Lately, Houston doesn’t want any help eating whatsoever!! If you’ve seen my IG story, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It makes for some messy meals! I have loved these pouches for on the go and when we travel. But now Gerber has come out with these new Smart Flow pouches!! I’m a little OCD about my van being clean and hate food in there, but with all the long trips we’ve been taking lately we’ve had to have snacks in the car and it always ends up being a mess, so these help me not worry about Houston.
I never let food go anywhere in the house besides the kitchen, but sometimes I’ll allow these pouches because I know they wont make a mess. They’re also a lifesaver if I need an extra 30 mins to get things done!
These are just a few of our favorite things about the new Smart Flow pouches. The Smart Flow spout is so much nicer because it is now designed to control the flow. I love it because it keeps more food in the toddlers’ tummies and less everywhere else. It also helps give your littles a little more independence. And the new Smart Flow spout also has softer sides and round edges that are gentle on your little peoples mouths.
Want to get in on the fun? Share your very own #PouchWin on social media to be a part of the family and show your adorable little one using the all-new Gerber Smart Flow™ spout. Love you all + let me know your favorite flavors!!
So we are trying to get packed this week for Hawaii (can’t believe how fast it has already snuck up on us!) I’ve been trying to prepare and get packed at the beginning of the week so I have enough time to think of everything we need to bring for 5 kids and…try not to forget anything! Awhile back I shared my “Tips and Tricks for Packing with Littles” you can read that HERE.
Today I thought I’d share just a few pieces I’m taking with me —like these cut offs shorts and I am loving this one piece swimsuit. I got a size to small (because now I actually have a chest – while nursing) haha. So I ordered that next size up and hope it makes it here. I also ordered a few more dresses hoping they get here in time too. Cause, you know I’ll be living in these all week long!
We also go some new luggage from away and it has a charger built into the suitcase!! yay! I’ll let you know how we like them. We had to add a few more suitcases to our collection because bringing both babies means we are packing a lot more then usual. ahh.
This will be our first big trip with all five littles and luckily my parents are flying out of LA with us to help with the little people during our travels. I plan on sharing more as we are in Hawaii and I’ll let you know how the flight goes. And is there anything in particular you would all love to know while we are there? Please ask any questions in the comments! If you have any great tips on traveling with the littles or have any fun places that you recommend us visit while we are in Oahu please share!! Love you all!!
It was a short week for us this week as we were in Utah on Monday and then San Diego on Friday to visit the flower fields for the first time. If you are ever out this way it is a definite must see.
So a brief update on the house. We got six great offers on the house last week and have finally started moving forward with one and might be moving to Utah as soon as the first of June!! I can’t believe it’s all coming so fast. We still haven’t broke ground on the new house in SLC (because the city is taking so long on giving the okay) but we are hoping to start soon. We are headed to Hawaii with the entire family next Sunday so this next week I’ll be sharing some packing tips, plus what I think we are going to take for all five kids! Wish us luck!
So it’s almost summer and that means it’s time to finally get that summer glow! Plus our entire family is headed to hawaii next week so I’ve been trying out a few new tanners to make sure I’m not totally white on our trip!! haha. I’m one to try and stay out of the sun or put on tons of sunscreen to protect from those harmful sun rays, so the sunless tanner is my go to this time of year.
I’ve gathered up some of the best sunless tanning lotions that are out there. I’ve tried a couple of these, my friends have tried a few, and the rest are on the top of my list to try. One of my favorites that I’m loving right now is the Tanceuticals Self Tanner. If you guys have any favorites that you have tried and swear by PLEASE let me know! I’m always up to try a new one!
xx – kails
jergens natural glow – I’ve used this one for years. It is one to use if you have time as it gradually darkens your skin over a few days time.
tanceuticals self tanner – This is one I have just recently tried and I really like the color. I used the dark on my body and the light on my face (they have a lotion just for your face and I have really liked both. Next time though I probably wouldn’t use the face one again just because I can have a more controlled look with just a bronzer, but then again if you want to wear absolutely no makeup the color did turn our really great!
