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Spring Basics On A Budget

Kailee Wright Walmart Kids Clothes on a Budget

my jeans (similar) + here  |  my tee  ||   harper’s shorts  |  tank  |  jacket  |  sandals  ||  houston’s shorts ||  similar top

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Is it just me, or do you feel like your little people are CONSTANTLY growing out of everything so dang fast?! Houston is our exception to this rule. Haha! That little guy may not have an extra ounce on him, but he is still getting taller and growing like a weed! One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to shopping is spending money on clothes for a new season, only to have them grow out of them or wear them out before the season is even over! So when a friend told me she found the most affordable Spring Basics for her little people, I was definitely intrigued!

I instantly loved all the cute basics she was showing me, and was just as instantly floored when she told me they were all from WALMART!!! I think a lot of you can agree with me that Walmart Fashion kind of had a bad rap for not really fitting the most on trend/modern style. But you guys! I am hear to tell you things have 100% changed and I was floored over all the good spring basics they have to offer! I’ve rounded up some of my favorites I snagged for Harper and Houston below, and believe me, when you see the prices you’re going to be filling that cart FAST!

Kailee Wright Walmart Kids Clothes on a Budget

Kailee Wright Walmart Kids Clothes on a Budget

:: BABY/TODDLER GIRL

Can I just say how excited I am to see my chunky babe in some little denim shorts and tanks? Is there anything cuter than baby thighs?! I could just eat her up sometimes!! I loved alll the amazing basics Walmart had for toddler girls. These tanks come in a 3 pack for UNDER $10. The shorts come in a 2 pack for under $10 as well, giving you so many outfit options for under $20!! I couldn’t believe it. And the pink denim jacket, can we all just take a minute to look at how dang adorable that is!! I had so many favorites you can shop below.

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.  .  .

Kailee Wright Walmart Kids Clothes on a Budget

:: BABY/TODDLER BOY

Whoever said shopping for little boys isn’t fun was so wrong! I love finding things for Houston just about as much as Harper. He is always on the go and needs things he can move in. I loved their basics both for shorts and tops. Just like with the girls, they had the cutest options for tank sets and short sets again for under $10. From basic shorts, to tanks, to already put together outfits, I was so happy with all the cute things I found for Houston.

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As you can see, updating your spring wardrobe definitely does not need to break the bank! And the great prices and quality pieces went up through big kid sizes too!! So go check them out and tell me your favorite thing you found for your people!

Kailee Wright Walmart Kids Clothes on a Budget

in partnership with walmart

photos : aubrey taiese 

Family

Spring Dresses For Every Age

Kailee Wright women and girls Spring Dresses

my dress (old) similar here + here  + shoes  ||  harper’s dress (similar) + shoes + bow  || planter + rug

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Spring is finally in the air (depending on the day here in Northern Utah) and it has me so excited! I can’t wait to start seeing the sun a little more regularly. With the change in the weather, we also get to see a change in our outfits! One of my favorite things about Spring style is all the cute dresses!! It is finally warm enough to wear dresses without all the layers! Easter dresses are a fun tradition for a lot of families too, and a great excuse to do some matching (which I love)! It is a little later this year, so hopefully we will be enjoying nice warm weather!! Oh and if you missed it, we rounded up all our favorite Easter Basket ideas for baby to tween last week too so you can have some fun ideas!

Since I’ve been getting a lot of requests to include more of the kids clothes as well, today I’m giving you a roundup of my favorite spring dresses for everyone! So we have options for Baby, little girl, tween, and us moms too, including some fun matching options!

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Kailee Wright women and girls Spring Dresses

my dress (old) similar here + here  + shoes  ||  harper’s dress + shoes + bow

:: BABY + TODDLER

Baby and Toddler dresses are by far the easiest thing ever to buy, so narrowing down my favorites was actually the hard part. Not only does just about everything look so adorabl on them, you have the added bonus of not having any sassy opinions to deal with when choosing! If you are a mom to girls, you know just what I’m talking about!!

SHOP BABY AND TODDLER DRESSES

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Kailee Wright women and girls Spring Dresses

hayden’s dress (sold out) similar + here  ||  joe’s jacket + shirt + tie + pants + shoes

:: GIRLS

As your girls get older, shopping for them can get a little trickier. Hayden has very strong opinions on what she will and will not wear, so it’s not always as easy as I hope. That being said, luckily this age/size group has SO SO many cute options to choose from, you are sure to find something!!

SHOP GIRLS DRESSES

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hunter’s dress (similar) + hat + shoes

:: TWEEN

Say goodbye to getting away with anything super girly and frilly. I hear that isn’t cool for tweens. Haha! But really, shopping with Hunter is so much fun these days, because we really have the same taste and style, and she pretty much wants to get what I would want for myself! I love all the spring dresses we found for her age too, so I hope you like our picks!

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. . .

Kailee Wright women and girls Spring Dresses

my dress + clutch + shoes

:: WOMEN

We are talking spring dresses for all ages, so we can’t let the girls have all the fun! There are so many darling options for us moms too this season! From classic lace, to fun bold patterns, I am loving what I’m finding this year!!

kailee wright chad ellis cosmetic dentistmy skirt (in pink) + top + clutch

It should come as no surprise to you that a good chunk of my favorites come from Rachel Parcell’s Collection. I have been a HUGE fan of her clothing line since Day 1, and own so many of her pieces. Every piece I have from her collection is so well made down to every detail. They always give you such a classic and timeless look, so it is something I look for in everything I buy. I love that I’ve been able to wear them year round by pairing them with different shoes or accessories. This is in no way sponsored, so I can honestly say having spent my own money to buy each and every piece, that they are 100% worth the investment and her new collection with Nordstrom is just as good!

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Kailee Wright women and girls Spring Dresses

Like Rachel’s Collection, the other dresses I gravitate towards usually have those same qualities. Classic, Timeless, and Versatile. As women, we usually aren’t worried about “growing out” of things, so to me making the investment in quality pieces is what I always try to do.

SHOP WOMENS DRESSES

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That wraps up our spring dresses round-up! I hope you spotted something perfect for your little lady or even yourself! So lets all cross our fingers that Spring is hear to stay in Utah!!

Holiday

Easter Basket Ideas For Baby to Tween

Kailee Wright Easter Basket Ideas

Kailee Wright Easter Basket Ideas for Kids

my top (sold out) similar + jeans  |  harper’s dress (similar) + here  |  bow  ||  houston’s top + jeans
easter baskets in white + pink + blue  |  bunny

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I don’t know about you guys, but we are LOVING this warm weather that has finally showed up! We have missed it so much and it feels so good to just be able to get out and enjoy the sunshine! Spring is one of our favorites around here. We love getting outside together and the fun holidays that bring us together with family like Easter. Easter Baskets are one of my favorite gifts to put together, because I love to fill them with things to prep for the upcoming spring and summer! Since I’ll be filling a basket for everyone from toddler to tween, I thought I’d share some of my favorite fillers with you!!

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:: BABY

Babies make pretty much every single holiday so much fun! They are in my opinion the very easiest to buy for, because they love all the things! Ha! Whether you grab a cute stuffed animal, favorite book, or that darling swim suit you’ve had your eye on, they will for sure be happy!

