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Chirag Diyora
Father’s Day Weekend was so much fun! We had brunch, went to the park, had a BBQ, and watched movies. We even got some family photos where everyone is looking (sort of). 🙂 In honor of Father’s Day and family time, I wanted to throw 5 easy ways to show you care, all year round. Don’t just wait for a holiday – it’s those random acts that make such a huge difference. Keep scrolling for my quick list and give all 5 a try! xoxo
- Â Make a handmade card or note. If it’s for a significant other, put it someplace like a in a briefcase so they can have a sweet surprise while at work. If for a child, put the note in a lunchbox as a special reminder that you love them. If for a friend, pop the note in the mail and know that it’ll make their day!
- Â Cook a favorite meal/dish on a random day to show you care. I cook and do a lot of meal prep each week, but making a favorite meal just for my hubby is always appreciated. One example is a family recipe. I know Dan loves his grandmothers black beans. That is something extra special that I can make on a random day of the week to say “I love you.”
- Â Send a quick text to say “I’m thinking of you” – or – “Thought of you today and it made me smile.” This can be for anyone you care about – a close friend, loved one, etc. Such a simple way to send out a little love.
- Â Record their favorite show, put electronics away (no texting or email allowed), and watch together. Giving your undivided attention is such a small act, but means so much.
- Â Do a chore that isn’t usually yours as a way to show a little extra care. Dan usually takes out the garbage and recycling throughout the week. When I know he’s having an extra busy day, I like to take it out for him, as a way to show I care and know how hard he is working. It’s a small act and I know it means a lot to him.Â
This is a fun post for me because I am in love with these dresses! The sun is out, it’s heating up, and wrap dresses are my current obsession! I found these wrap dresses on Amazon and could not be more surprised or happy about it! They are super flattering, and if you read the other Amazon reviews, you’ll be able to see that it looks good on pretty much everyone (lots of review photos were shared)! Wrap dresses tend to work well for a variety of body types/shapes, which is part of what makes them so wonderful. This particular one has a pretty modest neckline, comes in a short and long style, and there are a TON of patterns to choose from!Â
I linked the 3 I have below (with accessories) and added a 4th that I have my eye on. 😉 Take a look and know that these dresses range from about $24 to $30 – which is a deal for these gorgeous prints! Light, flowing, and perfect for Summer! For reference, I’m in a size small and am a 0-2 in most other dresses. I’m also 5’2″ and you can see the length of the long versus the short on me. I had wedges on for the longer ones, and the shorter one is a good length on me (not too mini). If you want to show less leg, a long tank or short slip works perfectly. Comment or DM me on Instagram and I’ll send you my exact slip that worked perfectly! I found that I didn’t show a lot of leg unless the wind blew just right. I hope this helps! Snag your size while they last and happy shopping! xoxo
I often get asked about our family photos. You may have read posts in the past where I’ve shared tips on taking family photos, and who our photographer is. Because we’ve known our photographer for so long, she has become a very close friend of our family. She is our kids auntie Beth! She’s a family friend who has stayed with us at my parents, cooked with us, and shared many fun memories. It’s not everyday you meet someone like Beth – and we feel pretty darn lucky to have her in our life.
