Friday Favorites - Beach Edition

Hi, Friends!

Happy FRIDAY!!!!!!

There are few things I love more than the Friday before a long weekend. So excited to get some family time in this weekend.

I'm excited to share a few of my favorites for beach trips today. If you follow me on instagram, you probably saw that we just got back from a long weekend in Gulf Shores with our babies so I want to share while everything is fresh in my mind.

Beach Bum Sun Screen: Not only does it smell uhhhhhhhh-mazing, but it also is fairly clean. It has no parabens and is oil free and PABA free. It's also not too thick. We've had some natural sunscreens in the past that were literally like rubbing tooth paste on your skin. No thank you.

This swimsuit from Old Navy. It's a great fit and it's currently 50% off!

Fringe Beach Towel: I found these beautiful Serena and Lili fringe beach towels but couldn't pull the trigger on the $48 price tag. BUT #targetdoesitagain and I found a perfect knock off for less than $15! Hooray!

Pom Pom Cover Up: I'm a sucker for anything with pom poms and this swim cover is just the most perfect one I've found! The price tag is pretty sweet too!

I'm also linking a past post I did about how to have a successful trip to the beach with babies in tow!

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend!!

Laura

Friday Favorites

Hi, Friends!

Happy Friday to you!

I'm really working on finding something other than "Happy (insert day of the week)" to greet you with... but I just really want people to have happy days so what's a girl to do? Trying to be more clever though. Trying so hard.

So excited to share this dress I found this week.

It's literally the perfect fit. I'm wearing a small for reference. I ordered three days ago and got it today! I've linked it here and I am happy to say it's only $25! HAPPY. DANCE.

Now for these shoes. Swoon. I'm a sucker for anything black and white. And stripes? Don't even get me started. I found these for $15 at H&M this weekend. I'm in love. They're only available in stores but I think they'd be worth the drive. 

Just watching to make sure Rowen doesn't run in the street. #momlife

Now for a few more favorite! I want to share a way we stay organized and CLEAN on the regular in our house.

Stair Baskets: We got these baskets from Wal Mart for $7 a piece and they are just perfect for the depth of the stairs. They also have a little chalk board on the front for each person's name. During the day, if I find something that belongs to someone and don't have the time to put it upstairs or where it actually goes, I just stick it in the basket. Then before we go to bed at night, each person cleans up their basket. It's good practice for the girls to learn that it's their job to clean up after themselves and I'd much rather see random junk in a cute basket than on my floors.

Exercise Ball: Ok, I'm late to the game. I know. But I just got a balance ball and I love it. I've been doing ab exercises with it this week and you can really feel the burn. I found this one at Wal Mart (yes, I am feeling like a red neck for referencing Wal Mart not once, but twice). It comes with examples of how to use it and they're really all you need. So getcha one.

Decor Steals: Are you signed up for the daily steals from this website?! If not, please go sign up NOW! I got this magnolia wreath for half the cost that I'd seen it elsewhere (Looking at you, Magnolia Home) and the quality is great. I've ordered other items from them and their customer service is top notch. They really are on top of the latest trends and the deals are too good to pass up!

Salvaged Chic Market: I posted a few of our new signs from this adorable Etsy store this week. They're so beautiful! Heather does custom work or you can choose from any of the sweet pre-made items in her shop. She is fun to work with and does a beautiful job. I'm so happy with my signs!

Glasses: Matt and I have been married for almost eight years and about a month ago, we noticed most of our glasses we got as wedding gifts were chipped or just looked terrible. Sad. But then I stumbled upon these beauties and instantly forgot all about the nostalgic newlywed cups. These are super sturdy and have the most beautiful design! We also got matching ice cream bowls because I needed another reason to want ice cream. No. No I didn't. These are a part of the Pioneer Woman collection from... you guessed it! WAL MART. Oh my gosh who am I? Whatever. The price is right and the quality is great so who cares where it's from?

I'm getting my hair done this morning. Glory. Then I have a girls night out tonight to celebrate one of my best friend's birthdays and I can't wait to share this cute H&M outfit I've planned to wear!

Reese has her first ballet recital Saturday morning and we are getting SO excited. Honestly I've been so excited about the recital that I haven't planned a single thing the rest of the weekend. I think basking in the glory of our little tutu-clad ballerina should suffice!

Happy Friday, friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Laura

Mother's Day Weekend + My Favorite New Shoes

Hi!

Hope you had a great Mother's Day. Friday night Matt took me to dinner at Stoney River. I told him my only stipulation was that we go somewhere with really good dessert. The only problem was, after we ate our dinner, there was zero room for dessert. Matt always jokes that I have a little space in my stomach that's always ready for dessert but even that space was like "Um, no way."

Saturday morning I went with my mom and sister to a private shopping party at Kendra Scott at Avalon. It was so fun! Each guest got flowers, a gift card, and a yummy little breakfast to munch on while we shopped. And boy did we shop. I love the new spring line but ended up using my gift card to buy this beautiful necklace.

My stone is a dark grey but the awesome thing about this style is that it's semi opaque so whatever color is underneath will kind of transform the stone to match.

Saturday night we took Matt's mom to dinner and Sunday morning, Matt and Reese brought me my gifts and coffee in bed and then we all got ready for brunch.

