Hunter is entering the Tween years and has been begging for her own room! I am over here thinking we just finally got settled, I can’t do a big change!! Didn’t we just finish their room (see details here). I am not about to go buy all new furniture and start another room design. Instead of completely shutting her down, we decided to compromise. We made a few simple updates to incorporate more of her personal style. It was such an easy way to give the room a new look, that I wanted to share the 3 updates we did with you!
I know this sounds too simple to have a big effect, but it definitely can. Find a fun new color or pattern, like the stripes we chose, that will pop. And then the trick is to fold down your comforter so you can see the sheets. Since Utah winter is around the corner and the basement is freezing, we went with cozy flannel sheets from Pottery Barn Teen. It made the biggest difference in the girls room and it was the easiest switch!We absolutely loved their fun pattern options, and that so many of them were part of their Fair Trade Collection, supporting a healthy working environment and of course better for the planet!
I have pillows everywhere possible, so it should come as no surprise to you how much I love pillows! So when I tried to come up with some other simple updates to give the room a new look, I knew switching those up could definitely give it a different feel. Pottery Barn Teen had the perfect “grown up” but still fun options for her tween style. I love this simple update. We went with this fuzzy one and love it! We can easily switch back or switch again and we didn’t have to spend a bunch of money or move heavy furniture.
Something as simple as adding a new picture frame or desk organizer to a previously empty shelf can give you that something new you are looking for. So I love taking a shelf or nightstand space in the room and completely redoing it. It gives your eye something new to look at and can satisfy that craving to remodel the whole house!
Like I said, these are really such quick and easy changes you can make so you can transform your space! I’d love to hear your favorite way to freshen up your home too!
I don’t know about you, but life is in a crazy stage for us. It feels like it is a constant go go go. I’ve started to notice that certain habits I’ve gotten into can really make or break my day when it comes to my productivity. I know I am always looking for tips to make my day run a little easier or a little smoother, so I thought I’d share the 3 things that have really helped me be the most productive in my day!
This one has been SUCH a game changer for me! As you probably saw last week, I shared 6 things that keep me motivated to work out, and one of them is starting my day feeling so energized and ready to take on the day. When I set my alarm, and get to Orange Theory and back by 7, it starts my day off so well. I feel like I’m awake and more attentive to my little people in the morning. My mind is more focused and not so groggy from just pulling myself out of bed. I can take the time to get ready before they need my attention. The day just runs so much smoother.
…GOING TO BED WITH A CLEAN HOUSE…
I don’t know about you, but waking up to a mess instantly puts me in a bad mood. When I take the time to pick up around the house before going to bed, I feel like I wake up ahead of the game, instead of with that on my to do list as soon as my eyes open. I love that it gives the day a fresh start and to me a clean house is a HAPPY house!
… MAKE YOUR BED…
Are you having flashbacks to your teen years with your mom telling you that evvvvery morning? Those moms were on to something. It seems like the simplest task, but I promise you it makes the biggest difference into how productive your day ends up being. If my bed isn’t made, I feel like it is calling my name every time I walk in my room. I much more likely to be lazy and lounge around all day if I feel like that cozy spot is open and available. Right along with clean house, it just makes things feel more put together and less of a distraction.
I know these are the simplest tips to being more productive. But for me they have been SUCH a game changer. It is the difference between feeling sluggish or like I can conquer the day! haha! Figuring out little things we can change that make big impacts on our time and efficiency are what its all about in this parenting game, so I hope they are helpful! I’d love to hear your little tips + tricks to make your day productive and awesome too!
Now that some of the little people are back in school and in a routine, I’ve really been trying to take more time to focus on getting healthier, both through eating better and working out. If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably saw me repeatedly say over the summer that I really wanted to get on a workout schedule, but getting back in to the groove can be hard!! I seemed to have all the excuses, but once I started, now I can’t get enough. We can all kind of get stuck in that funk. So today I wanted to share 6 things that are keeping me motivated to work out!
My first reason is pretty simple, but probably one of the most important. I feel so much healthier already. Before I started working out again, I was constantly so so tired. The change in my energy has been unreal. I know that my eating healthier goes hand in hand with this, but I am shocked at how quickly I just felt healthier overall, and I honestly don’t want to lose that feeling! For me personally, my workout reason wasn’t to lose weight, but to feel stronger and healthier and I am already seeing results I love.
