faux-wrap top.

just a quick check-in here. wearing a faux-wrap top in a scarf print paired with my favorite white jeans. i loved the bold black trim on this top and carried that out with black shoes and accessories.

i'll be hitting the beach again today to spend some time with the minis. the water in the summer is so nice, we just can't get enough of it. 

father's day is this weekend...what's everyone doing for the special men in their lives? any gift ideas for the guy who has everything?

headed to the country after work to meet up with the minis...

made it just in time for a sunset swim.

hungry, we headed back to the beach house and whipped up this cranberry curry jasmine rice (from island keepsakes) with some sausages. so yum.

(Patty's Closet top c/o (808-625-6440);

Shop Lately necklace; Paige Denim; JustFab shoes)

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enter to win a jewelry item of your choice

sorority sister + GIVEAWAY.

leave it to the movies to skew our perception of what sororities and fraternities are really like...i mean, the first thing that comes to my mind is the movie legally blonde. while raging frat parties, that nerve-wracking sorority rush, or those secret rituals may or may not be true, i do know that members of these greek organizations share experiences that create lifelong bonds.

what better way to celebrate, create unity, or remember your association with a greek community than with a personalized piece of jewelry? The Collegiate Standard, a jewelry company created by greeks, for greeks, caters to fraternity and sorority organizations. looking for a thoughtful and unique gift? consider one of their lettered pendants, rings, tie clips, or cuff links. best part is that they give a portion of their sales to the designated sorority or fraternity, and we like companies that give back.

 scroll down for the giveaway.

are you part of a greek organization? if so, which one?

floral joggers are not pants!
they are comfortable pants.
and how might one wear these outside of the house?
with a shrunken blazer + heels.

(Sterling Silver Anchor ring w/lab-created diamonds c/o The Collegiate Standard)

this Delta Sigma Pi bangle in pink is one of my favorites;

i borrowed it so you could see it worn.

(Rampage blazer; Patty's Closet pants c/o;

Ellie shoes via i love Sexy; JustFab bag)

GIVEAWAY

Collegiate Standard is giving away one piece of jewelry to a lucky reader. you do not have to be part of a sorority or fraternity to enter; they have some pieces without letters (like the anchor ring i'm wearing above).

giveaway open to U.S. residents only, ends 6/18

enter using the rafflecopter widget below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

weekend in photos. summer love.

it's rare that we have a weekend completely free. someone always has a game, practice, class, or birthday party. this past weekend was one of those free weekends, so we headed to the beach house. it was the ideal summer weekend just hanging out, eating, and hitting the beach to surf, paddle, and swim several times a day. in the evenings, we'd play [with the neighborhood kids] on the street till dark, wind down by playing cards or games, and finally pop in a movie to end the night.

how's your summer so far?

carrot juice to kick off the weekend.

soaking up the last bits of sun.

sun protection essentials.

having fun letting the waves push us around.

iphone stack...plus the one i'm using to take the picture.

pork quesadillas from killer tacos.

[mini-he and me] on top of the world alligator rock! 

strawberry + coconut shave ice w/ice cream from my fave general store.

mini-she.

something i've always wanted to try for mini-he. i think i got more of a kick out of it than he did.

playing in the streets till dark...mini-he had the best time riding bicycles and scooters with the neighborhood boys. they were racing down a hill, and being the protective mom that i am, i followed along...cheering but also reminding him to use his brakes and slow down if he didn't feel comfortable. at one point, he actually shoo'd me and said under his breath, "i know, mom, go. go." i laughed to myself at the time, but thinking about it makes me sad...he's growing up!