What Have I Been Doing?

So this has officially been my worst month ever as a (very) part time blogger! Honestly, this summer has been a whirlwind and here we are at Labor Day Weekend. I figure I need to catch you all up to speed instead of jumping into a random shopping or house post, so here we go!

I was at home most of the time with the kids with a few hours of extra help a week, and then the other days I was trying my best to work at the shop (along with my partner in crime, Frances Ann). That is a major juggling act in itself. We finished up construction on the garage and breezeway, finally! I will share a post on that soon. I also have started up a little side business of oyster shell art and painting, which kept me busy in any spare moments. If you follow me on instagram, you have seen me post about them there. Even though Weeks was out of school, we tried to keep him busy with a music teacher I found that visited us once a week (he loved this!) and also at home PT and Speech sessions. I think he is ready to get back to school next week! You probably also saw on instagram that FA is now in a MMO program. Tuesday was her first day and she did great. Like, it made us a little sad how much she enjoyed it and didn't seem to miss us (until we walked in to pick her up!) With her on the move, I spend the awake hours keeping her out of trouble. She is a busy, busy little thing. Other big moments of the summer included Frances Ann's first birthday, a family trip to Williamsburg, 4th of July at the beach and my sister's wedding last weekend in Pinehurst! I was thinking about doing a big recap of photos from my phone- but my phone bit the dust halfway through the summer and I have yet to be able to pull them from the icloud. It is probably going to take a trip to the apple store next time I am in Raleigh, which I absolutely hate the apple store! eek!! In the meantime, here is a handful of photos from the last half of the summer :)

Since we are all catching up- did you guys have a good summer? Anyone else looking forward to a little more structure with school? Any post ideas you all have in mind that you want to hear about?!? Please, please this helps me a lot. Especially after I have been on this blogging break!

Fun In The Sun!

It is clearly summertime over here, hence the lack of posting! Who else is trying to wrap their head around the fact that it is the Fourth of July on Tuesday?! Always been one of my favorite holidays. I rounded up some of my favorite summer essentials for some fun in the sun. Everything is on Prime- so at this point you could still have them delivered Monday for the Fourth! 

Might as well get a new set of beach toys because those little pieces get lost and put in ten different locations! // We use our wagon every day of the week for evening walks. Truly, an essential in my book for kids. They can use it so much longer than any other "toy". // I have always wanted an instax mini...I think it would be fun to take daily photos during the summer and collect them on a board for a collage to look back on! // I recently went to the dermatologist for my yearly check and she recommended this daily moisturizer with SPF. Unlike so many others, it doesn't leave my skin greasy. In fact, I can hardly tell I have it on! EltaMD SPF 46 // Last minute party? Snag this USA banner // Ever since the first time I put sunscreen on Weeks as a baby, he has had a reaction around his eyes to every brand I have tried. I could never figure out if he was getting burned, reacting to the sunscreen or what. I found this sunscreen which is completely safe with no harmful ingredients and it goes on SO easy. No rash around my little man's eyes! Finally!! thinkbaby sunscreen // Both kids love this float and you can use it 4 different ways. 4 in 1 float // My favorite swim diapers are these little swimmers // While getting safe sunscreen for the kids, I bought this for me sunology sunscreen

Not pictured- I would love these mason jar lanterns for our new patio! We are finishing up construction on the new addition in the next few weeks and I can't wait to show you guys!!

Pool Days of Summer

Happy Friday y'all! I am so totally thrown off after getting back from our family vacation on Wednesday. You might follow along on instagram, we were in Williamsburg, Virginia. I had not been since I was a baby so it was all brand new to me. We barely touched on a lot of the historical sites so we will definitely be back in the future!

It's hard to believe we are already halfway through June and I feel like the summer is just beginning! Don't think I am lame here, but my big elaborate plan for the summer is get the kids to the pool and playground several days through the week and then enjoy at least one boat/beach/pool day a weekend. Stephen and I are work horses and always find ourselves engulfed in a new project or work. So, it's our goal to enjoy the summer and most of all, make it special for the kids! During nap times I plan to tackle my little home projects that I am always workin' away on :)

Since I had so many messages about this swimsuit I wanted to link it up here for you. I actually bought it last year when I was nowhere close to wanting to put on a swimsuit post-baby, but I am finally wearing it this year! Find it here via amazon. But really... one pieces...where have you been all my life?! Also, this is the top only (major cheap now) and the bottoms to match. Find Frances Ann's cute suit here and my sunglasses here. Hope that helps y'all!

Links to Love

Writers block? I loved this round up of well thought out blog post ideas. Thanks Natasha! Major props for the round up that was fresh and inspiring. You will definitely be seeing some of these headed your way. I feel like I've been off the grid somewhat for summer, it is flying by and I have been enjoying it... How is it already past the Fourth of July? 

Are you guys ready for the Anniversary Sale? As I have posted in years past, this is an amazing opportunity to purchase a few items for fall. All brand new styles, on sale for a limited time. If you want to browse the lookbook ahead of time, check this out. Here are a few of my favorite pages!

I will be posting more later on in the week so stay tuned for my picks! :)

How amazing does this salad look? Chicken Taco Salad...yes please.

I'm working on another e-design {see here for my first one} for a readers living room, and sending some hardware ideas over to Laura {check out her jewels!!!}

Summer Days...and Fall

Can you believe that summer is over? I really can't! I know we were wrapped up in house projects most of the summer, but we did get a few good beach & boat days in, finally. We realized yesterday that a day on the water is so much more exhausting with a toddler and two dogs than we remembered it being. I was tired all day! As much as I am sad to see one of my favorite seasons end, I always look forward to the beginning of fall. Well, usually it's like a mild version of summer for us here that I look forward to...new things like tailgating, changing out my pots, fall foods of course!!!, taking out my fall decor and rotating my closet around. I am always ready to pull on a pair of jeans about this point and grab my boots! Oh, and one of my favorite parts about fall? I love coming home at the end of the day and putting on some comfortable sweat pants and a sweatshirt. And don't even get me started on my favorite robe being acceptable for lounging in most of the day. Also, the steamy humidity and the mosquitoes...I'm over them. So, so long summer, I guess I'm ready for you fall. 

Our Summer Porch

Welcome to our summer porch!

Ahem. I realize we are now approaching fall.

Stephen and I treated ourselves to a new swing and table set for our Anniversary this year. I bought this set locally, but I know they are available in tons of outdoor furniture shops. I wanted a set that didn't require a custom cushion like many of the thick cushions you see at Home Depot, Lowes etc. Since we live at the coast, our cushions may only last one season and those bad boys are way too expensive to replace/recover! These are a box edge set in canvas white. I'm hoping I can squeeze a few seasons out of them. Since these are white, I can always switch up pillows and mix it up for fall!

-the potting bench-

Updated with a starburst mirror and foxtail fern.

I have loved using this to cut flowers all summer!

It's perfect for bringing in vegetables too.

I would like to add some blue and white planters to this scene in the future- but I'm waiting for a good deal.

This is actually a "bistro set" which I like because the chairs are comfortable enough for just hanging around, relaxing with out having to feel like you are sitting in a seat made for a table. But when we do want to eat outside- which we have done many times- it is nice to have the table for two! The table looks smaller in the picture than it really is, we can comfortably fit dinner for two {plus Weeks in the future!} here. I bought the rug last year on Overstock.com. Pillows are all Surya.





This is a mix of a charger {Tuesday Morning}, our everyday dishes {Vietri} and a melamine plate from Target. I think it is the perfect mix for outdoors! For this I just wrapped two paper napkins in each napkin ring- paper is realistic for outdoors, am I right?

-Outdoor String Globe Lights-

Our newest improvement!

We love the lights- Stephen hung them with a simple eye hook.

Come sit a while- and have a glass of chardonnay with me too! 

Weekend Recap

Check out Value Mags - cheap magazines with huge selection.

We spent another weekend on the beach- we are so lucky to be so close for such great summer memories. Friday afternoon when I got to the house, Weeks and I waited outside in the late afternoon sun for Stephen and my sis and her friend to arrive.

 

We fixed one of our very favorite meals- grilled tuna tacos and beans/rice. We use my favorite marinade recipe I've mentioned before- I will share it soon I promise!

We squeezed in a little beach time before our wedding on Saturday. Little man is looking SO darn cute in his new blue hat!

The wedding was for a family friend of Stephen's and he pretty much grew up with the bride. It was gorgeous! I had a few questions about the dress I wore, you can find it here.

This is too funny not to share- their favors were fresh Krispy Kreme donuts (YUM!) and there were actual Krispy Kreme employees from the nearest shop (about 2 hours away) passing out hats and donuts. I feel like I talk about donuts a lot around here but this was just a happy coincidence, haha. 

Best. Favor. Ever.

 

On Sunday we were really lowkey but had a great summer dinner. Grilled hotdogs, fresh tomatoes drizzled with italian dressing and feta cheese, and this grilled corn recipe we tried out. It was a keeper and so quick and easy for a summer cookout.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

Friday Finds 5.31.13

Here's what's been up this week in my world....

Hydrangea Blooms.

It's hydrangea season, finally!! And I've got a yard full of blooms that are just waiting to be cut. I can hardly wait to bring them inside. I am so trying this tip, anything that can lengthen those happy blooms on my table works for me. Check the link for the easy details!

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Bubbly.

Stephen's birthday is coming up and we discussed our summer entertaining plans last night. I would love to have a few get togethers at our home, especially since we've worked on getting our porch beautified. One thing is for sure, I have to try these out. Party in a can.

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Blog Design.

Did you notice my completed blog design? Love it. Laura worked her magic on this one and I couldn't be happier. All of her work is amazing, she's patient and works to make sure you are really happy. If you are in the market for a design, pay her a visit.

It's sale time!

 Just about everywhere I look. I'm still sorting through Nordstrom, Shop Bop, Loft to name a few. My friend posted an instagram picture of his and hers monogrammed beach towels and I think I need to order some for us. How cute are they?!

 tiled towel

pink and green towel

And a kid size towel for our little man....

This sweetness.

He is more fun by the day and I just can't get enough of his sweet cheeks and beautiful smile. He is always a snuggler, but yesterday he was especially affectionate to me and it made me feel like I was doing something right. I love that feeling.

And psst. In case you forgot...

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ALSO, linking up to the lovely ladies hosting their Friday Five!

We have another wedding this weekend, the last one for a while for us. I hope y'all have a great one!