Proud to be an American!

Ooooooh how I wish this was posting weeks earlier than it actually is!  Haha!  So is life.

The Fourth of July.  It really is one of my favorite times of year!  I mean, parades, good food, good friends, fireworks...what could be better?!?  Oh yeah - and SUN!!!  It's one of the few dates that us in the PNW can pretty much guarantee will be sunny.  And the sun-kissed faces and red "tan"lines the day after are proof that we enjoy it to the max!

This year, we entered our kids in the Kiddie Parade once again.  We do it every year and the kids have come to love it.  They were SO excited to decorate their wagon and wave their flags and dress up, so we went all out as usual.  We even got crafty and made some toilet paper roll rockets for a little pazazz!  Hollywood was very proud, given rockets are pretty much his favorite thing ever!

This was my sneak peek on Instagram the day before the festivities!

The clothes this year were a piece of cake.  Cocoa's outfit from last year still fit (yep, she's that tiny, don't let the pictures fool you!) so all we needed was a $6 red t-shirt for Hollywood.  Easy enough, right?  Being that it is also National Afro Day, Cocoa rocked her Fro's on the Fourth (and even won this year's Instagram competition)!

A few friends have asked me what the Kiddie Parade actually is.  You just sign your kid up and show up with your registration info (a simply form you print out online) and check which category you want to be "judged" for.  I don't remember all the categories but we always check "best stroller/wagon".  We never win though.  All the fun is in the kid's faces.  They get a participation ribbon, and those who do win for their category get to be at the front of the parade.  Then come 11:30 we all walk the parade route and wave at everyone watching, and then sit at the end to watch the big parade!

"Yaaay, participation!"

Me with my BFF who willingly faced the crowds with us!

When we reached the end of the parade, our friends Joe and Trish (and their little cutie Katie) were there saving a spot for us to watch the big parade.  Our little ladies hadn't seen each other since last year's parade, but ran into each other's arms squealing anyway!  

We found the BEST spot across the street from air conditioned bathrooms and a FREE popcorn stand!  The kids were in heaven.  

Had to show you my FRO-TASTIC little lady!!!

I promise I did NOT pose this - she did it all on her own and I (thankfully) captured it!!!

After the police motorcycles and firetrucks, things got even MORE exciting when an ice cream truck came buy throwing popsicles and ice cream sandwiches into the crowd!  My kids each got their favorites and savored them with joy.

Oh yeah, and the kids got an amazing opportunity to sit on a police motorcycle!  They were both a little freaked out by it, but mostly because of the hot seat.  They agreed to a picture and then they were OFF!  All in all it was a great day, followed up with great food, and great fireworks to end the evening!!!!!

But if you really wanted to summarize the fun, you could just take a peek at my Instagram posts for the day!!!  Hahaha!  

Hope y'all had a great 4th of July as well!  Proud to be an American!!!!

Less Is More

Summer fashion this year has me just drooling.  The colors and textures are just right up my alley, like I've mentioned here before.  I love pastels, and fancy bows, and girly ruffles and lace.  But since I'm paying for my own wardrobe and money doesn't grow on trees (somedays I really miss my high school allowance), I have to fight the urge to buy every trend that hits the shelves season after season.  In reality, I understand that most of us do.  What I have learned most over the years is that when you need to buy less, you carefully think through each purpose.  You look over the quality and make sure it will last.  And when you do that, sometimes it turns out that less really is more.  Because high quality pieces (and especially timeless high quality pieces) will last you season after season and year after year.  And that's not to say I spend a lot on my clothes.  But I do look at what they are made of and if I can use them for multiple seasons.

I love this outfit.  It's simple and chic and honestly....really comfortable.  This tank is flowy and breathable, but not too low cut and doesn't show your bra straps.  It's a great way to stay cool on a warm day while running errands with the kids.

Yes, I am very aware that my pedicure is chipped and needs to come off (how embarassing ;) but busy moms don't always make time for those kind of mundane tasks.  BUT - I did want to show you my new shoes I got!  I was looking for a comfortable pair of black heels, and well, these wedges had me at hello!

A chic out fit needs a simple hair do, and what's more perfect on third day hair than the simple top knot?!?  Have you tried this look this summer?  Another go-to for me when my hair is too greasy to be left down but I don't want to wash it quite yet.  (Sorry if that grosses you out, just being honest!)  Have super fine hair and wondering how to make it last one more day?  Invest in a little hair powder, brush it through, and then sweep your locks back into something like this.  Try it - you might just thank me!!! ;)

Oh how I love the light airy colors of summer.  I'm going to miss pulling off these tones come fall, that's for sure!  Thankfully there will be a lot of bold and vibrant hues to replace them!  =)

Speaking of summer, I'm doing the dreaded bathing suit shopping now.  Our family is headed to the lake not too long from now and my last year's bathing suit no longer fits!  That's actually a good thing....but I still hate bathing suit shopping.  Especially when my body is not where I want it to be yet. But oh well, getting healthy takes time if you do it right.  Right?!?  ;)

Happy Monday friends!  Would love to hear how y'all are doing.  Maybe we should have another blog coffee date?  Thoughts??

Top: Francesca's Collections (similar)
Pants: A Boutique in Franklin
Shoes: Target (here)
Earrings: Francesca's Collections (old)
Watch: Francesca's Collections (similar)

Fashion Friday: The Half Up Top Knot

I know what you're thinking.  I'm getting really good at this whole blogging thing!  You know, this whole, 3 posts a week and then two weeks of silence stuff is pure GOLD, right?!?  ;)

Okay.  So in fact that opposite is true.  And I always have an excuse, it's true.  But I hope you'll forgive me once again as I work on balancing mommy-hood and my blog.  =)

I'm back today for you with a little hair fashion!  I have been seeing this look on several of my favorite bloggers and I'll admit, I was hesitant to give it a try.  I'm such a perfectionist that the messy-on-purpose look is kind of hard for me to achieve.  But I put on my big girl pants and decided there was no harm in trying.  And guess what?!?  I love it!  It really was easy (I did it on second day hair so it wouldn't be so silky it would fall out) and casual and works for this busy mama's life!

The Half Up Top Knot

Also today I'm wearing one of my go-to summer outfits!  This shirt is super light weight and perfect for keeping me cool when it's hot outside, and simply belting it keeps it from looking frumpy.  And yes, these shorts are some old jeans I cut off.  Not the cutest thing....but I have a really hard time finding shorts I like so I'm going with it until I find a pair I do!!!

These photos are curtesy of my lil man, and yes, the diva was making some FACES today, hahaha!  She soooo cracks me up! =)

I know the half up top knot won't be everyone's favorite - and honestly, that's okay.  But I'd love to hear your thoughts.  What do you think of the look and would you try it out?  Make sure if you do, to post it on Instagram and tag me (@thisdomesticateddiva) so I can see!  Mkay???

Now.  The sun broke through the clouds again so I am on my way outdoors to plan some more flowers.  Better late than never, right?  Happy Friday!

Top: Francesca's Collections (Similar)

Belt: Target (old)

Shorts: old jeans I cut off

Glatiater Sandals: Payless Shoes (old)

Watch, Bracelet, and Earrings: Francesca's Collections (Here, Here, and Similar)