Get Organized with a {Printable} Summer 2012 Calendar

Soon summer vacation will be upon all of us and we’ll be either bored to death like our kids always claim to be or busy bees! Hopefully it will be the latter. Between summer camps, church activities, playdates, appointments, and the all important summer vacation{s} our calendar is already starting to fill up! We found this great organizational tool over at Brown Paper Packages. What a great way to keep all your summer fun listed by week and on display so you won’t miss or forget a thing!

Hop over to the Brown Paper Packages to print your very own PDF copy!

How will you display your calendar? We think using a frame is a great way to utilize this nifty calendar. Just use a dry erase marker to “pencil” in events. The glass surface will make it easy to wipe clean any oopsies .

Happy Summer Planning!

What We Love Right Now July 27, 2011: Beating the Heat

School might be kicking into high gear sooner than later, but it is still hotter than ever in most parts of the country. We’ve got a feeling this hot weather is going to be sticking around for a while. So instead on sitting at home with the AC on full blast (that is a great option some days, by the way), we’ve got a few suggestions to get out and make the most of the heat while trying to keep as cool as possible.

1. Hit the Road

Get out of your house! You can head to a neighboring town-maybe there’s a festival going on-or you can load up and try a little road trip. We just blogged our heart’s out on road trips (it’s what we loved last week).

2. Keep Meals Light

Hum, the last thing you want to do when you’re hot is eat a ton of food and the last thing you want to do when your house feels like it’s 100 degrees is cook! Keep dinners light and fresh with salads and other easy to prepare meals.

3.  Make a Splash

Take a dip in your neighborhood pool. If you don’t have a pool nearby, try these backyard toys for some summer fun.

The Little Tikes Ultimate Sprinkler Ball is sure to keep your kids active and cool. Just inflate and hook to your hose-it’s that easy!

Water gun fight! Stay cool and have fun with these awesome super soakers.

4. You Scream, I Scream

Nothing beats a great ice cream cone or frozen yogurt on a hot summer afternoon. Load up the kids and meet some friends at your local ice cream shop for a cone or cup of your favorite flavors.

5. Make Frozen Pops

Popsicles are perfect for hot summer days. You can make your own using a simple and inexpensive popsicle mold and it’s cheaper and healthier than store-bought versions. You can make yummy popsicles out of grape, apple, orange, or any other favorite juice–Mix it up!

6. Have a Picnic with Cold Foods

Visit a park or have fun in your backyard with a basket, blanket and some of your favorite cold foods like watermelon, cantelope, grapes, or yogurt. Enjoy the sunshine while you indulge in these yummy foods. Don’t forget the ice cold lemonade!

Short List of SharpMom’s Summer 2010 MUST HAVES

With summer right around the corner, we thought it would beneficial to make a list of the things we feel are essential for every SharpMom to have this summer. These are things you must have at home or shouldn’t leave home without!

1. Clinique Bamboo Pink Lipstick: This lipstick is sheer, shimmery, and PERFECT for summer. No mirror needed! Just dab on before running out the door (or at the nearest red light) and add a little glam to your look. The best part: It’s only $14.50. This is a must have item for your make up bag!

2. Old Navy Striped Dress: We totally blogged about this dress back in April, but with some styles on sale for $10.99 (YES!) we thought it was worth mentioning again. For the price, this IS a summer essential. We know all moms are super busy and this dress will work around your schedule. It’s a great  choice for a casual day at work or a wonderful alternative to a tee shirt and shorts. Perfect for your day at the park, a trip to the mall…AND for this price we think you need TWO!

3. Suave Mango Mandarin Body Wash: Smell spectacular without breaking your bank. This body wash smells so good, you won’t be able to tell the difference between this brand

and the high end brands at specialty boutiques. Extra Bonus: CLICK HERE for a Suave coupon.

4. PBK Diaper Bag: We love this bag for many reasons. 1) It doesn’t look like your typical diaper bag. 2) There are a variety of patterns to choose from. 3) You can also use this a multifunctional tote the whole summer (for those of us with older children). 4) You can monogram the bag for just $6.50 extra with 3 initials or just 1 initial. Prices range from $39.00-$59.00 and we think for the style and functionality it is worth every penny!

5. Metallic Sandal: Don’t be shy about bold metallics. They are in again this season.

Metallic sandals can dress up a plain black dress or add a little flare to a pair of shorts and a cute top. We really like these strappy sandals from

American Eagle, $29.50 or, for our SharpMoms on a budget, try these at Old Navy for only $12.99.

6. A Little White Dress: Every woman has their go to little black dress, but what about a crisp, flirty white dress for the summer? We did some deep digging through many stores and boutiques and found two super cute dresses. Our first dress is a lightweight Jersey cotton dress by C & C California, $46.99. We like this dress because it is pleated so it will hide your tummy, if that is your trouble area. We also liked the price. Not too cheap, but not breaking your bank account either. The second dress is by GAP and retails for $69.50. Both of these dresses are perfect for date night, a day at the beach, lunch dates with your girlfriends, or a bar-b-que with friends. And, won’t both dresses go so well with those metallic sandals? We LOVE this look!

7. One Go-To Tee: For those moments when you don’t have time to think, we love this scoop neck tee from Banana Republic, $24.99. Available in a variety of colors, this tee is perfect with khaki shorts, a jean skirt, or jazzed up with your favorite necklace, earrings, and jeans for a night out. Why we love, love this tee? It has a hint of spandex for great comfort and fit.

8. Silver Hoop Earrings: Why do we think this is a must have? Well, for starters, it is a timeless looking addition to a solid tee, sundress, or many wear-to-work styles. It is a great little item to stow away in your glove box or purse. If you want a great pair, check out these hoops available at Macy’s. For a less pricey version, try this pair which can be found at Kohl’s.

9. Partyware: We all love a good time and, if you love a good drink every now and then, you must have this seven piece glass set available at Target, $24.99. This will be perfect for your next patio party-break out the blender!

10. Beaded Necklace: There is no stopping this trend. Wear it with your favorite solid dress. Wear it with a ribbed tank. The options are endless. The great things about a big beaded necklaces is that they can be found in a variety of styles, for a variety of prices.

These are just a few of our favorite things for summer. What are your must have items? Drop us a line and tell us about your essential pieces. If you try out some of our suggestions, let our other readers know what you think and leave a comment as well. We’d love to know how you would rate some of these items. HAPPY SUMMER 2010!