June Favorites

Can you believe that today is the last day of June? The month has flown by. The first half of the month was filled with end of the school year shenanigans and the second half has been filled with more summer related things like being a camp counselor, nannying, and enjoying a day a few days off.  This might be the first summer in awhile that I won't make it to the beach until the month of July (sigh). I guess this is what the adult life is like. On a positive note I have a few beach trips planned for the upcoming month. 

Here's a little recap of my favorites from the month of June:

Reading

Now that school is over, I feel like I have time to read some books that I want to.  I'm working on a list of books to conquer this summer, so feel free to send any suggestions my way! I am hoping to read a combination of some popular YA Lit. books (keeping up with my future students) and some adult light fiction novels. I'm a sucker for a good romance novel. 

Currently, I'm reading Girl on the Train. It's not my usual read, but I do have to say so far I'm loving it. I've read over half the book in the past few days. I'll have a review to come in the future. 

Watching

What can I say, I love my Bravo TV shows. This month I have been hooked on Southern Charm. I find the characters on the show quite funny. They are drama filled, which makes the show entertaining. Plus, it's set in Charleston, South Carolina- a place I have always wanted to travel to. I love their sense of style and seeing the different places where the show is set. Sadly, the season finale was Monday night, so it's time to find a new show for the rest of the summer. 

Wearing

Lots and lots of workout clothes. The past two weeks I've worn more athletic outfits than I have normal clothes. Being a camp counselor last week, a summer nanny this week, and working out regularly has me wearing all different kinds of athletic attire.  At the beginning of the month, I found an adorable pair of leggings with mesh and cut outs at the bottom. They were less than $20 at 

TJ Maxx, which was such a steal for their quality and how cute they are. They have been perfect for yoga, barre, and spin classes. 

Smelling 

Pink Sands by Yankee Candle has been my go to scent lately. This candle scent was given to me as an end of the year gift from one of my former students. It's nice and light, plus it has a hint of a beach scent to it. I'll be sad when I reach the end of it soon. 

Eating

I've been working on eating healthier.  Everyone says how breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but there are some days where I just don't feel like eating. Recently, I discovered a protein bar that tastes good, doesn't make me feel sick, and provides me with enough energy to make to lunch. These RX bars are made of only a few ingredients, so they are pretty nutritious. They come in several different flavors, but my favorite flavor is the chocolate sea salt.  Most grocery stores sell them and if yours doesn't, then you can always purchase them on Amazon. 

Products I'm Loving

This month there are two products that I am just loving. The first is pink nail polish. I always enjoy wearing bright colors on my toes and hands during the summer months. This year I'm definitely going for the many different shades of pink.  My current nail color is Cascade Cool. I refer to it as a less obnoxious shade of  barbie pink.

Last weekend, my mom and I wandered into a local shop that sells products from numerous vendors in our area.  We found a fabulous line of body creams that are made of natural ingredients. I picked up a bergamot and grapefruit body cream that has just been fabulous. It smells so great and it makes my skin feel incredibly soft. It's been great for helping to sooth sunburns. The neat part is that it is actually made in the town I live in. You can check out their products here. 

Drinking

My go to beverage lately has been just about any flavor of La Croix Seltzer water.  I drank it a few years ago, but the past month I discovered it on sale in Target again.  I love how flavorful each type is.  I drink a ton of water, so I like to mix it up with one of these every once in awhile. Hands down, my favorite flavor is grapefruit. If you haven't tried it, then I highly recommend it. 

Your Turn:What have your favorites been this month?

Remember you can always keep up with me via Instagram @shorelifeof_m

Have a fabulous weekend!

XOXO

Summer Bucket List

For some of you the summer is a third of the way over, but for me it seems to just be getting started this week.  I enjoyed my day off on Monday and getting back into the routine of nannying the past few days.  I feel like this summer is going to be a short one for me, so I'm looking to make the most out of every day.  I've created a summer bucket list to help give me fun ideas for things to do the next few months.  

In addition to the fun list, I also have a more practical list of things that need to get done (find a job, clean my carpets, etc). 

If you enjoyed this list, then check out my 101 in 1001 list. 

What's on your to do list this summer?

XOXO

Seven Summer Shoes

We are less than a week out from July, which means summer is in full swing. During the summer months I tend to go barefoot most of the time since I'm usually in my house, in the backyard, at a pool, or at the beach. However when I'm wearing shoes, I like them to be fun, cute, and comfortable.  We all know the summer is filled with a wide range of events, so it is important to have the perfect summer shoe collection that fits all of your needs. Summer includes lots of trips, so it's important to have shoes with multi purposes that way you can save some room in your suitcase

I have seven different summer shoes that I rotate in and out depending on the day, event, and my outfit. While they are not all staples, I thought it would be fun to share them with you. 

Jack Rogers

Yes, I have three different pairs of Jacks, and I am equally obsessed with each of them. I bought my Hamptons Sandals in platinum five years ago, and they are still in fabulous shape. The Lauren Sandal in white is great to pair with dresses and skirts. The Alana Sandals are such a fun look. I have them in navy, which matches with just about everything in my summer wardrobe. The tassels are cute and classy. It took me awhile to get used to this style, but eventually I realized how comfortable they were. The What I love about all three of these is that they can provide a dressier look when paired with the right outfit, or they can be great for a casual look with shorts and a tank. If you're looking to purchase a new pair but don't want to pay full price, then you can checkout their current sale or wait until Nordstrom's has one of their anniversary sales. 

Casual Flip Flops

Everyone needs a pair of flip flops that they can wear to the beach, at the pool, to pilates class, or just around the house.  For me these sandals are Sanuk yoga mat flip flops. They are incredibly comfortable especially when you're doing a ton of walking. They're made out of recycled yoga mats, so if you are into being green then check them out. 

A Small Heel

It's no secret that the summer season is known for weddings, graduation parties, family reunions, showers, and other fancier events.  I think it's important to have a little bit of a dressier shoe in your summer collection. Plus if you work through the summer, then you need a shoe to pair with your business casual outfits.  I am a fan of a small scrappy nude heel that you can pair with many different outfits.  I found these block heels from JCrew Factory a month ago for less than $30. They are cute, comfortable, and a great essential for the summer wardrobe. 

White Sneakers

White sneakers are perfect to wear when you are doing lots of walking but still want that summer fashionista look. You can pair them with jeans, dresses, skirts, shorts, and even athletic clothing. My favorite pair of white sneakers are Jack Purcells. They have great support for days when I'm on my feet for an extended amount of time. I like them because they are a little different than your typical white converse plus they fit my narrow foot well. 

Running Shoes

There is something about the summer that seems to have everyone on a fitness craze. For me, I like working out in the summer because I simply have more free time than I do during the other months of the year.  I also love running in the summer time because you get a good workout in a short amount of time. Recently I've discovered that a quality pair of running shoes make such a difference. My current pair are Brooks. You can find them here. I have the Ravenna's. I have nothing but fabulous things to say about them. 

What's your go to summer shoe?

XOXO

Let's Have Coffee

Good morning sunshine. I hope your week has gotten off to a fabulous start. If not, then let's start to turn things around now. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer), put on your favorite playlist, and have a seat to chat about life's recent happenings.  We're going to have a bit of a virtual coffee date. I clearly have not been posting regularly, so I thought it would be fun to catch up a little bit.  I'll share  some life updates with you, then I have a few questions for you to answer! 

The first question I have for you...What's your current go to coffee date beverage?

If we were on an actual coffee date right now, then I would be drinking some type of iced coffee with cream and a little sugar in it. It's way too warm outside to be drinking a hot beverage! The heat index the past few days has been around 90. My go to Starbucks order lately has been iced coffee with milk, two pumps of simple syrup, and a pump of flavored syrup depending on my mood. 

So the last time we chatted, I filled you in on month five of my adulting adventures. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then check it out here. Since then I have finished out my temporary long term substitute contract as a seventh grade math teacher and started my summer "break".  The teaching position gave me lots of experience. I realized this weekend that this past school year I had the opportunity to help open a sixth grade Language Arts classroom, and then I learned how to finish out the year with my substitute teaching position.  The end of the year was filled with so many interruptions, schedule changes, high energy adolescents itching for a break from school, and some really heartfelt gifts from generous students. I could go on and on about my experience as a new teacher, but I think I might save all the details for another time. 

Do you have any exciting plans this summer? 

This summer I have a short list of items I'd like to cross off. I'll be working several different jobs- my part time retail job, nannying, and working a camp this week. I plan to continue getting into better shape by playing field hockey, running, getting back into lifting, doing yoga, and attending spin classes. I'm hoping to find time to relax and simply do nothing because the past few months have been crazy busy.  I intend to catch up with friends I haven't seen in awhile. The goal is to have full time teaching contract by the end of summer, so ideally I will be busy with interviews. 

Have you read any good books lately? 

I love to read, but lately I haven't had time to do so.  Now that I have more free time, I'm looking for book recommendations.  I discovered an app yesterday that allows you to use your public library card to download audio books. I'm excited to try this out. I'll let you know how it works out. 

I'm working on posting on my blog regularly again. I have some ideas of things I want to write about, but I am constantly searching for better ideas plus it's all about the readers. 

What types of posts would YOU like to see in the next few months?

I have a few posts planned about healthy dinner ideas, some outfit inspiration, and of course an adulting update. My blogging editorial calendar hasn't been finalized yet, so I'm still open to any and all suggestions!

What's been your favorite lunch food lately? 

A few weeks ago, I discovered the perfect bento box at Starbucks. I have been working to recreate it at home, but I have yet to master it. I'll be sure to share my recommendations once I perfect it. I have also been loving all of the fresh fruits and veggies that are in season. 

Have you found any cute clothes lately? 

You know by now how much I love to shop.  I am such a shopaholic. I've been working to save my money, but every once in awhile I have to #treatmyself. A few weeks ago, my mom and I went to the mall and had some fun trying on dresses and coverups in Lilly Pulitzer. How cute are these!

I love the bright colors and light fabric- perfect for hot summer days at the beach. The dress would even be great to wear for work to brighten up the office on those days you wish you were somewhere tropical instead. 

I hope you enjoyed our coffee date. As you finish reading this, I am most likely running around with elementary aged kids teaching them how to have fun while thinking outside of the box through problem solving! I'm looking forward to coming home today to read all of your answers to the questions and your feedback on our first virtual coffee date. I'll be sure to answer any extra questions your have- be sure to leave them in the comment box below. In case you forgot, here were my questions:

XOXO