Beauty Dupe Alert: Save Big with These Drugstore Copycats

Diet Hack: Low Carb High Protein Starbucks Drinks

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The new STBX Protein Drinks are all the rage, but did you know they are packed with sugar?! 🤯 Here’s how to enjoy the extra protein without the bad carbs 🥳 NOTE: at the moment, they don’t offer a non-dairy version for any of their protein drinks, which is a bummer…the good news: their SF Vanilla Protein Foam is delicious 😍
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🤩🧋DIET HACK: LOW CARB + HIGH PROTEIN STARBUCKS ⭐️🧜‍♀️

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The classic pink drink just got a glow-up!✨ Perfect for a sweet treat without the sugar crash. 💗

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Your caffeine fix just got a protein upgrade! The protein cold brew you’ll look forward to. Plus, zero weird aftertaste! 🤎

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Next up in the LORAfied Low Carb Starbucks Hacks series…this protein iced shaken espresso gives you the caffeine kick and 16g of protein in one creamy sip! ☕️

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This vanilla protein latte is the perfect balance of cozy, creamy, and energizing!⚡️🤎

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The matcha you’ll crave every morning 💚

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Comment and LMK which one sounds the best to you! I’m an iced shaken espresso gal 🥰

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Cookie Hack: Bakery Style Cookies With Store Bought Dough

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Have you priced a cookie at the bakery lately? $5…sometimes $6 bucks for one! 😳 Did you know you can get that same bakery quality just using any store bought dough? The trick is HOW you back ‘em! My steps are FREE, EASY and you don’t need any baking skills at all! Best of all, you can make them for just over a dollar a cookie 🥳

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🍪🤩 COOKIE HACK: STORE BOUGHT DOUGH ➡️ BAKERY QUALITY 🤯👩‍🍳

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Scoop a heaping ½ cup of dough per cookie. Keep them tall, rounded, and don’t worry if they look a little rustic. Gently poke the tops to add that bakery-style texture.

✨ The secret step: refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before baking! Every bakery does this. It keeps the cookies thick, chewy, and full of flavor.

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Preheat your oven to 400°F. Use the lightest pan you have (and double up) to keep the bottoms from burning. Bake for 10–13 minutes, then immediately sprinkle with sea salt.

✨ Here’s the trick: leave the cookies on the hot pans for 25 minutes. They’ll finish baking perfectly as they cool, and don’t touch them! Trust me, it’s worth it.

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The result? Perfectly baked cookies that look straight from a bakery! Everyone will think you made them from scratch 😉 Just hide the evidence!

P.S. They also freeze beautifully, so you can save a stash for later. 🍪❄️

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Comment and LMK if you like your cookies with more of a crunch or if you like ‘em on the softer side…I’m a chewy and soft fan 😉

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TJ Maxx Secret: How to Tell If It’s Really Designer or Made for TJ Maxx

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Have you ever wondered how TJ Maxx is packed with all of those high end designer brands? Turns out they weren’t ever made for the designer to sell in their store 😮 That’s right, they were actually made for TJ Maxx 😱 So how can you tell if you’re getting the real thing? I’m revealing their tag 🔖 tricks so you can spot the real deal 🤗

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🛍️🤫 TJ MAXX SECRET 🏷️‼️🧥

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All you have to do is check the tag 🔖. If you see a number 1, that means it was made for TJ Maxx. If you see a number 2, it’s the real deal straight from the actual brand. ✅ I’ve broken it down with photos so you’ll never be fooled again.

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Happy treasure hunting! 🤗

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Starbucks Low Carb Fall Drinks

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Are you more of a Pumpkin Spice or Pecan fan? Personally, I’m here for all the fall feels and things which means driving through Starbucks and little more than I should 🤭 So I had to figure out how to turn my “treat day” drink into an “any day” drink 😉 Here’s how you can grab your go-to Fall fav GUILT FREE! 📸 ALL 4 of my orders are in the reel 😍 including their new Pecan drinks!

