Today we have a fun giveaway so make sure you enter at the bottom of this post!! I am absolutely in love with the ruffle top style right now. It’s the biggest trend lately and I think it’s so flattering. This ruffle top is from Harper and Bay and I love it! It’s specifically made to be nursing friendly too!! (and you’d never know it!!) I love the ruffle detail in this top and think it’s so fun and girly.
Also, I’m still dying over all the high waist jeans right now as well! This is the perfect outfit for going out on date night or I would dress it down with some distressed denim jeans + flats for a more casual look. I’ve gathered some of my favorite ruffle tops below!!
Now it’s your turn to WIN some goodies from Harper and Bay!! We are giving away TWO $100 gift cards to their shop so you can pick out anything you’d like!! Enter below.
Summer is in full swing over here and I’m feeling it with five little people to keep entertained! Ha! It has been so crazy but we have loved being with our friends, going to the pool + so many date nights. So I honestly can’t believe the big move is almost here!
So as soon as summer hits, I start to get excited for one of my favorite holidays, the 4th of July! I love that it is completely focused around being with family + all of the yummy food, fun, + fireworks!! We are extra excited this year because we will be living back in Utah so we will be able to celebrate both the 4th and the 24th with both of our families!
. . KIDS 4th of JULY . .
On top of all the celebrations to look forward to, if you know me, you know I love a good chance to dress the whole family up in fun matching outfits! I’ve found some cute red, white + blue picks that I think will be perfect!! But don’t scream cheesy, which can be hard to do sometimes. So today, I rounded up so of the best 4th of July favorites for the entire family! You can see last years outfit inspiration HERE.
One of favorite finds this year has got to be these new Freshly Picked Sandals!! You guys they are soo dang cute! I got a pair for Hayden + Houston and we are already obsessed. Freshly Picked Moccs have always been our favorite over here and both Houston + Harper wear them allll the time, so when I saw they launched these new sandals I had to have them!! They are also so stinkin cute and bonus…the buckle is SO easy!! Hayden can do it quick and easily all by herself! Most of all it’s one less pair of shoes to help with when we are trying to get out the door! Which gets a major thumbs up from me!
I hope you guys enjoy all the fun finds I’ve shared below! Almost all of the items ship for FREE!! Bonus!! I’d love to hear some of your favorite 4th of July traditions in the comments, especially ones we need to try out now that we will be back in Utah!!
Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions like “How do you stay focused with all the little people?” or “What do you do to feel more ready for the day?”. I’m definitely not a pro at all when it comes to this mom gig. But I wanted to share a few simple tips I’ve been trying daily to feel more focused in life! I hope they help you!!
I’ve been trying to regularly go on a morning walk with the babies before it gets too hot. The fresh air feels amazing, and sometimes just getting outside the walls of our home is what we all need to calm down and function a little better! Just being able to have that quiet helps my brain think and organize my to-do list for the day. We have been taking along our new customized Bugaboo Bee5 with the bassinet attachment and it has been amazing. Harper is really into grabbing her little feet and trying to suck on them. She loves being able to stretch out and lay down. I love that it is a little more enclosed with the extendable sun canopy to keep her cozy on the cooler mornings. By the way, isn’t the ruby red sun canopy adorable? It fits my personal style to a T, and helps make our walks a bit more stylish and enjoyable.
Second and probably the most important one, is to slow down and let the kids be kids. If you know me, you know my brain is always thinking of what is left on my to-do list, or all the things I need to do, and I have a hard time being in the moment. I’ve really been trying harder to let Houston take the time on our walks to smell every flower, examine every bug, or collect every leaf he wants. I’ve been trying to say “yes” a little more often when he tries to fill the bassinet with a few of his toys to bring a long for the ride, or enjoy the extra time it takes for him to show off his independence and help me push the stroller. They are growing up so fast and I want to savor every second of their littleness that I can!
The last thing I have been trying (keyword trying**) is to get ready daily. This is a definite work in progress, but I have noticed it’s making such a difference already. I feel like the days I get up before the little people and get ready I get so much more accomplished and feel ready for the day. Getting out of the house more often, just helps the overall feeling in our home. Plus it helps to be a little more happy and prepared for all of life’s curve balls!
I hope some of these little tips can help you keep your focus this summer too! I’d love to hear any things you are doing to find this balance in your life too!
I have been dying over high waist jean / mom jean trend lately! Seriously, I just ordered two more pairs cause I can’t get enough! I love love LOVE this dark wash pair from Madewell. One of the many reasons why I love this high waist style so much is that they hold everything in nice + tight. If you’ve had babies you know what I mean. haha. They easily hold in your post pregnancy tummy. This look also makes your legs look WAY longer + over all skinnier which is definite a plus, right?!
