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 . . .
. . .
: 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 . . .
. . .
: 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!
Anyone else feel like Summer takes any thought of a schedule or structure and just throws it out the window? I always think things will calm down in the Summer without school. And I am always quickly reminded how wild it actually is! Balancing the fun mom act with actually getting things done can be tricky, which is why I have a few “mom hacks” I keep in my routine to help knock the must do’s so we can focus on the fun to do’s. And the top hack in that list is Walmart+.
My love for Walmart+ is no secret around here. Their grocery pickup + delivery option saves me on a daily basis! But every time I talk about it I get a lot of questions on what the benefits are and if it is worth the price (spoiler: it is!!), so today I’m sharing why I love it so much + why you are going to too!
: WHAT IS WALMART+?
Let’s start with the basics. What is Walmart+? Walmart+ is a membership service offered by Walmart, designed to save you both time and money. Everything from free delivery from your local store (on orders$35+, restrictions apply), free shipping no order minimum (excludes freight and Marketplace items) mobile scan & go shopping, and member prices on fuel, all bundled up in one user friendly membership!
:WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The benefits of Walmart+ are amazing! Over the last couple of months I have shared my love for how streamlined Walmart delivery and grocery pick up are, and this takes it to a whole new level. These are some of my absolute favorites:
FREE DELIVERY FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE: No more fee for every single delivery order!! This benefit is valid on orders $35+ and some restrictions apply. Whether you are shopping for groceries, schoolsupplies, diapersor tech, with a few restrictions you are offered free delivery on orders over $35. That means you could order multiple times a week if needed and it does not change your membership cost.And not only is it free, but it is fast! Depending on your area and availability, your deliveries could be as soon as same day! It has been so convenient for groceries and last minute school needs! I can’t even tell you how many times I have needed something for a last minute school project, birthday party or meal and been able to jump on and quickly place an order for delivery or pickup as soon as the same day.
FREE SHIPPING, NO ORDER MINIMUM: This is one of my favorite features! No more worrying about an order minimum when it comes to snagging your free shipping. Just add eligible items (they say “shipped from Walmart” in the description), add them to your cart, and the shipping fee will be waived at checkout! It is as easy as that!
MEMBER PRICES ON FUEL: Another great benefit I am loving is member prices on fuel. As part of your membership, you save 5 cents per gallon at Walmart & Murphy Gas Stations.
MOBILE SCAN & GO: Last but definitely not least on the list of membership benefits is the mobile scan & go. This isn’t a benefit I have used a lot myself because I’m too in love with the delivery + pickup option. However, if you do go in store this is SO convenient. This allows you to scan your products as you shop in store and check out from your phone. It is so convenient, to not only checkout faster, but be able to watch you budget as you go as well. I’ve used it a couple of times so far and absolutely loved it. I could just scan my few items, checkout on my phone and go.
: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The price for your Walmart+ membership depends on which option you choose. You can choose to pay $12.95/month or annually for $98/year. The annual plan comes out to just $2 a week and basically pays for itself after 2 uses! (based on $7.95 delivery fee)
For me I was sold on the convenience alone, but if you break down the numbers of how much you can save if you are eligible for member prices on fuel and extra items you didn’t plan on getting as well, it is a no brainer!
Another thing I try to take into consideration is the time it is saving me. To me, my time is priceless and knowing how much time these benefits save me make it worth every single penny!
: DO YOU TRULY LOVE IT?
This is for sure a YES! If you know me you know I would never share about or promote something I don’t truly use and love. And Walmart+ has made my life so much easier that I want to share it with every person in the world!!
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If you have any more questions, please be sure to leave them over on my Instagram Post and I will get you an answer!
Early Access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts next week! If you are like me you have been anxiously awaiting the reveal of the Nordstrom sale preview! It definitely stood up to the hype this year!! The Nordstrom sale preview is new as of last year and is SUCH a game changer when it comes to shopping this sale! I took my time and went through every last item for you and have narrowed down my favorites from each category below!
