BOLD BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Family Hike with Cariloha

April 25, 2016September 4, 20172 Comments

Growing up, I remember dreading any time I had to go on a hike. Ha I don’t really know why, I was probably just being lazy. It always ended up being worth it to go! Well, fast forward to now and I love hiking. Not sure when the switch happened, but I’m glad it did. Thankfully, my girls also love it! Even though they are small, that is one of their favorite family activities.

When I got these new pieces from Cariloha’s Bamboo Fit collection, we thought it would be fun to shoot them at one of our favorite family hiking spots. It is so beautiful there, and of course, the girls were excited to go!

The pants, tank, and hoodie that I’m wearing are all made from bamboo! I remember going into a Cariloha store at one of our cruise ports in the Caribean. Everything in the store is so soft! That is how these pieces are as well. I wear this hoodie every chance I get. It is very lightweight, so it has been perfect for the spring!

These pants are also very soft, but honestly, a little thin for me. I ended up wearing some little shorts under them and it worked great. They do have a neat cooling effect that has made them really comfortable to run and hike in, especially in the afternoon heat! Cariloha has lots of options for clothing for the whole family, as well as bedding, bath, and more. All of it is incredibly soft!

I have taken a yoga class up here one time, and I feel like it is such an empowering place to practice. All the beauty around helps me feel grounded, and grateful.

Myla and I tried to do a pose together haha but we ended up just laughing instead!

We had so much fun on our family hike. I’m grateful for my cute monkeys, and our fun adventures! Enjoy your week, hope it’s an amazing one XO

Perfect Peach Dress

April 23, 2016September 4, 20179 Comments

Happy Saturday! We have had an amazing week full of sunshine. We planned to work on the garden and yard today, but it is pouring outside! Like run three feet to your car as fast as you can and you still get drenched pouring. I kind of love it. I think rain is so beautiful and it is one of my favorite sounds. It makes it hard to work on the yard, though!

Let’s flash back to a warmer time when I lived in this dress haha. I’m so excited to have it for this summer! I’ve said before that I love to wear dresses, but for the most part once I’m back home I change out of them to something a little more comfortable. I never do when I wear this one from Jane, though. Jane is a site that offers clothing, accesories, home decor, etc. at an amazing discount! I love shopping HERE!

This dress is such a fun color for the warmer season that I’m optimistic will be here for good soon! It is flowy, fun, the perfect length, high neck, I could go on. One of my favorite parts is that it has short sleeves, but they aren’t cap sleeves. They are a little longer, which I think is much more comfortable and flattering.

I also found these darling earrings on Jane! I love that they are larger but not heavy. They are lightweight, which makes it easy to wear them all day!

I hope you enjoy your weekend and all your dreams come true…AKA you get your to-do lists done! Thanks for reading XO

Johansen Camera Bag of my Dreams

April 22, 2016April 22, 20162 Comments

I have been looking for a camera and laptop bag for way too long! I fell in love with this one from Johansen, and I am so happy with it! For starters, it’s a backpack. I love that because I’m always carrying my baby on my hip, holding my daughter’s hand, and trying to do at least ten more things at the same time. The last thing I want is my bag with my camera and laptop falling off my shoulder to the ground!

Another thing I love about it is the side zipper that accesses the bottom half of the bag. You don’t even have to take your bag off , you can just unzip the side and grab your camera. I love that it keeps it separate and protected! The bag is very customizable, and comes with padded separators to keep everything safe and just how you want it.

My laptop fits perfectly in its own section, and the top half of the backpack has even more padded and customizable storage! I’m so excited to travel now. Ha I used to be so worried about making sure everything was well protected, but I don’t have to worry about that anymore!

Johansen Camera Bags (Jo Totes) has lots of other bags as well, and they are just as beautiful and functional! Find more HERE.

Hope you are having a wonderful week! It has been such lovely weather here, we are hoping to get our garden planted this weekend. I’d love to hear your plans! XO

The Necklace that Spoke to my Heart

April 14, 2016September 11, 20175 Comments

I first saw this necklace while looking through piece after piece of gorgeous jewelry from Roma Designer Jewelry. I was trying to choose pieces I loved and was excited to wear, but I wasn’t expecting to find something that spoke to my heart. In particular, my mother heart.

I was first drawn to it because of the beautiful Roman Glass, which I will tell you about in a bit. As I turned it over, however, I noticed a small coin on the back of the pendant. My friend explained to me that it was a Jewish bronze coin dated between 135B.C and 29A.D. The same type of coin described in the story of the “widow’s mite” found in Mark 12 of the Bible.

