Staying Productive During the Summer Months

The summer is a time of year that most people love. While everyone's reasons are a little different, we all share this common enjoyment. The season is usually filled with a little fun in the sun, but there has to be some productivity in the midst of all the memories being made. As a teacher, I had the privilege of having the majority of the summer months off from school. Although, if you took a peep at my calendar I'm not too sure you would call all my time off a summer vacation. On my days off it can be easy to let the day slip away.  However, I try to balance these days with equal parts relaxation and productivity.  The other day somebody asked me how I am so productive in the summer, which is what gave me the inspiration to share my tips with each of you! 

The summer can be filled with vacation, a little bit of work, making time for friends and family, and lots of spontaneity.  Despite all the fun, there are things that must get done. So how can you possibly balance the things you want to do with those that you have to do?

Wake up at a decent hour

Do not let the day get away from you by spending all morning sleeping. It is important to get out of bed and start functioning at a reasonable hour.  Waking up at the same time every day provides you with a normal sleep schedule, which can increase your productivity. 

Establish Routines

Routines are crucial to success. This summer I have been working on waking up earlier to get more done. I wake up, take care of my puppy, and then workout before heading off to work.  Running in the mornings gives me a great jumpstart to the day.  I also create a mental to do list during my workout. It's the time I take to organize what my day will look like.  Another routine I have is eating breakfast each morning. I am most productive during the morning hours, so I try to get most of my tasks done then. Find the time that your work best and schedule your tasks to be completed during this timeframe. 

Don't procrastinate

This is kind of obvious, but I think it is an important reminder.  Get your least favorite tasks done first. This will keep you from spending too much time thinking about how much you don't want to do them. When you get the harder stuff over with earlier on, then it makes it easier to complete the less daunting tasks. Plus it is important to get things done when you have free time, so that if something better pops up you do not have anything holding you back. 

Timed Tasks

Don't let these boring tasks take you all day. Giving yourself a time allotment to get something done ensures that you are using your time efficiently and not wasting the day on something you don't actually want to be doing. 

What gets measured gets managed

Start each day by making yourself a to do list. I'm not talking about one of those to do lists that are impossible to complete. I am talking about a to do list filled with tasks that you can realistically complete in one day's time. When you can cross something off a list, you are more likely to do it. 

Do something meaningful

If your summer months are filled with free time, then look for something to add to your calendar that gives you a purpose. Look into getting an internship, learning a new skill, take a class, get a part time job, etc. Giving yourself a purpose can also lead to productivity. 

Take a vacation

It is so important to recharge your batteries. It is okay to treat yourself to a little rest and relaxation to jump start a new period of productivity. Seriously, everyone needs a little time off each year. 

What are your productivity tips for the summer?

XOXO

July Playlist

I absolutely love music. It might be because I have zero musical talent or I hate silence. Either way, I find music therapeutic. Anyone else find it neat that you can find music to fit just about whatever mood you are in? Spotify is one of my favorite places to access music because you can make your own playlist, access playlists based on what you are doing, and share music with your friends. In the summer, I pretty much always have music playing (while I'm driving, at the gym, cooking, cleaning, blogging, etc.). The only time I am not listening to music is when I am reading.  It's been awhile since I have share a playlist with y'all, so I felt like this week was the perfect time.  In a couple of weeks Todd and I will be road tripping down South, so I'm gearing up by starting a long playlist. Below are some of the songs on my summer playlist. 

You can find my playlist here. 

What are some of your favorite songs right now?

XOXO

June Favorites

It is truly crazy to me that the month of June has come to an end. The month flew by. It was a fun filled month with many many milestones: the first country music concert of the summer, the conclusion of my first year of teaching, my best friend got married, Todd and I hit the year and a half mark until our big day, and I was hired to join the coaching staff at a high school near where I teach.

La Croix

I think this one is pretty self explanatory. I drink a ton of water during the day, but I do get tired of it. Lately, I have been drinking one seltzer a day.  La Croix is hands down my favorite brand. I find their flavors to be so tasty without tasting artificial.  This month my go to flavors have been mango and grapefruit. 