My day goes so much better when I wake up early and get it done. I thought my girlfriends that woke up at 5 0r 6 am were insane. But there is something about getting up before my little people and taking that time to better myself just makes me feel so much more accomplished. It starts my day off on the right foot. I feel like I’m fully awake and already have my day going and energy up when they wake up and need me. And as a mom, I don’t have to let that guilt we get creep in because they are still sleeping!
3. The change in my mental health completely blows my mind. My assistant Michelle had constantly told me that working out makes her a different person mentally, and honestly, I kind of took it with a grain of salt. Sure you were getting a break but it can’t do that much. Boy was I wrong.
I have already noticed I am in such a better place. Not only am I a nicer mom and wife, but I have so much more patience. As much as we don’t think of it as some sort of lucky thing we get to go do, taking that time for me and actually leaving the house alone, just makes you feel like your own person again too, on top of being a mom. I don’t go to the regular gym. I go to Orange Theory. But even that small amount of social interaction from the staff and people around you just makes you kind of feel like an adult again for a minute and give you that breather you need.
4. My kids are a huge motivation for me to continue my regular workout. I want them to see that i’m striving to be healthier. That taking time for myself is important too. I want them to know how important I think believing in yourself + setting goals is. I never really saw my parents go and workout or place a huge importance on that, and I want to be that example for them to love your body and work to keep it healthy and strong.
5. This may sound like kind of a lame but it is motivator. But it is a big one for me, and that is my stage in life. Over that past years, I’ve always kind of made the excuse to myself of what is the point…I’m just going to get pregnant again and lose it all. I know that is a dumb excuse, but I feel like now that I’m not pregnant or nursing or anything, I’m more motivated. My hard work is here to stay and gives me more motivation to keep going and enjoy longer lasting results. Now this is not to say I shouldn’t have done it earlier to have healthier pregnancies. You do you.
6. My last but DEFINITELY not least thing that motivates me to workout are the workout clothes! Just like when you get a new pair of jeans or shoes and you are excited to wear them out with the girls or on date night, workout clothes is the same for me! I think in all aspects of life if you feel good you do better, and a workout is no exception. I even have girlfriends who use that cute pair of shoes or sports bra they have their eye on as a reward for reaching exercise goals.
With athleisure being so trendy right now, I’ve been loving the endless amounts of cute options. I was shocked when I found some of my favorites on Walmart.com. How did I have no idea Walmart had high end brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Steve Madden? I love that I can splurge a little on some of the pieces, but they pair perfectly with their Everyday Brand options too, like these leggings or sports bras. The quality is still amazing and you can’t be the prices!
Whatever motivates you, I hope you take the time to focus on yourself sometimes. As moms and even as women in general, I think it is built in to us to put the focus on others first and forget we need to take of us too! So I wanna know, what are your best workout motivators?!
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m alllll about the online shopping. As a busy mom, anything that saves me time is a win in my book! Of course one of my most visited websites is an obvious for a lot of us, the amazing AMAZON! Seriously if it is not on Amazon, is it even worth having?! Haha! Besides ordering diapers, batteries, or the more boring purchases, I’ve found some awesome things I’m loving on there too! I always love hearing what my girlfriends find on amazon, especially because it’s almost always a great deal, so I thought it would be fun every month or so to share what’s in my amazon cart!
If you follow along on Instagram, you know we’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I’ve been trying to make healthier choices for myself and my family, so we’ve been experimenting on lots of fun new recipes! (stay tuned, I’m sharing some favorites next week!) I’m all about convenience in the kitchen so I’m loving a few gadgets right now!
Blender : I’ve shared how obsessed I am with my morning protein shake, and this little gadget makes it so quick and easy! Not sure how I lived without it for so long!!
Mixer : I love spending time with my little people and in the kitchen is one of my favorite places! I love seeing their creativity and excitement to help bake up some cookies or cupcakes. I love that with this mixer I don’t have to worry about a giant mess like with letting them use a hand mixer.
Instant Pot: Where has this been all my life? This right here is a busy mom’s best friend. I love that I don’t have to plan hours and hours ahead like with a slow cooker, but I still get the convenience of a one pot meal.
FOR BABY :
Is it just me, or does everything look good on a chubby little baby body?! These baby finds are no exception!!
Kickee Pants: I know I know, I’ve shared 1000 times, but you guys, I cannot get enough. I mean look at that baby belly in their cute stretchy jams? I love how incredibly soft these are. You know they are a win when my babies find them in their drawers and bring them to me to put on them!
