Today on the blog I’m sharing THE best chocolate chip cookie recipe! Everyone’s always asking for the recipe so I knew it needed a place on the blog. The original recipe comes from our really good friends from residency and the husband would make the best chocolate chip cookies! So this recipe is from our good friend Ben, but we’ve made a few little tweaks over the last 10 years and now they are perfect!
– INGREDIENTS –
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cup of flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
chocolate chips
– INSTRUCTIONS –
mix together the sugars, butter, vanilla, and egg
mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt
combine everything in your mixer
add in chocolate chips of your choice
bake at 375 for about 10 minutes
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We hope you guys love these chocolate chip cookies as much as we do!! See all our other favorite recipes here.
Can you even believe it’s February?! Hope everyone is having a great year so far! Today on the blog I’m sharing all my random January Amazon buys! New church shoes for Hudson + Joe, my favorite label maker, and more!
You guys know I’m all about organization and storage! I ordered this wreath organizer and LOVE it! It comes in different sizes and you can’t beat the price!
: MEN’S SHOES
I ordered these shoes for both Joe + Hudson for church! They are of amazing quality and come in lots of different colors. They fit true to size too (I got Joe the wide ones + Hudson the regular)!
: BEACH TOWELS
I’ve used these towels for over a year and they are the best! Lots of color options but I love sticking with the tan-striped ones. So I had to order more to add to our collection. We can never have too many pool towels around here.
: CORD ORGANIZERS
These cord organizers are a game changer! They hook to your kitchen gadgets (crockpot, blender, kitchen aids, etc) and you can wrap up your cord! Comes in a pack of 6 for under $10!
: PANCAKE BATTER BOTTLE
How genius is this pancake batter bottle?! You can add the ingredients right into the bottle and mix it up! Then you pour it right onto your pan to make a pancake! No more mess!!
: LABEL MAKER
Anybody else been in organization mode?! This is my favorite label maker! It’s a Bluetooth label maker and has all different kinds of settings! If you want a more affordable option, this one is my other favorite.
: RUG
I ordered 3 of these rugs for our new house! So I haven’t opened them yet but they are the perfect neutral rugs for the kid’s rooms. They are so pretty.
: CLEAR ORGANIZERS
I ordered these clear organizers to hold my Colgate wisps! The whole family uses them so we each got a box to keep in our bags and backpacks! They could hold whatever you want, they are a good size!
: PAPER TOWEL HOLDER
I love the simple modern look of this paper towel holder! It comes in different colors but I ordered the black. You can stick it under your sink or under a cabinet- it’s amazing!
: SHEET ORGANIZERS
I organized my linen closet and couldn’t believe how many sheets I had! I found these sheet organizers on Amazon and they are a game changer! You can get “queen, king, or full, etc” on them so you know which sheet set is which. It really is genius!
Hey Guys! It’s Hunter here with another Teen Takeover!! For today’s teen takeover, I’m going to walk you through my daily skincare routine and my must-have products! Before I get into my routine, I wanted to share my tip with you. I think the biggest thing with skincare as a teen is to keep it simple. There are lots of products being pushed at you, but it doesn’t have to be crazy. My mom says the best thing is to just get into the habit or routine. I agree that that alone makes all the difference. So let’s talk about what I do!
In the morning I keep it simple. I don’t want to wake up any earlier than I have to (haha) and since I take care of the bulk of my routine at night, there aren’t a lot of things to do. I always start by putting on this 24/7 moisturizer from Tula that I love. It is seriously the best and I won’t use anything else. I love the way it makes my skin feel. You can use my mom’s code KAILEE for 15% off. After I do that I just put on some of this lip mask to help keep my lips from getting dry + a little mascara and I’m good to go!
