Festival de Cannes

Octavia Spencer looks amazing! via Colorlines

Love seeing Carey Mulligan's hair down

Back in 2008 we were lucky enough to visit my Aunt's home in Provence. We happened to be there the same week as the Cannes Film Festival and my brother stashed a tuxedo in his luggage with the off chance that we might be able to sneak over there. We didn't make it to Cannes but I love looking at the pictures every year!

Look at Jessica Chastain...gorgeous! We just watched Zero Dark Thirty. She said fuck a lot and was badass. Loved it.

Here is some hilarity from our friends at BuzzFeed. And I believe they were totally on point with this:

21. Anais Monory is a beautiful woman who should definitely be on the fashion industry’s radar.

If she’s not wearing the hell out of those asymmetrical white tiers, no one’s ever worn the hell out of anything.

Right?

xo

Severe Weather Preparation

 Some things just seem to hit you harder when you are a mom. Watching the coverage of the destruction in Moore, Oklahoma is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. Why an elementary school?

The F Family Tornado plan is to go to our hallway powder room with our Emergency Box and a mattress. Helmets hadn't crossed my mind until today so I will be adding them to the list. Does your family have a plan? With summertime around the corner you could make this a week long activity. Cover a natural disaster a day with a little lesson about each type of weather event and where you would go. You could also make shopping for the items at the store a scavenger hunt of sorts.

Here are some tips on how you can help and how you can prepare your family as much as possible. 

From Ready.gov:

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property before severe weather:

• Build an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate. This kit should also include a pair of goggles and disposable breathing masks for each member of the family.
• Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Continually monitor the media – Be aware of storm's which could impact your area.
• Know how you will be warned in an emergency (NOAA Weather radios with a tone alert are a good option).
• Know if you live or work in a flood prone area. Check with your local emergency management for details.
• Know where to shelter (ie: basement, interior room/hall, bathroom, closet, etc) if conditions warrant and where shelters in your area are located.
• Ensure your home is ready – Elevate items in the basement which could be flooded. Bring in outdoors items such as children's toys, patio furniture, garbage cans, etc which could be blown around and damaged. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage.
• Know how to shut off utilities, including power, water and gas, to your home. Have proper tools (i.e.: wrench) ready and nearby.
• Find out what types of events and kinds of damages are covered by your insurance policy. Keep insurance policies, important documents and other valuables in a safe and secure location.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone knows how to use them.

You can find tons of lists through Pinterest such as these.

Midland NOAA Emergency Alert Weather Radio

$49.99 Northern Tool & Equipment

This is a great article from Parents.com on what to put in your Emergency Kit.

Lovely Little Snippets has a great list too.

Here are ways that you can help the families in Oklahoma:

The Red Cross

The Red Cross of Oklahoma has activated its safe and well website for those who are trying to reconnect with loved ones. Red Cross officials and volunteers are also beginning to open shelters. The first is at St. Andrews Church. You can help their efforts by donating to the Red Cross online or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

The Salvation Army has also jumped into action. It's in multiple locations throughout cities in Oklahoma providing food, hydration and emotional support to first responders and storm survivors. You can contribute to the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), online on their website, by texting "STORM" to 80888 to make an automatic $10 donation or by mail:

The Salvation Army PO Box 12600 Oklahoma City, OK 73157

If you would like to help the victims, please make your contributions to the Episcopal Relief and Development US Disaster Support, which provides critical necessities such as food, water, medicine and shelter. Your generous gift immediately provides aid when it is needed most.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their cares on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mother's Day

BB's Wedding Day

I have seen some pretty gorgeous wishlists throughout the blogosphere for Mother's Day this Sunday. I would be lying if I said there wasn't one or two things I would like to have. But with my Mom's birthday last week and Sunday around the corner I haven't really thought about anyone else but her. So while I love each and every one of your mother's day gift ideas, here is what I want from you:

I want you to cherish your mother this Sunday. I want you to hug her tight and look into her eyes and tell her how much she means to you. Most of my friends are moms themselves and we are just starting to realize what it means to truly be a Mother. I want you to be thankful for every single thing she does for you. Every single thing. 

