Lifestyle

February 24, 2020

Our Travel Guide: Maui

my swim top + bottom | shorts | hat | sandals | sunglasses

As most of you already know from following along over on Instagram, Joe and I just got back from an amazing couples trip with my family to Maui. With the craziness of his work schedule during the holidays and life in general, the time together in the sunshine was exactly what we needed!! Every time we travel, we get so many questions on the location. From where to stay and what to pack (which I covered here), to the best places to eat and all the funnest things to do. So Joe and I put together our own little Maui travel guide for you here!

swimsuit top + bottom | pants | sandals | sunglasses

:: FOOD

If you know us, then you know one of our top priorities, especially when traveling is the FOOD. I swear we research recommendations for food more than anything else, and Maui did not disappoint!! From the worlds best cinnamon rolls to the yummiest dinner with a view, we loved the Maui food scene. Here are some of our favorites!

**SLAPPY CAKES

Oh my gosh this place was so good! Such a great breakfast spot. You can make your own pancakes right in front of you, or they can make all kinds of fun shapes like Disney designs. So so fun! If you are looking for something a little healthier the avocado toast was really good too!!

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**DA KITCHEN

This a great place to grab a bite when you first get in or when you are leaving because it is closer to the airport. We actually ended up eating here twice because it was so yummy. We got the chicken sandwich, which was hands down the girls favorite. But we also really liked “da burger”. They had so many amazing options to try we could’ve gone back 10 more times. They also have a fun dessert (pictured below) called Ubee – Oreo Sweet Potato Ice Cream.. think of a purple cookies and cream shake. So so yummy!

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**MAMA’S FISH HOUSE

Before going to Maui, we had heard about Mama’s from just about every person that had ever been to the island. In fact, it so popular, you have to get reservations weeks before you plan to go. And I am telling you I am SOO glad we did. Not only does Mama’s have the dreamiest views of the beach, but the food is out of this world incredible!! It has for sure taken a spot in Joe and I’s top places we have ever eaten, and we highly recommend it. It is a more high end formal setting, so keep that in mind if you are traveling as a family and not just adults.

I actually don’t really like fish, but the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi was so great! For dessert (which is always our favorite) we got the two pictures you see here. The Black Pearl, which I’m still dreaming about, and the Kuau Chocolate Pie. It is a dense chocolate mousse layered on top of caramel and oreo cheesecake crust…amazing!

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*THE GAZEBO

If you are looking for an amazing BIG breakfast, The Gazebo is your spot! They are known for their Macadamia Nut Pancakes, but honestly every single thing we tried was heavenly. It is a popular spot so plan on getting there early!

We went a little later and ordered the fried rice and it was amazing, but HUGE!!! You can split with the whole family, so keep that in mind when ordering. Everything is huge portions. We loved that you could eat your food on the beach here.

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**ULULANI’S HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE

Oh my gosh. This was so incredible. Hands down the best shave ice on the island!! We went here just about everyday. Even twice a day a few times! So many good flavors but coconut lovers is probably my favorite combo!

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**HALEAKALA CREAMERY

This was another yummy treat spot. They say it is not gelato, it is not ice cream, it is heaven. I can’t believe no one has ever mentioned this place before!! The ice cream was so good! They have a natural shave ice, which normally I don’t love except for the place above, but this was a very close second. I just didn’t love the ice part, but the natural topping is way better!

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** RUTH’S CHRIS

This is one of our absolute favorite places to go for a special date night, so it was perfect for our couples trip. We loved the Lahaina setting right near the beach. This location of course has a lot more fish options and their version of Hula Pie was the best we have ever had. It was 3 different kinds of ice cream with an oreo crust. Not kidding, my sisters, mom, and I inhaled it in about 4 minutes!!

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**MONKEY POD –

This is over in Whalers Village (with the great shopping) and you guys the truffle fries are to die for!! They also had really great wood fire pizza and cattle cheese burgers

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**CINNAMON ROLL PLACE

You know it is good when I am still dreaming of these cinnamon rolls over a week later. I can’t even begin to describe how good these were, but I’m sure you can tell just from the picture. Be sure to go earlier because they are only open in the mornings.

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**808 DELI

This is a such a yummy casual spot to grab a bite. Make sure to get there early because it is only open for lunch. They had the best panini sandwiches and noodle salads. All super delicious!

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**LEILANI’S

This is a great spot right off the beach and next to Whalers Village. They had the best pork tacos I’ve ever had, and believe me I have had a lot! My family got fish tacos and a bunch more stuff and everyone really loved everything they got!

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** CHOICE HEALTH BAR:

We loved the acai bowls here. They were so good and really natural tasting, not too sweet. We loved the homemade granola and the avocado toast too.

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** LEODOS KITCEH AND PIE SHOP

So I am not a pie person at all but my people are for sure. So naturally my dad bought every flavor you could and I will tell you they were actually pretty amazing. My favorites were the apple pie and the hula. And that is coming from an extremely picky pie person!

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** FRIDAS

This a little mexican food spot we tried out. The chips and salsa were good, but other than that I really wouldn’t recommend it for the price.

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my coat + tank + leggings + shoes + sunglasses + fanny pack

:: THINGS TO DO

Usually when we go to Hawaii, we go to Oahu. It is definitely the more “touristy” style island and is filled with a lot of well known attractions. You can check out our favorites here. So it was fun to explore a new island this time. Maui definitely has a more relaxed vibe than Oahu. Of course there are still a lot of tourists, but it feels more laid back and slower pace. But that doesn’t mean it is lacking in things to do! These are some of our favorites we tried, and some that we have heard others love to do on the island.

** WHALE WATCHING

February is whale watching season in Maui and it was absolutely incredible. The company we went with (Ultimate Whale Watch) was so kiind. They did a really great job and we loved it! I recommend going on the smaller boats, because you can get closer to the whales and have less people trying to see and take pictures. We did a bigger one in Boston that had a ton of people and we could not see even close to what we saw in Maui. We would do this again in a second and HIGHLY recommend it! It was really pretty affordable too at only around $40 person for 2 hours

If you go in February you are pretty much guaranteed to see a bunch! We saw so many throughout our trip. We even saw one only about 200 yds away from us one night while sitting on the beach. They are incredible.

