things to do with toddlers in Arizona.

Hi loves!

So as you know from my last post-

Liam and I are back in AZ visiting family and friends!

What you also may know if that I'm a planner and wellllll my plans kinda went to trash when we opened the car door to the lovely 110 degree heat and Liam started yelling, "hot hot hot!"

So I went to my awesome instagram mamas and asked what people do with toddlers during the hot AZ months!?

And boy they delivered!

So I thought I'd quickly post the ideas below and also re post the fun little video we did of our favorite places around Phoenix too!

Why not right!? 

I love the video so much!

The incredibly talented Cass and Co films shot it for us!

So here's the list!

Let me know if I should add anything else!

- Splash pads (Founders Park was recommended and we love the Liberty Market one too)

- Urban Jungle (check toddler times)

- Krazy Air (again check toddler times)

- Bass Pro Shop

- Library story times (Gilbert location was recommended)

-Mall play areas and train rides (check the times before you go)

- Open gymnastics gyms (check for toddler times)

- Children's Museum 

- Idea Museum

- Target (kids get free banana)

- Barnes and Noble story time

- Butterfly Wonderland

- PoGo Passes

- Water Parks

- High school pools

- Sugar Bowl ice cream and arcade 

- Playtime Oasis

- Gym child care

Those were from my IG mamas!

Below is my video of our five places!

You can read all about them HERE!

PHOENIX TRAVEL GUIDE with the Newlywed Diaries from Cass & Co. FIlms on Vimeo.

hi Arizona.

Hi friends!

I'm saying hi this morning from our old stomping grounds!

Liam and I are in Arizona for a few weeks visiting family, seeing friends and enduring this 110 weather.....!!!!

But first things first I want to tell you about this dress! 

I've worn it all weekend long!

You can shop it HERE!

I surprised my best friend and her new baby Friday night and it was so fun!

She had no clue and her face was priceless.

 We needed the night with family and our old favorite splash pad-

the perfect AZ night!

Then this weekend Liam and I have been at ASU hanging with our fav girls at Alpha Phi re living my college days.

It's so fun being back on campus showing Liam where mama and daddy used to go to school, ride bikes and live our lovely dorm haha.

We've got lots of people to see, Mexican food to eat and pools to swim in so we'll be here for while!

Anywho- just wanted to show you my fav dress and give a little life update since!

Have a great weekend loves!

xoxo

10 things I love.

Hi loves!

Okay so tonight's post is a little different!

I thought I'd share 10 things that I'm loving right now or that have brought me happiness lately-

in case yah need a little pick me up!

And yes..

this is just photos of me, against a blue wall in the same outfit with a pretty braid-

buttt!

All those things are on my list, so it works!

Just go with it:)

Anywho!

First things first...

1. TAYLOR SWIFT'S NEW SONG!!! She could've released silence and I would've bought it in a heart beat because I'm team Taylor forever and always. Every album of hers brings me back to a totally different chapter of my life and I freaking love it. And I'll always love her.

The end.

2. This dress!! I'm all about the overall trend and I'm not kidding when I say I wore in two days in a row. Hashtag no shame hashtag it's super comfy and can be worn a million different ways.

Plus it's $18.99!

You can shop it here!

Hi you need it.

3. The Alison Show podcast. She's hilarious and her episodes not only are great for your side hustle- but you can totally apply them to your life too!

4. Bai Drinks! Remember I'm cutting out Diet Coke and artificial sweeteners from my life...

sad face. Well I still love a little tasty treat here and there so these sweet drinks are a nice change!

5. Big braids and spray tans! Yep you heard me right. Ya'll know I love a good spray tan and finally found an amazing woman who get this...

COMES TO YOUR HOUSE to do them!! I'm feeling like a bronzed goodness with this tan and can we talk about my hair!!

Also you know I suck at braiding so all the credit goes to the awesome ladies over at Pink Chique!

If you're in Cali and need some beauty services they are your go to team!!

6. BABYSITTERS. If you're a parent. Stop and listen. Find yourself an amazing babysitter. Budget for that expense {cuz baby it's worth it}and go on a date! Or a solo date! Or take a shower for the love! But I cannot stress enough how great it is to find amazing childcare. You need that time away from your babe to connect with friends, connect with your love and connect with yourself!

