Since I work during the week, Saturday's have become our special family days. We have a weekly tradition of brunch, and have spent the last year trying out a bunch of different spots in an effort to find our very favorite.

And even though we really try to dedicate our Saturdays to just family time, I have to admit that I'm always tempted to turn them into errand running days -- a chance to get everything done before the week starts again.

But Target, Costco, and grocery store runs are basically the last thing my kids want to do, or want me to do, on a Saturday (when we could be eating donuts), so they were maybe happier than me when we discovered Google Express. It's the best site that lets you shop your favorite stores all from the same app so you can buy the products you want from the stores you love, all from one place. It's pretty genius if you ask me. We have a specific kind of face wash and cream we use, specific Target diapers I like, and bulk toilet paper we always buy, and being able to shop for all of those at once and having all of them delivered for free the next day is a mama's dream come true.

All Saturday errands done with the click of a button? Check. Time to get back to our very important work of finding the very best chocolate croissant within a 5 mile radius ;)

So now I have two good things for you --

1. Google Express and I teamed up to give my readers $15 toward your first Google Express purchase now through July 31.* Use code MERRICK.

2. A list of our tried and true brunch spots in Orange County! If you live in the area or are traveling here during the summer, you must try them out.

C'est Si Bon bakery. If you're looking for an unbelievably amazing French bakery, this is it. Their fresh baguettes are out of this world, and they come fresh out of the oven every few minutes. If it's getting close to lunch time, get a make-your-own baguette sandwich and make sure to toast it! You also must get a chocolate croissant, because these are the best ones we've found. 

The store is almost always packed, and there are very few tables, but it's one hundred percent worth it to wait around for a few minutes. 

Anepolco. I'm typically more of a sweet brunch kind of girl (french toast, waffles, smoothies, donuts), but this place knocked my socks off. It's a Mexican French fusion cuisine, which is so unique, and every single dish I've tried has been unbelievably amazing. The Perdidos is my favorite, but the chilaquiles is also unreal. They also have dessert crepes that are super good if you finish your brunch and need something sweet to top it off. This one is close to Disneyland if you're staying around there!

Crema bakery cafe. It took us three tries to finally get into this place, but once we finally did it met all my expectations and then some. It has a restaurant and a bakery, both of which are so great. The restaurant tables are tucked in between two buildings on main street in Seal Beach (which is super pretty!), so you get a nice shady spot to eat your brunch. Get the breakfast crepe and get a pastry for dessert -- you won't be disappointed!

Rose bakery cafe. This is the cafe we go to probably the very most. It's down in Corona Del Mar, so it's probably the very farthest from us, but it's so worth the drive. Their breakfast burritos are better than any I've ever had -- my favorite is the country burrito, just make sure you sub out the potatoes for hashbrowns (because they're crunch and crispy and amazing). They're also pretty big, so you could definitely share and then have room for a pastry or one of their super good smoothies. 

Sidecar donuts. I'm such a donut lover and since we moved here 3 1/2 years ago I've been on the hunt for the best donuts. I'd heard about Sidecar for months, but finally got around to trying it a few weeks ago. I've had a lot of donuts in my life, but these were far and away my very favorite. They have monthly specials, and this month I'd definitely recommend the raspberry and the salty caramel. Also, expect a little bit of a line, because they're crazy popular. 

Bread crumb ohana cafe. I went here a few months ago for my friend's birthday brunch and with a table ten women, every single one of us got their North Shore french toast on Hawaiian bread. It's very best with strawberries, macadamia nuts, and coconut syrup. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Also, it's always packed, so make sure you plan accordingly!

Black market bakery. We happened upon this place randomly, but it was so so good. It has a fun, trendy vibe, and although seating is limited, they also have some places outside to sit if the weather is nice. We definitely recommend the scones!

La Petite Sourie. This place actually started our brunching tradition. It's a little hole in the wall in a grocery store shopping complex, but it's so yummy. It's not quite as amazing as C'est Si Bon Bakery, but it's still very authentic French. I recommend the french toast (it comes on sliced Baguettes), and then grabbing a box of macarons on your way out. 

Now go use that $15 to Google Express, get your Saturdays bag, and start brunching!




*Applies only to 1st purchase (even if it's less than the coupon value). Valid until 07/31/2016 while your account's active. Alcohol, gift cards, membership costs and shipping & service fees excluded. For complete terms and conditions, see g.co/express/trial.

thank you to Google Express for sponsoring this post || photos by rad and happy

As a new mom, keeping up with some of my old routines and rituals has never been quite as important. Some might think that I'd say the opposite, that "there's no time anymore," but I've quickly learned that it's crucial to make the time. Everyone has their own parenting style and what works for some families, might not work for others. For me, taking out the time to do the things that make me feel good, make me a better wife, a better mother and an overall happier person.

