AUTUMN WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS

WE'RE ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN FALL ROLLS AROUND, going to Oak Glen for apple-picking and Claremont to get pie at my favorite pie shop, “I Like Pie Bakeshop.” We travel to lots of different places near and far from Los Angeles, from Palm Springs to Portland and everywhere in between. With all the traveling we do, I rely on online shopping for Halloween costumes and and holiday gifts.

That's why it's nice to have American Express' FICO & Fraud Protection which comes with our Blue Cash Everyday Card Membership. I can easily check my credit score on-the-go through my Amex online account, along with all the other great perks like cash back on the things we care most about, like 3% at US supermarkets, 2% on gas and select department stores, and 1% on everything else.

I know my family and I will be making the most of all these benefits through the new year and beyond, at I Like Pie and all the other restaurants, bakeries, hotels, gas stations and more that accept American Express across the country.

ILANA KOHN AW17

I've been such an admirer of Brooklyn designer Ilana Kohn’s pieces for as long as I can remember and I think her new AW17 collection just might be my favorite. Shades of brown, yellow, and navy are right up my alley— especially together, mixed in with my ivory and white staples of course! So I was really excited to collaborate with one of my favorite shops, Fuggiamo, to style a dress AND offer 10% off anything in her shop this weekend with the code MELISSA. Happy shopping!

ESBY APPAREL PREFALL '17

GENEVA, a fellow desert mama and blogger (@cosmic.american on Instagram) reached out to me, Erin of Calivintage (@calivintage), and Paige Christensen (@paigechristensen) to collaborate with Austin, Texas-based design house Esby Apparel. I've had the pleasure of working with Esby in past-- when I was pregnant with Harrison!-- so I was happy to do so again. You can see my previous Esby post here. The designer, Stephanie Beard was kind enough to have each of us style the Rose top and Lucia pant from her pre-fall collection in different color combos. I'm a fan of her thoughtfully made pieces, and these two are no exception, especially the seamed pant which is made of a nice lightweight fabric that works as a great transitional piece into fall.

Erin and I are neighbors so we shot together at a nearby park with our friend and photographer, Yvette (@yvettita). I'm wearing the Rose top in Mist and the Lucia seamed pant in camel, and Erin is wearing the top in camel and the pant in natural.Below are Paige and Geneva's shots as well!

HACKWITH DESIGN HOUSE AW17

I'VE BEEN A LONG-TIME FAN AND SUPPORTER of Hackwith Design House for a while now, and I'm excited to help promote their most recent collection for FW17. It just might be my favorite so far! I'm loving the drapey silhouettes mixed with more tailored jackets and trousers perfect for layering once the temperatures cool down. I've styled the cropped drawstring top and the tie-back top here, and I'm currently lusting over the wrap dress and oversized coat.

You can use my exclusive promo code "hdh&sonico" to get 15% off your entire order until 8/28, so you get a whole week to shop the new collection on sale!

SUMMER WITH AMEX AND BLUE CASH EVERYDAY

EVERY SUMMER IS REALLY PRECIOUS TIME FOR OUR FAMILY because my husband and I both have off from teaching and we get to hang out with Harrison and go on fun trips. This summer, we spent five days in San Diego, and it was so much fun. We always love visiting San Diego, and this time we got to go to the beach, go on a hike, check out the Aquarium at Scripps, and hang out in Balboa Park with Harrison's cousins and ride the San Diego Zoo train, which Harrison loved-- he's got a thing for trains at the moment. There are also so many good places to eat; Johnny is on a ramen kick so we went to two different ramen places, Tajima and Underbelly.

Both were great, and all these places were places that we could use our Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express to cash back for everyday purchases like food and gas. You can learn more about the card here. #AmexAmbassador #ad