When it comes to Back – to – School shopping things can feel a little overwhelming. Kids are different ages with different personalities and needs so it can make your list feel never ending. One of my biggest tips to help decrease stress is finding stores to shop back to school basics that can cover all your kids’ ages! It not only saves your sanity of shopping at multiple stores with less than thrilled kids, but it saves so much time as well! A great place to do that is JCPenney! We teamed up with them to show off some of the awesome Back to School basics they have this year for the whole family and share a few tips to keep in mind when back to school shopping!
: TAKE STOCK OF WHAT YOU HAVE FIRST
Before I will start any Back – to – School shopping, I sit down with each of my kids and we do a closet clean out. We take every single thing out of the closet and put it in categories. Then together, not just me, we go through each category. First, we go through and take out everything they say they don’t like anymore or will not wear. I’ve learned there is no point keeping it if it isn’t something they love. They aren’t going to wear it and it is just going to take up space!
After we’ve separated out the pieces we aren’t loving, we then go through and try on EVERYTHING else, so we can weed out the items that don’t fit right anymore. From there I make a list of each category and the needs per child, so we are never over stocking the closets. Simple, minimal wardrobes is always my goal.
: FIND STORES THAT WORK FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
If you are like me, you probably don’t want to spend days trying to shop for all your kids at a bunch of different stores. We love finding stores that have sizes and styles that work for the whole family. One of those we shopped this year was JCPenney! They are a great option to shop for everyone from toddler to teens (and me too) for affordable good quality basics! And they make shopping convenient with in store, online, or fast pick up options to fit your schedule.
: BASICS ARE BEST
When it comes to shopping for my kids, I have found that the basics are best. Not only are they so versatile, but they are usually a lot more affordable as well! I love that for example a dress can be worn as is for spring and fall, but as it gets cooler, you could pair it with some leggings and boots and a cardigan and continue to wear it. Hunter loves tanks and basic tees because she can always add a cute jacket and still have a versatile piece. Instead of over stocking up, get pieces that can be mixed and matched and worn all year long.
: MAKE A DATE OUT OF IT
Last but not least, make it fun. Soak up the time you have with them out of school! If you’ve been here for a while, you know one of our favorite things is our kids’ dates. Each month we try to take the kids on one on one dates with Joe or I. It is such a great time to connect, see how they’re doing, and enjoy them. One of our favorites for summer is back to school shopping. I love that you can even put an online spin on it and do it from home. Grab your favorite treats, and sit down together, uninterrupted, and make a wish list. Let them take charge and feel a little more grown up navigating the websites and finding what they love!
. . . SHOP OUR BACK – TO – SCHOOL FAVORITES FROM JCPENNEY. . .
I hope these Back – to – School Shopping tips and tricks help you get prepped and keep it fun for you and your family!
Have your kids gone back to school yet?! My big kids headed back last week, but these two littles and I are soaking up the last couple of days until they are back too!! They cannot wait!! When it comes to back to school, at our house, we have some fun traditions we all love and look forward to! So today I thought I’d share some of those with you and how you can buy now and pay later at OshKosh with Afterpay!
: BACK TO SCHOOL DATES
When it comes to Back to School shopping, I have found it is a lot easier if I try and tackle most of it myself. I can find pieces that are timeless, transitional, and versatile without too many distractions. And I can spread it out throughout the summer instead of taking one big monster trip.
While I tend to do most of the shopping myself, one of our very favorite Back to School Traditions is our one on one shopping dates. Each of the little people gets to plan a date, just the two of us. They pick where we go to eat and where we shop and they get to pick out one outfit they love that is totally their personality.
This year we took both Houston and Harper to OshKosh B’Gosh and they were in love!! I was having all the feels because I remember shopping there with my mom as a kid too! We are big fans of their timeless + versatile pieces at affordable prices. I love that Harper can wear this cute top + skirt outfit in the Fall and Spring, and pair it with some tights and a long sleeve shirt for winter. And these jeans are some of the only ones that fit tiny Houston well. Right now you can shop their Buy 1 Get 2 Jeans sale too, which is a great time to stock up!! They also offer Afterpay also makes it easier to shop for the upcoming school year by paying a bit now and the rest later!
Of course, we finish the date with a treat too! It has been so special just to have that time talking with them one on one. They feel more open to talk about all the excitement they have for the upcoming school year and even worries too. It is something I really look forward to all year, and I know they do too!
. . . SHOP OUR FAVORITE OSHKOSH BACK TO SCHOOL STYLES . . .
: BACK TO SCHOOL DINNER
I would still consider this one a “work in progress” tradition, but something we all love! We started the tradition a couple of years ago and it was a hit! I love that you can make it as big or as simple as you want. So, if life is crazy, maybe your back to school dinner tradition is takeout. You do you and what works. You are basically just taking your dinner the night before school starts and adding a little flare. To give you a taste of real life, this year our “meal” was leftover spaghetti, but it was still just as fun and special!