*SHOPPING AT WHALERS VILLAGE

I couldn’t take a trip with my mom and sisters and not get some shopping in! We absolutely loved the shopping at Whalers Village. It is the perfect mix of local shops + your favorite beachy surf brands like quiksilver, billabong, and volcom, but still had some of our tried and true faves like lululemon. We loved that lululemon does decals on items you buy, so it was a fun souvenir to take back!

my shorts + sports bra + shoes

*HIKING

Maui has some great hikes that take you to some amazing scenery. This trip we only managed to fit in one but we loved it! It is called Wai’hee Ridge Trail and I am so glad our friends Erika and JJ recommended it! It is a steep hike so maybe considered a little more advanced, but the beginning is deceiving and it is not that bad. The views at the top are worth it! My parents both did great and they don’t workout regularly. I would recommend starting early to beat the crowds and the heat on a sunnier day. It was so beautiful!

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swimsuit top + bottom | sunglasses

** BEACHES

The beaches in Maui are so beautiful. I could’ve just laid there all day and done nothing!! Our very favorite weas DT Flemings. It has such great waves and was so fun!! Some of other great ones are Ka’anaplai Beach, Napili Bay, Kapalua Bay, and Wailea Beach.

** MAUI ESCAPE ROOMS

We only had one really rainy day, so we split up. A few of us did the spa and the rest went to the escape room. Joe and the boys all said it was better than any they have been to in Utah, which is saying a lot because I think we’ve tried all of them and loved them! Joe said it is different than the escape rooms here because instead of a bunch of different rooms, it is just one big room. So we would definitely recommend if you got stuck with a rainy day on your trip.

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A few things we didn’t get a chance to do but got lots of recommendations for :

**ROAD TO HANA

We were short on time, so we didn’t get a chance to do this, but have heard amazing reviews of it. Our friends Erika and JJ said If you can handle the long windy roads, the road to hana is so beautiful, and full of views you can only get from this spot. There are plenty of little spots to stop and take a break for driving to see waterfalls, grab some food from local food trucks, and I think even take hikes. 100% worth it!

*SNORKEL

Snorkeling in Maui is very popular because there are a lot of coves and bays with calmer water. It is a great spot to fulfill your dream of swimming with sea turtles as they are very popular on and around the island.

:: WHERE TO STAY

I wouldn’t call myself an expert on this one, but I would say you can’t go wrong with any of the hotels on the west side. The area between Kapalua and Lahaina is absolutely beautiful and perfect distance from all the restaurants and shopping amenities. Wailea is another awesome area full of some great hotels too.

We stayed at Luna Villas at Honua Kai. They are BRAND NEW and so amazing! It had 3 bedrooms and baths which worked perfect for a group. They are so modern and clean and we all absolutely loved them. The owner and staff were incredibly nice and accommodating and we highly recommend them!

my suit

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I know that was kind of a lot of information, but Maui is honestly one of our new favorites and I like to give as much info as possible for those planning their own trip!! If you have any favorites we missed, please share so I can add them here!! We are always looking for new places to eat or things to try out!!

swimsuit | sandals | hat

:: Looking for a new fun place to travel?! Check out some of our favorites!

* OUR TRAVEL GUIDE : OAHU

* OUR TRAVEL GUIDE : JAMAICA

* OUR TRAVEL GUIDE : SAN FRANCISCO

* OUR TRAVEL GUIDE : BOSTON

* OUR TRAVEL GUIDE : SCOTTSDALE

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Family

February 18, 2020

Freshly Picked x Kailee Wright

houston’s top + jeans + moccs (launching FRIDAY) || my top + jeans + hat ||
harper’s similar top + similar shorts + moccs (launching FRIDAY) || rug + planter

It is finally here!! I’ve been keeping this secret for what feels like forever and I can finally announce today!! We have teamed up with one of very favorite brands in the world, Freshly Picked, to launch our very own collection!! Working with to make this collection come to life has been a dream come true, and I am so excited to share the details and some sneak peeks with you today!!

:: WHY I LOVE THE BRAND

If you’ve been around here for basically any amount of time, you know of my love for Freshly Picked. I fell in love with their products probably 8 years ago when Hayden was just a baby. Susan was still starting out and invited me to a little brand party. I remember walking through her makeshift warehouse and loving what she was doing. She gifted me my first little pair for Hayden, and I have been in love with them ever since. Over all those years having the opportunity to learn about them as a company and what they stand for has made me fall in love with them as a brand too. They truly are a team of amazing strong women supporting women in every stage of life and motherhood.

. . .

:: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE DESIGN

So now that the news is out, let’s talk about the design!! If you know me, you know when it comes to design whether in fashion or in my home, it has always gotta check two boxes. It needs to be versatile, clean, and simple. Whether I’m shopping for myself or my kids, I always look for things that check those boxes. I know the amazing quality of Freshly Picked’s items, so I wanted my designs to be something that can be super versatile, that you’ll want your babes wearing every day, whether you are going to the park or to church.

Clean + Simple is a major design point for me too. I don’t like busy patterns and crazy colors. My style totally craves the simple timeless look. Again since the quality is so amazing, I knew that keeping the designs simple would turn them into family heirlooms you can pass down to different kids and not worry about them being “on trend”.

To check all my design boxes, you’ll see we stuck with a neutral color palette. I love that gives you versatility not only in what you can pair them with, but even with keeping some of the styles gender neutral. I hope you love how they turned out as much as I do!

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:: HOW YOU CAN SAVE BIG!

So let’s talk savings. FP x Kailee launches this coming Friday, February 21st. BUT this launch is for FRINGE MEMBERS ONLY!!! So if you aren’t already a member you need to sign up asap and use code FP x KAILEE to get your first month free and be ready to order!

