Joy Folie Sale

For all you Joy Folie fans out there.... Use coupon code SAVEBIG and save 40% off your purchase!!! 

www.joyfolie.com

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Broken toe

I remember being in 4th grade and I begged my mom for these shoes that I just had to have! Her response was, "I'm not buying you those cheap shoes... they'll hurt your feet!" In the end I got the shoes (yes, I was that spoiled) The very next day I was playing the usual game of kickball at school. I kicked the ball and instantly my toes killed. Without all the details, I sprained my big toe! So if you have read my blog at all, you know that I'm a shoe hord! While I can't always buy my kids the most expensive shoes, I still try to get them some that comfortable and that won't break their toes on the playground. Plus UMI has a bunch of cuteness on sale!.... And they have offered a FREE PAIR OF SHOES to a SF reader! GO browse the site and enter below!

Leave a comment telling us your favorite style 

&be sure to check out the "extra" ways to entries!

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So many pictures

So this summer while in WA we took our kids to Krispy Kremes one morning & while we were watching the donuts being made, the sweetest lady came up to me and introduced herself! I was so impressed. Then she let me know all about her Creative Keepsake business. I always love to hear about fun businesses. I'm so behind on getting my pictures organized and I thought it would take me a jillion years so I've been putting it off... But since the Story Book Creator is 50% off right now, I decided to give it a shot! Just drop your images in and make fun books for gifts, invitations & individual pages! I think I'm going to have fun with this! So easy! Definitely should check out this sale before the end of the month! Thanks Gloria!
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Cooking show

I have a son who LOVES to cook!  Every once in awhile he'll ask if he can have his own cooking show.  So I break out the video camera & help get out everything he needs. Then he creates a fruit salad usually & then I'm the camera man.  Even though he's 8, I still get so nervous when he wants to use a knife. My husband says he can handle it.  But me, I hand him a plastic knife.  So you could imagine how excited when we received some products from Khun Rikon. The kinderkitchen line is awesome.  Everything from Mouse Measuring cups to this awesome dog knife.  Easy grip handle, cuts food but can't stab anything with it... which is a concern at my house;)  I even found my new fav kitchen gadget too.  This dual peeler is FANTASTIC.  I never use  vegetable peelers because they never work right.  This one, I've had about 2 weeks and I can't stop using it.  I make excuses to peel anything. Peaches, cucumbers, tomatoes...  Not that I normally peel tomatoes, but I tried it and it works really well.  Great site for all your kitchen gadget needs.  I think Santa will be using this site to fill some stockings;)

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Vamp it up

When it comes to decorating, I'm a pretty simple girl. But while I'm away from my home right now, I can't wait to get back and take on some serious revamping! I think I'll start with making a wall like this. I love picture frames and I love paint, so this idea... course I heart it! Check out all these funny room ideas here. 

PS.  Red Dresser. Beads. Love.

Photos via La Maison d'Anna G.

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Take the time

(photo from Blonde Designs)

I admit it, I haven't been Mom of the year lately. Too often I get wrapped up in so many things that I "have to get done" & then before I know it, it's time for bed... And then the cycle starts all over again. I found this idea tonight on this blog & it inspired me to be better at what means the most. It would only take a second to leave a note for my kids every night.... My kids would love this...
This blog also has a cute little note print out, check it out here.

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Summer Find

Oh the possibilities!  I loved this idea so huge, I had to post a link to these fruit drink labels!  How fantastic would the next lemonade stand be with these;)

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Summer Eats

What I love most about summertime is all the good eats that pop up a BBQ's and parties or lately on Pinterest. These have caught my attention... You'll for sure have everyone on the block inviting you back again for more!

This one is one of my favorites. I love me some salsa & chips but have you ever had a salsa this sweet?  Perfect for the party opener:) Found via The Girl Who Ate Everything.

Cucumber Tomato Salad. Simple. Tasty. Easy but frilly enough for all you adults. Found on Real Mom Kitchen.

POPSICLES don't get any better than this. Take a Popsicle mold, add some fruit and your fav juice. Freeze.  Fun. fresh. healthy. Your kids will want to eat more than one & you'll be totally fine with it;)

One day my husband came out of the kitchen drinking out of a Mason jar and I just laughed at him because he said there was no clean cups!  I didn't think at the time that I would ever be offering a jar to my guest but I think I could handle serving up these lemonade mason jar awesomeness!  Found at Yummy Wedding Food.

Holy moly all the kids on the block will think you're the coolest ever if you hook them up with one of these.  Clear out the watermelon, fill it with something sparkly. Total hit! One of my sisters in law's poked holes & added straws to change things up a bit... but you might want to keep that one within the family;)
 Found on Hither & Tither.

I have to thank my Mom for making me my favorite meals of the summer. Fillet Mignon, Asparagus, BBQ style, on the beach. This picture doesn't do her grilling justice but I can assure you, you should be jealous:)

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Summer Sale

Taking for 4 kids out trying to shop for myself is next to impossible these days. So it's not to often that I make it to the mall. But because of the rain & we were all a little on the cabin feverish side, I took on the mall challenge.  It went great... till we walked in the door that was right in front of the rides, then one had to go to the bathroom... then 10 minutes later another one has gotta go!  We're walking along smiling at the "Oh my, you've got your hands full" comments & something that the boys "have to have" jumps out in a window... And the begging begins! I think you can all guess what happens next... yep back into to car we go! LOL What was I thinking? Hopefully someone can relate to my mall trips too & agree when I say,   Thank goodness for ONLINE SHOPPING!!!  Even better when there's SALES going on at  my favorites sites, like SHABBY APPLE!  20% off most everything (except swimwear) & FREE SHIPPING!!!... FREE SHIPPING is just icing one the cake:) ENTER CODE SUMMER20 @ checkout!

