How to Make Your Own Beaded Chandelier - For Under $100!

You've seen them pop up all over the internet - from Pinterest to Instagram and beyond. But when you look at retailers that sell them, you're shocked at the ticket prices. Beaded chandeliers are the hot new home decor item for kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms, but are often hundreds of dollars to purchase. With just a few simple supplies and lots of love, why not make your own for just a fraction of the cost?! Check out my Beaded Chandelier Tutorial below, made for UNDER $100!

Remember that time I started making a beaded chandelier for the girls' room? Ya, that seems like ages ago, doesn't it? Truth be told, it was almost a full year ago in early spring 2020.

Fast forward to winter 2021, and I can officially tell you... it is COMPLETE! And I'm obsessed.

But before I get into how I made it, let's rewind back to the spring when I started designing the girls' room. Knowing I wanted to switch out the existing industrial-looking flushmount light for something a little more fun, I fell in love with the beaded chandeliers I was seeing on Pinterest. But what I didn't love, was the price tags that came along with them. $150? $200? $200+? No thanks. 

And then, I came across the photo below and just KNEW I could make that. For a lot less.

And while it may have taken me 7 months fully complete and install, I did end up making it for a lot less. I also made one that was a lot more personalized to the style of my girls' room. (In reality, it only took a month to make, chipping away little by little each day when I had some free time - aka nap time - BUT it took 6 more months of install because of some technical difficulties. And by technical difficulties, meaning me not doing it right the first time. See why below in 'Lessons Learned'.)

Read on to learn how I made this beaded chandelier for under $100, and how YOU can too!

Beaded Chandelier Tutorial

Materials

• Wire hanging basket
• Spray paint (white, or colour of choice)
• Fishing line
• Scissors
• 2 bags of Wooden beads (700 pieces, 4 sizes) *see number of beads used below
• Yarn, colour(s) of choice
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Acrylic paint (white, or colour of choice)
• Small art paint brush
• *Associated tools for disconnecting and reinstalling existing light

Directions

Creating the Beaded Chandelier

1. // Measure the base of your existing flushmount light to know what size of wire hanging basket you are looking for.

2. // Once you have found your basket, spray paint it your colour of choice. I used Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 340g Ultra Cover Spray Paint (Paint + Primer) in white - good for metal. You may need more than one coat to ensure that you get in all of the spots. Allow to dry.

3. // Using the fishing line, measure the length you need to go from the wide end (top) of the basket to the bottom. Add a few extra inches for tying. 

4. // Knowing the length of fishing line and size of beads, determine your bead pattern. The pattern I chose was (from top to bottom) 4x large (20mm), 5x medium (16mm) and 6x small (12mm). 

5. // Tie one end of the fishing line to the top of the basket. String your beads in the desired pattern. Instead of stringing the last bead in your pattern on the line (like the rest), tie a knot around the last bead (see photo below). Leave the fishing line long as you will need to eventually tie it to the bottom of the basket. (You could attached the beaded line directly to the bottom of the base, but that will case some issues if you need to adjust the beads due to spacing once they are all strung.)

6. // Allow the beaded line to hang, and move on to the next line. Repeat until you have gone all the way around the basket. Note - this may take a bit of trial and error to know exactly how many strands to hang and how to place them. Remember the top of the basket is larger than the bottom, so it shouldn't be over crowded. (In all, I had 36 strands evenly spaced.) 

7. // Once you have completed the bead strands, it's time to tie them to the bottom of the basket. This may be a bit tedious, as there is not as much room on the bottom as there is on the top. Some of the beads may overlap, and that's ok. Snip any loose ends of line.

8. // Once the strands are arranged the way you would like them, take hot glue and put a small dab on the knots (on both the top and bottom of the basket) to secure the strands so they don't slip.

9. // Trim any excess line.

10. // Take your yarn colour of choice and wrap it around the top of the basket (see photo below). Be sure to cover any knots and line. Depending on the thickness of your yarn, you can do a couple of layers.

