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Kids sponsor

How to spark your kids curiosity and creativity with Google Kids Space

This post in in partnership with Google Kids Space. All opinions are my own.

My daughter is in 2nd grade and she loves to read, write and draw and I love finding things that help her grow in those areas. I was recently introduced to Google Kids Space* which is a kids mode on select Android tablets with content to help your child discover, create, and grow.

It is designed to spark your kid’s curiosity and creativity, inspiring them to explore their interests through a library of quality content with apps, games, books, and videos.

mom and daughter looking at tablet

I have been wanting to get Layla her own tablet as it’s nice for her to have something just for her and I love that all the content in Google Kids Space is geared towards her and her own interests.

When we first set up the experience she was so excited to be able to choose her own interests (she chose animals, princesses, arts & crafts, and music) and then she even got to create her own special character! With over 1,000 inclusive customization choices, from skin color to hair styles and accessories to prosthetics, they can create a unique character that represents them (and change it at any time).

google kids space character

How to use Google Kids Space

Google Kids Space has 5 tabs that kids can tap through and explore on their own. They are Home, Play, Read, Watch and Make.

Home: is a great starting point, it shows you recommendations of what to read, watch, etc.. and then also has child-friendly jokes and fun facts! The character that your child creates is on the home tab and Layla loves to change out the clothes, hair and accessories often, usually based on what she is wearing that day.

google kids space play tab

Play: Shows recommended apps and games for kids that were reviewed by children’s education and media experts. Parents can also add additional apps here along with apps like Zoom and Google Classroom which is what Layla’s school uses so it’s a great way to keep us connected with her school work as well.

Read: This tab has a ton of books that kids can choose from! These are all free books that were selected by experts and some are specially licensed to Google Kids Space and otherwise would not be freely accessible. Just like in the Play tab, you can download additional books that will show up in this section.

Watch: Here you can find recommended videos from YouTube Kids. I like that the videos are in line with what Layla already likes to watch and because they show her videos that she’s already interested in, she’s not searching or browsing around trying to find a video to watch.

Make: This tab is also about creativity and play! There are recommended videos from YouTube Kids with projects to create, draw or even fun science projects.

Mom and daughter holding android tablet

Fun (and age appropriate) apps, videos and books

Layla loves everything on Google Kids Space but she has especially enjoyed browsing the videos on the Make tab. From drawing videos to science projects, it’s been wonderful for her to flex her creative muscle through the videos in that tab. 

Drawing is one of her favorite things to do and I have liked that exploring this interest with Google Kids Space has provided her with even more ideas of what to draw to ignite her imagination. But I also love that there are activities for the two of us to do together like the science projects  where I’m able to talk with her about the process and what she learns from each project.

Another favorite are the games and apps that are all so fun and engaging! I love that they are all exactly what she is interested in and that she can find a new app to play with often. She has her favorites that she wants to play daily, but I like that she was able to find some new games to play or apps to download that I felt comfortable with her using because they all have been pre- vetted by teachers and children’s media experts.

I was so impressed that Google took that step to work with experts so that the apps and books are age-appropriate while still being fun and engaging. Plus, it’s one less thing I have to worry about as a parent!

Lastly, since Layla and I read together every night before bed, we are always looking for new books to read. Google Kids Space makes it so easy for us to find new books to read that we may not have discovered otherwise. Layla loves it so much that after we finish a book, she always wants to pick out another book to read right away!

While Layla can read, I also appreciate that the books section has different aspects to make it easier for kids to read on their own. Two of my favorites are the read along function where a book can be read to your child with the words lighting up as it’s read and even a kids-focused dictionary so that kids can look up words they’re confused about and receive a child-friendly definition.

google kids space dashboard

Family Link Parental controls

A great feature for parents is the parental controls that you can set through the Family Link app from Google. It’s easy to set up and then you can manage things like your child’s screen time limits, which apps they can download and even find your child’s device location. There is a section dedicated to Google Kids Space settings, too.

I also like that I could set up two profiles so although, Layla is the one who mostly uses the tablet, I can easily change it I also like that I could set up two profiles on the tablet so although Layla is the one who mostly uses the tablet, I can easily change it to Edie’s profile, which is set up for her preferences and with apps/games/books that are age-appropriate for her! I can then manage her settings separately within the Family Link app. Such a great feature for parents of multiple kids!

