Spring time is here which means spring cleaning! While the actual cleaning part is fairly routine, here are three things to think about before you begin!

1. Don't just donate to Goodwill, who will make a profit on your goods. Find a local charity that could really put good use to your stuff. If you are in the Ventura County area, my favorite is James Storehouse. They provide goods and resources to foster children and the families fostering them. They are always in need of good clothing, beds, and other home goods.

2. Deep clean the deep clean. The dirtiest places are the places we expect to be clean...the dishwasher, the sink, and the laundry machine. After cleaning the rest of the house, be sure to hit these secret spots.

3. Instead of using chemicals to clean, use lemon essential oil. It's all natural and leaves your home smelling citrusy fresh. Fill a spray bottle with water and 15-20 drops of lemon essential oil. It will disinfect, remove grease, and kill bacteria.

Confidence is the most powerful accessory someone can wear. Here are 4 tips for building yours up-

1. Take control of your thoughts. If someone else is putting you down, don't let their negativity effect the way you think of yourself. Think yourself into a happier, confident state of mind.
2. Fake it until you make it. If you're not confident in yourself, pretend that you are. With time you'll eventually believe it and believe in yourself.
3. Have an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for all the greatness you have in your life. It'll help you believe that your life is amazing, even if you don't believe it at first.
4. Look deep within yourself. What is causing you to lack confidence? Figure it out and then make the changes necessary to feel better about yourself. 

Spring break is a fun time to go out with friends and let your hair down, but it can also be full of dangerous situations. Here are 4 tips to keep spring break safe.

1. Don't share your location on social media. It may seem natural to tag you and your girls out at a bar by the beach so everyone back home can see what fun you are having, but this makes you an easy target for sexual predators.

2. Have a code word. Designate a word for you and your friends to use when you are feeling uncomfortable in a situation that won't draw more attention to you. Have a previously designated plan for when someone uses the word such as where to meet or what to do next.

3. Do not leave your drink unattended. I know you have heard this a million times, but this is a big one. If you set your drink down, just go get another one, do not pick it up. Even when you're just standing around sipping your drink, keep a hand over it while you hold it to prevent anyone from quickly slipping something into it.

4. Do a full 360 scan when entering your hotel room. Be cautious about letting people know where you are staying and what room you are in. If someone is walking past the hallway while you are about to enter your hotel room, keep walking so that they do not know what room you are in.

While sometimes crossing books off my 2017 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge is for leisure, other times I learn a lot. In the most recent book I have crossed off my list (a book with career advice) I learned a lot about how to chase my dreams and stay true to my fight. I also learned that Megyn Kelly is a BOSS.

She tackles the difficulties of balancing a career and family with grace and humility. She is a force to be reckoned with. Whether she's being attacked by Donald Trump or chasing three young children around New York, she is authentic and inspirational. There is more to Kelly than meets the eye. While watching her on TV I have known nothing about her past and how she got her spot in the anchor's seat on The Kelly File. Knowing the tragedy she experienced of losing her father while she was in high school, her life as a lawyer, and chasing her passion of journalism, Kelly lives out the motto- Settle For More.



In her memoir "Settle For More" Megyn Kelly is transparent and heroic. I admire her so much more beyond the television screen now. I recommend this to anyone on both sides of the ballot, but especially young women who are just entering college and the work force.

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I am always looking for fun ways to celebrate the holidays with my high school students. They're beyond the fun elementary school stuff, but I know deep down they steal enjoy the little goodies in the classroom during holidays. One of my favorite holidays to decorate for at school is St. Patrick's Day because it is simple, but fun. Although I will be gone on St. Patrick's Day for a field trip, I am showering my kiddos with these delicious treats this week!

FTC Disclosure: Kick Back With Cate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program is designed to allow a means for sites to earn advertising fees by sharing links to Amazon. This provides the blogger with a source of income at no additional cost to the reader.

7. Alexis: Alexis won me over when she showed up dressed like a shark and insisted she was a dolphin. She was hilarious and I really hope to see her on paradise.

