Easy & Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts

I try to find new class Valentine's gifts each year for my girls and I also try to avoid junk since they get plenty of it on this holiday.  This year I gave the girls a few options and they both chose Slap Bracelets.  When I picked up the girls from school several of their classmates had them on and the girls said they were such a hit.  I also found it was a great option for boys and girls.  So many of the cute ideas were only appropriate for one gender.  I found them online in bulk and so it was really cheap.  I found the printable online, printed and cut them out.  Lastly, I used a little craft tape to attach the gift tag to the bracelets.

I've included a couple more ideas that I used in our Valentine's Week of Love.  If you've been around here for awhile you know I've done this activity with my mom since I was a very young girl.  We've continued the tradition my whole life and were so excited to pass on the tradition to my kids.  This year was so crazy that I didn't get to photograph a few of the gifts but here is a small sample:

Donut Valentine's:  "I DONUT know what I'd do with you!" 

Candy Bouquet or Gift Basket with Valentine's Poem

How to Throw a Valentine's Brunch

I live for the holidays and I try to make each one of them extra special for my girls.  I've done a holiday brunch for as long as I can remember and they are no longer a surprise for the girls but they still have a huge amount of excitement for them.  I try to make each one a little different so it's fresh for all of us.  These holiday breakfasts don't take a lot of time or money but I think they have a big impact.  I usually keep things from year to year and reuse them and use things I already have around the house.

Cheers to 35 and 35 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

This is 35 and how I feel about!

Maybe if I don’t look it won’t happen. 

Here are 35 things you probably don't know about me:

1. I’m terrified of the dark.
2. I started dating my husband at 14.
3. I’m Portuguese, which means I’m loud and proud!
4. I’ve traveled to 5 different Countries. 
5. Until recently I wouldn’t walk on street grates for fear of falling in.
6. My favorite city I’ve been to is Estoril, Portugal. 
7. I was raised by a strong, brave and selfless single mom. 
8. I lived in LA for two years and attended UCLA but hated nearly every second so I moved home and graduated from Fresno State. 
9. I’m a complete Introverted Extrovert. 
10. My favorite movie is Pretty Woman. 

Fun & Easy Breakfast Options

This post is sponsored by General Mills, but all opinions are my own. 





Break is over which is very bittersweet and back to school is in full swing.  Mornings are always tough but after a long break they are that much more difficult.  I prep as much as I can the night before including picking out clothes, packing lunches and prepping breakfast.  Breakfast time can cause issues when it comes to all the requests.  I try and feed the girls something quick since we have to be out the door pretty early and I also try to just make one thing to save myself some time.  

How to Plan the Best North Pole Breakfast with Elf on the Shelf

The Christmas season doesn't truly begin until our North Pole Breakfast.  We may have visited Santa and the decorations have been going up over the past few weeks but it doesn't feel real until Jingle the Elf returns from the North Pole.  

Creative Christmas Card Ideas

I love planning out our Christmas cards every year.  Some years I pick a theme and other years I just pick a landscape and coordinate our outfits.  Here is a round up of our past Christmas Card Ideas for you to use as a little inspiration...

Location: Christmas Tree Farm

Color Scheme: Leopard and Red 

Card Caption:

"May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas and always."

Theme: There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Location: Under a Fresno sign

Color Scheme: Black, White & Hunter Green 

Card Caption:

"May there be joy in your home, love in your heart, and laughter in your life this Christmas season."

Theme: Polar Express

Location: Caboose

Color Scheme: Red & Black Buffalo Check

Card Caption:

"The bell rings for all who truly BELIEVE.  Make the magic of Christmas remain in your heart and the sound of the bell in your ear."

Location: Park

Color Scheme: Red, Navy & White

Card Caption:

"We said a Christmas prayer for you because the season's near.  We didn't ask for riches but for gifts so much more dear.  We asked for joyful gatherings with your family all around, and for carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.  We asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn, for a special time to celebrate the Savior who was born...We asked for friends to send their best that you might know they care.  We asked for peace and love and hope, and we know God heard our prayer."

Theme: Silent Night

Location: Home

Color Scheme: Red & White

Card Caption: 

"Merry & Bright...and up all night!

