A Gulf of Hope {and Help}

I've been uncharacteristically optimistic about the beloved gulf coast, thus far.

I even had Matt quickly detour to the actual beach for a millisecond last week so I could see and feel for myself that everything was still intact and untarnished... it was - see my toes in that clear water?!

I remain hopeful that the worst will somehow be avoided - or at least quickly remedied. But am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the only way good is going to be done is by our hands (we are the hands and feet of God, aren't we?); by everyone doing something.

There are a million ways to help, just (at least) pick one. This will help you get started.

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Love

where

you

live

(and you live here. on planet Earth.)
.
images by me (top two) and Refinery29 (bottom one)

currently

this

                                                                                                                     is my laundry room

this

                                                                                                                       is my bathroom

this

                                                                                                                 is my storage unit

and this

                                                                                                                    is my closet

but this

                                                                                                                   is my office

and that makes everything alright.

cannes darling!

Michelle Williams looks stellar in every Cannes image I've seen but I can't stay focused on what she's wearing because what. about. her hair? i love it.

she just keeps getting better.

i know this is a little late. oops (i just found it in our drafts. i always lose stuff in there ;) )

ole!

Remember when i promised something hilarious?  Well, I know..it’s been a while and now this video is a few of months old.  Mills would stop what she was doing and strike a Spanish matador’s pose  when anyone shouted “ole!” I tried my hardest to get the perfect “ole” on video, but you know how that goes and now she is (sadly) no longer into the “trick”.  But she used to do it on command and we all thought it was HILARIOUS (especially me, Arre & our waitress at the local mexican restaurant ;)) ..hope you get a little laugh out of it!

We are done with our travels and I will post pictures soon!  We had a blast and are getting settled back into our routine… I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!

l♥ve for lonny

I haven't had time to get beyond the letter from the editor in the current edition of lonny but in that ...i found this

Isn't she darling (the accent helps, I'm sure)? I  think her definition of home is spot on.

and did you see her poster?!

Summer Shoes

Cassandra posted these. They remind me of these, which I happen to be wearing today. Are they similar or am I dreaming?!

Either way, they made me feel stylish (I'm not) and budget conscious (I'm trying to be). Oh, because did I mention the price tag on mine was one-tenth of the price of the others? wow.

and yes, i have more than one foot. i just happened to be walking while i took this picture and i wasn't up for a mid-morning pike.

30A

When we are really lucky we scoot away to the beach for a few days at a time – there is one area we love – 30A (Florida’s scenic highway)  If you aren’t familiar, let yourself become!  It is such a fun area to vacation.  I’m not sure I can count the number of times we’ve made the 3 hour trip (not bad right?!) to our favorite vacation spot, but every trip has been filled with wonderful memories.  Since this summer has already been packed with travel, I thought I would share a few of my favorites from the area with you.

First… ( and i have to mention it first because we make a stop here EVERY trip at least once if not more)

Pizza by the Sea 

If you are ever in the area…GO!  Not only do they have amazing pizza…but they really cater to kids.  Just check out their blog and you’ll see why we love it there!  And a couple doors down from Pizza By the Sea….

Little Red  (both of these located by Publix on HWY 395 – Watercolor)

I wandered in this precious children’s store with MJ on a recent visit and we both had a really hard time leaving.  The clothes are ADORABLE.  And the toys equally as precious (if that’s possible) and the owner just as sweet.  You can’t go wrong!  (unless you have no self control) but just go!   Check them out on Facebook.

Last December I made a trip to the beach with no kids and a group of friends for my birthday – Arre told me about Fonville Press (a coffee shop with an adorable kid play area) at Alys Beach, suggested we go, and I fell in love!  When I spotted the hill i just knew I had to bring the girls back and so on this last trip (last week) – I did just that.  We had some very good friends with us (who also have 3 children) and I think it’s safe to say, everyone loved it.

Can you spot our babies (mills & cellie) in the picture below? 

If you head a little further down 30-A, you will hit Rosemary Beach and the quaint Cowgirl Kitchen. It’s a great lunch spot and a fun little walk through the cobblestone streets of Rosemary.

And last but not least – the beach is beautiful and the water crystal clear….

hair flower from Little Red

Oh and if you travel this way, fall in love with the area, decide you HAVE to buy or build here… I hear there is a wonderful designer in the area ;)

Erika of Urban Grace Interiors

I still may be MIA for a little while – Our next stops include Athens, GA, Savannah, GA, & Daufuskie Island!  In the meantime – check back to our inventory post for the latest available frames! And for future posts on how to handle 3 kids in the car because ..I hopefully will have mastered it by the time we return :)

Happy summer days!