Holiday Gift Guide For The Whole Family

Happy holidays, friends! This is my favorite time of year because I love to give. I think I may get more excited than the gift recipient when watching them open a present I picked out. If I’m being honest, I like to TREAT MYSELF too. We as moms, or ladies of the house, make the holidays magical with our yummy food, our decorating, and tossing glitter in the air for a month straight – so I think we deserve a little something for ourselves too. Amiright, ladies?

I scoured the internet over the last week looking for some amazing gifts to give this season – and I think I found the perfect gifts for her, him, and the kiddos! Luckily, most are on sale for Black Friday week too!

Let’s start with the kids. My boys are ages 6 and 9 so I looked in that range, but most of these are good for all ages. First up, this fun lamp that allows them to sleep under the stars every night. It comes in multiple colors and is under $20!

Next up, this gel hand-guided flying saucer. We got these for the boys as well and can’t wait to see their faces when they open them from Santa! Under $30 and comes in a few different colors.

These are perfect if you have a playroom or basement. We researched a basketball game, which folds up nicely to store and also has the best ratings for durability. This game table provides a lot of options and I think it’s fun even for adults. If you have kids, you owe them a bouncy house. Ha! This one fits in our basement and breaks down for easy storage too. All on sale! Scroll through to see.

If you don’t want to spend the money on an iPad, the Amazon Freetime/Fire is great for little ones! We used these for years and the kids still love them. Currently 40% off!

Scroll below to check out some other items they are sure to love (and are on sale right now!) from tents to toys, electronics up to $300 off!, to science experiments.

Now let’s move on to the men in our lives. Ladies, I know this can be hard and we never know what to get – but I found a slew of great gifts, some I even bought for my husband, that I think our men will love. Bonus, most are on sale! Starting with this cozy robe:

If he’s a whiskey drinker, he will love this reserve set or decanter set.

If he’s into gadgets, check these out. I’m definitely getting this massager so I can steal it. All Bose speakers are sale right now too!

Some more items he’s sure to love! Tumi is having a sale along with tons of other great luggage brands. Ugg slippers are a must-have. I bought my husband a pair years ago and he still wears them all the time. Scroll through to see.

If you want to be fancy and get him a nice gift, go for this watch. Gorgeous, classic, and will look sexy on him.

Saved the best for last – the ladies! Share this post with your significant others or treat yourself, girl! You deserve it.

You can never go wrong with a spa day or massage, so find the best ones in your area. In Chicago, I like the spa at Langham Hotel, Bliss, Urban Oasis, and Penisula.

If you want to spoil her with something fancy – go for a handbag. These are my current favorites.

Some more economical items she’ll love are these mirrors! Every girl needs good lighting when getting ready.

If she loves to cook or likes to have a clean house, I highly recommend these gadgets. Instant Pots are a dream and I’m praying Santa brings our house an air fryer this Christmas! I also would love a Roomba and they are up to 30% off! Scroll through to see. All images are linked.

If she’s into fashion, here are some favorites of mine I know she will love too including Spanx leggings. On sale for 30% off. Some items are up to 50% off right now!

If she loves cozy nights then she needs these two items for sure. I have a cozy and I live in it during the winter. Perfect for the man in your life also!

If she likes to pamper herself, get her a great face mask. My favorite are from Rodan + Fields. I can get you 10% and free shipping, just send me a message.

Some other gifts you can’t go wrong with:

If she wants longer looking, fuller looking, darker looking lashes – she needs Lash Boost. A nightly eyelash serum that conditions and moisturizes lashes to promote the appearance of fuller, longer, darker-looking lashes. This conditioner can also be used to achieve fuller-looking brows. Currently, you can get it through me for 25% off and free shipping. You can send a message through social for the details. Everyone wants to be fabulash! See what I did there?

Ladies if you want to treat yourself and get the most fab pants for all your holiday functions – you need these. I just bought them in small. They are TTS. I’m 5’3 ish and these look great with heels. They are now 50% off and sell out every year!

*Disclaimer. Any links posted I may get a small (like really small, pennies on the dollar!) commission from as a brand affiliate.

