Tag: friday

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #58

Happy Friday friends! We made it through the first full week of September. How was your week? Productive? Relaxing? Getting adjusted into a new routine? No matter how your week went, I hope it is ending on a high note and you have something fun planned for the weekend. If you are a football fan, then I’m sure you are gearing up for a big weekend as the NFL season officially begins! I’m hoping to catch some of the game this weekend.

As we say hello to the weekend, here’s some things that I’ve been loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites!

Cuticle Lotion– I love doing my nails and through the years, I have tried different brands and tools and colors while giving myself my own at-home manicures and pedicures. I have been using this cuticle lotion by Burt’s Bees and have really been loving it. I use a cuticle oil when I don’t have any polish on, and I have been using this lotion on my cuticles as well. Typically, I will change my nail color once a week and on the days when I don’t have any polish on, I will put on the oil in the morning and the lotion at night (or whenever I have time through the day). I like that the lotion isn’t too thick or heavy and I have found that it has strengthened my cuticles. I have used it with polish on but prefer to use it without polish. I only have been using the travel/ sample size and it’s been working well. After I finish the sample size, I will see about investing in the full size, I’ll keep you posted.

Hair Drying Bow– Another beauty product for you this week, I shower at night and try to have my hair fully or mostly dry before bed. I got this hair drying bow and I have been using almost every day. I like how it absorbs the water in my hair after I’m done washing it. There are also essential oils infused in the wrap which leaves my hair smelling good too. Plus, it doubles has a headband which holds my hair back if I’m doing things before bed like reading or watching tv. I think I got this one from Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx, but I have seen ones similar at those stores and Target and Walmart. It’s a fun beauty accessory that has a purpose.

Rice Cakes– I know I am late to the game with this snack item, but I recently discovered Rice Cakes and I have really enjoyed them as a lunch snack. They aren’t super flavorful, so I typically add a spread on top. Since I have been eating them at lunch when I am home, I have been spreading some peanut butter and my homemade strawberry jam on top. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty and low calorie too! I know people eat them for breakfast a lot or even as a snack. Since I am new to the rice cake group, tell me, if you are a fan, what do you eat them with? What’s your go-to spread and flavor? I’m open to trying everything!

An easy go-to lunch or snack!

Ear Bud Cleaning Kit– Whether you have Air Pods, Wireless headphones or even regular ear buds, a cleaning kit is a huge help. I got this ear bud cleaning kit a few months back and it has all the tools to clean out headphones, earpieces, even smart watches. There are so many different brushes, fine toothpicks, and other items to really give your headsets a good cleaning. I wear an earpiece for work every day and use some of these tools to clean them out. I have done a thorough cleaning of my Apple Watch and its band and used some of the tools as well. If you use headphones daily, I highly recommend getting a little tool kit to keep things clean. 

A must need for headphones or earbuds!

Sunday Scroll– I mentioned before how I have really been enjoying following some of my favorite bloggers and writers on Substack. It’s a writing platform that has brought me so much joy to read posts from some of my favorite people! Emily Ley recently launched a Sunday Scroll series where she shares some of her favorite books, links, articles, and favorite things. You can learn more here. It only takes a few minutes to read, but it’s been fun to learn new things and find new items. Definitely a light read/ scroll during the weekend.

This week has been a fun one with lots of fun favorites too! I hope you have a great weekend! See you back here on Wednesday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #57

Happy Friday Friends and Happy September!

Even though we are in a month associated with fall, I’m holding onto summer for as long as I can. I hope you have something fun planned for Labor Day weekend and the end of the summer season. This weekend, I plan on spending time outside, getting in some pool time and some family time too.

Soaking up summer with every last ice cream!

Before we get to the weekend, I want to share some things I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.

Becoming Free Indeed– A few months ago, I mentioned I am trying out Audible for a free trial and one of the first books I listened to was “Becoming Free Indeed” by Jinger Vuolo. I grew up watching Jinger Vuolo on 19 Kids and Counting and I have continued to follow her after the show ended. I was interested to read her book about her faith and life and decided to listen to the audiobook version to hear it read in her voice. Through the book, she mostly focuses on her faith and how her relationship with God has changed through her life. She doesn’t focus too much about her family or the drama that has surrounded them in recent years. Overall, I thought it was interesting to hear her perspective about her faith and relationship with God. 

