1. Switching our Laundry Detergent

I know from experience that when you have contact dermatitis aka "itchy because something touched me" nearly the first thing I will hear suggested is to switch laundry detergents. Especially when you have a new baby, we frequently hear about switching to baby detergents but in my experience, I found the scents to be too strong for my nose. Don't get me wrong, I looooove that intoxicating actual new baby scent but I'll be honest and say I'm not the biggest fan of that faux baby powder detergent smell.

The detergent we've been using lately has been Ivory Gentle Aloe Scent Laundry Detergent which I am very honored to partner with because it ticks all of the boxes for what I look for in a detergent. It's hypoallergenic and contains no dyes, phosphates, brighteners, chlorine, or enzymes and is specifically made with sensitive skin in mind. It's also very effective at cleaning the dirt and food stains that magically end up all over my two toddlers by the end of the day and is affordably priced. It's super accessible since you can pick it up at Walmart!


Oh, and you can also use it to clean hand-washed items (such as Aria's stuffed animals that always seem to end up wearing Mommy's lipstick) by adding 2 TBSP in a gallon of water which makes one less product I need to stock. 🙌

2. Washing Sheets & Pillowcases Frequently

Not only is slipping into freshly washed sheets just the most ASMR, mind-numbingly great feeling, it's also much healthier for you especially if you tend to suffer from asthma. SUPER FUN FACT TIME! I learned from my allergist that having eczema is positively correlated with having allergies which means that if you can better manage even minor allergy symptoms from prevention, it can actually improve eczema occurrences too. We are constantly shedding skin cells everywhere but especially on our bedding which can lead to dust problems, so you want to make sure that you are keeping it clean. Even more so, I try to rotate out my pillowcases regularly so that the acne on my skin is less likely to flare up. If you get too busy or forget, you can always put 2 pillowcases on your pillow and just remove the top layer after a few days so you can get twice as long before you have to wash again.

On top of just washing them in general, I also add additional layers to protect against dust mites by using a mattress protector, a pillow protector under my pillowcases, and a comforter protector. It's felt exactly the same sleeping with the layered bedding, but it's helped me sleep better overall.

3. Using an Air Filter

Having a nice air filter was another change I made after seeing an allergist and I can definitely see a difference in my health and energy when we sleep for a couple days in a hotel room or while staying with family. I like to keep our air filter close to our bed so that our air has less allergens while we sleep. I will note that not all air filters are equally as effective and different filters will work with different room sizes so make sure to do some research and change out dirty filters regularly.

4. Taking Vitamin D Supplements

Because this is an ingested item, taking Vitamin D supplements may come as a surprise for helping sensitive skin but especially if you tend to be like me and slather on the sunscreen and hide from the sun whenever possible, having a Vitamin D deficiency is actually quite common. I had a pretty major deficiency when I had my blood tested about a decade ago and had to go on a doctor-mandated regimen of daily Vitamin D doses and I was shocked at how major of a difference I felt. My skin improved but I was actually happier too. Allergies are the body overreacting to things it comes in contact with and not only does Vitamin D help to balance that immune response, it also can help alleviate winter blues and staying-inside-too-much blues which all have to do with Vitamin D which is synthesized from the sun's UVB rays on our skin. Less sun means less Vitamin D, so the supplements really help so much. If you want to know exactly how much to take, I would always ask your doctor first but generally adults should be getting 600 IU each day whether that is from foods, sunlight, or supplements. (source)

After making these relatively easy changes our whole family has lived a little healthier and less reactive than before so I really hope that some of my fellow sensitive skin folks out there can try these tips out.

If you also suffer from sensitive skin I would really love to hear any additional tips you've tried that have helped you so let me know what skin issues you suffer from and any of your favorite recommendations that have helped in the comments.

This year for me has been a huge process of working hard to keep my skin clear and find routines that are quick, easy, and can fit into my crazy mom life. It goes without saying that I’ve been so ready to leave my hormonal adult acne behind including the several rounds that popped up this past year from pregnancy, breastfeeding, and medicines from getting so sick this past Spring. If you want to see what my skincare has been you can check it out in my video here, but today I wanted to focus a little more on my Summertime makeup.

