I’m a little behind in posting this but it has been a crazy week and I haven’t been feeling well. However, since it is Friday (Happy Aloha Friday), I figured I could share a little Foodie love and Fashion. This past Sunday was Mother’s Day and my husband and sons surprised me with an awesome Brunch at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. This location is one of my favorites because the grounds are gorgeous and the Spa and Terme are one of my favorites to go a few times a year for a little “me” time. This was the first time we attended their brunch and I’m so glad we had the opportunity to experience it.
The Grand Wailea Resort and Spa is located on the South Side of Maui in Wailea. It is a gorgeous resort with grounds that are not only breathe-taking, but a playground for all ages. It is also located on one of the most beautiful beaches Maui has to offer.
My family and I have been to the resort on many occasions whether as a stay-cation, attend weddings at their chapel, dine or play in the pools or spa but we have never been to their brunch. This brunch occurs every Sunday, but this year they tried something different and had a Sangria bar especially for Mother’s Day. Their buffet includes everything from Prime Rib and Crab legs to a plethora of seafoods, local dairy cheeses, waffles and pancakes and so much more. I apologize for not having any photos of the food as I was too caught up in making my plate I completely forgot.
I was able to capture the dessert bar which was just as delicious and included everything from macarons to cake pops and everything in between. Scrumptious treats for a great day.
Stop on by the site to see what their entire menu includes – I’m sure you’ll be drooling just reading it. Their menu can be found here. After Brunch, my family and I took a stroll through the grounds to walk off a full tummy. It was such a beautiful day.
The Grand Wailea is known for their many pools and this is one of them. You can’t swim in this pool of course, but it’s a gorgeous landscape feature that is quite popular for photos. We just couldn’t resist.
Love my guys! My husband, sons and I do everything together – even anniversaries are celebrated together. We are just a close family overall. It was such a nice treat to have a Mother’s Day brunch with the ones I love.
The boys are all dressed casually wearing denim shorts from Old Navy and their favorite graphic t-shirts or plain t’s. My husband is sporting a pair of Khaki Cargo Shorts from Dickies and a shirt from Maui Tropix.
For my outfit – I went with something I knew would be comfortable and still cool since it was pretty warm that day.
Loose Fit Peplum style top – Old Navy
Black Pencil Skirt – Forever 21
Platform Flip flop sandals – Steve Madden
Watch – Invicta
Necklace, Earrings – Amethyst and Sterling Silver Jewelry that was my Mother’s Day Gift from my Husband and Sons
Pandora Style Bracelet – Muwae Jewelry
Purse/Handbag – Miche Prima Bag with Farrah Shell
My makeup for the day was quite simple. It included some mascara (Benefit Roller Lash) and a quick wash of shimmer over the lid, I used the Colour Pop eye shadow in XO (from the Shaaanxo Collection). On my lips I used just lip balm since I knew I would be stuffing my face with food… lol.
It was an absolutely wonderful day. And not only was my tummy happy – but I enjoyed every single part of it. We left the resort and headed home to relax and enjoy our time together.
Ha Ha! We were photo-bombed! My eldest son is such a goofy guy. Of course we stopped for a quick pic while waiting for Valet to bring our car around.
Each mother received an orchid flower (or as we call them in Hawai’i – pua) to put in our hair.
For dinner that evening my husband prepared for me his Pork Loin, smothered in mushrooms and homemade mushroom gravy with a side of garlic asparagus. It is one of my favorites and I had been craving it for a few weeks so he picked up the supplies to make it for me. MMM MMM YUM!
It was such a wonderful day and I wish that every Mother out there had a day that they not only enjoyed but also cherished. I am a proud mom and so thankful for my children. My pregnancies were all difficult and my children are definitely God’s gifts to us.
Hold on… let me pose for a quick Powder Room selfie – haha!
xo
Disclaimer: All products discussed were purchased by me with my money. There may be affiliate links through out this post.
A few weeks ago my sons and I went out to a dinner date with a family member visiting from afar. As we sat at the table, my Aunt asked… “Hmm… do your children not have those iApple things?” I giggled, but explained to her that while they each have their own tablets they are limited on time of use, where they use them and how often. As much as we love technology in our household, family time and hands on things are much more important and I’m glad my husband and I are able to instill that in our children. After dinner, I thought back to some memories from years ago. As a child my parents always made science things so interesting and I remember going on little adventures at the local park with my dad with a magnifying glass and clear dishes to hold our specimens in after finding them. As we got older and my parents could afford it, my siblings and I would get really cool kits that allowed us to dig up dinosaur-like bones, bugs and mineral rocks and we enjoyed those as well.
