It is finalllllly feeling like Spring here in Northern Utah and I’m crossing my fingers we are DONE with all the random snow storms! We are beyond ready for sunshine filled days and being able to get outside without allll the layers. Besides it being an instant mood boost, one of my favorite things about Spring is seeing the new trends in Spring Fashion. You finally start to see the fun pops of color and patterns come back in, and my favorite thing to grab first is Spring Shoes! Something about the weather being warm enough to free your feet from socks and shoes and try some fun new pops of pattern gets me so excited.
Now before we get into my favorites, I should probably share my criteria when looking for a good shoe. First and foremost, it has GOT to be COMFORTABLE! I am running around with 5 little people to and from allll the things, and I’ve got to be able to walk and in some cases run after them! So comfort is probably my top priority. A close second to that is that they be something I consider a classic. To me a classic is one that while I make be making a bigger initial investment, that is worth it to me because I know it will still be right on trend and in style 3-4 years down the road. So with those two criteria in mind, here are some of my favorites this season!
I love a good pair of sandals, and I feel like this year the variety is unmatched. You’ve got everything from a basic flip flop, to a studded sandal, and just about every color and pattern you can imagine in between! I am loving the leopard trend so so much. There are so many different varieties of sandals that are giving you a touch of the leopard without being too overpowering and it is so dang cute! These flip flops have also been my go to for years and such a good investment. They are perfect to dress up or down on vacation and take up zero space!
.. SHOP SPRING SANDALS ..
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:: WEDGES
Who doesn’t love a good wedge?! I swear a cute pair of wedges is the easiest way to take a spring/summer day time look and make it work for a night out. I am so obsessed with this pair I just got, and think they are the perfect neutral. But I found some fun pops of color too you will love!
.. SHOP SPRING WEDGES ..
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:: FLATS/SLIDES
Last but not least are flats or slides. While they don’t necessarily scream spring like a sandal would, they are so perfect for transitioning in. I love wearing them in the spring/summer because they are quick to throw on and go, and a little more formal than flip flops or sandals where your feet are out. The leopard trend is shining here too in such a cute way, plus some cute classic white ones that would go with everything!
.. SHOP SPRING FLATS ..
From flip flops, to wedges, to a fun printed sandal, you really can’t go wrong with some new spring shoes!! I’d love to hear what your favorite go to is!
If you’ve followed along here for the past couple of years, you know I’ve put a big focus on upping my skin care game. From staying out of the sun, to getting regular face treatments, I’ve been putting a lot of time into it. I’ve been working with the team at Form Med Spa since I started back in 2017, so I was beyond thrilled when some of our best friends from Joe’s Residency joined on as partners at Form.They convinced me I needed to try some of the other things Form has to offer in addition to the face treatments, and my first stop was Laser Hair Removal.
I’ve wanted to get it done for years!! But honestly I never knew who to trust. I decided to go with Form, because how amazing they have been with the rest of my treatments. And I am so excited to see the results!! When I shared about going to my first appointment, I had A LOT of you send questions over about everything from pain level, to pricing. I had my sweet friends take the time to answer ALL of them for you so I could put them together here for you to refer back to! So here we go!
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:: How long does it last?
Electrolysis is the only permanent method of hair removal. But you may need touch up sessions every 6 to 12 months.
:: What Laser do you use?
The Gentle Max is the type of laser we use.
:: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Sensitive Skin?
YES!
:: Does Laser Hair Removal work on light hair?
The hair has to have pigment (color) because that is what the laser targets. It is usually not very effective on lighter hair, and most successful on darker hair with lighter skin.
:: How many sessions do you have to do?
We usually recommend 10-12, with touch ups in months/years following as needed.
:: How much will it still grow after your 100% complete with your treatments?
Each person is different so we recommend to get touch ups every 6 to 12 months!
:: Is it painful for hours after you have it done?
No! We give you hydrocortisone cream to help calm the skin after your treatment.
:: What’s the youngest age you can do this?
Teenagers hormones are constantly changing which can effect the hair growth, so we usually recommend waiting until over 18. Although those under age 18 require the presence of a parent on the first consultation and written consent each time from a parent, the risks of laser hair removal for them are the same as for an adult.
:: What do I do if I want to get Laser Hair Removal in the summer, but I’m not supposed to go in the sun?
Wear lots of sunscreen and stay out of the sun as much as you can! We can’t perform the treatment if you have been active in the sun 2 weeks prior. We highly recommend getting Laser Hair Removal Treatments done in the winter. Because we can’t perform the treatment with an active tan.
:: Why do you choose to use the snapping version versus the one that glides?
Pulsing targets the pigment more efficient and is more comfortable.
:: Is it safe to get Laser Hair Removal while pregnant?
We don’t recommend treatments while you are pregnant because skin can be hypersensitive, but you can while breast feeding.
:: Do you have to grow out your hair?
No! If your hair is not shaved prior to treatment, all the energy will go in to burning off the hair. And not into the hair follicle itself. Which is what actually prevents the regrowth.
:: Do you have to refrain from shaving after getting it done?
We recommend waiting to shave until 3 days after your treatments.
:: How long do treatments take?
Depends on the size of the area. A Bikini are or your armpits take about five minutes. A larger area like your legs is closer to 15 minutes.
:: What is your pricing and does it depend on the area?
Extra Small Area : $40 – this includes your chin or upper lip
Small Area : $50 – this includes aerola, naval strip, fingers, sideburns, and back of neck.
Medium Area : $75 – this includes both underarms, back of neck, or your bikini area.
Large Area : $100 – this includes chest, upper legs, or lower legs
Extra Large Area : $200 – this includes full back or abdomen.
I hope this helps answer your Laser Hair Removal Questions. Right now I’ve only had my first treatments, and I can’t believe the results I’m already seeing! I think I’ve shaved my underarms maybe once in TWO weeks, and I’m noticing a lot less hair in the other areas too! I was not expecting to see changes that quickly, and can’t wait to I’m excited to share the results as I get farther along too!
