Summer Lovin'

We have had a pretty fun summer so far and still have lots to look forward to.  I thought I'd share the things I've been loving and using most this summer.

1.Superfeet Sandals

Rainy Spring Days

We have had QUITE the rainy Spring here and Utah, and thanks to some really cute and comfortable rain-wear, I haven't complained a single time about it!  I always cook things that my mom used to cook on rainy days since it reminds me of home.  This last week I made no-bake cookies and chicken and broccoli casserole :)

Rainjacket: Helly Hansen, Boots: Joules, Leather Bucket-Bag: The Sak, Jeans: Rock and Republic, Half-zip Jacket: Upsessive

Nomad Footwear Giveaway!

As I have been looking for some cute sandals for our trip coming up I noticed that Nomad footwear had some that I liked.  I decided on these black platform ones with a cute thick bandana print upper.  The print is done with a shiny silver thread so they are really fun and a little bit fancy.  I also loved that the upper is made from this fabric called EVA and it is super comfy.  There is nothing I hate more than having to break in flip flops and having blisters on the tops of my feet; and these definitely do NOT have to be broken in :)

 The other sandals I was debating between were these 3:

 As you can see, I am a fan of the sparkly sandals :)  But, I also liked these more modern ones:

And now you can go browse through Nomad's collection, because they are giving one of you a choice of any pair you would like (up to $55 value)!

For an entry to the giveaway, go browse their collection and come back here to tell me which ones you would choose if you won.

For extra entries:

Like Nomad on Facebook (2 entries)

Follow Nomad on Twitter (2 entries)

Follow/Subscribe to my blog (2 entries each)
Like me on facebook (2 entries)

Thanks to Nomad for sponsoring the giveaway!

Spring Shoes for the Kids

Pediped is one of my new favorite brands of kids shoes.  They are really well-made and very comfortable for kids and babies.  Many are machine washable and they hold their shape really well.  Many also come with 2mm insoles to extend the life of the shoe
(since kids seem to need a new size every couple of weeks! :)

I just thought all of these were adorable and really perfect for Spring:

Aren't they all super cute?!  I got to review these ones for Allie and she absolutely loves them.  Not only are they easy for her to get on and off herself, but as soon as she puts them on she says "let's go running!" probably because they are so comfy and easy to get around in :)

Spring Means Neons

Last weekend I got to go shopping with my mom-in-law and Allie and it was a lot of fun.  NY & Co. had everything 50% off in the store, which was awesome.  I got this super cute black lace skirt and these pretty coral flats.  Don't they have Spring written all over them?! (the flats I mean)

While my husband was gone fishing Allie and I also painted our nails.  Call me weird, but right now I am loving mint green and white:

I am also LOVING neons right now; done right of course...not talking about a flashback to the 80's or anything :)

via Chic Coastal Living

 J.Crew knows how its done.  I love their full-piece swimsuits:

I also love these oranges and pinks:

via Trends for the Current and Clever

A couple more things from J.Crew:

 Aren't neons fun?!

Frugal and Fabulous: Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

This guest post was written by Gemma O., who has written at length about the importance of radiology technicians and regularly discusses the pros and cons of Christian counseling degree programs.

Inexpensive Ways to Look Like a Million Bucks

When you’re raising a family, your own wants and needs often take the back burner to those of your children or partner. Unfortunately, this often goes out the window along with your free time to shop, accessorize, and create outfits that make you feel great about yourself. But looking good helps you feel good, and feeling good makes you approach the world from a place of confidence and poise. Luckily, it’s not difficult to look like a million bucks, even when you’re shopping on a frugal budget. Below are some easy, helpful fashion tips to make you feel great about the way you dress.

