I am all about decorating for the holidays, but I also like to keep things one, simple and two, affordable. Especially for things that are only going to be out for a few weeks, if that. So I rounded up some favorite Easter/Spring items (all from Target because 2 day shipping at 5% with your redcard), most are under $30 and all of them are cute. I also did my best to find pieces that work for both Easter and Spring, meaning you can keep them out ...continue reading >>
Our Christmas Traditions
When I asked you guys what other posts, etc. y'all wanted up for the holidays - this was one of the most requested ones. Which I'm not going to lie, it really surprised me, but I kind of love that y'all asked! So let me share some of the traditions we do around here, honestly it's nothing crazy but they're simple and we love them. I'm also always looking to add new traditions, so share yours below in the comments please, then we can all grab ...continue reading >>
Stocking Stuffers Under $5!
I'm going to make this post sweet and to the point because STOCKING STUFFERS (for everyone) UNDER $5!!! And, they're all through Prime, so you're welcome. ;) SHOP. SHOP. SHOP. click the pictures to shop directly. ...continue reading >>
Easy DIY + Recycled Wrapping Paper Ideas
I’m actually really excited about today’s blog post because well one, it’s Christmas related and y’all know how much I love Christmas and two, it’s got a little bit of home decor love to it too so it’s basically a match made in heaven for me. I’m going to share with y’all a couple different ways I wrap presents using things from around my house, some quick tips to neat wrapping and then a DIY on a super easy bow to throw on your gifts this ...continue reading >>
Black Friday Small Shop Guide
GUYS IT'S TIME! If you're new around here, every year I do an exclusive black Friday guide with some of my favorite small shops - I share deals only you can get here, some gift ideas and highlight a few small shops that I just adore for black Friday! So I'm just going to dive right in because - I know you're here for the deals. ;) In no particular order.... TOM DESIGN SHOP About the shop: I'm not going to lie, when I got the ...continue reading >>
Let’s Talk Christmas Cards
Yep, I'm about to share Christmas cards - but guys, you've got to jump on the ball early or else you'll be sending them out after Christmas....like I did, last year. WHOOPS. I told you, I've made myself some promises this year - Christmas shopping done early, cards done on time and more focus on family. I feel like I'm always so rushed at the end that I miss so much, so I've literally calendar-ed things out this year and I'm really sticking to ...continue reading >>
Fall Bucket List
Shop the picture: YOU GUYSSS. I FEEL LIKE FALL HIT TODAY. I mean we've had some glimpses of cold waves, but today feels totally like fall. It's crisp outside - it's cloudy and well, I'm obsessed with all of it. So naturally it felt like the perfect day to well, GET MY OFFICIAL FALL BUCKET LIST UP. We have our letter board (as pictured above) with all the main things we want to do as a family, but I wanted to share my more "in depth" one and ...continue reading >>
Favorite Easter Basket Gifts – By Age
Every year I put together a fun little post like this with my favorite Easter basket gifts, but this year I thought I would change it up a little and do it by age up to 5 years because beyond that, I know nothing! That way we are hitting all the age groups, genders and everything! So I will just go ahead and dive in, then of course at the end I included what's going to be in Blake's basket ;) Plus you know...all the Target dollar section goodies, ...continue reading >>
Our Easter Tradition – 3 fun ways to decorate eggs with toddlers
Thanks to our sponsor Zonderkidz, we’re getting the family ready for Easter! So we are going to Texas in a few weeks and when we booked it, I honestly didn’t even realize that welp - we will be there over Easter! HA! Whoops. Oh well - we will be with my sister, her husband and little boy and honestly I’m so excited. It’ll be a fun little different holiday this year! My sister and I have been trying to get everything ready for it ...continue reading >>
The Best App
Thank you Shopify for sponsoring this post. Track your holiday shipments in one place with the new Arrive app! So I am somewhat of an online over-shopper one could say...I mean I don't really think so, but the husband might say just those words...Whoops! Online shopping literally is game changing though. I mean to be able to just throw whatever you need in the "cart", hit check out and it come straight to your door, obviously I'm ...continue reading >>
A Fully Decorated Christmas Tree for Under $120
I asked y'all if you wanted me to share this and well, I had a few no's, but an overwhelmingly lot of yeses, so here I am! Also, can we talk about the fact that it just took me -- no joke, 30 minutes to write that first friggin' sentence. The struggle is real this morning. I also wore a shirt to the gym that was DEFINITELY not a gym shirt and still, to this minute, I'm not sure when or how I put it on, BUT I ended up at the gym, working out, in ...continue reading >>
The Cutest Christmas Tree for Kids
Since we are with my parents this year for the holidays while our home is being built, I wanted to make things extra special and a little more fun for Blake. I mean, let's be honest though -- I probably would have done this even if we were in our house now, I mean who am I kidding? I just LOVE the holidays so much. Like sometimes it might be a problem. HA! I mean, Marcus might think so, but the CEO of Target is like yeah, keep loving all ...continue reading >>
Gothic Revival Halloween Decor / From Tablescape to Front Porch
This post was sponsored by Lowe’s as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. TABLESCAPE: PORCH: I wanted to do something different for Halloween this year. We are living with my parents while we build our house and my Mom's house has such a different feel than ours, that I thought -- let's go all black this year rather than white pumpkins, ...continue reading >>
Father’s Day / Our Game Plan & Gift Ideas
Just a public service announcement for all y'all: Father's Day is June 18th. That's in literally less than two weeks. You're welcome. Oh feelin' a little stressed now are ya? I swear every year I'm like, I'm going to be better, I'm going to post better, it's going to be great and then I find myself here, again, less than two weeks away and struggling to find a game plan. It's fine though guys because I have a game plan. HOLLA. You should probably ...continue reading >>
“Secret” Memorial Day Plans
I’m sharing Secret in my life as part of a sponsored series for Socialstars™. So...it's Memorial Day weekend this weekend and I'm over here just trying to figure out when in the world time started going in fast forward X10? I think it was about the time Blake was born....not during pregnancy though, my pregnancy I am still convinced lasted about 20 years. The second she was born though, lightening speed and now all of sudden she's turning ...continue reading >>
Mother’s Day Exclusive Gift Ideas
Blake's PJs c/o Finn & Emma I can't even believe Mother's day is right around the corner, tell your husbands, baby Daddy's, whoever to go ahead and mark their calendars -- IT'S MAY 14TH PEOPLE -- and yes, I literally just had to Google that, so that's another story, it's fine. Let's be real though, those loves of our lives are the best but they might need a little nudge or calendar reminder set for them. ;) So I've rounded up a few of my ...continue reading >>
Easter // The BEST Easter Gifts for Toddlers
Holidays are so much better with kids, I mean am I right or what? They bring such a different feeling to it all and I love spending them with little Blake and my baby Daddy. ;) Though, it can get a little tricky when it comes to the whole "gifting" thing, especially when you have a shopping problem and just buy all the things every other day....which I don't. I wasn't talking about me at all, so don't judge me, okay? ;) I'm just gonna dive right ...continue reading >>
The Perfect Easter Gift
Can you believe that Easter is right around the corner?! Also, it's bee a couple of weeks since I've done a favorite shop Friday and so I'm pretty excited to dive back in today and show y'all the CUTEST shop, with the perfect Easter gift! So let's friggin' cut to the chase because it's Blake tested and approved ;) THE SHOP: Peekawhoo THE DEETS: Okay, okay, see the bunny in all the pictures?! ARE YOU OBSESSED?! It's the softest, cutest, cuddliest, ...continue reading >>
Home // An Easter Tablescape
One of my favorite things to do in the decor area, is tablescapes. I seriously LOVE them, in case you couldn't tell in past posts ;) HA! So to say I was excited about this Easter tablescape with Pier 1 would be an understatement. Plus, it turned out even better than I could have imagined and pretty much everything on the table is from Pier One, which means you can shop in one place! I went with tons of pastels and whites and I LOVE how it turned ...continue reading >>
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for the Littles
Let's do this, I'll jump right into the point--you know the fun gift ideas for little ones this V-day. I've broken it down by boys and girls so I can help ya out a little bit, however most of them are gender neutral! I love any holiday or excuse to get my little a cute little gift. FAVORITES 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 DUDES BABES This post contains affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
3 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Littles
Don't get me wrong, Valentine's Day is obviously a romantic holiday--but a holiday is a holiday and as far as I'm concerned, it's the holiday of love and I love my little one (most days ;) KIDDING). So that means that I get to celebrate with her too. Plus, any reason to celebrate, dress up and dance is just fine in my book. So I have three fun activities you can do with your littles this V-day, they're simple, but cute and best part, mostly free ...continue reading >>
Home Decor: Valentine’s Day Fireplace Mantel Decor
Shop my mantel: More favorite Valentine's Day decor... Garlands c/o Hooray Everyday This post may contain affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
A Gift for the Guys
I couldn't leave y'all hanging without covering the guys in our lives for a gift this holiday season. Who else has a guy obsessed with their car? Marcus' car is literally nothing fancy, at all. BUT, he loves to clean it and well, if I'm being totally honest I'm kind of just as obsessed. So maybe this gift is just for me? Eh....no, no, It's a guys gift okay--but there's nothin' wrong with liking the gift you get your guy. HA! It's actually ...continue reading >>
