When it comes to my little people’s wardrobe, I kind of like to be in charge. It is one of those things that is really hard for me to let them take the reigns on. As they’ve gotten older, they have started to want more freedom when it comes to what they wear. To save us all a headache in the morning, we decided to make a wardrobe compromise!
Sometimes they still struggle to find things that match…or in Hudson’s case fit the right season. haha! (I’m sure you’ve seen the shorts he’s wore when it’s snowing) So shoes is an easy compromise! They get to pick out their own shoes, if I get to have input on the rest of the outfit. I can’t even tell you how many morning tantrums this has saved us!!
When it’s time for new shoes, I let them start the shopping. We love shopping all our shoes at Rack Room, so we set it up on their size and they get to pick out their top 3. Without fail, they always pick athletic shoes! (anyone else’s people do this?) Luckily Rack Room has so many on trend athleisure items, we can always agree on something! They really have great options for all of us from Harper up to Joe.
It’s been a great compromise for us because the athleisure trend is so easy to dress up or down! I love pairing the girls shoes with a cute skirt or a leggings. The boys can still look put together with a button up and nice jeans! The best part is there is no complaining from anyone!! So win win!!
Also if your in the market you can shop all of Rack Room’s athleisure options for amazing prices now through March 20th! So I wanna know…what is something you have let go? Or let our little people take the reins?
Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just can’t wait for the weekend?! Kind of feeling like that was our week and it wasn’t even that crazy! Like every weekend, today I’m sharing our weekly update, in addition to some really great sales!!
First up on the weekly update, Last Friday I headed down to Southern California SOLO to spend the weekend with some of my favorite girls at Pelican Hill. If you ever get the chance to stay, do it, because it is incredible!!! They completely spoil you while making sure every single need is met. We especially loved spending the afternoon by the pool soaking up the sun + eating alllll the food! haha! We stayed up till 2 AM talking and loved every second.
This past weekend I got to step away from the mom life for a little getaway with some of my favorite girls at Pelican Hill! It’s always so hard for me to leave my people! I’m glad I convinced myself, because a break to relax was exactly what I needed! I’ll be sharing more about the trip on our Weekly Update tomorrow! Since I’ve been doing more traveling than usual lately, and have a few trips coming up, I thought I’d share 5 of my biggest packing tips for this weeks Favorite Finds!
This one might seem a little strange, and like the last thing you want to be thinking about when you are trying to prep for a trip. There are two reasons this makes my top tips. First of all, if the laundry is done it gives you access to your full wardrobe. You can pack the items you actually want + see what you have to work with. The second reason I always try to do this, is so when I get home I only have trip laundry to do, and not everything I failed to do before we left!
STICK TO A LIST…
I swear these days I can’t function without multiple to do lists. Packing, especially for 5 little people, means a definite list. I usually go through and write down all the activities for the particular trip, so I know exactly what we need. This not only makes sure my mom brain doesn’t miss anything, but also makes sure I’m not packing things we don’t need.
PICK VERSATILE PIECES…
This is probably my number one tip. If you are packing a full outfit for each day of your trip, with no multi-use pieces, you will quickly find yourself over packed. I always pack a good pair of jeans, that fit well and don’t stretch too much. That way they look just as good the second time around. A good basic tee is always on the list too. These two items are kind of my “power couple” because I know they can easily transition to nice evening looks by just adding accessories and heels! The same goes for my little people. I go into detail on my must haves for them in this post, but everything has to work for multiple looks.
PACK SMART…
Saving space in a suit case is kind of like a puzzle. I sometimes find myself taking things out and rearranging them to make it work. After a lot of trial and error there are a few things that always help. Number one is ROLL DON’T FOLD! You will always always fit more if you roll your clothes. Second, is to wear your bulk. I try to wear the things that will take up the most space. Usually that means wearing my jacket and tennies to help save space!
