alexa zurcher

How We Organize our Girls Bows!

How We Organize our Girls Bows!

With three little girls, we have A LOT of bows. I mean, I wouldn't say I have an obsession with bows....it's probably more like an addiction now. ;) The question is - how in the world do you store bows? I tried different options - a basket in their bedrooms, clipping them onto a ribbon to hang, but none of options I tried worked for us. Until we switched our "hair station" to the kitchen! We cleared out a drawer by the desk area in our kitchen for a hair spot! We keep all our bows, elastics, comb, hair brush and spray bottle in the drawer as well. Once a week, I'll curl or wave their hair, but I keep all the hot tools in my bathroom away from little hands. What's in our hair drawer: Hair Brush - we use both a Bathpack brush and a WetBrush. They're soft on the girls hair and help detangle their bedhead! Infinity Spray Bottle - I will never go back to a regular spray bottle! These are amazing and PERFECT for getting hair wet with a nice mist! Comb - We used to have about a dozen, but now we're down to two. I prefer the ones with super small, close together teeth. Elastics - I love these small clear elastics from Target! They're stretchy but don't break easily. Bows - obviously! I love finding handmade bows from shops on Etsy and love these huge,6 inch ribbon bows from Amazon! Hair Clips - my girls have been loving these fun hair clips. They're from Amazon and they're a super great deal! Nourishing Gloss - This is my FAVORITE gloss for crazy hair, frizzy hair, bedhead, you name it. It works wonders! Plus it smells good and adds a nice shine. Small Basket Organizers - These baskets are from the Dollar Tree! They come in a pack of 2 and are very thin, but do the job. Target has some nicer baskets that are similar and a lot thicker! Favorite Hair Tools: [show_shopthepost_widget id="4034175"] Bows & Accessories: [show_shopthepost_widget id="4033994"]   (You can find some of our favorite toddler hair styles here and a post on my all time favorite hair dryer here)   Having a hair spot in the kitchen is so, SO convenient for busy, school mornings! The girls will sit in the "hair chair" and eat their breakfast while I do their hair. It's also great for Lucy who will watch Daniel Tiger to help her sit still! Plus, no more collecting bows and constantly bringing them back to their room or bathroom. They usually end up in the main area of the house anyway - so it's easy to clean them up quick! ... Read more

Unicorn Birthday Party

Unicorn Birthday Party

When Addie turned four, all she wanted was a unicorn birthday party. I had so much fun finding all the perfect unicorn decorations and making a unicorn cake for her! She was so excited and happy all day long She has grown up so much these last few years and it was so fun seeing her so brave and confident with her friends there. Here's a few of the party details: ... Read more

Mother’s Day Printables

Mother’s Day Printables

Mother's Day printables are HERE! This Mother's Day could be a little weird? Like, are we getting together with family yet? Are we still at home? Who knows! Soooo, I designed this pack with moms, near and far, in mind!   As always there are quite a few art prints and cards (for moms! stepmoms! and grandmas!) plus, everything you need for a fun day at home - or - wait for it - sending "Mother's Day in a BOX!" If you're far away from family this year, you can print out and send these printables in a box! For Mother's Day! Use our cute shipping label, cards, and embellishments to dress up your package (and add some chocolate or spa day essentials for an extra magic touch!) You can download ALL these printables for only $5! DOWNLOAD NOW   Happy Mother's Day! xo, Alexa             ... Read more

Ellie’s Camping Birthday Party

Ellie’s Camping Birthday Party

When Ellie turned 7, she requested a camping birthday party! She loves exploring and camping (just like her aunt Erin) and we had so much fun brainstorming ideas together and prepping for her party! ... Read more

Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

When Addie turned THREE, she requested a Minnie Mouse party! We love Disneyland so this was such a fun party - for all of us! Here's all the details and links for Addie's three year old Minnie Mouse party! ... Read more

Summertime Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

Summertime Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

I'm so excited to share one of my all time favorite cheesecake recipes! It's perfect for summertime and super simple to make. A few weeks ago, I remembered that I offered to host an event at my house...that night! :) I needed to throw together a quick treat and as soon as I thought of these cheesecakes, I couldn't not think about them. Pregnant cravings, yes? :) These individual cheesecakes are perfect for parties and events - and they're delicious too. You don't even have to worry about a homemade crust - the secret is Nilla Wafers! :) (Though if you're partial to graham cracker crusts, go right ahead!) I've made these since high school and they still hit the spot! Individual Cherry Cheesecakes  24 vanilla wafers (2) 8 oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature ½ cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla Cherry pie filling 1. Preheat over to 375 degrees F. Line two muffin tins with tinfoil cupcake liners (24 total). Add a vanilla wafer at the bottom of each liner and set aside. 2. Beat together cream cheese and sugar until fluffy and smooth. Add eggs and beat well. Mix in vanilla. 3. Evenly divide batter in each cup. Bake for 15 minutes. Edges and top of cheesecakes should be "set." 4. Let cheesecakes cool for 10 minutes, then transfer into container with lid. Chill in fridge for 2+ hours. Once chilled, top with cherry pie filling and cool until ready to serve. Enjoy! ... Read more

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer Honest Review

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer Honest Review

I've been eyeing the Revlon One Step Hair Dryer for months now and finally decided to bite the bullet and try it out. I've been using it consistently for about a month and here's my honest review of the Revlon One Step Dryer!  Revlon One Step Pros & Cons Pros: I stink at using a round brush, so the Revlon One Step makes it SO much easier for me to get volume in my hair! Leaves my hair silky smooth AND I don't have to use a straightener afterwards. Reduces the time it takes to dry/style my hair (cut my time in half - now only 10-15 minutes!)  Lightweight and not as bulky as a hair dryer. Super easy to pack for traveling!  It's a decent price! Cheaper than a nice straightener and about as much as a nice hair dryer.  Cons:  There is a learning curve! The first few times I used it, my hair was smooth and straight, but really flat. I finally got that volume after practicing a few times.  It gets really HOT. I'm usually on the cool setting and then use the low, hot when styling the ends really quick. If I use it on high, my face and hair gets too hot!  Overall: 100% worth every penny! I would recommend this product to all my friends. And I really think that every mom needs this! I'm excited that I have this to use after baby comes - maybe I'll actually do my hair with a newborn ;) Where to Buy: You can find this hair dryer at Ulta,  Target (that's where I got mine!), and Amazon. (Just make sure if you're ordering online that it specially calls out the Revlon brand. I originally ordered one online from Walmart that was a knock-off!) How to use the Revlon One Step:  I'm no hair stylist, so this is the every-girl's guide to using the Revlon One Step Hair Dryer. :) After showering, I towel dry my hair and use the bathpack hair brush (similar to a wet brush) to brush through my hair. I then add a few spritzes of R+Co Dallas Thickening Spray and a little R+Co Trophy Shine and Texture Spray. The first few times I didn't use any product, but it really makes a difference for volume using these two! (Take $10 off at R+Co with code O6p4) I section off my hair and start drying the bottom layer using the Revlon tool. The best way to dry it is to start at the top and make a "C." You don't want to pull straight down or you'll lose volume!  After the bottom layer is completely dry, I pull down another section and continue drying until my whole head is finished!  I go over the ends one last time with the Revlon tool on "low." This gets the ends of my hair just right!   I'm so happy with my purchase - the Revlon One Step has seriously been a game changer while getting ready in the morning and I was pretty skeptical beforehand! Let me know if you try it, too! xo ... Read more