I’ve gathered 10 of the BEST high-waisted jeans below. (most of which I have or have tried on) If you haven’t tried them or own a pair, I highly recommend you do it! I love mine and now wear them all the time!!
Today I’ve rounded up some of my favorite items under $60. I honestly would call these MUST HAVE’S because I wear them 24/7. I’ve been obsessing over the ruffle sleeve trend this season and am loving this darling ruffle sleeve dress + top. I swear I have the top in 3 different colors and I still can’t get enough! If you’ve followed along for awhile you know my love for these white high waisted skinny jeans + this perfect summer hat! I can’t get over that this hat!! It’s the best for summer because I feel like I don’t have to do my hair and it completes any outfit! I found a super similar one HERE and it’s on sale for only $18!!!
These 6 items I wear almost weekly + are my go to items in my wardrobe. Plus the fact that they are all under $60 makes them that much better!!! Now go snag yourself some summer items for super cheap!!
Time for an Instagram Round up! So school officially got out yesterday and my people are pretty excited about it. I’m trying to plan some fun things to do but also pack up all their toys, crafts, and basically everything and finish up packing the remainder of the house. (shoot me). We had a big water/pizza party with all our friends this week too. It was the last big get together as the first of our friends start moving out this week and then 4-5 follow after that. So sad!
I’ve also been traveling a lot these last couple weeks too. If you’ve been around for awhile you know black on black is my go to outfit when I’m trying to decide what to pack or what to wear while traveling. I always like to pack a basic black tee, some joggers, and a pair of black jeans or regular jeans… That way you can mix it up a bit if needed.
I’m also in need of some ideas for summer. We’re trying to make a summer bucket list with the little people since we will be living in a 2 bedroom basement apartment. So PLEASE give me all your ideas below! I think that’s it for this weeks Instagram Round up! Hope you have a great week!
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my go-to hairstyle is a relaxed curl. It makes me feel put together and ready for the day, but is still SO SIMPLE, with the right tools, so I don’t have to take too much time on it! (plus if I take the time the first day my curls will usually last another 3-4 days) We all know I need quick and easy! I get asked alllll the time how I get these curls and what I use so I had to share!
My favorite Lange Hair girl sent me a bundle of the new line to try, and you guys I am LOVING it! The wand heats up quick and is so easy to handle! I love that it still leaves my hair looking soft and shiny, instead of that crunch look other heat products can give. I’ve also been using their Root Booster and it is the perfect addition to give you that little oomph! I did this tutorial VIDEO a while back and thought I’d share it again to help show you the steps I take to get the finished look! I also included it below!! Basically I wrap 1 ich strands away from my face – but it will explain everything!! And THIS post with go through details of more awesome hair product.
My girl is so sweet she is offering all of you 50% off + Free Shipping by clicking here and using code KAILEE! Also, I’ve gathered some of my most favorite hair products below as well! I hope this helps answer your questions!! I’d love to hear if this helps + if there are any other tutorials you guys are interested in!! Let me know in the comments below!!Hope you guys have a great day!!
xx – kails
Go subscribe to my YouTube Channel and I’ll love you even more then I already do + wish I could send you all cookies or ice cream – cause they’re both my favorite!!
Fathers Day is just in a couple weeks, so I thought I better start thinking about what to get our favorite guys for that special day! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite go to Fathers Day gifts for dad from some of our favorite stores like Nordstrom, J. Crew, Amazon + a few more. You can see some of the things we got Joe + my dad last year HERE. I thought it would be fun to share my top FIVE things I love about our daddy – Joe. He’s so not going to love this!!
He is one of the most honest people I have ever known + knowing him since we were 13 years old I’ve never known him to say a single negative word about anyone!
Joe is such a hard worker!! Anything he puts his mind to he can do + even better then I ever thought was possible. Just one of the many qualities I want our little people to have.
He’s the most hands on dad with our littles!! Really he’s the one that gets on the ground with them and rolls around. He’s the guy that has all the neighborhood kids lined up + hanging on him at the pool to throw them. haha
He truly a l w a y s thinks the best of others!! Joe is so giving and never questions anyones intentions.
He makes me laugh…well all of us!! So he helps balance out everything, calms me down, lets me know I can accomplish anything and is the best supporter, dad, friend, husband we could ever ask for!!! Love you so much honey!!
Now that I’ve totally embarrassed joe!! Tell me something about the the men in your life!! Honestly I want to hear about all the things that make them wonderful!! Hope you all have a great week!!
