Fashion

Holiday Trip NYC Travel Guide

Hi friends!

Hope you are doing well! Today I wanted to share with you my holiday trip NYC travel guide. I went a couple weeks ago with friends and it was so much fun! It was on my bucket list to go during the holidays and wow was it amazing! It was definitely a whole different experience than my other times I went during fashion week. This was my first time coming back to NYC since 2019 before COVID. I was worried how it was going to be post COVID, but it was just as magical. Check out everything we did in my holiday trip NYC travel guide below!

Holiday Trip NYC Travel Guide

WHERE TO STAY:

For this trip we stayed at the WestHouse New York a luxury hotel centrally located near 5th Avenue, Central Park, Bryant Park, and Time Square. We were literally walking distance from everything. It was so nice because there is a Starbucks on the corner, a $1 Pizza place on the next, and a rooftop bar, and several amazing restaurants near by. We didn’t have to go far if we wanted to go anywhere.

The rooms at the WestHouse were so nice and the beds comfortable. But best part is was the complimentary breakfast, dinner, and wine! The food did not disappoint and it was such a great option if we didn’t want to go out to eat or even if we wanted a little snack in between meals. The staff was so accommodating and very nice during our stay. One thing I would suggest it taking an Uber instead of a Taxi to and from the hotel. We did not get a great experience with a Taxi to the airport.

WHAT TO DO:

Watch the sunset of NYC skyline at the Summit One. Plan to stay here for a couple of hours because there is so much to see and do. It is an amazing experience!

Go ice skating and have a hot cocoa in Bryant Park. It is so much fun and will get you in the Christmas spirit.

Stroll through Central Park. The fall foliage is beautiful, and there are so many beautiful spots and views of the city.

Walk through Time Square at night. It is so vibrant and full of action. Make sure to keep your personal things close so you don’t get pick pocketed.

Window shop on 5th Ave. The luxury stores dress the store front with beautiful Christmas decor! Cartier is an iconic place for a cute photo or even Louis Vuitton.

WHERE TO EAT:

One thing I love about NYC, are all the amazing restaurants. Here are the ones that we went to and loved. Not only was the food good but so was the decor and ambience.

Breakfast at Ralph’s Coffee.

Tea time at the Plaza.

Lunch at La Grande Boucherie.

Dinner at La Pecora Bianca.

Drinks on the Rooftop at Dream Midtown.

SHOP OUTFITS:

We had the best time in NYC! I would one hundred percent recommend going during the holiday season. Mid November was perfect timing! You get a bit of the fall weather and also see the city decorated for the holidays. I hope this guide helps you plan your next holiday trip to NYC. You can see more of my trip videos here!

Check out my other travel post here!

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Fashion

Active Family Gift Guide Under $100

Hi friends,

Hope you are doing well! Black Friday is here, and I wanted to share some of my favorite finds for the family. I went shopping at Dick’s Sporting goods and found these great gift ideas for the active family. Our family loves being outdoors, working out, and playing sports and Dick’s had everything we needed. Check out my active family gift guide under $100 below!

Love the Calia brand and all the new styles for winter. The bum bags are a great accessory! These Stanley tumblers make a great gift idea too!

For the guys I love the jogger trends for men with coordinating hoodies. I just bought these sneakers for Josh!

Here are some of my favorite active family gift ideas below! I’m all for the matching sweat sets, joggers, and throwback sneakers!

Active Family Gift Guide

FOR HER:

FOR HIM:

FOR KIDS:

I love that they Dick’s even has tons of Astros fan gear too! We already have knocked out so much of our shopping for Christmas. There is something to fit everyone’s lifestyle. Plus shopping online on the app makes it so much easier too. They even have same day delivery or curbside pickup. Dick’s Sporting Goods also has the Dick’s Best Price guarantee. If you find a lower price, they will match it!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Shop more of my recent sale finds here!

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Family

Family Christmas Sweaters Under $35

Hi friends!

Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving week! Even though Christmas is just around the corner we already have our tree up and wearing our Christmas sweaters. I bought the cutest family Christmas sweaters this year all for under $35 at Walmart. It actually has been cold down here in Houston, so any excuse to get bundled up and cozy is a must! Plus how fun are these Christmas sweatshirts? Check them out below!

Jayden picked out this Santa Floss sweater. It fits his goofy personality perfectly! He is excited to wear it to school and show all of his friends! Me and Ella are matching with our Santa Baby sweatshirt. I actually bought this last year when I was pregnant with her, and now that she is here I wanted her to have her own coordinating Santa baby Christmas romper. Walmart had so many options for babies you can’t just get one! Check them out below!