** If you want more information on the other treatments I have done with Form Med Spa, you can check them out below!
If you’ve been around here for the past 9 months or so, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve really been focusing on taking better care of myself and my body, so I can in turn not only feel better, but be a better and healthier wife and mom for my people! It has been full of a lot of changes, but I couldn’t be happier with how I have been feeling both physically and even more so mentally. I’ve shared a little bit about what is keeping me motivated to work out over here and here, but today I wanted to talk about the food side of things and my food diary.
I get a lot of questions on if I’m on any kind of diet, or follow a strict meal plan, and the answer is no. I knew I wouldn’t stick to anything to demanding, so I’ve just been trying to listen to my body while making healthier choices. So below I’ve laid out a full days food diary… what I eat from first thing in the morning, until right before bed. I am in no way saying this is what you should do nor am I saying it will work for you. This is just what I’ve learned over the past few months that works for me and I hope it is helpful for you!
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Before my workout (at about 6 am) :
I drink one full water bottle with my BCAA’S. I use (and LOVE) the BCAA’s from I Heart Macros. If you are new to the fitness game and just trying to figure out where to even begin, Quincey and Brandon are such an incredible resource to get you on the right track not only with eating and workouts, but understanding your body and what you personally need. They have given me so many tips to get me started, and I love their BCAA’s. If you are interested, they are offering my readers a 30% discount with code kailee30.
After my workout before I get the kids going for the day, I will have a quick “mini-breakfast”. This usually consists of a protein muffin or protein donut from Fed Up (you can read all about my love for them and how they’ve changed my eating habits here), as well as mix up a Chocolate Almond Joy Shake from the Clean Simple Eats Meal Plan.
I’ve said it at least 100 times, and you’ll probably hear me say it 100 more, but if you don’t already have the Clean Simple Eatsplans, you need them in your life. They were made for (and by) busy parents trying to make healthier choices in their eating habits. I have loved every single thing I’ve tried, and that is saying a lot coming from a very picky eater. The recipes are delicious and easily customizable to fit your needs or preferences. You can use code KAILEE for $15 off.
“Second Breakfast” (at about 9:30-10)
Once I get all the big kids off to school and things settle down, I usually take the time to have the rest of my breakfast. I’m all about quick and easy. My go to is usually a cup of egg whites and 1-2 oz. of diced ham. To keep it simple and mess free for me, I just buy the egg whites in the carton from Costco, and the delicious diced ham from Harmons.
Just like breakfast, I keep things pretty simple for lunch. I try to make sure I have a carb and a protein. Most of the time I will grab one of my pre-made Fed up meals because they are just so delicious and easy to heat and eat. If I don’t do that I will have a cup of rice and some chicken, or some bbq chicken and a sweet potato.
. . If you want to try out FED UP contact Linzie at 435-229-2779 + tell her I sent you and she will take great care of you! . .
Afternoon Snack (at about 3:00) :
I lay the babies down for naps in the afternoon and try to get some work done. If I am sitting and “bored” I am almost always hungry! I usually reach for my favorite treat, a nice cold G2G bar. Oh my gosh you guys, if you haven’t tried them yet you must!! They are seriously one of my very favorite treats. My kids are even hooked on them now too. Our extra fridge in the garage has turned into the G2G fridge, because they are so yummy nice and cold.
You are probably thinking I am crazy because protein bars do not taste like a treat. I promise these ones are different and so so good. The PB Chocolate are my very favorite, but they have a bunch of flavors. You can save 20% off by using code kailee. Other snack options I love are my greens shake from Fed Up, or a quick cup of greek yogurt with strawberries.
We eat dinner a little earlier than the norm for two reasons. One I think it helps from having the little people eat your entire house in snacks because they are starving. And two because we are busy and it is the time that works best for us to be together. I usually try to stick with a lean meat like chicken or lean ground beef. There are SO SO many good options in the Clean Simple Eats meal plans. My whole family loves them! Another one of our favorites when we are rushed (which is a lot) is simple Chicken Tacos. Grab a Rotisserie Chicken from your local grocery story or Costco. Shred it up on tortillas and add all your favorite toppings. I love that it is a healthier option for my family and customizable to what they like and don’t like.
Evening Snack (at around 7-8) :
Last but not least I have an evening snack. This is the time of day that I’m usually trying to curb my sweet tooth a little more so I reach for a healthier treat. My favorites are halo top ice cream or a caramel rice cake. Just something that helps keep my from going to be starving, and has that little bit of sweet in it.
I think that sums up my food diary for a day. As you can see it isn’t anything life altering or crazy. Just pretty simple. My biggest thing I have learned that works for me is to eat every 2-3 hours. That way I am never totally starving so I over eat, but I am not stuffing myself completely full either. Doing smaller more frequent meals has worked best for me! I hope this helps give you an idea and answer any questions you have! If I left anything out or you have questions, please leave them here or over on Instagram. I’ll be sure to answer them!
Spring is upon us and we couldn’t be happier!! Besides the amazing weather, it usually brings a lot of big events. Whether it is attending a graduation, a wedding, celebrating Easter, or even going to Prom, so many things seem to land in spring! With all these events on your calendar, you might find yourself searching everywhere for dresses to match the occasion. Well you came to the right place because while I was doing my own shopping, I put together a round up of my favorites that would be perfect for any special occasion you have coming up (including my favorite prom looks for those of you with teens), and a couple tips tip to keep in mind when buying any special occasion dresses.
My biggest tip when looking for dresses for these special occasions is to think timeless. Fancy dresses usually don’t come with a small price tag. Instead of splurging on a one time outfit, make the investment in a classic, timeless piece that you will be able to wear for years to come. Avoid big prints that could just be trendy and stick to classic colors.
I personally love shopping for our special occasion dresses at Nordstrom. If you’ve been around for awhile that should be no surprise. They have so many high quality items, especially when it comes to occasion wear. Hunter and I took a peek at their Prom Dresses when we went in last and couldn’t believe all the gorgeous options. With all of their pieces, I know that while I may be making the splurge or money commitment now, I know I will have a high quality go to piece in my closet for big events for years to come. And my very favorite thing is their shipping and return policy. I can shop from the comfort of my own home and pick 10 different options to try on and know that returning the ones I don’t choose is quick and easy.
