MY SUMMER READING LIST

I've been an avid reader for almost my entire life. While I love social media and a good Netflix-binge, reading is a great and sometimes necessary way to unplug from the world and escape. Towards the end of college and my first post-college years, I fell out of reading and pretty much quit cold turkey. At one point pre-reading slump, I would read 5-6 books per month which I loved. I've missed those days so one of my 2019 New Year's Resolutions has been to start reading consistently again.

With life and work, it's unrealistic for me to jump back in at the pace I used to be able to read. Instead, I've given myself a goal of reading one book per month. So far I've managed to stay on track with 7 books this year which I'm very proud of. Setting small, obtainable goals is something that I'm always trying to put into effect and improve on. It seems to be working here!

The types of books I like varies. I appreciate lots of different genres-- romance, fantasy, mystery, etc. My favorite books to read during the summer months are cutesy "chicklit" and romance novels. I prefer contemporary romances that fall under the Young/New Adult umbrellas. What I consider light and fun reads for the summer, vacations and beach days. I can get through them pretty quickly and find them more realistic and relatable.

I love sharing new books with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I’ll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

MY 2019 SUMMER READING LIST

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her....

The Mister by E.L. James 

London, 2019. Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face.

But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own?

From the heart of London through wild, rural Cornwall to the bleak, forbidding beauty of the Balkans, The Mister is a roller-coaster ride of danger and desire that leaves the reader breathless to the very last page.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.

Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is . . . Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

With Christina Lauren’s “uniquely hilarious and touching voice” (Entertainment Weekly), The Unhoneymooners is a romance for anyone who has ever felt unlucky in love.

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.

Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.

Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…

SHOP MY READING LIST:

        

THE BEST #NSALE BASICS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

The #NSALE is finally open for everyone to shop! Several items sold out during Early Access but there are still lots of amazing items available. I was stoked to see that some of my long-time favorite items were included in this year's sale AND are still fully stocked. It's easy to get carried away with the sale and buy things that you'll likely never wear (I know I'm guilty of this!) Instead of just sharing everything that's cute, I wanted to share the best versatile pieces you can wear a million different ways. These are my tried-and-true, holy grail basics from the sale.

I love sharing my personal style with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I’ll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

CLICK HERE FOR SALE INFO, SHOPPING TIPS + ITEMS THAT WILL SELL OUT

SIZE INFO: I normally wear a small/medium in most things. For tees + things I always go for a medium-large so they are nice and loose. In jeans, I'm a 4/6 or 27/28. In leggings, I wear a size small.

1. BP Long Sleeve Raw Edge Pocket Tee [$15.90, after sale $25.00]
Best long-sleeve basic tees. I wear a medium for a slightly loose fit. The short-sleeve version is on sale too for $12. Several color options. 

2. Vintage CZ Ear Crawlers [$24.90, after sale $39.00]
I purchased these earrings several years ago and I still wear them almost everyday. They dress up any outfit, are amazing quality and look like real diamonds. I have the silver but they also come in gold + rose gold.

3. Zella Live-In Leggings [$38.90, after sale $59.00]
These and the Spanx leggings (also part of the sale) are my two favorite brands. I own several pairs and they hold up so well, I still even have and wear my first pair from years back. They suck everything in just right + are flattering without being constricting. I wear a small. Loving this pair with pockets too.

4. UGG Perforated Slip-On Sneakers [$64.90, after sale $99.95]
I purchased this pair of UGG slip-on sneakers a few years ago and they are the best. Super comfy + go with everything. UGGs never go on sale so I was excited (and surprised) to see this year's version included. They're updated with cute perforated holes. I wear a size 7.5 in these (usually an 8 in most shoes + regular UGG boots).

5. STS Ripped High Waist Skinny Jeans [$38.90, after sale $59.00]
High-waisted, distressed jeans are a must-have for any closet. This pair is one of the few affordable ones from the sale that I love. In my experience, STS denim is very stretchy + runs big so I would go down a size or two. 

6. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Island Cardigan [$72.90, after sale $110]
If you're going to splurge on anything from the sale, go Barefoot Dreams or go home. They make the softest, coziest cardigans ever (and blankets, socks, etc...). I own a few cardigans and I live in them during the fall + winter. 100% worth the money. They run big so size down. I always buy the smallest size available. 

Styles on sale:

Circle Cardi / Long Cardi / CozyChic "Fluffy" Cardi / Island Cardi (pictured) / Cozy Wrap / Throw

7. Steve Madden Black Leather Booties [$86.90, after sale $129.95]
My most used pair of booties every fall are black leather chelsea boots. They are versatile, sleek, a little edgy and go with virtually anything. It's hard to find a nice looking leather pair that isn't ridiculously expensive. I saw these Steven Madden booties and fell in love. They have the perfect shape + the perfect amount of heel. Reviews say these run small + to go up half a size. 

8. Wubbly Fleece Pullover [$49.90, after sale $78.00]
For those too cold to give a f*ck days in the winter. Super cozy and lots of warmth + fluff. You can see me wearing mine in this post. If you want it to be oversized + a little slouchy, I would purchase your normal coat/jacket size. If you want it a little more fitted, size down. 

9. Long Sleeve Thermal Henley [$24.90, after sale $38.00]
One of my favorite easy, versatile tops for the fall + winter. Looks cute with jeans + booties or leggings + sneaks. Last year large was the only size left so that's what I have. It's a little bit big so I would order a medium in my next one. I love the cream, burgundy + mustard shades.

10. BP Lightweight Sweater [$25.90, after sale $39.00]
Another easy, versatile basic. This sweater is a great transition piece for cooler weather but layers well too. Very flattering on + comfy to wear. TTS, size up if you want it to be a little slouchy + oversized.

11. BP Lace Trim Satin Cami [$25.90, after sale $39.00]
These satin camis sold out completely but they did an entire restock! They're a classic, feminine piece + very versatile. I grabbed a black, leopard + polka dot. I'm personally not a big fan of the ivory because it's very see-through (ordered it last year + returned). These are on the looser, "flowy" size. I wear a size small. 

Have a great weekend!

xx, 

Kristen

#NSALE INFO + ITEMS THAT WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY

The #NSALE is here you guys... you excited?? I took a poll on Insta and it seemed pretty 50/50... I think some people love the #NSALE like me and some are over it ;) Since I still had some wanting sale details I'm going to share all of the info, dates, etc. as well as the must-haves that are on sale and will sell out quickly. 

I was fortunate to receive a sneak peek of the entire sale and there is SO much. So much that it honestly can be overwhelming. While a lot of the items are great buys, I know we can't all spend thousands of dollars at the sale like most of the style bloggers do! Instead of just sharing everything, I've narrowed it down to key items that always sell out fast as well as my favorites from shopping the sales the last few years.

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE INFO

*Nordstrom hosts an annual "Anniversary" sale every July/August. The sale is brand-new Fall releases (think boots, jackets, jeans, scarfs, etc.) for a discounted sale price. It's a mixture of amazing brands and designers at all price points!

*The sale included women's clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty items, men's, home and kid's. 

*The sale is tiered into different shopping days. They open the sale up first to Nordstrom Cardholders and then later to everyone or the "Public."

*The first day for all Nordstrom cardholders to shop (known as Early Access) is July 12th and runs through July 18th. If you want to shop now, you can sign up for either a Nordstrom credit card OR a Nordstrom debit card. This is an easy way to sign up to shop early as well as earn more reward points than with a regular card. I signed up last year + it was super easy. I know not everyone wants a Nordstrom credit card so it's great that you can opt for just a debit card which links to your checking account and works like a regular debit card. This year they're giving out $40 in Nordstrom Notes if you sign up! You can go to this page for more details if you're interested. 

*The first day to shop without a Nordstrom card is July 19th - August 4th. 

*All orders receive free shipping AND free returns. No minimum purchase required!

*Prices go back up on August 5th.

TIPS FOR SHOPPING THE SALE

*If you're open to having a Nordstrom credit or debit card, I think it's advantageous to sign up and I'm glad that I did last year. The main thing for me is that you get to shop early which is a benefit because things sell out quickly. I also like shopping at Nordstrom so getting more points and rewards for future purchases is nice too. 

*If you've never shopped on Nordstrom.com before, make an account and set up your shipping/billing/payment info ahead of time. This makes it super easy to check out fast which is necessary sometimes! Every year I add things to my cart and by the time I go to check out, they're sold out. Sometimes you'll also see new sizes or colors pop up too and you have to grab them. I have my account set up so that all I need to do is input those last 3 digits of my credit card and hit "Place Order." Not sure if this is really a good thing or bad... lol ;) 

*If you see something that you want before the sale starts or it's sold out/out of stock in your size/color, it helps to bookmark it on your computer or add it to your wish-list. They do restock some items and that's an easy way to find them quickly and also add them to your cart. In the past I've been lucky and have been able to grab items in my wish-list before they were actually restocked in the sale section.

*Purchase multiple sizes if you're not sure what to buy. Because everything tends to sell out I like to buy a few different sizes in an item up front. While you do have to spend a little more on the front end, the free returns make it super easy and there's nothing to lose! Note it can take a week or two after sending an item back to receive a refund so I find it's easier to just buy both versus waiting for a refund to re-buy another. It's also a lot easier to just return an item + re-order it versus trying to exchange it!

ITEMS THAT WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY! 

I love sharing my personal style with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I’ll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

SIZE INFO: I normally wear a small/medium in most things. For tees + things I always go for a medium-large so they are nice and loose. In jeans, I'm a 4/6 or 27/28. In leggings, I wear a size small.

1. Leopard Print Blanket Scarf [$26.90, after sale $44.95]

2. Free People Long Sleeve Tee [$44.90, after sale $68.00]
Free People sizing varies. Sometimes I can buy XS, sometimes I like to buy small. I'm ordering a small in this so I can wear with leggings + jeans.

3. Lace Trim Satin Cami [$25.90, after sale $39.00]
I wear a size small.

4. Lace Trim Satin Cami [$25.90, after sale $39.00]
I wear a size small.

5. Faux Leather Moto Jacket [$64.90, after sale $98.00]
In most coats I would buy a medium but wear size small in these for a fitted, more shaped look. If you want this bigger or to layer with, I would purchase your normal coat/jacket size.

6. Wubbly Fleece Pullover [$49.90, after sale $78.00]
For an oversized fit, buy your normal sweater/jacket size. For TTS, order a size down.

7. High Rise Busted Knee Skinny Jeans [$51.90, after sale $78.00]

8. Barefoot Dreams Leopard Throw [$119.90, after sale $180]

9. Leopard Cardigan [$45.90, after sale $69.00]

10. Waffle Knit Top [$25.90, after sale $39.00]
I wear a size small.

11. Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Cardigan [$88.90, after sale $134]
Oversized, I always buy either XXS/XS or XS/Small (some BD styles do not come in XXS/XS). My sister is a 12/14 and she always buys a Medium.

12. Faux Leather Leggings  [$64.90, after sale $98.00]
I have both a size small and medium in Spanx leggings and they are very close. I would choose your normal legging size. They are very stretchy!

That's a wrap for my first #NSALE post! I wanted to kick the sale off great items that I know will sell out quickly. If you have any questions about the sale or sizing, please feel free to leave a comment or DM me on Instagram @TheKristenDiary. Also let me know below what you're ordering/have ordered from the sale! I'm excited + can't wait to shop! 

Stay tuned for more posts! 

xx,

Kristen 

LUXURY MAKEUP HAUL + FIRST IMPRESSIONS

LUXURY MAKEUP HAUL

Happy Monday! Every few months I like to do a refresh on my everyday makeup. I'm excited to share some new products I've added in my daily rotation and have been testing out the past several weeks. To see all of my makeup hauls, click HERE.