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🤩🧋DIET HACK: LOW CARB STARBUCKS 🍁 FALL DRINKS 🎃

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Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Original Numbers

250 Calories

31 Carbs

3 protein

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Pecan Crunch Cold Brew Original Numbers

410 Calories

54 Carbs

4 Protein

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Pecan Shaken Espresso Original Numbers

410 Calories

54 Carbs

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Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Original Numbers

390 Cal

52 Carbs

14 Protein

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NOTES: Here’s the quickest way to cut down on calories and carbs at STBX:

✅ Ask for Almond milk instead of Oatmilk, it’s actually their lowest carb milk overall, lower than any of their dairy and nondairy options. For creamer, their Heavy Cream or Half & Half are the lowest carb, but high in fat and calories in larger amounts, so don’t overdo those two.

✅ Want your drink sweeter? Add a 1/2 – 1 packet of stevia…a little goes a long way!

✅ For creamer drinks ask for an additional “splash” of cream, which is usually half and half at most Starbucks.

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Comment and LMK which one you’d try first! The Pecan Shaken Espresso is my fav 🍂🤎

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The Best Pumpkin Hack Ever?!

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Are you still carving pumpkins? Our neighborhood critters make it almost impossible 🦝🫢 So this year instead of cutting I decided to dip ‘em 😉 In theory it’s great idea and boy are they impressive…when it works, emphasis on “when”! Although it doesn’t take any special skills, it can be super frustrating, especially if you’re trying to do larger pumpkins…and the amount of nail polish 💅 it takes is surprising, so buy the cheapest you can find (I picked mine up at the Dollar Tree). I went with faux pumpkins so I could reuse them year after year, but real ones work here, too, just make sure you wash and dry them before you start 🤓

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🤩🎃 PUMPKIN HACK 👻 What You’ll Need + Real Talk Notes

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Supplies You’ll Need 🛒: Nail polish (lots of it — buy the cheapest you can find), Pumpkins (faux for reusing year after year, or real — just wash + dry first), a bucket of water (line it with foil or a bag to protect the bowl).

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Mini pumpkins were the clear winners! 🎉 If you want to try this hack, go for those!

Real Talk Notes

Clumping is a BIG issue — honestly, we only got about 30% wins vs. 70% fails!
When it works though…✨ it really works
We tried the spray paint method — total disaster 🚫 (first photo above)

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Would you use real of faux pumpkins for this? Comment and LMK! 🎃

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Microwave Mac and Cheese Hack

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How frustrating is that puddle under your mac & cheese cup?? The microwave mac & cheese lake is REAL 🫠 and it happens EVERY TIME! But not anymore 🎉 There’s a SIMPLE HACK to stopping that watery mess and it’s sitting on your kitchen counter! I’m also revealing why this magic trick works 🪄

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🤩💛 MICROWAVE MAC & CHEESE HACK 🤯 Works with ANY BRAND ✅

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Here’s the simple hack hiding in plain sight: grab a paper towel, fold it, place it in your microwave, and set your mac & cheese cup on top. Microwave as usual, and after 2 minutes… no messy overflow!

Why it works: the paper towel acts as a little insulator. By lowering the heat just a smidge between the glass plate and the container, it keeps the water where it belongs (inside the cup.) It’s microwave magic!🪄

NOTE: This doesn’t work if you make it (or anything else) in a regular bowl or cup, this is specifically for microwave mac and cheese cups, any brand, any kind 😉

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Low Carb Gas Station Eats

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How often do you find yourself eating in the car? Whether it’s a road trip or the kid carpool, I’m constantly doing the grab and go thing! Some days I’ll remember to grab a healthy snack from the house, but candidly, many days, I’m stopping at a convenience store trying to make the best choice I can. While I don’t suggest making these part of of our daily routine, in a pinch, these choices are among our best at a gas station ⛽️ Btw: None of these brands know I exist 😂 I’m not sponsored by any of them 😉

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🚘 🤩 DIET HACKS: LOW CARB CAR SNACKS 🏃‍♀️💨

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Craving that morning coffee fix? Skip the sugar bomb! A bottled Frappuccino has almost twice the sugar of a Snickers! A Starbucks Cold Brew is a way better (and just as satisfying) choice.

