Recently I wrote a book review of Disney Eats, a colorful cookbook that is Disney themed. With a budding cook in my home (Kiki) it’s gotten a ton of use. I had the opportunity to interview Joy Howard, the author of Disney Eats on how she got involved and advice for BIPOC’s with an interest in the food industry! Hi…
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The Mandalorian Season 2 premieres on Oct 30 2020 on Disney+ and Disney just announced #MandoMondays in conjunction with the release! I’ve put together a Mandalorian Season 2 Holiday gift guide with some of my favorite picks from the upcoming release! Cara Dune Pop Funko Mandalorian Season 2 calendar Element Mandalorian skateboard Hallmark The Child Ornament The Child Tiki mug…
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Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i is working toward a phased reopening to begin on November 1, 2020! After 7 long months, Disney Aulani is prepping to reopen the hotel with limited capacity. Here is what to expect with a Disney Aulani reopening! TRAVELING TO AULANI Beginning on October 15 2020, Hawaii’s pre-arrival testing program will…
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Wood clothing racks are a newer trend, especially for children’s rooms. Wood clothing racks allow clothes to be neatly displayed and within arms reach. We built a kids clothing rack but if you aren’t handy or don’t want to deal with procuring supplies, here are 5 of the best wood clothing racks that ship! Finney Portable Clothing Rack This portable…
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Ten minutes into Tehran and I’m sweating. A young Israeli couple boards a plane bound for an adventure in India. They bump into another couple, a serious man and his companions who is clad in a burka. Wheels are up and both couples are seemingly in their own worlds. An emergency landing has one couple steeled for an unknown future…
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While Disney is known for its wildly popular family films, there are many Disney movies that have slipped below the radar. These movies may have had decent runs when they were first released but have since been somewhat forgotten. Here are the most underrated Disney movies, both animated and live-action, that are worth checking out. Animated Movies: The Emperor’s New…
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Celebrating the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to be stressed out and inundated with gifts and STUFF. The key to having a minimalist Christmas is to celebrate with intention. That could mean just getting together with friends and family for a delicious meal, jetting off to somewhere warm or donating your time to serve others. Here are some ways…
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When it comes to decorating my home for the holidays I like to use a mixture of my old items with one or two new ones. I only buy quality minimalist farmhouse Christmas decorations that I know will last a long time and that are neutral enough that I can use them in different color schemes. Here are my picks…
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Heading to San Jose and wondering what are the activities you can do? I’m here to share that the 408 zip code has plenty of places to visit and see! San Jose is a large city but it still FEELS small and tucked in between the South foothills. Even though it’s 40 minutes from the beach and 3 hours from…
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Quarantine has made all of us stir crazy so when Kiki asked for lots of Halloween decor, I sat down and tried to come up with some ideas that would work for our home. After digging through our Halloween decor I started thinking about using all of our decor and then investing in a few new pieces. Here are my…
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On October 1st you can find me pulling out our Halloween books and decorating our play space to coincide with the season! I keep them within reaching distance fo when the girls are in the mood for a spooky book, they can find them displayed! Here is a fun rundown of some of our favorite picture books for the spooky…
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Just in time for Halloween, Anne Hathaway is flying in on a broomstick for HBO Max’s The Witches. The beloved book by Road Dahl has been remade with a brand new cast that includes Octavia Spencer, Kristin Chenoweth and Chris Rock. this is looking like a perfect addition for spooky movies for tweens. Read on to learn all about The…
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Like most Black Panther fans I was devastated when the news reported that Chadwick Boseman has passed from cancer. He was such a compelling actor with roles like Jackie Robinson, James Brown and of course the King of Wakanda, T’Challa. A new King Chad art installation is now in the Downtown Disney District, located on the west side of the property,…
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There are a lot of misconceptions out there about minimalism and even how minimalists live their life. Minimalism is often seen as white walls and empty shelving, but it’s rarely like that in reality. While there are people who practice extreme minimalism, these are often the minority and not the majority of people. Here are five common misconceptions about minimalism….