st. tropez bronzing mousse – I personally have always been a fan of mousse’s because they are usually already tinted and you can see exactly where you are applying the color and I feel just get a more controlled look.
tarte braziliance self tanner -This is one of the best selling tanners + comes with a mitt. I love to use a mitt because your hand doesn’t end up all orange and I think you can spread the lotion around more evenly.
kate somerville tanning towelettes – I have a friend that uses these and loves them!! I haven’t had a chance yet but I know the only thing she said is she washes her hands off after she has applied and then just brushes the towelettes over her hands and fingers ever so lightly at the very end.
whish coconut milk body cream – This is one I haven’t tried but have heard many women say they really like it. I’m hoping to try it out before summer hits so I’ll let you all know.
Denim is always a classic and probably the number one “must have” thing to have in your closet. Finding that great pair of denim jeans is always the hardest part though. There are just so many options of washes + colors, styles + fits that makes it a little overwhelming!! Anyone with me?! But finding what you feel best in is the only thing that matters. If you’ve followed a long with my blog and Instagram, you’ve probably noticed… that I wear the same jeans over and over with everything. I basically have about 5 pairs of jeans that are my all time favorite and I wear with everything. I am all about quality + fit over quantity. I’ve linked my top 5 denim pieces below!
. . SHOP MORE DENIM . .
. . top five denim pieces . .
black jeans: These are one of my favorites. I wear them all the time (like seriously almost every day) in the fall and winter. Black is such a classic color and dresses up nicely.
white jeans: ($59) My white jeans are a must!! Everyone needs a pair of white denim jeans. They go with anything and everything and I think they are so perfect to wear in the Spring and Summer to lighten things up a bit.
boyfriend distressed: I’ve had these for a while now and they still are my faves! They are seriously the perfect boyfriend jeans. They have a tight enough fit that they still feel like form fitting jeans, but still have enough looseness to them that make them so comfy and still give them that boyfriend look.
high-waisted: These have become a new favorite of mine! I used to think that high-waisted jeans looked like old mom jeans and never used to like them. Until I found this pair! They are so comfy and are so cute and fun!
denim jacket: I have always thought the denim jackets have never gone out of style. I still have one of my old ones from the 90’s! They really are such a classic and timeless item to have in your closet. You can pair it with almost anything: black on black, white on white, dresses, you name it. It’s the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
This last weekend we headed down to St. George again because my beloved Grandma Hunter passed away. She was one of the sweetest, sassiest, and most amazing women I knew. She has always been such a huge example to me throughout my life, and will always be. Fun fact: Hunter is named after this side of the family and it’s easy to figure out why. The Hunter family is so amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart. We spent some much needed time with the sisters and family, eating yummy food and catching up with all of the cousins.
We finally put the house on the market last weekend as well! We’ve already got some offers and hoping to sale it soon! We are excited to get going on our new house and can’t wait to start a new chapter in Utah. Although, it will still be a bittersweet day to leave our ‘second family’ that is here in Cali. Hope you guys have a great rest of your week!
Mother’s Day sneaks up on me every year — or I finally realize how close it is and it’s always too late to order something! This year I wanted to be ahead of the ball game, especially since we’ll be in Hawaii the week before and traveling home with my mom on Mother’s Day!!
I love sentimental gifts like this initial necklace (which I have and wear everyday!) and practical items that will last, like this classic clutch — that I’ve and use non-stop. I believe a good gift is any item you’d want yourself or something you already love!! haha.
I’ve gathered up a bunch of my favorite, go-to Mother’s Day gift items below from Nordstrom — cause you all know my love for that store!! haha. Plus, you can’t go wrong with any of these fun + classic gift ideas for really any women in yo life!! Happy shopping loves!!