CARRY-ON IF YOU CAN…
When we are flying, if at all possible, we try to stick to only carry on luggage. There are actually a few reasons why we do this! First of all, with 5 little people, we want to spend the least amount of time at the airport as possible. If we aren’t checking luggage, we can arrive a little later. Another reason is to avoid all the insane baggage fees. We really love our Away luggage. Each of the kids love having their own suitcase to be in charge of. They especially loved picking out their own fun color! Joe and I love them because they have built in chargers so we never have to stress about a phone or ipad dying. We also take advantage of the “second” small bag rule. Each of my people bring a little backpack full of snacks and entertainment for the trip.
With spring break just around the corner, I hope these tips help you conquer the challenge of packing for you + your people! You can find a few more tips + tricks I swear by here as well as my go to travel beauty faves! I’d love to hear any tips you have!
When it comes to my little people’s clothes, its safe to say I’m pretty picky. I like to keep their style current, but pretty basic + neutral at the same time. I’m sure you can guess I’m not a huge fan of subscription boxes. I haven’t had the best experiences in the past, so I was hesitant to try again. But let me tell you, after trying Kidbox, I have found the subscription box you + your kids will love! We’re talking name brand kinda stuff!!
If you’ve done a subscription box before, you know that they typically start with choosing a category that best describes the person receiving it. This is so hard for me because I want to be more specific but it isn’t an option. The survey for Kidbox was so different. It asked questions about their sizing, style + personalities, which I loved!
The kids were SO thrilled to get their boxes in the mail. (but at the same time Hunter said, mom really another box? Last time I got glitter pants!) haha. I’m telling you these are different! Each box was addressed to them individually + were so fun! They came with crayons + stickers for them to decorate the boxes, making just a box of clothes more exciting for them too! It was like Christmas with their excitement and each of them getting stuff they would really love to wear.
The items they sent are such good quality. I’m talking like 7 for All Mankind jeans (which are NOT cheap) for each of them, paired with great tops that fit our style perfectly. They were basic pieces, not covered in logos or prints, but original. You can tell they paid attention to the details I picked for each of my people. If there is something you don’t like, you can return it at no charge. My favorite part is for every full box purchased, they donate an item of clothing to a child in need through the charity of YOUR choice. Isn’t that so awesome?!
I can’t tell you how happy we were with our results! The boxes come seasonally and my little people are already talking about what they hope they get next! The spring box is going out soon, so if you’re going to sign up, it’s the perfect time! I’d love to hear your thoughts if you try it out!
Today I’m sharing a space that I think just about any woman loves! The master closet! I’ve shared a few sneak peeks over on Instagram and had so many requests to show more. So today I’m taking you inside + sharing a few tips on how I organized it!
SIMPLIFY…
My first priority + biggest tip is to simplify. In our house in California, space was tight. I knew we’d have more room in the new house, but a clean out was needed. Before we moved, I went through every single thing and only kept the items I use and wear on a regular basis. I love that when I go to my closet now, I’m not looking through a bunch of pieces I don’t wear. I keep the current season items at eye level, so I’m not overwhelmed by sweaters in the heat of summer, or swim in the winter! I’ve also made a deal with myself that for every new item that comes in the closet, something old has to go. Excess usually equals mess.
ORGANIZE…
Once I had things simplified, organizing was top priority. It’s no secret that I’m a little on the OCD side, so I wanted the master closet to be very functional. I love having things color coordinated. I start by separating the type of shirt. Sweaters, Long Sleeve, T-Shirts, and Button Ups. Once they are sectioned, I color coordinate. I swear this simple change in the space makes getting ready so much faster.
As for pants and accessories, baskets + bins are your best friend. When everything has a contained space, nothing is out and messy to distract the eye. Having uniform baskets keeps the space looking clean + put together. The same goes for hangers.