Truthfully, I’ve gotten to a point in my life that if my makeup routine isn’t going to support my skin goals then it’s going to take a back burner so I wanted to share what’s really been working for me, plus a few extras to give my look some personality befitting the warm weather. I’m so happy to once again partner with Walmart’s amazing beauty team because I was actually just running low on a couple things and this gave me the perfect opportunity to refill my must-haves and share step-by-step what I’m using to achieve this look. It's so fantastic that Walmart.com has put a huge emphasis on being inclusive for all skin tones and types which I obviously appreciate having grown up in an area where I didn't have that kind of access. They also have free 2-day shipping on most items so it's super convenient when I don't have time to run to the store which lately is most of the time. ;)


I wanted to start off the look with nails because if my nails are looking nice, I feel like I have my life together and everything else can fall into place. Just me? If you’ve been a long-time follower then you already know how passionate I am about nail polish and one of my favorite shades to wear is a pale pink that makes hands look really bright and clean. This OPI Infinite Shine Nail Lacquer in Sweet Heart is exactly that. I’ve mentioned before that Infinite Shine is hands-down (pun intended) my favorite non-gel polish line so I couldn’t resist picking up this color and I’m happy to report that it looks even better on than in pictures.


For the skin I’m applying my Clinique Moisture Surge Intense moisturizer which has been a holy grail product for years. My skin lives in that unhappy purgatory of feeling dry but also being acne-prone and this is one of the few moisturizers that’s actually both oil-free and fantastic at hydrating. Makeup will always lay smoother on hydrated skin so starting with a good moisturizer is an absolute must.


Next, I’m applying a daily facial sunscreen to both my face and neck. This is a personal choice but I like using a mineral sunblock which doesn’t cause my sensitive skin to react negatively and this Cerave one also hydrates as well as containing niacinamide (one of my fav skincare ingredients) which can help calm irritation.

Life pro tip: always bring skincare, including sunscreen, down to your neck & chest to keep everything looking younger and aging evenly.


For foundation I’m going in with another product that I always come back to year after year. If you frequently have acne flare-ups then you’ve got to give BareMinerals Original foundation a try. A lot of liquid foundations and pressed powders have filler ingredients that can clog pores or cause irritation but mineral foundation won’t do either and also won’t harbor bacteria which can create breakouts. It’s also SO fast to apply and I love that I can just do a light layer or build up coverage just in places I need it, just using one product. For reference I use shade Light.


I’m still all about warm tones at the moment so I picked up this Stila Perfect Me Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette which conveniently has both eyeshadows plus two blush colors. The Medium/Tan had especially pretty shades that work well on complexions with yellow undertones.


I applied a wash of the peachy shade on the ball of the eyelid, then did a soft cut-crease using the burgundy shade, making sure to softly blend out any harsh edges.


To warm up my face I took the peach blush and applied this starting at the temples and bringing it forward to the apples of my cheeks.


Next, I love a nice highlight moment especially in the summer and this Maybelline Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in Molten Gold is both affordable and so pretty.


Using a fan brush I applied this to the tops of my cheeks, very softly down my nose bridge, on the top edge of my lip line, and also on my collarbone which  is especially accentuated in my sundress.


This next mascara is one that I’ve heard a ton about so I wanted to try it out in person. You guys know I’m all about finding great mascaras that will work at holding a curl for straight lashes and I’m happy that the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara lives up to the hype, dare I say better than the waterproof version of a certain mascara it closely resembles in design. Just saying. ;)


To finish off the face I couldn’t resist this deliciously hot pink NARS lipgloss in Priscilla. The formula is so silky without feeling overly sticky and you can wear this both fully opaque or blend out the edges for a softer look.



If you want to check out the products I used, I’ll list them out again or you can click on the item in the image below.

Disclaimer: Thank you so much to Walmart beauty for partnering on this post.

