So I wanna know. When you were growing up, was Valentines Day a big deal in your house, or more of a holiday you just kind of had at school but that is it? What about in your current home? For me, when I was growing up, my mom made holidays so special for us. Valentine’s was no exception and one of my very favorite days of the year!
The reason I loved it so much, is because of one special tradition. Every year we would make yummy treats + Valentine’s Cards so we could package them up for the neighbors. Instead of delivering them like a normal gift, we would doorbell ditch them with the little surprise. We LOVED it and thought it was the best thing ever as kids. Fast forward to my time as a parent bringing this tradition to my little family. I had NO IDEA this was not the norm. My naive self literally thought it was something everyone did for Valentines Day, and I couldn’t figure out why nobody ever did it to us in return! Hahaha!
My little people love it so much, that I had to keep the Valentines tradition alive, and I even do something similar for them. I package up a little gift, and some yummy treats and doorbell ditch them with their own Valentines Day surprises too! It has been so fun! You don’t have to make it over complicated or anything too fancy. In fact today I wanted to share some of my favorite Valentines Gift Ideas for everyone from baby to tween, and they are ALL under $25!!
First up is Baby! I swear Baby + Toddlers are my favorite to shop for because they just get so excited over everything! I can get Harper a new bow and she is thrilled! If you saw her birthday post, you know she is so beyond obsessed with this doll, as well as allllll things baby shark! Keep it simple and easy!
Next on the list is the little girls! Hayden is so fun to find something for. She loves all things pink and sparkly so Valentines Day is for sure her jam. Anything from a cute new dress, some nail polish, or chapstick works perfect for the little ladies in your life!
Boys are up next and they can be a little trickier. The older they get, the less they love the cutesy! My go to for Hudson is to go with something I know he already loves. Like the red baseball + mitt, or a new hat. Boys don’t have to be hard!
Last but not least is the Tweens. Too grown up for the frilly girly fun can be tricky to shop for. Sometimes I’m not even sure they know what they want! Haha! Hunter loves all things fashion and is always borrowing my stuff. So I think this is the perfect opportunity to get her some of her own. A new bag, lip gloss, or some simple jewelry is the perfect idea for your tween!
Valentines is just around the corner! Although it is a small, pretty simple holiday, it has always been one of my favorites! I love any chance I can get to celebrate the ones I love most a little extra. Plus I always love a little something out of the ordinary to look forward to in what feels like a never ending winter. Thinking of what to get for your man for Valentines can be tricky, especially when it feels like you just used all your brilliant ideas on Christmas. Am I right?! So I rounded up 10 of my favorite go to’s for Joe AND 10 things I’m dropping as hints for him to get for me for Valentines too! It doesn’t hurt to give them a little nudge in the right direction, right?!
First up is the men. I don’t know about you, but sometimes finding something original can be tricky for me. Joe is a pretty easy going guy, so he’d be happy with anything! So I asked him some of his favorites from the past + included some things I’m eyeing for this year!
Water Bottle :
These water bottles are a major family favorite at our house. I love that they hold a ton, but most importantly that they keep your drink cold for HOURS. The straw lid makes them super convenient and I swear it makes me drink more. And bonus, this little gadget makes the bigger size fit perfectly in your cup holder!
Wallet :
You can never go wrong with a nice new wallet right? I mentioned these new ones we are loving at Christmas and had to share them again. They are super slim and hold just what you need. Perfect for the minimalist that doesn’t want to carry around more than a few cards. And so affordable!
Shoes :
Joe can’t say no to a new pair of Nike’s. They are his favorite and such a good quality shoe. I’m a big fan of gifting practical things for these kind of holidays. After spending more during the Christmas season, it is a little easier on your wallet to go with something they needed and will use regularly.
Leatherman :
Why not get the man who has everything, the tool that does everything?! I don’t think there is a handier gadget out there. From a knife,pliers, and screwdrivers, to scissors, a can openers, and a ruler, it literally has everything!
Board Shorts :
Another favorite, more practical gift idea is a new swim suit or board shorts. Spring is just around the corner (hopefully). It makes the perfect gift for them to have something to look forward too.
Basic Tee :
Joe is a pretty simple guy. Give him a pair of shorts and a basic tee and he is happy. Valentines Day is a great time to refresh your wardrobe and get a new color or update a style.
Portable Charger :
If there was one gift out there I think just about everyone could use, it’s this one. It has made it on my gift guides quite a few times, but that’s because it is just that good. You can use it to charge your phone multiple times before it needs to be re-charged, and has come in handy for us so so many times.
