Braeden loved the Green Chef Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tahini meal as much as I did! Eating off of skewers was a fun change of pace for him!
It’s the question I dread most nights every week: what’s for dinner?? Between juggling my new life as a single mom with two little boys, my round-the-clock work demands, searching for a new home, and swinging at life’s daily curve balls, planning out a dinner menu or creating delicious meals for myself and my boys has fallen WAY down the priority list. Thankfully, I discovered and am partnering with Green Chef — a meal delivery service that is LITERALLY making dinner great again in my house!
Getting kids in on the action is always a win!
THE PROCESS
I am thrilled to partner with Green Chef, in part, because it offers SO many options for SO many eating styles. Whether you’re keto, pescatarian, vegetarian, meat-only, gluten-free, or just a regular ol omnivore, Green Chef makes dinner a piece of cake (wait, make that a ‘cheesy pasta’) and truly DELIVERS something for everyone — right to your doorstep!
I selected the Omnivore plan because I don’t currently have any dietary restrictions and felt that plan might resonate with most of you. The box arrived on my doorstep right on time, full of all the ingredients I needed to make two different meals. You can select from the 2-person or 4-person plans. I picked the 4-person because I wanted to have extras (you basically double the recipe, but also have the flexibility to cook ‘half’ now, half later and I tested both options.)
This is how you know a meal is delicious — when the baby can’t keep his hands off your plate!
With Green Chef, you can easily change up the day your delivery arrives or pause for weeks at a time to accommodate your schedule. You’ll find yourself excited to see what’s on this week’s menu, and getting into a groove of cooking healthy, exciting meals is great for you and your family. I feel like it will allow me to put dinner on auto-pilot, letting someone else do the hard work of picking meals and buying ingredients, so all I have to do is have fun making the meal and enjoy eating it!
Green Chef’s recipe cards make it so easy to cook delicious, healthy meals.
THE COOKING
Green Chef sent me Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tahini and Southwest Cheesy Pasta — both were HUGE hits! I opted to cook the pasta dish first because it was a cool, rainy night. All of the ingredients arrived in the perfect portion sizes, so there’s minimal assembly required (cutting up vegetables is usually the most time-consuming part.) The recipe card provides easy-to-understand directions that don’t require much cooking experience, and the ingredients are so fresh and flavorful that you don’t have to go off-menu to jazz up a dish. Just follow the step-by-step instructions!
Both nights I was able to cook the meals within 45 minutes. It takes me a little longer juggling the two kids, but with my 3 year old’s assistance (Breden was a fan of tearing the chard for the pasta dish and the kale for the chicken skewers meal!) we knocked it out relatively quickly!
Hard at work (after a LONG day!) cooking the Southwest Cheesy Pasta meal. So delicious!
THE RESULTS
I loved the pasta dish, but MAN the Chicken Skewers were out of this world! I’m still eating the quinoa days later, I devoured the kale salad (literally the first time I’ve ever loved kale!!) and am considering asking Green Chef if they’ll sell me the dill tahini dressing by the bottle! LOL
The cheesy pasta was flavorful and filling, and I loved that I could sneak some extra veggies into Braeden’s dinner. I’d happily eat both meals again AND there was plenty to go around + leftovers that I could use for Braeden’s lunch — another major win!
They say your goal should be to have a ‘colorful plate’ — mission accomplished!
THE DEAL
I HIGHLY recommend Green Chef to help you make dinner easier, more healthy, and less stressful for everyone, so I’ve partnered with Green Chef to offer you $75 off your first three orders!! Just click HERE to get started and be sure to let send me a photo or video on Instagram when you’re making your first meal so I can re-share your stories! Happy cooking, yall! 🙂
The four items in our first The Mr. Collection men’s clothing subscription box.
We’ve all had occasions when you walk into your closet and feel like there’s “nothing” to wear. Lately, Brandon has had a growing number of those days, yet he doesn’t have time to shop at the mall (and I’m not the greatest about ordering online for him!) so I decided to introduce him to The Mr. & Ms. Collection!
