Well, it’s here – the Summer Causebox! I was so excited to get my Summer Causebox and unwrap all the goodies because I loved the Spring box so much, I just knew this one would be a home run. And boy is it. I am in love with all the products this season has to offer. Let’s take a look at what I received! (P.S. – this makes a perfect gift for someone special!)
Summer 2019 Cause Box
There is seriously so much goodness in this box. Just the Caftan and Straw Tote alone would easily add up to $50*, but you get so much more!
* If you purchase the monthly subscription the price is $54.95 per box, if you decide on an annual subscription you save $5 making each box only $49.95 and you get to customize some of the items.
Reduce Insulated Wine Tumbler – Perfect for outdoor parties
Island Aloe Gel – Instant healing for sun-kissed skin (or sunburned)
Straw Tote Bag – Fun summer accessory.
Wet Swim Pouch – Definitely bringing this on my upcoming vacation.
Banded Scrunchies – Everything comes back in style including scrunchies!
I love a good Rose Margarita Recipe, especially during the summer. I always make my own simple syrup mainly because I don’t love all the added ingredients in pre-made, bottled margaritas. Also, I usually only want one drink and don’t want to tempt myself with an almost full bottle every time I open the fridge. So when I found this line of Organic Simple Syrups from Royal Rose I knew I had to try them out.
I was really intrigued by their Rose Simple Syrup and wanted to give it a try. So this weekend I tried out a margarita recipe and boy am I so glad I did. I mixed Royal Rose’s Rose Simple Syrup (say that three times fast), tequila and lime juice. That’s it. It was delicious with a slight floral hint for a little twist on a standard margarita. You can get the Rose Simple Syrup here: Rose Organic Simple Syrup 8 oz.
Right now they are offering 15% off everything with code SYRUP15 at checkout. Check it our here!
Rose Margarita Recipe
Ingredients: 2 oz tequila 2 oz Royal Rose Simple Syrup – Rose Flavor 2 to 3 Tablespoons Lime Juice (depends on how much lime you like- the more lime juice you add, the less you’ll taste the floral rose)
Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Pour over ice in your favorite glass and enjoy! If you like a sweeter drink you can add a little more simple syrup or a little less lime juice. This was the perfect combination for me. For a little extra fun, muddle in some chopped strawberries or add dried rose petals if you can find them!
I loved this drink, my husband loved this drink and we will definitely be having more margaritas by the fire in the summer nights to come.
This time of year is a favorite for most people and with good reason. Those last few days before summer break for kids, the start to hot days filled with sprinklers, ice cream and late nights. For me of course it’s a great time, but also bittersweet. Our youngest daughter had her last day of Pre-K this past Friday and as I watched her walk out of the school, for what I realized was the last time ever, I made sure to take a picture to commemorate the moment and even shed a small tear. But, as we drove home I got to thinking about all the other moments in the life of parents and children that come to an end, that have a last time ever, but that we don’t commemorate or even realize is happening.
I got to thinking of when my kids get older and there will be a point where I will carry them in my arms for the last time ever. Will I even notice that deep toddler belly laugh for the last time? Tonight when they jump into my bed scared at the thunder and looking for comfort, will it be for the last time? These are the small moments in life where time and memory are not on our side. As parents we are so busy with the day-to-day routines and stresses that it can be hard to take a moment to stop and appreciate the age and stage of development our kids are in and to see the small changes as they are happening.
As I got home that day and gave my kids a snack, I thought: do my parents remember the last time they made me a snack? Did they realize the last time they helped me with my homework was going to be the last time or that it would be the last time they read me a book? Did they get sad one day when they realized I was older and didn’t need them as much? That is how I know I am going to feel, blindsided one day, maybe when I see my youngest doing her own hair or navigate the latest technology. I’ll think, when was the last time I did that for her? And most likely I won’t remember.
I know as I scroll through my social media accounts this week and next I’ll see kids holding signs commemorating their last day of school and I’ll smile and take the same pictures of my own children. But, I hope as I go through this summer I’ll stop to commemorate the small moments as we go. Take lots of pictures, stop to notice the growth in each day, even if small.