If you want to decorate, I’ve seen quite a few dollar sections that have some adorable school supply banners + die cuts for simple decorations. Or you could tie some balloons to their chair. One friend just put their new backpacks on the back of their chairs with little name strips at each plate. So easy with things you already have but it means so much to them. You can make their favorite meal, or even get takeout from their favorite place. I love how simple it is but will be such a fun memory and something for them to look forward to. It is a special time for them to talk about things they nervous or excited about, new teachers and friends, and of course what they want to wear!
: BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSINGS
Our last Back to School tradition before the big day is Father’s Blessings. We do these every year on the Sunday before school starts. It is such a special time for us to talk one on one with them about what they are nervous about or would like help with that year, and Joe is able to give them a blessing of comfort.
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I hope these back to school traditions give you some fun ideas to incorporate with your family too!! Don’t forget that Afterpay makes back to school shopping even easier. Just select Afterpay at checkout as your payment method!
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Do you consider yourself an organized person? I’ve always thought that I was very Type-A, organized, even to a fault… and then I had five kids! And I realized how much harder it gets to organize with each child! I also learned something important about myself. When I felt organized and I felt like my house was clean, I was an even better mom. I was able to help my kids find their toys easier, get ready for school easier, and plan fun vacations and not worry about what the house would be like when we came home. Going from all the different games and practices was easier because I was able to be well-prepared with treats and equipment ahead of time. Taking the time to organize changed my mom-game.
And because of that, I had to share with you, which is why I created a course. 30 Days To An Organized Home with Kailee Wright became my mission to create a step-by-step process that anyone can use to go category by category through their home and create an efficient, beautiful space to live in. Organization affects every facet of my life. My relationships, my business, my parenting, and our home is just the beginning. I want everyone to feel that sense of satisfaction and clarity that comes with a clean home.
Back to School and Fall in general is a sort of fresh start for us. We go hard during the summer with sports, vacations, swim days, and family time, but that can mean a few of our regular routines and habits fall out of balance. I love to get our home and family back on track with a freshly organized home and routine, and here are a few reasons why I think you should too!
: Get Back Into A Routine
Like I said above, routines can tend to fall out of balance during the summer. With back to school, I like to get back into a daily family routine and chores are certainly a part of that. And you know what makes chores much, much, much easier? Organization! Name something less fun to do than try to put clothes away in a dresser that is bursting at the seams with unfolded clothes. I’ll wait. ps – head to this post for our free chore chart download!
: Save Money
Going through my 30 Days to An Organized Home e-course will save you money. It just will. Even after the cost of the course and containers, you will have saved money. And maybe even MADE money if you choose to sell items you no longer need or use. In the beginning of the course, I walk you through home intake, a systematized way of looking at what comes INSIDE your home and that oftentimes is a huge money saver. When you’re more conscious about what you’re buying, and you have limited space to put things, you are less likely to make impulse purchases.
: Prepare For The Holidays
The holidays are crazy town for everyone and they also usually mean an influx of products, gifts, and food. Get your home organization in place and systematized BEFOREHAND to eliminate holiday overwhelm and clutter.
: Do It With Others
Launching on September 1, I am creating a community full of doers ready to get organized before the holidays! Join us in the tasks and we can share posts using hashtag #30dayswithkailee.
: Because You Deserve It
This one is the most important. You deserve to live in a clean, organized home, and to go to bed at night with mental clarity and calm. To have a closet full of only clothes that you love to wear. You deserve to spend more time with your children instead of cleaning up too many toys. To walk into an organized pantry when cooking. You deserve ALL of that.
My new organization course launches September 1, 2021! I can’t wait to get organizing with you and create a space you LOVE!
You can tell Harper is my baby and I can’t stand how fast she is growing up, because I put off this big girl room redo for a long as possible. I just wasn’t ready to be done with my last nursery!! But that being said, putting together this room design update was so fun! Since Harper was a little bit older, she was able to help pick out and have a say in a lot more of the room! I hope you love it as much as we do!
If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve seen Harper’s nursery! You are probably recognizing a lot of the same pieces in her big girl room. Which brings me to my biggest tip of designing rooms in your house. KEEP IT SIMPLE!! You don’t need to go and spend thousands of dollars on making everything 100% all new! Shop your house first! Everything you see in Harper’s room except for her new big girl bed and sheets came from somewhere else in our house. The chair, side table, dresser, mirror, and art were already part of her nursery. I shopped the rest of my house for some extras. I grabbed pillows, blankets, and plants to give it some more texture and patterns. A room update does not have to be hard or expensive if you go about it the right way, but can still have a big impact!
One thing we did update was her mattress. Over on Instagram you saw the poor girl was sleeping on a mattress on the floor for months!! But if you ask my other kids, she is the luckiest because it is such a dreamy mattress! We wanted something that was good quality and would last for years but also be so comfortable so of course we went with Cariloha! It is amazing you guys! The big kids are all jealous and asking when they get to upgrade theirs too! We have their towels and sheets and love them all! You can use code KW to save too!
