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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:

FamilyFoodie FridayRecipes

Foodie Friday: Our Family’s Onion Soup Recipe

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Le Creuset Round  Dutch Oven (20% off one item with code UPICK) // Rails plaid button up // Jeans // Bowls Ikea // Cute measuring spoons

One tradition we started that I absolutely love is making French onion soup the day after Thanksgiving. We would get our tree, decorate it and enjoy fresh bread and soup. I recently mentioned we made the soup again this year on Instagram and immediately got requests for the recipe. There’s nothing like a yummy bowl of French onion soup. The kids love it and it’s only a couple of ingredients. Tip: to reduce tears while cutting onions, place a cracker in your mouth!

Serve with Mozzarella melted on toast.

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 T olive oil

4 cups sliced onions

4 10.5 oz cans beef broth

2 T dry sherry

salt and pepper to taste

Serve with mozzerella toast

Instructions

– Melt the butter in a large pot on medium heat with the olive oil.

– Once the butter is melted down, add all four cups of onions. Stir constantly until they’re translucent, but not brown.

– Add beef broth and sherry and season to taste with salt and pepper. Then, let simmer for 30 minutes.

You can be done here if you’d like and just dip your bread into the soup, but to go the traditional French onion soup route, follow these last few steps.

– Turn on your oven broiler.

– Ladle soup into oven-safe dishes and layer on fresh bread with cheese – we used Mozzarella but you can really use whatever you prefer. Put your dishes on a baking sheet and place in the oven until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly.

And that’s it! Super quick and easy and a recipe the whole family will love!

Enjoy!

Deals this week around the web . .

In addition to Williams – Sonoma having a 20% off one item with UPICK, Revolve is having an additional 20% off Final Sale with code YEAREND20,

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!

CHRISTMASFamilyShop

Family Christmas PJ’s

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

boys pjs $27! // girls nightgowns // women’s pjs or pants (I’m wearing a small) // men’s pj pants (Reid is wearing a size small) // my hat // my tee (only $11!) // baby knit outfit  // 7.5′ tree // stockings // artwork // garland

I’m obsessed with matching family pajamas. These are awesome because they are quality, come in all sizes (minus Levi) and warm for chilly nights! Now is the time to get them, they’re on sale and just before December comes around. Our tradition the day after Thanksgiving is to get our tree (usually a real one), and bring it home to decorate. For dinner, we have french onion soup, fresh bread, and hot chocolate. We settled for store bought bread and ended the night with “It’s a Wonderful Life.‘ I feel truly blessed. It IS a wonderful life! I hope the kids remember these traditions though small for many years to come.

What’s your tradition? I’d love to hear.

Other sites that make family pjs:

Nordstrom

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More from Jcrew

Use code CYBER for 50% off!

Burts Bees

Hanna Andersson

Old Navy

Mark & Graham

 

Which are your favorite?

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

Family

Dockatot: A Mommy Musthave

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

 

I remember when we were pregnant with our first and we were living in this tiny 1-bedroom basement apartment in Bucktown (Chicago). Reid and I were panicking because we always assumed we’d have a house by the time we had our first baby. Well, we ended up having our first within 2 weeks of our first anniversary and understandably we were a bit overwhelmed.

Someone released the pressure and convinced us not to worry. They said something like, babies are tiny and they hardly take up any space!  Such simple, beautiful advice. This was coming from a mother of 5 kids at the time (now they have 7!). She went on to say you don’t need much for a baby and that they even used a laundry basket as a bassinet when they were first starting out. While I won’t recommend that, we did feel reassured knowing you really don’t need a lot of baby gadgets for your newborn. It’s all about versatility.

Now that we are on our fifth child, we discovered a safe and versatile product for our newborn that we wished we had with our first – the Dockatot. The Dockatot is essentially a place to dock your baby. OK, that may sound weird but it’s actually super cute. The small pad with side bumpers secures the baby on their back while they sleep or play. When I’m not carrying Levi he is lounging in his Dockatot. We have the Dockatot on the floor during the day while I’m working at the dining room table. It also fits in his Moses basket as well as his bassinet. How cool is that? So we place it wherever we need it, wherever we are in the house. You can even use it in your bed if you prefer co-sleeping.

What I love most is that it involves no batteries. I’m seeing so many baby products out there that move, shake, swing, sing, bounce…you know where I’m going with this. My gut feels like all these electronics around my baby are just not right. Do you have any thoughts on this? I’d love to hear your opinion. Let me know any questions you have in the comments below.
A couple notes:
The Dockatot’s come in stages for different ages. Levi is almost one month old, so he is using Stage 1. Later we will use Stage 2 for ages 9 to 36 months. Something you’re probably wandering is, if its machine washable – YES!  it is in fact machine washable. We just washed ours yesterday and made me love this thing all over again. What’s your mommy must have? I’d love to hear!!
Thank you Dockatot for sponsoring this post! Read more about the Dockatot story HERE
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?

FamilyNordstromStyle

Nordstrom Fashion Forward Clothes for Busy Kids

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel
my dress // white blazer // booties similar ones here and here // ray-bans
Do you ever put together matching outfits for you and your kids? I love doing this with my girls! They probably won’t let me do it forever so I have to enjoy it while I can, right? Ha! Nordstrom is where I go to find matching booties for the three of us. It’s so convenient—have I mentioned the curbside pickup for online orders? I’m just so obsessed with it.
I like to think my girls (and the boys too) are pretty fashion forward but are also just like any kids and like to run around outside and be tough on their clothes. Anything I pick up at Nordstrom Kids always lasts and keeps them looking stylish too. And yes, I let her borrow my Gucci bag. I can’t shame her for her good taste. 😉
Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!
FamilyStyle

What I’m bringing to the hospital

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Sweater // Jeans // Sandals // Baby Bag // Camisole // Sunglasses // Bella Band

 

  1. Nursing slip, I got mine at H&M (this one looks awesome too) and
  2. Nursing tanks in black and white (I’m wearing this now because it fits maternity too;)
  3. Comfy socks/white slippers (Don’t ask me why I love white slippers)
  4. Protein bars like KIND, etc for hubby
  5. Joggers in gray and black (I’ve found the Michael Stars one’s are the most flattering)
  6. Kimono and Robe
  7. Essential oils like lavender, peppermint and copaiba, will be coming with me
  8. Phone Charger

I’m also bringing his baby book to record things that happen during the labor, details etc. Here’s hoping I actually write these things down. The more kids I have, the harder it is to record ALL the special moments in a cute lil book! I’m making an extra effort to fill in a baby book since my older kids have been reaching for their baby books lately and reading them, and I cringe at some of the empty pages!

I was really intimidated at first at the whole idea of a hospital bag, but I remind myself, I won’t be staying there all week (Lord willing) and if needed, hubby can run home to get something. Basically, if I have my toiletries, pain meds, comfy socks, kimono, nursing tanks, and make-up I’m good! I’m pretty low-maintenance but hubby would differ with me. I’m excited for that day to finally come. In the meantime, weigh in with your must haves for the hospital?

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