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My calendar

since january is usually the month where we make big plans to get organized, i thought i’d share what is working for us.
i am not an organizer.
i do not get excited about planning or purging or goal setting.
but by necessity i have to attempt to be at least SEMI-organized to keep us from missing practices, appointments, birthday parties & deadlines.
and because i am a grown up.
#lame

last year i bought these big dry erase monthly calendars.
these have been great for me because i am very visual.
if i see it on the calendar – i usually don’t forget that event (not a guarantee… but 90% of the time it works).


at the end of each month i erase and then add the next month so we can always plan in three month segments.
(in theory i do that… sometimes i forgot)
it’s not fancy or pretty but it’s what i need to keep up with these people.
i just pinned it to the wall with thumbtacks.
simple!
it’s hanging right in the kitchen so everyone can easily see it, add to it & answer their own questions about when & where events are.


we use wet erase markers which is important because if someone walks by and wipes their hand on the calendar or leans onto the wall… it doesn’t erase!
can you imagine?! that would be terrible!
these have each been erased many times and the calendar still looks very clean with no staining.

i ordered this set of markers at the same time as the calendars and just pinned the whole set to the bulletin board so i didn’t lose any.
my black marker is missing because a certain basketball coach borrowed it and didn’t put it back…


pretty planners are awesome! I love to look at them! but in reality that hasn’t worked for me.
phone apps are awesome too! my husband only uses his phone for all organizing & that’s a great system for him!
but what works for me is WRITING it myself and SEEING it often.
and seeing several months at a time.

happy january!

source – calendars / markers / bulletin board

 

Joy - I totally agree with you! I need to see it right in front of me daily without effort. I bought a planner at the end of last year thinking it would be so handy, but it hasn’t yet been touched. Deciding on a personal system and sticking to it always seems to work the best!

sharon / tpt - HAS to be on my calendar. From little to big.

Stephanie L. Robertson - Meg,
I’m with you on all this, Girl. I’m not inherently organized, but had to learn to be when I got out in the “real world” a hundred years ago. And yes, it is a wife/mom-requirement.

I’m also very visual and have to write down stuff so that I can remember it, too. I’ve got all of these little yellow legal pads to help out. As long as I don’t loose them in a clutter pile, I’ll be ok. 😉

Best of luck in 2017!
-Stephanie

Jenny Logan - My husband is always telling me to just put stuff in my phone. I’m like you though, I need to see it and it definitely helps if I write it down. I’m glad I’m not alone! I love the dry erase idea, that way when things change you don’t have scratched out writing!

Sharon - I’m a pen and paper on the wall girl. I was at Michael’s yesterday oogling their day planners, wishing that I was actually the kind of person who used these gorgeous inventions. But what works for me is a calendar with big squares, in a high traffic area. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist. Love your blog! 🙂

Lisa - That is a great idea! I HAVE to see my stuff hanging on a wall, as well!! 🙂

S - I am the same as you – I have to physically write it, see it, refer back to it in order for it to stick in my brain. What works for me is my wall calendar to capture activities and appointments and school events and then right near that calendar is a dry erase week at a glance sticky – each week I write it out and add reminders (lunch account $$ for A, library book for B, pick up C at 4:45 – don’t forget water bottle) on the day we have to remember something that wouldn’t really “make it” on my regular calendar. I also use a separate dry erase board for a running grocery list so the family can add to it. Love that your black marker is missing – good thing the thief is your favorite guy ever!!

Jackie O'M - Back in my Mama days, each family member was assigned an ink color so I could tell at a glance who had activities each day. 🙂

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happy new year!

2016 was a rough year it seemed.
i heard that over and over every where i went.
but it was so good too!
here’s my favorite pics from 2016 all together in one spot.   🙂


i always feel hopeful with the start of a new year…new calendar…a fresh start.
there’s a few big adventures i want to accomplish this coming year.
i am praying for discernment and wisdom as they play out.

thanks for reading this blog all these years.
it’s kind of a crazy thing!
thanks for the encouragement to keep writing or for what i shared.
you guys are awesome.

now – i have to clean out my bedroom from the christmas mayhem.

 

Angela Atkins - Lovely! What a great way to celebrate the year and your family.

meg duerksen - I love those plates!!! Thank you Cornelia!

cornelia krahn - I check everyday to see if you’ve written something new. I love your blog. I’m the one who gave you my vintage state plate collection so it was fun to see the Alabama plate. Happy New Year!

