I know, I know… we are literally 24 hours away from saying good-bye to 2015 and I’m finally getting around to posting our family photos for the holiday and winter. I honestly don’t know what happened the last two weeks, it’s like life took a turn into the twilight zone and I’m still trying to recoop from the crazy. I look forward to family photos but I regretfully have to admit that we have slacked in this department a lot and this is the first family photo since 2013 – yikes. With a crazy on going presence in social media, sometimes I forget how important it is to have at least one really good photo for the year to document the growth of not only our children, but our life.
This year’s family photos were a challenge because our schedules are all over the place. I honestly didn’t think that I would be able to gather the five members of my family (myself included) in the allotted time to get it done. Normally, I will set up my camera and tripod and use my remote to shoot our photo, but this year – the remote died and I had to use the timer on the DSLR to get it accomplished… let’s just say – it was an interesting morning. lol Running back and forth between the camera and the group – my husband and I were not only exhausted, we had several images to capture before we got some good ones. Having children in the photo is no easy task as well as some were blinking, making faces or had their eyes closed – story of my life, lol.
For this year’s photo, we decided it would be casual and relaxed, much like our life has been the last year. Since we are so busy with home and school and work, we really look forward to days where we can dress casually and just enjoy life. Since we live right off of the Golf Course in Pukalani, we decided that that would make a fabulous backdrop for our family photos. Running back and forth working with the timer on the camera was definitely a challenge but overall, I think they came out pretty nice and I’m glad that we were able to document this year with a few images.
The twins are using basic black t-shirts from Old Navy and Khaki cargo shorts with their shoes. My eldest is using a pair of jeans, a heather gray shirt from Old Navy and his shoes and my husband is using a Dickies button down shirt, Dickies khaki shorts and flip flops. For me, I decided to go with a pair of skinny jeans (YMI) and a black laced top from Forever 21. My scarf is one of my favorite Pashminas that I have had for at least 3 years now and I’m wearing a pair of black suede boots. My gosh, my hair sure does stand out, doesn’t it?
I absolutely love taking our photos each year, but I think for next year, I may enlist the help of a fellow blogger or friend/family member to help take the images so that we are not putting in so much work lol. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday and from our family to yours, we wish you a prosperous and blessed New Year.
While Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite Holiday and it’s usually because I stuff my self like crazy. So when Black Friday comes around, instead of shopping those…
Our household would not be the same without our fur baby Ikaika. He’s a little rascal and when the boys are not home, he takes the place of them needing my undivided attention all the time, but he is our family. Because he is so important to us, like with any other person in our family, we want to make sure that he is not only happy but healthy. Today I am sharing with you a few wellness tips and a great treat that Ikaika has been loving from Milk-Bone.
According to the Milk-Bone Human Canine Health Study, a survey of 3000 U.S. dog parents conducted by Milk-Bone brand dog treats – pet parents who include their pups in family health routines lead healthier lives themselves. As I always say – a pet is more than just a pet, but a part of the family so we treat our animals the same as we do our children… like they are family. That goes with good hygiene, teeth cleaning, grooming, exercise and more. In fact, 55% of dog parents say their lives are “full of happiness and joy,” compared to 39% of non-dog parents.
Four tips to ensure that the entire family – including Fido – is healthy and well?
DOGGY EXERCISE
51% of dog parents say they get more exercise because of their dog — but 1 out of 3 pet parents wish their dog would get more physical activity
TIP #1: Turn your pups’ morning or evening walking session into a fun, impromptu workout session for the entire family, so both you and Fido will get your daily fit fix.
PUPPY NUTRIENTS
1 out of 3 pet parents are concerned their dog isn’t getting enough of the nutrients they need.
TIP #2: Start every day with a vitamin routine for the whole family. Your pup’s should include nutrients not found in most dog foods, like Glucosamine to support healthy joints or DHA to supplement overall wellness, which Milk–Bone’s Good Morning Daily Vitamin Treats provide.
PETTING SESSION CHECK-UPS
Pet parents conduct “well puppy” check-ups, as they would with their child. If a dog is rubbing his eyes, or has oily spots or bumps in his fur, something could be wrong.
TIP #3: Use fun petting sessions to give your dog a quick look over for possible health ailments, like gently rubbing the bottom of his foot pads for sores.
A FAMILY RITUAL:
57% of dog parents who also have children involve the kids in their doggy caring care routines, with most reporting that it teaches them good life habits and responsibility.
TIP #4: Your pup needs just as much attention and care as you and your children. When it’s time for your kids to brush their teeth, brush his teeth too (or give him Milk–BoneBrushing Chews).
I love that I always have a partner for exercise and Ikaika is always ready for a run. Having had large dogs before in the past, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel has been quite a change in lifestyle but having Ikaika as a part of our family has been wonderful. I grew up knowing that a bond between a dog and their human is unending and that has been proven to me so many times, I couldn’t count. While there are so many products on the market today, a favorite in our household is Milk-Bone, a brand we have used and enjoyed over the years and consistently feed our furry friends. Whether it be for brushing your furry friend’s teeth or providing vitamins, these are all essential things to include in their daily life and activity.
