Back from a two Florida vacation and ready to get back to blogging. Usually I stress about what to write, if there's a theme, if it's too long, blah blah blah. Finally, I realized I just need to write! So here we go :) If there's anything you want to hear about, drop me a line, leave me a comment, and your wish is my command!
On to summer...
Here are some of my favorite things this summer that I must rave about.
1. Starbucks Iced Black Coffee- I actually LOVE this. I've gone off processed sugar and so bye bye caramel macciatos and hello black coffee. I first thought it was going to be terrible but t my surprise, I actually like it. Add a little stevia from Trader Joe's and I LOVE it. The cold brew is too metallic tasting for me but a Venti Iced Black coffee is quite satisfying.
2. Benefit's Goof Proof eyebrow pencil is AMAZING. If you want to have on point eyebrows but don't have a lot of time or skill, this is the product for you. I had a free sample from Ulta before it came out and now I am addicted! I don't do any other makeup 99% of the time besides my brows and this makes them look perfect in minimal time.
3. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray- I have used this products for a few years and I need to rave about it every year. I literally just wash my hair and spray this in and my hair looks amazing. I spritz it on my hair wet or dry, depending on the morning. If you want a great smelling, great texture beachy feeling, this is the product for you!
4. Cucumbers and lemons- Basically I'm using lemon juice for almost all my meals! It adds such a flavor and it mixed perfect with garlic, which I use on everything. It has so many
great health benefits and it's delicious!! Also, cucumber is refreshing in water, as a salad, or an add on to any salad. It's crisp texture and taste make it a staple plus it's inexpensive.
What are you enjoying this summer? What should I be trying/using/doing that I may not be?
I just came back from traveling to the Dominican Republic for 11 days with my Aunt Susan. She's only 13 years older then me and more like a sister. We've been vacationing together the last few summers and they have been some of the best times of my life. We've done Longboat Key, Fl a few times and last year ventured to Puerta Vallerta. This year we heard good things about the DR and decided to be a little more adventurous.
I left the boo, JoeyWaffles at home and spent my time tanning, laughing and reading 40 or so books. Pretty much paradise. One of the best things about my relationship is that I missed him some but I was free to enjoy my time without needing him or thinking about being home more then where I was. Plus, he let me use his t-mobile phone so I could text and use data for free and I left him mine. That's trust folks, trading cell phones for 11 days away and not worrying about any texts, emails etc.
I did a little shopping before I left to get ready for the trip. Thanks to an awesome 20% off from Kohls and some already great sales, I bought a one of those 360 spinner luggage bags from Samsonite in teal. Susan made the smart point of no black since that's what everyone has and she was right. Getting my luggage from the carousal it was easy to spot. I also had a Target Tantrum trying to buy underwear. Listen, I love my VS panties as we all know but I really do love my Hanes string bikinis and I could NOT find a good pack to save my life. They had the wrong sizes and ugly colors and I tried to look at every brand, shelf, etc. I finally gave up and tried some Hanes bikinis and I actually love them. Good fit and did not look like granny panties thank god. I was really being lazy buying new underwear for vacation but 7 pairs for $10 is pretty much a steal. A girls gotta feel good from the inside out and that includes underwear. Add in a cute "you go glen coco" shirt from Target, a basic black cover up along with 5 of spray tanning lotion, some coco butter lotion and I was good to go!
Typical day
Pool. Breakfast.
Pool. Read. Tanning.Flip.
Pool. Read. Drink. Flip sides.
Pool. Lunch.
Pool. Read. Flip.
Pool. Nap. Dinner.
Criminal Minds. Balcony sitting.
I accidentally read a lot of erotica which was interesting and also a lot of really great non sexy fiction books. I found SVU and Criminal Minds in English and brushed up on my TV crime shows. I talked with Susan about anything and everything. I learned I really missed not having avocado everyday and that tripadvisor really works (sorry Barcelo, not going back to you!) Also, AirTran was HORRIBLE in the Dr which was a huge surprise. Delaying a flight for 4 hours and NEVER once announcing it? Yuck.
So I am back, tan relaxed and rejuvenated. One of the things I love most about my job is that I came back and everything was done. No one bothered me and life was good. I came back to my favorite faces, a clean desk, and warm welcomes.
I might have jumped poor JoeyWaffles as soon as I saw him in the car and attacked him with kisses. Being home and cuddled up with him and the pups was pretty tops. What can I say, I love that man.
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There's nothing like home sweet home.
#metime on instagram pretty much means girls taking bubble baths or getting mani/pedis. I'm pretty much in agreement with that. A nice bubble bath with a glass of wine, my book, and some candles has become my Saturday night ritual while Joey works. Well deserved too since I shoveled the sidewalks and cleaned the house.
Superbowl...I think it's all been said. We wanted Peyton for sentimental, Seattle for skill and it was a massacre that many people stopped watching. Commercials sucked and I don't want to buy a car or drink Bud but I did love their #bestbuds ads the best after David Beckham.
Oh! I have my one of my vacays booked for June. Going to
Punta Cana with my amazing Aunt (she isn't that much older then me) who I've vacationed the last 2 summers with. Can't wait for water, sun, and a book with a nice cool tropical drink. Joey and I are planing another trip to Starved Rock with our friends Rick and Sarah. We all went last year for the first time, rented a cabin and had a blast. We are also planning a road trip to Colorado with the guys Jeep Wranglers, pretty damn excited for that.
I pretty much am loving the Better Business Bureau right now. La Fitness were being complete jerks about a personal training contract where they refused to meet their own terms and were trying to charge me thousands of dollars. Two days after I made my formal complaint, they dropped everything. SO relived and I can start using my membership again but I do love their clubs. Clean and friendly and have everything I need.
Saving money has been going AMAZING. I absolutely love paying my bills. I know it sounds crazy but the feeling I get now when I know my bills are paid and my CC debt is slowing lowering, it's fantastic. I still get to live my North Shore life. I even bought myself some Hunters with Welly socks which I adore btw. If you love in Chicago like i do, with this snow, a worthwhile investment. If you follow my instagram you can see I've started packing my lunch and doing some meal preps which means I'm eating healthier and saving $$.
Also, coming this week: book reviews on Where'd you go, Bernadette, This is Where I'm leaving You, and Dark Places; my restaurant reviews on Gale Street Inn and Blind Faith Cafe, and my spending budget for the month!