. . top six items for mothers day . .
sunglasses : These are such a classic fun gift that you can never go wrong with. I feel like what woman doesn’t love a great pair of sunnies + if you go with basic pair they will most likely never go out of style. I’ve had these pair for years and they still are my go to sunnies.
initial necklace : This is a timeless gift. I’ve had many different initial necklaces – one with my initial, a single “h” initial for all my little people, and one that has both a “j” initial that Joe got me for Christmas. I still wear these necklaces everyday with every outfit. They are so simple that they go with everything and can be layered with other peices as well.
classic clutch: Love this clutch! I love to take this clutch with me out on date nights, girls night out, or movie night. It’s so classy and is the best accessory to any outfit.
gorjana bracelets : These bracelets are so fun and classy. I like to pair them with other bangles sometimes or with my watch, or I like to just leave it single for a more simple look.I also love that each color has a meaning or stands for something. I got my sisters these for Christmas last year.
watch : This is also a great go to gift. I only have a few watches that I own and wear regularly. I feel like everyone needs at least one watch and this classic black watch is timeless and goes with everything! Gold is also another great color that goes well with everything.
bowls : My mom and I have always loved these bowls! They come in all sorts of fun colors so whenever we see them at Nordstrom, we always seem to buy the newest color and sets. You can never have enough of these bowls 😉 Plus I set them out on my selves in my kitchen to add a little more color.
Tomorrow our house goes on the market!! So I’ve been finshing up a few area’s with some little art pieces — to just make the space look perfect! We love little sentimental items like this in our home. I got this print because we want to remember the five years we’ve lived here in cali and all the memories we’ve made. I also want to get one of Kentucky and Utah (all the states we’ve lived in) and set it up in the new house.I feel sometime you need a little art in the mix. Minted is having their semi-annual sale and they are offering 20% off all foil-pressed products. Use code SHINE to get 20% off until Monday 4/24. Now go finish up those little last areas you’ve been waiting to get done!! Love you guys!!
Last weekend was Easter weekend! We spent it in Newport with all our friends + had the best time! We swam, ate lunch at the pool, had an Easter egg hunt with all our friends, BBQ’d and had smores. It was so fun to stay up late just talking and hanging out. The kids always love all the fish at the hotel, especially Houston this time — he screamed + pointed at them the whole time! It was so fun and a much needed mini vacation!
On another note, to try and keep up with all this adventuring, I’m making sure to put the little people in more sturdy clothing. I love to buy good quality clothes that I know will last and that we all can agree upon. (hunter is starting to have her “own style” as she calls it) haha. Bloomingdales is a new favorite store of mine that I’ve been checking out lateyly for clothing for the kids + I never knew they had FREE shipping and returns!! They have tons of options to choose from for the little people.
I swear this time of year my kids grow out of everything!! If you follow along on Instagram you probably saw my IG story with all the million boxes at my doorstep. haha! All my people are in between sizes in clothes and shoes right now so I love that I can order as many items and sizes as I need from Bloomingdales and with their free shipping and easy returns makes returning the wrong sizes for all FIVE little people so much easier and less of a stress for me.
Go check them out! They have tons of great name brands and so many great items to choose from. They are also having a great SALE going on right now! Make sure to use the code PRIVATE at checkout!!
It’s no surprise my love for dresses – as I’m sure you all know. haha. But this darling sweatshirt option is a first + if it has pockets which means I am sold instantly!! (what is it with my obsession of pockets on dresses?) Anyone else feel like this is an important detail, other than myself?
Anyways, I love the relaxed fit + look of this dress. I paired it with some of my favorite sneakers, but I also love these ones as well — and it was the perfect outfit for running around town with all the little people. It’s so comfy and it is definitely a dress that you can spend an entire day in! Plus, what makes this dress even more better is that it was originally $148, but now it’s on sale for only $39!! Talk about a steal!!
I’ve linked some more of my favorite sneakers I am loving lately + some more similar dresses to the one I’m wearing below. Happy shopping friends!!
It has been a crazy week getting ready to officially put the house on the market next week, finishing up photo shoots, and fixing up all that extra little stuff that has been on the to do list for weeks… like touching up the paint, scrubbing down the baseboards, and more. Let’s just say I’m excited for the weekend to be here because we are headed to Newport today to spend a fun weekend with friends!!
I can’t believe Easter is here! Seriously, where has the time gone?! I’ve linked to my favorite outfits from this week as well as some of my favorite picks from the great weekend sales from my favorite stores below! Hope you enjoy your weekend + have a great Easter!!
Steve Madden – BOGO 50% off with code SHOPNOW. I love these thick strappy wedges, they are super similar to my old ones that I wear all the time. I also love these chunky heels with an open toe. I own this exact pair and they are so comfy!
I’ve had a ton of you friends ask how I swaddle Harper and my thoughts on the whole swaddle thing. So I decided to share a STEP by STEP of how we have swaddled all of our little people and why we love it!!
So when I tried to explain how I swaddle my babies and it just wasn’t make the most sense — and I wanted the wording to be right incase you couldn’t get it from the images. So below is a piece I found online from one of my favorite books on helping calm babies – The Happiest Baby on the Block…and where it talks about the five “S”s and swaddling is one of them. I’ve made my own notes (***) so you know exactly what I do different.
I swear swaddling my babies is the number one reason they sleep through the night early on and end up being such good sleepers. I’ve tried not swaddling and on nights I don’t they always end up waking themselves up and can’t put themselves back to sleep easily. Let me know your thoughts.
I hope this helps AND I’m going to be swaddling Harper on my Instagram stories later today so you can see it up close and personal. Also I linked of bunch of our favorite swaddling blankets below. I honestly think a great blanket makes a HUGE difference. Trust me, with our first I bought a million blankets that were all just too small. Love you guys!!
xx -kails
. . SHOP MORE SWADDLE BLANKETS . .
The first step to calming any fussy baby is to give her a cozy hug. (That’s exactly what swaddling does.
• Place a light cotton blanket on your bed (use a 44-inch by 44-inch square ) and orient it like a diamond, with a point at the top. *** I fold my in half like a triangle – because that is what has worked best for my people
• Fold the top corner down. The top point should end up near the center of the blanket. *** I fold mine all the way down to make a triangle
• Place your baby on the blanket, her neck right above the edge of top fold.
• Hold her right arm straight at her side. (If she resists, just be patient. The arm will straighten after a moment or two of gentle pressure.)
Here we go…STEP by STEP
1. Holding the right arm against her side, grab the blanket about four inches from her right shoulder. Then, pull it snugly down and across her body. Tuck it under her left buttock. (It will look like half of a V-neck sweater.) Next, grab the free blanket, beside her left shoulder. Tug it firmly–away from her body–to remove any slack.
Her right arm should now be straight and snug against her side. Do it snugly . . . or the whole wrap will unravel.)
Note: Don’t be surprised if your baby’s cries escalate when you start to swaddle! You’re not hurting her. She just doesn’t realize yet that she’s only seconds away from happiness.
2. Now, holding her left arm against her side, bring the point at the bottom of the blanket straight up and place it on her left shoulder. Tuck the blanket edge snugly around the left arm. Again, grab the blanket next to her shoulder and pull it straight out–away from her body–to remove any slack.
Note: The blanket should be loose around her legs, but her arms should be very snug and straight. Bent arms let babies wiggle out…and that makes them cry even more.
3. Grab the blanket just a few inches from the left shoulder and pull it down–just a smidge. The small flap should come down to her upper chest to form the other half of the V-neck. Lightly press that smidge against her breastbone, like you’re holding down a ribbon while making a bow.
Note: Don’t bring this fold all the way down to your baby’s feet! It’s just brought down to the chest.
4. Holding the smidge on the chest, grab the last free blanket corner and pull it straight out (away from her body) to remove any slack. Then, in one smooth motion, lift that corner up and straight across her forearms…like a belt. The blanket should be big enough so that this part goes all the way around the body. Then, snug it and tuck it into the front of the “belt.”
Note: This last step is not straight up…it is really up and across. The arms will be held snug and straight, but the legs should be loose enough to bend at the knee and open at the hips.
The first step to calming any fussy baby is to give her a cozy hug. (That’s exactly what swaddling does.
