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Friday Notes

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Levi’s jacket / Her Jacket // Jeans Kut from Kloth and similar // Vintage Bing Tee // Her Bing Tee // My Sneakers

We went to the farmers market and bought tons of veggies and made Bok Choy Soup. It’s super easy! To make it, boil 8 cups of filtered water with 2 “not chicken’ chicken broth cubes, after about 10 min of boiling, add 2 bunches of baby bok choy. Enjoy!

Who said fashion is unattainable? These leopard mules are $28

I found out this week that Chloé sunglasses are 50% off, no, that’s not a typo!

Many of my followers ask for a similar turquoise ring to mine, so here’s a similar one! Also, how cute are these earrings?

I wanna try these gummy hair vitamins. Have you tried them? If you have Golden Goose Sneakers like mine, try these NO SHOW socks, so good.

Have you tried these tan mist for the face? It has great reviews, I’m intrigued.

Just bought my daughter these GGB dupes so she can match with me. They’re a $30 Amazon no brainer.

How cute are these leopard pillows?

I haven’t bought a YETI yet to keep beverages warm. Have you?

I get asked a lot what pilates ring I use, and this is the one!

We’re having people over on Sunday, I’m going to try this recipe for salmon and brussel sprouts my favorite!

Did you catch my newsletter on 8 easy ways to save $ in 2019? Don’t forget to subscribe! Just keep scrolling down below.

Palm SpringsTravel

New Years at Miramonte Indian Wells Resort

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

What island likes to have a lot of sweets? A deserted island J OK…OK…so we decided to head to the desert right after Christmas, but due to our unexpected trip to the Midwest, we ended up adjusting our dates so we could spend New Year’s Eve at The Miramonte Indian Wells Resort. Indian Wells is in the Coachella Valley (book now for festival season) between Palm Desert and La Quinta.

 

It’s funny how we left 12-degree temperatures in Omaha on December 29, and we were expecting hot desert temperatures to come home to. Well, we happened to come home to a cold snap and the temps in the desert were 60 degrees and below! We are so wimpy now. Needless to say, always check the weather before you pack. We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park and needed our winter clothes! I still grinned and bared it to get some fashion content but wow was I cold! All for the gram!

 

The Miramonte Indian Wells Resort is super family friendly with Spanish style architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds. Our room was garden level with a citrus garden outside our door. The grounds crew even picked some lemons and oranges for us and brought them to our door. The property also has a rose garden and an area with a life-size Connect Four game and bean bag toss, which the kids really enjoyed. We were disappointed because it was too cold for the pool. Although the kids totally would have gone for it if we had let them. We’ll have to return in the spring. The resort also has a spa and adult only hideaway pool.

 

Considering the cold temperatures, our favorite amenity was the fire pits scattered throughout the resort. You can even book a smores package and snuggle up together at sunset with melted marshmallow stickiness goodness.

 

For our hotel room New Year’s Eve bash, we picked up some root beer, sparkling juice, gummy bears, lollipops and popcorn. Whole Foods is a five-minute drive from the hotel. The room was spacious enough for a little dance party as we counted down the New Year. Here’s the nice thing about being on Pacific Standard Time – we celebrate the New Year at New York City time, then we all go to bed early. Does anybody else do this?

Despite the temperature hickup, it was a great trip and we’re definitely looking forward to our next visit!

Here are some other ideas for a trip to the Coachella Valley:

Tramway

Zoo

Joshua Tree

Salvation Mountain

Modernism Week

Outfits: kimono – Poska Resortwear // black camisole only $24! // leather pants and similar // white mules // “S” necklace

pink coat // white jeans // white mules // white blouse // leopard clutch //

chunky knit sweater // OTK Boots I’m a 9, and ordered a 40 // leopard Scarf

Click here to book your next trip at Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

OutfitsStyle

Little Red Dress for Valentines Day

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

dress (I’m 5’9″ wearing a size 4)// mules  // bag

 No, it’s not too soon to think about Valentine’s Day. Afterall, it is only 31 days away. I’m the last minute kind of girl, but this year not so much. I found this LRD Little Red Dress at Rebecca Minkoff recently, and fell in love. It’s flowy, sports a flattering waistband, a nice length and I love the sleeve detail. I think it would be flattering on petite or tall, a true sign of a good dress.