Harper and I just got back from SLC late last night. I went to sign final papers on the house!! It still doesn’t seem real even seeing the hole dug + footings going in. We’ve been traveling a lot lately and I thinks it’s all catching up with me. If you’ve watched my instagram stories I’m sure you heard my crazy voice. haha. Anyway, I think this is our last trip until we move!! Crazy!!
Here’s a huge Instagram round up from the past few weeks – since we’ve been on the go so much. It includes all my favorites. . .distressed jeans, basic tee (that comes in 8 different colors) and especially my joggers since that seems to be what I’ve been reaching for the most. Also I’m in love with this bell sleeve top + have it in pink. It’s a must have!!
We are in the middle of packing up the house (aka ginormous mess) so if anyone wants to come help dig us out, I am totally down!! haha. I thought I’d start early but now I’m not sure that was the best idea.
Hope you all had wonderful weekend with your people!! And who is out for summer? My little people still have four more days!!
Somehow, as much as I tried to make time stop, Harper is another month old!! How has it already been 4 months?! It honestly feels like it has flown by, yet I can’t imagine life before her sweet spirit joined us! As I’m sure you can tell from all of our pictures, we are all obsessed with her, and think she is the perfect finish to our family!
A few updates for Harper at 4 (almost 5) months!
We are looooving this stage, but really I think I’ve said that about every stage! She is so smiley and none of us can get enough of her!
Anytime her eyes open Houston runs over by her side and says “Hi…hi…hi hi..” Haha! I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t believe the connection these two have. It is unreal and seriously makes me want to bawl every time I see them together. It really makes all the craziness that comes along with having them so close together completely worth it!
We of course went (although late thanks to our crazy schedule) to Harper’s 4 month appointment with the pediatrician. She is growing well and is in the 35% for both height + weight. Houston was so tiny (my only babe), so I have been making sure she gets 2-3 formula bottles a day, while breastfeeding the other half. She is the queen of spitting up, so really I’m shocked she gains any weight..haha..but at least the blowouts have stopped! Hallelujah!
She has figured out rolling from her stomach to back, and I’m sure it won’t be long before she goes from back to stomach as well! Another thing is she has started to buck out of the Rock n Play too, so its looking like we will be transitioning out of that sooner than planned too!
She has become quite the traveler, and luckily has done sooo well! The only downfall is it has really thrown off her sleep schedule. I’m hoping once we get into our rental in Utah I’ll be able to get that back under control. We love our sleep around here!
A week or so ago on Instagram I asked you guys to send me alllll your baby questions to include in this update and you did not hold back! Our comments and DM’s were overflowing with such good questions! I won’t be able to get to them all today, but I definitely have a Part 2 planned so stay tuned!! Here are some of the most asked…
How do you have 5 kids and still manage to look so great + put together all the time?!
You guys….first of all you are way too nice because that is far from true! One thing to remember, all the images you see on the blog (+ some of the styled Instagram posts) are taken beforehand, in a planned out photo shoot. I rarely, if ever, look like that on a real trip to the grocery store. However, like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I have been trying to wake up a little earlier every day to take the time to get ready. I feel like I get so much more accomplished, and just feel better about myself.
Also, I use my two secret weapons, which really shouldn’t be a secret to any of you that have been around for a while. First is hats! I love a cute hat to cover up that hair that I probably should’ve washed and kind of complete an outfit. My second helper is for sure my eyelash extensions. Thanks to them I rarely wear makeup other than lipstick, but can still look put together! Just don’t give me too much credit! I am rocking the joggers and messy bun as often as you ladies! You can read my post about trying to balance motherhood here.
Any tips for surviving with a newborn + toddler?
Oh gosh…I’m just figuring this one out as I go! Houston + Harper are the closest my babies have ever been and it of course comes with new challenges. I think the game changer for me is trying to get them to nap at the same time at least once a day. I usually feed Harper in the playroom so Houston can be close playing by my side…and we usually just rotate between eat…nap…play…repeat. Some days work..some days don’t and I think you have to let yourself be okay with that.
What is Harper’s daily routine with napping + eating? Does she sleep through the night?
Like I said before, as much as I crave a good schedule, it hasn’t existed for us around here lately. With lots of end of school activities, moving, and family vacations, we’ve kind of had to throw that out the window. She was sleeping through the night, but since Hawaii she has been waking up every 2-3 hours for a little snack and completely passing out after nursing on one side…so its definitely just a bad habit. We are trying to get back on track, and her day usually looks something like this…
* Wakes up at around 5-6 am to eat. * Goes back to sleep until around 8. * She usually eats about every 3-4 hours throughout the day, and will
nap anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours after her feedings.
