summer Archives — Page 4 of 4 — Everyday Cori By Corine Ingrassia

The Last Days Of Summer|| Simply Cali Family Roadtrip

August 28, 2014 By Cori

As the summer winds down, my family and I have been spending our last days of this beautiful summer season, exploring some of the California coast.

What started as a simple trip to Disneyland, ended up in a full blown road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles… with 2 kids and a 9 month old wildcard. I know. It sounds insane, but we are having a blast.

We love traveling with the kids. Exposing our oldest two to different traveling experiences at an early age, really has made them great travelers and we are hoping to do the same for little Avs.

Today is our last full day of our 10-day California roadtrip/vacation and looking back, I am kind of in awe of how much we have done and all that we have seen.

Highlights Of Our Last Days Of Summer… So Far–

Exploring Nature And Visiting Landmarks

A road trip would not be complete without visiting landmarks along the way, and California has a ton of gorgeous spots.

Last year, James and I took a quick baby moon to San Francisco and explored the gorgeous Muir Woods. When we planned this road trip, we knew immediately we wanted to bring the kids there.

Sight seeing becomes a whole new kind of fun when you give kids their own camera. These two have been taking selfies like crazy. We plan on making a book for them when our trip is over.

Acting Like A Kid

We planned a few stops along the way to Disneyland, that were especially exciting for the kids– and what is gross to adults is awesome to kids. So when we found this fun little spot in San Luis Obispo, called Bubblegum Alley, we immediately put it into the plan.

We brought a slew of Juicy Fruit Fruit Chews for the road (because they fit perfectly in cup holders) and some classic Juice Fruit Bubble gum for the plane (to avoid that ear pippin) so we were more than prepared for this spot.

When we arrived the kids reactions were… gross!, Wait, we can put our gum here?… COOL! – in that order.

Inhaling the little moments

We always take our family vacations at the end of summer and I look forward to them because they really allow us to reconnect as a family– away from our every day life. I cannot even count how many times I have seen our oldest two holding hands, arms around each other and just hanging out– not fighting!

When we return, we’ll will be posting some more about our trip, including some inspiration for taking your own road trip with your family, but in the meantime, you can see more and follow the rest of our end of summer adventures on Instagram @Complicatedmama #SimplyCali

How are you/did you spend your last days of summer?

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Share your sweetened up last days of summer with Juicy Fruit by using the hashtag #JuicyFruitFunSide on Twitter and Instagram!

This post was sponsored by Juicy Fruit.

Aladdin Mason Jar Collection Adds Southern Hospitality To Your Summer Gatherings

May 12, 2014 By Cori

Remember last year when I shared with you the super cute Aladdin mugs I scored at Costco? We used those things like CRAZY, and by the feedback and re-pins that post received, I believe many of you did as well.

The Aladdin Mason Jar Collection

Well this year, summer entertaining is being taken to new levels with the Aladdin Mason Entertaining Collection. Even more Aladdin Mason Jar goodness? Bring. It. On– Amirite?

If you are obsessed with these jars as much as I am, the below items are now available at Walmart:

– Two-Gallon Plastic Mason Dispenser
– One-Gallon Glass Mason Dispenser*
– 2.5 Quart Mason Pitcher
– 16oz Mason Cup 4-pack
– 32oz Insulated Mason Tumbler
– 16oz Insulated Mason Tumbler (with or without handle)
– 4-pack of Accessory Mason Straws
– 2-pack of Accessory Twist-Lids for Straws
– 2-pack of Accessory Press-Fit Lids for hot drinks

While I was in Atlanta, I attended a small intimate Southern Ladies Luncheon, hosted by Mom Trends and Party Bluprints at the *gorgeous* Piedmont Estate to celebrate this line and inspire some summer entertaining ideas, and inspire it did.

The luncheon was hosted in a gorgeous room with floor to ceiling windows– talk about southern hospitality!

From the lemonade bar with Mason Jar Dispensers, to the floral arrangements and small dessert jars, the luncheon displayed a variety of super easy uses for Aladdin Mason jars to make a stand out event.

To get full details on how you can throw a southern luncheon like the one above, visit the ladies of Party Bluprints. Those ladies know how to throw a party!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Aladdin will be providing us with the full entertaining collection– but we share because we love.

{Stretching Your Summer Style} Statement Necklaces

August 12, 2013 By Cori

Summer is nearing an end… I hate to admit it or be the one to bring up this harsh reality, but… it is.

It’s usually around this time that I begin to battle my getting bored with everything in my closet and my knowing it’s completely silly to go spend a fortune on new clothes that will only be good for a few more weeks.

You’ve been there.

This mid-season melancholy is a struggle for many of us, so I thought I would do a 3 post mini {style} series this week sharing how I’ve been sprucing up my summer style (which is kind of a double challenge when you have a growing baby bump).

Stretching Your Summer Style Tip #1

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize.

This is kind of a no brainer, I know– but it’s worth discussing. When you are looking to revamp what’s in your closet- accessories are a girls best friends.

Statement necklaces in particular can change a whole outfit.

Dig through to see what you have. Play around with layering multiple necklaces to create your very own “statement”.

And if you’re really itching for something new, investing in an great statement necklace (or two) is a better investment than more summer clothes because they can almost always be carried over into other seasons as well.

|1. Triangle Tribal Bib Necklace, Forever 21- $8.80|2. Floral Beaded Statement Necklace, Simply Shoes- $38 |3. Blu Bijoux Gold and Coral Mini Bubble Necklace, Max And Chloe, $24.99 |4. Silver Mesh and Gold Spike Statement Necklace, Bebe-$49 |5. Honey and Hive Triple Layer Necklace, PiperLime- $36 |6. Silver Duo Fringe Bib, Bauble Bar $28| 7. Jessica Simpson, Silver Stone All A Flutter– $16.99 | 8. Anthropology, Braque Square $39.99 |

How I Wore It. . . On Instagram . . .

|Bubble Necklace, Charlotte Russe– $12.99| Navy Eyelet Top, Gap– Clearance price: $14.99| Neon skinny jeans, Gap– Clearance price: $8!!! |

I purchased this bubble necklace at the beginning of the season from Charlotte Russe for $12.99! I got it in yellow as well… because at $12.99? Why not? They’ve since added more color varieties of this necklace too!

The navy blue eyelet empire tank is cute but very simple. Worn with shorts or pants you can easily spruce it up with a great statement necklace and it looks like a completely different outfit.

|Cowl Neck Printed Top, Gap– Clearance Price $14|

When wearing a printed top, going simple with the accessories is usually advised and wearing a necklace with a cowl neck can kind of be tricky… but don’t be afraid to try it. When I put on this top, I just felt like it needed something … and who would have thought.. the cream colored bubble necklace under the cowl neck? Totally worked!

Connect & share with me the favorites in your closet by following Complicated Mama on Instagram

Using the Hashtag: #TheDailyCloset / #StylingTheBump

Next Stretching Summer Style Post Will Be Up Wednesday– Stay Tuned!

Romantic Vintage Styles For Summer

July 1, 2012 By Cori

Summer always seems to bring out the clothes horse in me.

My summer wardrobe is considerably larger than my winter one. And even though I just bought a bunch of new summer clothes for my girls weekend last week, I’ve been obsessing over some of the romantic/vintage summer styles at Spool No.72– especially, their dresses.

A girl can never have enough sundresses, can she?

Tea dress
$58 – spool72.com

Rosette dress
$64 – spool72.com

Color block dress
$58 – spool72.com

Top
$42 – spool72.com

Easy Rider Shorts in Ivory, Women’s Sweet Country Clothing
$46 – spool72.com

Wedge heels
$48 – spool72.com

Vintage Leather Satchel, Sweet Bohemian Vintage Clothing
$48 – spool72.com

How to Wear Pattern & Print Shorts This Summer

May 21, 2012 By Cori

When it comes to summer style, I am not a “shorts girl”. LOVE dresses, but shorts? It’s almost impossible to find a cute pair that are in between booty shorts and bermuda shorts- that I personally feel make my thighs look tremendous.

This year it seems every where you look, there are patterns and florals for spring/summer. I was a little skeptical about pattern shorts when I first saw them because they seemed a bit hard to pull off.

But then, I fell in love with these geometric pattern shorts from Old Navy, and I started to think maybe it is possible to pull off that magazine look.

5 Great Pattern Shorts Styles For The Shorts-Shy Girl

Turquoise shimmer and tangerine- summer party look

dressy pattern shorts- turquoise and gold

floral pattern shorts summer look- navy and orange

What are your thoughts on patterns and prints for shorts this summer?

Style Your Little Man’s Summer Wardrobe For Under $100

May 14, 2012 By Cori

Shopping for my daughter is easy! My son on the other hand, is always a challenge.

It just always seems like a lot of the same. Moms of boys- you know what I’m talking about.

This week Old Navy has 15% off kids clothes [enter code: OnSave15] … and they have some really cute selections for boys this summer. With a little mix, match and layering these items can definitely liven a little man’s wardrobe.

Below ware some pairings that I’m looking at for my son this summer.

Ryan LOVES those ($8) slip on shoes. We bought a pair from Old Navy last year that he wore out and we recently bought 3 more pair. He likes them because they’re easy on- easy off , but I love them because contrary to what most men believe- sneakers DO NOT look good with everything. The slip ons are a fun alternative for boys.

With the 15% off coupon code, all of the above pairings I put together with 1 pair of those awesome kicks shoes- total up to just 97.89! … and shipping is free!

Old Navy also has a lot of great graphic t’s for boys to show off their latest obsessions.

These boys beach-ready sets that I put together are an average of $32 (board shorts, graphic tee and flip flops) I’m debating between the Marvel set on the left and the Diary Of a Wimpy Kid set on the right… decisions, decisions.