What To Pack For A Beach Trip (20 Items Under $30)
This year we decide to skip the big blowout birthday party and head to the beach for Georgie’s third birthday. We had such a fun time celebrating our sweet guy and he told us it was the “best birthday ever, ever, ever!”
I was able to find a ton of really affordable and cute beach items that I wanted to share with ya’ll. This $18 white maxi dress was my absolute favorite! It comes in a few other colors as well and runs true to size.
Shop Our Looks-
What To Pack For A Beach Trip
An Oversized Beach Bag
Sunglasses
Swimsuits
Cover Ups
Sandals
Maxi Dress
Beach Beauty Products
I was able to find all of these affordable options at Walmart! They have lots of premium brands now as well as the affordable options. Ray Ban, Sam Edelman, etc! It was nice being able to stock up for myself and the boys as well as lots of great premium beauty options. Since I waited till last minute to find things for the trip, the quick shipping was super convenient!
Can we all take a minute to slow clap that athleisure is trending?! WHOOP! Comfy and cute is the name of the game. I think the key is finding neutral items that fit you well paired with some fun pieces.
ON TOP:
Ya’ll know I love a good graphic t-shirt! The vintage ones can cost a fortune, so I was super happy when I found this one for $8. (Wearing a size small for reference.) If band tees aren’t your thing, a basic t-shirt is a wardrobe essential. When it’s cooler throw on a denim jacket on top.
ON BOTTOM:
Go with a comfortable bottom that can take you from gym to errands. I love a jogger or a yoga pant. I’m wearing these distressed joggers that are $13! They come in a few other color options as well. Very lightweight so great for spring.
SHOES & ACCESORIES
I love carrying a big tote so that I can fit all of the boys things as well as a pair of slip on sandals for after a work out, etc. This grey one is under $10 and such an awesome find. You can shop it HERE. It comes in black and several other color options as well. I love adding an easy slip on sandal or a fun pair of sneakers and then some large oversized glasses. (Hiding those tired mom eyes, HA!) No but really, a large pair of sunglasses always seems to make a spring athleisure outfit look more chic.
Get This Look:
This entire look is from Wal Mart. Everything I’m wearing is under $30. I was so impressed with the spring collection. They’ve also added a premium designer shoe line with Lord & Taylor. SO many good options..you can shop them HERE. They carry some awesome brands like Ray Ban too. Everything shipped free and fast.
I’ve been scouring Amazon like a crazy lady lately and finding some really great deals (and dupes!)
If you haven’t checked the new look for less section.. you can find it HERE. It’s tons of designer look a like items, and several are Amazon finds.
Laundry Detergent– I’ve shared this before, but there is something about this fresh scent in spring that just can’t be beat. It will make your whole house smell amazing while you are washing items, and impress any guest when you wash your sheets in this. Since it’s a little bit pricey I use it on sheets, blankets and items that go several times in between washes. It lasts me a very long time this way.
Marble Diffuser– I ordered one of these to diffuse our lavender essential oil at night and immediately ordered two more for the main living area.
Lip Mask-– I didn’t even know that I needed a night lip mask, but it is SO GOOD.
Tan Sunglasses-– The look so much like the Celine version and our under $10.
Clear Tote Bag– This looks JUST like the Staud version, and comes in multiple other colors as well. Such a great piece for spring and summer!
Barefoot Dreams- The softest blanket you will ever own! It is a splurge, but it’s just that good. These are always sold out, but there are a few left in stock here!
Spice Rack (Stadium Style)– Spring cleaning time is here! This $9 spice rack totally transformed our cabinets.
Make Up Organizer– It’s made for travel to protect your make up from breaking, but can be used anytime. $18.. but seems like it should be much more for the quality.
The Shopbop Sale is here! Everything is 20-25% off using code EVENT19 and it’s the perfect time to stock up on everything you need for spring and summer.
These denim shorts are the best! They are actually long enough to cover everything that they need to. A total staple item you will wear all spring/summer.
Two slides I’m loving for spring are these and these. Both under $100 and neutral enough to go with everything.
If you’ve been wanting to splurge on a pair of Golden Goose sneakers, now is your chance! There are several options on sale HERE. I’ve got a whole post on sizing and the different types of Golden Goose that you can check out HERE.
The bag of the summer is on the sale here! It was one of the first things I added to my cart. You can shop it HERE.