{click right on the item to shop}

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01. girl swim suit + boy swim suit  |  02. girl sandals + boy sandals  |  03. stuffed bunny  |  04. book  |  05. hair bow    06. bath crayons + drops  |  07. bubble machine  |  08. sticker book  |  09. yogurt pouches

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Kailee Wright Easter Basket Ideas for Kids

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:: BOYS

Boys are SO fun! Hudson is so fun to buy for because everything is about being active and having a good time. I love trying to find things that will get him outside, like squirt guns, swim goggles, and a swim suit. He is so smart too so thinking of things that will challenge his brain are always good too. We love LEGO’s, Magformers, and of course a fun book!

{click right on the item to shop}

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01. swim suit  |  02. sunglasses + swim goggles  |  03. joke book  |  04. LEGO set  |  05. flip flops  |  06. hat
07. squirt guns  |  08. hair color spray   |  09. magformers

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. . .

:: GIRLS 

If its pink and has sparkles it’s a win for little girls, am I right?! Hayden loves all things girly, and she loves being outside! So this year I’m thinking of doing a mix of lip gloss and scrunchies, with some fun outdoor things like a jump rope and glitter chalk! Because glitter makes everything better right?!

{click right on the item to shop}

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01. swim suit  |  02. sandals  |  03. jump rope  |  04. glitter chalk  |  05. bath bomb  |  06. lol doll  |  07. lip gloss 
08. scrunchies  |  09. sunglasses

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:: TWEEN

Last but not least is tween girls!! I am totally having a love hate relationship with Hunter growing up so fast!! I want it to slow down, but it has been so so fun to share more interests! Shopping for her Easter basket is basically like shopping for all my favorites!! A cute necklace, perfume, lip mask…maybe I’ll just grab two of everything!

{click right on the item to shop}

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01. swim suit  |  02. perfume sampler  |  03. necklace  |  04. hair color shampoo  |  05. nail polish  |  06. flip flops    07. lip mask  |  08. sunglasses  |  09. scrunchies

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. . .

That covers all the little people at our house, and hopefully sparks some fun Easter Basket ideas for you!! I’m always up for new ideas to add to the list and include here in the post so please share your favorites with us!

Kailee Wright Easter Basket Ideas for Kids

Family

Family Road Trip Essentials

kailee wright road trip essentials

my top + jacket + jeans + shoes + hat  ||  hayden’s similar jumpsuit + here + similar boots
hunter’s top + jeans + shoes   ||  joe’s hat

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Spring break is finally just around the corner and I can’t even wait!! For me it just means it is finally nice and warm and we are that much closer to warm sunny days of summer! Spring Break also usually means travel for a lot of people, especially a road trip!! If you have a bigger family like us, road trips can seem a little daunting. What to bring to keep everyone happy and sane. How to not over pack and have your car look like a bomb went off once you get there. It can be stressful just thinking about it!! So today I wanted to share with you are tried and true family road trip essentials  that I promise will be a game changer for your next adventure!

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:: SNACKS

First up on I think anyone’s list is SNACKS! A good road trip has to have good snacks, especially with kids involved. But like I mentioned above, you don’t want your car to look like a garbage can by the time you arrive at your destination. Here are some of our favorite things to grab, and a few little tips to avoid unnecessary messes!

– All of my people big and small LOVE these. I love that they are a little bit healthier option, and keep them fuller so they aren’t begging for something else quite as fast. And the pouch option keeps it mess free. No need to be passing dirty spoons back and forth or dealing with anyone missing their mouth. Quick, easy, and delicious!

– Goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, anything for little hands is not going to come as news to you for snack ideas. BUT the way we give them to our babies just might. In your head, you usually think ..I don’t want to give them too much, so I will use the snack sized bag. DON’T DO IT! Always go with the bigger sandwich size instead, still limiting the amount they get. That way they can stick their whole little hand in the bag, and anything they drop is MUCH more likely to fall back in the bag, and not turn into fish dust in your car seat or car floor. It has cut back messes dramatically in our car.

– Pre-open snacks with wrappers (granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.) and put them in a baggy before you go. That way once again, crumbs have somewhere to land, and you aren’t decorating your car in wrappers.

– For drinks, we usually stick to water. I LOVE these little disposable cups for the babies, because they are easy to drink out of, and I don’t have to worry about losing them. Our Nuna Car Seats are a road trip takers dream because they have two cup holders. The babies have their water in one and snack in the other so I’m not constantly turning around. For the big kids, they each usually have a water bottle, but I keep them up by me. I can’t stand making stops on an easy 4-5 hour road trip just for potty breaks. I know they can hold it, but not if they are back their chugging their drink out of boredom. If they need a drink, I hand it back and then it comes right back to me.

– To make things easier when it comes to passing back and forth, we LOVE these sturdy boxes. We keep one on the floor in front of the babies and one back by the big kids so everything they need is right by them. These over the chair options are great too if you don’t need to store quite as much stuff and want it up out of the way.

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(click right on image to shop)

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:: ENTERTAINMENT

Keeping little people entertained during a road trip can make you feel like you’ve run a marathon. It is exhausting. But when you are equipped with the right gear, it can be a game changer! These are some of our favorites for both the big and little people that have saved everyone’s mood and sanity!

Water Wow :
The babies LOVE these little books. If you toddlers, these are a must. They are like a little coloring book and the “pen” is activated with water. As they color with the wet brush, the colors show up. All the fun of painting or coloring, without all the mess. Yes please!!

Stickers :
Stickers could entertain my babies for hours. I give them each an envelope with stickers in it. They just peel them off and stick them on the outside of the envelope. Easiest + cheapest entertainment ever.

Books :
We always make sure everyone has at least one book they love, especially the bigger kids. They have really gotten into their favorite series and can get lost in a book for a good hour or two. If you have a little girl, Hayden LOVES these and actually gets excited about reading them. Hudson is hooked to these too. While it doesn’t entertain them for too long, I will throw in some of our favorite board books for the babies too.

Movies :
You are gonna think I’m crazy, but I am actually anti iPads in the car. In my opinion, my people are much crankier and irritable after using them, so we choose not to. We do have a dvd player in the van, so we always try to grab a family favorite or a new redbox on our way out of town. A movie can take care of a few hours of entertainment for you!

Headphones :
Last but not least when it comes to entertainment is a good pair of headphones. Whether you go the super affordable wired route, or go a little nicer and do bluetooth, having headphones for your little people is a must. Sometimes just having that separation and getting them in their own world can help tone down the arguments and the whining.

Blankets :
I used to be completely against everyone bringing a blanket and pillow because it takes up SO MUCH SPACE when you times it by 5 littles. But I have noticed that on our last few trips when I’ve given in and let them bring a blanket, we have saved on the drama and encouraged more naps. Something about being cozier just keeps everyone a little more happy and calm.

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(click right on image to shop)

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:: FOR ME

When you are planning out your road trip essentials, don’t forget about you and your hubby!! While you probably don’t need a full bag of entertainment like your little people, there are some sanity savers for you too! These are some of my favorites I always make sure to grab.

Portable Charger :
It should come as no surprise to you that this is at the top of my list! This little gem goes pretty much every where with me. It can charge your phone like 5-6 times before needing to be charged, and has saved us traveling multiple times.

Airpods :
Sometimes mom needs a little peace and quiet from the rest of the car, am I right?! A lot of times once I have my people occupied, I will try to get some work done on the road so I can focus more on the family during the actual trip. Having air pods or a good pair of bluetooth headphones is a must to block out the crazy and focus.

Snacks :
Grown ups need snacks too!! Our favorite candy usually makes an appearance, but my real favorite to pack are these g2g bars right out of the fridge. They are so good icy cold, and fill me up so I’m not bored eating the whole drive. (plus you can use code kailee for 20% off!)