If you saw this post last week with my tips to prepping for the sale, shopping the preview and making a prioritized list is one of my biggest!! This is not a sale you want to go into blindly because things sell out fast! I went through every single page of the Nordstrom Sale Preview and there are some goodies this year (especially in the beauty category!!). So check out the full preview here + be sure to shop our top favorites from each of the categories in the Nordstrom Sale preview below and start making your own favorites wish list on your Nordstrom account!
: BEAUTY FAVORITES :
: FITNESS FAVORITES :
: TOPS FAVORITES :
: COAT + CARDIGAN FAVORITES :
: LOUNGEWEAR FAVORITES :
: DRESS FAVORITES :
: JEAN FAVORITES :
: SHOE FAVORITES :
: ACCESSORY FAVORITES:
: KID FAVORITES :
: HOME FAVORITES :
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I hope this Nordstrom Sale Preview round up was helpful in making your wishlist!! Can’t wait to help you show the sale next week!
Hey Guys! Hunter here for another Teen Takeover!! With the end of school and soccer getting crazy busy, it has been awhile since I have done one of these! A couple of months ago I did a teen q+ a over on my mom’s Instagram and got a lot of fun questions on everything from sleepovers to boys and all the in between! I thought it would be fun to another one here on the blog with more questions you submitted on Instagram! Hope you like it!
: How do you build self confidence and not compare yourself to others? What is your best advice for a teen that struggles with this?
I just don’t care what people think about me. If you like me, great, and if you don’t well then good for you. My mom plays a big part in building up my confidence. She always tells me I am confident and reminds me to tell myself that as well. I feel like a lot of girls compare themselves to others and that is hard to get away from sometimes. I still do, but then I look at what I have and how grateful I am for that and try to be positive and happy with who I am.
My advice would be to try not to compare and to think about how we all have different lives and things we are going through. Comparing yourself to others just brings you down and blocks out all the good things you like about yourself. So try and look at those things and repeat them to yourself. I know it sounds dumb but it works.
: What is your best advice for helping a teen daughter deal with mean girls or bullies?
Do your best to ignore them and try not to let them get in your head. Usually the only reason people are being mean is because they are going through something hard and taking it out on you, or because they are dealing with their own insecurities.
: What is the hardest part of being a teen in 2021?
It is different for everyone, but I think a big struggle for teens is just trying to find out who we are and what/who we want to be, and who we want to surround ourselves with. Choosing so much for your future and having good friends by your side is stressful!
: What is the best advice your mom has given you?
This one is so hard because she has given me a ton of advice and I love it all. Some of my favorites are to always try my best and to be confident and focus on me/not what others think. Or to be kind to everyone no matter what.
: Do you feel like you can talk to your mom about anything? If so, why do you have that trust?
Yes! My mom and I have a very open relationship and we tell each other everything. I think what made it that way for me is she says that she will never get mad at me if I just tell her so I think that makes me feel more open to it.
: What quality do you most admire in your mom?
Gosh there are so many!! I love that I can tell my mom anything. And I love how insane of a hard worker she is. I also love how encouraging and supportive she is in everything we do. And that she is a good role model of not caring what others think about her.
: What quality do you most admire in your dad?
I love that my dad pushes me to do hard things and learn life lessons. He is always looking farther in life to teach me how my decisions and actions now will effect me. I love that I know he always just expects my best and he will love me no matter what. And he is SO funny and fun to be around!
: What is your favorite family tradition?
I think my favorite is probably when we turn 12 and 16 we get to go on a trip with just our parents.
: How do you feel about being a girl named Hunter?
Haha this one is funny because my guy friends always make fun of my name and say its a boy name. But I honestly love it because it is more unique, I don’t know other girls named that, and it just fits me.
: What do you do in your free time in the Summer?
I love swimming, laying out by the pool, boating, hanging out with friends, watching movies, LOTS of soccer and traveling.
: Best gift idea for a 14 year old girl?
I would say a cute phone case, clothes/shoes, airpods, or a trip somewhere with just you!
: Do you have a job or get paid allowance?