Bluetooth Headphones :
Who doesn’t love a good pair of headphones? Joe loves these for traveling, working out, or just working around the house. If you like to keep your Valentines Gift a little more simple, these are perfect. You won’t be spending too much but you’re getting something they will use so much.
Apple Watch Band :
Another simple and super affordable idea is to get them a new watch band. It’s always fun to switch things up again and go with a new color or style.
Gift Cards for Date Night :
We love making the time for date night around here! Whether its a dinner and a movie or just getting out and running some errands kidless, we always try to make it a priority!
Now on to the women! I don’t know about you, but I’m not above dropping a few hints for Joe of what I’d love! It never hurts to give them a little push, am I right?! Haha! These gift ideas would work perfect for a galentines favorite things party too!
Moisturizer :
You all know by now my love for this moisturizer. I promise you it doesn’t get better than this stuff. Your skin feels so soft and healthy without any wet sticky after feeling. It is my #1 skin care product in my routine and I recommend it to every one I know! Plus you can use code KAILEE for 20% off! So you should probably just send your hubby this blog post!
Candle :
I don’t know about you, but I can never have too many candles. I love a good smelling house, without being too overboard and these candles are just that. If you need girlfriend gifts or something for your mom or sisters this is the perfect idea too! Small and simple but so good!
Water Bottle :
These are so loved in our family that I included it for both the men and women! Nothing like reaching for your water and knowing it will always be icy cold still. I love the straw lid on this particular one too because it helps keep it spill free around the babies. If pink isn’t your jam, they come in lots of fun colors!
Sports Bra :
It’s no secret that I’ve become a little obsessed with working out. You just can’t beat that mental high it gives you to start your day that way. So for me personally, I would love a cute new sports bra or some leggings as a gift!
Apple Watch Band :
This is another one I added on both lists! I think it such a simple, inexpensive idea that watch lovers would love! Plus I would love the option to switch up the bands depending on my outfit or the season.
Ring :
When it comes to jewelry, I love the simplistic look. I keep things very minimal, especially when it comes to rings. I love that this one is simple but gives you the stacked look. And the quality is amazing!
Mini Bowls :
If you seen inside my kitchen, you know I have a love for these bowls. I started “collecting” the regular size a few years ago, and love all the fun different colors. Just recently I came across the mini ones and love them just as much! They are perfect for little treats or condiments. My favorite is to use them for sprinkles or cookie toppings when we are decorating.
Lip Mask :
You guys. I’m sure you have all already heard about this lip mask. I swear everyone I know told me I had to get it, and it took me a while to get on board. But I am here to tell you they were right. It is incredible. My lips have never been smoother and that is saying a lot being in the middle of a dry Utah winter!!
Flip Flops :
You know I love summer, so I love getting anything that means its coming soon! Whether you go with flip flops, a fun new beach bag, or towel, it’s a fun way to look forward to a trip or summer!
Swim Suit :
Speaking of upcoming trip, at the end of the month Joe and I are escaping for our anniversary! I cannot wait, and thinking of the beach has me looking for new suits! I loved this one so much and thought it would be perfect for Valentines! Now I just have to figure out what color to go with!
I hope this gift list helps spark some ideas for your man, and maybe what you should be hinting for for yourself too! What is your favorite thing you’ve ever received for Valentines Day?!
You guys, Utah winters are cold! And they seem to last forever. We are only in mid January and I’m dreaming of all things sandals, bbqs, and sun!!! While I can’t make it come any sooner, I can at least design a space that will be so fun to be in come Spring and Summer! My sister just bought a house and has been asking for some design advice, so when The Home Depot reached out about some of their new patio collections I jumped at the chance to put together a design board for her.
My favorite piece from the collections is this table and chair set. I love that while it is still a neutral tone, it is still bright and modern to keep the space feeling light and airy. Growing up in St. George we love spending time outside as a family. Another great feature is that it has CushionGuard fabric which is stain, spill and fade resistant and only at The Home Depot. This is the perfect piece to seat the whole family. The Home Depot had so many great affordable options we loved, so I linked all my favorites below.
… SHOP FAVORITE PATIO SETS …
When it comes to designing an outdoor space, treat it just how you’d treat a room in your house. So y ou wouldn’t just put a table and chairs in and call it done. Accessorizing and tying the room together is just as important in your outdoor space. I love that The Home Depot is such a one stop shop for your outdoor space. They have so many great pillows, rugs, and of course plants. You can shop my favorite outdoor accessories by clicking the images below.
