I hope you are had a fulfilling and successful week and are ready for the weekend, I know I am! This week has been different as I am slowly getting back into a new routine after a busy summer and past few weeks. I am still soaking up the warm weather while finding a new normal.
Endings summer with all the fun activities, like baseball games
Hereās a look at some of my favorite things from this past week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites!
Emily in Paris– Although, it made its return to Netflix a few weeks ago, I have been so busy, I just got around to watching Emily in Paris. Season Four began with five episodes, each about 30 minutes each. You can binge them all at once or spread them out like I did to make them last longer. The fashion, storylines and drama was upped this season and it didnāt disappoint. Emily had some incredible outfits this season and after traveling to Italy myself this year, this season has me itching to go to Paris, France next.
This season was so good!
It Ends with Us– I have talked about this book and movie a few times and I finally went to see it. One of my best friend’s and I both read the book and we decided to make it a girls date and see the movie, It Ends with Us. There were definitely some changes between the book and movie, but Iām glad I read and saw them both. I think the casting was well done and it was cool to see the characters come to life on the big screen. If you read or saw it, what did you think of it?
Simplified Launch– This past week was the fall launch for Simplified. They unveiled their collection back in the spring, but because I buy the yearly planner, I donāt purchase mine until the fall. I couldnāt wait to place my order for the upcoming year. I decided to go with the 2025 Weekly Planner in Blush Block. The story behind the planner resonated with me as did the pattern. I canāt wait until the new year to start using it.
My planner pick
Touchless Hand Sanitizer– I got this as a gift from a friend and it came in super handy on our trip. Between different modes of transportation, the heat and sweat, I was constantly using hand sanitizer and so was my family. Everyone asked to borrow it through the trip. I loved how compact it was, itās slim, so it can be put in a clutch or purse. The scent was a melon/lemon scent which was so refreshing, but not too over powering.
Wicked Little Letters– I watched the movie, Wicked Little Letters after it kept coming up on my recommendations on Netflix. Itās all about a woman who receives nasty and vulgar letters from someone. Everyone suspects itās a former friend of the recipient of the letters and she gets put in jail for writing the letters. That is, until they question if someone else is behind the letters. This was a cute, British movie with many well-known British actors and actresses and it was a fun watch, but I must warn you the language made it R rated, just as a heads up.
Thatās a look into what Iāve been loving this past week! Lots of beauty samples and some entertainment. If you are planning one last summer hurrah, consider giving one of these a try! Have a wonderful weekend!!! See you back here on Wednesday!
I can’t believe August has come to an end. School is back in session and fall will be here before we know it. I typically save the last Wednesday of the month for my Currently post, but that will be pushed back a week, so I can shared part two of my trip to Italy.
At the beginning of the month, my family and I embarked on our first big international trip and went to Italy. I shared part one last week and you can read about it here.
Today is all about part two. We left off with our day trip to Venice.
Day Six was a calmer day after a day of travel. My brother and I started the day with a run which was such a good way to start the day.
We then got breakfast at the hotel and packed up our things for the next hotel. After breakfast we did some more sightseeing.
I’ll be missing these Italian breakfasts
We started the day at St. Mary Major, one of my favorite churches from the last time I visited.
I loved the architecture and the fact we could walk there.
The gorgeous church
After look at the church, we took an Uber to the Keyhole where you can get a unique perspective of the city.
A unique view of Rome
It was also near where I stayed when I came in college. We got to see some of the churches near Saint Anselmo and saw some incredible views of the city too.
After spending some time in a quieter part of Rome, we made our way back to the city to see the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
We then walked flights of stairs and took an elevator to see some incredible views of the city.
An overview of the city
More views
And even more views
After, snapping some photos, we made our way to the Pantheon.
Then made our way to the Piazza Novena for lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant where I got a delicious chicken and hummus wrap.
At this point, we switched hotels for our trip, we stayed in Rome but moved to a quieter part of town.
Our new neighborhood
The hotel was gorgeous and the best part was the pool which was much needed after several days in scorching temperatures!
We relaxed and cooled off by the pool and then got cleaned up for dinner.
