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2014 Must-Have {Affordable} Subscription/Planning Services — Because I’m NOT the Perfect Pinterest Mom!

Thanks to Pinterest and similar sites, we have this unrealistic idea of how a mother/wife should be in the 21st century.  I’m not saying that these are bad expectations or unrealistic goals but I’m just saying – is it really possible to be the perfect “Pinterest-like” woman?
credit: ToriSpelling.com

According to the pinners on Pinterest (including me), here’s how a 
modern day wife/mother is portrayed:

:: she wakes before her family
:: she prepares a hot breakfast (not just on weekends)
:: she prepares everyones’ lunches for the whole week and keeps them in separate containers
:: she is great at arts and crafts (and probably has a craft room)
:: she has a Cricut machine or something similar in her craft room and creates her own stationary
:: she can decorate her home and throw a party like Tori Spelling (I wish)
:: she has a strong grip on the family budget and always uses coupons
:: she gets at least a 30 minute workout in each day
:: her home should be decorated for every season/holiday
:: she has a month’s worth of Crockpot meals ready to go in the freezer
:: her clothes should be super trendy and chic
:: she must have quotes or chalkboards with pretty designs in the home
:: she refinishes furniture she finds on the streets or at yard sales
:: all meals and snacks are prepared from scratch using wholesome, organic or natural ingredients
:: her children are dressed like mini adults with not a drop of juice or food on them
:: she wraps everything in burlap and twine
:: her home is degreased, mold-free, stain free and odor free (thanks to the helpful tips on Pinterest)

It’s pretty amazing that from just a website primarily dripping in images that I can gather these qualities that women today are striving to own.  I myself would love to say that I do all of the above, but it’s just not realistic for my life and my family – but there’s nothing wrong with setting goals, right?  I’m not bashing any woman who can do it all.  In fact, I applaud you!

For those of you that are like me and don’t have the time to do half of the items on that short list here are a few subscription services that have really been helping me out at home and saving me some time (note: I receive various subscription boxes throughout the year to sample and cover on my blog but I am only covering the companies that I truly think are worth ordering from):

Appleseed Lane
The Appleseed Lane kid’s activity boxes are great for moms that don’t have time to plan evening activities for your littles.  These kits require a little bit of adult supervision and assistance and are great to work on as a family.  The November box was focused on crime scene science.  My daughter still talks about how much fun she had decoding messages, creating fingerprints and a plaster handprint.  Oh, and I can’t forget the invisible ink!  Each box comes with everything you need to complete each task detailed in the instructions (also included).  These kits are fun and educational.  Great for homeschoolers, too!


Our December box was a Circuit kit that came with Play-doh, electrical cords and more to learn about static electricity and other forms of electricity.


Cost:  This box is $19 – $23 per month depending on how many boxes you purchase at one time.  I encourage you to order one box and see if you child is into it or not.  Visit www.appleseedlane.com to check it out and place an order.
Ginger Mail
Because I don’t have Cricut machine or the time to create my own fancy stationary for each holiday or special occasion, Ginger Mail really comes in handy.  This subscription service is a new one from the awesome Ginger P Designs and arrives at subscribers door steps every six weeks.  Each package has a theme and includes lots of quality, well-made stationary items.  In my December box (theme: Holiday Garden) I received a note pad, lots of greeting cards and gift tags, a recipe and a calendar.

The October box included a ‘Congratulations’  card  with  a  matching  plaid  liner, November calendar, ‘Thank  You’  card  created  specifically  for  Ginger  Mail  and  not  available  for  individual  sale, Owl note card for recipes and or varying lists, Small drawstring bag with a washi tape roll inside and a Custom banner kit to hang in your home or office.

Cost:  The cost of each Ginger Mail mailing is $15 and you can order them in increments of 1, 3 or 5 mailings or a whole year.  Orders can be placed here: justaddgingerp.com/ginger-mail.

Taste Guru
Taste Guru is a great one for Gluten Free families.  You get a huge box full of full-sized gluten free goodies to snack on and cook with.  Gift or join this monthly subscription service to discover new gluten free brands or enjoy some of your old favorites.  Our box even came with a full size cereal and a salad dressing (which was amazing).

Cost:  $25-$34 per month depending on how many boxes you buy at one time.  While this may seem a bit pricey for a subscription box, make no mistake at the products you’ll receive.  They will be full size and full of deliciousness!  Visit TasteGuru.com to check it out.











Relish Menu Planning Service
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Relish! Menu Planning Service is excellent.  I’ve been enjoying my weekly emails with meal ideas and I’m loving the site and the price!

Relish! offers the plan to get out of the dinner rut for good. No more mundane meals or last minute stops at the grocery store. Each week you choose the dinners you would like to make and you print out the grocery list and recipes. We even offer comprehensive freezer meals.

Each week you choose from a new list of delicious recipes. Choose kid-friendly, quick, simple-gourmet and vegetarian options. Edit the side selection, build your grocery list (add and delete from the list)
Cost:  The comprehensive grocery list cuts down on your grocery bill and makes shopping a snap. 5 dinners and sides cost less than $90 per week at the grocery store. You will notice substantial savings by sticking to a list! A Relish! subscription is only $7 per month!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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