We made the cutest fall treat the other day with the kids – it was these baked cinnamon apple rings. It was a fun family activity and they tasted so good! Here’s the recipe so you can try at home.

BAKED CINNAMON APPLE RINGS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS: 

* Puff pastry 

* 4 Apples (gala tastes the best! first time we did granny smith and it wasn’t as sweet – gala is sweeter 🙂 )

* 1/4 cup of Sugar

* 2 tsp ground cinnamon

* 1/8 tsp Ground nutmeg

* 1 egg beaten

DIRECTION

1. Peel, slice apples into rounds, core center
2. Unfold puff pastry, roll it out a little, cut into strips
3. Mix the cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg in a shallow dish and set aside.
4. Pat the apple slices dry with a paper towel and dust w/cinnamon sugar.
5. Wrap puff pastry strips around each apple ring.
6. Brush the wrapped apple rings with egg wash.
7. Dip or sprinkle rings into cinnamon sugar. (we drizzled maple syrup over to add some sweetness but don’t have to)

Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes until puff pastry is flaky and light golden brown.

XX, Christine

The post Baked Cinnamon Apple Rings – The Perfect Fall Treat appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Here are some of the best hacks I found for pulling off the ultimate 4th of July party. Don’t feel like you need to incorporate all of them! Even just adding 1 or 2 will add a fun, festive touch to your holiday weekend.

DETAILS: RED CROPPED TANK (under $30 – S) | DENIM (under $40 – size 25) | STAR BOWLS

Hack #1: Color-Coordinated Cuisine

To create a festive spread, I knew I wanted to stick to a red-white-and-blue color-scheme for all the snacks. It made it so much easier to make everything flow together and stick to the festive 4th of July theme. I went to Sam’s Club and knew the fruit would be easy with all the red and blue berries, but I was surprised at how many other red/white/blue snacks and candies they had for the upcoming holiday – especially when it comes to the ‘sweets’ spread which I’ll share later. 😉

Hack #2: It’s All In The Details

MINI ALPHABET CUTTERS
STAR-SHAPED CUTTERS
TREATS: SAM’S CLUB

I’m always a sucker for the details at any event I attend, so I knew I wanted to include some cute, festive details wherever I could. Try using mini cookie-cutters to spell out words in watermelon or cheese. We also used the star cookie cutters from this set for the cheese and sprinkled them throughout the 4th of July charcuterie. I had a local company from Utah help me and they made the most beautiful salami roses! My aunt actually tried to teach me a couple years ago at the lake, just use the rim of a glass and stagger them while layering them around the rim to get that perfect round shape.

Hack #3: Sparklers, But Sweet

We made some fruit sparklers for the kids out of watermelon stars and blueberries for some healthy treat options. They look so cute on their own but we also added to the red-white-and-blue drinks we made for an added festive touch.

Hack #4: Let the Festivities Flow

DETAILS: GLASSES

Whether kid-friendly or adult beverages, drinks are a great excuse to go big for the holiday. We set up a drink table for the kids where they got to assemble their own drinks. I set out red, white, and blue Gatorade and Sprite for the base and then set out Kool-aid ice cubes, cotton candy, popsicles, licorice straws, and fresh fruits so they could get creative.

Hack #5: Don’t Skimp On The Sweets

My kids would eat candy all day every day if I let them so they were in heaven when they saw this full candy spread AND the decadent s’mores bar. I’m glad my affinity for going over the top with these sort of things won me some points. 😉 They kept saying it was the best 4thof July spread ever. 😂 We did a candy charcuterie board with all the red, white, and blue finds from Sam’s Club and was so simple to put together. We also did a s’mores bar for our new fire pit area and did a mix of different chocolates – milk chocolate, cookies and cream, Reese’s, Andes mints, and more. The dessert boards were such a cute addition and were super popular with the whole fam!

Let me know if you guys have any hacks or hosting tips you love for 4th of July!

Also this red top, I’m obsessed with the square neckline on it! It comes in lots of colors and its under $30!

Also shout out to Beck & Noelle Board Co., if your in utah and want a big charcuterie board, or want to learn how to they can help you set up or do the whole thing for you. I love learning and being a part of the process but they do both!

You can also see past holiday charcuterie boards I’ve done here.

xx, Christine

The post 5 Hacks for Pulling Off The Ultimate 4th Of July Party appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Clearly only interested in one thing haha

I can’t with Beckam’s face here 😂

DETAILS: WALMART+ MEMBERSHIP FOR INGREDIENTS | RED SWEATSHIRT | PANCAKE MOLDS | FOOD COLORING | PINK CHAMPAGNE FLUTES (OTHER DETAILS LINKED BELOW)

My dad used to make me pancakes almost every morning when I was in school. He would do fun shapes and letters. As an adult I don’t know how he did it, he’s super dad! I love making breakfast foods but we are usually running out the door eating breakfast in the car a lot of the times haha. Come weekends though I always make a good breakfast on Sundays, and leading up to holidays I like to do themes. Valentine’s is one of my favorites because you know how much I love the pink color scheme 😉

I saw this idea online so I ordered some food coloring, berries, sprinkles, and a few other details on Walmart+ to save me a trip to the store. As much as I wish I was a planner and able to plan out a full grocery list and order once a week, most of the time I’m having last minute ideas like this or I remember something I forgot, so I love being able to order groceries for right when I need them. 

