Lemon + Lavender = Perfection

I took the kiddos by the mall last night to pick up a few things, and one of the things one my list was some Yankee Candle Wall Plug refills. I usually stick to my Clean Cotton, but this time something new caught my eye, Lemon Lavender, its got that great fresh citrus smell with very light undertones of lavender, so nice!!

Needless to say, I ended up with the plug-in refills, a candle, room spray, and a car hanging things all in the scent, love :)

Also, theses were too funny not to share, Man Candles, lol :)

The names are hilarious, First Down, Riding Mower & 2x4, but I'm not really thinking my hubby would be too excited if he received one of these!

Best. Camera. Ever.

So I've got a new toy, that I'm dying to share, it's the Nikon Coolpix AW100. This Little badboy is waterproof, shockproof, and takes really amazing pics....plus, an orange camera is so much easier to spot in the abyss of my purse than a black one :) 

I have to admit, I was more than a little bit nervous to actually take it underwater, but I took the dive, literally, in salt water no less, and it's still working perfectly. Aren't these some fun shots :)

May Birchbox: Gossip Girl Ediiton

Paver Patio Progress

I mentioned a couple weeks ago we were have a paver patio installed,and the work has finally begun. It is three weeks behind schedule, and has been nothing short of a complete nightmare. The company we chose was recommended by a large nursery and hard scape supplier that we use very often, but needless to say, I have informed them they may want to remove this company from their list, not because of the quality, but because of their inability to communicate or follow through with anything, okay that''s the end of my spiel...for now ;)

I forgot to get an actual full photo before the work started, but this pic is from last summer, basically stairs leading down to grass, so here's what the back  area looked like before...

And after three, yes Three(ugh!) it was supposed to be done in two, today makes day four...

I'm not super thrilled at this point, the retention wall was supposed to be a small step, which ended up being about an 14" drop, so now I'm going to have to figure out some sort of stone step, the depth was supposed to be 15' and we're at about 12'6", and the fill comes up to the bottom step leading to our porch, which I'm waiting to see how they'll make that work without looking completely odd. On a positive note...I do love the textured pavers we got and the three-piece configuration. Here's hoping tomorrow I'm back with a post saying how much I love the finished product....

Kid's Nautical Playroom

I'm trying to finish up the kiddo's playroom, I've been playing with different ideas and arrangements, but just about have everything as I like it. I thought I'd show you my inspiration board, and then if I can get a few things finished up over the weekend, I can do a room review Monday.

Since the kids are 8 and 6 now, I wanted to do something gender neutral, that they could enjoy for a few years, so I went in a nautical direction, with lots of neutrals to keep things from getting too busy. You may think I'm crazy for a white couch in a kids playroom, but I nabbed this awesome sofa for 75% at the DUH white tent sale, and it's slip-pcovered, so its completely washable and bleachable, and about the most comfortable couch ever!

Couch: Lee Industries Slip-covered Apartment Sofa

Window Treatments: Weathered Painted Oars by PB

Window Treatments: Fisherman's Net by PB

Drape Across Bottom of TV Stand: Schooner Nautical Print Fabric

Pillows: Latitude Sail Blue Fabric

Wall Decor: Handmade Metal Shark

Storage: Sea grass Toy Baskets by RH

Lighting: Buoy Lamp

Floor: Sheep Skin Rug

Stamped Whale Pillow Source

Look what I dug up out of our little garden this weekend, new potatoes!

 

I was getting frustrated with the potato plants taking  over a good bit of my little veggie garden, and decided to pull them up to save the other plants that weren't getting any sun, and these little guys were attached to the bottom, after a bit more digging in the dirt, up to my elbows I might add, I pulled out some really nice sized potatoes, and even got some green beans of the vines.

 

 

A Walk on the Wild Side

Happy Mother's Day to me :)

Sam Edelman Gable Sandals & Essie Polish in Watermelon

I went by Dillard's last night to return some cowboy boots I'd bought for the rodeo last weekend and ended up not wearing, and these Sam Edelman Gable sandals were just calling my name. I'd seen them the week before In the coral and cheetah, but this lime green leather and zebra calf hair combo was just so fun and bright, I am ready for the boat and beach this weekend !!

Finally, my little gardenia bushes are looking better, and blooming their wonderful, fragrant flowers. We planted them here, and they haven't shown any new growth and were on my hubby's "tear-up and plant something else," but I bargained to let them be for a few more weeks, and alas they have rewarded me with my favorite blooms :)

Tuesdays Three Things to Love

Today I thought I'd touch base on the three essential things needed for a perfect Florida summer......

gorgeous sugar white Beaches...

bountiful Sunshine...

and last but certainly not least, actually most importantly,

an assortment of fun bikinis!

 Betsey Johnson

J Crew - p.s. I ♥♥♥ seersucker!

Swimwear 360

Swimwear 360

Vix Odette ♥ the leather details

Jouels Evedon Women's Rain Boots....are these seriously not the cutest rain boots ever!! These make me want to live somewhere very rainy, ha! Love these ♥

I foresee a pair of the Navy with gold bows making a home in my closet in the very near future ;)