One of the biggest changes we made to Harper’s Big Girl Room was this fun new wallpaper accent wall! I searched high and low for something I loved and just couldn’t find it. I reached out to indigo design about working together and they were all in! Harper and I were able to pick out colors and design this fun new print with them, officially named Harper Pink Dots! I love that it adds a fun pop to the space and keeps it a little more kid room styled, but is still muted colors so it isn’t out of control. And it is removable! So I don’t have to worry about it when we finish the new build down the road.
If you are in the market for a fun way to add some personality to your room without the crazy commitment of actual wallpaper or paint, you NEED indigo design. Not only were they amazing to work with, the quality is so good! You can order samples until you figure out exactly what you want, and they help with all the technical stuff making it a super easy diy! Plus you can use code KAILEE20 to save as well!
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I hope you love these fun updates as much as we do! And that you realize you can easily update your space on a small budget by thinking outside the box and shopping what you already have!!
PS- stay tuned for a FUN giveaway with Indigo Design coming soon!!
It’s my birthday!! If you know me you know I love all things celebrating! Give me all the cake + ice cream! But one of my favorite things to do on my birthday is actually to look back on the past year. I love to take a minute and write down the things that stand out to me the most that I learned that year. It can be an actual new skill, or just as simple as things I’ve learned about myself. As I thought back for this year, there were some big ones that changed a lot for me and I thought could be helpful to some of you, so today I’m sharing a few of them!
: INVEST IN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
In years past, mental health has always seemed like kind of a taboo subject. Especially when it comes to women’s mental health. If I think back to our parents generation, it seems like it was looked at as almost embarrassing to admit you felt unsure of yourself, lost, or struggling. But something I’ve learned this past year, is it’s ok to invest in your mental health. And not only that, but that it feels so healing when you do.
I’ve also learned it is ok to see a therapist/counselor or hire a life coach! Which is what I have recently done – is find an amazing life coach. I think I always kind of thought you have to have had some kind of life changing event in your childhood for it to be ok to see a therapist or counselor. But in reality, sometimes just having someone else to talk to and help you sort out your thoughts and emotions and where they are coming from can make a huge difference. I also learned I am not alone in feeling this mental funk and need for more help and clarity. When I shared about it recently, so many of you reached out in solidarity, love, and encouragement. Don’t be afraid to take the time to invest in you.
Another little self tip I have started doing is a nightly brain dump in a notebook. It is exactly as it sounds…I just write down every single thing in my head. Not just a to do list, but how things made me feel. Things that made by day better or worse, feelings about different relationships, anything and everything. It has given me so much clarity and almost released a burden I was carrying because it kind of keeps you from over analyzing and dwelling on the unnecessary, and helps you see the positives and the gratitude in your life too.
: YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN SUNSHINE
I first heard this concept or thought from my friend Merrick a few years back and it has always stuck with me. She is such a good example of doing this and I love that about her. The basic idea behind it is you create your own fun and happiness. You can’t spend your days waiting around for someone else to make you happy or make your day better. Create your own sunshine and joy in life. For me this means taking the initiative and planning a girls night when I want/need one, making date night a priority for Joe and I, or putting off work to play with my little people. You are in charge of your life and what doing what brings you joy!
Another aspect of this is don’t beat around the bush when it comes to your feelings and wants in life. Speak your mind and ask for exactly what you want, or make it happen. This year was honestly one of the first times I did this for my birthday. Instead of being vague, I told Joe exactly what I wanted/expected. I told him I wanted a night away with him, where I wanted it, and all the details. Instead of putting him in a hard place of guessing and setting myself up for possible disappointment when I knew what I wanted in my head, I made it happen. I created that happiness/sunshine. Whether it’s working on a relationship, or reaching a goal, don’t wait around for someone else to do it for you.
: IT’S OK TO GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
You can be ok with B work. That has been a “quote” I have never liked, because I am a kind of a perfectionist. I just couldn’t get on board with it. But in this past year I have really taken it to heart and learned it’s ok to give yourself grace. My kitchen doesn’t need to be mopped and have every surface sparkling every single night. I can be ok with wiping down counters and doing dishes and consider that job done so I have more time for things that bring me joy. It’s ok if the laundry waits another day. My church lesson doesn’t need to be pinterest worthy every week. The kids will still be grateful that I showed up for them. I’ve really learned that it is ok if things don’t always go 100% according to plans, and that sometimes by giving yourself grace they turn out better!
: TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
You all know that over the past couple years I have really made a change in focusing on my health. I started eating healthier and got into a great workout routine. Both my physical + mental health were probably the best they had ever been. Since the summer started, I kind of let myself fall off the bandwagon. My workouts dwindled, I wasn’t taking the time to make the healthier eating choices, and a sleep routine was non existent. I was shocked at how big of a difference I noticed.
This year I have definitely learned how important it is to take care of your body. You only get one! I talked about the mental health version of this above, but physically is so important too. Taking the time to prep your meals, get some kind of movement in, and stick to a good sleep schedule makes such a difference. As women and parents we can work ourselves to the bone. But all that leaves us with is less than our best for those we love and care about. You have to fill your tank before you can fill everyone else. That goes for having the physical strength and energy, as well as the endorphins and clarity you get from these things too.
