Summer-Inspired Cocktails

This summer, in our new place, has meant spending time in my favorite space, our porch. You can find us out there any time of day, but the best is in the evening when it is time to rehash the day and unwind. A little summer-inspired cocktail or two makes it even better. Recently we added a new set of spirits to our bar from Kobrand Wine & Spirits.  Alizé Passion Gold and Bleu, each infused with premium French vodka and the all natural flavors of exotic passion fruit.  We prefer the Gold version over the Bleu, which has a mix of cherry, a spicy ginger and passion fruit.  I always find it fun to serve up something new whether it is just us alone experimenting or hosting friends for cocktail hour, something we try and schedule each month with different friends. Using the Alizé … [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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

Birthday Wishes

You would think that as an adult I would get tired of my birthday and birthday wishes. But I don't.  Nope. No way. Each year I get as excited as a five year-old that my birthday is just around the corner.  I think of all the fun things I want to do (brunch! friends! dinner! lunch! a movie!), the people I want to surround me and then inevitably I'm asked what I want and I just clam up.  I don't want anyone to actually go through the hassle of planning anything for me or visiting over the holiday weekend.  They have plans already and it's a pain to travel. I concocted my own little shopping spree for my birthday.  A list of pretty things I love that make me smile and feel like spring.  Then, I'll probably shove my face full of food I'll run off later. Champagne, anyone?  Have a great … [Read more...]

Share a Look. Share a Haircut.

There was a time when I wore a lot of black and it was totally a depiction of what was going on inside was showing on the outside.  I changed my hair color a lot and never felt comfortable in my own skin.  I didn't feel confident in anything and so when someone started telling me what to wear and especially how I should never wear my human hair wigs, I didn't even blink. That's right.  The classic pony tail was never allowed to happen on my head.  Always down.  Never up.  It was a sure sign of subliminal defiance when I broke things off and wore a bun in my hair one spring day.  Years later, while the memories are still there they don't hold value or sway like they once did.  I revel in black and how powerful I feel when I wear it.  Or whatever I want on any day.  And that includes … [Read more...]

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

One of my favorite pictures of my mother and I.  Coming out to support me at yet another race. Right between H's birthday and mine sits Mother's Day. I feel like if I don't get a jump on it while I'm planning his birthday then nothing will be available and no matter how wonderful or totally unique a gift is there won't be time to ship it to my own mother or his for Mother's Day. Which is May 10th this year in case you were also banking on having a lot more time just like me.  "I made these for you Mommy!"  While flowers are nice and will always work in a pinch I like to find something that is more personal, creative and offers value to the world and not just the recipient. Homemade wins hands down.  But what if you aren't the crafty sort? I found that just like I do over the … [Read more...]

Sunny

Sunny. There is really no other way to describe it.  The sun has been out for days, the weather is warmer and like my long dormant yard I'm feeling sunny and alive again.  That's what sleep, a consistent exercise regime and deciding to just no longer care so much and let things play out can do for you. And like I said before, I took no time over spring break to get fabulous outfit pics.  And really, do you want more painter jean pics?  I didn't think so. Because that's what I wore for days as I painted even more things around my house.  This place is an HGTV host's dream.  Instead, I give you what I got.  Easter. Fashion stops for no one kid.  Except maybe a DIY project or three. You are never going to get us all perfect and at the same time.  Truth. SHOP THE … [Read more...]