I’m so excited to start this series! Questions about being a stepmom/bonus mom and our blended family are always my most asked questions. So I wanted to start a series about blended families, being a bonus mom, and growing up with divorced parents.

My parents divorced when I was little, 4 or 5. I primarily lived with my dad (in Washington state) and then would go spend half the summer with my mom (in Virginia). My dad got remarried when I was 5 or 6, and my step mom became a big part of my life too. Very grateful for all of my parents, but I think going through a split family dynamic growing up helped me understand a few things as a step/bonus mom and brought some perspective to certain things I see my bonus kids go through now.

Before I start, I want to preface this by saying, no two situations are exactly the same, but being a parent (bonus mom or regular mom) is always easier when you have a community, friends, or family to rely on or talk to. I feel like you guys are all my besties so I hope this series can maybe help anyone navigating being a bonus mom, or dating someone with kids. And in case you don’t follow me on  instagram and are wondering where these questions below came from- I did a Q&A and had you submit all your blended fam/bonus mom questions. I compiled the most asked questions and will be breaking them into different posts (And it will also give you guys time to ask questions in comments below that I can include in my future posts.)

So here we go…

THE BEGINNING

Q. How long have you and Cody been together and where did you meet?

A. We’ve been married for 10 years this fall! We met selling alarm systems door to door in South Carolina and Texas. We both sold 🙂

Q. How many babies did you birth? Which ones are your step kids?

A. The oldest two, Mara and Wes are my bonus babies (Cody was married before and had Mara and Wes with his ex-wife). Beckam and Ollie I birthed, and are my biological children.

Q. Was it hard for you to date Cody initially because he had two babies?

A. I actually had a serious boyfriend in college who had kids. I knew I always wanted to have a big family and I had a great example of a stepmom/bonus mom growing up, so dating a guy with kids was never a big deal for me. I know this is not always the case, a lot of you have  messaged me saying it’s been a hard transition dating someone with kids, but the biggest piece of advice I can give you is give it time. Our situation wasn’t easy at first. The divorce was hard on a lot of people and things took time.  Eventually you’ll develop a structure, find what works for you and your family, and get into the swing of things. I would also say for the kids’ sake, unless you really see yourself with this person for a long time, I wouldn’t rush to meet the kids if you don’t see it being long term. 

Q. How do you handle emotions about his past/firsts? (Jealousy, resentment, sadness).

A. For the most part, I didn’t really think about knowing he had done things without me or experienced things first before me.  It wasn’t something I consciously thought about or dwelt on,  but there were a few random moments when it hit me…

Right after I had Beckam there was a moment I was like ‘Oh, he’s already done this’. He had gone through and experienced a lot of the first time parent things already.. I thought to myself I could be mad or jealous he wasn’t going through it the first time with me or I could look for the positive like ‘hey he will know what to do maybe in times I won’t’. This is a life lesson I’ve learned over the years in general, you always have a choice on your mindset to focus on positive or the negative. 

I do remember asking him when we were home one of the first couple days with Beckam, “Does it feel any different this time around?” I am always pretty open with how I feel. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I think communication is even more important with blended families, because it’s really easy to let emotions/feelings bottle up inside and it super important to have a lot of communication to understand and support each other.

The other time I can really remember was when I wanted to go to Paris for the first time. Cody had gone with his ex-wife and didn’t love all the touristy things (he’s not big on museums or seeing all the sites) so when we first got married he wasn’t super anxious to go back and I hadn’t been to Europe in years, and didn’t want my first time being in a city I had been dyiiiing to go to to be thinking about him and his ex wife. I honestly don’t know why that event stood out to me, but it’s the one thing I didn’t want to repeat. Instead of going with Cody, I decided to take Beckam.

He was 6 months old and my friend Amber (you guys probably know her – Dae/Barefoot Blonde) and I took our babies with our friend Jaci and it was such an amazing trip! It’s honestly one of my favorite memories with Beckam to this day. And now we’ve been back to Paris as a family a couples times and I love it. It’s one of my favorite family spots. But for some reason that first time to a bucket list place I didn’t want to be thinking about what he did with his ex wife 😂 

I think there’s something about those ‘firsts’. Maybe we build them up in our head, but if there is something that is important to you, talk to your spouse or significant other. I was really up front with Cody about it and he understood. I mean I don’t think he totally understood my emotions behind it, but he supported us going and wanted me to go have fun. On that same note, and I want to emphasize this, you are entitled to all of your feelings. You’re entitled to feel jealousy at times, resentment, or sadness. But then how you handle it is on YOU. You have a decision to make: what are you going to do about it? You can just sit in your feelings and build bitterness, or you can acknowledge them and then try to grow and change. I know everyone will handle things differently – and it’s not to say I have never felt sad, jealous or hurt, but I hope it can bring some connection and encouragement to those of you going through the same thing. 

Q. Tips for dating someone with 2 kids with someone else?

A. I think my biggest advice would be to put the kids’ wellbeing first and foremost. That might not be what you’re expecting, but instead of thinking how the kids could affect you or your relationship, think about how you could be affecting the kids. My #1 piece of advice: wait to meet the kids. Don’t rush things and give it a little time, just out of respect for the kids. Especially if you don’t see yourself getting really serious with their parent – it’s not fair to them to have a new person in and out of their lives that doesn’t intend to be in it long-term. Put yourself in their shoes. 

Q: How did Cody introduce you to the kids? About to go through this & I look up to your family. 

A. This can vary so much depending on your situation, the kids ages, etc. I think meeting somewhere that’s neutral territory is a great idea. Somewhere outside your space and outside their space so everyone feels comfortable. Another idea is to do some sort of activity you can do together so you all have time to warm up and conversation can flow easier and more natural. It’s funny I had forgotten about this until you guys asked, but I met Cody and the kids at the McDonald’s Play Place – and we got ice cream. 🥰

Q. How soon did you meet the kids when you and Cody were dating? Did they accept you at first?

A. I met Mara and Wes 6 months after Cody and I started dating. They were honestly so young I feel like they warmed up super easy, and I love kids, and babysat and nannied a lot so I feel like overall I’m good with kids which made it easier. I’ve known Mara and Wes since they were toddlers so I’ve been lucky that they’ve mostly grown up with me in their life. 

Q. How did your family accept that Cody had kids?

A. I touched on this earlier, but I was pretty serious with the guy I dated before who had kids, so I don’t think this was ever an issue really for my parents. I never straight out asked them though… I think their main concern was that if I married someone with kids, he was a good dad. It’s funny, I think seeing guys as a dad helps you identify the good ones even faster. 

