New Year New You – Setting Goals And Keeping Them!

by with No Comment familyfitnesshealthlifestylemom lifereviewsvideowellness

Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2018? By July I’ll just be getting used to writing 2018 instead of 2017 – just in time for a new year to roll around 😉 With each first day of the new year comes just that, the newness of it all and you’ve got to admit, there’s something magical about starting anew and setting resolutions.

It just feels like you’re really adulting when you set a goal and accomplish it! This year I’ve created new practices and synchronized myself and my family on a morning routine that’s the foundation of our BIG goal for this year. If you followed along in 2017 than you know I participated in monthly bootcamps and daily workouts. For 2018 my goal is to maintain that activity level, get stronger, and be healthier overall.

I’m not one to get sick often but when Joe and I got back from our Honeymoon I got severely ill, unlike anything I’ve experienced. What concerned me was that I was so weak due to my inability to keep down any food or water and that I had to ramp up to travel for Thanksgiving AND a bootcamp I had scheduled in December. With the shingles, the flu, and a terrible reaction to the antibiotics prescribed to me, I was knocked down and laid out for a few weeks. Not fun! I was resting a ton and following doctors orders with little results and I couldn’t understand why.

After increasing my water intake, discontinuing antibiotics, and implementing a probiotic into my daily routine I could feel myself feel more like … myself! Water is the elixir of life and Florastor Probiotics brought me back to life. I’m so dramatic I know, but it’s exactly what my immune and digestive systems needed to function efficiently again. I was prescribed an antibiotic and as you know antibiotics kill both the bad and the GOOD bacteria in your stomach, which was a contributing factor to all my gut problems.

Florastor however is resistant to all antibiotics so it not only supported my immune and digestive systems, but it’s also the only probiotic brand with Saccharomyces boulardii lyo CNCM I-745 which helps restore your natural flora – win win for someone with major tummy issues.


I was able to eat again and not experience raging stomach pains, my bloating subsided, and I was no longer perpetually dehydrated. But it’s no wonder I was feeling better, Florastor helps to break down undigested carbs and sugar and aids in water and nutrient absorption- like my gut was back to doing what it was supposed to do. It all comes back to gut health I tell ya, it even comes down to the water you drink! Hydration promotes healthy digestion, faster recovery, and for me personally, less headaches and more glowy skin.

So staying active, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy gut, and making sure I’m getting enough rest and family time this year – those are my big goals for 2018. It makes me so happy to know that my family is on board too, you know what they say … the family that routines together stays together <3 Stay biotic and bionic babes- you’ve got this!

I believe that beauty begins from within, what do you do daily to take time out for yourself? What vitamins do you take and do you take a daily probiotic? What are your personal goals for 2018? Share with me all the things! Happy New Year babes! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florastor Probiotics were sent to us for review, however all opinions expressed are my own. I love sharing companies and products with you that I love and use myself. This will never change nor be affected by my partnerships. Thank you for always supporting us! xo

My morning routine and why you need one too!

by with No Comment familyfitnesslifestylemom lifemommy diariesmotivationreviews

This post was sponsored by Café Bustelo as part of an Influence Central campaign, however all opinions expressed here are my own.

I recently uploaded a video to my YouTube channel where I share with you some highs and lows I’ve experienced being a teen mom. I believe that so much of being a parent revolves around patience, understanding, and the desire to teach over the desire to punish. So much easier said than done when your emotions are high and your tolerance is low, I know. Though my Corriney is 19 years old, this mama is still very much a part of #TeamNoSleep!

Something I touch on in my video is the importance of setting aside time each day that is just for you. As a mom and a generally compassionate person, a lot of my time is spent making sure that everyone around me is okay. So much so that sometimes I forget that I need to do that for myself too, or I start to feel like the walls are closing in.

My morning routine, that’s just for me. I’m a coffee and carbs kind of morning person and I love waking up before anyone else does. There’s something really special about enjoying quiet, still mornings before the day begins. I’m up around 6am to doodle in my planner, prep for the gym, and set my intentions for the day over a cup of coffee and puppy snuggles. The pups love our morning routine just as much as I do because they get 100% of my attention before I run a muck for the day.


As a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, CafĂ© BusteloÂź K-CupÂź Pods launched at Target and I couldn’t wait to try them. They’re espresso style and just what I need to literally kick start my day- I mean I head to bootcamp before Joe leaves for work on most days. My favorite way to enjoy a cup each morning is cafe con leche style with warm milk, cinnamon, and sugar … oh and whipped cream!