11. // If you wish, create a tassel using one or multiple colours of yarn to hang from the bottom of the basket. This step is option, but will help to add a little more colour to your chandelier.

12. // For the last step before installation, I went back and touched up the white paint on the basket with acrylic paint and a small paint brush, as some of it had chipped when I was tying the fishing line. 

Now, your basket is complete! On to turning it into a chandelier that you can hang.

Hanging the Beaded Chandelier

*Keep in mind, this part of the process will vary depending on the existing light and/or what you will be using as the base (the part with the bulbs). After some trial and error (see 'Lessons Learned' below) this is how I ended up securing the basket to the base.

1. // Adjust your existing lighting as you need to. For us, it was removing the glass dome and eventually turning off the power supply, disconnecting the power supply and the wiring and removing the entire base from the ceiling (see why in "Lessons Learned" below). The existing base was a brown metal (very industrial looking), so I also painted it white using the same paint I had used for the basket.

2. // Apply hot glue to the top of the basket (in my case, where I wound the yarn). Remember, as the basket will be hanging, gravity will not be working in your favour. Be generous with the hot glue, but still try to keep it neat and tidy.

3. // Using gentle pressure, attach the top of the basket to the light base. Hold and allow to dry.

4. // Using fishing line, fasten the basket to the light base. You could also use yarn for a bit of colour, but I chose to use fishing line as it is clear. If needed, you could spray paint over the fishing line to cover it, but being clear, it will not be very noticeable. 

5. // Reconnect the light to the ceiling. Turn on the power supply. Flick on the lights, take a step back and admire your latest DIY!

*Please note, we are not licensed electricians. Please seek professional help installing the light if you need it to ensure it is done safely and properly.  

Total Number of Beads Used

• 36 strands x 15 beads per strand (4x 20mm, 5x 16mm, 6x 12mm) 
• 20mm beads = 144
• 16mm beads = 180
• 12mm beads = 216 

>> Total number of wooden beads: 540

Total Cost

• Wire hanging basket: $3 from Walmart
• Spray paint: $9 from Amazon
• Fishing line: $0
• Yarn: $0
• Wooden beads (package of 700 - 4 sizes) - $30.99 from Amazon x 2 bags = $61.98
• Hot glue and gun: $0

>> Total cost: approximately $74.00 

* in Canadian dollars, pre-tax

** some items were $0 because I already had them at home

Lessons Learned

I started this project way back at the start of the pandemic in spring 2020. It's now winter 2021 and we're just getting it installed. Let's just say, a labour of love went into this piece. But, it was for the girls and I would do anything for them.

Looking back, making the beaded chandelier itself was not the difficult part. It really only took about a month to make, chipping away little by little each day when I had some free time (aka nap time). BUT it took 6 more months to install the completed piece because of a few technical difficulties. And by technical difficulties, meaning me not doing it right the first time. Or the three times after that. 

While it did take some time (and sore fingers) to string all of the beads, I would say that was the easy part for me. The hardest part of this DIY was securing the light the existing flushmount base (from now on referred to as light base). It took a bit of trial and error to figure out how to get it attached. Our first road block was that the existing light base was not flat, and instead had small pieces of metal sticking out of it. We tried to hang it as is, and without removing from the ceiling, but the metal pieces got in the way and the basket would not sit flat. 

I really hoped we wouldn't have to remove the fixture from the ceiling, but that was what happened after attempt number one (and what should have happened in the first place). When we disconnected the wiring and removed the base, it turns out the metal pieces were attached by screws on the underside and could be removed, meaning the base would now be flush! (I didn't take any photos of what I mean, but let's just say I wish I had figured that out from the start.) 

With attempt number two came foam core and industrial velcro strips. I cut a ring out of the foam core, the size of the basket, and hot glued it to the basket. I then added velcro strips to the foam core and light base. I thought for sure this would work as the basket was not that heavy. And it worked, for about 15 minutes until it crashed to the floor. 

