do multiple dips for a deeper color.

If you G2G, like Lauryn, you can also buy non-toxic Easter egg dye like she did. She bought this one along with wooden eggs to decorate for Townes and Zaza.

MORE EASTER THINGS LAURYN BOUGHT:

HEALTHIER EASTER CANDY AND CHOCOLATE IDEAS:

For holidays like Easter and Valentine’s Day Lauryn and the kids also love to bake Nowhere Bakery sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies. All their mixes having clean ingredients and they taste so good. Fun little traditions with your kids give them memories that’ll last a lifetime. Let us know any other Easter traditions you and your family have in the comment section below. We want to know it all.

Will you be making your own Easter egg dye this year or be buying a kit?

x, The Skinny Confidential team.

+ learn how to make your kids eat healthier.

++ check out these non-toxic fixes from Darin Olien.

EASTER EGG DYE ESSENTIALS:

The post How to Make All Natural Easter Egg Dye appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

If you’ve been following Lauryn and Michael for a few years, you may know that when they moved to Austin they did a huge overhaul when it came to their household products. Lauryn got rid of everything toxic and replaced them with CLEAN products that work. She even wrote an entire blog post dedicated to all her non-toxic products for you. We’re exposed to so many chemicals these days and when you have kids and dogs you want to make sure that everything in your home is as non-toxic as possible. Not only that, if you’re experiencing headaches, skin rashes or allergies, this is definitely something you should try.

Now, this can seem like an overwhelming task. But start small, go slow and gradually your house will be free of chemicals, fragrance and all the other nasties in most cleaning products. Even the most green, earth-friendly looking brands and bottles can be toxic, so you really need to know what you’re buying.

If you’re new to non-toxic cleaning supplies The Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit is your best friend. You buy the pack and it replaces every single cleaning product you have in your home right now. It’s actually the perfect time to make this change since ‘Spring cleaning’ is near. So if you’re planning to get your shit together (in your house) this Spring we highly recommend Branch Basics.

Lauryn has been using it for years now and yes, it works like a charm and cleans so well, but it leaves your house feeling fresh without all the fake fragrant residue traditional cleaning products leave behind. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, just try Branch Basics, THEN you’ll know what we mean.

Branch Basics is on a mission to help people create healthy homes and experience the power of pure. Their non-toxic Concentrate model makes cleaning safe, simple and affordable. It’s everything you need to replace dozens of toxic cleaners. Plus, the bottles are refillable so they are better for the environment and your wallet. Branch Basics is Made-Safe, Leaping Bunny and EWG certified and is one of the cleanest cleaning brands on the market.

HOW THE BRANCH BASICS STARTER PACK WORKS

YOU’LL GET:

THE CONCENTRATE

A multi-purpose, eco-friendly cleaning solution used for any cleaning job when diluted with water.

OXYGEN BOOST

Pairs with the Concentrate for an all-natural way to tackle laundry, stains & grout.

REUSABLE GLASS BOTTLES

All-Purpose bottle for everyday cleaning including counter tops, dishes and stains.

Bathroom bottle for tackling tiles, toilets, grout, sinks and showers.

Streak-Free bottle for mirrors, windows and glass.

Foaming wash bottle for hand soap, dishes, pets and bubble bath.

Laundry bottle for standard and HE washing machines.

For all the bottles you fill it up to the respective line with the concentrate, then top it off with water, and voile, you have an entire bottle of cleaning solution.

For laundry you do the same thing, but you only need 1/2 a cupful for a normal load. The oxygen boost is really amazing to pretreat stains too.

You can even use it to wash your produce and your makeup brushes. That’s how gentle, safe and effective it is.

So what is in this magical concentrate and how does it work?

The Concentrate

PLANT-BASED CLEANSER – Decyl Glucoside, often used in baby products, is a gentle cleanser that removes grease and grime.

NATURAL WATER SOFTENERS – Sodium Citrate softens water by removing heavy metals and minerals to enhance cleaning.

FLOWER EXTRACT – Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and contains natural soothing properties.

