I love stripes.  They are the easiest print to wear throughout all seasons and can take on a nautical, preppy vibe or just look instantly classic.  And although I keep white in my wardrobe all year long, too, I always sport it most in the summer months.  It’s probably my favorite solid color in everything from shorts, to skinny jeans, to beach cover-ups.  I grabbed a few pieces recently at T.J. Maxx that I will mix and match with everything else in my closet and paired it with two turquoise chunky necklaces that I got from the same place a few years back.

{T.J. MAXX striped tee, similar HERE and HERE / T.J. MAXX white denim shorts, similar HERE / T.J. MAXX turquoise chunky necklaces, similar HERE and HERE / TORY BURCH miller sandal}

Cheers to summer weather!

xo gina

Long weekends are the best weekends.  And long weekends with picture perfect weather are even better.  This past Memorial Day weekend, I got to spend lots of time outside with my family thoroughly enjoying having absolutely no place to be.  No classes, no scheduled play-dates, no errands.  No blogging.  Just soaking in the sun and the people I love.  Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the holiday.

Red.  White.  And blue.

When you give a child two kinds of cookies, topped with ice cream and a toasted marshmallow, expect similar results.

She loves an adventure.

Those baby noises…:)

So many pretty things going on here.

My littlest love.

Green grass, blue skies and American flags…

pretty much summed up this weekend.

Hope everyone had a great, long holiday weekend with family and friends!

xo gina

Just a little something for Saturday.

At my daughter’s preschool the other day, the teacher had them play with play-dough for a portion of the class and every kid was mesmerized by it’s calming texture and it’s pliability.  And then she sent each of them home with a small Ziploc bag full of their own play-dough that she made at home with her husband, like she does on a regular basis for all of her students’ use.  Emma loved that it was bright green in color and that it was all her own, and she has asked to play with it each morning this weekend.  Such a simple recipe that heeds a lot of dough, this is one that I will definitely keep on-hand for rainy days.  Get out some dull plastic knives, rolling pins and old cookie cutters and your little one will be easily and happily occupied.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4 tablespoons oil (peppermint oil was used here and the smell was amazing!)
• food coloring of your choice
• 4 cups flour
• 2 cups salt
• 8 teaspoons cream of tartar

Instructions:

1.     Measure water, oil and several drops of food coloring into a 4 qt. saucepan.

2.     In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.

3.     Add the dry ingredients into the liquid and cook over medium heat, stirring continually, until mixture forms a soft ball.  Cool and store in a closed container.

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

xo gina

I have been really into blues lately for the home and my wardrobe, and I am particularly loving different shades of this color with a summer tan.  I picked up this baby blue lace top the other day and paired it with an old pair of denim cut-offs and wedges for a party over the weekend.  For a fun twist and to take this outfit into the evening, I would slip into these high-heeled sandals in a vibrant cobalt.  The perfect outfit for date night or to grab a drink after work to beat the Monday blues.

{J.O.A. floral lace top /old denim cut-offs, similar HERE, HERE and HERE / NASTY GAL shoe cult cobalt heels, sold out, similar HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE}

Happy Monday!

xo gina 

Just a little something for Saturday.

{Get the tutorial for this distressed pink highchair HERE}

If you are looking for ways to decorate a little one’s highchair for their birthday party, there are so many ideas that I love, from flag bunting, to tassel garland, to balloons.  This method pictured above is quick and easy, and the results are adorable.  Just take an old passed down or extra tutu (if you are like us and wound up with one in every color in the rainbow) and cut it down the center.  Stretch the elastic band of the skirt to wrap around the bottom of the highchair tray and use a staple gun to adhere it to the wood.  You can use clear packing tape if you cannot find or have access to a staple gun, but the finished product won’t be as neat and it won’t hold up as well.

Things You Need:

• Highchair
• Tutu in any color
• Scissors
• Staple gun

Happy weekend!

xo gina