Home

June 15, 2018

Our Home: Basement Part 1

Today on the home tour, we are headed back downstairs for a look inside the basement! I have been so excited to share this space with you. It is one that we spend so much time together as a family. Since it is such a large room, and already kind of sectioned in to two areas, I’ll be breaking the room up and sharing one side today, and the other on Monday! So lets get started with our favorite place to snuggle up for movie night!

bench | green pillow | gray stripe pillow | baby stroller | my top + jeans + here

When you think of a basement, I think we all tend to think dark…dreary…blah. Haha. Those are all words I DID NOT want to describe our basement. Unlike some basements, ours is a walkout basement, which gave us the opportunity to have HUGE windows. They bring in so much life and light to the space keeping it far from dark and dreary. When we are ready for movie night and need it nice and dark, we can just quickly have the auto shades down and it transforms the space.

We love snuggling up for a movie night as a family. It is no secret that we aren’t exactly a small family. We wanted a couch that could fit alllll of us on it comfortably. I instantly fell in love with this sectional from Rove Concepts the second I saw it. It was huge and I could picture all my people on it together. Just as important as its size, it looked so dang comfy too. It sucks you right in to it and you honestly don’t wanna get up, it is that cozy. It flows so well with these chairs, making enough sitting space for guests. The playroom closet with all the peoples toys connects up to this space too, so the kids can play + we can relax here in the same room, which has been so great!

For the coffee table + tv stand, I really wanted the pieces to be functional but not add bulk to the room. I love that the coffee table is secretly a storage space too. It opens right up and holds blankets and pillows, perfect for family movie night. I love that they can be tucked away when were aren’t using them, keeping a clean + simple look.

Any space that I can be spending quality time with my people is one I love. I’m so happy that our basement has really become somewhere we love to gather both as our family, and with extended family + friends over! I can’t wait for all the fun parties + memories to come!

photos : aubrey taiese + design : ashley cooper design

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Beauty

June 13, 2018

Upping My Skin Care Game: Microneedling

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that about a year ago, I made the goal to really try to focus on taking better care of my skin. It was never something I really took a lot of time on in my teens or 20’s. Whether I like it or not, I’m not getting any younger so I know that now is the time to really invest my time + resources in to taking care of it. I’ve been working with the team over at Form Med Spa and absolutely loving their treatments. I shared about my favorite treatment, the Hydrafacial, here a few months ago. So today I wanted to tell you all the details + benefits of Microneedling!

WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING??

Microneedling is a face treatment that uses tiny needles to basically create tiny holes in the skin. I know, sounds terrifying. I promise it’s not nearly as bad as it might sound! By poking these tiny holes, it stimulates your skin’s natural instinct to heal itself and rejuvenate.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MICRONEEDLING??

The benefits of Microneedling are so incredible. It’s main goal is to boost your collagen production. By doing this, it makes your skin firmer and tighter. It reduces fine lines + wrinkles (major win in my book!!) as well as lightens + fades acne scars. Your skin is left looking brighter + refreshed. I noticed some of the results almost immediately, and they just get better. They say you see the best results about 4-6 weeks out.

IS IT PAINFUL??

I know what you’re probably thinking: poking little holes into your face in the name of beauty sounds a little bit insane. But I promise it is not as bad as it sounds. At Form, they use a cream to help numb your face. With the cream on it feels more like tiny pin pricks, but nothing too bad or uncomfortable. Will I say that it is as relaxing as a Hydrafacial? No I for sure wouldn’t. But the benefits to your skin are amazing, and definitely something I plan on getting done routinely.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME??

This is a factor that I think completely depends on your face. For me personally, my face is pretty resilient. The next morning I was a little red and had some pink pink prick sized dots. By the next day, when I was cleared to wear makeup, I could easily cover up any redness and was good to go. I have friends that have much more sensitive reactions. High redness for 3-4 days…and even bruising. So know your skin + schedule for a time where you won’t be stressing if you are red for a few days.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST + HOW OFTEN IS IT NEEDED?

Once you start the microneedling treatments, they recommend you wait about 5-6 weeks between treatments. How many treatments you do would completely depend on your skin + the results you are hoping for. As far as pricing goes, at Form Med, it is $250.