These days, Nate has been going down to sleep at 7:30-8PM and sleeping in 6-7 hour stretches. I'll usually take that opportunity, at least once a week, to do my at-home, pampering beauty routine. It always involves the following: a hair treatment and deep conditioning mask, a face mask and some serious dry brushing followed by a luxurious body oil. One of my guilty pleasures has always been getting professional mani/pedis, so that's usually reserved for another time.

Below is the breakdown of what I do and my favorite products for each:

 HAIR

For those of you who've been following me for a long time, you might remember that my hair used to be crazy blonde. It was a phase in my twenties and while it started out as something I was into, as the years went on, it got a little out of hand. Basically, it was a blonde base with blonde highlights and what they call a "double process blonde" in the hair world. I woke up one day (probably as a much smarter thirty year old) and decided that it was time to start from scratch. It took me over a year and a half to grow it out. It got to a point where not only was the color not flattering, but it also got severely  damaged. I'm telling you, blonderexia is a real thing. During the grow out process, I needed some additional help along the way and the Nexxus New York Salon Care Emergencee Line was one of the main things that I relied on. First and foremost, the main key player was, and continues to be, the Reconstructing Treatment, a high concentration of proteins collagen and elastic and THE BEST at repairing damaged hair. After this treatment, I shampoo out and finish off with their hair masque. I was lucky enough to go into the Nexxus Salon last week and pick up the masque  exclusively used at the salon and take it home for personal use. For the masque, some evenings I leave on for thirty minutes and then on some days, I sleep in it. This combination has whipped my hair back into shape and made it healthier than it's been in a long time.

My routine is as follows:

1. Nexxus Emergencee Rebalancing Shampoo 

2. Rinse and apply Nexxus Emergencee Pre Reconstructing Treatment.

3. Rinse out with shampoo.

4. Apply Nexxus Restoring Conditioner. If you want to take it a step further, ring hair out and apply the mask. Leave on for as long as you want. Too much moisture can never be a bad thing! I like to take it even one step further and put on a plastic shower cap and use a little heat to really penetrate the mask in. Or sometimes, I'll throw my hair in a braid and go about my day or night.

BODY

In the past, I've written about the amazing benefits of dry brushing and it's something I'll continue to do for the rest of my life. Admittedly, I don't do it every single day like I should be, but on the days that I do my full beauty routine, I make sure to really incorporate it in. There's nothing else that leaves you feeling quite as invigorated and any product that you use after, will just melt right in. I like to follow it up with a luxurious body oil.  If you have yet to give dry brushing a go, start now! Your skin will thank you.

FACE

No beauty routine is complete without some TLC for the face. I'm all about killing a few birds with one stone, so while the hair treatment is working its magic, I simultaneously do something for the face. I like to switch up what I use, depending on what my face needs that day. Sometimes it's a dose of moisture, sometimes it's intense exfoliation and on some days, it's a combination of both.

My current routine is as follows:

1. Wash face with cleanser of choice and a cleansing cloth. Remember, if you're wearing makeup or sunblock, do a double cleanse. Personally, I stay away from foaming cleansers and prefer something with a creamier consistency like Kate Somerville's Goat Milk Cleanser.
2. Prep face with an exfoliating toner. This really helps whatever you use after, to really do it's thing. I love Biologique Recherche P50 before using any mask.
3. Use your mask of choice. This time around, I used Dr. Hauschka Moisturizing Mask.

And there you have my routine.  Anytime I complete a version of the above, I feel like a new person!

This post is sponsored by Nexxus, a product of Unilever

The post At Home Beauty Routine appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

Another week! Here are some of the things I've been wearing this week. Make sure you're following along on Instagram (@merricksart) to see even more content!

TOP  ||  SIMILAR SKIRT HERE and HERE  ||  SIMILAR HEELS 

Sunday style with floral and crisp white. This top has become one of my summer go-to's. It's the perfect lightweight piece that can be dressed up or down!

SHIRT  ||  JEANS  ||  SIMILAR SNEAKERS

This is one of my favorite tops and such a versatile piece. It's insanely soft, and the perfect neutral gray that goes with everything. I dressed it down with striped espadrilles and distressed denim. 

SANDALS  ||  HAT  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES  ||  TRAVEL HAIR TOOL KIT (on sale with code MERRICK79)

With all the traveling we do, having hair tools that are easy to carry around is so nice -- they always take up so much of my bag! Nume is my very favorite place to get my hair tools, and their new travel kit comes with a small blowdryer (but still super powerful), a mini straightener, and a 25mm wand (the size I use) that splits so it's nice and small. It's on sale through June 22 with code MERRICK79!

