Summer is flying right by and we will soon be headed in to July!! July is one of my favorite months! We get plenty of sunshine + family time. Plus we get to celebrate our freedom and this country we love so much! If you know me, you know that I love any excuse to match or coordinate with my people. And the 4th of July is the perfect occasion to do just that!!
I personally like to steer clear of buying things that are super holiday specific. I try to avoid those because they are one time wears. But you can still coordinate + feel festive with more versatile looks! So we are here to help! We’ve got a roundup of 4th of July ideas for the whole family!
I’m sure you are all as shocked as I am to see Joe as the star of another blog post! But he can’t get enough of these basics from the Free Assembly line at Walmart, and it looks like Walmart feels the same way about him! They asked us (him) to highlight the awesome selection for Summer Basics too and since we live for Summer and sunshine weather, we were on board!
As I mentioned before, Walmart’s Free Assembly line for the whole family is full of great on trend basics you will love! The prices are affordable and the quality is great too! For the men’s collection, Joe has loved these awesome basic tees. At under $10, I think we have grabbed one in just about every color available. Their newly released summer line has some great options for swimsuits and graphic tees too. You can shop all of our favorite summer basics for the family online. PLUS they are expanding to offer the line in store in more locations too!
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my go-to hairstyle (if I actually take the time to do it) is relaxed curls. It makes me feel put together and ready for the day, but is still SO SIMPLE!! I love that I can usually get it done in under 15 minutes, and it will last me multiple days! So if you are looking for that quick + easy style you’ve come to the right place! Below you’ll find a step by step video tutorial and a link to all the products and tools I use!
As you can see in the video, it is not complicated!! I really like to limit the amount of product I put in my hair so I can go longer between washes. Ain’t nobody got time for that!! (If you want some tips on how to train your hair for that, check out this post!) Below I’ve linked out all the products I use on a regular basis at the best prices I can find them.
: MY GO TO HAIR PRODUCTS :
First up, in the shower:
shampoo – I swear by this shampoo. Yes the price point is a little higher than your average option, BUT investing in a few key items for your hair is so so worth it in the long run.
That’s it. I know. Mind blowing that I don’t use conditioner in the shower… but keep reading, you’ll get why below.
After shower, before drying:
paddle brush – after the shower, I comb through it with this paddle brush. Starting with my ends helps from more damage to your hair + helps you not get more tangles.
leave in conditioner – I have been using this one for a few months now and it is AMAZING!! I promise I’ve tried so many and nothing works like this one. Make sure you read the instructions!! This is the first thing I put on my hair after the shower. I leave it in for 4 minutes before applying any other product to my hair.
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.
blow dry cream– After oil, I also add this blow dry cream. Always always use some kind of heat protectant before drying/curling your hair.
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 drys your hair SO fast and is basically a dream come true. Again it is an investment, but one you will thank me for later!
After blow drying:
heat protectant – Again I am all about PROTECTING my hair. Prevention over repairing later is always on my mind. This heat protectant not only protects your hair as the name states, but it also helps your hair to take on the shape of whatever heating tool (curling iron, straightener) you are using. It also helps fight humidity and unwanted frizz.
curling iron – Love that this one works so well on LOW heat. Always try to keep your hair as heat free as possible to help it stay healthy and strong. I use the 1.25″ size for looser curls.
straightener – When I am done curling, I will go back through with this straightener to fine tune the ends and any wild pieces. This has been my go to straightener for years and years.
hair oil – And last but not least I go through and add a little more of this hair oil to certain pieces to get the look I want and kind of set the look.
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I hope this helps give you the tips + tricks you need to achieve quick and easy curls you’ll love!
Summer is finally upon us and I could not be happier about it!! If you know me, you know I could LIVE by the pool all summer long without a single complaint. I’m sure some of you were from the days of covering your body in tanning oil or even baby oil and waiting for your skin to sizzle, but we are older and wiser now, so let’s talk all thing sunscreen. In my opinion, they are definitely not all created equally! From weird smells, to greasy residue, some are a no go. So I’ve done us all a favor and rounded up the best of the best sunscreen for the whole family!
I’m sure you have heard all they hype behind this cult following glow screen. I was hesitant it could really be that good, but IT 100% IS!! Glow screen is a tinted spf 40 that gives the prettiest natural glow, just like the name states. It is so beautiful on your skin and all I have been wearing these summer days.
