Summertime & The Livin' Is Easy...

There are all kinds of wonderful things about the summer, but for teachers this time of the year is extra special.  Lots of down time.  Sleeping in.  Lunch dates.  Staying up late.  Vacations.  Doctor appointments.  And everything in between.  Summer is always a busy time of the year for our little family.  We're out of town...A LOT...and enjoying every minute of our time together as a family of four before football season starts and we officially take on completely different schedules/late nights/weekend practices until December (womp, womp).  #notafan

We are *finally* settling back into our time-to-go-back-to-school routine after being gone from late June to mid-July.  Our annual trip this year included Indiana, Michigan, & Las Vegas.  This year we flew to Indy (we usually drive) and stayed with family for a few days.  

Then we drove up to MI for our annual family July 4th celebration.  

We flew from MI to Las Vegas for a week and left the kids with grandma and grandpa.  

Flew back to MI, drove to Indy, spent the night, and then flew back home the next day.  We stayed home for a few days before heading back out for a little beach staycation.  

In the words of my youngest, "this was the best staycation EVER!!!!" 

I hopped on the blog this morning to grab a recipe  and realized I hadn't posted since a few days before our summer travels back in June.  Summer just gets away from me! So instead of posting any new recipes (can't wait to share several you'll LOVE!!), I thought today would be a great day to catch up, throw myself back into the blogging routine, and give you a few of my summer favorites while I'm here :)

FAVORITE SUMMER BOOKS

I love to read.  Absolutely love it. However, I don't have time.  Sure.  I could make the time, but when I try I remember about 500 other things I should be doing and reading just gets placed on the back burner.  Summer is usually the time of year when I binge read.  Here are two of my summer favorites (aka:  the only two books I read this summer, lol)

The Good Girl

This was such a quick and easy read.  If you like books with a twist, this is a good one.  Let me just say right now that I didn't like Gone Girl AT ALL.  I thought the writing was amazing...one of the most well written books I've ever read...but the book itself lacked.  Too much character development for it to end the way it did.  Almost like the author got tired of writing and said, "let's just go with this".  ANYWAY, a blurb on The Good Girl said "If you like Gone Girl, you'll love The Good Girl". I almost didn't pick it up because of that!  This was nothing like Gone Girl. It's written from the perspective of three different supporting characters both past, present, and future.  I love that we get to know the main character through their perspective before actually hearing from the main character at the end of the book.  It was suspenseful and kept me wanting more.  Great read!

Remember Mia

Oh how I LOVED this book!!!  It was a pretty quick read...a definite page turner.  This book is also really well written and from the perspective of the main character, Estelle Paradise.  It tugged at my heartstrings thismuch because from the very beginning of the story you can infer that she suffers from some type of post partum depression.  As someone who suffered from a mild case of post partum after my second was born, I felt for this woman.  As the story progressed I couldn't really relate to her struggles with attachment, etc., but I felt for her nonetheless.  And I loved the mystery element to it all.  I definitely recommend this one!!  

Whenever I'm away from reading for a while and then start back up I remember how much I love it.  I have a list a mile long (you can check it out on GoodReads) that I plan on trying tackle this year. Let's see how well I really do ;)

FAVORITE SUMMER SCENT

I'm not normally a fan of Bath & Body Works, but I did pay them a visit this summer during their semi-annual sale.  I found a couple of new-to-me scents that I find myself wearing over and over. 

These are my favorite...

FAVORITE SUMMER DRINK

A nice glass of cold iced tea...with lemon...is always my favorite.  I found myself really loving Moscow Mules as I sat poolside drink this summer.  I haven't perfected my recipe just yet, but I'm having fun playing around with it.  Now I just need the perfect copper mugs for my new favorite beverage.

FAVORITE SUMMER SERIES 

I binge watched the latest season of Orange is the New Black in two days when it first aired on Netflix, so I needed something else to start when that was all said and done.  Some of my friends reccommended White Collar and it does not disappoint!  And let's face it.  Mr. Bomer is pretty easy on the eyes :)

FAVORITE SUMMER INSTAGRAMS

IG is my favorite social media.  I'm a very visual person and I love scrolling through pictures.  These are my favorite IG accounts to follow and I find myself checking their feeds every day!

The Goldie Grams - I imagine if I had a little girl that she'd be something like this.  My absolute FAVORITE IG!

Murad Osmann - LOVE the concept behind this account.  If you love a good travel account, this is definitely one to follow.

The Sister Studio - I just love EVERYTHING from The Sister Studio, so it's no surprise I love her pictures, too.  They're all so pretty!

Amanda Arneill - one of my most favorite hand lettered designers.  Love her hand lettering promises to her kids and just everyday lettering in general.  Inspiring!

Bumble & Bristle - her bible journaling and scripture doodles make me swoon.  Obsessed with her talent.

Chalk Full of Love - another amazingly talented hand lettering designer.  The talent.  Wow.

FAVORITE SUMMER PURCHASE

In all honesty, I haven't really shopped at all this summer.  I can't tell you the last time I went to the mall.  Since the boys are home I want to spend my time with them and they DO NOT want our time to be spent shopping.  Of course.  However, I did leave them with dad the other day so my mom and I could spend some time at our monthly flea market.  It's usually hit or miss, but I found some really great stuff!!!  These are my favorite by far!!!  I brought these home and hung them in my dining room and I'm slightly obsessed.

FAVORITE SUMMER DATE

We celebrated 11 years in June and our anniversary was, by far, my favorite date night.  We ate at one of our favorites...Eddie V's...and then headed to my brother-in-law's bar...Marquis II...for a nightcap.  Love this man and our time together.  It just needs to be more often!!!

FAVORITE SUMMER SNACK

These little frozen packets of yumminess are definitely a favorite.  I love pineapple everything, but cover it in chocolate and HELLO.  A party for my taste buds.

FAVORITE SUMMER SMILES

These two.  For sure.  Every.single.day.  I will miss these gap-toothed grins when they go back to school!!!  

And that's just the jumpstart I needed to get back to this little blog!  See you tomorrow!