Hailey's Helpful Hints

Why hello!!!! Has it really been 8 months since my last blog post?!?! Unreal. Ok who am I kidding acting shocked. For those of you that have followed me in the past, you know this really isn't anything new. I get hot and post daily for a bit and then wham, it's like I fall off the face of the earth. In my defense, during this last hiatus, we built a custom home. You better believe this detailed oriented perfectionist had her hands in every last design decision. Luckily my husband and I are still married after the process and our four littles are alive and well. So between the building, the packing, the summer madnes, the school chaos, dealing with a traveling husband, shlepping around two year old devils, I mean twins, and now the holiday mayham, I'm lucky to even still be standing. But one thing lately that has kept me going...I joined a gym. It's been 4+ years since I've stepped into a gym. But this membership has nothing to do with getting back into the gym. I ho...

I was complaining to my husband the other day about the annoying lint balls that were surfacing all over our linen couch. Casually he said, "That's no big deal. We just need to shave them off." Certainly I wasn't going to shave them off and run the risk of putting a hole in the fabric so I waited for him to devise a plan. Two days later, an Amazon Prime box showed up with a Home-It Fabric Shaver . So we got to shaving. Within minutes, the fuzzies were gonzo. And my couch looked brand new again.  We quickly whipped out all my sweaters that have gotten more wear in four months in Idaho than my eight years in Southern California and fought over who was going to get the satisfaction of de-pilling them first. No joke these sweaters were on the verge of being sent to the Goodwill because of the horrendous pills on the front. Five sweaters salvaged within 15 minutes and looking brand new. So before you put away your winter sweaters for the season or before you toss them beca...

Hello from Idaho!!! The last six months have been absolutely nutty for my crew. As if four kids under six wasn't enough, I decided that it was time to move on from the everyday grind of Southern California. It was a fabulous eight years but after having the twin girls and being raised in WA, I desired something different for my family's future. I've got nothing but love for Southern California but it was time to get to a more affordable, slower pace of life. So here we are in Boise, Idaho!! The past three months have been such a breath of fresh air and everything we hoped it would be. Sadly there are a few drawbacks to living here. A big one for me: No Nordstrom. But heck right now, all I do is stay bundled in a big jacket waiting for my blood to acclimate to winter weather so there's part of me that could care less. But I am learning to make due with the stores they do have and am getting more and more comfortable with shopping online. Luckily in Boise, I don't fee...

  Stumped on what to give your dad or husband this Father's Day? All men loves tool and gadgets. And it's expected that all dads know how to fix everything. So it's only fitting that you buy him the most awesome pocket tool - The Leatherman Super Tool 300 Pocket Tool . This fun, efficient gadget has 19 tools in 1. And is currently on sale on Amazon . Orginally $87, now $65. And don't forget the protective cover - the Leatherman Sheath . Comes in brown or black for only $14.

The sun is showing it's face more and more and it's time to talk toenails. The beauty experts are encouraging us to be wild and bold in our picks this summer. The trends include intense colors of the rainbow; bold blues, vibrant oranges, electric greens. And my personal favorite - bright fuchsia. Thank goodness for the fuchsia. Call me boring but I can't stomach looking down to a Kool-Aid color blue on my toes. To me a bright fuchsia screams confident. Put together. Classy but knows how to come out and play. A fuchsia manicure or pedicure looks great with everything from classic denim and navy to sleek black and is eye-catching on any skin tone. Wondering what fuchsia hue has my attention? You better believe I'll be sporting this on my toes this summer.      Essie nail color is Too Taboo - part of the Essie Neon Collection.     

  As we eagerly anticipate the season of fun and frivolity, it's time to prep our closets with some of summer's biggest fashion trends. Thanks to Glamour's online fashion section (author- Avery Matera ), here are 11 summer fashion Do's and Don'ts: DO go girly with a white lace top You can dress up a white lace top with a skirt and heels or dress it down with denim shorts and sandals. Even try pairing it with moto boots and a leather jacket to turn the feminine piece into something more edgy.   DON'T underestimate the power of a T-shirt dress The throw-on-and-go T-shirt dress is perfect for summer. Wear yours from day to night by transitioning into slightly fancier footwear and some fun accessories. Bonus: T-shirt dresses are easy to travel with - they rarely wrinkle and don't have to be dry-cleaned! DO try a new sunglass silhouette Whether it's round, cat-eye, oversize, or aviator, try a sunglass shape you've never tried bef...

Just can't seem to nail the wrap and roll technique that an ordinary curling iron requires? Ummm. Me neither. Luckily for the hair challenged that want that beach wave look (yes you can still rock this look even though summer is over), the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret ($99 on Ulta.com ) is an automated curler that makes Taylor Swift-worthy waves a breeze. To use, clamp a small section of hair in the round portion of the tool, Squeeze the handle and the tool rolls the hair up into the chamber. After you hear a series of beeps, release and the curl is set. Repeat as needed. Skeptical? Read more reviews HERE.

As I was fidgeting around the house this morning, picking up the same dang toys for the gazzillionth time, a random question popped into my mind - what's one item in the house that has given us the most bang for our buck? I honestly didn't have to hesitate. I've got two very curious boys and they always like to see what's going on, open all things by themselves, and prop themselves up inside the sink so naturally the best $7.99 I've spent is on the Ikea "Bolmen" step stool . Don't let the plastic fool you - it's sturdy. And I love that you can easily whip it down quickly and it's ok if left outside. Which is where I find it most days as the boys stand pulling on the fence gate string. Another reason I like the plastic is because it's lightweight. The boys can easily move it from room to room to get things without having to ask. Note to self; hide all candy and chemicals out of reach. The Bolmen step stool can be found in t...

Move over, eye shadow, and step aside, lipstick; there’s a new must-have beauty product this fall - dark and dramatic nail polish. With a new season, comes new colors and with fall upon us, it's time to shake up your roster of go-to nail polish colors. You don't necessarily have to say bye-bye to those bright summer hues, but fall’s hottest nail ideas will definitely have you rethinking a shade or two. While these aren't all of fall's latest nail color trends, these are my top three that I'll be sure to try:     | GREY |    China Glaze, Concrete Catwalk, $6 I love that grey is sticking around, and I'm not talking Fifty Shades of Grey. Consider concrete grey your new favorite neutral. Although it’s more eye-catching than nude or white, it won’t interfere with your everyday style.     | CHOCOLATE BROWN |     Laura Mercier, Cocoa Suede, $18 Could brown become the new black? Try this shade with gold rin...