are you in?

It's the MOST fun you can have on the internet... Just a reminder... if you want "in" this week...



... check out the details HERE and then email me if you are interested or with questions - goodlifeforless (at) gmail.com .

shopping guide: patriotic picnic!

red, white and blue week continues with a shopping guide dedicated to a patriotic picnic! Add your some potato salad, hot dogs and lemonade and you are all set! Maybe even some sparklers for when the sun goes down...

(Shopping Details: 1. Picnic Time Metro Insulated Basket, Chefs.com, $29.99 2. Thomas Paul Melamine Plates, $32 3. Picnic Blanket, Crate & Barrel, $39.95 4. Condiment Bottles, Macy's, $5.99 5. Bodum Picnic Charcoal Grill, Bloomingdale's, $49.99 6. Utensil Holder and Condiment Tray, Crate & Barrel, $6.95 - $8.95 7. Picnic Cutlery, Design Within Reach, $10 8. Mason Jar Mugs, Pottery Barn, $24)

June Round-Up

Seriously, June is over??? My calendar says so... but if I could, I would make a permanent residence in June! No dog days of summer here... we are just zipping by! So if it's the end of the month, that means that we get to vote on your favorite outfits from the past 30 or so days. Here they are in review... for shopping deets check the archives. (that's me being lazy!!!)



As always... vote in the comments! You may vote for more than one outfit too! Have fun!

loving...

You gals may remember the evolution of my daughters room... (seen here).

Well, I have been working behind the scenes to still tweak a few things here and there. I've noticed some things that need changing now that the room has been lived in and a few spots in the decor that seem "empty".



So I was very excited to see that the lovely blogger, Karen, at karina, ink. was offering this adorable name banners in her etsy shop



She can do customized names (I've got one coming in my daughter's name!) and an amazing banner with the whole alphabet... SO fun for a playroom or nursery!



Aren't they adorable!?!? Head on over to her shop and check them out!

red, white and blue week...

I'm not a huge seasonal "decorator" - maybe for the exception of Christmas (of course) and I like to put out a few fall themed items as well. I always think that someday I will be better at it when the kids are bigger and I have more time and energy to not only hunt down the seasonal stuff (which I love oggling over at Target and the likes!) and when I have more room to store seasonal decor!

I just LOVE the idea of putting out throw pillows as the season dictates... maybe that is the perfect place to start! Any of these throw pillows would be a blast to have on the sofa for July and August. Not only are they fun and summery, but add a perfect patriotic nod as well!

Flag Lumar Pillow, Pottery Barn, $35


Nautical Pillow Cover, Restoration Hardware, $19


Thomaspaul Octopus Pillow, 2Modern, $80


Sail Pillow, Wisteria, $89


Thomaspaul Lobster Pillow, Design Public, $80


Coral Reef Pillow, Bed Bath & Beyond, $39.99

Do you like to decorate for the holidays and seasons?

newsletter time (again!)

It's that time again! Every month (on the first of the month) I release a newsletter chock full of fun stuff similar to the blog, but usually with a twist!

NEW! the good life for less newsletter!

For Email Newsletters you can trust

red, white and blue week...

I thought it would be fun to do some red, white and blue inspired posts for the upcoming holiday. Fourth of July always seems to sneak up on me... but it's such a fun holiday. Especially with the kids... they love to decorate their bikes with patriotic garb for the local bike parade and then the big candy-throwing, fire-truck blaring, local-shmocal parade that follows. Not to mention fun with friends, fireworks, watermelon and popsicles.

Here's some stylin' patriotic outfits... no applique flags or sequins here though folks!

Shortsleeve Tops by Forever 21
Sandals by Tommy Hilfiger

Wide Leg Pants by Old Navy
Sandals by Gap

Shorts by Gap
Sandals by Steve Madden

Are you already looking forward to the long holiday weekend?

my outfit: pattern play!

Did you have a fabulous weekend? After a hot day at the pool with the kiddos and a little cat nap I was in need of a serious refresher to finish out the day. I hoped in the shower, put on this dress, some earrings and pulled my hair back and voila! I was ready for an evening of making dinner, taking the kids to ice cream and cocktails with my husband later. Ahhhh.... A perfect Saturday!



You have probably noticed by now, but I don't wear a lot of pattern. I love pattern, but have a hard time committing to one that I love. But this dress... I just LOVE it! I look forward to pulling it out each summer. I usually pull it out each year for my birthday (how cheesy is that?). My birthday is next month and I always feel great in this dress. So it's perfect!

Also, this purse is definitely the "bag du jour" - but I'm going to switch it up next week. New month, new purse (well, new purse from the closet!)... I think it's fun to include the purse, I take it everywhere. So really, isn't it part of the outfit?



I originally got this dress at Urban Outfitters when I was pregnant with my youngest. It was a perfect maternity top with jeans. But it really is a dress... although sometimes I still like to pair it with skinny jeans. That a great maternity tip though... buy dresses as tops and pair them with leggings or maternity jeans while pregnant and then you still can wear them post pregnancy as dresses!

Since this dress is long-gone from the stores... I picked out a few fun patterned dresses that would be just as fun and easy to wear this summer.

Day Dresses at ModCloth
Dresses by Forever 21

Details:

Dress, Lux, Urban Outfitters

Earrings, Charlotte Russe (similar)

Sandals, F21 (similar)

Purse, Deux Lux (I got mine on GILT) (in black, blue & red)

what to wear: crazy weather weekend!

Our weather forecast is ALL over the place for the weekend... I think they are predicting: sun, rain, hot & cold. uggghhh...

Here is my little bit of everything outfit for the weekend, a lady must always be prepared!

Tanks by Forever 21
Flats by Chinese Laundry

Have a great one!

speaking of leopard print...

Since posting my outfit yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about how a dash of leopard print can really jazz up an outfit... but in moderation. The thing I love about leopard print is that it acts as a neutral so it can pretty much go with everything.

I would love each and every one of these pieces in my wardrobe to dress up a simple outfit:

A little leopard clutch like this would be perfect for a night out on the town or to stash with the basics and throw in your diaper or gym bag. (Bebe, $19)


Leopard Print sunnies would be fun for a day at the beach... I love the retro look to these. (Urban Outfitters, $10)


I love the idea of having just a little bit of leopard print peeking out on your feet. These sandals are adorable! (Steve Madden, $39.99)


Similar to the belt in my previous post I just LOVE this one from JCrew... (JCrew, $39.50)


I'm currently on the hunt for some great leopard print flats... these may fit the bill! (Steve Madden, $89.95)


How do you feel about leopard print?