Baby Bling: Wondering what the headband bows are that you always see on Harper? These are them and I obviously can’t get enough. They are soft on her head unlike the skinny band options and I swear they come in every color imaginable.
Counter High Chair: If you could only see how many direct messages I get every time I show the tiniest glimpse of this chair over on Instagram. Don’t worry I’m just as obsessed with it as all of you and am happy to share! We have had it for years and love it! It is so easy to clean both the seat and under it since you aren’t lifting a giant chair out of the way. And the babies love being right up in the action!
The last few months I’ve really been trying to put a focus on my health and feeling stronger/healthier. Along with finding better eating habits, I’ve taken on working out and have been loving how I feel! But everyone knows a good workout needs a good outfit, so I had to share some favorite Amazon finds!
Shoes : These are on repeat and not just for workouts. They are the comfiest shoes on the planet, and go so well with just about everything. Plus who doesn’t love that classic black and white?
Hat : I love a good hat that is both functional but of course cute. Working out means more sweaty hair days, so I’m about the hat look! I am loving all the cute hat options, especially this one and this one!
Leggings : I may or may not end up wearing these all day because they are just that comfortable, but at least I worked out in the too right?! That’s gotta count for something! And you cannot beat this price!!
Tops : While Amazon is widely known for all the gadgets, electronics and gear you can get, they aren’t as known for their fashion, but they should be!! I’ve found so many cute tops for great deals. I’m loving this one for fall.This cardigan would be perfect for layering, and I even found one of my favorite zip up hoodies.
Slides : I’ve been wearing these slides on repeat because they are so amazing. I was bummed when they sold out so fast, until I found this pair that is almost identical!
Tanning Lotion : For those of you who aren’t quite ready to commit to the tanning machine I’m obsessed with, I’ve found a solution. My friend Leanne recommended this lotion and I’m actually loving it. It doesn’t smell and it works so well. I don’t love how it stays on your hands, but I think that is fixable if yuo wash right after.
That’s it for this month, but stay tuned! I promise to share all my favorite finds + steals here on a more regular basis. But I wanna know…what is your favorite thing to snag from Amazon?!
Fall is in the air in Utah and we are loving it!! We have been trying to soak in alllll the fun things before the weather gets too cold here in Utah. From pumpkin patches to girls trips…to narrowing down the best Halloween Costumes, we are fitting it all in, so I’d thought I’d share a little bit with you in today’s October update!
October in Utah is so so beautiful. The leaves have really popped and so far (knock on wood) the weather isn’t freezing. I have been really trying to soak up all the fun that comes along with this time of year with my people. Last year we were still stuck in the rental and it just didn’t feel like home. We didn’t have any of our Halloween decorations and it just wasn’t the same.
So this year we are out doing ourselves and trying to do all the things. We went to a couple of local pumpkin patches the little people loved, have been baking lots of yummy treats, and have been snuggling up for movies. They even got me to take them to a Halloween store for an hour just to play with all the scary decor. It was really so fun! Really just anything to soak up these memories with them! We have a Halloween party this weekend so we’ve been trying to get the people to decide on costumes. Which is always an adventure too!
Another reason I love October is because me, my mom, and my sisters try to have a little girls weekend too! This year we went to Gardner Village and then up to Deer Valley. Gardner Village had the cutest witch stuff we couldn’t resist trying on. And Park City right now is gorgeous…freezing but gorgeous! We even got to wake up to some snow! I loved having that time to just kind of take a break from everything and be with them. So so fun!
In case you missed out, we’ve been sharing a lot of fun things here on the blog for October too. To help you come up with some fun thing to do with your people too, I shared Our Fall Bucket List. You had so many fun ideas, so I can’t wait to try out a few more! I also have had sooo many questions about how life with a puppy is going for us, so I shared my thoughts on that and some tips for anyone thinking about getting a puppy too! And maybe my favorite post this month, is all about the brands I’m loving right now. From an amazing bag for any woman…to the jeans I have on repeat…and a few new things I’ve been doing to take care of myself, its all in there!
I think that about sums it up for our little October Update! October has me feeling all kinds of excited (and a little stressed) for the holidays and birthdays we have coming up! But I can’t wait for all the extra family time this season brings. So I hope you are having a Happy Fall with your crew too!
