No matter what the destination is, cruises are always the kids’ favorite trip! We’ve done a couple trips with Royal Caribbean, and so we were super excited to go back and check out the launch of Perfect Day and CocoCay. Sharing pics and why we love to cruise from our trip last month.

THE DESTINATIONS

Royal Caribbean has so many amazing destinations to choose from, but our day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, the first in their new Perfect Day collection of private island destinations, was probably our favorite stop yet! Honestly, I could put together a whole post just on the island – there was so much to do! It’s the perfect destination for families who have different speeds or interests (or both :). Cody and the kids are really adventurous, so they got their thrill with the helium balloon, Up, Up & Away (which gives you the highest view in all of the Bahamas!), Thrill Waterpark (which has 13 slides, including the tallest water slide in all of North America), and a 1,600 foot long zip line — did not disappoint. Then, over on the other side of the island is the most beautiful beach, Chill Island, where you can lounge and relax. The water is warm, super clear and a gorgeous color and when the tide is right, you can walk out really far (a couple hundred yards). We even found star-fish on the beach, which was a huge hit. There were also tons of great food options on the island. I could go on forever, but Perfect Day at CocoCay really had something for everyone in the family, and all in close proximity so you don’t lose any precious daylight going back and forth between different activities.

The view from the ship as we pulled up to Perfecy Day at CocoCay.

It’s the highest view point in The Bahamas — so cool to be able to go up and see a view you can’t get anywhere else!

Next stop – Thrill Waterpark!

Last but not least, the most beautiful beach!

You know it’s a been a good day when you can’t keep your eyes open, haha.

THE FOOD

Food is half of the experience of a cruise, so you definitely want to choose a cruise line that has the good stuff! Royal Caribbean has so many great options. I love good Mexican food so we hit up the taco spot, El Loco Fresh, every day for lunch while on Navigator of the Seas. Cody and I got the steak and chicken tacos every time and the kids’ quesadillas were really good, too! We also tries Jamie’s Italian one night for dinner and the food was amazing. Call me crazy, but the kid’s spaghetti was my favorite. And the desserts alone were worth the trip. 😂 And last but not least, the unlimited soft serve ice cream – I swear it is every kid’s dream come true! Strawberry swirl all day long!

THE WIFI

It’s the last thing you think about when you book a fun vacation, but one of the first things you think about when you are out at sea and start to lose cell coverage. I love that Royal Caribbean has Voom – the fastest at sea Wi-Fi – so we can stay connected to family at home. Plus it meant we were able to share some of our highlights in real time ;).

THE JOURNEY

Whoever said it’s all about the journey and not the destination was probably thinking of cruises haha (although the destination was pretty hard to beat!). We were on Navigator of the Seas which has so much to do on board that it was impossible to do everything. It has one of the longest waterslides at sea, The Blaster, and also The Riptide waterslide – which actually twists and turns over the water – the coolest view and feeling like you are floating in air! Wes also rode the FlowRider surf simulator for the first time. Wes got up so easy; that kid is so naturally athletic. It’s so cool to experience so many firsts with the kids… One of my favorite parts of traveling!

The FlowRider is so much fun to watch, I can’t even imagine how fun it is to actually do it!

The waterslide went over the water it was so crazy! The coolest waterslide! It felt like you were floating above the ocean.

Mara, Wes, and Beckam splashing on the Navigators of the Seas pool deck.

THE SUNSETS/SUNRISES:

Ok, we need to come to terms with the fact that all of my travel guide must-dos will include a sunset or sunrise view! I love a good sunset no matter where I am in the world, but there’s something about being out at sea and having the full horizon light up the sky with so many colors! I will never get tired of it!

Special moments aboard the Navigator of the Seas.

Have you guys cruised with Royal Caribbean before? What are some of your favorite ships or destinations? I would love to add to our must-do list!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Royal Caribbean.