Accessories can make or break an outfit, ESPECIALLY when it comes to special occasion dresses. While your dress may be more simple and classic, adding the right accessories can take your look to the next level and be just what it needs to give it that extra pop. By going with a more simple dress, then you can splurge on those heels and go for sparkles or a bold statement with a bright color or animal print.
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Now that I’ve shared my tips to keep in mind before you buy, let’s get to the shopping. I’ve broken it down into a couple different occasion categories below to make things easier!
:: GRADUATION OR WEDDING GUEST DRESSES
Spring is jam packed with allll the graduations and weddings to attend. Keep in mind, you are guest for this type of special occasion and not the star. While you want to look nice and dressy enough for the event, you also want to keep it classic and simple so you aren’t over done. And that old wedding rule that you’re not allowed to wear white…so not true. As long as you aren’t trying to top the bride in style, feel free to grab any color you want!
:: PROM DRESSES
While every girl loves to go all out on Prom, I love the idea of keeping it again really classic and going with something you could wear again in the future. I always hated the thought of spending a fortune on a dress and then never being able to wear it again! I can’t even believe Hunter isn’t even too far from being able to go to her own prom and we will be dress shopping for her!
:: ULTRA FANCY FORMAL DRESSES
While you tried to be classic and blend in the last category, these are the dresses where you are really making a statement. Think more along the lines of formal night on a cruise, or awards dinner.
If you’ve got a big event coming up, I hope this roundup helped narrow down your choices for that perfect dress!
Is it just me, or do you feel like your little people are CONSTANTLY growing out of everything so dang fast?! Houston is our exception to this rule. Haha! That little guy may not have an extra ounce on him, but he is still getting taller and growing like a weed! One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to shopping is spending money on clothes for a new season, only to have them grow out of them or wear them out before the season is even over! So when a friend told me she found the most affordable Spring Basics for her little people, I was definitely intrigued!
I instantly loved all the cute basics she was showing me, and was just as instantly floored when she told me they were all from WALMART!!! I think a lot of you can agree with me that Walmart Fashion kind of had a bad rap for not really fitting the most on trend/modern style. But you guys! I am hear to tell you things have 100% changed and I was floored over all the good spring basics they have to offer! I’ve rounded up some of my favorites I snagged for Harper and Houston below, and believe me, when you see the prices you’re going to be filling that cart FAST!
:: BABY/TODDLER GIRL
Can I just say how excited I am to see my chunky babe in some little denim shorts and tanks? Is there anything cuter than baby thighs?! I could just eat her up sometimes!! I loved alll the amazing basics Walmart had for toddler girls. These tanks come in a 3 pack for UNDER $10. The shorts come in a 2 pack for under $10 as well, giving you so many outfit options for under $20!! I couldn’t believe it. And the pink denim jacket, can we all just take a minute to look at how dang adorable that is!! I had so many favorites you can shop below.
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:: BABY/TODDLER BOY
Whoever said shopping for little boys isn’t fun was so wrong! I love finding things for Houston just about as much as Harper. He is always on the go and needs things he can move in. I loved their basics both for shorts and tops. Just like with the girls, they had the cutest options for tank sets and short sets again for under $10. From basic shorts, to tanks, to already put together outfits, I was so happy with all the cute things I found for Houston.
As you can see, updating your spring wardrobe definitely does not need to break the bank! And the great prices and quality pieces went up through big kid sizes too!! So go check them out and tell me your favorite thing you found for your people!
Spring is finally in the air (depending on the day here in Northern Utah) and it has me so excited! I can’t wait to start seeing the sun a little more regularly. With the change in the weather, we also get to see a change in our outfits! One of my favorite things about Spring style is all the cute dresses!! It is finally warm enough to wear dresses without all the layers! Easter dresses are a fun tradition for a lot of families too, and a great excuse to do some matching (which I love)! It is a little later this year, so hopefully we will be enjoying nice warm weather!! Oh and if you missed it, we rounded up all our favorite Easter Basket ideas for baby to tweenlast week too so you can have some fun ideas!
Since I’ve been getting a lot of requests to include more of the kids clothes as well, today I’m giving you a roundup of my favorite spring dresses for everyone! So we have options for Baby, little girl, tween, and us moms too, including some fun matching options!
Baby and Toddler dresses are by far the easiest thing ever to buy, so narrowing down my favorites was actually the hard part. Not only does just about everything look so adorabl on them, you have the added bonus of not having any sassy opinions to deal with when choosing! If you are a mom to girls, you know just what I’m talking about!!
As your girls get older, shopping for them can get a little trickier. Hayden has very strong opinions on what she will and will not wear, so it’s not always as easy as I hope. That being said, luckily this age/size group has SO SO many cute options to choose from, you are sure to find something!!
Say goodbye to getting away with anything super girly and frilly. I hear that isn’t cool for tweens. Haha! But really, shopping with Hunter is so much fun these days, because we really have the same taste and style, and she pretty much wants to get what I would want for myself! I love all the spring dresses we found for her age too, so I hope you like our picks!
We are talking spring dresses for all ages, so we can’t let the girls have all the fun! There are so many darling options for us moms too this season! From classic lace, to fun bold patterns, I am loving what I’m finding this year!!
It should come as no surprise to you that a good chunk of my favorites come from Rachel Parcell’s Collection. I have been a HUGE fan of her clothing line since Day 1, and own so many of her pieces. Every piece I have from her collection is so well made down to every detail. They always give you such a classic and timeless look, so it is something I look for in everything I buy. I love that I’ve been able to wear them year round by pairing them with different shoes or accessories. This is in no way sponsored, so I can honestly say having spent my own money to buy each and every piece, that they are 100% worth the investment and her new collection with Nordstrom is just as good!
