Friday Favorites- Haircut Edition

Happy Friday!  

TGIF.  Did anyone else think this was a long week?  

Still, I have some fun favorites this week, so let's get to it! 

New Favorite:

I've done it.  I have succumbed to the 'mom bob.'  

But, here's the irony: I didn't do it because it is easier than long hair, precisely the opposite.  My long hair was too easy to toss into a bun every.single.day.  My husband could probably count on one hand the number of times my hair has been down and styled for a full day... Not cute.  

So I found a new hairdresser, asked her to channel Giuliana Rancic's new mommy hair, and said bye-bye to 6 inches. 

Hello, mom bob. 

Baby's Favorite Outing: Petsmart

We have three furry babies that require frequent trips to Petsmart.  Fortunately, it has become the easiest errand to run with Lu.  Who needs a zoo when you can spend a few minutes by the fish, birds, and gross rodent creatures?  Free entertainment and I get to teach Lu animal sounds in front of strangers.

Here is Lu pointing out a big white bird.  

Fav New Drink: 

I hosted a little get together after the first day back for my teacher friends.  I threw together a pretty cocktail with what I had in the house, and it was pretty darn delicious!  In honor of the gathering, I'm calling it the Back-to-School-Tini:

Mix 2 tbsp simple syrup, 6 sliced strawberries, 1 sliced nectarine- let sit in a pitcher for one hour.  Add a good pour (3-4 ounces?) of Midori and 1 bottle sparkling wine (I used Cava).  

This would make an easy and refreshing addition to any Labor Day BBQ.  Enjoy! 

Friday Favorites- Celebrations Edition!

Happy Friday to you!  We are in full-out celebration mode here at the Sparrow house.  

Yesterday was our 4 year wedding anniversary, and I know it sounds cliche but where has the time gone?!  In feels like we said "I Do" just yesterday, but at the same time seems like a lifetime ago... Add a second dog, second house, and first baby and it is a totally different life together.  :). 

We celebrated with a delicious Greek dinner at home- a nod to our honeymoon in Greece. 

This is one of my favorite photos from the big day.  It hangs in our entryway.

The rest of the week was spent prepping for the little one's birthday party!  The favorites today give you a sneak peek at the color scheme for her party this weekend.  There is no 'theme' aside from it being a 1st Birthday Party (isn't that themey enough?).

Favorite Party Inspiration: Paper Straws

I picked up this box of purple & white striped straws at HomeGoods ages ago.  When I saw them I instantly thought I could use them for a purple birthday.  I'm sure Lu will request a pink birthday as soon as she can say it, so I wanted this first one to be different.  

Favorite Clearance Find: 1 cake pan

$3 on clearance at Michael's- how could I pass it up!?  This will be her smash cake.  So excited! :)

Favorite Floral Accent: gladiolus 

Big impact for a low price.  Enter the orange to her purple & orange party.  

Looking forward to sharing all of the other party details on Monday!  Have a great weekend! 

Friday Favorites- Beach House Edition

Happy Friday from the Sunshine State!

While the husband holds down the fort back home, Lu and I are busy boosting the beachy-vibe at my parents' second home in Venice, Florida.  She is loving the bonding time with her Nana!  

Here are our favorite things at the half-way mark in our remodeling/relaxing girls week.

Favorite Baby Beach Accessory: 

My obsession with the Honest Company continues.  I bought their reusable swim diaper in size large (for the not-so-little one) at the beginning of the summer and LOVE it.  Lulu got an awful diaper rash from the name brand swim diapers on our beach vaca in April, but not this time!  You just wash it with the rest of your laundry.  Bonus- it is cute enough to use without a swimsuit!  Check it out Here.

Why is a potbelly so adorable on a baby?!  Love her.

Favorite Painting Tool: 

On day 2 we redecorated and painted the guest bath and living room.  (More details on that in a later post!)  My mom picked up this Wooster Shortcut 2-inch angled rubber handle brush at Home Depot for cutting-in.  Amazing find!  The handle is short and flexible.  This will change your (painting) life- I mean it.

Favorite Shopping Score:  Discontinued Designer Fabric Samples at JoAnn Fabrics

They are on sale right now... For $1.  Seriously.  Originally $54.99 per yard squares that you can use to recover a chair, or pillow, or wall art- yes, please!

My mom grabbed these samples to turn into pillows for the newly painted beach house living room. 

 I grabbed a bunch for my own house too, but you have to wait and see them once they have been used! 

And of course, another favorite this week would have to be the Gulf Coast sunshine.  It is actually cooler and less humid than New England.  Perfect for sipping a cold wine spritzer!  Cheers! 

Friday Favorites- Fourth of July Edition

Happy Friday and happy Independence Day!  Today is the intermission for our multi-day celebration. :). While we rest up, I'm excited to share a few of the favorite things from yesterday's festivities!  

We spent the afternoon at historic Old Sturbridge Village for a Naturalization Ceremony- my father-in-law became a US citizen!  The whole family set-up camp in a shady spot and had pinwheels, flags, and Pom-poms waving.

We may have missed the fireworks (too late for little Lu) this year, but watching 100 people swoon with pride as they became Americans was pretty incredible too. 

Here is the newest American Sparrow!

On to the favorite festive things...

Festive Outfits:

Lu donned a "little sparkler" t-shirt from Gymboree and Chambray ruffle bloomers.  She was in the celebratory mood!  

This was her last "first" holiday!  And yes, I do realize that is a very 'mom' thing for me to say...

Festive Beverage:

We toasted the newest citizen with red white & blue bubbly!  Add a spoonful of raspberries and blueberries to the bottom of the glass and fill it up (I used Cava)! 

Festive Dessert: 

My Red White & Bluenana Bundt cake was a huge hit with all the kiddos!  The novice blogger in me didn't think to get a pic until it had been devoured.  Recipe found Here.

More holiday favorites to come after round two of our festivities this weekend...  Hope you have a fun weekend planned too!