DEAR SANTA FROM ATLAS

Happy Holidays Finding Arizona fam! Guess what? Atlas, the adorable almost three-year-old has a special message for the man in red himself—Santa! Let's dive into Atlas's letter and get a peek into his toddler Christmas dreams.

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas. It's me, Atlas, I've been super good this year—ask my mom and dad; they'll vouch for me! I even wrote our Holiday Postcards this year.

I wanted to share a few of my most favorite things with you and say thanks.

First off, I love staying busy everyday. From parks, to classes to shopping I just love seeing friends!

Now, let's talk talents. I'm basically a little fish in swim class, splashing and making waves. Dance class? I’m pretty much the star on the Christmas tree over there. And in the kitchen, I'm a mini chef, can’t wait for you to try my cookies my mom and I made.

Okay, Christmas wishes. I'm all about Paw Patrol and Mickey Mouse—they're my absolute faves. Their adventures are epic, Santa! And when I’m watching, Nutrigrain bars are my snack, but only the strawberry ones, please.

Oh, Santa, can we talk about the Grinch? It's my favorite Christmas movie and book ever! His grumpy heart turning all warm and fuzzy—it's the best. I love max! Do you think he likes Nutrigrain bars too?

Santa, I'm turning three in January! So, this Christmas is like a super-duper early birthday party for me as I go visit my Papa and GG in San Diego. I'm even leaving out some milk and cookies for you there so forward all gifts to the beach. Maybe throw in a Nutrigrain bar for Rudolf.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Santa! And if you see the Grinch, tell him I said hi!

From Atlas

Isn't he just the cutest? Cheers to a happy holiday season with the ones who bring you joy.

XoXo

Britt

FEASTING, FOOTBALL & FIRSTS: OUR INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING HOSTING

Oh, the excitement of hosting our very first Thanksgiving bash. We welcomed friends and fam into our home filled with love and a touch of chaos. Grateful doesn't even begin to cover it. Thankful for the belly laughs, the warm embraces, and the simple joy of having everyone we love under one roof.

Cue the kitchen magic! Tried and tested, Sunny's Texas Two-Step Turkey Recipe became our kitchen sidekick, turning our humble turkey into the superstar of the feast. The air buzzed with the scent of success, and let me tell you, it was chef's kiss perfect! We made sure all the sides were covered: Sweet potato skewers, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, so much more but let’s not forget my signature cobbler!

Our table was a Pinterest-worthy dream- our long table became the epicenter of joy and laughter. Kiddos had a blast with activities galore. Plus, we took our living room to the patio with the three-game marathon on the screen for our football fanatics!

As we gathered round, it wasn't just about the grub; it was a about the memories. Celebrating in a place we once shared out vows, now passing gravy and coloring turkeys. Here's to many more more laughter-filled, food coma-inducing gatherings!

I also wanted to say thank you; if you are reading this you mean a lot to me. Finding Arizona Podcast has allowed me to share so much about our life + special memories, like this, with you. You are part of our family. Our doors are always open + mics are always on. Drop a message if you want an invite to Thanksgiving 2025!

XoXo

Britt

BEARS BOLTS SOFI EXPERIENCE

Recently, I took a day trip to LA for da Bears versus the Chargers, a televised Sunday Night Football game. The significance ran deeper than touchdowns and tackles; it was a reunion with football, family, and a jersey coming out of the archives. Check out the incredible throwback photos too!

I hopped on the plane for LAX midday, ready to catch up with friends and family at SoFi Stadium The last time I caught the Bears and Chargers live was way back in 2015 at Qualcomm Stadium. I rocked this half Bears, half Chargers jersey — the Velcro edition. Fast forward eight years, and this bad boy was dusted off for another game day- sewn tight.

The highlight? Picture this: Uber dropping you off outside the stadium and as your walking through the parking lot you hear cheers, banter, and that unmistakable team spirit in the air. That was the real touchdown moment reuniting with my fam!

It was near game time so we headed in. SoFi Stadium First-timer alert, and guess what? It's now my favorite! The place exudes a different kind of energy, and that screen… wow! Bestfriend and I, of course, had the VIP experience and one too many margs.

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Chicago Bears 30-13, but we were the real winners! Born a Bears fan, bred in Bolt country. They will always be my San Diego Super Chargers. So here's to the gridiron, the cheers, and the promise of many more Bears Bolts showdowns.

XoXo

Still a Bears fan, Britt

P.S. Your best game ever is waiting and we have the discount- Use code FINDINGARIZONA on SeatGeek for an exclusive $20 discount in your next event!

FREEZING FAMILY MOMENTS WITH BAYLEY JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHY

I need to share this awesome Arizona Find. We had Bayley Jordan Photography for a family photoshoot at our library. First off, she made us feel super comfortable right from the start. It felt more like a hangout session than a photoshoot! And let me tell you, she's got a knack for bringing out the best in each of us. Our goofy moments turned into pure gold!

The library setting added a unique touch to the whole shoot. With outfits picked from our own closets, roughly ironed, we met before our first cup of coffee for that golden hour; and also before it got too hot for an Arizona July morning.