Clear Bags :
These bags are my go to for any kind of bag organization. They are easy to still see what you are grabbing, but separate all the things into a nice categorized organized way, just the way my brain likes it!

Big Ziploc :
These a must have for the garbage, the messes, and the occasional stinky diaper. You can clean up as you go and have a “garbage”, instead of saving clean up for when you are there and exhausted.

Wipes :
Wipes are a mom’s best friend! Especially in the car when its really your only option for clean up. I always make sure we have a big pack of wipes with us. They are great for wiping up messes, wiping hands before and after snacks, and of course diaper changes. These are our favorites because we don’t have to worry about any crazy chemicals.

Easyon + off shoes :
I’m putting this under my category, but it 100% applies to the kids too. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to spend a long drive wearing uncomfortable shoes. As soon as we are in, shoes come off. I always try to have my people wear something they can easily get on and off so we aren’t waiting around to get them back on too. My favorites for travel are probably a good pair of slides or flip flops.

I hope these ideas help you feel less stressed and more prepared to take on your next family road trip adventure! And I wanna know, what is on your must have road trip essentials list for your crew?!

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Lifestyle

Friday Faves

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01. clean simple eats  |  02. apple watch band  |  03. wallet  |  04. eye balm  |  05. basic tee  |  06. gold ring 
07. freshly picked kids shoes  |  08. leather bag  |  09. tinted sunscreen

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m reallll happy Friday finally showed up! It felt like this week was creeping by so slow! With Friday comes another round of our newly revived Friday Faves series. In case you missed last weeks, this is a spot for anything from tried and true favorites we’ve loved for years, to new finds we are obsessing over and all the in between. Links you guys have been loving, and what is in our Amazon cart. So we hope you love it as much as we do and find some faves you love this week!

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:: CLEAN SIMPLE EATS

If you’ve been around here for the last 6 months or so, you know my new love and obsession with Clean Simple Eats. My biggest struggles with eating healthier have always been the fact that I’m super picky, and the complexity of knowing what to make/taking the time to make it. Clean Simple Eats solves both of those problems. Ask any of my family members or close friends and they will tell you I am picky. But I can honestly say I LOVE everything I’ve tried from their meal plans. It doesn’t feel like your typical blah healthy food. Their recipes are simple, flavorful, and so family friendly so I’m not making something different for my little people. And the best part is you can use code KAILEE for $15 off!

:: BRIGHTENING EYE BALM

If you follow along over on Instagram, then you know my obsession with Tula. This new Eye Balm has quickly climbed the list to be one of my faves.  I love the way it feels on your face, and it gives you such a nice natural looking glow. It sold out SO fast when it launched because it is really that good, so act fast before this restock is gone too! Code KAILEE gets you 20% off too!

:: GOLD RING

Don’t you love it when you find those staple items that stick with you for years? I have had this ring for a few years now and still love it just as much as day 1. It is such a simple classic piece that goes with everything. If you want to switch it up, it comes in silver and rose gold too!

:: APPLE WATCH BAND

I’m not gonna lie, when I first got my Apple Watch, I didn’t really get all the rage. But now that I’ve been working out regularly, and really trying to limit my screen time, it has been a game changer!! I currently have a black watch band, which goes with everything. But spring has me itching for a fun bright change and I am really wanting to get a white one or maybe one of these fun colors?!

:: FORM RX TINTED SUNSCREEN

Anyone else out there despise putting sunscreen on their face?! I cannot stand the greasy sticky feeling it leaves and I promise I’ve tried a lot!! But I’m happy to report that I found the game changer of facial sunscreens. Like try it and you’ll never go back good. It is from Form Med’s medical grade skin care line and I’m so glad they introduced me to it. I took it with me to Hawaii earlier this month and it was amazing. It is just enough coverage to even out your skin tone, but so lightweight and not greasy at all! I love that it protected my face but  I didn’t have to put heavy makeup on too, which was amazing for pool and beach days. Pretty sure I’m going to love it even more when summer rolls around.  (use code kailee10 for 10% off!)

:: WALLET

When it comes to recommending products to you guys, I really like to try them out for a while to make sure they are the best. And this wallet has passed all the tests. I’ve actually had it for over a year now and am loving it. It is super simple and clean, which you know I love. I love that it is timeless and goes with everything, and the quality is amazing. It is great to grab and go into the store instead of dragging in a big bag.

:: LEATHER BAG

Speaking of bags, this one is what dreams are made of. Again I love the simple classic look, that will go with everything always. It holds just enough, but doesn’t feel like I’m lugging around a suitcase. It is another one that has been very well tested and as many new bags as I get, I always come back to this one as one of my top faves.

:: BASIC TEE

Spring is finally in the air in Utah and I could not be happier!! The sun has never felt so good!! I can’t wait to get rid of all these layers and start wearing my favorite go to basic tees! They have restocked in all the prettiest colors so I am dying to stock up!

:: FRESHLY PICKED SHOES

Freshly Picked has been a favorite of mine since Hayden was I think 2 years old. We started with a love for their moccs, and it has grown as they have. Their bags are my very favorite I own (and I”ve tried a lot!). But what I’m really loving right now is all the options they have for kids shoes and sandals. They are all so timeless and classic, and the quality is out of this world.

Right now they are celebrating the “Fringeaversary” with all kinds of extra deals. If you haven’t already joined their Fringe Membership, go now! Basically it is a membership that you pay $10 a month, but that $10 goes into your account towards future purchases. You can spend it that same month, or save up your monthly $10 until you are ready to treat yo self to a new bag! It also gives you 20% off EVERYTHING and  early and exclusive access to special deals every Friday too! It is a total win. And to make things even better, I have a code that gets you your first month FREE, which means you are getting $10 for $0! Just use code KAILEExFP on this page to snag the deal!

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That wraps up this weeks faves! I hope you find something you love too! But I wanna know, what are some of your must have favorite things? It can be beauty, fashion, tech, treats, parenting helps, ANYTHING! Share with me so we can feature some of them in the upcoming posts!

Home

Our Home: Office Update

Kailee Wright House home office

rug chairs  |  pillow  |  pink planter (white option)  |  gray planter  |  art  |  tile

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When we first moved in a little over a year ago, and it came time to decorate our house, this was the one space I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with yet. I knew we needed an office and a “homework” station, but as far as looks go I didn’t have a vision quite put together yet. It couldn’t stay bare while I made up my mind, because it is the first thing you see when you walk into our home. So we ended up going mostly with re-purposing furniture we already had in our previous home, and it turned out great (see details here). While I liked it, it didn’t feel like it flowed with the rest of the home, so we took on a little update and we are SO happy with how it turned out!

Kailee Wright House home office

chaise pillows rug  |  table  |  white vase + greenery  |  blue vase  |  blinds

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One of the best things about this room is how much sunlight the window brings in. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to snuggle up and read a book, or to watch the kids play outside. Even Marley can usually be found here. One of the biggest things that bothered me about the previous set up, was the couch covered the window. It is such a focal point in the space I didn’t want to go covering it up. My parents just built a house down in St George and have the same low windows. When I saw my mom went with a low day bed/chaise option, I thought it was genius!!

Finding the right chaise that I loved was another story. I wanted a kid/pet friendly durable fabric, but for it to still match my simple modern style. My cousin has been an interior designer for years at Gatehouse so of course I picked her brain! We ended up custom ordering the chaise and chairs and we love how they turned out!! The quality is incredible and they really were so great to work with.

Kailee Wright House home office

rug tile  |  table  |  white vase + greenery blue vase

With everything being so clean and bright, I really wanted the rug to bring in some more dimension and texture.  When I came across this beautiful handwoven wool rug from Article, I knew it was the one.  There are so many shades of different grays in there that it really ties together the furniture and the flooring. It is made of real wool that is hand woven into big thick strands, giving it that great chunky texture.  I wish you could all come over and feel it in real life so you could truly understand how amazing it is.

If  you haven’t checked out Article’s stuff before, I can highly recommend them from my own experiences. I chose a lot of their pieces throughout the house and absolutely love their customer service. When it comes to big decisions like home decor, I am always a little indecisive, so I love that they have a 30 day money back guarantee. You can try it out in your home and see if it feels right with the option of a refund if it doesn’t work out.

Kailee Wright House home office

chairs pink planter (white option)  |  gray planter  |  clear vase  |  art

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The last finishing touches were of course to add greenery and pillows, two of my very favorite things. To me it is such a simple way to add a pop of your own style to a more neutral space. In my mind you can’t have enough plants in your house! It just makes it feel so much more bright and happy to me! Some of you may recognize that little fiddle leaf in the pink planter from our California days. I am a proud little plant mommy and happy to say we have kept it alive for years now, and it has been through a lot!! My parents brought it from Utah to California where we had it in our home. Then it made the move with us back to Utah to the rental, and now to our new home.

Kailee Wright House home office

end table  |  gray vase  |  rug  |  tile  |  basket

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I hope you enjoyed this little peek into our newly updated office space! I love sharing these spaces with you and getting your comments and feedback on what you want more of! So be sure to share here in the comments!

photos : aubrey taiese 

Closets

Our Home: A Look Inside Our Lockers

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

hayden’s jumpsuit (similar) + here cardigan  ||  storage basket  |  black tag + string similar white storage basket + black labels  | backpack

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What better way is there to start a fresh new week with some organizing tips! You all know by now an organized space is 100% my happy place. Something about a space that is clutter free and I know that everything has a place it belongs just instantly boosts my mood. This might make me sounds crazy, and Joe can attest to it. But when it came to finally getting to design our dream house together, there were two things I was beyond excited about. The first one was our pantry. A very close second was the kids lockers. Something about giving them their own space to hold allllll the things that come along with kids and school and sports just got me so excited.

Now that they exist and we have been living with them for over a year, I think it is safe to say they have become the kids favorites too. It helps them keep things so much cleaner because it is a simple system to follow. So since I’ve had a lot of requests for more organizing ideas, today I wanted to share kind of a step by step, as well as 3 tips to consider when planing lockers for your own home!

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Kailee Wright Kids lockers

storage baskets + tags + string  |  similar white baskets + labels  |  backpack 

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 :: HAVE A LOCKER FOR EACH OF YOUR PEOPLE AND LET THEM BE IN CHARGE

Sometimes as adults, I think we have a hard time letting our kids have free reign over a whole space in our house. It can be hard, because usually giving them that independence comes with giving in to a mess. Am I right?! These lockers have been the perfect solution an happy medium. Each of our little people has their own. While they are organized the way I set them up, what they actually choose to keep is up to them. You can see in the picture above, Hayden added a postcard to add a little of her own personality. They can decorate inside however they want.  As long as they are maintained, what they have inside is free range, and it keeps it from having to be all over the house.

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

sneak peek of the chore charts that hang inside the locker doors too! head here to get a free printable!

Which brings me to another major point, put doors on your lockers. One of the biggest secrets to cleaning is to sometimes be able to hide the mess. What you can’t see can’t bug you right?! Haha. While I don’t encourage them to keep it messy, I know they are kids and won’t always have things as perfect as my organizing heart wants them. So knowing those doors can be closed and cover up whatever is going on inside, has been so so good for me!!

In addition to giving them more a feeling of independence, it is the BIGGEST game changer when it comes to clutter. We do not allow things, whether they be papers, toys, sports accessories,anything to just be sitting out around the kitchen and living space. Those are family spaces and not a dump all for alll the things. Everything has a home in their lockers and they know that. This makes clean up quick and easy. They come home from school and know to go straight to the lockers. When they are done with homework, it has a place to go. I’ll go into more detail on how we organize it below, but giving them a space to keep things, keeps the things from taking over your entire space!

. . .

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

harper’s outfit (old) + cardigan  ||  my top + jeans  || storage basket + tag + string

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:: ORGANIZE CATEGORIES INTO SEPARATE BASKETS

What you choose to keep in your lockers will completely dependent on your family dynamic. Someof you may have teens that need to organize extra curricular supplies and homework. Others might be organizing puzzles and art projects. Whatever you are choosing to keep in your lockers, having a system to organize it is the key to keeping it from being a giant sized junk drawer. For our family each locker is separated into these 5 sections.

  • SCHOOL – Anyone else feel like they get soooo many papers from school. While I love to see the cute proejects and how they are learning, I am not a saver of all the things. This basket is for them to choose which things they want to keep that has meaning to them.
  • SPORTS – As most of you know, our bigger kids participate in a lot of sports. They each have two boxes in their lockers labeled with the sports it belongs too. These are to hold things like shin guards, batting gloves, baseball mitts, anything and everything that comes along with the sport. Since our lockers are right by the garage, it makes it easy to grab and go to practice or a game. You’ll notice since Hayden only does one sport, she has a soccer box, and a slime box (lets all cringe together), because she loves it and it keeps it all in one place.

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

similar white baskets + labels gray baskets + hanging tags + string

  • PERSONAL – A question I get asked a lot is where we keep alll the kids stuff. I’ve shared a little about our Playroom Closet here. Each of our kids has their own box whatever they want in the Playroom Closet for toys, a box in their own personal closet (which we we will be sharing soon), and then this box in their lockers. This is the basket you can see labeled with their names. What is inside completely depends on personality. Hunter keeps her purse, notes from friends, and other little trinkets. Hayden its more like sunglasses, chap stick, and doodles. Hudson is usually his scriptures. It totally varies but is just up to them. But toys stay downstairs.
  • EXTRA – Most of them keep things up here that they want access to all the time and to not have to run downstairs and get. For Hudson it is usually a pair of basketball shorts. Then he can throw them on the second he gets home from school. Like Joe he wants to wear shorts 24/7. For Hayden she forgets her socks a lot lately. She decided to keep a few pairs in there so she didn’t have to run downstairs. It also varies a lot by season. In the winter its for gloves and beanies…summer it is home to swim suits and cover ups.
  • SHOES – We have a very strict no shoe policy in our house. To help maintain that rule, at the base of each locker below the bench is a drawer. This is where we keep the shoes they wear on a regular basis. It makes it easy to sit down, put your shoes on, and go straight out to the car. Nobody has to carry their shoes up from their room, or forget to take them off when they come in.

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

. . .

Kailee Wright Kids lockers

:: KEEP A “CLEAN OUT SCHEDULE” AND STICK TO IT

Last but not least is to clean them out regularly. Since it is their personal space in a sense, I really try to respect that. I will usually give them a couple day warning that “hey, lockers are looking a little crazy…we are going to have a clean out this weekend.” That gives them the chance to weed out the junk they have thrown in there. They will do their own clean before I come in and get rid of things they wanted more than others.

But it also gives me the chance to keep things sanitary and actually organized. It blows my mind the things you find in a kids backpack. Leftover snacks…dirty clothes…the sky is the limit! Knowing we are going to have this “check in” keeps them responsible for taking care of their space. When your boxes are full, it means it’s time to go through them and see what you don’t really need anymore.

. . .

I hope that helps give you some ideas for your own lockers and how to get the most out of them! They have honestly become a favorite for everyone in our house and such a sanity saver!

Kailee Wright Kids lockersKailee Wright Kids lockers

photos : aubrey taiese 

Family

15 Year Anniversary and Q+ A With Joe

Valentines gift ideas for her and him

my skirt (temporarily sold out) similar here  |  top  |  shoes  |  necklace  ||  joe’s top (similar)  |  shorts  |  shoes

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Joe and I are celebrating our 15 year anniversary today!! 15 years has flown by, but honestly it feels like he has been a part of my life forever (in a good way)! Since we had such good feedback on the q+a I did with Hunter a couple weeks ago, I thought it would be fun to have you send in questions for Joe and I. I put it out there to send in any questions you had for us about marriage, relationships, anything at all and you came through like crazy!! We had so many that we are breaking it into questions about family/marriage here, and then we will do another post talking all things med school/residency! Hope you enjoy!

kailee wright old pictures

junior prom – our junior year

kailee wright old pictures

::  DATING + GETTING MARRIED QUESTIONS

  • How did you meet?
  • How long have you been together?
  • Tell us your love story!!

We had a lot of questions wanting to know more about our dating life and how we met! I actually did a whole blog post on kind of our “how we met”  you can read here. People die when they find out we’ve known each other since I was 12!! I had the crazy impression I was going to marry him the first time I saw him (as a 12 year old!) and I didn’t even know him yet. We didn’t admit our feelings/start dating until quite a bit later. You can read all the detail in that post!

kailee wright old pictures

  • Where did you get married and how old were you?
    We were married in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints St. George Temple! We both grew up close to it and always loved it! I was almost almost 21 and Joe was almost 22.

. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

my tank  |  sports bra  |  shorts hat  || joes tee

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:: GETTING TO KNOW US QUESTIONS

  • What is your favorite thing about Kailee?
    She has an ability to care for those that she doesn’t even know and wants to reach out in some way to help them. She is so on top of things and schedules things so far in advance that is makes me sick, but I am so last minute and relaxed about things that I’m pretty sure I couldn’t survive without her.

 

  • Kailee, What is your favorite thing about Joe?
    He is so kind to everyone and ALWAYS thinking of others. I don’t think he’s ever said an ill word about anyone ever. Anyone that meets him is instantly drawn to his smile and laugh and always leaves as a new friend.

 

  • What annoys you most about Kailee?
    Her phone.

 

  •  What annoys you most about Joe?
    When he picks his nails.

 

  • What exactly do you both do for jobs?
    Kailee runs this blog and her Instagram full time while being a mom (chauffeur, maid, and chef) to 5 kids! :)Joe is a Cardiac Anesthesiologist, which means he works mostly with the doctors doing heart procedures. He also does epidurals for deliveries and other anesthesia work.

 

  • What is Joe’s typical schedule?
    Everyday is different. Each day he is given a different number. Depending on the number we know if it will be a longer day or a shorter day. He has to work one-two weekends a month and maybe has 3 24 hour shifts and a few night shifts a month. It can be hard, but overall it is a million times better than residency.

 

  • How does Joe feel about your blogging?
    He says it is both good and bad. Good because I can see how much Kailee loves doing it, but bad because it takes so much time.

 

  • Why won’t Joe be in you Instagram Stories?
    His answer: I am!! haha. I just don’t really care to.
    Kailee’s answer : He may not be on screen often, but he is always right there behind the scenes teasing me.

 

  • Does/did Joe ever take any of your Instagram/blog photos?
    Yes he used to always take them when I first started (just with my iPhone). Now if I’m not using a photographer for a scheduled shoot, I just ask the kids and they are stoked to do it. haha. He will still take them if I ask. He might not ever even look at the camera as he’s taking them… but usually I can get one decent shot! haha

 

  • Do you each have a celebrity crush you can joke about without it being weird? And who are they??
    Great question, but no. We honestly don’t watch TV (besides Joe will watch a little sports center). I hardly know any celebrity by name.

 

  • What made you decide you wanted to design your own house?
    We actually really didn’t want to design or build home at the time. We came house hunting in the new area we wanted to live and made a few offers on houses and everything fell through. 2 hours before we could get our down payment back on a quick build everything just fell into place. We had a new lot (we had never seen), a builder, and a house design to go off of. We just knew it was the right thing for us to move forward and design our own house.

 

  • Do you have similar styles in home decor and fashion or does Joe just go with the flow?
    Absolutely not!! Joe honestly doesn’t really care about much. He hasn’t changed his style since high school and was really great about letting me do what I wanted with the house. I did want cement floors and he said absolutely not… because it was too hard and didn’t feel like a home, but for the most part he is very go with the flow.

I shared some more fun/random facts about us in this post too if you want to get a good laugh!

. . .

Kailee Wright Valentines date night ideas

my dress  |  shoes  |  clutch  ||  joe’s shirt (similar)  |  jeans  |  shoes  ||  harper’s dress leggings  |  bow

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:: FAMILY QUESTIONS

  • How did you know you were ready for kids? How old were you both when you had Hunter?
    Kailee : We waited almost 3 years after we were married before we had Hunter. I think if you think to much about it and analyze everything you’ll never do it. I was 23 and Joe was 24.
    Joe: we just thought we were ready.

 

  • Did you always plan to have a big family?
    We had always talked about 4. Four was the number. That being said, I just found out Joe said he knew we were having five the whole time. But he just never said anything! haha. I got mad and asked why and he said “Because it didn’t matter, and you would have said “are you crazy, nope four”. So why would I argue with you? I knew you would figure it out.”

 

  • Are you going to have more kids?
    Nope, we are done!

 

  • How did/do you manage two kids 18 months apart?
    They are the last two so they just kinda tag along. haha . No really we had Hudson and Hayden 2 years apart so I don’t feel like it’s a ton different. I always wanted twins so I feel like this was just the easier way of getting that. Plus I think your way more laid back with your last babies so we are just enjoying them as much as we can and not letting too much get to us.

 

  • What kid duties does Joe take on the most?
    If he is home, bath time and bedtime. He really helps and does so much when he is home. Whether it is making dinner or cleaning up, he is always willing to jump in for whatever needs to be done. We just divide and conquer.

 

  • Does he do one on one dad dates with your kids like you do? What does he like to do with them?
    Yes!! They kinda choose dad over me most times! But we just do what works that week. Also if he has an early day and one of the kids doesn’t have practice after school, he’ll take them for ice cream or grocery shopping and just chat with them. Hudson just loves to hit baseballs in the backyard or play a card game with him. The girls on the other hand just wanna talk his ear off and get treats.

 

  • How do you both handle the stress of working and having 5 kids?
    Joe is pretty good to just go with the flow. I on the other hand just have to tell him all the things to relieve the stress. Date nights and early bedtime for our kids usually give me time to calm down and regroup and remember that its all going to be okay.

 

  • How do you afford vacations with 5 kids?
    Joe said we just don’t take them!! haha. We save up and only do a big family trip (like flying on an airplane) about every other year. The other year we try to just go somewhere that is a quicker drive, like Park City or St. George. Joe and I are always researching and looking for deals when it comes to vacation. I think that helps save a lot of money.

. . .

kailee wright update

my top   |  jeans  |  shoes (similar)  |  hat  ||  joe’s top shorts  |  flip flops

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:: MARRIAGE + RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONS

  • How do you find time for you and joe time?
    Early bedtime is key. I am a planner and know I need one on one with Joe so we put it on the calendar and make it happen. Once a week date nights have been a game changer for us. Sometimes its even just going grocery shopping together, but it’s honestly still so fun because we just mess around and can take our time because we don’t have any little people.

 

  • How do you keep the spark alive?
    Joe: We go on trips together.
    Kailee :We try to do a weekly date night so we have a chance to really chat and catch up. It helps remind us what it was like when we were dating.

 

  • How do you keep things sexy with so many kids?
    Joe: Get the kids to bed early. (done and done)
    Kailee: If Joe is going to have a later night I try to have the kids all down by 7:30-8 at the latest so we can just have 30 mins to talk and catch up before he crashes.

 

  • What do you argue about the most?
    Honestly we don’t argue. We do have disagreements and we will have deep conversations but we really we don’t get into full blown arguments. But we disagree most on maybe me being too strict. Because I am really strict and want to keep my people safe from everything. Joe is more laid back and lets them live.

 

  • How do you make life/your marriage work through Joe’s long hours?
    Honestly, I really don’t know anything else. I am a work horse and always have been since we got married. Back then, I did hair for 12 hours a day and Joe would drive an hour north for school + playing baseball and had a part time job so we have dealt with long hours apart from the beginning. Also I learned from my sister in law to just live my life and if he makes it to activities with us great. But if not that’s okay too.

 

  • Have you ever been to couples counseling?
    No, but we have good friends that have and are definitely not against it. Also our first year of marriage we had a hard sit down with my mom and that changed everything. So does that count?

 

  • What is your favorite memory together?
    Kailee : Gosh we have so many. Definitely the day we had our babies. I wish we could have a baby everyday to relive the pure joy.
    Joe : Easily the delivery days for our babies. Except for the second or third one, can’t remember for sure, when she progressed so fast she didn’t get an epidural and she was hurting pretty good with that one. That was not as fun but still a great day.

 

  • What are the top 3 things you think keep your marriage strong?
    I would probably say don’t expect them to read your mind. Communication is key! Also to always put them first. We just did a great post on 5 tips for a happier marriage that goes into lots more helpful detail!

 

. . .

And that should be all of them!! I hope you had fun getting to know us a little better! We had so much fun answering the questions together and seeing what the other would say!

I know you don’t see a lot of Joe on here, and what you do see he may not always seem super thrilled, because it’s not his thing. I don’t usually get too mushy on here but I am so so grateful for him and his support. He is such an amazing dad, a crazy hard worker, and the best example to me to always be more kind. One thing that drew me to him and still to this day is one of my very favorite qualities is that he has never said a single bad word about anyone in his life. He doesn’t talk bad about anyone, even if the rest of the room is. The kids and I are so obsessed with him and couldn’t ask for better! Can’t wait to see what the next 15 years + beyond hold for us!

kailee wright old pictures

a few days before joe left on his mission

kailee wright old pictures

our wedding announcement

kailee wright old pictureskailee wright old pictureskailee wright old pictureskailee wright old pictures

our first dog – reggie

kailee wright old pictureskailee wright old pictures

Lifestyle

Friday Faves

kailee wright favorite thingssimilar hat  |  tee + here  |  jeans slides loopy case (see below for discount code)

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If you’ve been around for awhile, you may remember a “series” we had going called “Favorite Finds”. It was basically a weekly blog post where we shared our current favorite finds (hence the name), as well as your most asked about links. Everything from the things that make life easier…to my latest favorite tee or lip gloss. A mix of life getting busy, and trying to make the post too detailed and themed lead to the series kind of fizzling out. But after a lot of requests, and to be honest missing it ourselves, we are bringing back our faves as a regular Friday feature!

It will always be an easy breezy light read that will hopefully serve as a quick place to check out whats new on our love list. The items will always be things we really do have, love, and have an honest review/opinion of. So check it out, and hopefully you’ll love the series as much as we love sharing our Friday Faves!

. . .

kailee wright favorite things

o1. protein bar  |  02. heated blanket  |  03. phone case  |  04. leggings  |  05. long sleeve  |  06. pajamas  |  o7. lip mask  |  08. boots  |  09. crib tent

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:: LOOPY CASES
At the very top of our faves right now is the Loopy Case. If you don’t already have one, it’s time to commit. There aren’t very many products out there that I truly think the majority of people could benefit from having, but this is for sure one of those faves. With 5 little people, my hands are FULL and ain’t nobody got a spare hand for carrying a phone AND not dropping it.

Insert this amazing case. My phone just rides on the back of my hand, leaving them for the more important things like my babies. I haven’t dropped my phone once since having it. Plus, who doesn’t love adding a bright pop of color to their everyday? Use code KAILEE10 for 10% off one case or KAILEE15 for 15% off two or more cases! And then come back and tell me how much you love it!

:: CRIB TENT
Calling all toddler mamas! Are you suffering from the smarts of your toddler figuring out how to get out of their crib? Do you miss nap time?! Well then do yourself a favor and get this crib tent. Harper figured out the dreaded crib escape, but she is not ready to let go of her nap, which meant a cranky mom and baby! This thing has been a game changer and is worth every single penny!

:: G2G CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS
You guys, these are so dang delicious. I’ve been loving them for a while, but realized I need to share the love. I am probably one of the pickiest eaters out there. When it comes to protein bars, I was sure they were all disgusting. My sister convinced me to try G2G bars and my eyes were opened. I could eat 3 a day and not be mad. I love them nice and cold from the fridge. And the best part…use code kailee and get 20% off your order!

:: HEATED BLANKET
Winter in Northern Utah is NO JOKE. I swear it has snowed every other day for a month and never gets over 30 degrees. Spring cannot come soon enough. In the meantime, this heated blanket Joe got me for Christmas is saving my life. I know, call me an old lady. But it is worth it. If I’m home, you’ll find me bundled up in it, and at least one of the babies trying to get in on it too.

:: BOOTS
Speaking of freezing, these boots have become my best friend every time I am forced to go outside. They are so cozy warm, don’t feel bulky, and keep tight to keep the snow out.

:: LONG SLEEVE TOP
I am obsessed with this top. So much so that I may or may not have bought it in just about every color. Anyone else do that when they finally find clothes they love? It is the perfect basic simple top with jeans or a skirt, and I love that mesh accent to give it a little detail.

::BABIES IN MATCHING PAJAMAS
Does it get any cuter than matching pajamas? I think not. And now that we have our new baby niece, the matching is getting any more fun. Our very favorite pajamas for newborn to adult are our Hannas. They are the comfiest out there and I just can’t get enough of the simple stripes. Plus these lemon ones? SO cute!

:: LEGGINGS
I’ve FINALLY got into a very regular workout routine and am LOVING it. With regular exercise of course comes with the need for cute outfits to do it in right? I am loving these leggings. They are such a fun print and the fit is amazing. Buttery soft and they hold you in in all the right places. Plus you can’t beat 2 for $24.

:: LIP MASK
I’m sure you’ve all heard about this by now. I swear everyone I know was recommending it, but for some reason it took me longer to be a believer and get on board. It is just as amazing as everyone says. It’s almost like a miracle happens to your lips over night. They are so silky soft.