Once you go non-toxic in your home, you’ll never look back. The smell of Windex will make you feel sick and the scent of strong laundry detergent will give you a headache. If you’re interested in other ways that’ll get you closer to a totally non-toxic life, you have to listen to this episode with Darin Olien on The HIM & HER Show. He talks about so many minor changes that can majorly positively impact your life.

Be sure to use code SKINNY for 15% off Branch Basics. It literally cleans anything and everything. Conventional cleaning product release hazardous VOC’s that can linger in the air months and The EPA estimates that indoor air quality can be 5x more polluted than the air outdoor. Which is just wild to think about.

So if you’re interested in starting your non-toxic journey, the Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit is a simple first step, but with a big impact in your home. Be sure to listen to the founder, Allison Evans on The HIM & HER Show and follow @branchbasics on Instagram for lots of cleaning and health tips.

Ok, we’re off to write our Spring cleaning lists. What room are you starting with?

x, The Skinny Confidential

+ Learn how to edit, purge and organize your closet.

++ Shop all Lauryn’s pantry organization here.

+ This post is in collaboration with Branch Basics, as always, all opinions are our own.

NON-TOXIC HOUSE:

The post Prepare For Spring Cleaning With The Best Non-Toxic Supplies appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

Cleaning your closet can feel daunting and overwhelming, but for some, extremely exciting. But we can all agree that the end results leave you feeling refreshed, organized and like you’ve got your shit together.

Just like Marie Kondo thinks everything you have should ‘spark joy,’ Caitlin Jaymes thinks everything in your closet should excite you.

A closet refresh seems to be very necessary at least once a year, twice if you can, and Caitlin is here to help us every step of the way. Caitlin is a professional organizer and entrepreneur and when Lauryn found her Bikini Organizing Bags she went to town sorting through her and her kids’ swimwear. It’s something she keeps on reordering.

Since spring cleaning season is almost here, we thought we’d kick off a series with closet organization. But not just that: Caitlin is here to help you edit, purge and LOVE what you have.

Let’s welcome Caitlin to the blog.

♡♡♡

Closet Organization: Edit, Purge and Love What You Have

Hi. My name is Caitlin Jaymes, and if you’re reading this, there’s a 90% chance that your closet is overdue for an edit and organizing. I know this can be overwhelming, but don’t worry; I promise these tips will simplify the experience for you.

Before we get started here’s a little bit about me. I’m born and raised in Los Angeles (Calabasas if we’re getting specific) and I started a styling and organizing business that specializes in closet edits. I always call myself an accidental entrepreneur because I started my business unintentionally. In fact, I was working a retail job and met a new client who wanted me to look at her current wardrobe before shopping with me. I went to her house, got rid of items that didn’t suit her, made a list of what her wardrobe was missing, photographed and styled looks using her current wardrobe, and then the way I put her clothing back into her closet made her view me as an organizer as well.

She ended up calling me the following month to come touch up and reorganize her closet and style new outfits for her. And 5 years later I’m still going strong – my business has expanded into home organizing, I’ve launched my first closet organizing product – Bikini Organizing Bags, and I’ve gotten to work with a variety of A-List celebrities.  Now, let’s get into your closet cleaning guide.

Getting Started with Closet Organization

Okay – are you ready to jump into it? Put on some good music, light some candles, and get into your robe because YES we have to try on our clothes during a closet edit. You want to start with an edit before you organize because A) you don’t want to waste time organizing what you’re going to get rid of and B) the layout will change based on the amount of what you have in each category.

Before we get into how to decide which items to keep or get rid of I urge you to go on Pinterest and save fashion inspo photos that fit your style. You will use these photos as a visual guide to see what you’re excited to wear and what pieces match with your ideal sense of style. I also wouldn’t dump everything out of your closet at once. Instead focus on one category at a time. This will help you stay focused and honestly, seeing your entire closet dumped onto your bed sounds like an anxiety attack waiting to happen, and that’s coming from someone who does this for a living. 