We traded silent nights for a bundle of joy!"

If you want more details about styling holiday cards click HERE.  If you want more details on executing cards from start to finish click HERE.

A Complete Guide to Creating Beautiful Holiday Cards

One of the best parts of the Christmas season is Christmas Cards.  I love sending them just as much as I love receiving them.  It's the only time of year that I check the mailbox regularly and get excited for mail.  I love seeing how everyone has grown and all the creative ideas from everyone.  Although Christmas cards are so much fun they can be labor intensive and pretty stressful to execute from start to finish.  I've created a guide that I've tweaked and perfected over the years so that you can take all the stress out for yourself.  Here are all the steps in creating a beautiful card:

1. Pick a Photographer

2. Pick a Theme

3. Pick Wardrobe

4. Pick a Location

5. Take Photos

6. Search Card Options, Create, and Order

I always start with the photographer because the best ones book up MONTHS in advance.  I seriously get our Christmas card photos on the books in the Spring and I'm always amazed how few options are already left when I start looking for a mutually agreeable date.  If you don't already have a relationship with a photographer you need to start looking for one.  I always ask for recommendations first and then start looking at their body of work online or on social media.  Pick a few that you like and then start looking at their pricing.  Photography can be insanely expensive so you need to find someone within your budget.  You can find newer photographers who are trying to build their business who are charging cheaper prices but are still very talented.  Make sure you ask several questions ahead of time before booking to make sure it will be a good fit.  Here are some questions I think you should ask:

1. Do you have experience with children?

2. Do you have experience with editing and Photoshop?

3. What is your turnaround time for delivering photos?

4. How do you deliver photos?

5. How many photos can I expect to receive?

6. Are all photos delivered raw or edited?

If you are local we absolutely love Melissa Gotelli Photography.  We've used her for many occasions over the years and she is so kind and patient with our family.  We are always so happy with her work!

The next step in the planning process is deciding on a theme.  Some years I have a specific theme and other years I just pick a scenic background and coordinating outfits.  You can check out creative themes I've done in the past HERE.  If you need further theme inspiration check out your favorite influencers on social media or jump into Pinterest.  Once I decide on a theme I start working on the wardrobe.  This is one of my favorite steps because who doesn't love shopping!  I also get a small thrill from putting looks together (lol).  However, although the shopping is so much fun I always start in our closets to save time and money.  Once I see what we have that might already work I start shopping.  I usually buy several options and then start laying it all out to see what looks best together.  Another tip is to decide on looks for the whole family and then send it to your photographer.  They have an eye for what will look best on camera as well as what will work with the location.  Speaking of, now is the time that the photographer and I decide on the perfect location.  If you have a theme let the photographer know so that they can help you with your vision. 

Now for the hardest part...take the photos.  Does anyone else come totally prepared but leave completely shaken?!?!  No, just me????  I go in with the best intentions and the calmest mindset but the kids never want to cooperate fully and sometimes my vision just goes out the window.  There isn't enough bribing in the world to have a completely smooth session.  Luckily, I always get at least a few photos thanks to an amazing photographer.  My tips for taking photos are picking a good time for your kids when you book the session.  Don't plan pictures during nap times or witching hours.  Also do lots of pep talks (read:bribery) in the car on your way there.  Start with the photos that mean the most to you.  That might be a full family photo or a pic of just your kids.  Whatever that is start with that and anything you get after that is gravy.  Another tip for preparing for you photo session is to pick out a few card options ahead of time.  This way if you only like cards with vertical photos you can communicate that with your photographer.

The last step is creating and ordering your cards.  I found Postable last year and am in love/obsessed!!!!!  I love anything that saves me time and Postable makes sending cards a total breeze.  Their motto is, "You click, we lick!"  Can you imagine you order your cards and then do NOTHING after that?!?!  You don't have to stuff, seal, address and stamp.  Postable takes care of every single step for you.  I've literally saved a couple of hours by converting over to Postable.  I have the best news, you can use code FRESNO for 20% off your order.  

For more wardrobe and styling tips check out a previous post HERE.

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that have received my stamp of approval.