Travel Guide to Yolo County - Hidden Gems & Small Towns to Visit

We live in the heart of East Sacramento, which means that Yolo County is right in our backyard. Yolo County is located directly west of the urban Sacramento city blocks and across the Sacramento River. Surprisingly West Sacramento is technically part of Yolo (go figure!) and is the most populated and developed part of Yolo. The further west you travel, the more rural the landscape becomes with quaint countryside scenes.

This blog post guide is filled with photos and stories from our family adventures in Yolo County. Here you’ll find my top recommendations for agritourism farms to visit, foodie and restaurant eats, photography spots and unique shopping experiences.

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10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog

I have been a “dog mama” to my Black Labrador Holly for over 10 years now. She has travelled with me all over our home state of California, often on very long roadtrips from Northern California to Southern California.

Holly was a rescue adopted from the Humane Society when she was about one year old. She has always had a sweet disposition and is loving towards people, but she’s also had very severe anxiety from past trauma. I never knew what her history was before I adopted her, but she clearly suffered in the hands of her previous owner.

Holly’s anxiety can especially get triggered when she knows there’s an upcoming trip. The moment she sees my suitcase come out of the closet, she begins to pace around nervously and follows me everywhere I go in the house. She’s either worried that I’m leaving on a trip without her, or she’s nervous to be taken on a roadtrip to a new place. Either way, traveling puts her on edge.

I have worked with several dog trainers over the years to help Holly with her anxiety. This blog post has been several years in the making, as I’ve complied many of my learnings, personal experiences and professional advice from trainers into one guide. I hope all dog owners with pups suffering from anxiety can use these tips to find relief for their fur babies.

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How to Style a Sweater with Overalls

During my last trip to New York City I packed my favorite pair of comfy denim overalls and a bright and colorful sweater. It was the month of October and the seasons were still in transition from summer to fall. It was warm enough to wear overalls and flat sandals in the daytime, but it was nice to have a sweater for those chilly breezy moments.

At the time I was 6 months postpartum after having my daughter and I wasn’t fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes just yet. Overalls were the perfect maternity staple, and also awesome for my postpartum wardrobe.

Both my overalls and sweater are from Modcloth, which always has amazing colorful and trendy clothes. They especially have the best rainbow styles!

In this guide you’ll find all kinds of style tips and inspiration for your own sweater and overall outfits. From season to season, this wardrobe combo is an easy to wear and can be worn to all kinds of daytime events.

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Best Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms to Cut Your Own Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up the car and headed North-East from Sacramento into Apple Hill. It’s about an hour drive from our house to the Placerville and El Dorado County area. We had been looking forward to selecting and cutting down our own Christmas tree all week!

Apple Hill is one of the few places in Northern California where you can go into the Christmas tree farms and cut down your own tree. The Christmas tree varieties include Douglas Fir, White Fir, Canaan, Noble Fir and Silvertip. Most of the Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and stay open until the week of Christmas (or until they sell out).

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Top 20 Halloween Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating that the Whole Family Can Enjoy

October is the true beginning of the fall season and the entire month is filled with festive Halloween events. With every passing week of the month, the children’s anticipation builds up for October 31st. For most families Halloween night is synonymous with the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating. Many children celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes and visiting neighbors in your neighborhood in search of candy.

So why would you decide against celebrating Halloween with trick-or-treating? There are several reasons to possibly avoid taking to the streets on Halloween. Some neighborhoods are not suitable for walking door-to-door, they may be too spacious and rural. Other places may just be unsafe and not very child-friendly. Extreme weather can hinder trick-or-treating or maybe your tweens are just getting too old.

No matter what your reasons, my guide is filled with many fun and festive Halloween alternatives to trick-or-treating. My suggestions are great for children of all ages (and for adults too!). Your friends and family won’t be disappointed with the spooky fun you’ll be serving up!

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How to Host a Moroccan Christmas Party - Just Like Phyllis from The Office!

The Christmas party episode of The Office was pretty memorable. The theme was ‘’nights in Morocco’’ as stated by Phyllis Vance, who wanted to plan an original Christmas party. After enduring so many traditional holiday parties put on my Angela from the Party Planning Committee, Phyllis was ready to flex her power as the new head of the PPC with an exotic party theme.

Whether you want to replicate Phyllis's Moroccan Christmas party at home, or would like to know what parts of the party were actually Moroccan and what parts were not, here is everything you need to know about that episode.

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Easy DIY Ruth Bader Ginsburg Halloween Costume - Only 5-Pieces to Complete the Look!

For Halloween some people like to dress as comic super heroes with tights and capes. But there are real life super heroes who are flesh and blood humans and I personally prefer to honor them with my Halloween costumes.

Continuing my tradition of feminist-themed bad ass women halloween costumes, this year I am embodying the Notorious RBG, formally known as Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If ever there was a badass woman in our recent history, it was Ruth.

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Vintage Board Games for Date Night

There’s something so romantic and nostalgic about vintage board games. It brings you back to a time before technology had taken over our lives and people really took their time to enjoy each other’s company.

For myself and my husband, our perfect date night consists of lively conversation, good food and drinks, music playing and cell phones turned off.

The board games listed in this blog post were each chosen because they are great options for two players. Each game has its strengths and will set the tone for a romantic evening. So grab two glasses of wine, light some candles, play some chill background music and let the competition begin!

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How to Dress Warm (but still look CUTE!) This New Year’s Eve

I’m a big fan of wearing sparkly sequins and New Years Eve is the perfect excuse to add all the sparkle you want to an outfit. There’s something magical about staying up late to ring in a new year, especially when the fireworks show starts as the clock strikes midnight. There’s always many parties and events happening the evening on December 31st, which means you’ll need the perfect festive ensemble.