Ikaika absolutely loves the Milk-Bone Good Morning Daily Vitamin Treats, they are soft and easy to chew for his little teeth but also are a great source of vitamins for our furry baby. The brushing chews come in different sizes for your pets weight and are great to help with fresh breath as well as keeping your dog’s teeth clean. These are some of our favorite treats for Ikaika and he loves them too.
Statistics don’t lie and since our fur friends are a part of our family, we should treat them as such with treats and vitamins to keep them healthy and doing well. Milk-Bone offers such a wide variety of goodies for your pet which you can find here: http://bit.ly/MBGood-morning. Treat your fur family members with some goodies to help keep them healthy and don’t forget to pet them constantly.
Happy Tuesday!
Disclaimer: Some of the products mentioned and discussed in this post were sent to me for feature purposes. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to provide my thoughts on these products. Affiliate links are posted through out.
Woohoo for Halloween. While it is not our favorite Holiday, Halloween certainly ranks top in my family’s list of days in the year. With Halloween approaching just a…
Water is such an essential tool to hydrating your body and we all need it. But sometimes, lugging around a water bottle (especially one that is large enough to carry the necessary amount of water) can be daunting and stressful. After buying a Hydroflask a few months back, I have found that I can keep my water cold and still have enough on hand through the day – but carrying it in my purse or lugging it around has been an issue… until now. Recently I got a Neoprene Water Bottle Holder that makes carrying my water bottle, whether Hydroflask or a standard plastic bottle, easy to do. Today I’m going to share with you some information about this product and you can decide for yourself if it is something you may need.
Perfect for travel or out and about, this lightweight and sporty Neoprene Water bottle holder can carry your 1L or 1.5L water bottle snug and easily. I can fit my 40 oz Hydroflask in the pouch without any issues. It is made of soft neoprene material which is a high performing material used in wetsuits so that it can help to keep your beverage cooler or warmer for longer periods of time. This product can reduce the sweating that can happen with plastic water bottles – especially those that have been cooled and begin to sweat as the water gets warm. This little pouch is perfect for walking, running, biking or doing any type of outdoor activities because it comes with a handle that makes it easy to carry. The strap is adjustable so you can easily carry at a comfortable length for any height or activity.
Retailing for $15.00 and currently on sale for $10, this neoprene holder has been so convenient to use. I love it because I have been able to easily carry my bottle around with me and leave my hands free of holding something. The strap is long enough that I can sling it around my neck and shoulders to make it easy to hold. I love this product so much that I even picked one up for my husband so he can have one to use for his hydroflask too. It makes carrying your water so convenient and easy to take around with you so there is no excuse to not drink any water.
You can get this product and others on their Amazon store here.
Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.
If you follow me on Snapchat, you may have heard or seen that I traded in my Escalade for a newer car this past weekend. My husband and I have had several vehicles over the course of the last 18 years or so, so we have had experience in purchasing new and used vehicles but today I’m going to share with you my experiences and a few tips with getting a car of your own. If you have been following me a while – you may know that I used to drive a Cadillac Escalade ESV – the largest of the Cadillac Fleet. I’ve had this car for about five years and while I loved it and am thankful that it protected my family as long as it did, my husband and I felt that it was time to get something that was more economical and easier on gas costs. Prior to purchasing our Escalade, I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mazda 3 so I have driven small cars before. But, I’m not gonna lie, switching from one to the other and after driving a very large SUV for so long – finding the right car can be a challenge.
My husband Kevin and I have gone back and forth looking at both new and used vehicles at different lots and settled on Aloha Kia because the customer service rating was high and my husband had a friend that worked there. We have purchased cars from three different dealerships in the past, Aloha Kia being the fourth and the process at Aloha Kia was quick and easy so I would definitely suggest it. Since we traded in my Cadillac, the choice to buy a new or used car was something we needed to figure out. Our goal was to eliminate as much of a monthly payment, or none at all when purchasing the vehicle – so we opted for a used, but newer car. I drove several at the dealership, but we decided that the 2013 Mazda 3 Touring Edition was the best choice for me. I was comfortable with the Mazda, having owned a 2008 Mazda 3 prior to my Escalade and my husband owns a Mazda 3 now. I’m not gonna lie – I like that we have “his and hers” cars and it’s kind of cute that we each have the same vehicle, just different years and colors.
As I mentioned, the process was easy and painless. Let’s face it – trying to buy a car, test drive it, fill out paperwork and all the other things in between can be a challenge with children, especially young ones. My husband and I had all three boys with us that day and they were entertained and Aloha Kia worked with us quickly so we could be in and out. Our sales person – Lance, was very polite, quick and knew what he was talking about. Aloha Kia also has a waiting room for their customers with toys, a television, books, magazines, coffee and water which made it easy to keep the boys (the twins especially) entertained.
Since my husband and I have been through this process before, we knew to be prepared with any information that we thought was needed. Between the test drive of several vehicles, discussing the price point, getting our Cadillac appraised and then working with the finance manager (his name was Jay and made the process easy as well) – which was quick and painless, the process was a breeze. Past purchases of vehicles took most of the day – we were in and out in about two hours, maybe less.
