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britax boulevard

So stoked to have Britax send their new Boulevard ClickTight in Cool N Dry fabric for a review! We were coming up on the expiration date for our carseat (used it with all three boys) and it was for sure time fora fresh one! Here are some features and things I am loving about this carseat!

The look. Call me vain but I love the look of this seat. The casing around the sides feels so sleek and this Boulevard seat is made with their Cool n Dry fabric which looks amazing even after being wiped down. Raleigh runs hotter than my other boys, he gets red faced and after running for 30 seconds and is constantly sweaty! So having a fabric with him in mind is so nice! I just wish I had this for Summer because he was constantly complaining about being hot!

The Click Tight system. I haven’t ever used a Britax seat before but this technology is super cool! It makes installing the seat so so easy and you don’t have to wonder if it’s secure. You push the button and it automatically sets the tension for the different seat belts so the carseat doesn’t budge!

A few other safety features I love are the SafeCell Impact Protectors. That same shell I loved for the look? Also helps absorb shock in side impact situations. Britax has created impact absorbers for the base, frame, harness and tether so if Heaven forbid you get in an accident all these places of impact are ready to lessen the effects. Do you see the harness impact absorbers with that grey rubber encasement around the belt? It takes some getting used to as it takes more effort to move up and down, but I have found that it stays in place more readily, avoiding that chest buckle slippage that can happen!

For the price this carseat is so luxe looking, and easy to use! Far and away the easiest system I’ve ever installed! You can check it out here!

white boot trend

The white boot trend caught my eye this past Spring but just now getting around to buying a pair! These were $25 at Charlotte Russe and of course sold out. I’ll be sure to update if I see them come back! But, let’s see how people in the fashion world are styling them and of course I rounded up 16 of my favorite options from around the web! Happy weekend!!

White boots started sticking out to me this past Spring but I LOVE them for Fall. I think the trick is finding boots that a little something other than white leather. A black heel or elastic, a silver stud pattern, a wood heel. Just something to break up all the white!

Snakeskin boot options to ease your way in. I’ve been wearing them daily and here’s some good lookers! 1. With buckles. // 2. The orange heel are you kidding?? // 3. Black buckles – Chloe knockoffs! // 4. Gold Buckles – Chloe knockoffs! // 5. Asymmetrical shaft // 6. Wood Heel + Goring // 7. Patent Go-Go style // 8. Black heel + goring – sold out the day after I made this dumb collage, but I’ll link if I find them! // 9. Hiking Boot // 10. Patent Goring // 11.Chunky Heel and Split Gore // 12. Western Isabel Marant Vibes // 13. Silver Multi Strap Buckles // 14. Pointed Western Vibes // 15. Western Vibes with Goring – Acne knock-offs! // 16. Studded

A few other ways to style them!

I know these colors aren’t screaming Fall or Halloween BUT fun nonetheless to make our own monster cookies! I used this set of edible facial features!

I made the cookies from scratch and bought the frosting. Typically would have bought ALL of them because Macey’s bakery is so dirt cheap but I was in a rush. (You can order frosting from most bakeries in whatever colors you want! It was $8 for all three of these!) I also love a frosting spatula because it makes it SO much easier to smooth and control.

Not so scary but still delicious!

MORE HALLOWEEN!

Costumes + Trick or Treating: All our costume ideas from the last 6 years! // DIY Candy Tote

Food: Best Halloween Snack Ideas HERE // Healthy Halloween Lunch //

Modern Decor Ideas: Graveyard Wall // Best Ideas from Around the Web // Garland Ideas

Party Ideas: Spooky Party Hat Printable // 3D Balloons

at home carpet cleaning

After seeing my townhouse carpets looking brand new after a carpet cleaning, I knew that if I could find a way to keep my carpets looking that clean, I might just love carpet again! Part of my problem being I’d have to clean them more than just once every couple of ayears, ha! When Hoover reached out and said they had a new SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner that would do the job without making my head spin — I was in.At home carpet cleaners always felt daunting to me and I guess I wasn’t alone because Hoover put their engineers to the test to eliminate all my same hesitations! How much soliton do I use? How long do I need to stay off of it? When do I pull that trigger, and when do I release it? This SmartWash takes all the guesswork out, whether its the amount of solution, how to run the machine, how much water it actually puts out, and drying time! It’s all automatic and easily marked on the machine. SO easy!So Russ works in construction and basically swiped it from the house for a few weeks, using it for his professional jobs and loving it! One fateful day I wasn’t watching Raleigh very closely and he made his way up to the loft (our only room with wall-to-wall carpet.) When I finally got to him he had taken up my chocolate protein drink and spilled it ALL over the place. I immediately started crying because he has been known to spill my protein drinks before (when will I learn??) and I have never once been able to get it all the way out of our rugs. I immediately started spraying it with everything I could find and called Russ to tell him the bad news.

