Tag: travel items

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #110

Hello All! Happy September. It feels so weird to be writing thatā€¦the summer months truly flew by. By now, you are probably back into a back to school routine or getting there. I know these past few weeks have been an adjustment for me. But, we are slowly finding a new groove and routine.

These past few weeks have included lots of walks

As we kick of a new month and new season in the next few weeks, I wanted to share some things I have been loving and have been favorites of mine as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites!

This week itā€™s a mix of entertainment and beauty products with some treats too.

Wonka– I know this movie came out last year, but I just got around to watching Wonka and it was such a cute movie. I have seen previous versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Willa Wonka, but this one had some unexpected twists to it. It could definitely be viewed as a family movie or you can watch it on your own. I loved the creativity, new characters and all the different kinds of chocolate and candy. Add this to your next family movie list.

Homemade Vinaigrette– I am always looking for new recipes and things to try in the kitchen. I came across this video about how to make your own homemade vinaigrette and I tried it for myself and it turned out great. It was a great way to use things I already had in my kitchen and enjoy something homemade. I know I will be using this trick in the future too.

The Second Chance Hotel– I loved the Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey! I read it on vacation and it was the perfect travel read. Itā€™s all about a young woman escaping her life and traveling across Europe, sheā€™s about to end her trip in a small town in Greece, that is until the hotel she is staying at falls into her and another guestā€™s lap. They decide to run it for the season, but when her old life is calling her back, she must decide if she wants to stay in Greece or return to America. It was such a fun, travel read and so good to enjoy in the summer! 

Bliss sunscreen– I am a big advocate for sunscreen. I always wear it in the summer and Super Goop is my go-to brand. Without sounding like a broken record, I tried this bliss sunscreen on my recent trip and really loved the consistency and how smooth it went on. It was mineral based, so it really blended well on my skin. I may not invest in a full bottle, but I will be using it the next time I travel. 

Dressed in White Body Spray– I promise this is the last beauty favorite for a while. But Iā€™ve been using this travel body mist, Dressed in White from Bath and Body Works, all summer on the go. Whether, Iā€™m traveling for a long trip, a day trip or just have a long day, I have been throwing it in my purse for a refresher. I love how light the scent is. Not too overpowering but feminine and refreshing, two things I always look for in body spray. This has been the best travel companion over the last few weeks.

There you have it, some of my favorite things from this week, some entertainment, beauty products and kitchen hacks. As we get ready to welcome in a new season, what are some things you are loving this week? Let me know in the comments below! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #99

Hello all! 

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are doing something fun this summer weekend.

Before we begin the weekend, I want to share some things I have been loving this week as I link up with with Erika and Andrea.

We are in the middle of a heat wave with temperatures in the 90’s. Summer nights have set in which means ice cream runs- YUM!

The theme this week of favorites is new! You will see what I mean as we get into this weekā€™s favorites!

New Kate Spade bag- I got this bag from Kate Spade for my birthday and itā€™s already been used a lot. Itā€™s the perfect size to carry all the extra things you may not be able to fit in a purse (like a light jacket, planner, things to be mailed etc.) or if you are running errands and need a spot to throw all the extras. Itā€™s also a great bag to use for a spare change of clothes. I often will have an extra outfit to wear after work if I have plans that requires a change. Not only is the size great, but so are the colors of the purse. This has been the perfect summer tote!

Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner– If you have been following along for a while then you know whenever I travel, I always like to use sample products to try out other brands before I make a purchase. I recently tried this Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner and really loved how it felt on my hair. After washing my hair, it felt silkier and smoother and that feeling didn’t go away for almost 24 hours. I also really loved the scent. I love the products I am using for my hair now, but I wouldn’t be opposed to trying this again in a travel size.

New Running Sneakers– Sticking with new items, I got these new sneakers for running and they have been a favorite. My brother picked them out for me. They have a ton of support, are comfortable, and I love the colors of the sneakers. I got the New Balance Fresh Foam 880s. They have been great running sneakers especially as I prepare for another race. I put a lot of miles on my old sneakers from last year, so I will be using those sneakers for the gym and these for running.

Mother of the Bride- If you are looking for a cute, rom com this summer, I have a recommendation! Mother of the Bride on Netflix was a hit for my mom and I! Itā€™s all about a mother who helps prepare her daughter for her destination wedding. They arrive in Thailand only to find out the groomā€™s father is an ex of the motherā€™s. Thereā€™s a lot of messy history, but can they put their differences aside for their children? You will have to watch to find out. Super cute, summer movie for a girl’s night.