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1. WHITE ROCKER | 2. GIRAFFE TEETHER | 3. MOSES BASKET | 4. MUSLIN BLANKET | 5. MOBILE | 6. CRIB | 7. UNICORN RATTLE | 8. NOODLE & BOO CARE KIT | 9. CHANGING TABLE | 10. DOCK-A-TOT | 11. OWLET BABY MONITOR | 12. HIGH CHAIR | 13. BABY SWING | 14. PLUSH LION | 15. WOODEN TEETHING RING | 16. STROLLER | 17. ONESIES

I’ve been out of the game for 5 years, so I feel like I’m starting all over when it comes to knowing the must-haves for a newborn! My best friend just had her baby this year and I got this for her from her registry – I hadn’t heard of it but moms and dads swear by it, so it’s definitely one on my list! Have you guys tried it? These Moses Baskets are another one of my favorite baby trends we are seeing right now. I love the idea of having a perfect nap-spot that you can move in and out of different rooms around the house depending on what your day has in store. We don’t have any of Beckam’s old nursery furniture (after 3 moves, I’m surprised we have anything from 5 years ago 😂) so we are starting from scratch again! I know I want a good rocker and I love this one! Another must, must-have that all my friends have recommended is the Owlet Sock. It’s a wearable baby monitor that you put on your baby’s foot that tracks your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep and alerts you to anything out of the ordinary through the app. There’s definitely a fine line between paranoia and standard parental concern, and this baby monitor makes all the difference!

Then there are those tried and true products that I was obsessed with last time around with Beckam and will definitely be using with this little guy. You long time followers will remember how much I loved the Noodle & Boo line – so gentle and I love the scent! Their shampoo and conditioner are my absolute favorite.  The Mamaroo was another item that we used for Beckam and he absolutely loved it. It’s a baby swing that lets you choose from different swinging motions and speeds and you can even pair your own music to the swing with Bluetooth. And last but not least, white baby onesies! As much as I love cute baby clothes, I buy these in bulk in just neutrals or solids. There are always explosions, spit up, and all kinds of incidents that result in multiple wardrobe changes a day, haha so I always have solid onesies on hand for a quick outfit change when needed! You’ll always be grateful you can throw them in something fresh and clean.

Walmart just launched a new, personalized baby registry this year so they are a great destination if you are registering for yourself or looking for inspo for other soon-to-be mamas. They have everything from nursery decor to the must-haves like car seats and strollers and brands at all different price points, so it’s a great place to register if you are on the hunt!

Do you guys have any other suggestions on must-have newborn products I’m missing? Now that I’m approaching my third trimester I feel like it’s crunch time, so let me know in comments below what I need!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

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That moment when you realize you get excited about faucets. 😍 Love this one from Brizo!

So happy with the color of our countertops! At first I was worried they were too gray, but it’s crazy how much all the textures and tones play off each other once everything is in. Now it’s one of my favorite parts! We went with quartz and I’m so happy they clean so easy! 

All of our hardware and knobs are from Top Knob! I’m obsessed with the pulls! They are one of my favorite details, and had so many questions on them. 

This runner in front of our oven is one of my favorites. It was my subtle way of bringing a little pink into our kitchen 😉

Our ILVE oven was definitely one of the things I was most excited for, not just in the kitchen but the whole house! I loved the mixed metal and it’s handmade in Italy. I studied abroad in Italy so I love having a piece of Italy in our home. 

I honestly didn’t know what I was missing with just a standard refrigerator and freezer but now I can’t go back! This refrigerator and freezer have so much room!

Obsessed with all the Hudson Valley lighting fixtures throughout the house! These were perfect for the space.

DETAILS: DRESS

APPLIANCES: REFRIGERATOR | FREEZER | BUILT-IN MICROWAVE | DISHWASHER | RANGE & OVEN | RANGE HOOD

FURNITURE:  COUNTER STOOLS

HARDWARE: KITCHEN FAUCET | ISLAND FAUCET | SINK STOPPERS & AIR GAP | CABINET KNOBS | CABINET PULLS

MATERIALS: COUNTERTOPS | BACKSPLASH TILES | KITCHEN SINKS | CABINETS

LIGHTING: KITCHEN PENDANT LIGHTS | MUDROOM PENDANT LIGHT

SHELF #1 ACCESSORIES: KINFOLK TABLE BOOK | ROAST BOOK | WOOD CAKE STAND | WHITE MUGS | WHITE BOWLS | WOODEN SERVING TRAY

SHELF #2 ACCESSORIES: DINNER PLATE SET | SALAD PLATE SET | TEAL GLASSES (SIMILAR HERE) | SEAGRASS PITCHER 

SHELF #3 ACCESSORIES: BLACK CANISTERS | ON VEGETABLES BOOK | BEAUTY CHEF BOOK | GLAZED SERVING BOWL

COUNTER ACCESSORIES: GOLD METAL EASEL | WOODEN SALAD SERVERS | TEA TOWELS | OIL BOTTLE | BEECHWOOD BOWL SET | KITCHEN AID MIXER | STRIPED CUTTING BOARDS | UTENSIL HOLDER | BEECHWOOD SPOONS | WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS | WIRE TRAYS (SIMILAR HERE) 