We walked to a steakhouse nearby. We split some appetizers and I enjoyed their fresh salad and meatballs and tiramisu for dessert. It was so nice to walk back after dinner.
We then called it a night since we had a big day planned. Day Seven started early as we had to catch a 6:00 train to Naples.
Early morning views
With breakfast
Arriving in Naples
Once we arrived, we took a 7:30 ferry to Capri for the day!
Our ferry
We arrived at 9:30 just in time for our 10:00 boat tour of the island.
First sights of Capri.
A lot of early morning travel but it was so worth it.
This was one of my favorite days of the trip! Capri was packed with lots of tourists.
Our boat driver told us over 20,000 people visit every day! The island is very small but thereās so much to see. We spent four hours on the boat and got to see the whole island. We got to go swimming twice, once near some cliffs and then in some caverns. It was such a cool experience. It was so hot out that the water felt so refreshing and it was so clear too. This was an experience Iāll never forget.
After our boat ride, we did some shopping and eating.
We got their traditional lemon sorbet, which was lemon sorbet in a lemon, it was so refreshing in the heat.
The delicious dessertsLemon sorbetStreet signsSo many vendors
After some more window shopping, we made our way back for a 4:30 ferry back to Naples.
Gorgeous views
We had to catch a 6:30 train to Rome. We enjoyed some snacks on the train and before we knew it, we were back in Rome.
It was a long day full of travel, but so worth it! It was one of my favorite days of the trip.
Pictures don’t do it justice
Simply stunning
Day Eight had a slower start due to how busy the previous day was. I started the day with a walk and then we went to church at an American church near the Vatican.
After mass, we went to to do some shopping and went to get our items blessed and listen to the Pope give his weekly address.
Seeing the Pope again
It was so cool to see Pope Francis twice in one week alongside thousands of other people.
After spending time at the Vatican, we went to the Jewish Ghetto for lunch and to see the spot was Julius Cesar was killed.
We split lots of snacks for lunch and I got a Chicken Caesar salad too.
Lunch
And lots of snacks!
I also indulged in a pistachio cannoli for a treat! It hit the spot.
After looking at some of the ruins, we made our way to the Olympic stadium which was so cool to see in person even if it had been decades since they were last played there.
My mom and I did some window shopping at a few high end stores and got one last gelato to cool off.
I went for snickers in a cone, the perfect afternoon treat.
We went back to the hotel and cooled off in the pool and then got ready for one last Italian dinner.
We walked to a spot nearby where I order bucatini and tiramisu for dessert, they did not disappoint! We walked back to our hotel and enjoyed the beauty that Rome had to offer at night.
Our final day started with a a walk in a nearby park followed by breakfast and getting to the airport to head back home.
One last walk in Rome
One last breakfast
The ride home was long but books and movies kept me entertained and then we were back home and back to reality.
Back to the states
I had such an incredible trip to Italy with my family. As we endured 100 degree days and consumed lots of water, and walked dozens of miles, we enjoyed delicious food, rich history and made an abundance of memories.
Itās truly time I would not trade for anything. We are all getting older and continue to go in different directions, which made this trip extra special.
Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a great week and are excited to do something fun as we start to say goodbye to summer! This has been such a fulfilling summer filled with checking off bucket list items, continuing summer traditions, and new adventures. Iām not ready to say goodbye to summer, but all good things must come to an end.
I’ve been capitalizing on lots of walks over the past few weeks.
As we get ready for the weekend, Iām linking up with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites! Hereās a list of things Iāve been loving!
Yoga– Iāve tried yoga a few times over the past month. I am used to more high intensity workouts with strength training, lifting and cardio, so this was a change in pace for me, but Iāve enjoyed it the past few times. I did a yoga on the beach which was a slow and gentle flow yoga for beginners. Then a week later, I did a sunrise yoga which was gentle, but more intense yoga. Both lasted an hour and I felt relaxed, refreshed, and stretched out. I donāt know if Iāll be incorporating yoga into my weekly workout sessions, but it was fun to change it up for a few weeks.
