Posts in Lifestyle
Top 50 Questions About Surrogacy Answered

You may know me as the blogger who travels all over California, but I actually do have a full-time office job working as a Marketing Manager for a Northern California surrogacy agency. I wanted to write this blog post because there are so many questions and concerns that potential surrogates have and the information available online is very limited.

I’ve seen so many happy families with their surrogacy babies and I know there are many more women out there who would make excellent surrogates. In general there’s a shortage of qualified surrogates compared to the amount of Intended Parents waiting to get matched.

So buckle up! All of the conversations I’ve heard happen behind closed doors I’m putting in this blog post because information is power. Your top 50 surrogacy questions answered with all brutal honesty I can muster. If there’s something holding you back from filling out a surrogacy application, hopefully I can address your concern and put your mind at ease.

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Sparkling Blood Orange and Lavender Cocktail (Plus a Mocktail Version!)

This light and aromatic cocktail recipe is a delight for the senses. The blood orange adds a sweet and tart zing, while the lavender and vanilla are fresh and botanical. For the for the piest de resistance, we used fresh lavender that cut ourselves on a California lavender farm.

This summer cocktail is perfect for any warm weather gathering such as the 4th of July or a grown-up birthday party. Your guests will love this smooth and refreshing cocktail which you can serve with a small food bites on a charcuterie board.

For this cocktail recipe we partnered with the expert mixologists from The Mixer who helped us deliver this elegant and elevated cocktail (and mocktail) recipe.

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10 Easy Ways to Sunday Reset to Start Your Week Right

After a long week, your brain can feel frazzled and your body may feel physically exhausted. Once you get to Sunday, the idea of doing it all again next week might overwhelm you. Take a pause, and let’s reset.

Tackling a big week might seem daunting, but using Sunday to reset your body, space, and mind might just be the answer. A Sunday reset routine can help set you up for a successful upcoming week. This article will help you reset your body, mind, and spirit. Use this list to help you get started on a successful Sunday reset!

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Top 10 Low-Maintenance Houseplants that Are Nearly Impossible to Kill

When it comes to indoor plants, let’s face it – everybody loves them! They can spruce up a place and make it look more welcoming, warm, and filled with positive energy.

However, not everyone has a knack for keeping houseplants. I have to admit that I have unintentionally killed my fair share of potted plants. I have no problems caring for my human children and my dog, but for some reason my plant babies never seen to survive more than a couple months.

For this blog post I sought out the expert advice of a botanist who could provide valuable advice and knowledge to those of us who are not born with a green thumb. Below you’ll find a list of low-maintenance houseplants that can still flourish with forgetful and preoccupied caretakers.

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40 Bucket List Things To Do Before You Turn 40

So, your 40th birthday is on the horizon. Congrats! You might feel a little bewildered about this next chapter, wondering whether you’re still considered young (or over the hill). Is it time for your mid-life crisis yet? Hint - you’re as young as you feel!

Regardless, turning 40 is a remarkable milestone. It is time to reflect on your life, the past as well as the future. If you’ve been living all footloose and fancy-free, maybe it’s time to finally start β€œadulting” and working towards big goals and building a sustainable future. 

Where your 30th birthday was about saying goodbye to the wild days of your 20s and entering the β€œ30, flirty and thriving era”, your 40th birthday is going to be more about creating the ideal life for yourself with all the life experiences and wisdom you’ve gained.

I myself am turning 37 years old on my next upcoming birthday. I will admit that the second half of my 30’s really snuck up on me, but I’m doing my best to embrace this new era of womanhood. This blog post is not only things to do on your 40th birthday, but also how to approach midlife with gusto and zest for life.

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10 Adult Slumber Party Ideas for the Perfect Girls Sleepover

Having a sleepover as a tween or teenager was a rite of passage for many of us American girls. They usually involve snacks, movies, makeovers, and talking for hours about crushes. It’s an easy way of having fun and a great bonding experience.

