best things to do in washington dc with kids
road trips with kids
things to do with kids in washington dc
tips for traveling with kids
washington dc
Ok, so spring break is over and everything and everyone is back to our regularly scheduled programming. We had an amazing time in Washington, DC last week and I am excited to share what we did, where we stayed and some tips that may help you when traveling to Washington, DC with kids.
DAY 1:
DAY 2:
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum - First things, first! Museums in DC are free! All 4 of us love museums so we knew we definitely wanted to do at least 1. The Smithsonian Air & Space Museum was first on the list. We loved learning all about the aircrafts and rockets. You guys, people back in the early 1900's were some very courageous people. To imagine the Wright Brothers flying the first airplane while staring at the original one, was insane. And we even got to listen to Neil Armstrong's actual voice message from minutes after he landed on the moon. We learned so much! I loved that Ben will always remember this. Emme is still little but I am hoping it will stay in her heart.
The White House - To be complete honest, I wasn't too excited for the White House. I wanted to see it because I had never been and to be able to say that I've seen it. But I could've done without... then again how can I say I've to DC but never been to the White House? So we went. It is much smaller than we imagined and the outside on Pennsylvania Avenue remind me of a little Times Square... not because of the lights but because of the people. There were protests, very loud music, huge speakers on the middle of the street, it seems dirty and it was just crazy to me. Not impressed but also definitely not what I expected. Even Ben felt the same way, you guys, he's 7.
The Park at City Center - I had researched a little bit about City Center and since it was right by the White House, we walked over and it was so nice! Perfect for shopping, eating and hanging out. I loved the atmosphere and wish I had time for shopping but I definitely recommend you check it out and shop if that's your thing:)
Chinatown - After City Center we walked to Cuba Libre which was literally a block from Chinatown's Friendship Arch. We didn't tour the area but we did get some photos under the arch. I loved showing the kids and teaching them about different cultures and DC neighborhoods.
DAY 3:
Smithsonian Natural History Museum - This museum became very easily my #1 museum I've been to with the kids. And to think I was going to chuck it from the list because I thought "well we've been the one in NYC so it must be the same" Nope, it's not and you have to visit! We loved it and spent so much time there. The dinosaur exhibit was ok and not big at all, I do still think the dinosaurs in NYC are better but the Human Exhibit in this one was insane. Super cool to learn and see all the different eras of humanity. I definitely recommend you go here.
Tidal Basin - So the idea was to catch the cherry blossoms but since we went for Ben's spring break, it was too late. They usually bloom right in the middle of the month and we went a week later. I was a little sad we didn't see the gorgeous pink trees along the Basin but it was still a nice place to visit. We literally drove there on the way home, because I knew the cherry blossoms were no longer in bloom. It was definitely packed and we didn't spend more than 15 minutes there, so I imagine it's crazy busy busy during cherry blossom season. Maybe next year!
Georgetown - we drove through Georgetown on the way home and it was so quaint and pretty to look at, even though we didn't get to experience it much, I still wanted to include here because I definitely think you should visit if you have time. The restaurants seemed so good and it's a perfect little place for walking and hanging out. I hope Dave and I are able to go back without the kids one day to experience DC in a different way too! Georgetown will be at the top of that list;)
If you are still here, thanks for reading, I know this post was long but I wanted to make sure I covered everything. My intention was to be a full guide to DC with kids. and I hope I accomplished that. Thanks so much for reading and joining me on this sweet memory lane.
PS: if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen I am launching my newsletter! I am both so nervous and excited because I've never done this before but I am excited to start something new this year. If you want to receive my newsletters, all you have to do is signup HERE. I will be hosting a give away on IG, so follow me there to stay tuned! Sending you love and light!
Xo,
E
ROADTRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC | BEST THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
ROADTRIP!
We drove down to DC from New Jersey and the drive was actually really nice and smooth. We got there pretty quickly in about 3 1/2 hours. The kids were great, we sang, we talked, they slept a little. If you are in NJ I definitely recommend driving down with kids. It's a short enough road trip that isn't too exhausting for both parents and little ones. We borrowed the Volvo XC90 and you guys, it was a dream car for a road trip! So smooth, felt so safe and comfortable! What we loved about it most is how gas efficient it was. We drove both ways basically with one full tank of gas, we got gas about an hour before getting home just to be safe but we the tank still had some fuel in it. This (or something similar) will be my next car!
