We’re hoping to fill our days with swimming and summer fun and I’ll do my best to snap some pics to share on the blog on Monday. Until then, keep on scrolling if you’d like to check out this week’s roundup of favorites!
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Friend Field Trips
Our boys are camp-free for the rest of the summer and since the first half of our summer felt rather full, I’m loving the slower pace and openness to our days. A handful of our closest friends are running a similar play and we’ve loved filling our days with low-key hangouts as well as a few “friend field trips” that take us an hour+ outside the Charlotte area. Earlier this week, we made our way to Emerald Hollow to do some gem mining (exploring the stream was the highlight for our nature-loving kids) and today we’re off to see butterflies at a local botanical garden. We’re hoping to really lean into the final few weeks of summer with open schedules and fun adventures!
Years ago, I wrote a blog post about little indulgences and how they can lead to big happiness. In an episode of the Happier podcast, the podcast hosts discussed “modest splurges,” a term they used to refer to something that isn’t big or expensive but somehow elicits an almost disproportionate amount of joy when it’s used, purchased, enjoyed, etc. Some examples included burning a favorite candle, taking the time to reread a favorite childhood novel, buying a snazzy new notebook, etc. I couldn’t help but think of the modest splurge concept this week when I went to use the new metal kitchen cooking timer I purchased on a whim from Target a month or so ago. It was such a random purchase and one I’ve found myself using multiple times a week in our kitchen. I think it’s adorable and love the vintage-y look of the timer. It was definitely a modest splurge for me that elicits a little pop of joy whenever I use it!
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Beyond Yoga Leggings (from the Nordstrom Sale)
Did any of you guys out there shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale with good luck this year? I browsed for a bit but wasn’t overly enamored with much to be honest. I ended up filling my cart with exactly four items: The convertible strap version of my favorite bra (the one that works perfectly under our beloved Targe tanks — it’s also on sale!), some adidas crew socks and Under Armour shorts for the big kids and a new pair of Beyond Yoga leggings.
The leggings were the deal I was most excited about not only for the reduced price (they’re normally $100 and were down to $65) but also because Beyond Yoga’s colorful leggings are my favorite. I’m a black legging lover through and through but the only colorful leggings I’ve worn for the past couple of years have been made by Beyond Yoga. They’ve mastered the material of their leggings to make them smoothing and even some of the lighter colors (I have a very light blue color) somehow glide over cellulite and still manage to hide lumps and bumps which is something that typically makes me avoid wearing leggings that are not black. They’re comfortable and perfectly high waisted and I was psyched to find them on sale!
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Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
My rating: B / Genre: Young Adult Romance
Talk about a turnaround of a book! The first half of this book was a bit of a sleeper for me. The relationship (which was, admittedly, very predictable) took for-ev-er to unfold but the second half of the book was just plain fun. I loved the banter between the characters and though the book was, in a word, adorable. The main characters are high school students which puts it firmly in the young adult novel category but it’s just all kinds of sweet and transported me back to high school dating days and all of the magic and newness that comes along with first loves, crushes, etc. At times I felt a little silly reading it (I’m definitely way older than the target market for this novel) but if any of you out there have high school kids in your home who love to read and like romances, this would’ve been right up high school Julie’s alley! Also, I’ve had some requests to share books that are romantic but not too “spicy” or graphic and this one fits the bill for sure. It was recommended to me by a friend who says she likes only the “lightest of the light” books in terms of everything (suspense, thrillers, romance, etc.) and she loved it!
The book begins when Liz Buxbaum’s childhood crush, Michael, moves back into town. Her world stops when she sees him in their high school hallway and she’s convinced her happily ever after awaits her, if she can just make sure he notices her and sees her as more than just “Little Liz,” the quirky girl he knew when they used to be neighbors. Liz enlists the help of her longtime rival, Wes Bennett, the handsome if not annoying prankster next door, who just so happens to be friends with Michael. Will Wes be able to help Liz get closer to Michael? And is there more to Wes than the boy next door Liz battles for the best parking spot in front of their houses every day?
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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
I have vivid memories of watching episodes of the first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders show (Making the Team on CMT) when I was in college. It was a big hit among a bunch of us in my sorority house and we loved gathering in the main living area to watch the latest episodes together. Fast forward 18 years and when my friend Merri recommended the latest DCC show on Netflix, I knew I had to give it a shot. I am only a few episodes in but it’s quickly become my go-to at-home workout entertainment show. I’ll stream it in the background while I complete a Caroline Girvan YouTube workout (the best because you can watch and follow without sound) and it takes me right back to my college days.
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Friday Flashbacks
Beach Reads for Summer (Just in case you’re looking for some light and breezy reads to round out the summer!)
Easy Marinated Pork Chops (Sharing this super simple recipe because it will forever and always be a favorite in our house!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Hi Julie! I am 💯 getting this kitchen timer! I am often trying to cook multiple things at once, and I run out of timing devices to use! I have bought so many items you have recommended on your blog! Most recently, I snagged the portable makeup mirror on Amazon for my daughter heading off to college! She loves it! Thank you, thank you!
OMGoodness…. that Tangle Teezer brush you had in your favorite things gift is 100% LEGIT! I kept thinking it was only for those with long hair, but was absolutely sold once I used it. I *may* have ordered a few to have on hand to gift because it’s THAT good. Thanks for the idea!!
Ahhhhhhhhh, I literally just finished watching DCC! Please write a review when you’re done watching, hahahahaha. I never watched Making The Team, so this Netflix show was my first exposure to everything DCC, and now I’m trying to convince my friends to be DCC for Halloween, hahahahaha.
hi Julie thanks for your wonderful blog- i miss having three young boys like you -plus 2 girls and all the excitement.. and ups and own that goes along with young kids.