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Getting ready for college? Be sure to grab this Dorm Room Essentials Printable Checklist. Make sure you are prepared for college!

Dorm Room Essentials

Going to college is a big step in every teenager’s life.  It is usually the first time they have lived on their own, it is the first time the parents have been without them!  It is not only exciting, but stressful and emotional.

As a parent, you have to get your child ready to take on this next step, and that means making sure their dorm room has everything they need to make them feel comfortable and ready to take on this next adventure.

You will want to send them away with absolutely everything you can think of, but remember that dorm rooms are small and your child will be sharing a space with up to 3 other people, so you don’t want to pack more than what will fit!  To help you get organized, I have had a checklist of essentials below.  If you think of any I missed, be sure to share them in the comments so I can get them added.

You definitely want to minimize clutter and be as organized as possible, a small space can get cramped quick!

Here is a list of Dorm Room Essentials:

• Calculator – a real one, not just the one on their phone
• Lap top/Computer
• Extension cord and power strip
• Pens/pencils
• Stapler
• Printer and printer paper
• Backpack
• Cork board or white board to write down schedules, etc.
• Calendar – or get them used to using the one in their phone
• Storage bins
• Under-bed boxes – if they will fit!
• Flashlight
• Basic toolkit
• Band-aids
• Beauty supplies – brush, toothbrush, make-up, etc.
• Pain reliever
• 2 extra-long flat sheets
• 2 extra-long fitted sheets
• 2 standard pillowcases
• 2 pillows
• Extra-long comforter
• Pop-open hamper
• Soap and a container for it
• Shower caddy/basket
• Razor and shaving cream
• Trash can and some bags
• All purpose cleaner
• Laundry detergent
• Alarm clock – or get them used to using the one in their phone
• Toilet Paper

Here are a few things that your child will want, but you will want to check and see if any of their roommates are bring one, you don’t need 4 TVs and 4 coffee makers in a small dorm room.

• DVD player
• TV
• Mini fridge
• Coffee maker

Just click the image above to print the Dorm Room Essentials Check List.

Where do you like to go your dorm room essentials shopping?

What are some of the items on your child’s Dorm Room Essentials Checklist?

Looking for more college preparation tips?

Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free

Tips On Getting Your High School Student Ready for College + Free Printable Checklist

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more tips, fabulous recipes and more!

While this post is sponsored, all opinions and my need to relax and unwind are my own.

15 Ways to Relax and Unwind

Summer started here in Florida the day the kids got out of school, and we seem to be busier than ever. The day the got out of school, I felt like we had plans in place til the day they go back to school in August! Just thinking about it is fun…and exhausting!

Between the kids in different camps, the house going under some updates, playing with friends, getting pool time in and preparing for our summer vacation, I get a bit overwhelmed at times. Don’t get me wrong, I love absolutely every minute of it, but there are times where I just don’t know how I will get it all done. I am sure you all have felt that way before too! So, as I practice my breathing and give myself a moment to relax and unwind, I thought I would share 15 EASY Ways to Help YOU Relax and Unwind too.

15 Ways to Keep Stress Away:

1. Drink Water – We are made up of water, your body needs it, give your body want it needs and you will indeed feel better.
2. Exercise – Even if it’s getting up from your chair and doing 15 squats, exercise is proven to make you feel better.
3. Stop for a moment and think about 3 GOOD things about your day – When my kids have a hard time sleeping at night, I have them do this too, when you think good thoughts, the bad ones go away for a little bit.
4. Indulge – One of my favorite indulgences that are for ME only are my Caribou Premium Iced Coffees.  I keep all three flavors on hand – Chocolate Mocha, Sea Salt Caramel and Vanilla.  I love that they not only taste great, but they are made with authentic Caribou Coffee and premium ingredients – like real chocolate and caramel – and reduced fat milk.
5. Take a Break – From whatever you are doing, just take a step back for a minute or two, meditate, do yoga, just step back. I did yoga outside for the 1st time with my cousin, being outside and doing yoga is amazing!  That’s her pictured above 🙂
   