Because of these memories it always excites me to be able to offer these similar things to my children. My sons and I spend a lot of time together and because of this, much of what we do is explore and learn about History, Science and all the wonders our beautiful Earth has to offer. But, with the rainy season upon us – our explorations have been dwindled quite a bit. That’s why I am so excited that there are cool Kits like the one I’m about to talk to you about. Discover With Dr. Cool Real Insect Excavation Kit has been a fun choice for rainy days and I am excited to place another order for other kits also available.
The Discover With Dr. Cool’s Kit retails for about $12 on their website and comes with everything you need to dig up some really cool bugs. Included in the kit is your Digging Block (which is disguised as a bright green beetle), Excavation Tools, and Adventure Guide, an Activity Booklet and 3 Real Specimens. Please note that some of the items in the kit are considered choking hazards and not recommended for children under 3.
The kit is completely hands-on and my three boys each took turns scraping away at the beetle till they revealed what was encased inside. Just like archaeologists, they took their time to clean away the dust and debris till they found what they were on the search for. I was a bit worried that with their little excavation they may mutilate the specimens while looking but each one is secure in a glass shell.
The boys took about an hour to get through the entire beetle to reveal their finds. Though I know they thoroughly enjoyed it and they took their time because this was truly an adventure to discover. My ten year old (Kevin) loved taking part in this with his little bros (Luke & Isaiah) who are just five years old and together they made this an afternoon of fun and discovery.
After making their way to through the exterior of the beetle, they slowly started to find the glass encased bugs through out the body of the beetle. What I enjoyed about this kit is there were no sharp edges to any of the digging tools. It was as simple as laying down some newspaper and clean up was just as easy as throwing it all away.
The boys didn’t have to dig too deep as most of the bug specimens were found through out the top part of the beetle. I do suggest that if you have asthma or if you have sensitivity to dust to use a mask as it seemed like this was a clay like brick and there was quite a bit of dust. We made sure to open our windows so the boys air and breathing was not compromised.
What I think is probably the coolest part is the end result. Each bug is encased in a cool glass marble and they are REAL Genuine bugs. The kit includes a guide with information on each bug included in the kit and it was so cool to see the different colors these bugs had on their bodies. The activity booklets also include challenge puzzles and games that the boys enjoyed taking part in.
At such an affordable price tag – this Discover Dr. Cool Real Bug Dig Kit includes all the makings for hours of fun and education for any little person (or even adult, since I truly enjoyed myself as well) and offers such great hands on experience for children. The box does state that the products itself are non-toxic, but I do suggest like I said before to take caution with the dust from excavation.
The boys and I are excited to try out other kits available all for about the same price range. With technology taking our World by storm, sometimes we forget all about the wonders that our Earth offers. While the internet opens up our eyes to things we can’t see or touch immediately, I’m so glad that there are still great things like this to keep our children wondering about science and more.
Have you heard of Discover Dr. Cool before? What are some interesting things you may remember about exploring from your childhood? Do you have children and is this something you think they’ll be interested in. Thanks for reading 😉
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
When it comes to organization and keeping dates in order, I’m a stickler for planners and keeping track of dates and appointments on paper or via technology. Sometimes I’m told it’s a bit repetitious… but needless to say – it is a rare occasion that I’m late or missed an appointment because I keep my dates organized. With three children who all have a schedule of their own, it is a requirement to keep my life planned out.
Dotmine is a company that offers Family and Student planners that help you organize your busy schedule. Each planner offers 17 months worth so that your planner can accommodate both school and regular calendar years without you having to sacrifice your organizational needs. I rather like the 17 month year because I plan both for myself and my children and this allows me to not have to use a plethora of organizers for each of us in my family.
It all started with a simple “dot” back in 1999–Sarah, Lisa, and a commitment to reclaim our lives while helping you do the same. A serendipitous meeting in a London pub had given us the idea. Our corporate days — one of us pitching underwear and the other pitching laundry detergent — were far behind us. And for 15 years, backed by supportive husbands and seven fabulous children, our planners became favorites throughout the world.
This planner is great in organizing a busy family but also loved by teachers and nurses as well as bloggers such as myself. Developed by a group of moms, the Family Time planner is there to help you juggle multiple schedules all in one place. Those of you who have children or juggle more than one job I’m sure will definitely appreciate this.
The Family Planners are available in 3 designs (Dutch Treat, Free Bird and Petites Fleurs) and each retails for $24.99. Each planner is 8.5 x 11 inches and includes dates from August to December. Adorned with their fashionable designs that are printed on durable plastic, these cool planners include monthly and weekly pages on crisp white paper. I especially love that they include inspirational and humorous quotes each week, which is probably one of my favorite features of any planner as those that know me know that I look for daily inspiration before starting my day. Plastic coils keep this planner spiral bound and there are back pockets to hold important papers in place. Perforated margins for “tear-out” lists and note pages help to make your daily planning and errands a breeze. In my opinion, if you are looking for a quality Family or blogging planner without spending the hefty costs that some may offer – this planner will be a great addition for you.