Supergoop Sunscreen

Back in May, I got really burnt. Despite reapplying sunscreen while coaching, I got fried. It was so bad that I had to get a spray tan for the wedding I was in because no amount of sunless tanner could do enough damage control. Awhile back I had tried a type of mineral sunscreen that I got in a sample form a few years back. After getting burnt, I decided it was time to switch to a different type of sunscreen. Let me tell you, this brand is absolutely amazing! Check it out here

Blue Printed Jumpsuit

I have been dying to find a jumpsuit that did not look frumpy on me.  While shopping for an outfit for my friend's rehearsal dinner I finally found one that I loved. It is incredibly comfortable, has pockets, and its light weight.  I love it because you can dress it up or down depending on how you accessorize. 

Pink Jacks

Y'all know I love my Jack Rodgers sandals. I seriously cannot get enough of them. Spoiler- I'm considering getting a pair to wear in my wedding.  Anyways, my mom found these for me on clearance this past spring. I almost did not get them, but I'm definitely glad I chose to splurge at the time. They have been the easiest pair of jacks to break in. 

Running Shorts

I used to be a die hard nike tempo short fan, but a few months back I tried on a pair of under armour's version of running shorts and was instantly persuaded to make the switch. They are much comfier for working out plus they have pockets! They are called Fly-By shorts.

Rodan + Fields Sunless Tanner

Prior to this spring, I had never used sunless tanner. I always a little apprehensive about it, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how well this one worked.  It provides a nice natural glow, doesn't smell awful, and is easy to apply.  You can check it out here. 

So now you have some product recommendations to help you kick off the next month. You may even be able to find some of them on sale thanks to the Independence Day sales out there right now! I'd love to hear what your favorites from June were. 

XOXO

How to Pack for the Beach

It's no secret that I love spending time at the beach, especially during the summer months. One of the perks to being a teacher is having the summer months "off".  Not many teachers I know are ever actually off the entire summer. Most of us stay busy whether we like it or not between working part time (maybe even full time for some), planning for the upcoming year, taking classes, teaching extended school year during July, doing curriculum development days, etc.  As for me, this summer I am not working full time, but I am staying busy thanks to nannying, catching up with friends, curriculum development, reading some books to stay current with my students, during June I took a class, and I am prepping to coach high school field hockey.  With all that is going on I do have some free time, but it never comes two days in a row.  This upcoming week is actually the only time that I have seven full days in a row with absolutely nothing on my calendar. I am taking full advantage of this by heading down to the beach for ten whole days. I could not be happier heading down for some much needed rest, relaxation, and fun!

With any trip comes the need to pack.  I don't know about you, but I am definitely an over packer. I always like to be prepared. Going to the beach you never know exactly what you are going to encounter as far as weather or festivities go.   I think this provides a reasonable explanation for overpacking, but regardless of the excuses I make,I'm really trying to pack more efficiently. Realistically, I know that I am going to spend the most time in my bathing suit/cover up, so I am taking very few dressed up looks. I plan to spend my mornings working out followed by blogging at a local coffee shop, and then I hope to spend most afternoons/ early evenings soaking up the sun on the beach. 

One: Think about your itinerary

It's important to think about what you will actually be doing on your trip before you begin packing. This ensures that you have the right types of clothing for whatever you may be doing, and it helps you make sure nothing is forgotten. 

Two: Create your essentials list

It's important to make a list of the essentials you will need because these won't change. When I make an essentials list it usually includes items like under garments, pajamas, sneakers, sandals, bathing suits, and toiletries. 

Three: Mix and match

This is my favorite and most difficult part of the whole packing experience. I like to do this once all of my laundry is clean and put away. I begin to think about what I will be doing and take out possible outfits I could wear. I then begin to narrow it down based on what my favorites are. I try to pick items that can be worn several different ways. This gives me more options when I'm away. 