I hope as I look back at the year and share a few things I’ve learned, I can help a few of you feel like you’ve got someone in your corner. I have learned so much from this community through your support and advice as well!
Hey guys! Hunter here with another Teen Takeover! School starts for us in just over a week! I can’t believe summer is already over but I’m excited for the soccer season and the new year! My mom got lots of requests for a back to school round up, teen edition so that is what I’m doing today! I actually pay for the majority of my school clothes myself, so these really are my top favorites!
When it comes to Back to School shopping, for me shoes are for sure most important. I feel like you can fill your closet with good basics, and really show your personality and style with shoes! Like my mom, I LOVE the Jordan’s. I have been searching for weeks to try and get some of the more unique color ways without going broke! Ha! I am also buying some high top converse. I’ve been stealing my mom’s for a while now so I’m finally getting my own because they are such a great shoe. They go with everything from jeans + tees to skirts + dresses.
When it comes to clothes, especially tops, I’m really all about comfort and sticking to my style. I love hoodies, oversized graphic tees, crop tops and just good basics. They can all be pretty versatile and switched up between paired with sweats, jeans, shorts or whatever fits your style.
. . . SHOP MY FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL HOODIES/SWEATSHIRTS . . .
. . . SHOP MY FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL TOPS . . .
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: BOTTOMS + SKIRTS
For bottoms, my favorites are boyfriend jeans, mom jeans, shorts and sweats/joggers. Again I like that they are comfortable and can be paired with a bunch of different tops and look good. Since I made the soccer team, I am shopping for some more skirts too because we have to dress up on game day.
. . . SHOP MY FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL BOTTOMS + SKIRTS . . .
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: ACCESSORIES
Last but not least are accessories. I think one thing just about every teen girl loves is accessories. I like to keep it pretty simple with bracelets, rings, and a cute anklet.
. . . SHOP MY FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL ACCESSORIES . . .
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I hope this post was helpful! I’ll do some try on hauls over on my mom’s Instagram too to show some of the stuff I end up getting!
A couple of weeks ago we took Hudson to Boston for his 12 year old solo trip! I mentioned what we were doing and was shocked by how many questions you guys had! Our 12 year old solo trips are one of my absolute very favorite traditions we started! They are something I think you’d love to do with your kids too, so today I’m sharing all the details on how we do it!
I originally saw the idea when my friend Kelly did it with her oldest. My mama heart was instantly drawn into the idea of one on one time, especially as my kids get older and schedules can make it tricky. With 5 kids, the mom guilt and feeling of time running out is REAL, so the idea of that connection felt like an answer to my prayers and I was sold!
We do our solo trips at age 12. For us that felt like an age where number one, they were old enough to appreciate it. I also feel like they are old enough to understand money and cost a little better. And be ok with only getting the trip for their birthday that year instead of presents and parties.
The trip location and itinerary is completely up to the 12 year old we are celebrating. Our only real rule is it has to be in the US (minus Hawaii + Alaska). From there we let them take the reins. Hunter chose Southern California because she LOVES the beach. Her itinerary was all things pool time, shopping, checking out the beach town, amusement park, yummy food, and more pool time. Hudson chose Boston and was so laid back. He didn’t really want to do all the touristy go go go stuff and was totally satisfied with baseball and food.
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I love that it is fully customizable to you and your family, but such a great way to connect with them. These trips have quickly become a tradition we all look forward to so much. Joe and I both have loved getting that priceless one on one time to really focus in on them and spoil them a little with zero distractions. For me it has really helped ease the pain of my kids growing up before I feel ready. Hayden is already talking about hers and we cannot wait!
Let’s talk all things BOSTON!! It is such a beautiful city and full of so many fun things to do, see, and of course EAT! I shared some of our favorite things we did a couple years ago when Joe + I went for my birthday, and now that we just got back from taking Hudson there for his solo trip, we’ve got even more!!! So keep reading below to check out a few details on our favorites as well as a HUGE list of eats + things to do from all of your amazing recommendations!
When Joe + I went we were first timers and all about the tourist experience. Our first full day, we rented some bikes and rode along the Freedom Trail and LOVED it. It was so pretty! I highly recommend the bikes to see things more quickly. They also had a hop on hop off trolley a few of you suggested, so that would make it easier with kids too! That night we ate dinner at the HIGHLY recommended by you guys Boston Burger, and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Oh my gosh, it was so delicious. Joe got the Mac + Cheese burger and it was to die for.
After dinner we headed over to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game, and it was hands down my favorite part of the trip. The atmosphere there is incredible. Even if you aren’t a huge baseball fan like us, I think you would love it. Just the whole crowd breaking in to Sweet Caroline, ah it is was honestly so so fun. For sure the funnest game I’ve ever been to. I highly recommend it. We hit up Mike’s Pastry that night too and ordered like 10 different things to share.
