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!
Hey everyone! Happy Friday!Ā I hope you had a great week! June was super busy and I feel like July has slowed down a lot and Iām very grateful for that. Iāve spent more time over the last few weeks by the pool, reading, going for walks and not having as many things on the calendar. Donāt get me wrong, summer has been plenty busy, but it has been nice to have a few slower weeks mixed in.Ā
Live music in the summer, a must for summer!
Now, that I have got you all caught up on life this week, hereās 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 couldnāt wait to wear it this summer. It looks like a skirt in the front but there are built in shorts in the back. Itās 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.Ā 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. Itās 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 itās all instrumental, so I donāt 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, itās 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 didnāt 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. Thereās a few books/ memoirs that I have on my to-do list and figured this would be the perfect time to listen to them. Iām currently listening to Jinger Duggar Vuoloās 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. Iāve enjoyed hearing her story read by her. Iāll give it a proper review once I finish it. Stay tuned for my Audible review as well.Ā
My current listen
28 Summers– Speaking of books, I have read some of Elin Hilderbrandās books and have always enjoyed them. I was recommended 28 Summers by a friend and wow, I loved this book. Itās 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 donāt believe in cheating or having affairs, but I did enjoy reading about how no matter what was going on in these characterās 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 weekās 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! Iāll see you back here on Wednesday! Have a great weekend!
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!
Iām 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. Hereās some things Iām 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, hereās 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. Itās easy to throw on, itās made from Nylon so itās good for being around water. It comes in so many colors, but I love the light blue. Iāve 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 havenāt read this book yet or any of Emilyās 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. Itās 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. Thereās mystery and suspense and of course some romance too. There are definitely some intense parts but itās 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!
Thatās a look into life lately and what Iām loving! Some fun vacation finds and things Iām loving as we make our way through July!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! See you next Wednesday!
As we make our way through June, I always try to use these months as a time to slow down by keeping my schedule a bit more open.Ā
I like to try to have the flexibility to take a walk after work or enjoy a spontaneous ice cream date without having a packed schedule. I also like to use the summer to catch up on some of my favorite books. Since the start of 2021, I’ve made it a point to read every day, whether it’s a chapter of one book, of 150 pages of another. If you enjoy reading on the beach or having a few good books on hand for vacation, I have a few suggestions for you. This is a round up of my favorite summer reads. This list is a mix of different genres and authors. If you want to keep up with what I’m reading, you can check out my Instagram stories where I keep track of all my books.
If you are on vacation and on the beach, this is the book for you. Beach Read follows the story of a young writer who spends a few months at a little beach house that is left to her.Ā Her goal is to work on a new book and learn more about the cottage and how it came into her possession, but her next door neighbor proves to be a bit of a distraction. Will our protagonist find the answers she’s looking forĀ and what will from there cut boy next door? You have to read this fun book to find out.Ā
If you are looking to escape, not just to Paris but Ireland and Italy too, this is such a fun read. After working nonstop for nearly a decade, a young professional decides to go to the places she traveled right after college in order to find herself again. She meets some old flames which brings up memories of the past in each of the cities she visits. While abroad, she makes peace with the past, but will it allow her to move on fully once she returns home? Pick up this book and find out. P.S. after reading this book, you will want to book a one way ticket to Europe-the description of the places is incredible!
If you like suspense and mystery and a bit of who done it, here’s a summer read you won’t want to put down. After a large, Easter dinner, the parents of a well-known family are found dead in their home. But, who killed them and why? Was it one of their children? The maid who found them or a random home invasion? This book has so many twists and turns that your guesses will change all throughout the book. This story has a lot of suspense but it’s not too scary that you won’t be able to sleep at night. I do have to warn you, once you start, it will be hard to put it down.Ā
Sticking with thrillers and mysteries. This book tells the story of a doctor who works in a Psych ward and he tries to uncover the mystery behind his patient who is accused of murder but won’t speak. This may seem dark, but it’s much more suspenseful and mysterious than scary. When you start reading, you won’t want to finish until you have all the answers you are looking for. There’s so many twists and turns and the ending will catch you off guard. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
If you know me, then I have probably talked to you about my love for Simplified and Emily Ley. Grace Not Perfection is the first book she wrote and it is the perfect summer read. If you are looking for that push to have you slow down and be more present in the moment, this is the book for you. Emily has written other books, but her first book always holds a special place in my heart. This is the perfect book to read as the sun rises or sets or by the pool. Once you read this one, I guarantee you that you will want to read her other books.
If you are a fan of memoirs, then Katie Couric’s book would be a great option for you. Whether you followed her career for years or just wanted to get to know more about her, I found this book to be so insightful. From her childhood, big stories she’s covered, her personal life and where she is today, she covers a lot of ground. I enjoyed Couric before her book but I respect and admire her even more now. You will learn so much from this book. A must read for anyone who enjoys news, journalism or women being awesome!
If you are a big reader or looking to try some new books for the first time, I hope this list gives you some suggestions for summer reads. What books are you loving this summer? Let me know in the comments below!
