Tag: may favorites

Categories
Fabulous living

On Turning 26

Hello All!

Happy Wednesday! I can’t believe we are at the end of May already!? Where has the month gone…time truly needs to slow down.

Over the weekend and on Monday we celebrated Memorial Day, although I had to work, it was still nice to get family time and remember all those who served our country.

Memorial Day spread

Today is my birthday and while I will be working, I am looking forward to incorporating some celebrations throughout the day. I’ll be getting my free birthday drink from Starbucks, enjoying dinner with my family and then enjoying some of my favorite hobbies on my day off. Nothing too exciting but doing some of my favorite things that bring me JOY! Kendra Adachi aka The Lazy Genius has a podcast episode about the importance of celebrating your birthday and planning it the way you want to enjoy it. You can listen to it here.

Although I love a good surprise, I do think it’s sometimes better to plan your own activity or dinner so you know you will enjoy it. 

I truly love celebrating birthdays, holidays, and all the special occasions, whether it’s a graduation, promotion, or life event. I think it’s important that we acknowledge these milestones in our lives even if we don’t feel like making a big deal out of it. 

Celebrating 25!

As I turn 26, I definitely feel like I am more adult than young adult. When I turned 23, I felt like I made the switch from young adult to adult and since then, I feel I have only continued to grow and mature from there. Over the past few years, I have become the most comfortable in my own skin and I have been confident in myself in the decisions I have made. I really got into a comfortable pattern and routine of work, family time, spending time with friends and growing in my relationship with my boyfriend. I found new hobbies that brought me joy like growing a garden, running, reading, and learning piano.

As much as I love the life I have created and nurtured, I know that we all need to go through some change and growing pains in our lives. 26 is going to be that year for me. I have some big life changes coming in the next year or so, which is exciting but also terrifying. As someone who loves and thrives off a routine, change is not easy for me, but I know it’s necessary for growth. In the times of uncertainty, I have to remind myself to stay true to who I am. In the scary times, I try to put things in perspective and realize change is temporary and we adjust and overcome whatever adversity we are facing. 

25 was such a good year for me in regards to happiness, adventures, career growth, memories, and trying new things. It was by far one of my most memorable years. I am excited to see what 26 brings, although, change can be scary, it’s also where we learn the most about ourselves.

Here’s to another year around the sun, a year of happiness, friendship, family, love, growth, change and embracing the JOY found in every day. 

26, I’m ready for you!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #95

Hello All! 

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we are almost to the end of May. The months keep going by faster and faster. I have been enjoying this week to the fullest by getting outside, seeing a baseball, spending time with friends and enjoying lots of spring fun. This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and I’m hoping things slow down so I can be present with family, enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

It has been such a good month, and I am truly doing my best to soak in every moment. As we get ready for the weekend I am sharing some of my favorite things from the week as I link up with Erika and Andrea 

Lululemon Bag– I have a few Lululemon accessories including their belt bag which I LOVE and some athletic wear too, but one of the other things I love is their reusable tote bag. I use this little bag multiple times a week. It’s the perfect size for throwing in a few must-haves when you are running out and don’t want to lug a big purse. It’s also great to throw in some shoes or a change of clothes and it’s perfect for transporting library books too. Those are just a few of the uses I have for mine, but the possibilities are truly endless. If you have one of the tote bags, what are your favorite uses for it?

Blue Jacket– I did some retail therapy a few weeks ago at the outlets and picked up a few pieces of clothing from Ann Taylor. This jacket was one of them. Although I have a similar on in pink, I absolutely love the cobalt blue. I wore it dressed up for work with bright dress pants and a blouse, but it could be dressed down with jeans and heels if you are looking to elevate an outfit. Although, I won’t be able to wear it much in the summer, I’m looking forward to wearing it in the other months year round.

New Kylie Lip Color– Speaking of retail therapy, I did some refreshing with my makeup and picked up a few new lipsticks from Kyle Jenner’s line at Ulta. I wear a lot of her pinks and nude colors at work since you can pair them with so many colors and looks. I had run out of a few of my go-to colors and figured it was time for a refresh. I picked up the Harmony lip kit and love it. It’s a softer pink that goes on smooth and creamy and lasts for hours. I applied some when I got to work around 7:00 one morning and didn’t have to re-apply all day. It was long-lasting and my lips didn’t feel too dry after having lipstick on them all day. Definitely a win in my book and worth the investment.

