FFF: What's Got My Summer Going

I'm looking forward to a good old fashioned Independence Day holiday close to home. Stay safe and have fun with your family!

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::ONE:: Cozi Family Organizer

Back in the fall, Mr. G and I were looking for a joint calendar that we could put all our appointments in, along with a working to do list, and grocery list. This app is exactly what we needed. So far, I haven't upgraded to Cozi Gold, but even that cost is less than the amount of money I usually spent on a paper calendar each year. I didn't even realize how awesome the shared grocery list would be. No more forgetting the list at home, and Mr. G is always great about adding the little things to the list that I would try to remember off the top of my head, then of course, forget to purchase.

::TWO:: Eagle Creek Black Pack-It Folders

I attempted to pack small for camp (details on that here), which led me to these Eagle Creek Pack-It folders. I grabbed one in the medium size, as it's the perfect footprint for my rollaboard suitcase. If you take the time to fold your clothes correctly using the included guide, you will be amazed at how wrinkle-free your clothes remain, as well as how many outfits you can stuff in there! I'm now considering grabbing the smaller size for smaller sized trips--it's that good. Found here.

::THREE:: Elta MD Tinted Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen

found here
I blogged about this tinted moisturizing sunscreen a few weeks ago, but I've really put it through its paces since then, with a day on the Guadalupe River and another full day at a water park. My goal was to come home as pale as I left, and this stuff worked wonders. It is my new favorite and worth every dollar.

::FOUR:: Pure Barre

After being out of pocket for around 3 weeks, I'm attempting to do my own personal 20 in 30 (20 classes in 30 days) this month, starting TODAY. I always see results when I get back to business with Pure Barre, and this is a great month to make it happen since I have a birthday coming up in August. If I think about it again today, I might even take my measurements. I ♥ Pure Barre and can't say enough good things about it! I've been taking for over three years now, have been an instructor for a little over one year, and it is the longest I've ever loved a workout. Take 10 classes, and you will not believe how quickly your body changes.

::FIVE:: Lululemon Running Skirts

found here
Whether it's the Pleat to Street (on sale here) or the Pace Rival (not on sale, but here) these are a great way to beat the heat and look cute doing it. I wrote a post a long time ago (found here) where I detailed my angst over the running skirt as part of my mom-athleisure wardrobe, and obviously, the running skirt won.

FFF: We ♥ Summer

I'm back with another edition of Friday Fave Five, linking up again like I did last week!

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::ONE:: Elizabeth Camden Books

found here
This week I read this one full length novel, plus one novella that is a prequel, but I cannot get enough! If I can get myself together, a full review for this one will be up next week, which will be a record for me. Easy read, compelling story. If you're going on a road trip this weekend, download this book. The prequel is free (found here), if you want to kick the tires a bit.

Full disclosure: I received a copy of From This Moment from the publisher to review, but I currently have at least one other novella and novel of Camden's downloaded on my own.

::TWO:: Amon Carter Museum's Summer Storytime

We visited the kick-off of this summer story time series last week and had a great time. It's an incredible program, really, that they let children get up close and personal to the artwork while providing a top notch story time. I'll be back next week with more details around this, because I think it's my favorite little kid thing here right now in Fort Worth.

::THREE:: GAP denim surf shorts

found here
Already a pattern has emerged in my summer style choices. If I'm not in a swingy dress (a la last week's FFF found here), I'm constantly reaching for these shorts. They're easy wash and wear like athletic shorts, but more chic. They go with everything and have awesome pockets.

::FOUR:: Elta MD Tinted Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen

found here
After years of little attention to my skin, this year I'm slightly obsessing. One of my Pure Barre clients is a dermatologist, and one lovely Saturday morning at the barre, we got on the topic of sunscreens for face because everything I use stings like fire. She says we should all be using products with good old fashioned zinc oxide and brought me this to try the following week. I give it two very pale thumbs up.