… SHOP FAVORITE OUTDOOR ACCESSORIES …
… SHOP FAVORITE PLANTS, PLANTERS, + LIGHTING …
So whether you are looking for a few pieces to freshen up an already existing outdoor space, or are starting fresh, there are so many great affordable options at The Home Depot. What are your must haves in an outdoor space?
I don’t know about you, but “working out” has been a goal I found myself making over and over again. I’d start up and go strong for a couple weeks, but it always seemed to fizzle out. After I had Harper, I knew I was done having babies. I really wanted to work on taking better care of myself, both physically and mentally. I knew this was the time it had to stick. Whatever I had to change to stick to working out, I was going to do it! Since I know this isn’t a struggle that only I’ve faced, I wanted to share with you what really motivated me to finally focus on me for a change and commit.
So like always, I made the “New Year’s Resolution” to start working out. My focus wasn’t necessarily on losing weight, but on feeling stronger and healthier. I wanted to see a change in my attitude and my energy, not only for me but for my family. And I wanted to prove to myself I could do hard things. The year started off with the usual excuses. I was too busy. Why would I want to wake up that early? I don’t get very much me time, why would I want to spend the little time I have exercising?!
In around August I finally started dabbling in a few different fitness classes. A few friends had mentioned Orange Theory Fitness, so I decided to give it a try. I committed for a month in October and was hooked. The competitive part of me loved the screens they have to keep you motivated. It has the feeling of a “class set up” without the down falls of a typical gym. As much as I love the workout style, that alone wasn’t the only thing keeping me coming back. I know deep down my motivation was stemmed from these 3 factors.
#1 : I FELT HAPPIER WHEN I WAS WORKING OUT REGULARLY
Ever since I’ve known her, Michelle, my right hand girl here on the blog has told me that working out for her was so much more about the mental. When she worked out, she had a better attitude. She could noticeably tell she was a better mom. More patient, happier, and just interested in being present. I thought she sounded crazy and it was too good to be true.
But at about the 6 week mark of working out consistently, it hit me. I had a complete attitude shift. I felt motivated to take on the day. My patience level with my little people changed and I took the time to really be more present. I just felt so much healthier mentally and happier on a daily basis, and found myself craving it. Doing something for myself felt good.
#2 : INSTEAD OF SEEING MOM GUILT, I COULD SEE HOW THIS WAS BENEFITING MY KIDS
One of my biggest excuses for not working out regularly has always been, “well I can’t leave my kids”. It wouldn’t be fair to them to get a babysitter for something so selfish. Mom guilt is real and when it came to leaving them it was like a wall I couldn’t get over. Going to Orange Theory early in the morning has been exactly what I needed. I can go, get my workout in, and come back before they even wake up. Getting up and taking the time for me, is the perfect start to my day to feel more positive for them.
I want them to see that I’m striving to be healthier. That taking time for myself is important too. I want them to know how important I think believing in yourself + setting goals is. Growing up I never really saw my parents go and workout or place a huge importance on that, and I want to be that example for them to love your body and work to keep it healthy and strong.
#3 IT FELT GOOD TO STICK TO A GOAL AND LEFT ME CRAVING MORE
My good friend Merrick said something that really hit me when we talked about her experience with a very similar goal. She said “I’ve heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit, but it doesn’t. It takes until you believe in yourself.” She hit it spot on. We are our toughest critics and it’s not going to stick until we believe we can do it. She expressed my exact feelings perfectly when she said “It was amazing how setting and reaching one goal gave me the permission to reach new heights in all areas of my life.” I couldn’t agree more. Finally following through and sticking to this motivated me to believe in myself. Instead of patting myself on the back for accomplishing my goal, it has pushed me to set new harder goals. I feel like I’m enough and I can do hard things.
I promise you if you commit yourself to taking that time for yourself, whether it be working out or something else you’d like to accomplish, it is worth it. Kiss the mom guilt goodbye. By taking the time to strengthen yourself both physically and mentally, you will be a better happier mom. I’m excited to see what I can accomplish sticking to this and believing in myself. What is something you hope to stick to and accomplish for yourself this year?
If you’ve been around here for the past year, you know it is no secret how much we LOVE our Pampers Pure Diapers. I could go on and on about all the things I love about them, and have a few times here on the blog as well as over on Instagram. But I noticed that in all my raving about the Pampers Pure diapers, I let the Pampers Aqua Pure Wipes stay in the shadows. I know you are probably thinking, they are just baby wipes. But these wipes are so much better than that, and we use them everywhere in our house for so many different things besides a baby bum. So today I wanted to share with you our 3 favorite ways to use our Pampers Aqua Pure Wipes!