I also got these cute plastic flutes to make a cotton candy mocktail which was no question the kids’ favorite part haha. We added some White Cran-Strawberry juice and a pink sugar rim – loved the idea for a cute, festive kids drink. With a Walmart+ membership you get free same-day delivery from your store and  free shipping with no order minimum. (Free Same-Day Delivery- $35 order min. Restrictions apply.; Free Shipping, No order minimum- Excludes most Marketplace items, location & freight surcharges.

RECIPE: 

I used Bisquick pancake mix and followed the instructions on the back. I made the first handful of pancakes with just the normal pancake mix, then separated 4 bowls for other colors. I added a couple drops of pink food coloring to the batter. The pink from this set is SO bright and rich, I’m obsessed! You can just eyeball the amount of drops you want to add since it will depend on how big a batch you’re making. Just start with a drop or two and mix to get an idea of the color. A little goes a long way – Then after cooking the next ‘shade’ pancakes, you’ll add a few more drops of the food coloring and repeat. 

You can repeat as many times as you want and go as slowly/gradually as you want but the more you do, the bigger your pancake stack haha. We just did mini stackers because I knew the kids wouldn’t be able to eat that many if they were full sized. I also used this cute little mold (works for pancakes, eggs, etc) that has a circle or heart shaped option. So cute for Valentine’s Day or just to use throughout the year for fun. It also made it so much easier for the stack to do multiple at once. These are AMAZING!! 

We topped with berries, syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles. I also ordered these edible flower petals that would be so pretty for a Valentine’s Day brunch with your partner or even a baby shower/bridal shower brunch. I forgot to put them on when we did this so I’m going to use them when I make it again they are SO PRETTY!! 

Linked all the ingredients/details below if you want to recreate it. You can also sign up for a free 30-day trial for Walmart+ here.

XX, Christine

The post Ombre Valentine’s Mini Pancakes appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Cutest holiday drink! Love adding greenery to drinks.

DETAILS: WHITE MOHAIR CARDIGAN (ON SALE UNDER $20 – WEARING SIZE S) | EMBELLISHED HEADBAND (ON SALE UNDER $10) | DISTRESSED WIDE LEG JEANS (WEARING SIZE 3) | PLATFORM CONVERSE | RED LIP (SHADE: BAD BLOOD RUBY) | NECKLACE (ON SALE UNDER $20)

If there’s one holiday hosting hack that I live by, it’s to have your food (and drink!) double as decorations. Nothing brings more ambience to a holiday party than an on-theme spread of food and drinks and it might be easier than you think. From charcuterie boards laid out in wreaths to festive-shaped desserts, or festive drinks bring the holiday spirit to your table spread for your holiday gatherings.

Drinks are a super easy way to set the vibe for a holiday party. One of my favorite mocktail recipes is mixing pomegranate juice with a sparkling cider and adding pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch. I always get tons of compliments on how good it turns out – it’s hard to believe it only takes 2 seconds haha. To dress the drink up even more, try a gold-rimmed glass like these.

Now let’s talk outfits- for an extra holiday hosting outfit hack – one of the easiest pieces to take your look from ‘typical Friday night’ to ‘Festive’ is an embellished headband. Headbands are one of the hottest accessories this season. I found this cute white beaded one at Kohl’s (on sale under $10 right now!) and love how much it adds to a simple fuzzy cardigan and jeans look. (With a red lip of course – that’s a holiday must. 🙃) I also got this cute sparkly mesh one and this rhinestone one – all on sale under $10 right now. You can see a video I made with all 3 here.

Linking a few more of my favorite holiday-ready headbands below:

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Kohl’s. 

The post The Holiday Hosting Hack I Live By appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Easiest ingredient list for this cute charcuterie!

Mio’s face in these pics 😂😂

DETAILS: INGREDIENTS VIA WALMART+ MEMBERSHIP | WOOD CUTTING BOARD | GREY HOODIE

We all have those people on our list who are impossible to shop for. The ones who already own everything they need, some who live a more minimalist lifestyle, and others who buy things for themselves the second they think of it so you never get a chance 😂. Anyone else have people like that on their list? I think parents are especially hard to shop for where they feel like they already have everything they need.

We signed up for Walmart+ membership this year and it’s made me realize what a great gift idea it is. It’s unlimited free delivery ($35 order minimum. Restrictions apply) for fresh groceries and more straight to your door with free shipping (Excludes most Marketplace items, location & freight surcharges). It’s so convenient – whether you’re a meal planner or are more last minute about picking out groceries, or for any impromptu holiday gatherings this season.

The kids have really started to love cooking/baking recently and I thought putting together a little charcuterie wreath would be so cute so we just ordered a few things we didn’t have on hand and it was here within hours. (You can also schedule delivery for the following week if you know you’ll need things by a specific day but want the produce to be fresh.)

It’s also a lifesaver when you forget an ingredient or something you need ASAP and you don’t have time to run to the grocery story – best time saver ever haha.  They have the annual membership for under $100 so it’s such an easy gift idea for convenience and saving time and errands. You can also sign up for the Walmart+ free trial here to try it out.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart. 

The post Get This For The People On Your List Who Already Have Everything appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Love these hot pink biker shorts!

