Summer — Page 4

How to Keep Your Budget for Summer Fun Right on Target

Make this year a “Big Honkin Summer”… As you’ve probably already noticed, I’m kind of an entertaining junkie once it gets to summertime. We’ve got a big in ground pool, patio, and field for kids to run in – so we’re the official gathering place of most of our friends and family. And I love that. Love-love it. And what I also love is creating cool new stuff to make the kids smile – whether it’s a new box of outdoor games, ingredients for summer parties and bbqs, or sweet gear and toys for the pool – Target is the destination for everything my family needs to make the most of summer. For real. {Remember how I told you that Target was dangerous for me? That big red eye hypnotizes me into buying so many trendy and affordable household decor and gadgets every time…}

Making the Most of Summer…

When they say, “Whether you are traveling to the beach or just want to keep the kids busy, Target has all the summer essentials at great prices to make the most of the season” – they are not lying to ya, my friends. We all know that Target is a must-shop destination for home decor and summer fashions, right? Well, they’ve also got a seriously cool selection of stuff for summer fun. If you’re ready to kick your summer up a notch, look for the big beach balls, sand buckets, and sunglasses throughout the store to guide you to sweet summer gear. I stocked up on a bunch of great goodies, so that I have something new to bring out once a week to get the kids excited again. I like to make sure they spend their time playing games outside, in real life, versus on the darn XBox all day! And there were SO many totally fun options – I got a whole kit to build our own Lemonade Stand {watch for that coming up soon – you’ll LOVE it. We’re going to set this up at our next BBQ, and let the kids sell drinks. Too fun.} We also got a giant badminton set, a golf club that the boys LOVE, and crafty supplies like the Modern Board Book kit, to keep that summer fun going even on rainy days. {This sweet craft line from Todd Oldham is amazing – and it’s all under $20 bucks!}

Creating summer memories with the kids

I love bringing a little bit of the unexpected to our normal daily routines. That’s why I love stocking up on those affordable summer toys and gear – just to have random surprises to bring out once in a while. I also have a ton of fun putting together silly foods like this – My Octopus Cupcakes. They’re super simple {I’ll put up a tips post for them tomorrow!} and were a huge hit with the kiddos at our last swim party. That’s another reason I looooove to shop at Target – Not only can I pick up the gear that I want, but they have a really great new grocery section, so I can get the snacks and treats there too. And myohmy – it’s MUCH quicker than shopping at Walmart. {You all know what I’m talking about, right?}

Use the Summerizer App for even more summer fun

You can also make the Target Facebook page your online summer destination – click on their Big Honkin’ Summer-izer App to add some fun summer flair to your photos – like this one of Abby. Cracks me up – Love this. It’s incredibly easy peasy to use, with lots of cool options, and you can share your creation right to your own Facebook albums. And – if you make a fun photo here, stop by and share it on MY blog wall too – I’d LOVE to see the fun pics you come up with. And you can even have these printed at your local Target Photo Center too, super cool.

So – Shop Target for summer fun this year. Totally affordable, absolutely adorable – keep your summertime fun budget right on target!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Target and received products to facilitate my review, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on July 10, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping | No Comments

Learn about a Stylish Solution to Skin Cancer Prevention

Did you know: Skin cancer is the fastest growing form of cancer in the United States… It’s true, and that’s a pretty scary thing to think about, when you realize that the majority of people’s sun damage happens before they’re 18 years old. When I was a kid, my mom didn’t have the kind of information that we have today – and had no idea that all that sun we were getting could potentially be so harmful. And she also didn’t have access to the kind of super innovative products that we’re lucky to have today – Like these super fun fashions from GrUVyWear. Check ’em out…

“Precaution is better than cure.” – Edward Coke

How fun is this, right? I love the bright colors, the fun summer print, the super cool mini surfer-girl styling – and most of all, I love that this adorable gear also blocks 98% of the harmful rays when Abby spends the whole day out in the sunshine. It’s so great to know that while she’s rockin’ this sweet summer style she’s also being totally protected from sun damage. {Do you know the dangers of tanning and sun damage?} About 10 years ago my dad was diagnosed with a massive malignant Melanoma – the worst type of skin cancer. Before that, I’d been a tanning bed junkie for years – in my early 20’s I definitely wasn’t thinking about things like cancer, I thought I was still invincible. I’d known friends who just had a mole removed in a quick procedure, I thought that was all that skin cancer was about. But – watching my dad go through all of the treatment for his cancer totally opened my eyes to how serious skin cancer can be – I had NO idea! That’s why it’s extra important to me to make sure I keep Abby’s sensitive toddler skin safe and protected now.

“Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy.” – Author Unknown

In the summertime, we spend our whole days outside. {Yes, it takes almost a week of summer vacation before I can get the boys to stop asking to play the XBox, lol. But once they get used to playing games in real life, we have a blast.} Last year was our first summer in this new house, and it’s such a great place to have the kiddos grow up. We’ve got a big in ground pool, nice side yard and a huge field to run in, and a peaceful, pretty, shaded patio for me to work on my laptop while keeping an eye on the wild ones as they play. With all that time outdoors I definitely need to take some precautions – I’m a Coppertone Mom, so I always have some great sunblock products to cover the kids in before heading out. {Make sure to apply about 20 minutes before going out into the sun.} But if you’ve got kids, you know how hard it can be to coat a squirmy toddler in slippery sunblock, right? Reminds me of a rodeo! So – It’s a total time saver – and sanity saver! – to just apply it to her arms and legs, then put on her cutie patootie GrUVyWear outfit to keep the rest of her skin safe.

“Broken tools can be replaced. You can’t.” – Author Unknown

We just ordered shirts for the boys too, to keep them looking and feeling cool this summer. They’ve both suffered through a few sunburns on their backs and shoulders before, and are pretty excited to have these sweet shirts to be able to avoid that this year. If you want to stock up for the rest of summer {or some of their great sporty wear for the rest of the year!} – here’s a sweet savings coupon code just for you guys:

Use coupon code SAVE1537 to save 15% off your order at GrUVyWear.com today!

As you can see, they’ve got gear for the whole family – from babies to adults. You can also pick up great accessories like hats and sunscreen too – so stock up on all of your needs for summer sun-safety gear there using the savings code! When you’re done with a long day at the pool, the beach, or on the lake – and you’re not suffering from your usual sunburned shoulders – you’ll definitely be thankful you did!

For more summer fun ideas, tips, and cool products – check out my Summertime Living board on Pinterest!

{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary outfit from GrUVyWear in exchange for this post. All opinions, photos, and overuse of exclamation points are my own. Only the best products that we try out make it onto this site – so you know this one is goooood.}

Summer Fireman Margarita is HOT…

Summer is heating up….

Forget this whole Fifty Shades of Grey thing – if you want to really heat up the summer nights, you have GOT to check out this Summer Sauza Margarita recipe – including a totally yummy fireman. And kittens. Seriously…

Yep, that just happened

If you’re totally in love with this ~~fireman~~, err, I mean recipe – get the directions here on how to put it together this summer: Margarita – Make it with a Fireman. And then check out the other awesome stuff on the Sauza Tequila website too, like coupons to save on your margarita supplies, and more recipe ideas. {No, this post is in no way at all sponsored by anyone. I just came across this recipe and video and am in love, and thought you ladies might like a little summer fun too…}

Summer Fireman Margarita

Ingredients

1 can Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila - *If Sauza® Blue Silver isn’t available, try Sauza® Silver
1 bottle light beer
1 can frozen limeade
1 can water

Instructions

Pour limeade and beer into a pitcher with ice.
Fill limeade can with Sauza® Blue Silver and pour into pitcher.
Finally, add a can of water, stir and enjoy.

https://sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/07/summer-margaritas-recipe-encourages-you-to-make-it-with-a-fireman/

That’s it. Now, grab your laptop, head out to the pool, and enjoy your Sauza Margarita while watching that fireman video a couple more times…. Yep, summer really is getting hotter, am I right?

