Beach Reads & Guests to come..

Bags are packed and I'm excited to stock up my kindle before we hit the road -I'll be here a little while longer so please leave me any must-reads so I can download them before we leave....
I picked up the following so far...

I have never read a James Patterson book I didn't like, confession: they scare me a bit (especially the ones based in DC) so I tend to only read them during the summertime when its light out longer - haha

Recommended by Melissa , she said this one was a page -turner:)

I have read all of her books, and for anyone that likes to bake these are especially enjoyable.

Guests to Come!!

So thats it... Im officially "un-plugging" from the blog world for two weeks - so nuts I know. 

 I have two of the most amazing blog friends each with a post to share with all of you lovelies! Natasha of Hello Happiness and Julie of Julie Leah a life & style blog have so graciously agreed to share a bit with all of you! 

These Ladies are incredible and I can guarantee you will enjoy hearing from them both :)

Three P's

It feels like Christmas Eve... I cannot even remember the last time I was on vacay for 2 weeks!! Still lots to do before we leave...
1. Playgroup

It's fun to see how Ms. Peanut reacts to all the other babies, and its a nice way to get out and chat with other moms who are going through the same things
2. Pack

My bag(s), Ms. Peanuts suitcase - she averages 2-3 outfits per day, and even the pups bag, food, treats and toys. This is a big undertaking and stresses me out a bit but I have to tackle it head on today once all the laundry is done!

3. Pedi!!

My nails look like that of a homeless person. Between a zillion diaper changes, washing my hands a bajillion times a day and endless loads of laundry, a manicure would literally be flushing a wad of cash down the loo. But a pedicure, even if Ms Peanut wiggles and screams while I hold her on my lap, is a treat - funny how motherhood changes things. Iv'e got Nars Kutki on now but Im thinking of something a little more traditional and pink perhaps ...aaaahh I cannot wait.

On another, non "p" related note, Ms. Peanut and I dressed alike yesterday and It was pretty comical (excuse the crappy pic).

Happy Thursday!

What I'm Loving ...

Lots to love about this Wednesday.

1. That in 2 days I will on Vacay for 2 Weeks!! Beach time, Family time, fun in the Sun , and hopefully a few ice cream cones and slices of pizza thrown in the mix!

2. That one week from today we get to see Fireworks!! Im such a little kid about them and I honestly look forward to them every year:) Getting to sit on the beach and watch them over the ocean is the absolute best and we are taking Ms. Peanut this year which just adds to my excitement

3. The majorly cheap swimsuit I scored at Target yesterday, with my upper half a bit bigger than usual, thanks to nursing, I didn't want to fork over major dough for a suit I would only wear one season

4. That hubs found a bike/stroller rental (who knew) where we can rent a BOB stroller to jog with Ms. Peanut at the beach. She is just now fitting in her regular stroller but Bugaboo doesn't recommend jogging with it, I think the one wheel up front will make it super easy but Im nervous about her facing away from us!

5. That its not even 9 am and I have already made a batch of butterscotch brownies for a lunch/playdate with a girlfriend from JLW and her sweet daughter...the house smells AMAZING and I want to eat them now:)

What are you Loving this Wednesday???

Monday Again??

Can I tell you how lucky I feel that we get to spend so much time with family at our beach house?? Super Lucky.
We had a fabulous weekend - with absolutely incredible weather. Ms Peanut was an angel on the car trip down...

 pretty good on the beach both days - although she still prefers being carried than rolling in her stroller 

and despite a flat tire during a lighting storm on the way home last night, was excellent on the way back( she obviously had lots of entertainment!)

 
My sweet mother bought her this adorable bib (planning to start her on cereal soon - she's getting so big!) by 3 Marthas and now I want every product they make! 

If anyone knows of a way to become a professional baby clothes shopper drop me a line:)

How was your weekend??

Pucker Up!

Who doesn't love an ice cold glass of lemonade during the summertime?? It really isn't summertime without one:)

 A few recipes and some pretty inspiration for a "sour puss" in the best most possible way!

lemonade layer cake via

lemonade cake squares via

I am dying to make these jar cakes!! via

When all else fails, mix some lemonade, vodka and a bit of club soda throw in a garnish and kick back:)

Happy Friday!

Strawberry Shortcake

This is hands down the most ridiculously delicious strawberry shortcake I have ever had/made . One of my girlfriends came over for lunch today and I whipped (pun intended) this up for dessert and boy oh boy we were both impressed with my shortcak'n skills...

The Berries:
I used a carton (1 pound) of strawberries, hulled and sliced3 tablespoons of sugar
Mix together and let sit in the fridge for a while, overnight if you can

For the Cake:
Oven to 400 degrees
Mix these up:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• add 1 3/4 C Heavy Cream 
• 
  
• I smushed mine out into ungreased 8x8 glass dish but a cake pan (round for slices) or even a cupcake pan would work well. Bake for 16-18minutes until the edges barley start to brown, cool on racks & slice into big squares
• 
  
• Whip Cream :
• 
  
• 1 1/2 Cups chilled Heavy Cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla 
• 3 Tablespoons Sugar
• 
  
• Whip on high speed with mixer until peaks form
• 
  
• Some Assembly Required:
• 
  
• Split your cakes horizontally spoon strawberries and juice in between add whip and top with other cake half add more whip on top and strawberries, grab a big spoon sit back and enjoy... It will not disappoint :)

She looks different now, but this is how Ms. Shortcake looked in my day:)

Keeping it together

I guess it was inevitable, but the speed at which our tiny little home has been overtaken by brightly colored, sometimes flashing or loud baby toys is incredible. My Bestie described cleaning up after a little one like brushing your teeth while eating an Oreo - I couldn't agree more and Ms Peanut isn't even mobile yet!!
I'm trying to brainstorm some potential storage solutions that wont entirely sacrifice style. I have only found a few thus far

Traditional toy chest - it just may be too big for our space

Cute Idea, but in pinks obviously:) 

I have a love for all things "basket-y" and these from PB Kids are sweet

Love the scallops

Who wouldn't love a chevron print from Anthro??

If any of you savvy Mommy's out there have suggestions or even pictures of your own storage solutions help a lady out!! I would love to see them:)

Giveaway!!!

I am so excited to share this awesome giveaway with you all!

I had the pleasure of working with Melissa of Melissa Rose Design Studio for my recent blog re-vamp , and let me tell you she is amazing! I am blog - illiterate if you will and she made things super easy. She has recently expanded her shop from blog design into a full service graphic design shop offering birth announcements, wall art, blog art, and adorable customizable invitations. I am already thinking of some new nursery art:)

http://melissarosedesign.com

http://melissarosedesignstudio.blogspot.com

The Giveaway Deets:

Melissa is offering a $25.00 Shop Credit which can be used toward any services she offers, even blog design!! So hurry up and get your entry in now! You have until June 28th with a winner announced on Friday the 29th!! Good Luck:)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What a Week!

Hubs left Wednesday for his annual golf trip in Myrtle so Ms Peanut, The poodle and I all headed to my parents house for a few days....

PJ time with Nana:)

I really have an obsession with ruffle butt bubbles and I ordered this one for Ms. Peanut - Cannot wait to get her in it!

I also picked up some nursing friendly attire and obviously my obsession with all things blue and striped continues - I cannot stop myself!

Instead of a "First Fathers Day" onesie that Ms Peanut would wear once I ordered this one perfect for his  fathers day/golf trip return, plus she can wear it again...She was in her "Club Whites" and it was an adorable reunion at the airport! Hubs is so sweet on his baby girl it melts my heart! She was pretty squirmy so this is the best shot I could get.

We celebrated the dads back at my parents house where I made oreo pops and cookies and cream cupcakes - hubs fave- quite fitting since I craved oreos big time my whole pregnancy!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Busy day of errand running and appointments today. With the weather creeping to high 90's starting tomorrow we want to get organized for the week before we melt!!

A Big Fat One

Monogram that is...
Like any other girl I am obsessed with a pretty monogram. My girlfriends and I joke that if you could monogram (which I am sure you could) toilet paper I would do it. 
My love of monogramming includes baubles, bags, hats, pretty much everything, you name it I want it on there but in the interest of time I will stick to bedding.
 I ordered Ms. Peanuts crib bedding from New Arrivals soon after I found out I was having a girl and naturally picked a beautiful pink monogram to put on her crib bumpers... 

Soon after she was born I started to hear crazy new concerns over crib bumpers and I was called a bad parent "advised" to remove them (I seriously don't know how I am alive today, My mom jokes that she was determined to kill us based on all of today's restrictions) and I had to take them out. I read that some people will re purpose the bumper and turn it into a long toddler bed pillow but I am not there yet. Regardless her nursery is now void of a pretty monogram and I am planning to get a little pillow at least for her glider until I figure out what exactly I want to do with her bumpers, some doctors said you can put them back in at 6 months or so.
Here is some inspiration in the meantime....

Maybe a light pink Chevron and Hot Pink Monogram?

Any of you ladies have any monogrammed pillow recommendations? Sites? Etsy Shops? I would love to have them if so:)