SINK ACCESSORIES: GLAZED TRAY | HAND SOAP | BRISTLED BRUSH | DISH BRUSH | BLUSH STRIPED TOWEL

SHELVES: CLEAR GLASSES (SIMILAR HERE) | SPOON BOOK | CERAMIC COLANDERS | BLACK CANISTER | WHITE PITCHER | TAN STRIPED PITCHER | CLIFF ARTWORK | BOWL SET | SWEET LAUREL BOOK | DOTTED BOWLS | 

NOOK: TIERED CUPCAKE STAND (ALSO LOVE THIS ONE) | DINING IN BOOK | TERRAIN BOOK | TEAL MUGS (OBSESSED WITH THESE) | TEA TOWEL| CLOCK

RUGS: SOFT PINK RUNNER | MULTI-COLORED TURKISH RUNNER

You don’t realize how much detail and planning goes into every single corner of a room until you build a home! We finally put the finishing touches on our kitchen and I couldn’t be happier with how it came together, down to every last detail! We worked with some amazing brands and companies to pull it all together and I have already gotten tons of questions about the few shots here and there that I have posted, so I am excited to finally be able to share a full kitchen reveal with details on EVERYTHING to answer all your questions! The overall feel I wanted for our home is Europe meets a California coastal feel. In our kitchen it definitely feels more costal with the natural wood elements and open shelves. I wanted it to feel bright and welcoming but not too formal. 

I am the type of person who always second guesses everything when I can’t see it all in front of me, so the process of picking out those big ticket items that we knew we would have to live with was kind of daunting. Luckily my designer, Erin Hansen Design, was amazing and I’m so happy we put in all the time and thought that we did! I really went back and forth between marble and quartz on our countertops and we ended up going with this quartz countertops from Bedrock Quartz and I am obsessed! When they first went in before any of the other finishes were done, I was worried it was too grey but once everything else was in I loved how it all played off each other! Now it’s one of my favorite parts of the kitchen. For the backsplash we used a longer subway tile from Bedrosians in porch white. I love the shape and how its different from the typical size. I always go back and forth between pretty detailed tile or more minimalist, and I’m so glad we went with the clean, simple look of the white subway tile. 

One thing a lot of you have asked about is the chandeliers and lighting I’ve shared so far! We used Hudson Valley Lighting for most of the lighting in our house and I am so happy with how all the fixtures flow with each space. For the kitchen I wanted something unique but still subtle enough and I love these hanging pendants! They have some stunning statement lighting and chandeliers too which we used for other spots in our home – full details on those in a post to come!

One of my favorite pieces in the kitchen is definitely our ILVE range – I’ve dreamt of this piece forever and it was the first thing I picked out for the space. It’s handmade in Italy (where I studied abroad) and I loved the idea of having a piece of Italy in our home. I love the look of the mixed metals!  The oven has tons of room which is amazing when we are having Cody’s  family over for dinner or brunch. (We are huge breakfast people and I didn’t realize what a game changer the griddle is; I didn’t think it was possible but I think we might be having more pancakes than before haha.)

You know you are officially and adult when you get excited about a pretty kitchen faucet. We got these beautiful brass pieces from Brizo – this one for the counter and this one for the island.  The island one actually has a touch feature where you can turn it on and off just touching the spout! It’s pretty cool! I loved how sleek and timeless the shape of both them are. Slightly modern but still traditional for our home. We also used them in our bathrooms and seriously they have so many gorgeous options that I had a hard time choosing. If you guys are looking for new finishes, you have to check out Brizo’s options.

 Since we’ve always rented our home, this was our first time actually picking out appliances! I knew we wanted built-ins and found this Electrolux refrigerator and freezer. If you are looking for a new fridge and freezer and have space for these, I definitely recommend them. We also got this dishwasher and built-in microwave. The microwave is actually ac convection oven too, so you can cook things in there as well! 

For most of the finishing touches, for our open shelves I worked with McGee & Co.  I have bought so much stuff from them in our rentals and I am obsessed with everything from their store! If you haven’t looked at their stuff you need to, your cart will fill up fast 😉  I love the coastal California vibe of all their pieces. Below are a few more of my favorite details from the reveal!