During the week it’s a cup of cafe con leche with toast and eggs, something simple and fast that I can just run out the door with. On weekends when both Corrine and Joe are home, their favorite lately has been my huevos rancheros quinoa bowls! It’s spicy, protein packed, and delicious!



I didn’t know if my Target was going to have the CafĂ© Bustelo K Cup Pods but lucky for me they were easy to find- bright in color and displayed with the rest of the K Cup Pods. I’ve got to tell you, as a coffee connoisseur, I’m swooning over CafĂ© Bustelo’s bold flavor that I can still taste through the milk, sugar, and whipped cream I pair it with. It has this full bodied, rich flavor, that you can both smell and taste. I know that sounds a bit woo woo but once you’ve tried it you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!

Do yourself a favor and adopt a morning routine that’s just for you, and however you take your coffee, try CafĂ© Bustelo! It’s available at Target in whole bean, ground, K-Cup Pods, instant, and brick, so pick some up and try it the way I have it each morning. You can get 10% off with the Target Cartwheel app, you know I love a great bargain!

I’ll link you to my video here, please Subscribe if you haven’t already, I have a whole series where I just chat mom life <3 You do you and get on a routine that’s realistic and manageable, and remember that mamas need a break sometimes too.

Do you have a morning routine? How do you carve out time each day just for you? 

 

 

 

 

Our wedding album!

by with No Comment familylifestylewedding

Just in! Our wedding photos! Prepare your eye holes to be bombarded with all of my favorite moments, photos, and memories of this most perfect day! This is just a handful of snapshots that I had to share immediately, a mini wedding album, but don’t you worry- more to come! It was just so hard to pick my favorites, they’re all my favorites!

I had three dads walk me down the aisle, that’s right, THREE! I was so damn proud of that too because my birth father, step dad, and dad were all present to walk me, all drama free, and nothing but love. That’s my twin – my beautiful mom with my dad in his dress blues! And that’s THE kiss <3

My daughter Corrine was my Maid Of Honor, and my bridesmaids in order from left to right . . . my best friend from college Kiki (11 years of friendship!), my sister Maria (whom I hadn’t seen in 11 years!), Nikki- who easily became one of my favorite all time forever friends over all our wedding bonding, Corriney- my heart, and Miya who I traveled the world with! Joe’s Groomsmen were: Steve- (Nikki’s husband) one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet, Mark- the Best Man who Joe grew up with, Michel and Bobby (Joe’s handsome brothers), and my brother Roger dawww <3 What a good looking group! I’ve never seen Joe so happy, so emotional, so serious, and so strikingly good looking than on the day of our wedding . . . just look at that face.

One of my favorite photos captured is that above, of our wedding party and parents greeting us as we were announced for the first time into our reception. Our first dance was to an acoustic version of Joe’s and my favorite karaoke songs! Right after the song played the DJ played the original version and those two songs will forever be special to me. Afterwards, I’d ran over to our “L.A. friends table” and that’s this picture with my babes Bailey, Linz, Ashlee, and Jamie and we’re probably giggling and oogling over Joe’s vows – these ladies are some of most closest friends in life and I was so happy to have them all there.

The Great Room at Savage Mill is where we had our reception held, 127 of some of the most important people in our lives were there to celebrate with us and it was a 3 part, 12 hour party! A chapel ceremony, Great Room reception, and an after party at Joe’s childhood home! I gotta tell ya, every single person rallied and partied until the very end. They ate, drank, and laughed with us from start to finish. It all began on Thursday June 29th with arrivals in Maryland and wrapped up on Monday the 3rd with the final departure of our friends Nikki and Steve back to L.A. To say that our wedding weekend was the most magnificent 4 days of our lives is an understatement yo. It’s become the most beautiful memory for us to reflect on and I’m so happy that we can relive that week through photography, video (coming soon!), and social media.

Of the many gifts that our friends and families gave us, two particularly remarkable items made me so very grateful. A beautiful girlfriend of mine, Michelle (and wife of Best Man Mark!) made our wedding cake! Like with her hands! And lots of love. She made enough cake for 127 people and I was blown away by how gorgeous and delicious (homemade marble!) that cake was. Like, how do you even. And then there was the ‘guest book’. My insanely talented sister in law, Emily (and parter to Groomsmen Michel!) hand painted that stunning bee with oil paints. Like staaaap. She painted it on vintage wall paper that I got to pick out, also in our wedding colors. It became our theme and our guest book that everyone left lil love notes for us on. “Meant to bee”. Get it 😀 Our wedding favors were jars of honey and jam, homemade in Virginia. “Meant to bee, so spread the love”. Yes we are cheesy and we love it.

