If you are anything like me, good quality sleep kind of tends to take a back seat. We have jam packed schedules. I often times find myself staying up extra late and waking up early to tackle my to do list. Which results in no sleep. I know it makes such a huge difference in my focus, efficiency, and over all attitude, so it has been one of my major goals this year. With that in mind, I thought I would share some of the little tips + tricks that have helped me to see good results so far!
:: HAVE A SLEEP ROUTINE
Yes, I want you to treat yourself just like you would one of your kids. Give yourself a bedtime routine. Our bodies thrive off of routine and structure. The same goes for bedtime, which is why it works so well for kids. Knowing what to expect and having that same routine trains our brains to slow down and kind of prep themselves for sleep. For me that almost always includes a bath. It helps me relax, slow down, and take time to process the day without interruption.
:: PLAN ON GOING TO BED AN HOUR EARLIER THAN YOU REALLY WANT TO
As humans, especially women, we tend to overload our schedules and are always adding “just one more thing” to our to do list. One thing that has really worked great for me is to plan on going to bed an hour earlier than my goal. So if my goal is in bed lights out at 10, I try to plan on having everything done by 9 instead. By doing this, all the extras that come up aren’t pushing me back later than I want to be going to bed, and I am again enforcing that consistency of a bedtime for myself.
:: NO SCREENS 30 MINUTES BEFORE BED
This tip is definitely my most “work in progress” tip because it has been so hard for me. The end of the day is the time I finally have me time to plan out the coming day, and of course just veg out online. But having been successful at doing this a few times, I know what a big difference it makes. I fall asleep so much quicker when I limit screens before bed. I’m not getting sucked down the Instagram Rabbit Hole we all know and have a love/hate relationship. I have quite a few friends that have even gone to the lengths of charging their phone in a different room. It makes such a difference in your quality of sleep.
:: INVEST IN QUALITY BEDDING
Last but probably at the top of my tips list, is to invest in quality bedding. I never thought this made a difference at all. I would by just your average sheets and cheap pillow because you are just sleeping on it. But news flash Kailee, if you get 8 hours of sleep, that means the average person is SLEEPING for 1/3 OF THEIR LIFE! So that is probably far and above enough time to invest in the products that you are using.
You’ve heard me talk about them before, but Cariloha has been a dream come true (literally) for me when it comes to good quality sleep. Their products are made completely from bamboo and are the softest things you’ll ever try. If you’ve been around here for awhile you know I first fell in love with their towels. They are the coziest things to wrap yourself or your babies up in after a shower. If the towels were that good, I knew the bedding was going to be amazing.
The first thing I tried was the Flex Pillow. If you are tired of pillows being too stiff or too soft, this is the pillow for you. It is 100% customizable to your exact firmness desires. The inside “filling” of the pillow is made of bamboo charcoal memory foam. This filling can be removed to achieve your desired firmness. Joe has his all the way full, and I took out about 1/2. We love them so much we gifted them to our family for Christmas and they are all just as obsessed. Whether you are a side, back or stomach sleeper they are INCREDIBLE!
Since we loved the pillow so much, we had to go all in. We recently got the duvet comforter and resort sheets and I swear it is like sleeping on a cloud. The comforter has a nice weight to it to give you that hugged feeling, but is so light and breezy at the same time so you won’t get hot. Being willing to invest in high quality bedding like the options at Cariloha has made the biggest difference for my sleep. I crave going to sleep because I know how comfortable my bed is. And it is much easier to fall asleep because of that comfort level.
If you are in the market for any new bedding, pillows, towels, or even a mattress, you can use code KW to get 20% off anything on the site! I promise you and your many hours of sleep will thank me later!
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I hope these simple sleep tips are helpful + get you closer to the zzz’s you are dreaming of!
I did a poll earlier this week, asking if you prefer shopping online or in store. About 70% of you were online shoppers and definitely my people! Combine the fact that I don’t have to get ready OR leave the house, and you have my vote! As a busy mom, anything that saves me time is a win in my book! Of course one of my most visited websites is an obvious for a lot of us, the amazing AMAZON! Seriously if it is not on Amazon, is it even worth having?! I’ve made it my mission to find more out of the box items lately. Things that make life easier, dupes on brands we love, and of course mom hacks and I am rounding them up on the regular over on Instagram. Check out the links below to shop my latest Amazon finds I am loving!
