When it comes to the holiday season, I am obsessed with creating and continuing on little traditions with my people. Something about having something to look forward that leaves that memory with them means so much to me. When we first started our little family and it was just Joe, Hunter, and I, I wanted to start something to help me feel a little less home sick. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the very common Christmas tradition of getting pajamas on Christmas Eve. I love pajamas and thought it was the sweetest tradition, but put my own spin on it and we have loved it alllll these years later!
While I loved the idea behind the tradition, I didn’t love the timing. I am a sucker for the cute very Christmasy MATCHING pajamas. So you can see my problem with the timing. I wanted to be able to sport our cute pajamas all season long! So we had the idea to open our pajamas on Thanksgiving night instead! It has become one of our very favorite traditions for 12 years now!
I’ve been able to find so many cute options over the years, and almost all of them are from Hanna Andersson. You guys, when it comes to matching (holiday or not) they just can’t be beat!! And they have adult sizes too, so you can make it a family affair. You KNOW Joe loves that! Haha! So today I thought I’d round up my favorites I’ve seen this year in case you want to start your own fun tradition too!
… FAVORITE HOLIDAY PAJAMAS …
… FAVORITE EVERY DAY PAJAMAS …
With my love for family traditions, I’d love to add some more! So share your favorites with me here or over on Instagram too!! That way everyone can see all your ideas!! Also thanks so much for being here + make sure to check back for all the best GIFT GUIDES for all your people!!
If there is one appointment I’ve allllllways dreaded in my life, it is the dentist! Just hearing people talk about a toothache stressed me out, so I always pushed off making an appointment. Being in a new area I had no idea where to even start looking and who I could trust, especially with my crazy fear of the whole experience. My friend Kate told me to check out Dr. Chad Ellis at the Smile Studio, and you guys…my whole attitude towards the dentist has been completely changed. He is that good. You know I consider you my girlfriends and have to share when I find something good, and a dentist is no exception. So today I wanted to share with you what sets him apart as the very best, AND I even got him to answer all your dental questions too!
You probably think I’m crazy talking about a dentist like he is some kind of miracle worker, but you guys he is! As soon as I sat foot in his office, my fears left my mind. Every single person that works there talks to you and takes interest in you like you have been friends for years, especially Chad and his wife Lynette. They are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. The office runs like one big family, with everyone sharing all the responsibilities. They call them selves members of a team, and it really shows how much Dr. Ellis realizes they are as much a part of the team as he is.
There is no waiting room, because the don’t believe in wasting your time and making you wait. I have been in to the office a handful of times now and never once had to wait. That right there should be reason enough, especially if you’ve ever been trapped in a waiting room with your little people. They have a great little room with snacks and movies for you and your kids to relax in and it could not be nicer.
So now on to your questions!! When I shared about my fear of the dentist over on Instagram, SO SO many of you could relate! I opened up my stories to any and all the dental questions you had for Dr. Ellis, and sat down with him to get all the answers!
WHAT AGE DO YOU REALLY RECOMMEND TAKING YOUR KIDS IN FOR THEIR FIRST VISIT? I would say around 2-3 years old.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE ON PREPARING YOUR KIDS FOR A DENTIST APPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY THEIR FIRST? The best advice I can give is to bring them to the dentist BEFORE there is a problem if possible. It is always best if the first visit isn’t an emergency or a toothache. If their first visit to the dentist is just routine visit it can save someone from having a life long fear of the dentist. Don’t make too big of a deal about the appointment, but try to stay positive!
WHAT AGE IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS TO USE LAUGHING GAS? Laughing gas is completely safe for toddlers when administered properly. I would say 3 years old would be fine.
BESIDES THE QUALITY OF DENTAL CARE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER DENTAL OFFICES? Great question! We love the relationships and trust that we build with our patients and their families. Also, we take our training seriously and are up on the very latest and best techniques available, to give you the best experience we can.
I HAVE A 9 YEAR OLD WHO IS STARTING TO GET YELLOW TEETH, EVEN SHE HAS NOTICED. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND? I would recommend whitening toothpaste. If that doesn’t work, we would do an evaluation to see if she would be a good candidate for whitening trays, as well as look to see if the teeth had other reasons they were yellowing and what we could do to fix it.
