There is something so satisfying about going on vacation during the cooler months. Getting away from the cold, smothering on sunscreen, drinking frilly drinks by the pool, and truly relaxing. We don’t get to do it often, but when we do get away without the kids, we get to sleep in and reconnect 🙂 Life gets so crazy busy that it can be tough to step away and have a little “us” time. We do have date nights, although not as often as I would like since I need to find a new local babysitter now that we’ve moved. Yes, date night is a treat. I do think it is necessary, and it’s a great mini moment as a couple alone. No, it is not enough time to truly reconnect as a couple. Not to mention, we tend to catch up over date night dinners on what the week has been like, silly stories about the kids, and what’s going on at work. That is NOT the same as snuggling up under a cabana while drinking frosting fruit flavored drinks.
I miss my kids while we are on vacation, but I also know that we need some alone time. We’re better parents when we get a little time away. I used to feel guilty about time away from the kids. My first trip away from my son was a wedding, and I cried the ENTIRE way to the airport. It was horrible! I know – I’m a total dork! 😉 I got over it and we had a great time!
Truthfully, I miss them a ton the second I leave, and it still takes me a full 24 hours to get past the pit in my stomach. BUT – I know they are in good hands with my parents. AND – I am always super excited to have fun away with my hubby, best friend, and love. These moments are few and far between – so I’ll take what I can get! Haha!
The way I pack is a process. I ALWAYS overdo it but I am prepared and happy about it. This trip to Hawaii is no exception. I literally have at least 9 swimsuits…possibly more! I didn’t attempt to count the dresses I brought with me – but that’s ok. I did not exceed the weight limit – so I’m proud of myself! Ha!
In honor of this trip away – and the pool time I’m going to be putting in – I’ve pulled together some of my favorite swimsuits that I purchased for this trip (and a couple I am coveting). I hope you’re able to get away for some fun in the sun – and that these swimsuits find their way to your closet (and suitcase) soon!
Aloha!
Current Fave Swimwear:
This Palm Tree Backless One Piece is everything! You can see the front in the photo above. It is comfortable, flattering, and under $30. The high waist holds you in, the top has small pads for a little extra coverage (no push at all), and it ties at the neck for a sleek overall look. AND it’s backless! Need I say more?
This Green Velvet Halter Bikini is soft, sexy, has a little bit of push up, and is under $15. It is a must have for your next vacation. It looks and feels WAY more expensive than it really is. People loved the look of the velvet and it was a total hit with all the gals at the pool! Size up if you want more coverage – I’m in a size small. Grab it before it sells out! Trust me! You’ll love it! 
If you’re looking to keep the colors simple but still have some sass, this Black Criss Cross Bikini has you covered. It is a true push up bikini and gives you some oomph while keeping it classic in black. It does come with cute bottoms, but being a solid top, you can mix and match with your favorites as you please. The set comes in at under $30 which is a steal. 
For something more fun and tropical, try out this Lace Cheeky Triangle Bikini. It is fun comes in bright colors, and is perfect for a pool party! The bottoms are very comfortable with the lace sides, there is a little cheeky action going on so size up for more coverage, the top is more of a classic triangle without much push, and it is very comfortable. The set is under $40 and will definitely work for many tropical vacations to come.
This Robin Piccone Mia Crochet One-Piece Swimsuit is one I am coveting right now. It is classic, classy, beautiful, and has a little touch of sass. I love how the Boho crochet connects the “bikini-like” top and bottom for a peekaboo-effect, while is is still a one-piece. It has some good support up top and is very flattering to your figure. It is about $140 right now, but being classic and chic, it will last you for a long time.
I’m also coveting this Tavik Emme Halter One-Piece Swimsuit in Ivory. Turn up the heat at the beach in this saucy one-piece made with a plunging cutout neck, low back and cheeky bottom. This is a very classy one-piece that offers just the right amount of coverage with the high waisted feeling, with a sassy top half to turn heads all day long. Yes – I love this swimsuit. Yes – it needs to be a part of my vacation wardrobe ASAP. It is currently $168 and oh so worth it!
If you really want to make friends in the pool – check out this amazing unicorn pool float! You can see a photo of it in my IG feed as well. It was a huge hit and has already lasted 3 days of our vacation without popping! It is a must have and I am SO happy we brought it to Hawaii! I plan to bring it home for my kiddos – they are going to LOVE it!
Hope you are planning your next vacation, or just adding to your vacation wardrobe so you are READY to go! Happy shopping!
xo
Ok…I can admit it. I am a big fan of pretty much any opportunity to dress up! It is SO much fun! Halloween is not a fun time of the year to get the whole family involved in the festivities! I’m a firm believer that no matter the age, Halloween must be celebrated! Each year we pick something new and fun to dress up as. The best part is that our son is old enough to help pick out our costumes now. Last year he was 3 years old and decided that we were going to do a Star Wars theme, and he picked which character we were each going to be. It was a blast and he was super into it!
Below are some fun and family friendly costume ideas to give you Halloween inspiration! Have fun!! xoxo
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears:
This was the most comfortable costume ever! It was like wearing PJs 🙂 If you are looking for something simple, cute, and cozy for your family – this is a big win! I’ve added links to bear and Goldilocks costumes, and a possible yarn wig option. I ordered the yarn wig for Sofia from Easy but the option I included below is on Amazon for faster shipping since Halloween is right around the corner.
Star Wars:
The costumes were inexpensive, comfortable and I was able to put the kids in warm clothing underneath which was great for trick or treating. I’ve included links to several costume options that should be able to ship in time for Halloween. Yay!
Farmers:
This is a big win because most people have at least one pair of jeans and one flannel. 🙂 I’ve included links to some cute hats to make the costume complete. As a bonus – these work well for pumpkin patch photos.
Other FUN ideas include…
- The Scooby Doo Crew
- The Simpsons
- Peanuts
- Shrek
- Wizard of Oz
- The Adams Family
I hope this gives you some costume ideas and inspiration for your family! Happy Halloween!
xoxo
I love designer pieces, but they can be so expensive, and there are other things I need to spend money on…ya know…like on food, our home, the kids, school, etc. 😉 Because I love fashion and designers, but NOT the price tag, I’ve pulled together my top 5 designer dupes to get you through the Fall! These are pieces that will match multiple outfits, look great, are functional, and are total must haves for the price!
Bags:
The Chloe Small Faye Leather Shoulder Bag is beautiful and features a soft suede flap and a spacious, accordioned interior. It also has a bold, polished ring and pendant chain that add a “subtle glam-rock flair.” This feminine little bag will run you about $1390 – which is a pretty big price tag. The photo below is of the actual bag.
If you would like to own this bag, but don’t have the budget for it, try this beauty! The ‘Anja” Faux Suede Leather Cross Body Bag is a perfect stand in for the Chloe Faye. I just got it in the mail and it is perfection. The faux leather flap, accordion inside, ring and pendant chain all make for a great dupe. It comes in black (shown), grey, cognac, pink, and red. The photo below is of the actual ‘Anja’ and it is only $69! Not a bad deal for a pretty fantastic bag!
Next up is the Chloe Nile Leather Bracelet Saddle Bag in black. You can see this beautiful bag in the photo below. This simple saddle bag is made of a mix of suede-and-leather panels. The Chloe bracelet and circular studs are the chic details that make this bag special. You can carry it by hand, wear it on your shoulder or as a crossbody. All of this can be yours for the price of $1690. It sure is beautiful!!!
Now, if you are like me, a great dupe may be a better option. Check out the Vintga Women’s Saddle Bag in Black. It is a great dupe that has the bracelet and circular studs, AND it’ll cost you under $30! Part of the bracelet is covered, but I found that to be comfortable when I have it on my wrist (which I usually do). It comes with a strap so that you can use it as a cross body as well. It is adorable and super affordable – and it comes in black, brown and white. Get all 3 since they are such a steal!
If you want a dupe that is a little closer to the actual Chloe Nile, check out the Qidell Women’s Top Handle Bag with Metal Ring. It is a VERY good dupe and it will run you around $100 – which is still a great price! It comes in some beautiful colors that include black, white, brown, pink and red. The color of the metal ring is a bit dark in my opinion, but it is all a matter of opinion. For a night on the town, this bag will do the trick! Snag this bag before it sells out! 🙂
Belt:
The Women’s Gucci Leather Belt is a beauty that works with anything from jeans, to over dresses and sweaters. It is simple, elegant, and slim. The logo hardware has an antiqued-brass finish which will match anything. This lovely little belt (pictured below) runs around $350.
My dupe belt is by MoYoTo. You can see it in brown the image below, and it also comes in black and coffee. It has the antique brass finish, and looks VERY close to the real deal. The quality is not great (not going to lie), but I got it for $14.99, so I’m not going to complain. I sport this belt with jeans at least a couple times a week, and only get compliments on it. You will be the only one who knows the truth – that you got it for under $15!