Posted by Meagan Paullin on July 3, 2012 Filed Under: Food | 7 Comments

Learn How To Keep Your Family Out of Sticky Situations

Fast approaching summer brings about family travels, mini vacations and day trips. Keep your family out of sticky situations:

Sticky Situation by CustomizedStickers

Illustration Created by customizedstickers.com

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 30, 2012 Filed Under: Parenting | No Comments

Summer Staycation: Space Pack Water Blaster

Summer Staycation Pick: Astronaut Space Pack – Super Soaking Water Blaster… Many of us are cutting back on spending this summer, which cutting back on vacation spending. But – no vacation doesn’t have to mean no fun! Create your own “Staycation” worthy outdoor space this summer – filled with the coolest new toys for kids and adults, pretty patio furnishings, and other fun additions to make your home the best place to spend time this summer!

Astronaut Spacepack Super Soaking Water Blaster

This little gadget totally takes water guns to the next level! It’s designed to look like an astronaut backpack, with the “laser gun” being the water blaster. Seriously fun. It has two different shooting styles: Traditional water stream, or a multi-direction spray that blasts water to both sides simultaneously. The pack that the kids wear on their back is filled with water, which is used to power water blasts to over 30′!! It’s meant for kids ages 5 and up – but all of the kids here love it, from Abby who is almost 2, to Uncle James, who’s in his late 20’s, lol. I have GOT to get another one of these to make it fair when they’re out in the yard water blast battling…

Become the master of the water blaster…

This blaster lives up to it’s name… It is seriously a BLAST for the kids to play with outside, and it’s one of those rare toys that is still as popular now after a few weeks of constant use as it was the day that we got it. But here’s what’s even BETTER – it’s got a ton of super adorable accessories you can get to go with it, to really boost that Astronaut theme. You can get the Astronaut Helmet with sounds, which is totally fun. Or get the full look, with the Astronaut Boots and full Astronaut Suit with Embroidered Cap. Make your gear do double duty by using it as a super sweet Halloween costume this fall too. The Astronaut Suits come in sizes from baby to adult. So, so fun.

Blast into Summer Fun!

If you want to grab a Space Pack Water Blaster to add to your own Summer Staycation stock, you can get one on Amazon for only $15.99 – Astronaut Space Pack. You can also check out Aeromax online, to see the other super fun summertime toys and gear to get your kids off of the XBox and into the outdoors to play.

What is YOUR favorite Summer Staycation tip? Great product, fun game, decorating tip? Leave me some comments!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 29, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 2 Comments

Learn the 5 Most Important Sun Safety Tips for Toddlers

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow.” – Helen Keller… Ah, summertime. I live up in Washington State – which makes most people picture rainy Seattle type weather. But we’re here in Central Washington – Yakima, Washington to be exact – which is totally different. We have a super serious set of four solid seasons, so summertime gets HOT here. Like, tons of 100+ degree days. My dad was diagnosed with Melanoma a few years back, {recovered great} – but it gave me a serious dose of reality when it comes to sun safety. Last year Abby was still awfully little, and didn’t spend too much time outside. But now that she’s almost 2, and ready to play in the pool, the sprinklers, and just run wild around the yard and patio all day – I knew it was time to get serious about Toddler Sun Safety. Ready to learn some great new tips to help you keep YOUR little one safe while they enjoy the summer sun this year too?

“Anyone’s life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.” – Lillie Langtry

Last year was our first summer in this new house, with a big in-ground pool, patio, shop, nice yard, and a great big field out in the back for the kids to play. All that outdoor space is an amazing happiness to me – I love being able to have enough room for the kids to spend all day exploring and playing outside in the summer. {Plus, it makes it easier to keep up with housework when the spend most of their time not in it, lol.} But it means I’ve had to learn some new tips for keeping Abby safe when she’s spending so much time getting those bright sun rays on her all day. Here are a few of my fave tips:

Know the Sun:The sun’s rays are strongest from 10am – 4pm each day – meaning that’s when the majority of the harmful UVA and UVB rays are getting to your kids. But, that’s also the main playtime hours of the day too! So – you can do your best to spend time outside before or after those hours – but since that’s not really all that practical a lot of the time, just make sure you take a few extra sun-safety steps during those hours
Sunscreen: I’m a Coppertone Water Mom, which means we’ve learned a TON about why a great sunscreen is important. There are so many great varieties to choose from, so that you can find the perfect potion for your needs. Coppertone has everything from water resistant lotions to my fave – the Wet ‘n Clear spray that cuts right through water, giving kids protection as they move in and out of the water. Awesome. {Get a Coppertone coupon on their site!
Protective Eyewear: According to KidsHealth.com, “Sun exposure damages the eyes as well as the skin. Even 1 day in the sun can result in a burned cornea (the outermost, clear membrane layer of the eye). Cumulative exposure can lead to cataracts (clouding of the eye lens, which leads to blurred vision) later in life. The best way to protect eyes is to wear sunglasses.” I didn’t realize how important this was – I only bought Abby cheap-o sunglasses, because they were cute. This year we invested in better protection.
Drink Water: Kids get dehydrated a lot quicker than we do outside in the sun. Make sure to keep sippy cups or water bottles nearby at all times. {use the Koverz to keep kids drinks cold!} I make homemade ice pops too – with fresh fruit and lots of water- so the kids can eat ’em all afternoon. Whatever keeps ’em hydrated!
Block the Sun, Not the Fun: When you can’t keep the kids indoors, and can’t keep them in the shade – Take advantage of the great protection they can get from fun products from SwimZip.This is a must-have summer brand for us – Seriously cute styles, and the material in the kids swimwear is UV 50+ – which is as good as you can get. Kids get extreme sun protection, look adorable, and you enjoy the ease of full zippers that make the swimwear super easy to take on and off!

The effects of sun exposure during childhood last a lifetime – so it’s incredibly important that as moms, we do the best we can now to protect that sensitive skin from damage. More and more people every year are diagnosed with skin cancer – let’s help ensure that our kiddos do NOT grow up to one of them.

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you’re looking for some sweet new summertime fashions for your little ones – styles that will keep them safe while helping them look stylish – you have to check out SwimZip. {Get the super cute style that Abby is wearing here – SwimZip in Blue for Boys and Pink for Girls.} They’ve got classic styles, adorable little ruffely sets for girls, and sizes from newborn to 5T. They’re high quality, super easy to get on and off, and the fabric is chlorine resistant too! Seriously cool.

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” – James Matthew Barrie

If you want to learn more about this fun summer-safety line of fashions, visit SwimZip online to see all of the newest styles, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the newest products and promotions. And – if you’d like a chance to WIN your own favorite style, check out my great Summer Must-Haves Giveaway Package too! If you’re looking for more info on how to stay safe in the sun, check out these great sun-safety printables and kids activities, perfect for making learning sun safety tips fun.

SwimZip’s Mission:

SwimZip’s mission is to develop stylish, fashionable, and functional sun protective products that allow people to enjoy life in the sun. We design, manufacture, and market a range of quality sun protection products including sun protective clothes, SPF clothing, sun hats, sun protection swimwear, and rash guards.

“In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams

{Disclaimer: This review is part of the Summer Must-Haves Promotion from Mompact.com – I received a complimentary SwimZip for Abby to try out, so that I could give you guys my honest view on the quality, style, and function. I only share products here that have passed our set of standards – I love the SwimZip, and know you will too! Photos are a combination of my own personal shots and shots from SwimZip’s shoots – used with permission.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 28, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 8 Comments

How To Host a Frozen Yogurt & Cupcakes Party – #TCBYGrocery

Celebrate Summer during National Yogurt Month – with TCBY Frozen Yogurt! #TCBYGrocery – As soon as the weather gets warm around here, we start entertaining a few nights a week. I love putting together a good party – creative decorations, fun games, and good food. Since this month is National Yogurt Month, I wanted to celebrate it with a little Frozen Yogurt and Cupcakes party, and what better frozen treat to use then then everyone’s favorite, TCBY!

“Summer afternoon – Summer afternoon… the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

We’ve had mostly beautiful weather lately, and are so anxious to get our pool opened up for the season. I had planned a few parties already, and have had people over several times over the past two weeks – but unfortunately, the summer grand opening of the pool keeps hitting big ol’ road blocks. Ugh. First, we were told that we needed a new pool pump, which is a big expense. We ordered one in, waited to have it installed… Only to find out that wasn’t even really the problem. Double ugh. The next week we had several repair companies here, lots of work done, and still no luck. Hopefully by this weekend we’ll finally be able to enjoy the pool at our next party! Definitely looking forward to it – it’s getting darn hot, super quickly around here. A dip in the pool sounds glorious…

Celebrate Summer with TCBY Frozen Yogurt!