Family photo’s are so special and really are something to be treasured. If you are looking for someone talented at capturing special moments – Dekker Photography is who you should call. When you reach out to Dekker Photography, you’ll reach Beth, who is an expert when it comes to capturing your vision on her camera.Â
Beth is the owner of Dekker Photography and used to be based out of the Bay Area. That happens to be how we met – when I took boudoir photos. I’m not including any of those in this post, but she is super talented and you should look into booking a session! We’ve had Beth taking our family photos from when I was pregnant with Gabe, through my pregnancy with Sofia, all the way through this past Christmas. She’s done such a beautiful job documenting our special moments, and we love her so much! She’s not in California full time anymore, but she does still take Bay Area photos, and is now located a portion of the year in beautiful Sayulita, Mexico. I have been wanting to visit her in Mexico for the last couple of years – and it will happen SOON! 🙂
I’ve included a bunch of my favorite photos that Beth has taken for our family over the last few years. To see more of her gorgeous work, click HERE for USA – and HERE for Mexico. The thought of beach photos in Sayulita is at the top of my list right now. She knows the most amazing places to take photos! Think colorful doors, gorgeous beaches, festivals, beautiful lights, and more! I’m so mad that we haven’t had a family session there yet – not to mention she knows everyone in town and can definitely give you some tips on where to eat/visit/hang out!Â
Even if you aren’t sure where you want to take your next vacation, you need to take a look at her photos in Sayulita! What a stunning place! The colors and images are so striking and beautiful – and everyone truly looks so happy!
One last thing to note – Beth does the full range of photos. She does boudoirs, weddings, pregnancy, newborn, family photos, holiday photos and more. We’ve pretty much worked with Beth to take all of these types of photos, and all of them are so special to us. Some stay on our walls all year round. Others get switched out depending on the holiday.Â
She makes these amazing memory boxes that you fill with your matted images – making it easy to put them on display throughout the year. Recently, Beth took photos of our family and I had mentioned wanting a couple of our dog Bailey. Bailey is 14 years old and has a heart condition. Beth took some beautiful photos of Bailey in the backyard that make her look so puppy like and happy. They are photos that I will treasure forever. I hope you are able to work with a photographer that connects with your family the way Beth does – or better yet – give her a call! 😉Â
Remember, even though taking photos with kiddos can be a lot of work, it ends up being so special for years to come. In fact, Dan used to complain about taking family photos, and now is so happy we do them every year! We look back at our kids and how much they have grown, and it’s so wonderful that we took that little bit of time to document. #truestory Â
I’ve included a variety of photos that Beth has taken of our family, but if you want to see more of her work, find her contact info, get some inspiration, or book a session – click HERE for USA – and HERE for Mexico! It’s that time of the year when people are planning family vacations, trips with loved ones, reunions, weddings, and more. It’s worth knowing working with someone you know and trust. I hope you find this helpful and I can’t wait to see your memories on Instagram soon! xo
10 years ago today, I had my first date with this stud muffin. He walked me to my car after dinner and we had our first kiss. I drove away and immediately called one my best friends to tell her all about the butterflies in my stomach. It was wonderful! 9 years ago today, we went to dinner and he asked for my hand in marriage. It was a year to the day of our first date, at the same place as our first date, and it was perfect. My heart skipped a beat and I said YES! 8 years ago today, I married my best friend and love of my life.Â
The last decade has gone by so fast and contains the biggest and most special moments in my life. Meeting Dan, getting engaged, married, having our two beautiful babies, and growing more in love by the day with a man that still makes me laugh and feel special. I feel so lucky, loved and blessed.Â
Because it’s our 8 year wedding anniversary, I thought it would be fun to share my top 5 tips for wedding planning. There are A LOT more things to share – but this is my short list. I hope you find them helpful, and that your own special day is magical! xo
- Make a spreadsheet with all your expenses (even the small ones) so you don’t lose track and end up way off budget. Use tabs to organize your expenses (reception, ceremony, etc), and add a tab with all of your vender information so it’s in one place (flowers, photographer, DJ/band, videographer, etc.). I got a lot of small things off of Etsy and it was really helpful to keep track of what I purchased, how much those little items were, if they arrived, etc. It also helped me to know if I was missing something that we needed – it was like a checklist as well.
- Find a florist that will help you pick local/in season flowers that will also give you the look that you want. You’ll save a lot of money that way. Also, ask to have the bridal bouquets used as part of the centerpieces. My bouquet was used at our sweetheart table as a centerpiece. My bridesmaids bouquets were also used as part of the centerpieces at the dinner tables. The water kept them fresh, they added to the overall decor, and saved us some $ in the end. The girls still got to keep their bouquets, but it was nice that they didn’t have to find a place to keep them all night long. Big win!Â
- If you plan to serve alcohol at the wedding, decide what you want the party to be like. We paid for wine, beer and champagne without hesitation. We had a cash bar available for those who wanted to pay for their own hard liquor. The reason we decided not to do an open bar, was to keep the party going longer. We’ve been to a lot of weddings where it gets shut down early because people had way too much to drink. It’s easy for the party to get out of hand when it’s a cash bar. People still had plenty of wine/beer/bubbles to have a great time – but having to pay for their own shots and mixed drinks meant lots more dancing and less people getting sloppy. It was a big win and we’re both so happy we went that route.Â
- Look for a venue that provides tables, chairs, linens, etc. They may not provide everything (which is normal), but if they do have a couple of things that are included, it will save you a lot in the long run. If they only provide the venue, you’ll have to rent tables, chairs, place settings, linens, etc. It adds up FAST! Don’t be afraid to ask what is included in the cost and negotiate so they include some of those items. Our venue included tables, they had table settings on site for a fee (smaller than if we had to rent them), and we had to rent linens. We worked on the cost with the venue and came up with a deal we were all happy with. Asking never hurts – see what they can lump into the total cost to bring it down! 🙂
- Bigger isn’t always better. That goes for the centerpieces (flowers that are too tall make it hard to see people across from you), the guest list (think about who you want and make a spreadsheet prioritizing guests. Friends of yours are most likely higher on the list than some random friends of your parents), first dance (make it sweet and not over complicated so you aren’t stressing trying to remember all the steps), etc. In the end, it’s about sharing this big day with friends and family – not about showing how big or complicated things are. Enjoy each moment – it goes fast!Â
Brunch with friends, a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or just a tea party with someone you love – all great reasons to make these easy little truffles at home! Sofia wanted to have a tea party, so this turned into a fun at home project on a Saturday morning. We enjoyed them after we got home from the park. They are super easy to make, so cute, and a lot easier than you think! Scroll down for the quick and easy way to make truffles at home! Enjoy! xo
Ingredients & Tools
- 1 – 12 ounce bag Chocolate chips – the type is up to you, but it must be able to melt (I used semi-sweet)
- Sprinkles, peanut butter, sun butter, freeze dried berries, nuts/seeds, crystalized ginger or anything else you may want to fill the truffles with
- You need molds for your truffles, and some like a double boiler to melt the chocolate. If you want to melt chocolate in the microwave, I added the instructions below. Bonus of the molds is that you can use them to make cute little (less junky) candies, to make little soaps, candles, crayons, or even super cute ice cubes! 🙂
Instructions
- Melt your chocolate! I melted my chocolate chips on the stove by bringing about an inch of water to a boil in a saucepan. Set a heatproof (microwave/oven safe) glass bowl on top of the mouth of the saucepan and ensure that it fits well so it doesn’t move around. Use potholders to protect your hand and to make sure the bowl is secure while you stir. See photos below for a visual. Make sure the bowl and water are not touching. You want the steam below the bowl to melt the chocolate. Stir the chocolate as it starts to melt. When there are a couple of small unmelted chocolate chips, remove the bowl from heat (still using potholders) and put onto a heatproof surface. The residual heat will melt the rest of the tiny pieces, so simply stir until smooth. Â
- If you are more comfortable melting chocolate in the microwave, put your chocolate chips into a medium glass microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 20-30 seconds at a time (depending on the strength of your microwave), stir with a spatula, and repeat. When the chocolate chips are mostly melted but you can still see a couple of pieces remaining, set it aside and stir well until smooth.Â
- Once you have your chocolate melted, use a small spoon to fill your molds. If you are making them solid, you can fill them all and simply chill them in the fridge for an hour (or until solid). To make the transfer of the molds to your fridge easier, place the molds on a plate or sheet pan before you fill them.
- If you plan to fill them, only add enough chocolate to fill about 1/3 of the mold shape. Add your filling (we used chocolate candy coated sprinkles and sunbutter). Do not overfill them – start slow and you’ll get a feel for how much to add. Top your filling with more chocolate. You can see I overfilled a couple of ours and they still worked, were still delicious, but weren’t as professional looking. 🙂
- Chill for an hour or until solid. Â
- Eat, share, enjoy! 🙂
As promised, I’ve pulled together some of the things that I found at Target today. So many good finds you guys…so many! I actually found a couple other dresses, but they aren’t online yet! I didn’t even know that was possible…but I’ll post them when they are available to link! Anyhoo…I hope you’re able to snag some of these Target goodies before they sell out. I’ve always loved Target (especially as a MN girl), but they have upped their fashion game A LOT! Loving it!Â
The only image I was able to quickly snap is the one up above with my new fave sunnies. Haha! I’ll try to get some pics in my fave new dress – with the bag from my stories. Keep an eye out! Happy weekend ya’ll – and happy holiday weekend SALE shopping! xo
The perfect bag for warmer temps needs to be versatile, can be dressed up or down, is on trend, and doesn’t break the bank. I’ve pulled together some of my top picks to make it easier to find your perfect bag. I have several of these, and I know you’ll be surprised when you see how many are under $40, are from places like Amazon and Target, and how designer they look!Â
Many are actually designer dupes – so you get a budget friendly version and no one will be the wiser! You’ll see bags like these popping up all over the place (like Saks Fifth Avenue) for a lot more $$$ – so keep scrolling and I hope you love these affordable options as much as I do! xo
I’ve finally done it! I promised to write a post on getting longer lashes – and this is it! Not sure why this one took so long…ok I do know…life happens. I’ve been so busy with the kiddos and I really wanted this post to be good, so it took a backseat until I had enough time to write it in peace. 🙂 Let’s dive in.Â
I get asked about my lashes daily. On my blog, on Instagram, and on the street by total strangers. That is why I want to share my thoughts on lash extensions, top lash serums and do a comparison of the 3 serums I get asked about most. This post will do a breakdown of the price, time to see results, what your expectations should be, what I’ve personally tried, and what I use today. I hope this is helpful and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! Scroll on and I hope you find some helpful lash answers below! xo
Longer lashes have always been a goal for me. In my teens and 20’s I was an eyeliner girl all the way – everyday. It was like lipgloss to me – necessary before walking out the door. In my later 20’s I started to get lash extensions. It was fun, they looked gorgeous, but they were $$$ and took about 60 minutes out of my day to get (more if you include travel time and parking). As a mom of young kids, I barely have time to shower let alone go get lash extensions. I also didn’t like how they thinned out towards the end of the month, so there was always a lot of upkeep. I understand the appeal, but I also think there are better options out there.Â
Fast forward to my 30’s – the discovery of eyelash serums! As mentioned above, I wanted longer lashes. They make me feel more put together, more awake looking, youthful, and I just feel better overall about my appearance. It’s amazing how something like lashes can give you a boost of self confidence! I found eyelash serums to be much more appealing because of the long term effects, less upkeep, and ability to have my OWN long lashes vs. falsies or extensions.Â
I’m going to do a breakdown of the following serums so you can decide what the best fit is for yourself:
1) LatisseÂ
2) Monat – Eye Wonder
3) Rodan and Fields – Lash Boost
Latisse
