My Blogging Life (with Five Local Business Plugs) & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #124
If you are a blogger, you know that everywhere you go you are constantly on the lookout for photo opportunities. Yes, I plan outfit photo shoots on mornings when my husband and I are available to drive somewhere and sneak a quick shoot in before the day begins. But then there are those days, like weekends and holidays, when family time becomes the priority. But as a blogger, you still have photo ops on the brain!
So yesterday, my husband and I decided to load the kids up in the car and drive to Clayton, New York, which sits on the Saint Lawrence River near Lake Ontario with Canada just on the other side of the river. It is about a 30 minute drive from our house to Clayton but we took the long scenic way making the drive last closer to an hour. It was a beautiful day and our last day together as a family before my husband heads off to Louisiana for a month. And we wanted to make a detour and visit our friend’s new business in Chaumont, New York. If you need landscaping products, stop by the new Yard by Yard Supply Shop and see what’s in store. There are lots of beautiful hanging flower baskets and potted plants. I do not have a green thumb or a penchant of any sort for this type of stuff, but I do know that the work done at my house by Yard by Yard has been excellent! (First local business plug).
As a blogger, I started planning my outfit according to the location, the planned activities, and a bit of practicality…I also plan my outfits around how well they may photograph! Having just finished our Shaklee 7 Day Healthy Cleanse (I will share those details at some point this week), I am feeling a bit slimmer than normal and having been waiting to feel comfortable in this black knit body con dress. (Second local business plug). But a black body con dress usually calls for some killer heels. Well, that wasn’t happening for a walk around a river town. So I figured this was a great time to try out this whole dress and sneakers trend that we have been seeing.
The wind was a bit on the chilly side, so a jacket was necessary. And the dress is a bit more low cut in the front than I prefer. But nothing that a scarf around the neck couldn’t remedy. And we were off for an afternoon of family time. We walked along the river, took some photos, grabbed some pizza for lunch and stopped in The 1000 Islands Cruet to restock our truffle oil and truffle salt. (Third local business plug). By the way, one of our favorite things ever to make with truffle oil and truffle salt is French fries. Just a little drizzle of oil and a generous sprinkle of salt on bacon cheddar fries baked to perfection and you can seriously die a satisfied human. Yum.
Once we were all walked out, we had planned on heading into Sackets Harbor to get ice cream at Strader’s Saturday’s, Sundaes and More which is owned by Archie’s teacher. (Fourth local business plug). He was super excited to go but when I found out that she was not the one working today, his enthusiasm died a little. Sackets Harbor was a bit out of the way on our travels at this point and we were all getting a little tired and annoying each other. Plus I had a blog post to write. So instead we headed back to Watertown and grabbed some ice cream from The Cowlick. (Fifth local business plug).
And since this a #SpreadTheKindness day at Shelbee on the Edge, I encourage you to check out the local businesses I named here and throw a little social media love their way with one quick click on the like button on their Facebook pages! It will take you no time at all and it is a simple easy way to show support and kindness! I will make it even easier for you…just click the links below and like. I thank you in advance!
Yard by Yard / Shaklee (SmartChicks) / The 1000 Islands Cruet / Strader’s Saturday’s, Sundaes and More / The Cowlick
You see, I figure I have a forum for sharing and spreading kindness and by golly, I am going to do just that…no matter how random it may sometimes seem! I hope you enjoyed reading about my little family outing. It isn’t much, but it is these “not much” things in life that really matter the most!
And of course, on a family outing, I really didn’t just take photos of myself! Haha. That would be a bit too vain even for me!
What did you all do for the holiday weekend?
And now your featured favorites from last week’s party.
Tina of 1camera1mom shared her post, The Grosvenor Guest House, Simon’s Town, from her touring trip of the Western Cape in South Africa. The landscape and scenery are absolutely stunning. And it is also so nice to see the faces of the people that surround my blogging friends with love and laughter in real life!
Marianna of The Sweetest Clementine shared her post, Maxi Dresses Under $30. How perfect is her floral maxi dress? Plus she has linked a whole bunch of other really cute ones. Go check them out!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
52 Comments
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
What a great day out! So sweet Archie was bummed his teacher wasn’t there!
Love the jacket too (:
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! We did have a wonderful day! Archie adores his teacher…rightfully so because she is totally awesome!
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Stinedurf
You look amaze-balls in that dress! Holy smokin’ hotness…and it’s perfect with the sneakers! You are so right, no matter where I’m going, I can’t help but think “Is the outfit photo-worthy?”…lol
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Debbie! I am laughing at “holy smokin’ hotness”! I definitely felt great in the dress but I don’t know about all that holy smokin’ hotness business. Haha. I usually just feel like a holy hot mess!
xoxo
Shelbee
Christina Morley
Thank you so much for the feature! I’m happy that you enjoyed my photos on 1camera1mom. It was sweet seeing your whole family too. The mural is also really neat. I’m glad you had a lovely day.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Tina! It is always fun to see the families of blogger friends! I didn’t used to share many family photos, but then I realized that is what people enjoy…the reality behind it all. I am a crazed frazzled mom and I don’t need to pretend that I am not! Lol. It was pleasure to feature your post. Thanks for sharing and linking up.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Love this cute look Shelbee! I adore the jacket. Thanks for sharing your family day. The weather looked amazing and perfect for all these photos.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! The weather was absolutely perfect! Right in the mid-60’s…that is so my climate.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
You have a beautiful family and it sounds like such a fun day! You wear the dress and sneaker trend so well! Love this cute outfit on you!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jill, thanks so much! I think I will definitely be wearing dresses with sneakers all summer long…especially for work!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
Sounds such a lovely memorable day! Yes, always thinking of photo opps wherever we go and what to wear – glad to know I’m not the only one!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Gail! And I am glad to know that I am also not the only one who always has photos ops on the brain!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
It sounds like you had a wonderful day out! It’s so wonderful that you support local small businesses! You look adorable while doing it too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! I try my best to be supportive in any way that I can! Have a great day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
First I love that you give your local businesses those kinds of plugs!! One of these days I’ll make it out there to get to experience the fun.