After doing closet edits for the past 5 years I developed an easy Closet Edit Checklist so you can easily decide what to keep or get rid of in your closet.  Let’s go through my top 5. 

CLOSET EDIT CHECKLIST:

♡ Does this piece make you excited to get dressed?

I don’t know about you, but most of the time my only motivation to leave my house is to put on  a cute outfit. I fell in love with fashion because it was the one thing that continuously made me feel confident and I quickly noticed that putting myself together each day, even if it’s just a matching sweat suit, positively impacted my mood and made me so much more motivated to tackle the day. If you get to a piece in your wardrobe that doesn’t make you excited to get dressed or doesn’t even make your top 10 choices of something you would want to wear out and about, it’s a sign to get rid of it. 

♡ Can you find this piece in your saved fashion inspo photos?

Saving fashion inspiration photos are key to being able to achieve your dream wardrobe. It’s always hard for my clients to verbally describe what their style is and honestly most people have more than one style. These photos will help identify what pieces you need in your wardrobe to create your dream outfits. So if there are pieces you don’t know how to style in your closet, but they’re in your saved inspiration photos that’s a sign for you to keep those pieces. You just need to spend a little extra time getting inspiration on how to style them. 

♡ Does this piece match with your lifestyle?

There will typically be pieces that you come across that you’ve never worn. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. This just means that you probably bought a piece that was cute, but wasn’t practical for your lifestyle. For example, if you’re a homebody but you’re always buying mini dresses and skirts for going out at night, those aren’t smart buys for your lifestyle. Those would be items I would consider selling and using the money to buy pieces that are more practical for your lifestyle aka they’ll be worn so much more. 

♡ Are you holding on to this piece for its sentiment?

If you can’t part with a sentimental item it’s fine to keep it, but I would recommend storing it outside of your closet or in a bin at the top of your closet. Remember, the goal of a closet edit is to clear out the clutter so the pieces left in your closet are what you’re excited to wear. Ideally you should be wearing 100% of your closet. 

♡ Does this piece fit?

I always advise to get rid of pieces in your closet that don’t fit. I find that most women feel so defeated when they have to get rid of pieces in their closet that are too small for them. Be realistic with this step. If you just had a big weight gain or loss and you know your weight will bounce back then you may be okay keeping pieces that don’t fit, but most of the time I think it sets you up for failure. You start each day in your closet, so why start the day being depressed over a size you used to be or focusing on what you can’t fit into. Instead you’re better off opening your closet and knowing you can fit into 100% of your wardrobe and you can choose a stylish outfit that’s going to make you feel great!

THE MAYBE SECTION OF A CLOSET EDIT:

Inevitably you’re going to have a section of maybes at the end of your closet edit. So how do you decide if you should pull the plug or give those pieces one more go? 

+ Can you create at least 2 outfits with that piece? 

If you’re not sure if you’re actually going to wear an item, try styling it! If you can’t create at least two outfits that you’d be excited to wear with that piece, it’s time to get rid of it.

+ Would you be more excited to get money for that piece? 

This is the item on the checklist I use most often when editing my own closet. If I know I’d rather get money for an item in my closet, I list it on Poshmark, or any similar selling platform, at that moment. If you’re someone who may be on a budget when shopping, use the money from the pieces you sell as your shopping budget. This will motivate you to clean out the clutter and you’ll get a new wardrobe without scaring your bank account. 

TIME TO ORGANIZE:

The beauty of organizing is that there really is no right or wrong way to do it. If it works for you and you can maintain it, it’s the right organizing technique. As a professional organizer I strive to make closets functional, but also aesthetic. My goal is to always make each closet look like a boutique. Obviously we’re all working with different size closets, but here are a few organizing techniques that I use for most closets. 

♡ What to hang and what to fold. 

In an ideal world I would hang as much as possible. I view items that are hanging as items that you’re styling. The items you’re folding should be pieces that are more functional: workout clothes, pajamas, and sweat sets. If you’re limited on hanging space you can fold basic tops like t-shirts and long sleeves, but basics like bodysuits I always try to hang. 

