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Christmas Books to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

December 4, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Christmas vacation has always been my peak reading time. I much prefer curling up next to the fire with my blanket and a good book, than doing almost anything else. In honor of my favorite holiday pastime, I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas books. Some of them are completely focused on Christmas stories, some just are perfect to read at this time of year. Also, some of these are classics, and some I've enjoyed for the first time this year. Hopefully, you'll find a few you haven't ...

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Christmas Gifts: What We’re Getting Our Kids

December 2, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Christmas gifts for kids; fort building kit

This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I will make a small amount of commission on items purchased from this post (you will not be charged extra). On social media, I've shared Christmas gift ideas and presents we've given our kids in the past. I've also shared deals for our family's favorite games and fun activities for keeping kids busy (especially while traveling). I wanted to let you know what we're actually giving our kids for Christmas this year. Honestly, we always do ...

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30 Gift Guide Ideas for Couples

November 20, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

The Ultimate Couples' Gift Guide

Sometimes the person you're closest to is the hardest to shop for, but there are so many good gift ideas. This gift guide includes ideas for as little as $5, and most gifts are under $30. I also tried to share ideas that couples would really love and enjoy together. I'll link to a few other gift guides I've put together. Here's a gift guide for men, here are some gift ideas for women, and here are 10 interactive gift ideas for kids. Gift Guide for Couples For Couples Who Love ...

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Easy Quiche Recipe: Sweet & Savory Zucchini

October 14, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Quiche with zucchini and corn

Up until about 4 years ago, I had never made a quiche. It seemed like a brunch and breakfast recipe that was too advanced for me. Then one of my friends told me her secret and all of a sudden quiche was one of the easiest meals to make. She either buys a frozen crust or pastry dough for a single pie crust, and then mixes in eggs with different combinations. An easy quiche, doesn't take much work, but looks and seems fancy. It's great to make for guests, a special brunch, or hosted events. ...

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Harry Potter World & Orlando Trip

October 7, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Last Fall, two of my best friends and I took a trip to Harry Potter World and Orlando. This was my first Girls' Trip, ever, and it was a dream! We had the best long weekend relaxing, eating delicious food, and running all over Islands' of Adventure and Universal Studios to do all things Harry Potter. Kurt and I actually went to Islands' of Adventure on our honeymoon the year that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened up (in 2010). It was so fun to go back and see everything new. I loved ...

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General Conference Activities for Kids

October 3, 2020      Sarah Van Wagenen

Twice a year, we love the chance to hear from our prophet, apostles, and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Watching 8 hours of General Conference in a weekend is filled with inspiring and uplifting Christian messages. Keeping kids busy for that time is always a bit of a challenge. I've spent several years putting together packets and activities to keep little hands and minds busy while we sit and watch. So many blogs have incredible resources, but most are geared ...

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Hi, I’m Sarah!

Hi, I’m Sarah!

My husband, Kurt, and I live in Birmingham, AL with our three little ones {4}, {2}, & {1}. My husband is currently completing a medical residency. Prior to living here we lived in Texas and Utah for schooling.

This is where I'll be sharing recent reads, favorite recipes and products, everyday style, details about our travels, etc. I'll also be sharing freebies I've designed, so don't miss out! I'm so happy to have you here!

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Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎 Charmin Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎

Charming little towns, covered bridges, winding roads lined with brilliant fall colors, and crisp autumn air that makes you feel happy and alive.

Some of our favorite places in New England.

📍 Waitsfield Covered Bridge, Vermont
📍 Von Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont
📍 Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
📍 Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Vermont

Save this for your future romantic fall getaway! 🍁

#NewEnglandFall #FallInNewEngland #RomanticGetaway #FallTravel #NewEnglandRoadTrip
🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places y 🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places you absolutely don’t want to miss!

After exploring Vermont during peak fall foliage, these were some of our favorite stops—from charming covered bridges to incredible hikes and mountain views!

🍂 1. Quechee Gorge & Covered Bridge
Two beautiful, quick roadside stops! Walk across the Quechee Gorge Bridge for views into Vermont’s deepest gorge, then visit the historic Quechee Covered Bridge for that quintessential New England charm.

🏔️ 2. Trapp Family Lodge | Stowe
One of our favorite experiences in Vermont! Beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking mountain views, adorable Highland cows, and incredible food. The entire property feels like something out of a storybook, especially in the fall.

💦 3. Bingham Falls | Stowe
A short but surprisingly challenging hike to a gorgeous waterfall tucked into the forest. It’s only half a mile round trip. The trail is steep, rocky, and absolutely worth it!

🍁 4. Smugglers’ Notch | Stowe
One of the most stunning scenic drives in Vermont! The winding road through the mountains is incredible, but make time to get out and hike. We took the Sterling Pond Trail and added on Elephant’s Head Cliff viewpoint via the Long Trail, which brings the hike to approximately 4.4 miles round trip. There are endless beautiful spots for photos, especially during peak foliage!

⛪ 5. Stowe Community Church
One of the most iconic fall scenes in Vermont! The church’s beautiful white steeple stands out against the vibrant red, orange, and golden mountainside. Such a picturesque stop in downtown Stowe.

📌 SAVE this for your future Vermont trip, and follow along for more travel itineraries, beautiful destinations, and adventures worth taking!

#VermontFallFoliage #VisitVermont #StoweVermont #NewEnglandTravel #falltravel
✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much ✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much into one day!

Good food, a little shopping, pool time, and Backstreet Boys nostalgia made this quick trip one for the books.

Here’s everything we squeezed in:

📍 Aria Patisserie — starting the day with something sweet
📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

Vegas doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Give us 28 hours, a concert, great food, and a packed itinerary and we’re happy. 😂✨

#VegasGirlsTrip #vegastravel #LasVegasItinerary #BackstreetBoys #VegasFoodie
Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile ahead or half a mile behind. I definitely prefer one over the other, but within sight please!

📍Artists’ Paintpot, Yellowstone National Park

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #hikingwithkids #familyadventures #outdoorfamily
Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary! From Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary!

From waterfalls and colorful thermal basins to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife in Hayden Valley—these are some of our favorite stops for a family day in the park.

I included how long to spend at each stop + how much walking to expect so you can actually plan your day without guessing.

📌 Save this for your Yellowstone trip and send it to the person planning your family vacation!

Follow @blossomandbecome for kid-friendly itineraries, family travel tips & adventures. 🤍

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #familytravel #travelwithkids #kidfriendlytravel
Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant co Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant completely changes your experience. 

Here are my top recommendations for food to try in Vegas. 

📍Aria Patisserie 

The Raspberry Rose macaron, a crisp, chewy shell, luscious raspberry filling, and a subtle floral rose finish. Sweet, tart, and perfectly elegant. 🌹🍓

📍Din Thai Fung

Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. I highly recommend it with the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Pork Bao buns.

DO NOT leave without trying the Mango Shaved Ice and the Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream 

📍La Fontaine (for brunch) 

Soufflé Pancakes: Ultra-fluffy, cloud-like pancakes topped with bright lemon curd, fresh berries, and airy thyme whipped cream. 

Le Traditionnel Eggs Benedict, smoked ham, potato bread, and truffled hollandaise. Amazing, so well done!

📍 Saint Honore 

Most famous for their creme Brulee donut and their beignets. We also tried the Passionfruit donut. All of them were standout donuts and not overly sweet, but so fresh and  absolutely worth the stop. 

📍Bellagio Patisserie 

Coolest patisserie design, famous for the mesmerizing chocolate fountain, a multi-tiered cascade of silky, rich chocolate. 

I recommend either a sweet or savory crepe + the Key Lime Tart. 

📍Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar 

“Koreatown” Tacos are a fun Korean-Mexican fusion dish: marinated thin-cut ribeye, creamy avocado-lime mash, tangy kimchi, pico de gallo, spicy mayo, and corn tortillas. Best taco I’ve ever had!

📍Buddy V’s Ristorante 

Grandma’s Meatballs — tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in rich marinara and finished with Parmesan. A perfect family recipe! 

📍Salt & Straw 

I was encouraged to try Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper 🍓🍦—one of Salt & Straw’s signature flavors. It’s creamy strawberry ice cream with balsamic and a touch of citrusy black pepper that makes the strawberry flavor really pop. Delicious!!!

Pro tip: take your ice cream outside and try to time it with watching a Bellagio fountain show. 

#LasVegasEats #LasVegasFood #VegasEats #
Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experienc Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experiencing it during a Backstreet Boys concert is another! ✨

The visuals are INSANE, the sound is incredible, and the entire place feels completely immersive. Add the Backstreet Boys (live and in person) to it; total dream come true! 🥹🪩

#BackstreetBoys #BSB #SphereVegas #LasVegas #BSBArmy
“Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a “Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh.” 🦋

There’s something about this footage of Dolly waving to the people lining the streets of Dollywood that feels especially beautiful to me now. Warm. Nostalgic. Joyful. So very Dolly.

I’ve been going to Dollywood since I was 4 years old. Some of my earliest and sweetest memories are wrapped up in that place.

Now that I’m grown, I’ve had the joy of taking my own children to Dollywood countless times. But last year was the first time I ever got to see Dolly herself riding in the Opening Day Parade.

Dolly was an exceptional woman.

She made the most of the life God gave her, and perhaps even more beautifully, she brought people up with her. She used her success to open doors, give hope, create opportunities, and make people feel seen and loved.

There was something extraordinary about the way Dolly loved people. She didn’t just shine—she made everything around her a little brighter.

The world will not be the same without her. But what a gift it was to live in a world with Dolly Parton in it.🤍🦋

#DollyParton #Dollywood #DollysLegacy #DollyPartonFans #Tennessee
📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas @ilovesainthonore Save 📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas

@ilovesainthonore

Save this for your next trip to Vegas!!
 
The dreamy crème brûlée Saint-Honoré donut—golden, crackly caramel on top, filled with silky vanilla cream, and impossibly decadent. 🍩✨

I can’t say what I liked more: the satisfying crunch of biting through the crystallized sugar? Or that it was the perfect amount of sweet but not TOO sweet? Or the vanilla cream in the middle? Just try it, you won’t regret it! So worth the hype and next time I’m definitely trying the beignets, that are highly recommended and also look delicious.

#donutsofinstagram #sainthonoré #lasvegasfoodie

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NYC Magic of a Holiday Stroll Down 5th Avenue

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Latest Pins

Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎 Charmin Celebrating 16 years of being married. 🍂🤎

Charming little towns, covered bridges, winding roads lined with brilliant fall colors, and crisp autumn air that makes you feel happy and alive.

Some of our favorite places in New England.

📍 Waitsfield Covered Bridge, Vermont
📍 Von Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont
📍 Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
📍 Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Vermont

Save this for your future romantic fall getaway! 🍁

#NewEnglandFall #FallInNewEngland #RomanticGetaway #FallTravel #NewEnglandRoadTrip
🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places y 🍁 Planning a trip to Vermont? These are 5 places you absolutely don’t want to miss!

After exploring Vermont during peak fall foliage, these were some of our favorite stops—from charming covered bridges to incredible hikes and mountain views!

🍂 1. Quechee Gorge & Covered Bridge
Two beautiful, quick roadside stops! Walk across the Quechee Gorge Bridge for views into Vermont’s deepest gorge, then visit the historic Quechee Covered Bridge for that quintessential New England charm.

🏔️ 2. Trapp Family Lodge | Stowe
One of our favorite experiences in Vermont! Beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking mountain views, adorable Highland cows, and incredible food. The entire property feels like something out of a storybook, especially in the fall.

💦 3. Bingham Falls | Stowe
A short but surprisingly challenging hike to a gorgeous waterfall tucked into the forest. It’s only half a mile round trip. The trail is steep, rocky, and absolutely worth it!

🍁 4. Smugglers’ Notch | Stowe
One of the most stunning scenic drives in Vermont! The winding road through the mountains is incredible, but make time to get out and hike. We took the Sterling Pond Trail and added on Elephant’s Head Cliff viewpoint via the Long Trail, which brings the hike to approximately 4.4 miles round trip. There are endless beautiful spots for photos, especially during peak foliage!

⛪ 5. Stowe Community Church
One of the most iconic fall scenes in Vermont! The church’s beautiful white steeple stands out against the vibrant red, orange, and golden mountainside. Such a picturesque stop in downtown Stowe.

📌 SAVE this for your future Vermont trip, and follow along for more travel itineraries, beautiful destinations, and adventures worth taking!

#VermontFallFoliage #VisitVermont #StoweVermont #NewEnglandTravel #falltravel
✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much ✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much into one day!

Good food, a little shopping, pool time, and Backstreet Boys nostalgia made this quick trip one for the books.

Here’s everything we squeezed in:

📍 Aria Patisserie — starting the day with something sweet
📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

Vegas doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Give us 28 hours, a concert, great food, and a packed itinerary and we’re happy. 😂✨

#VegasGirlsTrip #vegastravel #LasVegasItinerary #BackstreetBoys #VegasFoodie
Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile Hiking with little kids…they’re either half a mile ahead or half a mile behind. I definitely prefer one over the other, but within sight please!

📍Artists’ Paintpot, Yellowstone National Park

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #hikingwithkids #familyadventures #outdoorfamily
Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary! From Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary!

From waterfalls and colorful thermal basins to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife in Hayden Valley—these are some of our favorite stops for a family day in the park.

I included how long to spend at each stop + how much walking to expect so you can actually plan your day without guessing.

