This Thanksgiving, our family traded the usual hustle and bustle for something a little more meaningful: a quiet getaway to the mountains of Colorado. In our little cabin in Divide, we found exactly what we were searching for—uninterrupted time together, serene surroundings and crisp mountain air.
The setting was stunning and incredibly relaxing. The perfect amount of snow fell and the kids and dogs played outside, laughing, running, and soaking up the magic of it all. Inside, we stayed cozy and warm, and watched sooo many Christmas movies! I felt like a little Betty Crocker because I’m typically not a cook but I really had fun leaning into it this trip. No stress or pressure. For thanksgiving, Blake cooked a prime rib and I made an apple pie, mashed potatoes and macaroni (for the kids, of course haha).
There was something special about slowing down—no rushing, no noise—just family time the way it’s meant to be. This trip really filled my cup and it was one for the books. I left feeling so much gratitude and love.
It was perfect in every way, and a reminder of how powerful it can be to step away, reconnect, and truly be present with the people you love most.
We stayed at The Timber A-Frame linked here: https://forestandpeakretreats.com/the-timber-a-frame/
Welcome to my new website! I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. Thanks to my friends at Smash Creative, I now have a stunning and functional site to use again! It’s hard to believe, but I embarked on my blogging and content creation journey in the late summer of 2014… and a year later, I launched HeyKailyMae.com. Everyone’s definition of success is a little different but when I look back on these past ten years of chasing something I had a true passion for, all I feel is gratitude. I feel proud of myself for pursuing something that I had to step out of my comfort zone to do. I’m proud that I stayed consistent and proud of the fact that I built something that gave me the opportunity to be a creative AND a hands on mom. To celebrate, I teamed up with my friend, and talented photographer, Sophia Monetti who helped me with these amazing photos for my launch.
Back in 2014, I was a licensed insurance agent in Austin, seeking a creative outlet. I remember my dad shared an article with me from Texas Monthly that highlighted some successful bloggers, and it inspired me to pursue something I was passionate about that could also provide some extra income. I vividly remember staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning learning how to build a website to dive right in!
Back then, no one really knew what a “blogger” was, and it was quite comical trying to explain it to people. From that experience, an entire industry emerged into what social media is today. After launching my website, Blake and I began creating content multiple times a week. I made it a point to publish a new blog post every week and share on Instagram daily. Friends and coworkers would ask if I ever felt burnt out from social media, but surprisingly, I never did. I had such a passion for creating. After having Aria, things became a bit more challenging, but I still had an incredible time putting together outfits, designing beautiful spaces in our home, and collaborating with brands I loved.
Some of my favorite brands I’ve worked with include:
Clinique
Sam’s Club
Coach
Walgreens
Simon Malls
Steve Madden
Famous Footwear
HEB
TULA
Kérastase
Victoria’s Secret
Panera Bread
It Cosmetics
DiGiorno Pizza
& so many more!
In 2021, I made the decision to transform my part-time hobby into a full-time career while still embracing my role as a stay-at-home mom. This change has granted me incredible flexibility to work, forge connections through partnerships that resonate with me, and be present for Blake and the kids. What a true blessing it has been!
One of the highlights of this journey has undoubtedly been the people I’ve met! Austin boasts a fantastic blogging community, and when I began in 2014, I connected with so many like-minded women who I remain friends with to this day! Those instant friendships were truly treasured, especially in my twenties when forming new connections was more challenging. Plus, we got to enjoy the best events together!
I’ve gained invaluable insights from this role, and I’ve realized that as I age, the pressure to “stay relevant” is not as strong as it once was, but I still find so much joy in being creative in this space! I’ve also learned that it takes a lot of confidence and resilience to share personal aspects of my life each day. Whenever I hopped on my Instagram stories, I knew someone would likely judge me for what I said, did, or how I looked, but I made a decision every day to push those thoughts out and focus on my goals instead.