Our second day we walked around North End and had so much fun. There is always something going on around you, and we loved all the street entertainment. We had lunch at Reginas Pizza (also highly suggested and SO AMAZING). Then we headed over to do a whale tour. Also most of the places there guarantee you will see whales, and if you don’t they give you a lifetime ticket to come back in 5, 10 or 50 years and try again! It was so cool to see the city from the ocean view and the whales so up close. We ate dinner at Top of the Hub which is on top of the prudential building, and of course had amazing view of the city.
And for our last day the boys hit up another game at Fenway while us girls took your advice and went shopping on Newbury Street. So many fun options and of course even more delicious food. Honestly we wish we could’ve stayed longer to see and eat all the things! Because as you’ll see below you had lots of great suggestions!
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This time around when we took Hudson for his Solo trip was much more laid back. So he was in charge of the itinerary and wasn’t really interested in doing your typical touristy things. Of course we hit up 2 Red Sox Games which were again so much fun! We went to a fun local park and ate the yummiest food (details below). One of the funnest things we did was go cart racing just outside Boston. Totally worth the little it of drive and so so fun! We also went sailing which we all LOVED! It is so beautiful and quiet/peaceful. Highly recommend!
Speaking of recommendations, below is a giant list of all your amazing recommendations for both things to eat and to do! I made my own reviews next to a few for more details. So it should make planning your Boston getaway a breeze!
: RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS :
Boston Burger Co. ** Highly recommend! Joe got the Mac + Cheese Burger and it is incredible.
Regina’s Pizza North End ** One our favorites for sure! Such GOOD pizza!
Friendly Toast **This one was new to our trip with Hudson and amazing food! We were all obsessed!
Ocean Prime – Amazing steakhouse for more of an adult trip. You must order the Peanut Butter Pie too!
Mikes Pastry – This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but personally for us this was a “do because its the touristy thing to do”, but we didn’t really love anything we tried. Don’t come at me!
Fillipios
Little Italy
Modern Pastry
Broccoli Salumeria
Big Daddy’s Pizza
Flour Bakery
Eataly
South End Buttery
Limoncello Ristorante
Neptunes Fish Bar : best lobster roll
Wahlburgers
Tatte Bakery
Dolce Vita
Quincy Market
The Border Mexican
FoMu Ice Cream
Kane’s Donuts
Magnolia Bakery
The Grotto
Arya Trattoria
Cafe Luna
Omni Parker House – Original Boston Cream Pie
Citrus + Salt – coastal Mexican
Black Bird Donuts
Luke’s Lobster
Cafeteria Boston
Cafe Vittoria
Legal Seafood
: THINGS TO SEE + DO :
Fenway Park – the funnest stadium and game I have ever been to! Even if you aren’t huge into baseball you will love it! You can also do a tour which I’m sure would be amazing!
Freedom Trail – Amazing way to get all the historical sites in. You can walk it, rent bikes, or do the hop on hop off trolley.
Faneuil Hall – yummy food, great Boston souvenirs
Supercharged Entertainment – This is where we rode the go- carts! It was SO SO much fun and we highly recommend!
Classic Harbor Line – So this is the company we did the sail boat tour from and really liked it. There were only about 8 others on the boat with you so you can move around and see a lot. It also is pretty affordable for a tour.
North End Park – My favorite place to just relax and people watch.
Quincy Market – GIANT food market with lots of different options
Harvard
Boston Common’s – Main Park in the City
Beacon Hill – Fun to check out all the houses
USS Constitution – Free tour
Aquarium
Whale Watching
Science museum
MIT College Tour
Walden Pond
Arnold Arbetorum
Public Gardens – Ride the Swan Boats
Boston Tea Party Ship Tour
Boat Ride to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard
So as you can see, like always you guys came through with AMAZING recommendations! I wish I would’ve had a week or two to try everything you suggested. We can’t wait to go back and experience even more of beautiful Boston!
If you’ve been around here for a while, my love for Walmart+ should come as no surprise to you! I am constantly sharing about how amazing it is. It truly is one of those mom hacks that I want everyone human to know about!! It has saved me when it comes to everything from running out of diapers or milk, to stocking up for last minute family visits! I am not sure how I functioned without it! Today I thought it might be helpful to share a little more detail on how exactly I use Walmart+ and how it simplifies my week so much.
: SUNDAY NIGHT PREP
Every Sunday night Joe + I try to take an hour or so to prep all the things for the week. I go through the kid’s calendars, Joe’s schedule for work, content I need to prep for my job, and of course our meals for the week. I try to do a flexible prep of at least some of our meals and take stock of what we need more of in the fridge + pantry.
Once I’ve done that, I open up my Walmart+ app. You guys, I am not kidding when I say it has quickly become one of my very favorite and most used app. It is such a game changer and so user friendly. I can just hop on the app and add in all my fresh groceries to my cart. One of my favorite features in the app is that you can “heart” your favorites. When you go to order again it will remember items you regularly stock up on saving you even more time. You also aren’t limited to just fresh groceries. Depending on your stores stock, you can add items like diapers + wipes, back to school supplies, or pet products.