I can't believe Summer is already here! I don't know if it's because LA winter lasted so long this year or because our family was hit so hard with cold & flu season, but I feel like the weather skipped Spring completely and jumped right into shorts weather! That means it's high time to stock up on some of my favorite skincare go-to's and a couple key beauty refreshers to prep myself for the impending barbecues and beach trips.

I was seriously stoked when Walmart's beauty team asked me to partner and pick out some of my favorites to share with you guys because I definitely needed a little treat-myself time and I've been obsessed with finding the perfect quick routine lately that works with my mom life. I mean, I adore my babies but I don't want to look like my hair is dead and crunchy or that I'm adding extra sun spots to my face. ;) Walmart also has free 2-day shipping on most orders of $35+ so it's extremely convenient when you can't run to the store, not that I've ever been that busy in my life, cough, cough baby's asleep on me again, cough. Free returns on those orders too if you don't like something!



Speaking of sun spots, I'll start off with one product I am SO eager to test out. I've heard for ages about the Elta MD Skincare UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and how it's especially good for those with acne-prone skin. A little research revealed that a key ingredient in it is niacinamide which has worked really well for my skin in the past at increasing clarity and brightening and is cool to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Woohoo! It's oil-free and fragrance-free so it will integrate with my current skincare quite nicely. Know what else is oil-free and rocking niacinamide? CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion! I recently ran out of my nighttime face moisturizer so it will be nice to have that niacinamide boost day and night without using a separate serum.



With bare arms and jean skirts, it's very important to remember to moisturize right out of the shower when your skin is still damp for maximum hydration so I grabbed Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion. It's a great basic that is fragrance-free and non-greasy. I feel like I became so boring after my high school and college days of perfume-laden body butters but I really appreciate only having scents I choose, only where I want to apply them, especially since my kids come in contact with my skin so often. Is it just me?



Also out of the shower I like to use a hair protectant to soften and protect my colored hair. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product works great to make my hair look its best but also works as a heat protectant before using the blowdrier or curling iron, or just running around outside in the sun.


For days when I skip the makeup I really adore using Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water to clean my skin which is something I've been using for years. It never breaks me out or leaves a sticky residue and you can use it during the day after working out or going to the beach.


The makeup-oriented products that everyone should have in their collection for daily use are Smashbox Photofinish Primer (Which, again, I've been using for years and my mom always manages to take my backups because it's a holy grail for her too!) and the original Beauty Blender sponge. Obviously the primer blurs skin imperfections and helps foundation last longer and the Beauty Blender is actually so great for getting that super natural, healthy-looking skin because when you wet it first, it uses less foundation but gets the most even coverage out of every foundation application technique I've tried.


Finally, there is nothing like a gorgeous pastel polish to really make me feel like I'm ready to rock some cute espadrilles and OPI Suzi Without A Paddle is the palest baby blue that I'm completely in love with. I've been obsessing over OPI's Infinite Shine formula since it lasts longer than most polish lines on me, so I've been hoarding a small collection of my most-worn shades.


That's it for my Summer beauty picks! What are you guys using to prep your beauty shelf for the summer? Let me know in the comments!

It's finally AUTUMN and you know what that means! Cozy sweaters. Hot chocolate. A husband who stops complaining about being overheated (I have a sneaking suspicion that guys were intentionally made warm to balance out our naturally freezing toes. Maybe it's just me. ;)


And of course, maybe my favorite part of all is Halloween. I've always loved any good excuse to dress up and now that we have two little kiddos added to the mix I want my dream of coordinating family Pokémon costumes to become a reality. Dad will be Ash Ketchum, I'll be his #1 BFF Pikachu, Aria is Misty, and baby Ezra can be a swaddled-up Togepi which was Misty's egg-like buddy.


Since I love the idea of getting items that will work beyond just the one holiday costume, I've tried to be pretty intentional with getting a lot of value out of my purchases not only by picking out items that can be re-worn as everyday clothes, but also by taking advantage of the 5% cash back quarterly bonus categories from my Chase Freedom card. ( Woohoo! Perfect timing! Just activate this quarter’s bonus categories, which includes department stores and wholesale stores before December 15th to take advantage of the earnings and it's good to go.) If you aren't already a Chase Freedom card member you can check it out here.


Because we used to live in the midwest with its gorgeous warm-toned foliage, I love incorporating that into our decor as a reminder of our hometown even though we don't quiiiiite get the same weather patterns here in Southern California. Right now Nordstrom Rack has the CUTEST fall décor. I couldn’t resist picking up a few new fall pieces to get our home ready for the holiday.


Getting Aria's costume was pretty easy since she already had the tank and shorts, so the best part were these red Converse sneakers from Nordstrom which she's already obsessed with. Ben's favorite t-shirts happen to be the 100% cotton Lacoste tees, so I picked up a blue one also from my beloved Nordies to pair with jeans for his everyday-Ash outfit as well. Comfy, easy, and able to be worn well after Halloween.


What do you guys think? Are you into couples/family coordinating outfits? What are you planning on doing for Halloween this year? Let me know in the comments!

Huge thank you to Chase Freedom for partnering on this post!

Disclosure: Post sponsored by RB

These last two years have been an incredible whirlwind of new experiences and emotions,
becoming new parents and now being pregnant with our second. Even today, we noticed
that Aria was eating like a hungry hungry hippo, which means she's likely on the cusp of
another growth spurt, and I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who is simultaneously
astounded and overjoyed at just how much they grow, not just physically, but mentally in
these short bursts of insanity! (Even the best-behaved children act like banshees during
growth spurts, am I right?!) Today I'm partnering with RB to share a bit of Aria's growth
journey and plans for baby 2, along with some information about a new innovation that
contributes to cognitive development!

The other day I was having a chat with my husband about how when we were single, we got bored from having too much free time. Then, after jobs and marriage we felt like we never had enough time to do everything we wanted to do, but looking back we actually had so much choice about our leisure activities. Now, between wrangling impressive blowouts from the little one while trying to stay on schedule with work without the house falling to pieces, all we can do is try to maximize the free minutes in our schedules to make our time together run smoother.

Like any major life change there is always a learning curve, but I've inevitably learned a few tips from the beautiful insanity that is motherhood to help the process along the way. Today I'm partnering with Dove to share how their new Shower Foam has helped speed up my morning routine along with a few other tips for a more efficient morning. These small habit changes may hopefully come in handy to some of you who are perpetually looking for a couple extra morning minutes!


Sometimes I just don't have the snappy coherency in the mornings to figure out exactly which scarf should go with those shoes and that shirt and I end up in something bland that's "good enough for now" but lacks that feel-good boost a good outfit should garner. If it's all set before bedtime, I find I'm much more likely to feel confident about my day, even if it's a weekend and I'm just staying home.

I'm starting off with the COVERGIRL + Olay Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer which has a lovely creamy texture and applying it to a clean, bare face. This primer not only helps foundation to last longer and look better, but it also includes anti-aging ingredients that help condition skin over time which is always a blessing for my sleep-deprived self!


Next, I'm applying Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation in Medium Beige all over my skin using clean fingertips. Seriously, I am in so love with the texture of this! It has almost a fluffy, soft feeling which blurs into the skin so smoothly, no brushes needed. The medium-to-full coverage gave me an even, flawless complexion with a very natural satin finish that also felt very hydrating.


To finish the look I applied a contoured rose-gold eye and matching rosy cheeks with a deep red lip to bring out the sophisticated glam feeling I was going for.

You all know I would never leave you hanging so if you want to check out my whole process for getting ready including makeup application and outfit, you can see it all step-by-step in video form below!

For the record, these pretty pretty photos are courtesy of the pretty BFF to my right, photographer extraordinaire Kassia. Girl, you are just too talented.

I know you only get snippets in the video, but the ladies and I had the best time sipping lattes, cracking up over silly selfies that will never see the light of day, and protecting ourselves from the local finches who were getting a little too brave about trying our food! All in all, a worthy event to get glammed out for, making memories with my best friends.