WHAT'S *ACTUALLY* WORTH BUYING FROM THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE | THEKRISTENDIARY

I didn't plan on covering the Nordstrom Anniversary sale this year. TBH-- I haven't really been into it the last several years. I use to LOVE shopping the sale until it became so hyped up + overly saturated. I'm not sure how this year has been going but in prior years, everything always sold out immediately and was never properly restocked. If you stalked the site and your wishlist enough, you might get lucky and find a few things but the whole experience became too stressful and an ordeal. It made me feel like I had to work to spend my money there.... not fun! I work WAY too damn hard for that, ya'll. 

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That being said- old habits die hard. Out of curiosity, I ended up browsing through this year's sale to see if there was anything new that I hadn't seen before. I wasn't wowed by a ton, however I was excited to see several of the things I already own and love were included. Everything in this post I constantly use or wear and have been favorites for years. They're great staples which to me are way more worth purchasing than new, trendy items.

I've also found the discount + quality of these to be spot on. That can be hit or miss during the sale- some items are great, others not so much. I've found the best quality and discounts are usually on non-Nordstrom brands that you don't find on sale as often. You'll see I kept the list short-- if I haven't owned or used it obsessively, I didn't include it. I also should add that I only ever purchased one or two of these from the Nordstrom sale... most I paid full price or found elsewhere. Here's the lineup! 

WORTH IT ITEMS FROM THE NORDSTROM SALE

Leggings are one of the best items to stock up on during the sale IMO. I've always been picky and three of my favorite pairs are included at great prices. All are amazing quality, flattering + will last for years if you take care of them. They're also all very different from each other which I like. Anyone else have a bunch of different kinds for different outfits/vibes? The first pair are these from Zella- they're a thicker, stretchy material and extremely comfy. I tend to grab these more during the cooler months so they're perfect going into Fall. I only own the black but they come in several colors + are TTS (I wear a small). 

The next two pairs are both from Spanx. The first pair is a regular legging style- the fabric is lighter but SO comfortable. I'm always amazed because they're figure flattering + hug your body but aren't suffocating at all. I have them in both small + medium which are very close in size. I would say go TTS unless you're in between- then size up. The other pair are the infamous Spanx faux-leather leggings. These look like they wouldn't be as comfy but they're also super easy to wear. They elevate any look and are a bit more exciting than a regular legging. Normally they're around $100 so the sale price is a great buy. They're a little more fitted/less stretchy than the regular so I'd go up a size! 

Also love that they included my everyday sneaks- the Adidas Swift Runs. They're lightweight, comfortable and a great price. I beat up athletic shoes pretty quickly so I don't like to spend a ton on them- I think these are on sale for only $56. I have the black (also on sale here for $60) but love this neutral leopard print is super cute.

The Quay High Key minis are always a go-to-- I wear them almost every single day. Right now this navy fade pair is on sale for under $45. You don't usually find high keys for a discount so love that they included them. 

Let's talk beauty items. They usually offer some great bundled sets where you can save, however I only found two items in the sale that I've constantly used and loved for years. The first is the Simplehuman Sensor makeup mirror. It's a splurge item but worth it to me- I love the sleek design, the sensor feature, magnification + how bright the light is. Because it's pricey, now is a great time to grab it at the sale price. The discount is right around 25% off the regular price! Next is the Stila Stay All Day liquid liner-- this stuff is amazing. Eyeliner is another thing I've always been particular about and I've repurchased this one time and time again. Normally they're $22 each but right now you can get this 2-pack for $33.

If you're planning on shopping the sale and looking for what to buy, these are my picks for what's worth buying. It's easy to get overwhelmed + feeling like you need it all. Been there, done that! My best advice is to only shop for what you need + know you'll actually wear. I haven't decided if I'm going to buy anything this year-- maybe just some backups of these?? Are you planning on shopping the sale? If so- what's on your list?

I love sharing my picks 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? :)

SUMMER SPENDING + MONEY UPDATES

Back in May, I shared an update on my 2021 Financial Progress. This post was a recap of the year so far and a comparison to the original money goals I set for myself in January (you can read more on those in this post). Since my update, I've had a few changes in my spending + overall budget. I like to review things periodically so I thought I'd also update you on my summer spending + how things have been going! 

