Friday Fancies : Just Beachy

School's out!

And we are headed "beachward" next week.

I have loved nautical shades of blue, red and cream for as long as I can remember.

The high.low hemline on the skirt, over sized sunglasses and large chain link necklace make it fresh and current.

I want it all. and I want it now.

Linking up here and here. 

The Graduate

It's official.

I have a soon.to.be.highschooler in the house.

Isabella graduated with honors on Tuesday evening.

We are ridiculously proud of her.

someone got a new laptop! 

the proud papa

the proud mama

the graduate

One road ends
and another begins.
The journey continues.
Believe in yourself.
Hold fast to your dreams
and let nothing keep them from you.
Circumstances will come your way,
and it may be easy to get discouraged.
People will envy your accomplishments
and try to hold you back.
Keep marching forward.
Keep your eyes on the prize,
and you will realize your dream.
Once you realize your dream,
you can reach even higher.
There is no limit on what you can achieve
if you believe in yourself.

:: Cheryl Williams

Sweet girl, we love you more than you will ever know.

This life is sweeter because of you.

What I Wore : Bloom

Blooming all over.

Top - Forever XXI
Necklace - Forever XXIPants - Zara (last seen here)
Shoes - David Dixon

So tired. 

And you can see it in my tiny little eyes.

Since kicking the nap habit, Ava has been falling asleep super early.

And of course, waking even earlier.
Good times.
And that's what I'm wearing on {yawn} Wednesday.

Randomness

Ms. Ava has decided that she wants nothing to do with her naps anymore.

What? Yup. For at least the last week and a half or so, she will do laps play in her crib for an hour but refuses to fall asleep.

She is obviously exhausted but fights it with every ounce of her little being.

Sleep + Ava has never been a good combo.

Isabella's grade 8 grad trip to Ottawa went super well! The actual graduation ceremony and dinner is this evening followed by a dance for the kids only.

She has tried on her dress 11,387,933 times. 

We think it's perfect.

Julian is literally counting down the days to the end of the school year. I let him stay home on Friday since let's face it, they're really done already aren't they? 
Not sure if that makes me a really bad mom or a really cool one.
I'm going with the latter.

We have all been completely slightly obsessed with the logo game available on iphone. The entire family (and any friend that enters our home) is involved. I have been known to stop mid-sentence, whip out my phone and say, "do you know what this is? how about this? does this look familiar at all?" 
Awkward.

Have you played?
If yes, there are a few logos I might like to run by you.

Someone has his blue advanced belt testing at karate this Friday. 
Eeeeek! 
I must remember to bring a camera this time. 

There are days I wonder where I could possibly have fit a full-time job into our schedule. And yes, there are definitely days that are tough, but more and more I realize that I made the right decision to stay home.

3 kids is busy my friends. Especially when they are all at such different stages.

I can honestly say that I am enjoying each one of them more right now than I ever have.

We are leaving for vacation next week!
We can hardly wait to get away.


What are your summer plans?

What I Wore : The Black Tank

Many days, I reach for a black tank. 

And then add on from there.

In this case, a favorite pair of cargo-style linen pants, lots of gold jewels and animal print peep toes. 

Tank - H and M
Linen Pants - Marciano
Shoes - Nine West (last seen here)

Necklace - Stella + Dot
Bracelets - Stella + Dot (x2), Coach

Can you say last week of school?!

No more lunches.

Amen.

Linking up here for Monday Mingle! 

Friday Fancies : ColorBlocked

So in love with these colors. 
They would be perfect in say, Dubai. 
Not that I'm going anytime soon. 

Outfit details via Polyvore

The tibi dress above (which I have been obsessing over for a while now) is the answer to simple color blocking without any of the work.

And when the temperatures cool down, any of the separates would look perfect paired with black. 

Are you brave enough to pull off full color head.to.toe?
Happy Friday fashionistas!

linking up here and here
You can also find me at Wild Ruffle today sharing my Fab Finds on Friday while Cate is away on vacation.
Come and visit!

What I Wore : Colored Denim

I've been on the hunt for a pair of jeans in this exact shade for a while now. 

And very specifically, hoped to wear them with this soft denim shirt.

Mission accomplished. 

Denim Shirt - Jeanne Beker
Necklace - Forever XXI
Ring - c/o Colby June Jewelry
Jeans - Zara
Shoes - BCBG Girls

And that's what I'm wearing on Wednesday.

Winner of the ColbyJune Jewelry giveaway is Nicole Krebs Balogh.

 Congrats Nicole! I will email you today. 

Tagged

I was tagged last week by one of my fave bloggy friends, Shannon at The Scribble Pad.

She asked me to answer 10 random questions so here goes!

1. What is your Secret Single Behavior? 

I talk to myself all.the.time. Doesn't everyone? I also occasionally drink milk right out of the bag (ever so careful not to let the kids see) and always pee with the door open. 

Wrong? I have my brother to thank for that. 

2. What book are you reading right now (be honest!)? I'm reading Shiver which may or may not be a teen novel. OK, it is. If you enjoyed the Twilight series, you will love this. Think more Jacob than Edward.

3. What are three books on your "to read" list? 

Just three? I have to finish the last book in the Shades of Grey trilogy, Freed. A friend just lent me Cutting for Stone and When God was a Rabbit so I need to get to those as well. 

4. What is your most used Android/iPhone/iPad App? 

I just switched over to an iPhone from Blackberry and am full-on addicted to Draw Something. I'm Susan J. if you're playing. I will warn you, I am good. 

5. If you could go on a Blogger Friend Date with any blogger, who would you pick? (Besides me, of course) Ooooh this one is tough. I have been on a date with this amazing gal and we had such a great time. Next time, I would definitely choose Christina. We would eat our way through as much dessert and drink as much Dr. Pepper as possible.

6. What is a favorite memory of yours that is not related to your marriage and/or child(ren)? 

Definitely childhood summers spent in Croatia. Did anyone get a chance to see The Bachelorette last night? Yeah, that place. 

7. What songs do you dance in the kitchen to? 

I will dance to anything. Love top 40 and Madonna is a long-time fave. My dancing may or may not embarass my 13 yo daughter. She's just jealous.

8. What is something you have learned about yourself through blogging? 

That I like to act as though I missed my calling as a supermodel? Every say, Wednesday?

9. What are your comfort foods? 

Chocolate. Ice cream. Pasta. Pizza. Red licorice. Nibs. 

Not necessarily in that order. 

10. What is the last song you purchased? 

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine. We like Adam Levine around here. 

Now, I tag the following ladies:

Christina from The Olive Tree

Cate from Wild Ruffle

Linda from Thoughts on These Things

Katie from The Minivan Diva

Becky from Oomph

On Father's Day

I admit it.
I compared and still compare every man to my father.
Many of my fondest childhood memories have him doing something, no matter how small, to make the every day special.

He would often bring me a little token from the day. It might just be a candy bar but it was his way of letting me know he had thought of me. 

He came home and slipped it into "my drawer" in the kitchen.

First thing I always did for as long as I can remember is say hello and then race to the drawer to see if there was anything there.

My father on the right.

He was not the disciplinarian.

I don't think he has it in him.

He would complain. But he would never.ever say anything.

I know he worried a lot when I was growing up.

But he never said anything about it. Not to me anyway.

Isn't he handsome? And thin! He must have been about 20 or 21 here. 

He was the dad who always up to driving us everywhere.

And he never complained about all the drop offs. Regardless of how many stops he had to make. And some nights there were many.

He was the one who would always say ok to a trip to McDonald's or Dairy Queen. With neighbourhood kids in tow.

To this day, a banana split ALWAYS reminds me of him. 

And in later years, I often returned the childhood favor by bringing one over to him so that we could share it.

Honestly? The banana split is not my favorite.

But it's his making it alright by me.

His happy place. On the lake, any lake.

He has put on {ahem} a little weight over the years.
It may or may not be all those banana splits.
And I don't need a ride anymore.
But I am still a daddy's girl.

Always will be.

Happy Father's Day dad! 

Enter our colbyjune jewelry giveaway here

Friday Fancies :: Outfit Crush

I've always been a fan of Olivia Palermo's style.

She always seems to get it right.

This week's prompt :: outfit crush, has us recreating a favorite outfit.

I chose this one:

I love the structured jacket over floaty, feminine skirt. Love the fact that it looks like the clutch was an afterthought. And don't even get me started on those shoes.

Here's is my interpretation of the look:

for full outfit details follow me on polyvore

Although I love the all black look, I think it is equally cute in the blush tone non?
And I'll take a pair of each of the shoes please. 
I'm sure Olivia would as well.

enter our colbyjune jewelry giveaway

Happy Weekend!

Loveys & Things

Ever since Ava was able to grasp anything she has been holding onto Bobo.

Bobo was formerly Julian's stuffed giraffe.

He really isn't that cute. Or special.

But for some reason, Ava was in l.o.v.e.

Today, she really can't be without Bobo.
It started off as a lovey she would use just at nap or bed time and has slowly morphed into her bring.everywhere.all.the.time friend.

We "lost" Bobo about a month ago and all craziness broke loose.
We searched everywhere. Twice. Three times.
She slept without him. Fitfully at first.
I called friends who had been in the house to see if someone accidentally took him home. 
I called the mall to see if we dropped him anywhere. I spoke to security and asked them to check the parking lot. Yes, yes I did.
It was awful.
And then, one day, she casually strolled into the kitchen holding him.

We still don't know where Bobo actually was. 
I literally danced with joy.
And truthfully, I cried about the whole thing.
Not because of Bobo. But because of the memories he held for me.
For her.

Dear Bobo,
Thank you for being such a good friend. For letting me squeeze you as hard as I can and for often not getting a bath as often as you should because mommy can't handle me crying and staring at the front of the washer screaming your name.
I am sorry your eyes are all scratched from the dryer.
I am also sorry I threw you in the toilet that one time.
I love you Bobo.
xo
Ava Grace


These photos were taken shortly after Ava's first birthday.
Is it just me or does she have ridiculously big feet?

Enter our colbyjune jewelry giveaway here