Friday Focus- Pool Gear

Happy Friday!  Both kids absolutely love being in the water.  I've had bad luck with getting a pool float for Benton.  I ordered one from Amazon but they stopped the shipment and refunded me because it got damaged. I reordered it and the one I received is defective so I'll have to return that one too.  I'm now searching for a different one for him.  I'll just have to hold him in the pool until then.  I've rounded up some pool (or beach) gear that I've already purchased for us that we love and a few others that I'd love get!  We have a beach trip coming up next month that I need to get a few other items for too but I'll save that for a later post.

Flamingo Float

I purchased this Sunnylife flamingo float for Mary-Grace from here and she loves it.  Benton loves it too... he wouldn't get out of it!

Suncreen

You may already have a sunscreen that you love but I like this Babyganics sunscreen that I've used a couple of times now.  I used Aveeno Baby last year and liked that brand too.  

Tote Bag

I first saw this tote on Instagram that another blogger was raving about.  I haven't purchased it yet because it's currently sold out but I plan to once it's back in stock.  The tote is waterproof, stands up on its own, has zipped bags that you can insert into the holes on the bag to hold your keys, phone, sunscreen, etc.  Now I just have to decide which color to get!

Cooler

I have this cooler.  It's large enough to hold a couple of drinks and food storage containers which is enough just me for and kids.  For the whole family a larger one may be necessary.  I also love the under $15 price! 

Drinkware

Of course a large bottle of cold water (or drink of your choice) is necessary!  We have a couple of Camelbak bottles which I like but they sweat.  These are the luxury of bottles.  It might be worth the price tag if it gets used frequently!

Beach Towels
I love the print on this Vera Bradley beach towel. I've seen that the Dock and Bay towels are becoming popular and have great reviews.

Also, these towel clips are so cute!

Some other things I always carry with me when going to the pool are snacks, a hairbrush and tangle spray to brush knots out after swimming, of course baby wipes and dry diapers, sunglasses and/or a hat, goggles for Mary-Grace, and a change of clothes.  What are your pool day essentials?

Recipe- Josh's favorite pasta salad and thoughts on grocery shopping

I've been just doing mom duties today... making meals, changing diapers, playing games, went on a fun outing, washing clothes, etc.  I also gathered meal ideas and put in our grocery order for the rest of the week.  We mostly shop at Harris Teeter and use their express lane.  Is there a Harris Teeter near where you live?  Using an express lane at a grocery store makes shopping so much easier, especially with two little ones... although they do love the race car shopping cart! Have you tried Shipt or another similar service?  It sounds great but I'm kind of weird about someone I don't know delivering groceries to my house.  I also have thought "how long would the groceries sit in their car, did they check for sell by dates and quality, did they find the best prices, etc"? I'm sure other customers can leave reviews about their purchaser but I still feel a little weird about the idea.  Maybe I'll change my mind at some point!

Anyhow,  for today's recipe I wanted to post Josh's favorite pasta salad; deviled egg.  We love having pasta salad as a side dish to hot dogs, sandwiches, and burgers.  We were getting tired of the usual Italian style so I went to look for something new to try.  I came across this recipe on Pinterest and decided to give it a go and now Josh requests it every time I mention pasta salad! I use a little less mayo because I'm not a fan, and I leave out the eggs because Josh isn't a fan.  I also add a little more of the seasonings.  I've attached the link for the recipe at the bottom for you!

Recipe and Photo via here

Home Inspiration- Blue and White

When we first moved into our townhouse all the way back in 2009, most of our decor was navy and white (and brown).  I've admittedly made some not so great decor choices since then while figuring out my style and what works for us.  I've always had several traditional pieces but also went very modern for a short stretch back when ikat, pink, and lucite were all the rage.  Traditional is what I mostly tend to gravitate towards though with a hint of coastal and modern.  Like clothing styles, interior decor style changes and evolves.  I've been happy seeing blue chinoiserie, ginger jars, and navy becoming popular over the past couple of years.  I have several blue porcelin chinoiserie pieces that I have inherited or bought that I have shared in the first photo below.  I've recently seen some very inspiring rooms featuring these pieces and shades of blue.