If you're looking for a photographer who knows how to freeze the moments that define your family, Bayley Jordan is the way to go! She's got that magic touch, and our photo album is now filled with cherished memories.

Go check out the podcast episode we did right after and then book your shoot with Bayley!

XoXo Britt

CANDID CRITIQUES: BARBIE MOVIE

Barbie movie is out long enough for me to give you spoiler alerts and my opinion. Whether you care about either just know: Barbie for me is my sister. I played with Barbie every day and night. The whole gang, not Allen, but that wasn’t my gen. No matter what age group or how many dolls you had

Barbie was never about becoming anything it was being something; a fantasy land we could escape to and then chose to come back to reality. 

When the movie was announced I was the opposite of excited. The cast, even less enthralled, but once it hit theaters little Britt needed it like 1994 Barbie Dream Boat with Blender, I can still taste those strawberry milkshakes. My theater didn’t have any activation, memorabilia, photos ops. In fact there was a Spanish version showing that most of the line was crowded for. 

I wore my sillk pink stripped pajamas, a kind I own with no Barbenheimer intention, stashed a Hibiscus LaCroix and Red Vines in the blush Kate Spade and took myself out on a Sunday night. Ready to offer my plusses and minuses.

PROS:

• Great storyline, overall message& funny one-liners. Favorite part was the line from one of the Mattel assistants poking fun at starting a podcast & when Ken reminisced about being respected and shows of his watches.

• Ordinary Barbie - embrace your natural self without societal pressures.

• Midge - why did they ever discontinue her?

• When narrator, Helen Mirren, breaks the fourth wall and comments: "Note to filmmakers: Casting Margot Robbie is the wrong person you want to make this point” [about not being pretty].

• The message by America Ferrera in her supporting nomination speech duh eveyone loved it! But did you catch the “Sí, se puede” stinger at the end from the husband. That brought back mems.

• Will Farrell - not his best role, but fave actor. However, This may have ben Jake Gyllenhaal best role, I mean Ryan Reynolds, Gosling, ugh, the guy from the Notebook. 

It was exactly like the Barbie world, and it was exactly like the real world. But lets not have them combine- I enjoy a bit of fantasy. 

CONS:

• The Fashion, other than the iconic neon rollerblading outfit and throwing the clothes out the window extra outfits and accesories, I never remember my Barbie having any Chanel handbag with matching tweed suit. 

• It’s a musical! If there is one choreographed number with lip singing to the camera its a musical. Also, why does Ken have singing solos? 

• I would have stayed in Barbieland.

• Did the daughter yell “Hell Yeah, White savior barbie,” after the America Farrera monolgue? Watch this and tell me .

Let me know what you thought of the movie.

XoXo

Barbie

I KNOW WOMEN - WHAT DO I DO ?

As someone who is passionate about empowering women and helping them achieve their goals, I was thrilled to join The Know Women in 2022. (You can read about my switch out of Healthcare here.) We are not just a good time, but a group of women who are dedicated to helping each other grow both personally and professionally while having a good time.

When Sarah came on the Podcast in 2017 she announced starting a community of women to Know and do business with. Welcome to Know Women, the ultimate events, publications, and experiences curated exclusively for ambitious high-achieving women. Five years and over 50 publications later the goal is One Million Women to Know!

As a Membership Success Manager, my role is to ensure that our members are engaged and leveling up to their highest self. I work closely with each member to understand their goals and help them connect with other members who can help them achieve those goals. Whether it's through our online community or our in-person events, we provide a variety of opportunities for our members to connect and collaborate with each other; my favorite being our annual Summit.

Our summit brings together some of the most successful and inspiring women from various industries and backgrounds. Through our interactive workshops, keynote speeches, and panel discussions, you will learn from their experiences, gain valuable insights, and connect with like-minded women. We do this monthly too in our FOCU$ED series with carefully selected our speakers and topics to provide you with practical strategies, tools, and resources that you can apply to your business, career and life! Its more than taking elevator selfies with Candace Nelson, its lasting relationships from real friends.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the positive impact that our organization has on our members. I have seen firsthand how our members have grown their businesses, expanded their networks, and gained confidence through their involvement with The Know Women. Selfishly, I have had the opportunity to develop new skills, such as event planning and community management, and have been given the freedom to take on new challenges and initiatives in design. Importantly, Know Women is supporting the Finding Arizona Podcast and Found House Production services for The High Achieving Female Podcast with more opportunities to come.

You know you want to get in the room! Join us at our next event, shoot me an email.

XoXo

Britt

Check out some amazing photos from our Know Summit 2023 by the incredibly talented Sarah Hoag . I love the ones with Erin, (love working with you so much). Also here is my POV from the gram

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER POOL MUST HAVES

Summer has officially arrived! In Arizona, we have been feeling the triple digit temps for a while and what better way to cool off than by taking a dip in the pool? Thanks to Leslie’s, our pool is ready for all the swim days. However, before you jump in, dive into this blog’s essential pool products to make sure you are ready for the season. Here are some of the must-have pool products at the Acevedo’s House.

