Summer (Mom) Style: Coral & Floral

Well, I made it! I finished up my first 30 for 30 and only cheated once by adding this red striped tank on the 4th of July.

Blouse: NY&Co

Shorts: Target

Sandals: Jackie's eBoutique

This is one of my favorite dressed down outfits of the challenge. I love the feminine floral top paired with the bright coral shorts. Actually though, I really like anything paired with these particular bright coral shorts. =)

Necklace & Wrap Bracelet: Premier Designs Jewelry

I have a feeling these shorts (and maybe the mint ones if I pick them up on my next Target trip) will be my go-to piece this summer.

Now that my 30 for 30 is completed, I have a feeling my posts may be a bit more sporadic. =)

I'm leaving this afternoon for New Orleans to co-host a baby shower along with my sis-in-law and aunt for my favorite sister in the world.  It's her first baby and we are beyond thrilled to have this weekend to celebrate the little munchkin that's in her belly. I'm a bit of a procrastinator (which has probably driven my co-hosts crazy the past few months), so I have quite a bit to do tomorrow, but it should be a lot of fun!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Linking up today with Mix & Match Fashion and All Things Pretty. Check out the other looks to get inspired how to get dressed this summer!

Summer (Mom) Style: Two for One

I'm so eager to wrap up this 30 for 30 that I'm presenting both outfits that I wore yesterday, which brings us to Outfit Numbers 28 and 29!

Team Tank: F21

Skirt: Le Lapin D'or

Sandals: Target

I wore the incredibly mismatched outfit above for about an hour while I was cleaning the house. Then I changed into my swimsuit and went to the beach. This is the most I've stretched my creativity in the challenge. I typically wouldn't pair purple with blue gingham... and I'm not sure it actually works, per se. But I think it would pass if worn confidently. Now, if I had a cute coral printed tank or green printed tank, I think it would look much better with the gingham skirt!

Dress: Kohls

Blouse: NY&Co

Wedges: Zulily

Last night, we had another Family Conference meeting, so when I got home from the beach, I whipped up some dinner, grabbed a quick shower and changed for church.

Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Leather Wrap Bracelet: Premier Design Jewelry

Speaking of the beach, I swam for the first time in open water. You guys, I swam with the fishes. Literally. And I didn't freak out. Something even touched my nose at one point and that time, I actually did freak out, but I recovered and didn't drown. It probably helped that the water I was swimming in wasn't over my head. =)  I have to admit, it's going to be a tough swim on the 18th. But I've decided I'm just going to finish this triathlon, whether I have to back float, free style or side stroke my way through it.  When I train for my next triathlon, I'll really try to spend more time doing kicking drills, spend more time swimming laps, etc., so that I can really figure out the swim.

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde, Dear Abby Leigh, Wardrobe Wednesday, I Feel Pretty and Suburbs Mama.

Summer (Mom) Style: More Sneakers

As in, I need more sneakers. I'm getting quite bored with this pair.

Skirt: Loft, Thrifted

Shirt: Thrifted

Tank: Target

Sneakers: TJMaxx

Yesterday, I wore these sneakers and this same shirt with my plaid shorts, so when it came time to change for Family Conference, I went for a quick change. This skirt was the only thing in my 30 for 30 that I haven't worn that is somewhat appropriate for church. It's actually a little bit shorter than I like to wear to church, but when I cover my knees up with my Bible, we're all good. ;)

This little miss was quite the photographer yesterday.  In the above photo, she's telling me, "No. Back all da way to dis." As she points to the fence.

So I did. And she said, "Yeah, momma. Dat better."

I have a feeling it's going to be a beautiful day today! We actually only have a 20% chance of rain for the first day in weeks, so we're driving out to the beach!

Summer (Mom) Style: Sneakers & Shorts

Outfit Number 26 and it's more of the same... That's right. It's another look in my mom uniform of sneakers and shorts.

Shirt: Thrifted

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Shoes: TJMaxx

Socks: Target

This morning, my little princess slept till 8:30. Let me tell you, she should have! Last night, she was up until about 9:30 (2 hours past her bedtime), with excuse after excuse for getting out of bed. Well, I can't stand to hear her crying, "My mommy! My mommy!" for longer than 5 or so minutes before I crack. Yeah, I know. I'm quite the pushover. So, I went into her room, held her hand for a while, sang her a few songs, even rocked her for a bit.

So, this morning when she woke up, she smiled up at me and said, "I fell aseep, momma!" Like she had dome something that I would be so proud of. I said, "That's great, baby. Momma prayed and prayed last night that you'd fall asleep."