Lastly I want to give a shout out to my husband, who has been my number one fan since DAY ONE & out of everyone in my life- he has been my biggest supporter. He learned how to take my photos without me having to “force” him to. He encouraged me when I was in my head or hated the photos we were getting. He never let me give up. When events would come around, instead of guilting me into staying home, he’d encourage me to go out and meet new people and brands in the industry. When I had to shoot paid collaborations, he always offered to help me. He has jumped in to help with the kids at night when I’m trying to get a new post up and is usually one of the first commenters on anything I share. What an absolute blessing he has been. These past ten years would not have been possible without him.
To wrap up this lengthy post, I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who visit my site, shop through my links, and find value in what I’ve been doing for so long! I never could’ve come this far without your engagement with my posts on Instagram and TikTok. Your unwavering support means the world to me. And of course, none of this would’ve been possible without God, because he is the one who always makes a way.
Our amazing shoot with Debby Hoefnagels Photography was so much fun and I loved the color scheme of it! The classic warm colors with a touch of blue complimented each other so well. Thank you Debby for these gorgeous photos! I highly recommend reaching out to her for your next family shoot!
I hope this post helps you with your upcoming family photos! I know they will turn out amazing!
Christians are really stepping up their game in the fashion AND music space right now and I can’t stop shopping at all of these cute little online stores that have the best little tshirts & more! Here’s a list of a few of my favorite Christian clothing lines right now.
A few things I’ve learned as a 32 year old wife & mother of 2.
Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone has never NOT paid off.
Being a mom is the hardest job in the world but worth every second.
Never put your worth in a number.
Failure creates opportunity for growth.
Not everyone is going to like you and that’s okay.
You will never stop needing your parents.
Once you break someone’s trust, it’s very hard to get it back.
My life doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to make sense and be right for me.
Slow growth is better than no growth at all.
Your real friends are proud of your accomplishments and will be your biggest cheerleaders.
It’s just hair. If you want to cut it- just cut it!
Uniqueness makes you interesting & beautiful.
Everyone has influence.
Discipline is the root of success.
Small acts of kindness can completely change someone’s day.
Patience must be practiced to be learned.
Sunlight is healing.
Confidence is a super power. Fake it until you FEEL IT.
Showing up for people is probably one of the kindest things you can do for them.
Taking time for yourself is also productive.
You simply can’t say YES to everything.
You are in charge of your own happiness. Don’t put that on someone else.
If you think you can’t do it, you probably won’t.
Trust God with your timelines and decisions.
Pray for specifics. God cares about you and the desires you have for your life.
When you selflessly give to others, you are actually receiving so much.
You can wear white after Labor Day.
Your words are powerful. Use them wisely.
Having a positive outlook, can create a positive outcome.
If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.
Your inner dialogue creates or breaks your confidence.
If you view people in the same light that Jesus would, you see their beauty.
These are just some random thoughts I have had over the years about my life and just life in general. Getting older is a blessing and sometimes it’s hard to focus on that because life is often crazy & exhausting… but it is also so beautiful even throughout the chaos.
This year I had the opportunity to work with an amazing brand called Greenvelope to plan & send out e-vites for my 32nd birthday party! I don’t normally plan my own parties but I’m honestly so glad I did! I had a beautiful dinner & picnic with my friends and my sweet sweet sister-in-laws drove hours to help me celebrate the occasion!
My friend Sophia Monetti captured these amazing memories & all of the beautiful details of this party & I can’t wait to continue looking back at them for years to come!
Recapping everywhere we stayed on our 10 year anniversary trip to Italy because we honestly found some amazing & affordable spots in Lake Como, Florence & Rome. I’ve covered these on my instagram & tiktok but it’s always nice to have them in a blog post to find too!
Our first stay was in Bellagio, Lake Como. We stayed in a hotel called Hotel Florence and it was probably my favorite spot we stayed at our whole trip! Check out this video to see our terrace overlooking the lake. It was breathtaking. When we arrived, they were happy to hold our baggage until our room was ready and the next morning we had a wonderful breakfast just steps from our room, in a buffet style and it was super convenient! I’m linking our Hotel below.
In Florence, we decided to stay in a hotel called Grand Hotel Baglioni with a rooftop terrace that overlooked the Duomo! There are honestly no words for how gorgeous this was. In our room, we had a window that opened up into a courtyard and a wardrobe to store our clothing. This was our most expensive stay of our trip but we loved the location so much, that it was worth the splurge. This is also located near the Santa Maria Novella train station which made it easier to lug our bags from the train to the hotel and back to the train when we left for Rome. Check out this video here.