Like Rachel’s Collection, the other dresses I gravitate towards usually have those same qualities. Classic, Timeless, and Versatile. As women, we usually aren’t worried about “growing out” of things, so to me making the investment in quality pieces is what I always try to do.
SHOP WOMENS DRESSES
That wraps up our spring dresses round-up! I hope you spotted something perfect for your little lady or even yourself! So lets all cross our fingers that Spring is hear to stay in Utah!!
I don’t know about you guys, but we are LOVING this warm weather that has finally showed up! We have missed it so much and it feels so good to just be able to get out and enjoy the sunshine! Spring is one of our favorites around here. We love getting outside together and the fun holidays that bring us together with family like Easter. Easter Baskets are one of my favorite gifts to put together, because I love to fill them with things to prep for the upcoming spring and summer! Since I’ll be filling a basket for everyone from toddler to tween, I thought I’d share some of my favorite fillers with you!!
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:: BABY
Babies make pretty much every single holiday so much fun! They are in my opinion the very easiest to buy for, because they love all the things! Ha! Whether you grab a cute stuffed animal, favorite book, or that darling swim suit you’ve had your eye on, they will for sure be happy!
Boys are SO fun! Hudson is so fun to buy for because everything is about being active and having a good time. I love trying to find things that will get him outside, like squirt guns, swim goggles, and a swim suit. He is so smart too so thinking of things that will challenge his brain are always good too. We love LEGO’s, Magformers, and of course a fun book!
If its pink and has sparkles it’s a win for little girls, am I right?! Hayden loves all things girly, and she loves being outside! So this year I’m thinking of doing a mix oflip gloss and scrunchies, with some fun outdoor things like a jump rope and glitter chalk! Because glitter makes everything better right?!
Last but not least is tween girls!! I am totally having a love hate relationship with Hunter growing up so fast!! I want it to slow down, but it has been so so fun to share more interests! Shopping for her Easter basket is basically like shopping for all my favorites!! A cute necklace, perfume, lip mask…maybe I’ll just grab two of everything!
That covers all the little people at our house, and hopefully sparks some fun Easter Basket ideas for you!! I’m always up for new ideas to add to the list and include here in the post so please share your favorites with us!
Spring break is finally just around the corner and I can’t even wait!! For me it just means it is finally nice and warm and we are that much closer to warm sunny days of summer! Spring Break also usually means travel for a lot of people, especially a road trip!! If you have a bigger family like us, road trips can seem a little daunting. What to bring to keep everyone happy and sane. How to not over pack and have your car look like a bomb went off once you get there. It can be stressful just thinking about it!! So today I wanted to share with you are tried and true family road trip essentials that I promise will be a game changer for your next adventure!
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:: SNACKS
First up on I think anyone’s list is SNACKS! A good road trip has to have good snacks, especially with kids involved. But like I mentioned above, you don’t want your car to look like a garbage can by the time you arrive at your destination. Here are some of our favorite things to grab, and a few little tips to avoid unnecessary messes!
– All of my people big and small LOVE these. I love that they are a little bit healthier option, and keep them fuller so they aren’t begging for something else quite as fast. And the pouch option keeps it mess free. No need to be passing dirty spoons back and forth or dealing with anyone missing their mouth. Quick, easy, and delicious!
– Goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, anything for little hands is not going to come as news to you for snack ideas. BUT the way we give them to our babies just might. In your head, you usually think ..I don’t want to give them too much, so I will use the snack sized bag. DON’T DO IT! Always go with the bigger sandwich size instead, still limiting the amount they get. That way they can stick their whole little hand in the bag, and anything they drop is MUCH more likely to fall back in the bag, and not turn into fish dust in your car seat or car floor. It has cut back messes dramatically in our car.
– Pre-open snacks with wrappers (granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.) and put them in a baggy before you go. That way once again, crumbs have somewhere to land, and you aren’t decorating your car in wrappers.
– For drinks, we usually stick to water. I LOVE these little disposable cups for the babies, because they are easy to drink out of, and I don’t have to worry about losing them. Our NunaCar Seats are a road trip takers dream because they have two cup holders. The babies have their water in one and snack in the other so I’m not constantly turning around. For the big kids, they each usually have a water bottle, but I keep them up by me. I can’t stand making stops on an easy 4-5 hour road trip just for potty breaks. I know they can hold it, but not if they are back their chugging their drink out of boredom. If they need a drink, I hand it back and then it comes right back to me.
– To make things easier when it comes to passing back and forth, we LOVE these sturdy boxes. We keep one on the floor in front of the babies and one back by the big kids so everything they need is right by them. These over the chair options are great too if you don’t need to store quite as much stuff and want it up out of the way.
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(click right on image to shop)
:: ENTERTAINMENT
Keeping little people entertained during a road trip can make you feel like you’ve run a marathon. It is exhausting. But when you are equipped with the right gear, it can be a game changer! These are some of our favorites for both the big and little people that have saved everyone’s mood and sanity!
Water Wow :
The babies LOVE these little books. If you toddlers, these are a must. They are like a little coloring book and the “pen” is activated with water. As they color with the wet brush, the colors show up. All the fun of painting or coloring, without all the mess. Yes please!!
Stickers : Stickers could entertain my babies for hours. I give them each an envelope with stickers in it. They just peel them off and stick them on the outside of the envelope. Easiest + cheapest entertainment ever.
Books :
We always make sure everyone has at least one book they love, especially the bigger kids. They have really gotten into their favorite series and can get lost in a book for a good hour or two. If you have a little girl, Hayden LOVES these and actually gets excited about reading them. Hudson is hooked to these too. While it doesn’t entertain them for too long, I will throw in some of our favorite board books for the babies too.
Movies :
You are gonna think I’m crazy, but I am actually anti iPads in the car. In my opinion, my people are much crankier and irritable after using them, so we choose not to. We do have a dvd player in the van, so we always try to grab a family favorite or a new redbox on our way out of town. A movie can take care of a few hours of entertainment for you!