Especially:

That she can drive to visit you by herself.

That she can help you decorate your home.

For the way she spoils your children.

That she is your emergency contact.

That she can order take-out and come over with movies.

That she can whip up a wonderful dinner.

That she can text/email/skype/facebook you.

That she can enjoy a good book and call you to discuss.

That she knows when you are going through a rough time and calls to check up on you.

That she helps you have some free time by taking your kids.

That you two can go shopping together and almost pick out the same outfits.

That she works hard at her job or volunteer work and has a passion for what she does. 

That she gives you suggestions on what make-up to use, what clothes to wear, what the "hot" shoes are this season.

That she reminds you of important events in the family.

You aren't supposed to look better than the bride Mom!!!

I want each and every one of you to appreciate these things on Sunday. And every day. I want you to know how amazing your mothers are and be THANKFUL for everything they do for you. Whether it is worrying too much about you, forwarding a silly email, calling to make sure you made it home or giving your kids too much ice cream. I want you to LOVE these things and be aware that they are not forever. Because...

Alzheimer's has taken these things away from my Mother. 

This is not a request for pity. I don't want you to feel sorry for us. I want the emotion you are feeling to empower you to hug your mom a little tighter this Mother's Day. This is a request for all of us to take a minute out of our crazy tweeting/facebooking/instagramming lives and let our Mother's know what they mean to us.

I love you BB. 

Moving into Charlotte house

Wedding dress shopping! I wish I got her skin!! (thanks Dad)

F's 1st Birthday

Thanksgiving 2011

Pi Phi Parents Cocktail 2002. How gorgeous is she?!

Beach Essentials Part 1-Shirts, Towels and Bags

Most adorable Kids cover-up EVER

Beach Front Pawleys

Do you ever notice that all the beachy summer stuff is on sale right after Easter? And then when you go looking for it to prep for your July beach vacation all the stores are flinging back to school stuff at you?

My plan is to order early (AKA now). Here are some necessities for the fairer skinned of us. Wonder what I mean? Here is my nephew and I at the beach after 5 days in the sun. He is still WAY darker than me! Sunscreen will get its own entire post.

First up is a great rash guard/coverup. I won't lie...I'm still not comfortable trotting along the sand (chasing a toddler) in a bikini. And I'm uber white. This shirt from Lands End is amazing. It provides UPF 50 protection and can be work with tons of different bottoms!

Women's Stripe Crewneck Tee Cover-up

Or the Solid white. How cute would this be with a monogram on the left or right hip?

And as far as the kids go...how stinking cute are these? Prodoh Vented UPF 50 shirt. 

Good looking sun protection for the beach or just around town in the summer!

The other cover you need is a towel .I bought a set of 4 cute Pottery Barn towels years ago on sale but I'm looking for new ones. Because that is something I should spend money on right? This first towel is for you Charlotte!

Cute Towel for Girls!

Would love to order 4 of these and get them monogrammed! "Fuchin Beach" would look good right?

Lands End Vertical Rugby Stripe Towel

Or the Beach Towel in Tile. Lands End is killing it!

Now how do you haul all your towels?? We have always been LLBean Bag people for the beach. They are roomy and sand dumps out easily but my friend Traci Zeller posted about this bag last year and I'm thinking it would be perfect for the pool or beach!

Saltwater Canvas Whale Bag $37.97

Any OCD friends just salivating at what to put in the pockets??

Speaking of the beach.........ever want to kick yourself in the butt? Max and I created these back in 2005. Yes, 2005. From PVC pipe. 

And now these are everywhere. FML

Monogram Beach Drink Holder via Etsy

For the record mine has a longer shaft that is sharper so its pretty secure. Stop laughing at the word shaft.

Here's to a happy and safe summer in the sun! WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!!

Next week we discuss bathing suits and what fucking tent to buy. Because we have broken two. They need to be able to handle a strong wind and have a decent shade footprint. The TENT, not the bathing suit.

xoxo