Samantha Hawes | Playdates + Pearls

08/14

It’s been awhile…

Yippee! I’m back! After nearly a solid month of travelling, I’m finally home and it feel so damn good! I started this post saying “Sorry I’ve been MIA for 2 weeks…” but honestly, I’m not sorry. I had such great trips, spent quality time with my husband and Camryn, and was really present. My blog is a priority to me, but sometimes I need to step away and enjoy my life a little without feeling guilty when I don’t snap that picture, or document every moment. With Harper on her way I’m trying to really soak up these last few months as a family of 3. So no, I’m not sorry, but I am very grateful to all of you who stuck around while I was gone.

Where to start? My first stop was in Washington State where a large portion of our family and friends live. My husband and I both grew up there, so going back is always fun and full of catching up with old friends. It never feels like we have enough time there to see everyone, and our trips are always so chaotic and rushed, but two weeks was perfect this time. Following WA we headed to New York for a week. My husband had a work conference to attend and Camryn and I tagged along for fun. I love NY. Camryn learned to walk in Central Park, I think it’s a beautiful city, and I absolutely love going there…with that said, I H-A-T-E Times Square. Lucky me, our hotel was in the heart of Times Square. If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw this photo…

This is me, hiding in our hotel room while I drank my coffee and ate breakfast because I could literally TASTE the smelly streets and people in Times Square. I repeat, they smelled so bad I could taste them.

On the bright side, we still had a great time.

When we got home we had the best mail waiting for us (a months worth). I had indulged in a few of the new Duchess & Lion Co items, and the “Bad Apple Dress” had arrived. It might be my new favorite dress ever.

I can’t get over how grown up my girl looks. She starts school on the 25th and I think I might cry for the first month. She also has to wear a uniform, which might also make me cry. What will I do with all her cute clothes Monday-Friday?!

I’ll have a new post coming your way tomorrow…maybe 2…woah, I know, things are getting cray cray around here!!

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 3 Comments
Filed Under: Let's Chat, Uncategorized

08/01

Blackberry Breakfast Cake

Happy Friday all! I am so excited to be guest posting for Samantha today.

I have a crazy good recipe for you this morning, a blackberry breakfast cake. I have never cooked with a cast iron skillet before but have always wanted to. I was at Fred Meyer last week and passing the clearance section, this gorgeous purple mini cast iron skillet caught my eye. At 90% off, yes 90%, I could not pass it up! And it was purple, so obviously it was meant for me. I couldn’t wait to come up with a fun recipe to make.

My father-in-law brought us blackberries so was excited to use them for this recipe. It is perfect for a Saturday morning and so easy!

You could use any fresh berry in place of blackberries and it would still taste great!

This recipe makes 2 6″ skillet cakes

Of course, top it with whipped cream!

What you’ll need

1 cup flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup blackberries

2 tsp. butter

What you’ll do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. While oven is preheating, place skillets in oven.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together.

Stir in egg and half and half.

Remove skillets from oven and melt 1 tsp. butter in each skillet.

Divide batter into 2 skillets.

Top with blackberries and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy!! And have a great weekend

posted by Samantha Hawes 3 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

07/30

Downtown ATX // Graffiti Girl

Camryn & I went on a little date down to see some of our favorite graffiti artists recent work at the Hope Outdoor Gallery. My brother-in-law is a super talented artist and he introduced me to Erika, or @400MLBakery You may remember her from this post. She’s one of the sweetest, and most genuine people, and Camryn & I love her witty, fun art. She definitely helps keep Austin cool, and her art draws in locals and tourists for awesome photo-ops…us included.

If you live in Austin, go check out the Hope Wall, also known as Castle Hill. If you don’t live in ATX, I hope you at least enjoyed looking at pics of my sweet girl, and you can sneak more pics of Erika’s art on her instagram!

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 4 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

07/28

Beach Babe Essentials

Remember a few weeks ago when I said I would share my beauty essentials for your pool/beach bag? Oh, you do? I didn’t…and only remembered after going through pictures on my camera. OOPS! This baby brain is for realz y’all.