So I think that covers all the nitty gritty on Microneedling. As scary as it sounds, I honestly would recommend it to anyone wanting to tighten things up + reduce scarring or wrinkles. Once you’ve done it once you’ll realize its not so bad and the results are so so worth it! I’ve had two treatments and I already feel tighter, brighter, and like my complexion overall is so much better! If you have any questions, please leave them here or over on Instagram!

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Bedrooms

June 11, 2018

Our Home: Guest Room

Today on the home tour we are headed back downstairs for a peek inside our Guest Room! We love love love having family around us as much as possible. With all 3 of us girls living close now, my parents often come up to visit. We really wanted to make sure we had a space they could call their own and feel welcome. I could not be happier with how it turned out! I am so excited to share all the details with you today.

Like the rest of the home, I wanted to keep the space very clean + simple. I actually didn’t really have a vision for this space, so I really reached out to my close friend and designer Ashley for some guidance. As we put the design together, I really wanted to keep it inviting but a blank slate for guests to kind of make their own. I’ve always been a sucker for all things black + white, so we decided to have some fun and go with that in this space.

As we started to put our thoughts together, Ashley had the idea to look at the options Bed, Bath, & Beyond had to offer. I was so pleasantly surprised!! They had so many stylish unique options to choose from for both furniture + decor! It made putting the space together fun! I loved that it was basically a one stop shop for the whole room making things super easy!

One of my favorite spots in the room is the little sitting area. The chair is so cozy! I got my need for cleanliness from my mom. Like me, when she comes to visit, she always makes the bed once she is awake. I wanted her and other guests to have a spot to take a break and relax or read a book. Normally I don’t love lamps and the bulkiness they can bring, but this option from Bed, Bath, & Beyond was perfect for the corner.

I also went against my anti-dresser policy for this space too! haha! I wanted guests to have a space to keep their things, and not have to feel like they had to live out of a suitcase. Ashley found this modern yet super timeless piece and I think it completes the room perfectly.

We love how the Guest Room turned out and can’t wait to have friends and family stay with us!! Let me know if I missed any details you want more info on!

dresser | gray vase | tall white vase

nightstand | basket | tall vase + medium vase + greenery

photos : aubrey taiese + design : ashley cooper design

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Holiday

June 8, 2018

Father’s Day Gift Guide

joes tee | jeans | watch | similar shoes

Summer is in full swing around here and with that comes some of my favorite days to celebrate! The first one in the line up is Father’s Day. It’s no secret we are all obsessed with our guy around here. We love any excuse to celebrate him! Sometimes the men in our lives aren’t the easiest to shop for. So today I’m sharing some of my go to favorites to get for Joe + some new ideas I have in mind for this year! You’re sure to find something awesome for the man in your life!

TECH…

I think its safe to say, most men love a good techy nerdy gift. One of our very favorites to have around the house is a good bluetooth speaker. We’ve used both of these and love them! They are great for family bbq in the backyard, to take on vacation, or for a simple dance party around the house. Another favorite find in the tech department are these bluetooth headphones. They are lightweight and stay in your ears good which make them great for exercising or when you’re on the go. And last but definitely not least, is my favorite on the list, an apple watch. I just got one myself and it is by far one of my favorite gifts. I love allll the things you can track, and that it keeps me off my phone more often since I can check notifications without having to get it out.

TRAVEL…

So summer time and the warm weather usually means more time outdoors or on the road. I love keeping that in mind when it comes to Father’s Day gifts. One of my go to gifts that I think would be perfect for just about anyone is this portable charger. It charges your phone so so fast, and can charge it multiple times without having to be charged itself.

Utah summers are HOT HOT HOT, especially when we head down to St. George to visit family. Having a good water bottle that keeps our drinks COLD is a must for us. This water bottle is by far our favorite and the best we’ve found. I’m loving this travel bag + backpack set for our getaways too.

APPAREL…

So if your husbands are anything like Joe, they HATE shopping. Because of this, I take full advantage of holidays like Father’s Day or Christmas to add a few things I’m loving to Joe’s wardrobe. Father’s Day usually includes some good basic tees .. (these ones are under $10!!!), some flip flops, sunglasses, or a new swim suit.