♡ Categorize and color code. 

This is the most technical part of organizing, so bear with me.

For every closet I always categorize items: tops, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, etc., but when it comes to color coding I do it two different ways. The first option is color coding by category and the second option is color blocking. Let’s use the tops category to describe each color coding option.

Color coding by category is most functional. You would take your tops category and create subcategories within to separate by sleeve length. You would start with sleeveless tops, then tank tops, then short sleeved tops, and then finish off with long sleeve tops. Then within each subcategory of sleeve length you would arrange your tops from light to dark. If you prefer an aesthetic look to your closet I would recommend color blocking. With color blocking you separate your tops by color and then within each color you arrange your tops from sleeveless to long sleeves.

If you’re someone who gets dressed quicker by focusing on colors then try color blocking, but if it’s more helpful to focus on top style then I would color code by category.

♡ How to organize drawers.

To maximize space I try to combine categories in a drawer and use bamboo drawer dividers to keep each category separate. Examples of categories you could combine in the same drawer are workout clothes with loungewear or bras, underwear, and socks. I love drawer dividers because it allows you to stay organized without having to maintain intricate folds. I also prefer the bamboo drawer dividers over plastic because it looks more high-end. 

♡ How to organize handbags.

Creating a handbag display is the easiest way to make your closet look like a boutique. I like to use these acrylic purse stands to keep bags upright and front facing. Have fun with this part! You don’t have to arrange your bags in specific categories, I honestly just try to merchandise them as if I was setting up a purse display in a retail store. 

♡ How to maximize shoe storage. 

Shoes can be a tricky area to organize because most of us run out of shoe space quickly. I use shoe space savers in almost every closet that I organize and I often see them in most of the celebrity closets that I work in. These will allow you to fit double the amount of shoes on a shelf that you ordinarily would be able to. 

♡ How to organize jewelry. 

I love to upgrade my clients from a jewelry tree to felt jewelry trays. Not only do jewelry trees end up tangled and messy, but it’s also hard to get pieces off of the tree. A felt jewelry tray looks so much more high-end and it’s way more functional.

♡ How to organize swimwear. 

Being an organizer in LA means I organize a ton of messy bikini drawers and honestly my clients couldn’t maintain a perfect fold to keep their bikini sets together. I realized I needed a new technique that was easy to maintain and still looked aesthetically pleasing, so I launched my first closet organizing product – Bikini Organizing Bags.

Bikini Organizing Bags are made from an eco-friendly clear material so you can separate and store your swimwear sets in individual bags. No folds, you can just throw your swimsuit in a bag and zip it up. These bags also double as a travel packing tool to transport wet swimsuits in your suitcase. It literally makes anyone a professional organizer. My guy friends even use them for their swim trunks. 

I know editing and organizing your closet is a big undertaking, but think of it as a form of self care. You start every day in your closet, so why not make it stress-free?! If I didn’t hit all of your closet editing or organizing questions shoot me a DM on Instagram or TikTok. I also have a Closet Editing & Organizing Masterclass available on my website – CaitlinJaymes.com. Stay tuned for my next blog posts and happy spring cleaning! 

♡♡♡

We hope you loved this post and that it will get you excited for a little spring cleaning. Whether you get started now or save this post for later, we think these are the BEST tips out there to spruce up your closet. Be sure to order your bikini bags so they’re ready to go when the cleaning bug hits.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Check out Lauryn’s pantry organization here.

++ Why you need dehumidifier bags for all your closets.

EDIT YOUR CLOSET:

The post Closet Organization: Edit, Purge and Love What You Have appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

Elf on the Shelf is fun and all but we want to share some other ideas to make Christmas morning magical for your kids.

We all know Christmas and the magic of Santa is what you make of it. Just look back on your own childhood memories of this special time of year. Think of all the little things your parents did from little signs of Santa and his elfs, to creating your own family traditions.

In this post we’ve rounded up our favorite ways to make this the most exciting time for your kiddos.

How To Make Christmas Morning Magical For Your Kids

♡ Build anticipation all month long. 

The foundation of an AMAZING Christmas morning starts December 1st. It’s all about the build-up.

Find the perfect Charlie Brown tree as a family, decorate together, bake these easy Christmas cookies, watch holiday movies, get an advent calendar, track Santa on Christmas Eve, participate in holiday season events, and do your own special Christmas traditions. Neighborhood decoration walks and your town’s tree lightings are fun and free ways to get in the Christmas mood.

♡ Make an enchanting path from their bedrooms to the Christmas tree. 

When Christmas morning actually does come, make it special right out the gate. And by gate, we mean the bedroom door. 

Create an enchanting path all the way to the Christmas tree from the hallway. You could use wrapping paper to make a path, hang homemade snowflakes from the ceiling, put up extra Christmas lights, and whatever else you can think of to make that strut to the Christmas tree SUPER exciting. 

Kids will LOVE this; they’ll feel like they’re being transported to the North Pole.

♡ Leave signs of Santa everywhere. 

On top of making your house feel like a winter wonderland—try to also make it evident that St. Nicholas was on the premises. 

Of course, if Santa has eaten cookies and drank the milk, that’ll be enough for younger kids. However, if you want to create some real magic, leave half eaten “reindeer food” and sleigh tracks on the lawn and Santa footprints in the house. 

To be really convincing, you can also catch Santa on your home security system with apps like Catch Santa AR. SO MAGICAL!

♡ Listen to a personalized voicemail from Santa. 

There are companies that will send you a personalized voicemail from Santa. This is such a fun way to heighten the magic and make your child feel special. 

♡ Curate a full sensory experience. 

Inside your home, don’t just consider the way it looks, but the way it sounds and smells too. Play Christmas music and fill your home with festive aromas like Lauryn’s homemade potpourri.

♡ Be extra about your Elf on the Shelf. 

Let’s be real, if you’re a parent that does Elf on the Shelf, you’re already a little extra. (And, we love that.) Huge pat on the back for you, because it’s a commitment.

However, on Christmas morning, it’s time to take it to the next level. We know that your elf leaves with Santa on Christmas, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get into some final holiday shenanigans before heading out. 

Maybe they baked some cookies and left a huge mess. Maybe they had a movie night with all your children’s stuffed animals. Or, maybe they created a homemade ski slope and had a long night of winter sports fun. 

Whatever it is, make it extra. As a bonus, leave a note from the elf that tells your child how amazing they are and how they can’t wait to see them next year.

♡ Create a scavenger hunt. 

If you want to draw out the gift opening to keep the magic going, a scavenger hunt is a great way to do it. 

They can either hunt for presents or small Christmas treasures like candy canes, ornaments, snowmen, and more. Just get creative and get them exploring.

♡ Cook an amazing family breakfast. 

Everything we’ve described so far will probably keep your kids occupied for a while. So much excitement!

But when the time comes to sit down and make breakfast, make it incredible. Whether it’s the size of the feast or the themed pancakes, make Christmas morning breakfast special. 

♡ Plan an outing after presents are opened. 

The truth is, Christmas morning is pretty short-lived. There’s all this build-up, and then it’s over in a matter of hours, maybe less. 

To keep the magic going all of Christmas Day, plan an outing after presents are opened. 

A lot of things will be closed on Christmas day, but there are likely public things you can do in your area depending on the location and climate.

You could go ice skating, sledding, snowman building, Christmas light touring, or nature walking. Or volunteer your time at a local establishment that needs some extra help.  

♡ Stay present and avoid your phone. 

Though you’ll probably have your phone handy for picture-taking purposes, try to only have it out for that reason.

Don’t worry about any of the other notifications. Just stay present and have the best family Christmas EVER. 

Make this Christmas even more magical. 

Christmas morning can be so special. Honestly, you don’t need to do even half of these ideas to fill your children with wonder and holiday spirit. They’ll be so excited no matter what.

But, if you want to create some extravagant Christmas memories, these tips are sure to wow everyone in your family.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ check out these last minute gift ideas.

++ how to throw a holiday cocktail party everyone will love.

MAKE SOME MAGIC:

The post How To Make Christmas Morning Magical For Your Kids appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

Let me set the scene. 

There we were, in Palm Springs- me, Michael & all our friends. Gillian started describing this ice maker that all of her friends in Dallas have. She said it’s this amazing machine that makes crushed ice so when you’re hungover you can walk right into your own kitchen, grab a huge glass of coffee bean-esque crushed ice & make your very own lemon water snow cone. Immediately I was intrigued. 

Gillian went on to explain that one of her friends uses it for iced coffee snow cones, skinny margaritas, grapefruit Spindrifts & fresh mint SPORTea. I was sold. Influenced. HAD to have it. Right then & there I went on Amazon & bought the exact ice maker she was talking about. But recently I got this upgrade.

The Ice Machine of Your Dreams

Ok, so let me break down this machine for you:

♡ It will fit right on your countertop. ( Ours is in a corner of our kitchen ).

♡ It only takes 20 minutes to make amazing, crunchy, perfectly sized pebble ice. So cool!

♡ The ice bin can hold up to 5 lbs of ice at a time.

♡ You don’t need a water hookup. This is very convenient because it means you can move your ice maker around. You fill up a water reservoir & then it just needs to be plugged in to a standard outlet.

♡ When the ice melts it GOES BACK into the water reservoir. This is ideal because it means your ice bin won’t have a big frozen brick at the bottom.

This is one of the best purchases I’ve made this year. It’ll probably be yours too. You’ll be able to go to your kitchen, load your favorite cup with coffee bean-esque ice nuggets, fill it with water, tequila -whatever- & a cute silicone straw, kick your heels up & relax with your freezing cold beverage.

It’s so fun to have guests over & serve them specialty cocktails with crushed ice. Your friends will literally think you’re so legit.

Favorite cups right now:

+ W & P Porter mug

+ glass/bamboo tumblers

+ reusable glass tumblers

+ Stanley neon green Quencher w/ perfect straws

+ my kids’ mason jar cups

Here are some supplements I love with my special nugget ice cubes:

+ Kroma matcha (use code SKINNY)

+ Kroma cranberry electrolytes (use code SKINNY)

+ Le Depuff drops

+ Hydrogen tablets

+ Quinton hypertonic and isotonic minerals (use code SKINNY and listen to the founder here)

+ Athletic Greens

+ colostrum

Other drink ideas:

 skinny margarita

+ 1.5 oz blanco tequila

+ 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec

+ tons of lime juice

+ a little lemon

+ a FUCKING speck of agave syrup

+ half rim of salt

DIRECTIONS:

+ Use a lime to rim your glass & then add salt to only half the rim. In a martini shaker add lime juice, one squeeze of lemon, then add Cointreau ( or Triple Sec ), & tequila.

 Rule of thumb: when making a cocktail, start with the cheapest ingredients first & finish with the most expensive last.

+ THEN add your amazing CRUSHED ice to the shaker ( you don’t want the ice to melt into your ingredients, so do this last ).

+ Pack your glass with more crushed ice & pour your drink.

Enjoy your buzz, mkay.

Kristin Cavallari’s Spanish spiced ( & iced ) coffee

+ 1 tbsp raw cocoa powder

+ 1/4 tsp cinnamon

+ 1/4 tsp nutmeg

+ 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

+ 6 oz black coffee – let it cool or use a cold brew.

+ 1 tbsp maple syrup

+ 2 tbsp coconut cream

DIRECTIONS:

+ In a small pitcher or bowl, mix all the ground spices.

+ Add coffee, maple syrup & coconut cream & mix well.

+ Pack a glass with crushed ice & pour in the coffee mixture. Bonus points for using a Softy Straw.

You should know: Kristin’s recipe is good with hot or cold coffee.

Cheers!

TSC pink detox drink

+ 3-5 tbsp raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

+ 1/2 a grapefruit, juiced

+ TONS of mint leaves

+ 1-2 tbsp cayenne powder

+ 1 tbsp turmeric powder

DIRECTIONS:

+ Grab a mason jar or whatever gigantic glass you have & fill it with your pebble ice.

