40 Bucket List Things To Do Before You Turn 40
40 Bucket List Things To Do Before You Turn 40

So, your 40th birthday is on the horizon. Congrats! You might feel a little bewildered about this next chapter, wondering whether you’re still considered young (or over the hill). Is it time for your mid-life crisis yet? Hint - you’re as young as you feel!

Regardless, turning 40 is a remarkable milestone. It is time to reflect on your life, the past as well as the future. If you’ve been living all footloose and fancy-free, maybe it’s time to finally start β€œadulting” and working towards big goals and building a sustainable future. 

Where your 30th birthday was about saying goodbye to the wild days of your 20s and entering the β€œ30, flirty and thriving era”, your 40th birthday is going to be more about creating the ideal life for yourself with all the life experiences and wisdom you’ve gained.

I myself am turning 37 years old on my next upcoming birthday. I will admit that the second half of my 30’s really snuck up on me, but I’m doing my best to embrace this new era of womanhood. This blog post is not only things to do on your 40th birthday, but also how to approach midlife with gusto and zest for life.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseComment
Buy a House in a Year - A Complete Checklist to Buying Your First Home
Buy a House in a Year - A Complete Checklist to Buying Your First Home

For years my husband and I were paying high rent costs for our tiny apartment in San Francisco. All the photos in this blog post were taken during our last year of renting. While we loved living in the city, we knew eventually we would be moving into the suburbs to buy a house and start a family.

One day we received a letter from our landlord that our rent would be going up again, and this was the kick in the pants we needed to lay out the groundwork to homeownership. This notice was the straw that broke the camel’s back and we made the decision to get serious about buying a house and putting a permanent end to paying rent.

This guide compiles all the research and steps we followed in the process of buying our first house. It took us about a year to complete all these stages in our journey, not to mention saving up for the downpayment.

It’s never too early or too late to begin your own plan of action towards owning your first home. My advice is to take it one step at a time and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete all the steps.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseHomeownershipComment
Fair Isle Knits and Wellington Boots: Quintessential Modern Winter Fashion Staples
Fair Isle Knits and Wellington Boots: Quintessential Modern Winter Fashion Staples

Both the current fashion trends of Fair Isle Knits and Wellington Boots are actually not trends at all, they are winter fashion staples going back many decades. But in modern day we aren't wearing these styles in exactly the same way as our grandmothers did. These days both fair isles prints and wellies come in an array of bright and colorful shades, making dark winter days much more cheerful.

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseModern Mama, Winter Style Comments
Travel Guide to Yolo County - Hidden Gems & Small Towns to Visit
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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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern CaliforniaComment
10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog
10 Tips for Travel and Day Trips with an Anxious Dog

I have been a β€œdog 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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TravelGennifer RoseDog MamaComment
How to Host a Moroccan Christmas Party - Just Like Phyllis from The Office!
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 β€˜β€™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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LifestyleGennifer RoseHoliday SeasonComment
Easy DIY Ruth Bader Ginsburg Halloween Costume - Only 5-Pieces to Complete the Look!
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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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseComment
Vintage Board Games for Date Night
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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LifestyleGennifer RoseComment
San Diego Areas to Explore During a Bachelorette Destination Trip
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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TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
Side Hustle Ideas for Moms to Boost Their Income
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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LifestyleGennifer RoseModern MamaComment
6 Simple Yet Luxurious Ways to Pamper & Spoil Hard Working Moms
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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LifestyleGennifer RoseModern MamaComment
Beautiful Places in San Diego to Take Family Pictures
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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TravelGennifer RoseSan DiegoComment
What Type of Swimwear is Right for You?
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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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseComment
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Florida to Visit on Vacation
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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TravelGennifer RoseUSA DestinationsComment
How to Wear a Midi Skirt in Fall
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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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseFall StyleComment
How to Wear Crystals – Easy Ways to Incorporate them into Your Everyday Life
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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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseComment
10 Easy DIY College Care Packages for Students Away from Home
10 Easy DIY College Care Packages for Students Away from Home

When a family's young adult leaves the nest and goes away for college, you may be excited for them to start the next stage of their life. But this big life transition comes with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety, not to mention homesickness for those who have a close relationship with their parents and siblings.

Homemade care packages are a great way to let the college student in your life know that you are thinking of them. This small token can go a long way in showing support for students who aren’t used to living far away from home and family.

In this guide I’ll outline some easy to recreate DIY care package ideas, which can easily be tailored and customized for each individual student.

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LifestyleGennifer RoseComment
Beginner's Guide to Fine Dining Etiquette and Rules
Beginner's Guide to Fine Dining Etiquette and Rules

Do you remember that scene from the movie Titanic where Jack had no idea which utensils to use at the fancy dinner? Well this guide will help you to be less confused than poor Jack was during that meal.

Eating at a fine dining establishment with white tablecloths and chandeliers can be an intimidating experience if you’re unfamiliar with this type of environment. But fear not because below you’ll find helpful tips and explanations to the unspoken rules of the fancy society.

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TravelGennifer RoseComment
Candice Cuoco - How to Support an Emerging Fashion Designer
Candice Cuoco - How to Support an Emerging Fashion Designer

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you know that I studied fashion in college and been active in industry events such as Fashion Week.

During my volunteer time at San Francisco Fashion Week I was able to spend some time with emerging designer Candice Cuoco. You may know her as one of the finalists from Project Runway Season 14, along with her many celebrity collaborations. She is also a San Francisco Bay Area native like me, so we instantly connected on growing up as β€œBay Babies.”

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Fashion & StyleGennifer RoseComment