Phill-ing The Love In Philly: Part 2

This month I took another quick trip to Philly and was able to take in more sites and eats! If you read about my last trip to Philly, I shared more of my historical and tourist recommendations. This trip, I was focused on food and other fun attractions. If you’ve never been to Philadelphia, I definitely recommend seeing all the historical sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell first – then take advantage of all the amazing food and other sites. Here are some of the places I got to check out this time around:

Elixr Coffee

A quaint coffee bar close to Rittenhouse Square. Stop by for a morning treat and cup of joe, you won’t be disappointed.

A.Kitchen+Bar

If you want a full breakfast or brunch spot, look no further than A.kitchen+bar. Located in AKA Rittenhouse and boasts one of the country’s most innovative wine and spirits programs. They’ve also been named One of America’s Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast! Stop by for classic American flare or small plates to share, and don’t forget the wine.

Tequilas

Great spot for a happy hour or dinner. Located in Rittenhouse Square, this space delivers a fun atmosphere, authentic Mexican food, and an endless tequila menu. I went here for a group dinner and the service was amazing. The portions are pretty large, so I recommend sharing.

Zama Restuarant

Zama is a swanky sushi spot that offers a wide variety of a la carte fish flown in from around the world that changes daily, along with a large selection of specialty Maki and a sushi bar crafted from only the finest ingredients. The service was great and the cocktails did not disappoint either. If you go, you have to order the Philly roll! It’s a mini Philly Cheesesteak made into a sushi roll. Fun presentation and super delish. Highly recommend!

Bar Bombón

Coined a delightful bar on a popular corner, Bar Bombón takes authentic Puerto Rican recipes and adds a twist. The menu is plant-based meals that satisfy temptations in a healthy way – so you can fiesta now, siesta later. You have to get the chips and queso and the traditional tacos – es muy delicioso!

Now onto some must-see sites!

Boathouse Row

Boathouse Row is a historic site from the 19th century on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, just north of the Fairmount Water Works and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It consists of a row of 15 boathouses housing social and rowing clubs and their racing shells. They light up at night and create a picturesque reflection off the river. A must see!

Magic Gardens

Head to South Street and then you must, I repeat, you must go see Magic Gardens. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) inspires creativity and community engagement by educating the public about folk, mosaic, and visionary art through recycled materials. PMG preserves, interprets, and provides access to Isaiah Zagar’s unique mosaic art environment and his public murals. The gardens are truly magical! Before you go, buy your tickets online and reserve your time slot. Slots sell out quickly so I would get them advance. They are $10.

South Street

Take a stroll down one of Philadelphia’s most famous streets and experience a variety of eclectic dining, fun shops, artwork, and the city’s best cheesesteaks. Jim’s or Geno’s are my recommendations.

Unfortunately, a weekend trip is never enough time to check out all that Philly has to offer – but, if you make it to a few of these above you’re ensured a great weekend. Happy travels! Until next time, Philly.

My Thanksgiving Favorites

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! Ok, if I’m being honest – I love all the holidays. Any reason to celebrate and eat – I’ll toast to that!

Thanksgiving is so important to me because I love to cook and I love seeing my family’s face when they taste what I’ve made. In fact, I gave birth to my second son two days before Thanksgiving and still made sure I was home in time to make a turkey. That’s how die hard I am.

Ten years ago I could barely make a grill cheese, let a lone a turkey without catching the kitchen on fire….so I’d say I’ve come a long way. I wanted to share my top dishes that friends and family always request when they join us for Thanksgiving. I hope you’ll love them as much as we do.

Of course the number one item is the turkey. The key to a great turkey is brining it overnight.

  • In a large stock pot fill with broth. I’ve used vegetable and chicken in the past. Either are fine.
  • Add a cup of sea salt to the broth.
  • Add a few of your favorite seasonings like rosemary, sage, or classic chicken seasoning.
  • Place your defrosted turkey (after you’ve washed it off) in the stock pot, cover with foil and place in refrigerator over night. I like to at least give it 12 -15 hours to brine.
  • Next day remove turkey right before you’re ready to start cooking it.
  • Melt a stick of butter with garlic, pinch of chicken seasoning, thyme, rosemary and sage. Use this mixture to paste all over outer skin and inside the skin on the breasts. Cover the turkey with foil place in oven. I always put broth in the bottom of the pan as well. You can put your stuffing inside if you’d like too. Bake at 350 for however long it says for your turkey. It’s usually 3/12 to 4/12 hours for a 10-18 pounder. The last hour I remove the foil to let the top get crispy. I periodically baste the turkey with the juices that form in the bottom of the pan.
  • Slice up and serve. Delicious!

