Enjoy Elevation Ten Wine and Discover the Clarksburg Wine Region

Summer dinners are best spent outside enjoying wine and making homemade personal pizzas for the family!  Living in Northern California has lots of great benefits - the weather, outdoor recreation activities, easy access to the beach, desert, mountains, etc.  However, one of my personal favorite benefits is access we have to some of the best vineyards/wineries in the world!  Many of you know that I love to gather friends and family together to go wine tasting and explore many of the great wine regions we have in Northern California  (e.g. Sonoma, Napa, Carmel Valley, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, etc.)  However, one area that's new to me that I recently discovered is Clarksburg! 

 

If you haven't explored the Clarksburg, CA wine region you should definitely put it on the list! The Clarksburg AVA is an American Viticultural Area that spans three counties in California's Sacramento Valley, located in portions of Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties along the Sacramento River.  There are over 12 wineries and tasting rooms to visit, 7,000 acres of wine grapes grown in the region, and over 35 varieties to sample.  The most popular in the region being Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Photo Credit: Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association

Many wineries and tasting rooms remain closed due to COVID-19 and some are just beginning to open up and welcome guests with new social distancing practices.  You'll want to check out each winery website for specific operating hours before you visit.  Check out this link for a list of the wineries and tasting rooms in the Clarksburg wine country...I'm sure you'll recognize some of these brands!    In the mean time, you can still support your favorite local wine brands by purchasing online.  

I am so excited and thrilled to team up with Elevation Ten Winery who recently sent me a few bottles of their wine to try!  They have graciously offered my readers a discount of 30% off your entire order and $10 flat rate shipping! Please use code: "elevationten2020" on their website when you checkout.  You can shop their fabulous wine selection here.  If you’re looking for recommendations, I highly suggest the 2017 Clarksburg Reserve Chardonnay and the 2016 Fairplay Malbec!   My husband and I recently uncorked these bottles to enjoy while making homemade pizzas for dinner at home!  

Have you been to the Clarksburg, CA wine region?  What is your favorite winery to visit and why?  I would love to hear from you in your comments below!  

Cheers!

Hayley

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Melanoma Monday with Cabana Life - Kicking Off May Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Cabana Life White/Orange Embroidered Cover-up

Did you know that today is Melanoma Monday? It's the official May kick off of skin cancer awareness month!  In order to bring mindfulness to this important topic as well as spread a little sunshine to your day, I'm happily teaming up with Cabana Life - a stylish sun protective clothing company that offers the cutest UPF 50 protection resort wear and styles for all the loved ones in your life!  

I was recently introduced to Cabana Life and love how dedicated they are to spreading the message of sun protection and raising awareness.  When I was younger, I would frequently get sun burned at the beach and rarely thought about wearing sun protection - unheard of right? As I got older, I noticed the negative and lasting effects this had on my skin and starting becoming more smart about sun protection.  I rarely now go outside without a hat and spf covering my face, neck, and any skin that is exposed to the sun.  Thankfully, I have an extra layer of protection with Cabana Life's UPF sun protection clothing!  

 How cute is this embroidered swim cover-up?  I'll be spending many days at our pool this summer with family and friends.  This stylish piece is easy to throw on over my swimsuit while entertaining and keeping everyone happy with summer snacks and drinks!  I love the colorful tassels, embroidery detail, and the UPF 50 fabric provides great coverage!  It's not thin or see through but is is extremely  breathable and comfortable to wear for those hot summer days!  I will definitely bring this one to the beach and out on our boat at the lake this summer!  It comes in various color and pattern options - some of my favorites are posted below. 

If you're looking for a piece that provides the utmost versatility, this gorgeous off the shoulder dress is exactly what you need!  It's perfect for a romantic sunset date with your husband, a fun girls night out with friends, or a casual summer barbecue with your neighbors.   Throw on a cure pair of sandals and earrings and you'll be ready to go!  You'll also be protecting your precious skin with the UPF 50 sun protection fabric!  Bottom line...stylish, cute, and essential!

Cabana Life Coral Geo Off The Shoulder Dress

 In order to spread some sunshine and celebrate Skin Cancer Awareness Month launching today,  Cabana Life will be offering $20 off every purchase of $100+ with code:

HAYLEY.CONSTANTINO

 This offer expires May 10th, 2020, so take advantage of this great discount before it's gone!  Mother's Day is coming up soon and there's nothing better than receiving the gift of Cabana Life! 

Joining me today are two other stylish and sweet friends who are sharing their UPF50+ Cabana Life Style on their blogs today!  Click their blog links below to read their posts!


Robin Lamonte from "Hello I'm 50ish" wearing the Cabana Life Aqua Citrus Shift Dress

Nancy Weiss of "A Two Drink Minimum" wearing the Nautical Blooms Off The Shoulder Dress

Share Some Sunshine,

xoxoxo

Hayley

Thank you Cabana Life for sponsoring this post.  Although I was compensated for this post, all opinions and reviews are always my own.  

