Sundry x J.Crew ...

And so it is that one of my favorite easy-to-wear brands, Sundry and one of my fave mega brands, J.Crew have united for a capsule collection due out in May. Get excited you guys, cut off jean shorts season is right around the corner. 

Read about and see more glimpses of the summer pieces here. 

Via: C Magazine

Rhona Garvin ...

Here we are at the tail end of summer with school upon us next week and it's blazing outside! It's getting really confusing when I spy hints of halloween everywhere I go these days and I'm sweating up a storm. "Mom, can we go to the beach and then get my ninja costume?" What?! 

Anywho, I refuse to let me go of my beloved summer season which is why I was pretty psyched to run into these amazing art works by Rhona Garvin (thanks for the intro B!) Don't you love these? They capture the essence of a leisurely summer so well. Speaking of leisurely, this guy has the right idea. Hope everyone has a great long weekend! Group hug:) 

It's 5pm Somewhere ...

This is what I'm talking about when the weather gets unbearably warm. Nothing like an old fashioned, frosty ice cream cone. Or I could be talking about a Dos Equis with lime if it's nearing the ol' happy hour. It's been my summer drink lately and I swear by it. It's so refreshing! In fact, I share it over at TPS today along with some other things on my summer radar. Be sure to check it out. And speaking of ice cream, Siri contributed an awesome post on homemade Peach and Pecan Ice Cream that you can make without an actual ice cream maker. I know! 

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend! Group hug:)

Photo: Debbie Carlos

It's 5pm Somewhere ...

So I went into Target the other morning right as they opened up, and I could not believe what I was seeing. All of the fun, oversized, giant hot dogs and sunglasses that used to hang from the ceiling were being replaced by giant pencils and pads of paper! Noooooo! I screamed in my head, but with a clear screaming look on my face. They can't be telling us that summer is over! I won't have it. To me, it is officially summer through the end of September. Right?! 

(I do have to say though that I did spot some fun school supplies. Aaaand I'll go ahead and admit that I did handle a super cute lunch box and considered buying for about 2.3 seconds but quickly put it down in the name of summer!) 

Hope everyone had a great and safe 4th of July! Ours was so much fun hanging out with friends, old (as far back as grade school!) and new. And the kids had the best time ruling the day (albeit a cold one) in their swimsuits. Oh to be a kid again, right? Have a great weekend everyone! Group hug:)

Photo: Ed Fladung

Summertime! ...

Happy first day of summer! Sorry I've been so MIA lately! Summer vacation started for the kiddos last week and so far it's been all it's cracked up to be ... swim class, sidewalk chalk sessions, hanging with friends, going to the park, being outside after bedtime (big deal at our house!), etc. In fact, these summer days have really reminded me of what summer vacation meant to me as a kid. Do you remember how much fun it was?

Today also happens to be International Surfing Day! I love this photo so much. Can't you just see the giddiness in their faces? And those bikinis! Love. Beach days are definitely among us, but before you head out be sure to check out these fantastic non-toxic sunscreen recommendations by NTR (non-toxic revolution).

Also, in honor of ISD, surfers Kassia Meador and Rob Machado have shared their favorite Sambazon Acai Berry recipes with us over on TPS. Check them out, you will love! 

Photo

It's 5pm Somewhere ...

Happy first day of June! I can't believe the first month of summer is here. I get so giddy this time of year. Once June rolls around all I can think of are easy, breezy days; lounging around the yard, beach days, and floating in pools. I get excited for the kids too. Swim classes are in full effect (our only planned activity) as well as evening stops at the park to meet with friends because the warm weather is still lingering. Love this time of year!

What about you? Any fun plans for this first weekend of June? Thankfully we don't have much to do except for put up our new curtains from West Elm. Oh, and Eric and our 5 y/o, P have their first father-daughter dance tonight! If you know Eric, then you know that dancing is not his forté (I say this lovingly). However, being the trooper dad that he is, he has declared that he and P will be "cutting a rug tonight."

Also, check out the Fave Fives: Summer Kit for Baby that Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo put together for The Post Social. Have a great weekend everyone! Group hug:)

Photo: Tim Barber

Sounds Of Summer ...

Have I told you about the little community pool at the end of our street? I'm gonna guess it was built in the 50's since that's when most of the little cottage houses in our neighborhood were built. This pool is so great because it still maintains the charm of a simpler life. It has a couple of lifeguard perches and the distinct smell of chlorine, which I know is not great, but is so synonymous with summer to me.

But what I love best are the sounds the pool brings. Kids ride their bikes there with towels draped over their shoulders, screaming back and forth to each other. Tweens walk past our house in their "cool" groups chatting about who's gonna be at the pool (I hear everything–it's the cutest). And even the teeny kids pitter-patter by with their bare feet, a swimsuit and goggles excited for their swim lessons. And of course the squeals from the pool, reckless splashing and whistle blowing by the lifeguards brings it all home. It's summertime!

Hope everyone has a great first weekend of summer! Here are a few links I wanted to share ...

So excited for this! ...

You really don't know who just might be reading your blog. Heather didn't ...

Better than reality TV. Follow Kendall as she shares the launch of her line ...

As a mom, I totally related to this:) Don't hold back ...

Photo: Here

Really? ...

"Hey try this branch over your forehead. Now let's throw a bird on there and see how it looks."

Let's just say that if someone suggested this to me, there would've been some serious eye rolling. But um, not here. She looks absolutely, pretty and sun-kissed. With branch and bird to boot!

Photo: We Are Infinate

Sign Me Up ...

Proper lounging on a beach. Complete with striped towel, magazine and multi-colored beach ball. I could definitely handle this. Loving that wooden lounger and cushions too.

Photo: Roland Bello

It's Officially Summer! ...

Good summer morning to you! Wouldn't it be great to meet here every morning for coffee and a chat? I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to some lazy, hazy summer days that include plenty of beach time and much BBQ-ing. Let the summer begin!

Did you have a good weekend? It was such a beautiful weekend here to usher in the summer season. We spent father's day at my parents house where my mom bought all the dads new beach chairs for father's day. I thought that was cute and so apropos!

Photo: Here

Steven Alan Swim ...

Just stumbled upon this cute swimsuit over at Steven Alan. Love the print. Brown and orange aren't exactly the colors you'd expect for a summertime swimsuit ... which is why I like it:)

The Best ...

Feet in the pool, sunshine on your face as you think about nothing in particular. Isn't that the best?

Photo: Here

You Go Here ...

Taryn says this photo was an accident, but I'm going to refer to it as a "nice surprise." I love the glimmer of the ocean and her cute outfit that you can just make out. It has summer written all over it. But the best part is that it's just blurry enough to be me or you:) Yes, let's close our eyes and imagine ...

Style Riders ...

Black City Bike

Blue City Bike
(really love the contrast of the blue and the brown seat.)

Paul Frank City Bikes. Just add a bell and basket (or friend) to the handlebars and you're on your way. The vintage look and brown leather seats are key. Super, spring/summer, fun!

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're going out and making the rounds today/tonight ride a bike or take a taxi. Be safe party people!:)