Dear...

Dr U.P.S. driver,

Please knock LOUDER. My short-term memory is all but gone and now you are making me feel as though my hearing is going too.

Dear on-line shopping,

You are so enticing in your ways. Sending me all of those sale updates and then making it so easy by delivering right to the door for free.

See above.

Dear mamas of minivans,

You may have a point here. I rather like the roominess, comfort and ease of this boxy wonder. I still feel ridiculously unsexy driving in you. 

Dear heath bar(s),
Know that I missed you so. And I will miss you until next time we meet again or until the stash of you that I am bringing home runs out. Whichever.

Dear Florida mosquitoes,

We didn't think you actually existed until this summer. And now, we have learned just how wicked you are. Please go away.

Dear Dunkin' Donuts,

Thank you.

That is all.

Jump! :: Hapari Swimwear Giveaway

The kids had a blast making sure I finally got the settings set up correctly on my camera for the ever-elusive jump shot.

How much fun are these?!

And speaking of all things summer, can we talk fabulous swimwear for just a little minute?

Hapari is a swimwear company that is definitely worth a visit. I was impressed not only by their amazing selection, but also by their extremely reasonable pricing (with lots of great looks on sale!). 

For us {ahem} no-longer-21 gals, they offer several tankini options that show off your curves without showing too much. 

Here are just a few of my many favorites: 

turquoise classic bandeau tankini

black classic bandeau tankini

lava sport tankini

From Hapari's website: 

Our swimsuits are anything but boring with colorful prints and patterns that flatter the figure and look beautiful on every woman. With our special style tabs, most of our tankinis can be worn one of three ways: halter-top, criss-cross, and tank, meaning that you can choose the style that you suits you best. Each will give you the appropriate coverage, comfort, and support that you want in a suit. In addition, all of our tops can be mixed and matched with any of our bottoms, so that you can create the perfect swimsuit that for you.

Can I get an amen?


Wanna win an $85 gift card to this amazing site?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck.

Friday Fancies : Ice Cream Dream

Does anything scream summer more than endless scoops of ice cream?
I say no. 
And often, too often, indulge.

Follow me on Polyvore here for full outfit details

I'm thinking buying a pair of J Brand's in every color scoopable might be better on the hips.

Linking up here and here. 

What Ava Wore : Swimsuit Edition

 They really should do a Sports Illustrated baby edition, non?
 I mean, really, is there anything sweeter than a little one in a swimsuit?

Swimsuit - Baby Gap

Swimsuit - Guess

Baseball Hat - Baby Gap
Swimsuit - Old Navy

Well, maybe a little one practicing a little yoga in said swimsuit.
Namaste.

What I Wore : Striped

So, we had friends visit us a few weeks back and each year, the girls get out on a one day shopping extravaganza while the guys watch the babies.

This year was no different.

C showed up in an adorable blue striped summer dress that was exactly what I had been looking for. We looked at it that day and it was still full price.

I told her I would wait and was confident that I would get it at less than half before it was time to go home.

She challenged me to do so.

I won. 

Dress - The Gap | Earrings - Forever XXI | Clutch - Jolly Little Purse on Etsy | Shoes - Tory Burch

And that's what I'm wearing on Wednesday.

Fashionista in the Making

Isabella has discovered Polyvore.

The love affair begins.

outfit details here 

outfit details here

outfit details here 

Just a few of the looks she pulled together.

They may inspire you or your 13 year old. 

Whichever. wink, wink.

On Being Thankful

I contemplated at length whether or not to share these thoughts.
But this is what is on my heart right now. 

I didn't truly acknowledge how badly the U.S. economy was hurt and more importantly, the people were hurt until I arrived in South Florida this year.

Not at first.

At first, everything seemed pretty normal. 

People were happy, stores seemed to be thriving, the wealthy are still wealthy and still living in their Palm Beach mansions. 

But then, I went to Walmart.

I stopped in alone one afternoon to pick up a few items just like I would have back home.

As I wandered through the aisles looking for juice and throwing far too much chocolate into the cart, I noticed a couple chatting.

They weren't but a few feet from me talking about whether to buy the standard size apple juice or the larger one. They went back and forth about how many servings there were, how much it cost. The woman kept consulting a list while the man typed away on a calculator.

I bought the same juice. 

It was $2.00 

Know that I am very mindful of prices when I'm grocery shopping. 

But this, this was something I never had to do.

Contemplate a single purchase at length and worry about how it would affect the rest of my month financially?

I left the store but couldn't stop thinking about them.

I actually felt guilty about picking things up off the shelves and just throwing them in my cart without a thought.

I wondered if they had watched me. I really did.

And I wondered how tight it must be for them to be discussing each purchase.

It must be really tight.

I felt thankful driving home.

Thankful that I could buy what I needed without much thought.

Thankful that I was on an extended vacation with my children.

Thankful that things were not this bad back home.

I started paying more attention.
SEEING the trailer parks hidden behind pretty palm trees just seconds away from beautiful gated communities.

SEEING the 75+ year old man bagging groceries to make ends meet even though he should and deserves to be retired.

SEEING the number of people begging on street corners, in parking lots. A former veteran in at least one case.

I don't know their stories or what brought them to where they are today but whatever it is, it's just not right.

I think we all think, it will never happen to us.

I read two separate stories on two of my favorite blogs this week. Both by strong women who are working and independent and smart and good.

Both who are struggling with financial hardship.

I encourage you to read their stories HERE and HERE.

How to help? Where to start?

I am not sure.
For today, I am more aware. And  I won't look away. And I will try to do more.

That's all.

Friday Fancies : On Vacation

So, as most of you know, I really am on an extended vacation.

Alas, not in Europe. 

Here is what I might wear to do some serious exploring that might end at the beach:

Follow me on Polyvore for look details

The perfect skirt for warmer days, comfortable and fun sandals and a messenger bag that looks as though it would just get prettier with age. 

Where are you dreaming of going this Summer? 

Linking up here and here. 

What Ava Wore : Red, White & Blue

I have been  semi-obsessed with all things patriotic made for baby in celebration of the 4th of July.
And the crazy good after-holiday sales made picking up some additional pieces for Ava impossible to resist. 
So I didn't.

Headband - Lululemon
Tank & Denim Shorts - Baby Gap
Shoes - Toms

Off and happy as can be.
It's obviously the outfit.
I would be happy too.

What I Wore : Turquoise

I am considering changing my weekly outfit post title to What.I.Stole for the duration of our stay in South Florida. 

This week, it was this pretty and so easy to wear turquoise dress. 

Dress - The Gap | Sunglasses - Tom Ford | Earrings - Stella + Dot

Conversations with The Kid

It's funny.

Julian is not a big talker outside of home. But get him in the car, alone, and our conversations always go something like this:

J: Wow! Mom! Mom! Is that the eiffel tower? 

Me: Julian, how could that be the eiffel tower?

J: I thought it was. It looked like it. Is it?

Me: It might be, IF WE WERE IN FRANCE!

J: Mom, don't turn on the radio.

Me: I didn't.

J: Good. 'cuz of my ear.

Me: I won't.

J: Good. And don't do this {makes blowing motion} into it either.

Me: Now, why would I do that?

J: I don't know, because you're STOOOOPID.

(Note: I have forgiven him as he is fighting an ear infection)

J: Mom, you know what we saw at Walgreen's?

Me: No. What?

J: 5 hour energy.

Me: What is that?

J: It's a drink and it gives you 5 hours of energy. I want that for Christmas.

J: The doctor said "no beach".

Me: Did he really say that or do you just not want to go to the beach?

J: He really said that. If you go to the beach with an ear infection and sand goes in it, you turn into SANDMAN! 

You can't make this stuff up I tell ya.

You just can't.

A weekend at Lago Mar

We spent the weekend away in Fort Lauderdale at the Lago Mar resort. The resort is family-owned and run and has been around for over 50 years. It reminded us so much of a place that Frankie and the Rat Pack would have stayed at years ago.

It was great to spend a few days on the beach and the resort was just perfect for kids. Lots for them to do. 

the view from our balcony

We stayed in an executive suite which we now needed since becoming a family of 5 (!), and honestly, it was bigger than most Toronto condos. We were pleasantly surprised by a huge balcony that overlooked the pool (the above picture was taken from it) where you could sit out and still feel as though you were "part of the action" while the little one napped. Or refused to.

Ava making herself comfortable on the balcony

 There was tons for the kids to do including a full park right on the resort and tons of other fun amenities.

The older ones were just happy to be able to walk around unsupervised after dinner. It was extremely safe and super family friendly.

Little miss went up and down the slide (in the blazing heat) 4,384,657 times. Or thereabouts.

The resort was centrally located within walking distance to downtown Ft. Lauderdale, tons of great shopping and restaurants.

We had great meals both evenings, {which isn't easy sometimes when you're looking for kid-friendly AND good} ...mexican the first night at Carlos + Pepe's and italian the next at a local favourite called Il Mulino. If you follow me on instagram (I'm Ava Grace's Closet) you would have seen the homemade garlic bread. Enough said.

Ava insisted on visiting reception daily to see the large aquarium. She is saying goodbye above.

All in all, a totally great experience. I would definitely recommend visiting if you're looking to stay in the area.

Farewell, Lago Mar. 

We hope to be back! 

Friday Fancies : You're Invited

It's wedding season!

And while I have not a single one this summer, it's always a good idea to be prepared.

for full outfit details follow me on Polyvore

Just in case any of you needs a date, know that I'm available.
Happy Friday!

Linking up here and here. 

May or May Not

My favourite posts by Christina from The Olive Tree have to be her May or May Not posts. Today, I am so stealing her idea.

Love you sweet friend!

Julian may or may not have been using body wash as hair gel ever since we arrived. It works so he may or may not have told me he is not going to stop.

I may or may not be telling every cashier in Florida that I feel as though I just stole from them. The deals are ri.dic.u.lous.

Ava may or may not have had her first pedicure courtesy of mama and a bottle of quick dry polish. It may or may not have been by choice. And it may or may not still make us giggle daily.

The entire family may or may not be addicted to Draw Something. I am Susan J if you are so inclined. Or not.

I may or may not have said ok to picking up a Sun-In like product for Isabella at Target. Her hair may or may not be a completely different color now. Thankfully, it has been gradual so I am not sure whether her father has fully noticed as yet.

When it happens, he may or may not kill me. 

We may or may not have a lizard {who we have named Lizzie2} living in our kitchen. 

OK, we do.