DETAILS: PINK SHORTS (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $40) | ZIP-UP HOODIE | BLACK SPORTS BRA | NIKE SNEAKERS | JUMP ROPE | YOGA MAT

This year, instead of setting grand, lofty goals and New Years Resolutions, I realized that I respond better to smaller targets that I can cross off my to-do list every day, so instead of setting year-long resolutions I set mini, specific goals that I can hit daily. For January, instead of cutting out sugar entirely or committing to running 500 miles this year, I decided to commit to small things like drinking a half gallon of water and jump rope every day this month. I’ve honestly already missed a couple days but it’s nightttt and day difference to the minimal water I was doing before. It’s ok if we’re not perfect but I already notice the changes.

I love being able to check it off my list and it gives you momentum to keep it up, which I fully believe is one of the biggest forces that keep us progressing. That momentum of doing something, even something small, adds up to reaching a big goal. Have you guys ever tried hitting smaller goals instead of going big every year? What do you think!

XX, Christine

The post If You Struggle To Hit Your Goals, Try This Instead appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with this necklace!

DETAILS: GOLD SMALL CHAIN NECKLACE | GOLD T-BAR CHAIN NECKLACE | GOLD BRACELET | GOLD CHAIN BRACELET | RUFFLED TANK | DENIM | LIPSTICK: HONEST MULBERRY KISS – NO LONGER SOLD 🙁 | BLACK HANDBAG

Confidence comes in waves, but it’s something I think is contagious. When you are around the right type of confident people they usually are lifting others up and their energy is contagious. When you think of a confident woman in your life who’s the first person who pops in your head? 

It’s something I am always trying to work on, some days it comes naturally and other days I’m giving myself  a pep talk. We all know the days when we are our own worst critics, and sometimes it’s hard to get out of that funk, but here are 6 easy things I do when I’m having an off day to try and switch my mood and confidence. 

1. Stop The Negative Talk. I was actually reading a recent study and it said POSITIVE self talk is the greatest predictor of success. The study showed that people didn’t need to be reminded how to do something as much as they needed to tell themselves they are doing something great. We are all guilty of it from time to time, but stop yourself next time you catch yourself saying something negative, walk to a mirror and say 3 positive things about yourself. 
2. Serve others. If I’m having an off day, I always ask myself, what have I done to help someone else today or this week? And usually I haven’t! So whether it’s helping someone, encouraging someone else’s dream, writing an email to someone you look up to or admire, step outside of yourself and look at ways to help others. 
3. Jewelry. And I’m not just talking your go-to pair of earrings. Go big! I love layering lots of pendants and chains to make even the simplest outfits more beautiful. I wish I had taken a before pic, but think about it – jeans and a tank is effortless and easy, but layer on some beautiful high-quality jewelry and it instantly feels more elevated. You guys know how obsessed I am with Missoma – they are my number one jewelry brand. All their pieces are such amazing quality. I just got these pieces from their new collection. I honestly can’t recommend this brand enough. I always have at least one of their pieces on. And when you have your beautiful necklaces on, it draws attention to your shoulders and neckline (which I cover in point 5). So if your posture is on check, your confidence is shining. 
4. A bold lip. I always feel more confident when I have a bright or moody bold lip on, and my eyes are always drawn when I see other women out sporting their beautiful bold colors. So excited for fall to be able to pull out some moodier shades!
5. Check your posture. Even if it’s as simple as looking more people in the eyes. How often are we all hunched over our phones walking around. Put the phone down, straighten your shoulder, raise your head and look people in the eyes. 
6. Wear matching underwear. Ok ladies can you relate to this?? I’ll be honest it is a miracle if I can find two socks that match, but when I put on a matching bra and underwear set, I feel more confident. 

What are some things that make you guys feel more confident on days when you are feeling off?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Missoma.

The post 6 Easy Ways to Feel More Confident appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Happy Monday guys! Sharing this yummy healthy breakfast recipe with you. When you get a healthy breakfast in it boosts your brain stimulation, gives essential nutrients you need for the day, contributes to heart health, reduces metabolic syndrome, improves skin, and stabilizes energy levels. My usual breakfast is a bowl of oatmeal, I like to switch it up once in a while and incorporate some superfoods. I’ve started making chia seed pudding in these cute mason jars (similar here) mixed with protein bites, it has a  massive amount of nutrients like antioxidants, Omega-3, and fiber- here’s the recipe I used:

RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 Tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• Toppings: extra peanut butter, raspberries, perfect bar protein squares

Directions:

1. Whisk together almond milk, chia seeds, honey, peanut butter, and vanilla. Make sure to keep whisking until the peanut butter is dispersed. Let the mixture sit for five minutes and whisk again to remove any clumps. Place in the fridge to set- I kept it overnight but I noticed they started expanding after about an hour!
2. When ready to eat, top with a drizzle of peanut butter, add some perfect bar protein squares, and raspberries. I also thought blueberries and granola would be yummy options too! I love these gold spoons to eat with to make it extra pretty!

And enjoy! Super easy and healthy!! Let me know if you try it 🙂

Also, I always have a lot of people asking about this runner in my kitchen- you can find it here!

XX,

Christine

The post Healthy Breakfast Recipe: Chia Seed Parfait appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with this jacket (on sale would also work great for the Fourth of July) plan on stealing it 😜

DETAILS: LONG SLEEVE NIKE TEE (ON SALE) | HIGH-WAIST DENIM (ON SALE UNDER $50) | HIGH TOP CONVERSE (ON SALE) | NIKE HAT

CODY: NIKE JACKET (ON SALE)| JUST DO IT SHORTS |  MEN AIRMAX’S (SIMILAR HERE) | NIKE SOCKS (ON SALE UNDER $15) | BLACK CAP (ON SALE)

BECKAM: RED NIKE TEE (ON SALE UNDER $15) | HIGH TOP CONVERSE

OLLIE: NIKE SET (ON SALE UNDER $15)

My favorite thing in the world is seeing Cody as a dad. It makes me tear up thinking about how amazing he is to our kids and all he does for our little family! Sometimes life gets so busy and it’s easy to look past everything dads do for us and so I love fathers’ day because it allows you to really slow down and look at all the little things you some times miss. Being home together every day during this quarantine has actually been so amazing because I feel like it put things into perspective on how important (and FUN!) it is to play and laugh together as a family- really focus on each other which has made us want to try and be that way all the time. With Fathers day coming up I’ve been trying to count my blessings with Cody and stop and focus on all the little things he does every day for us.

Here are my top 3 favorite things about Cody as a dad:

1. At night Cody is amazing at shutting off his phone and everything that could tie him into work and so he can have family time really focus on playing with the kids, and having dinner together. After dinner, we all love too and wind down play board or card games as a family and its so fun to have that time with no distractions.
2. He is such a good example for the boys! Beckam and Wes look up to Cody so much and I absolutely love that. They always want to dress just like their dad from hat to shoes, and do what he loves to do like going on adventures outside, riding dirt bikes or playing sports- it’s seriously so cute! Ollie loves his dad too he will say “dada” and just smiles so big.
3. He is so creative with the kids – his love language is quality time so he will make up the craziest games or think of fun things to do that I would never think of haha. Like he made up a board game for chores – and the kids actually like to do it!

Growing up I was such a daddies girl- and still am, and always wanted to make sure that whoever was the dad to my kids was as close to our kids as I was to my dad.  Okay, I’m done with the sappy rant over Cody lol- I want to know what you’re favorite things are about the dads in your life!

Also linking some great Father’s Day gift options below. You can also save $10 on a $50 purchased now through Father’s Day on 6/21 with code: DAD10 at checkout!

1. NIKE JACKET (ON SALE) | 2. WATCH | 3. SUNGLASSES | 4. NIKE AIRMAX SNEAKERS | 5. PHONE/TABLET STAND | 6. NIKE HAT (ON SALE UNDER $20) | 7.  ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH | 8. FLORAL TIE | 9. ELECTRIC RAZOR (ON SALE UNDER $100) | 10. NIKE SOCKS (ON SALE UNDER $15) | 11. NEST DOORBELL

XX, Christine

The post My Top 3 Favorite Things About Cody As A Dad appeared first on Hello Fashion.

I’ve definitely been educating myself more about racism over these last few weeks,  but I also want to continue the conversation with my kids so they learn from a young age – not just so this next generation isn’t part of the problem, but so they can be part of the solution. I really believe it starts in the home, how we raise our kids.

In addition to having conversations with the kids, I wanted to have some books for them to. I’ve ordered some new books but I also wanted to put together a round up with a few other’s I’ve sourced below.

1. THE HATE U GIVE | 2. A KIDS BOOK ABOUT RACISM | 3. LITTLE LEADERS: BOLD WOMEN IN BLACK HISTORY | 4. SATURDAY | 5. YOU MATTER | 6. ANTIRACIST BABY | 7. LET’S TALK ABOUT RACE | 8. SOMETHING HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN | 9. THIS BOOK IS ANTI-RACIST

I would love to create a resource with this post, so please add your suggestions in comments for others.

XX, Christine

The post Kids Books to Start Teaching Anti Racism At Home appeared first on Hello Fashion.

FAMILY SQUATS:

I hold ollie in the front and Cody throws Beckam on his back for a little extra weight.  My legs are still burning from the other day haha.

FAMILY PUSH UPS.

I’m a push up wimp so I do as many as I can on my feet and then move to my knees. Cody does some max reps with all of us on his back, it’s pretty funny.  I have no idea how he does it!

My kind of push-ups, haha.

COUPLE JUMP ROPING:

We go until we can do the full alphabet together. If we mess up – we start over and try to do a couple sets of the alphabet.

ARM BURNOUT:

Lift kids above your head, I very lightly toss Ollie in the air – he loves it and it gives your arm a good work out. I do as many as as I can until my arms burn out and I can’t do more.

DETAILS: PINK SPORTS BRA (ON SALE UNDER $30 – ALSO GOT THIS WHITE ONE) | PINK STRIPE LEGGINGS (ON SALE) | NIKE RUNNING SHOES (ON SALE)

When it comes to working out I usually go for a cute legging like these pink stripe ones (so cute on)! When I’m home I usually just work out in a sports bra and leggings. I love this one because it is really form-fitting so it’s great support for all kinds of workouts. Also got this one (love) and these running shoes- the neon pink and yellow accents are so bright and fun!

Obsessed with these sneakers!