I get asked alllll the time how we keep our house so clean. Now I’ll admit whether my kids helped or not, it would still be clean. I cannot function in a messy space. That being said, my biggest tip is to teach your kids when they are YOUNG to be responsible for their space. If they learn to help out when they are little, it will come as naturally as remembering to brush your teeth or make your bed as they grow up.
Houston and Harper are 100% in the mom shadow stage. They follow me around everywhere I go and always want to be doing what mom is doing, including cleaning. I wanted a way for them to help, but didn’t want to worry about them ruining things or using dangerous cleaning products. Insert the miracle that is the Pampers Aqua Pure wipe. These wipes are 99% WATER! Free of harsh chemicals whatsoever.
So while my little helpers wipe every surface they can reach, I can be worry free. It’s okay that its touching their hands. They aren’t going to ruin my paint or cabinets if they wipe them. Houston and Harper love to wipe baseboards, their mini table and chairs, toys, anything they can get their hands on. The wipes are thicker so they don’t tear easy while cleaning too! I love that it is putting them in the good habit of doing their part to keep our home clean.
. . .
… CLEANING MY LITTLE PEOPLE …
In addition to a clean house, I like to have clean people in it! Haha! I grew up with my mom constantly telling us to wash our hands. We washed hands when we came home from school, before and after meals, and when we came in from playing outside. Since it was always a habit for me, I have done the same thing as a mom. If you are a mom of toddlers, you know they escape quickly. Wiping hands and faces after eating usually doesn’t happen at your sink. One of us grabs a Pampers Aqua Pure wipe and chases them down for a wipe off. I love that I don’t have to worry about it touching their mouths, because again it is 99% WATER.
We keep a pack in the car as well as in my diaper bag too so we are prepared for all sticky situations that might come along. I can quickly wipe down the table or high chair at a restaurant, or sticky hands after eating a treat in the car.
I know this third favorite use isn’t very out of the box. But it truly is one of my favorite ways to use them. If you’ve ever had a baby with sensitive skin, you know how hard it can be to change a sore bum. I have wanted to cry right along with them while trying to wipe them. Sore bums are basically a thing of the past since we started using these wipes. You aren’t introducing any foreign strange chemicals to your babies skin. They are so so soft and primarily water, so there is no irritation. And they are thick so everything stays on the wipe and not your hand, if you know what I mean. Combine them with the protecting, ultra softness, and functionality of the Pampers Pure diapers and you will see what I mean. We have much happier diaper changes in our house now!
Like I said, I know it’s a simple baby wipe, but in our house it is an everything wipe. From cleaning toys, to tiny hands, to cute bums, we love the Pampers Pure Aqua Wipes in our house!
I don’t know about you, but January always seems to be a month of reflecting for me. Looking back on things I accomplished, and changes I made to better myself. If you’ve followed along here for a while, you know that one of my big focuses for this year was to take better care of my skin. As I was looking back on that, I noticed that there were some clear front runner products that helped me to do just that this year, along with some other beauty items that have become my true favorites. My beauty routine is pretty simple because most days I don’t have a lot of time. So I thought it would be fun to round up my top 12 beauty products of 2018 for you, and share why I’m loving them!
When it comes to my beauty routine, there is a definite favorite for me that earns the top spot. The Tula Hydrating Day + Night Cream. It should come as no surprise to you because I am constantly sharing about it. I promise you it is really that good. Utah winters are rough, especially when I’m use to the California air. This has SAVED my skin and kept it soft and smooth. I love that it gives you such a moisturized soothed feeling without leaving that greasy shine some moisturizes give. If you are going to add one thing to your skin routine this year, I highly suggest this one! And don’t forget to use code KAILEE for 20% off of it and my other Tula favorites I’ll share here!
You are going to be seeing a lot of Tula on this list because it truly is my go to. I love the way it makes my skin feel and the results I get from it. The purifying cleanser is no exception. I love the gel texture! My face feels so clean and refreshed, but it doesn’t leave you with that tight dry desert face feeling after using it like a lot of other face washes. It is full of probiotics to help nourish your skin to give it such a nice glow. It is so affordable too, especially with code KAILEE for 20% off!
Speaking of exfoliating, if you haven’t tried these wipes, do yourself a favor and snag some. They are my FAVORITE for traveling. They are a tiny little wipe but they hold some serious power. Haha. You basically take the wipe and use rub a serum side all over your face. After that, you switch to the exfoliating pad side and start rubbing. You will be SHOCKED at how much gross dead skin and makeup residue this little wipe can remove. I LOVE the way my skin feels after using them. It is the perfect option for when you are in a hurry or traveling to just be able to throw in your bag.