2020 Spring & Summer Hats to Love

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I love to accessorize my outfits with hats! I recently put away all my fall/winter boots, blanket scarves, and beanies and pulled out my spring/summer sandals, sunglasses, hats, and accessories.  I have a relatively small closet, so seasonal rotation is a necessity.  Plus, it helps me stay better organized where I can easily find everything when I need it!

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For today’s post, I’m sharing some of my favorite spring/summer hats!  I generally wear a hat every day, especially when I know I’ll be outside in the sun.  Hats not only make a cute accessory, but they also help shade and protect your face from the harmful rays of the sun.  They’re also a great way to hide a bad hair day!!

Which one is your favorite?  

xoxoxo,

Hayley

Creating a Home Spa Environment with an Essential Oil Diffuser

One way I like to relax and decompress before I go to bed is turning on my LED candles and essential oil diffuser. I have several LED candles around our bedroom that are on a timer and go on around 8 pm and turn off by the time we’re asleep. 

Essential oil diffusers come in many shapes and sizes and there is an abundance of essential oils you can try out! I like using the peppermint or eucalyptus when I have a migraine, lavender when I need to de-stress and relax, and lemon/orange oils when I need an energy boost in the morning after my shower! The cordless oil diffuser on my nightstand is charged with a USB cable which makes it portable to use in any space in your house without unsightly cords! 

There are so many great health benefits using essential oils and it makes your room smell amazing! If you haven’t tried them out, give it a go! It’s a great way to add a little "spa" to your at home environment! 

What oils do you like to use and why? Comment below and thanks for visiting!

xoxoxo,

Hayley

Creating Our Will Was Quick and Easy with Trust & Will

This is not a fun topic...but one that’s so important especially in times like this....

We finally put our will together! It was so quick, easy, and inexpensive using Trust & Will.  The process took about 15 minutes to complete online with very simple step by step instructions and questions.  We were putting it off for years and now have peace of mind that our kids have guardians and our personal assets and wishes will be carried out the way we desire.

If you've been putting off this important task for the same reasons we did...now is the time to get it done! Trust & Will is offering a $10 discount for my friends using promo code: ADULTING.  To get started, click the Trust & Will link here.  You will be blown away how easy and quick the process takes!  

I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. 

Let these current times be a reminder how important it is for everyone to be prepared.

All The Best,

Hayley

#trustandwill #leaveyourlegacy #ambcollab #ambtaw #HERtrustandwill2 #familyfirst #family #dadlife #momlife #estateplanning #newhome #newmom #firsttimemom #newparents #newborn #adulting

A Home for Hummingbirds

One thing is for certain during this time of social distancing...nature never stops working.  

My husband and I love to start our day with a cup of coffee on our outside patio listening to the sounds of nature.  There's something so calming and peaceful hearing the birds sing, watching the squirrels chase each other in the trees, and listening to the sound of the ducks flying above.  It's such a great way to start your day and it makes us appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us even more.   

Growing up, my mom and dad always had bird feeders and water baths in our backyard.  My mom was the green thumb and always looked for plants and flowers that attracted nature - butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, etc.  She said "when you take care of them, they will take care of your garden".  She was right.  Her her garden was constantly thriving with big flowering blooms, hearty vegetables, and delicious fruits, nuts, and citrus.

If you're looking for ways to bring more nature into your yard or small outdoor patio space, I suggest you start with bird feeders.  It's a relatively easy and simple way to attract them to your space and will provide hours of enjoyment as they become acquainted with you and their food supply!  Today, I'm sharing some of my favorite hummingbird feeders and accessories.  Hummingbirds are fascinating little creatures, darting around your yard looking for nectar sources and delighting children as the buzz by in close proximity.  Hummingbirds are vital to nature as they are considered great pollinators.  They can pollinate flowers that can't be reached by other birds because of their small size and long beak.  This helps them spread pollen very easily helping your garden thrive!

Hummingbird feeders come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  I've selected some of my favorites below.
    

You'll also need make or purchase nectar for your humming bird feeder.  It's really easy to make with this simple recipe:

There are a few options to choose from when purchasing nectar for your feeder based on quality, value, and convenience.  In terms of value, I purchase this 32 oz humming bird concentrate that you just measure and mix with water.  It's less expensive and makes up to 192 oz of nectar which will generally last you all spring and summer long!  If you prefer convenience, you can purchase ready made nectar.  I suggest getting the larger 64 oz size so it lasts a little longer.  It comes in clear or red color (here & here) depending on what option you like.  If you are looking for quality you may want to choose a humming bird concentrate that is naturally made from  the most desirable food sources that hummingbirds actively seek out in nature, chemical free, made with 100% pure cane sugar, and fortified with calcium and electrolytes to help aid healthy eggshell growth and prevention of dehydration.  Here are a few good ready to use all-natural options (here & here)

