Water Park Essentials

Water Park Essentials by navynwhite featuring leather shoes


This weekend for my birthday we're going to a water park. I've never been before, so I've been researching what I should bring/wear/etc. and this is what I've come up with!

1. A bathing suit, obviously. This doesn't even need to be mentioned! Most parks don't allow you to wear regular clothing on the rides, although the one we are going to does allow shorts & t-shirts. Mine is similar to the one pictured above, but more of a giraffe printed top with the same chocolate/white color. I love it because it is comfortable, practical for all the rides (i.e. water splashing everywhere), and it's cute and modest :) I bought both the top and bottom pieces at Lands End online, they have huge outlet sales and that's where I like to shop for swimsuits. I believe the set cost me around $20. My skirt is also ruffled on the bottom and more ribbed looking- the skirt pictured above is a tad more plain.
2. Flip-flops. Some people like to wear water socks, which are great because you can wear them on the rides, but I don't have any and don't feel like buying any! So I'll just stick with the classic: Rainbow flip-flops. They are the most comfortable! 
3. Sunglasses. Unless you want to have a huge headache at the end of the day, take a cheap pair of your favorite shades to protect your eyes (and your head!). 
4. A beach towel (or two!) I am bringing two this weekend, as you never know what might happen and someone might forget theirs. 
5. Tote bag. Gotta have something to carry around all that stuff! Take one that is light and cheap, in case something happens. Plus, you can get lockers and stick everything in a safe place. 
6. Sunscreen. Even if your the most tan girl on the block (or guy), you still need protection from the sun unless you want to end up wrinkled by the time you're 30. Maybe you're already thirty and wrinkled... oops. I wear at least 30 SPF and put it on every few hours because I am very fair-skinned. 
7. Lip balm, otherwise known as Chapstick. See number 6: protect your lips. 
8. Cheek stain. I use Make Up For Ever's pink cheek stain, and this brightens my entire face without looking like I've got a ton of makeup on! As for day-of makeup, I'll probably go with a tinted moisturizer, cheek stain, and some mascara. Keep it simple! Cheek stain also stays on much longer than regular powder blush, and Make Up For Ever's products are generally waterproof- they test their products on the Underwater Ballet. 
9. Waterproof mascara. Need I say more? :) 
10. Money! Bring extra quarters and extra cash, as you will most likely get hungry and not feel like going all the way back to the car for a drink or a snack. Plus, you'll probably need some quarters for the lockers.
11. An extra outfit: mine includes my new favorite shorts (Target, $18), a white tee (Walmart, $4), and a navy cardigan (H&M, $15). I'm bringing a cardigan because it may get cool in the evening, and I know I'll want to change out of my wet swimsuit when we leave the park! 

One more thing I didn't have a picture of: ziplock bags. I recently read this on a blog, and it is such a genius idea! I'm always needing an extra bag to stick wet stuff in, or in case something begins to leak, etc. Plus, that way, if I stick my swimsuit in a bag, nothing else in my bag gets wet on the way home!

What are your park essentials? Is there anything I missed?

K

Those brownies must not work...

Today's post is all about BROWNIES. Typically I don't like just plain, chocolate brownies. I like brownies with stuff inside or outside... or both!

The Pioneer Woman gives us just that:

Photos by The Pioneer Woman

I'm addicted to these brownies, and because of that, I will be making them for my brother & sister's graduation party tomorrow. They just SCREAM heaven.. Here's the link to the caramel and chocolate oozing, powdered sugar covered, hot and moist brownies you've been missing out on: 


http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/knock-you-naked-brownies/

The funny story that goes along with these brownies is the name: Knock You Naked Brownies. One night a few of my family members were in the kitchen, and a comment was made that the brownies we were eating weren't working.. we all laughed, and I cried a little bit I think. Sometimes I laugh too hard, I guess. Anyways, don't worry, they won't actually knock you naked, they'll just make you feel good enough to walk around and tell everyone how good you look. 

Or how fat you feel, which is normally my response.

:)

Enjoy your brownies and your weekend, friends.

K

Summer Color

Summer Color by navynwhite featuring white watches


My two-day vacation also included doing a little shopping while we were out.. imagine that, the redheads shopping.. crazy, I know. There was an amazing J.Crew store where I found these 5" chinos for a great price, and they were on my list! Woo hoo! Wait, there's more. I already own the tank (similar), bag (similar), and watch (similar), so I found similar earrings at BodyC (where they sell all of their jewelry for $3.90), and these exact wedges at Old Navy on clearance! They aren't too high, and they are a bright color (also on my list), and they follow my rule of being under $25 for a "fad." Generally I only buy things over $25 if they are a classic style, so these were perfect for my budget and my closet. 

Simple, Quiet Evenings.

I love nights like tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms with a hint of sun shining through the clouds. My escape to my sister's proved to be just what I needed: a breath of fresh air. It gave me a new perspective, or rather, God gave me a new perspective of who He is & of who I am. He also gave me quiet mornings to wake up and read His word; not get on the internet and see who's who and read the latest blog or see the cute pins on Pinterest.. not immediately rise out of bed thinking I don't have the TIME to read the bible.. but what I don't have time for is living a life that is worthless. Pretending I've got it all under control when really, I don't. I am nothing without Him. The bible says that all of my works "are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Another thing God is teaching me is that He hates pride. I'm reading through C.J. Mahaney's book, "Humility: True Greatness" and in this book C.J. includes so much scripture (which is awesome). A verse I am now memorizing is, "..whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mark 10:33-34). Wow.

Sharing that with you probably opens up so many cans of worms, it's ridiculous. But I need that. I need Christ's death, I need the power of His love, and I need the constant reminder to be like Him. He is the greatest of all, and He gave all.

Let's live like Him.

K

Theory Thursday II

Good morning.

When I went downstairs for coffee, my mother laughed at me and said, "Oh, right, today's the day you have to go back to the real world and WORK!" I just looked at her. And then I said, "Coffee. Coffee. Coffee."

:)

I'm super excited to share this article from Bob Kauflin's blog, (worshipmatters.com) as I will be teaching Pre-K & Kindergarten music next year. Hopefully I will be able to incorporate new music into the original kids music.

"Every so often I’ll run into someone who reminds me that long after we record an album, God continues to use it in people’s lives.

In late January, I was in Orange County, CA for a Gathering event. On Sunday morning I spoke at the Sovereign Grace Church of Orange County, led by Eric Turbedsky. It was there I met David and Laura. They shared their story with me and I was so affected that I asked them to send it to me. Here’s what they wrote:

We have been blessed with not only a daughter, but God in the last two and a half years has blessed us with four more little ones. These children belonged to my wife’s niece, but because of her constant drug use and continued imprisonments her children were taken from her. Unfortunately, these children suffered through physical and mental abuse, as well as, two were born with meth in their systems. We were overjoyed and humbled to think that God would use us to love and minister to these precious children. So as it stands, we have already been able to adopt the first three and are in the finalization process for the last boy to be adopted.

We have been so blessed to be introduced to Sovereign Grace Kids and play the CDs all the time with our little ones. They love the songs, and have learned many of them and sing along when we play them at home or in the car. One of the girls, along with her brothers, will request “Lazy Bones” which is their favorite one of all! As we have been in the process of finding a new church body, and I have gone alone to scout out a fellowship, my wife has stayed home with the kids and done “children’s church.” She uses these wonderful songs to teach our kids the wonderful things of the Lord and the Gospel. Because the words reflect the Word, our kids are getting deep theology with a great tune and memorable lyrics.

Thank you and your team for taking the time to put these CDs together. Your labor is not in vain. We see the fruit now, and have faith in God that these songs and His Word will bear fruit in changing their lives for Christ, and using these little ones to impact the world with the grace and love of God.

At this point we’ve produced three kids albums, and hope to produce more in the future. Awesome God focuses on the attributes of God,To Be Like Jesus explores the fruit of the Spirit, and Walking with the Wise contains songs from Proverbs. In all our kids albums we seek to steer away from moralism (“just be better and work harder”), and seek to highlight God’s mercy, goodness, and wisdom in providing a Savior for us in Jesus Christ, who is the greatest of all treasures.

If you haven’t heard any of our kids albums, you can check them out on our new website here, under the KIDS tab."

Enjoy, friends! 

K

Love/Hate Relationship

I'm not really sure how to explain my obsession with navy and white other than a love/hate relationship.

Years ago, way back when we were in a homeschooling program that was very reserved and conservative, we always had to wear navy and white to certain events. Mom & Dad usually made us wear these colors out in public, probably because we had so much navy and white in our closets. For years I wouldn't wear navy and white (not willingly at least), but then all of the sudden, I realized the nautical stripe of navy and white looked downright adorable with our fair coloring, blue eyes, and red hair.  Who knew? That reserved, conservative organization might have had a thing for style after all. Thankfully, that reserved, conservative organization had much to do with my parents raising us the way they did, and people don't usually run away from us (anymore!), so I guess that's a good thing. Being the baby of six can be scary, but it is always hilarious and full of blessings. Now my love/hate relationship is mostly love, considering ninety percent of my closet is navy and white clothing. Add a little gold, coral, and blush pink and I'm a happy camper.

Most of my style/fashion posts will be full of ideas for how to make navy & white work in all aspects of life. If you're not a fan of the colors, I'm sorry. That stinks for you. Scroll through my posts and we'll see if you feel the same when you leave. :)

Until next time, friends.

K

What I'm Wearing

What I'm Wearing by persuasivepianist featuring flower hair accessories

Au Jour Le Jour cashmere top, £209
Dorothy Perkins oversized top, $44
Miu Miu short mini skirt, $525
Dolce Vita ankle wrap sandals, $149
Marc by Marc Jacobs white jewelry, £150
H M braided belt, £3.99
Warehouse flower hair accessory, $45