Hey Guys! Hunter here with another Teen Takeover!! Anyone out there as excited as me for SPRING to finally be here?! Just like my mom I am a major spring and summer girl! I love getting outside whether it is playing soccer and being out by the pool, so these glimpses of warm weather are my favorite!! With spring in the air, I thought it would be fun for today’s teen takeover to be just a little roundup of some favorites I have my eye on!
Accessorizing is one of my favorite things to do to just add some of my own personality to a simple look. I love a good baseball hat. It is a great way to keep your face out of the sun and add a fun pop to your outfit. I think this fun bright take on a yankees hat is so cute!!!
You all know I’m a huge fan of PuraVida, so grabbing some of their bright colors for Spring is a must. I love adding to my bracelet stack with fun colors like these, and how cute are these stacking rings?! This necklace isn’t necessarily just a spring pick, but I love that you can grab it in a brighter color or stick with the neutral.
This bag is also my new constant companion because it is so good! Its super minimal (I hate carrying a ton of stuff), but can hold sunglasses, phone, lip gloss, and just the basics you need. You can style it as a fanny pack or as crossbody which is my personal fave.
: TANKS
Tank tops are a must have for me when we get into spring and summer weather! I just think they are so cute and versatile. My mom got me hooked on this align tank from lululemon. I love the built in bra so you aren’t adding more layers, it is super comfortable, and comes in a bunch of colors. It is great for working out, but also so cute to wear in the summer too!
Another tank that is a staple for me are these white tanks. They are so cute paired with just some denim shorts and sandals or sneakers.
: SHORTS + SANDALS
Cute shorts are another must for me for Spring/Summer weather! When it comes to denim, my favorites are these high waist cut off shorts. They look so cute with a crop tank and are super flattering.
These shorts from Free People are another one I love for working out, soccer, or a more relaxed look. They come in like a million colors and have built in underwear.
Last but not least are these bright colorful sandals! I used to think Teva’s were so hideous, but the new fun colors they are coming out with are changing my mind! These are so awesome for hiking or when you need a more sturdy sandal than just a flip flop.
Mother’s Day is just over 2 weeks away! I cannot believe it is here already!! If you know me I am all about keeping things SIMPLE. I don’t want presents just to add to the things in my house. If they are coming in they’ve got to be functional and necessary. I try to keep the same mind set when it comes to gifting to the people I love as well!! I know you guys love options, and we have a variety of women we are gifting too. I’ve broken it down into a few main categories! You are sure to find something perfect for Mom’s, Grandma’s, Aunts, and Girlfriends or even to treat yo self PLUS some great discount codes to help you save!
Anyone else feel like your kids are growing like weeds?! I swear I used to be able to buy clothes that would last a full year if not longer and now we barely make it through a season! When it comes to Spring/Summer clothes, I don’t like to spend a ton of money on new pieces because I know we are almost out of school and getting into the craziness of all things dirt! Ha! Bikes, trampoline, and playing outside. Good classic basics are key! I recently stocked up on some basics for Joe and I from Walmart’s new Free Assembly line, so I thought I would check out the selection for kids basics, and you guys…so so impressed that I had to share what we found with you!
The Free Assembly line from Walmart is full of amazing options for the whole family! I love that their pieces are on trend and affordable but still super functional + comfortable for them to play in. The options for little girls are so cute!! Knit sets, jumpsuits, and fun tops! For boys they have the best basics including the cutest shorts + tops that will withstand all the summer playtime. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Is there anything better than sunshine after a long winter?! Gosh it really just makes me love spring so much because we can finally go outside and not put on all the layers!! Don’t get me wrong, I know Utah will still change its mind a couple of times on what season it actually is, but these hints of sunshine are giving me life!! When it comes to Spring + Summer weather, I LOVE dresses!! They are comfortable, breezy, and can be so versatile!! I found some staple options last year on + just added a few more I am loving, so I thought it would be fun to share since this is the perfect time to stock up AND you can get most of them in time for Easter!
: RUFFLE CAP SLEEVE
Does this dress not just scream spring to you? I love the bright color and subtle floral pattern. It is so comfortable and a great length to feel breezy without showing too much. You can grab it in 13 different color options, for under $35!
Another favorite when it comes to spring dresses is this dress! I pretty much want to wear it all year round! The sleeve detail is so fun and I cannot get enough of that pattern! This one comes in the pattern in in 6 colors or just solid in 10+ colors so you are sure to find one you love! Price ranges from $20-$30 on varying dresses!
