Surf and Sun

We had such a great vacation!  Warm sun, ocean breezes, playing in the sand and swimming in the pool.  Kids had a blast and husby and I loved the break from everyday routines.  Unplugging and unwinding-spending time together=LOVE!!

I don't know what it is about vacations but the minute we get home I'm already looking to plan the next one.

Packing Up

Well our spring break came to an end this weekend and we are back to the every day realities of being home.   I feel as though we waited for so long for our much needed break and it was over in a flash.  We had so much fun soaking up the sun and warm weather.  Lotsa beach time and hours in the pool.  Preparing for a family vaca takes some thought and I want to share how I pack up a family of 6 for an 8 day vacation.  We have taken so many trips over the years that I feel I have become somewhat of a packing-pro.  We don't necessarily pack light but it's extremely organized.

  

I have discovered especially being a mother to 3 sons that it is important to pack outfits for the boys and separate them into clear gallon sized zipper bags.  That way in the morning when they are getting dressed they can reach into the suitcase and pull out a bag that contains the clothes for the day-shirt, shorts, socks and underwear.  This keeps them from digging around in the suitcase and enables them to get ready themselves.  

My oldest son is going off to sleep away camp this summer for a week and I plan to pack him this way so he knows exactly what to wear.  I'm not sayin' that all boys have a difficult time finding clothes to wear but mine do:)

Outfits for the week.

I limit the kids to one large suitcase which stays under the 50lb limit and one carry-on.  Husby and I fit our things in one additional large suitcase.  

I keep in mind as I'm packing:

1. We never need as much as I think we will-pack mostly necessities.

2. We will purchase things on our trip that we'll have to have room for on the return.

3. We can always hit the store in case we forget something.

Extras I don't like to leave home without:

swimsuits

sunglasses

sunscreens

a great beach bag 

goggles for the kids

white noise machine

comfortable shoes

wipes

a good book

snacks and activities for the plane found here.

Hope this helps when you find yourself packing up the fam on your next trip.  I am already dreaming and planning for our next family vacation!  Planning to share some vacation photos in a later post!

Happy Monday!  

Sunscreens

It's so important to have great sunscreens.  I am super fair and I don't like to leave the house without it especially when we hit the beach and pool.  Spring break is here and summer is right around the corner so I must be armed with the best sun protection.  The sun can do some major damage even though it feels so nice to soak it all in after such a long winter.  When our family hits the beach and pool we slather on the protection before we head out. Here are some of my faves. 

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Always have one of these in your bag this summer-sun protection at its best.

Neutrogena SPF 15 & Above · Mustela SPF 15 & Above · philosophy SPF 15 & Above

A-Tisket, A-Tasket...Easter Baskets

Colored eggs, jelly beans, and bunnies oh my!  Easter is just a few days away and we can't pass up making these delicious treats for this springtime occasion.  We used Easter M&M's because the kids just love 'em but you can use any kind of candy egg you choose-jelly beans would be perfect too! 

Hipity Hop!

Use this Tastiest White Cake Recipe for your cupcakes and then simply use green frosting and fill in your grass.

Add your eggs and top with a pipe cleaner for the basket handle.  I used this stiff twisted rope because I didn't have the pipe cleaners and this seemed to do the job.  Whatever works!:)

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!  

Vacation Favorites

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Well just a couple more days til we leave for spring break!!!  It's been such a long winter I can't wait fora bit of fun and sun.  I try to pack basic pieces for myself and then accessorize with pops of color. It enables mixing and matching and less to bring in the big ole suitcase. Packing for a family of six can be a long process but when we're headed to the beach we don't need to bring much.  Swimsuits and sunscreen are at the top of my list!   Not only do I pack the bags for the fam but I must remember the entertainment for the trip itself. That's the fun of traveling with kids:) Check out these tips for traveling with kids.

Here are some more great versatile mom picks for vacation fashion:

J.Crew Flats · J.Crew Hats · J.Crew Shorts

In House Favorite

Our family always loves Mexican food whether we are out at a restaurant or right here in our own house.  When the kids were babies we would spoon feed them guacamole and they LOVED every bite.  So funny that our number one baby food of choice was guacamole.  Avocados are full of antioxidants and fiber and unsaturated heart healthy fats.

This classic recipe is so yum I have to pass on the pure guacamole love.

Simple Guacamole 

2 ripe avocados peeled and pits removed 

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 jalapeno pepper diced with seeds removed

1 clove of garlic finely diced/pressed

1/2 cup of freshly diced tomatoes

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped

juice from 1 lime

add salt and pepper to taste

In a medium mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mash together using fork.  Place the avocado pits in the finished guacamole-this will help to keep it fresh longer.  Serve with your favorite corn chips, quesadillas, tacos or any favorite Mexican dishes. 

Looking forward to the summer months when we make this more often than not and my husby cracks open a Corona with a lime and I make an icy margarita-Yippee!  Hope you enjoy as much as we do!

Our little Jack years ago loving his very own bowl.

Giving It Up

So I'm going to admit that I was an addict.  Hooked on diet coke for years and years!  Wake up in the morning and crack open a can and then have several more that day.  I was never a coffee drinker except for an occasional latte from Starbucks.  DC has always been my beverage of choice but I've cut it out of my life!  On Ash Wednesday I was working out at the gym and was thinking about what I could give up for Lent- I made the decision in that moment, my diet coke habit was done.  I've felt great the last couple of months and can't believe that I've lasted this long without the constant caffeine.  I've been drinking a lot more water and green iced tea and I'm now trying to spruce them up a bit.  These jazzed up ice cubes make drinking water a bit more fun and flavorful.  I like to add them to sparkling Pellegrino as well to get my fizzy soda fix.  I'm thinking about a warm summer night with these in my wine spritzer!  If you like these fruity cubes, check out this great detox water recipe as well.  

I chose blueberries, raspberries and mint because that's what I had in the fridge but you could use all sorts of fun things to jazz up your cubes.  Lemon and lime slices and cranberries or pomegranates would be great as well.

Enjoy your glass of water a little more with these!

Spring Forward Birch Box

The weather here has been so dreary!  Today is all rain and I keep saying to the kids, "April Showers Bring May Flowers!"  I really am hoping we have flowers in May!  Although most days it is still feeling like winter around here I have been loving the fresh spring products from my March Birchbox and I wanted to share them with you.  It was a great box!  I loved everything including the Cherry Blossom perfume and I'm not normally a floral scent perfume liker:)

Lotsa fun stuff!  I love the full-size Stila Lip Glaze.  I adore the twist dial and built in brush applicator makes it super easy to apply.

Another favorite is the Jergens BB Body Perfecting Cream.  It's a lightly tinted moisturizer that's thick but not greasy and leaves the skin super soft.  I want to go out and get the full size of this one for sure!

The Supergoop is a sunscreen and anti-aging serum.  It is a hydrating mosituizer that acts as a perfect primer under your everyday make-up.

The Air Repair Rescue Balm repairs dry and cracked skin on cuticles, hands, elbows, knees. Perfect for  hydrating all of the post winter areas that need some extra attention.

Cherie Blossom by Harvey Prince is an airy spring scent with a touch of musk that I like.  It's youthful and light and perfect for the warmer months ahead.

Click below for more information on these great March Birch Box products.

Stila Lip Gloss · Supergoop! Skin Care · DERMSTORE Eye Care