Once I’ve got everything I need in my cart, it is time for my favorite part. FREE delivery (on qualifying orders of $35+ & restrictions apply) as soon as SAME DAY!!! That means if you are in a pinch with last minute visitors this Summer, you could have your groceries to your door in the time it takes you to change out bed sheets + clean the guest bath! With it being Summer, I usually place my order to be delivered Monday morning while I am out in the gym. The kids know it is one of their jobs to put everything away. Again saving me so much time!
: LAST MINUTE LIFE SAVER
Our Walmart+ membership has also come in clutch multiple times for me for all those last minute panic moments. When Harper was still in diapers, I used it to order diapers to be delivered the next morning as I did a late night bum change and realized I was out. We have used Walmart+ on the way home from vacation when I knew I was coming home to an empty fridge. I placed my order while we waited to board our plane, and the fresh groceries were waiting when we pulled up to our house.
: WHAT DOES IT COST?
The question I probably get asked the most is what does Walmart+ cost, and is it worth it? 1000 times yes! Once your free trial has ended, the annual cost is $98. Joe is a numbers guy and of course he broke it down even more. If you get your groceries delivered just once a week, that takes it down to just under $2 a week. The time saved is worth that much alone!
Anyone else feel like summer is so so busy?! I am starting to think it is busier than the school year!! We are down to just a few more weeks before the kids are back in school so we are trying to pack in as much fun as possible!!! With life being so crazy busy, I feel like it has been a while since I got on here or even on Instagram and gave an update on everything going on . So since it has been today I’m filling you in on everything from the new home build to my current mental state and everything in between!
: UPDATE ON THE HOUSE
The house is moving forward slowly but surely. We had a few delays which we expected, but after a few design meetings we are hoping to have preliminary designs back today! We got the main floor plan all figured out, which was our biggest (and hardest goal) and now we are starting on the exterior design. You can follow along some of those ideas over on my Pinterest page.
Ah I love Summer so much! It has been crazy busy but packed with fun too! We have had lots of pool days and family come and visit a lot to help celebrate the 4th, baby blessings, and birthdays. It felt so nice to be able to travel more this year as well! We have been down to St. George a few times, as well as a couple trips to our cabin which we all LOVE! It is so nice to be disconnected from the world and just soak up the family time! We are so excited to go on Hudson’s 12 year old trip to Boston as well! Don’t even get me started on how emotional I am that he is already 12!!!
: UPDATE ON THE KIDS/ FAMILY LIFE
Hunter-
Hunter has been training like crazy for High School soccer tryouts! She is building a ton of confidence and muscle and it has been amazing to watch. We absolutely love watching her and are so excited for what is to come this year for her. I’m in denial that she is getting closer to high school, but love how our relationship has grown as we have more in common and just have late night chats together. She has been my life saver with babysitting for me this summer too!
Hudson-
Hudson is still Mr. Baseball and loving every second of it! He has had tournaments all summer and his little team is so fun to watch!! They are heading to Colorado and finishing up the season. He is turning 12 (cue all the tears) and so pumped for his solo trip with Joe and I. We are headed to Boston and I cannot wait to have him all to ourselves!
Hayden-
Has finally found her love in life and it is CHEER!! She is such a good little tumbler and is already advancing so fast!! I did cheer and coached for a few years too, so it has been so fun to do this together!
Houston-
Our Boogie just turned 6 and I can’t even believe it!!! Of course he instantly started acting like he is 16 with his backwards hat and necklace he made. He just lost his 2nd tooth and I am not ok about it! Kindergarten starts in about a month from now and I am so not ready!! He is my best little helper and Harper’s BFF so we are both going to struggle.
Harper-
Last but not least is my Harpy girl. She FINALLY got her big girl bed and is obsessed with it! She promised me she would only have 1 more birthday and wouldn’t turn older than 5. I am trying to soak up her sweet hilarious little energetic spirit!
I don’t even know where to start on an update on me. The last few months have been so weird, different, and hard for me mentally. It is hard to explain actually, so hopefully this makes sense to someone! I feel happy, but not happy at the same time, and content but not fully content at the same time. It is almost like I just don’t feel 100% of either thing but my mind is trying to tell me I should be because there is nothing really going on to make me feel otherwise. I told you it was confusing! But it has been kind of taking a toll on me. I just don’t feel like myself fully.
I’ve been looking into counseling or therapy, but go back and forth and second guess myself on if that is what I need and if it will help. Over the last couple weeks I’ve been thinking about trying a hiking retreat for women or a life coach as well. So we will see what I decide and helps the most there. For now I had a friend recommend taking a notebook and writing down all my thoughts and everything, kind of like a brain dump to help get it all out of my head to sort through and work through it. It has been helping a lot.
Work is crazy town and I honestly have just not been feeling totally fulfilled by it lately. You may have noticed I haven’t been as present over on Instagram while I try to figure it out. I’m trying to find a groove between it still bringing me joy but also helping to provide for my family as well.
