Friday iPhone photo dump! :D

Today I am linking up with Jennifer over at Ramblings of a Suburban Mom for the Friday photo dump! I love cleaning out memory space on my phone so I can take MORE pictures - but let's be honest, I never actually DELETE them all, this is why I now have the maximum storage and still sweat having enough! ;)

This week has been our first week of summer break! Yayyyy!! I love my girls SO much and LOVE having them home!! Here are some of the things we've done in the last week!

Dylan had her dance recital and her team performed both numbers they have worked on all year. We also had tryouts this week for next year's teams and she was over the MOON to make the team that she was wanting so bad. The tryout process stretched over three days and was SUPER challenging. I am so proud of her and her hard work! I love to see hard work rewarded! In the last pic, we are having celebratory ice cream after tryouts, Dylan is not impressed with Pep's goofiness! (a typical scenario ;))

The girls are in the midst of full blown obsession with their bikes right now. I tore them away a couple of days to go out for lunch and to the pool, but it's mostly all about bikes!! They've also been doing some crafting and having a great time playing with Siri... LOL

There are a few things on my phone for me this week, including this DVD of the UL Championship game that came in the mail! Sent a picture to hubby and we are planning a watch party this weekend! I bet it's stressful all over again! He has already said, what if they don't win this time?? Haha! And I have tons of pics of the newest Louis Vuitton catalog. I've been a little bit obsessed with the creative photography in it and am working on a blog post to highlight some of the more unusual LV items in my collection!

All in all, pretty calm week. Lots of time hanging out with the kiddos and enjoying the nice weather! I love summer break!!

And stay tuned!! My very first monthly giveaway is coming this weekend!!

PopSugar Limited Edition Must Have Summer for Him *SPOILER*

I've been so anxious for a spoiler on this box and I finally found one last night!! PopSugar is doing a Limited Edition Men's Box just in time for Father's Day! The box is $100, is supposed to contain $250+ of goodies, and is still available. The spoiler that has been released is a pair of Wooden Sunglasses by Proof, valued at $115. I'm not sure Bryan is going to be into these, he's kind of picky about sunglasses, but I think I will definitely be rocking them if he doesn't! Here's the blurb from PopSugar about the glasses and the box:

We're ready to reveal one item inside the Must Have Special Edition Summer for Him Box. What stylish item in the Summer For Him box have artists like Macklemore been spotted wearing that also gives back to charity?

These awesome Proof Eyewear sunglasses!

These frames are the hottest new shades out there loved by artisans and trendsetters alike and are in Summer Must Have for Him. Made especially for POPSUGAR, these unique glasses retail for $115. The handcrafted, eco-friendly wooden frames not only look amazing, but offer the best protection with high gloss reflective coating and 400% UVA/UVB protection on polycarbonite lenses. He can take his style to the next level and take part in charitable giving. What's not to love?

Perfect for dads, grads, or any lucky guy in your life — though actually we might just keep these for ourselves. Order your Summer for Him box today for only $100 and delight any man with our editors picks for Summer worth over $250 delivered directly to his door.

So what do you think??? Did you order the Men's Luxury Box?? I've been excited about it and I really like the spoiler!! 

California love, Part 3, The Wrap Up *sigh*

So I've let more than a week pass since I started this Santa Barbara trilogy. It's getting harder and harder to think about writing about California.... I love it so much and would seriously love to live there. We looked at some real estate and could buy a nice house, but is a decent lifestyle sustainable?? I've heard that tax rates can be 60%?? ugh.... At least the weather here in Kentucky is GORGEOUS for now!! So sunny and hot and fabulous!! Now, the final Santa Barbara chapter, let's get to it!

One of the very best things about Santa Barbara is the fact that you can walk everywhere! Our resort, discussed here in Part 1, was right across the street from the gorgeous beach and beach walk. I LOVED getting my exercise in each day on this wonderful paved trail! It was packed from dusk till dawn with people enjoying the nice weather in every way thinkable, from jogging and pushing strollers to driving rented pedal buggies and rollerblading! So, so nice to just be OUT, you know?? Even the dogs were laying around and happy! One thing that cracked me up was the population of the most fat ass squirrels I've ever seen in my life. Even for rodents, life in santa Barbara is apparently good! ;) 

When we walked by the historic beachside carousel for the millionth time, hubs asked, are you wanting to ride it?? Of course!! I had been DYING to ride it! :) It was $2 each and lasted SO long we were in tears from laughing so hard by the time it stopped. Hubs noted that it was probably the most entertainment we would ever get from $4! LOL!

