How To: the perfect beach wave

So here's the secret! 

To achieve the perfect beach wave,

go to the beach. play. swim. cruise top down in the jeep.

Simple.

Well, actually there was more to it than that.

Step 1:

We actually did spend the morning at the beach playing 

in the waves.  So honestly that was my "base".

And let's face it there is nothing more authentic then actual BEACH waves.

Step 2:

I only wash my hair about every 4-5 days,

and I just washed it yesterday.

But to protect it from damage and dryness and to get the sand out

I gave it a really good scrub with a super moisturizing conditioner.

I am talking scalp, roots, ends. The works.

Using this:

Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner - $6

My favorite, not only does it smell just like summer, 

it absolutely does the trick for this crazy mane.

Now to forewarn you. 

Not everyone can get away with this method.

My hair is very thick, wavy, and well frizz is an understatement...it's more like Fro.

So in this South Florida humidity I need all the moisture and weight I can get.

While in the shower,

I used a pick to comb the conditioner through and actually part 

my hair and place it exactly where I wanted it to dry.

I waited a few minutes and then rinsed.

Step 3:

This is the important part, especially for you other fro-ed out counterparts.

What ever you do DO NOT wrap your hair up in a towel.

With your towel in hand (not on head) 

gently squeeze as much water as you can out of your hair.

(I have also been told to keep frizz down use paper towels instead,

but we barely use paper towels....such a waste.)

Step 4:

I then covered all my hair with 

Bumble and Bumble Tonic Lotion - $20

This is a go to, everyday, must have for my hair.

The uses for this product are endless, and all of the essential oils 

not only smell amazing, but are so soothing on my normally 

sensitive scalp.

Then I emulsified about a nickel sized amount of this

Bumble and Bumble Color Minded UV Styling Balm - $28

in my hands.

Starting from the back of my hair,

I scrunched this into my waves very gently.

It's very important not to jostle them too much.

Step 5:

After not touching at all and letting my hair air dry

 for about 20 minutes,

the boy and I took a top down cruise in the Jeep.

Once it was dry it was pretty much fluff and go!

Viola! 

the perfect beach waves

Today.

After a stella early morning play date at the beach,

the boy asked so sweetly and politely if we could have 

lunch on the pier.

I couldn't say no.

The smells of pancakes, bacon, and warm maple syrup filled the air.

 

He was such a good little man.

He sat quietly and ate every last drop of his lunch,

only stopping in between bites to ask 

questions of 'why' and 'how'

Still in our bathing suits and covered in sand,

we made our way to the farmers market.

I love going there with him.

He makes such wise decisions about food,

and loves when I tell him about all the crazy produce and where it comes from.

After packing up the car full of fresh fruits and veggies,

we took a long stroll through the Nursery.

As we literally stopped to smell every flower,

we found our selves amidst a little game of garden 

hide and seek.

It was a perfect morning and afternoon.

Now if I could only convince him that we should take naps.

30x30

Well, as these days are adding up, I have found that some items on my list have proven 

to be a bit harder to actually accomplish than others. 

Take Day 14 for example...

take a swim in the ocean.

Doesn't seem so hard since we live a mile away, 

yet I didn't take all the factors into account.

Even thought Monday was a beautiful 80°, 

welp that water was still icey.

Joining the Polar Bears Club....not on the 30x30 list.

Among other things were the terrible rip current and choppy waves 

and a major mess of sea weed.

All factors for a relaxing float were a negative.

Hey at least it was warm and sunny.

Yet the boy and I managed to play in the freezing shore break

 for long enough for him to end up soaked.

Of coarse it ended up just a perfect day,

just the way it was.

30x30

Do you know who attended Day 15's activity?

Just me and the hubs.

Thanks right, just the grown ups.

We don't really "go out" much, 

and I couldn't remember the last time that we ate a meal in public with out the boy.

Day 15....Brunch Date.

It was a beautiful south FL winter morning at the beach.

No one minds waiting 45 minutes for a table when this is the view.

Brunch was delish.

The conversation was amazing.

The boy loves his new babysitter.

All was right in my almost 30 world.

thankful thursday

(source)

Today was one of those days.  I felt it in my bones.  My joints ached before ever making myself vertical out of my bed.  Getting both feet on the floor was like moving a ton of bricks. 

I got a bit cynical thinking about "thankful thursday".  Gratitude shamtitude.  I would be grateful for a few more hours of sleep and no responsibilities for the day.  Well, once I decided to get over my one person pitty party and face the facts...well, lets just say, it all starting spinning out of control.  And by "it" I really mean the boy.

You see when he's not feeling well, he's wild.  He doesn't listen, acts out, and tortures anyone and anything that gets in his path.  It's hard to feel sorry for the little bugger,  but you have to do what you have to do.  By about 3pm, I wasn't sure who was going to snap first...me or the poor dog (she been taking a beating from the boy lately - although, that bitch....she can go hid and take a nap whenever she wants).