CODY: MEN GREY STRIPED SOCKS (ON SALE)| MEN’S NIKE TEE (ON SALE – ALSO GOT IT IN BLACK) | NIKE SHORTS (ON SALE – ALSO LOVE THESE ) | SNEAKERS (ON SALE)

Cody needed some fresh socks and I loved these grey striped ones, they pair really great with these shoes we found. These Nike tees come in five different colors- he’s wearing the grey but we also got this black one as well. These are super basic and easy to wear with a pair of black shorts like these.

BECKAM: BOYS GREY TRACK SET (ON SALE) | KIDS AIRMAX’S (ON SALE)

When I saw this track set for Beckam I was dying over it and knew I had to get it for him! I love the price of it too it’s under $30 and the material is super thin so he can wear it in the summer and not get too hot. I also found these little white airmax’s to pair with the track set (why are kids shoes so much cuter)!

WORKOUT RECOVERY ACCESSORIES: MARBLE FOAM ROLLER (ON SALE) | RECOVERY ROLLER (ON SALE)

I feel like recovery is such an important part of any workout. Not recovery can lead to injury or soreness to wear its hard to consistently workout. I love this marble foam roller to target any large areas like your hamstrings or back.

What are your favorite clothes to workout in? I linked some other items on my order below and you can find other past family workout looks here and here.

xx, Christine

The post Easy Family Home Work Outs appeared first on Hello Fashion.

The Kitchenaid Mixer is a kitchen essential! Ours is 15% off right now here.

Obsessed with my new knife set!

He was so entertained with this orange haha. They always say everyday items are sometimes more exciting than toys and this was a case and point again 😜

WEARING: TIE-DYE SWEATSHIRT | SLIPPERS 

DETAILS: KITCHENAID MIXER (ON SALE 15% OFF) | CITRUS JUICER (ON SALE UNDER $30) | SPIRALIZER ATTACHMENT (ON SALE 25% OFF) | SLICER/SHREDDER ATTACHMENT (ON SALE 20% OFF) | MINI HEART WAFFLE MAKER (UNDER $20) | TEXTURED MIXING BOWLS (ON SALE UNDER $30) | WHITE KNIFE SET (ON SALE UNDER $100)

If it were ever possible to break the ‘eating-out’ too much habit, it’s right now. Coincidentally, my parents were in town visiting last month when everything hit and it was the perfect chance to take advantage of their amazing cooking skills. We practiced some of their recipes together and they also gave me a list of their must-haves for cooking at home, so I wanted to share those plus the #1 kitchen essential everyone needs: THE KITCHENAID! I know it’s an investment but I seriously use mine so much!!  We usually used our mixer for chocolate chip cookies, but once this hit I just discovered all the attachments that blew my mind haha! I got this slicer, spiralizer, and citrus juicer attachment. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to cook but this makes all the prep work so easy! The Kitchenaid mixer and attachments are all on sale right now so if you have been on the fence about investing in one, now is the perfect chance. (You can also get an extra $10 off Home Sale items with code: HOME10 for orders $50+).

I also ordered this FryDaddy – french fries are my weakness! So excited to make some at home and Cody is obsessed with donuts so going to try and make those too!

And how cute is this heart waffle maker!

I’ve also saw a pretty white knife set a few months ago and have been dying for one so when I found this one on sale under $100, I had to have it.

Also love these pretty textured mixing bowls. There’s something about having pretty kitchenware that makes being in the kitchen a little easier, right? (Or is it just me haha).

Below are some other kitchen favorites!

XX, Christine

The post The #1 Kitchen Essential You Need appeared first on Hello Fashion.

*In collaboration with Olay.

(That smile!!)

You don’t realize how contagious your attitude is until you spend 24/7 around someone 😜so now more than ever is the time to practice self-care, both for you and for the people around you! I heard a quote recently that seemed pretty applicable to life right now: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what’s left of you.” Even though we might not be out and about right now, it really starts at home. I’ve noticed when I take a few minutes to get ready in the morning or indulge in a hot bubble bath at night, it starts my day and night off on the right foot. Forget the spa or gym – here are a few ways to add some self-care to your routine with just a few spare minutes throughout the day.

• Gratitude Journaling: I have loved seeing everyone focus on what they are grateful for lately instead of counting all the ways their life is hard! If you’re new to journaling, I just got the kids a 5-minute journal which has prompts so they can just add a few notes about their days’ highlights. If your day starts off on the wrong foot, take a minute to list out everything you are grateful for. It can be the big things like your home or your health, or little things like still having a box of your favorite cereal in the pantry. Listing them out makes you appreciate whatever you have and can completely change your day around.

• Face masks: As much as I love indulging in a full fledged facial, I do face masks at home on the regular. It’s a great pick-me-up for your skin, but also a mood boost to bring a little luxury to your day. 

• Moisturize: The silver lining of being stuck at home is giving your chance a break from makeup, but make sure you don’t get lax on your skincare regimen! It can be tempting to skip straight from cleansing to moisturizer, but now is the perfect excuse to be diligent with every step of your skincare routine, because you’ll be able to see the results! I’ve been using the Olay Deep Hydration Serum with Vitamin B3 + Hyaluronic Acid. Apply several drops of your serum right after you cleanse and tone so it can penetrate your skin better. I love hyaluronic acid and always notice a difference in my skin when I apply it, both in fine lines and hydration! This Olay serum is super hydrating and feels like a cool drink of water on your skin (also doesn’t greasy feel and is free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes) Seal in your skincare products with a quartz roller – another luxurious touch to make it feel like you’ve been at the spa.