Kathi - Thanks for sharing for all these years! I love to see an email from FeedBlitz. You inspire me!

meg duerksen - oh Shar… we have plenty of problems – trust me! but we do have lots of fun too! thanks for reading!

meg duerksen - Jennibell – it’s called Praise Like Fireworks by Rend Collective. They are on repeat over here all the time so it had to be the band i choose. 🙂

meg duerksen - well… make me get all teary heidi! thanks for reading! i love dennis! 🙂

heidi - Your blog was the first one I ever read and it is still my absolute favorite. You are such an inspiration!!!! Thank you for everything you have done for my father-in-law’s business. What a blessing you are to the entire world!

Cheryl - What a wonderful Flipagram! You have the cutest family! Thanks for sharing. I need to take more pictures! 🙂

jennibell - Very fun!!! Looks like a great year for your crew!! What is the music/song you were playing?

Tracy Koeppen - Thank you, Meg, for writing this blog!! And taking beautiful pics!! I love to follow along.

It makes me sad whenever I hear another mention of 2016 being a “terrible year”. We had a great year!!

Lori - That was so fun! Love your photos, and I loved that there were tiny videos tucked in there 🙂 Happy new year!

jill - Love your blog and all of your t shirts you wear!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Happy New Years! Have a great, great year!

Shar - U make me so happy! I wish my family could b half as wonderful and fun loving and joyful as yours. It’s a new year a new start

Monica - Thanks for your blog, I love reading it and I’m always inspired by you and your family pictures are so nice. Thanks so much

Heather S. - Yep – I’m one of those “rough year” people. It truly held so much good for us, but it ended on such a hard note with the death of one of our very best friends, only 47 years of age. It has been a very hard month. I am looking forward to moving forward – into 2017 with healing!

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loving my skin for 2017

I had LOTS of people interested in Rodan & Fields when I posted about it in November.  
Maybe you have some christmas money and you’re ready to jump in?
OR maybe now that christmas is over you can think about something other than lists, baking and traveling?
Maybe you are ready to tackle some self care in 2017?
You only get one face!
And none of us are getting any younger.

The newest product that R&F introduced is called Lash Boost.
It’s a conditioning serum that enhances your eyelashes in volume and length in 4 weeks.
Who knew you could change your eyelashes???!!!


You should begin to see a difference in just a few weeks!
For best results it is suggested to use it for 8 weeks.


With the Gift Set you get:
– R+F  Lash Boost
–  Multi Function Eye Cream Mini
–  Exclusive Lash Boost Travel Pouch

But here’s the deal… the Lash Boost Holiday Gift Set is ONLY available until Monday January 2nd!
Like… as in three days from now!

   
If you want longer fuller lashes from home – this is your answer!

click here to order LASH BOOST!

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Many of you used the Solution Tool after my first R&F post.
It’s a great way to figure out the best Regimen for your skin care.
After you finish using the tool it suggests where to begin.  You can order directly from that point or you can email me or ask me in the comments more questions if you still aren’t quite sure or need more guidance.

On May 31,  I started using the Reverse Regimen with the AMP MD Micro- Exfoliating Roller, Multi Function Eye Cream at night and occasionally the Micro Derm Abrasion Paste.

this is my UNEDITED & NO MAKEUP before and after photo.


this is legit.
I had people text me and FB message me saying “is that REALLY unedited?”
YES!!!
that is my skin in all its naked glory – free of the spots and discoloration and no make up.
I had been a consultant since the middle of May but I waited to see if the results were real.
When I saw the difference it made for me is when I decided to share it with you.

 

Rodan + Fields has a Preferred Customer Program where you receive 10% off each order and free shipping.
To join the program is a one time fee of $19.95.
My first thought when i saw this was – “that’s lame – why would people sign up for that?”
But then i did the math… and it is TOTALLY worth it!
On your very fist order it won’t make much of a difference because of that joiner fee.
But it’s not MORE than your retail order would be either.
By joining the PC program – after your first order… it’s a big difference in price.
I don’t know about you but I loathe shipping fees.  (amazon prime!!!)
As a PC you get free shipping and a 10% discount which is even better!
The PC program automactically ships your product every 60 days for your convenience.
Again I thought “NO thank you… Only I will decide when and when I don’t order products!!!”
Then i researched it more and found out you can change the shipping dates anytime to make it longer or shorter.  You can change what products are shipped to you whenever you need to.  So… that IS actually very convenient just like they advertised.
And it’s kind of nice to have it ready for when you DO run out.  I am the kind of girl who will forget to order more over and over until I’m without what I need for too long.  To ship it automatically is brilliant!
🙂