WHAT AGE IS IT SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD TO START USING TOOTHPASTE? When they can spit the majority of it out in the sink, rather than accidentally swallowing it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR BRUSHING A TODDLERS TEETH? Stand behind you child and look in the mirror with them as you brush their teeth so they can actually see what you’re doing and how they will eventually do it themselves. This way is a lot less intimidating and makes sense in their minds what’s is really happening.
WHAT TOOTH WHITENING TOOTHPASTE IS THE BEST? Gosh there are so many! If it has the ADA seal on it it has to do what it says it will do. I do like Rembrandt personally.
I hope this helps answer some of your questions for your visits or for taking your own little people in. A lot of you had questions about my teeth whitening and what I’ve had done by Dr. Ellis, and we will be sharing all about that and what the office offers in a follow up post coming soon! So if you have any additional questions about my experience or for Dr. Ellis, leave them here and we will get to all of them!
If you are anything like me , life feels a little crazy and hectic pretty much every day! Haha! So throw in all the things that come along with the Holiday Season, and I sometimes wonder how I don’t lose my mind completely! I’ve really been trying to simplify and organize in hopes of staying a little more stress free, and I wanted to share some of my tips with you today!
…. GET YOUR CARDS DONE EARLY …
I know it seems a little crazy to start planning Christmas related things in the summer, but this one has been a game changer for me! The last couple of years, I have scheduled our family pictures for EARLY SEPTEMBER. The first perk is we aren’t in the middle of all the crazy schedules the holidays bring. I have time to plan out outfits and fit the shoot in our schedule. The next major perk is you can get your pictures back and have your Holiday Cards ordered in OCTOBER! It is the best thing.
I have used Minted for our Christmas cards for I think the last 6 or 7 years now, and don’t think I’ll ever change. I am so in love with them every year. You cannot beat the quality they provide. They have so many unique styles to choose from and ship fast too. If that isn’t enough, they’ve added so many user friendly perks to ordering, it’s amazing.
For example, if you are indecisive on what is going to look best, you can TEXT (yes you read that right) your family picture, and a designer will pick out 5 options they think will work best and send them back to you with your image in them! They also offer FREE envelopes and ADDRESSING. With the amount of time it saves me to not have to address every single card, it is a game changer. I highly recommend Minted!!
… MAKE A GIFT LIST + STICK TO IT …
If you’re anything like me, it is easy to want to buy allllll the things for allll the people. Not only does it do damage on your budget, but it takes up so much time you could be spending with your people or tackling other tasks on your holiday to-do’s.
Last year I wrote down each person and what I needed for their gift and really tried to stick to the list, kind of like a grocery list. Haha, promise I love the people more than groceries, but you get the idea. It saved so many unneeded trips to the store to grab one more present or return one more thing. And the money saved was the frosting on top. I have friends that get their shopping done months in advance, and this is a big reason as to why.
… PRIORITIZE YOUR FAVORITE TRADITIONS + SCRATCH THE REST …
The holidays bring so many fun activities and traditions, and as the years go on, the list seems to grow. As mom’s we want to make it the best, and not have our kids miss out on anything, so we tend to over cram our schedules. This is one of the hardest tips to force myself to do, but ends up being one of the best.
At the beginning of the season, think through all your peoples favorite traditions. Get those on your schedule and make them your top priority. And then be okay with saying no to some of the fillers. If your people are anything like mine, they end up cherishing the time we just spend together at home just as much if not more, so don’t over do it.
… IT’S OK TO SAY NO …
I think as women this is an everyday problem, not just a holiday one. We try to be super mom and volunteer for all the things, and it just isn’t possible, especially during the holidays. Our number one focus should be spending time with the ones we love. So keep that in mind when you are making your decisions. If the Kindergarten Christmas Party means you get extra time with your little one, go for it. But maybe that means saying no to baking extra treats for a different activity. You can’t do it all, and trying to is probably what makes the holidays most stressful.
