Family + Friends, Real Life, Travel

The BEST Summer of Our Lives. So Far.

This summer has been the absolute best summer we have ever experienced. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, then the "We Moved. To Montana." blog post is something that you'll want to read, and my Instagram highlight folders are LOADED with stories of our recent Montana adventures! But let's just say that moving to Montana for the summer was something that "just felt right". All Good Things Must Come to an End. Or Should They? We...

Real Life, Travel

Tips for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation in Mexico

Tips for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation in Mexico: The things I wish I knew before going the first time and bonus tips just for fun! Pool Side in the morning at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya Heading to Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation can be SUPER exciting. But it can also be super nerve-wracking if you’ve never been because you’re unsure of what to expect. Luckily, my first time in Mexico for a vacation at an all-inclusive resort, I traveled with a friend who had been multiple...

Marriage, Real Life, Travel

Romantic Getaways and Things to Do in and Around St. Louis Missouri

Romantic Getaways and Things to Do in and Around St. Louis Missouri: So many popular destinations, restaurants, hotels and hidden gems in this area! If romance is in the air and you're looking for a weekend getaway or something romantic to do with your love, then you'll love these ideas! Ladies, don't miss the post "5 Ways to Prepare for a Romantic Weekend with Your Husband". Romantic Getaways and Things to do in and Around St. Louis Missouri The St. Louis area is full of fun and interesting attractions, hotels and restaurants. But, what about taking a weekend away from home for a...

Real Life, Travel

Disney World Tips – 10 Tips for a Better Vacation

Disney World Tips - These 10 tips and tricks are so helpful for those who've never been to Disney or who are looking to make their next trip even better! With tons of world-class dining options, many fabulous resort choices, and countless entertainment possibilities, it can be overwhelming trying to plan your Disney vacation. I've invited Amy with The Travel Bug Company, who I call the "Disney Guru", to share her favorite top 10 tips for those who have never been to Disney, and who are thinking about making it a family vacation soon! Disney World Tips Use a stroller for young children A...

Recipes, Travel

Beach Picnic Food Ideas – Healthy and Easy

Beach Picnic Food Ideas - Spending a day at the beach or pool means there will be hungry bellies. Here's a list of light and healthy options for your picnic basket! Hey there! Kelly from Trial and Eater here, sharing beach picnic food ideas that I think you love! Summer beach days – is there anything better? As long as I pack enough food and drink to keep me full and hydrated during the day, there is nothing like soaking up the sun all day long by the ocean. Getting together at the beach with friends over good food and great conversation...

NYC Bucket List: A Quick Guide to Must See Attractions

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hertz. All opinions are 100% mine. NYC Bucket List: A Quick Guide to Must See Attractions: If in New York City for only a short time, then THESE are the 10 must-see visits on your trip. New York City has been on my bucket list for some time. My husband and I LOVE to travel, and the Big Apple has been a destination that we've eyed for a while. Plus, the chances of New York City ending up on our future boarding passes, are incredibly high considering our lines of...

Printables, Travel

Packing List for Mexico: Free Printable

Packing list for Mexico: Perfect for cancun and riviera maya vacations: outfits planning, and what all to bring! Mexico is my happy place. It's a vacation destination that is my first choice, and a place that I dream of being on not-so-good days. Over the last few years, I'd say I've visited Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation about 10 times. It really NEVER gets old, and I'm never wanting to leave. What to pack for Mexico? I've visited so often, that I tend to have readers ask me for advice when it comes to a Mexico vacation. So being able to help any way...

Decorating, House + Home, Real Life, Travel

Airbnb Farmington – Vacation Rental Reveal

Airbnb Reveal - Farmington Missouri Vacation Rental: Modern decor, and crisp, clean lines! Airbnb in Farmington Missouri near St. Louis and wineries. UPDATE: We no longer own this rental, but I believe it's still available on Airbnb to book! I've been patiently waiting for the day to arrive that I could give you the tour around our first Airbnb rental home in Farmington Missouri! Since being in the construction and rental business for well over 10 years now, my husband knew the moment that Airbnb launched, that he wanted some of his own one day. So now a few years later, our...

Real Life, Travel

Your Invitation: Inspired Retreat Fall 2016

Oh how I can't get enough of Inspired Retreat. If you saw the recap of my list visit to Evins Mill, in Smithville Tennessee in May, then it's no surprise to you that I'm planning to head back for Amber Housley's Fall 2016 event. Only this time... I'm INCREDIBLY excited to announce that not only will I be attending, but I'll be speaking!!! Please, please, come visit. Let's hang out. I'll show you why below... What is Inspired Retreat? Inspired is a one of a kind business and lifestyle retreat for creative women entrepreneurs. If you're just starting out in business, or have...

Real Life, Travel

Inspired Retreat: Abundant Prettiness & Life Changing

Inspired Retreat: A place where creatives arrived with hopes and desires of improving their businesses, and left with exceeded expectations, and life changing results. If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw my updates while I attended the Inspired Retreat, that's hosted by Amber Housley. This time, it was once again held at the Evins Mill, in Smithville Tennessee. I have to say that my expectations were HIGH, but they were FAR exceeded, from the moment that I arrived. I can't wait to show you a brief overview of what I was able to experience. Inspired Retreat Please note that all of...

Parenting, Printables, Real Life, Travel

Baby Travel Checklist – Free Printable: What to Pack for Babies

Baby Travel Checklist: This baby traveling checklist free printable can be your lifesaver! Free download, just print and check off! Traveling with a baby, can be super stressful at times. But honestly, that never kept us from planning a last minute trip with the baby, to get outta dodge. So if you're notorious for planning last-minute trips, or you're the "planner," type... my free baby travel checklist can be a HUGE life saver for you. Baby Travel Checklist - Free Printable Download A couple of weeks ago, I shared my updated "Toddler Packing List." After updating that free printable, I knew the Baby...