Boots:
The Stuart Weitzman Hiline Over The Knee Boot (pictured below) is both sophisticated and sexy. This over-the-knee has an incredibly high shaft that’s nearly thigh high and it is secured by drawstring. It is make of goatskin-leather and has a curved half-moon block heel. These boots will run you about $800.
For a really perfect dupe, check out what Steve Madden has to offer! These beauties are faux leather and they come in black, taupe and grey. They have a stretchy boot shaft for an easier on/off, a high heel, and a tie at the top to secure them. These boots will cost roughly $100 and you will fall in love with how great they are for the price!
Heels:
Last but not least, these Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong Ankle Strap Sandals in Beige (pictures below) are perfection. They come in a variety of colors, have a wonderful heel height for the upcoming holidays, and very slim, feminine straps. They also cost around $400.
The dupe I’ve selected is by Charlotte Russe and it is a steal at only $20! I mean how to you beat that? They are SO close and yet you will save SO much! Snag these before they are gone – trust me!!
Ok cuties – that’s it for today! I hope you found some designer dupes that will round out your wardrobe without breaking the bank! Have a great week!!
xoxo
Happy Friyay! This photo has nothing to do with this post, other than the fact that my little pumpkin is sitting with pumpkins and it makes me happy! So…speaking of things that make me happy, how about some ways to give back and make others happy! This post is a quick reminder that it doesn’t always take a ton of effort to give back. These are 3 easy ways to give back each day. Enjoy! 🙂
- Use smile.amazon.com – The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile, their foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of the eligible purchases you make to a charitable organization that YOU get to pick! Below is a snapshot of the donations I have generated this month from ordering my normal things off of AmazonSmile. I care about animals, so you can see where I want my donations to go.
If you’re anything like me, Amazon has saved me on a number of occasions when running low on diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, gifts for birthdays/anniversaries/other events, and more. Why not have a bit of that purchase go to a good cause that you care about? It is a WIN / WIN! Go to AmazonSmile for more info and to get started 🙂 - Click the PURPLE BUTTON to donate food to animals in need. One on the animal rescue site, bookmark the page and click the purple button once a day. That is a very easy way to give back and it literally takes 1 second a day. Food for animals in need is a big deal – and this is a very easy way to help out. If you want to do more, check out the rest of their site for opportunities to give back. They have other free ways to help – and lots of fantastic gifts where part of the proceeds are actual donations.
- Make a “Helping Jar” and fill it up! Skip that cup of Starbucks (make your own at home or at work) and put the money into the jar. Pick up coins off the sidewalk and put them into the jar. This is a very family friendly way to give back – kids will love it as well! If you have kiddos, have them decorate the jar so they feel more connected to it. Once the jar is full, pick something as a family to give back to. Use the money to get toothbrushes and other items that a local shelter might need. Donate the money to the food bank (they can really stretch each dollar). Look for ways to put that money jar to good use. It’s amazing how easy it can be to save up – and give back.
That’s it for today! I’ll be sure to share more ways to give back in the future! 🙂 If you have other ideas or suggestions, please share them in the comments so I can add them to future lists. It is a great way to share the love!
In case you are looking for a romper like the one on Sofia – this one is super cute, and so is this one!
Happy Friyay and keep on putting good back into the world! xo
Leaves changing, crisp temps, pumpkin spiced everything, and Fall fashion. Need I say more? This time of the year is so much fun as we get out our hats, boots, blanket scarves, and sweaters. I’ve pulled together some of my fave Fall finds under $30 to help you refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank!
My focus for this post is Amazon.com because I love Prime shipping (which is on most of these items), the return process for me has been great in the past (when needed), and the prices are hard to beat. I’m going to do another roundup of Fall items from other fantastic stores – but for today – take a look at the crazy cute finds you can get for under $30 and treat yourself! I like a good deal…so this is my Amazon.com roundup!
Happy shopping cuties!!! xo
Scarves:
Hats:
Boot Socks:
For Your Feet:
Vests:
Sweaters:
Pants:
To me, Fall means many things. Family time, sweet treats, pumpkins, decorations, and family photos! I would say that I am a bit obsessed with documenting certain family traditions – and happy to admit it! 🙂 My kids are growing so fast, and I want to make memories and have some fun photos to look back on. This post is all about how to make the most of these photo-rific moments during these cooler months that happen to be filled with holidays!
Before I jump in – let me say one thing. I’m using our Christmas photos as an example for this post, but this applies to any holiday. Easter, a first birthday, family photos with grandparents, etc. No matter what – these tips apply. Hope it helps! Read on!