… HIRE HELP …
This one is kind of the wild card of the bunch, but I promise it will be a game changer. It goes right along with trying to do all the things like I mentioned above. I want to challenge you all to pick one thing that really doesn’t need to be done by you specifically this holiday season, and HIRE IT OUT. It will be the best present you ever gave yourself. It could be something as simple as having your presents wrapped….or desserts catered for your party instead of baking them yourself. Having someone decorate your tree for you or hang your lights. My personal favorite, have someone come and clean your house before hosting guests. Take one thing and let someone else do it, so you can have more time with your people.
I hope you find these tips helpful and that you can be a little less stressed this year! I’d love to hear your best tips for a stress free holiday!
My first baby is turning 12 tomorrow and I cannot believe it!!! I swear we were just pulling away from the hospital wondering how they were letting us leave when we knew nothing! The years have completely flown by. Somehow we are heading into the Tween years with our sweet Hunter. She is honestly one of the kindest most thoughtful people I know. To help celebrate, today I’m sharing some of my favorite things about Hunter…and how we are feeling about the Tween years!
She has had a huge growth spurt this past year. Every time I post one of our family pictures over on Instagram, you are all shocked at the fact that she is basically as tall as me. It is crazy. I even caught her trying on some of my jeans the other day and she is close to being able to share. I can’t even handle it. Where did the time go?!
On that same note, she is really starting to show a lot more interest in planning out her outfits. She is getting better at matching them and putting them together herself, and loves accessorizing, especially with my jewelry. It has been so fun to be able to shop together more and be interested in the same stuff
Hunter is the BEST babysitter and my complete right hand girl, especially when Joe is working. She helps bathe the babies and can put them down for naps or bedtime. The best part is they are just as in love with her as I am, especially Houston. Sometimes I think he would choose her over me and I love seeing their little bond.
Hunter LOVES LOVES soccer. It is one of my favorite things to watch because I know how much heart and hard work she puts in to every game.
She already knows she wants to go to BYU Hawaii and that it isn’t cheap. Her grades are her obsession and she is constantly checking them and making sure she is still on track, because she wants to earn a scholarship. I love this about her and that I don’t feel like I have to push her to work hard.
Hunter is so incredibly kind to everyone, and never wants anyone to feel left out. With her being the oldest, I’ve always felt like she was kind of the trial and error child, but I always get the best feedback from teachers and other moms about how kind and inclusive she is. It is so refreshing as a mom to get that reminder that even though we might feel like we’re failing, they really are remembering and practicing what we’ve taught them.
So now that you know a little bit more about our awesome girl, I thought I’d share some of the fun and not so fun things that have come along with entering the Tween years, in hopes you’ll send me all your tips to surviving! Haha!
The cell phone. Oh how in a lot of ways I wish they didn’t exist. She has been begging us for an iPhone and it isn’t going to happen. She has a flip phone so we can still keep tabs on her, and she about dies of embarrassment every time she has to pull it out. But after getting a peek into the bullying and drama that came just from texting when she had an ipod, we are not even discussing that until she is at least 16. They are more harm than good in my book and I want her screen free as long as possible!
She is really into her friends and entering that stage where she wants to be with them more than with us. Honestly it has been really hard on me. I know she has the sweetest friends. I don’t worry about that. She is just so great I just want to keep her to myself!
She is starting to fight the “no sleepover” rule we have. But this is something we are for sure sticking to our guns. There are too many horror stories of what goes on at sleepovers, even with family. It’s just not worth the risk. Nothing good happens after midnight! We let her have late nights with her friends so she still gets to have the fun, but I don’t see the reason to add in the sleeping over part.
And last but definitely not least, is makeup! She begs and begs to wear it all the time. When did you let your people start wearing makeup?! I swear I was in like 10th grade! It might sound crazy, but I’m considering letting her get her lashes tinted and curled so she feels like she has the look of makeup, without all the maintenance during her sports. Annnnd maybe that will push off her need to wear the other stuff. I can only hope.
If you can’t tell, we couldn’t love our Hunter girl more. Everyone she meets falls in love with her after knowing her for 5 minutes. I hope I can be more like her one day! Happy Birthday Hunter!!
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!
