Hi! I'm Michelle.

Staying blonde through travel, food, and family fun.

Mom of two, seeking a little sanity in the everyday

Featured Stories

Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio

Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let's Paint the Patio

Painting concrete is an affordable and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces, such a... read more

Five Cup Salad

Also known as Ambrosia Salad, this sweet, tangy, and creamy side dish is a staple at summer barbecues, h... read more

The Very Best Travel Essentials and Gear

“These are the items we always bring to keep things organized and ensure our trips run smoothly an... read more

Traveling with Teens

Traveling with teens, like traveling with kids of any age, comes with unique challenges.

Five Days on Oahu

This excellent Oahu itinerary strikes the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It proves that you ... read more

Italy with Kids: The Ultimate Two-Week Itinerary

This post contains affiliate links We spent the last 15 days of our family’s European vacation in Italy. I ... read more

Easy Cobbler with Fresh Fruit and Berries

Originally posted in June of 2021, I wanted to update and repost this recipe since it's so easy, delicious,... read more

Our Dyslexic Journey

I was clueless as to what dyslexia truly was thinking it was nothing more than transposing letters. Thus... read more

Travel

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” ― Rick Steves

Travel Featured

May 18, 2025

The Very Best Travel Essentials and Gear

"These are the items we always bring to keep things organized and ensure our trips run smoothly and stress-free."

Michelle Tucker 0

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South Pacific Travel

April 14, 2025

Maui: A Family Friendly Guide to the Valley Isle

Maui is pure magic. With its stunning scenery, world-class beaches, incredible food, and endless adventures, it’s no wonder we keep coming back to the Valley Isle year after year.

Michelle Tucker 0

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Disney Travel

March 2, 2025

Disneyland on a Budget

"With some planning and savvy decision-making, you can enjoy a magical Disneyland trip without overspending."

Michelle Tucker 1

Love3

Travel Featured

January 28, 2025

Traveling with Teens

Traveling with teens, like traveling with kids of any age, comes with unique challenges.

Michelle Tucker 0

Love3

South Pacific Travel Featured

December 4, 2024

Five Days on Oahu

This excellent Oahu itinerary strikes the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It proves that you can have it all in only five days.

Michelle Tucker 0

Love4

Europe Travel

September 19, 2024

One Day in London

Although London's vastness makes it impossible to see in a day, it's surprising how much you can experience in just 24 hours.

Michelle Tucker 0

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More Travel

Eats

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” — Julia Child

Salads Eats Featured

June 22, 2025

Five Cup Salad

Also known as Ambrosia Salad, this sweet, tangy, and creamy side dish is a staple at summer barbecues, holiday gatherings, and potlucks alike.

Michelle Tucker 0

Love1

Sweets Eats

March 30, 2025

Easy Lemon Sorbet

We have a lemon tree in our backyard (one of the perks of California living!), and when it’s heavy with fruit, I know exactly what to make: homemade lemon sorbet.…

Michelle Tucker 4

Love2

Soups Eats

February 7, 2025

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime

I usually crave soup only on cold, dreary days, but this chicken tortilla soup with lime is something I hunger for year-round.

Michelle Tucker 1

Love2

Salads Eats

November 12, 2024

Waldorf Salad

I love making this salad in the fall when I have an abundance of apples. It's a welcomed alternative to baking them into pies and other sweets.

Michelle Tucker 1

Love2

Salads Eats

April 5, 2024

Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Couscous Tabbouleh Salad This simple and delightful Eastern Mediterranean dish, is a favorite of mine, especially during the warmer seasons of spring and summer. Tabbouleh is traditionally made with bulgur…

Michelle Tucker 0

Love2

Drinks Seasonal Eats

January 31, 2024

White Hot Chocolate

Warm up this winter season with a White Hot Chocolate. This is a decadent and delicious treat that is quick and easy to make. Cozy Up with White Hot Chocolate…

Michelle Tucker 0

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More Eats

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

DIY Lifestyle Featured

June 27, 2025

Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio

Painting concrete is an affordable and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces, such as patios, walkways, and side yards.

Michelle Tucker 0

Love1

DIY Family Lifestyle

March 13, 2025

Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland

My daughter loves her wisteria filled room, and I love that we created something beautiful together.

Michelle Tucker 0

Love3

Holidays DIY Lifestyle

September 28, 2024

How to Make a Haunted Halloween Tunnel

A Haunted Halloween Tunnel is a fun and easy DIY project. Here is a full supply list and instructions so you can make your own.

Michelle Tucker 1

Love4

Holidays DIY Lifestyle

November 27, 2023

DIY Holiday Arches

How to build your own DIY holiday arches. They are both easy and inexpensive to make. They will also make you the house to see on the block.

Michelle Tucker 2

Love2

Holidays Family Lifestyle

October 24, 2023

Finding the Great Pumpkin: Tips for Picking the Perfect One

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red and the air turns crisp, it can only mean one thing: pumpkin season is here. And with it comes the…

Michelle Tucker 0

Love0

Family Lifestyle

October 10, 2023

Unlocking the Secret of Tarantula Sightings: Tips for a Successful Encounter in California’s Scenic Parks

We recently embarked on a unique family adventure, taking the kids up to Henry Coe State Park to witness a fascinating natural phenomenon—tarantula mating season. Yes, tarantulas—the big, hairy spiders…

Michelle Tucker 0

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More Lifestyle

Latest on Social

“Humor is a social lubricant that helps us get over some of the bad spots.” — Steve Allen

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stayingblonde

1 weeks ago

This is seriously such a cute and comfy set! Perfect for these hot days that we are having. #summeroutfit #summerstyle #SummerFashion #TikTokShop #vestoutfit

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Michelle Tucker

1 weeks ago

Just throwing some quintessential summer vibes out there. Where do you go to soak in the summer sun? #summer #santacruz #santacruzboardwalk #summervibes @beachboardwalk

Michelle Tucker

1 weeks ago

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

stayingblonde

1 weeks ago

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. How to Paint Concrete the Right Way 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 @BEHR Paint #diypatiomakeover #budgetfriendlydiy #concretepatio #concretepainting #diyinspiration

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Michelle Tucker

1 weeks ago

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stayingblonde

1 weeks ago

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stayingblonde

2 weeks ago

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. #fivecupsalad #ambrosiasalad #EasyRecipes #EasyRecipe #summerrecipes #vintagerecipes

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Michelle Tucker

2 weeks ago

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stayingblonde

2 weeks ago

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Michelle Tucker

2 weeks ago

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

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stayingblonde

3 weeks ago

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stayingblonde

3 weeks ago

Rome is Calling. It keeps popping up in my photo memories, and I figured that was my sign to put together a TikTok. 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

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Michelle Tucker

3 weeks ago

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

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stayingblonde

3 weeks ago

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stayingblonde

3 weeks ago

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 #summertravel #travelideas #travelinspo

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Michelle Tucker

3 weeks ago

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Michelle Tucker

3 weeks ago

A few snaps from our kid-free escape to Mexico to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

It had been seven years since we’d gotten away, just the two of us, and did we need it! You forget how relaxing a vacation can be when it’s not full of refereeing sibling fights. The only people we had to yell at were each other! 😂

We stayed at the Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen, a favorite of mine from past girls’ trips. It’s small, quiet, and perfect for doing absolutely nothing. 10/10 would recommend for anyone needing to hit the pause button.

#anniversarytrip #25yearsmarried #playadelcármen #royalhideaway #kidfreevacation #couplesgetaway #rivieramaya #allinclusiveresort #adultonlyresort

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Michelle Tucker

4 weeks ago

Celebrating 25 years of marital bliss. Now, was it all bliss? Of course not. But it’s been love, laughter, growth, and grit. It hasn’t all been candlelit dinners and romantic getaways... it’s also been bills, laundry, loud chewing, and figuring out who’s turn it was to unload the dishwasher. And guess what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Marriage isn’t always easy, but building a life together for 25 years? That’s something to celebrate! Here’s to us and all the adventures still ahead. ❤️ #25yearsmarried #anniversarylove #happyanniversarytous

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More About Me

Hi! I'm Michelle.

Staying blonde through travel, food, and family fun.

Trending

Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland

A 12-Day Greece Itinerary with Kids

Greek Lemon Rice Soup

Mom of two, seeking a little sanity in the everyday

Featured Stories

Travel

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” ― Rick Steves

The Very Best Travel Essentials and Gear

Maui: A Family Friendly Guide to the Valley Isle

Disneyland on a Budget

Traveling with Teens

Five Days on Oahu

One Day in London

Eats

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” — Julia Child

Five Cup Salad

Easy Lemon Sorbet

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime

Waldorf Salad

Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

White Hot Chocolate

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

Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio

Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland

How to Make a Haunted Halloween Tunnel

DIY Holiday Arches

Finding the Great Pumpkin: Tips for Picking the Perfect One

Unlocking the Secret of Tarantula Sightings: Tips for a Successful Encounter in California’s Scenic Parks

Recent Posts

"There's no present. There's only the immediate future and the recent past." ― George Carlin

Budget-Friendly Concrete Makeover: Let’s Paint the Patio

Five Cup Salad

The Very Best Travel Essentials and Gear

Maui: A Family Friendly Guide to the Valley Isle

Easy Lemon Sorbet

Create Your Own Wisteria Wonderland

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“Humor is a social lubricant that helps us get over some of the bad spots.” — Steve Allen

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