Turn stressed mess into hostess with the mostest!

I've always loved the idea of entertaining and having house guests, until it gets to be the night before and my house is a wreck and I still have a million things to do - and the dog just puked on the carpet, and all the sheets are dirty, and I drop the quiche on the oven door, and, and, and (and these are all things I have actually done)...

But I've come to realize that it's ME, not my lovely house guests that create all this stress and chaos. Having a few people in your home really isn't that big of a deal if you take a few easy extra steps BEFORE hand.

The biggest thing I have come to realize about being a good hostess is actually being relaxed - your guests can tell if you're a hot mess express, and it doesn't leave them feeling very welcomed. So I'm going to give you a few of my tips, tricks, and hard fast hostess rules!

Before we get started, remember to be kind to yourself, and know that changes are that if someone is staying with you its because they love you and want to spend as much time with you as possible. They'll love you with dirty baseboards and an unorganized fridge too. 

So let's dive in! I love for my guests to instantly feel at home, so that's why Tip #1 is so important! - Always be ready for guests. No one loves to be standing awkwardly in the hallway while you try and find a second pillowcase! 

Tip #1: Always be ready. What this means is strip that bed the second you close the door behind your guests. I know, I know you just want to put your feet up and pour that next glass of wine - but take 5 minutes now and it will save you a ton of headache down the road. If you have fresh sheets remake the bed otherwise get that load of laundry in there now! Which leads me to my next tip... 

Tip #2: Keep it simple. Have dedicated guest room linens that are all the same color. This makes making up the bed, sorting towels etc. idiot and laundry proof. White towels and white sheets, done and done. It also helps to avoid any awkward, "is that my towel?"  bathroom incidents. 

Tip #3: Anticipate your guests' needs.  Have all the icky things that no one wants to ask for ready to find, I'm talking plungers, toilet paper, antacids, tampons etc. - stock up bathrooms so that no one needs to have that awkward conversation. I recently picked up these covered plungers for our house and don't feel so icky about leaving them out. Link to them: HERE

Tip #4: Keep your guest room a neutral space if you have the room to do it. No one wants to feel like they are kicking you out of a room you use regularly. So if that room plays double duty, try to gather up your home office supplies and work from the kitchen while your guests are in town. Provide drawers to unpack and hangers for their clothes if you can, I know this seems excessive but I know as a house guest how much more relaxing it is when you have a bit of your own space. Our guest room has a murphy bed and no closet, so I picked up this garment rack and hangers from Amazon (also a good idea if you use your guest closet for your own storage!) Hangers can be found HERE and the rack HERE - both under $15.

Tip #5: While this might seem excessive (and it doesn't have to be a huge tray like this!) do something special for your guests. At a minimum, I like to include a small snack and some bottled waters. I also always include a card which has things like the wifi password, the garage door code, our cell numbers etc... this makes it easy for your guests to be self-sufficient and not have to worry about where the cups are in the middle of the night! This tray was for my sister before we headed out to a Halloween party, we actually had guests the night before she stayed too, and I loved the simplicity I had created for myself! The bed was all ready to go and I was able to quickly add some personal touches and just enjoy time with my sister! 

Erin's guest tray included:

• Bottled Water
• Tito's and mixers 
• Candle from Abboo Candle Co (hurry your code BONES20 works for another week!)
• Peanut M&M's 
• A small container of tums and aspirin
• Assorted snacks

So there you have it! I know it seems like a lot right now but by being prepared it makes it much more enjoyable for you and your guests! I would love to hear what you do to prepare your home for your guests! 

XOXO | SLL 

Hey Chicago, what do you say?

Chicago has always held a very special place in my heart. The people are friendly, the food is amazing, the shopping is even better - so imagine my delight when Ali & Michael surprised Dom and me with a fabulous birthday trip! 

We NEVER have any fun together, cab ride to RMP Italian. 