::FIVE:: Aggie Baseball v. TCU

The last matchup between A&M and TCU was epic. I'm hoping this one will be much less dramatic. We cheer for the hometown team (TCU--we live in Fort Worth) unless they're playing our Aggies, then we're out! We'll be yelling super loud for the Ags to BTHOTCU and wearing every bit of maroon we can find.

A photo posted by Aggie Athletics (@12thman) on Jun 5, 2016 at 9:09pm PDT

FFF: Friday Fave Five

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This the first time in a lonnnnnng time I've done a link up! It sounded fun to bring back the FFF, so here are my Friday Fave Fives for this week.

::ONE:: Braids by drybar

drybar opened in Fort Worth a few weeks ago. It's super close to TCU, and right across the street from University Park Village, the best shopping center in town. (Think Kendra Scott, Anthropologie, Apple Store. You know--THAT kind of shopping.) Last week, they stopped by Pure Barre to do braids to help celebrate PB's 3rd birthday in Cowtown. (More of my PB obsession here, here, and here.) I found out that you can stop in for a braid at drybar for only $10, or add one to your blowout service. They do little girls' braids for even cheaper, I think. Since I cannot braid little girl hair for the life of me, this is an excellent development.

My drybar braid. I loved it and wore it for 2 days.
I was not driving when I snapped this pic, Mom.
::TWO:: drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

I should be embarrassed by how many days this has allowed me to go without washing my hair. Spreading the drybar love during the braid bar, they left a sample at Pure Barre for post-workout hair. This might be the best dry shampoo I've tried. Found here.

::THREE:: Old Navy Swing Dresses

If you see me this summer, I'll probably be wearing this dress somewhere. In multiple colors, but in particular navy and white is on sale now. Inexpensive and breezy. Found here.

::FOUR:: MPix economy photo books

Back in the dinosaur ages, we would print out a whole roll of film and have all those pictures to flip through. After our trip to Disney, I wanted easy access to all our pictures, but obviously I'm not going to frame all of them. I looked through multiple photo book vendors and thought MPix software was the easiest to work with and least system intensive (think amount of time it takes your webpages to load). I also wanted plain pages with no clipart or journaling, so this fit the bill. Our Disney book turned out great, and now I'm trying to decide if I want to make books of our last several years of pics.

I chose the charcoal art cloth cover--a nice darker gray that won't show dirt from the little hands that love reliving our trip. I sprung for the gold imprint on the front bottom corner. Found here.

::FIVE:: Fightin' Texas Aggie Baseball

If you need me, I'll be watching the NCAA baseball tournament this weekend.

Here's your @ncaacws College Station Regional field #12thMan

A photo posted by Aggie Athletics (@12thman) on May 30, 2016 at 8:04pm PDT

Five on Friday

I'm linking up with the Good Life blog today for another five on Friday.

::ONE:: School Pics are in

He looks more and more like a big kid every day. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of him.


::TWO:: Old Navy Plaid Flannels

Annabelle and I were in Old Navy this week unsuccessfully searching for a non-dressy winter coat for her when we came across these really cute women's plaid flannel shirts. They look perfectly cozy and festive for the holidays! In store they had a navy and hunter green that was my favorite of their offerings. Save 20% online only with ONSAVENOW.


Plaid Flannel Shirt $22
::THREE:: Calls to Butterball Turkey on Thanksgiving Day

The Kitchn (it's the cooking offshoot of Apartment Therapy) posted this week about calls to Butterball's hotline on Thanksgiving day. They shared what the most often asked question was. My guess was "how do I tell if this bird is done?!?" but that wasn't it. I didn't even realize Butterball had a hotline, and I don't think I would've ever thought to call it, not that I have a lot of experience cooking on Thanksgiving Day.

::FOUR:: Christmas Pajamas

If you're late getting your kids' Christmas pajamas together, I posted this week about the cute ones my kids will be wearing. Still available, very reasonably priced.

::FIVE:: Fort Worth Moms Blog Guide to Christmas Events

If you live on the west side of DFW, Fort Worth Moms Blog has compiled a list of all sorts of Christmas events. Included are sites to take your kids to visit the big man himself. We're actually considering visiting the Gaylord Ice for the very first time. If you've ever been, what do you think?

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Five on Friday

It's been a far from routine week here at the Gentry Casa. Lots of ups and downs, but today I'm focusing on the ups as I link up with the Good Life Blog.

::1:: First Soccer Season: Success

Our guy did awesome in his first soccer season. No tears, listened to the coach, hustled, stayed with the ball. Last Saturday was his team party. I missed it (and apparently so did a lot of people--only 4 families were there) because I was at our church's Pinterest event, but he received his very first trophy!


::2:: Christmas Shopping

I think this is the earliest I've been this far along on my Christmas shopping. Tonight we have a date night planned to get things done. This will mean that on purpose, we will end up in Target shopping for the children, as we happen to do nearly every date night.

How does this always happen?

::3:: More Shopping

Carter's always has great, durable play clothes, and I'm loving their Christmas/Winter line for boys especially this season. I'm hoping to pick up this shirt for Jack over the weekend. It's a perfect Christmas plaid.

Ripstop and Corduroy Vest $19	Flannel Shirt $12

::4:: Thanksgiving Eats

If you're looking to try some new thanksgiving recipes this year, Fort Worth Moms Blog has a couple of posts this week. I posted a no-pecan pecan pie (great if you have any nut allergies in your fam), and my friend Anna posted a couple of her favorites.

::5:: Donuts

We've kicked off our day with sprinkle donuts. It's going to be a good one! Have a great weekend!

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Five on Friday: The Random Edition

This Friday I'm linking up with the Good Life Blog and the rest of her Five on Friday crew for a list of five things that are on my mind this week. I've got a whole lot of random going on.

::1:: Gilmore Girls
For years I've heard people talk about the Gilmore Girls, a show that originated right smack in the middle of my college years, the year 2000. I didn't watch much TV in college, not to sound like some sanctimonious academic, but just because I was busy with other things which occasionally included studying. Well, they're now on Netflix, so I've been working my way through them. I'm part way through season 2. I feel kinda meh about the whole thing but just cannot avert my eyes. What are you doing to me Gilmore Girls? Sidenote: I only watch when I'm ironing. We currently have a lot of nicely pressed clothes in our closets.

::2:: Kate Spade for Gap Kids
Kate Spade and Gap Kids have a cute collaboration that came out yesterday. I can't justify spending over $100 on a toddler coat, but gosh, that bow is adorable. Some items are already sold out, so shop quickly.

bow dress	bow coat

::3:: Big Little Lies

I flew through Big Little Lies a couple of weeks ago. The Moriarty books I've read so far seem quite a bit like a soap opera, completely with twisted relationships, somewhat outlandish happenings, from the viewpoint of someone in my stage of life: raising kids, some working, some SAH moms. BLL is a comedic thriller, if a book can be such. It held my attention well, and I was captivated to the point of not skipping to the end for a spoiler. (That rarely happens for me.) It reads like a movie, and in fact, Nicole and Reese have optioned the rights.

::4:: Pure Barre OcTUCKber Challenge

I finished the Pure Barre 20 in 30 challenge on Wednesday of this week! I think last year I was done by the 22nd. This year it took until the 29th. I'm still pleased that I got it done and am hoping to keep up the same record for November since the big eating holidays are upon us.


::5:: True Confession

I bought candy to pass out to trick or treaters on Monday during my weekly grocery store trip. I should've waited to buy candy on Thursday night, because that's where I was last night at 9 PM after we finished off Monday's stash. Good thing I've been doing the Pure Barre hustle.

Happy Halloween!

The Return of the Five on Friday

I'm linking up today with The Good Life Blog for Five on Friday!