: PM ROUTINE
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE taking a bath. It is just so relaxing at the end of the day. When I’m in the bath I will use this new Tula Exfoliating Body Scrub. It is SO good and makes your skin silky smooth. After the bath, I will apply this body moisturizer (also from Tula…promise this isn’t sponsored, they really are that good). The littlest bit goes a long way and again it makes your skin feel amazing.
Once I’ve done all that, I will wash my face. I use this face wash! It gets your face feeling super clean without making it all dry like a lot do. Then I will apply Tula’s toner to my skin. After that, I will apply the 24/7 moisturizer I use in the morning and end with my under-eye stick and the lip mask. Use code KAILEE for 15% off the face wash, moisturizer, toner, and under-eye stick!
The last thing I do before bed is apply my Babe Eyelash Serum! If you haven’t tried that, you need to!!! I honestly can’t believe the difference in my lashes. It has made them so much longer, and for me it even makes them come in darker!! You can try it out with my mom’s code KAILEE20 for 20% off!
I always get asked for this saucey chicken recipe every time I share I’m making it on Instagram! It is SO delicious and SO easy! It’s my go-to recipe, especially when I have to feed a lot of people!
All my kids are obsessed with diamond art! They make the best gifts, and you can find lots of designs on Amazon!
: HEATLESS CURLER
Hayden and Harper have been using heatless curlers for their hair at night and they wake up with the most beautiful curls! It saves us so much time in the morning too! Only $9.99 too!
: HAIR BOW
My girls have been so into hair bows lately and I honestly love it! I found this one on Amazon and thought it would be so cute for Valentine’s Day!
Abercrombie sweat sets are all Boogie wears! They are amazing quality and wash up so well! This hoodie and these sweats are his favorite and they’re BOGO 50% off right now!
: WATER BOTTLE
Each of my kids have their own water bottle! They all have different colors, so we know who is whose. These bottles come in different sizes and colors and stay cold for SO long! Different size options too!
: DOG MAN BOOK
Boogie has really started to enjoy reading and these Dog Man books are quickly becoming his favorite series! So if you have a son around 8 years old- I definitely recommend these books!
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Check out last year’s Valentine’s gift guide for more ideas!
Sharing Valentine’s Gift Guides for him and her below! Am I the only one that has a hard time finding something for Joe for Valentine’s day?! We are just happy with having a date night but always love doing a little something for each other.
I will never stop praising Geometry towels! They are the BEST towels (kitchen, bathroom, beach, etc)! They just released my new Valentine’s designs and I’m so happy with how they turned out! They make the perfect gift for any woman in your life! And don’t forget to use code KAILEE15 for 15% off sitewide!
: SELF TANNER
This self-tanner is AMAZING! It’s been my new favorite, especially for my face. Every few nights, I’ll apply the self-tanner in the areas you are supposed to contour on your face. I rinse it off in the morning and it leaves the prettiest natural contour! Definitely recommend!
: RED LIGHT MASK
I have a red-light mask and it has been amazing for my skin! My mask is on the pricier side, but I found a more affordable one that does the same job! You can’t go wrong gifting self-care for any woman!
Joe has this pack of silicone rings and loves them! They’re perfect for the gym or just whenever he doesn’t want to wear his real wedding ring! Lots of color options too!
: COCONU
We’ve used Coconu’s lube for a few years now and love it! Our favorite is the water-based lube. Trust me, it’s a great gift for both you and your spouse!
: SOCKS
These Stance socks are Joe and Hudson’s absolute favorite! They come in lots of patterns and colors and I promise your husband will love them! Thank me later!
Today I’m sharing ideas for Valentine’s gifts for teens! Sharing Hunter (17) and Hudson’s (14) tried and true favorites below! For more gift ideas for your teens, you can always check out my holiday gift guides, as they work year round for all types of events.
Hunter + I have tried multiple lip masks and this Tatcha one is our absolutely favorite! It’s the perfect self-care gift for Valentines Day! Snag one for yourself as well!
