I was SO excited when Ashley from The Shine Project said she was sending me a tee from their new patriotic line. We have a community 4th of July parade every year that I walk in with eep* and I will TOTALLY be sporting this tee this year! I especially love that it is a scoop neck that can be worn off the shoulder. Get yours just in time for the 4th here.

You can also find The Shine Project on Facebook & Twitter. And be sure to check out the new arrivals in the THREADS shop too! I’m loving the pixie dust bracelets!

Outfit Details:
Shine on America Tee c/o The Shine Project
Striped maxi skirt was a TJMaxx find
MIA sandals
Kate Spade sunglasses

*for any newbies here, eep is my son’s nickname.

Shop my floral London Times dress here. And get $15 off your purchase with code LT15.

Today I am SO excited to share that I am participating in the London Times “savvy in your city” summer campaign. Each of the bloggers participating were asked to share their fave hot spots in their hometown giving you guys the ultimate insiders guide this summer. I am born and raised in southern California (San Diego) so I thought I would share some of my favorite “local” spots in a little beach town called Cardiff by the Sea, CA.

Almost every weekend, we drive to Cardiff to get my favorite donuts in the whole wide world at VG’s Bakery. I mean, these donuts make Crispy Kremes seem like day old donuts (IMHO). In fact, my husband makes fun of me because I always say the donuts are “hot & fresh”. There is always a line out the door because they are THAT good. BTW, I also got my wedding cake made here.

If donuts aren’t your thing, then you may want to check out Pipes Cafe. They have THE BEST breakfast burritos ever. I’ve never driven past when there wasn’t a line here either. They are totally worth the wait though. Promise.

While you are in town, you have to drive by the “Cardiff Kook” to see how he has been dressed up that day. The locals have never been a fan of this statue so he has been dressed up in grass skirts, been eaten by a paper mache great white shark and even starred in a Harlem shake video. Oh, and he even has his own calendar. We did the Cardiff crawl just yesterday and he had a basketball mask and a happy father’s day sign on. I always wonder if there is like a sign up sheet or something for who gets to dress him up that day.

My husbands fave place to go in Cardiff is Las Olas Mexican restaurant. I do not eat shellfish but he RAVES about their lobster tacos and begs me to go whenever they are in season. I go for the margaritas! =) And the ocean is literally across the street.

Also, if you are visiting San Diego any time soon, check out San Diego Reader magazine’s 75 reasons to love San Diego. And don’t forget to visit London Times to enter to win their $1000 savvy summer giveaway!!!

Me, Gretchen Rossi and Lisa Vogel! Check out that shoe line up! So sad Lisa’s were cut off…LOVED those caged booties!

Posing with Lisa Vogel…slightly obsessed with her dress!

Step & Repeat. Do you know that I had no idea that’s what these signs/boards you take pics in front of were called? LOL

Slade Smiley & Me

One of my fave suits from the collection….the nude blinged tankini!

I am a HUGE Real Housewives of Orange County fan. So when Swimspot asked me to join them for the launch of the Gretchen Christine Rossi for Luxe by Lisa Vogel collaboration, I HAD to go! We were served delicious cupcakes from frostings cupcakes (seriously….yum….I devoured a lemon cupcake) and sipped on “champs” while checking out the new swimsuit line. Both Gretchen & Slade were sweethearts and real down to earth. I had no idea what to expect but it was a pleasant surprise. I also got to chat with Lisa Vogel (the designer behind the Luxe line) and love that she is a mom of two who knows how to design a stylish & sexy swimsuit that is mom approved. I’m crushing on this nude blinged tankini! We are heading to Palm Springs next month and I would totally throw on my denim cut-offs with that suit and hit the town!

P.S. kind of kicking myself for not asking if Gretchen was wearing her own makeup line because DANG…girls skin/makeup looked amazing.

P.S.S. (or is it P.P.S.) A big thank you to my friend Melissa who came with me and snapped these pics! xo

Outfit Details:
Urban Outfitters Drop Waist Dress (similar)
Baublebar Necklace
Topshop Heels

I am hereby declaring maxi dresses…the mom uniform. LOL. Well, at least for THIS mom anyway. Hey…I’m pretty sure Rachel Zoe agrees…although hers would be head to toe sequins. =) BTW, is it just me or is the time just FLYING by? How is it almost the middle of JUNE?!?! One of my favorite sayings/quotes is “The days are long, but the years are short”. I know I’ve shared this clip on the blog before, but it’s worth repeating (IMHO). Although….parents…let me warn you now, you may get teary eyed. A good reminder to live in the moment. =) Happy Thursday friends!

P.S. LAmade is offering 20% off with code HOUSEWIFE20! Enjoy!

Outfit Details:
Ombre Dress c/o LAmade
Jcrew Braided Belt
Forever21 Colorblock Hinge Bracelet
Druzy Heart Necklace c/o Massi
MNG Studded Tote
Seychelles Wedges (a couple of sizes available here)

I bought these wedges last summer and didn’t get to wear them quite as much as I’d hoped. So I was pretty excited when I realized how well they matched this colorblocked blouse. The last time I wore them, it was with a cobalt hi-low dress (seen here). Speaking of hi-low (or mullet) dresses…what are your thoughts on them? I thought they were played out…and then Kelly Osborne kind of confirmed it for me when she said she disliked them at the Lucky Fabb conference back in April. But I keep seeing them everywhere. And I have a really beautiful nude pleated Grecian looking hi-low dress that I was considering having the hem chopped on since I never got around to wearing it. Now I’m not sure! What are your thought on the hi-low hemline? Yay or nay?

Outfit Details:
Jcrew Colorblock Blouse
Jcrew Chino Shorts
Free Press Wedges
Michael Kors Watch
Kate Spade Clutch