Family Christmas Sweaters Under $35

FOR HIM:

FOR HER:

FOR KIDS:

FOR BABY:

I love a cute and cozy Christmas sweater, and Walmart has a huge selection for the whole family. These are just a few that we personally have, but my collection keeps growing every year! Walmart has everything you need for all the holidays from festive parties to cozy celebrations at home. I can always count on Walmart for fast reliable shipping, just in time for the Holidays. I ordered these online on the app and got them in less than a week!

Can’t believe last year I was sixteen weeks pregnant with Ella (picture above), and now she is here with us celebrating her first Christmas! So thankful and blessed with these two!

We are more excited for Christmas this year now that we have another little one to celebrate it with. Plus it’s so much more fun to coordinate holiday looks with your family. And we love staying cozy in our family Christmas sweaters.

Check out more matching family outfits below!

Christmas Family Pajama Sets Under $25

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This post is sponsored by Walmart. All thoughts and opinions are all mine.

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Family

Holiday Family Getaway At The Kalahari Resort

Hi friends,

Hope you are having a great week! Today I wanted to share with you our recent trip to the Kalahari resort as a family of four. We have been going here almost every year with Jayden since they opened in Texas several years ago, and we love it! It’s only a couple hours from Houston so it makes for a fun road trip for the family. We always stay two nights and three days so we can make the most of the Kalahari has to offer. Check out more of our trip below!

WHERE WE STAYED:

For our stay we stayed in the two bedroom family suite which was great so the kids had their own room. They provided a pack n play for Ella to sleep in and she slept so good during her stay. I was honestly worried how she would be sleeping away from her own crib for the first time, but she did great. Of course Jayden loved having a separate room too and getting to share with his sissy. Our room came with our own separate bathrooms, as well as a living area and a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. It had everything we needed for our visit. Plus if you forgot anything the Kalahari has a little convenience store where you can get waters, toiletries, ect! And they even have their own Starbucks! Below was our view of the outdoor water park section.

WHAT TO DO:

There is so much to do at the Kalahari Resort. Check out the full list here. Below are some of our favorites!

Play Games at Tom Foolery Arcades. They also have laser tag, rock climbing wall, and a rope course!
Bowling at B-Lux Bowling
Indoor and Outdoor waterpark. They even have an adult only version too!
Going to the Spa – yes mom’s they have a spa at the resort. It was a great way for me to relax and take time away for myself.

WHERE TO EAT:

There are several different dining options to choose from at the Kalahari. From Italian, Mexican, to even a high end steak house, there is something for everyone. Every time we go we always make sure to go to the Great Kangaroo Marketplace for breakfast. They always have great options for the whole family! You never have to leave the Kalahari resort because everything is right at the resort with so many great options for the whole family. We love it!

We love the Kalahari resort. If you are looking for a fun weekend getaway in Texas for the holidays, I would highly recommend taking your family here. They will absolutely love it! Check out more family travel here!

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Family

Christmas Family Pajama Sets Under $25

Hi friends!

Hope you are doing well! Alright I know it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, but we are already in the Christmas mood! One thing our family loves to do around this time is stock up on our matching Christmas pjs. And with our growing family I love finding quality clothing for my family for a great price. So when I found these matching sets for under $25 at Walmart I knew I had to get them. Best thing is they are buttery soft too! Today on the blog I’ve rounded up my favorite Christmas family pajama sets under $25. Check them out below!

SHOP Christmas Family Pajama Sets Under $25:

Walmart has so many fun choices in Christmas family pajama sets for under $25. There are so many too chose from that you can add a new one to your collection every year. They even have matching bandanas for your pets! I ordered this classic plaid set for my family online, and received in within the week. Walmart has everything you need for all the holidays from festive parties to cozy celebrations at home. I can always count on Walmart for fast reliable shipping, just in time for the Holidays.

Can’t get over how cute my little kiddos are in their matching Christmas family pjs. I have to take advantage of this when they are little and still want to match. Do you like to do matching Christmas pjs with your fam?

Check out more matching family outfits below!

Fall Family Outfits

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This post is sponsored by Walmart. All thoughts and opinions are all mine.

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Plaid Matching Family Christmas Pajamas Set

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Food

Fall Apple Dipping Board

Hi friends,

Hope you are doing well! Can you believe it’s already November and Thanksgiving is only a couple weeks away? Today I wanted to share with you a fun fall apple dipping board that will get you in the Thanksgiving spirit, plus it makes an easy and delicious snack tray for the kiddos. I know my son loved it! Check out how I made this board below!

