Napili Kai Beach Resort
While we still travel to new places whenever we get the chance, there is just something magical about Napili Bay, on the west coast of Maui, that keeps drawing us back like the tides at sunset. Napili Bay is a little, unspoiled, corner of paradise, free of high-rise mega resorts, crowds, and the chaos from which we came to Hawaii to escape. Read the Article »
Grow Your Own Plumeria
Plumeria is one of my favorite tropical flowers. You can find plumeria trees blooming all over the Hawaiian islands. It’s a simple, yet elegant flower that emits the sweetest of aromas. I was ecstatic when I first learned that I can grow my very own plumeria tree from just a cutting. I made it a mission of mine to collect a variety of cuttings before heading back home from Maui. Read the Article »
Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins
While much of the Bay area heads up to Lake Tahoe each winter, our family opts to spend our time in the snow a little farther south in beautiful Yosemite. Two miles outside of the park’s south entrance lay one of our favorite wintertime resorts, Tenaya Lodge. We recently visited the lodge — knocking out our fourth, annual winter trip to Yosemite. Read the Article »
Droid Depot in Disneyland
I don’t know if it was the excitement of being in the new Galaxy’s Edge or maybe the cocktail I just consumed at Oga’s Cantina, but much to my kids’ delight we ended up in the Droid Depot building custom, remote control droids. Read the Article »
The French Chef... or Something
I lover to cook. I love to have fun. I really love to embarrass my son. So, I never miss the chance to do all three at once, given the chance. This is just a little moment of madness to make my son laugh while I cook dinner. As you can see, I am clearly a master chef! While I do have fun, what I make is yummy. You can check out my recipes in the “eats” section. View My Recipes »
Musee Mecanique
If you are in San Francisco and are looking for something fun and inexpensive to do with the kids, I have got the place for you. Right at the end of Taylor street at Pier 45 on Fishermans’ Wharf is a unique little family owned museum which is as fun as it is interesting. The Musee Mecanique is an antique coin operated penny arcade. Read the Article »
Succulent Wall
I love Succulents. The temperate climate here in California is the perfect weather for them. I have lots of them planted around the house. They look great in their pots and planted in the ground, but when I saw a beautiful succulent wall at a local restaurant, I knew I wanted something similar to it for my home. Read the Article »
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Great Places to Eat on Oahu #oahu #oahuhawaii #hawaiifood #hawaii
Oahu: Favorite Things to Do and See
Easy Waldorf Salad #salad #easyrecipes #saladrecipe #fallrecipes
An easy Thanksgiving decoration #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdecor
Legend of Sleepy Hollow themed PVC tunnel #diyhalloweendecor #halloweendecorations
Costume time! #halloweencostume #funnyanimals #halloween
Fogging Cauldron #diyhalloweendecor #diyhalloween #halloweendecor #halloweendecorations
How we make our Halloween Tunnel #diyhalloweendecor #halloweendecor #halloweendecorations
Build a Spooky Halloween Tunnel #halloweendecor #halloweendecorations #diyhalloweendecor
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The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Everything doesn’t have to be exactly how it was the year before. It’s ok to cut corners. It’s ok if everything doesn’t fall exactly into place how you imagined it would.
These are all the things I keep telling myself repeatedly this Christmas season. Most years I can get it all done, this year I can’t. And it is ok. Accepting that everything is not going to be how I expected it to be is helping me get through this next week or so without wearing myself out. For me, it started with cookie dough. Of course I love making homemade cookies, but this year I needed a little help from Pillsbury. And guess what?! The kids appreciated and loved them just the same. This is just a little reminder to take some time for you and give yourself a little grace this Christmas season. It will all be ok. 🎄#momlife #momlifebelike #momlifebestlife #christmastime #christmascrazy @pillsburybaking
Dec 20
Just a few of our favorite places we ate on Oahu. Each of these places were reasonably priced, and the food was delicious. You can find more about all of these restaurants in my “Five Days on Oahu” itinerary over at Stayingblonde. Link in bio. #oahufood #oahurestaurants #hawaiifoodfinds #hawaiifood #leonardsbakery #tedsbakery #monkeypodkitchen #cinnamons #marugameudon #hawaiitraveltips #hawaiitravel #oahutraveltips
Dec 17
I had always wanted to visit the Hawaii during the Christmas season. I was pleasantly surprised to find holiday decorations up, and festivities in full swing while we were there in late November. 🥰🎄🌴 #melekalikimaka #hawaiichristmas #hawaii #oahu #waikiki #waikikibeach #christmasinhawaii #merrychristmas
Dec 15
I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I loved Oahu. There is so much to see and do. These are a few of my favorite things we did during our stay. What did I miss and what do I need to go back for. Trust me, I am looking for excuses to go back! 😂 I have our full Five-day Oahu itinerary up on StayingBlonde. Link in bio. #oahuhawaii #oahu #oahuitinerary #hawaiitrip #hawaiitravel #travelhawaii #oahunorthshore #diamondhead #hoomaluhiabotanicalgarden #travelwithme #wanderlust #hawaiitravelguide
Dec 13
#cvspartner Who else is on the go this holiday season? We have so much planned and CVS is helping me find everything I need for both on the road and at home. I love that I can find everything I need all in one place! CVS is my one stop shop this holiday season. @cvspharmacy #holidayswithcvs #healthierhappenstogether
Dec 9
These holiday arches are an easy and inexpensive diy to add some extra cheer to the holiday season.
They are made with PVC pipes and rebar. We use these same arches to build our Halloween tunnel. We keep them up and festive throughout the holiday season with Christmas lights. I have the full supply list and instructions on Staying Blonde. Link in bio. #christmasdecor #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorating #christmasarches #diychristmasdecor #diychristmasdecorations
Dec 6
Aloha! I’ve been quiet online for the past week because I’ve been spending the first week of my fifties here in Paradise.
A girls trip to Oahu was the perfect way to ring in this new decade. We’ve been having the best time trying to see everything there is to see here on this beautiful island. Even though I’m supposed to be relaxing, I’ve already started writing my blog post about our five day itinerary here.
I normally don’t travel in November, but am pleasantly surprised about how great of a time of the year it is to travel, as long as you’re not traveling over the holidays. Do you ever travel in November? #oahu #oahuhawaii #birthdaytrip #thisisfifty #waikiki #hawaii #wanderlust #diamondhead #oahunorthshore #halekoa #girlstrip #paradise #travellife
Nov 25
Three days ago I got new bifocals, two days ago I had to increase the font size on my phone, yesterday I got my first letter from AARP, and today I turned 50! I’m kind of afraid to see what tomorrow brings.
For better or for worse, this is 50. I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around it. In my mind I’m still only about 29. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for each of those 50 years and the life I’ve lived thus far. I am looking forward to all my adventures yet to come even if those adventures happen to include stiff joints, extra gray hairs, or eating dinner at 4. #happybirthday #thisisfifty
Nov 16
