{ How to Wear a Dress & a Kimono }

top left :  kimono // dress - top right: kimono // dress
bottom left : dress // kimono - bottom right: kimono // dress

my version : kimono // dress // hat // shoes // straw tote
Have a great weekend!

Mellie's Pregancy Style // Milkshop Special

My best friend is pregnant with twins :) and I wanted to put together a look for her that she can wear with her growing belly as well as after she delivers the little bebes. So this is for you Mellie! I think it is about time you give a fedora a chance, you are gorgeous and can pull it off. 

Just a little blurb on my bestie Melissa Brown, she is an infant sleep consultant and family care counselor. She is incredible at getting babies on a schedule where they are sleeping thru the night within the first 6-8 weeks which in turn keeps mom and dad from yawning so much thru-out the day. But seriously, she is an incredible person with an amazing heart and is a pro at what she does. For more information on Sleepshop click here. 

***I am offering a special! If you book a package with Sleepshop, you will get 2 free hours of E-styling from Milkshop. Love you Mellie!

4th of July Essentials

Finally the summer is officially here! Sorry to have not written in a while, my husband and I have been on vacation in Italy for the past 2 weeks.

Wow, we are excited to come home, especially since 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. What does your 4th normally look like? We are almost always by a pool or at the beach. I love being in and out of the water all day, sun kissed skin (hopefully!) and watching the kids run around so happy that they are able to play all day. Next comes a BBQ with friends and their families until its time to head to see the fireworks. Best part tho? Finally getting into bed!! Lol. 

This year I thought ahead and already got some of my ideas in order. I have always wanted to take pictures of our family, kids, friends etc. in front of a huge American flag, so i actually ordered one before we left! I also have some previously unworn (whoops!) tops and shorts that will work perfectly to show my patriotism. Lastly, I am hoping to get my husband a beeracuda from Burton, he thinks it is essential in helping him make some delicious burgers. We will see about that :)

The most important thing I would like to add to our holiday is to really make it a point to explain to our kids how blessed we are to live in a country where we are free. It is hard to not take it for granted since most of us do not know any different but we should always be thankful for those who gave their lives up so that all of us could live in this amazing country. God Bless the USA!

      

Beach Checklist

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I hope that everyone is doing something fun and relaxing this weekend. We are planning on sticking close to home but hoping to catch some rays come Sunday and Monday since the weather is a little BLAH right now.

I thought it would be fun to share my beach checklist with you :) I was laughing so hard while i was putting this collage together because I realized how insane it can get with the amount of cra... i mean stuff you end up schlepping when you take kids to the beach. I honestly cannot believe the things i will pack in order to enjoy just a few hours of some sun and sand. But hey, you gotta do it! 

I put together a check list below of items that I always take with me... (I actually really do have a beach checklist in my agenda as well as a Cali trip packing check list!) 





I always start with the kids. I make sure that they all head to the beach in their cover ups and swimsuits. I also bring an extra pair of clothes for them to change into once we get to the car to head home. I love the romper above, it's so easy to throw on! I also pack them rashguards in case the water is too cold and for extra sun protection. Of course, don't forget to slather them up with paraben free sunblock or you'll have very unhappy and cranky kiddies on your drive home.

I'm up next and it is pretty basic. I take a bag (that's small enough to throw into a larger bag) to carry my sunglasses, wallet, phone and my non-greasy sunblock (I cannot stand the greasiness or smell of sunblock! I even hate rubbing it onto people so i always get the spray). I throw on my bikini, a coverup and some easy on & off sandals.  A cute but practical swimsuit is key. It needs to keep my itty bitties tucked away while I'm running after one of my children who's about to get dragged out to sea while the other two are fighting over the only pink shovel i brought. Genius. 

The stuff above doesn't look like that much stuff right? Yeahhhh. I'm not done yet. Here's where the ridiculousness happens:

 
I have learned to give into the "dorky" items you swear you'll never buy. I promise I really am not that judgmental, I just like what I like, lol. After many trips back and forth to the car, grabbing toys, chairs, the cooler etc. I finally gave into getting the beach cart. This thing is amazing!!! I can throw everything in it, drag it thru the sand AND carry a child on my other arm. Wow. I am amazing. While this cart may make you the envy of all your friends, it it very pratical. Inside my beach cart I throw in our sports umbrella, my beach chair, my picnic cooler filled with food, snacks and drinks, and the kids sand toys. I also LOVE my Scout 4 Boys Bag because I can pack it nice and neat. I throw in all our beach towels, beach blanket, portable speaker, my beach bag and a portable potty. I have learned that nothing is more annoying than just getting unpacked, settling into your beach chair and having one of your kids have to use the bathroom. This is where the potty makes sense... you put it inside the sports umbrella that has the side flaps for a little privacy and let them go to town. 

ahhh, so that is pretty much it. After 3 kids, it's hard to imagine what it would be like to go to the beach by myself but back in the day this is what it looked like...


Beach tote with my towel, wallet, sunglasses, bottle of water, stack of magazines, portable speaker in it. A beach chair, my suit, coverup and hat. So easy!

Still, i would trade 1000 beach days by myself for one beautifully chaotic day with my family! I hope you feel the same :)