Enter attempt three. I originally avoided gluing the basket directly to the light base as I was worried about removing lights bulbs should they burn out. However, during my attachment trials, I realized the the metal basket was big enough that I could easily stick my hand through the side and access the bulb to unscrew, remove and replace. So attempt three was to hot glue the entire base to the light base. BUT, wanting to ensure that this was the final attempt, I added some fishing line (the same stuff I had used to string the beads) for reinforcement. This involved disconnecting and moving the light for the final time. Using hot glue around the rim, I attached the basket to the light base. I then took some fishing line (because it is clear, but you could use similar coloured yarn if you wish) and wrapped it around the rim of the basket and the flush mount base (see photo). We then reattached the light to the ceiling.

Moral of the story? Remove the entire light from the ceiling the first time. And your best bet is to hot glue it to the base, with some adding fishing line AND if your hands are able to fit through the basket design to reach and remove the bulbs. 

So yes, it took some love and some effort, but we eventually got it. I guess it just goes to show that not all DIY projects are perfectly executed, despite what you may see online.

Since moving into this house in August 2019, we've taken on quite a few DIY projects - from painting all of the old wooden trim and doors white, to painting a geometric mural in the girls' room, whitewashing our faux brick wall and adding a carpet runner to our main stairs. And while this DIY may have taken the longest to complete, it was by far cheaper and far more customized that buying one off the shelf. I'm pretty proud of this project, and I think it adds the perfect touch to the girls' pink and purple unicorn room. 

Now, onto the next project! Let's just hope it doesn't take me 7 months to complete...

If you are interested in trying this for yourself and have questions, feel free to reach out on IG or by email. 

Do you enjoy taking on DIYs? What is your favourite project that you've done? I'd love to hear!

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing products through these links helps to support the content To & Fro creates. 

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5 Fun & Easy Summer Cricut Joy Projects (+ Preschooler Flashcard DIY)

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer. The days are long, and the kids are out of school. And chances are high that you’ve also been home from work - maybe juggling working and caring for your children? Ya, me too. Keeping them busy and engaged, while limiting screen time to allow you to get work done is not an easy task. And if there is ever a time to pull out the Cricut and create some fun projects with (or without) your kiddos, now is the time.

Today, I’m sharing why I love my Cricut Joy™, specifically five of my favourite Cricut Joy DIY projects that I’ve made at home this summer using Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl™.

5 Fun & Easy Summer Cricut Joy Projects

Vegetable Garden Markers

One of my favourite things about our new house is the backyard. It’s crazy what a little green space can do for your mood. Since moving in last summer, I have been so excited for the girls to finally have a place to get outside and play. But, this new green space also meant that I could build an even bigger and better vegetable garden than the container gardens we had on our condo terrace last summer. So we were able to tell what was what, I created these vegetable garden markers using up cycled paint stir sticks that I simply spray painted white and Smart Vinyl - Permanent in black. I measured the size of the paint stir sticks and created the vegetable labels text (DJ Juicy font) in the Cricut design space app. I applied the labels to the painted stir sticks with Transfer Tape, and once completed, added them to my garden next to the appropriate fruit or vegetable. Much better looking that the generic tags that come from the Garden Centre. 

Wooden Welcome Sign

This wooden welcome sign is one of my favourite Cricut Joy projects to date. Earlier this summer, we added a deck to the back of our house, and to give it some added personality, we created this “Welcome to Our Deck” sign. It was also super easy to make, and with several home update projects already on the go, we had all of the materials we needed already at home. I simply created the text in the design space app (Babette font for "Welcome" and Creative Memories Tiny Treasures - Rubber Ducky font for "to our deck"). My design can be found on Design Space here.

