Staying Blonde is Michelle Tucker, mother of two fantastic kids. Staying Blonde is where I share my journey. Learn from my wins and fails — hopefully, you can take advantage of the lessons I’ve learned, things I’ve figured out, and the bits of life I’ve untangled. Life is best when we lift each other up.
Hi! I'm Michelle.
Staying blonde through travel, food, and family fun.
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Disney Days, Comfy Nights: Our Stay at the Renovated Hilton Anaheim
The Ultimate 11-Day Japan Itinerary for Families with Teens
The Ultimate 11-Day Japan Itinerary for Families with Teens
Greek Lemon Rice Soup
Greek Lemon Rice Soup
Mom of two, seeking a little sanity in the everyday
Grab a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and dive right in. I’m sure you’ll find some goodness here!
Featured Stories
Travel
“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” ― Rick Steves
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure, Wildlife & Beaches
Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure, Wildlife & Beaches
Disney Days, Comfy Nights: Our Stay at the Renovated Hilton Anaheim
Disney Days, Comfy Nights: Our Stay at the Renovated Hilton Anaheim
11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Sri Lanka
11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka by Tuk Tuk: The Ultimate Travel Adventure
Sri Lanka by Tuk Tuk: The Ultimate Travel Adventure
Japan Travel Mistakes: What We’d do Differently Next Time
Japan Travel Mistakes: What We’d do Differently Next Time
Eats
“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” — Julia Child
Italian Beef and Shells Casserole
Italian Beef and Shells Casserole
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Cranberry Pomegranate Spritz
Cranberry Pomegranate Spritz
Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Bars
Easy and Delicious Apple Crisp
Easy and Delicious Apple Crisp
Five Cup Salad
Five Cup Salad
Lifestyle
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Herbal Face Food Review
Herbal Face Food Review
Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio
Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio
Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland
Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland
How to Make a Haunted Halloween Tunnel
How to Make a Haunted Halloween Tunnel
Recent Posts
"There's no present. There's only the immediate future and the recent past." ― George Carlin
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
The Best Family Trips by Age: When and Where to Travel With Kids
Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure, Wildlife & Beaches
Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure, Wildlife & Beaches
Italian Beef and Shells Casserole
Italian Beef and Shells Casserole
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Spinach Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Cranberry Pomegranate Spritz
Cranberry Pomegranate Spritz
Disney Days, Comfy Nights: Our Stay at the Renovated Hilton Anaheim
Disney Days, Comfy Nights: Our Stay at the Renovated Hilton Anaheim
Shop the Feed
“Shopping is my cardio.” — Carrie Bradshaw
Latest on Social
“Humor is a social lubricant that helps us get over some of the bad spots.” — Steve Allen
Pizza night just got even better!
I just tried my first order of Cheezee Garlic Rolls from @pizzaguysofficial , and I’m just saying, once you add these to your order, there’s no going back.
If you need a little excuse (like we ever do), use code ROLLDROP6 to get $2 off any Cheezee Garlic Rolls at checkout when you order from Pizza Guys now through March 31, 2026.
With over 100 locations across California, Nevada, and Texas, there’s probably a Pizza Guys near you… and if there is, consider this your sign.
Who’s adding the rolls to their cart tonight? #imapizzaguy #pizzaguys #pizzanight #dinnerideas
How are you when plans change or get cancelled?
Are you the “I’ll roll with it” type?
Or do you immediately need to fill the empty space with a new backup plan? 🙋🏼♀️
The kids have the entire week off and our original plan was to head up to Sequoia National Park to see the big trees… but a major winter storm decided otherwise. So the giants will have to wait a little longer this year.
We tossed around the idea of going back to Disneyland for a few days, but it’s supposed to rain there too, and honestly, we were just there. As magical as it is, even I can admit we probably don’t need another churro this month. (Okay… maybe we do.)
Now I’m debating a quick road trip somewhere with better weather… or leaning into some fun day trips around San Francisco and exploring more of what our own backyard has to offer. The catch? Rain. And not the cute, cozy kind. The cold, full-on torrential, sideways, “why is this happening” kind.
Normally I don’t let rain stop me. But lately these winter storms have been on the heavy side, and I’m officially at a loss.
So tell me, what would you do?
Embrace the storm? Pivot to somewhere sunny? Or hunker down and create the coziest staycation ever?
I’m open to ideas. And maybe a little reassurance that I’m not the only mom over here trying to out-plan Mother Nature. #momlife #disneyland #pivot
I like flowers too, but I’d like them better in Italy. Am I wrong? #valentinegiftideas #whatwomenwant #italy #italytravel
This is day three of driving a Tuk Tuk around Sri Lanka with Large Minority.
Today was the longest drive of the trip and honestly, it was the toughest. I love that Large Minority is never more than a quick text away, because I honestly don’t know if we would’ve ever gotten up that mountain without them. 😫
Also, have you heard of Short Eats? If you’re ever in Sri Lanka, be sure to try as many of them as you can. We had a hard time finding one we didn’t like.
#tuktuksrilanka #srilankatravel #tuktukadventures #travelinspiration #adventureiscalling
Have you seen my sunglasses? Seriously.
These were my favorite sunglasses, and they’ve officially been missing for a year now. A whole year. And yes, I’m still sad about it.
I’ve actually been scrolling through old photos trying to retrace my steps and figure out the last time I wore them, because apparently this is who I am now, slightly unhinged over a pair of Kate Spade sunglasses from 2019. 😫
I guess I’m officially at the age where little things like this drive me absolutely crazy. A missing pair of sunglasses is what’s sending me over the edge.
At this point I’m not sure what I’ve lost more, the sunglasses or my sanity.
Is it silly that I still have hope they’ll randomly turn up in a beach bag, the back of a drawer, or some mysterious pocket I’ve somehow missed 47 times?
Please tell me I’m not alone.
What’s something small you’ve lost that still haunts you to this day?
#lost #lifeover50 #lifeover40 #momlife #whereismymind
Best decision ever! @largeminority #wanderlust #travelinspo #srilankatravel #tuktukadventure #tuktuk @maddy_pat_mad
What’s one of your favorite family trips?
This list came up because I was curious if my favorite trips match my kid’s favorite trips. I asked them for their top five and compared their list to my husband‘s and mine, and the results actually surprised me.
I couldn’t believe that Greece didn’t make the cut. ( it’s one of my favorites) I was even more surprised that Ireland scored really high. ( We were only there four days.) What my little poll really showed me is how much timing can make or break a family trip. Where you go, what you do, and how old the kids are really matters.
We first visited Costa Rica back in 2019, so I thought it might fade from memory, but it’s still topped both of their lists, which showed me that some places just stick when the timing is right.
Now truth be told… Our road trip didn’t make either kids list, but I added it anyway with hopes that one day they’ll look back and think of all those crazy roadtrip memories as some of their fondest as well. I guess only time will tell. 😜
You can read more about some of our most loved destinations, and the ages the kids were when we went over on the blog right now. Link in bio. #familytravelblog #travelwithkids #travelinspo #familytravel #familytravelideas
If you’re still looking for a quick and easy Super Bowl appetizer, I’ve got you.
This Five Layer Dip comes together in minutes and is always a crowd favorite.
The full recipe is linked in my bio. #easyrecipes #easyappetizers #fivelayerdip #gamedayeats #partyideas @roteltomatoes