I told you Tula would be on repeat on this list! The last Tula product to make my top list is the toner. It is such a simple product that packs a punch. It is great at kind of refreshing your face and really evening out your skin tone before applying your makeup. I’ve been using it for years and have really seen the impact it makes on fine lines and skin tone.
While the cream takes the cake for favorite product, this 100% wins my favorite little beauty tool right now. It is just like my micro-needling appointments, but less intense. The best way I can think of to explain it in an easy to understand way is to think of getting your lawn aerated. This tool does basically that exact same thing to your face! It rolls a whole bunch of tiny needles over your skin, allowing all those amazing nutrient filled products to get deeper into your skin and do their job, while triggering your skin to heal + produce more collagen while it’s at it. I was hesitant on if it could stand up to spa appointments. But I am here to tell you the results you’ll get from regular use are AMAZING. I absolutely love it.
I’m sure most of you already know all about the cleansing spin brush and use it in your routine. But I had to include it. I love that it gives you such a deeper feeling clean while still feeling gentle. It is supposed to give you a 6x better clean than just washing with your hands. Sign me up! My favorite is take it in the shower to wash my face while my conditioner sits. I love that it smooths out my skin and kind of preps it for evenly applying your makeup.
A PMD or Personal Microderm Device is something every single one of you should invest in, especially as you get into your 30’s and up. It is basically like taking the benefits of a dermatologist appointment into your own home! It exfoliates deep into your skin, and helps take away any sun spots or scars you have + also helps to reduce acne. The suction it uses even helps to reduce fin lines + wrinkles. So you’ll see brighter tighter skin just from using it regularly. All those benefits lumped into one tool is amazing! I am loving the results I’ve seen from using it.
I don’t know about you, but for me, a good self tanner is a game changer. With naturally very light skin I need all the tanning help I can get, without actually sitting in the sun. I feel like I really did my research and trial and error this year, and have 3 favorites!
First up is the quick and easy, these tanning wipes. The color tone is perfect and they are really pretty user friendly. I love them for traveling, or when I’m tanning my arms and legs and don’t feel like I need to get it perfect on my whole body for a swimming suit. The BEST thing about them is they don’t leave that tanning smell.
Second is this lotion. I have never trusted the dang tanning lotions. They always transfer onto your clothes, and the color reads so orange. Not with this one!! It is the prettiest color and SO easy to apply. Plus you cannot beat that price.
Last up is my new favorite gadget, the at home spray machine. It seems very overwhelming at first, but after a few practices it is really so easy to apply evenly. I am able to do it mostly myself, or have had Joe help me for those harder to reach areas. I just do it in my shower and have loved having it in my beauty line up.
Apparently we are following a trend with the exfoliating, because this lip scrub fits right in too. What can I say, I love smooth fresh skin, and that applies to my lips too! I’ve always loved a good lip scrub. Who doesn’t love silky smooth lips?! I love that with this one, you put it on just like a lipstick and can wear it all day because the little exfoliators disappear. Once they are gone it just leaves a soft rose tint to your lips and they feel amazing! And the smell! Oh my gosh you’ll die.
When it comes to top beauty products we can’t forget hair. Having done hair for so many years, I’m always looking for things that will really strengthen my hair and make it healthier. One of my favorite things to give your hair that boost it needs, especially in the drier months is a good hair mask. It nourishes and moisturizes your hair, giving it a healthier shinier look.
If you are in the market for a new curling iron, this is for you. I try to avoid extended heat on my hair as much as possible, to keep it healthy. This curling iron stays evenly heated and gives you quick amazing results, so you aren’t having to redo the same hair over and over and causing further damage.
This blow dryer has been a game changer for me and the only one I’ll use on my hair. It uses a controlled heat level so it is never over heating your hair, but has a wide air stream so it still dries your hair quickly. It has something called an ion generator as well so it never gives you frizzy hair. As someone that has naturally curly hair, this is SUCH a great feature to have.
That sums up my top beauty products of 2018! I’ve noticed as I get older, my focus is really on products that focus on health. Whether it is healthier skin or hair, these products have had such a positive impact. So I wanna know, what are your favorite beauty items?!
Our sweet Harper girl is officially TWO years old!! I am having all the feels about it, but most of all feeling so lucky to have her. Right after I delivered Houston, (like within a few hours or so), who we thought was our last, I had a major feeling that I wasn’t done yet, and we still had a baby girl waiting for us. I’m so glad we listened and tried for one more.
She is as sweet as they come, constantly has us laughing, and has the littlest bit of sass to keep us on our toes. We couldn’t have asked for a better finale to our family, and just wish she would stop growing up so fast!! It has been a while since I updated you on all things Miss Harper, so today I’m sharing some of her current favorites, as well as a peek into her birthday party!
Harper at age 2 is :
OBSESSED with “Baby Shark”. We sing it all day long, and she loves dancing to it. She loves to add shark to everyones name, and can’t get enough of it. Which is why we went with her party theme, which you’ll see below.
Is TALKING a ton and loves to copy what any of us are saying. She can say our names in the cutest little voice and I could listen to her all day.
Is starting to get into the independent stage and wants to do everything herself. She will not let you help her put her shoes on and refuses to wear a coat.
LOVES baby dolls and takes hers with her everywhere! She loves to carry it in her little solly wrap, tuck it in for naps, and feed it. My mom got her a little doll swing for her birthday, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy. If you saw her open it on my stories, you saw that look in her eye. It was so so sweet and she hasn’t put it down since!
LOVES pretend play. Her favorites are cutting up food and cooking it in her play kitchen, and being the best little mommy to her baby doll.
Wants to do everything Houston is doing. This includes trying to potty train with him (hoping for a 2 for 1!), and following him around. They are the cutest little pair when they aren’t fighting.
She is our little chub and wearing size 2-3. Houston is basically the same size as her, and just now going up a size in pants. They get mistaken for twins pretty often!
For her party I decided to keep things pretty simple. I really wanted to focus on our Harper girl, so we just had family over. Like I said above she LOVES “Baby Shark” so we went with that. She was so excited over the little details, especially her jammies!
We spent the day at Top Golf where watching her is basically the best thing ever. She has to do it herself and has us all dying! We ordered pizza because going out with babies did not sound like something she or any of us would love. It made for the perfect care free relaxed night celebrating our girl.
For the cake I of course went with one of my favorite recipes from my girl Courtney. She is the queen of cakes and has the best tips! The cake topper I originally ordered of course didn’t come in time, so I raided the playroom closet and found this toy shark and went with it! I think once we added the sprinkles and balloon it turned out pretty cute! The best part was she was our only kid that had no idea what to do when it came time to blow out the candles. It was so funny! She just looked at us all like we were crazy!
If I could I would bottle her up and keep her this age forever. She is the sweetest little side kick and exactly what our family was missing. We love you Harper girl!
Raise your hand if you have an irrational fear of the dentist?! If you would’ve asked me that a few months ago, I would’ve been the first to shoot my hand up. You guys the dentist TERRIFIED me! So much so that I just put off going, and even dealt with some uncomfortable bite issues, because I did not want to go! My girlfriend had the same crazy fear, and told me she promised that if I went to Dr. Ellis over at the Smile Studio, all my thoughts of the dentist would be completely changed. I can’t even begin to tell you how right she was!! It has been such an amazing experience and I’m so happy I put on my big girl pants and gave him a shot because I am in LOVE with the results!
A little over a month ago, I shared some of my favorite things about Dr. Ellis’s office in this blog post. With so many of you sharing that dental anxiety I had, he answered some of your most asked questions to help calm your nerves and know whats best for your situation! Today I’m finally going to take you in to see a little more detail on what it is that I had done, both for function and cosmetics, and answer some of your questions!
… FUNCTION …
First up, lets talk function. Growing up, I never went to an orthodontist. I didn’t have crooked teeth or anything, so in my mind (and probably my parents) there was no need for anything more than a dentist. How I wish I would’ve known what I know now! I could’ve just had an expander and solved the problem, which is probably why I’m so picky about my kids orthodontist and dentist now!
So since we’ve established how much I dreaded the dentist, I didn’t want to go in unless I had to. I found out about Dr. Ellis’s SMILE VIRTUAL CONSULT and thought I’d give it a try. Basically all I had to do was take a selfie of my smile, and send it in to him, along with my concerns. Once Dr. Ellis receives it, he records a virtual consult video for you.
You guys, it was incredible. I’m not talking quick little five second video. He went through in detail what he saw with my smile, addressed my concerns, gave me a cost range, and the plan he would recommend. He showed me comparisons and was able to give me an idea of what my final result would look like. I was SO IMPRESSED. That entire consult that would’ve taken me a 45 minute drive, minimum 30 minute appointment, and then 45 minute drive home, I was able to do from the comfort of my bed! FREE OF CHARGE!! If you are considering his amazing office, but don’t live in Utah County, I still HIGHLY recommend starting off with the smile consult. You may end up needing only a couple of appointments making it totally worth the drive.
So let me tell you a little about my consult. When it comes to my bite, it was uneven. When I would bite down, my teeth on the top and bottom didn’t match up in the back. But like I said, I wanted to avoid the dentist, especially MAJOR JAW SURGERY, so I just dealt with the issue. When I told Dr. Ellis this was something I wanted to fix, I was shocked to find out it could be fixed with somethings as simple as adding veneers. By getting veneers, I was able to broaden or widen my smile, to get the adjustment my bite needed to match up. It has been SUCH a difference!
… COSMETIC …
Another thing I worked with Dr. Ellis on was my gum line. I’ve never liked how much my gums covered my teeth, especially on the front left side. My teeth looked smaller and I just wasn’t happy with it. I had the procedure done when I was 21 to fix them, and unfortunately that wasn’t a success. I felt like I have waited so long to just have my gums be even throughout my mouth and I couldn’t be happier with the results I have now. Dr. Ellis used a painless laser to raise my gums on the left side to match my gum height on my right side.
In addition to the gums, I also had some veneers put in the front. My two front teeth have been chipped and needed repair (but remember I avoided the dentist at all costs) for a while. I love the clean, even, broad look it gives my smile. It just seems bigger and brighter now, without losing the natural look.
Last but not least was whitening to finish things up. Since I didn’t veneer all my teeth, whitening my other teeth was necessary to tie everything together. Whitening was what we got the most questions on, and Dr. Ellis answered them for you over here. There are many types of whitening procedures that he offers in his office. I chose the “in-office whitening”. It takes about two hours in the office, but gives you about a two week boost of whitening. Compared to the normal take home trays.
I’m so happy with the help of Dr. Ellis, I was able to overcome my dental fear! Dr. Ellis really is the best at what he does! If you follow him on Instagram, you can see some of the amazing smile transformations that he has created over the years. What I did is not necessarily for everyone, but I wanted to share, because I wish I would’ve known sooner! I love the results and HIGHLY recommend him and his team for any dental needs if you are in Utah. Many of his patients travel from out of state for his services as well, which shows you how great he is! Not only are they professional and so educated in their trade, but they are all so sweet. You will leave feeling like part of their family!
January 2019 is in full swing and you know what that means? It is time for setting goals. I’ve never been a huge fan of making long lists of goals, just because its a new year. However, I do love to sit down with Joe and kind of re-assess our year, and what we can do to be more intentional. You won’t find us over here making the huge lofty unreachable goals, because I feel like that adds more stress and negativity in the long run. I honestly end up making the same “goals” or “intentions” for the year repeatedly, so this year I wanted to share with you the 3 I am focusing on, in hopes that it can help inspire you to simplify your own goals and truly feel better about what you can accomplish this year!
I don’t know about you, but the dreaded “workout x amount of days” commitment always seems to be a part of my new years goals. I made a similar goal last year and was so proud to finally be able to say I was able to make a commitment to myself to workout daily and start eating better and it is here to stay!
This year I wanted to broaden the typical “lose weight” or “no sugar goal”. I want to focus in on something that was helping me mentally too. Full body self care. I want to continue to workout and be mindful of what I eat to feel stronger and healthier. Go to bed earlier so I feel ready for the day.
But I also want to remember it is okay to take time for me. As moms, I think we have a lot of guilt in doing anything that isn’t directly for our kids. But having tried to work on this lately, I can tell you how much this does directly benefit them. It clears my head, increases my energy, and number one increases my patience with them. I know that it puts me in a better place mentally, and helps me to be a better mom.
Just like with the fitness goal, being a more patient and present mom is always at the top of my goals list. Although it is repeated year after year, I don’t look at is as a failure or something I’m not accomplishing. Every year, or even few months, this is one of my goals I feel like I have to reassess. Our schedules change, we add in more sports or more homework, and with age the little peoples needs change. To me it is something I have to think about and even plan out on a daily basis how I can be more patient and more present. I want to get the most out of our time together and know they are getting the best of me.
Last but not least is also one of my goals I have on repeat. BE ON TIME! As a mom of 5 kids, I think people kind of give you a free pass when it comes to being on time. They don’t think its possible. I know it is and that I can be better at it. It is definitely not easy, but I want to instill in my kids the importance of being punctual. Honestly I’m just so tired of the word HURRY. I feel like when we are running late, we carry a negative cloud with us due to the stress. So this year I’m focusing on no excuses. We have been rocking it at school and they are never late for that, so 9 am church is my next uphill battle!