DIOR BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation - For the summer I wanted a lighter, low maintenance foundation so I picked up this one from Dior. It has a light-weight, blendable texture with light to medium coverage. It goes on easily, has a natural finish and comes in 40 different shades. The color "0 Cool Rosy" is a perfect match for my cool undertones/fair complexion. 

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder - I liked the idea of this powder having an airbrushed finish without weighing your skin down. So far I've been using it on easy makeup days to lightly set my entire face. I love the texture, it really is weightless!  

Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer - I've been using this Marc Jacobs Bronzer for longer than I can remember so it was time to try something new. The packaging on the new Fenty Sun Stalk'r Bronzer immediately drew me in, it's stunning. I'm always impressed with the Fenty designs and aesthetic. I've been using the shade "Inda Sun" which is a great neutral-bronze shade. It's neither orange nor ashy.

Farsali Rose Gold 24K Skin Mist - Beauty products with gold flakes always intrigue me. There's really no way to know whether the 24K gold flakes do anything but I love how refreshing this mist feels on my skin. The spray nozzle is also amazing in that it actually works. No one likes to be spit on by their setting spray (it is a thing) so this one is perfect.

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette - I've been eyeing ND eyeshadows for years but a $239 palette is a little spendy. They've now released these mini palettes for $25 which is amazing. The pigmentation of these is incredible. The first time I went in with a shimmery shade, I had to remove some. A little too much wham bam thank you, ma'am. They're much smaller than the large palettes which I love for travel. 

SLIP Pure Silk Pillowcase + Eye Mask - Premature aging and wrinkles is enough to freak anyone out (I know I'm not the only one!) While it's an inevitable part of life, I'm all for anything that will help take care of my skin. I'm a side sleeper and these SLIP Silk Pillowcases are designed to help protect your skin against creasing that occurs while sleeping on your face. They also aim to hydrate the skin and protect hair from damage and split ends. I opted for this sassy leopard print pillowcase and the matching eye mask but they come in several colors (also available in King size here). 

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter - One re-purchase of this haul is the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in "Radiant Rose." This is the best under-eye brightener I've ever used. It has a light, rose-pink tone that instantly brightens and lifts under the eye area. I notice a dramatic difference in my dark circles and it gives a fresh-faced, radiant glow. 

MAC Technakohl Liner - I picked up this liner in "Risque" to use on the arch of my brow bone. Highlighting this area helps to lift the eye area up and sharpen the brows. I also love the versatility the shade has to also brighten up tear ducts or the waterline.

MAC Prep + Prime Lip - This Prep + Prime Lip base was a nice little freebie MAC included with my order. It's a balm for smoothing, moisturizing and priming the lips before lipstick/liner. MAC has amazing lip products so I'm excited to give this a go.

What products are you currently using? Hope you all have a great week!

xx,

Kristen

QUICK + EASY SUMMER OUTFIT

I love sharing my personal style with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I’ll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

OUTFIT DETAILS

Headband / Bodysuit / Shorts / Sandals / Earrings / Sunnies / Necklace (similar)


After polling you guys on Instastories (you can find me @TheKristenDiary), here is another outfit post for you! I love reading your feedback and was happy (and a little surprised!) that you all wanted to see more of these over makeup hauls. Love you guys! It is officially scorching outside so this one is perfect for the summer. Quick, cool and easy breezy!

When it's really hot out I always just throw my hair up and run out the door. To make this look "intentional" and more stylish, I added this fun printed headband! I'm obsessed with the pattern and bow. I wanted it to be the focal point of the outfit so I paired it with a simple tank bodysuit and my favorite denim shorts. It's also less than $8 and I get so many compliments every time I wear it!  

As much as I love the summer, I'm definitely a fall kinda girl so I'm already looking forward to the cooler months. I'm obsessed with Halloween and have already been stalking all the home décor sites. I'm ready for it!! Hope you all have a great week + stay shady out there in this heat!

xx,

Kristen