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Books I've Read This Summer | 2019

A Stranger on the Beach
Michele Campbell
 In A Stranger On The Beach Caroline finds her perfect life, complete with a lavish beach house, completely turned upside down. When she meets a handsome young stranger she finds solace in his comfort, but eventually does it become something more? The story flips back and forth between the two conflicting views of Caroline and her young new lover and leaves you questioning what is real? Is Caroline madly in love with this man who is only trying to protect her or is there something more ominous going on with him? This book held my interest on every page and definitely surprised me in the end. You think you have it figured out, but you have no idea.


We Came Here to Forget
Andrea Dunlop
We Came Here To Forget is the perfect beach read for this scorching summer. Katie seeks an escape to Buenos Aires after her life is completely blown apart. The only thing she knows is that she wants to be far away from anybody who might know her or the drama and scandal that ruined her high profile career. When she signs up for a class to learn the tango she is surprised to find a group of people just like her who came to Buenos Aires to escape their own demons and tragedies. Andrea Dunlop writes an inspiring story in We Came Here to Forget that teaches all how to rise above the ashes and learn how to put the pieces of our lives back together and that no matter what we are going through, there are people just like us who would love to just forget, but in the end have to do the work to heal. I highly recommend this fun yet touching story of adventure and life lessons.


The Chelsea Girls
Fiona Davis
What a treat for fans of historical fiction the The Chelsea Girls is! Step into the glamorous 1950's after the second world war and look a little deeper into some unfortunate events at the hands of McCarthyism that targeted innocent members of the Broadway scene. A young playwright, Hazel, has written a script that quickly sets the Broadway scene by storm. Never did Hazel imagine that just hours after finishing the final version of her script, her dreams would come true. When Hazel finds herself at the eclectic and lively Chelsea Hotel and meets one of it's most influential residents she is quickly tasked with delivering her play to this woman by the end of the night. From there things move quickly as her play is called brilliant and set to open on Broadway just a few short months later. She hits a temporary snag when her old friend Maxine, now a young Hollywood actress, drops in and somehow scores the leading part- much to Hazel's hesitation. Maxine is a wonderful actress, but is far from being right for the roll. Hazel has no idea that this is the beginning of a series of mistakes that will decide her future. What secrets and lies are being told that mark the undoing of not only the play, but Hazel's career? Will Hazel have the last word?


One Little Secret
Cate Holahan
It's a vacation, what could go wrong? One Little Secret is all it takes to change the lives of three couples forever. After moving to a new town, Susan decides a good way to get to know her new neighbors is by renting a beach house together while their kids go off to camp. Nobody had any idea that the lies they kept between them would unravel and wind up intertwined in a murder investigation. Clearly there are many secrets between the three couples, but could any of them really have done something as sinister as committing a murder? Is anybody really innocent? One Little Secret is a horrific story that shows you how easily one little secret can catapult into disaster and you won't be able to figure out just who is at the hands of it until it's too late.



Affordable Date Night Outfit Ideas

So you've got a date coming up and no idea what to wear? I've got you! Picking out date night attire varies from season to season so stay tuned to a fall version of this post, but for now enjoy my summer date outfit ideas and tips that have helped me over the years.

Tip #1
You want to feel pretty, but you also want to feel comfortable and still like yourself so don't veer off too much from your usual style otherwise your focus the entire night won't be his dreamy blue eyes, but making sure your skirt doesn't ride up and that doesn't sound like a good time for either of you. You want him to like you for you, so keep that in mind because you rock girlfriend! Don't ever doubt it

My favorite pieces for dates and just to keep on hand are versatile separates that can be mixed and matched. This ultimately gives you more options in the long run and keeps you from repeating the same exact outfit too often. For dates for me this is a mix of these three categories

Skirts



Camis



Paperbag Shorts



You can easily pair a cami with a skirt and heels and then pair that same cami with some paperbag shorts and camis for a more casual date. When the weather cools down you can sub in paperbag pants or nice jeans and keep mixing and matching without having to purchase as many pieces. Another piece you can mix in and one of my favorite closet staples at the moment are bodysuits. The7 don't bunch up so you don't have to worry about re-tucking them. There are so many different styles and sleeve lengths so you're sure to find a style for you. And they aren't that big of a deal when you have to use the bathroom so don't believe all the fuss. Just get a good fitting one and it's easy to snap them closed and open.




