This is it.

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@theshineproject on Instagram

I've officially decided that it is mandatory for me to take a vacation a heck of a lot more often than I do. Our week in San Diego was exactly what we all needed and let's be honest, sitting on the beach doing a whole lot of nothing just makes life better for a while. The kids had never been to the beach so they were completely thrilled with the freezing water, mutant looking sand crabs, and everything else.

One day we decided to "purprise" them and take them to Sea World. I hadn't been there since I was 8 so I was expecting some glorified zoo type situation and was hoping that the money would be worth it. We told them when we got to the parking lot where we were, and seriously their expressions and excitement was the best part of my entire trip. They gobbled my heart right up and our time that day was so sweet together.

I'm a regular at my bead supply store and while I was there yesterday I was telling one of my favorite employees who I always talk to there, JR, about my trip. He's the kind of guy who seriously just gets life. Completely chill, happy to be here, type of guy. He has two kids and is so nice to everyone you think for a moment that he just can't even be serious. But he is, and everyone loves him for it.

After telling him about how much fun the kids had he told me, "You know, those are the moments I live for. Just with the people you love, doing whatever. Whenever I'm with my kids and they're having fun and smiling and laughing I just think man, this is what life is about. This is it. Some people miss it because they focus on other things. But I'll tell ya what, that's where true happiness comes from; spending time with family and friends and making your kids light up."

Ok nugget of goodness from my day at the bead store. As stressed and crazy as I feel like our life is, to think that I could have missed out on this opportunity to have kids with us at this time makes my heart ache. So much more has filled our lives. I don't even necessarily know what that more is, but it's there. And my heart is full every day because of it. We wouldn't have had kids for quite a while longer, and I'm grateful we're able to experience this type of joy and growth during a time when we least expected it. Because you see those pictures up there? Our family just wouldn't be complete without every single one of those people in it... 

I almost just pressed publish but there's a little more about this that is on my mind. Sometimes my "this is it" consists of me wanting to throw plates across my kitchen because my sink is full for the millionth time in one day. Sometimes this is me getting frustrated at the kids for leaving another mess, or me wanting to cry because 383423874937243 projects and deadlines are due, and sometimes my this is remembering to pick my kid up from school when I should have already been there. More often than not I rush bed time because I am tired and don't want to read 10 more books and I want quiet and time to work in peace. I'm trying to learn how to let these moments roll off me, and have more this is it, this is what life is about moments. Some days I do better than others. And some days I reward myself with a shopping spree or manicure or big fat snow cone with cream in it because dang it, I made it through another day as a parent to a 4 and 6 year old.

But shopping, manicures, and big fat snow cones have been so much better knowing that I have a special and crazy family to go back home to.

Huge Blog Giveaway!

Have you been looking for blog advice but don't know where exactly you should be looking?

Are you a brand new blogger just starting out and find yourself needing some guidance?

Has blogging been a part of your life for a while but you'd like a little help in where to turn to next?

Do you simply just want to grow your blog?

Well then you've come to the right place my friend because this giveaway has your name written all over it!

I rounded up a group of ladies who have been around the ballpark a time or two when it comes to blogging in order to put this one of a kind giveaway together. We all have some tips, tricks, advice, and guidance that we'd love to shell out in order to help you grow into the best blogger you can be. Whether this be through a Skype session, a back and forth email exchange, a blog critique, a Q&A session, a phone call, a personal jet to pick you up for a private meeting, etc - we're covering all the bases.

All you need to do to enter is check out the participating bloggers, see what awesome package they're offering as a prize, and get to entering the Rafflecopter. And the best part about this giveaway?

THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!

Each randomly selected winner will be paired up with three of the participating bloggers as well as with me.

Therefore each winner will receive four separate blog advice prizes! We're splitting up the prizes so that one winner isn't bombarded with sixteen different sets of opinions and sixteen different sets of ideas on advice. Because that might get a little chaotic and like they say..."nobody got time for that".

Are you excited? We hope so because we certainly are! Let's get this thing started shall we?

Without further adieu, here are the sixteen ladies who have teamed up to put together the "Blog Advice Giveaway".

Erin at Two Thirds Hazel

What you'll win: Each of the five winners will be able to email Erin at any point until the end of eternity (like farther than to infinity and beyond) to ask questions and seek advice.

Brandi at Mama Laughlin

Brandi is offering a phone call or email where you will receive tips from her

on how to grow your blog using the social media form of Pinterest.

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Ashley via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

Mandy at House of Rose

Your blog will be reviewed by Mandy (and her husband!) via recorded screen capture video 

and then they will offer tips on how you can improve. 

Check out an example of this one of a kind opportunity here.

Erin at Living In Yellow

Erin is offering a one hour blogging consultation (done via video chat or phone call)

which will provide you with Q&A, tips and advice.

Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants

Whitney will provide you with a back and forth Q&A session

giving you the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

"Prefer the phone? Let's chat! What about a fun Skype session? Sure! 

Or a good ole email is fine by me too! 

Sky is the limit. Well, I guess in this case-technology is. 

I will take a thorough look at your blog and do my best to answer any questions!"

Raven at Don't Quote the Raven

You will receive a Q&A session via email. 

Anything you ask, Raven will answer...in detail!

Aunie at Aunie Sauce

You will receive a Q&A email session with advice catered to your blog

providing you with a ton of advice and numerous tips to help you grow.

Taylor will visit and review your blog, providing you with an email containing

advice customary to you and your blog.

Stephanie at Beautiful Mess

Receive a three-post editing session:

Pick three of your upcoming blog posts. Send your drafts to Stephanie for her to proofread, 

edit and make suggestions as to how you can easily make your writing more personable, 

appealing, humorous and overall, just more fun to read!

Shanna at Because Shanna Said So

Shanna will answer your top five questions whether this be anything from 

sponsorships, social media, tips to grow and/or how to monetize your blog.

Niki at Glossy Blonde

Two weeks of email consulting during which Niki will answer any questions 

you have about blogging and/or building your brand.

Chelsea at Olive and Ivy

An email with personalized advice and tips catered directly to your blog, 

or a Skype session, or a back and forth Q&A session, etc. Whichever you prefer! 

If you are unsure of what to ask a blog critique can also be given.

Jessica at Jessica Who

 With Jessica you will receive a Q&A session via unlimited emails.

Yes, you read that right...unlimited!

Michelle at The Vintage Apple

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Michelle via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related 

so that you have the knowledge and tools to grow.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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10 Random Life Happenings

skirt- c/o Kiki La Rue

((please bear with our mess of a site while we make some changes over here!))

Sometimes there's so much going on that I feel like I don't get to tell you the fun and random things happening. I thought it would be fun to tell you 10 random life events that are currently taking place or have taken place in the past week. 

1- THIS IS IN CAPS LOCK BECAUSE I AM SCREAMING!!! My sister finally moved back to Arizona this weekend. WAHOOOO! She's been living in Vegas with her husband while he finished PT school, and these past 2 years without my partner in crime have sucked. 

2- This could have been combined with number 1, but it's too good to not get it's own number. Since we were little my sister Brooke and I have dreamed of working together. Starting July Brooke will be running Threads with me full time!!! SUCH A DREAM. She'll also be contributing to the blog and I have to stop talking about it now or I will go on for days.

3- We've been in a weird employee transitioning stage the past few months and it's been really crazy for me around here. I've been basically doing everything myself and I'm so excited for things to get back to normal. Threads hits is one year anniversary next week and I can't believe how much it's grown these past 12 months. Such a blast.

4- On Saturday night I remember that Mike would be having his first father's day... which goes to say he didn't get any presents and I win the world's best wife award.

5- Both of our car batteries have died in the past week. Holler.

6- While we're at it, our air conditioner was out for 3 days when it reached 110 degrees. It's been fun at our house. :)

7- I spent this morning at the Origami Owl photo shoot for their fall catalog. I'm obsessed with this company and grateful to know the amazing women behind it. If you haven't heard of them, you need to check them out. 

8- If you live near Huntington Beach, make sure you come visit our booth at the big 4th of July Festival! Can't wait to meet you.

9- I just got back from the LA fashion district and we have a fun new Threads line coming out for you soon. Not just bracelets will be included in the new products. 

10- Shiloh has given himself 4 different names that he tells people when they ask what his name is. Currently, it is Christopher. 

My Favorite Summer Bathing Suits

I have always been really picky about the swim suits I wear. It's really hard for me to wear one pieces because they fit terrible on me... My torso is too long and they are so uncomfortable I could die. Regular bikinis make my butt fall out, and so when high waisted swim suits came back in style I was so excited. But then with the high waisted style you have to be careful about not looking too grandma panty-esque. I found some killer suits on ASOS before our California trip, and was obsessed with every single one of them!

Links to the actual product below, along with descriptions.

((not a sponsored post at all... just so excited to have found amazing swim suits finally)

Swim top, Bottoms

I AM OBSESSED with these bottoms. Seriously girls, if you want more booty coverage, or want to try a high waisted swim suit, or just want a cute new suit in general, these are insane. They are extremely comfortable and go to the perfect cut off point on your waist.You can also find the bottoms in white, black, polka dot, and a fun print.

The bustier bikini top almost feels like a bra and I love the look of it. It doesn't move around like most swim tops and you can take the straps off as well to create a strapless top. You can also mix it with a lot of different bottoms since it is white. Also, it is NOT see through when wet... wahooo!

Top, Bottoms

Enter the worlds cutest swim suit. Sea shell print bikini, I am in love. If you have a small-medium chest, the top is great... but if you are large up top I would pass this one up. The bottoms are not as high waisted as the last, but still give you a lot of coverage and a cute high waisted look. What can I say, I love this suit.

Bottoms

Love this classic white bikini. The bottoms are high waisted, but again, not very high. They have a cute slit on each side. The white top is the same one pictured above.

Polka Dot One Piece 

Also, if you love one pieces, and even if you don't, the red polka dot swim suit in the first picture can be found here. It fits really cute and is the first one piece I can actually stand to wear! We ran out of time to take pictures in it, but is really comfortable.

Hope that helps in your swim suit battle!

Bellmont Park

dress- c/o KiKi La Rue

Yesterday we took a pop up from the beach to visit Bellmont Park. Everything is so fun with little kids, they get so excited about everything it just melts me. We played some arcade games and Zoe won a little "Girls Rule" purse and two plastic frogs. She put them in her swim suit top on the way home ((I'm guessing she sees me put my phone in my top when I work out haha)) and by the time we got back to the condo it wasn't there anymore. She cried and that night she prayed that she would get another purse.

At 9 PM Mike turned to me and said, "I have to make that prayer happen. I'll be back in a little bit." He ran down to the arcade and won her the prizes after only 1 game. He put it on her change of clothes in the morning so she'd find it right when she got dressed. She squealed and I thought she was going to cry when she found it. She felt so special when she found out that her dad went and won it for her so that she'd be happy, and kept kissing his cheeks.

And that's why I love taking a time out and going on vacation. You get to pay attention to the cute little things that make life good. It's been nice to slow down.

Summer Wear: Round 2

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Clutch- c/o Given Goods 

We're still enjoying our time in San Diego and today I didn't sunscreen up so I'm a little lobster. These pictures were taken yesterday in La Jolla, one of my favorite cities ever. We took the kids to see seals and Zoe has been making seal noises ever since. I found this gem of a dress before we came and had to get it. My sister in law started singing here comes the bride when I walked in, haha, I'm down for a summer wedding ;) A solid dress with some bold accessories is one of my go to summer outfits.

My clutch is from Given Goods. They are  an amazing give back company and they've created a new line called Summer Cast. Here's a little bit about my clutch:

Hiptipico works with female Guatemalan artisans to pay them well above their regular wage. The artisans behind this exclusive clutch call it the Sanik (saan-eek), from the Maya Kaqchikel word for worker ants. On their own, ants cannot accomplish much, but as a group they accomplish great things. Together these women are reaching global markets.