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You might think Nature Valley bars are a smart low-carb snack, but watch out…they’re loaded with sugar! Quest Bars are a better choice with a fraction of the carbs and way more protein.

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Lunchables get a bad rap, but they can actually be a solid protein snack. Stick to the turkey and cheese, and skip the crackers for a cleaner option!

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Cheetos, Doritos, and Ruffles top the list of worst snack picks… but pork rinds are a surprising swap! Zero carbs and even a bit of protein!

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Stock up on unsweetened nuts and seeds — they’re a go-to snack you can enjoy freely. Most jerky and cheese sticks are great picks too, keeping you fueled and satisfied.

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Got a sweet tooth? Grab a Quest low-carb cookie, or swing by 7-Eleven for a sugar-free Slurpee. Both hit the spot without the sugar crash!

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One last surprise: the all-beef hot dog — just 1 carb! A quick, tasty option that won’t wreck your low-carb goals!

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What’s your go-to low carb go-to? Comment and LMK! Mine are low carb protein bars, especially the peanut butter ones 🤭

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Dollar Tree Travel Dupes

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When’s the last time you picked up TSA approved toiletries? If it’s been a minute, then you’ll likely will be surprised at just how expense they have become! $10 For a travel size hand sanitizer?! $7 bucks for a face cleanser that will likely last you only 2 days 😳 I knew prices for these little puppies had gotten bad, but I didn’t realize just how out of control it had become until I did this comparison: 3 stores+ 17 travel toiletries. The savings with shock you 🤯

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🤩🚨 DUPE ALERT: DOLLAR TREE 💰🌳 TRAVEL TOILETRIES ✈️ For A FRACTION!

17 Travel Items from Dollar Tree for Under $25!

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I hit up Target and CVS to compare the same exact items — same brands, plus some fantastic dupes and let’s just say… the price differences were wild. At Dollar Tree, I scored viral bougie hand sanitizer for $1.25. At Target? $10 😳

And CVS? I didn’t think it was possible, but they were even pricier. Here’s the breakdown:

Target: 340% more (almost $90 for the same items.)

CVS: 420% more ($105 for the exact same haul!)

Dollar Tree for the win! 🏆

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Where have you been buying your travel items? Comment and LMK 🥰

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European Summer Vacation Highlights!

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✈️🛳️ EUROPEAN SUMMER VACATION: Griswald Style 😂 Have you ever traveled abroad with teens who’d rather be at home hanging with their buds?🥴 Or maybe you remember your parents dragging you on a trip during those all important high school years where going to the mall and grabbing an Orange Julius 🍊 with your friends was all you really wanted to do (before trying on those acid washed jeans 👖 at the Brass Buckle 🤭) Your biggest warm weather plan was laying by the pool 👙 or on one of those reflective shiny mats with the baby oil 🧴 (tinted red with iodine drops of course)…it certainly wasn’t trekking ALL THE WAY to Europe to look at ancient ruins with your parents 😳

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Well, Scooter 🛵 and I thought we would be different, we’re cooler than Gigi + Pops and Norma Jean, right?! 🤦‍♀️ Turns out, we’re not! AND our teens aren’t different than any other teens in America 🤣 Sis, it was a battle! Kid 3 asked to fly home to his Alpaca 🦙 Boy Band group EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! “Bro-Mom, come on!” Kid 2 was more interested, but still had regrets about the amount of extreme togetherness that only a cruise ship can provide. Let’s put it this way, before the trip she was misty about heading off to college next week, now, she’s ready to go 🏃‍♀️💨 😆 Here’s a look back at the last 3 months…I mean 11 days (click here)😅

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📍🗺️: Rome 🍝 Positano 🍋 Palermo 🇮🇹 Malta 🇲🇹 Istanbul 🇹🇷 Ephesus 🇹🇷 Santorini 🇬🇷 Athens 🏛️

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Here’s our day-by-day itinerary if you want to follow along (or plan your own adventure!):

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Rome – July 31

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Checked into the gorgeous Hotel Eden Rome (yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds), grabbed McDonald’s at the airport, tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps, and ended the day with pasta heaven at Felice a Testaccio.

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Cruise Day at Sea – August 1

Nothing but ocean views and endless buffet trips. Dinner onboard.

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Positano – August 2

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Coffee with a view at Casa e Bottega, beach time at Rada, lunch at Bar Buca di Bacco, and a wander through postcard-perfect streets before heading back for dinner on the ship.

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Palermo, Sicily – August 3

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Creeped ourselves out in the Catacombs (see them here), ate cannolis at I Segreti del Chiostro, and explored Teatro Massimo, Four Corners, the Fountain of Shame, and the stunning Palermo Cathedral.

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Malta – August 4

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Explored Mdina Dungeons, lunched at Coogi’s Pizzeria Bistrot, strolled through Malta’s streets, made a Starbucks stop, and sushi dinner onboard.

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Days at Sea – August 5–6
Translation: naps, pool time, and eating our weight in dessert!

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Istanbul, Turkey – August 7

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Shopped the Grand Bazaar, had baklava + Turkish coffee at Sark Kahvesi, lunched at Havuzlu Restaurant, and visited the Blue Mosque.

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August 8 – Turkish Food Day

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Gozleme (Turkish flatbread), more baklava, burgers at Saltbae’s place, then back to the ship for brunch and dinner.

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Ephesus, Turkey – August 9

We spent the day exploring the breathtaking Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world. Wandering through marble streets surrounded by centuries of history felt surreal. Our first stop was The House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful stone chapel tucked into the green hills of Mount Koressos. The quiet setting, the wishing wall covered in prayers, and the trickling holy water fountain made it such a calming, spiritual experience before heading into the heart of Ephesus.

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We ended the day watching traditional Turkish rug-weaving, sipping Starbucks as a little taste of home, and picking up boxes of Turkish delight, the sweetest souvenir before heading back on board for dinner.

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Santorini, Greece – August 10

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Cable cars to Fira, frappes at Ab Fab Santorini, frozen yogurt at Louyo, lunch at La Scala, pastries at Zotos Gelateria, a beach stop, a donkey ride, and one last dinner onboard.

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And just like that, our “totally chill, everyone’s thrilled to be here” European adventure came to an end 😅. Was it perfect? Nope. Did we see some of the most beautiful places on the planet, eat our way through seven countries, and make enough memories to laugh (and maybe cringe) about for years? Absolutely. Travel with teens sure makes for a story worth telling and in the end, we’re so thankful for every unforgettable moment along the way.. ✈️🛳️💕

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My Segment on Live With Kelly and Mark: Everyday Home Hacks You’ll Actually Use

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What an honor to be featured on Live With Kelly and Mark! I had the absolute best time sharing a few of my favorite everyday home hacks. Simple, practical tips anyone can use to make life a little easier (and maybe even a little more fun). If you missed it, you can catch the full segment here!

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Life Hack: Hand Mixer to Stand Mixer!

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Do you own one of those fancy KitchenAid stand mixers? I’ll be honest, I do but I rarely use it because it’s so heavy and a lot to clean! The vast majority of the time, I use my hand mixer, it’s easy to store, easy to clean and now even easier to use. This trick works especially well when something needs timed mixing AND it creates a built in splash guard 😉

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LIFE HACK: HAND MIXER ➡️ STAND MIXER 🤯

If you’ve got a hand mixer and a cutting board with holes, you basically have a DIY stand mixer. Just slide the mixer through the holes, set your bowl underneath, and let it do its thing…hands-free!

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This is super handy for frosting, do you prefer buttercream, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting? Comment and LMK 🥰

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