If you’ve been around here, its probably no secret that when I love a product or brand, I can’t stop talking about it! I truly consider you guys like a big group of my girlfriends, and just like with them, I have to share the best of the best with you! I’ve been really loving a few brands even more than normal lately. Some are old favorites I’ve been obsessed with for years, and some are new that I can’t get enough of. I’ve mentioned a little in my Instagram Stories, but I wanted to share a little bit of the why here with you, because they are all SO good!
This is one my for sure favorite brands right now! My absolute favorite thing from Free People lately is their jeans! They are amazing quality and only $78. I have them in the dark wash denim, black and white and wear them every single chance I get.
With Fall weather here in Utah, I have fallen in love with their sweaters too! My favorite is this one in the mustard and grey options. I will say they are a little higher priced, but in my opinion worth every penny. I’d rather have a sweater I want to wear every single day, rather then a cheaper one I’m not dying over. For me and my current wardrobe I’m really trying to focus on quality over quantity and keep things minimal, with staple pieces I can wear over and over. I love that I can pair it with jeans, or both of my sisters have it and paired it over this basic dress and it was so darling!!!
And last but definitely not least has got to be their rompers. It should come as no surprise to any of you that I am obsessed with them. They are out of this world! I love the selections and different styles, and that you don’t have to layer a cardigan over or wear a shirt underneath. They are the best! I have this one pictured below in 2 colors because it is that good!
It should come as no surprise that we LOVE Freshly Picked at our house! I started using their moccs back when Hayden was 2 and have used them on both babies since. I love that they have such a huge variety of colors and patterns. They are so soft and comfy for little babes too.
And the bags. Oh my don’t even get me started on those!! First the classic diaper bag. It is probably the best bag I’ve ever owned. The quality is AMAZING and it can hold so so much. I’m packing for 2 babies, plus some extras for the big kids and myself and I never feel like I’m cramped on space. I recently got their newer tote as well and it makes for the perfect travel bag. It’s got about a million pockets so everything stays nice and organized, just the way my brain likes it. There are bigger pockets that I can stick my water bottle in, a place for my laptop + phone, and even a secret pocket my kids don’t know about that I can hide treats in for me! 🙂 I just took it with me to LA and got so many compliments on it.
If you follow along over on Instagram, you saw me talk about THE FRINGE. It is a genius subscription type plan they started early this year I think, and it is amazing. You pay $10 a month to be part of it, BUT you get $10 in credit. You can use it that same month, or save up for a few months to buy something bigger. Fringe members get early and exclusive access to sales and products, plus 20% off EVERYTHING. Even if something is on sale, you still get an extra 20% off. It kind of seems too good to be true, but it’s not. And to make things even better, you can use code FPxKAILEE to get your first month free. You will still get the $10 credit in your account too! But act fast because it only works the next couple days!
Can you even handle that curvy baby body in these jammies?! Ah it makes me want to just kiss her! You’ve heard me talk about these little outfits a million times. They are from Kickee Pants and seriously take up at least half of Harper’s wardrobe. The patterns and color options are enough to get you hooked, but the fabric. Imagine like the softest thing you’ve ever touched, and then times it by 10. That is how these feel. They are so so stretchy so they mold right around those darling baby bellies. Even my big kids have some of the 2 piece sets because they have been hooked for years.
If you follow along over on Instagram, you’ve heard me talk about trying to eat healthier. I finally realized the pop tarts and chocolate milk probably wasn’t the best decision or example. I had heard so much about Clean Simple Eats. What surprised me was what I was hearing was how DELICIOUS every single meal was, and not just how healthy they are. After seeing her protein was “Brownie Batter”, I knew she could be trusted, so I decided to take the plunge and get the meal plan.
I am now kicking myself that I waited so long. Every single thing I’ve tried has been easy to throw together and so so good. The shake below is my absolute favorite thing, I consider it a treat and wish i could have it for every meal. I already feel so much better and more energized and I can tell it is because I have been focusing on better eating. If you want to try, you can use code KAILEE for $15 off meal plans.
This one has been a favorite for years now too. I can’t even tell you how long I searched for a skin care line I loved. In the past I’ve found a face wash or a moisturizer I liked in the past, but never a full line that I truly love, until Tula. I use their cleanser and the hydrating day/night cream religiously. They make your skin feel so clean but never dry or dull. I never miss them in my daily routine because my skin craves them. You know a product is good when you give them as gifts to all your girlfriends for birthdays and Christmas! You can use code KAILEEFALL for 20% off your order!