Q. What did you do for your bonus children when you guys got married?

A. Mara was our flower girl and Wes was our ring bearer. I honestly can’t remember if I got them a specific gift or memento for the wedding, but I’ve seen the cutest ideas and gestures online after we got married – there are so many creative and thoughtful things you can do to make them feel special and loved! I think ages play into this on what kind of gift or sentiment to do 🙂

BALANCING BONUS & BIO

Q. Do you ever feel like your own kids get put second to your bonus kids? Struggle bus here.

A. Hmm this was an interesting question… I think having limited time with my bonus kids makes me want to make sure we are making the most of that time, so I feel like Cody and I are more intentional and mindful of that time. With Beckam and Ollie, its more routine if that makes sense, but the days we have Mara and Wes we try to make sure we are wrapping up work right at 5 or earlier so we can get more quality time together, planning something fun for the weekends, etc. So it’s not that we treat Ollie and Beckam different, but we do treat the time we have with Mara and Wes differently, if that makes sense…. 

The other time it feels like we do things differently is holidays, and it’s not that I feel like our kids get put ‘second’, it’s that we have to make some adjustments for schedules and splitting times on holidays. So that becomes the priority vs how an unblended family might celebrate. For example, we always split Christmas with Mara and Wes’ mom, so some years Beckam has to wait until the afternoon to open presents or on Easter we do the Easter egg hunt later after we get them. So not getting put second, just adjusting some traditions because we would rather have Mara and Wes with us to celebrate together as a family.

Q. How long were you a bonus mom before having Beckam and Ollie?

A. 3ish years I think… honestly I have the worst memory with dates, Cody is so much better at that than me 🙂

Q. How did you feel the change was when you had B?

A. There were two big changes for me – #1) Before I had Beckam, Mother’s Day sucked. Of course Mara and Wes are going to spend Mother’s Day with their mom, and I would never want or expect them to be with me instead of their mom on that day. But as a bonus mom you spend a lot of time loving and nurturing and building a bond with your bonus babies, so selfishly I wanted to celebrate with them too. I was/am so grateful for them and for the love they have brought into my life, so it was hard not getting to be with them on that day. Cody was always thoughtful and did something before Mother’s Day with all of us to celebrate being a bonus mom, but it’s still a reminder on the day of when so many people were celebrating that you just wish you could hug your bonus babies. Once I had Beckam and Ollie, Mother’s Day changed for me and took some of that away. I still miss seeing Mara and Wes so much on that day, but it’s nice I get to be with the other kids.

 #2) Having Beckam and Ollie brought so much perspective to how it might feel on the other side of the equation, things that until you have kids of your own probably won’t make sense. Like in some ways I wonder if I was too involved before… some of this is hard to put into words, but it brought perspective to not feeling like I had to be a part of as many decisions with Mara and Wes, and to give their mom space like at school functions. Example… before I had Beckam and Ollie I signed up to help in Mara and Wes’ classes and volunteered for things, and yes I’m so glad I did that, but I also realized maybe that’s something their mom just wants to do…as I’m writing this I realize I probably should have just asked her instead of assuming either way 😂 . I also felt like it brought perspective to her side of splitting time… Splitting time sucks for both parents 100%, but before I had my own kids, I always sided with Cody, and then once I had Beckam and Ollie I imagined having to share so much time with Beckam and Ollie with another woman/family, not seeing every milestone, splitting holidays, all of that sucks… of course you want your kids to be loved by as many people as possible, but it made me understand her point of view a little more in some ways, that until you have your own kids you don’t really understand as a bonus mom. 

Q. How did you guys decide on “ours” babies. My bf is 10 years older and 3 kids – I’m worries he’s done. LOL

A. This is a conversation I would FOR SURE have before you get married. I thought Cody and I did but he says he doesn’t remember 😂. He was always on board for us to have one together, but I always wanted at least 2 because I was an only child and always wished I had a sibling. Since we don’t have Mara and Wes full time I didn’t want one of our kids to be by themselves when Mara and Wes are gone, so I always wanted at least 2. Cody didn’t realize that so he thought he was done after Beckam and it took me yearsssss to convince him on another. Obviously he’s glad we did now that we have Ollie, but it’s still an important conversation to have prior to make sure you’re on the same page.

Wes and Mara with baby B ❤️

Q. How did you talk to the kids about having another baby (meaning before Beckam was born?)

A. Honestly it’s been so long ago that I don’t remember how we told the kids, but I remember surprising everyone in our family somehow. They were really excited – both with Beckam and Ollie.

Q. I had a really awful step-mom experience – did you ever worry about treating the kids different?

A. I’m so sorry – I feel like I get messages like this A LOT  and it makes me so sad.  I pray everyday my bonus kids feel loved when they are with us and know how much they mean to me. I’m sure I’ve done things wrong, but I think as a parent we always want to strive to be better, so I hope they always know how loved they are, not just them but all our kids.

That wraps up part one! Some of the upcoming posts will talk about schedules, things I’ve learned being a bonus moms, discipline/parenting my kids vs. bonus kids, how involved I am with ex-wife, etc… if you have new questions or questions about anything above drop in the comments below.

XX, Christine

The post Bonus Mom Part 1 appeared first on Hello Fashion.

After being married for a while, balancing family time, work schedules, kids’ sports, and just the chaos of life, it can be tricky to set aside time for a true date night with Cody. There are days where we are so rushed out the door that it takes us like a half hour to unwind and really start getting connected on date night. Then there are days where we actually shut work off before date night and it totally changes our mood! Here are 7 of my favorite ideas to start setting the mood for date night before you even walk out the door!

1. Plan ahead! Put it on your calendar and schedule the babysitter so things can’t pop up and cause you to postpone! I try to do it a week in advance instead of day of or the night before because it seems like things pup up closer to the day of. The anticipation and excitement leading up to an event is half the fun and will give you something to look forward to.
2. Drop a note. Hide a little note in your S/O’s briefcase, car, or gym bag – anywhere they will find it before date night! Let them know how excited you are for the upcoming night and build up some of their own excitement for what’s in store.
3. Set rules. It might not seem romantic, but nothing says I love you like banning your cell phones for the night, haha. Since Cody and I work together on so many projects, it can be hard to turn work off on date night, so set those boundaries ahead of time! Whether it’s no phones, no work talk, etc., find whatever works for you!
4. . Get ready together. There’s something about seeing your guy shave and put on your favorite cologne that really starts the night off on the right foot, so I always love when mine and Cody’s schedules line up and we can get ready together (although he takes about half the time to get ready as I do lol). Are you guys the type to share products or do you keep everything separate? Occasionally I’ll steal Cody’s Gillette razors but I also have my own Venus razors. Right now, Costco’s running sales on Venus Disposable Razors ($5 off – sale ends today!), and Mach3 Turbo razor refills and Gillette ProGlide razor refills for $14-$15 off now through June 25th so grab them on sale now! I also love the scent of Cody’s Gillette Advanced 5-in-1 Deodorant but I think I’ll leave that one to him. 😉 What products do you guys share?
5. Blast your favorite playlist. Set the mood with your couple’s playlist. If you don’t have one, make one! We love playing songs that bring us back to all different stages of our relationship – it’s such a fun walk down memory lane and perfect for setting the stage for a special night.
6. Get confident. The first step to looking beautiful is to feel beautiful. Nothing beats the look or feel of smooth, sleek legs, freshly washed hair, and a bright red lip!
7. Try something new. Experiencing new things together always makes for the best memories. Break out of your usual dinner and a movie routine with something out of your comfort zone!