:: TULA SUNSCREEN
If you have been around here for a while, you know my love for all things Tula, and this sunscreen is at the top of those favorites. This one doesn’t have a tint, but it does have the prettiest slight shimmer or glow to it. My kids (especially my girls) love doing this one. I love to use it for my hands and my chest and anywhere I don’t want to stress about a tint rubbing off. You can use code KAILEE for a discount too!
:: ELTA MD SUNSCREEN
Next up is this one from Elta MD. This is the ultra option that Elase recommends. If I know I am going to be in the sun all day or for a longer period of time, I will do this one and the glow screen on top. For the best protection and top grade option, go with this one.
:: SUNBUM FACE MIST
This was one a lot of friends have recommended as a quick and easy option. And I will be honest, while I love it to spray on my arms or over my face if I have makeup on, my kids are not a fan. Like most kids, they hate the spray in the face…but if your kids are old enough to be ok with keeping their eyes/mouth closed during the application, this is a winner. It is Hunter’s favorite and doesn’t have a sticky residue.
:: DIME WONDERSCREEN
This one is new to me that I just grabbed after multiple friends recommended it. I love that it is a super clean option as far as ingredients go. They have also said it has a really natural glow, similar to the supergoop option above, that is great for makeup free days at the pool. I will report back, but if you would like to try it, use code KAILEE20 to save!
:: NEUTROGENA STICK SUNSCREEN
Last but not least is the sunscreen stick from neutrogena. We have been using this for our go to for pool and beach days for at least 10 years. It is honestly the one my kids beg for and never complain about using. It glides on super smooth and easy without leaving any chalky marks. It does have your typical more greasy residue of a sunscreen, but the application is so quick and easy it is for sure my top option for kids!
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That is my round up of tried and true favorites! If you have another go to you or your kids love, PLEASE share!! We live outside all summer long so I’d love your recommendations!
You all know the love I have for organizing. Something about knowing everything has a space where it belongs, and there is no excess just makes me so happy. Not only does it help me function better, but it simplifies my daily life as well. But when it comes to organizing, I often get the same questions or complaints. “I can’t organize, I don’t have the budget”. “I don’t have the time to get organized”. And lastly, “I don’t know how to organize, I’m not a professional”. While these are all good arguments, I’m here to tell you how to overcome them and why I promise you can organize like a pro!
First up is budget. I hear all the time that organizing is too expensive. And I am here to tell you that a lot of the options out there can be. The sky is the limit and I agree, you can quickly find yourself with quite the cart total. And while I love the high end fancy organizing gadgets as much as anyone, some of my very favorite products we use DAILY are so so budget friendly. Some of my favorite places to shop for organizing hacks + gadgets is IKEA. Always affordable and minimalist friendly. Walmart, Target, even the Dollar Tree have some great options if you get creative. If you are working with a budget, keep function in mind before aesthetic. Sometimes organizing doesn’t have to cost you a dime, it is just a matter of how you put things away, like you will see in the image below or if you check out my pantry post.
Another comment I hear all the time, is that it takes too much time to get organized. And while certain areas can be quite the hassle to tackle, the amount of time you save once it is done is always more. I can’t tell you how much time it has saved us in the morning to have the pantry organized so it is easy access for the kids. Or my Master Bathroom organized so I can just grab what I need to make getting ready quicker. Just having that peace of mind and simplicity is worth the hard work and time in the beginning.
Last but not least in these organizing myths, is that you have to be a professional to have an organized home. WRONG! While I’ve seen some INCREDIBLE jaw dropping spaces organized by the pros, you don’t have to be one to tackle your own home. Start simple with an area like the kids closets. As you will see in mine, something as simple (and skill free) as having a basket for different clothes categories will help you be more organized. Adding these drawer separators is another idea. You don’t have to be an expert!
As you can see, like with a lot of things we can make all the excuses of why we can’t. But organizing your home shouldn’t be one of those things. I promise you it is one of those things where if you just put it a little bit of effort, time, and creativity, you will be hooked and your home will be so much more functional! So I wanna know what are your best organizing tips?!