So 3pm.  We've all lost our cool.  The boy is crying for no reason at all, the dog is hiding, and I wanted to find myself in the fetal position in the corner rocking like a crazy person.  And the it occurred to me....THE BEACH! Here comes the gratitude bit.

I quickly strapped on the suits, slathered the sun screen, and dragged the boy out the door.  It was time to send all that crazy out with the tide.  Something about the ocean, the waves, the sand in unmentionable places, the sun, it heals us both.  We took a day that could have defeated us both and turned it into one of the best evenings.

There is not much that can't be cured with a little salty air and being buried in the sand up to your neck.  Today I am so thankful that I have to ocean to wash away the weight of the world.

10 things i couldn't live without this week

1. this week i marched my butt into a gym and signed up for a membership.  i have been feeling fat and tired lately and there is not point in just sitting around in my misery.  gyms are really intimidating to me and especially now that i am older.  it seems that the older i get the more insecure about myself i am becoming.  walking into a gym to me is like that classic movies where girls are being hazed by their sorority sisters and they are circling all the fat on their bodies with markers. ugh.  all the hard bodied girls who wear makeup to exercise and have a more fashionable gym attire than my normal everyday wear. yikes. well i decided that i wasn't going to let any of it get to me. i was going to face my fears and insecurities and i was going to exercise. in a gym. with other people.
2. one of the best things about being a gym member is having access to group fitness classes! and i took the best yoga class this week.  i can't wait until wednesday so i can go back for more.
3. my crafting productivity has been at an all time high lately.  the hubs and i have been powering through some projects. keep your eyes peeled this week for my new jewelry hanger, magnetic make up frame, and next week i will share some goodies that i made for a friends baby.
4. i have been trying to cut back on my diet coke consumption. and surprisingly i am doing very well. i am down to one a day and killing it! and best thing about it....i am substituting all that diet coke with about 64 extra oz of water a day.
5. we have been having some crazy weather lately. i am not going to lie... i really love it. we went for a hand full of days with constant rain, then a few days of 90° blue skies and today we woke up to some very chilly 40°.  mother nature is keeping us on our toes down here in south florida.
6. we had a super family fun day saturday. we woke up early and headed to the city diner for breakfast, scooted over to bed bath and beyond, then decided that it was the perfect day for the beach.  we got home threw together a picnic and cruised down to the ocean.  this was the first time this year that the beach was genuinely packed with people. holes were dug, waves were rode, sandy sandwiches devoured.  a great day was had by all.
7. the hubs and i went on the best date night ever saturday! i think that we agreed that it really was the best date ever. we met up with some friends for dinner at an awesome burger joint, burgerfi. then we went to see the dropkick murphy's at the pompano beach amphitheater.  this was the first show the hubs had been to since before the boy was born. and boy we were going out in style.  my girlfriends, who are long time friends with the band, got us all access backstage passes. we were on stage, in the green room, and post show hanging out at the busses drinking the band beer. it was all a dream come true for the hubs and i was so happy that i could make it all happen for him! best date night ever!
8. oh and where was the boy this whole entire date night? at his first ever slumber party. my fantastic friend christine offered to take the boy. he proclaimed her little girl to be his girl friend. so cute! he spent the night with their family, partied it up, and from what i am told was an angle! he was so tuckered out the next day that he actually passed out on the sofa....so cute.
9. the boy and i had some serious luck garage sale-ing this weekend. he scooped up a hand full of matchbox helicopters and airplanes, and i found an adorable mid-century side table....for only $1. it needs some serious work, but for a dollar....i'll buy that project!
10. my friend christine passed me on some seriously amazing vintage fabric for my birthday! i am so excited of it's possibilities! and there is a lot of it too so i am thinking that there may be some larger projects in my future! can't wait to share them with you!
9.

10 things i couldn't live without this week

1.  a double dose of dance class again this week. so my classes are on monday nights, and i am still sore from last monday.
2. wrapped up an amazing week long "stay-cation" with the hubs. we got so much done around the house and so many fun family moments!
3. got to join the amazing davidk space crew for staff movie night at the blind monk.  chris rock's good hair was hilarious and my new co-workers are awesome!
4. got some amazing thirfty finds this week! check them out here and here.
5. i found myself up to my elbow in potting soil a few times this week.  i finished my hanging succulent wall garden, added a ton of new succulents to the garden family, and repotted a ton of clippings.
6. the burton's hosted a kids craft day where we started to make paper mache pumpkins! i can't wait to share pictures from this super fun day! unfortunately we didn't have time to finish the pumpkins, but i guess that means that we are going to have to have another play date!
7. i would like to proudly state that we are out of diapers! the boy has proven that (with the exception of sleeping time) he is a big boy who doesn't need those stinkin diapers any more!
8. i don't ever really do much shopping for myself, but with the new job comes new work attire! i have had so much fun this week seeking out the best deals and steals.
9. the annual stitch rock was this weekend! i just love to go see all the crafters and talented people. we ate yummy gourmet watermelon popsicles, i picked up some spicy pickles from our lady of perpetual pickles, and found the perfect earrings at the lemoree booth!
10. with the first cold front of the fall season there is nothing more perfect than heading to the beach.  a "cold front" in south florida basically means you won't die of heat when you walk outside....it's still hot, jut not as hot.... i may try to convince the hubs to take a late afternoon bike ride to the beach today!

10 things i couldn't live without this week

1. well i guess that it's official enough to share and get excited! so this little house momma is going back to work! i recently fell in love with a salon and made it my job to get a job there.  after a few meetings and  getting to know some of the staff, i was invited to become a part of the davidk space team.  i am so fired up about all the new educational experiences, opportunities, and having a reason to wear cute clothes and make up! haha
2. the hubs finally took that vacation that he's been needing and deserving! we decided to stay home for our vacation and really focus on some things around the house (as well as spending as much time possible at the beach).  boy oh boy have we been up to some serious DIY-ing.  we built a table, refinished my craft desk as well as adding a storage hutch, we've got some art projects under way, and i do believe there is a refinished shelf in my future for today.  not to mention we have also rearranged a ton of the art in the house.
3. speaking of new art!!!!! the hubs surprised me with a piece that i have been dying over for quite some time! it was supposed to be a christmas present, but neither on of us can keep a secret for that long.
4. along with delivering my new art, brandon mclean (the artist) came over for an evening of digging holes at the beach, reading books to the boy, and a pulled pork feast!
5. we have had some amazing beach trips this week.  the hubs has started a tradition of digging the most insane hole possible each time we go.  this may sound silly but a lot of research and trial and error has gone into perfecting the hole.
6. went to a friends going away party the other night. crappy-e-oke. very sad to see bob leaving, but very excited about his future work opportunities.
7. i missed a lot of ballet last month. so to make up for missed classes i've been taking a contemporary class right after ballet.  i was really worried that i was going to make a fool out of myself, but it turns out that i really love the class! i have a few more make-ups to do so over the next few weeks i am going to decide if a switch is in order.  i'll keep you posted.
8. the hubs finally strong armed me into having the yard sale that i have been planning for months.  the back hallway between the kitchen and the car port had turned into the holding cell for all potential yard sale items.  as the mountain of crap grew the more frequently the hubs told me i was becoming a hoarder.... haha.  so saturday 6:30 am came and it was time for the sale.  we sat and waited and waited and waited for people to come.  sold some random stuff, but none of the things that we assumed would sell did.  so after a few hot and sweaty hours our hopes of success dwindled and we called it a day.  we loaded up the car with all the left overs and dropped them at our local consignment shop.  this is the first time i've done the consignment shop thing, i usually just head straight for goodwill...we will see how it goes, if we make any money at all.  haha.
9. our old friend kelly and her adorable little boy kaleb stopped over for a short visit this weekend.  it is always so good to see her and share stories of motherhood.  kaleb is now 6 months old and about as cute as a button!
10. really looking forward to family date night tonight! we are going to rocco's tacos (which i have been dying to try!) with the serey's....can't wait! margarita's in my future....i think so!

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. antibiotics. i am not normally one to take a lot of medication. as a matter of fact, i kind of hate it. i'd rather have a cup of soup, hot tea, and vitamin c. but after many days of trying to heal myself the "homemade" way i gave up. but i am feeling much better now.

2. lots of movies and popcorn. the boy was such a trooper this week. he knew i felt like crap, and he did his best to take it easy with me.

3. the boy had his trial gymnastics class this week. it was an awesome evening of flips and jumps and joy. he loved the class and has been begging to go back ever since. can't wait until october when his class starts.

4. feeling better i finally made it back to ballet. ugh....it's amazing what 13 days of illness will do to a person. it was tough, but i made it through the class. it felt amazing to be back.

5. the boy and i made plans with some friends to go to leapin' lizards for a play date this week. the best part was that the hubs surprised us and met us for some hanging out and jumping around! love that man.

6. saturday morning at 8am came very early this week, but what more could you ask for than the hubs and the boy already smelling of sunscreen and sporting their bathing suits jumping on the bed chanting "beach! beach! beach!" we got the best parking spot at the beach, dug an impressive hole, swam, skimboarded. it was a perfect early morning beach trip.

7. i went grocery shopping alone this week....enough said.

8. date night! the hubs and i decided with all my feeling under the weather and about to leave for another week....date night was in order! we planned to see a movie...that didn't work. so then we tried to have dinner at our new favorite spot...kitchen was closed. so we ended up at our favorite little irish pub eating fried foods and drinking beers with friends!

9. you ever set a plan that completely falls through but you end up having a blast getting distracted. this morning we tried to go buy a beach umbrella (that is much harder than you would think) and a velcro toss toy (also impossible to find) to take to the beach. we ended up driving all over town in monsoon rain storms and playing tag in gander mountain. oh it was a blast.

10. my new candy necklace. yum.

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. my new mixer! if it were possible to have a love affair with an appliance, this would be a sweet romance! made some delicious island cookies with the boy. you can take a peak at me new vintage mixer and get the recipe here.

2. the beach. it's been almost silly how much time we have been spending at the beach lately, but it's the boys favorite thing to do these days....and who am i to complain about that.

3. florida summer afternoon showers. they make the best nap times...for the boy and for myself. unfortunately they also lead to a lack of productivity!

4. finally starting on a project for my cousin, his wife, and their soon to be baby girl. i have been wanting to make this for a very very very long time, and i am so excited that i finally have a reason! can't wait to share this project with you!

5. whipped up some quick little gifts for the boy and his best buddy, violet.

6. finally getting through the stack of thanks you cards from the boys birthday party. i am not always the best at getting thank you's in the mail in an appropriate time manner, but when you have such cute stationary it's hard to not want to get them out as quickly as possible.

7. we got to spend a ton of time with violet and her awesome mommy these past 2 weeks, but it was bitter sweet, because now we are not going to see them again for quite sometime. we sure love you two ladies, and can't wait to see you again soon.

8. the boys quickly increasing vocabulary. it boggles my mind how he seems to talk more like a person and less like a baby every day. he has so many funny little sayings, and he's never afraid to try to repeat long complicated sentences. it makes me laugh so hard that he can pronounce tons of dinosaur names perfectly, but always mis-pronouces the word pretzels (he always calls them freckles). it's also such a crazy reflection of myself. you learn very quickly the quirky things that you say too much. on of the boys first "adult words" was: seriously....and i have over used that word my entire life. i have also caught him on more than one occasion using profanities to express his emotions....shit, that's my fault too.

9. costco and kung fu. the hubs has been working way too much lately. and by way too much, i mean like an ungodly amount. well he managed to sneak away a few hours early yesterday to take me and the boy on a costco date (when i know what he really intended was to catch up on some sleep). then he even let me watch some late night kung fu.....man that hubs must really love me.

10. sunday funday. don't know what the day has in store for us, but it's a holiday weekend. the hubs has the next 48 hours off of work....hopefully. and there will be explosives involved.

our august...

got to see my two favorite travelers this past weekend....check it out!

erin trumble photography: the burton's

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

sorry for being a day late here guys. this week was so full of travel and company, beach and family. it was a great week. hope you all enjoyed the week without words. it was a lot of fun for me, had so much fun taking all of these pictures.

1. road tripping with my boy across s.r. 80. growing up in fl, and having family spread out all over the state, i think that i have taken every back road from hear to the pan handle. i can now check s.r. 80 off my list. lots of fields, lots of singing with the boy with the windows down, lots of cows, and a whole lot of nothing. it's so amazing to me how so much of florida is still real land. i drove through a town called belle glade, and the city motto read "the richness is in her soil". i want to farm.

2. lot of long, slow walks on the beach in search for the perfect shell.

3. late night chats with my sisters. i am considerably older than all of my siblings. there is a 20 year age difference between my youngest sister and i. but they are finally getting to the age where i am the cool older sister, and not just someone that they really couldn't relate to.

4. celebrity. this is my all time favorite group game. and there is no box required. it's my families favorite night of vacation every time. we laugh, we all swear that my dad makes people up, it's full of stupid one liners and me saying "um" a lot.

5. greek tacos. i'll post the recipe soon.

6. surprise visit at the beach house from my family's best friends, the burgess's. betty burgess is my idol. her confidence, her humor, her effortless yet supremely chic sense of style....and on top of all of that this woman is one of the most caring people that i have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few years. this woman has got it all. oh and did i mention that she is a designer? talk about dream homes!

7. the boy got to see almost all of his grandparents in one week. while on vacation at the beach we saw 3 sets of great grandparents, plus his patchie and lala (my dad and stepmom). then we got to meet nana (the hubs mom) for brunch on saturday. the only one missing was my mom.

8. matt and sandy came for a visit, finally. they are some of our closest friends from orlando and we have been missing them very much. it was so great to spend a couple days with them catching up and soaking up the sun.

9. eating the first pepper from the new plant, and some of my tomatoes on a turkey burger that was so loaded up with veggies that there was a complete upper bun blow out (yes, that's the technical term). they were some amazing burgers though.

10. getting to see the hubs after being gone all week. that was for sure the best thing that happened to me all week.

i love the ocean