My husband has been out of town since Monday morning. Thankfully, I've had a little help and a little adult conversation throughout the week to get me to 10 PM last night when he finally arrived safely back home. I'm so tired of hearing my own voice correcting, re-tucking children back into bed, deciding how many bites must be eaten before the meal is over, and on and on. I need my guy, and these babies need their dad!

Lacking a transition, let's dive into my five.

::1:: The Husband's Secret
While we were on our road trip last week, I read Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret (synopsis here). I thought it got off to a long, boring start, and I skimmed several pages until it got good. Even the rule follower in me was like: "Yes, girl, amen. Skip those pages and get on with this." I thought it was entertaining, but not as good as What Alice Forgot. Today I'll download Big Little Lies for free from the Fort Worth Library Digital Library. Thanks, tax dollars!


::2:: Scandal Collection at The Limited
I tried on The Limited's Scandal/Olivia Pope collection a couple of weeks ago. This coat is beautiful, but I think it's a bit overpriced for the quality. The one I tried on already had a run in the collar. The salesgirl blew it off as someone's wedding ring probably snagged it. I didn't think that was a good sales tactic. You should check it out if you're a fan of the show. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been in The Limited, and this was a great way to get me back in there. Well played, The Limited.

::3:: Pure Barre OcTUCKber Challenge
Right now I'm participating in a 20 in 30 day challenge at Pure Barre. If you go 20 times in the month of October, you qualify for some sort of prize or class package discount. The tuck in "OcTUCKber" refers to a neutral spine position in PB vernacular. There are sticker charts at Pure Barre to track our attendance. When you're there, you put a gold star by your name. It's motivating for 3 year olds, as well as 30+ year olds.


::4:: In Search of the Great Pumpkin
I really want to take the kids to a pumpkin patch this year, but this weather! It was in the high 90s on Tuesday. Fort Worth Moms Blog has a great round up of pumpkin fun for your family if you live in this area.

::5:: Early Christmas Shopping
I've bought 3 Christmas gifts already, and it's only October 10th. This has never happened before in my life. It feels a little strange, like I should be picking out Christmas wrapping paper or something. I'm afraid I'll put them somewhere, then forget about them. The most likely scenario is that I'll remember them, but not where I put them.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Five on Friday: Things I'm Loving Today

It's a gorgeous Friday afternoon here in Cowtown, and I'm sitting across from my little guy making play-doh snakes and worms while waiting on the little lady to awaken from her afternoon nap. It just occurred to me to put some Five on Friday on the blog. Here we go!

::ONE::
This week has been Navy Week in DFW, which is designed to bring awareness of the services the Navy provides as protectors of our freedoms here in the US. A large event alongside it is the Air Power Expo, featuring the Blue Angels is going on this weekend in Fort Worth at the Naval Air Station. Admission is free, and besides the Blue Angels, they have the Navy Parachute Team the Leap Frogs as well as other trick performers. It looks awesome!


I took this pic. They've been practicing over on our side of town.
::TWO::
I bought this maxi dress in navy from GAP a few weeks ago. I'd been looking for a maxi dress this season that looks mom-appropriate. I just need it to be cute and provide adequate coverage for chasing preschoolers. This one does the trick. The material is a good weight.

The good: it doesn't need to be hemmed because you can adjust where the drawstring hits on your waist. The meh: even though I followed the care instructions, it shrunk in length, which was fine for my height, but it changed where I place the waistband.

GAP Maxi Dress
::THREE::
One of my favorite fluff blogs is Day Old News. The author lives in LA and writes about movie premieres, Hollywood parties, but mostly, she catalogs what they wore to these things. Just beautiful clothes, with interesting tidbits of information thrown in. I especially like her award show recaps.

::FOUR::
These sunglasses were in Annabelle's Easter basket, and I can't get enough. Crazy 8 has reasonably priced cute children's play clothes. She got a swimsuit from there too!


