Honor

Those that have and are serving our country. Thank you! 

Jump right in (to summer)

While Mother Nature is not cooperating, a bad day down the shore is still better then a good day at work!  My day off has been relaxing. I'm looking forward to everyone else getting here tonight.

You can find me where the music meets the ocean

If you get the notion, stop on by and play a while

A simple tune to get your love light glowing

Get your heart wide open disappear just like the tide 

Let it roll on by 

You can jump right in

Let the music pull you in

This song by Zac Brown Band may be my summer theme song. Listen, I think you will like it too!

What's in my bag?

This weekend officially kicks off beach season and I could not be happier!  I am torn on which of fun totes I like better.   Both of these are Juicy Couture (which surprised me a bit) but I love the sparkly detail on the bottom and the long straps.  Which one would you pick?

or

The bag is the hard part.  What goes inside is easy.  I don't even unpack the bag from one weekend to the next.

tunes via my iPod & beats headphones

fluffy towel

good sun glasses

Nook - for my latest book read

latest US Weekly - for when I just want to look at the pics

lip protection - I like SPF 30 or higher which is hard to find and this smells so yummy

Sunscreen - Banana Boat Dry Oil is my favorite

Sun Bum cool down lotion - great for after a long day in the sun

I recently discovered {Sun Bum} at Nordstrom's.  Not only does it smell amazing, the lip protection goes on so smooth.  They have an entire line of Sun Block too.  I haven't tried it yet, which is why its not "in my bag"  I was excited to see the local surf shop down the shore carries the brand also.

A mess can be beautiful

So it was a good weekend but I did not take very many pics.  I went to the shore on Saturday for Pirate Day with the nephew and on Sunday went to a bday party for my cousin's 21st.  (it's not every day that you do a shot with your 93 yr old Gpop).

I love taking pics with my iPhone and when I find a new app - all the better.  Today I came across A Beautiful Mess, it lets you add text, doodles and fun borders to your pics.   Read about the app {here}.  Oh and in case you don't click the link, this app was created by bloggers!  If you follow me on {instagram) you will be seeing some extras on my pics from now on.

 Image via {abeautifulmess.com}

Keeping it Real

I am not sure when I really started following the different blogs I read.  Some have been years and others more recent.  But I feel like I know the girls behind the blogs.  Even though I have never met any of them, the glimpse into their lives, their likes and their work make me feel like we are friends.

And nothing builds a relationship more then when a friend shares a struggle or something very personal.  Everyone is going through something, some worse then others - but to each person their stubble is their own.  It's all they know.

This week {Danielle} and {Erin} both shared some of their struggles.  I can relate to both ladies.  And while my circle of non-blog friends share some of these with me and we can talk about them.  It's nice to know that there are others out there going through the same thing.

Lately my work/life balance has been off.  Traveling 3-4 days a week doesn't make it any easier.  By the time I get home from a trip, I don't really want to do much.  There are the things I need to do - laundry, food shop and see my family.  Outside of that sometimes I don't feel like doing anything.  I do miss having someone to just rent a movie with on the weekends when I didn't feel like doing anything.  It's like at least if someone else is here, I made some sort of effort.  I don't mind being alone but I am along all week while I travel.  There are some nights I have dinner with a co-worker, but most of the time I am on my own.  The travel also makes it complicated to meet people.  And hitting up happy hour with a work crew isn't an option either.  I like my job, I do, but like every job it has it's challenges.

I am headed down the shore tomorrow.  Just for the day and overnight.  But I couldn't be more excited. Everything is better at the beach I feel.  This is the start of going every weekend or as many as I can anyway.  I am looking forward to the summer and hoping it will help with the work/life balance.

I love my Mom a Brunch

Last year my sister and  I hosted a Mother's Day brunch at my house for our Mom, Grandmom and sister.  It was a big success and the Moms had a great day.  Since the twin couldn't be here this year I cut back on the food a bit.  There was still plenty and it was delicious if I do say so myself.

We had MOM-oasas!

Strawberry shortcake (Mom's fav), tortillini salad, shrimp, fresh fruit and bacon.  Missing from the picture a breakfast casserole that is a family favorite as well.

I had old pics of my dad and his brother with my Grandmom's card.  His brother passed away several years ago.  Seeing these photos made my Gmom smile!

I did the same thing for my mom.  I didn't have a ton of old pictures of my sisters and I so I was lucky to come up with what I did.  These were a last minute idea.  Next year I will plan better to incorporate photos.

And my adorable nephew for my little sister.  She hates when we call her that.  Haha.  It's crazy how much he has grown in the last 2 years.  

And this is my Mom's mom, my Grandmom King.  She passed away more then 20 years ago, and I con't believe it has been that long. I am the little baby in her arms.  I love the "Jackie O" look she has going on with those sunnies.  The Irish Blessing was hand written by her.

All in all it was a great day.  I hope the Moms really enjoyed it.  I know I did. Planning a party or get together takes me to my happy place.  For me it's the details are what makes the day or the event special.  And I hope it shows. 

What did you do for your Mom?

Mom

None of us would be where we are without her...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

image via {here}

Uniform?

I am my most comfortable in jeans, a tee and flip flops.  I own more white tees then any one girl should.  In my defense they are all different.  Color is definitely lacking in my closet overall but I am working on that.  Honest.  While the weather hasn't been very cooperative around here I am hopeful that full on warm weather is right around the corner dressed as the month of May.  I don't think I pull off the look as well as these ladies...but it's "me" none the less.

           

   

What's your go to outfit?