This dress is definitely in the running for my best dress purchase of the past year! It was one of those “order and hope it works” kind of purchases, and it exceeded all my expectations! That front detail and the longer sleeve add so much, and the length is perfect! I am 5’4 for reference. Right now they have it available in this classic white, or the prettiest spring teal ish color. I might need to snag it in that color too!!
This dress is only $38. It runs TTS and comes in a few other colors. It’s got an open back so keep that in mind but I think it will be perfect for our Mexico trip coming up in May. I also did pin the front because it was a touch too low for me.
I was honestly not planning on liking this longer dress, but I ended up loving it and think it’s perfect for Easter!! It’s not too long like most midi/long dresses are for me. (I’m 5’4 for reference) the colors are gorgeous and the slit is not to big!!
This tunic is such a great basic! I love that you can dress it up with heels and a belt + some bracelets or down with flip flops and a belt bag. It’s a gauze like material so you won’t have to iron out the wrinkles which makes it perfect for traveling. I would size up if you want to add more length.
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You can check out my favorite picks for spring sandals as well over here!
Happy Thursday!! We officially made it to April!! Utah’s weather is finally calming down and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Which means it is time to start to shedding the layers! Less layers means we are going to be showing some skin that sure hasn’t seen the sun in a while, and that can be scary! Am I right?! There is just something about feeling tan that gives you that boost of confidence. It really helps you feel a little more on your A game. And since I have tried my fair share of all things tanning options, and had my own tanning fails along the road, I thought I would share my top tried + true tips to getting the best sunlesss tan with you today!
So let’s get started! Raise your hand if you are completely overwhelmed with all of the sunless tanner options out there? I swear I hear about a new one every day!! I have tried so so many, but there is one that I love so much!
The St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Bronzing Mousse is hands down my favorite tanner I have found. It gives such a good, dark, quality color while still looking very natural. No orange oompa loompa look here! It is also a mousse rather than a lotion, so it goes on relatively easy, isn’t streaky, and you can easily see where you are applying it as you go. My trick to getting the best tan out of it is to treat it like an overnight tan still. Put it on at night and sleep on it before rinsing. That gives it more time to develop and get you the best color! You can also grab it in the extra dark on sale here!
Another great option that gives you these same amazing results, also in a mousse is the Loving Tan. It is easy to apply and gives that same dark natural tan with no orange hues.
Now that you know my go to tanner, let’s talk the must know tips + tricks to help that golden tan last longer and look it’s best!
: 7 TIPS to help your tan last longer :
#1 EXFOLIATE AND SHAVE THE NIGHT BEFORE
Exfoliating before doing any form of spray tan is HUGE when it comes to making it last. You want that nice soft fresh skin to work with to absorb the tan the most evenly across your body. I always try to exfoliate the night before I’m going to apply the tan. It is close enough to be effective, but not right before so my pores are wide open and more sensitive.
#2 MOISTURIZE YOUR DRIEST AREAS
Some people will tell you you need to apply lotion every where you are going to apply the tanner. Personally I don’t take the time to do that. I apply lotion to all the places that I know my skin is the driest. For most people that will be your elbows, knees, hands, and feet. You want to make sure you are evenly moisturized. That way the color is absorbed evenly and you don’t end up with extra dark areas!
# 3 APPLY YOUR TANNER AT NIGHT
I always always apply my tanner right before bed if possible, and then rinse when I wake up, even on the express options. It gives you a full nights sleep for it to really soak in and get you the best color. By doing it at night, you are also giving yourself the longest period of avoiding water. You won’t have to worry about needing to wash your hands or do the dishes and have your hands end up a different color than the rest of you.
But remember, no matter what people tell you, all the tanner options are going to transfer at least a little bit before you rinse. I have a pair of “tanning pajamas” that are long sleeve/long pants and silky that I wear after applying. I am completely covered so it won’t transfer to bedding, and I don’t have to worry about ruining multiple pairs of pajamas.
#4 GO EASY ON YOUR FACE
I personally avoid using a self tanner all over my face. To me it looks like your face is dirty, and tends to highlight the wrong areas, making you look like you have a dark unibrow or mustache. My tip for your face is to use the tanner as more of contour. I will just take a makeup brush, dab on the tanning mitt I used, and contour with the tanner around outside of my forehead, neck and a little on my nose. That way you are giving a more natural look and not going to dark or dirty looking on your face. I will usually use this same brush method for my hands too to avoid crazy orange tan hands. If you would rather go an even easier method, these face drops mixed with your moisturizer give an amazing color!!