What are some of your ideas for getting date-night ready?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with P&G.

The post 7 Ways to Make The Most of Date Night appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: | JACKET | JEANS | BOOTS | EARRINGS | WATCH

CODY’S DETAILS: | JACKET | T-SHIRT | JEANS

TGIFFFFF!! What are you guys up to this weekend? The holidays always bring the hustle and bustle of events and work and family parties don’t forget to make time to spend with your SO just you two! Some months I’m super good at making sure we get “us” time and other times we struggle. For Cody and I our date nights usually consist of dinner and a movie, which we both love doing together! But it can be fun to switch things up once in a while for a night out with your significant other and do things that you wouldn’t maybe normally do. Here’s 2o ideas for dates that aren’t so typical!

1. Binge Watch Netflix: Order some takeout, snuggle up on the couch and spend the night in. Have you guys seen the show Designated Survivor? It’s our new favorite lately!
2. Make A Scavenger Hunt: Be creative and come up with different clues that take you both back to special places, inside jokes or anything else that will give you both a walk down memory lane.
3. Go To A Cooking Class: Many restaurants, grocery stores and even colleges offer cooking classes for couples. Then you can save money in the future by making fancy dinners at home rather than going out!
4. Make A Candlelight Dinner At Home: Put those cooking skills to the test now 😉
5. Go To An Arcade: We have a nickel arcade in Utah and its super fun to go play games, get a bunch of tickets and win cheesy stuff.
6. Find A Workout Class: Couples that sweat together stay together right? Find a class near you that you both have tried before, spin, zumba, kickboxing, anything else that gets your endorphins flowing!
7. Play Tourist: Go to the most popular restaurant in town, visit a famous landmark or anything else your city is known for.
8. Recreate Your First Date: If you went out for dinner, go to the same restaurant or watch the same movie you went out to!
9. Have A Game Night: Monopoly deal is our favorite right now.
10. Do A DIY Project Together: Find something on Pinterest like a craft or home project and try to recreate it!
11. Try Something You’ve Both Never Done Before: Sometimes the best dates involve doing something that neither of you have done before. Find a class or restaurant you’ve never been to and see how you end up liking it.
12. Have A 5 Course Dinner At 5 Different Places: Go to a different restaurant for each course of your meal! Somewhere for appetizers, entrees and dessert!
13. Wake Up Early And Watch The Sunrise Together: Not all dates need to be at night!
14. Bake Something: Bake cookies, a cake or anything else your sweet tooth desires! Any activity that involves eating is my kinda date 😉
15. Do The Other Persons Favorite Hobby/Activity: What is something your S/O loves? Whether they’re into yoga or sporting events or anything else, they will love that you’re taking the time to do one of their favorite things with them!
16. Shop For Each Other: Set up a budget, even just $5 or $10 and try to pick out something that reminds you of the other person.
17. Go On A Mini Road Trip: Find a destination not too far from where you live and make a day out of it!
18. Get Dressed Up And Have A Fancy Night Out: When’s the last time you got all dressed up and had a night on the town? Go to a fancy restaurant or even rent your dream car for the weekend!
19. Go On A Hike: Free dates can be the best kind of dates!!
20. Volunteer Together: Make a point sometime to opt for a meaningful date rather than a traditional one. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or nursing home It will be such a great experience to share together!

What is your favorite thing to do for dates?!

XX, Christine

The post 20 Date Night Ideas For You And Your S/O appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: KNIT CARDIGAN (UNDER $100) | WHITE TANK (UNDER $100) | DISTRESSED DENIM (UNDER $100)| LEATHER BACKPACK | TAN WIDE-BRIM HAT | WHITE SNEAKERS

CODY’S OUTFIT:

I love being outdoors in the fall – there’s nothing cozier than throwing on some warm layers for a crisp fall night out with your S/O! You can really have so many great adventures outside, even after fall hits so I’m excited to share 5 outdoor date ideas to try this season.

1. An Outdoor Hike: Whether you’re the type that likes to make it to the summit or are just as content getting high up enough for a good view, a hike always makes for a great date. Cody and I packed some journals (we are trying to stay focused on things we are thankful for, and this 5 minute journal is perfect) and some yummy snacks. Cody doesn’t drink but I love a glass of wine every now and then. I love these Barefoot Wine Refresh Spritzers because you don’t have to carry the whole bottle with glasses around so it’s super convenient to turn an ordinary night into something special. I tried a couple of flavors – this one was summer red but Moscato is my favorite.

2. Explore Your Own Backyard: Sometimes you are so focused on exploring the highlights of where you live that you forget to explore your own neighborhood! We live right by the mountains, so instead of heading for some of the more popular canyons nearby, Cody and I explored a few back roads in our area and found some great mountain views that we had all to ourselves.

3. A Scavenger Hunt: Cody and I are really competitive (it takes us like 6 hours to play card games because we always want a rematch lol) so any date that let’s us get competitive is right up our alley. Make a scavenger list of fall items like a pumpkin, red leaves, scarecrows etc. and see who can find everything first.

4. A Starlit Picnic: Who needs dinner by candlelight, when you have the stars? Or for those cloudy nights, make your own starlight by setting up string lights for a picnic. These battery-operated lights are perfect.

5. Get the Fall Feels: What’s fall without a pumpkin patch? Go pick out pumpkins and challenge each other to a carving competition or get spooked in a corn maze. I’m the biggest wimp when it comes to scary things so I always opt for the happy corn mazes but Cody loves the scary ones, so whatever fits you guys!

What are some of your favorite outdoor date ideas?

Xx, Christine

*In collaboration with Barefoot Wine.

The post 5 Outdoor Date Ideas To Try This Fall appeared first on Hello Fashion.

We got these new pans a couple weeks ago and they are oven safe up to 500° so it’s really easy to just prep and stick right in the oven.

How amazing is this built-in strainer!

When you realize you don’t have a brush to brush olive oil onto your bread you improvise with tomatoes lol!

DETAILS: WHITE TEE | CALVIN KLEIN JOGGERS

COOKWARE: LAGOSTINA COOKWARE SET| OBSESSED WITH THIS COPPER SET

RECIPES: BRUSCHETTA | ITALIAN CHICKEN AND VEGGIE DINNER

Hey guys! I’ve talked about it before but having alone time with your significant other is so important. Make time for it! Especially once you have kids, that time together is so important because life gets way more chaotic the older they get!

