Summer to do List

Today is my first day of summer vacation and my first summer of being able to stay at home with Miss E. Our month of June will busy with my family visiting and then us traveling home for the 4th of July where we will visit family, and also get to meet my best friends baby boy! I can't wait.

I have a list of summer projects I would to accomplish:

Keep my house clean by making sure all toys are put away and keeping up with the laundry

Learn how to make baby food {or at least make a majority of it}

Work on some craft projects {thinking headbands and learn how to use my sewing machine}

Party hunt for decorations and birthday cake ideas for Miss E. {Yes, I know her bday is not till December but I need to take advantage of this down time. I am planner after all.}

Learn how use my husbands SRL camera. {I am slowly learning, at the speed of a turtle.}

Try out some new recipes

Learn how to make cake pops {really want to serve cake pops at Miss E's birthday so I think I better start practicing now}

Sign up for infant/ parent swim lessons

That is my list but if you are looking for some ideas especially for children here you go. This adorable 101 bit of summer fun printable can be downloaded here via the tomkat studio via her friend Laura W.

and if you are looking for your own summer to do's list a free printable can be downloaded here via the girls from eighteen 25. My pink do to list is printing right now. So fun!

If you are have any fun summer plans or ideas please share!

Swimsuit Hunt is Over

After ordering five swimsuits on line, buying one in a store, returning all of them, going to the mall for three hours {I never shop this long and this was all in one store- Everything but Water. They probably thought I was never going to leave}, tried on 20+ suits/combinations and I my friends have a suit! Never in my life have I had a harder time finding a swimsuit than this year. Granted, I now have some body changes and as luck would have it not every suit I liked had my size or the bottoms were way skimpy or simply ick what was I thinking.

With some wonderful customer service this suit was presented to me and I feel in love with it. I like the color combination and it gives me support unlike other similar styles. I paired the top with this swim skirt, but in navy. The skirted bottoms are high enough where I don't have to worry about my c-section scar showing {I could not fathom how skimpy bottoms have gotten} and since I don't like my inner thighs it conceals this troubled area perfectly.

For my cover up I am pairing it with this sheer white boyfriend button down shirt from Tommy Bahama. I like the versatility it provides. It can be worn closed, open, tied at the waist with the sleeves rolled up loosely, can be easily worn to a pool side lunch, and it can also be worn as a pajama dress.

Friday's Party: Memorial Day

via here

The perfect treats to kick of summer 2011 parties

What I'm Loving This Week

These will be mine one way or another! Good thing I have my wedding anniversary approaching in a few weeks.

Adorable as well...

and lets not forgot about our tiny toms..

Wednesday Words...

via here

S'mores Treat

Oh why does it have to be swimsuit season?! I love, love s'mores so how could I ever say no to these?

recipe via here

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

This past week it was Teacher Appreciation Week at Miss E's daycare/ school. I put together several treats for her wonderful teachers and here is what I came up with to show how much we appreciate her wonderful teachers.

I bought these glass spice jars from Ikea. Filled them up with hershey kisses with a note that said "Kisses from Elle". I then tied ribbon around them and printed out these adorable teacher thank you printables via tipjunkie.

Homemade red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting made for another delicious sweet treat. I used the recipe from my all time favorite cupcake book the Hummingbird Bakery. Cupcakes toppers are via living locurto.

Next up was "I've gone bananas for you"... banana bread! I used this recipe via all recipes.

I then wrapped up the individual loaves with parchment paper and tied them with fun ribbon. After all its all about the presentation, right?!

it was so fun to bring in special treats and to finally apply the crafty inspiration I have been wanting to share with others.

Friday's Party: Garden Butterfly Party

Love this adorable 1st Birthday idea as seen via Pizzazzerie. It would also make an adorable theme for a baby shower.

Wednesday Words...

ugh..so sick.. :(

the case of the ickies have struck our house.

all. three. of. us.

{print via pinterest}

Rainy Day Ballet Flat

I picked up these adorable ballet flats this weekend as I was looking for something that would be versatile with various outfits and of course seasons. Granted, we don't really have "seasons" here in Arizona, but I can pair these in the fall with leggings if so desired. In the meantime, I am wearing them with dresses and skirts.

They're so super comfy that you almost forget you are wearing them.

Wednesday Words...

via pinterest. Come check out my boards..

Here's to a Beautiful Week

{via here}

I could not have asked for a better weekend and Mother's Day.

Between a family date night of pizza and beer on Saturday after church, to a delicious breakfast on Mother's Day, followed by a family lunch picnic, and playing in the park with Elle equals a wonderful weekend.

What were your weekend highlights?

Friday's Party: Mother's Day

Sunday is a big day as I will be celebrating my first Mother's Day {I have no idea what has been planned for me} and I will also be thinking of my "angel" Mom who I know is watching over me and loving her youngest grand baby from above.

I saw this Mother's Day Garden Party via I am baker and I just had to share as its oh so sweet!

and another fun idea I saw via I am baker {love her!} is this Mother's Day Cookie Jar idea. Instead of a cake you fill up a cookie jar with cookies!

If you could tell your mom one thing what would it be?

You are.. amazing, You are strong, You are forgiving, You are admired, You are inspiring,

You are incredible, You are missed.

Happy Mother's Day to all that are moms and mommy's to be!

Cinco de Mayo Daiquiri

Yes please!

Growing up in the midwest Cinco de Mayo was pretty much unheard of. Now that I live in the southwest Cinco de Mayo is a huge day for celebrating and what better treat to have than fresh guacamole, chips, and a tasty beverage.

Recipe for the fresh citrus daiquiri can be found here

Wednesday Words...

{via here via here}

Calypso St. Barths Collection

If you didn't make it to Target yesterday you must go and check out the Calypso St. Barths Collection. The collection is full of bright corals, aquas, and summer whites perfect for your beach escapes. I personally, did not find any of the collection appealing for myself but I am loving the collection for the mini me. By the time I got to Target it was picked over {perhaps, this is why I was not impressed with the women's items} but I did manage to score the coral dress for Miss E. After all, since mommy and daddy honeymooned in St. Barths it's only fitting that Miss E has a piece of this fun collection.

{this is the dress I scored in size 9 Months. Everything else was sold out. 9 Month photo dress perhaps?}