Headphones :
Last but not least when it comes to entertainment is a good pair of headphones. Whether you go the super affordable wired route, or go a little nicer and do bluetooth, having headphones for your little people is a must. Sometimes just having that separation and getting them in their own world can help tone down the arguments and the whining.
Blankets :
I used to be completely against everyone bringing a blanket and pillow because it takes up SO MUCH SPACE when you times it by 5 littles. But I have noticed that on our last few trips when I’ve given in and let them bring a blanket, we have saved on the drama and encouraged more naps. Something about being cozier just keeps everyone a little more happy and calm.
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(click right on image to shop)
:: FOR ME
When you are planning out your road trip essentials, don’t forget about you and your hubby!! While you probably don’t need a full bag of entertainment like your little people, there are some sanity savers for you too! These are some of my favorites I always make sure to grab.
Portable Charger :
It should come as no surprise to you that this is at the top of my list! This little gem goes pretty much every where with me. It can charge your phone like 5-6 times before needing to be charged, and has saved us traveling multiple times.
Airpods :
Sometimes mom needs a little peace and quiet from the rest of the car, am I right?! A lot of times once I have my people occupied, I will try to get some work done on the road so I can focus more on the family during the actual trip. Having air pods or a good pair of bluetooth headphones is a must to block out the crazy and focus.
Snacks :
Grown ups need snacks too!! Our favorite candy usually makes an appearance, but my real favorite to pack are these g2g bars right out of the fridge. They are so good icy cold, and fill me up so I’m not bored eating the whole drive. (plus you can use code kailee for 20% off!)
Clear Bags :
These bags are my go to for any kind of bag organization. They are easy to still see what you are grabbing, but separate all the things into a nice categorized organized way, just the way my brain likes it!
Big Ziploc :
These a must have for the garbage, the messes, and the occasional stinky diaper. You can clean up as you go and have a “garbage”, instead of saving clean up for when you are there and exhausted.
Wipes :
Wipes are a mom’s best friend! Especially in the car when its really your only option for clean up. I always make sure we have a big pack of wipes with us. They are great for wiping up messes, wiping hands before and after snacks, and of course diaper changes. These are our favorites because we don’t have to worry about any crazy chemicals.
Easyon + off shoes :
I’m putting this under my category, but it 100% applies to the kids too. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to spend a long drive wearing uncomfortable shoes. As soon as we are in, shoes come off. I always try to have my people wear something they can easily get on and off so we aren’t waiting around to get them back on too. My favorites for travel are probably a good pair of slides or flip flops.
I hope these ideas help you feel less stressed and more prepared to take on your next family road trip adventure! And I wanna know, what is on your must have road trip essentials list for your crew?!
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m reallll happy Friday finally showed up! It felt like this week was creeping by so slow! With Friday comes another round of our newly revived Friday Faves series. In case you missed last weeks, this is a spot for anything from tried and true favorites we’ve loved for years, to new finds we are obsessing over and all the in between. Links you guys have been loving, and what is in our Amazon cart. So we hope you love it as much as we do and find some faves you love this week!
:: CLEAN SIMPLE EATS
If you’ve been around here for the last 6 months or so, you know my new love and obsession with Clean Simple Eats. My biggest struggles with eating healthier have always been the fact that I’m super picky, and the complexity of knowing what to make/taking the time to make it. Clean Simple Eats solves both of those problems. Ask any of my family members or close friends and they will tell you I am picky. But I can honestly say I LOVE everything I’ve tried from their meal plans. It doesn’t feel like your typical blah healthy food. Their recipes are simple, flavorful, and so family friendly so I’m not making something different for my little people. And the best part is you can use code KAILEE for $15 off!
:: BRIGHTENING EYE BALM
If you follow along over on Instagram, then you know my obsession with Tula. This new Eye Balmhas quickly climbed the list to be one of my faves. I love the way it feels on your face, and it gives you such a nice natural looking glow. It sold out SO fast when it launched because it is really that good, so act fast before this restock is gone too! Code KAILEE gets you 20% off too!
:: GOLD RING
Don’t you love it when you find those staple items that stick with you for years? I have had this ring for a few years now and still love it just as much as day 1. It is such a simple classic piece that goes with everything. If you want to switch it up, it comes in silver and rose gold too!
:: APPLE WATCH BAND
I’m not gonna lie, when I first got my Apple Watch, I didn’t really get all the rage. But now that I’ve been working out regularly, and really trying to limit my screen time, it has been a game changer!! I currently have a black watch band, which goes with everything. But spring has me itching for a fun bright change and I am really wanting to get a white one or maybe one of these fun colors?!
:: FORM RX TINTED SUNSCREEN
Anyone else out there despise putting sunscreen on their face?! I cannot stand the greasy sticky feeling it leaves and I promise I’ve tried a lot!! But I’m happy to report that I found the game changer of facial sunscreens. Like try it and you’ll never go back good. It is from Form Med’s medical grade skin care line and I’m so glad they introduced me to it. I took it with me to Hawaii earlier this month and it was amazing. It is just enough coverage to even out your skin tone, but so lightweight and not greasy at all! I love that it protected my face but I didn’t have to put heavy makeup on too, which was amazing for pool and beach days. Pretty sure I’m going to love it even more when summer rolls around. (use code kailee10 for 10% off!)
:: WALLET
When it comes to recommending products to you guys, I really like to try them out for a while to make sure they are the best. And this wallet has passed all the tests. I’ve actually had it for over a year now and am loving it. It is super simple and clean, which you know I love. I love that it is timeless and goes with everything, and the quality is amazing. It is great to grab and go into the store instead of dragging in a big bag.
:: LEATHER BAG
Speaking of bags, this one is what dreams are made of. Again I love the simple classic look, that will go with everything always. It holds just enough, but doesn’t feel like I’m lugging around a suitcase. It is another one that has been very well tested and as many new bags as I get, I always come back to this one as one of my top faves.
:: BASIC TEE
Spring is finally in the air in Utah and I could not be happier!! The sun has never felt so good!! I can’t wait to get rid of all these layers and start wearing my favorite go to basic tees! They have restocked in all the prettiest colors so I am dying to stock up!