1. SHOCK

Proper chemical levels are crucial to maintaining a clean and healthy pool. When monsoon season hits your pool needs a shock! Weekly maintenance too! I prefer Power Powder from Leslie’s . Shock it, scrub it and * pro tip * keep your scrub brush in the pool at all times the more you take it out of the water and give it oxygen it will encourage algae growth.

2. CHLORINE TABS

Fill up your floater, skimmer basket and my * pro trick * (wearing gloves) scrub algae directly with your tab and watch it disappear like magic! Chlorine tabs from Leslie’s uses pro-grade quality to control all types of pool algae, bacteria, germs, and parasites for cleaner, healthier water. Sunlight burns chlorine so if you’re servicing your pool, best to do it the evenings and night time.

3. HOSES

Between a vacuum hose and a backwash hose, good quality, professional grade pool hoses are hard to find. Leslie’s carries everything- even the other “pool guys” shop there. I am obsessed with their 50 foot backwash hose. I use it weekly.

4. PERFECT WEEKLY

Once a week adding Perfect Weekly to my skimmer to keep my phosphate levels low, reduces oils, and keeps the water level. All of these are major for Arizona. Monsoons, sunscreen + excessive heat = Perfect Weekly!

5. SUNSCREEN

Make it part of your daily routine. Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is essential. Even on days when you dont “think you will go outside” or early morning or late afternoons. Make sure you are protecting your greatest asset, your skin so you can have all the pool days!

I may have got a C in Chem in highschool, but I am earning an A in Pools Maintenance thanks to Leslie’s!

XoXo

Britt

ATLAS' FIRST HAIRCUT

Getting a first haircut can be a little intimidating for both the child and parents. Number one question I get asked is who cired? The answer is… no one! True testament to the amazing experience Sit Still Scottsdale. Parents in the valley, get your kid over here asap; this place make anyone want to be a kid again.

We were impressed right away walking in: the decor was colorful and inviting, making it easy for children to feel at ease. The staff was friendly and introduced themselves to Atlas, making him feel comfortable. Sit Still Scottsdale has an experienced staff that specializes in children's haircuts. Our stylist, Lauren, was patient and listened carefully to what we wanted for Atlas's haircut. She explained each step of the process and made sure we were comfortable with the length and style. Atlas was entertained throughout the haircut with toys and a tablet, Blues Clues of course, making the experience a breeze.

Sit Still Scottsdale also offers fun extras to make the experience more memorable for children. Especially this being Atlas’ first hair cut, mama wanted all the bells and whistles. Atlas received a certificate for his first haircut and a lock of his hair to take home as a keepsake. Yes, a lock of his hair!

We recorded the interview with co-owners Bri and Katie during the cut and this audio and video episode is once for the time capsule. You can watch and feel like you were right there with us. Wait till the part where Atlas runs up to dada after the cut.

Thank you so much to the entire team at Sit Still Scottsdale. You made this experience one I will remember forever, my baby boy’s first haircut.

XoXo

Britt

BEST OF THE VALLEY 2023

Arizona Foothills Magazine has just announced the winners of their 2023 Best of the Valley Awards and we are thrilled to see that the Best Podcast of the Valley award has gone to none other than the Finding Arizona Podcast. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication we put into the podcast consistently delivering engaging and informative content to our listeners.

Jose started the podcast in 2016. The podcast gained, me, Brittany and quickly a loyal following. Over the years, with listeners tuning in from all over the world with thoughtful interviews, informative discussions, and a finger on the pulse of what's happening in the Valley, it's no surprise we’re recognized as the best of the best.

Winning this award is a major achievement for Finding Arizona Podcast, and a well-deserved one at that. It also comes at a perfect time to announce our production services. Whether someone is looking to start their own podcast, record a course or series we are ready to find the next best at Found House.

Congratulations to Jose Acevedo and everyone involved in the production of this fantastic show, especially our incredible fans. You are the best find! Thanks for letting me produce such an amazing show.

Read the Digital Issue of the Arizona Foothills Best Of 2023 Issue

XoXo

Britt

DJBJ RELEASES NEW MIX FOR 2023 #MOMSWHOMIX

Music has always been a universal language that has the power to bring people together. And when it comes to music, DJs play a crucial role in setting the mood and getting people moving. In today's digital age, the art of DJing has evolved, and technology has made it possible for anyone to become a DJ. One such person who has taken full advantage of technology is DJBJ. In this blog post, we'll take a look at who DJBJ and get to know the Mom behind the music.

DJBJ's style is a fusion of different genres, including drum and bass, hip-hop, and rap. She has a unique ability to blend these genres together in a way that creates a cohesive and exciting sound. She is known for her high-energy beats and catchy hooks on and off the decks.

It has been a few years since DJBJ has mixed, but she is sharing two tracks on her brand new EP #Momswhomix quoting, “The B side is better.” You can check it out on her Soundcloud. She is booking only at home and virtual sessions at the moment, but more to come as she moves from VirtualDJ to vinyls and crates.