As you can see, these are pretty simple goals that I continually make year after year. I know they can help me to be a better mom, a better wife, and a better person. I’d love to hear some of your goals you are most excited about!
Welcome to 2019!! Wow, that feels so crazy to say! Haha! As much as I hate to see time fly, I love the feeling of a fresh start that January brings! Also everything is just new and ready for you! Before we jump in to all the good, new, exciting, and fun things we have for this space in 2019, I wanted to do a quick “Instagram Roundup” Review of the few months. I’ve had so many questions asking for links and just haven’t been able to get around to them during the holiday season, so I’m making it up to you now!! Below you can find a roundup of all my most asked about outfits on Instagram and links to everything!
Last, we’d love to know what kind of content you’d love to see in 2019!! So leave all your suggestions in the comments or on Instagram!! Also hope you had an amazing weekend!!
You guys!!! How are we already done with 2018?! I cannot believe another year has flown by! I started this blog over 4 years ago and just can’t believe how much we’ve been through together! Honestly I had no idea what to expect. To go from owning a couple of different baby lines, to deciding to step away and do something all on my own was so hard for me. The response has been more than I could’ve ever dreamed of. I love the community we have created. I can honestly say I think of you all as a big group of girlfriends!
Probably my most favorite thing about this space is the sense of community. It is not just me here sharing all my thoughts and doing all the talking. I love knowing that I can put these things out there, and you are always there with advice + opinions. We are all in this together and I love knowing we can build each other up in this space! So thank you so much. Thank you for your friendship + your feedback. I hope you had the happiest holiday season! I can’t wait to see what this next year brings for us here in this space, but before we jump in to that, I wanted to take a look back into our top 10 best most loved and talked about posts in 2018!
I don’t know about you, but life is in a crazy stage for us. It feels like it is a constant go go go. I started to notice that certain habits I’ve gotten into can really make or break my day when it comes to my productivity. I know I am always looking for tips to make my day run a little easier or a little smoother, so in this post I share the 3 things that have really helped me be the most productive in my day!
With the bigger kids back in school and in a routine, I really try to take more time to focus on getting healthier, both through eating better and working out. If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably saw me repeatedly say over the summer that I really wanted to get on a workout schedule, but getting back in to the groove can be hard!! I seemed to have all the excuses, but once I started, now I can’t get enough. We can all kind of get stuck in that funk. So in this post I share 6 things that are keeping me motivated to work out!
Our Master Bedroom has actually became a place where we spend a lot of time as family too. Sometimes it is to tackle the laundry together. Sometimes it’s for a movie snuggle on the bed. In this post we took you inside the Master Suite to show you how it all came together!
If you are anything like me, and love all things clean lines and organization, then you are going to LOVE this peek inside my pantry. I share all the details + give you 5 Organizing Tips from a professional organizer!
As parents, one of our top concerns + focuses is if each of our people is getting enough one on one time. Having that strong bond individually with each of them is so important to us, so we started what we call our Kid Dates. In this post I share some easy tips to and ideas for dating your kids!
When it comes to having 5 little people, keeping things clean + organized can be a challenge. For Joe + I, we wanted chores to be more than just pitching in to keep the house clean. We wanted it to be a way to teach our little people more about responsibility at the same time. Also in this post I show how we made it work for our family and the system we are LOVING.
I always get so many questions on my daily beauty routine. Whether its skincare or makeup related. So I finally put it allll in one place in this post.
Just like the beauty routine above, I’m constantly getting asked about my day to day hair products or how I curl my hair. This post gives you a run through from wash to style!
If you’ve been around here for very long, you are probably well aware that I live for a good basic outfit, or as I like to call it, momiform. I have 5 little people, so I need an outfit that checks three boxes. Something comfortable, easy to move in, and looks put together! In this post I share my favorite easy mom outfits so you are sure to find something you love!
So being able to transition your wardrobe from season to season is a game changer. So this post shares some of my best tips for making it quick and easy!
I hope you enjoyed this little wrap up of our best of 2018! We can’t wait to share this upcoming year with you!
I hope you all have the best week with the ones you love most! This time of year always has me thinking about how incredibly grateful for I am for what I have been blessed with. My family and the opportunity to create such incredible memories together is the best present I could’ve ever asked for. But right at the top of the list as well is you guys. I am so grateful for your love and support in this community! I can’t wait to share another year of new exciting things to come with you here! Thank you again for being her + all your support!! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