New Summer Sandals- I was on the hunt for a new pair of summer sandals that could be dressed up or down and I found them through DSW, are we surprised? These are the sandals I got. They are comfortable and supportive. I love the neutral color of black and I love how they can be dressed up with a sundress or skirt or dressed down with shorts or jeans. I know I will be getting  a lot of use out of them this summer.

Thatā€™s a peak into some things I have been loving this past week. What are some things that have brought you joy!? Share them with me in the comments below!

Happy Friday!

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Let's Look

Let’s Look: Stocking Stuffers

Hello All! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far and enjoying a bit of calm before the crazy. I always enjoy the few weeks in November after Halloween and before Christmas. I take those weeks as time to gather myself after the sugar rush of Halloween, simplify fall decor and start prepping for Christmas whether it be by creating gift lists of who to buy for, making plans for the holidays or browsing the stores for ideas. I donā€™t go into full on Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving, but I do enjoy a little prep work. 

One thing that has been on my mind is stocking stuffers and little gifts for friends and family which ties in perfectly with todayā€™s Letā€™s Look prompt as I link up with Erika and Shay. 

As always, hereā€™s a recap of the prompts from this past year. 

Last month, in October we discussed our biggest fears, in September, we talked about evening routines, August, we talked about our worst habits, in July, we talked about new favorite summer finds, in June, we talked about best travel tips, in May, we talked about our morning routines, in April, we talked about pet peeves, in March, we talked about Amazon purchases, in February it was about our medicine cabinets.

I love little stocking stuffers on Christmas morning and an extra gift for friends and family when I am giving them out.

Growing up and to this day, we always enjoyed opening up our stockings on Christmas morning. It was the first thing we would open early in the morning. Our stocking stuffers changed as we got older, but they usually had some Christmas chocolate or candy, a gift card or two to favorite spot, a new tooth brush, some little toys, gadgets,or practical items and maybe some small gifts, like pens, stationary, a new charger etc. 

I always loved seeing what fun little items I would get in my stocking.

Whenever I am shopping for friends and family, I typically have my eyes open for a one main gift for people and then when it comes to friends, I may throw in some extra goodies or stocking stuffers in their bag or present.

A look at all the gifts going out to others.

Hereā€™s some of my favorite stocking stuffers or extra gift ideas for Christmas:

  • Gift Cards (I always love to support local, so maybe buy a gift certificate to a favorite local coffee shop, book store, restaurant or apparel store)
  • Holiday snack mixes or candies (Thereā€™s nothing better than enjoying a sweet treat around the holidays- stock up on festive chocolate, holiday bark or any other treat and distribute it amongst all your gifts- this can be as easy as getting holiday chocolate kisses and putting them in every gift bag or you can go complex with a local chocolate).
You can never go wrong with a holiday mix
  • Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows (Another little gift you can buy in bulk and distribute amongst your gifts. Buy a big pack of lots of smaller packets of hot chocolate, buy candy candy canes and marshmallows and add them to each gift so people can enjoy a warm drink around the holidays).
A warm and cozy gift!
  • Homemade cookies (I am a big baker especially around the holidays. If you have a lot of extra cookies, consider making up a small plate or bag and adding them to each gift. Itā€™s a thoughtful, homemade gift and you are sharing your talents with others.)
I love giving out homemade cookies to friends!
  • A favorite thing you enjoy (If you have a favorite item that you canā€™t live without, consider buying it in bulk and sharing it with your girlfriends for them to try it out. Do you love a new hand cream? Or canā€™t live without a specific charger or hair accessory, if itā€™s not too expensive, consider buying it for your close friends and have them try it out too. )
You can never go wrong with gifting a favorite item!
  • Travel size body care items- (This can be a fun extra gift to get for your girlfriends. Stock up on holiday or winter scented mini versions of body lotion, spray, chapstick, or facemasks and treat your friends to a mini spa night. Itā€™s an affordable way to treat your friends.)
Travel size beauty products are always a hit!

These are just some suggestions when it comes to extra fun gifts or stocking stuffers. I typically don’t spend too much on stocking stuffers since I’m buying bigger gifts, but these are just some fun suggestions for some extra Christmas and holiday cheer. 

Gifts from last year wrapped and ready to go out!

Tell me, how do you handle stocking stuffers and extra gifts? Do you go all out or keep it small?

Let me know in the comments below!

I hope this gives you some inspiration as you start your holiday shopping. 

See you on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!