7. Greek Yogurt treats! Guys. If you have a sweet tooth like me, then go to the store, grab some Light and Fit Greek Vanilla Yogurt {80 calories} and then pair it with a frozen banana and berries- and holy moly it's amazing! So is dipping some pretzels in there too! Sweet and salty goodness! Hashtag wish this was sponsored.

9. What I'm watching: Ozarks, Game of Thrones and True Detective! All of them keep yah on the edge of your seat...and PS not safe for kiddos! They're def couch date night shows!

10. What apps I use: Every Dollar- we use this to budget out EVERYTHING! So we know exactly how much we're spending, saving and earning! We've tried a million "budgeting tools" and none have worked like this one. I swear I actually look forward to tracking our pennies! I track what I eat, what I spend and what exercises I do. For me, writing things down works wonders!

Anywho!

Just some things I love listening to, using, wearing, watching, eating and drinking!

I'm thinking I'll do a little round up like this each month to let ya'll know what I'm loving at the moment!

Have a great week!

xoxo

daycation in paradise.

Hi friends!

Can we please go back to Monday?!

I know you're probably like WHY MONDAY?!

But for us Monday was a dreamy day-cation at the dreamy Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa thanks to the dreamy peeps over at Resort Pass!

We sat by the pool at ate dreamy french fries, sipped dreamy Diet Coke, played dreamy giant sized lawn games, had the dreamiest view of the bay and played in the dreamiest little baby pool in all land.

Hahah do you think we enjoyed our time or what?!

Well I'm not stopping yet because now I have 288723409 pics to show just how dreamy it was!

We packed up our stroller, aired up our  Always Fits floatie, slapped on the sunscreen, got our swimsuits and headed down to Mission Bay to stay at the Hilton thanks to Resort Pass!

Resort Pass is a super cool website where you can book a day at a luxurious resort pool, spa or cabana-

without having to pay a ton to stay there!

Kinda genius right?!

I'm all about it!

Hashtag treat yo self.

When we pulled up I was so giddy!

The resort literally is on the sand, and I mean it's just stunning!

They had pool toys galore, the best kiddie pool for toddlers, little ponds with friendly ducks {Liam was a huge fan}, mini farm tables for kiddos to enjoy {I wanted to take one home with us} and a bunch of awesome games like hello life size checkers!!

There was endless enjoyment for all of us and if you're a parent, I'm telling yah-

this place is for you!

Oh and can we talk about the food!?

I cheated and snagged an ice cold heavenly Diet Coke and sammy and then we all kinda snacked on fries {another thing Liam's a fan of} and Zak took down that cheeseburger!

Best. Lunch. Ever. 

Oh hiiiii pretty cabana-

doesn't this just make yah wanna book a little day-cation with Resort Pass?!

Welllll just so happens we're doing a little giveaway over on the ole Instagram-

so go enter HERE for a chance to win!!!

The winner will receive 2 complimentary day passes to a Resort Pass hotel- so you can bring your bf, bff or mom if yah want!

Great deal huh?!

This was really our first full blown pool day with Liam and it was so sweet.

I'm just so grateful for this little family of mine and all the adventures we have together!

After a morning full of swimming, running, game playing, beach ball throwing and french fry eating we finally got Liam to take a little pool side snooze so mama and daddy could relax a bit.

Hellllloo wifi!

Hashtag parenthood.

After our little dude woke up we played and played and played some more and then had ice cream for dinner.... wait what?!

Yep- we were on DAYCATION REMEMBER?!

And then Liam totally crashed at like 5:30 pm for the entire night.

And that my friends, is a sign of a very good day!

This Hilton also has dive in movie night, s'mores night and a kids camp!

AKA perfect for families!

And you know we're all about that!

So anywho if you want a chance to snag some resort passes go enter my giveaway HERE!

 Just wanted to say another big thanks to Resort Pass and the Hilton San Diego for hosting us-

we had the best time ever!

xoxo

braids and babes.

Hi sweets!

Hope your week is going well!

We have big travel plans this week- we're so excited!

And I'm also equally excited to share some cool news with yah!

I've collaborated with my dear friend Whitney, who owns the cutest tee shirt company-

Posie and Co!

We designed two super cutie mama inspired tees that I cannot wait to show you!

Whitney is a fellow military wife, blogger mama and the first San Diego friend I made- 

her outfits are always the cutest and I love her style- so obviously I was thrilled when she asked to collaborate on some new shirts!

The first one being...

BRAIDS AND BABES!

Because when you have a braid in your hair and a babe on your hip-

you feel like you're ready to take on the world!

And PS and HUGE thank you to the ladies over at Pink Chique for coming over and braiding my hair-

I never wanted to take it out!

If you ever need any beauty services- totally check them out!

Also.. it's like the comfiest tee and I have paired it with everything from a skirt, my go-to jeans and even my homey sweats for a little date night one the couch with my love.

You can shop this shirt right HERE!!

I also love the saying "braids and babes" because really any babe can wear it!

Not just mamas!

I'm also in love with the retro font right now too!

It gives me all the heart eyes!

Okay and next up is our...

 PLAY TIME ALL THE TIME

tee shirt!

If you know me at all-

you totally know this is my mama mantra!

I want Liam {and my other future babies} childhood's to be full of light, laughter, imagination, adventure and FUN!

I'm a firm believer that you can make anything fun and playful!

From.. buckling your little into that dreaded car seat, to waiting at the doctors office with a skipped his nap toddler and even that lunch date you've been looking forward to with your BFF at a trendy not so baby friendly restaurant.. it might take a little work and a lot of caffeine-

but those things can be fun and playful!

So this shirt is my JAM!

I'm also in love with this simple colorful font too-

Ya'll know I'm obsessed with anything bright!

You can shop the play time all the time tee HERE!

Again this top is super comfy- and I love the loose fit of both!

I mean, who doesn't like more wiggle room?!

Amright?!!

These two tees totally capture my style, parenting and mamahood season right now and I'm seriously in love with them!

This was such a fun creative project to work on and I hope you like these as much as I do!

They're perfect for a new mama, mama to be or just any babe who loves a good braid!

Again you can check them out right here!

Have the best day ever!

xoxo

we got laid.

Aloha!

You guys- this weekend Zak and I got to act like little newlywed honeymooners and it was so much fun!

We've made it a goal to go on a date at least once a week since moving to San Diego- and man it has been amazing.

Something I HIGHLY recommend to parents!

Gotta find that great babysitter and get yourself some date nights!!

Hashtag treat yo self.

Anywho!

We love exploring new areas, trying new activities and going to super unique places like the Catamaran Resort Hotel for a luau!

Literally the last time we did this we were in Hawaii and had just gotten married days before-

so it was super romantic and such a cute night.

First off- the location is so pretty!

Dinner is on the beach, and you're tucked right into Mission Bay- so the view is amazing!

Second- the food was BEYOND good!

I mean, listen to this line up:

-Spicy Bay Shrimp and Grilled Pineapple Salad

-Island Pineapple Coleslaw

-Roast Salmon with Ginger Lime Cream Sauce

-Ginger Scented Stir Fry with Snow Peas, Carrots, Maui Onions and Shiitake Vegetables

-Pineapple Upside Down Cake

and COOKIES!

And that was just like a fraction of the menu!!

Endless buffet... we were in HEAVEN!

Third- the entertainment!

The dancers were so good and we had a blast listening to the music and watching the performances!

Such a perfect date night!

Oh and I guess fourth thing could be..

the company:)

After Zak worked 80 plus hours in the NICU he got ready and was my perfect date for the night.

No one else I'd rather stuff my face on the beach with!

Hashtag romantic.

But really it was romantic and a really pretty night.

After the show we walked along with beach and then found a little spot to kick back at.

We talked about our future, the community we have here in San Diego and how much we love our little family and life in California.

Even with the craziness of intern year and Zak being a doctor-

we've made time for each other and poured our hearts into parenting and I love it.

No one else I'd rather do life with!

And again, a huge thank you to the Catamaran Resort Hotel for hosting us!

This tired mama and daddy had such a sweet night and it was so needed!

Felt like we were 22 again!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo