a gift guide for Her: 2019

Here are a few things I have loved this year or have on my list! Hope this helps you find a thoughtful gift for someone in your life.

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Beats by Dre. I know Apple AirPods are probably more popular - but I have loved these!

A cute clutch for New Years. Or a pair of studs like these!

These glasses and cute + feel fancy.

This little waffle iron is so cute, has great reviews & the price is perfect.

This book was riveting.

An Apple Watch. Enough said. I have a Fitbit, but am kind of wanting an upgrade.

Non-toxic nail polish. A great small gift or stocking stuffer!
This Sherpa has been a hot item this winter and comes in lots of options: colors and sizes!

I love these stylish and affordable slippers!

A weighted blanket is at the top of my list this year.

Honest make-up is available at Target, non toxic and high performing. Lipstick…mascara…would be a great gift!

And you might be 30 if you are asking for a vacuum this year. And I would be in good company with you!

happy shopping!!

gift guide for kids | target is my favorite + one delightful home

Need a gift for a little person? Or multiple gifts? Here are a few things my kids have loved, or we are giving them for Christmas this year!!

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• INSTAX CAMERA I got this last year and my 5 year old loves it!

• Magnatiles, great gift for little people. My 5 & 8 year old will still play with them after years of play!

• Jetson hoverboard ….our son is getting this and I think he is going to love it.

• Osmo Creative Kit (or these OSMO products! Interactive, educational + entertaining! Hot Wheels // Genius Starter Kit // frozen creative kit // coding kit )

• Crayola Art Kit (love things that allow kids to create like this!)

• A magazine subscription - we are doing Sports Illustrated for Kids for our son

• Harmonica…this is possibly my most random suggestion, but my nephew (age 2) got one for his birthday and it was wanted by kids all ages at the party!

• Lol Surprise Dolls. My 5 year old daughter LOVES these. She loves the surprise of opening the new doll + each one has lots of little packages inside. We got a small set for her this year.

• Nerf Dart Rover. I haven’t tried this, but there is a chance this would make my son + me very happy.

• Fossil KIt. Looking for an activity to keep little ones busy? I have heard nothing but good things about these kits!

Ok - so there are some tried + true suggestions for kids! Hope it helps simplify your shopping this holiday!

Alternatives to Ugg Boots

Every winter I regretfully find myself slipping back into my old Ugg boots. They have held up well over the past I don’t know ten years…and they are like wearing slippers in public. BUT I don’t feel great about the fashion statement I am making.

I am guessing I’m not the only one…I polled you all on my target instagram account and I had a lot of requests for suggestions.

I am on the search for something that will:

• keep my feet warm

• be easy to slip on

• preferably not tied

• feel a little more stylish than my tall Ugg boots

Honestly, after all these years, it’s hard to beat Uggs, but I tried to come up with some alternatives.

Some are still Ugg brand, but feel a little more stylish than my current tall ugg boots. I am noticing the shortest version around online and I do prefer the look of those. (I have owned this style, but they were harder to get on….you might need to size up)

What do you think? Should we all just keep rocking the Uggs and embrace the comfort?

xo, Katie

5 ways to thrive (not just survive) on vacation with kids

We just finished a family vacation in Virginia & I really wanted to make sure we enjoyed it rather than just barely surviving it. Vacation with kids can feel like it begets another vacation sans kids...ya feel me??

Our kids are four & six and I have often felt like vacationing with kids is harder than just being home because we are breaking our routine. Our kids are not at the hardest age to travel with - my six year old is a good swimmer and I can pretty much let him roam free around the pool, but my sister's son is around a year... that stage is real hard: constant movement, can't sit at a table for a meal, & just want to explore. Every stage of parenting has its challenges.  Hopefully these tips are broad enough that they apply to any small kids!

I think this was one of our best family vacations. We were at a resort hotel called the Homestead in the mountains of Virginia.  Nice room.  Good eating.  AND A POOL WITH A LAZY RIVER!  

I went in to our vacation with this goal: to balance my need to relax with my kids' needs for fun ... & to create some memories for them. So here we go!  These are the 5 things we tried to do to thrive (not just survive) on vacation with kids:

choose your vacation spot wisely

If it is within your control some places are just easier to be with kids at than others. Are there things everyone could enjoy? Is their childcare if that's in your budget? Will a time change make the first three days be a nightmare? Just weigh these things out.

play tag team 

If you are not vacationing alone with your kids, is there someone that you trust that could watch them so you get a break? My husband and I learned when my son was around a year to take turns giving each other a morning to sleep in. On our recent trip, my Dad took our son to play mini-golf. My dad loves to be with his grandson and I get a break. #boom 

say yes to a few things to make it special

shirley temples. unicorn straws. the waterslides. Is there something that you wouldn't normally say yes to at home that would make it special for your kids? How about special for you? Treat yourself to a new book (for me ... after 2 weeks working out of town with bad internet, I caught up on the bachelorette at night).

talk about expectations

I want my husband to read my mind. He is possibly the least intuitive person the planet. Skip the assumptions & have a conversation about things that would make it feel like a vacation for you. Give each other a little time off to do something that feels like a break.

uplug if you can

I love my work & maybe you do too. It requires me to be on my phone & connected to technology.  Sometimes, though, when I say I'm 'working', I am just zoning out on my phone. I took a pretty big break from computers, etc while we were traveling and it really felt like a mental break. I can't recommend this one enough!

So, What would you add? Let me know if these tips help you! 

p.s. I made this FREE, fun printable as a reminder for me to try to THRIVE during the summer with kids, rather than just survive. Download it from our shop by clicking here.