A few years ago in a conversation with my husband I exclaimed, “traveling is my favorite!” I was trying to convince him that we needed to take a major family trip and he wasn’t fully on board with the expense of a big vacation. He laughed and called me Buddy the Elf because of the famous line, “smiling is my favorite!” There is just something about planning a vacation and letting the excitement build as the days pass by that I just absolutely love. I really love picking a new

When we started the Outer Banks Mom Approved program, the goal was to simply create a little black book of local restaurants that make dining out with children a little bit easier. The places on our list are our go-to’s when we’re taking the family out for a meal so when it came to Two Roads Tavern in Kill Devil Hills, we knew we needed to include them on the list! We love Two Roads for so many reasons! First of all, the local owners are great people with kids of their own an

In an 8.6 mile stretch we have 5 major grocery stores. FIVE! This is a little tiny sandbar with a ridiculous amount of grocery options! That number doesn't even include Winks, Stop N' Shop and our international food markets. If you ask me, the big chains need a little friendly competition around here! A few weeks ago I was at Harris Teeter in Kitty Hawk and couldn't find a single apple that wasn't bruised, moldy or wrinkled. Deflated, I walked to the strawberries and came

I might sound a bit like a broken record but when it comes to giving gifts, the Outer Banks is THE BEST place to shop! So with Valentine's Day on the horizon, I'm rounding up the best local gifts for the girl in your life. The best part is that you can shop right here on the beach! 1. Lovie's for your LOVIE! I'm telling you, these ladies have changed my salon experience. They are ALL incredibly kind, talented and uplifting. On top of ALL of that, they're offering a kille

We're one week (and change) into the New Year! A full week! 1/52nd of the way through 2018! If that doesn't shock you and show you just how fast time flies then I don't know what will. I'm still over here trying to set my goals for 2018. Business goals and weight and cardio training... yep sure! I'm there with all of you... I've set goals on how to deep clean my house top to bottom in 14 days... Goals on the exact number of times that I can get the entire family to chu

Here on the Outer Banks our kiddos are gifted with a full two weeks off of school for their Winter holiday break. Don't get me wrong, I really do love having the kids home for a long break and I really love getting to stay in cozy sweatpants a little bit longer each morning but with limited indoor activities here on the beach going stir-crazy is a given. Insert crafting. My little Penny is super creative and she honestly is happier and better behaved when she has a creative o

When my husband and I first moved here we found the cutest little 3 bedroom house. It was an adorable blue single family on a one way street and of course, it was close to the right school. We loved the space, had plenty of storage and at 1200 square feet we felt like we had more than enough room for our family of three. Then we had Penelope. Somehow within the first year of her life we felt like that house was closing in on us. With the addition of one more child in the hous