Reese wanted to sit next to me at brunch. Pretty sure it was because she wanted some of my bananas foster french toast (yum)

Back to my moms house to hang with the rest of the family.

Love my little fam!!

One of my favorite things Matt got me this year are these grey nike tennis shoes. They're like bedroom slippers. I'm not even kidding. I literally have only taken them off to sleep since yesterday. The best price I've found is from Zappos. Plus, you get free shipping!

Thanks for stopping by! Later this week I'm going to be sharing my workout routine. Warning: It'll kick your tail.

Happy Monday, friends!

Laura

Styling the Swing Dress

Hi! Happy Monday to you!

Hope you had a great weekend!

We went to dinner and a movie Friday night, which was so fun. I haven't been to a movie since-- ok I can't even remember. It's been that long. I even decided that I was going to get a cherry coke but after one sip, I changed my mind. Not worth it.

Saturday morning I went to a baby shower and then we played outside pretty much the rest of the afternoon. Forecast was calling for a rain in the ATL for the next few days so we had to be sure to soak up as much sun as possible!

We ate dinner out on the patio at our favorite greek restaurant on Saturday night. It is a hole in the wall but the food is amazing. You know when a self proclaimed ambiance snob is willing to overlook the environment for the sake of the food, that means its real good.

Sunday morning we had brunch and then enjoyed a day of rest since it was pretty yucky outside. We decided to take a few weeks off from church since Matt's been dealing with so many health hurdles but we are all pretty excited to get back into the swing of our normal Sunday schedule.

Sunday night we had Mexican and watched Wheel of Fortune because we are THAT COOL.

Enough about me, let's talk about dresses!

The Swing Dress

I love this style. Its affordable. It's versatile. It's COMFORTABLE. It's just the perfect addition to your wardrobe. One of my favorite things to do with friends and clients is to show them all the different ways they can wear items in their closets. Once you fill your closets with the right basics, you're in business. This dress is a must!

Day Time

 I wrapped my denim jacket around my waist but you could also use a printed button down as well to add some color.

Night Time

Same dress but this time I threw on these comfy heels from Dress Up, added a statement necklace, and lost the hat and the jacket. Also switched out my cross body for a striped clutch.

Old Navy has this style in black, black and white stripe,blue and black stripe, and olive and black stripe. I need them all.

Hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! 

Laura

Sources:

Dress: Old Navy

Jacket: Old Navy

Converse: Converse Outlet

Leather Cross Body: Target

Hat: My husbands closet ;-)

Heels: Dress Up

Necklace: Dress Up

Clutch: Kate Spade

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!

In today's edition of Friday Favorites... this super cute scalloped edge swim suit!

$12.99 WHAT?!

We have a date night coming up tonight and I am THRILLED about it. We have a new goal of only going to places we haven't eaten at before. This is a big deal for two people who have been eating at Maggiano's consistently for the past 15 years. But we are branching out beyond the olive oil and Parmesan (bless it) to explore new eats in our city. Wish us luck.

Saturday morning it's birthday party time for one of Reese's friends. Then Saturday afternoon we are heading to the airport to pick up my mom and dad. They've been vacationing in England for almost three weeks. My mom is my besty so having her gone this long has been the worst. But I know she's having a blast so that makes it all worth it. And eating at OK Cafe on the way home from the airport won't be too bad either. #favplaceinalltheland #givemeallthesweettea

Here are a few of my favorite things right now!

1. Tan Wise: This tanning mousse is uhhhhh-mazing. Not kidding. It's so great. You can get it from Sally's or Amazon. I recommend the dark mousse for body and the gel for face. It gives a beautiful glow without making me feel orange. I'd recommend a tanning mit for application like this one on amazon.

2. Speaking of TAN... this bathing suit came in the mail and I love it! The quality is spot on. I wasn't sure what to expect since it was my first time ordering something from China. I assumed I would probably end up with a scalloped oven mitt. Under $15 AND a great fit. Please and thank you. Just for sizing reference, I ordered a medium and in most suits I wear a small.

2. Hail Merry's Macaroons: I have a sweet tooth. Ok. Not just one tooth. I think maybe all of my teeth are sweet. Dang it. So I'm always on the lookout for sweet snacks that won't stack on the lb's. These can be found at Fresh Market and Whole Foods and they are clean and YUM. You're welcome. Oh, but don't try to order them online because they're way cheaper in stores.

3. Coconut Oil: It's kind of crazy that the same stuff I took my makeup off with last night is what I used to saute my asparagus at lunch. But coconut oil has SO many amazing health benefits and uses. I fill a small glass container and keep it in my bathroom to remove my makeup at night time or before working out. Rub a generous amount all over your face and then use a warm washcloth to remove your foundation and eye makeup. I also add coconut oil to my favorite smoothie recipe. According to researchers, eating coconut oil helps reduce belly fat. So yeah gimme some more of that... the oil, not the belly fat. We get this kind from Coscto and it lasts us a long time even tho we use it for everything!

4. Nike Frees; I got new running shoes a few months ago and they have been the best purchase of 2016. Second only to the macaroons mentioned above #priorities. They are comfortable with or without socks and they move with my feet so well. Love. Them.



Hope your weekend is filled with lots of laughter, rest, and memory making.

Laura