Next up – homemade mac and cheese. A must have especially with kids in attendance.

I use gluten free pasta and they don’t even know the difference. My favorite brand is Nature’s Earthly Choice Quinoa Pasta Blend Fusilli. You can find it at your grocer or even on Amazon.

  • Bring water to a boil and add in pasta. You can use any pasta you like. I usually do elbow or spiral. I add one full bag which is about 17 ounces so we will have lots of leftovers. Follow instructions on bag as to how long to boil. Make sure it’s nice and soft before straining.
  • While you’re waiting for pasta to cook – melt a stick of butter or ghee in a sauce pan. Stir in enough flour (I used gluten-free flour) to make a roux about 2 tablespoons should do it.
  • Slowly pour in milk (about 3 cups). You can use a milk alternative like coconut or Ripple, but it won’t be as creamy.
  • Add in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan. Stir until desired consistency. No one will get hurt if you add in a little more cheddar if you know what I mean. Do a taste test to see if you like the cheesy-ness.
  • When you get to desired consistency add a couple pinches of salt and paprika.
  • Strain pasta and pour into baking dish.
  • Take cheese mixture and pour over pasta. Mix all together so pasta is in cheesy heaven.
  • Place in oven (or fridge covered if you made it early) and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
  • BONUS… if you want yummy bread crumbs on top – melt 1/4 stick of butter in saucepan, throw in the bread crumbs to brown and then sprinkle on top of the mac and cheese and then put it in the oven. So yummy and a Thanksgiving classic in our house.

Then we have creamed spinach. Yes, we do green bean casserole too – but I’m sure you’ve seen a million of those recipes. So, spinach it is.

  • Get two bags of frozen spinach (you can use fresh too, but remember spinach does a disappearing act when you cook it – so get a lot!), coat the bottom of a sauce pan with olive oil and cook the spinach down. Empty on plate and hold off to side for now.
  •  Sauté a clove or two of garlic in some olive oil or butter in the saucepan.
  • Add diced white onion – about 1/4 cup. If you’re an onion lover you can add a little more.
  • When these are cooked to your desire add in 1/4 cup of butter and melt down.
  • Add in a few sprinkles of flour to create a roux. You don’t need much.
  • Pour in 3/4 cups of heavy cream. You can use milk as well but it won’t be as thick.
  • Grab your cooked down spinach and add it to the pan and stir.
  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese on top and stir.
  • Add a touch of salt and pepper and serve.

I find this is best served right after completed verses putting in fridge and re-heating later. Enjoy!

And for my last fav item on the menu – deviled eggs!

  • Bring water to a boil.
  • Add 6-12 eggs (however many you need for your attendance)
  • To boil to perfections it’s about 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove eggs and put in a bowl under cold running water for 2 minutes.

Now you’re going to LOVE ME.

  • Get a small plastic container (think Tupperware) with a lid.
  • Place 4-5 eggs in there and fill it half way to 3/4 way with water.
  • Put lid on tight and SHAKE like your life depends on it.
  • Open container and the egg shells you’ll see will be all cracked.
  • Start peeling and see how easy the shell just falls off the egg! NO more back breaking stance over the sink peeling these darn things for an hour!! I know…. you’re welcome.

Now back to making them.

  • Once you peel all the eggs. Slice them each in half and empty all the yolks into a bowl. Place open face eggs on serving platter.
  • Add a table spoon of mayo into bowl.
  • Add a few teaspoons of mustard to bowl.
  • Add a few hearty pinches shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Add (or not) bacon bits! I usually cook 3-4 slices and break it up.
  • Add pinch of salt.
  • Mix up the items above until you get a cream consistency. If you want it to be more creamy add a little more mayo and mustard.
  • Take this mixture in spoon fulls and add them to the top of the open faced eggs.
  • Once you’ve filled all the eggs, sprinkle paprika over all of them. You only need a little.
  • Another garnish you can add is thinly sliced green onion.
  • Try not to shove all of them in your face at once because they are so de-lic-ous!

I hope you’ll add these recipes to your family’s traditions! Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

Instagram Roundup – My Fav Fall Looks

It has been a while, I know. It took me a few months to recover from a concussion and post-concussion syndrome (which is a beast, let me tell you!), but I’m back to blogging! To celebrate, I’m sharing all my IG looks from the past several weeks.