I have followed Farahās Instagram account for years. I love anything fashion and interior design and thatās exactly what Farahās personal and professional pages are. When she announced she was writing a book I knew I had to get it. It covers all different rooms in her home and how to decorated them all. She also talks about decorating on a budget, for different seasons and different seasons of life. Although, I am still living at home and donāt have my own place yet. I know this will come in handy when I am on my own and decorating my own space. The book is filled with pictures, text and explanations. If you are looking for home inspiration or design help, this is the book for you, plus it doubles as a great coffee table book.
Since I graduated and have been working, saving and budgeting have been areas that I have wanted to work on. I have been saving money by living at home, but I wanted to be educated on a basic overview of finances. After asking around, Total Money Makeover was recommended time and time again. I decided to give it a try. I found the book to be very informative with lessons when it comes to saving, spending, and getting out of debt. It provided a general idea of finances without getting too deep. I do think it would be a better read for someone who may be struggling to get out of debt, rather I just read it to get a lay of the land when it comes to money.
I got this book for my birthday back in May and finished it at the end of August. It took me a while to sit down and read it but once I did, I loved it! In one afternoon I finished half of the book. The book takes places in the 1940ās and then in the present day and it goes back and forth between two seamstresses. In the 1940ās, the main focus is about the war and spies and the transition from France to America. In the present day, itās all about uncovering the past and connecting the pieces. There are love stories found in both the past and present, so itās hard to choose a favorite. Itās hard to read it during multiple sittings. So, I recommend getting a cup of tea or coffee, sitting down and getting into the world of fashion and love and Paris.
I have heard about this book a lot from other blogs and I couldnāt wait to try it for myself. Itās modern day Cinderella story with the Royal family. Imagine a mix of Will and Kate and then Harry and Meghan. The heir to throne in England meets an American in college and they fall and in love. The book covers eight years of their life from meeting, dating, breaking up, getting engaged and preparing for a wedding. Thereās a lot of characters so you need to pay attention, but I really fell in love with this book. You definitely need to sit down and read it, you can read it in bits and pieces but I enjoyed it even more when I could really sit and enjoy it. I loved all the references to the royals and London, England. I did find myself thinking of the Royals and The Crown a lot as I was reading it. The sequel just came out and I canāt wait to read it. Overall, this was the perfect book to end my summer reading list.Ā
Grade: A
I clearly did not get anywhere near my goal of reading 20 books. I thought I would have more time to read before work or on my days off in the summer, but life got very busy. I am hoping to get more reading done in the fall and winter when I am inside more. Overall, I was very happy with the books I did get to read and how they were all very different and unique in their own ways.
Hi friends! With summer winding down and school starting back up again I wanted to take this time to share all the books I read this summer and a quick review on them My goal was to read between 12-15ā¦letās see if I achieved it?!
I had watched Breneās Netflix special and I loved it. I found it so informative and powerful. After watching it, I wanted to read her previous works. I thoroughly enjoyed Rising Strong, it is all about being vulnerable and opening up to others whether it be in the workplace, at home, or with friends. She also shares personal stories of her being vulnerable in her own life which I loved. There were a lot of valuable lessons in the book and I plan to read more of Breneās other books. I did find it at times to be a bit heavy and contain a lot information which could be overwhelming, but overall, I found the book to be eye opening and a good read.Ā
I have no shame in admitting I am a fan of Sex and the City, Iāve seen the series and movies and I love the message the shows has about women, friendship, New York, fashion, and love. This book documents everything from the book that inspired the series, the behind the scenes of creating the show, as well as interviews with writers, crew members, and cast members. I love learning all the behind the scenes facts when it comes to my favorite shows. This was a fun and light read and it made me want to rewatch the series again! LOL! For any Sex and the City fan-this is a must read. Fall in love with Carrie Bradshaw all over again!
I loved this book by Tina Fey. I love her as a comedian and find her funny in anything I watch, whether itās SNL, 30 Rock, or one of the many comedies she has starred in. I found this book to be very light and easy to read. I got it done in two sittings. Fey shares her early childhood, making it into the industry, her time working on SNL and 30 Rock. As I was reading, I found myself laughing to myself about some of the antics she was encountering. I found the book to be very real and relatable. I would recommend it for a beach read or something light between more intense reads. You will find yourself laughing along the way.Ā
After reading one of Breneās books, I wanted to try and read another. I found this one to be enjoyable and informative. Once again, she shares her vast knowledge and research when it comes to shame and vulnerability. I loved how she shares her personal stories about dealing with shame in her life. I would recommend reading this book before Rising Strong. Overall, I was happy I continued to learn more about the importance of being vulnerable since it is something that I donāt think we talk about enough. I did find it to be a bit heavy with the research so it took some extra time to read and comprehend it. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
I absolutely loved this book. I finished it in two sittings by the pool after work. I have always been a fan of Reese Witherspoon, I find her so down to Earth and charming. In this books she shares everything she learned from growing up in the south and how it made her into the person she is today. She shares family recipes, tips for decorating, family photos, and gorgeous photos. I learned so much about Reese and how she incorporates her southern roots into her life in California. I also love the layout of the books, she has her favorite recipes mixed in with photos of her home, family, and life down south. I would highly recommend reading this book or evening having it for a coffee table book. Itās bright, colorful, sweet and charming just like Reese is!