XX, Christine

In collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting, Bedrosians, Topknobs, Brizo, Electrolux, and Mcgee and Co. Photos by Lucy Call. 

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After being married for a while, balancing family time, work schedules, kids’ sports, and just the chaos of life, it can be tricky to set aside time for a true date night with Cody. There are days where we are so rushed out the door that it takes us like a half hour to unwind and really start getting connected on date night. Then there are days where we actually shut work off before date night and it totally changes our mood! Here are 7 of my favorite ideas to start setting the mood for date night before you even walk out the door!

1. Plan ahead! Put it on your calendar and schedule the babysitter so things can’t pop up and cause you to postpone! I try to do it a week in advance instead of day of or the night before because it seems like things pup up closer to the day of. The anticipation and excitement leading up to an event is half the fun and will give you something to look forward to.
2. Drop a note. Hide a little note in your S/O’s briefcase, car, or gym bag – anywhere they will find it before date night! Let them know how excited you are for the upcoming night and build up some of their own excitement for what’s in store.
3. Set rules. It might not seem romantic, but nothing says I love you like banning your cell phones for the night, haha. Since Cody and I work together on so many projects, it can be hard to turn work off on date night, so set those boundaries ahead of time! Whether it’s no phones, no work talk, etc., find whatever works for you!
4. . Get ready together. There’s something about seeing your guy shave and put on your favorite cologne that really starts the night off on the right foot, so I always love when mine and Cody’s schedules line up and we can get ready together (although he takes about half the time to get ready as I do lol). Are you guys the type to share products or do you keep everything separate? Occasionally I’ll steal Cody’s Gillette razors but I also have my own Venus razors. Right now, Costco’s running sales on Venus Disposable Razors ($5 off – sale ends today!), and Mach3 Turbo razor refills and Gillette ProGlide razor refills for $14-$15 off now through June 25th so grab them on sale now! I also love the scent of Cody’s Gillette Advanced 5-in-1 Deodorant but I think I’ll leave that one to him. 😉 What products do you guys share?
5. Blast your favorite playlist. Set the mood with your couple’s playlist. If you don’t have one, make one! We love playing songs that bring us back to all different stages of our relationship – it’s such a fun walk down memory lane and perfect for setting the stage for a special night.
6. Get confident. The first step to looking beautiful is to feel beautiful. Nothing beats the look or feel of smooth, sleek legs, freshly washed hair, and a bright red lip!
7. Try something new. Experiencing new things together always makes for the best memories. Break out of your usual dinner and a movie routine with something out of your comfort zone!

What are some of your ideas for getting date-night ready?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with P&G.

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As you guys have seen on my blog multiple times, World Market is one of my favorite spots for furniture so I was so excited to partner with them to share some pics of the stuff I picked out for our back patio!

Good accent pillows always make a huge difference. Love these this striped pillow and this one is 30% off.

Love these stacked end tables! You can never have too many surfaces.

Don’t forget to add something green to add some more life to the space! Love this faux fig and these pretty planters.

DINING DETAILS: OUTDOOR DINING TABLE (ON SALE – 40% OFF) | GREY KILIM RUG | WICKER CHAIRS (50% OFF) | HURRICANE CANDLEHOLDERS (30% OFF)|

LIVING AREA DETAILS: LOUNGE CHAIRS (ON SALE – 30% OFF) | OUTDOOR SOFA (ON SALE – 40% OFF) | FRINGE PILLOWS (ON SALE 30% OFF) | STRIPED PILLOWS | WHITE LINEN PILLOW (20% OFF) | TAN VELVET THROW PILLOW | FRINGE UMBRELLA (ON SALE – 40% OFF) | SMALL SIDE TABLE & LARGE SIDE TABLE (ON SALE – 30% OFF) | WHITE GARDEN STOOL | WICKER CHAIRS (50% OFF) | RUG | PLANTER | FAUX FIG TREE | FIRE PIT

We just finalized the last few touches on our back patio and just in time to start soaking in the perfect weather! I think the view from our back patio is all of our favorite part of the house, so as soon as it was set up it became our go-to spot, whether we are eating meals outside, catching up on emails and work, or just grabbing a good magazine or book, we are out here every day.