I’ve gotten a lot of a comments and emails from you guys about date ideas when you are on a budget, or when you have kids at home and can’t always get a sitter. So I wanted to put a list together of some fun ways to spend a romantic night in:

1. Try something new. For us it’s cooking. We are both not the best cooks. When you can’t rely on your cooking skills, you for sure need to invest in good cookware so we just got this Lagostina set. It’s comical because we are such beginners we were making this Italian chicken dish the other night and we literally had to google how to crush garlic because we weren’t sure if there was a specific technique or what?! (so embarrassing!) We got halfway through and realized we didn’t have a brush for the olive oil and bruschetta, and improvised with garlic cloves and tomatoes to spread the olive oil across the bread.  Honestly I feel like it’s those moments that make an experience more memorable. Having everything come easy and run smoothly is boring, it’s the funny mishaps that are memorable! We’ve also had those times when we plan to stay in for a romantic night and the kids just don’t stay occupied (or asleep if it’s their bedtime) – you can incorporate them and have them act as servers or put them on clean up duty so they get to participate. The Lagostina pots is dishwasher safe so it makes clean-up easy.
2. Youtube dance lessons. You can take this as silly or as seriously as you want to, but either way sounds like so much fun!
3. Make your own board game. Cody does this with the kids all the time but it works great for adults too! Pick up a game from the dollar store (we picked up a travel sized Chutes & Ladders last time) and grab some small pieces of paper (we use old business cards) to make funny ‘chance’ cards. Every time you land on an odd number, for example, you have to draw a chance card which might have something funny or a chore, etc. For date night at home, your chance cards could be anything from giving a 5 minute massage to a 2-second make-out, etc. (You can make it as PG or non-PG as you want 🙂
4. Have a cook-off! Whether it’s a full meal or just dessert, pick a couple recipes and see who can make it better or invite some of your couple friends over for a cook-off! You might need to recruit some unbiased judges, which is another fun way to involve the kids if they won’t stay in bed ;).
5. Build a fort & binge-watch a new show.  Cody is a master for builder! We love to string lights around our forts and make it overflowing with pillows and cozy blankets. We love finding new shots, and one of our favorites is The Night Of. It’s a little dark at some parts, but it’s really good! We watched 5 episodes in one night. For a laugh, we love King of Queens. It’s an old school classic, but the way they jokingly argue kind of reminds me and Cody of the way we banter so it’s a good, easy show to watch.
6. Blind taste test.  You can either pick up some fun treats at the store that you think will stump each other or have fun quizzing each other on ingredients you already have at home.
7. Bubble Bath and Your Favorite Playlist.  Baths are one of the best ways to relax! You can make it extra romantic by making a playlist with some of your favorite songs from your relationship. You can also stick a bath bomb in your S/O’s bag when they leave in the morning with a note that says “Bubble Bath: you & me – tonight.” or think of other ways to build it up for them.

What are some of you favorite ways to spend a date night at home?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Macy’s and ShopStyle. 

The post 7 Fun Ideas for a Date Night At Home appeared first on Hello Fashion.

There was a crazy fog in Santa Monica two of the days we were there, it was so pretty mixed with the palm trees! It was a whole new feel for California.

Love this scent! It’s a romantic, feminine fragrance with a mix of clean and fresh notes.

B’s favorite game right now is tag and hide and seek.  Cody kept chasing us in the sand and B thought it was the best thing in the world!

DETAILS: TORY BURCH LOVE RELENTLESSLY PERFUME | ILY COUTURE OFF-THE-SHOULDER TOP (UNDER $100)

Love, love, love. The older I get the more I realize there are so many beautiful stages of love. I look back at when Cody and I first met and we were UNCONDITIONALLY, HEAD OVER HEELS, INFATUATED with each other. It was a high like no other. I still remember the first time he went to hold my hand and it sent chills over my whole body. I knew instantly at that moment he was the one! We have gone through many highs and lows over the years. We are not perfect! Some of the lows were really hard times, but through those hard times they always brought us closer together in the end. Other times are comical to look back at and think was that even a big deal!! If there’s one thing you learn about love after 5 years of marriage, kids, working together, etc it’s that love is relentless and unconditional. No matter how in love or perfect for each other you are, there will always be hard times, and it’s how you choose to love and forgive each other through those hard times that really define your relationship. Love is beautiful!

Cody and I were on the plane the other day reading this article about funny things spouses do. So, inspired by the new Love Relentlessly fragrance by Tory Burch, I thought it would be fun to share 5 things I do that drive Cody crazy but that he learns to love (or at least laugh at ;).

1.  Eating my cereal in bed.  I LOVE CEREAL! It’s a tie between that and french fries as my favorite food! Every night before I go to bed I eat a bowl of cereal. I’m usually the last one to bed a lot of times, so I bring my bowl of cereal into bed while Cody is trying to sleep and all you hear is the crunch crunch crunch. Hahah it drives him crazy he will always be like “Soooo how’s that cereal babe? Sounds pretty tasty” lol.
2.  Leaving candles burning when I leave. Thankfully I haven’t burnt the house down yet!
3.  Take 5 hours to pack. I’ve openly admitted what a bad packer I am! Cody always teases me because the night before a trip I wander in circles around the house because I can’t think straight about what I’m going to bring. He’s gotten to the point he always plans to go see a movie the night before we leave somewhere because I can’t make any decisions about what to bring.
4.  Ask him a million questions in the middle of a show. Oops!
5. Eating when I’m trying to talk to him on the phone.  Hahaha apparently I have some issues I need to resolve with my food manners lol.

What are some of the things your husband always teases you about?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Tory Burch.

The post Love Relentlessly: 5 Habits That Drive Cody Crazy appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS:  RED HEART SWEATSHIRT (WEARING SIZE LARGE) | DISTRESSED DENIM | RED BOOTS (OLD – SIMILAR HERE) | AVIATORS

BECKAM: HEART SWEATSHIRT | RED RAIN BOOTS

Happy love day! In honor of Valentine’s Day I just wanted to share 14 random things I love:

1. Movies that make me cry. Especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

2. When Cody writes sweet notes on my mirror in the morning.

3. When Beckam pats his belly after he’s had a good meal and says “Mmm so delicious”. ?

4. When I can keep my house clean for more than a day.

5. Seeing new places!

6. La La Land – hands down my new favorite movie! Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are two of my favorite actors so I kinda already knew I was going to love it before I saw it. But it’s so good and I love the music with it.

7. Bruschetta. Even more when it has balsamic glaze!

8. As I’m writing this asking Cody what I love he says sweatpants. ?? I haven’t gotten ready for a few days lol.

9. Creating and designing! I’ve felt super inspired lately. Obsessed with our new hoodies.

10. This face mask! My friend told me about it and it’s magic.

11. Listening to really loud music in the car.

12. Thin crust pizza. Always wins out over thick crust!

13. Sneakers. I’ll always be a sneaker girl! Just ordered these cute Adidas and still obsessed with this pink pair under $100.