He didn’t even pause, just happily said “Get the Hoover up there!” His confidence immediately calmed me down, but I wasn’t so sure, it being my first time using it. You guys, I know this sounds like the cheesiest infomercial, but it got every last drop out. Consider me SmartWash’s biggest fan! *Cue “Ah!” and audience applause* I was so relieved, I am sure any of you with new homes or recent renovations know how awful it can feel when some damage occurs. I wish I would’ve thought to grab before and afters, but scout’s honor, I know it exactly where the spills were and I can’t see a trace.

If you have kids or pets or carpets or a mixture of all three, you will love this! It’s given me confidence in carpet again! Hoover is giving the SmartWash+ (valued at $250!) on my Instagram enter here! @emilyframe

ankle booties in every color

I decided recently that I am just an ankle bootie girl. I don’t need stilettos, or comfortable slides, or designer whatevers. Just get me a cool ankle bootie and I feel the most myself. But most importantly its what I want to wear every single day, so buying anything else really isn’t a good investment anyway. 😉 Now all I need is a bootie for every occasion. Here’s some faves!

RED: I get asked about my old red boots all the time and these are a great plan B! The patent wears way longer than my suede ones. If you need inspiration for red boots just check my OOTD page where I styled mine 100 different ways. Ha! // ORANGE: These Rust boots might be my favorite Fall color. It’s an edgy boot so you could pair it with a feminine dress for some balance. YELLOW: MUST have these perfect mustard boots. Raw edge black denim and a rock tee. Done. // Hear me out on these Crocs. The neon yellow color is so fun and wild I can’t resist. I love the lacing and would have the best time splashing around in these on a rainy day.

GREEN: These hunter boots have that hint of Western that is huge right now in fashion but not too much that you won’t be able to wear them in a couple years.

BLUE: These royal blue Chinese inspired blue booties are only $40! More colors here! You could pull so many colors out of it to tie it together. Hot pink, red, gold, light blue. Would be stellar with a red wrap dress. // Navy Suede boots with a studded back? Hole-y boyfriend jeans, a baggy white blouse, BAM!

PURPLE: Purple was HARD to find but I never tire of my multi buckle boots and purple suede is so unexpected. It would spice up even the most basic outfit – tee and jeans!

PINK: These pointed kitten heel booties come in virtually every color and I NEVER go for pink but these feel so fresh! I’d probably wear it with my brown suede leggings and a striped turtleneck or multi colored sweater.

BROWN: These are more burgundy but also my favorite boot silhouette. I love a stacked platform ankle boot! So hot. Pencil skirt and a graphic tee with these? YES! // I love the smart menswear look of these rain boots. I’d wear them with black tights and a wraparound sweater dress. // This camel color bootie is perfection. I’d wear it with light wash looser fitting denim and a cozy sweatshirt. Perfectly casual but still polished.

GREY plaid bootie. Love this with a big ol’ navy chunky mock neck sweater and skinny jeans.

WHITE: Wasn’t sure about the white boot trend this Spring but I LOVE it for Fall. Especially with black detailing like in these pointed chelsea boots. Im loving the white boot trend so much I have a whole other round up for it!

BLACK: I’ve shared these before because they’re beautiful but worth repeating. I love an all black outfit and these military slash victorian inspired boots would carry the look no problem. // This lace-up combat boot with the white laces reminds me of my favorite boots from the Nordstrom Sale. No money for them then, but $25 now?? Sure thing.

mine + ours: books #13

SEPTEMBER BOOK PICKS!

MINE:

LISTEN: I loved Trevor Noah’s narration of his autobiography Born A Crime. I learned so much about Apartheid in South Africa and am absolutely shocked it continued virtually the same until 1994. Just boggles my mind!! The book was so funny, so sweet and touching, so eye opening, so well written, and so heartbreaking. Definitely worth a listen. 5 Stars

READ: A Visit From the Good Squad has been on my list for years because as a English Lit major I heard it’s a must. For people who study literature and get excited by something they’ve never seen done before. Tricky to follow, challenging for sure, a lot of messed up characters, but something cool to take on if you feel like you fall into that category of readers. Three stars.

OURS:

STICK CAT series by Tom Watson + MY WEIRDEST SCHOOL series by Dan Gutman (Book 12 releases next month!) We reviewed these for a sponsored post and My Weirdest School is a joke a minute! I love that it would help an early reader be exposed to a more casual voice when storytelling or learning how to use their own voice in their writing! Stick Cat is more subtle jokes but still awesome! Both series are boasted as getting even the most reluctant reader on board, so if you have one of those, check these out!

skin + makeup routine

Everyday products that I have bought + used year after year and a couple new items that worked so well I immediately incorporated them! Happy shopping!

FACE:

Every 10 -14 days I use the PMD and swear by it. Best investment I’ve ever made for my face!

Daily: Run a cotton pad with this Bioderma Micellar Water first. New to this one (Thanks to Kayti! @beyoutybureau) but actually shocked at how well it works. My face hasn’t felt that clean maybe ever. Then wash it with clairsonic + La Roche Posay Gentle Cleanser or an M2 (got it at Spa Trouve and think its only sold at salons!) cleanser that is heavier duty during my period. Hormonal break-outs, fun! Also gotta shout out Mario Badescu Drying Lotion for zits or the COSRX patches for doozies that won’t stop oozing. GROSS, I’m sorry!!

Tone with Rose Toner

Eye Cream from Rodan + Fields

Serum – CEO by Sunday Riley. Awesome!!

Heavier Night Cream – This budget one by St. Ives is so great and crazy good ratings. If you want a cleaner version Divine’s whole line is wonderful but their Collagen Cream is luxe.

Tint + SPF by Rodial (I wear Hamptons) for no makeup days. I wish I would’ve been better about SPF daily even when not wearing make-up. So many sunspots from sun through my car window. (They’re only on my left side, oof!)

Lip Mask by Laneige

Too Faced Hangover Primer

Eyelid Primer by Urban Decay

Still Stay All Day Eyeliner

Brow Pencil by Etude + Brow Gel by Ardell

Fit Me Foundation (120) – I like the dewy formula because it’s more comfortable to wear all day. If I am doing a shoot or just a dinner or something matte is awesome!

Eyeshadow – I love this Naked Heat palette for blue eyes and use at least one color on it daily.

I love the Stila glitter eyes as well for special occasions!

Contour – For my skin tone I need to keep it light, usually with a grey or ash undertone. If I go too dark or too warm my face just looks dirty! This Kevin Aucoin one is stellar (I use light!)

Blush – I switch it up based on my mood, tan, rest of my make-up look. I always lean towards peach though. Start with this palette, it’s awesome!

HIghlighter – Tried a whole bundle and Becca (Moonstone is my fave!) is still my favorite for consistency and pay-off. This Urban Decay disco stick is fun for a little extra something interesting.

Stila Stay All Day Lip is my favorite formula hands down. It wears comfortably on the skin and the colors are wonderful, too! Beso is an excellent red.

Mascara – Better than Sex by Too Faced. Prettiest featheriest formula that doesn’t fall on me.

HAIR — I wrote this post about it all! in this post!

4 Weeks to Read

I’ve been testing this reading system out for a few weeks and am finally ready to share. It’s pretty freaking good, I must say!