I wanted to put together a fun little shindig for the kiddos, so we headed out to Walmart to pick up the new TCBY Frozen Yogurt – and as you can see, it must have been on everyone else’s list too. The selection was almost sold out – crazy, right? But, there were enough choices for me to pick out a good selection of flavors to please everyone. {Because of course, every kiddo in my house has a different favorite that the MUST have, lol.} I’m a sucker for great packaging, and I just adore the bright, clean, cheerfully designed cartons for TCBY. I also picked up a few extra goodies – candy, cupcake mix, sprinkles, and cones. I wanted to bump things up a notch, make it more fun than a typical after-dinner bowl of ice cream. So I grabbed up a bunch of good stuff, and planned out some super fun ideas.

“A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Seriously – can’t you almost taste how good this stuff is, just by looking at the picture? I love ice cream, but to be honest, I’m not too picky about the type. One thing that I do appreciate is a frozen dessert that has big pieces of chocolate or fruit in it – big enough to really taste it. And that’s hard to find. Well – take a look at those deliciously juicy fruit chunks in the Tropical Mango Peach, and the giant bites of toffee and chocolate in the other blends – Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough and English Toffee Crunch. We took a quick bite to sample each one, then I got to work on setting up a fun set of treats for the kids to enjoy after a fun day in the sun, and a simple dinner on the patio – {Salad, baked chicken, and pasta salad.} Lovely.

“Celebrate summer: sun-drenched days and starlit nights.” – Gooseberry Patch

I started by making dipped sugar cones – I melted down some Wilton Candy Melts in the microwave, and tinted them pink. I rolled the edges of the sugar cones in the melted white chocolate, then rolled ’em in sprinkles. Super simple, but super fun! Then I set them up in dessert glasses to cool, so the candy could harden.

“Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.” – Kahlil Gibran

Next, I created these fun little cupcakes… I just used some small plastic party cups, filled them halfway with jelly beans {one of our favorite family candies} and set my vanilla bean cupcakes inside each one. Then I topped the cupcakes with the Wilton Pearl Sprinkles, and a few more jelly beans to match the holders. It was a random idea, but I think it came out really fun!! I’ll definitely be using variations on this for other summer parties – I’m thinking some ribbon around the cups next time would be a great touch…

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent

The kids and I enjoyed our treats out in the yard next to the patio, where we’d been playing in the kiddie pool and slip n’ slide all day. {It’s a good time, but tough to enjoy quite as much when you have a big in-ground pool in view, that you’re just dying to get to use!} See little mister’s messy frozen yogurt face? Yep, he LOVED the TCBY Frozen Yogurts!!! I wanted the total deliciousness of the ice cream to come through, so I kept them simple – a couple big scoops of TCBY in the dipped sugar cones, topped only with a few fun sprinkles. Partnered with the jelly beans and cupcakes – and of course, a big glass of ice cold milk for each of us – I have to say it was pretty much the perfect end to a summer day.

“Be intent upon the perfection of the present day.” – William Law

Aren’t these so fun? I can tell ya, it’s honestly not that often that we all agree on something around here… Due to a series of crazy life changes, we ended up with a big household – Me, Mike, and Abby. My brother and my two little nephews. And Grandma too… Plus SIX little dogs! So no matter how great I think an idea is for dinner, dessert, snacks, anything – there’s SOMEONE who’s not happy. But these TCBY Frozen Yogurts were a hit with every.single.one of us. Epic, right? {And yes, when I say EVERYONE, I mean it. The dogs were all dying for a bite, and most of ’em got at least a lick or two that dropped to the ground…. And I saw a lot of little wagging tails :)

For more updates on cool products and promotions – follow TCBY on Twitter – @TCBYGrocery. You can also find them on Facebook too. And for more summer fun ideas like these, check out the TCBY Grocery Pinterest page – {and of course, feel free to pin any of my pics to your own Pinterest idea boards too!}

How do YOU celebrate on family night during summertime with your family? Leave me some comments!

{Disclaimer: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and TCBY. #CBias #SocialFabric #TCBYGrocery.}