We stayed at the Peninsula Chicago, which in my opinion is without a doubt one of the most fabulous hotels in the world. The service is without comparison and the hotel has thought of absolutely everything (why doesn't ever bedside table have a charging station?!?) 

I'd like to thank my husband for packing coordinating clothes so that our closet looked pretty darn pinterest perfect! 

We were surprised with custom robes with our names on them! A wonderful touch to remind us of such a special trip! 

All of the rooms have this elegant yet comfortable feel to them, they are functional yet inviting. 

We arrived Friday afternoon and unpacked quickly before heading out to explore the city. Friday night we took an amazing architectural boat tour of the city with spectacular views from the river! 

Approaching the LaSalle Street bridge, just missing that one S! 

Saturday we did some shopping and grabbed a bite to eat before heading to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs!

When we got to Wrigley Field I had the opportunity to meet, for the first time in person, the amazing Melanie of withlovemelanie.com (@mellycoy on insta) who you have seen me write about before. Melanie, her husband, Dom, Ali and I met up at the famous cubby bear before the game started and it was like we had been friends forever! 

Michael's crew was in town that day and it was so fun to watch him on the field and share that experience with everyone (I think Dom is a Cubs fan for life). Wrigley Field is unexplainable,  if you've never been there add it to the bucket list no matter who your home team is, the fans are amazing and the energy is contagious! Being on the field after the game in a quiet ballpark is a privilege I've had many times but Wrigley is something special. 

Saturday night we went to my favorite, Smith & Wollensky's and we had this massive ribeye that we probably could have split four ways instead of two! 

Sunday Dom and I took off on our own and I was able to show him some of my favorite sites of the city including Millenium Park, the bean and some of the museums. We both love museums so we will definitely have to set aside more time next time we are back. 

For our last dinner, we headed to RPM Italian which I was eagerly anticipating and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed the gnocchi and a fabulous salted caramel mini ice cream for dessert! 

And of course I had to stop and take a picture with the guys of Chicago Fire! 

Travel always inspires me and it was a wonderful reminder to get out of my daily routine rut that I have been in lately. I know this post was pretty picture heavy but hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our trip! 

I'd love to know you favorite city to travel to, or any Chicago tips you might have - we can't wait to go back! 

XOXO | SLL

Thankful Thursday

It can be easy in the hustle and bustle of life to get caught up and forget the little things. We are so busy focusing on whats next, we forget about what is now. This has been a hard week for many, myself included. For this weeks "Thankful Thursday", I'd like to keep it short and sweet. 

I'm thankful for the roof over my head. 

I'm thankful for a husband who makes me laugh every day. 

I'm thankful for a family who loves me unconditionally.

I'm thankful for a job that allows me to thrive,  (and to bring my dog to work every day.)

I am thankful to be in good health and of sound mind. 

And most importantly, I'm thankful that I woke up today...  and I woke up like this. It didn't matter that I have a big zit on my chin or that my hair looked like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. I woke up today, and I am thankful. 

XOXO | SLL 

Break your heart, steal your crown - reflecting on the Vegas massacre

Type. Delete. Type. Delete. Cry. Type. Delete. Get angry. Type. Delete. Cry. Type. Delete. Type really fast. Delete. Watch the cursor blink... type. 

That's about how this post went over and over again as I tried, again , to come to terms with what happened in Las Vegas on Sunday night and articulate my thoughts it to anything that resembled sense.  I even put this post on delayed publishing so I had time to change my mind and delete it if I wanted to...

You see, generally I don't get this rattled by all the horrible things that happen in the world, generally, I am able to stay rational and try to make sense of it, or even just redirect my self and focus on the good in the world.

But... I can't.

I'm angry. Really really angry. I want action, I want reason, I want to be able to do something, anything - and I can't. There is no sense in a senseless act. There is no good in pure evil.  At my last count 18 friends and loved ones were at the Route 91 Harvest Festival when the shooting occurred. While I am extremely thankful that each one of them is alive we cant say the same for many of their friends and loved ones that were in attendance. A good family friend was shot in her calf, and thankfully is as "ok" as anyone could be after experiencing the horrors that she endured Sunday night.