Latisse was the very first eyelash serum I tried. I had to wait until I was no longer pregnant, then I had to meet with a special esthetician who was able to sell it to me, and then I had to cough up a lot of $$ for the actual serum. I gave it a try and had mixed results. The thing is, everyone reacts differently to different things.Â
Personally, Latisse gave me longer lashes, but they weren’t full and healthy looking. They looked sort of irregular and I didn’t like that. I read about other women who had a similar kind of growth with their lashes. Length yes – thickness no. They were sort of scraggly looking, but they also cost a lot. Latisse is around $140 per month (some places charge more or less – and many have deals for your first month. You are supposed to apply it once daily, to the top lashes only, for 16 weeks to see full results.Â
One other thing is that I got a dark mark on my eyelid where I was putting the serum. I didn’t like the side effect, I wasn’t getting what I wanted from Latisse, and even if I did, the expense was a lot each month. Scroll down to see an image from the Latisse website. You can see what I mean about them looking a bit irregular but definitely longer. Click on the image to see more on the Latisse website.Â
In any case, I stopped using the product and my search continued for the right eyelash serum.Â
Monat - Eye Wonder
Monat specializes in hair products, so it is no surprise that they came out with Eye Wonder. I have not personally used Eye Wonder, but I do have friends who have (who shared their experience with me), and I’ve done research on it as well. This is what I can share with you about Eye Wonder.Â
The cost is much more budget friendly than Latisse. At $59 it is no wonder people are excited to give this a try! It also works! The friends I spoke with, along with the reviews I’ve read, and research I have done – all support the fact that it does work. However, Eye Wonder is going to give you better and healthier lashes, but they will not have that dramatic effect that some are looking for. They give more of a natural look.Â
If you struggle to grow lashes and you want more growth but don’t want them to look too long – this may be a good option for you. You apply Eye Wonder 2 times a day (morning and night) to a freshly washed face, letting it dry for 15 minutes before applying any lotion or makeup. You can also use it on your eyebrows, which is great! Though it is only $59 per month, you may need to purchase it more frequently given it needs to be applied 2 times a day.Â
Again, I have not used this one personally, but have heard great things about it for those looking for longer but still natural looking lashes. I’ve also spoken with 2 gals who used both Eye Wonder and Lash Boost (keep scrolling for that review below) and they did see a difference in how they worked. Both work, but they are not equals in terms of length – Lash Boost (see review below) does have a more dramatic effect.Â
The image below is a real before and after of someone who used Monat for 8 weeks and now has much better lashes. You can click the image to read her review about Monat products (Eye Wonder and more).
Rodan and Fields - Lash Boost
Lastly, I’m going to tell you about Lash Boost by Rodan and Fields. I am currently using this eyelash serum and LOVE it! I have been using it for a good long time now, and am obsessed. I’ve posted several images of my lashes in this post (and on social media in general). I have reacted very well to this particular eyelash serum, and it has given me very long, healthy, full lashes.Â
To use Lash Boost, you apply it to the top eyelid (as if applying eyeliner) to each eye. Less is more – you don’t need a lot of product to see results. I personally wash my face each night, apply my lotion, and do Lash Boost last. I keep it by my face lotion and it is part of my nightly routine.Â
It retails for $155 – though you can get it at a discount which I can tell you more about – so reach out to me for more info! It also lasts 3 moths, which means it comes out to about $51 per month (less with the discount). That is very cost effective and a big win!