6. Read – Grab a book or a magazine and read about something else!
7. Breathe – In through your nose, out through your mouth….10 times. Count with me…10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2…1 Ahhhhh, feel better?
8. Sing – Turn Up The Music and SING like no one is listening
9. Take a long hot shower or a bath – If time allows, this is always a great way to wash away stress. If you don’t have time this moment to take that tub, make a mental note to take one tonight.
10. Look Up! – Stare up at the sky or ceiling and countdown from 60…now feel that blood pressure lower!
11. Slowly tense and relax your muscles – When you are stressed, your muscles automatically tense up. To help get rid of that tension, focus on relaxing those muscles and your mental anxiety will relax as well.
12. Give someone a compliment – An unexpected act of kindness will not only make someone else smile, but you as well.
13. Grab the kids and play a game – This will give you a much needed mental break.
14. Close your eyes – A nap would be great, but if time doesn’t allow for that, close your eyes and focus on that negative energy just leaving your body. Think about something positive that makes you smile.
15. SMILE – It takes you more muscles to frown than smile…so SMILE…it’s contagious ya know 🙂

As I mentioned above, my current indulgence is the NEW Caribou Premium Iced Coffee.

It is now available in grocery stores nationwide. Just opening a bottle helps me relax!

I like to time mine out to the pool, put my feet in the water, and just…close my eyes and breathe.

Caribou Iced Coffee is the perfect coffeehouse treat that’s ready to drink when you need a moment to relax and unwind or when you’re on the go this summer.

What is one of your favorite ways to relax and unwind this summer?

Be sure stay social with Caribou Coffee Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay up to date with everything coffee-delicious!

While you are at it, be sure to follow me too on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more helpful tips, recipes, and more!

How To Keep Produce Fresher Longer

I use fresh fruits, vegetables and greens in my smoothies every day. I have a salad just about every day with dinner. I love serving up fresh sauteed vegetables as a side. However, my husband and kids do not share my love of a daily smoothie, and my son refuses most fruits and vegetables, and my daughter can also be particular. So, that means I either have to eat a LOT of fruit and vegetables daily, or only buy a few produce items for my smoothies (which gets BORING!), or I end up throwing out some produce that I just don’t get the chance to eat.

Taking those once beautiful strawberries and putting them in the trash or garage disposal is heart breaking, not only am I throwing out fresh produce, but I am throwing out money.

So, how do we fix this problem? I would like to say, eat more fruit and vegetables, but we all know that sometimes that’s just not possible. We go away for a weekend, we just can’t make another strawberry smoothie, you already made a ton of fresh salsa and you still have tomatoes and peppers in the garden. You need a way to make your produce last longer, stay fresher.

You need Rubbermaid FreshWorks.

I was asked by Rubbermaid to do a Long Live Produce challenge and I gladly accepted. If they found something that would make my fruits and veggies last longer and save me money, I am in!

So, what is FreshWorks?

It is storage for your produce that utilizes a revolutionary technology that creates the optimal environment to keep your produce fresh up to 80% longer than using traditional packaging.

How does FreshWorks keep your produce fresher longer?

• The storage containers have a FreshVent™ Lid that contains revolutionary membrane that naturally regulates the flow of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide to create the optimal environment so your produce stays farm fresh.
• Produce container sized to optimally fit and keep produce fresher, longer.
• CrispTray™ elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help prevent spoilage.

What produce can fit into FreshWorks containers?

Everything from berries to leafy greens!  There are three different sizes to fit your produce needs.

• Small (2.5 Cups): Ideal for small berries
• Medium (6.3 Cups): Perfect for strawberries
• Large (17.3 Cups): Optimal for leafy greens

How did my Long Live Produce Challenge go?

I bought organic strawberries and blueberries from the store and put one package in my new Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers and left the others in the store bought packaging.

**Store packaging on the left, FreshWorks Container on the right in all images.**

After a few days, I noticed that the store packaged berries were ripening faster.

After a week, there were a few berries in the store packaging that I definitely wouldn’t consider eating.

After 11 days, my store packaged berries had signs of mold, rot, and were tossed in the disposal.