I hope my roundup helps you get some good ideas for your Father’s Day gifts, whether for your hubby or your dad! Finally, I’d love to hear some of your favorites! So leave a comment here or over on Instagram and I’ll add them to the list for everyone to see!

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Family

June 6, 2018

June Update!

You guys!! I don’t know about you, but I seriously have no idea where the month of May went!! It was sooo busy with a mix of sickness, sports, and end of school stuff that it seems like a blur!! So if I’ve seemed a little absent or scatter brained, now you know why! With all the craziness of the last few weeks, I felt like today was the perfect time for a little update on life and to answer all your recent most asked questions!

This week officially marks the first week of Summer for the little people and we can hardly contain our excitement!! They can’t wait to be in constant play mode and enjoy the nice weather! We are planning on putting together a Summer Live List as a family this week and can’t wait! This is our first summer in our new area, so we know there will be tons of things to try + do! If you’re local to Utah, send me alllll your family favorites!!

As much as they’d love it to be 100% play for the next couple months, we will still be sticking to somewhat of a schedule too! Most importantly we will be keeping up with our Family Economy I talked about a couple months ago. I need structure + clean in my life, so our days will still start with chores before all the fun so they are still learning some responsibility too. We are also planning on implementing a summer reading challenge too!

The thing we are probably all the most excited about is our new puppy!!!! We are already all so obsessed + in love with her. If you were with us back in December, we had a sweet little puppy that passed away in a tragic accident shortly after we got her, and broke all of our hearts. We have taken some time to heal and be ready for a new puppy and we couldn’t be more in love! She is actually our last puppies little sister, so the little people think that is extra special. To answer your questions, she is a toy poodle, from Rainbow Toy Poodles. She will get to be about 7-8 pounds which is just perfect! So far she has been the best little puppy and we’ve had zero accidents, so we are crossing our fingers it stays that way!

… CURRENT MOST ASKED QUESTIONS …

FRESHLY PICKED :

If you follow along over on Instagram, you saw that I snagged you guys an AMAZING code! But you have to act fast because it is only good until Wednesday. If you use code FPxKAILEE20, you can get 20% off the ENTIRE site. Every single thing. New arrivals, diaper bags, moccs, sandals, even sale items!

You can also sign up for their Fringe Membership! Being a Fringe Member gets you 20% off everything allll the time, free shipping, access to exclusive sales, and new releases before the general public! To be a Fringe Member, you pay $10 a month, BUT in return you get a $10 credit, making it essentially free! I think of it as more like a way to save up towards what you want to buy! You can use your credit monthly, or save up as long as you’d like and then use the lump sum of your credit.

LOOPY :

I’ve had a lot of questions asking if my Loopy code is still good and the answer is YES!! You can use code kailee10 for 10% off one case or kailee15 for 15% off two or more cases. This is for sure one product I swear by and use every single day. With two babies my hands are pretty much always full! Being able to loop my phone and have an extra hand is a game changer! They have some fun new spring color + floral options I’m loving!

HOUSE :

Finally all of the rooms in the house are just about finished and we are loving it! It feels so good to be out of construction mode! If you missed any of the reveals, you can find each of them here :

And I’ve had a lot of requests for the same links over on Instagram so I thought I’d share them here too!

Updated dining room table + rectangle planter + kids table and chair set in our dining room

OUTFITS :

swim | shorts | sunnies | harper similar swim + headband | houston swim + top+ similar hat

top | jeans | tennies + here+ here

dress | similar heels | harper dress (similar) + headband + sandals | scooter

mickey tee | jeans + here | disc necklace | bar necklace

I think that should update everything that is going on around here! If there are any questions I missed, please leave them here or over on my Instagram and I’ll add them here!

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Lifestyle

May 24, 2018

Favorite Finds: Memorial Day Sales

stripe top | similar white top on sale $15 | similar jeans $58 | slippers $34

I don’t know about you guys, but for us May is INSANITY. Alllll the end of school performances and programs, in addition to packed sports schedules for 3/5 of the little people makes for a crazy month! But I always love Memorial Day Weekend! In addition to all the fun family time, it means summer is finally here!! On top of all the family fun, Memorial Day means SHOPPING allll the sales, including the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale! There is so much goodness to look through! I wanted to save you the trouble of searching, so I rounded up all of the best Memorial Day Sales for this weeks favorite finds!