I will say that Lash Boost works – and it works beautifully! The image below shows my lashes with only mascara on. Throwing on mascara in the morning – and having these lashes, makes me look and feel way more put together…without the extra effort! I get asked if I have lash extensions all the time – and I get to tell people the truth – that these are MY REAL lashes!Â
If you keep scrolling down you’ll see a photo I took on Mother’s Day with Sofia at brunch. I had eyeliner on since I wanted to dress up a bit more. These two images should give you a good idea of what it looks like with only mascara (which is my more daily look) vs. with eyeliner.Â
No more eyelash extensions, falsies, or extra expense for me! I’m a huge fan of Lash Boost, how easy it is to use, and the results it has given me. I also like that the serum lasts 3 months, making it a lot less $$$ than many alternatives out there.Â
For more on Lash Boost – look at the images below and READ THIS for more details. You can also reach out to me directly to learn more about Lash Boost and how to get it for yourself at the discounted price! I hope this was helpful and please don’t hesitate to write me (comment on this post or DM me on IG) with any questions!Â
Who doesn’t like an easy meal that pleases the whole family? Well this chicken chili is a total win! It’s super easy to make, involves ingredients that you can keep on hand in the pantry and freezer, and it takes almost no prep at all. Did I mention it makes fantastic leftovers? My 3 and 5 year old love this recipe – and so does my hubby. By all accounts, this recipe is a must try. Now, if you’re like me and don’t eat meat, you can skip the chicken and add some extra veggies, like bell peppers, to hearty it up a bit more. You’ll cut the time in half as well – so another win! 🙂 Keep scrolling for the full recipe – and after the photos you’ll find some of my fave tools for meal prep (more budget friendly than many name brands). Enjoy and happy cooking! xo
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
- 2-4 cloves of garlic – more or less depending on preference (minced)
- 1 cup frozen mushrooms (Whole foods frozen mixed mushrooms is the BEST)
- 1 cup frozen corn (Whole foods frozen fire roasted corn is my favorite)
- 1 15 ounce can pinto beans (drained)
- 1 15 ounce can great northern beans (drained) – Any white bean will work
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth/stock
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs
- 1 28 ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoesÂ
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder – I love the Simply Organic blend best and Whole Foods does carry it
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
Put the olive oil into your Instant Pot or Multi Pot, press sauté and heat for 30 seconds or so. Add your chopped onion and stir.Â
Sauté until translucent and then add minced garlic. Continue to sauté for another minute but don’t walk away for long or your garlic will burn.
Press cancel so the heating element stops so you can add your other ingredients without anything burning onto the bottom of your pot.
Add corn, then mushrooms, drained beans, and half a cup of chicken stock. Stir well.Â
Place the chicken thighs on top of your veggie mixture in a single layer (see image below).
Top the chicken with the entire can of fire roasted tomatoes. Gently mix 2 Tbsp of chili powder with the tomatoes (only the tomatoes) on the top of the chicken.Â
Pour a half cup of chicken stock on top of the tomatoes to help create steam.
Close the lid of your Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to sealing not venting.Â
Pressure cook for 16 minutes and let the steam slow release for 10 minutes.Â
Release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting (make sure to protect your arm from the steam).Â
Use a large spoon to mix well and break apart the chicken. It will shred as you stir the pot, giving you a shredded chicken chili.
Enjoy and top with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, diced jalapeños, tortilla chips, etc. So many fantastic options! My kids love shredded cheese on theirs – and you can see Sofia in action below. Both kiddos devoured this chili tonight! 🙂Â
Keep scrolling for my fave multi pot – which is a lot cheaper than the name brand one – and it comes with a lot of accessories without paying extra. I’ve also included a couple other fave items to make your meal prep or just general cooking easier. If you’re new to the Instant Pot or Multi Pot world – read my post with the Top 5 Multi Pot Issues and How to Troubleshoot them.
Happy cooking! xo
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Don’t palm prints just make you feel like going on vacation? I recently went to Sonoma for a weekend away with a group of my girlfriends. One of them is a local, so she kicked her hubby and kids out for the weekend and we took over the house! 🙂 Don’t worry – they had fun at grandmas house. This photo was taken out back by the original Williams Sonoma. If you haven’t been there yet – go! It’s a beautiful home that is now a store!Â
This dress was so much fun because it had that vacation feel, was easy to wear all day long, and the price was right. It is no longer in stock (VICI Dolls from last Summer), so I’ve pulled together some other options that are pretty, have that vacation vibe, and won’t break the bank. You’ll also find some palm prints for little girls below (I’ve ordered 2 of them for Sofia).Â
Don’t forget to check out the bags below. I have 3 out of 4 of them and have used them for 2 Summers now – so they’ve held up well (and the price is right)! Have fun, happy shopping, and have a wonderful weekend! Muah! xo
Womens
Kids