14. YOU GUYS! Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, I read each and every comment and love getting to know all you guys. Thank you for being a part of our family. We love you!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Whether you’re in love or enjoying being single, take a second to let someone you care about know you love them! Whether it’s a friend, family, kids, or your special someone. Enjoy this special day of love! ❤️

XX, Christine

The post 14 Things I Love appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: WHITE RUFFLED DRESS  (LOVE THIS SIMILAR ONE AND THIS STYLE) | NUDE HEELS | GUCCI CROSSBODY | TORTOISE SUNGLASSES |  SILVER TWISTED CUFF |  I LOVE YOU WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET | JE T’AIME WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET

CODY: TOM FORD SUIT JACKET | TROUSERS  | VELVET BOW TIE | BLACK BEADED BRACELET

Happy Monday guys!! Cody and I are in California with the family this week for a couple of the Fashion Week presentations that moved from NY to LA. I am actually really excited to be in the warmer weather of California. Valentine’s is around the corner! Typically I’ve always gone with a cute red dress or classic red and black combo (which you can never go wrong with!) but this year I wanted to do something a little different so I opted for this beautiful white dress. I love the elegant, timeless white and I’m obsessed with this ruffle detail – they are having such a moment right now. Also obsessed with this white cross body.  It’s so easy to bring in that classic red Valentine’s accent with a red or pink lip, nail color, or shoe to tie the whole look together.

1. Cody still opens the car door for me every time we go somewhere together. Even if we are mad at each other over something dumb, he will walk over silently haha and still open it.
2. I am an only child and Cody comes from a family of 10! He has 8 brothers and sisters. Both our families are really close. My cousins and aunt and uncle all live a block away from my parents house so even though I don’t have brothers and sisters, we were all super close growing up. I love that Cody has a big family! All of his brothers and sisters have 3-5 kids so when we all get together our group is close to 50 people!
3. 50/50. Cody is so helpful around the house. He cooks and cleans as much as I do (maybe more lol). He thinks he’s a bad cook, but he’s actually a really good cook! We like to try new meals but have a hard time thinking of what to make so we like to get those ones where they send all the ingredients and recipe to your house.
4. Daily Debates. Cody and I are both strong willed, and really competitive. It’s almost comical now, anything we see from guessing a TV actor, directions to a restaurant, or time it takes to get somewhere, we place a 5 minute back rub bet on it.
5. Foot Rubs is both one of our all time favorite things!
6. I HATE scary movies. Like I am the biggest scaredy-cat of all time. We were at a movie a couple weeks ago with our friends and Cody told me it wasn’t scary (LIE!) and I literally hid under his jacket for the last 20 minutes and plugged my ears hahaha. I’m such a baby!
7. Always make time for each other! Cody and I still try and go on a date night every week. Honestly it probably happens about 3 out of the 4 weeks a month because sometimes life just gets busy. But we’ve both made it priority to take time doing something fun with each other weekly.

XX, Christine

The post 7 Thing You Didn’t Know About Us appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with this ring stack!

DETAILS:  SILVER TWISTED CUFF |  STACKED SILVER RING (ALSO LOVE THIS GOLD VERSION) | I LOVE YOU WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET | JE T’AIME WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET | TE AMO WIRE WRAPPED BRACELET | HEART NECKLACE | LINK BRACELET (MORE GIFTS FOR HER HERE)

CODY: CHAIN BRACELET | BLACK BEADED BRACELET | LEATHER CUFF | LEATHER BAR BRACELET | TWISTED METAL CUFF (MORE GIFT FOR HIM HERE)

Sometimes when you’ve been married for a while it’s easy to let things slide. You forget to be as romantic as you were when you were first dating. We get caught up in the kids, work, day to day, and sometimes our relationship misses out on that TLC. Not on purpose of course 🙂 I’m thankful that Cody and I are both committed to each other. Don’t get me wrong we do not have a “perfect relationship” we drive each other crazy some days because we’re both so stubborn lol but he always knowns how to make me laugh and I’m so thankful to have him!

Cody always goes out of his way to surprise me with different things and sometimes I take for granted even the littlest things. With Valentine’s around the corner I wanted to share five of my favorite things Cody has done to surprise me.

1. Mio: Our puppy was probably one of my favorite surprises! Cody had just hit a big goal at work and he asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate. I said whatever I’m easy. I came home a couple days later to flowers and a really, really sweet card about how much he appreciated my support and help. I was excited with that! He asked me to grab something out of our room, and I opened the door to the cutest little puppy sleeping on our bed. I started screaming and crying with excitement! I had never had a dog before and always wanted one so it was really special!
2. Jewelry: Cody has gotten me a couple different jewelry pieces through out our relationship and they always come with a special meaning. They are engraved or hold a special memory, and I love them not because they are jewelry, but because they hold a special memory and when I wear them they stay near to my heart.
3. Just Because: Some of the best gifts come when they are least expected. The flowers he brings home just because, or the notes he leaves me on the bathroom mirror. I love the surprises where I really have no idea! One day he sent five different bouquets through out the day with a memory of something special to go with each one. I balled my eyes out lol. I am such a cryer haha.
4. Romantic Song: This started when we were dating. We both love music, so Cody will find romantic songs or songs that hold some sort of meaning to us and will text me the videos to watch through out the day. I’m still trying to convince him to learn to play the piano so he can sing them to me 😉
5. Treasure Hunt: When Cody and I were dating, he arranged an elaborate treasure hunt with cards awaiting me at each stop leading from one place to the next: Starbucks, inside jokes, my favorite lunch spot, shopping spree, our favorite place to look over the city with a CD of all our songs (haha how much does that age me, who has CD’s really anymore :), ending in dinner and cinnamon rolls waiting for me at home. It is still one of my all-time favorite dates (although admittedly I was convinced there would be an engagement ring waiting on the other end, but the cinnamon rolls were a close second ?

Cody always puts so much thought into all his gifts – he really is the best gift giver! I’m obsessed with these bracelets from David Yurman. There are different hidden messages wrapped in wire, like I love you, Je T’aime and Te Amo – I’m such a sucker for details!  I’m also soooo obsessed with this stacked ring – so pretty! Today through Sunday when you make a qualifying purchase at David Yurman you can also send a free bouquet of flowers to your S/O from the Bouqs. They also have a great selection for guys. Cody loves their cuffs and bracelets and wears and stacks them all the time from his day looks to dressier attire, so they also make a great gift for men too.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with David Yurman and ShopStyle.

Treats by Sweet Tooth Fairy.

The post 5 Sweet Surprises from Him appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Love these black suede booties (under $100) and these leather boots on Cody are my new favorite on him.

DETAILS: TURTLENECK | DISTRESSED BOYFRIEND DENIM (UNDER $100) |  PLAID FRINGE JACKET (UNDER $100) | STUDDED SUEDE BOOTIES | WHITE MITTENS

CODY: | GRAPHIC TEE | DENIM | DENIM JACKET (UNDER $100) | HOODED HENLEY | LEATHER BOOTS

One of our holiday traditions is going to look at the lights in the city. Sometimes it’s with the kids and other times we sneak away for a date night. They go all out at Temple Square – it’s seriously a must-see if you haven’t been there yet! It’s been soooo cold (I swear it feels like the days it doesn’t snow are colder that they days it does!) so you really have to bundle up so you can actually enjoy the lights and not be frozen the whole time haha. This season, I’ve partnered with Lucky Brand to perfect my holiday look.

Coziest jacket ever!

You can never have enough layers for those outdoor holiday date nights, from checking out the lights to window shopping. This white sherpa coat I got from Lucky Brand was crazy warm and I’m obsessed with how soft it is! I feel like I’m wrapped in a blanket. I also love this fringe plaid jacket for an extra layer and also to add some print to my look. Also don’t forget your beanie! Don’t forget your beanie! I’m obsessed with this one. It’s under $40 and I love the bright red – it’s perfect for feeling festive while looking at lights or just hanging out at home cuddled having hot cocoa.

DETAILS: CREAM DRAPED CARDIGAN | DISTRESSED BOYFRIEND DENIM (UNDER $100) | RED POM BEANIE

CODY: STRIPED HENLEY | DENIM

Hope you guys all have a great weekend!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Lucky. 

The post Holiday Date Night appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: WHITE LACE DRESS | EMBELLISHED BOOTS

Cody and I were so excited to do a mini-getaway for our 5 year anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! It seems like it’s been longer but shorter at the same time if that even makes sense, haha. The last 5 years have flown by but at the same time it feels like we’ve been together forever.

California is like a second home to us – we got married here and come down about once a month. We love it so much!

We literally laid in bed until like 11 o’clock one morning! We ordered breakfast in bed and just lounged. It’s seriously so nice having a little time just me and him to just do nothing!

My favorite thing to do when I first get into a hotel is get in the hotel robes! I don’t know where the tradition came from but it’s always one of the first things I do and I end up lounging for as long as I can get away with it.

We stayed at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons and their views from their rooms are SO pretty! For sure get the room with a balcony! We would sit out in the morning on their lounge chairs and just watch the hustle and bustle of the city. Sunsets are also so good!

DETAILS: BROWN SCALLOPED BIKINI TOP AND BOTTOMS  (ONE PIECE HERE) | WHITE LACE COVERUP | SUNGLASSES

It was in the 80’s the whole time we were there, so we were able to lay out by the pool, get some pina coladas and a mini tan.

Cody is really artistic and doesn’t give himself much credit! He was like look how cool those palm trees look against the stairwell get a pic and of course it ends up being one of my favorites 🙂

DETAILS: CAMEL CARDIGAN | GREY KNIT TOP (SIMILAR HERE) | CUT-OFF SHORTS | SUEDE ANKLE BOOTIES | NUDE MINI CROSSBODY | SUNGLASSES

The hotel is literally right on Rodeo Drive, so you can walk out your door and go shopping! I always get a memento from each of our special vacations. Sometimes half the fun is exploring and shopping for just the right souvenir, right? 🙂 I got some super cute Gucci sneakers I had been looking for for awhile so I was excited to find them! They’ll make an appearance soon so stay tuned! 🙂

The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons went above and beyond on taking care of everything so we didn’t have to stress about planning much on the trip. We told the concierge it was our anniversary and they put together a whole date night for us right down to every detail and it turned out to be such an unforgettable night! It was so cool because it was stuff we wouldn’t have thought to do! They set us up with a car, one of Cody’s weaknesses, he loves cars! It was a brand new Benz convertible with all the bells and whistles. I swear it was like having a whole computer in the car with as many gadgets as it had.

They made us reservations at one of Malibu’s hotspots – Nobu. When we got there Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth were sitting there eating dinner with their family. Crazy! A private shuttle then picked us up and took us for the grand finale a private wine tasting at Malibu Rocky Oaks. It was seriously one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been!

The views were seriously insane!

DETAILS: WHITE LACE DRESS | EMBELLISHED BOOTS

CODY: OLIVE CARGO JACKET | BLACK TEE (OLD – SIMILAR HERE) | DENIM | SNEAKERS | AVIATORS (SIMILAR HERE) | WATCH

The night at Malibu Rocky Oaks was seriously unforgettable. The vineyard is literally built into the top of the mountain so it has the most amazing views. It was built before they had all the codes and regulations and now no one is allowed to build on a peak like this estate, so it will always have that 360° view of Malibu. I’m also kind of obsessed with Keeping Up With the Kardashians (guilty pleasure) and they told us they have gone up there a couple times for some episodes so I was kind of fan-girling out haha.

Random fact about Cody: he doesn’t drink, and he still thought it was one of the coolest places he has ever been. So even if your not a big wine person it’s still such an amazing experience. Honestly I can’t say enough about it!  It was magic. It was right at sunset and it was hands down the prettiest sunset I have ever seen. Every time I thought the colors couldn’t get any more amazing, they got deeper and more vibrant. It was one of the views you’ll never forget that you can never quite capture exactly in pictures or descriptions. So I’ll start rambling 😉

We seriously had the most amazing time! It was the perfect balance of downtime and exploring the city and new sights. What are some of your favorite spots around Beverly Hills?

XX, Christine

The post Beverly Hills Anniversary Trip appeared first on Hello Fashion.

obsessed with the scallops on this top!

His little puckered lips kill me 🙂

DETAILS: WHITE SCALLOPED TOP | DENIM (SIMILAR HERE) | DENIM JACKET | WHITE TOTE (CELINE) | SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR HERE) | LIPSTICK (SHADE: RUBY WOO) | BLUE SUEDE SANDALS

CODY: LEATHER STRAP WATCH | GINGHAM BUTTON DOWN (ON SALE – 35% OFF)  | DENIM (SIMILAR HERE) | RED SNEAKERS (SIMILAR HERE) | AVIATORS  (OLD – SIMILAR HERE)

Mara and Wes went on a trip with their mom this week so before they left last week I gave them a questionnaire about their favorite things to do with Cody, things he says the most, etc. I’m usually a procrastinator so starting to think about Father’s Day a couple weeks early reminded me how lucky we are to have him. Cody’s really a hands-on dad. He’ll build obstacle courses for the kids to do America Ninja Warrior (Wes’s favorite activity) and is always willing to help with changing B’s diapers, helping me make dinner (at this point he might be in the kitchen more than I am ;), or just grabbing something from the car for one of the kids. He never says he’s too busy or doesn’t have time to help, and is always willing to drop everything to help out with the kids when I have a project pending or a shoot runs late.

I love seeing his bonds with each of the kids. Mara is his baby girl – they have the same sense of humor and like to play jokes on people. Wes and Cody both love cars and dirt bikes so they always wake up early and watch the XGames or Motocross while Mara and I sleep in. Beckam is Cody’s little mini-me and mimics everything he does. If Cody spits out the window, B will ask for his window to be rolled down to try too. 😉 And when Cody is doing his hair in the morning Beckam is right there waiting for Cody to do his hair too. It’s cool to see how much the kids really look up to him. We’re excited to have Mara and Wes this weekend for our family trip to celebrate Father’s Day together!

For Father’s Day I like to do something sentimental with the kids and also get him something from me. Cody collects watches so I knew exactly what I wanted to get him. It’s the only thing he keeps organized in his closet – everything else could be a disaster but his shelf where he keeps his watches is always in perfect order, haha.  It’s one of his favorite accessories so I get excited to pick pieces out for him because I know it will get a lot of wear. This Tommy Hilfiger watch is a classic timeless piece he can wear with a button up and sneakers or that he can dress up with a suit for work or a business meeting.

You can shop a few more timeless gifts for him below.

XX,

Christine

*In collaboration with Macy’s.

The post Father’s Day appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: SUEDE LACE-UP DRESS | WEDGE SANDALS (ALSO LOVE THESE) | CHANEL BAG (BLACK CROSS BODY UNDER $30 HERE) | WATCH

CODY’S OUTFIT: COLORBLOCK CHAMBRAY BUTTON DOWN | DENIM (BUY 1 GET ONE < $30) | WHITE SNEAKERS

Between the blog, working on ILY, and being a mom, my days can get pretty packed sometimes. Cody’s schedule is the same way and our down time usually involves binge watching netflix. So during an especially crazy week we try to make a habit of breaking away from whatever we have going on and making time for us. We love going out to eat, so we we like doing lunch dates so we have time to our selves. We have our tried and true favorite restaurants but we also love branching out and trying new places.  We also have a “no phone” policy during meal times so we can really enjoy our time together. It was really cool, a couple weeks ago we were at dinner at Ruth Chris and the manager came up to us and said it’s so nice to see a couple laughing and enjoying their time together so many people spend dinner on their phones. It’s funny because it’s become such a habit for us we don’t think about it anymore, but it’s such an easy way to connect with your significant other.

It’s funny how life gets so chaotic sometimes that you actually have to carve out time with your significant other.  Below are 5 other great ways to make time for each other when you both have a busy schedule:

1. Plan ahead: I know it might seem obvious, but if your schedule starts filling up make sure you coordinate your schedule so you can figure out a time that works for both of you. We always try to plan date nights ahead of time, whether its meeting for lunch, catching a movie together, or a dinner date. Planning ahead also gives you something to look forward to and a chance to dress up. I just got this flirty suede dress that is perfect for day or night.
2. Time Block: I have started time blocking my days and it makes a huge difference being effective with my time. Set the timer for things you need to get done, work, cleaning the house whatever it is and you are ten times more effective. I have seen a huge difference in my day and effectiveness.
3. Find something you love to do together: There’s nothing wrong with having your own hobbies, but finding one you can share together is a great away for you both to relax and unwind while spending time together.
4. Learn to turn it off: Whether it’s work, school, or whatever responsibilities you have, learn to turn it off every once in a while. That might mean disconnecting from the world and banning phones, or just setting a work curfew. Cody and I both decide on a time we have to power down the computers and stop working for the night. If something doesn’t get done, we just wake up early to finish it.
5. Getaway: It might mean you pay the price for taking time off the week before and after, but it is so worth it. Plus the time spent planning and leading up to the trip means even more time to spend together and is half the fun. Even if all you can swing right now is a weekend staycation, there’s no better way to guarantee time together than getting away.

What are some of your favorite ways to make time for each other?

XX, Christine

*Photos by JessaKae. In collaboration with Express.

The post 5 Ways For Busy Couples to Make Time For Each Other appeared first on Hello Fashion.

So obsessed with these shoes! They are under a $100.

DETAILS: BLACK FIT AND FLARE DRESS | BLACK TURTLENECK | RED FRINGE SANDAL HEELS | SILVER HOOP EARRINGS | SUNGLASSES | RED GUCCI CLUTCH (SIMILAR HERE) |  LIPSTICK (COLOR: RUBY WOO) | SILVER WATCH

CODY: BLACK WOOL BLAZER | WHITE PRINT BUTTON DOWN | DENIM (SIMILAR HERE) | BLUE LOAFERS (OLD – SIMILAR HERE) | SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR HERE) | NAVY WATCH

Cody is surprisingly really romantic. He keeps every card I’ve given him, brings me flowers home just because, leaves notes for me on our bathroom mirror in the morning, I really got lucky with him! When Cody and I were dating, he arranged an elaborate treasure hunt with cards awaiting me at each stop leading from one spot to the next: Starbucks, inside jokes, my favorite lunch spot, shopping spree, our favorite place to look over the city with a CD of all our songs, ending in dinner and cinnamon rolls waiting for me at home. It is still one of my all-time favorite dates (although admittedly I was convinced there would be an engagement ring waiting on the other end, but the cinnamon rolls were a close second 🙂

The treasure hunt was hands-down one of the most memorable dates I’ve had. Cody did it just because but I thought it would make a great Valentine’s Day date. You can adapt a treasure hunt for any wallet, whether you include budget-friendly ideas or go for the gold with extravagant ideas. Below are a few ideas to inspire your own treasure hunt this Valentine’s Day.

• FREE – Make a playlist of ‘your’ songs: There’s nothing like having all your favorite songs in one spot and this will be sure to be on repeat.
• FREE – Clues to take him/her to meaningful places from your relationship: Whether it’s where you first met or the spot of your first kiss, a walk down memory lane will be a definite hit. 
• $ – Favorite drink at your go-to coffee shop: Nothing says you’re paying attention like getting your S/O’s drink order right at your favorite coffee spot. Make them proud and have their favorite drink waiting for them. 
• $-$$ – Shopping at his/her favorite store: Who doesn’t dream of a shopping spree? Have a gift card waiting at your S/O’s favorite store and let them indulge a little. I’m loving Express‘ collection for date night looks right now, especially their dresses. I just got this dress and love the eyelet detail at the hem (also got this one). And I love this red fringe heel that’s the perfect festive touch for Valentine’s Day, whether you add it to your LBD or dress up boyfriend jeans. 
• $$ – Pampering: Whether it’s a massage, manicure/pedicure, or another one of their guilty pleasures, your date won’t refuse an opportunity to unwind. 
• $-$$$ – Dinner at his/her favorite restaurant: If you’re S/O’s favorite restaurant is one you save for special occasions, there’s no better time than the present (or Valentine’s Day 😉 
• FREE-$$$$ – For an extravagant treasure hunt, go big by checking off items of your date’s bucket list. Whether it’s free or something more adventurous like skydiving, swimming with sharks, or a helicopter ride, it will be a truly unforgettable date.