This one goes right along with trying to really focus on more healthy version of myself. I had been feeling really tired and kind of blah, and wondered if something was a little off balance. I saw a friend share about these vitamins and figured it was worth a shot. You go on their website and take a little quiz to kind of get to know your health a little better. Once you get your results, it gives you a list of your recommended vitamins and they ship them right to you. The very best part is they come in individual little pouches for each day, making them perfect for on the go and travel. I have felt so much better over the last few months I have been using them. If you want to check them out, use code KAILEE25 for 25% off!
I hope this little brand highlight was helpful to you in why I truly love these brands! I love hearing my girlfriends favorites and finding new things to try! So I wanna know, do you have a brand you just can’t get enough of?! Share it with me in the comments or over on Instagram!
If you’ve been around here for the last little bit, you’ve probably noticed we have added a 8th member to our family. No not another baby, promise we are done with that. A new puppy! We are all so in love with her and can’t get enough, but it hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies! Haha! I’ve been getting a lot of questions on how life with a new puppy is going, and any advice I have, so I thought I’d share a little bit with you today.
Now I know a lot of you are probably thinking we are insane to add a puppy to our plate right now. Isn’t 5 kids schedules enough crazy? And we kind of are. BUT, our little people had been asking for years, and we all went into it knowing it was going to be their dog, which means their responsibility. Before we even told them they could get one, we sat them down and talked about the nitty gritty. We literally took out all the fun stuff and told them every hard thing they were going to deal with to make sure they were on board. The cleaning up poop….potty breaks…taking her for a walk even if you were tired, everything. I think knowing what they were getting into really helped a lot and they have done so so good.
I think when people see a new cute little puppy, that is exactly all they think of. Oh my gosh! How cute?! I have to have one! And they go into it completely blind. A puppy is a baby dog, and just like how you usually think about and prepare to have a baby, I HIGHLY recommend doing the same for a puppy.
So a little before Christmas last year we decided we were ready to surprise the little people with a puppy. She was the sweetest little thing and we named her Harley. Around a month after we got her, she passed away in a freak accident in our soon to be backyard. We were all so heart broken because we had instantly fallen in love. It is crazy how quickly you can bond and make a connection with a little animal. After we took a break to think about it, we were contacted by the breeder about taking home Harley’s little sister. The little people thought it was so perfect to be able to feel like we still had a piece of cute Harley in our home. They chose to name her Marley 🙂
Now that you know a little bit of our story and how we prepared…I thought I’d share a few puppy tips!
Consider the time of year you get your puppy. We got Marley in the beginning of the summer and it was perfect. The weather here in Utah was nice so it was easy to potty train her outside and not have to deal with her not wanting to go potty in the rain or cold. My little people were all home too, so they could take on the responsibility from the get go. They were also constantly outside playing, so the puppy could be too.
Get A Potty Bell! If you don’t know what this method is, you’ve got to look it up. It is a game changer when it comes to potty training your puppy, and I’m so glad so many of your recommended it! You basically teach the puppy to ring a little bell by the door when she needs to go potty. I swear that bell has saved us from a million little accidents throughout the house.
Stick to your guns. If you are like us and getting the puppy for your little people, hold them to their responsibility. You probably already have enough on your plate so let/make them take on those daily duties too.
I know it sounds crazy, but Marley has truly become a little furry member of our family. We love her and don’t know what we’d do without her! As much as I love her, I think what I have loved the most is being able to teach my little people hard work and what its like to have a job and be responsible. They have already grown so much and you can see they have a little sense of pride in her.
So I wanna know…do you have a puppy? What are some of your biggest tips for training or living with a new puppy?
When it comes to diapers, you could say I’m a seasoned veteran. With 5 little people in tow, I don’t think there is a brand out there I haven’t tried. There were different things I loved about each. Honest always has so many adorable patterns for both boys and girls. Target’s Up + Up are an amazing price point. Pampers are so dang soft and you cannot get better than their Swaddlers for your tiny newborns. So when Pampers reached out about representing their new line, and told me how much of a game changer it was, I was excited!
Now lets back track to that phone call. I’ll be honest, at the time, I wasn’t completely sold on Pampers yet, but I decided to go into the phone call anyway and be completely honest with them. I told them every little thing I didn’t like and allll my picky mom thoughts + opinions and figured they would never call back! Haha! A few days later they did call me back and offered to fly me out to Cincinnati to prove how good their new Pampers Pure Collection really is.
