“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
Making sure all my problems can’t be solved in Japan. #wanderlusting #travel #summertravels #familytravel #japantravels
Jul 13
I think I have too much… What do you think?. The whole family’s packing about the same -5 tops, 5 bottoms, and 2 pairs of shoes each. Though let’s be real… my daughter packed the lightest because she’s planning to buy all her clothes in Tokyo. 😂
Can’t wait to see what actually worked (and what I didn’t need). I’ve got all my travel essentials linked on my LTK and in stories. Link in bio! ✈️🧳
#packwithme #japanpacking #carryononly #japantravel #packinglist #summertravel #familytravel #packingtips #wanderlust #japanpacking #ltktravel
Jul 13
I freaking love skin care that makes my skin glow! I’ve been using @herbalfacefood for a few years now, and it’s really helped with anti-aging and evening out my skin tone - I also love that it’s also 100% natural!
I just recently tried the soap for the first time, and I’m so impressed with it. I honestly never even thought about soap before, I usually just washed my face with whatever. But now that I’ve used it I don’t think I can go back. It’s packed with all the same goodness and botanicals as the serums and creams. If you want to try it out, use my promo code “stayingblonde” to receive 30% off your purchase. Link in bio. #skincare #matureskin #matureskincare #herbalfacefood #soap
Jul 11
That’s one slithering hose. 😂 🐍 #gardenhose #funny #snake
Jul 9
I am seriously loving my pool! They have them in stock at Costco right now. If you can’t find it there, I also have it linked in my bio. #costcofinds #inflatablepool #summerfun #tanningpool #ltk
Jul 9
Here’s to another fantastic 4th of July week back in Indiana with family, friends, food, fireworks and fireflies! I love my 4ths back home in Indiana. Nothing beats a Midwest Fourth of July. #midwestsummer #4thofjuly
Jul 7
Just throwing some quintessential summer vibes out there. Where do you go to soak in the summer sun? #summer #santacruz #santacruzboardwalk #summervibes @beachboardwalk
Jun 28
Painting concrete is a budget-friendly, and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces like patios, walkways, and side yards. Although it does take some preparation and special paint to make sure the finish will be smooth, durable, and long lasting. Before considering a concrete painting project of your own, here are a few things to know:
•Start with a deep clean
We borrowed a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the entire surface. This is a crucial first step – don’t skip it! Once clean, let the concrete dry completely overnight.
•Fill in the cracks:
Use a concrete crack filler to patch up any gaps. This step helps prevent moisture from getting in and keeps the paint from peeling later on.
•Prime the surface:
Just like with any paint job, primer makes all the difference. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
•Use the right paint:
You can’t use just any paint for concrete. We used Behr Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Exterior Paint, which is designed to adhere to rough surfaces and withstand the elements.
I have the full set of instructions on how we did our DIY patio project up on Staying Blonde right now. Link in bio. #diypainting #diyhomeprojects #diypatiomakeover #budgetfriendlydiy #concretepatio #concretepainting #diyinspiration
Jun 27
Did you know that you can paint concrete?! I only learned this recently, and I wasted no time transforming our ugly, patchy, concrete side-yard into a more serene, usable space.
Painting concrete is a budget-friendly, and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces like patios, walkways, and side yards. Although it does take some preparation and special paint to make sure the finish will be smooth, durable, and long lasting. Before considering a concrete painting project of your own, here are a few things to know:
•Start with a deep clean
We borrowed a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the entire surface. This is a crucial first step – don’t skip it! Once clean, let the concrete dry completely overnight.
•Fill in the cracks
Use a concrete crack filler to patch up any gaps. This step helps prevent moisture from getting in and keeps the paint from peeling later on.
•Prime the surface
Just like with any paint job, primer makes all the difference. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
•Use the right paint
You can’t use just any paint for concrete. We used Behr Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Exterior Paint, which is designed to adhere to rough surfaces and withstand the elements.
I have the full set of instructions on how we did our DIY patio project up on Staying Blonde right now. Link in bio. #diypainting #diyhomeprojects #diypatiomakeover #budgetfriendlydiy #concretepatio #concretepainting #diyinspiration #patiomakeover
Jun 27
Have you ever had Five Cup Salad - a.k.a. Ambrosia Salad? It’s an old vintage recipe that’s been around forever, and for good reason. It’s a sweet and tangy side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues, holiday gatherings and potlucks alike.
This particular version is technically a 6 cup salad. I add a cup of chopped pecans to give it an extra buttery crunch that makes it irresistible. Is a tiny twist, but it makes a big difference.
I have the full recipe linked in my bio and in my stories. #fivecupsalad #ambrosiasalad #saladrecipes #easyrecipeideas #vintagerecipe #summerrecipes
Jun 23
Happy Summer! I feel like I wait all year long to finally come alive these next few months.
Now that summer is officially here, I love wearing my whites, my linens, and now my new favorite - crinkle gauze! I love this crinkly gauze material because it gives you the look and breathability of linen, but doesn’t wrinkle like linen does. I wore this outfit on the plane and I looked just as refreshed after a six hour flight as I did before I left. Do you love crinkle gauze clothing for the warm summer days? I have a few pieces linked on my LTK in my bio and in my stories. #happysummer #summerstyle #crinklegauze #travelstyle #styletip #ltk @shop.ltk
Jun 20
Rome is Calling.
It keeps popping up in my photo memories, and I figured that was my sign to put together a reel. Two years ago today, we were on our Roman Holiday, wandering those cobblestone streets, eating gelato, and falling (even more) in love with the Eternal City.
Rome might just be my favorite city in the world...and one I’ll never get tired of visiting.
You can find my 3-day Rome itinerary, packed with all the must-sees, linked in my bio.
What’s one place you could return to again and again and never get bored? #rome #romeitaly #travelrome #romeitinerary #rometravel #italytravel
Jun 18
Who else is ready for summer adventures?! Something about these next few months always makes me feel more alive. Next stop for us: Japan.🇯🇵 Where are you headed this summer? #wanderlust #familytravel #europesummer #summertravel #travelinspo #travelideas
Jun 17