Picking a Photographer
This step is very important because you are going to want to pick someone who has a style you like and can help you with your vision.
These are the things I look for in a photographer:
- Has great overall Yelp reviews (I always take Yelp with a grain of salt but it’s a good starting point)
- Has photo examples on IG, a blog, etc. that have a style you like
- Easy to communicate with via email and/or phone
- Has fun ideas and can help you with your overall vision for the photo shoot
- Is willing to look at photo examples that you like for the upcoming shoot
- Has recommendations for settings, props and more
- Has availability on dates and times that work for you and your family
Date & Theme:
- Book a date. Picking the right date and time is important when planning your photos. Select a date that gives you plenty of time to order your outfits and props, but also gives you plenty of time to order cards for your friends/family without paying for rush shipping. My kids still nap so I chose a morning slot to meet with Beth. We launched into photos right away to ensure our kids were in a great mood. It was busy but fun! Talk to your photographer about your ideal date and time to ensure it is available for you. Booking early is key!
- Talk to your photographer. Reach out to your photographer about theme and photo ideas. Our fave family photographer is Beth from Dekker Photography. She and I talked about various holiday photo ideas and she had a great one that included a white background and making it look like the kids taped us to the wall! Ha! I loved it and ordered red and green tape from Amazon to make it happen. Your photographer has experience – so it’s worth talking to them about what ideas they have. Beth had a great idea and I’m in love with how our photos turned out!
Getting Organized:
- Keep it simple. Don’t overdue it. Taking photos with kids can be tricky and if you have too many outfit changes – they may get cranky (trust me)! For our holiday photos this year, we picked 2 outfits (formal and casual) and went for it! That left more time for taking fun pictures vs. taking lots of time changing outfits and making my kids mad.
- Pick colors that work with your theme. For our holiday photos I wanted to play with black, red and white. That made picking outfits fun and easy. Try seeing what you already have on hand and add to it with the small things. My husband has a tux from being in several friends weddings, so I ordered him a red holiday bowtie from Amazon – for cheap! I had a black lace shirt and ordered the red skirt and belt from Amazon. I got the shirt and dress for my kids from Kidizen for a serious deal (details about the Kidizen app coming soon in another post)! I already had the shoes and pants – so big win for mommy! For our casual photos I picked some super adorable matching family PJs from Sleepyheads. They are comfortable and so much fun! Not to mention we will use them throughout the holidays for sleep and snuggle time! Honestly, you don’t need to spend a ton to look good in your photos!
- Pick props. This is super fun and a moment to get creative. Again – you don’t need to spend a lot of money on great props! Etsy is always a fantastic resource for ready made props and even some bargain print outs. If you want to get crafty, you can make your own props. This year, I used cardboard and a sharpie to make a fun sign for the kids to hold for photos. I also purchased some large canvas letters and red paint from Michaels which ended up being perfect for our NOEL photos. They were $7.99 per letter and Michaels always has great coupons so I totally got extra $$ off my total! It was so much cheaper than purchasing them online, and painting them red was easy and fun!
- Special items make for great memories. Sofia has a bunny that is her absolute favorite in the world. For Christmas last year, I found her bunny in a red holiday dress. I brought it with us for the photos and it is not only cute, but it is a special memory that she will be able to look back on when she gets older.
- Relax and enjoy the moment. We got some silly photos of the kids playing around that were completely unplanned and unscripted. We sat back and let them get silly while Beth took photos. Those are special moments between siblings that make for perfect memories.
The Day Of:
To help ensure the day goes well, try these tips…
- Full belly = happy kids. Give your kids a snack before you leave the house. A glass of milk, some cereal with fruit, string cheese, etc. Get some yummy snacks with some protein into their belly to help tide them over and put them in a good mood.
- Have fun! Sing songs and play games in the car. It helps to keep them happy until you arrive at the location for your photo session.
- Pack toys and snacks. This sounds silly but is a MUST! Kids need distractions and snacks. My advice is to pack snacks that don’t get super messy (you don’t want to stain their photo clothes). Cheerios and crackers work well for my kids. Snacks are also important in case any of you have a hubby who gets “hangry” like mine! 😉 Bring water to keep them hydrated (and if it spills it will dry without a mark). A special post photo session treat is great as well. We used lollipops as a bribe as the kids started to get tired. It totally helped get them excited and ready to smile so we could get the last photos done. Once we got them into their casual clothes, they got the lollipops and were SUPER happy! Beth had toys on hand (big win) – and I brought our ipads and some favorite toys for both kids.