WHERE TO STAY
While there are so many great (and chic!) hotels to stay in DC, we decided to stay at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. For a couple of reasons; a) it was affordable and b) it had a nice indoor pool without breaking the bank. I knew the kids would love the pool and boy was I right, I'm so happy we stayed at the Hyatt and the kids definitely enjoyed themselves so much. The room was average nothing crazy but clean - priorities. The room was on the smaller side and pretty basic but I knew we weren't going to spend too much time in the hotel room either way. We booked our hotel on Expedia, as I always do and we paid about $174 per night.
PARKING
Ok, so here is a big tip that I am really happy to share with you, well because who doesn't like to save money!? Once we got to the hotel, we asked how much the parking would be, when the attendant said $65 a night I almost died. There was no way we were going to spend that much money on parking. I like to spend my money where it's worth. So we asked the front desk if there was a near by lot that we can park in. We knew we wouldn't be using the car and just needed to park it until we left... Bryan at the Hyatt front desk was so nice! He let us know that around the corner to the left of the hotel by the little liquor store, there is a Fox News building public parking lot, it was $22 a night and super safe. Um yes please! so we paid a third of what the parking was at the hotel. The only thing is that you can't park on the first floor as that is reserved for the Fox News anchors. If you need more info on where the lot is, just message me:)
WHERE TO EAT
Once we got to DC, Dave and I googled places to eat. I definitely wanted to share our favorites because they were so good! I mean there are sooo many places to eat but here are the ones that stood out to us:) When we go back, I'd love to check out other spots but for the purpose of this post and if you are traveling with kids, these 3 spots were super good and affordable.
1. We, The Pizza - Deeelicious! I had a ham and pineapple slice with garlic wings and Jesus Christ... so good! They also sell beer, so that's a win win when traveling with kids. Gimme all the alcohol please:)
2. Le Bon Cafe - we found this little cute cafe while looking for breakfast. I love the aesthetic and the food was good. We went for brunch, Dave and the kids had breakfast and I had a chicken caesar salad. It's a super cute spot for pics, which we didn't get to talk because my sour patch kid was v cranky, capital V cranky, that day. Oh and we spent about $25 for the 4 of us #winning!
3. Cuba Libre - We've been the Cuba Libre in Atlantic City so we knew we had to try the one in DC. I had the vaca frita and Dave had the churrasco, the kids had churrasco as well and it was so good. Loved the beans but loved my sangria the most. If you enjoy Cuban food, definitely stop by Cuba Libre. It's about a 20 minute walk from the White House and about 5 minutes from Park City Center.
GETTING AROUND
Once we parked our car, we didn't drive it again until the day we left. I was super impressed to find electric scooters all around the city. You just pay $1 to start and $0.15 per minute - not bad when you are tired of walking. They have several different scooter companies; Lyft, Uber and others. Lyft worked right on the regular app but for the Uber ones you had to download a new app, which I thought was kind of annoying but not a big deal. One thing I will say is that it's pretty hard to grab one that isn't already in use, but it all depends on the time and day. You can always check on the map and see how far the next closest available scooter is. Dave and I thought this was the coolest thing.
We walked a LOT. Thankfully we gad gorgeous weather but it was still tiring. Oh and fun fact, that wasn't actually fun all? We forgot our freakin' stroller [insert crying face here] yes, since we swapped cars we completely forget the stroller. So word of advice... pack your stroller! I felt so bad for Emme because she had to walk a lot, even thought Dave and I took turns carrying her, it still sucked! We took Ubers around town and from the Hyatt to the main tourist points, mostly were literally $8, which I thought wasn't bad at all.
WHAT TO DO
Ok so on to the really fun stuff! The week before driving down to DC I went on Google Maps, entered our hotel address and then started mapping out everything we wanted to do. I grabbed a Word Doc listed our "must see" in order of preference and also in order of route... so that we got the most our of our days. And the plan worked so well, even Dave was super impressed with my technique haha.
Anytime we travel with the kids I refuse to pack our days, because a) I can't take the pressure and b) it's beyond exhausting for all of us. I've heard of people having such crazy schedules on vacation with kids and that is not me. So I don't necessarily "schedule" things, I write out a list of things I think would be fun to see and another list of "if we have time" things at the bottom. It's what works for our family. I am definitely not the type to wake up at 6am on vacation to be out of the hotel by 7am. Nope, it's vacation for Lord's sake, let's have fun and chill, chill hard. Ok, so here is what we did day by day, in the order that we did it because it was along the route:
DAY 1:
Capitol Hill - We could actually see Capitol Hill right from the hotel, it was so mouth dropping gorgeous to me. I loved that this is how Washington, DC welcomed us, it is just so grand and beautiful. Right after we checked in and freshened up we walked to Capitol Hill - it was about a 10 minute walk from the Hyatt. We realized how big it was, once we walked along side of it to get to the other side where you can see the iconic Washington Monument. I am dramatic but to me it was breathtaking. There were a lot of people but it wasn't too crazy.
Washington Monument - The weather was too perfect and the kids had such an amazing time walking along to the National Mall, I loved that the Washington Monument is so statuesque and such a staple. The kids loved it too! Ben even made some friends and played some soccer right by the carousel.
Carousel at the National Mall - We found a carousel in the middle of the National Mall and it was perfect. The views were breathtaking. Dave and the kids rode the carousel while I sat on the grass and took it all in. That was one of the many moments I thanked God for the opportunity to share these memories with my kids. It was such sweet moment seeing the joy in their faces.
Reflecting Pool - We walked so much but every step was worth it. It felt like everything was right there but nope, there was a lot of walking. The reflecting pool was so serene to me. Such a nice place to go for a jog or bike ride. I loved it so much. The pool and the Lincoln Memorial were my favorites.
Lincoln Memorial - I can't describe how I felt when we finally got to the Lincoln Memorial. I mean, I was exhausted since that was the last stop but I also felt so accomplished and so fulfilled. The Lincoln Memorial is so grand and it felt so special. I can't explain it but it was a sweet memory I'll never forget. Emme was so tired by that point but Ben thought it was the coolest thing. I think what made it so special to us was that we got there at around 7:30pm and the sun was setting, so the views was insane. It was hard to get good photos because there were so many people. I read it's best to go at dawn. Maybe next time we can do that. Nonetheless, it was a moment I'll always remember.
DAY 2:
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum - First things, first! Museums in DC are free! All 4 of us love museums so we knew we definitely wanted to do at least 1. The Smithsonian Air & Space Museum was first on the list. We loved learning all about the aircrafts and rockets. You guys, people back in the early 1900's were some very courageous people. To imagine the Wright Brothers flying the first airplane while staring at the original one, was insane. And we even got to listen to Neil Armstrong's actual voice message from minutes after he landed on the moon. We learned so much! I loved that Ben will always remember this. Emme is still little but I am hoping it will stay in her heart.
The White House - To be complete honest, I wasn't too excited for the White House. I wanted to see it because I had never been and to be able to say that I've seen it. But I could've done without... then again how can I say I've to DC but never been to the White House? So we went. It is much smaller than we imagined and the outside on Pennsylvania Avenue remind me of a little Times Square... not because of the lights but because of the people. There were protests, very loud music, huge speakers on the middle of the street, it seems dirty and it was just crazy to me. Not impressed but also definitely not what I expected. Even Ben felt the same way, you guys, he's 7.
The Park at City Center - I had researched a little bit about City Center and since it was right by the White House, we walked over and it was so nice! Perfect for shopping, eating and hanging out. I loved the atmosphere and wish I had time for shopping but I definitely recommend you check it out and shop if that's your thing:)
Chinatown - After City Center we walked to Cuba Libre which was literally a block from Chinatown's Friendship Arch. We didn't tour the area but we did get some photos under the arch. I loved showing the kids and teaching them about different cultures and DC neighborhoods.
Smithsonian Natural History Museum - This museum became very easily my #1 museum I've been to with the kids. And to think I was going to chuck it from the list because I thought "well we've been the one in NYC so it must be the same" Nope, it's not and you have to visit! We loved it and spent so much time there. The dinosaur exhibit was ok and not big at all, I do still think the dinosaurs in NYC are better but the Human Exhibit in this one was insane. Super cool to learn and see all the different eras of humanity. I definitely recommend you go here.