Second, I love the family shots. How fun and adorable and heart warming.
And third…LOVE the sneakers and dress together. It’s absolutely perfect in my opinion.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thank you so much, my friend! Sometimes my plugs are totally random, but it can’t hurt, right? And I am that person who likes all the Facebook pages that come my way! It is a simple click and boosts business pages, so why not follow or like? I definitely will be wearing more dresses and sneakers this season especially for work. Sneakers are the way to go! I am glad you enjoyed my family photos as well. We are a crazy bunch, for sure! Have a wonderful day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, that sounds like a wonderful family getaway! Love the outfit on you. But I can’t wear sneakers with a dress. The bulky shoes on my long skinny feet combine with my thin legs for what I call the Minnie Mouse Effect Hope lots of tea-drinking or tea-gifting readers will come by and enter my $100 gift certificate tea giveaway (open until Wednesday night).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jean, thanks so much! Your Minnie Mouse description just made me chuckle! But I am sorry that you can’t wear sneakers with dresses…maybe with maxi dresses you could where you can’t see your calves and ankles! I hope you get lots of giveaway entries as well! I will head over soon to enter myself.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice and what beautiful places to shoot. Love the river and the town. Very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Patrick! We really do have some beautiful scenery up here in these parts! Enjoy your week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
How totally cute are your boys, Shelbee?! So adorable!
And your outfit is fabulous, of course. I love that you added the scarf because of the low-cut aspect of the dress (which is GORGE by the way!!)
Hugs
Suzy xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! Scarves have saved so many low cut tops and dresses! I am super weird about showing too much cleavage! And don’t let the cuteness of these little monsters fool you. They are a challenge every step of the way. At least they pose nicely for pictures these days! They always want to be in the photos!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
What a lovely family day. And what a fantastic denim jacket!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nancy! I somehow knew you would like the military style denim jacket!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lauren Sparks
That dress looks great on you. And so fun to see the rest of your fam. laurensparks.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lauren! I am glad that you enjoyed the post!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
Shelbee you are rockin’ the body con dress my friend! Job well done on the cleanse and all the other changes you’ve made – you look fantastic! Glad you had a nice day out with the boys. I know you all will miss your husband while he’s gone – I pray the time goes by quickly!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kellyann, thank you so much! I still have some bumps and rolls in the bodycon dress but I felt more confident wearing it than I ever have before! I also hope the next month flies by. Single parenting is the toughest thing ever. I applaud all the people who have to do it all the time. I hope you have a wonderful day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tianna
super cute! Love your dress and looks like such a fun day! xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tianna! I hope you have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
Shelbee I love these wonderful pics and your exciting description of a blogger shooting moment/ day. 🙂
Xo Tina
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Tina! Have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Such a beautiful waterfront! I really need to get some photos taken somewhere besides just my backyard this summer when the hubs and I have more time. 🙂 You’re really good with exploring and finding great places! I just LOVE that denim jacket, so cute and a little original on the front!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carrie! We do love exploring and finding new places for photos. But it takes way more time than I have! I hope you get the chance to do the same though. It is super fun especially with my husband because we always end up in fits of laughter about something.
xoxo
Shelbee
Stephanie
Looks like you had a lot of fun!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Stephanie! It was a beautiful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Avalon
This looked like such a fun day! I love those puma shoes.
– Avalon from http://www.simplyavalon.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Avalon! It was the perfect day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire Justine
Looks like a nice day. Lovely photos Shelbee 🙂 Thanks for hosting.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Claire! It was a perfect day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nailil
Love this casual look. It’s perfect to be out and about.
Xx, Nailil
http://thirtyminusone.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nailil! It was such a beautiful day, too.
xoxo
Shelbee
Radi
I love your vintage looking denim jacket!
http://www.fashionradi.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Radi! I have a thing for denim jackets lately. Now I want to look for a real vintage one!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mother of 3
It’s so true! I am always thinking about photos and blog posts… no matter where I go!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Joanne, it is good to know that I am not alone on that! Although, every once in a great while, I do just say no to photos and put on some regular clothes and go enjoy the day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I like the dress and tennis shoes. It makes more sense than heels any time.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! It is definitely way more comfortable.
xoxo
Shelbee
Chrissy
I miss featuring local businesses…well, I kind of do but not like in Georgia. maybe i need to change that! Love the fabulous mural Shelbee and your family is precious. Have a great weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Chrissy! I need to do more local business posts myself. I just haven’t the chance to get out and about much! You will find your groove again in Florida!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
The scarf and denim jacket are so cute with the little black dress! 🙂
I’d love to take more photos out and about, but with two toddlers it’s not possible! I take most of my photos at home where I can keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t bump the tripod, haha!
Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂 I just posted this week’s linkup, I’d love you to join again! 🙂
http://awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com.au
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Mica! I remember those days of having to take photos with a toddler around! My kids were 2 and 4 when I started blogging. Now 4 years later, I sometimes make my 8 year take the photos for me and my 6 year old always wants to be in the photos now! I have to train them young. Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee