Category:

Family

Many people ask me about my fitness routine and diet.  The truth is, I really don’t have a routine at all.  With four kids at home during the summer, my workout is keeping up with their high energy and high impact youthfulness.  I call my fitness more organic than routine.

Here I’m showing a recent trip to our favorite park.  Getting the kids’ shoes on and them out the door is my typical warm up.  My fashion minded self always slaps on some lipstick too before grabbing my keys.  However, this park day had a new focus for me.  I grabbed a jump rope and resistance bands with the intention of getting a workout in while the kids played on the playground. Well, I did get some jump roping in, but the kids were more interested in what I was doing rather than playing on the equipment.  In the end we all worked out together; they burned energy while I burned calories. I’d say that’s a win-win.

Here are some benefits to jump rope:

Great Cardio

Great for cognitive and physical health

A jump rope fits in my purse.

It’s something you get better at with practice

The kids totally want to participate too

Recommendations before jump roping:

Go to the bathroom before you get started

Wear this type of sports bra

Here is a great jump rope

Here are some benefits to resistance bands:

 Builds strength and tones muscle

Variations of movement = full body workout

They also fit in your purse

They may be used as a slingshot

Here is a link to some resistance bands

Here’s what I’m wearing NOKAOI

See more on my DIET  and more WORKOUTS to do with your kids.

I hope our video inspires you to dream up opportunities for an organic workout with the family.  Life with kids is a discipline of endurance.  Take advantage of their youthful energy and get yourself fit.

XO

Shalice

shorts (sold out) SIMILAR :: sweatshirt SIMILAR :: muscle tank :: chuck taylors similar :: tweed baseball cap :: cardigan SIMILAR ::

Today is the first day of public access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. What that means is you don’t have to be a card holder to shop the sale, yay! Don’t worry, there are still really good items up for grabs but I wouldn’t delay if you have your eye on something to get your desired size. You can still get points if you’re a rewards member. I just include my phone number to still gain points without using my Nordstrom Credit Card. For instance, hubby just asked me to add this to my cart (because I can’t resist him in a henley), glow-in-the-dark pajamas for the kids, and I fell for these, one can’t have enough pj’s right? Shop my faves and raves below — still in stock at least for now! See another on sale look HERE.

XO Shalice

We like nothing better as a family than scootering to the park, tea, ice cream or just about anywhere. It’s always a race to get anywhere and Reid and I are often left in the dust. Thankfully, I just joined the squad with my very own white Micro-Scooter. The kids actually love that I can finally keep up with them on our way to ice cream or the park.

On the 4th of July morning, our scooter outing took us down to one of our favorite LA streets, Abbot Kinney where we grabbed some ice cream at Salt and Straw.  We timed it perfect getting there right when they opened and didn’t have to wait in line.  It was early enough that the sidewalks weren’t too crowded.  We kept the speed down and found an open area where we could run in circles for awhile.  It just so happened to be where one of my favorite LA walls are too!

Spending time as a family made the 4th of July Holiday all the more special.  Keeping the celebration simple was key to a successful day with four kids.  They really don’t need much.  Just us, scooting along side of them.

 Tips for Scootering:

Wear Helmets on your heads

Sneakers on your feet – not sandals

Our first lesson with our 4 year old was how to break, it’s an important one!

Don’t forget to watch the video below and see one of my fave family posts HERE

Thank you Micro Kickboard for sponsoring this post!

my scooter MICRO WHITE :: kids scooters MAXI SCOOTER (ages 5-12)

 

UPDATE: Use Code “SHALICE” for a free scooter light and free shipping 😉 Ends 10/31.

 

 

 

Thank you Micro-Scooter for sponsoring this post!

top FREE PRESS :: white sweater REBECCA MINKOFF :: jeans AG JEANS :: soft slippers STEVE MADDEN :: Photo’s by Tiffany Luong Photography

Our days usually are never alike but usually begin like this . . . .

pancake breakfast, play time, lunch time, park time, dinner time, and family reading and walk to get boba tea.

Tiffany Luong offered to document our day. Being a large family of 6, I thought the idea intriguing. When I saw the end product I was grateful to see angles and perspectives I would have never seen if it wasn’t for Tiffany  who captured such a raw and organic side of our family life. Including my boy’s messy room, ha. From eating donuts, little laughs and hugs, to wrestling on the floor, she captured it all. She also offers photo books to further document your day for years to come. I was grateful for the opportunity since I most likely will forget the little things I love most about family life documented right here. Learn more about her services for your next family shoot HERE. And since it is Foodie Friday, I thought I’d share 3 kid approved meals we love and use daily. Happy Friday friends!