This year for Mother’s Day all I wanted to do was go hiking with my family. I love to hike but, as per usual for this spring, the weather was cold and drizzly on Mother’s Day. It just didn’t work out, so a few weeks later when we finally had a bit of sunshine we went for a hike along Lake Michigan. My girls loved every minute at the beach, hunting for fossils and running in the sand. I loved the time together as a family, outside in the fresh air.
Because it was a little cool I ended up wearing my all-time favorite pants. They are joggers from Columbia, the specific style they don’t sell anymore but I found a similar pair here: dicks-sporting-goods.ryvx.net/yxXXG. They are UPF 50+ so you will be protected from the sun and a nylon material for great movement and durability.
The top is also from Columbia and you can buy it at Dick’s Sporting Goods. It is a soft material that has lasted nicely through multiple washings. Find the top here: dicks-sporting-goods.ryvx.net/MYM7n
The shoes are a vented, waterproof shoe I bought last summer for a trip to the Smoky Mountains. We went rafting and hiking through some mountain trails with waterfalls so I wanted a shoe that could get wet and that I didn’t need to wear socks with. While not a serious hiking shoe, these work really well for shorter distances, beach days and water activities. They were perfect for rafting! They do not have major support of any kind so I do not recommend them for any long distances and they do collect rocks in the bottom holes. But for the short hiking I do around home and Lake Michigan they work like a charm. You can get them here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KpXhyG
Father’s Day will be here before you know it, so get your gift now! We’ve assembled some of our favorite Father’s Day gift ideas below to help make it easier on a mom who already has a million and two things on her to-do list. Let’s check this one off your list today!
For Dad’s who love technology (and have an iphone) – Apple Watch Series 4 – Although the most expensive item on our list, this watch can do so much including take calls, text, track workouts and more.
For Dad’s who love technology (and have an Android phone) – Samsung Galaxy Watch – With a charge that can last for days, this is a watch that will be his personal assistant. Like the Apple Watch, he can take calls, text, track health, workouts and more.
For the sentimental Dad – Snapfish Woodblock Desk Calendar, on sale through 6/4 for 60% off with code 60M2019 making this calendar just under $10! This calendar is the perfect addition to any Dad’s office or desk, especially when personalized with priceless family pictures.
For Dad’s who love their team – Custom MLB T-Shirt – Give them a shirt you know they’ll love with their own name on the back!
For the Dad who loves his morning coffee – Whiskey & Rum Barrel Aged Coffee Whole Bean Box Set – A special dad deserves special coffee. This gift box has three different samples of coffee you won’t find in your everyday grocery store.
For the Dad who loves being outdoors – Landmann 28347 Big Sky Fire Pit – We’ve reviewed this fire pit before on this blog, I got it for my husband a few years ago for Father’s Day and it was a big hit. Make sure to coat with high-temp rustoleum and it’ll last for years of s’mores and campfire memories.
You guys – Target has this 6 foot Unicorn sprinkler on sale for $45 dollars this week! Do you need a 6 foot Unicorn sprinkler? No, probably not. But will you the hit of the neighborhood, and parent of the year, by getting a 6 foot Unicorn sprinkler. Yes.
Right now, this sprinkler is $45 and if you add another qualifying toy or game to spend $50 you will get a $10 Target Gift Card! Seems like a no-brainer.
Nanette has been a fan of Stitch Fix for a while now and she finally persuaded me to give it a try. I have almost no time to shop anymore and thought this might be a great way to find new pieces, brands and styles. After getting my first box, I don’t know why I was hesitant at first. Overall, I didn’t love everything in this box, but am still willing to go through a few more fixes to get items that work for me. Mainly because feel like it takes more than one questionnaire to really get to know my style and body. Each time I send back items it gives my stylist more insight into styles and sizes that did or didn’t work.
I want to second Nanette’s point from her Stitch Fix post earlier this month that you really need to be as specific as possible about what you are looking for and what you don’t like. Make sure to give as many details as you can to get a more personalized experience. Below I have pictures of what I received along with notes on what I told the stylist I wanted, didn’t want, or forgot to mention. I hope this helps you make your decision on giving Stitch Fix a try. If you use this link, you can get $25 off your first fix!
Anchorage Striped Canvas Tote – Overall I liked this tote, but not enough to keep it. It was a little more than I wanted to spend especially considering I didn’t LOVE it. I didn’t give any notes on bags or accessories. Sent back.
Dayna Skinny Jean – These are Toothpick Skinny Jeans from Kut from the Kloth. I specifically asked for jeans in this box, and more specifically, jeans that would not gap at the waist as I have larger legs. I have been searching and searching for jeans that fit well and unfortunately these just didn’t. I actually really wanted these jeans to work, the fabric had a nice stretch to it and was soft. They felt like good quality jeans that would hold up over time, but they were just too tight in the legs which is a problem I have all the time. You can see them in the picture below and I am wearing them in every picture in this post as well. Sent back.
Mirah Off-The-Shoulder Embroidered Cotton Blend Knit Top – I did not like this top. It was short and boxy, not at all flattering on me. I don’t love the off-the-should aspect as I have small children who still pull at my clothes from time to time making it impractical for me. Also, the top was a bit see-through and didn’t stay on the sides of my arms. While I was trying it on, it rode up twice over my shoulders just while I was taking the picture. Sent back.
Romey Cold Shoulder Knit Top – While comfortable with fabric that was both smooth and light, I thought this top was just ok. I didn’t think it was super-flattering on my shoulder area and I didn’t love the yellow stripes. Overall it was an ok top, but not one I was willing to spend money on. Sent back.
Caley Open Kimono – This is the only item from my box that I kept. In the picture I am wearing it with a tank I already had on. This kimono is light, soft and airy. It is perfect to layer over tank tops in the summer. I loved the length in the back and the way it felt. I really liked this item. Kept.
In summary, I only kept one item but I still enjoyed the process of getting to try on clothes that I might not have chosen for myself, like this kimono. I would have kept the jeans if they fit. I am looking forward to trying it again, this time with items that might be slightly more my style. I did leave some updated notes after this fix to get more specific items in my next shipment. Head on over to StitchFix if you’d like to give it a try, remember this link gives you $25 off your first fix!
Hey all – quick post on some of the great deals Target is offering this week. They have $12 and $15 women’s shorts! Check out this super-cute pair of plaid chinos. You can find them here: plaid chinos
They also have their Cat & Jack line of t-shirts, tanks and shorts on sale for kids ranging from just $3 – $6! Stock up now for the summer! I love this classic eyelet top! Find it here: eyelet top
Hi all! Welp, this spring is not going as planned. Here in Chicagoland we have had a horrible spring: low temps, late season snow, then rain all the time. It has been a rough start to what is supposed to be a better weather season than winter. Usually, at this point into the spring, our family has enjoyed many nights by the fire before the mosquitoes get too bad in the thick of summer.
Our entire family loves spending time around the fire pit. We all take a break from screens and just enjoy each others company telling stories and making s’mores. This weekend we also want to try an outdoor movie, I’ll let you know how that goes!
A few years back we were in the market for a new fire pit. Our old pit did not stand the test of time, it was really pretty with mosaic tile around the outside but the tile started cracking and falling apart after the first season of use. So, as I always do, I researched online for a new fire pit that we could use for years to come and landed on this beauty – the Landmann Big Sky Fire Pit.
Disregard the weird fake-looking fire, I’m not sure why my phone took this picture like that.
I ended up getting it for Father’s Day for the hubby from my girls. It comes in a few styles and the girls both picked the one with the animal cut-outs on the sides.
Boy, have we loved this thing. Let me give you the details on how we help make it last because if you don’t take care of it, it will rust.
First, as some reviewers suggested, we sprayed the entire pit with High Heat Rustoleum right after we assembled.
Then we added sand and a layer of fire safe bricks.
I also always cover it. I don’t want it to rust or to gather water from the rain and then have to scoop out ashy water. This is the cover we bought for it, it’s a bit big but does the job and has held up through 2 summers and winters with lots of rain and snow.
Finally, I thought I would also tell you about these amazing Lighter Cubes we use from Weber. These make starting a fire so, so easy. I literally only need one or two cubes. I place them underneath some of the wood then light them with a lighter, they light fast and easily.
Today I need a... 