But the fun doesn’t have to stop in adulthood. Grown women can still have sleepovers and connect, just like in the old days. While it may look a little different than when you were 13, sleepovers can form a fun part of celebrating everything from birthday milestones to graduations and bridal and bachelorette parties.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and nostalgic way to hang out with your girlfriends, then you’ve come to the right place!

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Buy a House in a Year - A Complete Checklist to Buying Your First Home

For years my husband and I were paying high rent costs for our tiny apartment in San Francisco. All the photos in this blog post were taken during our last year of renting. While we loved living in the city, we knew eventually we would be moving into the suburbs to buy a house and start a family.

One day we received a letter from our landlord that our rent would be going up again, and this was the kick in the pants we needed to lay out the groundwork to homeownership. This notice was the straw that broke the camel’s back and we made the decision to get serious about buying a house and putting a permanent end to paying rent.

This guide compiles all the research and steps we followed in the process of buying our first house. It took us about a year to complete all these stages in our journey, not to mention saving up for the downpayment.

It’s never too early or too late to begin your own plan of action towards owning your first home. My advice is to take it one step at a time and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete all the steps.

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How to Host a Moroccan Christmas Party - Just Like Phyllis from The Office!

The Christmas party episode of The Office was pretty memorable. The theme was β€˜β€™nights in Morocco’’ as stated by Phyllis Vance, who wanted to plan an original Christmas party. After enduring so many traditional holiday parties put on my Angela from the Party Planning Committee, Phyllis was ready to flex her power as the new head of the PPC with an exotic party theme.

Whether you want to replicate Phyllis's Moroccan Christmas party at home, or would like to know what parts of the party were actually Moroccan and what parts were not, here is everything you need to know about that episode.

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Vintage Board Games for Date Night

There’s something so romantic and nostalgic about vintage board games. It brings you back to a time before technology had taken over our lives and people really took their time to enjoy each other’s company.

For myself and my husband, our perfect date night consists of lively conversation, good food and drinks, music playing and cell phones turned off.

The board games listed in this blog post were each chosen because they are great options for two players. Each game has its strengths and will set the tone for a romantic evening. So grab two glasses of wine, light some candles, play some chill background music and let the competition begin!

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Side Hustle Ideas for Moms to Boost Their Income

As a busy mom, you know that there’s never such a thing as too much money. Whether it’s for planning that next family vacation, back-to-school shopping, or simply a hefty grocery run, a few extra hundred dollars per month can stretch quite a long way.

If you’ve been looking for a side hustle that is both lucrative and respects your busy schedule, this article is here to help! We’ll be showcasing five of the best side hustle ideas for mothers, including how you can easily get started.

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6 Simple Yet Luxurious Ways to Pamper & Spoil Hard Working Moms

Moms, the unsung heroes of our lives, deserve all the appreciation and love for their tireless efforts. Balancing work, home, and personal life, they often make tons of sacrifices and put their own needs on the back burner for the kids, family, and they care about.

Busy moms have it a little bit, but they still manage to push through the challenges, keep the family intact, and raise successful kids. The woman who raised you automatically deserves some pampering and spoiling from time to time, so go ahead and spoil her whenever you can.

Here are some ideas on simple yet luxurious ways to make mom feel spoiled and pampered as you appreciate her for the hard work she puts in.

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10 Easy DIY College Care Packages for Students Away from Home

When a family's young adult leaves the nest and goes away for college, you may be excited for them to start the next stage of their life. But this big life transition comes with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety, not to mention homesickness for those who have a close relationship with their parents and siblings.

Homemade care packages are a great way to let the college student in your life know that you are thinking of them. This small token can go a long way in showing support for students who aren’t used to living far away from home and family.

In this guide I’ll outline some easy to recreate DIY care package ideas, which can easily be tailored and customized for each individual student.

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Creating a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board in 3 Simple Steps

We are officially entering into the month of December, which means the magical holiday season is upon us. It’s a time for gathering with family and friends, spending quality time with loved ones.

Putting out a spread of food is a must and one of my favorite ways to feed a crowd is with an impressive charcuterie board filled with an abundance of foodie favorites.

If you’re new to building charcuterie boards, fret not! These culinary creations may look tricky or intimidating, but I promise it’s actually quite simple when you follow my easy steps. And the best part is that there’s really no wrong way to build a charcuterie board, it’s all about what you and guests like to eat!

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Guide to the First 48 Hours with a New Puppy

Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever experience as a pet owner. After all, nothing beats finally getting to pick up your pup and bring them home for the very first time. My family has owned dogs my entire life, and we've welcomed many puppies into our homes. The adorable puppy you see in this blog is Mia, my parent's newest fur baby.

Because puppies are essentially babies, you need to make sufficient preparations to help your pup get acclimated to their new home. To help you give them a warm welcome, this guide has a few tips on how to best spend the first 48 hours with your new pup.

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Top 30 Ways to Celebrate Your 30th Birthday

Birthdays come around every year, but you only turn 30 once! Your 30s are an exciting time full of growth, new adventures and meeting personal goals. Quoting one of my favorite characters Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City: β€œYour thirties are to learn the lessons.” And yes, during your 30’s you do truly grow into adulthood and learn who you are and where you’re going in life. But for myself, the 30’s have been the best so far. You can appreciate this special shift in your life by planning an awesome celebration.

In the last few years, one by one my friends and I have turned 30. We all found fun and unique ways to mark the β€œDirty Thirty” occasion. In this blog post I share all kinds of ways to plan not only your 30th birthday, but this next decade of your life. It’s so exciting to consider the potential changes and possibilities in the upcoming years. While you anticipate what the future will bring, make the most of the present with a fun celebration.

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15 Inspiring Manifestation Mantras To Manifest Your Dream Life

Hello friend! Since you’ve found your way here to this blog post, it’s fair to assume that you’re searching to level up your life and you’re open to the new age philosophy of manifestation.

Below you’ll find manifestation mantras that will help you find growth in numerous life situations. Being worthy of the power of a manifestation mantra doesn't come lightly. First, you need to be at peace with your inner thoughts to welcome positivity and to deserve everything you desire.

Remember that manifestation mantras are a form of meditation spoken out loudly with positive intentions. You also need to dedicate and open your mind to the universe's endless possibilities before it can grant your dreams and wishes.

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Top 15 Ways to Organize, Store and Display Your Printed Photos

Many of us enjoy actively documenting our lives, using all kinds of photography to create photo memories that last forever. We often seek the services from professional photographers for life milestone portraits such as weddings and elopements, maternity and newborn photo sessions. We also have easy access to high quality cameras to photograph the everyday moments that fill our days.

With photography being such a a popular pastime, so many of us have taken thousands of photos of family, friends and pets. Not to mention all the inherited family photos from the generations before us. Now the question is, what do we do with all these photos?

Just like with all of the belongings in our life, we need to develop an organizational and storage system for our photos. Developing this system works double duty: keeping our memories safe and secure, while also preserving our sanity and avoiding a home filled with chaos and untidiness.

And finally, we share unique ways to display your favorite photo memories so that you can admire them as often as you’d like.

In this guide you will gain valuable insight from a professional photo organizer on how to get started with your own photo organizing project. We cover the entire process from start to finish, giving you the confidence to tackle the ambitious project of organizing your photo archives and creating a streamlined process for future photos. If you’re ready to get started, then roll up your sleeves and let’s dive in together!

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Top 10 Natural Home Remedies for Postpartum Hair Loss

Pregnancy beauty is the stuff of legend. Before you pop, your skin is glowing from the extra blood circulating through your body and your hair is lush from those pregnancy hormones.

After the baby comes? Not so much. Between a lack of sleep, adjusting to your new post pregnancy body, and the postpartum hair loss that affects up to 90% of all women after they give birth, it can be easy to feel out of control.

Fortunately because postpartum hair loss is so common, over the years women have come up with a host of natural remedies that can help you regrow those lost strands. Here are some of my favorites to help you get your groove, and your hair, back, naturally.

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