Anine Bing is my go to designer for everyday wear, and there are several options of hers on sale! This graphic t-shirt is a must as well as this silk snakeskin skirt.
10 Spring Activities To Do As A Family & Mommy & Me Matching Outfits
We are absolutely loving the spring weather! It’s important to us to spend lots of family time together creating memories. We are always out so I’v compiled a list of ideas for fun spring activities to do as a family.
While you are out and about.. here are some adorable little spring outfits too. (I just can’t help myself when it comes to matching them…)
The Mommy & Me Matching Outfits
You can shop my denim jacket HERE. I’ve had so many denim jackets in my day, and this is far superior to any other one. It is the perfect amount of distressing, so insanely soft and the company that makes it is charity based with an amazing mission.
The boys denim jackets were $20 and perfect for spring! You can shop those HERE. I am loving this baby Levi’s trucker style baby denim jacket too. It’s currently on sale for $33 HERE.
On The Babes:
On Me:
10 Spring Activities To Do As A Family
1. Pick flowers or hit up a flower truck/flower shop and bring some spring blooms home.
2. Sidewalk chalk.
3. Build a bonfire outside for s’mores.
4. Go for a hike.
5. Go to the playground.
6. Go to the farmer’s market.
7. Throw on some rain boots and jump in muddy puddles.
8. Blow bubbles. Even better, get a bubble machine and let the kids go wild. We have this one HERE.
9. Go for a picnic. (Could make it extra fun and do a desserts only picnic…)
Ahh the temps are warming up, the sun is shining, flowers blooming, and we can start to shed some layers and dress for spring.
In this in between weather where it’s still a bit chilly, outfits can be tricky.
An easy way to style spring transition outfits is by wearing a warmer layer on top (sweater, sweatshirt, shirt with duster,etc.) and shorts or a skirt on bottom. I like to pair mine with boots or booties.
I’ve been living in these Anine Bing Sweatshirts. They run true to size. They are a bit pricey, but good quality, and I wear them over and over again.
These over the knee snakeskin boots are an Amazon find! They are under $40… crazy, right?! If you aren’t wanting something quite as bold I found a bootie version as well. You can shop those HERE. (They are $27 and another Amazon fashion find!)
A spring transition outfit staple is a faux leather skirt. Suede skirts are having a moment too! Here are some great options….
Nashville is such a fun and vibrant city to live in! It’s been so fun working on this Nashville Travel Guide Series. One of my favorite things to do here is hit up a local coffee shop. I’ve rounded up the best coffee shops in Nashville, TN! Also, be sure to check out my post on the best murals and photo spots in Nashville.
Best Coffee Shops In Nashville
Stay Golden
It’s so picturesque! I’m typically a plain latte kind of girl, but they have this magical drink called the Gingerbread man. AKA “Cookie Milk.” Get it iced…so delicious! It’s also a full bar if you’d prefer a stronger type of drink. 😉 The breakfast sandwich is my favorite in town as well.
Cafe Roze
Another picture perfect spot. They are known for their rose flavored latte. Be sure to check out their breakfast too. So good!
Ugly Mugs
They have a coffee called the “black bear.” It’s blackberry and honey, the perfect summer coffee drink.
Barista Parlour
The whiskey caramel and bourbon vanilla are two of the best coffees in town. There are multiple locations (Germantown, Gulch, East Nashville.) Each of the locations has it’s own decor and vibe… all awesome.
Inside of the Germantown location.
East Park Donuts & Coffee
The donuts are just so good. A great weekend spot for coffee with a treat!
Retrograde
If you are in need of a STRONG coffee, this is your spot. Their cold brew is the best. It’s like a shock to your system… in the best possible way.
Crema
My favorite black coffee in town. You can watch them grinding in the back.
For a “treat coffee” I love the “Nutty” or “Salty Single”. They have multiple locations as well. The prices seem to be a little more reasonable here than other coffee shops in town. Fun fact: Jordan Rogers and JoJo Fletcher are involved in the Nations location and you can see them there all the time!
Frothy Monkey
There are more than one location. We are always at the 12th South location. However, the one in the Nations is much more “picture worthy.”
Coffee and Coconuts
So this one is actually located in Franklin, TN, but it is worth the drive! The best avocado toast, bourbon coffee, CBD infused coffees and a California chic decor style. Even the bathrooms are adorable!
Georgie has truly become like a mini BFF to me. I love sneaking away and getting some one on one time with him. He’s a true mama’s boy and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The other day we were able to go grab some hot chocolate and I just couldn’t help myself but to put us in matching outfits.