#5 AVOID THE OBVIOUS
Put one more layer of lotion/moisturizer on hands and feet. Use the mitt on just the very tops of your hands and feet. Avoid fingers/toes and knuckles. Then squirt a dollop of the tanner on the mitt. With an old big fluffy makeup brush, evenly apply the tanner to the brush, and apply to those tricky areas. This will help give it a more natural even look, and not get stuck/highlight the obvious areas.
#6 RINSE, NOT SCRUB OFF
This one might sound a little obvious to some, but it is so key in getting the most out of your tan. When you are ready to shower after your application setting period, don’t think of it as a normal shower. There should be no scrubbing or washing involved. It is basically just the last rinse cycle your car goes through at the car wash. You don’t want to scrub off all the hard work!!
#7 MOISTURIZE
The biggest tip to getting the most of your tan is to moisturize!!! As soon as you’ve done your rinse cycle, get alll the moisturizing you can in. This helps to lock in the color longer and get the best tone out of your color!
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I hope these details and tips help you feel ready to take on your tan with ease! If you are a first timer, I promise it’s not as hard as it looks. You are going to LOVE the results!! Shop all my favorites for tanning here!
The Sephora Beauty Event is LIVE and full of some of my tried and true favorites! Items sell out fast so if you’re looking to stock up now is the time! I’ve linked a bunch of my go to staples in makeup, hair, and skincare below! Happy Shopping!
: SALE DETAILS :
4/1 to 4/11, Sephora Rouge Members can take 20% off sitewide.
From 4/5-4/11, Sephora VIB Members can take 15% off sitewide.
4/7-4/11, Sephora Insider Members can take 10% off sitewide.
Let’s talk Family Meal Prep! I don’t know about you, but dinner time at our house can be a pretty crazy time! We have kids running to different practices + games, doing homework, and all the things! So I have learned that anything I can do ahead of time to prep our dinners and make the actual dinner time as simple and easy as possible is huge. These quick and easy meal prep “hacks” have saved us so much time and sanity. Which makes dinner time a much happier time of day. So I thought I would share them with you too in case they can help!
:: BUY + COOK YOUR BEEF IN BULK
Beef is a major star in our family meal rotation. We love spaghetti, tacos, and stroganoff and they all feature ground beef. One thing I don’t love is the time it takes to cook it for each individual recipe. Which brings me to my first meal prep hack. We get all our our meat at Costco. I will buy a huge thing of ground beef and separate it into individual bags that will cover about 3 meals each. While the meat is fresh, I will take one of those portions and cook it all up and bag that into 3 in the fridge. That way we have ground beef prepped for spaghetti, tacos, and stroganoff = 3 meals that are half way prepped already!
If I’m feeling extra ambitious I will prep the sauces too, so that the day of when it comes to busy hour, I just have to cook noodles and we are good to go!
:: SAY YES TO ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
Rotisserie Chickens are pretty much my best friend in the kitchen. You busy moms know just what I’m talking about! They save us from choosing fast food or unhealthier options so often because we always have them on hand. My family meal prep hack with rotisserie chickens, is to buy them in bulk too, depending on the size of your family. I will grab 6-7 at a time and pick alllll the meat off in one sitting. You are taking the hard work and getting her done in an hour, instead of adding that to your to do list in the heat of meal time.
Once I’ve got all the meat off, just like with the ground beef, I will bag it and freeze some and fridge some for that week. We love using it for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, so many yummy choices.
:: SLICE + CHOP ALLL THE THINGS IN ONE SITTING
If you are like me, if a side dish to your meal is going to add to the stress of preparing it, you probably aren’t going to take the time to do it. For me, fruit is one of those things. So a quick and easy little family meal prep hack for fruit and veggies, is to slice, chop, cut whatever it is right when you get it, and then bag and freeze or fridge it. That way, when you want to have it with a meal or in a shake, again all your prep work is done. My little people (+ me!) are much more likely to grab a healthy snack if the work is already done.