Family Travel Photography Tips

Family Travel Photography Tips

It's summer - which means it's time for family vacations! I thought I'd share some of my favorite tips for taking better family travel photos. We have three young kids and can't always get them to "stand still and smile." I've learned some tricks along the way to capture those magical travel moments! WHAT TO BRING Here's a list of my favorite equipment to bring with me on vacation! Because we have 3 (almost 4) kiddos, I try to keep it on the lighter side since we're already packing so much! :)  Camera - betcha couldn't guess that one! I prefer to bring my "real camera" on vacation (yes, even to the beach!) Nothing beats those clean, crisp shots. But, if you have a nice camera on your phone, that works too! You can read about my favorite camera equipment HERE. If you're just starting out I recommend a Canon Rebel and this $100 game-changer lens. Tripod - if you want to get a few family shots and don't have anyone else there to shoot for you, bring a tripod! You can get a tripod for your phone or tripod for DSLR camera and a remote. We've taken many family photos this way! Photo Presets - This isn't necessarily something to pack, but it's great to have on your phone or computer in advance! Adding just a little editing to your photos will really make them pop! My favorite way to edit my photos are with presets - one click and you're done. My favorite presets are the Jess Kettle presets - and you can get them for your phone or your computer. They work on photos from both your phone and your camera and add a nice, cohesive look to your pictures.  HOW TO GET THE BEST SHOTS A few of my favorite tips and tricks for taking travel photos with kiddos! Prep ahead of time - Or in other words, warn your family when picture times are. :) I'll typically have my camera on hand for candid shots during our trip, but if we're planning for some family pictures at sunset, I have to make sure everyone knows beforehand what to expect. Typically for more "posed" or structured photo times, I'll also bring along a bribe or treat. :)  Give your kids direction - When I ask my kids to stand still and say "cheese!" I always end up with fake smiles and wacky poses. Instead, invite your kids to run as fast as they can through the waves or collect as many leaves as they can find and toss them in the air. You could also tell them to whisper a secret in their sibling's ear or look at each other and see who can laugh the loudest!  Tell a story - Every vacation has a story and I love taking photos to document it all. Try to think of your photos as a story - grab a few detail shots (like the baby cousins holding hands at nap!) and maybe a wide angle photo that shows the whole picture. Don't forget about capturing different emotions as well. Kids grumpy after a long day at Disneyland? Snap a photo of that, too! You'll laugh looking back at all the photos and emotions you captured during your trip.  Get in the photo - Hand your camera over to your spouse, your kids, or a stranger and make sure you're in some of the shots, too! Don't worry too much about your salty beach hair or how you look in your swimsuit. Your kids will just be happy to see YOU when they look back at your family travel photos.  Put the camera away - What?! I'm telling you to put the camera away? Yes! Take a few shots and then put it away. Shot not working out? Try again later. Turns out the worst pictures I take on our trips are when I'm trying to force my kids to stand still and smile. Ha! My kids respond better to the camera when it's not out ALL day long. :)  Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, you might also love  10 Tips for Capturing Everyday Moments  ... Read more

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Brian's birthday is always right around Father's Day (sometimes the same day!), so we do a lot of celebrating in June! I have a few tried & tested Father's Day gift ideas that we've done in the past that I thought I'd share with you! You know, just in case you're stumped on a gift, too! :) 1. Loom Journals These beautiful leather journals are perfect for parent & child! They have darling prompts, places to document memories and milestones, as well as cute drawing pages. They're the perfect way to spend a little one-on-one time with your kids - and dad's will love it too! You can use the code ALEXA15 for 15% off your order through June 23! 2. Photo Book  A few years ago, we ordered one of the Chabooks Father's Day books and filled it with cute pictures of the girls and Brian. It's a cute addition to our photo book collection and had pages for the girls to write little notes, too! If you don't want to wait for shipping, these small spiral photo books from Walgreens are a super cute option! They're available for same day pickup and easy for little hands to flip through with their dad! 3. Letter to Dad If you have young kids, these Letters to Dad are the most adorable, simple gifts for Father's Day! I always love to see the answers our kids come up with (and how old they think their dad is! ;) Printable can be found HERE. 4. The Classic Tie My sister found these cute skinny ties on Amazon and we've been sold ever since! They come in multiple patterns and the best part? They're only $10! (You can also get a pack of 4 for $23! Such a good deal and they're good quality, too.)  BONUS! All About Dad Video Last year I had our girls make THIS video for Brian for Father's Day. I asked them all kinds of questions about their dad, and it was so cute! Such a fun way to freeze time and remember how little they were! Don't forget to include a cute card and maybe breakfast in bed, too!  ... Read more

4th of July Outfits

4th of July Outfits

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate - and coordinating with my girls in red, white, and blue? Yes, please!  When you've got three girls, buying outfits for holidays is SO much fun. Ok, buying kids clothes for any occasion is just fun. I've been trying to actually stick to my budget this year - and I've found some great deals! Almost everything you see here is from Old Navy, Target, or Carter's (and if you watch the sales, you can get them for a steal!) I even found you a $15 off your first Carters order! All the outfit details are below!  Ellie's Outfit Striped Light Blue Jumper Red Bow similar (she's wearing the 6 inch size for reference!)  White Sandals (similar)  Addie's Outfit  Striped Romper  Flag Bow (Target dollar spot!) Sandals  Lucy's Outfit Ruffle Sleeve Tee Denim Shorts Leather Shoes Bow  My Outfit Navy Stripe Dress (similar) Red Salt Water Sandals  ... Read more

Look for the magic in the everyday.