-SHOPBOP-

up to 40% off select items

Shopbop has always been a favorite of mine, so when a sale hits I jump on it! The Memorial Day sale has thousands of items at 40% off! I’m loving all the fun swim options including this cute stripe. It is also no secret their jeans are some of my favorites and this pair is under $50!!

-JCREW-

40% off your purchase with code GETAWAY

Jcrew is another one of my favorite places to shop! This weekend for their Memorial Day Sale, you can get 40% off everything, including new arrivals! This soft basic v neck comes in so many cute colors + my favorite stripe top I wear all the time is included in the sale too! This stripe ruffle tee would be perfect for the 4th of July too!

-NORDSTROM-

up to 40% off select items

You all know by now that Nordstrom is by far my favorite place to shop! From great basics to swim to shoes, I love it all! The Half Yearly Sale is one of the best times to shop, because thousands of items are 40% off! I loved so many I broke it down into categories below to make it easier to shop!

…SWIMSUITS…

Oh my word!! There are so many amazing swimsuits on sale right now!! I have three of the below and love the coverage on the bum!! Seriously I added at least two more to my bag and am checking out because everything is going so fast!

…TOPS + DRESSES…

It is no secret I love a good basic tee. This v-neck is such a good fit! You can’t go wrong with any of the neutral color options. This pocket tee has always been a favorite go to, I think I might have it in every color! I love a good ruffle sleeve too and the sale has two amazing options. They are so easy to dress up or down, and this one comes in so many fun stripes too. As for dresses, there are a lot of cute options whether you are looking for formal or casual. One of my very favorite sweater dresses from the fall is even 40% off!

…BOTTOMS…

Finding jeans you love and will wear again and again is no easy task! So when I saw two of my favorites are part of the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale, I had to include them in the roundup. First is this high rise black pant. The fit is amazing, holding you in in all the right places. The stretch is just right and definitely a pair I find myself wearing multiple times a week. These white ones are just as good. You can not go wrong with a pair of white jeans, especially in the spring and summer. Such an easy way to brighten up your wardrobe!

…SHOES…

Can you ever have too many shoes? I definitely say no. They are the perfect finishing touch to an outfit, and this years sale has a few of my favorites. These mules are almost identical to mine that I wear almost daily. They are so great to slip on quick and so so comfy. I love having a few good tennie options too to complete my go to momiform and the sale is full of them. This neutral pair would be so cute with everything, and I’m loving the pop of pink in these. These strappy sandals are my favorites for Sundays. The nude option goes with just about everything, but black is always a good staple to have too.

…BABY…

I couldn’t leave out all the baby goodness the sale has! So many of my favorite items Harper already has are part of the sale! This swimsuit is so dang cute with those chubby thighs, and I love these little dress sets in a print or white.

Memorial Day is full of so many great deals, but I tried to find the very best! So I hope you find something you love!! If you find something you think I should know about, please share in the comments so I can add it to the list! Happy Shopping!

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Family

May 21, 2018

Favorite Finds: Kids Swim

dress + here + pink here | swimsuit | harper swimsuit + headband | hunter swimsuit | houston top

If you follow along over on Instagram, you know that we recently took a little family getaway back to Southern California. It was so nice to be able to meet up with our residency family and catch up on life. They truly are as close as family to us and we have been missing them like crazy!! While we were there, shared a couple pics of our time on the beach. We had quite a few requests for some our kids swim favorites, so I thought it would be the perfect fit for this weeks Favorite Finds topic!

houston rashguard | swimsuit + similar || harper swimsuit | headband | similar sandals

BABY + LITTLE GIRL : I love love love buying swim suits for this age range! It is seriously so easy and I swear there are so many cute options! Maybe it ‘s that there little bodies look cute in anything…or that they are so easy to please, but I love shopping for this age! Gimme anything pink…or with ruffles and I am sold!! I especially love these little rash guard sets for Harper. I don’t know about your babes, but mine are not fans of holding still to be smothered with sunscreen! These rash guards help cut back on the places we need to slather on the sunscreen, and feel like she has more protection!