I shared in my November post that I like getting a deal on pretty much anything.
I read everything, talked with my consultant & then finally decided that becoming a R&F Consultant was going to be my best option economically.
Maybe that is the best option for you?
Maybe you are looking for a way to make some money while still getting to set your hours and/or staying home with your kids?
Maybe you want to use R&F products for 25% less than retail?
Let me know if you’d like more information on becoming a consultant.
Leave it in the comments – just make sure that you check the email that your comment is linked too.
Or just email me directly:  cdduerksenATyahooDOTcom
Check out Rodan + Fields for yourself!

Ask me any questions you have – I am happy to help!

 

 

 

meg duerksen - hi debbie.
im emailing you!

Debbie - Hi! Your skin looks amazing!! I am interested in starting this, but my question is, if the products are vegan and cruelty free? Thank you. Happy New Year!

meg duerksen - Products last 60 days and often longer.

Megan - How long do the products typically last for you?

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Last minute gifts for the Ladies

well i wrote this post on sunday night but then my blog decided to break.
it’s back to normal now and it’s probably too late for most people BUT these are still mostly on Amazon Prime so you could still get them by christmas or the day after.
and don’t worry… mot EVERYTHING is rainbow-ed – just some!


Rainbow Colored Knife Set

 

5 Piece Silicone Spatula Set


Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File
this is so awesome for smooth soft feet!
i own it and love it!

 

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Living Proof Dry Shampoo
my friend suggested this and i laughed because this is what i’ve been using too!
so YES it had to be on the list.

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Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker

 

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Hollywood Fashion Tape in a Single Pack or the Value Pack of 3 Tins

i use this stuff ALL THE TIME!
to hold my button up shirts from gaping across my chest… to hold my shirt to my skin to keep it from sliding too low… to hold a hem that’s coming loose…. to keep your bra strap from showing… to keep your strapless bra up where you want it…
i love it.
this would be a GREAT stocking stuffer!

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Hand Lettering  (An Interactive Guide to the Art of Drawing Letters by Megan Wells
this girl has such crazy artistic talent!
i love everything she makes – including this book.

 

DIY Woven Art by Rachel Denbow

 another super talent is Rachel and this book!
you will love this book about weaving that she wrote this year.

14″ Weaving Frame or the 20″ Weaving Frame
after reading that book you will definitely need a loom to get started right away!

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90 Degree by Reflex High Waisted Leggings

i’ve talked about these leggings many times.
i love them because they are thick and they go WAAAAY up.

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Knit Cable Infinity Scarf

i know this is just chapstick but i looooove this candy cane flavor.
i buy a bunch every december to last the whole year.
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Mini Umbrella in lots of colors & patterns

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Nesting 9 Piece Food Prep Set

this is just happy!  i would love to give this as a gift!   🙂

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Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine           Fabric Scissors           Sewing Machine Carrying Case

i love this sewing machine! we use these at the Craft House.
good fabric scissors are a must.
and your sewing machine will be much happier living inside a case to keep it from getting extra dusty.

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         Self Healing Cutting Mat                    OLFA Rotary Cutter

i use these four products (above and below) every time i sew.

   Acrylic Ruler                          Ruler Grip with Double Suction Cup

 

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Pom Pom Maker Small Sized Poms and Large Sized Poms
these are so fun to use!   you can make all sizes!

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Extra Fine Glitter – Set of 24 colors

i just love glitter!

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JOCO 16 oz Reusable Glass Coffee Cup

 

.Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner

this isn’t available by christmas but this is just so great i had to share it!

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Wet Brush Pro

 


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Wristlet Clutch Organizer Wallet

this was also on the teen girls post because they are super cute!
they come in over 30 colors so you don’t have to get neon green or hot pink… ha ha ha.

. Snow Boots
i think these are all soooooo cute!

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these are books i love and books i want to read this year.

