Sights from OBX

Just a quick photo dump of an incredibly relaxing trip the hubs and I took to the Outer Banks two weeks ago.  We rented a tiny cabin by the beach (no wifi!) and just enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation with the dogs.  Crazy thing, I didn't take a single picture of the pups by the ocean because I never even brought my camera to the beach when I had the dogs!  

Totally crazy thing happened at the beach - Jewels ran right into the ocean. And, then promptly out :) 

Guess who got ZERO sunburn while on vacation?!?!?! That's right - the palest kid in the room. 

This was the first, but certainly not the last time, we've been to the outer banks.  I could hang out in the those Adirondack chairs every evening and be blissfully happy.

Navy Polka Dots

Dress: Jones New York Signature (super old, but made in the USA!) // Cardigan: J. Crew (old) // Shoes: Tod's (via BlueFly) // Purse: J. Crew (old) // Belt: Jason Wu for Target // Shades: Ray Ban // Bracelets: Derng, iSanctuary, BaubleBar 

I'm still sorting through over 600 vacation photos from last week and I can't help myself but smile when looking at them.  Such a great vacation.  I even managed to persuade the hubs to take photos of one outfit while on vacation.  He thought I was nuts, but then he saw what shoes I planned on wearing out to dinner he realized I should have been committed years ago.

For the record, when we were out someone approached me and told me that my shoes were "awesome."  No one said that about his boat shoes.  #JustSayin 

And yes, that's as tan as I get! Which is basically saying I don't get tan at all.

I hope you and yours have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Go watch a parade, eat hot dogs, see some fireworks, and don't forget to salute our troops! 

Made in USA Summer Vacation Essentials

Bailey of Hollywood Samuelson Hat // Splendid Maxi Dress // Hudson Sutler iPad Case // Burt Bee's After Sun Soother // EOS Lemon Drop Chapstick with SPF // American Optical Aviators // Alice + Olivia Polka Dot Bikini // Everlane Tote Bag // Glik's Chevron Shorts // Sbicca Cyclone Flip Flops 

I know summer doesn't technically begin until the middle of June, but after spending a week at the beach last week and the upcoming Memorial Day long-weekend my mind has flipped the mental seasons page. Plus, the weather is hot and humid this week.  Summer season it is!

Not matter what you end up doing this summer (tropical getaway, stay cation, road trip, tiki bar happy hour, etc.) there are a few things you're going to need. Above are ten quintessential summer items that are all made in the USA. Honestly, I couldn't pick just one to throw in my bag and instead I'd fight to take all of them for any trip this summer.

I know you might be thinking, "really Heidi, you're the palest person in the world and you didn't include a sunscreen on this list?"  Yeah, I know.  However, my daily facial moisturizer has SPF 30 in it and if I plan to be outside at all I never go less than SPF50 on my face (plus, I wear a hat!).  My sunscreen regime generally gets the nickname, "SPF Ginger" from my friends so I didn't want to frighten anyone with it.  I will have the greatest skin when I'm 60!

So get road trippin' and make sure to share lots of photos with the rest of us so we can all enjoy the summer scenery!

Any other summer vacation essentials I didn't include? Let me know in the comments section.  Any other USA made summer items I need to add to my proverbial list?

Unplugged

Source

The hubs and I got the heck out of Dodge for a bit and we're going old school in our adventure. We found an adorable cottage to rent and it doesn't have wifi. 

Crazy, indeed.

It's just us and the pups for a much overdue vacation and lots of rest and relaxation. 

Have a great week! 

Batter Up!

Tee Shirt: Venley by Youth Monument (Made in the USA!) // Jeans: Old Navy (super old) // Flats: J.Crew (similar) // Bag: Etsy (gift from the hubs) // Cap: Unknown (stole it from the hubs' stash!)

Meeting up with the hubs and a bunch of his coworkers for happy hour - definitely a great idea on a Wednesday night.

Picking a bar across the street from Camden Yards - even better.

Watching the O's take down the Royals in crisp fashion - perfect Wednesday evening.

This was the first, of many, games that the hubs and I hope to attend at Camden Yards this season.  Wednesday night was absolutely amazing, even through a tad of a drizzle, because the play was fast and we were home by 10pm.  Yes, you know you're old when you get excited a baseball game ends at 9:30 and you're home by 10pm.

I'm definitely a flats/sneakers at a game type of girl.  The last thing I want to be worried about while getting my responsible amount of beer on is tripping in a pair of heels.  I don't care what you're wearing, but tripping is never cool. 

How about you?  Do you get dressed up for sporting events?  Obviously a polo match or the Kentucky Derby are different in terms of dress code, but I'm always amazed when I see women dressed in their Sunday best at the ballpark.  Especially on a night with rain in the forecast! 

And I don't think the hubs is ever getting that camo hat back.  I'm claiming ownership on that one! 

Catching up

I had the absolute pleasure of shooting not one, but two photo sessions over the weekend with some delightful two-year olds.  These kids will not be falling into the terrible twos trend. 

The first was a 2 year old's birthday party.  To give you an idea of the party, when I showed up to the house I was asked, "are you another princess?" Sadly, I wasn't and I was just the photographer.  Everything made sense when a woman in a perfect Cinderella costume appeared for the party.  This party was like Pinterest on pink overload. 

Don't believe me. This is just HALF of the candy buffet. 

The second session was a family session with a boy who is giving Patrick Dempsey a run for his money in the awesome hair department.

The photo below is an outtake. I about fell over when this little guy's dad reached into the shot to wipe away some boogers.   It just caught me off guard because it's a tad bit scary when you see a giant hand and tissue come out of nowhere.

Thankfully I'm done editing the birthday party photos already and can finish up the family session before the week is over.  Maybe then I can actually resume normal blog functions. 

Be honest - who's craving chocolate after looking at that first photo?  

Lace Tee Shirt

Shirt: Les Femmes Velours (Made in USA!) // Jeans: J.Crew // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (via Gilt) // Jewelry:  Nordstrom, InPink, HelloFab // Shades: Ray Ban // Shoes: Cole Haan // Nails: "Butler Please" by Essie (Made in USA!) 

Casual date night recipe in my life is a simple equation:

Heels + Jeans + Tee shirt = DONE

Let's be honest, casual date night is a classy way of saying I'm out for a beer with the hubs.  Yeah, I said it.  With that being understood it wouldn't be quite right to get overly fancy for casual date night.  Thank goodness Gal Meets Glam introduced me to Les Femmes Velours and their insanely gorgeous line of luxury tee shirts. 

What is a luxury tee shirt?

Think of the last time you jumped in bed at a super swanky hotel.  You know that fuzzy feeling when you melted into the sheets and comforter because they were beyond soft and inviting.  That's what this tee shirt feels like.  Even the lace is soft.

Best thing - these beauties are handmade in NYC. I know, I was shocked that such an amazing tee shirt wasn't made in Los Angeles. Who knew! The price definitely reflects the craftsmanship and materials, but trust me these tees are worth it.  I scooped up two during a recent sale and I know I'll be wearing them again and again. 

Les Femmes Velours offers sales regularly, so definitely sign up for their mailing list.  They even give you a 25% off code just for signing up for their mailing list if you can't wait for a sale. 

Bring it date night. I'm ready for you. 

This is in no way, shape, or form a sponsored post.  I recently purchased two tee shirts from Les Femmes Velours and the review is all my own opinions.  I'm just happy to share how I found another company that makes amazing clothes in the USA.  Just one more reason I love blogging because if it wasn't for a blog I wouldn't have found this tee shirt.