+ Add ACV, grapefuit juice & as much mint, cayenne & turmeric as you want then top it off with water.

YUM.

The crazy thing is we use the ice machine every single day. Now, it’s something I can’t live without. Sure, it’s extra, but it just adds a little something to your day. 

Cheers to pebble ice & it’s contribution to the world.

xx, lauryn

+ why you need silicone straws in your life. 

++ mint kombucha vodkas are so good with crushed ice too. 

SHOP THE POST:

The post The Ice Machine of Your Dreams appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

If you trust us on one thing, trust us on this: you need these glasses.

They’re timeless, classic, high-quality, luxurious and can turn lunchtime with your kids into happy hour at the King Cole Bar (as you can see from Lauryn’s picture, LOL).

If you’re a fan of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, or even if you just keep up with momager Kris Jenner, you may recognize these Baccarat Old Fashioned Tumblers. They’re her #1 vessel for all her cocktails, her favorite being vodka soda with lime and a Belvedere martini with olives. And we’re into both.

And when we say these glasses are timeless, we mean timeless. Check out how long Kris has been using them:

Bougie Cocktail Tumblers

According to Lauryn, they really elevate your cocktail hour, or even your morning Athletic Greens and electrolytes. Every ritual, routine, or few minutes you take for yourself deserves A MOMENT. And Baccarat really takes it to the next level. We want to love everything around us and impeccable, crystal glassware in your home is something that will turn heads. (Plus, we got the inside scoop that Baccarat glassware is kept on tons of yachts for the most high class experience.)

Let’s normalize everyday luxury with our glassware, right? There’s no need to save it for special occasions or guests. Lauryn loves the Old Fashioned tumblers, but you can get any type of glass really:

+ shot glasses

+ martini glasses

+ high ball

+ everyday collection

+ wine glasses

+ Old Fashioned tumblers (Lauryn and Kris Jenner’s fave)

And while we’re here, with cocktails on our minds, we wanted to share Lauryn’s favorite cocktail lately, SEXED UP RANCH WATER. It’s just ice, 1.5 inch of blanco tequila, Pellegrino, an inch of lime juice and a lemon wedge. In the Baccarat tumbler, of course.

Now, if you’re looking for a gift to impress, one to really make an impact, these are the perfect thing. You can buy most of them in sets of 2, 4 or 6, and they really make a statement. Perfect for the holidays, anniversaries, housewarming or weddings. You really cannot go wrong with this gift.

Hope you loved this little tip to elevate all your beverages. Seriously, you’re going to feel so regal drinking out of these. Do you own any Baccarat glasses? How long have you had them? Let us know below.

As Kris Jenner says: Everything tastes better in a Baccarat.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ check out what we learned from Stephanie Shepherd.

++ if you need inspo for a winter party, stalk this post.

GET BOUGIE:

The post To Drink Like Kris Jenner You Need These Bougie Cocktail Tumblers appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

Look at us, all ahead of the game this year. We love a last minute post to help all you procrastinators out there, but the last couple years, we’ve got our ducks in a row.

Lauryn has started to decorate her house for Halloween, so we wanted to share with you all her favorites for spooky season 2023. In addition to reusing decor for last year, she’s added some colorful pumpkins for major fall vibes. Think kid-friendly – but still spooky, super fun – but not an eye-sore, neutrals that can go in any home’s aesthetic – but still very festive.

As always, we got you. Let’s get into it.

Lauryn’s Favorite Halloween Decor:

♡ spiderweb tablecloth

♡ black taper candles & holders

♡ ghost tea light holders

♡ wall bats

♡ hairy spiders

♡ white pumpkins

♡ ghost garland

♡ grim reaper

♡ human sized skeleton

♡ assorted outdoor pumpkins: 1 & 2

Most of these are better-suited for indoors, but you could also use the hairy spiders, white pumpkins, grim reaper and skeleton outdoors. Although we highly recommend putting a human-sized skeleton at your dining table to shock guests.