Tattoos on the Heart                          Falling Free                           Assimilate or Go Home                   Love Does 

Looking For Lovely                      For the Love                    Giddy Up Eunice                Made Well

Talking As Fast As Can                    Wildflower                        Where Am I Now?                         Riley Unlikely

because crack is illegal                   All The Pretty Things                   How to Be a Wildflower              All You Ever Wanted


Lori - Fun list! My mom gave me a Pedi Perfect, and I thought it was the strangest gift. But, it’s awesome and I really love it. The fashion tape is really useful too!

Kathie - Love your lists each year!! This one is always fun and full of things I would just get for myself 😛

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Boys

i hope these lists help with your shopping!
i know it’s close to christmas but i am pretty sure there are lots of you that aren’t quite done with your shopping.
everything on this list is available on Amazon Prime so you still have time!
there are 2 or 3 things that are from Dick’s Sporting Goods but they have free shipping & guarantee arrival before christmas or it’s free!

i love to give gifts so these lists are one of my favorite things to make!
i hope to make one more list for grown ups!

don’t miss my post about Gift Ideas for Tween & Teen Girls 

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SUPERFIGHT
Combine character and attribute cards to make ridiculous fights & argue over who would win
we have this game and it’s quite entertaining!

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Sandwich Toaster
we love this!
it’s nice to just wipe it clean and not have to dirty more pans!

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 Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker for the shower, beach or pool

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Funny Nose Pencil Sharpener

 

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What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
this is a very cool and interesting book!

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Microsuede Slippers

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XBOX Live Gold Membership
gamers in your life would looooooove this!

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Charging Station for XBOX ONE
if you have an xbox at your house – you need this.
you will finally be able to find a AA battery again when you need one!

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Bacon Lip Balm

 

Bacon Air Freshener

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Slouchy Beanie Hat in many different designs

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Top Ramen Rapid Cooker  for the boys who looooooove their Ramen!

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Balaclava – Windproof Mask
t
his was a huge hit last christmas at our house.
it’s not something you “need” until all of a sudden it snows or freezes and then it’s the best thing ever!

 

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an Electric Shaver is just a staple for dudes.
shaving with a real razor is for grandpas…  today’s guy want ease, speed and no cuts.   🙂

Wall Mounted Mini Basketball Goal
extremely sturdy shatter-proof goal with a breakaway rim… mounts to studs in the wall.
we have this at our house and it’s AWESOME!
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if the wall mounted goal is more money or time than you were looking for –
the Over the Door Mini Basketball Goal is a great solution!
easy set up…. portable… guaranteed fun!

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Funny Sign T-shirt

 


Ask Me About My T-Rex T-shirt

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Ninja Disguise T-shirt

 

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or just a regular soft Plaid Microfleece Bathrobe


i know this has a girl in the photo but this Bean Bag Chair is a great gift for guys!
there are also many bigger sizes of these.
sean got the GIANT XXL Bean Bag Chair for christmas last year and LOVES it so so much!

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Minimalist Avengers Poster
i actually LOVE this poster!  it’s a classier more creative take on what can often be such a cheesy market.

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Movie Theater Gift Card
it’s always more fun to go out to a movie when someone else is paying for it!

.Key-tars Electric Guitar Shaped Key Covers
these are so awesome!

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this Microwave Egg Cooker makes one egg the perfectly sized for making McMuffin Sandwiches!
we have this and use it all the time!

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GoPro HERO – a camera that is great for active people on the go!
bluetooth & wifi enabled, waterproof & rugged – completely changing the world of video for this generation of teens!

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Every Man Jack Body Wash
because boys don’t necessarily want to be stinky.


AAA Emergency Road Assistance Kit
great for teen drivers to have in case of… emergencies!

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Toilet Night Light
you totally know that this invention is GENIUS!!!
no more turning on the lights when you have to use the bathroom in the night – blinding yourself or waking others up.
and not to mention the messes that won’t be made…

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Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) Hammock
this could be the best thing on the whole list.
these are crazy popular… go anywhere… dry quickly… super heavy duty… SO MUCH FUN!

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NBA Star Socks

Lebron  James      –       Steph Curry     –     Kareeem

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Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook
a humourous book about everything you would ever possibly need to know if faced with wild situations!

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Portable Bluetooth Speaker
this is great for taking music anywhere you want!
we have one of these and it gets TONS of use.
it has excellent ratings on amazon AND it’s super inexpensive.

