Beachy Keen

We're gearing up for our annual beach trip and I'll spend this weekend gathering up all our duds. Packing for a one hour car ride to the coast with a 19 month old is a LOT different than it used to be.  I'm REALLY TRYING not to pack everything we own, so I'm trying to evaluate MY wardrobe and see how versatile I can get.  Afterall, it's all about laying in the sun right? 

Created via Polyvore 

Jewelry: 

Sometimes this can be my biggest downfall.  I have loads of 

costume jewelry and tend to want to pack every piece of jewelry I might 

decide to wear.  This year, I'm going to try to stick to the basics that can go with anything.

Shoes: 

Neutral wedges and flops that can go with any outfit. 

Tops: 

Tanks and tops that can mix and match with either white skinnys or shorts 

Dresses: 

Quite a few flowy dresses.  SO comfy and chic for dinner out one night. 

Swimsuits & Cover-ups: 

Well, duh! 

Hats and Sunglasses: 

There is no argument. I must take more than one pair of sunnies and more than one hat. 

It's the BEACH! 

Of course my trusty camera will be with me at all times! 

Between all of Beckett's things, beach items, groceries, beverages and Chad's stuff, maybe 

we should rent a UHAUL?

Weekly Instagram Roundup

Sorry for the lack of music posts on Mondays.  I feel like I jinxed myself with the songs I started 

choosing for Music Monday Downloads. 

Some of the songs are now played on the radio ALL the time 

and I hate to say this but I may just stab myself in the eyeball if I hear 

"We are Young" one more time. 

Maybe I'll pull some oldies out to share on Mondays. 

Anyhoooo....here's the week in Instagram Photos. 

Relaxing on Father's Day 

Check out my cute golfer

Chad listened to the Sonos and worked out in the yard all weekend....see?

Hanging out with Poppa Jess on Father's Day

LOVES to help wash the car! 

Love this little face! 

Organized my closet and found yet ANOTHER use for command strip hooks 

Muah! 

Do I not look like I have buck teeth in this picture?
Even my husband agrees with me.

My friend Danielle came to dinner on Saturday and hung out.

When Beckett asks for something at his Nonna's......he GETS IT! 

We snuggled while daddy slept in on Sunday.

It's officially summer in the concrete city.  Guess what that means?
It's so humid, there's no need to struggle with a flat iron.
Frizzball hair season is here!

Got my hair done....

Bought a wine opener on the clearance rack at Walgreens for 7 bucks.....
.....have yet to successfully remove a cork.....

Don't ask me why, but I've been posting what I'm wearing for the
day on Instagram.  If you know me, you know I'm a bargain hunter.
Most of it is cheeeeeeeeeap! 

If your'e curious where any part of these outfits came from, just ask... 

Happy Monday! 

Kickoff to Summer

It's time to celebrate the start of summer!  I was elated when my old roommate 

decided to come this weekend and bring her little girl 

to go to the zoo and stay with us for the night. 

Boy, how life has changed in the last few years!
Here are the last TWO weeks worth of photos and goings on.....
I've still been snapping away and posting on Instagram again.
If you have an iphone or droid, download the app and start following.
I love it!
Here's a few from this week:

Beckett had his post op last week for his tubes.
No crying and his ears look perfect.  Hooray! 

Construction is STILL underway at my mom's on the sunroom.
B loves to help and pretend he's painting. 

My magnolias bloomed 

Pool ready! 

Last weekend we went to a birthday party and he got to play in the kiddie
pool and slide a bit. 

Daddy found another way to entertain B with household items.
How much fun can a beach towel be?
Evidently LOTS!
We call this 'hardwood floor sledding.'

I've been wanting to give this a try.
Not bad....but not good either.
Meh.
(Christy agreed with me.) 

We found out they share the same taste in music.
Christy thought it was quite halarious I had Fresh Beat Band on my iphone
to jam to on the way to the zoo.
Whatever makes my little boy happy and dance!  