We decided to book an airbnb for our stay in Rome and I loved the character of our place! It was a little further out from the tourist sites so we booked an Uber to get around a few times but the neighborhood was super quaint and there was a great little coffee shop/bakery about a block away. The bedroom was so cute and there was a small little living room with windows overlooking the street. Linking it below!
If you have any questions, I’m always happy to answer! Reach out via instagram dm’s and if you’re looking for more Italy recommendations, check out my travel posts here.
Our trip to Florence last year was short but it was nothing short of magnificent! Steeped in history, this enchanting city captivates with its rich tapestry of art, architecture, and heritage. Today, I’m going to cover everything we did in Florence including where we stayed, what we ate and the sites we saw.
We visited Florence last May for my husband’s and my 10 year wedding anniversary. We initially flew into Milan and took a car to Lake Como and once we finished in Lake Como we took a train from Varenna (Lake Como) to Florence. You can catch my Lake Como post if you want specific details for that area and you can check out my Italy Transportation video here if you’re looking for information on trains, car, etc.
When we arrived in Florence, we checked into our Hotel called the Grand Hotel Baglioni. This was the most $ we spent on a place to stay while in Italy. If you want to splurge a bit for this hotel, I highly recommend it due to the amazing views of the Duomo (see below) and they had a very nice continental breakfast with amazing views as well.
While we were in Florence we visited a little cafe called La Menagere which was so cute! It’s attached to a little shop too, so after grabbing some cappuccinos and pastries, we looked around in their shop. After that, we headed to the Academia Museum to see the famous David statue and spent a couple of hours exploring this museum. I recommend getting on airbnb to book museum tickets ahead of time!
After that, we headed down to the Ponte Vecchio bridge (this is the famous Florence bridge) and got some pictures & explored the area. There’s a lot of shopping around the bridge which is always fun. Next we visited the Duomo, the Florence leather market, and then got some gelato! The Duomo was just stunning and there are so many street artists around with really fun little treasures. I picked up a painting of the Duomo and it’s on our wall in our dining room!
For dinner, we ate at 2 different places (different nights) but they were both honestly, REALLY great. The first place was called Trattoria Zaza, which is a very old place and one of the most famous places in Florence. We didn’t get a reservation, so we just went during early dinner hours so we wouldn’t have to wait long. The second place we ate at was called Trattoria Dalloste and is known for their Florentine steaks! We got to pick out a steak and it was probably the best steak I’ve ever had!
We didn’t get to visit the Uffizi but hoping to do that next time! Florence is such a beautiful place and it’s worth the trip if you’re planning your Italy destinations! If you have any questions or comments- leave them below!
Blake & I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary in May and took a trip (Blake’s first ever) to Italy! We had an amazing time and I highly recommend going in early May because the weather was amazing! It wasn’t too busy with tourists yet either. The kids stayed with my parents and continued their normal routine with school and daycare. I wasn’t quite ready to spend weeks away from them yet so our trip was only Monday to Monday and because of that it was jam packed! Even so, we still thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was possibly our favorite part of all, so let’s get into it. 🙂
Lake Como was only a ONE night stay for us since our trip was short, but it was one thousand perfect worth it! We flew into Milan and then arrange for a car service to our hotel at Hotel Florence in Bellagio. Bellagio is one of the more popular towns on Lake Como… and was the perfect place to stay and had amazing places to eat & shop, too. The weather was beautiful, but I did get a little chilly in the evening!
Hotel Florence in Bellagio was stunning! (See above.) Once we settled into our place, we explored the Giardini di Villa Melzi which is a botanical garden with lakeside pathways. It was so picturesque… like out of a movie! I believe it cost us 8 euros to enter the gardens.
After exploring the gardens, we headed to dinner at La Lanterna in Bellagio which I highly recommend as well! It’s honestly hard to go wrong with any food in Italy, haha.
We ended our night early so we could catch up on sleep, and the next morning we were off to the ferry to cross the lake to Varenna so we could catch our train to Florence! We rode over a little early so that we could eat at a cute place in Varenna but it was REALLY tough lugging our bags across the cobblestones to get to the restaurant.
Once we got to the the place we were eating, it was so worth the view… but it was still really comical trying to pull our luggage around and through the crowds and small walkways.
There are so many more spots in Lake Como that I’d love to explore so I hope we can make it back again soon! It is highly worth your time and travel for these views & amazing food!
When it comes to travel destinations- I consider myself to be very close to an Eleuthera expert! I grew up going to this gorgeous Bahamian island because my father fell in love with it when I was a kid. I spent many summers in Eleuthera and even considered studying at The Island School for a semester in high school. Now that I’m an adult and have my own family, my dad’s love for the island and it’s people has passed down to me and my own kids.
Back in 2021, we sold our house in Austin and decided to live out the summer in Eleuthera. We felt absolutely crazy but with our kids being so young (2 & 5), we also felt like there may never be another chance to “move to another country” again. So, we packed everything up and spent two months living the island life! That experience really allowed me to get to know the island on a deeper level because we did everything! Our kids even attended a Bahamian daycare a few days a week so we could work a little bit too.
With all of that being said, I think I’ve definitely got some Eleuthera experience to share if you’re looking to travel there soon! I would say that the ideal Eleuthera traveler is someone who isn’t afraid of a little adventure. If you’re more of a resort goer, there are a few nice resorts I will list below too.
Here are some of my top sites/ places to check out on the island. Depending on where you stay, you will most likely need to rent a car to get to these places.
Sapphire Hole– a beautiful sapphire blue hole and about a 20 ft jump or so. The water is beautiful and the jump is fun but be sure you have enough strength to climb out. Since I last visited there was an updated ladder to use to get out of the hole and that made it a lot easier than it used to be.
Levy Preserve– a 30 acre botanical garden and the first national park on Eleuthera! There is a huge lookout you can climb and is lots of fun with kiddos! Be prepared to walk and bring water!
Glass Window Bridge & Cliffs– where the pacific ocean meets the Caribbean! These are giant cliffs you can climb to look over into the water. Bring tennis shoes for this!
Queen’s Bath – located just by the glass window bridge, also called Hot Tubs, are a collection of natural pools that border the rugged Atlantic Ocean side of the island. I climbed in one for a drone shot but had to be EXTRA careful to avoid the sea urchines. However, do check the tides before you go and only venture in with calm seas and low tides.
La Bougainvillea– less adventure and more relaxing! If you come eat at the restaurant, you can also enjoy the pool and beaches.
The French Leave Beach – Located across the road from The French leave Resort, this beach is nice and open and great place to set up camp but this beach does tend to have bigger waves.
Harbour Island – The north part of the island! You can ferry over to Harbor Island from Eleuthera (only a 5 min boat ride) and you will find pink sand beaches, horseback riding, shopping and lots of food! Grab a golf cart when you get off the ferry to explore the island more!
Spanish Wells – another island to ferry over to, but a little more chill than Harbor Island. Smaller too. Rent a golf cart and ride around the island looking at the cute little homes and grab a bite to eat!
Twin Coves Beach– Some of the best snorkeling on the island! Take some snacks and a picnic lunch and hang out for the whole day!
Ten Bay Beach – The best beach for young kids/toddlers!! The water is very calm and shallow and you can hang out in the water with the kids and feel safe with them near you. There are lots of sand dollars here too so be sure to bring your snorkels and let the kids explore!
The Island Farm– We loved going to the island farm when we lived on the island. They have fresh veggies, and fresh bread and you can also grab some homemade jams, salsas and more. They also have liquor, water and other grocery related items. Located in South Palmetto Point.
Preacher’s Cave – A small cave to explore, discovered by William Sayle and a group of Christians seeking religious freedom in the mid-17th century. They were shipwrecked off the Eleuthera coast on a reef called the Devil’s Back Bone and took refuge here after coming ashore.
Here are some sweet mems from the past few years!
Places to Eat (Centralized on the Island)
1648 Restaurant at The French Leave in Governor’s Harbor
The Buccaneer’s Club in Governor’s Harbor
Sunset Inn in Rainbow Bay for yummy pizza!