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There are so many resources out there about minimalism and decluttering. However, after reading many books on minimalism, I’ve found that not all of them are that helpful. It’s funny, for being a book about decluttering, some sure have a lot of clutter within their pages! To help you find your next great minimalism read, here are the ten best…
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Whether it’s for art appreciation or that perfect instagram background, there are some amazing murals in El Paso. Murals are a newer aspect that cities are embracing, focusing on luring tourists and also promoting local artists. There are always two things my family and I must explore when we visit a new city. Local coffee shops to buy beans and…
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Disney nature movies and shows have been so helpful during our distance learning days. Often times the kids have free time to be on their devices, so we’ve been working our way through the animal and nature documentaries on Disney+! Their favorite was Elephant so I think they are going to love Disney+’s “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom”! Check out…
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This post is sponsored by Trifo. All opinions are my own. We’ve never owned a robot vacuum but that has now changed now that Trifo generously sent us a MAX Pet Robot Vacuum to review! It was careful process to introduce this vacuum in our home because our Frenchie Maximus Warhammer tends to love to chew on items. Read further…
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Things are really different for us this year. With two parents working from home full time, everything we need is now in our home and we rarely leave due to the pandemic. I used to love running over to Starbucks for a cup of coffee but now, we brew at home. For me, I love a morning hot cup in…
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Community is such an important lesson for children to learn growing up. Disney generously sent us this picture book Malina’s Jam that introduced the idea of the importance of community to a sweet little hedgehog. Here is our review of the Malina’s Jam picture book! This post is sponsored and contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Malina the…
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We LOVE the San Jose drive-in AKA West Wind Capitol Drive-in. It’s a affordable great option for a family movie date during Covid quarantine. We are lucky that we are near one of the few drive-in in the entire state of California. It’s a vintage type of fun so read on on what to know about the San Jose drive-in!…
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When Halloween approaches, we set the mood by watching scary movies with the kids. Selecting movies is always a fun aspect, usually we as parents watch the movie first and then decide whether our tween can handle it! In this post I’m sharing the best scary movies for tweens to watch this Halloween! I’m going to reiterate that it’s super…
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During this pandemic I’m starting to realize that it’s the perfect time to tackle easy home projects. We are spending a ton of time at home and monies that would have been used to travel are being directed to finally doing all the little home projects that have been on the back burner. During this lock down we have been…
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I practice minimalism in all facets of my life but most recently I’ve been concentrating on how to dress like a minimalist. While it is easy to fall into the most recent clothing trends simple structured pieces are easier to mix and match. By including quality minimalist pieces in our wardrobes, not only can we save money but we can also save…
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The CDC recommends that children over 2 years old wear masks, so even though we are quarantine and not really going anywhere, I’ve introduced masks to my kids! It’s important that your kids see you wearing a mask and experts say that they will be more inclined to wear them if they are given the examples of their parents. Here…
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If you are stuck in quarantine during this pandemic you might be looking for ways to pass the time. I’ve discovered new books, new hobbies and most importantly new shows to binge like See! To help you get out of a rut and to introduce some new shows to watch, I’ve put together this list of the best Apple TV…
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Minimalism may look different for everybody but at its core, it requires us to eliminate certain things in order to have a life with less stuff to worry about. Consumerism has taught us to gather more possessions in order to be happy. However, this slowly traps us in the never-ending rat race of buying and using more things. If you’re…
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Need a new book that captures the essence of a new friendship? Then The One and Only Ivan: How to Draw a Story is for your kids! Ivan is a gorilla in captivity. Life wasn’t always that way, but he has trouble remembering a time when he wasn’t living in a shopping mall. In his cage, he draws with crayon…
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Minimalism and decluttering may sound similar at first because both of them essentially mean that you hoard less stuff, right? But it’s way deeper than that, minimalism requires you to be introspective and find out what things matter to you most and discarding everything that diverts your focus from that. On the other hand, decluttering is just about the removal…
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Digital minimalism falls within the minimalism umbrella and it is a part of minimalistic lifestyle where we intentionally choose to remove the things that don’t add any value to our life. This particular part of the movement is called digital clutter! Digital clutter is sneaky, it builds up fast in our electronic devices and this junk keeps on building as…
