Scenes From Our Beach Vacation

I hope everyone had a fun weekend.  We got back from our vacation so it was back to reality for us!  I finally had time to download our beach vacation pictures.  Get ready for picture overload- this may be boring but I like to document our life on here:)

We went to Figure Eight for the week and it is such a pretty place.  So quiet and serene.  This was the view off our balcony.  Our house was on the sound and across the street from the beach.  This actually worked out perfect for the kids because they could play in this shallow water out back!  We sat out here most night for happy hour.

We ate some really incredible meals. 

Mahi Tacos at the Yacht Club | Lunch at Brasserie de Soliel | My dad's famous fried shrimp and homemade hush puppies.  

You may be thinking that is a lot of shrimp and it really is 6 lbs!!  The guys have a contest every year to see who can eat the most shrimp.  Every single piece got eaten!  My brother in law won this year.  Matt usually wins so he is now planning tactics for next year!

We spent plenty of time outdoors.

Several people on instagram asked about this cover-up.  The pattern I am wearing is old but it comes in 6 different patterns in this same style. I love mine!!  I am wearing a medium and it fits fine but the shoulder area is a bit loose.  All smalls were sold out when I ordered mine and I really wanted it.  I would say overall it runs true to size.

|| Indah Anjeli Maxi

 I actually really love this gray one.

 Frances Moon is wearing my favorite beach hat- I am kind of obsessed with Flamingos.  It is on sale now too. My nephew has the shark one and it is equally as cute.  We also have the matching towel.

Flamingo Beach Hat  and Flamingo Beach Towel

I also got several requests about my black bathing suit here.  It is old, but a great black one piece.  A great black suit is always worth investing in.  This one is basically the exact same one and it now comes in a bunch of different colors.

\\ Bandeau Tank One Piece

We did some shopping and thank you for all the recommendations.  We loved Ivy Cottage Consignment.  I found these awesome vintage glasses we put to good use.

We also hit up Lumnia Station, I loved Monkees there.  Port City Java had the most delicious apricot tea, try it if you go there!

Rag and Bone Nicole Tank (on sale) | Rag and Bone White Skinny Jeans | Daffodil Sandals (on major sale)

We played Cards Against Humanity almost every night.  Best game ever- except having to explain what some of the cards meant to my dad:)  Although we have never laughed so hard.

 Captured some adorable moments between Sterling and Frances Moon.

 And one of all the cousins.  Can't wait to meet our next cousin in August.  It definitely makes beach vacation crazy with so many kids but also so fun.  Love watching them grow up together.

  Big thank you to my parents for making this vacation happen every year!

 A few of our family.  Matt and Sterling both have a hard time smiling for the camera although Matt does it on purpose and it drives me crazy which of course is why he does it.

Came home to the cutest tank top ever that arrived in the mail.  I love the embroidered detail!! It is such a great tank and looks awesome with white jeans too.

\\ Embroderied Tank

Happy Monday.

Father's Day Gift Idea- Denim

Father's Day is a week away from Sunday so it is time to start thinking about gifts.  I think denim is a great idea.  My dad and Matt both are not shoppers at all, but they wear jeans all the time- don't most men?   It something they want but don't want to take the time to shop for.  My dad and Matt prefer the classic Levi jeans and actually I really like them too.  They are not too trendy and you can't beat the price of $58-$78!  Their favorite style is the Levi 511.

I included some in my round-up and a few other favorites for the men in your life.  I really think Nordstrom has quite the awesome selection of denim.  So many different choices and styles.

One\\ AG Graduate Jeans

Two \\ Levi 513 Slim Fit

Three \\ Levi 511

Four\\ Seven for all Mankind The Brett


Sometimes I like a different color or lighter wash.  This gives your man more options than the standard blue jean.  Really love the gray ones.
 

Five \\ AG Graduate Billow Blue
Six \\ JBrand Kane Fit
Seven || Hudson Byron Olive Jean
Eight \\ Joes Classic Straight Leg

 A few other favorites.  I really like the twill jeans, they are great for a dressier pair.

Nine \\ Joe's Braxton Twill Jeans

Ten \\ Citzens of Humanity Core Jeans

Eleven \\ Levi's 511 Mid Mod Wash

Twelve \\ JBrand Kane in Lunar Gray

and if you want chinos for your man, I love the look of these JBrand Chinos.  Such a great fit.

One other gift idea is the Sperry Top-Sider Boat shoes, they are on sale at Nordstrom right now too.  All the men in my life including Sterling have these boat shoes and love them!  They look great with jeans or chinos.  They come in 4 different colors too.

\\ Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoe

 Sperry also just came out with these flip-flops that I really like.  They are only $34 and would be a great less expensive Father's Day gift.  Perfect to toss on with jeans.  They also come in black.

\\ Sperry Flip Flops

Shop all these looks below!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom but all denim choices are my own- I really like all these jeans and would totally buy them for the men in my life:)

Favorite Beach Snacks + My New Swimsuit

First off, I had several questions about the dress I posed yesterday.  I am wearing a size 4 for those that asked about sizing.  It is a generous fitting dress so order your actual size or go down a size.  Yes you can wear a bra with it, I wore a strapless bra and it worked perfectly.

 

Happy Friday, I am not gonna lie, I am a bit sad as today marks our last day of vacation.  It has truly been a wonderful week with perfect weather and I loved spending so much time with my family.  These are memories that I hope my children hold dear like I do.  I will definitely share some pictures from our trip next week. Today I wanted to share some of our favorite snack foods from our beach week!

\\ SPROUT FRUIT AND VEGGIE CHEWS- the kids love these.  They are a mix of vegges, fruit and rice.  Super healthy but tasty.

\\ YUM-A-ROS- another kid favorite, they are dried banana, mango, and pineapple, they also come in other flavors.  Us adults loved them too.

\\ BEAR NAKED GRANOLA- Delish granola in milk, on yogurt or just for snacking

\\ SASS PINOT GRIGIO- a refreshing pinot even Ramona would love:)

\\ 479 WHITE CHEDDAR AND BLACK PEPPER POPCORN- seriously delicious popcorn

\\ COCO CAFE- This is a mix of coconut water, espresso, milk and vanilla, mocha, or chocolate.  You drink them cold and they are so good.

\\ CARRS CRACKERS- Love these thin crackers to serve with cheese

\\ TAPAS CHEESE SELECTION- all three of these cheese are so tasty and best part they are sliced in thin strips already for serving purposes.  So easy to just to place out with crackers. You can find this pack at Costco.

\\ PLUM CHUTNEY- This comes from Whole Foods and we served it with the goat cheese log for a killer appetizer

\\ GOAT CHEESE WITH HONEY- This goat cheese with honey is one of our favorites from Trader Joes

\\ FIG SPREAD- we also served this with the goat cheese and crackers

\\ KRAVE BEEF AND TURKEY JERKY- This beef jerky is truly the best beef jerky I have ever had. It is so tender and the flavors are awesome.

\\ DARK CHOCOLATE POWER BERRIES - the perfect sweet bite for a snack.

.......................................................................................

I have to share the most perfect swimsuit I found.  I have a hard time finding swimsuits I feel good in, that make me feel comfortable and confident.  After two kids I just don't feel awesome in a bathing suit anymore.   I still wear a bikini sometimes, but for the most part I just feel more comfortable in a one piece and its easier for dealing with kids.  When I tried on this bathing suit it was love at first sight. The pattern is so gorgeous and the cut out sides give it just the right amount of fun without being too much.  I am wearing a medium for those curious about sizing.  Added bonus it is reversible so you can wear it as a plain black suit too.  It is on major sale right now so get it while you can!

\\ Mara Hoffman One Piece

 It also comes in pink which I equally love.
Shop pink here.

This bathing suit has really made me fall in love with Mara Hoffman and her fun patterns.  A few other Mara Hoffman favorites and many are on sale! 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

NDM Styles : The Perfect Maxi Dress For Under $100

I just love a maxi dress in the Summer.  It is such an easy outfit to toss on.  One piece and you are dressed and ready to go.  I actually bought this maxi dress last Summer while I was pregnant because I needed something to fit my growing belly for a few events. I loved it pregnant and I actually love it just as much not pregnant.  I own it in two colors (navy + green) and have been wearing them non-stop. Best part the dress is under $100!  It is a dress you can toss on with flats for a casual look or easily dress up, it is very versatile.

Social Dress Shop is offering 10% off all the Pink Stitch Maxis with code Pink10.

Shop the Gray | Blue | Peach

Pink Stitch Maxi Dress | Coralee Necklace | Joie Sandals | Christina Jervery Bracelets | Gorjana Ring

I love the back detail too.  It really makes the dress stand out.  It has adjustable straps which is really nice.

The dress comes in about 15 different colors and they are all gorgeous. 

Shop other colors here

Loving my necklace from Coralee Boutique.

Bracelets Christina Jervey | Gorjana Ring

and of course my standard picture with my little man.

 For those curious this is the dress in the vine color and I am wearing it 7 months pregnant.  It has plenty of room to wear pregnant.

Green Resort Dress

The dress also just came out in a short version that is adorable.

Pink Stitch Resort Mini

Shop My Look Here and use code Pink10 at Social Dress Shop to get 10% off your dress!

Obsessions

 || Dolce Vita Valentina Dress ||

Simply the perfect white dress.  Also comes in navy. I love the lace details

|| Madewell Crisscross Sightseer Sandals ||

Love these Madewell Sandals and the price is awesome, only $60. They look like the perfect shade of brown/tan to go with everything!

|| Indah Flamingo Maxi Dress ||

I own a Indah maxi cover-up and it is one of favorites!  I love the pattern on this one!  The back detail is so pretty too.

 || Equipment Leopard Shorts ||

I am swooning over these leopard shorts, as in I need to order them! 

|| Equipment Logan Tee in Leopard ||

I also love the leopard tee that matches them.

 

|| Lady and Sons Round Bottom Stripe Dress ||

Quite possibly the perfect stripe tee dress.  Love this version too.

|| Mar Y Sol Beach Tote ||

Since I have been at the beach all week, I realized I need a cute new beach tote.  Loving this one, especially the cute pom-pom details.

|| Loft Multi Colored Straw Clutch ||

Normally I don't shop at the Loft often, but when I saw this clutch in a magazine I was shocked it was from LOFT and the price, its only $39.  Looks way more expensive.

|| AUSTRALIAN REEF BIB NECKLACE ||

Really digging this ombre statement necklace.  Would look so good with a simple white tee or maxi dress.

|| TORY BURCH BAJA DRESS ||

Loving the pattern and style of this TB tunic dress.  Great casual with flipflops or dressed up with heels.

Chopped BLT Salad

If you are looking for a ridiculously good salad, look no further.  This salad is really awesome.  It may possibly be my new favorite salad probably because it has all my favorite ingredients.   The combo of crisp bacon, creamy avocado, and tangy feta is really out of this world.  You can chop the ingredients ahead of time but I do recommend waiting to mix it all together til right before serving because the avocado will make the lettuce wilt.  The dressing is simple, so it doesn't over power all the fresh ingredients.  This is a perfect Summer salad!

Enjoy!

|| C H O P P E D   B L T  S A L A D ||

- Mixed greens, chopped

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half

- 4 ears corn

- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced

- 10 slices bacon crumbled

- 1 avocado diced

- feta cheese crumbled

- 2 limes 

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- salt and pepper

Wrap corn in foil and roast in oven at 350 degrees for about 20 mins just to slightly cook corn.  Let cool then cut off kernels.   Cook bacon and crumble.  Chop other ingredients and layer in bowl, then toss all together.  Whisk together lime juice, olive oil and salt and pepper.  Drizzle over salad.