15 Date Ideas Under $15
Filed under:
marriage,
money saving,
parenting marriage and family life,
real life,
saving money,
thrifty living
Dumb Things People Ask About All-Inclusive Resorts
So maybe starting this post out with the mention of dumb questions isn't the nicest thing, but it's hard for me to not shake my head when I've heard people on message boards, in group chats, and in real life ask all of these questions about all-inclusive resorts. Maybe some people are just over-thinkers {or over packers or both!}, but the questions sometimes surprise me. I did my best to answer the questions because they are obviously legitimate concerns of the person asking them. I will say though, all-inclusive resorts are my favorite kind of vacation because I think you can truly have a vacation. You don't have to think about where to eat, what to do, or how much certain things cost because it's all included!
So about those dumb questions...
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So about those dumb questions...
Filed under:
all inclusive,
all-inclusive vacations,
family,
family travel,
family vacations,
international travel,
real life,
travel,
vacations
5 Reasons I love my Cricut Explore Air 2 for Holiday Crafting
Filed under:
christmas,
christmas projects,
crafts,
cricut,
diy,
gifts,
holiday,
holiday projects,
personalized gifts,
real projects,
silhouette,
vinyl
15 Gift Ideas for Husbands that Buy all of their Own Stuff Anyway
Who else is ready to get their holiday shopping done and over with? This is the part of the holidays that a lot of us don't necessarily love. Battling crowds, spending money and stressing about buying just the right gifts is not always fun and games.
Do you have a particular person that you are always stressed out shopping for? I know I do. You know what I am talking about. The one that buys all of their own stuff anyway without thought to the fact that they should maybe wait until the holidays are over? Yes, I am talking about husbands. I mean, I can't be the only one that has dealt with this, right? It's fine, of course, they are adults, they are able to buy what they want, but my goodness does it make shopping difficult!
Filed under:
christmas,
father's day gifts,
gift guide,
gifts for dad,
holiday,
personalized gifts,
presents,
real life
6 Gifts that Keep on Giving
Filed under:
christmas,
gift guide,
gift ideas,
gifts,
gifts for dad,
giving back,
giving tuesday,
holiday,
holiday decorating,
personalized gifts,
real life
Santa's Magic Key Plus Free Printable
5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Living Room for the Holidays
Filed under:
christmas,
christmas decor,
decor,
decorating,
family,
holiday,
holiday decorating,
home,
real life
Thinking Outside the Box: Gifts for Tweens and Teens That They Will Love!
DIY Leopard Print Shoes with Vinyl
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
I've been having a lot of fun creating with my new Cricut Explore Air 2. I've made adulting stickers {I didn't hit snooze!}, luggage tags, and paper succulents. I've made custom state trucker hats with the EasyPress and I've shared which machine I like better {the Silhouette or the Cricut}. The answer might surprise you because I've been a loyal Silhouette owner for nearly 10 years and now I'm sharing with you my latest DIY, these custom leopard print ballet flats.
I'm all about neutrals and basics when it comes to my wardrobe and I rarely buy anything on-trend that won't last multiple seasons. I've never been a big fan of the animal print, though this season, the leopard print is growing on me, I'm not sure how long it's going to stick around. It's why I made these leopard print flats. I took a plain ballet flat and added metallic adhesive foil vinyl so that once the trend has run its course, I can remove the vinyl and have my plain shoes back again. Genius? Maybe. Easy? You bet!
1
I've been having a lot of fun creating with my new Cricut Explore Air 2. I've made adulting stickers {I didn't hit snooze!}, luggage tags, and paper succulents. I've made custom state trucker hats with the EasyPress and I've shared which machine I like better {the Silhouette or the Cricut}. The answer might surprise you because I've been a loyal Silhouette owner for nearly 10 years and now I'm sharing with you my latest DIY, these custom leopard print ballet flats.
I'm all about neutrals and basics when it comes to my wardrobe and I rarely buy anything on-trend that won't last multiple seasons. I've never been a big fan of the animal print, though this season, the leopard print is growing on me, I'm not sure how long it's going to stick around. It's why I made these leopard print flats. I took a plain ballet flat and added metallic adhesive foil vinyl so that once the trend has run its course, I can remove the vinyl and have my plain shoes back again. Genius? Maybe. Easy? You bet!
15 Awesome Gifts Every Coffee Lover Needs
Do you have a coffee lover on your holiday shopping list? I absolutely love shopping for gifts for coffee lovers because there are so many amazing gifts out there for them! I decided to do a little look around Amazon and see what kind of awesome gifts every coffee lover needs and, I was not disappointed! Check out what I found:
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5 Tips for Navigating the Holidays with your Tween or Teen
Parents are acutely aware of how time passes during the
holidays; hormonal, moody teens being themselves while parents are intensely
aware that the kids are growing older and will eventually leave the nest, maybe
only to visit on the holidays. Knowing that our kids are gaining their
independence can make it difficult to fully enjoy and navigate the holidays
with tweens and teens. So how can we really appreciate the time we have left with our kids at home? How can we create a space that's special for the holidays? I've got 5 tips for navigating the holidays with your tween or teen.