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Star Wars Accordion Sun Shade
this made me smile so big!  what a funny gift for a teen driver!

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Lego Light Up Alarm Clock:   Superman  –  Batman  –  Darth Vader  –  Storm Trooper  –  Yoda  –  Boba Fett
even though they are growing up… these would make great gifts for those boys in our lives!
they are 7 – 9 inches tall.   🙂

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MLB team logo ball cap

 

Portable Power Bank to charge your phone anywhere!

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an Amazon Gift Card is truly the best gift for picky teens because they could buy almost ANYTHING they would want.

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a New Gym Bag to haul all their gear around from practices & games

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leave a comment here if i’ve missed anything that you think is a great gift for boys!
and i’d love it if you pinned this post for me too!
🙂

Jill - Oh, man, I used to have those keytars and LOVED them! 🙂

Ashley - Glad you posted this. I laughed hard because we got my boys the TRex and ninja shirts. They’re priceless! The hammock is amazing, too!

Library Momma - I love that you do these lists for both boy and girl. I look forward to the each year! I have an almost 9 year old and wrack my brain but this helps! It also gives me ideas as my kids get older, and even occasionally for my husband or myself! Thank you!! So fun!!

alice h - Great ideas! My 16 year old has a ton of hats so I bought him a hat rack from Bed Bath and Beyond (https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/perfect-curve-cap-rack-pro-trade-in-white/1043060948?Keyword=hat+rack).
He is also getting Madden 17 and a Kayak (cheaper one from Walmart).

Jessica - My husband makes these – a super fun gift for music lovers! Mint tin amps for MP3 players or electric guitars.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ampoids

Patti Mullican - You always have such great ideas – I love your lists!

Lori H - Great ideas, Meg! My kids are a little older, but I was still ordering and pinning like crazy! Merry Christmas!

Kelly - I bought the What If? book for my brother for Christmas after hearing about it on a podcast. I am glad to hear it gets your recommendation too! Kelly

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christmas ideas for teens & tween girls

well it’s ALMOST Christmas!
this post is coming out later than i’d like it to be (because – life)
BUT i made sure to put everything available through Amazon Prime so you can get anything on this list in time for christmas morning!
amazon prime is the best thing since the DVR!!!
this list is full of ideas that almost any teen or tween girl in your life would enjoy receiving.

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yummy donut pillow

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Spec-trix – a card game for Color Lovers

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Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer by Conair

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Style Station to keep hair accessories organized in the bathroom

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Maybelline New York Lip Studio Lip Color Palette
(i use this everyday!)


41oo9k2udwlMaybelline New York The Blushed Nudes
(and i use this everyday too!)
it looks small but both of these palettes are about the size of your hand – palm to finger tips.

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12 Piece Makeup Brush Set

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Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual
this book was on the list last year too because it’s GREAT!

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Clarisonic Mia 1 Speed Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush System

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91venteej0l-_sx522_or if you want to save $100 – Oil of Olay has a very similar product that will also keep your teens face extra clean!

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the Bed Head Wave Artist gives distinctive masterfully sculpted waves.
my daughter has this and loves the look it gives to her hair.

.xmas2Cosmetic Bag

a must have for any girl to hold all the STUFF they like to use on their face & hair!

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xmas1a towel wrap is always nice for teens to put on while getting ready for the day
keeps makeup or products getting on your clothes!

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55e87bc5c6399baf3cd38698-w1000_h1000Rainbow Colored Playing Cards
how much fun are these cards?!!!
i want these for ME!

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mttdyc15_webUNO emoji card game
same UNO game just with a fun twist on the design   🙂

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81ygzj8u9kl-_sl1500_Set of 48 Colored Pencils in a Roll Up Case
annie got this set for her birthday and she loves it!

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this would’ve made me SO HAPPY as a teen!
every girl should have a disco ball in her room… don’t ya think?

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81tlb4wo2l-_sl1500_my girls LOVE our Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera

honestly – it’s just kind of nice to have something different than their phones!
if they are using this camera… they can’t be on snapchat.
HA!


and don’t forget the extra film!

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51ivgv1xtrl-_sx425_because who doesn’t need this?
Handicorn
there are several other animal options too.
so silly!

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Hair Chalk – a nonpermanent, inexpensive way for teens to put fun colors in their hair.

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51ulseswwplbluetooth speaker for the shower, beach or pool that hooks up to your phone

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Power Bank to charge their phones anywhere at anytime.

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PopSocket is a stand or grip for your phone or tablet and all the kids love these things!

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Clip-on Phone Lens Kit – wide angle, fish eye and macro
these are a cool way to change up the regular pictures you can take with your phone.
maybe they will make lots of new artistic photographers!

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xmas7
crazy cute ice cream sundae socks

 

cute aztec print sweater poncho

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these Sneaker Balls are great for stinky shoes!
there are tons of different designs & colors.

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super soft plush robe

 

polka dot rubberized hard case covers for MacBook
i think these are the cutest!
i want ALL the colors!

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these are really cool dot-to-dot books with animals or famous faces cities.
by the time they finish each page, they have completed a work of art!

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Post This Book
an interactive journal that empowers kids to rediscover creativity & fun – and post the results to social media.

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blanket scarves for every possible outfit

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 knitted fingerless gloves in several different colors
as moms or grandmothers we look at these and think “you’ll freeze in those!”
but kids want to their fingers out for phone access and they don’t ever get cold anyway.
ha ha ha  😂

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photo display stand for all their rad pics
i love this!
it’s under our tree this year for sure.

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these Letter Light Boxes are so much fun!

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a Wristlet Clutch Organizer Wallet available in over 30 colors!
these can hold their phone too!
GREAT GIFT!!!

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this mermaid tail blanket is a hot item for this christmas!

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 these books are all excellent choices for teens or tweens to grow in their relationship with Christ, love others and to understand more how God sees them as the amazing girls they are!
all girls need more encouragement to be who they were created to be!
Liked by Kari Kampanis
Journey to Freedom by Elisa Pullium
10 Things for Teen Girls by Kate Conner
You’re God’s Girl by Wynter Pitts
Cherish by Vicki Courtney
What About Me? by Vicki Courtney
Graceful by Emily P. Freeman
Live Original by Sadie Robertson
Jesus Today by Sarah Young
Perfectly Unique by Annie Downs

 


happy shopping!

leave me a comment if you found a great gift this year that should be on this list!
i’ll add it if i can find it!

i would love if you pinned this post (the image below)!

alice h - Ordering my daughter that Style Station (she’s leaving me for college next year). And I am ordering myself that Maybeline makeup! My daughter is getting a couple of Kendra Scott jewelry pieces also. Along with makeup and clothes.

Michelle from Australia - Thanks for the inspiration. I bought a light box for my impossible to buy for 13 year old!

Jen - Love this! But, I can tell you from personal experience, the sneaker balls DO NOT WORK. Don’t waste your money. I haven’t found one single product that can combat the stench of smelly boy athletic shoes! Ick!

Now………those rainbow cards are THE BOMB!!

Merry Christmas!

Christy - I bought the Olay Pro X, thanks to your rec and I actually bought it for my teenage son. Boys, needs good skin too. 🙂 The aesthetician recommended he exfoliate for stubborn acne and now I don’t I have to share.

tonya - i need the same kind of list for tween boys!!! Soon!

Debbie H - I agree! What a great job THIS is. You always have good ideas, but hit it out of the park this year! I thought I was done, but now a couple of these have me thinking. Always another reason for a gift later in the year. Thanks, Meg.

And received my Xmas garland. LOVE IT! Squares are larger this year – so it looks great with my older garland from you. Thanks for always sharing with us! And the merriest of Christmases to you and your swell family! Sending you stress free vibes! (I’m sending them to me too – my girls arrive home late the 19th) 🙂

Wendy - I cannot tell you how helpful this is!! I was finding it so hard to get inspired when searching for gifts for my sweet tween daughter. I can tell you right now I’m ordering at least a half-dozen of your suggestions! Thank you so much, Meg!

From a fan in Seattle 🙂

Kristin S - What a great list!

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rainbows, birthdays & big kids

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a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Duerksen bought us a new bed and mattress.
it’s so grown up.
we are loving it so so much.
i’ll show some pics once i have that room in order again.

our bed we had before… moved into the guest room.
but the guest room is now the rainbow room because annie moved to a new room.
everything is getting switched up over here!
she was ready to have a room that was more HER style instead of MY style.
she’s so 12!
🙂
it would’ve bothered me (and it did!) with my first child… but thankfully i have learned a thing or two over the past 20 years of parenting.
NEWSFLASH – each child has their own personality.
crazy right?
just kidding… it’s not crazy at all!  it’s completely normal!
their style doesn’t have to be ANYTHING like my style.
and even if i don’t necessarily like their design choice – it doesn’t mean it’s wrong!  (i do like her new room)
it just means it’s not my design choice.
thank goodness we aren’t all the same!
YAY for everything that makes us unique!!!

i am grateful that we could move her to a different room so that we could keep the rainbow stripes because they are just so cheerful and fun!
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we painted the old bed – i have wanted to paint it for YEARS!
i was painting in the late afternoon and looked up to see the orange & red tree glowing perfectly centered in the window around the orange curtains… it was just so pretty and so typically fall!

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so now it’s all ready for guests!
the rainbow pillow & the yellow polka dot shams are from the Land of Nod.
i found the bedskirt at Goodwill several years ago   🙂
my friend sent me the rainbow quilt that was from target several years ago as well.
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Talby turned 15!
she’s got such a great heart!
it’s been such an honor to watch her grow up!
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by the end of her birthday evening these 3 ended up in my bed – wrestling, laughing and being crazy.
i was loving every second of it.
of course there’s plenty of fighting and normal sibling stuff but when it’s good – it is SO GOOD!!!

we went out for dinner to celebrate both annie & talby’s birthday together to a restaurant we had (half)jokingly told them we would never take them to because of the cost of 7 of us and the behaviors of the past.  But since we combined our celebration and only went out once instead of two separate times… we said yes!
It was the best dinner out that we have ever had!
not kidding.
the food was great but our time together was suddenly different.
conversations were good and real.
it was truly enjoyable!
i didn’t know if we’d ever get to this point of a time at a restaurant with all of us that was like that.
it was as dreamy as i had imagined.

i love them but i also really like them.   🙂

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we still have all three dorky dogs.
kobe has adjusted and isn’t as goofy as he was in the beginning (he was terrified of grass!)
he is a good cuddler too.

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i put up a few christmas decorations at the Craft House last week.
the wreath was at sam’s club (what in the world???) and then it was officially time to get a white tree to rainbowtize.
the tree is not too big and definitely not fancy but it was pre-lit so i went for it.
i got it at walmart – impulse buy but no regrets.
the ornaments are all from Michaels.
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this was me on black friday.
i drove lauren home the morning after thanksgiving and thought i’d stop for a bit and check out the deals.
ummmm…. i spent THREE HOURS just in Dick’s Sporting Goods!
long story short – i came home at 10:30 pm.
ha ha ha!
just a quick 13 hour black friday shopping day… no big deal.

but seriously… i was alone.  i had coffee.  everything was on sale.
it was perfect!

renee - i love your blog! maybe because you’re a few seasons ahead. mine are 7 months, 2.5, and almost 4. i enjoy them and i’m trying to soak these seasons up and be grateful for the time but i’m really looking forward to getting to know them as they’re older too. my brothers in law are 15 and 16 and they’re so fun! love these posts and glimpses into your family life 🙂 how did you not lose your mind when they were all tiny!?! 🙂 haha

carol - hi meg- would love to know where you bought your bed its gorgeous! thank you!

Lori - Congrats on a new bed! And, I love the bedding in the rainbow room. So happy ❤️💛💚💙💜

Andrea - Prefacing with this statement: I know you are really busy being a mom and wife and businesswoman. That said, I MISSED these kinds of posts! The assortment of family stories, house projects and dog faces. It’s what drew me to your blog years ago.

Every time you say “older kids are awesome” I’m nodding my head. While we still parent, and help where needed, we get to enjoy them as humans. People we like to hang out with. I’m fortunate to have one ‘kid’ left (he turns 12 this week) and a 19 and next-week-22 year old. Watching them together is fun, being around them is the best.

Wendy C - Ditto on seeing your new room and Annie’s new room. And the boys rooms? We never see those. Please share! Even if they are messy – any Mom of boys would totally understand 🙂 My definition of “bed made” and my 16 years old son’s definition of “bed made” are very different! HA!

Tracy - I can’t wait to see your room!

Can we see Annie’s new room?

What restaurant did you go to?

My kids are now 20, 19, 17 & 17 and I feel the same way you do. They’re so fun to be around!! <3

carrie - Love the rainbow tree, and yay for you on Black Friday. We had a marathon shopping spree as well and it was so much fun!

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