The simplest things in the master closet are actually my favorite. The little tags I used to label make my ocd heart skip a beat. I love that they are easy to read. Having a label makes it quick and easy to put laundry away. My other favorite in the space is having the hats hanging. I had so many people ask how I hung them, and the answer is not as impressive as you’d think. I laid the hats along the shelf, eyeballed where I wanted them, and hammered a tiny nail in. So simple, yet such an effective use of space to keep those clean lines.
FOCUS ON BASICS…
The biggest tip I have to organizing your master closet is probably this. Focus on your basics. You know what you wear most. If you are always reaching for the same basic tees or sweaters, keep them at the forefront of your closet. Your every day looks should be the most prominent + easy to access in the space. A dress you pull out for the rare fancy party should be in a place you rarely see. If you rarely use it, you should rarely see it!
Everyone likes things done differently, but I hope you found these simple tips helpful! I’d love to hear your best organization tips too! If you have any questions or details I missed, I’m happy to answer them!
The weekend is here so we couldn’t be more excited! Valentine’s Day in the mix last week, so our weekly update is a little more eventful than most! While we have a fun update, I’ve also rounded up the best Presidents Weekend SALES so you can get some steals!
Last Monday night Joe actually had the day off (hallelujah!) so we went out for a little early Valentine’s Day date. I love any chance we can get some one on one time since it’s so rare!
Also the little people have been so excited + counting down the days to Valentines. We put together yummy treats and kept our doorbell ditching tradition alive. It was so fun to take them around the neighborhood to deliver the secret treats. Watching them try to run + hide before the door opened was hilarious! The best part was probably embarrassing Hunter at her crush’s house! When did she get so grown up and start liking boys?! Seems like she was just a baby! We finished the night with a dinner + movie at home, so it was exactly what we all needed.
I am spending the weekend at Pelican Hill with some of my favorite girlfriends so pretty much heaven! Its so funny to me that often times as moms, we just beg for a break like this. Some time to relax and just breathe for a minute with no diapers or fighting kids. But if you’re anything like me, when it gets to be the day before and I’m packing, suddenly I feel like I can’t go, so I don’t want to leave them! Am I crazy?! haha! I’m so glad I convinced myself to still come so I can enjoy the sun with the girls. I so needed it!
WEEKEND SALES
Gap : up to 50% off almost everything + 20% off + free shipping with code PRESDAY
It’s no secret around here that when I’m not in my robe, I’m sporting my go to momiform. When it comes to putting together an every day outfit, or what I call my momiform, I’m all about things that are comfortable, flattering, and easy to move around and just be with my people. I’ve shared a few of my go to momiforms here + here before, but thought I’d show you my current favorites + a few items I’ve added ( and can’t live without) to “winterize” it for this chilly weather!
I LOVE a good basic tee. I find myself constantly wearing this one on repeat. It is so comfy and soft. I love that the fit is looser and really compliments your figure without looking like a sack. You don’t have to worry about anything squeezing to tight or hanging out while you are playing with your people. They look great thrown together with jeans and tennies, but can easily be dressed up with a leather jacket and heels. I’ve also been really loving this long sleeve for this colder weather in Utah.
Having a good pair of jeans that fit just right is top priority in my wardrobe. They’ve gotta have just the right amount of stretch where they are comfy, but you don’t end up having a saggy bum after a few hours. These are my number one go to pair. I love the distressing to give it detail, but it isn’t overbearing. I recently got this pair to and it is an INCREDIBLE inexpensive option that gives you almost an identical look and quality for a much lower price! Yes please!
When it comes to shoes, I love heels as much as the next girl. But when it comes to my everyday, give me comfy. If we are staying around the house, these house slippers are on my feet 100% of the time. No cold feet, but no gross shoes in the house. I could not love them more. When we are out and about running errands, these flats are on repeat. They could not be comfier, come in the best color options (which I have like 5 of, haha), and are only $19!
With it being so dang cold, I’ve been wearing these boots a lot too and could not love them more. I shared on Instagram that Hudson and I had to shovel a few inches of snow (one of the few times it actually snowed). I wore these and my feet did not even get the slightest bit cold.
Since this California girl still thinks this “mild winter” Utah is having is FREEZING, finding a good winter coat to add to my momiform was a must to survive. Haha! I actually had one of my readers recommend it and I am so glad she did. I shared all about why I love it here, but the number one reason is it is so dang warm, but still shows your body in there. No giant marshmallow coat look. It’s a little out of my typical budget for something like this, but the quality is all there and I’d say definitely worth the investment.
I’ve never been much of a beanie girl, but real winter converted me fast! They keep you so warm, and bonus…help cover up what might be some day or two old hair!
With it being Valentines Day, I thought it might be fun to get a little personal and share how Joe and I met! I always love hearing peoples stories and what brought them together. With this being the day we celebrate the ones we love most, I thought it was the perfect time to share ours!
First of all, believe it or not, we actually met when I was 12 years old! Seriously, so crazy and so many years ago. His family moved in down the street from us and we quickly became close friends. The first time I saw him I was actually walking home from school. He was in front of me walking home with his brother. As crazy as it sounds, I had the impression “I am going to marry him” come to my mind. My 12 year old mind could not believe this. I didn’t even know him! I mean he had CURLY hair…this was not ok. Haha! Oh young naive minds. The same impression came to me again on the walk home. I kept it to myself and never told a soul until the day we were married and I told my mom!
So back to meeting. Our houses were really close to the school. As a result, mine was the girl hangout+ his was the guy hangout. We walked home from school together most of the days. Our group of friends did just about everything together, so we just grew really close. We are still really close with this group today and love reminiscing on old times! We dated off and our Junior year, and then basically didn’t talk our Senior year, because he said he couldn’t talk to me or he’d have to date me, (100% his words, haha), and he didn’t want anything serious.
After high school things started to get a bit more serious. About 6 months later Joe left to Florida to serve a two year mission for our church. You can read more about that here. While he was away I dated a ton, finished hair school + started my full time job as a hairstylist, started coaching the high school cheer team, bought my first truck and traveled a lot with my girlfriends. He came home 2 years later – 10 days before Christmas and we were married in March.
That in a nut shell is how Joe and I met. I may not have loved that curly hair, but I fell in love with him pretty quick after and have never looked back! He is the best person I could ever ask for to go through this crazy life with!
It has been a busy few weeks around here! It’s not usually the norm for me, but I’ve been doing a LOT of traveling (+ solo!)! I mentioned on Instagram that I headed to Cincinatti for an event with Pampers a couple weeks ago, and am SO excited for a girls trip with some of my favorites to California this weekend! Since packing + unpacking has been on repeat, I’ve been restocking my favorite travel beauty products and thought I’d share my 5 must haves with you!
I have tried these a couple of times now and definitely give them two thumbs up! The application is so easy, you just wipe it on. They give you a really natural looking glow, which I love, instead of looking super fake or orangey. The BEST thing about them is they don’t leave that tanning smell. I’ve tried at least 5 or 6 other brands, and every single one leaves you with a weird smell! And BONUS, these wipes don’t rub off on my white sheets, which is a huge for me.
I don’t know about you, but after a day of traveling, I always end up feeling yucky. A lot of times I need to head straight to a meeting or dinner and need a quick cover up to help with that blah state. Insert travel perfume! I am obsessed with this Gucci smell. It is really subtle smell that leaves you feeling fresh, but not overbearing like you tried to hard. Haha! I love that it comes in this perfect travel size so there is no digging through checked bags, I can keep it right with me for quick use.
I’m sure most of you are aware that having babies does a real number on your hair! I’ve been really trying hard to work on getting it healthier + stronger. A good friend of mine told me about this Living Proof Shampoo + Conditioner, and after only using it a couple of times, I was so impressed with how silky soft it leaves your hair. I’m excited to see the change in my hair and update you with how it goes. I love that it comes in a travel size so I don’t have to switch back and forth if I’m not home. The travel size also comes with a travel sized deep conditioning mask, which I’ve never been able to find at any beauty supply!
I’m not sure about you, but traveling or not, makeup remover wipes are a MUST. I use them every single night before I wash my face to take off my makeup. I never did this step before, but after seeing how much quicker/easier it made getting it all off for one of my girlfriends I was hooked. I’ve tried a couple of brands and I always go back to these from MAC. I especially love them for traveling. If I have a late night I can use these quickly instead to get rid of that gross feeling instead of washing my face.
It should come as no surprise that Dry Shampoo is on the list! Dry Shampoo is a staple beauty product for me in every day life. If it’s even possible, I love it even more for traveling. If I can avoid it, I usually don’t pack all my hair products for short trips. They take up so much space, and I usually try to do carry on only. If its a quick trip, I’ll do my hair the day I leave, and keep it going with my trusty dry shampoo.
I’ve tried a lot of different travel products, but feel like these are my go to regulars. And it should be no surprise that Nordstrom is always my go-to! haha. You can never beat there free shipping and returns! I’d love to hear your favorite travel beauty products you don’t leave home without!! Cause you know I always love finding new amazing products that help make life easier!!
Another week has flown by and we are so ready for the weekend!! We have lots to share with this weeks Weekly Update + some great sales! It has been a busy one like usual, but also filled with lots of family time which I love! I mentioned last week that my sister had her adorable baby. We could not love him more and are so glad she lives close so we can get in all the Baby Brooks snuggles we can! My mom has been staying with us all week to be close to help Kenzie and the little people love having her close and I don’t blame them!
sweater is on MAJOR SALE only $23 + comes in 4 other colors | jeans and here
Harper girl is so close to completely walking now and I’m not sure how I feel about it! She can take about 20-30 steps at a time now. She has the biggest fan club I’ve ever seen + we all love cheering her on!
Valentines Day is just around the corner and we are so excited!! I love reasons to celebrate with my people, especially when they involve fun traditions like I shared here! If you missed it, I shared my Valentines Gift Guides for Men, Kids, + 5 out of the box ideas for us girls too! Speaking of Valentines Day, Hunter has a Valentine and it is freaking me out! When did she turn into a Tween that likes boys?! Luckily Hudson still thinks it’s cheesy + dumb so I don’t have to worry about him yet! haha! Anyone else going through this stage of life right now?
Utah has been taking it easy on us with this warmer weather, but I am still so excited to be heading to California next weekend SOLO! It will be so nice to take a little break from real life and catch up with some of my best girlfriends! I’m on the look for some great swimsuits + cover ups so if you have seen any will you please share!! Love you guys!!
My sister had her baby last week + we’ve been talking all things baby as she prepared for the big day, and what to pack in her hospital bag came up a lot. I feel like I say this a lot, but having been through 5 deliveries + hospital stays, I consider myself pretty experienced. haha. I definitely have my go to’s, and have shared a few of them here + here. So today I thought I’d share the ultimate hospital bag + a little trick on how I got my babies to take a binkie!
…FOR YOU…
granny panties: This may come across as TMI, but it is one of my biggest tips, especially for those of you first time mamas that haven’t experienced the joys of post delivery. After you have your baby, you are given the biggest pad you’ll ever see, and some mesh undies to wear. Yes I said mesh. I cannot stand them because they are so loose! I am paranoid everything is not going to stay where it belongs, if you get what I mean. Cue the granny panties. They are big enough to hold that big ol pad, but tight so it stays right where it belongs and you don’t have to stress!
spanx + belly band : These two are the dream team and the first thing I put in my hospital bag! In addition to bringing that added tightness for the pad, they are magic. They help so much with any back or hip pain. I also think they are the magic ingredient to getting your hips back down after delivery. I wear the duo for as long as I can during the day, and really only take them off to sleep for the first little while.
robe : If you’ve ever had to stay in a hospital before, you know it is just about always freezing! Those little gowns they give you to wear are basically a sheet and so breezy. I always make sure to bring something warm like my robe. In addition to it being so warm, it makes nursing super easy.
socks: This goes along with the last one. I am such a cold footed person so comfy warm socks are a must for me. Plus the thought of walking around barefoot in the hospital just kinda grosses me out. And if you’ve been around here for awhile you know I basically live in these slippers.
dry shampoo + makeup : Having a baby means lots of visitors! While I don’t go to the extent of showering at the hospital, I do like to feel put together. Cue my go to favorites, dry shampoo + 5 minute makeup! So quick and easy, but you’ll feel more presentable for all those pictures that seem to happen.
water bottle : After having a baby you need to drink lots of water! It helps your milk to come in faster and keeps you from getting dehydrated after such a major change in your body.
…FOR BABY…
binkies : I know this one is kind of a given. I’ve had a few friends say they could never get their babies to take a binkie, and asked if I did anything special. I have to share my mom hack! Bring some of these gas drops with you to the hospital. They are basically just sugar water. I put a tiny drop on the babies binkie, and they instantly want to suck on it, because it puts a taste in their mouth. Really I’ve done this will all my babies and it has worked like magic!! Totally a game changer!
swaddle blankets : I’ve shared how much I love a good swaddle here before, and I like to get my babies used to being swaddled from the very beginning. Starting them early knowing that swaddle means time to sleep can be a big help down the road when you are ready to sleep train or not if you decide not to do that sort of thing. (this became a huge debate with my 4th baby)
hats/headband : I love tiny little hats for my babies to make sure they are staying warm too. I of course have to bring a few headbands too if its a girl for pictures sake. These headbands are about the only thing harper will wear + they are super soft and will not leave a mark on your babies head.
white onesies : In the beginning I love to use these as outfits for my babies. So tiny, clean, and simple. I also always put one of these onesies under all their outfits. It keeps them warm, and doubles as an extra barrier for those blow outs!
outfits : I can’t resist bringing a few outfits for baby! Dressing them up for the first time is so sweet and I love having something special to take them home in. These have always been my favorite! The fabric is the softest thing ever + the it’s so stretchy to keep baby comfortable.
I hope some of these things were helpful for any of your expecting moms. I’d love if you’d share your must have items in your hospital bag too! And then I can add them to this list!! Love you all!!
Valentines Day is just a few weeks away! If you’re anything like me it takes about that long to decide what to do for your hubby! So to help us alllll out this year, I rounded up the men in my life so I could ask them all what they would want. I’m talking Joe, my dad, brother in laws, heck even some of the workers that have been in and out of the house! I’ve rounded up all their suggestions and listed the best Valentines Gift Ideas for Him! The best part is the majority are under $50!
Since Valentines Day is all about celebrating the one you love most,so I tried and think of experiences for gifts too, instead of just things. With that in mind, I quizzed the men on this too and here’s what I came up with as my favorites!
Date Night Away : I’ve talked about it here before, but date night is of course our favorite. With Joe working a lot, any one on one time we can get is cherished. Since Valentines is a special occasion, I think it would be fun to try and plan a date night away. Nothing too crazy, and still close to home, but enough to get some extra time together. With the invite you could include a gift card for dinner, movie tickets, and a gift card to Victoria Secret…because lets be honest, that’s probably the top of most of their lists.
Golf Day : Our guys work hard and if yours are like Joe, rarely get a day to themselves. I think another great “experience” gift would be a golf day. More than just say “you can go golfing”, take the time to schedule a tee time for them! You could even stick the details with the golf balls I included in the roundup above.
Couples Massage : Who doesn’t love a gift that is secretly a gift to themselves too? So we all need to take the time to relax and pamper ourselves a little.
If you’ve got any good Valentines gift ideas for him to add to the list, send them my way! I’ll add them here so everyone can see!! You all always have the BEST ideas – and I can’t wait to hear what else you come up with!!
