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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #44

Happy Friday friends and happy JUNE! This week went so fast and it was so busy! We kicked off my birthday on Monday with Memorial Day which was so fun! Then we had a few family events this week, so I was ready for my weekend! 

Surprise birthday flowers still going strong!

Today’s Friday favorites are so fun for the start of summer as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

J.Crew Haul– I did some retail therapy for some new work clothes last week and was so happy with some recent J. Crew purchases. I got some great blazers, pants, tops and dresses. It was such a successful day at the outlets. I can’t wait to share some of my outfits soon in a few weeks, but here’s a sneak peek. I can’t wait to wear these fun pants and a blazer this summer. Very professional but also fun for summer!

New Kylie Cosmetics Lip Color– I always enjoy trying some new makeup, but I do like to stick with what I know and love. I have really enjoyed Kylie Cosmetics for the lip kits, colors, and how long lasting they are. I have been on the hunt for a bright, pink and finally found it. This color is perfect for summer and can be great for work or play. I have ordered Kyle Cosmetics online, but now that you can get products at Ulta Beauty, it makes it so much easier to pick out colors and makeup options. This will be a summer favorite for sure!

Summer Planting– Over Memorial Day weekend, I made my way to the greenhouse for some summer flowers! I love the smell, colors and creativity that comes with a greenhouse. I picked out some flowers to help my mom with some of our pots. Although it’s a lot of hard work, the end result of a summer full of flowers is worth it. I also picked out some items for another summer project this summer. Stay tuned!

Love Again– Ahead of my birthday, my mom and I went to see Love Again in the theaters. We went to a matinee and were the only ones there. So fun! The movie stars Sam Heughan (hello Outlander fans) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The movie is all about two people getting connected and finding Love Again. There’s a few unexpected twists in the movie and some surprise cameos. One of my favorite parts was all the Celin Dion songs (she stars in it too!) Definitely a new favorite, rom com!

Ted Lasso finale-This past week was the season 3 finale on Ted Lasso and wow, what a finale, dare I say series finale! My boyfriend and I started binge-watching the show at the beginning of the year and watched it right up to the start of season 3 and we have been watching the new episode every week. This season had some up and down episodes, but overall, I thought the last few episodes were really strong. This has been such a fun show to watch. If you watched the last episode, what did you think?! This article breaks down what happened. Warning: Spoilers!

There you have it! A fun roundup of shows, products and movies as we kick off June! Tell me what things do you have planned for the first month of summer? Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy First Weekend of JUNE!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #43

Happy Friday Friends and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!! This month flew by, I feel like we were just celebrating Mother’s Day and here we are at Memorial Day weekend!

This past month has been up and down weather-wise. Some days, we hit 70’s and others were in the 50’s. Last weekend, I had a family wedding and it was so nice to celebrate love and see family! 

Zoo trips are back this season!

Besides Memorial Day Weekend, it’s also my birthday weekend. I’m looking forward to celebrating on the actual day and a bit before.

Now, that I’ve got you all caught up on all things in life, here’s what I’ve been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Lemon Bundt Cake-I have been trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables as we get closer to summer and that includes desert too. I made a lemon bundt cake last week and it was the perfect taste for spring. It was sweet and moist and had so much flavor. You can eat it solo or with some vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit. A lemon cake and fresh strawberries would be divine for a summer night dessert. If a cake isn’t your cup of tea, you can make these into cupcakes or muffins. The possibilites are endless!

The sweetest cake for spring!

The Dinner List– I have been a big fan of Rebecca Serle’s books. I’ve enjoyed In Five Years and One Italian Summer and I was excited to read The Dinner List. The book follows a young woman as she enjoys a dinner with five important people in her life. The purpose behind the dinner is explained through the book and different relationships are explained through the story. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, but the end had me grasping for more. I wasn’t ready for it to end!

Such a good read!

Brain Dumps– This month has been so busy with all the activities, events and to-do’s and the only way I have been keeping it all straight (besides my Simplified planner) is by writing everything down and doing periodic brain dumps. A brain dump is when you literally put everything that needs done or what’s on your mind on a giant list and break it down about what needs done. I always write to-do’s for the day in my planner, but sometimes, for long term lists or detailed to-do’s, having it in one spot is a game changer. I love these large pads from Simplified, not only are they super cute but have a ton of space for lists.

The best notepad for brain dumps!

Selling Sunset Season 6– One of my favorite reality shows is back! Selling Sunset is my guilty pleasure and there has been so much drama and excitement this season. From new characters to familiar faces, incredible homes and all the drama…this season has been so good. I’m currently watching it as I type this post. The only downside is that once I finish it, I have to wait for a new season. If you are watching this season, what are your thoughts so far?!

Substack– Have you heard of Substack and started using it? It’s a platform to read blogs and newsletters. A lot of writers I follow have joined substack. Some you have to pay to read their newsletters, but others offer free subscriptions. A few of my favorite writers on Substack right now include Emily Ley and Elizabeth Holmes (are we surprised?) I have been loving following Holmes’ coverage of the Coronation. She’s been providing both newsletters and podcast about it. Substack has been a fun place to get lots of content in one place. 

Some of my Substack reads

That’s a roundup of some of my favorite things this week. From books, to food, and shows, I hope you found a new favorite here. Tell me, as we gear up for Memorial Day weekend, what are your plans? I hope you can enjoy some fun time outside and with family! Happy Friday!

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Fabulous living

Twenty-Five

Twenty-five, a quarter of a century, a full blown adult.

These are a few of the things that have been running through my mind over the last few weeks. 

Let me back up, I turn 25 next week and it’s a milestone birthday filled with all the emotions. Excitement, anticipation, nostalgia, and a bit of fear too. 

Growing up, I always thought when you turned 25, you were officially an adult. No longer a child, teenager, or even young adult, but a full-fledged adult, and you had to have it all figured out.

Spoiler alert, I’m almost 25 and I don’t have it all figured out and I’m okay with that, in fact, I’m glad I don’t have it all figured out. I’ve learned you don’t have to have it all sorted out quite yet.

Your twenties are all about growing and learning and taking risks and seeing where life takes you. My first half of my twenties were filled with graduating college, moving back home, starting a career, going through a pandemic, getting promoted, making new friends and meeting my boyfriend, that’s a lot of change for five years.

But, let me let you in on a secret, I have loved every bit of it, even the stressful days or the moments filled with unknowns. I’ve learned so much about myself and from those around me and I’m so happy where I am today. I’ve learned to savor every moment spent with family, whether it’s a major holiday or a Tuesday night dinner (just ask any of my brothers, I always comment how special it is that we are all together-and it drives them nuts.) I’ve also learned to be open to new opportunities, but to trust my gut and how it’s okay to say no to things if they don’t feel right. I’ve learned friendship works both ways and some friendships aren’t meant to last forever, some are only meant for a season, while others are forever.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to savor and love the little things in life, whether it’s a morning walk, a coffee with a friend or even going through an evening routine. The little things in life are often the things you will remember the most.

Now as I embark on the second half of my twenties, I am eager to continue to see how I can grow more and what things I can learn about myself. I’m also interested to see where I will be at age 30. Will I be married? have children? Living in the same city? So much can change in five years, but I also now so many things will still be the same. I know I will have a loving family by my side, I know I will have supportive friends and a caring boyfriend. I’m excited to see where these next few years will take me and how I will grow and change. I always like reflecting as big milestones come and go to see how far I have come and what I’ve learned. 

As far as what this year brings, I don’t have any big goals for this next year, I want to keep doing what I’m doing. I want to keep working hard at my job, putting family and relationships first, making sure I’m taking care of my body and self with different hobbies and I want to make sure I’m taking every opportunity available.  Because my birthday falls in May, I’m halfway through my 2023 New Year’s Resolutions and so far they have been going well, definitely room for improvement in some areas, but I have seen progress in other realms.

My birthday falls on Memorial Day and I’ll be working so I’m not quite sure what the day will hold, but I’m excited for what year 25 will bring!

Here’s to another year! Happy Birthday to Me!

Categories
Fabulous living

Spring Bucket List 2023

Hello all! Happy April! I hope your first week of this new month is going well. I’m hoping some of the spring weather we are experiencing is here to stay. As we embrace spring, I’m sharing my Spring Bucket list today! This is just a list of ideas of things I want to accomplish over the next several weeks.

Before we start on spring fun, I wanted to share my winter bucket list and recap it. 

I accomplished a lot of things I set out for, the only things I didn’t get done were because of our mild weather this winter. 

A look at my bucket list from the winter

The few other things I didn’t get done, I plan to do in the spring. So without further ado, here’s my spring bucket list:

Plant a Garden

Go to a New Place for a Walk

Celebrate Easter

Enjoy Ice Cream

Head to a Local Bookstore and pick up some new reads

Try a Spring Recipe

Enjoy more Fresh fruits/veggies and smoothies

Zoo Trips

Have a Picnic

Try to do Outdoor Activities with Friends

Cut and appreciate Fresh Flowers

Celebrate Memorial Day

Make it a Point to Spend Time Outdoors

Celebrate my Birthday

Enjoy Meals Outdoors

Clean Car

Transition from Winter to Spring

Dye Eggs

Make Lavender Lemonade

I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration for some spring fun! There’s a lot of outdoor fun, some projects, new recipes to try and memories to make! Did I miss anything for my bucket list? What do you plan to do this spring? Let me know in the comments below! Happy SPRING!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #54

LOTD

Hello and Happy Summer (I think we are in the clear for summer weather)!!  Yay!! It’s been a long time coming but I think it is safe to take out the shorts, grill supplies and umbrellas as summer is here to stay.

Today, I am sharing an outfit I wore for a Memorial Day picnic. I had a great 3 day weekend spent with barbecuing, seeing family and kicking off summer. It was a well spent holiday weekend. In addition, the warm 80 degree weather made it even better to celebrate the start of summer.

White and Blue for the start of summer!

When it comes to fashion,  I am a firm believer of wearing white after Memorial Day, so I was very excited to break out these white capris.  I have worn all these items with other outfits but, for this outfit I decided to match them all together.

I got these white Capris from American Eagle. I haven’t shopped there in a while, I got them a few years back, but they were a great buy and I have worn them again and again with different outfits in the summer.

I love this top. I got it from Francesca’s Boutique last year. I love the material as it is very lightweight.  I have worn it with shorts in the past but loved pairing it with the capris for a more dressier look.  I also love how it is one shoulder, it really changes up an outfit. The blue and white combo is one of my new favorite pairings.

Since, I went to a picnic, I paired my capris and top with a pair of nude wedges. These are my favorite summer sandals to wear to picnics, grad parties, and other summer events. A wedge is crucial to have in your wardrobe. Whether, it is high or short, a wedge can go with any summer outfit.

My biggest accessory are not having glasses, I finally decided to make a change and get contacts for my 20th birthday. It took some practice but I am very happy with the final result.

That’s a look into my Memoial Day outfit and a start into my summer wardrobe. Have a great weekend filled with sunshine and warm weather.