And my daughter and her friend gladly ate the berries that were in the FreshWorks Container 🙂

And I used my still-fresh blueberries to make my Blueberry Delight Breakfast Casserole

Was my Long Live Produce Challenge a success?

Definitely, the Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers did indeed keep my produce fresher longer.  I will definitely be using them from now on for all my produce!  LONG LIVE PRODUCE!

Did you know?

Americans waste 23 billion pounds and $24 billion worth of fresh produce each year because it spoils before we can eat it. That’s 187 pounds and $192 per household that can be saved by using FreshWorks .

Where to buy:

• Keep a look out for FreshWorks at your favorite retailers like: Walmart, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond and more
• Online

Stay up to date with Rubbermaid and all their amazing storage solutions by following on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more helpful tips and family fun!

Please note – it is recommended that you do not cut or wash your produce before adding them to your FreshWorks containers.

This DIY Rock Flower Art is simple, yet beautiful. Find rocks on your next hike, or pick them up at your local craft store and make this DIY Garden Rock Flower Art. Follow the simple tutorial below and make yours today!

DIY Rock Flower Art

I was at my sister-in-law’s a few weeks ago and she had these adorable DIY rock flowers on wood planks hanging on the inside and outside outside of her house and I feel in love!  If you enjoy making crafts, this Do It Yourself project is actually pretty easy and is very inexpensive!  Anyone can make this flower art, all you need is a little imagination for your flower design and some basic supplies to make all different kinds of flowers.

Here’s what you need to make your own Do It Yourself Rock Flower Art:

BARN WOOD/ PALLET WOOD – Any length, your choice. These days you are able to find either of these to little to no cost at all!!!

STICKS – Everyone has access to some twigs/sticks laying around.  Send the kids on a scavenger hunt if needed 😉

STONES/ ROCKS – I bought mine at the local dollar store, but it also is just as easy if you live by a beach or woods/country could easily find some and use those. To make it more personable you could use ones from your yard or from a trip that you went on.  Please tell me that my kids aren’t the only ones that bring rocks home from just about everywhere?!

WOOD GLUE/ LIQUID NAILS – I will give a pointer, I would use the wood glue if you plan on keeping it indoors, but if you plan on hanging it where it will be exposed to the outside I would recommended using the liquid nails. You can get either of these at your local hardware store, or search around in the garage.

NAILS – Look around in the garage, but if you don’t have any, just get them at your local hardware store! But make sure when you are looking for the nails to make sure that you pick ones that will not only are long enough to go thru the wood but also long enough to hang where desired!  If you are unsure of what type of nails to use, ask at the hardware store.

HAMMER – I’m sure everyone owns one of these.

DRILL – Found in most garages!  It does help pre-drill your holes before hanging.

*** DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT use hot glue!! The rocks/stones WILL NOT STICK to hot glue. ***

How to Make Your Own DIY Rock Flower Art:

1. Gather your material list (pictured and listed above)

2. Sort thru your sticks and stones to decide what fits best for your project

3. Once you have picked out your stones and your stick(s) arrange them on your board, it took me a few times, but once you have designed your layout its gluing time.

4. The best way I found to glue your stones is to pick them up one by one and glue them that way instead of clearing the whole board, because I could never get it just the same way I had it laid out the first time.

5. Once you have glued your stones, move onto the sticks. It really doesn’t matter what you start with first as long as you end up gluing everything you will be set.

6. Let your DIY Rock Flower Art dry. I let mine dry over night.

7. Pre-drill the holes one on the top of the board and one on the bottom of the board if you are going to hang it, the more secure the better.

8. Gather your nails and your hammer and go hunting for the perfect spot to hang your Rock Flower Art.

9. Hang it up.

10.  ENJOY!

What is one of your favorite DIY projects?  Have you made rock flower art before?

Looking for another fun DIY project?  Check out how we turned garage sale freebies drawers into storage bins and a little herb garden!

DIY Dresser Drawers to Storage Boxes

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more DIY,  helpful tips, healthy recipes, and more.