Spinato's is a game changer in the gluten free world. I have struggled the past couple years to find a good gluten free pizza. A lot of the gluten free pizza crusts I have tried often taste like cardboard. However, Spinato's pizza is not just the best gluten free pizza I have ever eaten, but the best pizza in general I have ever had.



I had the pleasure of sampling it the past two year's at the Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo in San Diego the past two years, which was fresh made at the expo. Because the Spinato's Pizzeria is only located in Arizona and I am in California, I did not think I'd be able to get it again until next year's expo. However, Spinato's also is sold in retail stores!

Along with pizza, Spinato's offers sauces and dressings. I will hands down nominate this as the best gluten free pizza I have ever tried. If you are interested in trying it, they have a locator on their website so you can find it in a store near you!

St. Patrick's Day is next week which means lots of green themed parties are approaching. This playlist is Irish themed for your fun times!


Beautiful Day by U2
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
Breathless by The Corrs
Cannonball by Damien Rice
The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script
Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
Devil's Dance Floor by Flogging Molly
Rose Tattoo by Drop Kick Murphys
One Call Away by Marie Digby
Dance Floor Anthem by Good Charlotte
Light My Fire by Jim Morrison

I spend a lot of time on the internet, whether it be blogging, doing school work, or just browsing around. I waste a lot of time surfing the web and in my quest to kill time or create the perfect blog post, I have found some great websites. Three sites I am really hooked on lately are:

1. Reality Steve: I enjoy Reality Steve's spoilers and having insight on The Bachelor franchise from the likes of a 40 (ish?) year old man. He has a podcast he puts out on Thursdays that I really enjoy listen to and often saved for when I was making constant drives between the Central Coast and Southern California each week. Now that I'll be commuting on the 405 each day, I am sure I will fill that time with RS podcasts. He often has a special guest, some of whom who are members of Bachelor Nation, which makes the listening experience that much more fun. (New blog goal: Be a guest on one of his podcasts.)
2. Tone It Up: Karena & Katrina are the best trainers. They have taken the fitness world by a storm and make me feel motivated and confident. They run challenges throughout the year with their nutritional plan, but their workout plan is free. I love their blog posts, workout videos, and recipes.
3. Sazan: I learned about Sazan in a recent Wine Wednesday with the Tone It Up Girls. She is a lifestyle blogger and has incredible fashion sense. Her Instagram feed is #onfleek (or whatever the kids say these days!) and her blog features bits about style, beauty, relationships, and more. 

1. Do you have any fashion or beauty icons? Who? I'd say my fashion icon is Reese Witherspoon. She is very chic, yet simple. She always has gorgeous baubles and timeless looks. 
2. Beauty pet peeve? Blue eye shadow. Just no. Bye.
3. Would you rather wear no makeup for the rest of your life or makeup everyday (but you can take it off when going to bed) Makeup everyday! That's an easy one! 
4. Do you have any tips or tricks makeup/cosmetic wise? Less is more.
5. Kim K or Kendall Jenner makeup? Kendall Jenner.
6. Do you only buy cruelty-free makeup and if so why? No. I buy whatever works. I know I should get better about looking at the ingredients though. 
7. Share a photo of what you consider to be your worst moment beauty-wise. I'll pass 😉
8. Skincare or Makeup? Skincare all the way!

I'm trailing on my goal to read a book per week this year, but I have been diving into some amazing books none the less. Currently I am reading Grace Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy by Emily Ley. I saw this book at Target over the holidays and picked it up because of the title. (My theme for 2017 is GRACE.) In three parts, Ley goes through finding grace within yourself, grace with other people, and grace in your calling. This book gives me a reminder that sometimes I need to step back and accept the fact that not everything can be perfect or the way I imagine it to be. Scripture, suggestions, and personal anecdotes are sprinkled through the beautifully written pages of her book. I recommend this read to any woman who is trying to juggle the balance of life, work, friends, family, and more without anything going on the back burner.