Four: Lay it all out to view

This is a very important step to making sure nothing is forgotten. It also serves as a check point to see if you have over packed. Ask yourself what do I have duplicates of and what am I forgetting.  Seeing everything laid out also helps to visualize what luggage is best to use for your trip.  

Five: Pack it Up

Put it all in your luggage and enjoy the trip!

 

Images from Evelyn Henson

What's in your bag for your next beach trip?

XOXO

Bye-Bye Summer, See You Next Year

And that's a wrap!  I doughnut want summer to end. Although summer doesn't officially end for another few weeks, I think most of us can agree that Labor Day is really the end of the season. After Labor Day we seemed to be bombarded with everything related to Fall, back to school shenanigans, and the weather begins to change. Our summer vacations have come and gone, and before we know it we will be preparing for the holiday season.

The past few months seemed to fly by.  When I look back at it, the Summer seems like a blur. It was filled with lots of fun and a little bit of stress (aka the job hunt). I was able to have a girls' beach weekend, spend a week in Charleston, discovered my love for spin class, found out how great yoga can be for the mind and body, read some great books, play field hockey, truly live and learn how things happen for a reason, and spent time with the people that I love. I'm sad to see the Summer go, but I'm excited to see what's to come.
...

Anyone else get the Sunday scaries yesterday and realize that it wasn't actually Sunday? Yesterday I spent half the day shopping and the other half conquering my to do list.  Somewhere in between these tasks, I began thinking how Labor Day Monday is really like the Sunday of Summer. It symbolizes the season coming to an end and school beginning again.  It's a time of transition filled with endless possibilities. 

This year the "Sunday of Summer" had my head spinning. Today is the day that essentially everything I've been so hard to achieve comes true.  Today is my first day of school as a teacher. It's honestly unreal when I actually take a minute to think about it.  As I get ready this morning, I am filled with so many emotions- excitement, a little anxiety, and pure joy!
...

Wishing you a fabulous work week!

XOXO

A Day in the Life of a Summer Nanny

I've mentioned it a few times, but during the summer I work as a nanny for a family with two boys. This summer was my fifth with them.  It's funny to look back at how each summer has been a little different. It seems like during the summer everyone has a little bit of a different job and a different routine. I always find it interesting reading about what others' routines are when their job is different than mine. I thought it would be fun to share with you what my day usually looks like when I'm working. 

Before Work

Before work I usually workout or blog. It depends on the day and what my schedule looks like.  If I go to a spin class at night, then I will take advantage of the morning by getting a little blogging done or treating myself to an extra hour of sleep.  It usually takes me about 20 minutes to get ready for work. Since I usually end up running around outside, I just take a quick shower and throw on a tank with some norts.  I tend to make my breakfast and lunch before I head out for the day.  I like to eat my breakfast when I get to work because then I eat with the kids. 

Mornings

Now that the kids are older (upper elementary school-aged), the mornings are much more quiet. They usually have just woken up when I get there.  The first thing I do is make them breakfast. They usually like to chill out (watch TV, play video games, or on their iPad).  During this time, I make their breakfast. After I've cleaned up breakfast, then I usually read or get a little more blogging done. This summer, I've used the quiet time to apply to jobs. 

Mid- Morning

Usually mid-morning, the kids think of some "big activity" that they want to do that day.  This could be anything from baking something, which friend they want to have over, what movie they want to watch, to what trampoline park they want to go to. Regardless, I try to make the fun activity happen. I'll look for coupons or checkout the weather to make sure we're not going to get stuck in a storm while spending an afternoon at the pool.  Once we figure out what the afternoon will look like, then I make them breakfast and we eat together. 

Afternoons

The afternoons are usually reserved for fun.  This summer we've spent afternoons swimming, at a trampoline park, at a local park, going to the movie theatre, baking, watching a movie, playing games, going to the skatepark, or just playing outside. The last hour I'm there is generally the hottest point in the day, so the kids tend to gravitate towards staying inside.  They typically watch tv or play video games.  While they hangout, I'll watch a movie with them or read.  