Once you've filled your feeders with sweet nectar, you'll need to find a place outside to hang it.  I choose a tree in our backyard that has perfect line of sight from our kitchen table window and patio. We purchased this 12 inch metal tree hook which makes it easier to hang over high branches.  If you don't have a tree to hang your feeder in, you can opt for a hook kit that can attach to fencing, railings, or directly to the exterior of your house.  You can also purchase shepherd hooks that can be staked directly in ground soil or in a potted plant.  Here are some options to consider based on your outdoor living space:

Now that you've hung your hummingbird feeder...sit back, relax, and watch your garden thrive!  It's so fun to see all the hummingbirds come visit us every day!  We know they are taking care of our garden and bring so much love and joy in the process!  I hope this post has provided you some inspiration to make your outdoor living space (big or small) a hummingbird home. 

xoxoxo,

Hayley 

Our Master Bedroom Refresh Using Spring Botanicals

Our master bedroom needed a spring refresh!  I knew I wanted to incorporate artwork over my bedroom dresser and I really liked the idea of doing an art gallery collection of similar prints.  The hardest part for me was picking the theme.  There is so much to choose from in terms of style...traditional, coastal, rustic, bohemian, etc.  I ended up going with a farmhouse/country style as I'm currently drawn to the appeal of plants, birds, gardening, etc.  

I chose this 8-piece botanical collection as the frames matched nicely with the rustic wood color of my bedroom furniture and I love the muted colors of the flowers.  By the way, I was a little scared of hanging these, afraid I wouldn't get them straight and distanced evenly.  My niece told me about these picture hanging strips and they were a life saver!  I used three medium strips per picture and the pack came with a small level which made hanging and spacing the artwork a breeze without damaging my walls!

   Here are a few of the options I had in my shopping cart as well as the final gallery I chose.  As you can see, picking a favorite was really hard, but I'm very happy with the one we chose!

Once I hung the artwork, the next step involved decorating my dresser.  It's still a work in progress.  The hardest part is finding decor that compliments your style and also adds variety, texture, and function.

I wanted to add real plants but instead opted for faux greenery.  I found small green plants that come in a white vase and they were only $4.99 (here, here, and here)!  I also found a few glass vase botanicals that look great (here & here)!  I didn't use plants that were too large as I want the artwork to be the focal point.  Faux greenery and flowers are a great option that work well in any living space which gives you lots of versatility!  When I get tired of them in my bedroom, I can place them in the living room, my office, kitchen, or guest bathroom!  

  

   

When adding more decor, I knew I wanted items that created personalization, ambiance, and function.  I used some old picture frames that I already had (you can see I haven't added any photos yet)!  I am planning to print some of our favorite family photos in black and white.  I'm not sure I will continue using these frames but for now they work.  They are wood carved with a white wash and I love the rustic texture.  I used these brass easels to prop them up - they come in various sizes and metal colors if brass is not your thing!

  

The final touch included bringing in some of my favorite coffee table books and candles.  I like to use LED candles that you can put on a timer.  I purchased these vanilla scented candles in a two pack for $16.99 which operate on two AA batteries each.  The candles turn on around 7pm and stay lit until we go to bed.  They create a beautiful ambiance and also make wonderful night lights!  I put them in these white ceramic outdoor lanterns that were only $7.50 each!  The light shines through the detailed cut outs and makes a pretty design on your ceiling and walls! I also like to read before I go to bed so having a few books on rotation is essential.  I selected a few below I think will work fantastic in our spring refreshed bedroom space!

  

I'm continuing to add more decor and personality to our bedroom.  In my opinion, it's easier to tackle small spaces one wall at a time.  My next decor project is our "bed wall" which will include the bed linens, throw pillows, curtains, end tables, and bench at the end of our bed.  This will bring a soft and cozy vibe to our bedroom so I can't wait to get started!  

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and found some inspiration you can use in your own master bedroom retreat!  We are spending so much time at home lately so why not make it a beautiful sanctuary to live in!

Thanks for visiting!

Hayley

Straw & Wicker Bags: Spring 2020

It's nearing the end of February and I'm having major spring fever!  The trees in my backyard recently exploded with beautiful white blossoms, the flowering shrubs started blooming pretty pink flowers, and the daffodils in my front yard sprouted up overnight!   There's sunshine in my soul and nothing better than the sound of birds chirping in happiness as the seasons change.  We still have a few weeks to go before the official first day of spring but it's never to early to begin looking for that perfect spring and summer bag!  

Wicker and straw bags are a staple in my closet during the spring and summer seasons and I love to find new styles and unique looks!  You'll often find me accessorizing my warmer weather outfits with a wicker and/or straw bag  - they look great with dresses and jumpsuits and are a fun accessory to bring along on your spring break travels!  I've selected a few of my favorite straw and wicker bags below.  Tell me which one is your favorite?

Happy Spring Shopping!

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xoxoxo,

Hayley