I’m so grateful for 11 years of marriage, and what better time to celebrate your partner than Valentine’s Day? I’m so grateful for Reid’s sacrifice for our family. His quiet leadership, patience, and simple kindness bless our family daily. Today, I’m sharing 5 tips for a successful marriage:

1. Make a list of all his positive traits
Marriage is hard. Make it the best it can be

2. Make her HAPPY (hubby’s tip for a happy marriage) And hey, this makes me happy 🙂

3. If you’re angry, take a breather. Get alone, get a coffee and chat about it later.

Read this post about 10 Ways to Improve your relationship

I’d love to hear from you, what are some of your tips for a healthy and happy marriage? 

See more LITTLE RED DRESSES below:

    FamilyTravel

    Chicago Omaha 2018

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

    skirt // cardigan

    brass stool table // sandals // similar denim jeans // black jeans // buffalo check top // faux fur 

     

    4 Takeaway Tips

    Check @airbnb for cool rentals. Our place was 3 bed 3 bath and a pullout couch condo almost 40 floors up. It was the same price as a high end hotel, but had a nice kitchen and plenty of room to spread out. Plus the views were VERY instagram worthy. And that’s reason enough. We’ve become home bodies more and more, so staying in a great place is huge. We didn’t always feel like going out, especially when you love where you’re at. I got SO man questions asking where we stayed in Chicago. Here’s a link to our Airbnb.

    Download Park Whiz app. We found parking for 3 nights for $60, a short walk away. I ended up finding a coupon code on Retail me Not (Not sponsored) for an extra $5 off. Hey, score!

    Take the kids to the LEGO store. We scored big taking them to the Lego store in Watertower. I  ALMOST made up for the time I tried on 5 faux fur coats at Nordstrom with a couple Ninjago sets. Plus the cashier asked if this was a gift, and threw in 2 gift sets. Merry Christmas!

    It Lived up to the Hype: Dinner/Lunch/Breakfast at 3 Arts Cafe in Restoration Hardware

    We ordered an Uber and headed to the Gold Coast for some fresh interior inspo and yummy bites at the 3 Arts Cafe. No reservations needed, we walked in , sat down, enjoyed veggies and dips as an appetizer and a turkey club. Yummy! And listening to the fountain was so relaxing, even Levi enjoyed it.

    While in Omaha, we visited the Omaha Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens. Two of our favorites!

    We look forward to winding down this weekend at home. What are your plans?

    Just as an FYI, I’m hosting a giveaway on Instagram today. Stay Tuned!

    MatchesFashion is having an extra 10% off sale today – see my picks below:

    Also, Nordstrom still has some great finds on sale now up to 40% off. See my picks below:

    OutfitsStyle

    Our Home’s Clean Air: Intellipure Air Filter

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

    I’ve been concerned with the air quality of our home for some time – especially after the birth of Levi. Who wants to bring a baby home to a house full of mold spores or fungus hanging around? I surely don’t. I’ve admittedly tried various methods from clean beeswax candles, boiling lemons and diffusing but I knew I needed something with a bigger impact. So, when approached by INTELLIPURE to try out their Ultrafine 468 air purification system, I jumped on it.