Hello fall message with pumpkins on a blue background

Before I get started though, I want to talk about Liketoknow.it. LIKEtoKNOW.it is a brilliant app where you can search and discover millions of real products/looks styled by, on, and for real people. Since discovering this app, I’ve only used it to shop. I like seeing the home and beauty products along with fashion finds styled on people that look like me. Let’s be honest – models are beautiful and make any clothing look amazing, but I prefer to see the articles of clothing on someone who resembles a normal everyday gal to help me make my purchasing decision. LTK influencers do make a small commission from the retailers when you buy through the app. If you’re loving the fashion and home finds I share, you can follow me by downloading the app and search under influencers –– Hollydays_Chicago. If you have the app, you can find me here if you’re on your phone.

Let’s get started, shall we? Those that live in warm climates, I found some amazing dresses (all under $40) you can sport for awhile longer.

Next up are two skirts that have been in rotation lately. In fact, I just bought one in fall colors to wear with tights too!

Now on to some fall tops I’m loving. These are great for work or evening fun. You can see them on me and the models below. I especially love the animal prints.

If you’re like me, you’re all about cozy in the winter. I want to look cute but also stay warm. I found this sweater that works perfectly with jeans and boots and it comes in multiple colors. I loved this one so much I bought another in gray! It’s also 33% off retail right now. Hooray!

If you’re looking for a fun Halloween sweater – check out this one. You can swipe down for “Good” and up for “Bad”. Your choice – depending on the day you’ve had. Ha!

If you’re looking to rock some very comfortable snakeskin booties, I highly recommend these. You’re welcome. You’re going to love them and so will all your friends. I get compliments on them every time I wear them.

Every piece from this post is true to size. For reference, I’m just shy of 5’3″ and petite to average sizing.

Happy Fall, y’all! I hope you enjoyed these picks. You can follow my daily #ootd looks on Instagram.

xo,

Holly

Feeling The Fall Vibes at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up

I love Fall in Chicago. Aside from the weather, football, changing leaves and making soups every weekend, the family activities make fall one of the best seasons of the year. Chicago is a very kid-friendly city with so many options, it’s hard to keep up. This year we kicked off the season with a visit to Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-up.

I’ll start by saying this place is equally as fun for adults. It would be a great date/girls’ night, but we took our kids along this time.

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is a great Fall interactive pop-up experience. It spreads across two acres in Goose Island. Open for one month only, you definitely need to check out this larger than life, outdoor, multi-sensory adventure in the heart of Chicago. Jack’s has the city’s largest corn maze, four full-service bars (one that’s hidden inside the maze!), ax throwing, gypsy caravans, music, carnival games, arcade, food trucks, and fun Instagrammable moments the kids (and you!) will love. You can even pick out a pumpkin on your way out if you want to.

We took the kids around 11 am on Sunday and that seemed to be less busy, so we had plenty of time for photo ops, the large sensory toys and lost ourselves in the maze.

The oversized rocking chair, maze and carnival games were the favorites with my boys. My favorites, of course. were all the photo ops and making memories with my babies. Definitely worth it if you’re looking for a fun activity with the kids.

If you go before 6 pm, you get discounted ticket pricing. I recommend getting your tickets online before you go. There are several packages to choose from that include drinks, etc., but basic entry before 6 pm is $15 for adults, $12 for kids (4 and under are free!). You can get deals through Groupon too.

If you are looking for more pumpkin patches to visit – check out Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Park District website for more in your area. We plan on going to a lot more so I’ll keep you informed.

What are your favorite fall activities in the city?

Here are some more pics from our day at Jack’s.

To My Baby On His First Day of Kindergarten

If you’ve been following me for a while you might remember a piece I wrote for TODAY and HuffPost a while back about my oldest son titled, “To My Son On His First Day of Kindergarten.” I still cry to this day when I read it because it reiterates how fast time flies. Now, three and a half years later, I’m sending my baby off to kindergarten and the emotions are running high, to say the least.

He’s my last. Even writing that pains my heart.