Yoga to start the day
It Ends with Us– The movie, It Ends with Us starting Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is now out. I havenāt seen it yet, but I am anxious to see it. I read the book and the sequel by Colleen Hoover and I really loved it. Iām anxious to see how the movie compares to the book. I have read some reviews, but no spoilers. I did hear that Hoover makes an appearance. Iām hoping to see it in the theaters soon! Iāll report back with a review once I see it.
New Bridgerton Scent– As we say goodbye to one season of life and say hello to another, my body lotion and sprays are changing. I got some of the new scents from the Bridgerton collection from Bath and Body Works for my birthday and Iām finally getting around to using them. I really love this scent and the design on the bottle. The scent is called Diamond of the Season and itās a subtle, vanilla scent with some hints of floral. The perfect smell to use when at the end of summer and start of fall!
Packing Cubes-Iām officially on the packing cube train. I have read about packing cubes for years from Mix and Match Mama and before my family trip, I purchased a set for my mom and I to share and they were a huge help. I used two cubes and they fit nine days worth of clothes tight and compact. On the way home, I used one for clean and one for dirty clothes. They gave me so much more space in my carry-on. I would definitely recommend getting them if you are a big traveler. I would even consider using them if you are using a tote bag if you donāt plan on using a suitcase to keep everything organized and neat. I know I will be using them for future travels. I got mine off Amazon!
Satin Lips Scrub and Balm– Iāve mentioned this numerous times, but whenever I go on vacation or go away, I always like to try new beauty samples to see if I want to invest in them. When I went on my trip, I tried Mary Kayās Satin Lips Scrub and Balm. I used the scrub every night after I washed my face and used them balm through the day. The scrub felt good after a day of lip balm and glass. I found myself having to reapply the balm a lot through the day, but that also could have been due to the heat and drinking lots of water. I will definitely be using the samples on my next trip, but I think I will be sticking to my Sara Happ Lip scrub and balm at home every night.
Thatās a look into some of my favorite things from this past week! What are some things that have caught your eye this past week? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!
Hello All! Happy Wednesday! Life is back to normal after a few weeks of travel, getting back to work and people heading back to school. Although, we are back into a routine, I’m still looking forward to soaking up these last few weeks of summer and making them count. A few weeks ago, my family and I took our first international trip to Rome, Italy. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and we had the best time.
I kept a journal of my time away and I’m sharing part one with you today! Let’s dive right in!
Ciao Roma!
I have made my way to Rome, Italy. This time, with my family!! I have been to Rome twice before, once in high school and once in college with trips and I was so excited to show my family this beautiful place. You can read about my trip in college in two parts, part one is here and part two is here.Ā
Our first day was a travel day. We flew from Pittsburgh to Boston and then Boston to Rome. We had smooth flights and no delays-major win!
I finished a book, watched a movie, slept and just about 24 hour after we left our home-we were in Rome!
Our first day began bright and early. We landed around 8:00 and then made our way to our hotel. We dropped off our bags and then headed straight to the Vatican.
First signs in Rome
We enjoyed Sunday Mass inside Saint Peterās Cathedral and then got to see the Pope as he addressed the crowd.
It was so cool to start our trip in Rome with Pope Francis on Sunday.
Pope Francis addressing the crowd.
The Vatican on Sunday
It was hot and humid and being in crowds of thousands didnāt help. The heat and sun was the only minor downside to the trip, it made things just a tad uncomfortable when you are walking miles every day.
The beautiful Rome
After wandering around and exploring St. Peterās Square we got lunch at a nearby spot. I got prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella and some pizza! It was a delicious first meal in Italy.
We then got an Uber back to our hotel and got checked in and settled. After seeing the area where our hotel was located, we went to a spot a few blocks away for dinner and gelato.
The view from our hotel
I enjoyed some Cacio e Pepe pasta, which is basically a buttered pasta.
We then stopped for gelato on the way back. My choice was tiramisu.
We called it an early night after a long day of travel!