Fringe members not only get exclusive access like this launch, but they also save 20% off always. If you are unfamiliar with the Fringe Membership, it is kind of set up as a savings account. Every month you pay $10 towards it. That $10 can be used towards a purchase that same month, or saved up and spent as a lump sum.

Fringe members get access to SO many benefits, including 20% off everything + free shipping! In addition to those savings, they also get early access to product launches and sales, as well as Fringe exclusive sales! It is honestly a no brainer to join!!

And as a special bonus, if you sign up as a new FRINGE MEMBER HERE and use code FPxKAILEE, you’ll get your first month of Fringe Free + $10 added to your account! So worth it!!

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I hope you love this collaboration as much as we do! The collection officially launches to Fringe members THIS FRIDAY!!! And stay tuned because later this week to celebrate the launch we will be doing a giveaway of the new line over on Instagram!

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Lifestyle

February 17, 2020

Inside My Suitcase: MAUI

joe’s tee + shorts + sandals + suitcase || my tee + pants + shoes + backpack + suitcase

As most of you know, Joe and I just got back from an amazing couples trip to Maui! To say it was dreamy is an understatement. With the crazy hours he has been working, and the non-stop schedules for the little people, we hadn’t realized how much we were missing our “us” time. I shared quite a bit about our trip over on Instagram, and have had SO many questions on everything from swim suits, hikes, food, and where we stayed. Since I didn’t want to overwhelm you, I’ve broken it down into two posts! Next week I’ll be sharing our top things to do, see, and eat in Maui, so today I’m covering everything I packed inside my suitcase! All my favorite swim suits, cover ups, and beach essentials!

swimsuit top + bottom || phone case (kailee10 for 10% off)

:: SWIMSUITS

Being a beach vacation, of course my top suitcase priority was cute swimsuits! A girl can never have too many right? Haha! Shopping for them this time around was trickier!! Is it too much to ask to have a cute style AND cover my booty?! It took some searching, but I found some I loved that will be great timeless pieces!

swimsuit | sandals | watch + bracelets | necklace

swimsuit | sandals | hat

. . . shop my favorite swim suits . . .

. . .

joe’s top + shorts + sandals || my similar top + similar pants + sandals

:: VERSATILE COVER UPS

If you only pay attention to one part of this post, this needs to be it. This mindset alone is what has made packing my suitcase for trips a game changer. Almost every single piece I brought to use as a beach or pool cover up, I was also able to dress up to go out at night. It literally cut my normal suitcase packing line up in half.

For example, these pants I wore as cover up. For the day, I just threw them on over my swim top + bottom. Later that night, I switched out the swimsuit for a basic top and wore them to dinner. Instead of bringing a completely different outfit, I only had to pack one tiny no space taking basic tee and I was set.

Or you all know how obsessed I am with this top, and that didn’t change on vacation. I love that I could pair it with joggers on the flight, jean shorts over a swim at the beach, or dress it up for dinner. SO VERSATILE!

joe’s tee + shorts + hat || my top + shorts + hat + sandals + fanny pack

swimsuit top + bottom | pants | sandals | sunglasses

. . . shop my favorite versatile cover ups . . .

. . .

my tank + shorts + coat + hat + sunglasses + shoes

:: WORKOUT + HIKING GEAR

One of the things Joe and I really looked forward to on this trip was trying out some new hikes together. We usually have all the little people with us when we travel, so we haven’t been able to do too much. We LOVED getting out and enjoying the weather. I’ll of course be sharing our favorites on next weeks travel guide post.

Since we knew hikes were happening, it meant I had to bring the dreaded hiking sandals. I finally gave in. While they are still far from my style, and I’m not a fan of the looks, the function is incredible and exactly what I needed! In addition to those I packed a couple of tanks + some shorts. They both could double up for hikes or morning workouts, again saving on space in my suitcase!

top + bottom

. . . shop my favorite workout + hiking gear . . .

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:: BEACH BAG ESSENTIALS + ACCESSORIES

Last but not least are my poolside/beach essentials. I didn’t have a lot this time around. I swear little people are the reason I need half of the stuff. Am I right?! But I still had my go to’s with me in my go to Freshly Picked backpack. A good pair of sunnies is a MUST! And this portable charger never leaves my side. I always have it on the go with me, especially when we travel and are using our phones more for podcasts, directions, and pictures. New to me this time was using this amazing fanny pack/belt bag. It was SO convenient to be hands free on hikes or at the beach. We loved them so much!

. . . shop my beach bag essentials + accessories . . .

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I think that covers all the things inside my suitcase for this trip! If I missed anything or you have any packing questions, please ask here or on Instagram! I am happy to help!

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Lifestyle

February 7, 2020

A Minimalist Guide to Packing

It is no secret that I consider myself a minimalist. Give me all the things simple, clean, and organized. Clutter is basically my worst nightmare, and the same goes for packing!!! So when I found out I can only take ONE small carryon to Hawaii, I actually wasn’t too worried about it. Some of my girlfriends think I’m crazy!! So today I thought it would be fun to share my minimalist tips to simplifying your packing!

:: STICK TO A LIST

I swear these days I can’t function without multiple to do lists. While I’m only packing for Joe and I this time around, this is the MOST helpful tip of all when packing for your whole family. I usually go through and write down all the activities for the particular trip, so I know exactly what I need. This not only makes sure my mom brain doesn’t miss anything, but also makes sure I’m not packing things we don’t need. It really helps to keep that minimalist approach to your packing.

:: PACK VERSATILE PIECES

This above and beyond my number one tip to minimalist packing. If you are packing a full outfit for each day of your trip, with no multi-use pieces, you will quickly find yourself over packed. The opposite of your minimalist approach. Take into consideration the weather where you are headed, as well as the different activities you will be doing.