: JACKET
This sherpa jacket from Amazon is a Free People dupe! I have the Free People one and absolutely love it! But the dupe is less than half the price and comes in a ton of fun colors!
: PERFUME
My girls are obsessed with the Sol De Janeiro perfumes so you can’t go wrong gifting one of their perfumes! All their scents are so yummy!
Hudson has been obsessed with these sticky glow balls! Even Joe, haha! It entertains them for hours and is something fun that all my boys love to do together.
: FIERCE COLOGNE
Hudson has worn this Fierce cologne for years. It’s his absolute favorite and the bottle lasts him forever!
: STANCE SOCKS
You guys have heard me rave about these socks for months, but they are the absolute BEST! The quality is unreal. It’s all my boys wear so they’re always needing new pairs.
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Hopefully this blog post gave you some good ideas for your teens! I love hearing from you. Let me know in the comments below some of your favorite Valentine’s gifts for teens.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a life update, so we have a lot to cover today. In just a few weeks, we will celebrate our one-year anniversary of moving to St. George. This year has flown by, and despite all the ups and downs, the unknowns and the hardships it has by far been the absolute BEST thing for our entire family. And I would hands down go through it all again!
OUR LIFE UPDATE
: HOUSE UPDATE
The biggest question is when we are moving into the house!! The date keeps changing, but the builders are trying to be very cautious as to not get our hopes up. So right now, the date is the middle of March. Honestly right now I think it will be sooner, but you never know because different things can get held up.
As of today, cabinets are in so basically, we’ve got countertops, appliances, lights, and finish work, including carpet. They also need to do the retaining walls so that we can finish the yard. But other than that, it is looking amazing! Every time I go over to the house, I get so excited just about the extra bathrooms and storage. Honestly, nothing else really matters right now, even though it is a beautiful house! Haha.
: WHAT ABOUT OUR LOT?
Another life update most of you are asking for is, what did we do with the lot we bought next to my parents. We still have it and we will eventually build on it!! When? We’re not entirely sure. The fact that we will soon have a house that fits our family better and will allow us to entertain family + friends there’s now no rush. We will just take it month by month. The plans are done and ready to go but we want to be in a better position financially before we start.
: JOE’S NEW JOB
Joe officially started work on January 1st and it has been smooth sailing since then. To be completely transparent, it has been an adjustment for all of us. Having him home for eight months with such a blessing and the kids and I absolutely loved having him be a part of every single minute of our day. The first week was a little rough as we all missed him. But he is thriving and absolutely loving his job which we are thrilled about.
Harper just turned seven and it actually wasn’t as rough as it has been in past years. She’s our baby and the last one to have a birthday as all of the birthdays are in the fall. For some reason it’s been a trigger as I realize everybody is a year older, and we are getting further and further away from the baby stage. I personally have always loved having babies, so to close that chapter of my life has been very emotional for me. I continue to find the blessings in the good. Every year I get to watch them grow older. And that’s the most important thing.
: KID’S UPDATE
The kids are all doing great and thriving. Hunter has too many friends that she never knows who to hang out with, currently has two jobs, and is still doing soccer. Hudson is practicing with the high school baseball team as an eighth grader which has been such a cool experience for him. Hayden is thriving and cheer and in full-blown competition mode! Houston actually isn’t in a sport right now (which is nice), but should be starting baseball and soccer in the next few months. He is our little smarty-pants and has just learned all of his multiplication as a second grader. Harper is still in dance and gymnastics. She will have her very first dance performance later in the spring, and she is so ecstatic about it!
This year has been full of family parties, reconnecting with old friends, Sunday family dinners on both sides, so many cousins, and opportunities that we have missed out on the past 15 years. I find myself cry multiple times a month because I am just so beyond grateful to be here surrounded by so many family members and memories. The fact that our kids get to grow up where we grew up is something that is not lost on me.