This book kept popping up on different blogs I read as well as suggested books. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. I will be honest with you, it was okay, but I could have definitely bypassed it. Overall, it was funny and had a lot of good one liners and pop culture references which made the book relatable and easy to read. However, I found it to be negative towards dating, love, and relationships. I was hoping it would be more reflective and positive about relationships and dating but I was let down by it. Some things were relatable and resonated with me, but for the most part it was hard to get through it. It was okay but definitely not my favoriteā¦oh well, you win some, you lose some.
I loved this book! It was one of my favorites that I have read this whole year. It tells the story of a young women who reads a book and realizes itās a book based on her whole life by her childhood best friend and first love. This book goes back and forth between her present day life and the book based on her childhood. She must decide if she wants to track her best friend or leave the past in the past. Itās so well written and sucks you in immediately. Once I started reading it, I couldnāt put it down. I finished in two sittings. I enjoyed it so much I looked into other books by this author. I loved the concept of how oneās first love, maybe oneās only love. I would highly recommend it.
Another favorite book I read this summer. I have heard about The Last Lecture for years but never got around to reading it. Once I started I couldnāt put it down, I finished it in one day. It tells the story of Pauschās last lecture that he gives before he dies of cancer. He talks about achieving his childhood dreams and what lessons he wants to leave behind to his children, family, friends, and students. I was incredibly moved by this book, I often found myself writing down quotes that I loved. I found this book to be so inspiring and reminded me never to take anything for granted. Highly recommend.
I enjoyed Carlinoās other book so much, I decided to read another one by her and thoroughly enjoyed it as much. This story follows the lives of college lovers and what happens when they see each other after 15 years apart. The book goes back and forth between college life in the past and the present day. It fills in the blanks of what happened in those 15 years apart. I loved the story it told about how special oneās first love is and how time doesnāt mean anything when you truly care about someone. There are laughs, heartfelt moments and a few shockers. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a beach read or something to read before bed. We all could use something light and filled with love in our lives.
I came across this book at the library and was immediately intrigued. It is based off a Facebook Community group. People can go on and post small acts of kindness or love they witnessed or that happened to them. Iām a firm believer in positivity and not focusing on the negative. This book was a collection of many stories from people all over witnessing love and kindness. I read it in two sessions, half by the pool and then the second half inside during a rain storm, both ideal places for good reading! What I enjoyed most about this book was how little acts can make a huge impact on others. Definitely worth the read and your hearts will be moved!
I was really excited for this book going into it, however, it just ended up being okay. I liked the content and reading about Jenningsā life and the stories he covered during his time as a reporter. But, it was hard to get into the book. I liked the way different people who were friends, family, and colleagues of Jennings contributed to the book. I learned a lot about what it means to be a good reporter as well as the impact Jennings made on the world. I found the book to be informative, but I wasnāt changed after reading it. When it comes to books, you win some, you lose some.
Last summer I readĀ Happily Ali After and I found it funny and an easy read. When I saw this book sitting on the shelf, I knew I wanted to try it. Iām so glad I did. Ali shares personal funny stories about her family, her life, and sweet memories that go along with them. Her topics range from family vacations, her daughters growing up, her girlfriends and her husband. She is real and honest and basically says what everyone is thinking. I finished her book in one weekend. After reading her second book, I feel like I could have a cup of coffee with her and just talk about life and funny stories. Was it the best book I read this summer? No, but It was a fun pool read and I learned more about her than when I started it.Ā
I was recommended this book from Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama, she always shares her monthly reads and this one stood out to me. It tells the story of a young woman the her guy friends, she ends up falling for one of them and the two of them hook up a few times. When her and her group of guys all try online dating, she ends up getting matched with her best friend who she hooked up. There are some twists and turns but a happy ending. I love how they showed the relationships she has with her the guys but most importantly finding herself through the course of the book. It was such a fun book and you will get sucked in. I finished it on vacation and I couldnāt put it down. I would definitely recommend it. One of my favorites for the summer.Ā
My final book of the summer ended on a positive note. This book stood out to me at the library and I thought there were was no better way to start senior senior year than by being reflective. This book is based on Fred Rogers and is written by the woman who started Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. She talks about being kind to yourself, others, and the world. I’m a firm believer in how a simple act of kindness can change someone’s life. There was also a few references to Brene Brown and the power of vulnerability. I finished this book in two days, and although it wasn’t the best book I read, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was inspired by it.
Grade: B+
Whew, that was a lot of reading and I learned so much from all the stories and genres. I love getting lost in the books and finding new authors. I reached my goal for the summer and although, back to school will be busy I am determined to read more. My top books for the summer are Swear on this Life, The Last Lecture and My Favorite Half-Night Stand.
What books have you read this summer? Any suggestions for fall book reads?