:: BREAKFAST CAN BE DINNER TOO
In addition to the ground beef and chicken meals I mentioned above, breakfast for dinner is a favorite in the rotation too, and usually happens close to once a week. It is so quick and easy and something the little people LOVE! My family meal prep hack for breakfast is such an easy one. In addition to eggs and bacon, we will usually do French Toast for our dinner. Once I’ve made the amount we need for that meal, I don’t stop. I will prep a bunch more and freeze them. That gives us another option as a grab and go when heading to a game or practice, instead of stopping for fast food.
:: ALWAYS THINK AHEAD
Last but not least, always think ahead. When you are unloading your groceries, think about things you could do to save you time later in the week. It might seem so simple at the time, but your future self will definitely thank you. Think ahead when you are making dinner too. If you have the ingredients and time to make a little extra, DO IT. One example is when we do tacos. I will prep extras and put them individually in these reusable containers. When we are headed out the door, we can grab one, warm it on the grill with a little lime, and we have a yummy dinner instead of getting a mediocre version of the same thing from a drive thru.
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As you can see, none of these family meal hacks are too shocking. They really are just simple steps you can take to make your life a little easier during that dinner time rush! I’d love to hear your meal prep tips and tricks that make dinner time easier at your house too!
Hey Guys! Hunter here with another teen takeover, and this time I’m talking all things Graphic Tees! It should come as no surprise to any of you, that just like my mom, one of my favorite things is a good graphic tee. It is always my first choice and the thing I reach for most in my closet. I love that they are so versatile. So today I thought it would be fun to put together a round up of my favorites for you!
I love that graphic tees are a fun way to show your personality and are super verstaile to pair with shorts, jeans, or even joggers! Hope you love my picks! Check out more teen takeovers here!
This spring weather is giving me life!!! The blue skies and sunshine are bringing me so much joy right now! With spring in the air and popping up all around us, my mind starts thinking spring fashion! Some of my favorite things to shop for are spring trends because it means we finally get to start unbundling and thinking all things swim, shorts, and sandals!! Spring sandals are one of my favorites to shop for, so today I’m rounding up a bunch of my favorites to share with you!
: STUDDED SANDALS
I LOVE a good sandal that is super versatile, and this one checks all the boxes. First, it is classic black so it goes with just about everything. The plastic material makes it great for the beach or pool because its waterproof. And that hint of glam makes it easy to dress up for dinner too. These are my go to for travel because you can pack one shoe and check off all the boxes! If you are looking for a similar style at a lower price point, check out this similar dupe.
Another great studded sandal that is a great neutral with a pop are these steve madden sandals! They are always on repeat for me all summer!
: PEARL SANDALS
Just like the studded sandals, these pearl sandalsare a great sandal for vacation. They transition perfectly from poolside to lunch and go with everything!
: SLIDES
When it comes to spring and summer sandals, slides are a must have! They are quick and easy to throw on and go with just about everything. These tan slides are the perfect everyday spring shoe, and some of my very favorite. I love how versatile they are, and you can’t beat the price at under $20!
Another fun slide that is perfect for spring + summer is this pair that has a pop of pattern. Love that it gives them a more dressed up look and just adds some detail.
And if you want to combine the studded look with a slide, go with these!
: TKEES
If you haven’t tried tkees, you have got to add them to this spring/summer’s line up! They are such a great quality sandal! You can stick with a classic and get their flip flops in a variety of nudes to match any skin tone, or fun colors and metallics. They also have a fun variety of more unique sandals like these that add a fun detail to any look.
: BIRKENSTOCKS
Last but not least, you can’t forget the classic birkenstock. These are a must have in any closet. They are timeless , comfortable, and so versatile.
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I hope you love this fun roundup of spring + summer sandals!
I swear this year is just flying right by! Can you believe we are already so close to Easter?! I am not complaining at all because Spring and Summer are my absolute favorite time of the year. Bring on all the sunshine!! Easter is one of my favorites for that very reason! We love getting outside together and the fun holidays that bring us together with family.
Easter Baskets are one of my favorite gifts to put together. I love to fill them with things to prep for the upcoming spring and summer! I don’t like to go over the top with the “junk items”. Usually I try to stick to the more practical things they need. Since I’ll be filling a basket for everyone from toddlers to teens, I thought I’d share some of my favorite ideas with you!
I hope these Easter Basket ideas are helpful as you prepare yours. I wanna know, what are some of your favorite Easter Basket fillers or Easter traditions?