:: FRESHLY PICKED SHOES
Freshly Picked has been a favorite of mine since Hayden was I think 2 years old. We started with a love for their moccs, and it has grown as they have. Their bags are my very favorite I own (and I”ve tried a lot!). But what I’m really loving right now is all the options they have forkids shoes and sandals. They are all so timeless and classic, and the quality is out of this world.
Right now they are celebrating the “Fringeaversary” with all kinds of extra deals. If you haven’t already joined their Fringe Membership, go now! Basically it is a membership that you pay $10 a month, but that $10 goes into your account towards future purchases. You can spend it that same month, or save up your monthly $10 until you are ready to treat yo self to a new bag! It also gives you 20% off EVERYTHING and early and exclusive access to special deals every Friday too! It is a total win. And to make things even better, I have a code that gets you your first month FREE, which means you are getting $10 for $0! Just use codeKAILEExFP on this page to snag the deal!
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That wraps up this weeks faves! I hope you find something you love too! But I wanna know, what are some of your must have favorite things? It can be beauty, fashion, tech, treats, parenting helps, ANYTHING! Share with me so we can feature some of them in the upcoming posts!
When we first moved in a little over a year ago, and it came time to decorate our house, this was the one space I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with yet. I knew we needed an office and a “homework” station, but as far as looks go I didn’t have a vision quite put together yet. It couldn’t stay bare while I made up my mind, because it is the first thing you see when you walk into our home. So we ended up going mostly with re-purposing furniture we already had in our previous home, and it turned out great (see details here). While I liked it, it didn’t feel like it flowed with the rest of the home, so we took on a little update and we are SO happy with how it turned out!
One of the best things about this room is how much sunlight the window brings in. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to snuggle up and read a book, or to watch the kids play outside. Even Marley can usually be found here. One of the biggest things that bothered me about the previous set up, was the couch covered the window. It is such a focal point in the space I didn’t want to go covering it up. My parents just built a house down in St George and have the same low windows. When I saw my mom went with a low day bed/chaise option, I thought it was genius!!
Finding the right chaise that I loved was another story. I wanted a kid/pet friendly durable fabric, but for it to still match my simple modern style. My cousin has been an interior designer for years at Gatehouse so of course I picked her brain! We ended up custom ordering the chaise and chairs and we love how they turned out!! The quality is incredible and they really were so great to work with.
With everything being so clean and bright, I really wanted the rug to bring in some more dimension and texture. When I came across this beautiful handwoven wool rug from Article, I knew it was the one. There are so many shades of different grays in there that it really ties together the furniture and the flooring. It is made of real wool that is hand woven into big thick strands, giving it that great chunky texture. I wish you could all come over and feel it in real life so you could truly understand how amazing it is.
If you haven’t checked out Article’s stuff before, I can highly recommend them from my own experiences. I chose a lot of their pieces throughout the house and absolutely love their customer service. When it comes to big decisions like home decor, I am always a little indecisive, so I love that they have a 30 day money back guarantee. You can try it out in your home and see if it feels right with the option of a refund if it doesn’t work out.
The last finishing touches were of course to add greenery and pillows, two of my very favorite things. To me it is such a simple way to add a pop of your own style to a more neutral space. In my mind you can’t have enough plants in your house! It just makes it feel so much more bright and happy to me! Some of you may recognize that little fiddle leaf in the pink planter from our California days. I am a proud little plant mommy and happy to say we have kept it alive for years now, and it has been through a lot!! My parents brought it from Utah to California where we had it in our home. Then it made the move with us back to Utah to the rental, and now to our new home.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into our newly updated office space! I love sharing these spaces with you and getting your comments and feedback on what you want more of! So be sure to share here in the comments!
What better way is there to start a fresh new week with some organizing tips! You all know by now an organized space is 100% my happy place. Something about a space that is clutter free and I know that everything has a place it belongs just instantly boosts my mood. This might make me sounds crazy, and Joe can attest to it. But when it came to finally getting to design our dream house together, there were two things I was beyond excited about. The first one was our pantry. A very close second was the kids lockers. Something about giving them their own space to hold allllll the things that come along with kids and school and sports just got me so excited.
Now that they exist and we have been living with them for over a year, I think it is safe to say they have become the kids favorites too. It helps them keep things so much cleaner because it is a simple system to follow. So since I’ve had a lot of requests for more organizing ideas, today I wanted to share kind of a step by step, as well as 3 tips to consider when planing lockers for your own home!
:: HAVE A LOCKER FOR EACH OF YOUR PEOPLE AND LET THEM BE IN CHARGE
Sometimes as adults, I think we have a hard time letting our kids have free reign over a whole space in our house. It can be hard, because usually giving them that independence comes with giving in to a mess. Am I right?! These lockers have been the perfect solution an happy medium. Each of our little people has their own. While they are organized the way I set them up, what they actually choose to keep is up to them. You can see in the picture above, Hayden added a postcard to add a little of her own personality. They can decorate inside however they want. As long as they are maintained, what they have inside is free range, and it keeps it from having to be all over the house.
sneak peek of the chore charts that hang inside the locker doors too! head here to get a free printable!
Which brings me to another major point, put doors on your lockers. One of the biggest secrets to cleaning is to sometimes be able to hide the mess. What you can’t see can’t bug you right?! Haha. While I don’t encourage them to keep it messy, I know they are kids and won’t always have things as perfect as my organizing heart wants them. So knowing those doors can be closed and cover up whatever is going on inside, has been so so good for me!!
In addition to giving them more a feeling of independence, it is the BIGGEST game changer when it comes to clutter. We do not allow things, whether they be papers, toys, sports accessories,anything to just be sitting out around the kitchen and living space. Those are family spaces and not a dump all for alll the things. Everything has a home in their lockers and they know that. This makes clean up quick and easy. They come home from school and know to go straight to the lockers. When they are done with homework, it has a place to go. I’ll go into more detail on how we organize it below, but giving them a space to keep things, keeps the things from taking over your entire space!
