Weekly Review | Weekend Happenings

Weekly Review: This past week I posted this post about my current two favorite things currently and an acai bowl was one of them. My mom and I are completely obsessed and we drive almost a half an hour to get one of these delicious meals! 

There was one kinda big thing that happened to me also this week and that is that I started GRAD SCHOOOL (okay maybe it's a kinda BIG thing?!?!). This was sort of a whirlwind type of decision and I'm thinking this will be the best decision I have ever made. 

Weekend Happenings: It's the long weekend and also the start of high school football! Tonight my family, Kyle and I are going to my sisters first football game of the season and it could not feel more like fall to me but also summer at the same time. After the football game, we are headed up to the lake for a much needed relaxing weekend with the family.

Recent Amazon Purchases:

• Writing Desk: This is actually not an Amazon purchase but what I recently bought on Amazon has to do with this desk so I figured I would include this purchase in here. I bought this desk on Walmart actually and it is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something simple with space to actually work on. The best part about this desk is that it was only 50 dollars!!
•  Drawer Organizer: The desk I bought has a small drawer in it and this organizer is on the smaller size so there is still room in the drawer. 
• Vortex Side Chair: I was in desperate need of a new chair and I found this one for under 50$ and it is exactly what I was looking for.

Have a good weekend and I hope you score some amazing shopping deals this weekend!!

Healthy Eating and Good Pants

If there are two things that I love in life it is healthy food that actually tastes good and a piece of clothing that you feel great in. I am happy to bring to you today both of those things, Acai bowls and linen Jcrew pants may be my two favorites of August.

Shirt: Express (similar) | Pants: JCrew | Bag: Amazon (similar) | Shoes: Jack Rogers | Necklace: Dogeared | Sunglasses: Ray Bans | Bracelet: Kendra Scott (Similar) 

Have you ever bought something and thought: "I am going to be brave but I really don't know about this". That's exactly how I felt when buying these linen pants. But it turned out to be the best decision that I have made and I am now completely obsessed with these pants. I literally wear these pants in so many different situations, I wore them recently to the movies because they are so comfortable. I like to roll them up and wear them with sandals but they could easily be rolled down and transitioned into the fall. I keep checking every Jcrew Factory store trying to find more but they are all sold out because of how amazing these pants are.

So I have finally tried an Acai bowl and I can not believe it has taken me this long to actually try one. I feel like I am always craving one lately and where I live the place to get them is like 30 minutes away (first world struggles). The mix of peanut butter with granola and the acai is just so refreshing but delicious at the same time. If you haven't had one before I highly recommend them!

Weekly Review | Weekend Happenings

Weekly Review: This was the last full week of my summer job which is such a bittersweet moment because I really had the best experience but also I'll have some free time to enjoy. This was also a big week because I went to get sushi for the first time!! Kyle and I went out Tuesday night with some friends for some sushi and it exceeded my expectations and I can not wait to go back!

Weekend Happenings: This is going to be an exciting weekend, tonight my family and I are headed up to the lake for sort of a family reunion. I have some cousins coming in from overseas whom we haven't seen in a while so we are all looking forward to some family time!

Favorite Things on the Internet:

• Carrie Underwood is pregnant! Underwood is one of my all time favorite artists and I am so excited for her. She's been through a lot this past year so this is great to hear such positive news from her!
• Momma Mia soundtrack I saw the Momma Mia movie the day after it came out and I have been obsessed with the whole soundtrack!
  

Recent Purchases:

• Tassel back cover up - I found this cute beach cover up while browsing at Target and thought it was perfect for my upcoming beach vacation. I am a fan of anything with tassels. 
• Wicker crossbody - I have been wanting a wicker crossbody bag all summer. I recently put this one in my August wishlist and I went to purchase it and it sold out that day. So I found this one on Amazon and I think I even like it better!
• High waisted button front dress - I bought this dress from Romwe off of Amazon and I think it is so cute but I actually returned it because it didn't hit me in the right places. I added it in here because it's so cute I feel like someone else would look so cute in it!

Neutrogena's New Hydro Boost Line!

Today I worked with Neutrogena to bring you this post. I have always loved Neutrogena but I think I truly fell in love with the company when my dermatologist told me that I really shouldn't use any other products on my skin besides Neutrogena. Today I am talking about some products from their new line called hydro boost. This line could not have come at a better time because I feel as though my skin is dry and rough feeling. This new line is all about hydrating the skin and keeping it looking refreshed and beautiful.

Being in the sun and at the lake is my favorite part of summer but not my skins, that’s why the Hydro Boost water gel lotion SPF 50 is a life saver. This sunscreen is not greasy and has a water-light feel. I talk all the time on my blog about how sensitive my skin is and this sunscreen did not irritate my skin at all.

 The next product that I received was the Hydro Boost Water Gel, which quenches and keeps skin looking hydrated all day long. I really enjoyed using this product after cleansing my face with the Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Lotion. The two products combined have now been incorporated perfectly into my nightly routine. A few days before using these products I had a patch of dry skin on my cheek which has completely gone away after using the Hydro Boost products.

I also received the Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara which hydrates the lashes and helps brittle lashes become healthier again. This summer I have been using a lot of water proof mascara which destroys my eyelashes. This mascara helps to heal the damage from the water proof mascara.