Last month I shared my first box from The Ms. Collection, a personal styling women’s clothing subscription service that helps you create a rotating wardrobe with fresh pieces that you can wear several times before sending back — or purchase what you love for a discounted rate! When The Mr. Collection asked Brandon to give the service a try, he jumped at the chance.
SIGNING UP
Signing up is easy and the on-boarding process is simple. Brandon answered a handful of questions about his style, likes / dislikes, preferred colors, etc. Then the personal stylist goes to work — while Brandon got back to business!
There are a couple of membership options to choose from, ranging from $59 – $89 per month:
Standard Once a Month – Three items in each pack, 1x per month: $59/mo
Premium Once a Month – Four items in each pack, 1x per month: $69/mo
Standard Unlimited – Three items in each pack, unlimited packs: $79/mo
Premium Unlimited – Four items in each pack, unlimited packs: $89/mo
And while we’re talking price: You can use my code “kelirabonstyle” for 20% off your first month — this works for both The Mr. & Ms. Collection!
THE BOX
Brandon received four great pieces that were perfect for work AND weekend wear. He usually defaults to a button-down shirt or henley each day, and that’s exactly what The Mr. Collection delivered!
Great button-down, just a little too big
Brandon’s Fav: A Basic Henley
Loved the shirt, but too tight in the shoulders
This was a favorite, just too tight.
Brandon loved the concept — he only needed to spend a few minutes on the survey, and after that, there was no effort required until he tried on the clothes! Because he’s a tall guy with broad shoulders and a long waist, he often struggles with finding the perfect fit. We were able to submit the sizing feedback through his member account so they can make adjustments for the next pack. We feel confident that his next pack will be spot on, and can’t wait to see what the stylists at The Mr. Collection come up with next!
MY BOX I received my second box from The Ms. Collection which was also filled with great pieces that easily paired with other items I already had in my wardrobe — I even had the perfect merlot heels to pair with that beautiful leather skirt! Here are a few pics:
Loved these four pieces — the leather skirt was definitely my favorite!
Blush cardigan is perfect for year-round wear!
This blue dress is great for the office or church!
Loved the quality of this leather skirt!
Stunning floral blouse to dress up or down!
Whether you’re looking for a wardrobe update for yourself or a loved one, The Mr. & Ms. Collection would be a great way to treat yourself or an awesome gift for your special someone. If you’d like to try The Mr. Collection or The Ms. Collection, use my code “kelirabonstyle” for 20% off your first month!
This cute little device is a great gift for your friends, your significant other, or even yourself! Just stick it on your shower wall or on your bathtub and be prepared to enjoy that pre-party shower a little big more!
An adjustable handle will accommodate beer, wine, or even a product bottle if you’d rather save the booze for later!
At just under $15 (and with super fast shipping), this one makes a great gift for a variety of occasions!
Why battle the Valentine’s restaurant crowds when you can make a special reservation for 2 at home?! HelloFresh would be an awesome interactive experience for an couple, especially if you’re building your relationship.
The step by step instructions help even the most beginner cooks whip up gourmet meals in under 30 min! You can even select your own menu based on several choices each week.
The kit provides everything you need to create three different dinners for two! All the ingredients arrive at your doorstep in a box — no grocery trip required!
We’ve talked about creating dinner together, but what about creating something beautiful together to hang on your wall?
The idea is for you & your partner to use paint (select up to 4 colors) and your bodies to make abstract art — it will certainly a conversation piece for years to come!
This kit comes with everything you need — the paint, the canvas, a tarp to lay down on your floor — even a loofah to wash off the paint after you’re done!
Whether your significant other likes to sing in the shower or prefers to catch up on their favorite podcast, this waterproof speaker is a gift that will be put to good use immediately. It’s especially fitting for those early stage relationships , where you don’t want to give too big of a gift, but just want to keep it light and fun. It’s something to make them think about you every day when they see the speaker.
The audio quality is great and the Bluetooth makes it easy to pair with a cell phone. You can also take it to the pool this summer too!
For just under $50, this will be a gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and can be put to use immediately.
What better way to treat your significant other (or yourself too!) than with a massage? Zeel makes it easy to get a massage on YOUR schedule — from 8 am to 10:30 pm in YOUR home.
All you need are a couple of sheets and Zeel will bring the massage table, relaxing music, and a licensed massage therapist. A Zeel masseuse can be at your home within an hour of your request.
From deep-tissue to pre-natal to even couples massages, Zeel’s in-home massages make a great gift for anyone, especially those of us with unpredictable work hours who can’t commit to a big trip to the spa.
Whether you’ve been together for years or even if you have a long distance relationship, this is SUCH a thoughtful gift.
This calendar allows your loved one to see one special photo every day of the year, and I think reminding yourself about all the fun and adventures you’ve had together is one of the most special ways to show someone you care.
If you can easily round-up photos, you can create this adorable calendar in minutes using Social Print Studio’s website OR their Print Studio app! If you don’t have 365 pictures you can just insert whatever photos you have and it will auto-populate and repeat.
This is a DIY gift that is incredibly thoughtful, and will leave a lasting impression all year round.
I found this Etsy company who help you creates these beautiful jars filled with 365 love notes to your partner. You just purchase the template online, then customize the text (or go with the template’s suggestion) — it’s totally up to you.
Print out the notes, roll them up, stick them in a cute jar, and viola! A gift that looks like you spent ages working on it.
If you’ve ever sent flowers from one of those pricey online florists only to see the flowers die three days later — please don’t make that mistake again!
This is THE ultimate luxury gift for the man or woman in your life who has stood the test of time, because these roses will stand the test of time too! They’re guaranteed to last a year, but in my experience they last so much longer!
I sent an Inflorascent arrangement to my husband in Nov. 2017 (red roses) and he sent me these (multi-colored roses) last Valentine’s Day. They still look BRAND NEW. They even smell amazing after a year!
This size is $250 for 16 roses (and some chocolates) — but consider yourself relieved of buying flowers for a very, very long time because these will easily be the center of attention in your house — and all of your guests will be asking “wait are those real? how do they do that?” Yes, they are 100% real — no watering or special treatment required!
SLIP – Silk Pillowcase You or your loved one will sleep better tonight with a silk pillowcase, I promise! I’ve had one of these for a year and LOVE it. It’s better for your skin and hair than cotton pillowcases, and the silk stays cooler too.
THISWORKS – Deep Sleep Pillow Spray Create a sleeping package gift with some of this incredible spray and thank me later! Lavender and Chamomile create a relaxing, subtle scent that aims to help you fall asleep relax and sleep longer.
I’m not sure if it’s truly helped me sleep better, but it definitely makes me feel more relaxed when I lay down after a couple spritzes!
This is such a fun treat for yourself, a friend, or a loved one! I’ve taken this class taught by Rebecca Adler and it is so much fun! It’s held at Central Market on Westheimer here in Houston.
You will learn the fine art of making macarons in this interactive experience — sifting flour, mixing batter, and “dropping the pan” — and leave with some great recipes and 12 extraordinary treats.
Love these ideas?? I hope so! Please let me know your feedback and if you have any other go-to gifts that I should share! Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!!
Baby technology is my favorite kind of technology! Whatever it takes to make those first months a little easier, right?!
As a mother of two (a toddler and a 5 month old!) I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest baby gear. Here are some of my favorite finds — with exclusive discounts just for you!
This is the first baby-wearing shirt designed exclusively for dads — who are often left out of the baby gear world! This shirt allows dad to wear the baby — no straps, wraps, or hooks needed! It’s SO simple: just put on the shirt, place the baby inside, and you can wear the baby hands-free while getting that important bonding time.
Brandon loves to wear our baby in this shirt on morning walks to the coffee shop or hanging out at home. This makes a great baby shower gift or the perfect stocking stuffer for a Dad-To-Be. Don’t miss the mom version of this shirt too — you’ll be glad to have your hands back once they’re snug in the pouch!