A full day of wearing the color

Texas Caviar Recipe– I’ve heard about this recipe for Texas Caviar and it looks like it could be something that’s right up my alley. I love the flavors of beans, plus the freshness of the veggies and a light dressing to top it off sounds divine. I love a good salsa/ guac/dip, so I can’t wait to try it this summer. I could see it being a crowd pleaser for big parties and gathering, plus, it looks super health and filling too. Have you tried this recipe before? If so, what are your thoughts?

New Room Scent– Tis the season for a new scent for my room. Strawberry snowflakes lasted me a long time, so I figured it was time for an upgrade. With us being in full on spring mode, I spend a lot more time outdoors and my windows are often open letting the fresh air in. I was searching for a scent that wasn’t too strong or overpowering or floral or fruit. I settled on linens and lavender from Bath and Body Works. A soothing scent that adds a bit of freshness to the room without it taking over. I also swapped out my cover for my wall scent for spring and summer, some minor tweaks and changes, but ones that make a difference. 

That’s a look into my life lately. How have you been enjoying the month of May? Let me know in the comments below! Have a fabulous Friday!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #94

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! 

I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend. I have a busy weekend with family, friends and graduation celebrations. It will be a packed full, but fun weekend.

Signs of spring and soon to be summer!

Before we get to all the fun and entertainment, I wanted to catch you up on what I’ve been loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea 

Photo A Day  Challenge– Kicking this off with Erika, if you have been following along on my Instagram you may have noticed I have been participating in the #PhotoADaywithShayandErika Challenge with her and Shay. They do this challenge every May and it’s all about posting a different photo every day of the month with a different theme. It’s been fun to do this daily challenge and it encourages me to be more present in my life and it forces me to slow down a bit too. Here’s the prompts in you want to follow along too!

Bridgerton Back– Depending on when you are reading this, I am hoping to have started the new season of Bridgerton. I couldn’t wait until it came back and I’m so excited to see what this season brings. I am intrigued to see how some of the characters develop and how relationships evolve. One of my favorite things about this series is how it completely transports you back in time and you can truly escape the world for a bit. Now comes the hard part about deciding to binge it all at one time or take it slow. If you are a fan of Bridgerton, have you started watching? If so, what do you think of the season so far?

Yasso Bars– I am gearing up for all things summer full steam ahead and that includes summer treats. I love a good ice cream in the summer especially when I am looking to indulge. I picked up these ice cream bars from Yasso from the store and I have really been enjoying them. I love the sweetness of the chocolate, but also that it’s a healthier option to ice cream. A sweet treat that you don’t feel too guilty about. 

Clean Car– One of my favorite things that I do once a year with my boyfriend is deep clean and detail our cars. It takes a few hours, but we do everything, from the mats, to the seats, the steering wheel, even the dashboard. We had a sunny, Sunday and took advantage of it by cleaning our cars. There is nothing more rewarding than having a clean space especially after you did all the hard work yourself. Definitely a favorite this week!

The Seven Year Slip– I finished The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston this past week and I loved it. It was recommended by Ashley Brooke’s book club. It’s all about a young woman who falls in love with a man after they both end up in the same apartment, the catch? They are from different times, she’s seven years ahead of him. How does this relationship work and will they find each other in the future? You will have to read to find out. I loved the description, the setting, the characters and all the details about food which is a huge part of the book. Definitely a fun read!

That’s a look into life this past week. I hope it’s been a fabulous week and you have something fun planned for this weekend.

See you back here on Wednesday!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #93

Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend. I can’t believe how fast this month is going by. I have been soaking up this month the best I can with sunshine, walks, and even some ice cream dates. 

Perfect day for a walk this week…blue skies and not a cloud in sight

As we gear up for another weekend, I have a fun list of favorites for you as we wrap up this week. Here’s what’s on my radar this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another roundup of Friday Favorites.

My Love: Six Love Stories of True Love– I actually heard about this mini-series from Emily Ley’s Sunday Scroll on Substack. If you haven’t checked out her substack, you should, she posts a few times a week about different topics, current events, or what’s on her mind. Back to the topic at hand, this miniseries on Netflix follows six different couples all around the world and tells their love stories. These are all your normal couples, and they share their day-to-day lives and you get to see their love story told through their eyes. This is a warm and fuzzy, feel-good show. No drama, no overthinking-just good, wholesome love.

New Top– I got this new top from Marshall’s a few weeks ago and I have been loving it. It’s by Calvin Klein and I am always a fan of the style, colors, and quality of clothes. This silky, Cinderella-blue, top is perfect for the spring and summer months. I plan on wearing it to work with white or blue dress pants, but it can also be worn with jeans if you want to dress up a look. The ruffles and buttons and details are what caught my attention and they are some of my favorite parts of the top. I can’t wait to start wearing it more in the next few months.