(My before and after adding the Deep Hydration Serum to my routine, untouched. Olay’s Real Skin Promise is zero retouching for skin on any of their images! They are the first brand I’ve heard about doing something like this and I love it! So transparent and a great way to embrace all skin types.) 

• Meditation + Stretching: Everybody has their own go-to ways of meditation throughout the day. I love pairing it with a good stretch session and lighting one of my favorite candle. It’s amazing what a little aromatherapy and stretching can do for your mind and body!

• Disconnect from Social Media:  I think social media is an amazing way to stay connected and build relationships, but it’s also important to know when to disconnect. It’s actually better for your sleeping habits if you can disconnect before bedtime, but also good for relationships too. Cody and I have a no phones rule at meal time and always turn off our phones off before bed so we can focus on spending quality time together.

• A Bubble Bath: My faaavorite! Honestly this has become a nightly routine for me for a while. It’s my number one way to relax and those few minutes to myself always help me reset after a long day. If you usually opt for a fast shower over a long bath, it couldn’t be better timing to dip your toe in (literally haha). You might love it! I love adding a good bath bomb and always add baby oil to my bath to make my skin super soft. You can also add epsom salts – super soothing to help you get a better night’s sleep.

XX, Christine

The post 6 Self-Care Steps To Manage Your Stress appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: SHERPA PULLOVER | DENIM | CONVERSE | SUNGLASSES | OLLIE’S SHERPA SUIT | BABYBJORN BABY FREE CARRIER | LIPSTICK

Hey guys! Real talk… I don’t post as much as I used to on the blog, and I wanted to see how many of you guys still enjoy coming here for content?  This has been such an incredible journey, and even though social platforms are where we spend a lot of our time, I’m forever grateful for you following along, old and new, who read here. It means so much! I like the blog because it allows me to share a lot more and write more!

My blog, like my clothing line ILY Couture, has always gradually evolved with me. For those of you who may not remember, I started ILY when I was engaged and looking for some headpieces to wear to my wedding. I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I decided to make my own! From there, it evolved to jewelry, women and kids clothing and more. I remember when I got pregnant with Beckam, we made our ‘Preggers’ tee, and then our iconic ‘Wifey’ tee. Hello Fashion has been evolving also – initially just fashion, then expanding to include family and lifestyle, beauty, travel, home decor, and more. I feel like you guys are truly friends and I love the community we’ve created, so it feels right to share the natural progression of my life.

After having Ollie I did a Q&A on insta and asked what you missed seeing and people said fashion. I hadn’t even realized it but None of my recent pictures on Insta were in jeans, but then upon a closer look I realized I had barely posted jeans in the year prior (part of that was just living in swimsuits and dresses during my pregnancy 🙂 and it occurred to me how much my brand has grown to be more lifestyle than just fashion. I have always loved fashion and love sharing my new finds with you guys, but as I’ve been trying to reflect on my brand, I wanted to give you guys a chance to weigh in. The last thing I want this to be is asking you guys ‘What content do you want to see more of?” that has been so prevalent this year. But for those of you who read here – what do you love the most?  fashion and street style? Or do you prefer the family content at home?  I would love to hear your thoughts below. And thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for being here throughout this journey of life. 🙂 Hope you guys are all staying safe during the quarantine!

XX, Christine

The post Real Talk: What Brings You Here? appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Happy Friday, mamas! Let’s talk nursing… whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or using formula, when it comes to feeding our babies I feel like people are really passionate one way or the other. I remember when I had Beckam, my milk dried up really fast and I felt like I was failing as a mom. I think a big part that was that breastfeeding in general was not as openly talked about as it is now. As a first time mom, I wasn’t as confident in my “mom skills” as I am the second time around. So I just wanted to start this post with whatever you are doing to feed your baby, that’s amazing! 

When we had Ollie this time around, I wanted to try breastfeeding again. He did really well at the beginning, but as time went on my milk supply started to lower. My milk wasn’t coming out as fast as the bottle so when it came time to feed, he would get really upset and wouldn’t latch. Sometimes if he was really tired, he would latch and I LOVE that time with him so much. There is no better connection, but most of the time after the first 6 weeks, it just didn’t work… Some days it’s still hard and I miss having that connection time breastfeeding him, but I’m also really thankful he can still get some of my milk other ways. And I’ll be honest, it’s not much some days, but I’ve learned to appreciate my body at this stage and to be thankful for everything it’s done – like carrying him through a healthy pregnancy. Whatever stage you’re at, appreciate your body! 