While our experience was pretty simple, I can remember what it was like to buy a car on my own in my early 20’s not have any idea as to what to do. Here are a few simple tips for you to make this process as simple and painless as possible:
1. Decide whether a new or used car will work for you. Figure out what you can afford financially prior to going down to the dealership so you are equipped with the information you need to help you buy your car.
2. Use the internet and research the dealership you are going to be visiting. Do they have positive reviews, negative reviews, issues, etc? Visit Yelp and see what other customers have said about the business and the employees or sales people. You want to be comfortable, not intimidated and most the time reviews on Yelp will let you know if you are walking into vultures before you even get there.
3. If you are interested in trading in a vehicle you already own, make sure to look up the KBB or Kelly Blue Book Value on the car so you are armed with information and a price you can ask for trade-in value. This goes for buying new or used cars as well… look up the KBB Value so you can use this information to negotiate with the sales or finance person you are working with. Again – the key is to be prepared so you are not caught off guard or left vulnerable. Also – many dealerships now offer free Carfax reports in person or via their online site on used cars. So be sure to check out that report prior to going in to buy the car – then you’ll be prepared with important info that you may need to buy.
4. Take someone with you when you decide to go down and start the buying process. Often times having a spouse or a friend/relative with you while going through the process will not make it seem so intimidating.
5. If trading in your vehicle for something else – don’t forget the following documents: Current Registration, Current Safety-check and Title of Ownership for your vehicle. The process can all be done in one visit if you have all of this info with you.
6. While at the dealership – if for any reason you feel uncomfortable with your salesman, do not hesitate to ask for another or speak with the manager or supervisor. Sometimes salesmen can be a bit pushy. I tend to aggressive when people get that way with me, but not everyone is like me… so if you don’t feel comfy – move on to the next sales person or dealership. Follow your gut and stand your ground.
7. Test drive that car for as far as you need to in order to get the feel of the car and if it is right for you. Remember, some people keep their vehicles on average between 6 to 15 years so make sure it drives like you want it to, that is has enough room for you and that it fits your needs. Put it to the test.
8. Verify all warranty options on both new and used cars before committing to buy. Will the warranty work for you and your lifestyle. Also check to see what your options are for oil change, flat tires, etc.
9. Before going into the dealership – be sure to check your credit score. Credit Karma offers you free credit scores and is a site I use to verify my credit score often. This way you can push for the best possible rate when negotiating price and interest rate and will have an idea as to whether or not you need a down payment to reduce your monthly payment if not buying outright.
10. The key to an easy purchase is to be prepared. Whether you are buying a car for the first time or have done this many times before, the more information you have to arm yourself in this journey, the easier the process for you. Remember, they need to work with you and your terms. If you don’t like how you are treated or what is happening, you have the right to walk away and find another dealership.
So – we finalized our purchase and picked up a 2013 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring Sedan with a 2.0L 4 Cylinder 6 Speed Automatic with black interior. It’s a four door which fits my family perfectly and is in the color Graphite Mica. It comes with a push button start (which is taking me some getting used to), Bluetooth streaming (which I love) and satellite radio. Hands free phone options for calling, answering and more – which is a great safety feature and I also love that it has most of the bells and whistles that my Escalade had, is comfy cozy and fast. I’m definitely looking forward to zoom zooming around in my new set of wheels. I love it and it’s nice paying $35 for a full tank of gas instead of $70 – $100 (or more sometimes) with my Escalade. The car interior is spotless for a used car – it literally looks showroom ready and the mileage is very low. While I will certainly miss my Escalade and I do miss being in a larger vehicle, I am enjoying my newer car.
I’m truly lucky in that I have a husband that pretty much sacrifices everything for me and our boys so while this purchase was a last minute decision, we still had to ensure that it was financially sound. Aloha Kia also helped in making the process so easy and painless and I’m thankful that the people there made our purchase quick and simple. Buying your next car or an additional car should never be a task, but exciting!
I am definitely enjoying my newer car and love how it drives. While I do miss my Escalade (as I have all my other vehicles in the past) I’m very happy with our purchase. This car is easy on the eyes and a great car. This is the 3rd Mazda 3 we’ve owned and we are loving it.
“Thanks babe for always taking care of me! xo”
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in anyway. The car was purchased by my husband and I with our own money. This is an informational post and all opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.
Is it just me or is this week dragging on even with the Labor Day Holiday this past Monday? Honestly, I feel it is just taking forever but needless to say – I’m glad it is finally Thursday.
Today for this week’s segment of Thirsty Thursday we get on a personal level about some updates with my health. I also discuss a few things that have been on my mind lately like the negativity in society and press samples as well as so much more. Check out my video embedded below or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Remember – you are beautiful! And, if you are joining me this Thirsty Thursday – whatever your drink of choice, drink responsibly.
xo
Disclaimer: As with anything discussed on this site, I hold editorial freedom. Nothing discussed in this video or post was sponsored for me to feature it. All opinions are my own and 100% honest and unbiased.
