Summer Recipes to Try

All of this Summer heat always makes me want to eat lighter.  Less time spent in the kitchen with the oven and stove sounds perfect to me.  I've been rounding a some recipes I want to try on Pinterest.  These can go as a light main dish or the perfect side to some grilled deliciousness!

Chickpea Salad
I'm a big fan of chickpeas in chopped salads and this one looks delicious.

Grilled Corn Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
I made a very similar salad here, and my whole family loved it.  Best part is, it kept for days.

Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Everything is better with cilantro and avocado - I can't wait to try this salad!

Shrimp and Avocado Salad

This salad looks so delicious and could be served with tortilla chips as an appetizer or as a lighter dinner with a glass of white wine - yum!

Strawberry Salsa
I love the colors of this salad, this is another I can't wait to try.  It would be perfect with tortilla chips like traditional salsa or over chicken or fish.

 

Have you tried any lighter Summer recipes that you've loved?  If so, please share!

Summer In Florida

It's no secret that it gets H-O-T down in the Sunshine State, and not only is it hot but the humidity is through the roof!  We all try our best to keep cool enjoy this Season as much as we can... here's how we do Summer in Florida.


Beaches

One of the keys to staying (kind of) cool is hitting the beach or pool.  My preference is sitting under a palm tree because it's just too dang hot not to sit under some shade.   Another key here it to either go to the beach in the morning OR late afternoon to avoid rain.  It rains almost every afternoon here, I'm talking downpours!

Sunscreen

Don't leave home without it, you will burn - enough said!

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Mangoes

If you would ask me what Summer smells like down here (at least in South FL) it's mangoes.  For us it marks Summer.  Mangoes and mango trees are EVERYWHERE.  Everyone knows someone who has a tree and we always get tons.  There's nothing like a fresh mango off of a tree.  Because there is so much we not only eat them, but freeze them, put them in smoothies, sangrias, make cakes, salsas - ect!  They are one of my favorite parts of summer!

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Maxi Dresses/Shorts and Flip Flops

All day everyday!

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Cute Sunglasses 

You need a cute pair since you're almost always wearing them!

 

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White Wine or Rose

You didn't think I'd leave wine out did you? ;)  This summer I'm getting more and more into whites - so good and refreshing and perfect for sipping on when you're outside.

Hurricane Readiness

Summer marks Hurricane Season, so it's time to check our generators and stock up on canned goods, batteries and lots of gallons of water - just in case!

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What defines Summer in your area?

Lovin' Lemon

Lately I've been on a lemon kick - I'm not talking about cooking with lemons (although I do enjoy that) but decorating with lemons and wearing pops of yellow.  It all started with my Chillato Essie mani & pedi and a flower arrangement I made that had lemon slices in it.

I can not get enough of anything that's happy and yellow or using lemons as a filler for bowls or flowers, and is there a more perfect color for summer?!  Here are a few more lemon inspired things I have my eyes on!

Lovin' Lemon by kidsandcabernet featuring a yellow dinnerware

What are color are you loving lately?

Flamingo and Pineapple Crazy!

Happy Wednesday friends!

 I keep seeing so many fun flamingo and pineapple prints lately and I have to admit I love them and think they are so perfect for summer.  When I look at the prints, it makes me feel like they are vacation clothes! So even if you're not going anywhere this summer - you can feel like you're on vacation throwing on one of these fun prints!

flamingo vs pineapple by kidsandcabernet featuring pineapple print shorts

Have you gotten on the pineapple and flamingo bandwagon?  Do you own any pieces?  I'm itching to get a couple!

Soft and Pretty Palette

Lately I've had this color palette on my mind, everything I want to buy or have bought have been in these colors.  Soft hues of pink, yellow, mint and coral are my favorite, it reminds me of Spring and Summer and all of the colors go well together or to add a  fun pop of color to another wise plain color palette (like the black and white dress below).

soft and pretty by kidsandcabernet featuring an open back sheath dress

What are your favorite colors to wear during warmer months?

Linking up with Pampers and Pearls

Beachin' It Up!

Monday we decided to go to the beach during the early evening when the sun wasn't as hot.  It was such a gorgeous day, it would've been a waste to stay indoors!  We live about 20 minutes from the beach so it's a close trip for us.

The kids had the best time on the shore, on the sandbar, and playing in the sand making sandcastles with their dad.  I was a little picture happy as the sun went down, I love seeing the golden reflection of the sun on the kids!

 

On  the shore with my little guy letting the waves hit our feet

 

Finding seashells

 

Waiting for the waves

 

My beautiful girl

Beach babes

Days like these are my favorites.  We're outside, enjoying nature and it fills me with so much joy seeing the kids playing without the distraction of the iPad or tv.  I want to make more of a habit of going to the beach more often.  Although we live so close we rarely go, and it's truly one of my favorite places.... even if the kids bring home 42 pounds of sand in their bathing suits and hair ;)

'Round Here

Good morning!!

I thought I'd share a few things floating around in my head and some happenings...

I have a hair appointment today to dye and cut my hair.  So excited about this because my grays are getting out of control and who doesn't love someone doing your hair for you?  So relaxing!  Also my hairdresser is one of my friends so usually we just chat and laugh the whole time which is fun.

I have had a sty in my eye for the past four days.  It's such a nuisance, my eye is finally going down and I don't look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame as much.  I washed all of my makeup brushes in hopes that I don't get another anytime soon.  Next weekend is the wedding, I can't have a sty!

We have had a few fun days already this summer going to the pool and hanging out with other moms and kids, it has been so fun.  The best part of summer is hanging out with all of the moms and cuties that are normally in school.

So, I told you all that we were thinking about making our front living room (the first room when you walk in) our playroom, but I think we've scratched that idea.  The kids have been going upstairs and playing so much in their rooms, that we figured why not make our extra room upstairs a playroom?  It's our guest bedroom, and our storage room now; we don't get that many guests since most of our family lives here, so I think it will be a great idea.  Plus, it will take a way from a lot of the toys being downstairs. Stay tuned for a mood-board on how we think we're going to design the living room and how we'd love the playroom to look.

J got his suit and tie (I always think of JT when I say suit and tie) in for the wedding.  He looks adorable in it!!  Love that little handsome man!

Excuse the crazy bedhead, but doesn't he look so handsome?!

Have you entered our Gigi Clutch and pouch giveaway?

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Have a great day!

Some Obsessions

As we all know the weather is warming up, well here in FL it's already scorching which means clothes have to be as cool as possible and during this time of year I also like my makeup to be light and shimmery.  These are some of the things you can see me in this time of year.

• Maxi dress - it's comfy, airy and they can be dressed up or down.  I so want to get the one I have pictured, I love the cutout in the back!
•  Jumpsuit-  I now own two and LOVE how comfortable they are and just like the maxi can be dressed up or down
• Bralette - It's just too darn hot to wear a "real" bra.  This is a lighter version and so easy to wash and basically needs no care.  I live in these!
• Lipgloss and Lipstick - I have bigger lips so I don't like too much color on them.  There's no need to accentuate these babies!
• Light Pink Polish - I love a nice light pink polish, it looks so fresh, you can't see chipping that much and it's so classic!
• Flip-flops - All day. Everyday
• MAC Mineral Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle - I loooove this powder and put it on on top of my blush or sometimes alone.  It gives you such a beautiful glow (channeling JLo's glow)
• Large tote - I like to carry one around on days where we are going to be at the beach or pool and just have all of my belongings in once space.  This lemon print one is so pretty!

What are some ways your wardrobe/looks change during warmer months?

Also please don't forget tomorrow is the Wino Wednesday linkup!  I hope you all can join :)

Sabine maxi top / June Hudson jumpsuits romper / Lace bra / American Eagle Outfitters flip flops / Kate Spade leather purse / MAC Cosmetics face powder / NARS Cosmetics lips makeup / Essie nail polish / LORAC Alter Ego Cream Lipstick, Heiress 0.12 oz (3.4 g)