Helping With Hyundai

by with No Comment adventurecharitycommunityfamilyholidaysmom lifephilanthropy

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – MLK

Ever since Corrine was little I’d try and do things with her that would teach her to be empathetic. I think one of the greatest things we can do for one another as humans (and to teach our children) is to practice empathy and selflessness. So whether it was donating some of her gifts to children less fortunate than her, serving meals at Thanksgiving, and mentoring children at The Mission together in downtown L.A., it was a way for us to give back to our community and practice gratitude even when we were struggling ourselves and graciousness didn’t come so easily.

I was a single mom, a teen mom… and I remember that even the smallest gestures of kindness made such a huge impact on my life. I worked two jobs when Corrine was little and on the weekends to make ends meet, I’d pull overtime where I’d bring her to work with me and I’d set her up in a sleeping bag near the foot of my desk. She’d watch SpongeBob (the ONE episode she had) on repeat while I’d work from 5am-noon. My manager Karen at the time was so wonderful to let me do that because over time was a privilege and she allowed me to do this for months.

Girlfriends of mine would bring extra lunch to work and share it with me, for Christmas my friends would give me gas gift cards and donate wrapping paper for me to wrap presents with… just a few of the sweetest things that would mean nothing to someone else meant everything to me. So I really try and teach my daughter to give back when and where she can because if we’re in the position to help someone, why wouldn’t we? They say it takes a village to raise a child, well it also takes a village to help keep your head up when you’re down and out. 2020 was a perfect reference point for that and we all came together to help one another. I’d love to keep that theme going.

You’ve seen on my Instagram how proud we are to be a part of the Los Angeles Hyundai fleet. My Kona boo and I bop around town, choosing a different organization to highlight and help each month. For December we partnered with Hyundai to provide infant and toddler essentials to the families in need at the Good Shepherd Shelter (to help end domestic violence and rebuild lives) and donate to the CHLA. For January I picked up your donations from all around the Los Angeles area to donate to the Good Shepherd Shelter (new and unused items) and to the Mission (used items and goods) and I just wanted say thank you for being a part of this with me.

You’ve helped to restore hope for individuals and families, provided essentials that we wouldn’t think twice about not having, and purged your closets for donations … I’m so honored to be a part of this community. Please join me in continuing on with this mission, for the month of February I’d love to pick up where we left off in November with the food drive. There are a lot of non-profit organizations around L.A. as I’m sure there are in your communities, so if you’re local email me or DM me! Let’s try and feed 100+ families together this month <3

Food, water, shelter, and safety … these are the things I believe to be a human right and the fact that so many go without in the world of abundance that we live in is just incomprehensible to me. So I’d love it if you’d help me by A) donating canned goods and non perishable food items for me to pick up B) list some of your favorite organizations that we can all help and highlight in the coming months and C) tell me what you’re doing in your local community that we can support you with.

Helping with Hyundai means helping in our communities, activating our neighborhoods to reach out and give back where we can. I appreciate you, I love that we’ve been doing this together, and I hope I get to see your smiling faces (through masks… smile with those eyes haha!) very soon as we make our way around town this month.

Was philanthropy something you learned as a child or something you got involved with more as an adult?

p.s. my email is [email protected] and my IG handle is here

It’s A Heluva Holiday To Give Back

by with No Comment familyfoodholidayholidayshostinglifestylemom lifeparty planningphilanthropy

to dip or double dip, that is the question

This post was sponsored by Heluva Good! Dip as part of an Influencer Activation, like always, all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

So chips and dips… I will use any portal necessary to get the biggest bite from my dip, anyone else with me on this???

I’m proud of my snacking skills, my hosting abilities, and how HUMBLE I sound right now haha I’m also really passionate about working with companies that are philanthropic. You’ve seen me talk about this during the release of my Gift Guides this month so you’ll understand why I’m proud to have teamed up with Heluva Good! Dips and Walmart today!

I love that we’re helping to raise awareness about 1) their delicious dips and 2) ’tis the season of giving and Heluva Good! Dip will be donating a portion of sales to Toys for Tots that will run through the remainder of the year. I mean, talk about my two favorite things teaming up … spreading dips and spreading joy.

Dips make for delicious snacks perfect for anytime aka when everyone is waiting for dinner to be made this holiday season, just set out some chips (and some pita, oh and some crackers too) and Heluva Good! Dips for them. This is a for sure crowd pleaser every time!

Easy snacking, a time to gather around the table and catch up with friends and family, chips and dip are nostalgic for me. During this time of year when we can’t be with our families due to the pandemic, it’s so wonderful to have some tradition here at home. My mom always had her favorites in the fridge and can you guess what it was? French Onion! That’s my go-to flavor as well, it’s so creamy and SO yummy.

If you’re passionate about benefitting great causes and supporting brands that are like minded, please join me in purchasing your Heluva Good! Dip at Walmart or Walmart.com (pssst available for pick up or Walmart grocery delivery) and help donate to Toys for Tots this month. How convenient and wonderful it is to do some good, simply by purchasing something your family will enjoy while helping to make someone else’s holiday just as wonderful.

It’s a Heluva Holiday to give back … see what I did there? 😉

Happy holidays from me and mine to you and yours <3

Memorial Day – What It Means To Our Family

by with No Comment holiday

Memorial Day isn’t just about a long weekend or an extra day off of school or work. For my family and I Memorial Day is a special day to remember, and pay respect to all the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country while serving in the Armed Forces.