    With patented DFS (Disinfecting Filtration System) technology, it has control over airborne contaminants such as ultrafine particles, bacteria, mold spores, fungi, viruses, etc. When we lived in Chicago, during the winter months, we’d be cooped up in the house and inevitably pass colds around. A cold stays around for a while when you have 6 people to hand it to.
    All that to say, we are a great candidate for a home air filtration service. We’ve had it since October, and the one thing I love about it is the quiet motor. It’s like white noise, a soft hum. I don’t like anything loud buzzing daily and this also has an exceptionally low power consumption. We already have a lot of voices, a baby cooing, the piano playing, the dishwasher going and the last thing I need is a loud motor polluting the air.
    The second thing I love about this filter is when we return from a weekend at our Lake Arrowhead cabin, the house doesn’t smell like wood (as it usually does). Rather, the house smells clean and fresh like after a rain shower. How’s that for a 3’ tall air filter? I just wish they made a filter that would suck up all the clutter in the house, wouldn’t that be nice?
    FamilyStyleTravel

    Kauai Family Vacation

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

    swim tunic cover up // denim short one teaspoon // sunglasses // blue dress Misa Los Angeles similar  // kimono and similar cute one // one-shoulder red dress // stripe flip flops

    Reid was off 6 weeks for paternity leave and the doctors recommended traveling with a newborn after 5 weeks, so we jumped right through that 5-week window and decided to take a trip to Kauai. I know, crazy sounding, but it actually worked out great. Flying with a newborn is much easier than traveling with a 1-year-old. Levi pretty much nursed and slept the entire flight. 

     

    Why Kauai?

    We chose Kauai because Reid and I went there for our honeymoon and the island is familiar to us. We felt we didn’t need the added stress of flying somewhere totally new. We’ll do that when he’s a little older.  Also, the Lihue airport is chill and not big-city crowded. It’s the Garden Isle after all. For LA urban dwellers like ourselves who battle sirens, smog and traffic, the country is a breath of fresh air. Literally. I’ll substitute sirens for rooster crowing any day. Yes, wild chickens roam the island of Kauai!

    Kauai Family Trip Roundup

    Here’s a list of our faves to help you plan your next trip:

    Where we stayed

    Suite Paradise. We stayed in a condo which had a kitchen and plenty of room for the 7 of us. We had a garden view and can’t complain because the price was right. Suite Paradise has a variety of units available at various price ranges. All reservations include a resort fee with access to the Poipu Athletic Club. The kids loved the pool with slide and Reid loved the gym. They also have tennis and basketball courts for the real athletes.

    Favorite Beaches

    Our favorite beach was Polihale Beach. It’s totally remote but not kid friendly. So our favorite kid-friendly beaches are:

    Beach at Sheraton – Kiahuna Beach

    Best for a quick family swim, boogie boarding and lots of surf lessons going on if you want to give it a shot.

    Baby Beach or Poipu Beach

    Great snorkeling, but you will need water shoes because of the rocky bottom. We saw incredible fish, eels, sea turtles and sea lions. There is also an island you can swim to.

    Best Coffee

    This is a big deal because everywhere we go we look for GOOD COFFEE. This is hard to master because good coffee is really hard to find IMO.

    Little Fish Coffee. Reid rated that a 5 since it tasted a little burnt for the drip version. Maybe the custom pour over would have been better, but Reid didn’t give them a second chance. The place was packed for breakfast with outdoor seating and a total surfer vibe.

    Living Foods Market had the best coffee. I ordered the almond milk latte and he ordered one large regular coffee. No burnt taste and we’re going back next time.

    Eden Coffee is a cute little food truck with smoothies and coffee. We got to know the owner and he has a family very similar to ours so we immediately bonded and instantly followed them on Instagram because I feel like we are old family friends now.

    Best Nature Seeing

    Spouting Horn

    It’s a quick little stop off from the main highway along the coast. It’s a cave that spouts water up to 30 feet in the air as the waves come in. It was pretty impressive and fun to watch. The kids really dug it and loved hearing the funny sound it makes.

    Waimea Canyon 

    The drive to Waimea Canyon was amazing as you go from sea level up to 3,000 feet above. There is a lookout point to view the canyon which is considered The Grand Canyon of the Islands. You can see a waterfall in the distance. We suggest picking up food in the city of Waimea and having a picnic in the Waimea National Park. We also grabbed shaved ice at Jo Jos on the way back. A local favorite.