The Fun Gift Guide
Christmas is a comin' y'all, so I've got to just go ahead and gift you with well, one last gift guide. ;) It's a few of my favorites and well, with a giveaway--BOOM. We're just going to dive right in, I'll tell you why I love each item and then you can use the link to run right over and get your shop on. MUNKI MUNKI If you love comfy jammies, you're going to love Munki Munki. They have jammies for Mama and baby and you'll probably spend ...continue reading >>
Milk + Cookies for Santa (Trial Run)
Photos by Chantel Cherie Photography Christmas is going to be here before we know it! So naturally I’ve put on my Betty Crocker hat and have been baking away! Seriously, it’s the only time of the year you will find me baking--in fact it’s probably the only time of year you’ll find me even somewhere close to the kitchen. ;) HA! Last week we did a practice run for Santa’s milk and cookies. Mainly just so we could you know, eat all the cookies and ...continue reading >>
Last Minute (Amazon Prime) Gifts for the Whole Family
Family Traditions & A Favorite Book
Photos by Chantel Cherie Photography This year since Blake is getting older and well, she loves to read I decided to start a little tradition. It's so fun to start new traditions and think of little things to do as a family during this time of year. Every night we have been reading a book together as a family. We snuggle up in our PJs, turn the fire on, cuddle together on the bed and read. Blake loves to look at all the pictures and find ...continue reading >>
The Best Gifts for Grandparents
We should totally be spoiling the best Grandmas and Grandpas ever too right?! RIGHT! So I've put together some of my favs especially for each of them! To shop, just click the coordinating numbers under each picture. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 more favorites... 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 more favorites... This post contains affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
Gifts Galore..For the Entire Family, in one Place
The other night Blake was walking around yelling "aco" and I couldn't figure out what she was saying or even talking about. She was pretty firm in what she was saying though and kept pointing up at the counter. No jokes, I was REALLY confused. I literally showed her just about everything, when finally I picked her up and said, "Okay, you show me what you're talking about." -- without even a second thought, she grabbed the iPad and said "aco, aco, ...continue reading >>
Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family
We've got you covered, stocking stuffers for the entire family!! Just click the pictures to shop! And because quite a few of y'all have asked: Blake's current favorites... This post contains affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
The Small Shop Gift Guide for the Whole Family
I can't even believe that Christmas is literally right around the corner. We start our Christmas countdown TOMORROW and I'm so excited! I got the cutest little advent calendar at Target for Blake. She gets a tiny little toy out of it everyday. I'm really just excited to share all the Christmas memories and traditions with her. Plus--secret is out, I scheduled FOUR days off for myself!! WHAT?! I know, my mind is blown too. I literally couldn't ...continue reading >>
Farmhouse Modern Home: Christmas House Tour
For the tablescape I recommend buying a vine that's already all connected, it makes set-up and clean up much easier. Plus it turns and hour long project into a 20 minute project. ;) More Christmas decor favorites... This post contains affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
The BEST of the Cyber Monday Deals
Minted | 20% off $150+, use code "BF2017" | SHOP NOW One Kings Lane | 20% off sitewide, no code needed | SHOP NOW Pottery Barn | up to 50% off | SHOP NOW Target | Save an extra 15% off, no code needed | SHOP NOW Wayfair | up to 80% off | SHOP NOW Amazon | select items up to 50% off | SHOP NOW Target | Save an extra 15% off, no code needed | SHOP NOW Walmart | up to 50% off select brands | SHOP NOW Amazon | select toys ...continue reading >>
Home: Christmas Mantel Decor
Shop this look: See the whole decorating process in a video, below! Shop more of my favorite holiday decor... This post may contain affiliate links. ...continue reading >>
Family: Holiday Christmas Cards
I teamed up with Minted this year and created the most gorgeous Holiday Christmas cards to send out to our family and friends. I love sending and receiving holiday cards! They're seriously the best and make my heart so happy. This is what the season is all about! Celebrating family and remembering how precious they are. I'm sharing our holiday cards below and a few of my favorites from Minted. Oh...and I'm giving away THREE $100 Minted gift cards ...continue reading >>
Halloween 2016
We took Blake trunk or treating tonight and it was seriously the cutest thing ever! She picked the entire concept up after about two cars and then just kept rushing from car to car saying "MO, MO" (more). We were obviously all dying because it was the funniest/cutest thing ever. Our costumes didn't quite turn out like I hoped, though Blake's did and that's all that ...continue reading >>
Mommy & Me Costumes
