Monarch

What can I say about this all? When J.Crew makes a super soft cashmere sweater with this print, and then makes the matching (ok, so it is linen, a bit different in hue color and not supposed to be paired together, but I am overkill and I did it ok?) skirt you have to buy it - and it is on sale now, so get the pieces while I am choking over paying full price- seriously, you have to buy it.

Comfy, cool, unique, and heck - its a pencil skirt and a sweater so duh it is work appropriate - slam dunk.

Sweater, Skirt, book clutch (similar), glasses, heels (similar), bangle (similar)

Long live the one piece!

Who likes buying swimsuits? Am I right?

I have never been part of the lucky 1% of humans who look simply flawless in a bathing suit. I have nothing to fill out a bikini top, and let's be real who doesn't have a love/hate relationship with their legs? I mean yay! They get you places and are good for walking, running, dancing (stole that line straight from The Little Mermaid) but yipes aren't there always other stems that are longer, tanner, smoother, thinner, trimmer, more toned insert whatever whatever whatever your weakness/lust/wishes are here.

I also think that bikinis, tankinis, etc are like so super major upkeepy. I mean you have to always be all "hmm is the top staying up, are the bottoms too skimpy, how does my posture look right now etc?"

Now, I don't hate bikinis. Nor do I hate my body (we have a long up and down history but I am learning to be friends with it). And it isn't like I haven't ever found a bikini I don't like - I have, and I wear them occasionally.

But, I love one pieces.

I think a well cut one piece always looks glamorous, chic and just that right amount of vintage fab.

Plus, I can run after a munchkin, lay on my back or front and tan/read with no weird pulling/tugging/awk tan lines. I also think that one pieces are pretty much far more universally flattering. On everyone. In case you needed anymore convincing - think of all the iconic one pieces out there: the Baywatch suits, Bo Derek (although be real all you saw was the braids!), Liz Taylor always, Farrah Fawcett's red one piece... I mean come on!

Last week Gwendolyn and I spent the day at a aquatic park relaxing (me) and going crazy (Gwen) after her big seventh birthday the day before. We took some of our favorite sandwiches (I love you Domenicos!) and hung poolside all day! I, of course, wore one of my fav new one pieces and was totally shocked that NOT ANOTHER SOUL [over the age of 11] at the pool had one on! One pieces are not only all the totally amazing things I said above, but they have been super trendy this summer! I am not one to bandwagon on to trends, but this one I support! Wholeheartedly! I have been stock pilling swimsuits for months - while the one piece is hot I have been grabbing all the cutest options for later! You should too!

Check out some of my favorites on my wish list:

Or just straight copy the ones I already have and love:

Some of my favorite places to shop for one pieces are Shopbop, Anthropologie and J.Crew! And now some pics!

PS: No good one piece is complete without a panama and some sunglasses...

A Giant Birthday!

Gwen started out her birthday like most other birthdays (why oh why did I ever start this tradition?) eating ice cream for breakfast! At least this year I managed to bamboozle her into eating the ice cream atop a waffle... seems a bit better than just a straight breakfast bowl of ice cream?!?!?

We (me, the Englishman, Gwen and my parents) all then went to the Giants game! I had signed Gwen up to be the Seal-ibrity of the game so she got to take a little ride with the Giant's mascot Lou Seal during the 3rd inning around the baseball field. Offffffffffff course she needed a chaperon so I was in for the action too! Good thing I have been practicing my princess wave my whole life - I may have been outed as future Queen by Kate Middleton, but I sure waved the heck out of  AT&T today!

We watched the first inning (and an almost fight!) then were whisked back behind the scenes to meet Lou Seal, check out his golf cart, and wait for just the right moment to make Gwen's big birthday appearance!

I know you are dying to see some video of our awesomeness now too right?

After our ride, a few more minutes were spent hanging out with Lou the Seal, his ginormous championship rings, and his ever present thumbs up!

We then hightailed it back to our seats for some garlic fries, hot dogs and a whole lot more Giants baseball!

The Giants ended up winning (especially for Gwen on her birthday and my mom who kind of hates baseball and only came because she is the best grandma in the world and I bought her that Vince sweater to wear!) and the weather was gorgeous and sunny all afternoon! It was the perfect way to celebrate my little baseball lover's birthday! (And let's be honest, I love baseball, all four of those crazy companions of mine, hot dogs and the sun. I couldn't have masterminded a better Wednesday afternoon if I tried!)

We raced home to open Gwendolyn's birthday presents - she couldn't wait a minute longer - and then went to our fav Mexican place for some chips, guac, chicken tacos and a special birthday churro/ice cream combo dessert. Then it was home for MORE ice cream... Gwen's ice cream birthday cake and candles!

Happy 7th Birthday my sweet Gwendolyn!

Seven!

Oh man oh man ohhhh man!

My GB is 7?!?!?!

I feel like I was JUST writing last year's birthday blog post (you can find it here... it is way more sweet and sentimental than this years - and lots of baby Gwendolyn pics oh so cute)! And here we go again!

Dear Gwen, 

Stop getting so big ok? I thought I loved you when you were tiny and perfect and then I thought your silly toddler phase was best, but now, now I am loving this little mini grown up/best friend thing we have going on. Let's just stay this way forever please?

I am so proud of the little lady you are, and how you remind me to have fun. I love your sweet notes hidden all over the place and that they remind me to be soft and say I love you. I love going on adventures with you, or just chowing on tacos. You are the perfect companion for everything. I am impressed how quickly you forgive AND forget, how easily you make new friends and how hard you work to be a good student (most of the time...). I love your determination and how comfortable you are with yourself, and asking and getting what you want. Never change or get self conscious ok? I love the twinkle in your eye and your crazy teeth growing in all wonky. I love how happy and excited you are about life. I can't help but be excited about everyday when I am with you. You always make me laugh, and remember to enjoy life. And I couldn't help but smile when I looked through these pictures of the last year!

Here's hoping your seventh year will be the best yet! 

Love, Momma 

PS: good luck getting out of your room this morning to find those seven presents (one for every year) I have hidden all over the house. Don't say your mom doesn't love ya... who else would stay up all night wrapping and hiding, sneaking and crepe papering?