✅ The Magic of a Family Command Centre (And How to Set One Up)

I know what it's like to juggle school notes, appointment reminders, meal plans, and permission slips all at once - and still feel like I'm forgetting something! A Family Command Centre has been a total game-changer - it’s a single spot in my home where all the important stuff lives, so everyone knows what’s going on and where to find things.

The beauty of a command centre is that it brings everything together in one place. You don’t need to hunt for the calendar or rummage through the bottom of a school bag for that newsletter. It’s all there, visible, and easy to update.

You don’t need a fancy Pinterest-worthy setup (unless that’s your thing). Just a few simple tools will do the trick:

• A weekly calendar or planner
• A spot for incoming and outgoing paperwork (think school forms, bills, and invites)
• A clipboard, whiteboard or book for reminders, to-dos, and meal plans
• A small basket or hooks for keys, bags, or important bits and bobs

Choose a space that’s easy to access, like the kitchen, hallway, or a corner of the living room. The idea is to put it where your family naturally passes through, so it becomes part of the routine.

You can personalise it to suit your needs. Colour code by family member, add a chore list for the kids, or include a space for positive notes and encouragement. I tend to keep mine simple, but you should do whatever helps your household run more smoothly.

A Family Command Centre won’t solve everything, but it makes a massive difference in reducing daily chaos. You’ll forget less, feel more organised, and spend less time answering “Muuuuum, where’s my...?”

It’s a small shift that brings a whole lot of calm to your home - and once you’ve got it set up, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 

 x Marissa

P.S. My House & Family Binder is the perfect companion to your command centre, with printable tools to help you stay organised in every area of family life.

🏡 💖 The homemaking help you’ve been waiting for

If home life has felt overwhelming, or like one big game of "What did I forget today?" (followed by laundry you definitely forgot about in the washer), this email was meant to find you!

I have the BEST toolkit of resources to help you - the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is now available, and it’s here to help you get life running a whole lot smoother 💗

Inside, you’ll find:

🌟 25+ expert-created resources (eBooks, printables, courses & more)
🌟 A couple of surprise bonuses (because moms deserve surprises too)
🌟 Systems and support to help you clean less, plan better, and finally feel caught up

And it’s all just $28 🎉 That’s less than a dinner out - for one person!

My online course The Busy Mum's Guide to Making Life Easier is part of the bundle - and it's regular price is $147 so this bundle is an absolute steal.

But be quick! It’s only available until this Friday at midnight ET (USA time).

So if you’re ready to turn chaos into calm, this is your moment 💗

Check out the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle here >>

Enjoy!

x Marissa

P.S. I'm an affiliate for the bundle, so when you purchase using my link, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

🌅 Your No-Fuss Morning Routine for Smoother School Days

Mornings with kids can feel like a race against the clock - getting everyone dressed, fed, packed, and out the door on time can be total chaos. But with a few simple shifts, your mornings can feel calmer, smoother, and way less stressful. The secret? A no-fuss routine that works FOR you, not against you.

💖 Start by prepping whatever you can the night before. Lay out clothes (yours too!), pack school bags, and prep lunchboxes or at least the snacks. A five-minute evening effort can save you a heap of time and stress the next day.

💖 In the morning, keep things simple. Try waking up just 10-15 minutes earlier than the kids - it gives you a moment of peace to breathe, get dressed, or sip your tea before the day kicks off.

💖 Stick to a predictable order so the kids know what’s coming next. For example: wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, grab bags, shoes on, out the door. A consistent rhythm takes away the decision-making and stops the nagging (for everyone).

💖 Set up a little “launch zone” near the door with school bags, hats, drink bottles, and anything else that needs to go with you. That way, no one’s running around last minute looking for shoes or a library book.

If the mornings still feel rushed, cut back where you can. Choose easy breakfasts, simple hairstyles, and clothes that don’t need ironing. It’s okay to keep it basic, no one’s judging you at 7am.