Tip #2
Not sure how to dress for the occasion? When in doubt, wear black! Black fits all occasions and can easily be dressed up or down with accessories and shoes. When you aren't quite sure where the date will take you black is always a safe bet.



Floral and Feminine 
Mini Dress



Maxi Dress





Casual


Romper & Jumpsuit
Rompers and jumpsuits are easy pieces that you can dress up or down just by switching out footwear and accessories. For a more casual setting opt for sandals or wedges or for a fancier venue pop on some nice heels.



Sexy
High Neck Dress
One of my favorite style of dresses is the high neck swing or shift dress. The high neck shows off your shoulders and is so flattering on most body types. Plus if you go with the swing style, you won't have to worry about a food baby since the flowy fabric is the perfect coverup!




 Little Black Dress
No closet is complete without a fabulous LBD. You'll always look like you put a lot of effort into your look when in reality it's your tried and true look. This is a great default option when you're in a rush or aren't feeling like your best self. Black is very forgiving and flattering so use that to your advantage!



Accessories
Accessories can completely transform your look. Here are some staple pieces that should be in your wardrobe to get you not only through dates, but most other events in your life.

Wedges

Ankle Strap Heels

Classic Pump

Statement Earrings



Tip #3
And my last piece of advice is to keep a slim pair of sandals or flats in your bag just in case! This is especially true if you are wearing a pair of new shoes. There is no night killer quite like aching or blistered feet. Make sure your night ends on your terms and not your aching feet by being prepared. But if you don't have room in your clutch or forgot to pack your sandals/flats and your heels are rubbing there's still hope! Use some lip balm to stop the friction and save you from blisters.

Amazon Prime Day 2019 Sale Picks and Favorites

 Happy Amazon Prime Day! This year I'm so much more excited for this sale than the Nordstrom sale because some of my favorite products I use daily are part of the sale as well as some that I've had my eye on, but was waiting for a sale on. Let's jump right in so I can share the products I already own and love and which are about to be added to my cart!

Beauty  

I love this thing! I've previously had this in one of my favorites list and raved about what a great product it is. It dries, adds volumes and leaves your hair smooth all in one tool. Gone are the days of needing to use both a blow dryer and round brush and feeling your arms go numb. This thing does it all and you can grab it for $34 right now!

dry shampoo is one of the best! I have super oily hair and most dry shampoos do very little to extend my time between hair washes, but this one gives me an extra day. It's pricey so I always grab it when I find it on sale or have a coupon

So pretty and makes your eyes pop! But best of all, it doesn't budge even in crazy hot temperatures! Enchantress is my everyday favorite.

Already in my cart! I've seen this all over social media and at under $15 I'm finally grabbing one for myself. The compartments in this bag are adjustable so you can make sure all your makeup is organized on your terms. I'm so excited to finally get one! 

This is another one of my favorites that I constantly talk about. My favorite shades are Patina and Bacci. This formula lasts longer than most others that I've tried and as long as I apply a lip balm before applying, I have zero issues with it drying my lips out. And this is coming from somebody with super dry lips! My mom is now hooked on this formula too because it's so good! Grab it at 30% off during the sale!

Stock up on this right now while it's on sale! This is my all time favorite tanning mousse. It is practically foolproof as long as you use a tanning mit. It is a green base so you won't look orange and completely natural. Only $29 during the sale!!

I grabbed two of these because nothing else compares! The tip is precise while the formula is smooth and doesn't budge! I have very watery eyes and oily lids so I need these extra strength products if I don't want my face sliding off in this heat. This passes the test and is my absolute favorite!

I've been wanting to try this powder sunscreen for years, but the hefty price tag made me hesitate every time. This is perfect for beach days or just any time you're gonna be out in the sun. I've heard such great things about it and I can't wait to finally try it for myself!

THis miracle towel gets off even waterproof makeup with one single swipe! I didn't believe the hype for so long, but it's true! You don't need to apply any product at all if you don't want to, just wet the towel and wipe and watch magic happen. I love using this to get off stubborn eye makeup without having to tug at my eyelids. Grab it for on $15!

