Small Style: Noir et Blanc

My little lady is a girl after my own heart and absolutely loves shoe shopping. During our most recent shoe shopping trip she did me proud when she carefully selected these super adorable black peep toe shoes with a subtle cork wedge.  These shoes will pair perfectly with this amazing bold print dress I'm currently importing from North of the border. Unfortunately unless you have a Canadian friend willing to send you the dress, you may be out of luck, but chances are you will be able to find something similar at H&M or The Gap. I'm also a sucker for a shot of color on a monochromatic look, so this lovely neon lemon yellow flower headband fits the bill perfectly.  I can't wait to see how sweet the girl kiddo looks in this outfit!

Shopping List
Black and White Print Dress
Smart Fit Peep Toe Shoes (Black)
Flower Headband (Neon Lemon Yellow)

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Silver Lake Nature Center: Bristol, PA

The Silver Lake Nature Center sits a mere 10 minutes over the Burlington-Bristol Bridge and is a perfect warm-weather location when you want a change of pace from the usual area parks. Silver Lake offers a wonderful opportunity to allow little ones to explore nature. The grounds feature marshes, a lake and Coastal Plains Woodlands not to mention serves as home to a variety of plants, bugs and animals like Red-Bellied Turtles and the Coastal Plain Leopard Frog.

Silver Lake has approximately 4.5 of flat ground trails which are easy to navigate for even the youngest members of your family. The trails offer several benches to rest; various types of terrain including gravel, dirt and wood; and scenic views of the lake, marshes and woodland.

Kiddos will appreciate the small playground, the nature center which features a few interactive activities along with various critters, and the outdoor butterfly garden. The trail also features a kids crawl nature area in which little ones can crawl there way to such exploration activities such as searching through fossil pit sandboxes, streams and logs. We weren't able to explore this feature on this visit but it's definitely on our agenda for next time!

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Small Style: Summer Swag

Bright and fun colors are a must have for a summer wardrobe. This lovely citron yellow shirt paired with pale mint green shorts is a great way to show that color can be classy!  Mellow out the combo by adding a pair of brown boat shoes. Throw in a sleek pair of aviator sunglasses and your little dude to ready to hit the streets for a little summer fun.

Shopping List
Convertible Garment Dyed Shirt (Citron Yellow)
Shorts (Mint Green)
Boy's Adam Boat Oxford (Brown)
Aviator Sunglasses (Black)

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Historic Smithville & Village Greene: Smithville, NJ

Historic Smithville is a quaint village of shops, restaurants and vendors lined along a scenic cobblestone path. This is a great place to spend a day of shopping, dining and strolling with the family. Kids and adults will enjoy the boutiques and shops filled with treasures that range from unique to antique. Several of the stores carry handmade items, fair trade items and eco-friendly items. I love searching the shops for the perfect, out of the ordinary gifts, for loved ones.

When your shopping bags are full, fill your stomachs with delicious food from one of the 11 eateries. From baked goods, to pasta, to homemade soups, there's lots of choose from so even picky eaters will be satisfied. 

 

There are also several small attractions for kids who may not appreciate strolling through shops as much as their mamas. My kiddos adore the carousel and old fashioned train. There's also paddle boats, remote controlled boats, an arcade and shooting gallery!  If mama and papa want to treat themselves, there is an organic spa, salon and barber shop on the grounds as well.

Historic Smithville is the perfect spot for a low-key family day trip.

Website

*Original Review Posted on 8/22/12

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Small Style: Caribbean Cool

I have had my eyes peeled for lace shorts for the girl kiddo, when I spotted this pair at Target, I immediately scooped up one pair in every color! And at only $10 a piece, it was a small expense in the name of fashion. How adorbs are these?!  My favorite color is this subdued beige which is refined while still sassy. The shorts look vacation chic when paired with an airy, patterned turquoise tank and strappy sandals. Love it!

Shopping List
Cherokee Toddler Girl Shorts (Oyster)
Cherokee Shirt (Turquoise)
H&M Strappy Sandals (Turquoise)

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Small Style: 2013 Summer Swimwear Picks (Boy's Edition)

Big, Bold Prints
Octopus Swim Trunks - I think these trunks are just plain awesome!  I love the way the octopus wraps around the trunks and the color combo. This is an all-in-all win in my book!

Skull Print Swim Trunks - What's little boy doesn't like goofy skulls?! Bright and colorful, these swim trunks are bold and allow your little dude to stand out from the crowd.

Kitestrings Microfiber Swim Trunks - These nautical themed trunks perfect for a beach visit. The dark colors  make the suit subtle, while the yellow waist band and sporadic anchor pattern keep it from being boring.

Beach Vacation Worthy Patterns
Cherokee Floral Swim Trunks - These Hawaiian inspired beach trunks just scream "beach vacation!" I also love the little pop of orange on the inside of the trunks and at the tie.

Crab Gingham Swim Trunks - Feeling crabby? The sweet gingham pattern with little red crabs make these trunks beyond adorable. I also love that the crab pattern isn't overwhelming and that the light blue gingham give the trunks a preppy vibe.

Hatley Swim Trunks - Got a little surfer on your hands? These vintage patterned trunks would be a perfect match.

Surf's Up Solids (Mostly)
Riptide Board Shorts - These board shorts are sure to be a hit with your older boy. These shorts definitely meet the "cool" standard with it's one-sided pattern. Your kiddo will love that the pattern make the shorts stand out, but doesn't cross over into being childish.

Quiksilver Water Change Board Shorts - These trunks are at the top of my shopping list. I love the color blocking, the summertime colors and the back pocket (not shown in picture). These shorts are positively wave worthy.

Vroom Vroom Splice Swim Trunks - If your boy kiddo isn't old enough for the Riptide board shorts, but kiddie patterns aren't your thing, the subtle wave pattern on these VroomVroom swim trunks may be just for you. Great color combination and love the little pocket which is perfect for collecting seashells!

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Article: Beauty Bargains

Being a mama often means maintaining a family budget, however a budget doesn't have to mean you totally deprive yourself!  Sensible splurges, especially when it comes to pampering oneself, is a great way to make sure mama feels her best, even when covered in spaghetti sauce stains and static cling socks!  These are my favorite beauty items. Each item is under $10, animal testing free and a must have for my beauty cabinet.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - This is probably my favorite at-home facial mask. I use this weekly to help tame blackheads and give my face a deep cleanse. The mint makes for a slight tingle when applying the mask which also helps to relax facial muscles. The mask dries quickly and rinses off cleanly with warm water and a cloth.

Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter - Ok, you caught me, the online price for this is over $10, but if you are lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's, you can score this in-store for around $5. However, if you don't live near a shop, it's still worth the splurge. The lovely coconut smell is subtle and not overpowering. The body butter is creamy and rich and applies smoothly. This is excellent for softening dry skin and has certainly helped repair this poor mama's dishpan hands!

St. Ives Green Tea Cleanser - This is a great "wake up" cleanser for your morning face wash. I keep this on my sink and use it each and every morning. The cleanser wakes up tired skin without drying it out.

Kiss My Face Green Tea and Bamboo Shave - This shaving cream is great for sensitive skin. The cream lathers wonderfully and the smell is pleasant. My skin is always left smooth, soft and free of irritation bumps and redness when using this product.

Tree Hut Lavender and Chamomile Body Scrub - Tree Hut products are always a hit in my book. The brand certainly knows how to create aromas appealing to the senses! This body scrub is one of my faves and always leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I also love that the mild scent lingers on your skin long after bathing.

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve - This vegan friendly, all purpose skin treatment is a consistent staple in my on-the-go makeup bag. This tiny tin can be used for anything from lip gloss, to diaper rash relief, to dry skin repair, to the perfect tamer for unruly eyebrows or flyaway hairs. It's awesome!

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