I hope this helps as you plan your own holiday photos! Direct links to shop my outfit and other fave items from our own photo shoot are below. Comment with any questions. I’m happy to help! xoxo
To connect with Beth from Dekker Photography, you can reach out via her website. She is amazing and has worked with us for years. She has literally taken photos of our family from the start when it was just Dan and I. She is fun, caring, and professional. Not to mention incredibly talented! Our kids now call her auntie Beth – and she has helped us document some very special moments in our lives.
I’ve also partnered up with Sleepyheads.com and we’re doing a fun giveaway! You guys – I love their stuff! They have the cutest PJs for pretty much every holiday! Who wants to win some super comfy and crazy cute PJs for their fam? I do! I do! For details – go to my Instagram for details and entry! Hurry – don’t delay!
Links to shop:
Mommy –
Daddy –
Family PJs –
Props –
Fall is such a fun time of the year. It’s time for sweaters, booties, pretty much every possible food and drink in pumpkin flavor, and baked goods! Personally, I love to make treats for my family and friends. It’s such a warm, comforting and delicious way to say I love you. I’m also a total sucker for a fun Fall activity. To combine the two, I’ve come up with a semi-homemade cookie activity that is easy, fun, and delicious.
What You Need:
- Pumpkin shaped cookies – yay! I found fantastic ones in the bakery section of my grocery store that were fresh, not decorated, and only $5 for the whole container. Yes, you can make your own, but you don’t have to. This is a simple and fun decorating activity – so it’s nice to have a short cut! 🙂
- 1 – 12oz container of cream cheese frosting (vanilla works as well)
- Orange food coloring (mix red and yellow if you have those on hand)
- A variety of sprinkles – My grocery store had candy eyes, little candy skulls and bones, and tiny candy pumpkins that were super fun for the kids to use
- Black and green gel frosting in a small tube for the details
- Parchment paper
- Tape
What To Do:
Put 1/2 of the frosting into a small tupperware container. Mix in your food coloring to your favorite shade of orange. Start slow and add more as you go. The bonus of mixing the orange frosting in the tupperware is that you can easily store it if you have any left over.- Cut a large piece of parchment and tape it to the table. This will be your workstation with the
kids – to help control the mess. - Depending on the age of your kids, you may want to spread the frosting yourself. My kids are 2 and 4, so I spread the frosting for my 2 year old and let my 4 year old give it a go.
- Spread a couple cookies with white frosting and a couple with orange. Orange sprinkles work well on the white frosting. The orange frosting doesn’t
need sprinkles (don’t let that stop you) – but are great for the other decorations. - Let your kids have fun decorating their pumpkin cookies! It should be fun, silly and messy!
- Eat and enjoy!
Fried rice is such a fantastic meal! It is comforting, delicious, and complete. It is hearty, has veggies, protein and yummy scrambled egg! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like fried rice! That being said, I don’t love the calories or salt involved in take out fried rice. So…I started making cauliflower fried rice! I’ve tried several recipes and eventually combined my favorite parts of them all to get this recipe! Yay! Give it a try 🙂 It’s delicious and healthy! Not to mention easy and makes for yummy leftovers! Did I mention my kids love it too..?
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 – Large organic eggs
- 1.5 – 2 cups – Protein of choice. Shrimp, chicken, boca…you pick! 🙂
- Sriracha to taste (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray your pan with olive oil spray (or spray of choice). Add your 2 large eggs and quickly scramble. Once eggs are scrambled and cooked, put on a plate and set aside.
- Spray your pan oil again and add your minced garlic and ginger. You don’t want to burn your garlic and ginger so be sure to stir constantly for roughly 1 minute.
- Next add the peas and carrots (I usually throw them in frozen), scallions and riced cauliflower. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are cooked through.
- Now for the sauce! Whisk the coconut aminos and sesame oil together in a small bowl. Pour over the cauliflower and other veggies and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the scrambled eggs to the mixture and gently stir.
- Add your cooked protein of choice. I usually use what I have on hand. A rotisserie chicken works great if you want to use cubed chicken meat as your protein. When I have cooked/leftover shrimp in the fridge, I cut it into pieces and throw it into this dish. Boca chickenless chicken is another fantastic protein that I love in this “fried rice”. I usually put 2 boca chicken patties into the microwave for 1 min 20 seconds. Then throw it into the toaster oven for another minute or so to get crunchy. Dice it up and throw it in! Delicious and vegetarian! Get creative and clean out your fridge! 🙂
- Garnish with a little more fresh scallions and sriracha to taste!
- ENJOY!