    Best Shaved Ice

    Shave Ice TegeTege

    Shaved ice is a known dessert for Kauai. We suggest Shave Ice Tege Tege, in Kappa. A local friend Reid made in the Poipu Gym recommended it. For those who hate food coloring, this food truck offers the only 100% organic Japanese-style shaved ice. The kids picked grapefruit and Meyer Lemon flavors. Bring cash though, it’s cash only and Reid and I only had enough cash for the kids.

    Best Ice Cream

                Lappert’s Hawaii

    While the kids hunted after the best-shaved ice, Reid and I sought after ice cream. Lappert’s in Hanapepe was our favorite. Rich and creamy and made right in the back of the store. It’s been around since 1983 (that’s not old is it?).

     

    The kids are asking us to book our next return trip ASAP and I actually agree with them. Comment below on your favorite Hawaii experiences. I’d love to get more ideas for our next trip!

    FamilyOutfitsStyle

    Abercrombie Kids: Outerwear your kids Will Actually Wear

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

     

    girls camo parka // boys blue parka // red stripe parka // girls stripe puffer // boys navy sweater // boys reindeer sweater //

    girls plaid shirt // girls black denim skirt // girls jeans // boys ripped jeans // boys skinny jean // girls hat similar // boys hat

    It’s ironic that I hate cold weather but I love buying new coats for the family each year. I love seeing my kids all bundled up in layers. Perfect for cozy long weekends at our A-Frame up in the mountains.

     

    Wearing our new winter coats, we decided to string popcorn and cranberries for a cute/ugly little pine tree we found next to our mountain A-Frame. The kids had a blast decorating the tree we found. Thank goodness for battery operated LED lights. They gave this sad little tree a little sparkle. After some popcorn fights, we moved up the hill and the kids built a pretend campfire as they ate candy canes and talked about what they want for Christmas. The air smelled of pine trees and was refreshingly crisp.

    As we plan on spending lots of days in the snowy mountains this winter, I’m lining up key must-have winter basics your kids will actually wear. No fights, right!?

    I’ve learned a few things on what to look for when selecting kids outerwear.

    1)     Purchase coats that aren’t too bulky or stiff. If the kids aren’t comfortable moving in it, they won’t wear it.

    2)    Look for coats that have attached hoods. No more losing hats!

    3)    The coat needs to be easily cleaned and machine washable.

    I found our coats at Abercrombie Kids. Their outerwear kid’s collection is on point and as a stylist, I approve. I’m especially fond of the Essential Puffer Line and the shiny color options, which the kids loved and I know the material will clean up nicely after they’ve played outside.

    The girls are wearing the Essential Puffer Coat and the Adventure Parka. The girls’ coats have faux fur hoods and the color/pattern selection will please any kid. My youngest girl chose the shiny navy blue stripe and my oldest, outdoorsy, daughter chose the cute green camo with pink faux fur lining.

    For the boys, the Essential Puffer Coat keeps their movement unrestricted while they play. The sherpa-lined hood is so cute and cozy too.

    I layered the kids with plaid button-down shirts, zippered sweaters, sweatshirts and ripped denim jeans with patches. When the temps drop lower, my daughter will wear tights with her black denim skirt. I love how their outerwear all pulled together nicely. We are ready for a real mountainside campfire and some s’mores. Happy wintering!

    FYI Click HERE for today’s cyber Monday deal:

    40% off sitewide + free shipping and 50% off jeans

    OutfitsStyle

    Our Top 9 Family Must Have Amazon purchases

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel
    I don’t know if you’e like me, but I love ordering from Amazon. I really feel like Prime delivery is a gift to mom’s. I can order what my family needs from the comfort of our home, without leaving the house! I order a couple of times a month and below is a sample of what I order and why.
    to de-puff my tired under eyes and overall face. I keep it in my freezer.
    It aids in sleep, vitamin absorption, and regularity. I took it regularly during my pregnancy and now while breastfeeding.
    This blend is highly absorbable!
    Okay, it says for kids, but I definitely love these.
    Goji berries for our Açai bowls Just eat them out of the bag or use them over frozen yogurt, oatmeal or your favorite açai bowls. Love them!
    Pilates ring -I swear by this thing! I try and do a 100 a day placed in between my thighs for a thigh workout that burns. I love that I can do this workout from my laptop computer!
    So yummy!
    I use this to aid in my milk supply while nursing.
    These help with stress management and taste amazing. Win-win.
    Family

    My Birth Story

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

     

     

    You never know the time of day your baby will actually arrive unless you have it scheduled. So after talking to my doctor, we decided to induce Monday, October 9 at 6 pm. Because we don’t have family in the area, planning the induction was the best way to get the older 4 kids organized safely. This was a great way to avoid stress. Thankfully, Levi was already getting ready to come out. One of my prayers! But for the rest of the story, read on…

    4 pm: I dropped off the kids at our friends from church’s house. I’ll admit I cried a little. I hate leaving them overnight!

    5 pm: We headed to the hospital, but I realized I was hungry and that I’d probably need energy to labor all night.

    5:30 pm: I ordered a veggie bowl with extra guacamole at Chipotle. Kudos to Reid for finding a parking spot off of Sunset Blvd. One of my pregnancy cravings was this bowl! So yummy and no regrets getting it. It indeed gave me energy for the night.

    6 pm: We checked into the hospital for the scheduled induction. The nurses who admitted us to our room said I looked like Natalie Portman. This helped some of my nerves. So nervous!

    6-8 pm: The doctors and nurses monitored the baby’s heartbeat, my contractions and checked me. I was at 5cm. I was VERY excited to hear I came in halfway.

    8:30 pm: They gave me pitocin and my pain tolerance was at a 5. This is when I started listening to Sara Bareilles.

    9:30 pm: The pain increased. I started to pull Reid’s arm. This helped a little.

    10:30 pm: The doctor checked me. I was still at 5cm. This was very discouraging so the nurses up the pitocin dosage. Yikes!!

    12:30 am: The doctor broke my water and the pain increased. I realize I’m at transition and admit to Reid I can’t do this. A definitive sign that I’m in transition. No meds at this point but about to break.

    12:30-2 am: I was in active labor all during this time. I changed positions and used a peanut ball lying on my side per my doctor’s advice to move baby’s head position. Reid was a huge help telling me I’m doing awesome and allowing me to pull his arm at every contraction.

    1:45 am: I was going to the bathroom a lot and was coming back from a trip, only to squat on the hospital bed and yell out, “I feel his head!” I indeed felt his head crowning. The nurse yelled down the hall to the doctor.

    1:57 am: I pushed 3x with ALL my might.

    2:02 am: He’s here! I got to cut the cord after we kept him on for 1 minute. He was immediately alert and amazing. The doctor put him on my chest and let me know I did great and didn’t tear. Of course this was a huge relief, but it was just such a blessing to carry my miracle baby.

    A couple things that made labor better:

    Lavender to sniff
    Chapstick – I used Mario Badescu
    Ice water – I hate temp water during labor
    Peanut ball to switch baby’s position, if necessary
    Warm fuzzy socks or slippers

    And recovery:

    Gum
    Mothers milk tinctures
    Tea
    I should’ve brought more snacks (aka bad hospital food)

    So many happy emotions and SO incredibly grateful LEVI DANIEL came into the world. Thanking God!

    FamilyStyle

    Halloween’s Bats and Fairies

    by Shalice Noel
    written by Shalice Noel

    Bat Costume // Fairies Costumes // My Dress // Sunglasses // Earrings 

    My kids are the type that will wear costumes ALL year long, so when Anthropologie rolled out some drool worthy costumes that are kid-tested and quality made, we jumped on it. As in, the kids asked every day if they could wear their costumes. Admittedly, my kids are on the older end of their costume selection, but were hoping baby boy can wear one of their cute costumes in a couple of weeks.

    Which is your favorite?

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