You guys, I was BLOWN AWAY. If the buttery soft touch and adorable patterns wasn’t enough to get my attention, the thoughtful ingredients that go into each diaper with your babes sensitive skin in mid was. And then they did a test to show the difference between Honest Co. Diapers + the new Pampers Pure Collection and I was floored at the difference.
I’ve had so many of you ask why I made the switch and what did it for me, and this test is it! It’s so crazy impressive that I had to show you a well in this little video clip below.
Isn’t that incredible? If your babies are anything like mine, they pee a lot at night, and the Honest diapers we had loved for looks, just weren’t cutting it in functionality, and now I could see why! So to go along with this visual, I wanted to give you a little pros and cons list on both!
PROS :
– Such ADORABLE patterns for BOTH genders. I honestly love just about every single one and love that there are no cheesy cartoon characters.
CONS :
– Said adorable patterns always show through baby girl dresses and lighter clothing.
– They do not hold through the night. We constantly have leaks, which wake up your baby. And nobody wants to wake a sleeping baby.
PROS :
– So dang soft. Like they have got to be so cozy for your little babes bum.
– They hold SO much. We haven’t had a leaked through diaper since.
– Cute patterns that are subtle…so they are cute when your baby is just wearing a diaper, but don’t show through clothes when you want them hidden.
CONS :
– Not enough pattern variety, but they’ve promised more fun ones are coming soon!
I don’t know about you, but as a mom, I don’t want to compromise on getting the best for my little people, and that includes diapers. Knowing I can have such high quality diapers, with a trusted leak protection makes the choice a no brainer for me!
Fall is officially here in Utah, and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! Being in California for so long + growing up in Southern Utah, it has been amazing to actually experience all the seasons here. The leaves are just gorgeous and we haven’t even been minding the slightly cooler temps. Now if only it could last a little longer, because we all know this hot weather girl is not ready for the snow!! Fall seems to bring an even crazier and busier schedule for us. I really wanted to try and set aside some fun activities to look forward too this season, so I reached out to you guys to help me come up with Fall Bucket List! Today I’m sharing my 25 favorite that I can’t wait to go do with my people!
pick your pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch! I love this idea so you are supporting your local community, instead of just grabbing one at the grocery store.
make homemade caramel apples! I think this one would be so fun! Let your little people pick out their own toppings so they feel like they are really making it their own.
jump in a huge pile of leaves! This one has Houston + Hudson (and maybe Joe too) written all over it!
go apple picking! We have never done this one, but doesn’t it sound so fun + yummy?
boo your friends or neighbors! I shared about this last year and it is SO SO fun! You can make cookies or just put together a bag of treats from the store. You doorbell ditch them leaving the treat behind with a little note that says “You’ve been boo’d”!
carve or paint pumpkins! We’ve got little people, so knives aren’t my favorite. I love the idea of painting them and getting so many fun colors.
take a drive in the mountains to see the fall leaves! The leaves in Utah right now are GORGEOUS so I for sure can’t wait for this one!
make tinfoil dinners and have a campfire! There is just something about eating up in the mountains rather than at home that says Fall.
have a scary movie marathon! We still have the little littles, so it will probably be more like Hocus Pocus and The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. I loved that this suggestion, because it can be customized to fit your family.
make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! Fall means all things pumpkin, so I’m all about these super easy 3 ingredient YUMMY treats. My people can make them from start to finish themselves!
make a thankful tree or sign! I’m all about any fun way we can teach showing more gratitude to our people.
have a costume fashion show! I loved this idea from one of you! It is so simple, but I know my people will love it! They get to model their costumes, and you can maybe add some scary music to walk or dance to!
decorate halloween sugar cookies! Making and decorating sugar cookies was always a tradition for me growing up, so it is one I have loved to continue with my people.
have a backyard campout! Oh my, my little people will die over this one, because it just seems like such an adventure. I maybe will have to volunteer to come in with the babies when its time to actually sleep.
go to a haunted house! This is way too scary for my liking, because I hate jumpy freaky things. But it would be such a fun thing to do to get bigger kids interested in family time.
make your own fall scarecrow! I had never heard of this idea, but it is probably one of my favorites.
go trick or treating! I know it seems like this one is kind of obvious, but it’s good to have easy traditions you know your people look forward to on the list too!
go on a hayride! I love this one for an easy full family idea. I’ve noticed a lot of our local pumpkin patches offer this option, because it kind of makes the hunt for the best pumpkin a little more exciting!
make homemade donuts and apple cider! Another idea that just screams yum!
play a family football game! – This one came from one of you too and I think it would be so hilarious to do with our family!
Whatever it is, big or small, above all I hope you have such a fun Fall season with your people! And don’t forget to share your favorite fall activities so I can add them to my list!
Whether I like it or not, my little people are growing up! They are becoming so independent, especially when it comes to our time in the kitchen. Even Houston wants to be big like his siblings and do everything himself! We purposely designed our pantry to be so kid friendly so they could quickly and easily grab snacks or make lunches. They love it so much that they have started taking over our other meals too! I’ve had questions lately on how I let them help + any tips I have to make it go a little smoother (and cleaner!), so today I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to let them shine in the kitchen, and the products that help make it possible!
First up is the Magic Bullet. This little gadget is my little peoples FAVORITE. I think for me the best part is they don’t have to haul out our huge blender every time they want to mix something up. In the mornings, they love to mix up a quick smoothie. The easy to read measurement guidelines on the side, make it quick for them to know how much to pour, and we don’t have to worry about making a huge batch. They love using it for dinner time too. It is a great way for them to chop ingredients I need and I don’t have to worry about knives and someone chopping a finger off.
My next favorite kid friendly appliance is the Kitchen Aid Mixer. I have been doing a lot more baking lately and the little people LOVE to help. Who doesn’t want to be right there ready to sample a little cookie dough?! I love that with the plastic pouring shield, I can let any of them sit on the counter and pour in ingredients. I don’t have to worry about any food flying like with a hand mixer, or anyone sticking their fingers in the mixer and getting hurt. Hunter and her friends can whip up a treat when they want one all on their own now.
The last one, that I wish I wasn’t so late to the game on was the Instant Pot!! This has been a major game changer for me. I’m kind of wondering how we lived without it! Houston and Hayden LOVE to push the buttons to program whatever we are making. I’m happy letting them think they cooked the whole meal. Haha. The Instant Pot is so amazing if you have a crazy busy schedule like ours. I can throw healthy meals together quick and not rely so much on a drive-thru or takeout on game nights!
If I could give you one major tip that saves my sanity working with my littles in the kitchen it is to shop wisely. When we moved into our new house, I wanted to replace a lot of these small appliances to upgrade. I knew with a lot of little helpers, I had more of a risk of things breaking. I didn’t want to stress about not letting them learn just because of the price tag.
If you follow along here, you know that I recently scored some great deals on our favorite cleaning supply over on eBay, so I had to see if the same could be true for Kitchen Appliances, and I was blown away. Everything was so quick and easy to find on eBay, and it was all such a steal! I love knowing that I am secretly teaching them to cook and be independent for their future, without the stress of spending too much!
I think as mom’s we all need the little reminder that they learn by experience! Let them be with you making those memories in the kitchen. It is something they will always cherish, and at the same time you are preparing them for the future too! I’d love to hear your favorite tips for cooking in the kitchen with your little people too!
It’s that time of year again. When we all scramble to force our little people (and husbands) to head out for FAMILY PICTURES! I think just about everyone can agree that it family pictures bring out allll the emotions. Whether it is the stress of outfit planning, the toddler (or husband) tantrum, or even feeling a little sentimental, they are full of emotions and can be a challenge, especially with a lot of little people. Since this isn’t my first rodeo, you know I have a few tips and tricks up my sleeve to attempt to help your family pictures go a little smoother, so I thought I’d share them with you today!
Pick out your outfit first : If I could shout this one from the rooftops I would! It is so so important. Mom’s aren’t really known for dying to be in the picture with our little people. But you guys, we need to be part of the memories too! By picking your outfit first, you will guarantee that you feel confident + comfortable. When you feel good about yourself you’ll love your pictures more!! Trust me on this one.
Also, if your self-conscious about your mid-section (which I think some of us are) I’d go with a flowy dress or top so you don’t have a second thought about it. I love dresses for this reason + they are usually nicer then a top + bottom look.
Patterns + textures : Don’t be afraid to add some pattern or different textures to some of the outfits. Adding textures help add more depth + dimension to the image rather then just everyone in a cotton tee. I love knitted cardigans, a scarf, or even a linen shirt or shorts for the boys to break it up a bit. This stripe on Hayden was the perfect kind of wild card to break things up.
