anchors away!!

summer has officially begun.

that means it's time to bust out that beach gear!

whether you are off to the beach, the lake, or the pool; it can make or break a day, depending on the gear you have busted out.

Needless to say, that's where I come in:

to figure out that day trip to  (insert your destination here)  

1) first on my list is a bag I spotted a mom toting at the botanical gardens.  It is larger than it looks in the picture and the price is incredible!  This bag comes in 3 different prints.



canvas tote $38 + $6 for monogram

(photo via garnethill.com)

2) next up- coolers.

we all need them- for snacks, drinks for the kids, and of course beers for the grown ups!

Here are two much needed coolers- I think you'll know which one is for pool day with the kiddos.

of course, who else would have this? pottery barn. yep. $99

cooler and speaker!?!  sign me up.

(photo via potterybarn.com)

floating cooler $20

at 20 bucks, I'm thinking of grabbing a few more for the pool/lake :)

(photo via amazon.com)

3) beach towels.

you always need at least 2 per person, so why not try to color coordinate?  buy all green for mom, navy for dad, and turquoise for the baby.  (I called green cause it's my fav color!)

one kings lane

gotta catch these fast or soon the sale will end! 

great site for one-of-a-kind finds!

4) we all need them, usually we have to have them.  In my case- it is way better finding one for Linden than me!  She doesn't even have to try them on!! 

yep, we are talking about swimsuits-

how cute are these?

mini lulu baby swimsuit $60

there is some serious esther williams going on right here-

the cutest.  with linden's red sandals = perfect!

mini lulu sweven trunks $40

now, if I only had a little boy...

5) next up- toys!

what's a pool without all the gadgets.

Well- here is pretty much all you need (so I'm told):

haba baudino sand bucket scooter $18

This toy has all the essentials- easy packing and it comes in the mesh- enough room to add other small toys like water sticks.  Just put it in the mesh, dunk it in the water, and your toys are sand free!

(photo via yoyo.com)

6) don't forget about mom!

She needs a cute cover up for packing, loading, un-loading, carrying, collecting, cleaning, wiping, loading up again...

well, you get my drift.

no reason we can't be cute doing it :)

crochet shorts $150

pretty darn cute, huh?

(photo via letarte.com)

crochet dress $26

Here's another option with the same concept, but total body "coverage"

(photo via wanelo.com)

lemlem mara tunic $200

from beach to dinner?

add leggings and sandals for a refreshed look!

(photo via lemlem.com)

If you're off this week to a beach or lake, "happy packing!"

Look for more updates on cool pool tools!

And so I leave you with this:

(photo via kathrine-tucker.tumblr.com)

monday funday?

why not?

who says we can't have a little fun on Monday?

while we are experiencing a very lovely 73 degrees on this fine Monday, I am hoping to take full advantage before our blast of hot air comes soaring to us at the end of the week.

We celebrated my birthday with of course a kaldi's latte and a nice couple of beers at the boathouse.

Then off to my friend's surprise birthday party!!

well, come on mom!!  we gotta feed the ducks!

oh- hey you!

isn't it funny how both our noses are flared?

here ducky, ducky!

the birthday girls.

my hubby is in the green :)




so all this birthday stuff got me thinking;
birthday = reflection = good times = friends =
friendship bracelets!!

go ahead and treat your wrist to "a round" of these bracelets!! 
 (hehe- get it?  "around" cause bracelets are round!!)
ha- I crack myself up.



(photo via craftgawker.com)

(photo via theglitterguide.com)

(photo via polyvore.com)

(photo via app.bronto.com)

(photo via antlantic-pacific.blogspot.com)

(photo via theglitterguide.tmblr.com)

you can make these or simply buy them- the prices are at a wide range and so many of them are cheap enough you can get a armful going!

check out some of the sites below:

madewell

max and chloe

asos

topshop

free people

I saw this and I cried:

(okay not really, but it hit home)

good quote to remember.

alive on the inside.

5 weekend wants

yes, another crazy busy week.

hopefully by next week, I will be in my routine just spitting out posts left and right :)

In the meantime, I leave you with...

5 weekend wants



clare vivier clutch

$175

The leather, the stripe of neon, the size, and the "oh so cute" factor are all coming in play here.

The neon of the 80's are back and this is the perfect way to enhance your wardrobe!

(photo via refinery29.com)

culture baby espadrilles

$25

the cuteness factor has just risen about 100% over here!

Call it a first birthday present, shower gift, or just because-

every single baby needs one of these.

(maybe mommy needs a matching pair too!)

(photo via culturebaby.com)

seychelle carriage wedge sandal $110

(if you have a larger shoe size, gilt has them for $60!)

I love the red and the bow.

Perfect with a striped navy dress, on the beach, cocktail in hand...

(photo via googleimages.com)

and yes,

it's my birthday tomorrow so I will be sporting my most favorite pants to dinner with my hubby.

I'm looking at this for inspiration :)

(photo via antlantic-pacific.blogspot.com)

and of course, what's a day without brunch and an awesome pair of pants?

I'm thinking kaldis latte, winslow's scone, boathouse brunch, and a little walk in the park :)

sounds like an absolutely perfect day to me!

hope you all have a wonderful weekend-

here's a little shout out to my friend Stevie who I have the honor of sharing the same birthday.

(and yes, she once asked me when my birthday was to update her calendar...)

moral of the story:

be awesome.

fan-dan-tastic

weekend!

One of the best- not only because it was mother's day, but so much was celebrated this past weekend- it just made some really great memories to keep stored in my head and probably my phone (which is pushing 1600 pics).

friday night-

birthday celebration for myself and my friend adhar:

birthday girls

(l to r)

me, adhar

and yes, we started at my favorite place

demun oyster bar

"the manuscript" is the drink, whiskey and champagne- so delicious!

what's a night without oysters?

Megs and Katy

the girls getting started at

bocci bar

in clayton, which had remarkable service!

We will definitely be visiting that joint soon!

mg, tammie, and amy

the gang

some great food, awesome conversation, and flowing wine

hanging out in the alley :)

par bar = smokey

b day girl

just getting started!

and yes... every night should end with limoncello

me and my gang on mothers day

my silly girl will not smile for pics- only after!!

 

We also celebrated an engagement for some friends- which was wonderful.  And seriously- if you live in STL, how lucky are we with this weather?!?

 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

 

oh snap...

it's the freakin weekend, I'm about to have me some fun...

yep.

I've gotta lot planned this weekend and I can't wait to tell you about it on

Monday :)

seriously- what a fabulous weekend to be celebrating some really wonderful accomplishments:

{birthdays}

{engagements}

{mother's day}

 

but before we get started on that, here are my weekend wants!

5 weekend wants

h&m peplum top
pretty similar to the top I"ll be rocking saturday night to our friends' engagement party!

(photo via hm.com)

mussels in a white wine sauce
oh yeah.
I can never get enough.
I'm going to have me a plate of those tonight!!

honest vanilla

(photo via honestvanilla.com)

cooler beach bag
mama needs a new beach tote and this one seems pretty perfect.
pack away some snacks for those sunny afternoons and whew- off to the pool we go!
(although, it's gotta be big enough for towels and then some!)

pac sun
$50



karen walker sunglasses
not only are they classic, but the cat eye looks great on everyone!

gargyle
$280

(photo via gargyle.com)

mother's day brunch
mimosa bar
while mom's getting tipsy- who's watching the kids?!?
hehe.

(photo via pinterstlov.tumblr.com)




happy mother's day to all those moms out there!
and especially to my mom-
Susan...
you are simply the best!