I've been seriously SO excited for this post! Quite honestly you would have thought I was planning a wedding or something...just ask Marcus. I thought long and hard about the perfect Mommy and Me costumes for this post. Seriously a lot of planning and time went into this so y'all better friggin' love it and someone better dress up like one of these. ;) HA! Plus, I've got your back and made it easy for you to shop the same looks right ...continue reading >>
Halloween Mantel Decor
See the full video, here with all the tips and tricks to decorating for Halloween and keeping it kid and family friendly! SHOP NOW: Scroll right to see more, click the pictures directly to shop. MORE OF MY FAVORITE HALLOWEEN PIECES: ...continue reading >>
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2016
I can't believe it's already the second week of June. I swear since having a baby the months just fly by. And well, since it's the second week of June that means Father's Day is right around the corner. This year I sat down with Marcus and asked him what items he would REALLY want or thinks other guys would really like. You know, the gifts besides your typical wallet or tie. So o found great deals on all of them for y'all and linked them up and ...continue reading >>
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Mother's Day is coming up y'all! Don't worry though, we've put together our favorite gifts for Mama this Mother's day and have them listed below with coupon codes and everything to some! Each number coordinates with the number below and links up directly to each shop. 1. Revol Roots – Use the code "MAMAOAK" for 15% off your purchase through 4/21 (the cutest tees you've ever seen, perfect for Mama) 2. Nordstrom (a super cute purse at an ...continue reading >>
Why I’m NOT Making a List of New Year’s Resolutions
Every year I make a huge long list of New Year's resolutions, ones that I think are really good ideas, but 99% of them not realistic. Each year I have the cliche, lose weight/get in shape and eat less sugar, both which last less than 24 hours and then I'm back to my old ways. So this year I vowed not to make a long list of resolutions, but to pick one thing. One thing that was really important to me to change, to get better at. The main thing ...continue reading >>
Oh Hey New Year…
2016 is fast approaching and naturally I felt the need to celebrate with a photo shoot, I mean really, how else would I celebrate it?! I'm photo obsessed. Angela Minnick Photography made all of my photography dreams come true and I'm totally obsessed with these. PS. Before we really dive into pictures, do me a favor and if you love them Pin it on Pinterest for me please so that we can make it a hit. (There's a Pinterest share button at the end ...continue reading >>
Stocking Stuffer Ideas For the Whole Family..
We put together a list of our favorite stocking stuffers for the whole family at every price point! 22 Days until Christmas, not that we're counting down or anything ;) THE ADULTS THE LITTLES ...continue reading >>
Oakes Weekap: Thanksgiving Edition
Thanksgiving week was a success y'all! Family time galore, delicious food and lots to be thankful for. I love my little family, it was so much fun to watch Blake experience her first Thanksgiving. She is so into looking at everything right now it's the best to watch, the lights, the action, the cars driving by, everything--so you better believe she was in pure heaven with all the events happening this week! We moved on Saturday, which was ...continue reading >>
Holiday Fav: Gift Wrapping
Obviously Christmas isn't just about gifts, it's about giving, Christ and family. However, one of my favorite things is wrapping presents! Even if it's as simple as a candy bar, I just love making them cute and giving!! It's seriously my favorite. So today we've teamed up with Love Luck Kisses & Cake and Wrap.me to chat about cute ways to wrap presents! Love Luck Kisses & Cake has the CUTEST wrapping paper and bows! Their paper ...continue reading >>
CYBER DEALS-We’ve Got Your Back.
Does anyone else just love that they can get all of their Holiday shopping done from their couch?! I do! So to beat the hustle and bustle of craziness at the malls, we've put together a list of all the best deals this coming Cyber shopping week! Make sure to check back frequently because we will be adding more as we find out about them! Now let's get to shopping and saving! OUR FAVS: AMAZON 30% off select clothing , shoes, accessories, ...continue reading >>
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2015
After hours and hours of hard work our annual Holiday gift guide is here! We're so excited to share this with y'all! As many of you know this is a big deal--we get exclusive coupon codes from our favorite shops with gift ideas for everyone in the family. It's a hit every year and we changed it up this year a tiny bit to make things easier to find and it easier to read! A couple of things first before we dive in! The entire gift guide and coupon ...continue reading >>
Holiday Traditions
The holidays are literally my all time favorite. I love dancing around the house in my PJs, listening to Christmas music, eating breakfast with the whole family and all the delicious smells that come with them! Growing up I have so many great memories of the holidays with family and friends and lots of traditions! Traditions that I can't wait to teach Blake and keep in our family. Every year while we (alright, alright you caught me...while my ...continue reading >>
It’s Never Too Early For Christmas Cards..