Real Life, Stitch Fix, Travel

Spring Fashion & Appearance on Access Hollywood

Spring 2016 Fashion and appearance on Access Hollywood! If you've been following my Facebook page, then you know that I've been sharing updates of my recent trip to L.A./Hollywood. About a month ago, Stitch Fix, contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in appearing on Access Hollywood to help announce their new shoe line that released on March 16th, 2016. I'm not even sure if I ran it by my husband, to see if he minded if I went. I hit reply immediately and practically yelled, "YES," through email. :) Access Hollywood: Stitch Fix Segment What an AMAZING experience it was! I...

House + Home, Organization, Parenting, Printables, Real Life, Travel

Free Toddler Travel Packing List

Free Toddler Packing List: This checklist has saved my sanity a TON! No frantic, last minute things to worry about forgetting. Our family loves to travel, and about 90% of the time, it's last minute. So I've learned to save my sanity, by always having my toddler travel packing list, for our toddler's items to pack his bags super quick. {This is a snapshot of me and my little guy, when we visited Gulf Shores Alabama, when he was just an itty bitty guy. I was also horribly sick with morning sickness, at 3 months along with baby #2, so excuse the pale skin color.... Toddler...

Real Life, Travel

Small Town Girl & Salt Lake City

My heart is full. FULL you all. Let me explain... A few months back, I was invited to speak at the Pinners Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sharing my passion for throwing parties & entertaining, was on the agenda, and I couldn't WAIT to get to the mountains. First Night in Camp First day in town, we spent cruising around soaking in all that Salt Lake had to offer. Shopping ladies... TONS of shopping in Salt Lake. I propped my computer open, and was along for the ride, working & scouting out where I was headed the next day, for a little retail...

Airbnb: Our New Way of Traveling

Oh goodness we love to travel. Although, back in 1999 when my husband and I started dating, I had barely left the state of Missouri. Now... you can't keep me home. Well, I guess that's a lie. I do love being a home body, but you can always bet that I'm at least planning our next trip. Within the last year, we've found a new way to travel & after a few test-runs, I feel safe recommending it to all of my fellow travel lovers out there. Airbnb Our very sleek & modern Airbnb this time was beyond perfect for what we needed... So what...

Top Honeymoon Resorts

It's no secret that my husband and I like to travel. {In the last year or so, we've visited Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Utah, Mexico, Mexico, and Mexico. (Yeah, we kind of like Mexico.) :) From time to time, someone will ask me if I have any recommendations on honeymoon destinations. And although I do love to travel, and have some romantic destinations under my belt, I reached out to a travel agent friend of mine, to ask for her expertise. Laura with LM Travel Company, came to my rescue, and spilled the secret (and some photos of recent travelers) on her pick...

Parenting, Real Life, Travel

Missing Mom and Dad: Preparing your Child for when you Travel

My husband and I travel a lot. It may be for either business, or pleasure...and sometimes we have to leave our kids at home. I'd take them on every trip if I could, but as you probably know, sometimes there's not an option, and they have to stay home. We are blessed to have family that will stay with them, and care for them while we are gone, and we have wonderful caregivers that help us out too. But although we have fabulous people to stay with them, our kiddos still miss us. Preparing Your Child when you Travel & They Miss You We know...

Real Life, Travel

“Hola,” Relaxation…

Hola, Buenos Dias! {Hello! Good Day!} Yes, I just returned from a little slice O' Heaven... Riviera Maya, Mexico! I was nice enough to take my husband with me on this one, {Ok ok... if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be able to go} and we had a BEEEE-YOU-TIFUL romantic weekend getaway, and I had to share it with you. No... not sharing the romantic part, so no worries Mom... I won't be showing any pictures you'd be ashamed of. ;) El Dorado Casitas Royale Resort For the past few years, we have snuck away to Mexico with some of our friends, for...

Family + Friends, Real Life, Travel

Our Boca Grande, Florida Vacation

I kept it kinda quiet, but my stud muffin of a husband and I, hit the road {or air, rather}, last week, and went to Boca Grande Florida on vacation, for a friends wedding! It was ABSOLUTELY beautiful there, and I wanted to share it with you, in case you're planning a destination wedding, searching for a honeymoon destination, or just looking for your next hot new vacation spot. Sometimes it's a little easier to pick a place, when you "know," someone who has been there. Boca Grande, Florida We unfortunately left the kiddos at home on this trip, because we were...

Real Life, Travel

Hubby and I Getaway-Avon Colorado

Whelp, you know I love to travel. Thank goodness the hubs does too, or I'd be traveling by myself. This was the second time we had been to Avon Colorado, and both times were outstanding! We visited once when it was warmer {you know, sitting outside having dinner on the patio}, and this time when you better have your heavy coat handy or you'll lose a limb due to frost bite. Ok ok... not that cold, but cold. I HATE skiing. Yeah, we were going to a HUGE ski area, but I hate skiing. Why do I hate it? Because I...

Birthday, Holiday, Real Life, Travel

Surprise 30th Birthday for my Husband

Surprise 30th Birthday Ideas for Him: A trip full of little surprises, and secret missions for my husband's 30th birthday! A celebration we will NEVER forget! If you're looking for gift ideas for your husband's 30th birthday, you'll want to see THIS post! Or, if you're thinking of planning a surprise trip along with other fun secret surprises, keep reading below! You may find it hard to believe that I kept all of this a secret for a year. Click Here for Gift Ideas for Him