My brother in law Marc, a 7 year Navy veteran was also there that night. He has some puncture wounds on his hand from helping others over fences and to safety, but is otherwise physically "ok".

He stopped to fix a tourniquet on a young girl that had been haphazardly applied on a young girl who was bleeding out, saving her life. Dom and he were able to finally to connect on the phone a few hours after he got to safety and I heard the pain and sadness in his voice when he was telling the story. The entire situation seemed so surreal.

You see, I'm extremely lucky to be married to a big tough Italian man with the last name Lassalle - his little brother Marc is no different, when you think of a big tough Italian guy the picture in your head probably looks something like Dom and Marc. They're the most fiercely loyal protectors around, but they also feel deeply and grieve deeply, their compassion for others is overwhelming. I have no doubt that Marc was thinking about everyone before himself, and acted in a way that ensured the safety of many on Sunday night. And, that's why I'm upset. These were MY people. MY friends, MY family, MY community. My heart is breaking that any one of them had to endure even a moment of pain. 

Marc, like many other trained first responders, military and medical professionals didn't run from the gunfire - they ran towards it. They helped each other, just like Americans do. My only hope through all this tragedy is that people can set aside petty differences and band together.

Marc was interviewed on air by KSFO and gave his first hand account, I have linked the podcast of the show here for those that would like to listen.  

I also cant ignore that Tom Petty, whose lyrics always fought for the under dog passed away just a few hours after the events in Vegas transpired. The lyrics from "Learning to Fly" keep swirling around in my head - if you haven't heard the song its about the highs and lows in life and how we cant have one with out the other... 

I leave you with how I can best describe how I am feeling in lyrics by the late Tom Petty... 

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown

XOXO | SLL

Thankful Thursday

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life, it would be impossible to list them here. I think one amazing way to express gratitude is to give back to those who need it most. 

I thought I would start a semi regular installment of ways to give back both locally in my San Diego community but also nationally/globally. For this first post I chose three charities that mean a lot to me for various reasons. 

1. Thrive Animal Rescue - Thrive is a local animal rescue who has a pretty amazing reach, founded by two equestrians they now work tirelessly to find forever homes for lonely shelter dogs.  They rescue mainly here locally but also are the first to act when there is a need across the country, they currently have a campaign to "Help Harvey Hounds", and are helping to clear shelter space for displaced pets.

For a relatively "small" rescue they have an amazing impact and have personally brought one of the coolest dogs ever into my life. Winston is actually my bosses dog, however Winston aka Winnie aka Winneabago aka Winnie the Pooh aka Pooh and I spend about 50+ hours a week together and he and Bones are bff's as well. 

I highly suggest you check out their current adoptables, foster programs and requests for donations. 

You can find more about Thrive at: https://www.thriveanimalrescue.com/

2.  Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE)-  I have a special connection and soft spot in my heart for FACE. Not only is the entire organization beautiful, kind compassionate animal lovers themselves but they treat their recipients with dignity and grace when helping them. You see, FACE is a bit of a different animal charity, they provide funds (money) to pet owners who are otherwise facing euthanasia due to financial constraints.

Meaning, your beloved pup was hit by a car and you don't have the exorbitant funds to plate a fracture so your only other option would be humane euthanasia - this is where FACE steps in. They provide grants to help save animals who would have a good prognosis for life with treatment. 

When working in small animal medicine I helped many of my clients apply for grants and saw first hand how special this organization is. I no longer work in that field but I do still plan to attend their amazing annual charity event "Bags & Baubles" as well as donate whenever I can. 

2017 FACE Foundation Bags & Baubles Event - Rancho Santa Fe, California 

You can find more information on FACE at: https://face4pets.org/

3. Lost Angels Children's Project - I first heard about LACP when I was asked to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win an awesome car! Fast forward several years I have seen the direct impact this amazing organization has and all the wonderful people behind it. If you follow me on Instagram you saw this years build on my insta stories during Ventura Nationals - man I was sure I was going to win! 