Mailbox Decal

While our front porch is going to be next summer’s focus, I couldn’t help but take our ugly white mailbox and give it some curb appeal by painting it black to match the porch railings. I then personalized the mailbox with “hello” text created in the Cricut design space app using Babette font (easily my favourite cursive font in the app). Once the mailbox was dry, I applied the cut vinyl in the desired spot using Transfer Tape. 

Stemless Wine Glasses

We love to entertain. And while this summer may look a little different when it comes to entertain, I am happy that we have still been able to have those in our bubble over for backyard BBQs. I recently purchased more backyard-friendly plastic stemless wine glasses and decided to jazz them up a little using Smart Vinyl - Permanent in gold. I measured the size of the glasses and created the “cheers” text (Babette font) in the Cricut design space app. I then applied the labels to the outside of the clean glasses uses Transfer Tape. They were very easy to make, and added a little something extra (including lots of compliments and questions about where I bought them) to our backyard get togethers.

Preschooler Flash Cards

These flashcards were one of the first projects I made with my Cricut Joy when schools closed back in March. I was determined to keep the learning continuing, and these super simple flashcards were a great help in doing so. Using construction paper and Smart Vinyl - Permanent, in white, I created a set of capital letter cards and small letter cards. These flashcards could be used for letter recognition, spelling names and/or matching capital and small letters. The flashcards were very easy to create in design space, as the font Cricut Alphabet Circle already existed. I simply printed it on the vinyl, and applied it to the construction paper using the Transfer Tape. I did used two separate colours of construction paper, one for the capital letters and one for the small letters. But if you wanted to up the difficulty, you could use the same coloured paper for all. 

Next up on my Cricut Joy DIY list? Story blocks. Stay tuned to see how they turn out.

The Cricut Joy makes home DIY projects so easy. Unlike other Cricut machines, the Cricut Joy is a compact cutting machine, less than half the size of Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker—making it perfect for people without a dedicated crafting area (like me)! From customized pillows, to personalized glassware and welcome signs, the possibilities are nearly endless with this fun tool.

For the majority of my projects, including those outdoors, I use Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl - Permanent which is water- and UV-resistant, and lasts up to 3 years. Cricut Joy Smart Vinyl also comes in removal and writable, and a variety of different colours, including mattes, metallics, holographic and more. 

Be sure to check out the Cricut blog, where you’ll will find more DIY inspiration and tutorials! Use the hashtag #CricutAtHome when sharing your project on social media - I would love to see what you create!

Do you have a Cricut machine? What’s your favourite project to make? I’d love to hear - I’m always looking for inspiration!

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Easy DIY Piñata - Made with Up-Cycled Materials Found at Home!

Looking to add some excitement to your next backyard birthday party? Check out this easy DIY piñata tutorial, made with up-cycled materials found at home!

Last summer, our daughter’s first birthday party theme was “One in a Melon”. To go with the theme, I decided to create a watermelon shaped piñata. It was really ambitious, I admit. BUT turns out, it was SUPER easy! And not to toot my own horn, but it also turned out pretty amazing and was a smashing success (no pun intended). 

Also turns out, I set the birthday bar REAL high, and piñatas are now a birthday party expectation. 

So, when Berks’ second birthday came around, I decided to go it again and make an ice cream-shaped piñata, because she was “Two Cool”. 

Buying a piñata at a party store can get pricey. Making your own is a cost effective option and not as hard as you’d think. Chances are, you already have all of the materials you need at home. And, it's a good way to repurpose those items destined for the recycling bin - think Amazon boxes, newspapers or flyers and gift tissue paper. 

I will admit, while they’re easy, they do take some time to make. At least 2-3 days. So it does take a bit of pre-planning and can’t be a night before decision. But, they’re so worth it because it will be a hit (ok, pun intended on that one). 

Check out the easy DIY piñata tutorial, and all of the materials you will need to gather from around your home, below.

