Thirsty Thursday: Peach Surrender

So today's cocktail looks super yummy, and yes, I'll surrender to peaches any day of the week.  Love them, especially peach cobbler - one of my all time faves - warm peach cobbler and ice cream - YUM!  And growing up, I would always get Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples at dinner because I loved grenadine so much.  True fact, when I first began drinking liquor I would get the bartender to add grenadine to whatever cocktail I was drinking, to cut down on how strong the liquor tasted.  I'm dead serious.  Shirley Temples, with vodka, anyone?  Anyone?  So this drink recipe sounds like I'll definitely be trying it soon!

Oh, and just to reiterate what I stated here, all of these cocktails were found on the lovely Pink Preppy Lilly Lover's blog, a couple of weeks ago.  Miss Trish posted all of them, and I'm spotlighting one each week, throughout the summer.  Cheers!

P.S. Have you linked up to Trish's Pink and Green Thursday, today?

How fitting would wearing this pink and green ensemble be,

while sipping your Peach Surrender?

Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top

J Brand White Cutoff Denim Shorts

Dogeared 'Healing Gems' Olive Quartz Necklace

Happy Thirsty Thursday!

Clink! Clink!

______________________________________________________________________________

And thanks BAS for the award!

You are too sweet!

Click here if you'd like to see a previous post from the award.

______________________________________________________________________________

Yesterday's location was Muir Woods, out in California.  Nice work to those of you who guessed it correctly!  I still can't believe how tall those trees were.  And yes, as some of you noticed, my hair used to be blond for a period.  I'd love to do it again, but definitely can't afford it, with the money and time it takes to keep that up!  I was getting it colored and highlighted every four weeks!!

Wednesday Whereabouts

Can you guess the location?

The hubs and I visited here almost four years ago.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday Trends: My Go-To Suntan Lotions & Aloe

Do you have your go-to suntan lotions and after-sun products, that you swear by?  I know everyone's skin is different, but these are the ones I'd recommend to anyone.

Anthelios SX

If you haven't heard about this lotion yet, you need to!  It's ah-mazing!  I wear this almost everyday in the summer, because it protects my face from the sun so well, and it's proven to keep out almost 100% of all the rays, mostly because it contains Mexoryl SX (big sun blocker).  I have some sun spots on my face, due to sun exposure and melasma from my pregnancies, and my dermatologist said that this would almost completely prevent more sun spots and melasma from forming.  I still try and wear a hat at the beach, as much as possible, just to be extra cautious.  Anthelios SX is also not greasy at all, and quickly soaks into my face as soon as I put it on, first thing in the morning.  If you're in search of a new suntan lotion to try, try this one - or at least ask your dermatologist about it at your next visit.  I'm sure they'll agree, it's the best out there!  My only complaint is that I wish it would have come out on the market sooner.

In case you're still not sold on it, here are the product features:

• Anthelios SX is the moisturizer with the highest protection against harmful UVA rays
• The most complete broad-spectrum protection and the first sunscreen approved by the FDA in 18 years
• Light, non-greasy, fragrance-free and PABA-free formula provides 24-hour hydration
• Parsol 1789 (avobenzone) protects against long UVA rays and is stabilized by Octocrylene
• Mexoryl SX is photostable on its own and protects against short UVA rays

Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF30

My girls luckily have great skin, that doesn't burn easily, so I normally just use the same thing on them, as I do on me.  I've heard that once you pass SPF30 or something like that, it's all the same, and it doesn't really make a difference if it's SPF30 or SPF100.  Don't hold me to this fact.  I do make sure and re-apply after a couple of hours, especially if they're in extreme sunlight.  My fear is having to tend to a poor, sunburned baby.  Also, many dermatologists agree that your first sunburn, whenever that was in your life, probably gave you/will give you your first wrinkles, later in life.  And 90% of your skin make-up is genetic, and that only 10% is environmental - but that 10% can really make a huge impact.

And as far as after a day in the sun, I used to use Banana Boat After Sun lotion,

but stopped because I never felt like it penetrated my skin as much as the aloe gels did.  So then I started using the Banana Aloe Vera Gel, and LOVE it.

I rarely burn in the first place, but if I've been in the sun for awhile, and I feel as though there's a possibility I could burn, this gel works wonders.  It really soaks into your skin after a shower, and keeps it from getting too dry, later.  I use it religiously after a day of being at the pool, lake or beach.

Bet y'all weren't expecting that dermatology lesson of a post!

I know the best thing is to just stay out of the sun, but honestly for me, that's impossible.

Like my profile says, I LOVE the warmth of that sun, and love being anywhere near the water,

so at least I'm being as preventive as I can...for the circumstances.

See y'all later, I'm off to lather up, and head on to the beach!

Monday Manners: Summer Reading List

Reading books will not only make you APPEAR smart, but MAKE you smart, as well.

Wouldn't you agree?

Sounds like a quote by Elle Woods.

So reading books by Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella might not educate you, as much as reading Moby Dick and War and Peace would, but whose to say you can't learn a little bit about yourself from reading their books.  After just finishing up a classic, The Sun Also Rises and a memoir, The Glass Castle, I figured I had a pretty good excuse to take a break, and read a Sophie Kinsella book, Shopaholic and Sister (the fourth in Kinsella's Shopaholic series).  This one should be a quick read this week at the beach, and then on to The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy.  