The struggle with dressing for New Years is always the same - how to look fabulous while still keeping warm. New Years Eve festivities go late into the night, and often involve going outside to see fireworks. Not to mention the fact that we’re talking about the winter season so the temperatures can really dip down into the 40s here in California (and even colder for the East Coast).

In this guide I will give you some clever and fashionable tips to make your New Years Eve party style cute and warm at the same time. These pointers will also come in handy for any late fall or winter evening events where you may be outside (like a Halloween party for example!).

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San Diego Areas to Explore During a Bachelorette Destination Trip

No matter the type of experience you wish to share with the girls at your bachelorette party, to make it impeccable for you, America’s Finest City will lay it out on the canvas of the finest weather you could dream of.

In the mood for wine-induced gaiety wrapped in classy sophistication? Wanting to explore sites that offer different scenery and heart-throbbing adventures every five minutes of the walk? Driven by the desire to bask in the sun of the finest beaches? Up for a hiking challenge with breathtaking views while compiling a collection of quirky pics?

 Whatever your preferences, the San Diego area has a whole array of body and soul-pampering experiences to make for a stupendous catalog of life-long memories. Let’s jump right to the list of tempting bachelorette destination choices!

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Affordable Food and Fun Things to Do in San Diego

There are many fun things to do in San Diego - and despite what you may have heard, not all of them break the bank.

If there’s one thing this area is criticized for, it’s that the high-standards lifestyle often comes with a price tag that’s just as soaring.

But San Diego is called America’s Finest City - not its priciest city. While there are some high-priced attractions and establishments that attract the affluent, it’s also possible to enjoy this amazing area without a big budget.

Today we’ll highlight some of the best restaurants, attractions, and locations that allow you to fill your stomach and your day without requiring you to drain your savings in the process. We’ll also mention some of the spots you can head to when it’s time to splurge and treat yourself.

Let’s plan our San Diego day together!

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Side Hustle Ideas for Moms to Boost Their Income

As a busy mom, you know that there’s never such a thing as too much money. Whether it’s for planning that next family vacation, back-to-school shopping, or simply a hefty grocery run, a few extra hundred dollars per month can stretch quite a long way.

If you’ve been looking for a side hustle that is both lucrative and respects your busy schedule, this article is here to help! We’ll be showcasing five of the best side hustle ideas for mothers, including how you can easily get started.

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6 Simple Yet Luxurious Ways to Pamper & Spoil Hard Working Moms

Moms, the unsung heroes of our lives, deserve all the appreciation and love for their tireless efforts. Balancing work, home, and personal life, they often make tons of sacrifices and put their own needs on the back burner for the kids, family, and they care about.

Busy moms have it a little bit, but they still manage to push through the challenges, keep the family intact, and raise successful kids. The woman who raised you automatically deserves some pampering and spoiling from time to time, so go ahead and spoil her whenever you can.

Here are some ideas on simple yet luxurious ways to make mom feel spoiled and pampered as you appreciate her for the hard work she puts in.

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Beautiful Places in San Diego to Take Family Pictures

Taking family photos is a great way of documenting memorable events that happen in our lives and capturing important milestones. These moments frozen in time help us see our loved ones grow up and change over the years. Photographs become a precious legacy that can be passed on from generation to generation.

One of the most breathtaking places to take family pictures in Southern California is undoubtedly San Diego. With stunning natural beauty ranging from world-famous beaches, pristine parks and even modern urban neighborhoods, this city has some of the best backdrops in the country.

Choosing to take family pictures in the beloved San Diego city is an easy decision because there's a locale for every kind of vibe you could be going for. Below you'll find 15 of the most Instagrammable places in San Diego where you can have a photo shoot with your loved ones, regardless of the occasion.

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What Type of Swimwear is Right for You?

When you want to choose a new swimsuit, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the range of styles available. At the same time, it might also be important for you to feel comfortable in what you wear, especially if your swimming will occur in a public place. Doing a bit of research before you buy, and really taking the time to think about the features you would like to see in a piece of swimwear, can allow you to feel more comfortable about the item you end up purchasing.

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The Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation

USA’s sunshine state is known for its warm weather, delicious seafood, and beautiful beaches. Whether you want to party or have a relaxing and tranquil retreat, there’s a Florida beach for every kind of vacation vibe you're going for.

With 825 miles of shoreline, Florida’s beaches are famous for their white sand, crystal-clear waters, and lush green vegetation, making it an ultra popular vacation destination.

Parts of Florida are comparable to luxurious tropical island destination such as Fiji and the Maldives. But being that all of Florida is US territory, you can avoid passport hassles and long-haul flights. While it may feel like you’re far away in an exotic destination, you’re still safe and comfortable in our homeland America.

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How to Wear a Midi Skirt in Fall

Skirts are a closet staple that are fun to wear all year long, but shorter lengths can be impractical once the season starts to turn. If you want to continue enjoying the easy and chic vibe that they give to your outfits, then midi skirts are your best bet.

The mid-calf length minimizes leg exposure, so you can wear midi skirts even when temperatures are starting to drop.

Today’s midis are also available in a variety of fits, from the narrow and sleek style to the popular A-line design, which starts fitted at the hips and then flares out to the hemline.

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How to Wear Crystals – Easy Ways to Incorporate them into Your Everyday Life

In recent years, crystals have become increasingly popular, as a way to access their healing properties, spiritual guidance, or simply as a fashion accessory. Incorporating crystals into your everyday life can be quite confusing, especially for beginners.

Whether you are a crystal enthusiast looking to add them to your wardrobe, or you are a beginner, this guide will provide you with easy ways to start wearing crystals.

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