When we were at the hospital they kept telling me I could get a nice pump covered by insurance. I went to multiple pharmacies to ask, but got blank stares each time. I almost gave up but then I heard about Aeroflow Breastpumps. The company specializes in helping women get a breast pump through their insurance. They also offer pregnancy and postpartum support garments, like maternity support bands, compression socks, etc. As well as essentials like milk storage bags and nursing pads, cleaning supplies, and hands-free pumping bras – and you can even use your FSA/HSA funds to purchase these items! They take care of the entire process for you, filing the claim and getting documents from your doctor – all you do is fill out this form and Aeroflow Breastpumps will check to see if you qualify for a pump through insurance and do the rest. They also have a ton of breast pumps to choose from. The Lansinoh Smartpump is amazing – you can track/monitor your pumping schedule from your phone and it actually mimics baby’s natural feeding patterns, so it’s really efficient. This pump is covered through most insurance plans, too! Breast pumps can really add up but if your insurance covers it, it’s a great way to snag a nice one. Plus you can save money to splurge on something else – like a car seat or stroller.  

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Aeroflow. 

The post Nursing Diaries appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Love these NBA sheets, sometimes I feel like patterned sheets can get cheesy but I love these!

We’ve had this little grey chair for years! They make the best lounge chairs – and they are great for playrooms and watching movies the kids take it everywhere in the house! You can customize and put their name on them or their initials – They are on sale right now too – make great gifts!

Wes is super artistic, and loves to take pictures and videos, so we found some old school cameras for his room I was really excited about.

I love collecting books for the kids – Pottery Barn kids has some of the best unique kids books. I usually get them one from there every Christmas. Wes picked out this cute shark one this summer.

FURNITURE:  STORAGE BED | SECTIONAL COUCH (COLOR: BOUCLE TWILL GRAVEL) | DESK | DESK CHAIR | STUFFED KIDS CHAIR | END TABLES

DECOR: WOVEN JUTE RUG (ON SALE – SIZE 8 X 10) | SILVER LAMP + NAVY SHADE |  BLACK DESK LAMP | RECORD PLAYER

LINENS: NBA SHEET SET | GREY REVERSIBLE COMFORTER + SHAMS | GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS THROW | FAUX LEATHER THROW PILLOW | BLACK SHERPA PILLOW |

WALL DECOR:  NEON BASKETBALL LIGHT | LED BASKETBALL HOOP | BASKETBALL OVER-THE-DOOR HAMPER | SMALL BASKETBALL PRINT (SIZE 11 X 14) | LA LICENSE PLATE | WOOD BASKETBALL HOLDER | BULLETIN BOARD | BLACK AND WHITE PRINTS (FREE PRINTABLES FROM PINTEREST) | TRIPTYCH BASKETBALL PRINT

KIDS STUFF: WOODEN TRAIN TRACK SET | GALAGA ARCADE | STREET FIGHTER ARCADE |  BACKPACK | OLD FASHIONED CAMERA WITH TRIPOD | BOOKS

One by one, we are finally putting the finishing touches on different spaces in the house! Wes room was the first kids room to be completely done so it has for sure become the kids’ favorite spot in the house – it’s the new hang out spot, for sure.

Wes loves basketball and skateboarding, so over the last year we have been collecting different pieces for his room.  This neon basketball light was one of Wes’ favorite things about the room and I also love this LED basketball hoop. He is at that in-between age where he’s not really a teen yet, so we got a mix of products between Pottery Barn Kid and Teen, and I love how it turned out! It’s versatile enough that all the decor can grow and transition as he does. They have tons of cool decor accent pieces to bring a personal touch to a room. Wes’ favorite team right now is the Golden State Warriors and favorite player is, like every 10-12 year old right now, Steph Curry haha. We also got this customizable grey jersey throw at PBTeen and it’s super soft and comes with tons of team options and it’s also on sale right now under $40 (gift idea alert! ;).

This bed is Wes’ other favorite piece in the room. When Mara and Wes are with us, Beckam loves to have sleepovers in their rooms so I knew I wanted a queen bed. I also love all the extra storage it has. All of his clothes fit in his closet, but I feel like no matter how much space kids have, something always finds it’s way to the floor so I love having these drawers available to store some of the messes  and also storage for their car tracks and stuff. We also got this sectional couch as a hang out spot for when his friends or cousins are hanging out.

The last touches that we added were all the wall decor pieces and I was honestly surprised at what a difference it makes! My favorites are probably this LA license plate sign (we love going to LA as a family and dream about moving there one day!) and this triptych basketball print. It’s a great way to fill up an empty space if you have a long wall you need to fill.

Below are a few more of my favorites for a boys room. Let me know if you have any other questions!

XX, Christine

The post Room Reveal: Wes’ Bedroom appeared first on Hello Fashion.

1. WOODEN CANDLESTICKS | 2. FAUX MINI TREE | 3. POM POM STOCKING (UNDER $20) | 4. PLAID MUG SET | 5. TARTAN PILLOW | 6. TIN EVERGREEN BUCKET | 7. MARBLIZED ORNAMENTS | 8. GREEN NAPKIN SET (UNDER $10 – ALSO LOVE THE PLACEMAT VERSION) | 9. BUFFALO CHECK MAT (UNDER $20) | 10. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAT | 11. MINI CABLE KNIT STOCKINGS SET (UNDER $20) | 12. STRIPED STOCKING (UNDER $20) | 13. GLASS DOME | 14. GLASS CHRISTMAS TREE (UNDER $20) | 15. FAUX CEDAR WREATH (UNDER $20) | 16. GREEN SHEEPSKIN PILLOW (ON SALE UNDER $20 – LUMBAR VERSION HERE) | 17. CANDLE SET (UNDER $20) | 18. MERRY CHRISTMAS DINNER PLATE (UNDER $5) | 19. VELVET ORNAMENTS (UNDER $10 – COMES IN 3 COLORS) | 20. WHITE QUILTED VELVET PILLOW (ON SALE UNDER $20) | 21. TARTAN THROW | 22. MERRY CHRISTMAS STOCKING HOLDER

Help! I am in full Christmas mode already haha!  Typically I wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate but this year I am EXTRA excited about Christmas. It’s our first Christmas in our new home and our first Christmas with Baby Ollie!! If I’m totally honest I have been looking at Christmas stuff and holiday home decor since mid October lol.