SIMILAR TOP  ||  JEANS  ||  ESPADRILLES

All white with a pop of stripes for our family church dance last night. The kids had such a blast dancing the night away and we were dying laughing watching them bust their moves. 

ROMPER  ||  SIMILAR SWIMSUIT  ||  HAT  ||  SUNGLASSES  ||  SANDALS (get 20% off with code Merrick20!)

We spent the weekend at the beach last week and this romper was perfect. It's so soft and comfortable, and I love the low cut arm holes so you get a peek of my swimsuit underneath. Also the pom pom trim is the cutest!

MY ROMPER  ||  SIMILAR SWIMSUIT  ||  SIMILAR TOWEL  ||  SAN'S ROMPER

And another look at my beach outfit and the cutest little beach babe. 

Happy weekend!

OUTFIT DETAILS:  TOP MADE BY ME (inspired by this top that's currently on sale!)  ||  JEANS  ||  SANDALS  ||  BAG (on sale for only $100!)

I'm not typically a fan of bell sleeves, but when I saw this top I instantly fell in love.

The shorter bell sleeve makes it more modern and less seventies to me, and of course I can't resist anything with stripes.

I was at the fabric store last week and when I saw this striped fabric I knew I had to make this top. It's a really simple project, but the sleeves give it some drama that makes it look more impressive and also super chic.



ALSO -- our online video sewing course is for sale right now for 25% off if you want to learn how to sew! It teaches how to make every one of the tutorials I've made for this blog. 

Click READ MORE below to find the full tutorial!

READ MORE

Necklace worn as bracelet: Buccellati Opera Collection (borrowed) | Ring: Buccellati (borrowed) | Blazer: Theory| Denim: Levi's (also available here) | Tee: Vince | Shoes: Alaia  | Handbag: Salvatore Ferragamo (borrowed)

Last week, I attended the most beautiful lunch to celebrate the new Buccellati Opera Color collection. I wore the necklace with a white button down shirt and with this outfit, I delicately wrapped it around my wrist, wanting to wear it a little differently. Wanting to balance out the look, I paired it with a pair of distressed, high waisted jeans, an oversized blazer and some heels.

Hope everyone has a great week!

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Buccellati appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

OUTFIT DETAILS:  MY ROMPER   ||  SANDALS  c/o CROCS  ||  SIMILAR SWIMSUIT 

PHILIP'S SWIMSUIT  ||  JACKET  ||  SANDALS c/o CROCS

B'S SWIMSUIT  ||  TEE  ||  SANDALS c/o CROCS

FOS' SWIMSUIT  ||  TANK ||  SANDALS c/o CROCS

SAN'S ROMPER

HAT  ||  SIMILAR TOWEL  ||  SIMILAR BEACH CHAIRS  ||  STROLLER  ||  CARSEAT

Growing up I never really appreciated any holidays besides my birthday and Christmas...obviously cause those were the holidays that I got presents. But the older I get, I've realized that my life is happier when I find any and every reason to celebrate. It just makes my life feel happy and more special.

So for Father's Day this year, since we love celebrating the most important guy in our lives, we decided on a beach day, and teamed up with Crocs to take us down there. I take the boys to the beach a lot by myself during the week, but we haven't found time to go as an entire family very much lately -- in fact, I think we'd only gone one time so far this year. The boys love it when we take Dad because he builds sandcastles with them, chases them down in the water, and runs around with them. Way more fun than me...

Since we live only a mile from the water, we love piling up the kids in the stroller and walking down to the beach as a family. We let the boys bring their scooters, or we throw them all in the stroller, and it gives Philip and me a good long stretch to just talk as we walk. It's important for me to have shoes that are comfortable enough to walk a couple of miles in, but also work for the beach, and these jelly sandals from Crocs are perfect for both. I remember having jelly sandals when I was little and they were so cool, but also not very comfortable -- the plastic was stiff and they rubbed my feet as I walked. But these are so incredibly soft and flexible, and are probably the most comfortable sandals I own. Crocs also sent Philip and the boys each a pair of sandals, and I cracked up when they all put them on individually and each said, "whoa, these are SO comfortable."

Crocs has always been known for their super comfortable shoes, but their classic clogs have never been my style. So I was super excited when they came out with a whole new line of updated styles that are really cute but also insanely comfortable. I love these jelly flats, but I'm also obsessed with the pair of wedges from their summer line I've been wearing non-stop for the last few weeks.

I never thought we'd be a Crocs wearing family, but with a line this cute, and shoes this comfortable, we're all over that. You have to check out all their new shoes right here, grab some for your dad or husband for Father's Day, and then leave a comment telling me what adventures you're going to have to celebrate those dudes in your life!

Thank you to Crocs for partnering on this post  ||  photos by rad and happy