Lessons in Chemistry- This may be one of my favorite books of the year. I have heard about it for several months, but just got around to reading it. Lessons in Chemistry is all about a chemist who hosts a cooking show in the 1960’s. I loved the combination of science and cooking and how they were intertwined throughout the book. The romance between Calvin and Elizabeth made my heart soar, but my favorite part was the importance of women working in a male dominated field in the 1960’s. It was made into a series on Apple TV that I watched as well and really enjoyed the comparison of the two.

My Miniature Life Account- I recently got sucked into silly/fun accounts on social media. I typically just use social media to keep up with family and friends, but every so often I find a fun account that brings me joy. The account, My Miniature Life account features every day, mundane tasks but mini. I give the creator major props for creativity and uniqueness. I try to limit my time on social media, but when a 30 second video makes you smile, it’s worth it.

Trying New Pizzas– We always do Pizza Fridays in my house and it’s one of my favorite traditions. We typically order from the same place,  but we have been trying new local places around town. Some have been hits and others have been misses. I prefer a thin crust as opposed to a thicker crust, but it’s been fun to try new spots and see what places we want to try again. 

That’s a look into what I’ve been loving. Tell me, what’s something that’s caught your attention this past week? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!

Categories
Let's Look

Let’s Look: Summer Staples

Hello All!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are enjoying May and the fresh starts the season brings. It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Shay and Erika.

Here’s a recap of the topics we have covered so far this year

In January, we talked about How We Clean Our Closets.

In February, the topic was Things We Do Every Day

In March, it was all about what’s in our Grocery Carts

In April, we chatted about our Quiet and Prayer Time.

This month’s topic is Summer Staples.

I’m going to be sharing some new items that I purchased for this season and some of my favorite items that I have loved through the years.

Let’s start with the new items:

I love a good wedge especially for going out and when I saw these heels for sale at Marshall’s I knew I had to get them. I shared them just last week as a part of my Friday favorites! Wedges provide more support for me and I can pair them with multiple outfits. You can wear these with a pair of white jeans or capris and fun blouse, a short sundress, or a longer, flowy dress depending on the occasion. I can’t wait to wear them this summer.

Now let’s get to the tried and true:

I love having a solid long and flowy dress in my closet. I got this black one from Old Navy and adore the style. You can pair it with sandals or wedges and wear it to the beach, out shopping or out to dinner. Throw on a jean jacket or sweater and you are set.

From long to short, I love having a good t-shirt dress in my closet too. I have a few solid and print dresses and love to pair them with sneakers for a sporty look or sandals for a dressed up look.

Cotton shorts are such an easy go-to when you are looking to throw something on after a day at the pool or beach. I have a pair of cotton shorts in both blue and white and I am constantly reaching for them in the summer months.

Graphic t-shirt, if you are looking for an easy and casual shirt to pair with a pair of cotton shorts or regular shorts, you can’t go wrong with a graphic t-shirt. I personally love ones that I have gotten from different places I have traveled to, it’s a great memory of where you have been and a cute item to add to your wardrobe. 

Fun sandals are something that can really elevate your outfit, whether they are with a pair of shorts or a dress or even a skirt, I love a pair of sandals that can add some flair and fun to your outfit.

A tennis dress or skirt are two items I added to my closet last summer and I got so much wear out of them. I got both of these from Amazon and once again, they were easy outfits to wear after a day at work, at the pool, or running errands.

These are some of my favorite summer staples that are go-to’s for me in the closet. I am looking to add a few new items this summer including some white capris, denim shorts, and some cover-ups for the pool or beach. Tell me: what are some of your summer must-haves?! Let me know in the comments below and if you have any suggestions for denim shorts or cover-ups, I’m all ears! 

See you back here on Friday!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #92

Hello All!

Happy Friday! I hope you all have had an enjoyable week and are doing something fun this first weekend in May, maybe watching the Kentucky Derby?! It’s officially my favorite month of the year and I am pumped for everything that comes with the next few weeks, from birthdays, to end of school, holidays, and the start of summer.

First of many ice cream dates this spring and summer!

As always, I am linking up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites. This week features a mix of life hacks, foods, and some beauty and fashion finds. Let’s dive right in!

Taylor Swift’s New Album– I know I am late to the party but I have slowly been listening to Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poet’s Department. I am not a diehard Swiftie but I do enjoy her music and think she did a great job on her latest album. I have been listening to it in the car and out on walks. It’s been fun to find learn all about her hidden references and Easter eggs. If you are a fan, what are your favorite songs? I personally love, Florida.