Brown Flats– I got my first taste of fall with this purchase. I was on the hunt for some sturdy but fashionable flats and found them at DSW, they are by Kelly and Katie. I love the extra cushion and support they provide, plus the dark brown allows them to go with dress pants, skirts, and even jeans. Plus, the gold buckle is such a cute accessory. These shoes and fall fashion will make saying goodbye to summer a little less painful.

Katie Couric’s Wake Up Call Newsletter– This isn’t new, but this is something I use every day and wanted to share. One of the first things I do when I get up is check the top news headlines. I get them from various apps and sources, from my local news app, to USA Today, Twitter (X), and then Katie Couric’s Wakeup newsletter that gets sent into my inbox every morning. It covers national and world headlines along with some entertainment news and then some features. It takes only a few minutes to read, but it brings me up to speed every day. You can learn more and subscribe here, definitely a great source if you are looking to get a comprehensive scope of news.

A look at the newsletter

The Morning Show Season 3 Trailer- The new season of the Morning Show begins this month. I’m excited for this upcoming season especially after seeing the trailer that was released last week. It looks like this season will be filled with drama, a cyber attack, some new faces and a lot of morning news. It’s been interesting to see how the show has evolved and changed since its begun and how it brings in what’s going on in the world into the show. I’m excited for some new shows to watch!

Laundry Crystals– Call me crazy, but I love doing laundry. I always like to stay on top of laundry with six people and I’m always interested to see what things are out there to keep my clothes fresh. I have been using these Purex laundry crystals in my washer to keep my clothes fresh. I have used the Unstoppables brand in the past too and have enjoyed how they keep my clothes smelling fresh. They are just a little something extra that keeps my clothes smelling fresh after a wash.

There you have it, a look into some of my favorite and sometimes practical things that I am loving this. As we say hello to September, what things are you looking forward to this month? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #56

Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend! I can’t believe we are in back to school mode, this summer truly flew by. Two of my siblings are back in school and the last one goes back this weekend. We had such a good summer and I’m sad to see it go. But in good news, as long as the weather is nice, I can still enjoy plenty of outdoor fun, which is my plan for this weekend. Now, onto some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.

Flower Hair Clips– I am hopping on the trend of big hair clips. I got these big flower clips for my birthday and have been wearing them a lot after a long day at work or on weekends. I love the colors, how they hold all my hair and how they are  a cute fashion accessory. These have easily become a fun fashion trend and I am here for it. 

The cutest hair accessory!

80 for Brady– When I was traveling with my family for our vacation I got around to watching 80 for Brady for the first time on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it. Although, unrealistic at certain times, I loved the bond between four older women and their love for Tom Brady. You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this film. There were so many funny scenes between the main characters and great one-liners, plus a few tear jerkers too! This is a great movie to get you ready for the football season too!

Such a fun movie!

Face Scrub-Sticking with travel, I tried a new product while on vacation. I got this sugar face scrub from Tree Hut in watermelon citrus water. Besides the refreshing scent, which is perfect for summer, I really enjoyed the fact it was a scrub, I felt like my face was really getting cleaned. This would be a great product to take along for a beach trip or to use if you want to give your face a good cleaning. I’m not sure if I would use it every day, since it was a scrub as opposed to a cleanser, but it was fun to try out on vacation.

Some fun new products to try this summer!

Blueberry Muffins– My boyfriend and I went blueberry picking a few weeks ago and I used some of our blueberries to make muffins. I followed this recipe from Mix and Match Mama. I haven’t done a whole lot of baking this summer, but it was so fun to get back in the kitchen and this recipe was super easy to whip up. I even made a few with chocolate chips. These are perfect for back to school breakfasts or you can enjoy them as a post-dinner treat! My family loved them too! Yum!

The best way to use blueberries!

Better than Fiction- I have been going through books left and right, sometimes you hit a really good streak with books and that’s where I’m at now. I recently finished Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin and it combined two of my favorite hobbies, reading and hiking! This book follows the story of a young woman who inherits her grandmother’s book store. As she tries to manage this new project, enter a fan-favorite author. He’s visiting her small town for inspiration for his new book and they make a deal. She shows him around the area and he teaches her how to love books. There’s some bumps along the way, but overall, this book will leave you wanting to go on an adventure and support your favorite local bookstore!

Such a fun read, I breezed through it!

And that’s a wrap on another edition of Friday Favorites! Thanks so much for coming along for the ride this Friday and every Friday! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #55

Happy Friday everyone!

