Momathon Blog

A Few California Essentials {Pinterest}

Is it summer yet? The sun is shining in my windows and sitting at my desk doesn't make much sense today. I'm feeling the call of the beach...

 

1) Grab your surfboard and drive to the coast... I could live in the Sherpani website. 2) She's wearing a designer suit and carrying a surfboard. Enough said. CHANEL surf accessories. 3) I want both the pillow and the van—Big Sur Needlepoint Pillow by Jonathan Adler. 4) In case you forgot how to find California, check out the "I heart California" print by Evivart on Etsy.

You can find this summery mood board on my Pinterest board Dreaming of summer.

A Walk on the Beach

 

One of my favorite places to go is the beach. A warm sandy beach is always lovely, but a rock beach is a real adventure. I grew up in Minnesota and I scavenged for agates and other childhood treasures along the rocky  shore of Lake Superior. The beaches in Oregon and Washington have a similar feel but with larger rocks—some in familiar shapes like hearts or loaves of French bread. 

Images: ROCK BEACH images by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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Hello, August!

Oh my! It's hard to believe August is here already! At my house, August signals a change in routine. The kids go back to school. Days at the pool are numbered. I'll be sure to savor the leisurely pace before homework and stuffy classrooms take over.

Do you have special plans for August?

Of course, I will be watching the Olympics. Missy Franklin is from my home state of Colorado so I absolutely have to read and watch everything about her. She rocks! And I am kinda addicted to London. You can read more about my fascination with London here: Flower Drama in London and London Calling and The Story of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" Poster—or on my Facebook page.

Many of my blogging friends--and Martha Stewart!--are at BlogHer12 this week in NYC. I wish I was there, but thanks to Laurie at BlogHer at Home you can hear the scoop on the conference and make new BlogHer connections right at home. So cool. Hang out with awesome bloggers via @BlogHerAtHome on Twitter. And you can grab a BlogHerAtHome badge here. (And maybe Martha will blog about BlogHer here.)

 

Image: HELLO, AUGUST! photo graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Date night

A sheer chiffon sleeveless blouse (pair it with a lacy cami), lots of gold bangles, and a short ruffled tango skirt—perfect for date night.

Details: 

• My Sheer-ona Sheer Mint Top, LuLu's 
• Desert Stone Bangle, Kate Spade
• Barcelona Skirt, Garnet Hill 

Image by me, Chris Olson, featuring LuLu's, Kate Spade, Garnet Hill. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Lazy Summer Afternoons

Weekends and lazy summer afternoons. Even the flamingos are resting this time of day. A halter top seems like the perfect antidote to the heat. I've added neon Fringe Halter Top at Free People Clothing Boutique to my list. $73

Images: What to Wear photos: 1) Halter top via Free People Clothing Boutique. 2) Flamingos photo by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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It's so Etsy: Reversible Rose Floral and Red Headband

 

Source: etsy.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

Summer accessories that make your hair look chic and help you stay cool are always on my must-have list. The boho chic is irresistible in the reversible Rose Floral and Red Headband by Cindy at her Etsy shop Bglorified Boutique. It's the perfect multi-tasking headband to pack for a summer holiday and transitioning into fall. Cindy's shop sells a variety of accessories including heart cut shirts and dresses including knitted headbands, jersey knit headbands and crocheted slouch hats. $19

Photo by Dana Ann Photography. 

Summery Pinspiration: Bikes, Boards, and Boats

Here are a few of my faves this week from Pinterest...

You can find these items on my Pinterest board: Dreaming of Summer. Are you a blogger too? Why not add post your fave Pinterest picks and send me a link so I can tweet it! 

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Image: Graphic image above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Summery Decisions

A narrow dirt road with long stretches of washboard bumps wraps around the lake. At the southwest corner is a sign. Which way would you turn?  Left to the cabin?  Or right to the lake?

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Image: I love vintage signs. Here's my take on a popular sign I often see "up north." Sign graphic created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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What to Pack: Summer Beach Wear that Multi Tasks

 

 

Summer beach gear is my fave—even when I am not at the beach. I love a dress that can multi-task. The Elevator 2-In-1 Dress goes from the beach to something you can wear out shopping or for dinner. I also think the Impossible Bikini top is smart—it's a comfy swim top that offers the support of a halter and without the pain that comes from cranking down the neck tie. 

Enjoy the sunshine in these comfy things:

1) Elevator 2-In-1 Dress $62

2) Lux Leather Flip $90
3) Diamonds Necklace $99

4) Three Little Bears Hoody $65

5) Bare Necessities Bag $45

6) Bronwen Bracelet $39 (on SALE now)

7) Everyday Essentials Daypack $75

8) Impossible Bikini top $49, Bottom $44

All items are available at Title Nine

(Image above by me, Chris Olson. Photos via Title Nine) 

You may recognize this post from a post earlier in this spring. Due to the wildfires in my area I have been busy helping with social media for local animal shelters and I am focusing my energy there. For this reason I am reposting some of my popular posts.

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Three Ways to Add Some Sizzle This Summer

The temps are soaring here. I'm thinking a nice lounge chair by the pool on Lake Como would be a slice of heaven... Of course, I need to wear this retro one-piece with a twist front bandeau. The only thing missing is George Clooney.

Details:

1) Chesapeake Steamer Chaise with Cherry Red Cushions at Pottery Barn is on sale $339.00 – $399.00

2) Glamour + sexy in this Retro One-piece with twist front bandeau by Carmen Marc Valvo® at Victoria's Secret, priced at $154.

3) Take me away to the Villa d'Este a luxury hotel in Lake Como, Cernobbio, Italy. Why? It's beautiful and Clooney has a villa nearby.

Image created by Chris Olson features Pottery Barn, Victoria's Secret, and Villa d'Este.

Exotic Places to Go: Travel to Mexico BoutiqueHomes.com

 

If you are looking for an exotic luxury vacation with a private home in the lush Mexican jungle, check out boutique-homes.com. I haven't visited this vacation paradise, but the nearby whale-watching, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking are on my list. Staying at one of these nine vacation homes must be a perfect getaway. 

Photos featured in my graphic above from boutique-homes.com.

California Dreamin'

Is it summer yet? I'm feeling the call of the beach...

1) I could live in the Sherpani website. 2) Imagine. Enough said. CHANEL surf accessories. 3) I want both the pillow and the van—Big Sur Needlepoint Pillow by Jonathan Adler. 4) I heart California by Evivart on Etsy.

Wear This: Spring Break Style

Daffodils are blooming and spring break is in full swing. Time to soak up some Vitamin D outdoors! I try to pack light for a vacation and that is exactly why I love a dress that can multi-task—the Elevator 2-In-1 Dress  goes from beach wear to something you can wear out shopping or for dinner. I also think the Impossible Bikini top is so smart—it's a comfy swim top that offers the support of a halter and without the pain that comes from cranking down the neck tie.

Enjoy the sunshine!

1) Elevator 2-In-1 Dress $62

2) Lux Leather Flip $90
3) Diamonds Necklace $99

4) Three Little Bears Hoody $65

5) Bare Necessities Bag $45

6) Bronwen Bracelet $39 (on SALE now)

7) Everyday Essentials Daypack $75

8) Impossible Bikini top $49, Bottom $44

All items are available at Title Nine

(Image above by me, Chris Olson. Photos via Title Nine)

A little summer magic

Find me some summer sun...

(Photo by jurvetson)

 

Summer reflections...

(Photo by RichardO)

 

Kayaks waiting for summer fun...

(Photo by Zevotron)

 

Oh summer...

(Photo by bark)

 

I want to go to there...

 

 

Lifeguard stand in Miami.

Photo by [le]doo.

 

 

Garden hose spraying up into the summer sky.

Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt

 

Penmaenmawr beach.

Photo by RichardO.

 

A cafe somewhere near Montmartre. 

Photo by Suvodeb.

Fido can fly in the cabin with you on Frontier

 

 

New pet policy for Frontier Airlines allows customers to bring small pets--dogs weighing 20 lbs. or less, small cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, small birds--with them in the airline cabin for $75 each way.

The pets must fit in an airline approved pet carrier that goes under the airplane seat. All pets must also have proper health documentation completed by vet within 10 days of trip.

Southwest Airlines has a similar pet policy that started last year.

(Illustration: Chris Olson Illustration)

Lake Ness Monster?

 

Peek between the trees on the east shore of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis and you just might catch a glimpse of a mysterious lake creature. Her search for the perfect home of her own brought this elusive creature to the Twin Cities this summer. You can read more about the friendly monster at LakeCreature.com

Love and Romance in Colorado

I love Colorado. It's my home partly because the Rockies are also home to some amazing animals. This time of year the majestic elk are looking for love in Estes Park, Colorado.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Summer Vacation: Packing Your Bags (And Baggies)

If you travel by air, then you probably know what it's like to have the neatly organized contents of your checked bags or even your carry-on bags disorganized during security checks. I won't complain about the minor inconvenience due to security checks because I support TSA security efforts at airports. 

The good news is you can minimize the disruption to your bag by placing related items such as clothing (folded), toys, and gadgets in quart, gallon and larger baggies. When your bag is examined, the baggies make it easier to keep related items together. If you travel with kids, placing toys and clothes in baggies makes it easy to control clutter when they pack. On a recent trip when we forgot to use the baggies system, my son's carry-on bag was so "overloaded" that when he was asked to remove all items at a security checkpoint he was unable to get all his things back into his bag! Since we have adopted using the baggie packing system, it's much easier to keep the bags organized. Remember to recycle your baggies on your next trip.

Happy travels!