La Bougainvillea in Governor’s Harbor
Tippy’s in Governor’s Harbor
Meg’s Snack Shack near James Point (North of Governor’s Harbor)
Pascal’s Oceanfront Seafood and Pool – Grab a piña colada from Sammy!
The Cove- A resort but sometimes they have the restaurant open to the public.
Resorts
The Ocean View Club – Harbor Island (We stayed here in 2021)
French Leave Resort – Governor’s Harbor (We stayed here in January)
The Cove
La Bougainvillea – Governor’s Harbor (Have visited the pool and restaurant many times)
Sky Beach Club
Pink Sands Resort
Cape Eleuthera – Southern part of the island. This is where I grew up going!
Valentine’s Resort & Marina ( We stayed here in 2022) – on Harbor Island
There are so many airbnb’s too!
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask locals for help around the island! There are so many sweet people in Eleuthera and they are usually very happy to help tourists navigate. If you rent a car be sure to drive on the left side of the highway and carefully read the road signs. Bahamians drive fast so if someone comes up on you quickly- don’t be alarmed, just let them pass you.
If you’re going to a resort you can get a taxi from the airport (we prefer flying into North Eleuthera but they recently remodeled the governor’s Harbor airport) and we rode with Jarrod Cokely last time we were on the island. You can ask around at the airport when you arrive and go through customs or you can request a ride from your resort too. Everyone knows everyone!
I hope this was a helpful post! The biggest thing to remember is that the island is very laid back and everyone is friendly enough to help you. Comment below if you have any questions or you can always reach out to me via instagram DM’s. www.instagram.com/heykailymae
Archer just turned 5 & we decided to throw him a little get together with his friends for his birthday! He is still in daycare, so it was a small get together but he had an absolute blast with his little buddies!!
I picked up this backdrop on Amazon & I googled the Mario themed font and was able to create the “Super Archer” file. I downloaded the file and had Office Depot print it out for me! I love how it turned out.
I got the balloon arch kit off of amazon as well & I will link that below for you guys! I can’t believe my little guy is 5 years old and starts kindergarten next year! I remember being in the hospital with him like it was yesterday. He’s such an amazing kid. He loves his mama, is super intelligent and tries to be the funniest guy in the room! He is ALL boy and loves dinosaurs, transformers and sports. I’m so excited to see what his future holds!
I’m no professional, but here’s a few things I’ve learned as Archer’s mama! He turned 4 over Spring Break and I’m finally coming up for air but we had so much fun celebrating him this past week. Here are some birthday pics I got of him and the family.
Things were really hard with Archer when he was a toddler. It seemed like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed every single day and no matter how patient you were with him- nothing we did was ever right. This was so draining as a parent and even hard on my marriage. It was so hard for us to find happiness in our days with constant tantrums and fits… but wow have things changed. Archer has really blossomed over the past few months and we are finally getting to enjoy his sweet & funny personality. He’s still stubborn and independent (& don’t get me wrong I think those are qualities that will work in his favor as he gets older) but now we can really communicate with him and he understands what’s happening around him a little more. Overall life has been much easier lately and I’m thanking God for getting us through the thick of it.
Here are some things I’ve learned as Archer’s mom over the past 4 years:
Boys typically have a lot of energy so encourage them to get out of the house and explore! Archer loves playing any sport with a ball and finding bugs. HA!
Encourage open communication. Boys tend to burry their feelings and I NEVER want my son to feel like he can’t talk to me about something that’s bother him. I usually get on his level, validate his feelings and talk about how we can find a solution.
Let them help! This one has always been hard for me because I don’t like messes haha but Archer is a BIG helper and loves to be involved. He tends to want to help Blake most of all and loves tools and yard work. When kids are included in helping with big tasks it builds their confidence.
Model patience. When Archer was younger this was especially hard for us because he’s very independent and very stubborn, but as he has gotten a little older he watches how we react to situations and as our patience got better, his patience did too.
I love this little boy so much and I’m beyond grateful that I get to experience motherhood with a son. Archer wakes me up everyday with a big kiss right on my lips and my heart wants to burst every time. I cannot wait to see that amazing things this boy with achieve with all that resiliency and independence in him.