Beckett really enjoyed the balloon Carson brought!

Such a pretty, grown up girl!

I have no idea what on earth these are called.  Anyone?
They are all over Riverbanks Zoo

Gymboree had a sale this week.....
I'm not a hug fan of matchy-matchy outfits for boys but
he needed a hat.
The fin won't stand up!
I kept singing 'Fins to the left' all day in my head. 

There was not one picture where both of the kids were looking at the camera.
Beckett was about to jump out of my hands to get to see the monkeys! 

They LOVED the choo choo! 

SO exhausted and needed a paci!  Thank goodness for air conditioned exhibits.
It was good to take a break so my little hot natured boy could cool off! 

Fishies! Beckett's FAVORITE! 

Smashed pennies.  I haven't seen a penny smasher machine in a while....

Beckett was tuckered OUT!

Back home, we all relaxed!  

They played very well together despite the age gap.
How cute is this?

I love that huge smile on Carson's face. 

Be-BEEP!!!  

We all had a blast.  What better way to spend one of the first weekends of summer 

than with play time with friends. 

Happy Monday! 

Music Monday Download.....on Friday

I'm one of those people who LOVE to pick apart song lyrics and analyze them. 

I love Sia's music and I'm glad to see she's now collaborating with other artists. 

The lyrics to "Titanium" by David Guetta and Sia are uplifting, so I included them in the post. 

Nothing like some motivation to get me through my drive 

to work on a Friday! 

You shout it out,
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
You shoot me down, but I get up

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Cut me down
But it's you who have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love
Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
I'm talking loud not saying much

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Stone-hard, machine gun
Firing at the ones who run
Stone-hard, those bulletproof glass

You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Happy Weekend! 

Where Have You Been?

Where?  You ask.
Well, I told you I was taking a little vacation from the blogging world.  I know that I say it over and over again, but I just can't keep up with life!
When Beckett was so ill a few weeks ago, I had to throw in the towel with everything else but him.  It made me reevaluate every single piece of my life.  Many of you that are parents understand what I mean when I say that once you have a child, life jumps into hyperdrive.  It's almost like you've coasted along on a back road and all the sudden, you're speeding along on the interstate.
I literally had to stop and smell the roses for a minute.  I look at him and wonder how he got so big and am in awe of how intelligent he is and how much he learns and grows!
We have reached the absolute most fun age with Mr. B.  I have the hardest time dropping him off at daycare without wanting to kiss him and hug him silly.  But anyway, enough of my whining.  I don't plan on ditching my pastime as a blogger forever, I've just been a little sentimental and amazed at how quickly each day goes by.  My biggest fear is that I'll look back and wish I had soaked and basked in the moment a bit more.
Which brings me to a funny little story:
I was watching a commercial the other night on t.v. clutching my chest.  You know which one I'm talking about.  The one where the dad is leaning in the car window talking to his daughter about driving safe and texting him (but not while she's driving).  She's a little girl about 4 or 5, but the next frame, she's a teenager and she's backing out of the driveway.
Chad saw me holding my breath while I was watching it and asked me what was wrong.  I said, "I cannot even imagine Beckett getting his license and driving a car.  I'll worry myself to death!"
And then, my husband, the kidder, who has never been serious for more than a minute in his whole life responds with....
"I've got that figured out because I worry too.....we'll just get him an El Camino.  That way no one will want to ride with him, it's a tank so if he gets in a wreck, he won't get hurt, and to top it off, he can take the trash off."
This is one of the best things about my husband. I worry enough for an army and he shrugs it off and makes a joke to lighten the mood.  Thank goodness for his laid back attitude, otherwise I'd go mad!

Here's the week in instagram photos.  I PROMISE I'll be back soon with some more 'real' photography, house posts, diy posts and some healthy cooking posts (since I'm limited in my diet these days).

 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!