For me, what she learns in school is very important and it’s up to me and my husband to continue to cultivate that at home. Google Kids Space is a great way to keep her interested in all those things that she learns in school as well as gives her new inspiration and ideas!

Learn more about Google Kids Space here and find a list of compatible devices here.

* Kids Space requires a Google Account for your child. Parental controls require the Family Link app on a suppoed Android, Chromebook, or iOS device. Books and video content not available in all regions. Video content subject to availability of YouTube Kids app. Books content requires the Play Books app. Availability of apps, books, and video content may change without notice.

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food seattle sponsor

My favorite Family Friendly Seattle area Restaurants

I grew up and have lived all over the Seattle area. From the Eastside to downtown Seattle, West Seattle and North Seattle and with my extended family in South Seattle, I am very familiar with restaurants all over the greater Seattle area! My family and I love food and we love finding small restaurants in every neighborhood to enjoy.

With the pandemic, supporting small restaurants and small businesses is more important than ever and I have tried to do my best by ordering take out directly from them or purchasing gift cards to some of our regular restaurants.

Now that WA state has opened back up and restaurants are able to run at full capacity again it’s been fun to go out and eat at the restaurants as well! I’ve really enjoyed all the new outdoor seating that a lot of restaurants have been able to add and appreciate that they have been taking the safety of their employees and customers seriously.

This post is sponsored by WA Dept of Health. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support!

Even though I am young and healthy, I got vaccinated as soon as I could as I wanted to help do my part in protecting my community. It also helped give me some comfort in knowing that I could go out and enjoy eating at my favorite restaurants as that is one of my favorite things to do as well as having date nights with my husband.

The COVID-19 virus is still spreading, even among younger people. By getting the COVID-19 vaccine, even if you’re healthy, you’re playing an important role in helping stop the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities.

My Favorite Seattle area Restaurants

One of my top questions that I get often is where to eat at while visiting Seattle so I thought I’d share just a few restaurants that we absolutely love.

I’ll also mention that although I love downtown, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne (the regular Seattle hotspot) restaurants, the ones I’m sharing today are on the Eastside and North of Seattle, which I find to be easier on families with small children as parking and kids menus are a lot easier to come by!

Joe’s Burgers

I love taking the kids to The Village at Totem Lake and Joe’s Burgers is great for kids and adults. Everything is freshly made and oh man those french fries are some of the best!

For dessert, stop by Salt & Straw, just a short walk away for some of the best and unique ice cream flavors!

Boiling Point

If you love hot pot, this is the place to go! I love that they do individual hot pots and rather than a traditional hot pot where you choose each item that you want, these are pre-set flavors and ingredients and all of them are amazing! Below I had the Taiwanese Spicy and my husband had the Milk Cream Curry.

They have several locations around the Seattle area. I do find that they are always pretty busy at all locations so be prepared to wait for a table at peak times.

Mochinut

If you’ve never had a mochi donut before, you gotta try one! They are so light and chewy, less sweet than a regular donut but just as yummy! Mochinut has a lot of great flavors that change daily. Below is the hazelnut, strawberry and cheesecake flavors.

The shop in Edmonds is connected with Happy Lemon which is also a great spot for bubble tea!

Fire & The Feast

My husband and I love Italian food, especially hand made pastas and wood fired pizza and these are some of the best in Seattle. We also love the downtown Edmonds area as it’s close to the water with a ton of great restaurants and boutiques.

Other favorites in the Edmonds area by the same chef are The Market, Salt & Iron and Bar Dojo. They are all beyond amazing and the Edmonds waterfront is also a great place to take a walk after dinner.

The Bine

Downtown Bothell has a lot of great restaurants and The Bine makes the top of our list. Everything that we have tried there is so good, especially the burger but I also have to give a shout out to the Pho’rench Dip it is simply amazing and something I’ve never had before!

I highly encourage you all to go out and enjoy your favorite restaurants and small businesses to help support them through these tough times and at the same time, to also encourage everyone to get vaccinated so that these small restaurants can continue operating so that we can all continue to enjoy them!

One other thing that everyone can do to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is to Activate WA Exposure Notifications (WA Notify) on your Apple or Android phone.

WA Exposure Notifications (also known as WA Notify) allows users to find out if they’ve had an exposure to COVID-19 without sharing any personal information and anonymously alert those they have come into contact with if they test positive

The more people who use exposure notification, the greater the benefit and is simply an easy way for all of us to help slow the spread in Washington state.

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Cricut Kids sponsor

The ultimate road trip survival kits for kids

Let’s be real here, even a short car ride can be quite the adventure with a toddler, so even thinking of a long road trip is a thought I didn’t even want to entertain until recently.

But with summer here and wanting to take a family vacation, and now being road trip season, we decided to just go for it and head out for a long drive to somewhere fun!

If you are planning your next road trip with kids, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for tips on how to make the best car survival kits for kids that will keep them entertained for the long drive ahead and that the whole family will love!

This post contains affiliate links. By using my links to shop I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

When we first started planning, I knew that I was going to have to be creative with the kids on how to keep them entertained especially on long car rides and to ensure that we would all have a great time, even in the car. I stocked up on a couple of coloring books, activity books, road trip games and even a DVD player, but it was getting a bit messy and unmanageable.

DIY Road Trip Survival kit for toddlers and kids

That’s when I thought of putting together a road trip survival kit! I wanted each girl to have their own box with toys, books and activities that suited their interested and needs but could also keep everything together.

I’ve definitely been in the position of not being able to hand things over from the front seat to the backseat as my car is big and my arms are short, especially with them still being in car seats. I thought it would be a great idea to give them something that they could easily access and manage, especially for the long drive.

Car survival kit Basics

I didn’t want to spend a lot of money so I stocked up on everything from the dollar store and amazon. I stuck with things that were small or easy to transport so like for notebooks and books, I looked for ones on the thinner side that would be easier for my little one to flip through.

I recommend getting a small plastic tub that will be easy for you to store in the backseat or an easy reach for you. And also for your kids to carry in their laps and be able to find things quickly.

These ideas are great for younger kids and older kids. Just buy items that each kid is interested in but you can keep the tubs/pouches the same. The best part is that you can really personalize each kit to each kid and with all of these things to keep them entertained it gives us moms a peace of mind that they won’t be indulging in too much screen time!

What to buy for your road trip car survival kit

  • Books – coloring books, activity books
  • Playing cards
  • Stickers, sticker books
  • Markers, crayons, pencils, pens
  • Travel journal
  • Art Supplies
  • Snacks

Personalized Car Survival Kits to keep kids entertained

I thought it would be a fun idea to make each kit personal for both my girls, so I got my Cricut Explore 3 to make some labels for pouches and the tubs!

I separated out the items that would work for each girl. Since my oldest is really into drawing, I wanted to make sure she had her own pouch with just her drawing materials.

Some of the pouches were to share, like the stickers and coloring pouches but I wanted to keep everything labeled so that they would play with one pouch at a time and then when they were done, it would be easy for us to sort and put away.

Supplies to personalize your road trip survival kit:

How to make personalized labels using the Cricut Explore 3

For this project, I logged into Cricut Design Space and used the font “Honey Syrup”. I highly recommend joining Cricut Access so you can choose from 500+ fonts!

Type out the labels that you’d like and make sure to measure the items that you’ll be labeling so you can get the exact measurement that you will need.

Load the vinyl into the machine and let the Cricut do it’s magic!

Once it’s done, weed out the background from the letters. Place the transfer tape on top using the scraper tool. Then you’ll just place the label onto your items, remove the transfer tape and you’ll have your personalized pouches!

DIY Travel Snack Box for Kids

It’s not a road trip without road trip snacks! To keep from having to constantly open different bags and pass around snacks, I created a little snack box that the kids could easily open and snack on whatever they wanted!

This was actually my kids favorite things out of the whole road trip survival kit! They just loved being able to control which snacks that they could eat and not have to keep asking for different things.

It also made it so that they didn’t fight over things since they each had their own box!

I recommend getting some foods that are not in packages for easy access but I also recommend getting some food like granola bars or fruit snacks that can keep for a bit longer in case they don’t eat it all right away. It’s easy to pack snacks in a larger bag and do a quick refill whenever you need.

Don’t forget these family road trip essentials!

Other important things to include in your road trip, a water bottle for each kid, hand sanitizer, trash bags and a first aid kit! If you have a baby, don’t forget the diaper bag, changing pad and a travel pack of baby wipes!

I love having these little road trip kits for a 1 hour drive to even short day trips. If you are planning to stay at a hotel, these are great to take into the hotel room to keep the kid occupied as well. I didn’t show it here but because the tubs are big enough, you can also pack little toys for the kids that they can play with too.

This was such a fun project for me to make and so much fun for my kids! Now we are really looking forward to heading out and the girls can’t wait to try out their new road trip survival kits. I know that having these fun activities prepared for them, we are on the road to a successful road trip!

Categories
crafts sponsor

Cricut Explore 3 review: the best cutting & craft machine

The new Cricut Explore 3 is here! It’s available now on the Cricut store. If you’ve never used the Cricut before or even if you have, and are interested in what this new machine is all about, you are in the right place!

I’ve been testing out the new Cricut Explore 3 and I wanted to share how someone like me – a beginner Cricut user, is able to use it, what I love about it and why it may be the right machine for you!

This post is in partnership with Cricut. All opinions are my own.

The Explore is actually Cricut’s best selling machine and now with the new Cricut Explore 3 it does all of the same but is smarter and faster than before.

What Can the Cricut Explore 3 do?

A lot of people think of the Cricut as a cutting machine, but it does so much more! It can cut, write, draw, score, and foil with over 100+ different compatible materials!

A few projects that I have made are banners, signs, stickers, custom coasters, custom t-shirts and lots of cute decor for my home and my kids rooms! Honestly there are so many things you can make that I couldn’t possibly list them all!

Features for the Cricut Explore 3

  • Explore 3 works with six tools (sold separately) so you can cut, write, score, and embellish.
  • Cut 100+ materials including cardstock, vinyl, HTV, and poster board.
  • With Smart Materials, making is easier than ever: just load and go, no mat needed.

Not having to use the mat makes projects go by so fast. I love that they also have this roll holder which can keep your rolls aligned and has a built in trimmer to make it even easier!

Tips for the beginner Cricut User

Practice doing easy small projects – Don’t go for a multi-layered vinyl on a unusually shaped object. Start with cutting your name on vinyl, or printing and cutting a sticker. There is learning curve to it, however once you get started, it’s definitely easy to pick up.

Cricut Design Space – The software for using your cricut is great as it’s fairly easy to use. It will give you ideas to start with, as well as easy instructions on exactly what materials you will need. If you have an iPad, I highly recommend using it with Design Space as it makes designing and making so fast and easy. But it’s still a breeze if you are using your computer as well!

Unlimited Access to images + fonts – I highly recommend subscribing to Cricut Access even for one month, to get access to the 150,000+ images and 500+ fonts and 1000+ ready-to-make projects. Having that access really helped me understand how to use the Cricut better and when it came to creating my own projects, it made it that much more easier!

Something not making sense? – Because there are different techniques to each project you make, there might be things that can be confusing. If you don’t understand something, watch Youtube videos! There are so many creators out there with very helpful videos on how to do everything on the Cricut. Sometimes just watching someone else do it, makes it easier to understand.

What I love about the Cricut Explore 3

Easy to use and fast – Like so insanely fast you won’t believe your eyes. It can cut things out so quick which means your projects get done so much faster. As soon as you pick out your project and have it ready in design space, all you do is load up the machine with the materials you are using and once you hit the “go” button, it does all the work for you.

Set up is a breeze – I pulled it out of the box and all I had to do was plug it in and then connect my iPad to it via bluetooth. It was done in 5 minutes or less!

Aesthetically pleasing – because it’s a pretty large machine, most people will keep the Cricut out, especially if you use it often. I love that it’s not some giant ugly machine that has to sit out and instead it’s a beautiful mint color and when you close it up, it’s small and sleek and just goes with your decor!

As you can see above, the Cricut Explore 3 is slightly smaller than the Cricut Maker and I think it’s a great size that you can keep out and it doesn’t get in the way.

No mat needed – This is a huge one because it means that I can cut out larger things without having to worry about the width of the mat and trying to piece things together. It can cut the entire roll up to 12 feet!

Variety of materials – For the smart materials, you can use everything from iron on and vinyl and my favorite, the sticker cardstock. I made this Cutie Buddy (find the pattern and instructions right in Design Space) in less than 10 minutes, including all the prep, cutting and putting him together!

Is the Cricut Explore 3 worth buying?

YES! If you are a beginner to an expert Cricut user, you will love all the new features and benefits of this new machine. I love how fast it cuts and how I can create so many projects with it. It’s a great price point when you think about how much you can make from it. You can buy the Cricut Explore 3 from the Cricut Store and don’t forget to check out the smart materials as well!

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fathers day sponsor

The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide 2021

Shopping for your dad or husband for Father’s day? You’ve found the right place as here is the ultimate Father’s Day gift guide that dad will love!

We’ve got you covered to keep your dad stylish with come great clothes and shoes! And if your dad is a golfer or outdoor guy, I’ve picked out some great things that I know he will love. Everything here is from Dick’s Sporting Goods and one of my favorite places to pick up things for my husband and my dad! They have everything and it’s a great one stop shop whether you are buying clothes to golf clubs, you can get it all there!

This post is sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support!

Keep your dad in style with these father’s day gifts

If your husband or dad needs a wardrobe update for the summer, check out these great tops and tees that dad can wear for work or the weekends. A stylish button down is always a good gift as well as a comfy tee or hoodie.

father's day clothing gifts

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THE BEST RUNNING SHOES FOR DAD

Running shoes are such a great gift as they will get worn a ton! Even if the man in your life is not into running, these are great for other activities as well. I like to stick with black or gray shoes as they tend to go with most colors that men wear. They can wear them while working out but these look great with jeans as well.

father's day running shoes gift ideas

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TRENDY SHOES FOR A HIP DAD

If you are looking for some great everyday shoes, these are it! I love the black and red nike sneakers and the slides are a great summer sandal that he’ll want to wear every day.

father's day lifestyle shoes gift ideas

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GOLF DAD GIFT IDEAS

With this warm weather, it is defintely golfing season so if your husband or dad is a golfer, surprise him with some new golf gear! I got my dad some new golf clothes (it’s important to him to look nice while golfing!) and shoes and I know that he’ll get a lot of use out them since he plays golf a few times a week!

golf dad gift ideas for father's day

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BACKYARD DAD GIFT IDEAS

If your husband is like mine and loves to hang out in the backyard, here is the ultimate gifts to give to the backyard dad! a Nice grill is an essential of course and add in a nice chair and some backyard games and you are set! Don’t forget the cooler for his ice cold drinks!

backyard dad gift ideas for father's day

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I hope this gave you some ideas on what to get your dad! Happy father’s day to all the dad’s out there!

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family Kids sponsor

Family Friendly Summer Activities in Washington state

It’s been such an interesting year with all of us being at home, wearing masks when we go out and working at home and virtual school for the kids. But the biggest impact to us is not being able to see family! I’ve always been very close to my family and my parents love spending time with their grandkids.

As soon as the COVID-19 vaccine was available for my parents, they made an appointment at their nearest clinic.   My kids made a countdown calendar of how many days left until they could see grandma and grandpa! After being apart for over a year, it was amazing to finally have a timeline of when we could see them safely and spend time together.

This post is sponsored by WA Dept of Health. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support!

My husband and I got vaccinated when we were eligible and I just have to mention how impressed I was with how easy it was to get an appointment and how organized the process was! They really make it easy for everyone to get vaccinated which I appreciate.

We hadn’t seen my brother and his family all year either, even though they live close by. So as soon as we were all vaccinated, we had to plan a family outing!

It was such an amazing feeling to finally be all together. The weather even cooperated for us to enjoy a day out and it totally felt like things were “normal” again!

I’m sure that I’m not the only one that is excited for the prospect of getting everything back to normal. Getting the vaccine isn’t just about protecting myself, but getting most of us vaccinated is one of the best ways out of this pandemic and it’s one of the only things standing in the way of getting back to many of the things we love to do.