When it comes to cleaning, it can kind of feel like a job that is saved just for mom. And whether you have one kid or 10, the thought of tackling it all on your own can feel very overwhelming! I didn’t want that all on my shoulders! On top of that, I wanted to teach my kids how to clean. I want them to contribute to our household. It is also a skill they can use as they get older and move out. So today I thought it would be fun + helpful to share some of my tips to get your kids involved in cleaning and have it be successful!
If someone hands you a giant list of things you need to do, your brain instantly goes into panic mode and wants to shut down. The same goes for kids with a huge list of chores. Instant overwhelm. My biggest tip to start this process out successfully is to simplify the lists!
You can keep it as simple as just writing down 5 chores for each child on their own piece of paper. Another fun way that makes them feel more involved is to start with one big list of everything you need done. Once you have that list, let them take turns picking a chore they WANT to do, and put their initials by it. When the list is all claimed, then you go through and make them individual lists. Something about knowing you got to choose, rather than chores were forced on you, makes it more appealing to accomplish, and equals less complaining because you chose it!
: GIVE EVERYONE THEIR OWN SUPPLIES
Just like with school supplies, art supplies, or even things for sports, having their own set of supplies can make all the difference when it comes to cleaning with kids. We used to just have one thing of clorox wipes, one magic eraser, etc. It lead to more arguing and complaining waiting for someone else to use what you needed. I finally had a lightbulb moment and created cleaning kits for each of their individual bathrooms. It eliminated not only the whining, but sped up how long it took too because they weren’t waiting on each other.
: SIMPLIFY THE JOB ITSELF
I don’t expect my kids to be able to clean as well as myself or someone that does it for a living. For me having them pitch in is a lot more about them learning to work and taking on that responsibility, versus the quality of the work. To help keep attitudes good and complaints to a minimum, I try to simplify the tasks and make them kid friendly. Some examples of that are:
Instead of mopping, which takes a lot of work/potential spills, they use clorox wipes. I will have them wipe down the baseboards and around the toilet. Quick and easy!
Magic Erasers! These are our best friends when it comes to countertops, sinks, walls, tubs, everything. It is so easy to hand them one of those and give them an area, vs dealing with chemicals and sprays.
: MAKE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS CLEAR
When you first give them a new job, show them how to do it at least once. Be around for questions the first couple of times. This does not mean do it for them. If they are confident and know you have seen them do it and approved, they are less likely to go into it the next time feeling confused or not up to par.
: SHOW YOUR PRAISE + HIDE YOUR CORRECTIONS
As a clean freak, it can be hard to not correct them or redo it for them. Remember, your goal is to teach the responsibility and habit of a clean lifestyle. If they are doing their best and completing the task, show that you are proud of them. Let them know you approve of what they did! A little bit of praise goes a long way!!
And NEVER redo the cleaning in front of them. It is a huge discouragement and makes them think their is no point in them doing it. I’m not saying you can’t be like me and sometimes wait until they go to bed or to school to do it a little better, but never act like their work isn’t good enough.
: HAVE A REWARD
Last but not least, have a reward and stick to it! Before you even start the chores/cleaning, let them know about the reward and get them excited for it. It can be as simple as making cookies, going for ice cream, or playing a game they love when you are done. When they have something to look forward to it makes the goal easier to want to accomplish.
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I hope these tips are helpful in getting your kids involved in cleaning! I have included our chore chart printable below as well to help simplify a daily list! Just right click and save the image! You can read more about how we pay our kids for chores here.
When it comes to fashion, you could say Joe and I are pretty much opposites. While I love to accessorize and style outfits, Joe is pretty happy keeping it simple! And getting him into jeans instead of shorts is nothing short of a miracle! But there is one thing we can agree on, and that is that having good basics is a must! Since basics are something that are worn on repeat, we love finding affordable options, and believe me, we have tried a lot! We recently came across the Free Assembly line at Walmart and the basics (especially for Men) are incredible! Great basic tees, long sleeve henley’s, jeans, jackets and more, all at great prices!
We especially love this basic tee. Joe is the fun dad and is always getting down and dirty playing with our kids outside, so we go through white tees pretty quick. I love that these are such a great price point that it doesn’t break the bank to replace them, but the fit and quality is still great!
We’ve rounded up all of our favorite basics below AND even got Joe to pose for a few pictures to show you how they fit, which if you know him, you know is a miracle!
Walmart is also killing it in the women’s basics, so I had to grab some new items for me too! Let me know over on Instagram if you are interested in a Women’s haul from Walmart too and I will put together some of my favorites in a post!
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