SUMMER SPENDING + MONEY UPDATES

+ I've been working a lot more hours these past few months which has led to more income. While I've splurged a little bit more here and there, I've challenged myself to save anything extra for specific or future financial goals. I'm still in the process of figuring out exactly what those are-- potentially a future home one day, travel, etc. 

+ One small step in that direction for me was to start defining a few sinking funds. Because I've always just left any savings or unspent money in the same account, putting money into a sinking fund seemed like an unnecessary step. I've recently started to view them as a means for me to make the most out of my dollars. 

If I know I want/need X dollars for X purpose, I'll then know how much I have left for everything else. After opening a high-yield savings account this year, I decided to move some of my non-emergency funds to the account for these sinking funds. Some of them (like Christmas spending or taxes) I have an idea of how much I want/need to have, others like a future home fund I don't. 

+ My spending has mostly stayed the same with the exception of food and gas. Between working more, higher prices and just being out and about, I've been spending way more on gas. My food category has also teetered back and forth-- some months I've been about the same, some I have been way up. Part of this I attribute to not being home as much and eating out more for convenience. Both of these I think of as additional costs for working more hours (and therefore earning more) so I'm fine with a little bit of an increase. I've also been trying to eat healthier which has increased my grocery cost + some of my eating out spending (healthier options always cost more). 

+ Ya'll know I'm all about the ROTH IRA. In June I started my contributions for 2021+ you can too! Be sure to read my post on Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now. 

+ This one's a doozie but hopefully a helpful reminder. Last month I totally checked out and forgot to pay one of my credit card bills. It was the first time I've EVER missed a payment on any of my cards. Honestly I was more upset by that than anything else, lol. By some miracle, I thankfully didn't end up getting charged a late fee! It was a store card that I rarely use + only owed $50 on. I paid it off with my extra $1 of interest + bought myself a lesson. Here's a PSA to schedule on auto-pay or just don't forget! 

That's the spiel today! What do you spend the most money on during the Summer? 

START OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 7/26

It is most definitely a MONDAY. I don't know if it's me or just the summer days but the weeks are feeling way longer and the weekends shorter. If anyone would like to take me on a three-month hiatus to Europe, come get me now PLZ and TY! I need a vacation ASAP! Until then, I’ll just be over here binge watching Shark Week episodes. 

Be sure to follow me on IG to see stories + posts. You can find me @TheKristenDiary :)

Not joking- I’ve been living my best life watching all of the Shark Week shows on Discovery+. It’s so fun and has helped curb my Tik-Tok marathons, lol. Anyone else get sucked into watching Tik-Tok for hours? I love it and hate it at the same time. I don’t feel bad about watching Shark Week- much more productive, ya know?? It's so interesting + wild! Do you think you could/would ever go swimming with sharks? It looks like it would be such a life changing experience but also scares the s*it out of me.

I'm looking forward to another busy week but I'm going to try to make more time to relax + rest. I've been working a lot and while I love it, it's easy to start feeling like you have no life. I'm going to force myself to start a new book this week. It’s like an act of Congress for me to read these days but fun, romancey reads usually help to get me out of a lull. I put up a poll on IG stories this week about which one I should start next- People We Meet on Vacation or Freed. By a landslide, almost everyone said People We Meet on Vacation! Have you read it yet? I’ll keep you posted with my thoughts on my stories but I'm planning on sharing a review here too. PS- check out my Summer Book Haul here if you need some inspo!

I bought some more healthier snacks so this weekend to try: the Siete Mexican Wedding Cookies, Quinn Microwave popcorn (no chemicals!) + another bag of my favorite dark chocolate almonds. The cookies are delicious-- I think I like them even more than the Mexican Shortbread. Definitely recommend if you want a cookie with better ingredients. Would you be interested in seeing some snack/food recommendations on here? I've been sharing food hauls recently so LMK your thoughts on that. If you missed those, I'll link my grocery haul + snacks haul for you. I've found it a lot easier to transition to healthier snacks but more challenging to eat healthier at home. I'm always on the go + it's sometimes easier to just eat out.

If you use a planner, I need the 411! I've been debating on whether I would use one but I think I'm gong to buy a new to give time blocking a try. I think if I schedule everything out that I want to do, I'll be much more productive + organized. I like both the Live Rich Planner from TheBudgetMom and the designs of the Happy Planner. If you use one, what do you like/prefer?

Hope you have an amazing week!

WEEKEND PLANS

Hi, Friday 🙌🏻 I'm so ready to rest + relax this weekend. I'm one of the lucky ones who still has to work on weekends, however they're a little more laid back and I have extra free time. I try to take it easy, however it seems like I still have to always squeeze in those errands + chores too. Anyone else?? More than happy to return my adulthood ticket ASAP. Anywho, I thought I'd share a little glimpse into what my weekend is looking like. This is pretty standard except that my mom's birthday is this weekend! Do you have any exciting plans? 

+VEG OUT

My boyfriend and I have started having movie nights every weekend. We've watched a bunch of different movies lately + are currently on The Karate Kid movies. We've made it through the first two so The Karate Kid Part III is next on the list! We also usually get takeout-- I'm thinking either pizza or Japanese this weekend. I also started watching Shark Week episodes this week too so hoping to squeeze in a few more of those too. Linking my What I've Been Watching post here if you need some movie/show ideas! 

+TARGET RUN

This weekend calls for a #TARGETRUN! I used up several of my everyday staples this week (floss, vitamins, etc.) so I havvvveeeeeeee to go. Don't you just hate it??? Hehe. 

+MOM'S BIRTHDAY

My mom's birthday is this weekend which means family dinner + some last minute shopping! 🤫🎂

+START A NEW BOOK 

I finished reading Enneagram 4 by Beth McCord this week (I'll link my review here) so I'm feeling inspired to start a new book. It seems like I can never get out of a reading slump but I'm in the mood to start one of the fun, romancey reads from my most recent Summer Book Haul. I can't decide on People We Meet on Vacation or Freed... what do you think? 

+SHEETS/LAUNDRY

Wouldn't it be nice if the sheets could just change themselves?! Ya'll know how I feel about this but it's a never-ending cycle. 

+WASH HAIR

I'm typically a once-a-weeker when it comes to washing my hair. I like to do it on the weekends because it's a process + I have more time to tame the mane, LOL. I'm still using the Aveeno Shampoo & Conditioner but switch back to the Briogeo scalp revival this weekend.

That's pretty much it for now! Do your weekends look similar to mine or do you do fun, crazy things?? I would love to take the weekend off soon + go somewhere exciting!

THOUGHTS ON 6 MONTHS OF BLOGGING!

I've officially been blogging weekly on TheKristenDiary.com for six months now! Back in January, I made a goal to put up a new blog post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I definitely feel like I'm going through a growing period in my life this year so I thought it would be fun to share some thoughts to look back on later.

Full outfit post on this look here.

I love sharing my life and what I'm interested in on here-- anything from beauty, fashion, food, books + more. It's a hobby and creative outlet for me outside of work, however is something that I never really prioritized in the past. I would put up a post here and there, quit, come back the next year and repeat the entire process. I always started but never finished. I was never proud of that and was always left feeling discouraged and wanting to do more.

I finally accepted that somewhere along the way, I developed a habit of terrible follow through. Not with everything-- but things like blogging, reading more books, drinking more water, finishing tv shows, etc. These might sound silly or not seem like that big of a deal, however I started seeing a pattern of never accomplishing or making time to do more of the things I wanted. I wasn't always like that-- I think a lot of it developed from me wanting to take on too much at once or have everything done "just right." I've discussed "paralysis by overanalysis" before which has been a big deterrent to me. I talked a lot about this same topic in my Thoughts on 3 Months of Blogging post, however I'm always wanting to work towards being better. Whether it's with my career, health, personal growth- I want to be the best version of ME. I think this desire to tackle and do everything very quickly turns into feeling overwhelmed which turns into doing nothing. 

I haven't figured it all out yet but I'm working on it one day at a time. One day I just made the decision to start blogging again. I hated the cycle of putting up sporadic posts so I mentally decided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I knew I couldn't commit to every single day and MWF gave me space in between posts. I didn't know if I'd ever see the day but after six months, here we are!

From that, I feel more confident and proud for committing and showing up for myself. On the flip side, I've also dealt with feeling uninspired and unsure of what to post. This has made it tempting to want to skip posting at times, however I've learned that with a little creativity and thinking I can usually figure something out. 