For example. since we are going to Hawaii, I want more light and breathable items. A perfect way to be multi-functional is to choose some items I can wear as pool cover ups, but dress up for dinner too. If I’m going somewhere I need jeans, I try to pick a good pair that holds its fit for more than one wear. That way I can wear them on the plane, and then again once or twice on the trip. Always think ahead about if you can dress it up or down so you aren’t bringing unnecessary extras. I love being able to choose a few staple pieces and convert them into multiple different looks to avoid overpacking.

This really comes into play when it comes to shoes. I limit myself to one pair of shoes on my feet, and one pair of sandals. That is why I love these sandals, and completely think they were worth every penny to me, with how often I have worn them. Don’t get me wrong, I had sticker shock, but I look at it as dividing the total price by how often I’ve worn them, and that is a lot of times!! They are a sturdy plastic so I can wear them to the pool or beach and not worry about the getting ruined, but they still look nice enough to wear out to dinner in the evening. This is another pair I love to take on vacation for the same reasons. Perfectly transitions from pool to dinner and I’m not bringing extra bulky shoes.

:: WEAR YOUR BULK

If you are flying and trying to save space in your packing, this is the biggest tip I can give. Wear your biggest, bulkiest items on your body, so they aren’t taking up your whole suitcase. Items like jeans, cardigans, jackets, sneakers, and hats. They take up so much unnecessary space in your suitcase. If you are wearing them, you have all that space freed up for your other items.

:: PACKING CUBES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND

Packing cubes are a girls best friend. If you haven’t tried them yet, believe me they are a need for your next trip. First of all they save SO much space! You can fit so much into each of the cubes. But besides being space savers, they help you keep things organized. I like to categorize my items into different cubes…swim, pajamas, tops, etc. It makes it quick and easy to find things once you get there.

:: DON’T OVER THINK IT

Last but not least, don’t over think it. I often find myself packing and thinking, well I better take this “just in case”. If you survive a normal week wearing a pair of jeans for 2-3 days, I promise you don’t need a pair per day for your vacation. You’ll be so proud of yourself when you utilize your space wisely and don’t come home with a bunch of items you didn’t even wear!

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Whether you are headed on a romantic island getaway or a family road trip, I promise by using these tips and focusing on a minimalist approach, the stress that comes with packing will be so much lower!

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Bathrooms

February 5, 2020

Our Home: Master Bath Organization

my top + similar jeans + hat || rug + similar vase (sold out) + towel (KAILEE15 for 15% off)

It should come as no surprise to you guys, that to me, an organized space is a happy space. Knowing that everything has a place and we don’t have clutter and excess is a must for me. I swear it makes me function 100 times better! I showed a couple of quick looks in some Instagram Stories couple of weeks ago, and our inbox was FLOODED with questions on the details of what we use/how we organize our bathroom drawers/cabinets. So we found the links and today we are taking you inside our Master Bathroom Organization!

KIDS DRAWER: clear organizers + similar here

One of the biggest challenges to our master bathroom organization, was that alllll 7 of us get ready there. With the kids rooms downstairs, it is just easier for us all to get ready in one space, so I can help with hair and we aren’t going up and down the stairs a million times during an already busy morning. This meant, I had to have a system to keep things functional and organized for each of us. So we made a kids drawer that holds everything they need for brushing teeth, doing hair all the things. I have heard a lot of people do this in their kitchen as well to make it quick access, I personally just didn’t like the idea of mixing hair/toothpaste spit with kitchen. But that is also a great idea to keep things functional for you.

clear organizers + similar here

. . . SHOP DRAWER ORGANIZERS . . .

Another thing I had to consider was where to keep all the product + more importantly, how to organize it! I am normally super minimalist. But having done hair for a lot of years, I like to test out a lot of hair products. And now that I am focusing a lot more on my skin care, I have more a of night time routine as well as a morning routine. So when I stumbled upon these two products, organization dreams came true. Haha!

clear tote holder | pmd clean |
tula faves (20% off with code KAILEE) | glopro

First up, I wanted a way to keep my morning and night skin care separated, but still easily accessible. So when I saw these amazing holders on my friend Monika’s Instagram, I had to have them! It is so convenient to be able to just grab the handle and pull out one little caddy with all my morning needs, instead of sorting through multiple bins and drawers. Everything is clear and sleek so not only does it look good, but it is easy to see what you are looking for.

. . . SHOP MAKEUP/BEAUTY CADDYS + TOTES . . .

. . .

clear bins + similar here + here

The second organization dream product was these bins with LIDS! Again I love that they are clear so you can easily see what you need to grab. The lids keep everything in its own happy little place. Such a game changer!

. . . SHOP MORE STORAGE OPTIONS . . .

So I think that covers my little organization hacks in our Master Bathroom! If I missed anything or you have other questions, please let me know here or over on Instagram!

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Holiday

February 3, 2020

Valentine’s Traditions + Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

hayden’s top + similar skirt || harper’s similar romper +here + shirt | hudson’s pants + shirt + socks || chairs + pillows + rug

Valentines Day is just around the corner and I am so excited! It has always been one of my favorite holidays. What is better than celebrating love?! So I wanna know, when you were growing up, was Valentines Day a big deal in your house, or more of a holiday you just kind of had at school but that is it? What about in your current home? For me, when I was growing up, my mom made holidays so special for us. Valentine’s was no exception and I think that plays a big part in why I still love it so much today!

The reason I loved it so much, is because of one special tradition. Every year we would make yummy treats + Valentine’s Cards so we could package them up for the neighbors. Instead of delivering them like a normal gift, we would doorbell ditch them with the little surprise. We LOVED it and thought it was the best thing ever as kids. Fast forward to my time as a parent bringing this tradition to my little family. I had NO IDEA this was not the norm. My naive self literally thought it was something everyone did for Valentines Day, and I couldn’t figure out why nobody ever did it to us in return!

My little people love it so much, that I had to keep the Valentines tradition alive, and I even do something similar for them. I package up a little gift, and some yummy treats and doorbell ditch them with their own Valentines Day surprises too! It has been so fun! You don’t have to make it over complicated or anything too fancy. In busier years we have delivered cookie dough or store bought cookies instead. Don’t complicate it, just have fun with it!!