The less matchy-matchy you are the better : If I’m being honest, all of our last-minute pictures where I’ve had to throw random outfits together –that necessarily don’t match perfectly always end up the best. This year I picked my dress first and then knew I had this outfit for Harper already that I loved. From there we kind of just picked what the kids were comfortable in. I love how they turned out.
Timing : Timing can be the difference between smooth sailing and a total melt down! Try to do a time when you know your baby or toddler will be happy. Like right after nap time, or dinner. I think this helps the mom’s stress level a million times. Also, make sure your people are all fed and not hungry because that makes a huge difference with their moods. Gosh, I even get hangry sometimes!
Be ok with Candid : Candid photos always turn out the best and they will be the moments that are true and remembered – not the super posed one where everyone is smiling perfect. (even though we like those ones) Whether you catch your kids laughing at each other, someone picking their nose, or even a little tantrum, those are the ones you’ll love the most because they hold your little peoples real personalities.
Get the Money Shot FIRST : If there is a shot you have in mind that you have to have, do it very first. Usually for us, it is the full family shot. Get the must haves out of the way in the first 5 minutes. You never know when someone is going to lose it!
Bribes Work: I see absolutely nothing wrong with bribes for family pictures!! I usually have skittles or gold fish for the kids in Joe’s pocket and will pop one in the kids mouth here and there when they are listening. AND, tell your kids they can get a reward like ice cream or a night at the park if they will listen to the photographer without a fuss. It always helps and we really go and do it afterwards, because who doesn’t need ice-cream after all of this craziness!
Don’t be too prepared : This sounds like I’m crazy, but I learned this year it is very possible. We showed up early and thought it would be great. We had lots of extra time to shoot all that we wanted. It completely back fired because our little people still lost it in the same amount of time, and it ended up being right when we had the best lighting. Mini-shoots are gold. They are 20 minutes for a reason, because we are all usually over it by then!
I hope these tips are helpful! If I can say one more thing it is this. Just go with the flow and embrace your phase of life. One day you’ll look back and the moments you were cringing will be the photos you remember and love most!
When it comes to Kid’s Home Decor, it is always a space I love to plan out and decorate. I tend to steer clear of the typical “character” or themed products, so finding items that I love while staying on budget can be tricky. So when I recently stumbled upon all the new goodness Walmart has added to their Kids Home Decor options, I was floored. Yes you read that right, Walmart. I managed to find things that if I didn’t know better, I would mistake them for identical pieces I’ve seen at top name high end design stores.They are so good that I had to share my favorites with you here!
Ok these were one of my favorite finds on Walmart’s website. You’ve probably seen them here before because my little people are just as obsessed. I love that they still bring a clean modern look to the room, but are still so functional. They were super affordable! So I felt like if they get a little colored on or scratched, because kids are kids, it’s not the end of the world.
My little people cannot get enough of this little couch. Having something a little more their size to sit on is making dreams come true. I love that it still flows with my couches and furniture in the home without being too cheesy or a crazy color, so I’m not compromising my overall home style.
As you probably saw in my post from last week about spending one on one time with the babies, we love reading! I wanted to create a sort of reading nook so the babies and even my bigger kids had a place to just grab a book and be comfy. I love that this bookcase is at their level and makes it easy for them to find what they need. And spoiler alert, its actually a shoe rack! One of my biggest tips for finding decor you love, especially when you are working with a budget is to have an open mind + be a little creative. It serves the purpose I needed it for perfectly, and no one is the wiser! Again I love that looks so much more high end than the price tag reflects, and I don’t have to stress about it actually getting used and showing it.
You should all know by now that I have a love affair with pillows. Like if I could pick one decor item I love the most, pillows would be the winner by far. There is just something about adding that little bit of personality and pop to your space that I love. So when I found these adorable pillows at Walmart, I about died. They are just about IDENTICAL to ones I’ve seen and used from high end design stores.
One thing I like to make sure of when designing a space, is that it feels finished. I really try to focus on more of a modern minimalist look. That being said, I don’t like a space to feel naked, if that makes sense. Always try to finish your space by adding pillows or fun accent pieces. I love all the cute gold animals, book ends, and other finishing accent pieces they had in their collection.
I hope you love these finds as much as I did! When you are working on a kids space, you don’t have to sacrifice your style OR your budget to flow with your typical style. I love knowing that I can grab these pieces and not stress about them going out of style. If I have to update or they need to be replaced, I didn’t empty the bank account to get them. So I wanna know, what are you favorite design deals you’ve snagged?!