After work

After work my schedule changes daily.  On Mondays I usually go to spin and yoga classes at the gym.  On any other given night, you can find me walking my dog, swimming, taking a nap, watching Netflix, reading a book, blogging, or hanging out with family/friends. 

This week my schedule has actually changed. I'm beginning to establish new routines as I endure my first two days of new teacher orientation at my new job.  I'll miss the laid back nature of nannying, but I think I'm ready to get into more set of a routine plus salary pay!

What part of your summer job will you miss the most as we transition to Fall?

XOXO

Charleston Summer Packing List

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm going somewhere new the first question that pops into my head is, "What should I wear?" I mean seriously anything new- a restaurant I haven't been to, a sporting event, a new store, vacation, etc. Anybody else with me?


So naturally once my family decided on the date and location of our summer family vacation, my first instinct was to start looking up what to wear. I consulted with pinterest, several blogs, and my friends who had been there before.  I had some what of an idea of what to bring, but I wasn't 100% sure.  The weeks leading up to our trip, I kept a list on my phone of possible outfits and I stalked the weather to compare it to where we live.  After doing my "research" I decided I was finally ready to pack the day before we left for our trip.

Just a few pro tips for packing for a trip:
Make sure all of your laundry is done before you start packing. 
There's nothing worse than going to pack an outfit just to find that the top is dirty.  Plus, it's always nice to come home to clean clothes rather than dirty laundry.

Check the weather
Chance are the pictures you see of your destination are always on the days filled with beautiful weather. News flash, the weather isn't always as it seems in the perfect picture.

Pack outfits rather than random items
Packing outfits rather than random shorts and tops makes packing much more efficient. This also prevents you from hitting the bump in the road while you're on vacay getting ready for dinner and you realize you don't have the right top or undergarments to match the skirt you brought.

Less is More
Mix and match. Don't be afraid to re-wear items.  Pack some basics that way you don't have to pack as many clothing pieces.  If the place your staying has a washer and dryer, then you will be able to wash your clothes!

Roll your clothes
If you roll your clothes, then you can actually fit more in your bag and your items won't get wrinkled.

XOXO

What's in My Beach Bag

What's in my bag blog posts are one of my favorite to both read and write.  I always find it fun to explore what people take with them for different occasions. It's neat to learn about different products, habits, and what people consider to be their essential items. This weekend is the last weekend in July. There are so many people I know who are planning to head to the beach, are away on vacation this week, or are packing to head out for a vacation in the next few weeks. I thought this would be the perfect time to share this post with you all! 

I have loved going to the beach ever since I was young. According to my mom, even when I was a baby I loved hanging out and playing in the sand.  Growing up, my summers were always filled with day trips, weekend getaways, and an occasional full week spent at the beach.  We are lucky enough to live about two hours away from Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey beaches, which makes short trips more than doable.  It's pretty easy to wake up, pack up, and head out for a two hour car ride to spend a day on the beach.  

Last week I was lucky enough to do a girls' weekend at the beach with several of my friends from college.  Spending time at the beach with three other people made me realize how different each person's beach routine is. Everyone seems to have a different beach philosophy when it comes to how  they spend their day at the beach...

Getting there early and leaving early vs. Getting there later and staying later vs. Getting there early and staying later

 Bring snacks with you vs. buy something from the snack shack or boardwalk

Spend the day laying out on a towel vs. hanging out on a beach chair

 Bringing water in plastic bottles vs. a swell bottle

Applying sunscreen vs. tanning oil

Spending the day on the sand vs. in the water

Lounging around all day vs. being up and active

Umbrella vs. no umbrella

Beach blanket vs. beach towel

Beach naps vs. staying awake all day

I think you are starting to get the point. Anyways, I feel like what people pack in their beach bag is pretty reflective of their beach philosophy. 