That’s Mark giving his Best Man speech, making us all laugh and cry at the same time, and that’s Joe more than likely saying something surprising, hilarious, and inappropriate all at once to Fr. Leo. I thought those two photos represented the beauty of the room and the beauty of friendship. Leo and Joe have known each for years and he’s legit the coolest priest you’ll ever meet. Also, he beat Bobbly Flay making Bobby Flay’s famous fajitas – yea that guy, he married us!

Ugghhh I could go on and on and on. I’ll save it for next time. Thank you for sharing this day with us, you all made it so remarkably memorable and I can’t wait to share the video with you all! Now off I go to pressure Joe into editing it for me <333 #welcometomarriagejoe

P.S. if you want to see some of the photos from some of our guests, look up #exoticnationwedding #jessjoewed and #jjmarriedlife on Instagram xoxo

 

 

 

HOW TO SPEND TIME NOT MONEY

by with 4 Comments adventurefamilygiveawaysinspirationlifestylemobile applicationstechnologytravel

If there’s one thing I would go back and tell my younger self, it’d be to invest in time not things. As a single mom – not only was I unable to save money each month due to my strained budget, but even if I had, no one had ever taught me what to do with it … or at least I don’t remember that part.

However, I do remember that each holiday no matter how dreary my bank account was, I made sure Corrine had gifts under the tree and a pumpkin to carve. Looking back, I can tell you exactly where my money was going . . .  child care, credit cards, and bills. Even now, many years later, I find myself in awe of how much I spent on things like fancy baby formula and phone bills! From one mama to another, from one human to another, we don’t have to be doing it all wrong.

I recently tried AT&T GoPhone prepaid service on a monthly plan with Unlimited Data, Talk & Text. We wanted to see how much saving on a common everyday service can lead to investments in our family that we’re able to make with the money we’re saving. Since I’m also a girl on the go- signing up for AutoPay and saving $5 a month on my GoPhone service is just a little icing on the cake. Who doesn’t like cake! Just having the financial control and pliable spending, has made all the difference. And, AT&T GoPhone has the nation’s best data network making the switch to GoPhone even more sweeter!

Always capturing our adventures on the go! Explore explore explore!

Luna is a super model. And also an adventure pup!

I try to capture all the memories I can with my phone and now they hang on my wall. 

Why yes, that IS 2 cameras you see, and the one taking this photo, AND the 3 phones we toted around lol 

What’s in my purse? Oh, just the essentials 😉 

Isn’t she a beaute!

We now actually have savings set aside especially for family vacations, adventures with our pup Luna, weekend travels with our friends, and most importantly – as of recently, for our upcoming wedding. Money isn’t everything but it sure does fund your options, and when you’re a parent who’s also planning a wedding, money goes away when all you want it to do is flow.

To pay it forward to you, my fellow adventure seekers and dream weavers (quick what’s the next line of that song?) we’re spreading the abundance and giving away a pair of tickets to the San Diego County Fair which we’re attending, and I’ll also have a giveaway for you on social media, where you’ll get to win a little something from AT&T GoPhone!

I love the work we do but I particularly enjoy when we get to team up with a premium brand that has an ethos that falls in line with what we’re already doing. As a mom, it’s important to me to save money because every penny counts, and with extra money you realize all the things you used to have to say no to. Let’s start saying yes, and you can say yes to this opportunity and enter our giveaway 😉

We’ll be at the San Diego County Fair on Saturday June 10th and we’d love to see you if you’re in the area! You can find us at the AT&T GoPhone booth from 2pm-4pm so I hope we get to say hello and bring it in for a hug! Plus you can play skeeball, ring toss or wiffle ball toss for free with a chance to win a prize at the AT&T GoPhone booth! You can enter our giveaway by sharing with us what you’ll do with all that extra money you’ll be saving and TAG me on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ATTGoPhone and #Giveaway. You can read all about it at https://www.att.com/gophone/ and we’ll announce the winners on my Instagram before the fair! 

Okay, don’t forget to call your mom, it was just Mother’s Day and she’ll appreciate it. I hope this post inspires you to do more, save more, and connect more!

