Sunday Prep Vol. 45
The one where we talk snacks and write with sharpie.
Shrink the starting point
If a task feels heavy, make the starting point smaller than you think it should be.
Instead of “clean the kitchen,” start with just the sink.
Instead of “organize the closet,” start with five hangers.
Small starting points remove resistance. Very often the hardest part of a task is simply beginning.
Something to do today:
Choose one dinner for the week and do a little prep today — wash and chop the vegetables, mix the sauce, or cook part of the meal so it’s ready to finish later.
Something to do this week:
Take a short walk somewhere slightly different than usual. A new street or park can refresh your perspective, and it’s fun to feel inspired by a change of scenery.
Chicken Squares
Page 154 in The Simplified Cookbook
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 Tbsp mayonnaoise
6 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 (8 oz) tubes crescent rolls
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix cooked chicken, mayo, softened cream cheese, and shredded cheese together.
Unroll crescent roll dough and connect 2 dough triangles together to make 1 square. Repeat to make 4 squares.
Put one-quarter of chicken mixture into center of each square.
Fold dough over filling and pinch corners together to close in the center. Place them on a baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Get ahead of your week & make time for the things on your agenda!
Wipe down light switches and door handles throughout the house.
Plant flowers, herbs, or a small plant.
Send someone a quick “thinking of you” message.
File or scan any loose paperwork that has accumulated.
Wash the car mats that collected winter salt and mud.
👇What else are you putting in your planner this week?
Professional mom tips for the dentist entered the chat this week.
Snacks entered the chat too ... Emily tried and reordered the chicken gyro from Jimmy John’s. Liz has everyone craving dark chocolate covered raspberries. Any new things we should try next week? Tell us in the comments!
This half-zip pullover is adorable for spring. Plus, matching shorts to make it a set. Love the stripes!
Emily and Lindsey love these face masks. Tip: Wear it for a few hours while you’re cleaning the house or folding laundry. Win-win!
Laura is on the hunt for a great color printer. Whitney and Emily both recommended this one!
The only book Emily gave 5 stars in March. It’s a must-read!
If you were born in a year that starts with 19, then it’s probably time to upgrade your bras. Almost everyone on the team has converted to these bras. Comfortable & supportive!
The pink sneakers on Lindsey’s birthday wishlist. Color is so in this summer!
Emily’s favorite ruched one-piece is on sale. So flattering!
Yes, we’re still talking about these spring shoes. They go with everything!
Each week, we're answering your real-life questions — about routines, meal ideas, work-life balance, favorite movies, and everything in between. Got a question? Leave it in the comments!
Q: “What’s the first thing you write in your Planner each week — and why is it helpful?”
Emily: I start by writing in everything that’s non-negotiable — meetings, kid practices, anything I need to be at that week. Then I go back and add what I need to get done.
Brittany: On Monday mornings, I open my planner to write my work to-do list for the day — I treat it like a brain dump and then add a ⭐ beside the most urgent items. It’s a great start to my work week, and I can see my overall objectives and start tackling my tasks between any calls or meetings. Anything that doesn’t get finished that day gets added to Tuesday’s list.
Whitney: I use our new (coming soon!) Undated Daily Planner so each day is a (super) fresh start. The first thing I write is the date and then I fill in any appointments or meetings for the day, followed by work to-dos in the top and personal to-dos in the bottom.
Dusty: Appointments and dinners go in first. Once I see the shape of the week, I know when to shop and when dinner needs a head start.
Laura: First thing is always our lineup of practices and games. It quickly shows me what nights will need a quick on-the-go dinner, and what nights I’ll have a little extra time to make something more “fancy”.
Carly: Anything that’s a definite schedule — meetings, appointments, shoot days on location, etc., — all go first. Then I’ll make a list of to-dos, check the weather, and build in my shoot/edit times from there! It’s helpful for me to know when I use a sunny morning for filming, or if there’s a rainy day where I can get cozy and edit photos for hours.
Lindsey: The first thing I write in my planner every week is the 3-5 big work tasks that absolutely have to get done. That’s what sets the tone for where my creativity and productivity will go each day.
Liz: The first task I write for every Monday morning is “clear out email inbox”. It feels silly but it’s a very manageable thing I can tackle when I first sit down at my desk at the start of the week, and a great way to kick the day off with an easy win.
🩷 Have a question for our team? Leave it in the comments and your Q might be featured next week!
It’s LAUNCH WEEK! We can’t wait to show you everything tomorrow. Candy and caffeine are flowing, and the vibes around here are high and so fun.
When we switch to sharpie on a notepad, you know we mean business! The week before Launch had us BUSY!
Brittany has been entering wholesale orders for April and May, helping get Simplified products stocked in shops across the country. Keep an eye out — you might spot Simplified at your local boutique soon!
Curate a mini soundtrack for the things you do each week.
Choose 5–10 songs that match the mood you want for certain moments — calm mornings, sunny drives, or slow evenings. A good playlist can make the drive to your workout more fun or wandering the grocery store a little more enjoyable. Let music help you romanticize the small moments and everyday chores.
What’s one thing you want to nurture this month — like a plant that needs tending?
Get your journal for the season here.
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of Sunday Prep! We hope you have the best week! Can’t wait to chat Wednesday in our next Post! 💕
I can’t wait for launch week and all the fun that comes with it!!!
Don’t sleep on the chicken squares! They’re a favorite at our house. 😋