I bought all of the ingredients using my Walmart App for easy curbside pickup or delivery. New customers can use promo code TRIPLE10 to save $10 off their first three pickup or delivery orders. $50 min. Restrictions &
fees apply.

Walmart has a great selection of fall foods for the holidays and such a great price too! Everything I got was under $30! Below are the ingredients I used:

Fall Apple Dipping Board

I bough different apples and cut them up and placed them on the board. I also added caramel and chocolate sauce in these small baking containers I got for $2 a piece at Walmart. Then I added the wafer sticks and marshmallows on the board for different snacking options. My son loves marshmallows, and they taste great dipped in chocolate sauce! You can also add these seasonal baked goods and pair it with some apple cider or hot chocolate. Walmart has a great selection of everyday fall seasonal items!

We love this easy Fall Apple Dipping board for fall. And Walmart makes it so easy and affordable for families like me to create these fun seasonal snack boards for our family.

Check out more fun snack board below!

Easy Game Day Snack Tray

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This post is sponsored by Walmart. All thoughts and opinions are all mine.

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Family

Family Safari Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Welcome to our family safari! For our family Halloween costume we knew we wanted Ella to be an animal for her first Halloween, and what better than an Ella-phant! So once we figured that out I decided to be a cheetah (can’t help but be a cat lol), Josh is a giraffe, and Jayden is the park ranger. I can’t get over how cute Ella is as an elephant. Check out more of our family safari themed family Halloween costumes below!

Below was Jayden’s first Halloween. We went as Lions, Tigers, and Bears oh my! Jayden and Sasha were just the cutest together. I can’t get over how adorable he looks in his lion costume. Obviously have a thing for cats because somehow I always end up as one for Halloween. I can’t help it, I think they are the cutest thing! Hence, why I dressed up Ella as one for her five month photoshoot. And she was just the cutest!

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We love doing family outfits for Halloween, especially when they are young. Jayden is starting to get too “cool” for family Halloween outfits and wants to be everything scary. It kind of makes me sad. Oh well taking advantage of it as much as I can before they get too old. Do you like dressing up for Halloween as a family?

Fall Family Outfits

5 Fun Fall Things To Do with the Family in Houston

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Family

Ella Is Five Months Old

Happy five months to our cutest little kitten!

Of course I had to dress Ella up as a kitten since it’s so close to Halloween. However this isn’t her costume for our family costume, you will have to stay tuned to find out on Halloween! But can you believe she is already five months old? Time flies by too quickly! Check out more of our cute little five month old kitten and her milestones below!

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Safe to say our little girl is a smiler. She is seriously the happiest baby, always smiling, and content. I don’t want to jinx it but she is so easy! Seriously wants me to have more babies because of how easy she is. She sleeps on her own through the night, and she is so independent for her age. Ells loves playing in her play pen and looking at all her books. She is a mover too! Loves rolling around and scooting all around her play pen. We went to her check up and she is doing great and ahead in her motor skills. Plus she is measuring 88% in height and 50% in weight! She is going to be a tall little girl.

I honestly thank God everyday for our sweet Ella girl. She is just pure joy. Just the sweetest little babe, and we love watching her grow. Happy 5 months sweet girl! We can’t get enough of you!

Check out last years Halloween below!

Grand Tetons & Jackson Hole Fall Family Trip

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Family

Pumpkin Patch Mommy and Me Outfits

Hi friends!

Hope you are having a great week! I just wanted to share with ya’ll these cute pumpkin patch photos I took with Ella and our mommy and me coordinating fall outfits. With this being Ella’s first fall I wanted to make sure to do everything with her. I am so glad I got to take these photos with her, because they turned out so cute! Check out our mommy and me pumpkin patch photos below!

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I can’t get over Ella’s cute little leopard sweater and velvet turban. I have made her wear her little G-Stars non stop so she can get the most use out of it before she grows out of them. My dress is super comfy and the perfect fall gingham. I have this same pattern in a button down too! Can’t believe Halloween is just around the corner. Stay tune for our family costume reveal!

Check out more family fall post below, including Jayden’s first pumpkin patch seven years ago!

Fall Family Outfits

5 Fun Fall Things To Do with the Family in Houston

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Family

Fall Family Outfits

Hi friends,

Hope you are having a great week! Today I wanted to share a fun fall family outfits with ya’ll! I couldn’t resist with these coordinating flannels. Check out all the details below!