All photos via Pinterest

Benton's First Birthday Party

We celebrated Benton's first birthday by having a small party at our house on March 3rd.  His actual birthday was February 28th.  I'm really late with this posting but better late than never, I guess!

I love love love planning parties and celebrations.  I could browse Etsy and party stores all day.  Even though at times I got a little worried with the planning (like when Benton got a fever a few days before the party and two of the books for decor I ordered weren't shipped), I really enjoy it.  I decided on Winnie the Pooh as the theme for the party after he dressed up as Winnie the Pooh for Halloween. Below, I've shared some photos of the party.  I shared more on Instagram if you want to check out those.  We tried to keep the prep for it on the actual party day pretty simple.  We bought the cupcakes and got the free smash cake from Harris Teeter, ordered carry-out pizzas from Dominos, and we had sweet tea and lemonade to drink.  We set up the table the night before.  Josh had to run out the morning of for the balloons and to pick up the pizza though. For gifts, we gave the adults a bottle of honey, and the kids got the little baskets with some Teddy Grahams,  fruit snacks, a little clay pot, and I meant to put stickers in it but forgot, oops!

The party was a lot of fun though and was a special day for us.  We're thankful our loved ones could join us to celebrate our sweet boy.  Benton devoured his smash cake and the other little ones loved the cupcakes.  The kids mostly played in the little play "room" we have set up in our basement.  It was a little chilly for them to play outside that day.

I can't believe Benton is now one (well now he's actually 13 months!).

I've sourced the info at the bottom for all of the decor.  Now, I can't wait to plan Mary-Grace's next party!  But, that's a few months away.

Gift baskets: Target
Banner: Etsy
Vintage Winnie the Pooh Book: Thriftbooks.com
Letter B: Michaels
Clay Pots: Dollar Tree
Cake Stands: Home Goods (we already had these)
Tree stand block: AC Moore
Ribbon: AC Moore
Pitcher and Beverage Dispenser: Bed Bath and Beyond
Winnie the Pooh Print and Invitations: Etsy
High Chair: FB Marketplace find
Benton's birthday party hat: Etsy
Wood Boxes: Tuesday Morning and Michaels
Table Runner: Amazon
Bees: AC Moore

Friday Focus- Earrings

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week here.   Mary-Grace and I went to a fun kids museum with friends on Monday, she had gymnastics on Tuesday, and we've ran a ton of errands (which never seem to subside).  Mary-Grace is spending today and tomorrow with grandparents so it's just Benton and I during the day.  I've had a little extra time though to surf the net and I've found the prettiest and fun earrings I wanted to share in a quick post!  Which are your favorites?

Tear Dropped: here | Disco: here | Flower Studs: here | Hoops: here | Flower Drops: here | White Ball Drop: here 

Home Inspiration- Small Storage Solutions

I'm always looking for ways to organize my home.  It's especially hard to find great storage for the smaller items.  Organizing better is also a goal for me this year.  I've searched and read reviews (plus mine own) for some great small storage solutions!  Check them out below.

Pink Basket: here | Flat Seagrass Basket: here | Plastic Bins: here | Dresser storage cubes: here | Lidded cubes: here | Wicker Basket: here | Pantry Containers: here | Rolling clothing storage: here | Glass Jewelry Box: here | Food Storage: here | Office Boxes: here | Suitcase Cubes: here

Recipe- Easy Chili

One of our favorite meals when it's chilly outside is Chili. Chili for when it's chili... It's so easy to make and will leave us with plenty of leftovers.  We use Josh's dads recipe and of course add toppings like sour cream, sprinkle of cheese, chives, and a side of cornbread or corn chips.  Josh recently gave the recipe to a friend who entered it into a chili cook-off and won!

RECIPE:

2- 14.5 oz cans of kidney beans (dark or reg), drained

1 large can of pork-n-beans

3 or 4- 14.5 oz cans of chili beans (mild, medium, or hot)

1- 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained

1- 8 oz can of tomato sauce

1 packet of chili seasoning

1/4 cup of pickle juice (we usually use sweet gherkins)

Combine all the above in a large pot and simmer for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally.