Five on Friday

It’s a VERY happy Friday over here today!!

This morning we are picking our kids up from sleepaway camp!! I am absolutely dying to squeeze our babies and hear every single detail about their experience! See #1 for more on this!

I am also really looking forward to having everyone home together this weekend and cannot wait for lots of pool time, homemade pizzas, family movies, and celebrating Matt’s birthday!!

Alright, let’s get down to it!

In Case You Missed It

This week I shared…

• The easiest Onion Soup Mix Burgers! You can also watch my recipe reel HERE!
• A few summer snaps of the kids living their best lives at summer camp and us making the most of our time too!
• My call for Teacher Wish Lists! I am so proud and appreciative of this incredibly generous community and I know that together we can help make a huge impact again this year for our teachers (students and parents)!
• A reel from our beach getaway using our new Shibumi Shade with Quiet Canopy (& wind assist attachments)!! Y’all this was a DREAM partnership. Matt’s dad actually bought us this beach shade years ago as a Christmas gift — way back before we had ever even seen them on the beach!! And now they are literally everywhere and I love it. There is no beach shade like it. Anyway, partnering with Shibumi couldn’t have been a more perfect collab fit — and is definitely a summer work highlight for me! If you are looking to buy one, they gave me a discount code: ChristinaMarcellino10

Top 5 Reader Favorites This Week

1. Sarong: You’ve seen me wear this a lot this summer, but this gorgeous sarong is my favorite swimsuit cover-up right now! You can tie it different ways (long, short, etc.), and the colors are SO pretty!
2. Men’s Short Sleeve Linen Button Up Shirt: See #2!
3. THE BEST POOL FLOAT! Another week in top 5! Out of all the floats we’ve purchased this summer, this chaise lounge float is everyone’s FAVE! It is so comfortable, has a cup holder, and is available in 3 colors!
4. Solar Recovery Spray: See #5!
5. Scallop Skort: I shared this skort on Instagram a few days ago (see it here!) after I saw it on big time sale — down from $118 to $34 right now!! It’s comfortable and you can dress it up or down. It runs small, so size up!

1. Summer Sleepaway Camp

I am so anxious to get to camp this morning!!

Between both kids, we received more than 200 photos of them throughout their session and they are absolutely glowing in every picture (even though most of Thomas’s photos are him covered in mud, paint, or shaving cream)!!! I know they are going to have a million stories to tell and I cannot wait!

And don’t get me started on their letters home! Oh gosh, these were such highlights for us. Caroline’s letters took up the front and back page, each sentence in another pen color, and filled with details about how much she loves her cabin mates and counselors, as well as all the fun things she’s been doing, and an entire paragraph on how grateful she is to have this experience. TEARS! And then Thomas’s letters were 3 sentences and hilarious. They went more like “Dear mom, tell dad I shot a bulls eye with a riffle. I got launched 50 feet into the air from the blob. And I saw a bear. I’m having the best time of my life. Love, Thomas”

Anyway, it was such a bittersweet time for us while they were away. We missed them tremendously, but were also so happy to see them having an incredible experience. And of course, Matt and I took full advantage of our kid-free time! We spent a few days at the beach, watched lots of movies that have been on our watchlist for a long time, went to brunch (see #4!), worked late (sounds lame, but truly a luxury!), floated in the pool, and ordered lots of takeout.

2. Men’s Short Sleeve Linen Button Up Shirt

I don’t do a very good job at sharing men’s stuff or Matt’s favorites, but I have a really great summer shirt recommendation! I surprised Matt with this linen button-up shirt for vacation and he loved it!! And I do too! It looks so good on him! Anyway, it’s lightweight, super comfortable, available in 7 colors/prints, and on sale 50% off!!

3. Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita

I shared this strawberry jalapeno margarita recently on my stories and wanted to share the recipe here for those of you who want to make it!

Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita

In a blender, mix together:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz Cointreau
• .5 oz Agave Nectar
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Pour over ice. Top with a splash of Topo Chico. Garnish with lime, jalapeno, or strawberries.

4. Charlotte Brunch Recommendation: Lincoln Street

I honestly cannot remember the last time Matt and I went out for brunch together in Charlotte. Last weekend we made the most of our kid-free Sunday and grabbed brunch from Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails. This restaurant has been on my list of places to try for years and we finally went! OH MY GOSH. Everything was SO delicious. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. Let me tell you all about it…

First, the brunch cocktail menu offers a wide variety of craft cocktails beyond your standard Bloody Mary and mimosas (although they have lots of mimosa options too). Matt started with the Shere Kahn (House Infused Cinnamon + Serrano Reposado Tequila • House-Made Pineapple + Rum Shrub • Dark Rum • Coffee Liqueur • Lime) and I started with the Bombilla Thriller (Gin • Lillet Blanc • Yerba Mate • Grapefruit) — both cocktails were OUTSTANDING. We also ordered Pomegranate + Rosewater Mimosas and it was the best flavor mimosa I’ve ever had — not too sweet.

For our meal, I agonized over what to order. The girl at the table next to me was eating the Huevos Rancheros and they looked incredible, but I ultimately couldn’t pass up the Wagyu + Eggs (and if you go, you shouldn’t pass this up either). Just WOW. Matt had the Eggs Benedict and loved it.

Anyway, this is a non-sponsored restaurant review. But in the event you find yourself with the opportunity to go out to a boozy brunch and need a solid recommendation…this is it!!!

5. Solar Recovery Spray

A few weeks ago I shared the round-up of reader recommended skincare products for using post sun exposure. I ended up buying several to try and REALLY love this solar recovery spray. I’d put it in sort of an “aloe” category. It’s a soothing lotion mist made with natural ingredients (vitamin E & calendula) that instantly cools and moisturizes your skin. It feels amazing after a day of sun and/or chlorine! Just spray it right on your skin for sunburn relief. Great for kids too!!

Have a great weekend!

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