I am the daughter of a Drill Sergeant, my father was an officer in the Air Force, my sister a Sergeant in the Army, and my brother a Sergeant in the Marine Corps. Many other of my family members have, and still do, actively serve a branch of the military.

We grew up on Army bases my whole life and I was so proud to have my dad walk me around in his dress greens. Every Memorial Day we take time to pay homage to the service women and men who proudly served this country and lost their lives so that we can all freely live ours. This Memorial Day we’ll light a candle, lay some flowers, give some thanks, and spend time together as a family <3

Family picnic style, we’ll pack a basket with goodies and pretend that we’re in some era in time where there’s nothing better than enjoying the stillness of nature, real conversation, and gigglefests.

I’m so grateful for the lives we live and for our freedoms.

What are your plans this Memorial Day and do you or any of your family members serve in our Armed Forces? 

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

GIFT GUIDE: FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS!

by with No Comment adventurefamilygift ideasholidays

I want to wish all the dad’s out there a very HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! For us, today we get to celebrate how incredible Joe is and what an amazing man and influence he is in Corrine’s life and in mine. Today we’re making him breakfast in bed and spending some quality time as a family and I can’t wait to share with you what we did today!

I hope you’re able to celebrate that special man in your life today and if you’re scrambling for some last minute gift ideas, here are my favorites!
1. Camping gear– if he’s an outdoors kind of man, he will love anything you gift him to use on his next camping adventure! There is always a need for more stuff whether it be a bigger tent, a portable kitchen, or hiking gear! Top it off with a note saying where you’re taking him on his next camping trip!

2. Fishing kit– when I was little my dad’s favorite thing to do was to go fishing! I think something you can get dad this holiday is some new fishing equipment and a mini kit for the kiddos so they can enjoy his favorite sport with him! My favorite thing was putting the bait on the hook for my dad, sounds gross but I felt like a warrior doing it lol

3. Grooming kit– whether he’s a burly man or enjoys a close shave, one of my go to’s is an all in one grooming kit. Dad will appreciate the upgraded razors, the nice smelling after shave, and even if he doesn’t admit it- he also likes the nifty bag that it all comes in!

4. Gin kit– wine, beer, spirits, whatever his choice of liquor is, dad will really appreciate his next sip of his favorite drink thanks to this home brewing kit! Home brewing kits are quickly becoming the next ‘it’ gift because they come in so many forms and flavors. Dad’s a hands on, mr fix it, guys’ guy and he can totally get down with brewing his own beverage!

5. IOU- you can’t go wrong with a special iou! Whether you write it out or get a fun coupon book that you and the kiddos fill out for him, giving him free passes to 1) not do the dishes tonight 2) a man cave time out or 3) a ‘family washes the car’ day, you’re sure to put a smile on his face when he reads all of the special things you and your family want to do for him to show your love and appreciation for the father that he is.

Father’s Day is a day to show dad how much you love him and how special he is to you and your family, and that doesn’t always necessarily have to be in gift form. Gifts are wonderful, but acts of love like family time, him time, and breakfast in bed, all make one of a kind gifts.

What are you doing for Father’s Day! I hope your weekend is beautiful and Happy Father’s Day! 

 

WHY TRADITIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT- EASTER EDITION

by with No Comment adventureDIYfamilyholidays

When Corrine was little and we were really poor, no matter how much money I had or didn’t have – I always made sure she had her holidays. I made sure of that because, tradition. Not to start this post off all heavy and serious, but that was my life. It’s still a struggle being a parent sometimes but in different ways.

Holidays will always be special to us and it doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to make a day remarkable. Today I wanted to share with you our lil family’s Easter tradition!

 

” … it doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to make a day remarkable” 

I should totally put that text on a teeshirt or mug 😉 So I texted Corrine on Easter morning (because ya know, millennial mom over here) and told her, “come out to the kitchen I have a surprise for you”. I’m like so cool right?! I placed this creepy yet super yummy bunny-shaped pancake on her plate with butterscotch candies for its eyes and mouth, and a cinnamon candied nose. She also got a bowl of fruit, a glass of milk, and a chocolate bar. Happily my lil angel face came to the table and merrily ate her lil pancake because we’re all 4 years old in this house!


I usually stay up late the night before Easter to tuck fake green grass under Corrine’s door and bunny prints that lead from her door to the living room, which guide her to a huge basket full of goodies. This year we were super busy so while I was making bunny pancakes, Joe ran to the grocery store to get candy and fruit! Team work makes the dream work! We did it and our girl was a happy girl!


We dyed eggs, we ate yumminess, and then we took Corrine hiking to a spot she wanted to explore! It was full of rolling hills and poppy flowers, though we missed the poppy field part thanks to California’s drought. Then we ended the day with Taco Bell and ice cream because as grown up as my Corriney is, she’s still a kid at heart, my baby forever- and she eats pizza and ice cream about 3-4 times a week! I love it! Oh to have the metabolism of an 18 year old!

I love establishing traditions with the three of us because it used to be just Corrine and I. It’s a beautiful thing to bring Joe into our day to day and especially into our holidays. It’s really special to me, the memories that we’re creating together- as a family, and that makes me so damn happy.

What are some traditions that you have with your family or your friends? Or even your special someone that only the two of you do!

If you don’t have any traditions yet start one, and I hope this inspired you to do some team building activities with your loved ones <333