This is the last first day of kindergarten. The last baby to learn his ABCs. The last one to cling to me as I walk him to his class and honestly – I’m not ready. I feel like I’ve been in survival mode for what feels like decades raising babies and now here I am, a mom of school-aged kids. I knew this day would come and I thought I’d be prepared, or even happy as it will be easier for me as a working mom – but I’m not. I’m sad. I’m sad this chapter closed on me when I turned my back for a second.

After all, he is my baby. When I look at him I still see that chubby-legged little nugget who giggled all the time and fell asleep on my chest every afternoon. How is he now five? How did he go from having chunky cheeks and needing me to do everything for him to now packing his own backpack, dressing himself, and ready to take on the world? Kinder is his start line, and as a mom, I have to step back and let him grow.

With my first son, I was in a profession that required a lot of hours away from home so I didn’t get to spend my days with him. With my second son, I was lucky enough to work from home and we spent every waking moment together. I was there when he took his first steps. I was there when he said his first words. I was there – always. Now, I have to hear about his advancements through others.

Starting kindergarten also means my influence starts to slip into the hands of teachers and friends. It means the day will soon come where I won’t be able to walk him to class anymore. It means his friends will start to be more present in his life and he will want to hang out with them over me. It means those after lunch snuggles are going to be limited to the weekends and it means momma’s love in public will start to embarrass him versus comfort him. Why oh why can’t they just stay little forever?

Even though I know this is good for both of us, it’s still hard on my heart. Unfortunately, this isn’t about me and what I want or need – it’s about him.

So – To my baby on his first day of kindergarten,

Even though I’m going to miss you like crazy, I’m so excited for you to start your own journey. You may be scared at first, but that’s normal. Your teachers will care for you and teach you things I can’t. You’ll learn all about the big world out there and how you can grow up to make a difference in it. You’ll make new friends and start to get to know yourself better too. You’ll have tons of fun new experiences and maybe some not-so-good ones too – but that’s okay, that’s how you grow. Even though you’re becoming more independent, know I’ll always be here when you need me. While you’re off starting this new chapter in life, I’m going to do my best to embrace this next stage of parenthood and hold back tears. But for these last few days, I’ll just pretend time hasn’t snuck up on me, yet again.

Alexander – I loved you from the very start, 
You stole my breath, embraced my heart. 
Our life together seems like it has just begun, 
You’re part of me my little one.  (-AliciaK)

Now – let’s go crush kindergarten.

Finding The Magic At Bixbee

Chicago families rejoice! There’s a new pop-up in town and it’s totally worth the visit. Conveniently located in Lincoln Park right off North Avenue just east of Sheffield. The Bixbee Imagination Station offers about an hour of fun installations and interactive stations for kids. There are five rooms to roam through all with different themes.

You start out walking through the jungle to get to the jungle-themed room.

Then head into the unicorn room and experience the magic of light installations, hula hoops, a unicorn and a sensory wall you could spend an hour playing with by itself.

Next up is a secret garden filled with beautiful flowers and butterflies. It’s a mystical room that will make your little ones smile.

Next, you’ll travel into space to see cool orbit light features and cosmic food.

You’ll finish out under the sea and get lost in a giant octopus that takes up a fourth of the room. You can crawl into the mouth of a shark – YIKES – and even claim your spot as the king (or queen!) of the sea.

If you’re in the Chicago area, I highly recommend this fun exhibit – but hurry as it ends at the end of September. You buy your ticket in advance and choose a time slot. This is great because it keeps the rooms less busy for more fun. I took my 5-year-old and he loved it. I think any age will find it fun for the imagination, however, I think 10 and under will enjoy it most.

There’s street parking on several streets nearby and also a parking garage on Sheffield right after you cross North Ave.

Per the website:
Bixbee Imagination Station is an experiential pop-up bound only by the limits of your imagination.

Inspired by a child’s innate ability to transform their reality into a fantasy world powered by nothing more than their own creativity, Imagination Station is equal parts funtastical playground and imagination jump starter!

Come discover a world every kid (and kid-at-heart) wished truly existed. Enter an un-charted playground where you can ride with a polka-dotted elephant and spot cheeky, technicolor monkeys. Ignite a brilliant light show with just the beat of a drum. Ride a mythical unicorn blazing across a disco rainbow sky. See human connectivity come to life like an electric spirograph. Share secrets with your bestie via flower blossoms. Explore outer space with a surfing, taco loving dinosaur, and take a selfie inside a ferociously, friendly shark!

Bixbee Imagination Station is so much more than just a great photo op, or fantasy play date. It’s a safari into the imagination.

Bixbee Imagination Station: Come Curious – Leave Inspired

Imagination Station is in Chicago for a limited time only. Don’t miss out and reserve your tickets today!

Learn more about Imagination Station here. Use code: FACEBOOK30 as a discount code.

* Mon to Thur, Sat & Sun (10am – 5pm), Fri (10am – 7pm) 
* Tickets: Adult $23, Kid (3-11 years old) $15, Children 2 and under are FREE
* For groups of 11 or more, birthday parties, or special events, please email ChiStation@bixbee.com’

*Sensory-friendly experience offered on August 13th and September 10th from 10am-12pm – Enjoy the Imagination Station with lowered lighting, sounds, and effects

Feeling Grand At The Grand Canyon

If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon – it needs to be added to your bucket list ASAP. I’ve wanted to go since I can remember and I’m so happy we were able to include it in our travel plans this summer.

Before this summer, I’ve only flown over the canyon which boasts insane views, but it’s not the same as being there and seeing it up close and personal. Any pictures or Goggle Earth searches just do not do this wonder justice.

We flew into Phoenix and drove to Sedona to stay the night there. I feel like if you’re going through Phoenix to get to the Grand Canyon you need to check out Sedona too! It’s equally as amazing. The drive to Grand Canyon from Sedona wasn’t bad either – only 2 hours. From Phoenix, it’s 3.5 hours. The drive between Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park is incredible, you drive through the mountains and are surrounded by lush greenery, crisp air, and breathtaking views.

Okay, now that I’ve convinced you to go there let me give you some tips and recommendations.

You can stay close to Grand Canyon National Park, but the hotels are limited which is why we chose to stay in Sedona. Check out their website for lodging options nearby if you want to stay closer.

To enter the park there is a $35 fee which lasts for 7 days. They give you a pass to put in your car. They prefer debit/credit cards so don’t worry if you don’t have cash. You could do three days there easily, however, we only had time to check out the south rim. When my kids are a little older we will definitely stay a few days and get some hiking in too!

There is ample amount of parking and shuttles if you get there early, that can take you all throughout the park. They have shuttle services from outside the park as well. I recommend parking in lot A or B at the South Rim Visitor’s Center when you first come in. There are several villages and market places inside the park at different lookout points for food, beverage and souvenir shopping. We scored some yummy tacos at a food truck inside the park. You can also enter the park from the west and north if you’re coming from those directions. If possible, go on a weekday or right when they open. The crowds didn’t get too big until around noon. Right at 9 am or after 4 pm are the best times to go.

Parents – the south rim at Mather Point does have rails and large rocks blocking the edge. I was really concerned about this because my little one cannot be trusted. I felt safe walking throughout this lookout point with the boys. If you want to venture a little off to the sides of Mather Point you can get some views without rails if you’re the daredevil type. I am not.

There’s a nice path to walk up to the rim and once you get there you truly cannot believe your eyes. Like I mentioned before, pictures never do it justice. The canyon is so vast it’s hard to believe it’s real. There are tons of spots for great pictures, some rocks you can even walk out on for more beautiful views. Again, we only chose the ones with rails. Check out more of these views!

If you want to head north to the north rim, plan on a few hours of driving. Grand Canyon North Rim’s season is relatively short as well, so check to see if it’s open before you go. The main visitation area of Grand Canyon North Rim is much smaller than that of the South Rim. While the South Rim has close to two dozen major viewpoints, the North Rim has only three. So, if you only have a day there and are with small kids, I suggest the South Rim.

Next time we go when our kids are a little older, we will definitely make it to the north side to see Horseshoe Bend. The trail to Horseshoe Bend is 1.5 miles round trip, so not bad with kids. Walking time is said to be about 1 hour and it will give you plenty of gawking time at the canyon’s edge. Because you’re in the desert, don’t forget to go prepared with lots of water and sunscreen.

If you’re going to check out Horseshoe Bend, then it’s a must to check out Antelope Caverns as they are close to each other. You can do guided tours through Grand Canyon Adventures. They run all day and include transportation, the best photo ops, and lunch.

If you’re a hiker and want to get the ultimate hike in – the Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point (12.2 miles total). The Bright Angel trail ends at an insane view overlooking the Colorado River. A less intense hike is the Cedar Ridge trail which is only 3 miles.

Lastly, if you’re looking for something a little extra but don’t want to hike, you can head to the Grand Canyon Skywalk at Eagle Point, located at the West Rim. According to the website, the Skywalk is a 10-foot wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extends 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon. Look down and you can see right through the glass platform 4,000 feet to the floor of the Canyon below. The glass can withhold the weight of 70 fully loaded 747 passenger jets – so don’t worry about it cracking while on it! The Skywalk is an extra ticket and in my opinion pretty pricy, but it is the experience after all. It’s about 4 hours from the South Rim so this is a better area to visit if coming from Las Vegas. I have read that you are not allowed to carry bags, purses or cameras on the Skywalk. Photographers are there to take photos for you, but of course, at an extra charge. All and all you’ll pay $60-$80 per person, plus photographs.

Our short trip to the Grand Canyon was enough for me to want to go back and feast my eyes on more of this natural wonder! If you have any tips about visiting the Grand Canyon, let me know in the know in the comment section!

Target Fashion Finds For Summer

Anyone else obsessed with Target––raise your hand. Okay, now all of you put your hands down. Ha!

I admit I’m a Target addict, too. I love all their home decor, jewelry, patio section and kid’s clothes, but lately, I really love their women’s clothes and shoes too!

They are smart to put that section right by the front door because I always stop and browse and leave with a few items I didn’t know I “needed.”

I found most of my summer dresses there for our recent vacation and get lots of compliments when I wear them. Here are some of my recent finds that I think many of you will like too!

First up, I love a good white dress. This one is not see-through and has a liner. It’s lightweight and a nice flow to it when you walk. They also have it in black and it fits true-to-size.

I also love a pretty pleated dress. You can dress this one up or down and fits true-to-size. People couldn’t believe I got this dress below at Target! P.S. I got the earrings there too! You can click here to find them.

Some other great finds I have in my closet and love are:

But the dress I wear most is this beauty below. It’s so comfortable and you can make it casual or dress it up.

Let’s not forget about shoes though. I found some cute Steve Madden dupes too. I love the orange ones with some white pants and a cute top. Perfect for summer.

What are your favorite Target finds? Do you have any of these items too? Share them in the comments.

Nordstrom Aniversary Sale Picks

My favorite time of year is upon us, Summer and the annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

If you haven’t been on the #nsale train before – no worries as it just started. The sale runs from July 12th to July 18th for early access and then all access from July 18th to August 4th.

To get early access you have to be a Nordstrom card holder. I’ve had a card for over ten years and the perks are awesome! You can apply here. Otherwise, you can start your sale shopping on the 18th.

Tips for the sale:

Start shopping right when the sale starts. Things sell out quick! I recommend starting with shoes, as they go the fastest. The sale features all their new fall collection items. There are items from $10 all the way up to designer level pricing. The savings are really worth it. Some things up to $100+ off!

Next tip: if you see something you want, buy it then! I added something to my “saved for later” list on the site and 5 minutes later it was sold out.

Jackets and sweaters are my next departments to scroll through. I love Nordstrom because you know you’re buying pieces that will last forever. Good quality sweaters and jackets are expensive too, so this sale allows me to buy more of items I wouldn’t pay full price for.

Yesterday I was able to snag a lot of my items I was eyeing and I’m heading into the store this week to search some more but wanted to what I’ve found so far in case it’s what you’ve been looking for too!

First up SHOES!

These booties are perfect for work or a night out. The black suede ones I got in red.

Here are some high boots I found that I’m loving:

Here are more casual boots. I have these first ones in grey and wear them at least 3-4 times a week! I also have been eyeing these Sorels but they are expensive – so seeing them in this sale got me super excited!

Next, I moved onto sweaters and jackets. They had Patagonia and Northface included in the sale. If you live in a cold climate, get yourself one of these jackets. I got this same North Face jacket 11 years ago and I still wear it every winter and it’s like brand new! Worth the investment especially when it’s $50+off! I got the brown leather jacket in a beige color and I scored this Patagonia fleece too!

Here are the sweaters I purchased.

This was my all-time best score – Spanx Leather Leggings, normally over $100+ and they are $40 off!

And here are all the things I’m headed into the store to try on and check out!