July Favorites

I haven't done a monthly favorites in a hot minute and wanted to do one because this month I discovered a few awesome things!

1. Hobby Lobby - If you saw my post on Instagram, you know I recently discovered Hobby Lobby. It has everything related to home decor -- think Michael, Home Goods, and Pier 1 had a beautiful baby. It took a lot of self restraint to not buy everything in the store! Plus they have amazing coupons and sales!

2. Hamilton - I LOVE musicals. They are totally my jam: Kinky Boots, Hairspray, Lion King, Rent, Newsies, Legally Blonde the Musical, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Wicked, Avenue Q, Evita, Bye Bye Birdie (anybody else love musicals?! If so, you'll appreciate this). Fittingly, I've been enjoying the Hamilton soundtrack for a few months now. Every song is so fun and catchy! Last weekend I had a loooong day of driving and listened to the Hamilton soundtrack (you don't want to know how many times) and now I'm even more hooked. I've become one of these people.

3. The Pool - It's been such nice weather for going to the pool. Even if it's just for a few minutes in the evening, it's so nice to just relax outside by the water! Don't forget to stay protected in the sun!

4. Anthropologie Wild Honeysuckle Candle - I kept going into Anthro and smelling this candle but in my head saying "no, you don't NEED another candle". After a crazy day, I treated myself to buying this delicious-smelling candle and my nose was very thankful because it seriously smells amazing!! Not to mention, it's a very cute coffee table addition!

What are your July Favorites? Would love to read them in a comment!

Thanks for reading!

Summer Skin Protection

With summer in full gear I wanted to share some stylish sun protection. Summer days are made for trips to the beach, afternoons at the lake, and cook outs by the pool. With spending so much time outside (#praise), it's important to keep your skin protected from the sun's UVA and UVB rays to prevent skin cancer! Here are a few of my favorites!

Lands End UPF tops - After doing a bunch of research on the best UPF shirts, Lands End had the best reviews for high quality and cutest styles. I love my new top! It's very cute and breathable so I don't feel like I'm overheating even when it's crazy hot outside. I wore it to the beach and I didn't get burned at all because of the special UPF 50 material! That one is on super sale and there are tons of other cute options here! Also definitely check their size guide and go with your number size (2, 4, 6) rather than your usual shirt size (small, medium, large).

Athleta UPF Cover Up - I've been eyeing this UPF 50 dress all summer and I think it would be the perfect option for throwing on top of your swimsuit at the pool or just wearing around to run errands. This dress is also extra cute and also UPF 50!

Floppy Hat - Large-brimmed hats are perfect for protecting your scalp and your face from the sun! I've also been eyeing this beauty!

Sunscreen - I wear this moisturizer with SPF 30 on my face daily and will reapply if I'm out in the sun. For the rest of my body I love Blue Lizard and the Coppertone Sport spray!

Sunglasses - Check that your sunglasses are UVA/UVB protective because you also want to protect your eyes (and yes, unfortunately eyes can get cancer too)! I was so excited when I bought these! I also love this pair if you're looking for a splurge!

Umbrellas - Umbrellas are the perfect way to be outside while keeping your skin protected! This umbrella is great because you can set it up as a traditional umbrella or have it slanted on the ground so your back is completely protected! This canopy is also perfect for the beach or the pool!

Do you have any other tips for protecting your skin?! I'd love to hear them in a comment!

The Perfect Tote Bags for Work & the Weekend

Tote bags are the best invention ever. A cute alternative to the backpack that's professional and stylish. What more could a working girl want?! In the last few years I've become obessesed with tote bags because they are SO convenient, especially for work. Being able to fit my computer, notes, wallet, daily essentials, water bottle, coffee mug, and lunch into one bag is such a game-changer. I wanted to round up my 3 favorite totes and then some similar options for all the working ladies out there!

1. Black Tumi Q-Tote - This bag is super spacious and has tons of pockets. I love that it's sleek and black so it's super professional for work! It also has a pocket in the back so you can put it on your suitcase handle, which is super handy for traveling! I also love that it zips up so if I'm running out in the rain, I can just zip up my purse and everything is protected! Tumi has super high-quality bags -- this bag has been through T O N S of use is still as good as new. It's currently on sale here, here, here and here!

2. Pink Coach Tote - One fun thing I've discovered from Laura is that diaper bags are major winners. I was looking for a fun and colorful every day tote that would fit all my daily essentials including my laptop and lunch. Most of the regular totes were a tad small for all of this and the diaper bag ended up being perfect! It has SO MANY POCKETS and then 4 extra pockets for bottles which is great for my coffee travel mug and water bottle. This is definitely my favorite because it is so fun and spacious. I seriously get compliments on it most days I wear it!

3. Brown Michael Kors Tote - In my mind this is the quintessential "tote". It's structured, leather, and super stylish. It has a dedicated laptop pocket in the middle which is perfect for storing your tablet or important folders! Also found here and on sale here!

My biggest advice is to get a high-quality brand with durable leather or nylon. If you're using a tote bag daily and stuffing it with things (#guilty), you don't want a bag whose straps are going to break after a few months! I know the initial cost is high, but if you can buy it on sale it's definitely worth splurging a little for a bag that will last for years and years!

Other favorites + sales!!
Kate Spade Tote - Kate Spade has tons of great quality bags in every shape and color. All of these are already on sale AND an extra 30% off with code "SUNSHINE"! One, two, three, four, five.

Tory Burch Tote - Another quintessential tote that has a middle laptop pocket and is very structured. Also love this style for a more laid/unstructured tote! You can get 30% off with code "EXTRA30" on the sale styles like this fun tote!

Madewell Transport Tote - Really great quality leather and also super cute! This one is also super cute and is 20% off with code "META20"!

Dooney and Burke Tote - Dooney and Burke also has tons of styles and so many color choices for each style! These are good classic totes if you don't want something too distracting! One, two, three.

Louis Vuitton Tote - This is definitely a major splurge but talk about a dream bag!!

Thanks for reading!

PS Isn't this outtake hilarious! *insert laugh-crying emoji*

Morning Glory Healthy Muffins

I love baking! Two of my roommates in college were HUGE bakers and got me into baking. It's so fun to follow a recipe and then have a delicious treat at the end. This recipe is perfect for when you are in the mood for something sweet and tasty but want to be healthy. It has 4 different fruits and veggies in them! If you're feeling extra fancy you can add some chopped almonds on top! They're perfect for breakfast, snack, dessert, you name it! After letting them cool, I kept them in a Tupperware container in the fridge so that they would last all week!

Thanks for reading!!

Puppy!!!

Sorry I have been MIA the last few days!! I've been meaning to post a ton of blog posts but since I got my puppy a few days ago, my life has been extremely a little crazy.

She is soo precious and fun to be around. She LOVES cuddling and she'll fall asleep at my feet whether I'm at my desk or cooking, it's too stinking cute. She's also super good with other dogs and people, which has been a blessing!

Although she is the cutest little thing, having a puppy is a T O N of work! I definitely knew that going into this, but it's not just about taking them out every hour or two. The hard part is teaching them to tell you when they need to go to the bathroom (sometimes it's sooner than every 2 hours!), teaching them to not chew everything in site, and teaching them to be independent so you can leave without them freaking out! If you have any tips on puppy rearing I'm all ears! I read all the puppy books and blogs before getting her, but I'm realizing that book advice isn't as practical as the advice I've gotten from fellow puppy parents!

Thanks for reading!