Easy DIY Piñata Tutorial

Materials:

• Cardboard (i.e. your Amazon boxes)
• Marker or sharpie
• Scissors
• Tape (thicker tape works best)
• Newspaper or flyers
• Large bowl
• Flour
• Water
• Streamers or tissue paper
• Rope
• Screwdriver 
• Sharp knife
• Goodies (i.e. candy - for the inside)

Directions:

1. Repurpose the boxes from all of your COVID Amazon purchases (I can't be the only guilty one?) - Cut two pieces of cardboard, large enough for your design. Using the marker, draw your design and cut it out. Pick a design with less detail. The less detail, the more structurally sound (and easier to put together) it will be. 
2. Using the left over cardboard, cut cardboard strips, which will act as the edges of the piñata to give it the 3D shape. 
3. Using the tape, attach the cardboard strips to one side of the piñata face. Repeat for the other side.
4. Cut the newspaper into large strips. I kept the newspaper folded when I cut so that the strips were two-ply. It will save some time when getting down to the paper mache part of the piñata.
5. Mix up the paper mache goo. You can use traditional plaster of paris, but not everyone has that lying around. Flour and water will work just as well, and chances are, you already have flour in your pantry. Add a little bit of water at a time to get the correct consistency, you want it to be almost pancake batter thin. Add more flour if it is too thin. Flour and water is much more environmentally friendly (and pet safe) as well. 
6. Start paper maching! Dip the double-layered strips of newspaper into the flour-water mixture. Remove any excess with your fingers. Cover the cardboard cutout with a single layer of paper mached newspaper. Allow to dry for 24 hours, flipping every so often to allow each side to dry. By this point, it should be rock solid. If not, repeat with another layer.
7. Before decorating, cut a hole for the candy using a sharp knife. Don’t make it too big, or it will affect the structure of the piñata. It just needs to be as big as the biggest piece of candy or item you will be putting in it. 
8. Add the goodies to the piñata. Once you are done, close the flap. No need to tape the flap shut, the tissue will eventually cover it.
9. Now it’s time to bring the piñata to life and decorate the outside! To do this, you can either use paper streamers or tissue paper cut into strips. When I made the watermelon, I purchased pink paper streamers and green tissue paper at Dollarama. For the ice cream cone, they did not have the colours I wanted in the paper streamers so I bought gold, purple and pink tissue paper (gold for the cone, and purple and pink for the Cotton Candy ice cream, as requested by my four year old).
10. Cut the tissue paper into strips. Using tape, wrap the tissue around the piñata and use small pieces of tape to secure it. Remember to start at the bottom and work your way to the top so that the layers overlap properly. Repeat until the entire piñata is covered, with no exposed newspaper or tape. It doesn’t need to be pretty - the next step will help to blend it all together.
11. Using scissors, fray each layer of the tissue paper to help to blend it all together.
12. Using a screwdriver or sharp knife, poke a hole through both sides of the piñata to be able to hang it. Make sure the hole is about two inches from the edge of the piñata to keep the structure and so it doesn’t fall apart at the rope.
13. Once the rope is added, pick a location to hang it, grab a bat or hockey stick and have fun cracking it open!

*See photo below for detailed photo instructions.

Happy piñata-ing!

Have you ever made your own piñata? I’d love to hear about it!

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Navigating the New Normal - Working From Home with Kids & Managing Stress

For many, stress has become a constant in our lives - especially in the current state of the world. The combination of working from home and meeting deadlines, while being responsible for caring for children, making multiple meals and snacks, doing heap after heap of laundry, and so on - it can all add up, leading to chronic stress. 

Read on to learn how I’m navigating our new normal, and managing stress while working from home with kids. 

The consequences of chronic stress? A constant feeling of being overwhelmed, nagging irritability and anxiety and insomnia.

Sound familiar? Ya, me too.

Although we talk about stress, it isn’t often really clear what it means. When your body is under stress, it is effectively triggering the flight-or-fight response. And when your body is literally just trying to get through the day, it is not restoring and healing. It wears on you - on your mood and on your sleep. 

