AMERICAN EAGLE EASE

Our teenagers love American Eagle and the hp guy stuff is really cute.  I do not buy a whole lot from there for myself as I feel it looks a little too young for me. However, lately, they have been knocking it outta the park. I went in to try on a swing dress (which I'll feature next week ) and they had just put out this adorable jumpsuit. Since I am a sucker for a jumpsuit, I feel in love. On my way out of the dressing room I spied a cardigan that they had also just gotten in and what a perfect match for those cool nights.

 I wore this jumpsuit on our get away this past weekend for dinner but didn't get good pics so thought I would highlight it more today. If you like jumpsuits, I really think you'll like this as it has a cuffed hem for heels or flats and adjustable shoulder straps. of course I was thrilled that it pairs well with my new 

Michael Kors Josephine Wedges!

 I thought in the store it was navy, but it is black which is just fine with me.

American Eagle Jumpsuit Here

American Eagle Cardigan Here

Happy Wednesday Wonderful Readers!!

Linking up with Ageless Style
xoxo
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
~Rachel Zoe 

Holiday WEEKEND Recap

 AND WE'RE BACK!

I hope you all had a lovely, nice long weekend full of rest and fun. Every Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I do a trip without kids in honor of our upcoming Anniversary. The last several years we have done a get away to Crystal Mountain Resort in northern Michigan. 

Located in the heart of Benzie County, Crystal Mountain is the Midwest’s premier four-season family resort featuring some of the finest accommodations northern Michigan has to offer – 36 holes of championship golf, 50 downhill slopes, 30km of cross-country trails, the award-winning Crystal Spa, the Michigan Legacy Art Park, and Over Memorial Day weekend: the BEER and BRAT Festival...this year was the 10th annual and it was the largest turnout ever. The summer at Crystal is just as awesome as the Winter and we love it here.

FRIDAY, first things first:

Comfortable car traveling attire. Lightweight mint Sweater Target

Cropped Legging Express

and Sam Edelman circus sandals

 We stayed at the Kinlochen Lodge

 but there are rooms, cottages and bungalows you can stay in too.

Within our lodge is a wonderful Thistle Pub Restaurant and we had a lovely dinner. I had, for the first time, rock steak, where they light the rock on fire and then you cook your sirloin cuts right on the rock, a minute or so on each side after dipping in a teriyaki sauce. Yummy, but soooo hot, thought I was having a way too early for menopause hot flash. Ate quick so the waitress could get that stone outta there. LOL

One of the best spinach salad I ever had.

After Dinner resort stroll through the lighted pergola. Isn't Mr. Nine so Handsome!!!

Saturday

Started out with a hike. You know I had to get my exercise and steps (got almost 20,000 that day) in if I was going to be indulging in beer and brats that evening!

Gorgeous view of the Resort from on top one of the slopes

 After hike refreshments at the outdoor bar, so relaxing!

3pm, VIP entrance to the Beer and Brat Festival

 Headline Band was called The RockShow and they were awesome. Cover band doing Journey, ACDC, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, etc. Very good band!!

The absolute BEST brats and homemade potato chips 

from Michigan markets, fresh grilled asparagus, electric and classic cars and

 over 100 kinds of craft beers.

Top, a Barcelona cami in Rosy Cheeks from Express

 Cheers to a great sun shiny 75 degree, light breeze day!!!!


 Sunday, golf day

My husband has been wanting to golf one of their courses forever so this time he got the opportunity, Such a beautiful course. We got paired up with two guys from Port Huron and we thought, crap they're gonna be pro golfer good and well they thought the same about my hubbs in his Notre Dame polo. Ended up being about the same course skill wise and super, super super nice guys. Love watching my Mr. Nine spank that ball down the fairway!!

Say Hi to our new friends brother-in-laws Chris and Kevin who, we not only ended up having mutual friends in common with, but shared rounds with them until dinner time back at the outdoor bar. Ladies, Kevin on the right is single, a hockey player, fun and sweet! I've got his digits, if interested, lives on a lake!! :)

 I love playing match maker!

We planned on staying until Monday but family business back home was number one priority so we headed home. However, as we pulled away, the rain stated to pour so it was actually perfect timing as we had been so blessed with gorgeous weather.