4 Weeks To Read has a 98% rate, is $99 (they also do $25/month for 5 months!) — use SMALLFRY10 for 10% off –AND it’s guaranteed so after 30 days, if it didn’t work for you, you can get your money back! Here’s the run down:

Learning Dynamics is a school in Utah that is easily the top 3 schools for early education. They pride themselves in having preschoolers 100% ready for Kindergarten. Reading and ready to go! Since their schools aren’t in every state or worldwide they wanted to create a reading program for people who couldn’t attend their school, or like me, who chose a less expensive option for schooling. My friends who have taken their kids there swear by it and said it was worth every penny! I don’t doubt it after seeing their 4 year olds reading up a storm! I went a different path and have really had to work extra hard with my first grader. But, NOW I can have that same gold standard education for Raleigh with 4 Weeks to Read!The owner told me about how this program came to be and I loved the story! They had a team of teachers, educators, experts look through every literacy program they could get their hands on. 13 years of research later they were unimpressed. So they wrote their own! He was telling me 3rd grade reading ability is a predictor of people who end up in jail! While they have a kindergarten through 2nd grade to catch up, by 3rd grade it’s not just playing catch up, but it’s typically falling further behind. Which is why, at least in Utah, their prevention programs are in 1st grade!I know for my 1st grader, it’s his confidence that sets the tone for us practicing reading. Struggling through a book really derails that. What I really like about the system is that it helps them master a grouping of letters at a time so they can master an entire book and have that confidence boost! Also their lessons are 15 minutes which is about all I can get out of him! So even though this system is for a much younger age demographic we’ve been reading them to his baby brother and of course he’s flying through them and feeling so confident! I love that I can help him strengthen his skills in such a quick way. Use my code for 10% off SMALLFRY10 and you can win one on my Instagram as well!!

4 WEEKS TO READ

#framefarme: living room plans

QUICK LINKS: Firewood Shelves: made by Russ // Mint Green Credenza – Ikea “BESTA” line with the mint green high gloss Selsviken fronts // Swivel Chairs – Target // Coffee Table – Anthropologie // Couch “Forte” by CB2 // Not pictured – Chandelier // Floors are a wood look tile called Chateau Reserve by Marazzi in the color “Hickory Grove” // Painting – Family heirloom // Looking for a rug and cool intake cover for under the credenza!

The living room more than any other space in the house (maybe the ONLY space in the house to be honest) ended up looking exactly like I had envisioned! While the house was still being built, I planned out each room with Google Presentations. So easy to drop photos, rearrange, resize. I had slide for each room so I could overview the house with ease. I would track down photos of all the pieces we kept from our old spaces even down to the plants, so I wouldn’t waste anything. I think it ultimately helped me stay on budget and be more efficient when I was shopping for each room! So this is the Living Room page I made nearly two years ago now:And here’s the room! The fireplace wall isn’t done yet, the chandelier needs to come down several feet and I still have to decide on a rug (planning on having some basic carpet bound to the size I need since it needs to be like 12×20. But this room was easy for me to visualize and I love how it turned out!

WHERE TO BUY + REVIEWS:

FIREWOOD SHELVES: made by Russ // Mint Green Credenza – Ikea “BESTA” line. (looking for a cool vent intake cover currently.) // Swivel Chairs – Target // Coffee Table – Anthropologie // Couch “Forte” by CB2 // Not pictured – chandelier // Floors – Chateau Reserve in Hickory Grove. Wood look tile 12×48 only, via Marazzi // Painting – Family heirloom

I love the story of that painting! Russ’ is very close to his grandparents: Pip and Pop, and he spent a lot of time at their home growing up. There was a painting of Pip that her friend did of her in college that hung in their house ever since. Russ said he always loved it and when she asked him if we needed anything for the house he immediately said this painting. She is the kindest woman so of course she gave it to him and it is one of our most cherished possessions. I knew it needed to be front and center! She is a huge reminder to me of purity, kindness, service, faith, optimism, and seeing the best, and saying so, in others. I look up to her so much!

COUCH – People ask if we like this couch a lot! It’s the Forte couch via CB2 in Saddle Leather. I think the price is great, the quality is excellent and the look and design are exactly what I was looking for. I love that it goes to the ground and I wouldn’t say it’s cozy or for lounging. It’s definitely more for conversation and up-rightedness. 😉 It’s also hard to clean the crevices as I don’t want to damage the leather with a vacuum head or something. Still looking for the best way to clean it! But otherwise it works great for the space because I was hoping that the basement living room would be for more of the TV/movie watching, and upstairs would be for quieter activities. We’ll see if it ends up being that way!