Don't buy the tanning mousse without grabbing this tanning mit for effortless and flawless application! No tanning streaks here!

This is a hair miracle in a bottle and right now it's down from $28 to $19!



Clothing | Shoes | Accessories 

I ordered this bag a couple weeks ago and used it all of fourth of July weekend. It is roomy and trendy and dresses up even the most casual look. Snag it for under $20 right now!

These are amazing quality and were already a great price, but right now the are just over $20. I've been using this brand for a fw years and have several colors of this style leggings. They're so good!

Super Cute style and under $20!

If you like the tie front style and have one of the most popular long sleeved versions during the winter then I highly recommend this $10 steal! It comes in several colors so at this price you can pick up more than one!

There are several styles available on sale(some for as low as $23!) so make sure to grab your favorite cut while the sale is still going on! My Levis have lasted me for years so I'll definitely be picking up some more.

This cute & trendy necklace is only $7! I don't need to say more!

I've had my eye on this sneaker for a while now and this sale was enough reason to finally order it. This grey color is gorgeous!

I've been replacing all my sports bras lately so this is perfect timing. I picked up the white color, but may order a second!



Home | Electronics

1. Roomba
It vacuums for you. Nothing more needs to be said! Grab it now before the price goes back up!

We recently got the Arlo system with two cameras and I am obsessed with it! You can log on at any time and keep an eye on your home or pet & set alerts based on movement. These are wireless so you don't have to worry about wires or cords. The battery life on them is amazing and only need to be charged every couple of weeks or pick up the solar chargers for even less maintenance!

I love that you can connect these Ring security cameras to an app and share with your neighbors! Not only are you protected when you're away from home, but your neighbors can let you know when something suspicious is happening in front of their home too! Grab this right now for $50 off!

This is a hilarious addition to this list, but it is a must! Just spray before you go and you leave the bathroom smelling better than when you walked in. Now only $7!

This is a crock pot, rice cooker, and steamer all in one. It makes life so much easier and is perfect for those super busy days! Right now you can even grab a bundle that includes the Echo Dot to connect smart appliances and make your life even easier!

If you're an ice lover and like bullet shaped ice then grab this one while it's on sale!

This is what I'm most excited about. This is an all in one fan and air purifier. These things are pricey so I've been holding out for a sale like this!

8. Juicer
This juicer is under $50 so if you haven't gotten in on the celery juice trend you might want to grab it and start!

This machine is on sale for under $100 and comes with some pods! I'v heard such great things about this model so it's currently in my cart!

I've had mine for years and it still works as good as it did when I first bought it! I have the attachments to make my daily smoothies and food processor. It chops super finely and is worth every penny. 

Another product I've heard so many great things about! Now is the time to grab yourself a super vacuum!


1. Orbi
We got one of these a few weeks ago along with a satellite and holy cow! It helps your internet connection and smart devices SO much! If you're having issues with your connection and/or range look into this system. It is worth every penny! I wish I had known it would be included in the sale to save some money on this pricey device!

I love my Echo. I have nearly every light/switch in my office currently connected to it and am expanding into the rest of my home so I ordered another one. Grab a plug wall mount for a cute look & you won't have to worry about the pesky cord.

Attention all pet lovers! Grab this so you can feed your pet while you're away! I found that I have less anxiety about leaving my cats alone when I use devices like this along with a camera to make sure that they have everything they need. Peace of mind and it's on sale!

These aren't the ones I have, but these are so pretty! I love my cord free headphones while everyone is asleep or I'm vacuuming. Only $150 right now!

While this is hardly on sale (the displayed price is marked up. Boo Amazon) this is still a great cooler and I love this powder blue color!

We're brewery lovers so this deal is right up our alley. This beauty is $50 off right now!

I have this one and read on it every single night. I debated getting a Kindle, but since you can also add apps and get online on this tablet at a lower price, I decided on this one. Right now you can get it for under $30!!!! That price is unbelievable!

8. Go Pro
We love ours and have a bunch of different attachments and cases for it. If you're on the market grab this one for a steal!

Like the Echo Dot, but with a screen. This is great for your nightstand or kitchen counter to connect to all your devices and have Alexa within range. Now under $50!

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