I’m sure that all sounds confusing and random, but I never want to get on here and act like everything is always sunshine and roses. I struggle with mental health, self care, mom guilt, and burn out just like everyone else and I never want it to come across as not that way.
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I hope you are all having a fantastic summer and soaking up all the fun times! Thank you so much for being here and for all your support always! I am still a firm believer we have the kindest community on the internet!
A couple weeks ago over on Instagram I shared my excitement over the news that Gap would be launching a new HOME line exclusively with Walmart. It is finally here and it is SO SO GOOD!! As soon as I saw the line was live, I hopped on and ordered some fun home pieces to brighten up our summer table scape, and thought it would be fun to share them here with you along with two of our go to summer recipes your whole family will love!
Before I get to the recipes, I wanted to give you a little back story on my love of Gap. My first real job in high school was actually working at Gap so I have been a loyal customer for years and years. One of my favorite things about Gap is their clean simple aesthetic. You can see it in their baby line, the classic silhouettes you will find in Women’s, and it definitely translates into this home line as well.
I love that the patterns on the dishes and pillows add some fun to a simple look, but are still all so timeless! And those colors, so dreamy!! Like I said, this line is launching only at Walmart, which I love! That means affordable prices and you get the bonus of Walmart’s quick shipping and pickup features you know I love, especially during a busy summer.
: SHOP MY FAVORITES FROM GAP HOME AT WALMART :
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Speaking of Summer, let’s talk recipes. Family dinner is something I love to try and do regularly, but the busy go go go mentality of Summer can make it tricky. One of my best girl friends shared this freezer friendly taquito recipe with me last year and my whole family is obsessed. It is so easy to double or triple and make one day, in order to have your freezer stocked and ready for quick summer meals that still taste fresh and delicious! We love pairing it with strawberries and this fool proof dip that I could eat by the spoonful!! Sharing both recipes below! Hope you love and don’t forget to check out the new Gap Home line exclusively at Walmart!
: BAKED CHICKEN TAQUITOS :
– INGREDIENTS –
Tortillas – I use the uncooked ones because they make everything extra yummy! You will need to cook before following the rest of the recipe instructions.
Shredded Chicken – I don’t measure…probably 3-4 breasts. For extra yummy flavor, cook them in the crock pot with 1 cup water, packet of ranch dressing mix, and taco or Chili Lime Seasoning. If you are short on time you could use a Rotisserie Chicken too.
6 oz Cream Cheese, softened (sometimes I just throw in the whole 8 oz brick)
1/2 cup Mild Green Salsa
Juice from 1 Lime
1 teaspoon Cumin
2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 cups grated cheese of your choice
1 can of Black Beans (cooked and drained)
1 can of Corn (cooked and drained)
– INSTRUCTIONS –
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. (if cooking right away)
Mix cream cheese, salsa, lime, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined. Add in pre-shredded chicken and grated cheese and mix until just evenly combined.
Take a tortilla (already cooked if you bought the uncooked option) and spread one scoop of chicken mixture down the middle of tortilla. Top with one scoop of cooked/drained black beans and corn. Roll tortilla tightly and place on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat for remaining chicken mixture.
Once you have all your taquitos filled and rolled you can either freeze for later or bake right away. If you are baking right away, lightly spray the tops of each taquito with Cooking Spray and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 425 for 16-18 minutes. If cooking from frozen, you will want to cook for closer to 2o minutes.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially here!!! I ran over to my local Nordstrom, grabbed all my top picks and hit the dressing room for a try-on haul with all the sizing details just for you!! I will tell you my favorites this year were for sure beauty, basics, and dresses, but I’ve included the best of every category! Keep reading below for sizing details and a round up of my top pieces in each category!
This is hands down the very best sweater and one of the best tops in the whole Nordstrom Sale. I think it would look so sharp with some black jeans to dress it up a little bit! And the cinch sleeve detail was such a fun touch. I am wearing an xs here and loved the fit.These jeans are a favorite as well. Love the clean no distressing look. I am wearing a 2 and they fit great minus a little extra length, so I just rolled up once.
You know how I love a good button up so this was such a great find. I love the crisp classic fit and look to this one (wearing an xs) and can’t wait to dress it up with a skirt as well. And These jeans are the same as pictured above.
This outfit is probably my very favorite from the sale, made up of some amazing basics. I love a good black tee, especially one with some detail that helps to dress it up and keep it more versatile so this was a winner. The puff sleeve, and ruffle neck line elevate this one just enough. Loved the fit and it comes in a few colors. I’m wearing a small in the top. The jeans were super comfy too. I love that they flare out a little for a looser fit in the leg, but are still fitted in the bum.
Loved these jeans because that classic blue goes with everything! Wearing a size 26 here but think I could have definitely sized down. This teewas my very favorite basic tee from the whole sale. It comes in a bunch of colors and is only $24! I love the longer sleeve length and the rolled detail. Wearing an XS!