You can stalk all these decor faves in Lauryn’s LTK store.

x, The Skinny Confidential team.

+ learn how to curate a Halloween candy bar cart here.

++ stalk the most flattering Halloween hack ever.

GET SPOOKY:

The post Lauryn’s Favorite Halloween Decor appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

My new favorite thing…

Just totally obsessed…

DEHUMIDIFIER BAGS. For your closet.

Dehumidifier Bags You NEED For Your Closets

These little bags suck all the moisture from your closets and keep it out of your clothes.

When I first got these 2 months ago I had no clue they would work so well. I just had to replace them and they were totally filled…wait for it…with mold AND water. So gross, but so happy they were in the bag and not on my clothes.

The top of the bag fills with mold and the water pools at the bottom of the bag.

So brilliant. It’s insane how well they work.

Place them on each end of your closet rack like I did in the picture below and prepare to be amazed.

Taking these on vacation to a humid place is SUCH a good idea especially if you’re staying by the beach on or on a boat. Cannot recommend these enough.

If you wanna hear me GO OFF on these even more, stalk my TikTok. You know me, when I get into something, I get REALLY into and just had to share.

x, lauryn

+ check out my latest non-toxic product guide.

++ stalk my other home favorites here. 

CLOSET ORGANIZATION:

The post Dehumidifier Bags You NEED For Your Closets appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.

After the latest podcast episodes with the founder of Branch Basics and Darin Olien the DMs about what we use in our home have been through the roof. Actually, ok. LOL I’m not just saying that.

In this post I’ve listed out all the non-toxic products we use in our home from laundry and cleaning to makeup and body care, plus brands I love for my kids.

Without further ado, here we go.

Your Non-Toxic Product Guide

♡ HOME:

dish soap

dishwasher pods

Babyganics all-purpose surface wipes

non-toxic candles by Taja or plain beeswax

The Skinny Confidential x Canopy mold-inhibiting diffuser (more here)

Air Doctor air purifier

♡ LAUNDRY:

laundry pods

laundry powder

liquid detergent

dryer sheets

dryer balls

Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover

♡ CLEANING:

Branch Basics (SKINNY for 15% off)

*The Starter Kit is all you need to overhaul almost your entire house when it comes to non-toxic cleaning. Listen to the founder’s podcast episode here.

♡ BODY:

Rael pads

Deodorant

Osea (use code PINKSEAWEED for 10% off)

K’Pure Naturals Settle Down Spray and Sweet Babe oil (I also like to use their oils in my diffuser)

For all other body care products I love Agent Nateur. From the body oil to the face serum, to the deodorant I’m in love almost everything they do (use code SKINNY for 15% off).

♡ FACE:

Agent Nateur face serum

Three Ships Dew Drops

VREA eye masks

Dr. Dennis Gross lip treatment, peel pads, moisture cushion

Yina face masks and balm

Merit Makeup (love the bronzer and highlighter)

Ilia serum skin tint

♡ HAIR:

Flamingo Estate shampoo and conditioner

Mason Pearson hairbrush

rosemary oil and scalp massager for hair growth

Vegamour hair serum

♡ ORAL CARE:

Boka floss

Waterpik

Boka toothpaste

Wellnesse toothpaste (SKINNY for 15% off)

copper tongue scraper

mouth tape (stalk the benefits here)

+ be sure to stalk this post on how to MEW too.

♡ KIDS:

We rotate on things here but some non-toxic brands I like are:

Jack and Jill toothpaste

K’Pure

Babyganics

Gryph and IvyRose

Dabble and Dollop

organic baby washcloths

We’ll be adding to this list as we go, but in the meantime is there anything I’m missing? Let me know below and also share your favorite non-toxic products so we can all use this post as a resource.

x, lauryn

+ stalk Darin Olien’s 5 non-toxic fixes here.

++ check out the latest cobrand with Arrae.

The post Your Non-Toxic Product Guide appeared first on The Skinny Confidential.