I am probably one of the whitest white girls. I just don't tan. I freckle, sometimes burn and my definition of tan is more like a cafe au lait color than bronzed. H laughs every time I say I'm tan because it is usually on par with his version of pale. Still, I like a bit of color and I don't want the sun damage so I use a lot of self-tanners and bronzer during the warm months. And a few of these tips don't hurt either. The LOWDOWN 1. Wear white. A lot. It keeps you cool and makes you look tanner. 2. Consider a new nail polish that goes beyond the trend of white nails.If it is lighter than your skin tone it will accentuate your tan. Golds, neon and bright corals are also good. 3. Soft colors like mint or pale pink add pop so load up on the pastel accessories this … [Read more...]
One Quick Summer Look
I may not be completely on board with the idea of a capsule wardrobe, I do know that the first thing I would choose to start my capsule would be something with stripes. It's my go-to closet grab all year round. With the kids home for the summer and all the various running around we do each day one of my favorite looks starts with basic black and white and stripes. Go To Errands Look by victoriamason Choies White Stripe V-Neck/Maurices Skirt/14th & Union Piper Flat Leather Sandal/Inc Clutch/Justine Brooks Quartz & Chalcedony Pendant Grab one Old Navy pencil skirt. Add an oversized stripe top and throw on some sandals. Optional summer hat and cross-body bag in your favorite pop of color is all that is needed. Layer on accessories and you are good to go! I … [Read more...]
Summer Secrets by Jane Green
It's the summertime! For those of us who like to devour books by the day or week that can mean only one thing. SUMMER BEACH READS! If you are dying for a great read while you are vacationing or just taking a little weekend escape then I have a wonderful read for you. Summer Secrets: A Novel by Jane Green. Straight up, I read it as fast as I could last week before we left for the Fourth. In fact, H was packing up to leave and I was still lying on the bed trying to finish up the last few pages before we headed out. It was worth it. I couldn't put it down. It was light enough to be enjoyable while sitting on my porch or by the pool but had depth and detail in the story to keep me rooting for the characters. A little more about it... A shocking family secret is revealed to … [Read more...]
Weekend Escape
There was a lot of fun on our weekend escape down at the Rivah. The whole family on got together to enjoy some much needed time in the sun and water. I loved being able to spend more time with my nephew and nieces and brother and sister-in-law. It's a rare treat these days with both our families smack dab in the middle of raising three little ones. I managed to get a few pictures from our last day there. This dress from Old Navy is super comfortable and soft. It travels well too! I think if I get it in another color it will be a size medium as I like a bit more draping and sometimes their clothes shrink. When I pack, I have a shoe rule. A weekend getaway gets three shoes max and that's only if I'm planning on working out while away. Otherwise, pool/beach shoes and another … [Read more...]
Then & Now with a Ford Mustang
A lot can change in 17 years. A LOT. Proof. This is H and me the night we met. Our first "date". Back when dates could be filed under sorority formals. And this was the car that he drove to pick me up. A 1995 Ford Mustang in bright red. Source I cringed when he picked me up that night in that khaki vest. I groaned aloud when I saw the car and made some remark about how it figured that a boy like him would drive a car like that. We were a blind date. This was no normal meet-cute across the campus quad. The rest is history. We went on so many dates in that car. I realized that this man can really make me laugh in almost any situation and smile. We took trips together and I helped him get his old Mustang ready to sell when he shipped off to Okinawa with the Marine Corps a few … [Read more...]
Just Add Fireworks
When it comes to make-up over the holidays I always tend to be a bit understated. My toes are painted a glossy OPI red this year and I'm sure my nails will be in a white hue. Navy fingertips are too hard to keep fresh for a few days when you are busy having fun. I might throw in a navy eyeliner though or a red gloss to play up the day even more. Then I'm done and all we need to do is just add fireworks. Pick one or all of these super cute shades to add a little sparkle to your look. All Made Up for the Fourth by victoriamason featuring a red lipstick SHOP THE LOOK Lipstick Queen in Medieval/Essence EU Cosmetics Nauti Girl Palette/Essence EU Cosmetics Nauti Girl Eyeliner/Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish in Malibu Beach, Rodeo Drive & Hollywood Land (so LA!) Happy … [Read more...]
All About the Stripes
This week it is all about the Fourth. Don't hate me. I'm packing up kids for camp, getting us ready for the holiday and I cannot stop wearing different versions of the stars and stripes. OK, mostly stripes. #cantstopwontstop. TD, aka my clone, decided to join in with her matching sunglasses and new dress. Can we talk about how she wears those sunnies and suddenly looks grown up. It kills me. Then The Comedian joined in the with her version. Followed by Diesel photo bombing me. This dog. He's my love. I haven't talked about it but we rescued all 112 bloated pounds of him two months ago and he has had quite a turn around. I waited years for this guy and he's quickly become my running buddy and stress reliever. Blessed for real guys, every time I look into his sweet … [Read more...]
Dress for the Fourth of July
When my MIL emailed me asking if I wouldn't mind dressing the girls in red, white and blue this Fourth of July, I had to laugh out loud and respond, "Already on it." I do it every year with them for as long as they will let me and I do it for myself. I love putting together some of my favorite colors and seeing what my closet reveals. Red Eyelet Shorts (old-similar, similar)/J Crew Factory Chambray Shirt/Mossimo Gold Sandals (old-similar)/Gold Bangles/Rope Necklace (old-similar, similar)/Nankeen Purse (old-similar) Additionally, you can never go wrong with any of these tried and true dresses and swimsuits. Just put them on and add an accessory or two, grab a set of sparklers and get to celebrating Independence Day. … [Read more...]
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...]