PSA {Public Shoe Announcement}

My favorite sandal of 2013 is on sale 40%.  Ann Taylor Loft: The Vaughn T-Strap (assorted colors) is now on sale for $14.99.  ALL Sale items are an additional 40% off ~ No coupon code needed.  Discounts at checkout.

I can personally vouch for this style sandal.  Very comfortable and looks like a higher-end shoe.

Click Here for FABulous!

Enjoy!

Summer Staycation 2013 {with video}

Our 2013 staycation started with a date night out with friends at the Wharfside Patio Bar in Pt. Pleasant, NJ.

Started off with a bang.  Thunderstorms rolled over the Jersey Shore (as you can see in this video).
Right after we finished dinner, a lightning bolt hit a sandbar in the channel...like 30 yards from our table. The whole place, huddled under a canopy,  jumped & screamed; that prompted my husband to spill his FULL pint glass of beer all over me and my Tory Burch's.  The sandals and I were fine. **Thanks to the sweet girl dining with her parents for the video**

A half hour later, the weather cleared and it was beautiful.

And the fishing boats headed back out in to the Atlantic.

Hubby & the boys gave themselves tattoos

A trip inland to a county fair.  Pleasantly surprised, we are normally boardwalk people.  But alas, our boardwalk rides are in the Atlantic...

Fried pickles, funnel cakes, gyros, blooming onions, cotton candy, deep-fried Oreos....I forgot how dangerous Carnival food can be!

We visited Chuck-E-Cheese (who knew they had a pretty nice salad bar?!) and two (2) trips to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Sunburn despite the little sunshine during our time off.  As a shift-working, seniority rules police officer, my husband has to select his days off in January.  We made the best of it.

Until this ^  Despite the red solo cups and balloon...this was not a party.  Broken pipe turned my fixture into a water feature.  Happy homeownership.

We spent one morning at Barnes & Noble where we all of us went on a shopping spree.  The boys each had $60 in gift cards to spend and they thoughtfully picked out their books.

Daddy & I started the Hunger Games Trilogy (yes, we are soooo behind the times).  The shopping & subsequent reading on a rainy afternoon was a nice respite while waiting on the plumber ^

Our next local stop was the Jersey Shore Pirates

A pirate adventure on local waters.  I cannot say enough about this organization and their employees.  

The captain, his mates and the pirates are young college kids.  They were funny, thoughtful, considerate and put on an amazing journey.

The kids got dressed up and painted, battled Pirate Pete, fired the water cannons, read a treasure map, found the lost treasure, and danced the pirate limbo on our way back to port.  If you are on or near the Central Jersey Shore, I highly recommend (Shelley, I'm talking to you!)

The rest of our time was spent lazing around the pool, indulging in food and treats not normally eaten on a daily basis, taking in a lot of barbecues and generally just enjoying each others company without daily tasks, chores and work 

getting in the way. Here's the little one jamming ;-) 

Onward to November...when its a trip to Disney and a family Thanksgiving on the Georgia Coast!

Hope everyone is enjoying Summer ~ Thanks for visiting!

Printstagram

Has anyone used this service?  

I have to credit Mandy from Biblical Homemaking and this previous post, for turning me on to this service.  I'm digging her turquoise frame!

I love that my Instagram photos can be printed and transformed into a poster, calendar, mini-book, stickers, framed prints and other options.  Since I tend to use my Instagram on a more personal level i.e. selfies, fashion, outfits of the day, jewelry, etc., I am looking to get a poster made to put here...

The small corridor between my closet and the master bath.  I can reference my previous outfits of the day and jewelry pairings that may escape me when getting ready for work at 6am.  And....since they are my own "artistic" (filtered) photos, it can double as art!

I may also get a more family-oriented (kids, hubby, nature, food) one printed out for our family/tv room.

The price is quite reasonable.  $25 for a 20x30 poster that includes 54 photos.  Poster frames are very affordable at Walmart or Michaels.  If your cheap frame is plain and/or chintzy-looking, you can spray paint or gold/silver leaf your frame for a more custom look.

Check out Printstagram Here !

Stay tuned for mine! Also, hoping to post our staycation pictures shortly...

Thank you for visiting!

Summer Wedding {{Dressing Little Boys}}

These hazy, hot, lazy days of summer are fine for a night at the boardwalk or a day at the pool when children are clad in swimsuits and play clothes, but what to do when you have a function.  A "casual chic" wedding.

We have a wedding in early August. I'm looking for different options for the boys, because I am certainly not going to put them in suits.  Even if we had them.

Seersucker Shorts in Neon Lime

Navy Striped Silk Bow Tie

White Poplin Shirt

Sea Horse Tie in Blue

Sun-faded Chino Slim Fit in Antigue Linen

Garment Dyed Shirt in Vivid Palm

Finish up the look with pairs of simple, classic Sperry's and a smattering of freckles :)

They shall be bright and sunny!  Most of all, they will be comfortable.  Happy kids, happy parents!

All photos & clothing courtesy of J.Crew.

Right now you can get an extra 30% off of final sale items using the promo code EXTRA30.

Independence Day {Recap}

Island Heights, NJ

Beautiful Porches

Hammock swinging

Heading to the Riverside

Daisies

Patriotic bunting

Spectacular sunsets

All-American kids

Pick your spot

Ice Cream trucks parked on every corner

Here we go!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Thanks for visiting!

Marinated Mako Tacos w/ Homemade Guacamole {Recipe Swap}

Marinated & Grilled Mako Tacos

½ cup orange juice

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

Few twists of the Pepper grinder

1 tablespoon olive oil

Mako Shark (or any firm fish)

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Sharp cheddar

Flour tortillas

Sour cream

Hot sauce

Easy homemade guacamole, see below

Mix first 6 ingredients, add fish, and place in a heavy duty Ziploc bag and stick in fridge.  I marinated the fish for 6 hours, turning a couple of times.

Prep your grill by scrubbing, cleaning and oiling the grill.  Preheat grill...I cooked on medium-high.  My steaks were thick, I grilled the mako for 7 minutes, each side.  Fish will start to flake.  Once you remove fish from the grill, cover with foil and let rest/steam for 10 minutes.

At this time, prep your fixin's:  Shred lettuce & cheese, warm soft tortillas, chop tomatoes and prepare...

Easy Homemade Guacamole:

2-3 Avocados, pitted and mashed

2 tablespoons of Wildtree Guacamole Seasoning, or any Mexican blend

1 cup of Rotel Original, drained

Mix it all up and serve with your tacos.

Back to the tacos....flake fish and mix in a bowl with all of your ingredients.  That's right toss tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and fish in a bowl.  Scoop mixture into flour tortillas, add some guac and sour cream, give it a dash of hot sauce and you have a delicious summer meal.

Thanks to our friends who fish who share the bounty with us!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful 4th of July holiday!