We made a day trip to Michael Jackson's Neverland. Very, very interesting. The place is in the middle of nowhere, 7 miles down a two lane road that runs through some of the most breathtaking countryside we've ever seen. It looked almost like Africa, really. Wide open spaces but still moments of greenery and lushness. Cattle and horse ranches that I would guess are in the hundred million dollar range. So quiet and serene and lovely. Can you imagine what they thought when MJ started moving in tractor trailers full of carnival rides and circus animals?? Omg. It was shocking to think about. I don't know what I was expecting but I was so surprised by the setting. 

We fully intended to park the car, jump a fence and roam around. What's the worst they could do? Ask us to leave? When we got there we were totally caught off guard by how much security is here 24/7. Manned guard booths at the gate. Cars parked all along the road. A car that runs constant circles round and round the property. Who pays for all of this?? When you read online about the situation it definitely sounds like there is no money involved. If I had known what to expect, I would have brought cash and slipped the guard a fat bribe to at least drive us around in a golf cart! I'll be putting that tip in my Trip Advisor review! ;)

So we had to settle for pictures at the gate, which is covered in handwritten notes and gifts to MJ. The whole place is just weird, weird, weird and if/when it's opened to the public, I'll be first in line (but I hope for the people that live around there that never happens!). 

We had a couple more stand out meals, dinner at La Playa Azul and awesome brick oven pizza and Italian beer at Olio Pizzeria.

cucumber margs! yum!!

And at one point we happened into a benefit that featured a contestant from the voice that we had never heard of, Orlando Napier. He was good! Reminded us a lot of Remy Shand. We figured out after we had paid admission and been talked into raffle tickets that the benefit was for a Jewish charity. Our kids go to catholic school... Were we allowed to be there?? Hahaha

All in all, SUCH a fun trip. The hubs is my best friend and such a perfect travel companion!! I heart you California, and miss you always! See you in September when we are there for the Emmys!! Xoxo

Nails of the Week: Sally Hansen Complete Manicure Back to the Fuchsia

Bright, bright, bright for nails the summer's first week at the pool! Woot!

This week's polish is Back to the Fuchsia from the Sally Hansen Complete Manicure collection. I have tons of Sally Hansen products but the Complete Manicure line is new to me. I received this polish in the Allure Beauty Box Summer Essentials and have been excited to try it! This line claims to contain base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat, chip-resistance and gel finish all in one. Nice!

First thing I noticed was how different the brush is. It's rounded and a little thicker and coarser than most polish brushes. And it held a TON of polish. I was able to make it through 4-5 nails before redipping! The shape of the brush gives a perfect rounded shape of polish along the cuticle line.

Application was SOoooo easy and nice and thick. Two coats and color looks absolutely perfect. A coat of my beloved Out the Door and my nails seriously look like they were professionally done, with a similar look to a salon gel manicure. I am SO, so impressed. I'm a huge fan and will definitely be looking into buying more of this polish! Grade: A++!

Website Review: Dancewear Solutions

Over the years I have bought LOTS of dance, cheer and gymnastics clothes, and that doesn't look to change in the near future! I find the options in local stores a little bit limited. You can go the ULTRA basic and inexpensive route and buy (boring) pieces from major chains like Wal-Mart, Target and Meijer. Don't get me wrong, my dancer thinks the Danskin Basics at Wal-Mart are super soft and comfy, but personally I get tired of looking at them! LOL!

The other main choice in Louisville and surrounding areas is Kinney Dancewear. They have super cute things, and a weak rewards program where you get a little certificate after you spend $250, but BOY are they expensive. Gymnastics leotards can easily run close to $50. It's a great place to pick up a "treat" piece every once in a while, but I try to avoid it most of the time because we can't seem to get out of there without spending $100+!

Last year I took a chance on online retailer Dancewear Solutions and have been really happy with it! The products have been the great quality and the prices are definitely more reasonable. And I love that it gives me an opportunity to buy my girls something to wear that nobody else has! SO much more to choose from!

We recently ordered a few things, including this leotard/dress for a voice recital performance:

So, so soft and pretty and she loves it! It was $35 before discount and is actually something she can wear over and over again for regular classes!

Here are a few of the other things we've bought recently:

It's all so cute! And neither of those are my kid, BTW. Haha!

If you spend $100, shipping is free. And coupon code DWSBB4 will save you 10% through the end of May!

What do you think?? Is there some magical land of dance and gymnastics clothes around Louisville that we've been missing out on??

California Love, Part 2. Let's shop!

So, obviously, shopping was involved! Haha! I picked up lots of goodies, here are some of my favorites!

Kitson LA

Cute monogram crossbody bag

Necklace by The Giving Keys, "Inspire." I LOVE the concept of this jewelry line! Each piece is unique, made from a recycled/vintage key, and then embossed with a single word message. You are supposed to pick a message that means something to you, wear it, then give it away at some point to someone who needs the message. When you give it away you are supposed to write to the company and tell them your story and about what prompted you to give it away. The company employs people who are looking to transition out of homelessness, which is a cool bonus.

I picked "inspire," because that's what I'm trying to do with this blog and with my charity, and what I am expecting the people helped by my charity to do for me. I can't wait to see the inspiration that comes to me that causes me to give this away! :)

Kitsch Hairties. I've been seeing these around and was anxious to try them out. There's a LOT of hair around my house and plenty of ponytails and messy buns to experiment with new hair ties! These are rapidly disappearing! So comfortable to wear on your wrist when you're not using them, like my little one does, they add a cute jolt of color to a ponytail and also feel like they will be completely damage free! I am going to have to buy more, more, more. 2 of my 5 have already been confiscated by American Girl doll updos! LOL!

Saks Fifth Avenue

They were literally locking the doors on us while we were in Saks. They said "you better go before you get locked in here!" and I'm thinking "umm.... I'd kind of LOVE to be locked in here!!" LOL! So we did some super quick shopping. Hubs bought my birthday present (disclosed later, I'm supposed to act surprised!) and I grabbed a new pair of hot pink Chanel sunnies! Love them!!

Urban Outfitters

Omg, I love Urban Outfitters SO much. It's just so completely random. They were having a sale while we were there that was an extra 50% off the lowest price of clearance items and it made lots of things $5. I can't pass up anything for $5! I bought a big pile of weird things that nobody else wanted for $5 each, including this t-shirt that hubs spotted that is PERFECT for that *one* friend of ours! She's so excited! Hahaha. And I got a cute new phone case! Fun! :)

Bizerk

Well, I can't pass by a store stuffed floor to ceiling with costumes, stripper clothes, gag gifts and general crap. Can't do it. I would have gone in anyway but the hot pink gorilla out front sealed the deal. This place is INSANE. My link is to their photos on Facebook, just to give you an idea of the clutter and chaos! Looooove it!! I'm sure there were MANY things I needed, but I only left with a skull scarf and a faux animal tail. I bought a couple of these tails in Beijing last year and can always use another one. Can't we all?? Wait, maybe it's just me.... Haha

We grabbed a bottle of ghost pepper salsa from a random general store in wine country, but it's kind of a bust. Definitely not hot enough for me to find exciting. I'm always on the search for the perfect insanely hot salsa. Is there a better one than Mrs. Renfro's? I obvs want it super hot, but it's got to be flavorful, too, and preferably chunky (are these always so pureed to disperse the ghost peppers??). Recommendations always eagerly appreciated!

Is this getting boring?? Okay, okay, I'll stop and wrap it up here. I've got many other new treasures, though! Oh, and I also bought lots of makeup, undies and DayQuil at Rite Aid on the day our bags were lost, but don't figure you want to read about/see that! LOL! More on our California adventures coming next week! Happy long Memorial Day weekend everyone!! Give your family a squeeze and spend some time together doing something FUN!! :)