Tidal Basin - So the idea was to catch the cherry blossoms but since we went for Ben's spring break, it was too late. They usually bloom right in the middle of the month and we went a week later. I was a little sad we didn't see the gorgeous pink trees along the Basin but it was still a nice place to visit. We literally drove there on the way home, because I knew the cherry blossoms were no longer in bloom. It was definitely packed and we didn't spend more than 15 minutes there, so I imagine it's crazy busy busy during cherry blossom season. Maybe next year!
Georgetown - we drove through Georgetown on the way home and it was so quaint and pretty to look at, even though we didn't get to experience it much, I still wanted to include here because I definitely think you should visit if you have time. The restaurants seemed so good and it's a perfect little place for walking and hanging out. I hope Dave and I are able to go back without the kids one day to experience DC in a different way too! Georgetown will be at the top of that list;)
PS: if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen I am launching my newsletter! I am both so nervous and excited because I've never done this before but I am excited to start something new this year. If you want to receive my newsletters, all you have to do is signup HERE. I will be hosting a give away on IG, so follow me there to stay tuned! Sending you love and light!
Xo,
E
kids clothes
mom life
where to shop for kids clothes
WHERE TO BUY CUTE CLOTHES FOR KIDS
I didn't realize this would be such a popular topic request from you guys but I am more than happy to share where I buy my kids clothes because truly it's one of my favorite things to do. So we are traveling every month for the next 3 months and honestly one of my favorite things to do as we get ready for vacations with the kids is putting their outfits together. I have to be honest, I do have a much easier time buying things for Emme than I do for Ben, there is just endless amounts of options for little girls.
My one rule though, is that I don't splurge unless I know they are going to get a lot of use of a piece, think jeans, jackets, sneakers. For the most part, I shop super affordable stores and the full advantage of the mid year and of of year sales... hello Zara sales, besties for life!
Alright alright, let's get to the good stuff! So what are my top children's clothing stores? Here all the pros and cons in my experience.
H&M
Pros: I find H&M to have the best variety and quality of clothes for a super affordable price. I've been dressing my kids with H&M clothes since they were born. One of my favorite things to but there are sweat pants and sweatshirts for both of the kids. I love the quality and wash after wash they don't shrink and last for a long time. Boys jeans are my weakness at H&M, I don't find any other store to have the fit that the boys jeans have here. I love that they are always up to date with the latest coolest styles and the shoes are to die for!
Cons: Depending on what location you shop in, you get different options, I have a preferred H&M I love but it's in a mall that I don't love so much lol but I make the trip just for that H&M. I also don't have too much luck shopping online, I find the website a little overwhelming, that can be just me though, so take that with a grain of salt. I honestly don't have too many valid cons for shopping at H&M.
OLD NAVY
Pros: They have super cute clothes for toddlers... I have to be honest I am finding it harder to shop there for Ben since he is a little older now but I am still really happy with the clothes for Emme's age. One thing I love about the girl's clothes at Old Navy is that they have #mommyandme sets... and I love that! Their shoes are also adorable and I always find them to last pretty long. Hello summer sandals for $5!
Cons: I love Old Navy but my tip is to shop online! I find that online always has the best sales as oppose to every time I visit the store, a lot of items cost more at the actual store and I rather save few bucks. I literally just placed an order yesterday with 40% off my purchase (online only sale) and can't wait to get the package. Another thing I don't love is the jeans, I find them too wide or too baggy for my taste. Oh and big tip, Old Navy runs big, even for adults, so keep that in mind.
ZARA
Pros: Zara has super fashionable pieces for both boys and girls and I can always find a cute outfit no matter what occasion I need it for. Zara kids' shoes are to die for, I literally want Emme's shoes in my size every single time. Yes, Zara can get expensive special for pieces that you are not going to get too much use from but I always take full advantage of the sales. I've purchased pieces for as low as $3.99 at Zara and the best pants for even $12.99 for Emme during this year's winter sale. So make sure you know when to shop!
Cons: Zara is expensive and the older your kid is the more you are paying for them jeans. My tip is to be smart about what you get at Zara. If it's a trendy piece more than likely I am not getting it there but I have bought almost every single coat for Ben and Emme at Zara. They are great quality and have a variety of prices. So while it does get expensive you can always find something to fit your budget depending on when you shop.