To help with your own Valentines surprises, today we rounded up a giant gift guide full of ideas for everyone from your toddlers up to your hubby, and of course you too so you can sneak some hints!

:: GIRL IDEAS :

:: BOY IDEAS:

:: TEEN IDEAS:

:: MEN IDEAS ::

:: WOMEN IDEAS ::

We hope these little ideas help you out and you enjoy your Valentines Day with your crew! Sending extra love from our team to you for your support and being part of this community too!

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Closets

January 31, 2020

Minimalist Closet: 5 Tips to Help You Simplify Your Space

“How do you call yourself both a minimalist and an influencer? Don’t those contradict each other?” That is a question I got in my direct messages and it really made me stop and think. Being an influencer comes with a lot of STUFF. You are promoting different brands, wearing lots of different outfits, and even trying to keep your house up to date and on trend. So how does my space not turn into the most recent episode of hoarders anonymous?! I am a minimalist through and through, that is why! It is just how my brain functions and I don’t let my buying “stuff” get out of hand. So today I thought it would be fun to take you inside my “Minimalist Closet” and share some tips that have helped me achieve the simplicity in my space.

When I look at my closet, I don’t see huge at all, especially for your typical influencer. It is actually quite a bit smaller than I imagined it to be when we originally built the house. But one of the best things Joe and I did moving here from California was to keep a simple mindset. Our home in California was tiny. We were all pretty squished in there and there was NO room for extras. So when we designed our house, we wanted to carry that simple living over. Just because we could have more space, didn’t mean we needed to fill it with unnecessary things. Here is a look inside, and more on how you can simplify!

. . .

:: LIMIT YOUR SPACE

One of the biggest tips I have to achieving a Minimalist Closet, is to limit your space. I showed what I mean in the video but let me explain here. Let’s take jeans for example. I have a designated spot for jeans in my closet, similar to this space show above. If I buy a new pair, and that spot is already filled, then an old pair of jeans has to go. Limiting your space for different categories helps to minimize clutter and extra pieces you really don’t need.

:: STOCK UP ON TIMELESS VERSATILE BASICS

Another great tip to achieving a Minimalist Closet is to be mindful of what is in there! Stocking up on timeless versatile basics is HUGE. When I’m buying jeans or a new top, I try t think, how many ways can I wear this one piece? Is it something that can be dressed up or down? I don’t usually go for super trendy things, because I want to fill the limited space I have with pieces that I can have for years. You’ll also notice I stick to neutral colors (lots of black, white, and gray) and patterns. That way instead of buying 5 shirts for every day and 5 more for date nights, I can transition the same pieces to work for both!

jewelry organizer

:: INVEST IN PIECES THAT WILL LAST

In addition to basics that are timeless and versatile, I like to invest in classic pieces as well. Someone once told me this analogy and I think it explains this point perfectly. If you buy a $10 shirt and wear it once, it was a $10 shirt. If you buy a $100 pair of shoes, and wear them 10 times, you’ve already made them into a $10 per wear investment. And chances are you are going to get a lot more wears out of them if they are a great quality piece. These sandals are a perfect example. Normally I would steer clear of that price tag, however after going back multiple times and loving them I bought them. I can honestly say they have been my most worn sandal, especially on vacation because they are so versatile, and I totally got my moneys worth.

:: THINK BEFORE YOU BUY

This tip is huge. Minimalists are usually not too impulsive. Haha! Impulsiveness usually equals a lot of clutter. When I’m shopping, I try to think “Am I going to care about this shirt next week?”. Often times I make myself wait that long and see if it is still something I wish I had. If it is, then to me it is worth buying. If it is easily forgettable, I move on.

:: EDIT SEASONALLY

Last but not least is to edit seasonally. When you are switching from sweaters to swim suits, take the time to edit your wardrobe. If there are sweaters or jeans in there that you only wore one time that season, it’s probably time for them to go. One of the biggest causes of clutter is getting attached to pieces we don’t really love and wear.

I hope these tips help you to simplify your space and your wardrobe, and add more of that minimalist feeling into your home.

photos: aubrey taiese

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Holiday

January 29, 2020

Valentine’s Outfits: Loungewear + Slippers to Sparkles + Lace

my pajamas + hat + watch + slippers

Can you believe Valentines Day is just a little over 2 weeks away?! I swear I just finished cleaning up Christmas and it is here already!! For a lot of people Valentines Day equals date night. A night out with the one you love. If your stage in life is more momming and babies, that might mean a fun dinner in or cuddling up for your favorite movie. Valentines Day plans are always changing! We’ve experienced all of those options from year to year!

One year in particular I always look back and laugh at. When Joe was going to school we lived out in Louisville. I was still in that newer mom phase with Hunter and pregnant with Hudson. I had never had anyone babysit besides family, who we didn’t live by anymore. A med school miracle occurred and Joe happened to have the night of Valentines off. Our friends offered to take Hunter so we could actually get out. You guys we hadn’t been on even a date for so long, so you can imagine how excited I was! My mom sent me a Gift Card for Valentines Day to get a new outfit, and I got allll dressed up.

Half way there, Hunter puked. EVERYWHERE. So instead of that big fancy date night, we turned around, ordered pizza and stayed home. And guess what, it is one of my favorite Valentines dates to date.

. . .

So let’s talk outfits! If you know me, I am not a huge fan of red and don’t own a lot of it. So I love that the pieces I do have make a great pop or wow statement in an outfit. I used to think it was cheesy to get dressed up holiday specific, but now I say own it!! It makes life more fun! We are going to be traveling this year, so this look will be my comfy go to. Whether you are going all out with sparkle and lace, or keeping it low key with slippers and joggers, we rounded up our favorite pops to add to your Valentines outfit.

I hope this roundup helps give you some fun Valentines outfit ideas and you have the best day with your people!

. . .

. . . MORE VALENTINES LOOK IDEAS . . .

my dress + shoes + clutch

jumpsuit -sold out: similar option here + here + here | similar shoes | hat | similar bag

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Fashion

January 24, 2020

3 Teen Style Trends

hunter’s top + jacket + jeans

One thing we always get a TON of request for is all thing teen. Whether it is hair tutorials or fashion tips and tricks you are always asking for more things teen! So today we are making that happen by teaming up with Hollister (one of our favorite one stop shops for all things teen) and sharing 3 Teen Style Trends we are seeing everywhere and LOVING!! Hunter is a huge fan of all 3 and was so excited to help put this together for you guys!

hunter’s top + jeans

:: MOM JEANS

First up is the mom jeans. I’m not gonna lie, as a mom I was shocked that these caught on with the younger generation. I totally thought it would be a trend that just clicked with us moms, but I was wrong!! I am seeing it everywhere and Hunter LOVES them. The teen style trend is definitely to take more of a distressed route to the mom jean, but they are for sure filling the shelves. We both fell in love with this cute pair Hunter is wearing from Hollister. These ones would be so cute too!

. . . SHOP OUR FAVORITE JEANS . . .

. . .

hunter’s top + jeans

:: OVERSIZED HOODIE

The oversized hoodie is another teen style trend that has really taken off and I don’t blame them! Who doesn’t love to be comfortable?! We just got Hunter this new hoodie from Hollister she is wearing and LOVE the fit. It comes in a bunch of different cute colors we love, so I’m sure we will be adding another one to our wardrobe. Perks of being able to share clothes!! This is another super cute option. I love that Hollister has such great quality options for teens but the price is still affordable with great deals. This weekend you can get your favorite fleece items 2 for $50!!

. . . SHOP OUR FAVORITE HOODIES + COMFY TOPS . . .

. . .

hunter’s jacket + jeans

:: VERSATILE JACKETS

Teen style lately has been all about the layers, and versatile jackets are taking over. We just had a girls shopping trip and saw SO many cute jackets we loved including this one Hunter is wearing here. They have so many cute denim options, sherpa, faux leather and so many more. I love the layered looks and that most of the options were so great to dress up or down, and mix and match with your favorite looks.

hunter’s jacket + jeans

. . . SHOP OUR FAVORITE JACKETS . . .

. . .

. . . SHOP MORE TEEN FASHION WE ARE LOVING . . .

. . .

I hope you loved our teen fashion finds! Is this is something you want to see more of, let us know in the comments here and over on Instagram!

in partnership with Hollister

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Home

January 20, 2020

Our Home: Pantry+ 5 Organizing Tips

my top | jeans | slippers | hat || harper’s top + jeans

We have had SOOO many questions on our pantry and how we have it organized so today is the day!! I am taking you inside the pantry in every drawer and cupboard! When we were designing the house, I told Joe the pantry was in my top 3 priorities to get just how I wanted it. I might sound like a crazy person, but it is one of my favorite places in the house! You all know how OCD I am, so to see it organized and labeled brings me so much joy!

bamboo utensil dividers | spice jars

Being so obsessed with organization, it wasn’t a project I couldn’t handle on my own. I’ve organized my fair share of spaces in the past and loved how they turned out. But after spending an hour at The Container Store trying to decide what would work best, and this being when we first moved in, I knew that I honestly just did not have the time to put into it with all the other chaos we were living in. For me and the stress I already had, finding someone to help my dreams become a reality was worth it.

I worked with the fabulous Chelsea from Neat Method. She is a professional organizer out of Salt Lake City. Just seeing their incredible Instagram I knew I’d be in good hands. Her attention to detail and making sure everything had a functional place that made sense for our families needs is really what made the space. My favorite part of the pantry is that kids items are at their level, making them a lot more independent. They are able to grab snacks for themselves + help make lunches with ease. Plus now they think its fun to put the groceries away! Mom win!

Since sweet Chelsea was so helpful for our family, I asked if she could share her 5 Tips for Organizing A Pantry and we are sharing them here today!

:: PRIORITIZE

Consider what is most frequently used. Make sure those items are placed on the shelves that are at eye level.

:: OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

What can the kids eat? If you don’t want your children grabbing for the chocolate after school, put that up high and have kid friendly snacks right where they can see them. This also helps with those adult cravings, too!

:: LESS IS MORE

Avoid buying items in bulk that you won’t get through before the expiration date. This is especially important in small pantries. Next time you’re at the store, remember to only stock up on the things you use often and have room for.

:: CATEGORIZE + CONTAIN

Also separating everything into categories and keep each one contained. It’s important to purchase products that are not only visually appealing, but also functional. In a NEAT Method pantry you are likely to find a combination of baskets, bins and containers.

:: LABEL

Labels are super important in order to maintain the organization that you’ve established, especially if you expect everyone in your family to keep it up! We like black chalkboard labels and hang tags because they are easy to spot.

. . STORAGE ITEMS I USED . .

photos: aubrey taiese

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Closets

January 17, 2020

Our Home: Kids Closets

my top + jeans + slippers + hat || houston’s top + similar jeans || baskets + step stool4

If you know me, you know I love a good organized space. The clean simplicity of it is something I just crave. It is really something I have tried to teach my little people + show them how nice it feels to be in control of your space and your things. It is definitely still a teaching work in progress with them, but it has been so worth it!! Since it has been a little while since we dove in to any of our #organizewithkailee tips, I thought today we be the perfect time to take you inside our Kids Closets! I didn’t want wasted space just for closets, so everything had to be very functional + serve a purpose.

So below we’ve broken down in detail how we organize everything + what is actually kept in their closets, as well as shared a few tips to helping you organize your own kids closets in a simplified way! So let’s get started!

wide gray baskets (top shelf) | large gray baskets | similar small gray baskets

:: DRAWERS + BASKETS

First up, let’s talk drawers! I don’t know about you + your little people, but for us when it comes to “clean” or “organized”, my expectations are a lot higher than theirs. I knew the more stuff we had out and exposed, meant the more stuff I was going to want to look a certain way. Nothing was going to be folded perfectly like I would want because they are kids. Which is why we went with these custom made nice deep drawers. While each drawer has a purpose, how it actually looks insider is a free for all. But guess what, it is FINE because nobody sees inside them! The baskets are the same way. Leggings, tanks. swimsuits, blankets, anything we just want tucked away goes in those baskets.

baskets + tags + string

As you’ll see in the picture below, once you open the drawers, they are broken down into categories. There is one drawer that holds pajamas, underwear and socks. Another holds all their extra shoes that they don’t keep up in their lockers. Nothing is folded and perfect because it can be tucked away…out of sight out of mind!