Day Two began a bit slower, one of the things I wanted to do in Rome was go for a run in the city. I really wanted to see the Eternal City from a different perspective. My brother and I ran for about three miles around our hotel and through the city. It was cool to see the city before it woke up and before it got too hot. The humidity was real even as the sun was rising.Ā
Early morning run views
We got ready for the day and went down for breakfast which was a huge spread. There was yogurt and toppings, fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage, sandwiches, cereal and so many pastries. I tried to enjoy something different every day.
Our first day consisted of a hop on and off bus tour of major sites like The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, The Circus Maximus, and several churches.
We did the whole tour and then chose to hop off back at our hotel to cool off after being outside in the sun, in almost 100 degree weather, for the morning.
We went through lots of water on this trip. We browsed a few stores on the way back including a grocery store.
This was such a cool thing to experience just to compare what food and brands they have.
McDonaldās was also very popular in Rome. We saw one on almost every corner, but that was the only fast food spot we saw, minus a Burger King in Venice and a KFC in Rome. We stopped for drinks during the day in McDonaldās and it was also fun to compare the menu and food from U.S. to Europe.
After cooling off at our hotel, we made our way back to the bus and chose to look at a few spots for a more extensive look. We hopped off at the Colosseum and did a tour inside alongside the Palentine Hill and the Roman Forum.
It was fascinating to see the ruins in modern times. After spending the afternoon at the ruins, we made our way back to the hotel and cleaned up for a night out.
We had tickets to an Italian Opera. It was in a small church with two soloists and a pianist. It was a 45 minute concert where they played well-known songs including Vivaldi and Puccini. It was my first Italian Opera and was such a cool experience. I really liked the intimate setting of the church too.
After the show, we walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner. I enjoyed some Caprese Salad, Eggplant Parmesan and the some lasagna too. I indulged in chocolate cake for dessert and homemade ice cream. Yum! We made our way back to the hotel and got some much needed rest.
Day Three began with another big breakfast and then it was off to the Vatican for an early tour.
Ready for Day two!
Our breakfast spread
We had a great tour guide who was very informative about all things St. Peterās Basilica and the Vatican.
We got to see the museum, some the gardens, and of course the Sistine Chapel! The vibrant colors were incredible. I learned so much about Michelangelo and his background.
We then went around the Basilica which was under partial renovations, but still incredible to see. We looked at the statues and got to listen to daily mass as well. I really enjoyed going to Confession in the Vatican.
We got to tour the crypt where several popes are buried including Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II. We did some shopping in the gift shop and got our items blessed.
Due to the heat, we drank a lot of water and we took advantage of these filling stations found throughout the cities and museums to refill our bottles. We made our way back to the Hop On and Off bus and headed back to the hotel and got some lunch. One of the biggest things I noticed about the food was smaller portions and lack of vegetables. Obviously pizza and pasta were the main menu items, which were delicious, but there wasnāt a whole lot of salads or meats. That being said, when I saw a tuna salad on the menu, I was intrigued to try it. It was so good and fresh. We also got lots of different appetizers with our meals that we all got to try. This meal we enjoyed calamari and fried mozzarella and bruschetta.
Everything was filled with so much flavor! We did some walking around and went back to the hotel to freshen up before doing a nighttime bus tour of the landmarks. We grabbed dessert at the hotel before calling it a night.
Day Four was our first day trip of our adventure! My brother and I got up early and went for a run where we passed more landmarks including the Trevi Fountain, these views were a bit better compared to my views at home.
We got breakfast and then made our way to the train station for a day in Florence. After a mixup with the train, we were on our way! It was about an hour and a half long trip.
Florence was much quieter compared to Rome, but still very hot. My family and I joked around that this trip could have been sponsored by all the bottles of water we went through. It was very humid, sunny, and water wasnāt the first drink of choice in more of the restaurants.
Once we arrived in Florence, we got the lay of the land and made our way to the Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore.
You didnāt need tickets but you did have to wait in line. We waited about 35 minutes to get inside and it was worth it. Although, there wasnāt a lot of artwork on the inside, the dome was stunning.
We got to see the crypt as well. I loved looking around the building at the colors and architecture of the church. Simply stunning and mammoth!
After touring the church, we grabbed lunch. I enjoyed a chicken salad and an Aperol Spritz and some pizza too!
We browsed some leather stores and got gelato. I got chocolate in a cone this time.
So many flavors
Gelato on a cone was to die for!
We then made our way to the Academia Galleria, where we got to see Michaelangeloās Statue of David. We had a tour guide who offered so much knowledge about Michelangelo and artwork. It was very informative.
The Statue of David
We walked a bit more around Florence and saw a soccer stadium for one of their professional teams and made our way back to the train station to head back to Rome.
Boarding our train.
It was beautiful to see the countryside of Italy going back. We got back fairly late and headed to bed because we had an early day on Thursday.
Day Five was Thursday and we had a really early start to head to Venice for the day! We got to the train station around 6:15, luckily, it was only a block away from our hotel which made transportation very easy for our day trips.
Snacks on the train to Venice.
The trip to Venice was about four hours and we were served snacks on the trip. It was also beautiful to see the countryside heading to Venice. The view we saw when we came off the train was stunning. The water was right when you left the train station.
When we arrived we got lunch after browsing through some of the stores.
I enjoyed a Venice salad for lunch which included lots of fresh veggies, buffalo mozzarella, black olives and even a hot dog which was unique.
After lunch, we took a Gondola ride which was my favorite part of the day. It was so cool to see the city from that perspective and to see everyone get around by water.
There were water taxis and water buses and so many gondolas. The temperature was also cooler being by the water. It was so picturesque to float around the rivers.
Our ride lasted about 30 minutes and then we decided to take a water taxi to another part of Venice for a tour of St. Markās Square and Dogeās Palace.
Before our tour, we did some souvenir shopping and browsing into all the little stores and shops.
The book stores were some of my favorite spots
One of the things that I really enjoyed about Venice was seeing all the little hotels, everything seemed so intimate and quaint! I loved it!
There were so many details, but the view from the top was my favorite!
The water was so blue and the city was really showing off.
Our tour lasted just over two hours. The church was beautiful and I learned so much about the Byzantine artwork and design.
We then toured the palace which I learned was used for lots of government business.
We got to see and learn about the court rooms, where the senators and judges worked and even where they held prisoners.
It was a fascinating tour and I learned so much about the republic in Venice.
After our tour, we boarded a water taxi and went back to the train station to head to Rome.
We picked up some sandwiches to eat on the train back. We arrived in Rome late at night. Another common theme of the trip, long and packed full days, but so worth it!
That wraps up part one of my trip to Italy. There’s still a lot more adventures in store. I’ll be sharing part two next Wednesday, so be sure to check back. I’ll see you back here on Friday for another round-up of Friday Favorites!
Hello everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week. These past few weeks, especially this one, have been a bit of a whirlwind, between getting back from time away with my family, returning to work and getting my life acclimated once again. Needless to say, I am ready to get my life back in order and in a new routine.
One of my goals for this month was to run new places and this was the first spot I chose, by the water! It was beautiful!
As we get ready for the weekend which will be filled with fun, I am sharing some favorites this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!
New Candle Scent- I was looking for a new candle scent for the month of August and settled on Iridescent Glow. Itās by far the most subtle candle scent Iāve had in a long time. It is very subdue and not powerful. For lack of a better description, itās a clean scent thatās not too perfumey or florally. I am using this scent as a good palate cleanser of scents as we transition from summery scents to fall scents.
Wick Trimmer- Speaking of candles, this wick trimmer is a great tool for candles, especially if you are a big candle user. I typically burn a candle in my room every day as I get ready and I have found that by using this wick trimmer it makes my candles burn longer. I got it on Amazon and it has been a great investment. Definitely worth it if you are a big candle user. It would also make a great gift to give someone with a candle as a housewarming gift.
Shower Steamers– If you are looking for a way to heighten your shower experience, I may have just the thing for you. I got these shower steamers from Bath and Body Works for my birthday and have used them a handful of times in the shower. The scent is lavendar and vanilla. Some may prefer a bath to a shower, but these are a great and fast way to relax while washing up. The scent isnāt too overpowering and whether you use them in the morning or at night, Iām sure you will feel relaxed when you are done.
Blueberry Lemonade Dark Chocolate Bar– I am a sucker for trying new things on display at grocery stores. I talked about a peanut butter trail mix last week in my Friday Favorites and this week I am sharing a new candy bar. The flavor is unique, but itās so good. I picked it up from Giant Eagle and it has been a tasty treat to indulge in at the end of the day. Itās mostly dark chocolate with a hint of lemon and blueberry, unique, but so tasty.
Homemade Chocolate Croissants– We were big fans of the Olympics this year and that included watching the Opening Ceremonies and many events. My mom and I made homemade chocolate croissants. They were super easy to make and tasted delicious! We purchased mini croissants from the grocery store and sliced them and put mini Hershey bars inside, we cooked them for about 10 minutes and took them out and then drizzled melted chocolate on top. After letting them cool, we all thoroughly enjoyed them. These were such an easy and sweet treat to enjoy. I will definitely be making them again for breakfasts, desserts and coffee. Yum!
Todayās post was definitely more of a home goods/sweet treats post, but you never know what you are going to get when it comes to Friday Favorites! I hope you had a great week and have something fun planned for this weekend. Happy Friday!
I hope you are having a great week so far as we say hello to August as we are embracing the second full week of the eighth month of the year! I just got back from being on vacation with my family, but still wanted to share what’s going up with my world as I link up withĀ ShayĀ andĀ Erika.
I will have a full recap of my trip in a few weeks, but until then, I enjoyed some much needed time exploring and unplugging.
As we make our way through the year, it’s time for another Let’s Look.
Here’s some of the topics we have covered so far this year.
This has been such a fun way to share tidbits of my life and learn from others too.
This month’s topic is showing off our pantry and some of our staples.
Here’s a look at my pantry set up. The top shelf is snacks and chips, the second shelf is canned goods (soups, rice, sauces etc.), the third shelf is breads, cereal, and crackers and the bottom shelf is pasta and oils and condiments.
We like to keep our pantry pretty stocked with essentials not just for snacks, but meals too.
We always have some sort of cracker, cereal, bread, popcorn, and pasta. These are easy for meals and snacks. We change up the brands, but you can always find these in the pantry.
Our cereal set-up.
We keep the essentials for cooking and baking well stocked, like oils and back up condiments.
As far as meal staples go, cans of tuna, soup, and rice are always stocked. We will do soup and sandwich for an easy weeknight meal. Plus, we always make sure to have ingredients for spaghetti. My mom makes delicious homemade sauce, so she always has the ingredients needed to whip up this family favorite meal.
Some of our canned goods and condiments.
Now, that we have the savory and meals covered, we have to have something sweet. Brownie or cake mixes always live in the pantry for a quick and easy dessert for entertaining or a late-night treat. I talked about the importance of having these on hand in my entertainment post a few weeks back.
As far as my favorite snacks go. I always like to keep something sweet and salty for snacks for work. These are typically a mix of pretzels, nuts, goldfish etc. I also love something sweet like cookies, trail mix, or granola bars. These are great for grab and go.
Other items vary in our pantry from season to season, but these tried and true staples can always be found on the shelves.
I am always looking for new snacks for grab and go, and if they are healthy too-that’s a bonus! Tell me, what are your favorite pantry staples? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy, happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week and soaking up the remaining days and weeks of summertime! August has been busy so far, but Iām doing my best to really be present in the summer moments since I know they are fleeting. I am still on vacation with my family, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging without a post for today.
summer has been so sweet, which has included lots of time outside!
Hereās a few things I have been loving over the past few weeks as I link up as always with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites!
Trail Mix– Fun, seasonal mixes and foods are my weaknesses especially when I see them on display at stores. I picked up this trail mix recently from Giant Eagle. It was a sweet, salty, chocolate and peanut butter all mixed together, how could I resist?! Although, not the healthiest, it was certainly tasty. I have been enjoying it with my lunch when I am craving something sweet, yum!
