DIY Pool Bag: Hello Sunshine

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We love to spend our summers at the pool. We did it growing up with our mom, and we do it now with our kids. Jessica is a swim team mom, so she is at the pool earlier than she would like during the summer months, but she’ll take the summer over winter any day!

We made a DIY pool bag that just screams summer, and sunshine and tropical vibes. Tutorial for the bag is below. We’re also sharing some of our favorite summer pool essentials we fill our pool bags with.

Materials:

  • Pool Bag, Target (we found ours in Spot’s Bullseye’s Playground, but this one works)
  • Vinyl, yellow
  • Silhouette CAMEO electronic cutting machine

Directions: 

Step 1: Find a cool file on Silhouette Software, like our pineapple one.

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Step 2: Follow Silhouette directions to cut the vinyl with your machine. If you don’t have a machine, you can find cute pre-cut vinyl on etsy.

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Step 3: If you don’t have transfer paper, line up Painter’s Tape along the pineapple cut out. Once the pineapple is covered use a straight edge over the pineapple, and then lift up the tape. Your entire pineapple should be stuck to the tape. Now, place in the exact spot you want the pineapple on the bag (tape down), and use a straight edge again to smooth out bubbles. Pull off the tape, layer by layer to reveal your pineapple. You can use a straight edge to move any bubbles, too!

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Now, on to what’s in our pool bag.

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POOL BAG ESSENTIALS

Solar Recover, Every Day Moisturizer: We can’t say enough about this spray. It smells heavenly, and it’s so cooling for the skin. We’ve used on burns, and it helps heal them. We spray our entire bodies everyday after we get out of the shower, whether we’ve been in the sun or not. It’s a must buy for the summer!

Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 30: We love the smell of this sunscreen, plus it’s fantastic brand of sunscreen. We love that it’s paraben-free, oil/PABA free, hypoallergenic, Oxybenzone free, Retinyl Palmitate Free, Vegan, Cruelty and Gluten Free. For those of your with babies or toddlers, Jenna loves this Babyganics spray sunscreen for her boys.

Sun Bum 3-In-1 Conditioner: Our hair gets so tangled after we get out of the water. This is a delicious-smelling 3-in-1 conditioner detangles, conditions and protects hair! Great for girls, too!

Sun Bum Lip Balm SPF 30: It’s so important to protect lips, too! This lip balm smells amazing, and feels good on the lips.

Quay Sunglasses: These aren’t in our bag, but we really want them to be. It’s on our must-buy list for summer style.

Beach Towels: Bright colors and tropical prints are what we’re loving for beach towels. If pink is your thing, try this. If cool blues are more your style, go with this towel.

Fun Pool Toys: We always keep extra pool toys in our bag for pool fun, and entertainment!

YETI Insulated Rambler: Something cold, whether it’s spike or not, is essential at the pool. Hydrate, hydrate!! We love Yeti ramblers because they can go in the dishwasher, and they keep liquids cold or hot for a long time.

Snacks: We don’t go anywhere without snacks for us and our kids. We are snackers. We are obsessed with Bobo’s Bars. They are made in our home state of Colorado, and so so yummy. Plus, they are gluten free.

Hats: Now that we are aging, we know more sun on our face means more wrinkles. So, we travel with our hats. If your more of a baseball cap lady, this is for you. If you want more coverage and style, go with this Do Not Disturb option.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means j. sorelle receives a small commission from the sale of certain items; however, the price is the same for you, whether it’s an affiliate link or not. 

welcome bags…to do or not to do

Weddings are expensive. Plain and simple. Flowers. Photographers. Food and Drink. The Dress. Reception Site. The list goes on and on. So, many ask, “Is it necessary to give guests welcome bags at our wedding?” We are no Emily Post when it comes to etiquette, but having worked in the industry a little, and meeting with brides at Fleur de Lis on a daily basis, here’s our opinion. No, welcome bags are not necessary. It can be another expense, and often a logistical nightmare.

However, if the budget allows, it is a nice gesture, especially when you are having a destination wedding. Plus, we {especially me} are obsessed with the ‘little touches’ at weddings, so we believe a welcome bag is another opportunity for the bride and groom to share their personalities and relationship with their guests, it’s another chance to be creative and its a way of doing something special for your guests who traveled to attend your wedding.

If you’re getting hitched soon, and are contemplating gift bags, here’s some useful tips when putting it together.

IT’S ALL IN THE PACKAGING
Everything looks better and more beautiful when it’s in a pretty or cute package.

{images via destination tote bag: LH Calligraphy, roots wedding tote: Wedding Chicks, Wrapped frame art-print: Martha Stewart}

MAKE IT PERSONAL
Add a personal label to items {hotel door hanger like below}, share your favorite restaurants or things to do in the town of your nuptials, include a personal hand-written note and homemade treats {banana bread and honey butter or vanilla extract with a family tradition recipe like below}.

{images via…door hanger: Fleur de Lis, a paperie, banana bread: Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffen, vanilla extract and recipe: Snippet and Ink}

INCORPORATE LOCAL FAVORITES
Highlight the towns best treat, and buy from local companies. It will give guests a taste of the town, and a deeper appreciation for it. And, be sure to include items guests will need/enjoy related to the town’s activities and weather.

{images via Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Miami tote: Jesi Haack Weddings, boston: Style Me Pretty}
INCLUDE ‘NECESSITIES’ FOR SURVIVING A FUN WEEKEND
Guests will likely enjoy a cocktail or two, so make sure they stay hydrated and you provide hangover essentials.
{images via…Hangover Kits bags: Jennifers CookiesMartha StewartNewlywish}

INCLUDE THE WEEKEND AGENDA

Make sure to include an itinerary of the weekend, tips on how to stay warm or cool, what to wear, who to call – the who, what, when, where and how of the weekend.

{images via Good Morning Newsletter: Martha Stewart Weddings, Oh So Beautiful Paper}

its picnic time


June 18 is International Picnic Day. Save the date. Find a date. Or be your own date. And pack a snack.

1. Take the time to think about the space and ambiance…pick a pretty blanket, make it comfortable with pillows, find a beautiful spot, think about lighting with summer lanterns, candles or tiki torches, bring flowers in a basket, and pack an ipod player to really set the mood.

2. Use acrylic or melamine plates – there are bold and bright plates available now at Pottery Barn like these. Invest in Vino2Go’s for everyone, because they are fabulous and you will use all the time {you can buy at Fleur de Lis at 303.996.6885}. I am obsessed with this Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker from Terrain {$48} for other cocktails.

3. Don’t forget to pack a wine opener, utensils, knife, garbage bag for easy clean up, napkins and a knife. We love this idea of making Clip-On Picnic Utensils by Oh Happy Day – utensils attached to a paper bag.

4. Food should be easy to transport and eat – pack sandwiches, fruit salads, kabobs, salad, pasta salad, etc.
 Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Artichokes, Food for My Family
Cheesecake in a Jar, I am Baker
my all-time favorite because it brings me back to my days in Italy Brie, Baguette, Grapes and Salami
Sliced watermelon

Our Picnic Necessities
LL Bean Horseshoe Set {$69}
Kate Space Picnic Blanket, Kate Spade
Picnic Basket Tote, Swoozies {$28.95}
Mason Jars for food, candles, flowers and drinks {found at Amazon}

{images via Everything Fab, We Heart It, RoveristaFood for My Family, I am Baker, Kate Spade, Oh Happy Day, Catch my Party, Swoozies and LL Bean}