XX, Christine

*Photos by JessaKae. In collaboration with Express.

The post The Valentine’s Gift They Won’t Forget appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: GREY MIDI DRESS (UNDER A $100 WEARING SIZE SMALL – SIMILAR HERE) || GOLD CHAIN WATCH || SERVING DISHES || FONDUE SET
As a mom and/or a career woman, time to relax and set aside time for ourselves can be hard to come by. As life gets more complicated, it seems like even putting together a girls’ night can two weeks of planning and coordinating everyone’s schedules in advance. So whether we’re having a movie night, shopping, or indulging our sweet tooth with some fondue and wine, it’s always worth it.

This Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay was the perfect addition to our girls’ night in. It’s a rich, full-bodied wine and the flavor had a beautiful finish. A glass of wine always turns an ordinary night into a special occasion. Plus it was a great chance to unwined (haha like my pun 😉 with some friends.

Any reason to celebrate with a toast is a good one in my book so I love Chateau Ste. Michelle’s #AToastTo competition. Share your own toast to some of your favorite things all summer long on Twitter and Instagram with hashtags @AToastTo and #ToastContest. This week’s theme is a toast to dessert for a chance to win a basket full of sweets or a trip to Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Summer Concert Series in Washington.

So here’s to dessert! Cheers to a girls’ night in, laughing all night, and enjoying a sweet bite. You can see my other toast with Chateau Ste. Michelle here.

XX,
Christine

*Photos by Jessa Kae. In collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle.

The post Girl’s Night and Dessert appeared first on Hello Fashion.

We still haven’t unloaded all our boxes from the move so these were the only pics I could find. Who else had the bowl cut as a kid?! When I find the rest of the pics I’ll share more 🙂

I was the full definition of a Daddy’s girl. My parents were divorced when I was young and I grew up with my Dad. I remember we didn’t have much at first, but I was never with out.  In college I was doing an internship in Wisconsin and called him crying over a bad night I had. He was driving home from a work trip about 10-15 hours from where I was and offered to drive over? I was like Dad no way you are so far away and I only have an hour break for lunch tomorrow (they wouldn’t let us take time off) and assumed that was the end of it. The next day I got a text an hour before my break saying “where should I meet you? I came just to give you a hug.” He literally drove all night – no sleep- just to give me a hug and let me know he cared.

He’s always gone out of his way to help other people and showed me by example how to help people in need. He would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. He’s started multiple successful businesses and taught me how to be an entrepreneur and pursue my dreams.  I also inherited my bad spelling skills from my Dad – it is kind of a joke in our family now 😉 but I look up to my Dad in so many ways and am so thankful to have him in my life. I love you Dad! 

Now Cody: I couldn’t ask for a better Dad for our kids. If you’re a parent you know about the sleepless nights when you first have kids where your emotions are on edge and you snap at your husband over the dumbest things (well at least I did! lol) Cody never once complained about getting up with B in the middle of the night. Still when I ask him to run get the wipes out of my car, change a diaper, or call him frustrated on days I just need a break, he never says no. He always jumps up to help with out complaining. Cody is definitely the jokester in our family. He always knows how to make the kids laugh no matter the occasion. I love seeing the different bonds he creates with each of the kids because each one of their relationships is so unique. He works hard to provide for our family and make sure we are taken care of and I’m so thankful for all he does.

In honor of Father’s Day we are doing a special giveaway (over $700 in prizes) so you can honor your Dad, Husband, or Grandfather.  Head to Cody’s blog here to enter and read more about what being a Dad means to him.

Thanks for reading and thanks to all you Dad’s out there!

XX,
Christine

The post My Dad and Cody + A Father’s Day Giveaway appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: PRINT PAJAMA TOP || PRINT PAJAMA BOTTOMS || FUR PILLOW || BED FRAME || LATTE MUG

Ever since B started walking he seems to be moving a mile a minute. When he first wakes up he’s still a little sleepy so it’s prime cuddle-time. Needless to say I try to stretch those mornings out as long as he lets me – some days we don’t even change out of our pajamas.

This is one of my favorite sets of pajamas (top and bottoms). I love them because I get sooooo hot at night (we sleep with the fan on AC blowing) and they are made with a cooling fabric. It’s crazy what a difference it makes. Just touching them you notice a difference. I wish they made sheets in this material, too.

PJs make a great gift for Mother’s Day – they are universal (who doesn’t love cute pajamas?) but there’s also enough selection that you can put some thought into it – both style and print. One of my moms loves two-piece pajama sets while the other prefers nightgowns so I was able to pick something that fit each of their styles. You can find more great gift ideas for mom here or a little something for yourself 🙂

XOX,
Christine

* Photos by JessaKae. Special thanks to Soma for sponsoring this post.

The post What I Love About the Mornings appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS:
DRESS PENCIL DRESS || BLACK HEELS || CHANEL BAG (SIMILAR HERE) || DUAL PEARLS (ON SALE) || RED LIPSTICK (COLOR 19)

CODY’S LOOK: BLACK SUIT JACKET|| WHITE POCKET SQUARE || GREY SWEATER (OLD SIMILAR UNDER $30 HERE) || DRESS PANTS || BLACK DRESS SHOES || WATCH || AVIATORS  – SEE MORE OF CODY’S LOOK HERE

Happy Monday! Sorry I was kind of MIA last week we were on a family trip in Arizona and got back this weekend. Today is a Valentine’s inspired his and her look featuring one of my favorite dresses. I actually have this dress in multiple colors (Black version worn in this post) . It is such a versatile piece that can be worn to work, church, dressed up for a date night, whatever the occasion may be.  You can’t go wrong with the classic pencil silhouette.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner I wanted to share some gift ideas from free to $50:

* For the caffeine craver: Get practical with a mug he will use everyday – the sweet caption makes it a perfect Valentine’s gift. Also available in a shirt here.

* For the photographer: His phone is probably the only camera that follows him everywhere. Add a few attachable camera lenses to his collection.

* For the outdoorsman: Bring the beautiful outdoors inside with a mandle in his favorite nature scent (choose between pine, cedar, teak/sandalwood, and grass stains). The paint can packaging is almost as enticing as the great scents.

* For the foodie: This himalayan salt plate will be the first thing he reaches for when prepping anything in the kitchen or at the grill.

* For the taste-tester: Pull out all the stops for a romantic dinner at home. Extra points for recreating (or attempting to) a dish from his favorite restaurant or maybe your first date.

* For the fashion forward: Update his look with a pair of cufflinks or tie (love this black and one polka dot one) you know he will be pumped to wear.

* For the impossible: Create a coupon booklet of IOUs tailored to him of gestures he is sure to cash in on.

To see more of Cody’s look and gift ideas for her visit Hello His here.

XOX,
Christine

* Photos by JessaKae Photography

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