New sandals– Summer will be here soon and I got these new sandals from Marshall’s just in time for outdoor fun. I love the style and support they provide and how you can truly dress them up or down with any outfit. I know I will be getting a lot of use out of them this summer, I just need the weather to warm up a tiny bit. I always love to pop into Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx to see what they have and it’s always a win when I walk out with some great finds.

Kashi Cereal– I will go through different favorites when it comes to snacks and right now, I am on the yogurt train. I have really been enjoying vanilla yogurt at lunch and topping it off with something crunchy. Kashi Cereal has been my current go-to. It’s packed with flavor and protein. I enjoy the saltiness of the cereal mixed with the sweetness of the berries. It has been making a difference instead of enjoying yogurt on its own, plus, it’s a healthy alternative to other snacks.

Logging Podcasts- This has been a new life hack that I have been loving. I often listen to podcasts when I am running or in the car and I am always looking for recommendations. I’m currently making my way through the Lazy Genius podcast, however, not every episode pertains tor I’m not interested in it. Whenever, I have some free time, I will go through the Lazy Genius library and log what episodes I am interested in. This way, whenever I am looking for a new episode to listen to, I am not wasting time looking for one, I have a list already to go. It saves me time and stress. Now, you don’t have to do this just for podcasts, you can keep track of music you want to listen to, or shows or movies to watch. In this situation, I am using Kendra’s idea of deciding once to make it easier on myself. 

New Scent- Now that the weather has finally broken and we are experiencing spring-like weather, I figured it was time for scent change (I also just so happened to be out of the scent I started using after Christmas, haha!) I decided to break out Gingham Fresh from Bath and Body Works perfect for spring. There’s a hint of floral to this scent, but it’s mostly a light scent, that’s not too overpowering. Although, I love fragrance mists, sprays and perfumes, I know not everyone does, so I always try to choose scents that are subtle as opposed to strong. 

That’s a look into life this past week, some time outdoors, some snacks and life hacks. What’s your week been like and what are you looking forward to during the week ahead? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Fri-yay!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #41


Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! This one was a fun week, filled with friends, activities, and a good work week. 

Someone is happy for the weekend!

We are inching closer and closer to warmer and summer-like weather and I can’t wait for it.

As we get ready for the weekend, here’s some things I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Firefly Lane– The second part of season two of Firefly Lane came out at the end of April and I slowly made my way through it. I watched an episode or two a night and really enjoyed seeing how the series wrapped up. It was based on a book, so if you read the book series, you know how it ends. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to the characters that I grew to enjoy. Overall, I was satisfied with how it wrapped up. If you watched, what were your thoughts on the series?

New Scent– It’s been a few months, so it was time for a new body lotion and spray. I am currently using Coco Paradise by Bath and Body Works. I got it for free with a purchase and couldn’t wait to try it. It’s the perfect scent to get you ready and excited for summer. It’s the perfect mix of ocean and coconut. This will be the best thing for a beach trip this summer!

Barrington and Simplified Collaboration– Simplified announced a collaboration with Barrington, a purse brand and the patterns and colors are so fun! There’s so many different styles and bags you can choose from with Simplified patterns or colors. Plus, you can get them monogrammed too! I may have to add a few of these to my Wish List.

Just a look at some of the bags!

Ed Sheeran New Album– Ed Sheeran’s new album, Subtract, came out last week and it’s what I’ve been listening to it non-stop. I love the variety of music, from slow and soft to fast and upbeat. I’ve loved listening to Sheeran’s music over the years and I couldn’t wait for this new album. I’ll be seeing Ed Sheeran in July and I can’t wait. This will be the second time I’ll be seeing him in concert and I’m going to do my best to have most of these songs memorized.

Elizabeth Holmes on the Simplified podcast– Another Simplified favorite (sorry, I can’t help myself!) Last week was the Coronation of King Charles III, I caught parts of it on Saturday and actually got to do some stories on it too, more on that next week! But ahead of the Coronation, Elizabeth Holmes, my favorite Royal expert, shared thoughts about Royal fashion and the Coronation and more on Emily Ley’s Simplified podcast. It was so fun to hear two of my favorite people talk about Royalty. Such a special treat.

Such a fun listen!

There you have it! A look into some of my favorite things from the past week. Some collaborations, new scents and hobbies. Certainly a little bit of everything! Tell me: what are you looking forward to this weekend? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday friends!