 My beach philosophy includes a long day whether it's going early and staying later or going later and staying later, a beach chair, a beach towel, bringing snacks, bringing a reusable water bottle, applying and reapplying sunscreen, spending most of the day on the sand and dipping my toes in the water, spending most of the day in the sun with maybe an hour under the umbrella. and definitely a few short beach naps throughout the day. So how does my beach bag reflect my beach philosophy?



Cover Up
I have a slight cover up obsession. I am a huge fan of sporting a cute cover up to the beach and on the beach rather than a pair of shorts or an oversized tee. Cover ups are great because they are airy, easy to throw on, and they are adorable.  If it gets chilly, then I throw it on top of my bathing suit, or if I feel like I'm burning up I will put it on to prevent my skin from getting burnt. My favorite cover ups have come from JCrew Factory. You can usually find them during a sale for $30 or less!

Sun Glasses
What's a day on the beach without a pair of sunglasses. I'm sure they are a must in your beach bag too! My current go to shades have been these Ray Ban Classic Clubmasters that I got last Christmas as a gift.

Snacks
Whenever I go to the beach, I spend a long time actually on the beach. Part of the reason I'm able to do this is because I pack so many snacks. Some of my go to beach snacks include cheese and crackers, fruit, chips and salsa, chicken salad and lettuce, popcorn, trail mix, chips/ veggies with hummus, and pretzels.  Last weekend my go to snacks were grapes, cantaloupe, and popcorn.

Sun hat
This summer my sun hat has been a new addition to my beach bag.  I have pretty fair skin, so I burn rather easily.  I have tons of freckles, and I'm not trying to get too many more if I can prevent it.  Since my mom had cancer, my awareness of sun protection has increased. Wearing a hat is a great way to keep the sun off your face while looking fashionable.  This year we found adorable hats that have UPF 50 in them.  They come in a wide range of colors and are very flexible, which makes them easy to pack in any tote.  You can check out my hat here.

Water bottle
This is such a beach essential.  Spending all day in the hot sun puts you at risk for dehydration.  It's so important to stay hydrated while basking in the sun on the beach. I always bring my 32 oz. Hydro Flask to the beach. I fill it half full with ice and the rest with water. It stays cold all day regardless of how hot it is.

Book
One of my favorite things to do is read on the beach. I never spend a day on the beach without a book. Sometimes I can read an entire novel while other days I read a few pages before dozing off. Regardless, I always have a book with me. If you're looking for your next beach read, then check out my summer reading list. 

Wet Suit Clutch
I found this little bag at the outlets this spring. It is lined, so you could put your wet swim suit in it or it could protect your belongings you don't want to get wet at the pool or beach. This pouch holds all the random things I don't want free floating in my bag.  I usually keep bobby pins, hair ties, sun screen, lip balm, headphones, money, my ID, hand wipes, tylenol, and face mist.

The hair accessories are great because you never know what kind of hair day you're going to have with the humidity at the beach.  As far as sun screen goes, I usually bring two types- a face cream and a spray. I always apply sunscreen before heading to the beach, so the spray allows me to reapply without getting too messy. I recently discovered a tinted lip balm that has SPF 35 in it. It smells great and adds a little color.  I like to bring essential oil lemon hand wipes to the beach. They are useful for wiping sand off, washing your hands, or just freshening up. Face mist is an essential for me because it cools me off without having to go in the water.

Other Random Items
Some other random items that I always have at the beach include a hair brush, a beach chair, and a beach towel. I like to bring a brush to tame my messy hair.  I pretty much spend all day in my beach chair, so I couldn't imagine not having one. I use a cheap backpack chair, but I'm thinking about splurging on a Tommy Bahama chair for next summer. This year another new discovery of mine was a beach blanket that doubled as a towel. One side is terrycloth and the other is cotton. It's perfect for the beach or the pool. I found mine at Nordstrom Rack but this is a similar one.

I'd love to hear what your beach day essentials are. Be sure to share with me by adding a comment.
Have a fabulous weekend!