This year we are doing our upstairs more formal and classic and downstairs super cozy with plaids and chunky knits.  I found the best tartan pattern in this throw pillow and blanket – I love how bright and cheery the red is and they are both really soft. I also ordered a set of plaid mugs (doesn’t everything taste better in a cute mug??) to go on our open shelves. Not plaid, but I also picked up these sheepskin pillows in green. They are on sale right now for $15 and come in 5 different colors. We also have a buffalo check mat to layer under our front door mat for the fall and I love this one to add something festive to the doorstep during the holidays. I also just ordered these stockings for our living room (they aren’t on the Inspo board above) but they are AMAZING! I am so obsessed!

I always love fresh eucalyptus and greens around the house during the holidays, but those die so quickly that I’m all about the faux wreaths and greenery when I’m decorating so far ahead of schedule. How gorgeous is this faux cedar wreath? The bells and ribbon are 😍. I also love this cute little faux tree.

Below are some more of my favorite Christmas finds so far this season:

XX, Christine

The post My Favorite Holiday Decor Finds So Far appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Ollie LOVES the bath. I can’t handle that face! And how is he getting so big already!!

He is so, so observant, when he’s awake he just stares into your eyes. I love the way he just looks up at me or Cody.

These have been my favorite baby bath products, I used the aveeno and noodle and boo on Beckam when he was little and  love them. Hello Bello is a newer line but their stuff is plant based and has worked good on my kids sensitive skin.

Ollie has SO MUCH hair, I LOVE IT! It’s so dark too, I’m always curious if it will stay dark or turn light like Beckam’s. He’s started to loose some of his baby hair already though – makes me sad 🙁

I love this picture because I don’t have any of Beckam with his cute little newborn cry and I love all their little expressions happy and “hangry” 😉

DETAILS: SHEA BUTTER BABY WIPES | BABY OIL | LAMB BABY TOWEL | COZY BABY SOCKS | BABY BATH| BUBBLE BATH

First blog post with Baby Ollie!! Ollie loves the bath now and I love that time with him. I can’t believe how big he is already getting! Beckam always loved playing in the bath  – it was genuinely one of his favorite activities and he used to ask if he could take a bath in the middle of the day so he could play with his bath toys. But now that we are back in that newborn phase with Ollie, I’m relearning and re-remembering things that worked and didn’t work the first time around- so I wanted to share a few hacks and tips I’ve learned:

1. Think ahead. To make it as seamless as possible, prep everything ahead of time! Baths require undivided attention, so you want to avoid having to leave the room for anything! Make sure you have all your bath products, towels, and diaper ready to go ahead of time. I love hooded towels for little ones because their head is really what controls so much of how “cold” they are so if you can wrap them up quick and keep their head warm it helps a lot! Love all the cute animal hooded towels!
2. Make bath time as comfortable as possible. I bought the flower thing for the sink before Ollie was born and it made bath time really hard honestly. He HATED bath time. It fits well in the sink and maybe when he’s older and can sit in it, it will make more sense (It’s really plush and comfortable) but he would scream whenever we used it, so I got this one  where he can be propped up more at an angle and he LOVES  IT.  He never cries during bath time anymore except when we pull him out sometimes. Its NIGHT AND DAY difference. I can’t suggest that tub enough its completely changed our bath time and it’s under $20!  Another hack is to fill it up with water first and test the water temperature with your elbow to make sure it’s not too hot or cold once you add your little one.
3. Emergency wipes. Chaos always seems to strike when you are least prepared (especially with boys pee can spray everywhere when they get out of the tub), so I’ve learned to have wipes within arms reach at all times if possible. 😂 I just got these shea butter wipes and love how moisturizing they are! They are from Walmart’s exclusive brand, Parents Choice, which has dermatologically tested products that are free from bleach, perfumes, etc. and it’s all great quality and at amazing price points.
4. (On that same note…) Pay attention to your products. I have always had super sensitive skin and realized while Beckam was a baby that my babies would have the same issues, so I’m super picky about baby hygiene products I use. Luckily baby products are usually safer and they use more natural ingredients. I just got this Hello Bello baby oil for an extra dose of moisture (winters in Utah are brutally dry!). It’s extra sensitive and also plant-based (Also love their diapers!).  Noodle and Boo is another baby brand that works really well for sensitive skin snd their stuff smells so good!
5. Stay put. Of course this one is a given, but it cannot be said enough, don’t leave your baby unattended under any circumstances. Nothing it worth the risk of getting distracted of giving your attention anywhere else!

Would love to know any other tips or hacks you have for newborn or baby bath time!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

The post 5 Hacks for Stress-Free Baby Bath Time appeared first on Hello Fashion.