This is a collaborative post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Having a baby is a big, life-changing decision. Going back to work after you’ve had said baby? Also big and life-changing. Most of you know that I ended up staying home after Ian (my firstborn) arrived. After he was born early and spent his first month of life in the NICU, I just couldn't picture going back to the 40 hour, 9-5 grind (I also did not love my job, so that made it easier to quit). We made a financial plan to ensure it was possible for me to stay home, part of which involved moving to a city with a lower cost of living. For us, what we wanted became clear after Ian was born, and we did everything we could to make that happen. However, I know the internal debate over going back to work after maternity leave ends is a toughhhh one for many new mothers. Some can't afford to stop working, and others really love their careers.

It’s ingrained within us to believe that we should want to be with our children every hour of the day. And we do, to an extent (have you ever set your baby down for the night fiiiinally, only to miss them and look at pictures and videos of them on your phone?). However, before we were mothers, we were women. Smart, intelligent and confident individuals with hopes and dreams and ambitions. None of that changes when you have a child; but what you want to do with your life may well do. Some mothers experience clarity with the birth of their child, and that clarity can mean a new career, or finally having the courage to reach out and ask for the promotion that they’ve always been passed on. As a parent, it’s up to you to ensure that your children see you achieve, and in doing so you'll set an example of determination, confidence, and success. Sometimes, motherhood can be the catalyst to reinvent your career into something even better. Here are four things you might consider.

1. Flexible Work

As a parent, you need time to be with your family. There’s nothing wrong with sitting down with your boss and discussing a more flexible work schedule, with the same job but different work hours. Perhaps you can go part-time for awhile, or work from home for a time. Employers are often open to bending for the top talent, and if yours isn't, you can choose to move onto an employer that appreciates the working parent.

2. Go Back To School

Sometimes, motherhood triggers a need to know more, to learn more, so that you can earn more. Choosing to go back to school could be the best thing you ever do. Nowadays, there are many online programs you can do from home rather than going to a physical classes. Plus, there’s the flexibility to arrange your schedule in a way that works for your family life. Even if you take only one class a quarter, or opt for evening classes, you can still get an online masters of school counseling while learning around your kid(s) and making the most of your valuable time.

3. Side Hustle Your Hobby

You may have always seen yourself heading back to work after your baby arrived. Well, now that baby is here, the idea of being away from him that much may be too much to bear. You’ve got talent in you somewhere, whether that’s writing, programming, cutting hair, or making something crafty. Why not turn that hobby into a hustle that earns you some income on the side? You could slowly turn that part time hobby into a full time job, working around your kids. Most of you know that this is what I've done. Running this blog and doing some freelance writing for other websites has helped our family financially, and it's helped me to feel like I'm still keeping up some relevant skills that could help me jump back in the workforce in the future. I've also seen several friends earn money by watching other people's kids during the day, like a small at-home daycare. It works out well because your baby can interact with the other kids during the day and (eventually) they can play together.

4. Hit Reset

If your current career is not cutting it, but you still need or want to work, it may be time for you to change careers. Take an online course like those provided by wilkes university nursing or get the training you need, then apply for jobs that fuel your passion and bring home the bacon. I've seen friends change careers to real estate agents, photographers, ultrasound techs, and teachers--all after becoming mothers. You have a little life depending on you to set a good example; if that's not motivation, I don't know what is!

I'm curious, have any of you made big career changes as a result of becoming a mom?

This is a collaborative post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Are you sitting at home, wishing that you were somewhere else--perhaps a spa? Then why not bring the spa to you? The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to create that relaxation at home in your bathroom, and none of these require an expensive remodel. To replicate the ambiance and total relaxation you would get at a spa, you just need to make some simple updates to the bathroom you already have. And the good news is, all of these ideas can be implemented in a few hours, leaving you the rest of the day to enjoy your at home spa(aahhh). Here’s how I would go about creating a spa-like bathroom at home.

Enhance your shower and bath

The first thing to focus on is your shower and bath and how to make them more relaxing. Did you know that different shower heads give you different experiences? Rainfall and waterfall showers offer a relaxing experience, larger shower heads give you a greater flow of water, and if it’s power that you’re after, you should opt for a smaller head (if you get the power just right, it can almost feel like a massage--how's that for a relaxing way to start your morning?). We have a combo with both a rain shower head and a smaller hand shower. If you want help looking into the types of showers heads there are and what would be best for you, there are lots of websites that offer top shower head reviews to help with those decisions.

Make minimalism a priority

If you want to create a space that you will feel totally relaxed and comfortable in, make minimalism a priority. Think about when you've been a spa. There was probably never any mess or clutter around, right? Lots of stuff isn't relaxing. So pare down the bottles of shampoo and tubes of lotion to the ones you actually use daily, put away the extra decor tchotchkes, and keep it minimalist: just a stylish and modern bathroom designed to create the ideal space for relaxation.