TARGET
Pros: I love that Target has a big variety of clothes for the kids and Cat & Jack is my favorite brand there, actually I love Art Class too. I find Art Class to have such cute pieces for super cheap. Over the weekend while prepping for this week's trip I got Emme dresses for $9.99 and $12.99 and I love them, amazing quality too! You truly can never go wrong with Target clothes for kids.
Cons: Ok, Target, I love thee for many reasons but it irks the ish out of me when I go online and you have the items listed on the website, I fall in love and it is not available anywhere! You get my hopes up and nothing, it's not available for shipping or pick up, so please remove unavailable items that are never coming back, please? Folks, may be the only con I have about Target and their kids' clothes.
Ben's tee: Deux par Deux Kids | Emme's jumpsuit: Stylin' Sophie Shop
Besides the big retailers, I love shopping for the kids on little small business boutiques too! Most of them I've found on IG via other moms I follow on there. Some of them are Stylin' Sophie, DeuxParDeux and PepperKids.
Ok, gotta go eat dinner now... I am finishing this post up from a local kids indoor playground and the kids are nice and sweaty and they've released all their energy now, giving me enough time to finish this and post it for you guys! Remember, when there is a will, there's a way.
Have a sweet and blessed week!
Xo,
Erika
beauty
haircare
haircare routine
Emme and I have been blessed with a thick full mane of hair, we credit that to genetics as my mom has gorgeous thick hair. Both of my kids were born with full heads of hair and to this day their hair grows at speedy rates. Besides genes, we do a pretty good job at taking care of our locks. For today's post I am sharing our hair essentials because maintenance is key.
We will start with Emme's favorite products...let's start off by saying that Emme has eczema so I've had to try a few different shampoos to see what works best for her and won't dry her scalp. Over the years we have used everything from Johnson's Baby, Aveeno, Honest and others. But right now we are using Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo with Organic Calendula because during the winter months her scalp was extra dry and this works for her. I wash her hair just twice a week to prevent extra dryness. After shampooing her hair I use Honest Calming Lavender Hypoallergenic Conditioner and then we untangle with Johnson's No More Tangles Hair Detangler and voila!
Now my hair care routine changes over time depending on climate and needs, just like Emme! I also wash my hair just twice a week - thank goodness for whoever invented dry shampoo, I owe them my life. No really, I use it more than I drink water... ok, maybe I am exaggerating a bit but you get the point.
Right now my hair care routine consists of Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal. I've been using it for months now and I really love what it does to my hair, it's shiny and healthy. After I wash my hair I use The Good Stuff Weightless Protection Mist while the hair is damp, I love this mist and have raved numerous times over on Instagram about it. In between washes I use Batiste Dry Shampoo and that's pretty much my hair care life. Simple! I've tried many dry shampoos and always switch, I owe you guys my "dry shampoo faves" post, coming soon.
I've heard it's always good to switch up your beauty products and I agree. Besides being a blogger and getting to test different products and brands, I think that if you use a product too long it gets too used to your hair or face and won't have the same results, therefore I do change it up every so often but for now this is what Emme and I are using. Now we are off to enjoy this gorgeous day, have a beautiful and blessed weekend! Hope you are having a good hair day!
Xo,
Erika
MOMMY AND ME | HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS
We will start with Emme's favorite products...let's start off by saying that Emme has eczema so I've had to try a few different shampoos to see what works best for her and won't dry her scalp. Over the years we have used everything from Johnson's Baby, Aveeno, Honest and others. But right now we are using Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo with Organic Calendula because during the winter months her scalp was extra dry and this works for her. I wash her hair just twice a week to prevent extra dryness. After shampooing her hair I use Honest Calming Lavender Hypoallergenic Conditioner and then we untangle with Johnson's No More Tangles Hair Detangler and voila!
Right now my hair care routine consists of Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal. I've been using it for months now and I really love what it does to my hair, it's shiny and healthy. After I wash my hair I use The Good Stuff Weightless Protection Mist while the hair is damp, I love this mist and have raved numerous times over on Instagram about it. In between washes I use Batiste Dry Shampoo and that's pretty much my hair care life. Simple! I've tried many dry shampoos and always switch, I owe you guys my "dry shampoo faves" post, coming soon.
