Camouflage Pants + Pre-Conceived Notions

No really, this was our weekend camping trip.  

Several things led me to this blog post:

Lisa Murie of Peridot Skys once asked a few of us bloggers, " What is one thing we wouldn't know about you after reading your blog?"

My Aunt told me to bring clothes my kids could get dirty in (do they have anything they can't get dirty in?) 

My sister snapped a picture of me and said, "Proof that Erin goes camping!"

 I'm wondering if you might have some misconceptions about me.  

I camp (only in the mountains, if I can help it.)  I wear camouflage pants (only in the mountains, if I can help it.)  I wear sweatshirts (only in the mountains, if I can help it......just kidding.)  

I can rough it (sort of - there was running water after all, in limited supply.)

I love being outdoors. 

I hike.  I even took the climbing rocks and road-less-traveled with my brother.  Who, incidentally, always comes out of these things with gashes and bruises.  On the hike back, my 9 year-old niece followed along, exclaiming, "This is like an adventure!"  She is so much fun.  I did not, however, jump into the freezing cold pool at the end of the waterfall (but my son did.)  I have to draw the line somewhere.

Friday night we had a "Family Dance."  With party essentials.  I love to dance, though I don't do it well.

Last but not least, we got a little 4-wheeling action in (and a little bit of dune buggy action too.)  My nephew fist-pumping his awesome ride!  Oh, and don't worry, we didn't take our un-seat-belted children off road.  We have to draw the line somewhere.

The beautiful sunsets.  I was too tired to wake up early for the sunrises.  Line drawn.

I didn't shower for nearly three days. And it was one of the best vacations of my life (though not because of the whole un-showered thing.)

Anyway else like to camp?

Comtemporary, Retro, or Classic?

I don't have to tell you it's summer because, well.....I would be stating the obvious.  However, it is summer, and as much as I love to put together outfits that look better than sweatsuits, that becomes increasingly more difficult.  Mornings are spent in gym clothes at the gym, afternoons are spent in swimwear and cover-ups and the evenings we just try to stay as cool as possible (in as little as possible!)

Though my pre-baby body says yes! to this:

Swimsuit and hat: Old Navy.

My post-baby body says thank you! to this:

Swimsuit, sunglasses, sandals, and swim trunks: Old Navy

Bag: Forever21

*aren't those little trunks cute.....matching swimsuits make it a lot easier to find them in the endless sea of children (pun completely intended.)

My sons and I are planning a trip in July, to the East Coast for some well-deserved beach time.  The beach is my favorite spot to vacation (but I have to give a shout-out to the Mountains, which come in at a very very close second.)  There is something about the air (literally, the air you breathe,) the atmosphere, and the sound of waves crashing to the shore.  It's as if it changes us.  Whining all the way to beach, my children are suddenly subdued, happy to calmly play in the surf or build sand castles.  It's the one time they are near water that I can just sit there and watch them play, getting in my own much-needed relaxation time.  As excited as I am for them to be self-entertained, I'm also excited about the kaftans that are trending right now (wait.....when are kaftans not trending??)  Kaftans - like an ethnic bathrobe, really!

Kaftan: DVF

Buy inexpensive swimsuit and splurge on the cover-up?  I think so.

Ah, to sit by the beach in a comfortable kaftan while the boys play in the ocean surf.....

Thank you again to Old Navy for sponsoring my post. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

Vacation Yo!

Yes, I just said yo.  I'm excited.  Sue me.

Watch the video to find out where I'm headed and to see my awesome dance moves.  No really.  They're awesome.  

Shirt: H&M (similar here)
Skirt: Forever21
Necklace: Jcrew (similar here)
Hat: Forever21 (similar here)

Don't forget, Thursday starts an awesome giveaway (so stay tuned, or I'll have to dance some more.)