Love a good classic black jean and these were good, especially that button front detail. These are SUPER high waisted and have a TON of stretch. I am wearing a 4 here but for sure needed a 2 thanks to that stretch. I loved this basic tee as well, especially the longer sleeve length. Wearing an XS.
One thing I can always count on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to have is a great quality leather jacket. I love the buckle detail and zipper sleeve on this one. I am wearing a size 2 here, but if you plan on layering at all I would size up.
These two are such great staple pieces to have in your closet. The jeans are a great fit and I loved the distressing on them. I am wearing a size 4. The top is super light weight (a touch see through) and would be great for layering. Wearing a small.
I love a good army style jacket ever since I snagged one at the Nordstrom Sale a few years ago. This one was more oversized which I really loved! Comes in black and this olive color. Wearing an XS. And these shoes!! My favorite find! Wearing an 8.
This top was definitely at the higher end of my price range, but I absolutely LOVE it!! Such a good staple sweatshirt with a fun twist. Wearing an XS here and can’t wait to wear it this fall/winter!
One category that really stood out to me in the Nordstrom Sale this year was dresses! I thought they had super cute options this year! This one was a favorite and I am wearing a size small. I loved the smocked waist to show off your waist line! The sleeves are my favorite part and I love that you can scrunch them up when its warmer.
I have been eyeing this dress and it is so good! The v-neck has a clasp so it wont show anything you don’t want to. I am wearing a small here, but I ordered a medium as well to see if I could get some more length.
Another great dress from the sale is this cute sweater option! Loved that the slits are not too high, although the v-neck was a tad on the low side. The tie detail was a fun touch, especially that you can tie it in the front or back. Wearing a size 1.
The fitness category wasn’t my favorite in the Nordstrom Sale this year, but I was thrilled to see some IVL. I have a few IVL pieces and absolutely love them and the amazing quality. The scallop detail on this bra and leggings is my favorite! I am wearing a size 4 in both the top + bottom, but would prefer a 2 in the bottom. I also love this rainbow bra + leggings set.
These Nike shorts were so so cute, I grabbed a few pairs for Hunter. They have a drawstring waist band as well as the underwear liner. I’ve been wanting to try these shoes for a while but didn’t want to go with the price tag. With the sale they are now just over $100. They are super comfortable and light weight, but I recommend sizing down a 1/2 size. I normally wear an 8 and got a 7.5.
My store didn’t have a lot of the shoes this year, but I found a few I loved. I’m obsessed with these Nike’s and have a few pair of Adidas similar to these so I grabbed both pair. I also ordered a few of the boots below.
These sweat sets are another thing I look forward to every year. They are SO comfortable an always come in the funnest patterns. My store didn’t have the matching top but I got an XS in the bottoms and ordered the top in that size as well. They are so comfortable and wash up really well.
This pic is from last year, but they have this same pajama set every year and my mom, sisters, and I always grab a pair!! You will love how comfy they are!!
. . . LOUNGEWEAR FAVORITES . . .
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: BEST OF BEAUTY :
Beauty is HANDS DOWN the very best part of the sale this year!! So many of my tried + true faves are included this year. From my go to hair tools, to the number one in tanning and skincare, I’ve highlighted all the best of below!
T3 makes some of the very best hair tools, hands down. The curling iron + flat ironare made of ceramic so it is WAY better for and softer on your hair. Honestly, I’ve had mine + the blow dryer for over 5 years and I will not do my hair with any other tool because I’ve seen the biggest difference in my hair. Olaplex is as good as you can get when it comes to strengthening and reducing breakage in your hair. This kit is one of my favorites and one I highly recommend.
This microneedling tool from Beauty Bio and this PMD Microderm are my top two face tools. I’ve shared about both for years and have seen a huge difference in my skin. Both are worth every single penny! Hunter uses the PMD clean every day and it is a great option too, especially for teens.
The st. tropez tanner 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.
: TULA
You all know my love for Tula Skincare, especially their kits! This kit is exclusive to the Nordstrom Sale and full of some of my very favorites! The best face wash ever, the 24/7 moisutrizer, and the rose glow eye balm. Makes an amazing gift or worth stocking up on for yourself too!
: DONNA KAREN DEODORANT
I heard about this deodorant from my friend Lisa a few years ago. She said I had to try it and I’ve never turned back. I buy this 3 pack every year and it lasts me until the sale the next year. Amazing quality and it smells amazing!!
: SLIP HAIR TIES
I have heard so many good things about the slip hair ties. I do think they are a bit pricey so I was thrilled to see they are part of the sale so I could finally try them at a more affordable price. They would make a great Christmas gift as well!
The home category was pretty blah for me this year, but if you don’t already have this vacuum do not miss this deal!!! It is the best I’ve ever had and I promise you will love it!
. . . HOME FAVORITES . . .
Last but not least is Nordstrom kids finds. I am just linking what I actually got for my little people. I tried to buy just what they needed this year, which wasn’t a lot.
. . . KID FAVORITES . . .
I hope this big best of Nordstrom Sale round up is helping you but if you need any sizing or details I missed, ,let me know on Instagram!