Doing Good in Downtown Seattle
Filed under:
around seattle,
couples getaway,
family vacations,
giving back,
hotel,
real life,
seattle,
travel,
vacation
Top Ski Resorts to Visit in BC
Filed under:
around seattle,
canada,
family,
family fun,
family memories,
family travel,
family vacations,
real life,
road trip,
ski,
trips,
vacations
What Can I Make with the Cricut EasyPress?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
One of my favorite things to make with my cutting machine is custom shirts. I'm a sorority girl at heart and if you don't have a shirt that says something happened, then did it really happen? One of my first projects after getting my cutting machine was making custom t-shirts for a yearly family Turkey Trot. We are entering the 9th year, and every year, I've designed and made a different t-shirt for friends and family that have wanted one. Every year, I use my iron to press each and every one of them and think, who needs a heat press when you've got an iron? Not me.
That was until I started to notice that my heat transfer vinyl {HTV} wasn't sticking as well as it once had. Maybe I wasn't putting as much care and attention into pressing my iron or maybe the HTV was starting to change and wasn't sticking as well as personal cutting machines became more popular. Whatever the reason, I thought I could survive with just an iron, until I began to notice that every shirt I had made was starting to peel after just a few washes. I caved and got a Cricut EasyPress and I'm telling you, if you use iron on vinyl more than once a year {and that's probably all of you with a cutting machine like a Silhouette or Cricut}, then you need an EasyPress. So what can you make with a Cricut EasyPress and why do you need one? Read on my friends, I'll tell you why I'm completely sold on this new addition to my craft room!
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7 Ways to Encourage Generosity in Your Child
For a child, being generous doesn’t always come easy.
Sometimes, it feels like you’re wrestling the Tasmanian Devil. We've all been there. You
take your child to the store to buy a gift for a friend’s birthday party. Your
child asks for something for himself. You reply “No, not this time”, with or
without explanation as to why. At first, it could be a gentle reminder but
quickly escalates to tears from your child and frustration from you.
Sound familiar?
Generosity is something that has to be taught and experienced. Today, I'm sharing seven ways you can encourage generosity in your child so that they can grow up to be generous and loving adults.
Filed under:
family life,
life lessons,
parenthood,
parenting,
parenting marriage and family life,
parenting teens,
real life
Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cheesecake
I am still not a religious Instant Pot user like some of you die-hards, but I do appreciate a good Instant Pot recipe from time to time. I try to use my machine at least once a week and what better way to do that than to make a delicious caramel apple cheesecake for fall!
10 Things that Make Beaches Resorts Different from Other All-Inclusive Resorts
Filed under:
all inclusive,
beaches resort,
family travel,
international travel,
real life,
travel,
vacation
The Best Mouthwatering Hot Chocolate Recipes
There is something about winter and hot chocolate that makes sense! In the colder months, I’m always looking for new ways to whip up a classic hot chocolate treat for myself and my kids. These hot chocolate recipes take a unique perspective on the traditional hot chocolate beverage, and will leave you wanting more! Whether you are looking for a new way to spice up your hot chocolate, or just a new recipe to make, these recipes won’t disappoint! There are even some classic hot chocolate recipes in here too! Here are the best mouthwatering hot chocolate recipes that you need to make this fall and winter.
Filed under:
chocolate,
family fun,
family life,
featured,
holiday,
holiday recipes,
hot chocolate,
hot cocoa,
real life,
recipes,
winter
Top 5 Snack Tips for the Family On the Go
This post has been sponsored by Fruitlove. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Best 5 Ingredient Crockpot Meals
Crockpot meals can be a lifesaver in the kitchen. However, sometimes you need something easy! Having a few recipes on hand that doesn’t require many ingredients can save you time and money in the kitchen. Save more money with your crockpot by adding some simple five-ingredient crockpot recipes to your meal plan! This will save you time preparing your food, and it will still taste just as good! Anyone who eats it won’t even know the difference! Fool your friends and family with these easy and straightforward crockpot meals. Here are the best five ingredient crockpot meals to make this week.
Filed under:
cooking,
crock pot,
crockpot,
family dinner,
family life,
instant pot,
real life,
recipes
So Which is Better, Cricut or Silhouette?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
I received a cutting machine for Christmas in 2010. I jumped onto the Silhouette bandwagon and knew for sure that this machine would take my crafting to a whole new level. And it has! At the time, Cricut had a cutting machine that was dependant on cartridges. I didn't like being limited in my designs. I liked the idea of having a design space that was only limited by my own imagination. That's not to say that there wasn't a steep learning curve. I'd spend days designing and creating birthday invitations for my daughter. At one point, I did the math and found that each invitation cost me around $115 to create!
I have watched Cricut grow and evolve through the years and from the sidelines, I saw them making some pretty amazing advancements for a cutting machine. Heck, a machine that could cut leather, fabric and felt? You've got my attention. Talk about upping your craft game! When Cricut invited me to try out one of their Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine, and write an honest review, I jumped at the chance. So here you go, an honest review from someone who isn't new to the cutting machine game.
2
I received a cutting machine for Christmas in 2010. I jumped onto the Silhouette bandwagon and knew for sure that this machine would take my crafting to a whole new level. And it has! At the time, Cricut had a cutting machine that was dependant on cartridges. I didn't like being limited in my designs. I liked the idea of having a design space that was only limited by my own imagination. That's not to say that there wasn't a steep learning curve. I'd spend days designing and creating birthday invitations for my daughter. At one point, I did the math and found that each invitation cost me around $115 to create!
I have watched Cricut grow and evolve through the years and from the sidelines, I saw them making some pretty amazing advancements for a cutting machine. Heck, a machine that could cut leather, fabric and felt? You've got my attention. Talk about upping your craft game! When Cricut invited me to try out one of their Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine, and write an honest review, I jumped at the chance. So here you go, an honest review from someone who isn't new to the cutting machine game.
10 Things I'm Buying on Amazon for Fall
6 Simple Ways to Add Fixer Upper Style to Your Home This Fall
Adding seasonal décor to your home is a great way to update
the look of each room without completely redecorating. And the fall is the
perfect excuse to add a little bit of Fixer Upper style to your house! From
natural touches to rustic finds, adding farmhouse style to your home is so
easy. Here are six simple ways to add Fixer Upper style to your home this fall.
Filed under:
decor,
fall,
fixer upper,
home,
home decor,
home decorating,
home improvement,
how to,
magnolia market,
real life,
waco
I Was Wrong About Parenting Teenagers
Filed under:
child sponsorship,
international travel,
parenthood,
parenting,
real people,
teenagers,
travel,
world vision
Essential Packing List for Beaches Turks and Caicos and Other All-Inclusive Resorts
Filed under:
all-inclusive vacations,
beaches resort,
family vacations,
giving back,
international travel,
real life,
travel
5 Popular Disney Money Saving Tips that Can Backfire
Taking a trip to Disney can quickly become a costly endeavor. While it can be expensive, there are also so many ways to maximize your Disney dollar and help you save money on your trip! However, there are a few money-saving tips that can quickly backfire and end up costing you more money! Here are five popular Disney money-saving tips that can backfire.
Why Giving Kids Choices Matters
I didn't always give in but I knew how important it was to empower kids and let them have a choice. I wanted my kids to be able to make choices in the safety of our home. But what if kids were raised without having a choice? What if their life circumstances had taken away even their most basic choices? How could a child be preparing to make choices for their future if they weren't able to make decisions in the present?
How to Support Your Teens as They Discover Their Passion
15 Amazing Popcorn Recipes
Popcorn might sound like a simple snack idea you can make at home. If you are a big popcorn lover, then it won’t take long for the simple popcorn recipes you make at home to go a little stale. Instead, change up your popcorn by creating a fun and exciting new recipe! These popcorn recipes are more than just your average microwave popcorn recipe! These are a fun way to spice up your next movie night at home, or try something new! Many of these can be made in just minutes, and there are even sweet options available too! Here are 15 fantastic popcorn recipes to try.
Filed under:
birthday party,
celebrate,
family activities,
family fun,
family real life,
party ideas,
popcorn,
real life,
recipes,
snacks
Oreo Pumpkin Patch Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
It's that time of year when the pumpkin-spiced everything starts coming out. I do love a good themed snack or dessert item, so why not create something "pumpkin" themed everyone will love for fall? These chocolate-dipped Oreo pumpkin patch cookies are easy to make and so fun to share. They will be requested at all your fall parties and gatherings.
Mini Beef and Veggie Personal Pot Pie Recipe
There is getting to be a little crisp in the air, and it's about now that I start to fall back on those comfort foods. Seriously, nothing says fall like a warm homemade pot pie. Why not make these personal mini-sized beef and vegetable pot pies for dinner this week? You can double the recipe and freeze them for dinner on one of those busy weeknights. Read on for the recipe and some quick and easy variations.
5 Reasons To Visit Squamish, BC
Filed under:
canada,
family life,
family memories,
family vacations,
international travel,
real life,
travel,
vacation
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Squamish, British Columbia
Filed under:
canada,
family activities,
family travel,
family vacations,
nexus,
real life,
travel,
vacation
Honey Coconut Oat Homemade Granola Bars
Have you ever made homemade granola bars? They aren't as hard as you might think. Granola bars are a staple in our kids lunches and when we are on the go {which, to be honest, is most of the time!}. When you make homemade granola bars, you know exactly what is in them. Most of the commercial granola bars we buy at the grocery store are loaded with sugar. You control everything inside and as you get more comfortable with the recipe, you can add or subtract ingredients so you can make it your own. I've got my basic honey coconut oat granola bar recipe you can try today. They take as little as 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to bake. You'll have a healthy snack ready in no time!
Filed under:
family,
food,
frugal living,
money saving,
real life,
recipe,
recipes,
saving money,
snacks,
things to make
8 Popular Cleaning Hacks that Don’t Really Work
We all want to make cleaning a little less painful. That’s
why we’re always looking for short cuts and simple tips to make the task a
little easier. And while there are a variety of amazing cleaning hacks that
actually do the job they’re supposed to do, there are also tons of hacks that
don’t work at all. That’s why I’m here to help separate the facts from fiction!
Here are eight popular cleaning hacks that don’t actually work.
Everything You Need to Know about Visiting the Gum Wall in Seattle
Not-To-Miss Orchards in Western Washington
Not-to-Miss Orchards in Western Washington
While there are many WONDERFUL orchards in western Washington, some of them just can't be missed. What is fall without a trip to the orchard? These are three to consider.
Filed under:
fall,
family fun,
family life,
frugal,
frugal living,
PNW,
real life,
visit,
washington
The Hidden Costs of Disney that You Need to Know Before You Go!
Planning for a trip to Disney can be kind of tricky. While they give you a ton of opportunities to prepay for your food, hotel, and even park tickets, there are still some unexpected costs that you may not be ready for. Here are the hidden costs of Disney World or Disney Land that you need to know about.
Filed under:
disney,
family,
family activities,
family fun,
family life,
family vacations,
frugal living,
money saving,
real life,
saving money
Take a Hike! 5 Safety Tips for the Beginning Hiker
Filed under:
around seattle,
family,
family activities,
family fun,
family life,
family memories,
family real life,
featured,
hike,
hiking,
PNW,
real life,
safety,
seattle
S'mores Cookies
Slightly crispy, with some gooey marshmallows and the perfect amount of chocolate make the prefect s' mores cookie without the campfire. This is everyone's favorite summer flavor, so why not try it every which way! I've got you covered from this delicious s' mores cookie recipe to a collection of my favorite s' mores recipes. Read on!
Filed under:
dessert,
dessert ideas,
family activities,
family fun,
recipes,
S'mores,
smores,
summer
How to Make a Dorm Room Feel Like Home
Heading off to college can be such an exciting time for your
teen. But while the idea of living on their own is something your teen is probably
looking forward to, I’m sure it’s also pretty overwhelming. Since you can’t be
there to comfort them every time they’re lonely, why not help them bring some
comforts of home along with them? Follow these simple steps to make their dorm
room feel a little more like home.
Visit Paradise Mt. Rainier: A Locals Guide to Get the Most out of a Day Trip
Filed under:
around seattle,
family activities,
family life,
family memories,
family travel,
family vacations,
hike,
PNW,
real life,
travel,
vacation,
visit
How to Talk to Your Child about Tragic Events
Filed under:
family,
family real life,
featured,
how to,
parenthood,
parenting,
parenting marriage and family life,
real life
How to Save Money And Travel the World
How to Save Money & Travel the World
Do you want to travel the world? Perhaps you do, but your wallet is like “Woah, hang on.” It is possible to save money and travel the world. You just need to know how to do it. Don’t get discouraged about how expensive it can be to travel. Let’s face it, saving money takes discipline, keep this in mind as you learn how to save money and eventually travel the world.
Filed under:
family,
family life,
family memories,
money saving,
real life,
saving money,
travel,
wanderlust
S'mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
S'mores are everyone's favorite! I know they are mine! I love easy to make treats that can be semi-homemade if I don't have as much time, or made from scratch if I do! This S' mores Ice Cream Sandwich is the perfect treat. The combination of chocolate, graham cracker, and toasted marshmallow will have everyone swooning. Use pre-made cookie dough, or make your own! Either way, no campfire needed! Enjoy this easy to make S' mores ice cream sandwich recipe.
The Best Bruschetta Recipe
Bruschetta is hands down one of the best ways to enjoy the bounties of your garden this summer. It's a classic Italian appetizer that is bursting with flavor. It's really easy to make ahead, in fact, it's encouraged because the flavors have time to marinate together. Then, you can serve it up on a toasted baguette. Fresh homemade bruschetta is really the flavor of the summer! Give this recipe with tomato and basil a try today. It's the best out there!
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