What you choose to keep in your lockers will completely dependent on your family dynamic. Someof you may have teens that need to organize extra curricular supplies and homework. Others might be organizing puzzles and art projects. Whatever you are choosing to keep in your lockers, having a system to organize it is the key to keeping it from being a giant sized junk drawer. For our family each locker is separated into these 5 sections.
SCHOOL – Anyone else feel like they get soooo many papers from school. While I love to see the cute proejects and how they are learning, I am not a saver of all the things. This basket is for them to choose which things they want to keep that has meaning to them.
SPORTS – As most of you know, our bigger kids participate in a lot of sports. They each have two boxes in their lockers labeled with the sports it belongs too. These are to hold things like shin guards, batting gloves, baseball mitts, anything and everything that comes along with the sport. Since our lockers are right by the garage, it makes it easy to grab and go to practice or a game. You’ll notice since Hayden only does one sport, she has a soccer box, and a slime box (lets all cringe together), because she loves it and it keeps it all in one place.
PERSONAL – A question I get asked a lot is where we keep alll the kids stuff. I’ve shared a little about our Playroom Closet here. Each of our kids has their own box whatever they want in the Playroom Closet for toys, a box in their own personal closet (which we we will be sharing soon), and then this box in their lockers. This is the basket you can see labeled with their names. What is inside completely depends on personality. Hunter keeps her purse, notes from friends, and other little trinkets. Hayden its more like sunglasses, chap stick, and doodles. Hudson is usually his scriptures. It totally varies but is just up to them. But toys stay downstairs.
EXTRA – Most of them keep things up here that they want access to all the time and to not have to run downstairs and get. For Hudson it is usually a pair of basketball shorts. Then he can throw them on the second he gets home from school. Like Joe he wants to wear shorts 24/7. For Hayden she forgets her socks a lot lately. She decided to keep a few pairs in there so she didn’t have to run downstairs. It also varies a lot by season. In the winter its for gloves and beanies…summer it is home to swim suits and cover ups.
SHOES – We have a very strict no shoe policy in our house. To help maintain that rule, at the base of each locker below the bench is a drawer. This is where we keep the shoes they wear on a regular basis. It makes it easy to sit down, put your shoes on, and go straight out to the car. Nobody has to carry their shoes up from their room, or forget to take them off when they come in.
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:: KEEP A “CLEAN OUT SCHEDULE” AND STICK TO IT
Last but not least is to clean them out regularly. Since it is their personal space in a sense, I really try to respect that. I will usually give them a couple day warning that “hey, lockers are looking a little crazy…we are going to have a clean out this weekend.” That gives them the chance to weed out the junk they have thrown in there. They will do their own clean before I come in and get rid of things they wanted more than others.
But it also gives me the chance to keep things sanitary and actually organized. It blows my mind the things you find in a kids backpack. Leftover snacks…dirty clothes…the sky is the limit! Knowing we are going to have this “check in” keeps them responsible for taking care of their space. When your boxes are full, it means it’s time to go through them and see what you don’t really need anymore.
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I hope that helps give you some ideas for your own lockers and how to get the most out of them! They have honestly become a favorite for everyone in our house and such a sanity saver!
Joe and I are celebrating our 15 year anniversary today!! 15 years has flown by, but honestly it feels like he has been a part of my life forever (in a good way)! Since we had such good feedback on the q+a I did with Hunter a couple weeks ago, I thought it would be fun to have you send in questions for Joe and I. I put it out there to send in any questions you had for us about marriage, relationships, anything at all and you came through like crazy!! We had so many that we are breaking it into questions about family/marriage here, and then we will do another post talking all things med school/residency! Hope you enjoy!
junior prom – our junior year
:: DATING + GETTING MARRIED QUESTIONS
How did you meet?
How long have you been together?
Tell us your love story!!
We had a lot of questions wanting to know more about our dating life and how we met! I actually did a whole blog post on kind of our “how we met” you can read here. People die when they find out we’ve known each other since I was 12!! I had the crazy impression I was going to marry him the first time I saw him (as a 12 year old!) and I didn’t even know him yet. We didn’t admit our feelings/start dating until quite a bit later. You can read all the detail in that post!
Where did you get married and how old were you?
We were married in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints St. George Temple! We both grew up close to it and always loved it! I was almost almost 21 and Joe was almost 22.
What is your favorite thing about Kailee?
She has an ability to care for those that she doesn’t even know and wants to reach out in some way to help them. She is so on top of things and schedules things so far in advance that is makes me sick, but I am so last minute and relaxed about things that I’m pretty sure I couldn’t survive without her.
Kailee, What is your favorite thing about Joe?
He is so kind to everyone and ALWAYS thinking of others. I don’t think he’s ever said an ill word about anyone ever. Anyone that meets him is instantly drawn to his smile and laugh and always leaves as a new friend.
What annoys you most about Kailee?
Her phone.
What annoys you most about Joe?
When he picks his nails.
What exactly do you both do for jobs?
Kailee runs this blog and her Instagram full time while being a mom (chauffeur, maid, and chef) to 5 kids! :)Joe is a Cardiac Anesthesiologist, which means he works mostly with the doctors doing heart procedures. He also does epidurals for deliveries and other anesthesia work.
What is Joe’s typical schedule?
Everyday is different. Each day he is given a different number. Depending on the number we know if it will be a longer day or a shorter day. He has to work one-two weekends a month and maybe has 3 24 hour shifts and a few night shifts a month. It can be hard, but overall it is a million times better than residency.
How does Joe feel about your blogging?
He says it is both good and bad. Good because I can see how much Kailee loves doing it, but bad because it takes so much time.
Why won’t Joe be in you Instagram Stories?
His answer: I am!! haha. I just don’t really care to.
Kailee’s answer : He may not be on screen often, but he is always right there behind the scenes teasing me.
Does/did Joe ever take any of your Instagram/blog photos?
