best dads

fathers_day_1Father’s Day is this Sunday and we could not be more excited to celebrate the dads who make our little girls smile.  We have also chosen this weekend to go on a much overdue social media detox.  Why?  Because it is something we feel we both need.  A weekend of living in real life time, not constantly checking the instagram feed and being free of the phone that has become an appendage.  Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE social media (maybe too much), but there is something telling us that a couple of days avoiding it will be good for the mind and soul.  100% focusing on what is happening in front of us, our lives and not feeling the need to constantly catch up on others (no matter how much we enjoy the peek into everyone’s world).  This is not going to be easy, but hardly anything worth it ever is.

In the midst of this detox we will of course not refrain from taking pictures.  The cherished images below are why we love our phones and instagram so much (be prepared for possible latergrams if you follow @brandyj or @shannonhaas).  More than anything though we love our girls and the way their dads love them.  We each wanted to share a little something about why they make the Best Dads:

fathers_day_2

Sticky has always been a kid magnet – he has this incredible ease with children and is not afraid to look or sound silly in order to get a smile.  Never did I question his ability to someday make a terrific father, undoubtedly a fun one.  The day Jettie entered our world I saw a tenderness in his eyes that I had never seen before.  There was nothing silly about it, his immediate love for his little girl sent that wonderful “hot fudge over ice cream” melt through me.  I could go on and on about all the ways he makes the best dad but all that matters to me is that he still looks at Jettie the way he did the first time he laid eyes on her.  And I still melt every. single. time.

fathers_day_3

Countless times in public places strangers have approached me to tell me just how sweet Josh is with Adelynn.  (As if I don’t already know! ) One look at these two together and you know they are thick as thieves, a daddy’s girl from the very beginning.  I am thankful over and over that she will always know the genuine love that is theirs.

fathers_day_4

And hey, it’s Friday, why not a freebie?  Downloadable Father’s Day cards for all of you procrastinators out there (us).  Simply press the desired link below and print on card stock (cards are 5X7, trim to size after printing, write personal message on reverse side).  Slide in an envelope if you have one or tuck in a gift bag or under the ribbon on a package.  Dad will love that you thought of him.

Happy Father’s Day Card

Best Dad Ever Card

Top Pop Card

Wishing everyone a wonderful Father’s Day Weekend!

Posted in freebie, personal | Tagged | Leave a comment

a 2 month out sneak peek

Since our engagement in February, time has been moving so quickly.  Here I sit, two months away from our August 9th wedding date feeling slightly prepared but incredibly unprepared at the same time.  From what I have gathered, these feelings are pretty normal.  A good friend of mine is getting married next weekend, and I’m banking on the idea that I will be in full-swing once her wedding is celebrated.  (Lets hope- otherwise this wedding is going to be pretty bare!)

We do have some of the details ironed out and I have been anxious to share them with you!  For us, the venue came first and it was love at first sight.  I’m telling you, this place is dreamy.  An old mansion buried in the woods in Cincinnati; we stepped foot on the property and I was smitten.  The Krippendorf Lodge is part of the Cincinnati nature conservatory, and for us it is a small slice of heaven.  Wild flowers, woodland, a giant Southern style wrap around porch.  It had me at hello.

wedding_lodge

 

The  best part about the lodge is that it is dripping with character.  In terms of decor, I just want it to feel whimsical and romantic.  Old books, antique jars and bits and pieces of who we are.

wedding_ideas

An eclectic mix of royal blue, coral, emerald and mint are dancing around in my mind.  I can’t wait to see them all come together.  Brandy J kindly volunteered to design my invitations and I could not love them more.  (Her list of talents is on the ridiculous side, but we have an idea brewing that you may hear more about in the future on this…)

wedding)dress_invititations

I am so excited to see this all come together and get into full-crafting mode.  Pinterest has been a dangerous place for me, but I have found some budget-friendly decor ideas that I am anxious to get busy with!  One thing I am a bit stuck on is this mop on my head.  As wishful as my thinking is, I think it is safe to say at this point that I will not have an extra 5 inches come August.  (womp womp)  The only thing I know for certain is that I want flowers in my hair.

wedding_hairWhat do you all think? 1, 2, or 3?