Water Gel | Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 | Hydrating Cleansing Lotion | Plumping Mascara

 The entire Hydro Boost line is award-winning and essential to your daily routine! The entire line helps to rejuvenate and hydrate your skin leaving it looking healthy and glowing. This may be Neutrogena's best line yet!

Thanks to Brandbacker and Neutrogena for making this post happen!

My Favorite Healthy Snack

I try to eat as healthy as I can but sometimes I want a quick snack or even a small sweet treat while dieting this can be a hard task to do. I have recently found protein balls on Pinterest and decided to give them a try, and thank goodness I did because I am OBSESSED. Today I am sharing my favorites which are confetti protein balls. I love these for a mid-morning snack or a late night treat, you have to be careful as a late night snack because they do have protein powder in them.

These protein balls contain:

• 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup of cashew butter
• 1 cup of oat flour
• 1/4 honey
• 2tsp vanilla 
• 2 tbsp milk (may need a little more)
• 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles 

One hack for these balls is if you don't have oat flour, what I did was bought oats and ground them up very finely in our ninja bullet until it was a flour consistency. Another hack is that the recipe called for agave nectar but I only had honey and it works just the same. 

After you mix all of the ingredients together grab some of the mixtures and roll into small balls this mixture should make about 15 balls. 

Another great thing about these protein balls is that they are only 2 points on weight watchers. 

Weekly Review | Weekend Happenings

Weekly Review: This past week I did a lot of thinking about the future and what path my life is headed in. This is the first time in my life that I don't know what is next, I've always had a plan. It does not feel as free as I thought it would. But other than that this week has been filled with rain and not a whole lot else.

Weekend Happenings: This weekend I am headed up to the lake and I am thrilled to just sit around and relax. It may rain on Saturday so if that happens I'm hoping to make it to the outlets to get some deals.

Favorite Things on the Internet:

• Five Favorite Things - last week I wrote a post about five things that I am currently loving this summer, I am especially loving my Lilly Pulitzer swell water bottle which is a life saver for work. 
• Southern Charm - I think I'm super late to this show but I just found it and I am completely obsessed with it. I am only on season two right now but I totally binge-watched the first season. Any other lovers of this show out there? 
• Claire and the Crosby's - This singing father-daughter duo is the cutest video ever! And for how young the daughter is she is really good!!

August Wishlist

I cannot believe that it is August already. This summer is going by so fast and it really has to slow down. So today I am talking about my wishlist for August, some of the items are summer related (to keep this summer going) and some are transition pieces because fall is upon us.

Greece leather slide sandals | Dual zip crossbody | Vineyard Vines Skort | Jcrew Tie Tee | Sun Hat | Lilly Pulitzer dress | Circle wicker bag | Vineyard Vines hat | Kentvi Sandal | Woven Faux Leather Weekend Bag

Greece leather slide sandals - I love this style of sandals but there is no way that I would spend $700 on a pair of the Hermès ones. But Steve Madden has this pair which is very similar and only $80, which is a little more in my price range. 

Dual zip crossbody - I have been wanting a very simple crossbody bag that would go with any outfit and is appropriate for any occasion. This crossbody from Target is exactly what I have been looking for, it is inexpensive so it can be brought to concerts or summer events and I won't be too worried about it getting ruined!

Vineyard Vines Skort - Serious question here: are skorts making a comeback? I'm really into selling and buying items on Poshmark right now and I really want an older (vintage?) piece of Lilly Pulitzer. One of the vintage pieces on there that I have my eye on is a Lilly skort. 

Jcrew Tie Tee - Jcrew t-shirts are my favorite basic tee's, they are so comfortable and I love the fit of them. I love this tee with shorts but it also transitions well with jeans or army green pants for the fall time. 

Sun Hat - I have a beach trip coming up at the end of August and there is nothing worse than getting a sunburn on the top of your head. My mom and I always say we're going to make a hairspray with sunscreen in it that doesn't leave your hair greasy. 

Lilly Pulitzer dress - There is nothing better than a Lilly dress in the summertime and even better yet the Lilly sale is just around the corner. I'm excited about this year's sale although I don't have a want for a specific item so we will see what I end up with. 

Circle wicker bag - I have seen these bags and variation of wicker bags everywhere this summer and I actually can't believe I don't have one yet. I think they are so cute and this one from Target is at the top of my NEED list (yes it's a need not a want). 

Pom Pom Beach cover up - This is another item that I have had my eye on for a while. I love beach cover-ups but I never buy them because I feel as though they are something that gets's ruined very easily. But I have wanted a pom pom cover up for a while so I may have to do it this summer. 

Vineyard Vines hat - Okay so the last thing I need at the moment is another Vineyard Vines hat but I really want a white one. 

Kentvi Sandal - These sandals are part of the Nordstrom anniversary sale on a great deal right now!! These sandals are the perfect transition shoe from summer to fall. I love these because they are so versatile. 

Woven Faux Leather Weekend Bag - As I said before I am going on a beach vacation at the end of August and I have a couple of other getaways around that time. So I will be living out of a suitcase for a little while. In order for me to be able to live out of a bag, I like to really enjoy the bag. Right now I am using a Vera Bradley duffel, one of those that I think every girl owns, but it's just too flimsy. I want a sophisticated one like this leather bag from Violet Ray.