I still wanted to take a moment to share this week’s roundup of favorites with you guys before logging off so please keep on scrolling if you’d like to check them out. Enjoy your weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday #517
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Celebrating Ryder’s 6th Birthday!
Even though we did a family birthday party celebration in Florida for our middle man, we had to make sure to make Ryder feel a little extra loved on his real sixth birthday, too! On Tuesday Ryder turned six years old and we celebrated with an afternoon at the arcade with friends and an evening swim at the pool. Ryder was on cloud nine all day and requested snow cones topped with whipped cream in lieu of birthday cake this year and when you’re the birthday boy, that’s exactly what you get! I am still planning to share a 6-year-old update about Ryder (I honestly love writing them for my own memories) though I am not sure how it’s possible that my little brown-eyed mohawked baby boy is SIX. How!?
Another mom and I had a good laugh over these watermelon ball pool toys at the pool this week because clearly we were both targeted by the same Amazon ad and couldn’t resist adding them to our carts. They were a birthday present for Ryder and I ordered them after reading reviews that made them sound really unique and just plain cool! They ended up being a slam dunk birthday gift as both Chase and Ryder quickly became obsessed with them. The balls are made in a way that lets you pass them underwater (a HUGE hit for our big kids who loooove underwater time), dribble them underwater, etc. They’ve had the best time creating a bunch of different games and challenges with these pool toys and they’ll absolutely be a go-to gift for me to give to their friends with summer birthdays this year.
Note: I’m really glad I got the two pack of watermelon balls that includes the smaller rainbow ball because that one is a little easier for younger kids to manage. Both balls have been played with every day at the pool this week!
(Sarong: Amazon / Pool bag: Amazon / Sandals: TKEES / Swimsuit: Maaji)
File this sarong under my most-used new purchase of the summer! I ordered this sarong back in March when I was dreaming of the pool and lake days ahead and it has far exceeded my expectations. I packed three different coverup options to wear during our trip to Florida since we go to the beach and pool every day during our visits and this was the only one I found myself using! It was just so easy to tie around my waist and the lightweight fabric meant it was still nice and cool and it dried out quickly if it got wet. There’s also enough fabric to tie it up and wear it as a dress coverup at the pool as well. It washes well and I couldn’t resist ordering it in another color to give me some options since I’ve been wearing it to the pool daily.
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None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
My rating: A- / Genre: Psychological Thriller
This book was a wild ride. I had a good friend tell me to read it a while back but I was lost in the Throne of Glass abyss and didn’t have the chance to dive into the book until this week. I read it in two nights because I was so into it! The novel is a dark psychological thriller that had me flying through the second half of the book. It’s disturbing, twisty, creative and unsettling. I don’t want to say too much as I feel like a lot of what I want to talk about regarding this book would result in spoilers for those who haven’t read it, but if you typically enjoy thrillers, this book felt different than your average cookie-cutter thriller and kept me guessing.
None of This is True begins when two women find themselves in the same restaurant celebrating their 45th birthdays on the same evening. Josie is immediately captivated by Alix and when she sees a card on the table where Alix is celebrating with friends, she realizes they are birthday twins. They chat briefly over their shared birthday and when the two women bump into each other again a few days later, Josie admits she began listening to Alix’s podcasts after their conversation in the restaurant.
Josie tells Alix she has a story to tell for her podcast and assures Alix it’s a story that deserves to be heard. A journalist at heart, Alix is intrigued if not a little unsettled by Josie, and the women begin meeting to record Josie’s life story. As Alix begins to learn more about Josie’s dark secrets, she becomes increasingly concerned, a feeling that only intensifies when Josie begins inserting herself in Alix’s life in ways Alix never anticipated.
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May 2024 Top 10
May’s top 10 post is a little delayed as I missed my first Friday post of the month while we were in Florida! Thank you to blog reader Jenna for reminding me to share this recap of May’s top 10 blog posts and your top 10 favorites from last month!
Blog Posts
- Chicken and Chickpea Salad
- Simple Summer Chopped Salad
- How to Make Salmon Bites
- Mother’s Day Weekend 2024
- Wildacres Retreat
- Recent Looks #6
- Paleo Chicken Thigh Marinade
- Egg White Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
- Week of Weeknight Meals (May 2024)
- Breakfast Meal Prep Recipes
Best Sellers
- Amazon Sports Bra (10/10 quality, flattering fit and supportive. I love it as someone with a small chest but reviews are great for larger chests, too. I now have it in 3 colors!)
- Lightweight Pajama Set (Lightweight and breezy and perfect for summer. Note: The top is longer than it appears in the photos online which I like.)
- Skylar Vanilla Sky Candle (I LOVE that so many of you are loving this clean candle. The scent fills a room so well with the most beautiful, cozy vanilla scent.)
- Breezy Button-Down Top (The perfect breezy summertime button-down.)
- Wiggle Car Ride-On Toy (Gotta love a toy your kids will play with for years! All three of our boys still fly around on these cars regularly and they began using them when they were only two years old!)
- Kid Crew Socks (The socks our boys wear on repeat. The cutest retro look!)
- Supergoop! Play Everyday Sunscreen (Our family’s go-to sunscreen for years.)
- Silicone Lid (Replaces plastic wrap/foil to keep food fresh with a strong seal.)
- Neon Crop Top (The workout top I’ve been wearing on repeat.)
- Side-Tie Beach Skirt (I love a midi skirt and the gauzy fabric of this one makes it ideal for summer — aka not too hot! I even wore it in the Florida heat and it wasn’t too steamy.)
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Friday Flashbacks
Ceviche-Inspired Shrimp and Edamame Salad (I swear I could eat this salad every single day for lunch, especially during the summer months!)
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Dough Overnight Oats (My breakfast yesterday!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Happy Birthday Ryder!!
Wisconsinite here! Hope you enjoy your time in Milwaukee.
Another wisconsinite! Enjoy the concert, lots of concerts in Milwaukee this weekend!
I’ve been reading your blog on and off since 2011 and quickly stumbled back this afternoon and so glad that you are still active! Love your posts and all your recommendations. I also loved watching you and your sweet family grow.