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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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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 “Bay Babies.”

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Top 20 Credit Cards with the Best Travel Rewards

Travel credit cards are growing increasingly popular, especially now that travel is back in full swing. My friends and I enjoyed a weekend getaway in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Hotel Nia during Easter weekend. We swam at the pool, lounged in the cabanas and enjoyed their annual Easter brunch.

Hotel Nia is part of the Marriott family and you could use your own travel rewards points to splurge on an a similar weekend stay. This fabulous weekend could be courtesy of your strategic spending on travel reward credit cards. Pay your bills and then take advantage of incredible travel deals - it's a win-win!

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Beginners Guide to Creating and Editing TikTok Videos and Instagram Reels

Whether you’re aspiring to be a full-time content creator or you just want to pick up a new digital hobby, filming and editing engaging video content is an essential skill to have in your repertoire. For some creating this kind of dynamic video content comes naturally. But for others there’s a significant learning curve and it can be a bit intimidating at first. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, I promise this guide will be helpful in getting started, and even possibly inspire your next great video content idea.

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Great Entry-Level Luxury Watches and How to Buy Them Securely

There’s a good chance you’ve pondered the idea of buying a luxury watch. After all, there are many reasons why both men and women love watches: they underscore the wearer’s personal style, hold sentimental value, and look fantastic either as a statement piece or stacked with other jewelry. Not only that, but in the age of consumerism, one of our biggest concerns is sustainability. We are shifting away from fast fashion pieces to focus on building capsule wardrobes and making conscious purchasing decisions, and interest in luxury watches has been on the rise as a result. These timepieces are made to last, and who knows? Maybe you’ll even create a family heirloom.

My husband has been a long-time watch aficionado and over the years his enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. He has a prized collection of watches that he’s acquired over the years, with a diverse range of styles. Some of his watches are for everyday wear, while others are reserved for more formal or special occasions.

When it comes to purchasing your first luxury timepiece watch, it can be a bit intimidating to know how to get started. This is also true if you’re planning on gifting a watch to a loved one. This guide is filled with valuable information for beginners just entering the world of luxury and vintage watches. We also include information about securely purchasing a luxury watch and avoiding any online scams.

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Guide to the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park - Everything to Know Before You Go

Taking the kids to the zoo is a classic family pastime, and the Sacramento Zoo is no exception. We’ve been taking the kids to our local zoo for a few years now and we definitely have our routine and favorite spots.

The Sacramento Zoo is located inside the spacious William Land Park, alongside other kid attractions such as Fairytale Town and Funderland. Being that the zoo is so close to park hangout spots such as the Lily Pond and green grassy fields, you can really make a day of it and give the kids a full day of fun.

In this guide I will outline the key attractions inside the Sacramento Zoo and provide you with insider tips to guarantee the best experience while visiting the zoo.

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How to Become a Full-Time Content Creator and Actually Make a Living Wage

It is a dream for many people to become their own boss. To create something extraordinary and earn money doing what you love. More importantly, earning enough to support yourself so that you can evolve your passion into a full-time career. Whether you want to become a star personality by making videos, or write advice blogs that can offer much-needed help for those who need it.

About me, I have been a content creator for over 8 years and I’ve worked with many brands and creatives to build their own content. I’ve spent several years working in various roles such in-house digital marketer for large companies, creative contractor and self-employed content creator with my blog.

I’ve compiled all the knowledge I’ve gained from my previous work experiences to give you a realistic look at what it takes to make it as a creative professional. Keep reading to discover your comprehensive blueprint guide on how to become a full-time content creator.

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