I've never been camping but I think Suburban Camping is the only way to go

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

I have never said this before, but why, oh why don't I live in New Jersey?  I'm so jealous of my husband's relatives who live there!  And it has nothing to do with the shore or juice-head gorillas.  It has everything to do with this adorable company called Suburban Camping Co.  Oh, and I totally love his family too, but I may love them even more in one of these tents. 

Suburban Camping Co. is basically an event planning company that sets up little (to quite large) backyard campouts.  That is SO perfect for me.  I have never been camping and know that I would appreciate all the amenities of my home found just feet away instead of the middle of the woods.  There are different themes you can choose and you can even add on an outdoor movie component to your set up!  Just check out their site to see all the gorgeous vintage pieces they use! 

Hello Girl's Night Out-Doors!  Barbie chandelier anyone?!  

So here's the deal.  You need to go vote for them in Daily Candy's Start Small, Go Big Contest.  They are a finalist in the "Home" category and they need your votes.  If they win, they will win a trip to New York City to attend an "academy" and have a chance to get advice and encouragement from some business heavyweights {Jonathan Adler and Stacey Bendet to name a few!}  I know all of my entrepreneurial ladies know the benefit of something like this so do your part to help another small business out.  

You can vote for them once a day and voting ends in 20 days!  It literally takes seconds to vote.  Winners to be announced September 16!

I really can't remember how I came across this company.  I am sure that I saw it somewhere but I can't, for the life, of me, backtrack to it...If you already posted about them, please let me know so I can give you credit! 

GO VOTE!

Then follow them on Facebook!

And check out their blog too! 

Sharon

All photos via Suburban Camping Co.

Palm Springs - Phase 2: Complete {Family Vacation}

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

Last week we took our very first family vacation to Palm Springs.  We had SO much fun!  As it was like 1 million degrees, we spent the majority of our time in the pool.  Here is the rest of our journey through photos.

{day 1}

{day 2}

{day 3}

I grew up visiting my grandparents near Palm Springs and it is a very special place to me because of that.  I can't think of a better place for a family (or any quick get away) for that matter.  We stayed at the Ace Hotel and as we were there mid-week, the family to hipster ratio was very much in our favor.  We swam in the main pool and enjoyed the music, some drinks (note:  do NOT tell your kids that they have slushies by the pool as they are of the adult variety and can not be made otherwise - fearing a meltdown approaching one rad bartender offered to "muddle" the ice and pour apple juice over it.  GENIUS!  I have added him to our will).  The Living Desert Zoo was fun just FREAKING HOT, even very early in the morning.  And if you are rather squeamish of all living animal creatures (like me) be warned, you are in a pretty wild place and may come across snakes - as in non-caged, I could jump at your throat and you wouldn't even know what happened snakes - just cold kickin' it in front of some vending machines.  And FOR SURE, especially if you have little boys, you MUST stop at the robotic dinosaurs and museum off the side of I-10 near Cabazon.  Sure they bamboozle you for an extra $20 to climb up into the mouth of one of the dinosaurs, but that was the best $20 we spent that whole trip. The boys loved it!  

Can't wait to share a VIP tour I was part of last Saturday put on by Bertolli.  I'm hoping to get that up before I leave for Blogher...I took a ridiculous amount of photos...It was a radical experience.  My heart and stomach are still full.  

Sharon

All photos are mine.