What I love the most about this planner is how easy it is to use. There are pages that offer seasonal schedules which is awesome since my children are all involved in sports which often has practice and games on repetitive dates so listing these make it an easy reference for myself, my family or the sitter should I need one. Speaking of sitter… there is a babysitter page where you can easily insert a sticky note each time you go out so that the sitter knows exactly where you are or how to reach you each time.
I also love that Family Time offers a guide and tips on how to use the planner… simply take a look at the first few pages where it outlines exactly what to do and how to utilize the planner. From adding sticky notes to special dates or weeks to planning out “family business”… every detail you may have questions on can be found on the “Using family-time.mine Everyday” pages.
Overall – the price point is great considering I have paid well over $100 for other planners on the market in the past. While it is simplistic, it offers a wide range of organizational tools for you and your family. I love the perforated tear sheet options because this allows me to write down my grocery shopping lists or notes, etc. and tear them out should I need them on the go. The note sections are large enough for me to list a good amount of information as are each week and day. If I had to critique the planner in general, I wish there was a way to add on pockets to keep pencils or post-its or a book mark that will allow me to easily turn to my page of the day. I can definitely DIY these options, but it would be great if Dotmine offered something like this. I’m all about accessories and add ons and I think that those would be awesome options. I do definitely give this planner a 5 Sparkle rating because the options are wonderful considering the price point. For those of you that love reading my “Mommy Survival Guide” posts – this is definitely something I would add to a Mommy Survival Necessity. 🙂
Have you heard of Dotmine Planners? Could you see this meeting your families’ organizational needs?
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I know I say this each month, but man… July sure flew by faster than ever and August is already proving to be traveling at lightning speed. I had so much going on I really just forgot to post my Monthly Favorites here on my blog… so I am sharing it with all of you now. Last month was a month of discovery because I tried out quite a bit of new products, most of which I found I immediately enjoyed.
Check out the rundown of products for last month below.
I did a review here on my blog of the Hask hair care products in Argan Oil and Keratin Protein. After using other products for a few months, I find that I still enjoy this line and it has made a whole lot of difference on my hair since the sun has been doing a full beat down. Check out my complete review for these products here, and definitely check out the line where you can find them at select stores – I have been picking up my masks at Walmart.
I have a review coming soon on the Verona Color Switch. This product is pretty genius and I think would be a great benefit for Makeup Artists especially. It allows you to take your brush and swipe it through the product cleaning off excess product so you can use the brush again. I especially love to use this when I used the brush originally to apply a color and then swipe it through the color switch so that I can blend the shade out without transferring additional product and causing a muddy effect on your eyes. I also love that I can go from a dark shade like black to a light cream or white shade without mixing them. It’s a great product and I hope to have the review done soon.
L’Oreal has hit a home run with Voluminous Miss Manga mascara. It has quickly become one of my favorites because you can actually see my lashes when I use it and used in combination with one of my favorites… Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – they have become a pair made in heaven. lol
Kiss 11 Lashes have been my jam this past month… this is my third pair even with reuse and cleaning of previous pairs. I love how affordable Kiss Lashes are, how thin the band is so it makes it near to impossible to detect you have them on and most importantly – how comfortable they are on the eyes. I especially love that these are dupes to my favorite Ardell Demi Whispies… but a bit cheaper than they retail since I can get them in a larger pack if I can find it.
Of course, I have been loving the new Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Shadows. If you have been following me at all in July – you would have seen my review, which you can find here, as well as a tutorial using a few of the shades I mentioned in my favorites which you can find here. Bella Chiffon, Bella Sand and Bella Bronze have been some of the favorites I have been gravitating to this past month and I know they will surely be favorites for time to come.
L’Oreal Infalliable eye shadows have been a favorite now since first trying them earlier this year. While I am smitten and in love with Iced Latte, Gilded Envy has been a shade I have been rockin’ out in July. I love just applying it with a quick wash of color and blending Milani’s Bella Cappuccino in the crease for a sweet every day look. I promise I’ll have a quick tutorial for that coming up soon.
Through most of the summer I usually pull for my more nude shades and since I’m already on my second tube of Milani’s Nude Creme, I figured I needed to switch things up a bit and pull out some shades I haven’t been using all that much. I purchased Bite Beauty’s Duo Lipstick in Lychee & Musk earlier this year and have really enjoyed the shades as well as the formulation. Creamy, moisturizing and the colors are gorgeous. The only downfall is that the formulation of these lippies are so darn soft, the warm summer heat has been doing a number on them and I know that soon I’ll be needing to apply these lip colors with a lip brush because the lipstick is getting bent out of shape. They are naturally soft so even without summer, they were already starting to warp. Regardless, for the price tag I am loving these and I think that anyone would enjoy them.
Of course, NYX’s Butter Lipsticks have been a favorite for months. I have been pulling for Pops much more now then I did any other time. I have a review for this lipstick here and if you are someone who likes nudes, this may be a great addition to your collection. Creamy, soft and buttery on the lips, it’s been a favorite of mine all month.
After purchasing my Lorac Pro 2 Palette last month, I instantly fell in love. The shades are perfect for year round because they are soft and wearable… you can easily use most of them for all over the lid one wash shades. I love that there are a few bold shades as well. I have a review of this palette coming soon as well as a tutorial coming up using colors that I have been rocking all month long together: Rose, Mocha, Cool Gray, Nectar & Plum. This is surely becoming a favorite palette of mine and will take it’s place right next to #1 in my Holy Grail pile.
Of course, we all know I’m about that Vanilla Cake scents. I have been a long time fan of Pacifica and their Island Vanilla scent has been a top scent for me the last 2 1/2 years. I haven’t used anything else but this scent all month long in July.
Last but not least are my Lifestyle Favorites. As I mentioned in my video, the boys have been enjoying listening to Magic’s Rude on the radio so it has become a favorite of ours in the house. I think it’s beyond adorable when twin 4 year olds and a 10 year old knows all the words to a popular song and they love it. I have been also getting great use out of my Glasstic Water bottle. I have a review for it here, and definitely recommend it to anyone – especially people who love infused waters. It has been a lifesaver for me to carry around my drink in this heat.
Last but not least is my Cafe Press Customized Plus Size V-Neck T-shirt. I designed this last month and have been enjoying it. I think Black and Gold are such a great combination and I have been loving the simplicity and the statement. I’ll try to remember to post a quick Outfit of the Day the next time I wear it. The fabric is breathable, it’s cut and fits this plus size gal really well and it’s personalized. I love it. You can check out more information about creating your own shirt or many other things here.
Overall – even if July flew by so quickly and August is here… I am thankful that I accomplished so much in the month. The twins are off to school as well as my eldest and all started on August 1st so the house has been quiet during the day, and I miss them so much. Our summers are always filled with fun and this summer was surely no exception. From hitting the beach, to the park to just cruising and enjoying our time together – I was certainly sad to see it all go (excuse me while I tear up a bit), but all three boys were so excited for school (I’ll have more of that in another post this week). It’s times like this when I reflect back on a previous month that I realize how awesome life is and I’m glad for Monthly Favorites that allow me to reflect on the month previously. My number one favorite that I didn’t mention in my video – time! The past two months has given me awesome and quality time with my littles and my husband… that overall, is the best favorite of all.
As a mother of three very active boys, I do everything in my power to ensure that they are consuming the right foods to ensure they’re growing and thriving.…
They say that becoming a mommy is one of the most rewarding things a woman can experience in her lifetime. Before having children, I’ll admit that I did not think that was possible and after having them, I now know that there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my kids. They drive me crazy sometimes and I don’t even know what sleep is anymore – but I wouldn’t have it any other way. While I learned a ton of things after having my children and continue to learn new things each day, there are 10 things that I have learned after becoming a mom that stick out to me the most. This is supposed to be a bit comical – but at the same time, a realization that our lives are no longer our own and our hearts will always belong to someone else.
“Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
– Elizabeth Stone
It is not always a good thing when your children are quiet.
You develop ninja skills overnight when you must keep your child from climbing, falling, running or putting things in their mouth.
Food is no longer your own and to them, your food always looks better than what they have on their own plate… even if it is the same food you have on yours.
LEGOS, WOODEN BLOCKS, ARMY MEN AND HOT WHEELS while cool to play with are the most painful things your feet will step on.
Unless your children are in bed asleep or out of the house, you will no longer have privacy when you are using the bathroom
Your new favorite Soap Opera or Chick Flick is anything on Disney Channel – you even sing along to the songs and can quote scenes. “The Doc is in and she’ll fix you up – if you’re a toy then you’re in luck”
Your arms become race tracks for hot wheels, bikes and other types of vehicles.
You no longer know what a full night’s sleep is.
You are now an alien – You have eyes behind your back, six extra limbs, you are a lie detector and you’re psychic.
They say you cannot live without your major organs… but yet, the most important thing I learned after becoming a mom… “Your heart really does go walking around outside your body!“
So I wish all of you mommies out there (and those soon to be) that you make your own memories out of the things you learned after becoming a mom. Know that when times are tough and your children can be a handful, that there are other mothers out there that have lived through and are living through some of what you are experiencing. Becoming a mom is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my lifetime and I wouldn’t change any of it for anything in the whole World. While challenges are constant, LOVE IS FOREVER!
