know what you all are thinking… it has only turned Spring! This mommy is a planner and you know I am going to make the most of every free minute I have with my family.  Therefore I have already organized all of my summer essentials so I can just grab them and go when that hot sunny day arrives!  Truth be told, when I first starting researching products for Amani, now two and a half, I had no idea what I was doing.  I overbought on several items, buying a ton of “cute” floats, hats, and bathing suits which were not practical and did not serve any purpose when it came down to it. The unicorn float was adorable on the ground.  Once we got “him” in the water, baby positioned, he was very unstable and his pointy head was right there in Amani’s face.  She was barely able to enjoy the water.  Needless to say he did not make the cut – not even for a picture since that would require letting go with one hand! Let’s not forget about the floats where your baby can sink down, slump over or slip right through the bottom… every parent’s nightmare!  Since then, I have wised up and narrowed down my essentials checklist dramatically.  Also, you can find many items at the thrift store including: bathing suits, sand toys (often new), puddle jumpers, terry robes, towels and blankets, and more.

hrifting is not always done out of necessity. In fact, I bet many of your friends are thrifters and you don’t even know it!  I went through most of my whole adult life completely clueless that these stores even existed.  I wonder now how I could have even survived shopping retail sales. I cringe even thinking about it!  The prices were still 100% more of than the thrifted version. I remember the day my husband paid $50 for two “common brand” outfits for my then one-year old daughter, Amani. I purchased over 10 of the same brand, in gently used condition for $2.50 each – some still had the tags! Why would we ever again go to that store? The fact is, no matter what your income, every little thing adds up!

t’s one of my favorite times of year and I was excited to take make these special shabby chic bonnets for my toddler, Amani and my baby, Evangeline.  It brings such joy to my heart to be able to create special, one of a kind items for my little girls. These bonnets also make amazing photo props.  My girls wear their hats around running errands and I am constantly stopped and asked where I get them from.  While most places charge $50 for these, you can make them yourself in no time at all for about $5 considering everything you will purchase can be used for multiple projects. Check out my 7 minute YouTube video @ But Olive U More to watch me make them step by step, or continue reading for my free pattern and downloadable instructions!