blue cover up + pink option | hudson board shorts

BOYS : Why can’t shopping for every age be as easy as shopping for boys swim suits?! You never really have to stress about the fit because its just a pair of shorts!! For my little dudes, I like to go with the more neutral timeless options since they usually end up being able to wear them for more than one year. Houston loves getting the same color as Hudson! And as long as it is something he can run and jump in, Hudson is easy to please!

hunter shorts | flip flops | swimsuit

TWEEN : Shopping swim for Hunter has been so much harder this year. She is growing up and with that comes changes in her body and how things fit. It has been so hard to know where to even look! After sharing on Instagram, it sounds like I’m not the only one struggling!! We’ve found a few one pieces we are loving, but are still kind of working on knowing what she likes and feels comfortable with. If you have been in our shoes, I’d love your input on where to look!

MOM : Since a lot of you are moms, I figured I’d throw a few of my favorites for me in too! I’m so happy with alll the amazing one piece options this year!! I shared a lot of my favorite styles here, as well as my reasons for loving each. My number one go to is always a black one piece because it is so timeless and flattering, you can wear it for years to come. I’ve been loving this one this year too! Findingd something I feel comfortable running around with my people in is a must too. I usually have two babies climbing on me so it’s gotta hold everything in place!

I think that covers all the little people and our favorite kids swim options! It can be tricky for certain ages, so I’d love to get your feedback on where you find the best suits for your people too!!

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Baby

May 14, 2018

Harper’s Schedule + 16 Month Update

Time just keeps on flying by and somehow my BABY is 16 months old already! It could be because she is our last little babe, but Harper seems to be growing up way too fast. Can we not figure out how to slow time down already?! A week or two ago I shared a little bit of a detailed look into the little peoples schedule. Since posting, I’ve had quite a few requests for more details in Harper’s schedule. So today I’m sharing whats new with our little babe + a peak into a typical day for her!

romper (sold out) similar + here | headband | moccs

MILESTONES…

Running around like a pro trying to keep up with the big people. She is fast!
Being a pro stander, her new favorite thing is digging through and emptying alllll the cupboards and drawers. These locks have been saving our sanity in the Master Bathroom…and I’m starting to think I need to Harper proof the whole house!
We think she is getting some more teeth so she has had some grumpy days. Hoping that is done soon!
She has the best chub ever! I got sick of buying two sizes of diapers so I moved her up to wear size 4 like her “big” brother Houston. She is already wearing size 2T in her jammies except maybe these ones that stretch right over her belly. Most clothes she is wearing 18-24 M, but can still do 12-18 in a few things.
Speaking of chub…those feet!! We cannot find a single pair of shoes that her fat feet fit in, except for her moccs. She wears them every single day and they are saving us!
Has figured out how to go down the stairs backwards which we are so grateful for. Definitely takes my stair stress down a notch, but we’re still keeping this gate up to avoid any disasters.

swim cover up + swimsuit | harper dress + headband |

THINGS WE’RE LOVING…

She has started saying Mom so clearly all the time and I couldn’t love it more!
Will give kisses on demand and we are allll taking full advantage of that cuteness. But with the kisses also comes her turning you down with a slap if she isn’t feeling it. haha.
Is starting to be able to hold her own and will put up a fight with Houston if he takes something she wants. He better watch his back since she is pretty much the same size as him!

SCHEDULE…

7:30 – Wakes up for the day.

8:00 – Eats breakfast with the big kids. Her favorite is definitely yogurt and doing it allll herself.

9:30 – Takes a bottle and goes down for her first nap. She has been fighting this one a lot more lately. We are still trying to get it in, but some days it works and some days it doesn’t.

11:30 – Around when she wakes up from the first nap.

12:00 – Lunch with Houston + Hayden. After lunch, the three of them usually just play together while I get things cleaned up. It is one of their favorite times of day.

1:30 – Afternoon naps for both Harper + Houston. This is such a key time for our day, and we really try to get both babies down at the same time. So that means the time can fluctuate and sometimes its later. It is my saving grace to be able to clean up around the house, or focus on any work for the blog, without taking time away from my people.

One thing I always try to do is plan our life around naps. It is not easy, but has always been a sacrifice I’m willing to make because well rested babes are MUCH happier babes, and it helps so much with their sleeping at night too. If we have to skip a nap to get things done, it will be the morning one, but I do everything in my power to keep this afternoon one on schedule. So grocery pick up and running errands at night have become our new norm to cut back on time out of the house. I’ve share them here before, but these sound machines make such a difference in naps too!

3:30 – If we get her down for a nap at 1:30, she is usually up around 3:30. She has some snacks and usually follows me around “helping” with whatever I’m finishing up, or plays with Houston.

4:00 – The big kids come home and usually maul Harper with allll the love. She is so happy when she sees them come in, its the cutest.

5-5:30- We eat dinner. That might seem early to some of you, but it is what works best for us to avoid extra snacking and work around sports schedules. For the most part, she just eats whatever the rest of us our having. She is a pretty good eater as I’m sure you can tell by those thighs. She is drinking from a sippy cup now

6:30-7:00 – This is her ideal bedtime, and what we shoot for. If its a day where we have practice or games for the big kids it can get pushed closer to 7:30-8, but she does better if its earlier. She has been sleeping through the night for months and is such a good sleeper. Every once in a while she will wake up in the night, but usually just soothes herself or switches positions and is back to sleep within a minute or two.

I think that about sums up Harper’s update + schedule. Overall she has been such a good, sweet baby, and the perfect finishing piece to our crew. She totally goes with the flow of her siblings busy schedules and is rarely upset. We are all completely obsessed with her!

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Looks

May 10, 2018

Favorite Finds: The Brand I’m Crushing On For Spring Trends

tee | jeans + white jeans + black jeans | harper romper + headband

It is no secret around here that I am a huge Nordstrom girl. If I could have a shopping spree anywhere, I would pick Nordstrom with zero hesitation. I usually tend to stick to a basic tee and jeans, and keep my wardrobe pretty simple, but I started checking out Topshop and am LOVING so many of their fun trendy pieces, so I thought it would be fun to share my faves with you for this weeks favorite finds. Plus I found the most amazing jeans for $40!!!

I think the thing I love most about Topshop is it is SO SO affordable. Just about every single piece I’m sharing with you today is under $100. For me that is huge when I’m shopping for more trendy pieces, because they may not get the same long wear as a basic tee and jeans. I also love that their pieces are like the pop to an outfit. If your looking to step out of your comfort zone and not break the bank Topshop is the way to go. So now on to my favorites!

white tee | pants + similar on sale $33 | similar slides | harper romper + headband

BOTTOMS…

I LOVE a good pair of jeans. They are basically what I live in every day of the summer, because longer shorts are so hard to find. My absolute favorites for spring and summer are these white jeans. They are high waisted, which is a must in my book, and the stretch is so good. They do run small so keep that in mind when ordering. I get asked allll the time how I dare wear white jeans with 5 little people, so I’m hear to clue you in on my secret weapon. Bleach pens! They make any little spills or marks on white pants easy to fix!

These black jeans have always been one of my favorite daily go to’s as well, especially for date night. They are so easy to dress up or down and the stretch is perfection. With all of their jeans, the quality is so good but you don’t feel like you are spending a million bucks so its ok to really wear them down and play hard with your people all summer long.

As far as shorts go, I did find this pair for over my swimsuit on our beach trip and love them! Again, I love that they are high waist, which can be hard to find in shorts, and run true to size.

And now for the out of my comfort zone trendy item I’m excited to try. These trousers. I have seen a few of my girlfriends in them and they looked so dang cute I had to try. I’ll report back on how I love them, but so far I’m loving the cute stripe and of course the high waist.

TOPS…

Topshop is such a fun place to look for tops to add that extra flare to your look. They have such fun patterns and styles, especially with Spring + Summer coming up. I am dying over how cute this polka dot top is. It is so light and breathable, perfect for summer, and would be perfect with the black jeans and some heels for date night. We all know my obsession with stripes too so of course this one caught my eye. In addition to the more trendy pieces, they have some super affordable basic tees too I’m excited to try.

SHOES…

Spring/Summer + Shoes is one of my very favorite combos! I love finding fun cute new sandals or slides for the season. It is great to switch things up and let my feet breathe! haha!! If you’ve been around for awhile you know I wear these cute mules 24/7! They’re one of my very favorite shoes I have owned for years. So so comfortable and quick to slide on and go when you’re out with your people. And I’m loving these slides + sandals. I love that they are so simple + chic but would go so well with so many different outfits. What are your go-to summer shoe?

in partnership with Nordstrom

photos : aubrey taiese

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Family

May 7, 2018

Our Quick On The Go Survival Kit

This post is sponsored by Walmart and SheKnows Media.

As a mom of 5, life can definitely be busy! With our 2 oldest participating on different competitive sports teams, you could say I’ve gotten pretty good at the role of taxi driver. Most of the time the 2 babies and Hayden are along for the ride, so I always try to have a sort of survival kids kit with me to help keep everyone happy! Since I know a lot of you are busy moms in the same boat, I thought I’d share what we pack in our on the go kids kit!

SNACKS: Just before it’s time to head out, one of the little people is in charge of grabbing snacks. I shared how we keep everything easily accessible in our pantry here, and it has made such a difference! To make it quick + easy, we just grab a gallon size ziploc and stuff it full of the favorites. We ALWAYS make sure we include these Parent’s Choice Organic baby food pouches. The babies both love them + my big kids love the applesauce option too. I love that they don’t make a big mess in the car + are a healthier option. Harper is obsessed with these puffs too and would eat a whole container if I let her! Even Hunter thinks they are good. Haha! Our other favorites are baggies of goldfish, gogurt, and granola bars.

BINKIE + BLANKET: These are two items we try to never leave home without! Sometimes being out makes us miss nap time, so having these around are comforting if we are out through nap time. Sometimes just having them around helps the babies relax and take a nap! We love these blankets because they are so soft and light weight.

SIPPY CUPS + BIBS: If you haven’t tried these lightweight sippy cups, you have got to head to Walmart and get some! They are such a game changer! They work great even for Hayden, and I love not having to worry about spills in the car. Unlike a lot of sippy cups, these don’t have any little inserts, making them easy to clean. They are made to be disposable, kind of like a no-spills paper cup. The bibs are also something I always keep on hand. I don’t know about you, but I hate putting a dirty bib back in my diaper bag, so I love this quick toss and go option.

ENTERTAINMENT: Part of waiting through a practice, game, or even just a car ride is keeping everyone entertained. The babies love these little books + I think they are so cute. For Hayden I usually pack a notebook and some pens. Coloring + playing games like tic-tac-toe are some of her favorites.

Keeping our on the go kid kit stocked has been so easy with the help of Walmart. The online grocery pickup they offer in our area has changed my life! If you’ve been around for awhile you’ve probably seen me share on my Instagram stories!! I know that sounds dramatic, but it is so true. Also being able to quickly throw everything in my cart online, and schedule a time that we can stop by in our pj’s without getting out of the car is amazing. So if you haven’t checked if it is in your area, do it now. You will not regret it! And I wanna know, what are your must have on the go items for your people?

in partnership with Walmart

photos : aubrey taiese

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Beauty

May 4, 2018

Favorite Finds: 7 Beauty Items I’m Loving for Spring

Spring is finally in the air and I could not be happier!! Flowers + trees are finally in bloom and I just want to lay in the sunshine streaming through our windows! There is just something about Spring that brings such a bright + happy feeling. There are always so many cute new patterns + colors that start showing up all over in stores in both fashion + beauty. I love refreshing my typical beauty routine with a few new additions when Spring rolls around. So today I’m sharing with you the 7 beauty items ( some tried + true, some fun + new) that I’m loving for Spring!

FACE WASH :

I’ve told you guys 1000 times before that I absolutely love Tula. Their Purifying Cleanser is no exception and one of my very favorite items from their line. 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. It is a higher price point than your average face wash, but you barely have to use any to wash your whole face and I promise it is the cleanest it will ever feel!

FACE CREAM : If I could shout from the rooftops about one beauty product it would without a doubt be this one. This Hydrating Day + Night Cream from Tula is without a doubt my very favorite item in my whole beauty routine. Living in Utah, especially going through the winter, your skin can get SO DRY. I love that I can use a tiny bit of this moisturizing cream and it instantly transforms the look and feel of my skin. It is not too heavy feeling either. You never have that greasy shine that a lot of hydrating creams do, just a nice clean glow. Like the face wash it is full of probiotics + is like a super food for your face! If you were to invest in any one product for your beauty routine, this should hands down be the one.

LIP SCRUB : This lip scrub is a new find for me and I am already in LOVE! I’ve always loved a good lip scrub. Who doesn’t love silky smooth lips?! All of the scrubs I’ve tried in the past have to be wiped off after using them. But 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. I want to buy it for every single one of my girlfriends!

PREP + PRIME : When it comes to tried + true products for your lips, this is mine. I kind of feel like it is my secret weapon to wearing lipstick. It feels just like a chapstick, and you apply it the same. It smooths and preps your lip (just like the name says) for your favorite lip color!

LIPSTICK : I have been a Mac lipstick addict for years and years. It is always my lipstick of choice. I feel like the pigment is perfect and love the creamy texture. I get asked all the time what my every day lipstick is and it is always Mac Angel, but I love this new shade to add to my line up too!

NAIL POLISH : I don’t know about you, but having my nails painted is a must for me. For some reason I feel like it makes me feel more put together and ready to take on the day. With a busy schedule, I don’t always have time to head in to the nail salon, so I love having the option of good polishes that will last for at home use.

MAKEUP WIPES : I’m not sure about you, but traveling or not, makeup remover wipes are a MUST. I use them every single night before I wash my face to take off my makeup. I’ve tried a couple of brands and I always go back to these. I especially love them for traveling!

Also think any of these would make for some great Mother’s Day gifts!! I have given my sisters and mom at least half of these at some point. haha.

in partnership with Nordstrom

photos : aubrey taiese

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Holiday

May 2, 2018

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

dress + here + pink here | swimsuit | harper swimsuit + headband | hunter swimsuit | houston top

Time just seems to keep on flying by lately, and somehow Mother’s Day is just around the corner. I often hear that moms are hard to shop for, but let me let you in on a little secret. I don’t think there is a mom out there that wouldn’t think the best gift in the world is a nap! And maybe some ice cream to top it off. Haha! But in all honesty, Mother’s Day is such a special holiday. Mom’s work so hard day in and day out and it is so fun to take a day to celebrate the mom or mom figure in our lives! So today I’m sharing all of my favorite Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

MAKE IT PERSONAL : The Mother’s in our life play such a special role that is definitely worth celebrating. I love coming up with personal gift ideas for my mom for Mother’s Day that really mean something special to us and our relationship. My favorite way to give a personal gift is through jewelry. It’s no secret how much I love my disc necklace with my grandma’s name on it. To me it is a special way to honor such an amazing mother role model in my life. These bracelets I wear all the time are another easy way to personalize your gift with an initial or charm that fits your moms personality.

KEEP IT COZY : So mom’s put it a lot of work to keep everything running smoothly around the house + for their little people! Mother’s Day is the perfect time to try to get them to relax!! You all know my obsession with these slippers (that are now 40% off!) I wear them every second that I am in my house and seriously love them. They would make the perfect gift for pretty much any mom! You could also go with a yummy candle and bath bomb for the ultimate cozy relaxation.

HOME DECOR : It may just be because I am still in home decorating mode, but one of my favorite Mother’s Day gifts to give AND receive is accessories for the home. You cannot go wrong with a cute vase or pot and a plant. I cannot get enough life + greenery inside my house, and I think it is something everyone would love! Another favorite for the home is these pillows that I have in just about every room of my house now. They are such fun patterns + colors that can be the perfect finishing touch to a space.

HIGHLIGHT HER BEAUTY : Beauty gifts are always a hit, especially when they are a tried and true product you love yourself! For me that is definitely my face wash + moisturizing cream. It may not seem like your typical gift, but I think as we get older we all appreciate products that help keep our skin healthier and make us look a little younger! My skin feels incredible after using it and I think its such a great product to highlight their natural beauty. Plus use can use code KAILEE20 to get 20% off anything on the site!

I also just stumbled upon this lip scrub and am instantly HOOKED. It is so so good. Unlike most lip scrubs, it dissolves so you don’t have to worry about wiping it off AND it leaves a soft rose tint. At such a good price point I think it would be so fun to gift with your favorite lip stick!

I hope these spark some good Mother’s Day gift ideas for you! I’d love to hear any ideas you have as well that you’ve given or received in the past! Hope you all have a Happy Mother’s Day!

photos : aubrey taiese

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