Black and Gold

One of the best things about Summer is the ease of throwing on a maxi dress and sandals..Can I get an amen?

Here's my OOTD featuring my favorite back maxi. (I think I've worn it twice in the last 6 days.)  Throw on a pair of gold hoop earrings and all the bangles you got and you're good to go.

Black and Gold by jenhts featuring gold jewelry

Apparently great minds think alike because my girl Shasta just posted a similar look here.

Happy Friday friends!

A sweet Niece

Did y'all know I'm going to be an aunt to an amazing niece??

My sister hosted a little gender reveal party at her house and it was so much fun.

I voted girl from the very beginning!!

 Maddox opened a sea of PINK balloons and I think everyone there was completely thrilled!

Hank was ecstatic!

I can't wait for her to get here..I love her so much already.

Five on Friday

1. Pancake Picnics

Carsyn's favorite food right now is pancakes.  Girl cannot get enough.  The other night she insisted on a pancake picnic in the floor at 10:30.  I obliged.  Of course, she has to have a pretty cup to drink out of.

2. Swimming pools, movie stars

I don't get in the pool with kids as often as I'd like because 2 kids that can't swim stress me out! Maddox came up to swim last week and we had a nice time frolicking.  C owns that chair, don't you think?  She's in her movie star phase right now and likes to act like a diva and proclaim "look, I'm a star". Lord. Help. Me.

3. Nautical

Every where I look I see anchors these days.  When Lilly released their summer line I was swooning over this dress.

Source: lillypulitzer.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Since Hank's first birthday is a pool party with an anchor theme I knew it would be perfect...Until my sister sold me on this:

Source: lillypulitzer.com via Lilly Pulitzer on Pinterest

I decided the Farrah jumpsuit would be the way to go....Until I tried it on and rocked a mild camel toe.  When I sized up my chicken legs got lost in it.  So, I left with the Amada.  Boohiss, I need to shrink an inch.

4.  100 Miles

If you follow me on Instagram you are likely annoyed with all of my running posts. Sorry.  I started June with a goal of 100 miles in 30 days.  Don't think its going to happen.  But I am trying to finish 100 miles in the month of June.  Fingers crossed.

5.  Book Recs

I'd love to know some good beach reads..Any suggestions?
Here's some from Coastal Living Mag-

Has anyone read these?

the Very Best Stuff

Vacation Bible School was last week.  Boy was it exciting! And exhausting! Words cannot express how awesome all of the volunteers and parents were.  Seriously amazing.  Rosie and W took turns keeping Hank at home and bringing him a few nights.  I can't believe next year he'll be in a class!

 The pastor had chosen the acronym Very Best Stuff for VBS and I found it so fitting.  I vividly remember VBS being one of the highlights of my summer when I was little.

Carsyn loved every single minute of it.

Her favorite part was the wiggle dance!

I think her next favorite part was seeing Kyria!

She made friends with a girl in her class, Jimma. Aren't they precious?

She told everyone her favorite time was classroom time.  She enjoyed all of the stories, especially the one about King David.

She made crafts everyday for Daddy and Hanky boo.

On the last day they had a carnival with bouncy houses, cotton candy, & face painting. She loved every minute of it.

Thanks to everyone who made this possible!

A Father's Love

As a self proclaimed daddy's girl I can say there is nothing like the love one receives from their daddy.

We were lucky enough to spend Father's Day with my husband's dad and grandfather and I know there is nowhere else W would have wanted to be.  Their love for one another is the sweetest thing.

 

Love you Papaw Leon and Papaw Marv!

dear pops

Dear Pops,

We think you're the most awesome grandpa! Its evident mom thinks you're the greatest thing since sliced bread and we'd have to agree.

You never lose patience with us.  You never utter the words "I'm too busy" or "I can't right now."

You take work breaks to bring us pizzas and french fries.

You're so mighty and tall with one small swoop you can make our heads bounce off the ceiling.  Its quite fun.

Its pretty neat that one of us inherited your strawberry curls and the other your long legs (wonder if you can figure out which one is which-hee hee).

You always sing songs to us..that must be where mommy got her angel voice from...(why does that make daddy snicker?)

You taught us one of our very favorite games "yellow jacket, yellow jacket."

You give us back rubs and foot massages.

Anyway pops, we love you so much! To the moon and back just like big nutbrown hare!

Happy Father's Day to our wonderful Grandfather!

Love,

Carsyn & Hank

Five On Friday

I'm linking up with the good life blog today for Five on Friday!

1.) Summer

We went to a little family BBQ Tuesday evening and it made me really ready for summer.  My mood is sadly dictated by the weather.  I'm ready for sunshine.  I'm ready for summer.  Beaches, swimming pools, lightning bugs, cookouts, lemonade, bikinis..(albeit only in the privacy of my backyard), maxi dresses, flip flops, Bob Marley.   I could go on.  I want to slow down this summer- Not be in a rush, or worried about grass stains or ticks or bug bites.  I think we're off to a good start,

2.)  Scandal
Does anyone watch cable TV anymore?  I'm addicted to Netflix and Hulu and the simplicity of watching an entire season in a week.  I'm currently enthralled by Scandal, thanks to Erin.  Its a great show and I can't wait to see what happens next.  What do I need to watch next?

3.) Lululemon
It took a while but I'm now an official Lulu addict.  After visiting their store in Cincinnati I'm even more smitten.  I don't care that I look like a walking neon sign...or a flying purple people eater.  I'm fierce in my Lulu.  Don't mess with me.

4.)   Keith Richards
I've watched this YouTube way too many times since seeing them talk about it on TV.  I think its from 2006 but it just proves Keith Richards is the MAN.  Don't mess with Keith.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KyK0y02HvVc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

5.)  Swim Lessons
I am now on my second year of trying to find someone to give Carsyn swim lessons.  Is this impossible?  Do you know anyone who can do this for me?