Must Have Summer Car Items

Summer is going to be here! The kids are out of school soon and it’s time to start planning your family’s agenda for the months ahead. I spoke with Cars.com senior editor Jennifer Newman (also a mother of two) and she offered up some tips on how to get your car ready for summer travel. Whether it’s longer family road trips or driving to and from day camps, parks and soccer games, you’ll be spending a lot more time in your car. Cars.com senior editor Jennifer Newman recommends some useful items to stock your car with to ensure your family’s car is summer ready. The 'It' List First-aid kit: Scrapes, cuts and plenty of tears are marks of summer. A well-stocked first-aid kit ensures that a boo-boo won't bring an early end to a day at the beach or playground. Towels: Throw a couple … [Read more...]

In the Navy

Come summertime I seem to default to one simple color, navy blue.  Being 'in the navy' is so versatile.  It is a neutral that works with black, white, khaki and loves pops of colors like yellow, pink and green.  Metallics go well with it and I always feel put together in navy.  That's why I was excited to wear this navy jumpsuit I got from Mint Julep earlier this spring for a date night with H. A date night that was super fun but also not typical.  What started out as us looking at possible houses to flip and dinner and a movie ended up in torrential rains and no pictures.  I wanted to wait until dinner to take the pictures instead of doing them in some strangers yard with overgrown grass and broken siding.  Now, that's a new take on fashion back drops.  Then the rains came.  As H … [Read more...]

DailyLook Elite vs. Stitch Fix

I'm a junkie for packages arriving in the mail.  I would rather buy things online and wait the time it takes to return them to shop in a store.  With three kids and limited time who needs that hassle?  I sound like a bad infomercial, I know, but I'm a perfect candidate for those subscription box services.  Aren't I? After months of receiving both DailyLook Elite and Stitch Fix boxes, I'm not so sure.  Maybe, they are for people who aren't so sure of their style or want to experiment a bit.  I get that, and that's why I signed up.  So which one is better DailyLook or Stitch Fix? Let's see look at the boxes.  First up, Stitch Fix. I could not get a good picture of this Double Strap Tank but found it on DabbleinChic.com. Pixley Marie Abstract Chevron Dress … [Read more...]

Summer Travel Essentials

School's out! It's Summertime! Summer travel has officially begun and with the July 4th weekend right around the corner it is time to start thinking about packing. Whether you are traveling by train, plane or automobile (I'll be cruising down the highway with a 100lb. Doberman as one of my traveling companions. I think that is a separate blog post in itself.) you are going to need to pack and probably do it lightly.  When I have to take a bag for make-up and a bag for toiletries I get cranky. I love my stuff but I don't like hauling it. Neither do the airlines. Instead I've found a few tried and true products that make packing fast and easy while still being able to look good while I travel.   TSA Travel Goodies by victoriamason featuring Josie Maran Burt's Bees … [Read more...]

Put on the Damn Suit, Already

Yesterday, I took part in a different sort of blog link up.  The #MySwimsuitStyle could easily be pushed aside as yet another attempt at us telling ourselves we are beautiful no matter what so just wear the damn swimsuit already posts.  Each summer we do it, am I right? Then the summer turns to fall and guess what?  Winter is coming.  Before you know we are speeding headlong into another summer and we freak out all over again?  WHY?  Because we didn't reach some idea in our brain of what we *think* we should look like?  Because we read too many SELF magazines at the gym? Probably.  Sigh. What made the #MySwimsuitStyle challenge, created by VeryBusyMama, different was not the sponsor of Miraclesuit.  Nope.  It was that ladies from all over the world stepped out into the sun and showed … [Read more...]

My Swimsuit Style

How fitting that this past Sunday was my first day at the pool. The day I had scheduled to take photos of myself in my newest swimsuit for this weeks link up (which comes a day early because I just cannot even with this last week of school schedule) Guys, it was crowded. Our neighborhood was having a pool party and while the kiddos have already been a bunch of times with their Dad, I was "making my debut" as H called it.  I groan again just thinking how stressed it made me feel.  And why really? I posted this shot of myself years ago while pregnant with The Fifth Element. And even had a bit of a bikini rant before that.  I wasn't so much concerned about people seeing me in a bathing suit. I am what I am.  I work out, try to eat right and basically I do all that because I like my life … [Read more...]

BODYARMOR- The Alternative Sports Drink

Soccer and lacrosse may be over in our house but that doesn't mean we have ceased all activity around here. In fact, I think we are even more active in the summer months as a family. Whether it is bike riding, days at the pool spent swimming and playing, games in the backyard or going on walks with the dog it never stops. You know what else never stops? The request for sports drinks? On the way to the game they ask for it. On the way home from a game they ask for it. After playing outside in the yard for five minutes they ask for it. Packing for the pool? They ask for a sports drink. I kind of started to hate it. I hate all the dyes, the artificial stuff pumped into them. All of it. I was intrigued when BODYARMOR sent me a six-pack of various sports drinks to try. What is … [Read more...]

Welcome with Black & White

This weekend we had our housewarming party.  After weeks of working on small projects, finalizing a menu and looking for affordable portaloo costs we were set to welcome our friends and have a good time.  Not a single photo was taken.  I kind of can't believe that.  It will now exist in the fuzzy realm of my memory.  It was a whirlwind and a totally good time. I was so busy prepping and planning I forgot to pick out something to wear.  In a last minute frenzy I threw on this black and white pairing.   Black and White Summer Combo by victoriamason featuring greek sandals J.Crew Factory Colorblock Tank Top/J Crew Factory Black Chino Shorts (white)/Kate Spade Crystal Pave Studs/Gold Necklace (similar)/Mossimo Gladiator Sandals (similar) (similar) I went back and forth a … [Read more...]

Ready Set Camp!

As the school year wraps up we are in a whirlwind of end-of-the-year activities and with all the picnics, ceremonies, pool parties, recitals I'm having a hard enough time making sure I stay  on top of each day and send each kid off with the proper clothing, sunscreen, bug spray and snacks. For snacks, I usually make them sandwiches using a french baguette loaf, ham, and as much vegetables my kids can tolerate. However, as I dropped them off yesterday I thought, "It's like I'm sending them off to camp and not school." CAMP!   That's right! In two weeks my oldest starts the summer by going to camp.  I'm not sure I'm totally prepared either. It's a good thing I'm working with MinuteClinic to get me in #ReadySetCamp mode!  And I'm not just talking about the camp physicals you can … [Read more...]

Top 3 Must Haves for Summer

Every summer I have a few items that are on my top 3 must-have for summer list. In the last few years I noticed a pattern. While trends may come and go, there are a few particular items I find I am always gravitating towards. I may buy an upgrade or replenish a worn item but these three staples are my 'Top 3 Summer Must-Haves'.   Top 3 Must Haves for Summer by victoriamason featuring distressed denim shorts SHOP THE LOOK J. Crew Striped Shirt (metallic version)/ Ted Baker Distressed Denim Shorts (similar)/Butter London in Cotton Buds/Ray Ban Classic Aviators/Nars 'Dragon Girl' Lip Pencil/Maurices 'Dory' Metallic Gladiator Sandal (similar) The addition of white nail polish is new.  It's a hot trend this summer that feels really fresh. I tested it out last date night and … [Read more...]