And finally, give yourself a break. Not every morning will run smoothly, and that’s okay. You’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough.

A no-fuss routine creates a flow that helps your family start the day feeling calm, connected, and ready for whatever’s ahead.

Enjoy!
​
x Marissa

P.S. Want even more support with daily routines? My House & Family Binder includes simple tools to keep school mornings (and the rest of your day) running smoothly.

 

⏰ How to Reset Your Home in 10 Minutes (Even After a Busy Day)

 By the end of the day, your home can look like a whirlwind hit it - especially if you’ve been juggling school runs, work, dinner, and keeping the little ones happy.

The last thing you want to do is spend an hour cleaning when all you really need is rest.

That’s where a quick 10-minute home reset comes in.

It’s fast, simple, and helps you start the next day feeling calm and in control.

The trick is to focus ONLY on the spots that make the biggest difference to how your home FEELS. You’re not deep cleaning - you’re doing a surface-level tidy that resets the space just enough so it feels fresh.

🌟 Start with a quick lap around the living area. Fluff the cushions, fold the throw blanket, and pop toys into a basket or corner. You don’t have to organise it - just corral the chaos.

🌟 Next, head to the kitchen and clear the benches. Stack dishes, wipe down the surfaces, and take out the rubbish. Even if you don’t do a full clean-up, just seeing clear bench space can feel better.

🌟 If you have time, pop in a load of laundry or prep one small thing for the next day - lay out school clothes, check your calendar, or set the coffee machine. It’s all about creating that “I’ve got this” energy for tomorrow morning.

🌟 Lastly, switch to soft lighting, light a candle, and you're ready to take some calm time for you - some music, a show, a book or a bath. You’ve done your reset, now it’s time to enjoy the peaceful vibe you just created 💗

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to feel better than before. That’s the magic of a 10-minute reset.
​
x Marissa

P.S. Want more ways to keep your home feeling calm and organised without the stress? Check out my House & Family Binder - it’s packed with tools to help you simplify your home life with ease.

🏡 The 5-Minute Declutter: A Stress-Free Way to Keep Your Home Organised

Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling kids, work, and a never-ending to-do list. Here’s my secret to getting it done without stress: You don’t need to work for hours to make a difference.

With a 5-Minute Declutter, you can keep your home organised without the stress. These are quick, manageable wins that add up over time.

You want to focus on one small area at a time. Instead of trying to overhaul an entire room, pick a single drawer, a shelf, or the kitchen counter.

Set a timer for five minutes and go! Throw out rubbish, put anything else you don't want anymore into a bag or box, wipe surfaces, put things back where they belong, and straighten up what’s left. When the timer goes off, you’re done. Out your donation bag or box in your car to drop off next time you're out, and that’s it!

If you need other ideas, here are some more quick declutter spots:

• The junk drawer: Toss anything broken, expired, or unnecessary
• Your wallet, handbag or nappy bag: Ditch old receipts, wrappers, and random bits
• The fridge: Clear out expired food and wipe down shelves
• The bathroom cupboard: Get rid of empty bottles and products you don’t use
• Kids’ toys: Throw away anything broken and store away or donate anything that doesn't get played with

You can fit this in anytime - while waiting for the kettle to boil, during ad breaks on TV, or while the kids are getting ready for bed. Five minutes might not seem like much, but when you do it regularly, it keeps the mess from piling up and makes your home feel so much calmer.

Get the kids involved if you want to. Set a timer and challenge them to put away as many toys as they can before it goes off. Or make it a game - who can clear the most clutter from the lounge room the fastest? When it’s fun, they’re more likely to help.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, all-day task. Just five minutes here and there can make a huge difference, keeping your home tidy and organised without the stress. Give it a try and see how much lighter your home (and your mind!) feels.

x Marissa

P.S. Want more decluttering tips? My House & Family Binder offers simple strategies to keep your home organised effortlessly.