1.|| Victoria Secret Bronze Glow Body Tint – Repackaged & renamed, but still the same awesome bronzing lotion. This creamy lotion will provide all-over color and shine and instantly give you that VS model glow. It’s not a self-tanner, so you never have to worry about looking streaky or having orange hands the next day. I love applying this to my legs when I’m wearing a short dress, or my collar bone for strappy tanks.

2.|| Wet Wipes – Never leave the beach with sweaty, smelly armpits. Pack some scented wipes, and get yourself smelling beachy, not stinky. Any brand will work, but I’m a big fan of these You Smell lemon scented wipes. They’re alcohol free and won’t dry out your skin.

3.|| Body Spray – I really love that beachy, coconut, sunscreen smell, and St. Tropez’s Smell Bent spray is exactly that. I like to spritz a very small amount on after trips to the pool or beach and enjoy the sweet smell of summer.

4.|| BB Cream or concealer – If I’m planning on going from the beach to lunch or dinner with friends, I like having a BB cream that’s hydrating, or a concealer and rich face cream to conceal those little imperfections and hydrate my skin. I keep my Dr. Jart+ Premium BB cream in my bag because it’s a moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one.

5.|| Chapstick & Lip Stains are a must for beach days, and my favorites are the Blistex Deep Renewal and the Loreal stains (photo shows Coral Tattoo).

6.|| A nail polish isn’t a beach bag necessity, but if you get bored sitting poolside like I do it’s a great time to polish those fingers. My current favorite polish is “Fearless” by Revlon. (I’m wearing it in this instagram pic)

7.|| My everyday mascara is also my must-have beach mascara…because it’s amazing!! It holds a curl, never smudges, makes my lashes look long a fluffy, and is the best black. If you’ve never tried Maybelline’s The Falsies, you need to. Tip: Stick to the original formula in Black Drama, and get waterproof if you live in hot, humid climates like I do. If your lashes never hold a curl, you should also look into waterproof.

What do you pack in your beach bag to transform into a bronzed babe after hanging poolside?

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 2 Comments
Filed Under: Beauty

07/25

Link Love

1.|| The most beautiful garden party, all to celebrate a beautiful 4 year old. Kristin can do no wrong!!!

2.|| The best smelling diffuser. My husband makes me buy these by the dozen for his office.

3.|| I have naturally wavy hair, but when I want that genuinely beachy wave, I grab this. It smells of coconuts, and instantly makes me feel like I live in Hawaii and surf all day.

4.|| Erin Mayshed’s beautiful home tour has me dreaming of all white walls, and pops of color. Check out the before and after pics.

5.|| Check out this awesome candle jar DIY. I know I have a bunch of the Bath & Body candle jars in a cabinet just waiting for a makeover.

6.|| These shoes are great for travel. Comfortable, easy to fold and pack into a carry-on, and so chic. Did I mention they’re on sale?

7.|| I invested in a few new foundations for the summer months, and have been really enjoying this liquid foundation, and this powder foundation. Have you tried either? Full reviews coming soon!

8.|| If you’re a mom, or a blogger, you’re probably stuck behind your camera 8 out of 12 hours a day….amiright? I love this DIY camera strap tutorial, and will definitely be giving it a whirl.

9.|| I want to eat this in a taco, on a chip, under dressing, and every other possible way…just get in my belly!!

10.|| I’m visiting my hometown for a few days, and will probably be found most often here eating bagel after bagel after bagel. Oh sweet baby jesus, I L-O-V-E their bagels. I have literally been dreaming about them this entire pregnancy. If I come home 10 lbs heavier, don’t judge me. As always, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and here. I have some posts scheduled for you, and will also pop in from my phone with some random “Hi, I’m still alive…and eating bagels!” updates.

posted by Samantha Hawes 4 Comments
Filed Under: Lust List

07/22

DIY Watercolor Art

I like a good DIY. I especially enjoy a super easy, zero construction, toddler involved DIY that I cannot screw-up. Those ones are really my jam, and today I have exactly that for you!