 

For the first recipe, I’m sharing our favorite breakfast dish, originally published HERE

AMY’S PUFFED PANCAKE

What I love about this one is that it’s something you can prep the night before, then just toss it in the oven in the morning and bask in the rave reviews.

What You’ll Need:

6 Eggs

1 C Flour (If you’re gluten free, I’d chose a flour blend that has already done the math on which GF flours combine to imitate the fluffy texture you get with wheat flour. I’m a fan of King Arthur, but comment if you have another favorite)

1 C Milk (can use almond milk)

1t Salt

1T Butter (to grease the dishes)

Toppings of your choice – we like agave, maple syrup, lemon curd, or powdered sugar

How You’ll Do It:

1 Whisk the eggs, flour, milk, and salt together. If you’re prepping this the night before, cover your bowl and put it in the fridge until you’re read to bake.

2  Preheat the oven to 425°

3  Melt the butter in two 9×13 pans

4  Pour the mix into the pan and put it in the oven for 15-20 minutes. It will puff up and create some crazy wavy textures in the oven, then it will settle and flatten out once it cools. So if it looks a little wild, you’re doing it right.

5  Serve with your favorite topping and enjoy the satisfied faces.

HOMEMADE HUMMUS eat with carrots or pita bread

2 cups drained well-cooked or canned chickpeas, liquid reserved

1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste), optional, with some of its oil

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus oil for drizzling

2 cloves garlic, peeled, or to taste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon ground cumin or paprika, or to taste, plus a sprinkling for garnish

Juice of 1 lemon, plus more as needed

Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish

3 INGREDIENT DINNER

2 Cans vegetarian chili

1 package of hashbrowns in the shape of a rounded off rectangle

1 Package of cheese

Spread the hash browns across a 9×13 inch pan, layer chili and then cheese. Heat the over to 350 degrees and cook for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

 


 


 

phoebe distressed AG JEANS :: jacket LINEA PELLE :: tank LUSH similar :: heels Coconuts by MATISSE :: bag REBECCA MINKOFF ::

 

We set out on a sunny Friday morning which happened to also be National Donut day, for the city of Chicago. We allotted 4 days of travel via a large 2017 Suburban thanks to Budget, that we picked up the night before, along with donuts. The vehicle was perfect for our long journey of 2700 miles with stops in La Verkin, Utah, Vail, CO, Omaha, NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, and finally Chicago, IL. While as a party of six, as you can imagine there was a lot of “are we there yet?” and when can we dig into the candy kinds of questions. Beyond that, there was a lot of eye spying games and ooh’s and ahh’s once we got to Utah and were in awe of the rocks and mountains. It was great to be able to stop when we saw a scenic overlook or an old gas station or whatever of interest. I remember driving with Reid when we were dating from Chicago to Omaha and barely stopping once. Now, with children, they force you to stay flexible, go with the flow and savor this time that I hope they never forget. While we LOVED the long car trip, we all agreed flying home with American Airlines was the way to go. Four hours of flying versus four days, was a huge difference! Read on below for some travel tips answering some of my most asked questions.

Tips for Travel:

Where to Stay when visiting ZION NATIONAL PARK?

I got asked this a ton when we drove through Zion National Park. Stay in Springdale if you want to catch the ZION national park hikes and trails right out your front door. Such an artsy and pedestrian friendly little town (La Quinta had a great pool ). We made the rookie mistake of staying in La Verkin instead of Springdale which is closer to the park and has a free bus service that takes you to the ZION entrance. Read more Here.

Bring protein snacks and water everywhere! The desert literally had zero watering holes nearby. Be prepared.

Get organized. We had all the kids clothes in Ziploc bags. Each bag contained 1 full outfit (shirt and shorts or dress) and 1 pair of socks and underwear.

Don’t let kids pack their backpacks it sounds good but edit, edit! You’ll thank me when you’re on your second hike and they’re complaining how heavy their backpack is.

Don’t forget the baby wipes! I use them for everything from ice cream mustaches to cleaning the dashboard.

Make frequent stops at the scenic overlooks. The theme of your trip (if you’re traveling as a family) is SLOW and SAVOR. Even though it seems counter intuitive and oh-so hard, don’t rush what could be the most unforgettable memory. Truly.