This little gadget has become such a game changer for distance learning! Something about seeing the time on the clock and having a countdown makes getting through those reading minutes that much easier! We have loved using it for school, chores, and anything we need to set a time limit for. I promise you and your kids will love it!
Yes you read that right. Tongue Scraper. And yes I was as skeptical as you probably are. Just reading the name sounds painful but I have heard it is the game changer when it comes to the nasty in your mouth that causes bad breath. I just got it so I haven’t put it fully to the test yet, but reviews say it not only helps clean your mouth and give you fresher breath, but is so great for your overall mouth health and increases your taste too. I will report back but I’m excited to try it out!
Anyone else feel like they are going back to their teen days with Dr Martens making a comeback?! I am all for it and love the cute styles they have. That being said, I don’t always love the higher price tag when I’m buying for my kids because I know they will grow out of the fast. So these total look a likes I found on Amazon were such a score! Highly recommend them!
If you have ever or plan on ever cooking ground beef then this little gadget is going to be your new best friend. I saw it on a friend’s Instagram and had to have it and I haven’t regretted it for a second. It makes separating the meat so dang easy! Definitely a tool you will use often and love in your kitchen.
When it comes to dishes for my kids, I am all about indestructible. But it doesn’t hurt for them to be cute too right?! I loved these bowls I found on Amazon so much that I just ordered more. They are a great quality, don’t look cheap or flimsy, and are just right for that bowl of cereal, or lets be honest ICE CREAM!
Last but not least are these booty bands. These I have actually had for a few months and am obsessed with them. I am here to tell you not all booty bands are created equally. The quality is amazing and I love that they come in a set with different resistance options. You can check out some of my favorite things about bands here.
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I hope you enjoyed this month’s roundup of our favorite Amazon finds! I’d love to hear some of your favorites I need to try out too! Leave me a comment over on Instagram or here to check them out!
Hey Guys! It’s Hunter, here for another Teen Takeover!!! A few posts back I talked all about my cell phone and the rules my parents have for it. I mentioned how I have to do chores and pay for extra things on my own and got a lot of questions about it. So today we are talking all things CHORES + ALLOWANCE! Yes I have daily chores I have to do, which I don’t love, but it has given me a lot more freedom with how I spend my money, and responsibility too. Keep reading to hear what my chores are, how much my allowance is, and all the details of the debit card I use that is so awesome for teens!
Ok so first lets talk about what my chores actually are. My mom makes a checklist type thing for each of us (you can download a printable here) that has each of our must do daily chores. Mine include make my bed, clean my bathroom, read my scriptures, say my prayers, clean my zone, do my homework, do some kind of physical activity and any extra jobs she has for me that day. If I want to get paid AND be able to use my phone, I have to do all the jobs every day. But if I miss some one day, I don’t get my phone that day, and will be paid less at the end of the week. If I am wanting/needing extra money, I can also ask for bonus paid jobs too. Those are like cleaning the pool closet, or organizing
:: MY ALLOWANCE
So how my allowance works is actually kind of nice. My parents pay by our age, and that is how much we get a week. We have to separate our tithing into a savings account, but everything else is up to us on how we spend/save. Instead of just getting cash, every Sunday they put it into our own bank accounts that connect to these GREENLIGHT DEBIT CARDS! If you haven’t heard of them , they are so awesome for teens. I love it because I have complete control over what a buy, I can order stuff online, and keep track of how much I have easier as well. This year I had to pay for all my school clothes and it was nice to just be able to order online with the card.
My parents love it because they get a text message every time I use the card, so they can monitor my spending too.
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As much as I don’t love having to pay for my own stuff, it has really taught me the importance of budgeting and paying attention to my spending. I am a lot more careful with what I’m willing to spend money on because I know the hard work that goes into earning it, instead of just my parents buying it for me. Of course I don’t love doing chores, but I do love having the money and of course having my phone so I am willing to do it for what I get in return. I hope this helped answer your questions about chores + allowance!
You guys!! If you follow along over on Instagram, a few months ago you saw me talk on stories about washing my hair. I may have mentioned I was on day 7….or 9 hair and it caused a riot! Haha! I had so many direct messages asking how in the world I could go that long! A few were funny about it (to each their own), but the majority wanted to know my trick to making it possible! So I thought it would be easiest to put my top tips to training your hair all together in one blog post for you!
Before we get to the tips, let me give you a little background. I’ve been doing hair for the past 19 years. I worked many years in a salon, and still do hair for family in my home salon. So you could say I know a thing or two about hair, how things work, and have FOR SURE tried my fair share of products to figure out what works BEST. I just want you to know this is strictly my opinion and advice, but also that I do have a background in this as well!
:: GIVE IT TIME
First off, training your hair is not something that happens overnight or even within a week or so. When I was doing hair regularly, I would always make my clients commit to sticking with it for at least 1-2 months. You have to “train” your hair to get used to not producing so much oil. Every time you wash your hair you are stripping your scalp of all it’s natural oils — so it then naturally wants to make more.
If you’re an everyday washer start out by skipping 1-2 days of washing. Stick with that until you notice your hair getting used to it and seeming cleaner. This usually take about a week or two. Then add on another day of skipping a wash. Do this for another week or so and continue on. Make sense? I promise your hair will start to get use to less washing and will STOP making so much oil. PATIENCE is key!!
Your hair + scalp will start to recognize that you’re not stripping it or washing it all of the time and will gradually stop producing that extra oil. Every single one of my clients would come back saying this was life changing!!
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:: HANDS OFF YOUR HAIR
This is the BIGGEST tip I can give when it comes to prolonging your wash. Stop touching your hair. I think a lot of women don’t even realize how often they touch their hair. It is such a habit we all do, and a big contributor to the greasy oily hair. Every time you touch your hair, you transfer oil from your fingertips onto your hair. Do your best to keep your hands out of it during the day. If you have bangs or pieces that fall in your face often, clip back that front section of your hair while you are working so it isn’t constantly being touched and moved out of the way. I love using these long alligator clips or these hair ties because neither leave a crease in your hair. You will honestly notice a difference in how clean your hair seems right away with this tip!
BEDTIME TIP:
I also pull my hair up on top of my head when I sleep. Then all the oils from your face and pillow will not get on your hair + you’ll save your curls!! Which again is less touching and less heat on your hair for the next day and LESS DAMAGE!
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:: LIMIT HOW MUCH PRODUCT YOU USE
Another big contributor for your hair not lasting as long in between washes is using too much product. I shared a hair routine about a year ago, and while some of the brands have been switched out or are not used as much now that my hair is shorter, the process is still the same. You can also check out more how to’s in my Instagram Highlight Bubbles. I would say 75% of the product I use on my hair is while it is still WET. And the majority of them are used for protection from heat + to strengthen my hair. I rarely use hair spray, because it will instantly take days off your wash. Like I said before, it takes time to figure out what works best for your hair personally, but the less product the cleaner the hair!
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:: MAKE DRY SHAMPOO YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND
Dry Shampoo makes ALLLLL the difference. I usually won’t use any until day 3-4, but for some of you just starting out you might have to use this on day 2. Finding the dry shampoo that works best for your hair is again trial and error. A lot of people go straight for the most expensive salon brand thinking it is going to be a guaranteed winner, and depending on your hair that is not always the case! Hair color, texture, and length can all play a big part in which one you choose.
For years and years I have used this one that is under $6 for TWO. I swear by it and think it is a great one to try. But another one I am IN LOVE WITH is the new version of Dry Shampoo from Navy Hair Care. It is a GAME CHANGER. Never have I met a dry shampoo that works like it does. My hair instantly feels cleaner after using the tiniest bit, and it gives you body and volume to liven up that day 4 or 5 hair too, giving it great body. It is a great price point as well and you can use code KAILEE for 30% off the site.
Dry shampoos not only extend your look and washes but act as multi-taskers that add volume + texture to your hair too! So find one you love!! But you also don’t want to use SO much dry shampoo that you are starting to see flakes etc.
BONUS TIP:
Spray dry shampoo in your hair before you go to bed at night and let it work its magic while you sleep!
It should come as no surprise to any of you my love for hats. They are by far my favorite accessory and I love how they can change up an outfit so much. But another thing I love about them is how well they can help you pull out another day or 2 between washes. Who doesn’t love a reason to not touch your hair AT ALL. It saves your hair and saves your time! Double win!
I love this style for just covering up the top but still looking great with your hair down. Baseball style hats are a great option for longer hair and pulling it up. I’ll put a little dry shampoo underneath on the base of my scalp when I do the pony or messy bun to give it a little volume and ditch some of that oil. It is such a simple solution and such a great option for when you are training your hair to go longer too!
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I hope these tips are helpful!! The biggest thing is to give it time + be consistent!! If you have any other questions on all things hair, leave them here or over on my last Instagram Post and I’ll answer them!
:: CHECK OUT THESE POSTS FOR MORE HAIR TIPS + TRICKS ::
Does it blow anyone else’s mind that it is October?! How in the world are we already a full month into school and all things fall? If you’ve been following along, earlier this year we started a new “series” here on the blog where we highlight the most asked for links for the month all in one place. A highlight reel if you will! You can check out previous months hereand here. We kind of dropped the ball at the end of the summer, but we are back with the best of the best for the last few months and there are some goodies!
First up in links you loved just as much as me was this whole outfit! I don’t know about you, but I am a total sucker for an outfit that can work for a workout, but also transition into a cute on the go momiform.
This outfit is exactly that! The tank is such a fun + flattering cut, and comes in both black + white. I am LOVING this length of biker shorts too. Still great for a workout but more covered up for out and about. And if you can believe it, they come in 16 different color options. So you can grab a few to rotate! And can we talk about this jacket. I got the same style a couple of years ago and had to snag it again this year. First of all it is REVERSIBLE, so you are really getting 2 looks in one! And the fit is just so comfortable and flattering, I promise you’ll love it! (comes in 4 CUTE color options!)
Another fun fitness look you guys had lots of requests for links on was this one from Free People. If you haven’t tried the Free People Movement line yet, stop what you are doing and go check them out. The quality is amazing and I love the more unique styles and colors. They have quickly become one of my top places to shop workout wear. This sports bra/crop is my absolute favorite cut they offer. I love the more square neckline and longer length. You can snag it in 13 different colors too with coordinating leggings or biker shorts. I thought these shorts were such a cute style as well. Great bum coverage but still lightweight and comfortable for a workout.
It is so reassuring to see that you guys live for good loungewear as much as I do. There were quite a few different sets you fell in love with and were asking for links on that I love just as much. First up is this one. These pants are so dreamy. I love the ribbed look and that it carries into the tank as well. The tank is just as comfortable and soft as the pants but gives you a fitted look to balance out the flowy bulk on the bottom. LOVE LOVE this set and the cute colors it comes in!
Most requested links of alllll time might just be this set and I don’t blame you one bit! It is the ultimate comfy momiform. The shorts are a great length and they stay in place so well. I love the look of them paired with the oversized tee. You can do the half tuck in the front and roll the sleeves to give it a more put together look when you are going out and about. I love that they pair so well with sandals or sneakers and feel like you are wearing pajamas!
I have had these overalls for a couple years and when they sold out it was so sad!! Every time you even saw the slightest peak of them, I would get tons of questions asking for links. I am SO SO happy they are back and in so many colors for you guys to snag. They fit super oversized and has plenty of room to move. I love that they transition so well for spring, summer and fall and look nicer while feeling oh so cozy.
If you know me, you know my go closet staple is versatile basics. From classic tops to perfect fit denim, they are hands down my must haves + favorites to wear. You guys seem to feel the same way, because the last few months have been full of requests for denim + classic tops. So these next few looks will highlight your favorites!
First up are these high-waisted wide leg jeans from Levi. They were part of the Nordstrom Sale this year and sold out so fast! I was so so happy when they brought them back because so many of you missed out! They are such a flattering + comfortable fit! Since they have the bulk in the leg, I like to pair them with a good fitted top, like this one (also a hit at the Nords Sale). It is my GO TO top for layering and so buttery soft. You will see that it is actually a bodysuit, but I just leave the snaps undone. Perfect for tucking in or layering under overalls or other looks. Definitely two staple pieces I highly recommend.
Another favorite classic basics look is this one. These jeans have been my favorite for a few years now. They have just enough stretch to be comfortable but not baggy after one wear. The distressing is so perfectly placed and gives it a cute more relaxed look. Paired with this long sleeve ribbed tee + sneakers and you’ve got my dream outfit. Haha! This top is another great option for layering and just keeping things simple. I have it in white, gray, and black, because it is just that good!
Last but not least in the basics links is this outfit. When I saw this top, I’ll admit I was a little hesitant. Normally the puff sleeve trend is too much for me, but this one is just enough to be amazing. It is nice and fitted to make a smooth tuck and the neckline is so cute. Comes in a few other cute colors too! And these jeans. They joined the top 3 a little over a year ago and have been on repeat ever since. I have them in black, denim, and white because they are that amazing. The perfect straight leg mom jean.
And our very last category of links you loved this round is accessories, specifically jewelry. If you know me, I am all about simple and minimalistic pieces that I can wear for years and years without them going out of style.
I honestly have 3 pieces I wear basically every day that are my go to classic favorites. First up is this ring. Looks super like a real deal diamond band, but is actually just over $50. The quality is amazing and it is just so timeless. Next up are my earrings I’ve talked about a million times. They are tiny diamond huggie style hoops. I wear them to sleep, to bed, in the shower, everywhere and they stay in and still look great. Such a cute everyday look! And last but not least, the infamous bracelets. They are a plastic/rubber ish material so they are silent and comfortable to wear dressed up or down. LOVE them!
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If you made it through all of that you deserve a high five! I love seeing you guys love what I love and sharing on your stories! Please tag me so I can see your cute looks too!
It should come as no surprise to any of you, that my go to closet staple is a graphic tee. It is always my first choice and the thing I reach for most in my closet. I love that they are so versatile. Whether it is dressed up with a skirt or comfy with jeans or joggers, you can’t go wrong! So since it is such a favorite of mine, I thought it would be fun to share my 5 favorite ways to style a graphic tee PLUS some of my “insider” tips to picking the right tee for you!
You can’t go wrong with this classic approach to styling a graphic tee. It’s simple + relaxed, just like a graphic tee should be. I love wearing them untucked with skinny jeans or a tighter pant to balance out the look.
One of the most common ways you’ll see a graphic tee styled is the half tuck. You still get that laid back feel with cleaner lines to show your figure a little better.
The tee shown in this look brings me to my first tip : GRAPHIC TEES CAN FIT ANY BUDGET! A great thing about graphic tees is that you can find them in any price range. Some of my very favorites like this one, this one , and this one are under $20. They are comfy and great to throw on and go and I love my affordable options. You can also jump up to the higher end graphic tee which I have too in styles like this one. If you would’ve asked me a few years ago if I would pay that much for a t-shirt I probably would’ve laughed, but the quality is there and I LOVE them! They are so dang comfy and the quality is amazing I know they will last for years and years.
Another classic way to style your graphic tee is just by simply doing a full tuck in. It gives your look a more polished feel than your typical graphic tee, but still gives you the comfort level!
Styling a graphic tee with a skirt is my new favorite! I love to be unique with my style, so this “dressed up” graphic tee is totally my jam.
Which brings me to my second tip : LET YOUR GRAPHIC TEE BE VERSATILE! One of the best things about these tees is that they are so versatile. You can dress it up with a skirt like you see here, or go straight cozy with joggers. They honestly go with so many different looks and are such a good basic to have in your closet.
Tying your graphic tee in a knot on the side is definitely one of my favorite ways to go. It gives your look such a fun pop. It is a great way to give you a more fitted look and add a little flare to your look too.
Which brings me to my final little tip : CHECK OUT THE MENS TEES! Some of my favorite tees (like this one) are from the mens department! Having that extra space and length makes them perfect for the knotted look, because it gives you more material to work with. Add the tie with a rolled up sleeve and it is such a cute look!
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I hope these fun style ideas give you some inspiration for your next graphic tee look! You can’t go wrong with comfort and versatility! What is your go to closet staple?
It is no secret around here my love for Walmart. Their grocery pickup + delivery option saves me on a daily basis and those services are some of my biggest mom hacks! So when I found out Walmart was rolling out a new membership called Walmart+ I was beyond excited!! I’ve had a lot of questions on if I know the details + benefits, how it works, and if I’m loving it, so I’m teaming up with Walmart today to give you the inside scoop!
:: WHAT IS WALMART+?
Walmart+ is a new membership offered by Walmart, designed to save you both time and money. Everything from free unlimited delivery(on orders$35+, restrictions apply), mobile scan & go shopping, and member prices on fuel, all bundled up in one user friendly membership!
:: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The benefits of Walmart+ are amazing! Over the last couple of months I have shared my love for how streamlined Walmart delivery and grocery pick up are, and this takes it to a whole new level. These are some of my absolute favorites:
FREE UNLIMITED DELIVERY: This benefit is valid on orders $35+ and some restrictions apply. Whether you are shopping for groceries, school supplies, diapers or tech, with a few restrictions you are offered free delivery on orders over $35. And not only is it free, but it is fast! Depending on your area and availability, your deliveries could be as soon as same day! It has been so convenient for groceries and last minute school needs!
MEMBER PRICES ON FUEL: Another great benefit I am loving is member prices on fuel. As part of your membership, you save 5 cents per gallon at Walmart & Murphy Gas Stations.
MOBILE SCAN & GO: Last but definitely not least on the list of membership benefits is the mobile scan & go. Normally I don’t feel like this is a benefit I would really take advantage of, but as we try to stay more socially distanced and contactless, this is SUCH a game changer. This allows you to scan your products as you shop in store and check out from your phone. So convenient! I’ve used it once so far and absolutely loved it. I could just scan my few items, checkout on my phone and go.
:: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The price for membership depends on which option you choose. You can choose to pay $12.95/month or annually for $98/year. The annual plan comes out to just $2 a week and basically pays for itself after 2 uses! (based on $7.95 delivery fee) For me I was sold on the convenience alone, but if you break down the numbers of how much you can save if you are eligible for member prices on fuel and extra items you didn’t plan on getting as well, it is a no brainer!
:: DO YOU LOVE IT?
This is for sure a YES! I’ve only been trying it for a little over a week or so, but it has been so convenient! I was able to place an order on our drive home from Idaho last weekend and have everything delivered the next day. I already feel like I have saved so much time!
If you have any more questions, be sure to leave them here or over in the comments on Instagram and we will get them answered!
What do chores look like at your house?! Is there a lot of complaining? Do you pay allowance? Or are you still trying to figure out a system? With all of us staying at home, this is a perfect time to figure out a plan that works for you and your people!
For us, having 5 little people and keeping things clean + organized can be a challenge. For Joe + I, we wanted chores to be more than just pitching in to keep the house clean. We wanted it to be a way to teach our little people more about responsibility at the same time. We tried and tried to find something that would work and just fell short Until my good friend Ralphie over at Simply on Purposetalked about her “family economy”. You guys, my mind was blown! It was almost exactly what we were looking for for our family! We’ve made a few tweaks and customizations to fit our needs, but we have loved how it works! Since it is working so well for us and a lot of people have asked how we get the kids to pitch in around the house, I thought I’d share it with you today in case it can benefit you too!
Our Family Economy is basically a deeper focus on your every day chore chart. It takes your typical do your chores to get an allowance, and teaches the deeper meaning. It teaches your kids how to save, how much things cost, and how to budget, while showing them that the effort they put in equals the reward.
:: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS WAY OF DOING CHORES/ALLOWANCE?
For me, the number one purpose was to help + encourage me to be more of a yes mom. Constantly nagging my little people to do a set list of chores was getting old. I didn’t want to be the source of all the no’s and cant’s. We wanted them to grow up knowing that getting the things you want takes hard work + effort and it isn’t just a free handout. The family economy has been a great way to explain these simple things + encourage them to set and achieve goals.
:: HOW DOES IT WORK?
The first thing we did was customize our chore charts. This can be tricky for some people to come up with a good layout so I included a downloadable version below! Our little people each have chores they do every day to earn money. For us these daily things include things like making your bed, doing your homework/reading, hanging up your backpack + washing your hands after school, reading scriptures + saying prayers. As you can see, for the most part these are more things they would do already. For the bigger Saturday chores, we have taught them that pitching in is part of living in the house, and not something they are paid for.
As they do their chores, they have to get their charts signed off. If the job isn’t signed off, they don’t get paid. Based on their age, they have a weekly allowance amount. If they complete all of their chores, they get the full amount. If there is a day they don’t feel like doing their chores, that is fine. For that day, they will not be paid. We have had a few days like that, but they quickly realize they’d rather do it and earn more money. We also have weeks where we will offer bigger chores or babysitting for additional money.
:: HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
This is where things change from what most people know as chores + allowance. Instead of paying our little people in cash, they each have a checkbook ledger. At the end of the week, we look over their charts and figure out how much they have earned. We write that amount on their check ledger. When we are out at the store and they see a toy they want to buy, or a treat they’ve gotta have, we pull out their ledger. If they choose to get it, we just subtract that amount from their total. I love not having cash floating around the house, or the excuse of “losing it” their allowance money.
Now don’t get me wrong, we haven’t fully turned into buy everything yourself mode. We still have family date nights for treats and things. But if we are just running errands and they feel like a bonus treat, they know its up to them if they want to spend their money on it. It has been amazing to see them be able to process if things are really worth their money .
Saving is also a big part of the family economy concept that we haven’t completely visited yet. My little people are still young and in the spend spend spend mode, but we are going to start pushing saving soon. The way Simply on Purpose recommends for saving money, is to agree to double whatever is in their savings when they turn 16. Having a benefit, similar to an interest rate at a bank, makes saving money more appealing.