This week has been a whirlwind. I was on a family trip at the beginning of the week and then jumped right back into work for the end of the week.

Snapshots from a packed full and fun family vacation.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy, but good week. I am looking forward to getting back into my routine next week, but it’s been a good change of pace. We are slowly inching towards back-to-school season. One of my brothers made their way back to school today and the others will follow suit in the next few weeks. This summer certainly flew by, but it was quite a memorable summer. 

I hope you are doing something fun this summer Friday as I link up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. Here’s been some of my favorite things from the past week.

Barbie movie- I jumped on the bandwagon and finally saw the Barbie movie with my mom before we left for our trip. I had heard a ton of great reviews and after hearing about all the records it broke in the box office, I had to see it for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. From the fashion, to seeing the accessories and clothes come to life on the big screen and all the nods to Barbie history, this movie had it all. There were a lot of lines that really resonated with me about women, success, how far we have come and how far we still have to go. I agree with other commentators that this movie was more than just about the dolls that thousands of others and I played with growing up. I definitely recommend seeing it!

Such a fun movie!

New Lotion– It’s time for a new scent as we make our way through August. I know some people have signature perfumes and scents they always use, but I personally like to switch it up every few months based on the season and what’s out at Bath and Body Works. I just finished Gingham Gorgeous and now I have moved onto Gingham Vibrant. I tend to get the same scent for both my lotion and body spray. The best way to describe this scent would be a warmer and subtler scent. It’s not as strong and floral as Gingham Gorgeos but still fresh and noticeable. I think it will be a nice transition scent from Summer to Fall.

Nothing better than a fresh scent

Simplified Lunch Box– Did I need this next favorite? No, but am I happy that I got it? YES! I have been eyeing up Simplified’s lunch boxes at Target for several weeks and decided to finally upgrade the one I had since junior year of high school. There are three different patterns to choose from, gingham, floral, and lemon. I went with the floral since it was bright and cheery and matched a lot of my purses too. My favorite thing about this lunchbox is how spacious it is. There is a pouch on the outside for a drink (it fits my Yeti thermos), there’s also a zipper on the outside for napkins or silverware and the inside has a lot of room too. It comes with two food storage containers as well. I can easily fit a sandwich, fruit, veggies, a salad, drinks, and many small containers in the lunchbox. This has been a purchase that was well worth it.

Something new to make lunches fun!

Peaches– We are in peach season over here and I have been enjoying peaches whenever I can. I enjoy them at lunch eating them whole, I have enjoyed them for dessert with some vanilla ice cream and I have even enjoyed them as an appetizer grilled with some crackers and cheese. I can’t get enough of peaches, especially when they are sweet and fresh. I love fruit through the entire year, but there’s always something sweet about them when they are in season. I am always looking for new recipes, if you have any favorites, let me know in the comments below!

The sweetest peaches

Virgin River Trailer– The new trailer for season 5 of Virgin River dropped last week and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s set to return in two installments starting on September 7. This season looks like it will pick up right where it left off from last season. I’m excited to see how a few storylines develops and what questions get answered this season. If you are a fan of the show, what plotlines are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Whew, what a recap! It’s been a fun week of favorites! Tell me, what are you doing this weekend? Something fun, I hope! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #54

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! It has been a busy week of work and getting ready to go away with my family for a little getaway! I’m looking forward to getting away, going somewhere new and having a great adventure. Today, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites as I highlight some of my favorite things this week. This is a fun mix of things I have been loving and I hope you will too!

Harry and Meaghan New Project– As an avid fan of Harry and Meghan’s, I am always curious about what projects they are working on. They recently announced this week that they will be working with Netflix to adapt Carley Fortune’s book Meet Me at the Lake. I just finished the book last week and really enjoyed it. You can read more about it here. The book tells the story a young woman who takes over her mother’s resort on the lake. She plans on making some changes when she gets some unexpected help from someone from her past that she always wanted to forgot. I really enjoyed the story and finished it within a week. I’m excited to see how it gets turned into a movie and the fact that Harry and Meghan are behind it excites me too. There are so many books that are being made into movies over the next few years, the book nerd in me is really looking forward to it.