I'm all about Christmas cards over here. It's like one of my favorite parts of the Holidays! Here's our Christmas card for this year, plus below I've got a code for you to grab 15% off your order from the same fabulous lady who designed our cards! Okay, okay, here you are: Use the code "OAKES15" to grab 15% off your order at Sugar House Prints, here. HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY CARD PRODUCTS: And finally this ...continue reading >>
Blake’s Holiday Outfit
The holidays are literally my favorite time of the year. I love what the spirit they bring, what they represent, the family time and all the traditions! Seriously, no matter how down I am, I can't help but smile when holiday music on, the tree is lit and we're together as a family. It's the best and reminds me what life is all about. Along with the sentimental, giving and love that comes with the holidays, this year I get to have a little fun in ...continue reading >>
Gift Ideas For Him/Gift Ideas For Her
The holiday season is fast approaching and let's be realistic, the men and women in our lives are generally the hardest ones to shop for! And another point, if we're being honest ladies, go ahead and just print this list off, circle the items you want and hand it to your significant other ;) FOR HER FOR HIM ...continue reading >>
Gift Guide for the Grandparents
GIFTS UNDER $100 Click the individual pictures to go directly there! GIFTS UNDER $50 Click the individual pictures to go directly there! GIFTS UNDER $20 Click the individual pictures to go directly there! Xo, Jess ...continue reading >>
A Cupcake of a Halloween!
Y'all I am SO excited to share these pictures with you today! I've had this vision in my mind for months now and was counting down the days to show y'all! We teamed up with Amaru Confections here in Boise and created the ultimate Halloween shoot to show off our costumes this year! So without further ado, A Cupcake of a Halloween! I have no idea what we're going to do next year, but I do know it's going to be hard to ...continue reading >>
10 Things to Do for the Fourth of July
Can you believe the 4th of July is in TWO days?! Yeah, me either. I also can't believe that Blake's due date is in SIX days! In fact, by the time this post goes up she might already be here...CRAZY. We've put together a list of our top 10 favorite Fourth of July activities because who doesn't love this holiday?! Gimme all the fireworks, yummy food + patriotic-ness. 1. 4TH OF JULY SCAVENGER HUNT. 2. PRINGLES CAN FIRECRACKER 3. ...continue reading >>
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father's Day is THIS WEEKEND. Insane right? If you're anything like me, you're really good at waiting until the last minute. Personally I think it's a talent ;) But don't you fret for this month's Making Moms Life Easier, we've got you covered with the top five last minute Father's Day gifts, including the one I am giving my cute husband! ONE: iDAD CARD TWO:SUPER GIFT CARD THREE: CORNY CUTENESS FOUR: TEENY TINY ...continue reading >>
Father’s Day Gift Guide
Can you believe it's June already? Yeah me either. And the fact that I'm going to have a baby in like FOUR weeks! (Insert terrified emoji here). Plus as if that's not enough excitement for you, because I know y'all are stressing and freaking out that I'm having a baby ;). But, it's also Father's Day soon. June 21st for those of you unaware (and let's be honest--I Googled it). So rather than stressing about what you're going to get the Fathers ...continue reading >>
10 Mother’s Day Gifts Under $20
Mother's Day is right around the corner, literally like a week away--crazy. This year is flying by! Don't you worry though, we've got you covered with ten fabulous Mother's Day gifts for under $20. So get your shop on for your Mama, Grandma, etc. or send it to your significant other, because heck knows they can use all the help they can get! ;) Personalized Phone Case. I mean this is just a win, win. Who doesn't need ...continue reading >>
Kid Friendly April Fools Jokes
April Fools Day might just be one of my favorites, because well--I think I'm pretty funny now, imagine how much I crack myself up on April 1st! I'm still scheming to come up with a fabulous prank to pull on my husband, so please share your best tricks in the comments, I'm struggling a little this year and need all the help I can get! However, as far as kid friendly pranks go we've come up with a pretty fabulous list if I do say so myself! ...continue reading >>
Free Valentine’s Day Printable Cards
Seriously, Valentine's Day is a favorite Holiday, mainly because I love pink and hearts, but that's fine right?! This year we wanted to do something special for y'all so we've teamed up with the ever so fabulous, Honey and Roses Press and have made you a free printable of four different Valentine's! They're adorable, and go perfect with a little box of candy or just by themselves! And plus, one, they're free, two, you can print them right here ...continue reading >>