Lately, my stress has come in many forms, from many different forms. No daycare or school means daily routines are off, and sleep routines have been pushed later and later as if we’ve been on a constant vacation for the past five months. I’m consistently waking during the night to make sure one goes pee, and then comforting the other who heard us and wanted to join the party. Night time is often a time of musical beds in our house, and it never ends with me winning. And then, there’s work. I love my job. I am extremely grateful to have a job, especially during the current times. But working a full work week from home, hopping between Zoom calls while managing snack time, lunch time, nap time and everything in between, is not an easy task. The ongoing monologue in my head is constantly reevaluating my mental to-do list, checking one item off and adding another. And then, there’s the guilt. The biggest stressor of all - not being able to give my girls the attention they deserve because I’m locked into my computer. The amount of screen time we’ve racked up the past month is not something I’m proud of, but some days, it’s the only thing getting us through.

You could say this “new normal” is extremely stressful. 

So, how am I navigating it?

There are many healthy ways to help manage stress in our everyday lives, including eating well, exercising, sleeping well and being mindful. One of my favourite ways to help manage stress is by getting outside. There is just something about the fresh air and green space that instantly calms me.
By getting outside I don’t mean getting lost in the middle of a forest. No, it can be as easy as just stepping out the door. There’s good evidence that just looking at a green space has positive effects on people’s mental health, helping them relax and de-stress. While we do enjoy completely submerging ourselves in nature, lately, we’ve found peace in simple neighbourhood scavenger hunts, walks around the block and even dinner at the beach.

But you want to know the one surprising place I’ve found the most peace the past few months? 

In my garden.

I never considered myself to have a green thumb, but over the past few months I’ve enjoyed spending time pulling weeds, cultivating a vegetable garden, watching the pollinators do their work and just being surrounded by the flourishing greenery. When I begin to feel overwhelmed, when the irritability and anxiety start to creep in, when I lack focus - I walk out the back door, and into my garden.

If I’ve learned anything during this global pandemic, it is that being able to eat what you grow isn’t the only benefit of gardening - it’s actually really good for your mental well being. Gardens are special peaceful spaces with restorative qualities that can work wonders when we are stressed and under pressure. And while gardens can be relaxing, they can also be places where our efforts result in a real sense of achievement, boosting confidence and self-esteem. Something I’ve been lacking thanks to that mom guilt. 

Another approach I take to managing stress lately is through the supplements that I take. Remember when I said eating well, exercising, sleeping well and being mindful helps to manage stress? Supplements can also be included to help support the body - providing key nutrients that promote relaxation and can help relieve mild symptoms of stress and exhaustion, and aid in longer, better sleep. And that’s something this mama can appreciate. 

New Roots Herbal is a leading Canadian manufacturer and distributor of high-quality natural health products, with a goal is to provide quality-of-life–enhancing products to everyone. They have a line of products related to stress, sleep and mood - including Chill Pills, Sleep⁸ and D-Stress.

When I want to make the best of the sleep I get, I turn to New Roots Herbal Sleep⁸, which helps rebalance my body’s natural circadian rhythm with a dose of melatonin.

When the girls test my patience and irritability runs high, I turn to New Roots Herbal Chill Pills, which use natural ingredients that reduce nervous irritability and induce relaxation so I can calm down and concentrate, helping me work more effectively. 

And finally, when I have a million things on the go (including a racing mind) and just need to slow it down, I turn to New Roots Herbal's D-Stress softgels which contain organic lavender oil that boasts an impressive profile of active constituents useful for coping with restlessness and mental stress.

Pandemic or no pandemic, life is stressful. Period. Managing stress looks different for everyone, so it’s important to find something that works for you. And when it comes down to it, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all in this together, and I’m here if you need to talk. 

You can find New Roots Herbal products at your local health and wellness product store. 

What are some of your tried and true stress management techniques? I’d love to hear!

*Disclosure: I have participated in a paid partnership with New Roots Herbal. Opinions in this post are not my own.

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Important Lessons I’ve Learned While Staying Home

If you had of told me that 2020 would be the year that we were all forced to stay home, that jobs and finances would be questioned and that kids would be out of school, I would have thought you were out of your mind.

But, alas, here we are. In the midst of a global pandemic. Eight weeks in to staying at home - homeschooling our children while trying to maintain our jobs, our finances AND, to top it all off, not being able to spend time with loved ones.

While the past eight weeks have come with many challenges, they have taught us important lessons. Lessons that once this global pandemic is all said and done, we will hopefully carry forward with us.  

Important Lessons I’ve Learned While Staying Home

Slow Down

I’ve always felt that in order to feel accomplished, I must be productive. Heading into this pandemic, we were in the midst of updating our old home. With the girls at daycare, I would spend my time off painting, making the house our own. Once schools closed and the girls were forced to stay home, this mindset of mine continued. BUT the productivity did not. I found I was getting mad at myself for not doing everything, despite having a 4-year-old and 1.5-year-old constantly at my side. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve had to learn to shift my mindset, to learn that it is ok if I don’t check x, y and z off my to-do list that day. I’ve had to learn to slllooowww down. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to be but home with our families. So why don’t we just slow down and enjoy it.

The Need for Self Care is REAL

I am extremely grateful for being healthy and for having a healthy family. But staying healthy these days doesn’t just mean avoiding the virus, it’s also about mental health. Staying home with two littles ones, attempting to work a full-time job, while your husband does the same, has not been an easy feat. Add night training our preschooler and a teething toddler in the middle of an eight-week long sleep regression to the mix, and I’ve never been more mentally AND physically tired. 

I’ve learned that it’s ok to hand over the reins to your partner and take a few minutes to yourself every day. It’s ok to escape to the bathroom, sit on the toilet and mindlessly scroll Instagram or TikTok. It’s ok to take an extra-long hot shower. Everyone deserves a little me time, and if it helps you get through the day, it’s ok. (Now if only I could take advantage of the “nap when they nap” advice.)

Use the Time for Family

Sure, we may eat too many snacks. And sure, we may watch too much TV. But you know what those two things have taught me? That my four-year-old is eager to learn how to cook AND that she wants to be a vet when she grows up (thank you, reality TV). If not for the amount of time together, I don’t think that I would have necessarily learned that about her. 

We’ve also taken this time to consider the girls’ future, especially with the thought of potentially putting a future vet through school. It all starts with investing in an RESP - a Registered Education Savings Plan.

Do you have an RESP for your children? Despite the strict social distancing measures in place and not being able to go into a traditional bank, there are virtual options available for you to open an RESP for your child. 

Thanks to CST Spark (the newest member of the CST family), your RESP can be opened online, from the comfort of your own home. CST’s new digital offering is geared to the large and growing segment of young millennial parents and their families and is targeted to those who prefer to transact online (or are forced to in the age of social distancing). Pandemic or no pandemic, raising little ones can be chaotic, so CST Spark has made saving for their future education accessible and simple.

Be sure to check out more information about  CST Bright Plan™, as well as their Learning Centre which contains helpful videos and more  information to help make an informed decision for yourself when it comes to investing in your children’s future.

While this period of self-isolation has been extremely important for flattening the curve, it has been equally important for our personal and family well-being. We’ve all learned a lot - about ourselves and each other. And as much as I would like the world to go back to life as we once knew it, I am extremely grateful to have this time with my little family. 

Stay safe, stay happy and keep your distance, my friends. Together, we will get through this.

What has this global pandemic taught you? About yourself? About your family? I’d love to hear.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by CST Spark, however, all opinions are 100% that of To & Fro. Please note, I am not a financial advisor, so please consult a professional for advice.

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