Seafood Boil– I have been trying my hand at some new recipes this summer. From cookies, to drinks and dinners! A few weeks back, I tried my hand at my first seafood boil and I was so pleased with how it turned out and so was my family. I have always thought these meals look delicious, from the seafood of lobster and shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes, but was always intimated to try to make it on my own. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t that hard to make. Essentially, you just boil each of items in a big pot with seasonings and let it simmer. Just be warned, it takes a while to make, so build in enough time for cooking. I got my recipe for it from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook, Just Feed Me, but you can find your own online to tailor it to your tastebuds. We had two big trays of food that fed six people with leftovers. Definitely a favorite by all and a great summer meal!

The most delicious meal!

Good Reads– As an avid reader, I decided to try out using Good Reads to track of my books. For years, I would just write down the books I have read and want to read in a notebook, but now I’m hoping a Good Reads account will help me keep things more organized. I get book recommendations from friends, blogs, even just displays at the library, so I’m hoping this will give me another avenue for book suggestions. If you have a Good Reads account, what are your favorite parts of the account? I’m looking forward to exploring it more. The hardest part so far has been adding all the books I have read so far.

A new way to track my books!

The Outlaws– I have been spending so much time outdoors and doing all the summer things that I haven’t been watching a lot of movies. I will watch a show or episode of my weekly series at night but haven’t seen a good movie in a while. Last week, I was catching up on some work and watched The Outlaws on Netflix. It tells the story of a couple getting married and at the last second the bride’s parents decide to attend the wedding. The groom is convinced they have secrets especially when his bank gets robbed, and he notices some similarities between the robbers and his future in-laws. This is a funny, action comedy that is perfect for an older family since there is some adult language and rated R. You can find it on Netflix, check it out when you are looking for your next movie to watch on a Friday night. 

Such a funny movie!

New Wall Flower Scent-After a summer of enjoying my lemonade and ice tea wall flower from Bath and Body Works, I had to get a new one. I decided to go with Gingham Gorgeous. I have been wearing this scent as both a body mist and lotion over the past few weeks and I have really found the scent to be refreshing and floral. I can’t wait to try this new scent as a wall flower and enjoy it over the next few weeks.

New scent for August!

That’s a look into life this past week. Some things I’ve enjoyed and things I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to all the family time over the next few days! Tell me: what are you looking forward to this weekend!? Happy Friday and happy weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #53

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first week of August. These past few days have been fun with activities and adventures and the fun continues tomorrow as I am running my first 5K.

Getting in all the runs before tomorrow!

I’ll be sure to share all about it in the next few weeks. I’m excited, but a little nervous too. Every week for Friday Favorites, I love sharing some of my favorite things from the week with you and this week is a heavy food week of favorites! Grab your pen and paper as we dig into this week’s Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies– I haven’t done baking in a long time simply because I have been spending so much time outdoors and because on warm days, the last place you want to be is in a hot kitchen. However last week, I was inspired to bake and wanted to try a new recipe. I found this recipe from Baked Abundance for Cinnamon Chocolate Chip cookies and I thought they were the perfect warm treat. Although they are not a traditional summer treat, I couldn’t resist trying them. Now, they didn’t turn out like the photos, they were still delicious. I love the mix of cinnamon and chocolate chip. These would be a perfect fall treat, but they would be great anytime of year. You can find the recipe here if you are looking to try them for yourself.

Fresh baked cookies are good for the soul and stomach!

Fox’ ‘Special Forces” Season 2 Cast– The season two cast for Fox’s “Special Forces” came out this week. If you remember, I watched this show last season and really liked seeing celebrities, athletes, and actors all compete in various obstacles to see if they have what it takes to be a special forces operator. I know I could not do all the different challenges that the recruits could do each day. The cast for this season looks really good. I’m excited to see if Tom Sandoval, Savannah Chrisley, Brian Austin Green and even Blac Chyna have what it takes to be a special forces operator. The new season comes out on Monday, September 25. I can’t wait!

Love and Gelato– This book was recommended to me by a friend and it was one of the cutest books I read in a long time. Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end. After reading this book, you will want to book a trip to Florence.

The sweetest summer book!

Charcuterie Boards– I have been into Charcuterie Boards all summer long. They are so easy to put together for entertaining for friends and family or they are great for a one person meal. I love seeing what’s in my fridge and using what I have to put together a meal for lunch or dinner. You can add whatever you want to your board, I typically like to include some kind of fruit, some veggies, cheeses, some meats and then nuts or crackers. These boards are also great if you have had a long day and are looking to clean out your fridge too. Here’s an example of a recent board that my boyfriend and I enjoyed. So many delicious and healthy options on one plate.

A healthy and filling meal!

Wordle– I know I am way late to the party on this one, but this summer I started playing Wordle and I’m addicted. I never got hooked on it months ago when it first came out, but this summer, I got on the Wordle train. I try to do it in the morning before the day gets away from me, but sometimes it doesn’t always happen. I like the challenge of trying to figure out each day’s word. It’s been such a fun brain game to enjoy this summer. 

My recent stats!

And that’s a wrap on today’s Friday Favorites. Lots of food, a new read and some games. This weekend will be fun between my race and then time with family. Tell me: how are you spending your weekend? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #52

Hi everyone!

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great last week of July! I don’t know about you, but I feel like the pressure is on to get everything in these last few weeks of summer before everyone goes back to school or college. This week has been a good mix of work and fun, which is always a win in my book.

We love a good beach day in the summer!

Today’s Friday Favorites is a mix of food, shows, books and some accessories too. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share some of my favorite things from this past week.

Sweet Magnolias– I know it technically came out last week, but I didn’t start watching Sweet Magnolias until this week, hence why it’s included in this week’s favs! I have missed this show and was so happy to have it back. I’ve been enjoying the storylines, the southern charm, the drama and relationships, but most importantly the friendship. This was a fun show to watch at the end of the day or put it on in the background as I’m cleaning, doing laundry or computer work too.

Stir Fry– I have been loving a classic stir fry lately for lunches. Now, you can make it from scratch with fresh veggies, rice, and a protein and meal prep it for the week ahead, but what I have been doing is using what I have already made in my fridge. Take this stir fry for example, I had leftover rice from a dinner, added some chicken from when we grilled it the night before and then shaved leftover corn from corn on the cob for the corn and added in some fresh veggies and soy sauce to complete the dish. It took me less than ten minutes to throw it together and it gave me a few healthy and filling meals. Here’s a few other food options to add to your stir fry: If you enjoy scrambled eggs or have leftover eggs from breakfast add those in, if you like seafood, add in some shrimp for a seafood stir fry or any type of meat, from steak to beef or chicken, you can really add whatever you want for a healthy and resourceful lunch.

A tasty lunch!

Running Sneakers– If you have been following along this year or summer, you may remember that I have gotten into running this year. I have been running with the same pair of sneakers for the past few years and decided since I am more serious about running, I should invest in some running sneakers. I got a pair of New Balance sneakers and have been wearing them as I run. I really like how they provide support to my ankles and feet. I’m glad I got a sneaker upgrade before my race in a few weeks.

My new go-to sneakers

Hummus– Another food favorite! I have been loving hummus this summer. I really got into it when I was on vacation in June and have been enjoying it through the summer. I love enjoying hummus with carrots, celery, peppers, even apples. A few other ways I have enjoyed hummus is with pita, some grilled chicken, even steak, if you are looking for a protein to add. This has been a tasty summer snack.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley– This is not necessarily a beach and summer read, but I really enjoyed The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Without giving too much away, it’s all about a wedding that happens on an island in Ireland. It’s told through the perspective of the different guests at the wedding, leading up to the wedding and the wedding day itself. On the wedding night, an incident happens and the book follows the events that transpires leading up to it and following it. Throughout the book you learn all the different ways the guests are connected and the secretes that lie among them. I really enjoyed the storyline and hearing the perspectives of different characters and the plot. If you like a good “who done it”, you will like this book. The last ten pages were the best!

That’s a look into things I’m loving this week, a mix of books, shows, food, and clothes. Tell me! As we say goodbye to July and hello to August, what has been some of your favorite moments of this past month? Let me know in the comments below! Enjoy your last week of July!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #51

Hey everyone! Happy Friday!  I hope you had a great week! June was super busy and I feel like July has slowed down a lot and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve spent more time over the last few weeks by the pool, reading, going for walks and not having as many things on the calendar. Don’t get me wrong, summer has been plenty busy, but it has been nice to have a few slower weeks mixed in. 

Live music in the summer, a must for summer!

Now, that I have got you all caught up on life this week, here’s some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Cotton Skort– I have been on the skort/ skirt kick this summer. On hot days, or days after work, they are so easy to throw on with a cute t-shirt. I got a cotton skort for Christmas and I couldn’t wait to wear it this summer. It looks like a skirt in the front but there are built in shorts in the back. It’s lightweight and can be dressed up or down. Definitely a summer fashion favorite for me.

Bridgerton Soundtrack- I enjoy listening to music especially when I work as background noise. I will often put on a playlist or soundtrack to have on in the background. Right now, I have been hooked on the Bridgerton soundtrack. It’s all instrumental music of modern songs. I really enjoy the series and listening the the soundtrack transports me back to the show. I also really like how it’s all instrumental, so I don’t get as distracted. If you are looking for some good background music and like Bridgerton, give it a try!

The Summer I Turned Pretty– The new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty is out on Amazon Prime. I thought this was a fun series to watch last summer, it’s all about two families who spend their summers together every year. As the children get older, romances begin to form and secrets come out. The second season has brought changes and adjustments to both families but they still come back to their summer home. Is this my favorite show? No. But is it a fun show to watch and enjoy at night? Yes!

Audible– I didn’t do any Amazon Prime shopping this year, but I did sign up for a trial offer for Audible, audiobooks through Amazon. I tried their free trial a few years back and enjoyed it, so when I saw there was another free trial offer I decided to take advantage. There’s a few books/ memoirs that I have on my to-do list and figured this would be the perfect time to listen to them. I’m currently listening to Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s book, Becoming Free Indeed. I watched the Duggar family growing up and recently watched the documentary, Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime which was eye opening. I’ve enjoyed hearing her story read by her. I’ll give it a proper review once I finish it. Stay tuned for my Audible review as well. 

My current listen

28 Summers– Speaking of books, I have read some of Elin Hilderbrand’s books and have always enjoyed them. I was recommended 28 Summers by a friend and wow, I loved this book. It’s about a man and woman who meet as young college students and agree to meet up every summer in Nantucket no matter what. Now, let me start out by saying, I don’t believe in cheating or having affairs, but I did enjoy reading about how no matter what was going on in these character’s lives, they always met up every year. I loved seeing how their relationship changed and stayed the same through the years. I also loved reading all about Nantucket. I have never been, but after reading all about it and hearing how Hilderbrand describes it, makes me want to visit even more. It sounds dreamy. Definitely a summer read.

A favorite summer read.

And that wraps up this week’s Friday Favorites! Lots of things to read and watch and some fun fashion too. I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend and are enjoying your July! I’ll see you back here on Wednesday! Have a great weekend!

Fresh flowers for summer!
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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #50

Hey guys! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are gearing up for a weekend full of sunshine, long days, and some summer fun! After a busy last week of heritage festivals, a concert and time with family, and visiting friends out of town, I was ready for a calmer week and weekend. 

I have been finding new places to hike, getting outdoors is one of my favorite parts of summer!

As I get ready for this weekend, here’s a look at some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with with Erika and Andrea!

Scamanda podcast– If you think I’m a few weeks behind on this first favorite, Scamanda it’s because I am! I saw it listed on a few other Friday Favorite blogs a few weeks ago and realized that if everyone else was listening to this podcast and raving about it then it must be good, and it did not disappoint. There’s eight episodes and two bonus episodes. It’s all about a woman who started a blog about her battle with cancer, however, the more the blogs, the more her story doesn’t add up. I only listen to a handful of podcasts and this was the first crime/drama podcast I listened too, and I really enjoyed it. I listened to it when I went on runs, went out of town and just in the car. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. If you are planning on hitting the road soon for a trip, I highly recommend this podcast.

New Candle Scent– I feel like the past few weeks have been all about new scents, but I’m not complaining. It’s just the time of year where I am swapping out all the scents, from body sprays and lotions to wall flowers and candles. I promise I don’t use the wall flower and candle at the same time. This new scent is perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. In my opinion, lavender and lemongrass are such soothing scents that they immediately put you in a calming state of mind, hence the name. I typically light a candle in the morning when I am getting ready for work or at the end of the day when I’m relaxing or doing computer work and this scent has been the perfect companion to relaxing.

Lancome Setting Powder– One of my co-workers recommended this beauty product from Lancome, when I am on camera, and I have really been pleased with the results. I do my makeup at home, before I head into the office, but often touch up my makeup before I go on air. I have been using this setting powder every time to take away any sweat or shine and touch up my face and give it a fresh look. It only takes a few seconds to dab my face and takes away some of the shine on my cheeks. If you are looking for a product to take away some of the shimmer and shine, I recommend this one.