The Lost Angels Children's Project (LACP) is a Southern California based non-profit organization with a mission to provide low-income, foster and at-risk youth with a safe, educational after-school program that promotes critical thinking and team building through vocational skills training in Classic Car Restoration and Art opportunities. LACP is committed to empowering youth through services that foster creativity and impart useful skills necessary to elevate students beyond their present condition to become positive participants in their community and transform their lives for a successful future.

For more information on LACP visit : http://www.lostangelscp.org/ and be sure to follow them for more information on next years build and raffle car! 

What are your favorite ways to give back? Any local organizations that you feel most passionate about? Be sure to drop them in the comments below so I can check them out! 

XOXO | SLL 

Turning 30... birthday recap!

As a general rule, I hate my birthday. Expectations, commitments, all the emotions just have never made me feel super celebratory. It's never had anytihng to do with a number, I am actually really looking forward to getting older. My husband likes to joke that I am actually an 85 year old woman in hiding.

I love OTHER peoples birthdays, gift giving, planning parties etc but when its come to my own I feel awkward and undeserving. This year my family, friends and especially my husband changed all that. I had THE most fabulous 30th birthday I think possible. 

Not only was I showered with gifts and experiences - but I was showered with love, and time, and the most beautiful cards filled with words that make me cry just thinking about them. 

On Friday, Dom and I checked in to the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe for a weekend staycation, we spent the afternoon wandering around the property, drinking wine and indulging on the most amazing cheeseboard I may or may not have ordered it 2 more times over the weekend. If you have been reading for a while you know how ridiculous we are about our dog child Bones, so it should be of no surprise that he came on the weekend with us. 

Saturday morning we had a lovely breakfast on the terrace at Morada, the resturant at the Inn and then hit the spa! Dom hadn't ever really been to a spa of this type and thoroughly enjoyed himself! 

Saturday night my husband put together the most awesome dinner with some of my closest friends! Everyone (I think!) had a great time, the food was excellent and the company was even better! 

If youfind yourself at the Inn - make sure you stop into the ladies bathroom in the main lobby. Its been a favorite of mine for years, it has THE best selfie mirror and lighting. I made all my girls come to the bathroom so we could get a group picture, and I'm not sorry for it! 

A huge thank you to everyone who celebrated, I am thoroughly enjoying being 30 and looking forward to this new chapter in my life! 

Tonight we're heading to yet another birthday dinner (the party isnt stopping anytime soon!) with my family and then this weekend we head off to Chicago for more adventure! 

If you're not following me on instagram, I would highly suggest you do so before this weekend, I tend to be waymore active on stories etc when traveling and love taking you along with me! You can find me @bubblesandbones. 

XOXO | SLL 

PS: Dom got a new camera for his birthday (just a few days before mine! - sorry I stole the show this year babe!) and that's why you see all these awesome photos on this post. I am so excited that he has taken an interest in both my blog, and also upping our photo game!

We settled on the Sony a5100 and you can find more info on it here: http://amzn.to/2y7AtOM 

Lets talk morning routines!

I can't be the only one who often wakes up in a funk? Recently I have been having the most irregular sleep patterns, and before you tell me what to do- let me stop you, I do everything wrong. I know I know... 

But what has been seriously helping the most is starting my morning off right! I used to be the person that immediately checked every form of social media, scanned my emails and made my opinion of the day before I had both eyes completely open. Not anymore, and I am so much better for it. 

My weekends are much different, but during the week I have been doing my best to stick to this routine. 

Before I check to see how many times my boss has emailed me before 5am (you'd be surprised...) and before I internally compare myself to the beautiful faces on Instagram - I crank up my Pandora (sorry neighbors!) and take a moment to set my intentions and space for the day. Currently I'm on a female classic country kick, but last week it was 60s French pop. You'd be amazed what a little Patsy will do for you in the morning! 

Next up, getting up. As I get up I repeat a mantra that feels right to me a few times, my current one is "I have the tools, resources and capabilities to handle anything that comes to me today" it really empowers you to dig deep when needed, reach out when needed, and bye Felicia when needed. 

After I am "up" I generally switch got a podcast with some kind of general badass vibe. I am loving Kaitlyn Bristows (of Bachelor(ette) fame, don't judge) Off the Vine, podcast right now. I would like to think that we would be friends in real life, she has an easy conversational style - similar to what I strive for on this blog. And wine. Lots of wine. 

Once I'm up dressed and ready, Bones and I head out the door for work (yes he comes with me everrrrryday, I couldn't leave that sweet baby at home all day!).

I generally don't eat or drink anything during the week until I get to work - it just slows me down too much (before you get all Mom on me, I have a full kitchen and if you have ever seen me know that I aint missing any meals honey).

If I have a few minutes left on the podcast I will finish it in the car, if not I have been letting good ole Siri pick something for me - and ladies (I think you're mostly ladies that read this, and if not holla in the comments below!) she has not let me down. We shake our laffy taffy, we say hello to our friends in low places, we look what you made me do with the best of em. Your commute might be the only 20 minutes you have to yourself each day so what not just do what feels good?

What do you do to start your day? Are you a paper and coffee person? Are you a social media scroller?  Are you a quiet peacefully morning kind of person? I'd love to hear in the comments below! 

XOXO | SLL 

Invest in yourself!

So I'm pretty sure if you are reading this you are a lot like me, somewhere in your mid-late 20's (and I'm really holding onto that as I am currently 10, (crap, TEN!!!) days away from 30!) to mid 30's.

You've maybe started a 401K because someone told you it was a good idea. Or maybe you're secretly hoping to hit the lottery and slightly terrified about what you're going to do about retirement? (me) 

I mean I can always sell my purses???

But seriously, we need to do something and we need to do it now. No one else is going to save for your future but you. If retirement is too far away for you to think about or something you're not worried about then start saving for that bad ass bag you want, or an amazing trip.

Now, I will be the first to say what a terrible saver I am, I like things, I like to eat out, I like to treat others, I like to buy pretty things, I like to go to the movies, I like to go to Paris, I am a spender. 

I knew that when setting up some kind of savings plan or program it had to be something that I wouldn't notice, and that was hard to access. I tried auto transfers but I could still see it in my account and would just transfer it back. I tried the envelope thing. I tried all the stupid shit they tell you to do to save "for a rainy day" - didn't work. 

Do you know what finally worked for regular saving, on a regular basis? An app that TAKES my money from my checking account and invests it for me. I have it on a super conservative investment plan, but you guys, its already making money! Real money. It uses my rounded up change to invest in microshares of bigger stocks.

In the couple of months I've had it active I have saved more than I ever have before. Cash money, just sitting there making more money! My daily transactions are rounded to the next dollar, so yeah your starbucks just became 45 cents more expensive, but its going to that awesome chanel boy bag your future...

I am currently looking into what type of formal retirement plan will work best for me and the place I am in my life, we are fortunate that my husband has a matching 401K through his company (also, if your company is willing to give you free money - why the hell aren't you doing it???), however mine doesn't offer any kind of formal retirement plan.

Its been an amazing shift in perspective to know that I am really in control of my finances, and it feels so good! Money doesn't have to be a bad thing. Instead of dreading the future and bills we are dreaming up the next place we want to go or improvements we want to make to our home. Hard work pays off, and the little things add up. So for me, right now, I am going to continue to round up my sugar free coconut milk latte's and invest in myself. 

I'm curious to know what others are doing... What are your retirement plans? Do you have a formal program in place? What are you doing to save for your future? Any money apps you love? 

If you're interested in the app I am using, its called Acorns, please do your own research and see if its right for you, if you think it is - use this link to sign up and we each get $5.00. 

