Rocked it & Swapped it

Kaitlyn got this amazing tunic and wore it for a day on the pier at our family lake house. Since it's from Coolibar, the cover-up is sun protection you wear (UPF 50+) and that is something we all could use in our daily life.

When I wore it, I was spending the day out in my backyard. Hey, it's not as glamours as a day at the pier but I still needed the sun protection. That's the great thing about this line, it is functional for everyday wear, yet it is still stylish! 

Here is how we both styled the tunic:

My kids played in our blow-up pool, on the slip n' slide, and I joined in too. I mean, you really are never too old to slip n' slide. When I was not under the umbrella for shade, the cover-up still had me covered and with my skin, that is a must. 

Tunic: c/o Coolibar (Swap w/ Kaitlyn) // Hat: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Prada // Natural Sunscreen: Sunology and Honest 

What do you use/wear for sun protection? Do you shop at Coolibar?

Stay Cool(ibar)

As an Irish girl with blue eyes, blonde hair and fair skin dotted with freckles, I am becoming much more sun-conscious as I get older. I spent MANY years laying out in the sun sans sunscreen, slathered in Banana Boat tanning oil (don't lie, you loved it too and it smelled AMAZING). That said, I realize how naive I was thinking that I was invincible at 21 and leaning on the mindset, "it can't happen to me." 

As I started to wisen up, I understood that it is still possible to get color, stay safe and look stylish all at once. Enter Coolibar: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that clothing should be the first line of defense in the fight against skin cancer and aging so every Coolibar item is guaranteed to be UPF 50+. 

Dress: ℅ Coolibar // Sunnies: Old Navy

The fabrics block 98% UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays and the protection won’t wash out or fade. Highly breathable, moisture wicking SUNTECT® fabrics provide coverage that shades your skin and keeps you cooler and even better, Coolibar is less expensive than multiple sunscreen applications throughout a season.

 Sunscreen coverage can be unpredictable, uneven and greasy (Just ask to see the massive streak of red that has taken residence on my legs) but luckily, sun protective clothing provides consistent, reliable coverage no matter what. 

I love the print and coral color of the dress and it's SO comfortable - it works great as a cover up but could also be worn on a weekend day date with sandals and the perfect pair of sunnies. No need to carry around SPF in your bag…your dress has you covered ;)

We also had so much fun with Flash Tattoos this weekend -- This gold chevron print is way better than any permanent ink that I might regret at 60 ;)

Have you ever tried sun protective clothing? 

Red White and Cobalt Blue

Another 4th of July at the lake house has come and gone and just like all the years before, now is when I start to panic about summer flying by...

Last week, my friends and I were counting down the seconds until we would all be together up north to attend the annual parade, overindulge on pasta salad, start on pain killers at noon and end the night with s'mores and stories…I just can't believe how fast it goes. I took an extended weekend so I could make the most of our time up there but no matter how many extra days you have, one more is never enough. Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

As for this look, my patriotic attire was perfectly topped off by this hat from Coolibar, sun protective clothing and accessories that provides welcome relief and protection from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Their sun hats and protective clothing use superbly protective, high-tech fabrics to deliver no less than 50 UPF, 98% blockage, yet keep you cool, comfortable (and no less important, stylish). It was the perfect red addition to my white and blue :)

Top: Target // Skirt: Forever 21 // Hat: Coolibar // Bag: Fashion Q // Sandals: Old Navy // Bracelets: Target 

Necklace: E Street Denim // Tattoos: Flash Tattoos 

What is your favorite part about the 4th of July?

Jet Set: So Chic Travel

Lisa and I were excited to be invited to the Jet Set: So Chic Travel event last week! It was an awesome way to kick off the summer and allowed us to connect directly with brands, network with editors, and win fabulous prizes! Some of our favorite fellow #fbloggers were also there modeling looks from Coolibar (and can we just say, Johanna, April and Zahra made SPF look better than ever?) ;) 

Top: JC Penney (similar) // Skirt: Forever 21 (similar) // Shoes: Just Fab // Purse: Persun Mall // Glasses: Coach 

Necklace: Forever 21 // Bracelet: LOFT

Here are a few fun shots from the event (courtesy of Kevin Hammett Photography)

So great meeting Colleen Kelly of Family Travel... we really bonded over our love of puppies ;)

Photo fun with Home Away

Spiked my Honest Tea with a little vodka ;) 

Do mason jars or chalkboard themes ever get old? 

The salted caramel cotton candy from Spin-Spun was amazing...and not to mention, it lit up! 

As an Irish girl with fair skin, I'm always excited to test out different SPF's so I was glad to take home some samples from Sunology

Loved the summer protective clothing from Coolibar (every piece is guaranteed to be UPF 50+)

What blogger event is complete without manicures? Noktivo nailed it!

Bloggers be blogging...And trying our best to score the swag bag ;)

Speaking of swag bag...holy awesome.

The Hilton Sandestin was kind enough to let us travel there, if only for a few moments... ;)

Can't forget this guy! Best mascot ever?

Thanks to Sassy Mom Chicago (and The Kissing Booth) for having us!

 BIG shout-out to all the sponsors who made the event so much fun!

Coolibar, Hilton Sandestin, Home Away. Sunology, Kevin Hammett Photography, Family Travel Show, Noktivo Spa, Spin-Spun, Yurbuds, Accessory Mercado, Go Picnic, Derma e, La Fresh!