FALL JACKETS I LOVE

L-R: Leather Moto Jacket // Embroidered Blazer // Plaid Blazer Coat // Slouch Wool Coat // Shawl Collar Coat // Belted Coat // Crepe Blazer // Corduroy Bomber Jacket // Leather Blazer 

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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'VE BEEN WATCHING | AUGUST

August has been a movie month over here! Mostly rom-coms too. Fall definitely has me excited and already curling up + marathoning on the couch. I've also been reminded of the (somewhat obvious) conclusion that movies + shows are just a nice little mental boost. It's one of the few ways I can fully relax and get out of my own head. I’ve even noticed a pattern on my Oura ring of my heart rate dropping and going into “restorative” mode when I watch something comforting or relaxing. Rest and taking care of yourself is never over rated so if you need an excuse to binge watch, you do you boo. 

If you're also looking for something new to watch, here's what I've been watching lately: 

+Just Go With It - The dynamic duo of Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler stars in the rom-com Just Go With It. This is an oldie but funny! It's has some silly, goofy moments but is also endearing and cute. 

+This Little Love of Mine - A random Netflix rom-com I came across was This Little Love of Mine. One of our favorite themes-- big city gal returns back to her small hometown, reconnects with a childhood flame... I think you know the rest ;) An easy watch with cute moments, a little cheese and that happy ending we always root for. 

+A Perfect Pairing - This one was such a nice surprise for me. I love a good Netflix romance but within the first few minutes, I wasn't really vibing. By the end, I was sold and ended up loving A Perfect Pairing. It has wine, romance + Australian farm vibes all into one. I was just fun, wholesome and made me feel good. I loved the characters and overall vibe of this one-- I don't know that a sequel would happen with this storyline but it would be really fun to see the characters again.

+It’s Complicated - One of the best in the game is It’s Complicated. Honestly anything by Nancy Meyers is worth a watch in my opinion. If you haven’t seen it, do so ASAP. It follows Meryl Streep as a middle-aged, divorced single mom. In the midst of running a business, she shares her children with ex-husband Alec Baldwin who previously cheated on her with a younger woman. Their co-parenting duties ultimately lead to a secret (and ironic!) affair with one other which ultimately becomes, well, complicated. It's hilariously good, sentimental and an absolute gem. 

+Gran Turismo - New to theaters, Gran Turismo follows a true story based on the success of the well loved video game and Nissan's introduction of video gamers into the real world of racing. I've always had a love for both cars and gaming so this was great. It's heartwarming, inspiring and a great story about doing the "impossible" and following your dreams. 

What have you been watching lately?

CURRENT FAVES + OBESSIONS

L-R: Heating Pad // Lip Butter Balm // Retinol Serum // Goat Milk Hand Cream // Bible // Sensitive Skin Deodorant // PJ Pants // SPF 50+ Face Lotion // Stacy's Pita Chips 

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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? :)

TRYING BOAR'S HEAD APPLE PIE HUMMUS

Fall flavors are officially hitting the grocery store shelves which means it’s pumpkin spice and apple galore everywhere! Y’all already know both fall + trying out new snackies are two of my favorite things. After finding out Boar’s Head makes both an Apple Pie and Pumpkin Spice Hummus, I was curious to try one out. Now I'll be honest- I am NOT a hummus person. I tried it once or twice a long time ago and wasn't a fan. It’s just never been something I was won over by. I also feel like the whole idea of hummus is a little strange if you're picky like me... I don't know if it's the texture, the chickpeas or what. It kind of freaks me out? It's definitely a polarizing food, lol. Normally I'd pass but throw in some fall and some sugar and you have my attention. I also love Boar's Head + healthier dessert options. I read elsewhere that it tastes just like apple pie filling so I had to find out! 

Alright, let's do this. Obviously I had to make a whole charcutes vibe so I grabbed an apple, cinnamon sugar pita chips & pretzel thins to try it with. Moment of truth from a skeptical, non-hummus-eating gal... it's decent. I have some thoughts though. First off, I actually don't mind the texture. This one is super smooth and similar to any other kind of dip. I like it, especially chilled. The taste is sweet, has a little bit of spice and a very subtle apple flavor. I also like that. I wouldn't go so far to say it's exactly like eating an apple pie but it has those fall vibes we love. Not too artificial or overpowering, just warm and sweet. 

One thing I don't like is that it has a slight after taste. I'm pretty sure it's the chickpea flavor coming through? I'm inexperienced here but I also tried out the Dark Chocolate flavor + noticed a similar effect. This obviously sounds stupid because it's HUMMUS but if you're someone who isn't a huge fan like myself, you get it right? It's very subtle and not bad by any means, just different for me. I only really taste it by itself, too. Paired with the crisps or apple, you don't notice it as much. I also thought it was really good paired with the pita chips. That was my favorite combination out of the three- the smooth texture works really well with the crunchier pita + overall flavor. 

All in all, it was a fun experience trying something new and going a little outside of my comfort zone. I think if you're a hummus fan, you would love it. I can't say I'll be rushing out to buy more anytime soon, however if it was being served at a party, I'd munch on some. 

What are your thoughts on hummus- yay or nay?

WHAT I WANT | AUGUST

NEST Madagascar Vanilla Perfume // Lululemon Scuba Hoodie // Black Skinny Jeans // Cashmere Striped Sweater // Quilted Bag // Long Sleeve Waffle Knit Tee // UGG Ultra Mini // Lululemon Align Pant // Lounge T-Shirt Bra

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END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 8.18.23

Yay for Friday, ya’ll. It feels like a good day to just chat it out + update you on life and all the random sh*t on my mind right now. Overall I'm feeling very productive + good about this week. Some weeks are the complete opposite so I always try to take advantage of recognizing the good things when they're happening, big or small. Here are a few positive moments about my week/month!

Let’s start with marathon month at Orangetheory- I’m getting *so* close to hitting my  goal. I signed up to run a half marathon which also pushed me to bump up my membership to an elite plan. I was only going four times a month before and can go eight now. I’m just so excited and proud about my progress— I currently have 10.91 miles out of the 13.1 completed AND I still have three classes left! Coming from power walking in class just four times a month, this is major progress for me!

If you need some encouragement— it feels really good to do something new and push yourself. Just do it! It can be hard to start sometimes but trying new things is sort of like a domino effect. It often leads to other positive outcomes or changes you weren't expecting. Signing up for the marathon not only pushed me to add in the extra classes but also to start running during class + even going at different times. It sounds a little silly but I never thought I'd find myself at the 7:30am class on a Saturday, ya'll. I struggle with being a morning person so that's a big W and I felt great afterwards.  

Today I went to the 5:45pm Friday class which was also new for me + then treated myself to a little solo date at Saladworks after. 💁‍♀️ Y’all know my obsession- it’s so good. I'm crossing my fingers they come out with a yummy fall salad soon-- I need gouda cheese back on the menu! 

Guess who also played BINGO this week and WON TWICE. My Chick-fil-a hosts is every once in awhile and it's SO fun, ya'll. Totally get the hype! I even had my Mom and Dad come and play with me too, hahahahahhaha.  It's giving Golden Girls Era but I'm here for it. 

Update on the Salt & Stone deodorant-- love it so far. Smells great and has been holding up really well so far even during my workouts. If you missed the unboxing post, here it is! 

I made some good progress decluttering this week too. I've been pushing it off for and finally just forced myself to go through and cleaned out the clothes in my dresser. I've been holding on to old stuff I never wear which has lead to zero room in my drawers + just chaos. I was also at the point where my drawers were so full, I could barely get them open. I ended up buying another jumbo storage tote for pieces I don't wear much + made a separate trash pile. For some reason clothes are hard to purge- I think there's a level of nostalgic attachment involved that makes us hold on to them. I'm nowhere near done but inch by inch, right? 

Is it sad that the highlight of my week is decluttering and playing bingo?? Lol. I know this week and post are super rando and all over the place. Real talk though-- I'm constantly reminded that the little things bring the most joy. Things like winning a bingo prize or eating a yummy salad. I hope you've also had some little bright spots in your week! Let me know what you've been up to + if you have any exciting weekend plans? I've been on a little bit of a Netflix rom com so I plan to relax and watch another movie!

What was the best part of your week?

FALL HANDBAGS I LOVE

L-R: Black Leather Shoulder Bag // Green Woven Crossbody // Tan Suede Messenger // Padded Chain Crossbody // Brown Leather Crossbody // Black + Gold Convertible Clutch // Tan Leather Crossbody // Black Half Moon Crossbody 

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TOP 5 MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS | 8.14.23

August is moving on by, ya'll. No complaints here, though! I can't wait for fall to get here, I'm counting down the days. It's still been pretty hot here so if the temps would drop down another 20-30 degrees, we'd be in business. Halfway through each month, I put out a post with the top five most popular blog posts from over the last thirty days. It's always fun for me to share + see which posts you all are reading. Let's jump into today's list: 

1. OURA RING UNBOXING - Everyone's favorite post is back at the top AGAIN- the infamous Oura Ring Unboxing. Lately I've been seeing a lot more about the Oura Ring on TikTok so if you've been curious, this is a good post to read. Also the hype is for good reason- I love mine! If you're into health/fitness and data, it's a really great tool for improving overall health and sleep. I use mine to track my sleep at night + it's discreet and easy to wear. 

Read here: Oura Ring Unboxing 

2. MY AMAZON STOREFRONT - We all scream for Amazon! Lol, how can you not love? I created a storefront a few months ago + have been updating it every week or so. Right now I have all of my favorite Amazon beauty, style, home + lifestyle finds including snacks, pet stuff + more. 

Read here: My Amazon Storefront

3. BOOKS IN MY CART | 7.28.23 - My reading list never stops growing! Here are a few recent finds I added on-- I'm really excited about Britney's book. My question is do we think she was actually involved in the writing process? There's been so much conspiracy theory about her lately, I'm curious to to read it! 

Read here: Books in My Cart | 7.28.23

4. MY MID-2023 MONEY RESET - Alright we're also on a little bit of a money reset over here. I decided a few weeks ago that I needed to get back on top of tracking my spending + just prioritize my overall goals. With the holidays coming up, it's a good time for me to reset and plan out the next few months. 

Read here: My Mid-2023 Money Reset

5. WHAT I'M LOVING AT ABERCROMBIE RIGHT NOW - Okay, I'm not sure how I feel about this '90s resurgence Abercrombie has going on right now BUT there have still been some really cute new arrivals lately. I'm loving a lot of the athleisure + basics in stock right now.

Read here: What I'm Loving at Abercrombie Right Now

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? :)

SALT & STONE DEODORANT UNBOXING

The deodorant dilemma continues! For the past year and a half, I've been on the hunt for the best natural, clean + aluminum-free deodorant. As someone with a pretty active lifestyle, this has been a lot more difficult than I would've thought. I've tried a bunch of different brands + formulas at all price points, both from big and small brands. My overall experience so far is that most of them tend to be problematic in some way or another. 

I wanted to switch over from regular deodorant in order to get rid of aluminum + a lot of the harmful additives that they have. There are a lot of studies about the negative effects of aluminum and because deodorant is absorbed near lymph nodes, it just seemed like a good move. Although harmful, aluminum + antiperspirant deodorants are really effective and work because they reduce the amount you sweat by blocking the pores in your underarms. Removing this from natural deodorants automatically means the pits have drips. 

In addition to the sweating and just feeling more icky, I've also found most natural deodorants aren't very effective at blocking smells. I can deal with a little bit of sweat, however having B.O. is a non-negotiable for me. Some can stain your clothes, others cause weird underarm rashes. It's been an interesting ride, ya'll. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered just throwing in the towel and switching back to my old fave, Secret Clinical. See my dilemma? Despite the ups and downs, I have found one that's pretty d*mn good, however I still have a long list of brands to try out. That brings us to today's post with a little deo haul. 

I purchased a two pack from Salt & Stone which I can't wait to try- I love the overall vibe of the brand. I opted for the sensitive skin formula which is made without baking soda. I can't tell for sure but I think some of the rashes I had before were from baking soda. If you aren't sensitive, they also have an extra strength. I was tempted to grab one of those too but thought I'd play it safe + start with sensitive. I purchased this duo which comes with two mini-sized deodorants in the scents Bergamot & Hinoki and Santal & Vetiver. Brownie points for the packaging + that the scent pairings are more sophisticated. 

I don't really know how to describe them but straight out of the tube, they both smell yummy. Not too overpowering but on the unisex realm. I don't think they're too masculine but definitely not a typical feminine scent either. They have a clean, sultry vibe to them which smells great. 

Planning on trying these out ASAP so I'll keep you updated. If you have any recs, please send my way!!

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What's your favorite deodorant? 

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? :)

DERMSTORE ANNIVERSARY SALE PICKS

L-R: Oribe Gold Lust Repair + Restore Bundle // Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil // Chantecaille Eye Shadow // NUDESTIX Matte Blush Stick // ghd Platinum 1" Flat Iron // Nest Pumpkin Candle // Sachajuan Hair Repair Mask // Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream // Chantecaille Bronzer // Ursa Major Deodorant // Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF50 Face Shield // Colorescience SPF50 Brush On Sunscreen // Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING Liquid Exfoliant // Caudalie Firming Serum // NUDESTIX Illuminating Highlighter Stick // Bioderma Micellar Water

Alright ya'll, it's time for Dermstore's annual anniversary sale. Every year they have a huge sale in the summer with so many good buys. If you've never shopped at Dermstore, it's one of my favorite places for skincare + beauty. They have a lot of higher-end, well-known brands + some unique, speciality brands. This year's sale has up to 25% off of select products + some offers for triple points if you're a rewards member. Because it's free to sign-up for rewards, it's a no-brainer for me. You earn points when you buy which can be used for $$$ off of future purchases. They also offer a lot of free gifts with purchases which is cool. BTW-- this post is *not* sponsored at all. I've been a fan + customer for years + just love to keep ya in the loop on great deals I'm actually shopping. 

So far I've found entirely too much amazing stuff on sale... you should see the total of my cart right now, LOL. Several of these are tried + true favorites I always use (Bioderma + Colorescience are MUSTS) and obviously I always find something new to try too. They also have the new fall Nest candles included in the sale too... I'm tempted to buy one every year. Do you think pumpkin or autumn plum?? 

Decisions, decisions... I'll keep you posted with what I end up getting. The sale is through 8/17 so we still have time to narrow it down, LOL. PS if you do want to shop + sign-up for rewards, I also have a discount code/referral that will save you a little extra $$$ off your purchase. You can click this link or enter the code KRISTEN-R268 when making your account. 

PS-- Dermstore is also on Rakuten + they usually do some pretty big cash back offers. The last order I placed I earned 10-15% back on top of discounts. Right now they are offering 12% + if you REALLY love me enough, you can use my referral link and we'll both earn an extra $30 back after a $30 purchase! That's an extra bonus on top of any cash back earned from shopping. We're not leaving any money on the table in today's economy, ya'll. NO MA'AM! Again- *not* sponsored, I just love + use Rakuten all the time! 

What's your go-to beauty product? 

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

AUGUST READING LIST [ALL THE FALL VIBES]

I'm diving right on in with Fall for my August Reading List. I'm officially ready- my entire FYP on Tik-tok has been full of leaves, pumpkin donuts + all things autumn for the past week. I've also seen so many fun book recommendations pop up with cozy fall vibes, witchy themes + more. The most recommended one I've seen is by far In the Company of Witches which I've heard has Gilmore Girls vibes. I immediately added it to the top of the list + also came found a few more that sound cute! I'm pretty sure Layla is more spooky than cute but she's been on my TBR for over a year now. I'm hoping I'll finally get to it this year, we'll see! 

AUGUST READING LIST

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

+ In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace 

+ Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice by Becky Monson 

+ Layla by Colleen Hoover 

+ The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 

**CLICK HERE FOR LINKS + MY FULL READING LIST**

What are you reading right now?

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? :)

WEEKLY CRUMBL | 8.4.23

Major shoutout to Crumbl for a bomb a** cookie lineup this week! There have been some good ones this year but THIS is definitely the best one I’ve seen in a long time. I’m so excited about all the flavors in this week's lineup: Blue Monster ft. CHIPS AHOY!, Apple Crumb Cake, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, French Toast and Mom’s Recipe.

I tried Blue Monster last year which I would rank in my top ten— I loved this one. It’s served chilled and is like an elevated chocolate chip cookie. With the frosting, I remember thinking it tasted just like cookie cake which I love so I’m excited to have it again. Also a little spoiler- I already had a tiny sample of the French Toast earlier in the week which was spot on.

Ya’ll already know I'm all for these fall vibes popping in with Apple Crumb Cake, Salted Caramel Cheesecake & Mom’s Recipe. It’s definitely a solid lineup so far and while my expectations are high, I think these are all going to hit. Let’s see... 

