Heat Wave!

 It's 90 degrees here in Boston, and my kids refuse to leave the park... so this is all I have for you today.  

Be back tomorrow :)

Hope you are having a good one!

P.S. This app is my new obsession. I can't stop writing on anything and EVERYTHING!

Summer Style Inspiration

 What do you all think about the new/ old head wrap trend? I'm kind of loving it. What an easy, and cute way to deal with what can often be very difficult Summer hair. I also think it adds a little something to any outfit, and is just as stylish on the beach, as it is in the city. I'm sure there is some way to tie a scarf into a wrap, but I was happy to find that almost everyone is making these right now, and they come pre assembled with an elastic headband. I was looking at a few the other day, and picked up the bottom two from Forever 21. They were 3 bucks each, and I figure that's about the right amount to spend on something that is likely to be a passing trend. I think they will look twice as cool with my new ombre hair!

What do you all think? Are you a fan. Looking at these photos below, I'm sold. 

Here are the two that I found. There are dozens more on their website.  

This Summer, for me, it's a wrap!

The Best Denim Shorts EVER *From a Surprising Place*

 One of the most random questions that I always get asked, is where to find a great pair of denim shorts that 1) are age appropriate, and 2) aren't that expensive. I'm not sure if I get asked this because I have the greatest pair on earth (and soon you will too) or if it's because I'm the kind of person who should know that kind of stuff... but either way, I've got the answer!

A few years back my sister bought what will forever be referred to as the "perfect denim short." When she lived with us, we would literally fight over them, and I still mourn their untimely death (which luckily was not on my watch.) The most surprising thing about these shorts was that they were from American Eagle, and they ran about 40$. I don't know about you, but I always considered this a place for tweens, and definitely did not think they would carry things suitable for a woman in her 30's-40's. Turns out that they do, and you can actually find some great deals on Spring/ Summer clothes. 

A few years back, they discontinued the "perfect denim short," but luckily they replaced it with some equally crave worthy options, all in varying lengths. I typically go for the medium length, and the trick is that the cuff is not sewn, so you can absolutely pull it down if you feel the goodies are on display a little too much. For me, Costa Rica = cuff up, and Class Picnic = cuff down. That flexibility is what makes these, truly, the best denim shorts out there. Below are my favorites, at varying lengths. There are plenty more colors and styles on their website.

It's shorts season, people... that means Summer is almost here!!!!!!!

The First Day of Summer.

 We al know that Memorial Day marks the first "unofficial" day of Summer. Luckily for us, the clouds parted, and the sun came out just in time for us to kick off our Summer, down in the Boston Common. Here are a few pictures if you'd like to see what the next few months are going to look like for us. Words can't even describe how much fun I have with these two boys. Oh, I love them so. 

Weekend Links.

What do you have planned, this rainy long weekend? Sadly, our beach and pool party plans had to be scraped due to the awful three day forecast, so we are falling back on our Winter schedule of alternating Museums. First the Children's, then the Museum of Natural History, and probably the Museum of Science. While this is all fine and dandy, I was really looking forward to some outside time. Summer, are you out there? Why, oh, why are you taking so long to get here this year? 

I hope you all have something fun planned, and maybe some unexpected sunshine as well. I'll see you all next week!

This cover is insane. I had to download the whole album after discovering it. Can you believe this kid was from American Idol?

Another week, another devastating news story. My hearts go out to everyone affected by the OK tornado. Again, so many little lives lost too soon. This piece brought me some comfort.

This is making the rounds, and had me rolling on the floor. 

Summer in a bowl.

How great is this photo wall? Such an easy way to add impact to any room!

My friend's sister has started a Kickstarter campaign to take her earth-friendly, uber-cute HankyBooks to mass production. A 10 dollar donation gets you your own HankyBook! So great for those perpetual runny noses. 

I read this yesterday. And again last night. And again this morning. I can relate to every word. Last night I made a pledge to my kids that we ALL would stop yelling at each other. We are one day in, and I'm astounded to find that the calmer I can stay, the quieter they are. No more trying to "out noise" each other to get a point across. It ends today. 

I just signed up for this with my sister and a few other "skater moms." The longest I've ever ran IN MY LIFE is 4 miles. I'm actually really excited!

The insanely gorgeous Cup of Jo model, Caroline, cut her hair! Can you guess? Yep! I'm obsessed!

Speaking of gorgeous, how beautiful are these mother daughter moments? Did you notice the ombre hair ;)

Finally, let's not forget the real reason behind this holiday weekend. (grab a tissue first) Thank you to our troops and their families for the huge sacrifice they make. I hope we can bring them all home, and soon. 

Wardrobe Essentials: Save, Crave, Investment #4

 An army green utility jacket is one of those layers that you always end up wearing about 50 times more than you would expect. I wore mine twice this week... and it's only Thursday. First, pairing it with a chambray shirt, and a cheetah print skirt (a gift from my girlfriends for my birthday), and then with a pair of white jeans, over a white lace blouse.  During the Spring/ Summer/ Fall, it’s the perfect jacket that can easily be worn over almost any outfit, and it acts as a necessary layer when the temps dip down in the evening, as they always seem to do around here. 

Below is some army jacket inspiration, and, of course, where to get your own;  on any budget. The crave version (at a great price point) is great because of the nipped in waist, but that rag and bone jacket is beyond dreamy. Whatever version you choose, you wardrobe will surely thank you. 

source 1/ source 2

source

Prior "essentials can be found here, here, and here. 

Ombre... SUCCESS!

 After the Ombre that wasn't last week, I was a little nervous going in to today's appointment. I had this photo in hand, and was fully committed to the look. Go big or go home, they say. 

After a quick bleaching of my ends, I left the salon looking like this. 

Ombre success!!! In person, it's a little more dramatic, but I love that it isn't so over the top that I will look crazy when dropping off my kids at school. As much as I would like to be a rock star, I realize that I am not. 

 To get the look, my hairdresser did this cool trick where he teased all my ends, and only bleached a small section of the leftover hair. This keeps it from getting a straight line of bleach, and helps it to look a little more nature. Err as natural as ombre can look. 

I could not be happier with the final result, and I am so happy that I was brave enough to go for it. The best part? No root maintenance through the Summer. Super double bonus!!!!

Are any of you trying out any new looks? Tis the Season!!!

Do or Don't? Rug Under the Dining Room Table.

 A few weeks ago, my husband and I had what I like to refer to as "RugGate 2013." I was convinced that we needed a rug under our dining room table, and he thought this was the worst idea ever; given that we have two young kids. My thoughts were, 1) our living room and dining room are one and the same, therefore we need two different rugs to clearly define the two spaces, 2) the wood table, with the wood chairs, with the hardwood, was way WAY to much wood, and 3) I couldn't think of a better way to add color and texture to such a small space. My husband of course had one, and only one argument... we have two small children. In the end, I traded two fabric ottomans that I had recently ordered (which he hated) for the rug, and agreed to put a small piece of a white sheet under Gray's area. To seal the deal I bought a bottle of Resolve carpet cleaner. Yesterday the rug came, and it is/was everything I thought it would be and more. My husband, who of course initially was against the idea, not only helped place the rug, but also didn't make a peep once it was down, meaning he liked it as much as I did. Sure, we can't keep it perfectly clean, but I am more than willing to trade a few minutes of my day cleaning the rug, for the ridiculous difference it makes in our entire living space. 

Behold, the winner of RugGate 2013.

Here is the before.

I mean... is it even a question how much better the room looks with the rug? I was joking that this home will always be known by two different time periods, Pre-Rug and Post-Rug. Everything Pre-Rug was dark and sad, and everything Post-Rug is happy and bright. 

Best decision ever. 

What do you all think? Especially those with kids (or adults who are messy eaters.) Would you have a rug under the kitchen table? Do you have one? Here are a few of the pictures that convinced me that it was a definite DO!

Oh, and this morning I bought this... just in case. 

P.S. The rug is a Souk from John Robshaw.