Hearty Potato and Ham Soup | Featuring Smithfield® Anytime Favorites® Diced Ham from Albertsons

Hearty Potato and Ham Soup | Featuring Smithfield® Anytime Favorites® Diced Ham from Albertsons

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Smithfield®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Oh fall, you’re so cozy! Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year… The leaves start to change, the air gets fresher and crisper and everything cools down a bit. Attitudes definitely shift for the better with these changes. And even though we don’t get the color changing leaves where I live in Arizona, I still feel the coziness of fall when I’m in the kitchen whipping up something hearty for my family.

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On Brand; notes

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On Brand; notes

A few months ago I talked with a John Hancock adviser about finances. A topic that I literally avoid at all cost. This year has toughened me up a bit and I realized it was time. I’m so happy that I finally did that, because it wasn’t that scary after all. I realized I never truly had education in that area and it was time to do a little organizing.

This inspired something bigger in me, though. I realized that I had been treating other parts of my business and my life like I had been treating my finances. Sure, I would buy nice things here and there, but nothing in my closet felt like me. The rise of fast fashion truly sucked me in. I’m not sure when it happened, but I think it was right after having Nixon and nothing would fit. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on clothes, so I was turning to fast fashion clothing to make me feel better about myself. That landed me here… mountains of clothing that is just not me. Lots of things that just do not spark joy.

Oral Health and Pregnancy: Preventing Premature Birth

Oral Health and Pregnancy: Preventing Premature Birth

Dr. Amanda Tavoularis (dentably.com)

 

If you’re pregnant have you thought about your oral health lately? While it’s one of the last things on a pregnant woman's mind, it’s just as important as any other health related issues. The fact is that over 40% develop gum disease during their pregnancy, and this is serious because gum disease can actually cause premature births.That’s a scary thought, but I’m here to help. I’ve been a dentist for over 20 years, and have worked with many women during their pregnancy. With these tips you can easily prevent gum disease during your pregnancy.

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Resort Overview | Featuring the Arizona Grand

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Resort Overview | Featuring the Arizona Grand

Last week I got to experience the beautiful Arizona Grand Resort located in Tempe, Arizona. I had heard of this iconic hotel since moving to Arizona, but it was one that I never truly got to explore until now.

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MitoQ Ingestible Beauty

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MitoQ Ingestible Beauty

This post in sponsored by MitoQ but all opinions are my own.

The older I get, the more I am reminded by my outer appearance of that fact. It seems like there’s nothing that will stop the inevitable; aging. While on my search for the fountain of youth, I came across research on the Coenzyme Q10.

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Trapp Premium Candles

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Trapp Premium Candles

I am getting so excited for the cooler temperatures that are upon us. With that, brings holiday excitement! Which is why I wanted to share one of my favorite candles with you guys!

When this high quality Trapp candle arrived to my home, I could already smell the fresh and cheerful fragrance outside of the shipping box. I knew that this candle was something special.

This post is sponsored by Trapp Fragrance via Babbleboxx. All opinions are my own.

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Girls Staycay | Featuring The Andaz Scottsdale

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Girls Staycay | Featuring The Andaz Scottsdale

The Andaz Scottsdale is such a sweet little place. Nestled close to one of Arizona’s most well-known mountains, it has unparalleled views of some of natures best work.

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Good Eats | Featuring Healthy Choice, Udi's Gluten Free, and Evol

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Good Eats | Featuring Healthy Choice, Udi's Gluten Free, and Evol

You guys know I love to eat healthy food! I like to keep my freezer stocked with good stuff for when I’m on the go or coming home from travel. Last year, I wrote a blog post on the items I like to keep frozen so I wanted to update that for you guys.

Some of my favorite healthy frozen brands are Healthy Choice, Udi’s Gluten Free, and Evol. So I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you today.

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Traveling With a Baby | Featuring The Emerald

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Traveling With a Baby | Featuring The Emerald

Traveling with a baby can seem like a daunting task, especially as new parents. I’m no expert in this field, but I’ve had several successful trips in the one year that I’ve had my little girl, as well as a couple of failed ones too! I wanted to share what works for us here as well as hopefully instill some confidence for you to travel with your kids as much as possible.

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Our Stay | The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

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Our Stay | The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

I have been fortunate enough to visit many Ritz-Carlton properties (we got engaged at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe), but this one is easily one of my very favorites. The beautiful surroundings, the amazing amenities and the top-of-line staff just can’t be beat. Of course, there’s a little nostalgia mixed in there too!

When Kevin would retreat here he would be busy pretty much all day. I’d make my way to the beautiful gym or down to the beach. Read a book, snack, stretch… you name it! When he would finish up, we would meet for a sunset cocktail and dinner, then we would head down to the beach to listen to the waves crash in. Those are some of my very favorite memories of the first few years of our relationship.

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Girls Staycay | Featuring The Royal Palms Resort & Spa

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Girls Staycay | Featuring The Royal Palms Resort & Spa

Mckenna and I decided on the Royal Palms in Phoenix for our little girls staycay. There are so many beautiful resorts in the area, but we especially love Royal Palms because of how beautiful it is. It’s so charming and quaint, it literally feels like you’re in Europe! I honestly forget that I’m still in Arizona, and I really don’t live far from the resort.

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8 Daily Tweaks That Make Your Life Better

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8 Daily Tweaks That Make Your Life Better

A few tweaks to my daily routine has helped me find a little more inner peace. I used to make time for all sorts of daily rituals that make me happy like reading, meditating, yoga, taking a bath, or going for a walk. However, having a kid really does throw a wrench in things (a good wrench, but a wrench nonetheless). Most of your day is highly unpredictable, making organization feel like a foreign country. So something as simple as scheduling in a few moments to yourself may help you like it does me.

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Happy Egg Co. Heritage Breed

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Happy Egg Co. Heritage Breed

Feeding my family nutritious food is a no-brainer. I love teaching Nixon about the healthiest and freshest options when it comes to eating! Heritage Breed eggs by Happy Egg are some of the freshest eggs I've ever tasted! But equally important is the sustainability of our foods. Happy Egg thrives under natural conditions and come from several small family farms throughout Missouri and Arkansas. 

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Neighborhood fave, T.Cook's gets a new chef!

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Neighborhood fave, T.Cook's gets a new chef!

T. Cook’s has been the go-to dining destination for more than two decades and Valley foodies have a whole new reason to visit now that Chef Alex Robinson has taken over as executive chef, bringing with him an exciting take on Mediterranean cuisine that combines his California sensibility with French techniques.

At 33, Chef Alex has worked in some of the country’s best five-star resort kitchens including The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago; Four Season Resort Jackson Hole, Four Seasons Hotel Denver, Four Seasons Hotel Boston and Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.

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Spa Overview | Featuring The Phoenician

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Spa Overview | Featuring The Phoenician

Other than the services, this beautiful spa (who recently went through an insane renovation) offers a sauna, steam, hot tub and resting room and obviously the gorgeous rooftop pool I mentioned earlier. I AM OBSESSED with this spa. I am going to be doing a full roundup of Phoenix spas asap, but I can tell you right now, this one is up there!