You can find Georgie’s little tiger sweatshirt HERE and mine HERE.
This designer has so many cute mama and kid matching options that are well made, comfortable and edgy but still super cute!
There is also this new daddy and me collection that is super affordable and adorable. It says men, but I would totally wear any of those band tees!
Trey is taking over the blog for this one! I’m usually the shopper of the family, but when it comes to Amazon… he keeps our front porch filled up on the regular.
So here’s what he has to say about the best Amazon finds for men….
Apple TV–
It’s awesome. I probably don’t use it to it’s full potential, but as far as it being a hub to stream anything for my phone, and keeping my iTunes and Apple Music up to date so I can stream anywhere in the house, it’s perfect. I also downloaded some apps that allow me to stream anything and everything on the projector upstairs. Simple to use, and great 4k quality.
Amazon Cloud Cam Security Camera (works with Alexa)– I read a ton of reviews and was some what skeptical at first. I got a two of them after Ashley wouldn’t stop bugging me about getting some. Georgie broke 3 other baby monitors. These are high quality, easy to set up, and you can stream them on your phone or through your Fire TV wherever you are. (AND G hasn’t broken them yet…)
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Face Wash– Ashley bought this for me as a gift, and I re-order non stop. Best face wash I’ve found and really, really works.
Fry Pot– This 14 qt fry pot is their big daddy. I like it because I have a bigger propane burner and it distributes the heat perfectly. I can let fish, or chicken, or whatever we are cooking up have space but still cook in large batches. I used it to cook a New Year’s day meal for 65 people…. so it works well.
Uppercut Deluxe Pomade– This has been staple for a while. You want to slick it back, your want to comb it over, it will lock it down! It’s water based so it doesn’t just clump up and stay, but it holds great. Their other products are really good too, I have just used this one for some time.
Multicam Gloves–
Mechanix gloves have become my “go to” for riding my motorcycle and anything else really. As long as its not too cold, they don’t have insulation. They’re durable but still have dexterity so I can easily shift gears.
Screen Cleaner Kit–
This Screen cleaner kit was something I found after we moved and there were finger prints on all the tv’s. I found this and it works great. It gets off juice, or yogurt, or whatever else the kids manage to get on any electronics. It got all the finger prints off computer where people touch the screen to point something out, like stop doing that, you don’t have to touch my computer screen to point something out. Great product, came with shammy, love it.
Butane Torch Lighter– Butane torch is a must have if you are doing any type of brûlée’s. We don’t make them a lot, because I don’t work out enough to justify 10k calorie dessert, but this torch is easy and defiantly does the trick. Also, any time you need a quick sear on something you baked in the oven like fish or chicken breast, it’s super helpful.
Best Air Mattress Ever– Air Mattress King is awesome. Since both kids have cribs in their rooms, we only have 1 guest bed. We get a decent amount of company so we needed another option. I have slept on many an air mattress and they were TERRIBLE. I took a chance on this one and haven’t looked back. Built in pump, sits up high, stays inflated, and is pretty comfortable I have to say. I did get the Lucid memory foam topper to put on as well and it fits perfect.
Led Zeppelin Hardcover– Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin is just one of the best rock and roll coffee table books ever. It’s so personal, so many pics I have never seen from one of my top 5 bands of all time. It’s immersive and effortless a the same time.
Bug-A-Salt Lawn & Garden Gun– It’s a game, it’s a tool, it’s fun all the way around. Also, it’s effective. You can load it up with regular table salt, patrol the house and take out flies, spiders, yellow jackets, or any other breaching bugs. Kids love it too.
Patagonia Puffer Vest– Patgonia mens vest 5 moths out of the year its my go to quick run somewhere throw on. Nashville has very vesty weather, little cool, little foggy, little rainy, and this is great for all that. Plus, it flatters a dad bod. (AKA belly.)
BEST AMAZON FIND’S FOR MEN
If you are a fellow Amazon junkie, you can check out some of my favorite finds posts HERE and HERE.
Formal dresses are something that most of us don’t just have “hanging around in the closet”. BUT.. we should! It’s fun to get dressed up every now and again for a special occasion.
When a formal wedding, last minute charity function, or formal party pops up you won’t have to panic.
When it comes to formal wear, I tend to stick to timeless classics. Pieces that are fun, flattering, but can stay in your closet year after year. Ready at a moments notice.
