Summer Favorites

Wow! Summer is over and I have already been back at school for a week... Since September begins tomorrow I suppose this is a better time than ever to fill you in on my summer favorites.

Beauty

1. Feeling Beautiful Face Mask (Avocado & Oatmeal) & (Charcoal & Black Sugar): I have been switching it up between these two killer face masks all summer long to make sure my face stays deep down clean and smooth. The Avocado & Oatmeal is the perfect mud mask for revitalizing a tired face, while the Charcoal scrub/mask is excellent for reaching deep down and sweeping out your pores. 

2. Australian Gold Sunscreen: I do need to fill you in on a secret... I have never been much of a sunscreen user, oops! I know, I know. Until I was 18 I can truly say I never got a sunburn (I have a lot of native american blood in me). But fun fact for all you ladies, if you use birth control [it makes you more susceptible to sun] you better be slathering on the sunscreen! I now have to reapply every two hours and make sure I don't miss any spots so this great lotion was my best friend this summer. Oh, and it smells great!

Fashion & Jewelry

3. Black Bikini: I am a firm believer in the classics, especially when it comes to my bathing suit selection. Black bottoms are my staple. If I am feeling fun and crazy i'll add a bright colored top. This summer I went with a black push up top and black basic cut bottoms from target! I can't tell you how great this bathing suit looks on most every body type.

4. Alex and Ani Autism Bracelet: Even though I picked my bracelet up a little late in the summer I still think it qualifies. I am obsessed y'all. As you already know, I am a future special educator and have autism in my family. Any chance I get to deepen my obsession for my passion, I jump on it. This bracelet is classic and beautiful and I fell in love the first time I saw it.

Snacks

5. Donut House Chocolate Glazed Donut K-cup: How self-explanatory is that... Who doesn't want their morning coffee to smell like you just got to Dunkin Donuts while they are still baking the next batch!?
(I added in a bit of Irish Cream creamer as to not add any other flavors)

6. Snapeas Crisps (lightly salted): You caught me, I couldn't keep my hand out of the bag! Good thing they are low in calories and a pretty darn healthy snack choice. These were great to munch on while laying out on the beach.

Technology & Instagram

7. #30daysofhappy instagram challange: You may have already read my post about this challenge, but seriously ladies you should join in! It really makes you think about the little things that make you happy every day. 

8. G-Pop Speaker: When it comes to my family most people would describe us as music obsessed. My younger sister got this little gadget for Christmas last year, and it hasn't gone a day without serious use. It was perfect for playing family favorites out on the beach this summer. Though it may be little, it puts out some quality sound. 

Top Song

9. Chandelier (covered by-Allyson Ryan & Tye James): As if this song wasn't already brilliant done by Sia, it was hit out of the ball park by these two YouTube artists. I am always looking for fun and unique takes on my favorite songs and I now want to marry Tye James' voice! Check it out here: Chandelier

Place

10. Charleston, South Carolina: My family and I really enjoy going to Edisto Island in South Carolina for our family vacations. Edisto is about 45 minutes outside of Charleston, so of course we make a day trip each year. I can't express how much love I have for this fabulous place. Mark my words, I will live on rainbow row someday. 

old navy fall haul, y'all

I couldn't resist the rhyming... I do believe it's the teacher in me, oops! Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I decided I wanted a few new fall staples for the upcoming season. My absolute favorite place for wardrobe basics and staples has got to be Old Navy. You can find almost anything that is in for the season at a very reasonable price. I was on a mission to find a pair of cognac booties, a pair of my favorite jeans in a very dark wash, and a new vest (obviously in a color I don't own yet). I scored big y'all! Not only did I have $15 in points waiting for me to use, but I also found a 40% coupon online. NEVER ever go to or shop online at old navy without finding a coupon online first, they are always easy to find! So without further ado... here are the items I grabbed up! 

"...but its raining!"

NO BUT's ladies and gents, get your cute butts out of bed on this drizzly Saturday morning and find a farmer's market like I did. One of my favorite parts of summer and fall are farmer's markets. Seeing all the products and produce that people have worked so hard to make or grow is just fascinating! It really shows how me just how amazing the world is, even when its yucky outside. I threw on my rain coat and a hat & grabbed my roommates and first visited the Farmville Farmer's Market and then A & J's produce market in Crewe, Virginia. 

What I'm Wearing:

tshirt- old work shirt

yoga pants- target

tennis shoes- nike

rain jacket- north face

hat- marley lilly 

I have an obsession with pickled veggies! (picked up some of my favorite dilly beans)

Jake & Amos Pickled Spiced Dilly Beans

potatoes 

fresh garlic 

squash

What is your favorite farmer's market treat?

xoxo

Uptown Coffee Cafe

By now you should already have an idea of my obsession with coffee. Well lucky me, we got the cutest new coffee shop in Farmville this semester! I can't wait to begin my "sitting, sipping, & studying" journey with this adorable little hole in the wall. (I might even start working there, fingers crossed y'all!) 

 Aside from their amazing drinks they have an entire breakfast and wraps&snacks menu! 

Here is there delicious yet affordable drink menu. I already have a favorite y'all, White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Latte!

I fully believe in this adorable quote, especially since I got to take my "friend" to Uptown this morning! 

xoxo

Forever XXI Haul

My best friend and I have a tradition of making an end of the summer trip to the forever 21 near us and today was the day! I wanted to share some of the things I purchased and why. I tend to gravitate towards solid and basic pieces that will broaden my uses for items I already own. Today my goal was to grab up a new pair of my favorite jeggings and find a knock out little black dress to use at some upcoming events I have planned. I did just that and also found a great pair of black elastic paneled leggings that fit like a glove (a great comparison to the J. Crew pixie pants). I also found the cutest pajama set with the saying "No one understands me like coffee does." on the shirt and all sorts of coffee cups on the shorts. 

What are you going on searches for for the fall?

xoxo 

#30daysofhappy

Okay y'all,  I have a challenge for you! Everyone reading has probably tried an instagram challenge before, but this one has really been enjoyable for me. It's called #30daysofhappy and everyone should really try it. I was able to post something (anything) that made me happy each day. This challenge really opened my eyes to what I have and sometimes look past when groaning about something that has annoyed me during the day. The best part is looking back over those 30 days and remembering all the happiness of the month! 

Here are just a few highlights from my month:

#day7

#day12

#day30

 #day11

Your turn! Go find out what makes you happy over a month's time!

xoxo

Vacay Recap

Alright everyone, i'm back and sufficiently tan! Of course I am sad that my beach week is over, but I left my computer here for a little unplugged time away so I am ready to fill you in on my week. My family and I spent our beach vacation this year at one of my favorite places on earth... Edisto Island, South Carolina. Also, we had to spend one of our days in Charleston because who isn't absolutely in love with that place. I even completed my ALS ice bucket challenge shore-side. Here are a few pictures to recap the fun we had over the week!

We LOVE Kan Jam... go check it out!

Italian Night is always our favorite... (my little sister is a goober and made napkin flowers)

All ready for our day in Charleston!

Mark my words, I will live here someday!

Grabbed some amazing beer cheese dip and a drink at Tommy Condon's (awesome pub)

Boat tour time. 

Dinner out in my family is always entertaining...

 pyramid tradition

Edisto Island, SC--Summer 2014

xoxo

Oh Gavin!

"Happy girl" moment alert:

Gavin DeGraw concert last night was phenomenal, and I got to tally my third concert of the summer. 

Here are some snapshots from the fun my girl's and I had. 

What I'm Wearing:

shirt: old navy

shorts: old navy

necklace: a gift from the lovely lady in sunflowers

P.S. Matt Nathanson opened and was also fabulous. DO NOT say no if you get the chance to catch them on tour! 

On my Radar

I have really loved reading "on my radar" posts by some of my favorite bloggers, so I thought I would give it a try. Lately, there have been three things that have been on my radar. Two of these things I have just recently found and made the big purchase. While one lonesome item has stayed on the list for now.

1. Summer Concert Tickets!--if you follow my blog you should know by now that I have now been to see two of my favorite artists this summer (Chris Young and Dave Matthews Band) and have purchased my ticket to see Gavin DeGraw tomorrow night. I can't express how big a part music is in my life and concerts are the epitome of summer for me.

 2. Nikes- I have been coveting a new pair of running shoes for quite some time now and I came across these beauties and almost died. How gorgeous are they!? My family is also getting ready to leave for a packed adventure vacation in the mountains and I decided its now or never. I will be hiking and biking a lot and will need some new tennies.

 Off to Kohl's I went to see if I could get a good deal on some Nikes and sure enough I found these babies on sale for $67.00 so I went ahead and caved.

3. Alex and Ani Autism Bracelet-- Some of you may know that I am my masters year away from being a special educator, and for those of you who know my inspiration for my career choice you know that Autism if my passion in life. My best friend and very talented blogger Makeshift Munch made sure to send me a picture of the stunning autism bracelet that Alex and Ani carries and I can not wait to get my hands on it!

mask mania

I have recently been searching for a new mud mask and have been extremely intrigued by the idea of charcoal masks. Although I went in search of the Biore self-heating charcoal mask I ended up saving a few bucks and finding something that made me perfectly happy. 

Freeman "Feeling Beautiful" Facial Polishing Mask (Charcoal & Black Sugar)

**notice: allure beauty stamp of approval

I decided on this bottle a little prematurely because I saw that it said charcoal and got overwhelmingly excited in the CVS isle due to how inexpensive it was. Once I got home and was ready to relax and enjoy my new mask my reading skills came back and I realized that it includes black sugar scrub. Oh well... Guess I should try it anyway... 

WOW! I absolutely love this mask/scrub. My hard to clean blackheads were gone and it felt like it removed about two weeks of yucky off my face!

Simply cake the crystallized mask on your face and let it sit for 5-7 minutes.

Now go back to the bathroom and gently massage it around for a minute and then wash off.

VOILA! 

What mask do you use?

P.S. since I picked up two masks for the price of the Biore mask I was originally looking for I will be doing a review on the second mask I got as well, stay tuned!