XOXO

Summer Reading List

My goal for this year was to read a book each month. So far I have been able to do so successfully. This summer I've actually been able to read two to three books per month. Summer is hands down the time of year when I am able to get the most reading done. I am still busy in the summer months, but no school work is involved so it allows me more time to read. 

During the day I am a summer nanny. The children I look after are getting older and don't need to be entertained by me every minute of the day, which allows me to have more free time while watching them. My favorite activity to pass the time is to read. I can take a book anywhere we go- the pool, trampoline park, swim lessons, outside, inside, etc. The amount of reading I get done depends on the week, but there are some weeks when I am able to read at least a whole book. I try to read at night, but I usually get no further than ten pages and you will find me asleep with all the lights on. 

Most books I read during the summer are light beach reads.  I like mindless reading that has a happy ending. This summer I seem to be mixing it up a bit more with some thrillers and non fiction. 

Finished

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

"...Straub packs wisdom and insight and humor together in a satisfying book about neighbors and nosiness, ambition and pleasure, the excitement of youth, the shock of middle age, and the fact that our passions- be they food, or friendship, or music-never  go away, they just evolve and grow along with us."

The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins

"Every day the same. Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their desk. She's even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life-as she sees it- is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. Until today. And then she see something shocking.."

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

"At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone."

Currently Reading: 

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

"Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why."

What's Next:

Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

"Isabella, Mary, and Lauren feel like everyone they know is getting married. On Sunday after Sunday, at bridal shower after bridal shower, they coo over toasters, collect ribbons and wrapping paper, eat minuscule sandwiches and cakes. They wear pastel dresses and drink champagne by the case, but amid the celebration these women have their own lives to contend with: Isabella is working a dead-end job, Mary is dating a nice guy with an awful mother, and Lauren is waitressing at a midtown bar and wondering why she's attracted to the sleazy bartender."

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

"In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, #1 New York Times Bestselling 

Author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word. If you're ready to make some serious changes around here, You Are a Badass will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some damn money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them - it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it NOW."

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

"Is it really better to have loved and lost?  Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect day, even though she stopped believing in happily-ever-after when her first love ended tragically.  But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really  wants.  Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her."

Note: book descriptions are from Amazon

I'd love to hear about what books you've been reading this summer. I'm always looking for books to add to my reading list!

XOXO

Productivity Tips for the Summer

It's Friday! I don't know about you, but this week has felt really long for me! I worked all day Monday through Wednesday and then was preparing for an interview, which made it a bit of a stressful week. Anyways, I couldn't be happier that the weekend has arrived. Today is the start of my weekend. I took off and am headed for a girls' beach weekend from today through Sunday. I'm excited to have a little rest and relaxation time as well as catch up with friends I haven't seen in awhile. 

It's bittersweet that after this weekend there is only one more weekend left in the month of July.  We pretty much have one month left of summer.  I look back and wonder where the time has gone. I've spent the past month working two jobs, blogging, and getting my summer to do list conquered.  At the beginning of the summer, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish. Slowly but surely I have been crossing items off of this list. I've realized how getting one small thing done a day leads to a month full of productivity.  Today I thought I would share with you some productive things to do with your time this summer as well as some tips on how to actually be productive. 

If you don't have much going on this summer, then this list will help you make your days more productive. 

Now it's your turn, if you haven't made your list of productive items do so now.  Make a list of about ten items that you can actually accomplish. Impossible to do lists are not any good because they make you feel bad for not accomplishing all of the tasks plus this list is supposed to be filled with items you can actually do to feel productive the last half of this summer.  

Now that you have your productivity list, it's time to get started. How can you actually be productive? We all know that making a list is one thing, but actually accomplishing the tasks on your list is entirely different. We are all guilty of sitting on the couch binge watching out favorite Netflix show, scrolling through social media for what you think are a few minutes but ends up being an hour, or just napping the day away. Well, it's time to get moving and become productive. This summer I feel like I have been mastering this. I have been working two jobs, applying to full time teaching jobs, keeping up with my blog posts, taking adventures, and actually conquering my summer to do list. So yes, it is actually possible to be productive this summer, but you have to make it happen!