Then she said, "Yeah! And Jesus hold my hand and wocked me till I fell aseep" And because I wasn't going to contradict her, I said, "Yeah, he did."

Then she thought about it for a second and said, "Momma, you Jesus?"

Well, even though I hope to portray Jesus to those around me, I most certainly am not Him. =)

Linking up today with Monday Mingle, Funday Monday and Monday Bloom.

Summer (Mom) Style: Churchy Attire

Today is the first day of our Family Conference! I am excited to see how the Lord will speak to me specifically during this time. 

Skirt: New York & Company

Tee & Blazer: Target

Shoes: Zulily

Necklace & Earrings: Rue 21

Family is so important.  These days, family seems to be undermined everywhere we turn. I hope that I can keep my heart open the next few days and when it is all over, I hope I'll be a better wife and mom. A mom that teaches her kids to fear the Lord and choose right; and a wife that honors the Lord and supports her husband.

I heard something on KLOVE this weekend. I'm not sure who said it, but some sports guy said, "I want people to hear what I say and see how I live and think, 'Yeah, they match up.'" That's exactly what I want people to think of me and my life. I want them to see Jesus and not be offended, but be drawn to Him.

I certainly rattled on quite a bit today about things that actually matter to me, but hey, it's Sunday. And if you can't talk about the Lord on Sundays, when can you? Ammiright? ;)

I'm linking up today with Plane Pretty, Fine Linen & Purple, Watch What I'm Wearing and What She Wears.

Summer (Mom) Style: Rainy Day Blues

It has rained nearly every day since summer break began, but those scattered thunderstorms have nothing on the monsoon that has drenched us for the past three days. Seriously. I'm over it.  I put on a happy face for the kids and tell them that the rain is oh so wonderful for the grass and the trees, but I want just a teeny bit of sunshine.

Not only would I relish a day spent lounging on the beach, but I also need some pretty weather so I can practice open water swimming!

Outfit #23

Shorts, Belt, Sandals: Target

Top: Loft (Thrifted)

Necklace & Earrings: Rue 21

Not only am I over this rain, I'm over this 30 for 30. I mean, I'm still able to mix and match these pieces and I'm not really struggling too badly coming up with outfits. But I'm bored with them! I want to wear my new bird shirt and I'm pretty sure my church friends are beginning to think that I only own the blue sheath dress and green maxi skirt, since those were the only church appropriate skirts that I included in the mix. Next time, I might throw in a few more knee-length or longer skirts.

Outfit #24

Six more outfits to go . . . that's what I keep telling myself.

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend! My fingers are crossed that the weather clears up soon(ish) so that we can get out and do something other than make tents in the living room and watch movies.

Summer (Mom) Style: More Pattern Mixing

Outfit Number 22 features more pattern mixing.  You begin to see patterns as simply another solid when you're this far into a 30 for 30. ;)

Shirt, Tank, Sandals & Belt: Target

Shorts: Gap Outlet

You guys. I think I'm ready to get back to school! It's not that I want to get away from my kids. I'm actually enjoying my time with them and they've been (mostly) a lot of fun.  But I'm starting to feel unproductive. I think I'm ready to get back in the classroom, get things all set and ready for next year and end the day with that "I feel like I've accomplished something" sheer exhaustion.

I'm looking forward to finishing my triathlon, so that my training will shift a bit.  Next up on the agenda is a 1/2 Ironman Relay in October.  My friend will be doing the bike, I'm doing the run and another friend will be doing the swim.  Once my training shifts to strictly running, I'll have a lot more time during the day that I can spend in the classroom getting ready for next year!

I'm linking up today with Passion for Fashion, Two-Thirty Five Designs and Life of the Party.

Summer (Mom) Style: Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

Tank: TJMaxx

Skirt: Le Lapin D'or

Belt: Target

Bracelets: Bealls, Rue 21

Necklace: Rue 21

I cheated today. See this tank?  It's not part of my 30 for 30, but I really wanted to wear something with patriotic punch today.  I'd already worn two other patriotic outfits... and the rules of the 30 for 30 are that I use 30 pieces of clothing and that I can't repeat outfits. So, I had to break one of the rules today. As I rummaged through my drawers, I came across this tank that used to belong to my sister and I knew . . . I just had to add it to the mix so I could create a patriotic outfit worthy of fireworks.

No, we're not actually going to see fireworks. Those things happen after dark and you'll rarely catch us out after dark. I mean, hey, we value bedtime like it's . . . valuable or something.

To wrap things up, I want to leave you with a recipe from eMeals that is perfect for this holiday weekend.  

Thunder Cake... Or as I like to call it, Firecracker Cake, because it will create explosions in your mouth.

1 box German chocolate cake mix
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
12 oz jar hot fudge topping
16 oz carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
16 oz container strawberries, chopped
1 pint blueberries
4 chocolate-covered toffee bars, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make and bake cake according to package directions in a 13x9-inch pan. Cook 20 minutes in the pan. Invert cake onto a serving platter. Poke holes all over the warm cake using a wooden spoon handle. Slowly pour the condensed milk over the cake and spread evenly. Heat the fudge topping in the microwave until slightly warm.  Slowly pour fudge topping over the cake.  Let stand 20 minutes to cool. Spread whipped topping over the top and sides of cake. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours.  Before serving, top cake with strawberries, blueberries and crushed candy bars.  (It's best served cold.)

I'm telling ya, explosions in yo' mouth!

I'm linking up today with Mix & Match Fashion. 

Summer (Mom) Style: Dots on Dots

This outfit is almost patriotic.

Head to Toe . . . Target

The shorts are actually a bright coral, but coral is in the reddish family. And the top actually has light green dots all over it, but they're barely visible really.  Then we've got the navy polka dotted blazer.  Maybe that's the only part that's actually looking patriotic.

Or maybe it's just the flag in the background?

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement when I vented about being absolutely awful at swimming.  Yesterday afternoon, I swam 150 yards without stopping and swam a total of 700 yards before calling it enough. Today, I'm going for 200 without taking a break... and hopefully, I'll swim 300 in the open water on Saturday. I still get terribly winded when I freestyle, so I'm really depending on the sidestroke to catch my breath a bit. My triathlon isn't until July 18th, but I'm doing a "practice run" on Saturday... We'll see how it goes!

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy, Dear Abby Leigh, Transatlantic Blonde, Wardrobe Wednesday, Suburbs Mama and I Feel Pretty. 

P.s. This is Outfit Number 20 of my 30 for 30! I'm 2/3 of the way finished!

Summer (Mom) Style: Floral, Cobalt & Splashes of Yellow

How many of you live with a bossy three-year old?

I love my bossy three-year old, I really do. But I'm trying to get rid of some of this adorable attitude before it becomes a serious problem.  These are just a few of her favorite phrases:

But I don't want to.
NO! I said!
I alweady tole you!
Ackchally, I don't want to.

It's like they're on repeat . . . all day long.

Then she comes up to me and says, "Momma, I weally weally wuv you." And while that doesn't make her attitude okay, it does make it bearable.

Outfit Number 19... Worn to Church

Dress: Kohls

Shirt: New York & Company

Wedges: Zulily

Bracelet & Necklace: Target

Enjoy your day, friends. I don't believe I have a single thing on the agenda today. In fact, I may take a little breather from my 30 for 30 and not even get dressed at all... but shh!! Don't tell anyone. ;)

Summer (Mom) Style: Dresses & Sneakers

Outfit #17 features a tank dress and sneakers. It's not my most stylin' look yet, but it is a little funky.

Dress: Jackie's eBoutique

Sneakers: TJMaxx

Wrap Bracelets: Target & Bealls

If you've been following along during this 30 for 30, then you'll know I already wore this dress and really the only thing I switched up this time was the shoes. I thought about wearing a tank under it or layering a shirt over it... but it was simply scorching outside and I couldn't bear the thought of layers.

I'm looking forward to a wonderful day at church today. We're gearing up for our Family Conference and I'm really excited at the thought of what the Lord has in store for our church!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Linking up today with Fine Linen & Purple and Plane Pretty.

Summer (Mom) Style: Cobalt, Purple & Chambray

I am over half way finished with my summer 30 for 30. Do you want to know something? When this is finished, I'm not sure I'll even attempt to get dressed until August when we go back to school. Seriously, I kind of want to bum around the house in pj's!

Outfit #16

Chambray Top: Thrifted

Purple Tank: New York & Company

Shorts: Target

Sandals: Avon

This outfit took me to the Gulfarium with my family, which has many outdoor exhibits. It held up very well to the heat! I almost wore a skirt, but I was glad that I didn't. It was a bit windy and it might have been a little embarrassing to have a Marilyn Monroe moment.

I hope you all have a fantastically beautiful weekend! Enjoy some QT with your families.

Summer (Mom) Style: Pattern Mixing & Miley Cyrus Hair

This is going to be short and sweet, friends. I'm officially on "staycation," so my time is devoted to my sweet husband and my kids.  And to the hundreds of invitations (not really, it just feels that way) I'm trying to get out for my sister's baby shower... but that's another story!

Tee, Sandals, Belt & Most of the Jewelry: Target

Shorts: Gap Outlet

I typically wouldn't pair this shirt and these shorts, but that's what you do when you're working with only 30 pieces for 30 outfits. It's a little busy for my taste and the colors seem to clash just a tiny bit, but if you wear it confidently, it works. =)

The Miley Cyrus hair is courtesy of my stylin' hair stylist and friend. We've been wanting to try a funkier look, so when she cut my hair yesterday, she styled it like this. I'm not sure I can style it this way myself, but maybe I'll try one day.

And that's all I've got for you. I'm linking up today with Mix & Match Fashion.

Summer (Mom) Style: Skirts & Printed Tops

Today I'm sharing both Outfit Numbers 10 and 11 with you. Aren't you lucky?

Outfit #10

Skirt: Loft, Thrifted

Tank (also worn here), Belt & Sandals: Target

Necklace: Origami Owl

Bracelet: Rue 21

The green skirt number was worn to my little Princess's 3rd birthday party. Speaking of the age 3, no one warned me that 3 is basically the same thing as 13 when we're talking about attitudes and moods. Good grief, my angelic, sweet two-year old has turned into a demanding, bossy little diva!

If you're dying to see more of Her Highness and her party, you can check them out on Instagram.

Outfit #11 (I'm 1/3 of the way finished!)

Skirt & Blouse: New York & Company

Spot on the Skirt: Well, that came from Her Highness, I'm sure.

Wedges: Zulily

And this second little green skirt number (I didn't realize I included two green skirts in my 30 for 30 until this very second), was worn to church. Okay, I'd like to say that I am not one of those bloggers who take perfect photos. Nope, this is real life, so you get part of my child's arm along with my skirt and top.

Also, you get a skirt with a spot on it. Because I barely have enough time to get dressed on Sunday mornings, much less time to inspect my clothing for stains.

I'd also like to share that while I'm attempting to type out a quick post because I simply can't skip a day during my 30 for 30... I mean, what would you do if you didn't know how I was getting dressed during my summer break? I know, I know, it would kill you, right?  Okay, anyways, back to this fragmented sentence. While I'm trying to get a quick post up, Her Highness keeps bringing me "uhpizes." Each time, I have to close my eyes while she counts to 6 and then says "Uhpize! I got uhpize fuh you!"

I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

I'm linking up today with Monday Mingle and Funday Monday. 

Summer (Mom) Style: Date Night

Outfit #9 . . . Date Night!

Shorts, Tank, Bracelet & Watch: Target

Wedges: Zulily

Date nights don't happen all that often at our house, so when they do we cherish them.

I love this guy. On Tuesday, we'll be celebrating 8 years of marriage.

We enjoyed the Pollo Rosa Maria at Carrabba's. Then we enjoyed a little trip to Lowe's. A trip to any store without the kids is always a pleasure. Then we got home in time to tuck the kids in.

It was one of those rare nights, when the Princess actually decided she wasn't tired and whined/fussed for about an hour in her bed. Why is it that when kids do that we think letting them sleep in our room might help? It didn't. Finally around 11pm, she fell asleep and we got to catch a few winks.

Despite the limited amount of sleep we got, I was able to get a PR when Nate & I went out to the bike trail yesterday morning.  My super sprint is a 7.5 bike and 1.5 run, which should be incredibly simple. So we pushed really hard to see what I might be able to do on race day.  We averaged 16.7 mph on the bike and 8:45 on the run.

I still have a few weeks till the triathlon, so I'm hoping to improve that time a bit more!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this weekend with the family. I love weekends now even more than I did when I was teaching. Summer weekends are so much fun! I hope you all enjoy the rest of yours! Happy Sunday!

I'm linking up today with Fine Linen & Purple, Sunday Style & Watch What I'm Wearing.

Summer (Mom) Style: Truly, Madly, Deeply

Outfit #8 is brought to you by the tee with a message.

Tee, Shorts, Belt: Target

Sneakers: Ralph Lauren, TJMaxx

Bracelet: Bealls

Rings: Premier Design Jewelry

Truly, madly, deeply... that's how I love my husband.  We're celebrating 8 years of marriage this week and I couldn't imagine my life without him.  I don't talk about him often, but he, along with the kids, is my life.  He is on my mind and in my heart all the time.

That is also how I love my God.  I don't talk about Jesus (on the blog) very often, but I couldn't imagine where my life would be without Him in it.  Just like my husband, He is on my mind and in my heart all the time.

I hope you all have a happy weekend! Enjoy special moments with your families and make the most of it all.  We're celebrating our anniversary and my little princess's birthday this weekend!