SEQUINS & SANDCASTLES

Monday, August 31, 2015

ALEXIS’ ONE YEAR PICTURES

Alexis turned one back in December, clearly this post is clearly long over due. We actually had to shoot her one year pictures twice. The first time was in December and she was just not having it so we decided to try again a few months later. We started the second session with her in tears so Dylan got to play model and have his picture taken to show her it wasn’t scary. I love this picture, he’s three but looks so grown up to me.

It was raining the afternoon of her pictures, but it cleared long enough to go outside for them to play and hopefully get some cute shots. Dylan was so sweet to her, trying to get her to play with him but she just wasn’t having it. Eventually they settled on picking up rocks. If you notice, most of the pictures have her holding a rock. Marnee and I got a laugh out of it because every session she has shot of my kids has at least one picture of Dylan with a rock in his hand.

While they aren’t what I had envisioned when thinking about her one year pictures – tutu and cake, oh my! They do very accurately represent her at one and I love that even more!

Thank you Marnee for capturing our baby girl throughout her first year! We love all of the pictures and couldn’t have asked for a better photographer or experience. If you are looking for a photographer, I cannot say enough good things about Marnee and would recommend her to anyone!

All photos were taken by Marnee at Marriott Photography.

This post is not sponsored and we have not been compensated. All opinions are my own. You can see Alexis’ six month photos here and nine month photos here.

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Friday, August 28, 2015

HONESTLY GOOD

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase from the site, I will earn a small commission from the sale.

When Alexis was a baby, I ordered a sample pack from The Honest Company. After trying and liking their products, I subscribed. We loved the diapers (hello, cute prints – duh) and wipes. With each subscription, I tried new products and liked them as well, but today what I wanted to talk about is their organic healing balm. This stuff does not get the credit it deserves!

I will spare you before and after photos, but one night I decided to try it on my very dry feet before I went to bed. I didn’t do anything special; I put it on my feet, put some socks on and went to bed. The next morning, my feet were the softest they have ever been! No kidding, better than post pedicure soft – after one use!

I’ve been hooked on this product ever since. If you haven’t tried the healing balm or haven’t tried it on your feet, try it to tonight! You can thank me later.

The Honest Company is no longer exclusively sold online. I’ve seen it at both Target and BuyBuyBaby.

If you try this, I would love to hear how you like it!

This post is not sponsored by The Honest Company. All opinions are my own.

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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

END OF SUMMER SHOPPING: PEEK SALE

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase from the site, I will earn a small commission from the sale. This does not cost you extra. I appreciate your support of this blog.

With the exception of “Where’d they get the red hair?” The question I am most often asked is where I shop for the kids, especially for Lex. You may have noticed one of my favorite stores for the kids is Peek. They have some of the most unique styles and always have my favorite tees for both Dylan and Lex. What you may not know, is my favorite time to shop Peek is when they have a sale! The end of summer sale is the perfect time to stock up on some sure to be favorites for next year. Here are a few of my favorite Peek sale items, many of which we already own.

For the girls…

Floral Romper – Bubble rompers are my favorite (okay, so are dresses, and shorts & tee’s) on Lex and we are quickly outgrowing them. I was pleasantly surprised to find Lex fit into this romper for the 4th of July. Even though it was chilly, we paired it with a sweatshirt and sandals and it was so stinking cute. I know it won’t fit next summer so we will wear it as far into the fall as we can. (Romper is now sold out online, check local stores)

Land That I Love Tee – I love this tee paired with these shorts. We have both and it is the cutest outfit. I will be sad when she outgrows this one. It also comes in bigger sizes, tee here and similar shorts here.

Stella Tank – This tank (sold out online, check local stores) and the pink shorts make for a REALLY cute outfit. It’s so versatile you can pair it with almost anything and have a stinking cute shirt for any outfit. This tank comes in bigger sizes too, you can find it here.

Seaside Shorts – I’ve had my eye on these shorts since they came out in the spring and now that they are on sale, picked up a pair. Peek shorts tend to run a little big, so I am hopeful these may still work for us next spring too!

For the boys…

Surfers Have More Fun Tee – Peek spring and summer tees are my favorite. This tee would for sure become a fast favorite in our house. Baby tee found here.

Colorblock Board Shorts – I have been eyeing these all summer long. I just love them but since Dylan is so thin have passed them up thinking he would be too small, these are a definite maybe for next year.

Surf USA Sweatshirt – I love the ripped neckline of this sweatshirt. It already looks so broken in and cozy. Perfect for cool summer nights or fall nights when you are still dreaming of summer.

Locals Only Tee – Dylan has this tee and wore it a couple of weeks ago in California. I absolutely loved it with shorts, a hat and flip flops. Baby tee found here.

I hope you enjoy the last bit of summer. I can’t believe August is already almost over!

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Monday, August 24, 2015

I’M BACK

Hi Friends! After a much longer than expected hiatus, I’m back.

I didn’t really plan to take such a long break from blogging. It just kind of happened. Writing this blog and everything that goes into it is something I really enjoy doing and will be doing more of going forward. You can expect to see much more regular posts starting next week.

But for today, I wanted to share a couple of pictures of the kids enjoying the pool. This is how we have been spending our summer weekends. Both kids love swimming in the pool. As soon as it’s mentioned, Alexis goes into her room gets her suit and brings it back for you to help her get dressed. You have to be ready to go when you mention swimming around that girl! Like mother like daughter, she is my little mermaid, she loves to swim. She has no fear of the water, jumping in, going under, splashing around, she loves it all. It’s very nice that she also loves her puddle jumper!

Dylan also loves the water, floating around is his jam although has been experimenting with goggles and going under water more. He also loves to splash and play with squirt guns, so if you see him, watch out, you will probably end up wet. I think by next summer we will have two little fish around here. I’m thinking swimming lessons for two will be on our agenda this fall and winter.

I hope you have had a wonderful summer!

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Sunday, March 15, 2015

ALEXIS’ BEDROOM INSPIRATION

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase from the site, I will earn a small commission from the sale.

Alexis is fifteen months old and her bedroom is still a blank slate; beige walls, white furniture, tan chair. The only indication that it’s a little girls’ room is the pink sheet in the crib.

I know exactly what I want her room to look like but can’t execute it because we have plans to move in the not so distant future and what I want to do is not at all re-sale friendly. Regardless of whether we sell our current home tomorrow, in six months or another year and a half; her room is in dire need of some personality.

I have found plenty of options for things I like for her room, but because it isn’t what I have had my heart set on, I haven’t been able to commit to something. I have tried to go with things that would work if she was still in a crib when we moved and I’ve entertained going completely different and just starting over in the new house, but that didn’t work either. I know I need to do something to give her space a little personality and make it special for her. This is where we are going to start:

Quilt, Sheet, Book Caddy, Mirror, Art

While this is totally different than what I ultimately want her room to look like in our next home. I love it for her and think it fits her perfectly. I picked up a wood and aqua frame for Alexis when we were in Maui and it matches perfectly with the quilt and book rack. There is a wall in her room with nothing on it except her rocking chair, I am doing a gallery wall and while looking for prints to mix in with photos, found this adorable abstract print on Minted. I love how the colors tie in; the mustard yellow, corals and pinks, but isn’t themed to the quilt. I can’t wait to see it come together and give her a space of her own, it’s long over due.

Be sure to check out Minted’s Spring Event where all baby and kids products and wall art is currently 15% off site wide!

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