If you're here reading this, I appreciate you so much! I really hope you like the type of posts I've been sharing. I try to mix it up and keep things interesting. I don't want to do too much or too little of anything, however I've definitely slacked on the style posts recently. I think it's a combination of both not having prioritized them and also not feeling super excited by the pieces in stores right now. I'm hoping to add more of those back in, more book content and holiday posts once Fall gets closer. My goal is to continue evolving the blog into sharing all of the fun things + personal growth/improvement. 

Since January, I've put up a total of EIGHTY blog posts. Can you believe that? I honestly can't-- it doesn't feel like it's been that long or that I've created that many. I said this in my Thoughts on 3 Months of Blogging post, but I think the key is to just start somewhere and keep on going. I'll update you again in a few months! 

"Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, it's awful hard."

ENNEAGRAM TYPE 4 | BOOK REVIEW

In an effort to do some self discovery + improvement, this year I started researching enneagrams. The enneagram is a system of nine different personality types that interconnect together. We all have relationships with each type based on our behavior, however are more strongly connected to one "main" type. To find out your own enneagram type, you can take an enneagram test (there are tons of free ones online). I identify the most with Type 4, commonly referred to as "The Individualist." If you're here because you're also a Type 4, today I'm doing a book review on Enneagram Type 4 by Beth McCord. I shared it a few weeks back in my Summer Book Haul.

If you aren't a Type 4, there's an entire collection by Beth McCord for each enneagram type. I'll link them all here! 

Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 | Type 5 | Type 6 | Type 7 | Type 8 | Type 9

ENNEAGRAM TYPE 4 by BETH McCORD

In Enneagram Type 4, the author breaks down the essence of being a type 4 into what are referred to as our four major motivations: our core desire, core fear, core weakness and core longing. These are the main qualities, strengths and weaknesses that we embody as a type 4. Through a spiritual approach, Beth McCord shares how these motivations impact our lives both positively and negatively. She also discusses the ways that we can cope and adapt with them.

While reading, I confirmed that the core motivations and Type 4 traits she discussed in the book align well with my personality. I definitely identify with the personality traits of wanting to be unique, creative and authentic. I also recognize some of my flawed traits in the book too, things like being temperamental at times and moody. Normally recognizing your flaws isn’t fun, however it was actually really nice to find a connection and understanding of why you behave and think the way you do. The book is also setup like a mini workbook with areas to answer questions after each section. I'm not a huge fan of writing in books so I tried to think through these instead.

The author is also a Type 4 so I related a lot to her personal experience with having "the ability to sit with sorrow." My entire life, I've always dealt with grief and sadness differently than most people do. I've never been as emotionally expressive on the outside and often approach these areas in a more matter-of-fact way. There are a lot of traits and themes in Type 4 that deal with feeling misunderstood or that you are missing something that everyone else has. I too feel this way at times and appreciated the way she recognized that we all have negative tendencies and that's it's okay-- some of them can even be positives. 

At the end I was still left wanting more insight and a deeper look into my enneagram, however I think Enneagram Type 4 (or likely any in the series) is a great starting point for diving into your enneagram type. She offers some great information on all of the different enneagram types and more insight on the specifics of Type 4. It was interesting to see how and where the Type 4 personality also overlaps and shares traits with some of the other types. I also appreciated her basis on spirituality and how we can use the enneagram from a religious perspective. For any type, I think it's worth checking out the corresponding book in her collection if you're curious to learn more about yourself! 

What's your type? 

I love sharing book reviews 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? :)

WHAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR THIS WEEK

At the start of this week, I challenged myself to keep some mental notes of little bright spots in my days. Things I enjoyed doing, positive experiences I had or moments of joy. These are the things I’m grateful for but often overlook. Those good, seemingly ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) parts of our day. I find myself guilty of getting wrapped up in my day-to-day challenges, dwelling too much on negativity or just taking things for granted. It’s important to take the time to recognize and acknowledge them. 

*Full outfit post on this look here*

We can all use more positivity and gratitude in our lives. Hopefully this will inspire you to reflect on your own life and look for the happy moments. I’ve always felt it’s easier said than done but makes all the difference. Here are a few highlights of my week that brought me some joy and made me feel blessed. 

