Waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of someone softly knocking on your bedroom door can be exciting. I remember serving breakfast in bed to my Mom on Mother’s Day. The fact that my daughters have kept this tradition alive for me means the world. Each year they carefully assemble a thoughtful display of pastries on beautiful dishware and flowers.
Intimate moments like these become traditions that create unforgettable memories I will cherish for years. This year, with the help of Macy’s, Mother’s Day will be extra special. This year, I have an exclusive Mother’s Day gift guide on the Macy’s website with all of my favorite things to get and give. You will find everything from hostess gifts to jewelry, home decor, fragrances, and, my favorite – accessories! From now until April 30th, everything is an additional 30% off during the Macy’s Friends and Family Sale.
Shop my picks and make Mother’s Day this year extra special!
My Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Thank you for browsing my Gift Guide; I am always grateful for your support. The Macy’s partnership has been truly a rewarding experience.
Tomorrow, July 28th, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open to EVERYone. As always, you can save a lot of money each year by shopping for high-quality fashion brands for less during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
This year is no different; with Fall around the corner, now is a great time to buy fun pieces to layer up or style once the temps cool down a little bit.
I have always share looks that I shop and wear year over year. From my favorite cutouts to date night dresses, this year, the sales look great! As always, scoop these pieces up quickly as they tend to sell out quickly!
Here are some affordable pieces that you will be glad you shopped for less, trust me!
When the opportunity to go to Costa Rica came about, my husband and I couldn’t resist! Known as a great family-friendly destination, we decided to go with our kids and four other families.
Instead of trying to do a hotel with different rooms, we got a house together in Manuel Antonio. The home was a purchase from a gala that one family had recently attended.
The Villa Mariana (our home away from home for the week) was a beautiful property located right in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle. While there was enough room for us all to sleep, it didn’t prove to be the most kid-friendly property. As an important note, I would highly recommend this property for adults only! Keep in mind many of the properties in Costa Rica do not have central air conditioning in the common areas, so make sure to inquire before booking your stay. We only had air-conditioning in our bedrooms, so you can imagine how hot it felt in the main hangout areas when it hit 90 degrees! Thankfully we had two pools to cool off in, so it didn’t ruin the trip (but something noteworthy to consider when booking your next trip to Costa Rica). The main home in the Villa Mariana has four bedrooms with a guest house boasting two additional rooms to make for enough space to accommodate 5 families. Aside from the home, I wanted to share my top 5 things to do in and around Manuel Antonio.
This beach was a short 10-minute drive from the Villa Mariana. Make sure to book umbrellas and chairs ahead of time. The Costa Rican sun gets very hot midday. Consider bringing a cooler (they allow them!) with cocktails, water, and snacks…. it will make things easier especially with kids. For a proper lunch, we headed to a neighboring hotel which you might want to consider when deciding where to have your umbrellas set up. Make sure to pack a portable speaker and some beach toys. This is a great way to experience the Costa Rican beach and dip in the Pacific Ocean!
Catamaran
Since we were traveling with 20 people, we decided to book our own private Catamaran. If you are traveling with a smaller group, they have group charters. We opted for the sunset cruise. Aboard the boat, we had two chefs and two helpers. Our outing included a late afternoon meal with rice, beans, chicken, and veggies as well as snorkel gear, and dolphin watching. This was a great way to dip in the water, bond as a group, and watch to a beautiful sunset on the water! A must-do activity!
At this park, we saw some extraordinary animals including sloths in their natural habitats. With some small stops along the way, including some food, it makes for a nice outing with the family. Midway in the national park, there is a beach with the option to take a dip (pack a swimsuit or wear one under your shorts). *Something noteworthy* If you plan to include this in your travel plans make sure to pick a temperate or cloudy day so it can be more enjoyable. On the day we had planned the national park it was VERY hot! There was not a lot of solace from the sun along the walking path and doesn’t make for easy transport of infants. The walkways are rough at the beginning so not ideal for strollers. If you catch a nice day, this is a must-see stop!