: CHECK OUT THESE POSTS FOR MORE ORGANIZING TIPS + TRICKS :
Would you believe me if I told you Father’s Day is just a little over 2 weeks away?! Why is it that these spring and summer months always seem to fly by so fast!! It is no secret how obsessed we are with Joe around here. He works so hard for our family and when he is around, we all can’t get enough. If you know Joe, you know he is like a big kid! Always the fun parent, constantly making us laugh! We love any reason to celebrate him!!
On top of that, with his super laid back personality, he is not a big gift guy. So shopping for him is both the easiest and the hardest, if that makes sense! I know shopping for husbands and dads can be tricky! So today we are going big with the ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide, broken down into categories and packed full of ideas!! You are sure to find something!
First up in the Father’s Day Gift Guide is something just about every guy out there loves, techy electronics! From the fan favorite airpods to our can’t leave home without portable chargerwe’ve got you covered in the best of tech ideas they will love! If your guy loves baseball as much as Joe does, this coffee table book is the perfect out of the box idea you’ll both love. And our at home pizza night game as been completely transformed with this pizza oven. It is worth every single penny!! Check out all the ideas above!
If the guy you are shopping for loves the great outdoors, then these are the gifts you are gonna want to snag. We’ve got hands down our favorite tumblers that will keep his drink cold all day long. The must have jump starter when hitting the road this summer, and a pressure washer to keep all the things clean!
If you’re looking to up your outdoor fun, check out two of our family favorites, ladder golf and slam ball!
A Father’s Day Gift Guide wouldn’t be complete without the basics as well. These are a little less fun but definitely something all the guys need. From the basic tee with a price that can’t be beat, to some sunglasses and flip flops for summer, we’ve got all the basic fashion options for your man at great prices to add to your gift list!
I hope this Father’s Day Roundup is helpful and gets you some fun out of the box ideas the men in your life will love!
When it comes to reading, our Hayden has always struggled just a little bit. A lot of it is her desire to just sit down and do it. She can always think of more fun things to be doing. After talking with teachers, I knew she needed a little extra help, so I hired a private tutor. All was well until the newness wore off, and then she wasn’t having it. So we moved to the next option, which was Sylvan. While the price tag was a little mind blowing, we knew it was something she needed so we went for it. The same thing happened as with the tutor. I was pretty much ready to give up, when I heard about Savvy Reading. I’ll be honest, I heard the high praise, but in the back of my mind assumed it would go how everything else had.
I am happy to say, we started around Thanksgiving, and have not only not had one single complaint, but have seen so much progress! I shared about our success thus far and how much we love Savvy over on Instagram, and was bombarded with questions on everything from how it works, to price, and more. So I thought it would be helpful to get all the details laid out for you in one easy to access place!
Savvy Reading is an online tutoring program, specifically focused on reading. Classes are taught by professional teachers, in a small (4 or less) student group, based on reading level. It was created to help kids become more confident in their reading. Savvy is great for your child if they are behind on reading, just learning to read, you are homeschooling, or even if your child just plain doesn’t like reading. Honestly it is one of those things as a mom that I wish I could tell every single person I know. It has been that life changing for us.
: HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT SAVVY CLASS TO SIGN UP FOR?
When you go to Savvy’s website, they have a quick free assessment that will tell you what level your child is testing at, so they know what class to place them in. Classes are offered starting early in the morning and go in to the evening. That makes it super easy to find something that fits for your schedule. For us, we have so much going on after school that we chose 8:00. Hayden gets ready for school, hops on and does Savvy, and then head to school right after.
: WHAT ARE THE CLASSES LIKE?
Like I mentioned before, classes are all done online. Class sizes are very small, with a max of 4 kids. I think they also offer a 1:1 option too. All of the kids in your class will be at the same level, with the same teacher. Classes are held Monday-Thursday for just 25 minutes. It is the perfect amount of time to learn what they need to. But not long enough where she gets bored or loses focus. On Friday you get a weekly assessment. It tells you how they are doing, what they worked on, and things you can practice together over the weekend.
While the classes are taught by professional teachers, they still make it very personal and fun. The other day I was listening in on Hayden’s class and they were talking about a book they had read together about the American Flag. I loved that the teacher took the time to relate it back to personal experiences and asked them about their favorite 4th traditions. I know Hayden is learning and progressing so much. And I love that the environment and way classes are set up make it something she actually looks forward to!
: HOW MUCH IS A SUBSCRIPTION?
Pricing depends on a few different things. Class size and subscription length. With code KAILEEWRIGHT you can save $25 off every month of your subscription for as long as you have it! The best part is, if you add another child to your subscription, or one “graduates” and you want to switch kids, the discount stays with your subscription.
Something I love about Savvy when it comes to scheduling is you can also pause your subscription if needed for vacation, or edit it for the summer months. You can 100% tell every detail of this program was thought out so well to really work flexibly with both you and your child in mind.
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I hope this helps answer any questions you have about Savvy. It has honestly been completely life changing for Hayden and I. If you have any other questions, they answer a ton on their website. They are also have the nicest team that will answer anything you need too!
It is one of my favorite weekends of the year! I feel like Memorial Day Weekend is the official welcome to summertime and sunshine!! Memorial Day weekend is also known for its crazy good sales!! To help save you time scouring the internet and shopping, I put together a quick roundup of all the stores with sales I think are worth shopping this weekend + some of the deals you can snag at those sales!
This Orange Julius is such a fun treat and screams summer time for our family! It is another one of the many recipes from my amazing Aunt Tina. Growing up, we couldn’t afford a lot of big crazy vacations, so we spent a lot of time vacationing to her house in Phoenix, which we all loved! She would always make the yummy Chicken Alfredo I shared here, and this delicious Orange Julius for us to drink by the pool! I love that it brings back so many fun memories from my childhood, and that it is a part of so many for my little people too. Not to mention its delicious!
:: ORANGE JULIUS
– INGREDIENTS –
1 small can frozen orange juice
1 cup milk
1/4 cup or less of sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
10-14 ice cubes
– INSTRUCTIONS –
Blend all ingredients together until smooth + enjoy!
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WANT TO ADD A LITTLE PROTEIN TO YOUR ORANGE JULIUS??
If you are looking to add a little protein to your Orange Julius or other smoothies + ice cream drinks, I’ve got the best trick for you! Just add a scoop or 2 of the Clean Simple Eats Vanilla Protein. It makes it a little creamier and gives you the bonus of protein! You can always use code KAILEEWRIGHT to save on all things Clean Simple Eats too!
When it comes to fashion, you could say Joe and I are pretty much opposites. While I love to accessorize and style outfits, Joe is pretty happy keeping it simple! (see pictures for an example) and this is about as fancy as he get’s for date night! Spending money + time on clothes is just not his jam or something that is a big priority to him. But one thing we can agree on, is having good basics is a must! Since basics are something that are worn on repeat, we love finding affordable options, and believe me, we have tried a lot! We shared about the Free Assembly line at Walmart and the incredible basics (especially for Men) back in this post, and are back today with another awesome round up of some spring options Joe and I are both loving! So if you are looking for great basic tees, jeans, shorts, and button ups for your man, keep reading!!
As I mentioned and share in my last Walmart Free Assembly round up, you just can’t beat this line, It is full of great basic tees, long sleeve henley’s, jeans, jackets, and more, all at great prices! I love that it checks the box for me of being on trend and looks nice, and checks the comfort and affordable box for Joe. It is a win win for everyone!! I also love knowing that if he is out working or playing with the kids and the shirt gets a stain I can’t get out or something happens to it, it is affordable enough to just grab a new one!
**SIZING**
As far as sizing goes, Joe’s body type, finding the right fit can be tricky too. The Free Assembly line has been great! For the button up shirt we went with an XL and were so happy it actually fit nicely around his arms, without having to size up and be baggy everywhere else. His body type (and personal style) isn’t necessarily made for skinny jeans, but I love that these actually fit right and our tight in the right places with no extra saggy areas. If you struggle with finding a good basic tee that isn’t too square or loose, these have been amazing. They are such a flattering fit and Joe says they are super comfortable. He is wearing the Large in those.
: SHOP MORE FREE ASSEMBLY MEN’S FAVORITES HERE :
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We hope you loved this roundup of great Men’s basics. Let us know if you want to see more of Joe here on the blog!!
Whether you have 1 kid or 10 kids, I think it is built into us as parents to feel like we aren’t having enough quality intentional time with our kids. Life is so busy and crazy and I swear the minutes just go by so dang fast!! While I am no way perfect at this, I have really tried to make getting in that intentional time with each of my kids more of a priority lately, so I thought I would share some of my thoughts + tips that might help!
Isn’t this the truth with just about any relationship? It is all about the quality time over the quantity of time. Houston and Harper still get a bigger QUANTITY of time with me because they are’t in school full time. But it is still on me to make sure I get some good QUALITY time in there too. Setting distractions aside to play a game with them or do a craft means the world to them. For Hayden, it might mean taking 10 extra minutes at bed time to scratch her back while she tells me about her day. In terms of quantity, 10 minutes seems like nothing but to her it means the world and the quality of the time is there.
: TAKE IT ANY TIME YOU CAN GET IT
While planning can help make sure you get that intentional time in, it isn’t always the easiest way to get it in. Be willing to make some sacrifices on your end too. Here is an example for you. My big kids are SOOO busy right now, that finding the time can feel impossible. I”m sure you teen parents can relate. We have found that finding a show the two of them and Joe + I can watch together is a game changer. While it may not be sitting and talking, we all really look forward to that more “grown up” time together watching the show. There are no distractions of friends or phones. Just us. Does it mean I get less sleep in every night and have to put other things aside? 100%! But it has been so worth it to have that uninterrupted time with them!
: INTENTIONAL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BIG
This kind of goes along with my other points. While the big planned out dates can be so fun, don’t worry about it being something huge every single time. Some of my favorite special times with my kids have been the unscheduled ice cream runs on the way home from gymnastics, or a late night game of cards just for fun. They are the simplest things, but your kids (and you!) will love them and remember them.
:BE REALISTIC
Be realistic and give yourself grace!! Setting strict goals of an exact minute amount for every kid every day is not realistic. And on top of that, it turns the time into a chore instead of something you look forward to too. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!!
: YOU ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK
Most important out of anything I can tell you, is you are are doing better than you think you are. Just the fact that you are stressed you aren’t doing enough, means you are a great parent! I promise your kids see both the effort and the success!
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I hope these little tips are helpful in spending more intentional time with your people! I would LOVE to hear your favorite ways to get that in or any tips you have too!
If you are anything like me, you will take any chance you can get to escape to the beach and sunshine!! Especially during the never ending winters of Utah! I thought with the timing of our Mexico trip, and a lot of you planning upcoming summer trips, now would be the perfect time to do a round up of some of my beach favorites and must have’s so you can stock up!
The first and probably top priority when it comes to a beach vacation is the swimsuits!! Joe always makes fun of me because while he is good with one suit for the whole week long trip, I need options!! You can never have enough to choose from…and they don’t take up too much space in your luggage! Win win!
If I’m going with a one piece, I like a fun detail like the single strap look or cut outs. It gives it more of a shape and makes it a little more exciting. For a two piece, I’m all about the good bum coverage and high waist bottom. I have had different versions of this fun stripe one over the years, and am obsessed with this one I just grabbed from Amazon!!
When I’m choosing my coverups, they have got to be versatile. Something that I can wear over my suit to the beach or pool, but that I can dress up enough for lunch or dinner too! These overalls come with me on every beach vacation because they are the ideal cover up. Loose and comfortable, but so cute styled with nice sandals too.
Now let’s talk accessories! Grabbing the right accessories can not only simplify your packing on the plane/car, but also simplify what you are hauling out to the beach daily! And we all know if kids are involved, you are already loading a lot!!
First let’s talk bags. There are 2 types of bags I love to bring on a beach vacation. The first is a simple fanny type like this belt bagfrom lululemon. It is the perfect thing to have for all your must haves like phone, lip gloss, sunglasses, keys, hotel key, etc. It fits a shocking amount too! You can grab it in regular or mini size. The other bag is a good size bag that will lay completely flat and not be bulky in your suit case. This amazon find I took to Florida is perfect. It holds towels, snacks, sunscreen, extra clothes etc., but won’t be a pain to fit when it comes to packing.
Another must have beach accessory is a good hat! Nobody wants that sunshine in their face!! I love this big giant one for the ultimate sun coverage when I’m out on the beach. This visor is a great option when you want to go straight to lunch or something and look a little more done up.
My other beach must have is a good sandal. While I love flip flops, I usually lean towards a sandal like this. You still get the comfort and ease of a flip flop, but they are easy to dress up for lunch or dinner and not have to pack additional shoes. Major win in my book!
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I hope this roundup is helpful as you plan for and pack your next beach getaway! I’d love to know your must haves too!
