Alright, is it even a new year without a quick rewind of the previous one? I get it, it might seem a tad cheesy and like the latest trend. But you know what? A decade down the road, I'll cherish having that snapshot, a little peek into where life was at this very moment.

Looking back on 2023, it was a year of rekindling passions and setting intentions.

In mid 2023 the girls were both in school which allowed me to reclaim dedicated hours for my business. This was a heartfelt return to nurturing my entrepreneurial flame. It filled me in ways I really missed.

For 2024, I aim to fine-tune rather than expand my business, streamlining processes to amplify the quality of my craft. Professionally, it's about harnessing precision and improving product and customer experience.

Last year, I learned something pretty important: taking care of myself matters. So, this year, I'm stepping up that game. It's not just a fancy treat; it's what keeps me going strong in every part of life. Making time for myself isn't just about being there; it's about rocking it in every part of life.

Here's to a year dedicated to nurturing my business, fostering meaningful connections, and prioritizing self-care—a harmonious blend that defines the path I walk. Excited for the journey ahead!

We'd been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for weeks, waiting for that telltale dip in temperatures that signals the arrival of fall. When we spotted the change we'd been waiting for, we knew it was time to set our plan into action – our annual apple picking adventure to Oak Glen was officially on the calendar. Little did we expect, though, just how much the temperatures would drop. Throughout our visit, the mercury never climbed above 50 degrees, and the sun played a game of peek-a-boo, making it a crisp and invigorating experience.

Hey there, fellow adventurers! I wanted to share the most amazing day my family and I recently had at Los Rios Rancho in sunny California. It's a place where apple orchards stretch out as far as the eye can see, and the sweet scent of ripe apples fills the air. With each visit, we learn a little more about making the most of this special place, and I wanted to pass on some tips for your own future apple-picking adventures.

Early Bird Gets the Apples: Los Rios Rancho has been growing in popularity, and for good reason. But, to enjoy the orchards without the crowds, we've learned to arrive early, usually around 9 AM. This not only guarantees the perfect photo op but also lets us beat the midday heat. Plus, you'll have your pick of the finest apples in the morning light!

Boot Break-In: On this particular day, I had bought Evelyn a shiny new pair of boots for our adventure. They fit well, but even the most comfortable shoes can have their quirks. So, our advice is to break them in before your trip to avoid any uncomfortable surprises.

Plan Your Activities: Many farms, including Los Rios Rancho, offer a variety of activities beyond apple picking, from hayrides, u-press cider to petting zoos. These can fill up quickly, so we always make sure to sign up or queue early to secure our spots. Check their website or call ahead to see what's happening during your visit.

Sunscreen, Always: California sun, even on overcast days, can be surprisingly strong. We found this out the hard way when both our girls ended up with rosy cheeks. Don't forget the sunscreen, folks! A little protection goes a long way.

Snacks and a Savvy Strategy: After all that apple picking, you're bound to work up an appetite. Local restaurants are delicious, but be prepared for waitlists, especially during peak season. We've learned to bring snacks for the kids and seek out places that offer a pager service. Our personal favorite is Apple Annie's in Oak Tree Mountain – great food, plenty to do while you wait, and those pagers make it a breeze.

This year's adventure was a blast, despite Evelyn's new boot hiccup. Hazel fully embraced the day, and Evelyn became our resident apple connoisseur. I've cherished visiting this slice of mountain life, a small taste of my own childhood spent at my grandparents' home in the Tehachapi mountains.

We're already counting down the days until our next apple-picking excursion, and now we're eyeing the Apple Blossom season for a whole new adventure! 🌸✨

Stay tuned for more tales of family fun and unforgettable moments. Until then, happy picking!

Check out this fun video I made of our day!

If you haven’t seen yet, we recently added to our family.

The last few years have been rough, we had to say goodbye to our sweet pups Tessa and a year later, Tucker.

Luckily Santa, a.k.a. Kailynn from Cuttin Blue Farms, helped us open our hearts and welcome the newest member of our family in.

Meet Lella Honey.

Lella is named after the F1 race driver, Lella Lombardi. The first and only female to score points. It is a very fitting name because when our Lella gets the zoomies, girl is FAST.

I had so much anxiety going into a new puppy.

How could I possibly love another dog the way I loved our Tessa and Tucker?

How would I navigate puppyhood with two small children? When we first got Tess and Tuck, it was just us. We had plenty of free time to dedicate to them.

How would we manage the business with a puppy? We already had Tess and Tuck for a few years when I finally started Delovely Details. They started with sitting under the table while we worked on our first few hanger orders, to hanging out in the garage when we really started to grow, to spending days at the my studio with me when I finally got my own space. They’d been there from the beginning and I never really had to “train” them for work days. Would Lella be able to keep up and behave?

I don’t have all the answers yet, but there are a few things we’ve learned for sure. We definitely can love again after a devastating loss. Lella has slipped into our hearts and I just can’t imagine life without her now.

We’ve learned to ask and even pay for help when we need it. We found an amazing puppy trainer nearby and I can’t imagine where we would be without her.

The girls are just head over heels for our sweet Lella girl - and while Lella still jumps up on them, we are finding ways to help the girls interact with her without reinforcing bad behavior habits.

Lastly, while Lella has a presence on our business social media - she has yet to make it to the studio. It’s a work in progress but I have faith we will get there.

I’m excited to be open about our puppy experience, tips and tricks we may come across, and lessons we are learning. I hope you’ll stick around and maybe it’ll even help you!