I've heard it's always good to switch up your beauty products and I agree. Besides being a blogger and getting to test different products and brands, I think that if you use a product too long it gets too used to your hair or face and won't have the same results, therefore I do change it up every so often but for now this is what Emme and I are using. Now we are off to enjoy this gorgeous day, have a beautiful and blessed weekend! Hope you are having a good hair day!
Xo,
Erika
blogging tips
how to start a blog
lifestyle
But I know you are here for me to give you tips on how to hit that start button, so here are some things that I've learned over the years that I think will help you leap in to this fun world of blogging, ready? Here ya go.
10 TIPS ON HOW TO START A BLOG
One of the most asked questions I get is How Do I Start a Blog? And sister, the most straight and honest answer I can give you is... just START! One foot in front of the other and start. Listen, I don't believe there is a magic process on how to start blogging, I wholeheartedly believe that if you have a passion for something and you want to make time for it, then you do. Of course there are certain steps and I will share below but most importantly you have to want it and not for the "free" (it's not free we work our asses off for it!) things or the cool events but because you truly love it.
I have to be honest since we are here, I have noticed so many people want to be bloggers and that's awesome, because yes, it's great, there are amazing opportunities and being your own boss is yup, boss af... but if you are doing it for the insta-fame or the "free" stuff, don't do it at all. It does show and you will feel it too. You can't force something that is not there, find what you like, whatever that may be and blog about that. Don't go following trends just because they are cool right now. Do what you love and put all your effort and work into it and it will grow. But you have to be patient and you have to love it.
1. Pick a name! My advice is to go with something general and not narrow yourself down to a specific topic - only because you never know where life may take you. You may start off with fashion but then move on to travel or mommy hood... I say this from experience. I mean, you can always change the name (like I did!) but just a little suggestion:)
2. Invest in your domain! It looks nicer and much more professional, you can buy your domain for a low annual price at places like godaddy.com. Now that you have your domain purchase, pick a blog host! There are so many hosts now a days, I still use Blogger but eventually do want to migrate to WordPress or SquareSpace, I've heard great things about both.
3. Register an email! You can use gmail, that's totally ok! I still have mine with gmail and it's perfectly fine;) Or you can buy the email to match your website name on GoDaddy when you purchase the domain. Remember to keep all your contact information cohesive so that it's easy to find you and your business cards look nice and neat.
4. And yup, you know it, get an Instagram account! Again try for it to be cohesive to your blog name and email. Big Tip: Before you buy your domain, check to see if your preferred IG name is available;) trust me, it's happened to me! This blog was supposed to be called just "erikabatista.com" but someone on IG had @erikabatista so I had to settle for @byerikabatista - close enough! Big Tip: Make sure you have your IG profile in order, nothing worse than a profile that doesn't tell me what this account is about and write out your email address on there too! How else are people going to contact you?
5. Write! Once you have all of these accounts in order, you are going to want to write out the type of content you want to create. Write out at least 3 posts before you announce and launch. You want to have content to show what your blog will be about. Think of what you would want to see on someone's blog. Most importantly when you write... be YOU. Just because everyone is writing about NYFW or Festivals doesn't mean you have to also, unless of course you truly love and enjoy the two, have attended in the past or will attend. Be authentic and organic.
6. Spell check and review before posting! Trust me, I've been there and there might be typos on this post too but I am here to remind you please triple check your posts. Make sure your sentences make sense. Write out an intro, body and conclusion, lol - I read so many blogs that don't even have an exit sentence. Focus;)
7. Be consistent! The only way to grow is to consistently create content, here and on IG and YouTube. I know that growth can be slow but trust the process, if you work your ass off, you will get work. Produce and create quality content and photos. Create and write with intent. When you are in a rut, take a moment to regroup. Listen to podcasts, read inspirational books and pray, if this is what you really love, pray that you find your way. Do whatever it takes if you feel in your heart this is what you want to do. I am this dramatic because this is a difficult business, it gets rough and it does get slow but once you hit your mark, things start to happen quickly. You'll get there.
8. Please your audience! The people who follow you or will follow you, follow you for a reason. They are your audience and they love you, support you and trust you. Create content that you love. Ask your audience what they want to see, create the content that aligns with your life. I ask you guys all the time on IG what you guys want to see on YT and on here. This exact post is a suggestion I got last week for topics to write about and here I am:) I listen to my peeps!
9. Don't compare! We have all been there but don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle! (Thank you Rachel Hollis for that). I've done it and all it does is make me feel like shit. I have to remind myself that everyone started at 0 and that even if the numbers are slow some days, I have an audience that is loyal and truly enjoys my work and have come to appreciate my kids and my life... and that is truly priceless. Find your purpose. We all have one.
10. Have fun with it! What's the point of doing anything if you are not having fun. Sure there are days when I can't seem to think on how to even begin to write a post or even an IG caption, so I stop, take a break and focus again. I love what I do, it has brought me amazing one-in-a-lifetime opportunities I don't take for granted. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Is it fun? Yup, it truly is but you have to do it for the love and passion. There's nothing like connecting with people all around the world that can relate to my wins, my struggles, this mom life, my love for fashion and even my anxiety. I wouldn't trade this for the world.
In case you missed my other tips search "blogging tips" at the top right corner of the main page:) All about what apps I use to edit my photos, how to reach out to brands, ways to invest in your blog and my Instagram tips and tricks. Now go ahead and kick some butt... ready? set, bloom!
In case you missed my other tips search "blogging tips" at the top right corner of the main page:) All about what apps I use to edit my photos, how to reach out to brands, ways to invest in your blog and my Instagram tips and tricks. Now go ahead and kick some butt... ready? set, bloom!
xo,
Erika
Blazer: Boohoo | Top, Bag + Jeans: Miss Lola [use code erika30 for a discount] | Shoes: Forever 21
Q & A
YouTube
Thanks for always supporting what we do and for wanting to know more about us.
Xo,
Erika
ARE WE HAVING MORE KIDS? HOW DID DAVE PROPOSE? | Q&A
A couple of weeks ago I told you guys we wanted to record a fun Q&A for our YouTube channel and the questions were definitely fun and even a sweet trip down memory lane. The question of the moment was definitely "ARE WE HAVING MORE KIDS?!" - We got this one a lot! If you want to know the answer to this, watch the video below.
As always, don't forget to give our video a thumbs up and subscribe so we can make more of these videos. We had so much fun with this one and you get to see a very silly side of us and the kids.
Thanks for always supporting what we do and for wanting to know more about us.
Xo,
Erika
date night
date night ideas
lifestyle
love life
HOW I BALANCE LIFE & KIDS AND MAKE TIME FOR MY HUSBAND
It's not the first time I get the question... "how do you balance home life, work and two kids and still make time for your husband?" and the answer isn't that simple actually. It definitely gets hard sometimes but it's totally manageable. You just have to get creative and want to make the time. For me, my husband is top priority and I am his and we like it like that, it works for us. This mentality has helped us preserve our attraction, love and affection for each other for the past 15 years (10 years married).
For us, our time together is essential. Whether we spend time alone at home or going out, we make the time. I know life gets crazy some days and having kids is stressful and very busy but the key is to remind yourself that when the kids are adults and off to make their own lives, the only people left in your home will be the two of you. Are you making sure that you and your spouse still like each other? That you enjoy spending time with each other without the children? That you are more than mom and dad? Have you even thought about that? I've seen in happen in real life and on TV, that once the kids leave the house, so many marriages dissolve... for so many reasons; nothing in common, were just holding off for the kids or simply that the love is no longer there or they no longer even like each other. Possibly because neither party spent the time nourishing the relationship. Relationships are very hard and a constant work in progress. You are two different people making ONE life together. Read that again... it's hard.
But marriage is like a plant... you have to nourish is and water it and take care of it in order for it to grow. Dave and I are very much on top of keeping each other happy and keeping the flame on and up. Besides respect, love and communication, I personally believe attraction is key. And we both work on all of these constantly because we love each other and enjoy each other. We prioritize our date nights and we make sure that we keep each other on our toes. For example, we take turns planning one special date night a month, the last one I planned was the cooking class. Being completely transparent, there have been many times were I feel that Dave slacks off and doesn't plan something unless I remind him and yes I get annoyed but as soon as I communicate it to him, he plans something for us to do. This is probably one of the things that Dave does that annoys me the most: he's not the planner of this relationship... I am. Yup. I am such a planner and as he says I am really good at it! ::insert eye roll here::
But that doesn't mean we only go out alone once in that month, we take EVERY chance we get to go out; friends' birthdays, dinners, whatever it is, we are there. To be honest, a big part of that is my mother. She is so great to us and is always down to watch the kids. My family is very close to us and they adore our children so they never say no to staying with them, if anything is the complete opposite, they ask me to bring them. So I would say that's the biggest plus.
If you don't have family around to watch the kids, you still have options girlfriend. Remember more people than not do not have family that live near by and they still make it work. Find a trusty babysitter just for weekends. Outsource as much as you can, even if it's just one night a month, make it work! I feel that most of the time, we simply don't ask. I am such an "asker" (if that's a word?) and honestly one of the reasons I achieve my goals is because I always ASK. Whomever, for whatever I want or need. The worse you can get is a no. Remember, your relationship should be top priority, make it work! Ask your brother, sister, cousin, suegra, bestie, whomever you trust with your kids.
And if it gets too hard to go out because you have absolutely no one at all... girlfriend, get creative! At home dates are as fun, way less expensive and you can get super creative. Put the kids to bed, order fun or fancy food... open up the bottle of wine and have your date night with your boo, honey! Trust me, prioritizing your relationship is very possible. You just have to try and make sh*t happen for yourself. As long as two people are attracted to each other, love each other and are willing to put time and effort in your relationship, then you are already doing it sis. I am not saying it's easy but if you start to make date nights a priority on your calendar, believe me life gets sweeter.
If you need some fun date ideas, I share this and this in the past. I hope this post gets you all inspired and excited to make time with your spouse a priority. Now get to planning it's almost the weekend!
Xo,
Erika
facts about me
fun facts
lifestyle
10 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME
Surprise! Do you guys like the blog's new look? I figured we would make it a fun intro by also sharing 10 facts about me that you didn't know already. While chatting with a friend last week, I told her about a random fact (see #3 below) and she was like "omg you should post about it, that's so cool!" So a week later here we are, I figured I would share a little list of facts about me that I haven't share in the past. Personally, I love to read these about other people so I hope you enjoy it and let me know if you can relate. Here we go:
FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I was born in Miami. I lived there for the first 3 months of my life. Then raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador until I was 10 years old. I have the fondest memories of my childhood.
2. When I came from Ecuador in 1993 I did not know a word of English. So I was an ESL student.
3. I was a spelling bee champion, yup by the time I got to 8th grade I knew English so well that I participated in the school Spelling Bee and won. 'Till this day I am such a spelling freak, it's a pet peeve of mine actually. My trick is (still) that I pronounce English words in Spanish in my head and that's how I memorize how to spell them. Spanish will always have my heart!
4. I don't have any tattoos. Boring right? I still think of getting a mini one day, just to say I have. YOLO vibes.
5. When I was heartbroken my mom sent me to Ecuador to recharge and keep my mind off it. I ended up partying so hard that I flew back hungover AF and it was the worse flight of my life because I felt like I was going to die from that hangover.
6. I was super shy as a child. So shy, I wouldn't leave my mom's lap. It wasn't until high school that I found my confidence (per say) but I clearly remember being shy all throughout elementary school and middle school. Not sure how I ended up here, sharing photos of myself and being this confident and secure but I love it.
7. The reason I am an only child is because my mom couldn't have any more children. She had placenta previa and bled so much when giving birth to me that they asked her to choose her life or mine... she chose mine, thanks to God we both lived. But she couldn't have any more children.
8. Dave broke up with me a year after we started dating... because I was "too clingy". He texted me saying how he "was crazy to think he could live without me" 3 days later and clearly I took him back, should've made him suffer! Bahahaha.
9. I had post part depression when I had Ben. It wasn't too deep or too much but I clearly remember always being flustered and overwhelmed an crying over the dumbest of things. It was hard at the beginning and back then (only 7 years ago) not many people talked about it. I wish they had.
10. I have a potty mouth. Not a proud feature at all but I try and fail miserably at changing it... but I continue to try and one day I will not be such a sailor. But I never curse in front of my mom! lol so strange.
Yup, I am sure you wouldn't have guessed many of these, right? I posted some other facts last summer, you are welcome to check them out here. Hope you enjoyed this fun post, I love these types of post. Getting to know you guys better is always as highlight and I hope this little facts I am sharing, allow you to know me a little better too.
Un abrazo,
Erika
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