Since it is about the only time all year that I drink beer and indulge in brats, I think there will be a white cheddar asparagus brat and a Dirty blonde beer from Atwater Brewery with my name on them next year. 

Can't wait!!

Love you all, hope your weekend was simply wonderful and so happy we are one step closer to next weekend already!!!

xoxo

"Travel brings power and love back to your life."

~Rumi 

Mad Memorial Day Love!

We are still in holiday weekend Paaaarty mode but I couldn't let this day go by without sending out a big THANK YOU to all past, present and future military men and women!! Dear family members of mine have served including my daddy, who was an 8 year NAVY man and my precious husband who gave 2 years to the ARMY stationed in Budingen Germany. We would not be here if if were not for all of our armed forces and their sacrifices for our country.


Hope you take time to honor them today and yes, have a burger or hot dog too!!
I'm partial to these bite size burgers. Problem is I couldn't eat just one.

Here is a great recipe for Sloppy Joe DiMaggio's that our two oldest teens made for us.
 It is a perfect Rachael Ray recipe for Memorial Day.
Here

Finally, the fruit that really says "Hey, Summer is Here!!"
WATERMELON
and I love a good carved watermelon basket. This is about as creative as I get,
but sometimes I carve the handle too.

 But look at these. I MUST try, putting them on my Summer Goals list!
My love of carving watermelons could be a post in itself! Ha!

Hope you have had a truly enjoyable and laughter filled Memorial Day weekend.
Posting all our weekend shenanigans tomorrow!

xoxo
"All gave some, some gave all."
~Billy Ray Cyrus

FRIDAY FAVORITES MEMORIAL EDITION

It's here....the long Holiday weekend we've been waiting for.
 Let's cut right to the chase with my FIVE
 Friday Favorites so y'all can get onto partying!!

1. HOLIDAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL
 This is an annual Memorial weekend tradition. Craft beers from all over Michigan, all different kinds of homemade brats, fresh asparagus and homemade chips mixed with a summer ski resort atmosphere and
 two rocking bands. Can't wait!!

Last years fest was a glorious, sunny day. Fingers crossed for the same this year!!


2. MINI STARBUCKS FRAPPE
 (GREEN TEA FOR ME)
 I was so excited when they came out with the new Starbucks frappe mini. The first pic is of my beloved Green Tea Frappe but it is only a sample size but I LOVE miniature things.

Grande, Tall and the new 10oz Mini!

Let's talk calories

A Mini (10 oz) Coffee Light Frappuccino made with nonfat milk, which is the standard, is 60 calories and has 13 grams of sugar. A Mini (10 oz) Coffee Frappuccino made with whole milk, which is the standard, is 120 calories and has 24 grams of sugar. As with other sizes, there are various ways to customize the Frappuccino® including choosing the ‘light’ option, selecting nonfat or non-dairy (soy or coconut) milk, using sugar-free syrup, or asking for light or less whipped cream.
Sixty calories for the “light” option? Not too shabby. You’ll have to act fast, though, because mini Fraps will only be available until July 6 at participating stores throughout the U.S. and Canada which is the part that is NOT my favorite. Why not a mini forever!!


3. CUTE BACHELORETTE GIFT BAG
I know a lot of you are going to having girls nights and weekends full of bachelorette fun coming up this wedding season, so how about some cute packaging to go with?
 

4. WORK ATTIRE
I love to wear dresses to work but for some reason, this week just felt like pants and so I wanted to pull out some really cute tops 
for the week in work attire.
 

Loft Outlet sweater

J. Crew Factory Blouse

 Calvin Klein Blouse from Macy's

Which one do you like the best?

 


5.CUTE SUMMER CUPCAKES
Whether you have kids, grand kids or no kids, these are absolutely adorable and so easy & sure to be the hit at any of your summer parties coming up. 

Here is what you do: vanilla or white cupcakes and frost with buttercream frosting. Next, sprinkle crushed up graham crackers or the some of the teddy grahams for the sand. Cut fruit rolls up into pieces for the "beach towel" and adhere a teddy graham. Next, use lifesaver gummies for the inner tubes and finish off with a cocktail umbrella. 
You could even frost half in blue if you want to add a little "water"

Linked up with Bright On A Budget

Have fun, be safe, eat well and laugh til your side aches!!

xoxo
"Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless." 
~Bill Watterson