Create a sense of ambiance

Once you have gotten your shower or bath ready for relaxing in, the next thing is to build ambiance. Music, drinks, candles and lights are all great for this. Dot candles around your bathroom, or if you’re worried about safety opt for an LED alternative that's water safe.

For the music, pick something you like that relaxes you. This could be sounds of the rainforest or the noise of breaking waves, or it could simply be calming, tranquil music. Rainforest noises tend to go nicely with a shower, creating a sense that you are stood in the rainforest, experiencing a downpour. For a bath, ocean noises could go well; all you need to do is shut your eyes and imagine you’re floating in a lovely tropical ocean.

Want to enhance the mood of the space? You could try color changing lights fitted around the room. These will add to the ambiance and can be used to create a variety of different environments. Just make sure that the lighting you pick is bathroom-safe. The great thing about these lights is that you can chance them to match your mood.

Once that's all set up you can also have a drink ready to enjoy with this experience such as a glass of wine, champagne, or prosecco. Not a big drinker? How about having a herbal tea or a glass of homemade cucumber water? What you’re trying to recreate is that "treat-yourself" sense of being at a spa.

Incorporate aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can help take your relaxing bathroom to the next level. Aromatherapy is all about finding an aroma that makes you feel really relaxed. Lavender tends to be the go-to for most essential oils used in spas. Not sure what scents you like? Take the time to test some out - there are plenty to choose from and one good choice would be a brand that has a variety of choices like Devon Wick.

There are numerous ways you can bring aroma to the bathroom to enhance your spa-like experience. You could find scented candles that give you the best vibes, or use diffusers, oil burners, or wax melters. Even a nice hand soap with a great scent that you love can make you feel more relaxed and happy every time you use it.

To turn your bathroom into a relaxing, spa-like haven, the key is to focus on what features a spa offers and create a space that mimics that. Think design, ambiance, and aroma. Sometimes you need to relax and unwind but you don’t have the time or budget to head to a spa (hello, busy moms). That's when having a home bathroom that has spa-like features can be so beneficial! I'm not going to lie, a long, hot shower can do wonders for my mood. :)

What features are a must for you in a relaxing bathroom?

This is the first home where we've had a "real" guest room (our last place only had enough space for a twin size bed). It makes us so happy to be able to host friends and family, and we've had a lot of people stay with us over the past year and a half. With the holidays and a few more visitors coming up, I decided it was time to tackle the last few lingering projects on my guest room to-do list. Plus, I gave it some festive styling and warm winter layers, to make it extra cozy! Since I just went through the process, I thought it would be a good time to share some tips for getting your guest room ready for hosting. Is anyone coming to stay with you over the holidays?

1. A good window treatment. The first item on my list was to replace the old window treatment! I was excited to remove the basic, utilitarian blinds and install a beautiful fabric Classic Roman shade from Bali Blinds. We have these in almost every room of the house now, and I recommend them so much. I love the way they look, and the cordless lift is so easy to use (plus, safe for kids). Besides style, Roman shades have a functional advantage over blinds: they're better at heat retention. That will help to keep this room warm and comfortable over the winter, and maybe even save us a little on our energy bills!

2. Wifi sign. I always forget to ask for the wifi password at friends' houses and end up using data, whoops. A framed sign with all the info makes it easy for guests to connect to your internet...and it makes it so you don't have to remember the password and repeat it over and over. ;) There are lots of cute printables online, but my printer was out of ink so I just hand-wrote mine. Hey, it doesn't have to be fancy!

3. Layers of cozy blankets. I want winter guests to be comfortable and warm at night, but I don't want to crank the heat up too high. So I let guests control their own temperature by providing a variety of different blankets. On this bed, I layered an amazingly soft faux fur blanket over a lightweight cotton quilt, and stacked some extra blankets and throws in the closet just in case. Sheets are also an easy thing to change seasonally. I know some people love flannel sheets for winter, but I personally don't like the feel of them. So I use good cotton sheets year-round, just in different colors and patterns (these ones are eco-friendly, super soft, and luxurious--yet still under $50!).

4. Some greenery. Another easy, inexpensive way to make your guest room feel instantly festive, is to add some fresh (or faux) greenery. A wreath over the bed, a garland around the window, some clippings on the nightstand...maybe all of the above. Bonus: they'll make the room smell super good.

5. Seasonal art. This is not a necessary step by any means, but if your art is rather summery (like the beach print we had in here before), consider switching it out for a winter scene in the same size. I totally copied Suzannah from Create/Enjoy on this. The print is a free download from Unsplash (by photographer Dan Otis), and I had it printed at Parabo Press. The do color engineer prints that are highly affordable, especially compared to other large scale art. I just love this foggy PNW scene!

6. Basket of essentials. I tend to forget something small on nearly every trip--typically toothpaste or a razor, since I wait to pack my last-minute toiletries until the morning of our travel. If you want to be a super awesome host, stock a basket with those kind of items, that aren't terribly expensive to provide and might save your guests a late-night trip to the store. A new toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a blowdryer, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, lotion and a disposable razor...that kind of thing. Think of what toiletries a nice hotel would usually have. I keep our basket of essentials in the vanity of our guest bathroom.

