Backyard Remodel - Children's Playground with Rubber Mulch

The backyard remodel is *just* about done.  All the major work is done - now it's the finishing touches that are going in - like my succulent gardens, finding the right outdoor dinnerware, and such.  

My kids absolutely LOVE their new playground!  It's a joy to have a backyard that is completely safe for 3 little kids and also waterwise for our Southern California needs.  

I especially love the rubber mulch that we had put in under and around the entire playground.  We had a 2.5" depth put in so when the kids fall off the structure, they won't hurt themselves.  Make sure that the kids are wearing shoes when playing outside because it does get hot to the touch.  

It's heavy and won't wash away in the rain (not that we get any) and it looks great next to the decomposed granite border.  You definitely need a border to hold the rubber mulch in.  Also love the fact that it's economical (lasts around 10 years), eco-friendly and it doesn't harbor bugs.  We got ours at PlaySafer.  

The playground was from Costco and the bendable border  is on sale right now for 20% off.  

Wedding Guide: Must Haves For Your Wedding

We've found some fun must haves for your wedding!  Take a peek - they're all handmade and one of a kind!

Garden Design - 21 Amazing Succulent Decor Ideas

I've just redesigned both my front and backyards to be completely waterwise since we live in drought ridden California.  We've incorporated succulents of all kinds and I love these ideas that I found on etsy - so many amazing ways to decorate with succulents!  

Take a look at these pretty ideas - click on the image for more information!

Style Guide: Nautical Fashion and Decor Inspiration

I think at last count, I had at least 10 striped shirts in my closet.  Not going to apologize for it- I live here in San Diego, a mere 10 minutes from the beach and a striped shirt with khaki shorts is my go to outfit for a walk on the beach or out in La Jolla.  

I love the preppy look of nautical inspired fashion - it's definitely a classic look that transcends all trends.  

Here are some great retailers that I love for nautical finds:

Amazon 

J.Crew - take 30% off your entire order including sales with code:  DAYFIVE

Nordstrom

Pottery Barn

Tory Burch

Style Guide: ShopBop Sale Picks

Oh this sale is amazing over at ShopBop!  Seriously - some of my summer favorites are all on sale - including these favorites from Tory Burch, kate spade, Blue Life, and 7 For All Mankind all at up to 70% off!  

Don't forget to use the code:  25MORE for an extra 25% off your entire purchase!

Just click on any photo below to be taken directly to the item!  

Happy Shopping!

Style Guide: Fun Ice Cream Fashion Trends

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!  Here are some fun ice cream finds for you!

Get Organized with these beautiful 2016 Agendas & Daily Planners

It's time to get organized now that the new agendas for 2016 are out.  I love to plan ahead for my blog and business.  I previously blogged about how I organize my Lilly Pulitzer planner  but you can use this guide to organize any planner.  

Style Guide: The Best Handbags for Under $200

Need a new cute handbag?  Here are some beautiful ones for under $200!

Style Guide: Butterfly Fashion Inspiration

I love butterflies.  I love how beautiful and transformative they are, they morph from a caterpillar to a butterfly - both bearing zero resemblance to one another.  Every year, we go to the San Diego Safari Park to see their butterfly exhibit and every year, we walk away in absolute wonder at their beauty.  We've been to several butterfly gardens - including the one in NYC at the Museum of Natural History and the one in Denver at the Denver Zoo & Butterfly Garden.  

We've been up to Goleta to look for the butterfly groves but we were a tad too early last year.  

Regardless, here are some beautiful butterfly inspired pieces that you may love - just click on each photo for more information!

Here are some retailers that carry beautiful butterfly inspired items:

Nordstrom

kate spade

ShopBop

Neiman Marcus

Minted - beautiful butterfly inspired stationery

 

2000 Minute Summer Challenge - Free Printable

Are your kids bored now that school's out?  Get them to learn something new or have them get better at something!  I've created a 2000 minute challenge worksheet for my kids.  Basically, they have to do something 100 times in 20 minute increments.  Very doable even for little ones.  And it has to be done before school starts again.  Heck, it's even great for adults who want to motivate themselves to hit a goal!

Click here for the free download --> 2000 Minute Summer Challenge

My etsy store has plenty of other fun printables that will help you manage your life.

Please leave a comment if you download this - I would love to see what the kids are learning this summer!

Summer Guide: Fun Ice Cube Trays for Summer

Summer weather is upon us - what better way to cool down in style than with these fun ice cubes for your summer drinks!  I know my kids are going to just love these!  

Just click on the image to get more info!

Style Guide: Huge Sale On Beautiful Jewelry and Accessories

There's a huge sale on these pretties - head on over to save 40% off!

Wedding Guide: Sale on Beautiful Wedding Invitations

Have you visited Minted for all of your stationery needs?  Seriously, they have some amazingly gorgeous designs, from every day thank you cards to travel photo collages to wedding stationery for all budgets. 

Their wedding invitations also include free matching envelope designs with guest addressing that - they even have the pretty hand calligraphy looking fonts!  

Right now, thru the 15th of June, you can get up to 15% off all wedding items with code:  SUMMERWED

And thru the 16th of June, receive 15% off all custom photo gifts for Father's Day!

30 Summer Pieces for Under $30!

30 amazing summer pieces to add to your wardrobe - each for under $30!  Sorry for the short notice - the sale ends tonight June 11 at 9pm PST.

Style Guide: Pool Party Essentials

Who's up for a fun pool party?  I am!  For sure you will have the best pool party around with these pool essentials that we've found for you!  

Nordstrom has a fun pop-up shop with a ton of pool essentials

Pottery Barn

Urban Outfitters - has the best pool floats!

Amazon - great selection of pool toys

Style Guide: Gigi New York Friends & Family Sale

I've blogged about my friends over at Gigi New York several times and as I've said before, they are one of my favorite companies to work with.  Their products are all so beautifully made, the people there are absolutely the friendliest and kindest people around, and everything is made here in the US. 

They're having a Friends & Family sale that starts today and ends Sunday June 14 at midnight EST.   

If you've been eyeing their gorgeous clutches, now is the time to get one or more!  Starting at only just over $100 with code:  FRIENDS15, it's a steal!  

Their beautifully crafted iPhone cases start at under $30 and their new line of wristlets start at under $40.

Celebration Guide: Father's Day Gifts for Under $50

Father's Day is almost here!  Dad's are always so easy going - no need to overspend to impress them.  Here are some amazing gifts under $50:

Celebration Guide: It's National Donut Day!

It's National Donut Day!  Such a fun day celebrating these sweet little treats.  I'm going to have to dedicate this post to my sweet husband - he loves donuts more than anyone else I know.  He even owns a donut email - over 15 years ago, someone emailed him and asked him to give up his email, they claimed that he doesn't deserve the email because he can't possibly love donuts that much.  Pretty funny.  That and he went to school up in LA and frequented the famous Donut Man way too often.  He finally brought me back some strawberry stuffed donuts last time he went up - they were divine.  Anyways - I've already had my donut today - the husband was kind enough to bring some for the whole class - it was family lunch day at my son's school.

We've found some fun donut finds for you (these are calorie free!) - take a look below - as always, click on the photo to be taken to the site:

Style Guide: Resort Dresses

Looking to get away this summer?  We've found some beautiful dresses for your days spent at the resort!  Light, airy, and easy to pack, these dresses easily take you from day to night.  

Here are some great places to find resort dresses:

Nordstrom

Nordstrom Rack - great deals at up to 70% off!

Revolve Clothing

Shopbop

Lilly Pulitzer

And if you have trouble deciding where to go - I highly recommend checking out TripAdvisor where you can read reviews from where people have gone and stayed and what they thought about the resorts and excursions.  I can get lost on that site for hours!  

Style Guide: Paisley Print Fashion Trend

Paisley print isn't only for men's ties!!  This classic and beautiful print is on everything this season!  I feel that this print just makes the outfit or decor so much more elegant - the swirls and intricate detail inside each swirl is just so pretty no matter what colors are used.  

Here are some great places to find paisley print items - there are so many!  

Nordstrom - Women  //  Home

Nordstrom Rack

Shopbop

Revolve Clothing

asos

Pottery Barn

Horchow

Wedding Guide - Pretty Wedding Invitations & Save the Dates

Did you just get engaged?  Congratulations!  One of my favorite things to look at right after I set my wedding date was to look at save the dates & wedding invites.  They really do set the tone for the wedding - you'll be able to give your guests an idea as to what to expect with your invitations.  They could be a simple informal set or they could be a fancy letterpressed set.  Whatever your choice, Minted has some gorgeous sets available that you definitely need to check out.  Take a look!

Style Guide: Red, White, and Blue Fashion Trends

Get ready for July 4th with these pretty pieces in red, white, and blue that we've rounded up for you:

Holiday Guide: 4th of July Patriotic Fashion & Decor

Happy Monday Lovelies!  I love the 4th of July - it truly brings us together as a nation in celebrating our independence.  I never knew how much pride I have living here until the other day when I was at Costco getting a new flag for our front yard, a lady remarked to her husband, "Look at her flag, we should get one too"  to which he replied, "No - we aren't flag people."  Those words stung even though they weren't directed at me.  He really doesn't realize how good he has it.  

I always get choked up when I hear the song - God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood.  If you don't know it - give it a listen - I'm sure you'll love it too!

I've rounded up some pretty awesome 4th of July pretties for you - from clothing to decor.  Here are some great places to find 4th of July goods:

Nordstrom

Williams Sonoma

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Kids

World Market