WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING LATELY | 5.30.22

We're officially at the end of May... can you believe it? Does the time ever start to slow down? I hate being a broken record but it is the craziest thing. Now that the month's over, I wanted to share what I watched this month. I'm always looking for new movie + show recommendations so it's only fitting I share my list too, right? TV wise I'm still rewatching my way through Schitt's Creek- I think I'm on Season 5 now? The rest are movies so here's a quick list of everything + my thoughts! 

+ Top Gun - In light of the Top Gun: Maverick release, I watched the original Top Gun last week. Isn't it crazy that it was released back in 1986? I'm a little ashamed to admit this was my first time watching the film from start to finish. My dad has always been a huge fan of the movie so I remember watching bits and pieces growing up, however I'd never watched it all the way through. What is not to love? From a young Tom Cruise, action-packed flying scenes and a great musical score, it's a must watch classic. It has comedic fun, camaraderie, tragedy, romance and perseverance all in one. Definitely a must-watch classic full of adventure. 

+ Top Gun: Maverick - Where do I even begin with Top Gun: Maverick? We picked a Saturday night showing on opening weekend. You could feel a special ambience both outside and in the theatre. The place was packed and I hadn't been to a movie this busy in years. It took me back to my midnight movie days for the Batman Trilogy and Harry Potter films. I've always thought it's a shame how digital streaming has taken over the box office so it really was incredible to see so many people. I also think it deepened the overall nostalgic feel of the movie. 

The film itself was phenomenal. It met and exceeded any expectation I had going in. While I hadn't been waiting the 30+ years for a sequel like a lot of others, I think it would be accurate to assume that it was well worth the wait. My dad loved it! While it's hard to top an original, I really think they did it with this one. The action scenes and flying were next level. If you haven't had a chance to read about the movie, all of the actors performed the flying scenes in real time with Navy pilots on location. What would normally be CGI formulated was real which in itself is incredible. I also found the story to have a little bit more substance and storyline than the original. I appreciated how they incorporated references from Top Gun while also painting a new, current plot. I think it was a nice way of revisiting the story that both old and new audiences will love. 

+ The Thomas Crown Affair - Another throwback I added to my watched list is The Thomas Crown Affair. Pierce Brosnan is a billionaire businessman who has an affinity for fine art. Living in New York City, he steals a hundred million dollar Monet painting from The Met. His crime goes both undetected and unsuspected until a smart, beautiful investigator from the insurance company gets involved. Things get complicated and a little steamy when they become romantically involved. 

I really enjoyed this one a lot. It was entertaining and has that 90s film lovestory feel. Not sure that makes sense but it gives off Pretty Woman vibes. Definitely feels like a different, more sophisticated world than ours today. 

+ The Lost City - A newish release, I treated myself one afternoon to a movie date to watch The Lost City. With Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, it's your typical romantic comedy with an enemies-to-lovers vibe. Now that I'm thinking it back over- it's actually quite similar to The Proposal with a change of scenery. It was lighthearted with those expected cheesy moments. Nothing remarkable but fun if you like the actors. 

+ This Means War - JJ and I were looking for something fun to watch and came across This Means War. I never even knew this movie existed? It's another cheesy but lighthearted romantic comedy love-triangle featuring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. Not the best movie I've ever seen but entertaining enough for a casual date night! 

What are you watching right now? 

BEST MEMORIAL DAY SALES THIS WEEKEND

Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend, friends. I am forever grateful to all of our fallen heroes and those whose service has afforded us the privilege of spending our days and weekends such as this one freely. It has been a heavy week after the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas this past Tuesday. I have been at a loss-- nothing I can say or do feels significant enough for this unfathomable tragedy. My heart breaks for all of the families, responders and community and I'm keeping them in my prayers. It's a sad reality that we often have to experience or witness a tragedy such as this in order to be reminded of how precious and unguaranteed like is. Count your blessings and cherish the loved ones in your life. 

Most of us have a long weekend so it's the perfect opportunity to spend it with the ones you love. Do you have any big plans? JJ bought tickets for us to go see Top Gun: Maverick on Saturday night which feels very fitting. Ready for the danger zone! The reviews coming in are saying it's better than the original so I can’t wait. It's also always a great weekend to get ready for summer + do some shopping. I haven't figured out if it's the holidays themselves that intensify my shopping itch or if it's the holiday sales... likely the latter, no? A lot of stores are having store wide sales + clearance offers right now so I rounded up my favorite picks for you.

+ Abercrombie (20% off the entire store + 25% off getaway collection)

+ Agent Nateur (25% off site wide)

+ American Eagle (30-60% off a large selection of items + 40% off all tees and tanks) 

+ Anthropologie (extra 40% off sale items) 

+ Dermstore (20% off site wide)

+ MAC Cosmetics (25% off bronzers, highlighters + face/body collection) 

+ Macy's (25-40% off a large selection of items, $10 Macy's Money for every $50 spent) 

+ Nordstrom (Half-Yearly Sale, up to 60% select items)

+ REI (20% off of one item)

+ Static Nails (Buy 3, Get 1 Free on Press-On Nail Kits) 

These are my top picks + a few of the places I’ll be shopping this weekend. A few things on my list are the sensitive skin deodorant from Agent Nateur and either their new Holi(locks) hair treatment or Holi(bright) mask. I’m also starting to think of Father’s Day gift ideas for my dad and some new staples for summer. Basic tees, denim + new athleisure always seem to be on my menu!

Are you shopping for anything?

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? :)

WHAT I WANT | BEAUTY

Saie Beauty Hydrabeam Concealer // Kosas Bronzer // Boscia Exfoliating Face + Scalp Powder // Laura Mercier Blush // MAC Brush Cleanser // Agent Nateur Holi(Stick) Sensitive Deodorant // Shiseido Facial Cotton // Westman Atelier Foundation Stick 

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I love sharing my unboxings 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 SHOWER ROUTINE

Shower Head // Shower Curtain // Curtain Liner // Shower Hooks 

Is it weird to admit that I've been on a "shower kick" lately? I think it has to be weird... heh. If you're new here on the blog- I am a bath girl through and through. I live for a good bubble bath and take one religiously almost every single night. I always describe it as a cathartic process for me + it's been my way of relaxing and winding down before bed for years now. While I have always still showered too (lol-- things are getting progressively weirder), lately I've found myself showering more than the norm. It may or may not have something to do with all of this 90 degree whether we've been having here in TN and my journey experimenting with natural deodorants, lol. Have you had enough TMI yet??

On a totally random (but related) note, the shower fests have also transpired from me wanting to test out cold showers. It's more like adding a burst of cold in the shower. I think I briefly mentioned this a few posts back, but there is something called the Wim Hof Method that is involved cold therapy and breathing. It's purpose is to increase your overall immunity and health. When I get a shower, I try to spend the last minute the freezing cold water. It's also great for your hair! 

Alright on to the shower routine! I keep things pretty simple which is typically wash hair, shave + cleanse. Lately I've been testing out the Aveda Botanical Repair line. It's a plant-based haircare line that is suppose to help strengthen and repair damaged hair. I picked up the shampoo, conditioner + masque. So far I'm really happy with the results-- I definitely notice my hair is smoother and it seems to help tame some of the frizziness too. 

The shave + cleanse steps are currently the EOS Sensitive Skin Shave Cream, this Venus razor for sensitive skin + the St. Ives Shea Butter body wash. Easy peasy! Every once in awhile I'll also use the Josie Maran Sugar Scrub which is great. Love that it's clean + the vanilla scent is yummy. I usually apply the Nécessaire Body Serum after I get out but it's nice for a little extra moisture + to seal everything in. 

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I love sharing my unboxings 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 DRESSES | 2022

White Floral Mini Dress // Orange Tassel Mini Dress // White Cowl Neck Mini Dress // Floral Print Balloon Sleeve Dress // Tan Midi Dress // Black Ruched Mini Dress // Teal Floral Printed Dress

Whether you have a wedding, vacation coming up or just want something casual, there are so many cute new dresses out right now. I'm loving floral patterns and bright colors for events. They adds a fun pop to an ensemble and if you're lucky enough to tan (unlike me), they look even more vivid and eye-catching. Here are my top picks + what I'm loving right now.

Let me know which is your fave? 

I love sharing my unboxings 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? :)

NEW MAKEUP FOR SPRING + SUMMER | HAUL

MAC Art Library Eyeshadow Palette [Shade: Nude Model] // ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil [Shade: Only You] // ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara // Morphe Blush Brush // Morphe Blender Brush // MAC Fix+ Mist // Lawless Forget the Filler Pluming Lip Gloss // Lawless Forget the Filler Plumping Overnight Mask 

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I love sharing my unboxings 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 SUMMER GOALS + INTENTIONS

Since we're halfway through May, I've been reflecting on my yearly progress and what my current goals + intentions are. I've been slacking a bit lately and have caught myself pushing aside a lot of these over the last few months. It seems like very time I turn around we're talking about goal setting and consistency here on the blog... we are in the midst of learning it's easy to lose them if you let up. Despite that, it's also normal to need a break sometimes too. If you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed or going through an off season, it's okay to stumble or have to start again. I've found myself going through one of those times lately-- the ebbs and flows.

I always seem to find myself back at my list of the ongoing goals and improvements I hope to make in my life. Whether physically, mentally or emotionally, the list never seems to stop. I'll share some of the small habits I'm working to slowly reincorporate back into my daily routine. If you're looking to build a new habit, starting small seems to be the key. It's like working out at the gym-- you have to keep taking small, consistent action to build up muscle. Baby steps!

+ BACK ON THE VITAMINS - My vitamin routine has been all over the place lately. I missed a few days during the holidays last year and it's been inconsistent ever since. I've always been the most successful in taking them when I keep my pill organizer with me everywhere. It's a simple step that doesn't seem like a big deal but makes a world of difference for me. To get back into my routine, I'm going to start filling it up every Sunday so I'm prepped for the week ahead. 

+ DRINK MORE WATER - I don't think I've ever managed to successfully "drink water" in the way we're told to. It definitely hasn't been a long term habit for me... it's one of those things I've started for a few days and dropped later. Like with the vitamins, I'm going to take the approach of setting myself up for success by being prepared. For Easter I was gifted this Yeti rambler which I love... isn't the color amazing? I'm going to shoot for filling it up everyday + bringing to work. I started off strong today but will keep you posted on how it goes. 

+ READ MY BIBLE - I shared my new Bible with you all in this post which I love. I just started reading Genesis and long-term, I hope to read the whole text entirely and on a daily basis. I need to come up with a schedule for reading both the Bible and other books... do you have a system that works for you? I'm thinking if I set a goal to read X number of pages per day, it will be more doable. 

+ KEEP IT CLEAN - There is a huge correlation between how we feel and our environment. It's all too easy to push off cleaning up around the house or doing "chores" when you feel tired and exhausted from work. I will be the first to admit that when I get home at night, the LAST thing on my mind is cleaning up. I'm bad about pushing things off but I've noticed I feel significantly more relaxed and at ease in a tidier, organized space. The same goes for my car too! I talked a bit about this here, but I feel so much better mentally when my car is clean. As of now I will just do laundry or pick up sporadically so once again, I think I need a designated day or time for this. Seems to be a theme, huh? 

+ INVESTING - Another goal I have for the next few months is to hone in a little bit more on investing. With inflation, the stock market has taken a huge hit right now. I follow a lot of financial blogs + groups and the general consensus is to keep investing right now if you're able to ("buy the dips.") I'm normally pretty hands off when it comes to investing but I'm going to try to engage a little bit more while things have declined. 

+ SELF CARE - Last but certainly not least is being intentional with self care. I have also learned that this is a constant revolving door in our lives. It often looks different, however taking care of ourselves should be a top priority. It's so easy to forget that or put other things first. A lot of my other goals wrap into this one too  but being mindful of it first and foremost is essential. 

What are some of your goals right now? 

I love sharing my unboxings 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 WANT | MAY

Birkenstock Slides // OPI Funny Bunny // Oura Ring // Grey Bodysuit // Papaya BeautyBlender // ILIA Mascara // Dior Airflash Foundation // Gucci Sunglasses // YSL Wallet

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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? :)

WHAT I'M LOVING AT ABERCROMBIE RIGHT NOW

Black Strappy Sandals // Straw Tote // Graphic Tee // Orange Mini Dress // Mules // Satin Button-up // Denim Shorts // Linen Blend Button-up 

Which is your fave?

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? :)

START OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 5.9.22

Full outfit details in this post

I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow that I've been dreading for the six whole weeks since I made it. It’s one of those appointments where I’ve been telling myself it will be fine (because I know it really will) but there’s also a lingering feeling of uncertainty and to be honest, I’m slightly freaking the hell out. I feel like a teeter totter, going back and forth. It’ll be fine! But what if something isn’t... No, it’s fine. It’ll be over with before you know it. Let’s just say 2:00pm tomorrow can’t come fast enough.

I've been pushing it out of the way but at this point it’s unavoidable. With less than fifteen hours to go, it’s pretty much all I have been and can focus on right now. I had more ambitious plans when it came to content for today’s blog post but here we are. That all-consuming mental block is a weird feeling. It’s a little destabilizing to admit but in a bizarre way also feels cathartic? I’m an internalizer of these things but I finally just needed to let go of it. I'm not fond of that feeling. It's impossible to be in control of everything in life but it is possible to control what controls you. Writing seems to really help with acknowledging that-- definitely easier than verbalization.

I have been reminded today that these are the times that really test your grit, your perseverance. Between stressing over the appointment and blog content (or lack thereof), I was a short way away from just calling it quits. After scrapping idea after idea, I had to just close the laptop and take a few. You can bet I also entertained the idea of 86ing the appointment all together... I'm too type A to *actually* cancel but it was a nice thought while it lasted!

Sometimes when you’re feeling stuck or frustrated, it helps to just take a breather and walk away. Sometimes it helps to have the meltdown too, ya know? Getting a bath always relaxes me so I decided to pivot what clearly wasn’t working. As I'm running the water, I had a chance to detach for a few and mentally recenter. I had the thought of why not just talk about this? There's a strong probability I'll regret it later and a very good chance this post is part of the 20% bullshit (more on that here), but I decided that’s okay for today. The sun will rise.

All in all, we're starting the week off in a weird spot. If you're freaking out, know I'm also freaking out. We all freak out at times. I don’t have many words of wisdom to offer you today besides giving yourself grace in moments like these. Whatever that means or looks like to you. Maybe that's taking a breather or embracing the melt down. Sometimes it’s the small, seemingly stupid moments that have the biggest impact on us but it's okay to embrace the uncertainty, anxiety and perturbations. Until next time, xx. 

SPRING STYLE ROUND UP | 2022

I wanted to share a recap with you on all of the spring style posts that have gone up on the blog this season. If you're shopping for spring and looking to add to your wardrobe, hopefully this post will give you some inspo. I've found all of my favorite denim, sandals, swimsuits, beach bags, beauty + more. There are so many good things. Everything is linked under each post if you want to shop or look up more details, reviews, etc. I'll also keep this post updated with any new finds too. What pieces for spring are you currently shopping for?

Beige Heeled Sandal // Puffy Blush Slides // Crystal Slides // Black Flip Flops // Strappy Leather Heels // Braided Heeled Sandals

Light Wash Skinny Jeans // Denim Jacket // Denim Cutoff Shorts // Black Cutoff Shorts // Denim Shortalls // Denim Dress // Fray Hem Shorts 

Black Strappy Top // Floral Top, Floral Bottom // Neon Green Top, Neon Bottom // Orange One Piece // Nude Top, Nude Bottom // Black One Piece 

Brown Stripe Tote // Cream Jacquard Print Tote // YSL Black Straw Tote // Circle Handle Bag // Black Crossbody // Beaded Strap Crossbody // Pearl Embossed Top Handle Bag // Keeping It Salty Pearl Tote 

Nest Bamboo Candle // Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace Natural Fragrance // Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Blush // Dior Lip Tint // Jo Malone Sea Daffodil Fragrance // Westman Atelier Brow Pencil // Dior Bronzer

Which pieces are your favorites?

I love sharing my picks with you! 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? :)

BOOKS I WANT TO READ | MAY

Happy May, friends. Here's a little update on some new books I've added to my TBR list this month. I always keep my eye on new releases, what's in stores or any recommendations I see online. If you're new here- I'll read pretty much anything. Lately I've been gravitating towards more lighthearted fiction or self-help/personal growth books, however pretty much any genre is fair game. The approach of summer and warmer weather has me in the mood for some lighthearted beach reads which is why I'm excited for Book Lovers and Lessons in Chemistry. Both are new releases and seem like fun, easy breezy reads for this time of the year.

I also came across a video recommendation for The Four Laws of Love which sounds interesting if you're in a relationship. The title targets marriage (I'm not married, FYI) but the reviews say it's great for anyone married or non-married when it comes to relationships. I was intrigued because it's suppose to have a spiritual perspective. I've been reading my She Reads Truth Bible so I thought it would be neat to see a connection to the Bible. Relationship books aren't usually in my lineup so I'll definitely fill you guys in once I read it. 

I'm also excited to pick up The Wim Hof Method... have you heard of this? It's a method based on things like deep breathing and exposure to cold therapy which are said to help you become more in tune with your body, build greater immunity, etc. I've heard a little bit about it over the last year but have never studied it in depth. Super super interesting concept. I've also heard taking cold showers can be helpful so I've been trying to add a few minutes of that into mine lately. As always, would love to know if you've read any of these + what's on your list! 

WHAT I WANT TO READ

You can read the synopsis + shop each book by clicking on the title below: 

+ Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

+ The Four Laws of Love by Jimmy Evans

+ The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof 

+ Book Lovers by Emily Henry 

What are you reading this month? 

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? :)

6 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HAVE A BETTER WEEK

A few simple steps can make or break the type of week or day you're having. Having a good week for me is usually based on how I'm feeling and my overall mental state. Your mood tends to spread to all other areas of your life so chances are if you can improve both your mindset and the week you're having, you'll likely see everything else improve too. Most of us don't feel rah-rah every single day which is totally normal and a part of life. The key is to switch things up + find ways to put a little extra pep in your step. Here are a couple of little tricks that almost always put me into a better mood. They're super easy tweaks you can make to your day to day that don't require too much extra effort or energy because let's face it, we could all use a little more of that too.

+ DON’T WORRY, DON’T HURRY - Something I’ve learned about myself is that I HATE feeling rushed or late. It can throw off my entire mood and sour my day. I often catch myself in chaos, rushing around from one place to the next. During these times I can actually feel my body in a constant state of stress and feeling like there's never enough time to get things done. The biggest area this affects me in is early in the morning before work. I’ve learned that if I’m running out the door to get to work, it can throw off my entire day. I feel irritable, less productive, etc. I’ve gotten a lot better about this lately and while I love sleeping in as long as possible, I wake up a few minutes earlier now to allocate extra time. It doesn’t seem like much but even an extra 5-10 minutes makes a world of difference. For me it’s valuable to have enough time to get ready, have a relaxing breakfast and some me time before I have to go in to work. If you've ever felt like this, try getting up just a tad earlier and giving yourself a little more time to relax. I swear it helps! 

+ CLEAN YOUR SHEETS & BEDDING - Are ya’ll tired of hearing about this one yet? Lol. There is something about keeping your bed fresh + clean that really makes a huge difference mentally. It’s a total pain (ya’ll know I hate making the bed!) but I like to change my sheets and bedding every week. Not only is it hygienic, there’s something relaxing about going to bed and waking up in a fresh and cozy bed. I think it’s a simple pleasure that adds to your overall mindset.

+ CLEAN YOUR CAR - Like your sheets, having a clean car is life changing. I’ll be honest that I don’t stay on top of this as much as I’d like to but it really is the best thing. There’s just something about getting in a spotless car that makes you feel like you have your sh*t together and can do it all. I also find myself overthinking about how much I need to clean my car when it’s a mess, lol. It will make your life better!  

+ GET OUTSIDE - Spending a few minutes outside and in the sun everyday is a guaranteed mood booster. Whether you're feeling stressed or just want to relax, the fresh air always does good. 

+ TREAT YOURSELF (TO SOMETHING HEALTHY) - Treating yourself is a great motivator or pick-me-up that can add some excitement to your week. I think a lot of us associate a “treat” as a guilty pleasure or something that’s a “cheat” which is why you should shoot for something that won’t compromise your goals. Whether it’s a new purchase or eating out, looking for healthy ways to treat yourself that still align with these goals is key. For me, this could look like taking myself out for lunch and buying my favorite salad. Even though I’m trying to eat healthier, I can still splurge on something I love that aligns with my goals. It will help you to feel good, have more excitement and still stay motivated because you kept your promise to yourself. 

+ JAM OUT - The type of music I listen to definitely changes depending on my mood. I've also found the reverse to work as well-- I can shift my mood based on the songs I listen to. To put me in a good mood, I always opt for something upbeat or an old throwback I love. It keeps me in a positive mindset or helps put me in one when I'm feeling the blues. This playlist has been making me feel more motivated and confident lately-- I'll link it here.

Although super simple, adding these to your current routine can make your week and days better. I think the general idea is to give yourself a few little luxuries here and there to help you relax and deal with whatever comes your way. They make a world of difference in my life so I hope you'll try some of them out. Let me know if you already do any of them or if you have a tip you recommend I try! 

What do you do to relax?