SHOP POST:

As a mom you have to take advantage of the matching outfits while they are little. I remember growing up, my mom always had us in matching outfits. I never cared for it, but now that I am a mom I totally get what the hype is all about. Plus are they not too cute? We had the best time visiting the pumpkin patches with these coordinating fall family outfits. Do you like matching with your family?

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Family

6 Must Have Baby Items As A Second Time Mom

Hi friends,

Hope you are having a great week! I did a Q&A last week and this was one of the most asked question. As a second time mom what were my must have items. I have to say since the seven years when I had my first a lot has changed, and there are so many new things that I wish I had with my first that I can’t live without with my second. Here are my top six must have baby items below!

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6 Must Have Baby Items

PopYum Bottles – My friend recommended this to me which is such a genius idea. No need to worry about your bottle expiring because it keeps the formula and water separated until you are ready to use. So easy just push and shake! It’s great for feeding on the go, traveling, or having pre-made bottles ready for those middle of the night feedings. This bottle helped us out so much with night time feedings, and has been so convenient when traveling!
Sleep Sack – Seven years ago this was such a new thing, I never heard of it. Instead I struggled with swaddling with my first. My son always managed to get out of it and wake himself up. Out of all the sleep sacks we have tried this is my favorite DREAMLAND sleep sack and is a game changer. Ella started sleeping through the night at three months old! Use my code DARNELL15 to get a discount at checkout!
Doona – When I saw they came out with this carseat stroller several years ago I knew I had to have it with if I was going to have another baby. The pain of having to carry a car seat or push around a big stroller every time we went anywhere with my first was not pleasant. This is a must! I’m so glad I got this, even my husband thinks it’s the best invention ever for parents. I get tons of questions about this all the time, and my answer is YES IT IS 100% WORTH IT!
Play yard – I love this play yard because it is a secure play space that babies can move around in. Plus with all the pets we have, we wanted Ella to have her own space without the pets in her space. Our dog will lick her every chance he can get lol. Plus this play pen has its own easy to clean and soft play mat included.
Sound Machine – We never had one with Jayden and let’s just say he wasn’t the best sleeper. However we got this since we read so many great reviews. I honestly wasn’t a believer until she started to sleep through the night at three months old. We keep in on playing non stop, so anytime she is in their for naps or bed time she has a soothing atmosphere. Plus you can also control everything from an app on your phone.
Baby Electric Nail Filer – So with my first I was so scared of cutting his nails, that my mom has cut his nails since he was a baby. Every weekend he goes over there she always cuts his nails. But now that I found this super easy electric nail filer, it has been a game changer. It doesn’t hurt, very baby proof and works so easily on their nails. Ella is use to it now. She just sits there while I file her nails. If you have a strange phobia of cutting baby nails you need this!

One of the many reasons why I love the Doona is how convenient it is. Plus it has adjustable handles so even Jayden can push her around.

Always happy when she wakes up with her sleep sack. She has the best sleep!

Our sound machine that we play 24/7. We love it! You can see more of the nursery here! An inside look of our play pen. Jayden loves playing with Ella in there. It’s a great size!

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I can’t believe how many amazing things they have for moms these days. It makes taking care of a baby so much easier! I hope this post was helpful for all you moms and future moms.

Check out more baby post here!

French Garden Nursery Reveal

Our Bedroom Baby Set Up

Postpartum Essentials for Moms

Baby Registry Wish List

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Photos by BanAvenue Photography

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Fashion

4 Ways To Style Flare Jeans For Fall

Hi friends,

Hope you are having a great week! Today I wanted to share four different looks for fall with flare jeans. I bought these jeans for 50% OFF, and they fit amazing! I’m still in between sizes with my postpartum body so I wanted to invest in jeans that were inexpensive but still a great quality. Check out how I styled these flare jeans for fall below!

For the first look I paired up this neutral shacket for an everyday look with these jeans. Shackets are a fall layering staple and and are great with flare jeans for fall.

For this next look I added this color block cardigan with these flare jeans. It’s the perfect fall cardigan and everyday outfit.

For this next look I have these pretty sleeve detailed button down that I wore with these flares.

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Last but not least I paired these flare jeans with a blazer for a work style look for fall. I love that you can dress these flare jeans up or dress them down for a more casual look for fall. Which outfit is your favorite?

For more fall looks check out these post here!

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Photos by BanAvenue Photography

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