Link: acorns.com/invite/7WC64S

Reflecting on 9/11

“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? ”

— Alan Jackson

There are few moments in my life in which I remember exactly what I was doing at that exact moment. Hearing that a plane had hit the world trade center is one of them. I was getting ready for my freshman year of high school and had the radio on like always. I remember thinking it was some kind of weird programming, it took until I went to the living room and turned on the news to register that it was indeed happening.

At the time my mom, a police officer, was working the graveyard shift and would come home and sleep for a couple hours before she had to take me and my step siblings to school. We weren't allowed to watch TV in the morning because it shared a wall with her bedroom - I remember she came out and started to get mad at us for having it on- at that exact moment the second plane hit. I remember knowing deep in my soul, even at 14, that my life and the lives of all my fellow Americans would never be the same.

I am fortunate to have many selfless first responders in my family. Like I mentioned above, my mom is a badass police sergeant, my step dad is a motors sergeant (yes mustache and all!). My husband Dominic served in the Marines, my brother in law Marc in the Navy, my step brother Brandon in the Army, my brother David worked as an EMT before deciding to pursue a degree in fire science (which he is working on now).  I am surrounded by those that I know would be the ones that run towards the smoke, that risk their lives everyday to protect my freedoms.

I guess that is why I get so emotional when I think about the events 16 years ago. I know that if the location was different MY people would have been the ones working tirelessly to save others, potentially loosing their own lives in the process. I have a large tattoo on my side that says "Blessed are the peacemakers" which is from Matthew 5:9 - it is my everyday reminder that not only are our first responders my true heros - but that I am blessed BY the peacemakers.

So on this solemn day in our history, please take a moment to be kind to someone. Thank a cop, give a firefighter a bottle of water, lend someone a hand, were all in this together.

xoxo| SLL

Four fabulous ladies to follow this Friday!

“The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because shit worked out. They got that way because shit went wrong and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert

People come into our lives in all ways, for all reasons. Last night I was thinking about how many wonderful people have come into my life. Some years and years ago and some very recently. I have rounded up several women who I think others would enjoy knowing as well, even if just online. These ladies all have blogs or businesses that are all about self love, empowerment and being general badasses - so without further adieu. I give you... 

1. Cara Alwill Leyba - You might know Cara best as The Champagne Diet. I first "met" Cara in 2012??? (The OG Champagne Diet days) and have since watched her take over the world. Cara is the kindest person and also so inspirational in her hustle. I am friends with a few Cara's and my husband affectionately calls her Champagne SoulCycle to clarify which Cara I am talking about, and if that doesn't describe her I don't know what does! 

She has since published 6 books (you can find them all on Amazon) with a 7th due out soon. Follow her on all her social media channels for awesome style, self care tips, life advice and so much more. 

2. Kelly Ann Gorman - Kelly is the whole package, she has so many things going I don't know how she keeps it all together - but she does with grace and style! She hosts "The Happy Workaholic Podcast" and so so so much more. Kelly also was recently diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis optica - she just finished up another round of chemo and is still producing crazy amounts of content, spreading awareness of her disease and kicking ass. 

3. Melanie Coy - I just found her adorable blog, With Love, Melanie a few weeks ago and we since have been chatting on Instagram (she seriously has the cutest feed). She is so open and honest in her blog topics and her clothes are completely on trend, yet approachable for the average shopper. It doesn't hurt that she lives in my second favorite city, Chicago. We have high hopes to meet up for a baseball game when I am there in a couple weeks! 

4. Payton Dale - Celebrity Stylist, author, model and body positive activist - Payton has an awesome style of her own and is always doing something amazing. I worked with Payton to revamp my closet a little and she was spot on. She indulges me in my love of Gucci cross-bodies and shares a common obsession with her adorable dogs as I do to Bones. Payton's book Hang up Your Hangups is available here on amazon or directly from her - pick this up for yourself, all your friends, daughters, nieces etc.  

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

XOXO | SLL