• Accessorize! Nothing spices up an outfit more than gorgeous accessories. They need not be pricy to look fabulous – sometimes the best bangles, scarves, or headbands can be found in stores’ sales sections with clearance price tags on them for $1, $2, or $5. Start a collection of hats, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, watches, etc. to draw from when you get dressed every morning. Goodness knows we’re all in a hurry to throw on some clothes and make it out the door, but a couple of accessories thoughtfully added to an outfit will make you look more put together.

 via ActressSnaps.com

• Shop at discount stores. Places like Marshall’s and Ross are excellent places to find brand-name clothing are rock-bottom prices. You might have to do some digging to find pieces that look chic, but there are plenty of well-made, classy clothes for the finding. Many designers and major department stores send their leftover, unpurchased goods to stores like this, and there are unbelievable deals on designers like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Find a fabulous, good-for-everything purse. Women’s purses are a catch-all for everything – phone, wallet, the mail, makeup, paperwork, you name it. But finding one versatile purse that matches any of your outfits and that is the right size for your needs will make all the difference in your fashion style. Rather than spending a bunch of money on several purses and have to hassle with switching between them, buy one solid well-made purse that you will last you a long time, and that you’re confident will accessorize well with most of your wardrobe.

image via the cherry blossom girl

• Become a thifting fashionista. You can find amazing things at thrift stores! And thrifting is half the fun – sifting through racks, digging through bins, and trying on funky things lets you explore and push your fashion boundaries without breaking the bank. Look for statement pieces and accessories especially. The best part about thrift stores is that you’ll buy and wear things that no one else is wearing because they aren’t this season’s rage at all the stores. Thrifted clothes will set you apart, and won’t make a sizeable dent in your pocketbook.
• Wear shoes that make a statement. Even if the rest of your outfit is neutral, plain, and ordinary, wearing a pairing of fun shoes makes all the difference. Whether it’s the color, fabric, heel height, peep-toe, having fun shoes makes you feel fun! Check out stores like Payless, Target, Cathy Jean, DSW Shoes, JC Penney for great shoes at low prices.

via space for inspiration

• Layer your clothes for added dimension. Layering doesn’t even require that you buy anything new – it just requires that you play with fun combinations in your closet that you might not have worn before. Instead of walking out of the house in a tshirt and jeans, throw on a cute cardigan, bright necklace, funky bracelet, and pretty scarf. Put on a pair of leggings under your skirt, or a vest over a button-down. This will add depth and dimension to your outfit, and you will look “styled” without looking over-done.
• Shop the sales racks. Half-yearly sales, Black Friday shopping, and clearance sales are a great way to get high-end clothes at discounted prices. If name-brands are important to you as well as cheap price tags, then you should stick exclusively to sales racks. If you see something at full price that you absolutely love, odds are that in one to two months, you’ll see it on the sale rack. Be vigilant and check back in to see when the store is shifting between seasons to score great pieces that are a steal.

Sanuk Review and Giveaway

Sanuk is a great sandals company that's all about fun and being environmentally conscious.  Here is a little bit about Sanuk and what they do:

Hi, we’re Sanük. We’ve been around since July, 1997 when Jeff Kelley started making sandals out of inner tubes and indoor-outdoor carpet. 1998 marked our first full year of operations. While we’ve progressed into semi-proper footwear company (uh-oh), Jeff’s spirit of innovation still serves as the backbone of our little brand. Today, we strive to make products that are as much about funk as they are about function. We’ve found our sandals are happiest when they tread the road less traveled – so we design ‘em accordingly.

Because “Sanük” is the Thai word for FUN, our name is also our mantra.

Our goal is to provide creatively inspired yet thoughtfully designed products for the global outdoor community…mostly because we’re part of it.

Headquartered in Southern California, we are an eclectic little family hailing from Santa Cruz, Seattle, Cardiff by the Sea, the Philippines, Colombia, Hong Kong, and even Papua New Guinea. With your support, we continue to grow and now have distribution across the United States and in over 50 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.

 I was lucky to get to review these fun Sidewalk Surf Shoes:

I LOVE them.  They are so fun and add personality to any pair of jeans and t-shirt combo I put on. :)

Since they really are made to wear as sandals (they are very airy and light) I love that I can wear them without socks and they are still super comfortable.  They will be the PERFECT shoe to take here when we go this Spring, and they will be awesome for taking walks this spring/summer/fall (since my flip flops don't always offer the best support or comfort.)

 Sanuk has offered one of you a choice of shoes from their site!

To enter:
Like Sanuk on facebook
Follow Sanuk on twitter
Subscribe to Sanuk's YouTube account

 1 entre for each - leave a comment of each entry.
For US residents only

Tinysoles Review and Giveaway

I contacted Tinysoles after reading a good review on them to see if I could review and do a giveaway for my readers.  They were really on top of things and responded very quickly with lots of great information for me about their business.  Here is a great explanation about them and what they do:

TinySoles is a shoe store dedicated to providing the most complete

selection of stylish, comfortable shoes for babies, infants, toddlers and

kids. We specialize in age appropriate footwear and offer the best

collection of flexible, soft sole shoes for little feet. TinySoles was

started by three mothers on a SOLE search for quality, development

appropriate footwear for our infants. Unable to find anything suitable in

our local area and frustrated with talking to "customer specialists" with

no real life experience with their products, we decided to bridge the gap

and created TinySoles.

We personally test all of our shoe brands on our own kids first and if we

don’t love them, we won’t sell them. Not only do we care about what you put

on your child’s feet, we want to provide you with a hassle-free shopping

experience with superior customer service. As parents, we know your time is

precious. Our goal is to keep your children’s feet happy, comfortable and

stylish while making shopping a pleasurable experience. We aim to be your

one-stop shoe source for baby, infant, toddler and kid shoes. We are

constantly searching for the best new products available to provide our

customers with the greatest selection of quality footwear. Our store prides

itself on being a mother-friendly and supportive workplace. When you call

to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff, you might hear the happy

sound of tiny voices in the background. Oh and did we mention our fast,

free shipping? We stock all shoes in house, which means if you can put it

in your cart it will ship the same day (if ordered by 3pm EST) and if you

order over $20 shipping is free (and that includes Hawaii, Alaska, APO/FPO

and Canada). We stand behind everything you purchase 100% and have a hassle

free return/exchange policy.

At TinySoles you will find a great selection of stylish shoes but you will

also find a ton of coordinating SOLE accessories like tights, socks, hats,

bags and even music you can stomp yer feet too. We are huge SmartWool

addicts and carry a great selection of soft and stretchy, all natural,

completely sustainable, itch free, stay cool in the sun and warm in the

snow, machine washable, super cute wool socks and accessories. We have over

100 styles of BabyLegs in stock and can definitely say they are the perfect

must have accessory for your diaper bag. In an attempt to cut down on

plastics in the environment and limit BPA exposure to our kids, we carry

the Klean Kanteen line of stainless steel sippy cups. TinySoles is also a

great place to buy Baby shower/newborn gifts from - with free shipping,

gift wrapping and a hand written card we make it easy to make a great

impression. If you’re like us and love to get a deal, then our “Daily Deal”

is for you. We offer a new deal daily Monday through Friday at an amazing

price until it’s gone.

Most importantly, all of our products at TinySoles are child tested and Mom

approved. Gone are the days of stiff shoes. At the heart of TinySoles is

the recommendation from leading pediatricians and podiatrists to keep

children in the closest thing to bare feet as possible and practical until

the age of two. This allows for proper foot growth, development of muscles

and balance naturally. That is why we offer the best selection of soft

soled shoes. We also take that theory to our rubber soled shoes, that our

children do not need heavy stiff shoes to play outside and so we have tried

and tested the best brands for flexibility, lightweight, comfort and

durability. No matter what the use, we have your tiny soles covered from

newborn to kids size 13.

So little may not have been the best adjective :)

They were so great to work with and so accommodating.  For the review, I chose these cute red Mary Jane's made by See Kai Run:

The package came SO quick and in it was a cute wrapped package and even a little sucker for Allie.  Talk about great customer service all the way to the door!

Allie LOVES these shoes.  They are so comfortable for her and VERY well made.  I can tell they will last through many kids; which is a nice thing to have when you plan on having more children. :)

Tinysoles has offered a $30 gift credit to their site to one lucky person!

To enter the giveaway, take a look at Tinysoles and leave a comment on what you love.

For extra entries:

Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 each)

Follow/Subscribe to Tinysoles blog (1 each)

Like Tinysoles on Facebook

Share this giveaway on twitter/facebook/your blog (3 each)

Please leave a comment for each entry.

I would like to thank Tinysoles for sponsoring this and wish you all luck!

Shoe Week

I have 2 great shoe giveaways for you this week, so why not make it shoe week?  I think I become more of a shoe gal as I get older...not sure why.  Here are a few that I have been drooling over lately:

I've been wanting these since Christmas:

And how about these cute running shoes:

PS
Happy Presidents' Day!
I am having lunch with friends and a date with my hubby today - lucky me! :)