If you are looking for stilletto recommendations, you are in the wrong place. I need to be able to run after my kids without falling on my face. Want to know your smartphone's metapix? Sorry. I only write about whether it can survive 5 minutes in the hands of my kids.
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, but look officially stylish with these three outfit ideas to wear to a barbecue, the beach or a farmer’s market!
Barbecue Outfit Idea
Wear a colorful maxi dress in a soft, lightweight fabric. Pair with a straw hat and bag, and a pair of espadrilles and you will put the bodacious in BBQ!
Weekend Outfit Idea
Another outfit idea is the trend of distressed jeans. Pick up a cropped pair or roll up an ankle length pair of light colored distressed jeans. Pair with a flowy top in a mint green or yellow for a trendy take on a t-shirt. Add a summer fedora and a high end pair of flip flops to keep the style quotent high and then hit the farmers market or outdoor art fair.
Beach Party Outfit Idea
Lastly, hit the beach with this cute outfit. Pick up an easy pull-on summer skirt in a mango, coral-red, and top with a white t-shirt or white cover up over a bikini top in a complimentary color. Grab a beach tote and cute flats and you are ready to hit the sand or grab a lobster roll at the local clam shack!
With these three outfits, you’ll definitely be memorialized in the fashion department! Happy Memorial Day!
There are not too many people that like black jelly beans, resulting in people picking around them in the jelly bean bowl. As a result, you have the black jelly bean remnants that are usually tossed away. I’m not sure why there are black jelly beans in the various jelly beans bags at Easter anyway. Jelly beans are associated with spring – pretty colors of green, pink, yellow, cream, and purple. The black ones seem a bit out of place. Sort of the goth bean in the midst of the perky cheerleader beans.
So what to do with the black sheep in the jelly bean bag. Here are six ideas on what to do with black jelly beans, other than eat them.
1. Make black jelly bean infused vodka. Don’t drink? That’s okay. Makes a great gift for an office worker. Take 15 black jelly beans and add to 14 oz of high proof spirit in a pretty glass jar. Infuse for 72 hours. Remove the black jelly beans. Add 13 oz of simple syrup. Tie a black ribbon around the jar with a black and white card. Viola.
2. Save them for Halloween. Then you can make various cupcakes using black jelly beans for decorations – like this recipe for Eyeball Cupcakes using the black jelly beans for the pupil.
3. Put it in your Medicine Cabinet. No really, if you get black jelly beans made with real black licorice, there are many health benefits as licorice can reduce inflammation for a variety of health conditions. I bet the yellow jelly beans can’t say that!
4. Use them for a Fundraiser. Make the black jelly beans feel important. Ask friends and family to save all of the black jelly beans and put them in a jar for a school fundraiser. Have people donate a dollar for an entry to guess how many black jelly beans are in the jar to win a prize donated by a local business.
5. Alternative to a Lump of Coal. My Dad used to say if we were bad, Santa would bring us a lump of coal instead of toys. My Dad could have saved the black jelly beans and said that, due to environmental concerns, Santa couldn’t bring coal and brought a lump of stale black jelly beans instead.
6. Prevent leaks. Save them for a warm summer day. Place one in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent the ice cream from leaking out at the bottom.
The poor black jelly. It may not get eaten, but it will not be forgotten.
………………………………… Image Credit: Original image from cbgrfx123 via photopincc
Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post.
Three outfit ideas to help you look pretty in pink.
I love pink, especially for the spring. Yet, the right pink is key in transitioning from the winter doldrums to fresh spring breezes. Sometimes in the Northeast, swinging to pastel pinks seem too summery when there is snow melting on the ground.
A great compromise is to pick a stronger pink. Think hot pink or bright pink compared to its sticky sweet pastel sister.
The key is to focus on one hot pink item and make that item pop with neutral items and accessories. So determine if you want a bright hot pink top, bag or pants, and tone it down on the other wardrobe pieces.
To scared to make the bold statement in your wardrobe. At your next mani/pedi, paint your toes a bright hot pink. Or consider going bold on your fingernails. Even a cute ring in a bright shade of pink can pizazz a black outfit if you aren’t ready to commit your black in the back of the closet.
Here are three hot pink ideas to help you make it work! Happy Spring!
Smugglers Notch Child Care is known as Treasures. It is a childcare center at Smuggler’s Notch Resort (Vermont) where babies six weeks old through toddlerhood can play, while adults can get some time to themselves. Yet, there is no need to feel guilty to have some ‘me’ time on a family vacation. This place is a total gem. Beginning with the mini-ski lessons for the 2.5+ year olds who are potty trained.
They serve lunch with ingredients from a local farm with a respect for any food allergies or sensitivities. Toys and top-notch staff round out the amazing space. The place is clean and organized. Plus, the toys are first-hand and not broken hand-me-downs often found at other resorts.
If your little one is a wee one, there is a beautiful screen porch where they can swing while looking at the beautiful mountains and the skiers and hikers walking by. All this is on the resort so you are just a ski-ride or a quick walk away. Whether you need an hour or a whole day, they are flexible and accomodating to make sure that the entire family has a great vacation.
My son spent the day at Treasures and as soon as we arrived, we were treated with respect and welcome. He was enchanted with the space and barely paid us attention when he saw the toys and other kids. Since he is not in a consistent daycare environment, we wondered how he would do. The staff saw (and understood) our anxiety and assured us that they would call if he did not adjust well. However, there was never a need for the call because he was singing, dancing, playing in a sandbox, having snacks and loving the fish tanks and mini-sinks that were just his height. We could also peek in through a one-way window to make sure everything was okay. He had a blast and we enjoyed a few hours of lunch and quiet time, without the guilt.
Smuggler’s Notch has vacation packages that includes a stay at Treasures or you can pay as you go, depending on your comfort level and needs during your vacation. If you want to schedule a massage, then you can request an hour at Treasures. Want to go on a hike or a canoe trip but have a 3 month old that can’t go along? Schedule a few of hours at Treasures. As parents, we want to spend time with our children and enjoy the family vacation, but there are times during that vacation where we need a vacation from the kids – even if it is just a lunch to connect with your spouse.
Often, there is plenty of things for kids 6+ to do at various Resorts. In fact, Smuggs has an amazing series of options for that age group too. Yet, not many resorts have options for babies and toddlers. In reality, many families have a four year old and two year old, or a six year old and a four year old and a two year old, but often have no options since the two year old is too ‘young’ for many activities. At Smuggler’s Notch Resort, with its “Treasures”, is the perfect destination for that option – whether you are a family of three or a family of six with a range of ages in the mix.
The price for a full day is approximately $85. (Check the website for current pricing.) It ends up being about $12 an hour. Where I am from, that is what is costs for a teenage babysitter to sit and watch The Wiggles on TV. Here you get quality staff, quality space, fun activities, a lunch and more.
I wasn’t expecting to be on camera so I don’t look my best, but I had to share the video because this place is the best.
Hear more about the staff and the options available. Overall, we were really impressed and as a result, have decided to make Smuggler’s Notch Resort, whether the fall, winter or summer, a destination for our growing family. See why at my full review here.