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

As I stared at this beautiful coin in my hand, I felt a wave of emotion connecting me to the woman described, as well as to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I began to cry as I reflected on my role as a mother, and how it, above all else in my life, has brought me closer to Him. There are often times in my journey through motherhood where I feel like I am giving my all, just as the widow did. Although my sacrifices are not always monetary, or even physical, the spiritual and emotional effort at times, are all I have to give. I look as well to the other mothers in my life and the incredible examples that they are of completely selfless love. It doesn’t always take all that I have, sometimes it feels like I am giving of my abundance. That is the beauty of it. For me, both represent that I’m not doing this alone, He is near.

The beauty of this necklace doesn’t stop there. Opposite the coin, as well as these earrings, contain Roman Glass and come with a certificate of authenticity that states, “Your jewelry is inlaid with a fragment of ancient glass, discovered in an archaeological excavation in the Holy Land. The ‘patina’ (exquisite surface coloring) was created by chemical interaction with mineral-rich soil over the course of 2000 years.” Find the necklace by going HERE and searching “widow’s mite” Search “roman glass” to find the earrings and other stunning pieces.

The “patina” described gives the glass such a beautiful shimmer. Both pieces are also set in sterling silver. I love them, I cherish them, and I am grateful for the reminder they give me to give my all everyday. It is always worth it.

Photography by my sweet friend Stayc Smart @staycsmartphotography and www.staycsmartphotography.com

Have a wonderful week, XO

Anniversary Trip and a Rad Swimsuit

March 7, 20162 Comments

A couple weeks ago, Brian and I were able to sneak away for an anniversary trip to this gorgeous town in Idaho! I was honestly blown away by how beautiful the mountains were, the river running through it, and the incredible wildlife. I already want to go back!

We had no idea when we decided to go last minute, that there was a winterfest going on that weekend. We ended up missing most of it, except for chicken poop (ahem…they used a different word here) bingo. Yes, you read that right. They set out a bingo board and let chicken loose to choose the squares in the most bizarre way possible. Haha…like what?!?! Anyway, back to this beautiful view 🙂

The hotel we stayed in had a private hot springs that has a view of the incredible Sawtooth Mountains. All the heart eyes. We had to walk across a snowy field to get to the hot springs. Ha thankfully my hoodie from Rad Swim is so thick and warm! I thought I was going to freeze to death!

Speaking of Rad Swim…this suit is my favorite one piece I have ever owned! I always have a problem with them being long enough and this is the first one that I don’t feel like I have to battle the whole time I wear it. We even got a little crazy and did some yoga haha!

The hot springs were inside this cute little building!

This suit though…the fringe, details, and open back are too cute to pass up. I honestly love it!

Such an incredible weekend! Thank you to Rad Swim for the suit and thank you to my husband for being the man of my dreams! Have a wonderful week XO

Comfy Maxi Dress from PinkBlush Boutique

February 22, 2016September 11, 20172 Comments

I love wearing fancy dresses from time to time, but some days I just need a more practical option! Chasing my girls around the park and running errands call for a comfy maxi dress!

This dress from PinkBlush is great because it has short sleeves for the afternoon and can be paired with a light jacket in the morning or evening when it gets a little chilly. The dress is so lightweight, and like I’ve said before, comfortable!

I love that wearing a dress like this can effortlessly make you feel so put together! ShopPinkBlush has so many cute dresses for women, including this comfy maxi dress in multiple colors.

Thank you for stopping by! Hope you are enjoying the sunshine that I am loving over here! XO

Thank you to PinkBlush for sponsoring this post!

Snowy Getaway with Arvo

February 17, 2016February 17, 2016Leave a comment

I am so grateful the snow has finally melted and the weather is warming up! I’m definitely a summer girl. However, this past weekend we decided to take our girls up to stay in a cabin and enjoy the mounds of snow still found in the mountains. It was so nice! We had no cell service, or internet connection, so we were truly unplugged. It felt wonderful to reconnect as a family! We went sledding for hours, cuddled, and sipped hot cocoa. Not many things beat that.

While we were up there I was so grateful to have my Arvo watch, especially since I didn’t have my phone to find out what time it was. I haven’t worn a watch in years because I am usually so picky about them! I miss wearing one, so I’m happy I have found one I love. The sleek, minimalistic style is what drew me to this watch. It goes with just about everything and is comfortable too! Not only that, but the company itself is also incredible.

