Friday Favorites- I'm back!

It feels like forever since I have blogged!  Things have been so busy and hectic lately, and I don't see it getting any better!  But I am going to "calendar" some time each week dedicated to blogging.  I also have some fun posts in mind for the fall, so plan on seeing a lot more of me!

Anyway, on to the favorites!

As I said, it has been busy and hectic lately, but also FUN!!

Favorite #1:  VACATION!!

We only got to spend 4 days in Maine this year, but it was lovely!  I am already making plans to rent a house for an entire week next year.  We fit a lot of fun into those 4 days, but there were so many things we just didn't have time to do.  Have I mentioned to y'all that I LOVE Maine??  LOL...yes, I know I have.  Here's a few of my favorite pics...

Favorite #2:  COFFEE

This one goes along with vacation, but I have found my favorite new coffee bar/gift shop in Ogunquit- Bug & Brown.  The coffee was delicious and the owners were super friendly and sweet.  If you visit Ogunquit, check them out!

Favorite #3:  COACHING!

My career as a soccer coach has begun!  Wednesday night was our first practice.  Despite several people telling me it's a huge PITA and I am going to hate it, I had a lot of fun!  We have a great group of kids and I love being involved in soccer again, even if it is as a coach rather than a player.

Favorite #4  UTILITY TOTES!

Yes, I am now a 31 consultant so maybe I am a little biased.  But truly, these things ROCK!  I had 4 of them packed full of all sorts of things for our vacation.  This is my favorite one...I love the flip flops!  I used it to transport all our sand toys and towels to the beach.

And guess what... the Deluxe Utility Totes (normally $50) are only $15 all September with a $35 purchase!  Woo hoo!!!  I may have a 31 Addiction (and a shopping addiction in general, and coffee addiction, and chocolate ice cream addiction)!!!  If you're interested in ordering, head on over to my site Kim's 31 page or send me a message.  I'm also taking September pre-orders.

OK friends, I hope you all have an amazing weekend!!  So far, we have no major plans other than some work outdoors.  I'm hoping to just enjoy some time with my boys and get Nick's school supplies and clothes organized.  Kindergarten is less than 2 weeks away now (tear, tear)!

Linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites!

Mailbox Surprise Swap!

One day not too long ago I was sitting on my couch perusing my Facebook feed when I saw a post about a mailbox surprise swap.  I thought to myself, "I like mail.  I like surprises.  And I most certainly like swaps!"  So, it should be no surprise to anyone who reads this blog that I signed up!  In a nutshell, mailbox surprise swap is a group of bloggers who get paired up each month and send each other a little something in the mail.  It's a great chance to get to know another blogger, and of course, get some fun snail mail!

This month I got paired up with Jessica who blogs at JEBBICA'S WORLD.  Jessica's blog has some great health and fitness tips!  I also really enjoyed reading about her "back story" and how she came to be where and who she is today.

So...this month's swap theme was travel.  I may have completely blanked and ignored the travel theme (ok, yeah I did).  Jessica, however, was all over it!  Check out the great stuff she sent me!

Jessica sent me some awesome K cups and a giant coffe mug, knowing I collect mugs and am a fellow lover of the Keurig.  There also was a Starbucks gift card which I so appreciate and will be using asap!  I also received a list of awesome road trip apps and some Doritoes to snack on for my trip to Maine this week!  Perfect!  Then there's the scarf...my absolute favorite part of the package!   Jessica made it for me!  How thoughtful and special is that?!  It's so pretty....I love the colors and I just love scarves in general.  Thank you so much Jessica!

I am so happy I found this swap and am already looking forward to next month!

Weekending

Is it really mid  August already?  I'm torn...I love fall but with fall comes some big changes...primarily that my baby goes to kindergarten!   OK, I guess that's really the only "big" change on the horizon, but that's pretty big, right?   New routines, new school, new teacher, new friends, new schedules.  Last Friday we got the kindergarten letter telling us who his teacher is going to be and assigning a time to come in for Meet the Teacher.  So I guess there's no denying it, this is really happening!

But anyway, on to the weekend recap!
Saturday morning we laid around, watched TV and relaxed!  I worked on some 31 stuff and caught up on some of my favorite blogs while the kids watched Ratatouille.  Then in the afternoon we headed out to the Times Union Center to go to Discovering the Dinosaurs.  The kids had a good time checking out the dinosaur exhibits, unearthing dinosaur bones, and most especially, jumping in the bounce houses. Again and again and again.  After they had jumped themselves silly, we headed out to dinner at Red Lobster.   Yes, I hate seafood. But I love those cheddar biscuits!   And they usually have some good chicken options so it's all good.  :)   The plan for the evening was to watch a movie with the hubs.  Instead we watched 1 episode of The Brink and fell asleep on the couch.    #parenthood

Sunday was one of those glorious days spent cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping. #momlife  I do feel accomplished though because I actually made a meal plan for the week and even got some meal prep done!  Dinner was cajun chicken stuffed with spinach and pepper jack cheese and a tossed salad with fresh tomatoes and peppers from my dad's garden.  I also made 2 delicious loaves of double chocolate zucchini bread  (thanks to dad again for the zucchini).  Fresh garden veggies are definitely one of my favorite parts of summer!  We asked the kids if they wanted to go for a bike ride or the playground, but they preferred to chase each other around and around and around the house, ocassionally taking breaks to play the Kindle or Ipad.  And despite my vow to get outside more, it was so hot and humid that I was honestly fine just hanging out in the house.

Best bread ever!

After baths and book reading for the kids, the hubby and I did some online shopping for beach gear for our vacation on Friday.  Thank goodness for Amazon Prime and expedited shipping!  Despite the fact that I am usually prepared for vacation weeks in advance,  I have absolutely nothing ready for Friday.  Not even one single list made! My goal for tomorrow is to get things organized, at least on paper.

In other news, on my way home from grocery shopping this morning I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee.  The girl working the drive thru asked me if I wanted to try a pumpkin muffin!  Like I said, I love fall but can we at least wait till Labor Day to break out all things pumpkin??

I hope you all had a great weekend and your new week is off to a great start!  Enjoy these last bits of summer friends!  It's going to be hot and humid in NY (not like Phoenix hot...117??  Holy cow!), but hot for these parts with heat indexes around 97-98.  Stay cool and hydrated!

Friday Faves...again!

All hail Friday!  I can't wait to relax and sleep in this weekend!  Oh wait, I have young kids so neither of those things are happening!  :)

So, are you ready to see my favorites of the week?

#1  The wall is done!!
The wall is done and flowers are planted!  We still have the sidewalk, stairs and light post to do, but the main attraction is done! The blocks in the first pic looks a little funny because it just rained.

#2  Snail mail!
I got the sweetest, most thoughtful package from my dear friend Cindy this week,  Not only did she include some beautiful things for me, but she added some things for my kiddos too.  Nick absolutely LOVED the Robin glasses and Beast Boy ears (Teen Titans anyone?) as you can seen from the pics!

#3 River walks with Georgie
I've made a concerted effort this past week to get out for walks with our dog, George.  Sometimes it seems like such a chore to get off my comfy spot on the couch, but I always feel so much better when I get outside!

#4  Kindergarten Memories Book
How cute is this?  I'm so happy to have a place to document all of Nick's kindergarten milestones and memories!

#5  New business!
I'm officially a 31 consultant!  Hooray! I love when you can turn an obsession into an income!!  OK, I don't know how much of an income but I truly love 31 products and am excited to do some parties. Anyone want to do a catalog or Facebook party????  I'm your girl!!
Check out all the cute stuff 31 has to offer!
Click here: Kim's 31 page!

In other news, I did my very first school supply shopping trip as a mom!  School doesn't start here until after Labor day, yet somehow the supplies are already picked over?!?!  I did, however, manage to find a Darth Vader binder, Yoda folders, and Star Wars pencil box.  #momwin

This weekend will be more work on the front yard, and perhaps a trip to see Discovering the Dinosaurs!  What's on your to-do list this weekend?

Linking up, as always, with Andrea!

Friday favorites - shopping addiction!

Today's favorites are brought to you courtesy of my online shopping addiction!

#1. The blardigan
I did it!   After a year of procrastinating and adding and deleting it from my shopping cart, I finally pulled the trigger.  Thank you Nordstrom semi annual sale!  I totally thought I would have buyer's remorse, but I 100% do not!  It is sooo soft and comfy and I am sure I will be cozied up in it nonstop once the cold weather hits!



#2. Anthro mugs
Did you know I have a thing for coffee mugs?  I love finding fun and different mugs to drink my coffee out of.  All these babies are sitting in my online shopping cart until I can pick my favorite one.  Which one do you like?

#3.  Cool scarves

Yup, these 2 lovlies also happen to be sitting in my shopping cart awaiting a decision. And the best part is, they are both on sale!

#4. Everyone loves a fedora

Yes, another Anthro sale item in my cart. Do you think I can pull the fedora look off?  I'm still undecided. 

#5. Random funny

My wonderful and sweet blogger friend Cindy sent this to me today and I thought it was hysterical! 

Have a beautiful weekend ladies!

Linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites!

Christmas in July swap reveal!

Yup, I'm at it again... another blogger swap! Thanks so much to Life with Mrs G and the Artist for setting up a great swap!

Who doesn't love getting some Christmas presents in July, right!?

I got paired up with Jennifer from the state of Maryland.   She isn't currently blogging, but you can check her out on Instagram @ JENZEESTYLE.  Jennifer just bought a new house (so exciting!) and loves owls.  I had a blast creating a mostly owl themed package for her!

As soon as I saw my package on my porch, I tore right into it!  I was not disappointed!   Check out the lovely things she sent me...

My favorite things are the bag (I am totally packing it for our beach trip in a few weeks), the adorable K clipboard, and that awesome mug!  I love purple and I have a bit of a thing for mugs.  It's so pretty and I can't wait to use it!

Thank you Jennifer for a great package!   Happy Christmas in July!