Blackberry Pie Recipe

We made a little trip to pick blackberries over the weekend. It sounded like a great idea in theory but by the time we got there (30 min after the place opened) almost all the berries were already picked. We managed to fill up 1 container which was just enough to make a blackberry pie with. 

Blackberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients

1 quart fresh blackberries, washed and drained

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

pastry crust (2) for 9 inch pan

1 tbs. butter

Preparations 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine blackberries with sugar and flour. Let sit for 10 min. Line pie plate with pastry crust leaving some overhang. Fill pastry lined pie pan with blackberry mixture. Dot with butter. Roll out your second pastry crust and place over filling fluting the edges. Cut 3 slits in the top. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minuets then reduce heat  to 350 degrees cooking for an additional 25 minuets. Let pie cool before enjoying! 

Pretty Little Liars

We spent the fourth of July up at Grand lake this year. Levi and Noah had a great time swimming and playing outside and cruising around on the boat. The break from our usual groundhog day schedule was much needed. Both boys celebrated birthdays in the few weeks leading up to the fourth and as you can imagine life at the Jacobson casa was a little crazy. Although turning 4 makes him a year older, I'm not sure it made Levi any wiser as he put his arts festival bow through a 55' flat screen TV in his playroom. I was checking Facebook folding laundry in the hall outside the playroom when I heard the smash.

"What happened!?!?" -me

"Noah did it."-Levi

Noah was actually nowhere near the crime scene and Levi's nose was growing by the second. I sent him to his room until he could come clean about what actually happened to the TV.

 I don't encourage lying to my kids but I have to say he is not the first one in the family to blame something on Noah.

**Stop reading now Isaac** 

I went through a phase where I kept cracking the screen on my iPhone. It probably happened 700 times in a span of 6 months. I was out one day jogging with Noah in his stroller when I went to change the song on my playlist, hit a speed bump with the stroller and it flew out of my hands yet again shattering the screen. I told Isaac that the baby threw it and that was how the screen broke.

So after almost an entire day in his room Levi finally owned up to the TV situation.  I consider this a win. Minus the broken TV.

Loading up for a boat ride

Boating babies

One of these days everyone will look at the camera

Sweet boy

Checking out the sunset

Watching fireworks

Let Freedom Ring

Fourth of July is right around the corner!! We usually spend ours at the lake and I'm trying to get a head start on packing this year. These Wildfox Couture (3, 8) sweats are awesome for throwing on after a jump in the water. Super soft and they don't shrink up after washing. I think they actually get softer as you wash them...I'm also obsessing over this Janessa Leone hat. I want one in every style on her website. A little tip if you are not wanting to show off that stomach in a bikini: Find yourself some high waisted shorts. Rock them with a cute bikini top and voila. Hope you all have a great 4th!

Palm Print

The palm leaf print has been one of my favorites this season. Its casual but can easily be transformed for a night on the town with a hot pair of shoes. This For Love & Lemons dress needs to get in my closet ASAP. 

Favorite Sunscreens and Self Tanning Products

If I could go back in time and tell my 16 year old self to ease up on the days spent in the sun or tanning beds without sunscreen I would show up wearing bells and whistles. It makes me cringe to think how careless I was. Luckily, that whole fake bake tanned look went out of style (not sure it was ever really IN style but you know we all make mistakes) in my early 20's so I wasn't completely SOL. There are some really amazing products out there now that can help you achieve that same glowing bronzed look. I've tried all of the products listed below and can honestly say I love them. Next time you are in Sephora ask for a sample of whatever you want to try. They are usually very happy to help and you can try them out before purchasing. As far as sunscreens go, I have had a hard time finding one that won't make me breakout or leave me feeling greasy all day long.  A good tip is to use a daily moisturizer that has SPF in it. These are usually formulated to be less oily and you are already one step ahead before going out in the sun. Always reapply if it has been 30 minuets before going outside. I am hesitant to use spray sunscreens after reading an article about a little boy who got 3rd degree burns from having some sort of chemical reaction to the ingredients mixed with sun. Yikes! The sunscreens listed below are lightweight and they WORK. Aging gracefully is hard enough. Don't speed up the process by spending your days baking in the sun unprotected. 

Self Tanning Products for body and face

Alpha beta glow pad for body

Alpha beta glow pad for face

Somerville 360 Face

St. Tropez Everyday 

Sunscreen

Max 50 UV Milk

Max All Day Moisture Defense

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer

Clarins UV Plus

Summer Hats & Head Bands

With summer in full swing its hard to keep your face protected from the sun with just the SPF. Ever since I was pregnant with Levi I developed melasma (also known as pregnancy mask) that comes out on my forehead when I am in the sun. Above are a few hats and head bands that help keep that area covered while still looking cute. All the items above are available at Free People. Click pictures for a direct link.

Anthropologie Tag Sale Picks

Anthropologie is currently having its summer tag sale. They only do it twice a year so they have some really good deals. These are some pieces I tried on when they were full price and couldn't bite the bullet because ($$$). There's lots more so check it out while they still have your size!

Plumage Chambray Dress

Diem Peasant Top

Vasanti Peasant Top

Pazia Swim Cover-Up

Alexa Chung for AG Denim Skirt

Nikhila Turban

Jeffrey Campbell Emmeline Gladiator Heels