You probably recognize a few of these pieces from our last house – I bought these lounge chairs and this sofa at World Market last year. I love the crisp white with the wooden contrast! One thing I realized in putting together this space was how important it is to have some contrast (and that was through trial and error of bringing random pieces home and exchanging it 🙂 but contrast brings so much depth to a space and makes it more interesting to the eye. I love how these faux concrete end tables break up the whites and tans. Side note – obsessed with look of stacked end tables! It’s super functional, too – you can never have too many flat surfaces when you’re hosting.

I am also so happy with how the rugs tie the space together! There’s such a fine line between a pattern that can make a space feel too busy and just a solid rug that has the opposite effect. This area rug was perfect for the space – it’s a small print and I love the subtle variation in colors/tones throughout it, but it’s still neutral enough to not overwhelm the sitting area. Since the dining area is a little more streamlined, I wanted to bring in some more texture with the rug and love this one. I also tried about 3-4 dining room tables before I found the one that fit the rest of the aesthetic and I’m so happy with this one! Another obvious lesson learned – don’t wing it guessing what will fit in your space – measure it out, lol (from someone who learned the hard way!)

Can’t wait to spend countless summer days outside enjoying it! Had to throw in one pic of the sunset view – it still gets me every time! Below are a few more patio pieces from World Market – tons of pieces are on sale so it’s a great time to refresh your outdoor area!

XX, Christine

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DETAILS: 1. PLAYING CARD SET | 2. TIE CLIP SET (UNDER $50) | 3. SHAVER | 4. AIRPOD CASE (FIRST THINGS FIRST: AIRPODS!) | 5. SKIN REPAIR SERUM | 6. PORTABLE GRILL (UNDER $100)  7. CANDLE | 8. DUFFEL BAG (UNDER $100) | 9. ROBE | 10. MECHANICAL KEYBOARD | 11. LUGGAGE TAGS (UNDER $20) | 12. WATCH | 13. COLOGNE | 14. SMARTPHONE-CONTROLLED PAPER AIRPLANE (UNDER $50)

We are coming down to the wire for a last chance to order a Father’s Day gift! I always have the hardest time shopping for guys, especially my dad and Cody, so I’ve been brainstorming some Father’s Day gift ideas and wanted to share some of my favorites! Below are 13 gift ideas for every kind of dad and for any budget, starting from under $20 to some bigger investment iteams.

FOR THE MAN-CAVE DWELLER DAD: This leather navy playing card set will make the most beautiful addition to any man cave!

FOR THE DAD WHO IS ALWAYS PUT TOGETHER: Instead of another tie this Father’s Day, switch it up with a set of these sleek tie clips.

FOR THE DAD WHO IS ALWAYS YOUNG AT HEART: The adult version of a paper airplane, this smartphone-controlled version will have him feeling like Peter Pan. It also makes a great gift from the kids since it’s something they will enjoy together! This one is under $50.

FOR THE JETSETTING DAD: These cheeky luggage tags (they say “This Bag Is Not Yours”) is the perfect touch for the dad who is always traveling, and he’ll think of you every time he grabs his suitcase. This duffel is also another great idea – it’s under $100 and makes the perfect carry-on.

FOR THE FIRST TIME DAD: You might not be able to give him a solid 8 hours of sleep when he needs it the most, but this comfy robe will make those late nights and early mornings a little less painful. This one looks so cozy and is under $100!

FOR THE TECHIE-WITH-TASTE DAD: How beautiful is this mechanical keyboard! If he has to spend hours on end at the computer, he might as well do it in style. I also love this leather case for his Airpods which is under $20.

FOR THE DAD WHO IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHOP FOR: We all know that dad who has us scratching our head every Father’s Day. Cody is always so hard to shop for, so when I’m super stumped, an no-brainer is to restock his favorite cologne. Right now you can get a coordinating bag with the purchase of this one.

FOR THE OUTDOORSY DAD: How cool is this portable, fold-up grill!? Whether he’s a camper, tailgater, or just loves to grill, this one will be a fast favorite. (Plus it’s under $100!)

FOR THE DAD WITH A 9-TO-5: You guys saw this shaver on my stories last night – it’s a high quality shaver that is designed to last 7 years so not only will he use it on the regular, it will also a gift that will last.

FOR THE DAD WHO IS SECRETLY JEALOUS OF THEIR WIFE’S MULTI-STEP BEAUTY ROUTINE: And even if they aren’t jealous, they are at least curious, right?! Whether you are just introducing him to the world of skincare routine or he is the one recommending new products to you, he will love this skincare repair serum (it gets amazing reviews!)

FOR THE DAD WHO HAS IT ALL: Maybe the ultimate Father’s Day gift, but a guy can never have too many watches! I love this leather and olive green combo.

FOR THE STAY AT/WORK FROM HOME DADS: Brighten up their home office or just their favorite nook at home with a game-changing candle. Dying to smell this one – have any of you tried it??

With any gift, I think it’s always important to add a personal touch – a handmade gift from the kids or a pic of you and your dad – something sentimental always goes a long way! Below are a few more Father’s Day ideas for multiple budgets. Let me know in the comments if you’ve had any great ideas to add!

XX, Christine

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Love the cut of this swimsuit! So timeless!

DETAILS: CREAM BIKINI TOP AND BOTTOMS | POLO HAT | LINEN BUTTON UP (WORN AS COVER UP) | SUNGLASSES

CODY: SWIM SHORTS | SNEAKERS | POLO BAG (FREE WITH PURCHASE OF COLOGNE HERE) | POLO BLUE COLOGNE

BECKAM: SHORTS

Happy Monday guys! We were supposed to head to Europe last week, but after a series of unfortunate events (I got a sunus infection and Beckam’s passport didn’t come in time) we are still here in Utah (but leaving soon!!). We had a lazy weekend at home and it was super nice. I took the fam to the best new breakfast place too, but it’s a dangerous one – so many delicious pastries and the french toast was amazing.

I got a few questions on this swimsuit I posted this weekend. It’s a cream color and the stitching with the straps makes it feel like so timeless, like it could fit into any decade. I also love a white men’s button up and matching baseball hat for a pool or beach day cover up to take a page straight from 90’s fashion. Below are some other pool day combos for a timeless, easy look!

XX, Christine

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Nighttime routines are one of my favorite times of the day, especially when we have Mara and Wes. Beckam always gets so excited when they are home and wants to do everything with them!  Even our routine moments are automatically 10x more fun with Mara and Wes here.

We got a bunch of Oral-B Cross Action Toothbrushes from Costco and the kids all got to choose their own color.  These brushes, toothpaste, and floss are all available at Costco. They are running a deal – $4 off for toothpaste and floss each and $5 off these toothbrushes from now through June 16th so grab them on sale! Costco is our one-stop shop for pretty much everything we need on a daily basis!

You know sometimes when you are doing something, and the kids are in complete chaos, and then time almost freezes, the kids are laughing so hard, and you realize you are watching memories you don’t want to forget. It’s not always the grand moments of memorable vacations or big occasions that stick with you, but sometimes it’s those small, repetitive moments and routines that you might take for granted. Sometimes I catch myself rushing them to bed and getting everyone ready, that I miss how silly they are being. They other day they were laughing SO hard making the silliest faces and stories as they brushed their teeth. Beckam pretended he was flossing his teeth with Wes’ “stink tutes” – yes so gross, and 95% of the time I’m like, guys stop using potty words, but they were almost crying they were laughing so hard so I just sat back and laughed. And it hit me, these are my favorite moments, the little moments every day that bring us all together.

What are some mom moments that you think are underrated? Would love to hear!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with P&G. 

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Summer beauty is all about a fresh face, that sun-kissed glow, and an effortless, easy look. Here are my beauty-musts to feel that summer glow from head to toe!

Don’t skip straight to skincare – your hair plays a huge part in your beauty routine. After a long, dry winter it’s all about getting the shine back for the summer (not to mention keeping your hair healthy between dips in the chlorine pool water or the harsh saltwater ocean). Keep it simple with the Pantene Advanced Care 5-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner – it has 3x the antioxidants so it’s all about getting that healthy shine. Head out for the day with a messy bun or add some beach waves for date night. You can get Pantene Advanced Care for $2 off at Costco now through June 23 so grab it on sale now!

Your smile is another feature you might forget about, but nothing complements your tan better than a white smile. I’ve been using the Crest 3D White and Whitestrips forever (like since high school!) – honestly makes such a difference! (Costco is running a deal on Crest Whitestrips $12 off now through June 16!) Just add your favorite summer lip gloss or a moisturizing lip balm. I love this natural Bare Minerals gloss.

In one word – hydrate!! It’s so important to drink lots of water during the summer and when you are out in the sun, but hydration doesn’t end there. Keep your skin moisturized during the summer as well – not only will it help plump, firm, and correct fine lines, it can also help extend your tan. I love the texture of the Olay Micro Sculpting Cream – you’ve seen it on my blog a lot! I use it as a base before adding a tinted moisturizer or a lightweight foundation with your favorite bronzer (loving this one) and highlighter. You should also apply moisturizer to your neck and décolleté as well – the same goes for any skincare products you use for your face!

Costco has tons of tried and true beauty brands so you can find everything you need to streamline your summer beauty routine in one place. What are some of your favorites?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with P&G. 

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DETAILS: WHITE SUMMER DRESS (ON SALE UNDER $50) | SNAKESKIN SLIDES (UNDER $50) | BLACK TOTE (UNDER $50)

Dress season is in full swing and I am here for it! This year I am embracing the effortless ease of dresses even more than usual since I’ve been able to put off buying maternity pieces by stocking up on cute dresses that work for both. This one is on sale right now for under $50 and one dress that you could wear all season. I’m obsessed with the tie detail and it’s a really comfortable material. I’ve had my eye on this one too – it might be the next dress I add to my collection. How good is that shade of yellow! I also got these slides for under $50 and it’s my first snakeskin print in a while and I love how it acts as a neutral but still adds some texture to an outfit. This bag has been another go-t0 – you last saw it in this post (where I shared lots of other great finds under $50). So perfect for summer!

Below are some more pretty summer pieces all under $50:

XX, Christine

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I love to know what people buy at places! Do you guys ever look in other people’s carts to get ideas of other things to buy? Or am I just the weird one? I grew up going to Costco with my family almost every weekend. If you aren’t super familiar with Costco, it’s basically a membership program where you get to buy your standard house goods (food, beauty, home decor, pet supplies, etc.) in bulk on major discount. Costco is our destination for tons of those products that our family uses on a daily basis. I know products (and sometimes prices) can vary by location but even if you go in-store looking for something and don’t find it, you’ll always find a cart full of other items! Here are some of our favorites from this week’s Costco’s shopping haul:

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH: Ok so this one actually isn’t from this week, but wanted to share since they are on mega sale ($35 off)! If you don’t have an electric toothbrush yet, it’s time – they are life-changing!

WHITE STRIPS: I’ve also been using these Crest Whitestrips since I was in high school – this pack is $12 off right now and has an express option that takes just 1 hour, and the ‘Glamorous White’ pack that takes a little longer, but lasts for 6 months.  (They are also safe to use while pregnant, but always check with your doctor if you have concerns. 🙂

BRALETTES: I love these bralettes and it’s just $16 for a set of two. I’ll be living in them this summer and they come in 4 colors!

SHEETS: Between the baby and the new house, I’m in total nesting mode and have ended up with a couple different styles of these Kate Spade sheets. No buyer’s remorse though because good quality sheets under $40 are super hard to come by and these are so good! Love the subtle prints.

SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER: P&G has a ton of their products on sale right now. At our store, everything is up front so you can easily stock up on sale stuff. The Pantene 5 in 1 shampoo and conditioner (exclusive to Costco) is super hydrating – I think I saw every person walk buy and add this to their cart, lol. I always try to have at least one of each for guests or for backup in case we ever run out.

RAZORS: These Gillette razor refills were also on sale ($10 off) and I also got a pack of Venus disposable razors for $5 off right now. There’s nothing worse than realizing you are out of razors, so I always stock up when I find them on sale haha.

Beckam is obsessed with water balloons right now. We got a pack a couple weeks ago and I was sleeping on the patio and Beckam and Cody came and soaked me unexpectedly. Beckam thought it was the best thing ever! So time to get more to get back at Dad. 😉 I love their toy section – they are usually more activity-driven items, which I love.

These are 2 for $39.99 right now! We go through so many SD cards at our house, and for all you fellow SD-card dependents, time to stock up! Such a good price!

Have you guys tried these parmesan wraps? Super excited about these – who doesn’t love cheese? 😉 Cody has been trying to eat low carb lately and these only have 1 gram!

These are another great on-the-go snack for a healthier snack! Got a bunch of these!

Cody and I bought this air purifier a few years ago and love it. I’ve never seen it priced this low ($100 off) so had to include!

And of course, I’m not leaving Costco without some fresh flowers in tow – especially when peonies are in season!! Load me up!! 😍

I mentioned it earlier, but their big summer P&G event is happening right now, with really good discounts. Stuff will sell out, so swing into Costco this week before it’s gone! What are your Costco must-buys! Let me know what I need to try below in the comments!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with P&G.

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