Summer Bucket List

With Summer right around the corner I thought it would be fun to create a Summer Bucket List. I know that it is going to be a scorcher this year, so I m sure a lot of what we will do will be after 5 pm when it gets cooler. Ha!

1. Make homemade popsicles- I am loving these squeeze pop molds. 

2. Watch fireworks 

3. Watch the sun rise on the beach 

4. Go fishing at the beach with hubby

5. Rent a Canoe or Kayak at Amelia Island 

6. Have a 4th of July party

7. Have a picnic at Mandarin Park 

8. Go to a local festival 

9. Take a mini road trip to Savannah 

10. Go to the Nocatee Farmers Market 

This summer I want to make sure that my husband and I do some fun stuff. Who knows what next summer will be like or what it might hopefully bring us ;) 

What is on your summer bucket list?! 

A Day at the Beach- Two Looks

I am still amazed that the official start of Summer isn't even here, yet the weather here in Florida has been in the 90's. If this is any indication of what the Summer is going to be like, we are all in deep, deep trouble. 

By the time Summer actually starts we are all going to be walking around everywhere in swim suits and cover-ups to stay cool... with hand held fans that spritz water on you :) I am sure all of our employers would be thrilled.. 

Anyways, so with it being so freaking hot outside, I thought it would be cool to put together a few looks for a day at the beach. They are all oh-so-lovely !!

Sources

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I am really liking all the eye catching floral print bathing suits out there right now. I am trying so hard to mix different patterns lately, so these floral print bathing suits with bold striped beach towels look amazing to me! 

And what's a beach trip without a super fun beach bag & monogram hat?! 

So what are some of your favorites for a day at the beach?

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day...

To all of the men & women who have given the ultimate sacrifice & selflessly protected our Nation & its people. I will be forever grateful to those serving & to those who lost their lives. 

Thank You! 

Friday Favorites-- Romper Fad

For a while now, I have seen rompers make their way into the fashion world. Lets be real... my first thought about them when I first saw them in stores a few years ago was, 'No way! Grown ass women are wearing these things?!' A lot of them just looked like over sized baby rompers & they all just seem to be unflattering on most women. 

Well this year, my mind has changed... I really am loving them now. There are so many different styles & fits of them, so all types of women can wear them now for various occasions. From casual to sexy & everything in between... there are rompers everywhere I look. I think throughout the years they have really changed for the better. 

These are just a few that I am really liking right now... 

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As you can see, I paired all of them with flat sandals and wedges. These romper outfits would be perfect for the 90 degree Florida weather that is quickly approaching. 

So what are your thoughts on the good ole rompers? 

Good for Women OR Good for Babies (ha!)

Lovely And Oh-So-Pinteresting-- Entertaining

If you didn't notice by now.. I love entertaining. My husband always laughs at me because I want to have get together's & parties for everything. Decorating and putting together a party, to entertain family & friends is so much fun for me. 

I find myself always saying to my husband, that I cannot wait to have a bigger house, so I can have a bigger table, more chairs, more serving dishes & lots more space for entertaining-- he just rolls his eyes  & smirks :) 

Thanks to Pinterest my love for entertaining has reached a whole new level... I am literally obsessed!! I have found the most gorgeous tablescapes, I have ever seen. I honestly do not know how people can be so amazingly creative... 

Who knew that serving drinks could be so pretty & look oh-so-delicious... 

And menus !!! Where the heck has my head been & why didn't I think of doing something so awesomely creative like this?? This is on my to-do list for my next get together :) 

Doesn't Pinterest inspire you to want to throw parties/get together's every day?!

Sources 

Meatless Monday- Stuffed Peppers

Like I said before, I am no chef... I just cook easy {stress the word easy} meals that make my loves stomach happy. There are some weeks that I truly have no desire to eat meat, but that just does not fly in a house with a southern-meat-lovin' man. So I try to make one meal a week with no meat & it just so happens to be on Monday. 

Ingredients that you will need: 

4 large bell peppers {we like yellow & orange}

Brown Rice {gluten free}

Your choice of seasoning + Salt + Pepper

1/2 onion 

Shredded Cheese {regular & dairy-free}

Olives 

Jalapenos 

Prior to Food Prep: 

Preheat oven 425 degrees 

Slice all 4 peppers in 1/2 & place in a glass pan

Cook brown rice based on instructions on the box 

Cut 1/2 of an onion, put seasoning & a few pinches of salt & pepper, & cook until soft

Me {left} < > Hubby {right}
Put cooked rice & onions in a bowl- I did them separate for my husband & I. I do not like jalapenos & I have a dairy allergy, he does not.  

Add shredded cheese & mix up everything while it is hot

Stick them in the oven, covered with tin foil for 40 minutes or until peppers are soft. 

My husband would love for them to have meat in them, but he likes them without. When they're done cooking- I drizzle a little hot sauce to my husbands and a little gluten/dairy free Italian dressing to mine; it adds a little more flavor to them. 

So what are some yummy meatless Monday meals {preferably gluten/dairy free} do you cook? 

Mother's Day Brunch

Hoping that you all had lovely Mother's day with your moms over the weekend :) I know that my husband and I did. Our brunch turned out beautifully and all of our breakfast foods were so yummy. I made cheesy eggs, bacon, hash browns, gluten-free blueberry pancakes, and a fruit dish.

Here are some pictures from our morning... 

I really loved how the table decorations turned out-- wish I could keep it this pretty all year-round. Again, hope you all had a wonderful day :) 

Love you Mom !! 

Sources: Plates- Pottery Barn; Cups- Hobby Lobby; Salt & Pepper Shakers- Bed Bath & Beyond. 

Hubby Graduation Party

A few weekends ago, we celebrated my husband finishing school. I hosted a party (which I love doing) for him at our home & all our family came over which was so much fun! 

I had lots of ideas for the party (which you can see here). There were a few decorations that I bought but for the most part I made everything. Although there were a few things that I didn't quite get to making/buying for the decorations, I am pretty happy with the way that everything turned out. 

All the garland was handmade by me & if you really love it, you can purchase it at my Etsy shop- Garland Galore & More... 

These pom poms I purchased at a local party shop-- They are quite pretty, but they take a long ass time to make them. 

My favorite things that I made for the party were the mason jars & candle holders that I added gold glitter to. I used the mason jars to hold the straws & utensils. 

As for the food we got BBQ from Sonny's BBQ and the cake from Publix. 

For the tablecloth, I picked it up from Target- they have the best party decorations & are so inexpensive compared to the party shops. I made the confetti on the table with different colors of card stock & the food cards are made with the same colors.

Overall, we had a great time celebrating the graduate and being with family, eating some yummy BBQ. 

I am so proud of my husband & I cannot wait to see what our future has in store :) 

Happy Mother's Day, Sally !!

To my dearest Sally,

I’ll start with ‘Thank You’…

I am so glad that God chose you to be my Mom. He surely knew that we needed each other in life & he was right. You have been there for me through everything- the good, the bad, the ugly, the screaming, and the crying… you have been through it all with me.

You’re the most hard-working, strong, dedicated, loyal, loving, and silly Mother and friend that there could be. You have shown Jaclyn & me that you have to work hard for what you want in life. You were strong at times, when I know it was nearly impossible for you to hold it together. You’re fully dedicated, always, in being our Mom. You never backed out on us when we needed you, you were the one right in front row… cheering us on! You’re not only my Mom, but you’re a loyal friend. One that I can count on… when I am sick & just need my Mom, when I need to vent about life, when I need a good laugh or a shoulder to lean/cry on… I can count on you. You’re my silly Sally… I love your crazy Bostonian words that you always use (Kevin’s almost ready to publish his book), I love that we have names for each other (which no one understands & I am glad), and that we are just weird… always. 

Another reason why you’re a wonderful Mom is because you’re accepting of Jaclyn and I. You let us be us. You let us love who we want to love. Instead of making us change who we are or who we want to love… You give us ways and advice on how to make it work.

You have been an amazing single Mom & you did a damn good job of it. You have given up countless hours to be my Mom, 259,322 to be exact. You put the majority of your life aside to create our lives.  You would give anything to Jaclyn and me… always thinking about our needs & wants.

Each & every day I pray to God that he will someday give me a baby girl… So I can have the same relationship and friendship that you and I have, with her.

I love you more than life itself. You’re my entire world & I do not know what I would do without you. You’re my inspiration of what I want to be as a Mom someday.

You’re amazing, Sally.

Thank you for being my Mom.

Happy Mother's Day !!