 

girls romper Saks Fifth Avenue // girls white cold shoulder dress Target // girls maxi dress Target // my Jacket AG JEANS 

bedroom credits //

nightstands Urban Outfitters // linen sheets West Elm // clothing rack IKEA // grommet tee Nordstrom // ivory sofa Interior Define //jute rug West Elm



my jeans :: my gingham top :: cashmere cardigan :: her top :: shorts   :: his top similar  and shorts similar

I partnered with Abercrombie & Fitch sharing some of our summer favorites. On this particular morning, the beach was unusually cold, so layers were appreciated. My 7 year-old kept stealing my cashmere cardigan as we approached the aquarium at the end of the pier. It was worth the chilly walk up! The kids loved seeing small sharks, starfish to pet and slippery eels. In a strange way, the walk to the pier and fresh ocean air always seems to give us an appetite for ice cream at Manhattan Beach Creamery. I don’t fret too much when the kids spill all over their shirts. Everything from A & F has been washable and durable, two aspects I love about A & F kids clothes not to mention, they are right on trend. How cute the the shoulder ruffle on her top? I want one in my size so we can be twins. Meanwhile, I’m staying cozy with this cashmere cardi and lightwash jeans that surprisingly go with everything. Which are your favorites?

More Faves from A & F:

Thank you Abercrombie & Fitch for sponsoring this post!

Whether we are hiking Runyon Canyon or walking around Studio City, we all can agree it helps to have a buddy. If you have kids or nieces and nephews, ask them to workout with you! If you’re new to this, here are some suggestions. 
Here are 5 at home or at the park workouts that pump you up and your kids:
Jump Rope
Red light / green light
Burpies
Monkey Bars
Jumping Jacks
Note: Combining regular physical activity with a healthy diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. And keep in mind, your children will most likely eat what you eat.
Comment below with your tips and tricks!

leggings c/o SWEATY BETTY :: my black tank UNDER ARMOR :: her black tee similar

Motherhood for me is a series of mistakes and triumphs, lessons and growth. All the while giving myself and my kids grace! It is indeed the steepest learning curve and the greatest blessing. For example, it may sound silly, but there was a time I was upset I couldn’t attend golden hour photo shoots, the timing didn’t work with my kids or their schedules (hello witching hours!) However, I was able to step back, accept my responsibilities at home only to realize THESE are the golden hours!! Being present with my family, and loving the gifts my Heavenly Father gave me provided the greatest contentment.

One of my favorite quotes:

“Blessings, like children, are not ethereal and weightless. Sometimes they feel like they come at you like a Kansas hail storm – they might leave a welt! But if you accept your lot, and rejoice in your toil, God will give you the kind of overwhelming joy that cannot remember the details. Motherhood is hard work. It is repetitive and often times menial. Accept it. Rejoice in it. This is your toil. Right here.  Those are their faces. Enjoy them. The days of your life are supposed to be full of things like this. But joy is not giddy. It is not an emotional rush — it is what happens when you accept your lot and rejoice in your toil. So rejoice in your children. Look them in the eyes and give thanks. You will not even remember the work of all this planting when the harvest of joy overwhelms you.”

from LOVING THE LITTLE YEARS – Rachel Jankovic

 

My skirt ZARA similar :: tank Hanes similar :: maxi coverup O’NEILL similar :: sandals FRYE  ::

ruffle white dress TULEROSA :: wedges FRYE 

hubby shirt LACOSTE :: jeans BUCK MASON :: shoes REEF  ::

Girls shirts LACOSTE :: sneakers LACOSTE :: shorts NORDSTROM ::

Boy’s shirts LACOSTE :: shorts NORDSTROM :: shoes LACOSTE

 

We like to try new brunch places and I’m always on the search for a church dress. We accomplished both at Ostrich Cafe and sporting this Topshop floral dress I love with leather. This low maintenance dress is so fun worn with a black leather jacket and wrap heels. Happy Friday!

dress TOPSHOP similar  :: leather jacket TOPSHOP :: wrap heels similar  ::

6 Summer Dresses 



ruffle blouse :: flare jeans :: red sandals similar and similar :: gold earrings ::

 

Nordstrom Rack has beautiful essentials and many of my favorite brands at a discount. Think ruffles, gold earrings, flare jeans, and chic sandals. I love that this red ruffle blouse can be dressed up or down with white jeans or white pants. Options are key when my Monday often requires a blouse to transition from school drop-off to meetings to date night. Thankfully, Nordstrom Rack is a one-stop-shop for cute basics for the whole family. A friend told me about their mini Hunter boots and cute tops for my girls. So cute! See here my previous post with Nordstrom Rack. My advice is act fast to secure your size.

RUFFLE TOPS

FLARE JEANS

RED SANDALS

Thank you Nordstrom Rack for sponsoring this post!