What is her daily nap routine?
This is another depends on the day answer. Usually I will just swaddle her and lay her in the Pack n Play with the sound machine on and she will go right to sleep. Sometimes, when she is more gassy or just having a fussy day, I will rock her or walk around bouncing her until she gives in and falls asleep. This is a situation where you just have to try and be in tune with your baby and know there won’t be a cookie cutter way to do it that works 100% of the time. You can find my previous post about tips for getting a baby on a sleep schedule here.
How do you still find time for you and your husband?
With 5 little people, this has been really tricky lately. Before we had Harper, we tried to go out at least 2-3 times a month. Now we are lucky if we get in 1 a month. When we move to Utah and are closer to family this is a big goal and focus of ours. You can read about why date nights are so important to us here.
I have lots more questions from you and hope to be able to get to all of them here soon! If you have any others, or any advice on how you find balance and tackle these baby issues, I’d love to hear them!
We love to get out and do lunch + shop with friends during the week while the bigger people are in school. Staying inside all day is not an option!! I know you moms get me when I say that! I’ve had a bunch of you ask how we manage all the littles when we are out. So I thought I’d share three of my favorite go-to’s to help make the outing go more smoothly!
Three things I always try to have on hand are:
plenty of snacks : I put each child’s snacks in an individual bag. Once we get home from Costco we will divide up all the snacks in baggies and have them ready to go. That way, when we are heading out the door the kids can each just grab a bag.
water or a drink for everyone : I’ve learned this the hard way. No one wants to share. We always run out sooner than I thought. Then we have a bunch of whiny thirsty little people. So awhile back I just went and bought everyone their own colored water bottle so everyone know whose is whose and it has made a huge difference.
a simple stroller with all the accessories : Right now Houston is going through a phase of wanting to be “big” and get out of the stroller, so I’ve been whipping out our bugaboo bee 5 stroller when I can. He’s always wanting to help push baby Harper since he’s been seeing the big kids help out a lot lately. Again, I’ve learned the hard way and never really bought the extra tray or cup holder for myself, but those simple items help free up my hands and add for extra places to put things!!
If you know me well, you know I always go against the grain. I love to be different and not have the same things, house, style, you name it as everyone else. haha. It drives Joe absolutely crazy!! Especially with building our new house right now. He’s wondering why I can’t just be normal and do what everyone else is doing. (boring right?!) haha.
Anyway, I just love that you can customize almost every detail of the Bugaboo Bee 5 to make it your own!! Whether it is something as big as the seat color or sun canopy, or the tiny details like handlebar grips and wheel caps, you can pick everything just like you designed it yourself! And who doesn’t love to play designer and add a little personal touch? The Bugaboo Bee 5 is designed for newborn to toddler + can be used with an easy-to-carry bassinet, so it is the perfect fit for our family while we are changing out which child is riding at different times!
Now tell me some of your favorite tips + tricks to help make your outing with your littles run more smoothly!! I’d love to hear all your great ideas or favorite stroller accessory must haves!!
I’m so excited to share my Master Bedroom design by my good friend Becki Owens! I absolutely love her style and know everything she touches is amazing, so I was thrilled at the opportunity to work with her on something of my own! We teamed up with Layla Grace + Gabby Home to give the space a whole new look!!
Becki and I actually started working on the space back in the fall, but with Joe’s job interviews, me being pregnant and then having Harper, on top of the regular craziness of our schedule, this often got put on the back burner, but I’m so excited to show you all the details today!
When I first talked to Becki about the design, I told her I had three main “wants” in the space and beyond that I trusted her and her genius completely. I knew I could just hand the reins over to her, and everything would be fabulous.
The first was to keep it simple +clean. Like the rest of my home, I wanted this space to reflect simplicity. I can’t stand clutter, and really don’t like a lot of extra accessories! In my mind, more stuff = more messes, so less is definitely more to me!
The second was to keep it white + bright. When it comes to my house I crave the light and hate when a space feels dark + gloomy. Gimme all the windows!! Since light is limited in our current house, I wanted to amp up that feeling through bedding and furniture colors.
Lastly, “want” was for the space to feel classic + timeless. It was important to me for the design to be something that really fit my personal esthetic, but that would stay on trend in months and years to come. I couldn’t be happier with the space and how seamlessly it will transition to the new house. And bonus…I can check one room off my list when we move!
I hope you love the space Becki created as much as I do! We are so excited to enjoy it for years to come! Check out