The hubs and my mother both agreed that this was a great, classic beach read.  Plus, it was only $2.99 on my Kindle.  Can't beat that!

After completing these two books, I plan to read The Help and then Water for Elephants on my next beach trip at the end of July, if not before.

I've only heard the best things about these books, and can't wait to delve into them, and chat with friends about them.  Plus, I want to have read the book, before seeing each of the movies.

So, what are you reading?

Or what's next on your summer reading list?

I have a friend that just read Heaven is for Real, and loved it.

Hoping to borrow that from her soon, as she said it's a good, quick read - and very powerful!

Hope y'all have a great start to your week!

We're headed out on the beach in just a bit...summer reading, bring it on...

...okay, not until the girls are napping this afternoon, but it still counts!

Photo Credit: 1

Happy 7th Anniversary!

(Big Sur, CA, circa 2007)

Happy 7th Anniversary, to my wonderful husband!

We've actually been together for 13 years.

Hard to believe!

Here's to many more years of marital bliss.

Love you with all my heart!

I really need to invest in a scanner, so I can one day post some photos of our wedding day,

back in 2004, before everything went digital.  Haha.

Weekend Inspiration: Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Photo Credit: 1, 2

Fashion Friday: Vineyard Vines Has Finally Arrived!

I'm so excited Vineyard Vines is finally here!  Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the grand opening, as we're heading off to the beach tomorrow morning, for the week.  If you're in the Charlotte area, are you planning on attending?  Please report back, and let me know how it goes!

P.S. Vineyard Vines has their Friends and Family Sale going on right now.  Use code: FRIEND at check-out, to get 25% off your order.
_____________________________________________________________________________

I meant to show y'all this yesterday, but the cake inspiration was designed after W's birthday invitation.  I basically just gave them the invitation and said, "Just go with it," so it was fun to see the final result.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Just a heads up, Lilly Pulitzer Home will be featured on Rue La La on Sunday, starting at 11am.  Click here for your free invitation.  And JPK Paris 75 will be featured today, starting at 11am.  Remember to buy fast for LP items, they go super quick during these sales!

_____________________________________________________________________________

My sister (#4 of the 6) was pleased to find this little goodie on her doorstep the other week.

She and her husband recently moved, so I thought this was a fun, appropriate housewarming gift...

...well, for her.  :) At least her husband will reap the benefits of her good watering skills, right?

_____________________________________________________________________________

How great does Katie Holmes look?  This photo was taken a couple nights ago at "The Extra Man" premiere in NYC.  I don't exactly agree with everything she wears (like the baggy boy jeans she tried to rock a little while back), but I love her long hair here.  She looks so fresh and young, like back during her Dawson's Creek days, before Scientology and what not...

Photo Credit: 1

__________________________________________________________________________

Well, we're headed off to the beach for the week, leaving tomorrow morning.
My laptop is coming too, so expect regular posts next week.

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: Sunbeam Cocktail and W's Birthday

Today is National Pink Day!  Are you wearing yours?  With this week's cocktail and W's party photos (I apologize ahead of time for the number of photos), you'll be seeing some pink!  And if you want to see even more pink...and green, link up with Trish!

We had a great time at W's party on Saturday, the weather was beautiful all day (as you'll see from the start), and then about ten minutes into the party, all of our decorations from outside had to be pulled down, and hurried inside.  A severe thunderstorm hit, right as the party started, the power flickered on and off twice, but thankfully we didn't lose it!  We definitely made the most of it, but our poor house was jam-packed with everyone, and the hubs ended up grilling burgers out in the rain.  After seeing the photos, you'll see how crammed tight it was.  Needless to say, the hubs and I agreed for the next birthday, we're celebrating it away...no clean-up, less organization, no worries about the weather, and we get to come home to a clean house..and maybe this delicious cocktail, too.  Sounds lovely!

The happy birthday girl!

So determined to hold up three fingers.

The lovely hydrangeas from my mom's yard (for the tabletop centerpieces in the yard)...

that wouldn't be, because of the storm.

Plastic-ware, wrapped and ready

Couldn't forget a little Lilly...here...

...and here!

The happy sisters, enjoying the pre-party preparations.

The cake was by Edible Art (where my wedding cake was from), it's DIVINE!

The flavor was even almond - just couldn't resist. W wanted a Barbie cake,

so I found the little Barbie at Target, and added it.

I think she was pretty pleased.

Amid the craziness...

Almost all of the sisters...

The youngest is in Barcelona, arriving home tomorrow (after a month's visit - lucky girl!)

During the chaos, this sweet little one (three weeks old), slept through the entire party!

The spread, moved indoors...we managed.

Playing with her friends.

Worn out!

Hope y'all have a great Thursday!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Here's the order of the sisters, from yesterday's photo.  Congrats to those of you who guessed it correctly!  NO congrats to those of you who know us, and already know the order.  Just kidding!

(From Sister #4's bridesmaid luncheon, back in January 2009)