A thrilling chase

 Today's combo was inspired by this photo from May 2013 of In Style but as you can see the inspiration has a lot more color and looking at the photos I look to pale in my combo... Oh well...

Denim Vest - Forever 21

Top - Victoria's Secret

Pants - J Crew

Sneakers - Rocket Dog

Necklace - From Turkey

Bracelets - Target

YESTERDAY:
We had a pool party entertaining friends from out town with their 3 kids plus my friend and her 3 kids and added my nephew to the mix cause felt like we didn't have enough kids (just kidding).
It was fun though, the weather turned sunny and the pool was heated the kids had a blast.
After BBQ lunch and delivery pizza dinner and everyone left I got ready for my evening party which was hosting my book club to watch "Emma" after we finished Jane Austen's masterpiece.
There was a lot of talking and laughing and some movie watching...

Book Club movie viewing at night....

TODAY:
Today was our second summer playdate of the summer and the week. We met at a park strictly to persuade the kids to ride their bikes. Some of us have kids that are on 2 wheel bikes riding great but then some of us can't even get our kids on a bike (myself included in the latter group) So we decided every week this summer we'll meet at a different park and all of us will bring the kids bikes and have them ride it at least for a little while. Well today was the first time we tried and it worked like magic. Even the kids that would refuse were loving it and did multiple loops without encouragement. My daughter's bike feels a bit big for her ability so I had to hold her the entire time but got her to do two laps. Both kids fell at least once but were back up on their fit after some hugs and kisses.
The boys played heartily with their light sabers creating interesting games and the girls were playing some sort of dance/ballet class game. It was fun.

My son in the front with his light saber stuck in his pants!

 Big and small they are all on wheels!

 Ah the hair is finally growing just a little after her horrific self cut. I can't wait till the sides and the front grows out....

Fanuel Park

 I decided to wait until we were at our playdate to take photos but not sure what was going on with my hair....

The inspiration for this combo was from J Crew Catalog:

Silk Blouse - Victoria's Secret

Shorts & Chevron Belt - J Crew

Green Scarf- H&M

Necklace - LOFT

TODAY:
We have officially started our summer today! I was totally prepared and as planned started the kids on 'summer work' in the morning. My whole family (with the exception of myself) get up super early. So by the time I get up they have already had breakfast, watched TV for an hour and are in the process of getting dressed (OK, i put out their clothes the night before, you know kind of a control freak about what they wear). So after I get my breakfast they are kind of bored and it was perfect time to do some school work. I let my daughter pick a 'girly show' to watch on TV while I worked with my son first. Then he picked a show and I worked with my daughter. Her work is much shorter and much more basic anyway.
Then I made a big cooler of lunches and snacks for the day for everyone and prepared our beach bags and we were off to our first summer group playdate.
This is our second year of organizing a summer playdate group. I have so many great helpers that help me with researching info on locations we are meeting and postings on the calendar so it is not that hard and so much fun for us and the kids.

Today though my son was picked up by my brother to go to a Padres game and he had so much fun with them as well.

We ended the day with swim classes and dinner at home and I fit in some literally insane max cardio endurance Insanity DVD after they went to bed...

Oh, here are some summer tips our group came up with today:

1. Instead of using ice packs in your lunch coolers, freeze plastic water bottles halfway filled with drinking water. They will serve as ice packs and end of day will provide extra ice cold water

2. Write your kids name or last name with a sharpie on all your sand toys and inside kids hats. The toys get all mixed up and labels will make clean up easier.

3. Buy large baby powder bottles and keep one in your car and one in your beach bag. It works like magic getting sand off kids as you are ready to head home.

Neon Lights at the farmhouse cafe

 My outfit last night going out with the girls for my best friend's birthday...

The inspiration was from the Nordstrom catalog:

I liked the idea of a-line skirt mixed with mint and flat sandals. I didn't feel too comfortable wearing a cropped top so went with this bustier instead and added the silky bomber jacket I had purchased months ago but never worn on top.... This skirt is super cool. Has a leather look the length is perfect and it has pockets!
And wearing flats was liberating as I always wear heels when going out with the girls but felt flats played down the sex appeal of the mini skirt and gave it a casual vibe...

If someone was taking my photos they would have lined up the zippers in the back but these are all tripod photos...

 Jacket, Bustier - Forever 21

Skirt - Rock Republic from Kohl's

Necklace - J Crew

Clutch - Kate Spade

Sandals - Dolce Vita

YESTERDAY & LAST NIGHT:
It was a jam packed day as usual. In the morning we went to the outdoor class to register for the summer session. Then came home and prepped all the materials I am going to need to start the kids on their summer workbooks. Then to my son's school to pick him up from his last day of school and then went directly to the beach by the school. Even though it wasn't sunny it was warm and the kids dove into sand and even got wet in the ocean. By early afternoon we came home. I fit in an insanity workout while my mom came over showered the kids and took them. Which is when I showered and got dressed and went out with the girls...
I am so happy to be working out again. Last week was such a blah week with no energy as I took a break. I love the energy workouts give me and putting good food in my body allows me to workout at a better performance too.
Today our summer officially starts....