COFFEE TABLE: Another one we get asked about. When I first saw the Targua Moroccan Coffee Table at Anthropologie my jaw dropped. I had everything except a coffee table picked out for this room and it was perfect. I felt like it tied the whole room together. The teal of the swivel chairs especially! I think it balances the room and gives it that collected feel. For me, it was crazy expensive even with the 25% off coupon I used. I was sick about it but I also couldn’t find anything I loved half as much. So really, it’s the nicest piece in the house and I trimmed the budget elsewhere to make it work. I don’t regret it! It is sturdy, not fussy, I mean I use coasters to be extra safe, but I don’t worry about the kids being too rough with or around it! It’s a show stopper and the first thing people point out when they come over.

Not sure if I missed anything but be sure to ask away if I did! xo -Emily

#framefarme: ali express

If you’ve been around for awhile you know we purchased a lot of of our home stuff via Ali Express. Ali Express is a branch of Ali Baba which is basically a direct link to shop in China. They cut out the middle man and you buy right from them, saving a TON of money. I know people have fears and worries about factory conditions, quality etc. Ali Express is like Amazon in the sense that Ali represents thousands of smaller companies. Lots of which show you pictures of their factories right in their shop home page. There are reviews and write-ups on products which helps me decide how to shop as well. I love Ali for the price, but also they are ahead of trends here in the states. For instance my chandelier in the living room, I had favorited 2+ years ago. I JUST saw something similar at Lumens this Spring (for $3000.)

The number one issue with Ali is that everything takes 2-3 weeks to arrive. Even years later I still get anxiety about things arriving, but they always have and they’re very good about covering themselves. If you need to send things back often times they’ll just refund you and you keep the product because shipping is so tricky for them. Ali is VERY strict about their sellers and shuts down any funny business so keep your eye on sellers and products that have been around for awhile, and products that have lots of reviews!

I get asked weekly how these China purchases are holding up and here’s my honest review!

LIGHTS:

We bought 4 light fixtures from Ali and that was first and foremost because I couldn’t find anything I liked better. I worked with Lamps Plus on the rest of our light fixtures and got them donated, but couldn’t shake these! They are LED lights which might bother some, but I don’t mind it at all! This fixture over our tub was $180 the next size up has 20 ($320) lights and the largest has 32 ($475). I haven’t seen anything similar to compare it to, just products with similar amounts of material for about ($400) but it felt like a great deal. This light works for a pitched (slanted ceiling) roof as well which is harder to come by at times. We’ll say I SAVED $220

These two sconces next to our master bed. I love the round opaque glass and the arms. The base is very small so make sure whoever is wiring it knows! Like 4″ diameter small. $50 each, $260+ elsewhere. SAVED $400

Our living room chandelier took my actual breath away when I spotted it at the beginning of our planning stage. Our ceilings are pretty tall so we’ve been waiting on the same exact wire to arrive so we can extend it down about 6 more feet. I haven’t shown it yet for that reason. But it looks the least well made, to me. I am fine with it because it’s not in anyone’s close range to look at but it still makes a huge statement! Similar option via Lumens $3000. SAVED $2200

CABINET HARDWARE: I knew I wanted finger pulls and my cabinet guy swore he could find them for the best price. He came back to me toward the end and said, “Order yours. I couldn’t beat them!” So I did! These are 5 inch pulls at $2.84 a piece and you can buy them online between $8-$13. I needed 100 of them so I SAVED $684

BATHROOMS:

We used this faucet for all our sinks. Our double vanity, bathtub, 3 bathrooms and our laundry room sink. $90 each and amazing quality! Russ says you’d pay $400+ for this same set with the same quality. So happy with them and they were exactly what I wanted! SAVED $2170

We used this set – $223 for our basement bathroom tub/showers and this one for the master – $268. It has the extra sprayer which we thought we might want since the shower head is hung so high but it’s so powerful we don’t need the sprayer! It’s honestly the best shower head I’ve ever had, and it’s just as good as the Grand’s or any 5 star hotel I’ve stayed at. It’s like a rainfall. You could find these for $450+ retail so SAVED $400.

This is our pot filler for the kitchen – $75. Same quality as the faucets, we haven’t installed it yet because our quartz guy has a death wish and hasn’t come to do our backsplash piece yet, but if there’s any issues with it after installation, I’ll update this! $260 for the same one here. SAVED $185.

GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS: $6,175

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