So, what would you do with extra money each month? Each year?! Share with us your bucket list, your big dreams, and even some frivolous aspirations that you have! 

This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with AT&T GoPhone. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own as always.

HOW TO BEAT THE SUMMER BREAK BOREDOM!

by with No Comment adventureartback to schoolfamilywellness

Have you ever felt pressure to have plans made for your time off, that ‘breaks’ during the year feel more like time on and less like time off? First it was Spring break, now we have Summer break approaching, and if you have little ones at home I almost feel like it’s easier for you to occupy your time. With my little one in college she isn’t little any more, so now Summer breaks just feel like really long weekends! ha

So today I’ve compiled my favorite things to do to beat the summer break boredom! Lets face it, you’ve probably already hiked that hike 893 times and visited that secret getaway spot enough times to know that it isn’t secret any more.

  1. Explore more – instead of googling the best places to visit, just pull up Groupon or Living Social and explore their many travel and ‘things to do’ tabs! You’ll be surprised by how spontaneous you are to go indoor sky diving on a Tuesday 😉
  2. Blaze new trails– try playing “hike roulette”, or ‘blind picnic picking’ which require only an app on your phone and a packed lunch! The way we do it is we pull up Yelp on our phones, we pick an area we want to explore and a number! Whatever number of whatever hiking trail or park corresponds with one another, we go for it! Love or hate it, you’ll be outside and enjoying new views! *Pro-tip: Geocache while you’re at it, just don’t forget to bring an item you can leave behind
  3. Take some you time – it’s totally okay to do nothing with your time off and reinvest in your own health, especially your mental health, after all it IS your time off. Take some time to be still in the morning, light some incense, do some yoga, and before you know it your routing will not only refill your personal well, but it’ll prepare you for that long awaited yoga retreat!
  4. Vacation, staycation, shmaycation – oldie but goodie, getaways are the quickest ways to put a long lasting smile on your face. You’ll reflect on what the sand felt like and what the air smelled like wherever you went to just get away. You’ll remember what your favorite meal of the trip was and how it brought you and your family closer, and you closer to feeling more positive and less weighed down by the every day mook. Shmaycation … I’m all for it
  5. Feed your inner kid – literally and figuratively! If that means pizza and movie night, paint night at home or at your favorite art shop, popcorn making and Jenga, rolling down a hill and then jumping into a strangers pool (don’t get arrested I can’t bail you out), or building a fort in your living room equipped with flashlights and finger foods, DO IT! Do all of it! It’s incredible how freeing and FREE it is to just be silly, and laugh, and be you

Summer break is only a few weeks away, what do you have planned to beat the summer boredom blues?!

 

 

 

 

EASY EASTER TREATS – DIY WITH THE KIDDOS!

by with No Comment bakingDIYfamilyfoodholidayhostingrecipes

Last year on Easter’s Eve I slipped bunny tracks under Corrine’s door, they led to the living room table where her basket was waiting filled with her favorite things. To say I’m dramatic about holidays is an understatement! I still do these fun, cheesy things for her and she’s NINETEEN! lol

It’s Easter weekend in a few days so I wanted to share one of the yummiest and EASIEST Easter treats with you! It’s a fun DIY activity you can do with the kiddos and only takes 10-15 minutes to complete!

How stinkin’ cute are these fruity pebble treats! We hand formed them into nest shapes and filled them with chocolate eggs topped with Peeps! Sugar overload but soooo worth it, I swear I just wanna make rice crispy treats with every cereal out there!

You’ll simply make the traditional “rice crispy treat” recipe and instead of the original rice crispy cereal, you’ll swap it out for any cereal you like. In this case we used Fruity Pebbles because the color combination was so pretty and festive, not to mention it tastes tangy, sweet, and all things delicious.

Top your ‘nests’ with the chocolate eggs of your choice and pop a lil Peep bunny on there to complete this yummy and easy Easter treat!

 

 

What’s your favorite Easter dessert or recipe? I personally cannot wait until we get to tye dye eggs with Corrine! Even though she doesn’t seem as excited as we are, I know she loves that I’ve continued the tradition with her. 

 

 

 

 

STAYCATION – TRAVEL MORE!

by with No Comment adventurefamilyinspirationleisuretravelwellness

When most people think of vacations they conjure up far away islands, flights to new places, and luggage for a week long adventure. I’ll be the first to tell you that vacations are incredible and necessary these days to unplug, reset, and reconnect with the people you love. But it doesn’t always mean that you have to hop on a flight to be able to enjoy a lil R&R, staycations are the new vacation y’all!

A little getaway that’s far enough away from home to feel like a vacation yet close enough to home that you don’t have to fuss over big plans. For us, our staycation took us close to the beach one day and pool side the next. With Joe working away from home, my head stuck in a planner navigating the five weddings we have this summer (our own included), and Corrine busy with school, work, and an internship . . . we were ready to get outta dodge.

I don’t think you should ever feel guilty for wanting to escape your life for a moment. The reality is that we’re all cranking away at work, at life, and working at life! So take some time to get away and refill your well, even if that means you simply drive to another town to try out that new lunch spot, or hike an unfamiliar trail to picnic at the top. Whatever relaxation looks like to you, trust me it looks a lot like paradise! Routine is never fun, switch it up buttercup!

We happily enjoyed our little paradise away from home for the weekend, soaked up the sun poolside and then sticking our toes in the sand beachside. So of course I have to share some of my absolute must have for any daycation getaway-vacation: my sandals, my bikini cover up, my TIU sea salt spray, and of course SPF for my face, lips, and body <3

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter than you know we also packed some champs, champagne gummies, and a ton of snacks for this staycation of ours! See the running theme here? #champs The delicious and colorful cocktails with cranberry and fig goodness was courtesy one of our favorites, Figenza! We added in some lemon wedges, a splash of bubbly, sparkling water and called it a day(cation) … see what I did there 😉 best.time.ever.

Do you go on staycation adventures? Where would you love to vacation next and when is a staycation far enough from home that you consider it a vacation? 

 

 

 

 

TOP 10 FREE THINGS TO DO WITH THE FAMILY!

by with One Comment adventureartDIYfamilymommy diariesparenting

I had a really nostalgic moment today, I was remembering that as a kid, each weekend my family and I would drive over to the local Blockbuster to hand-pick movies for the weekend. If you’re lucky enough to remember those good ol’ days than this will spark some fun memories, and if you were born after Blockbuster and MC Hammer pants, than just imagine this: My sister, brother, and I would walk up and down the aisles reading the synopsis on the backs of each VHS (yes VHS days) or DVD, beg our parents for popcorn and candy, and then we’d decide which movies we’d rent . . . as a family. I mean, it DID depend on if it were a $2.99 or $4.99 rental and IF you could have it for two days or FOUR, but it really was just some good ol’ clean family bonding times. Gahhh can we bring back some of that!

I thought today I’d share with you my favorite things to do with my Corriney and Joe, not to mention they’re practically free! So here are my top 10 free (almost) things to do with the family!

PAINT NIGHT – places like Color Me Mine can be a bit pricey especially if you have more than 1 child, so why not head over to Michael’s (or the DOLLAR STORE woot!) pick up some paints and craft paper and boom, paint night at home! Ahem for you parents out there, this is also a wonderful time to bust out a bottle of wine and crank up some paint night tunes!

PICNIC – best thing is eating your favorite food, outside, on a blanket, listening to the birds chirp. Picnics are easy I promise! For this particular day we went to Trader Joe’s and spent under $10 for a baguette and cheese, threw some fruit and drinks into our picnic basket and enjoyed our fancy shmancy picnic outside. Pro tip: when you’ve forgotten to pack cutlery just simply eat with your hands! Also, watermelon eaten with your hands will get sticky. Also also, farmers markets make for the best treats and have home made PIE (featured below is caramel pecan for your viewing pleasure)!




HIKE – get out and get movin’! Pointing things out in nature, identifying plants and animals while you’re with the kiddos, and then picnicking at the end of it . . . leads straight into my next favorite thing!

HIKE ANNND PICNIC – okay okay this is me cheating by combining my two faves but for realizies! If you hike to the top of that mountain or stroll to the other side of that park and then add in a PICNIC, it’s the best thing ever! Go ahead, enjoy that refreshing sticky watermelon with your hands!

BOARD GAMES – you guys my family and I used to play Dungeons And Dragons, like the board game version! Oh yes, we were supes popular in school LOL I legit think a wonderful team building activity is a board game or arts and crafts. You learn how to NOT be a sore loser *me* and how to appreciate a night in with board games and crafting. And remember when crafting, “God don’t make no junk”- 100 points to whomever can guess where that’s from! LOL

MUSEUMS – or art exhibits even! These are fun, free (mostly), AND you’ll all learn something along the way. Fun fact, I got really into the stars and constellations as a child and even wanted to be an astronaut. Visiting museums absolutely contributed to that dream! Can you tell from this list so far that I’m a HUGE nerd?! I love nerds <3

COOK TOGETHER – how fun to teach the kids (and your significant other) how to cook! The stirring, the spices, the creativity of it all, it’s one of my favorite things to do even when we do nothing but make mac n cheese together while noshing on snacks in the kitchen. It’s fun to ‘Pinterest pluck’ and just make a recipe you wouldn’t usually make, get cookin!

MOVIE NIGHT – reminiscent of Blockbuster night, movie night is the best way to snuggle up with your babes and make popcorn the old fashioned way! Toss all of the pillows and blankets onto the floor and just have one big ol’ slumber party – onesies highly encouraged!

TALENT SHOW – how fun right? Lets put on a talent show for one another! Sing, dance, put on a play, it’s just so fun to be silly and encouraging. Also, this is how those blooper reels from America’s Got Talent are created so lets also be real with one another mkayyy! 😉

GO FOR A DRIVE – alright, so this is gonna sound super cheesy but one of my favorite things in life ever, is to just pack up the car, my family, and puppy Luna and drive. Drive to another city, explore another town, anything, but ya gotta do it! The open road is full of new adventures … and new places to eat teehee 😀

 

I hope you enjoyed this list of fun and almost free things to do with your loved ones, you could even refer to this for fun date night ideas!

Are there any other things that you love to do that we can add to this list? Share! <333

 

 

 

 

 

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS – UNDER $25!

by with No Comment familygift ideasholidaysinspirationreviews

For all you procrastinators out there, myself included, this post will save you a trip to the mall of madness the night before Christmas! Here is a peek into my favorite last minute Christmas gifts under $25! Yes under 25 bucks and great for your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, co-workers, and in laws!

These make for perfect stocking stuffers but also they’re nice enough to wrap up and place under the tree. If you’re participating in a Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange, these fall right under that $25 limit!


I had to unwrap these to take photos for you, so here’s to hoping my family doesn’t read this post until after Christmas 😉 I bought these gifts this weekend, the weekend before Christmas and it’s already mayhem. I also purchased the PTR masks for myself because they’re the best deal you’ll find all season! Go get ’em now, trust me, they’re just now back in stock!

Peter Thomas Roth (PTR) mask sampler kit – hands down my favorite masks this year! Yes that’s a pretty bold statement but let me tell ya why! After China my skin developed these little bumps and I found out were hydration bumps. My skin wasn’t receiving enough moisture so I needed to up my exfoliation and hydration game. This sampler kit comes with PTR’s most popular masks designed to brighten dullness, hydrate dryness, and detoxify clogged pores. It polishes, it smoothes, it soothes! I’m a walking billboard for these I swear! I love all 6 of them so I purchased 3 of these just for myself. $25 at Sephora when they’re usually $44, go buy them up! Best investment all year, I promise!


Wooden snowman ornament – my mother in law loves snowmen, they’re so festive and jolly! Each year I try to find a cute snowman item to gift her and since she puts up the most beautiful Christmas tree, I thought a personal addition to it would be perfect!

Nest holiday scented candle – a go to for any gift, who doesn’t love candles?! They’re thoughtful, they’re warming, and this particular one smells exactly like Christmas! A legit pine, fresh, snowy kind of scent.



Duke Cannon working man’s face wash – if your man is like my man who is like most men, than they probably use your shampoo to wash their hair, body, and face! LOL I try and leave products in and around the shower in the hopes that Joe will be enticed enough to start using them. I think most men get sexier as they age, and I think it’s because they start to look more rugged. But I definitely want Joe to take care of his skin, so I got him this Duke Cannon face wash. It’s frothy, smells like “productivity” (that is just hilarious to me), and has vitamin C to brighten up the skin. A big reason why I adore this company is because a portion of each sale benefits US Veterans. As an Army Brat I love this so much and it’ll help Joe take better care of his skin so I love it even more!

So just a quick guide on last minute Christmas gift ideas, I think a pretty card with a thoughtful handwritten note works just as nicely. But you’d better get started now, the malls are already giving me anxiety 😉

Are you ready for Christmas? Did you do all of your holiday shopping months ago, or are you like me and you wait until the night before?! 

Happy Holidays from my family to yours, I wish you a beautiful one!