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Summer Beach Day Essentials

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SnackSnapShare #SnackStories #CollectiveBias

Being an Aussie girl at heart, but living in California, I've always spent a lot of time at the beach. The kids have been out of school for about 2 weeks now for summer break and we've already made 4 beach trips with plenty more coming up.

Today we spent the day at Bonita Cove, which is only a hop, skip, and a jump to Mission Beach in San Diego, but if you prefer the calm waters and no crowds, then this is a much nicer spot to sit and relax, build sandcastles, and play in the water. Plus, there are bathrooms, plenty of parking, lifeguards on duty, and a playground right there on the sand. Then you can easily walk around the bay and cross the road to the surf beach, to dine in one of the many restaurants, walk along the boardwalk from Mission Beach to Crystal Pier (which we did today), or spend some time in the Belmont Park theme park.

If you are like me you want to be prepared for anything, so I take just about everything but the kitchen sink with us. For me, there's nothing worse than setting up at the beach and having forgotten something or wishing you had have packed something you were undecided about taking. So we have a standard beach list of supplies we take every single time.

Wine, Music, and Summer Nights

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #Chardonnation #SpringWine #CollectiveBias

One of my favorite things about summer is the concerts in the park. Every year we go, (not as often as I'd like of course), but we make the most out of the nights we are able to attend. We pack up a gourmet picnic dinner, wine, and gather friends or family together for a fun evening out.

A new addition to my picnic basket this summer is the napkins you can see above. They are perfect for summer concert nights outdoors.

Make and Takes: Get Outdoors This Spring With Spray Chalk

I'm so thrilled to tell you that I'll be over at my friend Marie's blog (Make and Takes) each month with fun craft projects for the kids. I've been a part of Marie's summer series for the past few years, but I'll be doing a monthly project over there now, and a few other fun projects as she needs me to as well, like this fun Spray Chalk project Marisol and I did last week.

We had so much fun creating these spring flowers. I'm sharing all the details on the fun new Spray Chalk from Testors over at Make and Takes so go check it out.

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5 Minutes For Mom: Get Outside and Play with Spray Chalk

Spray Chalk from Testors is the latest and greatest outdoor activity at our house. You can spray it on so many surfaces and the fun stays around for days.

I'm sharing some fun ideas for using the Spray Chalk, including this race track, over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

FUN IDEAS FOR A SING FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

When SING was first released in theaters, we said a prayer for the rain to stop, threw blankets and pillows into the car, grabbed a friend and headed to the drive-in movie theater about an hour from home to watch it. And the rain did stop as we were pulling in, and we had such a fantastic night. We all absolutely loved the movie and sang songs from it most of the way home.

And now, SING Special Edition is available on Blu-ray & DVD with over 60-minutes of bonus content and three all-new entertaining mini movies featuring the cast from SING as well as an exclusive Tori Kelly music video.

With spring break upon us, what better time to have a SING family movie night at home, and I've put together a couple of fun ideas for you including mini pull-string piñatas that you can fill with candy, SING tattoos, and fun movie watching props like small costume pieces.

Isn't this Buster Moon piñata just the cutest? Oh but that's not all, keep scrolling down for details on how to make this and a Rosita piñata, plus download and print the tattoos I've put together for you of your favorite SING characters.

Ideas For The Perfect Winter Movie Night

Disclosure: I received some really cool items from Oriental Trading to facilitate this post.

Winter is quickly approaching, and for some, snow is already falling.

I love nothing more in the cooler weather than to curl up on the couch in front of the fire surrounded by the people I love, drink hot chocolate, and watch a movie. But, give everyone a treat and kick up movie night a notch with these ideas.

My winter hot chocolate recipe is pretty simple.

I heat 50/50 2% reduced fat milk with half & half on the stove (enough per cup), stirring so that a skin doesn't form on top.