Right now my job is babysitting for my mom. I also do chores and get paid allowance for that. You can see the details on that in this post I did.
: What is your mom’s sleepover rule, and how do you feel about it?
My parents have a rule that we cannot have sleepovers. I don’t like it at all.
: What is your curfew? Do you agree with your mom/parents on this?
My parents “say” there is a curfew…but it honestly depends on the night and what is going on. In summer it’s 10 or 10:30 on the weekdays, which I think is too early. On the weekends it is 11 or 11:30.
: Do you have a phone and if so, what are your rules? Do you think it is fair?
Yes I do have a phone, but there are a lot of rules + restrictions. I am not allowed to have my phone downstairs (where my room is), my phone turns off at a set time every night, I only have an hour of texting/FaceTime (which is the worst), and I have no extra apps. You can read more about that here.
Do I think it is far, no, I think it is too much. But my parents are very slowly getting more chill.
: Do you have social media? Do you think kids/teens should be able to?
As of right now, no I don’t. I might get Instagram soon. Honestly, I think it depends on the teen and their maturity and responsibility level. Some can handle it fine.
: What do you argue about most with your parents?
Definitely my phone rules and curfew.
: Do you have a boyfriend? Or any crushes?
No boyfriend. Crush…yes and no…it is complicated!
: Do you plan on going to college? If so, what do you want to major in and what is your dream school?
Yes I do! My dream school right now would be BYU Hawaii. I’m still not sure what I want to major in.
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I think that answers all the questions about me or teen life advice! The others I got were asking my favorites for different fashion so I thought it would be easier to link them for you instead!
: Favorite Tank –
I LOVE this one for working out/soccer. It is super breathable and comes in a bunch of colors. This is my favorite for every day.
: Favorite Swimsuit –
This one was hard to narrow down!! But I am loving this one!
: Favorite Jeans –
I love to steal my mom’s jeans so I’ve found some good ones I really love! These are probably my very favorite right now. Super flattering and comfortable and I like all the distressing.
: Favorite Shorts –
This is another one my mom and I both love!! These shorts are a cute length for every day or a pool cover up. And they come in a bunch of different washes.
: Favorite Skincare must have –
Definitely this face wash!! It is so good I won’t use anything else. 15% off with code KAILEE
: Favorite Makeup-
I don’t wear makeup except for this mascara and it is the best!!
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I hope you liked this post! It was fun to do again and hopefully I will be back again soon!
Are you more of a snacks all day or a full meals kind of person? I am definitely a snack lover and I can tell I have passed that right along to my kids!! So with a house full of snackers we need to have a good line up of snacks available right?! I reached out to all of you over on Instagram and asked what you stock your pantry and fridge with and got so many great responses as well as requests to make a list! So here it is!
PRIME DAY is here and we couldn’t be more excited about it!! Amazon is already one of our very favorites to shop, but stacking these incredible deals on top makes it even better!! But that being said, sorting through endless pages to shop takes a lot of the fun out of it, am I right? That is why we did all the busy work for you!! We’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best for you so you can grab items quick and be on your way! So keep reading to shop deals from fashion to tech and everything in between!
Biker Shorts – These biker shorts are the ultimate dream! Great length + compression, lots of color options, and POCKETS!!
Levi Denim Shorts– These are Hunter’s absolute FAVORITE shorts and I love stealing them for the pool and beach as a cover up! Good bum coverage and only $29!
Madewell Jeans– These are hands down my favorite pair of black skinny jeans I own! You can’t beat Madewell’s quality and the distressing is so good!
Reebok Sneakers – Almost identical to the pair above, these sneakers are such a great classic pair to have. They go with just about everything and are ultra comfortable too!
Colorblock One Shoulder Swimsuit– If you follow along over on Instagram you know this is one of my favorite suits I have found this year! The fabric is amazing, it is super flattering, and I love the color options!
Colorblock Wrap Swimsuit – This is another swimsuit I have been loving all spring and summer! So many fun color/print options, great bum coverage, and of course amazing price!
Levi’s 721 Skinny Jeans – I have owned these skinny jeans for years and they are still one of my very favorite pair. I love the nice high rise and the distressing!
Echo Dot – We absolutely love these in our house! We have them in each of the kids rooms and it has been a game changer.
Bose Bluetooth Headphones – Joe and I have had Bose bluetooth headphones for years and the quality cannot be beat! They are so amazing for travel especially. Snag them here or herewhile they are $100 off!
10″ Fire HD Tablet – Looking for a great tablet for your kids? Look no further! This amazing new option is currently $70 off! Would be great to even be crazy and save for Christmas!
Cinemood Projector– I have shared my love for this projector multiple times over on Instagram because it is that good. It makes for the funnest outdoor movie night or quick screen when traveling for movies. Another great idea to save for Christmas while it is $100 off!
Portable Charger– You know my love for this thing…because we have like 10 of them! They are so good and I never leave home without it. Charges your phone multiple times before needing to be charged and has saved me so many times. Makes a great gift too!
Frame TV – Love having a tv but hate how it throws off the style in your home design? This frame tv changes everything! We have loved ours so much and you can grab it for a great deal in this size or this size.
Kindle Paperwhite – If you love reading, this is a must have for you! Especially when it comes to traveling! You can grab this one for $50 off or deals on a variety of other kindles too!
: HOME DEALS :
Pebble Ice Machine – This may just be my favorite thing of the whole sale! If you’ve been debating getting one I highly recommend it! They live up to the hype for sure and will quickly become your favorite appliance!
Instant Pot- If you haven’t jumped on the instant pot band wagon, today wouldn’t be a bad day to do it!! You can get the 6 quart for $55…that is $65 off!
Juicer – You know my love hate relationship with juicing! Love the juicer for sure though and you can grab it on major sale!!!
Ninja Blender– I just shared about our love for this blender last week on IG! Easy to clean and amazing quality!
iRobot Vacuum – If you are clean freak like me you’re gonna love this robot vacuum. All the amazing vacuum lines with zero work from you!
GreenLife Cookware Set– If you are looking to upgrade your cookware, this ceramic set from GreenLife has amazing ratings and is such top quality. You can grab the full 16 piece set for under $100!
Electric Pressure Washer – Is there anything more satisfying than using a pressure washer to clean? It is one of my favorite things we own. This one is on major steal for $100 off!
Hoover Carpet Cleaners – Looking for the ultimate in carper cleaners?! These are the best quality (some with over 40,000 reviews) and on major steal! This compact pet option or this oneare my personal fave!
Air Fryer – If you have been waiting to get an air fryer, now may be the time. This high end option with built in wi-fi to your phone is under $85!
: TOY DEALS :
Grocery Store – You guys are gonna die!! Our grocery store that is by far the kids favorite toy and was such a hit at Christmas is 50% off!!!! Such a great thing to save for Christmas. It is still our most played with toy by far and so great for open imaginative play.
Marble Run– Another great screen free toy for multiple ages is this marble run. So fun for them to build and create different set ups. Currently $55!!
Train Set– I LOVE a good quality train set because it is so open ended. My kids will create their own little world and play for hours. You can grab this great option for $32!!
Magnet Game – I shared this around Christmas a few times because my kids (and me) love it! It is such a fun thing to play with and is actually pretty relaxing/destressing. Grab it for 50% off right now!
: FITNESS DEALS :
Nordic Track Treadmill – This isn’t the same model as our treadmill, but we have loved the iFit feature of Nordic Track and the amazing quality. Grab this one for almost $200 off!
Weights– If you are looking to up your fitness game there are so many great deals! These hex dumbbell’s are some of our favorite things and on major sale! This slam ball is awesome to switch things up and I use this kettle bell all the time.
Lululemon Dupes – The thousands of reviews on this line claiming “lulu dupes” can’t be too far off! You can grab their align like leggings, long line sports bra, and this cute high neck top all on sale!
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I hope this round up is super helpful in helping you find the deals that are worth snagging and not spend too much time!! Happy shopping!!