Okay, results are in… they definitely DID NOT disappoint. This is for sure one of the best weeks in a long time. We'll get my least favorite out of the way which was Mom’s Recipe. This one sounded good in theory but was a letdown for me. I don't know if my cookie was just a fluke but mine was basically just a normal chocolate chip cookie with a tad of salt + oatmeal? I didn’t get any of the toffee or peanut butter flavors which was disappointing. I will say sometimes the cookies do taste a little different the next day and/or when cold so maybe I’ll have a new experience tomorrow? We'll see but as of now, I would pass on this one.

Everything else was a win for me. The Salted Caramel Cheesecake was good. It has a sweet icing + caramel topping which I enjoyed + the graham cracker cookie is always a win for me. It tastes great and has a nice, firmer texture. Ya'll know I hate the cookies are underbaked so I would love if they were all like this! 

Blue Monster was just as yummy as last time. I’m not a big fan of the regular chocolate chip cookie but this one is so so good. It’s also a firmer, more crunchy cookie and I love the icing. I'm telling you it's just like cookie cake! Maybe a tad crunchier but the same vibes. Delish! 

Okieee, let’s talk Apple Crumb Cake and French Toast. Both of these were the stars of the show + very unique flavors unique flavors that I think they nailed. It was also nice to have a cookie with apple since most of Crumbl’s fruit flavors tend to be lemon or some type of berry. The actual cookie itself was sweet and I loved the crunch on top from the apple. The flavor is just like an apple pie/cobbler but isn't too rich or overkill. Very very good. The French Toast, ya'll... outstanding. Definitely a 10/10 on all fronts for being unique + so yummy. The texture on this one is soft and fluffy, more cake like than cookie which I love. The flavor is also spot on, very sweet and full of maple from the syrup. It’s super rich so if you like sweet and syrup, you’ll love this one. 

All in all, I'm very impressed with this week! It's not the norm for me to enjoy almost all of the flavors, especially when I have high expectations. Already looking forward to eating my leftovers! 

Which flavors do you want to try? 

AUGUST GOALS

It looks like August is the month to get it in gear. I'm soooooo ready for fall vibes which are inspiring me to do all the things. Lately one of my main goals has also just been to take better care of myself. Doing this is always important, however sometimes I think we can all use a little extra boost. It's tricky juggling everything all at once + I know I tend to prioritize certain areas more than others. Most of my goals for the month revolve around this in some way-- here's my list: 

+ORANGETHEORY MARATHON - At the top of the list is completing marathon month at Orangetheory which I SIGNED UP FOR! Ya'll, I am so excited. This is my first time participating in one of the OTF challenges and it feels really good! I decided to sign up for the half marathon goal which is to log at least 13.1 miles throughout August. I also finally took the leap and upgraded my membership to elite which is eight classes per month. I'm embracing the change of extra classes + the marathon challenge. Some change feels necessary + good!

+MONEY RESET - Monday's blog post has all of the details on this but I'm also starting a little money/budget reset. I've been major slacking when it comes to keeping up with my spending, goals, etc. With the holidays approaching, it seemed like a good time to re-assess and just get back on track with finances. 

+CLEAN & DECLUTTER - For whatever reason Miss "clean & declutter" always seems to work her way into every to-do list or goal post I make??? I'm the problem, it's me. Lol. Staying organized is just always a constant battle at this current stage in life. 

+FALL SHOPPING - My favorite season and time of the year to shop is always during the fall. I love the fashion, Halloween, Christmas, you name it. It's the best of the best. My excuse is also that I always need a little wardrobe re-vamp every season, lol. I also need a new house so that I can buy the entire Halloween line from Pottery Barn, pls + ty. One day...

+SELF-CARE MAINTENANCE - Also on the list are the things I've been pushing off, lol. I am WAY overdue for a new haircut. I planned to go weeks ago but clearly that hasn't happened. This month it would be really great to check off hair, nails + try my hand at self-tanning again. The last time I tried, I broke out in a rash immediately after. Lol. Send your self-tan recommendations and good luck my way!

+ROADTRIP - Okay, this one is a maybe August, maybe September. I've been wanting to take a little roadtrip and fall time is always the best. I would really like to go once the new pumpkin items come out at Trader Joe's. I have it on my list every year to go and buy a bunch of things to try and I never make it in time. I also want to find a CAVA to try out, it looks yummy.  

What's on your August agenda?