With the summer coming up, I’m looking forward to getting out and doing lots of fun things together and make great memories along the way!

If you are the same and looking for some great summer activities to do with your family, here’s a list to start you out!

Family Friendly Summer Activities in Washington

There’s so much to do in Washington that I could not possibly list them all but these activities are things that my family loves doing again and again and our highly recommended by both kids and adults!

Woodland park Zoo

We love going to the zoo and no better time than now! In our experience, with timed tickets, there have been less crowds (make sure to reserve tickets in advance!) which means you don’t have to wait for your turn at seeing the animals!

The Museum of Flight

With the museum being indoors, this is a great spot if the weather isn’t cooperating but still so much fun! They also have timed tickets to limit the crowds which is so nice! Reserve your tickets online and get $5 Off General Admission every Monday in June!

Berry picking

My favorite thing to do with my kids is to take them to the farms that we have around the state. Berry picking is so fun for everyone. My kids LOVE eating berries so it’s a win win to have them help pick them and then get to enjoy them at home!

  • Mountainview Berry Farm – Blueberry picking starts in July. They also have a sunflower event later in the season where you can take photos with the flowers and pick blueberries! 
  • Bailey Family Farm – you can pick a variety of produce from here! From strawberries and raspberries to lettuce and snap peas! Make sure to check their website for their calendar to see what you can pick at the farm.
  • Biringer Farm – berries, berries and more berries! We love this berry farm and you can pick a variety of berries all throughout the summer!

I can’t wait to do all of this and more with not only my parents and family but also with my vaccinated friends! I’m truly looking forward to seeing everyone again and knowing that we are all doing our part and getting the vaccine.

Community immunity is how we beat this virus. To get there, more than 70% of us need to be vaccinated. Getting the vaccine is something that we can all do to help protect the community. The sooner we all get the COVID-19 vaccine, the sooner we get back to normal. To learn more – visit covidvaccinewa.org.

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home Kids sponsor

How to have the best backyard picnic ever!

Spending time in our backyard is one of our family’s favorite things to do! And of course, when the sun comes out, we are pretty much out there all day! The kids absolutely love running around and playing but I still like to have lots of activities to keep them busy.

Summer is definitely our favorite time as we get to spend so much time together as a family. I’m excited to have small gatherings with my parents and my siblings this summer since we didn’t get to see each other much this past year! I love to pull together some fun things to do when we get together and a backyard picnic is something that is fun and easy to pull together.

This post contains affiliate links. By using my links to shop I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

My favorite place to shop for everything outdoor is Target! They have so many great things, from all the stuff that kids love like pools, sprinklers and outdoor toys to gorgeous outdoor furniture. Plus I love that I can stock up on all my grocery essentials there as well!

Easy DIY Backyard picnic Idea

Your kids are going to love having a backyard picnic! And it’s so easy to do!

mom and daughters enjoying a backyard picnic

I set up an outdoor rug and picnic blanket and scored the cutest outdoor dining essentials from Target. These bowls and tray make everything easy to prep and fun for the kids to snack on.

Add a few fun activities like a sprinkler, bubbles and a pool and you and your kids are going to have the best time! You really don’t need much as just being outside is always fun, but having these few key things will really help everyone have a great time.

I love being able to get everything for our backyard at Target. My kids just love the outdoor toys and I am obsessed with the outdoor furniture and decor!

Outdoor furniture can be so pricey but I’ve found some of the best pieces that are super affordable and look amazing! It’s also so easy to add personal touches to your outdoor decor with plants and pillows that are not only comfy but cute!

Snack Ideas for your backyard Picnic

While I was at Target, I picked up mine and my kids favorite snacks to create the perfect little snacking station at our picnic!

Get a mix of fruit, some easy to eat snacks (chips and salsa are always a winner at my house!) and of course, don’t forget to grab some cute cups for your drinks!

To say I’m obsessed with Target is an understatement! I’m there at least once a week and I buy everything there! I can always find great styles and a huge selection of items at really affordable prices!

You can find everything mentioned in this post, including my and my girls dresses linked below!