. . .

:: LOWER HANGING RACKS

Another tip to organizing your kids closets is to keep things they need regular access to at their level. If they can’t reach it, it is going to be left on the ground or chucked up on the shelf because that is the best they can do. We made sure both the boys closet and the girls closet has plenty of low hanging racks for all their regular every day clothes. We try to keep it organized by sections; shorts, t-shirts, long sleeve, church clothes etc.

. . .

:: BEDDING

Every time I show any glimpse of the boys or girls room, I am guaranteed to get 2 questions. One, where is all their bedding (pillow + blanket) they sleep with? And two, where are all the toys?! As I’ve shared before, our toys are all in the playroom closet. We keep them all organized and housed there, so they don’t take over our whole house. They can of course take them out and play wherever, but they live in the playroom closet, so bedrooms stay as a sleeping space.

As for the bedding, you’ll see in the picture above, there is an open shelf where they store their pillow and favorite blanket they choose to sleep with. By storing them there, it gives the room a nice uniform simple look once the beds are made. It may not be something that works for everyone, but it fits our style and minimal look we love.

. . .

Now that I’ve given you a little look in to how we organize the kids closets, let’s talk tips to making it happen! It has taken us plenty of trial and error, but these couple of things really seem to make the difference when it comes to keeping it organized once you get it to that point!

:: PLAN OUTFITS FOR THE WEEK ON SUNDAY

If you have opinionated children (who doesn’t?!) this will be a GAME CHANGER for your mornings! It has completely simplified our morning routine, and taken away so much stress + drama. At the beginning of the week, we plan out the kids outfits. For the boys they grab bottoms and a top. The girls is a little more complicated and full of more opinions (Hayden), but the same idea. Once you’ve picked out the outfits, we hang them in the order they want to wear them. For Hayden that is “ugliest first”, because she loves to wear her favorite on Friday. Whatever floats your boat! That way, when morning rolls around, there is no thinking about it and wasting that time. You grab the hanger in the front and put it on! Quick and easy!

baskets (available in a variety of sizes in black, white, gray, pink, or teal)

:: CLEAN OUT THEIR CLOSETS SEASONALLY

One of the biggest reasons kids closets (and adults as well) can get so out of hand is because they just have TOO MUCH STUFF. We tend to bulk up our closets with all the things. When you really take a step back and look at it, you probably wear 25% of it. The same goes for your kids. We try to clean out their closets with them seasonally. By the time a new season rolls around they have either grown out of things, or in Hayden’s case, completely changed what they are ok with wearing at the time.

Keep in mind it is their closets, and they deserve some ownership. If they say they don’t like an item of clothing, chances are they aren’t going to ever wear it, so don’t let it stick around and crowd your space. Try to have some compromise when shopping so they will love what they wear too!

When you are doing this + when you are shopping for new pieces, always try to think of things that are versatile. We tend to buy dresses or tops that will go with multiple pairs of leggings or the other way around, so we can make multiple outfits out of fewer pieces.

Hopefully that helps answer all your organizing questions when it comes to our kids closets and their space! If you want to take a look at their full rooms, you can check out the boys room here + the girls room here! If we left anything out, please leave your questions here so we can add them in!

photos : aubrey taiese

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Health + Fitness

January 15, 2020

4 Tips To Simplify Meal Prep

my top | jeans | hat | necklace || meal prep containers | clean simple eats meal plan | food scale

When we did our little poll of content you guys wanted to see here on the blog in 2020, meal prep was a hot topic! Everything from how I do it as a busy mom, to where I find recipe ideas, you asked all the things! I’ve really tried to make healthier eating a priority in my life over the last couple of years. But it takes some trial and error and figuring out what works best for you. So I thought today it would be helpful to share a little video of what I do, as well as 4 tips that helped me get the hang of it, simplify it, and make it work for me, that I hope will help you too!

IF YOU WANNA SEE MORE VIDEOS + HAIR TUTORIALS + OUR FAVORITE TIPS AND TRICKS CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!

Now that you’ve checked out the video, you kind of got an inside scoop as to how I do things. So let’s talk about a few tips that help you get into the habit of meal prepping and simplify it to work for you!

my top | jeans | slippers | hat | necklace || planter | cutting board

:: CONSIDER YOUR SEASON OF LIFE

With Instagram being so huge in our lives right now, it is SO easy to sit back and compare. You can look through your friends accounts and pick apart alllll the things they are doing that you are not. Healthy choices and meal prep is often one of those things. You may look at your newlywed friend that has her whole week planned out, labeled, and ready to go and think if she can do it why can’t I?

But then I want you to to think, are we in the same season of life? Does her day to do look like mine? Nobody out there is going to have the same life and responsibilities as you. Do what works for YOU and YOUR season. Trying to over do it and take on more than you can handle is going to stress you out more than help you out.

:: START WITH LITTLE CHANGES

I don’t know about you, but when I start something new, I tend to want to jump allll in and make this huge drastic change. But a lot of the time when I do that, it ends up resulting in failure or me giving up. It is really easy to feel that way with meal prep. You’ll check an Instagram account or Pinterest post and think you have to prep a month worth of all the things on day 1. And oh yeah they need to be extra healthy things you’ve never made before too. Don’t do that to yourself!!

