Loving this ice cream weather… I mean, warm weather!  Summer is here and who doesn’t crave a cold iced treat on a hot day.  My latest ice cream obsession is Steve’s Ice Cream.  Steve’s has been around since 1973 making small batch ice cream.  According to their history, they may even lay claim to being the original “add ins” ice cream shop.  In any event, this ice cream is good, really good.  With flavors like, Souther Banana Pudding, Coffee and Donuts, Salty Carmel and Mexican Chili Chocolate there is something for everyone.

I find Steve’s Ice Cream at my local Sunset Foods Grocery Store, but it can be found in other specialty grocery stores in the Chicagoland area like, Treasure Island and Anton’s.  We are very lucky as Steve’s is only available in 7 states, mostly out East.  Enjoy!

We love Edith Miller T’shirts and dresses for summer. They are super soft and light weight, the perfect little sleeve and stripes! Tons of stripes! Check out some of our favorites at Twenty Thirty Four. 

We are in love with these darling totes, clutches and other accessories by Mar Y Sol. I adore the colors and the flowers and the pom poms! Love the pom poms! I’m not really a hat person but the multicolor crochet scrunchy, messy sun/cowboy hat thing is super groovy. Love it!  There are so many fabulous colors to choose from you have to check out the website for the entire line. Learn about the inspiring story behind how the business was started here. It will make you love the line even more.

Here are some of our favs…

Harry’s was created on the premise that every Man deserves a good shave at a fair price –and they deliver!  The Truman Set (love the name!) will cost you  $15 and comes with a zinc alloy handle, three blades, and a tube of shaving cream.   The brain child of Andy Katz Mayfield and Jeff Raider, the later of the eyewear company, Warby Parker (another MSM favorite), this company does not overlook any detail from the packaging to the razors (which are designed by german engineers), to the fact that for every package of blades purchased, one is donated.   With Father’s Day around the corner, we think that this is a great idea for the favorite dad in your life!

We love Calypso for summer! Super soft and sexy dresses and blouses and anything you can think of for the beach and summer time parties. Some of the long dressses I think are even appropriate for summer formal events. Love the bathing suits and accessories too. Super fun jewelry at great prices. So happy warm weather is finally here so we can start browsing Calypso’s newest line – here are some of our favorites.

I finally got my kids in to see a local dentist and orthodontist a few months ago – we had been traveling 30 minutes to see our old dentist (actually, my husband’s from when he was a kid). I am SO glad that I made the switch!

Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry makes even filling cavaties and wire tightening a pleasant expereince. Truly. Everything about the place is just about as happy and cheery as you can get. From the minute you walk in and are greeted by the most adorable girls at the desk (all with matching, brightly colored t’shirts – it’s like the J.Crew of dentist offices), to the bazillion flat screen TV’s all over the place playing the most up to date kids movie (literally I think there are TV’s on every wall and above each chair), to the freshly painted scenes of rain forests, pirate ships and butterflies in everyroom, this place is doing everything it can to make scraping, drilling and wiring a happy time.

In addition to the cheerful aesthetics, the staff is thorough, professional and efficiant. All information is totally modern (literally I got a CD with 3D computerized, moving images of my daughters teeth – crazy!) and on two occastions I had doctors calling me at home to check on my kids after receiving braces or fillings. That’s reassuring.

If you haven’t chosen a dentist or orthodontist please check out Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. Now is a good time too because they are giving complimentary orthodontic evaluation which includes panoramic x-rays and digital photos. That’s a great deal!

840 South Waukegan Road – Lake Forest – 847.615. KIDS – www.forestorthopedo.com

No more blah Summer Sandals… Color is blooming everywhere.   Be a part of it by sporting any of these beauties on your feet!  From flats to heels, there is something for every foot and style.  Keep your feet happy this summer!

If you love Muffins, and you are looking for a healthier version, than you have to try these!  They are moist despite the fact that they do not contain any butter or oil.  These are perfect for breakfast or for a snack mid-day.  Dads, these would be perfect to make with the kids and to serve to mom in bed on Mother’s Day.  The only problem that I can find with these muffins is that it is hard to stop at just one!  Recipe is below.  Enjoy!

Recipe:

• 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Ground Flaxseed/flaxseed Meal
• 1 cup Regular Oats
• 1/2 cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Walnuts, Roughly Chopped
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 1 whole Egg
• 1 whole Banana, Peeled And Mashed With A Fork
• 1/2 cup Applesauce
• 1/4 cup Molasses
• Extra Buttermilk As Needed For Thinning

Preparation Instructions

We love these darling Wastepaper Baskets from Marye-Kelley! They will certainly spruce up any old powder room. There are so so many options. Check them out on Marye-Kelley.com.

Marye-Kelly.com has SO many darling gifts for the home – it’s a good thing they are offering 15% off all website items to MarketSquareMusings.com readers – we are sure you will fall in love with everything!

Please enter the code ” marketsquare” upon checkout. You will receive the 15% off your entire order from 5.9.13 – 5.18.13. Thank you Marye-Kelley!