Yes he used to always take them when I first started (just with my iPhone). Now if I’m not using a photographer for a scheduled shoot, I just ask the kids and they are stoked to do it. haha. He will still take them if I ask. He might not ever even look at the camera as he’s taking them… but usually I can get one decent shot! haha
Do you each have a celebrity crush you can joke about without it being weird? And who are they??
Great question, but no. We honestly don’t watch TV (besides Joe will watch a little sports center). I hardly know any celebrity by name.
What made you decide you wanted to design your own house?
We actually really didn’t want to design or build home at the time. We came house hunting in the new area we wanted to live and made a few offers on houses and everything fell through. 2 hours before we could get our down payment back on a quick build everything just fell into place. We had a new lot (we had never seen), a builder, and a house design to go off of. We just knew it was the right thing for us to move forward and design our own house.
Do you have similar styles in home decor and fashion or does Joe just go with the flow?
Absolutely not!! Joe honestly doesn’t really care about much. He hasn’t changed his style since high school and was really great about letting me do what I wanted with the house. I did want cement floors and he said absolutely not… because it was too hard and didn’t feel like a home, but for the most part he is very go with the flow.
I shared some more fun/random facts about us in this post too if you want to get a good laugh!
How did you know you were ready for kids? How old were you both when you had Hunter?
Kailee : We waited almost 3 years after we were married before we had Hunter. I think if you think to much about it and analyze everything you’ll never do it. I was 23 and Joe was 24.
Joe: we just thought we were ready.
Did you always plan to have a big family?
We had always talked about 4. Four was the number. That being said, I just found out Joe said he knew we were having five the whole time. But he just never said anything! haha. I got mad and asked why and he said “Because it didn’t matter, and you would have said “are you crazy, nope four”. So why would I argue with you? I knew you would figure it out.”
Are you going to have more kids?
Nope, we are done!
How did/do you manage two kids 18 months apart?
They are the last two so they just kinda tag along. haha . No really we had Hudson and Hayden 2 years apart so I don’t feel like it’s a ton different. I always wanted twins so I feel like this was just the easier way of getting that. Plus I think your way more laid back with your last babies so we are just enjoying them as much as we can and not letting too much get to us.
What kid duties does Joe take on the most?
If he is home, bath time and bedtime. He really helps and does so much when he is home. Whether it is making dinner or cleaning up, he is always willing to jump in for whatever needs to be done. We just divide and conquer.
Does he do one on one dad dates with your kids like you do? What does he like to do with them?
Yes!! They kinda choose dad over me most times! But we just do what works that week. Also if he has an early day and one of the kids doesn’t have practice after school, he’ll take them for ice cream or grocery shopping and just chat with them. Hudson just loves to hit baseballs in the backyard or play a card game with him. The girls on the other hand just wanna talk his ear off and get treats.
How do you both handle the stress of working and having 5 kids?
Joe is pretty good to just go with the flow. I on the other hand just have to tell him all the things to relieve the stress. Date nights and early bedtime for our kids usually give me time to calm down and regroup and remember that its all going to be okay.
How do you afford vacations with 5 kids?
Joe said we just don’t take them!! haha. We save up and only do a big family trip (like flying on an airplane) about every other year. The other year we try to just go somewhere that is a quicker drive, like Park City or St. George. Joe and I are always researching and looking for deals when it comes to vacation. I think that helps save a lot of money.
How do you find time for you and joe time?
Early bedtime is key. I am a planner and know I need one on one with Joe so we put it on the calendar and make it happen. Once a week date nights have been a game changer for us. Sometimes its even just going grocery shopping together, but it’s honestly still so fun because we just mess around and can take our time because we don’t have any little people.
How do you keep the spark alive?
Joe: We go on trips together.
Kailee :We try to do a weekly date night so we have a chance to really chat and catch up. It helps remind us what it was like when we were dating.
How do you keep things sexy with so many kids?
Joe: Get the kids to bed early. (done and done)
Kailee: If Joe is going to have a later night I try to have the kids all down by 7:30-8 at the latest so we can just have 30 mins to talk and catch up before he crashes.
What do you argue about the most?
Honestly we don’t argue. We do have disagreements and we will have deep conversations but we really we don’t get into full blown arguments. But we disagree most on maybe me being too strict. Because I am really strict and want to keep my people safe from everything. Joe is more laid back and lets them live.
How do you make life/your marriage work through Joe’s long hours?
Honestly, I really don’t know anything else. I am a work horse and always have been since we got married. Back then, I did hair for 12 hours a day and Joe would drive an hour north for school + playing baseball and had a part time job so we have dealt with long hours apart from the beginning. Also I learned from my sister in law to just live my life and if he makes it to activities with us great. But if not that’s okay too.
Have you ever been to couples counseling?
No, but we have good friends that have and are definitely not against it. Also our first year of marriage we had a hard sit down with my mom and that changed everything. So does that count?
What is your favorite memory together?
Kailee : Gosh we have so many. Definitely the day we had our babies. I wish we could have a baby everyday to relive the pure joy.
Joe : Easily the delivery days for our babies. Except for the second or third one, can’t remember for sure, when she progressed so fast she didn’t get an epidural and she was hurting pretty good with that one. That was not as fun but still a great day.
What are the top 3 things you think keep your marriage strong?
I would probably say don’t expect them to read your mind. Communication is key! Also to always put them first. We just did a great post on 5 tips for a happier marriage that goes into lots more helpful detail!
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And that should be all of them!! I hope you had fun getting to know us a little better! We had so much fun answering the questions together and seeing what the other would say!
I know you don’t see a lot of Joe on here, and what you do see he may not always seem super thrilled, because it’s not his thing. I don’t usually get too mushy on here but I am so so grateful for him and his support. He is such an amazing dad, a crazy hard worker, and the best example to me to always be more kind. One thing that drew me to him and still to this day is one of my very favorite qualities is that he has never said a single bad word about anyone in his life. He doesn’t talk bad about anyone, even if the rest of the room is. The kids and I are so obsessed with him and couldn’t ask for better! Can’t wait to see what the next 15 years + beyond hold for us!
