Happy Friday (August 15, 2014)

Image via Rate your Burn

What are you up to this weekend?  I'm going to take it easy and do some much needed unpacking from our vacation. 

I do plan on going to my first class at Soul Cycle's new DC location.  Like many people in Washington, I've been anticipating this opening for a long time.

Afterwards, I'd love to make these snow cones from Little Miss Party Planner.

The Muppets covering the Beastie Boys.

Since high school, I've been in the practice of wearing some type of sun protection on my face almost everyday.  Here's a great primer on sunscreen.

And in case you missed them here are my posts from this week: a recap of our vacation, packing your airplane diaper bag, and awesome baby sandals.

Airplane Diaper Bag

1. Changing Pad/ 2. Ziploc Bag/ 3. Dirty Diaper Bag/ 4. Snack Cup/ 5. Sippy Cup/ 6. Snacks/ 7. Board Book/ 8. Small Toy/ 9. Teddy Bear/ 10. Outfit/ 11. Blanket/ 12. Muslin Blankets and Skip Hop Bag.

We just got back from vacation and it was the first time I flew solo with my daughter.  In the past, I had my husband to help me out.  So on this trip I needed to make sure that I had as little as possible so that I could easily get on and off the plane with my very active new walker.

These were our must-have items.   

Shoe Loves (Saltwater Sandals)

I know it's August and you probably aren't thinking about summer clothes anymore, but I have to tell you about these wonderful sandals my daughter received from her great aunt for her first birthday. 

Return from the Green World

A grey morning in Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. Photo by Handle with Karo

We are back from our first vacation as a family of three.

In college, I learned about a literary concept called the Green World.  In this world, a story's principal characters converge in a loosely structured, natural environment where their issues become resolved (think a Midsummer Night's Dream).

Ice Cream Social (The Beauty of the Ice Cream Sammie)



Prettied up store bought ice cream sammies via Stephanie Lynn

This Sunday is National Ice Cream Day. In honor of this special day, I wanted to take a moment to talk about ice cream sandwiches.  We had them at my daughter's birthday party and I have been eating the leftovers ever since.  Until last week, I don't think I have enjoyed an ice cream sandwich since I was a kid. I do hope to have them at her birthday parties for as long as she will let me.

We kept our sandwiches simple and just bought what our local Safeway had available. But a quick search on pinterest tells me that you can do a lot with these fun novelties.

Happy Campers (Camp Care Package Gift Guide)

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Summer is in full swing. I imagine many of you know a camper that is either having the time of her life or about to have the time of her life.  What are you planning on sending to your favorite camper? 

1. Watercolor Postcards and Watercolors- Camp is one of the last places on Earth where you actually send and receive snail mail.  These watercolor postcards are a great idea.  Your camper need not only use watercolors.  She can draw on them, decorate them with stickers, decoupage. . .  

2. Personalized Stationary- I love these cards because they have a campy feel to them.  Tinyprints can get these to your camper in less than a week. 

3. Stickers- Younger campers will trade them and older campers can put them on envelopes. 

4. Books- Kids actually read at camp because there's no television.  I am told that Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl series are popular with both pre-teens and their parents. 

5. Fake Tattoos- Because we all know that camp is the time for fake tattoos, friendship bracelets and other fun stuff.

6. A knotted bracelet screams summer.

7. Zinka- I don't know if kids these days use it, but I'm glad to see it's still around. 

8. Glow Bracelets- Things that glow in the dark are fun for campfire time and also after the lights go out.  Get this pack of 100 and your camper can share them with her bunkmates.

9. Hairbands- like socks and underwear, you can't have too many hairbands.

What would you add to your camper's care package?

Happy Friday (Summer Solstice Weekend 2014)

What are you up to this weekend?  I am going to a bridal shower.  I start boot-camp this Sunday! 

Still figuring out your plans?  Check out my Summer Reference Guide.  Or, you could spend your whole weekend drinking caipirinhas and watching the World Cup. 

Washington DC Summer Guide (Bookmark Me)

Kiddos swimming in Rock Creek Park. 

Summer is not my favorite season here in Washington. 

I grew up in Miami where getting to the beach was easy, and the public pool looks like THIS.  Then I spent several years in Chicago where the lake and a bevy of summer festivals make summer one of the city's best assets. 

But I call Washington home, so I need to make the best of my summers as long as I'm here.  What I have discovered is that enjoying a DC summer requires planning.  And planning can be hard especially because May, June, and July are typically our city's busiest months. 

Behold, Handle with Karo's Reference Guide to a Washington summer. 

Happy Friday (June 6, 2014)

What are you up to this weekend?


Friday:

• It's Pride Weekend!

• The National Museum of Women in the Arts is hosting a happy hour.

• The Source Festival begins tonight. Get ready for a month of original plays.

Father's Day Gift Guide 2014

Shinola Watch/ Levenger Iphone and Card Holder/ Glennfiddich 15/ Merino Hoodie/
Madras Shorts/Tie/ Converse by John Varvantos/ Baseball Cap

Father's Day is coming up. It's a going to be a big day in our family. . . my husband's first father's day coincides with his birthday.   So this year I need to come up with something really special. 

I typically like to give a material gift with something a little more thoughtful and non-material. Here are some of my ideas. 

What do you plan on giving your guy for Father's Day?

Summer Bag Watch (State of Escape, Escape Bag)

I'm loving this neon yellow bag from State of Escape.  It is roomy and bright.  Perfect for the beach or walking around town.  And get this, you can actually wash it.  The mom in me is very excited about the last part. H/T to Little Miss Party.

Picnic Party (Outdoor Tablescapes)

Our building has a grassy area that is not fancy but is perfect for playing and picnics.  There is a picnic table, a shady tree, and soft grass.  What more do you need?  Oh, how about gorgeous linens, funky mismatched tableware, and most importantly awesome friends.


Let's start with Margherita Missoni's wedding picnic.

Picnic Essentials

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This weekend we had impromptu cocktails on the grass with our neighbors and their ten-month old. We brought an old blanket, a bottle of wine, roasted garbanzo beans, and toys for the kiddos. 

We had so much fun!

After our picnic, my husband made a list of what we needed so that we would be better prepared for the next time.  He is quite practical, so the list consisted entirely of things we already own.  I however decided to do some online browsing. 

Diaper Beach Bags (Baby's on a Boat)

Baggu Canvas Backpack/Sea Bags for JCrew

Good weather is on the approach.  Where I come from this means one of two things: you are at the beach or you are on a boat.  I'm not a proponent of having too many diaper bags but isn't it a fun idea to have one specifically for aquatic activities?  And how cute are these two nautical bags?