BRIGHT SPOTS OF THE WEEK

+ I’ll start with what I’m most grateful for from this week. To give some minor backstory, my dad has been cancer-free for 5 years now. Periodically he still has to get CT scans just as a precaution and for maintenance check-ups. Last week he had a routine scan, however we had to wait a few days until Monday to find out the results. The day of, I always feel this wave of uneasiness and worry. The anticipation and unknown of what is beyond your control is unnerving. Thankfully everything came back great this time which I am so blessed and always grateful for. 🙏🏻😭

+ Work has been busy & productive this week!

+ This one is going to sound silly but I can always count on Chick-fil-A to make my day. My location runs promos pretty often that give you free rewards when you order on certain days. Because I’m usually already there ordering, I love these! It’s so much fun getting random surprise rewards and always brightens my day. Not only did they do these twice this week, today I ordered and someone also put a free brownie in my bag! 🥺 I’m not sure if it was intentional or not but how nice?! I love their kindness & the little things like this in life.

+ My cat Eddie is a senior so every once in awhile he has off days of not feeling well. He went through some of them last week but thankfully seems to be back to normal and more energetic this week.

+ I made it back to the movies again this week on my day off which was so nice. I’ve been trying to enjoy more of my time off & my dad went with me this time too. ☺️ We watched the new Black Widow movie which was so good- definitely recommend if you like action/Marvel movies.

+ Good food is a good mood. I had the best salad for lunch & taco dinner eating out this week. I eat out regularly so like anything else, it can become just another part of your day-to-day or the food can be hit or miss. Taking the time to appreciate that I have the ability to eat out & that I had some extra delicious meals this week. We live to eat over here, ya’ll.

I’m constantly reminded and amazed by how the little, most simple things can make a big difference everyday. What are some positive moments that brought you joy or peace this week? I would love to hear about them!

ANOTHER HEALTHY GROCERY HAUL

I spent all of last night watching healthy grocery hauls on Tik-Tok so guess where I ended up today... hehe. Real talk- trying to eat better when you're always on the go is tricky for me. I've found having healthier options at home really helps so I'm going to start trying to plan out + have some meal ideas in advance. Also do you love grocery shopping too? I have the best time walking through the aisles! Everything came from Kroger except for those amazing, boujee a$$ cotton candy grapes and these Quinn Peanut Butter Pretzels. Fresh Market got me, ya'll. A little side note-- it's okay to unzip the "fancier" grape bags + take some out. They only had four bags left (and no scale nearby) so I just grabbed one... they were $11! Expensive but delicious.

PS--  if you want to see more recent food hauls, be sure to check out my Healthy Snacks Haul and this Healthy Grocery Haul. 

I've been into eating salads for lunch so I thought I would try to make my own this week with some spring mix + chicken. I prefer leafier greens and a lot of texture (fruits, nuts, etc.) so I also grabbed a Modern Mill Salad Topper. It didn't make it into the picture but it has pecans, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, blueberries + cherries. Normally I would use some sort of raspberry/fruity vinaigrette with those toppings, however I wanted to try something a little healthier (and with less sugar) so I grabbed the Tessemae's Organic Creamy Avocado Ranch dressing. We'll have to see how it all goes together! Have you tried any of their dressings? 

TODAY'S HEALTHY GROCERY PICKS

MEAT + PROTEIN

+Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

+Mighty Spark Bruschetta Chicken Burgers 

FRUITS + VEGGIES

+Bananas
+Grape Tomatoes
+Roma Tomatoes
+Lemons
+Cotton Candy Grapes
+Baby Spring Mix

DAIRY 

+Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt 

SNACKS 

+Siete Grain Free Lime Tortilla Chips
+Quinn Creamy Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
+Organic Triscut Thin Crisps

MISCELLANEOUS 

+SUJA Blueberry Ginger Juice

+Modern Mill Salad Topper

+Red's Canadian Bacon, Egg & Three Cheese Burrito

+ Artisan Bistro Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burrito 

+Tessemae's Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing 

Once I get through the rest of my Ezekiel English Muffins, I'm going to make more of my yogurt parfaits for breakfast. The Oikos Triple Zero is good if you like greek yogurt- it has lots of protein + is lower in sugar than most others. I've only ever tried the vanilla so I grabbed a berry and strawberry. I also picked out two "healthier" breakfast burritos in the freezer section. I can't commit to making something every single day so hoping they will be good for something quick + easy.

Alright I need to know if you've ever tried any of these chicken burgers from Mighty Spark? The packaging + flavor combinations caught my eye. I grabbed the Bruschetta which has tomato, basil + garlic. It sounded yummy for a quick meal idea and the ingredients are pretty clean on them too.

What's on your grocery list for this week? 

LUXURY BEAUTY I WANT | JULY 2021

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We're going full on boujee, no budget today. I'm feeling a little shoppy AND fancy this week so I rounded up a "What I Want" list with some amazing luxury beauty items. While I love a cheap thrill, there's nothing like the feeling of a beautifully packaged, overpriced $38 lipstick in your hand. Well, nothing except the $38 you would have if you didn't buy it. 😉 

Jokes aside, a few years back I sampled and loved this CHANEL foundation. I never ended up purchasing the full size and it completely slid off my radar until a few weeks ago. In searching for something to give me the perfect summer glow, I remembered how I loved the finish and coverage of the CHANEL. I will test out and use anything regardless of whether it's drugstore, high-end or luxury, however I tend to have better luck with higher end foundations. After browsing through all of the CHANEL beauty, one thing led to another and here we are. I ended up browsing through most of the luxury brands on the market and found some new items for my wishlist. Here's what made the cut:

1. CHANEL LES BEIGES Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream 

2. DIOR Forever Skin Correct Concealer 

3. Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque 

4. CHANEL OMBRE PREMIÈRE LAQUE Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow

5. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

6. CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup 

7. Maison Margiela 'Replica' Beach Walk Eau De Toilette Spray 

8. Yves Saint Laurent Limited Edition Rouge Volupté Star Lipstick

9. Gucci Mascara L'Obscur 

Most of these have been around the block for awhile and aren't super new. If you've had a chance to try out any of them, let me know what you thought + how you liked them! I've been more into skincare lately (be sure to check out my Current Skincare Lineup here) so I'm due for some new makeup! Hope you have an amazing week! xx. 

I love sharing my picks 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? :)

END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 7/9

When I'm feeling a little less creative or having an off week, I love writing out these end of the week posts. It's a great way for me to brain dump and ramble about what's on my mind, what I've been up to, etc. They're sporadic but I'll link some previous ones here & here if you're interested.

Did you see my IG stories this week? You can find me @TheKristenDiary

For starters, I had every intention of kicking this week off with a "healthy reset." Over the past few months I've been pretty carefree when it comes to eating. I always believe in moderation and still eating what you want, however I've probably been indulging a little too much. My current goal is to cut back + start making healthier choices. I've found that it's easy for me to "cut back" and watch calories, however that doesn't always align with healthy ingredients and meals. I'm easing myself into buying healthier options + natural, organic foods. If you missed them- I shared a recent Healthy Snacks Haul and a Healthy Grocery Haul. 

I'm having a hard time getting into the groove of it all. I was excited to try out some of the new breakfast items from my grocery haul this week. I toasted the Ezekial Sprouted Grain English Muffins with a little bit of organic peanut butter + honey. While it's no chicken mini, I do like the combination. The english muffins have a good flavor and are very soft. Because I switched from a normal peanut butter to the organic (100% peanuts - no added oils/sugar), it's a little bit different. I like it and haven't had an issue actually eating it with the muffins, I think it's just something I'll have to get use to over time. I'm still use to the sweetness of "normal" peanut butter which I have always loved. This one is fine, however I don't have any desire to eat a spoonful out of the jar! Adding a drizzle of honey on top helps a lot though. 

I ate some lighter lunches during the week too which I consider "progress," however I still had some unhealthy dinners in the mix. Hoping to do better next week. I think if I buy a few more things to plan out meals, that will help me to get in a better routine. 

A bright spot in the week was actually relaxing for part of my day off. If you're like me, you find yourself trying to be productive and still do a million things on off days. There is always something that needs to be done and I usually end up running errands, cleaning/laundry or catching up on other work. I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to take myself to the movies this week + see Cruella. I'm so glad I did! It was nice having two hours to relax and veg out with popcorn (robbing Peter to pay Paul, here). If you want to know what I thought about the movie, I shared in Wednesday's post on What I've Been Watching lately. 

Do your days ever feel like an emotional rollercoaster? I'm pretty sure Aunt Flo is on her way for a visit because I've been feeling that way this week. Some moments/days I feel great + upbeat and then in the next instant, I feel moody + depressed. It's constantly an up, down, up, down, up, downnnnn. I'm definitely feeling more tired, impatient + more easily annoyed at things. 

I've also thought a lot about time blocking + using a planner this week. I haven't been using one for the past few years, however I'm becoming more interested in scheduling out my day. There are a lot of goals and habits that I'd love to incorporate into my day and I think time blocking them in would help. Do you use a planner or certain style of scheduling? If so, I would love to hear about what you like + what works for you. 

Cheers to the weekend! 

I love sharing my thoughts 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? :)

WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING | JULY 2021

 Besides too much Tik-Tok, I've watched some really great movies and tv shows over the past few months. Most days I find myself too busy or sidetracked with other things to watch a lot so when I do it better be good! The summer is also a great time to slow down, relax + have some epic movie nights. I've been trying to do more of that at least on the weekends. If you're needing some new recs, here's a highlight of what I've enjoyed watching lately. Also don't be shy + let me know if you've been watching anything that you think is a must-see. I want to know!

WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING 

+ Fast & Furious Collection - Back in the spring, I rallied my boyfriend into watching the entire Fast & Furious collection. I've always loved the films and the entire crew-- RIDE OR DIE, BABY. I've been out of the movie world for awhile so I didn't even realize the new Fast 9 was coming out this summer until after we'd started watching them. The timing worked out perfectly and we finished all eight in time to go see F9 in theaters. This was the first time I'd been back at the movies in what feels like forever. Looooveeeedddd it- the big screen + movie theater popcorn is my favorite.

If you've never watched any of them, they follow a family/crew of street-racers who always find themselves in questionable (dangerous, illegal, etc.) situations. The movies have a ton of action/racing, however also focuses on the tight knit relationships + loyalty of the characters. I love the cast and that the films build upon previous ones with a lot of connecting characters + plot elements. 

+ The Karate Kid - My boyfriend has told me that Cobra Kai on Netflix is a must-watch and a great spin-off/continuation of The Karate Kid franchise. I only ever remember watching The Next Karate Kid growing up so we're starting with the original ones first so that I can watch the show. Over July 4th we watched The Karate Kid. I loved the style-- since it came out in 1984 it was cool seeing the oldie vibes + the story was also very entertaining. 

+ Cruella - I took myself out for a little movie date today and watched Cruella. Growing up, I loved 101 Dalmatians and everyone knows Cruella DeVil is an ICON. I loved how Disney brought her character to life in the film. If you haven't had a chance to go see it yet, it tells her life story growing up and how she becomes the person that we all know Cruella DeVil to be. It also has amazing fashion + music! 

+ The Sopranos - This is another series the bf and I are going to marathon. I love The Sopranos but (unsurprisingly) I've never finished the entire series. A few years back I made it through season 3-4, however in typical Kristen style I bailed out and never finished. I have a bad habit about never finishing tv shows. I get to the point where I don't want them to end so I just tap out. I'm excited to rewatch + *fingers crossed* finish the entire thing this time. We're only four episodes in but The Sopranos is such an iconic show. Definitely one of the best of all time and great if you like action/drama/mafia. 

PS-- if you're a longtime fan, the prequel The Many Saints of Newark comes out this October! 

+ Bend it Like Beckham - I almost forgot this one! One of my all-time favorite movies growing up was Bend it Like Beckham. My middle-school-soccer-playing self lived for this. I finally rewatched it several weeks back + it always makes for a great throwback. Make sure you check out my post on 10 Throwback Movies to Watch on Netflix and Disney+.

Clearly I've got a throwback agenda going on right now. Besides Cruella and F9, everything else is an oldie (but all goodies). Have you seen any of these? 

I love sharing what I'm watching 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? :)

HEALTHY GROCERY HAUL

Happy Monday! Did you do anything fun for July 4th weekend? My day was full of yummy food, some shopping + relaxing. My boyfriend has been wanting me to watch The Karate Kid movies so that we can watch Cobra Kai on Netflix (he's already seen it + said it was great). I only ever remember watching The Next Karate Kid so it was nice starting at the beginning and seeing all of the '80s vibes! 