Wish I could share with you the dress, but that one will have to wait. 

shansig

 

 

Posted in personal, Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

blueberry summer cake

blueberry_summer_cake_3

I really love summertime- and blueberries.  This cake does those berries justice- its perfectly light and not trying to be fancy, just a plain ol’ summer cake.  But it’s yummy.. really, really yummy.

blueberry_summer_cake_4

Blueberry Summer Cake
 
Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for pie plate
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pound blueberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F . Butter a 10-inch pie pan or 9-inch deep-dish pie pan. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, beat butter and 1 cup sugar until pale and fluffy with an electric mixer, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg, milk and vanilla until just combined. Add dry mixture gradually, mixing until just smooth.
  2. Pour into prepared pie plate. Arrange blueberries on top or gently mix into batter. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over top.
  3. Bake cake for 10 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 325°F and bake cake until golden brown and a tester comes out free of wet batter, about 50 minutes to 60 minutes. Let cool in pan on a rack. Cut into wedges.
Notes
Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, loosely covered.

adapted slightly from Smitten Kitchen Strawberry Summer Cake

blueberry_summer_cake_1

Brandy J first introduced me to this cake last summer while Adelynn and I were waiting out a storm one night, and I was smitten.  It’s a must-try for sure!

shansig

 

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 3 Comments

favorite drugstore steals

drugstore_finds

 

Don’t get me wrong-  I love Sephora and the MAC counter just as much as the next girl.  But I also love finding fabulous products for a fourth the price that don’t leave me feeling guilty with an empty wallet.  Here are some of my very favorite products that can be found at any drugstore!

1. Maybelline B.B. Cream I love anything that acts as an all-in-one!  For me, a lighter finish “foundation” works best with my skin and this product is just that.  I have also tried Loreal’s version of B.B. Cream and like this one a tad more because it offers a little bit more coverage without looking cakey!

2. Covergirl Perfect Point Plus This has been my go-to favorite eyeliner for as long as I can remember.  I love it because it doesn’t smudge and you don’t have to fuss over sharpening the pencil.  Win win in my book.

3. Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser Here I am again with the all-in-one.  A cleanser AND makeup remover- and it works.

4. Suave Dry Shampoo As one of my close friends said, dry shampoo is a total game changer.  I once spent $20 on a bottle of salon brand dry shampoo, used it twice (no exaggeration) and the can was empty.  $10 a use?  No thank you.  $3 for a can that lasts about a month and boasts the same results? Yes, please. 

5. L’Oreal HiP Shadow The only eyeshadow that holds a candle to the pigment you find in shadows by MAC, Urban Decay and Nars.  Need I say more?

6. Rimmel “by Kate” Lipstick I love how moisturizing this lipstick feels and they offer some great shades.  The tube is also cute.  (What? It is. )

7. Neutrogena Concealer  Treats AND covers at the same time, and is in a convenient little pump tube that never gets your fingers messy.

Please share your favorite finds as well,  I’m always on the hunt for more!

shansig

Posted in beauty, product love | Tagged | 2 Comments

her birthday party style | lisa

her_style_lisa_1

Good friend and Guest Jane Lisa threw a phenomenal 1st birthday party for her son Crew yesterday.  From the details to the food everything was exquisite, fun and perfect for a little man celebrating his first year.  Of course a party is not complete unless the outfit goes and Lisa looked incredible.  Skirts are not something I wear often but really really want to.  Lisa is one of those girls who makes you want to wear skirts more often because she looks fabulous in them.  And Crew’s ensemble – well, it was cut in half because of the heat but clearly it did not matter because he still looks as handsome as ever.

her_style_lisa_3 her_style_lisa_5 her_style_lisa_4

Thank you so much Lisa for inviting us to Crew’s nautical themed bash.  We had a wonderful time and you my friend look absolutely beautiful.  Clearly motherhood (and party planning) comes naturally for you.

her_style_lisa_2

|WEARING| J Crew shirt/sailor skirt similar/yellow necklace similar/pastel yellow wedges similar

brandyjsig

 

 

*stay tuned for a new post from Lisa coming later this month…

Posted in outfits, style | Tagged | Leave a comment