Travel Toiletries– You may recall my post from a few days ago as I talked all about my day trip in Montreal. It was such a fun whirlwind trip, but I got very little sleep. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is try different beauty products and samples. I tried some travel toiletries while I was away including a Jet Lag face mask by Summer Fridays. I applied this after one of the overnight bus trips and was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. It was a great pick-me-up for my face and skin and I felt refreshed. I also tried a few other makeup towelettes to remove oils and creams and was happy with the results too. I could definitely see myself purchasing more products like these for travel in the future.
Eye Mask– After I got back from my day trip, I spent the day getting my life back in order, including my beauty routine. I got these eye masks as a gift from a friend from Target and have been using them every once in a while, especially when I am looking to give my face a break from heavy makeup and products. I really like how they truly stick to your under eyes and they get rid of puffiness. They didnāt cause too much irritation to my skin or eyes which was a huge win since I have sensitive skin. Even though I got these as a gift, I definitely plan on purchasing them on my own in the future.
A Simple Favor– I mentioned this movie a few weeks back on my Currently post, but felt as if it deserved a spot on a Favorites post too! I really enjoyed watching A Simple Favor with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. I know itās a few years old, but Iām glad I got around to watching it. It follows the disappearance of young mom and everyone is a suspect especially when more secrets come out about her and her past. There was some funny moments, but I loved the mystery and intrigue peppered throughout the plot.
Emily in Paris Trailer– I love the Netflix series, Emily in Paris and was so excited to see the new trailer dropped for its new season. Emily has to make a big decision this season and I canāt wait to watch it all unfold. I am also looking forward to the Paris setting, drama, friendship, and of course the fashion! This show provides such an escape for me and I canāt wait to have it back. If you missed the trailer, you can watch it here.
Thatās a look into life lately and what I have been loving. Tell me, how are you soaking up the last few weeks of summer? Have a great summer Friday! I’ll be back to reality by next week!
Happy Wednesday! We are in the middle of the first full week of August. At the moment, I’m on vacation with my family, it’s a well-deserved break for all of us and we are making some quality memories together. I’ll be sharing more of my trip in the coming weeks, but until then, I have another travel post to tide you over. One that I couldn’t wait to share with you all!
Several weeks ago, my boyfriend and I took another one of our crazy day trips. My boyfriend is a great trip planner, especially ones that are affordable and unique too. We also like to do our trips in a day, even if it means being up for more than 24 hours.
Last summer, we did NYC in 13 hours, you can read about it here. We also did Toronto in a day, which you can read about here.
This summer, we did Montreal in a day! It was one of our furthest destinations, but we packed a lot in, and I fell in love with the city and the culture.
Here’s a recap of our trip.
We left in the evening and drove to Burlington, Canada where we caught a train into Toronto. The car ride was about 2.5 hours and then the train was about an hour. After making our way to Toronto, we hopped on an overnight bus into Montreal.
Arriving at the border
Arriving in the bus station the next day
We arrived bright and early before 6:00 in the downtown area, since most of the city was still asleep, we freshened up and dropped off our bags. My boyfriend discovered a gym that you can store your bags for the day, this was a huge help to us. We could still pack what we needed for our travels without having to worry about carrying them during the day.
After getting ready, we started exploring the downtown, metropolitan area and then ventured into the Old Port and historic Montreal.
This was one of my favorite parts of the day. The sun was rising, the city was quiet, and we could just take in the city.
We got breakfast at a little bakery and ate in the town square.
Between the French signs, old architecture and French being the most common language spoken there, I truly felt like I was in a different world, and I loved it.
We walked down by the pier and then made our way back to the old part of the town to tour the Notre Dame Basilica.
More views from our walk
It was a gorgeous church filled with vibrant colors and details. We went when they first opened so there were no lines.
After our tour, we made our way towards the downtown area where we climbed up Mount Royal.
A look at what we had to climb
We walked everywhere through the day, so we definitely got our steps in. The hill was daunting and climbing up flights of steps was challenging at points, but the view was worth it.
The view from the top
We could see the entire city from the top. It was breathtaking, especially in the sunshine.
After enjoying the view, we made our way to a park in Mount Royal where we rented a rowboat and enjoyed some time on the water. It was picturesque and VERY dreamy. I felt like I had my own “Notebook” worthy moment.
Such a beautiful park!
We spent some more time in the park and then made our way down the steps and hill, the walk down was much easier.
The homes were gorgeous!
We stopped for lunch at a little shop and enjoyed our food in a nearby park.
Lunch in a park
We walked back down to the water and enjoyed some more time in the city.
A look at the city from the water.
We also popped into a few shops, bought some souvenirs, and enjoyed some music in a town square too.
All the shops were so cute and quaint!
We grabbed our bags and then made our way back to the bus station where we began our journey home.
Back at the station
Here’s a look at our final stats of the day when it comes to the mileage.
There were some delays for the return trip, but that was all a part of the adventure. We got back very early in the morning and took the day to catch up on sleep and get our lives back in order.
Although there was a lot of travel involved and many different modes of transportation, it was so worth it. My boyfriend and I love exploring new places and traveling, especially on a budget. He does an incredible job at planning and truly thinks of everything. I’m not sure where our next adventure will be, but I’m sure it will be a whirlwind.
Until next time, Montreal!
Tell me: where are some of your favorite places to travel to? Bonus points if they can be done in a day! Although, I will be still away, I will have a Friday Favorites post for you! I hope you are having a great week! See you back here on Friday! Happy August!
Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week as we make our way into August. Summer is flying by way too fast and it desperately needs to slow down.
Summer nights with live music for the win!
One of my favorite things about the summer season is getting out of my routine and sometimes trying new things, which can be in the form of foods, beauty products and clothes and todayās Friday Favorites is a mix of all of those. Iāve been trying lots of new things and canāt wait to share them all with you.
Letās dive in as I link up with ErikaĀ andĀ Andrea.
New Outfit from Marshallās– I popped into Marshallās a few weeks ago to see if there were any new arrivals and there certainly was. I mostly shop at Marshallās and T.J. Maxx for work dresses and blouses and home decor, but I do get the occasional fun outfit from the stores too. I found these cute pair of black shorts from Ann Taylor and this light, linen top and paired them together for an outfit. I love the length of the shorts and the fact they are stretchy, but can be worn with a belt. I also really appreciate that the material is sturdier and almost like a dress pant, so you can dress up the shorts. The lightweight top balances out the darker and heavier shorts. I love the detailing with the flowers and the linen material. I wore this outfit together recently out of town and it was the perfect combo.
New Hydrating Chapstick– I got this new lip butter balm as a gift and have been putting it on daily. Itās by Summer Fridays and itās a gel-like balm that goes on clear, hydrates your lips and is long-lasting. I put it on first thing in the morning and it lasts several hours. It keeps my lips feeling moist and smooth all day long.Ā
Credentialed Podcast is Back– I mentioned this podcast, Credentialed a few months ago. Itās all about the news industry, building your own brand and starting over. It took a bit of a hiatus but is back with Jillian Mele as the host. She has a mix of guests and does solo episodes too. I have been really enjoying her weekly episodes about her career and building your brand. You can listen to them on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Pantene Hair Repair-I got his sample from Pantene for hair treatment and repair. Typically, on my weekends, I give my hair a little extra TLC and one of the ways is through this product. Iām still using the sample and havenāt committed to the full bottle, but I have been loving the results so far. I use a lot of products daily on my hair, so this has been a helpful tool to make sure my scalp gets a good cleaning and is refreshed for a new week. Trying beauty samples out is a great way to test a product before making the full commitment.
New Running Shorts– I was influenced by Shay Shull and Mix and Match Mama with these running shorts and purchased them on Amazon Prime Days and wore them the day I got them. They come in a variety of colors, but I personally love the hot pink. The cinching at the waist keeps things secure and they fit true to size, but my favorite part is the zipper pocket for your phone. I always take my phone with me on runs and was limited to running in leggings with pockets, but these shorts have pockets which is a game changer. I have even considered ordering them in different colors too!
Thatās a look into some favorite things this week that I am loving. Tell me: what are some of your favorite picks from this week? Let me know in the comments below!