One of my goals this month is to cut back and ease into healthier eating. Let's do a haul on a few new healthier options for when I'm eating at home. I'd also love to know if you've tried any of these + if you have any other healthish grocery items you love. I'm working on incorporating healthier choices + options where I can. I also recently did a Healthy Snacks Haul here if you're interested. 

+ Ezekiel 4:9 Organic Frozen Sprouted Whole Grain English Muffins - I'm going to try and curb my bagel and Chick-fil-a breakfast addiction with these Ezekial English Muffins. They are sprouted, flourless english muffins that nutritionally are a much better choice than a regular bagel or english muffin. Spoiler alert- I tried them this morning and liked them! I toasted mine with peanut butter + was surprised that it still was soft and not dry at all. I'm guessing it could have to do with the whole grain and that they are refrigerated.

+ Smucker's Organic Creamy Peanut Butter - This is the peanut butter I used with the muffins. I never thought I'd see the day where I would buy natural peanut butter... I love Peter Pan, ya'll. This one is definitely different than "normal" peanut butter that has added sugar + oils. The consistency and taste are both different, however I think I could grow into this one. I didn't actually mind it by itself, however I did add a little honey on top to give me that missing sweetness. I love that it's 100% organic peanuts and that's it! 

+ Applegate Naturals Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausages - I love making turkey sausage for breakfast so I thought these chicken sausages might be a little bit of a healthier alternative. I'll let you know! 

+ Tru Fru White & Dark Chocolate Frozen Whole Raspberries - These are yummy!! This is one of those "healthier choices" for me. If I can snack on these for dessert instead of a cookie or something with a higher sugar/fat/calorie content, I consider it a win! I grabbed the raspberries, however they also come in strawberries, blueberries and milk chocolate varieties too. 

+ Red's Chicken Cilantro Lime Burrito - I grabbed one of these to try out for lunch. I don't make a lot of frozen meals, however this chicken burrito looked on the cleaner side + had great customer reviews. I thought this might be a great option for when I want to eat something a little bit healthier at home. 

+ Quaker Caramel Rice Crisps - Tried these today-- actually not bad. They are very light & have a subtle caramel coating. I'm not sure if I've ever had a rice cake/crisp before these... my mom informed me they've always been "diet food without much taste" LOL. I saw someone on IG share these + thought they'd be another sweet/salty snack that’s a better alternative. So far I like ‘em!

That’s a wrap for today’s mini haul. Are you all liking these posts or no? I love food but let me know your thoughts!

I love sharing my grocery hauls 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? :)

JUNE 2021 INSTAGRAM RECAP

I don't know about you but June felt like it WOULD NEVER END for me. Since July is finally here, let’s go over my June Instagram posts. I’m happy I posted in June but I've still been off my game. I need to shoot some fun content to inspire me. If you have any ideas of what you like or would want to see, I’d love to hear them :) Also if you happen to be new here, you can find me on IG @TheKristenDiary. I try to share new posts + stories daily. 

Do you follow a theme on your Instagram or do you go balls to the walls? Because I never posted much in the past, I haven't read too much into how my feed or posts look together. I like sharing whatever I want, however I also think it's nice when things look cohesive and coordinate. This month, I definitely posted a random assortment of (mostly) beauty + lifestyle/food content. I feel like I'm missing from my own feed, haha! Anywho, most of these pics correlate with recent blog posts so I'll also those for you.

Dr. Teals' Foaming Bubble Bath 

*BATH TIME ESSENTIALS POST HERE*

*SWEET + SALTY GOLDFISH PRETZEL TOFFEE RECIPE HERE*

Agent Nateur Holi(Trinity)

*AGENT NATEUR UNBOXING HERE*

*FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON DERMAPLANING AT HOME HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Free People Dress (similar) | Forever 21 Bodysuit (similar) | Converse  | Gucci Sunglasses (similar) | Target Earrings (similar) | Initial Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

Siete Food Churro Chips | Siete Foods Mexican Shortbread Cookies 

*HEALTHY SNACKS HAUL POST HERE*

That's a wrap on last month's IG posts! Don't forget to find me on IG @TheKristenDiary to see new posts + stories daily. I'd also love to chat with ya :) Hope you have the best 4th of July weekend!

I love sharing all things beauty, fashion and lifestyle 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? :)