That sums ups this week’s Friday Faves! I hope you love this fun new/renewed series as much as we do! Happy Weekend!

Lifestyle

Inside My Suitcase: Hawaii Edition

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swimsuit  |  sandals sunglasses  |  disc necklace  |  bar necklace

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As most of you know, Joe and I just got back from a week long anniversary getaway in Hawaii! To say it was dreamy is an understatement. With the crazy hours he has been working, and the non-stop schedules for the little people, we hadn’t realized how much we were missing our “us” time. I shared quite a bit about our trip over on Instagram, and have had SO many questions on everything from swim suits, hikes, food, and where we stayed. Since I didn’t want to overwhelm you, I’ve broken it down into two posts! Next week I’ll be sharing our top things to do, see, and eat in Oahu, so today I’m covering inside my suitcase! All my favorite swim suits, cover ups, hiking gear, and beach essentials!

. . .

First up, before we get into all the nitty gritty of my suitcase, I have to let you know how much of a game changer packing this time around was for me. Due to the way our flight was, we could only take one carry on, so I really had to put my own advice (from this post) to work you could say. Haha. I really tried to pack my suitcase very minimally. I’ll be honest I was worried I would be missing something, or not loving what I had.

I was so wrong and have LOVED it so much. It has been so great to have pieces that are multi-functional that I can wear to the beach and then dress up to go out at night. I loved having the simplified outfit options, and honestly just what I needed, nothing extra. So honestly, take the time to think more about the functionality when you’re packing. You will love it and never go back!

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swim top  |  swim bottom  |  hat  |  sandals

:: SWIMSUITS

Being a beach vacation, of course my top priority was cute swimsuits! A girl can never have too many right? Haha! As much as I hate shopping for them, I love finding great timeless pieces, and felt like I found a lot of new favorites this time!

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swimsuit + shorts + loopy case (kailee10 for 10% off + kailee15 for 15% off 2)

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swimsuit top  |  swimsuit bottom  |  similar pattern one piece  |  hat  |  sunglasses  |  cover up

:: shop my favorite swim suits ::

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. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

white tunic  |  hat  |  sandals  |  sunglasses

:: HATS

It is no secret around here that I am a major hat lover! But traveling with hats can be tricky. When you are limited to one carry on, the last thing you want to do is try to fill it up with unnecessary items, aka extra hats. My biggest tip is to wear you hat on the plane. If you have a quick flight you can keep it on your head. If that bugs you, I will usually just take it off and put it on top of my carry on or even carefully in the overhead bin on top of my bag. For this trip I picked one hat that I knew would go with everything. In addition to that, I picked a baseball hat that takes up hardly any space and was perfect for our hikes!

:: shop my favorite hats ::

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. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

hiking sandals + here  |  similar shorts + here  |  similar jacket  |  tank  |  hat

:: WORKOUT + HIKING GEAR

One of the things Joe and I really looked forward to on this trip was trying out some new hikes together. We usually have all the little people with us when we come to Hawaii so we haven’t been able to do too much. We LOVED getting out and enjoying the weather. I’ll of course be sharing our favorites on next weeks Oahu Favorites post.

Since we knew hikes were happening, it meant I had to get some dreaded hiking sandals. I finally gave in. While they are still far from my style, and I’m not a fan of the looks, the function is incredible and exactly what I needed! In addition to those I packed a couple of tanks + some shorts. They both could double up for hikes or morning workouts, again saving on space!

. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swim top  |  swim bottoms  |  overalls  |  sandals  |  hat  |  sunglasses  |  pendant necklace  |  crescent necklace

:: TRANSITIONAL COVER-UPS FROM DAY TO NIGHT 

If you only pay attention to one part of this post, this needs to be it. This mindset alone is what made packing for this trip a game changer. Almost every single piece I brought to use as a beach or pool cover up, I was also able to dress up to go out at night. It literally cut my normal packing line up in half.

For example, the overalls I wore as cover up above. For the day, I just threw them on over my swim top + bottom. Later that night, I switched out the swimsuit for a basic white long sleeve top and wore them to dinner. Instead of bringing a completely different outfit, I only had to pack one tiny no space taking basic tee and I was set. Another one was this sweater. It is so cozy! I wore it as is over my swimsuit to the beach, and then with a pair of leggings on our helicopter ride and to dinner.

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

dress  |  hat  |  swimsuit

Same goes for my sandals. I am so in love with them. They look nice enough to wear out in the evening, but since they are plastic, they worked great for the pool and beach too! I love that they took up hardly any space in my suitcase, but we so so functional for almost everything we did! These are another great transitional option that I’ve used in the past and loved too!

:: shop my favorite cover ups ::

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. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

swim top + bottom  |  wrap top  |  denim shorts hat  |  sunglasses  |  sandals + white here

:: TOILETRIES 

I guess that is what you would call them. Why is that such a weird word to me? Basically my must have hair and skin care items. I shared a little about these on my stories, but wanted to make sure you had all the links (AND DISCOUNTS) easily accessible!

First up is of course my Tula line up. My must haves are the cleanser, the toner, the day/night cream, and the new eye balm. I love that they have a travel size kit so I don’t have to ever switch up my routine. (use code kailee for 20% off!) In addition to those, the only other must haves this time were my Vitamin C Serum and Tinted sunscreen from Form. If you are looking for a good face sunscreen, this is it!! I love that it protects my face AND I don’t have to put heavy makeup on just to go to the beach. It is just enough to even out your skin tone. So so lightweight and not greasy at all! (use code kailee10 for 10% off!) Besides those, I threw on some of this amazing lip mask and that is it!

For hair, the only thing that is really a must have for me is dry shampoo! This is because I rarely wash my hair while we are traveling. Then you have to drag along all the tools and products you need for that too. I can maintain clean looking hair with my hat and dry shampoo power couple!

And last but definitely not least when it comes to beauty is my tanning stuff! I’ve shared here before that I love this tanning machine. But it is such a pain to bring along traveling, especially when you are just doing a carry on. So you can imagine how THRILLED I was when I found the same brands travel solution set. It was exactly what I needed to keep up with my tan through the trip. Highly highly recommend!

:: shop my travel toiletries ::

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. . .

Kailee Wright Packing Hawaii

dress  |  sandals sunglasses  |  hat

:: BEACH BAG ESSENTIALS

Last but not least are my poolside/beach essentials. I didn’t have a lot this time around. I swear little people are the reason I need half of the stuff. Am I right?! But I still had my go to’s organized in these little clear bags I love.  This portable charger never leaves my side. I always have it on the go with me, especially when we travel and are using our phones more for podcasts, directions, and pictures. I love these hair ties so I don’t have to worry about getting a kink if I want to throw my hair up at the beach. And of course a good book since time to read without distractions is pretty rare at home.

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I think that covers all the things inside my suitcase for this trip! If I missed anything or you have any packing questions, please ask here or on Instagram! I am happy to help!

Lifestyle

6 Tips For A Happier Home

Kailee Wright happy home

similar top + similar jeans + belt + booties  ||  harper’s leggings + headband   rug + nightstand || vase + greenery 

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Having what most would call a big family, we often get asked how we keep it all together and remain so positive. How do we keep our home such a happy place? Now keeping it real, we have our fair share of crazy, teasing, tantrums, and fighting, because there are 7 people under one roof. But over time we have found a few tips and tricks that when we live by them, we tend to have a much happier home. So I wanted to share what works for us with you today!

Kailee Wright back to school traditions Hanna Andersson

harper’s dress + headband  ||  hunter shoes + similar jacket
hudson tee + joggers  ||  hayden similar dress + cardigan + similar boots

#1 WAKE UP 15 MINUTES EARLIER THAN NECESSARY

This tip is something we have just really started implementing since Christmas Break. It has been the biggest game changer for us. I was so tired of feeling like I was sending my kids off to school angry or frustrated. I didn’t want them starting their day on a negative note, just because we were short on time, because that is so easy to fix! And you guys, it is WORTH IT! Giving yourself that extra 15 minutes feels like an extra hour. It eliminates the rushing and the increased stress level to get out the door. When I’m not on edge and forcing them out the door, we all start our day on a better foot.

Kailee Wright Valentines date night ideas

#2 START THE DAY WITH FAMILY PRAYER + SCRIPTURE STUDY

Another way that really helps us become more of a happier home and start our day off on the right foot is making time for family prayer and scripture study. It really just gives us that calm, family bonding time to kind of set the focus for the rest of our day. Scripture study doesn’t happen as often as we’d like, but making at least prayer a priority always helps things start off happier.

Kailee Wright Walmart kids furniture

houston’s outfit  ||  my jumpsuit  ||  harper’s dress + headband  ||
table + chair set + pink stool

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#3 BE PRESENT WITH EACH OTHER

Whether you are 1 or 100, we all crave our loved ones undivided attention. We have all felt the sting when you are talking to someone and you watch them grab for their phone while “listening”. I don’t know about you, but the result isn’t happiness. Going out of our way to really be present with our spouse and our little people, and teaching them the importance of that is a big key to a happier home. Be all there, wherever you are. If you are all in, people will do the same for you.

#4 TRY TO STICK TO A ROUTINE

As humans, we naturally function better on a routine. Having the knowledge of what comes next puts our brains at ease. It takes away the unnecessary stress and worry of the unknown. Having 5 very busy little people, a strict routine isn’t always possible. But that being said, I really try to keep what is in my control very routine and structured. Being able to mentally prepare for what is going to come in your day helps alleviates stress and helps us all stay a little happier.

Kailee Wright Nordstrom Sale kids

#5 MAKE FAMILY DINNER A PRIORITY

Having dinner together as a family (or as many of us as possible) is a huge priority for us. I love that it gives us a chance to connect after school + before practices and the hustle of the rest of the evening. It is a great way to stay on the same page so we know what is going on in each others life. Typically we just sit around the island. But on Valentines we sat around the actual table and I was shocked at how big of a difference we all noticed. We loved it. Hunter knows she has to come home during dinner because it is a priority for us, but we are always more than willing to take her back after wards. I really feel like to keep things happier, you need that connection mid-day.

Kailee Wright 3 habits more productive

my top (similar)  |  jeans  |  similar booties  ||  houston’s similar top + jeans
rug  |  nightstand  |  white blanket  |  art  |  blue pillow

#6 GO TO BED WITH A CLEAN SPACE

It is no secret I have a bit of a love for a clean space. You might think I’m crazy, but this is a HUGE contributor to a happier home. Maybe not while the cleaning is being done, but I promise the after math is. Going to bed with a dirty or cluttered house guarantees you are waking up to a to do list you are already dreading. It is a proven fact that clutter equals stress. So instead, we take 15 minutes before bed to each tackle a zone. That quick 15 minutes lets us start the day fresh and clean.

As I’m sure you can see, these aren’t life altering changes or shocking tips. They are just simple changes we have made in our day to day that have made a huge difference in having a happier home. So I wanna know, what tips do you have for a happier home?

photos : aubrey taiese 

Beauty

My Tried And True Hair Products

Kailee Wright T3 curling iron and Best Hair Products

my jacket  |  curling iron

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One of the questions I get asked most both here and over on Instagram, is what my favorite go to hair products are. Having done hair for 15 + years, I’ve definitely tried my fair share and feel like I can say I know what works best and what doesn’t! I stick to what works, when I find it, because it takes so much time for hair to really respond and react to the products. A lot of people think you can introduce a product for a few weeks and know if it works and that is far from true. It takes months for your hair to be come accustom to a new product and really react.

Another thing when it comes to your hair, the more products you use, the more weighed down and greasy it will become. I really try to limit the amount of styling products I use, and you’ll notice most of mine are strictly for protection. So with that being said, here is my line up of tried and true faves!

. . .

Kailee Wright T3 curling iron and Best Hair Productsleave in conditioner keratin drops  |  smoothing balm + here

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.. WET PRODUCTS ..

First up when I’m fresh out of the shower is this leave in conditioner. I have used it for years and never found one that does a better job. It protects against all the heat you are about to apply through blow drying + styling. It’s second purpose is to detangle. A big tip is to brush out starting with your ends NOT at the top of your head. Start from your ends and work your way up.

After the spray in conditioner, my next step is more Keratin with these drops. Again, I’m all about maintaining + strengthening my hair health! I use about a quarter size of this because my hair is thick + frizzy, but I recommend more like a dime size if you don’t have lots of hair. Sometimes I will use a tiny bit once it is dry and styled to to help with frizz and separate my curls.

And last but not least before we start drying is this a smoothing balm. I usually rotate between this one and this one.  The purpose of these is too smooth your hair and keep it from getting frizzy, especially on the ends. I love that it moisturizes and gets in deep, but never gives you a weighed down feeling.

Kailee Wright T3 curling iron and Best Hair Products

protective spray + here  |  hair spray  |  texture spray  |  dry shampoo

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.. STYLING PRODUCTS ..  

Before I touch it with anything, I lightly spray this protective spray through each of my layers. I’ve used that particular one for years and absolutely love it. Recently I started trying this one as well and love that it is an aerosol instead of spritz, but haven’t used it long enough to give it a full review. I’ll keep you updated! In addition to protecting your hair from the heat of curling or straightening, it also helps hold your curl longer.

Those are all the products I use every single time. Beyond that I try to limit products in my hair, but these are my other favorites I use as well, and I promise they are just as amazing!

Texture Spray : I am OBSESSED with this! It is amazing. It is basically like they took a wax and made it in to a spray form. . I LOVE using it when I really want my curls to have more texture and look their best. It is my go to for date night, a photo shoot, or even church, but definitely not something I’d put in my hair every day as it would add to much grit and make for quicker washing

Hair Spray : This stuff is the BOMB!  Hair spray can make or break how long a wash can last on your hair. I have never really liked hairspray but my friend Kate recommend this one when I was in Cincinatti last year and I fell in love and used it ever since. You use the TINIEST bit. It gets the job done but doesn’t give you that hard sticky look/feel most hairsprays do.

Dry Shampoo : Last but DEFINITELY not least is dry shampoo. It is no secret this is my most used hair product. haha! I can keep my hair looking like day 1 for almost a week with the help of this goodness. This is probably the only product I will recommend that isn’t a professional line. You will die over how cheap it is, yet how amazing it works.  And a little trick a friend recently shared, is to spray this in your hair when its wet after a wash. It will keep your hair from getting greasy for longer! Miracle trick!

Kailee Wright T3 curling iron and Best Hair Products

I’ve used most of these for YEARS, and are my personal favorites! Remember to have patience with your hair when trying something new. It won’t get healthy over night! If you have any questions I can help answer leave them here or over on Instagram!

photos : aubrey taiese 

LET’S CONNECT

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