📌 Save this for your Yellowstone trip and send it to the person planning your family vacation!

Follow @blossomandbecome for kid-friendly itineraries, family travel tips & adventures. 🤍

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #familytravel #travelwithkids #kidfriendlytravel
Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant co Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant completely changes your experience. 

Here are my top recommendations for food to try in Vegas. 

📍Aria Patisserie 

The Raspberry Rose macaron, a crisp, chewy shell, luscious raspberry filling, and a subtle floral rose finish. Sweet, tart, and perfectly elegant. 🌹🍓

📍Din Thai Fung

Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. I highly recommend it with the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Pork Bao buns.

DO NOT leave without trying the Mango Shaved Ice and the Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream 

📍La Fontaine (for brunch) 

Soufflé Pancakes: Ultra-fluffy, cloud-like pancakes topped with bright lemon curd, fresh berries, and airy thyme whipped cream. 

Le Traditionnel Eggs Benedict, smoked ham, potato bread, and truffled hollandaise. Amazing, so well done!

📍 Saint Honore 

Most famous for their creme Brulee donut and their beignets. We also tried the Passionfruit donut. All of them were standout donuts and not overly sweet, but so fresh and  absolutely worth the stop. 

📍Bellagio Patisserie 

Coolest patisserie design, famous for the mesmerizing chocolate fountain, a multi-tiered cascade of silky, rich chocolate. 

I recommend either a sweet or savory crepe + the Key Lime Tart. 

📍Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar 

“Koreatown” Tacos are a fun Korean-Mexican fusion dish: marinated thin-cut ribeye, creamy avocado-lime mash, tangy kimchi, pico de gallo, spicy mayo, and corn tortillas. Best taco I’ve ever had!

📍Buddy V’s Ristorante 

Grandma’s Meatballs — tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in rich marinara and finished with Parmesan. A perfect family recipe! 

📍Salt & Straw 

I was encouraged to try Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper 🍓🍦—one of Salt & Straw’s signature flavors. It’s creamy strawberry ice cream with balsamic and a touch of citrusy black pepper that makes the strawberry flavor really pop. Delicious!!!

Pro tip: take your ice cream outside and try to time it with watching a Bellagio fountain show. 

#LasVegasEats #LasVegasFood #VegasEats #
Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experienc Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experiencing it during a Backstreet Boys concert is another! ✨

The visuals are INSANE, the sound is incredible, and the entire place feels completely immersive. Add the Backstreet Boys (live and in person) to it; total dream come true! 🥹🪩

#BackstreetBoys #BSB #SphereVegas #LasVegas #BSBArmy
“Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a “Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh.” 🦋

There’s something about this footage of Dolly waving to the people lining the streets of Dollywood that feels especially beautiful to me now. Warm. Nostalgic. Joyful. So very Dolly.

I’ve been going to Dollywood since I was 4 years old. Some of my earliest and sweetest memories are wrapped up in that place.

Now that I’m grown, I’ve had the joy of taking my own children to Dollywood countless times. But last year was the first time I ever got to see Dolly herself riding in the Opening Day Parade.

Dolly was an exceptional woman.

She made the most of the life God gave her, and perhaps even more beautifully, she brought people up with her. She used her success to open doors, give hope, create opportunities, and make people feel seen and loved.

There was something extraordinary about the way Dolly loved people. She didn’t just shine—she made everything around her a little brighter.

The world will not be the same without her. But what a gift it was to live in a world with Dolly Parton in it.🤍🦋

#DollyParton #Dollywood #DollysLegacy #DollyPartonFans #Tennessee
📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas @ilovesainthonore Save 📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas

@ilovesainthonore

Save this for your next trip to Vegas!!
 
The dreamy crème brûlée Saint-Honoré donut—golden, crackly caramel on top, filled with silky vanilla cream, and impossibly decadent. 🍩✨

I can’t say what I liked more: the satisfying crunch of biting through the crystallized sugar? Or that it was the perfect amount of sweet but not TOO sweet? Or the vanilla cream in the middle? Just try it, you won’t regret it! So worth the hype and next time I’m definitely trying the beignets, that are highly recommended and also look delicious.

#donutsofinstagram #sainthonoré #lasvegasfoodie
📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas Only 16 of these 📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas

Only 16 of these restaurants in the country, but it’s well-worth the plane flight to get to eat here! Sharing some of our favorite dishes from this most recent trip. I’ve been twice now and ordered even better the second time. 

Tips: Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. 

DO NOT leave without trying Mango Shaved Ice + Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream. 

#vegasfood #lasvegasfood #foodiesofinstagram #foodietips

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