Hair Spray Protector– I briefly brought up this product from Ulta Beauty on Wednesday, but I wanted to share more about it today.  I tried this new sample UV heat protection spray from Ulta Beauty when I was on vacation and have continued to use it since I got home. I use a curling iron or straightener five days a week for work, so I am all about protecting my hair from heat. I love how with a few spritzes of spray I protect my hair and as a bonus it has a great smell. I use a lot of product in my hair daily from shampoo, conditioner, volumizer, hair spray and UV protection spray, so while it can be a hassle to add another product to the mix, I’m glad I’m using something that is adding an extra layer of protection. Plus, because this is a sample, if I didn’t love it, I didn’t break the bank by trying it.

Tennis Skirt– I never thought I would be a tennis skirt girl, but here I am. I have really grown to love tennis dresses and skirts this summer. They are so easy to throw on after a day of work or on a day off.  This pale blue tennis skirt is from Amazon and was super affordable and durable. The nylon material is great for hot days. You can dress it up with a cute blouse if you want, but I would tend to wear it dressed down with a workout shirt or regular t-shirt. I would pair this outfit with sneakers, sandals or my-go to this summer, Birkenstocks!

That’s a look into some of my favorite things this week. A little bit of beauty, something to listen to on the road, and some cute clothes. As we make our way through July (which needs to slowwwww down) tell me, what have you been loving this week? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #49

Hey guys! 

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! This week was a busy, between being back to work after some days off, the Fourth of July in the middle of the week and then visiting some friends on days off.

Time spent with friends in the sunshine!

It was packed full but in the best way. Summer is all about making memories and I certainly have done that this week!

Everything is in bloom his time of year!

I’m excited for this weekend for some fun activities too! More on that next week. Anyways, I hope you had a great week and have something fun planned this weekend.

Now, that I have you all caught up on life. Here’s some things I’m loving this week, a lot of these things are things that I loved and used during my family visit to the beach last week. Buckle up, here’s some fun, summer favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Tennis Dress– I was influenced by Shay Shull for this Amazon tennis dress. While I am not a tennis player, I love how easy this dress is for the summer to throw on for a day of errands or coming out from the beach or pool. It’s easy to throw on, it’s made from Nylon so it’s good for being around water. It comes in so many colors, but I love the light blue. I’ve been into blue this summer and this was the perfect fun outfit to add to my fun clothes wardrobe. 

Pearl Hoops– If you remember, I got a pair of gold hoops around Easter and have been wearing them a lot for work. For my birthday, I got a pair of pearl hoops that really elevate your every day outfit. I have worn them with dresses for work, to shorts and blouses. They add some fun, bling compared to pearl studs. They can really dress up a cocktail or work dress. For example, on this day, I wore them with a blue and white polka dotted dress. So fun! They would even be great for a summer wedding!

Such a fun statement pier of jewelry!

Happy Place– I love the author Emily Henry! She has written some of my favorite beach reads from People We Meet on Vacation to Book Lovers and Beach Read. Happy Place may be one of my new favorites! I loved the plot line of six friends reuniting in their favorite spot for one last summer trip together and one of the couples pretending they are still together when they have broken up. The personalities of the friends, the description of the setting and the nostalgia had me craving a week at the lake. I read this book on vacation and it was the perfect beach read. If you haven’t read this book yet or any of Emily’s books, you are missing out and I highly recommend picking up one of them this summer!

Such a fun, summer read!

New Wall Flower scent– I love lemons! From the scent, to the flavor, to any foods. At the beginning of the season, Bath and Body Works unveiled some new scents including a sweet tea and lemonade scent. I loved the concept of the combo, but they are sold out of lotions and soap and candles. However, they still had some wall flower scents and I was able to get one. This is the perfect summer scent. It’s refreshing and not too overpowering. I use it in my bedroom, but I think it would great for a kitchen or a family room. I have tried a lot of different scents but this may be one of my favorites. The best for summer!

Smells like summer!

The Night Agent– I know I talked about this show on my Currently post last week, but I figured it deserved its own spot on Friday Favorites! The Night Agent on Netflix  has been such a fun and dramatic show to watch in the summer. There’s mystery and suspense and of course some romance too. There are definitely some intense parts but it’s been a fun show to watch nightly in the summer. Have you found any new shows that you have been loving this summer?

Another summer show!

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving! Some fun vacation finds and things I’m loving as we make our way through July! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! See you next Wednesday!