Most important in all of this is to do what works for you and your family. Comparison isn’t going to get you anywhere and one way of doing things doesn’t work for everyone. This is totally customizable and will take some trial and error, so work it out for you! If you try it let me now what you think! Catch our chore chart downloads below!!
Just hold down on the image + save to your phone OR right click (if your on a computer)to print off and save to your desktop! TIP: you can add your child’s name to the top any chart
Fall is officially in the air here in Utah! And if there is one thing besides the weather that changes for us, it is our crazy schedules! We are constantly running from school to practices to games and somewhere in between all of that we have to eat!! Having something already prepped and ready in the fridge or freezer is a game changer! My assistant made these AMAZING taquitos for us when I had my surgery and we were all obsessed! The best part is they can be prepped in bulk and kept in your freezer for crazy days! I’m sharing her recipe below. I promise you’re gonna want to try them!
Tortillas – I use the uncooked ones from Costco because they make everything extra yummy! You will need to cook before following the rest of the recipe instrucitons.
Shredded Chicken – I don’t measure…probably 3-4 breasts. For extra yummy flavor, cook them in the crock pot with 1 cup water, packet of ranch dressing mix, and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Seasoning. If you are short on time you could use a Rotisserie Chicken too.
2/3 – 1 8 oz package Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Mild Green Salsa
Juice from 1 Lime
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 1/2 cups grated cheese of your choice
1 can of Black Beans
– INSTRUCTIONS –
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. (if cooking right away)
Mix cream cheese, salsa, lime, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined. Add in pre-shredded chicken and grated cheese and mix until just evenly combined.
Take a tortilla (already cooked if you bought the uncooked option) and spread one scoop of chicken mixture down the middle of tortilla. Top with one scoop of cooked/drained black beans. Roll tortilla tightly and place on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat for remaining chicken mixture.
Once you have all your taquitos filled and rolled you can either freeze for later or bake right away. If you are baking right away, lightly spray the tops of each taquito with Cooking Spray and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 425 for 15-16 minutes. If cooking from frozen, you will want to cook for closer to 18 ish minutes.
** Recipe makes 18-20 taquitos. It is perfect to cook some for now and save some in the freezer for a busy night.
I hope you love these delicious taquitos as much as we do! I’d love to hear your family favorite quick and easy recipes too!
original recipe idea from our best bites, but customized to our liking.
We have another birthday in our house to celebrate!! Our sassy, determined, hilarious Hayden turns 9!! If you’ve been around here for a while, I really try not to single out my kids too much, so I don’t share a ton of the behind the scenes with Hayden. But if you know us in real life you know our Hayden is our strongest child, (if you know what I mean) and we both butt heads with her the most. And while that is the case, at the exact same time she is also our most fun to be with, hilarious, and loving child too! So to help celebrate her, I want to share 9 fun things that make her the Hayden we love!
:: SHE DOESN’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK
If you know Hayden, you know she does not care at all what other people think about her. And it is honestly such a quality that I wish I could be more like her in. Where myself and my other kids will worry about what people think of an outfit or way of doing something, she is confident, does what she wants and doesn’t give it a second thought.
A perfect example is with the shoes she wanted this year for school. She saw Hudson and Houston’s big high top Nike’s, which are technically boys shoes, and she instantly wanted them. She didn’t really need more new shoes, but to not completely shoot her down I said I’d pay half. The girl wanted them so bad she earned the money and paid extra for fast shipping to rock them the first day of school. While I was over here worried about her getting teased or embarrassed, she was as happy as could be and knew everyone would love them!
:: SHE IS THE PERFECT MIX OF TOM BOY + GIRLY GIRL
On the same note as the shoes above, Hayden is the perfect mix of all things tom boy and girly girl. She absolutely hates to have her hair done, but will make sure she has her lip gloss with her at all times. While she loves to wear dresses, you will almost always find her pairing them with gym shoes and probably a skinned knee. I love that she doesn’t let one side define her and is always 100% authentic to her.
:: SHE IS STRONG WILLED
This trait is for sure a double edged sword for us. Hayden is soooo strong willed and determined, and we have quickly learned it goes both ways. For example, if she does not want to read, there is basically nothing you can do to get her to. She will not quit or give in. But on the flip side, the same goes for things she does want. When she started gymnastics she was determined to get a back hand spring. She practiced and practiced and got it because she will not let herself quit.
:: SHE IS SO WELL ROUNDED
One of the perks of Hayden’s determined personality is that she is so well rounded. She is an amazing dancer, but doesn’t take dance because she doesn’t want the teacher to tell her what to do. Soccer is her new found love and again she is so good! I’ve convinced her to try gymnastics again this year and she can’t wait to try softball.
:: SHE IS SO SO GOOD WITH THE BABIES
The babies absolutely love Hayden and she is so great with them. She has so much patience with them and loves to be their little mommy. If I need extra help she will take them and play with them for hours.
:: SHE LOVES TO GET AND GIVE NOTES + GIFTS
Out of all of my kids, Hayden is my biggest lover of words + gifts. If she gets a little note from me or Joe, her whole day is made and it means so much to her She is also my most motivated by gifts and loves giving and writing notes to help others feel special too!
:: SHE IS HILARIOUS
Oh my gosh, this girl, I don’t even know where Hayden gets her sense of humor. She is completely hilarious and can always have us all gut laughing. Some of our very favorite home videos are of her just being Hayden. She loves to make people laugh and is so good at it!
:: SHE IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
Another thing I absolutely love about Hayden, is she is not afraid to stand up for what she knows or feels is right. She can be having the best time with a group of friends, and if they are gossiping or not treating someone fairly, she will just leave and not even give it a second thought. Where most of us would hesitate and feel singled out for doing that, she owns it, says what she thinks and if they don’t change she just leaves. I love that she doesn’t ever let what someone else might think affect what she knows to be good.
:: SHE LOVES TO BE IN THE KITCHEN
If there is one place Hayden loves most, it is the kitchen. She absolutely loves to bake cakes and make new creations. I think she asks me at least once a week if we can go to a Cake by Courtney class because the kitchen is her happy place. Her little catch phrase is “bakers never stop”! Because her brain is always spinning with new things she wants to create in the kitchen.
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I hope these 9 little quirks about our Hayden girl help you get to know her a little better! She is such a special part of our family! I can’t wait to see all she does in her life with that strong loving personality of hers!
Fall is in the air (depending on the day) here in Northern Utah and I’m not quite sure how to feel about it! I am a Summer girl through and through, but I love the fun that Fall brings and you cannot beat it here in Utah! Along with the change in weather comes a change in fashion. It is time to start bringing out the layers, booties, sweaters and more and I kind of love it! I’ve been getting requests for some great affordable fall staple favorites so I had to share my recent Walmart Finds!! Walmart Fashionis killing it once again with so many great transitional Fall staple options right now!! Check them out below!
:: SWEATERS
One of my favorite fall staples is agood sweaterand Walmart has so many great options right now from top brands I already know and love! I have had this one for years and it is by far my go to for Fall. I am loving this more fitted textured option too.
:: JEANS
I think the most important staple you can have for Fall is a few good pairs of jeans you absolutely love. These distressed jeans have been my favorite for years and this pair is another go to for me as well! The skinny fit pairs well with a baggier sweater so well. Also, the old “no white after Labor Day” is totally a thing of the past! A good chic pair of white jeans paired with booties and a sweater is such a cute Fall look!
:: JACKETS + CARDIGANS
The one thing that is guarantee in Fall fashion is layers!! Especially here in Northern Utah where it can start out at 50 in the morning but be up to 75 in the afternoon. You have to keep your options open! There are a lot of easy ways to layer while still keeping your outfit looking nice and not too casual. A great denim jacket or leather jacket keeps things clean and fitted but gives you the warmth. One of my favorite staple options is a cardigan! Feels like you are wearing pajamas but still looks super presentable and put together!
:: BOOTS + BOOTIES
The signature shoe staple for Fall is definitely a bootie! And the best part is, they are such a timeless item that you will be wearing them for years and years. I am loving the fun detail of this black buckle pair. It would be so cute with jeans but how fun with a dress too?! And this pair of lace ups? If you saw on Instagram, Harper has an identical pair and I cannot wait to match her!
:: DRESSES
I think a more unexpected Fall staple is a good dress! It is a great layering piece and can be paired with sneakers and a denim jacket for a casual look or cute heeled booties and a leather jacket for a date night. I love the color of this one, and how versatile this one is!
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As you can see, Walmart Fashion is such a good place to grab all your Fall basics at a great price point! From my go to basics to fun seasonal statement pieces they have everything you are looking for!
