We have had a family beach place as long as I can remember. When my kids were little we spent the entire summer up there with family and had the best time. Not only was it a great way to entertain my kids all summer and have plenty of babysitters around BUT we also made memories. The first part felt more important than the second part at the time. Now I’m so grateful for the second part.

The beach house has become a favorite place for so many of us. My cousin had his rehearsal dinner there, my sister was married there, we’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and LITERALLY every Fourth of July.

Every spring I start craving beach house days. It’s time to be up at the beach, it’s time for no schedule, it’s time for crab cakes and rosè at noon. Join me in dreaming about beach days at the beach house.

Rope Door Stop :: Rechargeable Outdoor Table Lamps :: Sailboat Pillow Cover :: Gray Malin Coastal Book :: Beach Cottage Candle :: Chart Wallpaper :: Signal Flags :: Giant Old Bay Seasoning :: Le Creuset Everyday Pan

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World’s Best Crab Dip

You cannot have a summer cocktail party without the best crab dip you’ve ever eaten!

I grew up on a golf course. I took golf lessons. I live on a golf course. My kids play golf. My grandpa took his best naps watching golf. Golf was on TV every Easter at my grand parents. We’re a golf family. It’s in our blood.

This time of year, when the Masters comes on, I get so excited about golf again. Up until April, there is no way I am playing golf. In Seattle, it’s raining, it’s cold, and the grass is super muddy. But April is the turning point. The weather is getting better! It’s going to be sunny soon! It’s going to dry out soon! My kids will be out of school soon and will golf with me!

It’s time to start thinking of summer golf days. Possibly the best part is shopping for summer golf days. Aside from cocktailing on summer golf days…

Ball Marker “19th Hole” :: Tervis Tumblers :: Bogey Boys Golf Shoes :: Vineyard Vines Golf Shirt :: Disco Ball Golf Balls :: Master’s Hat :: Golf Skirt :: Gold Putter

Teenagers can be so hard to buy for. I rounded up a handful of things that my kids like that may help you too! I’ve bought a few things for my teenagers for Easter this year from this list - and taken inspiration from things they have either purchased in the last few months or told me they wanted. I hope this helps!

Walk it out

I still cannot believe these nurses shoes that I only wear when I’m at the beach - AND the kids used to make so much fun of - are now popular. But here we are. At least there are cute new spring colors.

Tune me out

My teens listen to music or books 24/7. Listen in style with these - and they are great for airplanes too.

Sassy bracelet

Pearl makes these! And sells them! Click the picture to buy them from her on Etsy. And she’s sassy, just like whatever teen you’re buying for.

Go bold

Again, the music. Pearl likes these when she’s falling asleep - she listens to her books then.

High MAINTENANCE

The reputation for the teen girls taking care of their skin is no joke. Even my low maintenance daughter is still using all the product. These are delightful - and cute spring colors!

Ball boy

Jud hits one million balls a night. More balls are always needed. Any kid who plays baseball always needs another baseball.

Game night

We love a good game night when we can squeeze one in. But as they’ve gotten older, we are looking for more games that we all want to play. Obviously, the real Cards Against Humanity is a little riské for teenagers, but this one is perfect!

Put it on ice

This got teenager girl approval - and teenage boy approval - for their iced coffee obsession. Since I refuse to pay $5 a day for their Starbucks habit, we’ve been making it at home. In cute cups, they seem to tolerate it - and me.

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St. Patrick’s Day was made for girls like me. It’s a little bit goofy, has a fabulous theme, a color scheme, AND some built in menu items that are delicious! I can’t wait for it every year. Shopping for a few items that are thematic, but not cheesy is critical for me. Here are my picks for the year - click through and purchase them for yourselves.

Slainte!

Even a glass of milk looks festive when it’s in a green glass. Garnish with whip cream and sprinkles and you’re the mom of the year.

Throw in some green

Decorating for the holiday doesn’t have to look tacky. Pop this over your throw pillow - an easy upgrade for your sofa!

Pop it on a tray

Serve drinks on it, put it on the coffee table, serve charcuterie on it, how about cupcakes?

Swizzle it up

Glass swizzle sticks class up literally everything. Even green beer would look classy with one of these beautiful swizzles!

The good stuff

Just the marshmallows! These are perfect when you make Rice Krispie treats and add a little extra something.

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photo by Lara Swimmer for David Coleman

I have three kids and a 100 pound dog. My house needs to be cleaned far too often. And it looks unclean far too often. I’ve found some products that have tremendously helped me to not look like a complete slob when people stop in - even though there’s still usually some dog hair somewhere…

The very Best

Friends of mine make this surface spray and it’s literally the best. It cleans exceptionally well - I use it on my stove, counters and windows - and it smells really really good.

daily duty

I have to mop my floors daily - especially right now when the dog park is a muddy disaster. This has been game changing! It takes a few minutes to vacuum and mop the house. Its not a perfect job, but the floors look (and feel) a million percent better.

The Deep Steam

This is definitely a better steam clean than the daily mop above, but it’s also more of a ‘weekly’ or ‘monthly’ job vs. what you’ll pull out daily to not feel gross.

Dog Hair Be Gone

Literally the only way I can get the dog hair out of my car. I tried one million things before this - and this is IT. I cannot recommend it enough.

Put it away

I have these bins all over the house. I’ve found that if there’s a designated space for something, it’s so much easier to tidy up quickly. I love them in the pantry because then I can actually see what we’re out of!

I do receive a commission when you purchase directly from these links. I appreciate it so much if you even just click through. Thank you!

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It’s the big game! There are loads of things still on Amazon that you can get in time. Click through - host a party! Remember, it doesn’t have to be a full house to make a fun celebration. The best parties at our house have been with our kids and a few neighbors. Make it fun, and it’s fun!

Football Picks

Pop these in cupcakes, Bloody Marys, or make caprese bites on them!

Be a fan!

Wear something that screams football! without totally choosing a team. Just choose Taylor.

Taylor’s lips

Weren’t we all jealous Taylor’s lipstick didn’t smear at all?! Here’s the latest one I’m trying. Fingers crossed!

Icing the kicker

OMG - how adorable are these ice cubes?!? I’m absolutely in love with them. And you won’t end up with a watered down drink halfway through the game!

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Lemonade Shandy

A simple drink that’s refreshing and boozy without being too boozy. You are still watching a whole game, a halftime show, and some great ads!

I have this dream of a camp. Not like “camping” but an actual camp like Wandawega. Their photos are inspiring. It’s so pretty. And rustic. Our family has an old log cabin from the turn of the last century that’s cute - in parts - but VERY rustic. We’ve done a ton of work but it’s still not a “camp” - yet.

The dream would be to have a “camp” that is darling and useful. Somewhere all of my children could gather when they’re super old and still laugh about the fun we used to have there.

Until then, you can follow me on Instagram at @camp.at.parker as I work to fix up our old log cabin and create a little corner of the dream camp I’m hoping for.

Mercer Blue Rim Bowls | Explore Camp Flag | Custom Signal Flags | National Parks Monopoly Game | Pendleton Blanket | Oyster Door Knocker | Sea Bags Beverage Bucket

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Some Camp Style Recipes

I am dying to have a tiki bar. It doesn’t fit into my house currently - so every once in a while I’ll pull up a few elements to make it seem “tiki-bar-ish.” But what I really want is the real deal. I want the gaudy tiki statues, the grass cloth walls, custom swizzle sticks and a record player blasting Jimmy Buffett. I want shelves crowded with a collection of tiki mugs. I want a terrible bar name inscribed on napkins and matchbooks. I want it to smell like coconuts and sunscreen.

Image borrowed from Kiel James Patrick’s Instagram account @kjp

I can’t wait until the day I can shake up a fruity cocktail from behind the bamboo bar. The counter will be slightly sticky because it’s been splashed on so many times that no amount of wiping will get it entirely un-sticky. But we won’t care. We’ll continue to shake drinks full of pineapple juice and coconut cream and continue to let them drip all over as we pull out the giant pieces of pineapple that hold little drops of the cocktail on the ends. I’ll make crab rangoon and coconut shrimp to serve instead of dinner because every meal is better when you’re sitting on top of a rattan stool.

We’ll listen to Jimmy Buffett on repeat and dance while wearing leis, floating dresses, and goofy shirts. I’ll light tiki torches lining the path leading to the bar. We’ll find a vintage tiki god to guard the entrance so there’s no bad ju-ju.

I’ve started collecting the mugs already - I’m knee deep in quirky glassware. I already have the perfect name. I just need a location. A place to pop on a rattan barstool and fill the top of a glass with slices of pineapple, tiny umbrellas, and wedges of lime.

Etsy Swizzle Sticks | Custom Tiki Mugs | Jimmy Buffett Vinyl | Pyrat Rum | Aloha T-Shirt | Rattan Tray | Pitcher | Nick Kuchar Print | Vintage Tiki Ashtray | Flamingo Punch Bowl

1./ 2./ 3./ 4./ 5./ 6./ 7./ 8./ 9.

There’s a chance I am mildly obsessed with everything on this list. I’ve actually purchased everything on this list for someone in my life. Also, nothing on this list is sponsored. I am genuinely obsessed with everything. You will be too when you try them.

Photo by Kim Hildebrand

Why is it that on Mother's Day you always end up at brunch?  Clearly, brunch is the best meal of the day, but brunch on Mother's Day is a buffet of over cooked scrambled eggs and watered down Bloody Mary's.  I'm looking for a weekend somewhere sunny instead.  The children can come - after all, I'm not a mother with out them - but maybe they can be on the other side of the beach?

Hat / Sunglasses / Cocktail Kit / Book / Blanket / Tote