Start simple with just doing meal prep for part of your day. Maybe mornings are extra hectic for you. Choose to meal prep breakfast to give yourself more time for something else. When I first started out, all I did was prep chicken. I would take one big bag of frozen chicken and cook the entire thing at once. One week I would do it as all Grilled BBQ Chicken. We would have enough for a family dinner, and then I would use the rest throughout the week for meals for me. Then I added in instant rice. Or switched up the chicken to Lemon Chicken.

It does not have to be big and elaborate. Your main focus is on starting a good habit you can stick with, and building from there. And one of the things I have loved about this the most is I have started to notice that now my kids go to the fridge to snack on the healthy options I prep too. They are always watching you and want to make the same healthy choices you do when they see how it makes you feel.

:: USE YOUR RESOURCES

As much as the online world can be a thorn in your side when it comes to comparison and overwhelm, it can also be an amazing resource! There are so many accounts out there specifically working to help you succeed in your health + fitness journey. One of those that I found and is 100% the reason I was able to stick to meal prep is Clean Simple Eats.

To come out and say a product or brand has changed your life might sound a little dramatic, but for me that is what Clean Simple Eats is. Their meal plans gave me the boost to really move forward with a healthier routine for both myself and my family. They take yummy recipes we all know and love, (pizza, tacos, burgers, MILKSHAKES), simplify them, and put a healthy spin on them. I drink their Almond Joy Protein Shake every single day for breakfast and have for over a year because it is that good.

They also take all the guess work out of the prep. Each meal plan comes with a grocery list already done for you for your week, completely taking the extra work out for you. Helping you SIMPLIFY! If you go out to eat, they have a break down of healthy choices you can make on the go too! We LOVE them!! If you want to try them, you can click on this link, and it will get you $15 off any of the meal plans!

:: DON’T FORGET THE SNACKS + TREATS

Let’s rewind to before I started this healthy journey. Like a lot of moms out there, I was spending a lot of time at home, by myself, with the babies. When you are busy taking care of tiny humans, you tend to put yourself on the back burner. My go to “meal” was chocolate milk and a pop tart. And I’m talking for any meal, not just breakfast. It was quick, easy, convenient, and bonus, I could eat it on the go! Win win right? Wrong!

I felt like garbage all. the. time. I was cranky, impatient, tired, and just not being the mom or person I knew I could be. It was time for a change and to take some me time.

This is the main reason, out of all the things, I choose to prep snacks/treats. Having the healthy option already made and waiting for me in the pantry or fridge has been a game changer. If it is there, I am going to grab that instead of going for the unhealthy option. So taking the time to prep it has been huge for me.

This can be as simple as having fruits already cut up and ready to eat. Or having my fridge stocked with my favorite protein bars (20% off with code KAILEE) or a batch of protein balls (my FAVORITE are from Clean Simple Eats) already made so I can just grab one when I have a sweet tooth, instead of something not as healthy. We are all human and we are going to go for what is quick and convenient. So put those healthy options right in front of your face.

. . .

I hope these little tips + blurbs of advice are helpful! Meal prep can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Start simple and do what works for you!! And if you have any awesome tips that have made things go more smoothly for you, I wanna hear them!

photos + video : aubrey taiese

BBQ CHICKEN SAUCE RECIPE FROM VIDEO

We love to grill up a huge batch of this chicken at the beginning of the week for dinner, and then use the leftovers for lunches and to snack on throughout the week. I love to eat it on its own or pair it with just rice or potatoes, but it would be great on a salad too!

1/4 cup salad oil

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 Tablespoons ketchup

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cloves garlic or 1/8 tsp garlic salt

. . .

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:: FOOD

**SLAPPY CAKES

**DA KITCHEN

. . .

**MAMA’S FISH HOUSE

*THE GAZEBO

**ULULANI’S HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE

**HALEAKALA CREAMERY

** RUTH’S CHRIS

**MONKEY POD –

**CINNAMON ROLL PLACE

**808 DELI

**LEILANI’S

** CHOICE HEALTH BAR:

** LEODOS KITCEH AND PIE SHOP

** FRIDAS

:: THINGS TO DO

** WHALE WATCHING

*SHOPPING AT WHALERS VILLAGE

*HIKING

** BEACHES

** MAUI ESCAPE ROOMS

**ROAD TO HANA

*SNORKEL

:: WHERE TO STAY

:: WHY I LOVE THE BRAND

:: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE DESIGN

:: HOW YOU CAN SAVE BIG!

:: SWIMSUITS

. . .

:: VERSATILE COVER UPS

. . .

:: WORKOUT + HIKING GEAR

. . .

:: BEACH BAG ESSENTIALS + ACCESSORIES

. . .

:: STICK TO A LIST

:: PACK VERSATILE PIECES

:: WEAR YOUR BULK

:: PACKING CUBES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND

:: DON’T OVER THINK IT

:: GIRL IDEAS :

:: BOY IDEAS:

:: TEEN IDEAS:

:: MEN IDEAS ::

:: WOMEN IDEAS ::

:: LIMIT YOUR SPACE

:: STOCK UP ON TIMELESS VERSATILE BASICS

:: INVEST IN PIECES THAT WILL LAST

:: THINK BEFORE YOU BUY

:: EDIT SEASONALLY

:: MOM JEANS

:: OVERSIZED HOODIE

:: VERSATILE JACKETS

:: PRIORITIZE

:: OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

:: LESS IS MORE

:: CATEGORIZE + CONTAIN

:: LABEL

. . STORAGE ITEMS I USED . .

:: DRAWERS + BASKETS

:: LOWER HANGING RACKS

:: BEDDING

:: PLAN OUTFITS FOR THE WEEK ON SUNDAY

:: CLEAN OUT THEIR CLOSETS SEASONALLY

:: CONSIDER YOUR SEASON OF LIFE

:: START WITH LITTLE CHANGES

:: USE YOUR RESOURCES

:: DON’T FORGET THE SNACKS + TREATS

** BBQ CHICKEN SAUCE RECIPE FROM VIDEO **

30 DAYS TO AN ORGANIZED HOME

LET’S CONNECT

BBQ CHICKEN SAUCE RECIPE FROM VIDEO