7.21.2014

Summer Lovin' {Things I am Loving this Summer}

Happy Monday!
I thought I would catch up & share some things we have been loving this Summer!

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I am loving spontaneous trips to Lake Tahoe.
A few days after 4th of July, the kids and I decided to head up to Tahoe for 4 days.
Kevin has some huge deadlines at work this month and has been working long hours, so I decided to have a change of scenery!
Last minute my mom decided to come with us also!
 I love everything about Lake Tahoe.
I love that Tahoe is my happy place and I love that it is becoming my kids happy place also.
 I love the smell of Tahoe.
I love the trees.
I love drinking my cup of coffee in the peacefulness of Tahoe.
I love the lake.
I love the quietness.
I love that my kids will play in the sand for hours.
I love how relaxed I am up there.
I love that we don't have internet at our house there.
I love everything about Tahoe.
Can't wait to go back later this summer!

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I am loving Stitch Fix.
Stitch Fix is a styling service that sends you 5 pieces of clothing, which are picked out especially for you by your own personal stylist!

 I got my 2nd Stitch Fix a couple weeks ago.
(You can see my 1st Stitch Fix HERE)
I love that they send outfit ideas on a print out card with a note & outfit ideas.
I love that I am not committed to buy anything.
I love that I can send it all back in a pre-paid shipping bag.
I loved what they sent me this month:
I loved that maxi dress (I didn't love that it was too big...I would have kept it in a heartbeat!)
I loved the green capris, but have jeans just like them.
I loved the white tank & coral lace shirt, but they were too much $.
I love the stripe shirt that I decided to keep. 

Have you tried Stitch Fix before?
Check it out {HERE}

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I am loving my little  kitchen makeover!
Luke hasn't been wanting to sit in his high chair for almost 2 months.
The problem was that our kitchen table only sat 4 people.
So, we needed to get a new table.

Here is the before...this table:

(I loved this table....gave it to my sister, since they needed a new table!)

And this highchair that was in the corner:

{And if you want to see before pics from when we moved in, click here}

I am LOVING the fact that I don't have a high chair anymore! In fact, we aren't even using a booster for Luke at home. He just wants to sit at the table like his sisters!

I knew I wanted a rectangular table with a bench.
I also knew I didn't want to spend a lot of money since we have 3 young kids and the kitchen table will be getting a lot of use....meals, homework, coloring station, games, etc.
So, I knew IKEA was the answer!
I got this awesome table & chairs there:

The problem was, they didn't have a bench there.
So, I went to google and found this bench:
 Guess where it is from....Walmart!!
I was originally going to paint the top of the bench white, but it actually flows well with our floor, so I am just leaving it as is for now!

While I was at IKEA, I saw this awesome island that had 2 chairs.
Here is what we had Before (an island, with no chairs) I loved that the IKEA island had chairs...and they matched the kitchen table chairs I just got.
I took the measurements and measured out that space in our kitchen.
I would work, so I went back and got them!
 LOVE it!
I got these baskets (also at IKEA) for storage. I put all the kids cups, bowls & plates in the baskets.
One of the baskets is for their snacks so they have easy access. Another basket has kitchen towels.

 Oh, and I got a new rug also...thank you Costco! $20! Love a good deal!
We doubled the seating in our kitchen with the new table, bench & island!
  I really love that the new island has double the working space. Our kitchen doesn't have much counter space, so having a bigger island has helped out!
The new kitchen island is maple wood, so we had to treat it so that it didn't get stained when I prepare food on it. I needed to use something food safe! 
 I picked up a container of mineral oil from Target. It's less than $5 & found in the digestive section since mineral oil aids with digestive issues (we used to have to give Kate mineral oil when she was a toddler & backed up....)
To apply the oil, pour some on the island/counter and then use a rag to rub it all in & absorb.
Do this:
  • Once per day for the first week.
  • Once per week for the first month.
  • Once per month for the life of the island/counter.
 Got a new fruit stand {here} also! 
Love this inexpensive face lift to our kitchen!

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I am loving my new Erin Condren life planner.
  It came at the beginning of July.
I love a fresh new planner.
I love that this one is an 18 month calendar.
Even though I have an iPhone, I rarely use my phone calendar.
I need to write things down in a planner. I have always been like that.
How about you?
Get yourself a planner {HERE}

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I am loving the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
 I am loving that I have been saving my Nordstrom gift cards for this sale.
I am loving these pajamas that I got.

I am all about Uggs so you know I am loving these boots

They are rarely on sale!
Speaking of rarely on sale....these Frye boots.

I have been eyeing them for over a year.
They go off sale on August 3rd...I think I need to pull the trigger before then. Eek!


What I love about the Nordstrom sale is that I can get things for Back to School/Fall.
It is my favorite time of year for clothes!
I am loving this dress
 
Love the coral with the leopard belt! Darling!
I also love this dress. Comes if 5 different colors.

Also this one.

It comes in Blue or Black.
 Some statement necklaces will really make the dress pop.

One of these will be a First day of school outfit for myself!
I always get a new dress for the 1st day of school :)

Have you shopped the Nordstrom sale yet?
What did you get?

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I am loving planning Luke's 2nd Birthday Party.
I DON'T love the fact that he is almost 2 and no longer a baby.
Seriously, he is a big boy now.
Full on toddler. 
I am loving Luke's love of trains.
Luke is loving the show Chuggington.
I love that he calls it "Choo Choo Show"
I was brainstorming a train party or  sports party...he is also obsessed with balls.
But, I couldn't resist this tagline "Choo Choo Luke is TWO"
So, naturally, he will be having a train themed party.
Here is a sneak peek of his invites I made:
I think it will be a cute party!
 I can't believe he will be TWO in less than 3 weeks. 
Where has the time gone?!?!

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I am loving the 1 on 1 time I had with Luke last week while my girls were at Performing Arts Camp.
He is such a boy....loves his trucks & trains. So different than the girls!
It was so great having over 5 hours each day with JUST Luke!!!
He is such a fun kid.

I am also loving that my girls loved that Camp and that they did so awesome in their play on Friday night.
  Know what I am NOT loving?
That school starts in a month!
This summer has gone by WAY too quickly!
What are you loving this summer?

16 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! There is just too much goodness in this one post! First, I want to go to Tahoe too! It looks gorgeous there! Second, I looooove your kitchen!! Love, love, love it! Third, when did Luke get so big? I swear he's growing up just too fast!

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  2. I love so much in this post! I just got my EC planner this month too and I'm loving the fresh start. All your kitchen updates are fantastic -- especially the kitchen island! Looks like it was made for your space

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  3. I love the changes you made to the kitchen. It looks great! I am not loving the icky green color I turned as you showed the pics of Tahoe. I am so jealous! ;)
    ~Amanda from His and Her Hobbies

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  4. Your kitchen is basically my dream kitchen.... It's gorgeous!

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  5. OMG, I have always wanted to go to Lake Tahoe, looks gorgeous! Your kitchen looks amazing, I love it!

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  6. Please come make my kitchen look as clean and as new as yours!! :)

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  7. Oh, my gosh--am obsessed with your new kitchen island and your use of storage baskets. Can't wait to see how Luke's party turns out :)

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  8. Love the little changes you made to your kitchen! Small changes, but big impact! That island is awesome!

    Xavier loves Chuggington too! Really anything cars, trains, trucks, planes, etc! lol! Total boy! :)

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  9. LOVE the new look of the kitchen! Your IKEA finds are fantastic!! And Tahoe- ahhh... definitely on my list of places I'd love to go!

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  10. I NEED to visit Tahoe, it looks amazing!
    Your kitchen looks fabulous. That table is great. I love a table with a bench. I also loved how you put the kids plates, cups, etc. in baskets. I might have to steal that idea. It's pretty genius.
    I bought a new planner today and was so excited with it. While I'd love to have an Erin C. planner, I can't fork out the money. I'm just too tight. I couldn't live without my calendar though!

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  11. Costco sells rugs?! This is a great one! I have got to get over to that place.

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  12. Oh gosh! Those are some amazing views. I wish I could take a vacay near a beautiful lake, too! Anyway, the house updates are looking good, especially those that are done in the kitchen. The dining room is just divine, with the all-white set and contrasting cushions. I hope everyone's in the best of health! Cheers!

    Lynn Williamson @ DAL Builders

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  13. Love your Tahoe pictures....it is one of my happy places as well! I am fortunate to live only 90 minutes or so for it . Mod you have a cabin there? We have one one the north shore which I like because it is pretty quite there.
    Love your kitchen makeover!

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  14. Love that island. I think the kitchen looks bigger with the new island!

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  15. We have the same round white table now in our kitchen and I've been needing to upgrade for awhile too....I love the new one you got with the bench! IKEA is so great! I love checking in on your blog and seeing all your yummy recipes. :O)

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  16. Basically, I really like to eat. It doesn't matter, summer, autumn, winter, I have always loved, love and will love this business. My wife loves cooking very much, we are like yin and yang. We complement each other perfectly. Here she is, not so long ago I wanted a kitchen set and I think I will take it on the Kitchen Cabinets KING OF PRUSSIA website. Or are there people here who can offer something more interesting?

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