Click image below and start shopping!

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Summer Hair....

 Hi there all you fans of Simple Finds! I just LOVE this blog, and Im really exited to be apart of Summer Finds Week! Christie is so talented, and this blog is 'the real deal'... I was honored and nervous when Christie asked me to do a guest blog for ya'll... So, here goes!

Do you get the "Summer Hair Blues" ? You know, during these hot months our hair becomes unmanagable and dull from all the sun, chlorine, heat and styling.  Magazines have all these pictures of girls with perfect "beachy hair", (yes.. thats TOTALLY what I look like when I let my hair air dry!!) Every summer, I want to shave my head and never worry about my hair again!! Anyways, the point Im trying to make is that summer inspires us to CHANGE. And change can be a good thing, but so often it is SCARY! 

Are you looking for a change but not ready to chop off all your locks? Are you growing your hair out? Want to change your hair color from blonde to bright red? If your brave then GO FOR IT! Or, if you are like ME and have lots of desire to be original and daring with your hair, but just cant seem to take the plunge then keep reading and maybe you will get a couple of tips on what to do to spice up your hair, without changing it too much! Here are my Summer Hair Finds! 

-ADD LENGTH AND THICKNESS-
 without the troubles of actually having super thick, long hair....  

See my hair in the picture above? All long, blonde and thick? Well.. I have a secret...

 Its fake. 

Yep! Fake!  I was not blessed with a beautiful head of hair. My natural hair is ridiculously thin, (as in, a two year old has thicker hair than me) and it barely graces my shoulders (and Ive been growing it out for years!)  So, to fix my problem, I got bead-in-extensions, which I LOVED with all my heart.  Sadly, almost any form of permanent extensions can RUIN your hair, so after a lesson learned the hard way, I decided to use clip in extensions. You can buy them at your local Sallys Beauty Supply, (I use EURO NEXT)  Just clip them in, and take them to your hair stylist to have them cut. I LOVE THEM! I wear them every day, they add length, fullness and in my case, a whole lot of self esteem!! 

-PUT IT UP-

I am LOVING this trend. Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Lauren Conrad and more sport this look to any event, from Red Carpet to hanging with the fam. Its perfect if its super hot outside, or if your in a hurry! 

Dont know how? There is a Ballerina Bun Tutorial- HERE

-BRAID IT-

I LOVE braids! They are a perfect way to say, "yes I got ready today, and I look fabulous!" even though it only took you about 45 seconds to do! They are a super fast and easy way to change up your style. 

My favorite way to wear them is in multiples. Braid your bangs like in the last  picture above and then have a few "Rope Braids" hanging randomly throughout your hair like this: 

If your scared of the braid, I found this Messy Rope Braid Tutorial- HERE : ) 

And look how pretty this style is!

 Waterfall Braid Tutorial- HERE 

-ACCESSORIZE-

I love a woman who will rock big bold accessories in her hair. Its daring, fun, and a perfect way to change your hair without doing anything to your actual hair at all! 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good scarf. Some days the bottom of my hair is curled to perfection, but the top just wont cooperate! So I get out my scarf, tie it around the top and cover up what doesn't need to be seen! Scarves are a perfect way to fix a bad hair day, and to bring in bright summery colors to your style! Hair Wrap Tutorial HERE

Hair jewelry is always fun. An awesome headband, a sparkly clip, its just the thing you need to dress up your hair from daytime to a fun night out! 

 Feathers are so trendy right now. I love them, and as you can see in the picture above.. I tried them! I like to have mine NOT beaded into my hair, that way I can just pin them in where and when I want them! For those of you who are opposed to using the Rooster Feathers, there are lots and lots of places to get synthetic feather hair accessories that add lots of flare to your hair! 

Dont be afraid to go BOLD!

-PLAY WITH COLOR-

This is my last tip, and probably my favorite one.. I have had a wild color in my hair for the past...4 years!!! It all started with a couple of pink extensions... then I was hooked! I have had my hair Pink, Purple, Black, Maroon, while still staying a classy blonde. It is SO FUN to have just a hint of color in your hair. I place it right behind my ear on the thicker side of my part.. that way when I need to hide it, its easy to blend it behind the rest of my hair. Recently, I dyed a big strip of my bangs brownish-red, just for the fun of it... (see it in the picture above? nothing to crazy... (: )

Or try out THIS new trend, Color Tipping, I dont think Im THAT brave, are you?

Thanks so much for reading what I have to say! I hope my Summer Hair Finds inspired you in some way to do something fun and bold with your hair!!!! I'd LOVE to hear from you if you decide to do something crazy! You can find me over at Jaymieandmark.blogspot.com.
 Wishing HAPPY SUMMER HAIR TO YOU ALL!!

XOXO - Jaymie

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