This scarf is the same one from this post. I’m totally loving it right now! Hope you had a wonderful Valentines and Presidents’ Day! Enjoy your week! XO

Thank you to Arvo for sponsoring this post.

Stripes and a Scarf

February 12, 2016September 11, 20173 Comments

Oh my goodness! I’m so excited that we are starting to get glimpses of spring here. I crave the warm weather, and I’m usually over winter after only a couple of weeks. With the weather transitioning, I always find it hard to plan my outfits. In the morning it still feels like you need a winter coat and by the afternoon you are ready to bust out the flip flops and shorts! The best thing I’ve found to stay comfortable all day is an amazing scarf. So nice when you are a little chilly, but not uncomfortable as it warms up. This one from Piper Street is perfection. So cozy and versatile. I love it! It also pairs so well with this striped top. This top is the softest. I love how it has a little stretch, but keeps its shape! Sometimes I’m afraid to mix patterns, but it’s fun to coordinate when you put these colors together!

These jeans and booties are also from Piper Street and I wear them on repeat! For real, like every day. I love them both. Comfortable enough to run errands in, and cute enough for a night out!

View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/savanahbigboldbeautifullife

Have an amazing Valentine’s weekend! XO

Thank you to Stayc Smart Photography find her on instagram @staycsmartphotography

Thank you to Piper Street for sponsoring this post!

Seaport Stitches

February 7, 2016February 12, 2016Leave a comment

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I remember the moment I realized how important my diaper bag would be and how much I instantly cared so much about it! I needed it to be so many things, but most of all, I needed it to look amazing. It wasn’t until after I had my baby that I realized the functionality is just as important. I wish I had this bag and clutch from Seaport Stitches when I started my mom journey! I have been obsessing over it from afar for a long time and now I get compliments on it daily. It definitely checks the “looks amazing” box! The best part about it, though, it also checks the functionality box! Some of my favorite features include the zipper across the top (keeping those sweet baby hands from emptying it all day) the pockets lining the inside, the large outside pockets, and best of all-> the convertible strap. It can be a backpack or a messenger bag style just by adjusting the clips. I never knew I could be so in love with a backpack!

My other new obsession is my diaper clutch. I almost can’t believe how much I love it. My favorite part (other than how stinkin cute it is) is the built in pocket for wipes! No more carrying around a separate wipe container, and diapers, and a wallet, and your phone, and your lipgloss, and your keys…goodness! This beauty fits IT ALL in one darling little package. I carry it with me all the time and when I also need toys, food, books, blankets (I could go on and on) I just throw it in my diaper bag as well. Honestly, it has made those quick trips to the store, school, or friend’s house so much nicer! They come in lots of cute designs too. Love love love! Make sure you check out these bags, they sell out crazy fast. I can totally see why!

Hope you enjoy your day! XO Thank you to Seaport Stitches for sponsoring this post! Also, thank you to Stayc Smart Photography for the photos. Check her out on instagram @staycsmartphotography

Fishtailing with Penny+Boss

February 4, 2016September 11, 20173 Comments

If you know me, you know I love a good braid! They are always a good idea in any season. A fishtail is such a classic and a favorite of mine for sure. Another favorite of mine is Suzy from Penny+Boss! If you haven’t read their blog, you better get over there quick. You are missing out, they are the cutest. So! Back to the fishtail…I decided to do this braid on Suzy and I’m going to walk you through it! You can fishtail by moving the hair over top of the braid, but for this one I chose to move the hair underneath. It creates a lifted braid (so the braid rests on top of the hair) if that makes sense!

Part your hair off to one side, and begin your braid close to your part. Take a small section and split it into two-A and B. Take half of A and move it underneath and add it to B. Then take half of B and move it underneath and add it to A. Again, take half of A and move it underneath to B. Now take a small piece of hair(not already in the braid) from that same side and also move that underneath to B. Then, move half of B under to A. Grab extra hair(not in the braid) and also move that under to A. Repeat this a hundred times 🙂 Make sure you are always moving a piece from A to B or vice versa BEFORE you add in hair from the rest of your head. If you don’t, your braid will be all kinds of crazy. Keep the braid as tight as you can while braiding. Braid as far as you like then tie it off. Gently pull on the sides of the braid to loosen it and make it larger. Hairspray, and you are done! I love to wear this with all my hair in the braid, like Suzy is here, but I also love to stop it around my ear and pin it back, leaving the rest of my hair down.

I’m thinking I’ll make a video for this look soon and let you know when it’s up! Thank you for reading 🙂 XO