Brock on the Hatch Baby Grow. It’s a changing pad and scale that tracks baby weight, feedings, diaper changes, and more.
This high-tech changing pad is more than meets the eye — it’s also a scale that can help new parents keep up with their baby’s measurements and feedings in a whole new way.
During those diaper changes you can keep track of the child’s wet and dirty diapers. This is important especially in those first several weeks when the baby’s doctor will ask you at the appointment how many diapers they’re having, #1 and #2. You can also keep notes in the app about any concerns, like diaper rashes etc.
One of the wonderful features about this changing pad is it allows breast-feeding moms to keep an eye on how many ounces the baby is actually drinking. Since this changing pad is also a SCALE, you just lay the baby down before breastfeeding and it records the baby’s weight. You lay him down again after the feeding, and it will record the new weight. The scale is so precise that it measures down to the ounce, so you can know how many ounces your baby just consumed.
The app is especially handy if you have multiple people caring for your baby, because your caregivers can each log feedings, weight, measurements, sleeping, and a variety of other important categories and the app syncs across multiple devices.
The downside to the Grow’s design is that you have to use the app to log everything, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan of using your cell phone.
The Nanit (pictured here with the floor stand) is an incredible baby monitor that captures crisp video and provides sleep analytics.
Baby monitors and cameras are one of the hardest things to find. Between picture quality, signal, and function locating the best camera is a challenge — but the Nanit is incredible. It’s like a Fitbit for Baby Sleep!
This camera boasts HD resolution video that streams over Wi-Fi and you can view live video or replays from anywhere (not just inside your home) which makes it easy for parents that have to be away from home to watch your child from afar. The night vision is excellent too. We have *never* had a problem with the video not working or the images being fuzzy. We went through two different camera brands when Braeden was a baby — both were unreliable at best.
An example of the video. You can expand the live video image or use the dashboard for more analytics.
Not only is the video quality crisp and clear but this camera takes it a step further by actually ANALYZING your baby’s sleep and provides tips for you and the baby to help optimize their rest. If you’re worried about how your child’s night was (or you’re just curious) you can watch a video summary, and all of the analytics are included in the app. Nanit also emails you with a weekly sleep summary to learn even more about your child’s sleep patterns and how they stack up against others their age.
The camera can actually detect when the parent or the caregiver is at the crib and knows the difference between parent motion and baby motion. Nanit also sends a push alert to you each time there’s sound or motion detected on the crib, so you can keep an eye on them from anywhere.We have been very happy with the Nanit Original, but the company has just released an upgraded model called the Nanit Plus ($279) with a few additional features. Also worth noting — Nanit offers a 45 day money back guarantee if for any reason you don’t like it (but I already know you will!)
Brock hanging out in the Doona — the first car seat and stroller in one!
Among the most agonizing purchases for new parents are the car seat and stroller — the Doona is BOTH in one small and very functional package. We love how EASY the Doona is to operate and how simple it is to maneuver through a restaurant, crowded area, or even the grocery store.
The stroller just folds into itself to become the car seat — you put it on the base just like you would any other car seat without disrupting the baby or moving it out of a stroller and into a carseat. When you take Doona out of your car, just squeeze the lever underneath and the stroller wheels drop down and you’re ready to go.
The Doona easily travels on sidewalks and smooth terrain, but we’ve also taken it “off-roading” at the Renaissance Festival.
The Doona has traveled with us inside small restaurants — simply wheel it up to the table — and even to places like the Renaissance Festival! It’s functional, durable, and one of a kind. It’s definitely not a jogging stroller, but babies need to be much older and have head control before using those anyway.
The price is just under $500 — that’s about what you would pay if you bought a stroller and car seat separately. The Doona pays for itself with convenience!
BUY HERE – $499 (Doona does not do promos, sales, or coupons, but if you buy here you can at least earn cash back AND have hassle-free returns if needed!)
The SNOO bassinet in our room. It’s pretty to look at and incredibly effective at soothing a baby to sleep.
This is the mac-daddy of baby tech for 2018! At first glance it’s a gorgeous heirloom-quality bassinet with a sleek, modern design. But the SNOO has even better function — this smart bassinet is amazing and the first of its kind!) It’s a powerful sleeping tool developed by Dr. Harvey Karp that mimics the motion that comforted your baby while in the womb. It uses white noise and motion to calm your baby to sleep AND help them sleep longer. When your baby is ready to nap you simply put them in the swaddle (they call it the ‘5 second swaddle’ because it’s so easy), press the “on” button, and SNOO goes to work gently rocking the baby to sleep.
Braeden likes to peer on on Brock when he’s in the SNOO.
If the baby cries, the power and shushing sound increases. It continues to level up if the babies cries more, to help calm the baby back down. The app allows you to remotely stop and start SNOO from your cell phone & will alert you if your baby needs your attention. The SNOO helped us get our son back to sleep SO many times, and in turn, helped us get much-needed sleep too.
The SNOO is an investment piece, but also comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee so if it doesn’t work for you, just send it back. SNOO allows you to order the device months in advance and schedule the delivery date near the baby’s due date. Your 30 day trial period begins at that point.
BUY HERE — $1160 (*** $400 OFF with code “KELI400” Valid this week, 1/7 – 1/11 ***)
I hope that was helpful! As always, send me an email, a DM on Instagram, or comment below with any feedback!
If you’ve known me for more than a minute, you probably know I love wine. Of course I can remember my in college days buying huge jugs of Riesling and every color of Yellow Tail because I loved how the bottles could make a rainbow on my countertop (purely for aesthetic, not the content inside right?! LOL) Since then my palate has refined slightly, and I thoroughly enjoy a big glass of chardonnay at the end of a crazy, kid-filled day.
So when Courtney Hopeful of Hopeful Wine asked me to give Scout & Cellar a try, I jumped all in — who wouldn’t want to drink a bunch of wine in the name of giving a comprehensive, genuine review?!
WHAT IS SCOUT & CELLAR?
Scout & Cellar is a relatively new company focused on bringing “clean-crafted wine” to consumers. Independent consultants like Courtney create their own business under the Scout & Cellar umbrella to bring you wines that are different from the rest of the pack because they don’t contain added sugars, synthetic pesticides, additional pesticides, and low sulfites. In short, all the crap that leads to morning-after-wine headaches.
Scout & Cellar is always changing their offerings but has identified smaller-batch vineyards to help them keep an eye on what’s being produced to ensure a quality product. They use sustainable and/or biodynamic farming methods, and their wines are lab-tested.
MY EXPERIENCE
Courtney identified that I like buttery, oaky chardonnay so she tailored her selections to send me the best of the best. I love that big, bold taste (forgive me because as much as I love to drink it, I probably don’t use the correct descriptions!) of brands like Rombauer, La Crema, etc. Scout & Cellar’s wines feel much lighter — not watery, just *lighter*. I grew to actually love this, because I could enjoy the taste with each sip. I can only assume that this difference in the “feel” has something to do with the lack of additives.
I enjoyed all of the bottles I tried — and never once felt groggy the next day. One night I drank an entire bottle (in the name of blogging, duh!) and another night I tried a couple glasses from two different bottles. Each time I felt refreshed when I got up the next morning, and it was actually surprising to me how accustomed I’ve become to feeling a little head fog from drinking other wines. Who knew?! Field House was definitely my favorite, Eulen was a very close second, and Vinas Olvidadas was a great Sauvignon Blanc that’s an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser.
The only one I didn’t love was the Rose, which was a bummer because the cans are the cutest, most portable and giftable little set I’ve ever seen. It could just be that I don’t know my rose, so feel free to give it a try!
HOW TO BUY
If you’d like to try Scout & Cellar and feel the difference for yourself, Courtney can take care of you! Scout & Cellar wine is only available through its consultants, so you won’t find it at your local store (good news is you just place your order online and it arrives to your doorstep!) Find her on IG at @hopefulwine or her Scout & Cellar page here.