7. Good pillows. We recently upgraded to the iSense adjustable pillows, and I'm really impressed. The main thing I love about this pillow is, it's height-adjustable to give you exaaactly the right fit for your body and how you sleep. You adjust the loft by adding or removing the precision cut pieces of memory foam (which is what the pillow is filled with, instead of batting or feathers). What's more, the pillow adapts to provide responsive support as you change sleep positions throughout the night. It's honestly so comfy, and can improve your quality of sleep--the SMART pillow has the technology to prove it! It tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep cycles, and restlessness to give you an overall sleep score (and tailored suggestions to improve your sleep). We are so happy with ours, and wanted our guests to get great sleep here too.

8. Closet space. If you're like me, your guest room closet might be crammed full of storage right now. Ours contained vacuum cleaners, games, craft supplies, off-season clothes, and our own luggage. I cleared most of those out to provide storage space for our guests. I left the vacuum cleaners for now, but when we actually have guests staying with us I will take those out too, so we don't have to intrude on their privacy every time we need to vacuum. A luggage rack is also a nice thing to provide, if you don't want people setting their suitcases on your bedding.

9. Reading material - For quiet downtimes, like if they wake up earlier than you, a stack of magazines and interesting books might be appreciated. Think coffee table books that are easy to flip through, or quick reads that can be finished within the time they're staying. Another cute idea? Grab some local guidebooks and maps, so you can feel like you're running a little boutique hotel. :)

10. Disposable waterbottle and a few snacks. This is also not necessary by any means, but it's an extra step that will make your guests feel special. Provide a waterbottle and some treats on the bedside table--bonus points if they're from local companies (I love Washington-made Almond Roca). The waterbottle is especially nice if your guest room doesn't have an attached bathroom, since no one wants to tiptoe into the kitchen in their pajamas, late at night, in someone else's house. And the snacks are a friendly way to say, it's ok to eat in here (unless, of course, you don't want them to--then nix the snacks).

One last tip: I've heard that you should sleep in your guest room at least once to make sure it's comfortable, and see if there are any annoyances that you can remedy. For example, if the only outlets are behind the bed, thus making it hard for guests to charge their phones at night, you could add a power strip to make those outlets more accessible. We've actually never done this, but now that the room is looking so cozy and welcoming, I totally want to! Although, we have people coming on Friday so I probably won't--too lazy to wash the sheets and make the bed twice this week. :)

Speaking of lazy, I've been extremely unmotivated to do any seasonal decorating this entire year. I think part of it is that I'm not excited about accumulating more stufffff. I actually tried some festive pillows in here first, with a red and ivory plaid, but they felt so Christmas-specific to me. So I took my own advice from last year: I tried to convey coziness and warmth in here, but with the same color palette I love year-round. Success?

I'm making up for my long blogging break with two posts in a row! We finally finished our breakfast nook, so I wanted to show you guys. It's a tough space to photograph, but trust me, it feels sooo much better in person. If you remember, we moved our old dining table to the living room about a month ago (should I call it the great room now?). We tried a different round table here first, but ended up returning it. Assembling and disassembling furniture is no fun, so I was determined to get it right this time. I actually wanted to find a used table locally, both to save money and so I could see it in person first. But all I could find were oak pedestals, not quite the look I was going for. We already have pleeennnty of oak with the kitchen cabinets. After a lot of consideration, I decided to circle back to my original plan and get a tulip table after all. Yes, these tables are super popular and common right now, but who cares? Trend or not, I love the way they look. Like Eames chairs, there are a LOT of tulip table knockoffs out there, and the quality can vary drastically. I was nervous about ordering online since I knew I could either get a good reproduction or a cheap flimsy one...but I researched, read reviews, and went for it. I decided on InMod because I've ordered from them before so I knew they were legit, and their table is supposed to be a pretty authentic reproduction of the original Saarinen tulip table. It was delivered this week, and? I love it!!! This is the one. It's a beautiful, solid, well made table and I think it'll stand up well to daily use.

Our dining situation is FINALLY sorted out, and every room in the house feels like it's serving its correct function--at last! I'm so glad we decided to move things around now, instead of waiting for the elusive kitchen remodel which is still on the back-burner.

Luckily, now that this breakfast nook is complete, I actually don't hate the kitchen as much. I mean, I still want to remodel it eventually OF COURSE, but with the surrounding spaces looking pretty, it's not as much of an eyesore. It also helps that I convinced Ben to hang a new pendant light in here instead of the gross old fan. Waaaay better! So I'll be patient with the kitchen, but at least I won the light vs. fan battle. :D

I still want to add a little art on the walls, but overall I am pretty content with the way this space looks and functions. I think we got it right. Fi-na-lly!