::FIVE::
I have three more classes to go in my Pure Barre studio's 20 in 30 challenge. That's twenty classes in thirty days. I usually get at least that many in each month, but this one's been hard with the holiday plus I got the sniffles from the kids that I've just powered through. I'm ready to kick this sickness!

Five on Friday: In Search of Mom Shorts

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I'm linking up with April, Christina, and Natasha, again today for another Five on Friday.

Somewhere around the time I turned 30 and had children, the shorts I wore in my 20s all of sudden became gauche for the stage of life I'm in. One day they were totally respectable and modest, and the next day they were too short. Somewhere in there, I had two kids and just bought some simple basics to get me through that time period. I was either working or a few months post-partum and didn't give it much thought.

Last summer's shorts don't fit, all for good reasons. Now here I am, figuring this out: in search of mom shorts.

And actually, all of these shorts I picked out today are just great modest length shorts. If you're not a mom, don't run away.


Lightweight Bermuda Short
These seem incredibly long on the model, however, I do have a pair of them from pre-children. They were perfect for work events where a casual dress was too dressy, capris too granny, and a shorter in-seam was out of the question. They are truly light weight, and that's a bonus for the Texas heat that I'm praying comes SOON. This is such a happy color.


Boyfriend Roll Up
I lived in these the last two summers, but my pairs are all too big. (Yay!) The nice thing about these is that they are loose to begin with, so you most likely can size down. Who doesn't love some good vanity sizing? They come in a bunch of colors, plus they go through the washer and dryer well.


Boyfriend Roll Up Stripe
This is the same short, with stripes drawn across it and $5 more. Definitely cute if I decide I can handle stripes across the backside. That's where I will have to consult my mom. She'll give it to me straight.


Floral Knit Shorts
These are a little shorter, but I thought they were so cute, and KNIT! They sound so comfy. Very lightweight. I can imagine these would be good on days where we play outside a lot.


5" Chino Short
(25% off with code: WARM)
I bought two pairs of these last summer before going to church camp with our students because I thought they were a good length. And they were, but they shrink a bit, so buyer beware. Lightweight, great price point, many color options.


Nike Tempo Track Short
A little bonus to my five, for my mommy friends who like to spend their summer days in these Nike Tempos. Who wouldn't? They dry quickly when someone spills bubbles all over you (again). This site has great prices on them!

Five on Friday: Keep on Keeping Those Resolutions

I'm linking up today with Darci and Company for another Five on Friday!

So it's the second month of the year, and you're beginning to wane on that resolution to get in shape, drop the weight, or otherwise just be healthier. What do you do to motivate yourself? You go shopping!

New workout clothes always spark new interest for me. What's the fun in buying them if you're not going to wear them out somewhere? Here's what I've had my eye on lately.


Jaya Tank 2
I got the Athleta catalog right after the holidays, and I continue to go back to this tank. It's so flattering!


Wunder Under Hi-Lo in Baroque Blue
These Hi-Lo Wunder Unders are awesome. You roll the waistband up when you want a little extra holding in, and roll them down on a skinny day. I wish I'd had these postpartum!


Zella Live in Leggings in Blue Eclipse Space Dye
I think I'm in a blue phase right now. I had a pair of Live in leggings on my Christmas list, and I have truly been living in them. They're a great alternative to Wunder Unders if you don't want to spend quite as much but want a higher quality legging.


Zella Perfect Run Tights
I have several friends training for the Cowtown, and I had them in mind when I came across these. I'm not a runner, but they might still work for Pure Barre. The zipper on the back might rub during mat work. They're so much cuter than plain old black run tights that I had to include them!


Scoop Neck Tank in Fresh TealI have a couple of these Scoop Neck Tanks and love this color. A perfect addition for the spring that surely is going to come again. Another very flattering tank.

And here's a bonus since I had a hard time keeping it to five. This jacket would be perfect for to and from wherever you're going. It's gorgeous.

Pure + Good Lined Lace Jacket
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