We picked Canopy Tarzan for our zip lining. To be honest, it wasn’t the closest to our house in Manuel Antonio, but we heard it was the best one. It did NOT disappoint! With a multitude of LONG runs, it made for a perfect way to experience the jungle from the treetops. The last jump in this excursion, was a quick dip in a pool and waterfall, make sure you wear your swimwear under your shorts! *If you have a fear of heights this might not be your best bet.* Lunch was included. Make sure to mention any dietary restrictions when booking.
White Water Rafting: Savegre River
The location for white water rafting was a total of an hour and half away in the middle of the rainforest and mountains of Costa Rica. It was simply breathtaking! Kids ages 6 and over are allowed to partake in a class 1 rafting trip. Equipped with proper gear and a guide, you are taken down the Savegre River’s rapids and taught fun facts along the way! There are safe places for you to take a dip so make sure you are in your swim gear. I would highly recommend this as a fun-filled family excursion!
I hope this guide helps plan your next trip to Manuel Antonio! Costa Rica is filled with beautiful customs, food, scenery and most of all beautiful and friendly people!
Since starting Chicks And Salsa I have found myself in new and unfamiliar situations so many times. Five years ago if you asked me to walk into a room full of strangers and indulge in ‘small talk’, I would have run for the hills. Now, the prospect of meeting new people excites me!
Being forced to step out of my comfort zone has taught me a lot about myself. Here are a few tips I have learned along the way to make uncomfortable situations more… comfortable. Some of these tips you have probably seen before but trust me, repetition is how to make it stick.
Dress The Part
This is first because playing the part means looking the part. Nothing helps me put my best foot forward like feeling confident in the space I am occupying. Dress for the occasion and feel good in what you wear, it will reflect in your mannerisms. Our Mom always taught us that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed — you will never feel out of place. That has stuck with us throughout our lives (and probably explains a lot about us for those of you who know our family).
Here are a few versatile picks perfect for a multitude of occasions all under $50:
Do Your Research
Nothing makes me feel worse than not knowing about the host of an event or facts about the event itself. Knowing what you are walking into is so important for nailing a conversation. Finding a way that connects you to the space and the people within it is a true life hack for making an impression. Even just quickly browsing information on your phone in the Uber or in the bathroom can give you information that could create a real impact on someone later in the event.
Listen (Mirror and Label)
I am a sharer and have a tendency to talk more than I listen. Since ‘small talk’ does not come naturally to me despite practicing for years, I have finally found a technique that works wonders for getting other people to talk. I recently watched a lecture on Masterclass on a technique called “Mirroring and Labeling” in which you repeat back key words from the conversation to help keep the conversation active and engaging. It has changed my conversation game tenfold. If you need some help in this department, check out this lecture: Masterclass with Chris Voss
Know Your Story
We all have heard about an ‘elevator speech’ and even if you are not a business owner or don’t work, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a story. Almost 100% of the time people will ask, “So, what do you do?” Are you prepared to answer this question in a way that is concise and coherent? If not, then now is a good time to get your story straight so that you can dig into the next level of the conversation. Preparing a quick FYI can be simple but make it unique. As women in this world, we are all trying to find our place. Take a moment to figure out what space you occupy and how to communicate that with others.
I have only recently gotten comfortable with my own story of discovery from being a stay at home mom, to a blogger, to a self-employed social media content creator and manager. It took me several years to put the pieces together in a coherent way, but I finally have my story down.
Sonia and I have TERRIBLE posture. In the past few years as we have become more confident and practiced sharing our story, dressing the part, and listening, we have started standing straighter. In the same way a firm handshake is important, so is posture. We have learned so much from Blush with Parmita, her YouTube tips for standing out have really changed the way we walk into a room and handle a conversation. This did not come naturally for us, but we practiced and reminded each other to do it so many times over the years that now it feels automatic. Without saying a word, how you stand and present yourself to the world can create the strongest and most lasting impression.
Hopefully, you needed to hear some of this, I know we need reminders all the time. I would love to hear about your life hacks that have made you a better and more productive person.