I have a little corner in Harper’s nursery that was in need of some basic art. I didn’t want anything too “loud” that would compete with the other art in the room, so in my mind I envisioned a trio of plainly colored paper…I know, sounds uber boring…but stay with me people. A few days later I saw a picture on Instagram posted by Caitlin Wilson of exactly what I had been envisioning, and she made it look so cool (unlike how I described it in the previous sentence).

I scored these 3 frames in varying sizes at Michaels in the clearance section. 2 are black, and one is brown, but a little gold paint cures all.

I had this hanging around from another project, and let’s be honest, free is always better.

Paint your frames. Or don’t, it’s your call. In my house, gold rules.

Entertain your toddler while you paint. $1 watercolors for the win!

Paint 3 canvas boards (or paper) with the colors of your choice. Harpers room is a mix of navy, mint, orchid/neon berry, and coral. Because the art will be positioned over a coral chair, I chose to use the other 3 accent colors.

Camera died. Sorry for the crappy iphone picture (that looks more like a flip phone pic. Fail.)

Frame & hang. Easy peasy, right? I can’t wait for my new chair and lamp to arrive, and my curtains to be made so I can share a better picture of this little space with all of you. Until then, Camryn has turned this into her “art station”.

XO – Samantha

P.S…Because I always get asked, the kids chairs are the Tabouret Stacking chairs from Overstock.

posted by Samantha Hawes 6 Comments
Filed Under: DIY, Harper

07/18

TGIF Links

Let me be the first to say – Thank you baby jesus, it’s FRIDAY!

You may have noticed that I disappeared the last 2 days, and for once, it wasn’t because I’m a shit blogger. This time it was because I caught the flu. Yes, the dreaded, kneeling to the porcelain throne, F-L-U. And yes, it was as awful as you are imagining. So horrible that I spent Tuesday night in the hospital getting IV nausea meds, potassium, and fluids. That, my friends, is how pregnant ladies party!

I am finally feeling better, and have some fun links to share with you.

1.|| I have fallen in love with Britt Bass’s artwork. They are so happy, and colorful, and unique. This original 12×12 titled “Popsicle” is one of my favorites. Her print titled “He & I” is another favorite.

2.|| This beautiful bronze floor lamp is a must-have for Harper’s nursery.

3.|| This eyeliner is amazing for oily eyelids, and the brush tip allows for such precise lines. If you struggle with winged liner, you need this.

4.|| This beautiful quote. Be yourself, do what makes you happiest, and run from anyone who tries to take that away.

5.|| I can’t wait to put these on Camryn, and these on Harper. Let’s not mention to my husband that it will be another year and a half before Harps can walk in hers, ‘kay?

6.|| I stumbled across this knock-off acrylic wine rack at Target yesterday. For just $16 it obviously found it’s way home with me.

7.|| If you want golden, glowing skin like J.Lo, you need this bronzing body “makeup”. It makes your skin look sunkissed without the risk of permanently orange palms.

8.|| Being pregnant in the summer (in texas) means living in maxi dresses, and this dress for $12 is my new best friend. It’s lightweight, stretchy, and uber comfortable. The fact that it only cost me two starbucks coffee’s doesn’t hurt either!

9.|| If I were a drinking lady (and by drinking lady I mean not preggo), I’d be sipping on one of these every day this summer. Go check out Spoonful Of Foodies – a group of super talented ladies are putting together a Date Night Menu that is drool worthy.

10.|| Last but not least, I finally managed to knock-out that DIY art I mentioned a few days ago. Pictures and instructions are coming your way Monday.

Have a great weekend!

XO – Samantha

P.S. I made some changes to the sidebar (not visible on mobile site) and added my two newest sponsors. Go check them out!

posted by Samantha Hawes 4 Comments
Filed Under: Lust List Tagged: Friday Links, TGIF, Things I'm Loving

07/15

Little Big Dreamers

I mentioned before that Camryn’s a rep for Little Big Dreamers, and gets to play with some of their uber cute accessories and apparel. Well yesterday, instead of working on the DIY art I had mentioned, we played dress-up and shot some pics for the LBD website that launches tomorrow. Here are a few of my favorite shots

It’s no secret, I’m obsessed with this girl. She was so fun to snap pictures of, and is always so silly in front of the camera. If she grows up to be a comedian, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.

If you want to snag either of these adorable headbands, check out LBD’s etsy shop, or visit their new website tomorrow (I’ll update with URL).

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 3 Comments
Filed Under: Camryn Tagged: Camryn, Little Big Dreamers, Toddler Fashion

07/14

Vacation Update & Lemons

Well, hello friends! A whole 10 days passed, and really all I’ve managed to do in that time is eat, sleep, and snuggle my nephew. It. Was. Heaven.

Gahhhh, he’s just the cutest little man, isn’t he? If I wasn’t already knocked up, I’d be in trouble, because he gave me baby fever like you wouldn’t believe! I’m literally obsessed with him, and it was so heartbreaking leaving Colorado and not knowing when I’ll see him again.

While I was on vacation I stopped in Baby Gap and scored the best little lemons bathing suit for miss Harper, and it was on sale for $5.99. I kid you not. Run, do not walk, to your nearest Baby Gap. Or better yet, buy one online and save an additional 30% with code EXTRA.

Speaking of cute lemon apparel, did you sneak a peek at my big (little) lady rocking her “Lemons Make Lemonade” tee from Kate And James? You can snag one of those darling (and super soft) tees for your own little, on sale for $20 now. They also sell onesies, and other awesome tees, and I’ve been spotting them all over IG on some fashionable kiddos like @sarahholstrom’s Tallulah & Phinn.

And if you’re having a “lemon moment” like I am lately, you’re going to need to get this Little Big Dreamers lemon headband too. If you weren’t lusting over lemon prints before today, are you now?

Camryn & I will be giving some DIY art for Harper’s nursery a whirl today, so wish us luck! Hopefully I’ll have something successful to share with you tomorrow.

Happy Monday, and thanks for sticking around with me…I know I’ve been hit and miss lately, but I’m working on it.

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 5 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Baby Fashion, Baby Gap, Baby Luke, Kate And James, Kid Fashion, Lemons, Little Big Dreamers, Toddler Fashion

07/03

Harper’s Nursery Progress

So I finished taping, and sealing, and painting my accent herringbone wall…and it turned out HORRIBLE! I kid you not, when I started pulling the tape, and the paint started peeling, I nearly cried. I’m in touch-up hell. I should have known it wouldn’t be perfect with my textured walls, but I was really hoping it miraculously would be.

Cringe! Look at all those jagged lines that I have to fix. (The coloring looks slightly more blue in this photo than in person.)

In other news, I think I’m slowly beginning to nail down some of the other room details (fabric, furniture, art, etc.) Here’s a glimpse at what I’m envisioning so far…Oh, and did I mention we named our little lady?!

You’ll have to use a little imagination, but this is the basics. I’ll actually use this art in a thick matted frame, which should help break up some of the herringbone wall. I’m DIY’ing Camryn’s dark wood dresser and updating it with some brass pulls. The fabric for the pillows and custom drapes are from Caitlin Wilson’s Tribeca line, and she is currently running a 15% off coupon with code FREEDOM15.

The gorgeous coral midcentury armchair – SWOON – was a gift from my husband. I’m smitten. We have a big (ugly, but uber comfy) rocking armchair that will be in our master bedroom for late night feedings, so my pink chair is really just for sitting and staring at my beautiful baby when she arrives, and admiring her bedroom that’s prettier than my own. Why is it that our kids always end up with more thoughtfully designed, and nicer looking bedrooms than our own?! W.T.H.

I’ve had questions about how I created the herringbone wall, so for those of you interested (and crazy enough like I was), I will post a tutorial soon.

XO – Samantha

posted by Samantha Hawes 9 Comments
Filed Under: Harper, Home Decor Tagged: Baby, Harper's Nursery, Kids room, Mood Board, Nursery

It’s been awhile…

Blackberry Breakfast Cake

Downtown ATX // Graffiti Girl

Beach Babe Essentials

Link Love

DIY Watercolor Art

TGIF Links

Little Big Dreamers

Vacation Update & Lemons

Harper’s Nursery Progress

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