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Minimalism is having a popular moment right now. People are focusing on living with intention and not pursuing material things especially during this pandemic. My minimalism journey started years ago when I recognized that clutter contributed to my stress and anxiety. When I started my minimalist journey I read up on minimalism but then decided that I would do my…
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Attics are often forgotten about until the roof leaks, or some long-lost item needs to be found! I personally am taking this time during quarantine to declutter mine, I started thinking, could I utilize all that extra space differently? What am I holding onto that could either be recycled or donated? Here is some guidance on how to declutter an…
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Raise your hand if you are spending lots of time at home like we are! I’m blessed to have kids who love to read and making sure we have a good stock of new books has been a priority during this pandemic. When the boredom complaints start, I pull out a new book for them to read. Disney Books generously…
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Typically minimalism at its means living with fewer possessions. By intentionally removing the distraction of extra possessions and clutter, you focus on the things that matter the most in your life. Minimalism is a way of life that we intentionally create for ourselves in order to improve each and every aspect of our life. It requires us to take a…
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Summer in 2020 is looking so different due to the Covid pandemic. Many of us are stuck inside on the weekends with entertainment options being fairly limited. Gone are the days of summer blockbusters in a cold theater or in many places, lazy days at the beach. I put together a quarantine summer bucket list with things that can be…
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Little did I know that when I got shingles three years ago, it would completely change my life. While most people suffer shingles in silence, mine was on my face and therefore I had to explain to people what was going on with my rash and fatigue. Now that I’m past it, I wanted to share that you too can…
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Minimalism is many things but the core principals are living life with intention and rejecting the theory that owning more will make you happier. The key to minimalism is to spend your money on things you genuinely enjoy. If you are just starting your minimalism journey but don’t know what to spend your money on, I’m here to help! Here…
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One of my favorite aspects of our home is the indoor laundry room. While the laundry room originally had a ton of storage we actually didn’t need any of the dark brown pantry cabinets in there. The cabinets made the space way too tight and dark, which wasn’t useful for a room that is used every single day. Here is…
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It can be difficult to talk about race and America, especially in 2020 where police brutality is taking center stage. I’m a firm believer in reading outside your comfort area to experience how other people live. In 1962 Malcom X said “The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Black women face unique issues and arguably are the…
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If you have kids living in your home, you will know just how much clutter they can accumulate! Between kids’ projects that they do for school, gifts from friends and family to spoil them, and just the daily challenges of living with kids, your home can soon be filled to the brim with kids stuff! Teaching your kids about minimalism…
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When I woke up one morning with a rash on my face, I had no idea what a journey shingles would be. Shingles is caused the reactivation of the Herpes Zoster virus that remains dormant in the body after the recovery of chickenpox. The virus is suddenly reactivated by the combination of stress and a compromised immune system. A well-balanced…
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With so many of our kids in quarantine, what could better than a spooky book to pass the time? Disney Books is launching a new chapter book series that feature classic Disney characters in a modern and creepy setting. We were able to read the first in the series Part of Your Nightmare by Vera Strange! Read on for the…
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Shopping for a birthday gift for a Star Wars fan? Looking for a Father’s Day gift for a guy that loves The Child (aka Baby Yoda)? The Mandalorian themed items featuring characters from the Star Wars universe make thoughtful gifts! Every dad is different, too, so there’s no one-size-fits-all Father’s Day gift idea, but you can take inspiration from these…
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I think it’s safe to say that going forward there will be a new normal when it comes to social distancing and quarantine life. Recently, the CDC began recommending people (even those who aren’t showing symptoms) wear cloth face masks when they must be around others in order to prevent the spread of Corona. In addition to frequent hand washing,…
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Having a hobby doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to accumulate lots of clutter. There are many hobbies that you can do while keeping your space a clear and clean place to be. Clutter and boredom can cause an increase in stress and issues with concentration so here are nine minimalist hobbies to do during quarantine. This post contains affiliate…
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Quarantine is a great time to have your tween catch up on their reading! Graphic novels offer that amazing balance of a great story and beautiful illustrations to not only challenge your tween’s reading level, but also keep them busy during lock down. I’ve assembled a long list of graphic novels, some that are realistic views of tween life and…
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If quarantine has shown me anything, it’s that we can make do with some much less than what we think we need. I’ve taken this time to go through closets, cabinets, pantries and even our fridge to take note of the necessities we use and to clear out the stuff that is just taking space. I’ve talked previously about we…
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With all of the world practicing social distancing, it’s more difficult to find ways to celebrate your kids’ birthday. Many kids are stuck home and finding that their birthdays are just around the corner. Gone are the days of being able to have a house full of guests to celebrate your kids birthday. Social distancing has changed everyone’s entire life,…
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Decluttering closets can be tricky when you are just starting your minimalist journey. There is always a little (or a lot) more stuff than there is room for. This is magnified when two people share a bedroom and, therefore, the closet. Read on to discover simple storage solutions to maximize closet space. Here are my tips to declutter a bedroom…
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An extra room in our home meant free space for the kids to play and use their imaginations. I also knew that I wanted to create a cozy book nook where they could relax and read! Creating a book nook is a fairly easy project and I’m here to share some tips on how to create a cozy space for…
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As a multi cultural mom raising multi cultural children, it’s very important to me that they have representation in their toys and books. Black History Month is here and I wanted to compile a list of the best Graphic novels that feature African American main characters. I have a eclectic mix of both fiction and nonfiction from multiple publishers. Here…
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When you’re looking for something to read with your daughter, these Disney books for girls are a fantastic option. Being able to read with your little girl helps open the doors to a deeper imagination, higher vocabulary, and a thirst for knowledge. These entertaining Disney books for girls are the perfect way to spend some quality time together with a…
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If you are like me, you don’t really love cooking but love doing crafts. I have the perfect recipe for a perfect Springtime Disney treat for all those Mickey loving families out there! This is a quick and easy recipe that can easily be be adjusted for any holiday. Use red and pink sprinkles for Valentines Day or Red and…
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Every time we visit a Hawaiian island we make it a point to try out something new or unusual. Our preference is to go off the beaten path or to try a lesser known tour that isn’t packed with tourists. Here are four unique activities on the Big Island of Hawaii! Flumin Kohala Tour Climb in a kayak and tour…
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I did it. I finished Apple Tv’s SEE and I’m here to share that after a weird first episode, I ended up really enjoying the journey the writers take the view on! Yes, SEE is weird but it’s weird in a good way. You won’t experience anything close to it on television. SEE was officially renewed for a Season 2…
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Themed parties are my jam and if they are Disney themed, well that’s even better. I know that throwing themed parties can be expensive so I always try to look for crafts that I can get the supplies at a local dollar store. I always say that a great dessert table should have a ton of sweets plus some should…
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How many of us remember just how iconic some of our favorite Disney movies were? I remember watching the magic of the Sandlot for the first time and simply falling in LOVE with that movie. With the impending release of Disney+ I sat down to look through the recent tweet that laid out all of the movies and shows that will…
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After being invited to a last minute Halloween event I realized we didn’t have costumes! I needed a homemade costume that incorporated a piece of June and January and since I was last minute I needed something easy and simple! A quick search on Pinterest to browse some DIY ideas was successful and I settled on a DIY bank robber costume…
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I know that just the thought of minimalism can be daunting. But, once you get into a routine of editing your space and your personal items it becomes like second nature. Don’t let those stark spaces frequently associated with minimalism deter you. Minimalist spaces can be cozy, welcoming and easily created without much effort! It’s also important to remember minimalism…
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Waking up one day and making the decision that you were going to become a minimalist doesn’t just happen overnight. Growing up around clutter and realizing that as an adult, I couldn’t love in a space with tons of items or clutter. It was a huge realization that clutter contributed to my personal anxiety. I’d find it hard to concentrate,…
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When we first visited Disney’s Aulani resort, we literally didn’t have much info to go on. Now that the resort has just celebrated 7 years of being open, we’ve been able to visit several times. Here are 10 Disney Aulani mistakes to avoid for first time visitors! This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item I earn a…
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