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We’ve been doing this blogging/online thing for 13 years!! It’s wild that some of you have grown up with us! You’ve watched us move a million times, been here when we lost so many babies, and also had our last 3 little people. We are so grateful for the friendships over the years, the daily support and the sweet messages + moments you share with us. We are all in this together and we love connecting with you!!
Today on the blog I’m sharing the top 10 sellers of 2023 including my favorite pillow, sneakers, mixing bowls, and more! And I’m so happy you guys love these products as much as I do! Keep scrolling to see the other best sellers of 2023!
These items are in no specific order, but this Ninja Creami was BY FAR the top seller of the whole year! It went viral all through social media! My family + I have LOVED our Ninja Creami because we can finally make healthy homemade ice cream! AND this one is on sale right now for $169!! Run!!!!
: ADIDAS SAMBAS
I am obsessed with my Adidas Sambas because I can pair them with anything! They are always my go-to. Seriously such a good closet staple! They fit true to size for reference!
: CARILOHA PILLOW
This pillow is always a top seller, and it doesn’t surprise me! We’ve had these pillows for years and they are amazing. They are fully customizable so you can adjust how much fluff you want inside! So many of you have told me that it’s been a game changer for your sleep and that makes me so happy! Don’t forget to use code KAILEE20 for 20% off!
: GOLD HUGGIES
You guys went crazy over these gold hoops, and I don’t blame you! Me and all my girls wear them 24/7! They are the best live-in earrings and such good quality!
: DYSON V11
This Dyson vacuum is a top seller every year! What more could you want than a cordless vacuum?! I swear it’s the best invention out there and makes cleaning much more enjoyable + fast!
: HAIR MASCARA
This hair mascara was a life saver for me this past year- and I’m so glad you guys loved it too! It’s used to tame fly-a-way hairs which has been amazing for my hair and the girl’s slicked back styles!
: MAKEUP BAG
Everyone needs a good makeup bag and this one is IT! It holds so much, and you can’t beat the price! Comes in a ton of colors and makes a great gift too!
: MIXING BOWLS
These are the only mixing bowls we have, and they are perfect! If you’ve ordered them, then you know how good they are! They come with 5 bowls with lids, 3 grater attachments, measurement marks, and they have non-slip bottoms! Just trust me on this one!
: PORTABLE CHARGER
This portable charger was one of my favorite purchases last year and I know so many of you ordered and loved it too! It charges my phone 2-3 times fully and is only $19.99! Definitely recommend!
: GOLD BEADED BRACELETS
I always get asked where my gold beaded bracelets are from. You guys- they’re just from Amazon! They are the perfect accessory to add to any outfit and only $15.99!
MORE TOP SELLERS
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If you missed it, I shared my goals for this year on the blog last week! Hope everyone’s new year + goals are off to a great start!
I always get asked questions about my hair routine, hair formula, etc, so I wanted to put that information all in one place that we can all refer back to! I’ve done hair for 20 years and am passionate about having a hair routine that keeps your hair healthy and strong. Sharing my hair routine and favorite products below!
Shampoo– I wash my hair once a week! This shampoo has been a go-to for years. I switch off with this K18 shampoo as well. Both are so hydrating and have been my favorites for years.
Money Mask– Every 3 washes, I use this hydrating hair mask and it is MONEY! No pun intended. It’s truly that good. (When I use this mask, I don’t use a normal conditioner).
: AFTER THE SHOWER
Paddle Brush– After the shower, I comb through my hair with this paddle brush starting with my ends! Starting at your ends helps not damage your hair + prevents tangle.
Leave in Conditioner– This is the first thing I put on my hair after the shower (if I use the K18 shampoo). I leave it in for 4 minutes before applying any other product to my hair, so make sure you read the instructions. I have been using this one for over a year now and it is AMAZING!! I promise I’ve tried so many, and nothing works like this one.
Hair Oil– Before drying, I add this oil throughout my hair. It helps add moisture (goodbye frizz) and has been a game changer for helping to repair my damaged hair and keep it hydrated.
Blow Dry Cream– I put this cream in my hair while it’s still wet! It’s a heat protectant so I use it before I blow dry my hair!
: STYLING
Paddle Brush– Again, this paddle brush works wonders for dry or wet hair. It’s a salon-quality brush!!
Blow Dryer– I’m sure you’ve heard all the hype about the Dyson hair products, but I will tell you, the blow dryer itself lives up to all the praise and 5-star reviews. It cuts your dry time in HALF and is basically a dream come true. Again, it is an investment, but one you will thank me for later!
Heat Protectant– I use this heat protectant once my hair is dry and I’m about to use a heat tool! Been using it for years on me and my girls.
Curling Iron– I’ve used this curling iron for over 8 years! I swear by it. I use it on the second heat setting, but Hunter even uses it on the lowest setting, and it gives the perfect curls that actually hold! I use the 1.25in barrel.
Flat Iron– This flat iron is amazing; I’ve used it for years. I just bought Hunter the T3 flat iron and she loves it! So I highly recommend either of those!
Hair Oil– Last but not least, I go through and add a little more of this hair oil to the ends of my hair to set the overall look!
… When I do my hair curly, all I use is this Bumble cream right when I get out of the shower. And that’s it! A little goes a long way. Hunter and Hudson also use it for their natural curls.
: MY HAIR ROUTINE AT NIGHT
Scalp Brush– Before bed I use this scalp brush because it helps stimulate hair growth and get the blood flowing to your head for healthy hair!
Hair Oil– I always put more hair oil in the ends of my hair to help prevent frizz and keep my hair hydrated.
Slip Scrunchies– Lastly, I throw my hair up in a bun on the top of my head using these silk scrunchies. They are a must have. They help my curls last all night and don’t cause any kinking or breakage.
: MAINTENANCE
Nutrafol– I’ve taken these pills the last 4 months and I’m starting to see some results! My hair and nails have been growing quick. It takes 3-6 months of consistently taking them to see the improvement! You can use my link for $50 off your first 3 months or $106 off your first 6 months!
: MY HAIR ROUTINE HAIR FORMULA
This is exactly what my Hairdresser Evan sent to me….
Color: Shades eq
Highlight: Lightener + 10/20 volume + bond builder
Lowlight: 7nb/7g/7n equal parts + processing solution
Root tap (if needed): 7na/7nv/7n equal parts + processing solution
Gloss: 9G/9aa/clear equal parts + processing solution
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Hopefully that answers every single hair question you’ll ever have. You’re always welcome to message me on Instagram if you have any other questions. Thank you for being here!
Today on the blog I’m sharing my goals + intentions for 2024! I’m keeping my 2024 goals pretty simple and just giving myself grace. With so many things and changes going on currently, and over the last 10 months, I’m just trying to get used to Joe going to work again after 8 months off and finding my groove again with this new house and organizing! You know I preach simplifying all the time… and that’s because it has made a huge difference in my life. So instead of these HUGE crazy goals, I am sticking with a few small, simple goals because I know that over time these small and simple things will become great things!
I really want to finish the Book of Mormon. To be honest, I have never finished it all the way through. I’ve started it a million times and this year is the year I am going to finish it!! Houston (since getting baptized last July) has been reading his scriptures almost every day and it has been so inspiring to me. So, we have started reading them together when we can. I truly feel like this will help me know Christ more and become closer with Him, which is always my ultimate 2024 goal.
I’ve never been much of a reader, but I do love learning. So, I’ve decided to try and read at least 3 books this year. I have so many friends that have recommended good books and so instead of scrolling on my phone I’m going to pick up a book. I know 3 books isn’t that many but with my scripture goal and this being new for me and want to keep it simple.
: FINANCIAL GOAL
Right now, we just want to save as much as we can to eventually be able to build our final house. With interest rates so high and the price of building, we have put that on hold and are buying the house across the street. We’ve decided to travel a little less this year and pour that money into savings.
: PHYSICAL GOAL
My main goal is to get back to working out 4 times a week. I used to think if I didn’t work out for a whole hour, I was doing nothing. Now my goal is to just move my body for at least 30 mins. I really would love to put on some muscle so lifting heavier weights is at the top of my list. I use both Cara Loren’s Burn workout app and Aubrie Edgington’s app. Both are amazing and I totally recommend!
I want to get back to eating more frequently throughout the day. Higher protein snacks and meals to help accomplish my goal of putting on more muscle. This past year with moving and selling, I’ve really let a lot of health goals go.
: WORK GOAL
This last year with Joe not being able to start his job till now, I really increased my work hours. I am so grateful for my job and absolutely love it. But now with Joe working I really want to be able to focus on my kids and have set work hours. That has always been my problem…. I just never stop working. So, my 2024 goal for work is to be done at 2:30 pm when Hayden gets home and then not work again until the kids are in bed.
Another goal is getting my mornings to run smoothly + be more efficient with my time. Because I don’t “go into work ” at a certain time, it’s VERY easy for me to get distracted. I’ve been trying to wake up at 6:20 and have my work out in and shower before I need to help the kids get ready for school. Then somehow after school drop off, I lose track of time and its NOON and I’ve accomplished nothing.
Lastly, I want to take one day off a week to focus on projects or go to lunch with my mom or girlfriends or just sit and read a book. I feel like I never have down time and I don’t want to feel guilty about it so I’m going to schedule that in my week.
: FREE PRINT-OUT
I also wanted to share this goal sheet with you! If you are anything like me, having a place to physically write things down makes all the difference in tracking and keeping myself accountable. I searched for hour and found this one I really like over at Saturday Gift.
If you would like to use it, you can click here to download the pdf or just save this image! From a computer just right click on it and save image. From your phone, just long hold down the image and then click add to photos.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been sharing some of my favorite Walmart winter staples under $25. Today, I have decided to consolidate them all in one place. Walmart has become my go-to for basics lately, and we can all agree that they are seriously stepping up their fashion game.
If you know me well, you know I hold a special place in my heart for comfort. I prefer must-have staple items I can mix and match with other pieces in my closet. I favor versatile outfits that can be dressed up or down and worn in multiple ways for their cost-effectiveness and closet simplification.
FAVORITE WALMART STAPLES
: $8 MOCK NECK
First on the list is this mock neck top, a steal at only $9. It comes in 17 different colors, and the fit is excellent. The fabric, with a subtle ribbed texture, feels surprisingly luxurious. I’ve styled it with jeans and sneakers or elevated the look with a sequined skirt and heels.
: GREEN LOUNGE SET
Moving on, the green jogger and sweater set in this collection doesn’t feel like your typical sweatshirt material. Crafted from a softer rayon, it imparts a more elevated appearance than your average sweats. I opted for a small in the top and XS in the bottom, although an XS top would work just as well.
: GRAY SWEAT SET
Lately, I have practically lived in these joggers and hooded sweatshirt. I loved them so much that I recently added both the brown and black sets to my collection. They’re unisex, and even my teens are obsessed with them. Priced at only $??, the material is super soft inside, and they wash like a dream. In the photo, I’m wearing a small top and XS bottom, but I did order the XS top since both pieces are naturally oversized.
: $10 WAFFLE KNIT TOP
Lastly, Walmart has introduced these gorgeous waffle knit sweaters, Madewell look-alikes, at an unbeatable price of $10! I snagged them in a few colors, and I’m impressed with the quality. The longer sleeves and the not-too-big knit loops prevent any see-through mishaps. For size reference, I’m wearing an XS.
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Walmart’s winter staples have been both cute and affordable lately, making it easy to curate a comfortable and stylish wardrobe without breaking the bank.