Get Dressed

Don't get me wrong, I love the little luxury of being able to spend summer days in my pajamas. However, there gets to be a certain point where you need to get dressed. Pajamas are fabulous, but they make you want to stay in bed our lounge around. When you're doing either of these things chances are you are not being productive. Putting on a cute outfit just motivates me on its own. By no means am I talking about putting on business casual attire just something other than your pajamas. In the summer, my go to is usually athleisure. 

Create a to do list

Each Sunday, I create a to do lists with the tasks that I want to accomplish throughout the week. I fill it with tasks that can actually be accomplished not with things that simply can't be done in the limited amount of free time I have. My weekly to do lists usually has no more than ten items on it. I write it down on a piece of paper, then break the tasks down by day in my agenda.  Weekly and daily to do lists will definitely help motivate you to be more productive.  Try to accomplish one to two items on the list a day, and then by the end of the week you will feel pretty good with all that you have gotten done!

Establish Routines

Routines are crucial to success. This summer I have been working on waking up earlier to get more done. I wake up, take care of my puppy, and then workout before heading off to work.  Running in the mornings gives me a great jumpstart to the day.  I also create a mental to do list during my workout. It's the time I take to organize what my day will look like.  Another routine I have is eating breakfast each morning. I am most productive during the morning hours, so I try to get most of my tasks done then. Fine the time that your work best and schedule your tasks to be completed during this timeframe. 

Timed Tasks

Don't let these boring tasks take you all day. Giving yourself a time allotment to get something done ensures that you are using your time efficiently and not wasting the day on something you don't actually want to be doing.  

Make Time For You

Part of being productive includes being inspired. Be sure to set aside time to do things for yourself. You don't need to be productive 24/7.  I like to make sure I have time to read each day as well as watch an episode of one of my favorite TV shows.  Taking breaks allows you to refresh yourself.  Some great breaks include reading, coloring, working out, catching up with a friend, or taking a 20 minute power nap. 

If you liked this post, then you may want to check these out:

Motivation Monday: June Edition

Creating Your Morning Ritual

5 Things To Do Instead of Checking Your Phone

Things To Do With Your Free Time 

What are your tips for being productive this summer?

XOXO

July '17 Playlist

There's nothing quite like a good playlist to help you write the soundtrack to your summer.  During the summer, I feel like I am constantly listening to music. I seem to always have something playing whether I'm running, cleaning, getting ready for my day, driving, cooking, or just hanging out. I have been listening to a wide variety of music, and this playlist definitely reflects that.  

Are there any other good songs I should checkout in addition to these?

XOXO

Fourth of July Outfit Inspiration

It's the final countdown. Only one more day until the Fourth of July! The most American holiday there is- red/white/blue, stars and stripes, barbecues, parades, backyard fun, a day at the beach, etc. Regardless of how you will be spending the holiday, I'm sure you're looking for a fun outfit to wear. Well, I'm right there with you. I would love to go shopping for something cute to wear, but I'm trying to save money plus after a closet raid this weekend I realized that I have plenty of items I can pair together for the perfect outfit. So have no fear, I'm here to bring you some inspiration without having to go on a mini red, white, and blue shopping spree. 

My tips for putting together the perfect Fourth of July outfit:

Step one:

Put on your favorite playlist. It's always more funs styling clothes with a little music on!

Step two:

Raid your closet for anything that is red, white, or blue.

Step three:

Lay all of the items you found out on your bed.  It's best to categorize the items (bottoms, tops, dresses, accessories). 

Step four:

Use my outfits as inspiration to mix and match what you have to create a cute look. Don't be afraid to do some pattern play here either.  It's a fun holiday, so don't feel you need to be boring!

Once you create your outfit, don't forget to tag me in it or use the hashtag #ShoreLifeofM

Have a fun and safe holiday!
XOXO

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